Streetwise: Signs of the Times

by Frank Dunnigan

April 2023

Over the years, many local businesses have displayed iconic signs at their locations. Its still possible to see them in the minds eye, even though many have been gone for decades. This month, we dip into the photo archive to recall some memorable examples of local signage in the western neighborhoods  only a few of which remain part of the landscape today.

ALEXANDRIA  The Alexandria opened with an Egyptian motif 100 years ago in 1923. It was remodeled in the Moderne style in 1941, just before World War II, and the massive vertical sign was added at that time. The theatre was converted to a triplex in November 1976, and it closed in 2004. Although housing was built on the site of the adjacent 18th Avenue parking lot, plans for the theatre building itself remain unfulfilled. During the heavy rainstorms in January 2023, parts of the sign were damaged, leading to a city order for the removal of the entire sign as a safety hazard.

BARONIAL  A row of bright lights and blue neon lettering on the overhead sign marked this location of Baronial Bakery at 1033 Taraval Street. A neighborhood fixture for decades, Baronial closed when the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Nabbefeld, took a well-deserved retirement in the early 1970s. The site has since been home to a variety of small, local dining spots.

BEEPS  Beeps Burgers on Ocean Avenue, near City College, opened in 1962 during the dawn of the Space Age. The original owners retired in the early 1970s and the business passed through a series of new owners. Since 2014, the eatery and its classic sign have been refurbished by the present owner, Samantha Wong, and Beeps is still dispensing exceptional hamburgers, fries, and shakes more than 60 years after its opening. Read the history of this Legacy Business and see more vintage photos of the Ocean Avenue location

BEKINS STORAGE  This landmark brick building has occupied the summit of Geary near Masonic since the late 1920s, with its orange neon sign visible in many neighborhoods across San Francisco. The building has been operated by Public Storage for many years now.

COLONIAL SAVINGS  This building at the corner of West Portal Avenue and Vicente Street originally housed a drug store with an adjacent Bank of Italy (later Bank of America) branch dating back to the 1920s. It became the Colonial Savings and Loan Association by the 1950s. The building was later demolished for a more modern structure with underground parking that opened as Home Savings in 1977. That new building now houses a branch of Chase Bank. Read more about the mosaic at the entrance to the new building in the May 2022 Streetwise

DOGGIE DINER  The popular hot dog chain operated in up to 30 Bay Area locations from 1948 until 1986. The company logo was a 7-foot-tall head of a dachshund. After the chains closure, a refurbished head was installed in the median on Sloat Boulevard in 2001, near one of the diners final locations. Five years later, the doggie head became an official San Francisco landmark. Read more about the history of this icon in Arnold Woodss article from July 2001.

EMPORIUM STONESTOWN  The enormous scripted red letter E was an icon to passersby along 19th Avenue from the stores 1952 opening until its eventual closure in 1995, giving rise to the stores nickname, the BIG E. Macys then took over the space for 20-plus years until March 2018. The location has been converted into a multiplex theatre and shops. The parking lots in the foreground are now being considered as possible sites for new multi-story housing units. Read more about the proposal.

THE GAP  The Gap, founded in 1969 by San Franciscans Donald and Doris Fisher, opened its first store on Ocean Avenue, adjacent to the El Rey Theatre. The firms name was a subtle reference to the generation gap and the chain catered to those on the younger side of that gap who sought trendier clothing and music. Anyone else remember the five-note theme song? FALLINTOTHE GAP.

OCEAN PARK MOTEL  Opening in April 1937, to coincide with the May dedication of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ocean Park was San Franciscos first motel. It was originally surrounded by open space and sand dunes. Today, it is a quiet Streamline Moderne spot in a built-up neighborhood of homes. Offering comfortable accommodations and a modern-day hot tub, it has been operated by owners Vicki and Marc Duffet since the 1970s. Learn more about the Ocean Park Motel in this 2013 Outside Lands Podcast

RINGS MARKET  Rings Market operated at 33rd Avenue and Taraval with a tower of rings sign from the early 1950s through the early 1970s. It was replaced by a local Social Security office and later by an insurance agency, still with the parking lot shown at left. Note the hand-painted window advertisements that were generally prepared weekly, with wording in colors of black or blue and prices in red. The iconic tower sign is long gone, and as of December 2022, the 7,000-square-foot building was listed for sale.

TIPPYS  This bar, a decades-long neighborhood institution, was located on the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Geary Boulevard. It was conveniently kitty-corner from the McAvoy-OHara mortuary  a frequent alignment of businesses in old San Francisco. When streetcars were removed from Geary in late 1956 and a third lane of vehicular traffic added, the old sign extended a bit too far for the new configuration. Rather than remove it, the owners simply tipped it upward a bit to comply with local ordinances. Tippys is long-gone, and for many years now, the adjacent Boudin Bakery has occupied Tippys old space. Read more about Tippys and other west side watering holes in the August 2015 Streetwise

ZIMS  The Zims chain, founded by San Franciscan Art Zimmerman in the early years after World War II, opened one of its most popular locations at the southwest corner of 19th Avenue and Taraval in 1957. It was the neighborhood go-to place from early morning to late night. Sadly, the chain folded in 1995, closing dozens of locations throughout the Bay Area. Since then, multiple newer dining spots have occupied the space. Read San Francisco Chronicle columnist Steve Rubensteins history of Zim's

One of the saddest sign removal scenes in local history took place on New Years Eve, 2020. Read the San Francisco Chronicles obituary for a beloved piece of local history  the iconic Cliff House sign.

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
By Pepe Escobar

We were waiting for the end of the world

Waiting for the end of the world, waiting for the end of the world

Dear Lord, I sincerely hope Youre coming

Cause You really started something Elvis Costello , Waiting for the End of the World, 1977

April 16, 2023: Information Clearing House -- We cannot even begin to fathom the non-stop ripple effects deriving from the 2023 geopolitical earthquake that shook the world: Putin and Xi, in Moscow, de facto signaling the beginning of the end of Pax Americana.

This has been the ultimate anathema for rarified Anglo-American hegemonic elites for over a century: a signed, sealed, comprehensive strategic partnership of two peer competitors, intertwining a massive manufacturing base and pre-eminence in supply of natural resources  with value-added Russian state of the art weaponry and diplomatic nous.

From the point of view of these elites, whose Plan A was always a debased version of the Roman Empires Divide and Rule, this was never supposed to happen. In fact, blinded by hubris, they never saw it coming. Historically, this does not even qualify as a remix of the Tournament of Shadows; its more like Tawdry Empire Left in the Shade, foaming at the mouth (copyright Maria Zakharova).

Xi and Putin, with one Sun Tzu move, immobilized Orientalism, Eurocentrism, Exceptionalism and, last but not least, Neo-Colonialism. No wonder the Global South was riveted by what developed in Moscow.

Adding insult to injury, we have China, the worlds largest economy by far when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), as well as the largest exporter. And we have Russia, an economy that by PPP is equivalent or even larger than Germanys  with the added advantages of being the worlds largest energy exporter and not forced to de-industrialize.

Together, in synch, they are focused on creating the necessary conditions to bypass the US dollar.

Cue to one of President Putins crucial one-liners: We are in favor of using the Chinese yuan for settlements between Russia and the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

A key consequence of this geopolitical and geoeconomic alliance, carefully designed throughout the past few years, is already in play: the emergence of a possible triad in terms of global trade relations and, in many aspects, a Global Trade War.

Eurasia is being led  and largely organized  by the Russia-China partnership. China will also play a key role across the Global South, but India may also become quite influential, agglutinating what would be a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on steroids. And then there is the former indispensable nation ruling over the EU vassals and the Anglosphere rounded up in the Five Eyes.

What the Chinese really want

The Hegemon, under its self-concocted rules-based international order, essentially never did diplomacy. Divide and Rule, by definition, precludes diplomacy. Now their version of diplomacy has degenerated even further into crude insults by an array of US, EU and UKs intellectually challenged and frankly moronic functionaries.

Its no wonder that a true gentleman, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has been forced to admit, Russia is no longer a partner of the EU The European Union lost Russia. But the Union itself is to blame. After all, EU member states openly declare that Russia should be dealt a strategic defeat. That is why we consider the EU to be an enemy organization.

And yet the new Russian foreign policy concept, announced by Putin on March 31st, makes it quite clear: Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West and does not seek isolation.

The problem is theres virtually no adult to talk to on the other side, rather a bunch of hyenas. That has led Lavrov to once again stress that symmetrical and asymmetrical measures may be used against those involved in hostile actions against Moscow.

When it comes to Exceptionalistan, thats self-evident: the US is designated by Moscow as the prime anti-Russia instigator, and the collective Wests overall policy is described as a new type of Hybrid War.

Yet what really matters for Moscow are the positives further on down the road: non-stop Eurasia integration; closer ties with friendly global centers China and India; increased help to Africa; more strategic cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean, the lands of Islam  Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt  and ASEAN.

And that brings us to something essential that was  predictably  ignored en masse by Western media: the Boao Forum for Asia, which took place nearly simultaneously with the announcement of Russias new foreign policy concept.

The Boao Forum, started in early 2001, still in the pre-9/11 era, has been modeled on Davos, but its Top China through and through, with the secretariat based in Beijing. Boao is in Hainan province, one of the islands of the Gulf of Tonkin and today a tourist paradise.

One of the key sessions of this years forum was on development and security, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is currently Boaos president.

There were quite a few references to Xis Global Development Initiative as well as the Global Security Initiative  which by the way was launched at Boao in 2022.

The problem is these two initiatives are directly linked to the UNs concept of peace and security and the extremely dodgy Agenda 2030 on sustainable development  which is not exactly about development and much less sustainable: its a Davos uber-corporate concoction. The UN for its part is basically a hostage of Washingtons whims. Beijing, for the moment, plays along.

Premier Li Qiang was more specific. Stressing the trademark concept of community of shared future for mankind as the basis for peace and development, he linked peaceful coexistence with the Spirit of Bandung  in direct continuity with the emergence of NAM in 1955: that should be the Asian Way of mutual respect and building consensus  in opposition to the indiscriminate use of unilateral sanctions and long-reaching jurisdiction, and the refusal of a new Cold War.

And that led Li Qiang to the emphasis on the Chinese drive to deepen the RCEP East Asian trade deal, and also advance the negotiations on the free trade agreement between China and ASEAN. And all that integrated with the new expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in contrast to trade protectionism.

So for the Chinese what matters, intertwined with business, is cultural interactions; inclusivity; mutual trust; and a stern refusal of clash of civilizations and ideological confrontation.

As much as Moscow easily subscribes to all of the above  and in fact practices it via diplomatic finesse  Washington is terrified by how compelling is this Chinese narrative for the whole Global South. After all, Exceptionalistans only offer in the market of ideas is unilateral domination; Divide an Rule; and youre with us or against us. And in the latter case you will be sanctioned, harassed, bombed and/or regime-changed.

Is it 1848 all over again?

Meanwhile, in vassal territories, a possibility arises of a revival of 1848, when a big revolutionary wave hit all over Europe.

In 1848 these were liberal revolutions; today we have essentially popular anti-liberal (and anti-war) revolutions  from farmers in the Netherlands and Belgium to unreconstructed populists in Italy and Left and Right populists combined in France.

It may be too early to consider this a European Spring. Yet whats certain in several latitudes is that average European citizens feel increasingly inclined to shed the yoke of Neoliberal Technocracy and its dictatorship of Capital and Surveillance. Not to mention NATO warmongering.

As virtually all European media is technocrat-controlled people wont see this discussion in the MSM. Yet theres a feeling in the air this may be heralding a Chinese-style end of a dynasty.

In the Chinese calendar this is how it always goes: their historical-societal clock always runs with periods of between 200 and 400 years per dynasty.

There are indeed intimations that Europe may be witnessing a rebirth.

The period of upheaval will be long and arduous  due to the hordes of anarco-liberals who are such useful idiots for the Western oligarchy  or it could all come to a head in a single day. The target is quite clear: the death of Neoliberal Technocracy.

Thats how the Xi-Putin view could make inroads across the collective West: show that this ersatz modernity (which incorporates rabid cancel culture) is essentially void compared to traditional, deeply rooted cultural values  be it Confucianism, Taoism or Eastern Orthodoxy. The Chinese and Russian concepts of civilization-state are much more appealing than they appear.

Well, the (cultural) revolution wont be televised; but it may work its charms via countless Telegram channels. France, infatuated with rebellion throughout its history, may well be jump to the vanguard  again.

Yet nothing will change if the global financial casino is not subverted. Russia taught the world a lesson: it was preparing itself, in silence, for a long-term Total War. So much so that its calibrated counterpunch turned the Financial War upside down  completely destabilizing the casino. China, meanwhile, is re-balancing, and is on the way to be also prepared for Total War, hybrid and otherwise.

The inestimable Michael Hudson, fresh from his latest book, The Collapse of Antiquity, where he deftly analyzes the role of debt in Greece And Rome, the roots of Western civilization, succinctly explains our current state of play:

America has pulled a color revolution at the top, in Germany, Holland, England, and France, essentially, where the foreign policy of Europe is not representing their own economic interests () America simply said,  We are committed to support a war of (what they call) democracy (by which they mean oligarchy, including the Nazism of Ukraine) against autocracy () Autocracy is any country strong enough to prevent the emergence of a creditor oligarchy, like China has prevented the creditor oligarchy.

So creditor oligarchy, in fact, can be explained as the toxic intersection between globalist wet dreams of total control and militarized Full Spectrum Dominance.

The difference now is that Russia and China are showing to the Global South that what American strategists had in store for them  youre going to freeze in the dark if you deviate from what we say  is no longer applicable. Most of the Global South is now in open geoeconomic revolt.

Globalist neoliberal totalitarianism of course wont disappear under a sand storm. At least not yet. Theres still a maelstrom of toxicity ahead: suspension of constitutional rights; Orwellian propaganda; goon squads; censorship; cancel culture; ideological conformity; irrational curbs of freedom of movement; hatred and even persecution of  Slav  Untermenschen; segregation; criminalization of dissent; book burnings, show trials; fake arrest mandates by the kangaroo ICC; ISIS-style terror.

But the most important vector is that both China and Russia, each exhibiting their own complex particularities  and both dismissed by the West as unassimilable Others  are heavily invested in building workable economic models that are not connected, in several degrees, to the Western financial casino and/or supply chain networks. And thats whats driving the Exceptionalists berserk  even more berserk than they already are.

Pepe Escobar is a Eurasia-wide independent geopolitical analyst and author. His latest book is Raging Twenties (Nimble Books, 2021). Follow him on Telegram at @rocknrollgeopolitics

NOTE: THIS IS THE ENGLISH ORIGINAL OF A COLUMN SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED BY LEADING RUSSIAN BUSINESS DAILY VEDOMOSTI:

https://www.vedomosti.ru/opinion/columns/2023/04/10/970144-konets-sveta-dlya-gegemona
Blue Spruce General Store owner Brandon Carleton credits a federal loan program with making it possible to open his downtown Davenport business.

Pre-pandemic, Carleton traveled frequently for work, and he'd always make sure to pick up, "really good bread" from places like San Francisco or Richmond, Virginia. Without options in the Quad-Cities, he'd drive back and forth to an Iowa City co-op bakery.

"I was like, 'this is silly,'" Carleton said of the drive. "I'll learn how to do this."

It took him a long time, but he got good at bread baking during the pandemic when he was stuck at home. He started making bread for friends and family, baking up to 20 loaves a week out of his house. The oven was on almost almost constantly, he said.

Looking to expand, Carleton started renting a kitchen in Moline, but it was small and customers couldn't walk in to order. He bought a place in Rock Island, which required some heavy remodeling.

Carleton said the 2nd Street property in Davenport fell into his lap and didn't require as much renovation.

"We had some of the equipment, but we didn't have everything we needed," he said. "So that's where the city came in."

He applied for and received a $90,000 low-interest loan backed by federal Community Development Block Grant funds, or CDBG, which the city administers. The stipulations: Carleton had to employ three full-time employees.

He had six months before he had to start making payments, and up to 25% of the loan could be forgiven as long as he continues to employ at least three workers. The store fluctuates between 15 and 20 employees, he said, and all but about three are full-time.

The general store is one of nine small businesses that came to Davenport through the loan program, according to the city. In total, $880,000 in CDBG funded loans has spurred $5 million in investment in Davenport and the creation of 29 jobs, city records show.

Carleton's Blue Spruce was one stop on Davenport's recent tour for National Community Development Week.

Other stops included a vacant house under renovation that will be sold to an eligible low-to-moderate income family to own and occupy.

Paid for by Housing and Urban Development grants and sale revenue, the city acquired the home through tax avenues or purchase, and normally contracts out for a "complete gut rehab" to abate any asbestos and lead, and to make the home livable again.

The program limits the costs the city can spend to rehab a home  about $288,000 for a three-bedroom house, said Letty Goslowsky, the city's renovation supervisor. The maximum has been reached for the house at 1413 W. 13th St.

When finished, residents may apply to purchase the home. Eligible homeowners must have a steady income but also fall under the low-to-moderate income guidelines established by U.S. Housing and Urban Development.

"Then we sell that to a qualifying homebuyer," Goslowsky said. "We essentially become their bank. So that money that we receive goes back to our funding to continue to do other projects."

The house on West 13th Street was vacant for years, with stuff piled inside and a family of raccoons that had taken up residence, city officials said. Contractors cleaned, demolished walls, tore down and moved the staircase, swapped the location of the kitchen with the bedroom and put up dry wall.

Next will be installing flooring, cabinets, appliances and painting.

Goslowsky said the city had two other houses out for bid now under the same program.

A row of Habitat for Humanity homes in progress rounded out the tour. The Quad-Cities organization is coming up on its 30th anniversary this year. In that time, Habitat has completed 134 homes.

Similar to the Urban Homestead program, Habitat benefits from federal and city resources and eligible homeowners can qualify for a home built by Habitat. As part of it, future homeowners volunteer to help build their future home and take classes about finances and day-to-day maintenance tasks that come with owning a house.

Tom Fisher-King, executive director of the Quad-Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the local agency was in the process of building homes on several empty lots on East 6th Street. When they're finished, they will have built 13 homes on that street alone.
A woman is facing manslaughter and drug charges after Davenport Police said she provided heroin to a man who died of an overdose late Friday.

Nicole Marie Crandell, 40, of Rock Island, formerly of Pekin, Illinois, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. The charge is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of five years.

Crandell also is charged with possession with the intent to deliver 5 grams or less of heroin. The charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Sgt. Brandon Koepke, at 6:18 a.m. Saturday, officers were sent to a home in the 3200 block of West 13th Street in response to a 911 call about an unresponsive man.

Crandell, who made the 911 call, told dispatchers that the man must have taken one of her sleeping pills.

Medical personnel arrived on the scene and declared the man dead.

During a search of Crandells purse, officers found needles and a burnt spoon, drug paraphernalia used to inject heroin.

During a post-Miranda interview, Crandell told officers that she purchased heroin and took it to the victims residence at about 5 p.m. Friday.

Crandell provided the victim the heroin at about 9:30 p.m. and they both used it by injecting it into their arms with the needles located in her purse.

Crandell told police that the victim almost immediately nodded out and never woke back up. She thought the victim was sleeping until she tried to wake the victim at about 6 a.m. Saturday.

She also admitted to police that she knew the victim had overdosed on heroin in the past and had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

During a first appearance on the charges Sunday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Christine Frederick scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for April 26.

Crandell was being held Sunday night in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bond of $10,000.

Federal authorities could take over the case by charging Crandell with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance resulting in death. The charge at the federal level carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years. There is no parole in the federal system.
Lisa Oke never imagined she would be advocating for colon cancer screenings, but because it affected her personally, she is.

Oke's mother went in for a routine exam, polyps were found and her mother went through multiple rounds of treatment before dying in 2008.

"She made it through surgery, came home for a day, went back to the hospital and she didn't come back home," she said. "You feel this big void that comes into your life. You feel disappointed and angry."

Because of Oke's family's history, her doctor recommended she get a colon screening earlier than the recommended age of 45. She put off the testing until UnityPoint made at-home screening kits free and available to her.

In a few weeks, the results came back negative. With her screening taking care of, Oke is now encouraging others to get checked.

"I'd just encourage people to go get those check-ups because it's known that with African Americans, the percentage is high," she said.

The Black population is 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40% more likely to die from it, said Teresa Pangan, Ph.D., RDN, Prevention & Wellness Strategist for Cancer and Heart at UnityPoint Health-Trinity.

While screenings are recommended to begin at age 45, Pangan said, doctors are seeing younger people being diagnosed. One in three people between the ages of 50 and 75 are not up-to-date on screenings, she said. Many don't know the importance of a screening and don't realize advanced age can put them at risk.

"There's no symptoms for colon cancer early on, and many people report never having symptoms," she said. "Screening is so important. It can save lives."

A grant from the Iowa Cancer Consortium, in collaboration with Gilda's Club, has allowed for the hospital to provide kits to residents in Scott, Louisa and Muscatine counties. These counties are traditionally higher-hit for colon cancer, and UnityPoint is trying to turn that around.

"It's a simple message, but it's not getting through to some of the population and the people that are higher risk," Pangan said.

The kits are self-addressed with postage already applied. Once the instructions are followed, the sample needs to be placed into the mail and the hospital will call with the results within two weeks, she said.

The screening needs to be done yearly, and by doing it at home, it eliminates the need to go in and see a doctor.

"This is an answer to those that are putting it off," she said.

If colon cancer is caught early enough, there is a 90% chance of a five-year survival rate, she said. Caught late, the five-year survival rate drops to 14%.

"It steals away so many days and your energy when you're in an advanced state," Pangan said. "Just get it done, and get peace of mind."

Oke is reflecting that same message to people who may be putting off conducting a screening. Colon cancer can be hereditary, but not always. Conducting a screening with an at-home kit can deliver peace of mind, she said.

"It wasn't in our family. My mom was the first one, and she found out through a routine check-up," she said. "Cancer does not discriminate."

Those interested in receiving a kit in the mail can call the UnityPoint-Trinity Cancer Center at: 309-779-5796.
Induction cooktops are more energy-efficient than other cooktop options primarily because they draw less energy to create heat. During induction cooking there is little heat loss, with up to 90 percent of the generated heat energy used to heat the contents of a pan instead of the atmosphere around it. A gas or electric stovetop, in comparison, loses up to 35 percent of the heat it generates during cooking.

An induction cooktop heats faster  and at more precise temperatures  than a gas or electric cooktop, making it a preferred method for professional chefs.

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"Electric cooktops are generally known for hot spots on pans, and induction does not get hot spots like electric cooktops, while also allowing the same precision cooking experience usually associated with gas cooking," says Jessica Randhawa, head chef and recipe creator at The Forked Spoon, in an email interview. "I find that the precision is much more consistent [with induction cooktops] than gas cooktops, allowing for much better overall temperature control of the food being cooked."

Induction cooktops also have the potential to reduce burns and other-related injuries, in large part because the surface of an induction cooktop stays cool to the touch, even when the heating element is turned on.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, "Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S., as well as a leading cause of home fire death." Even more prevalent? Non-fire cooking burns caused by "contact with hot equipment, hot cooking liquids or hot food." Of these injuries, making contact with a hot range is the most common source of non-fire cooking burns treated at emergency departments from 2015 to 2019.

"Gas is highly flammable, and the misalignment of a burner on low can create a situation where the flame goes out, and gas floods the kitchen or house; this has happened to me before," Randhawa says. "Both gas and electric cooktops get very hot when started and tend to hold their heat long after the cooking is done," she says, "whereas induction cooktops heat up only when the pot or pan is placed directly on the induction zone, and it also cools off quite a bit faster."
Like an episode of Hee Haw written by Mel Brooks, the timely new musical Shucked opened recently at the Nederlander Theatre with more gags than every other current Broadway show put together.

Wittily to wit: Momma used to say marriage is like a tornado. It starts off with a whole lot of banging and pounding and ends up with someone losing a house.

I just passed a huge squirrel, which is odd, because I dont remember eating one.

If you get drunk before you get your drivers license picture taken, youll look normal when they pull you over.

Is Mr. Critic spoiling the fun? No siree, Bob. There are so many other one-liners in this show, youll barely remember this small sample.

Robert Horn, the book writer, is one funny guy. We knew this from the Broadway adaptation of Tootsie, but this time around, Horn has not let the narrative necessities of the typical Broadway experience get in the way of his jokes. Imagine a joke writer approaching a dumpster and tipping up his trash can, and you get a sense of the experience. Shucked aint based on a movie; its a vehicle for laughs. And snorts, giggles and rolled eyes are what it delivers. For good or ill.

Sure, theres a plot of sorts and even a message. Were in Cob County, located Somewhere north of South and south of North, and a place where being from somewhere is who you are. This community has always been surrounded by a giant wall of corn that apparently appeared around the time Noah floated his ark, and that keeps those in, in, and those out, out.

Events in the show, which features characters with ticket names such as Gordy (John Behlmann), Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), Beau (Andrew Durand), Lulu (Alex Newell), Storyteller 1 (Ashley D. Kelley) and Storyteller 2 (Grey Henson), revolve around heroine Maizy (Caroline Innerbichler), trampling those corn walls and having romantic misadventures in Tampa, the kind of city that surely would send anyone back to Cob County kicking and screaming.

At times, you feel as if you are watching a theme-park show at Dollywood, which is no knock on that slice of East Tennessee paradise. But Broadway veterans will also note the influence of prior musical comedies from Finians Rainbow to Brigadoon and Schmigadoon! although perhaps most notably, given the self-aware storytellers, Urinetown, another show that imagined a community with metaphor in mind.

If they gave out Tony Awards for the most mismatched book and score, Shucked! would slay all other contenders. In essence, you get a couple of hours of Horns signature howlers interspersed with a country-pop-vibed score by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Of limited ambition, it offers a little suite of accessible ballads and specialty numbers.

And there are no bravura production numbers in director Jack OBriens staging (well, save for a barrel-rolling in Act 2). This is a far more modest affair, and OBrien, a wily old hand at all this stuff, just concentrates on making the punters in the orchestra giggle. And no one who has experienced Shucked! in a full house could argue that he is anything less than successful in that endeavor. Talk about paradise for the post-Red Lobster crowd, cheerfully over-served.

Horn isnt just selling jokes. Hes also sending a warmhearted, cant-we-all-just-get-along message in the form of a Broadway show that he clearly hopes can take a leaf out of Dolly Partons book and appeal to Boone County, Kentucky, as much as Brooklyn, New York. And it takes guts to tell as many jokes about race in America as Shucked unleashes.

His comedic template is different, but Horn has Brooks crucial satiric philosophy and a good chunk of the great ones gag-writing chops. Especially when paired with OBrien, who is old enough not to give a darn, which is one of that master craftsmans greatest assets at a time when most younger Broadway players are far too jittery about how things are going to go over on social media to take the risks required for big laughs.

The performances are, well, genial. I was especially tickled by Cahoons dry-roasted Peanut, and Kelley is a big crowd pleaser. Innerbichler, the lead, is just as guileless as youd want from a character named Maizy in a play set in a city of corn.

The show could have used a few more theatrics. Scott Pasks set is like a giant barn, and I kept waiting for a channeling of Little Shop of Horrors and some corn stalks to come crashing through the all-American walls weve built for ourselves.

Never happened, alas. Perhaps so much of the budget was spent on jokes, the shucks got shucked.
QUESTION: My husband and I are interested in taking our two grandkids on a big trip this summer and are looking for some good ideas. Can you recommend some travel companies that offer special travel packages for grandparents and grandkids?

ANSWER: Grandparents traveling with just their grandchildren has become a growing segment of the multigenerational travel industry. This type of travel is fun and a terrific way to strengthen generational bonds and create lasting memories.

To help you with your traveling aspirations, a number of travel companies offer specialized grandparent-grandchildren and multigenerational trip packages. This is a nice way to go because they plan everything for you with most activities together, but some just for adults, so you can get an occasional breather.

Available in various trip lengths and price ranges, these tours are designed for children, typically ages 6 or 7 up to 18, and are usually scheduled in the summer, or sometimes during winter breaks, when the kids are out of school.

Here are some top tour companies to check into that will take you and your grandkids on a fun, well-planned vacation.

Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org): This well-established not-for-profit organization has offered educational travel to older adults since 1975. It currently offers 83 programs geared to grandparents and grandchildren. About 75% of the grandparent trips are domestic; 25% are international.

Some of the many popular trip destinations include the U.S. National Parks; Washington, D.C.; Canada; France; Italy; Iceland; Costa Rica; and the Galapagos Islands. The average cost per person per night is around $265 for domestic trips, $365 for international.

Intrepid (IntrepidTravel.com): This adventure travel tour operator offers grandparent holiday tours that bring together the young and the young at heart. It offers 35 one- and two-week tours in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in Alaska and Wyoming. To find these trips, go to Intrepidtravel.com/us/theme/family/grandparents.

Tauck (Tauck.com): This large tour operator offers 19 foreign and domestic multigenerational trips called Tauck Bridges Family Tours. Some of its most popular trips are Costa Rica, the European riverboat cruises, and the Cowboy Country, which provides tours through Wyoming and South Dakota.

Smithsonian Journeys (SmithsonianJourneys.org): It offers 10 family journey trips to Iceland, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, Costa Rica, South Africa, Yellowstone and a Rhine River cruise.

Journeys International (JourneysInternational.com): It offers customized multigenerational trips primarily to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

Depending on where you go and your mode of transportation, youll need to gather some documents for your grandchildren to make sure everything goes smoothly. In general, most travel experts recommend you bring a notarized travel consent form (letter of permission from the parents) and a medical consent form in case any emergencies or problems arise. Also, bring copies of insurance cards.

If youre traveling domestically, airlines and trains dont require any form of ID for children younger than 18. But if youre traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or other areas of the Caribbean by land or sea, grandchildren ages 15 and younger will need certified copies of their birth certificates. And if your grandkids are 16 or older, or youre traveling to these locations via air, passports will be required.

If youre traveling overseas, all children, even infants, must have a passport. Some countries also require a visa for entry, and vaccinations might be required in some cases. Before booking a trip, check the U.S. Department of States website at Travel.State.gov for country-specific information.
Former Gov. Doug Wilder has accused the Library of Virginia of racism for failing to make publicly available records from his term as the nation's first elected Black governor 30 years ago. The state librarian acknowledged it had "fallen off the radar."
As the last whistle blew, signaling another end of a workday, the sidewalks of Hull Street began to fill and spill over into the street.

Bands erupted into renditions of Bonnie Blue Flag, and red streaming lights flittered up as Roman candles exploded above a setting sky.

Pamphlets passed from hand to hand telling of the future and the promise of lower taxes, better infrastructure and free passage into Virginias capital city.

The only opposition reined in by the growing acknowledgment of defeat stood projected on the side of a building. The crowd passing by read its message: Save Manchester, Dont Mind the Bad before heading into the packed Leader Hall.

Those residents, living just a little south of the James River, had been summoned to determine the fate of old Dogtown. Soon, after all of their ballots were cast, they would know whether the once-great city and county seat of Chesterfield County would remain independent or join ranks with Richmond.

On April 14, 1910, 10 days after the city held its special election, the final votes were tallied and the announcement was made: The city of Manchester would be annexed and consolidated into Richmond, effectively erasing its name from the map.

The question will be settled, perhaps for all time, but the feeling engendered by the fight will probably last for years, one Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter wrote in coverage of the event.

Manchesters reign

Along the James River, directly south from the state capital seat, sits Manchester. The once-thriving port city is now merely a district of Richmond.

While its courthouse remains along Hull Street, the regions former equivalent to the citys Broad Street, very few vestiges of its illustrious past remain.

The first recorded history of the former city began 20 years after the settlement of Jamestown in 1697, when a group of white men traveled up the river and claimed the territory. Soon after, Richmond followed.

In its infancy, the city grew alongside Richmond. The city quickly grew in economic prowess as its access to the James River resulted in mass exports of tobacco and other crops. Prior to the Civil War, railways hauled coal from the Chesterfield mines to the citys docks.

Likewise, it served as one of the main ports for slave ships carrying enslaved people, which made Richmond the largest source of enslaved Africans on the East Coast for 30 years.

The impacts of this are still visible today along the Richmond Slave Trail that begins at the Manchester Docks. There, concrete blocks line the rivers edge where the enslaved were chained before being transported into Richmonds slave markets.

After the Civil War, Chesterfield County moved its county seat to Manchester. There it stood until its consolidation.

Manchesters decline

While Richmond managed to recover from the Civil War, the smaller city of Manchester struggled. Its main source of revenue made from its imports declined rapidly.

As the country and, subsequently, its cities moved into the Industrial Revolution, Manchester could no longer keep stride with its north of the river counterpart.

With Richmonds growing business district expanding and new factories popping up rapidly along the river, many Manchester residents found themselves traveling across Richmonds toll bridges to find work.

Likewise, from its sewer systems to its infrastructure, Manchester was in desperate need of replacements and new equipment  an undertaking the city could not manage with its economy.

Contrast the present condition of Richmond, look carefully around and consider all points of municipal growth and facilities, a member of the Consolidation Association wrote in a letter to an editor in the April 3, 1910, edition of The Times-Dispatch. One the type of progress, the other plodding wearily along miles and miles behind.

For nearly 35 years, the former city and its residents presented the idea of annexation. But plans truly began to take hold with the former citys imminent financial decline.

From two to one

Overall, the idea of consolidation came easy for many Richmond and Manchester residents alike. Coined by one reporter as the spirit and life of the age and what has made America the foremost power on the face of the Earth, the idea of consolidation became the topic of most passing conversations.

The Times-Dispatchs editorial pages filled with voices highlighting its significance. While Richmonders wrote of how great the city would be in helping out its sister city, Manchester residents wrote of how much it would help the city.

One column printed in the April 4, 1910, edition of the paper outlines over a dozen arguments in favor of the annexation, including free toll bridges, paved streets, better sewer systems, water quality, better schools, electric lights, parks and, most notably, lower tax rates.

According to the Consolidation Association, Manchesters property tax rate was $1.50 per $100 whereas Richmonds totaled $1.40 per $100. The lower tax rate would create a lesser burden for the taxpayers.

At no time, perhaps, since you have had the right of suffrage, have you cast a vote when there was as great need for mature and honest judgment as there is now, the association stated.

While there was wide support, the decision did face opposition. Mainly, those against the annexation argued that it would result in higher taxes, inferior services and a loss of identity as the city was a more complex area than Richmond could handle.

Despite this, the final decision was made and the keys to Manchester city were ceremoniously given to Richmond Mayor David Crockett Richardson.

What remains

While the former city settled into the city rather quietly in the years that followed, it still remains an integral part of the city.

In the late 1990s, Richmond focused on revitalizing the now district. The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority along with the Better Housing Coalition began its effort to redevelop the area.

In a span of three years, over 400 public housing units, along with dilapidated structures, were torn down or refurbished. Following the completion of the floodwall, access to Manchesters riverfront grew and an eventual riverfront development plan was established.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources recognized the Manchester-Commercial Historic District, and historic tax credits for rehabilitation were offered. In 2006, the neighborhood entered into the National Register of Historic Places.

The former still holds on to some of its illustrious past. Its main streets held on to their namesakes, most of them named after naval commanders of the Barbary Wars off the coasts of North Africa in the War of 1812, including commodores Stephen Decatur, William Bainbridge and Isaac Hull.

Almost all of the roads leading into Richmond from the south pass through Manchester, including Interstate 95 and highway routes 1, 60, 90, 301 and 360.

In a letter to the editor in the April 16, 1910, edition of The Times-Dispatch, one author wrote: Manchester is Manchester no longer. The ancient city closed its eyes last night as of yore, but slept, and will sleep forever as a ward of Richmond.

From the Archives: The James River James River James River James River James River James River James River James River James River
Virginias Department of Education has administered 13 planning grants for lab schools within the state, with some reported to open in September 2023. The expedient nature of this rollout coincides with Virginia students reeling from historic inequality in the states public schools. William Godwin, a British journalist, once said, Let us not, in the eagerness of our haste to educate, forget all the ends of education. This seems to be the case with this policy decision. Instead, the administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin should reconsider lab school guidelines to promote equity in spending, enrollment and achievement.

Lab schools are K-12 schools sponsored by institutions of higher learning. As implied by the name, these schools offer an environment for educators to experiment with teaching techniques and give teacher preparation candidates an authentic environment to practice their teaching skills. Research on these institutions is limited, but they are similar to charter schools in that lab schools have freedom to deviate from public education standards, day-to-day tasks can be directed by independent entities, and both charter and lab schools can control their own budgets. This form of governance means lab schools are not always under the authority of elected school boards and local accountability measures because state law allows the Youngkin administration to grant these schools liberty to circumvent policy and regulations that other public schools cannot.

Although these schools are touted as public schools, their governance structure limits public representation and allows private money to infiltrate public education. The current administration has publicly stated intent to extend lab school authority to private institutions of higher education as well, meaning public monies will be spent funding private ventures; this further blurs the line between public and private education.

Public schools and private companies have different goals, one being to educate the public and the other to maximize profit. The new lab school initiative opens the door for private entities to dictate educational options, such as curriculum or program offerings, narrowing the postsecondary options of students who enroll.

Lab schools have not produced extensive research demonstrating effective solutions to enhance equitable education opportunities, including addressing standardized testing gaps among historically marginalized individuals. Without large-scale evidence to support claims that lab schools are the effective alternative, it is difficult to accept this as the best option. Further, similar to charter schools, lab schools may increase inequity among students with potential school closures that disrupt students educations, increase racial and socioeconomic segregation, and weaken math and reading performance in comparison with public schools.

Driven by innovation, lab schools are touted as spaces to disrupt traditional K- 12 schooling. Yet, some lab schools have been known to have students spend more time with novice teachers while promoting a trial-and-error approach to teaching. Students from marginalized backgrounds, particularly in high-needs schools, need academic strategies that lead to success and to be in classrooms with experienced teachers. A North Carolina study backs this claim as it shows teacher experience positively impacts student achievement. Not providing our most vulnerable students with the support they need does not seem like a step in the right direction.

No public institution, including Virginias current educational system, is perfect. Proponents of school choice contend that lab schools are the best option for low-income students because it offers them a way out of underperforming public schools. While choice can lead students to good schools, the assumption that competition will pressure public schools into increasing quality is misleading. History has shown that a competitive approach to education more often fails. No Child Left Behind illustrates this point. Public schools need equitable funding, more qualified teachers and community-centered instruction to close achievement gaps.

Competitive schools do not have unlimited capacity, so some students will be forced to attend the very schools that lab schools are challenging. States must not encourage school choice without equally supporting public school reform. Doing so will exacerbate gaps in resources and achievement, while ensuring a permanent class of schools and students who receive an adequate education and those who do not. Changes made to our educational system should be conceived and implemented, first and foremost, with equity in mind.

Without limiting lab school autonomy and monitoring spending, enrollment and achievement, the governors lab school initiative is nothing more than a soft opening for the privatization of public schools. A change of this magnitude does not provide a favorable outlook for all students, particularly racial minorities. Achievement gaps have persisted far too long. Experimental education initiatives such as lab schools will potentially widen the disparity, which correlates with lower earnings, poor health and higher rates of incarceration.

If Virginia chooses not to focus on equity, it will create more schools that ignore the issues in our existing public school system, offering no respite for those who will remain in traditional schools. It is imperative that school choice not precede quality of education for all Virginia students.

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Cancun police officer arrested for shooting young man after heated discussion

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun police officer is under investigation for the shooting of a young male early Sunday morning. According to the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) de Quintana Roo, the unnamed officer was arrested Sunday for injuring a youth with a firearm.

According to a briefing by the Fiscalia General del Estado, an investigation was opened against an element of this autonomous body who was arrested for injuring a person by firing a firearm after having a discussion.

The injured man was taken to a hospital and is reported to be non-serious. The head of the Prosecutors Office, Mr. Oscar Montes de Oca, endorses his commitment to zero impunity and that no person is above the law.

The shooting reportedly took place during the early morning hours of Sunday when several youths were leaving a concert at Plaza de Toros. Cancun police officer Cristhian M, was allegedly waiting by the vehicle of a specific person with whom he had had an argument with earlier that day.

The injured is reported to be a 17 year old male. Police responding to the report of the 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning shooting arrived at the scene where they located Cristhian M, who at the time of his arrest, identified himself as an active officer. He was off duty at the time.

In a news briefing late Sunday morning, the FGE confirmed the arrested gunman was a Cancun police officer. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a firearm. The FGE did not comment on possible charges.
By Caitlin Johnstone

April 16, 2023: Information Clearing House -- Seven progressive Democrats from the House of Representatives have signed a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for the Biden administration to drop the charges against Julian Assange and cease seeking his extradition.

Its a good letter as far as these things go. It lists the major press freedom advocacy groups and human rights watchdogs who have called for Assange to be released, correctly identifies the threats this case poses to press freedoms around the world, and avoids sneaking in any of the classic smears against Assange that normally work their way into high-level mainstream objections to the persecution of the WikiLeaks founder. Its an undeniably good thing that this letter happened.

That said, Id like to bump this portion of the letter into the spotlight for a moment and highlight a some bits for emphasis:

The prosecution of Julian Assange for carrying out journalistic activities greatly diminishes Americas credibility as a defender of these values, undermining the United States moral standing on the world stage, and effectively granting cover to authoritarian governments who can (and do) point to Assanges prosecution to reject evidence-based criticisms of their human rights records and as a precedent that justifies the criminalization of reporting on their activities. Leaders of democracies, major international bodies, and parliamentarians around the globe stand opposed to the prosecution of Assange. Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer and the Council of Europes Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic have both opposed the extradition. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on the U.S. government to end its pursuit of Assange. Leaders of nearly every major Latin American nation, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez have called for the charges to be dropped. Parliamentarians from around the world, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, have all called for Assange not to be extradited to the U.S. This global outcry against the U.S. governments prosecution of Mr. Assange has highlighted conflicts between the Americas stated values of press freedom and its pursuit of Mr. Assange. The Guardian wrote The US has this week proclaimed itself the beacon of democracy in an increasingly authoritarian world. If Mr. Biden is serious about protecting the ability of the media to hold governments accountable, he should begin by dropping the charges brought against Mr. Assange. Similarly, the Sydney Morning Herald editorial board stated, At a time when US President Joe Biden has just held a summit for democracy, it seems contradictory to go to such lengths to win a case that, if it succeeds, will limit freedom of speech.

This to my mind is the most impactful part of the letter, in the sense that its the part thats most likely to actually grab the attention of those responsible for Assanges ongoing persecution. Indeed, it appears to have been deliberately crafted to do so.

Imprisoning Assange in Belmarsh while working toward the unprecedented step of trying a publisher under the Espionage Act does indeed undermine the United States moral standing on the world stage, and does indeed grant governments the US doesnt like the ability to dismiss Washingtons hand-wringing about human rights as cynical performative hypocrisy. But while the authors of the letter to Bidens attorney general frame this as something illegitimate that is done contrary to facts in evidence, in reality the moral authority of the United States to criticize the human rights records of foreign nations has been irreparably destroyed. Not just within the reality tunnels of foreign propagandists, but in actuality.

When people talk about moral authority its often in an abstract, philosophical way, like its a matter of logical coherence: Youve no moral authority on this subject because you are a hypocrite and your stated position contradicts your own actions. Like its just an argument about whether the correct intellectual checkboxes have been ticked, and if they have not it means you get to wag your finger at them and declare a mental checkmate. But the question of moral authority boils down to something much more tangible than that.

Moral authority is a measure of ones qualifications for leadership on moral matters. If I am known as a moral person who makes moral decisions, it makes sense for people to look to me for leadership on questions of morality. If I am known as an immoral person, then nobodys coming to me for moral guidance, because they understand that I do not have the qualifications for that role.

So when people try to frame Assanges persecution as a matter of public perception and fighting foreign narratives about the US, they are incorrect. The issue is not that Assanges persecution makes the US look bad, the issue is that it proves the US is bad.

And of course we didnt really need Assanges persecution to figure that out for ourselves. The US is the only government on earth who has spent the 21st century killing people by the millions in wars for geostrategic dominance, whos been strangling populations with starvation sanctions and blockades around the world, who is circling the planet with hundreds of military bases with the goal of global domination, and whos been continually increasing the risk of nuclear armageddon with its rapidly escalating agendas geared toward securing unipolar hegemony. Assanges case just makes its complete lack of moral standing much clearer.

This will all still be the case even if Assange is released. The US empire will still have spent years imprisoning a journalist for the crime of good journalism, will still be the worlds worst warmonger, and will still be the worlds most egregious violator of human rights. Its moral standing is dead and buried, and the world should stop following its lead in creating a just and ethical world. It simply does not have the qualifications to do so. In fact, no power structure on earth is less qualified.

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 Payp al , 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
A new hotel and conference center has opened to Radford University visitors and functions  as well as the public  welcoming guests with university-themed decor in walking distance of campus.

Spearheaded by the Radford University Foundation at the universitys request, The Highlander Hotel meets a need for hospitality services close in. Adorned with tartan plaid carpeting and RU-red guest room doors, the 6-story complex overlooks Moffett Lawn and campus buildings fronting Tyler Avenue near Calhoun Street.

There are 124 guest rooms, multiple event spaces and two restaurants at this upscale attraction in a city without large-scale luxury lodging. A public-private partnership raised $40 million for project costs, attracting funds from the foundation and Radford University.

RU contributed $2 million, spokesman Justin Ward said.

Lodging and meeting reservations were coming in before the venue opened opened earlier this month, according to General Manager Rachel Pegues.

Caroline Gaskins, a Radford business owner and member of the board of the Radford Economic Development Authority, voted to furnish project financing.

Im excited that there will be a conference center, which will be very valuable to not only Radford University but the town and the area, with organizations and businesses that would like to put on conventions and conferences, Gaskins said. I think thats really good.

The Radford Chamber of Commerce expects to stage gatherings at The Highlander including its annual gala, said Executive Director Dan McKinney. He wrote by email that the facility is a very nice addition to our community.

Groups can choose between a 4,000-square foot ballroom with space for 300-person events; a 2,000-square foot pre-function area adjacent to it; a private room that seats 20 people for a meeting or meal; and an outdoor terrace.

The rooms, which come with 55-inch televisions and clothing steamers, typically cost $153 a night during the week and about $225 to $250 on Fridays and Saturdays, with certain dates much higher, according to the online booking site, which was reviewed Tuesday. The Highlander recently still had rooms available for graduation weekend in early May.

The room prices are similar to those charged at the Inn at Virginia Tech and & Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg. The Inn differs somewhat in that it is university-owned and on campus. In Radfords case, Provident Group RadfordProperties LLC, a not-for-profit organization, owns The Highlander complex and the facility sits adjacent to, but not on, the RU campus.

When the establishment announced it was taking reservations, The Highlander described itself in a press release as a new, independent, lifestyle hotel [that] celebrates the enthusiastic friendliness inspired by the areas Scots-Irish origins, delivering on spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

According to its website, The Highlander blends high-design sophistication with luxury amenities and attentive service to create a distinctive experience. Whether business or pleasure brings you to us, we invite you to enjoy a fresh, new perspective on luxury travel.

This hotel will bring jobs, opportunities for the region, Director of Sales and Marketing Ginger Clark said in an interview. I think that our staff will serve as ambassadors for the community. I think its just, all-around, a really good project to grow the area and the region.

Project spokeswoman Catherine Fox called the hotel a new landmark, noting its prominence at the Tyler Avenue campus entrance.

A major attraction situated on the sixth floor is the 130-seat Bee & Butter restaurant, for which the owner hired an executive chef. Its windows open to views of the campus and mountains. One outdoor terrace is equipped with casual furniture and globe lights strung overhead, while another is customizable for events. It opened Saturday.

The chef, James Kirby, is an alumnus of the culinary arts program at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, which consistently ranks among the best in the country, and The Inn at Little Washington, which carries three Michelin stars and where he worked for five years while rising to sous-chef.

Were planning to work with local food producers in as many creative ways as possible, Kirby, himself a one-time organic farmer, said in a prepared statement. The objective of opening the Bee & Butter is to bring an exciting but relaxed, new culinary experience to the areaone that is worthy of this new rooftop facility with its jaw-droppingly beautiful view but appropriate for both everyday dining and special family events.

Entrees range from $22, for fried catfish, remoulade and greens, to $55, for two lump crab cakes, cabbage slaw and asparagus.

The hotel said in a statement that we expect that locals and travelers alike will find the menu delightful but also extremely approachable.

On the first floor, guests will find an eatery called Red Provisions, serving Floyd-made Red Rooster coffee, food and drinks. Outdoor seating is available.

The project dates back about three years to the administration of former university president Brian Hemphill. There was conversation in which the consensus was we needed a really nice hotel in Radford that would do a lot of things to benefit both the university and the community as a whole, foundation CEO John Cox said.

Crews broke ground in mid-2021 and construction took 21  months to complete. Cox recalled staying at work late one day to see the lighted signs illuminate for the first time.

To bring the deal together, Provident GroupRadford Properties LLC formed in 2021, leased land from the university foundation and acted as the borrower, builder and owner of the facility. It is an affiliate of Provident Resources Group, a Louisiana-based, non-profit organization that develops, owns and operates education, health care and residential facilities. Provident said its roles include lessening the burdens local and state governments face in providing facilities and services to constituents.

In addition to the university, the foundation contributed money, Cox said.

The project was financed with a bond issued by the Radford Economic Development Authority. That bond is now owned by Preston Hollow Capital.

When the debt is retired, ownership will transfer to the Radford University Foundation, officials said.

The owner contracted with Aimbridge Hospitality, a Texas-based hospitality management company, to run The Highlander. The venue will have 40 to 50 employees. S.B. Ballard of Virginia Beach was the general contractor, and Blur Workshop of Atlanta was the designer. Its website is highlanderradford.com.

A celebration is planned on June 29.
When Ouchi, a handsome, powerfully built, former high school rugby player who had a wife and young son, arrived at the hospital, he didn't yet look like a victim of intense radiation exposure, according to "A Slow Death: 83 Days of Radiation Sickness," a 2002 book by a team of journalists from Japan's NHK-TV, later translated into English by Maho Harada. His face was slightly red and swollen and his eyes were bloodshot, but he didn't have any blisters or burns, though he complained of pain in his ears and hand. The doctor who examined him even thought that it might be possible to save his life.

But within a day, Ouchi's condition got worse. He began to require oxygen, and his abdomen swelled, according to the book. Things continued downhill after he arrived at the University of Tokyo hospital. Six days after the accident, a specialist who looked at images of the chromosomes in Ouchi's bone marrow cells saw only scattered black dots, indicating that they were broken into pieces. Ouchi's body wouldn't be able to generate new cells. A week after the accident, Ouchi received a peripheral blood stem cell transplant, with his sister volunteering as a donor.

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" " Residents of Tokaimura were checked for radiation, Oct. 2, 1999, after the accident. Kaku KURITA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Nevertheless, Ouchi's condition continued to deteriorate, according to the book. He began to complain of thirst, and when medical tape was removed from his chest, his skin started coming off with it. He began developing blisters. Tests showed that the radiation had killed the chromosomes that normally would enable his skin to regenerate, so that his epidermis, the outer layer that protected his body, gradually vanished. The pain became intense. He began experiencing breathing problems as well. Two weeks after the accident, he was no longer able to eat, and had to be fed intravenously. Two months into his ordeal, his heart stopped, though doctors were able to revive him.

On Dec. 21, at 11:21 p.m., Ouchi's body finally gave out. According to Lyman's and Dolley's article, he died of multiple organ failure. Japan's Prime Minister at the time, Keizo Obuchi, issued a statement expressing his condolences to the worker's family and promised to improve nuclear safety measures, according to Japan Times.

Shinohara, Ouchi's co-worker, died in April 2000 of multiple organ failure as well, according to The Guardian.

The Japanese government's investigation concluded that the accident's main causes included inadequate regulatory oversight, lack of an appropriate safety culture, and inadequate worker training and qualification, according to this April 2000 report by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Six officials from the company that operated the plant were charged with professional negligence and violating nuclear safety laws. In 2003, a court gave them suspended prison terms, and the company and at least one of the officials also were assessed fines, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Now That's Important Radiation exposure can be expressed in different sorts of units. Rads or grays reflect the amount of radiation absorbed, while rems and sieverts reflect the relative biological damage caused by the dose, according to MIT News.
" " Casey Jones Distillery, which makes legal moonshine, displays Total Eclipse Moonshine, which was distilled to commemorate the upcoming solar eclipse in 2017. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Moonshine is generally considered to be a clear, unaged whiskey with a corn base and a high alcohol content that is made at home. For much of its history, moonshine was produced in secret to avoid high taxes or outright bans on alcoholic drinks. The term moonshine has been around since at least the early 15th century. But it wasn't until the late 18th century that it was used (in England) to describe illicit or smuggled liquor, due to the fact that it was made and smuggled during the night.

From moonshine came the term moonshiners  the people who make the alcohol. Bootleggers are the smugglers who transport it and sell it. This term was popularized in the 1880s, and came from the practice of concealing illegal liquor in boot tops when going to distribute or trade it. Bootleggers in the 1930s, '40s and '50s transported their moonshine at night to avoid detection by the local police, racing along backcountry roads. Their mechanical skills developed as they learned to drastically increase the horsepower of their vehicles to outrun the authorities. They also began racing against each other on the side for fun, and to test their skills. This created a culture of car-lovers in the southern United States that eventually grew into the popular NASCAR racing series. In fact, the winner of the first NASCAR race, Red Byron, had once been a moonshine runner.

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Related to moonshiners and bootleggers are rumrunners. Rumrunners are basically bootleggers who smuggle their goods by sea, using fast ships with hidden cargo holds. The term is also used for smuggling liquor over borders.

What Is Moonshine Made Of?

The recipe for classic moonshine is simple:

Cracked corn

Water

Malted barley

Yeast

While alcohol can actually be distilled from almost any kind of grain  the earliest American moonshiners used rye or barley  much of the moonshine made in the United States for the last 150 years has been made with corn.

So, what makes moonshine different from the whiskey you find on the shelf at a liquor store? Aside from the obvious differences between something made in a sanitized production facility and something made at night in the woods, the primary difference is aging. When whisky comes out of the still, it's so clear it looks like water. Moonshiners bottle it and sell it just like that. Commercial alcohols have an amber or golden color to them because they are aged for several years in oak barrels that are sometimes charred. The aging process gives them color and mellows the harsh taste. There's no such mellowing with moonshine, which is why it has such a kick.

It's All in the Mash Moonshine made from grain, like corn or rye, is whiskey. But alcohol can be made from many different ingredients. During Prohibition, profit-hungry moonshiners started using white sugar instead of corn meal, producing a cheaper product that was technically rum, not whiskey. Fruits could also be used instead of grains. Today, moonshiners in Appalachian states still manufacture apple brandy.
" " Scientists have detected light echoing from behind a black hole for the first time. Caspar /Pixabay

If you know what a black hole is, you're probably aware that it can contain as much mass as billions of stars, compressed into a much smaller space, and have such a powerful gravitational pull that even light can't escape its grasp.

But even though it's not possible to see into a black hole, it is possible to see light that's coming from behind one. In a paper published July 28, 2021, in the scientific journal Nature, researchers from Stanford University, Penn State University and Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) describe the first-ever observation of light apparently being emitted from the far side of a supermassive black hole located in I Zwicky 1, a galaxy 800 million light-years away from Earth.

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The researchers used European Space Agency's (ESA) XMM-Newton and NASA's NuSTAR space telescopes to take a look in the vicinity of a distant black hole, which has a diameter of 18.6 million miles (30 million kilometers) and contains about 10 million times the mass of our sun, according the ESA website.

During that work, the team's lead researcher, Stanford University astrophysicist Dan Wilkins, observed bright flares of X-rays coming from gas falling into the black hole, according to a Stanford news release. But then he noticed something unexpected  small flashes of X-rays that were different in "color," the term used to describe intensity.

" " XMM-Newton, also known as the High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy Mission and the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission, is an X-ray space observatory launched by the European Space Agency in December 1999. It has seen light echo from behind a black hole for the very first time. European Space Agency

The pattern of the flashes indicated that X-rays were being reflected from behind the black hole, as the supermassive object warped space-time and bent light  a phenomenon that was predicted by theoretical physicist Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity (AKA general relativity), published back in 1915, but which up to this point never actually had been confirmed.

"Any light that goes into that black hole doesn't come out, so we shouldn't be able to see anything that's behind the black hole," Wilkins, a research scientist at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology at Stanford and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, explained in the news release.

It is another strange characteristic of the black hole, however, that makes this observation possible. "The reason we can see that is because that black hole is warping space, bending light and twisting magnetic fields around itself," Wilkins said.

While astrophysicists began speculating about how the magnetic field might behave close to a black hole many years ago, "they had no idea that one day we might have the techniques to observe this directly and see Einstein's general theory of relativity in action," another of the paper's co-authors, Stanford physic professor Roger Blandford, said in the release.

The researchers originally set out to study a different aspect of black holes. When gas is pulled into a supermassive black hole, it superheats to millions of degrees, causing electrons to separate from atoms and form a magnetized plasma that arcs high over the hole and twirls and breaks, in a way that resembles our sun's corona.

Scientists' effort to learn more black holes' coronas will continue, with the ESA's Athena (Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics) X-ray observatory as one of the tools.

Now That's Interesting Scientists eventually hope to use data from the X-ray echoes to create a 3-D map of the black hole's surroundings, according to ESA.
" " Thanks to COVID-19 social distancing signs, you may know that 2 meters is roughly the same as 6 feet. But what's the exact conversion? mixetto/Getty Images

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, people apparently used the metric system.

The climax of the original "Star Wars" movie hinges on a weak point in the evil Empire's greatest battle station: The Death Star. According to General Jan Dodonna of the Rebellion, all that's required to blow the whole thing up is a proton torpedo fired directly into "a small thermal exhaust port."

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How small are we talking? "The target area," says Dodonna, "is only 2 meters wide."

That might be a little hard to visualize if you grew up measuring things in feet rather than meters.

As most of us know, the meter is a unit of length. Like the kilogram, it's part of the International System of Units (abbreviated as the "SI"). The metric system is another name that this goes by.

The foot is an alternative length unit. Used in the United States Customary system of measurement, it's decidedly less popular at the global level. But considering Uncle Sam's fondness for the foot, being able to convert feet into meters  and do the reverse  is an important skill.

Let's go off-world and return to the Death Star. If the previously mentioned exhaust port is "2 meters wide," how many feet is that?

There are two different ways to figure this out. The first one's a little bit easier, but it comes with an asterisk.

Here's a piece of information that's critical: 1 meter is equal to 3.28084 feet (for simplicity, we'll call it 3.28 feet).
Au Soudan, les combats font rage entre armee et paramilitaires

La capitale soudanaise a ete secouee par des tirs et explosions samedi soir apres une journee de combats de rue meurtriers, de raids aeriens et de menaces par medias et reseaux sociaux interposes des deux generaux aux commandes du Soudan depuis le putsch de 2021.



A Khartoum, ou les rares civils qui s'etaient aventures dehors le matin sont rentres en courant chez eux, des colonnes de fumee se sont elevees au-dessus des sieges des paramilitaires comme de l'aeroport international.



Un premier bilan annonce par le Syndicat des medecins fait etat de trois civils tues.



Toute la journee, les appels au cessez-le-feu se sont multiplies: de l'ONU, Washington, Moscou, Paris, Rome, Ryad, l'Union africaine, la Ligue arabe, l'Union europeenne et meme l'ancien Premier ministre civil Abdallah Hamdok. Mais rien n'y a fait.



Dimanche, la Ligue arabe annonce une reunion d'urgence sur le Soudan, a la demande du Caire --ou elle siege-- et de Ryad, deux grands allies de l'armee soudanaise, aux prises avec les paramilitaires qui veulent desormais la deloger du pouvoir.



Le secretaire general de l'ONU Antonio Guterres a appele les deux belligerants: le chef de l'armee, Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, et le patron des paramilitaires, Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, dit "Hemedti", mais aussi le president egyptien Abdel Fattah al-Sissi pour reclamer "un arret immediat de la violence".



Les paramilitaires, eux, se disent inflexibles. Ils "ne s'arreteront pas avant d'avoir pris le controle de l'ensemble des bases militaires", a menace sur la chaine al-Jazeera leur commandant Hemedti.



En soiree, sur la chaine emiratie Sky News Arabia, il a redit avoir ete "force" de reagir. "Ce n'est pas nous qui avons commence", a-t-il martele. "Il faut que Burhane le criminel se rende", a-t-il dit alors que des tirs resonnaient autour de lui.



Ses Forces de soutien rapide (FSR) --des milliers d'ex-miliciens de la guerre du Darfour devenus suppletifs de l'armee-- ont dit avoir pris l'aeroport international et le palais presidentiel.



Le general Burhane, lui, n'est pas apparu depuis le matin, mais assure par communique avoir ete "surpris a neuf heures du matin" par une attaque de son QG par les FSR, son ancien meilleur allie que l'armee qualifie desormais de "milice soutenue par l'etranger" pour mener sa "trahison".



L'armee, elle, a publie sur sa page Facebook un "avis de recherche" contre Hemedti. "Ce criminel en fuite est recherche par la justice", lit-on sur le montage photo, alors qu'un autre communique annonce la dissolution des FSR, appelant tous ces hommes a se rendre.



Des deux cotes, finies les negociations feutrees sous l'egide de diplomates et autres discussions policees, l'armee a mobilise ses avions pour frapper --et "detruire", dit-elle-- des bases des FSR a Khartoum. Quant aux appels a revenir a la table des negociations, l'armee a repondu que c'etait "impossible avant la dissolution des FSR".



Ces dernieres appellent les 45 millions de Soudanais et meme les militaires a "se rallier a elles" et a se retourner contre l'armee.



Les habitants, eux, restent toujours cloitres chez eux. "J'allais au travail ce matin mais des que j'ai entendu les coups de feu, je suis rentre chez moi", raconte a l'AFP Bakry, 24 ans.



Les deux camps s'affrontent toujours pour le controle du siege des medias d'Etat, selon des temoins.




Soudan: le PAM suspend son aide apres la mort de trois humanitaires

Le Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) a annonce dimanche la suspension de ses operations au Soudan apres la mort samedi de trois humanitaires qui travaillaient pour cette agence specialisee de l'ONU dont le siege est a Rome.







"Nous sommes obliges de suspendre temporairement nos operations au Soudan le temps d'analyser l'evolution de la situation securitaire", indique la directrice du PAM, Cindy McCain, citee dans un communique.








 Rounding up some notable recent death penalty policy and practice stories | Main | Supreme Court grants cert on due process requirements in civil asset forfeiture case 

April 16, 2023

Preparing for some criminal action as SCOTUS heads into homestretch for OT22

After a couple of (eventful) weeks off, the Supreme Court heads into its last set of oral arguments for the current Term. There are a couple of cases being argued the next two Wedensdays that might be of interest criminal justice fans:

Issue: Whether, to establish that a statement is a "true threat" unprotected by the First Amendment, the government must show that the speaker subjectively knew or intended the threatening nature of the statement, or whether it is enough to show that an objective "reasonable person" would regard the statement as a threat of violence.

Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, No. 22-166, to be argued April 26:

Issue: (1) Whether taking and selling a home to satisfy a debt to the government, and keeping the surplus value as a windfall, violates the Fifth Amendment's takings clause; and (2) whether the forfeiture of property worth far more than needed to satisfy a debt, plus interest, penalties, and costs, is a fine within the meaning of the Eighth Amendment.

In addition, this coming week, we are due to get an orders list before arguments start on Monday and opinions from argued cases on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Before too long we should be getting some more opinions in some more of the the criminal cases argued last fall (though I am inclined to guess we might not get Jones v. Hendrix, the case of great procedural interest, for a few more months).

April 16, 2023 at 02:51 PM | Permalink

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Humble home-based bakery Twobakeboys that sold viral Thai milk tea crepe cake reopens as physical store in Shaw Plaza. Functioning as a unique 3-in-1 concept, one can find their main kitchen, cake cafe and newly-introduced baking studio in the same location.

After the contract lease in CT Hub 2 was completed, the decision to reopen in Shaw Plaza was supported their brand image of being a family-friendly based business. Until today, Twobakeboys crepe cakes have been best-sellers for regular consumption as well as special occasions including birthdays and anniversaries.

Twobakeboys also declared that they have never incorporated gelatin in their bakes. With this move, they hope to reach out to halal foodies in Singapore.

Popular options include Thai Tea and Lychee Rose Crepe Cakes (S$8.50 per slice). Those looking to purchase whole crepe cakes have a wider flavour range and I am sure the MSW Durian with Coconut Sauce (S$89 for 6-inches) or the Ondeh Ondeh (S$65 for 6-inches) would appeal to locals. Regardless of which flavour you choose, expect each cake slice to feature dozens of repeated layers of thin crepe and fresh cream. Many consumers enjoy them for its strong flavour without it being too jelak.

They have also expanded their menu to include other bakes. Choices range from Creampuff Thai Tea (S$4.20) to French pastries such as Pain Au Chocolate (S$4) and even a Singapore-inspired flavour, the Chicken Rendang Pie (S$5.60).

A unique beverage menu has also been curated to pair with the delicate desserts. Some that stood out to me include the Orange Americano (S$7) and Yuzu Osmanthus Matcha (S$7.80).

The newly introduced baking studio has been garnering some attention by regular patrons of the dessert bar. Parents may enrol their children in one of their kid-friendly baking workshops, which are catered to 4- to 7-year-olds. Adhoc classes are also available for adults who wish to personally bake a cake for that special someone.

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For crepe cake-loving Westies, the following news may particularly appeal to you! On 13 Apr 2023, they announced on their Instagram page that a new outlet will be opening in Clementi in Apr 2023. Stay tuned to more announcements from them on the exact opening day!

Other articles you might like:

The post MSW durian, Ondeh ondeh & Thai milk tea crepe cakes by Twobakeboys in Shaw Plaza appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
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On April 11, 2002, there was an attempted coup against President Hugo Chavez's democratically elected government in Venezuela. Chavez had prioritized programs to improve living conditions for those who were previously unrepresented, and established an independent foreign policy in favor of the nation's interests.

Chavezs stance conflicted with the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which laid the groundwork for the use of U.S. military force and other forms of intervention to oppose any government, be it foreign or regional, that jeopardized U.S. interests. The Monroe Doctrine became the ideological basis for US hegemony in the region, justifying the violation of the rights of nations of self-determination, as was the case for Venezuela in 2002 and since then.

With Washington's backing, Venezuela's pro-Washington elite, high-ranking military officials, leaders of the traditional labor organizations, the Catholic Church hierarchy, and the nation's chamber of commerce had embarked on ousting a popular government. The Chavez administration had redefined the rules of democracy by drafting a new Constitution, one that was voted on by the people, and that allowed for greater popular participation. The Chavez government was also reasserting its sovereignty over its vast oil wealth by ending the process of privatization of PDVSA, the state oil company. In September 2000, It organized a summit meeting in Caracas of OPEC oil-producing countries to stabilize prices at higher levels to increase the countrys main source of income.

Washingtons main opposition to Chavez's foreign policy came when he met with OPEC leaders considered to be U.S. adversaries, including the governments of Libya, Iraq and Iran in preparation for the 2000 OPEC summit. He met again with Saddam Hussein and Muhammar Ghaddafi the following year, and spoke out against the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan as a reaction to 9/11, saying "You can't combat terror with more terror."

An intelligence brief dated April 6, 2002  a mere five days before the coup plot would be carried out  explicitly states that a coup was set to take place.

Under previous Venezuelan governments, neoliberal reforms had increased poverty and the police and military had used violent repression, but the U.S. still perceived Venezuela as a flourishing democracy. Nevertheless, upon Chavez's ascension, the fundamental premise of respecting an elected leader's mandate was swiftly ignored by the United States. A State Department cable leaked right before the coup revealed the dissident military factions intentions to detain and overthrow Chavez, exhibiting advanced knowledge and direct involvement with the conspiracy.

On April 10, a day before the coup, U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro spoke to the press after meeting the Mayor of Caracas and when asked if the U.S. supported President Chavez, his reply was: We support democracy and the constitutional framework and he advised U.S. citizens in Venezuela to be careful. The Caracas Mayor, by his side, said: If he doesnt rule like a democrat, Chavez will leave office sooner than later.

What came after was a wave of violence and repression that led to the arrest of Chavez, the killing of 19 people and injuring of over hundred, and a business leader swearing himself in as President, followed by a visit from Ambassador Shapiro. All according to regular Monroe Doctrine protocol, thus far.

Yet the one factor not taken into consideration: the will of the Venezuelan people.

On April 13th, the people of Venezuela made history and made a dent on the Monroe Doctrines record. Community leaders and organizers, despite facing police repression and a corporate media blackout , took the streets to demand that Chavez was brought back to office. Military officers and troops, loyal to the Venezuelan Constitution that the people had given themselves, rose up against commanding officers and demanded that Chavez be reinstated as the legitimate President. This joint civilian and military popular rebellion to save Venezuelan democracy made history and overturned the Monroe Doctrine formula that had successfully overthrown other independent Latin American leaders in the past, such as Jacobo Arbenz, Salvador Allende, Joao Goulart, Juan Bosch and Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The question we must ask on an anniversary like this is why the United States continues to insist on a 200-year-old doctrine that has its back turned to the aspirations of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean? Why does the U.S. government continue to promote violence, human rights violations, and undemocratic governance that we would not tolerate on our own soil? Why do we continue to make people suffer in places like Venezuela by sanctioning the entire country for standing up for their self-determination? Wouldnt we, as a people, expect solidarity and respect for standing up for our own democratic ideals?

In the end, the Monroe Doctrine is condemned to failure because peoples determination to be free will always prevail. Why not turn, instead, to a policy of mutual cooperation, of respect for Latin American and Caribbean internal affairs? Why not convince rather than coerce, collaborate rather than take advantage? Why do we still not understand that the instability, violence, and exploitation we promote in our region backfires and leads to the migration challenges we face today in our own country?

In Venezuela now, theres a popular saying that refers to the day of the 2002 coup and the daytwo days laterthat Chavez was reinstated: Every 11th has its 13th. It is a significant sign of the new Latin America and Caribbean that has emerged in the 21st Century, a region that wants to bury 200-year-old interventionism. For every Monroe Doctrine intervention, there will be an April 13th rebellion for sovereignty and dignity.

Michelle Ellner is a Latin America campaign coordinator of CODEPINK.
Thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.
"Museums change lives. Go! See! Discover! Important questions to ask when visiting all variety of museums near and far are these: Did you see yourself or your story reflected here? Did you learn of other peoples stories and gain new understandings?"
Meetings and events

Ancestry and Family Search help is available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Family Search Center, 1201 W. Clifton, Sioux City. For more information, email ldstreesearch@gmail.com.

Lions Club meetings are first and third Mondays of each month, excluding holidays, at 12 p.m. at Active Generations located at 313 Cook St Sioux City. If interested in a strong service club helping sight and hearing impaired individuals we are the people to join with.

Dakota County Historical Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on third Thursday of the month, Dakota City Library. Contact Dennis Reinert at 712-253-1609 for more information.

Top O Morning Toastmasters Club, Mondays, noon to 1 p.m. Contact LeAnn Blankenburg, 712-870-1120, for meeting information.

The Siouxland Ostomy Support Group, find us on Facebook. For more information and meeting times contact Dick Lindblom at 712-251-2453.

Southside South Bottoms former residents, 6 p.m. potluck, second Wednesday of the month at Goodwill Industries cafeteria, 3100 Fourth St. Gert, 258-2227.

Siouxland Metal Detecting and Archeology Club, 6:30 p.m., first Tuesday of the month in the Gleeson Room at 4510 Buckwalter Drive. Visitors welcome. Ray Turner, 712-899-2114.

American Legion Post 64, 7 p.m. last Thursday of the month at 4021 Floyd Blvd. 712-258-3986.

Marine Corps League, 6 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Elks Club on TriView Ave. All marines welcome. For more information, call Cathy Moreno, 712-899-8441.

Sioux City Chapter of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 7 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St. 712-203-2052.

Sioux City Duplicate Bridge Club, 12:30 p.m. Mondays (open); at the Senior Center. Mary 605-670-9613.

Siouxland Fly-Fishing Club, 10 a.m. last Saturday of the month at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center on Hwy 12. All interested in fly fishing; beginners welcome. Monthly programs provided. For more information, call Bob Gillespie, 712-251-9463, or Diana, 402-987-3945.

Siouxland Coin Club, 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1915 Nebraska St. Bob, 255-4829.

The Siouxland Pride Alliance, peer support group, 5:30 p.m. Fridays; Youth Pride group, 1:30 p.m. second Sunday of the month; potluck, 5:30 p.m. third Sunday of the month. First Unitarian Church, 2508 Jackson. Call 712-223-0931

Siouxland Samplers Quilt Guild, 7 p.m. second Monday of the month at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport St, door #2. Visitors and new members welcome.

Siouxland Sewing Guild, 6:30-8 p.m. first Thursday of the month at South Sioux Public Library, 2121 Dakota Ave., South Sioux City. For anyone interested in sewing. Denise, 402-922-1822.

Sooland RC Modelers, 7 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Morningside Lutheran Church. Non-profit club that flies remote control aircraft. Anyone interested in RC is welcome.

Retired Educators, 10:30 a.m. third Tuesday of the month, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport St., door #6.

Mid-Step Services for Handicapped, meal at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport St., door #6.

Confirmation Instruction and Midweek Lessons, 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport St., door #6. Open to all kids 5 years old through 8th grade.

Primetime (Potluck), 12 p.m., second Thursday of each month, at Whitfield United Methodist Church, 1319 W 5th. For more information call 252-3261 Tuesday-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Abundant Life Fellowship, 809 S. Alice St., in Sioux City will distribute food boxes after their 11 a.m. Sunday services. For additional information contact Pastor Bob at 605-205-0718 or Donna at 605-205-0719.
SIOUX CITY  Rameem Sajid, 15, prefers her Philly Cheesesteak sandwich with melty Pepper Jack cheese while her brother Haseeb Sajid, 10, alternates between Pepper Jack and a squeeze of Cheez Whiz.

According to their dad Muhammad Sajid, there is no wrong way to eat the iconic sandwich served on a Hoagie roll.

Which is why he recently opened Sarg's Philly Time, 4006 Morningside Ave., home of the "Build Your Own Philly."

In case you didn't know, the classic Cheesesteak -- chopped steak, cooked onions with plenty of the aforementioned orange-yellow Cheez Whiz -- was popularized by Italian immigrants in Philadelphia during the first half of the 20th century.

Sarg's Philly Time Sarg's Philly Time's Dustin Carnes, left, Muhammad Sajid and Fred Jacobsen are shown at Sarg's Philly Time, 4006 Morningside Ave.

Sarg's Philly Time Fred Jacobsen cooks steak and vegetables while making a Philly cheesesteak at Sarg's Philly Time, 4006 Morningside Ave. The restaurant allows 

Even though he is of Pakistani descent, Sajid enjoyed experimenting with international cuisine for his family.

"I know my kids like it when I make them quesadillas in the morning," he said.

So, what did Rameem and Haseeb think of dad's initial attempts at a Philly?

"They though it was a good first try," Sajid admitted diplomatically.

Luckily, he enlisted the help of veteran restaurant cook Dustin Carnes to perfect the recipe.

Carnes, Sajid and are all partners in Sarg's Philly Time, which opened in early March.

"A Philly is one of those classic sandwiches that everyone seems to like," Carnes explained. "It is also a sandwich that you can load up with pretty much anything."

Sarg's Philly Time Fred Jacobsen, right, makes a Philly cheesesteak as Dustin Carnes works on a rice bowl at Sarg's Philly Time, 4006 Morningside Ave.

Sarg's Philly Time Fred Jacobsen fills a Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Sarg's Philly Time, 4006 Morningside Ave.

Beginning his career as a busboy at Harvey's at age 12, Carnes was eventually promoted to a line cook at the popular Riverside diner. After that, he helped open Greek to Me, which specialized in creative Grecian cuisine like gyros, pastitchio and spicy Greek nachos.

"Everything I know about food, I learned at Harvey's," he said.

At Sarg's, Carnes credited a Build Your Own Philly menu where diners have a choice between chopped chicken or steak, a huge selection of cheeses and a wide variety of veggies.

Want sauce? Check out Carnes' housemade Philly sauce or the creamy Greek-inspired Tzatziki sauce.

Want all of ingredients of a Philly or gyro, without any of the bread? Check out Sarg's Power Rice Bowl.

"So far, our most popular meals have been Build Your Own Philly and the Power Bowls," Fred Jacobsen said. "Both are really good."

Sarg's Philly Time A rice bowl made with gyro meat, mushrooms, onion, green and jalapeno peppers and served with both spicy and regular tzatziki sauce.

Sarg's Philly Time A Philly cheesesteak sandwich made with steak, onions, green peppers, banana peppers and Cheez Whiz.

Jacobsen may look familiar to people due to his side career. When he isn't an cook/owner at Sarg's, he is known as Fetty Fred, a Siouxland's Choice Award-winning rapper.

However, Jacobsen's friendship with Carnes goes back more than 15 years ago.

"We started working in kitchens together," Jacobsen said. "Dusty's still the best cook I know."

Sajid nodded his head in agreement.

"I've known Dustin for a very long time and I knew cooking was his passion," Sajid, who also owns local convenience stores, explained. "When he approached me about opening up a restaurant, it seemed like a very good idea."

That was especially true since Sarg's was locating in the space which was formerly home to Madonna Rose Cafe.

A homestyle diner that was popular with both Morningside residents as well as students at the nearby Morningside University, Madonna Rose's closure left a niche Sarg's Philly Time wanted to fill.

"Being on a busy intersection, this is a great location for us," Carnes said. "It helps we're the only full-service, locally owned restaurant in this part of Morningside."

"We've already gotten quite a few of Madonna Rose's former customers," Jacobsen said. "Madonna Rose was known for its breakfast menu. That's why Sarg's will start its own weekend breakfast menu in a few week."

In face, Carnes is already thinking of ways of utilizing Philly ingredients into gourmet omelets.

"You can build your own omelet just like you can build your Philly," he suggested.

Sajid is already impressed with Carnes' enthusiasm as well as his ambition.

"I know Dustin likes to try unique ingredients," he said. "I'm glad he's using international ingredients in American foods like a Philly sandwich or, soon, omelets."
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa  Since his arrival in 2016, the expansion of U.S. Highway 75 through town has been a constant issue on City Administrator Scott Wynja's plate.

It was an issue that was cooking long before he came, with talks dating back to 2007.

And now the city is taking the first bite out of a three-year construction project that many residents, business owners and visitors are happy to see finally come to fruition.

"We're super excited," Wynja said. "There's just a huge buzz in the community."

Roadwork in Sioux Center Crews do preparation work on the U.S. Highway 75 expansion in Sioux Center, Iowa, on April 5. The first phase in a three-year project to widen

Roadwork in Sioux Center Traffic weaves through the construction zone on U.S. Highway 75 on the south side of Sioux Center, Iowa, on April 5. Work has begun on the thr

Work began earlier this month on the project, which stretches 2.5 miles from 20th Street South to 12th Street North, nearly the entire length of Sioux Center's main street that runs north and south through town.

The highway's current alignment of two lanes of traffic in each direction changing to single traffic lanes with a turning lane once it nears downtown will be converted into an enhanced four-lane highway with two lanes in each direction with center medians and turning lanes all the way through town. The highway will be widened 7-10 feet on each side, directly affecting 119 parcels of property and requiring removal of three homes and several mature trees lining the route.

The project will replace a worn-out road and, the city hopes, improve safety and ease traffic congestion, making it easier to get through and about town. The city and Iowa Department of Transportation have partnered on the project, with the city, rather than the IDOT, designing the improvements, which were required to meet state standards.

The partnership means the city will pay about $19 million of the total costs, estimated at $52 million, but it allowed for the addition of beautification features such as designer medians, colored and patterned concrete and new trees and greenery to replace trees that must be removed.

"We felt it was necessary to lead the project so we could add aesthetics," Wynja said.

Roadwork in Sioux Center Work is underway on the first of three phases of work to widen U.S. Highway 75 through Sioux Center, Iowa. The 2.5-mile project is expected to

Sioux Center US Highway 75 In this June 2019 file photo, traffic moves on South Main Street, also known as U.S. Highway 75, in Sioux Center, Iowa. Construction has begun

The city also will upgrade water and sewer lines and lighting along the route.

The city/IDOT partnership likely allowed the project to move forward faster. With the city handling design, it didn't have to wait for the IDOT to fit it in with development of the dozens of other projects it oversees.

"Otherwise, they've got to wait until the DOT prioritizes it," said Dakin Schultz, IDOT District 3 transportation planner.

U.S. 75 Sioux Center Traffic passes over cracked pavement on U.S. Highway 75 near Seventh Street South in Sioux Center in this 2017 file photo. Construction has be

The Iowa Transportation Commission added the U.S. 75 expansion to the state's five-year highway construction plan in 2019, but not after some starts and stops.

In 2012, the commission added the project, then costing $6.7 million, to the five-year plan but pulled it out the following year when the Sioux Center City Council tabled the proposal after citizens raised concerns about the design and a perceived lack of transparency about the project. In 2015, a $4 million bond issue to provide funding for the project failed.

Rachel Hoogeveen, who was chairwoman of Sioux Center Citizens for Responsible Growth, a local watchdog group formed in response to the issue, said concerned citizens questioned the project's need and wanted city leaders to rethink the plans. Many felt the project was inevitable, but wanted it to be safe and address residents' concerns.

"I think we feel good about what we did," Hoogeveen said. "The design is better. Those who are impacted the most, the home owners and business owners, I think they're resigned to the fact that this is happening.

"I have no doubt it's going to be done very, very well."

The driving surface itself will become much safer. Dating back to the late 1920s and early '30s, the concrete substructure beneath the pavement has deteriorated. With 12,000 vehicles going through town each day, the highway has taken a beating, and traffic continues to grow along with the city's population, which rose by 1,200 people to 8,229 in the 2020 Census. The highway has been repaired several times over the years, and repairs will be necessary this year to ensure sections of the highway last until they're replaced.

"It's served its life," Schultz said.

Currently underway, Phase 1 includes removal of the pavement and widening of the highway from 20th Street South to 13th Street South and includes reconstruction of a block of 16th Street Southwest and installation of a stoplight at 20th Street. Roadway construction is expected to be finished in November with medians and landscaping to be completed in 2024. Phase 1 will cost $11 million, with the city's share at $1.8 million.

Bids will be let this fall on Phases 2 and 3 stretching from 13th Street South to 12th Street North. Construction on that segment will take place in 2024 and 2025 with a pause during the winter. It's hoped the heavy construction will be done by the end of 2025, leaving finishing work for 2026.

Once done, Wynja said, the highway will be more attractive and easier to navigate. The expansion holds the potential to help the city attract new business and residents.

But before that growth can occur, everyone must weather three years of driving through a construction zone.

"I'm excited to see it get started," Wynja said. "I'm even more excited to see it get done."
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden was winding up for a speech at a Minnesota clean energy facility when he spotted a lawmaker in the crowd whom he wanted to recognize.

"I want to thank you for being here," Biden said, gesturing toward Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar during his recent visit. "You never stop working to level the playing field for everybody."

For Omar, the quick flash of praise from Biden  who was neither her first nor second choice to be the party's 2020 White House nominee  was more than just a courtesy shout-out during a presidential visit to her suburban Minneapolis district. It was a recognition of how far Omar has come after a rocky start to her political career that at times made her standing with Democrats appear tenuous.

As she settles into her third term, Omar is no longer defined by the "firsts" that accompanied her arrival in Congress: one of the first Muslim women in the House, the first refugee from Africa elected to the House, the first lawmaker to wear a hijab while on the House floor.

In interviews with nearly a dozen Democrats in the House and Senate, lawmakers portray Omar as a serious legislator who in the past four years earned admiration for giving voice to marginalized groups often forgotten on Capitol Hill.

The best example of this came in early February when every single House Democrat voted against a GOP resolution to remove her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over her past comments critical of Israel.

"I think we've been successful in making the Democratic caucus, Democratic Party, Democratic establishment to get to a place where they are able to see me fully, for all of the multiple identities I am a first for and not just to see and celebrate it but to defend it," Omar told The Associated Press.

In the debate over her committee seat, many of Omar's fellow Democrats, including those of Jewish descent, spoke out in the chamber about what they said was hypocrisy from the new Republican majority.

"I don't need any of you to defend me against antisemitism," said Rep. Jan Shakowsky, D-Ill. "My friend Ilhan Omar and I have worked together toward the values that I treasure as an American Jew and that she treasures as an American Islamic woman, the only one on the Foreign Affairs Committee."

Democrats called it payback because they used their majority in the last Congress to oust far-right GOP lawmakers from committees for their incendiary, violent remarks.

But the emotionally charged floor debate over Omar was a departure from the bipartisan outrage she faced in her first year in office. At that time, Democrats were confronted by the reality that comes with diverse viewpoints when Omar  showing less deference to the party line  dragged the divisions over Israel into the open.

It began with social media posts in which Omar criticized pro-Israel lobbyist groups and questioned the loyalty of Jewish lawmakers who pushed back against her criticisms of the Israeli government.

Omar apologized for her comments at the time, both privately to her Jewish colleagues and publicly. She said what she was questioning was the influence game in Washington and voicing her concern that anything she said about Israel and its treatment of Palestinians would be construed as antisemitic.

In response, top Democrats began to draft a resolution that would have condemned antisemitism, with an early version even mentioning Omar by name. At the time, only a handful of Democrats inside and outside of Congress came to her defense.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the highest-ranking progressive in Congress, said in April 2019 that Omar may "need to do a better job speaking to the Jewish community," but that "it is not antisemitic to be critical of a right-wing government in Israel."

Ben Rhodes, who was President Barack Obama's deputy national security adviser, said that after meeting Omar early in her career, it was clear that she wanted to use her background to push for structural change in foreign policy.

"There are plenty of people in Congress that can represent the kind of established view of American foreign policy whether it's on the Middle East or whether it's on military policy," Rhodes said. "There's a desperate need for unconventional thinking and different perspectives, and that's what she brings."

Omar began to move up the ranks in the Congressional Progressive Caucus  one of the largest ideological caucuses in the House. She become the vote counter for the caucus chair, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., in the last Congress as progressives helped pave the way for Biden's agenda to pass the House and Senate.

In January, Omar was chosen by more than 100 members to serve as deputy caucus chair.

Omar, who was born in Somalia, is now embarking on a new chapter "as a minority, in the minority," helping Biden and the Democratic Party provide a split screen to Republican control by highlighting the implementation of several legislative achievements made in the past two years, including the infrastructure law.

While many voiced concerns that her removal from the House Foreign Affairs Committee would effectively silence her on foreign policy, Omar said Republicans badly miscalculated, given that she was assigned to the House Budget Committee as a replacement.

"This is why I joke about the fact that Republicans taking me off the Foreign Affairs Committee essentially meant that they were promoting me," Omar said.

"Because we will have the opportunity not only to address investments in regards to our foreign policy with development, defense, and diplomacy, but we will also be able to have more of a say as part as the discussions move forward in regards to our own defense budget."

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
PORTLAND, Ore.  When Gadiel Galvez learned that the owner of his mobile home park south of Seattle was looking to sell, he and other residents worried their largely Latino community would be bulldozed to make way for another Amazon warehouse.

So, they decided to form a cooperative and buy their park in Lakewood, Washington. With help from a nonprofit that advises communities like theirs and helps them secure loans, they bought it for $5.25 million in September.

"Everybody thought, 'You know what?  I'm going to make this place the best that I can,'" said Galvez, 22, who is a co-op board member. "Some people painted their homes, some people remodeled their interiors and exteriors, and some are working on their roofs."

Advocates tout the cooperative model as a way to preserve one of the last affordable housing options for people with low or fixed incomes and to give them a greater voice in managing their parks.

So far, resident-owned communities are proving to be a reliable option. None of the more than 300 in the network of nonprofit ROC USA defaulted or closed, though one decided to sell back to the county housing authority it originally purchased from.

Nearly a third of mobile home parks in the U.S. have been bought by investment banks, hedge funds and other deep-pocketed investors since 2015, lured by reliable cash flow and high returns from raising rents at nearly double the general rental market rate, said George McCarthy, president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a think tank in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Park residents often own their home but rarely the land beneath it. So if a landlord raises rent, residents can be evicted or forced to sell their home. If a park is sold to be redeveloped, mobile homes that can't be moved are demolished.

"Homelessness is really what residents are facing" if investors aggressively raise rents, said Victoria O'Banion, ROC Northwest's marketing and acquisitions specialist.

At Rimrock Court in the central Oregon town of Madras, rent increased from $350 to $495 over five years. When the owner notified residents he planned to sell, they feared further increases or that it would be torn down to make way for apartments. So, they decided to buy it.

"We were really worried about being forced out of our homes," said Shawn King, who lives there with her husband on a fixed income and experienced homelessness before.

To pay off the purchase loan, residents now pay $520 a month  a stretch, but one that comes with reassurance, King said.

"Just to have that peace of mind, to know that our rent is going to be locked in for awhile and not keep going up, and also knowing that our rent monies  are going back into the property, that is the cool part," she said.

The required rent increase to go co-op was even steeper in Evergreen Village Cooperative in Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania,  from $460 a month to $750 to pay off the $12 million loan.

Still, more than two-thirds of residents voted in favor.

"We are not for profit. All the money that we get has to go back into the village and pay the mortgages off," said Stephen Laclair, board president. Evergreen Village earmarked funds for improvement projects, and this year plans to enhance its sewer plant and fix electrical issues, he said.

Co-ops also can provide social support. At Liberty Landing Cooperative in Missouri, residents started a food pantry to help neighbors in need.

"If there's a hardship, we're willing to work with somebody.  It's emotional when you find out that somebody's lost their job, their child support  and they don't know what to do," said Kristi Peterman, the board vice president. "Our president likes to say: 'If it doesn't work for the poorest of us then it's not going to work for anybody.'"

The country's roughly 43,000 mobile home communities are home to 22 million people, according to the Manufactured Housing Institute, a national trade organization. But only about 1,000 are resident-owned, according to Carolyn Carter, deputy director at the National Consumer Law Center.

Some resistance comes from residents, many of whom are seniors and people with disabilities who may not want the responsibility of managing their park. Others argue rent control or stricter zoning regulations protecting mobile home parks from redevelopment are more effective.

"Zoning is critical.  That is what we ought to be fighting for everywhere," said Jan Leonard, who lives in a park in Walla Walla, Washington, and worked with other residents to successfully push the City Council to amend zoning codes to add mobile home parks as a land-use type.

Few states provide funding for residents looking to buy their parks, which can make it difficult for residents to finance large loans.

New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Colorado and Oregon are among states with laws that have been effective in helping residents buy their parks, the National Consumer Law Center said.

Housing advocates say they hope that $225 million in recently approved federal funding may provide some relief. Starting this year, the money will be funneled through grants to states, resident-owned parks, nonprofits and local and tribal governments to preserve mobile home communities and improve infrastructure.

Cities where rents are rising the slowestand even falling Cities where rents are rising the slowestand even falling #25. Los Angeles, California #24. Fresno, California #23. Washington DC #22. St. Paul, Minnesota #21. Denver, Colorado #20. Jacksonville, Florida #19. Santa Ana, California #18. Minneapolis, Minnesota #17. Baltimore, Maryland #16. New Orleans, Louisiana #15. Wichita, Kansas #14. Phoenix, Arizona #13. Seattle, Washington #12. Detroit, Michigan #11. Virginia Beach, Virginia #10. Mesa, Arizona #9. Atlanta, Georgia #8. Sacramento, California #7. Irvine, California #6. Chandler, Arizona #5. Cleveland, Ohio #4. Oakland, California #3. Henderson, Nevada #2. Las Vegas, Nevada #1. Scottsdale, Arizona
Iowans previously ineligible to carry firearms would specifically be allowed to possess or acquire them  and carry unloaded weapons in vehicles  under a measure advanced by Republican lawmakers.

A little-noticed change to Iowa law included in House File 654 would repeal sections of Iowa Code that make it a crime for certain ineligible people to carry dangerous weapons, including those addicted to alcohol and those where there is probable cause to believe theyre a danger to themselves or others.

Iowa Republican state lawmakers in 2021 passed and Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law eliminating the requirement for Iowans to have a permit to carry or possess handguns.

When gun permits were required, a person addicted to alcohol could not qualify for a permit. There was no standard for what addicted to alcohol meant. But people a county sheriff believed were a danger to themselves or others also were prohibited from obtaining a gun permit.

Now that permits are not required, House Republicans say neither of those sections are needed in the Iowa Code.

However, if a person is adjudicated as being addicted to alcohol, or being a danger to themselves or others, they will not be allowed to possess a firearm, according to an analysis by House Republican staffers.

The bill in now in the hands of the Iowa Senate, where a similar measure has been introduced.

Rep. Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison and the bills floor manager in the House, said there are times where a person cannot qualify for a permit to carry a weapon but is not prohibited from possessing weapons on their own property. And new the bill makes it clear a person can have a weapon on their own property  even if they do not qualify for a permit to carry  so long as they are not prohibited from possessing firearms.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks, a Democrat, contends allowing someone to acquire pistols when they are ineligible to carry them, or allowing people to transfer guns to those ineligible to carry dangerous weapons, only means more guns in the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.

This expansion only puts more people at risk for gun violence while serving very little constructive purpose, Maybanks told The Gazette.

The removal of the enforcement provision making dangerous people ineligible for a carry permit takes away any remaining discretion law enforcement may have to truly prevent people they know are a danger to themselves from obtaining firearms, Maybanks said.

Regardless, any reasonable enforcement mechanism for law enforcement to prevent people ineligible for a permit to carry from actually obtaining and using firearms in a dangerous manner is being handcuffed.

Holt disagrees and said the language in the bill was reviewed and requested by the Iowa Department of Public Safety, which said the enforcement provisions were ambiguous and unenforceable.

"And would deny people due process, Holt said, giving the example of denying a gun permit to an individual charged with driving while intoxicated.

Just because they got a DUI, it may be hard to argue they are addicted to alcohol, he said. It was unworkable in code, and were simply returning to where we were before passing the 2021 law.

BILL RESTRICTS COURT ACCESS TO FIREARM DATABASE

The bill, which passed the House last week, 62-37, also strips Iowa courts of the authority to add people prohibited from possessing firearms to the National Criminal Background Check System run by the FBI.

House Republicans argued if the courts added a person to that database, then courts are the only ones that can remove a person from the system, which creates a conflict between the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the courts.

The bill would strike the courts authority to add prohibited people to the national database and instead direct the persons name to the Department of Public Safety.

Maybanks claims supporters of the bill appear intent to make it difficult as possible to enforce what firearm regulations we still actually have.

It's the latest expansion of gun rights by the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature, which has passed several laws loosening or repealing gun regulations in recent years.

Last fall, Iowa voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure adding language to the Iowa Constitution that states it is a fundamental individual right to keep and bear arms, and that any restraint on that right is invalid unless it meets the stringent demands of strict scrutiny in court.

The language sets a high legal bar and goes beyond protections contained in the Second Amendment by dictating the level of judicial review Iowa courts must apply when considering whether gun restrictions in the state are permissible.

GUNS IN PARKING LOTS OF SCHOOLS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Much of the attention over the bill has focused on allowing gun owners to have a firearm in their car on school and college grounds in limited situations.

Anyone legally allowed to carry a firearm would be allowed to keep their weapon in their locked vehicle in the parking lots of schools, public universities, jails, prisons, courthouses and other lots operated by the state, counties or cities.

Other examples of public parking areas affected by the bill include state-owned hospitals, the state Supreme Court building, some Little League parks, the governor's mansion at Terrace Hill, libraries, county fairgrounds and city pools, according to an analysis by House Republican staffers.

The bill also would allow a person to carry a handgun in a car if they are dropping off or picking up a student, staff member or other person at a public or non-public school. It also applies to people who are making deliveries to the school.

It prohibits Iowas community colleges and regent universities from enforcing policies that bar concealed dangerous weapons on campus grounds when weapons are locked in a personal vehicle, and states anyone doing so would be immune from damages.

The original bill would have allowed employees to keep guns in their cars in the parking lots of private employers, but the provision was removed at the urging of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, a political contributor to Republican lawmakers.

NRA: MORE FREEDOM FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS

Democrats said the bill would make schools less safe and result in more guns around children.

They also said lawmakers were missing an opportunity to pass gun control measures in the wake of recent mass shootings across the country, like requiring background checks for private sales and authorizing courts to issue extreme-risk protection orders.

Both measures are being pushed by Tennessees Republican governor after a March 27 shooting at a private school in Nashville, Tenn., that took the lives of three 9-year-old students and three staff members.

Commonly known as red-flag laws, the laws allow law enforcement and concerned family members to seek a court order to temporarily prohibit possession and purchase of firearms and ammunition by individuals who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others, but who do not meet existing prohibiting criteria.

Proponents said the Iowa House-passed bill would protect Second Amendment rights and allow more freedom for responsible gun owners.

Holt, as well as a representative for the Iowa Firearms Coalition, a gun-rights advocacy group, said the bill will protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners while maintaining strict restrictions around the weapons in or near schools.

Richard Rogers, a volunteer lobbyist and board member of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, said individuals now are forced to leave a defensive firearm at home because theyre not allowed to have them where they leave their house.

It enhances the ability of Iowans to make what I believe is the lawful and moral and responsible choice to have an effective tool of defense to defend themselves and their family, Rogers said.

Scott Jones, Iowa state director and lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, echoed Rogers.

We believe their ability to protect and defend themselves and their families should not be prohibited for the entirety of their day just because they have to drop off or pick up a student at a public school, Jones said.

GUN CRIMES SPIKE; MORE GUNS STOLEN FROM VEHICLES

Maybanks, the Linn County attorney, said the county has seen a 300 percent increase in gun-related crimes since 2019, and that his office is prosecuting more gun-death cases than ever before.

With the proliferation of guns being introduced into our communities and the expansion of laws allowing access and open-carrying in vehicles and on people, gun violence has soared locally and nationwide, he said. Its a correlation we shouldnt ignore."

He noted local law enforcement has seen a uptick in guns being stolen from vehicles and ending up in the hands of criminals.

Cedar Rapids police said 23 firearms were stolen from vehicles in 2017 compared to 58 in 2022. The totals for the intervening years were 34 in 2018; 31 in 2019; 41 in 2020; and 56 in 2021.

The numbers do not indicate whether the vehicle was locked or unlocked or the locations where the vehicles were parked.

Both the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City police departments declined to comment on the pending legislation.

This will just lead to more opportunities for guns to be stolen from cars with no objective benefit gained, Maybanks said.

In light of the tragic school shootings all over our news and with no objective evidence that allowing firearms in vehicles would prevent school shootings, this expansion to allow guns on school grounds not only makes zero sense, its an affront to grieving families and to parents who live in fear that their kids will be the next victims.

Holt rebuffed those claims.

He said the people who would be allowed to have guns in their cars on school grounds would only be those with a valid permit to carry handguns  meaning they've passed a background check and undergone training.

I do feel more comfortable when law-abiding citizens are allowed to carry a firearm, Holt said during floor debate. I feel very, very vulnerable in a gun-free zone because I know that mentally ill individuals who have decided to commit violence against other human beings dont care what the law is.

GUNS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

In the House bill, guns and other weapons would not be allowed in school vehicles that carry students, except in cases when the school district has a policy allowing staff members to carry guns on school grounds. At least two school districts in Iowa, Spirit Lake and Cherokee, have approved such policies.

And Des Moines Area Community College has added armed guards on most of its campuses after several bullets pierced the garage door of an auto collision class at the colleges Southridge Center on the south side of Des Moines last fall.

About 20 rounds were fired at a man in the parking lot. No student or faculty member was hurt.

There is not an education institution in the county not concerned about mass shootings because its happening everywhere, DMACC President Rob Denson told The Gazette.

Denson said DMACC has not taken an official position on the legislation but would prefer public schools, colleges and universities be allowed to decide whats best for campus safety when it comes to firearms on school grounds.

That said, Denson acknowledged it was very likely there are periodic guns on campus were not aware of at the current time.

It will result in more guns (on campus), but in the end, if people follow the law as drafted, it should be a non-issue, he said.

The Department of Public Safety at the University of Iowa declined to comment and referred questions to the Iowa Board of Regents, which governs Iowans public universities and is registered as opposed to the bill.

A spokesperson for the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics also declined to comment.

Campus safety and security is one of the top priorities for the board and its institutions, Board of Regents spokesperson Josh Lehman said. Each campus has developed and implemented comprehensive policies on safety and security, and we believe that is where those decisions should remain.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District did not respond to messages last week seeking comment. The Linn-Mar Community School District declined to comment on the pending legislation.

A spokesperson for Iowa City schools said the district is keeping a close eye on the bill.

If the legislation in question is approved, we will assess the regulations to ensure that we comply with the law while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our school community, the district said in a statement.

COURTHOUSES, COUNTY OFFICES

Mike Steines, chairman of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, said he had not read the bill, but does not condone allowing firearms near courthouses and county offices, where people can become irate.

In 2014, a former Maquoketa city manager shot at a county employee during a Jackson County supervisors meeting before being tackled by a county supervisor and suffering a fatal gunshot wound during the ensuing struggle. Authorities said the gunman was upset with the assessment of his property and shot at the then-county assessor over the long-running dispute.

I certainly support the Second Amendment, but I dont support causing conflict by walking into a public place like that with a firearm, said Steines, who said he intends to speak with the county sheriff about the bill.

GUN SAFETY TRAINING IN SCHOOLS

The House bill also adds a requirement for schools to offer gun safety classes.

Schools would be encouraged to adopt the National Rifle Associations Eddie Eagle program for kindergarten through sixth grade. The safety awareness program teaches children when they encounter a firearm to stop, dont touch, run away and tell an adult.

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, a Democrat from Des Moines, supported adding the gun safety classes. He said kids come across guns and need to know how to respond.

At some point, we have to take a stand and say, Hey, how do we educate our children?  he said on the House floor.

School districts also would have to offer the NRAs hunter safety education course for students in grades seven to 12.

The free, online program teaches students how to safely handle a firearm and informs them of hunting regulations.

None of it is in-person firearm training or handling of a firearm. Its all online-based education, the NRAs Jones said. If the Iowa DNR wanted to require some sort of in-person handling of firearms in order to receive a hunting license, they would offer that program. It wouldnt be offered through NRAs hunter safety education.

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights, said schools should be allowed to choose which gun safety program they offer. For example, gun control advocacy group Moms Demand Action offers a Be SMART program that promotes safe gun storage.

We dont believe at a time when Republicans are telling kids what they can and cant read, telling teachers what they can and cant talk about in the classroom, that adding curriculum on gun safety and hunting safety is something that we need to be focused on right now, Konfrst told reporters Thursday.

This is beyond what the country and our state should be doing in a time when we have increased school shootings across the country.

Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, Iowas main public teachers union, said in a statement that parents should have the basic right to educate their own children about firearms as they see fit.

Education professionals should have the right to teach the fundamentals of a quality education without partisan politics inserted in the middle, Beranek said. No one believes gun violence can be controlled with more curriculum on gun safety. The issue can only be controlled when we decide guns are not as important as the safety of our students and staff.

A related firearms bill is active in the Iowa Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, could not be reached for comment. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds office declined to comment on the pending legislation.
KRAMATORSK, Ukraine  Huddled in the back of a cafe near the train station where a missile killed dozens of people a year ago, Nastya took slow, deliberate breaths to calm herself. Overnight, her neighborhood was bombed again, and she just couldnt take any more.

Heeding her parents advice, the 20-year-old woman had visited the nearby psychiatric hospital that morning  a place that also bore the scars of war after being repeatedly bombed, including by a missile that destroyed part of the building last September. But the staff swept up the shattered glass, shoveled away the debris and carried on working, determined to stay in Kramatorsk, in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, to help those in need.

For Nastya, it was a lifeline.

"After todays shelling, I could no longer cope with anxiety, the feeling of constant danger, the speech therapy student said, giving only her first name to talk last month about the difficult decision to seek mental health care. The stigma of Soviet-era psychiatry, when dissidents were incarcerated in psychiatric institutions as a form of punishment, still lingers.

I just realized that my psychological health is much more important, she said.

There are hundreds of thousands like Nastya in Ukraine, experts say, and the number of people needing psychological help is only expected to rise as the war continues. In December, the World Health Organization said one in five people in countries that have experienced conflict in the past decade will suffer from a mental health condition, and estimated that about 9.6 million people in Ukraine could be affected.

Russias invasion in February 2022 resulted in millions of people being displaced, bereaved, forced into basements for months due to incessant shelling or enduring harrowing journeys from Russian-occupied regions.

For Nastya, as for so many, the war changed everything overnight. There is a before  a life of simple pleasures, of going for coffee and laughing with friends. And an after.

You wake up with the feeling that you are just surrounded by horrors, anxieties, surrounded by constant air raid sirens, flying planes, helicopters, she said. Youre simply in a closed circle which is not filled with the happy times of before, but with great fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of dying here and now.

Hundreds of miles to the west, 38-year-old Tatyana, a worker at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant who spent four months living under Russian occupation in the town of Enerhodar, trembled as she recounted seeing bombs explode near the plant, and how her family endured a 24-hour ordeal to escape to Ukrainian-held territory.

When she visited a support center in Boyarka, south of Kyiv, several months ago to register for aid, she collapsed into uncontrollable tears. The staff called a psychologist.

Therapy has helped, said Tatyana, who also asked that her surname not be used to talk openly about seeking out mental health care. Her gaze was blank and unfocused during pauses as she spoke following a group therapy session last week. Shes trying to cope with the feelings of living in a war.

This fear that comes when you realize that you may lose everything in a moment, she said. Life is "like a light switch. It can be turned off and never turn on again.

The need for mental health treatment has shot up across Ukraine, professionals say, even as they deal with the effects of war in their own lives.

The demand is huge, and unfortunately it will only grow, said psychotherapist Pavlo Horbenko, who has worked at a center in Kyiv treating people affected by war since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and set up two proxy breakaway states in Ukraines east.

He noted a significant increase in patients seeking treatment for sexual violence, bereavement and suicidal thoughts. Previously, it was one or two requests a week, and now there can be 10 a day.

Judging by other countries that have suffered conflict, psychological treatment needs increase rapidly after the fighting ends, Horbenko said.

For now, people are focused on surviving. But when the war is over, .... then we can afford to relax. And when we can relax, the symptoms that have been accumulating for all this time will appear, he said.

Like a soldier wounded in battle who doesnt feel pain until he is out of immediate danger, thats when the wounds start to hurt. This is how it is with psychological traumas.

Horbenko said there has been an increase in the number of mental health specialists in Ukraine since 2014, but far more are needed. The demand still far exceeds the capacity, he said.

Authorities have been seeking to increase mental health services across Ukraine.

Lebanese psychiatrist Dr. Maya Bizri recently visited Ukraine as part of a program run by the medical aid organization MedGlobal, at the request of the Ministry of Health, to assess needs and train doctors and nurses in recognizing mental health issues in both colleagues and patients.

What is really being affected ... are the health care workers, Bizri said. There are a lot of trainings about how to deal with traumatized patients or with physical injuries, but no one addresses the health care of the health care professionals.

Under the MedGlobal program, doctors and nurses are trained to help themselves and colleagues cope with psychological pressures, so they can in turn train others.

There is an acute distress and an acute unmet need that is not being addressed, and if you want a health care system that is resilient, you have to take care of your own people, Bizri said. And I think the Ministry of Health is very aware of that because they are very engaged in doing this.
MOMBASA, Kenya  Some regional fisheries management organizations that were set up by the United Nations to measure and conserve fish populations  but are difficult to hold to account  need to be more transparent about how they make their rules and regulations if fish species are to be protected and maintained for people reliant on healthy fish stocks for their livelihoods, conservation agencies and fishing industry players say.

The 50-some regional fisheries management organizations worldwide bring together local, coastal states and bigger international players to regulate how companies and countries can fish in waters worldwide in a way that best conserves populations of fish and other ocean species based on scientific evidence.

For years, these regional regulators have been accused of undemocratic practices that favor large, industrial fishers but now several conservation groups are banding together to renew calls for a culture change.

A coalition of conservationists and market players like Accountability.Fish, the Ocean Foundation, the Global Tuna Alliance and others have endorsed more open access to fisheries organizations proceedings so that more members of the public can participate in conservation efforts.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization  the parent body of regional fisheries management organizations  said it "supports and promotes transparency in fisheries and notes that transparency in ocean governance is becoming a greater priority in global and regional processes."

For local and non-commercial fishers who rely on well-managed fish stocks, it's unclear if more open measures will make a difference.

I only hear of meetings on fisheries, but I have no idea what it is they discuss there. I have never been invited," said Kassim Abdalla, a fisher on Kenya's coast, who's part of a cooperative group of fishers. "In any case it is always a meeting of unequals. How can I compete with the well-financed fishing fleets from the developed nations and all I have is an outrigger canoe?

The concern among environmentalists and smaller-scale fishers is that large fleets are permitted by fishery organizations to use practices that are only accessible to vessels big enough to go far into the open ocean, depleting fish stocks for those more confined to the coasts or forcing them to travel into choppy, more dangerous waters their smaller boats aren't fit for.

Many industrial fishing fleets rely on a highly effective scooping method called purse seining  a 1.2-mile net positioned around schools of fish by a smaller support vessel, explained Frederic Manach, a marine scientist with the ocean conservation group Bloom. The seine is then closed from below with a sliding system, allowing the entire school to be caught which makes it difficult to sustain populations, he said.

The European Union, a prominent actor in eight regional fisheries management organizations worldwide, including Abdalla's Indian Ocean, has been accused of using these fish-aggregating devices as well as pressuring coastal states in order to secure privileged access to regional fishery management organizations.

The EU Commission denied the claims, saying the bloc is not suppressing Global South countries or other actors for more favorable access. It also previously said that it would stop using fish-aggregating devices if the science backed up a ban, adding that it is essential that science is the backbone of decision-making at regulatory bodies.

How its decided how much fish each party is able to catch is what fishery regulatory bodies need to be more open about, said Manach.

There is absolutely no transparency regarding how quotas are allocated and who gets them, he said.

Ryan Orgera, the global director of Accountability.Fish, an organization that calls for greater awareness in fishery management said that's the result of the makeup of regulatory bodies, made up mostly of industrial fishers.

We seek to reduce the power of industrial fishers in regional fisheries and balance out the space with market players and non-governmental organizations, including artisanal and small boat fishers, Orgera said.

Regulations for the high seas  the world's deep oceans  and the marine life that lives there have for a long time been patchwork and it's been hard to reach a global consensus on how best to protect them.

Then last month, the long-awaited worldwide framework to protect the high seas was finally approved. The U.N. high seas treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life globally and establish marine protected areas in the worlds oceans.

50 record-breaking fish caught in the US 50 record-breaking fish caught in the US #50. Channel catfish: 58 pounds #49. Pallid sturgeon: 60 pounds #48. Lake trout: 63 pounds, 1.92 ounces #47. Muskellunge: 69 pounds, 15 ounces #46. White amur (Grass Carp): 70 pounds #45. Grass carp: 73 pounds #44. Bigmouth buffalo: 73 pounds, 2 ounces #43. Carp: 74 pounds #42. Longfin albacore: 74 pounds, 10.5 ounces #41. Red drum: 75 pounds #40. Channel bass: 75 pounds #39. Spearfish: 76 pounds, 12.8 ounces #38. Great barracuda: 77 pounds #37. Dolphin: 77 pounds, 8 ounces #36. Striped bass: 78 pounds, 8 ounces #35. Moray eel: 81 pounds #34. Atlantic sturgeon: 82 pounds #33. Dorado: 82 pounds #32. Greater amberjack: 85 pounds #31. Ling cod: 85 pounds #30. Smallmouth buffalo: 88 pounds #29. Albacore tuna: 90 pounds #28. Bighead carp: 90 pounds #27. Black buffalo: 92 pounds, 8 ounces #26. White sturgeon: 96 pounds #25. Chinook (King) Salmon: 97 pounds, 4 ounces #24. Atlantic cod: 98 pounds, 12 ounces #23. Black drum: 115 pounds #22. Sailfish: 119 pounds #21. Flathead catfish: 123 pounds #20. Big skate: 130 pounds #19. White marlin: 137 pounds, 8 ounces #18. Blue catfish: 143 pounds #17. Paddlefish: 144 pounds #16. Amberjack: 151 pounds, 8 ounces #15. Giant trevally: 191 pounds #14. Alligator gar: 279 pounds #13. Pacific halibut: 288 pounds #12. Warsaw grouper: 310 pounds #11. Tuna: 322 pounds #10. Yellowfin tuna: 325 pounds #9. Striped marlin: 339 pounds #8. Bigeye tuna: 375 pounds, 8 ounces #7. Halibut: 459 pounds #6. Sturgeon: 468 pounds #5. Swordfish: 530 pounds #4. Giant seabass: 563 pounds #3. Bluefin tuna: 1,152 pounds #2. Black marlin: 1,205 pounds #1. Blue marlin: 1,805 pounds
ONDA founder and CEO Oh Hyun-seok answers questions during a recent interview with The Korea Times at its head office in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. ONDA is Korea's largest hotel-booking solution provider. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



ONDA CEO says company close to securing additional $30 million funding, eyeing joint venture in UAE



By Kim Yoo-chul



Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic affected all industrial sectors across the globe and unsurprisingly, the hotel and leisure industries were among the hardest hit. A full recovery to pre-pandemic levels appears to be in progress and will likely occur within this year or soon thereafter.



Investors are providing mixed views about the hospitality industry's prospects, as previously seen in the not-that-impressive performance of lodging real investment trusts, or REITs. After seeing severe revenue declines as a result of the pandemic in the last few years, the entire hospitability and travel ecosystems are at their respective turning points. This means that there is an increased possibility of hospitality companies experiencing both subtle and substantial shifts in the post-COVID-19 era.



But core questions for leaders of hospitality companies are about how their businesses will be affected and what they should do next for business continuity because the pandemic has brought changes in consumer behavior  short-term bookings and the importance of reliable benchmarks in hotels and restaurants  and led to the wider usage of both data-driven and data-sharing technologies amid the rising cost of operation.



There is no question that travel will fully normalize. However, what's certain in the post-pandemic era is that it will feature structural shifts, specifically around customer expectations for greater flexibility. This trend will help hospitality tech companies build their resilience as hospitality technology is more about data-sharing attitudes such as cloud computing and big data with the goal to address business problems for entities in the various hospitality business fields.



Speaking to The Korea Times, the founder and chief executive at ONDA, the country's largest hotel booking solution provider, said that because the focus on customer experience has intensified, in reaction to the rising expectations of Korean travelers, its online booking platform and property management methods are attracting investors.



"ONDA is very near to raising an additional $30 million in funding and we plan to invest the money for ONDA's overseas expansion such as the equity acquisition of companies in our target markets and the establishment of a joint venture in the UAE," ONDA founder and CEO Oh Hyun-seok told The Korea Times in a recent interview at its head office in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.



The Korea-based hospitality technology startup, which helps customers and clients connect hotel owners with global online travel agencies including Google Hotel, provides tools that allow hotels to receive online payments and manage their guests, bookings and properties. Since its establishment in 2016, ONDA, led by the tech-heavy Kosdaq-listed domestic venture capital firm TS Investment, has so far raised some $25.5 million.





ONDA founder and CEO Oh Hyun-seok poses during a recent interview with The Korea Times at its head office in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Its most recent round of fundraising was in December last year, when it received $10 million in series B funding. Its key investors include the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and other Korean investment companies such as NAU IB Capital, Square Ventures, K Bridge Ventures and Breeze Investment.



Regardless of type, hospitality companies  restaurants, hotels and even senior living services  are shifting to the digital side of things with a greater use in data-sharing and the leveraging of technology playing a more significant role across the entire hospitality industry in the post-pandemic era, Oh said.



"This also means that we have to be informed regarding industry trends and pursuing product advancement with the help of technology. We have to understand customer behavior, make sure our technical capabilities are up to scratch and set both applicable and measurable strategies."



Focus on Thailand, joint venture plan in UAE



Citing its efforts to promote its booking platform via the company's partner channels including Google, Meta and Kakao's hotel partners, the chief executive said ONDA is eyeing the U.S. hospitality market. However, he stressed there won't be any immediate actions regarding its direct or indirect equity investment in hotel-booking management startups in the U.S.



"ONDA has a great interest in advancing in the U.S. market. Specifically, we are keeping an eye on Hilton's hotel brands. But ONDA's top priority is how to increase the company's chances of receiving a very favorable review of our accommodation-booking technology and in-house property management systems based on solid references. We are focusing on the Southeast Asian market, specifically Thailand," the CEO said.



It operates "ONDA HUB," an online booking solution, "Hotel Plus," a hotel software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution specialized in room sales, and DIVE, a SaaS-based management system for hotels. ONDA recently made its strategic investment into Thailand's Hoteliers Guru. Established in 2013, Hoteliers Guru has continued offering its booking management technology to hotels and resorts across the country.



As Hoteliers Guru is working with some 700 operators there, ONDA's strategic investment will help it boost its online sales revenue thanks to the connection of Hotelier Guru's partner hotels and resorts to ONDA's network.





Travelers wait to check in at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, April 6. Reuters-Yonhap
Theres an unsettling feeling in the Iowa Legislature that the state is overrun with welfare fraud, job shirkers and food hoarders.

For some reason, they have visions of young men and women sitting at home, scrolling on their expensive cellphones or playing games on their big-screen TVs when they could be working. At a Leadership Iowa event in Sioux City Thursday, Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham said one of the steepest declines in labor participation was among males 25 to 34. They need to find themselves back to work, she told those gathered.

Iowas solution: Reduce unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 16 weeks.

Also on Thursday, the House voted to pass Senate File 494 which would add new requirements to those receiving public assistance benefits. Particularly at risk: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP) benefits.

Among those requirements: Any Iowa household with liquid assets of more than $15,000 would not be allowed to receive SNAP benefits. If those residents were saving for a home, a car or a college education, their savings would work against them.

More than 200 religious leaders (including R. Walker Nickless, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City, and Lorna Halaas, bishop of the Western Iowa ELCA synod) signed a petition opposing the bill on moral, religious and humanitarian grounds. Feeding the poor is a universal value shared by all major faith traditions and all cultures, the petition said. As such, we stand together to speak the truth in the face of many harmful, pervasive myths about public assistance and our neighbors in need.

Among the claims: Rising food cost and low wages have made it extremely difficult for Iowans to feed their families. Two-thirds of those who benefit from SNAP are children, the disabled and older Iowans. Iowa Health and Human Service Department officials already reformed their processes to bring the error rate below the national average. Changing the rules would make it even more difficult to access SNAP benefits. The average benefit provides just $1.78 per meal and the minimum SNAP benefit people receive is a meager $23 per month. SNAP enrollment in Iowa is at a 14-year low.

Once more, it seems legislators are eager to cut benefits where cutting isnt necessary. Instead of going after those who, say, got COVID-19 funds and didnt need them, theyre trying to fill state coffers with funds that could have been better spent on those who need it the most.

So much misguided legislation  presumably from people who consider themselves godly men and women  could have been avoided had they just remembered what we learned in the 25th chapter of Matthew:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feel you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, I tell you the truth. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Before pointing a finger at the least of these brothers of mine, legislators needed to do more research and understand where fraud truly exists.
China launched a weather satellite on Sunday, causing debris to fall into the sea north of Taiwan, which Beijing has previously closed to navigation, Taiwans defense ministry said. The satellite flew over the northern coast of Taiwan, but the debris did not affect its safety.

Chinese state media confirmed the launch of a new weather satellite from a space center in northern China at 9:36 a.m. local time. According to maritime authorities in Chinas Fujian province, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, shipping traffic was closed in an area about 160 kilometers north of Taiwans capital Taipei due to the possibility of debris falling into the sea.

Between April 9 and 11, the Chinese army conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan.

Footage broadcast by Chinese state television shows the missile being fired from the Jiuquan launch center near the Mongolian border in Gansu province. The satellite will make it possible to predict weather, prevent and mitigate disasters, respond to climate change and preserve the environment.

Extensive military exercises

Between April 9 and 11, the Chinese army conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan. With them, Beijing responded to the meeting of the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Kevin McCarthy in the USA.

Among other things, the exercises simulated attacks on key targets on the island of Taiwan. China, however, has warned that peace in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwans independence are mutually exclusive. Taipei countered that China was undermining peace and stability.
After appearing on Italian television, Pietro Orlandi told Reuters that this was not his personal opinion about the former pope, but rather the words of other people. Photo: Reuters



The disappearance of Emanuele Orlandi has been an unsolvable mystery for Italian investigators for 40 years. On June 22, 1983, the 15-year-old did not return from the music school in Rome to the family residence inside the Vatican.

Investigators have searched the tombs and analyzed the remains for the past 40 years, but have found no answers. The media wrote about many theories, but one of the most common was that Emanuela was kidnapped by a gang that was supposed to demand the release of Mehmet Ali Agca, who was arrested for the attempt to assassinate Pope John Paul II.

In January of this year, the Vatican approved a new investigation into the disappearance led by a prosecutor Alessandro Diddi. This time the investigation focuses on the disappearance of another 15-year-old girl Mirelle Gregoriwho disappeared just a few weeks before Emanuela Orlando, as she would have been cases can be related.

John Paul II led the Roman Catholic Church between 1978 and 2005. Photo: Reuters



On Tuesday, prosecutor Diddi met with Pietro Orlandi, who has been searching for answers to questions about his missing sister for 40 years. After eight hours of talks with prosecutors, Orlandi appeared on Italian television, playing a voice recording of a man he claimed was a member of a criminal organization allegedly involved in his sisters disappearance 40 years ago.

They certainly didnt bless the houses

The alleged criminal said in the video that more than 40 years ago, girls were taken to the Vatican and sexually harassed there. According to the mans claims, Pope Francis is said to have known about the abuse. I am told that Wojtyla (the surname of John Paul II) went out in the evening with two Polish monsignors. They certainly didnt bless the houses, Orlandi then summed up in the show.

His words greatly upset the Vatican, from where many condemnations came. Pope Francis also paid attention to Orlandis words on Sunday.

Pope Francis and the faithful came to the defense of former Pope John Paul II. Photo: Reuters



Pope condemns innuendo in front of 20,000 believers

Convinced that I represent the feelings of believers from all over the world, I express a grateful thought to the memory of St. John Paul, who was the subject of insulting and unfounded insinuations these days,Francis said in front of 20,000 people in St. Peters Square.

Vatican prosecutor Alessandro Diddi also called Pietro Orlandis lawyer to defend him after his high-profile television appearance Laura Sgro, who confirmed to Reuters that they were not talking about John Paul II. and that she is not never doubted his sanctity.

Karol Wojtyla also upsets the Poles

Meanwhile, the legacy of the late pope is also shaking Poland, where an investigative journalist and private television reported last month that Karol Wojtyla knew about sexual abuse within the Polish Church and even helped cover it up by transferring pedophile priests. The Polish government resolutely came to the defense of the former pope.
A week after Catholic and Evangelical believers, Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter today. This morning and in the morning they will have a solemn Easter liturgy in the Orthodox churches. The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije, in his epistle on the occasion of the holiday, called for prayers for peace in Ukraine and Serbia.

In the Easter epistle there is a patriarch Porfirije Peric emphasized that the progress brought by todays times is necessary, and even more important is the spiritual health of people, that strong, communal faith that gives meaning to the whole existence.

According to him, the Risen Christ reminds that our lifes effort is blessed and fruitful only if it is based on a common faith and everything that comes from it, on prayer, on love and hope. Only when Christ comes first will everything fall into place, he wrote.

He also touched on current social and political issues and, among other things, called for prayer for peace in Ukraine and for the preservation of Kosovo and Metohija as part of Serbia. The archbishops and the religious people of the Serbian Orthodox Church are of the firm opinion that the alienation of Kosovo and Metohija from Serbia is directly or indirectly unacceptable, he wrote.

He also called for the progress of society, especially national education and culture, to be built on the evangelical foundations on which they were created.

A seven-day fast

Orthodox believers prepare for Easter with a seven-week fast, during which the focus is not only on giving up food, but also on giving up bad deeds, and the emphasis is on prayer.

The central Easter celebration began on Friday, when the tomb of Christ was symbolically transferred from the altar to the people in the churches. This morning there will be a solemn liturgy with processions in Orthodox churches. The central service will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Ljubljana Orthodox Church. Easter services with masses will also be held on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Together with Orthodox believers in Slovenia, Easter is celebrated today by Orthodox believers in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia and Georgia, as well as in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Constantinople. Some other Orthodox churches, however, adopted Milankovics calendar and, like Catholics and Evangelicals, celebrated Easter on April 9.
In Sudan, at least 56 civilians and dozens of members of the security forces were killed and around 600 people were injured in clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF), which broke out on Saturday, according to the French news agency AFP.

According to witnesses, numerous explosions rang out in the streets of Khartoum today after members of the paramilitary forces announced that they had the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other important facilities under control. The military denied these claims.

The Sudanese army launched airstrikes

Sudans military today launched airstrikes on a paramilitary base near the capital in a bid to regain control of the country.

The violence erupted after weeks of escalating tensions between the military leader Abdel Fattah to al Burhan and commanders of paramilitary units Mohamed Hamdan Dagal due to the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army and the transition to a civilian government.

The army and the RSF, which analysts say has 100,000 troops, are fighting for power as political factions negotiate to form a transitional government after a military coup in 2021.













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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/former-cia-director-marjorie-taylor-greene-not-fit-to-hold-public-office-1109564530.html

Former CIA Director: Marjorie Taylor Greene 'Not Fit to Hold Public Office'

Former CIA Director: Marjorie Taylor Greene 'Not Fit to Hold Public Office'

During an interview, former CIA Director John Brennan criticized Marjorie Taylor Greene and argued that she is not fit to hold a public office due to her comments.

2023-04-15T23:41+0000

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2023-04-16T03:07+0000

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He specifically mentioned her recent defense of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who was arrested and charged for leaking sensitive and classified military documents, including information about national security issues.He also pointed out that Greene could maintain her views that the US should not help Ukraine, but should also condemn the leak that has harmed American interests.Greene's tweets on Thursday where she defended Teixeira by suggesting that he was an enemy to the Biden administration because he is white, male, Christian, and anti-war drew the attention of other politicians.Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) criticized Greene, saying that she "cannot be trusted with America's national security information". Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) also slammed Greene, calling Teixeira "one of the biggest traitors America has ever seen".

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230412/pentagon-leaks-5-key-revelations-1109396000.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/holy-fire-delivered-to-moscow-for-orthodox-easter-1109564646.html

'Holy Fire' Delivered to Moscow For Orthodox Easter

'Holy Fire' Delivered to Moscow For Orthodox Easter

Holy Fire, which is said to be an annual miracle where blue light emanates from the supposed tomb of Jesus Christ was delivered to Moscow in observance of Orthodox Easter

2023-04-15T23:22+0000

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On Saturday, a Sputnik correspondent reported that the Holy Fire had descended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which is built over the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected. A Sputnik correspondent reported in the early hours of Sunday that the Holy Fire was delivered to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, as well as 11 other churches in the Russian capital. According to the Orthodox tradition, the Holy Fire is a miracle that occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday, the day before Orthodox Easter, when a blue light emanates from the tomb of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter this year on April 16. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending the overnight Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, located a few hundred meters from the Kremlin. The midnight mass is led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/sudanese-military-launches-airstrike-on-rsf-camp-in-omdurman---reports-1109564438.html

Sudanese Military Launches Airstrike on RSF Camp in Omdurman - Reports

Sudanese Military Launches Airstrike on RSF Camp in Omdurman - Reports

KHARTOUM (Sputnik) - The Sudanese Air Force has launched an airstrike targeting the camp of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman, the Al... 15.04.2023, Sputnik International

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Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum. Director of a hospital in Omdurman told Sputnik on Saturday that the fighting between the RSF and the national army left six civilians killed. According to media reports, the death toll from the violence in Sudan could be at least 25, while the number of injured reportedly stands at over 180.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/arab-league-council-demands-immediate-ceasefire-in-sudan-1109579222.html

Arab League Council Demands Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan

Arab League Council Demands Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan

The Council of Arab League States called for immediate ceasefire in cessation of hostilities in Sudan.

2023-04-16T14:41+0000

2023-04-16T14:41+0000

2023-04-16T14:44+0000

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According to the statement issued at the meeting, the Council of the Arab League "has demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and warned against the escalation of violence in the country." The Arab League is ready to make every effort to help Sudan to end the crisis in accordance with the interests of the Sudanese people, the statement added. Earlier on Sunday, the emergency meeting of the Council of the Arab League took place at the level of permanent representatives upon Egypt and Saudi Arabia's request with the aim of discussing the situation in Sudan, where armed clashes have continued since Saturday. Meanwhile, Sudan's regular army gave its consent on Sunday to the United Nations' proposal to open humanitarian corridors for three hours amid clashes with a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).The UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) said the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and RSF Commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo have "agreed to a proposal ... to commit to a temporary pause in fighting on humanitarian grounds today from 16:00-19:00 today."On Sunday, the presidents of Egypt and South Sudan spoke over phone and expressed their readiness to mediate between the conflicting parties in Sudan. Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday, with the epicenter in Sudans capital of Khartoum. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover. Late on Saturday, Sudanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan issued a decree to dissolve the RSF. Armed clashes continued into Sunday. The United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP) has announced temporarily suspending operations in Sudan after the death of three of its employees in violence and critical damage inflicted on one of its planes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/sudanese-armed-forces-take-control-of-rsf-headquarters-in-omdurman---reports-1109565235.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/uns-world-food-programme-suspends-operations-in-sudan-after-death-of-three-employees-1109576957.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/argentina-registers-over-40000-cases-of-dengue-fever-in-2023-1109573976.html

Argentina Registers Over 40,000 Cases of Dengue Fever in 2023

Argentina Registers Over 40,000 Cases of Dengue Fever in 2023

More than 40,000 cases of dengue fever have been registered in Argentina since January 1, the country's health ministry said on Sunday.

2023-04-16T09:53+0000

2023-04-16T09:53+0000

2023-04-16T13:40+0000

americas

argentina

dengue fever

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The World Bank estimated Argentina's population at 45.8 million in 2023. Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites. According to the World Health Organization, there is no specific treatment for the fever, and the vaccine against it is only recommended for people with a history of dengue infection. There are four serotypes of the virus, which means that one can get infected with four different types of dengue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220701/study-zika--dengue-may-make-you-a-magnet-for-mosquitoes-1096856891.html

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Surge in stock trading accompanies increases in short selling



By Anna J. Park



With local stock markets showing signs of recovery recently, daily average short selling reached an all-time high level this month.



According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the bourse operator, the average daily transactional amount of short selling from April 1 to 14 stood at 634.6 billion won ($485 million) for the benchmark KOSPI, while the tech-heavy Kosdaq's daily average short selling transactions we recorded at 362.7 billion won. Both daily average figures are at all-time highs  since 2001  when related records began to be compiled.



The previous record for the highest daily short selling in the KOSPI market was set in May 2021, with 578.5 billion won. The Kosdaq's daily record-high was in March this year at 288.7 billion won.



April's daily average short selling for both the KOSPI and the Kosdaq each showed an increase of 70 percent and 334 percent, respectively, compared to the averages of January, this year.



Market watchers attribute the record high in short selling mainly to the increase in stock trading this month. The average daily stock trading amount stood at 27.3 trillion won, which is more than double January's 13.1 trillion won.



In addition to the increased trading volume, the KOSPI index rose by some 15 percent from early this year, while the Kosdaq index rose by 33 percent. The intensive upward movements of local stocks accompanied the increase of short selling transactions.



The recent spikes in the stock prices of EcoPro and EcoPro BM, secondary battery materials manufacturers, have particularly drawn massive short selling volumes. Daily short selling of each of the feverish stocks exceeds 100 billion won.



Retail investors have also been projecting a negative outlook or a correction period for overheated local stock markets, purchasing inverse equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to profit from a decline in local stocks. This month alone, retail investors purchased KODEX200 Futures Inverse 2X ETF worth 310.9 billion won and KDEX Kosdaq 150 Inverse ETF worth 236.1 billion won.



"It's natural that short selling increases with the surging stock trading volumes. Short selling also increases when the stock market indices are rising," Chung Myung-ji, chief of investment information at Samsung Securities said.



The stock expert added that local stock markets' recent better-than-expected performances sometimes trigger a short-squeeze, referring to a situation when sellers decide to shift their shorting positions by repurchasing the shorted shares at higher prices, in order to cut losses from unexpectedly increased stock markets.



"With local stock indices continuing to rise, some foreign and institutional investors opted to repurchase their previously shorted stocks to cut further losses," the analyst explained.





Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Joo-hyun, second from right, speaks during a meeting with startups in Seoul on April 10. Yonhap
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/brazilian-president-warns-us-against-encouraging-ukraine-conflict-1109573130.html

Brazilian President Warns US Against 'Encouraging' Ukraine Conflict

Brazilian President Warns US Against 'Encouraging' Ukraine Conflict

Washington and its allies have already provided Kiev with billions of dollars worth of arms, which Russia says adds to prolonging the Ukraine standoff.

2023-04-16T09:40+0000

2023-04-16T09:40+0000

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russia

ukraine

us

brazil

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lula da silva

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talks

special operation

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has warned Washington against further instigating the conflict in Ukraine, where Russia continues its special military operation."The European Union needs to start talking about peace so that we can convince [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr] Zelensky that peace is in the interest of everyone and that war is only interesting, for now, to the two of them," Lula pointed out.He also revealed that during his sit-down with the Chinese president, they, in particular, discussed forming a group of like-minded leaders to grapple with the Ukraine conflict.He spoke after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made it clear that the US will keep on giving military aid to Ukraine. Washington and its allies ramped up their military assistance to Kiev shortly after Russia launched the special operation in Ukraine.Moscow has repeatedly warned countries who send weapons to Kiev it sees their military shipments as legitimate targets, and that such an aid will add to prolonging the Ukraine conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, stressed that NATO allies arming and training Ukrainian forces is tantamount to a direct involvement in the standoff.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230225/us-libertarian-party-demands-immediate-withdrawal-of-all-american-aid-to-ukraine-1107798882.html

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talks between brazilian president luiz inacio lula da silva and chinese counterpart xi jinping, the conflict in ukraine, lula da silva's warning with respect to the us, russian special military operation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/bulgaria-eyeing-temporary-ban-on-ukrainian-grain-imports-1109579457.html

Bulgaria Eyeing Temporary Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports

Bulgaria Eyeing Temporary Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports

Bulgaria is considering introducing a temporary ban on grain imports from Ukraine. Thus, Sofia would follow in the footsteps of Poland and Hungary.

2023-04-16T15:59+0000

2023-04-16T15:59+0000

2023-04-16T15:59+0000

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bulgaria

grain

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ukraine

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europe

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On Saturday, Poland and Hungary said they were banning imports of Ukrainian agricultural products until June 30, citing the need to protect domestic farmers from the uncontrolled influx of cheap grain from Ukraine. On Monday, Gechev is expected to receive reports on the legal grounds for the bans enacted in other countries. The following day, the agriculture minister is reportedly slated to discuss the situation with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. In late March, prime ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia published a joint open letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, calling for measures to counteract the negative effects of the increased Ukrainian grain imports. Since early February, several Polish farmer organizations have been campaigning against the imported Ukrainian grain, primarily of poor quality, which was flooding the Polish market and damaging local production.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230407/bulgarian-farmers-resume-protests-over-cheap-ukrainian-grain-1109236302.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230402/influx-of-ukraines-cheap-grain-to-europe-fuels-anger-erodes-support-for-kiev-regime-1109048118.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/italy-sends-two-dozen-m109l-self-propelled-howitzers-to-ukraine---reports-1109579001.html

Italy Sends Two Dozen M109L Self-Propelled Howitzers to Ukraine - Reports

Italy Sends Two Dozen M109L Self-Propelled Howitzers to Ukraine - Reports

According to media, Italy is sending around 20 M109L self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. A news outlet referred to footage filmed by eyewitnesses at a railway station in the city of Udine in the northeast of the country.

2023-04-16T14:36+0000

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ukrainian crisis

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The clip appears to show a train carrying around 20 self-propelled howitzers mounted on special transport wagons moving at a speed of around 5-10 km/h (3.1-6.2 m/h), Italian newspapers reported. The weapons did not appear to have any insignia or identification numbers. One of news outlets identified the cargo as 155 mm M109L self-propelled howitzers, adding that several similar howitzers had already been transferred to Kiev in October 2022. Italian Minister for Parliamentary Relations Luca Ciriani confirmed to the local broadcaster that the weapons in question were on their way to Ukraine. These howitzers are part of a military assistance package approved by the government of ex-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, which was in power until October 2022, the official said. Since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Western countries have been supplying Kiev regime with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns. In January, the Italian parliament approved a government decree stipulating the continuation of military aid to Ukraine in 2023. In February, the government greenlit a sixth package of military aid to Ukraine. Although the exact types of weapons provided under these packages are classified, Italian media report that the latest round included an air defense system and drones, while the previous ones featured heavy armored vehicles and heavy artillery equipment.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221204/italians-split-over-backfiring-russia-sanctions-but-govt-has-little-wiggle-room-says-expert-1105022775.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/possible-gunpowder-seized-from-home-of-suspected-bomber-in-japans-wakayama---reports-1109572486.html

Possible Gunpowder Seized From Home of Suspected Bomber in Japan's Wakayama - Reports

Possible Gunpowder Seized From Home of Suspected Bomber in Japan's Wakayama - Reports

Police in Japan seized a computer and a gunpowder-like substance from the house of 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura, suspected of throwing an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the Japanese broadcaster reported on Sunday.

2023-04-16T08:06+0000

2023-04-16T08:06+0000

2023-04-16T08:06+0000

asia

japan

fumio kishida

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The search of Kimura's home in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture lasted more than seven hours and resulted in the seizure of more than 10 cardboard boxes, the report said. Among the recovered items were Kimura's computer and a substance believed to be gunpowder. Japanese news agency reported earlier in the day that a knife was seized from Kimura's backpack when he was arrested. On Saturday, as Kishida was touring the venue ahead of a stump speech in the prefecture of Wakayama, a young man from the crown threw a cylindrical object toward him, which was followed by the sound of an explosion and the smell of smoke. The prime minister was unhurt and immediately left by car, later saying at another place in the city that the incident should not disrupt the election process. Two cylindrical objects were later recovered from the scene, one of which had exploded and the other was being held by the assailant, Japanese media reported. The perpetrator was identified as a 24-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture who has refused to communicate with investigators until he sees his lawyer. The incident is not the first attack on a Japanese politician in the country. Less than a year ago, on July 8, 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot while speaking during his campaign speech in Nara Prefecture. His assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, approached the politician from behind and fired two shots from a distance of about 33 feet. The attacker told investigators that he had decided to carry out the assassination because of Abe's alleged ties to a religious sect that he claimed had bankrupted his mother. The group has denied having had anything to do with the former prime minister.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/kishida-reportedly-delivers-public-address-in-wakayama-despite-saturday-incident-1109547370.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220708/life-of-shinzo-abe-author-of-abenomics--architect-of-quad-alliance-1097097430.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/prince-harry-had-hearty-talk-with-king-before-agreeing-to-attend-coronation---reports-1109574145.html

Prince Harry 'Had Hearty Talk With King Charles' Before Agreeing to Attend Coronation

Prince Harry 'Had Hearty Talk With King Charles' Before Agreeing to Attend Coronation

UK Prince Harry had a heart-to-heart conversation with his father, King Charles III, before agreeing to attend his upcoming coronation, the British tabloid reported on Sunday, citing sources.

2023-04-16T10:47+0000

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uk

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The sources said the king and the prince had a heart-to-heart talk before the latter agreed to attend the ceremony, and there was a "willingness and wanting to mend on both sides." Earlier in the week, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying Prince Harry would attend the coronation, but his wife Meghan Markle would remain in California with their children. Previously, the couple did not want to come to the coronation because Buckingham Palace refused to invite one-year-old Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie, who turns four the same day as the king is crowned, to the event. Queen Elizabeth II, who had ruled the country for more than 70 years, died on September 8, 2022, in Scotland at the age of 96. Her son Prince Charles became king, taking the name Charles III, and his wife Camilla received the status of queen consort. The royal couple's coronation is scheduled for May 6.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/prince-harry-viewed-negatively-by-68-of-britons-after-release-of-explosive-memoir-1106255951.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/putin-attends-orthodox-easter-service-at-moscow-cathedral-1109566716.html

Putin Attends Orthodox Easter Service at Moscow Cathedral

Putin Attends Orthodox Easter Service at Moscow Cathedral

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends Orthodox Easter service where he exchanged Easter gifts with Patriarch Krill.

2023-04-16T02:38+0000

2023-04-16T02:38+0000

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russia

orthodox easter

vladimir putin

russia

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patriarch kirill

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The midnight mass is led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin is also attending the Easter service. Putin and Patriarch Kirill exchanged Easter gifts during the service, each presenting the other with a decorative Easter egg. A Sputnik correspondent reported in the early hours of Sunday that the Holy Fire was delivered to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow just before the end of the service. The Holy Fire, which descended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Saturday, was also delivered to 11 other churches in the Russian capital overnight. Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter this year on April 16. Putin traditionally celebrates the holiday at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in the Russian capital, with only two exceptions so far during his tenures. In 2003, the Russian president was on a state visit to Tajikistan and attended the service at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Dushanbe. In 2020, Putin missed the Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour due to COVID-19-related restrictions. That year, he placed a candle in a small chapel located on the territory of the presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/holy-fire-delivered-to-moscow-for-orthodox-easter-1109564646.html

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"The wonderful and much-loved Easter holiday fills believers hearts with hope, inspires kind thoughts and good deeds, and serves to promote highly moral ideals and values in society. On this spring holiday, with a feeling of deep satisfaction, I would like to emphasise the constructive and truly selfless efforts by the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations, aimed at preserving our immense historical and cultural heritage, resolve major social issues, enhance the institution of the family, educate the younger generation, and harmonise interfaith and interethnic relations," Putin said in a Telegram message published by the Kremlin.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/putin-holds-working-meeting-with-chinese-defense-minister-1109579595.html

Putin, Chinese Defense Minister Li Hail Strong Bilateral Ties Surpassing 'Cold War-Era Alliances'

Putin, Chinese Defense Minister Li Hail Strong Bilateral Ties Surpassing 'Cold War-Era Alliances'

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. Li is visiting Russia from Sunday to Tuesday.

2023-04-16T16:47+0000

2023-04-16T16:47+0000

2023-04-16T17:51+0000

russia

vladimir putin

china

defense minister

meeting

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"Putin held a working meeting with Li Shangfu, a member of China's State Council and defense minister," Peskov said. During the meeting with Li, who is visiting Russia from Sunday to Tuesday, the Russian president stated that cooperation between the two sides is developing in all directions, including between the defense ministries.Putin stressed that the Russian and Chinese defense ministries share information regularly.The president expressed confidence that defense is yet another important area that strengthens the strategic nature of relations between the two countries. "We are glad to see you. I know that you have a busy work schedule. I am sure that your visit will be held at the highest level. Welcome to Russia," the president told Defense Minister Li.He further mentioned the recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia, praising it as very productive.For his part, the Chinese defense minister told the Russian president that he had chosen Russia as the destination of his first foreign trip in order to show how significant the bilateral relations were.Li then pointed out that the Sino-Russian cooperation contributes greatly to global security, as he emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is stronger than any alliances clinched during the Cold War.The Chinese minister added that the two sides would continue to work for the prosperity of the entire world."We stand shoulder to shoulder and work to improve the well-being of our peoples. Taking into account that the economic recovery is very slow... the world is very restless, peace, peaceful relations between countries are in great demand ... Cooperation (with Russia) is developing at all levels and we will continue such cooperation for the development and prosperity of the whole world," he said.The Chinese defense minister's visit comes less than a month after President Xi's trip to Russia, where he held an informal meeting with Putin. Aside from that, the two presidents held talks in a broad format with the participation of delegations. The two leaders signed a joint statement on a plan to develop key areas of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230322/xi-putin-meeting-marks-tectonic-geopolitical-shift-which-west-not-ready-for-1108697550.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230321/experts-xi-putin-talks-on-expanded-economic-cooperation-part-of-multipolarity-building-process-1108662814.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/russian-authorities-report-new-2-mile-ash-outburst-at-ebeko-volcano-1109574404.html

Russian Authorities Report New 2-Mile Ash Outburst at Ebeko Volcano

Russian Authorities Report New 2-Mile Ash Outburst at Ebeko Volcano

The Ebeko volcano in Russia's Kuril Islands has spewed ash at the height of 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) in a second such episode in two days, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Sunday.

2023-04-16T10:55+0000

2023-04-16T10:55+0000

2023-04-16T13:41+0000

russia

volcano

shiveluch

volcanic ash

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Ebeko, located on Paramushir Island, released a 3.5-kilometer column of ash on Friday. Earlier this week, the ash-eruption of another Russian volcano, Shiveluch, blanketed several villages and towns with dust in far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. Monitoring services have not spotted any incidents of ash fall in the city of Severo-Kurilsk and no smell of hydrogen sulfide. The ministry said there was no threat to local residents. Ebeko is a 1,156-meter (3,792 feet) volcano located 7 kilometers north-west of Severo-Kurilsk in the northern part of the Vernadskii Ridge. Its ash outbursts have been fairly mild and regular since October 2016. The record ash release was recorded on August 31, 2018, when the volcano's new vent, which emerged in 2017, threw ash 6 kilometers high.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/shiveluch-volcano-in-russias-kamchatka-begins-to-erupt---russian-academy-of-sciences-1109334519.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/sudanese-armed-forces-take-control-of-rsf-headquarters-in-omdurman---reports-1109565235.html

Sudanese Armed Forces Take Control of RSF Headquarters in Omdurman - Reports

Sudanese Armed Forces Take Control of RSF Headquarters in Omdurman - Reports

The Sudanese Armed forces took over the Rapid Support Forces headquarters. The military and powerful paramilitary group started fighting on Saturday.

2023-04-16T00:16+0000

2023-04-16T00:16+0000

2023-04-16T00:16+0000

africa

sudan

rapid support forces (rsf)

omdurman

khartoum

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Earlier on Saturday night, Al Jazeera said, citing a Sudanese military source that the Sudanese Air Force had launched an airstrike targeting an RSF camp in Omdurman. According to the broadcaster, RSF forces have left their positions in Omdurman, leaving all their equipment and weapons behind. Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum. Director of a hospital in Omdurman told Sputnik on Saturday that the fighting between the RSF and the national army left six civilians killed. According to media reports, the death toll from the violence in Sudan could be at least 25, while the number of injured reportedly stands at over 180.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/sudanese-military-launches-airstrike-on-rsf-camp-in-omdurman---reports-1109564438.html

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A pedestrian passes by a gas station in downtown Seoul, April 5. Yonhap



By Lee Yeon-woo



As domestic oil prices are pushing upward following global trends, concerns are rising over its possible impact on consumer prices, which have been barely contained for the past few months. The government's possible scrapping of the fuel tax cut is also adding to concerns.



According to the Korea National Oil Corp., the gasoline price on Saturday stood at around 1,650 won ($1.26), which is an increase of 32.75 won compared to the previous week. This marks the second consecutive weekly rise in gasoline prices, with the price of diesel also seeing an increase after 21 weeks of relative stability.



The corporation cited several factors for the international oil price hike, including a decrease in Russia's crude oil production in March. It forecast the price to rise further in the coming week as well.



The upward trend in fuel prices is concerning due to its potential impact on consumer prices, which have only recently stabilized after several months of volatility. In March, consumer prices grew at their slowest pace in a year, increasing by only 4.2 percent year-on-year.



"From the latter half of the year, there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the trend of international oil prices, domestic and international economic conditions, the magnitude and timing of public utility rate increases, and other related factors," said Choi Chang-ho, the chief of the research department of the Bank of Korea.



The possibility of the government abolishing the fuel tax cut is adding to concerns while the government is reportedly burdened with a growing fiscal deficit due to the record decline in tax revenue. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said that a decision on the fuel tax cut will come within the week.



"The public's burden should be considered seriously because uncertainties in international oil prices grew after OPEC+ decided to reduce oil production," Choo said at a press meeting held in Washington D.C., Thursday.



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea put the blame squarely on the government's recent efforts to reduce taxes on real estate and businesses. The Ministry of Economy and Finance estimates that the revision of these taxes will lead to a decline of approximately 20 trillion won in tax revenue over the next five years.



"It appears that the government is attempting to abolish the fuel tax reduction, but such a decision could be misguided as it would primarily benefit a small group of wealthy individuals while causing harm to the majority of the public," the party's Chairman, Lee Jae-myung said at a forum held in the National Assembly, Thursday.



The government also plans to make changes to regulations on inheritance tax and income tax on stocks later this year.


https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/sudanese-journalists-union-calls-for-evacuation-reporters---reports-1109581604.html

Sudanese Journalists' Union Calls for Evacuation of Reporters - Reports

Sudanese Journalists' Union Calls for Evacuation of Reporters - Reports

The Sudanese Journalist Union called for the evacuation of RT Arabic and Alhurra broadcasters who are stranded in their offices amid fighting between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces

2023-04-16T19:46+0000

2023-04-16T19:46+0000

2023-04-17T04:00+0000

africa

sudan

rapid support forces (rsf)

russia today

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The report cited RT Arabic head Maya Manna as saying that the journalists union urged the Sudanese authorities to evacuate their colleagues working for RT Arabic and Alhurra, stressing that the employees are living in harsh conditions. One of RT Arabic correspondents, who is currently staying with his team at the broadcaster's office, was quoted as saying that they have no access to food or water since Saturday and cannot venture out of the building because of fierce fighting between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the RSF broke out on Saturday, with the epicenter in Sudans capital of Khartoum. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover. Late on Saturday, Sudanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan issued a decree to dissolve the RSF. Armed clashes continued into Sunday. The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the suspension of operations in Sudan after the death of three of its employees in violence and critical damage inflicted on one of its planes. Later on Sunday, the Sudanese Armed Forces gave its consent to the UN's proposal to open humanitarian corridors for three hours starting 4 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT). The RSF released a statement agreeing to open humanitarian corridors for four hours, which is by one hour more than pledged by Sudan's army. However, the fighting in the center of Khartoum only escalated during the humanitarian pause, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/arab-league-council-demands-immediate-ceasefire-in-sudan-1109579222.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/sunaks-ex-minister-accused-of-berating-staff-as-uk-pm-braces-for-raab-bullying-report-1109577645.html

Sunaks Ex-Minister Accused of Berating Staff as UK PM Braces for Raab Bullying Report

Sunaks Ex-Minister Accused of Berating Staff as UK PM Braces for Raab Bullying Report

Both Alok Sharma and Dominic Raab vehemently deny the allegations, arguing that they maintained friendly relations with their staffers.

2023-04-16T14:27+0000

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UK Conservative MP and former UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) President Alok Sharma has been accused of berating civil servants, a US news agency has quoted unnamed officials as saying.Sharma, who also served as secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS), is said to have been difficult, unpredictable and could quickly lose his temper, according to the sources.The sources argued that civil servants raised concerns about Sharmas behavior with their bosses on at least four occasions in 2020, although they stopped short of filing official complaints.The Cabinet Office has confirmed that there are no records of any informal or formal complaints across government about me, Sharma asserted, adding that he denies strongly these allegations.The allegations come as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak braces for a report on whether his deputy Dominic Raab bullied staff, something that may put the Cabinet head under pressure.The report, in particular, looks into claims that Raab repeatedly reduced staff to tears and "ruined people's lives" through "coercive behavior. The deputy prime minister rejects the allegations, insisting that he behaved professionally at all times, but pledged he would resign if an allegation is upheld.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221214/deputy-uk-prime-minister-raab-faces-5-more-bullying-complaints-reports-1105465136.html

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uk government, uk prime minister rishi sunak, berating staff allegations against alok sharma, report on bullying allegations against uk deputy prime minister dominic raab
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/un-secretary-general-holds-talks-with-sudans-conflicting-sides-1109565358.html

UN Secretary General Holds Talks With Sudans Conflicting Sides

UN Secretary General Holds Talks With Sudans Conflicting Sides

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken to both sides in the Sudan conflict and has called for an end to the violence.

2023-04-16T00:38+0000

2023-04-16T00:38+0000

2023-04-16T00:38+0000

africa

antonio guterres

league of arab states

sudan

egypt

saudi arabia

rapid support forces (rsf)

abdel fattah al-sisi

mohamed hamdan dagalo

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"The Secretary-General is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan. He has spoken to President [Abdel Fattah Al] Sisi of Egypt and [Chairman of the African Union Commission] AUC Moussa Faki, on how to de-escalate the situation. He has also spoken to [commander-in-chief of the Sudanese military] Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and to RSF [Rapid Support Forces] Leader Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, calling for an immediate stop to the violence and a return to dialogue," Dujarric said on Twitter late on Saturday night. He added that the Secretary General has offered his "good offices" to restore security in Sudan and conclude the ongoing political process in the country. Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum. An Egyptian presidential representative said on Saturday that Al Sisi held telephone talks with Guterres discussing the latest events in Sudan. The Egyptian president called on the conflicting sides in Sudan to return to dialogue. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter on Saturday that he discussed Sudan over the phone with the foreign ministers of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Borrell urged all the sides in Sudan to show leadership and engage in an immediate cessation of hostilities. A United Nations source told Sputnik on Saturday that the UN Security Council (UNSC) was going to discuss the situation in Sudan on Monday; the talks will be held behind closed doors. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Saturday that the Council of the League of Arab States (LAS) would meet on Sunday to discuss the situation in Sudan, after Egypt and Saudi Arabia called for the emergency meeting at the level of permanent representatives.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/sudanese-army-chief-orders-rebel-militia-rapid-support-forces-to-disband-1109564077.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230416/un-security-council-calls-on-conflicting-sides-in-sudan-to-stop-violence-1109566900.html

UN Security Council Calls on Conflicting Sides in Sudan to Stop Violence

UN Security Council Calls on Conflicting Sides in Sudan to Stop Violence

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has called on both sides of the Sudanese conflict to cease hostilities and negotiate. Earlier on Saturday, the military and the Rapid Support Forces clashed in the country.

2023-04-16T03:20+0000

2023-04-16T03:20+0000

2023-04-16T03:20+0000

africa

sudan

un security council (unsc)

mohamed hamdan dagalo

abdel fattah al-sisi

antonio guterres

khartoum

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0f/1109561263_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0aea1ba99dabb7d7b150e09a751fb9b4.jpg

Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum. The UNSC stressed the importance of ensuring safe humanitarian access in Sudan amid the clashes. A United Nations source told Sputnik earlier on Saturday that the UN Security Council was going to discuss the situation in Sudan on Monday; the talks will be held behind closed doors. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Twitter late on Saturday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had discussed the situation in Sudan with the conflicting sides, commander-in-chief of the Sudanese military Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and RSF leader Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as well as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki. Guterres called for an end to violence and a return to dialogue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/unrest-in-sudan-timeline-of-situation-in-khartoum-1109555158.html

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Flashing newfound early speed, Flite Craft powered to the point at the quarter pole and drew off late to take Saturdays (April 15) $12,500 opening leg of the Tom Kirwan Memorial at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

The event for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers honours the memory of Tom Kirwan, who began his career as a trainer/driver at The Meadows and later served in backside supervisory positions.

Flite Craft hadnt been on top at any call in his most recent five starts, but, using Lasix for the second time Saturday, he was more eager to go. Mike Wilder confidently moved him to the front, and it was no contest from there, as the A Rocknroll Dance-Kitty Kitty Hawk gelding scored in a sharp 1:51, a career best. The pocket-sitting Slipmeamiki was second, 3-3/4 lengths back, with Be The Captain third.

Norm Parker trains Flite Craft for Tenpin Stable, Albert Parker, Ryan Parker and Tom Klosky Jr.

In Saturdays $19,300 Open Handicap Pace, A Fair Ol Dance N made it two straight, converting a pocket trip to a 1:50.3 victory for Ronnie Wrenn Jr. trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Kitefield Stable. The eight-year-old A Rocknroll Dance-Presidential Affair gelding has won nine of his last 18 starts and banked $252,910 lifetime. Wild Wild Western and Sandbetweenmytoes rounded out the ticket.

Wrenn collected five wins on the 12-race card, including three for Burke, while Wilder enjoyed a triple.

Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday, April 19, with first post at 12:45 p.m.

(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
Panettone Hanover became the only two-time winner in the first two preliminaries of the Bobby Weiss Series for three-year-old pacing colts on Saturday afternoon (April 15) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, winning one of five $20,000 divisions in 1:52.2 as rain began to fall just before he post paraded in the 10th race.

The Captaintreacherous gelding has now won five of his last six starts, but he keeps his fans interest before usually delivering a victory. On Saturday, Panettone Hanover led at every pole and seemed confidently-handled by driver Simon Allard, but Hurrikane Hunter was humming late only to come up a nose shy. Panettone Hanover added to his recent collection of three victories by a head and one by the luxurious margin of a half length. Ron Burke trains the gritty horse for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, William Switala and James Martin.

Allard-Burke teamed for another Weiss win behind the Stay Hungry colt Binge On Yankee, who raced on the engine and took a life mark of 1:51.2 for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Brad Grant and Lawrence Kerr. With the chalk winning three Weiss contests, Binge On Yankee paid $14 and right behind him in the mutuel rank was $13.60 winner Poseidon Deo, another Captaintreacherous gelding who made a decisive backstretch move to the lead and lowered his best time to 1:51.3 (the track had been rerated good by then) for driver Tyler Buter, trainer Eddie Dennis and owner Roy Parker Jr.

Rewarding the punters faith were the other two winners: Ghost Mark, a Revenge Shark gelding who equalled his mark of 1:51.3 for Buter, trainer Rob Harmon and owners Kyle Larner and Brian Hochman; and the Huntsville gelding I Was Tricked, home in a lifetime best 1:52 for driver Jim Pantaleano, trainer Nicholas Devita and the team of Devita Racing Stable Inc., David Hamm, Christopher Giaccio and Glenn Phillips.

The top overnight event on the card went for $18,500, and the Sweet Lou gelding Phoenix Of Fluzzy parlayed a pocket trip into a head decision over His Beats Hanover in 1:52 for driver George Napolitano Jr., trainer Scott Blackler and owner Chad Kowal.

Long before the rain came, Pocono posted its fastest miles of 2023 on both gaits, with both winners taking new speed badges and both being driven by Anthony Napolitano. The Luck Be Withyou gelding Luckbewithalex overcame a rough uncovered trip to win in 1:49.3 for trainer Lance Hudson and owner William Hartt, while on the trot the Walner gelding TNT Blue Chip won his fourth straight, this time in 1:52.4 for trainer Bruce Clarke, who is also the co-owner with Patricia Waldeck.

Sundays 6 p.m. (EDT) card will be highlighted by two $20,000 divisions of the second preliminary of the Bobby Weiss Series for sophomore trotting colts, with Bestfriend Hanover and Moni Book looking to repeat their victories in the first leg  and they may well do it, since they are in different divisions.

(PHHA / Pocono)
James Slendorn hit the accelerator and Jim King Solomon swooped the field to take their respective $9,000 divisions of the American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (April 15).

In the first division, James Slendorn pushed from the pylons with odds-on choice Willy Walton and kept all his peers behind. Posting a :28.1 first quarter, he pocketed King Cast (Jacob Stillwell) and snagged a breather to a :58 half. With the tempo slowed, Lionhead (Yogi Sheridan) pulled first over with Shoemaker Hanover (John Calabrese) following cover, but Willy Walton slipped away to three-quarters in 1:27.1 and widened for home. Willy Walton crossed the beam five lengths in front at the end of a 1:56.4 mile with Lionhead taking second, Shoemaker Hanover securing third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) closing for fourth.

Chris Height conditions Willy Walton, a nine-year-old gelding by CR Royal Flush, for owner James Slendorn. He paid $3.40 to win.

Jim King Solomon launched a stretch assault with Big Sky Ex to nab victory in the other division in 1:59.2.

Leaving from post six, Big Sky Ex floated away seventh while Finnick Odair (Melissa Arbia) powered to lead to a :29.2 first quarter. Turbochargedpete (Joe Faraldo) raced parked in midfield and progressed uncovered along the rim to apply minor pressure to the pacesetter through a 1:00.3 half while also supplying cover to Big Sky Ex.

The wide trip began wearing on Turbochargedpete up the backside as he stalled first over, forcing Solomon to launch Big Sky Ex three-wide to three-quarters, timed in 1:30.2. Big Sky Ex gathered momentum and barreled into the stretch to snag the lead from Finnick Odair and extend to a length win with Midnight Cookie (Paul Minore) another four lengths behind in third and CHF Merodona (Jacob Stillwell) faltering off a pocket trip to finish fourth.

Dennis Watson conditions Big Sky Ex, a seven-year-old mare by CR Excalibur, for owner Domenico Costagliola. She paid $18.60 to win.

AHDC action returns to Freehold Raceway on Friday, April 21 with divisions for the AHDC Pace. First-race post time at Freehold is 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

(AHDC)
When the 2023 season gets underway next month, Northside Downs will mark the 125th anniversary of harness racing at the North Sydney, N.S. property, now under Harness Racing Cape Breton ownership.

Harness Racing Cape Breton, which previously leased the Northside Downs racetrack portion of the Cape Breton Exhibition property from the Cape Breton-Richmond Federation of Agriculture, recently closed a deal to purchase the grounds that were put up for sale last year.

"After 11 months of negotiations, property subdivision and jumping through hoops, Harness Racing Cape Breton officially now owns the Northside Downs racetrack property. The deal closed in early March," Joel LeBlanc, Chairperson of Harness Racing Cape Breton, told Trot Insider. "It is a major step forward for our horse owners association as we now control the property. We have a very committed non-profit membership and we look forward to making Northside Downs a destination in Nova Scotia."

The property has long been a cornerstone for the agricultural community in Cape Breton and the Canadian harness racing industry. In recent years, brothers David and Colin Kelly launched their driving careers at Northside Downs while 2020 Horse of the Year Century Farroh and other stars including Bronx Seelster and R Caan learned early lessons and had their first charted lines at the North Sydney oval.

"This year will mark the 125th anniversary of the first harness races at this site -- July 1, 1898 was the beginning at Northside Downs," noted LeBlanc. "We will be celebrating this milestone on Canada Day of 2023."

Opening day for the 2023 harness racing season at Northside Downs is May 13, with racing continuing on Saturday afternoons through November.

To view Northside Downs' complete racing schedule for the 2023 harness racing season, click here.
Leaders from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Agriculture Builders of Nebraska met with Panhandle community members for a roundtable on Thursday, April 13 at the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.

The roundtable was part of a statewide listening tour intended to provide the public an opportunity to share their thoughts and visions for the future of Nebraska, their communities and the states agriculture industry. Many administrators from UNL were present, including Mike Boehm, vice president and vice chancellor of agriculture and natural resources. Boehm explained the role that the people of Nebraska have to play in agricultural developments throughout the state.

As we reflect on the first 50 years of UNLs Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we also want to look toward the future, he said. Nebraskans have a key role in framing IANRs next chapter, and this listening tour is an important step in co-creating our shared future vision.

Boehm shared plenty of information on developments taking place within the IANR, including a significant amount of budget cuts that have hit UNL as a whole.

In the six years that Ive been here, weve had three rounds of permanent budget cuts. The University of Nebraska in totality has seen about a $75 million reduction, and IANR with this last cut is now up to about $16 million, he said. The tough part about those permanent base budget reductions is that $16 million is permanent. That means this year, next year. So over a 10-year period, thats $160 million less that is being moved into the institute to do what we need to do to help your operations be profitable and help your communities be successful and vibrant.

Boehm said that such cuts are part of life, and that IANR staff would push up theit sleeves and keep moving forward. He put the numbers into perspective using an example of how they affect staffing, particularly for educators. According to Boehm, faculty across IANR had numbered above 300 in recent years and was on the rise, but now the number is receding.

I think of it in terms of faculty. A typical average for a new assistant professors salary and benefits is around $100,000. So for every million that we reduce, thats 10 professors, and thats a tough spot, he said.

Despite the budget reductions, Derek McLean, agricultural research division dean, had encouraging news to share regarding research budgets for agriculture, which remain a top priority at UNL.

(Last year) We had a total in research expenditures of over $160 (million). Just to give you a concept, the total research expenditure for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is about $340 million. So the IANR is representing about 45-48% of the total research expenditure for the university. Thats the strength of IANR and the strength of our research, he said

Boehm went on to hear and discuss some of the topics raised by Panhandle community members, including infrastructure related to beef production, the opportunity for Nebraska to get more heavily involved in fermentation, and the development of closer relationships with community colleges.

This last subject included the discussion of opinions that most Panhandle students who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture are pulled away from Nebraska, sometimes to never return, by the lack of collegiate agricultural education programs in the area. Though he said little about specifically developing or deepening ties with Western Nebraska Community College, Boehm said that it will be important to integrate with similar institutions and create a system before competitors in other states do so.

We need to be the best partner to the community colleges and the state colleges in the state, he said. We need to connect the dots. We need to get over our little turf wars and we need to find a way to do this right. If we cant figure it out, our neighbors to the west or to the south will figure it out before we do.
In November 2021, doctors at Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates in Omaha got what might be considered a new assistant.

Called GI Genius, the new computer-aided system was designed to help doctors performing colonoscopies identify  in real time  suspicious tissue that might be a polyp, or precancerous lesion in the colon.

The Medtronic device puts a little green box on any spot it thinks might be a polyp, using the same display screen a doctor is watching while navigating the colons twists and turns and searching for suspicious spots.

Finding and removing the lesions is important because it decreases a patients risk of developing colon cancer, said Dr. Jason Cisler, a gastroenterologist and the practices quality chairman. Studies have shown that doctors find more polyps if they have two people looking at the screen.

After adopting the system, the groups already good adenoma detection rate  the rate at which doctors find and remove polyps during screening colonoscopies  went up 10% across the board, putting the practice at more than double the national standard. Every 1% increase in the detection rate, according to one study, decreases patients risk of colon cancer by 3%.

It makes it a more sensitive screening tool, Cisler said. And what were doing is screening. If were able to prevent more colon cancer, thats the rationale where were at today.

The device, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2021, uses a type of artificial intelligence. And its just one of a number of technologies incorporating various forms of artificial intelligence that are already working behind the scenes in Nebraska hospitals and clinics. And with research and development underway around the world, there will be more.

Some are focused on flagging doctors about needed health screenings and identifying hospitalized patients at higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital or developing potentially life-threatening infections. Others monitor patients at risk of falling and analyze the impact of blockages in heart arteries on blood flow.

AI also is being used to take some mundane tasks off the plates of both clerical staff and health care providers, freeing them to do higher-level work.

Some Nebraska Medicine doctors are using a product called Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX, from a company called Nuance, to capture conversations between themselves and patients and create notes in patients charts, said Scott Raymond, the health systems chief information and innovation officer. The physician then reviews and accepts the notes. Some physicians notes now are proving accurate with no need for further human intervention between 80% and 90% of the time.

Its a great use of the technology, he said. Its taking away physician burnout, the burden of documentation ... where (they) feel theyre practicing medicine and not being documentation specialists.

Lincolns Bryan Health plans to go live with the system in early May. We think that will (be) a tremendous win for both our patients and our physicians, said Bridgett Ojeda, that systems chief information officer.

Raymond said Microsoft plans to put the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT behind the next version of the program. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has been making headlines around the world in recent months. Users would have to decide whether to adopt it.

Such technologies are making it a fun time to be in health care information technology, Ojeda said. Technologists have spent the last two decades getting information out of paper files and into electronic systems. Now AI and large language models like ChatGPT are allowing them to begin using that data to benefit patients.

Indeed, the authors of a 2022 report from the National Academy of Medicine on AI in health care said their hope is that AI will be the payback for investments in electronic systems.

They caution, however, that such systems could introduce bias if not carefully trained and create concerns about privacy and security.

Raymond acknowledged that standards and guardrails need to be put around the technology, particularly when it comes to the chatbots.

Ojeda noted that other challenges lie in having enough health care data and engineering experts to put the technology to work in ways that help rather than disrupt. With interest and investment in the sector high, they have to focus on selecting tools that will be sustainable and ultimately benefit patients.

But Dr. Steven Leitch, vice president of clinical informatics with CHI Health, stressed that humans, not machines, still are making the decisions.

What would make it scary is if we dont make the human in charge, he said. And thats not what health care is about. Doctors and nurses make decisions in health care. Its between people. These tools are amendments; theyre only going to be assisting where we allow them to assist.

Raymond, who previously practiced as a pediatric intensive care nurse, said Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are forming a committee to consider how the health system will use chatbot technology in research, education and clinical care.

Its happening in medicine, he said. Its happening slowly and carefully with a lot of thought behind it. I think it will change how we deliver care and it will improve care. Our responsibility is to make sure we use the technology in the right way.

The term artificial intelligence, however, implies that machines are reasoning the way humans do, he said. Theyre not, although theyre good at gathering data, learning from it and starting to glean insights.

In actuality, Leitch said, what most people think of as artificial intelligence really is a broader category that includes a lot of different tools, including machine learning, robotic process automation and the chatbots natural language processing. Even chatbots, however, arent having independent thoughts but rather are running very complex sets of rules.

Cisler said the GI Genius system, also in place at Methodist Endoscopy Center, which is owned by Midwest and Methodist, has been trained on millions of images from colonoscopies and is constantly updated.

But the final word on whether what the system flags actually is a polyp  rather than a bubble or fold in the colon  lies with the doctor, he said.

Such systems, however, also can help sort patients in other ways, and in doing so, make it more likely they get the care they need.

Hastings Family Care in Hastings, Nebraska, part of Mary Lanning Healthcare, recently began using Eyenuks EyeArt technology, a special camera connected to a computer backed by machine learning that allows providers to screen patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy, without dilating their eyes.

People who have diabetes are advised to have their eyes checked once a year for the condition, which can cause vision loss and blindness. Early treatment can stop progression.

But Jessica Sutton, clinic manager, said a lot of diabetics dont get the annual exams, often due to a lack of vision insurance, transportation or time to get to an eye doctor. The clinic saw 980 patients with diabetes last year, 45% of whom had not had the exam. Funding for the equipment came through a local donor and a grant UNMC received to improve diabetic care in rural areas.

Dr. Zachary Frey, director of primary care, said he saw three such patients Wednesday morning. One didnt have insurance. The other two hadnt had an eye exam in a while. Having the device allows the clinic staff to catch such patients when theyre already in the office.

Frey said the system essentially provides three results, each of which triggers next steps. If no problem is detected, the patient is cleared until the next year. If the scan shows changes suggesting retinopathy, the patient is referred to an eye doctor for further investigation. If it detects vision-threatening retinopathy, the patient is sent to a retina specialist.

The systems also can be used to keep patients from falling through the cracks in other ways.

Methodist, for instance, has several systems aimed at helping put additional eyes on lung scans.

One searches radiology reports from scans of, say, the abdomen, that incidentally catch part of the lung for key words like nodule. Those get sent to a team that determines whether there might be a problem, and if so, contacts the patients doctor, even those in other health systems, said Dr. Adam Wells, a pulmonologist with Methodist Physicians Clinic and Methodist Hospital.

That incidental nodule program flagged more than 13,000 scans last year, which triggered nearly 1,000 communications with a physician and ongoing follow-up with more than 700 patient scans, he said. Those identified nearly 30 cancers.

The health system also screens patients with a known risk for lung cancer using low-dose CT scans, Wells said. While radiologists read the scans, an AI program reads behind and categorizes any spots it sees. Nearly 20 cancers were identified last year out of more than 2,300 scheduled screening scans.

Cancer is a common focus. Locally, the Omaha-based MRI medical device company Bot Image, founded by entrepreneur Randall Jones, last year received FDA clearance for an AI-driven software system called ProstatID for detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.

But there are others. Leitch said CHI uses robotic process automation, or bots, which use sets of rules to identify patients with upcoming visits and check if theyre due for a test, such as a lung cancer screening.

If so, it places a pending order in the patients electronic medical record. If the doctor and patient decide its not the right time for the test, the provider can remove it. But it takes the burden off the doctor to remember every test a patient might need, particularly on busy days with lots of distractions.

Other systems can be used to help monitor hospitalized patients. Bryan for several years has used a fall-prevention system developed by Lincoln-based Ocuvera, Ojeda said. It uses 3-D cameras and an algorithm to predict patient movement and alert nurses before a fall can occur.

Epic Systems, she said, has developed five different predictive models that monitor hospitalized patients for other risks, including sepsis and hospital readmission, and alert clinicians so they can respond quickly.

Health systems that use Epics health records, including Bryan, CHI and Nebraska Medicine, can then adopt them and build them out for their patient populations, she said.

One of the latest, which CHI has adopted and Bryan is developing, is a model that helps predict when patients will be no-shows for clinic appointments.

If providers can head off missed appointments by, say, Leitch said, providing transportation, they can keep patients healthier.

If we do what the evidence shows us, as we learn more and more, its going to make it easier for us to deliver the care the right way every time, Leitch said.

Counties with the highest diabetes rate in Nebraska Counties with the highest diabetes rate in Nebraska #25. Platte County #24. Douglas County #23. Red Willow County #22. Lincoln County #21. Johnson County #20. Adams County #19. Sheridan County #18. Box Butte County #17. Dodge County #16. Morrill County #15. Brown County #14. Pawnee County #13. Furnas County #12. Scotts Bluff County #11. Kimball County #8. Arthur County #8. Hayes County #8. Wheeler County #7. Hall County #6. Dawson County #5. Dundy County #4. Saline County #3. Colfax County #2. Dakota County #1. Thurston County
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna speaks at the fourth South Korea-France security dialogue at Seoul's foreign ministry, April 14. Yonhap



French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has said North Korea's recent statements on the advancements of its nuclear weapons program are "deeply concerning."



The comments came amid renewed tensions over Pyongyang's recent weapons tests, including that of what it claims to be a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday.



Colonna said France has "continuously condemned in the strongest terms the ballistic missile launches carried out by North Korea," calling them "blatant and utterly unacceptable violations" of United Nations Security Council resolutions.



North Korea is banned from launching ballistic missiles under U.N. Security Council resolutions.



"The recent statements by North Korean authorities regarding the development of a tactical nuclear arsenal and calls to accelerate nuclear weapons production are also deeply concerning," Colonna said in an exclusive written interview with Yonhap News Agency on the occasion of her recent trip to South Korea.



She added the proliferation of such launches and the regime's continued pursuit of an illicit nuclear program "constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability, as well as international security."



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the new ICBM will "radically promote the effectiveness of its nuclear counterattack posture and bring about a change in the practicality of its offensive military strategy," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.





This photo released by the presidential office shows President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shaking hands with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the presidential office in central Seoul, April 14. Yonhap
Comparing Nebraska cities property tax rates with each other rarely lends itself to black-and-white pictures.

Thats evident in an analysis for the Star-Herald that looks at total, city, county and school tax rates for 2022 in the states 43 cities with populations between 3,000 and 100,000.

It found Gering ranked No. 8 and Scottsbluff No. 13 in that group in the combined tax rates of all local governments serving each citys property owners.

Figures for the analysis mainly come from the recently released 2022 annual report of the Nebraska Department of Revenues Property Assessment Division.

It excludes Nebraskas two largest cities of Omaha and Lincoln, which face some dissimilar challenges from smaller cities.

The multiple school districts within Omahas city limits  notably Millard, Westside, Elkhorn and Omaha Public Schools  also complicates apples-to-apples tax-rate comparisons.

The 43-city group with populations of 3,000 to 100,000 includes Omahas independent suburbs of Ralston in Douglas County and Bellevue, Papillion and La Vista in Sarpy County.

It also includes Sidney, Alliance and Chadron in the Panhandle, three of the 35 county-seat cities in the group.

Property tax rates to repay bonds issued by local governments were included in the Star-Herald analysis. Taxes to support the Scotts Bluff Regional Airport, the county agricultural society, the Western Community College Area, the North Platte Natural Resources District and Educational Service Unit 13 make up the rest of tax bills in Scottsbluff and Gering.

Each governments tax rate comes from dividing total taxable values inside its service area by its property tax request  the money it needs to cover its budget that doesnt come from other sources.

The eight governments combined tax rates, multiplied by a given propertys taxable value, yields that propertys gross tax bill. A trio of state tax credits offsets some of that bill, as can a homestead exemption available annually to qualifying homeowners.

Gering property owners were charged just under $2.25 per $100 of taxable value in 2022 taxes payable during 2023. Sidney ranked second in the 43-city group at $2.42 per $100, barely behind first-place Ralston.

But when one looks only at Nebraskas 14 cities between 10,000 and 100,000  a group that doesnt include Gering  Scottsbluff ranked sixth with its combined rate of $2.13 per $100, just ahead of middle-of-the-road North Platte.

Scottsbluffs city government was second from the bottom among the states five-figure cities, charging just 21.6 cents per $100 to support its operations. Only Kearney (15.4 cents per $100) had a lower 2022 city tax rate.

Scottsbluff and Kearney also occupied the two bottom rungs among the cities between 3,000 and 100,000. Gering, with a city tax rate of 34.3 cents per $100, ranked 31st.

On the other hand, Scottsbluff and Gering property owners faced 2022 county and school tax rates near the top of those charged within the larger 43-city group.

Theyre paying 40.47 cents per $100 to support Scotts Bluff County government, trailing only Hastings (where Adams County charges 42.35 cents per $100) and Sidney (with a Cheyenne County rate of 42.27 cents per $100).

The Star-Herald analysis looked only at county governments associated with the 43 cities of populations between 3,000 and 100,000. That covers 36 of Nebraskas 93 counties.

Adams and Scotts Bluff counties also led in 2022 property tax rates among the dozen counties serving five-figure cities.

The Scottsbluff and Gering school districts ranked third ($1.29 per $100) and fourth ($1.28 per $100) among the 43-city group. The districts in Gretna ($1.49 per $100) and Hastings ($1.34 per $100) led that list.

Scottsbluffs schools ranked just behind Hastings among the cities between 10,000 and 100,000. The combined Papillion-La Vista school district in Sarpy County ranked third at $1.26 per $100.

Gering City Administrator Pat Heath and Scottsbluff City Manager and Police Chief Kevin Spencer lauded their staffs and City Council members for their efficiency and determination in holding down their respective city governments tax rates.

Its tough to stay there, Heath said. We get a decent amount of sales tax, but we dont have a box store.  We have our retail in town and our restaurants, we have one grocery store, and theres where the sales taxes come from.

Gering brings in enough in city sales taxes to roughly equal the amount it has to seek in property taxes, he said.

Gerings net sales-tax take for the 2021-22 fiscal year was $1.997 million, slightly ahead of its $1.908 million property tax request for 2022.

Scottsbluffs larger, more diverse retail mix allows it to fund most city operations with sales taxes, Spencer said.

The city received a net $7.14 million in 2021-22 local sales taxes after Revenue Department processing fees were deducted  more than triple the citys 2022 tax request of $2.17 million.

Spencer said only $175,000 of Scottsbluffs property tax request goes to the citys general fund.

With us being the regional shopping hub, we rely on (sales taxes) to fund our general fund for the most part, he said.

Despite Gerings relatively low ranking in city tax rates, Heath said, changes in the citys and Scotts Bluff Countys 2022 tax requests forced both to take part in the countys first state-mandated joint public hearing on local property taxes last fall.

Many of the people in attendance did not understand where their property taxes go, he said. They thought if they were paying $2,000 in (total) property taxes, it all went to the city.

People also need to understand the demands for services faced by each local government, County Board Chairman Ken Meyer, of Scottsbluff, said.

He noted that county taxpayers are repaying bonds for the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, which was completed in 2007, and a 2018 addition that increased its original 186-person capacity by 94.

Were unique in the fact that we have a detention center of 280 beds that we take care of, Meyer said. We have a 911 dispatch center that other counties dont have. Weve got right at 900 miles of roads we have to take care of.

Statements by Scottsbluff and Gering school officials emphasized decisions made by their patrons that affect their budgets and thus their property tax rates, notably the Scottsbluff High School remodeling completed in 2018.

Marianne Carlson, the Scottsbluff districts executive director of finance, said, Scottsbluff Public Schools is thankful for the support our community has shown for education by prioritizing high-quality, safe learning environments for our students through the passage of bonds.

A below-average per-pupil cost, savings through early bond payoffs and the districts focus on teaching and learning show school officials stewardship of tax dollars, Carlson said.

Stacy Rodriguez, Gering Public Schools director of business and finance, noted that the district received almost $2 million in new grants in the past fiscal year to help reduce its property tax needs.

Three-fourths of Gerings school budget pays for teachers and other education professionals, Rodriguez said.

Quality education cannot happen without great teachers, and that is exactly what you see reflected in our school spending.

The Star-Herald analysis also examined 2022 taxable values and tax requests per person for cities and counties and per student for schools among the 43 cities.

In those two categories, Scotts Bluff Countys two largest cities rank toward the bottom.

How other Panhandle cities fared Among highlights of the Star-Heralds 2022 property tax rate analysis involving other Panhandle cities with 3,000 people or more: Chadron and Alliance both ranked in the bottom half for their combined property tax rates, with Chadron 21st ($1.99 per $100 of taxable value) and Alliance 28th ($1.93 per $100).

Sidneys 2022 tax rate for city government was sixth at 57.5 cents per $100. Chadron was 16th (42.6 cents per $100) and Alliance 34th (33.1 cents per $100).

Among the 36 county governments associated with the 43-city group, Dawes County (serving Chadron) was seventh at 39.2 cents per $100 and Box Butte County (serving Alliance) was 12th at 35.6 cents per $100.

Though Sidney had the second-highest combined 2022 tax rate among the cities of 3,000 to 100,000, its school district ranked just 12th among the 42 districts in that group at $1.22 per $100.

Alliances school district ranked 22nd in the group at $1.10 per $100, with Chadron No. 33 at $1.03 per $100.

Alliances city government was No. 21 in city taxable value per capita ($71,689), with Sidney right behind ($70,833) and Chadron at No. 35 ($55,258).

When it came to tax requests per person, however, the city of Sidney ranked seventh at $407.25. Alliance and Chadron were 28th and 29th, at $237.48 and $235.47, respectively.

Cheyenne Countys taxable value per capita was $155,115, ranking Sidney 23rd among the 43 cities. But its tax request per person of $655.72 was fifth among the 36 counties serving the 3,000-to-100,000 group.

Box Butte Countys taxable value per capita of $146,637 put Alliance at No. 25 in that category. The countys tax request per capita of $522.07 was 19th among the 36 represented counties in the Star-Heralds analysis.

Dawes Countys $129,807 taxable value per capita gave Chadron a No. 31 ranking. Its tax request per person of $499.86 ranked 21st.

The Alliance school district was 17th among the 42 districts represented in both taxable value per student ($903,320) and tax request per student ($9,950.12).

Sidneys schools ranked 33rd in taxable value per student ($633,385) and 31st in tax request per student ($7,695.42). The Chadron schools were No. 27 in taxable value per student ($694,211) and tax request per student ($7,150.82).  Todd von Kampen

Scottsbluff ranked No. 24 in taxable value per capita ($70,469) among cities between 3,000 and 100,000 population and 11th among the five-figure cities. Gerings $66,021 taxable value per capita came in at No. 30 in the larger group.

Scotts Bluff Countys taxable value per person was $90,747 in 2022, lowest among counties in both the larger and smaller groups.

It was much the same for Scottsbluffs and Gerings school districts, which ranked 37th ($514,712) and 38th ($486,308), respectively, in taxable values per student among the 43 cities between 3,000 and 100,000. Scottsbluffs figure was ninth among the five-figure cities.

Tax requests per person or per student were similarly in the lower half for the Twin Cities five major local governments.

Gering ranked 34th of the 43 cities with its 2022 city tax request per capita of $226.25. Scottsbluffs city figure of $152.21 was 41st in that group and 13th among the 10,000 to 100,000 group, lower than all but Kearney.

Scotts Bluff Countys $367.26 tax request per person came in last among the 36 county governments in the 3,000 to 100,000 group. It ranked seventh among the 12 counties serving one or more of the five-figure cities.

Among school districts, Scottsbluffs No. 37 ranking in tax request per student ($6,657) was just ahead of No. 38 Gering ($6,247.67) in the 43-city group.

Scottsbluffs figure was ninth among the 13 districts in cities of 10,000 to 100,000, a category led by Kearney ($8,553.66) and Papillion-La Vista ($8,492.67).

2022 property tax rates 2022 property tax rates: Schools, 10,000-100,000 (city pop) 2022 property tax rates: Combined, all governments 2022 property tax rates: Combined, all gov'ts, 10,000-100,000 2022 property tax rates: City (43) 2022 property tax rates: County (36) 2022 property tax rates: City, 10,000-100,000 2022 property tax rates: County, 10,000-100,000 (city pop) 2022 property tax rates: Schools (42)
Ive said it before and Ill say it again: You just dont know what is liable to turn up, historywise.

I met up with Steve Suther, of Troutman, the other day. Steve and I have been friends for going on at least 30 years. Like me, Steve is a retired history teacher from Iredell County Schools. He said he had something special to show me.

What Steve had was a number of documents that his brother, Stan Suther, had inherited after Ken Suther, Steve and Stans father, passed away back in June 2001. Ken kept telling Steve that he had some stuff that Steve would really be interested in, and Steve, like most of us, said something like: I need to come see you and see what youve got.

Well, Steve finally got to see what Stan had. One of the items was a collection of newspaper clippings collected by Steve and Stans grandmother, Mrs. Delia Clodfelter Suther.

The surnames on the obituaries will be familiar ones to area Iredell folks. Besides kinfolks, school classmates and fellow church members and friends with Suther surnames, there were Barnhardts, Clodfelters, Lippards, Litakers, Murdochs, Nesbits, Wagners, and, of course, a plethora of Troutmans among the clippings.

In case you wondered, the surname Trout- man, has nothing to do with the fish or fishing, but is a name of Germanic origin meaning truthful man. Truth, in German is Traut, and the Anglicized spelling is Trout. Swarms of people of Germanic and Scots-Irish origin came down the Great Wagon Road from the port of Philadelphia in the 1780s and 1790s and settled in the western part of what was then Anson and later Rowan County, later (in 1788) to be Iredell County. The Germanic people were generally Lutherans, while the Scots-Irish were mostly Presbyterian. The oldest churches (congregations) in our county are usually Lutheran or Presbyterian denominations.

The most valuable object which Stan gave to Steve is probably a deed, made out in 1804, which is signed by Jacob Troutman. Jacob, his brother, Sydney, and their mother, Annie, settled what is today the town of Troutman around 1859 and the brothers became skilled cartwrights and wheelwrights. The town, whose seal includes a wagon wheel, was incorporated by the state legislature in 1905 and has been rolling along quite nicely since then.
Hal Weatherman is running for the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, and hes running on a lot of coffee, too.

We call it coffee-ing up, we coffee up all day, Weatherman said.

Weathermans campaign efforts began in January and he has plans to crisscross the state several times. He said the current pace will have them hit all 100 counties three times before the primary election next year and six times before the general. So far, he spoke with Republican groups, including several groups in Iredell County over the past few months, including the Federation of Republican Womens group and the Iredell GOP convention in Statesville.

Im interviewing for the job. I am very aware of if I win, you wont work for me, Ill be working for you, Weatherman. I go county to county, and interview one county at a time.

Part of the campaign for Weatherman is an RV with his name emblazed on it  something he said took a little getting used to  but he said the reality of running for office came when he saw one of his campaigns bumper stickers on a vehicle as he and one of his staffers walked out of a restaurant near the coast.

It was the first time I saw my bumper sticker that wasnt on a car from my family. Were four hours away from home and Im like Look! Weatherman said.

While politics is nothing new to Weatherman, being the face of a campaign is as he is a first-time candidate after three decades behind the scenes of Republican politics in the state. He said one advantage of running yourself is he can speak his own mind instead of checking down as a representative of another candidate.

The 53-year-old husband and father of three teenage children served as Lt. Gov. Dan Forests chief of staff for more than a decade, and before that worked for almost two decades for Forests mother, Sue Myrick, as she went from Charlottes first woman mayor to a member of Congress.

After a career of working behind the scenes for other people, you know the job, you know the state and love the state, Weatherman said. There are things that have always appealed to me about the lieutenant governor.

Hands-on education

Weatherman hit on a few of the regular Republican talking points, mentioning his work as the founder of the Electoral Education Foundation, an election integrity nonprofit, and also saying that he was concerned about what was being taught in schools, saying there is inappropriate and oversexualized content being taught.

The Republican also said he wants education to focus on education and avoid social issues and point them in the direction of their own parents for those answers. He also brought up concerns with the concept of critical race theory, saying it taught Black students to be victims and white students that they are inherently oppressors.

While he didnt fully press down on the hot-button topics in the current political and culture wars, he was most passionate when speaking about making people and the state of North Carolina more self-sufficient in education and work.

He has no illusions about the power of the office compared to the governor, he said with a place on the states top education departments  the North Carolina State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges  he would want to change a number of things within the state.

From those two pedestals, if Im elected, I would like to do my part to fundamentally remove the stigma that our society has put on men and women who work with their hands, work in the trades, Weatherman. Im at the age now where young people ask me what they should do with their lives, and I go through the same litany every time: Do you want to own your own business? Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Do you want to make six figures a year? Do you want to do something where maybe you can build a business and sell it 10 or 15 years from now for seven-plus figures? Well, go be a plumber. I could just as easily say go into HVAC, go into commercial welding.

When I say man, I mean man or woman, and work is where man finds his dignity, its where he gets his self-respect from, its where we learn self-sufficiency and where we automatically train the next generation whats expected of them.

He said while for some students college may not be an option, he also thinks many students would benefit from learning a trade skill as well  even with a college education. He said it isnt about driving students away from a college education as much as making them aware of what a career with a trade skill can become.

Im not against college at all, but they should push kids into the trades with the same intensity as they do college, Weatherman said.

Weatherman said he would use those education positions to influence the states apprenticeship programs in a way he said states like Georgia, South Carolina and Texas have used theirs to incentivize companies to run it through the state to a degree North Carolina hasnt.

He said not only for the fact that it could be beneficial for the individual workers, but Weatherman said with North Carolina having one of the biggest economies in the U.S., he was offended during the COVID-19 pandemic to see Gov. Roy Cooper label some workers essential while paying others to stay home.

I dont think were self-sufficient as a state. It bothered me during COVID that Gov. Cooper, day in and day out, was begging the federal government or a neighboring state, an NGO, to provide North Carolina with masks, ventilators, or whatever was needed. It offended me.

When asked about what advice he would give to those in Statesville and Iredell County as growth comes out of Charlotte, he offered some pragmatic advice.

Preserve your cultural identity as much as you can while embracing the change thats coming, Weatherman said. When youre in a suburban ring around an urban core like Charlotte or Raleigh, to the best of your ability, elect the right people that will preserve the way of life or the way you grew up the best you can.

He said growth is good, as there are places in the state without it that struggle economically, but with it comes changes.

The key is making sure everyone gets an equal shot and preserve some open space, even the aesthetics, Weatherman said. The towns that do it right preserve something of the past while embracing the future.

Road ahead

While current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has all but announced he will run against all challengers for the governor of North Carolina, Weatherman said he spoke with him before setting out on his own campaign. With that in mind, he knows he has work to do as he looks to differentiate himself from the potential candidates on both sides of the aisle in the race for lieutenant governor.

Weatherman said his experience is one thing that will separate him from potential Republican challengers and that with this being his 14th campaign  but his first for himself  there is one thing he can control.

Always assume someone with more money will get in, always assume someone with more name ID (will get in), Weatherman said. One thing we can control is whether they will ever outwork us. And the answer is never. They will never outwork us.

Were going to give it our best shot. I like our chances, I really do.
Editor's Note This is the second second of three pieces about Mitchum's early days at GTMO.

Truth be told, I didnt do a great deal of geographical or historical research prior to heading off to my new home in Cuba  at the time, my reading tilted primarily toward fiction.

Nevertheless, in the summer of 1968 I found two historical novels that served as an excellent introduction to my upcoming Caribbean adventures. Both Topaz (1967), by Leon Uris and Graham Greenes The Comedians (1966), proved to be intriguing reads. The former provided an overview of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, and The Comedians gave some chilling insight into Papa Doc Duvaliers harsh dictatorship in Haiti. Later, Id dig a bit deeper with a few historical readings detailing how the U.S. came to be ensconced on the Caribbeans largest island.

Heres a brief historical overview. Believe it or not, while Columbus never landed on what we call America, he did land in Cuba, and specifically at Guantanamo Bay. It happened April 30, 1494, on his second voyage to the Americas. Not finding any evidence of gold, he departed after an overnight stay.

Fast forwarding a little over four centuries, the U.S. declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, after the sinking of our Battleship Maine in Havana harbor in February 1898. During the brief Spanish-American War, some of the fighting was in eastern Cuba at Santiago de Cuba, the countrys second largest city. As hurricane season approached, the U.S. Navy moved its ships 45 miles eastward to Guantanamo Bay for shelter. There, they defeated Spanish troops and took control of the bay. Later in December, in the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S. Additionally, Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the U.S. for $20 million (more than $700 million in 2023).

Both the Cubans and the Filipinos had struggled for centuries to gain their independence from Spain. Suddenly they were free, or so they thought. The war had cost the United States $250 million (ca. $8.82 billion in todays dollars) and 3,000 lives, of whom 90% died from infectious diseases.

With cries of Remember the Maine, most Americans were supportive of driving Spain from their long-held possessions, but there was serious debate as to our reason(s) for replacing the Spanish. In fact, many prominent Americans (including Mark Twain and Andrew Carnegie) considered this the first step toward empire building.

As an historical aside, Filipinos, whod long sought independence, now looked at the Americans as the oppressors. As a matter of fact, the U.S. lost 10 times more troops suppressing the Filipinos than in defeating Spain during the three years of conflict. (On a personal note, my wife and I would later earn our doctorates at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila; established by Spanish Dominican friars in 1611).

In a treaty with Cuba in 1903, the U.S. obtained rights to maintain a base at Guantanamo Bay. Another treaty was signed in 1934, affirming the United States right to lease the base from the Cuban government. Despite strained relations during the Castro regime, the U.S. continued to pay its annual token lease  $4,085 p/a since 1974  asserting its right to stay put. In fact, Guantanamo Bay, or GTMO as it came to be called, is Americas oldest overseas military installation.

Geographically, the bay is located in the southeastern quadrant of the island. Sometimes its described thusly: If you imagine Cuba as a left foot pointing right, then Guantanamo Bay is located right under the big toe. Youre not likely to find this description in tourist brochures, but it does provide a fairly accurate mental picture of the bases location.

The bay itself is about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide. The portion leased by the U.S. comprises about 9,000 acres (land and water) and sits at the mouth of the bay. The major runway and several Marine barracks rest on one-third of the land mass; the other two-thirds is across the bay. This portion comprises about 90+ percent of the bases operations: administrative offices, family housing, medical clinic, schools, rec center, BX, commissary, chapel, et al. Unless one had orders on the weekly freedom bird to NAS Norfolk, there was usually no reason to take the 20-minute ferry ride across the bay. In my 10 months on the base, I rode the ferry twice  August of 1968 on my arrival, and June of 1969 on my departure.

Obviously, much would change over the coming half-century, and, thanks in part to 9/11, GTMO continues to remain uppermost in the news.
Twenty-two churches throughout the Greater Charlotte and Piedmont regions of North Carolina will be hosting a Give as He Gave blood drive on April 22 and 29. The drives in Mooresville and Statesville are scheduled for April 22.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mooresville and Statesville will host the drives in Iredell County.

This is the second year that area churches have joined together with OneBlood to host blood drives in remembrance of Jesus during the Easter season. Last years drive resulted in 378 successful donations, the largest single-day blood collection ever for OneBlood in the Carolinas. Organizers hope to top that number this year.

Blood that is donated today will be on the way to help a patient within two or three days, said Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations for OneBlood. The turnaround is fast, making the need constant.

Each whole blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives. In appreciation for this gift, donors will receive a free wellness checkup, a limited edition Give as He Gave T-shirt, and a $20 e-gift card from OneBlood.

Generally, healthy individuals who are 16 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood.

Jesus gave his life for us, said Tim Smith, president of the Lake Norman NC area congregations. He also taught us to love and serve our neighbors. There are many ways we can help others, but offering your own blood to save the life of another is a powerful symbol of what Christ did for us.

Want to donate? Visit oneblood.org/save for the dates, addresses and available times for all 22 churches participating in the Give as He Gave blood drive.

Local blood drive locations on April 22 are:

Mooresville, noon to 5 p.m., 148 Lazy Lane.

Statesville, noon to 5 p.m., 426 Jane Sowers Road.
Andra Ruth Blondin, a Longview attorney and former Cowlitz County court commissioner, had her license suspended last year by the Washington State Supreme Court for delaying and obstructing a disciplinary investigation, according to documents obtained by The Daily News.

As part of the investigation by the Office of Disciplinary Council, a division of the Washington Bar Association, Blondin was ordered to turn over documents.

She did not.

Over the course of a year, the office tried unsuccessfully to get copies of documents to clear up an allegation brought by a former employee. Stymied, the office petitioned the states high court on Oct. 13, that her license be suspended pending cooperation with ODCs investigation, as stated in the formal complaint.

The bars petition was granted by Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez on Nov. 17 and went into effect on Dec. 1.

Jennifer Olegario, communication and outreach manager for the Washington State Bar Association, told The Daily News that Blondins suspension would remain in effect until she becomes compliant. The Daily News could not reach Blondin prior to deadline.

Since the suspension, more complaints have come forward. On April 4, under the Washington Supreme Courts Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, the ODC filed a formal complaint against Blondin for not cooperating in the employees grievance investigation and a separate grievance involving a former client for allegedly not returning their files.

Blondin could face disciplinary action, probation, restitution, and assessment of the cost and expenses of these proceedings, according to the formal complaint.

The allegations

Blondin started practicing law in Washington in 1998 and served as a court commissioner from May 2011 to December 2021.

After working for Blondin as a legal assistant for six years, an employee filed a grievance in November 2021 with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, alleging that Blondin withheld roughly 25% of her paycheck for Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes but did not turn these funds over to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to its website, the Washington State Supreme Court has delegated authority to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to be responsible for reviewing, investigating and prosecuting grievances about the ethical conduct of Washington lawyers.

Blondin received a letter from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, or ODC, on Feb. 14, 2022, requesting tax documents and quarterly reports, providing correspondence with the IRS and the employees W-2 forms, according to Washington State Supreme Court documents.

ODC sent a second letter on Mar 17, 2022, warning Blondin could face a subpoena and deposition if she did not respond within 10 days of receiving the letter. Still, she did not comply. A subpoena and deposition followed.

Depositions

Blondin was peppered with questions during a deposition, first held May 13, 2022, and continued on June 16, asking why she did not provide the documents requested over a period of eight months.

During the May 13 deposition, Blondin was asked directly, the subpoena also asks for any and all documents showing payments of Social Security tax on behalf of (the employee). Did you bring those with you today?

After hemming and hawing a bit, she said,  No, I didnt provide them today.

Blondin largely placed the blame for not having the required documents on the accounting software QuickBooks, saying in response to a question: So most of my information is on QuickBooks, which I believed I could just print off copies of what was prepared prior, but my QuickBooks has not been cooperating.

She was again asked for tax documents from 2016, to which Blondin said, I have to find them. Im telling you that I thought I could pull these up on QuickBooks. My QuickBooks is down, and I have to go through 2016 files to do so.

Bar attorney Francesca DAngelo pressed Blondin on whether she sought duplicate copies from the IRS, to which she responded, I did not.

In the second half of the deposition, conducted on June 16, Blondin was asked again for past tax documents. Have you brought your Form 941 for 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 with you today?

Blondin replied, No. Im still looking  searching my records. I havent had time.

Blondin, through her attorneys, responded to the petition for her suspension, writing that not only did she cooperate with the investigation but that she responded to the ODCs subpoena to the best of her abilities by providing the requested records in her possession, and she has made herself available for two separate depositions.

The documents that she was not able to provide, she said, do not constitute a failure to cooperate with the ODCs grievance investigation.

In response papers, the ODC said Blondins testimony contradicted her attorneys assertions. In her depositions, she testified that many of the documents requested were contained in (her) QuickBooks account and other physical file folders.
Tension between public schools and parents was the focus of a K-12 public education conference Saturday in Longview, though it was met with resistance from local residents who say the issue of parental rights is a cover for anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and restricting teachers.

Held at Fathers House Church and sponsored by conservative Christian lobbying group Family Policy Institute of Washington, the Crisis in K-12 Education conference included topics also playing out on a national stage: claims of critical race theory, the promotion of school choice and a push against gender-inclusive practices in the classroom.

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, spoke at the seven-hour seminar on Saturday.

Walsh told The Daily News he wanted to address what he said is an overstep by the state to dictate certain curriculum  namely, comprehensive sex education.

Other concerns included expanding special education funding and school choice, he said.

The state has a role in defining standards, Walsh said Friday. But how the standards are met and the details of implementation should rest with the locally elected school board. And if they fail to achieve the standards, then the local people should vote them out and vote in new school board members.

Passed in 2020, the comprehensive sexual health bill reportedly had little effect on local school districts, officials told TDN at the time.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

Bills introduced during the 2023 state Legislature aimed to widen parents control over what happens in the classroom, like a law that would make all curriculum and teachers materials available to parents before being brought to the board. To the frustration of several Republican lawmakers, most of these bills fizzled out.

Robert Mumford, a longtime Longview resident, helped organize a small counterdemonstration outside Fathers House Church on Saturday.

He said they were not looking for confrontation, but wanted to make it clear they viewed the seminar less as a discussion over parental rights and more as a way to censor schools.

Were very, very concerned about this being an extension of whats going on nationally, politically, et cetera, Mumford said. Parents have a full right to review the materials that are in their health classes and to have their children not attend certain elements of the health education classes. They have their full rights anyway. (The conference organizers) are the ones that are going to create the crisis in education in my book.

Brad Payne, legislative affairs director with Family Policy Institute of Washington, said in an interview the institutes goals were to fight against a school system they say has gone wayward.

Payne said school districts are rewriting history and promoting gender confusion, though he admitted he does not know for sure what is being taught in individual classrooms.

The Longview School District has never taught critical race theory, said district spokesperson Rick Parrish. While he cannot see every complaint that falls on the desks of school and district leaders, Parrish said they have not seen an increase in complaints over gender identity or parents who claim their child is being taught critical race theory.

We really have nothing to do with any of this, Parrish told The Daily News.

Mumford, whose marriage to Gary Schmauder in 2012 was reportedly the first gay marriage in Cowlitz County, said the push to discourage kids from talking about or using preferred pronouns reminds him of his own struggles as a young gay Christian boy.

Its very offensive to claim what theyre claiming, Mumford said, who is still a devout Christian. In my book, its not Christianity. Its the same hateful attitudes.

Payne said while they are not trying to attack specific teachers or schools, they want parents to have more choice and access to what school boards approve. And if the school boards are not reflecting parents values, Payne said, the institute helps get new members elected.

Payne said students are being taught social and cultural values over basic skills like math, reading and science. This was made clear by recent drops in test scores, he said.

I dont want to get into what theyre teaching very specifically, and its certainly not a reflection on one school, Payne said. But the scores themselves are indicative of what were not teaching. Were not teaching reading skills. Were not teaching math.

While test scores in Longview and Kelso slightly dipped in recent years, district leaders have pointed to the years students spent in remote or hybrid learning as the main cause for these drops rather than any specific change in curriculum.

Data from the Longview School District shows students are largely on track to meet their yearly growth goals, according to school board documents from the April 6 meeting.

Only two grades between second and eighth are reporting reading scores worse than what they were last year, trailing by about 1%. Math scores have fared slightly worse but do not suggest dramatic losses; students in nearly every grade are behind by about 1% to 3%.

Mumford said he knows several people who work in education and is assured none of the concerns over critical race theory or inappropriate sexual health education are accurate.

As someone who had a long career working with kids as a social worker, Mumford said he felt the conference would scare parents into believing their child was being indoctrinated.

That attitude, Mumford said, is what sends struggling kids into an anxious depression.

Dont make my life more miserable by trying to fight against things like normalizing (LGBTQ+ people) in school, because I know whats coming next, Mumford said. Whats next is restricting books in our library. There is nothing wrong with a book that shows two dads or two moms. The worst thing we can do to our kids is hide them away from reality and act like it doesnt exist.
A substance-use disorder professional was charged with theft after getting paid for work she didnt do while contracted with Cowlitz County, according to court documents.

Lauri Anne Rowland, 52, of Woodland pleaded not guilty in October to two counts of first-degree theft and two counts of attempted first-degree theft.

Almost every year since 2010, the Cowlitz County Health and Human Services Department contracted with Rowland, a substance-use disorder professional doing business as Choices, to evaluate jail inmates and Drug Court participants, according to county meeting documents.

Most recently, Rowland was hired to assess inmates incarcerated for drug-related crimes to determine if they qualify for Drug Court or inpatient treatment. The last contract was an amount not to exceed $58,500 from July 2020 to June 30, 2021, funded with state Criminal Justice Treatment Account money.

Rowland was required to submit monthly invoices and programmatic treatment reports, which included a list of clients who were assessed in the jail.

The county Health and Human Services department paid Rowland a total of $21,000 for March and April, later determined to be fraudulent because Rowland didnt provide the services for which she was billing, according to a state accountability audit that reviewed the loss of funds.

The department did not pay the total $37,600 Rowland invoiced for May and June 2021, initially because Rowland failed to provide paperwork, according to the probable cause statement.

A closer look at reports indicated assessments did not take place, the police report states.

The county reported the loss of funds to Longview police and the Washington State Auditors Office, according to the audit report.

Investigation

Longview Police Detective Brian Durbin told The Daily News some time passed between the alleged theft and Rowlands arrest because there was a lot of information to collect and pass on to police, as well as follow-up during the investigation.

Durbin looked up clients listed in Rowlands March through June 2021 reports in a law enforcement database, determining none were incarcerated at the time the assessments were reportedly performed, according to the probable cause statement. The May report included some subjects who were deceased prior to their listed assessment dates, the police report says.

The detective spoke with multiple people listed on the reports and confirmed they werent in jail at the time and hadnt been assessed by Rowland, according to the probable cause statement.

Rowland claimed to have done a high number of assessments during a period of time when COVID-19 and the February 2021 Blake decision  which threw out the states simple drug possession law  made that unlikely, Durbin said, because fewer people were jailed.

The Cowlitz County Jails average daily population in March to June 2021 was 135, nearly half the average of 262 during the same months in 2019, said Marin Fox, corrections director.

In 2020 and 2021, the jail restricted the number of inmates because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a rising number of people needing individual cells because of mental health problems.

The jails daily census is now closer to pre-pandemic averages of about 200 or higher, and the only booking restriction in place is for driving with a suspended license, Fox said.

Rowland agreed to turn herself in and was booked on Oct. 12, according to court documents. She was arraigned the following week and plead not guilty. Rowlands trial was set for next week but is being rescheduled.

The county no longer contracts with Rowland, the audit report states. Rowlands substance-use disorder professional certification expired in January, according to the Department of Health.
Elon Musk has incorporated an entity called X.AI in the state of Nevada, potentially laying the groundwork for a startup that could pursue his artificial intelligence ambitions.

Musk and Jared Birchall, who operates Musk's family office, incorporated X.AI in March, according to a Nevada state filing with the Secretary of State. The document doesn't list the company's purpose, and Musk didn't respond to a request for comment. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the existence of the entity.

Musk has frequently publicly criticized OpenAI, the highest-profile AI startup. In February, tech news site the Information said that Musk had approached researchers about forming a new AI research lab to rival the ChatGPT and Dall-E creator. Igor Babuschkin, a former employee at Alphabet Inc.'s DeepMind, said that he and Musk had discussed putting together a team.

The efforts could be part of Musk's larger ambitions to create a superapp. The chief executive officer of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter, has long talked about creating an everything app called X. He recently merged Twitter into a parent corporation called X Corp. He has said that the social network will be an accelerant for creating X.

On Friday, the Financial Times reported that Musk is holding discussions with Tesla Inc. and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. investors about helping fund an AI startup, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

The billionaire has acquired thousands of processors from Nvidia Corp. for the new project, the paper said. That news helped boost shares of the chipmaker Friday, with the stock gaining as much as 1.6% following a decline earlier in the session.

Despite his work around AI, Musk was among a group of researchers and tech industry leaders that last month called for developers to pause the training of powerful AI models.

He was also involved early on in the creation of OpenAI. Musk helped start the organization in 2015 and served as as co-chair along with Sam Altman, the current CEO. At the time, OpenAI's goal was to advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return.

Musk left OpenAI's board in 2018 and has since criticized the organization, which created a for-profit arm in 2019. He has expressed worry that it was training AI to be woke and said it was effectively controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft Corp. has invested $10 billion into OpenAI.

Altman, talking in a podcast about Musk's concerns, called him a jerk while noting he believes Musk is feeling very stressed about what the future's going to look like for humanity.
Smoke billows from the Hankook Ilbo newspaper building where The Korea Times and its sister papers were located, Feb. 27, 1968. Thousands of people sent letters of condolences to The Korea Times and its sister papers after the fire destroyed the building. Korea Times file



The following is a contribution by Kim Myong-sik, former managing editor of The Korea Times, on the relationship of the English media outlet and the United States Forces Korea, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the alliance between South Korea and the United States.  ED.



By Kim Myong-sik



The U.S. Army bus that carried international journalists covering the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) meeting between the U.N. Command (UNC) and North Korean officers at the Panmunjeom truce village unloaded us at Gwanghwamun intersection in the very center of Seoul, one afternoon in February 1968. Leaving the group, I walked up to The Korea Times' building a few blocks away to write a story of the day's debate in the MAC conference room exchanged by the two adversaries of the 1950-53 Korean War that had ended a decade and a half earlier.



As I approached the three-story building, shared by the five "sister papers" of the Hankook Ilbo newspaper group, I spotted smoke rising from the ground where my office had stood when I had left it early that morning. A fire that started from the underground printing shop had destroyed the whole structure, killing seven employees. There was little time to save machines or other equipment before the fire, helped by printing oil, quickly engulfed the structure. Luckily, a new office was being built at an adjoining site and the owner, Chang Key-young, decided that all five newspapers, including The Korea Times, should continue publishing despite the disaster.



My editor, as soon as he found me in the hapless crowd of reporters, told me to go immediately to the Eighth U.S. Army in Yongsan Garrison and borrow as many typewriters as possible from whoever was willing to help us. I and the driver of a 1-ton truck headed directly to the South Post, the residential area of the garrison, where I was met by a group of officers' wives who were already informed of the big fire at The Korea Times. Soon, the ladies brought nearly 30 typewriters, large and small, old and new, from their living quarters and loaded them in the truck. As I thanked them, they said they were just happy to help us and that they didn't need the machines returned.



So, we continued our work in a makeshift editorial room with the donated typewriters without missing a day's edition after the fire. We knew why the military wives were so willing: They, like their husbands, depended so much on the newspaper for their life in Korea and wanted to be able to read it the next morning. Perhaps they also were aware that the primary reason for the founding of The Korea Times during the early days of the Korean War was to help inform the U.S. military personnel of what was going on in the country they had come to defend  on the frontline and elsewhere.





The inaugural edition of The Korea Times published on Nov. 1, 1950 when the nation was in the middle of the Korean War / Korea Times file

The inaugural edition of The Korea Times, issued on Nov. 1, 1950, barely a month after Seoul was recaptured from the North's Korean People's Army following the Inchon Landing directed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, stated in its editorial: "Korea is not 'the Hermit Nation' anymore. She shed the coat of long dormancy, and, stepping out of her ancient shell has become a booming voice echoing all over the world  This is a really memorable new start for Korean people, and now is the opportune moment to build a free, democratic and unified Korea."



The Korean Ministry of Information purchased thousands of copies from the company every day to distribute them among U.S. Army and Air Force personnel who were deployed here from Japan and the mainland. The Korea Times thus started as a government operation, but its reporters and editors, journalists as they were, did not always follow official instructions and occasionally carried articles critical of government policies. In 1953, the ministry turned the newspaper over to a young financier named Chang Key-young who was planning to establish a media company.



The government's free supply of the English-language newspaper was discontinued, but the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has been the major subscriber to the newspaper along with members of the various foreign aid agencies, diplomats, missionaries and English-learning and English-speaking Korean students. The Korea Times devoted a large portion of its space to coverage of the USFK, with much spotlight given to the activities of its commander, concurrently the UNC commander-in-chief, which had big military as well as political significance here.



The fire at my office building took place in a particularly eventful year in post-war history. On Jan. 23, 1968, the U.S. intelligence-gathering ship Pueblo with a crew of 83 was seized by the North Korean Navy off the port of Wonsan and teams of North Korean guerrillas appeared in Seoul and coastal areas throughout the year. There were many reinforcements of men and equipment from the U.S. and joint exercises were held with the South Korean forces in an effort to cope with the increased military threats from the North. The Pueblo crew were freed on Christmas Eve later that year but military tension continued on the Korean Peninsula while war was raging in Vietnam.





An employee works at the print shop of The Korea Times in 1968. Korea Times file
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (NYSE:AGD  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 25,800 shares, a growth of 166.0% from the March 15th total of 9,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 66,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund by 14.8% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 30,220 shares of the companys stock valued at $338,000 after purchasing an additional 3,900 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund by 8.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 45,650 shares of the companys stock valued at $511,000 after purchasing an additional 3,526 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund by 22.3% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 634,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,109,000 after purchasing an additional 115,786 shares during the period. UBS Group AG lifted its position in Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund by 6.3% during the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 141,713 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,328,000 after purchasing an additional 8,424 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund by 63.0% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 230,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 89,072 shares during the period.

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Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund Price Performance

Shares of AGD remained flat at $9.48 during trading hours on Friday. 53,166 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 63,438. Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund has a 12-month low of $8.23 and a 12-month high of $11.06. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.34.

Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund Announces Dividend

About Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.065 per share. This represents a $0.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 20th.

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abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund is a mutual fund, closed-end investment trust. It focuses on long-term growth of capital and seeks high current dividend income. The company was founded on May 11, 2006 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA.

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Finnair Oyj (OTCMKTS:FNNNF  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 312,900 shares, a decline of 64.8% from the March 15th total of 888,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently  days.

Finnair Oyj Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:FNNNF remained flat at $0.52 on Friday. Finnair Oyj has a 1-year low of $0.36 and a 1-year high of $0.66. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $0.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.48.

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Finnair Oyj engages in the provision of airport transport and supporting services. It offers flight connections to people travelling between Asian megacities and Europe. The company was founded on November 1, 1923 and is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland.

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Grupo Herdez, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GUZOF  Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 59,500 shares, a drop of 65.0% from the March 15th total of 169,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 18.6 days.

Grupo Herdez Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS GUZOF remained flat at C$2.35 on Friday. Grupo Herdez has a 12 month low of C$1.22 and a 12 month high of C$2.59. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$2.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$2.15.

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Grupo Herdez, SAB. de C.V., a food company, engages in the manufacture, purchase, distribution, and marketing of canned and packed food products in Mexico and internationally. It provides mushrooms, vegetable juices, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, moles, tomato puree, jams, pastas, homemade sauces, ice creams, tea, soy sauce, tuna, coffee, spices, pasta sauces, hot sauces, ketchup, canned chilies, vegetables, olives, nopalitos, guacamole, sauces, enchilada sauces, taco sauce, chiles, tortillas, mayonnaise, marmalades, and organic products under the Aires de Campo, Barilla, Blason, Bufalo, Cielito Querido Cafe, Del Fuerte, Dona Maria, Embasa, Helados Nestle, Herdez, McCormick, Moyo, Nutrisa, La Victoria, Wholly Guacamole, Yemina, Carlota, ChiChi's, Don Miguel, Nutrisa, Nestle Ice Cream, Cielito Dear Coffee, and Moyo brands.

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Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NKG  Get Rating) was the target of a large drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 600 shares, a drop of 88.9% from the March 15th total of 5,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 21,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sit Investment Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,534,000. Carson Advisory Inc. grew its stake in shares of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 90.6% in the 3rd quarter. Carson Advisory Inc. now owns 362,855 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,465,000 after purchasing an additional 172,460 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 188.1% in the 4th quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 51,129 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $518,000 after purchasing an additional 33,383 shares during the last quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC now owns 166,033 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,933,000 after purchasing an additional 20,556 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates grew its stake in shares of Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund by 39.4% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 72,628 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $736,000 after purchasing an additional 20,536 shares during the last quarter.

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Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NKG traded down $0.10 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.10. 20,906 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 21,483. Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund has a twelve month low of $9.40 and a twelve month high of $11.59. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $10.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.04.

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund Cuts Dividend

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.004 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $0.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.48%.

(Get Rating)

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the Georgia. The fund invests into undervalued municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes.

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This photo provided by the provincial government of Gyeonggi Province shows Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, left, holding an investment ceremony with the head of ESR-Kendall Square in New York, April 13. Yonhap



The governor of Korea's most populous province has attracted a combined 4 trillion won ($3.06 billion) in investment from four companies during his first trip to the United States, the provincial government said Sunday.



Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, held an investment attraction event in New York on Thursday (local time), in which ESR-Kendall Square, the Korean unit of Asia-Pacific real estate manager ESR Group, promised to invest 3 trillion won to help build a mega-size logistics center in the province over the next seven years.



The former Korean finance minister also inked an investment deal worth 500 billion won with Air Products, a Pennsylvania-based firm selling gases and chemicals for industrial uses.



The deal calls for a five-year investment in expanding production facilities for industrial-use gases essential for chipmaking in Yongin, Pyeongtaek and other areas of Gyeonggi Province.



During the U.S. trip, Kim has also received a promise by two other companies to invest around 500 billion won in Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital Seoul.



"Of the four companies, at least two expressed intent to make additional investment," Kim told reporters who accompanied him on the latest trip, expressing "satisfaction" over the outcome of the trip.



Kim visited five U.S. states, including Michigan and New York, from April 9-15 as part of his trip aimed at drawing overseas investments and expanding training opportunities for Korean youths. His overseas trip also includes a stop in Japan from April 16-19. (Yonhap)


Sweet Earth Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:SEHCF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decrease of 83.3% from the March 15th total of 600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Sweet Earth Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:SEHCF traded down $0.01 on Friday, hitting $0.01. 10,284 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,530. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.02 and a 200-day moving average of $0.03. Sweet Earth has a fifty-two week low of $0.01 and a fifty-two week high of $0.14.

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Sweet Earth Company Profile

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Sweet Earth Holdings Corporation cultivates, processes, and sells hemp cannabidiol (CBD) products in the United States and Spain. The company offers CBD and hemp infused facial products, including CBD hydration creams, oat and honey cleansers, and soothing CBD lip balms; and botanicals and essential oils, such as balancing CBD jasmine oils, soothing CBD bath salt soaks, invigorating CBD neem and turmeric scrubs, and aloe-infused CBD hand sanitizers for body and skin care.

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Alaska Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 22,046 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $910,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 326,822,162 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,144,788,000 after acquiring an additional 3,920,830 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 20.9% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 105,621,983 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,248,626,000 after acquiring an additional 18,252,701 shares in the last quarter. Sanders Capital LLC raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.7% during the third quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 25,041,576 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,007,172,000 after acquiring an additional 416,171 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.3% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,901,706 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,061,357,000 after acquiring an additional 64,080 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.8% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 19,030,663 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $765,495,000 after acquiring an additional 153,177 shares in the last quarter. 72.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

WFC has been the topic of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $60.00 to $50.00 in a report on Friday, January 6th. StockNews.com started coverage on Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Cfra upgraded Wells Fargo & Company to a buy rating and set a $50.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $49.00 to $46.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $58.00 to $47.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.91.

Insider Buying and Selling

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

In related news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 34,698 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.27, for a total transaction of $1,605,476.46. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 19,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at $906,429.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Shares of NYSE WFC traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $39.64. 40,963,063 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 24,932,980. The firm has a market capitalization of $149.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $49.49. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $42.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.48.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.15 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $20.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.06 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 9.28% and a net margin of 15.91%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.88 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.66 EPS for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 3rd were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.03%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 38.22%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

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Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management.

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Schindler Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SHLAF  Get Rating) has received an average rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $181.25.

Several research firms have commented on SHLAF. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Schindler from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Barclays raised shares of Schindler from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Finally, HSBC lowered shares of Schindler from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd.

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Schindler Stock Performance

Shares of Schindler stock opened at $208.00 on Friday. Schindler has a 1 year low of $150.96 and a 1 year high of $236.50. The firms 50-day moving average is $222.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $198.28.

Schindler Company Profile

Schindler Holding AG engages in the design, manufacture, and installation of elevator and escalator systems. It also offers moving walks, transit management solutions, and related maintenance and repair services. The company was founded by Robert Schindler and Eduard Villiger in 1874 and is headquartered in Hergiswil, Switzerland.

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Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,870 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 157 shares during the quarter. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $658,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Two Sigma Advisers LP bought a new position in NextEra Energy during the third quarter valued at $24,166,000. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 28.6% in the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,899 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $384,000 after acquiring an additional 1,090 shares during the last quarter. M. Kraus & Co lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. M. Kraus & Co now owns 139,454 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $11,658,000 after acquiring an additional 3,229 shares during the last quarter. McAdam LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 3,374 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $265,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oxler Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 42,270 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,314,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.17% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim lowered their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $102.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $97.00 to $94.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Bank of America lowered shares of NextEra Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $94.00 to $80.00 in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $110.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $91.58.

Insider Transactions at NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy Trading Down 1.1 %

In other news, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. acquired 13,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $75.44 per share, with a total value of $995,808.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 129,230 shares in the company, valued at $9,749,111.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In other news, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. acquired 13,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $75.44 per share, with a total value of $995,808.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 129,230 shares in the company, valued at $9,749,111.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Terrell Kirk Crews II acquired 2,672 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $74.87 per share, for a total transaction of $200,052.64. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 33,170 shares in the company, valued at $2,483,437.90. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders have bought a total of 18,872 shares of company stock valued at $1,417,721 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

NYSE NEE opened at $78.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.51. The company has a market capitalization of $157.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.47. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $75.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $78.98. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $67.22 and a one year high of $91.35.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $6.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.58 billion. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 19.79% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were given a $0.4675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.40%. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 89.47%.

About NextEra Energy

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NextEra Energy, Inc engages in the provision of renewable energy. It operates through the following segments: FPL and NEER. The FPL segment involves the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Florida. The NEER segment produces electricity from clean and renewable sources, including wind and solar.

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Credit Suisse Group upgraded shares of TransAlta (NYSE:TAC  Get Rating) (TSE:TA) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on TAC. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of TransAlta from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of TransAlta from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of TransAlta from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.10.

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TransAlta Stock Down 0.6 %

TAC stock opened at $9.22 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 461.00 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32. TransAlta has a 12 month low of $7.55 and a 12 month high of $11.85. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $8.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.90.

Institutional Trading of TransAlta

TransAlta ( NYSE:TAC Get Rating ) (TSE:TA) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 23rd. The utilities provider reported ($0.45) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.96). The business had revenue of $629.08 million during the quarter. TransAlta had a net margin of 1.19% and a return on equity of 0.08%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that TransAlta will post 0.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Addenda Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of TransAlta during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of TransAlta by 50.4% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,434 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 1,151 shares during the period. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TransAlta during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of TransAlta by 1,416.1% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 5,276 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 4,928 shares during the period. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in shares of TransAlta by 153.2% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 5,497 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 3,326 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the companys stock.

About TransAlta

(Get Rating)

TransAlta Corp. engages in the generation and distribution of electricity through wind, hydro, gas and coal power plants. It operates through the following business segments: Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas, Energy Transition, Energy Marketing, and Corporate. The Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas and Energy Transition business segments are responsible for operating and maintaining the companys electrical generation facilities in Canada, Australia, and the US.

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Caldwell Investment Management Ltd. lowered its stake in Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 17,700 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 1,700 shares during the period. Devon Energy accounts for approximately 1.2% of Caldwell Investment Management Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Caldwell Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Devon Energy were worth $1,090,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of Devon Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Devon Energy by 115.0% during the 4th quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Financial Enhancement Group LLC acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors own 78.08% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $82.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and issued a $71.00 target price on shares of Devon Energy in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $80.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $84.00 to $71.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $71.89.

Devon Energy Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of DVN stock opened at $55.70 on Friday. Devon Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $44.03 and a 52-week high of $79.40. The stock has a market cap of $36.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.16 and a beta of 2.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.25. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $53.55 and a 200-day moving average of $61.90.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The energy company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.75 by ($0.09). Devon Energy had a return on equity of 52.20% and a net margin of 31.38%. The firm had revenue of $4.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.29 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.39 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Devon Energy Co. will post 6.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Devon Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a None dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a yield of 9.3%. This is a positive change from Devon Energys previous None dividend of $0.49. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 8.77%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director John E. Bethancourt acquired 3,765 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $53.06 per share, with a total value of $199,770.90. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 94,669 shares in the company, valued at $5,023,137.14. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 7,179 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.77, for a total value of $393,193.83. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 262,498 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,377,015.46. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director John E. Bethancourt bought 3,765 shares of Devon Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $53.06 per share, for a total transaction of $199,770.90. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 94,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,023,137.14. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Devon Energy Profile

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Devon Energy Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties. It develops and operates Delaware Basin, Eagle Ford, Heavy Oil, Barnett Shale, STACK, and Rockies Oil. The company was founded by J. Larry Nichols and John W. Nichols in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK.

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Saga Communications (NYSE:SGA  Get Rating) and E.W. Scripps (NYSE:SSP  Get Rating) are both small-cap consumer services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and valuation.

Dividends

Saga Communications pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.2%. E.W. Scripps pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Saga Communications pays out 65.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. E.W. Scripps pays out 12.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Saga Communications and E.W. Scripps top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Saga Communications $114.89 million 1.27 $9.31 million $1.52 15.63 E.W. Scripps $2.45 billion 0.31 $137.07 million $1.64 5.58

Profitability

E.W. Scripps has higher revenue and earnings than Saga Communications. E.W. Scripps is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Saga Communications, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Saga Communications and E.W. Scripps net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Saga Communications N/A N/A N/A E.W. Scripps N/A N/A N/A

Risk & Volatility

Saga Communications has a beta of 0.36, meaning that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, E.W. Scripps has a beta of 1.81, meaning that its stock price is 81% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

82.4% of Saga Communications shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.4% of E.W. Scripps shares are owned by institutional investors. 17.8% of Saga Communications shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.6% of E.W. Scripps shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Saga Communications and E.W. Scripps, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Saga Communications 0 0 0 0 N/A E.W. Scripps 0 0 0 0 N/A

About Saga Communications

(Get Rating)

Saga Communications, Inc. operates as a broadcasting company, which engages in the acquisition, development, and operation of broadcast properties. The company was founded by Edward K. Christian in 1986 and is headquartered in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

About E.W. Scripps

(Get Rating)

The E.W. Scripps Co. engages in television and newspaper publishing. It operates through the following business segments: Local Media, Scripps Networks, and Other. The Local Media segment consists of local broadcast television stations and their related digital operations. The Scripps Networks segment consists of national television networks. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.

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Trelleborg AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TBABF  Get Rating) and GUD (OTCMKTS:GUDHF  Get Rating) are both industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership and valuation.

Dividends

Trelleborg AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of $2.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.8%. GUD pays an annual dividend of C$0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.9%. Trelleborg AB (publ) pays out 29.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. GUD pays out 85.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Trelleborg AB (publ) is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Trelleborg AB (publ) and GUDs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Trelleborg AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A $7.66 3.39 GUD N/A N/A N/A C$0.42 14.55

Profitability

Trelleborg AB (publ) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than GUD, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Trelleborg AB (publ) and GUDs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Trelleborg AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A GUD N/A N/A N/A

Insider and Institutional Ownership

41.0% of Trelleborg AB (publ) shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 16.5% of GUD shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Trelleborg AB (publ) and GUD, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Trelleborg AB (publ) 0 2 1 0 2.33 GUD 0 1 0 0 2.00

GUD has a consensus price target of C$9.95, suggesting a potential upside of 62.05%. Given GUDs higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe GUD is more favorable than Trelleborg AB (publ).

Summary

Trelleborg AB (publ) beats GUD on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Trelleborg AB (publ)

(Get Rating)

Trelleborg AB engages in the development of polymer technology system. It operates through the following segments: Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Trelleborg Wheel Systems. The Trelleborg Industrial Solutions segment provides fluid handling solutions, industrial antivibration solutions and niche applications in sealing systems. The Trelleborg Sealing Solutions segment includes precision seals for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. The Trelleborg Wheel Systems business area offers wheels and wheel systems for high load materials handling vehicles such as tractors, forklift trucks, and agricultural and forestry machinery. The company was founded by Henry Dunker in 1905 and is headquartered in Trelleborg, Sweden.

About GUD

(Get Rating)

GUD Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and importation, distribution, and sale of automotive products, pumps, pool and spa systems, and water pressure systems in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, France, and the United States. It operates through Automotive, Auto Pacific Group, and Davey segments. The Automotive segment offers automotive and heavy-duty filters for cars, trucks, and agricultural and mining equipment; and fuel pumps and associated products for the automotive after-market. The Auto Pacific Group segment manufactures and markets towing, trailering, functional accessories, and associated products for the automotive aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer customers. The Davey segment provides pumps and pressure systems for household and farm water; water transfer pumps; swimming pool products; spa bath controllers; and pumps and water purification equipment. The company was incorporated in 1958 and is based in Altona North, Australia.

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Garrison Point Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 120 shares during the quarter. Garrison Point Advisors LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $1,163,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ITW. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,024,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,899,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 54.7% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,859 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $599,000 after acquiring an additional 1,011 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 9.9% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,407 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 70.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 746 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $156,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares during the period. 79.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ITW has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $259.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $211.00 to $205.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $222.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $224.43.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

NYSE:ITW opened at $231.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. The company has a market cap of $70.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 1.10. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $173.52 and a fifty-two week high of $253.37. The firms 50 day moving average is $234.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $223.09.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by ($0.26). The company had revenue of $3.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.90 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 87.15% and a net margin of 19.04%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.95 EPS. Analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.51 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st were paid a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 30th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is presently 53.58%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.26, for a total transaction of $14,809,337.62. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,072 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,868,130.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Vice Chairman Christopher A. Oherlihy sold 60,137 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.26, for a total transaction of $14,809,337.62. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,072 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,868,130.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ernest Scott Santi sold 235,656 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.29, for a total transaction of $58,039,716.24. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 213,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at $52,592,274.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

Illinois Tool Works Profile

(Get Rating)

Illinois Tool Works, Inc engages in the manufacture of industrial products and equipment. It operates through the following segments: Automotive OEM, Test and Measurement and Electronics, Food Equipment, Polymers and Fluids, Welding, Construction Products, and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment produces components and fasteners for automotive-related applications.

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Nomura lowered shares of Infosys (NYSE:INFY  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

INFY has been the topic of a number of other reports. Citigroup lowered shares of Infosys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Infosys in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Infosys from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, January 13th. Finally, Wedbush decreased their target price on shares of Infosys from $25.00 to $22.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.33.

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Infosys Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE INFY opened at $15.18 on Thursday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $17.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.28. Infosys has a 52-week low of $15.06 and a 52-week high of $20.93. The firm has a market cap of $63.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Infosys

Infosys ( NYSE:INFY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 13th. The technology company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.73 billion. Infosys had a return on equity of 31.23% and a net margin of 16.66%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Infosys will post 0.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in INFY. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Infosys in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Schubert & Co increased its stake in Infosys by 73.8% during the 4th quarter. Schubert & Co now owns 1,557 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 661 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Infosys by 75.6% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,902 shares of the technology companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 819 shares in the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Infosys by 42.9% during the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,922 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 577 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Infosys during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. 12.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Infosys Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Infosys Ltd. is a digital services and consulting company, which engages in the provision of end-to-end business solutions. It operates through the following segments: Financial Services, Retail, Communication, Energy, Utilities, Resources, and Services, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech, Life Sciences, and All Other.

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French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna speaks during a reception aboard French frigate Prairial, docked in Incheon, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo



France opens new embassy building in Seoul



By Kwon Mee-yoo



French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna emphasized France's commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region during her visit to Korea.



"We are determined to deepen our commitment to preserving peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region as part of our Indo-Pacific strategy adopted in 2018 in collaboration with our strategic partners," Colonna said during a reception on board French frigate Prairial, docked at Incheon Port, Saturday.



The frigate arrived in Korea after transiting through the Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions in the area due to China's military drills there. However, Colonna noted that the frigate's passage through the waters was charted on the surveillance frigate's route before China's drills or French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China.



"The journey traveled by Prairial and its missions are a perfect illustration of (France's Indo-Pacific strategy). It began with a mission to combat illegal fishing for the Pacific Islands Forum. It conducted operations alongside the Philippine Coast Guard and the navy of our strategic partner, Vietnam. Next, it held a training course for the Royal Cambodian Navy, before reaching South Korea via the Taiwan Strait, through which it transited a few days ago, in line with the law of the sea," she said.





French frigate Prairial navigates Korea's western waters near the port of Incheon, Thursday. The frigate visited Korea on its surveillance mission in the Indo-Pacific, including the French territories of New Caledonia and Polynesia. Yonhap



On Friday, Colonna met with Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and held the fourth South Korea-France strategic dialogue with her South Korean counterpart Park Jin.



She said President Macron wanted to visit South Korea, but wasn't able due to schedule conflicts.



"President Yoon invited President Macron and he is eager to come to Korea to strengthen our ties, so there will be a presidential visit later this year or next year," Colonna said.



The minister also visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) aboard a French helicopter Saturday morning to show solidarity with South Korea against North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear threats.



She reaffirmed the French government's support for South Korea, saying it "will not compromise on the imperative of complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea."



"We will continue to rally our diplomatic and military assets, such as the frigate Prairial, to ensure that Security Council resolutions, which apply to all, are respected," Colonna added.



She also highlighted various cooperation projects between France and Korea, including in the fields of security, economy, industry and technology.



"We want to further encourage Korean investment in France by promoting projects in areas such as batteries and also to welcome additional French investments. This would facilitate a lot of areas of cooperation for the future," she said.





South Korea's first lady Kim Keon Hee, center, takes a look around France's new embassy building during its opening ceremony, Saturday. Courtesy of presidential office



New embassy building design combines Korean, French elements



Later that day, Colonna attended a ceremony commemorating the opening of France's new embassy building in central Seoul.



The building, designed by Cho Min-suk of Mass Studies and Yoon Tae-hoon of Sathy, carries on the legacy of the original embassy edifice, designed by the late Korean architect Kim Chung-up in the 1960s.



Kim, the only South Korean who worked in renowned French architect Le Corbusier's atelier, integrated traditional Korean elements with French sophistication in the embassy's design. The building's distinguishing feature was its curved roof, which embodies a distinct Korean structural influence and is considered one of the masterpieces of modern Korean architecture.



Minister Colonna described the roof as "light as air and full of boldness."



Cho and Yoon restored Kim's design close to its original state, which has now been renamed the Kim Chung-up Pavilion in honor of the architect. They also designed additional buildings to serve as the embassy's workplace.





South Korea's first lady Kim Keon Hee, second from left, and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, second from right, cut the tape during a ceremony celebrating the opening of France's new embassy building in central Seoul, Saturday. From left are French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort, Kim, Colonna and South Korean Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Min-shik. Yonhap
Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:MNARF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 24,600 shares, a decline of 38.7% from the March 15th total of 40,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 246.0 days.

Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance

Shares of MNARF remained flat at $12.86 during mid-day trading on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.27. Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust has a one year low of $10.54 and a one year high of $15.88.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, TD Securities boosted their price objective on Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$22.00 to C$23.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 16th.

About Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust

Morguard North American Residential REIT is an open-ended real estate investment trust. The firm owns a diversified portfolio of multi-suite residential rental properties. Its primary objectives are to generate stable and growing cash distributions to unit holders on a tax-efficient basis, and to enhance the value of the real estate investment trusts assets and maximize long-term value of the units through active asset and property management, and to expand the asset base of the REIT and increase adjusted funds from operations per unit primarily through acquisitions and property improvements of its properties through targeted and strategically deployed capital expenditures.

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Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO  Get Rating) had its price objective increased by Oppenheimer from $73.00 to $79.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. Oppenheimer also issued estimates for Apollo Global Managements FY2024 earnings at $7.14 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the company. TheStreet upgraded Apollo Global Management from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 10th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $69.00 to $68.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 13th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $80.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Apollo Global Management in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.06.

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Apollo Global Management Price Performance

Shares of NYSE APO opened at $65.01 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $65.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.92. Apollo Global Management has a twelve month low of $45.62 and a twelve month high of $74.63.

Apollo Global Management Dividend Announcement

Insiders Place Their Bets

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 21st were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.46%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 17th. Apollo Global Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -28.67%.

In other Apollo Global Management news, insider John J. Suydam sold 33,334 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total value of $2,400,048.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 277,076 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,949,472. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Apollo Global Management news, insider John J. Suydam sold 33,334 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total value of $2,400,048.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 277,076 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,949,472. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Martin Kelly sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.44, for a total value of $2,113,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 414,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,179,136.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 111,667 shares of company stock worth $7,898,208. 15.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 4,159 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the period. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC now owns 47,350 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,020,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the period. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 14.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,335 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 5,709 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 19,740 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,250,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.98% of the companys stock.

About Apollo Global Management

(Get Rating)

Apollo Global Management, Inc provides asset management services. It offers its clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three business strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. The company was founded by Marc Rowan in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Further Reading

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Asante Gold Co. (OTCMKTS:ASGOF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 98.1% from the March 15th total of 5,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Asante Gold Trading Down 2.0 %

OTCMKTS:ASGOF opened at C$1.19 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$1.14 and its 200 day moving average is C$1.05. Asante Gold has a 12 month low of C$0.70 and a 12 month high of C$1.73.

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Asante Gold Company Profile

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Asante Gold Corp. operates as a gold exploration and development company. The firm focuses on developing high margin gold projects including the Bibiani and Kubi Gold mines located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. It has portfolio of projects in Ghana, Africas largest and safest gold producer.

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Singapore Telecommunications Limited (OTCMKTS:SGAPY  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,900 shares, an increase of 360.0% from the March 15th total of 1,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 101,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Singapore Telecommunications Stock Down 1.2 %

Singapore Telecommunications stock traded down $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $18.78. 37,459 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 46,371. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $18.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.55. Singapore Telecommunications has a one year low of $16.19 and a one year high of $20.99.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Singapore Telecommunications from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th.

Singapore Telecommunications Company Profile

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. is an investment holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications systems and services. It operates through the following segments: Group Consumer, Group Enterprise, Group Digital Life, and Corporate. The Group Consumer segment includes mobile, pay TV, fixed broadband and voice, as well as equipment sales.

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Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SPTJF  Get Rating) saw a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,059,700 shares, a decline of 21.4% from the March 15th total of 1,347,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 365.4 days.

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Price Performance

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical stock remained flat at $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday. 117,400 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 30,825. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has a fifty-two week low of $0.18 and a fifty-two week high of $0.22. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $0.21.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on SPTJF. HSBC raised shares of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical from a reduce rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D acquired a new stake in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 140,827 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $72,240,000. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D owned approximately 0.06% of Elevance Health at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ELV. Baillie Gifford & Co. purchased a new position in Elevance Health in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,936,996,000. Edmp Inc. acquired a new stake in Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at $6,580,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at $507,648,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Elevance Health by 825.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 758,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $372,715,000 after buying an additional 676,769 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund acquired a new stake in Elevance Health during the 4th quarter valued at $268,441,000. 87.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Elevance Health Trading Down 2.4 %

Elevance Health stock traded down $11.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $484.46. The stock had a trading volume of 941,401 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,052,299. Elevance Health, Inc. has a twelve month low of $440.02 and a twelve month high of $549.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $114.95 billion, a PE ratio of 19.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $474.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $491.06.

Elevance Health Increases Dividend

Elevance Health ( NYSE:ELV Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The company reported $5.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.20 by $0.03. Elevance Health had a return on equity of 19.56% and a net margin of 3.85%. The firm had revenue of $39.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $5.14 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 32.71 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 10th were given a $1.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. This is a positive change from Elevance Healths previous quarterly dividend of $1.28. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Elevance Health

In other Elevance Health news, EVP Gloria M. Mccarthy sold 15,098 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $444.76, for a total value of $6,714,986.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,435 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,876,230.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. SVB Leerink reiterated an outperform rating and set a $580.00 target price on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Thursday, January 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Elevance Health in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Elevance Health from $610.00 to $580.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Loop Capital raised their price objective on Elevance Health from $550.00 to $565.00 in a report on Monday, January 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Elevance Health from $609.00 to $597.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $584.26.

Elevance Health Company Profile

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Elevance Health, Inc operates as a health company, which engages in improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Specialty Business, Government Business, CarelonRx, and Other. The Commercial and Specialty Business segment provides insurance products and services such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability and supplemental health insurance.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 1.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,258,038 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,839 shares during the quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D owned 0.06% of Bristol-Myers Squibb worth $90,516,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 1,068,993 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $76,914,000 after purchasing an additional 17,557 shares in the last quarter. Allegiance Financial Group Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at $268,000. Cypress Capital LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Cypress Capital LLC now owns 31,396 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,259,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 42.6% during the 4th quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 11,578 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $833,000 after purchasing an additional 3,459 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SP Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at $520,000. Institutional investors own 75.51% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY traded down $0.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $70.45. 6,260,425 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,215,963. The firm has a market cap of $148.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.45. The stocks fifty day moving average is $69.55 and its 200 day moving average is $72.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $65.28 and a one year high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $11.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.20 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 13.71% and a return on equity of 51.60%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.83 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 10th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.24%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 77.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total transaction of $17,916,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares in the company, valued at $17,625,163.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Ann Powell sold 11,183 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total transaction of $835,258.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,043 shares in the company, valued at $1,721,081.67. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total transaction of $17,916,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,625,163.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BMY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Atlantic Securities boosted their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $79.69.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get Rating)

Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) by 0.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,050,199 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,558 shares during the quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Altria Group were worth $48,005,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 140,965 shares of the companys stock worth $5,692,000 after acquiring an additional 6,588 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 35.1% in the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 72,673 shares of the companys stock worth $2,946,000 after acquiring an additional 18,891 shares in the last quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 14,223 shares of the companys stock worth $664,000 after acquiring an additional 715 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 12,870 shares of the companys stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 36.2% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 128,178 shares of the companys stock worth $9,151,000 after acquiring an additional 34,055 shares in the last quarter. 58.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock traded up $0.06 on Friday, hitting $45.03. 6,262,448 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,582,886. The firms 50-day moving average price is $46.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $45.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.43 billion, a PE ratio of 14.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.35 and a one year high of $57.05.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.18. The company had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.15 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.97% and a negative return on equity of 284.29%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 18.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.09 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 24th will be given a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.35%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 23rd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 117.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Altria Group from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on Altria Group from $46.50 to $49.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $45.55.

Altria Group Profile

(Get Rating)

Altria Group, Inc operates as a holding company, which engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. It operates through the following segments: Smokeable Products, Oral tobacco products, and Wine. The Smokeable Products segment consists of cigarettes manufactured and sold by PM USA and machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco manufactured and sold by Middleton.

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Cupix, a global spatial digital twin platform that provides visualisation and analytics for owners and builders across the entire built-world lifecycle, said it has added its leading product, CupixWorks, to Bentley Systems powered by iTwin programme.

CupixWorks is a state-of-the-art 3D digital twin platform that enables decision-making and collaboration through all stages of a buildings life cycle.

It also enables project managers, general contractors, architects, and owners to remotely view, track and manage on-site progress via 3D spatial contexts and life-like 3D navigation.

By leveraging the Bentley iTwin Platform, CupixWorks can synchronize and visualize 3D, 360 capture data  along with BIM models plus customized data  and use georeferencing to place the capture in the sites physical location.

"We are excited to add CupixWorks to Bentleys powered by iTwin program," said Simon Bae, the CEO at Cupix.

"The iTwin Platforms visualization and synchronization capabilities help CupixWorks to deliver life-like 3D navigation that feels like youre on site. This improves collaboration for stakeholders - wherever they are - based on whats actually happening at the site," he noted.

Adam Klatzkin, the Vice President for iTwin Platform at Bentley Systems, said: "We are very pleased to have Cupix add their CupixWorks solution to the powered by iTwin programme.

"In doing so, the company joins a growing ecosystem of developers building powerful digital twin solutions on the iTwin Platform. CupixWorks is a great example of how 3D reality capture data and BIM can be synchronized for virtual site navigation and progress tracking of complex construction projects," he added.

Cupix is the trusted partner of choice for delivering the industrys most powerful and easiest-to-use 3D digital twin platform to builders and owners everywhere.

The addition marks another step in Cupixs efforts to democratise 3D digital twin adoption across the built-world industry.

Last year, Cupix announced the release of their CupixWorks X 3D Digital Twin Platform, which is powered by the Gamma Engine 3rd generation AI engine.

The platform launch included enhancements to spatial contexts, progress tracking and analytics, and image fidelity in 360 virtual walkthroughs.
President Yoon Suk Yeol stares at the floor during an event in the presidential office in Seoul, April 6. According to a poll released by Gallup Korea Friday, his approval rating dropped to 27 percent in the wake of U.S. surveillance allegations. It was the first time it fell below 30 percent since November 2022 following the Itaewon crowd disaster that killed at least 158 people. Yonhap



President's popularity crisis revives after Pentagon wiretapping



By Jung Min-ho



Expectations were high among presidential aides and ruling party politicians only two weeks ago when it was announced that President Yoon Suk Yeol would address the U.S. Congress on April 27 during his trip to Washington.



Many thought that his state visit to the United States  the first by a Korean head of state in 12 years  would help him recover his image as a trusted leader and put a stop to his declining approval ratings following his hasty and controversial push to improve relations with Japan.



Yet skepticism is now growing that his visit will do little to achieve those goals. A mix of U.S. surveillance allegations, Washington's irresponsible response and  most importantly  the Yoon administration's poor handling of the situation has put the president in another political bind.



On Saturday, nearly 20,000 protesters gathered in the streets of central Seoul, denouncing the administration for its "humiliating diplomacy."



"Despite the thief who stole our secret safe before the U.S. trip, [the administration] claims that it was a good thief and had goodwill," activist Kim Min-woong said during the protest. "Shouldn't the U.S. apologize? This country (Korea) has become a global pushover, which does not complain even when its sovereignty is violated. Humiliating."



The recently leaked U.S. intelligence documents contain private conversations between top Korean security officials, indicating that Washington may have spied on them and possibly others. U.S. investigators are looking into how the documents wound up online. So far, they have arrested Jack Teixeira, 21, an airman in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, as a key suspect.



When the issue was emerging, Yoon's aides and senior diplomats raised the possibility of a third country's involvement in leaking and doctoring the documents while defending the U.S. Meanwhile, Kim Tae-hyo, the deputy national security director, said there was no evidence suggesting that Washington was spying "with malicious intent."





Kim Tae-hyo, deputy national security director, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Saturday, after returning from his Washington trip. Yonhap
Northwest students among emerging writers, artists contest winners

KEARNEY  A dozen high school students were recently recognized as winners of the third annual Nebraska Emerging Writers and Artists Contest.

The competition was created by the Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to promote literacy and creative activity among young people. Its co-sponsored by the UNK Writing Center, American Democracy Project, Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, Phi Alpha Theta history honor society and UNK Art Society.

Open to any Nebraska high schooler, the contest called for submissions of essays, poems, short stories and artwork using this years theme, Nebraskas Untold Stories, as inspiration.

Two Northwest students were honored for their essay entries. Jacey Knapp earned first place (and $100) with the entry, History of Fort Robinson. Annaliese Anderson took third place ($50) for her entry, POWs in Nebraska.

Winners were selected through a blind review process by committees composed of UNK undergraduate students and led by Kenny Mitchell (poetry), Cassidy Johnson (short story), Delaney Tracy (essay) and Clarissa Paltz (art). The winning students are invited to share their work April 28 during the language and literature conference hosted by the UNK Department of English.

Area students earn FFA speaking awards

LINCOLN  Awards were presented to 32 FFA members for their speaking skills and knowledge of cooperatives during a special awards ceremony on March 31. The FFA Cooperative Speaking Event was part of the State FFA Convention last month in Lincoln.

Central Nebraska students receiving medals were:

GOLD: Maria Moseman, Riverside; and Melany Priester, Boone Central

SILVER: Copeland Carstens, Pleasanton; Austin Rumbeck, Amherst; and Maddie Thober, Riverside

BRONZE: Holten Carstens, Pleasanton

Each contestant was judged on a six- to eight-minute prepared speech on a topic dealing with cooperatives and their benefits to the local, state and national economies. Participants were selected for the competition at district contests throughout the state over the past several months.

Elks Lodge honors local students

The Grand Island Elks Lodge has named six area students as March Teenager and Student of the Month. Aurora Middle School eighth-grader Emma Hillmanl and Northwest ninth-graders Khale Daniel and Audrey Svoboda were named Teenagers of the Month.

Northwest seniors Eternity Mueller, Audrianna Wiseman and Levi Ottman were named Students of the Month.

The Elks Lodge recognizes students in Grades 7-9 as Teenagers of the Month and Grades 10-12 as Students of the Month. Students are nominated by school principals, counselors and teachers or other school staff.

Students are nominated based on academic performance, school and community activities and volunteer work. All students recognized are presented a certificate, and their schools are notified of the awards. In May 2023, the Elks Lodge will choose two Teenager of the Year recipients and two Student of the Year recipients.
With a wide variety of animals in the world, service dogs can be some of the most important.

Local veterans and others got the opportunity to learn about them at Central Community College in Grand Island.

The Student Veterans Association hosted a Freedom Paws event at the college, 3134 W. Highway 34, on Friday.

Sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the SVA is a group of student veterans who seek to support each other through educational goals. They also wish to give back to military members, veterans and the community through service projects and fundraising.

Freedom Paws was organized to educate Central students, faculty and veterans in the community about service dogs, with several organizations and resources on hand.

The event was organized by SVA President Patrick Joy, who is also a Central student and employee at the Veterans & Military Resource Center on campus. Joy also has his own service dog named Delilah, certified in August.

Joy got the idea for Freedom Paw from working at the center. Since veterans go to the center often, they would see Joy with Delilah and ask him about service dogs and how to get one.

There's a lot of confusion between service dogs and emotional support animals, Joy said. Emotional support animals have no required training, they're just an animal that, its presence makes the person feel better.

A service dog needs to be trained for public access and to perform specific tasks that help their handlers. There are many disabilities that service dogs can help with, such as blindness, diabetes, autism, anxiety and more.

Depending on the disability, there is a wide variety of different tasks that a service dog can perform. Joy said that Delilah was specifically trained to perform a couple of tasks to help him.

She performs like Six where shes watching my back, Joy said. I have PTSD and with her watching my back and her performing that task, I know someone's watching behind me.

The questions gave Joy the idea to bring some helpful resources together to provide an opportunity for veterans to meet them and learn more. Joy also said that it was good networking for everyone.

One of the resources at Freedom Paws was Central Nebraska Humane Society, the largest animal welfare organization in Central Nebraska. According to Joy, since CNHS has a decent amount of dogs available for adoption, there could be a few that could be really good service dog candidates.

Not every dog can become a service dog, Joy said. You know, there's certain personality traits, certain intellect traits with dogs that you look for.

Another available resource at the event was At Ease USA, a nonprofit organization focused on getting active military and veterans access to therapeutic support and confidential trauma treatment. Joy said the AEU can also help in getting a service dog letter, which is required beforehand.

The last resource at the event was the JAVELAN, a First Responders Foundation program which connects trainers to military veterans and retired first responders to help train their intended service dogs. Founded in 2017, JAVELAN is short for Jack Assisting Veterans Enjoy Life Again.

JAVELAN co-founder Bob Dean talked about training and how much a service dog can change a life. Deans service dog, Duke, has saved his life multiple times as he was trained to smell for cardiac problems, such as heart attacks, before they occur.

The Grand Island Army Recruiting office attended as well, bringing cornhole boards for attendees to play at the event. The SVA also had a booth to sell chips and bottled water to participants.

With Freedom Paws educating the community about service dogs, it might be easier for veterans to decide whether or not they need one in their life.

What is a service dog? Joy said. Yes, they're a constant companion, but they're also a specifically trained constant companion, who technically is no different than crutches or a wheelchair.
KEARNEY  In 1942, when he was just 14 years old, Thomas Mullowney boarded a train in Kearney and headed 1,000 miles east to Pontifical College Josephinum in suburban Columbus, Ohio.

On Thursday, the Rev. Mullowney celebrated his 70th anniversary as a Roman Catholic priest. At 95, he is the oldest priest in the Catholic Diocese of Grand Island.

Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt celebrated Mass at Mt. Carmel Home, where Mullowney lives. The chapel was crowded with friends, family, 10 priests from the diocese, and parishioners from Prince of Peace and St. James Catholic churches. Knights of Columbus members provided music.

What a treasure he is to all of us here at Mount Carmel, Christina Hansen, the activity director, said. She and Sister Mary Florence, Mt. Carmels spiritual care coordinator, presented him with gifts at the end of Mass.

What I have done is so God-making good, so joyful. Its my life, Father Tom, as hes known, said earlier this week. What I have had is not a job. It was receiving a call to serve God.

An initial skeptic

He accepted that call somewhat blindly more than 70 years ago. It all began one morning when, as an eighth grader at the old St. James School in Kearney, he was summoned by the monsignor to a private meeting. I was really scared. I didnt know what this was all about, Father Tom said.

The monsignor sat me down in the living room and asked, Have you thought about being a priest? I told him the truth. I said no, he said.

I knew what a priest was and what he did, but I didnt really know what I was getting into. I was a young kid, he said.

When Father Tom told his parents that evening, they were skeptical. Mary and Vance Mullowney told him to take his time before making a decision. A month or two later, Father Tom decided the answer was "yes."

My parents asked, Are you sure? Are you sure? It was a big deal for them. I said, I dont know, but I am willing to try, he said.

A new adventure

That September, accompanied by another boy from Kearney, Father Tom rode the train east to Columbus. At the school, he was greeted by a priest, who showed him his locker and the dormitory.

It didnt scare me one bit. I never got homesick. A lot of boys got homesick at first. One boy left after three days. He just couldnt take it, he said.

But not Father Tom. He wrote home once a week. His mother wrote once or twice a week. Your father and I are supporting you, she said.

That first year, his mother died, so young Tom went home and served as a subdeacon at her funeral Mass. From that point, I relied on my dad, he said.

He was ordained in May 1953 by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicocnani, an apostolic Delegate to the United States at the time. He then rode the train back to Nebraska and began life as a priest.

His first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Marys Cathedral in Grand Island. Two years later, he became assistant pastor at St. Michaels Church in Spalding,

Over the next 70 years, he also served parishes and schools in Hershey, North Platte, Lexington, Cozad, Ravenna and Gothenburg. Among his most memorable were his eight years as the superintendent of St. Patricks School in North Platte.

Those were tough years, but they were beautiful years. We almost remade the school. We added four or five or six teachers, he said. He hired several other administrators as well.

He retired in 1993. In 2014, he moved to an apartment at Mt. Carmel and regularly celebrated Mass there. He now assists visiting priests at twice-weekly Mass.

Deep gratitude

Father Tom has outlived his three brothers and one sister, but he has nieces and nephews in Kearney and beyond who have been very good to me, he said.

Being a priest is just part of my nature. I live basically not for myself but to give to others. I see people in need, I help them out. I just cant stop helping people, he said.

I was just thrilled with the thought that the Lord chose me to be one of his servants. I love doing it, he said.

At a reception after Thursdays Mass, Father Tom greeted friends and posed for pictures. He told me once, I thought I chose God, but God chose me, his niece Mary Nickel, who lives north of Cambridge, said.

The Rev. Art Faesser, retired priest at St. James Catholic Church here, served as a deacon at Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island in 1975 when Father Tom was the priest there.

I found him to be warm, welcoming, hospitable and affirming, Faesser said. Hes a holy man who is in love with the Lord and finds utter fulfillment in serving the people.

'He taught me love'

Hansen noted that Father Tom made her feel welcome and seen when she began working at Mt. Carmel in 2018. The two became close friends and have talked often about faith and more.

Father Tom has taught me so much about what it means to minister to others through love. Many, many times he brought my heart comfort and guidance when I needed it most, she said.

He has been that faithful presence for so many of our residents, staff, and families here at Mount Carmel, she added.

Hanefeldt, reflecting the joy of the afternoon, noted that Father Tom has been a priest longer than Hanefeldt has been alive.

The changes hes seen in the church have been tumultuous, but he has such joy. Knowing him deepens my own priesthood, he said. He feels truly called to be a priest.
CHICAGO  Just days after President Joe Biden selected Chicago to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, his administration said Friday that Illinois first lady M.K Pritzker has been appointed to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.

Gov. J.B. Pritzkers wife is joining 17 other members on a committee whose honorary chair is first lady Jill Biden.

The Committee is charged with establishing policies relating to the museum function of the White House, its staterooms, and collections, the White House said in a statement. It also works to make recommendations on acquisitions for the permanent collection of the White House and provides advice on changes to principal rooms on the ground floor, state floor, and the historic guest suites on the residence floor of the White House Executive Residence.

Gov. Pritzker posted his support on Twitter.

No one better I can think of to be appointed to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House than my wife, MK! he wrote.

The White House said one of the reasons for her appointment was her work restoring the once crumbling Illinois Governors Mansion in Springfield. The restoration process has been documented in a forthcoming book written by M.K. Pritzker that not only celebrates the updating of the Italianate  Greek Revival Illinois Governors Mansion in Springfield but also tells the story of the houses evolution since 1855, according to a White House news release.

Gov. Pritzker, billionaire heir to the Hyatt fortune, is widely seen as having designs on becoming a resident of the White House as president, speculation fueled by his trips last year to the key election year states of New Hampshire and Florida.

M.K. Pritzker tends to stay out of the limelight, but her husband has long heaped praise on her work on the Springfield mansion.

My wife really has fallen in love with the house there, and with the history of the Hayes House, and shes working hard to restore not just the home but also the history so people can see it and experience it, Pritzker said in 2019.

The Pritzkers have spent six figures of their own money on the renovation.

Other members of the White House committee include Ellen Susman, who was a member of President Obamas Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center, and Leslie Greene Bowman, President Emerita of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Monticello.

Gov. Pritzkers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term Jesse White.JPG JB Piitzker 13 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 12 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 11 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 10 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 9 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 7 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 5 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 3 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 2 010923.JPG JB Piitzker 1 010923.JPG Juliana Stratton 1 010923.JPG Stratton 2 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 1 010923.JPG Alex Giannoulias 2 010923.JPG Michael Frerichs 010923.JPG 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball 011023-illinois-ball Tiffany Mathis 1 011023.JPG dance gov 7 010923.JPG dance gov 13 010923.JPG dance gov 12 010923.JPG dance gov 11 010923.JPG dance gov 10 010923.JPG dance gov 9 010923.JPG dance gov 8 010923.JPG
A state trooper was shot Sunday morning near Denmark, according to S.C. Law Enforcement Division spokesperson Renee Wunderlich.

The S.C. Department of Public Safety confirmed a trooper was shot after initiating a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 78 in Bamberg County around 3:30 a.m. The trooper was transported for medical attention.

DPS will provide additional details once additional information can be confirmed. As per normal protocol in an officer-involved shooting, SLED will be handling the investigation into the incident, the department said in a release.

SLED was called to investigate the incident at the request of the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office and the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Bamberg County Sheriff Kenny Bamberg said a section of U.S. Highway 78 was temporarily closed between S.C. Highway 321 and McKenna Lane. It has reopened.

This was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community, the BCSO said in a statement on Facebook.

SLED will release additional details later, Wunderlich said.
Dr. Nikunja Swain, professor and chair of South Carolina State Universitys Computer Science and Mathematics Department, recently received the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022 from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela in India.

Swain was honored for his exemplary accomplishments in academia and research.

He is executive director of S.C. States Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity and director of the Employer Degree Apprenticeship in Secure Software Development of Historical Black Colleges and Universities Consortium.

Swain has over 40 years of college-level teaching experience. He has been with South Carolina State University since 1985.

Swain completed his bachelors degree in 1977 and masters degree in electrical engineering in 1979, both from NIT, Rourkela.

He has received the Enterprise Design Thinking certificate and the Data Science and Business Cloud instructor practitioner certificates from IBM.

He traveled to the U.S. in 1982 for advanced studies and completed a masters degree in computer engineering in 1985 and a Ph.D. in energy/electrical engineering in 1995.

He has published more than 70 articles in peer-reviewed conferences and journals in engineering and computing.

He is a peer reviewer for several conferences and journals, and he has reviewed books on information systems, TCP/IP, wireless networks, microprocessors, and sensor networks.

Swain is a founding member of the NIT, Rourkela Overseas Alumni Association and participates in various NITROAA activities.
I am extremely concerned by the increasing number of murders and young people with guns in our state.

Gangs, drugs, and criminals' easy access to guns continue to play a significant role in the violence we have seen in South Carolina.

The shooting that occurred on the Isle of Palms on Friday afternoon and others like it should never be acceptable.

Unfortunately, we have become all too familiar with the deadly impact of young people and repeat offenders with guns.

Just this past week I received a request from the chief of Folly Beach to provide assistance for an event that was located on social media that says BYOB (bring your own booze) and BYOG (bring your own gun). I will tell those who are organizing this event now, this behavior will not be tolerated.

In 2021 there were 566 murders in South Carolina, the most ever recorded. Of those 566 murders, 322 were committed by people under the age of 25, with 59 of those by people under 18. We have seen murders increase 52.2% over the past 10 years. Weapon law violations increased by 4.2% in 2021 and 80.8% in the past 10 years. 2021 marks eight straight years of increase. 91% of weapon law violations included firearms and at least 76% were identified as handguns. In 2021 there were 9,728 weapon law violations. Of those 5,117 were committed by people under the age of 25, with 1,435 of those by people under 18.

The criminal justice system only works when every part of the system works together to ensure the safety of South Carolinians. Law enforcement officers are increasingly encountering armed repeat offenders across the state who are federally prohibited from possessing a firearm but who are not prohibited under state law.

This must change. It is past time to give law enforcement the tools they need to arrest felons who are caught possessing firearms in this state. South Carolina needs a true felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm statute that local and state police can enforce.

We must also hold violent, repeat offenders accountable while they are out on bond. All too often law enforcement officers make good arrests only to find out the offender received a low bond and is out terrorizing the same community the next day. This must stop.

We will continue to work with the Governors Office and the General Assembly to pass meaningful legislation with the goal of keeping South Carolinians safe. We are encouraged by the work of both bodies on fentanyl trafficking, drug-induced homicide, bond reform and felon-in-possession-of-firearms legislation.

We must all work together to combat crime in our communities across South Carolina and that means working with our elected officials, criminal justice system partners and community leaders. We must have positive community partnerships, interaction, support and investment to truly make an impact on crime.

This cycle of violence must stop.
This photo provided by the Air Force shows a South Korean F-15K fighter jet landing at Gwangju Air Base in Gwangju, 267 kilometers south of Seoul, April 14. Yonhap



South Korea and the United States will kick off a large-scale regular joint air exercise later this week, the South's Air Force said Sunday, in the latest drill meant to step up deterrence against North Korea's evolving military threats.



The 12-day Korea Flying Training will begin Monday at the Gwangju Air Base in Gwangju, 267 kilometers south of Seoul, mobilizing some 110 aircraft and more than 1,400 troops, according to the armed service.



South Korea plans to deploy some 60 warplanes, including F-35A, F-15K and KF-16 fighters and the KC-330 tanker transport aircraft, while the U.S. will mobilize more than 40 aircraft, such as its Air Force's F-16 fighters, A-10 attack aircraft and the Marine Corps' F-35B and FA-18 jets.



The South's Air Force said the drills will take place with a focus on enhancing the interoperability and combined operational capability of the allies' advanced fourth and fifth generation fighters, such as the F-15K and radar-evading F-35 aircraft, respectively.



During the exercise, the allies will stage various training, including a strike package flight, defensive counter-air and close air support operations, it added.



"Through this exercise, (we) will be able to reaffirm the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance and further develop the combined operational capability to another level," Col. Lee Beom-ki, chief of staff of the ROK Air Force Operations Command, was quoted as saying. ROK stands for the South's official name, the Republic of Korea.



The allies have staged a series of combined air exercises this year amid Pyongyang's continued saber-rattling.



Last Friday, they held joint air drills involving U.S. B-52H strategic bombers, a day after Pyongyang test-fired what it claimed to be a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile. (Yonhap)


As an active-duty officer in one of the largest police departments in the country, I can attest to the deteriorating state of our criminal justice system. The fiction promulgated to the American public that criminals are the victims of society has taken us down a road filled with land mines from which it will be difficult to recover.

The crime rate has increased in almost every major city in the United States, with violent crime leading the statistics. From a law enforcement perspective, it is clear that a large percentage of violent crime is driven by the unwillingness of district attorneys and judges to hold people accountable.

After an arrest, criminal defendants are frequently released on a personal no cash bond. This is simply the offender swearing that he or she will return to court as ordered. However, there are no real ramifications should they fail to appear.

Theoretically, a warrant for arrest should be issued by the court, but too often what happens is a letter is sent to the defendant, and they are automatically given a rescheduled court date. As troubling as that sounds, of the many offenders who are simply released, a large percentage commit new crimes within weeks. This has created a revolving door with the local jail.

Across America, radical alterations have been made to our criminal justice system based upon promises that changes would result in vast improvements. Some were plainly ridiculous, such as the presumption that cutting the number of police would lead to less violence.

Advocates in Oregon declared that decriminalizing hard drug laws would lead to less drug use. In California, they decriminalized theft for amounts under $950, arguing it would make us safer. Time and evidence have shown the fallacy of these wildly misplaced ideas.

The worst fears of law enforcement were confirmed in a study conducted by the district attorney for Yolo County in California. It showed that of 595 people released on zero bail, 420 were rearrested. The study also concluded that releasing defendants increased crime in every category.

The same thing occurs in Harris County, Texas, where I work. Realizing that they will not be held accountable for their actions, members of criminal groups are being rearrested at an extremely high rate. This is not just a matter of officers picking up the usual suspects.

Criminal courts are buckling under the strain of so much crime and are nearing collapse. They are overwhelmed by ever-growing backlogs, with retail stores closing because they cannot overcome brazen shoplifting. Meanwhile, companies are moving away because they can no longer provide basic security for their employees.

Even with probable cause, there is pressure to dismiss cases to keep our teetering court systems going. This inability to keep defendants, especially violent offenders, behind bars frustrates law enforcement and citizens victimized by these crimes. Across the country, numerous accounts of offenders released on no-cash or low-cash bonds, later assaulting or even killing the victims who reported them.

The rate of domestic abuse  especially murders  is much higher than in the past. It is difficult to tell a victim they will be safe. While their assailant might be going to jail for a moment, we all know they will soon be back on the streets.

The many promises supporting bail reform have proved to be false. We must turn away from ideals that may have sounded good on paper but, in practice, have been shown to be unworkable. No officer believes a person should stay in jail just because they do not have the resources to post a bond. But we are seeing too many cases where violent offenders out on bond are rearrested, then released again on a low or no-cash bond.

Public safety is under assault while the cycle keeps repeating. While protecting our communities is the primary job of law enforcement, it can only do so if our courts keep violent offenders from victimizing others in our society.
(TBTCO) - Tham gia bao hiem e nhan uoc su bao ve tai chinh truoc cac rui ro trong cuoc song la nhu cau chinh ang cua nhieu nguoi, nhung do nhieu nguyen nhan, viec khong duy tri ong phi bao hiem ung han, ac biet la trong nhung nam au tien de dan en tinh trang hop ong bao hiem mat hieu luc, khach hang vi the khong nhan uoc su bao ve tai chinh nhu mong muon.
CHEYENNE  It was described as a very varied committee.

And it was and is.

Members of the Joint Interim Committee on Labor, Health and Social Services could not agree on an interim topic to study until they were halfway down the list of proposals.

They had trouble reaching a consensus.

The committee Co-Chairmen, Sen. Fred Baldwin, R-Kemmerer, and Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, were cheerful about the snag during their presentation to the legislative leaders who sit on the management council.

They were smiling.

Ultimately the council approved a study of emergency medical services and firefighters as the committees first priority.

The report on the councils list said this study was in response to a request from the governors office. The study will include whether to create a licensing program, like Utahs for behavior emergency services technicians who help people with a mental health crisis.

A second priority is to study nursing homes and all those associated issues.

Those are the two main studies and are likely to take the committee the entire interim to complete.

A review of the members of the committee shows why they had such a struggle finding a consensus.

This committee has a volatile mix, perhaps more than any other. It includes a number of freshmen and anti-government Freedom Caucus members, as well as former house and senate leaders and other traditional Republicans.

The Senate members are Baldwin, Eric Barlow, former house speaker; Dan Dockstader, a former senate president, and two very nontraditional Republicans, Anthony Bouchard, and Lynn Hutchings, both R-Cheyenne. You can see deadlock forming right there.

This committee experience seems to me to offer a microcosm of the difficulties that have dogged this Legislature and will again in next year. It is all due to the political and philosophical abyss between two factions.

Whether a new Wyoming caucus, comprised of the traditional Republicans, will come out of the current planning is not clear. The addition of a new caucus could also cement more division.

Maybe the hard-right-wing Freedom Caucus will fade like the Do-Nothings or the Whigs of the 1800s or Wyomings branch of the anti-communist John Birch Society in the late 1900s. Or the posse commitatus and other outlier movements of the past.

Meanwhile, the current leaders are trying to keep the lawmakers on track until there is a change

And when that happens, they can reclaim their historical reputation as a wise, conservative bunch of citizen lawmakers who were not renowned by what they passed but by the bad bills they didnt pass.

They lost that reputation this year. They passed bills that provoked more and more opposition and lawsuits that Wyoming taxpayers must pay for.
More than a month after signing a confidentiality agreement with the Bolivarian Republic, Trinidad and Tobago is no where closer to bringing much needed natural gas from Venezuela to these shores.

Sources in a position to know tell Express Business that the negotiations are at a standstill because the T&T government is awaiting to see what happens in Venezuela with respect to the present crackdown on corruption before it tries to engage the south American neighbour.
On Monday, Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon delivered remarks at the symbolic foundation-laying ceremony for The University of the West Indies (The UWI) chocolate factory. The event represents a significant milestone for The UWI in its commitment to commercialising its innovations in the cocoa and chocolate industry.

In addressing the audience, Gopee-Scoon highlighted that the chocolate manufacturing facility is a lucrative investment opportunity as it will build capacity in Trinidad and Tobago to meet the increasing international demand for high-value, premium cocoa and chocolate products.
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Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez intends to ask for an investigation as to why it is with t
This undated photo provided by the South Korean Navy shows its Chamsuri-class patrol vessel. Yonhap



A South Korean Navy vessel fired warning shots to drive out a North Korean patrol boat that crossed the western de facto maritime border last week, the South's military said Sunday.



The North Korean boat crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in waters northeast of South Korea's Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea on Saturday at 11 a.m., prompting the South Korean Navy to dispatch its Chamsuri-class patrol boat, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).



After the North's boat remained unresponsive to South Korea's warning broadcasts and communication attempts, the South Korean vessel fired 10 warning shots with its autocannon and made the North Korean boat retreat.



The North Korean boat made the incursion as it was chasing a Chinese fishing boat, according to an informed source.



The JCS said there was contact between the South Korean vessel and the Chinese boat during the operation, and three of the South Korean sailors were sent to a hospital for injuries. One of them is known to have undergone surgery due to a fracture.



It marked the first time since March last year that the South has fired warning shots at a North Korean patrol boat crossing the NLL.



The JCS said the North's boat stayed south of the NLL for about 10 minutes, intruding past it by some 2 kilometers.



A JCS official told reporters the South sees a "low possibility" of the North's boat intentionally crossing the NLL, saying that it was seen chasing a Chinese vessel while sailing on a zigzagged path.





Chamsuri-class patrol vessels / Courtesy of Korea Navy
As he nears the milestone age of 90, former PM Basdeo Panday reflects on his life as a politician, the state of the country and more...
It was Woodrow Wilson who insisted there is a need for transparency in government. He pointed out the people have a right to know what the true state of affairs is, and what their representatives were doing on their behalf. He said, Government ought to be all outside and no inside... Everybody knows that corruption thrives in secret places, and avoids public places, and we believe it a fair presumption that secrecy means impropriety.
A woman banned from Pima County Board of Supervisors meetings for remarks made against Supervisor Matt Heinz during the call to the public is allowed to return this week.

The board, meanwhile, also voted to review the legality of the ban against Shirley Requard, a retired registered nurse who frequently speaks at the meetings.

Heinz fell under scrutiny after a man wearing a Speedo-like swimsuit appeared in the background of his video feed during a January board meeting. The supervisor, who was attending the meeting remotely during a Caribbean cruise, has said that the man in the now-viral video is a 24-year-old friend.

Following the incident, some speakers at the part of the meeting that allows for open-ended public comment have criticized Heinz over the incident.

Requard used her turn to speak at three separate board meetings in January and February to say she believed the individual in the video feed was not of a pubescent age. Requard went on to call for Chief Civil Deputy Samuel Brown to look into possibly filing pedophilia charges against Matt Heinz.

On multiple occasions, Adelita Grijalva, who chairs the board, told Requard that her comments could have consequences. The rules state individuals who choose to speak during call to the public must maintain a level of decorum and that any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing the Board, may be removed by the Sergeant of Arms at the direction of the Chair.

As a result of her continued remarks, Requard received a letter from Brown, under the direction of Grijalva, for the three-month ban from county meetings.

It is a privilege to be able to show up to these meetings and speak, and [Requard] lost that privilege for good reason . . . We need to have some basic rules. And when people dont follow them, they have to leave, Heinz previously told the Star.

Supervisor Steve Christy asked an outside law firm to conduct a legal review into Requards ban. At the boards April 4th meeting, Christy said his office budget would cover the cost.

In a 22-page review, the firm Munger, Chadwick & Denker concluded the ban was unlawful.

Christy said at the April meeting that his main concern for seeking the review was to ensure the ban did not put the county in danger of a lawsuit for violating Requards free speech rights.

We can avoid a lot of that. Itll make the entire situation more palatable. It will restore the rights of the individual who has been sitting out in the lobby for three sessions now, and we can make it all whole by simply following what this law firm has concluded, Christy said during the meeting.

At the same meeting, board members shared their concern in Christy consulting an independent law firm rather than the Pima County Attorneys Office. The board then approved a motion for the county attorney to conduct a written response to the legal opinion obtained by Christy.

This outside law firm is saying that our rules and regulations, which were adopted by the previous Board, are unconstitutional and likely to be challenged. And I think we need a response to that, Supervisor Rex Scott said.

The board also voted to allow Requard to return to the meetings starting Tuesday, April 18.

In order to have some sort of semblance of being able to do the peoples business during this board meeting, we need to have a real honest discussion about what is acceptable and not acceptable in a public meeting. Because the kinds of outbursts that happen here . . . would never occur at the state Legislature, that would not be allowed. So I do have some concern about being able to get through our meeting without any consequences if there is a major disruption, Grijalva said at the April 4th meeting.

Heinz said that he hopes the board can come together to discuss, agree upon and enforce the rules of decorum to allow for meaningful comments from members of the public.

I want people to show up and to present problems, issues, concerns and their opinions. If theyre contrary to my own, great. This is the place to have public discourse, Heinz said.
One of 10 children, Minnie King was born April 4, 1912, in Talladega County, Alabama. With so many mouths to feed, money was scarce in the King household and Minnie knew obtaining a higher education would be difficult. When she heard she could enroll at Touro Infirmary, a nonprofit community hospital in New Orleans, for just a few dollars, plus she could earn $5 a day while in training, she entered the medical field, an occupation that would take her to the far reaches of the Arizona desert.

Minnie completed three years of nurses training and served for eight years as a private duty nurse before World War II interrupted her career. She joined the Army Nurses Corps and was sent to North Africa and Italy. Her work in North Africa earned her the Bronze Star, and she left the Army as a 2nd lieutenant.

While she was stationed in Italy, Minnie married Army Captain William Platt. Their daughter, Ada Juanita, was born in 1945.

After the war, Minnie worked in the U.S. Marine Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, while furthering her education at the University of Georgia.

When her marriage fell apart, Minnie and her daughter relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. She earned a bachelor of science degree in field health nursing from Nashvilles Peabody College.

On Jan. 1, 1957, Minnie and 12-year-old Ada Juanita arrived in Winslow, Arizona, where Minnie was assigned to work as a field health nurse on the Navajo Reservation.

Field health nursing was initiated in 1928 by the U.S. Indian Service . According to W.W. Peter, who was Navajo Agency director during the 1930s, A field nurse in the more primitive areas must be a versatile person of great resourcefulness. Her time is spent in the field and with us that means desert mostly. She must be able to drive a car of uncertain vintage and vitality over roads that are trails or less. In the dry season she and all she carries gets covered with dust. In the wet season, with mud. She must be able to live with herself as company, for much of her time is spent alone.

Initially, Minnie worked out of Winslows old Public Health Hospital along with nine other employees. But it wasnt long before most of the staff left or were reassigned, and Minnie was almost solitarily tending to the needs of the Navajo people across hundreds of miles of desert land.

Minnie loved the scenic vistas she and her faithful driver (and probably interpreter), Sam, traversed across the reservation as she visited hogans where the sick and injured waited. With her territory ranging over distances of magnificent but desolate landscapes, she often averaged 60 to 200 miles a day.

If she and Sam had car trouble, they were on their own.

She was once almost trapped by a flash flood, and during a bitter snowstorm, Minnie and Sam were stranded in the tiny community of Leupp (pronounced Loop) about 50 miles south of the Grand Canyon. The Bureau of Indian Affairs had established an Indian boarding school in Leupp in 1902 and during World War II, the now abandoned boarding school was used as an isolation center for Japanese American internees. The camp was closed in 1944.

Tuberculosis, diphtheria, and a multitude of infections awaited Minnie wherever she traveled on the reservation.

One of the worst infections that spread rapidly and continuously across the land was trachoma, an infectious eye disease that results in scarring of the cornea and eventual blindness. It is brought on by poor sanitary conditions, lack of water, and abundant flies.

The infection ran rampant through the Navajo and Hopi reservations, with the only treatments initially available as a pill and an antiseptic solution that temporarily halted the progression of the disease but did not cure it.

Minnie also worked with expectant mothers to ensure they received enough nutrition for their infants.

Yet she similarly learned to appreciate the benefits of native plants. Navajo tea was one of her favorite drinks. Navajo tea is an herbal beverage made by brewing the yellow-flowered plant greenthread which is plucked by its stem to keep the roots intact. The plant is shaken so the seeds will return to the soil and continue the lifecycle. The herb is rinsed and dried for one to two days, then boiled in hot water.

Navajo tea has been used medicinally for centuries to alleviate joint pain, calm upset stomachs, and promote healthy kidney function.

Eventually, Minnie was assigned to run a clinic in Leupp for the Navajo and Hopi people. In the first year of the clinic, 150 children showed up to be treated. Ear infections were the prevailing ailment. The attending doctor performed dozens of ear operations while Minnie handed out hearing aids along with eyeglasses to the children provided by the clinic. She gave the youngsters extensive training in how to use and care for their new devices.

Minnie enjoyed the keen sense of humor of the Navajo people. At one clinic where she was teaching a sex education class, a young man came in wearing a rubber apron. When she asked what the apron was for, the man replied that he was practicing birth control.

During the years, Minnie was active in various organizations in Winslow, including the Womens Club, the Winslow Historical Society and the American Nurses Association.

She served as first aid chair of the local Red Cross chapter in 1961. In 1969, she worked on a committee that organized a senior citizen program to provide recreational activities along with counseling services and information on health and welfare for older individuals.

That same year, she was elected first vice president of the Business and Professional Womens Club of Winslow. And in 1972, the year she retired from field health services, Minnie was elected Winslows Woman of the Year for her continued efforts to provide health care for the Navajos and Hopis.

Ninety-year-old Minnie died on April 9, 2003. She is buried in Winslows Desert View Cemetery.
Tucson wanted infill development, right?

Well, were getting it.

But its not so much the mixed-use, residential-retail-office complexes that people covet these days.

Tucsons new urbanism is taking the form of self-storage. From Tanque Verde to Sahuarita, Vail to Marana, new self-storage businesses are filling up a surprisingly large number of the metro areas undeveloped spots.

There are economic reasons for this, and social reasons, and reasons related to the housing market.

But let me tell you about the root cause.

Back in 2021, I went to a self-storage facility in St. Paul with my brother and dad. My parents had rented two storage units for about six years, since moving out of the house they lived in for decades.

Arriving there, I was determined to consolidate the two units down to one, so we started sorting through stuff. And in one loosely packed cardboard box I found something I couldnt quite figure out  a large piece of wood.

I asked my dad, an occasional scavenger, what it was. His answer: It was a hunk of tree root that hed found years before and stashed away because it looked cool and he thought hed use it.

That, dear readers, is the root cause of the self-storage boom.

At transitions in life  especially when older people downsize out of bigger homes to smaller living spaces  people stash stuff in storage units. Then they get in the habit of paying those rental fees, month after month: maybe $60 on the cheap end, $300 a month for the bigger units.

In many cases its easier to pay the rent than to sort through the stuff. When the things have sentimental value, theyre hard to part with and easier to leave stashed away.

Storage business is hot

So, across metro Tucson, an area seemingly well-stocked with storage businesses, new self-storage projects are blossoming.

In Sahuarita, two new ones are in the works. In Oro Valley, there are three in permitting stages with others in the idea phase. One was just completed and two others are in permitting in unincorporated Pima County, and there are fully five self-storage projects in permitting phases in Marana. This is all leaving aside the evident boom in Tucson proper.

The business is so hot, that if you search for self storage on a podcast platform, youll find numerous shows dedicated to the industry.

The Self-Storage Investing Podcast, Self Storage Playbook, Hacking Self Storage, Storage Investor Nation, and The Self Storage University Podcast are among the titles.

I tried to force myself to listen but could not face it.

Instead, I spoke with a few local insiders who have made a living off self-storage, for years or even decades. They pointed to a variety of factors that make self-storage such a big business right now.

Perhaps the biggest is that it is considered a recession-proof business, or even counter-recessionary.

The demand increases as the economy suffers, said Bill Alter, a Tucson real estate broker who has spent decades in the self-storage business. Recession is good for self-storage,

The growth cycles in the economy are also good for self-storage, he and others noted. Its just a generally good business, whatever the economic cycle.

One of the big developers of these projects in recent years has been Abraham Slilaty. Hes a relative newcomer to the self-storage business, having developed apartments, manufactured-home projects, commercial centers and offices in previous decades.

Starting in 2015 or so, he told me, he got into self storage.

All of those development types tend to be cyclic with the economic cycles  except storage, Slilaty said.

The projects are also relatively cheap to build and especially inexpensive to run. All it takes is a couple of employees and paying utility bills.

Reluctant to part with their stuff

Slilaty notes that its not just people stashing their generational stuff in the units. One of the trends bolstering the business is the one toward smaller homes.

Housing prices are quite high, so the average home is not only getting pricier throughout the country its getting smaller, he said. Its more cost-efficient to live in a smaller home and have a storage unit you rent as an extension of your house.

There are also the bands that keep their amps and drum sets in storage units, landscapers who stash their tools there, university students who store their belongings over the summer, and, notoriously, the occasional person who lives in a storage unit  against the rules.

But the root cause of the growth in self-storage business remains what youd expect.

The bottom line reason why is that American are reluctant to part with their stuff, Alter said.

Trace Fife, a former Tucsonan who moved to Minnesota last year, told me he worked in three self-storage businesses here, a job he took between working on political campaigns. The vast majority of customers were residential users.

Probably a good chunk of our renters were elderly folks, he said. Theyd downsize but save everything and store it. It would remain there until they passed away or sold it.

This, of course, means that property with potential for other uses is instead simply storing our stuff. Slilaty recently developed a project at 4068 E. Fort Lowell Road that operates under the name Storage King  one of many big brands in the storage business.

This is part of a bigger project that horseshoes around an apartment complex on Fort Lowell, just east of the Storage King and the apartment complex, his next storage project is going up. It will include space for boats and RVs.

Across the street from both of these projects: Fort Lowell Self Storage, a more old-advantaged business, existing since 1984, with units that face the outdoors and have garage-style doors. In contrast, Slilatys projects are all climate-controlled, and he tries to make them look good. One hes developing, on the west side of Interstate 10 at West Grant Road, will be seven stories high.

Ours are attractive  they look like office buildings, he said.

More storage units a development choice

Indeed, he tends to build a large square footage on a small space. A project hes building between East Tanque Verde and North Wilmot roads is packed on to a small site behind Mister Car Wash, where Hooters used to be.

Theres a need for what we build in the areas where we build them, Slilaty said. We are not competing or getting in the way of new housing coming in. We facilitate the newer projects that are smaller or more affordable. We solve a problem.

Of course, even if the storage businesses serve a purpose, these are still properties that could have been put to a more fundamental use  say, housing itself  if people were holding onto less stuff.

When I brought up the topic on Facebook, Tucsonan Gabriel Sleighter put his feelings this way: 

Im not a fan, in my opinion they create dead space for urban activity and remove opportunities for meaningful infill development.

True enough. But if we insist on holding onto our stuff, this is the urban development weve chosen. Thats the root.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lim Soo-suk speaks during the press briefing at the press center of the Government Complex in Seoul, April 13. Yonhap



An oil tanker carrying one Korean sailor on board was released after being hijacked by pirates in waters off West Africa earlier this week, Seoul's foreign ministry said Saturday.



The 4,300-ton Singapore-registered tanker Success 9, carrying 20 crew members, including the Korean national, was hijacked by pirates in waters south of Ivory Coast at 11:00 p.m. on Monday (Korea time), according to the ministry.



The authorities got in contact with the Korean crew member at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and found that all the pirates fled after having stolen cargo and the crew's personal belongings. All crew members remain safe, the ministry said.



After learning of the hijacking, the foreign ministry organized an internal team to find a way to rescue them. Foreign Minister Park Jin and Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon led a series of related meetings. (Yonhap)


PHOENIX  A first-term state lawmaker wants to expand the Teachers Academy program that provides scholarships to prospective public school teachers to students attending private and religious colleges.

Theres a pressing need for teachers, especially with many of those in the classroom at or approaching retirement age, says Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix. And private programs like those run at the Christian Grand Canyon University can help fill that need, he said.

But Gress is getting opposition from Democratic lawmakers who point out the state is not now providing enough cash to fund the demand from students in education programs at the states three universities and the community colleges that have teaching programs. And until that happens, they say, any available dollars should go there first.

The debate comes amid a parallel legal fight between Arizona Christian University and the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix.

Members of the district governing board voted in February not to approve a new agreement to allow ACU students to work as student teachers after some board members expressed concern about the universitys policies on marriage.

Specifically, ACU teaches that marriage is solely between one man and one woman, something included in a statement of faith that students must sign. Washington school board members said they feared that would impair the districts defense of equality policies for LBFTQ staff and students.

That fight is now playing out in federal court, with ACU asking a judge to rule that the decision by the school board violates the universitys constitutionally protected freedoms.

Gress bill, if approved, would make ACU students in their education program eligible for the same scholarships of public funds.

He said, though, there is no reason to exclude ACU students from the Teachers Academy program  or from continuing to be student teachers in the district.

They have no evidence whatsoever that teachers from this school have engaged in discriminatory practices because of their own personal religious beliefs, he said.

The more immediate political problem for Gress, however, is getting his HB 2428 to Gov. Katie Hobbs  and getting her to sign it.

Lawmakers created the Teachers Academy in 2017 at the behest of then-Gov. Doug Ducey. The program provides one year of college tuition for students at public community colleges and universities in education programs in exchange for each year of teaching in an Arizona public school.

What Gress wants to do is expand scholarship eligibility to students attending private colleges offering education degrees.

Only thing is, the $15 million put into the program is already used up every year, creating waiting lists at the schools attending public universities whose students already are eligible.

In her budget request, Hobbs has proposed adding another $15 million. The Republican-controlled Legislature has yet to act on that  or any part of her spending plan.

But estimates are that just adding eligible students from Grand Canyon University alone could eat up $17 million.

Meredith Critchfield, GCUs dean of the college of education, told lawmakers her schools program can help fill the ongoing need.

She said there are about 3,000 students now enrolled in programs designed to get them certified as teachers. And of that, Critchfield said, 80% to 90% go on to teach in public schools.

What adding GCU and other private schools to the program would do, she said, is encourage those students, once they graduate, to stay in Arizona.

Arizona State University alone has a waiting list between 150 and 300 hoping to get into the program there, Rep. Judy Schwiebert, D-Phoenix, said.

I know GCU is a great university, Schwiebert said during a legislative hearing on the measure.

I think they do a really great job. Schwiebert said. But as the body called to make decisions about where were spending money, I feel like our priority needs to be with our public schools that need to be held accountable.

And what that means, she said, is having oversight over the programs to ensure they are training as many teachers as want to be in the program.

And right now, they dont, Schwiebert said.

Gress acknowledged the waiting lists. And he said his measure isnt meant to take away from the money already allocated to public universities but to add money to it for the students at private schools.

Only thing is, HB 2428 includes no new money. And as the legislation now sits, Democrats remain unconvinced.

U of A, NAU, ASU and our community colleges have accredited teaching programs that have waiting lists to use these funds, said Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson.

She said her opposition has nothing to do with the quality of the program at GCU.

This bill is about using public funds in private colleges, Gutierrez said, pointing out that, at least for the moment, there are no additional dollars in HB 2428. The result, she said, would be taking cash away from those public colleges that already cant meet the demand.

And even with the request by Hobbs for an additional $15 million, doubling the available scholarships to $30 million, Gutierrez said that does not mean the funds should go to students at private education colleges.

We must prioritize our public universities, she said, if the state is to fill the need for more teachers in Arizona schools.

Rep. Laura Terech, D-Phoenix, said she, too, could not support opening up the program to private universities.

I think we need to start with our public institutions first, she said.

That opposition from legislative Democrats foretells what could be the biggest hurdle for Gress: getting the measure signed by Hobbs.

I dont think she would sign the bill in its current form, Gress conceded.

What it may take, he said, is putting enough money in the budget to both give the governor the $15 million she wants to expand the program at public universities plus additional cash for GCU and the other private schools.

We should fund both, he said, meaning at least $30 million in new money to bring the total allocation up to $45 million. And that would put the governor in the position of having to agree to expand eligibility to private universities if she wants the additional cash for the public ones.

Gress said such an agreement would be in the states best interest, calling the program wildly successful.

For the moment, though, the Senate has not yet scheduled a final vote on HB 2428. Gress said he presumes it will not advance until there is a deal to add that additional $30 million to avoid a veto.

Even if there is a deal, Gutierrez said solving the problem of the states teacher shortage goes beyond providing scholarships.

We dont have a lack of people in these programs, she said.
Build, build and save water?

Every day we see articles about saving water when we brush our teeth, take a bath, wash our dishes, clean our clothes, etc. They urge all householders to save water, but ignore the fact that agriculture and business use tons more water than households do. At the same time, we see laws about making it easier to build new houses, more apartments, more businesses and grow, grow, grow. I have a doctorate. I read the news every day. I read scientific articles regularly and do research online. But I just cant figure out how we are going to put in more houses and businesses and still save water. We need agriculture to provide us with food. We need cotton so we dont have to wear polyester clothes made from oil. However, constant growth just does not save water. Enough already. Dont encourage new growth and building. Save water.

Bette Richards

Northwest side

EPA red tape threatens trucking industry

America relies on the trucking industry to deliver the products that keep our country moving. Truckers move over 70% of the nations freight, supporting 8 million jobs nationwide. Without trucks, our economy would halt.

So, you should know the EPA recently proposed a rule change that would tighten air quality standards for a pollutant called PM2.5. Everyone supports clean air, but the U.S. already has some of the worlds strongest environmental regulations. More regulation means higher costs. Additionally, states that fail the new standard face penalties, including loss of federal funding for highways and other infrastructure.

Thats a threat to the entire supply chain, risking jobs and the economy.

The proposed EPA standards are unnecessary given significant progress already made to reduce pollution. Vehicle and transportation-related emissions are down 90% in recent decades.

The Arizona Trucking Association supports sensible regulation that balances the need for a strong economy and clean environment. We ask the EPA to abandon its job-killing proposal for PM2.5.

Tony Bradley, President & CEO of Arizona Trucking Association

Downtown

Keep transit fare-free forever

I use Sun Tran everyday  its my primary mode of transportation. I also have used pay-to-ride systems in many other cities. Not only does fare-free transit benefit some of the most vulnerable members of our community, but Ive personally seen how it makes our system more efficient, convenient, and accessible to new users. Currently, theres no need to worry about fare cards, transfer tickets, or exact change. Theres no longer delays caused by people not having their payment prepared when they board. You just hop on and ride. Tucson was just ranked the 5th most dangerous driving city in the country and we saw an increase in pedestrian fatalities last year. We should be doing everything in our power to encourage and entice residents into safer, cleaner modes of transportation, and eliminating fares permanently does exactly that. I implore Mayor and Council to make this policy permanent.

Thomas Stellini

Downtown

Gun violence

An ABC news headline on March 27, 2023, read More than 9,800 people killed in gun violence so far in 2023. Meanwhile Arizona Republican legislators sponsored SB 1331, billed as a method of protecting parents from being charged with a crime if they forgot they were carrying a loaded weapon onto school grounds. Rather than providing gun owners who forgot they are carrying a weapon with a loophole, Republican legislators should consider the 9,800 deaths from gun violence and draft common-sense legislation for gun violence prevention.

Roger Shanley

East side

Crosby/Stevens vs. Crosby recall

Regarding the recent dust-up between David Stevens and the Crosby Recall volunteers, Im inclined to suspect that the confrontation may not have been as spontaneous as Stevens would have us believe. Given that Stevens owes whatever authority he has as interim Elections Director largely to Crosby, the whole episode appears to have a kind of foxy-chicken-coopy stench to it. Crosby himself is richly deserving of this recall, and I applaud those brave volunteers for working so hard to make it happen. By refusing, for no good reason, to certify the last election, he put all of the votes in Cochise County in jeopardy, while simultaneously attempting to cast doubt on the whole electoral process. Nothing could be worse for democracy than that. I also applaud the judge for ruling that Crosby and Judd pay the legal fees, and I hope that they, not the taxpayers actually do.

Elizabeth Horning

Sierra Vista

Gun violence and airplane crashes

Every day approximately 310 people in the United States are shot via gun violence, 200 survive and 110 die  every day. Mass shootings are becoming more and more a daily occurrence as are school shootings.

Now suppose for a moment that an airline in the U.S. existed (thank God it doesnt) and had a plane crash every day and each time (crash) 110 people are killed. How long do you suppose the federal, state, county, and city governments would allow this airline to continue to fly? One day? Two days? Three maybe? Certainly something would be done! The public would demand it. Yet here we are, with every day bringing another 110 deaths from guns, and nobody is doing anything. Where are our leaders in Congress? The NRA? The GOP? With gun rights also comes gun responsibility  I hear nothing from gun owners. We as a people are better than this. We put men on the moon but we cant solve gun violence? Come on!

Thomas Schell

North side

Let it hit home

Another day, another picture of grieving individuals hugging each other in front of a grassy knoll, pictures of smiling, innocent victims mounted on gleaming white crosses surrounded by flowers, balloons and teddy bears. Thoughts (and sometimes prayers) evoked from city, state, and national leaders. Quite a sanitized version of the carnage that had occurred. Maybe its time to do an Emmitt Till modern-day depiction. An open casket opened eyes and hearts. Lets use artificial intelligence and insist that all who think assault rifles with huge magazines should be available to the average citizen upload a picture of their child, spouse, loved one, or family Christmas card and have it depict what the results would be if assaulted by that weapon or weapons. People dont listen until it hits home. This way they can vicariously feel the emotions of those who have experienced the real results of gun trauma. What do ya say? Should we give it a shot?

Dianne Lethaby

East side

LD17 reps opposed Harris expulsion

As a citizen in LD17, I was disappointed and embarrassed that our state legislators Rachel Jones and Cory McGarr were some of the 13 representatives who opposed the expulsion of Liz Harris. It looks that they thought that the disruptive unethical lying about QAnon criminal election and corruption conspiracies by Ms. Harris was not bad enough to have her removed from that important office or maybe they actually believe all those conspiracies.

John Higgins
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

The Arizona state Legislatures spring session is coming to a close, and a number of the bills that have been considered share a common theme: regulating what happens in our childrens schools.

Typically, these bills claim to protect children from harmful ideas or provide them with valuable educational opportunities. However, upon closer reading, some of these bills essentially do the opposite; they weaken and erode our already fragile educational system. Whether by banning curriculum, politicizing students personal lives, or cutting school funding, these bills often prioritize the will of partisan voters over the needs of young people.

In fact, some of the bills were not even crafted with Arizonas children in mind. They are simply copies of model bills written by special interest groups to advance their own agendas. As a result of this highly politicized process, these bills rarely address the issues that would truly benefit our children. While this may leave Arizonans feeling disheartened, it also provides an opportunity for us to imagine how a true child-first policy agenda might look.

At its core, it would prioritize childrens safety. That means legislators would finally have to address the number one killer of American children: gun violence. In addition to the small but devastating risk of school shootings, 65% of pediatric firearm deaths are homicides, and 35% are categorized as suicide. The government already funds research to prevent childhood fatalities from drug overdoses and car accidents. Child-first legislation would also support gun violence research and use that data to create policies that put childrens safety ahead of gun lobbyists interests.

Next, legislators would ensure that students are getting the mental health services they require. A recent CDC study showed that nearly 1 in 3 high school girls considered suicide, and almost 60% felt persistently sad or hopeless for prolonged periods last year. School counselors can help students in crisis, but while Arizonas counselor-to-student ratio has improved in recent years, it still ranks second-to-last in the nation. A policy that prioritizes children would authorize funds to hire more counselors to assist students who need support.

Speaking of funding, any child-first agenda would ensure that all children have access to a well-funded public education. If that were our states current goal, legislators would be fighting to raise Arizonas education funding from an embarrassing 48th place. Instead, some continue to propose bills to expand Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which divert money from public schools, and slash the taxes that fund over 90% of our childrens educations. By putting children first, legislators would have to look beyond the demands of their wealthy friends and constituents. If they could believe that every child is worthy of receiving a quality education, they would unanimously pass any bills that fund the schools our children deserve.

Finally, an education policy centered on children would respect and celebrate the diversity of our students. Some legislators have bent over backwards to do the opposite, expending extraordinary effort to regulate transgender students bathroom use or ban equity and diversity training programs for school employees. Child-first legislation would not exclude children or silence discussions about equity but would ensure all students feel safe, welcome, and respected in their schools.

While this legislative session is winding down, some bills that impact children may still be under consideration. You can find them at https://legiscan.com/AZ/legislation/2023 and contact legislators to share your opinions. However, the best way to ensure that child-first legislation becomes the norm is to examine the voting records of our current representatives. Are they truly champions for children, or do the bills they support tell a different story? Lawmakers from all parties need to prioritize policies that benefit children, not special interests. If they dont, young people may not be able to vote them out, but we adults can. And for the sake of our children, we must.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP)  One person died and three people were wounded in a shooting at an Indiana park during a memorial, police said.

The shooting occurred around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday during a balloon release at McCormick Park in Fort Wayne, Officer Anthony Krock told The Journal Gazette.

One woman and three men were taken to a hospital. Krock said one of the men died. He did not have additional information on the conditions of the others.

Krissy Williams told the newspaper that the memorial was held to honor Tyreece Vachon, 19, who was fatally shot Tuesday outside an apartment complex.

Police did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Settlement agreement reached in PSO Fuel-Free Power Plan case

Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and five other parties have reached an unopposed settlement in the Fuel-Free Power Plan case.

The average customer can expect to see an increase starting in mid-2025 of about $1.95 per month, according to a news release, but PSO says its plan will result in smaller monthly bills in early 2026.

Under the proposed settlement, 995.5 megawatts of new renewable energy will be added to PSOs generation mix in 2025, the release states. Customers can expect the net bill decrease of 0.48% or 64 cents the following year as federal tax incentives and lower fuel costs offset the cost of the facilities.

PSOs Fuel-Free Power Plan is a balanced approach that enables PSO to continue providing reliable, affordable power to our customers and reduce price volatility from fuel, PSO President and Chief Operating Officer Leigh Anne Strahler said in a statement. We appreciate the Oklahoma Corporation Commissions Public Utility Division and other interested parties recognizing the benefits this plan will provide for our customers and moving it forward for the Commissions consideration.

The settlement will be reviewed by an administrative law judge, who will make a recommendation to the three members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, who can accept, reject, or revise it in their final order.

Drone testing lab coming to Skyway36

Plans are in the works for an indoor drone testing and validation facility at Skyway36 in Tulsa through a new partnership between the Osage Nation and Switzerland-based WindShape.

The 19,000-square-foot facility at the Skyway36 Droneport and Technology Innovation Center will feature the Swiss firms Windshaper technology to create a free-flight laboratory that can simulate natural wind and weather profiles, a news release states.

After extensive exploration and engagement with the remarkable people representing the Oklahoma region, WindShape believes that Tulsa will become a major innovation hub and technology influencer in the emerging uncrewed aircraft and Advanced Aerial Mobility industry, said Guillaume Catry, co-founder and CEO of WindShape. We are glad that our solutions, focused on enabling the industry through testing and certification, will contribute to consolidate the regional effort and strategy.

The CEO of the network overseeing Skyway36 said the WindShape test center will play a vital role for uncrewed flights in the Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility Cluster and the National Airspace System.

As a result of the BBB Regional Challenge and the $38.2 million federal grant, the TRAM Cluster has been established, forming a super region for advanced uncrewed transportation systems in the Tulsa region, Craig Mahaney, CEO of Droneport Network, said in the release.

U.S. Pioneer announces acquisition of shipbuilding company

A Tulsa-based company servicing the Navy and shipbuilding industry is announcing the acquisition of East Coast firm Comasco.

U.S. Pioneer, which expanded in Tulsa with an 80,000-square-foot facility in Tulsa in 2021, said the deal is expected to further the companys growth.

This deal just makes a ton of sense. We are in the same industry making similar products, and there are innumerable ways this consolidation benefits our customers, U.S. Pioneer President Joseph P. Moran III said in a statement.

ClearRidge, a Tulsa-based mergers and acquisitions firm, managed the acquisition process and due diligence, with counsel for the transasction provided by Hall Estill.

The combined companies will remain under private ownership with no outside investors, according to a news release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Builder of the Year named from Tulsa-based D2C firm

Anthony Reiss, managing partner at Native-owned Direct 2 Completion, was named builder of the year last week by the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma.

The group gave its top annual award at a banquet in Oklahoma City.

As a founder of Tulsa-based D2C, Reiss has built expertise in construction consulting, program management, owners representation, risk mitigation and more. D2Cs mission is to revolutionize the management of large-scale construction projects by providing the necessary link between project owners and the army of subcontractors it takes to complete large projects on time and within budget.

Reiss is part of the family-owned Reiss Painting firm, founded in 1978 with offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and northwest Arkansas. He served as president of the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma in 2021.
Herbal Affair organizers have a challenge each year: Get the Hometown Hero honoree in the vicinity of the Charles Page Triangle Park stage for the noon award presentation without tipping off the winner.

This years honoree, Debbie Nobles, made it easy on them. She called city Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Medlin weeks ago and said she wanted to volunteer for the 34th annual event.

Medlin readily accepted the offer and scheduled Nobles to work a shift that just so happened to have her stationed about 50 feet from the stage at noon Saturday.

It worked like a charm.

Asked after Saturdays award presentation when she had figured out that she was the honoree, Nobles said, About two seconds ago!

No one who knows Nobles was surprised to hear that she had volunteered to help with Herbal Affair. As one of her nominators  there were four  said, Debbie cant say no! when the opportunity comes to help the Sand Springs community become the best city in Oklahoma.

Nobles, who has volunteered with Special Olympics Oklahoma for 42 years, currently as the statewide director of its Motor Activities Training Program, served on the Sandite Child Development Center board of directors for 15 years.

She also plays an integral role in facilitating Sand Springs Community Services annual Winter Glow fundraiser and has planned and coordinated the annual Sand Springs Christmas Parade of Lights for 25 years.

She also is a member of the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority and takes part in the annual Sand Springs Murder Mystery, helping to raise money for the Sertoma Club.

Or, as another nominator put it, Nobles serves on so many committees for our community that its hard to name something that she is not involved with. I truly believe she loves our community and that is why she pours all of her heart into it.

Nobles, a Sand Springs native who graduated from Charles Page High School in 1981, echoed that sentiment in accepting the award Saturday from Mayor Jim Spoon, who read the proclamation on behalf of the City Council recognizing Nobles as the honoree.

Thank you, guys. I appreciate you, she said. You know I love my hometown.

And then she issued a challenge, of sorts.

For those who know me, they do know I cant say no. So I expect that from you when I come and ask you to help me, she said. Theres no no in that sentence!

Nobles, who has worked for Public Service Company of Oklahoma for 27 years, said the community recognition is appreciated and meaningful.

I love it, she said. I wouldnt consider myself a hero, though.

That might be the only thing she could say that a number of people would find objectionable.

As another nominator said, Nobles is a true joy to be around. Her love of life shows every day in everything she does. We are fortunate to have someone like Debbie Nobles, who always shines the brightest light possible on Sand Springs.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who has faced calls to resign from fellow Democrats, asked Wednesday to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee while she recovers from illness that has kept her away from Washington for weeks.

Feinstein, the oldest member of Congress at 89, said in a statement that her recovery from a case of shingles she disclosed in early March had been delayed because of complications. She provided no date for her return and said she had requested that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to serve in her committee seat until she was able to return.

I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that its safe for me to travel," Feinstein said. In the meantime, I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco.

Feinstein's lengthy absence has caused increasing anxiety within her party because it has threatened Democratic efforts to confirm President Joe Bidens nominees for federal courts in a narrowly divided chamber. Her decision to seek a committee stand-in during her recovery came shortly after two House Democrats called on her to resign after her extended absence from Washington.

Feinstein has faced questions in recent years about her cognitive health and memory, though she has defended her effectiveness representing a state that is home to nearly 40 million people.

California Rep. Ro Khanna, one of two Democratic House members who called Wednesday for Feinstein to resign, said in a statement: This is a moment of crisis for women's rights and voting rights. It's unacceptable to have Sen. Feinstein miss vote after vote to confirm judges who will uphold reproductive rights.

Khanna, a California progressive, wrote on Twitter that Feinstein should step aside. She announced in February that she would not seek reelection in 2024, opening up her seat for the first time in over 30 years.

We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty, wrote Khanna, who has endorsed the Senate campaign of Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties.

Not long afterward, Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota tweeted that he agreed with Khanna.

Feinstein, he wrote, is a remarkable American whose contributions to our country are immeasurable. But I believe its now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday from Ireland, where President Joe Biden was visiting, that Biden and first lady Jill Biden wish Senator Feinstein the very best and a speedy recovery. She said Biden is deeply appreciative of her support for his judicial nominees and "respects and appreciates her commitment to public service.

Already, Democratic Reps. Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff have launched Senate campaigns to succeed Feinstein.

If Feinstein decides to step down during her term, it would be up to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the vacancy, potentially reordering the highly competitive race. Newsom said in 2021 that he would nominate a Black woman to fill the seat if Feinstein were to step aside.

Lee is Black, and becoming the incumbent could be a decisive advantage in the contest, but its not known if Newsom would consider Lee, given her candidacy. Porter and Schiff are white.

Newsom declined through a spokesperson to comment on Khanna's statement.

The governor is not calling on her to resign, the spokesman, Anthony York, said in an email.

Before the calls for her resignation, Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, acknowledged in remarks to CNN that Feinsteins absence has slowed down their push to confirm nominees in the closely divided panel.

I cant consider nominees in these circumstances because a tie vote is a losing vote in committee, Durbin said.

Feinstein has had a groundbreaking political career and shattered gender barriers from San Franciscos City Hall to the corridors of Capitol Hill.

She was the first woman to serve as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the 1970s and the first female mayor of San Francisco. She ascended to that post after the November 1978 assassinations of then-Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk by a former supervisor, Dan White. Feinstein found Milks body.
Tulsa Classical Academys website tells parents Rose State College is the high-quality charter school sponsor for Tulsa Classical Academy.

But not so long ago, that wasnt how Oklahomas elected state auditor characterized Rose State in a 2020 investigative audit report on Epic Charter Schools.

Auditors wrote that Rose State, which collected millions in Oklahoma taxpayer dollars as the sponsor of Epic Blended Learning Centers between 2017 and 2022, provided inadequate oversight and requested no follow-up review or documentation of Epics finances.

Charter school sponsors who default to others for accountability or accept whatever information charter schools provide at face value cannot achieve effective oversight, the October 2020 investigative audit report stated. There has to be greater financial oversight, be it statutorily mandated or through the willingness of the sponsor to ask the hard questions.

Epic Blended Learning Centers have since been combined with Epics other educational offerings under the sponsorship of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.

In June, Epic co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris and their longtime chief financial officer, Josh Brock, were arrested and charged in Oklahoma County District Court with a host of criminal charges under the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as RICO.

Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd has called the case the largest abuse of taxpayer funds in the history of this state.

Nathan Phelps, founder and current governing board chair for Tulsa Classical Academy, said, Our goal has been to do everything differently than Epic.

For starters, that means TCA will have no charter management organization earning a profit from the schools operations.

And TCAs school leaders wont be waiting for any invitations for accountability. Theyre regularly seeking out Rose State officials to keep them apprised of the new charter schools progress.

I think the school should work in partnership with the authorizer, Phelps said. It behooves the school to proactively communicate with the authorizer and make sure they know whats going on in the school.

The Tulsa World had to make multiple inquiries to obtain TCAs 300-page sponsorship application and contract with Rose State College because the Midwest City-based community college has outsourced the handling of public records requests to a contract public relations firm.

A representative of that firm initially told the Tulsa World that an arbitrary 30 days would be sufficient response time, but the Oklahoma Open Records Act requires prompt, reasonable access to such public records, which the attorney generals office defines as only the time to locate and compile the records.

In a follow-up contact, Ray Vincent, the colleges attorney and member of its Charter Authorization Review Committee, told the Tulsa World he persuaded Rose State officials to turn over the readily available records more quickly.

Through a five-year sponsorship contract, Rose State College will receive a 2.5% cut the first two years and a 3% cut for the final three years of all state aid received by Tulsa Classical Academy. In the first year, those initial sponsorship fees will likely add up to about $100,000, but theyll increase as TCA adds grade levels and grows its student enrollment.

Asked what lessons were learned and actions taken at Rose State from the October 2020 investigative state audit critical of the institutions lack of oversight of Epic, Ashley Glass of Jones PR responded: Rose State Colleges charter oversight has always been in compliance with the Oklahoma Charter School Authorization requirements.

She said before the state audit, Rose State had already begun the process of changing its application, approval, and oversight of charter schools and it will continue to add staff positions to help manage charter school partnerships.

The Charter Authorization Office was developed and formally approved by the Board of Regents in April of 2020, she said. Rose State College will continue to comply with the policies and expectations set forth in the (state charter school law) by conducting regular site visits, completing yearly curricular audits, and reviewing yearly reports that each school must present to the Rose State College Board for Financial Audits and Student Success Data.

Additionally, as we do with all charter partners, we will actively monitor the schools website information, board agendas/minutes, and other media to inform of any improvement recommendations we might share with them.

Sheila Dills, a former state representative, said she decided not to run for reelection in 2022 after running up against a brick wall while working for two years on legislation to spell out statutory responsibilities and accountability for charter school sponsors, such as Rose State College.

Dills, a Republican who represented south Tulsas House District 69 for two terms, had been the Houses point person on drafting new transparency and accountability policy measures as a result of the Epic scandal.

It really bothered me that we cannot, as a Legislature, act on things that are right in front of our eyes that have been discovered by our state auditor, and obviously, now discovered by other public officials, said Dills, referring to the Epic Charter Schools scandal. Its right in front of us that taxpayers are getting ripped off and we need to do better  but we dont want to act. I didnt feel like I could be effective with the leadership of the new Senate Education committee. What it all comes down to are factors that are not in the best interest of the people but in the best interest of the politicians.

State Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, did not follow through after saying he would respond to the Tulsa Worlds request for comment for this story.

Video: Oklahoma Senate debates tax credit for private school, home school families
Swiss railcar manufacturer Stadler is seeking Vietnamese authorities green light to supply rack-and-pinion railcars and other rail transport solutions to a project restoring the Thap Cham-Da Lat rail route, which runs from south-central Ninh Thuan Province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. The European firm told the administration of Lam Dong that it is taking the lead in the worlds rack-and-pinion rail industry. Stadler is considered one of the worlds top manufacturers of electric trains that provide railway transport solutions in harsh weather conditions and for hydrogen trains, the Lam Dong administration said on Saturday. In July last year, the Ministry of Transport approved a proposal on restoring the 84km-long Thap Cham-Da Lat railway under the public-private partnership format, at a cost of VND24.92 trillion (over US$1 billion). Besides, Bach Dang Hotel Complex Trading-Service JSC was allowed to join the restoration project. According to the projects prefeasibility report, a state budget investment of around VND2.1 trillion ($92 million) is required for site clearance. The project would be executed between January 2025 and June 2029, while its trial operation is scheduled for the second half of 2029. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (first row, 1st) inspects the status of the Da Lat railway station during his business trip to Lam Dong Province in November 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre The Thap Cham-Da Lat rail route was built by the French from 1908 to 1932. After 1975, when Vietnam was reunified, most of the rails and sleepers on the rail track were removed. Only the 6.7km-long Trai Mat-Da Lat section in Lam Dong was kept to service tourism. A Swiss company then bought and renovated a number of railcars of the rail route to take passengers through the Alps and the Furka Pass in Europe. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Swiss railcar manufacturer Stadler is seeking Vietnamese authorities green light to supply rack-and-pinion railcars and other rail transport solutions to a project restoring the Thap Cham-Da Lat rail route, which runs from south-central Ninh Thuan Province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The European firm told the administration of Lam Dong that it is taking the lead in the worlds rack-and-pinion rail industry.

Stadler is considered one of the worlds top manufacturers of electric trains that provide railway transport solutions in harsh weather conditions and for hydrogen trains, the Lam Dong administration said on Saturday.

In July last year, the Ministry of Transport approved a proposal on restoring the 84km-long Thap Cham-Da Lat railway under the public-private partnership format, at a cost of VND24.92 trillion (over US$1 billion).

Besides, Bach Dang Hotel Complex Trading-Service JSC was allowed to join the restoration project.

According to the projects prefeasibility report, a state budget investment of around VND2.1 trillion ($92 million) is required for site clearance.

The project would be executed between January 2025 and June 2029, while its trial operation is scheduled for the second half of 2029.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (first row, 1st) inspects the status of the Da Lat railway station during his business trip to Lam Dong Province in November 2022. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre

The Thap Cham-Da Lat rail route was built by the French from 1908 to 1932.

After 1975, when Vietnam was reunified, most of the rails and sleepers on the rail track were removed. Only the 6.7km-long Trai Mat-Da Lat section in Lam Dong was kept to service tourism.

A Swiss company then bought and renovated a number of railcars of the rail route to take passengers through the Alps and the Furka Pass in Europe.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has written to local airlines calling on them to add flights on the busiest routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with other localities to meet the higher travel demand during the upcoming holidays, Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Reunification Day (April 30), and International Workers Day (May 1). Workers in Vietnam have a five-day break from April 29 to May 3 to mark the three public holidays. Statistics from Vietnamese air carriers, as cited by the CAAV, indicated that the total number of seats launched for the routes connecting Hanoi with key destinations such as Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, and Dong Hoi on April 28 and 29, is about 41,000. On April 29, the seat occupancy rates will be 100 percent on the Hanoi-Hue air route, 96 percent on the Hanoi-Dong Hoi/Quy Nhon routes, and 93 percent on the Hanoi-Tuy Hoa route. Some 40,000 seats are offered for the routes between Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations on April 29. The occupancy on the flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc, and Tuy Hoa has reached over 80 percent. Meanwhile, many return flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have seen the seat occupancy rates top 80 percent on May 2 and 3. To better serve the travel demand of passengers during the upcoming holidays, the aviation authority prompted local airlines to increase flights on the routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Phu Quoc Island, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Cam Ranh, and Con Dao Island before and after the break. The CAAV, on April 6, decided to add 26 landing and take-off slots every day at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from April 28 to May 3 and from June 1 to August 15 for the peak summer travel season. The slot spike enabled local airlines to offer an additional 4,500-5,000 air tickets daily during the two periods. Hanois Noi Bai airport trials check-in with chip-based ID cards The CAAV has given the nod for a proposal made by the Noi Bai International Airport operator in Hanoi to pilot check-in via facial recognition technology using identification (ID) cards carrying microchips for certain domestic flights. The pilot program will run in a month from April 17. Passengers with chip-based ID cards can use facial recognition technology at two check-in counters at the T2 terminal on the second floor. Bamboo Airlines will join the pilot program. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has written to local airlines calling on them to add flights on the busiest routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with other localities to meet the higher travel demand during the upcoming holidays, Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Reunification Day (April 30), and International Workers Day (May 1).

Workers in Vietnam have a five-day break from April 29 to May 3 to mark the three public holidays.

Statistics from Vietnamese air carriers, as cited by the CAAV, indicated that the total number of seats launched for the routes connecting Hanoi with key destinations such as Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, and Dong Hoi on April 28 and 29, is about 41,000.

On April 29, the seat occupancy rates will be 100 percent on the Hanoi-Hue air route, 96 percent on the Hanoi-Dong Hoi/Quy Nhon routes, and 93 percent on the Hanoi-Tuy Hoa route.

Some 40,000 seats are offered for the routes between Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations on April 29.

The occupancy on the flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc, and Tuy Hoa has reached over 80 percent.

Meanwhile, many return flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have seen the seat occupancy rates top 80 percent on May 2 and 3.

To better serve the travel demand of passengers during the upcoming holidays, the aviation authority prompted local airlines to increase flights on the routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Phu Quoc Island, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Cam Ranh, and Con Dao Island before and after the break.

The CAAV, on April 6, decided to add 26 landing and take-off slots every day at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from April 28 to May 3 and from June 1 to August 15 for the peak summer travel season.

The slot spike enabled local airlines to offer an additional 4,500-5,000 air tickets daily during the two periods.

Hanois Noi Bai airport trials check-in with chip-based ID cards

The CAAV has given the nod for a proposal made by the Noi Bai International Airport operator in Hanoi to pilot check-in via facial recognition technology using identification (ID) cards carrying microchips for certain domestic flights.

The pilot program will run in a month from April 17.

Passengers with chip-based ID cards can use facial recognition technology at two check-in counters at the T2 terminal on the second floor.

Bamboo Airlines will join the pilot program.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Commuters wait for a train on the Gimpo Goldline at Gimpo International Airport Station, Thursday. Yonhap



Governors convened but locals skeptical about city's 'mini-subway'



By Ko Dong-hwan





Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong talks during a strategic meeting on the overcrowded Gimpo Goldline at Gimpo International Airport, Friday. Yonhap

The Gimpo Goldline  an automated, unmanned metro service opened in 2019  has become unable to handle demand, leading to dangerous overcrowding in train stations.



The new train line connects Gimpo, west of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, to the capital's subway system via Gimpo International Airport Station. Its two-carriage trains have been derided as a "mini-subway." But the trains can't be extended, because the subway platforms weren't built to fit longer trains.



Servicing 10 stations across a 23.67-kilometer track between Yangchon Station and Gimpo International Airport Station, the subway line is now emerging as a hot-button problem in the country's public transit sector. Crowds grow beyond the maximum capacity every morning and evening rush hour, raising concerns over a possible crowd disaster.



On April 11, a female high school student and a woman in her 30s collapsed on the Goldline platform at Gimpo International Airport Station after showing symptoms of asphyxiation. A similar incident occurred inside a subway car last December. The incidents stirred memories of the Itaewon crowd disaster last October in which at least 158 people died.



Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Minister Hee-ryong held an emergency meeting over the issue on Saturday. The Seoul mayor is one of the major stakeholders of the problem because the Gimpo Goldline is a subsidiary of Seoul Metro, the operator of eight metro lines across the Korean capital run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.





The Seoul and Gimpo city governments are considering the introduction of public amphibious transit buses on Han River to transport commuters between Gimpo and Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The implementation of the Nam O ecotourism project in Da Nang, central Vietnam has resumed after being suspended for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and objections from local inhabitants. Trung Thuy Group, the developer of the project, on Saturday held a ceremony to restart work on it and announced a program supporting affected local residents in seeking alternative employment. Premium ecotourism project The investor described the Nam O ecotourism project as a premium tourist site that is expected to become a stunning destination on the heritage route through Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An in central part of Vietnam. This tourist site is designed to stretch 35 hectares, with 10 hectares covering the coastline in Nam O, a fishing village in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang. At the ceremony, the developer offered financial aid worth over VND600 million in total (US$25,500) to 50 poor villagers. Under the program supporting affected local residents in seeking alternative employment, the investor donated 50 food carts, valued at over VND500 million ($21,300), to local inhabitants. The donation of food carts is expected to help affected residents earn another source of income instead of entirely living on the dwindling traditional fishing sector, the investor said. Also, its plan to open a street food alongside Nguyen Tat Thanh Park would help woo more visitors to Da Nang. Controversial tourism project In 2010, the Da Nang administration approved a project to develop a 36ha premium resort in the Nam O village. However, objections from local residents and the impact of the pandemic left the project unable to reach completion. According to the local villagers, the investor blocking paths leading to the sea to serve the project development would affect the livelihood of local fishermen and long-standing tombs and temples in the surrounding area. To cope with the opposition, the administration of Da Nang reduced the projects total area by over 10 hectares and excluded some areas, such as the Nam O rapids, from the project planning. The citys government also withdrew a plot of land measuring 50 meters wide near Nguyen Tat Thanh Street to build a park and a coastal square as well as a sandy beach in the project area to serve the public. In addition, a road running through the village was widened to 5.5 meters. Five paths leading to the sea were unblocked, while the location of some tombs were not included in the project planning anymore. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The implementation of the Nam O ecotourism project in Da Nang, central Vietnam has resumed after being suspended for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and objections from local inhabitants.

Trung Thuy Group, the developer of the project, on Saturday held a ceremony to restart work on it and announced a program supporting affected local residents in seeking alternative employment.

Premium ecotourism project

The investor described the Nam O ecotourism project as a premium tourist site that is expected to become a stunning destination on the heritage route through Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An in central part of Vietnam.

This tourist site is designed to stretch 35 hectares, with 10 hectares covering the coastline in Nam O, a fishing village in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang.

At the ceremony, the developer offered financial aid worth over VND600 million in total (US$25,500) to 50 poor villagers.

Under the program supporting affected local residents in seeking alternative employment, the investor donated 50 food carts, valued at over VND500 million ($21,300), to local inhabitants.

The donation of food carts is expected to help affected residents earn another source of income instead of entirely living on the dwindling traditional fishing sector, the investor said.

Also, its plan to open a street food alongside Nguyen Tat Thanh Park would help woo more visitors to Da Nang.

Controversial tourism project

In 2010, the Da Nang administration approved a project to develop a 36ha premium resort in the Nam O village.

However, objections from local residents and the impact of the pandemic left the project unable to reach completion.

According to the local villagers, the investor blocking paths leading to the sea to serve the project development would affect the livelihood of local fishermen and long-standing tombs and temples in the surrounding area.

To cope with the opposition, the administration of Da Nang reduced the projects total area by over 10 hectares and excluded some areas, such as the Nam O rapids, from the project planning.

The citys government also withdrew a plot of land measuring 50 meters wide near Nguyen Tat Thanh Street to build a park and a coastal square as well as a sandy beach in the project area to serve the public.

In addition, a road running through the village was widened to 5.5 meters.

Five paths leading to the sea were unblocked, while the location of some tombs were not included in the project planning anymore.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Positive outcomes in the Vietnam-U.S. relations will create a foundation for the two countries to elevate their ties to a new height, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on Saturday. Blinken arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Friday evening for his first official visit to Vietnam in office. The visit, scheduled to end on Sunday, marks the 10th anniversary of the two nations comprehensive partnership. Party General Secretary Trong spoke highly of the results of the U.S. diplomat's working sessions in Vietnam as well as the strong and comprehensive development of the bilateral relations between the two countries. He affirmed that important foundations for the two countries' bilateral relation development are the respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. The Vietnamese Party chief also highly valued the outcomes of his phone talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on March 29, during which they discussed major orientations for the bilateral relations, particularly high-level meetings and exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and expand cooperation in varied sectors. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken reiterated that the U.S. attaches importance to the relationship with Vietnam and wants to lift it to a new level. Blinken, on behalf of President Biden, also repeated an invitation to Party General Secretary Trong to visit the U.S.. In response, Party chief Trong thanked him for the invitation, saying that he would ask the relevant agencies to arrange the visit at an appropriate time. He also invited President Biden to visit Vietnam. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Blinken also met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on the same day. PM Chinh suggested the two sides enhance the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels to further deepen their relations. He expected the U.S. to help Vietnam deal with war legacies, strengthen the cooperation in trade - investment, science - technology, education - training, defense - security, and new sectors. The Vietnamese head of government stressed that both sides should continue putting in efforts to promote harmonious and sustainable trade exchange. PM Chinh suggested the U.S. limit anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties and other unnecessary measures against Vietnamese exports. He called on the U.S. to create favorable conditions for 2.2 million Vietnamese living in the U.S. to continue integrating into its society, complying with the hosts law, and contributing to the development of the two countries' relations. Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) receives U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Minister Son suggested the two countries step up delegation exchanges and contacts this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership. He hailed the coordination between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State over the past time, especially Blinkens role in promoting the bilateral ties, including the recent phone talks between Party General Secretary Trong and President Joe Biden. Blinken said there is ample room for the cooperation between the two nations and their relations should be boosted on the principles agreed by their high-ranking leaders. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to respect Vietnams independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, as well as Washington's support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam. The U.S. will continue supporting Vietnam in coping with war legacies and cooperating with the Southeast Asian country in important sectors, Blinken noted. He also attended a ceremony to break ground on the new U.S. Embassy campus, which requires an investment of US$1.2 billion, in Hanoi. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a press briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam on April 15, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre The comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. over the past decade has created an extremely solid foundation in various sectors, Blinken said at a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi after his meetings with Vietnam's high-ranking leaders. We think that its high time to go further. By that way, we want to better the current cooperation and jointly work in new cooperation sectors," Blinken said. "U.S. President Biden and Vietnamese Party General Secretary Trong discussed these issues during their phone talks." The two sides should keep discussing the enhancement of their partnership in the coming weeks or months, the U.S. diplomat noted. They can intensify the collaboration in climate change, healthcare, security, science and technology, and education, he added. Vietnam and the U.S. upgraded their relationship to comprehensive partnership in 2013. The two countries' bilateral trade reached over $123.86 billion last year, up 11 percent year on year, according to news site VnExpress. The U.S. is Vietnams largest buyer, spending over $109 billion on imports from the latter in 2022. Besides, the U.S. is Vietnams second-largest trade partner, and ranks 11th among 40 nations and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country. U.S. investors have got involved in more than 1,200 projects in Vietnam, with total pledged capital of over VND258 trillion ($11 billion). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Positive outcomes in the Vietnam-U.S. relations will create a foundation for the two countries to elevate their ties to a new height, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on Saturday.

Blinken arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Friday evening for his first official visit to Vietnam in office.

The visit, scheduled to end on Sunday, marks the 10th anniversary of the two nations comprehensive partnership.

Party General Secretary Trong spoke highly of the results of the U.S. diplomat's working sessions in Vietnam as well as the strong and comprehensive development of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He affirmed that important foundations for the two countries' bilateral relation development are the respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese Party chief also highly valued the outcomes of his phone talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on March 29, during which they discussed major orientations for the bilateral relations, particularly high-level meetings and exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and expand cooperation in varied sectors.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken reiterated that the U.S. attaches importance to the relationship with Vietnam and wants to lift it to a new level.

Blinken, on behalf of President Biden, also repeated an invitation to Party General Secretary Trong to visit the U.S..

In response, Party chief Trong thanked him for the invitation, saying that he would ask the relevant agencies to arrange the visit at an appropriate time.

He also invited President Biden to visit Vietnam.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Blinken also met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on the same day.

PM Chinh suggested the two sides enhance the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels to further deepen their relations.

He expected the U.S. to help Vietnam deal with war legacies, strengthen the cooperation in trade - investment, science - technology, education - training, defense - security, and new sectors.

The Vietnamese head of government stressed that both sides should continue putting in efforts to promote harmonious and sustainable trade exchange.

PM Chinh suggested the U.S. limit anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties and other unnecessary measures against Vietnamese exports.

He called on the U.S. to create favorable conditions for 2.2 million Vietnamese living in the U.S. to continue integrating into its society, complying with the hosts law, and contributing to the development of the two countries' relations.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) receives U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Minister Son suggested the two countries step up delegation exchanges and contacts this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

He hailed the coordination between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State over the past time, especially Blinkens role in promoting the bilateral ties, including the recent phone talks between Party General Secretary Trong and President Joe Biden.

Blinken said there is ample room for the cooperation between the two nations and their relations should be boosted on the principles agreed by their high-ranking leaders.

He reiterated the U.S. commitment to respect Vietnams independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, as well as Washington's support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam.

The U.S. will continue supporting Vietnam in coping with war legacies and cooperating with the Southeast Asian country in important sectors, Blinken noted.

He also attended a ceremony to break ground on the new U.S. Embassy campus, which requires an investment of US$1.2 billion, in Hanoi.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a press briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam on April 15, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

The comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. over the past decade has created an extremely solid foundation in various sectors, Blinken said at a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi after his meetings with Vietnam's high-ranking leaders.

We think that its high time to go further. By that way, we want to better the current cooperation and jointly work in new cooperation sectors," Blinken said.

"U.S. President Biden and Vietnamese Party General Secretary Trong discussed these issues during their phone talks."

The two sides should keep discussing the enhancement of their partnership in the coming weeks or months, the U.S. diplomat noted.

They can intensify the collaboration in climate change, healthcare, security, science and technology, and education, he added.

Vietnam and the U.S. upgraded their relationship to comprehensive partnership in 2013.

The two countries' bilateral trade reached over $123.86 billion last year, up 11 percent year on year, according to news site VnExpress.

The U.S. is Vietnams largest buyer, spending over $109 billion on imports from the latter in 2022.

Besides, the U.S. is Vietnams second-largest trade partner, and ranks 11th among 40 nations and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country.

U.S. investors have got involved in more than 1,200 projects in Vietnam, with total pledged capital of over VND258 trillion ($11 billion).

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Check out what is in the news today in Vietnam: Politics -- Positive outcomes in the Vietnam-U.S. relations will create a foundation for the two countries to elevate their ties to a new height, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on Saturday. Blinken arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Friday evening for his first official visit to Vietnam in office. -- Chairman of Vietnam's lawmaking National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue will pay official visits to Cuba, Argentina, and Uruguay from April 18 to 28, the Vietnam News Agency cited the NA Committee for Foreign Affairs as saying. Society -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday required the construction of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line to be completed by September 2 this year, four months ahead of schedule. -- Stadler Rail, a Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, has shown its interest in supporting Vietnam in restoring the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, which runs from south-central Ninh Thuan Province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, by providing new cogwheels and carriages, the Peoples Committee of Lam Dong said on Saturday. -- The Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has required departments, agencies, Thu Duc City, and districts to enhance the fight against COVID-19 amid an increase in infections in Vietnam since early this month. -- Ho Chi Minh City experienced a torrential downpour on Saturday evening. This was the heaviest rain in the city since early this year following scorching days. Lifestyle -- The Southern Folk Cake Festival 2023 will be organized in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from April 28 to May 2. The 10th edition of the festival will feature nearly 300 booths introducing folk cakes from 22 localities in Vietnam and is expected to attract one million visitors. -- Two pig-tailed macaques were caught and transported to the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in the namesake district of Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday after they were on the loose in the citys Nha Be District and one of them injured a young girl. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Check out what is in the news today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- Positive outcomes in the Vietnam-U.S. relations will create a foundation for the two countries to elevate their ties to a new height, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on Saturday. Blinken arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Friday evening for his first official visit to Vietnam in office.

-- Chairman of Vietnam's lawmaking National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue will pay official visits to Cuba, Argentina, and Uruguay from April 18 to 28, the Vietnam News Agency cited the NA Committee for Foreign Affairs as saying.

Society

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday required the construction of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line to be completed by September 2 this year, four months ahead of schedule.

-- Stadler Rail, a Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, has shown its interest in supporting Vietnam in restoring the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, which runs from south-central Ninh Thuan Province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, by providing new cogwheels and carriages, the Peoples Committee of Lam Dong said on Saturday.

-- The Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has required departments, agencies, Thu Duc City, and districts to enhance the fight against COVID-19 amid an increase in infections in Vietnam since early this month.

-- Ho Chi Minh City experienced a torrential downpour on Saturday evening. This was the heaviest rain in the city since early this year following scorching days.

Lifestyle

-- The Southern Folk Cake Festival 2023 will be organized in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from April 28 to May 2. The 10th edition of the festival will feature nearly 300 booths introducing folk cakes from 22 localities in Vietnam and is expected to attract one million visitors.

-- Two pig-tailed macaques were caught and transported to the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in the namesake district of Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday after they were on the loose in the citys Nha Be District and one of them injured a young girl.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday required the construction of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line to be completed by September 2 this year, four months ahead of schedule. The government leader on Saturday afternoon inspected some key traffic infrastructure projects in the southern Vietnamese metropolis, including the first metro line, which spans 19.7 kilometers from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City. He took a test run on the metro line, saying it is a symbolic project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen join a delegation to inspect the construction site of the first metro line of Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: MAUR Obstacles to the project have been basically removed. Relevant agencies are also resolving the financial issues of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railways No. 1 Co. Ltd., the operator of the metro line, city authorities reported to the prime minister. The companys employees have not received salaries and social insurance premiums since August 2021, currently valued at VND6.7 billion (US$285,801). Up to 21 out of 36 employees of the company have quit despite a need for 706 laborers to operate and maintain the metro line. Contractors have also asked the company to dispatch human resources for training and technology transfer since last month but the firm has yet to meet the requirement. PM Chinh asked Ho Chi Minh City to complete the planning for its metro line system and early kick off the 3a metro line project connecting Ben Thanh Station and Tan Kien Station in Binh Chanh District, using Japans new-generation official development assistance (ODA) loans. A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation on a section of the metro line in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre The prime minister also talked with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio at the construction site of the first metro line. He thanked the ambassador for urging Japan to offer new-generation ODA loans to Vietnam and suggested Japan continue supporting Vietnam in developing traffic infrastructure facilities, including express railways. The first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City is over 94 percent complete. Prior to the prime ministers requirement to complete the project by September 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee adjusted the expected completion date for the project to the end of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the late signing of an appendix of the consultancy contract. The project was approved in 2007 with an initial investment of over VND17 trillion ($725.2 million). Work on the project started in August 2012 and was scheduled to be completed in 2018. The project saw its estimated investment revised up to VND43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion) and planned completion delayed to the last quarter of 2021 due to multiple bottlenecks. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation speaks during his inspection of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line, April 15, 2023. Photo: MAUR A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation through a metro line section in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation to a metro station at the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Ordering early completion of An Phu Interchange project PM Chinh on Saturday also inspected the construction site of the An Phu Interchange project in Thu Duc City and asked relevant units to spend efforts completing the project soon. He asked the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City to mobilize resources to conduct the project in accordance with a detailed road map, regularly inspect its progress, and report hurdles to the municipal Party Committee and Peoples Committee. He stressed that public investment is one of the three driving forces of Vietnams growth and helps boost the countrys socio-economic recovery and development. Key traffic projects make up 60 percent of Ho Chi Minh Citys public investment. Therefore, the city should try to achieve the target of disbursing over 95 percent of the allocated public investment this year, at VND70 trillion ($3 billion). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction site of the An Phu Interchange project in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal The An Phu Interchange project, which upon completion will connect the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway with Mai Chi Tho Boulevard in order to ease traffic pressure on one of the worst bottlenecks in the southern metropolis, carries a price tag of VND3.4 trillion ($148 million). The project, including 10-to-12 lane roads, three tunnels with four lanes each, and flyovers with two lanes each, will be executed until 2025. The interchange project is expected to become the largest and most beautiful intersection in Ho Chi Minh City once it is complete. At present, up to 30,000 vehicles, including 20,000 trailer trucks, pass through the intersection per day. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday required the construction of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line to be completed by September 2 this year, four months ahead of schedule.

The government leader on Saturday afternoon inspected some key traffic infrastructure projects in the southern Vietnamese metropolis, including the first metro line, which spans 19.7 kilometers from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City.

He took a test run on the metro line, saying it is a symbolic project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen join a delegation to inspect the construction site of the first metro line of Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: MAUR

Obstacles to the project have been basically removed. Relevant agencies are also resolving the financial issues of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railways No. 1 Co. Ltd., the operator of the metro line, city authorities reported to the prime minister.

The companys employees have not received salaries and social insurance premiums since August 2021, currently valued at VND6.7 billion (US$285,801).

Up to 21 out of 36 employees of the company have quit despite a need for 706 laborers to operate and maintain the metro line.

Contractors have also asked the company to dispatch human resources for training and technology transfer since last month but the firm has yet to meet the requirement.

PM Chinh asked Ho Chi Minh City to complete the planning for its metro line system and early kick off the 3a metro line project connecting Ben Thanh Station and Tan Kien Station in Binh Chanh District, using Japans new-generation official development assistance (ODA) loans.

A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation on a section of the metro line in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The prime minister also talked with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio at the construction site of the first metro line.

He thanked the ambassador for urging Japan to offer new-generation ODA loans to Vietnam and suggested Japan continue supporting Vietnam in developing traffic infrastructure facilities, including express railways.

The first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City is over 94 percent complete.

Prior to the prime ministers requirement to complete the project by September 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee adjusted the expected completion date for the project to the end of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the late signing of an appendix of the consultancy contract.

The project was approved in 2007 with an initial investment of over VND17 trillion ($725.2 million).

Work on the project started in August 2012 and was scheduled to be completed in 2018.

The project saw its estimated investment revised up to VND43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion) and planned completion delayed to the last quarter of 2021 due to multiple bottlenecks.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation speaks during his inspection of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line, April 15, 2023. Photo: MAUR

A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation through a metro line section in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

A train carries Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs delegation to a metro station at the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Ordering early completion of An Phu Interchange project

PM Chinh on Saturday also inspected the construction site of the An Phu Interchange project in Thu Duc City and asked relevant units to spend efforts completing the project soon.

He asked the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City to mobilize resources to conduct the project in accordance with a detailed road map, regularly inspect its progress, and report hurdles to the municipal Party Committee and Peoples Committee.

He stressed that public investment is one of the three driving forces of Vietnams growth and helps boost the countrys socio-economic recovery and development.

Key traffic projects make up 60 percent of Ho Chi Minh Citys public investment. Therefore, the city should try to achieve the target of disbursing over 95 percent of the allocated public investment this year, at VND70 trillion ($3 billion).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction site of the An Phu Interchange project in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2023. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal

The An Phu Interchange project, which upon completion will connect the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway with Mai Chi Tho Boulevard in order to ease traffic pressure on one of the worst bottlenecks in the southern metropolis, carries a price tag of VND3.4 trillion ($148 million).

The project, including 10-to-12 lane roads, three tunnels with four lanes each, and flyovers with two lanes each, will be executed until 2025.

The interchange project is expected to become the largest and most beautiful intersection in Ho Chi Minh City once it is complete.

At present, up to 30,000 vehicles, including 20,000 trailer trucks, pass through the intersection per day.

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Authorities in Can Tho, a city in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, have announced the total investment of about VND8 trillion (US$341.1 million) in the restart of a street expansion project that is seven kilometers long. The investment to expand the section of National Highway 91 that spans seven kilometers through the urban area of Can Tho includes VND1 trillion ($42.6 million) for construction and VND7 trillion ($298.5 million) for land compensation, Le Tien Dung, director of the Can Tho Department of Transport, said at a regular press briefing organized by the provincial Peoples Committee on Friday. Dung attributed the high compensation cost to the pricey tag of up to VND10 billion ($426,484) of each house along the road section, which is also known as Cach Mang Thang Tam Street. The central government has sought the approval and budget for the project from the National Assembly, according to Dung. Once the project is approved, the Can Tho authorities will be allocated over VND3 trillion ($128 million) this year and in 2024. The aforementioned expansion plan is one of three projects that have been carried out on the section of National Highway 91 running through Can Tho, which is prone to high tides and rain water inundation. Two have been completed and open to traffic since 2015 while the Cach Mang Thang Tam Street project has been halted following a government resolution issued in 2011. The Peoples Committee of Can Tho then handed over the project to the Ministry of Transport before taking it over again in 2020 and resuming its implementation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Authorities in Can Tho, a city in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, have announced the total investment of about VND8 trillion (US$341.1 million) in the restart of a street expansion project that is seven kilometers long.

The investment to expand the section of National Highway 91 that spans seven kilometers through the urban area of Can Tho includes VND1 trillion ($42.6 million) for construction and VND7 trillion ($298.5 million) for land compensation, Le Tien Dung, director of the Can Tho Department of Transport, said at a regular press briefing organized by the provincial Peoples Committee on Friday.

Dung attributed the high compensation cost to the pricey tag of up to VND10 billion ($426,484) of each house along the road section, which is also known as Cach Mang Thang Tam Street.

The central government has sought the approval and budget for the project from the National Assembly, according to Dung.

Once the project is approved, the Can Tho authorities will be allocated over VND3 trillion ($128 million) this year and in 2024.

The aforementioned expansion plan is one of three projects that have been carried out on the section of National Highway 91 running through Can Tho, which is prone to high tides and rain water inundation.

Two have been completed and open to traffic since 2015 while the Cach Mang Thang Tam Street project has been halted following a government resolution issued in 2011.

The Peoples Committee of Can Tho then handed over the project to the Ministry of Transport before taking it over again in 2020 and resuming its implementation.

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The Southern Folk Cake Festival 2023 will be organized in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from April 28 to May 2. The municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on Friday morning held a press briefing to introduce activities in the framework of the fest this year. In particular, the 10th edition of the festival, themed 'Preserving and promoting the values of southern folk cakes,' will feature nearly 300 booths introducing folk cakes from 22 localities in Vietnam. The festival will see no booth of foreign artisans. It is expected to attract one million visitors, up some 200,000 over the ninth edition held last year. The festival will feature more night-time activities, including folk cake-making games, an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) performance, and art performance programs, Nguyen Minh Tuan, director of the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said at the press conference. The city also required a hot-air balloon festival to be associated with the folk cake event, Tuan added. The festival last year attracted 800,000 visitors, bringing over VND4 trillion (US$170.6 million) to Can Thos tourism industry, The Saigon Times reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Southern Folk Cake Festival 2023 will be organized in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from April 28 to May 2.

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on Friday morning held a press briefing to introduce activities in the framework of the fest this year.

In particular, the 10th edition of the festival, themed 'Preserving and promoting the values of southern folk cakes,' will feature nearly 300 booths introducing folk cakes from 22 localities in Vietnam.

The festival will see no booth of foreign artisans.

It is expected to attract one million visitors, up some 200,000 over the ninth edition held last year.

The festival will feature more night-time activities, including folk cake-making games, an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) performance, and art performance programs, Nguyen Minh Tuan, director of the Can Tho Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said at the press conference.

The city also required a hot-air balloon festival to be associated with the folk cake event, Tuan added.

The festival last year attracted 800,000 visitors, bringing over VND4 trillion (US$170.6 million) to Can Thos tourism industry, The Saigon Times reported.

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NITV series marks 20th anniversary hearing passionate views about the Voice to Parliament. 8:30pm Monday.

Succession

The Claremont Murders

Hot Seat

Australian Story

Ghosts
Former supermodel Janice Dickinson was forced to quit I'm A Celeb South Africa after fears of a fractured skull. (Image: ITV/PA)

Star of ITVs Im A Celebrity South Africa, Janice Dickinson was rushed to hospital after a serious head injury on the set of the upcoming series.

The former supermodel was forced to quit the show after the crew feared she had fractured her skull.

Its believed that whilst in camp, Dickinson tripped over a cable in South Africas Kruger National Park, according to The Sun.

A source close to the paper said that blood was gushing from her head.

Campmates of Im A Celebrity South Africa, including Carol Vorderman and Shaun Ryder were woken up by Dickinson after she fell face-first into the ground.

The supermodel was found with a head wound and blood gushing down her head, with it believed that she suffered a concussion, black eye, split lip, bruised cheeks and fractures to her hands.

The Northern Echo:

Dickinson was quickly rushed to the hospital seeing her forced to pull out of the reality TV show.

A source for The Sun said: The injuries were severe enough that she had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.

The on-set medics are very good but this needed her going to a fully equipped hospital.

There were fears that she had suffered a cracked skull but she was later given the all-clear by doctors.

The All-Stars series is set in South Africa and is pre-recorded, unlike the traditional show which is aired live.

Im A Celebrity South Africa stars on Monday, April 24 from 9pm on ITV 1 and ITV X.
Way, way back in January of 2015, the excitement around Michael Manns Blackhat was relatively muted. The filmmaker behind many of the best films ever committed to celluloid had completely turned to a digital workflow for a globe-trotting thriller about people manipulating the stock market through acts of cyberterrorism. Or rather, he picked up the lofty task of making an engaging thriller about people who do their work mostly in the shadows, behind computers, in the corners of the world where they cant be easily found. And to the credit of many of the films detractors, the terse geopolitics gets thrown at the audience at breakneck speed, and Hemsworth makes for a rather stolid lead that could be misinterpreted as thin. Its no wonder that Blackhat was dismissed as a formal exercise, as Manns usual breathless fetishism is on full display here.

Blackhat follows the collaboration between American and Chinese officials following a cyberattack that overloaded a Chinese nuclear reactor and forces it to explode. Soon after, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is hacked and soy futures get rigged to go through the roof. A smart hacker somewhere is causing disasters that influence stock prices, cashing out while chaos rings through the worlds economy. At the FBI is Special Agent Carol Barrett (Viola Davis), responsible for working with P.L.A. Captain Chen Dawai (Leehom Wang) to hunt down the source of these attacks. But to succeed, they need the kind of hacker theyre after, and that comes in the form of Dawais friend Nick Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth), a hacker currently in prison for hacking banks. Hathaway is granted temporary release and everyone gets to work on tracking down this cyberterrorist, but are they truly in control here?

Okay, so if you have not picked up on it already, I can talk for a very long time about this film; its one that deeply understands the kind of existential anxiety brought on by the dominance of everything digital in the world. In the beginning, a simple keystroke is all it takes to send a remote access tool to overheat coolant pumps and cause a nuclear meltdown. That kind of blunt note isnt presented as such, as every keystroke is just the beginning of the transaction between the user and the network. The signal sent from the keystroke needs to reach the proper systems, with the end result more like a futile and inevitable danger that were incapable of preventing. So, in classic Mann fashion, he spends much of the time in his dreamy reality thats deeply influenced by digital technology in both form and practice. The comparisons between Mann and Wong Kar-wai are apt, although the former filmmaker offers a heavily textured, dreamy digital world filled with unease and disconnection. The characters are often abruptly ejected from the network.

Therere a few different cuts of Blackhat, as well. The International Version included in this release is what played in non-US territories and contains a slightly shortened dialogue exchange considering a suspect that the FBI is studying who has ties to a Latino gang. The US Version, which is also on this release, is what American audiences saw back in 2015 but with that dialogue exchange completely intact. A very odd cut that may be because of political reasons regarding the FBI suspects race? I dont think anyone knows, but these are the things that keep me awake at night.

Lastly, a Directors Cut that is vastly different from both other versions premiered in 2016 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn. That version starts with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange hack rather than the plant meltdown, which has been moved to the middle of the film, and other sequences had been slightly lengthened or shortened. This cut was only shown once in theaters and popped up on FX a year later, followed by on-demand and streaming options via DirecTV and Hulu. The huge hang-up, though? The version is censored for TV and has those awful commercial break cuts. And unfortunately, yes, this version is not included in this release nor has Mann updated his statement about how there's no home video release plans for it. The man is known for constantly tinkering with his work, though what he did to Blackhat returns the film back to its intended narrative structure. That badly dubbed sequence of Chinese officials discussing the hackers sabotage? Gone, as Mann had to dub the characters at the last minute because the nuclear power plant attack was moved to the beginning of the US and International Versions.

Blackhat is justifiably criticized for a wide variety of reasons, especially that really bad dubbing, though it rewards upon each viewing with a story thats less about mankinds lack of grasp on the digital world and more about the humanity that exists within this massive network of society. Again, a very silly thing to write down, but its depicted with the exacting poetry of a master.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-rays

Chris Hemsworth races against time to find a cyberterrorist in Blackhat, presented here with a triple-layer (BD100) 4K Blu-ray disc that offers both International and US Versions. The Blu-ray boots up to a standard menu with options to choose the version of the film, set up audio and subtitles, explore bonus features and select chapters.

NOTE: High-Def Digest was provided with an advance 4K check disc only and thus will not be reviewing the physical items from the retail release. We also weren't able to pull 4K sourced images from the disc. When we can, we aim to circle back and update the images and if possible provide a sample clip.
This photo provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance shows Minister Choo Kyung-ho, left, and his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, posing for a photo after their meeting in Washington, April 13. Yonhap



Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho has said he will meet with his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, next month, the first meeting between the finance ministers of the two neighbors in nearly seven years in the latest sign of a thaw in diplomatic relations.



The agreement was made in Washington where the two attended the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting, Choo said last Thursday (local time).



"Since the two leaders initiated a watershed moment (for cooperation) during their summit, we need to start working-level consultations in each sector, and there is a need to expand cooperative relations with Japan's finance ministry in economy and finance," Choo said while meeting with Korean reporters.



Choo will meet with Suzuki on the sidelines of the 56th Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting to be held in Songdo, Incheon, from May 2-5.



It will mark the first in nearly seven years since August 2016, when then Korean Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho met with his counterpart, Taro Aso.



The two countries' relations had been seriously strained over historical disputes stemming from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.



In March, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit to improve bilateral relations after years of animosity, and to resolve pending issues ranging from compensating wartime forced labor victims to lifting retaliatory export curbs. (Yonhap)


HA NOI  Gia inh Group and SEP Cooperative of the Republic of Korea (RoK) have signed a memorandum of understanding on building a net-zero industrial complex in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Within the framework of the signing ceremony, a representative of the SEP group introduced carbon neutralisation technology that will be applied at Tam Lap 2 industrial cluster in Phu Giao District. Accordingly, solar energy will be used, waste and wastewater treatment systems built and industrial waste recycled in the cluster.

Construction of the 180ha project is expected to begin at the end of this year with an investment capital of about US$200 million.

Tam Lap 2 will be developed based on the carbon-neutral model piloted at Banwol-Sihwa Industrial Complex in the RoK. Once completed, it will welcome about 20 member companies of SEP to invest here.

Binh Duong Province is calling for foreign investment in environmentally friendly projects. In February this year, Becamex IDC Corporation and Singapore-based Sembcorp Development Ltd signed an agreement under which both sides will develop five green- and smart-oriented industrial parks in Viet Nam in the next three years, some of which will be located in Binh Duong.

Currently, the third Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP III) in Binh Duong is being built in line with the criteria of a green industrial park.

Denmark-based LEGO group has decided to build its first carbon-neutral factory in VSIP III with an investment capital of $1.3 billion. The plant is expected to become operational by 2024, creating 4,000 jobs for local people within the next 15 years.  VNS
KHANH HOA  A conference intended to promote trade ties between HMC City and six provinces in the south-central coastal region was held in the central city of Nha Trang on Friday with the participation of 200 delegates.

The attendees were representatives from local state management agencies, suppliers and sales enterprises.

Six localities were Binh inh, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen va Quang Ngai.

Chairman of Khanh Hoa People's Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan described HCM City as a place with large-scale goods manufacturers and distributors. The city was also the largest commodity consumption market in the country and an important gateway connecting trade with the region and the world.

In recent years, trade connection and promotion activities among HCM City and six provinces in the south-central coastal region have contributed to stabilising consumption of several products in the city market and in southern provinces and cities. That has helped promote consumption and stimulate consumer demand, accelerate the flow of goods and raise the value of typical products of localities.

At the same time, some large corporations in the city have opened branches in the provinces, creating a driving force for the development of local commercial infrastructure, Tuan said.

Khanh Hoa would always accompany and create the most favourable conditions for businesses in HCM City and other provinces to operate effectively in the locality, contributing to speeding up its socio-economic development, the chairman noted.

During the event, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan said if the city wanted to develop, it had to connect with other localities.

HCM City last year recorded impressive positive growth thanks to its policy of expanding trade connections, Hoan said.

Currently, the commodity economy has no limits. Thus, enterprises needed to try their bests to improve product quality and bring good quality products to consumers.

At the same time, distributors should meet with manufacturers to connect and inject investment capital to produce goods to meet the needs of businesses and markets, according to the vice chairman.

At the conference, the participants also gave opinions about the difficulties in connecting and trading goods among these localities. Among them included the region's insufficient transport infrastructure and lack of warehouses to preserve fresh and long-lasting food.

They also made recommendations related to checking the source of goods; prices of products; manufacturer information and support from the State on developing websites and opening more shopping centres.

The event saw 28 contracts and 18 memorandums of understanding inked among HCM City's distributors and supply enterprises in the south-central coastal region.

Central Retail Vietnam said it struck deals with three suppliers in the region including FMCG which provides Phan Thiet fish sauce in Binh Thuan Province and two others which offer durian and VietGap vegetables in Khanh Hoa Province.

Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Vietnam Olivier Langlet said his company has three investment projects in the south-central coastal region, consisting of three existing shopping centres in Khanh Hoa, Binh inh, and Quang Ngai.

"The company's plan for the development of the region is to conduct further research and surveys to expand our distribution system. Our focus will be on expanding our presence in provinces such as Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, and Binh Thuan, and developing a general supermarket chain store network at the district level throughout the region. To achieve this, we hope to receive more support from the local government," he said.

"Furthermore, we would like to collaborate with local authorities to facilitate business connections with new suppliers, particularly for fresh goods that meet the criteria and specifications required to enter our distribution system.

"The local government could support in offering favourable policies to boost investment development and logistics efficiency and play a role as an effective bridge for distributors and local businesses to achieve practical results and contribute to the overall development of the region," he noted.  VNS
HCM CITY  Artists from IDECAF (The Institute of Cultural Exchange with France), one of the regions leading private drama troupes, are working to offer a musical for children in HCM City this summer.

The musical is based on The Wild Swans, a literary fairy tale by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. The story was first published in 1838 in the writers book titled Fairy Tales Told for Children. It has been adapted to many ballets, television shows and films.

The Vietnamese version features a princess who rescues her family from an evil witch.

Love, friendship, bravery and honesty are also highlighted.

Celebrated Artist My Duyen and Huu Chau will perform the lead characters.

Cai luong (reformed opera) star Bach Long also plays a part in the musical.

The plays producer Huynh Anh Tuan spent a lot to make many beautiful outfits, accessories and stage designs for the play.

We have worked hard and have enough resources to stage quality drama plays and musicals to entertain young audiences, said Tuan, founder of IDECAF, who has 25 years in the industry.

The musical The Wild Swans is part of a long-term theatre programme called Ngay Xua Ngay Xua (Once Upon a Time) launched by IDECAF in 2000.

The programme is launched by Meritorious Artist and theatre actor-director Thanh Loc and his partners. It provides young audiences with new concepts and techniques in Vietnamese drama. Loc and his artists have worked hard to foster a love of theatre among children and teenagers.

Ngay Xua Ngay Xua has produced 33 plays with 500 free performances and shows for more than 30,000 children and teenagers, including disadvantaged one who live in streets and shelters around the city.

Last year, the programme offered Cuoc Phieu Luu Cua Thuyen Truong Sinbad - ai Chien Nang Tien Ca (The Adventures of Sinbad - The Battle of Mermaids), a musical by director inh Toan.

It is a re-telling of the adventures of Sinbad from The Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. It was staged for 60 shows attracting an audience of 18,000.

The first show of the musical The Wild Swans is scheduled to be staged in May at 28 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1.  VNS
HA NOI  More than 500 managers, scientists and businesspeople from Viet Nam and France gathered at a business forum in Ha Noi on Saturday as part of the 12th Viet Nam-France decentralised cooperation conference.

The forum offered an opportunity to connect authorities of cities, investors and enterprises of the two countries, said Vice Chairman of the Ha Noi Peoples Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen.

He said that the participants also exchanged views, initiatives and solutions to raise mutual understanding and promote cooperation while expanding exchange and collaboration between Vietnamese and French partners.

Quyen briefed the participants on Ha Nois socio-economic situation, with its GRDP growing 5.8 per cent in the first quarter of this year, 1.7 times higher than the national average, and its budget collection reaching VN128 trillion (US$5.48 billion), equivalent to 40 per cent of the estimate.

For cooperation with France, he said since 1989, the capital city has attracted about $494.4 million in foreign direct investment from the country, including $7.8 million in 2022 and $0.92 million in the first three months of this year.

In his remarks, French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery noted that the year 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and ten years of the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Over the past three days, the diplomat said the conference looked into solutions and projects on smart cities, sustainable urban and rural development, heritage and tourism.

The French embassy will work to promote mutual understanding and deepen the bilateral relations across spheres, he pledged.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Ngoc Bich noted that the two countries boast huge cooperation opportunities in the time ahead, explaining that Viet Nam is an active, responsible member of ASEAN.

At the same time, France is a key member of the European Union. Both are members of the Francophone community and the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.  VNS
HA NOI  Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong inh Hue will pay official visits to Cuba, Argentina and Uruguay from April 18-28, the NA Committee for Foreign Affairs has announced.

The visits will be made at the invitation of President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina Cecilia Moreau, and Speaker of the Senate of Uruguay Beatriz Argimon Cedeira.

Viet Nam and Cuba officially set up diplomatic relations on December 2, 1960. The strong, trusted political ties have facilitated effective economic and trade cooperation. Bilateral trade hit US$262 million in 2021, up 46.6 per cent from the year before, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemics impacts.

NA Chairman Hue will be the first foreign leader to visit Cuba after the country's parliamentary elections in 2023. The trip reaffirms the importance that Viet Nam attaches to consolidating and strengthening the special friendship and solidarity between the two Parties and nations.

For Viet Nam and Argentina, the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties (19732023) with a series of activities.

In a decade, two-way trade has increased from $875 million in 2011 to $4.5 billion in 2021. In the first 11 months of 2022, the figure was $4.52 billion, up 6.9 per cent annually.

NA Chairman Hues visit to Argentina  the first of a Vietnamese top leader to the country in the last 13 years  aims to bolster the friendship and traditional solidarity between the two nations as well as between Viet Nam and Latin American countries.

The Vietnamese top legislators official visit to Uruguay takes place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The visit demonstrates Viet Nams appreciation towards the partnership and the wish to step up economic and trade relations and development cooperation with nations in Latin America, including Uruguay.

This will be Viet Nam's first high-ranking visit to Uruguay since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1993.  VNS
HA NOI  The 12th Viet Nam-France cooperation conference with the theme "The driving force for sustainable and comprehensive recovery and development after the COVID-19 pandemic" wrapped up successfully in Ha Noi on Saturday.

Taking place at a time when Viet Nam and France are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, the conference showed the role and prestige of this cooperation mechanism with the participation of 50 localities of Viet Nam and 12 localities of France, and many state and private organisations of the two sides.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh affirmed that after the three-day conference, more discussions and exchanges will be continued on other forums to realise the conferences goals of creating new connections, new partners, and new successes.

The joint statement issued at the conference pointed out that environmental and climate changes are caused by human activities, reaffirming the determination to cooperate, based on the potential of experience exchanges in sustainable development, especially effective water management.

Participants at the conference agreed that environmental protection is a solid basis for sustainable socio-economic development.

There is a need to quickly adapt to digital transformation, which is now becoming a big challenge for socio-economic transformation, affirming that the cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities can offer new effective actions and solutions to successfully lead the transformation, through sharing common perceptions, policies, and experiences of success and failure in the development of a digital ecosystem, digital economy, digital society, and smart city. In this process, the priority is to improve the quality of public services and the business environment.

Challenges of urbanisation for the sustainable development of cities and people's lives give people no choice but to develop sustainably.

Therefore, it is necessary to promote projects based on a holistic approach and adapt to local conditions to ensure harmony and balance between modernity and tradition, heritage preservation, economic development, environmental protection, integration, and preservation of cultural identity. This not only requires a long-term vision of urban planning and management but also solutions to encourage and mobilise different stakeholders, especially urban residents, to participate in the transition towards a greener, more sustainable stage.

According to the joint statement, through discussions on forms of heritage conservation, cultural promotion, and tourism development, the localities of Vietnam and France, with diversity and richness in culture and heritage, have common interests and strengthen cooperation in formulating strategies for socio-economic development, green growth, and cultural industries associated with the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage.

The local-level cooperation is essential and indispensable for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda. The conference called for the development of this form of cooperation and committed to implementing the recommendations of the conference, with the support of all stakeholders.

On this occasion, localities including Ha Noi and Toulouse, Yen Bai and Val-de-Marne, Thua-Thien-Hue and Grand Poitiers signed cooperation agreements.  VNS


By Arthur I. Cyr



President Tsai Ing-wen has just made an important visit to the United States. In reaction, the communist government of China has broadcast predictable belligerency, threatened retaliation and sanctioned selected organizations. This is nothing new.



She met with Speaker Kevin McCarthy of the House of Representatives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Los Angeles, who represents California's 20th Congressional District. The district is in the rich agricultural Central Valley, including part of Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Monument.



Meeting with Speaker McCarthy on the West Coast was a shrewd move. President Tsai was greeted by a senior official of the United States government, but one separate from the White House and the executive branch, where any implication of formal recognition of Taiwan would spark a truly serious confrontation with China. She also made a brief stop in New York.



Agriculture represents positive trade for both nations. China is a major customer for U.S. farm products, including a range of feedstuffs. This dimension is well-removed from high-tech sectors, where competition and conflict are intense.



An important aspect of this particular overseas trip is that President Tsai is not the only leader from Taiwan currently to undertake significant travel. While she has been in the United States, Ma Ying-jeou, her predecessor as Taiwan's chief executive, has visited mainland China, with less international publicity.



Former President Ma, with a group of 30 Taiwanese students, toured the mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, which successfully replaced the imperial kingdom, and the final emperor of China, in 1911.



The 12-day trip in total included visits to the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha and Chongqing. A particularly important meeting was with Song Tao, the head of China's Taiwan Affairs Council. Song Tao accompanied the Taiwan group from Changsha to Wuhan and hosted a farewell banquet for the delegation in Shanghai, a principal commercial and trade hub in China.



This is important. Informal reciprocal representative offices of both Beijing and Taipei have survived the deterioration of relations in recent years.



Pragmatism characterizes Taiwan's approach to mainland China. Following formal U.S. diplomatic recognition of Beijing in 1978, a consequence of President Richard Nixon's historic 1972 visit, Taipei launched a comprehensive non-confrontational response.



In November 2008, agreement was achieved on direct shipping, expansion of weekly passenger flights from 36 to 108 and adding up to 60 cargo flights per month.



In 2010, the bilateral Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) was concluded. This central accord remains a major triumph of then-President Ma. His election in 2008 and 2012 greatly furthered cooperation with Beijing.



Beijing-Taipei relations reflect the party in power. The center-left Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of President Tsai is formally committed to independence for Taiwan. Her election as chief executive in 2016 marks the deterioration of relations with the mainland.



Beijing has been consistent and unequivocal that any public formal declaration of independence by Taiwan will mean war. The DPP government so far has finessed that matter.



The conservative Kuomintang Party (KMT) of former President Ma (and President Sun Yat-sen) has always declared there is only one China, facilitating relations with Beijing. The KMT government of Nationalist China retreated to Taiwan when communist forces conquered the mainland in 1949.



President Tsai has strongly criticized her predecessor's China visit. However, collaboration between their parties may ultimately be the key to coexistence with Beijing.



Above all, astute diplomacy by Taipei is essential.





Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is author of "After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia."






Thai Thi Hong ao is a 32-year-old author and screenwriter in Long An Province, who also works in the media.

Thankful for receiving donations for her child's medical treatment, she began writing books for children, such as Sieu Nhan Banh Bao (Dumpling Superhero), Sieu Nhan Chan Rach (Torn Blanket Superhero), and Sieu Nhan Un In (Piggy Superhero).

She is also known for organising many charitable activities fostering reading in underprivileged children. ao spoke with Viet Nam News, about her journey.

Inner Sanctum: What is the motivation behind your charity work?

I have been doing charity work for almost five years.

It all started with my first childs eye problem at birth. When hearing from doctors that he would likely be permanently blind, I was devastated. I was financially unstable at the time, and such costly treatment was beyond my ability.

Not giving up, I started figuring out what I could do, as well as reaching out for help. I was very fortunate as my child received unconditional care and financial support from the community. They helped my son, even though they did not know who I was. After an unsuccessful surgery in Taiwan, my son was funded for another surgery in Singapore.

My sons vision is now in a much better condition, all thanks to the great support of the community. I felt grateful for such kindness, which made me think of doing something to pay back. That was when I decided to wholeheartedly dedicate my time and effort to helping those in need.

Inner Sanctum: Many children love your books. Is there any special reason you became a childrens author?

I enjoyed reading when I was little, which may explain why I was good at literature at school. But I had really limited access to books due to my familys financial difficulties.

When I began doing charity work, I realised there were so many children unable to read books regularly, although they are such an affordable source of knowledge.

From my childhood and my love for reading, I believe that self-learning and personal development through reading are the key drivers to overcome obstacles. This makes me believe that books can stimulate creative thinking in children and help them strengthen their thinking skills.

I hope that I can indirectly show children the life-lessons behind my works, and that they can find their dreams, motivations and incentives to self-educate and fight any challenges.

Apart from selling books, I started reaching out to like-minded donors and sponsors to help bring books to children

Inner Sanctum: Having hosted many philanthropic activities for children, can you tell us about how you organised them?

I am fortunate to have quite a big inner circle, so I usually get to know about unfortunate cases through my acquaintances and volunteers. I then visit those people in need to verify and understand more about them.

We typically raise funds for children in need of medical treatment, as well as providing books and daily necessities for underprivileged children. For the latter, we have a careful look at their living conditions to find what is best for them.

Inner Sanctum: Do you face any challenges as an active charity worker?

There is no doubt that it requires much time and effort. I find it hard to be able to attend every single charity trip.

From my perspective, trust and transparency in doing charity work is key. I am very upfront about recording and publicising benefactors.

However, there were times that I could not make it due to problems with commuting or schedule conflicts. This makes it challenging for me to keep my position of trust. Some may wonder if the money or goods donated is the same as what I have publicly announced.

I am trying my best to work around this.

Inner Sanctum: Can you share your thoughts on receiving support from donors and the public?

I am so blessed to have received endless support from the community and donors. This proves that what I have been doing has a significant communal impact, which enables me to connect with more volunteers and donors.

I always tell myself that I should not take this for granted, and I must work harder to keep faith with the community.

Inner Sanctum: What are your upcoming charitable plans and projects?

I am working with Tan An Citys Youth Union of Long An Province on a project setting up free book cabinets around the city. I am also planning on providing 1,000 books to send to children in Kon Tum and ak Lak provinces. Furthermore, I hope that these will be a great way to foster reading among children, especially the underprivileged.

Besides this, I am connecting with more donors and sponsors to work on big projects dedicated to promoting reading and providing free books to unfortunate children. VNS
Recently, Japanese NHK News broadcast a segment in which Vietnamese soy milk products (Fami Calcium Soy Milk produced by Vinasoy) were destroyed in Chiba City after testing positive for Coliform, a bacteria that may cause mild stomach issues after prolonged exposure for 4-5 days in humans. Following this incident, social media channels in Japan started spreading rumours that the Vietnamese soy milk brands contained bacteria that cause cancer.

MoIT has been in contact with the manufacturer Vinasoy, its Japanese business partner Next Trading, as well as Chiba City's health and sanitary authority. The ministry stated that official test results and reports from Chiba City did not find any bacteria or content in the products that may potentially cause cancer. The Viet Nam National Institute for Food Control also conducted tests and reached a similar conclusion.

Vinasoy also stated there was no trace of Coliform in its own tests and that the company strictly followed all requirements set by the Japanese authorities.

To minimise the risk of similar incidents in the future, producers must strictly follow food safety and sanitary regulations set by the Vietnamese health authority and export markets. The trade representative offices overseas will act as eyes and ears for Vietnamese businesses and their partners to give them early warnings. Additionally, they will help companies to connect with local authorities and keep up-to-date with local food safety regulations.

The ministry stressed the importance of building a set of health standards for export products in line with international markets, improving testing facilities, and conducting a comprehensive review and risk assessment for each export product. According to the ministry, these measures will not only bring up the country's food standards but also ease trade barriers with international markets.

Bizhub
14

In recent years, the demand for English language education has skyrocketed in Vietnam, leading to an influx of foreign teachers seeking employment opportunities in the country. However, current regulations require these educators to hold a minimum of a Bachelors degree to be eligible for work. As Vietnam faces a growing shortage of qualified English teachers, policymakers are now rethinking the degree necessity for foreign educators. This potential shift in the educational landscape aims to attract more skilled and experienced instructors who may not possess a formal degree but have a wealth of teaching experience.

The Growing Demand for English Education in Vietnam

As Vietnam continues to develop and integrate into the global economy, the importance of English language proficiency has become increasingly apparent. Right now Vietnam is set to become the next Asian Tiger economy thanks to a huge manufacturing boom and this is creating many opportunities for locals. Because of this, locals need to prepare to work with international companies and hence learn the goto language for business communication, which is English. Parents and employers alike recognize the value of strong English skills, leading to a surge in demand for English education across the country. This has created a need for experienced and qualified foreign teachers to help fill the gap and facilitate the learning process for Vietnamese students.

Current Degree Requirements for Foreign Teachers in Vietnam

Under existing regulations, foreign teachers looking to land an English teaching job in Vietnam must hold a minimum of a Bachelors degree, along with an optional TEFL or CELTA course. This requirement aims to ensure a certain level of quality and expertise among educators. However, it has also limited the pool of potential candidates, contributing to the ongoing shortage of English teachers. Its also worth noting that many schools would be perfectly happy to hire teachers without degrees as long as they can prove their competence. The issue is they would not be able to issue a work permit to the teacher due to the government requirements. Stating this publicly however could also lead to backlash due to parents worrying about their kids education.

Pros and Cons of Relaxing Degree Requirements

By reconsidering the degree necessity, Vietnam could potentially attract a larger number of skilled and experienced foreign educators who may not possess formal degrees but have valuable teaching experience. This could help alleviate the teacher shortage and improve access to quality English education. Many also argue that university is an outdated way of learning and more practical training might be better suited for modern day jobs. The English teachers might not have a degree, but they grew up in a country speaking English and lived amongst English language and culture for over 20 years. That level of experience is hard to beat. On the other hand, there are concerns that lowering degree requirements might lead to a decline in the overall quality of teaching, as it could be more challenging to assess the competence and qualifications of incoming educators.

International Comparisons: China and Taiwans Approach

To secure an English teaching job in countries like China and Taiwan, degree requirements for foreign teachers differ. In China, a Bachelors degree is a basic requirement and a TEFL certificate is also a requirement, while in Taiwan, a Bachelors degree is necessary for public schools, but private schools may have more lenient requirements as the country allows schools to issue work permits to teachers with a 2 year Associates degree. Similar to Vietnam, Taiwan doesnt require English teachers to have a TEFL certificate. China offers English teachers some of the highest salaries which attracts some of the best English teachers from around the world, but due to tough lockdown measures and new laws against private education many teachers dont feel 100% comfortable living there right now and Vietnam is one of their top alternatives. By examining the experiences of these countries, Vietnam can learn valuable lessons on the potential benefits and pitfalls of altering degree requirements for foreign teachers.

Impact on Vietnamese Learners and the Education System

If the degree requirement is relaxed, it could lead to an increase in the availability of qualified foreign teachers, which in turn may enhance English learning opportunities for Vietnamese students. This could result in improved English proficiency among the population, better preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits in the global arena. However, careful monitoring and evaluation would be necessary to ensure that the quality of education remains high.

Addressing Potential Quality Concerns in Teaching

To mitigate the risk of compromised teaching quality due to the relaxation of degree requirements, the Vietnamese government could implement alternative measures to assess and maintain teacher competency. These measures may include comprehensive interviews, in-depth background checks, and a robust teacher evaluation system that incorporates both student feedback and standardised testing. Perhaps removing the degree requirements for English teachers from native English speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa would be a safer bet than just removing it for everyone.

The Future of Teaching Jobs for Non-Degree Holders in Vietnam

Should Vietnam ultimately decide to scrap or modify the degree requirement for foreign teachers, the implications could be significant for the teaching community and the nations education system as a whole. This change could open doors for experienced educators who may have been previously excluded due to a lack of formal qualifications, but it also emphasises the need for rigorous monitoring to maintain high standards of English education in Vietnam. Either way, language schools in Vietnam are growing rapidly and the country needs to urgently find a way to keep up with the demand so allowing the HR departments of these schools to make the decision on whether or not the teacher is skilled enough to teach could be the most progressive move.

The Verdict

As Vietnam rethinks the degree necessity for foreign teachers, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The potential relaxation of degree requirements could help address the growing demand for English education and attract experienced educators who might not possess formal qualifications. However, it is crucial for the Vietnamese government to strike a balance between expanding the pool of eligible teachers and maintaining high-quality instruction.




The rise of e-commerce has been a boon for postal business. As the industry is projected to double its revenue to US$5 billion by 2030, some 800 enterprises in the market realize they must reduce shipping time, speed up delivery and offer competitive pricing to survive.

Last year, Vietnams postal and express delivery services reported VND52,300 billion in revenue, up 16% over the same period of the year earlier. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the number of newly-established firms in this industry expanded by 12% year-on-year.

Between 2022 and 2030, the countrys postal sector is expected to expand at an average annual rate of 24%, according to the global analysis group Allied Market Research. By 2030, the industrys revenue would hit VND114,680 billion, or about US$5 billion.

A tech race

Businesses efforts to use technology have significantly impacted how the postal service operates recently. With more time and manpower saved, a company may provide faster and cheaper delivery, giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

In Vietnams postal sector, Giaohangtietkiem (GHTK) JSC is a newcomer specializing in last-mile logistics. With the goal of digitizing data and using advanced technology, the company emphasizes operational innovation practices.

Founded in 2013, GHTK accounts for around 16.44% of the industrys total revenue. In 2022, the company recorded one billion orders and secured one million retailers nationwide. GHTK now has over 1,500 offices, 2,500 delivery trucks and 30,000 local delivery people.

The 10-year-old company saw itself as a technology firm that provided e-commerce logistics. Its customers are online retailers. The firm prioritizes speedy delivery via a vast network. In particular, market research and technology development play an important role in GHTKs operations.

The companys speed-based business model is powered by technology. Even with a limited foundation of a few employees and some offices, the company had its own technology director for consumer behavior research and product development from day one. Using mobile devices, the director concentrates on data standardization, procedural systemization, quality assurance and personnel and operational management. The substantial investment in technology has enabled the company to process real-time daily requests and consumer responses.

Express Delivery Services Company, known as Giao Hang Nhanh (GHN Express), is making strides to reduce delivery time. After 10 years, the firm has 1,000 trucks and 20 facilities nationwide. The automated processing system at GHN handles two million orders per day, saving 600 employees and reducing processing time from 180 to 30 minutes.

The business approach includes both the enhancement of comprehensive infrastructure and operational processes. The company offers affordable, comprehensive services to its customers and partners. With the companys mobile app, senders could track various delivery details, including prices, estimated arrival times, cash-on-delivery rates, package conditions and even delivery persons information.

Over the last decade, the companys operational backbone has been built on the triangular pillars of technology, process and network. Inside HCMC, delivery orders are expected to arrive within 24 hours, while those shipped to other provinces will be delivered in no longer than 48 hours. For each typical package, the price starts at VND15,500.

Large postal service companies are also part of the trend. Vietnam Post Corp., the Government-owned postal service, reported revenue of VND27,325 billion in 2022, with pre-tax earnings of around VND517 billion. Meanwhile, Viettel Post, a subsidiary of the military-run telecoms business Viettel, made VND21,235 billion in revenue. Its pre-tax profit was about VND390 billion.

Vietnam Post Corp. was set up in 2005, and in light of the dynamic economy, it has concluded that digital transformation is a vital way to keep up with the ever-changing market. The companys objective is to generate between VND55,000 billion and VND60,000 billion in revenue by 2025, and enhancing operations digitally may assist them in achieving the goal.

The company has made efforts to employ technology as a strong foundation for various activities, aiming to improve work efficiency and service quality.

To shorten delivery time, the company has attempted to extend its logistics infrastructure to handle 10,000 delivery packages on an hourly basis. Based on a barcode system and image recognition technology, Vietnam Posts system could distribute packages to post offices and warehouses at the local level. The company has developed a solution for processing orders and delivering products to customers promptly and effectively.

Vietnam Post currently has 30 systems, applications and programs in place to help with package booking, tracking and delivering, as well as supporting customer service and payment procedures. The company has also spent big on infrastructure modernization and expansion.

According to Chu Quang Hao, president and CEO of Vietnam Post, the firm recently launched a northern logistics center in Hanoi, bringing the total number of domestic centers to seven regional hubs, 700 district-level centers and 10,600 other smaller ones at the local level.

Similarly, Viettel Post improved its operations to reduce delivery time by 30% in 2022. The firm now maintains 8,200 local service offices, 40,000 employees and 105 processing centers in 63 centrally-governed provinces and cities.

According to Hoang Trung Thanh, general director of Viettel Post, the business has enhanced its technical infrastructure and computer software for optimizing business processes. The company will build domestic warehouses and revamp the workflows of around 1,500 post offices and local staff, seeking to facilitate real-time tracking and improve business efficiency.

Cooperation is the key

Postal service providers in Vietnam have been teaming up to boost efficiency, save costs and attract more customers.

Vietnam Post, for example, collaborated with government agencies on document transfer activities for public services. As part of the deal, the firm has sent up to 32 million administrative dossiers and 12.3 million citizen identity cards to locals nationwide.

Viettel Post, in partnership with the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, offers delivery solutions for businesses in industrial zones in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The corporation has sought to employ postal infrastructure and aviation systems for logistics services to simplify business operations.

Viettel Post provides delivery options taking around six hours from Bac Ninh Province to HCMC or Hanoi, down 50-70% compared to conventional methods. The maximum delivery time in other provinces is 24 hours.

As for international destinations, Viettel Post has five delivery routes between Vietnam and other markets, including Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, China and Japan. The delivery time is about 6-7 hours.

Given the support of Viettel Post and Vietnam Airlines, businesses in Bac Ninh Province could save costs by 30% in terms of personnel, inventory management and customs clearance. More importantly, 30% of the time will be freed up for other important tasks, as opposed to traditional ways.

Late in 2022, EMS Vietnam, also known as VNPost Express JSC, inked a partnership deal with the ride-hailing company Grab Vietnam to establish an express delivery service for urban dwellers and businesses. Depending on the offers, customers could send their packages to recipients within 30 minutes to four hours in major cities.

Through an application, users could book the delivery and then give their items to Grab riders. The service, first introduced in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC, has been expanded to 19 provinces and cities across the country in 2023.

Nonetheless, despite the long delivery time, experts have cautioned about Vietnams relatively high postal service fees. Domestic logistics expenses seem to be above the global average, which accounted for 21%-25% of GDP, according to a recent conference on logistics competitiveness organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.





Phan Xuan Dung, sales director of Ninja Van Vietnam, said the maximum delivery time in Vietnam is roughly 72 hours, compared to 48 hours for China, a nation that is 30 times larger.

Undoubtedly, the speedy delivery of goods backed by the postal service has benefited society and the economy. Based on the sharing economy model, newcomers with technological advances, an entrepreneurial spirit and high ambition have joined the market alongside well-established businesses with a well-developed network, infrastructure and intensive workforce.

As a result, businesses that stick to traditional ways lag behind more tech-savvy startups in light of the increased competition.

As new entrants join the market, the emerging trends spark fresh impetus and stimulate innovation to improve postal services. More competition in the industry may continue to spur service quality in the years to come, given businesses rising demand to reduce costs and maximize efficiency.
Two victims died after five people were shot during an altercation at a late-night cockfight Friday in Honolulu, police said.

Honolulu police responded to a call about shots fired just past midnight Friday and were searching Saturday for a suspect believed to be in his 20s who allegedly shot the others who were attending the event, KHON-TV reported.

At the end of the fight a group of males started arguing and then it escalated to a physical altercation, at some point gun shots were fired hitting the five people who were in the immediate area, Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON.

Police said a 59-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male were pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital, KHON reported.

Three men aged 38, 40 and 57 sustained gunshot wounds but were treated and released from a hospital, KHON reported.

Police said the circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.

I dont understand the circumstances from this, it could have stemmed from something totally different and they just happened to be in the same area at the same time, Thoemmes told KHON.

Honolulu city officials did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking additional information.

Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states but continues in some, including Hawaii, where fights sometimes draw hundreds of people.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Four men were shot  one fatally  after two of them volunteered to paint over graffiti on the wall of a neighborhood ice cream shop in Los Angeles, authorities said.

The gunfire erupted Saturday afternoon in the Northridge area of the San Fernando Valley, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Shortly before the shooting, two of the men walked into Northridge Ice Cream, the shop's owner, Victor Santoyo, told ABC 7.

They said, There is graffiti on the wall. Do you want me to paint the graffiti for you, for free, Santoyo said. I found them a little bit of paint and gave it to them, and then a few minutes later, we hear the gunshots.

A few minutes later, the four men are seen on surveillance video ducking from gunshots, the news station reported.

One guy came in, asking for help. He got shot in the stomach, Santoyo said.

Investigators suspect the shooter was driving a white sedan, police said.

A man believed to be about 60 years old was killed, police Officer Tony Im said. A man in his 40s was hospitalized in critical condition. The other two victims, who are believed to be about 30 and 40 years old, were also hospitalized, Im said. Police later said one of the victims was treated and released.

Police were seeking witnesses and any other surveillance video from the neighborhood about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Waco Independent School District at-large Trustee Angelo Ochoas first year on the school board showed him progress can be slow and complicated, but he said the district is heading in the right direction on teacher compensation and school safety.

Peaches Henry, his challenger in the May 6 Waco ISD elections, said the district needs to pay much more attention to student behavior and academic loss, teachers perception of school safety and workload, and community involvement, all issues magnified and worsened by the pandemic.

Ochoa, 43, won election last May to the remaining year of the at-large position vacated by Trustee Cary DuPuy in November 2021, defeating the Rev. Marlon Jones 1,912 votes to 1,460, or 57% to 43%. Trustee Keith Guillory holds the districts other at-large seat. The at-large seats represent the district as a whole, while the other five seats represent specific portions of the district.

That first year as trustee showed Ochoa, an investment adviser, the importance of collaboration and cooperation, he said.

Youre only as good as all of us, Ochoa said. If youre not good at working well with others, listening and being in a supportive role, you wont be effective.

He said his ability to do so is an important consideration in his bid for reelection, and he feels he has a successful working relationship with the superintendent, fellow board members, teachers and support staff in the district.

Ochoa credited Superintendent Susan Kincannon for her work in student academic achievement, sports, after school programs and building construction.

I have a much deeper appreciation of the work a superintendent does. Shes one of the hardest working persons I have seen, he said. Shes not only doing it, but doing it well.

Ochoa, a former University High School teacher and husband to a Waco ISD elementary school teacher, said board and administration actions over the last year have boosted teacher and staff salaries: $3.7 million for salary increases, leading to the highest beginning public teacher salary in McLennan County; almost 100 teachers have qualified for state Teacher Incentive Allotment salary boosts; retention and signing bonuses; even a $300 allowance for teachers classroom expenditures.

Henry, however, said it is not all about the money where teachers are concerned. Teachers are also concerned by issues of safety, comfort and time, concerns the district should listen to and respect.

The district should hold students to high academic standards, but realize the factors, in and out of school, that can affect student performance and well-being such as safety and mental health, Henry said. She teaches English at McLennan Community College, including some Waco ISD students in dual credit classes, and has more than 30 years teaching experience.

Henry, 62, said she is running for school board to move her outside support of education to an internal position where she can bring her educational and community experience to bear.

Ive been working from the outside and not inside, at the table. I want to understand the system from the inside and how I can help, she said.

While the Place 7 at-large seat was open for election last year, Henry said she was not in a position to handle the financial and time commitments of both the election and board membership. She said with public education under attack on state and national levels, now proved a good time to run.

I think were in a moment when school board members need to be champions for public education, Henry said.

She said one threat to public education is the vouchers and education savings accounts plan advocated by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Texas Republican leaders that would allow parents to steer tax revenue normally directed to public schools to private schools.

We need to let our legislators know this is harmful, she said.

Henry, known to many Waco residents for her work as president of the Waco NAACP chapter, said the district needs to address the underlying trauma experienced by students and teachers during the pandemic, which disrupted instruction, caused the deaths of family members and friends, and created emotional stress.

The pandemic not only caused academic losses from which many students are still struggling to recover, but emotional and behavioral issues that underlie some of the violence experienced at some schools, Henry said. She said the districts decision to replace the behavioral specialists on many campuses with instructional specialists and security guards has contributed to an uptick in student fighting and weapon possession seen in the last year or so.

Student and teacher safety became a more prominent issue discussed by Waco ISD trustees over the last year, with questions over the design of new schools and reports of student violence brought before the board.

Ochoa started his time as trustee after the board had unanimously approved the designs of Waco High School, G.W. Carver Middle School and Tennyson Middle School. After the May 24, 2022, Uvalde school shooting, fellow trustees Guillory and Jeremy Davis called for a reconsideration of the floor-to-ceiling glass panels for interior classrooms facing hallways. Their repeated calls to change the glass panels of Austin architectural firm OConnell Robertsons design drew support from teachers and community members at subsequent meetings. The board twice rejected by 5-2 votes motions to change the approved designs, with Guillory and Davis outvoted each time.

Revisiting the previously approved school designs months after construction contracts have been signed, materials ordered and building underway could cost millions of dollars and delay long-planned school openings, Ochoa said, giving trustees and the district a black eye in the view of voters who had approved the $355 million bond package to build the schools.

Ochoa said the new schools will offer multiple layers of security, from perimeter fencing to limited points of access to lockdown protocols intended to confine intruders to small spaces. He also said state funding for school safety is woefully short of what it could be to help local districts.

He said solving the problem of student violence cannot be limited to schools, and he was alarmed to hear from a Waco student about the ease of getting a weapon and a perceived need for it when off-campus.

(Violence) is not a Waco ISD thing, Ochoa said. Its a Waco thing, a Waco police thing, too. If we want serious solutions, it will take the community.

Henry also said violence is a communitywide issue.

We need to ask the question why a child is prepared to bring a gun to school, she said.

Solving such multifaceted problems requires more bodies in schools, some of which the community is ready to supply. Her experience in setting up and running several student tutoring and support programs several years ago found willing volunteers, a resource the district should utilize more.

The question to ask is not about the cost of public education, but its value, Henry said.

How do we value the education of a child? What kind of society do we want to develop? she said. Public education is the key to success for our city, our county, our state and our nation.

While cautioning that there is no magic bag of money for school funding, Ochoa agreed.

The future of Waco is sitting in Waco ISD classrooms right now, he said.

Both Ochoa and Henry said public attention paid to district problems and shortcomings often overlooks the districts success in preparing thousands of Waco students for college and jobs.

Ochoas four children attend Waco High School, Atlas Academy at Tennyson Middle School and Hillcrest Elementary School.

Henrys son, a Waco ISD product who graduated from Waco High School in 2013, went on to the University of Texas at Austin then law school and now is an attorney practicing elder law in New York City.

Campaign finance

In a campaign finance report covering Jan. 15 through April 6, Ochoa reported $6,307.38 in political contributions, with 35 itemized contributions between $25 and $1,000, and $4,234.76 in expenditures. The largest contribution was $1,000 from Jodi Duron, of Elgin. Ochoa did not report any unitemized contributions.

In a campaign finance report covering Jan. 10 through March 27, Henry reported $9,525 in political contributions, with 66 itemized contributions between $10 and $500, and $1,680 in unitemized contributions, which can be up to $90 each. She reported $11,196.64 in expenditures. The largest contributions were $500 from Michelle and Andrew Tuegel, of Dallas, and $500 from Betty Bauer, of Waco.

Voting

Early voting in the May 6 city and school elections will start April 24. Voters can cast early ballots at the McLennan County Elections Office, 214 N. Fourth St.; Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center, 1020 Elm Ave.; West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.; and Hewitt City Hall, 200 Patriot Court.

Early voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 through April 28; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 29, May 1 and May 2.

Twenty-one Election Day polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 6, a Saturday.

The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail for voters who qualify is 5 p.m. April 25. Visit mclennanvotes.com for more information.
This beautiful New Orleans style home in historic Castle Heights shows quality in every detail! Built by a prominent Waco citizen in 1939 it is even more lovely today than it was when it was built! Current sellers are only the 2nd people to own this home. The spreading oak trees, and large beautifully landscaped double lot provide the perfect setting for playing, entertaining, relaxing and enjoying life to it's fullest! The outside of this home sets it apart from all others, but when you enter the lovely foyer, the full beauty of the home starts to truly unfold. At one end of the foyer is an expansive formal living area with a light filled sunroom at the far end. At the other end of the foyer is a large formal dining room that has plenty of space for celebrations around the table. Off the dining room is an open, well designed kitchen that offers a large island and plenty of workspace for a dedicated cook. The kitchen is open to a great table space for informal dining and then steps down into a grand den that was added for the comfort and flexibility of the home. Fireplaces in the formal living area as well as in the family room add warmth and hospitality to those areas. Both fireplaces have a gas jet and can be wood burning but are currently set up with gas logs. Enjoy sitting at the informal dining table in the bay window of the kitchen as a favorite spot to watch the neighborhood activites while enjoying the comforts of home. Also on the main floor is a private room perfect for an office or library space. There are 5 bedrooms and 3 & 1/2 bathrooms in the home. One bedroom and bathroom is attached to the garage with a separate entrance from the outside and an entrance from the garage making this a very private guest room, retreat or flex space. There are too many other amenities in this beautiful home to list them all, but following are a few. In addition to the two car garage attached to the home, there is a one car porte cachere at the end of the driveway. This space also includes a huge store room that is large enough to hold all the holiday and party decorations you could possibly desire. The driveway has an electric iron gate for full privacy. In the upstairs master suite, open the French doors to step out onto the upstairs balcony for a treetop experience. The exquisite partially covered New Orleans style brick patio in back extends out to a fountain and large open tree shaded brick patio area. Two extra pull-in parking spaces are just off the driveway in front for off the street guest parking. There is a basement to the home that has a sump pump and houses the mechanicals. Truly a one of a kind home in Waco!

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The Han River and its newest bridge in the late fall of 2021 Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



The Han River is the soul of Seoul. Its majestically divides the city into two parts  the north side of the city, grittier but rich with history; and the south side, flashier, newer and wealthier. It was the highway through which goods  rice and fuel  were supplied to the city, and a line of defense during times of war.



But times have changed and it no longer serves those purposes.



Now the river is a sanctuary for residents of the city: a place to ride bicycles, picnic, watch the sunset, water ski, kayak, windsurf or just hold hands with that special someone while enjoying each other's company. Yet, even sanctuaries have their dangers  at least they allegedly did in the past.





The tigers are gone but occasionally one still finds a wolf lurking about the river. This one was seen in Yeouido in the summer of 2021. Robert Neff Collection



Wolves and tigers roamed the banks of the river  hunting not only wild boars, deer and small mammals but also the occasional human. Sometimes these apex predators used the river to their advantage  their lairs were on the south side of the river but they would swim across and hunt on the north side. Once they had their fill, they simply swam back to the safety of their dens. According to one American lawyer in the early 20th century, tigers would even occasionally leap into boats and snatch unwary travelers and sailors. Judging from some of his traveling-in-Korea anecdotes, I assume he was a better lawyer than he was a spinner of tales. He wasn't the only one to spin tales.



According to a French missionary in the late 1870s, he often heard Koreans "speak of a huge kind of lizard living in the rivers. It [was] fond of coming out on the banks to bask in the sun's rays." Of course, he never claimed to have seen one of these monsters nor could he remember what they were called in Korean as his notes and books were unavailable.





Bong Joon-ho's creature from "The Host" at Yeouido in the spring of 2015. Robert Neff Collection



There were other denizens of the river's depths that were said to exist and were reported in the 20th century. In 1928, there were reports of a creature  nearly two meters long  seen swimming up and down the river. What became of this creature is unknown as it soon faded from the pages of the local press. Yet, amongst the residents, there was still talk of this creature  albeit it was probably along the lines of a bogeyman used to scare children at night or as amusement around the campfire with a couple of bottles of alcohol.





The century-old memorial to the drowned beneath the Hangang Bridge (south side) in Seoul in March 2021. Robert Neff Collection

It is said that Bong Joon-ho, a Korean movie director, "accidentally witnessed a bizarre creature near a bridge of Hangang through the window when he was a high school student." It was this experience that inspired him to direct the 2006 box-office hit "The Host."



Perhaps it was a mermaid or merman  sans the fishtail. According to a correspondent in 1888 who apparently interviewed a number of Koreans:



"This 'man' is often seen nursing a baby exactly as a human being does. His hair is "so long," said one Corean, stretching his hands about three feet apart. He is sometimes shot and sometimes caught by fishermen on account of his much-prized hair. When this hair is cut off the poor merman or maid wails in the most heart-rending fashion, some even taking the loss so much to heart that they die of grief. No Corean has asserted to me that he has seen the animal, but no Corean is unable to describe him."





Do the tales of the Korean mermen/mermaids owe their origin to the occasional lost ocean denizen? Over the past couple of decades a couple of these little dolphins have been sighted in the river. This one is on display at Seonyudo Park, January 2023. Robert Neff Collection
Last December, we reported that the Hunter Fighter Collection in Scone, New South Wales, Australia had acquired North American P-51D Mustang 44-73415 from the RAF Museum in the UK. Well, we can now report that the aircraft has arrived at its Australian home, as its new owners related with the following (gently edited) posting

North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang has arrived in Scone NSW! After a long trip from the UK and clearing Customs in Sydney, the Mustang, finally made its way to Scone on April 6th, just in time for the upcoming ANZAC day.

The Customs process provided very short notice of the delivery, but the HFC Volunteer Technical Team jumped into action, traveling to Scone over the Easter weekend and removing the aircraft from its shipping container within an hour of its arrival. The painstaking task of reassembling the Mustang then began in earnest.

The Mustang arrived in excellent condition; other than a few minor scratches, it had suffered no ill effects from its 20,000 km journey in pieces. The HFC team spent three days on the assembly process and moved her, temporarily, into the display area at Hunter Warbirds. The aircraft will undergo some minor mechanical and cosmetic work in the coming weeks (along with a deep clean and polish) before shes formally inducted into Hunter Warbirds.

The Hunter Fighter Collection Board is deeply grateful to several people, and we extend our thanks to the RAF Museum UK, Richard Grace and his team at Sywell UK, Paul Bennet and his team and Ross Pay. In addition, we extend our thanks to the Upper Hunter Shire Council for their assistance with the project. We also wish to thank the HFC Volunteers who gave up their Easter break  at short notice  and worked tirelessly to reassemble the Mustang for display.

The Mustang is currently marked in a livery representing a 357th Fighter Group P-51D which the late Flight Lieutenant Jack Cleland, RNZAF flew while serving as an exchange pilot with the unit. Cleland was one of the few Commonwealth pilots who did an exchange posting with the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII, serving with the 357th FG between July and September 1944  often on B-17 escort missions. We look forwards to welcoming Jack Clelands family, who live nearby in the Hunter Valley, to see the aircraft which represents the WWII fighter pilots service.
by Charlotte Bailey

The UK-based Sywell Aviation Museum celebrated the grand opening of their 22nd season on April 8th, 2023; turnout that, in the words of Treasurer Keith Breadmore, far exceeded last year!

Located on the grounds of Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, a collection of five Nissen huts  three of them once belonging to the US Army Air Forces during WWII  host an important collection of local, aviation-related history. With exhibits spanning several areas (including the Home Front, the RAF, the Cold War and the American Hall), the volunteer-run organization hopes that their collection of personal and aeronautical artifacts will help transport you back in time to reveal long-lost stories.

Sywell itself has a fascinating history, dating back to 1927, when it opened as the home for the Northamptonshire Aero Club. During WWII, as RAF Sywell, the airfield initially served as a training station, but later became a major maintenance base for repairing Vickers Wellington bombers. Furthermore, roughly a hundred, Bristol Hercules-powered Avro Lancaster B.II bombers were constructed on site as well. Presently, Sywell is also the home of Richard Graces aircraft restoration workshop, Air Leasing, which has refurbished a number of significant, vintage military aircraft, as we reported HERE.

Visitors, estimated to be in their thousands, made their way to the museums annual Easter Saturday re-opening event to enjoy the vintage vehicles, living history and re-enactment groups, live music and stalls on offer. Joining the additional attractions which the museum laid on, some 35 visiting aircraft also made the most of the days beautiful weather. And for those arriving by road, a constant queue of vehicles stretching an hour down the road was testament to the popularity of this annual event.

First opening in 2021 as an award-winning volunteer-run, non-profit charitable trust dedicated to preserving aviation history in Sywell, Northamptonshire and surrounding counties, the museum is entirely dependent upon volunteer support. John Jones, the organizations president, is keen to emphasize that the museum is adamant in maintaining its free entry policy to provide somewhere everyone can afford to take their family, regardless of their means.

And for a relatively small space, theres certainly a lot to see inside. Immediately opposite the door, the Chipmunk Cockpit experience  unlike the visiting Portuguese example on the flightline during the opening event  allows visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the controls of the primary trainer.

Continuing the de Havilland theme, the museum features the fuselage pod from a Vampire T.11, which they rescued in a dilapidated state from South Wales during 2004. The aircraft had served as gate guardian, not a role which any aircraft can sustain for long without constant attention in the UK. Another recent addition to the museum is a Packard-built V-1650 Merlin engine from a P-51 Mustang, the working counterpart of which could be heard outside as the twelve cylinder-monster powering Peter Teichmans P-51D Tall-In-The-Saddle roared into life.

External exhibits include the last complete Hawker Hunter Mk.2 in the world, rescued from MoD Waterbeach Barracks (where shed been a gate guardian) and transported to Sywell in 2012. Nearby the Hunter sits Handley-Page Jetstream G-RAVL, the third-oldest example extant. Once the winner of the 1971 Daily Express National Air Race at Sywell, this Jetstream moved on to become an instructional airframe at the Cranfield College of Aeronautics in 1986. The organization, since renamed Cranfield University, donated the Jetstream to Sywell during March 2021.

Given the thronging crowds in attendance, it is clear that the Sywell Aviation Museums opening day was a grand success indeed. The museum is open every weekend and Bank Holiday from now until the end of October, as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer; they can accommodate groups on other days by request.
Iowa Democrats requested an extension to file their 2024 caucus plan Friday morning as GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann slammed their commitment to a mail-in caucus plan, days after a Republican lawmaker proposed a bill to require in-person participation in the caucuses.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart on Friday sent a letter to the Democratic National Committees Rules and Bylaws Committee requesting a 30-day extension to submit the partys delegate selection plan.

The proposed bill, which advanced out of a House Committee on Thursday, would require in-person participation at party caucuses and require a person to register with a party 70 days in advance of the caucuses. The bill would upend Democrats plan to conduct their caucuses mostly by mail.

In her letter, Hart said the bill would obviously have a dramatic effect on our plans.

The mail-in system was pitched as a way to expand accessibility, allowing people who may not be able to spend an entire evening at a caucus to express their preference for president.

I am committed to holding the most inclusive and accessible caucuses in Iowa history, she wrote. Folks who work third shift, people with disabilities, and parents of young children should have a voice in Iowas presidential nominating process.

If granted, the Iowa Democrats would have until June 3 to submit their delegate selection plan for 2024.

Cards dealt

Also on Friday, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann slammed Democrats for suggesting a plan that he says would endanger the caucuses, saying the cards have been on the table for over a decade in the standoff between Iowa and New Hampshires presidential nominating contests.

Republicans have argued that implementing a mail-in system, as the Iowa Democratic Party announced in June, would constitute a primary instead of a caucus, triggering New Hampshire to schedule its primary before Iowas caucus.

This is not Republicans speculating what Republicans might do, he said. They will jump us. They have had their cards on the table the entire time. We have had our cards on the table. Nothing has changed here.

The bill was proposed by Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton and Jeff Kaufmanns son. Bobby Kaufmann is also a senior adviser to former President Donald Trumps 2024 campaign.

New Hampshire state law requires it to hold its primary election before any other state, and the state traditionally holds the first primary after Iowas caucuses. Jeff Kaufmann said the order is dependent on agreements between the states and the parties, and if that agreement breaks down it threatens Iowas position.

That is a line you cannot cross or the entire carveout system falls apart, he said. And we will be flyover country.

New Hampshire GOP Chair Chris Ager posted a screenshot of an email online this week, in which the states Republican Secretary of State David Scanlon confirmed those concerns, saying he would move the primary date ahead of the caucuses if Democrats used mail-in ballots in their caucuses.

But Democrats this week were defiant, saying New Hampshire should not control what Iowas parties choose to do.

As chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, Im committed to doing whats best for Iowa, not whats best for New Hampshire, Hart said during a Thursday news conference. And if Iowa Republicans are serious about defending Iowa, and I believe that they are serious about that, they wont let another state weigh in on the laws that we write. And they would give me an opportunity to work with them to work together with them on behalf of Iowans.

Iowa Democrats presented their plan to conduct the caucuses mostly by mail in June in an attempt to keep their spot as the first presidential nominating contest for the Democratic Party. The Democratic National Committee had expressed skepticism of Iowa remaining first in the nation because of many factors, including the lack of accessibility that a caucus provides and the lack of diversity in Iowa.

The party ultimately approved a calendar that kicked Iowa from the early window entirely, elevating South Carolina to the first primary in their process at the urging of President Joe Biden.

70-day cutoff

The bill would also require a person to register with a party 70 days in advance to participate in that partys caucus. Bobby Kaufmann said the measure was necessary to prevent members of one party from organizing and participating in another partys caucus if they do not fall on the same night.

But in doing away with same-day registration for caucuses, the move may affect parties abilities to organize and bring new members into the fold ahead of the caucuses. Parties would need to drive registration ahead of the 70-day cutoff instead of in the weeks leading up to or the day of the caucuses.

Jeff Kaufmann said it would potentially make Republicans organizing efforts more difficult, but it was a necessary barrier to prevent Democrats from meddling in the Republican caucuses.

Will it make it a little bit more difficult for Republicans to make sure they have to (register within) 70 days? Absolutely, he said. But you certainly cant call that a political move on our part. Ive got to answer to my own party for that.
DES MOINES  The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday decided that a lawsuit accusing Gov. Kim Reynolds of withholding records in violation of Iowas open record laws can continue, siding with a group of journalists who argue Reynolds broke the law by not turning over records in a timely fashion.

Reynolds and staff members were sued in 2021 by journalists Laura Belin, Clark Clark Kauffman and Randy Evans, as well as their corresponding media and nonprofit organizations. The journalists accused Reynolds of violating the law requiring government entities to turn over public records, pointing to delays between five and 18 months in fulfilling multiple records requests.

The governors office turned over the records in January 2022, a month after the lawsuit was filed. Because the requests were fulfilled, lawyers for Reynolds argued the case should be dismissed. They also argued that the justices cannot decide on whether the governors office delayed in providing the records, as that amounted to a nonjusticiable political question.

But the plaintiffs argued that Reynolds had not turned over all of the records by redacting some documents. In addition, they argued that they were still able to sue over an unlawful delay in providing the records.

In an opinion written by Justice David May and joined by all other participating justices, the Supreme Court affirmed the latter argument and said that extensive delay of a request amounts to refusal, violating Iowas open records laws. The case was sent back to the district court to decide.

Reynolds office also argued that the court was not able to decide on whether it was late in delivering the records, because that would be a political question of how her staff should spend its time, violating the separation of powers.

But to that, the court said the basis for judging whether the governor refused to provide documents is how the office behaved outwardly, rather than the offices internal processes.

It should not depend on political questions, like whether the Governor properly allocated resources when staffing her office, May wrote. And it should not depend on potentially privileged information, like the details of how the Governor was spending her time, or what she discussed with her lawyers.

Sets standards

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which represented the journalists, called the ruling a victory for transparency and democracy in Iowa. Thomas Story, an attorney for the organization, said it would set a precedent for other government organizations dealing with records requests going forward.

The court went out of its way to really set standards for government to follow moving forward, he said. ... The impact of this moving forward is hopefully we see government agencies acknowledge and diligently follow their obligations under the open records request.

Randy Evans, the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and one of the plaintiffs, praised the court in upholding the open records law and making clear that a delayed response can amount to a refusal.

No other custodian of government records in Iowa would be allowed to sidestep the requirements of the public records law for a year and a half without legal consequences

In a statement on Friday, Reynolds said the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her offices priorities away from public records requests, which led to the delays.

During that time, there was an unprecedented number of open records requests and many of those went unfulfilled for a period, she said. While we disagree that this lawsuit should continue, my office has eliminated the backlog of open records requests and is committed to upholding our responsibility to respond to any new requests in a timely manner.

Iowa Capitol Press Association President Erin Murphy, the Des Moines bureau chief for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, said in a statement the ruling is a victory for transparency and government access.

The Courts ruling affirms the state law that declares government officials must respond to requests for certain records in a timely fashion. As the Court says, condoning an unlimited delay in government response would hamper the free and open examination of public records
Volunteers needed for Sack Lunch event

WATERLOO  The Spring Sack Lunch Event is underway at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. On Thursday and Friday, volunteers and staff at NEIFB will be packing and delivering sack lunch meals for community members, groups and businesses.

Volunteers are needed to help with the event, including delivery drivers for the meals and packing teams both mornings. Sign up at neifb.volunteerhub.com.

In addition to volunteer opportunities, there are also opportunities for a delicious meal delivered to your workplace or home. A Blue Barn pulled pork sandwich, a side, chips, fruit, dessert, bottle of water, and utensils are all included in each lunch. Anyone in the Cedar Valley and surrounding areas can order, and deliveries are available when eight or more orders are made to the same location. Each meal costs $10 and will benefit programs at NEIFB and will allow us to further close the meal gap in northeast Iowa.

To order your sack lunch, visit go.neifb.org/lunch.

Sons of Norway to meet

CEDAR FALLS  Sons of Norway will meet at 6:30 p.m. April 25 at the Cedar Falls Womens Club.

The program, on Norwegian- American Innovators and Inventers will be given by Laurann Gilbertson from Decorahs Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.

WHC to host Medicare seminar

WAVERLY  A free Welcome to Medicare seminar will be held at Waverly Health Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 25.

The two-hour seminar offered by WHC Senior Health Insurance Information Program counselors will cover Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, the prescription drug benefit (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement insurance.

Call (319) 483-1360 for more information or get questions answered.

Birds and Brews set at Ham Marsh

INDEPENDENCE  Buchanan County Conservation Director Dan Cohen will guide a walk through Ham Marsh to note migrating and nesting cranes, waterfowl, birds of prey, songbirds and other wildlife at 5 p.m. on April 27.

The walk will be on a mowed trail with a distance of less than a mile. Participants may also walk into the prairie and hay ground and should wear appropriate clothing and footwear that can get wet. Ham Marsh is located northwest of Independence at 1747 Indiana Ave.

There is no fee to attend and those interested should register online at buchanancountyparks.com and click on Public Events.

Following the walk, participants are invited to an optional social gathering at Allerton Brewery, 110 First St. E., to sample its beer, cider and non-alcoholic drinks; learn more about upcoming conservation programs and projects; and socialize with people who have a common interest in nature and the outdoors.
HAZLETON  A motorcycle crash in Buchanan County Saturday left one person dead, the Iowa State Patrol said.

According to the accident report, Bradley Lee Johnson, 50, of Hazleton was eastbound on County Road C57, also known as 118th St., at approximately 5:52 p.m. He lost control of the motorcycle at the intersection with Indiana Avenue west of Hazleton and went onto the south shoulder where it came to rest.

Both Johnson and his passenger were thrown from the bike. Johnson was killed while the passenger, 46-year-old Sara Jean Johnson, was transported by Lifeguard helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics with serious injuries.

Bradley Johnson was transported by Reiff Funeral Home to the State Medical Examiners Office in Ankeny. Others assisting at the scene were the Buchanan County Sheriffs Department, Hazleton Fire Department, MercyOne Oelwein Ambulance and Midwest Collision.

The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Photos: House Fire, Cedar Falls, April 12, 2023 041223jr-fire-cf-1 041223jr-fire-cf-2 041223jr-fire-cf-3 edit IMG_9321.jpg 041223jr-fire-cf-5 041223jr-fire-cf-6 041223jr-fire-cf-7 041223jr-fire-cf-8 041223jr-fire-cf-9
CEDAR FALLS  The Campanile, one of the University of Northern Iowas most iconic structures, will soon ring out with a newly restored set of bells. Refurbished by The Verdin Company of Cincinnati, the set of 46 bells will return to campus on May 1 along with nine new bells, equipping the Campanile carillon with a vastly expanded musical range.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on May 1, Panther students, alumni and friends in the community are welcome to visit campus and get a once-in-a-lifetime photo with the bells before they are re-installed. The Campaniles first 14 bells will be on display on the ground for the public to see up close, something that hasnt happened since the Campanile was originally built in 1926.

Further investments to preserve the Campanile include infrastructure improvements and a plaza redesign. These renovations are fully funded by generous donations to Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, the universitys comprehensive $250 million fundraising campaign. Since it launched publicly last fall, the campaign has surpassed a milestone of $200 million to invest in all areas of the university, including student access and success, engaged learning, academic programs and faculty, as well as iconic spaces, such as the Campanile.

Of the $2.2 million goal for Campanile improvements, fundraising has gathered $1.56 million to date. We are tremendously grateful to the nearly 600 donors who have supported the restoration project thus far, UNI President Mark Nook said in a news release. We couldnt be more pleased to help preserve this venerable piece of our campus for decades to come. Donors can make a gift to support the Campanile renovation at ourtomorrow.uni.edu/campanile.

The celebration of the bells return will kick off with a special practice carillon concert presented by the UNI Guild of Carillonneurs at 5 p.m. April 30. The student organization will perform on a unique practice carillon in Jebe Hall at Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center to build excitement for the bells return the following morning.

The week will continue with plenty of photo opportunities, a University Archives pop-up exhibit and student-led tours. The Verdin Company will begin installation work on May 3 and remain on campus for several weeks to continue installation of the bells and its infrastructure. Find more information about all the events planned for the week at ourtomorrow.uni.edu/bells.

Photos: UNI softball vs. Drake, April 11 SBall UNI vs. Drake 1 SBall UNI vs. Drake 2 SBall UNI vs. Drake 3 SBall UNI vs. Drake 4 SBall UNI vs. Drake 5 SBall UNI vs. Drake 6 SBall UNI vs. Drake 7 SBall UNI vs. Drake 8 SBall UNI vs. Drake 9 SBall UNI vs. Drake 10 SBall UNI vs. Drake 11 SBall UNI vs. Drake 12
WATERLOO  The City Council will consider Monday rejecting a costlier-than-expected road reconstruction bid, the only one that was received for the project.

The work involves Broadway Street and East San Marnan Drive, although where exactly is not specified in meeting documents. Aspro, Inc. of Waterloo placed a $7.43 million bid and engineers are recommending the board deny the company the project. The council meet at its 5:30 p.m. in City Hall, 715 Mulberry St.

The base project plus an alternate was expected to cost between $6.05 and $6.53 million depending on the alternate chosen.

The council would now consider approving new plans and specifications for a reconstruction project involving just East San Marnan Drive. Bids would be opened May 11, and a public hearing would be held May 15.

In other business, the council will consider:

Approving a request by Parks Property Management, LLC, on behalf of Pella Windows and Doors, to construct a new 31,165 square foot commercial building in the Business Park District in Tower Park on 5.08 acres south of 4041 Hurst Dr.

Conveying municipal land to Baltimore Fields, LLC, east of 1003 Vermont St. and west of Byron Avenue, for 18 future single-family dwellings and approving a development agreement with $5,000 city infill incentive grants gifted upon the completion of each dwelling.

Setting a May 1 public hearing for the conveyance of city-owned property east of 115 Warp Drive to DMJ Development, LLC, in the Waterloo Air and Rail Park, the open farmland land west of the airport. The developer is eligible for a rebate schedule with plans to construct a 14,000-square-foot trucking terminal and an additional expansion of the facility by at least 21,000 square feet.

Adopting an ordinance on its third reading to amend code for automated traffic enforcement as it pertains to paying fines by the due date.







Other meetings

The council convenes at 5:10 p.m. for finance committee meeting. Business includes authorizations for proposed expenditures more than $2,500, as well as budget amendments for fiscal year 2023 requested by the police department.

During a work session at 3:40 p.m., the council will discuss solar group purchasing, fiscal year 2022 audited statements, and the Honeywell Smart City Initiative.

The council will convene at 4 p.m. Tuesday for a special session to consider selling $6 million in general obligation bonds. Meeting documents did not specify for what the debt would be used to finance.

Photos: UNI softball vs. Southern Illinois, April 14 SBall UNI vs. SIU 1 SBall UNI vs. SIU 2 SBall UNI vs. SIU 3 SBall UNI vs. SIU 4 SBall UNI vs. SIU 5 SBall UNI vs. SIU 6 SBall UNI vs. SIU 7 SBall UNI vs. SIU 8 SBall UNI vs. SIU 9 SBall UNI vs. SIU 10 SBall UNI vs. SIU 11
KARUIZAWA, Japan  Top diplomats from Europe and North America arrived Sunday in this hot spring resort town to discuss the world's most intractable crises, including ways to end Russia's war in Ukraine, confront China's aggression toward Taiwan and lure North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

They were scheduled to dive right in, with a private working dinner Sunday spotlighting China and North Korea. But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers' talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about U.S. intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Japan is eager to use a smoothly run G-7, which includes a host of gatherings on climate, finance and other issues ahead of a leaders summit next month in Hiroshima, to pursue a stronger unified front against what Tokyo and other democracies see as Russian, Chinese and North Korean aggression.

Amid widespread skepticism that the United Nations, which is often paralyzed by the oversized power on the Security Council of Russia and China, can do anything about these issues, many will be watching to see what, if anything, G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union might do.

Security is tight in Karuizawa, but Japan has been forced to address safety concerns after a young man threw an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the eve of the diplomats' arrivals. Kishida was uninjured Saturday and continued campaigning, but the attack was an unwanted development for Tokyo amid a lingering security debate over the assassination nine months ago of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Starting with the summit, we have to make every effort to ensure security and safety ... (as) dignitaries from all over the world gather, Kishida told reporters Sunday.

The three-day talks will also see the first real test of the Biden administration's assertion that there has been minimal damage from the disclosure of highly classified documents related to the war in Ukraine and U.S. views of its allies and partners.

Before traveling to Japan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday from Hanoi that he had heard no concerns from allies, but the revelations will loom over the G-7 meeting, the first major international diplomatic conference since the documents were discovered online and made public.

On the diplomatic front, the talks, which end Tuesday, will be dominated by worries over the Russian leader's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons as his forces struggle in Ukraine, China's increasing belligerence toward Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, and North Korea's record-setting run of illicit weapons tests.

Some observers expect that Japan and other nations might use the G-7 to announce an increase in aid to Ukraine.

As Russias invasion of Ukraine has been shaking the foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said ahead of the meeting. I will lead discussions as chair of the meeting and show the G-7s strong determination to absolutely reject attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russias threat of nuclear weapons or their use, while defending the rules-based international order.

Though diplomats from Beijing won't be present in Japan, China's rapid military rise will also play a large part in discussions.

China recently sent planes and ships to conduct a simulated encirclement of Taiwan, and has seen in recent years a rapid jump in its nuclear warheads, a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and increased comments from its leader, Xi Jinping, painting a scenario of impending confrontation.

Japan, in response partly to China's rise, has made a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, as it works to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.

Diplomats will also be looking to find ways to restart diplomacy aimed at pressuring a hostile North Korea to return to disarmament negotiations. Since last year, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that showed the potential of reaching the U.S. mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.
On January 20, 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds, in an Open Letter to Iowans, states: School choice is not an anti-public-school movement. Its pro-education, pro-student, and pro-family. And it has the potential to elevate education statewide for every student in Iowa.

I do not question the sincerity of Governor Reynoldss convictions. But I believe the Students First Act is an egregious violation of the separation of church and state.

My view depends on an analysis of some of the elements in the 2021 Carson v. Makin case in which the Supreme Court gave its imprimatur to the use of taxpayer funds for tuition assistance at K-12 private schools, including those with a distinctive religious leaning. Writing for the conservative majority, Chief Justice John Roberts argued that, as the Court held in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, a State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious. Roberts did not think his opinion violated that part of the First Amendment which asserts that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The liberal justices on the Court disagreed. They thought Roberts was championing the free exercise clause at the expense of the establishment clause.

In his dissenting opinion Justice Stephen Breyer referenced two Maine schools (Temple Academy and Bangor Christian Schools) where it is difficult to separate the curriculum from the religious perspective. Temple Academy wants every student to develop a truly Christian worldview by integrating studies with the truths of Scripture  which means that the Bible is used in every subject that is taught. Breyer also claimed that both schools have admissions policies that allow them to deny enrollment to students based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and religion, and both schools require their teachers to be born-again Christians.

Consider the following scenario: Suppose you live in a country where roughly 50% of the citizenry identify as Christian and 50% as Muslim and where a significant number of private schools think it is vitally important to integrate the curriculum with the truths of Scripture, be it the Bible or the Quran. Do you think most citizens in that country would favor a law that requires using tax dollars to fund educational savings accounts at private religious schools that teach, as part of the curriculum, beliefs that are contrary to their faith? Would a Christian in that country want to financially support the Muslim belief that Jesus Christ is not the son of God? Would a Muslim in that country want to financially support the Christian belief that God is a Trinity of persons? Or would most Christian and Muslim citizens in that country agree with a line from Thomas Jeffersons 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom: to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.

My sense is that the majority of citizens would side with Jefferson.

The conservative justices on the Supreme Court outnumber the liberal justices by a margin of six to three. But what if the opposite were true? Do you think a Court with a more liberal ideological tilt would have given its imprimatur to the use of taxpayer funds for tuition assistance at K-12 religiously leaning private schools? I doubt it.

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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and China's President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, April 14. Reuters-Yonhap



The trip by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to Beijing has made clear he is counting on China to help reinvigorate the South American nation's ailing industrial sector  particularly by picking up the slack of exiting U.S. companies.



After Lula met Friday with China's President Xi Jinping, Brazilian finance minister Fernando Haddad told reporters the nations are planning a "leap forward" in their relationship.



"President Lula wants a policy of reindustrialization. This visit starts a new challenge for Brazil: bringing direct investments from China," Haddad said. He added that Brazil wants strong bonds with the U.S. as well, but noted with regret that recently "some American companies made the decision to leave Brazil."



Industrial policy is near and dear to Lula, a former steelworker who became a union leader. Decades later, he launched his bid for a third presidential term on the gritty outskirts of Sao Paulo outside a car factory. That area  and the country  is churning out ever-fewer manufactured goods.



Brazil's national statistics institute said in July 2022 that Brazil had lost 1 million industrial jobs over the prior decade, a decline of 11.6 percent. The institute said in 2021 that the country's industrial sector represented 18.9 percent of Brazil's GDP, down from 38 percent three decades earlier.



Speaking to journalists before leaving China, Lula said Saturday morning that Brazil's relationship with the Asian giant "is going beyond that phase of commodity" exports. He added he visited the headquarters of Chinese telecommunications company Huawei because he needs to promote "a digital revolution" in his South American nation.



Over the years, Brazil became a big exporter of raw materials, and China has consumed them voraciously. China overtook the U.S. as Brazil's biggest export market in 2009, and each year buys tens of billions of dollars of soybeans, beef, iron ore, poultry, pulp, sugar cane, cotton and crude oil.



The Asian giant and the Latin American powerhouse had a somewhat frosty relationship over the last four years when far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro held the presidency in Brasilia. Even some of Bolsonaro's supporters in the agribusiness sector were critical of outbursts that antagonized China.



On Thursday, Lula meet with the CEO of Chinese manufacturer BYD, which produces electric busses and is in talks to start operations at a factory the Brazilian state of Bahia, Lula's office said. The previous owner, Ford Motor Co., announced in 2021 that it was shuttering the plant, along with two others in Brazil.



Brazil is already the biggest recipient of Chinese investment in Latin America, according to Chinese state media. And Lula doesn't just want more investment; he is also seeking partnerships that challenge the hegemony of Western-dominated economic institutions and geopolitics, including diplomacy over the war in Ukraine.





Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and China's President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, April 14. Reuters-Yonhap
Faced with a growing number of options for where to enroll their children in school, parents quickly narrow their choices based on their own educational experience as students.

Thats what we found for a study published in March 2023 in Social Currents.

Historically, parents have turned to their social networks and materials produced by school districts to help them choose a school for their children.

However, when we analyzed interviews with a diverse sample of 60 parents from the Dallas metropolitan area, we found that about one-third of them used their own experiences in school to narrow their options before they gathered other information about schools.

If parents had a positive educational experience as children, they frequently narrowed their options to the same type of school that they attended, whether that be a private, magnet or traditional public school. Their hope was to replicate this positive experience for their kids. For example, Janice, a Black mother of two, explained, Theyre in private school mainly because I went to private school.

Although parents of all backgrounds and income levels used this strategy, it was most common among white parents, who typically enrolled their children in private or suburban public schools, which they attended themselves. We refer to this as experience-motivated replication.

Virginia, a white mother of two, explained that her husband, John, just assumed our kids are going to public schools because the suburban schools he attended were such wonderful public schools. To replicate Johns experience the couple was in the process of leaving the city to buy a home in the suburbs.

Similarly, Rachel, a white mother of three, quickly narrowed her school options to consider only private Catholic schools because of her own positive experience. Rachels husband told us: The kids go to the same private Catholic school that she went to.

In contrast, we find that when parents had negative educational experiences, they typically sought to avoid enrolling their children in the type of school they attended, eliminating those schools from consideration. This strategy, which we call experience-motivated avoidance, was common among Black parents in our sample who felt underserved in city public schools as children.

For instance, Toni, a Black mother of three, shared: I went to a public school and I dont think that the teachers really care about the kids education. Thats me personally. I didnt get that one on one. Based on this negative experience, she did not consider their zoned Dallas public school. Instead, Toni focused on charter school options for her children. She ultimately enrolled them in a charter school near her home.

Why it matters

Where families decide to enroll their children in school not only influences the educational resources available to their child, but also shapes broader patterns of racial and socioeconomic segregation in Americas schools.

The school selection process plays a key role in how educational inequalities span generations, especially when white parents rely on their own experiences to inform the choices they make for their children.

For example, when white families move out of the city to enroll their children in suburban public schools, or consider only private schools like those they attended, these choices replicate historic patterns of white flight. It also helps explain why white families tend to be overrepresented in private schools and suburban public schools.

Conversely, when we examine how parents negative experiences as students influence which schools they consider for their children, it may help us to better understand why, for instance, Black and Latino families increasingly choose charter schools.

While this study shines light on one key aspect of how parents choose schools for their children, we believe it is important to understand all of the ways parents choose schools. Examining the choice process for diverse populations of families in districts where school choice is available can reveal the full set of strategies parents rely on to select schools.

5 Biden administration decisions that mirror Trump-era policies 5 Biden administration decisions that mirror Trump-era policies Controversial Alaska oil drilling project approved by Biden in 2023 Asylum restrictions announced for many migrants seeking refuge in 2023 Trump-era refugee caps continued in 2021 Exports of excess vaccine doses to other countries in need were temporarily blocked in 2021 Foreign policy strategies maintained in Saudi Arabia and Israel
If Iowas climate keeps changing as a result of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide from mans activities, corn and soybean yields are predicted to decline by 39-68% and 86-92%, respectively, by 2050, according to an article in the journal Scientific Reports. Even worse, this is not the only threat to Iowas farmers. Ethanol production may be severely curtailed by the resistance to building pipelines that would transport carbon dioxide emitted by ethanol plants to underground reservoirs. Beyond that, there is also resistance to ethanol production because it props up fossil fuels, and growing corn can increase soil erosion and nutrient runoff that degrades water quality.
 It is necessary that the U.S. stop warming up the conflict and start talking about peace, he said.

 How can we achieve peace in Russia and Ukraine if no one talks about peace? If all we talk about is war? How can we send Ukraine more weapons? And hit Russia? And bring NATO even closer to Russia? Who should we turn to? The countries that want peace! China wants peace. Brazil, Indonesia and India. We need to unite and come up with a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine. The EU has always played an important role as a center of balance and has not been directly involved in conflicts. Now it is taking part! When German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came to Brazil and asked to sell him our missiles to send to Ukraine, I said: I wont sell! Because Brazil doesnt want to be part of this war. We want peace. < ...> Its not even a question of wanting. We all need peace.

WtR
 President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and all citizens of Russia celebrating Easter  the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

 Vladimir Putin: The wonderful, beloved Easter holiday gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to affirm high moral ideals and values in society.

On this spring holiday, with a feeling of deep satisfaction, I want to note the creative , truly ascetic activities of the Russian Orthodox Church , other Christian denominations, aimed at preserving our richest historical and cultural heritage, solving key social problems, strengthening the institution of the family, educating young people, harmonizing interreligious and interethnic relations.

 The Church has always been with the people , shared joys and hardships with them. And today, in the face of serious challenges, she is actively involved in the works of mercy and charity, helping people find a strong spiritual support.

WtR
Nuclear leaders issue call for action at G7 Sapporo Nuclear Energy Forum

For immediate release:16 April 2023

A joint declaration has been issued calling on G7 governments to support the long-term operation of existing nuclear power plants and to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear power plants. The declaration was signed by World Nuclear Association Director General Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon, alongside leaders of five other nuclear trade associations - Canadian Nuclear Association, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, nucleareurope, Nuclear Energy Institute (US), and Nuclear Industry Association (UK).

The declaration was issued at the Nuclear Energy Forum, which is being held in Sapporo alongside the meeting of G7 Ministers on climate, energy and environment. The forum has brought together industry leaders and senior governmental officials from G7 countries to discuss the essential contribution of nuclear energy to achieving climate and energy security.

The Nuclear Energy Forum was webcast live on Sunday, 16 April and is available to be watched later on-demand.

Nuclear industry reaction and recommendation to the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Minister`s Meeting in Sapporo (April 15-16, 2023)

As governments strive to decarbonize economies and mitigate the impacts of global warming, nuclear energy must serve as a cornerstone of the just transition to a clean and sustainable energy future.

To support decarbonization at the scale required, the international community must work to extend the operating period of existing nuclear generation resources, develop the policies to enable new nuclear deployment and accelerate the development of a new portfolio of reactor technologies.

Nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to provide energy systems with:

Always-on, clean, affordable electricity to meet the worlds energy needs while achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Low-carbon electricity with a high energy density from a compact footprint, thereby reducing habitat and biodiversity loss.

High-quality long-term jobs that drive economic growth.

Energy security against geopolitical, economic and social challenges.

Taken together, these characteristics enable nuclear energy to be the foundation of a clean energy future that meets climate goals, improves public health and quality of life, and contributes to energy security and economic prosperity.

We, the nuclear industry associations representing the nuclear industry worldwide including G7 countries, recognize the positive steps taken by most of the G7 countries and encourage G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers to take additional meaningful actions to maximize the benefits of nuclear energy for people all over the world:

1) Maximize the utilization of existing nuclear power plants (NPPs)

According to the International Energy Agency, long-term operation of existing NPPs is the most affordable form of low-carbon electricity generation. Therefore, we encourage governments to maximize the use of existing NPPs and their contribution to achieving decarbonization, energy security and socio-economic development goals by extending the operating period of NPPs for as long as is feasible. This includes supporting the restart of operable reactors and encouraging efficient safety reviews.

2) Accelerate the deployment of new NPPs

We encourage governments to set ambitious targets for the deployment of new NPPs and to support their development with practical policy instruments and efficient energy market frameworks, with a view of enabling the electricity market to recognize the real value of nuclear energy, so that we can achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and maintaining it thereafter.

3) Support international cooperation and the nuclear supply chain

We encourage governments to support efforts to develop supply chain capacity, including nuclear fuel (as appropriate under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and consistent with Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines), and to promote cooperation with like-minded nations, such as G7 countries, who seek to achieve the strategic independence of their supplies.

In this regard, some nations will choose to reduce reliance on civil nuclear and related goods from Russia through the development of additional capabilities within their own supply chains or in cooperation with like-minded states who seek to diversify their supplies, especially with regard to nuclear fuel.

We encourage knowledge-sharing among like-minded nations regarding international nuclear-related technologies and, for example, supporting supply chains in relation to compliance with standards, certification, and export controls.

4) Develop a financial environment that promotes investment in nuclear power

We encourage governments to establish policies that clearly indicate to the global financial community that nuclear energy will play an important role to combat climate change and ensure sustainable development without having negative impact on the environment. For example, including nuclear power in the framework of international green and sustainable financing policies encourages investments in the deployment, expansion, and replacement of NPPs.

5) Harmonize and modernize highly efficient international regulatory standards

We encourage governments to promote the harmonization and modernization of regulatory frameworks to enable efficient deployment of nuclear energy, including advanced nuclear technologies, while ensuring safety and security and respecting national regulatory sovereignty. International regulatory efficiency should be promoted through cooperation between national regulatory authorities including reviews and codes and standards to ultimately enable the deployment of standardized designs across multiple countries.

6) Support innovative nuclear technology development

We encourage governments to expand support for the development, demonstration and deployment of new nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors and other advanced technologies, with innovative features contributing to safety and economic efficiency. Social implementation of innovative nuclear technology through its accelerated deployment responds to the needs of society, including working in synergy with renewable energy, hydrogen production, and heat utilization.

7) Promote public understanding of nuclear energy

We encourage governments to take steps to increase public awareness and understanding of how nuclear energy contributes to meeting energy security and climate change mitigation policy objectives.

8) Collaborate internationally to share best practices, including working toward the realization of final nuclear waste disposal

We encourage governments to share the experience and knowledge gained by each countrys work including options for used nuclear fuel management, the final disposal of nuclear waste and the activities to increase contribution to the circular economy in the nuclear sector.

9) Support countries that have newly introduced, or are considering, nuclear energy

We encourage governments to support countries that have newly introduced or are currently considering nuclear energy an effective means to decarbonize the energy system and meet growing energy demand, including through multilateral cooperation frameworks such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Date: April 16, 2023

p.p. George Christidis

John Gorman, President & CEO of Canada Nuclear Association



Arai Shiro

President of Japan Atomic Industrial Forum

Maria G. Korsnick

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute

Tom Greatrex

Chief Executive of Nuclear Industry Association

Yves Desbazeille

Director General of nucleareurope

Sama Bilbao y Leon

Director General of World Nuclear Association

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Weather Alert

.Near record high temperatures Thursday through Sunday will bring significant streamflow rises, especially for snow covered terrain below about 8000 feet. Rises will likely increase daily through the weekend following a diurnal melt cycle with the highest flows often in the evenings and overnight. ...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of California and western Nevada, including the following areas, in California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, Mono County and Surprise Valley California. In western Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties. * WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams will be running high and fast. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Minor mainstem flooding is currently forecast along the Forks of the Carson River beginning late Friday. The Susan and Walker Rivers will also need to be closely monitored as flooding cannot be ruled out. Anyone participating in outdoor recreation this weekend should use caution as water will be running high, fast, and potentially out of banks for some creeks and streams. The water will be extremely cold as well, quickly causing shock. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
An aerial view shows the cooling tower of Emsland nuclear power plant and in rear the cooling towers of Emsland natural gas power plants of German utility RWE on the outskirts of Lingen, Germany, Oct. 12, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap



Germany switched off its last three nuclear reactors on Saturday, exiting atomic power even as it seeks to wean itself off fossil fuels and manage an energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.



While many Western countries are upping their investments in atomic energy to reduce their emissions, Germany brought an early end to its nuclear age.



It's "the end of an era," the RWE energy firm said in a statement shortly after midnight confirming the three reactors had been disconnected from the electricity grid.



Europe's largest economy has been looking to leave behind nuclear power since 2002, but the phase-out was accelerated by former chancellor Angela Merkel in 2011 after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.



The exit decision was popular in a country with a powerful anti-nuclear movement, stoked by lingering fears of a Cold War conflict and atomic disasters such as Chernobyl in Ukraine.



"The risks of nuclear power are ultimately unmanageable," said Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, who this week made a pilgrimage to the ill-fated Japanese plant ahead of a G7 meeting in the country.



Anti-nuclear demonstrators took to the streets in several German cities to mark the closures.



Greenpeace, at the heart of the anti-nuclear movement, organized a celebratory party at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.



"We are putting an end to a dangerous, unsustainable and costly technology," said Green MP Juergen Trittin.



In front of the Brandenburg Gate, activists symbolically slayed a model dinosaur.





A general view shows the Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant, as Germany shuts down its last nuclear power plants in Neckarwestheim, Germany, April 14. Reuters-Yonhap



A mistake



Initially planned for the end of 2022, Germany's nuclear exit was delayed as Russian gas supplies dwindled.



Germany, the largest emitter in the European Union, also powered up some of its mothballed coal-fueled plants to cover the potential gap left by gas.



The challenging energy situation had increased calls domestically for the exit from nuclear to be delayed.



Germany had to "expand the supply of energy and not restrict it any further" in light of potential shortages and high prices, the president of the German chamber of commerce Peter Adrian told the Rheinische Post daily.



Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition CDU party, said the abandonment of nuclear power was the result of an "almost fanatical bias".



Meanwhile the conservative daily FAZ headlined its Saturday edition "Thanks, nuclear energy," as it listed benefits it said nuclear had brought the country over the years.



Outside observers have been similarly irked by Germany's insistence on exiting nuclear while ramping up its coal usage, with climate activist Greta Thunberg in October slamming the move as "a mistake".





People take part in a protest against the shut down of the last three German nuclear power plants, in Berlin, Germany, April 15, Reuters-Yonhap
CATCHES OF THE WEEK

Bernie Urbassik of Albuquerque caught a 6-pound, 21-inch largemouth bass at Alto Lake using green, garlic Powerbait on March 29.

Adam Gonzales of Las Vegas caught a 19-inch walleye at Caballo Lake using a black Woolly Bugger fly on April 7.

Tyler Gillespie of Santa Fe caught a 36-inch pike at Cochiti Lake using a swimbait on April 9.

Roberta Chavez and family of Los Cordovas caught four rainbow trout up to 18-inches long at Eagle Nest Lake using PowerBait on April 9.

At Elephant Butte Lake, Tony Marquez of El Paso, Texas, caught a 20-inch smallmouth bass using live minnows April 8.  Nathaniel Garcia of Ponderosa caught a 3-pound, 9-ounce smallmouth bass using a silver-flash Googan jerkbait on April 2.

Hannah Sage, 12, of Los Lunas caught a 3-pound largemouth bass at Escondida Lake using a live minnow on April 8.

Naomi Huston, 7, of Carlsbad caught a 5-pound, 21-inch channel catfish on the Pecos River using a hot dog south of her hometown on April 7.

Edward Vigil of Santa Fe caught an 18.5-inch rainbow trout on the Rio Grande using salmon eggs near Pilar on April 6.

Ever Barraza of Bernalillo caught his limit of rainbow trout on the San Juan River using PowerBait in the bait waters on April 8.

Alexandra Barela, 7, of Albuquerque caught an 11-inch rainbow trout at Tingley Beach using pink, cheese PowerBait on March 31.

Danny Cornelius of Canyon, Texas, caught a 3.75-pound smallmouth bass at Ute Lake using a crankbait on April 8.

If you have a catch of the week story, send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com.

NOTES FROM GAME & FISH

Northeast fishing report

Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Charette Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Cimarron River near Cimarron on Monday morning was 23 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Fishing for trout at Clayton Lake was fair to good using worms and PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair using chicken liver and nightcrawler worms.

Conchas Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

The Valle Vidal is closed to fishing until July including Costilla Creek.

Cowles Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week.

Eagle Nest Lake is open to shore fishing but is closed to all watercraft, including: canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats. Fishing for trout was fair using PowerBait. Fishing for pike was fair to good using silver spoons. For updated lake conditions, visit the parks webpage or call the park office at 575-377-1594.

Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was good using PowerBait and spinners.

National Forest closures have been in place restricting fishing access on the Gallinas River. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest webpage or call the Santa Fe National Forest office at 505-438-5300 for the latest closure information.

Hopewell Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Alice is closed due to unsafe ice conditions.

Lake Maloya had no reports from anglers this week.

Los Pinos River had no reports from anglers this week.

Maxwell Lake 13 had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Monastery Lake was good when using Pistol Pete spinner flies and PowerBait. The Benedictine Monastery Lake is part of the Departments Open Gate Program. Please visit our website for more information about this property.

Fishing for trout at Morphy Lake was good using pink-lemonade PowerBait, worms and Thomas spoons.

Streamflow on the Pecos River near Pecos on Monday morning was 206 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using worms.

Streamflow on the Red River below the Red River Hatchery on Monday morning was 61 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using salmon eggs.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below the Taos Junction Bridge on Monday morning was 423 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair using salmon eggs, Panther Martin spinners and nightcrawler worms. Fishing for pike was slow to fair using brown trout-pattern lures and Woolly Bugger flies south of Pilar.

Streamflow on the Rio Hondo near Valdez on Monday morning was 28 cfs.

Streamflow on the Rio Mora near Terrero on Monday morning was not measured due to ice.

Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo near Penasco on Monday morning was not measured due to ice. Fishing for trout was good using pink and purple nymph flies.

Fishing for trout at the Santa Cruz Reservoir was good using green, garlic PowerBait and Pistol Pete spinner flies.

Shuree Ponds is closed to fishing until July.

Springer Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Storrie Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for walleye at Ute Lake was good when casting to shallow flats and points using suspending jekrbaits, swimbaits and Gulp minnows on  -ounce jigheads. Fishing for walleyes was good trolling using Flicker Shad lures, Model A Bomber lures and Bandit crankbaits. Fishing for white bass was good using 6-10 foot diving Bomber Model A lures and Bandit 200 and 300 model lures. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was good using square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs in 4-8 feet of water. Fishing for crappie was fair to good using live minnows in 20 feet of water. The main lake water surface temperature was in the low 50s, and the water was clear.

Northwest fishing report

Fishing for trout at Abiquiu Lake was slow to fair using crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was slow using crankbaits.

Streamflow on the Animas River below Aztec on Monday morning was 552 cfs.

Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for tiger muskie at Bluewater Lake was slow using swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was slow using hot dogs. Fishing for trout was slow using PowerBait.

Brazos River had no reports from anglers this week.

Canjilon Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for pike at Cochiti Lake was good using gizzard shad-pattern swimbaits, lipless crankbaits and 8-inch swimbaits, jerkbaits and hot dogs. Fishing for walleye was fair using Rapala lures. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good using jerkbaits and swimbaits. Fishing for catfish was good using cut carp bait.

El Vado Lake is closed due to dam construction project. For more information, visit El Vado Lake State Parks webpage or call 575-588-7247.

Fenton Lake is open to shore fishing but is closed to all watercraft, including: canoes, kayaks, inflatables and all types of motorboats. For updated lake conditions, visit the parks webpage or call the park office at 575-829-3630.

The city is in the final stages of repairs at Grants Riverwalk Pond and stocking will resume soon.

Heron Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

At the Jemez Waters, streamflow near Jemez on Monday morning was 670 cfs. Due to the rising popularity of fishing in Valles Caldera National Preserve, the National Park Service will began charging a fee for its fishing permits starting April 1 to support the management of its fishing program. The new fee schedule will be $20 for an annual pass ($10 for youth 12-17) and $5 for a 7-day pass ($3 for youth 12-17). A State of New Mexico fishing license is also required to fish within Valles Caldera. For more information visit nps.gov/vall.

Laguna del Campo had no reports from anglers this week.

Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Farmington had no reports from anglers this week.

Stocking efforts have been suspended due to extremely low water levels and unstable ground conditions at McGaffey Lake and conditions will be monitored and stocking will resume once conditions improve.

Fishing for pike at Navajo Lake was fair using large streamer flies and jerkbaits.

Streamflow on the Rio Chama below El Vado Lake on Monday morning was 501 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 865 cfs. Anglers reported the water clarity below El Vado Lake was murky. Anglers reported the water clarity below Abiquiu Lake was murky. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.

Rio Grande had no reports from anglers this week.

Riverside Park Pond (Aztec Pond #1) had no reports from anglers this week.

San Gregorio Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the San Juan River near Archuleta on Monday morning was 284 cfs. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was fair using Krystal Flash midge-pattern flies, leech-pattern flies and red-annelid flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good using PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at the Seven Springs Brood Pond was fair to good using PowerBait.

Tiger Park Reservoir had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Tingley Beach was fair to good using Turbo Dough PowerBait, spinners and pink, cheese PowerBait. Fishing for trout in the catch-and-release pond was good using midge pattern flies.

Trout Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Southwest fishing report

Fishing for trout at Alumni Pond was fair using silver spinners, Velveeta cheese, salmon-peach PowerBait and black-midge flies. Fishing for bass was fair to good using white lures and small spinners.

Bear Canyon Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

The department is conducting a boater and angler improvement project at Bill Evans Lake from February to April. Improvements include the installation of a new concrete boat ramp and dock; improvements to the existing boat ramp; the installation of rock, fishing jetties; road improvements; and re-grading the north camping access area. Anglers should expect road and lake closures during construction. For current conditions, contact the departments Fisheries Management Division at 505-476-8055. Anglers are encouraged to visit surrounding lakes such as Bear Canyon Lake, Lake Roberts and Trees Lake for alternate fishing locations.

Fishing for white bass at Caballo Lake was good using curly-tail grubs and crankbaits. Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using crankbaits and black Woolly Bugger flies.

Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass at Elephant Butte Lake was good using shad-pattern jerkbaits, square-billed crankbaits, live minnows and silver-and-blue Rapala lures. Fishing for white bass was fair to good using small, chartreuse jig heads with soft plastic baits. Fishing for crappie was fair using small, dark-colored jigs and live minnows. Fishing for catfish was good using live minnows and cut bait.

Fishing for bass at Escondida Lake was fair to good using live minnows.

Estancia Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Gila River near Gila on Monday morning was 334 cfs.

Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Lake Roberts had no reports from anglers this week.

Percha Dam had no reports from anglers this week.

Quemado Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Dam on Monday morning was 0 cfs.

Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Trees Lake was good using PowerBait and worms.

Fishing for trout at Young Pond was fair to good using salmon eggs, Velveeta cheese, corn, salmon-peach PowerBait and black midge flies.

Southeast Fishing Report

Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was good using PowerBait.

Bataan Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Please visit the Open Gate webpage for more information on Berrendo Creek.

Streamflow on the Black River at Malaga on Monday morning was 9 cfs.

Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the City of Alamogordo due to fire damage.

Bosque Redondo Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for walleye at Brantley Lake was fair to good using chatterbaits.

Fishing for catfish at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair using hot dogs.

Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Corona Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Green Meadow Lake was fair to good using glitter PowerBait.

Greene Acres Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was good using garlic PowerBait and salmon-peach PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Harry McAdams Park Pond was fair using homemade dough bait. Fishing for bass was fair to good using purple, plastic worms and creature baits.

Fishing for trout at Lake Van was good using PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Ned Houk Ponds was good using salmon-peach PowerBait.

Fishing for trout at Oasis Park Lake was fair using PowerBait.

Streamflow on the Pecos River below Sumner Lake on Monday morning was 110 cfs. Fishing for catfish was fair using hot dogs south of Carlsbad.

Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Rio Bonito had no reports from anglers this week.

Streamflow on the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood on Monday morning was 51 cfs.

Rock Lake Hatchery Kids Pond had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for walleye at Santa Rosa Lake was fair to good using 5-inch, curly-tail grubs.

Sumner Lake had no reports from anglers this week.

Fishing for trout at Timberon Ponds was fair to good using red and yellow PowerBait.
CORRALES  Days before her career retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Corrales artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is already charting a new body of work.

Inside a coverted furniture store warehouse, the groundbreaking Confederated Salish/Kootenai Nation creator is designing and building a series of skeletal canoes from recycled and fallen cedar, pine and cherry wood.

Quick-to-See Smiths painting of a map of the United States, marked by winding rivers, speckled with bison and coyotes and tribal names, provides the backdrop behind a canoe spilling over with plaster molds of bottles, rifles, beavers and hand mirrors.

The cache represents the detritus of the consumer culture that nearly destroyed Native tribes, Quick-to-See Smith said.

Precontact, the tribes navigated the rivers to trade with one another down the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in St. Louis.

The bison went all the way up to Alaska and all the way down to Mexico, she said.

A bucket of plaster pills molded to resemble opiates sits awaiting placement.

We give them back to the consumer society, Quick-to-See Smith added. Im giving back the stuff we dont want. Im doing one with fry bread because it gives us diabetes and heart attacks.

A team of artists, including Quick-to-See Smiths son Neal Ambrose-Smith (Confederated Salish/Kootenai Nation), Matthew Eaton, Kelly Frye (Tesuque Pueblo) and David Beams (Choctaw) are busy fabricating Quick-to-See Smiths canoes, as well as molded and masked figures representing Mother Earth. The painting State Names Map: Cahokia and a single canoe will be shipped to Counterpublic 2023 in St. Louis.

Quick-to-See Smith formed the team at the urging of her New York gallery, the Garth Greenan in Chelsea. The pieces will feature brass plates with her name above those of her team. Shes also preparing for upcoming exhibitions slated for the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. (as the first artist to curate an exhibition at the National Gallery) and in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Whitney show Memory Map is the first-ever retrospective the institution has dedicated to a Native American artist. In the past, for her to gain entrance into a prominent museum show, someone else had to drop out.

I was always plan B, she said.

Quick-to-See Smith credits the Black Lives Matter movement, the Standing Rock protests and the death of George Floyd for the sudden openness to nondominant cultures.

Despite 50 years of working, she said, To me, it came really fast.

Quick-to-See Smith grew up on the Nisqually Reservation in Washington. Her father was alcoholic; her mother abandoned her.

She says her determination came from a cloud of survival.

We had to go to the garbage bins for food, she said. Her mother was 14 when she had me and she was 15 when she had my sister. It makes you scramble because you have to stay alive. That drives me. I suppose fear is part of it. Now I can see that things can change if I work really hard.

She was already molding and decorating mud pies as a little girl. She discovered crayons and tempera paint in first grade.

I knew I was in the zone even though I didnt know the word.

Quick-to-See Smith was a migrant worker by the age of 8, then she worked in the canneries.

She attended junior college in Bremerton, Washington with men who entered on the G.I. Bill.

The teacher said, You draw better than the men, but women cant be artists,  she said.

The University of New Mexico Master in Fine Arts faculty rejected her four times.

They kept telling me Native Americans dont go to fine arts schools. I was already showing in New York by then.

I wanted to teach at IAIA (Santa Fes Institute of American Indian Arts), she added. I wound up on the board.

Today her work draws from American pop art and abstraction to her own idiosyncratic use of a gallery of motifs, including maps, trade canoes, bison and techniques like collage. She has often reflected on the invasion of the Europeans, who arguably produced the most sustained genocide in human history.

When they took over our country and forbid us to speak our language it was like a frontal lobotomy, she said. Our language encompasses our whole holistic world.

Governmental and industrial abuse of the environment have been key concerns in Quick-to-See Smiths work

I spent so much time outside as a kid, she said. I was outside always. I was always immersed in the land. That is where I was alive.

She also loved museums, especially the works of Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell.

They were painting with thick paint and large canvases, she said. For me, that was heaven. That was my education.

Today she pens letters and petitions to stop the Biden administrations approval of the Willow Creek drilling project on Alaskas petroleum-rich North Slope.

Its going to destroy the animals and fish, she said.

Read more about Jaune Quick-to-See Smiths groundbreaking retrospective at New Yorks Whitney Museum of American Art.
Emily Fairfax has dedicated her life to studying beavers.

Fairfax is an ecohydrologist whose work is revealing how the beaver is an environmental hero.

She uses Google Earth to identify and map beaver dams and channels, and her team showed that beavers damming activities create underground irrigation systems, resulting in wetlands that act like speed bumps for fires.

The most interesting fact from a scientific perspective is the impact the beavers can have on the landscape, she says. They can radically transform a desert into an oasis. The scale of power that they have is amazing.

Fairfax says beaver wetlands remain green and healthy after a fire, averaging three times less damage than areas without beavers.

Beavers are now being restored to areas where they no longer exist, offering hope that landscapes can be renewed and protected against future fires, she says.

Fairfaxs work is part of the second season of the PBS series Changing Planet, which premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also stream on the PBS app.

Changing Planet returns for a second year to revisit some of our planets most vulnerable ecosystems and provide updates on how communities are working to develop resilience in the face of climate change.

Two new hosts  Ella Al-Shamahi, a paleoanthropologist and stand-up comic, and Ade Adepitan, a television presenter, Paralympian and childrens author  join global conservation scientist and CEO of Conservation International M. Sanjayan to uncover this years stories.

The series travels from Brazil to California, Greenland to the Maldives, Kenya to Cambodia to chart how inspiring individuals and communities are making progress  and facing setbacks  over the last 12 months.

Over the last year, much has happened to report, from the devastating effects of drought in Kenya to the Maldives, where new scientific discoveries offer hope for the worlds coral reefs.

We have an opportunity to do things properly, Sanjayan says. We have the inherited wisdom, we have the science, and we have the tech to understand when things are going wrong and why. Now we need the money and political muscle to implement what needs doing.

In the first hour, Sanjayan hosts from Australia, a country on the frontline of climate change, both in terms of its devastating effects, but also possible solutions. He travels to the remote Gibson Desert, where the land is under the stewardship of the Indigenous Pintupi, who are having spectacular success preserving a vast and vital ecosystem.

Sanjayan learns about cultural burning and how small, managed fires guard against megafires and invigorate the landscape with new plant growth. He discovers that invasive species  like the camel  threaten native species, but efforts are being made to control and eradicate their population.

Megafires are also a problem in northern California and the series reports on traditional burning practices that mitigate these risks by visiting the Tule, Mono and Yurok tribes. Other efforts to create a fire-resistant landscape include reintroducing the beaver, a native keystone species, whose activities restore creeks and rivers.

I love beavers and really enjoy studying them, Fairfax says. There are other animals that synergize with beavers. They are buffalo and prairie dogs. If we let all three work together, they can help restore the environment.

Fairfax says the introduction of drones in her field study work has helped greatly.

It enables better data collection, she says. With the drone footage, Im able to scout where I need to go so that I can get in and get out without disturbing the natural habitat.

On TV

The second season of the PBS series Changing Planet, premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also stream on the PBS app.
Bet and Al live are in a rut.

They live a quiet, ordinary life in their small Yorkshire home until Bet wins a Romantic Breaks magazine contest.

The prize is a Parisian holiday.

Al has never left England. Bet has never been as far away as London.

Their first trip abroad exerts a profound impact on the way they look at the world around them, and not always for the better.

Staged by West End Productions, April in Paris opens on Friday, April 21, running on weekends through May 7.

She drags the reluctant Al along with her, said director Colleen Neary McClure. They sample life outside England for the first time.

Theyre small-minded and theyve lived a very sheltered life in England.

Yorkshireman and playwright John Godber wrote the play in 1992, at the height of the British recession during the reign of Margaret Thatcher.

It was when unemployment in Hull was high and the husband is unemployed, McClure said. People were scouring magazines for competitions for trips to Euro Disney and Paris.

They get a perspective on life and the whole point is the grass is greener on the other side.

The pair sort out French cuisine, wrestle with their phrasebook, and fend off would-be muggers on the Metro.

They never really known how to pronouce the words, McClure said. They dont know what theyre ordering with the food; its some pretty dodgy food.

Its very like (playwright Harold) Pinter in many ways, she added. Its very musical, very simple language.

April in Paris stars Jessica Osbourne and Dan Ware.

The Plays and Players Yearbook of 1993 named Godber the third most performed playwright in Britain after William Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn.
Its becoming obvious the path for a Republican to win the popular vote will require Latino voters. The last time a Republican presidential candidate was even competitive on this front was in George W. Bushs re-election campaign where he was able to flip states like New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado. Despite recent gains in the last few years from their lows in 2012, the inability to regain the ground lost is starting to see a once ruby red state like Arizona fall into the purple territory and is looking like it may be the next Colorado or Nevada.

The biggest issue for both parties is they often lump Latino voters into a single issue monolith and many Latino voters feel increasingly isolated politically. It seems like Latinos should be easy to appeal to for Republicans  religious, family oriented and hard-working people. However, respect is highly valued in our communities and it feels like the political parties just dont respect our culture.

Republicans need to understand that messaging to Latino voters is going to require respect, a respect for what we want to be called is important. The left learned this after backlash to the term Latinx, but if you ask us terms like Latino or Hispanic arent that much better. The preference we have is what we call our communities: We are Mexicans, Spanish, Cubans, etc. That identity is important to us, it means a lot to be called the right thing.

We also dont all speak the same type of Spanish. I repeatedly see lazily translated campaign material using European Spanish being used in areas meant to be aimed at Mexican Americans or Cubans. Despite the bellyaching of some conservative pundits like Michael Knowles, who criticized the GOPs decision to have rising star Rep. (Juan) Ciscomani, (R-Arizona), deliver a State of the Union response in Spanish, gestures like this do go a long way. Communicating in Spanish is not only a practical tool to reach new voters; it communicates to all Latinos you care.

The biggest elephant in the room is immigration. Something Republicans need to grasp is that Latinos are nuanced in the immigration debate. We know the differences between immigration and border security. As we can see from Republican gains in areas in Texas, Latino communities are fed up with the violence and crime that come from having essentially a lawless border. It is our communities that have been destroyed by the inability of the United States and Mexico to act. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem like either party is interested in solving this.

Latinos are longing for people in our politics who take them seriously, see that our issues arent so black and white and fit neatly into a political narrative, respect who we are and act on our issues. Our next nominee has the opportunity to appeal to Latinos, but there will need to be some changes not only to the basic messaging but also to have some solutions. A real border policy is going to need to be better than a wall and talking about our drug crisis, I hope whoever it is can step up to the plate.
The Journals March 26 editorial calls us to revisit two dubious ideas next year: a 14-day gun purchase waiting period and an assault-weapon ban. Both ideas deserve skeptical review.

There is not a sufficient history, as required by the Bruen decision, of two-week gun purchase waiting periods. Instead, Congress provided for instant background checks to protect a citizens Second Amendment right from undue delay while ensuring one is not prohibited by law from gun ownership. Fourteen days would be, with Hawaii, the longest delay in the U.S. and likely challenged.

It is dubious this delay would have value. Proponents referenced a single computer-generated study  Luca et al, 2017, PNAS  to justify their claim a two-week waiting period would have powerful effects in reducing suicide and homicide. But that study cherry-picked its controls while ignoring some powerful variables, coming up with results that first are correlation rather than causation among a maze of confounding variables and second, never hypothesis-tested against ground-truth observation. A scientist worth his or her degree knows a model is only proved valid when tested against unambiguous observation. As David Kopel, research director of the Independence Institute recently stated, If handgun waiting periods reduced gun homicide by 17%, then it would necessarily be true that in states without waiting periods, 17% of gun homicides are perpetrated by people who buy a handgun at retail stores, pass the background check and kill someone a few days later. There is no such data to unambiguously ground truth (in) such claims. Indeed, the national handgun time to crime data, BATF, is over six years and other research (such as) Phillip Cooks work indicates criminals rarely buy guns at gun shops.

As for assault weapon bans? First, rifles of all types are used in only a few percent of crimes. Handguns are used in the lions share. Second, so-called assault rifles are among the most popular guns bought today and likely, under Bruen analysis, fall under the in common use legal consideration as first stated in Miller, a 1930s Supreme Court case. Third, they are available in most surrounding states so all New Mexico would do, other than criminalize tens or hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans, would be set up a thriving black market. Finally, the Legislature only considered the most draconian idea: a complete ban, rather than any sort of permit-to-purchase system allowing us to screen potential owners.

Two reasonable gun bills were passed. One required responsible gun storage while leaving the means to the responsible owners. A second duplicated existing federal law prohibiting straw purchases. As far as waiting periods? Perhaps a short waiting period could be imposed but only for those who do not obtain NICS approval, i.e., to close the so-called Charleston Loophole, but only if an expedited review was mandated by the state. Otherwise, let us worry about bad actors, not law-abiding citizens. As the Journal Editorial Board knows and indeed showed in its (March 26) political cartoon, the Legislature has been remiss in addressing actual criminal behavior, especially New Mexicos world-class judicial revolving door.

So if we are to address violent crime in New Mexico, lets start with dealing with the violent criminals.
By  our readiness to allow arms to be purchased at will and fired at whim; by allowing our movie and television screens to teach our children that the hero is one who masters the art of shooting and the technique of killing  we have created an atmosphere in which violence and hatred have become popular pastimes.

 Dr. Martin Luther King, November 1963. Quoted in the 1968 Firearms and Violence in American Life staff report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.

In 1968 there were 90 million guns and 200 million people in the United States, or a bit fewer than half as many guns as people.

In 2022 there were 393.3 million guns and 320 million people in the United States, or more guns than people.

Access to guns creates terminal solutions to temporary emotions and worries. Access to guns has resulted in 129 mass shootings on the 87th day of the year 2023, or more shootings than days. Access to guns means American children are more likely, in 2023, to die of gun violence than any other cause  more likely to die of gun violence than of car accidents or illness. Access to guns means children commit suicide with them.

This afternoon, I picked up my son at school and saw the first-graders leaving. A first-grade boy waved, Bye Sebastian, he said. Sebastian hugged another boy. A boy holding his fathers hand cast off to hug Sebastian. Each boy smiled from face to toe and used English and Spanish interchangeably. Seventh-grade girls flooded through the crowd, intense, narrow-bodied, aware and oblivious  meticulously aware of each nuance of each other, blissfully unaware of parents standing around. These are children. They need not be perfect or special to be loved. They are perfect and special because they are children and they need to be loved.

I was born in 1966 when mass shooting was yet to be common nomenclature. Dan Whites massacre of Harvey Milk and George Moscone rocked the San Francisco papers right after the Jonestown massacre. Children werent dying mostly of gun shots, inflicted by their peers, or disgruntled ex-students, or men getting back at the world or by their own hands.

It seems two tactics would yield better outcomes. First, ban all guns. Many countries do. Remove them from civilians, from police forces, from homes, schools, board rooms, faculty meetings, post offices or grocery stores. Rates of gun ownership predict rates of gun homicides and suicides.  Without guns, these deaths would not happen.

Second, value joy and exploration. Fund schools, food and housing. Show children their teachers matter, their mothers matter, their fathers matter. Fill them up, dont tear them down. Frame their worlds with love, compassion and gratitude, not production and competition. Give them value, places to connect, places to play without fear. This is harder, but perhaps crucial to the first tactic. Stop valuing violence over compassion. Dr. Kings quote was spoken before I was born, but the world he described 60 years ago lives on. Lets change that world.
Mayor Tim Keller sent to the City Council his version of the next city budget, which the Albuquerque Journal called a no frills proposal. The budget should be called a no leadership or no results proposal.

This year Keller is recommending reduced funding to the Albuquerque Police Department for hiring new officers. Keller recently announced at a town hall meeting that hiring more police officers is old fashioned and unrealistic. It was only a matter of time before his proposed budget would match his personal opinion of defunding the police.

Keller has given up on his promise of hiring 1,200 police officers, while the City Council has given him a blank check for years to get it done. Rather than admitting failure and leading with a plan, the mayor continues the smoke show with excuses and blame.

Keller had no problem boosting his administrative staff to unprecedented levels with massive pay increases and no job descriptions, diverting tax-dollars to new departments he created filled with political hires, and increasing overall budget spending for multiple years now with no measurable results.

In a multi-year massive spending spree Keller created new departments at City Hall such as the Equity and Inclusion Office, General Services Department and the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department. ACS currently employs 67 civilian caseworkers paid $5.8 million that respond to a fraction of APD calls. Over four years Keller doubled unclassified positions by adding 306 people to his staff with little justification and less than half of them with actual job descriptions.

 The Albuquerque Police Department is staffed with 856 total officers, fewer than it had five years ago, and less than half of them responding to calls. Our reputation remains one of the most dangerous cities in America.

 Albuquerques economy is stagnant, according to national rankings that list the city toward the bottom of 192 metro areas in the country. A recent Brookings study published in the Journal called our economy stagnant while Boise, Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs are thriving with economic growth that results in prosperity and closes disparities. Albuquerque ranks at the bottom of the bucket with very little prosperity and much despair.

 Albuquerque has a strong mayor form of government with the mayor as the top executive responsible for implementing change, leading strategies and getting results. While the City Council primarily holds the purse strings, how many more blank checks does this mayor get before the people demand results?

Spending massive amounts of taxpayer dollars with no improvement to safety, prosperity and quality of life is outright fraud and abuse, but these days its called a no-frills budget.
Jewish people, in ancient times, were already experiencing prejudice against themselves because they were the first monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years, while other people were worshiping animals or human-type deities. The Jewish people take their Bible, which they call the Tanakh, seriously. The Tanakh is known as the Old Testament to Christians and the Book to Muslims. Jewish people also show respect for their children by celebrating their coming of age. This is known as bar mitzvah for a male at age 13 and bat mitzvah for a female at age 12 or 13 depending on the Jewish community of her parents. This ceremony indicates the young person will now have respect and responsibilities within the Jewish community as an adult.

In 2023, of course, not only Jews, but also Christians, Muslims and others worship one God, and monotheism has become common in the United States and in much of the world. Anti-semitism is again on the rise, however, including Holocaust denial, which would be an excellent dictionary example for explaining the meaning of the word absurd. Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 18, is an excellent time to educate those who have been deceived by social media and even by some high profile people who should, and perhaps do, know better but are prejudiced and hateful.

It is unpleasant to try to grasp the horror of this hateful genocide that killed one-third of the worlds Jews. Residents of the Duke City can visit the New Mexico Holocaust Museum at 616 Central Avenue SW. A voluntary donation box is provided, the receptionist is delightful, and visitors can learn about the horrors of the most industrialized mass murder system ever put in place in human history.

After Victor E. Frankls mother and father died in concentration camps, Victor and his wife arrived at the Auschwitz death camp, where his wife soon died. Victor himself survived a total of four different death camps, partly because he was a good worker, even when he was skin and bones from malnutrition, and partly because of miraculous luck. He later married again. He and his second wife had one daughter, Gabriele, who became a child psychologist.

Victors observations as a psychiatrist while he was a prisoner are documented in his book, Mans Search for Meaning, which at the time of his death in 1997, at the age of 92, had sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages, is still worth buying and reading today. Yes. The Holocaust absolutely did happen, and nothing similar must ever be permitted to happen again.
With the future of one of the medications used for abortion in question, New Mexico reproductive health care clinics are considering all possible outcomes.

And they are pledging to continue to provide abortion care regardless of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision on mifepristone, the medication most commonly used for abortions.

For now, at least, the pill remains available.

Dr. Lisa Hofler, the clinical vice chair of the UNM School of Medicines Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, said after a Texas judge ruled earlier this month that the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the drug 23 years ago was not valid and it shouldnt be accessible even in states where abortion is legal, she sent out a note to all her OBGYN students telling them that for now nothing has changed and to keep taking care of patients.

We do know that things are going to be changing rapidly and thats also chaotic and confusing, said Hofler, who is also a provider at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health. It makes you feel destabilized. Change is hard, no matter what. So letting people know things are the same now and well have a plan either way.

For their part, anti-abortion activists in New Mexico applauded the judges decision.

In a news release, Abortion Free New Mexico said that in a state where radical Democrat leaders are doing everything in their power to keep killing children in the womb legal, this would be an amazing outcome.

Its certainly not fair that mifepristone literally starves a human baby to death in their mothers womb and the Biden Administration along with pro-abortion advocates want no transparency with regard to these truths, said Tara Shaver, who started the group along with her husband Bud. This current administration is simply pushing a radical abortion agenda and there is no right reason to ensure that innocent human beings continue to die.

Procedure or medication

Since a Texas law banning abortion after six weeks went into effect in September 2021, about a third of abortions at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health are done after 15 weeks.

Our volumes went up but it went up kind of disproportionately, Hofler said. A lot more abortion care later in pregnancy  mainly because, I think, people had to travel, they didnt know it wasnt available, they need to get together someone to watch their kids, figure out how to get to Albuquerque, all of that. So that adds delay. Even if they had been trying to come sooner, sometimes they werent able to.

The remaining two-thirds are before 15 weeks and about half of those use medication, according to graphs from the University of New Mexico medical group.

Hofler said patients choose the medical abortion or a procedural abortion based on personal preference.

A New York Times review of 101 scientific studies  conducted over more than 30 years and throughout the world  found that 0.31% of over 124,000 medication abortions resulted in serious complications. By contrast, 1.4% of births resulted in serious complications.

With a procedure you dont have as much stuff happening outside of the health center  you maybe feel safer because youre in the care of a clinician and everythings done by the time you leave, Hofler said. With the medications it might feel more private and less medicalized  so a lot of people might pick that because it feels like they have more control or like its something thats more like physiologic and natural to their body.

Medication abortions are done with a two dose regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol. If mifepristone is no longer available, Hofler said that patients can use misoprostol alone but it can cause more intense side effects like cramping and nausea and may need more follow-up care, which could make out-of-state patients nervous. For that reason, more patients may opt for a procedure instead.

At the three Planned Parenthood clinics throughout the state only one offers procedure abortions  meaning a much higher percentage of its patients use medication. Last year the New Mexico clinics provided abortion care for 2,797 patients and 71% of patients used medication, according to a spokeswoman.

Spokeswoman Fawn Bolak said the clinics have been preparing for a worst-case scenario since the lawsuit seeking to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone was filed last year.

If mifepristone is taken off the market, clinician-guided medication abortion will still be available at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, but losing mifepristone means the loss of an important option for our communities, Bolak wrote in a statement. Across the board, a loss of mifepristone may cause a delay in care for patients, increased appointment wait times, and longer stays for patients who may need to travel from out of state.

The states newest facility to offer abortion  Whole Womens Health, which opened in Albuquerque in mid-March, came from Texas and so far has been open for three weekends. All of its patients have been from out of state.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, the founder, president, and CEO, said that for her and others at the organization abortion restrictions, unfortunately, are par for the course, but she thinks our future in New Mexico is going to look better than some places when it comes to the medications used in abortion.

Thats because state Attorney General Raul Torrez joined a multi-state lawsuit seeking to expand access to medication abortions. A judge in Washington ruled in that case that mifepristone should remain available in those states.

Were going to still be offering medication abortion mifepristone and misoprostol just like we did yesterday for the foreseeable future so far based on what were seeing from the interpretations of the various lawsuits, Hagstrom Miller said. Thats great news for New Mexico, and for all sorts of folks traveling here.

Keep providing care

There are 10 in-person facilities that provide abortion care in the state  seven of which also do procedures, according to the state Department of Health. There are also 11 telemedicine organizations where people can get a prescription for abortion medication.

Shortly after U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryks ruling was released on April 7, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement saying she will continue to do all that she can to ensure that New Mexico remains a safe place for women to obtain necessary health care.

First and foremost: medication abortion remains legal and available in New Mexico, Lujan Grisham said. I also want to state, unequivocally, that medication abortion is an effective, safe option, and the Texas decision is an affront to the FDA approval process and the extensive scientific and medical evidence upon which it is based.

As for Hofler, she said the UNM center will continue to adapt to every new change and obstacle that comes their way in order to continue providing abortion care.

I wish that politics didnt enter into the health care space so much, I wish that I didnt feel like I had to fight or talk about how important this is or know all these laws and regulations, Hofler said. I wish I could just be a doctor and take care of patients  But I have a lot of energy and fight in me and so if thats what it takes thats what we will do.

Timeline

 In November 2022, a group of physicians sued the Food and Drug Administration alleging that they were harmed by having to treat patients who had complications from medication that induced abortion. They asked a Federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo, Texas, to order the FDA to withdraw or suspend the approval of mifepristone.

 On April 7, Kacsmaryk ruled in favor of the physicians saying  among other points  that the FDAs approval of mifepristone had acquiesced to the pressure to increase access to chemical abortion at the expense of womens safety. The ruling ordered a stay of the FDAs 2000 approval, but delayed its enforcement for seven days so the U.S. government could appeal the decision.

 About an hour after Kacsmaryks decision in Texas, Federal Judge Thomas Rice in Eastern Washington ruled in favor of attorneys general in 17 states  including New Mexico  who had filed a suit seeking to expand the availability of mifepristone. Rices decision only pertained to the states whose attorneys general had filed the suit.

 On Wednesday night, April 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans announced the pill could still be used while the lawsuit moves through the courts. However, it blocked the medication from being sent through the mail, from being prescribed by health care providers instead of doctors and from being used after seven weeks of pregnancy.

 On Friday morning, April 14, the Department of Justice asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow full access to mifepristone while the case moves through the courts. Later that day, an order signed by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito granted the DOJs request while the court considers the issue over the next few days. The order asks for the parties to provide additional briefings by Tuesday.

 That order will expire late Wednesday, April 19. In the meantime, mifepristone remains accessible, including through the mail, when prescribed by a health care provider and up to 11 weeks.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has been launched in Abu Dhabi, to deliver support programmes, improve healthcare services and provide a community for people affected by MS across the UAE.

Research grants worth AED2 million ($540,000) have also been announced, which will support local and international researchers looking to advance innovative treatments overall and also give a greater understanding into the characteristics of the disease which specifically affect those located in the UAE.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. MS typically affects young adults and can cause a range of symptoms including numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis.

Leadership

The launch was held in the presence of leadership from key government entities, advocates who are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), leading local healthcare providers and local and international partners.

Established as an NGO under the Ministry of Community Development, NMSS will advance local and global research efforts in pursuit of better treatments and a cure for the disease.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, commented: NMSS drives its strength from the vision of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who firmly believed in the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of citizens, including protection from illness and disease. His vision was, and continues to be, translated into effective policies, proper planning, and constant awareness of the needs of society, so future generations may enjoy all aspects of their lives, the physical, mental and social, and so that every individual may achieve their full potential in society.

Today, we celebrate the launch of NMSS in the UAE; a society which seeks to make a real difference in the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis, and to support them as we work together to seek better treatment, and ultimately a cure. The main goal of the association is to empower and support those with MS to live their lives to the fullest, and to raise community awareness and work towards creating a world without multiple sclerosis.

Positive effect

Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, said: We at the Department of Health  Abu Dhabi (DoH) firmly believe that working alongside medical societies such as the NMSS will allow us to have a direct and positive effect with the patients, thus improving our healthcare practices and the well-being of patients. Due to the impact that MS has on our community, Abu Dhabis healthcare sector has invested in advanced technologies and medical research to enhance MS management and has even established specialised MS clinics and rehabilitation centres. The launch of the UAEs first MS registry is a pivotal step that would help researchers and doctors around the emirate in providing advanced and personalised levels of care for members of our community.

Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National MS Society Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC), announced several new programmes led by the Society, including the upcoming pilot of a National MS registry to track the number of people with MS and progression of the disease in the UAE, developed in partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and G42. The partnership has also made possible the integration of new MS information into the Malaffi web application to support those with the disease but also raise awareness too.

This was followed by the announcement that MS Circles had commenced; moderated sessions for people living with MS to discuss key topics around MS with the aim of building a wider, bigger MS community and deepening understanding around key issues to gain better support and ensure relevant change.

Digital presence

She also disclosed that the Society has a digital presence, including new social channels and a website which will serve as central source of the latest information around MS, and that additional programmes would be announced soon including a volunteer initiative which will provide opportunities for members of the wider UAE society to advocate for the MS Community.

She underscored the need for innovative treatments for MS and highlighted advancements of local partners on this front, including Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centres groundbreaking progress on autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and bone marrow transplantation to treat patients with MS, the first such procedures performed in the region.

She said: Every person with MS deserves to live an empowered and fulfilling life by having access to the best possible care. NMSS will be a critical partner in delivering this vision as we progress with building an ecosystem of support across the UAE. Everything we do will be informed by the experiences of those living with MS  we will listen to and learn from them.

Unique expertise

The Society will also be a scientific and research partner for global organisations in the MS field. It will leverage the UAEs unique expertise to drive innovation and partnerships to find better treatments for MS, and move towards the goal of an MS-free future.

Studies show that MS affects more than 2.8 million people, globally. In the UAE, 2,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease, however, the actual number of people living with MS is thought to be more than double this, which is why the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi and the Society is focused on raising awareness across the country. The early diagnosis and treatment of MS improves long-term health and wellbeing and can reduce the number of relapses people experience.

In line with international trends, women in the UAE are three times more likely to develop MS than men, and people with MS are typically diagnosed in youth adulthood between ages 20-40. While MS is a relatively rare, the unpredictable and often disabling nature of the disease can cause a range of physical, emotional and mental health challenges for those affected.

The experiences and needs of MS patients were also highlighted in a panel discussion with Dr Ahmed Shatila, Consultant Neurologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Abu Dhabi, Khalid Alawar and Rana Kamareddine; members of the MS community who are living with the disease.

Realities of living with MS

Moderated by NMSS Ambassador Muna Al Harbi, the participants discussed the realities of living with multiple sclerosis and how the Societys programmes, tools and resources can support those living with MS across the UAE.

Al Harbi, who has been diagnosed with MS and is an MS advocate, said: Those battling MS are often left uninformed, unsupported, and ill-equipped. With the support of the NMSS, new patients, long-term patients and their support systems will be empowered with the resources, assistance and care needed to promote healthy and fulfilling lives. I am hopeful that the NMSS will become a haven for support and information for our MS community and will help to bring innovative, new treatments and world-class care to all people living with MS in the UAE.-- TradeArabia News Service
A man, on the ground, is caught after what appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown at a port in Wakayama, western Japan, April 15. AP-Yonhap



Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resumed campaigning on Saturday after being evacuated unharmed from the scene of an apparent "smoke bomb" blast.



The incident in Wakayama in western Japan came less than a year after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, which traumatized the country and forced a security shake-up for public officials.



Kishida was in the city to deliver remarks in support of a ruling party candidate at a local port when a disturbance rippled through the crowd gathered to hear him speak.



Footage from national broadcaster NHK showed the prime minister turning to look backwards as a person was detained by security and people moved away, some shrieking.



Seconds later, a blast was heard and white smoke filled the air.



Footage and photos from the scene showed a silver, pipe-like object on the ground, but it was not immediately clear whether it had caused the blast and smoke.



Government officials said a man had been arrested on suspicion of obstruction of business.



He has been identified as a 24-year-old man from the Hyogo region, a Wakayama police official told AFP. There was no immediate information on a potential motive.



People at the scene described moments of panic.



"I ran frantically, and then, 10 or so seconds later, there was a loud sound and my kid started crying. I was stunned, my heart is still beating fast," one woman told NHK.



A man at the scene told the broadcaster that "when we all stopped in front of the podium, someone started saying 'culprit!' or something, or 'an explosive was thrown,' so everyone started dispersing fast."



"And then, about 10 seconds after the culprit was captured, there was a blast," he said.











Police officers stand by a yellow rope restricting entry into the site at the Satsugasaki port where a man threw an explosive just before Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was to make a campaign speech for a local governing party candidate, April 15. AP-Yonhap



Unforgivable atrocity



Kishida was unharmed, and soon resumed campaigning, including a stop at a local train station.



"There was a loud blast sound at the previous speech venue. Police are investigating details, but I'd like to apologize for worrying many people and causing them trouble," he said.



"An election that's important to our country is taking place, and we must work together and follow through on it."



He made a campaign stop later in the day in Chiba, east of Tokyo, despite the incident, which his party's election strategy chairman Hiroshi Moriyama described as an "unforgivable atrocity".



Security at local campaign events in Japan can be relatively relaxed, in a country with little violent crime and strict gun laws.



But the country bolstered security around politicians after the assassination of Abe, who was shot and killed while speaking at a campaign event in July 2022.



His alleged assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly targeted him over his links to the Unification Church, and the incident sparked revelations about the connection between the sect and political figures in Japan.



Yamagami was reportedly angry over large donations his mother made to the group, which left the family bankrupt.



The head of Japan's National Police Agency, and the local police chief, resigned in the wake of Abe's assassination after an investigation confirmed "shortcomings" in the security for the former leader.



The investigation slammed a system under which local police were given responsibility for the security of visiting senior officials.



With proper security, "it is deemed highly probable that this incident could have been prevented", the report concluded.





Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, surrounded by security police, arrives at the Saikazaki port for an election campaign event in Wakayama, western Japan, April 15. AP-Yonhap
Romance scammers are turning to FaceTime to intensify their hunt for fast love and even faster money.

This approach targeted an elderly man in New Mexico, who lost more than $100,000 to a woman he met online and with whom he had been communicating through several apps, says Lauren Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the state Attorney Generals Office.

It wasnt until one of his family members realized how much the victim was giving did the scam get submitted to us, Rodriguez says.

The scenario played out over a number of months, after the scammer had gained the victims trust through FaceTime conversations.

Using the video chat app is a way to build intimacy, although its not uncommon for scammers to get by with just showing a picture because they claim their camera or device is having issues.

Also, the trickery can include pre-recorded videos or deepfake technology to make it seem like they are conducting a video call when they are actually not, according to the online site Social Catfish.

Rodriguez says her office has received several of these complaints. Some scammers are targeting older people whose spouses have died or who have impaired mental capacity, she says.

Nationwide, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam last year, with losses reported at $1.3 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC tracked the most common lies told by romantic swindlers in 2022, and found that nearly a quarter of victims were hit up for money because, I or someone close to me is sick, hurt or in jail.

Tied for third place in the list of favorite fabrications was: I can teach you how to invest; Im in the military, far away and I need help with an important delivery.

In the latter scenario, Mr. Romance claimed to have sent the target a valuable delivery but requested money to pay for a customs fee. There was no custom fee, and there was no valuable delivery, according to the FTC.

Here are a few popular romance lies that definitely dont pass the smell test: Weve never met, but lets talk about marriage; Im on an oil rig or ship; and You can trust me with your private pictures.

The goal in nearly every case is to play on someones loneliness and vulnerabilities while stealing their money.

These scammers pay close attention to the information you share and dont miss a beat becoming your perfect match, the FTC says. You like a thing, so thats their thing, too. Youre looking to settle down. Theyre ready, too.

But there is one exception  you want to meet in real life, and they cant.

The most popular excuse for not meeting in person is that theyre on a distant military base.

Here are some tips, from the FTC and the Better Business Bureau:

 Try a reverse image search of Romeos profile picture. If the details dont match up, consider it a scam.

 Never send money or personal information to someone you have never met in person. Besides financial theft, this can lead to identity theft.

 If someone tells you to send money to receive a package, refuse to do so and consider it a red flag.

 Never give someone your credit card information to book a ticket to visit you.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com or (505) 823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210, prompt 5. Complaints can be filed electronically at https://www.nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/.
Legislation approved this session aims to improve metropolitan redevelopment across the state by expanding funding for projects in blighted areas.

The legislation, Senate Bill 251, passed through the Senate and House in the 60-day session with just one vote in opposition. It was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 4.

Sponsored by Democratic legislators Carrie Hamblen and Kristina Ortez, and Republican legislators Craig Brandt and Gay Kernan, it goes into effect July 2024.

To better understand the Metro Development Act Changes potential economic impact and what it means, the Journal sat down with City of Albuquerque Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director Terry Brunner.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Journal: In your own words, can you summarize what this legislation does for metropolitan redevelopment?

Brunner: Senate Bill 251 makes adjustments to the statute that governs metropolitan redevelopment agencies across the state and gives them the ability to implement tax increment financing as a redevelopment tool.

This now expands our abilities to collect gross receipts taxes, and do so with the county, city and state portions of gross receipts taxes, which really raises dramatically the amount of money we can spend on redevelopment in our metropolitan redevelopment areas.

Journal: How is this tax increment financing different from what was done in the past?

Brunner: Municipalities can choose to designate an area as blighted or in need of redevelopment. Albuquerque has been doing that for a few decades.

Now, we have a couple of dozen areas and when we go in and redevelop an area, were typically using general funds or maybe our bond funds. And, you know, we might do, in a redevelopment area, one project every 20 years. A good example is in east Downtown (Albuquerque). More than a decade ago, we did the old Albuquerque High project and invested in that. And that was one project in an entire district.

Were not alone in that  a lot of the metropolitan redevelopment areas across the state are doing one or two projects in an area theyve designated (blighted) every five to 10 years, and thats because theyre really trying to use their citys general funds, which isnt a lot.

So, the ability to do a large housing development is pretty small with $5-$10 million. It doesnt go that far. What this is doing is raising the potential revenue to focus on a particular area. Thats whats new and different here.

Journal: Has the MRA made any estimates in terms of how much potential revenue might increase?

Brunner: I didnt mention that under this tax increment financing, we can do a 20-year duration to that increment. The other thing thats unique about this is if you declare a particular area blighted, you can see your way to 20 years of funding. What cities have traditionally done across the state is theyll do bit by bit projects  and so theres no real consistency.

Weve looked at Main Street areas across the state and those districts might see an occasional federal grant or a state grant, but thats one-time funding. To be able to plan for 20 years of redevelopment with a consistent revenue flow is a completely different way of doing it.

So, over 20 years, we estimate in Ruidoso they could generate $12 million over 20 years. In Las Cruces, they could generate $145 million over 20 years. And in our Downtown, using tax increment financing we could generate just shy of $300 million over 20 years.

Journal: Thats a significant amount of money for redevelopment.

Brunner: Its a significant amount of money and to put it in perspective, what we tell people is (that) this is what you see when you travel to other Western cities.

Like when you wonder how Denver redeveloped its downtown, or how Dallas redeveloped some of its areas, or Salt Lake (City), theyre typically using this tool. (Thats) because its very hard to do redevelopment on a case-by-case basis, and ask the (Albuquerque) City Council for a project here or a project there. If you can plan out 20 years for redevelopment, its a much more wholesale process.

Journal: It sounds like prior to this legislation, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency was limited on monetary resources. This opens the floodgates for more redevelopment, if you will.

Brunner: Exactly.

Journal: When this legislation goes into effect, what are we looking at in terms of future MRA projects?

Brunner: Well, I think for sure, well be looking at Downtown (Albuquerque). I think theres a definite need there. I wouldnt be surprised if we saw some work on east Central as well. I think those are two areas that are in obvious need.

But whats unique about this legislation, in a sense, is the state and the county have the option to contribute as well. What Im excited about is trying to find those areas where we can form partnerships  where the state, the county and the city all see the value in reinvesting in an area.

It also attracts industry and new businesses and redevelopment. It kind of gives us the ability to make larger, more impactful investments.

So, if were trying to attract industry from out of state, if were trying to get someone to grow their local restaurant or their local business, and we can help them find a building or provide some land, we can be much more aggressive. We dont have to wait years and years to cobble together funds.  We can take action more quickly and be more impactful, which I think is exciting as businesses look to grow or expand in Albuquerque.
Remember three years back when COVID-19 shut down our world and changed the way we lived, exiling us from our workplaces to shelter in homes stockpiled with canned food, bottled water and toilet paper?

It was devastating to businesses, livelihoods and hopes we had for our futures.

But there were other effects as well. Air pollution decreased because we were not driving our vehicles as much. And because we were not driving as much, fewer animals were killed by cars and trucks. And since human activity was curtailed, animal activity expanded. Creatures that usually kept to the foothills or the bosque were suddenly poking around in backyards.

Emily Lena Jones, associate professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, sees a parallel between those early pandemic days and the European colonization of the Americas. Both impacted the environment by altering human behavior.

Jones, 48, studies archaeological animal remains to determine how the interaction of humans and animals affect the environment. She noticed that animals and plants flourished after the arrival of Europeans in what is now New Mexico.

Prior to colonization, there were less large, wild animals on the landscape, Jones said.

But why?

This was strange

Jacob L. Fisher, an anthropology professor at California State University, Sacramento, had discovered the same thing in his California studies as Jones had uncovered with her work in New Mexico.

We were both finding a ton of larger game animals like elk, deer, bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope in these assemblages (groups of artifacts) that date to after the arrival of Europeans in North America, Jones said. This was strange because in assemblages for earlier time periods, such animals are rare.

What Jones and Fisher hypothesized is that diseases such as measles and smallpox, introduced by Europeans, decreased Indigenous populations and that reduced the number of people out hunting these large animals.

It makes sense that fewer hunters equals more animals. But working together, Jones and Fisher found evidence that suggests there was more to this picture than measles and smallpox.

We see likely results from multiple causes tied to colonization, Jones said. Introduced disease, yes, but also genocide, forced labor and the introduction of new animals (cattle and sheep).

Seeking data from other regions in the Americas, Jones and Fisher contacted researchers from Argentina to Canada, Texas to Wyoming, Harvard to the Smithsonian Institute.

The result is Questioning Rebound: People and Environmental Change in the Protohistoric and Early Historic Americas (University of Utah Press, 2023).

Jones and Fisher edited the book and are also among its 17 contributors.

They note in the introduction that while the books chapters differ in their approach, all identify environmental changes that happened about the time of expanding European colonization.

Changing course

Jones was born in Costa Rica while her father was working with the Peace Corps in that country. She grew up in Philadelphia and Connecticut and enrolled at Vassar College in 1992 as a theater and English literature major. She had dreams at the time of being an actor, or, failing that, a teacher of literature.

Her life changed course when she took a class on the archaeology of Egypt, taught by Walter A. Fairservis, an authority on the rise and fall of ancient civilizations.

Fairservis had earned a reputation as a finder and explorer of lost cities, and Jones was enthralled by his tales of fieldwork in exotic places. Before she completed that class, she had decided to become an anthropology major.

Jones has an undergraduate degree in anthropology from Vassar, a masters and doctorate in anthropology from the University of Washington and is in her 11th year as a UNM faculty member.

She has pursued anthropological projects in Spain and France as well as in this country, but she follows animal bones wherever she is. Part of her work related to the effects of European colonization has put her on the trail of horses in this country.

That involves tracking down horse remains in museums in Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho, UNMs Maxwell Museum, all over the West, Jones said. Its a slow-going project because some museums are resistant to dating remains because it is destructive. Bones are pulverized for radiocarbon dating. You dont get them back.

Making tracks

Prehistoric horses went extinct in the Americas, but the Spanish reintroduced the animal to the New World. Research by Jones and others show that horses spread to Indigenous communities rapidly.

Horses spread north and west far more quickly than formerly believed, Jones said. They got to places before the Spanish arrived in those areas. Did they escape and go feral? Or maybe they got there through Indigenous trading networks, Indigenous people who did not have contact with the Spanish trading with Indigenous people who had made contact.

Indications are that Indigenous cultures had adopted horses into their culture before the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Jones said that in the 1990s, a construction project uncovered a circa 1650 Indigenous horse burial in Blacks Fork, Wyoming.

Thats way in advance of when horses should have been there, Jones said. Pre-Revolt horse remains have also been discovered at Paa-ko Pueblo, an ancestral pueblo at the eastern base of the Sandia Mountains. Jones has studied materials excavated at Isleta Pueblo but found no evidence of horses there prior to 1680.

We did find a snapping turtle at Isleta, which was pretty exciting, she said. It was in the 17th-century deposits, so (the turtles) must have been living there then.

Less sexy

These days, Jones does most of her work in a lab, analyzing materials that have been previously excavated. Its doesnt sound as romantic as crawling around in ancient tombs with Indiana Jones or archaeologists such as Fairservis.

Its less sexy, Jones said. You cant sell people on it as easily. But I also love being in the lab. Its still exciting. Theres still discovery.
A massive amount of new solar and wind generation could soon be scattered across the Navajo Nation through a just-formed partnership between Connecticut-based energy giant Avangrid and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority.

Avangrid and the NTUA signed a memorandum of understanding last week to jointly explore opportunities for developing up to a gigawatt of solar, wind and back-up battery storage on the reservation. Once built, that would constitute enough generation to supply clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, both on the reservation, and in regional markets through export to surrounding states, according to Avangrid and NTUA officials.

The partnership reflects a mutual commitment to advancing renewable development, said NTUA General Manager Walter Haase. It will also create hundreds of jobs for Navajo workers, while providing a new, sustainable stream of revenue for the tribal government.

NTUA Generation has been working diligently to explore renewable energy development opportunities on the Navajo Nation with the promise of new jobs and clean green energy, Haase said in a statement. We do believe the partnership we have with Avangrid will advance clean energy development on the Navajo Nation and will help provide benefits to the communities served by NTUA. We look forward to the progress this partnership will bring.

Its unclear where and when projects will be built, but one of the first beneficiaries could be the Nenahnezad Chapter House located next to the coal-fired Four Corners Generating Station, about midway between Farmington and Shiprock, said NTUA Deputy General Manager for Generation Arash Moalemi.

That community and other nearby chapter houses face substantial hardship from the closure of coal plants and mines in the Four Corners Area, which is eliminating thousands of good-paying jobs that up until recently provided long-term economic stability for Navajo communities.

Were exploring the opportunity to develop a solar facility with Avangrid at the Nenahnezad Chapter House, Moalemi told the Journal. We want to pursue new economic development opportunities on lands there previously used for coal mining, and we want to create jobs in that area.

Separate from Avangrid-PNM merger

Avangrid, which is seeking to acquire Public Service Co. of New Mexico, began discussing reservation-based renewable development with Navajo officials in 2021 as state Public Regulation Commission hearings were underway on the proposed Avangrid-PNM merger.

The previous, five-member elected commission rejected the merger deal in December 2021, but that decision could soon be revisited by the newly appointed, three-member PRC that took office in January. Avangrid and PNM appealed the previous PRC decision last year at the Supreme Court, and now the new PRC has joined the two utilities in a request for the court to dismiss that appeal and remand the case to the new commission for a rehearing and reconsideration.

During the 2021 PRC hearings, Avangrid had already promised to build at least 200 megawatts of renewable generation on the Navajo Nation as part of a broad set of commitments the company made with local community and environmental organizations to gain support for the merger. It also promised to invest $12.5 million in economic development projects in the Four Corners Area that would benefit the Navajo Nation as well.

But Avangrids new agreement with NTUA is independent from those merger-related commitments, and the newly inked partnership will move forward regardless of whether the PRC eventually approves the merger, said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra.

We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with the NTUA, which allows us to join efforts to study and develop green energy projects with the potential of bringing important benefits to the region, Azagra said in a statement. Partnerships like these reflect our steadfast commitment to making meaningful, positive impact in the lives of the families in the communities where we are present.

Avangrid and NTUA continued studying the prospect for future joint renewable energy development projects even after the PRC rejected the merger, culminating in last weeks memorandum of understanding, Azagra said.

From the moment I first met with Navajo Nation officials, I told them they have large and unique natural resources for wind, solar and other renewables that they can develop and benefit from, Azagra told the Journal. They have all the needed natural resources, but not the capital and industry partners to take it to a new level, so we raised the possibility of doing something big with them.

Ongoing development studies over the past year allowed Avangrid to identify doable projects.

We looked at the opportunities and then we came back with a proposal about the possibilities weve been analyzing, Azagra said. Were now comfortable about pursuing approximately 1 GW of solar, wind and battery storage on the Navajo Nation.  Now were looking at the feasibility of specific projects, including transmission.

Development efforts could rapidly advance.

It will probably move very fast, Azagra said. Well meet over the coming months to finalize our analysis and start moving forward.

In fact, while the partners are committed to an initial target of 1 GW of new clean energy, a lot more renewables could be developed over time, including potential projects to produce clean green hydrogen, Azagra said.

Broad tribal benefits

_SBheadline>The partnership could bring a wide variety of benefits to the reservation, including a new, sustainable stream of revenue for NTUA that it can pump back into ongoing tribal electric development, said the NTUAs Arash Moalemi.

All projects built through the partnership would be joint ventures, with NTUA maintaining at least 51% majority ownership to retain tribal sovereignty and control.

Revenue from these projects will go back to the utility to connect more homes to the grid to power them up, Moalemi told the Journal.

Thats critical on the sprawling Navajo Nation, where some 13,500 homes currently have no electricity, said NTUA spokeswoman Deenise Becenti.

NTUA manages an annual mutual aid program in partnership with the American Public Power Association and individual utilities like PNM and Arizona Public Service, which send teams of line workers from 15 different states to the reservation each year to help connect homes without electricity. The program, dubbed Light Up Navajo, has helped connect about 700 homes since it launched in 2019, with another 300 families expected to get connected from April-June this year, Becenti said.

The funding from future renewable energy projects will provide more support for Light Up Navajo, Becenti told the Journal.

Renewable development will also help keep rates down for NTUAs 42,000 Navajo customers.

These projects help us continue to stabilize rates, Becenti said. We havent had a rate increase in 15 years.

NTUA has itself pursued solar development in recent years, leading to two solar farms that came online in 2017 and 2019 on the Arizona side of the Navajo Nation for a total of 55 MW of renewable generation. And NTUAs latest project  the 70 MW Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm in Utah  just came online in March, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for May.

That project  which could generate about $21 million in revenue over the 25-year life of the facility  employed up to 300 people during construction.

Thats another critical benefit of forthcoming renewable projects on the reservation, which suffers from chronic unemployment.

Shutdown of coal-fired power plants and coal mines in recent years in Arizona and New Mexico  including closure of the San Juan Generating Station and San Juan Mine near Farmington last year, plus the looming closure of the Four Corners Generating Station in coming years  have greatly exacerbated tribal unemployment.

The San Juan shutdown and the expected closure of Four Corners are really depleting job opportunities here, Moalemi told the Journal. We wont replace all those jobs, but the renewable projects were developing will help create more opportunities for Navajo Nation workers.

Navajo employees occupy about 95% of the jobs offered on renewable projects, Moalemi said.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren praised the Avangrid-NTUA partnership for the benefits it will bring.

The Navajo Nation appreciates Avangrid and (NTUAs) efforts in the clean energy generation space, Nygren said in a statement. As a wholly owned entity of the Navajo Nation, the utilitys tenacity and development of partnerships shows what can be accomplished.

New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich called the new Avangrid-NTUA partnership transformative.

Avangrid and the Navajo Nations commitment to explore opportunities together to build clean energy projects will create new revenue streams and lower energy costs, Heinrich said in a statement. I hope to see many more innovative partnerships in the coming months and years.
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government says the state Public Regulation Commission violated the Open Meetings Act in recent decisions regarding Public Service Co. of New Mexico and Avangrid Inc.s proposed merger.

In an April 7 letter to the state Supreme Court, FOG alleges that a PRC decision in March to support PNM and Avangrid in a joint motion asking the court to remand the merger case back to the commission was taken illegally behind closed doors, rather than in a required open public meeting.

The PRC, PNM and Avangrid, however, say the issue concerns pending litigation thats protected by attorney-client privilege, allowing commissioners to discuss the merger case and decide on actions in private with their lawyers.

In their March motion, the three parties asked the court to dismiss an appeal that PNM and Avangrid filed last year against a December 2021 decision by the previous, five-member elected commission to reject their merger proposal. They also requested that the court remand the case back to the newly-appointed, three-member commission  which took office in January  for a rehearing and reconsideration of the merger.

But FOG contends the PRCs decision to join that motion constitutes a policy decision thats not protected by attorney-client privilege.

Here the PRC went beyond discussions and decisions about pending litigation strategy to make the very significant policy decision to reconsider its previous decision rejecting the purchase of PNM by Avangrid, FOG wrote in its letter to the court. This decision to reconsider is not within the limited exception for attorney-client litigation strategy but is an important decision affecting electricity for many New Mexicans about which there is substantial public interest and controversy and for which there was neither notice to the public nor a discussion and vote taken at a public meeting as mandated by the (Open Meetings Act).

The act does allow commissioners to discuss litigation in private with their lawyers, but any decision, or action, arising from those discussions cant be made in private, said FOG Executive Director Melanie Majors.

The decision to move forward (on the motion) is an action that must be made in public, Majors told the Journal. The commissioners must vote on it in an open meeting.

FOGs letter supports an April 4 motion to the Supreme Court made by New Energy Economy, which opposes the merger, claiming that the PRCs meeting violations nullify the joint motion with PNM and Avangrid.

In their response to the court, PNM and Avangrid cited two previous cases involving the Luna County Commission and the State Investment Council where the Court of Appeals upheld the right of those government agencies to make litigation-related decisions.

The long-standing legal authority in New Mexico demonstrates that the commission acted in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, the parties wrote in their response. (The two previous cases) confirm that the commission is empowered  to make decisions about pending litigation in which the commission is a party in closed, private meetings.

The PRC cited those same cases in an email to the Journal.

The PRC is committed to transparency and accountability and we take seriously our responsibilities under the Open Meetings Act, PRC spokesman Patrick J. Rodriguez told the Journal in the email. The commission is not required to take public votes on litigation decisions, including whether to file the motion with the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The New Mexico Attorney Generals Office could take action on the alleged violations independently from the Supreme Court. But as of Thursday, no complaint had been filed with that office, Attorney General spokeswoman Lauren Rodriguez said in an email to the Journal.

Its unclear when the Supreme Court will rule on the joint motion to remand the merger case, since there is no statutory deadline for a decision. But Avangrid and PNM Resources, PNMs parent firm, both agreed on Wednesday to extend their merger agreement  which was scheduled to expire this month  by three more months.

PNM Resources and Avangrid both agreed to exercise the three-month extension provision in the existing merger agreement, PNM spokesman Ray Sandoval told the Journal. The extension runs until July 20. We are hopeful that the court will allow the merger to go back to the PRC for review.
At least one Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputy shot and killed a man while doing a welfare check in southwest Albuquerque on Sunday, according to a spokeswoman for the office.

Jayme Fuller Gonzales, a spokeswoman for the sheriffs office, said deputies were called to the 2300 block of Griffin SW to check on a person at about 9:50 a.m.

The man was suicidal and had a knife, according to a news release the BCSO issued Sunday afternoon.

A confrontation ensued and at least one deputy fired their duty weapon, resulting in the death of that individual, Fuller Gonzales said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release.

The sheriffs office didnt immediately identify the man who was killed on Sunday. Fuller Gonzales said the Sunday afternoon that the sheriffs office was working to notify the mans family.

The shooting will be investigated by a task force made up of officials with the BCSO, Albuquerque police, New Mexico State Police and the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office.
The Santa Fe National Forest cautioned Sunday that the Jemez River may still flood in places and some recreation sites and roads will remain closed to the public even as the river recedes.

The Jemez River flooded in places last week as warm temperatures melted the record-breaking snowpack in the Jemez Mountains.

The river swelled to 7.85 feet on Thursday and overwhelmed Jemez Springs wastewater plant. It was the highest level the river has reached in 30 years and officials were worried it would rise even higher. Wayne Johnson, the Sandoval County manager, said parts of the Jemez Mountains received 200% of their normal snowpack this winter.

But the river receded throughout the weekend and was under 6 feet on Sunday.

Temperatures over the weekend around Jemez Springs were lower than originally predicted, said Randall Hergert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. It reached a high of 55 degrees on Friday, 57 degrees on Saturday and 66 degrees on Sunday.

Nevertheless, a flood warning from the Weather Service for areas around the Jemez River above the Jemez Pueblo will remain in place until Tuesday morning. Temperates in Jemez Springs are expected to reach 72 degrees on Monday, Hergert said.

I would expect the snow melt to start increasing again, he said. The question is, how much snow was left up there?

Soda Springs and the Battleship Rock Campground are closed, as well as all Jemez Ranger District campgrounds, according to a National Forest news release.

Forest Service Road 266 is closed. The Gilman Tunnels are closed due to rockslides. Forest Service roads 289 and the 36 and 10 corridors are also closed, according to the news release.

A similar pattern is happening in other mountain ranges throughout New Mexico that saw above-average snowfall, including the Sandia Mountains outside of Albuquerque.

The Cibola National Forest said in a news release Sunday that the Sulphur Canyon and Cienega Canyon picnic areas are temporarily closed. Visitors could also see other temporary closures at other recreation sites and trails west of N.M. 14, which are seeing heavy runoff because warm temperatures are melting snow.

The Weather Service also has issued a special weather statement, saying creeks and rivers throughout northern New Mexico mountains are going to see rapid rises and some mountain roads may experience localized flooding because the snowpack is melting rapidly. The agency warned of rock and mudslides.
Instagram Celebrity

The New York rapper issues a public apology after being called out on Twitter by the creative, who goes by Peezus Niice, claiming that he wasn't aware about the creative being unpaid.

Apr 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Fivio Foreign has apologized to an unpaid videographer who claimed he was ghosting him. The rapper issued a public apology after being called out on Twitter by the creative, who goes by Peezus Niice.

"Damnn Yu never got paid ? I deff waznt aware yu never got paid.. was alot of things not being handled rite bacc in these days but things more on point now Not even sure if I used these vids but imma make sure yu get paid NP," the emcee tweeted when responding to Peezus' threat. "I Apologize."

In his original tweets, the South African videographer wrote, "I've been quiet and chasing for mooonths, after submitting work for @FivioForeign when he came to SA for @RockingTheDaisy." He added, "they booked me to cover his weekend here. I did that, they loved the videos. Pls help me RT until they pay my rack, this I won't let slide."

"6 months later, @FivioForeign and his team ghosted & haven't paid a cent," Peezus continued. "First frame is me getting hit up..to submitting saying they love the video, to following up.To ghost situation."

"Richardine, the booking agent been tryna help me with the case but they ghost her too," he further explained. "2nd frame is her speaking to Fivio representative. But yeah. Please help me RT until the booking came through @GRUNGECAKE."

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Netflix TV

The 'Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' actor finds it easy to strip off his clothes in front of camera and explains his approach to filming the steamy scenes.

Apr 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Richard Armitage felt free filming full-frontal nude scenes for "Obsession". "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" actor stars in the saucy new Netflix drama as a surgeon who embarks on an steamy affair with his son's fiancee and he was required to shed his clothes for a number of raunchy moments with his co-star Charlie Murphy - but Richard is adamant he didn't want to worry about being naked.

"It really was. My attitude is 'It's the body, it's the human body.' Just be a little bit laissez-faire about it. If you are uncomfortable with it, then it's your problem. Don't be uncomfortable about it," the 51-year-old actor told Hello! Magazine when asked if filming in the nude was liberating.

Richard went on to credit the show's intimacy co-ordinator with helping the actors through the saucy scenes. He also revealed he was warned against taking on such a sexy project but he was determined to be relaxed in his approach to it.

He explained, "When a project like this comes in your direction, there are a lot of people trying to warn you and say, 'It's going to be challenging, it's going to be very revealing, and there will be a lot of intimacy.' But I thought, 'It's fine.' I'll approach this like a European, like how the French deal with cinema, see their view of the human body and their view of relationships and intimacy."

"They're much more relaxed. I kept saying to myself, 'You've thrown enough punches, pulled enough triggers and swung enough swords in your life, and done all kinds of things surrounding violence.' It doesn't get the same raised eyebrow. This is an exploration of human desire."

Richard added of working with "Happy Valley" star Charlie, "We were both very 'adult' about it [the saucy scenes] ... Charlie and I laughed a lot. I think we connected through humour. She's just got a brilliant dry sense of humour and a view on life that made it very easy to play those scenes, we'd high-five each other at the end of the day and say, 'See you tomorrow.' "

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AP Celebrity

The Duke of Sussex and his estranged father reportedly share a 'willingness' to repair their relationship following royal rift which led to racism accusation by the prince.

Apr 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry allegedly sat down for a "heart-to-heart" with King Charles before it was announced he would come to his dad's coronation. The 38-year-old, who announced on April 12 he would travel from his home in the US without his wife Meghan Markle and their two children - nine days after the RSVP deadline for replies to invites had passed - is reported to have shared a "willingness" with Charles to "mend on both sides" during the talk, amid the fallout from Harry's memoir and tell-all interviews about the royal family.

According to The Sun, their apparently emotional exchange "ended months of no contact" between the pair. Harry, however, has "not spoken" to his older brother Prince William, 40, ahead of his visit to London on May 6 when they will see their father, 74, crowned alongside his 75-year-old wife Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey.

The Sun also said it's understood there was "correspondence with Buckingham Palace" before Harry accepted his coronation invite. It added insiders say the king is "happy" with his son's decision to travel to London, and "understanding" of why Meghan, 41, is staying at their home to look after their 22-month-old daughter Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie as his fourth birthday falls on the same day as the coronation.

The Sun added, "Meghan is said to back Harry's decision and is only staying behind because of the clash with Archie's birthday."

Charles said in a speech on Friday, April 14 he had "immense pride" in both Harry and William, who are said to have not spoken since the release of Harry's memoir "Spare", in which he claims he was assaulted by his older sibling during a row that he says included Meghan being branded "rude and difficult."

Charles will reportedly mark his coronation by only appearing on the Buckingham Palace with working royals. His apparent plan is thought to be part of the monarch's aim to show he is having a more "slimmed down" ceremony when he is crowned, according to royal sources.

The Daily Mirror said it had seen "detailed" outlines about the big day that show the king Camilla - who will be known as the Queen after he is crowned - have decided to say thanks to fans on the balcony alongside royals who have dedicated their lives to public service.

It said the Prince and Princess of Wales will appear with their three children - Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis, on the famous balcony. The Mirror added in the report there were no plans to include Harry and Meghan among the final group of 15.

Also set to join the balcony set are the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duke of Kent, 87, and Princess Alexandra, 86, as will the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

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Protestors hold a banner which reads "our lives are worth their profits" during a demonstration against the French Government's pension reform hours after it was signed into law in Rennes, western France, April 15. AFP-Yonhap



French President Emmanuel Macron signed his unpopular pension reform into law on Saturday, prompting accusations from unions and the left that he was showing "contempt" for those behind a three-month protest movement.



The amendments became law after the text was published before dawn in France's official journal, with the livid opposition claiming that Macron had moved to smuggle it through under cover of night.



The publication came just hours after the approval on Friday by the Constitutional Council of the essence of the legislation, including the headline change of raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.



The standoff with unions and the left has become the biggest challenge of the second mandate of Macron, who will now address France on the crisis on Monday evening, the Elysee presidential palace said.



Trade unions called for mass Labor Day protests on May 1, and sometimes violent demonstrations erupted in several cities including Paris overnight after the court verdict was announced.



Socialist leader Olivier Faure said Macron's swift signing of the law showed "disdain" towards the protest movement while hard-left MP Francois Ruffin called it a "democratic hold-up".



"A law enacted in the middle of the night, like thieves," tweeted French Communist Party chief Fabien Roussel. "Everyone on the street May 1."



"Macron tried to intimidate all of France in the middle of the night," tweeted hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, calling Macron a "thief of life" who showed an "absurd display of arrogance".



The CGT union leader Sophie Binet called the move "totally shameful".



Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne vowed Saturday the government would press ahead with more reforms.



"We are determined to accelerate" the pace of reforms, she told the national council of Macron's Renaissance party.



"We want to build a France of full employment ... to guarantee equal opportunity," she said.



The western city of Rennes was again the scene of clashes Saturday afternoon as police used tear gas on projectile-throwing protesters, AFP correspondents said.



A bank was damaged while radical protesters also stormed the lobby of a luxury hotel. One policeman was injured and eight people arrested.



'Not defeated'



The nine-member Constitutional Council ruled in favor of key provisions of the pension reform, including raising the retirement age to 64 and extending the years of work required for a full pension, saying the legislation was in accordance with French law.



Six minor proposals were rejected, including forcing large companies to publish how many over-55s they employ, and the creation of a special contract for older workers.



The appearance of the text in France's Official Journal  the gazette of record  means it has now been enacted into law.



But the constitutional court's decision could prove a hollow victory for Macron, as analysts say it has come at a major personal cost for the 45-year-old.



The president's approval ratings are near their lowest levels ever, and many voters have been outraged by his decision to ram the pension's law through parliament without a vote, using a legal but controversial mechanism denounced by opponents as anti-democratic.



Polls consistently show that two out of three French people are against working a further two years.



Macron has called the change "necessary" to avoid annual pension deficits forecast to hit 13.5 billion euros ($14.8 billion) by 2030, according to government figures.



France lags behind most of its European neighbors, many of which have hiked the retirement age to 65 or above.



"Stay the course. That's my motto," Macron said Friday as he inspected Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, four years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the gothic monument.



Government spokesman Olivier Veran said Macron's address Monday evening would be in the spirit of "pacification".



But the left-wing Liberation daily headlined: "Not defeated: opponents of the reform are not going to disarm".





Demonstrators take part in a protest against a contested pension reform pushed by the French government, in Paris, April 15. AFP-Yonhap
ABC Celebrity

The former 'Suddenly Susan' actress has just revealed to her online devotees on social media that she has been battling an 'extreme' post-traumatic stress disorder.

Apr 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kathy Griffin has been identified by doctor to have suffered PTSD. The 62-year-old star announced on social media that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, as she reached out to fans asking them for their own stories regarding anxiety and depression as she noted she had been hit with an "extreme case" of the mental disorder.

"You can laugh or whatever, but I've been diagnosed with complex PTSD, and it's called an extreme case. I've never talked about it before but I think this is the place before but I've been diagnosed with complex PTSD and it caught an extreme case. I'd love to hear from you about depression and anxiety because this really started for you about five and a half years ago," she said in a video posted to TikTok.

The "Suddenly Susan" star - who was recently declared cancer-free after she had half of her lung removed - recently revealed that she used to have a dependency on prescription medication and attempted suicide in 2020.

"I think - well, look, I think that I'm probably an addictive person, you know. But you have to admit, it's almost comical. I went in the hospital for pill addiction at 59 years old. Who the hell becomes a junkie in their late 50s? Me," she said on The New York Times' "Sway" podcast.

"I didn't know what to do with myself. I was just such a crazy workaholic, and all of a sudden, I had this time on my hands, and then I was depressed, and things just weren't looking up. And then you fall into the 'Life will be better for my husband without me around,' and you then call the estate attorney and the whole thing.

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President Joe Biden today said that Saturday nights shooting in Dadeville, coupled with a shooting in a Louisville park, should spur gun reform legislation.

This morning, our nation is once again grieving for at least four Americans tragically killed at a teens birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama as well as two others killed last night in a crowded public park in Louisville, Biden said, according to ABC News.

At least two people were killed and four others wounded in a shooting at a park in Louisville overnight, according to CNN.

Jill and I are praying for their families, and for the many others injured and fighting for their lives in the wake of this weekends gun violence, Biden said.

Authorities have been tightlipped about Saturday nights shooting in Dadeville, where at least four people were killed and as many as 20 reportedly injured.

Here is full coverage of the investigation

Biden called gun violence in the United States outrageous and unacceptable and said Americans want lawmakers to act on common sense gun safety reforms.

What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? Biden said. When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, or to the park? Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising - not declining.

Biden also blasted Republican leadership for standing alongside the NRA in a race to the bottom on dangerous laws that further erode gun safety.
A Walgreens employee accused of shooting a pregnant woman in Tennessee said he thought she was shoplifting and acted in self-defense, Nashville police said.

The Walgreens team leader, a 21-year-old man, told police that another employee informed him they saw two women stealing items from the shelves in the East Nashville store around 8 p.m on April 12, according to a Metropolitan Nashville Police Department news release on April 13.

The team leader said he saw the women putting items in a store cart and in a large over-the-shoulder purse, police said.

Police said the team leader started recording the women using his cellphone and followed them out into the parking lot after he said they left the store without paying.

He followed the women to their car and saw them putting items into their trunk, according to the news release. Then, the team leader told police one of the women pulled out a can of mace and began spraying him.

The employee told investigators he was in fear and he wasnt sure if the women were armed, so he pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting one of the women, according to police.

The 34-year-old woman was seven months pregnant, according to Nashville police, and was taken to a hospital by the other woman she was with. The other woman dropped off the pregnant woman and then drove away, police said.

The pregnant woman had multiple gunshot wounds, and doctors had to perform an emergency cesarean section, according to the news release.

The child did not have any gunshot injuries, but the baby and the mother were listed in critical but stable condition, according to police.

The team leader said he acted in self-defense and is cooperating with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, according to police. He handed over his gun and cellphone, the news release said.

The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated at our stores. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities, Walgreens said in an emailed statement to McClatchy News.

The district attorneys office will determine if charges will be filed against the Walgreens employee once the investigation has finished, according to police.

2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville on Saturday night that left four dead and as many as 20 injured is the latest among nine dozen mass shootings in Alabama since 2013, according to one group that tracks gun violence.

Details of the Dadeville shooting were not available from authorities early Sunday afternoon about what happened, why it happened, identities of the victims, or status of any shooting suspects.

While the government does not define a mass shooting and there is no single, universally agreed-upon definition, many researchers define the term as one shooting in which four or more people are injured.

Mass shootings under that definition have been on the rise around the United States with 647 in 2022 - down from 690 the year before but up from 336 in 2018. And Alabama has seen its share in the past decade.

Gun Violence Archive, which describes itself as an independent research and data collection group, was started in the fall of 2013 to provide information about gun violence. It also defines a mass shooting as four or more shot and/or killed in a single event.

Under that definition Alabama has had 109 mass shootings, with 118 killed and 443 injured, since July 2013, according to the group. (Note: The Gun Violence Archive currently shows 16 injuries in Sundays Dadeville shooting. That number could change.)

In one of the most recent Alabama mass shootings, in January three people were wounded and two killed in a surprise 21st birthday party at a Madison County strip mall, where hundreds of rounds of ammunition were fired, according to authorities.

Among the other Alabama mass shootings over the past decade are:

One shooting that didnt make the Gun Violence Archives list was the church shooting in Vestavia Hills in June 2022 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church that killed three. A 70-year-old man started shooting during a church potluck, killing 84-year-old Walter Bart Rainey, 84-year-old Jane Pounds and 75-year-old Sarah Yeager.

Read more: Alabama has seen multiple mass-homicide cases in recent decades.

Alabama ranks third in the nation in the rate of homicides per capita and fifth in the rate of gun deaths per capita, according to CDC data from 2020.

Among the more notorious murder/mass shooting cases prior to 2013 were:

Jan. 29, 2012: Five people were found shot to death in Birminghams Ensley Highlands neighborhood. Those killed were: Charles C.J. Render, 21; Ronnie Render, 42; Jonathan Sanchez, 23; Jeffery Davis Jr. 23; and Demetrius Sanders, 19. At least four of the five were shot execution-style in the head, and were found in one bedroom stripped of their clothes.

Feb. 12, 2010: University of Alabama in Huntsville professor Amy Bishop killed three people and wounded three others in a shooting on February 12, 2010. During a routine meeting of the biology department attended by about 12 people, Bishop stood up and began shooting those closest to her with a 9-millimeter handgun. Killed were: Killed were professors Adriel Johnson, Maria Ragland Davis and Gopi Podila. Three others were injured in the shootings.

March 10, 2009: Ten people were killed, including the gunman, and six wounded in Coffee and Geneva Counties in the worst mass shooting in Alabama history by a lone gunman who had a list of employers who had done him wrong, including the nearby sausage plant he quit days before spree and a metal factory where he shot himself. The shooter committed suicide.

Oct. 16, 1994: Five people were found dead inside the Changing Times Lounge in north Birminghams Druid Hills neighborhood. All five were found face-down, shot execution-style in the back of the head. The bodies of a woman and two men were lying next to each other near the lounge bar. The bodies of the other two victims were lying close to a pool table. Two men convicted in the slayings died while on Death Roy.

AL.com reporters Ashley Remkus, Ramsey Archibald, William Thornton and Carol Robinson contributed to this story.
Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd struggled for the words this morning to communicate the grief of a community reeling, following a shooting at a birthday party Saturday night where at least four people died.

Maybe a little tough, Floyd said, stepping to the microphone at a 10 a.m. press conference in Dadeville.

Four people are dead and as many as 20 were reportedly injured following a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville Saturday night.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. near the 200 block of Broadnax Street at Mahoganys Masterpiece dance studio, located in a converted bank, in Dadeville, a town of about 3,000 in Tallapoosa County. The crowd was at the venue for a 16th birthday party.

Floyd said Dadeville is full of wonderful people.

I ask you to please keep our community in your prayers, he said. I ask you to keep my police department in your prayers. Please do not let this moment define what you think of the City of Dadeville and our fine people. What weve dealt with is something no community should have to endure.

Tallapoosa County Commission Chairman T.C. Coley was at the scene of the shooting this morning. He said he had no information on suspects or motives. He said based on conversations he has had, more than two dozen others were hit by gunfire.

Responders from other communities came in to help, he said, because no community in this area has the capacity to handle this many people being injured and being shot in an event like this.

I know that law enforcement is actively seeking leads and seeking tips, Coley said. But I have not heard anything formally in terms of the number of suspects, motives. Theres just a lot of details that are sketchy at this time.

See also: Dadeville football player bound for Jacksonville State killed at sisters birthday party, pastor says

Tallapoosa County School Superintendent Raymond Porter echoed those comments, saying the shooting does not represent our community. It does not represent our children. And it does not represent who we are.

Porter said counseling will be available for students tomorrow at schools, and asked local clergy to reach out to victims families.

We will make every effort to comfort those children, he said. Dont lose sight of the fact that those are the ones most impacted by this situation.

At the press conference, Senior Trooper Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said anyone with tips is asked to call 1-800-392-8011 or email the crime tipline at sbi.investigations@alea.gov.

Officials did not take questions during the press conference, and did not say whether anyone is in custody in connection with the shooting.

Coley called the event beyond devastating to the community, which has a real slow pace of life.

And you have an event where young people are getting together to have a good time and no one could every foresee something like that happening, he said. I think as a community, the focus right now is going to be on providing support for the families that lost children or the families whose children have been injured. Hopefully we can focus on their needs and their support and not get too caught up in the national gun debate because Im sure thats coming. But right now our concern is for these kids and their families.

Dadeville experienced a shooting in August 2016 where five people were injured at the American Legion Hall on East Columbus Street. A Goodwater man was arrested a few weeks later, according to WSFA.

Aaron Mace, who pastors a Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sylacauga and in Alexander City, was on the courthouse grounds early Sunday afternoon, a block from where the shooting happened. Mace spoke to and prayed with Dadeville Mayor Jimmy Frank Goodman Sr., offering his support.

Mace said in a place like Dadeville events like this dont happen, especially at this magnitude. The town, on the edge of Lake Martin, is not only home to residents but a home-away-from-home for people with property who frequent the area for recreation and relaxation.

Ill be honest, if youve just been around the area, the energy is very somber, he said. People dont have the words to say to deal with this. A lot of people dont even know because theyre going in and out of church, handling their business out on the lake. I dont think it has hit the community yet.

Mace said he planned to visit Dadeville High School and other schools in the area Monday morning to offer prayer and grief support.

But Ive never experienced anything like this, Mace said. It was told to me when I first got here that crime is so low here that it reaches about the edge of the city and everyone turns back. Because they know this area is not a crime-ridden area. Good people, good, hard-working people who live their life.
Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura and other delegates attend the opening session of G7 Ministers Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, Japan, April 15, in this photo released by Kyodo. Reuters-Yonhap



The G7 pledged on Sunday to quit fossil fuels faster and urged other countries to follow suit, but failed to agree to any new deadlines on ending polluting power sources like coal.



The language reflects the depth of disagreements among the allies on the balance between climate action and energy security, with host Japan leading a pushback against the most ambitious proposals discussed.



After two days of talks in the northern city of Sapporo, the bloc's climate and environment ministers vowed to "accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest... and call on others to join us in taking the same action."



But they offered no new deadlines beyond last year's G7 pledge to largely end fossil fuel use in their electricity sectors by 2035.



France's energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said the "phase-out" wording was nonetheless a "strong step forward" ahead of the G20 and COP28 summits this year.



"The most important progress we have made is clearly the fact that we agree to move away from non-carbon-offset fossil fuels," she told AFP.



Britain and France had put forward a new goal of ending "unabated" coal power  which does not take steps to offset emissions  in G7 electricity systems this decade.



But with global energy supplies still squeezed by the war in Ukraine, the target faced pushback from other members, including bloc president Japan and the United States.



"I would obviously have liked to have been able to make a commitment to phase out coal by 2030," Pannier-Runacher said.



But "it is one issue on which we can still make progress in forthcoming discussions, particularly at COP28".





People protest while holding placards reading 'Against the G7' ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, Japan, April 16. EPA-Yonhap










English News Shanghai promotes advice collection services for better urban governance

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 14 Avril 2023



Complete institutional procedures and democratic participation have turned whole-process people's democracy from a concept into a system, a governance mechanism and people's lifestyle deeply rooted in China.

By Zhang Cong, Ju Yunpeng, People's Daily To observe whether the public can express their requirements without hindrance is an important way to evaluate whether a country's political system is democratic and efficient.



Last year, a primary school student surnamed Wu, who lives by the Suzhou River in Shanghai, found that there were more and more tourists visiting the river, but rest areas along the river still needed to be expanded and improved.



Encouraged by his father, Wu established a special interest group together with his friends. Upon investigations and surveys, they compiled a report on making the Suzhou River banks more attractive in their spare time.



Suggestions in the report were later adopted by Putuo district, which administers the Suzhou River. The district, connected all public space along the river and worked to improve the quality of the public space and service facilities. Besides, new cultural programs were introduced to nurture a thicker cultural atmosphere along the banks of the river.



In the Huangxing Park in Yangpu district of Shanghai, there is a fitness trail stretching about 2.5 kilometers. It is a popular running route for local residents. However, it was underserviced in terms of lockers, drinking fountains and some other facilities. Therefore, a citizen named Gao Maoli suggested that public facilities be improved along the trail.



Gao's suggestions brought new changes to the park. A multi-functional service station where citizens can rest, deposit personal belongings and drink water has been established along the fitness trail.



Meng Tao, director of an office for proposal collection under the government of Yangpu district, told People's Daily that sometimes the suggestions made by citizens are just simple ideas, so extra work is needed to enrich them and finally implement them.



Therefore, Yangpu district has launched cooperation with East China University of Political Science and Law, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and other higher institutions. Besides, relevant interviews, symposiums, random street interviews and questionnaires are always held in the district to ensure that suggestions made are in line with the demand of the public.



Since Shanghai set up a municipal office for proposal collection in 2020, similar organizations have been established in all 16 districts of the city. The city has forged a multidimensional suggestion-seeking network that reaches enterprises, universities and official organizations. The network covers 215 communities and towns, as well as over 6,000 villages. So far, relevant departments of Shanghai at all levels have received 187,000 pieces of advice, and a large batch of great ideas of the citizens have been turned into efficient policies that benefit the people.



In April 2020, Shanghai's municipal office for proposal collection received a special letter from a citizen, which hoped that Shanghai could improve the transparency of and public participation in the compilation of its 14th Five-Year Plan, so that the plan would better build consensus and gather public wisdom.



After receiving the letter, the office soon started soliciting public opinions on the compilation of Shanghai's 14th Five-Year Plan. A total of more than 20,000 pieces of advice were received by the office, and some of them were finally adopted in the plan.



It is learned that the municipal government of Shanghai and district offices for proposal collection have launched over 150 activities in cooperation with some 70 government departments, receiving more than 30,000 suggestions from the people.



Zhang Lirong, deputy director of Shanghai's public complaints and proposals office, told People's Daily that soliciting public opinions enables the government to learn from people's demands in a targeted manner and seek understanding from the public, adding that advice collection services forcefully safeguard people's rights to be informed, to participate, to be heard and to exercise public scrutiny in urban development and governance.



Shanghai is an international city. Its advice collection services are a window for expats to observe and experience Chinese democracy. Mustafa Noyan Rona, a Turkish man living in Shanghai, has made nearly 100 pieces of advice in the past two decades. He was awarded as an outstanding "advice giver" of Shanghai at the end of 2021.



Whether a model of democracy works should be tested in actual practice and judged by the people. According to the white paper titled "China: Democracy That Works", surveys have shown that the level of public satisfaction with the government has remained above 90 percent for many years in China. This mirrors the strong vitality of Chinese democracy.



Requirements of the public should be able to be expressed without hindrance and be met effectively. Shanghai, while practicing whole-process people's democracy and constantly improving urban governance, has blazed a new trail with Chinese characteristics in terms of the management of super large cities.



On June 23, 2021, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress approved a regulation on Shanghai's advice collection services, which established a "collection-research-translation" mechanism for management and operation, so that people's rights to be informed, to participate, to be heard and to exercise public scrutiny could be ensured comprehensively.



Complete institutional procedures and democratic participation have turned whole-process people's democracy from a concept into a system, a governance mechanism and people's lifestyle deeply rooted in China.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Chinese young blood devote to Great Wall protection International passenger service adds new vitality to China-Laos Railway Democracy a common value of humanity, not prerogative reserved to few Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Not long ago, this writer was riding a subway train in New York City to keep a medical appointment. The train stopped at 36th Street to let out and to receive passengers. My mind shifted to memories of a mass subway shooting at that station a year ago, where Frank James set off a smoke bomb and then fired 33 rounds, wounding ten people.

The doors closed and the train moved on to the next stop, and when the doors opened there, I saw an electronic advertising sign on the platform, which I had seen a few weeks before at another subway station. It read: "WE LOVE HEALTHY VAGINAS" and then shifted to another ad.

Then I looked up and studied the advertising that lines subway cars above the windows. I saw a series of posters posted by the City University of New York (CUNY) that told readers that "prestige is available to all." The signs announced that 75% of students were debt-free. Many schools and programs offered free Metrocards (cards used to pay subway and bus fares in NYC) and free textbooks.

The incentives for seeking so-called higher education were money and prestige. Nothing about knowledge. Nothing about love of learning. Nothing about making a contribution to society. Nothing about meeting challenges. Nothing about personal growth. Nothing about building a future for oneself and one's family. The signs were the height of cynicism and degraded values.

The above signs of perversity and challenges to the moral order did not begin this year or last year. They did not begin with President Joseph Biden or President Donald Trump or even with Presidents Bush and Obama.

Thirty years ago, in the 1990s, a man went into a New York City elementary school as a substitute teacher, and one of the unruly and spastic second-graders was standing on a table. When asked by the substitute why he was standing on a table, the second-grader replied, "I'm standing here because I want to stand here; I stand wherever I want to stand!" Another girl in 10th grade in a riotous high school told her teacher, "It's too warm in here" and went over to the window and raised it. When the teacher told her that it was against Dept. of Education rules to raise the windows more than six inches, she raised the window even higher...and jumped out. Fortunately, it was a first-floor window, but it was still an eight- to ten-foot drop.

On another occasion, the same teacher opened the door leading to the stairway, and on the other side of the door, one of the female students was giving oral sex to a male student. In the same secondary institution, a girl student was shot in the leg when exiting the school, yet the students were demonstrably upset that the police were "too rough" when they pushed through the crowd to get to the victim so they could rush her to the hospital. At the same high school, long before Colin Kaepernick took a knee, the National Anthem was never sung except at graduation (to the groans of the graduates) as a show for the parents and relatives. The only song of allegiance sung or played was "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing" (the so-called Black National Anthem).

What about that best of all possible decades, during the 1980s presidency of Ronald Reagan? At that time, an asst. vice president in his forties at a major bank boasted to some of his co-workers that on a business trip to Latin America, he went into "dens" where the air was filled with marijuana smoke, and gorgeous chicks in their twenties were everywhere. Another lady banker boasted about servicing clients in the back seat of limousines.

In the 1980s, a brilliant Harvard student joined a cult that was allowed to hold its meetings in a Roman Catholic church in New York City. The cult combined Hindu teachings and meditation with Catholicism and with the teachings of the cult leader, who was based in New Mexico. The Harvard student, despite an off-the-charts high I.Q., was captivated by the cult and gave half his inheritance and a huge percent of his earnings from two jobs worked seven days a week to the cult. He believed in a global spirituality not unlike the twisted globalism of today in the socio-political realm or the so-called "ecumenicalism" of the present pontiff and other cosmopolitan types in the world of religion and politics. He "knew" that Reagan nationalism was generations behind the times and that Western or U.S. hegemony was senseless spiritually as well as politically.

In the 1970s a young soldier returning from Vietnam disembarked from the plane only to be confronted by a young woman calling him a murderer and a racist who killed Vietnamese people who only wanted self-government. He punched her in the face and left her screaming, crying, and cursing on the ground. The out-of-control street rage of the sixties over civil rights and the "right" to take psychedelic drugs like LSD and against the Vietnam war became a rallying cry for a large number of people in their twenties and early thirties.

Increasing numbers of young people lived in psychedelic "pads" before, during, and after the trial of the Chicago Eight (1968) that had disrupted the Democrat National Convention held in Chicago. Abbie (Revolution for the Hell of It) Hoffman instigated law-breaking and trouble wherever he could, and he could be heard laughing demonically as he scattered dollars over the New York Stock Exchange. That group of cowardly, antisocial troublemakers were among anti-war types who began to call police "the pigs." Yes, scorn for police began in the sixties.

Young males started growing shoulder-length hair  looking increasingly like women decades before transsexualism became an exciting social movement. It was a time of libertinism and an all-out attack on middle-class values and on Judeo-Christian morality. Every single one of the Ten Commandments came under attack, and the perverse behaviors and attitudes we see today are a continuation and expansion of the lewd and ignorant rage that beset our country in the sixties. How many people today can even say what five of the Ten Commandments are?

Great liberal commentators like David Reisman, Nathan Glazer, and Reuel Denney, writing even before the sixties, depicted the alienation in American society. That alienation, observed so clearly in their legendary book The Lonely Crowd, would be the seed for the growth of the violence, neurotic and psychotic behavior, regular societal disruptions, anti-Judeo-Christian morality, and identity confusion that have beset the USA during the last sixty-plus years.

Christopher Lasch enlarged our understanding of the "lonely crowd syndrome" in his classic, The Culture of Narcissism. The love of pleasure and undue love of self have spun much of our culture on a path of neurosis and even psychosis. Add in the essential element of sin that theologians and true religionists would note, and we have a true understanding of the sixty-plus years of ever-enlarging perverse behavior in our society.

Image via Max Pixel.
The meaning of the term affirmative action has changed dramatically over the last six decades. Although it first showed up in the Wagner Act in 1935, it was John F. Kennedy who started it on its modern trajectory in 1961 when he issued an executive order holding that the federal government had an affirmative duty to treat its employees without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin. With the Civil Rights Act of 1964, these protected characteristics were extended to cover sex, religion and, thanks to the Supreme Court, gender identity.

Once in place, these protections were expanded to state governments and the private sector. They gradually evolved from ensuring that people in the protected categories were not discriminated against on the job to becoming a vehicle for engineered diversity through hiring and promotion preferences towards individuals exhibiting the protected characteristics, which led to so-called reverse discrimination against those who did not exhibit them. The American concept of meritocracy was tossed aside in favor of diversity, inclusion and equity (DIE)which probably would have appalled past Democrats like Kennedy, and which is detrimental to prosperity and individual freedom of the American society.

One of the worst results of the current iteration of affirmative action is the emergence of the so-called inept-ocracy that the Urban Dictionary provocatively defines as a system of [governance] where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

Image: Celebrating diversity (edited) by rawpixel.com.

Almost all American universities have committed themselves to affirmative action (interpreted as favoritism towards the so-called underrepresented and underserved) and forced (as opposed to naturally occurring) diversity. To that end, theyve lowered their admission, passing, and graduation standards, often selectively so, to ensure proportional representation of favored groups in their graduating cohorts. The result is that graduates often lack the knowledge, skills, and abilities that one could expect from those holding degrees, especially from once-prestigious institutions. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who holds a B.A. and J.D. from Harvard and is currently in the news for indicting President Donald Trump, serves as an important example of this undesirable phenomenon.

Given the appalling quality of his indictment, its not unreasonable to believe that Braggs Ivy League resume is the product of affirmative action. Indeed, one of the inevitable downsides of affirmative action is that, whenever a member of one of the Democrat partys favored classes has an impressive resume, the default thought is that he or she achieved it thanks to affirmative action. As Clarence Thomas learned, it stigmatizes minorities rather than raising them up.

If the presumption about Braggs actual abilities (as opposed to the high points on his resume) is true, then one can logically conclude that Trumps indictment would not have happened without forced diversity and affirmative action. Reputable legal experts have pointed out that the indictment has no legal basis. Its very existence is a pathology capable of destroying this once exceptionally successful nation.

I am sure that you can find many other examples of harms of affirmative action (in its todays meaning) and forced diversity.

You see, the left-leaning ideologues that keep pushing down our throats the unproven claim that all people are absolutely equalas opposed to equal under the lawdespite plentiful evidence to the contrary will stop at nothing to prove their absurd theses and will not hesitate to sacrifice anyone or anything on their altar of equality. (See, for example, the fact Alvin Braggs chief prosecutor has bragged about giving violent felons get-out-of-jail-free cards.)

Left-leaning ideologues started on this trajectory by demanding that we must be racially color-blind so we wouldnt discriminate against racial minorities. Having achieved that goal, they immediately complained that this color blindness was insufficient because some racial minorities were still underperforming academically, professionally, or economically. It never occurred to them that their programs, rather than creating the perfect equitable equality they envisioned, would incentivize people in the preferred groups to decrease their efforts, whether academically, professionally, or economically. If youll get into Harvard anyway, ambition is required (and Bragg has plenty of that), but all other effort is irrelevant.

In sum, left-leaning ideologues are operating under a moralistic fallacy: They took the notion of equality under the law and, from that, inferred that people must be physically equal. Or phrased more simply, Discrimination is undesirable; therefore, all people are (or must be) equal.

The ideologues have used this fallacy to impose their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies despite extensive and often irreparable harm to individual Americans freedom and prosperity. If America is to survive, we must unite against the DIE ideology and the unconstitutional and harmful pathologies that it has incorporated. Americans must all work to persuade those who are not ideologues that a relentless focus on affirmative action to achieve the dysfunctional goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, will drag our country down. Its time to stand up against inept-ocracy and demand a return to meritocracy everywhere in society.

SUGGESTED READINGS

Mark Andrew Dwyers recent columns are here, here, and here.
We have all become acquainted with the strident, aggressive, and violent tactics of the woke. Speakers are silenced when they go to college campuses. Blog writers are canceled from their platforms or fired from their jobs. Investors are threatened. Sensible debate is shouted down. Peaceful protesters are physically assaulted. In todays world, those tactics intimidate and frighten many.

In the early church, Christian leaders faced similar opposition, but not from woke groups. Instead, it came from existing religious groups who could not accept the radical new beliefs of Christianity. When early Christian leaders face this opposition, they typically did so with determination and courage. Sometimes they faced the crowd. Sometimes they realized they had to escape to another town. But they did not waiver from spreading the Gospel, even though they were risking their lives almost everywhere they went.

You can find practically every woke strongarm tactic from todays world reflected in the book of Acts:

Censorship

In Jerusalem, the ruling Sadducees told the apostles that they simply could not teach about Jesus:

We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name. Acts 5:28)

The apostles simply decided to ignore that instruction and continued to spread the Word:

We must obey God rather than men!... The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 5:41-42)

Creating Lies

In order to counter the teaching of the apostles, their opponents manufactured lies:

Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God. (Acts 6:11)

These lies led to Stephen being brought before a court. Instead of cowering, Stephen made a strong defense of the faith. When the crowd rushed him and stoned him, he faced it nobly.

Noise

We see this noise tactic in abundance when the idol-worshippers of Ephesus were afraid that Pauls message would reduce worship of their god Artemis, so

 they all shouted in unison for about two hours, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. (Acts 19:34)

Paul simply endured the crowds noise and was pardoned by the city authorities.

Ignoring Reason

Throughout Acts, Paul went among both Jews and Gentiles, debating the truth of the Gospel. With Jews, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. With the Gentiles, Paul reasoned with pagans about the greatest of all Gods: Jesus. After doing this in Jerusalem:

The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him! Hes not fit to live! (Acts 22:22)

Paul later defended himself against his accusers.

Creating a Mob

Pauls opponents sometimes created mobs, such as when he went to Thessalonica. Paul was reasoning with others in the synagogue (as he did everywhere), converting some to Christianity. As a result, his opponents:

were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. (Acts 17:5)

Paul decided to leave town and went to Berea where he continued to proclaim the Gospel.

Bringing in Agitators from Out of Town

After the turmoil in Thessalonica, Paul went to Berea where he was well-received by the populace. Once the Jews in Thessalonica heard that Paul had gone to Berea, they went there too and stirred up opposition there.

When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. (Acts 17:13)

Interestingly enough, Paul had actually been one of those who previously had gone from town to town to persecute Christians until he was overwhelmed by a vision of Jesus.

Throwing People in Jail in Spite of Innocence

Often, Paul would be thrown into prison, even though he had committed no crime. One especially egregious example occurred when Jewish leaders stirred up a crowd to attack Paul.

Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. He at once took officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. (Acts 21:30-33)

Paul had done nothing except be on the receiving end of a mobs wrath. Nevertheless, he was arrested. Unshaken, Paul defended himself before the same crowd.

The Key Difference

The power politics at play by todays left is not new. And we can see that its just another version of what Christians had to face in the early Church.

But theres a major difference.

The violent agitation and opposition in the book of Acts was directed toward Christian religious leaders  apostles, ministers, and pastors. That opposition came against them because they tried to engage the culture in public and change it.

Todays Christian pastors  with a few notable exceptions  are not the ones facing agitators, protestors, and mobs. Instead, its Christians in extra-church organizations who are standing up, speaking up, and facing woke wrath. Its the leaders of Students For Life, Alliance Defending Freedom, and others who are giving speeches on college campuses and other public places only to endure shouting protesters.

Most Christian pastors dont speak out. Rarely do Christian leaders in the Church publicly speak out against abortion or LGBT lifestyles, or in favor of religious freedom and parental rights. Those few who do speak up typically only do so in the safety of their church building or in a statement of faith. Rarely do pastors speak out publicly. Lets pray that our pastors speak up before its too late.

Image: Public Domain
Governor Jared Polis (D)  who seems to be eyeing a run for president in 2024  signed three bills on Friday, April 14, 2023, with much fanfare and doublespeak. The bills make Colorado, a state that is already one of the most permissive about abortion, even more so, and they increase access to transgender surgery.

This is the work of the Democrat-controlled Legislature in the state, to which Polis won't or can't say no, perhaps indicating how he would govern as president. Legislators also use doublespeak in the bills themselves.

According to the Washington Examiner, "Polis said he was proud to sign the bills at the state capitol in Denver. The bills solidify the state's reputation as a refuge for those in conservative states who need the medical procedures."

Here is the tweet Polis (@GovofCo) put out on the signing:

Here in Colorado, we value individual freedoms, and we stand up to protect them. I'm proud to sign these bills today to further Colorado's reputation as a beacon of freedom and choice.

The tweet then listed the bills: SB-23-188, SB23-189, SB23-190.

Be aware: what Polis did in his speech and in the tweet is fudge the truth by twisting the meaning of the word "freedom." He did the same thing in his re-election campaign. He says he is Libertarian.

Polis uses "freedom" in a way that may get voters to refer back to the U.S. Constitution to give himself cover politically and to give his speech gravitas. It is doublespeak because the words try to demonstrate that they communicate about something when they do not.

Polis is not talking about freedom from government interference in religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition for redress of wrongs as set out in the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution. No. He is trying to use the word "freedom" to justify legislation that enables people to choose to kill preborn babies and to allow minors to have body parts removed before puberty as part of a gender transition. There is also other unrelated stuff thrown into the bills.

Polis is being dishonest. The Colorado Legislature is, too, in order to enact an agenda.

SB23-188 comes with the title and subtitle "Protections For Accessing Reproductive Health Care: Concerning protections for accessing reproductive health care."

"The bill prevents the state from recognizing any prosecutions or lawsuits related to anyone who receives or assists in abortions or so-called 'gender-affirming care,'" reports Fox News.

Notice that the Legislature uses doublespeak by using "reproductive health care" instead of "abortion" and "gender-affirming health-care services" instead of "surgery to alter bodies of minors to make them look like members of the opposite sex."

SB23-189 starts with this title and subtitle: "Increasing Access To Reproductive Health Care: Concerning increasing access to reproductive health-care services, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation." It addresses HIV drugs and some other matters and then gets to abortion and then returns to HIV issues. Are HIV drug issues considered reproductive health care issues?

The summary of the bill says, "Requires large employer plans, on and after January 1, 2025, to provide coverage for the total cost of abortion care without policy deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. Individual and small group plans must provide this coverage if the federal department of health and human services confirms the state's determination that the coverage is not subject to state defrayal pursuant to federal law ..."

It's too bad that the bill language did not also state "and prohibits any health care provider from charging for abortion care." That would put a damper on the abortion industry in Colorado.

SB23-190 has the title and subtitle "Deceptive Trade Practice Pregnancy-related Service:

Concerning policies to make punishable deceptive actions regarding pregnancy-related services."

"The third bill blocks what pro-abortion activists and Democrats view as 'deceptive' practices by crisis pregnancy centers, which encourage mothers to choose options other than abortion," Fox News reports. It's pretty hard to reach that meaning when reading the bill.

Also, the bill states, "A health-care provider engages in unprofessional conduct or is subject to discipline in this state if the health-care provider provides, prescribes, administers, or attempts medication abortion reversal in this state, unless the Colorado medical board, the state board of pharmacy, and the state board of nursing, in consultation with each other, each have in effect rules finding that it is a generally accepted standard of practice to engage in medication abortion reversal[.]" The boards have until October of 2023 to promulgate rules on that. I get it: the Democrats don't want medication abortion reversal. Whether it is actually harmful or not to patients is yet to be decided.

Colorado voters have a lot to worry about with this Democratic-controlled Legislature, their faux Libertarian governor, and the leaders' use of doublespeak. As other states have been legislating more restrictions for abortion and transgender surgery, Colorado has been legislating more regulation for those who would restrict abortion, reverse it, and stop all transgender surgeries.

C.S. Boddie writes for Meadowlark Press, LLC.

Image: ReasonTV via YouTube, CC BY 3.0 (cropped).
In my recent posts, I have questioned former president Trumps 2024 candidacy. My posts have drawn howls from sea to shining sea. While the Trumpistas check their weapons, offer me a cigarette, and a blindfold, I would like to explain why I believe the former president has little chance of being re-elected.

First, believe me when I say that my biggest goal is to see a conservative replace sleepy Joe in the White House. I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Like many of you, I howled after the election of 2020. I do not believe that the election of 2020 was a fair election. I now believe that Donald Trump caught the Democrats off guard in 2016. After 2016, the Democrats had four years to plan his expulsion from the White House. They used every legal and extralegal strategy they had to oust him in 2020.

Donald Trump will never surprise the vast leftwing conspiracy again. He has as much chance of beating the Democrats as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid had of escaping Bolivia.

Image: Black suit of armor by derich (edited).

I dont like admitting this, but the Democrats in Washington, D.C., are good at holding on to power. They are not good at governing, but they are good at keeping conservatives away from the levers of power. While we groan and complain about their methods and corruption, they and their allies stay united in keeping us from power. Even when Trump was president, he did not have the access to power that Democrat presidents now wield.

Some of you are both conservatives and fans of Monty Python. One of the funniest and saddest skits produced by Monty Python involved the confrontation between King Arthur and the Black Knight. As the skit begins, King Arthur is on his way to Camelot. He left Camelot to recruit nights to join him around his Round Table. On his way home, he observes the Black Knight defeat another knight.

Impressed by what he has seen, King Arthur invites the Black Knight to join forces with him. When the Black Knight refuses, King Arthur expresses sorrow about his choice and informs the Black Knight that he and his entourage will continue on their way to Camelot.

The Black Knight refuses to let King Arthur pass. A battle erupts between King Arthur and the Black Knight. During the battle, King Arthur hacks off the Black Knights arms and legs. Though legless and armless, the Black Knight still wants to do battle with King Arthur. This is a truly pathetic sight to behold.

I fear that Donald Trump is the Black Knight in the upcoming 2024 election. Because of his pride and his desire for vindication, he is blind to the fact that his enemy has handicapped him so badly that he is now as radioactive as Chernobyl.

I feel sorry both for the Black Knight and Donald Trump. I honor Trump for the good he did for America. But now, when I look at former President Trump, I see the Black Knight defiant, but barely able to move.

Ned Cosby, a regular contributor to American Thinker, is a pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired career public high school teacher. His newest novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.
For decades, environmentalists have been bemoaning the fact that Lake Tahoes waters have been losing their clarity and blaming humans. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection:

Between 1968 and 2000, approximately one-third of Lake Tahoes unique clarity was lost.

The presumption was that humans must fix the problem that we must have caused:

To address this issue, NDEP collaborated with the California Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Lahontan Water Board) to develop the Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load. the Lake Tahoe TMDL was a robust science-based effort to: better understand the causes of the loss in lake clarity, determine how much pollution needs to be reduced, and develop a workable, cost-effective strategy to reinstate historic clarity. The effort resulted in a TMDL Report that was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August 2011.

Yet now we learn via The Reno Gazette Journal:

In 2022, Lake Tahoe was especially blue. Over the last five months of 2022, scientists measuring the lakes clarity could see down 80.6 feet. It was the clearest the lake has been since the 1980s, according to a report released by the U.C. Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

But it is nothing that humans have done that has clarified the waters:

 a report from the Tahoe Environmental Research Center concluded that the change in zooplankton was the largest contributor toward improving the lakes clarity. Two notable zooplankton returned this past fall and winter  daphnia and bosmina. They had largely disappeared from Tahoe after invasive mysis shrimp were introduced in the 1960s. The shrimp were so abundant in the lake that a California nonprofit group was studying ways to harvest the shrimp and turn them into dog treats. In 2021, the mysis shrimp population crashed unexpectedly, and a year later, daphnia and bosmina were thriving.

The waters of Lake Tahoe are clearing up because God made creatures that clean it up. They are not clearing up because of the radical green agenda or because we are being forced to drive flammable, polluting electric cars instead of efficient affordable gasoline powered vehicles. The Sierra Nevada mountains also had record snowpack that occurred cyclically and naturally. This came after years of warmists enthusiastically predicting that drought was future of California thanks to our CO2 emissions.

Photo credit: Ken Lund CC BY-SA 2.0 license
This photo released by Kyodo shows Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivering a speech to support his ruling party's candidate in a local election, near a train station in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, Reuters-Yonhap



Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a day after escaping an apparent attack, vowed to ensure the safety of Group of Seven dignitaries visiting his country, beginning with tighter security for climate ministers gathering in Sapporo.



"My security has become even heavier this morning. It's so tight I think it is going to be difficult to go out into the city," Japan's environment minister, Akihiro Nishimura, said at the hotel in the northern Japanese city where he was hosting his G7 counterparts.



Bodyguards bundled Kishida to safety on Saturday after a man threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at him during an election campaign stop at a fishing port in western Japan.



Heightened security "reflects an increasing challenge of being in politics these days," said Canada's minister of natural resources, Jonathan Wilkinson.



"Unfortunately I think that some of this has to do with the social media and some of the misinformation which spreads online," Wilkinson told Reuters in Sapporo.



The suspect in Saturday's incident, identified by police as 24 year-old Ryuji Kimura, was also carrying a knife when he was arrested, as well as a possible second explosive device he dropped at the scene after bystanders and police tackled him, Kyodo news agency reported.



No motive for the apparent attack, in which media said one police officer was slightly injured, has been announced.



Speaking to reporters, Kishida said Japan must not allow acts of violence that attack the foundation of democracy.





Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends an election campaign in support of the Liberal Democratic Party candidate in Urayasu, Chiba prefecture, April 15, AFP-Yonhap
Awaken With JP lays out with humor the horrifying reality that could be coming our way if this is passed.

Do you ever get the feeling that the Democrats are trying to make the Nazis look like amateurs? Sadly, it seems like they want to go way beyond the Eight Startling and Uncomfortable Ways the Democrat Party Emulates the Nazi Party. From being worse than the Nazis on gun confiscation to using the nations socialist media as their go-to propaganda organ of choice with a disturbing obsession with Guillotines thrown in just for good measure.

Naturally, this kind of truth-telling will send the sinister set into spasms of outrage at the challenging of one of their most cherished and biggest lies, promulgated by 80 years of BS. But the facts are the facts, no matter how much they try to bluff their way to silence anyone who dares question their big lie that a National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party wasnt National SOCIALIST German Workers' Party

Normalcy bias tends to make us think that this cant happen here.

That we could lose all of our freedoms in a flash with the passage of this kind of legislation and severe control measures such as a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), but theyre already talking about the latter - despite the usual denials whenever the fascist far left is up to something nefarious. But our focus here is the Restrict Act!

"The Restrict Act! Totalitarianism is Good For You"

This is supposedly a Tik Tok Ban except that it doesnt mention Tik Tok, it only has reams of vague language that would be perfect fodder for unelected bureaucrats to clamp down on the free speech of their political opponents.

This unconstitutional abomination is described as Orwellian in scope as described by Ohio GOP Rep. Warren Davidson interviewed Wednesday on the John Solomon Reports podcast.

Beware of 'Orwellian' bill banning TikTok, warns Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson

an emerging bipartisan coalition of civil libertarians on the right and the left warns the legislation is a Trojan horse. In empowering the Commerce Department to crack down on TikTok, they fear, the bill would give the federal government sweeping new authority to surveil and punish  largely free of public scrutiny or accountability  digital communications or transactions posing vaguely defined "undue and unacceptable risk" to national security or public safety. Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, for example, tweeted out an article headlined "Prepare for the Patriot Act for the internet." "It gives the ability really with almost no due process whatsoever for somebody to be fined a million dollars and imprisoned for 20 years," Davidson said. "And that's if they get caught violating things like downloading software that the government doesn't approve of." The RESTRICT Act would, among other things, criminalize the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, relied on by millions of internet users to protect their data when browsing the internet.

So, if you are like many who already use a VPN to work remotely or stay safe on the internet, you are already in violation of the Restrict Act.

We certainly wouldnt want people to remain sovereign or employed on the internet while making it difficult for the government to monitor what they are doing. After all, you might be looking around at those dangerous sites like the National Archives with those subversive founding documents with things youre not supposed to know about like freedom of speech or the common-sense civil right of self-defense.

As JP Sears points out in the video,

The RESTRICT Act, also known as the Tik Tok Ban bill - even though it doesnt mention Tik Tok anywhere - would protect US citizens from a Communist Party spying on them by having another Communist Party spying on them instead and then throwing them in prison. That certainly sounds like an improvement, doesnt it?

You have to love how specific they are when they talk about the enforcement of this law:

The Secretary, in consultation with the relevant executive department and agency heads, is authorized to and shall take action to identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit, investigate, or otherwise mitigate, including by negotiating, entering into, or imposing, and enforcing any mitigation measure to address any risk arising from any covered transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States

These mitigation measures include punishing you with fines, jail time, and civil and criminal forfeiture:

(b) Civil penalties.The Secretary may impose the following civil penalties on a person for each violation by that person of this Act or any regulation, order, direction, mitigation measure, prohibition, or other authorization issued under this Act: (1) A fine of not more than $250,000 or an amount that is twice the value of the transaction that is the basis of the violation with respect to which the penalty is imposed, whichever is greater.  (c) Criminal penalties. (1) IN GENERAL.A person who willfully commits, willfully attempts to commit, or willfully conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of an unlawful act described in subsection (a) shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000,000, or if a natural person, may be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. (2) CIVIL FORFEITURE.  (i) IN GENERAL.Any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used or intended to be used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate a violation or attempted violation described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States.  (3) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE. (A) FORFEITURE.Any person who is convicted under paragraph (1) shall, in addition to any other penalty, forfeit to the United States (i) any property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, used or intended to be used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate the violation or attempted violation of paragraph (1); and And the great thing is that the section on TIMING states: (D) TIMING.The term covered transaction includes a current, past, or potential future transaction.

Note the words current, past, or potential future transaction. So, you could have already violated this law before its even been brought up. Well finish this up with what is probably the most appropriate quote from Ayn Rand from the book Atlas Shrugged:

Do you think that we want those laws to be observed? We want them broken. Theres no way to rule innocent men. The only power the government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there arent enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

Remember, this places a lot of enforcement power in the hands of unelected and faceless bureaucrats that could decide that your use of a VPN or something else violated this law. Manufacturing criminals far beyond the dreams of totalitarians of the past.

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, the director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.

Photo credit: YouTube screengrab
The press is all over the news that a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard enlisted man, Jack Teixeira, was arrested for leaking classified documents, all to impress his internet circle of friends.

Over at 100percentfedup, a popular Michigan blog, the irony of that was noted:

Alleged Pentagon document leaker Jack Teixeira was arrested Thursday and, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland, is now being investigated for the alleged unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information. Social Media users have responded to the conflict by calling for the arrest of Alex Vindman. In 2019, Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman admitted while being questioned by the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday that he had leaked information to an anti-Trump whistleblower at the center of the Democrats partisan impeachment proceedings of President Donald Trump. Vindman attempted to provide talking points to Trump prior to his infamous Ukraine phone call and then leaked a mischaracterization of the call afterward. ... Vindman was accused of leaking national security information but never served jail time.. One Twitter user made it clear that he believes there is a two-tiered system of justice in place. He said, Despite destabilizing a Commander-in-Chief and helping provoke a war in Ukraine, Vindman now goes on chat shows. Whereas Jack Teixeira leaked information showing how the government is lying to you and the world, [in] furtherance of those wars. Hes in a cell now.["]

Which does indeed underline a double standard in justice, given the severity of the charges and penalties small-fry Teixeira faces for his alleged misdeeds, and the lack of consequences of any kind for Vindman, as well as other leakers such as Hunter Biden, Andrew McCabe, Hillary Clinton and the rest, some of whom leaked to undercut President Trump and others who leaked to profit the Bidens. Teixeira's document dump leaked online undercut the Biden administration rather than the Trump administration, so in the era of Biden, the book was thrown.

Ahh, but Teixeira was not a whistleblower, the leftist press has been saying.

Wasn't he? According to Agence France-Presse, the media, citing his "friends," described him this way:

The portrait painted in the US media by people who know Teixeira is more one of a naive young man seeking to impress friends than a crusading whistleblower intent on blowing open American secrets.

According to this report in the Washington Post, which quoted a teenager as denying that Teixeira leaked for whistleblowing purposes, the description they provided pretty well indicates he leaked for whistleblowing purposes:

One friend described Teixeira in an interview as patriotic, a devout Catholic and a libertarian with an interest in guns and doubts about Americas future.

Doubts about America's future?

Sounds like a whistleblower to me, given the motivation.

Perhaps the story was changed since I last read it, or perhaps I am misremembering the source, but I also recall a report specifically stating that Teixeira was unhappy about the U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war, which is supposedly why he leaked the document to his friends to "educate" them, which suggests even more pointedly that he would be some kind of whistleblower. I will update if I can find that source.

The WaPo also had this:

But OG had a dark view of the government. The young member said he spoke of the United States, and particularly law enforcement and the intelligence community, as a sinister force that sought to suppress its citizens and keep them in the dark. He ranted about government overreach. OG told his online companions that the government hid horrible truths from the public. He claimed, according to the members, that the government knew in advance that a white supremacist intended to go on a shooting rampage at a Buffalo supermarket in May 2022.

More whistleblower fodder -- we heard a lot of that kind of talk in the 1960s and early 1970s when the Pentagon Papers were leaked.

Either way, both Vindman and Teixeira would both hold the same motives for their leaks, the same motives that other leakers and sellers of secrets dating at least back to the Pentagon Papers' Daniel Ellsberg and the Falcon and the Snowman 1970s, when Christopher Boyce justified his sale of classified secrets to the Russians in court as motivated by his outrage at U.S. spying on ally Australia.

These are pitiful cases, given the damage these small fry do to themselves, but they also are in the same class of cases as the high-ranking Washington swamp leakers, who leaked classified information to undercut President Trump, under cover of noble 'whistleblowing.' Those would include characters like former FBI director James Comey, who leaked through a friend at Columbia University various classified documents in order to reach the pages of the New York Times, and certainly Hunter Biden, who is credibly but circumstantially accused of copying classified documents (on Ukraine, same as Vindman and Teixeira) to corporate buyers and others. None of those characters has even remotely faced any consequences for their misdeeds and most continue to be feted in the press, or in the case of Hunter, continually shielded based on his relationship to Joe Biden, no matter how many sleazy, skeevy, corrupt things he does.

It's impunity like this that seeds the ground for leakers like Reality Winner and now Jack Teixeira, both of whom were also small-fry whistleblowers of sorts, certainly not important swamp things with political cover and protection. The fish rots from the head down, and so many leaks with impunity from the top has pretty well sent the message to the little guys that leaks are nothingburgers -- until the small fry learn to their surprise that they aren't in the same protected class as the big guys.

Something's wrong with this picture and far more arrests are warranted than the low-level fall guys we are seeing get the book thrown at them right now.

Image: Monica Showalter, based on screen shot from PBS via YouTube video. Image edited.

Hat tip: GatewayPundit
The election results of 2022 should be a warning to the Republican establishment that a new strategy is required to win the Congress decisively and take back the White House in 2024.

There are several states that Republicans have not been competitive in for decades. A national strategy that focuses on lower taxes and general liberty may win some blue collar votes, but will have no success with younger voters already conditioned by college professors and high school teachers to think green energy will save the earth and Republican ideals are sexist, racist and homophobic. With that backdrop, several policy changes could gain votes in these blue states, but I want to focus now on gun rights.

I support the Second Amendment completely, but as the Supreme Court has ruled many times, all rights are not absolute. The Biden administration supports restricting gun rights, but is trying to ban assault rifles as a first step that seems reasonable to the unknowledgeable citizens.

First, what is an assault rifle? There is no such thing as an assault weapon, as "assault" is the process, not the weapon. Any weapon, including knives, can be used in warfare or an assault. The left intends to associate a semi-automatic weapon with an automatic one used by criminals during the Prohibition period to confuse the public. Just as the public determined that those tommy guns were unacceptable, most would agree that criminals and mentally ill people should not possess guns as they pose a danger to the general public.

Most mass shootings are perpetrated by unstable persons. Most have been treated by psychiatrists and have been prescribed psychoactive drugs. Republican candidates in the blue states cannot be expected to propose absolute Second Amendment policies on gun ownership and still secure winning majorities in most blue districts.

But they can propose policies that would win the votes of those frightened by crime and mass shootings.

Nationally, Republicans should avoid legislation restricting gun ownership, with two exceptions. First former felons should be severely limited in purchasing legal guns. Criminals will not obey laws, so they will secure weapons illegally. Use of weapons during the commission of crimes should be additive to punishments. In blue states, this is a winning strategy in communities fearful of crime.

Second is the issue of mentally ill persons buying legal guns. This would require significant changes in the HIPAA laws protecting patient privacy in health records. Psychiatrists would be required to report patients with significant illness and those on strong psychoactive drugs. This would put these doctors in the civil legal process if they don't do it, forcing them to evaluate their moral responsibilities. These restrictions will not ensure safety, but will limit attacks and separate Republicans and Democrats on an issue the majority supports. Red flag laws should not be unreasonable, but they must be aimed at protecting children and the unarmed. Limitations would be subject to regular review to protect those who have resolved their illnesses. Further, those restricted would be able to have representation and fight arbitrary limitations, guaranteeing due process protection.

The Enlightenment which underpins our Constitution sought citizen political control. But, compromise is a key element to avoid tyranny of the majority which is a hallmark of Marxism. Our federalism intends to protect minority rights, which means that change may be difficult to achieve. With many cities now crime-ridden, the proposal of limited gun availability through legal means for dangerous people would be supported by those who do not presently vote Republicans.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
The United States is, per the Supreme Court, a Christian nation, a fact by which even those among us who are not Christians are blessed with many benefits. The positive influence of Jewish and Christian principles of governance is, by and large, known to historians. Indeed, the very first words of the First Amendment in the Bill of rights are "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." These words come even before mention of freedom of the press or freedom of speech. The Founders were certainly influenced by the Bible.

The part about "respecting an establishment of religion," by the way, does not mean what many who argue for absolute separation of church and state say it does. It certainly does not cancel out the "free exercise" of religion.

As the U.S. becomes less and less Christian, the effects are clearly observable. Offspring from fatherless homes populate an ever larger portion of our prison system. Military recruiting has reached dangerously low levels, partly because of the high rate of criminality among military-age males. Part of it is due to the perception that what used to be called sexual perversion is now integrated into the armed forces  dissuading many who have traditional moral values, and who are wary of what penalties might be imposed on them if they "misgender" anyone.

The waning of Christianity in America is illustrated by a movement among atheists to establish what are called atheist churches. Odd as that may seem, there is a logic to the oddness. Many present-day atheists spent their childhoods in church-going families. Once they became adults, they abandoned faith and began living secular lives. Such lives can be empty of the kinds of structure, moral and otherwise, that these atheists had known, and they yearn for that. So they began establishing communities in which they attempt to recapture what they found good in the Christian lifestyle  but without the "Christ" part of it. By gathering for weekly "services," they can study self-help philosophies (instead of biblical truth), they can sing inspirational songs (instead of hymns), and they can revere nature (instead of worshiping God).

A step or so beyond atheist churches are outright Satanic churches. This is not a joke. It is not the product of superstitious lunatics and cultists. It is dead serious, and it has major implications for society.

Since 2019, The Satanic Temple has had religious IRS 501(c)(3) status. The Satanic Temple sponsors an after-school program, in imitation of Christian after-school programs. During Christmas season, where Nativity models are displayed, Satanic chapters install their own, competing symbols. This past February, the Satanic Temple revealed its plans to operate a limited-style abortion clinic in New Mexico.

These news items reflect the actions of what, under law, are considered constitutionally protected expressions of religious belief. Under the law, then, Satanism shares the same religious freedoms granted to Christianity and any other religion. In effect, its legitimacy is considered equal to that of Jewish and Christian organized religions.

Satanic organizations present themselves as being for the good of humanity, promoting the welfare of all people, and encouraging self-fulfillment. Some of them even deny that Satan is real, characterizing him instead as a symbolic reality, a lofty ideal to be achieved through devotion to self.

To be sure, the reality of Satanism is shrouded in myth, covered over in historic abuses by Christian churches of falsely accused witches and so forth. The reality is that Satanists are not monolithic, having widely varied beliefs and even engaging in disputes among their rival factions.

So far as I know, none of them teaches what Jesus taught, and as well, none of them preaches the Risen Savior who will return from on high and rule a new heaven and a new earth.

Had the Founders been Satanists, America would never have become what it is, a nation emerging from a dreadful past and moving toward a future of freedom, justice, and virtuously exercised power.

One need not be a Christian to recognize Christianity's benevolence to society, nor need one be a Satanist to recognize that Satanism is at war against God.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Former Irish premier Bertie Ahern has urged the DUP to reach a compromise to restore Stormont powersharing as he praised Rishi Sunaks efforts to break the impasse over post-Brexit trade.

Mr Ahern said it was not tenable or sustainable for the party to stick rigidly to the same position.

The former taoiseach commended Mr Sunaks attempts to secure a return to devolution as he said Ireland had experienced great difficulty in its dealings with Boris Johnson during the Brexit process.

The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Bertie Ahern commended Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks efforts over the powersharing impasse (Phil Noble/PA)

The barriers were first introduced under the Withdrawal Agreements contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.

The UK and EU have agreed the new Windsor 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.

It has opposed the framework at Westminster and has made clear its boycott of Stormont will continue until it secures further assurances over its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland.

Asked in an interview with Sky News what his message to the current DUP leadership would be, Mr Ahern said past unionist political leaders in Northern Ireland, such as the late David Trimble and Ian Paisley and also Peter Robinson, had shown a willingness to compromise to make progress.

You do not make much progress in politics if you dont do that, he said.

And I think we have to get away from, you know, this is the position and no other position is satisfactory, its not tenable or sustainable. And its not in the interests of the people in Northern Ireland, there are huge issues in Northern Ireland as there is everywhere else.

Mr Ahern said the Windsor Framework nearly solves the issues standing in the way of a return to powersharing.

There seems to be a few outstanding ones that have to be resolved, he added.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (PA)

The former Fianna Fail leader contrasted Mr Sunaks approach with that taken by Mr Johnson.

To be honest, it doesnt really matter to me who the prime minister of the United Kingdom is, thats a matter for the United Kingdom, but you will appreciate that we found it very difficult to deal with Boris, he said.

He seems to be a very colourful guy and a very nice guy but, you know, we had the trouble with the backstop, we had trouble with the protocol, we had a lot of trouble with Brexit in the first place.

Quite frankly, I dont think we would have had the institutions in Northern Ireland down on and off for the last six or seven years if it hadnt been for Brexit and its caused us untold difficulties and problems.

But we try in Ireland to live in the future and we try and get on with things and, you know, I think what we now need to do is Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister, he has really done a good job in our estimation here in the last six months, he has invigorated the efforts to get everything working in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ahern referred to Mr Sunaks attendance last November at the British Irish Council  one of the east/west bodies established by the Good Friday Agreement.

He said it was quite odd that prior to that engagement a UK PM had not attended such a meeting in 15 years.

Mr Ahern said that level of engagement is what he believed US President Joe Biden was referring to last week when he said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish government to support the people of Northern Ireland.
Events marking the 25th anniversary of Northern Irelands landmark peace accord can provide an impetus to restore devolved governance at Stormont, Irelands deputy premier has said.

Micheal Martin was commenting as political leaders from the Good Friday Agreement era prepared to participate in a major three-day conference in Belfast commemorating the 1998 deal.

Former US president Bill Clinton, ex-US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and chairman of the Good Friday talks Senator George Mitchell attended several events in Belfast over the weekend ahead of the start of the conference at Queens University on Monday.

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

Former UK and Irish prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will also be among the high-profile figures participating at Queens.

An attending US delegation appointed by President Joe Biden will be led by his special envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III.

Current UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are due to attend later in the week.

The commemorations are taking place at a time when the powersharing political institutions created by the Good Friday deal are in abeyance due to a row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the Stormont assembly and executive in protest at economic barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Chairman of the Good Friday talks George Mitchell (Liam McBurney/PA)

I would like to think that theres a genuine desire to get the institutions back up and running, Mr Martin said in Dublin on Sunday.

Ive met with all of the party leaders over the last year and, irrespective of their positions, theyve all resolutely said that they want the institutions back up and running.

Mr Martin, who will also attend the conference, said the Windsor Framework recently agreed by the UK and EU had resolved many of the issues created by the contentious post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

He expressed frustration that Stormont was still in cold storage nearly a year after last Mays Assembly election.

All around the world when elections happen, parliaments get convened, he said.

And I think there was a real necessity to do that in Northern Ireland to respond to the mandate that the people have given their public representatives to enable them to deal with very significant challenges facing Northern Ireland, in respect of economy, health and housing, and many other issues.

And there are many newly elected MLAs who I know would dearly love the opportunity to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, Ive met a number of them from different parties.

And theyre impatient with the fact that the mandate that they have been given by the electorate, they do not have the opportunity to reflect that mandate in the Assembly.

I would like to think next week may give an impetus and a cause for reflection. I think there is space being provided for people to assess the situation, analyse it from their perspectives.

But there is no getting away from a very basic democratic thing, which is basically when elections happen, parliaments get convened.

Mr Martin was speaking to reporters after attending an annual Fianna Fail commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin for the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland.

On Saturday evening, both Bill and Hillary Clinton were guests at a special screening in Belfast of a film about murdered journalist Lyra McKee.

Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed rioting in Londonderry in April 2019.

On Sunday, Ms Clinton attended an event for young leaders who have taken part in the Washington Ireland Programme.

Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell was given a standing ovation as he arrived at Belfasts Lyric Theatre on Sunday afternoon for a performance of a play about the striking of the agreement in 1998.

Across the city, a church service was held in Clonard Monastery to reflect on the Good Friday Agreement.

Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker and US envoy to Northern Ireland Mr Kennedy III were among those who attended the service of recommitment that was organised by peacebuilding group, the Corrymeela Community.

The leaders of both the Catholic church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland, archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, also attended.

Later on Sunday, a special dinner was organised at Hillsborough Castle to mark the contribution to the peace process by the late Mo Mowlam, who was Northern Ireland Secretary in 1998.

Prominent victims campaigner Raymond McCord (Rebecca Black/PA)

One of the events in the extensive programme of events at Queens is the screening of a film telling the stories of several victims of the Troubles.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said the film created by members of the Truth and Justice Movement would convey a powerful message of opposition to Government plans to offer a limited immunity from prosecution to perpetrators of Troubles crimes.

The GFA is 25 years old, yet some of our group has been fighting over 50 years for truth and justice and none of us cant or wont rest until we get the justice our families deserve despite the British governments fear of the truth and justice, he said.
James Cleverly will use a trip to the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Japan, and then to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Foreign Secretary and his counterparts from the Group of Seven of the worlds advanced economies begin their three-day gathering in Karuizawa on Sunday, ahead of the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima in May.

Discussions are expected to focus on support for Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion, and closer security and defence ties in the face of Chinas growing assertiveness in the Pacific.

Ahead of his travels, Mr Cleverly said: With increasing competition in the region, it is more important than ever that we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

It is critical to the UK, to our economy, our security and our values.

Throughout my visit, I will build on commitments to our friends across the Pacific nations in their bid to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

The Governments updated integrated review last month reinforced a post-Brexit tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region as a permanent pillar of British foreign policy.

Mr Cleverly will announce that the UK will join the US, Japan and Australia as a member of the Blue Dot Network, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The global scheme certifies infrastructure projects in the developing world that meet high quality standards so that they attract private investment.

The Foreign Secretary will also discuss opportunities created by the UKs accession last month to a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) marked Britains biggest trade deal since leaving the EU.

But critics say the impact will be limited, with official estimates suggesting it will add just 1.8 billion a year to the economy after 10 years, representing less than 1% of UK GDP.

After Japan, Mr Cleverly will travel to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to offer UK support on tackling climate change.

He will announce 4.5 million of new funding to help connect communities there to clean energy sources.

Mr Cleverlys trip then continues to Samoa and New Zealands capital Wellington.
Nurses could strike until Christmas if they cannot reach a deal with the Government, a union leader has warned.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leader Pat Cullen called for the Government to improve its pay offer to avoid further strikes but assured patients that nurses will come off picket lines to deal with emergencies.

The RCN announced on Friday that its members will walk out for 48 hours from 8pm on April 30 after rejecting the Governments pay offer.

NHS nurses in emergency departments, intensive care and cancer wards will take industrial action for the first time.

When asked if the union will stop strike action, Ms Cullen told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg On Sunday programme: No, our nurses will absolutely not do that.

We have strike action for the end of this month and the beginning of May.

Then we will move immediately to ballot our members.

If that ballot is successful it will mean further strike action right up until Christmas.

The union leader added that nurses saw a one-off Covid bonus offered by the Government as a bribe.

NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery told the programme it is not sustainable for the NHS to continue managing strike action.

She said: Its really clear to me that its not sustainable going forward for the NHS to manage strike action.

It feels like a really ugly situation to say we are going to have strikes now until Christmas.

(PA Graphics)

We really desperately need the Government to come to the table alongside the unions coming to the table to sort this out.

In an opinion piece for The Sun, Health Secretary Steve Barclay warned that fresh nurses strikes would have a deeply concerning impact on emergency services and cancer care.

The Health Secretary called on the RCN to accept the Governments pay offer so the NHS can get back to focusing on patients.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr Barclay tweeted a copy of a letter he had sent to Ms Cullen which urged the union to reconsider further industrial action and said he would welcome a meeting to discuss avoiding strikes.

Today I wrote to Pat Cullen @theRCN after the disappointing decision by a minority of members to reject the pay offer. This fair & reasonable settlement followed constructive talks so its concerning further strikes have been called. pic.twitter.com/NVJJrOh8Lp  Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) April 16, 2023

In the letter, Mr Barclay said the most recent pay offer was a fair and reasonable settlement, adding: The decision to refuse at this stage any exemptions for even the most urgent and life-threatening treatment during this action will, I fear, put patients at risk.

On Friday, Unisons NHS members accepted the NHS pay offer of a 5% pay rise this year and a cash payment for last year.

However, 54% of RCN members voted to reject the deal.

The turnout among RCN members employed on NHS Agenda for Change contracts in England was 61%.

The RCN announcement came as around 47,000 junior doctors finished their 96-hour strike in a separate dispute over pay at 7am on Saturday.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting appealed to the RCN to continue to protect emergency lifesaving care if it strikes again.

The Labour politician told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: Im deeply worried about the risk of escalation of the nature of their dispute, to remove whats known as the derogations, the measures they put in place to protect those areas of care.

Tory Party chairman Greg Hands said more strikes by nurses would clearly have an impact as he declined to criticise them for deciding not to provide cover for emergencies.

Mr Hands told Sky News: I think the public are very concerned, understandably, and we will do everything that we can, and Im sure the management of the NHS will do everything that it can to make sure that the impact of the strike is kept under control.

But I wouldnt be being truthful if I didnt say it will have an impact. Nurses going on strike will clearly have an impact.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin / AP-Yonhap



The head of Russian mercenary group Wagner has caused a stir with a blog post about a possible end to the war in Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged his compatriots to keep on believing in victory in his Orthodox Easter message.



Many Ukrainian media outlets on Sunday picked up on the text by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, which reads: "For state power and for society today it is necessary to put a thick fullstop behind the special military operation."



Even after more than a year of war, Russia still refers to its invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation."



Prigozhin, whose blog post was published on Friday but has only now come to light, added: "The ideal variant would be to announce the end of the special military operation and declare that Russia has achieved all of its planned goals - and in some respects we really have achieved them."



Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year but was driven back from capital Kiev and other cities. They occupy large areas in the east and south having already annexed Crimea in 2014. A land bridge through Ukrainian territory now connects the Crimean peninsula with Russia.



"For Russia, there is always a risk that the situation on the front can deteriorate after the start of the counteroffensive," added the 61-year-old, whose mercenaries are currently fighting mainly for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.



Experts expect a Ukrainian offensive in the coming weeks after a flow of Western weapons and Ukraine's Zelensky was in confident mood on Sunday.



"The war could not erase us, our values, our traditions and our holidays," he said in a video.



"Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The main symbol is victory: the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life. We celebrate Easter with an unshakeable faith in the irreversibility of these victories."



Zelensky said that a year ago, just after Russia's invasion, prayers were being said for Ukraine to survive at all.



"Today we pray that Ukraine wins," he added. "We have already come a long way. Perhaps the most difficult mountain is still ahead of us. We will overcome it. And together we will meet our dawn."



Referring to areas occupied by Russia, he said: "The sun will shine in the south, the sun will shine in the east, the sun will shine in Crimea. The yellow glowing sun in a peaceful blue sky - it will be the light of justice."



In his own message, Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the Orthodox Church on the second Easter since his invasion of Ukraine.



He attended a service early Sunday in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour together with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Videos showed Putin and Sobyanin standing side by side with candles in their hands. Kirill also presented Putin with a decorated Easter egg.



Putin praised the Russian Orthodox Church for its "active commitment to mercy and charity in the face of serious challenges"  seen as a nod to the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions on Russia.



"The wonderful, beloved Easter gives hope to believers, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to reaffirm high moral ideals and values in society," added the 70-year-old, who is facing an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.



The Kremlin's current watered-down aims include the complete conquest of the four Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson. Any hope of taking the entire country seems now to be lost.



Despite the Orthodox Easter holiday, fighting continued in Ukraine on Sunday, with Russian shelling killing two teenagers in the southern region of Mykolayiv during the night, military Governor Vitaly Kim said.



In the Zaporizhzhya region, the head of the military administration, Yuri Malashko, also reported a "massive attack" by the Russian side. A church was damaged, for example, so that the service had to be cancelled. "Nothing is sacred, even on the night of Christ's resurrection," Malashko wrote.



Meanwhile, in the eastern city of Sloviansk, where a rocket hit a residential area on Friday, rescue work continued. Residents were still missing in the rubble, local sources said.



According to the latest information, 11 civilians were killed in the attack, including a small child. More than 20 other people were injured. (DPA)


Protesters on both sides of the transgender debate have staged rival demonstrations in Belfast, with dozens of police officers dividing the rallies.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Donegall Quay area of the city centre on Sunday afternoon for the two events.

Controversial womens rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker, addressed the Let Women Speak demonstration beside the citys Big Fish landmark.

Trans rights protesters attended a counter rally against the Let Women Speak event in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, also a vocal critic of aspects of the trans rights movement, was among those who attended that event.

Nearby, several LGBT+ groups assembled for a counter rally.

More than 50 police officers formed a line between the demonstrations, as loud music was played and participants on both sides chanted and waved flags and placards.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan attended the Let Women Speak rally in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

Ms Keen told the crowd at the Let Women Speak event: I know for many of you it has taken a lot of your big girl pants to come out here, because it is really genuinely intimidating.

John ODoherty, director of LGBT+ support group the Rainbow Project, took part in the trans rights demonstration.

Were here today to ensure that every trans and non-binary person in Northern Ireland knows that theyre welcome and there is a community here waiting to embrace them and the hatred being shared by the other demonstration today is not reflective of the people in Northern Ireland, he said.
A father and husband of three British-Israelis murdered in the West Bank has said he is extremely proud of all of them and that he does not feel hate following the terror attack.

Lucy Dee, 48, died three days after her daughters, Rina, 15, and Maia, 20, were killed in a shooting on Friday April 7.

The family of seven had been travelling in separate cars en route to a Passover holiday.

Paying tribute, Rabbi Leo Dee told Sky News that his wife was an exceptional human being and she had saved five lives and helped two other people to see by donating her organs.

He said: I am extremely proud of all of them. We are very proud (Lucy) saved five lives. Two corneas, as well, so another two operations will take place.

One of them was an Arab. I think that is significant to us because Lucy was very much into peaceful relations with our neighbours and I think she would have been very proud that she saved the life of an Arab even in the situation.

Mr Dee said his sister had called explaining there had been a terror attack and wanted to check the family were OK.

He was unable to get hold of his wife or daughters and his son then spotted the car on an Israeli terror alert website.

The family saw photos of their car and suitcases covered in blood and rushed to the scene.

Mr Dee said his daughters were killed by 20 bullets from a Kalashnikov rifle and his wife was shot twice in the suspected Palestinian shooting on Friday.

Hundreds of mourners attended Lucys funeral held at the Kfar Etzion settlement south of Jerusalem on Tuesday.

Describing his wife, the rabbi said: She was someone who gave. That was really her defining feature and because she gave, she encouraged other people to give. The kids picked up from that and theyve learnt to give.

He said Maia had been volunteering in a school in the south of Israel, working as a counsellor to children in the ninth grade.

The rabbi said Rina supported fellow pupils at her boarding school if they were struggling.

Mr Dee was formerly the senior rabbi at Radlett United Synagogue in Hertfordshire and assistant rabbi in Hendon, north London.

Speaking about the attackers, Mr Dee said: I dont hold any hate towards them. The Israeli security forces will do what they usually do which is track them down and bring them to justice which I think is right because it prevents the next attack that they might do.

I pray for safety of the Israeli soldiers who go in and risk their lives in order to protect the Jewish people and the Arab citizens because a lot of these attacks dont discriminate.

The rabbi revealed he had nightmares the night after the attack but focusing on his son and two surviving daughters had helped him to feel calm.
The teenage victim of a rapist who was spared jail has said she couldnt breathe when she heard his sentence.

She was 13 when Sean Hogg, then 17, raped her in Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian.

Hogg, now 21, was sentenced earlier this month at the High Court in Glasgow to a community payback order of 270 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty.

The sentence sparked outrage and calls to review sentencing guidelines which advises custodial sentences should be imposed only on those under the age of 25, if no other sentence is appropriate.

The teenager, now 18, told the Sunday Mail when she heard his sentence: My anxiety went so bad, I felt I couldnt breathe, in my head I thought he was going to come for me, he was going to want to hurt me.

I was back to being that 13-year-old wee girl, scared of the unknown.

She questioned why he was able to walk out of court and said her life has been ruined.

Now it makes me think why did I even bother reporting the rape in the first place, she added.

Many girls will see whats happened to me and think well why bother reporting rape, nothing will happen anyway.

Is this the message we want to send out to girls, to children and women who are sexually assaulted and raped?

Her lawyer, Aamer Anwar, tweeted: My client and her family believe a failure to appeal 270 hours community service sentence for her rape by Sean Hogg would be a serious breach of justice by Crown Office.

A spokesperson for Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service told the newspaper: The Crown is currently considering whether there are grounds for lodging an appeal against this sentence.
Two fathers who got in what police say was a road-rage fight in Florida last fall exchanged gunfire and ended up shooting each other's daughters.

Now, one of them is facing attempted murder charges while the other won't have to spend another day in court over the skirmish.

William Hale, 36, of Douglas, Georgia, and Frank Allison, 44, of Callahan, Florida, were both driving home with their families on Oct. 8 after spending time in Jacksonville in northeastern Florida.

Both men have different stories about how the confrontation started but both agree that it was fueled by road rage, that they were brake-checking each other, driving too fast and that Allison's wife flipped off the Hales, according to police records obtained by USA TODAY.

William Hale is pictured in a mug shot the day he was arrested in connected with the road rage fight.

At some point, Allison, his family members, and an independent witness told police that Hale became the aggressor, trying to run Allison off the road, chasing him down, and throwing a water bottle into his driver's side window.

That's when Allison grabbed his gun and fired, hitting Hale's 5-year-old daughter in the lower leg. Allison later told police he was aiming at the lower rear truck bed.

"After he shot, my daughter is screaming," Hale told police. "It was an instant reaction."

So Hale grabbed his own gun from his center console and emptied the Glock 43, firing seven to eight rounds at Allison's car, Hale told police.

One of the bullets hit Allison's 14-year-old daughter in the back.

"It hurts!" Allison's' daughter yelled on body camera footage of the incident.

"I dont want to die," Hale's 5-year-old can be heard saying on a 911 call, according to WJXT-TV.

Both girls were treated for their injuries later at local hospitals and survived.

Frank Allison is pictured in a mug shot after he was arrested in connected to the road rage fight.

Who gets charged?

At the time of the melee, police arrested both men on attempted murder charges, saying they "intentionally committed an act" that could have killed the girls.

"The act was imminently dangerous and demonstrated a depraved mind without regard for human life," police wrote.

That was October. Now, Hale is the only man facing charges.

The Nassau County State's Attorney's Office charged him on March 30 with three counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of maliciously throwing a deadly missile.

That last charge stems from Hale allegedly throwing a water bottle into Allison's car.

Allison told police that though the water bottle did not hurt him or cause him to lose control of the vehicle, it "stunned me so bad I grabbed my pistol," and that he fired at Hale's car to "get out of the whole situation."

Allison is protected from being charged himself under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law, according to the Nassau County State's Attorney's Office.

"Florida courts have held that the throwing of a water bottle or similar object could form the basis of a forcible felony," according to a disposition statement written by Assistant State Attorney Christopher Roth Huband on March 31.

"The water bottle had liquid in it, and (Hale) threw it with malicious intent, clearly intending for it to enter the Allisons vehicle and possibly strike one of the occupants," Huband wrote. "As such, the water bottle would qualify as a deadly missile."

This screenshot shows some of the conclusions by the Nassau County State's Attorney's Office about why Frank Allison shouldn't be charged.

Huband goes on to say that Hale's "aggressive driving pattern and the throwing of a water bottle placed the Allisons in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm and constitute the commission of forcible felonies."

"William Hales actions  both independently and collectively  justify Frank Allisons use of deadly force against William Hale," Huband wrote.

It's unclear whether Hale has obtained an attorney.

'Two stupid grown men'

Back in October, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper told WJXT-TV in Jacksonville that there very nearly were "two dead kids because of two stupid grown men."

"What is scarier than one crazy driver with a gun, than two crazy drivers with a gun?" Leeper said. "Thankfully, no one was killed in this incident, but it could have easily turned out that way because two people were acting stupid and let their tempers get the best of them."

He said drivers who find themselves in a similar situation should have the wherewithal to stand down.

"Someone who's driving aggressively around you, let him go," Leeper said. "Slow down. Go the other direction. Get the vehicle description if you can and call police."

More coverage from USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 dads exchanged gunfire in Florida road rage fight; daughters shot
MONTROSE, Mo.  It took Samantha Lesmeisters family four months to find a medical professional who could see that she was struggling with something more than her Down syndrome.

The young woman, known as Sammee, had become unusually sad and lethargic after falling in the shower and hitting her head. She lost her limited ability to speak, stopped laughing, and no longer wanted to leave the house.

General-practice doctors and a neurologist said such mental deterioration was typical for a person with Down syndrome entering adulthood, recalled her mother, Marilyn Lesmeister. They said nothing could be done.

The family didnt buy it.

Marilyn researched online and learned the University of Kansas Health System has a special medical clinic for adults with Down syndrome. Most other Down syndrome programs nationwide focus on children, even though many people with the condition now live into middle age and often develop health problems typically associated with seniors. And most of the clinics that focus on adults are in urban areas, making access difficult for many rural patients.

The clinic Marilyn found is in Kansas City, Kansas, 80 miles northwest of the familys cattle farm in central Missouri. She made an appointment for her daughter and drove up.

Samantha Sammee Lesmeister (Christopher Smith for KFF Health News)

The programs leader, nurse practitioner Moya Peterson, carefully examined Sammee Lesmeister and ordered more tests.

She reassured me that, Mom, youre right. Somethings wrong with your daughter, Marilyn Lesmeister said.

With the help of a second neurologist, Peterson determined Sammee Lesmeister had suffered a traumatic brain injury when she hit her head. Since that diagnosis about nine years ago, she has regained much of her strength and spirit with the help of therapy and steady support.

Sammee, 26, can again speak a few words, including hi, bye, and love you. She smiles and laughs. She likes to go out into her rural community, where she helps choose meals at restaurants, attends horse-riding sessions at a stable, and folds linens at a nursing home.

Without Petersons insight and encouragement, the family likely would have given up on Sammees recovery. She probably would have continued to wither within herself, her mother said. I think she would have been a stay-at-home person and a recluse.

"A whole different ballgame"

The Lesmeisters wish Petersons program wasnt such a rarity. A directory published by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation lists just 15 medical programs nationwide that are housed outside of childrens hospitals and that accept Down syndrome patients who are 30 or older.

The United States had about three times as many adults with the condition by 2016 as it did in 1970. Thats mainly because children born with it are no longer denied lifesaving care, including surgeries to correct birth defects.

Adults with Down syndrome often develop chronic health problems, such as severe sleep apnea, digestive disorders, thyroid conditions, and obesity. Many develop Alzheimers disease in middle age. Researchers suspect this is related to extra copies of genes that cause overproduction of proteins, which build up in the brain.

Taking care of kids is a whole different ballgame from taking care of adults, said Peterson, the University of Kansas nurse practitioner.

Sammee Lesmeister is an example of the trend toward longer life spans. If shed been born two generations ago, she probably would have died in childhood.

Samantha Sammee Lesmeister (Christopher Smith for KFF Health News)

She had a hole in a wall of her heart, as do about half of babies with Down syndrome. Surgeons can repair those dangerous defects, but in the past, doctors advised most families to forgo the operations, or said the children didnt qualify. Many people with Down syndrome also were denied care for serious breathing issues, digestive problems, or other chronic conditions. People with disabilities were often institutionalized. Many were sterilized without their consent.

Such mistreatment eased from the 1960s into the 1980s, as people with disabilities stood up for their rights, medical ethics progressed, and courts declared it illegal to withhold care. Those landmark rulings sealed the deal: Children with Down syndrome have the right to the same lifesaving treatment that any other child would deserve, said Brian Skotko, a Harvard University medical geneticist who leads Massachusetts General Hospitals Down Syndrome Program.

The median life expectancy for a baby born in the U.S. with Down syndrome jumped from about 4 years in 1950 to 58 years in the 2010s, according to a recent report from Skotko and other researchers. In 1950, fewer than 50,000 Americans were living with Down syndrome. By 2017, that number topped 217,000, including tens of thousands of people in middle age or beyond.

The population is expected to continue growing, the report says. A few thousand pregnant women a year now choose abortions after learning theyre carrying fetuses with Down syndrome. But those reductions are offset by the increasing number of women becoming pregnant in their late 30s or 40s, when they are more likely to give birth to a baby with Down syndrome.

Skotko said the medical system has not kept up with the extraordinary increase in the number of adults with Down syndrome. Many medical students learn about the condition only while training to treat pediatric patients, he said.

Few patients can travel to specialized clinics like Skotkos program in Boston. To help those who cant, he founded an online service, Down Syndrome Clinic to You, which helps families and medical practitioners understand the complications and possible treatments.

"If they say it hurts, I listen"

Charlotte Woodward, who has Down syndrome, is a prominent advocate for improved care. She counts herself among the tens of thousands of adults with the condition who likely would have died years ago without proper treatment. Woodward, 33, of Fairfax, Virginia, had four heart surgeries as a child and then a heart transplant in her 20s.

Woodward, who is an education program associate for the National Down Syndrome Society, has campaigned to end discrimination against people with disabilities who need organ transplants.

She said her primary care doctor is excellent. But she has felt treated like a child by other health care providers, who have spoken to her parents instead of to her during appointments.

She said many general-practice doctors seem to have little knowledge about adults with Down syndrome. Thats something that should change, she said. It shouldnt just be pediatricians that are aware of these things.

Woodward said adults with the condition should not be expected to seek care at programs housed in childrens hospitals. She said the country should set up more specialized clinics and finance more research into health problems that affect people with disabilities as they age. This is really an issue of civil rights, she said.

Advocates and clinicians say its crucial for health care providers to communicate as much as possible with patients who have disabilities. That can lead to long appointments, said Brian Chicoine, a family practice physician who leads the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Advocate Aurora Health in Park Ridge, Illinois, near Chicago.

Its very important to us that we include the individuals with Down syndrome in their care, he said. If youre doing that, you have to take your time. You have to explain things. You have to let them process. You have to let them answer. All of that takes more time.

Time costs money, which Peterson believes is why many hospital systems dont set up specialized clinics like the ones she and Chicoine run.

Petersons methodical approach was evident as she saw new patients on a recent afternoon at her Kansas City clinic. She often spends an hour on each initial appointment, speaking directly to patients and giving them a chance to share their thoughts, even if their vocabularies are limited.

Her patients that day included Christopher Yeo, 44, who lives 100 miles away in the small town of Hartford, Kansas. Yeo had become unable to swallow solid food, and hed lost 45 pounds over about 1 years. He complained to his mother, Mandi Nance, that something tickled in his chest.

Nurse practitioner Moya Peterson with Christopher Yeo. (Tony Leys for KFF Health News)

During his exam, he lifted his shirt for Peterson, revealing the scar where hed had heart surgery as a baby. He grimaced, pointed to his chest, and repeatedly said the word gas.

Peterson looked Yeo in the eye as she asked him and his mother about his discomfort.

The nurse practitioner takes seriously any such complaints from her patients. If they say it hurts, I listen, she said. Theyre not going to tell you about it until it hurts bad.

Yeos mother had taken him to a cardiologist and other specialists, but none had determined what was wrong.

Peterson asked numerous questions. When does Yeos discomfort seem to crop up? Could it be related to what he eats? How is his sleep? What are his stools like?

After his appointment, Peterson referred Yeo to a cardiologist who specializes in adults with congenital heart problems. She ordered a swallowing test, in which Yeo would drink a special liquid that appears on scans as it goes down. And she recommended a test for Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that interferes with digestion and is common in people with Down syndrome. No one had previously told Nance about the risk.

Nance, who is a registered nurse, said afterward that she has no idea what the future holds for their family. But she was struck by the patience and attention Peterson and other clinic staff members gave to her son. Such treatment is rare, she said. I feel like its a godsend. I do, she said. I feel like its an answered prayer.

"Like a person, and not a condition"

Peterson serves as the primary care provider for some of her patients with Down syndrome. But for many others, especially those who live far away, she is someone to consult when complications arise. Thats how the Lesmeisters use her clinic.

Mom Marilyn is optimistic Sammee can live a fulfilling life in their community for years to come. Some people have said I need to put her in a home. And Im like, What do you mean? And they say, You know  a home, she said. Im like, Shes in a home. Our home.

Sammees sister, who lives in Texas, has agreed to take her in when their parents become too old to care for her.

Marilyns voice cracked with emotion as she expressed her gratitude for the help they have received and her hopes for Sammees future.

I just want her to be taken care of and loved like I love her, she said. I want her to be taken care of like a person, and not a condition.

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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Why should perugu or thayyaru or mosaru be called dahi?

The controversy generated by the aggressive push into Karnataka of the Gujarat-based Amul, owned by the Gujarat governments multi-billion dollar entity, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), was just waiting to happen.

Worried about the impact of the controversy on the outcome of the state Assembly elections in Karnataka, the Amul management has beaten a hasty retreat, clarifying that there was no question of Amul taking over the Karnataka milk cooperatives Nandini brand. Not only would Amul do only online sales of a couple of products but that its packaged yogurt will not be called dahi (a Hindi word), as per an earlier directive of a Union government authority, but would be sold as curd. Amuls retreat from Karnataka for the time being is political expediency rather than a measure of its reduced political clout or market power. As the dominant dairy brand, Amul has always enjoyed political patronage from the days of its founder V. Kurien.

However, as in the case of the sugar cooperatives, which politicians across the country have extracted juice from, dairy cooperatives too have now turned into political milch cows. Nothing symbolised the political importance of rural-based producers cooperatives, in general, and the sugar and dairy cooperatives, in particular, than the 2021 decision of Union home minister Amit Shah to double up as a minister of the newly inaugurated department of cooperatives. Eyebrows were raised by those bewildered by this decision.

Merely because the second most important member of the first Union council of ministers was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, many political analysts and commentators even today assume that the home ministry is second in importance to the Prime Ministers job. Sardar Patels importance did not derive from the ministry he held but his political standing and historic relevance. The home minister of 1947-50 was an important member of the Union ministry because he was busy integrating a new republic into one nation.

Since the days of Sardar Patel, all and sundry have been Union home ministers and every incumbent knew the limitations of that job, especially after the Prime Minister of the day took away the Intelligence Bureau from under the home ministers purview. Fed up with how inconsequential his job was, Lal Krishna Advani asked to be at least called deputy PM. A nomenclatural upgrade. This is the main reason why Pranab Mukherjee never wanted to be home minister and opted for finance when given a choice in 2009. As soon as Mukherjee went to Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2012, P. Chidambaram made sure he was back in the saddle at the western end of North Block.

Finance beats home in a modern economy.

Long story short. After two years in home ministry, and after giving up the party presidents post to J.P. Nadda, Amit Shah chose to add heft to his portfolio by becoming the first Union minister for cooperatives. Many political commentators attributed two reasons for Mr Shahs appointment. The first hypothesis put forward was that the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted to elbow its way into what had for long been Sharad Pawars political turf.

A second, more proximate, factor was the near revolt of the dairy cooperatives of Gujarat that rejected the Union commerce ministrys decision to sign up to a Asia-wide plurilateral trade agreement, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already flown into Thailand in November 2019 with a brief that had said India should be one of the founding members of the RCEP. His friend, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, was very keen that India be on board so that it could be a counter-weight to China. Mr Modi liked the idea.

However, hours before the PM could sign on to that agreement, he was advised not to do so. An embarrassed Mr Modi returned home and his spin doctors swung into action. India opted out, they declared, because China was adamant on certain issues and the Asean countries were not helpful. Supplicants in New Delhis so-called think tank community joined in the chorus and praised the PM for standing up to China. This narrative was sold to all and sundry till the usual leaks came out.

Of course, India has issues with China and Asean, but nothing was new on the day that Mr Modi landed in Bangkok. The new factor, however, was an urgent message from Mr Shah that if India agreed to cheaper dairy imports from Australia and New Zealand, then the Gujarat dairy cooperatives would en masse vote for the Opposition. The fear of losing Gujarats dairy vote kept India out of RCEP.

Surely, foreign trade policies should not ignore domestic politics. So why fight shy of stating the real reason. Even developed economies subsidise their dairy business, and so there is nothing wrong in India also doing so, but why blame the lactose-intolerant Chinese or the beef-eating Australians for the non-competitiveness of our dairy sector?

Once assured of such protection, the big guys started eyeing the small guys.

Protection from imports allowed the countrys wealthiest and biggest dairy cooperative started eyeing competition. It hoped to gobble up the Karnataka federation before the state Assembly elections there. The Opposition political parties woke up in time and Amul and the BJP have backed off.

There is a larger issue at stake in the dairy market wars. Inspired no doubt by Amul and the Gujarat famers, most states have their own dairy cooperatives. Like in sugar, the milk cooperatives are also a source of political funding and mobilisation.

The BJPs attempt to centralise this kitty and get all-India control has come up against varying tastes and consumer loyalties and federal interests and pressures.

Why should perugu or thayyaru or mosaru be called dahi?

Through its politicised version of a pluralistic religion and culture and through the systematic imposition of Hindi and so on, the BJP constantly tries not to unite a diverse country, but to in fact to centralise it. The cow is holy to all Hindus, but there are limits to how much political mileage can be milked from it. Moreover, as every Telugu, Kannadiga and Tamilian knows, no meal is ever complete without curd rice and pickle. Our Gujarati friends dont know what they are missing.
At Regina Caeli on Easter Sunday for the Eastern Churches Francis prayed that the Lord would help Russia and Ukraine achieve peace. The thought of John Paul II in these days "the object of offensive and unfounded inferences." "we do not encounter the Risen One in spectacular manifestations but in the community."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "In stark contrast to the Easter message, wars continue to sow death in gruesome ways," entoned Pope Francis this morning addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square at the end of the Regina Caeli prayer.

Remembering his brothers and sisters in the East who are celebrating Easter today, the pontiff wished them that "the Risen Lord be with you and fill you with his Holy Spirit." But Easter joy is deeply marked by the many dramatic reports of horrific massacres carried out in recent days.

"May the world," the pontiff invoked, "no longer experience dismay at the hands of man but awe at the life he gives and renews by his grace."

In particular, Francis turned his thoughts to Russia and Ukraine who celebrate this Easter still in war: "May the Lord be near and help them to make peace."

But he also recalled the news that has come in the last few hours from Africa: "I am close to the Sudanese people who are already so tried," he said, "let arms be laid down and let dialogue prevail.

However, on this Sunday dedicated to Divine Mercy by will of Pope Wojtyla , Francis also wanted to publicly express his gratitude "to the memory of St. John Paul II," these days "the object of offensive and unfounded inferences."

The reference is to some televised statements made by the brother of Emanuela Orlandi, a young Vatican citizen who disappeared into thin air in the 1980s, which have had a wide echo in Italy calling the Polish pontiff personally into question.

In his meditation before the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis had dwelt on Thomas' encounter with the Risen Jesus proposed by today's liturgy.

He said: "Thomas is not the only one who struggles to believe; in fact he represents a little of all of us. Indeed, it is not always easy to believe, especially when, as in his case, one has suffered a great disappointment."

The Pontiff further noted, "Thomas was the one who had the most courage among the disciples, because he had dared to go outside, without being locked in the Upper Room. But this very thing leads him not to be present at the first meeting with the Risen One.

"He misses the opportunity" and will only be able to recover it "by returning with the others, by going back there, to that family he left scared and sad. To believe, Thomas would want an extraordinary sign: to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to him, but in an ordinary way, coming before everyone, in the community, not outside. As if to say to him: if you want to meet me, do not look far, stay in the community, with others; do not go away, pray with them, break bread with them."

Francis addressed the same question to the faithful: "Where do we look for the Risen One? In some special event, in some spectacular or striking religious manifestation, solely in our emotions and feelings? Or in the community, in the Church, accepting the challenge to remain there, even if it is not perfect? In spite of all its limitations and falls, which are our limitations and falls, our Mother Church is the Body of Christ; and it is there, in the Body of Christ, that the greatest signs of His love are imprinted, still and forever."

"Let us ask ourselves, however," he added, "if, in the name of this love, in the name of Jesus' wounds, we are willing to open our arms to those wounded by life, not excluding anyone from God's mercy, but welcoming everyone; each one as a brother, as a sister, as God welcomes everyone. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to love the Church and make it a welcoming home for all."
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PHEV

EV

SUV

In the United States, where the latter will share the assembly lines at the Ridgeville, South Carolina factory with its Polestar 3 sibling, the company is still selling a potent mix of gas,, andmodels from across various segments. They have sedans like the S60 and S90, crossovers like the XC40, XC60, and XC90, plus even some quirky remnants of the times when passenger cars used to rule the world and station wagons acted like CUVs, hence the V60 and V90 Cross Country touring models.Plus, of course, the Recharge family includes plug-in hybrids like the S/V/XC60 and S/XC90 alongside the C40 and XC40 EVs that acted as their first pure electric endeavors. Now, though, we need to gear up for the impending arrival of the first bespoke EV, the XC90's successor. Although the rumor mill was adamant about the 'Embla' moniker, the whispers were unfounded on this rare occasion, and Volvo preferred the shorter and more insipid EX90 nickname.The flagshipwill soon go down in the company's history when production and first deliveries commence. But of course, fans and other folks are looking for the brand's next bold strategic move. And some of them have even decided to take matters into their hands or, instead, at the tip of their CGI brush, as is the case here with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators that have a thing or two about the EX90 So, after seeing other pixel masters try to envision the best-selling XC60 crossover as the EX60 SUV or a Volvo EX90 zero-emissions pickup truck to fight the Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra EV, Ram 1500 REV, and the Tesla Cybertruck establishment, now it's time for some CGI passenger car love. And it is all courtesy of Sugar Chow, of course, who has seemingly abandoned his 'Touring the world!' station wagon ethos in favor of ritzy sedans.The virtual artist, better known as sugardesign_1 on social media, has been fiddling with AI-assisted tools of CGI styling for some time already, and the results are more 'elegant' with each passing digital project. We recently saw him ask Midjourney to design an electric Caddy CT5, a Lexus 'Sport Saloon' (embedded second below), a warm VW flagship sedan, or the next Mercedes CLS, among others. But now he takes a swing at the potential EX90 legacy with the AI-based visions of the hypothetical ES90 flagship four-door limousine. By the way, note there is more than one version presented below, so feel free to choose a favorite!
SUV

Buick has a bland Encore, Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave atmosphere  they say. Cadillac only has the interesting Lyriq all-electric CUV to show for itself in the lower tiers. Although, if you ask us, the 2024 XT4 is also something to behold, even if only for the split-headlight style, which has been reinterpreted according to the Caddy styling percepts, and rivals like BMW could learn a thing or two about creativity from them.GMC has always been rougher and tougher than the pack, so its SUVs are a bit safer from the GM norm if you count out the Acadia which is making an unpopular separate opinion from its fresher Terrain and Yukon/Yukon XL siblings. And we also land at Chevrolet, a brand that is making a hodgepodge of its CUV lineup with the current quirkiness of the Trax, Trailblazer, Equinox, Blazer, and Traverse. Speaking of the latter, the third iteration is coming soon and might attempt to spite the likes of the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander with its big grille and split headlight design.It seems that the edgy styling and separated front lights are the way forward for the Detroit automaker, at least as far as its crossoverlineup is concerned, as the big Tahoe and Suburban SUVs have been left alone, for the time being. But what if that is not the case, going forward  or backward, as per GM Design Centers social media page, which has yet another enticing sport utility vehicle idea that is properly identified as a Chevrolet model by designer Jacky Zahn, though only from the rear!Indeed, this ideation sketch only has the traditional rear three-quarters POV out in the open to entice everyone. And, as always, the Chevrolet enthusiasts were quick to catch this CGI curved ball while still in the air. Naturally, that also meant a lot of questions were left hanging, as well. For example, no one really knows  save for GM and their digital stylist  the models name. That has never stopped anyone from throwing assumptions in the comments section, and a couple of the usual suspects quickly arose from the fan bases imagination.For example, one of the Chevy aficionados presumed that this is an early ideation sketch of the upcoming Chevy Traverse, when comparing it to the latest spy shots. However, if you want our two cents on the CGI matter, the interestingly angled C-pillar could also point out to the larger Chevy Tahoe and Suburban siblings, just like someone else suggested. Besides, the sheer dimensions are more consistent with a full-size affair  even if you dont take into account the authors major passion for a lifted suspension!
kWh

I don't mean to divide the internet, but electric cars are superior to traditional hydro-carbon-burning vehicles. I am explicitly referring to the end product alone and strictly from an end-user perspective, not to the whole electrification-of-vehicles paradigm.After all, if we don't employ icemen to harvest solidified fresh water (and to deliver it to our doors) but prefer pluggable electric refrigerators, it would make sense to extend the same power source to cars.Neither Enzo nor Elon dreamt of making humankind's life better by following what everyone else was doing - that is what sets these two characters apart from the crowd. The Prancing Horse built a whole new world, and Tesla spurred the trend of smog-free cars.One of Ferrari's most successful models is the Testarossa, with almost 10,000 units produced between 1984 and 1996. Technically, the supercar's regular production ended in 1991, but two subsequent variants continued for five more years.On the other hand, Tesla proved that an electric motor  or more  will vastly outperform most combustion engines. Sure, ultra-fundamentalist gearheads will argue that there are exceptions to this rule of thumb, but they're few and far between.Generally speaking, no reciprocating internal combustion engine in our solar system can give an electric motor a run for its money (when similarly spec'd). Even the Testarossa's formidable  in its heyday  flat-12 would not hold a candle to today's mid-range socket suckers.This somewhat lengthy maze of introductory information explains how the Enzo-Elon duo has contributed to one of the most intriguing apparitions the automobile has ever seen: an all-electric Ferrari. No, the Italians haven't suddenly expedited their 2025 plans. No, Musk did not extend his outlandishly expensive acquisitions campaign by adding Ferrari to his portfolio.Both carmaking greats are responsible  although completely obliviously  for this one-off electric conversion of a Ferrari Testarossa. The Italian brand made the car  go figure  and Tesla built a powertrain. The actual fabrication of the vehicle fell on the shoulders of a shop from England going by the name of Electric Classic Cars.What they do is pretty self-explanatory  they take a classic car (any model from the 50s to the 80s)  kick out the piston power and everything directly related to it (gearbox, differential, cooling, and whatnot), and fit an electric kit instead. Their YouTube channel is host to several projects, documented in detail.Usually, their custom-made transformations don't boost the recipient automobile with dramatic performance specs. However, this resulting Tesla-Rossa is a giant leap forward from the original Ferrari scores.The horizontally opposed 12-cylinde r 4.9-liter Ferrari plant produced 385 hp and 361 lb-ft (390 PS and 490 Nm). Not bad for its heyday, but a 536-hp / 445 lb-ft (544-PS / 600-Nm) motor is quite an improvement.Pound for pound, the car gained some 42 kg (almost 100 lbs.) after the electrification  due to a 63-battery pack  putting it at just over 1.7 tons. Several necessary modifications were performed, apart from the powertrain swap. The below video is the latest  but not last  episode documenting the thorough transformation from Ferrari legend to either an abomination or adoration.First, the regular brakes were replaced with a regenerative system. Next, the suspension will get adjusted for the new weight distribution ratio. The original wheels were also replaced for practical reasons.Fatter tires are recommended to cope with the copious amounts of electric power. The original rubbers weird oval profile provided a smaller-than-ideal ground contact surface. Lastly, the instruments panel on the dash was completely revamped.This last bit is not particularly striking for an untrained eye  the wrench-turners from Electric Classic Cars have installed an analog gauge cluster that looks nearly identical to the original. However, a closer look will reveal electric-derived elements, such as the automatic-gearbox-style drive indicator.While a pure-blooded Testarossa had a five-speed manual with an H-pattern gate, the Tesla electric motor doesn't need a transmission. The stick lever is still in place, although it merely switches between Forward and Reverse.Consequently, the small dash indicator displays N-D-R. And, instead of the heartwarming, ear-whipping engine-roar RPM meter, there's an amps" meter. The CAN/analog black box solution was one of the intricate stages of the build, together with the fabrication of the electrical system for the car.After more than a year in the making, the electrification of the Ferrari Testarossa icon is almost complete  the car runs and drives without hesitation. As for the most exciting part  the Ferrari-style drive test  we'll have to wait for the builder-vlogger's follow-up on this project. I'm willing to bet an entire dime that there isn't a single gearhead indifferent to the roadable outcome of this "Teslarossa."
SUV

kW

Photo: Hollmann

Fueled by the entire high-riding vehicle boom, the company based in Goodwood decided it was time to take a swing at the top end of the segment with such a product last decade. The unveiling took place at the posh Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, five years ago. Production commenced in 2018 at the Goodwood plant in England.Sitting alongside the Ghost and Phantom luxury sedans meant it had to be highly luxurious, not to mention instantly recognizable as a Rolls. Some say it is the most extravagantthat money can buy today, whereas others are probably fans of the Volkswagen Touareg-based Bentley Bentayga. The Cullinan has many things in common with its four-door siblings, and it is a true Rolls-Royce at heart, as it uses the 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12.Everyone knows that you shouldn't ask how fast something that bears the signature of Rolls-Royce is, but just for kicks, we'll remind you that it needs a little over 5 seconds to deal with the 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) sprint. Not bad for something that was built with an emphasis on luxury and a magic carpet like-driving feel, is it? The top speed is capped at 155 mph (250 kph), the spec sheet reveals, and it boasts 562 hp (570 ps/419) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque without any outside intervention.A favorite toy for the jet set since its beginnings, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is slowly replacing the Range Rover in some of the most expensive garages. With so many of them cruising the roads worldwide, it's no wonder some were modified. Be it the occasional new set of wheels or complete widebody conversions with reupholstered interiors, name it, and it has been done. The same goes for the occasional power boost because no matter how quick a ride is, there will always be those who think it needs more oomph. Thus, over the last five years, we've seen tons of tuned Cullinans , and that list has now grown to include yet another one.Yep, we're talking about the copy pictured in the gallery above, which may look like the usual run-of-the-mill luxury SUV until you take a closer look at it. For one, it is much longer than stock. An extra 350 mm (13.8 in) was added between the axles for improved backseat legroom. It has a partition wall separating the driver from those sitting at the rear, complete with a widescreen TV, picnic tables, lounge seats with massaging function, starlight headliner, and many other features, some added during the assembly process at the Goodwood facility, others part of the aftermarket world. But do you know what else was added to it post-production? You probably cannot tell until seeing the partially opened side windows.That would be the ballistic protection, which, complete with the longer wheelbase, turns it into an extremely expensive ride. More on the pricing in just a few moments, as first, we have to tell you about the VR6 armoring level. That may not mean much to you and I, but a professional would stress the fact that it is capable of withstanding rounds fired by an assault rifle, like the AK-47, and survive lateral blasts from 72 lbs (33 kg) of TNT at a distance of just under 40 feet (12 meters). The ballistic protection includes the armored roof, floor, and glass, complete with the one in the partition wall, apparently. This work required reinforcing the suspension, and for extra peace of mind, it has a fire suppression system and other bits and bobs.A brand new car with 217 miles (350 km) under its belt, this stretched, and armored Cullinan is for sale. Hollmann was charged with finding it a new home, and in the ad posted here , they state that it is the Black Badge variant , meaning even more goodies and an upgraded powertrain, with 592 hp (600 ps/441 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. How much do you think they are charging for it? More than you can afford, pal, to quote the original F&F movie. Are you sitting down? The asking price is 1,495,000 or $1,629,760 at today's exchange rates. That is roughly four times the cost of a brand-new Rolls-Royce Cullinan in the United States, which retails from just under $400,000. But hey, while the stock Cullinan cannot take a bullet for you without serious consequences, this one can, so it is probably worth more than that to the right buyer.
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16 April 2023 09:21 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's First Vice-President and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a post on her official instagram page.

Azernews informs that in the post, the First-Vice President congratulates the countrys Christian community on the occasion of Easter.

The post reads:

On the occasion of Easter I sincerely congratulate the Christian community of Azerbaijan and wish all our compatriots good health and happiness!

Mehriban Aliyeva

The First-Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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16 April 2023 13:43 (UTC+04:00)

The peaceful protest of Azerbaijani ecologists and young volunteers on the Lachin-Khankendi road passing through Shusha over the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits, especially the Gizilbulag gold and Damirli copper-molybdenum deposits located in the Azerbaijani territories, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, has been continuing and the event enters the day 126th.

Up until now, several cars, including the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have passed freely through the peaceful protest area on the Lachin-Khankendi road.

The peaceful protesters made it possible for ICRCs eight passenger cars moving from Khankendi towards Lachin to pass through the protest area.

This once again shows that the protesters ensure free movement of the vehicles used for humanitarian purposes.

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16 April 2023 10:31 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan exported 72,800 tons of petroleum coke in the amount of $29,934,300 in January-March, according to the State Customs Committee.

Petroleum coke export stood at nearly 44,000 tons worth $8,281,300 dollars in 2022.

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16 April 2023 20:27 (UTC+04:00)

Security forces in eastern Turkiye killed two terrorists, the country's interior minister said on Sunday.

The two terrorists were confirmed dead after clashes with security forces in the province of Van, Suleyman Soylu tweeted, adding that one of them had been sought after by Turkish authorities in the second-most wanted category.

Turkiye's wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange, and gray, with the killed terrorist on the blue list.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK  listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and EU  has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

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Archived Results for Sunday, April 16th, 2023

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Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and hundreds of other technology leaders called for a pause on the development of powerful artificial intelligence due to thethat the nascent systems pose to mankind.ChatGPT, an AI language processing tool, has earned worldwide recognition in recent months as knowledge workers leverage its capabilities to execute tasks such as writing emails and computer code in a matter of seconds. The breakthrough in mass-market AI has driven a race among technology firms to integrate similar systems into their search engines and products.An open letter from the Future of Life Institute noted that recent AI developments could significantly impact information channels and employment prospects for many industries, as well as accelerate the timeframe in which AI will be able to outsmart humans. The document called for a six-month moratorium on developing AI solutions stronger than GPT-4, the latest version of ChatGPT released by OpenAI earlier this month, as the world considers possible ramifications of the technology.the letter said.Beyond signatures from Musk and Wozniak, the letter was endorsed by Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp, Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, DeepMind research scientists Zachary Kenton and Ramana Kumar, and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Academics from prominent institutions such as Stanford University and Harvard University also signed the letter.the document continued.Musk reportedly believes ChatGPT is an example ofand has approached top researchers about creating alternatives.The letter comes after Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars into OpenAI, announced last month that ChatGPT would be integrated into search engine Bing and internet browser Edge, allowing users to locate information or understand websites with more ease. Google revealed one day earlier that Bard, an experimental conversational AI service, would soon be added to the company's search engine, which has dominated the market for two decades.Some 27% of professionals at prominent consulting, technology, and financial services companies have already used ChatGPT in various capacities, according to one survey from Fishbowl. Academics have also noted the excellent performance that ChatGPT can render on exams considered to be difficult for even the most capable students: the system performedfor all three components of the United States Medical Licensing Exam and earned passing scores on the multiple-choice section of the Bar Exam.Western governments, as the letter from the technology executives suggested, have started to develop standards for ethical AI research. The United States introduced a framework for the military use of AI last month, while the United Kingdom released a paper about the necessity to take a position on AI development that prioritizes both innovation and public trust.
Tom Campbell

We are twenty months away from the 2024 elections and already candidates for governor have declared they are running. In a normal cycle, candidates are spending these months quietly trying to determine their viability, contacting potential donors and supporters, talking to consultants and developing position strategies long before ever making public declarations.The big noise and emphasis in 2024 will obviously be the presidential race, so some of the announced candidacies might be attempting to get some attention and name recognition before the national political tsunami takes all the air in the room.Political pundits are asking why Dale Folwell is running and why he announced so soon? The two-term Treasurer would be a shoo-in for a third term, so why run? A two-word answer to both questions is: Mark Robinson, who is expected to make a formal announcement of his candidacy later this month. Perhaps Folwell has long dreamed of becoming governor, but I don't believe he would have chosen this moment to run if not for Robinson, a Maga/Trump/far right cult member. I think the Treasurer is convinced, as I have often stated, that if Mark Robinson wins the Republican gubernatorial nomination it will ensure that North Carolina elects another Democrat as governor, regardless of who that person might be.Next year's Republican primary could be quite entertaining, featuring a policy wonk (Folwell) against a morality firebrand (Robinson). There's no question the outcome will be a defining moment for the GOP in North Carolina. Many of the Holshouser-Martin-Broyhill Republicans have either left the party or are have been hibernating since 2017. This gubernatorial primary will draw a line in the sand, forcing those in the party to choose sides.Early polling is certainly not reliable, but a December poll among Republicans indicated Robinson had a 60 percent vote to 8 for Folwell. Don't pay too much attention to this. Folwell, a forensic accountant, certainly doesn't. He told The Assembly's Steve Riley he wasn't a gambler...not when he ran for school board, for the legislature or when he ran for Treasurer. He doesn't consider the race for governor a gamble, either.Folwell told me his campaign theme was going to be:As Treasurer, he has clearly eschewed big donors, corporate or individual. He has been unafraid to challenge big corporations, politicians, investment houses and others, demonstrating that he won't be a pawn for big money lobbyists and donors. But Folwell is naive if he doesn't recognize that a successful primary and general election campaign is going to cost millions. Perhaps not the $40 million raised by Roy Cooper or even the $11.7 million Dan Forest spent in the 2020 election, but millions, nonetheless.The Republican gubernatorial primary could also impact Democrats if that party doesn't venture too far from center. Some disenchanted Republicans might switch parties. The only declared candidate for governor is Josh Stein, the two-term Attorney General. Stein is considered very progressive, a darling of the far-left faction of the party. Some longtime Democrats are quietly trying to find a more centrist candidate to run against him in the primary. Stein has been quietly raising money for months and reportedly has millions in the bank preparing for the run. He raised $12 million in his 2020 campaign for Attorney General and will likely need to raise three or four times that amount in 2024.What could we expect if Stein and Robinson do end up becoming the nominees?seasoned political campaign consultant Brad Crone told me.Here's my spin: Democrats are praying that Donald Trump will be the GOP presidential nominee and Mark Robinson the gubernatorial candidate. They see that as their best chances for big blue victories in 2024.I don't see either Trump or Robinson becoming their party's nominees. I foresee Republicans having aepiphany to avoid an Apocalypse. I'm not certain who the presidential nominee will be but believe Dale Folwell will be the Republican nominee for governor.Another note worth mentioning. State Senator Rachel Hunt, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, declared her intent to run for Lieutenant Governor. It has been almost thirty years since a Hunt was on the statewide ballot. Jim Hunt, the four-term governor had clearly the most effective political machine of the 20th century. If Hunt supporters show up to vote Democrats could see a big boost in turnout.The stars are aligning for the 2024 elections to be extremely interesting.
$500,000 to the Town of Aurora for infrastructure needs to support the new Industrial Facility Training Center, a collaborative project developed with Beaufort County Community College (BCCC), Nutrien, and the Town of Aurora. BCCC will provide customized training for Nutrien employees and offer courses and the opportunity to earn relevant 3rd-party certifications to at least 60 students from Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.

$340,000 to Barton College for equipment and construction costs that will allow the college to accommodate at least 25 more students in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and also support its new family nurse practitioner (FNP) program, expected to produce 13 new FNPs in each graduating class.

$455,000 to Davidson County Schools to support addition of a welding fabrication pathway at South Davidson High School that would double its capacity to 40 for high school students to train and earn a welding certification from Davidson-Davie Community College through the Career and College Promise program.

$200,000 to Rockingham Community College for equipment to support expansion of RCC's welding program to help meet the region's welder and welding skills shortage. The college will significantly increase the number of students in its curriculum programs and will create new continuing education programs.

$200,000 to Surry Community College to purchase two automatic range trucks with trailers to expand its truck driver training program and to increase the number of students trained by up to 60 students annually.

$500,000 to the University of Mount Olive for design and infrastructure costs to support development of a new livestock/forage training facility that will enable expanded content and experiential learning, and additional credentials offered to prepare more students for entry-level and higher positions at regional ag businesses. The facility will also serve as a research and training site for students and faculty, host training opportunities for farmers and events for high school students, and expose high school students to agriculture related career pathways.

$164,000 to Uwharrie Charter Academy (UCA) for equipment for UCA's newly constructed Career Academy facility that will open in August 2023. The Career Academy will train high school students in skills related to construction trades, advanced manufacturing, health sciences, automotive technologies, and other high-demand industries. UCA has also developed a partnership with Randolph Community College to provide program pathways in areas where certification is required.

Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $5,417,644 million in funding. The Board awarded $2,359,000 in funding to support projects through the Open Grants Program, $2,060,000 in funding to support scholarships for students to attend North Carolina community colleges, and $748,644 in funding to support a project through the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Southeast Prosperity Zone. The Golden LEAF Board also awarded $250,000 in funding for projects through the Flood Mitigation Program.said Golden LEAF Board Chair Don Flow.The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded seven projects totaling $2,359,000 in Open Grants Program funding. These projects will support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture in Beaufort, Davidson, Randolph, Rockingham, Surry, Wayne, and Wilson counties.The Golden LEAF Board awarded $748,644 in Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Southeast Prosperity Zone funding to the Town of Maysville located in Jones County to establish a workforce development training center in collaboration with Lenoir Community College to be located in a vacant building owned by the town. The project is expected to close the skills gap of needed workers in maintenance, construction trades, and other high-demand, local jobs. This project brings the total awarded in the Southeast Prosperity Zone through the Community-Based Grants Initiative to $10,997,459.The State of North Carolina appropriated the Golden LEAF Foundation $25 million for a Flood Mitigation Program. The Flood Mitigation Program will award funding of up to $250,000 per project. Funds may only be awarded to units of local government. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $250,000 in funding to the Town of Manteo in Dare County to implement design solutions to reduce flow at a connection point and correct other deficiencies in the drainage system at Simon and Agona streets. This area has been identified by the Town of Manteo as a high-priority area due to frequent and often prolonged flooding during significant rainfalls, which submerges roadways and adjacent properties.The North Carolina Community College System was awarded $2,060,000 by the Golden LEAF Board to support scholarships for students from rural and suburban counties to attend participating North Carolina community colleges. Curriculum students can receive up to $2,250 per year, and continuing education students can receive up to $1,850 per year. The Golden LEAF Foundation has awarded funds for scholarships to students attending North Carolina community colleges since 2000.said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton.Since 1999, Golden LEAF has funded 2,088 projects totaling $1.2 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina's rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities.
Enough with the Trash Talk

For the past two months, I have organized some major trash clean-ups of particularly trash-strewn areas of the City of Washington in an effort to clean up our city to attract new businesses, improve the quality of life of residents and to set an example for others of civic responsibility. To the credit of Washington Mayor Donald Sadler and several council members, they have lent a helping hand by providing trash bags and manpower from the Public Works department. For this assistance I am certainly grateful.



But, temporary trash cleanups are not enough to solve the ongoing trash problem many sectors of the city experience. I took it upon myself to write an ordinance to address the issue which if adopted by the City Council would present owners of properties littered with debris on the front and sides of their properties visible from the street 10 days to clean the debris or face penalties of $100 a day. Provision was made for a waiver of this penalty by the mayor if it was determined a good faith effort by the landowners had taken place, and just as importantly the City Council would be empowered to delegate the ability to issue the letters to any city employee it designated. It Seemed and still seems like a logical and feasible means to ensure that the city is cleaned up quickly and remains clean.



However, after initial support, I was informed that we already have a nuisance ordinance in place to address this issue. This would naturally beg the question, as it did for me, why then is it not being enforced. The answer I have been given is that we have only one code enforcement agent for the entire city and therefore we don't have the manpower to address the situation adequately. I was further informed that the city was in the process of hiring two more code enforcement agents.



There are three major problems with this. Firstly, as my ordinance would have allowed if adopted, the City Council would have been empowered to designate any city employee it chose (for example any Public Works employee) to draft a letter which could then simply be signed off on by the code enforcement agent. This renders the idea of the lack of manpower as moot. Secondly, the city is notorious slow in its recruitment of new employees and is already operating in a deficit that is forcing it to raid the Utility Budget, so hiring new code enforcement agents will not occur for quite some time. And thirdly, many of the trashed properties are owned by city employees which creates a massive conflict of interest.



We should expect better of our city if we want to clean it up to attract new high-tech and high-paying jobs to the area. No business wants to locate in filth. I urge citizens to let the city know they are upset with the state of trash in our city and demand enforcement of our laws and barring that adopt an ordinance along the lines of which I suggested.



Ceres for Washington NC City Council | Putting Taxpayers FIRST!


Two more game rooms have left the Beaumont City Council unsuccessful in their pursuit of a Special Use Permit.

The city has just one active game room with such a permit, and the Beaumont City Council earlier this month unanimously voted to deny two Specific Use Permit requests for gaming sites in General Commercial -- Multiple Family Dwelling Districts.

During a Joint Public Hearing on March 20, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying both requests, according to memos to council from Assistant City Manager of City Services Chris Boone.

Ward IV Council member Chris Durio said that there have been several requests for game rooms in his ward since he started on council.

"I don't know why people keep wanting to open gaming rooms in my ward, or even Beaumont period," Durio said. "I think we have had few come before, and I don't remember approving one yet."

City of Beaumont Planning Manager Demi Engman said the city has received six Specific Use Permit requests since Jan. 1, 2022.

"One case was withdrawn by the applicant, two cases are pending review by the planning commission/council, two cases were recommended denial by planning staff and denied by planning commission/council and one case was recommended approval by planning staff but denied by planning commission/council," Engman said.

RELATED: Beaumont could get another game room

The only game room with a granted special use permit in Beaumont is located at 3225 Park St., Ste. A and received it in 2014.

The first of the two permit requests was from Courtney Watson to allow a gaming site on property located at 2865 S. 11th St.

Watson wanted 15 gaming machines at the location with proposed business operation hours 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Sunday, according to a memo to council from Boone.

"It should be noted that gaming facilities that have five or fewer machines tend to be considered accessory in nature, when part of a primary use, and as such tend to result in fewer negative impacts on surrounding land uses," Boone said in the memo. "However, larger game rooms with dozens of machines take on the scale of a small casino and as a result, require careful consideration as to their location and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Some of these considerations include compatibility with other land uses, noise, and traffic as well as safety considerations."

The property is close to Gateway Village Senior Apartments and Sunlight Manor Apartments and is in within 400 feet of a church,Victory Temple.

The property's parking lot currently accommodates for five parking spaces to serve four suites for lease, according to the memo.

RELATED: Game room robbery ends in arrest after employee's 9-1-1 call

"A gaming facility would require 16 parking spaces," Boone said in the memo. "The site does not appear to enough real property to accommodate expansion of the parking lot to meet a minimum off-street parking requirements."

The second Specific Use Permit was submitted by Ranvir Sachdeva to allow a gaming facility with 20 machines at 5425 College St. The facility's hours of operation would have been 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"Security will be provided by on site surveillance and a professional security guard," Boone said in a memo. "The submitted site plan shows 20 parking spaces, however, the required off-street parking calls for a minimum of 24 parking spaces."

The property is not located in "close proximity" to any parks, churches or schools but is within 300 feet of residentially zoned property, according to the memo.
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Nearly four years after Tropical Depression Imelda, Southeast Texas has received nearly $26 million in additional funding for disaster recovery-related improvements and upgrades necessitated by the storm.

The money was just a portion of more than $227 million in federal disaster recovery funds, which are being administered by the Texas General Land Office, from 2019 flooding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Imelda in Southeast Texas.

Specifically, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham Friday announced just over $43 million in disaster recovery funds for 44 federally-eligible infrastructure projects to help communities recover from the floods and Imelda.

The Texas General Land Office disaster recovery team and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham presented the award checks to several cities in Southeast Texas on Friday at the Sunlight Manor Apartments, located at 2950 8th St. in Beaumont, and the Orange County Convention and Expo Center, located at 11475 Farm Road 1422 in Orange.

More Information Other Southeast Texas city projects that received $1 million include: South Broadway Road improvements project in China

Nome wastewater treatment plant improvements in Nome

Sewer system improvements in Orange

Kinard Estates in Orange County

Street improvements in Orange County

Streets/flood and drainage improvements in Pine Forest

Water system improvements in Pine Forest

Sewer system improvements in Pinehurst

Life station improvements in Pinehurst

Archie Street in Vidor

Orange Street in Vidor

Flood and drainage improvements in West Orange

Street improvements in West Orange See More Collapse

Consecutive disasters have devastated communities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Southeast Texas, but the Texas General Land Office is here to help, Buckingham said in a news release about the awards. These critical infrastructure awards will divert floodwaters away from homes, increase the resiliency of communities to respond to natural disasters, and restore peace of mind when the next storm hits.

RELATED: 'Something worth staying for' Beaumont sees first GLO Imelda rebuild

The city of Beaumont was awarded $1 million for drainage improvements in the Laura Addition.

"This project will increase the capacity of roadside ditches by channel regarding, expanding culverts with new pipes of increased size, and excavating a new outfall channel connecting directly to Jefferson County Drainage District No. 6 ditch," according to a project description from the General Land office. "Construction will include excavating channels, removing and replacing pipes, installing storm pipes, and reshaping ditches."

Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton attended Friday's event to accept the award on behalf of the city.

"Drainage is ongoing, so any dollars that we can get to mitigate flooding and drainage problems, it's always welcome," Mouton said. "It's great that the General Land Office is still working in Jefferson County because streets and drainage and things like that are always ongoing, so you just don't know until you know and so anytime that we could get dollars to offset sewer, drainage, we welcome it."

The city of Port Arthur received $990,000 for replacing brick manholes.

RELATED: Imelda housing assistance headed to SE Texas

"The project will demolish and dispose of brick manholes and replace them with concrete manholes in various parts of the city," according to the project description.

Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie said the manholes' age -- some almost 100 years -- causes significant leaks.

"We are going to be able to use some of those funds to replace that," Bartie said. "Also, we're going to use some of those funds to even change manhole covers to the new composite manhole covers that I've seen the presentations on and how they keep stormwater and sewage down in the manhole."

The city was also rewarded $990,000 for a Ninth Avenue emergency access route.

"With these funds, the city of Port Arthur will create an emergency access route for evacuation and transportation during emergency situations," according to the project description. "Construction will include rehabilitating a one-mile stretch of 9th Avenue between 36th Street and Evergreen Drive above the 100-year flood water surface elevation, installing sanitary sewer pipes, manholes and water pipes and assembling a fire hydrant."

Bartie said the city will use the funds to relocate infrastructure in the avenue's corridor.

However, he would not specify what infrastructure would be relocated.

Southeast Texas cities will receive a total of $16 million from Friday's grants.

RELATED: How much rainfall did Southeast Texas see from these major storms

Two ITEX Management group apartment complexes received $5 million each for Imelda-related apartment rehabilitation.

Sunlight Manor Apartments, located at 2950 S. Eighth St. in Beaumont, received nearly $5 million.

Manager Ashley Thomas said the funds will go toward renovating the property's interior and exterior.

The complex has a total of 120 units is caters entirely to low- to moderate-income tenants. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires at least 70% of the units to be low-to-moderate income to receive the funds, according to Texas General Land Office Communications Director Brittany Eck.

Stonegate Manor Apartments, located at 4121 Turtle Creek Dr. in Port Arthur, also was awarded $5 million. The complex has a total of 240 units, with 215 designated as low- to moderate-income housing units.

ITEX Management Regional Manager Ganelle Scott said the company is excited to be receiving these funds.

"Just being able to improve how (the tenants) see themselves living in the unit, seeing that improve makes you feel a whole lot better personally," Scott said.
Guidelines for education and clinical hours as well as testing on the pathway to licensure are clearly defined for physicians, nurse practitioners and physician associates.

More nebulous is the credential "Dr."  specifically, who has earned the right to use the title in practice as well as how patients perceive the various medical titles of their caregivers.

Physicians who have graduated from medical school and earned an MD or DO degree and have passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination are eligible to apply for and receive these medical licenses.

They are permitted to use the "Dr." title and represent themselves as such to patients, and on this point, all sides agree.

However, for the American Medical Association, this is a line in the sand.

Jack Resneck Jr. MD, AMA president, told Becker's this is an issue of "clarity and transparency" for patients.

"There are immense differences in the education, training and qualifications among healthcare professionals. In healthcare settings, patients find it increasingly difficult to identify who is or is not a physician," Dr. Resneck said. "Truth in advertising laws, including those supported by the AMA, provide common sense, clarity and transparency for patients, ensuring patients have the basic information necessary to make informed decisions about their healthcare, such as the license of the healthcare professional providing their care."

From the nurse practitioner's point of view:

April Kapu, DNP, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, agrees that "patients have the right to know who is providing their care," and be informed about the academic preparation of their medical caregivers.

The AANP supports the use of the title doctor for "doctorally prepared nurses," Dr. Kapu told Becker's, noting the organization opposes any legislation that would prohibit healthcare professionals from using their fully earned credentials and representing themselves in line with their licensure to patients.

Further, Dr. Kapu added that laws or regulations calling for "anti-competitive and punitive measures that unnecessarily prohibit nurses and other health professionals from accurately communicating their education, licensure and certifications to patients and the public" should be rejected.

Training for nurse practitioners is based on the nursing model of education. Following appropriate training and licensure, NPs focus on patients as they test, diagnose and treat their conditions.

From the physician associate's point of view:

Physician associates use the medical education-based model for training, as physicians do. PAs focus on testing, diagnosing and treating patients' conditions.

In 2021, the American Academy of Physician Associates voted to adopt "physician associate" as the official title for the physician assistant profession. Individual states must formally adopt the name change and, while many are considering legislation to do so, "physician assistant" remains the legal title for now.

The American Medical Association and American Osteopathic Association remain opposed to changing physician assistant to physician associate, maintaining the title change will create confusion for patients.

While the American Osteopathic Association recognizes PAs and advanced practice registered nurses' struggle to achieve professional parity, Thomas Ely, DO, president of the AOA, said "such efforts should "not be at the expense of the truth in advertising and clarity of roles in our healthcare system," said in a statement released days after the AAPA voted to formally adopt the "physician associate" title.

"Professional credentials, titles and how we convey such information to patients is of great import and not a matter of marketing," he said. "This title change could easily create confusion for patients and put their safety at risk."

The American Hospital Association declined to comment on this story.

According to Kantar Research, 71 percent of patients surveyed believe the title "physician associate" is the job description of a PA. More than 61 percent of physicians surveyed agreed.

Jennifer Orozco, DMSc, PA-C, president of the American Academy of Physician Associates, said there is no reason to think patients will be confused about titles.

"PAs are committed to being fully transparent with our patients," Dr. Orozco told Becker's. "The most important thing for PAs to do is to make sure they are transparent and clear with patients that they are a PA and that they are following state laws. I am Dr. Jennifer Orozco, but when I see a patient, I make it very clear that I am a PA."

PAs who have achieved doctorate degrees, she added, should feel empowered to use the title that communicates their highest level of education in appropriate settings.

Dr. Orozco said she wants PAs to always be completely transparent about their medical titles with patients. However, the issue lies in the job title "physician assistant."

"PAs do not 'assist' physicians. They are a distinct profession. PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. We are trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals," she said. "PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice."

The AAPA maintains the "physician associate" title will better highlight PAs' contributions to healthcare and offer patients assurance about their abilities to provide high-quality care.
He backed womens rights event as pro-trans counter protest took place

Posie Parker  real name Kellie-Jay Keen  appeared at the rally at The Big Fish on Sunday.

Ms Keen is frequently referred to as a womens rights activist by supporters, and an anti-transgender campaigner by detractors. In the past, Ms Keen labelled the idea of a transgender woman being a real woman as preposterous, drawing significant backlash.

At the rally was the group founded by Ms Keen, Standing for Women, while the counter rally featured a number of LGBTQ groups.

One attendee was Mr Linehan, who faced a backlash in 2020 following controversial tweets made about trans-people, which led to a subsequent ban from Twitter. The Irish writer told the Belfast Telegraph that he was there to support Ms Keen, after the activist had juice thrown on her during a similar event in New Zealand.

Mr Linehan said: I think, now that Posie has such a big profile since some of the recent attacks on her, it just felt like it was a particularly important one to come to.

I thought that maybe if I came over, it might make the feeling a little bit different, because I bring a bit of the Father Ted stuff with me. It might draw a bit more attention  more people here who can actually listen to these women.

Read more Why I attended rally to show my support for trans community

Mr Linehan alleged that counter protesters have no idea what these women believe and that they have just been told what they believe by various bad actors. They need to speak to the women and see what they are saying, he added.

Kellie-Jay Keen aka Posie Parker pictured during the Let Women Speak rally in Belfast (Pacemaker)

Read more Police form line between rival transgender debate demos in Belfast

One participant at the counter rally, who wished to remain anonymous, believed that womens rights coincided with trans rights. The LGBTQ activist said: The fallacy that trans-people are dangerous in some way  there is no factual basis to that at all.

There is not a clash of womens rights and trans rights, you find that womens rights and trans rights are the same struggle. Another said: The trans rights issue is the thin end of the wedge of a general rise in far-right reactionary problems.

If we dont stand up for trans-people and non-binary people today, its going to get a lot worse.

Karen Sugrue said: I think our role as adults is to make the world safer for the generation coming up behind us, in whatever way they want to present ourselves. Trans lives, trans rights  they are all linked together for rights for women.

Those who supported Ms Keen and members of Standing for Women said they were there to support the rights of women. One supporter, who travelled from the Republic of Ireland, was Estelle Birdy. She said: I am here to support the Northern Irish women because they always support us. Sisters across the divide has always been the way in Ireland.

Hilary Rowell said: Its about letting women speak. I thought womens rights had been fought for and won by generations before mine. Some of the rights  the right to have a mortgage, the right to have a bank account in your name, the right to divorce (for women)  are less than 50 years old. We are on the precipice of all those rights being taken away and being up for grabs again. Its outrageous.

Police were in attendance to separate both groups to avoid conflict. The rallies passed without incident and no arrests were made, the PSNI said.
Police have said missing person Daniel Johnston has been found safe and well.

Mr Johnston (31) had been reported missing after having been last spotted in the Ballynafeigh/University area of south Belfast on Sunday.

Missing person Daniel Johnston has been found safe and well. Thanks to everyone for their help in location him, said a police spokesperson.
Police are probing an Ormeau Road crash that left a pedestrian in hospital on Sunday.

The crash occurred on Cooke Street at 1.20am. The pedestrian remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Inspector Murphy said: We are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage at the time the collision took place, this was close to the junction with Cooke Street. The pedestrian was taken to hospital where they remain in a critical but stable condition.

The Ormeau Road had been closed for a time but has since reopened.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact them via 101.
US President delivered address at Ulster University in city last week

Organisers of a major conference at Queens University marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement deny they have been upstaged by Joe Bidens visit to Ulster University.

Instead they praised UU for attracting the US President to Belfast last week, and are convinced their own event can have a longer lasting impact on the future of Northern Ireland.

Agreement 25, starting on Monday, will bring all the key players of 1998 together for one final time.

While the visit of Mr Biden turned the eyes of the world towards Belfast, Queens officials believe the arrival of former President Bill Clinton, Sir Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and Senator George Mitchell, who chaired the negotiations, can usher in a new age of optimism.

Read more Belfast is incredible testament to the power of peace, Joe Biden tells Ulster University

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also set to attend the conference on Wednesday, with building for the future every bit as important as reflecting on the past.

The eyes of the world will be on Northern Ireland, said Queens director of strategic communications Eamon Deeny.

Yes, they were attracted by the visit of President Biden last week, but far from stealing our thunder, it has helped focus attention on Northern Ireland as a country, where we were 25 years ago and where we are now.

Ulster University did a great job in hosting the current US President. Now its time to remember why he came here last week. It was all extremely positive for Belfast and for Northern Ireland. Now its time to remind people just how much we owe to those who will be coming to Queens University this week, and a few of those who sadly will not be with us.

US President Joe Biden visits the new Ulster University Belfast campus

The conference will take time to remember the roles played by Nobel Peace Prize recipients John Hume and David Trimble, and also the impact of former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, Martin McGuinness, Seamus Mallon and David Ervine.

There will also be a presentation to 25 women who played a key role in the peace process, including Monica McWilliams from the Womens Coalition and Dame Arlene Foster, the first female First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Speakers at Mondays events include Mr Clinton, Sir Tony and Mr Ahern. Senator Mitchell will give a keynote address.

Mr Sunak will arrive on Wednesday, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed to attend.

The PM will pay tribute to the remarkable young people continuing the peace efforts.

This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us, Mr Sunak said.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today  those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.
Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Good Friday Agreement as he enters a second week of events to mark 25 years of the peace deal (PA)   Phil Noble

Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Good Friday Agreement as he enters a second week of events to mark 25 years of the peace deal.

After meeting Joe Biden during the US presidents brief visit to Northern Ireland last week, the Prime Minister will return to Belfast on Wednesday to give a speech at a major conference and host a gala dinner that will include young volunteers.

A number of events have been taking place in the region to commemorate the 1998 agreement, which largely led to the end of the 30-year Troubles and established the powersharing Assembly at Stormont.

The institutions are currently suspended as part of a protest by the Democratic Unionist Party against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Mr Sunak will meet key architects of the Good Friday Agreement and representatives from Ireland and the US during his visit  his fifth to Northern Ireland since taking office.

Queens Universitys three-day Agreement 25 conference, starting on Monday, will also feature speeches by Sir Tony Blair and former US senator George Mitchell.

It will be hosted by former US secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton, with attendees including Bill Clinton, US president in 1998; and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak met over tea at a hotel in Belfast city centre last week (PA)   Paul Faith

Mr Sunak said: This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today  those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.

The events in the coming days will focus on the peace, prosperity and economic opportunity the Good Friday Agreement brought to Northern Ireland, Downing Street said.

Last week, Mr Biden delivered a speech at Ulster University in which he expressed hope for a return to powersharing, saying a stable devolved government could deliver an economic windfall for the region.
An Alliance Party councillor has said the cross-party support he has received after he was assaulted has been very encouraging as he vows to not let the ordeal stop him from advocating for his party.

Michael Long was subjected to abuse and an assault by two men who approached him while out canvassing for the party in the Carncaver Road area of Belfast on Saturday.

He said the men shouted I know who you are at him before proceeding to accuse him of being republican scum who was not wanted in loyalist areas and blocking his path.

The PSNI has since said it is treating the incident as a hate crime.

Shortly after speaking to the Belfast Telegraph about the ordeal, Mr Long whose wife is Alliance Party leader Naomi Long received outpouring support on social media.

"Its been very encouraging to have lots of different people from every party contact me in the last few hours as its become more public, he said.

"The support has been across the board from all parties, and people have been so supportive, I really want to thank them for that."

Mr Long received various messages of support on social media including from fellow Alliance members such as Danny Donnelly who said he hoped the PSNI catch those responsible and David Honeyford who said the incident was shocking and was sorry Mr Long had to go through it.

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Mr Long also received a message of support from UUP leader Doug Beattie who called the perpetrators mindless individuals.

Really sorry to hear this Michael tweeted Mr Beattie in response to a social media post from Mr Long.

"Some mindless individuals not representative of the majority in that area.

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Mr Long said the support shows the commonality of politicians across Northern Ireland in canvassing.

"I think it just shows that were all councillors and what-not, and its difficult going out to peoples doors and knocking them.

"There is a general appreciate that everyone should be able to do that and not let anything get in our way.

Following the incident, the Alliance councillor still proceeded to attend a planned campaign event in the evening, saying he is determined to not let people think they can stop him.

"Im not letting anyone think they can stop me doing what I am determined to do, I went straight back out in the evening and we will continue to knock doors.

"Although I was on my own at the time at the time, so I wont be doing that again. Ill make sure I have a team from now. Its a message I would send to anyone, make sure you are working in pairs or more.

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Earlier today the Alliance councillor spoke of the ordeal to the Belfast Telegraph and said the incident was a first in his 22-years as an elected representative.

"I have never been faced with this level of intimidation, as a local councillor, I work for everyone in my community and this attempt to stop me from engaging with constituents is a clear attack on the democratic process, he said.

I loathe that I had to leave the street however, I was back on the doors nearby within the hour and I will continue to reach out to people across Lisnasharragh, in every street and area, as I have done throughout my time as a councillor. This event will not deter me.

The incident has been reported to the PSNI and Id like to thank them for their assistance. These thugs will not deter us from representing every section of our community and we will continue fighting for a shared future.

In response to the incident, the PSNIs Superintendent Finola Dornan said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to doing everything we can to ensure all candidates can participate fully in the forthcoming Northern Ireland council election free from harassment, intimidation and other forms of criminality.

We are treating this as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing."

Police have asked that anyone with information about the incident contact them via 101.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined alums from the past 25 years of the Washington Ireland Program on Sunday (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA Wire)   PA

Hillary Clinton has called on Northern Ireland's political parties to get back in business as she praises the Windsor Framework as an opportunity unlike any during an event in Belfast.

Speaking at a Washington Ireland Program event on Sunday, the current Chancellor of Queens University praised the deal between the UK and the EU to address the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Given the Windsor Framework, this is an opportunity unlike any, for growth, investment and business expansion because Northern Ireland now has a unique and privileged position, she said.

Mrs Clinton and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton are in Belfast to attend events marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

During the event for young leaders, she added she hoped the Northern Ireland Executive would get back in business.

Part of what I hope happens, is that people from every part of the political system here will decide the government needs to get back into business. Right now its being run by civil servants," she said.

Both Clintons have been spotted across Belfast in previous days with Mr Clinton pictured enjoying a walkabout at Queens University and Botanic Avenue before joining his wife at a special screening of Lyra a documentary about the life of murdered journalist Lyra Mckee at the QFT on Saturday.

Mr Clinton also paid a visit to the Europa Hotel in Belfast, with his spokesperson tweeting it was a homecoming for the former President, referring to the city centre landmark as the most bombed hotel in Europe during the Troubles.

Both the US politicians presence at events marking the Good Friday Agreement come as Irish premier Micheal Martin said he hopes they aid reflection and the restoration of power sharing in Stormont.

"I would like to think next week may give an impetus and a cause for reflection. I think there is space being provided for people to assess the situation, analyse it from their perspectives," he told reporters in Dublin on Sunday.

"But there is no getting away from a very basic democratic thing, which is basically when elections happen, parliaments get convened."

"All around the world when elections happen, parliaments get convened," he said.

He added he believes there is a real necessity in Northern Ireland to respond to the mandate that the people have given their public representatives to enable them to deal with very significant challenges facing Northern Ireland, in respect of economy, health and housing, and many other issues.

"And there are many newly elected MLAs who I know would dearly love the opportunity to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, I've met a number of them from different parties, Mr Martin said.

"And they're impatient with the fact that the mandate that they have been given by the electorate, they do not have the opportunity to reflect that mandate in the Assembly."

Earlier this month, Mr Clinton said the Windsor Framework deal between the UK and EU is as good as its going to get.

The Windsor Framework, I think, is about as good as anybody could get and we ought to stand up the Government and, I think, get on with the business that the people voted for delegates to serve in the Northern Ireland parliament, he said at an event in New York.
Indonesian military spokesman Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono gestures during a news conference at military headquarters in Jakarta following a separatist attack in the Papua region, April 16, 2023.

Updated at 9:14 p.m. ET on 2023-04-16

Separatist rebels in Indonesias Papua region killed a soldier during an ambush on security forces who were conducting an operation to rescue a New Zealand pilot held captive since February, a military spokesman said Sunday.



The soldier, identified as Pvt. Miftahul Arifin, was shot and fell into a deep ravine when rebels ambushed government troops who were raiding a suspected location of the kidnappers in Nduga regency, said Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono, Indonesian Armed Forces spokesman.

As of 2:03 p.m. local time, the information we have is one died, Julius said.

Sebby Sambom, a spokesman for the West Papua National Liberation Army, said nine soldiers were killed in Saturdays ambush, but he did not say if members of his group had been killed or injured.

Julius said troops tried to save Arifin but faced more gunfire from the separatists.

The task force was trying to get closer to the position of the kidnappers, but they were attacked, Julius told a news conference in Jakarta, referring to a rebel group holding Philip Mehrtens, the New Zealand pilot.

Mehrtens, who works for regional carrier Susi Air, was kidnapped by the armed group after his plane was burned shortly after landing at Paro airstrip in Nduga on Feb. 7.

The Papua military command confirmed the attack, but said it could not verify the number of casualties.

Its still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured, spokesman Col. Herman Taryaman said. We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts.



Rebels threaten more attacks

Sambom said armed attacks would continue if Indonesia refused to hold peace talks with the separatists involving the United Nations.



The Indonesian government did not listen to our demands, but instead carried out a military operation, so our forces under Egianus Kogoyas command started to fight back, Sambom told BenarNews.



We have asked for peace talks with New Zealand and Indonesia, but they have not answered our letter for two months. The U.N. and New Zealand must pressure Indonesia to stop military operations and negotiate under the mediation of a neutral third party.

Rebel leader Egianus Kogoya sits on a captured Susi Air plane in Indonesias Papua region, Feb. 7, 2023. [West Papua National Liberation Army/Handout photo]

Arifin was the fifth soldier killed in clashes with Papuan rebels in the last 30 days. The most recent killing occurred on April 9 in Intan Jaya regency.



Meanwhile, Julius said Adm. Yudo Margono, commander of the armed forces, ordered that troops continue the operation to rescue Mehrtens despite the setback.



The commanders order is clear and firm: continue, dont hesitate, he said, adding the military would reevaluate the operation following the attack.

The military on Friday accused the rebels of killing civilians, expelling non-Papuan traders and forcing villagers to flee their homes in another regency, Intan Jaya.



Sambom and human rights group KontraS Papua responded by saying security forces had burned houses in villages and civilians had gone missing or been shot dead.



Papua, in Indonesias far-eastern region, is home to a decades-old insurgency that has heated up in recent years.



It is notorious for human rights abuses committed by members of the Indonesian police and security forces. In addition, armed separatist Papuan rebels have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report incorrectly attributed the source of the main photo to the Papua rebels.
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.
EDGE, a leading defence group based in UAE, has signed an agreement with Kryptus, a Brazilian multinational provider of highly customisable and secure encryption, cybersecurity and cyber defence solutions.

The signing took place at EDGEs expansive stand during the leading Latin American Defence and Security Exhibition, LAAD 2023.

Under the terms of the agreement, EDGE and Kryptus will collaborate to enhance cyber capabilities and collectively pursue strategic opportunities in the advanced technology and defence markets.

Launched in November 2019, EDGE is one of the worlds leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation.

It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive, it stated.

"With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials," said a company spokesman.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, EDGE consolidates more than 20 entities into four core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Electronic Warfare & Cyber Technologies, and Trading & Mission Support, he stated.

The group converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Keith Girouard, director of the Berkshire regional office of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network in Pittsfield, says that he is optimistic about businesses bouncing back after the pandemic.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., shown questioning Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing in March, has agreed to have her staff meet with Lee town officials concerning the planned PCB landfill near Wood's Pond.
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
Hundreds of workers at online giant Amazon in the UK will launch a strike this weekend in a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of the GMB union at the companys Coventry fulfilment centre will walk out on Sunday for three days.

Further strikes are planned from April 21st to 23rd.

Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser, said: GMB members are worth more; they will not accept a pay rise of pennies from one of the worlds wealthiest corporations.

With strike action in Coventry escalating and ballots under way in five further Amazon depots, this could fast become a summer of strike chaos at Amazon.

Picket lines outside the Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry earlier this year (Phil Barnett/PA)

Three months ago Amazon told our members there was no money left for pay rises, yet through pressure, campaigning and strike action weve forced Amazon to sit up and take notice.

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With workers at other Amazon sites now also balloting for industrial action, its clear Amazon needs to urgently get serious and talk pay with GMB now.

Amazon said the minimum starting pay for its employees has increased to between 11 and 12 an hour, depending on location.

A statement said: Over the past seven months, our minimum starting pay has risen by 10 per cent, and by more than 37 per cent since 2018.

We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities.

These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether its their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has urged the DUP to reach a compromise to restore Stormont powersharing as he praised British prime minister Rishi Sunaks efforts to break the impasse over post-Brexit trade.

Mr Ahern said it was not tenable or sustainable for the party to stick rigidly to the same position.

Mr Ahern commended Mr Sunaks attempts to secure a return to devolution as he said Ireland had experienced great difficulty in its dealings with former British prime minister Boris Johnson during the Brexit process.

The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain.

Bertie Ahern commended British prime minister Rishi Sunaks efforts over the powersharing impasse (Phil Noble/PA)

The barriers were first introduced under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The EU and UK have since agreed the new Windsor Framework as a way to cut the red tape created by the Protocol.

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While the DUP says the Windsor Framework has gone some way to address its concerns about the Protocol, it says some significant problems remain.

It has opposed the framework at Westminster and has made clear its boycott of Stormont will continue until it secures further assurances over its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland.

Asked in an interview with Sky News what his message to the current DUP leadership would be, Mr Ahern said past unionist political leaders in Northern Ireland, such as the late David Trimble and Ian Paisley and also Peter Robinson, had shown a willingness to compromise to make progress.

You do not make much progress in politics if you dont do that, he said.

And I think we have to get away from, you know, this is the position and no other position is satisfactory, its not tenable or sustainable. And its not in the interests of the people in Northern Ireland, there are huge issues in Northern Ireland as there is everywhere else.

Mr Ahern said the Windsor Framework nearly solves the issues standing in the way of a return to powersharing.

There seems to be a few outstanding ones that have to be resolved, he added.

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DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (PA)

The former Fianna Fail leader contrasted Mr Sunaks approach with that taken by Mr Johnson.

To be honest, it doesnt really matter to me who the prime minister of the United Kingdom is, thats a matter for the United Kingdom, but you will appreciate that we found it very difficult to deal with Boris, he said.

He seems to be a very colourful guy and a very nice guy but, you know, we had the trouble with the backstop, we had trouble with the protocol, we had a lot of trouble with Brexit in the first place.

Quite frankly, I dont think we would have had the institutions in Northern Ireland down on and off for the last six or seven years if it hadnt been for Brexit and its caused us untold difficulties and problems.

But we try in Ireland to live in the future, and we try and get on with things and, you know, I think what we now need to do is Rishi Sunak as prime minister, he has really done a good job in our estimation here in the last six months, he has invigorated the efforts to get everything working in Northern Ireland.

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Mr Ahern referred to Mr Sunaks attendance last November at the British Irish Council  one of the bodies established by the Good Friday Agreement.

He said it was quite odd that prior to that engagement a British prime minister had not attended such a meeting in 15 years.

Mr Ahern said that level of engagement is what he believed US president Joe Biden was referring to last week when he said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish Government to support the people of Northern Ireland.
Crystal meth, or methamphetamine, is a drug Ireland should be very concerned about for the future, the first meeting of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use heard

Paul Griffiths, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which is monitoring more than 600 substances, said that new and synthetic drugs have fundamentally changed the face of drug use, from the plant-based narcotics that dominated before ecstasy or MDMA became widely used in the 1980s.

As the Irish Examiner reports, new substances are being reported to the EMCDDA weekly, he said. More varied use of substances is making drug use a more complex problem.

Crack cocaine is now a major drug in Europe. Methamphetamine is going to be something we really have to worry about for the future. But also drugs like ketamine. Many of these things we wouldnt have been discussing 10 years ago.

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Fake pharmaceutical medicines, often bought online, can contain potent and potentially deadly drugs like synthetic opioid Fentanyl, responsible for a public health crisis in the US, in what is labelled as a benzodiazepine or Xanax.

A profound evolution in the drug market has taken place in a hyper-connected world, with drugs being sold through social media and the dark web, transported via busy trade routes.

More drugs are also now being produced within the EU for an EU market, rather than solely relying on plant-based drugs being shipped or flown into the continent.

Synthetic drugs can be very potent and can more easily evade detection due to smaller quantities. While some 6,000 to 7000 people die from drug overdoses in the EU annually, North America suffers ten times that number of drug deaths, he said.

And while Europes drug policies are not perfect, there is increasing consensus in Europe on drug policy and less polarised perspectives than in the past.

Ireland is the second-highest consumer of ecstasy in Europe per capita after The Netherlands, while Ireland is the fourth-highest consumer of cocaine in the continent.

Ireland Citizens Assembly has the chance to save lives, s... Read More

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use held its inaugural meeting this weekend at The Grand Hotel in Malahide, where the 100 members heard from a wide range of national and international speakers on the various and complex issues surrounding drugs use and drugs policy.

.@paulreiddublin closes the 1st session of #CADrugsUse. We are back on 13-14 May.

If you missed anything or need more info, check out https://t.co/rpC6t7fg06 pic.twitter.com/lKaMygGNzB  The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 16, 2023
There are warnings that cannabis is increasingly being adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids, boosting potency and potentially leading to grave health impacts, the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use heard.

Eleven EU member states have detected adulterated samples of the drug since 2020, with both fatal and non-fatal outcomes, Dr Eoghan Quigley of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), said.

As the Irish Examiner reports, cannabis remains Irelands and Europes most popular drug with an estimated 15.5 per cent of people aged 15-34 (15m people) reporting using cannabis in the last year.

The drug is responsible for some 80,000 people accessing drug treatment in Europe, Dr Quigley said.

Innovation in the drug market is now driving high availability and greater diversity of substances  including through synthetic drug production and new trafficking routes.

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Drug supply and use began to bounce back after the pandemic disruption, with increasing residues of drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine found in wastewater analysis between 2020 and 2021.

While darknet drug markets have seen signs of decline, generating 30,000 per day in 2021 rather than 1 million per day in 2020, overall digitisation of the drug market may have increased, with dealing now common through messaging apps and social media.

Dr Quigley also raised concerns about a potential increase in the use of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, in Europe, as the continent is now a major producer of the drug and record amounts of methamphetamine have been seized on the main heroin trafficking routes towards Europe from Afghanistan, as production of the drug has increased there.

The Citizens Assembly on Drug Use held its first meetings this weekend, where 100 members were told that drug policy could include options from depenalisation, decriminalisation, to full legalisation.

Ireland Man arrested as gardai seize cannabis worth 130,0... Read More

The Assembly will make recommendations on Irelands drug policy later this year to the Oireachtas.

A significant increase in the number of women, particularly young women, taking cocaine was noted by the HSEs national clinical lead for addiction services, Prof Eamon Keenan.

And the number of people presenting for cocaine treatment has tripled in the last six years, with 34 per cent of those people in employment.

From an Irish point of view, our rates of cocaine use are increasing across all age groups  2.3 in 2019, up from 1.1 per cent, said Prof Keenan.
With the lifting of the eviction ban, some tenants will be facing notices from their landlords at the moment.

While this is always a stressful time, there are steps that can be taken once you have received a notice.

Stephen Large, Thresholds Dublin services manager, spoke to BreakingNews.ie about the steps to take after receiving an eviction notice.

Written notice

"The first thing is if your landlord wants you to leave the property, he/she must give you a written notice of termination. That's the first key point, it has to be in writing. Email, text message, WhatsApp, verbal - none of those are considered a valid notice.

"The second step is to check the reason the landlord is asking you to end the tenancy. After six months, your landlord can only end the tenancy on specific grounds which are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act.

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"These are things like if the landlord is selling the property, if the property is needed for a family member or the landlord, if it is no longer suitable for the tenants' needs, a change of use or substantial renovations.

"Each of those have their own specific requirements."

What if my landlord is selling?

Mr Large said the most common reason for the ending of tenancies is the landlord looking to sell the property.

"The landlord has to be selling the property within nine months of that tenancy ending, the landlord also has to provide what's called a statutory declaration along with the notice. That's an additional protection or layer to ensure that the landlord is ending the tenancy for the reason they are stating.

"In the past there has been situations whereby the landlord indicated it was for sale or family use, but the property was subsequently put up for rent."

The notice has to be given with the reason if the tenant has been living in the property for six months or more.

"It gets very technical but if someone has received a notice of termination, do contact us and we can assist. We can review the notice and advise them as to whether it is valid or not."

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If the eviction is not valid, tenants can contact the Residential Tenancies Board who will carry out an investigation, and advocate on their behalf.

Tenant in-Situ scheme

"The Tenant in-Situ scheme means people on payments like HAP, when they receive their notice they can approach the relevant local authority who can then buy the property and rent it back to them.

"The availability of private rental properties is in short supply, particularly for people on the likes of HAP.

"The problem is more pronounced in urban areas; Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick.

"But the issue is across the country whether you're in Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo or Dublin, it applies across the country."

Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme

The Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme is for private tenants who have received a notice of termination and are at risk of homelessness because their landlord is selling. With this scheme the Housing Agency can buy the rental property from your landlord, so they can rent it to you instead.

New termination dates

With the eviction ban over as of October 31st, evictions have resumed from April 1st.

If your original termination date was between October 28th, 2022 and January 31st, 2023, your new termination dates are as follows:

Dates from Threshold.

If your original termination date was between February 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2023, your new termination dates are as follows:

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Mr Large said there has been a noticeable increase in requests for help since the lifting of the eviction ban.

"Certainly since the lifting of the ban we have seen a significant increase in queries, and we have been prioritising tenancies ending on April 1st or 15th.

"We have been quite busy in the last few weeks in terms of trying to contact tenants who have been in contact with us and have revised termination dates from the start of this month. To see where they currently are and what the next steps are.

"It's a broad spectrum from people who have been able to negotiate additional time to make arrangements with landlords to tenants in-situ whose landlords have sold to the local authorities.

"The other side of the coin is people who have already left, moved in with family and friends, or are entering homeless services."

He urged people to contact Threshold for advice when they have received a written notice of termination.

"If it's valid the next step is contacting the landlord to see if they can organise a bit more time to make alternative arrangements.

"If that's possible, then great. The next step is linking in with the local authority to see what options are applicable to you. If the landlord is selling the property you can direct them towards the local authority and those schemes."
A fuel delivery driver was killed in a freak accident after falling into an underground diesel tank on the forecourt of a filling station two years ago, an inquest has heard.

Robbie Slye (64) died from injuries sustained during the incident when he appeared to be overcome by diesel fumes at Tuites garage on Cavan Road, Oldcastle, Co Meath on April 6th, 2021.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court last week heard the father of four from Clonshaugh, Co Dublin, who worked for Capital Oil, was in the process of opening a manhole to access an underground diesel tank at around 12.30pm when he slumped headfirst into the chamber from a kneeling position.

Although he was rescued from the tank within a minute and was subsequently transported by air ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital, he was pronounced dead later that night at 10.30pm.

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The owner of the garage, John Tuite, outlined in evidence how he became aware of the incident when he noticed Mr Slyes legs sticking out of a manhole in the forecourt. Mr Tuite said he called out for assistance from other workers at the garage and they managed to pull the delivery driver out of the hole.

The witness recalled that Mr Slye was limp and blue and unresponsive. He also described how a small amount of liquid had come out of the victims nose and mouth

However, Mr Tuite said Mr Slye started to breathe again after CPR had been carried out. He was looking good and appeared to be doing well, he added.

Underground tank

The inquest heard that CCTV footage which captured the incident showed Mr Slye had been in the hole for 40 seconds before he was spotted by Mr Tuite, and was pulled out within a minute of falling in.

In response to questions from the coroner, Dr Clare Keane, the witness said he had never experienced such an event in a lifetime of operating the service station.

Mr Tuite said the underground diesel tank was in use all the time, with deliveries being made every 7-10 days.

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He said Mr Slye, who regularly delivered fuel to his garage, had already spent half an hour filling other tanks on the day without incident.

Another man who helped in rescuing the driver said Mr Tuites head had been fully immersed under black water in the chamber.

The inquest heard the chamber was about three feet deep with around one foot filled with water with a film of diesel on top.

A firefighter who happened to be passing the garage, Nicky Brunton, said the victim initially had no pulse but started to breathe again without ever regaining consciousness.

An inspector with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Stephen McGarry, who investigated the circumstances of Mr Slyes death, said the underground tank was of standard construction and design dating from 1937.

Mr McGarry said the driver had already carried out 11 deliveries to Mr Tuites garage in the preceding 12 months.

The HSA inspector said that although it was undesirable to have water in the chamber accessing the diesel tank, it was almost impossible to avoid given the Irish weather and the prevalence of rainwater and run-off, even with newer, more modern tanks.

He told Dr Keane that he had never come across a similar incident in some 21 years working with the HSA.

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Mr McGarry said safety guidelines around fuel tanks at forecourts were more focused on petrol, as it was more highly flammable than diesel.

In response to the concern of members of Mr Slyes family about the volume of diesel that might have been present in the chamber, the HSA inspector said he believed there would only be a small amount of fuel which would arise from the coupling and uncoupling of a pipe used to fill the tank.

Mr McGarry said he believed it was unlikely that the victim could have been overcome by diesel fumes as he was not operating in an environment where there would have been dense fuel vapours to have made him deficient in oxygen.

He acknowledged that the type of incident which occurred had not been foreseeable and had not been the subject of any risk assessment by the HSA. It would be very difficult to legislate for what happened, he remarked.

Responsibility

The inquest heard that responsibility for inspection of forecourts had passed in recent years from the HSA to the fire officers of local authorities.

The inquest heard the HSA concluded no prosecution was warranted as there had been no breach of any health and safety regulations.

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Several relatives of Mr Slye claimed he would not have ingested any fuel if there had been no liquid in the chamber or if a safety cage had been fitted to prevent him from falling into it.

The victims son, Eamonn Slye, who also worked with Capital Oil, said they wanted to ensure that measures were taken which could save another persons life in similar circumstances.

He told the coroner he had spoken to his father on the phone about 20 minutes before the fatal incident.

Mr Slye said his father, who suffered from asthma, was fine and had gone back to work after having earlier attended the Mater Hospital in Dublin for a Covid vaccination.

Post-mortem results showed Mr Slye died as a result of multi-organ failure which was most likely due to exposure to diesel. A jury of five women and one man returned a verdict of accidental death.

Dr Keane endorsed a recommendation made by the jury that consideration be given to installing a safety grid to the access chamber of underground fuel tanks where possible which could be removed for cleaning, access and maintenance and which could be relocked into position on completion of such work.
Protesters on both sides of the transgender debate have staged rival demonstrations in Belfast, with dozens of police officers dividing the rallies.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Donegall Quay area of the city centre on Sunday afternoon for the two events.

Controversial womens rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker, addressed the Let Women Speak demonstration beside the citys Big Fish landmark.

Trans rights protesters attended a counter rally against the Let Women Speak event in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, also a vocal critic of aspects of the trans rights movement, was among those who attended that event.

Nearby, several LGBT+ groups assembled for a counter rally.

More than 50 police officers formed a line between the demonstrations, as loud music was played and participants on both sides chanted and waved flags and placards.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan attended the Let Women Speak rally in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

Ms Keen told the crowd at the Let Women Speak event: I know for many of you it has taken a lot of your big girl pants to come out here, because it is really genuinely intimidating.

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John ODoherty, director of LGBT+ support group the Rainbow Project, took part in the trans rights demonstration.

Were here today to ensure that every trans and non-binary person in Northern Ireland knows that theyre welcome and there is a community here waiting to embrace them and the hatred being shared by the other demonstration today is not reflective of the people in Northern Ireland, he said.
The owners of an Irish pub in Luxembourg said they initially thought a priest's emergency plea to use their bar to say Mass was a prank call.

Irish Redemtorist priest Fr Michael Cusack set up his altar in the pub, under a Hop House 13 sign, for two weeks to say Mass after his church was closed for renovations.

Owners Vincent and Adrienne Clarke first believed the telephone call from Fr Cusack, whom they had never met, asking to say Mass in their pub until an alternative could be found, was a hoax.

Vincent Clarke and Fr Michael Cusack pictured in The Irish Pub in Luxembourg. Photo: supplied by Louise Walsh

The Galway man said Mass in the pub to 250 of his congregation on two Sundays at the end of January, while a further 250 joined in the service online.

Fr Michael reached out to the Clarkes after he was left with nowhere to go when his church was closed for lengthy renovations, which could take up to six years to complete.

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"I am living in a Redemptorist Monastery, but the church has been closed for renovations by the State.

"At the moment there are archaeologists in there trying to discover if there are any city walls under the church, and these explorations have to be carried out before works can begin as it is a very old building, so the closure meant that we were displaced.

Celebration

"Our grouping of English-speaking Catholics are up to 1,000 people in number.

"We spent two weekends in an Irish pub, thanks to Vincent and Adrienne Clarke, who thankfully opened their doors to me and our community.

"We had Mass there for two Sundays and then, I think that was enough to shame the Diocese into trying to find a new place for us," he told LMFM Radio's Late Lunch.

"I didn't turn water into wine as such for the bar, but they are usually closed on a Sunday, so we decided since it was our final day that we would have the bar open afterwards and we had a lovely celebration,

"We are in three churches in Luxembourg now. At the moment, it's like you are on holidays, going in and out of hotels each time because you have to bring everything with you. We have no storage and we have no place to call our own and it looks like that could last up to six years," Fr Cusack explained.

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"In a way Redemptorists were always meant to be missionaries, so we are certainly that at the minute. We have the biggest group of worshipping Catholics in Luxembourg, and it is a very vibrant group so our numbers are growing all the time.

"So, there is something good about having no church too, but it would do your head in at my age now," he laughed.

Owners of The Irish Bar, Vincent and Adrienne Clarke. Photo: supplied by Louise Walsh

The Clarkes, who own The Irish Bar, said they were glad to be able to help.

The couple, originally from Sligo and Louth, renovated an 800 square meter warehouse into a pub, restaurant and whiskey shop in 2016 and are often the first point of call for Irish people moving to Luxembourg.

"The pub is very lively. We have eight dart boards where the Luxembourg darts team play, as well as many karaoke nights and live music, so this request left us, at first, questioning if it was true," Adrienne said.

"We were actually away on holidays when I got a phone call from Fr Michael saying that his church was being renovated and he urgently needed a premises to say Mass.

"He had heard that we had a very large space with loads of parking and asked if we would consider opening our pub on Sunday to welcome his parishioners.

"I initially thought this has to be a scam. I said to Vincent: 'You won't believe it, but an Irish priest has just rang asking to say Mass in our pub!'

"Vincent fell around the place laughing and then said, 'no, seriously, who was on the phone?' When we found out that the call was, indeed, real, we didn't hesitate to help out," she added.

Adrienne said the first Mass was such a success the couple agreed to welcome Fr Cusack and his parishioners back the following week, this time followed by an Irish session.

"He got sorted with a Church afterwards but he knows we are here if he ever needs us again," she added.
British prime minister Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Good Friday Agreement as he enters a second week of events to mark 25 years of the peace deal.

After meeting US president Joe Biden during his brief visit to Northern Ireland last week, Mr Sunak will return to Belfast on Wednesday to give a speech at a major conference and host a gala dinner that will include young volunteers.

A number of events have been taking place in the North to commemorate the 1998 agreement.

The North's power-sharing institutions are currently suspended as part of a protest by the DUP against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Mr Sunak will meet key architects of the Good Friday Agreement and representatives from the Republic and the US during his visit  his fifth to Northern Ireland since taking office.

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Queens Universitys three-day Agreement 25 conference, starting on Monday, will also feature speeches by former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair and former US senator George Mitchell.

It will be hosted by former US secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton, with attendees including former US president Bill Clinton and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Sunak said: This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today  those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.

The events in the coming days will focus on the peace, prosperity and economic opportunity the Good Friday Agreement brought to Northern Ireland, Downing Street said.

Last week, Mr Biden delivered a speech at Ulster University in which he expressed hope for a return to power-sharing, saying a stable devolved government could deliver an economic windfall for the North.
Body cams for gardai, tensions over housing and potential changes to the tax system are some of Sunday's front page stories.

The Business Post claims 'Taxman "name and shame" at risk' as officials examine a ruling from an EU court which found the publication of names and addresses to be an "invasion of privacy".

Tomorrow's front page. Pick up a copy in stores or subscribe at https://t.co/u5ystSGUtr:



 Taxman 'name and shame' at risk



 Microsoft and Apple now pay one third of state's corporate tax



 McRedmond was deemed 'too entrepreneurial' for RTE pic.twitter.com/7nv34OzP61  Business Post (@businessposthq) April 15, 2023

The Sunday Independent quotes Garda Commissioner Drew Harris as saying body cameras for gardai "must be able to ID faces".

The front page also has a story on the appointment of former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan to a position at Trinity College Dublin, claiming procedures "were not followed".

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The Irish Sunday Mirror meanwhile carrying an image of Aslan's Christy Dignam, who is currently receiving palliative care, with the headline: 'Just give me 10 more years'.

Finally, The Irish Mail on Sunday reads: 'FG fury at Leo's housing blunder', claiming members of the Taoiseach's party are unimpressed with his approach to housing, believing it is causing the Fine Gael's demise in the polls.

In todays paper:

- FG fury at Leo's housing blunder

as SF plan building blitz

- Minster orders Tusla to produce data on ghost children

- Bidens Mayo for Sam cry has lifted All-Ireland curse, says cousin

And lots more  pic.twitter.com/XaWPbSb88h  Irish Mail on Sunday (@IrishMailSunday) April 15, 2023

In Britain, the Aintree Grand National features on all of the front pages of Sundays newspapers.

While most titles opt for a picture from Aintree, two lead on the disruption to the big race by animal rights protestors.

The Sunday People reports on 118 arrests from the protests which delayed the race, labelling it a National disgrace.

And The Mail on Sunday takes credit for saving the race after its undercover investigation into the plans to disrupt the event.

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Mail on Sunday: MoS saves the Grand National! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/nsF1QhsUpK  George Mann  (@sgfmann) April 15, 2023

The Sunday Mirror combines two of the stories which have dominated the weeks front page, saying thousands of NHS workers have been invited to the coronation.

The NHS is the subject of The Observers front page as it warns of plans for a mega-strike by nurses with the threat of doctors joining in as part of a co-ordinated action.

The Sunday Express returns to the British royal family and a report which warns it is on the brink of collapse after a sharp drop in public engagements.

The Sunday Telegraph returns to its campaign to stop smart motorways which are to be scrapped by British prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:



'Deadly smart motorways scrapped'#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/7TI1UOFS3O Advertisement  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 15, 2023

A new investigation into a jailed breast cancer specialist leads The Sunday Times, which says 650 deaths are under the spotlight.

Sunday Times: Breast cancer surgeon - 650

deaths under the spotlight #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bihRxoTNvt  George Mann  (@sgfmann) April 15, 2023

And the Daily Star Sunday throws itself into the world of James Bond as it reports on an advert for an oddjob man to look after special agents.

Daily Star Sunday: Live and let DIY #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mspwcXXq8w  George Mann  (@sgfmann) April 15, 2023
More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released as part of a major Easter exchange with Russia as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a second time since the Russian invasion last February.

While celebrations were subdued due to security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services, Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesuss resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory.

Presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow were on their way back home following a big Easter prisoner exchange.

Mr Yermak said in a Telegram post on Sunday that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city which has for months been the focus of Russias offensive.

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Orthodox Christian worshippers light candles during an Easter Sunday service in Kyiv (Bernat Armangue/AP/PA)

The lives of our people are the highest value for us, Mr Yermak said, adding that Kyivs goal was to bring back all remaining POWs.

There was no immediate information on how many Russian prisoners were released, but the press service of the founder of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-affiliated paramilitary force whose fighters are prominent in eastern Ukraine, also released a video on Sunday showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being readied for an exchange.

The video, published on the Telegram messaging service, features Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin instructing a soldier to prepare the Ukrainian captives to leave Russian-controlled territory by lunchtime on Sunday. The POWs are then shown boarding trucks and walking along a road.

In his Easter address released on Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the holiday as marking the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life, and he stressed what he said was Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian aggression.



Archimandrite Avraamii, acting vicar of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, conducts an Orthodox Sunday Easter mass inside the Dormition Cathedral at Kyiv-Pechersk monastic complex in Kyiv (Bernat Armangue/AP/PA)

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Belief in victory unites all of us always, and especially today. At Easter, which from time immemorial has been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope and great unity. We are one big family  Ukrainians. We have one big home  Ukraine. We have one big goal  victory for all, Mr Zelensky said.

Ukraines top soldier, General Valery Zaluzhnyy, drew parallels between the Christian message of resurrection and renewal and Ukraines hopes for victory.

Easter is a holiday of great hope. Hope that will bring us peace. I believe that together, united, we will overcome the enemy, he wrote in a Facebook post. He also thanked all front-line soldiers who he said will hold the defence in the trenches, stay in the dugouts,  carry out combat duty as the rest of the country celebrates.

In central Kyiv, people gathered in the courtyard of the landmark St Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery on Sunday morning to have their Easter eggs and baskets of food blessed by a priest.



A Greek Catholic priest blesses Easter cakes at St Peter Church in Lviv, Ukraine (Mykola Tys/AP/PA)

For a second year in a row, Moscows brutal war has interrupted holiday routines. Ukraines main security service this week issued a statement urging residents not to linger in churches on Sunday, in order to avoid crowding and minimise security risks.

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Alla Voronina, one of those who came to St Michaels with baskets containing Easter cakes and multi-colored eggs, said the restrictions were very hard on residents morale.

You constantly recall how it used to be before the war, she told The Associated Press. She said that she and her family would nevertheless follow the security recommendations and go straight home after receiving the blessing.

Others in the line echoed Zaluzhnyys words about a wartime Easter being a symbol of hope.

As never before, Easter at a time of war inspires us with hope and faith in the future, in the victory of Ukraine, in Gods protection of our Motherland, said Inna Holivets.

Another worshipper, Tetiana Voloshyna, said she was praying for Ukrainian troops who defend us and make it possible for us to have this holiday.

She added she had come to the monastery with her personal pain and personal requests to God for victory, peace and life.

Despite the shared Orthodox holiday, Russian shelling and missile attacks continued, according to social media statements from Ukrainian regional officials.

Officials in the countrys south and east said churches had not been spared. The governor of the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhii Lysak, claimed in a Telegram update that Russian forces stationed at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant shelled a church in a nearby town, wounding two civilians.

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The Russians have once again confirmed that they hold nothing sacred, Mr Lysak said in his post. He did not immediately provide evidence of the strike or its consequences.



People save icons as they clear the rubble after a Russian rocket ruined an Orthodox church in rocket attack in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, in the early hours of Sunday (Kateryna Klochko/AP/PA)

Russians also observed Easter, including President Vladimir Putin. He attended midnight services in Moscows Christ the Saviour Cathedral that were led by Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, who has firmly supported the war.

In a statement, Putin commended Patriarch Kirill for tireless, selfless work aimed at preserving enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, the upbringing and education of the youth.

Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly spoken out in support of Russias invasion of Ukraine. In a video message broadcast on Russian state television late on Saturday, before the start of the Easter service in Moscow, he lamented grave events taking place on our Russian historical land in reference to the war, echoing the Kremlins claim that an independent Ukraine is essentially a fiction.

Earlier on Sunday, the head of the local military administration in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia province reported that Russian shelling overnight hit an Orthodox church in the town of Komyshuvakha.

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At least four civilians were killed and eight others were wounded on Saturday and overnight, Ukrainian officials reported on Sunday morning.

The national emergencies service said the death toll in an attack on Friday on the city of Sloviansk rose to 13 as more bodies were found in the rubble of an apartment building.

Across the front line, in Russian-occupied territory in Ukraines industrial east, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Donetsk region claimed that a Ukrainian strike killed one civilian and wounded six others in the provinces namesake capital. Denis Pushilin wrote in a Telegram post that shelling hit the centre of the city, near its Holy Transfiguration cathedral.

Neither Mr Pushilins claim nor those from Ukrainian authorities regarding the civilian death toll could be independently verified.
Russian president Vladimir Putin met with Chinas defence minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijings strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.

Mr Putin and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu met with general Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow.

China has refused to criticise Russias military actions in Ukraine and blames the United States and Nato for provoking Moscow.

But Chinas foreign minister said last week that China would not be helping Russia with weapons, as the US and other Western allies have feared.

Officially, China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict.

However, Mr Xis trip emphasised how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline during the Ukraine conflict.

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In comments opening the meeting in Moscow, Mr Putin praised the general development of Russia-China relations.

We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchanging information that is useful to us, co-operating in the field of military-technical co-operation, conducting joint exercises, moreover, in different theatres: in the Far East region, and in Europe, and at sea, and on land and in the air, he said, according to the Kremlin.

Mr Li said that the countries relations outperform the military-political unions of the Cold War era. They rest on the principles of non-alignment, and are very stable.
The national privacy watchdog has launched an investigation into American Express after receiving a complaint about data breaches and technology systems that raise potential national security risks for parliamentarians with accounts.

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald revealed in November that an American Express employee used god mode powers to spy on his ex-partners financial transactions on nine occasions. In response, the company stated it was unable to restrict staff access to certain bank accounts.

The national privacy watchdog is currently investigating American Express. Credit: istock

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) determined the company had breached privacy laws and awarded the complainant $2000 in damages, but did not order an apology and cleared the company of wrongdoing.

The matter has now been escalated to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), which agreed to investigate after receiving a complaint outlining concerns about American Express on March 23, according to documents seen by The Sunday Age and Herald.
The gas industry is bracing for the threat of a fifth market intervention since December as Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns Australians may not be getting a reasonable return from exports of their natural resources and weighs raising taxes on surging profits.

Chalmers said on Monday he had received a report from Treasury on the settings of the $2 billion-a-year Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PRRT) that applies to offshore oil and gas projects. While the government is yet to finalise its position, Chalmers declared there was an open question over whether the scheme was delivering the revenue that the community expected.

Shells floating LNG facility. LNG is one of Australias most valuable exports. Credit: Shell

Weve said for some time now that we want to make sure that the PRRT arrangements are up to scratch, he said, adding that the review had been commissioned by the former Coalition government.

Clearly my predecessors had some concerns that they were not, and I have some concerns that they are not  the Australian community, I think, shares those concerns.

The PRRT is levied on offshore oil or gas projects at a rate of 40 per cent of their taxable profit, but this is applied after generous deductions for capital investments, raising questions over the quantum of revenue it raised compared with the billions reaped in profits by gas giants including Woodside, Chevron and Santos.

LNG, one of Australias most valuable exports, is forecast to hit $91 billion in export earnings this financial year  three times more than in 2020-21  as Russias invasion of Ukraine pushed fossil fuel prices to record highs.

Read the full story here
The files, verified by the Herald, allege Rivkin was one of four directors of a Swedish amphetamine cartel called the Firm. The documents also suggest Rivkin intended to use his connections to expand the Firms territory to take advantage of Australias sky-high drug prices. An AN0M chat allegedly showing Rivkin (user 56d3f9) talking about his plans for the Firm to expand into Australia. Credit: Swedish Police Authority The Firm Through conversations on the encrypted platform AN0M, it appears that people in the report form the core of a group that, for a long time, conducted extensive drug crime, one of the Swedish translated police files begins.

The precise origin of the Firm is not made out in the court files but, in just a few months, it allegedly produced more than half a tonne of amphetamine. To accomplish their goal, the court documents allege, the Firm transformed a cosy Swedish home into an industrial lab and began shipping drugs around Europe from July 2020. Pictures shared on AN0M appear to show trays upon trays of amphetamines drying in the lab, drugs in car boots and maps used by drug couriers. (The Firms leaders) organised extensive amphetamine trafficking in Sweden and also the rest of the world, the translated documents read. Staying off the grid

From the beginning, in mid-2020, the Firm was highly secretive. The house chosen as a drug lab was small and unremarkable, in the lakeside village of Olshammar more than three hours from the capital Stockholm. A home allegedly converted to an industrial amphetamine lab in the tiny Swedish village of Olshammer. Credit: Swedish Police Authority Meanwhile, Rivkin allegedly pushed directors and subordinates to message using AN0M. Before any drugs left Olshammar, according to one series of messages, Rivkin organised for 10 phones to be sent to the Firm in July 2020.

He maintained his enthusiasm for AN0M until the final kilo left the lab in December 2020, police allege. That month a WhatsApp user called Anom Goteborg sent a selfie from his dimly lit office. Rivkin in his office in December 2020. Police allege he was a major influencer and administrator of the AN0M network. Credit: Swedish Police Authority The bearded man in the picture smiles confidently, flashing a gold watch and a thumbs-up. Behind him is a giant AN0M logo, illuminated on the wall with the words enforce your right to privacy below.

Another image of a Swedish licence, sent in the chat, suggests Anom Gothenburg was Rivkin. Hold AN0M tight, it will be the next big thing, Rivkin told his contact. AN0M chats allegedly showing Rivkin (aee441) asking a drug cook to show him amphetamine bricks from the lab. Credit: Swedish Police Authority Six months later the world learned AN0M was a masterful deception by law enforcement. But by then the Firm had communicated endlessly on the platform. Seneca please take nice pictures with anom this new phone so I can see the bricks and nice presentation, Rivkin allegedly wrote to the head cook in July 2020.

Seneca replied with an image of vacuum-sealed white bricks. The drug lab as pictured by police during the raid in Olshammar. Credit: Swedish Police Authority Looking south By October 2020, the Firm was allegedly dividing up cash and discussing security. They spoke about using amphetamine to trade for Glock pistols, a Kalashnikov machine gun and grenades, the documents allege.

Hakan Ayik. The documents claim in December 2020, as the Firm completed its final batch, Rivkin told the group that Australians would pay 160,000 Swedish Kroner per kilogram for drugs  six times the amount they were making in Europe. He floated the idea of manufacturing methamphetamine, the documents claim. I will give you space for Australia, Rivkin allegedly wrote. If you can manufacture the meth, we wont know what to do with all the money :) Police sources believe Rivkins line to Australia was AN0Ms number one influencer and Australias most wanted man: Hakan Ayik.

In the US court case, the Kogarah-born Ayik and Rivkin are both alleged to be the top administrators and influencers in the AN0M network. They both allegedly spread the fake encrypted software through the criminal community. At the time of the court case, both were believed to be living in the same region of Turkey, and both remain on the run. NSW court to rule on AN0M Dozens of accused AN0M users were arrested in NSW when the Australian Federal Police carried out a massive raid in June 2021.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size On a sweltering day in 1922, two 21-year-old women strapped a telescope to the side of a car and travelled more than 900 kilometres through the Australian bush to photograph a total solar eclipse. During the journey the car became bogged, and Miriam Chisholm and Freda Tindal lost four days of travel to bad weather, but they managed to make it in time to see the natural phenomenon. The pair were two of the few women to publish a report of the eclipse, alongside the observations of the mostly male members of the British Astronomical Association. The eclipse helped prove Einsteins theory of general relativity  the idea mass causes space to curve around it. Miriam Chisholm and her father Frank, who helped alter the car specifically for his daughters trip north to view a total solar eclipse. The image has been colourised. Credit:Goulburn District Historical and Genealogical Society More than 100 years later, the desire to see and to study solar eclipses in Australia has not waned. Dr Toner Stevenson, an honorary historian from the University of Sydney and manager of the Sydney Observatory, has travelled to six different total solar eclipses around the world.

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Now she plans to watch her seventh  joining 18,000 others from around the world in Exmouth on Thursday. Once youve seen a total solar eclipse, you are changed for life. Its such an incredible experience, she said. That 1922 eclipse changed science forever. Thats something I dont think is really understood. Stevenson and co-author Nick Lomb have written a book titled Eclipse Chasers, documenting the history of solar eclipses and the stories of those who dedicate their lives to studying them. A solar eclipse photographed by Hulbert in 2012. The diamond ring of light marked the start and conclusion of totality. Credit:Melissa Hulbert For me, that was my driving force, to tell the stories of the women and the First Nations people and their contribution to understanding this phenomenon which has not really been documented before, she said. Its also a look into the adventure behind chasing eclipses, and the reasons people do it.

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Witnessing an eclipse really makes you reflect on our place in the universe. Its not just the visual. Its the whole body experience  the temperature changes, the light changes, everything goes still and quiet, even the animals. So, what exactly is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun and can be predicted hundreds of years in advance using mathematics. One of the lovely quirks of nature is that the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, but 400 times further away, astronomer and astro-photographer Melissa Hulbert said. The sun and the moon have the same size, the same angular diameter in the sky of about half a degree, and that allows that perfect alignment to allow for a total solar eclipse. A map showing the trajectory of five total solar eclipses which will be visible in Australia between 2023 and 2038. Credit:Eclipse Chasers Hulbert said generally there was a total solar eclipse each year.

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The nice thing is people in Australia will be able to see five over the next 15 years, whereas normally, we have to travel to all parts of the world, she said. A total eclipse is, at most, only visible under a track a few hundred kilometres wide. For the Exmouth eclipse, that track will only be about 40 kilometres wide. It is therefore unusual to see so many in one country. Loading There has not been a series of total eclipses visible in Australia in such a short time frame for over 100 years. This coming eclipse is a really special one, its a hybrid eclipse, a rare type of eclipse, only seven out of 224 that will occur this century will be one, Hulbert said. A hybrid eclipse starts out as an annular eclipse, which means the moon does not fully cover the sun and causes a ring of fire to form around the outside of the moon. It will then move to a total eclipse, blocking all light, before moving back to an annular eclipse at the end.

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First Nations people have long predicted solar eclipses Stevenson said First Nations Australians had long been able to predict when eclipses would occur. They have generational observational records that arent written down like in western science. It is documented in their own cultural methods, whether it is in song, dance, storytelling, memory, stories passed down through generations, she said. There is ample evidence that Aboriginal people ... had observational powers and skills, and memories that have been passed through generations, describing when solar eclipses have happened before. The stories vary depending on which group they come from. For example, they can be about a man, described as the moon and a woman as the sun. It shows a clear link between culture and scientific observations. The pair have both contributed to the book, available at the WA Museum alongside the specialised glasses needed to view the eclipse. Credit:Holly Thompson

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Six Casuarina Prison officers were injured when two juvenile prisoners at the adult prison allegedly assaulted an officer, stole their keys and broke another 11 juveniles out of their cells on Saturday.

The Department of Justice confirmed a major disturbance occurred overnight at the prisons Unit 18 youth detention facility, where 13 juveniles climbed onto the roof. WAtoday understands a male guard in his 50s was taken to hospital.

Around 4pm Saturday, two detainees while outside their cells for recreation assaulted a Youth Custodial Officer and took their keys. They then unlocked 11 detainees from their cells, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said.

The 13 detainees climbed rooftops of Unit 18 and two nearby buildings, damaging infrastructure and throwing debris at staff.
Khartoum: Sudans military launched air strikes on a paramilitary forces base near the capital in a bid to reassert control over the country on Sunday following clashes in which scores of combatants and at least 56 civilians were killed.

At the end of a day of heavy fighting, the army struck a base belonging to the governments paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman, which adjoins the capital Khartoum, eyewitnesses said late on Saturday.

The military and RSF, which analysts say is 100,000 strong, have been competing for power as political factions negotiate forming a transitional government after a 2021 military coup.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, eyewitnesses heard the sound of heavy artillery firing across Khartoum, Omdurman and nearby Bahri, and there was also gunfire heard in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, where there had been no earlier reports of fighting.
Provinces and states are closest to the people. Without successful cooperation at the sub-national level, it would be very difficult to achieve practical results for cooperation at the national level, Xi said. I know as governors, you are most concerned about employment. Co-operation in the above-mentioned areas will promote growth and create jobs, thus bringing benefits to our peoples. Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at the China-US governors forum in Seattle in 2015. Credit: AP Xis comments followed a familiar pattern: stronger ties would lead to better economic outcomes. But the network that the subnational conference provided would prove just as useful for Chinese operatives. One of the organisers of the inaugural conference in Utah in 2011 was Ron Hansen, a former US Army officer with a background in signals intelligence who speaks fluent Chinese and Russian.

A year before Xi spoke at the third conference, Chinese intelligence agencies had recruited Hansen. By 2016 he was supplying them with classified information including documents related to US military readiness in a particular region. He was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the information. Hansen would act as a source for Chinese operatives for the next two years, before being arrested while preparing to board a flight from Seattle while in possession of US military information, according to the US Department of Justice. Hansen pleaded guilty to espionage in March 2019. Loading These cases show the breadth of the Chinese governments espionage efforts and the threat they pose to our national security, said former US assistant attorney-general of national security John Demers. Australian leaders at both the national and regional levels have been more alert to subversive attempts by Beijing since the Turnbull government passed foreign interference laws in 2018 after former senator Sam Dastyari contradicted Labor policy on the South China Sea and offered counter-surveillance advice to Chinese political donor Huang Xiangmo.

But influential figures with links to Chinas United Front influence network remain in some key positions, including in Western Australia, where two pro-Beijing community leaders, Edward Zhang and Ting Chen, were the only two Chinese community representatives appointed to a paid multicultural policy advisory body in 2021. Zhang, who has since left the advisory body, described overseas Chinese as the first line of defence for our motherland. Ting was the Western Australia Chung Wah Associations secretary when it signed a statement defending Chinas actions in the South China Sea. If anyone plots wrongdoing, we will fully support the motherland in a just struggle, the statement said. WA Premier Mark McGowan (centre) with former Chinese consul-general Dong Zhihua (second from right) Australian Chinese Times owner Edward Zhang and Chung Wah president Ting Chen standing behind him. Credit: Chinese Consulate in Perth McGowan and Andrews, the first two state premiers to visit China since it reopened its borders, were strident in their criticism of the former Coalition governments approach to Beijing when it hit Australia with $20 billion in trade strikes and froze diplomatic relations for almost three years. Andrews, who took no media with him on his week-long trip, described it as a very successful visit. He did not raise one of Australias key disputes  the arbitrary detention of Australians Cheng Lei or Yang Hengjun  while he was in Beijing.

A spokesman for McGowan said the premier would not raise specific foreign policy matters and did not respond to questions about the multicultural advisory body. A key focus of this mission will be opening up new opportunities  both economic and cultural, the spokesman said. The federal Labor government has welcomed the return of the premiers to Beijing to push their economic interests, but experts and officials have warned that Chinas co-ordinated subnational approach, turbocharged by its emergence out of COVID and a more complicated geopolitical reality requires a co-ordinated response. Beijing follows a divide and rule policy towards subnational actors. China knows how to use the federal system, says Kefferpuetz.

In a study for the Mercator Institute for China Studies, Kefferpuetz spoke to 50 state and local political officials about Chinas subnational push in Germany. If everyone does their own thing, we have no insight into what is happening at all, one state official told him. Cosco has made a bid for an ownership stake in Germanys Port of Hamburg. Credit: Getty Images In some cases, gentle approaches for stronger cultural and business ties at the local council level have had real diplomatic and strategic consequences at the national level. Weve seen it in the Port of Hamburg where the Chinese company Cosco has been wanting to buy a stake in one of the terminals. And there you had a split, where parts of the government and security service and intelligence services were against it, but the regional government was very much in favour, he said.

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor and former mayor of Hamburg, was also in favour of the deal. In October, Cosco was given the green light to acquire a 24.9 per cent stake in the third-largest port in Europe. On Thursday, Germanys Federal Office for Information Security announced it was reviewing that decision. Loading Ports are critical infrastructure, says Kefferpuetz. If you just look at Hamburg, and youre like, well, they want to take 25 per cent  thats not that much. But if you then suddenly notice they have done not only Hamburg, but then also Antwerp and other places, then suddenly, a picture starts to emerge that might be more worrisome. The shipping company also has a minority stake in the nearby Belgian ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge which processes 10,000 ships a year. In each case, Beijings foreign policy and investment push has been coupled with a targeted campaign at the subnational level. Often, the regional leaders dealing with the lobbying blitz are out-resourced by their regional counterparts which are co-ordinated by one national body, the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

According to figures reported by the OECD, China spends 90 per cent of all of its public expenditure through local provinces and councils, compared with 50 per cent in Australia, where the federal government also spends widely on infrastructure and other services. This enables cashed-up subnational officials to spend big on international diplomacy. The German city of Frankfurt employs nine people for international city diplomacy; 100 officials work in the same area for its twin city of Guangzhou. The resourcing and population disparity is even wider in Australia, where Geelong, population 253,000 has a sister city relationship with Lianyungang, population 4.6 million, and Wagga Wagga, population 57,000 has a sister city relationship with Kunming, population 6.6 million. McGowan is expected to visit Perths sister city of Chengdu this week. Every other Australian capital has been linked with a Chinese city.

The sister city does not just get a name on a highway, it links friendship groups, business associations and local leaders who may one day rise to national prominence, including Xi  who started his meteoric rise in Hebei province, northern China. Hebeis Zhengding county is now a sister city with Muscatine, Iowa, population of 23,000, where Xi spent two formative days in the United States in 1985 and whose former governor Terry Branstad is an old friend of Xis. Branstad would go on to become the US ambassador to China under Donald Trump. Most municipal governments lack even a rudimentary understanding of the CCPs political goals in these arrangements, Clive Hamilton, a professor of public ethics at Charles Sturt University and a critic of the Chinese government told an Australian parliamentary inquiry in 2018. Kefferpuetz says Beijing has weaponised sister-city relationships. These twinning relationships used to be acts of solidarity, he says.

Suddenly, we see that with Chinese subnational diplomacy, theres no civil society co-operation. Its mostly a business high-tech cooperation, and political co-operation. And maybe some cultural cooperation as well, where the cultural cooperation is just designed to improve Chinas image abroad. Loading Researchers Emily de La Bruyere and Nathan Picarsic said Beijing sees subnational relationships as a means to influence economic, technological, and narrative environments. In the short term, subnational governments can exert pressure on the federal government, they said in a research paper for the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, a conservative think-tank based in Washington. In the longer term, Beijing views subnational officials as future national leaders to be cultivated, so they become favourably predisposed toward China. China is not unique in pursuing these goals and the relationships create opportunities for dialogue, investment and exchange. But they also provide a window for influence at the local level that may contradict foreign policy settings established by experts at the national level. Clauses inserted into sister agreements make references to the One-China principle preventing those cities from engaging with Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province of the mainland.

Other agreements have been used for public relations purposes. Sister cities in the West a bulwark for China against worsening US ties, The South China Morning Post reported in 2018. In Utah, the US state which has formed one of the closest relationships with Beijing, school students at the height of tensions between the US and China in 2020, wrote to Xi to wish Grandpa Xi a happy new year. I want to write to you because I think you are cool, said one student. Grandpa Xi has been used by Beijing as a nickname to develop a cult of personality around Xi among Chinese children. Most of the incidents at the subnational level  reprisals against human rights activists, warnings about Taiwan, and incremental economic consequences  are not significant enough to trigger widespread international blowback. Its below the threshold, but I think thats the danger, says Kefferpuetz. And thats why they can get away with it. At its most extreme, the treatment of Taiwan has extended all the way to the United Nations, where Taiwanese nationals including students, tourists and officials, are forbidden from entering the UN headquarters in New York.

The vice president of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Li Xikui, has called for the Chinese government to accelerate its subnational push as the country faces growing international headwinds. Li met with Andrews in Beijing in March. Loading Facing the new situation of major power diplomacy in the new era, it is necessary to shift the centre of gravity downward and do both high-level work and grassroots work, he said in 2020. Local outreach is becoming more important as the Chinese government attempts to overturn perceptions that it is an aggressive international player. The use of economic coercion and diplomatic arbitrage against Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Lithuania have mostly failed to achieve its goals and damaged Chinas image in the West. China in some cases is able to achieve its short-term tactical objectives through its economic coercion, but in most cases, its economic coercion carries a long-term strategic cost for China, says Matt Reynolds from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

If you look at Canada and Australia, they persisted in the policies that China wanted them to desist from, despite the threat of increased economic coercion. Now it seems like Beijing is looking for a face-saving way out of its coercion campaign against Australia. Chinas main target is now the developing world as it attempts to reorientate international relations away from the US towards its vision for a community with a shared future. Last year it provided economic assistance to local networks in Sri Lanka through subnational channels as the country grappled with its most serious economic crisis in decades. In Argentinas remote Jujuy province, China is building Latin Americas largest solar plant through a deal with local officials. In 2017, Jia Zhongzheng of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences wrote a paper quoted in de La Bruyere and Picarsics research: New Changes in Sino-US Economic and Trade Relations and Chinas Countermeasures.
NINE BLACK ROBES: Inside the Supreme Courts Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences Author: Joan Biskupic : Inside the Supreme Courts Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences

Publisher: William Morrow/HarperCollins Pages: 401 : William Morrow/HarperCollins

Price: $32.99

Though his troubles with the judicial system are legion, Donald Trump has shown a surprising reverence for judges. Apart from matters of war and peace, the nomination of a Supreme Court justice is the most important decision an American president can make, he said in September 2020, when he released a specific list of the individuals he was considering for the Supreme Court and dared his opponent Joe Biden to do the same. : $32.99

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Biskupic, an accomplished and well-sourced journalist, knows the court as well as anyone now covering it. She has been a reporter at The Washington Post (and elsewhere), is currently a CNN analyst, and is the author of four solidly researched and well-written books about individual justices  two active ones, Chief Justice John Roberts and Sonia Sotomayor, and two departed giants, Antonin Scalia and Sandra Day OConnor. Little more than a week later Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, and Trump nominated one of his pre-selected candidates, Amy Coney Barrett, to fill the vacant seat. With that Trumps court was complete  a total of three justices, who turned a conservative bare majority into an aggressive supermajority, Joan Biskupic writes in Nine Black Robes, her chronicle of the court that may prove to be Trumps most enduring legacy.



Not even Trumps staunchest admirers make strong claims for him as a CEO, but in this instance he shrewdly delegated the winnowing of candidates to a skilled triumvirate of advisers: The White House counsel Don McGahn; Leonard Leo, maestro of the Federalist Society; and Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader still glowing with satisfaction after he kept President Obamas third and last court pick, Merrick Garland, from even getting a confirmation hearing in 2016. In her new book Biskupic has written a group narrative that combines close accounts of the courts public business in the Trump years with a history of its private dramas and conflicts. The cast includes not only all the justices but also other figures who helped Trump find and select the nominees and then manoeuvred each through the maze of vetting and Senate hearings.



The judgment feels premature but may well be right, at least if effect is measured by obedience to presidential whim. Collectively, however, the entire judiciary passed the crucial test of the 2020 election. Trumps boast that my judges would support his Big Lie was wrong. One judge after another in courts across the land threw out the specious claims of voter fraud, and when they reached the Supreme Court, Biskupic reminds us, they drew not a single vote. Within four years Trump and his fixers had overhauled much of the federal judiciary. In addition to restocking the Supreme Court, they had filled 54 of the 179 appeals court judgeships, or 30 per cent, and 177 of 682 district court judgeships (26 per cent). Among this last group is the judge in Texas who just ruled against the FDAs longstanding approval of mifepristone, the drug used in more than half the countrys abortions, rounding out the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and is for now the crowning evidence that the Trump effect, especially in terms of the individuals chosen and the resulting shift in the balance of power, has been incomparable, as Biskupic maintains.



Next came Brett Kavanaughs bitter outburst during his confirmation hearing, when, in what sounded like mimicry of right-wing conspiracy theorists, he lashed out at what he called a calculated and orchestrated political hit, fuelled with apparent pent-up anger about President Trump and the 2016 election as well as revenge on behalf of the Clintons, and millions of dollars in money from outside left-wing opposition groups. The deeper message of Nine Black Robes is that even with a new president in office we remain captive to the Age of Trump. His influence lives on, Biskupic suggests, in the court itself  not only in its jurisprudence but also in the new justices Trump-inflected disdain for protocol and ceremony. The first to join the court, Neil Gorsuch, did not bother to attend the justices first private session after his Senate confirmation and then pushed to make remarks at his own investiture, with Trump present.



A quiet urgency ripples through this informative, briskly paced and gracefully written book. Biskupic the notebook-out reporter comes home anguished after interviewing Justice Stephen Breyer during his vacation in New Hampshire in the summer of 2021 amid growing pleas for him to retire, lest he repeat the dying Justice Ginsburgs miscalculation of her staying power. Biskupic also measures the effect of the Covid pandemic, which began to fray relations among the justices and embroiled them in the same battles over health and safety that degraded and polarised the nation. Much was made at the time of Gorsuchs refusal to wear a mask during the resurgence of the Delta variant, despite the concerns of Sotomayor, a diabetic.



Meanwhile, public confidence and trust in the court has dropped precipitously, Biskupic laments. But in truth the decline began long ago. In what some now recall as a golden age, a retired justice sent a worried note to a former colleague: Some of the intemperate language in dissents reached the level of personal criticism and if it continued might lessen public respect for the court as an institution.
French tyre major Michelin is actively considering production of passenger vehicle tyres locally in India, according to the group Chief Executive Officer Florent Menegaux.

The local manufacturing would help the Clermont-Ferrand based tyre major to scale up operations in India, which remain critically subdued with the government introducing import restrictions in 2020.

The tyre maker, which has presence in 175 countries with 67 plants, currently sells only premium bigger size tyres in limited quantity especially for performance oriented models in India.

In 2020, the government imposed curbs on imports of certain new pneumatic tyres used in motor cars, busses, lorries and motorcycles in a move to promote domestic manufacturing.

Tyre companies can now import only a small number of tyres into the country under a limited import licence, which was not the case before 2020.

In an interaction with PTI here, Menegaux said the group sees India as a great developing market.

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He noted that the company is eager to invest in the local production of passenger vehicle tyres in India and the only thing which needs to be worked out is the timing for the same.

"Now we are reaching the moment where it will make sense to invest in the passenger car capacity (in India)," Menegaux noted.

Elaborating further, he said that as the company has presence across the globe it needs to carefully evaluate investment options across the regions.

"We invest in many places around the world so the question is when is the right time for India. It is not a question whether we should invest in India, the question is when," Menegaux said.

When asked specifically about the timeframe for the new investment, he said: "It is under the process right now."



Menegaux noted that the Michelin group sees India as a great developing market where infrastructure is developing at a very fast pace.

"With proper infrastructure in place the speed (of vehicles on roads) will increase and the relevance of our technology will be even more visible," he said.

Michelin currently has presence in the truck and bus radial tyres in India. It has a production facility in Chennai with an installed capacity of over 30,000 tonnes per annum.

The facility is currently focussed on manufacturing a range of radial truck/bus tyres and defence tyres for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as for the replacement market in the country.

Michelin also gets two-wheeler tyres manufactured in the country through a partner.

On the government putting restrictions on imported tyres in India, Menegaux noted that it was a bit disappointing for the company which was in the process of scaling up operations in the country.

"We had developed a good market in the passenger car segment with imports which is the traditional way of doing business. Everywhere we start by importing up to a point where we reach a certain volume and then we implement production," he noted.

Terming the government policies in India as excellent, Menegaux noted that putting restrictions on imported tyres was probably not the right thing to do.

He also sought government support in safeguarding the intellectual property (IP) environment in the country.

"We invent a lot, we innovate a lot and therefore IP protection is crucial for us," he noted.

Menegaux noted that the group, which employs close to 1.32 lakh people globally, continues to invest in various competencies in India.

"We have developed a big centre in Pune as a worldwide hub for artificial intelligence. We have research activities and digital services...We employ over 2,300 people in the country," Menegaux said.

Michelin group, which produced around 200 million tyres globally in 2022, has set a goal of achieving 100 per cent sustainable materials in its tyres by 2050.

The company recently unveiled two tyres, one for cars and the other for buses, containing 45 per cent and 58 per cent sustainable materials, respectively.

"We will meet the challenges of the changing tyre markets thanks to industrial facilities that place people at their heart, that are ever more innovative and more environmentally friendly...We are confident that we will achieve our strategic goals: with, around and beyond tyres," Menegaux stated.

He outlined the company's goals and strategies at Michelin's facility in Cuneo, Italy, the largest car tyre factory in western Europe. PTI MSS



This correspondent is in Cuneo on invitation of Michelin.
Tata Steel is still pursuing its request for the financial package with the UK government, the company's CEO T V Narendran said.

Narendran who is also the Managing Director of Tata Steel made the remarks in reply to a question on stance on exiting the UK business.

"Tata Steel is still pursuing it (request) with the government there (UK)," he told PTI on the sidelines of an event in the national capital.

There has been no conclusion to the request made for a financial package, he said.

India-headquartered Tata Steel owns the UK's largest steelworks at Port Talbot in South Wales and employs around 8,000 people across all its operations in the country.

The company had sought 1.5 billion pounds from the UK government to execute its decarbonisation plans.

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However, the British government earlier this year made a counter offer which was much lower to the company's expectations.

Speaking to PTI, Narendran had said that Tata Steel cannot see its future in the UK without the support of the government there.


Last month, India, under its G20 presidency, constituted the nine-member expert group with Lawrence Summers, president emeritus at Harvard University, and N K Singh, chairperson of the 15th Finance Commission, as co-convenors of the group. The expert group held its first in-person meeting in Washington DC on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meeting. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has told the G20 expert group on strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs) that global public goods should not be financed by substituting resources from other focus areas of MDBs, but through additional resource allocation.



Global public goods benefit all citizens of the world and encompass many aspects of lives: From the natural environment, histories and cultures, and technological progress down to everyday devices, such as the metric system. India has been showcasing UPI (Unified Payments Interface) as a success story of digital public good during its G20 presidency. Speaking with Business Standard, Singh said the members of the expert group agreed with Sitharamans proposed approach that not to deflect resources from World Banks first two priorities of eliminating extreme poverty, and promoting shared prosperity and focus on raising additional resources for the proposed third goal of creating global public goods. Sitharaman called the expert group not only knowledgeable but also eclectic. The group appreciated the finance ministers visionary approach in transforming MDBs, Singh said.



The expert group has been entrusted with charting a road map for an updated MDB ecosystem for the 21st century, with milestones and timelines; evaluating various estimates regarding the scale of funding required from MDBs for addressing member countries increased financing needs; and developing mechanisms for coordination among MDBs. The committee has been tasked to submit its report by 30 June. Singh said Sitharaman held free exchange of views with the expert group, holding that time for incremental changes in MDBs was over and that it was time for transformational changes to augment their lending capacities through multiple innovative ways. The finance minister also said that the other MDBs also need more ambitious targets and that at present, there is a lack of enough ambition in all their programmes, Singh added.

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The G-24 group that coordinates the position of developing countries on monetary and development issues in its latest communique during the Fund-Bank meet said the scale of the new ambition and ongoing high cost of addressing multiple challenges highlights the need to substantially scale-up the WBGs financing capacity. The WBG should optimise its balance sheets, better leverage existing capital, including from financial intermediary funds, and increase efficiency and lower transaction costs on trust funds. Leveraging existing resources should not necessarily foreclose capital increase in the medium-term, which remains the most powerful mechanism for increasing financing capacity with the lowest risk. We urge MDBs to increase their efforts to discuss and implement recommendations from the G20-convened Independent Expert Panel on Capital Adequacy Frameworks and encourage strengthened communications with credit rating agencies to support methodological revisions that would better factor in MDBs particularities, it added.


While Ghana recently approved Oxford and Serum Institute of Indias (SIIs) R21-Matrix-M vaccine, Zyduss anti-malaria oral drug could be the first new treatment option to be available here. India, which accounted for 83 per cent of all malaria deaths in Southeast Asia last year, is seeing some hope as a malaria pill has reached phase-2 clinical trials.



ZY-19489, a novel anti-malarial compound, will be a potential single-dose oral pill to fight malaria, Zydus Lifesciences said. The novel anti-malarial compound from Zydus Lifesciences, which is active against all current clinical strains, including drug-resistant ones, has reached phase-2 clinical trials.



In a separate malaria challenge trial, potent anti-malarial activity has been demonstrated following single-dose oral administration of ZY-19489, it added. This candidate is now undergoing phase-2 clinical trials in India. The company said the phase-1 clinical trials have demonstrated a long half-life and potential for a single-dose cure for malaria.

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It is active against all current clinical strains of P. falciparum and P. vivax, including drug-resistant strains. The candidate has been developed in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and is a novel anti-malarial compound.



ZY19489 is being developed to provide an effective alternative to the current front-line anti-malarial drugs for the treatment of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria, as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are under threat of resistance. Artemisinin resistance  a delay in the clearance of malaria parasites from the bloodstream  is seen as a mounting challenge to the global fight against malaria.



Pankaj R Patel, chairman, Zydus Group, said, As the global community is facing threats from rapidly-mutating malaria strains and the rise in artemisinin resistance cases, we have to be prepared with novel therapeutic drugs. ZY-19489 is a potential single-dose radical cure for P.falciparum and P. vivax malaria, which are major global health risks today. Zydus says its hopeful of providing a new cure for malaria, which affects millions in India.



The Orphan Drug Designation provides up to seven years of marketing exclusivity in the US. He added that ZY-19489 also aligns with the companys overarching goal of innovating to bring novel solutions for bridging unmet healthcare needs. This candidate has also received an Orphan Drug Designation from the US FDA.



Last week, the University of Oxford-developed and SII-manufactured malaria vaccine has been licensed for use in Ghana by Africas Food and Drugs Authority. Orphan Drug Designation provides eligibility for certain development incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing. It also provides prescription drug user fee exemptions and seven-year marketing exclusivity upon FDA approval.



It marks the first regulatory clearance for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine for use in any country. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, which uses Novavaxs adjuvant technology, has been approved for use in children aged 5 to 36 months. This is the age group at highest risk of death from malaria. The nod comes before the publication of final-stage trial data.



Company sources said the initial focus now is to get the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for this vaccine. This would create a distribution network across several countries that require the vaccine. SII would be making this vaccine in its Pune facility.



The company did not wish to divulge its India-specific plans at this moment. The idea is to also scale up the manufacturing of this vaccine to around 100 million annual doses, the source said.



Most of the vaccines in the works, in fact, are targeted at African countries. Industry insiders point out that to bring such a vaccine to India, regulators would require local trial data.



The antigen RTS,S will be made by Bharat Biotech, while GSK will supply the adjuvant of the vaccine. The vaccine is based on 30 years of research and UNICEF has placed orders for 18 million doses worth $170 million. GSKs plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01E tentatively branded Mosquirix), which Bharat Biotech will make, will initially go to African countries.



While India would be the manufacturing hub for malaria vaccines for the world, there is still some time till these vaccines are available in the country. Bharat Biotech was setting up the manufacturing site at Bhubaneshwar. The company, which will be the sole supplier of the vaccine till 2029, did not comment on the developments. It is set to supply 15 million doses to African countries annually.



BOOSTER DOSE According to the World Malaria Report 2022, globally, there were an estimated 247 million malaria cases in 2021 in 84 malaria-endemic countries. A major health concern, it is estimated that a child dies from malaria every minute. In 2021, India accounted for about 79 per cent of all malaria cases in Southeast Asia.
As many as 25 startups have evinced interest to sign memorandums of understandings with the Centres of Excellence that were inaugurated by Chief Minister M K Stalin, the Tamil Nadu government said on Sunday.

The startups under the state government's 'Olir' (shine) initiative would be able to grow faster by utilising the state-of-the-art multi-sector Industry 4.0 Centres of Excellence at 'optimal costs' which has been established by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN).

Stalin had inaugurated the three Centres of Excellence -- Tamil Nadu Smart and Advanced Manufacturing Centre (TANSAM), Tamil Nadu Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing (TANCAM) and Tamil Nadu Advance Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (TAMCOE) -- in 2022.

These specialised institutions offer startups with the know-how to accelerate their design, prototyping and development testing.

At an event held recently, nearly 250 chief executive officers (CEOs) representing companies engaged in various sectors including advanced manufacturing, robotics, e-commerce, aerospace and defence, agricultural technology took part.

Additional chief secretary, Industries department, S Krishnan said the intra-connect within government departments and the inter-connect with private sector has been improving with initiatives like 'Olir' expected to carry forward this momentum resulting in better outcomes for all stakeholders.

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TIDCO managing director Jayashree Muralidharan stressed the importance of startups to sustain the industrial leadership position of Tamil Nadu.

Startup TN chief executive officer Sivarajah Ramanathan said various initiatives of the state government through StartupTN would make Tamil Nadu as a global startup destination.

The launch of 'Olir' has received phenomenal response from startups and expressed the need for exposure visits for such enterprises to the Centres of Excellence, he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by bringing up the Adani "corruption" issue in this Karnataka district headquarters town. It was in Kolar in 2019 that he made a remark on the Modi surname for which he was convicted of criminal defamation and stripped of his Parliament membership.

In his first visit to Karnataka after the Assembly polls were announced on March 29, Gandhi emphasised on the Adani issue to target the Prime Minister.

"Adani is a symbol of corruption," he said addressing the 'Jai Bharat' rally here.

Expressing confidence that the Congress would come to power in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are set to take place on May 10, Gandhi said the first Cabinet meeting after the party formed the government would approve its key poll promises, paving the way for their implementation.

"I am very glad the Congress party is fighting Karnataka Assembly elections unitedly," he said.

Senior Congress leaders including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, KPCC chief DK Shivakumar, and legislature party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah were among those who addressed the public meeting.

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Rahul Gandhi was on March 23 sentenced to two years in jail by a court in Gujarat's Surat in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "why all thieves have the Modi surname" remark. A day later, he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the case. The Gandhi scion had made those remarks at Kolar in April 2019 during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
After gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Police imposed section 144 across the state and beefed up security.

ays after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.

As many as three people were arrested, informed police after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Saturday.

"Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said.

In this regard, Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts, in the aftermath of Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed being shot dead in Prayagraj, officials informed.

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UP CM Yogi Adityanath also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission.

"UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident. CM Yogi immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. Chief Minister also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," the officials said.

A forensic team reached the spot to inspect the spot of the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a late-night meeting instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state.

"UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed Police officers to be on alert, ensure peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," according to the Chief Minister office's statement.

The meeting at Chief Minister's residence was attended by UP Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad, UP Police Director General of Police (DGP) RK Vishwakarma and other senior officials.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also appealed to the public to avoid paying attention to rumours about the incident.

"CM has also appealed to people not to pay any attention to rumours. Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours," the official statement mentioned.

UP Police officials conducted flag march and patrolling in various districts of the state.

UP state minister and BJP leader Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that when crime reaches its peak some decisions come directly from nature.

"When crime reaches its peak some decisions come directly from nature. This is the call of nature and there should be no comment on it," he said.

Various political leaders from the opposition reacted sharply to the incident.

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi said that the murders of mafia turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed is a perfect example of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's big failure on law and order in Uttar Pradesh.

"Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law and order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder," Owaisi tweeted.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav in the aftermath of the incident said that crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh.

"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this (alleged encounter killings), an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted.

Sitaram Yechury also took to Twitter and said, "Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. It's USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics and patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators and punish them stringently".

Congress leader Rashid Alvi asked for the UP Chief Minister's resignation.

"This shows the law and order situation of UP. This looks like a big conspiracy. There must be thorough probe & judicial inquiry into this and UP CM must resign," he said.

The advocate of Atiq Ahmed, Vijay Mishra mentioned that police officials immediately caught shooters who fired at Atiq.

"Police were taking them for medical check-ups. Gunshots were heard when we entered the hospital. Police immediately caught shooters at the spot," he said.

Moments before their killing, both criminals, who were accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, were speaking to the media while being taken for a medical and their murder was captured on camera.

"Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go)" were Atiq Ahmed's last words, when asked what did he have to say on not being taken to his son Asad's funeral.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a high-level meeting with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday morning ahead of his appearance before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection to the excise policy case of the Union Territory government.

The meeting was held at Kejriwal's residence here in the national capital.

Several Delhi ministers including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Rajkumar Anand, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain were present in the meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan and Punjab Assembly speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan also attended the meeting. AAP MPs Raghav Chadha, ND Gupta and Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also present at the meeting in Kejriwal's residence.

According to sources, the meeting was called to discuss the next course of action after Kejriwal's questioning by CBI on Sunday.

Kejriwal on Sunday said that the central agency will arrest him if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."

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He further said, "You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest."

Kejriwal will appear before the CBI on Sunday for questioning in connection with the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the Union Territory government.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would accompany Kejriwal to the CBI office on Sunday morning.

During his visit to the CBI office, Kejriwal's cabinet colleagues and all the MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will also accompany him to the CBI office.

In a major development in the Delhi excise policy case, the CBI summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case on Sunday.According to sources, Aam Aadmi Party will stage a protest in the national capital during the questioning of party chief Kejriwal at the CBI office on Sunday.

"If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest," Delhi Chief Minister said on Saturday, a day after CBI summoned him for questioning in connection with the excise policy case.

Addressing a press conference, he said, "Tomorrow, they (CBI) have called me and I will definitely go. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest... If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."Later, taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said appropriate cases will be filed against Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate officials for "perjury and producing false evidence in courts.

"We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts," he tweeted.

Kejriwal also claimed that he knew he would be next in line to be summoned by the CBI since the day he spoke against corruption in the Delhi assembly.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a key aide of Kejriwal, is in jail over alleged irregularities in the excise case.

Sisodia was arrested by ED and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval.

The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their account books to evade detection, the probe agencies said.
The BJP on Saturday staged a protest march against the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS government alleging "unemployment" in the state.

Bandi Sanjay, the chief of the BJP's Telangana unit, led the march flanked by many other prominent party leaders. A large number of people gathered for the march.

The march kicked off from the Kakatiya University campus and culminated at the foot of the Ambedkar statue.

A sizeable police contingent had been deployed on the route for the march -- Kakatiya University to the Ambedkar Centre -- ahead of the protest.

Speaking to ANI, Bandi Sanjay said, "We will not be afraid even if cases are registered against us. We will keep fighting against this government."

"In the TSPSC issue, there should be an inquiry by a sitting judge and KTR (KCR's son and a state minister) should be sacked. A compensation of Rs 1 lakh each should be given to the unemployed youth," he added.

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Earlier, BJP spokesperson NV Subhash alleged that Telangana State Public Service Commission papers had been leaked by people close to state minister KT Rama Rao and his father and CM, K Chandrashekar Rao, claiming that 30 lakh aspirants are still seeking jobs in the state.

"Their dreams have been shattered. We have approached the court and demanded immediate action taken against Rao. A sitting high court judge should be assigned to investigate the scam. Students who appeared for the exam should be compensated," the BJP leader said.

The next leg of his march will be from Mehboobnagar on April 21 followed by Khammam, for which the dates are still being finalised, said Subhash.

"I will be holding 10 rallies across the state which will concluded with a mega rally in Hyderabad," Bandi Sanjay told ANI earlier.

"We have put forward three demands. IT Minister KT Rama Rao should resign following the paper leak. There should be an inquiry into this affair by a sitting High Court judge and a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each should be released for all the students affected by the leak," Sanjay said.

The Telangana BJP chief was arrested by police from his Karimnagar residence late on April 4 in the paper leak case.

He was granted bail by a magistrate court on April 6. The court allowed bail on the condition of Rs 20,000 surety from a magistrate's court in Warangal.
Heavy traffic snarls were witnessed on Sunday in several parts of Delhi following protests by AAP workers against the summoning of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI in the excise policy case.

Vehicular movement was choked at the protest sites of Anand Vihar Terminal, ITO Chowk, Mukarba Chowk Peera Garhi Chowk, Lado Sarai Chowk, Crown Plaza Chowk, Dwarka More Sec 6 and Sec 2 Chauraha, Pecific Wala Chowk Subhash Nagar More, Prem Wari Chauraha Ring Road, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate Side, Bara Hanuman Mandir, Karol Bagh Chowk, IIT Crossing, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Raj Ghat and NH 24 near Murga Mandi Gazipur.

Serpentine queues of vehicles clogged the roads owing to the protest.

Commuters stuck because of the protests at NH-44 and GT-Karnal Road tweeted pictures that showed long queues of vehicles.

Moving at a snail's pace in bumper-to-bumper traffic, many commuters tagged the police in their social media posts and requested them to manage the situation.

Police officials, along with the traffic unit deployed at multiple locations, persuaded the protesters to move from the roads and allow vehiclular movement to flow.

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"We have deployed sufficient force at these locations. But the protesters are on a sit-in, so we are persuading them to move because they are causing heavy traffic jams. If they are refusing to cooperate, we are removing them from the spot," a senior police official said.

The Delhi Police stepped up security outside the CBI headquarters as Kejriwal appeared before the agency for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy, officials said.

The force has deployed over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, outside the CBI headquarters and Section 144 has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, they said.

Security has also been tightened outside the AAP office at Rouse Avenue, the officials added.

Adequate number of barricades have been placed on the streets at both these places to ensure that AAP workers and supporters do not create any trouble, a senior police official said.

The CBI has summoned Kejriwal to its office to answer questions of the investigation team as a witness in the excise policy case, according to a notice issued by the agency.

Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal's former deputy in the Delhi government, was arrested last month in the case.

The AAP has called the case a conspiracy against its leaders.

CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed.

The agency adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called to the agency headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody.

The allegations relate to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The CBI is probing into allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licences.

The AAP has strongly refuted these charges but its government later scrapped the policy.

It was further alleged that irregularities, including modifications in the excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the extension of L-1 licence without approval, etc were committed, a CBI spokesperson said after the FIR was filed on August 17, 2022.

The CBI filed its charge sheet against seven accused on November 25.

It alleged in the charge sheet that the excise policy was framed in a manner to promote cartelisation and monopoly at the wholesale level.
Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have called for a systemic reform of the global financial architecture to enhance access to development financing for vulnerable countries.

The ministers agreed for India to be the chair and Nigeria to be the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.

Their collective call for reform came at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting in Washington D.C.

At the inaugural Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting held on the margins of the 2023 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, finance ministers discussed national fiscal policies, measures for financial sustainability, eligibility criteria for development finance and potential reforms required for a more equitable financial architecture.

In their call, the ministers stressed that any reforms must increase funding and consider the realities of vulnerability when allocating support to help vulnerable countries invest in resilience and achieve sustainable development.

In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, said: "Our world faces overlapping, interlinked and accelerating economic, security and environmental challenges. They entwine and accelerate to amplify existing inequalities, threatening stability, resilience and development prospects.

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"The need for ambitious, systemic change has never been greater. As the Commonwealth family, representing one-third of humanity, we are joining forces to call for reform of the global financial system to deliver an architecture that is multi-dimensional, fit-for-purpose and adaptive to emerging and existing challenges, with a view to building long-term resilience and achieving sustainable development."

She continued: "To create meaningful change, the global financial system must take into account the realities of vulnerability when allocating support to developing countries."

In this regard, the Secretary-General highlighted that the Commonwealth's Universal Vulnerability Index provides a solid basis to better target support for those who need it the most.

Delivering a keynote address at the working group meeting, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said: "One sure thing is that the status quo is not working for us. The continued discriminatory treatment between the global north and the global south really cannot continue, especially in a poly-crisis. The time is now for action and to ensure that the global financial system is fit for purpose."

The working group meeting also gave ministers an opportunity to focus on the urgent need to influence the global financial architecture, which is still underpinned by fiscal rules and conditions deemed unfit to meet the needs of the current global economic landscape and overlapping challenges.

Eligibility criteria for accessing concessional finance are based on sole metrics of gross national income (GNI) per capita, which mostly disregards national vulnerabilities.

However, recent overlapping crises have exposed and provided evidence of countries' susceptibility to external shocks. The traditional rules and governing conditions for access to international development finance are no longer relevant in this era of interlocked and overlapping crises.

The Commonwealth Secretariat paper entitled 'Fiscal Policy Options for Resilient and Sustainable Development' considers the multi-dimensional vulnerabilities and socio-economic development challenges faced by countries and recommends several fiscal and policy reforms to facilitate more resilient and sustainable development outcomes.

Speaking at the meeting, Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Economic, Youth and Sustainable Development Directorate, said: "Collaboration among Commonwealth countries (through this group) would enable knowledge exchange, and facilitate data sharing, research and toolkits, including the use of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices to monitor and accelerate progress on sustainable investing toward enabling an environmentally responsible economy and society, together with protecting our planet."

--IANS

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India and the US are together building a foundation for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.

"When we celebrate diversity, celebrate inclusiveness, it is also the point that we share a lot of positive thoughts when we are doing this," the finance minister said.

Today when "we celebrate togetherness, it is that spirit which governs India and US relationship: a positive thinking relationship of two democracies, which have their own share of challenges and their own share of internal problems, but we don't allow them to overwhelm us", she said.

The minister was addressing Indian Americans at an event organised by the Indian Embassy here to celebrate the country's diversity.

"We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community. That's where, I think, the contribution of the Indian diaspora, here people of Indian origin, to the US is very important," she said.

"You integrated yourself or do you recall with fondness the place of your origin, but you're part of the US today and building a very dynamic and robust economy," Sitharaman said.

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"This is exactly what is even in India. Differences are there between different regions, different people and different languages," she said.

When people talk about digital achievements of India, the achievements are purely because the platforms have languages, "which are at least 15, as recognised by the Constitution of India, there are more such languages", she said.

The minister also highlighted that there are dialects, which can be spoken, but cannot be written as they don't have a script.

"But the Indian Constitution recognises 15 of them. Most of our platforms are available now in regional languages. And that's why when you pay your little bills to your milkman or you wish to vendor, you do it in their own languages. These are the instruments of success," the minister said.

So, every diversity-related issue has been turned to an advantage in building a modern India, Sitharaman said.

"I wish this relationship between the US and India grows from strength to strength," said the finance minister at the event that among others was also attended US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Kurt Campbell, the Indo Pacific Coordinator of US National Security Council, General Atomics Chief Executive Vivel Lall, White House official Dr Rahul Gupta.
Hitting out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who arrived at the CBI office in the national capital on Sunday for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the former "loves power, position and corruption money" and not the country.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Patra said, "Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference earlier today saying he loves India very much. I wish to tell him that he only loves his power, position and your corruption money. I would advise him not to abuse India," Patra said.

"If Arvind Kejriwal-ji thinks that he can engage in corruption, wearing gloves, in the hope that his actions won't be detected, he is mistaken. Just because one's fingerprints weren't found at the scene of the crime doesn't mean he did not commit the crime," Patra added.

"Kejriwal-ji, you engaged in corruption wearing Manish Sisodia's gloves. You have indulged in corruption in Delhi excise policy. Now, it's time for you to take your gloves off," the BJP leader said.

"The liquor policy was implemented at Arvind Kejriwal's house," Patra alleged further.

"While implementing the policy, Kejriwal had said Delhi would get a huge benefit out of it. However, in reality, the policy led to a loss of Rs 3,000 crores to the exchequer and they had to withdraw it later in the face of criticism," Patra said.

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"CBI and ED are professional bodies. They work purely on hard facts, not on emotion," the BJP spokesperson said.

"The country should know who all were responsible for the massive corruption in the excise policy scam in Delhi," he said.

Further hitting out at the Delhi CM, he said, "This country had become a den of corruption during the Congress rule and today, Mallikarjun Kharge called you and extended Sonia Gandhi's support. Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have come together in a coalition of the corrupt."

"Today Kejriwal-ji said god is with him. But Kejriwal-ji, god is always with his Bhakt not with the corrupt (Bhrast)," he added.

In a major development in the Delhi excise policy case, the CBI summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case on Sunday.

Earlier in the day Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal released a video before going to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in the excise policy case of the Union Territory government and said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."

Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, Delhi Ministers and AAP MPs to the CBI office.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by ED and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.

The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval.
The Delhi Police has tightened security outside the CBI headquarters here as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to appear before it on Sunday in connection with the excise policy case, officials said.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, they said.

Security has also been tightened outside the office of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Rouse Avenue, the officials said.

Barricades have also been placed on streets at both these places -- AAP office and CBI headquarters -- to ensure the party's workers and supporters do not create any trouble, a senior police official said.

"More than 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters to ensure no untoward incident takes place," the official said.

The CBI has summoned Kejriwal at its office at 11 am, according to a notice issued by the probe agency.

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Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested last month in the case. The AAP, however, has called the case a conspiracy against its leaders.

CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed. It had adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called at the agency's headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody.

The agency is probing allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licences.

It was further alleged that irregularities were committed, including modifications in excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in license fee, the extension of L-1 licence without approval, etc, a CBI spokesperson had said after the FIR was regsitered in the case on August 17, 2022.

The CBI had filed its charge sheet against seven accused on November 25 last year.

It has alleged in the charge sheet that the excise policy was framed in a manner to promote cartelisation and monopoly at the wholesale level.
BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday said the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in police custody in Prayagraj raises serious questions over the style of functioning of the Uttar Pradesh government.

It would be better if the Supreme Court takes cognisance of this "extremely serious and worrisome" incident, which is being discussed across the country, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

In a series of tweets, she said, "Now, instead of 'rule of law by law' in Uttar Pradesh, how appropriate is it that it becomes 'encounter Pradesh'? Something to think about."



"The shooting dead of Atiq Ahmad, who was brought from Gujarat jail and his brother Ashraf, who was brought from Bareilly jail last night in Prayagraj, in police custody, is just as heinous as the Umesh Pal murder case. It raises serious questions on the law and order of the UP government, and its style of functioning," she said.

BJP leader Umesh Pal was killed by Atiq's men in 2005.

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed here just hours before the shooting.

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Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Officials said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and his brother.
BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday said the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in police custody in Prayagraj raises serious questions over the style of functioning of the Uttar Pradesh government.

It would be better if the Supreme Court takes cognisance of this "extremely serious and worrisome" incident, which is being discussed across the country, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

In a series of tweets, she said, "Now, instead of 'rule of law by law' in Uttar Pradesh, how appropriate is it that it becomes 'encounter Pradesh'? Something to think about."



"The shooting dead of Atiq Ahmad, who was brought from a Gujarat jail, and his brother Ashraf, who was brought from Bareilly jail, last night in Prayagraj in police custody is just as heinous as the Umesh Pal murder case. It raises serious questions on the law and order of the UP government, and its style of functioning," she said.

Meanwhile, senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav in a tweet in Hindi said, "Chief minister's order 'mitti mein milaa denge', Atiq Ahmad's petition in the Supreme Court demanding security owing to threat of death in custody -- No relief. Then fake encounters and planned murders in police custody were bound to happen. It would not be surprising if Atiq's others sons are also killed."



BJP leader Umesh Pal was killed by Atiq's men in 2005.

Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed here just hours before the shooting.

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Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Officials said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and his brother.
NGO Association for Democratic Reforms has moved the Supreme Court against Arun Goel's appointment as Election Commissioner claiming it is arbitrary, and violative of institutional integrity and independence of the poll body.

The NGO has sought the constitution of a "neutral and independent committee" for the appointment of members of the Election Commission.

The plea alleged that the Union government and the ECI have through their acts of "omissions and commission" participated in a carefully orchestrated "selection procedure" for their own benefits.

"The writ petition is being filed in public interest challenging the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner vide notification dated November 19, 2022, on the ground that the appointment is arbitrary and violative of institutional integrity and independence of Election Commission Of India...," the plea said.

The top court on March 2 had ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by the President on the recommendation of a committee, comprising the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI, to maintain the "purity of election".

The apex court had said it was mystified as to how bureaucrat Arun Goel applied for voluntary retirement on November 18 last year if he was not aware about the proposal to appoint him as an Election Commissioner.

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The top court noted that a vacancy in the post of Election Commissioner arose upon the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from May 15, 2022.

The apex court said the appointment to the post of Election Commissioner was made apparently on the basis that there was no hindrance to the making of the appointment as there was no specific law.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice K M Joseph took note of the submission by the Centre that approval was sought on November 18, 2022 for the appointment of one Election Commissioner and on the very same day, drawing upon the database of IAS officers, serving and retired, in the position of Secretary to the Government of India, it was accessed.

"On the same day, i.e., on November 18, 2022, a note was seen put-up, wherein the Law Minister had suggested the panel of four names for the consideration of the Prime Minister and the President...

"The appointee, it was noted, was to superannuate in the month of December, 2022 and had taken voluntary retirement, was found to be the youngest of the four members of the panel...Not coming as a surprise, on the same day, his appointment as Election Commissioner was also notified. We are a little mystified as to how the officer had applied for voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022, if he was not in the know about the proposal to appoint him," the top court said.

The apex court said an appointee to the post of Election Commissioner or Chief Election Commissioner should have a period of six years as laid down in law as it would enable the officer to have enough time to gear himself to the needs of the office and assert his independence.
After the successful meeting with opposition leaders in Delhi, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is turning out to be the biggest challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

However, Nitish Kumar clarified that he is not a Prime Ministerial candidate of the opposition parties but he might play the role of UPA convener by following in the footsteps of his senior leader late George Fernandes.

George Fernandes played a major role in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formation in 1998. At that time the Congress was ruling at the Centre and the opposition parties were scattered.

After the Mandal Commission report, a large number of regional parties emerged in the country. The BJP had then asked George Fernandes who was the chief of the Samata Party and Nitish Kumar was a member of it, to play the role of convener of the NDA and he had managed to unite 24 parties against the Congress.

Due to that unity, George Fernandes became instrumental in the formation of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1999. The NDA government completed its tenure of 5 years.

Now the way that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Arvind Kejriwal and Sitaram Yechuri said that Nitish Kumar is doing great work in uniting the opposition parties and they are with him, there is a hint of Kumar following in the footsteps of George Fernandes.

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"Nitish Kumar has made it clear he wants to unite more and more opposition parties of the country and he is achieving success. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tweet "Ham Desh Ke Liye Sath Me Ladege" is the most important thing in the current political situation of the country.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also said publicly that whatever Nitish Kumar is doing in the country, he is with him. Left parties leaders also gave support to him. I don't know whether Nitish Kumar is following George Fernandes or not but he is heading in the right direction to unite the opposition parties," said Neeraj Kumar, JD-U MLC and chief spokesperson of the party.

"Nitish Kumar on Friday said that the BJP has only two leaders who are acting like totalitarians. They have captured all constitutional institutions and are targeting their political opponents. They have done nothing in the interest of common people. Hence you vote for them, you will destroy yourselves and if you vote against them you will develop yourselves, state and the country. So, Nitish Kumar is clear in his mind to unite a large number of opposition parties of the country against the BJP," Kumar said.

"The efforts of Nitish Kumar were appreciated by the leaders who met him recently but there is so much work to do. Bringing leaders like Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrashekar Rao on one platform with the Congress party will be a big achievement but it will take time. Once they sit together and finalize every aspect, followed by declaring the role of Nitish Kumar as convener, then we would say that all opposition parties agreed on one seat, one candidate formula," said Shivanand Tiwari, vice president of the RJD.

"When we talk about West Bengal having 42 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress party is no way near to the TMC. In Telangana, there are 17 Lok Sabha seats and the Congress has won three seats while the TRS won nine seats.

"So, the Congress has to drop some ego to minimize the division of votes. The same thing applies to the TRS and it will have to compromise with the Congress where the latter has sitting MPs. The key here is the opposition parties who would agree on one seat one candidate formula. This is the only way to defeat the BJP," Tiwari said.

"Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is a desperate man and in a hurry. Nitish ji is daydreaming to become the Prime Minister but at the same time he should remember that his support base in Bihar has slipped. The political credibility of Nitish ji is based on the support and mercy of his grand alliance partners, especially the RJD. While Nitish is aspiring to realize his daydream, the RJD wants to use this opportunity to promote Tejashwi as the CM of Bihar," said Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP OBC wing.

"There is no consensus in favour of Nitish ji and there are dozens of PM aspirants from different states. The opportunistic intention and motive of grand alliance parties, they will let down each other in course of time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the undisputed leader of India and there is no one who can challenge him in 2024. The NDA will come back to power with more than 400 seats," Anand said.

--IANS

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A total of 14,883 people were killed in road accidents in Maharashtra last year, an increase of 2,095 compared to 12,788 fatalities recorded in the pre-COVID-19 year of 2019, while the number of such incidents rose by 144 in 2022 from three years ago, as per official statistics.

Last year, 33,069 road accidents took place in the state compared to 32,925 in 2019, as per the data.

While there was a 0.44 per cent rise in the number of accidents in 2022 compared to 2019, the fatalities went up by 16.38 per cent, though the number of injuries to 27,218 from 28,628 during the period.

The issue of road accidents gains prominence as 13 people, including five minors, were killed and 29 injured after a bus carrying young male and female members of a traditional music troupe fell into a gorge on the old Mumbai-Pune highway in the state's Raigad district on Saturday.

The private bus with 42 persons on board was going from Pune to Mumbai when it plunged into the 300-feet deep gorge in the Bor Ghat mountain pass section, better known as Khandala Ghat, on a sharp S-shaped hairpin curve. The accident took place near Khopoli, 70 km from Mumbai.

Maharashtra had witnessed a dip in road accidents and fatalities in 2020 when there was COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the vehicular movement was restricted due to the lockdown, but the numbers went up in 2021 and the trend continued in 2022.

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The state saw 8,098 more road accident cases in 2022 as compared to 24,971 in 2020, and 3,592 higher as compared to 29,477 in 2021, as per the data.

The state reported 1,959 more deaths in road accidents last year as against 11,569 in 2020, and 1,355 more than 13,528 fatalities in 2021, apart from the similar upsurge in the number of injuries.

Maharashtra has more than four crore vehicles and their density on the state's road network of 3.25 lakh kilometres, including around 18,000 km-long national highways, is increasing every year.

According to Maharashtra's latest economic survey report published on March 8, the state had a vehicle population of 4.33 crore till January 1, 2023 and 134 vehicles per km road length at the start of this year as against 128 vehicles per km road length on January 1, 2022.

As per the data, among 34 districts and 11 big cities in Maharashtra, the number of road accidents, fatalities and injuries have gone up in majority of the districts and cities and very few of have seen a reduction in the numbers.

In 2022, the highest surge in road crashes was in Yavatmal (454), followed by Ahmednagar (256), Pimpri-Chinchwad city (249), Pune rural (213) and Palghar district (132).

The highest rise in fatalities was in Ahmednagar (135), followed by Buldhana (96), Chandrapur (75), Yawatmal (72) and Solapur district (69), while the highest increase in the number of injuries was in Nagpur (367), followed by Pune (295), Satara (272), Solapur (252) and Raigad (242).

The number of road crashes have gone down only in three districts and cities - Mumbai city (441), Nashik city (10) and Dhule district (10), whereas fatalities dipped in Mumbai city (115), Nandurbar district (35), Navi Mumbai city (16), Akola district (26) and Nashik city (4).

Among all the districts and cities, only seven have witnessed a dip in the number of injuries and Mumbai city tops among them with number of injuries going down by 324, followed by Hingoli district (27), Bhandara district (20), Aurangabad city (18), Buldhana district (15), Nashik district (12), and Latur district (10).

In the last one decade, the Maharashtra government has taken several steps such as increasing traffic penalties, levying cess on registration of new vehicles, formation of road safety committees from state to district level, declaration of road safety policy, camera-based fitness tests, besides buying several equipment like hand-held devices for officers (to impose fine on road rule violators), new interceptor vehicles and portable weigh bridge, among others.

Besides installing CCTV cameras on highways and city roads, the government has made QR code authenticated reflective tapes for better visibility of vehicles during night time, speed governor to keep the vehicles below 80 kmph limit and GPS for live tracking mandatory, but the number of road accidents is still going up.

Ranjit Gadgil, project director of NGO Parisar from Pune, said this has proved the CCTV enforcement is not working, and police know this.

"Deterrence requires the certainty of getting caught, certainty of having to pay a fine, having to pay it immediately and for the fine to be substantial. Most of these conditions are currently not met," he claimed, adding that other traffic violations also need to be dealt with firmly.

Gadgil said pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, both considered as "vulnerable road users", make up a very large percentage of those dying on roads.

"In urban areas, we need far better pedestrian facilities. In rural areas, safe crossings for pedestrians are critical, especially in small towns and villages that dot the highways. In some places infrastructure may be needed, but in the short-term, vehicles need to be slowed down where such conflicts are likely," he said.

The Maharashtra Highway Police's road accidents statistics of 2021 pointed out that over-speeding, drunken driving, red light jumping, avoiding safety gears like seat belts and helmets, non-adherence to lane driving and overtaking from the right side or without giving an indication, and wrong-side driving were some of the major reasons for road crashes.

Prakash Jadhav, a retired regional transport officer, said in the last few years highways have become wider, smoother and better, but while on highways, drivers focus more on speeding.

When such high speed vehicles crash on highways, it leads to an increase in the number of fatalities, he said.

"Due to over speeding on highways, the severity of road accidents has increased," Jadhav said.

Another retired RTO officer said as per his observation, the number fatalities in road accidents increased in Maharashtra as such incidents involving two-wheelers and buses have gone up, besides the death of more persons in accidents of four-wheelers.

"Last year, majority of the accidents happened either on junctions or due to dashing by other vehicles from behind for which rash driving and lack of visibility could be the reasons," he said.

In the last few years, incidents of vehicle fires also witnessed a spurt and many of these accidents were fatal. Hence, the state government needs to appoint a study group for this before more innocent people lose their lives, he added.

Gadgil said, "This year, the UN Global Road Safety Week has the themeRethink Mobility, which calls for safety to be the key consideration in any mobility planning as well as shifting people away from modes such as two-wheelers to public transport, which is not just safer but also environmentally better.
Philippines Parliament Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez on Saturday suggested that the country alongwith US, and India should partner to construct digital public infrastructure, according to the Philippines House of Representative press release.

"It is very important for the Philippines, India, and the US to lead in this digital public infrastructure initiative because nations have much to gain from this," he said following the Digital Public Infrastructure lecture at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington.

He also had a brief chat with Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of the Indian multinational information technology company Infosys.

He said building public digital platforms "is very much aligned with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to speed up the country's digital transformation," added the release.

"This is the reason why the House of Representatives has passed the E-Governance/E-Government Bill, which seeks to shift the entire bureaucracy to the digital space for faster and transparent delivery of services, and for better engagement with the public," he said.

The House of Representatives passed on third reading an e-governance bill on March 6. A counterpart bill in the Senate is currently at the committee level.

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If passed into law, the digitization of paper documents and processes is expected to encourage cooperation between the government and the private sector in improving the ease of doing business.

"Digitalization will definitely prove to be the panacea to the economic problems left behind by COVID-19," Speaker Romualdez said.

The information technology and business process management industries in India account for over 55 per cent of the global outsourcing market.

The Indian Government also launched its Digital India Mission in 2015 to focus on using technology and digitalization to enhance governance.

Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development in January allotted USD 18 million to help Philippine small and medium enterprises enhance their digitalization transformation.

Romualdez bared that during the event IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva extended her best wishes to the Philippines and its strong economy, read the release.

"She is very, very delighted with our attendance and presence during the Spring Meeting of the IMF here in Washington D.C. We look forward to further interaction with the IMF, World Bank, and other leading financial institutions," said Romualdez.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader and is a visionary, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said adding that his commitment to the people of India is "indescribable".

Addressing the Reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Raimondo said, "I had an incredible opportunity to spend more than an hour and a half with Prime Minister Modi, who is I don't need to tell anyone here who he is. He is the most popular world leader for a reason. He is an unbelievable visionary. And his level of commitment to the people of India is just indescribable and deep and passionate and real and authentic."

"And his desire to lift people out of poverty and move India forward as a global power is real and it is happening. But the best part of the meeting for me was this, anyone who knows Prime Minister Modi, all of you, knows he is a tech guy and he is deep into the details. So I found myself at his home at 7:30 on a Friday night, talking about the details of radio access networks and artificial intelligence. And it was just amazing," she added.

At the reception, other than Raimondo, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ambassador Sandhu and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs in the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, were also present.

Recalling her last meeting, Raimondo said that while conversing with PM Modi, she told him that there will be two ecosystems of technology, one consistent with our democratic values and another not and India and the US needs to lead the world together in this technology ecosystem.

Quoting PM Modi, Raimondo said he replied that AI doesn't stand for artificial intelligence but for America, India, technology, and ecosystem.

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Earlier, in March, PM Modi met with Raimondo, who was in India from March 7-10, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday.

During her visit to India, Raimondo met Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and held delegation-level talks on Friday.

A Commercial Dialogue was held and several Memorandums of Understanding were signed between India and the US.

During the joint statement, the US Secretary of Commerce said both India and the US have recognised that they have to be a quality supplier and consumer of goods and services.

India and the US signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership, re-launched with a strategic outlook with a focus on supply chain resiliency and diversification and new emerging areas, after a gap of three years.

The last India-US Commercial Dialogue was held in February 2019. Since then, due to the pandemic and other factors it could not be held.
On grounds of Sonias ill health, the event was back-burnered since Rahul, too, showed little interest. The following day, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived and Baghels supporters rolled out a carpet of rose petals for the Congress general secretary. The reception was unparalleled: over 6,000 kilos of rose petals covered a 2-kilometre stretch of road.

During the Congress 85th plenary session held in the Chhattisgarh capital in February this year, Baghel planned a historic welcome for former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Both landed in Raipur on February 24. The newly elected Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was, however, missing from the list.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and some of his cabinet colleagues and party MLAs are expected to accompany AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to the CBI headquarters in Delhi on Sunday, party sources said.

Kejriwal has been summoned by the CBI at its office in Delhi for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy. He has been summoned as a witness and is not an accused in the case.

After the CBI summons on Friday, Mann had said that it was very difficult to suppress Kejriwal's voice.

"We are standing with him like a rock," he had said.

It is very difficult to suppress the voice of Arvind Kejriwal ji. Those who speak the truth make place in the people's hearts. No one can delete anyone from the hearts of the people. We are standing with him like a rock..," Mann had tweeted in Hindi.

Meanwhile, activists of the AAP will hold a protest against the BJP-led central government in Amritsar on Sunday.

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Punjab Assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan called Kejriwal as the hero of honest politics who follows Babasaheb B R Ambedkar.

Threatening Arvind Kejriwal through CBI summons cannot stop the revolutionary steps being taken in the field of health and education, he said in a statement.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday for questioning in the excise policy case of the Union Territory government, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor alleged that the central agency will arrest him if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."

He further said, "You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest."

Kejriwal will appear before the CBI on Sunday for questioning in connection with the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the Union Territory government.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would accompany Kejriwal to the CBI office on Sunday morning.

During his visit to the CBI office, Kejriwal's cabinet colleagues and all the MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will also accompany him to the CBI office.

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In a major development in the Delhi excise policy case, the CBI summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case on Sunday.

According to sources, Aam Aadmi Party will stage a protest in the national capital during the questioning of party chief Kejriwal at the CBI office on Sunday.

"If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest," Delhi Chief Minister said on Saturday, a day after CBI summoned him for questioning in connection with the excise policy case.

Addressing a press conference, he said, "Tomorrow, they (CBI) have called me and I will definitely go. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest... If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."

Later, taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said appropriate cases will be filed against Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate officials for "perjury and producing false evidence in courts.

"We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts," he tweeted.

Kejriwal also claimed that he knew he would be next in line to be summoned by the CBI since the day he spoke against corruption in the Delhi assembly.Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a key aide of Kejriwal, is in jail over alleged irregularities in the excise case.

Sisodia was arrested by ED and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval.

The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their account books to evade detection, the probe agencies said.
As the death toll in a suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district rose to 22 on Sunday, the opposition BJP alleged that the incident was a "mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government".

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, accused the state administration of "protecting liquor mafias who are associated with the ruling JD(U) and the RJD".

The party will approach the National Human Rights Commission and other such central bodies to conduct a "probe into the hooch tragedy", former state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal said.

Twenty-two people in Turkauliya, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur villages of Motihari have so far died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor, the East Champaran district police said in a statement.

At least twenty-nine others are battling for their lives at Sadar and different hospitals in the district. Condition of four patients is reported to be critical," it said.

A team of BJP leaders visited some of the villages in the district where the suspected hooch tragedy was reported on Saturday.

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I, along with my party leaders, visited Sugauli and Paharpur in Motihari. These are the villages where the maximum deaths took place. We found that the number of persons who died due to consumption of liquor was being suppressed by the district administration.

"At some places, cases were not registered by the police as post-mortem examinations could not be conducted. It's a state-sponsored mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government," Sinha claimed.

He also alleged that the state government and its officials are "busy in minimising the gravity of the tragedy".

"What is even more disturbing is that the district authorities are not making efforts to properly record and report active incidents of death due to consumption of liquor. The Nitish Kumar government is protecting liquor mafias who are associated with JD(U) and RJD," Sinha said.

JD(U) and RJD leaders could not be contacted for comments.

The police, however, claimed to have arrested 80 people from East Champaran district of dry Bihar, following the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari.

The district administration suspended 11 police personnel, including a sub-inspector and an assistant sub-inspector, who were posted as in-charge of anti-liquor task force at Areraj and Sadar sub-divisions of Motihari respectively, on the charge of dereliction of duties, according to the statement.

Nine 'chowkidars' posted at different villages of Motihari were among the suspended policemen, it said.

Disciplinary actions have been taken against these police personnel for alleged dereliction of duties, a senior official of the district police said.

Jaiswal also alleged that the Motihari incident was "simply a mass murder by the state government".

"We have come to know that the affected families tried to avoid informing the police that their loved ones died due to consumption of spurious liquor. This was due to perceived fear of legal consequences for reporting the matter to the authorities," he told reporters in Patna.

The Bihar government imposed a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol on April 5, 2016.

Reacting to the suspected hooch tragedy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Saturday said: I have been maintaining that liquor is bad and shouldn't be consumed. I have asked officials to take strict action against those who violate prohibition laws.

Jaiswal also claimed that most of the deceased in Motihari belong to Scheduled Caste and OBCs.

"We will approach the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for a thorough probe. The NHRC that investigated the hooch tragedy in Saran in December 2022, had concluded that the state government tried to hide figures," the BJP leader claimed.

Many people died in the Saran hooch tragedy in December last year.

The commission, in its report, had dismissed claims of the state government that 42 people had died due to consumption of illicit liquor on December 13-16 last year and said at least 77 lives were lost, while blaming the state authorities for suppressing toll.

The Nitish Kumar dispensation also came under severe criticism from its own ally CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation for the alleged police "inaction" into the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari.

"Strict action must be taken against concerned station house officers (SHOs) of the police stations in whose jurisdiction the suspected hooch deaths took place. They should be held responsible for the sale and purchase of illicit liquor in their respective areas," the Left party said in a statement issued in Patna.

The party also demanded compensation for the family members of the victims, who died in the incident.

The ruling grand alliance in Bihar comprises seven parties - Kumar's JD (U), RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, CPI(M) and HAM, which together have more than 160 MLAs in the 243-strong assembly.

The East Champaran district police have so far registered five cases in the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari and are investigating the matter, the statement said.

Twenty people, involved in the illegal trade of liquor have been arrested in Turkauliya, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur of Motihari, according to the police statement.

Sixty more people were also apprehended for being "involved in the illegal trade of liquor in the district", it said.

The district police have also seized huge quantities of spurious liquor and other related chemicals following searches at more than 600 places in different parts of Motihari in the last 24 hours.

Police recovered 370 litres of country-made liquor, 50 litres of spirit and 1,150 litres of other chemicals used in the manufacturing of spurious liquor," the statement added.

Notably, incidents of smuggling of liquor continue to be reported from the state, notwithstanding the ongoing drive against bootleggers.
Heavy traffic snarls were witnessed in several parts of the national capital on Sunday following protests by AAP workers against the summoning of



Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI in the excise policy case.

Traffic jams were witnessed in the protest sites of Anand Vihar Terminal, ITO Chowk, Mukarba Chowk Peera Garhi Chowk, Lado Sarai Chowk, Crown Plaza Chowk, Dwarka More Sec 6 and Sec 2 Chauraha, Pecific Wala Chowk Subhash Nagar More, Prem Wari Chauraha Ring Road, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate Side, Bara Hanuman Mandir, Karol Bagh Chowk, IIT Crossing, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Raj Ghat and NH 24 Near Murga Mandi Gazipur.

A serpentine queue of vehicles unable to move an inch due to the AAP protest was seen.

Police officials, along with the traffic unit deployed at multiple locations, are persuading protesters to move from the roads and allow vehicle traffic.

"We have deployed sufficient force at these locations. But protesters are on a sit-in so we are persuading them to move because they are causing heavy traffic jams. If they are still not cooperating, we are removing them from the spot," a senior police official said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has stepped up security outside the CBI headquarters as Kejriwal appeared before the agency on Sunday in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy, officials said.

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The force has deployed over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, they said.

Security has also been tightened outside the Aam Aadmi Party office in Rouse Avenue, officials said.

An adequate number of barricades have also been placed on the streets at both these places to ensure AAP workers and supporters do not create any trouble, a senior police official said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had summoned Kejriwal at its office to answer questions of the investigation team as a witness in the excise police case, according to a notice issued by the CBI.

Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested last month in the case.

The AAP has called the case a conspiracy against its leaders.

CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed.

The agency adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called at the agency headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody.

The allegations relate to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The CBI is probing allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licences.

The AAP has strongly refuted these charges, but its government later scrapped the policy.

It was further alleged that irregularities were committed, including modifications in excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in license fee, the extension of L-1 licence without approval, etc, said a CBI spokesperson after the FIR was filed on August 17, 2022.

The CBI filed its charge sheet against seven accused on November 25 last year.

It alleged in the charge sheet that the excise policy was framed in a manner to promote cartelisation and monopoly at the wholesale level.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe into the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf.

The commission will be headed by high court judge (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, and retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh will be its members, officials said here.

The commission will have to submit its report to the government within two months, they said, adding the state home department has constituted the commission under Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

Both Ahmad and Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj on Saturday night.

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Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in the national capital for questioning in connection with the excise policy case.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, Delhi Ministers and AAP MPs to the CBI office.

"I will answer all the questions. BJP leaders are talking about it (my arrest). The CBI is controlled by BJP," Kejriwal told reporters outside the CBI office.

Ahead of appearing before the CBI, the Delhi chief minister paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, Rajghat, in the national capital.

The AAP national convenor attacked the Centre saying some anti-national forces do not want India to develop.

"Some anti-national forces do not want India to develop. I want to tell these forces that the country will continue to progress," Kejriwal told reporters before leaving his residence.

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Earlier on Sunday, Kejriwal held a high-level meeting with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday ahead of joining. The meeting was held at Kejriwal's residence.

Several Delhi ministers, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Rajkumar Anand, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain, were present at the meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan and Punjab Assembly speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan also attended the meeting. AAP MPs Raghav Chadha, ND Gupta and Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also present at the meeting in Kejriwal's residence.

According to sources, the meeting was called to discuss the next course of action after Kejriwal's questioning by the CBI on Sunday.

The Delhi CM said the central agency will arrest him if the BJP government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."

He further said, "You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest."

In a major development in the Delhi excise policy case, the CBI summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case on Sunday.

Meanwhile, AAP workers staged a protest in the national capital over party chief Kejriwal being summoned by the CBI on Sunday. Several AAP workers were detained by Delhi Police at Kashmiri Gate.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a key aide of Kejriwal, is in jail over alleged irregularities in the excise case.

Sisodia was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.

The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval.

The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their account books to evade detection, the probe agencies said.


In its plea filed on April 13, SBI has said: On a purposeful reading of the judgment, this Court has not read any personal hearing. However, it is likely to be misconstrued and a spate of litigation is apprehended on this ground by those defaulters. Their default has substantially contributed to the weakening of the financial position of the banks, affecting the economy of the nation. State Bank of India has filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking clarifications on the apex courts recent directive that banks hear defaulters before they classify a loan account as fraud.



SBI has suggested that banks be exempted from handing over the complete forensic audit report to the borrower as it would hamper future investigation and forewarn the borrower by way of disclosure of confidential information. The bank has sought to limit the scope of personal hearing by suggesting that lenders should be allowed to share only relevant extracts of the forensic audit report with the borrower, instead of the full report. It claimed that giving an opportunity to the borrower to make a representation based on the relevant extracts of the audit report is the only possible and practical way of compliance with the principles of natural justice.



SBI, in its plea, has also appealed that application of the March 27, 2023, judgment be made prospective in operation, and should not apply to past cases. The disclosure of the entire material against the borrower, at this stage, would give an opportunity to the borrower to delay the investigation, destroy the evidence and abscond the country, it has argued.

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At the outset, it is said that the applicant is not seeking a review of the judgment. It has also pleaded that lenders be allowed to decide the time frame of the adjudication, as the borrowers may try to delay the process in the name of a personal hearing and absence of a time limit stipulation.



The Supreme Court stated a borrower should be allowed to be heard before a bank declared the persons account fraudulent. The Bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli upheld the judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court of Telangana on December 10, 2020. The application is likely to be heard next week.







What SBI wants: The RBIs 2016 circular on fraud classification was challenged by over 100 companies in the apex court.



2. Be allowed to sharing only relevant extracts of forensic audit report with borrower 1. It seeks limiting the scope of personal hearing
The announcement was made at Credais investiture ceremony, in which Boman Irani was named the new president of Credai National for 2023-2025. Credai-MCHI too announced a change in leadership, with Domnic Romell becoming the President for the realty body in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) has tied up with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to build 1,000 certified green projects across India in the next two years, and 4,000 projects by 2030, by adopting of IGBC Green & Net Zero building ratings.
The results of top-tier companies TCS and Infosys have tripped on global uncertainties and missed street estimates, setting a subdued tone for Q4 show by the IT pack, and experts see choppy 1-2 quarters for the industry but are hopeful of subsequent recovery.

The earnings' season started on a sombre note with the Q4 scorecards that fell short of expectations, but more importantly the management commentary of India's top two IT services companies was punctuated with words of caution about prevailing customer sentiments across BFSI, technology services and certain other verticals, particularly in the US.

While Infosys top brass spoke of "unplanned project ramp downs and decision making delays by some customers", Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) talked of some clients deferring newer, non-critical initiatives.

Industry veteran and former Infosys director T V Mohandas Pai says Q4FY23 will be subdued for IT players but that extent and impact will depend on profile and strategy of individual companies.

He sees "a cautious Q1FY24 with some hope of growth coming back in Q2 of this year".

Pai believes uncertainties in the US market is likely to come down in April-June quarter, and that new work will take 1-2 quarters to come by, so "October-November will be better time".

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Given that the Indian IT industry is a major force in the global tech arena in terms of its size, scale and strength, it will reflect realities of the market, he contends.

"Five years back, the Indian IT companies were much smaller, they were samples and not the universe...now they have become the universe," Pai told PTI. The industry is today a greater force with USD 200 billion of exports, and the top 5 Indian IT companies are big players in the global market.

"Whatever happens in the market will impact them...They will reflect how the spending is in the economy because they have huge set of clients and the clients reflect spending in the IT universe," Pai said.

ICRIER Chairperson and Genpact founder Pramod Bhasin asserted that while the "softness" in earnings from the big IT firms is likely to continue for a few quarters, growth will return thereafter.

"The softness in earnings from the big IT firms is likely to continue for a few quarters more as many industries, specially tech, restructure and cut costs quite dramatically. In recent years, the tech industry has been a huge consumer of IT services as well as outsourcing. Some of that will, and has definitely slowed down," Bhasin pointed out.

That said, "none of this will last beyond a few quarters and growth will come back for them and for our industry".

"The US economy remains surprisingly robust post-Covid and the markets, while currently slow, will rebound quite easily from what ultimately is a mild recession. So we will have lower growth rates for a few quarters but certainly next year should be really strong as many customers are signing up pretty big contracts to further reduce costs," according to Bhasin.

The recent results from JP Morgan and Wells Fargo have been good and solid, and suggest that, at best, the US recession (if there is one) will be mild, he went on to add.

"We still don't know what the effect of the withdrawal of deposits from the banking system after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank will do to spending overall," he says.

IT sector expert and chairman of 5F World (a platform for digital startups, skills and social ventures) Ganesh Natarajan says biggest customers of Indian IT have been BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), who are also highest on digital maturity curve.

"The slowness in this segment is likely to mute growth for IT over the next three to four quarters," Natarajan believes.

Infosys' latest report card was a disappointment on several fronts -- the company missed revenue guidance for FY23 hit by unplanned project ramp downs and decision-making delays by some clients. With global macroeconomic uncertainties looming, it has given a subdued 4-7 per cent revenue growth forecast for FY24, with top management cautioning that "the environment remains uncertain".

Infosys had last given single-digit revenue guidance in FY19. TCS numbers too fell short of street estimates.

TCS' outgoing CEO Rajesh Gopinathan conceded that the 0.6 per cent growth in the topline over the December quarter has been "weaker than anticipated" because of the setbacks in North America. K Krithivasan, the CEO-designate, who presently heads the BFSI vertical which contributes a third of the overall revenues, said there has been a "greater rush" among clients to conserve cash and delay spends.

The company's Chief Operating Officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said there are no big budget cuts but clients have adopted a strategy of "spending wisely" due to the impact on the sentiment, and are deferring spends.

Events like the fall of SVB and fears of contagion have impacted client sentiments in North America and the banking, financial services and insurance sector, in particular, leading to clients deferring spending, the Tata Group company had said.

In its earnings preview earlier this month, JP Morgan had said that Indian IT companies' Q4FY23 prints should be weaker than Q3 with constant currency sequential organic growth slowing due to a deteriorating macro and flattish to declining margins.

"The deteriorating macros with increasing stress in BFSI and hitech verticals have driven client cautiousness, driving delays in deal ramp-ups and impacting revenue conversion as well as delays in deal decision-making that we believe would be a pain point even on 1Q24 growth expectations," JP Morgan said in a note early April.

CLSA too had flagged that 4QFY23 numbers would be "modest".

"We expect a modest 4QFY23 for Indian IT services companies with a likely dent to deal inflow due to recent global banking turmoil. We suspect this could weigh on FY24 guidance as well; management could take a conservative stance while setting initial expectations," it had said in its sector outlook dated April 2.
In this section

Govt to narrow down safe harbour for social media cos, raise accountability

Apple TV launches 'multiview' feature in beta for sports livestreams

Google announces to shut down its G Suite app Currents, says report

WhatsApp's new feature allows adding descriptions to forwarded messages

Govt bets on carbon capture to go green, plans to unveil CCUS policy soon

Accenture to acquire AI company Flutura; deal terms not disclosed

Despite layoffs, Accenture Q2 outlook a relief for IT companies

'Anxiety at peak': Accenture layoff move jolts Indian IT professionals

Accenture's retained FY23 guidance hints slowdown for IT firms: Analysts

With the rise of advanced large language models like GPT-4, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming table stakes  a basic norm for companies across businesses, with 98 per cent of global executives believing that it will spark significant creativity and innovation. According to Accentures Technology Vision 2023, generative AI will advance human capability as a co-pilot, creative partner or advisor. Over 95 per cent of executives agree it will usher in a new era of enterprise intelligence. The report is based on a survey of 4,777 C-level executives and directors in 34 countries and 25 industries, conducted between December 2022 and January 2023.

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But they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out coal that Canada and other members had pushed for, and left the door open for continued investment in gas, saying that sector could help address potential energy shortfalls.

The Group of Seven rich nations on Sunday set big new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity, agreeing to speed up renewable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels.



"While acknowledging that there are diverse pathways to achieve carbon neutral, we agreed on the importance of aiming for a common goal toward 2050," he said.

"In the midst of an unprecedented energy crisis, it's important to come up with measures to tackle climate change and promote energy security at the same time," Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference.



"Initially people thought that climate action and action on energy security potentially were in conflict. But discussions which we had and which are reflected in the communique are that they actually work together," said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's minister of natural resources.

G7 ministers finish two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Sunday. Renewable fuel sources and energy security have taken on a new urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Also Read It's challenge to meet tariffs for wind power in India: Engie MD COP27: Australia announces to sign up with global offshore wind alliance JSW Energy arm bags two battery energy storage system projects from SECI Govt unveils plans to add 250GW renewable energy capacity in next 5 years President Biden offers $450 mn for clean energy projects at coal mines Sudan army, paramilitary clashes kill 59 civilians, including Indian Global public goods should be financed from add'l resource allocation: FM Now, Elon Musk enters AI system race, plans company to rival OpenAI Europe's most powerful nuclear reactor 'Olkiluoto 3' kicks off in Finland G20 meet set to finalise a common definition for start-ups by July



Poland and Hungary halt grain imports from Ukraine In their communique, the members pledged to collectively increase offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt.



The announcement by Poland and Hungary is an attempt to placate their farmers amid a grain glut that has sent prices crashing in their domestic markets as cheap Ukrainian grain undercuts local producers.

Poland and Hungary have temporarily halted imports of Ukrainian grain despite a warning from Brussels that such unilateral action would contravene EU trade policy.

Most of the grain was meant to be re-exported from the EU to the Middle East to help Ukraines economy and alleviate food shortages sparked by the war.



- Agencies
US Special Envoy to Afghanistan Thomas West has called on the International community to address the ongoing problems of the war-torn country and voice out support for dialogue and opposition to armed conflict, according to Khaama Press.

West raised concerns regarding Afghanistan at the Afghan Future Thought Forum's gathering in Doha and said that "every Afghan participant at the forum voiced support for dialogue and opposition to armed conflict as a solution to the country's challenges."

The US Special envoy took to Twitter and stated that he attended the Afghan Future Thought Forum's gathering in Doha with heads of mission of key allies and partners on Friday.

"I heard both condemnation and support for Taliban conduct and different recommendations for how the international community should address challenges. Every Afghan participant spoke out in favour of dialogue and against using violence to resolve the country's problems," West said, according to Khaama Press.

Afghan men and women from a variety of backgrounds, including economists, human rights activists, former ministers, elders, and Taliban militants, attended the Forum.

In a statement, the Afghanistan Future Thought Forum (AFTF), which bills itself as an independent, non-partisan organisation with "Taliban participants," claimed to have examined the main opportunities and difficulties the Afghan people face and to have offered a solution to both the de facto government and the international community, reported Khaama Press.

Also Read Taliban asks int'l community to recognise 'Islamic Emirate' of Afghanistan Afghanistan govt has in principle agreed to resume women's cricket: ICC OIC delegation to be in Afghanistan to discuss women's right to education Afghanistan's economy contracted by about 20% in 2021: World Bank Facebook announces 2022 Community Accelerator participants in India India-US people-to-people ties to get stronger, better: WH official Ukraine Conflict:11 killed from Russian missile strike in Sloviansk Despite heavy protests, French Prez Macron signs pension reform into law VP Kamala Harris rallies as high court eyes abortion pill rules in country Amid reeling economic crisis, Pak govt hikes petrol price for next 15 days

Although the fighting in the country has ended, serious human rights violations continue unabated, especially against women and minorities. Women and girls in Afghanistan are facing a human rights crisis, deprived of the fundamental rights to non-discrimination, education, work, public participation and health.


The Tesla and Twitter chief is assembling a team of artificial intelligence researchers and engineers, said people familiar with the tech entrepreneurs plans.Musk is also in discussions with a number of investors in SpaceX and Tesla about putting money into his new venture, said a person with direct knowledge of the talks. A bunch of people are investing in it . . . its real and they are excited about it, the person said.

Elon Musk is developing plans to launch a new artificial intelligence start-up to compete with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, as the billionaire seeks to join Silicon Valleys race to build generative AI systems.



The speed with which Musk is moving will raise eyebrows in some corners of the AI community after he led a letter, cosigned by thousands of other tech figures, calling for a pause on development of GPT-style models over safety concerns.The billionaires potential entry to the hot generative AI market will add yet another venture to his diverse portfolio of responsibilities and investments.

Musk incorporated a company named X.AI on March 9, according to Nevada business records. He is the companys only director, its secretary is listed as Jared Birchall, the ex-Morgan Stanley banker who manages Musks wealth. Musk recently changed the name of Twitter to X Corp in company filings, as part of his plans to create an everything app under the brand X.For the new project, Musk has secured thousands of high-powered GPU processors from Nvidia, said people with knowledge of the move. GPUs are the high-end chips required for his aim to build a large language model  AI systems capable of ingesting enormous amounts of content and producing humanlike writing or realistic imagery, similar to the technology that powers ChatGPT.



Musk has brought on Igor Babuschkin, a former DeepMind employee, and roughly half a dozen other engineers. The Information previously reported Babuschkins early talks with Musk.The new company would allow Musk to take on OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed group that he co-founded in 2015. He left the board three years later amid clashes with its management, including over attitudes to AI safety, according to two people who were involved in OpenAI at the time.

This includes running Twitter and Tesla, as well as founding SpaceX, his $137 billion rocket maker, Neuralink, a neurotechnology researcher, and The Boring Company, a tunnelling start-up.Musk is recruiting engineers from top AI labs including DeepMind, according to those with knowledge of his plans, who said he began to explore the idea of a rival company earlier this year in response to the rapid progress of OpenAI.

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During a Twitter Spaces interview this week, Musk was asked about a Business Insider report that Twitter had bought as many as 10,000 Nvidia GPUs,

Shortly afterwards, the organisation morphed into a for-profit start-up and raised a $1 billion investment from Microsoft.Since then, Musk has become increasingly vocal in his fears of broader existential threats from AI systems. He has also publicly criticised OpenAI for becoming, in his view, less transparent and too commercially minded in its pursuit of advanced AI. Musk is particularly concerned about the threat of models such as GPT-4, OpenAIs latest release, to spew falsehoods and show political bias.



During this weeks Twitter Spaces session, Musk enthused about Teslas homegrown supercomputer, Dojo, which the electric-car maker uses to train its Autopilot self-driving system.I think theres a lot of potential there with Dojo that people dont realise, Musk said. He has hinted Dojo could be opened up to other companies as a service, similar to how Amazon rents out its vast server infrastructure as AWS.

It seems like everyone and their dog is buying GPUs at this point, Musk said. Twitter and Tesla are certainly buying GPUs.People familiar with Musks thinking say his new AI venture is separate from his other companies, though it could use Twitter content as data to train its language model and tap Tesla for computing resources.While the AI teams exact position in Musks corporate empire remains unclear, he recently moved Twitter Inc, which he bought for $44 billion last year, into a new holding company, X Corp.



When Musk left OpenAI in 2018, the public explanation for the split was that he wanted to focus on Tesla, which was also investing heavily in AI.Tesla was competing for some of the same people as OpenAI & I didnt agree with some of what OpenAI team wanted to do, Musk tweeted in 2019, adding that it was better to part ways on good terms.

A Musk-backed generative AI venture would enter an increasingly crowded and well-financed market. Tech giants Microsoft, Google and Amazon are jostling with start-ups such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Adept and StabilityAI, who have together raised billions of dollars in recent months.

People involved in OpenAI at the time of his departure say Musk clashed with other board members and staffers, including differences between his and the companys choices regarding AI safety.Another person who was involved in the company at the time, described a tense all-staff meeting in 2018 to explain Musks departure. The highest morale moment [for the business at that time] was the happy hour we hosted after parting ways with Musk, the person said.Musk and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


In an effort to support its farmers, who claim they are losing a lot of money as a result of an oversupply of Ukrainian grain on the market, the Polish government announced it will temporarily forbid grain and other food imports from Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.

The administration declared that the import restrictions would be in place until June 30. Imports of sugar, eggs, meat, milk, other dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are also prohibited by the legislation.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling party in Poland, claimed that despite Poland's support for Ukraine, it was compelled to take action to defend its farmers as the Polish countryside is currently experiencing a "period of crisis."

"Today, the government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of food, to Poland," Al Jazeera quoted Kaczynski as saying at a party convention in eastern Poland on Saturday.

However, the Ukrainian side expressed regret over the decision of the Poland government and said that it is the Ukrainian farmers who are under a massive crisis.

"Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, but we emphasise that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most difficult situation", it said.

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The ministry suggested that the two nations reach a fresh, amicable arrangement in the upcoming days.

Farmers in nearby nations have also expressed concern over Ukrainian grain flooding their nations, causing a surplus that has down prices and forced them to suffer significant losses.

Russia's conflict with Ukraine is to blame for the current scenario. The European Union removed tariffs on Ukrainian grain to ease its transportation to Africa and the Middle East after Moscow blocked conventional export sea routes.

The Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24 has taken numerous lives and the war continues to escalate between the two nations even now. The biggest land conflict in Europe since the Second World War has displaced millions leaving Ukrainian cities, towns and villages in ruins and disrupting the global economy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit several Latin American countries from April 17 to 21, the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday, Russian News Agency TASS reported.

"From April 17 to 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The Russian foreign minister will have a rich program, which will include meetings with these countries' leaders and talks with the foreign ministers," it said.

According to the ministry, the key goal of Lavrov's tour is to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries in the political, trade-and-economic, educational, humanitarian, cultural, and other spheres, TASS reported.

"The talks are planned to focus on issues of strengthening the legal framework of the present-day world, which is based on the United Nations Charter," the ministry said, TASS reported.

"Latin America is a friendly region, one of the centres of the formation of a multipolar world and Russian plans to maintain a dynamic dialogue with it, develop constructive cooperation free from any dictation from the outside," the ministry added.

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The fighting broke out on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

Sudans army appeared to gain the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with rival paramilitary forces after blasting its bases with air strikes, witnesses said, and at least 59 civilians were killed including three UN workers.



International powers - the United States, China, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, European Union and African Union - have appealed for an immediate end to the hostilities.

It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust president Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019.



At the end of a day of heavy fighting, the army struck a base belonging to the RSF in the city of Omdurman, which adjoins the capital Khartoum, witnesses said late on Saturday.

Efforts by neighbours and regional bodies to end the violence intensified on Sunday. That included an offer by Egypt and South Sudan to mediate between the fighting parties, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

Also Read India supports peace process and capacity building in South Sudan Firing heard in Sudan capital amid tensions between military, paramilitary UAE expresses concern over developments in Sudan, calls for calm, restraint UN condemns clashes in South Sudan after 27 killed, probe to be launched Political transition in Sudan continues to 'face obstacles': India at UNSC Global public goods should be financed from add'l resource allocation: FM Now, Elon Musk enters AI system race, plans company to rival OpenAI Europe's most powerful nuclear reactor 'Olkiluoto 3' kicks off in Finland G20 meet set to finalise a common definition for start-ups by July Armed forces veterans, get prime spots at King Charles Coronation



The two rivals have been competing for power as political factions negotiate forming a transitional government after a 2021 military coup.

Both the military and the RSF claimed they had control of Sudan's airport and other key installations in Khartoum, where fighting raged overnight.

Al Arabiya television broadcast footage showing thick plume of smoke rising over some districts in Khartoum.

In the early hours of Sunday, residents reported hearing gunfire and explosions from heavy artillery through the night.

"We're scared, we haven't slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking. We're worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father," Huda, a young resident in southern Khartoum told Reuters.
CADforum.cz is an international web portal that provides resources and information related to computer-aided design (CAD) software. It is a Czech-based online community for users of CAD software by Autodesk and Arkance Systems, particularly AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Inventor and Fusion 360. The website offers a range of services such as a discussion forum, articles, tips and tricks, block libraries, tutorials, and downloads of CAD-related files. CADforum is available in multiple languages and is a popular resource for CAD users worldwide, having more than 1 million registerd users.

CADforum.cz has been in operation since 2000 and has built a strong reputation as a reliable source of information and resources for CAD software users. The website covers a wide range of topics related to CAD, BIM, CAM, GIS and PDM software, including 2D and 3D drafting, modeling, rendering, and customization. It also provides updates on the latest versions and features of various CAD software programs. In addition to its online community and resources, CADforum.cz also offers professional tools like online converters and calculators for CAD users. The website has a team of experts who regularly contribute articles and tutorials, and also respond to questions and queries posted by users in the discussion forum. Overall, CADforum.cz is an excellent resource for CAD software users, whether they are beginners or experienced professionals.

CADforum is operated by Arkance Systems, a worldwide company partnering with Autodesk (one of the largest Autodesk Platinum Partners), providing software and services for digitalization in the manufacturing and construction industries.
Assam Special TET Admit Card: The Department of Elementary Education, Assam, is all set to release the Assam TET Special Admit Card 2023 today, April 15, 2023. The admit card will be released for the 6th schedule of the TET examination. Candidates who have successfully registered for the Assam Teacher Eligibility Test will be able to download the admit card from the official website - ssa.assam.gov.in.

The exam is scheduled to be held on April 30, 2023, and will comprise two papers - Paper 1 for the lower primary region and Paper 2 for the upper primary level. Each paper will be of two and a half hours' duration, and there will be a total of 150 multiple-choice questions. Visually impaired candidates will get an extra 20 minutes to complete the exam.

Here's How to Download the Assam Special TET Admit Card 2023:

To download the Assam Special TET admit card, candidates are required to follow the steps given below:

Go to the official website of Assam TET at ssa.assam.gov.in.

On the homepage, click on the link that reads "Admit Card Download."

Fill in your login credentials.

Your Assam Special TET 2023 admit card will appear on your screen.

Download the Assam Special TET admit card and take a printout of it for future use.

It is essential for all candidates to carry their admit cards to the examination hall as it serves as a crucial document for verification purposes. Candidates must also ensure that they carry a valid ID proof along with the admit card on the day of the examination.
UAE will shed light on its industrial ecosystem and vision for growth and how German companies can benefit from collaborating with UAE entities and benefit from the incentives available to investors at Hannover Messe.

UAE will also highlight how industrial investors can benefit from offtakes provided by national champions to de-risk their investments.

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) is leading the UAE delegation to the show, the worlds largest industry trade fair, from April 17 to 21, in Hannover, Germany.

Roundtable

The delegation will host a roundtable with the private sector and participate in panel discussions highlighting the UAEs value proposition as a global industrial hub, encouraging future investments.

The delegation at Hannover Messe consists of MoIAT, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Adnoc Group, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Kezad Group, and Dubai Industrial City. The stand showcases the UAE as a key industrial hub, offering solutions to industrys global challenges, such as access to talent, supply chain challenges and climate neutrality.

Themed under Make it in the Emirates: The UAE as a Global Industrial Hub, a roundtable will be chaired by Omar Al Suwaidi, the UAE MoIAT Undersecretary along with the ministrys partners, hosting German and European companies.

Panel session

The UAE delegation will host a panel session titled The UAE, A Solution for Global Challenges. This session will highlight the UAEs industrial value proposition and enablers, including green financing, certified green energy supply, robust regulation infrastructure, access to markets with the growing number of free trade agreements, and more.

Active participation

Throughout Hannover Messe, as part of the UAE delegation, MoIAT aims to promote the UAE as an industrial hub and attractive investment destination. In line with its Make it in the Emirates initiative, MoIAT is seeking to attract local and international investors, promote collaborative opportunities, and show the potential for manufacturing products in the UAE.

Competitive advantages include attractive financing solutions, supportive regulations and legislature, a low-tax corporate environment, a skilled workforce, trading arrangements with regional and international countries which continues to increase the UAEs access to markets, and many other industrial incentives. There is a real opportunity for investors to join the industrial sectors journey and take advantage of the unique investment ecosystem and incentives in the UAE.

Hannover Messe welcomes 4,000 companies from all over the world, from a variety of industrial sectors, including technology. The UAE has plans to diversify its economy, through enabling and growing the industrial sector. To enhance the competitiveness of UAE industry globally, the country is focused on deploying advanced technologies such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence within industry.

De-carbonisation

Furthermore, the UAEs industrial de-carbonisation efforts, as part of its 2050 Net Zero targets, opens an array of investment opportunities. These opportunities are a result of the UAEs heavy investment in the development of advanced technologies, paving the way for green industries of the future and new technologies to tackle climate change, such as carbon capture.

Technological and sustainable industrial development are a key part of the UAEs COP28 agenda. Hannover Messe represents a platform for the UAE to gather further international support for COP28, which takes place in November 2023. At both Hannover Messe and COP28, the UAE will demonstrate how it is accelerating industrial decarbonisation through a comprehensive, whole-of-a-value-chain approach.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Staff Selection Commission has announced the list of applicants for the SSC CGL Exam 2023. Applicants can apply online via the official website at ssc.nic.in until May 4. The SSC CGL Exam 2023 is held to fill roughly 7,500 positions in different divisions. Across India, the Staff Selection Commission provides job possibilities for both fresh graduates and seasoned professionals. Candidates with a B.Com, M.Com, B.E, M.E, or any other undergrad, postgrad, or diploma are eligible for SSC Recruitment 2023 depending on the qualifications needed.

Overview of the Recruitment

Name of the post- Combined Graduate Level (CGL)

Eligibility- Citizen of Indian

Recruitment Type- Central Government Jobs

Total Vacancy- 7500 (approximately)

How to Apply for the Recruitment

First and foremost, applicants must visit the official website, https://ssc.nic.in/.

Then, navigate to the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) website and search for the link to the specific SSC CGL Notification 2023 Notification.

Then click the Apply Online button.

A new window with an Application cost will be displayed.

Fill out the form with the essential details from the applicant's documents

Pay the Application Fee following the Notification's requirements.

To submit the Application form, click the Submit button.

Download it and print the Application form for future reference and usage.

Application Fees

General, OBC, EWS- 100/-

SC, ST Candidates- 0/-

Women, Ex-Serviceman, PwBD- 0/-

SSC CGL Important Dates

Starting Date to Apply Online- 03/04/2023

Last Date to Apply Online - 03/05/2023

Last date for online fee payment- 04/052023

Tier-I - July 2023

Tier-II - To be notified later

Exam Pattern

Applicants must go through a selection procedure that consists of two stages for SSC CGL 2023 recruitment. The SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2023 for the various levels of selection is varied. The first stage of the procedure is the SSC CGL Tier 1 test, which consists of 100 questions with 200 marks and is administered over 60 minutes. After passing the SSC CGL Tier 1 cutoff, an aspirant will advance to the SSC CGL Tier 2 stage of recruitment.

Pay Scale

The salary ranges from Rs 47,600 to Rs 1,51,100.

Admit Card

SSC CGL Admit Card will be available on the official website for all areas 10-15 days before the scheduled examination. Each candidate who registers for the SSC CGL 2023 Examination within the time limit will be granted an e-admit card/hall ticket/call letter, which may be downloaded from the SSC official website after it is announced by the board..
A woman at a residence on Celia Drive told police that a red truck with a landscaping trailer had stolen some of her things that were out by the curb around 1:30 p.m., and had just left from attempting to steal her things again when police arrived. She said that the three black males said they were with the city of Chattanooga, but she said they weren't. The woman insisted that police transport her to a house where they are keeping her stolen items, and when the officer told her he would personally go look there for her, she said, "Forget it, you aren't listening anyways" and asked for a supervisor because she said the officer didn't want to help her. The woman was unable to tell or explain to the officer what exactly was stolen from her. She just insisted that police take her to a house down the road to see if her stuff was there. She also said that the "suspects" said they'd be back tomorrow to pick up her things. A sergeant arrived at the woman's address to speak with her, since she asked for a supervisor, and located the "suspect" vehicle the woman showed police on Hancock Road/Jersey Pike. Police spoke with the driver of the red truck. He showed police an order from the city of Chattanooga authorizing him to clean up the yard of the woman's address on Cecelia Drive. The man said he would call police for a disorder prevention prior to continuing to clean up the yard. Per the woman's request, police helped her put a freezer and BBQ grill inside her house. The woman also said she believed someone had been inside her house. Police checked the house, but found no signs of anyone inside or new damage on the outside indicating anyone had made entry into the house. Police also noted the house was extremely cluttered to the point that some areas of the house were not accessible.

* * *

An anonymous caller told police there was a woman yelling for help in a maroon van parked on Amnicola Highway. Police spoke with a man and woman there who are known to police to be homeless and sleep in their van at that location. It was obvious to police that they had woken the couple up and they did not seem to be in distress. When asked, both of them confirmed that they were sleeping and they were not in need of assistance, nor did they hear anyone call for help.

* * *

A man was observed loitering in un-lit areas and street corners at E. 18th Street/S. Willow Street, claiming to be waiting on an Uber. "Coco" was instructed to vacate the area. No warrants were found on him.

* * *



Police observed a silver Chrysler 300 (TN tag) traveling south on the 1400 block of Riverside Drive. It made a left turn onto W. Martin Luther King Boulevard and a right turn onto I-24 westbound. Police conducted a traffic stop at approximately the 176.5 I-24 westbound for failure to maintain lane. The driver said he just got off work (CARTA) and was going home. He had a CARTA uniform shirt on. The vehicle did not have tinted windows. The driver allowed police to look in the trunk, which was empty and very clean. Police did not see any evidence of criminal activity.

* * *

While in the area of 2817 Rossville Blvd. searching for a suspect for a different incident, police were notified by Dispatch that the suspect was tracked to the area of Calhoun Avenue and Doyle Street. The 2817 Rossville address is a condemned building near that intersection that homeless people stay in, police said. When officers checked this location, they did not locate the original suspect in question; however, they made contact with four homeless people. A warrant check was conducted for all of them. They were informed they could not be on this property and needed to leave, and are now trespassed.

* * *

A woman on Mountain Creek Road told police she had lost her wallet. She said the wallet contained her identification cards and credit/debit cards.

* * *

A man on Alabama Avenue told police there were two white males taking lumber without permission from a construction site next door to him. Police spoke to the general contractor, who said that he wasn't concerned with the old lumber currently loaded; however, he did not want any new lumber removed and did not want the two men to return. The two men returned all of the lumber without incident and left the scene. The men were driving a silver Chevy Avalanche truck (GA tag).

* * *

The manager at the District at Hamilton Gates Apartments, 1920 Gunbarrel Road, told police she heard yelling and a female getting beat up in an apartment there. She gave police the name of the man who lives there and said she has had multiple complainants from neighbors saying there is always yelling going on there. Police knocked multiple times on the door announcing themselves as Chattanooga Police; however, there was no answer. Police thought they heard a loud thump in the room to indicate someone was in there. The manager had an extra key to the apartment. Due to the circumstances, a well being check was done and police made entry into the home. No one was in the apartment, nor did it look like a woman had been in there.

* * *

Vandalism was reported at a residence on McGowan Avenue. Police found an open door to the residence that had been kicked open, with damage to the door and the wall inside the door. Police deployed with Chattanooga K-9 to search the house for a suspect hiding inside. Police did not locate anyone inside the residence.

* * *

A disorder was reported at a residence on Callaway Court. Police found a couple there in an argument. Police determined the disorder to be over a disagreement in regards to some finances. Police determined the disorder to be only verbal. The two agreed to be nice to each other and stay in separate rooms.
Actor and producer Donald Glover starred on Community for years, playing the role of the beloved Troy Barnes. The show amassed quite a cult following in its six seasons, earning some impressive ratings at times. In fact, the show worked so well that the cast is currently wrapping up production on the Community movie.

But believe it or not, Glover was blissfully unaware of the shows popularity when he was on it, at least at first. It took a trip over the Canadian border for him to realize he was famous.

Remember Community?

Joel McHale says everyone on 'Community' knew Donald Glover's reign was coming. https://t.co/gummJvxIZ2 pic.twitter.com/i2KbtGWeER  Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 24, 2018

Community, which debuted in 2009, starred Joe McHale as Jeff Winger, a disbarred lawyer suspended from his firm when he was busted for lying about having a bachelors degree from Columbia University. He enrolls in Glendale Community College in Colorado in order to earn a legitimate degree.

Winger is immediately attracted to his classmate Britta. So he pretends to run a study group to spend time with her. Britta invites classmates Abed, Shirley, Annie, Troy, and Pierce. They all become friends despite their wildly different personalities, values, and political affiliations. Other quirky characters include the colleges flamboyant dean, Craig Pelton, and mentally unstable professor (and eventual classmate) Ben Chang.

Glover was on the show from the beginning until the middle of Season 5. Then, he departed to focus on his music career and other opportunities. However, he recently confirmed that he will appear in the movie, which is exciting to the shows fans. His character, Troy, is very popular.

The moment Glover realized he was on a hit show

Community stars Matt Walsh, Donald Glover, and Joel McHale | Harper Smith/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Recently, Glover discussed his most iconic characters for GQ. Regarding his time on Community, he honed in on a lot of skills, like improv and having to ADR (automated dialogue replacement) entire episodes. But the real shocker came when he admitted he didnt know the show was popular until he took a trip to Canada.

We had no clue that, like, people were watching Community, Glover said, adding that the team at NBC made it very clear to the cast that the show was a bomb and garbage.

It was just like, you know, we werent the cool show, Glover said. Everybody was like, Parks and Rec has all the cool people. We were kind of like, Oh, I guess were kind of the misfits. He assumed that he was on a silly show that no one really cared about.

That all changed when Glover did a show in Canada, and, much to his surprise, people were going crazy.

Everybody wanted me to do the handshake with them, he said. It was very intense I didnt realize people cared that much.

The Community movie

Since the Community movie was announced last fall, fans have wondered who will return and who wont. Obviously, Chevy Chase wont be in it. His character was killed off on the show after the actor blurted out a racial slur on-set during Season 4. Until recently, Glover hadnt confirmed his involvement, either. But it looks as though we havent seen the last of Troy Barnes.

Hopefully, reprising his role will be healing for Glover. He has admitted to dealing with personal issues around the time he left the show. The now-39-year-olds social media rants about how people perceived him as his Community character and his Childish Gambino musical persona concerned his fans. Fortunately, Glover seems to be in a good place now. Hell make a great addition to the upcoming movie.
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Four Cheshire students were recognized as finalists at the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair at Quinnipiac University last month.

Avery Fowler and Luke Machado of St. Bridget School received awards for their submissions of a homemade livestock identification system and a demonstration model for disaster-resilient architecture, respectively.

Two other students, Suchita Srinivasan and Shangyu Xu from Cheshire High School, also received accolades for a domestic violence alerting device and a network for cataloging phenotype information to assist those with diseased genes, respectively.

Fowler, an eighth-grade student, received the most awards at the event for her homemade livestock identification system, receiving $1,110 in prize money and recognition from Stanley Black & Decker, Lockheed Martin, the Petit Family Foundation, and others.

She said that the prospect of showing off her system at the fair and demonstrating her talent for coding was an exciting one. I was really excited because I dont think a lot of people know about coding or animal identification systems. So, I really liked having the opportunity to tell more people about it, because its something that a lot of people I think find very interesting.

Machado, a seventh-grade student, received $500 in prize money for his architecture demonstration, along with recognition from Pepsico, the Society of Women Engineers, the Otis Elevator Company, and others. He too felt excited to have received those awards for demonstrating his passion for engineering at the fair.

It felt really good. I was really excited and proud of myself that I was making it this far, Machado said.

Srinivasan received a trophy from the Connecticut Invention Convention, along with an invitation to compete in their next event this summer, on June 10th, while Xu was a finalist for the Life Science Awards and received a medallion from the science fair.

Fowler got the inspiration for her system because her parents own Yippee Farms, meaning she often works around animals  specifically goats. When she found there was difficulty being able to tell the differences between two of their twin goats, she looked up identification systems that farmers commonly use, and found that the cheapest among them cost around $4,000.

Rather than pay for the system, Fowler used her expertise from the robotics team she participates in to code and develop her own system, which scans the chips and tags on animals, only costing her around $150 to develop. She is currently still working on developing the system, creating an app, and working to use a 3D printer to make it even more portable. Though Fowler has no plans to patent her device, she wishes to make the code freely available online so others can also develop and use it for their own projects.

I found out systems like this did exist, but they were very expensive, which most farmers cant afford. So I decided to make my own system. We would be able to see all the animals information just by scanning their microchips, Fowler said, My next step for this project would be to 3D-print a case for it because Id like to learn 3D printing. Im pretty interested in it, so itll also help make it more portable and easier to bring outside and carry around near the animals.

Fowler was also chosen as Town Scholar by Cheshire Academy for her avid interest in science and she received a full scholarship to the school for her high school career.

Machado, on the other hand, was inspired to pursue his project after seeing the uptick in natural disasters across the world, so he created a slope on which he built several towers with different foundations, using it to simulate how they held up in various conditions such as landslides and floods.

Were in a time in our world right now where a lot of landslides, wind storms, and floods are becoming increasingly common. And so I think that I need to study the variables when doing a structure that can withstand these disasters, so we can understand the construction design for us to reduce the structures vulnerability to disaster, Machado said.

He expressed an interest, much like Fowler, to continue developing the project into the future, pursuing and deepening their passion for engineering.

A full list of awards for the 2023 fair is available online at the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fairs website.
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If youre looking for your next travel destination, set your sights on Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a bustling, diverse city with lots to do.

Its often described as a shoppers paradise. They have everything ranging from outdoor vendor stalls to cute little boutiques and high-end luxury stores.

You can also do some sightseeing to explore the beautiful city and observe its stunning skyline from Victoria Peak, the tallest hill in Hong Kong. Its a highly popular tourist attraction, so be sure not to skip it!

In an attempt to draw in more visitors to boost their tourism industry, Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 plane tickets to people from all over the world.

Travelers can head to Hong Kong International Airports website and enter a drawing to win free round-trip tickets. Residents from Southeast Asian countries applied for their tickets back in March.

Currently, those from Mainland China are hoping that luck goes their way. For them, the drawing opened on April 1st.

For Western countries, including Europe, the UK, and the US, the drawing opens on May 1st. Several airlines are participating in the promotion.

Tickets will be available from Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Greater Bay Airlines.

But wait, theres more! Travelers dont just receive free flights. Hong Kong has prepared over a million welcome gifts for its visitors. They are offering vouchers for restaurants, shops, and various attractions.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
It was October 1959.

I was a sophomore at Wheaton College, majoring in history and planning to attend law school after graduation. One Friday night, four friends convinced me to drive with them into Chicago to attend an all-night prayer meeting.

The leader of the prayer gathering was one George Verwer, a 20-year-old student at Moody Bible Institute whom I had never met before. The focus of our evening was to pray for unreached Muslims in Muslim-majority countries. No one in my group of friends had ever thought about Muslims, much less about doing anything on their behalf.

I had become a Christian a couple of years before this meeting, and was deeply in love with Jesus. I knew about missionaries and was even attending the same school as Jim Elliot and Nate Saint, who had died in the South American rainforest while evangelizing to the Huaorani people a few years earlier. But missions still felt like something for other believers to embark on. I didnt even have a desire to leave the US on holiday.

Nevertheless, my friends persuaded me into spending my Friday night in a room that I soon found out was devoid of coffee, alcohol, or food. Instead, the space was full of people who were hovering over maps of the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, praying for the Lord to send laborers in obedience to his mandate in Matthew 9:3638.

I walked towards the skinny young man I assumed was George, intending to shake his hand. Instead, he poked his finger into my chest and growled, "What country are you praying for?

Whats left? I said, barely above a whisper.

YOUVE GOT LIBYA! he thundered and sent me to join one of the prayer groups.

I had no idea where Libya was. I guessed it might be an island in the West Indies.

Armed with the knowledge of the nations name, my erroneous information about the countrys geography, and nothing else, I began to pray. I got down on the floor and joined a group of guys who were beseeching the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field .

Five hours of prayer later, I was devastated. I had walked into the meeting that night feeling comfortable with the idea that I could live for Christ as an attorney. But I became fully convinced that I had been invited by God himself to throw away my goal of being a lawyer and walk the lowly non-status road of a missionary in oblivion. (Remember that I had barely heard of the country I had been praying for.) I felt my Heavenly Father saying these words to me: I want you on My team.

Believe it or not, four out of the five Wheaton students who attended that prayer meeting at Moody became missionaries in Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Malaysia, and the Arab World for our entire working lives. After spending a night interceding in prayer together, we couldn't think of anything more relevant or more worthy than giving up our small ambitions and following the call that George had awakened us to.

In the years to come, George, through his ministry Operation Mobilisation (OM), would continue to catalyze young people to devote their life to missions in effective, if not unconventional, ways.

How? In 1963, George sent me a note ordering me to charter a plane that would seat 113 passengers from New York to Paris. He commissioned me to fill the plane with students who would be willing to spend their summers visiting villages in Austria, Italy, Spain, France, and Belgium to share copies of the New Testament and books by Billy Graham in the local languages.

Im sure I dont need to tell you what happened next.

More than 300 Christian organizations were founded by people who were inspired by George, who died on April 14 at the age of 84, and his ministry efforts through OM. I founded the missions agency Frontiers in 1983, and Im but one of many whom George inspired to launch ministries among Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists in parts of the world where Christ is not known by the vast majorities of peoples, from North Africa to Southeast Asia.

Today, Frontiers missionaries are birthing house churches with Muslim-background elders in 63 countries.

Thank you, Lord, and thank you, George Verwer!

Greg Livingstone is the founder of Frontiers.
UMC creates lighthouse congregations to minister to those whose churches left denomination

As large numbers of congregations continue to leave The United Methodist Church, two regional bodies of the mainline Protestant denomination are looking into a way to help those left behind.

Last year, 249 congregations voted to disaffiliate from the UMC North Carolina Conference, while 41 congregations have disaffiliated from the UMC Western North Carolina Conference since 2020.

Since these disaffiliation votes have left many people who want to remain with the UMC without a congregational home, the two North Carolina-based conferences responded by launching Lighthouse Congregations earlier this year.

A Lighthouse Congregation is a church that opens itself up to those whose churches have left the UMC while also having no intention of seeking disaffiliation from the denomination.

The Garner-based NC Conference currently has 77 Lighthouse Congregations, while the Huntersville-based WNC Conference presently has 55 official Lighthouse Congregations.

The Rev. Rob Hutchinson, WNCC director of Church Development, told The Christian Post that the program is growing, as an additional 60 congregations have completed the training for the program. Hutchinson added that he personally shared materials about the program with 15 other conferences.

Connectionalism at its best

According to Hutchinson, the concept for Lighthouse Congregations was sparked by a conversation he had last October with the Rev. Steve Harper of the Florida Conference.

We were discussing different ways Conferences were managing and responding to a variety of issues related to the disaffiliation process. He sent a broad strokes concept of it the next day, Hutchinson explained.

I began talking about it with some other Church Developers in other conferences, from which, the Rev. Tim Catlett  developer in the NC Conference  and myself began to drive down even more specifics.

Hutchinson described the concept as a genuine collaborative effort between multiple conferences, with adaptability built into its framework to adjust to the needs and resources of each conference.

The prevailing reason for Lighthouse Congregations was (and is) to provide a mechanism for people displaced by disaffiliation who want to remain United Methodist to connect with churches that are particularly equipped to love and care for them through this unique and difficult time, he continued.

It is a way to tangibly practice our connectionalism at its best.

The Rev. Tim Catlett, executive director for the Office of New Faith Communities, and the Rev. Laura Wittman, coordinating pastor for the UM Collective, emailed CP joint comments about the program in the NC Conference.

Catlett and Wittman explained that the program was part of a two-pronged effort to minister to those whose congregations had left the UMC, the other part being to appoint regional chaplains to specifically address the emotional and spiritual needs of those without a congregation.

Many people expressed feeling angry, hurt, betrayed and abandoned, Catlett and Wittman explained, noting that the regional body appointed four United Methodist clergy to serve as regional chaplains to care for anyone who felt they needed support.

The first official Lighthouse Congregation in the NC Conference was Wares Chapel United Methodist Church in Washington, North Carolina, which had already been serving as a spiritual haven for more than 30 people whose congregations had disaffiliated from the UMC.

They are sharing the love of God and Gods community with each other and finding new ways, together, to share Gods love with their community and world, said Catlett and Wittman of Wares Chapel.

While we grieve the loss of those local churches who have chosen to no longer be United Methodist congregations, we celebrate those churches who remain connected to one another and who are offering graceful hospitality to each other and a witness of Gods love to our world.

We simply welcome all

The Rev. Taylor Mills serves as pastor of Ann Street United Methodist Church of Beaufort, a Lighthouse Congregation that traces its origins back to the 18th century, with its first building being constructed in 1820.

Mills told CP that the decision to pursue becoming a Lighthouse Congregation came shortly after Ann Street UMC's governing board had decided not to consider disaffiliation.

A few months after our church council decided not to investigate disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church, the church council considered applying to our conference for the Lighthouse Congregation designation, said Mills.

It is our honor to be designated a Lighthouse Congregation.

Last year, the congregation had an average weekly worship attendance of 119 in person and 54 people watching online. While some people left Ann Street after their decision not to disaffiliate, the church nevertheless had more than 250 people gather in person for Easter Sunday.

The Rev. Marianne Romanat, pastor of Light of Christ United Methodist Church in Charlotte, told CP that her congregation was diverse and inclusive, and we welcome all to join us in following Jesus.

When some pastors and churches in our Annual Conference began to break away from the United Methodist Church to become independent churches or become part of the Global Methodist Church or another denomination, our congregation made a commitment to remain United Methodist and welcome any whose local United Methodist church chose to disaffiliate or close, said Romanat.

We are committed to remaining a big tent church where folks can agree to disagree on the non-essentials of our faith and where people can focus on the essentials of making disciples of Jesus Christ and serving in mission to make an impact in the world.

Light of Christ UMC is committed to welcome any whose local United Methodist church chose to disaffiliate or close, Romanat told CP, noting that her Lighthouse Congregation is certainly like any other Christian congregation, in that we join in worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and evangelism.

We simply welcome all. To be a Lighthouse Congregation is to welcome and minister to any persons who want to remain United Methodist after their local church has chosen to disaffiliate or close for any reason, she added.

The Rev. Ed McKinney, pastor of Stokesdale United Methodist Church of Stokesdale, North Carolina, told CP that his church was the only UMC congregation in the community that did not consider disaffiliating from the UMC.

No one in the church brought it up and no one outside our congregation approached us, he explained. For us, talk about disaffiliation diverts us from our churchs mission to reflect Gods love at the heart of the community.

McKinney believed that to be an official lighthouse congregation meant that Stokesdale UMC affirms something that we are already doing.

The only difference between being a pastor of a lighthouse congregation and a regular congregation is more people coming to worship and addressing their needs, said McKinney.

We have families with children and older adults who have come to our congregation because they are fatigued by the controversy around disaffiliation. We are sensitive to their grief and weariness.

McKinney also told CP that within the next few weeks, his church was going to host a debriefing session with these lighthouse families to help them through the grief and discern whats next of them.

We do not expect them to join our church, though the invitation is there, he added.

A broken institution

Over the past several years, the UMC has debated whether to change its official stance, as laid out in its Book of Discipline, prohibiting the blessing of same-sex unions and barring the ordination of clergy in same-sex romantic relationships.

Although efforts to change the Book of Discipline have failed, many progressive leaders in the UMC have openly refused to enforce or follow the theologically conservative rules.

For example, last November, the UMC Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth a bishop, even though he is in a same-sex marriage.

Additionally, several hundred congregations within the UMC are affiliated with the LGBT advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network, even though the denominations highest court ruled in 1999 that a congregation could not identify or label itself as an unofficial body or movement.

These and other developments have led large numbers of theological conservatives to decide to leave the UMC, with many opting to join the Global Methodist Church, which was launched last year.

Last year, departures from the UMC included over 430 congregations in Texas, more than 100 congregations in Florida, 70 churches in Georgia and 58 churches in Louisiana.

Additionally, some congregations, including Whites Chapel, a megachurch in Southlake, Texas, voted to leave the UMC less over theological issues and more because they were tired of the divisive debate.

Today, we are experiencing the UMC as a broken institution. As well, the alternatives we have been given dont seem to align with our context or our theology. These are reasons we are exploring a realignment, stated Whites Chapel in a document released during their discernment process.

We hope to align with other Methodist churches in a cooperative manner in both mission and ministry. We envision a new form of connectionalism, defined by shared ministry, equal accountability and practical governance.
There is no Christian case for open borders

Despite what many in the woke media like to claim, Jesus Christ wasnt an open-borders socialist. And despite what Representative Tony Gonzales likes to claim, theres nothing unchristian or anti-immigrant about securing the border and closing off the gaping asylum loopholes that undermine the social fabric of our nation.

In case you missed it, the Nikki Haley-appointed Border King recently fired off a tweet that managed to misrepresent Christianity and his fellow Texas Congressman Chip Roys border security bill at the same time. Gonzales said, Bring unchristian anti-immigrant bills to the floor and I am a NO on the debt ceiling.

What is Gonzales talking about? The unchristian and anti-immigrant bill in his subtweet sights is The Border Safety and Security Act, sponsored by Roy. Is this bill really that bad? Did the Devil himself help draft it? Far from it.

Upon introduction, Roy explained that the legislation is necessary to end President Bidens border crisis and would force the administration to control the flow of illegal migration at our southern border and ensure U.S. immigration laws are enforced. Who could oppose that? Open border advocates, sure. But not conservatives or Christians. Definitely not Texans.

According to Roy, the bill accomplishes this in two major ways. First, the legislation would provide the Secretary of DHS with authority to turn away migrants who do not have valid entry documents. Second, it would require the Secretary to use this turn away authority when an illegal immigrant cannot be detained through the pendency of an asylum claim.

Any Republican can talk a big game on securing the Southern border. It doesnt cost anything to chant, Build the wall! But if the government doesn't close the asylum loopholes that cartels and traffickers exploit daily, other measures will be severely undermined.

In 2013, the House Judiciary Committee raised the alarm on this very point, noting that Mexican drug cartel members are abusing the U.S. asylum system to bypass regular immigration checks and get into the country, where some are setting up smuggling operations and others engage in the same violent feuds that caused them to flee Mexico in the first place.

Roy rightly argues that we cannot allow laws meant to serve the oppressed to create even more oppression in the false name of compassion. But on the other side of this debate, Gonzales uses compassionate sounding language as a smokescreen for his political posturing on the debt ceiling. Not only does Gonzales have the wrong position on asylum reform, but he doubles down on it by insisting he wont do the right thing on the debt ceiling (support conservative demands) unless he gets to do the wrong thing on the border  all while using those suffering under the boot of the cartels as a prop.

Its amazing how many bad points Gonzales packed into his 16-word tweet. The Border King hath spoken. But what does the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, have to say about all this?

The Bible unapologetically upholds the concept of sovereign nations. This is seen in various books in the Old Testament, including Numbers, Joshua, and Judges. Of note is Numbers 20, when the Israelites attempt to pass through Edom. First, the Israelites request passage, they do not demand it, nor do they cross illegally (Num. 20:17). Edom denied their request (Num. 20:18-20), and Israel complied with their denial and turned away (Num. 20:21). The Israelites did not presume they had a moral claim on the land simply because they showed up at their borders.

Open border advocates like to point to Abraham as an example of a prominent immigrant figure in the Bible. But when Abraham was in a foreign land, what did he do? He respected the customs of the land in which he was a guest. This is evident in Genesis 23 when Abraham buys a burial lot for Sarah. He stands before the rulers of that area and says, I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead (Gen. 23:4).

In the New Testament, the political reality of sovereign nations is again seen clearly in Acts 17:26: From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Now, some woke Christians try to weaponize ideas like Jesus was a refugee (he wasnt by modern standards) and the command to welcome the stranger (which, of course, doesnt include human traffickers). But in both cases, they rip those verses out of context and twist them beyond recognition in service of their open-borders agenda.

In fact, the Bible makes it crystal clear that governments should prioritize defending their citizens from harm (Romans 13:1-7). Securing the border and enforcing our asylum laws to protect American sovereignty and security isnt anti-immigrant  its pro-citizen. Even better, its the true Christian approach, and the compassionate one, too.

Dont forget: The two greatest commandments are to 1. love God and 2. love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Do you think that our citizen-neighbors in border states feel very loved while the cartels control the borders, deadly fentanyl flows freely, and human traffickers exploit asylum loopholes to bring sex slaves into the U.S.? Of course not. Such policies are not loving to Americans nor to immigrants, illegal or legal. Refusing to fix asylum loopholes isnt loving; its being a bad neighbor.

Both the Bible and common sense show that, when it comes to Christian immigration policy, Roy gets it right, and Gonzales gets it dead wrong. Not a great start to his rule as the Border King. But I have no doubt that his Christian brother Chip Roy would welcome Gonzales repentance with open arms, especially if it comes with his support for The Border Safety and Security Act.

Now, that would be the Christian thing to do.

Originally published at Daily Caller.
Americans worry that religious institutions are watering down, abandoning traditional beliefs: survey

While a significant number of American adults say religious faith is important to their everyday lives, many fear that religious institutions are watering down or abandoning traditional beliefs, according to a recent survey.

On Thursday, Rasmussen Reports released a survey of 1,056 American adults, with 75% saying that faith is important to their everyday lives, an increase from 71% in 2018. Another 49% of respondents answered that their faith is very important to their everyday lives.

Regarding the religious denominations of those surveyed, 25% identified as Evangelical Christians, 21% were Catholic and 16% identified as Protestant. Three percent of participants identified as Jewish and 1% identified as Muslim. Another 17% identified as some other religious faith, while another 12% said they were atheists.

The level of importance respondents placed on faith differed across denominations. Sixty-nine percent of Evangelical Christians consider faith to be important to their daily lives, and 60% of Catholics held the same opinion. Forty-five percent of Protestants, 33% of Jews, 37% of Muslims, and 52% of those who identify as some other religion.

Among the groups with concerns that religious institutions are watering down or abandoning their traditional beliefs, 52% of Evangelical Christians strongly believed that this is the case. Thirty percent of Protestants, 41% of Jews, and 34% of Catholics held the same opinion.

In terms of political identities, 35% of participants who are Evangelical Christians and call themselves Republicans and 23% who identify as Democrats agreed, in addition to 19% of adults who are not affiliated with either party. Twenty-three percent of Republicans and Democrats who identify as Catholic also said this is true about present-day religious institutions.

Seventeen percent of respondents that identify as unaffiliated expressed the same opinion, as did 18% of Democrats 14% of Republicans and 16% of the unaffiliated that identify as Protestant.

Women (53%) were more likely than men (44%) to consider their faith to be very important to their daily lives. Men are also more likely (38%) than women to rarely or never attend church, synagogue or mosque. Among racial lines, 39% of whites, 49% of blacks and 48% of other minorities said that they attend religious services at least monthly.

Married adults are more likely (47%) than their unmarried peers (33%) to attend religious services at least monthly.

The adults most likely to strongly agree that religious institutions nowadays are watering down or abandoning their traditional beliefs said that they attend religious services at least weekly.

Sixty-two percent of Catholics responded that they attend services at least monthly, similar to 51% of Evangelical Christians and 40% of Protestants. Regarding weekly service attendance, 31% of Catholics and 28% of Evangelical Christians said they attend weekly services, alongside 23% of Protestants.

Fifty-two percent of Republicans, 44% of Democrats and 34% of the unaffiliated attend religious services at least monthly. Republicans (42%) were more likely than Democrats (31%) or unaffiliated adults (32%) to strongly agree that too many religious institutions nowadays are watering down or abandoning their traditional beliefs.

More Republicans (55%) than Democrats (49%) and unaffiliated adults (44%) consider their religious faith to be very important in their daily lives.

Income played a role in how much emphasis those surveyed placed on faith, and Americans earning less than $100,000 annually were more likely to consider their religious faith to be a very important part of their daily lives. Sixty-four percent of those with annual incomes below $30,000 said the same thing.

The survey was conducted from April 9-11 with the margin of sampling error at +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork for the survey was done by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.

As The Christian Post previously reported, a separate survey released by Rasmussen Reports in October found that one-third of American adults said they attend religious services at least once per month. The survey of 1,155 U.S. adults, conducted from Sept. 20-21, 2022, found that 69% of American adults consider themselves religious, with 24% saying they're very religious.
Christians should be very careful not to love what God hates

There is an ugly trend in the body of Christ that is giving me serious concern. Many Christians these days no longer fear God, and many are quick to compromise on what the Word of God teaches. They dilute the Word to fit with what the world preaches. Sin is no longer rejected, and guilt and shame are becoming antiquated concepts.

Our inability to call a spade a spade has encouraged the moral decadence we see in our societies. The consciences of men and women are now seared because they are no longer rebuked for their sin by those who are the custodians of Gods Word. Things that are abominable in the sight of God are now being embraced by Christians undern the pretense of respecting human rights.



The ultimate question is this: Should Gods standards be subservient to mans standards?

The Scripture categorically states Dont team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). A closer look at the non-discriminatory policies of the governments of this world reveals that it is an agenda aimed at yoking believers and unbelievers and creating an atmosphere that favors unbelievers.

Condemnation of sin, evil and wickedness is now considered as hate speech even by many Christians. They use the standards of the world to judge and interpret the Word of God. They abuse the grace of God and love what God hates. Evil-doers are encouraged to continue in their destructive ways because society, as a whole, no longer condemns their lifestyles. Some will outrightly argue that this is somehow showing grace. The Apostle Paul says, So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid (Romans 6:2).

Unbelievers should be loved but not coddled. I work as a missionary in one of the most hostile places for Christians in the world. I have risked my life loving those who seek to kill me on daily basis, for the purpose of giving them the Gospel. I am convinced that as soon as they embrace Christ, they will be changed. But one thing that I will never do is cheer them on as they sin against God and pursue their own harmful desires.

Christians who rely on the love of God should not forget that the same loving God they worship is also a consuming fire: It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrew 10:31). We have changed, but God has not. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Pauls admonition to the church in Corinth is particularly relevant to us: We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did  and in one day 23,000 of them died (1 Corinthians 10:8). Who killed these people? And why should a loving God allow them to die? Christians should not love what God hates and should stand firm to condemn sexual immorality wherever they encounter it. Let us be faithful to our Lord; not to a morally decaying world.
San Franciscos road to perdition

When Whole Foods Market closes down in San Francisco, you know things are getting bad.

The Whole Foods outlet at Eighth and Market streets in San Francisco announced it was closing this week due to deteriorating conditions in the area.

We are closing our Trinity location only for the time being, a Whole Foods spokesperson said in a written statement, according to the San Francisco Standard. If we feel we can ensure the safety of our team members in the store, we will evaluate a reopening of our Trinity location.

The San Francisco Standard also reported that conditions in downtown San Francisco have eroded markedly in the past few years. What was once a bustling commercial part of the city shows signs of extreme decay.

Since the start of the pandemic, Downtown has suffered a massive loss in foot traffic due to remote work, the Standard reported. Many small businesses have shuttered, while examples of extreme poverty, drug use, and mental illness on the street have become more apparent.

You dont say.

The Whole Foods closure in San Francisco comes just a week after Cash App founder Bob Lee was stabbed to death while onlookers did nothing to help. The suspect appears to have known him. The Left is apparently very excited it wasnt random street violence. Congrats, I guess.

Cops have arrested a *fellow tech executive* in the murder of Bob Lee??!? Thats going to change a lot of peoples narratives https://t.co/0d2ArH9GAt

 Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) April 13, 2023

This wasnt the only high-profile violence so far this month, though. A former San Francisco fire commissioner was beaten in broad daylight April 5 by a man carrying a metal pipe in the citys Marina District.

Many other San Francisco businesses have closed shop, too. Walgreens shut down numerous San Francisco locations because the pharmacy chain says it isnt worth dealing with the crime and safety issues. Lawlessness is generally bad for business.

Dont expect an honest reckoning with whats happening from Democrat politicians in the Bay Area or their fellow travelers in the media. Their answer to the crime and anarchy problem is almost always complete denial.

Our overall crime rates are down, said San Francisco Mayor London Breed, when asked what she was going to do to keep the city safe. Our clearance rate in San Francisco for homicides is at 85%. The rest of the countrys average is at 60%.

Clearance rates are the ratio of arrests to known offenses.

This is the view through blue-colored glasses. Most local media are happy to run with the happy talk. Everything is fine, nothing to see here. Give yourself a lobotomy and stop complaining.

Sure, San Francisco isnt as violent as Baltimore, New Orleans, and St. Louis  some of the most violent cities in the world  but the crime is still inexcusable.

As Heritage Foundation senior legal fellow Cully Stimson said in a Fox News report, San Franciscos serious law enforcement difficulties extend back over a decade. (The Daily Signal is Heritages multimedia news organization.) Even the official crime statistics dont explain whats really happening.

People do not report these crimes, because when you have a [district attorney] whos pro-criminal and not going to enforce the law, the cops arent going to go out and arrest somebody when they know the case is going to be no-papered, Stimson said.

No papered means that the prosecutor decides not to prosecute the case and the defendant gets released.

The problem began in earnest under former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who served from 2011 until 2019, when he was replaced by Chesa Boudin. Gascon did not prosecute certain misdemeanors, lowered crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, and shortened prison sentences. No surprise, crime went up.

More from the Fox News report:

Citing FBI and Justice Department data, Stimson pointed out that in the five years before Gascon took office in 2011, there were 757 reported rapes, an average of 151 per year, in San Francisco. But in Gascons final five years in office, the city had a total of 1,731 reported rapes, or 346 per year.

Other crimes escalated, too, while crime rates generally were dropping around the country.

So, the disintegration of San Francisco didnt begin overnight. But following the COVID-19 chaos, business closures, anti-police riots, and foolish decision-making by government officials, crime really began to spiral out of control.

Some San Francisco voters have caught on that something has gone wrong. In June, voters recalled the radical left-wing district attorney Boudin, one of the more ridiculous rogue prosecutors who carried on the anti-law enforcement policies of Gascon.

Gascon wasnt done either. He brought his ruinous ideas to a new gig as Los Angeles district attorney. The results have been similar.

At no point will Democrat politicians and left-wing pundits acknowledge the ideology that brought on the crime surge. When they are honest enough at least to acknowledge it exists, rising violent crime typically is blamed on forces outside their control. Its the economy, its the pandemic, its corporate greed.

What about defunding the police and all that?

The new Democrat message is that defunding the police is a Republican idea, or something like that.

But Democrats actions suggest they are at least aware that crime has become a huge issue. Breed has called for $28 million to hire more police officers in San Francisco amid what she has said is a severe staffing shortage.

This is the same person who demanded a $120 million cut in the police budget in 2020. Its hardly a surprise that San Francisco isnt finding enough qualified applicants in a city so hostile to law enforcement.

With the ouster of Boudin, its clear that some people in San Francisco are fed up. That doesnt mean anything will change. After all, Chicago threw out one failed defund the police Democrat who tried to mend her ways but elected an even more radical and ridiculous replacement.

Many city residents clearly want the crime problem to be solved. Others just want to stay on the social justice ride to perdition. Im sure many of those who do can afford their own private security.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
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Sixty-five artist works hang on the walls inside the Beaumont Art League's Scurlock Gallery, representing some of the area's best artists and the landscape that inspires them, for this year's Neches River Festival art exhibit.

It's a joint celebration of the entities who share a similar anniversary. While the Neches River Festival is celebrating 75 years, the Beaumont Art League is ringing in its 80th year.

Among the items in its permanent collection are pieces acquired 75 years ago from the inaugural Neches River Festival art show.

"We wanted to show more than river fronts and creeks," Art League staffer Stephanie Marie Orta said, while scouting the exhibit for final preparations ahead of Sunday's opening reception, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

RELATED: Beaumont Art League expanding its vision

Artists explored themes of land and water and the wildlife that calls Southeast Texas home.

Brooke Hood has two pieces in the show that feature some of the region's most regal birds -- egrets and heron. She's joined in the exhibit by her daughter Cameron Hood, who made a bedazzled pink and white armadillo sculpture, as well as her father Alan Stine - a sculptor.

The exhibit not only goes outside the box of the "River Festival" theme in content, but also in style.

There are paintings, sculptures, photography, digitally-created works, resin-based pieces and some that combine multiple techniques and materials.

Whether your tastes lean toward the "Bob Ross" style traditional landscape -- happy little trees and bubbling water -- or something edgier that takes a minute to understand, there's something in this year's show for everyone, Orta said.

RELATED: King Neches LXXV revealed

Some artists move even further outside the box -- blending the Southeast Texas landscape with one found thousands of miles away.

Christopher Troutman's colorful landscapes are like split-screen visions of Beaumont and its sister city, Beppo, Japan.

"I've seen this series develop, showing Beaumont and Japan and the cross-over of (the two cities)," Orta said. It's just one of many examples of how this show, which is part of the Neches River Festival's week-long celebration, has grown over time.

"The Neches River Festival encompasses the spirit of Southeast Texas," she said, and that includes the broader vision of what that spirit has come to mean for the community and artists looking to join in the celebration.

RELATED: Local artist Ines Alvidres talks about art and what inspires her

Sunday's opening reception put one more art form on attendees' plates - culinary creativity.

Orta was especially excited that among the reception edibles was a "snake cake" created by Thomas Davis, a local baker and decorator, who is gaining recognition for his creative and artistically decorated desserts.

The Neches River Festival show will be on display at the Beaumont Art League through May 30.
Texas A&M International University recently welcomed neuroscientist Dr. Katarzyna Jankowiak to campus.

During her visit, Dr. Jankowiak visited the Brain and Cognition Laboratory, a research endeavor under the auspices of the College of Arts and Sciences department of Psychology and Communication.

The visit is the first step toward fostering collaborative opportunities between TAMIU and the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, where Jankowiak works as an assistant professor at the Faculty of English, and member of the Psychophysiology of Language and Affect Laboratory.

Through a vested interest in bilingualism and language acquisition, Jankowiaks research primarily focuses on the neuropsychology of bilingualism.

By learning more about bilingual language processing, we can also learn how people process language in a general manner. Because we have different levels of processing, some mechanisms might be more automatic than others, she explained.

Jankowiak continued, Being here [in Laredo] is important to me because I can study the two languages that are dominant across the population, and people are very proficient. So, you have no difference, or the difference is very subtle compared to other bilingual populations we have in Europe.

Courtesy/TAMIU

During her visit, Jankowiak worked alongside university faculty members Dr. Roberto Heredia, Regents Professor of Psychology; Dr. Anna Cieslicka, professor of Psychology, and Dr. Omar Garcia, assistant professor of Psychology

Jankowiak noted the role played by Drs. Heredia and Cieslicka and their inspiration for her Ph.D. thesis.

My thesis was devoted to figurative language processing and bilingualism  their [Dr. Heredia and Cieslickas] co-edited book was so helpful. Ive always treated them and perceived them as role models in this area of research. For me, its a great opportunity to work with them in this research, observed Jankowiak.

Jankowiak holds a Ph.D. in English Linguistics from Adam Mickiewicz University where she now serves as an assistant professor of Psycholinguistic Studies. She is recipient of the scholarship from the Minister of Education and Science for outstanding young researchers, awarded in 2022. She has published prolifically in several top-tier academic journals, including the Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, the International Journal of Bilingualism, Language and Linguistics Compass, Brain and Language, and more.

Heredia has been a TAMIU faculty member since 1998. He holds his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of California-Santa Cruz, and a post-doctoral position as a National Science Foundation Fellow at the University of California-San Diego. He has published in several fields, including bilingualism, evolutionary psychology, and figurative language processing.

Cieslicka joined TAMIU in 2009. She holds a Ph.D. in English Linguistics from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. She is the director of TAMIUs Master of Science in Psychology graduate program. Her research focuses mainly on the psycholinguistics of second/foreign language acquisition and processing, bilingual lexicon, figurative language, and neuropsychology of bilingualism. She is the recipient of TAMIUs Teacher of the Year and Scholar of the Year awards and the Alpha Delta Kappa Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence in higher education.

Garcia holds masters degrees in Counseling Psychology and in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the intersection between language and other cognitive phenomena including number processing, moral decision making, and spatial relations.

For additional information, contact TAMIUs Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956-326-2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu, or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Room 268.
CYRUS, Minn. (AP)  Three law enforcement officers in west-central Minnesota were shot Saturday night while responding to a domestic disturbance call, authorities said.

The Pope County Sheriffs Office said on its Facebook page that the incident happened Saturday night in Cyrus.
A group of prominent artificial intelligence researchers is calling on the European Union to expand its proposed rules for the technology to expressly target tools like ChatGPT, arguing in a new brief that such a move could "set the regulatory tone" globally.

The E.U.'s AI Act initially proposed new transparency and safety requirements for specific "high-risk" uses of the software, such as in education or law enforcement. But it sidestepped so-called "general purpose" AI, like OpenAI's popular chatbot, which can serve many functions.

In December, the European Council approved an amended version of the draft that would apply some of the same restrictions for "high-risk" AI to "general purpose" tools, widening its scope. But the draft has not yet been adopted and faces political hurdles over the expansion.

Now, as tech companies rush to integrate AI into more everyday products, a group of top AI scholars is calling on E.U. officials to treat tools like ChatGPT as "high risk," too.

The brief, signed by former Google AI ethicist Timnit Gebru and Mozilla Foundation President Mark Surman, among dozens of others, calls for European leaders to take an "expansive" approach to what they cover under their proposed rules, warning that "technologies such as ChatGPT, DALL-E 2, and Bard are just the tip of the iceberg."

While chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bard are currently generating significant attention, the group cautioned policymakers against focusing too narrowly on them, which "would ignore a large class of models which could cause significant harm if left unchecked."

The brief was also signed by the AI Now Institute's Amba Kak and Sarah Myers West, former advisers to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan who penned a report Tuesday calling for greater scrutiny of how consolidation impacts AI harms, as we reported.

While Europe has yet to adopt its own AI rules, its process is still further along than in the United States, where federal policymakers are just starting to explore AI-specific regulations.

Kak, the former FTC adviser, said the E.U. "will likely be the first to enact an AI-specific omnibus framework" and in doing so "setting global precedent."

Crucial to any new regulations, researchers wrote, would be to ensure that common-use AI tools are "regulated throughout the product cycle," not just once users get a hold of them.

"The original development stage is crucial, and the companies developing these models must be accountable for the data and design choices they make," they wrote.

And they urged European officials to drop language in parts of the proposal to allow AI developers to dodge by using legal disclaimers in their products. "It creates a dangerous loophole that lets original developers . . . off the hook," they wrote.

Alex Hanna, director of research at the Distributed AI Research Institute, said in an email that exempting tools like ChatGPT and Bard would send "a strong signal that the EU does not want to focus on models which are already causing significant harm."

Some European leaders are already pushing to expand the requirements for those tools. According to Politico Europe, two of the lead E.U. lawmakers on the AI Act in February "proposed that AI systems generating complex texts without human oversight should be part of the 'high-risk' list - an effort to stop ChatGPT from churning out disinformation at scale."

But, according to the report, "The idea was met with skepticism by right-leaning political groups in the European Parliament," creating political roadblocks for the push.

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton told Reuters in February the bloc's proposal will aim to address concerns posed by new chatbots and other similar products.

"As showcased by ChatGPT, AI solutions can offer great opportunities for businesses and citizens, but can also pose risks," he told the outlet. "This is why we need a solid regulatory framework to ensure trustworthy AI based on high-quality data."
Over the last two decades, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has reported on required financial disclosure forms that his family received rental income totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a firm called Ginger, Ltd., Partnership.

But that company - a Nebraska real estate firm launched in the 1980s by his wife and her relatives - has not existed since 2006.

That year, the family real estate company was shut down and a separate firm was created, state incorporation records show. The similarly named firm assumed control of the shuttered company's land leasing business, according to property records.

Since that time, however, Thomas has continued to report income from the defunct company - between $50,000 and $100,000 annually in recent years - and there is no mention of the newer firm, Ginger Holdings, LLC, on the forms.

The previously unreported misstatement might be dismissed as a paperwork error. But it is among a series of errors and omissions that Thomas has made on required annual financial disclosure forms over the past several decades, a review of those records shows. Together, they have raised questions about how seriously Thomas views his responsibility to accurately report details about his finances to the public.

Thomas's disclosure history is in the spotlight after ProPublica revealed this month that a Texas billionaire took him on lavish vacations and also bought from Thomas and his siblings a Georgia home where their mother lives, a transaction that was not disclosed on the forms. Thomas said in a statement that colleagues he did not name told him he did not have to report the vacations and that he has always tried to comply with disclosure guidelines. He has not publicly addressed the property transaction.

In 2011, after the watchdog group Common Cause raised red flags, Thomas updated years of his financial disclosure reports to include employment details for his wife, conservative activist Virginia "Ginni" Thomas. The justice said at the time that he had not understood the filing instructions. In 2020, he was forced to revise his disclosure forms after a different watchdog group found he had failed to report reimbursements for trips to speak at two law schools.

A judicial ethics expert said the pattern was troubling.

"Any presumption in favor of Thomas's integrity and commitment to comply with the law is gone. His assurances and promises cannot be trusted. Is there more? What's the whole story? The nation needs to know," said Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics expert at New York University.

Gillers said all three branches of government should investigate Thomas's compliance or noncompliance with federal ethics law. "The Supreme Court has been the glue that has held the republic together since 1790 with the Civil War the only interruption. We need the public to respect it even when it disagrees with it and to understand why it is important. Generally, the public has," he said. "But that respect is now in serious jeopardy, and others must do something to stop the free fall."

Thomas did not respond to emailed questions sent through a court spokeswoman. His wife also did not respond to requests for comment.

Thomas's income from the firm he describes as "Ginger, Ltd., Partnership" on the financial disclosure forms has grown substantially over the last decade, though the precise amounts are unknown because the forms require only that ranges be reported. In total, he has reported receiving between $270,000 to $750,000 from the firm since 2006, describing it as "rent." Thomas's salary as a justice this year is $285,000.

The company's roots trace back to two lakeside neighborhoods developed decades ago by Ginni Thomas's late parents in a community in Douglas County, just outside of Omaha.

Ginger Limited Partnership was created in 1982 to sell and lease real estate, state incorporation records show, and its partners were Ginni Thomas, her parents and her three siblings. The firm owned and leased out residential lots in two developments, Ginger Woods and Ginger Cove, collecting rent annually from each occupied plot of land, according to copies of lease agreements on file with the county.

When he was nominated to a federal appeals court in 1990, Thomas listed the firm in a financial statement as one of his wife's assets - worth $15,000 at the time.

The firm was dissolved in March 2006. Around the same time, Ginger Holdings, LLC was created in Nebraska, according to state records, which list the same business address as the shuttered company and name Joanne K. Elliott, the sister of Ginni Thomas, as manager.

The same month, the leases for more than 200 residential lots in Ginger Woods and Ginger Cove were transferred from Ginger Limited Partnership to Ginger Holdings, LLC, property records in Douglas County show.

Reached by phone, Elliott referred questions about the two companies to Ginni Thomas.

"You could call her and she could answer anything that she wants you to know," Elliott said before hanging up.

Ginni Thomas is not named in state incorporation records related to Ginger Holdings, LLC.

In his most recent disclosure, in 2021, Thomas estimated that his family's interest in Ginger Limited Partnership, the defunct firm, was worth between $250,000 and $500,000. He reported receiving an income from it between $50,000 and $100,000 that year.

On Friday, congressional Democrats with oversight of federal courts cited Thomas's "apparent pattern of noncompliance with disclosure requirements" in calling on the Judicial Conference - the policymaking body for the federal courts - to refer him to the attorney general for an investigation into whether he violated federal ethics laws.

In addition to the recent revelations about Thomas's financial relationship with Harlan Crow, the Texas billionaire, they cited a period in the 2000s in which Thomas failed to disclose his wife's employment as required by law until the omission was reported by the watchdog group Common Cause.

Ginni Thomas earned more than $686,000 from the conservative Heritage Foundation from 2003 until 2007, according to the nonprofit's tax forms. Clarence Thomas checked a box labeled "none" for his wife's income during that period. He had done the same in 2008 and 2009 when she worked for conservative Hillsdale College.

Thomas acknowledged the error when he amended those filings in 2011. He wrote that the information had been "inadvertently omitted due to a misunderstanding of the filing instructions."

In some years before those omissions, however, Thomas had correctly reported his wife's employment.

Thomas failed to report the sale of the three Georgia properties to Crow in 2014, and he also continued to report that he owned those properties as late as 2015, his disclosure forms show. In addition, beginning in 2010, his disclosures described the properties as being located in Liberty County, Ga., even though they were actually located in Chatham County.

Thomas also did not report reimbursement for transportation, meals and lodging while teaching at the universities of Kansas and Georgia in 2018. After the omission was flagged by the nonprofit Fix the Court, Thomas amended his filing for that year. He also amended his 2017 filing, on which he had left off similar reimbursements while teaching at Creighton Law School, his wife's alma mater.

- - -

Jonathan O'Connell and Alice Crites contributed to this report.
AMRITSAR, India - The Indian government is sounding the alarm about what security officials see as signs of a potential revival by a Sikh separatist movement in the northern state of Punjab.

These concerns have recently spiked, with police hunting the self-described separatist Amritpal Singh and reporters chronicling his every sighting on CCTV cameras.

Senior security officials say they have seen increasing turmoil in Punjab over the past five years, with renewed calls by some members of the Sikh religion for an independent state called Khalistan. The recent events bring back memories of a Sikh insurgency in the 1980s, triggered by the Indian army raid on the religion's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, in which the Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was killed. Some see Amritpal as trying to inherit the Bhindranwale mantle.

"He's a boil under the skin. There is no public mandate for Khalistan," said Amritsar Police Commissioner Naunihal Singh. "The concern is that a blip can become a movement."

There has been sporadic violence, with isolated bombings, attacks on police stations and killings of religious leaders. On Wednesday, four soldiers were shot dead at a military base in Punjab. The incident is under investigation.

Amritpal recently broke into a police station to free a close associate. In discussing Sikh grievances, he has called for the "freedom" of Punjab, saying in media interviews that Khalistan will "end suffering."

Calls for Khalistan resonate with some Sikhs overseas. In March, Amritpal's image was projected on a screen towering over a sea of supporters in New York's Times Square. But a recent trip across Punjab, where Sikhs make up 60 percent of the population, found these calls only in rare pockets.

"Those who talk about Khalistan are wrong. What do we even have in Punjab to create a new nation? You can't create a country out of a few factories," said a 20-year-old man in the small town Mahilpur who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of concern about the government crackdown. With a gold tooth, a silver chain and a Miami logo shirt, he hopped onto a friend's motorbike that bore a Bhindranwale sticker on the handlebars.

Bhindranwale's image, removed from gurdwaras - Sikh temples - and siloed into private spaces during the 1980s, has re-emerged. Although for some it reflects Khalistani sympathies, for others it is a symbol of Sikh resistance against perceived historical injustices.

Anger over historical grievances remains palpable in Punjab, despite limited support for separatism. The frequent calls for India to be a Hindu nation by supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration have further enraged residents, even those who do not espouse separation. In a new retort, they ask, "If you can call for a Hindu nation, then why can't we call for a Sikh one?"

Punjab has for years been a breadbasket for India, but the modernization of the state's agriculture worsened inequality, fueling a Marxist-inspired movement as far back as the 1960s. And although Punjab is one of the wealthiest Indian states, it is saddled with debt and afflicted by farm crises, and its growth rate is now among the lowest.

"There is obviously anger among the people," said Anup Singh, a 40-year-old man wearing a traditional Sikh robe in Jallapur Khera, Amritpal's home village. He pointed to a problem cited across the state: an epidemic of drug addiction, which took three young lives in his village last year. Even former police officials allege that Punjab's drug problem is tied to government and police collusion.

So, while residents may not agree with all of Amritpal's actions, they commend his anti-drug campaign, pointing to his half-built structure near their gurdwara envisioned as a center for treating drug addiction. Most others in the state appeared more apathetic toward Amritpal, given his unusually sudden rise on social media as a conservative preacher in the mold of Bhindranwale. They say a narrative about a Khalistan threat is overblown and demonizes the state while ignoring deep-rooted problems.

Nearly everyone interviewed agreed that the government crackdown, including an internet shutdown and social media censorship, will further inflame the situation. "They have lit a fire in the heart of every child in Punjab. They don't know how many more Amritpals reside," Anup said.

And the arrest of more than 200 people could further stoke that fire. "Once you put them in jail, you radicalize them for life," said Kiranjot Kaur, a granddaughter of a key Sikh political leader and member of a gurdwara management committee that acts as a Sikh governing body.

Political observers like Kaur point to the past to argue that government action instigates tension in the state. They point, for instance, to the support provided a generation ago by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government to Bhindranwale for political gain before he himself became a threat. "Like Frankenstein, he escaped from their hands," said former Punjab director general of police A.P. Pandey, who was in Amritsar for parts of the 1980s.

After the government's raid on the Golden Temple in 1984 that killed Bhindranwale, two of Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards assassinated her, and anti-Sikh riots erupted in Delhi. The next decade saw conflict between Sikh militants and the police, with tens of thousands of documented disappearances and killings.

Security officials say Punjab began to boil again roughly seven years ago. They blame foreign actors, alleging that Pakistani intelligence agencies have sent ammunition to separatists via drones and that Canadian Sikh groups are footing the bill. Pakistan has not publicly addressed these allegations.

"There is no peace till today," said Satpal Danish, who photographed Bhindranwale in the Golden Temple. In his shop next to the temple, Danish recalled that his brother was killed in the Delhi riots. "The hurt from 1984 still continues."

With recent high-profile deaths of Sikhs, support for mainstream Sikh organizations has eroded, leaving a political vacuum. Into the vacuum stepped Amritpal, whose ability to tap into unrest signals the state's deeper fissures.

In particular, his anti-drug campaign steps in where the government has been absent. Merged with a Khalistan ideology, it's a "dangerous, new combination," said R.S. Bains, a lawyer who represents some of those arrested during the hunt for Amritpal.

Mark Juergensmeyer, a professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara who focuses on religious violence and Punjab, said "the disaffection in the villages" could approach that of the 1980s. "Even if they don't support [the militants], even if they wouldn't join them, they might tolerate them because they hate the center."

In February, protesters demanding the release of those arrested in the 1980s clashed with police. The ongoing sit-in protest mimics a year-long farmer's protest just outside Delhi that ultimately led to the repeal of new farm laws. The farmers' protest had a heavy Punjabi representation, and the country's governing Bharatiya Janata Party tried to paint it as pro-Khalistani, but the bulk of it was nonsectarian. A sticker popular across Punjab read: "We are farmers, not terrorists."

Some leaders say the farmers' protest did mobilize a small pro-Khalistan strand. "Internally, we are all for Khalistan," said Gurcharan Singh Bapuji, a 68-year-old leader of the ongoing protest. "If we had our own Khalistan, we wouldn't have to beg in protests like this."

For others at the protest, however, Khalistan means something short of an independent state - more of a slogan to rally the Sikh community around religious principles and to help further the community's political demands. "We are for the welfare of Punjab," said Palwinder Singh Talwara, a member of a prominent Sikh organization at the protest. "We want a clear and stable Punjabi politics to emerge. At the moment, there is no leader of the Sikhs."

- - -

Anant Gupta contributed to this report.
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TAMA, Iowa - As an icy prairie wind slapped down on the empty town, Lisa Spitler pulled on winter gloves, grabbed a clipboard and started walking toward the cars idling outside the fire station. In two hours, a mobile food pantry would begin a free food distribution. The line of early arrivals already stretched a half-mile to where it dead-ends in this town of 3,000 residents east of Des Moines.

The outreach director for several of the region's food banks, Spitler's job was to connect hungry families with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal government's most effective food assistance pipeline. She covered 28 counties across Iowa's northeast corner. Spitler was there to see if SNAP could help, offering herself as a guide through the maze of bureaucratic forms and eligibility requirements.

"A household of one?" she asked the driver of a truck in Tama. She pointed to a figure on her clipboard. "Gross monthly income above or below $1,813?"

But even as she stopped at each vehicle to chat, she knew that it was about to become more difficult for Iowans to access the help.

The state legislature, with the support of the Republican supermajority, was poised to approve some of the nation's harshest restrictions on SNAP. They include asset tests and new eligibility guidelines. By the state's own estimate, Iowa will need to spend nearly $18 million in administrative costs during the first three years - to take in less federal money. The bill's backers argue the steps would save the state money long term and cut down on "SNAP fraud."

The measure is part of a broader national crackdown on SNAP, the federal program at the heart of the nation's welfare system. The proposed legislation was not a homegrown effort but the product of a network of conservative think tanks pushing similar SNAP restrictions in Kentucky, Kansas, Wisconsin and other states. But experts say Iowa's represents the boldest attack yet on SNAP, and Republicans in Congress have signaled a similar readiness to impose limits on federal food assistance.

"There are pockets where you are seeing a movement toward more restrictions to kick people off SNAP," said Diane Schanzenbach, a professor at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy. "But the SNAP program is really well-designed. It's effective and efficient, and it does a tremendous amount of good. Generally, proposals to change it usually are going to make it worse."

For Spitler, working down the line of cars in Tama as snowflakes started falling, the political battles over SNAP in Des Moines and beyond seemed out of step with what she saw on the ground. As of that February afternoon, nearly 270,000 Iowans were receiving food stamps through the program. But many residents were still struggling to eat - Spitler saw it every week as she visited dozens of rural small-town pantries and off-the-truck distributions. The lines were long, and they had been getting longer over the past year.

"I wanted to get food stamps and called them," an elderly woman told Spitler. "But they said I would only get $23 a month."

"I applied and they denied me," a middle-aged man driving a pickup said.

"Reapply every so often," Spitler urged. "The guidelines do change."

- - -

At food banks, more new faces every month

Iowa's food bank operators say any new restrictions on food stamps are likely to fuel a surge in demand. But they are not sure whether they can absorb it because they are still reeling from a decision last year to scale back SNAP benefits.

When the coronavirus pandemic started in 2020, the federal government temporarily raised its allotment of SNAP dollars for the 41 million Americans in the program. Then in April 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) decided to end those emergency SNAP benefits a year early, leaving the 286,874 Iowans with less money each month for food.

Nonprofits also felt the impact when the federal money disappeared. Data collected by the food banks show the smaller SNAP payouts drove more Iowas to seek their help than at any point during the pandemic emergency. After April 2022, the 15 food banks that fall under the umbrella of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) began seeing "numbers that we hadn't seen for the past two years," said Daniel Beck, the network's data coordinator.

"When people get more SNAP, they don't need food pantries as much," Beck said. "That just a fact."

One of those locations is the Urbandale Food Pantry, where the operation is tucked into a small suburban strip mall outside Des Moines. The staff had inked the monthly numbers of individuals served last year on a whiteboard in a backroom:

May 2022, 1,275.

July 2022, 1,380.

December 2022, 1,471.

"In February 2023, we served 1,480 families compared to 800 served in February 2022," said Patty Sneddon-Kisting, the food bank's executive director. "That's a 67 percent increase."

Every month, 100 or so new families come to the pantry, compared to around 30 before the pandemic. Across DMARC's network, nearly a third of the arrivals since April 2022 were accessing a food pantry for the first time.

"We knew there was going to be an increase. I don't think anybody expected it to be as dramatic as it was," said Sneddon-Kisting, the pantry's only full-time employee since fall 2019. "I've blown through my budget multiple times over and over again."

Amy Cunningham was kicked off SNAP earlier this year and had to rely almost exclusively on food banks.

The 31-year-old mother of four lives in Chariton, a small town of 3,000 south of Des Moines. Her monthly SNAP allotment had been $594. In January, she had an annual review, which required a round of paperwork to stay in the program.

But the information was mailed to an old address. By the time Cunningham got the forms in order, she had missed the deadline and was booted from the program. "I don't have family left that I can really borrow money from," she said. "I just didn't know what I was going to do."

To put food on the table, she used SNAP to supplement her earnings from a job at Subway. Even then, the family was a regular at a local food pantry. Cunningham did not have the luxury of choosing between SNAP and a food bank, or between having a job and using a food bank and SNAP. She needed every dollar, earned or given, and every grocery item, donated or purchased.

When she lost her job a few weeks after her SNAP benefits were cut, the food bank became Cunningham's only source for food.

From then on, she fed her family mostly starches - spaghetti with red sauce, baked potatoes, ramen - while Cunningham herself skipped meals. She dropped 30 pounds in a month, she said, until finally, after hours on the phone with government offices, her SNAP card was reactivated.

"I felt rich," she said. "That's sad to say."

- - -

Spending money to reject money

Iowa ended 2022 with a general-fund budget surplus of $1.91 billion. But at the start of the 2023 legislative session, Republicans made clear that limiting access to SNAP was a priority because of cost concerns.

"It's these entitlement programs," House Speaker Pat Grassley (R), grandson of Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R), told reporters in January. "They're the ones that are growing within the budget, and are putting pressure on us being able to fund other priorities. And so I think it's time for us to take a serious look at what they are."

If budget concerns were not driving the legislation, political opportunity was. In November 2022, Republicans expanded their majorities in both statehouse chambers.

In January, 39 Republican House members sponsored a bill that would require an asset test, meaning families and individuals are barred from accessing SNAP, Medicaid, and other assistance programs if the value of their cars, farm equipment or other items are too high. The measure would also create more paperwork for recipients, and ban those using SNAP from buying candy and soda, as well as fresh meat, white bread, baked beans or American cheese, among other items. None of the 39 legislators, including Grassley, responded to requests for comment.

The proposal's backers argued that SNAP assistance de-incentivized families from working or from taking on more hours at the jobs they already had. They also pressed the case that the current program would eliminate "SNAP fraud."

Republican supporters point to Iowa's SNAP error rate of 11.81 percent in 2019, which the state was fined for, even though it was in line with the national standard in 2021. (The Agriculture Department warns that the error rate is "not a fraud rate" because it also includes underpayments and eligibility mistakes.)

Northwestern's Schanzenbach noted that other states are moving toward fewer eligibility requirements, not more, because around 40 percent of SNAP recipients nationally are either elderly or disabled. "They have stable incomes then, so there is just not really much of an upside to having them certify more often," she said.

Eventually, Iowa legislators stripped the food restrictions from the SNAP bill after a number of prominent players in state business - including the Iowa Beverage Association, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and Tyson Foods - lobbied against the bill.

But the version of the proposal that the legislature would later vote on kept the assets test, tasked the state with contracting with a third-party vendor to conduct rigorous identity verification and authentication on recipients, raised the monthly income threshold of SNAP participants to 160 percent of the federal poverty level for households and gave recipients only 10 days to respond to paperwork mistakes or discrepancies before they are cut from the program.

Enacting the bill is expected to cost Iowa more than $17 million in the first three years, far more than the $2.2 million the state spends each year to administer SNAP. (The federal government funds SNAP and splits administrative costs 50-50 with the state. Last year, Iowa received $60.4 million in federal SNAP funds).

Most of that amount would go toward hiring workers and installing systems to process, authenticate and monitor compliance.

Opponents in the Iowa Capitol and beyond wonder if the expense is really necessary to police the rolls of a federal program that for many recipients is still not enough to live on.

"The arguments in favor of this bill are just myths and misleading stereotypes," said state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat who voted against the bill.

- - -

A Florida think tank

As the SNAP bill wove through the statehouse, a long list of interest groups came out against it, including the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, the Iowa Catholic Conference and the Iowa Farmers Union.

Its biggest proponent was the Opportunity Solutions Project, a Florida think tank that has successfully shepherded similar bills through other statehouses.

The nonprofit says it shares "high-quality research and data analysis with state lawmakers to ensure new laws are carefully crafted to expand opportunity and freedom for all." According to OpenSecret, the group had registered 57 active lobbyists in 22 states in 2022.

The OSP is the lobbying arm of the Foundation for Government Accountability. Both groups are run by Maine state legislator Tarren Bragdon, who started the FGA in 2011 with three employees and less than $60,000 in the group's bank account. According to tax records, that money was a grant from the State Policy Network, a major funder for right-wing think tanks and organizations that has been linked to conservative superdonors such as Charles Koch and the DeVos family. OSP did not respond to calls for comment.

As of 2021, the organization has grown to more than 40 staff members, 40 contractors, and a $12.5 million annual budget. Although the group has expanded into pushing for election integrity laws in battleground states, the bulk of its mission seems to the aimed at cutting welfare programs to "free individuals from the trap of government dependence."

The FGA claimed "144 state policy wins" in 2022, and many of them targeted SNAP access. In Wisconsin, Opportunity Solutions promoted legislation requiring drug testing for emergency food programs and placing restrictions on Medicaid access. Legislators in Kentucky and Kansas signed off on similar legislation promoted by the FGA and OSP.

The group's annual report for 2022 noted the recent GOP gains in both chambers of the Iowa Capitol and listed the Hawkeye State in the "Redder and Better" column for future policy wins.

- - -

The bill passes

At the Iowa house chamber Thursday, the SNAP proposal came up for a final vote.

"Why are we doing a bill structured like this? Who was for this?" Rep. Timi Brown-Powers (D) asked during the floor debate. "The Opportunity Solutions Project was for it, but I don't see an opportunity for many people in this bill."

Democrats raised concerns about the economic costs of the bill.

"This bill makes poor use of state resources, ramping up administration costs in order to take federal resources out of Iowa's economy," said Rep. Jeff Cooling (D). "This bill will also grow the size of government. I may be a Democrat, but I'm not in favor of big government  this bill is neither efficient government nor fiscally responsible government."

And opponents of the bill tried to appeal to the morality of fellow legislators.

"It is a continuation of the myth that persons on aid programs are cheats gaming the system," said Rep. Monica Kurth (D). "This is another way this body is blaming the victim by passing bad legislation."

But in the end, the bill's backers stayed firm. Reynolds is likely to sign the legislation into law.

"Federal tax dollars and state tax dollars all come from the taxpayers," Rep. Joel Fry (R) said before moving the legislation to a vote. "House Republicans believe that maintaining this safety net is critical for all Iowans - those who receive as well as those who give."

The bill passed 58 to 41.
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DANBURY  Local businesswoman Maria Marisol Guzman owns M&T Multi Services in Danbury, finding success in offering 10 different kinds of insurance.

But she dreamed of opening a second business  a boutique that offers apparel and accessories that empower women and help them feel good about themselves.

That dream will become a reality April 23 when she opens up Madam Lisse Boutique, with the help of friends Daniela Caiza and Mildreth Garcia.

I always had a vision to do this, to open a boutique for women one day, Guzman said. This passion really became strong this past year. One day I sat down with my two friends and talked to them about my idea for a boutique, to see if they wanted to be partners with me.

I told them my idea was to sell ladies apparel that would make women feel good and love themselves," she said. "I hoped they would join me in this venture, that it would be fun to do it together and rewarding. I said, if they didnt want to do it, I was going to open the business on my own. They liked the idea and came on board as business partners.

The boutiques main focus will be selling lingerie, active wear, purses and faja, which are compression garments also known as shapewear. The faja in the boutique will come from Colombia.

To kick off the grand opening of the boutique on April 23, there will be an invitation-only fashion show at the Amber Room in Danbury from 2 to 6 p.m.

The three owners are all immigrants. Guzman came to Danbury 26 years ago from Colombia. Caiza, an immigrant from Ecuador, is the fiance of Guzmans son, Bryan, and has known Guzman for five years. Garcia, who is also from Colombia, met Guzman a year ago.

M&T Multi Services, which Guzman also owns, is located at 46 North St., in a 2,000-square-foot retail space on the second floor.

Guzman expects much of the boutique business to be online sales, but she also wanted to host a brick-and-mortar site. To that end, she has converted half the M&T Multi Services space for the boutique.

The 1,000-square-foot space dedicated to the boutique will work for now, Guzman said, but it's only temporary. The three owners share a goal of finding at least 2,000 square feet of retail space in Danbury for the boutique.

We think it is important to open a retail space for the boutique so women can actually see the items for sale in person, and not just online, Guzman said. We are all set and ready to go with our inventory already in place, proper paperwork done and our LLC in place.

We are looking for the right retail space in Danbury so we can move the store to a bigger location at some point," she said.

The boutique's website is still under construction, but customers can go to www.madamlisseboutique.com and see the different items available for sale.

Guzman is looking to hire female employees to help run the boutique as another way to empower women. She can be reached about possible job openings at madamlisseboutique@gmail.com.
Earlier this month, Nikki Haley's presidential campaign touted an impressive number: A news release said the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador had raised more than $11 million in the six weeks since launching her campaign for the GOP nomination.

But filings on Saturday with the Federal Election Commission show that her campaign drastically overstated its haul. The campaign appears to have double-counted money it moved among various committees.

The filings, covering the first three months of the year, show that three committees affiliated with Haley collectively brought in about $8.3 million.

Fundraising is one measure of enthusiasm for presidential candidates, and quarterly totals are closely watched in both major political parties as a metric used to judge campaign strength. Candidates often tout their fundraising totals before they are disclosed to the FEC, previewing data that will later be accessible to the public.

Haley has been raising money across several committees. She has a main campaign committee. She has a committee predating her February launch that has been used to promote her agenda and boost other candidates. And she has a joint fundraising committee that directs funds to both.

Haley's joint fundraising committee raised about $4.4 million, its filing shows.

The campaign committee's haul of about $5.1 million included a transfer of $1.8 million from the joint fundraising committee.

And Haley's other committee, known as a leadership PAC, posted gains of about $1.5 million, including a transfer of nearly $900,000 from the joint fundraising committee.

In arriving at $11 million, Haley's campaign appears to have summed the three committee's cash infusions, even though two of them took a significant chunk of money from the third.

Nachama Soloveichik, communications director for the Haley campaign, defended the accounting, saying that adding up the numbers from the three committees without excluding transfers mirrored how other campaigns explained their fundraising.

But the arithmetic was highly unusual. For instance, the Trump campaign on Saturday said the former president had raised about $14.5 million into his main campaign committee and another $4.3 million into his leadership PAC. About $14 million of the $14.5 million raised for the campaign came via a joint fundraising committee, according to Trump's report to the FEC. As is standard practice, the Trump campaign did not add $14 million to $14.5 million to arrive at its announced sum for the first quarter of the year.

Furthermore, not all of the $8.3 million reported by Haley's various groups can be used for her campaign. Money in Haley's leadership PAC, a sort of group often deployed to boost allies or promote a particular message, cannot be used to finance her own campaign.

The haul promoted by Haley's team in advance of her FEC filings impressed donors, who said the number was a sign of the strength of Haley's campaign.

"I think that $11 million in six weeks speaks volumes and it shows that she's a candidate that people need to be paying attention to," Eric Tanenblatt, former finance co-chair for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, said before the filings were made to the FEC.

Tanenblatt did not immediately respond to an inquiry Saturday night about the newly disclosed numbers.

Tanenblatt previously said the claimed $11 million total proved that Haley "established herself now as the alternative" to former president Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He hosted a fundraiser for Haley in Georgia in March, and he and his wife have already maxed out donations to Haley and are planning to give to her exclusively.

"Running for president is kind of a war of attrition," said Republican strategist Kevin McLaughlin in an interview before the FEC report was made available. "And the one imperative this early I would say is resources."
Two victims died after five people were shot during an altercation at a late-night cockfight Friday in Honolulu, police said.

Honolulu police responded to a call about shots fired just past midnight Friday and were searching Saturday for a suspect believed to be in his 20s who allegedly shot the others who were attending the event, KHON-TV reported.
More than three dozen members of Congress have TikTok accounts, almost all of them Democrats. The White House briefs TikTok influencers as if they're members of the press. And the most popular lawmaker on TikTok, Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson of North Carolina, has racked up a following of 1.6 million by posting regular videos about the top news.

Democrats have so successfully cultivated TikTok clout and the soapbox it provides for young voters - in contrast to Republicans' far less enthusiastic embrace - that party operatives are now drawing up detailed plans to dramatically expand its use in the 2024 campaign.

But that strategy is colliding head-on with the Biden administration's push to crack down on TikTok. Fearing that the app's Chinese ownership could pose a security threat, the administration, through a powerful interagency committee, is pushing a plan that would require TikTok's Chinese owners to divest from the popular video app.

"Ditching something that has proven to be incredibly helpful to winning elections is like shooting yourself in the foot," said Aidan Kohn-Murphy, the 19-year-old founder of Gen-Z for Change, a coalition of creators formerly known as TikTok for Biden.

Kohn-Murphy and Victor Shi, strategy director for Voters of Tomorrow, a group also aimed at Gen Z, said numerous Democratic campaigns have expressed interest in cultivating relationships with creators of TikTok content, building on the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. "For any campaign that wants to get their message out to young people, I don't think you can do that without TikTok," Shi said.

That's where the potential problems come in for Democrats, whose reliance on younger voters has only become greater with the ascendance of politically potent issues like abortion rights, climate change, racial equity and gun control.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which includes members from various federal agencies, is developing a proposal that would force TikTok's owners to divest, The Washington Post reported last month. Some believe that would require an act of Congress, but it marks an escalation of the administration's efforts to address national security concerns about the company's Beijing-headquartered owner, ByteDance.

TikTok has been in negotiations with the committee for over two years. As the app has surged in popularity during that time, so have policymakers' worries that it could be exploited to expose Americans' sensitive data or spread propaganda.

At the same time, Democratic digital strategists say they are increasingly hearing from candidates looking to expand their use of TikTok for the coming campaign by enhancing their own presence on the app as well as forging connections with influencers. In the 2022 midterms, more than 200 state and national candidates had TikTok accounts, including about 1 in 3 Democratic campaigns, according to a D.C.-based think tank.

In Congress, nearly two dozen lawmakers have posted since the start of the year, all Democrats except independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (Fla.), according to a review of active accounts by The Post.

TikTok, which has about 150 million users in the United States, has become a mainstay in many people's lives. The wildly successful algorithm serves videos to multitudes of people who might not otherwise view them, propelling nobodies to stardom and turning small businesses into profit machines. The app, which attracted more visitors than Google last year, has done much to reshape American culture, especially for younger generations.

That has not escaped the attention of politicians, including Biden's team. The White House does not have an official account, but it uses influencers to disseminate its messaging through the platform. In parallel with its regular briefings to the Washington-based press corps, the White House has provided information to TikTok creators about war efforts in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic. A group of TikTok personalities visiting in October spent an hour in the Oval Office in a private meeting with the president.

The White House is now signaling its intention to ramp up its reliance on TikTok and other social media as the president heads toward an expected reelection announcement.

Its director of digital strategy, Rob Flaherty, was recently promoted to a level on par with the White House press secretary, "because the president values our digital operation at a similar level as our traditional communications and press departments," a White House official said on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions.

The official, previewing upcoming digital strategies, said the White House will engage with more regional and local content creators, just as it has with local print and broadcast outlets.

The audience on social media platforms - including people who might not subscribe to a newspaper or a cable channel - is considerable compared with network news. Daniel Daks, founder of the talent management firm Palette, who helped organize the influencers' trip to Washington last fall to meet Biden and former president Barack Obama, represents about 100 creators with a combined following of about 348 million TikTok users - many times over the average combined viewership of the ABC, CBS and NBC evening news.

Internal analytics revealed that candidates' TikTok cameos and meetings with influencers yielded significantly more eyeballs for fewer dollars than television ad buys, Daks said, adding that those influencers are planning for greater political involvement this next campaign cycle.

"Last election, there was still an open question: Could influencers move the needle on political campaigns?" he said. "It's been answered pretty solidly with a yes."

What was once a place for lip syncs and dances has become a hub for political and news content, said Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy who studied campaign messaging on TikTok during the midterms, adding that "2024 will be the election where political content really has an impact on TikTok."

Strategists said they are already having conversations with candidates and campaigns about plans around the app, and Democrats are looking back at past elections to see what has worked to rally Gen Z and millennials.

In 2020, Biden's campaign sought to distinguish him from Trump on the platform with videos that contrasted their rhetoric on women's rights and climate change, said a person familiar with the campaign's digital media strategy who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss strategy.

"People were sort of like meh about Biden, so it was fueling the flames of getting people to talk about Biden in a trendable way," the strategist said.

Now, as the administration faces accusations from Republicans that it is soft on China, Biden aides have privately wished the Chinese company would spin off its U.S. operations. But so far there is no indication that it will do so.

A greater share of Americans, 41 percent, back a TikTok ban, while 25 percent oppose one, mostly out of concerns that the app's parent company is based in China, a Washington Post poll in March found. But the opposite is true of younger Americans: Among those 18 to 34 years old, 40 percent oppose a nationwide ban on TikTok while 28 percent support one.

That could make a perceived assault on the app even more perilous for Democrats.

"The bigger risk - rather than some dozen congresspeople that are on TikTok no longer having access to the platform - is the message it sends to young voters, [making] Democrats seem even more out of touch with this growing constituency of millennials and Gen Z," said Democratic pollster Nancy Zdunkewicz.

None of this has prevented lawmakers on both sides of the aisle from attacking the platform, saying it could share American users' data with China or promote propaganda, assertions that TikTok has denied. In a bipartisan grilling of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew last month by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, lawmakers questioned the company's misinformation control, data sharing, screen-time limits for minors and connections to the Chinese government, which opposes a sale.

The White House has endorsed a bipartisan Senate bill that would give Biden new authority to ban or restrict a wide range of communications and technology products from China, after President Donald Trump's attempt to ban the app in 2020 failed.

However, a small contingent of Democrats - including Reps. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Mark Pocan (Wis.), Robert Garcia (Calif.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) - have protested the notion of a ban, saying it misses the broader problem of data misuse across the tech sector.

Ocasio-Cortez posted her first video after Chew's testimony, arguing that a nationwide ban would be an unprecedented and ineffective way to solve the broader data-harvesting problem. She has since gained a following of a half-million on the platform.

For some who make a living on TikTok - like V Spehar, host of Under the Desk News, which has 2.9 million followers - the administration's toughening stance has felt like an about-face, or at least sharply contradictory. Spehar visited the White House and received two letters of thanks from Biden.

"How can that be true, and this is such an incredibly dangerous platform that you have to annihilate it immediately and that's going to save America?" Spehar said in an interview. "And we're not looking at extending those protections across all social media platforms, across all banks, across all digital places where you put your digital information. It doesn't make sense, which causes a lot of frustration."

But Annie Wu Henry, social media producer for the campaign of Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), said TikTok is not the only way to mobilize young voters.

"So much of what digital is, it's just consistently evolving, and we need to evolve with it," Henry said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Taylor Lorenz contributed to this report.
This month the Texas Department of Public Safety revealed that 4,800 people have been impacted by an identity theft scam targeting Asian residents, wrote Hojun Choi of The Dallas Morning News. This is about 1,800 more people than previously estimated when news of the scheme broke two months ago.

Lauren McGaughy and Allie Morris of The Dallas Morning News first reported it in February when DPS Director Steven McCraw told Texas lawmakers that thousands of Texas driver's licenses, bearing Asian names, were sent to an international organized crime group. McCraw described the people responsible as part of a Chinese organized crime group based in New York working in a number of different states."

State officials became aware of the fraud in late 2022, but it was not publicized immediately because state and federal agencies were concentrated on investigating and apprehending suspects, some of whom have already been arrested, McCraw said in February.

This decision to keep quiet drew heavy criticism. "It really goes to show that our state government does not see us and does not care about us and does not prioritize our welfare," Lily Trieu, executive director of Asian Texans for Justice, told Kimmy Yam of NBC News. The crime group found victims' personal information through the "dark web" and hidden sites, Yam reported. They were then able to use that information to log on to the state's license system. Data like previous addresses and maiden names helped them answer security questions.

"[They] use those questions to be able to get into and purchase a replacement drivers license on Asian-sounding names. And from that, get a replacement drivers license sent to an address of their choosing," McCraw said, per NBC News. The group sold the licenses to undocumented immigrants. McCraw clarified that this was not a cybersecurity issue since no state system was hacked, but rather a "vulnerability" in the intended process. Jeoff Williams, deputy director of law enforcement services at DPS, assured lawmakers that preventive measures have been added, and credit card transactions now require a billing zip code and the three-digit CVV code.

But for many, the damage may have already been done. North Texan Ping Du spoke with The Dallas Morning News about how he was first alerted to a problem when his bank sent him an unexpected alert in December. Someone had tried to pose as him at another bank branch in New York. Du froze his account, but continued to receive notifications about other fraudulent attempts over the next couple of months.

"I have to be on constant alert," Du told The Dallas Morning News in February. "I literally have to get up at night just to make sure that I don't have any alerts coming in. Then you have to worry about if they got into my other accounts."

Authorities are still investigating, and DPS has since posted more information about the incident on its site, along with letters addressed to scam victims translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The agency advises those who suspect they've had their identities stolen to report it through iwatchtx.org.
A Capitol staffer alleged in an internal complaint that state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, had sexual relations with an intern two weeks ago.

The new details of the allegation come from the complaint filed by a legislative staffer to the House General Investigating Committee. Earlier this week, The Texas Tribune reviewed excerpts of the complaint, which alleged that Slaton, 45, was having an inappropriate relationship with an intern who is under the age of 21. The complaint said Slaton called her after 10 p.m. on March 31 and invited her to his Austin apartment.

A full version of the complaint, first posted on The Quorum Report, states the intern disclosed that she had sexual relations with Slaton that night.

Another person with direct knowledge of the situation who works in the Capitol corroborated the complaint and said that Slaton and the intern drank alcohol together. Slaton, one of the most far-right social conservatives of the Legislature, has been married to his wife since 2017.

[Two GOP Texas House members call for Rep. Bryan Slaton to resign]

The complaint alleges that sometime after the night at his condo, Slaton brought the intern into an office and flirted with her again. The same day, Slaton allegedly showed the intern emails from his personal account that accused him of having sex with a staffer, according to the complaint. The staffer believed Slaton wrote the emails as a test to see if she would report him. Slaton told her and her friends to keep quiet, according to the report.

Slaton and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday evening. Earlier this week, Slatons attorney issued a statement calling allegations against his client outrageous and false.

Julie Springer, an attorney for the intern, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Texas Tribune is not identifying the intern.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, declined to comment. Rep. Andrew Murr, the Junction Republican who chairs the House General Investigating Committee, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The House General Investigating Committee, which has the power to conduct inquiries into state agencies, departments and officials and has the ability to draft articles of impeachment against lawmakers, is investigating Slatons case. On Friday, the panel met and issued four subpoenas but would not disclose the investigations or people involved.

At least two House Republicans have called for Slaton to resign this week: Briscoe Cain of Deer Park and Steve Toth of The Woodlands. Both Cain and Toth are staunch conservatives who typically align with Slaton ideologically.

At least one House Democrat, Ana-Maria Ramos of Richardson, has also called for Slaton to resign. This week, Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, drafted bill language that would target members of the Legislature who engage in grooming behavior with victims under the age of 21. He tweeted Thursday that he is looking for ways to hold lawmakers accountable for inappropriate behavior.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/14/bryan-slaton-texas-legislature-intern-investigation/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
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KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP)  Top diplomats from Europe and North America were arriving Sunday in this hot spring resort town to discuss the world's most intractable crises, including ways to end Russia's war in Ukraine, confront China's aggression toward Taiwan and lure North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

They will dive right in, with a private working dinner Sunday spotlighting China and North Korea. But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers' talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about U.S. intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Japan is eager to use a smoothly run G-7, which includes a host of gatherings on climate, finance and other issues ahead of a leaders summit next month in Hiroshima, to pursue a stronger unified front against what Tokyo and other democracies see as Russian, Chinese and North Korean aggression.

Amid widespread skepticism that the United Nations, which is often paralyzed by the oversized power on the Security Council of Russia and China, can do anything about these issues, many will be watching to see what, if anything, G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union might do.

Security is tight in Karuizawa, but Japan has been forced to address safety concerns after a young man threw an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the eve of the diplomats' arrivals. Kishida was uninjured Saturday and continued campaigning, but the attack is an unwanted development for Tokyo amid a lingering security debate over the assassination nine months ago of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Starting with the summit, we have to make every effort to ensure security and safety ... (as) dignitaries from all over the world gather, Kishida told reporters Sunday.

The three-day talks will also see the first real test of the Biden administration's assertion that there has been minimal damage from the disclosure of highly classified documents related to the war in Ukraine and U.S. views of its allies and partners.

Before traveling to Japan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday from Hanoi that he had heard no concerns from allies, but the revelations will loom over the G-7 meeting, the first major international diplomatic conference since the documents were discovered online and made public.

On the diplomatic front, the talks, which end Tuesday, will be dominated by worries over the Russian leader's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons as his forces struggle in Ukraine, China's increasing belligerence toward Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, and North Korea's record-setting run of illicit weapons tests.

Some observers expect that Japan and other nations might use the G-7 to announce an increase in aid to Ukraine.

As Russias invasion of Ukraine has been shaking the foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said ahead of the meeting. I will lead discussions as chair of the meeting and show the G-7s strong determination to absolutely reject attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russias threat of nuclear weapons or their use, while defending the rules-based international order.

Though diplomats from Beijing won't be present in Japan, China's rapid military rise will also play a large part in discussions.

China recently sent planes and ships to conduct a simulated encirclement of Taiwan, and has seen in recent years a rapid jump in its nuclear warheads, a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and increased comments from its leader, Xi Jinping, painting a scenario of impending confrontation.

Japan, in response partly to China's rise, has made a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, as it works to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.

Diplomats will also be looking to find ways to restart diplomacy aimed at pressuring a hostile North Korea to return to disarmament negotiations. Since last year, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that showed the potential of reaching the U.S. mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.

___

AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and diplomatic writer Matthew Lee in Hanoi contributed to this story.
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BRUSSELS (AP)  In the weeks since Chinese leader Xi Jinping won a third five-year term as president, setting him on course to remain in power for life, leaders and diplomats from around the world have beaten a path to his door. None more so than those from Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a high-profile state visit to Beijing last week accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, just days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the northeast port city of Tianjin on Thursday, following a visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, would have been in China this week, too, but he tested positive for COVID-19.

For the 27-nation trading bloc, the reasons to head to China are clear.

As an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi could play a pivotal role in helping to end the war in Ukraine. The conflict has dragged on for over a year, driven up energy prices and inflicted more damage on economies struggling to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Europeans want Xi's help. They want him to talk to Ukraine's president as well as Russia's, but they don't see him as the key mediator. Chinas proposed peace plan for Ukraine is mostly a list of its previously known positions and is unacceptable, EU officials say.

The EU also fears that Xi might supply weapons to Russia. They've been particularly disturbed by Putins plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. That announcement came just days after Xi and Putin met to cement their no-limits friendship.

Baerbock said the war is top of my agenda. Praising Beijing for easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said that its influence vis a vis Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and for our relationship with China.

At the same time, the EU is deeply concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. China launched war games just after Macron left. But unlike the U.S., with its military and strategic interest in Taiwan, the Europeans mostly see the island in economic and pro-democracy terms.

So the visits are meant to reassure Xi of respect for Beijing's control over all of Chinese territory and to urge calm. They also highlight the challenge the U.S. faces as it tries to build a coalition of countries to ramp up pressure on Beijing over its expansionist policies.

The key is that we have every interest, both in Europe and in China, to maintain the status quo, a senior EU official said Wednesday, briefing reporters on plans for Borrells sensitive trip on condition that he not be named. It has worked well for all sides for decades.

Beyond the geopolitics lies business. The EU and China did more than 2.3 billion euros' ($2.5 billion) worth of trade every day last year, and the Europeans dont want to endanger that. However, the EU's trade deficit has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to level the business playing field.

It's also desperate to limit its imports of critical resources from China, like rare earth minerals or hi-tech components, after painfully weaning itself off its biggest, and most unreliable, gas supplier, Russia.

Its a fine line to walk, and China is adept at divide-and-conquer politics.

Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has often used its economic heft to pry France, Germany and other allies away from the U.S. on issues ranging from military security and trade to human rights and Taiwan.

Beijing has called repeatedly for a multi-polar world, a reference to Chinese frustration with U.S. dominance of global affairs and the ruling Communist Partys ambition to see the country become an international leader.

There has been a serious deviation in U.S. understanding and positioning about China, treating China as the primary opponent and the biggest geopolitical challenge, the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, told reporters last month.

China-Europe relations are not targeted, dependent, or subject to third parties, he said.

Macrons visit appeared to illustrate that Qins view isnt just wishful thinking. As tensions rise between Beijing and Washington, the French leader said, it is important for Europe to retain its strategic autonomy.

Being a friend doesnt mean that you have to be a vassal, Macron said Wednesday, repeating a remark from his trip that alarmed some European partners. Just because were allies, it doesnt mean (that) we no longer have the right to think for ourselves.

Such comments could strain ties with the U.S. and have also exposed divisions within the EU.

Without mentioning Macron, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some in Europe were too slow to heed the wake-up call on China.

You could see this over the past couple of weeks as some European leaders went to Beijing, Morawiecki said, adding: I do not quite understand the idea of strategic autonomy, if it means de-facto shooting into our own knee.

For its part, the White House has sought to downplay Macrons talk of Europe as an independent pole in a multi-polar world.

It thinks European skepticism toward Beijing is growing. U.S. officials note a recent Dutch decision to restrict Chinas access to advanced computer chip components or Scholz publicly prodding Xi not to deliver weapons to Russia.

Despite the differences of national emphasis, the EU's strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019  that the Asian giant is "a partner, a competitor and systemic rival." The aim of the recent visits fit that mold: to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources.

___

Joe McDonald in Beijing, Aamer Madhani in Washington, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Vanessa Gera in Warsaw and Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, contributed.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Flights out of northern Taiwan were delayed Sunday after China launched a rocket carrying a satellite that dropped debris into waters north of the capital Taipei.

While the satellite launch had no obvious military purpose, it comes after China held large-scale military drills in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens transit visit to the United States earlier this month, during which she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

Tensions remain high and China sent warplanes flying toward Taiwan more than 200 times last weekend, while its navy ships circled the self-ruled island it claims as Chinese territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry issued a statement on public media, saying it had monitored the 9:36 a.m. launch from the Jiuquan base in northwestern China. While some rocket parts had landed within Taiwan's air defense identification zone, they posed no threat to our nation's territory, the statement said.

China had declared a 27-minute halt to flights over a section of the East China Sea, considerably shorter than the no-fly period over parts of three days it had originally announced. Taiwan said it strongly protested the notice and was able to get China to reduce the flight ban time to the brief period on Sunday morning.

Still, the flight ban caused disruptions for travelers headed to Japan from Taipei's Songshan Airport.

Lee Yang-ming, a 54-year-old working in the medical industry, said he had lost an afternoon of sightseeing in Tokyo after his departure time was put back by two hours.

We had our schedule all planned, Lee said. "That's ruined one day of our visit.

Recent Chinese exercises around Taiwan have been seen as a display of its ability not only to attack the island, but to cut off air and sea transit routes in the area that is among the most vital to trade and travel in the world.

That has brought strong condemnations from the U.S., Taiwan's chief ally, and warnings from other nations of the calamitous effect a Taiwan Strait conflict would have on the entire world.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An Iranian court has sentenced an air defense commander allegedly responsible for the deadly downing of a passenger plane amid Iran-U.S. tensions several years ago, a state news agency reported Sunday.

Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight in January 2020. The missile strike killed all 176 people on board and came as Tehran and Washington teetered on the brink of war.

The Guards commander who officials purport ordered the strike was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the official judiciary news outlet said.

Mizan said the commander did not follow protocols in the moments leading up to the shooting down of the plane. The commander was ordered to pay fines to families of victims, the report added.

Mizan said the court also sentenced two personnel allegedly involved in running the surface-to-air missile system Tor M-1 to one year in prison each.

After a lengthy series of hearings, the court sentenced at least seven other personnel and air defense officers to up to three years in prison. According to Mizan, the verdicts are appealable within 20 days.

The report did not identify any of the defendants by name or further details.

The judiciary news agency also said Iran's government plans to pay $150,000 for each victim to their families. It did not elaborate on how this money will be delivered to the families.

The hearing sessions have faced international criticism since starting in 2021. At that time, an association of the victims families also criticized the hearing and cast doubts on the court's legitimacy. The group also alleged that none of the defendants were present at hearings.

Just hours before the shootdown in January 2020, Iran had fired ballistic missiles at American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, April 16, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Cattaraugus County in western New York...

Chautauqua County in western New York...

* Until 745 PM EDT.

* At 701 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Jamestown

West, or near Jamestown, moving north at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind damage

to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...

Jamestown, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Lakewood, Gowanda, Silver Creek,

Falconer, Long Point State Park, Jamestown West and SUNY Fredonia.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 90 between exits 58 and 59.

Interstate 86 between exits 7 and 14.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Hardin County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 548 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Kountze,

moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Kountze, Caney Head and Village Mills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN TYLER...NORTH CENTRAL HARDIN AND CENTRAL JASPER

COUNTIES...

At 549 PM CDT, multiple severe thunderstorms were located over

Warren, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Warren, Fred, Wildwood, Spurger, Ivanhoe and Hillister.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

North central Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

Southeastern Hardin County in southeastern Texas...

Northwestern Orange County in southeastern Texas...

South central Jasper County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 612 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Bevil Oaks,

or near Lumberton, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Beaumont, Lumberton, Silsbee, Kountze, Sour Lake, Bevil Oaks, Rose

City, Pine Forest, Lakeview and Weiss Bluff.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 859 and

850.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Southeastern Tyler County in southeastern Texas...

* At 614 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Warren,

moving east at 10 mph.

Warren, Fred and Hillister.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON...

SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN AND NORTHWESTERN ORANGE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT

615 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. Please refer to

the new warning.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Bastrop

and central Fayette Counties through 700 PM CDT...

At 614 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Smithville, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

La Grange, Smithville, Muldoon, Floy, Plum, Buescher State Park,

O'Quinn, West Point, Winchester and Kirtley.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

south central Texas.

LAT...LON 2988 9682 2976 9712 3007 9721 3014 9707

3011 9704 3004 9702 3005 9698

TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 332DEG 19KT 3005 9713

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN TYLER...NORTH

CENTRAL HARDIN AND CENTRAL JASPER COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire. Please refer to

the new thunderstorm warning.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern San

Jacinto, western Polk and east central Walker Counties through 645 PM

CDT...

At 615 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Riverside, or 12 miles east of Huntsville, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

Point Blank and Oakhurst.

If on or near Lake Livingston, get out of the water and move indoors

or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles

from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close

enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not

be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 3074 9542 3082 9540 3080 9512 3063 9514

TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 276DEG 11KT 3077 9535

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
The contrast between police work reality and that of those, however justified, who take months (sometimes years) to judge them is stark.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio is not alone in looking to expand the flow of taxpayer dollars to private schools as the pandemic wanes.

The Ohio General Assembly is weighing three private school scholarship expansion proposals including one by Gov. Mike DeWine to increase eligibility to families who earn 400% of the federal poverty level, or $120,000 for a family of four, up from the current 250% of the poverty level.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- I dont believe for a minute that the Kremlin of the Soviet Union then is far removed from the Kremlin of Russia today.

Ive expressed that opinion numerous times in recent years when speaking for veteran gatherings and book programs at area libraries.

My fellow Vietnam veterans know where Im coming from.

The former USSR poured hundreds of millions of rubles and tons of weapons into the hands of their fellow communists to help kill more than 58,000 of our American brothers in that godforsaken war. Chinese communists also have American blood on their hands in Southeast Asia.

A retired editor, Vietnam veteran and member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Dave Lange holds a masters degree in political science.

Lets get this straight. Current Russian President Vladimir Putin was a communist when he was a KGB agent for 16 years before the fall of the Soviet Union, and he is a communist today.

As conservative writer Lee Edwards and the Heritage Foundation put it in June 2022, You cannot understand Vladimir Putin and his war against Ukraine unless you understand that he is a Marxist-Leninist.

In theory, communism seeks to create stateless and classless societies governed by the people. In reality, that has never been achieved.

The worlds five current communist nations  China, North Korea, Cuba, Laos and, yes, Russia  are run by totalitarian governments. Regardless of whether the people get to vote, they simply do not count.

Congressional Republicans, most of whom sought to undermine American voters will in the 2020 presidential election, like to paint their Democratic adversaries as socialists.

This February, House Republican leaders advanced a resolution condemning the horrors of socialism as a threat to America.

After Republicans blocked efforts to include language protecting federal programs like Social Security and Medicare in the resolution, the 100 Democrats who opposed it were demonized by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

If Democrats are portrayed as evil socialists, perhaps Republicans can be portrayed as even more evil communists.

After all, it was former Republican President Donald Trump who said of Chinese totalitarian communist President Xi Jinping in 2020, we love each other. It was Trump who said of North Korean totalitarian communist Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un in 2018, And then we fell in love, OK? No, really, he wrote me beautiful letters, and theyre great letters. We fell in love.

More pointedly, Trump has kissed up to Russian totalitarian communist President Putin repeatedly.

Defying U.S. intelligence assessments of 2016 election interference, Trump said, I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today. President Putin, he said its not Russia. I dont see any reason why it would be.

In 2020, he cast doubt on the Department of Homeland Securitys conclusion that Russian intelligence almost certainly was responsible for cyberattacks against multiple federal agencies.

It should come as no surprise that, as Putin prepared for Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, Trump said, How smart is that? And hes going to go in and be a peacekeeper. Thats the strongest peace force.

Just last month, Trump declared that Russia isnt as great a threat to Western civilization as are certain Americans, pointing his finger at the altar of race and gender and environment.

Many Trump worshippers back him up. This February, Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona said, Ukraine is not our friend, and Russia is not our enemy.

A year earlier, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said, Ive got to be honest with you. I dont really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.

It used to be that leaders of both political parties believed that the spread of communism should be resisted. America stepped up against China in Korea and against the Soviet Union in Vietnam.

But today, as communist North Korea backs Russia in Ukraine and communist China considers supplying weapons for its Russian ally, where is the love from the Party of Trump? Is it for freedom and democracy? Or is it for the spread of communism?

If Republicans are in bed with totalitarian communist lover Donald Trump, does that make them communists?

A retired editor, Vietnam veteran and member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Dave Lange holds a masters degree in political science.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. -- Standing in front of the open coffin of one of my 11th grade students who had been killed in a snowmobile accident, I felt a gentle tug at my sleeve which would change my attitude toward teaching for the next 22 years.

It was 1990, my third year as a Vermont high school English teacher. I had introduced myself to my students mother as his English teacher, expressing my condolences.

Then I stood in front of the coffin with my head bowed for a few moments. The undertakers putty had come loose, and you could see a hole in the corner of the boys skull where the eyebrow met the nose. The snowmobile accident had been instantly fatal.

Paul Keane, who attended graduate school at Kent State University, is a retired Vermont English teacher.

But that disturbing vision of the dislodged undertakers putty was not what changed me forever as a teacher. It was that tug at my sleeve and a mothers words. She had walked away from the receiving line and had come up to me as I stood with my head bowed in front of her sons corpse. She wanted to say something to me and gave my sleeve a soft pull. I only hoped she did not notice the loose undertakers putty.

She looked at me and said these eight words: It was the only A he ever got.

We didnt speak another word, but I reached out and held her hand in a tight grasp. I knew exactly what she was sharing with me: That very private moment between a parent and child when the parent is proud, and the child is proud too. The taste of success. After that, some of my colleagues in the school where I taught thought I was becoming too generous in my grading. They were afraid I was getting a reputation in our Vermont high school as the Easy A teacher who is legendary in teaching folklore.

But another student unwittingly provided me with the evidence that my A was definitely not an easy one. He too was an 11th grade boy, and he made no bones about hating English all through school. He astonished me one day by making this admission in class: I never finished a book in my life till I took your class.

I replied, There is something wrong with public education if a student can get to 11th grade without ever having finished reading a complete book.

I had realized early as a teacher that I had to out-fox students who refused to read. My solution was to read the book aloud in class together. But I had to make it fun. My operating axiom was If the teacher isnt having fun, the students arent having fun.

Through trial and error I created out loud reading as a kind of group theater project, each student taking a turn at a page in the case of a novel (The Catcher in the Rye) or taking a part in a play for one day of reading per student so that every student had a chance to read or perform a part in Death of a Salesman, A Raisin in the Sun or Our Town.

Students seemed to enjoy the playing.

In the case of impossibly long novels, we would read a few pages aloud, then watch the video version, (Gregory Peck in Moby Dick; Avery Brooks in Uncle Toms Cabin).

Each student would keep a journal recording differences in the text and video, for example.

Then as teacher I would turn the tables on the students.

Instead of assigning THEM homework, I would grade their journals as MY homework, if they agreed to correct any mistakes below a B average the very next day at the beginning of class without delay.

These are the two lessons my students taught me: The power of success (an attainable A) and the pride of accomplishment (finishing an entire book with the nudge of the class as team-mates).

I hope I learned my lessons well.

Paul Keane, who attended graduate school at Kent State University, is a retired Vermont English teacher. This was written for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.

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Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of Judge Neil Gorsuch as an associate Supreme Court justice in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, April 10, 2017.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reported on financial disclosure forms that his family has earned thousands of dollars in rental income from a Nebraska real estate firm that has been shuttered since 2006, according to a report by The Washington Post on Sunday.

Thomas has reported income from a firm called Ginger Ltd. Partnership over the last two decades, but in 2006 it was shut down and replaced by a new firm, the report said. The new firm, Ginger Holdings LLC, is similarly named, but there is no mention of it in Thomas' records.

In recent years, Thomas reportedly continued to disclose between $50,000 and $100,000 in income from the old firm annually.

Even if the misstatement can be reduced to a paperwork error, it marks the latest question around the justice's financial practices after a recent ProPublica report revealed Thomas has accepted secret luxury trips from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow for more than two decades in apparent violation of a financial disclosure law.

Thomas, the 74-year-old conservative associate justice who has served on the nation's highest court since 1991, has not reported the trips on his financial disclosures as required by law, the nonprofit newsroom reported. ProPublica later reported that Crow bought property from Thomas as well, which the justice also failed to disclose.
Moderna's sign is seen outside of their headquarters in Cambridge, MA on March 11, 2021.

An experimental mRNA vaccine developed by Moderna combined with Merck's blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda cut the risk of death or recurrence of the most deadly skin cancer by 44% compared Keytruda alone, U.S. researchers reported at a medical meeting on Sunday.

The findings suggest that adding a personalized cancer vaccine based on mRNA technology to Keytruda, which revs up the immune response, could prolong the time patients have without recurrence or death, said Dr. Jeffrey Weber of the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, who presented the findings.

"From a general cancer therapeutic standpoint, this is a potential major breakthrough," Dr. Ryan Sullivan, a melanoma expert at Mass General Cancer who worked on the study, said in a statement.

The results, presented at American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Orlando, Florida, add data details to partial findings released by the companies in December.

The Merck/Moderna collaboration is one of several combining powerful drugs that unleash the immune system to target cancers with mRNA vaccine technology. BioNTech and Gritstone Bio are working on competing cancer vaccines based on mRNA technology.

Moderna's vaccine is custom-built based on an analysis of a patient's tumors after surgical removal. The vaccines are designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack specific mutations in cancer cells.

Merck's Keytruda, which is approved to treat melanoma and many other cancers, belongs to a class of widely used immunotherapies known as checkpoint inhibitors designed to disable the PD-1, or programmed death 1, protein that helps cancer evade the immune system.

The midstage trial enrolled men and women at high risk of their melanoma returning.

Among 107 study subjects who received both the experimental vaccine, mRNA-4157/V940, and Keytruda, cancer returned in 24 subjects (22.4%) within two years of follow-up, compared with 20 out of 50 (40%) who received Keytruda alone.

There was little difference in response rates among people whose tumors had a lot of mutations - a typical predictor of immunotherapy response - and those whose tumors did not.

Severe side effects were similar between the two arms of the study, the scientists reported. Fatigue was the most common side effect reported by patients specifically associated with the vaccine.

Merck said the companies are in talks with U.S. regulators about the design of a late-stage trial, which is likely needed for approval of the combination regimen.

It could take three or four years before the results of the larger trials are known, Eliav Barr, Merck's head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, said in an interview.

Barr said it took Moderna about eight weeks to design a personalized mRNA vaccine for each patient.

In the past, similar experimental cancer vaccines were developed targeting a single tumor mutation, or neoantigen.

Moderna's mRNA technology allowed for the inclusion of as many as 34 neoantigens, which Barr called "astonishing."

Currently, scientists cannot predict which single mutation is important in generating an anti-tumor response. With mRNA technology in combination with Keytruda, "we can create this shotgun approach ... that can create a more potent immune response," Barr said.
Virgin Orbit started as a program of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic in 2012, before being spun off into a separate company five years later.

In the private space race, Virgin Orbit contended its method of launching its rockets  known as "air launch"  was more flexible than traditional launch pads used by competitors like Rocket Lab , Astra and SpaceX.

The company employed a modified Boeing 747 jet that it called "Cosmic Girl" to carry its LauncherOne rocket to about 35,000 feet of altitude before dropping it.

From there, the rocket would fire its engines and fly off into space.

"By launching from an aircraft, Virgin could take off from almost any airport around the world and turn these airports into space ports," said Caleb Henry, director of research at Quilty Analytics.

Henry noted that the Virgin Orbit's last launch was from the United Kingdom, and that the company was in discussions to launch in Japan and Brazil.

"They were offering to different countries the ability to, in a sense, have a sovereign launch capability, because the rocket would take off from their home soil," Henry said.

But Virgin Orbit was dogged by delays. The company originally hoped to launch its debut mission in 2018, but didn't get off the ground until May of 2020. The demonstration mission failed shortly after the rocket was released. In total, the company launched six missions, four of which were successful and two of which failed, including the last one in January.

Virgin Orbit's biggest deal was a 39-launch contract signed with satellite maker OneWeb in 2015. OneWeb ultimately pulled out of the deal without conducting a single launch.

"A challenge for the company, and for any launch company, is having an anchor customer, somebody who you can depend on to routinely buy a decent number of launches," Henry said. "Virgin Orbit did not have an anchor customer."

In late March, Virgin Orbit said it was laying off the majority of its workforce and ceasing operations "for the foreseeable future" after failing to secure a funding lifeline. Days later, the company filed for bankruptcy.

Watch the video to find out more about what led to Virgin Orbit's collapse.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala has arrived in the Philippines where he and his business delegation will strengthen the relationship with Manila and boost support for Czech companies in the country.

Fiala arrived in Manila on the evening of April 16 where he was greeted by Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez. His visit marked the upcoming 50th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic on October 5, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said.

He will visit Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan during his 10-day trip. His diplomatic tour began in the Philippines and will end in Uzbekistan on April 25.

Over three dozen company representatives will accompany the Czech leader during his business mission.

The goal of the trip, on which I am accompanied by a large business delegation from the Chamber of Commerce and a number of other entrepreneurs, is to improve and develop relations with countries in this region and support Czech companies on local markets, Fiala said on Twitter on Sunday.

Support from the state is important for Czech companies everywhere in the world. However, the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia are also important for the Czech Republic for other strategic reasons, he added. I believe that within such an intensive program we will succeed in supporting not only bilateral, but mainly business relations.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet with Fiala. They are expected to discuss the strengthening of Manila and Pragues bilateral relationship through defense cooperation, trade and investment, university linkages, judicial cooperation, and labor cooperation.

Fiala will also attend a business forum with Czech and Filipino entrepreneurs on Monday.

READ: Czech Republic PM Fiala to visit PH - DFA
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  There are still missing illegal drugs from the shabu haul worth 6.7 billion seized from an arrested police sergeant last October, the Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted.

990 (kilograms), plus 42 (kgs seized afterwards), plus (the missing drugs), yun ang X, PNP-Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP-DIDM) Director PMGen. Eliseo Cruz told the media during a press conference on Sunday.

Last Oct. 8, 2022, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) led an anti-illegal drug operation on a lending office owned by Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo in Tondo, Manila. This led to the seizure of 990 kgs of shabu valued at 6.7 billion and Mayos arrest.

A week later on Oct. 15, 2022, another 42 kgs of shabu from the Tondo haul valued at 285,600,000 was recovered from two police officers who supposedly kept it from the first operation.

According to Cruz, the shabu haul that has been accounted for weighs about 1,032 kgs - just over one metric ton (1,000 kgs) - and could be close to 7 billion in value.

When asked for an estimate on the amount of missing shabu, Cruz said, I cannot comment on that if we are just depending on the movement in the CCTV video on how many loading and the size of what was loaded. But we are sure that there are still missing illegal drugs.

CCTV footage from the Oct. 8 raid showed PDEG personnel loading several bags into a sedan owned by a police officer. It also showed Mayos arrest, and how he was handcuffed and uncuffed several times throughout the video.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said that the footage contradicted the scenarios described in the PNPs reports.

He claimed that 11 ranking police officials and three personnel had made a massive attempt to cover up the arrest of Mayo and called on those involved to file for leave.

Meanwhile, the PNP is set to file criminal and administrative charges against 49 police officers linked to the shabu haul and the alleged cover-up.

READ: PNP to file administrative, criminal raps vs. 49 PDEG officials
NEW MEXICO

State boosts chile production, adopts official aroma

ALBUQUERQUE  New Mexico produced more than 53,000 tons of its most famous crop during the last growing season, meaning more chile peppers found their way into salsas and onto dinner plates than the previous year.

State and federal agriculture officials rolled out the latest numbers in late March as New Mexico's governor signed legislation that established the sweet smell of green chile roasting in the fall as the state's official aroma.

New Mexico's love affair with the hot peppers runs deep. Chile is one of the official state vegetables, it's on license plates and it forms the basis of the state's official question: "Red or Green?"

The numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture show that more than 90% of the chile produced in 2022 was of the green variety.

The value of the crop was estimated at more than $46 million, about $1 million more than in 2021. Chile used for processing  for salsas, sauces and spices, for example  account for most of that value while fresh chile brought in about $4.4 million.

While production was up, the land used for planting was actually less than in 2021. That's because farmers are seeing higher yields from their crops due to irrigation and cultivation improvements, said Travis Day, executive director of the New Mexico Chile Association.

Oil company settles over emission violations

ALBUQUERQUE  A Texas oil company has reached a $6.2 million settlement with the federal government and the state of New Mexico to resolve air pollution violations.

State and federal environmental regulators announced the settlement with Matador Production Co. on March 27.

They say the company agreed to comply with clean air regulations at all of its 239 oil and natural gas well pads in New Mexico, which is home to part of the Permian Basin, one of the most productive oil and gas regions in the world.

Regulators had accused the company of failing to capture and control emissions from its storage tanks. They also say the company failed to obtain required permits at more than two dozen of its production operations in the state.

Matador said it already has seen improvements in operations and emissions controls since 2019. The company pointed to 2022 emissions data for its gross operated production and exploration operations, saying the intensity of direct greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 55% and methane emissions by 70%.

Under the settlement agreement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department said Matador will be the first producer to implement measures that will serve as a model in future resolutions involving other producers.

WYOMING

States suicide rate falls for 1st time in 4 years

CHEYENNE  Wyoming's suicide rate has fluctuated in the past decade, but mental health advocates are celebrating the first drop in recorded suicides since 2018.

The Wyoming Department of Health reported in March that the number of suicides among Wyoming residents decreased from 190 in 2021 to 149 last year. This was a substantial percentage change of 21.6%, compared to the decrease recorded between 2017 and 2018, when the number of suicides statewide dropped from 156 to 148.

WDH Director Stefan Johansson said several factors could be involved, including increased attention toward mental health issues.

Wyoming's suicide rate has climbed overall since 2013, when there were 128 deaths recorded, yet there have been decreases in 2014, 2016 and 2018. The highest point was 2021.

Despite Wyoming leading the nation in its per-capita suicide rate, the data to work with is still small. Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers Director Andi Summerville said this makes it difficult to track and isolate factors that impact the rate. However, she said the association believes the introduction of the 988 hotline number and call centers running 24/7 with Wyoming-based personnel since last July have benefited residents.

Wyoming was the last state to implement its own call centers in August 2020, and they have received more than 10,000 calls since then. Nearly 25% of the calls received are from veterans seeking services on the specialty line designated for them.

ARIZONA

Apaches tell court copper mine would harm sacred sites

PHOENIX  A Native American group that's trying to stop an effort to build one of the largest copper mines in the United States told a full federal appeals court panel on March 21 that the project would prevent Apaches from exercising their religion by destroying land they consider sacred.

U.S. federal government plans for a land swap that will allow Resolution Copper to build the mine will destroy the land in eastern Arizona known as Oak Flat, "barring the Apaches from ever accessing it again and ending their core religious practices forever," said attorney Luke Goodrich, arguing for the group Apache Stronghold.

The panel of 11 judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to issue a decision in the next few months.

Apache Stronghold sued the U.S. government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect the place tribal members call Chi'chil Bildagoteel, an area dotted with ancient oak groves and traditional plants the Apaches consider essential to their religion.

U.S. government attorney Joan Pepin argued that the act of Congress that approved the exchange giving the Oak Flat to Resolution Copper land supersedes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which prevents government agencies from placing a "substantial burden" on the practice of religion.

The land transfer was a last-minute provision included in a must-pass defense bill in 2014. The swap would give the mining company 3.75 square miles of national forest land in exchange for eight parcels it owns in other parts of Arizona.

Resolution Copper says the project has the potential to supply enough copper to meet up to one-quarter of U.S. demand, adding up to $1 billion a year to Arizona's economy and creating thousands of local jobs.

UTAH

Mormon Church gives water to boost Great Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY  Donating a small reservoir's worth of water rights to Utah's Great Salt Lake. Replacing grass with rocks and water-wise landscaping around neatly manicured churches. Reducing water use by more than one-third outside the headquarters in Salt Lake City's Temple Square. These are among the actions that the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is taking to address the realities of a rapidly approaching, drier future.

Remarks from Bishop Christopher Waddell at the University of Utah on March 16 underscored how the church  one of the biggest land and water rights holders in the western United States  is expanding its role in conservation and looking for solutions "that protect the future for all God's children."

Church officials announced days earlier that they planned to donate roughly 20,000 acre-feet of water rights to the Great Salt Lake, which has shrunk to its lowest levels ever due to a supply-demand imbalance caused by decadeslong regional drought. The church has at least 75,000 acre-feet of active water rights, the Salt Lake Tribune reported in February.

The church's donation is about 2% of what's needed to keep the lake at its current level, according to research from a group of scientists led by Brigham Young University ecologist Ben Abbott.

"It's a drop in the bucket on one level, but it's also a big drop," Abbott said of the church's donation.
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Singapore Food Agency seizes 2 tonnes of illegally imported food, alcohol, and medicines

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has seized about 2.2 tonnes of illegally imported food coming into the country from Vietnam, it said in a press release yesterday. The Agency found the illegal goods following a raid at an old industrial building in Senoko on Thursday.

Illegally imported food, including raw meat and seafood, was found by SFA in an old warehouse. Picture courtesy: SFA

The food seized was large quantities of processed and raw meat and seafood, including frozen pork, beef, chicken, fish and frog. The press release said that all of that had been illegally imported from unapproved sources and without a valid licence.

Describing the raid, the SFA said: A female permanent resident was also found operating the warehouse, part of which was also used as an unlicensed cold store with 7 chest freezers and 2 chillers.

During the raid, the SFA officers found 470 bottles of alcohol, and an assortment of medicines, which were sent to Singapore Customs and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), respectively.

SFA officers make a note of the illegal food items. Picture courtesy: SFA

Outlining the rules on the import of consumables, SFA said: In Singapore, food imports must meet SFAs requirements. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with Singapores food safety requirements.

Offenders found in possession of meat and seafood products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without a valid import permit shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding SGD50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding SGD100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.

The Agency urged members of the public to come forward with information, if any, on such illegal activities, and inform via our online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) with details for our follow-up investigations. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Paranoia can destroy your life. But, like that great sage Kurt Cobain once said, "Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you." Tragically, Guru Cobain was shortly thereafter taken from us by the Ant People who secretly rule our media. Every once in a while, though, a paranoid suspicion is just a truth that sounds too crazy to be real until it bites you right in the ass with its supernaturally powerful mandibles.

5 Billy Mitchell Thinks Pearl Harbor Is Ripe for Air Attack Via Wikipedia Billy Mitchell once made the farfetched prediction that "wars would soon be fought in the air and under the sea." That seems pretty reasonable, until you consider that he said it way back in 1906. When World War I rolled along, Mitchell earned the rank of brigadier general and showed the world that he wasn't just full of hot air, becoming one of the most feared Americans in Europe as his aerial forces plagued the German ground forces with hot leaden rain. Via Wikipedia We also imagine some rude gestures were exchanged. Advertisement



Mitchell's airborne prophecies came to a head with his famous battleship trials in 1921, in which he demonstrated how properly equipped airplanes could totally kick a battleship's ass. But this is all firmly in the realm of common sense masquerading as prophecy. Things really only get weird when you consider his prediction that war with the Japanese would begin early one Sunday morning with a surprise air attack on Pearl Harbor, shortly followed by an attack on the Philippines. Yes, he got that specific. Photos.com "Let's change the subject; any eerily accurate guesses on tomorrow's lotto numbers?" Advertisement



The War Plans Division filed his report under B, saying that "Since he so notoriously overestimates what could be done with air power by the United States it is not improbable that he has likewise overestimated what Japan could do." He was court martialed, convicted of insubordination, and suspended from active duty without pay for his lunatic ravings about those awkward metal sea-beasts and strange flitting gunbirds being anything more than novelty items in the grand old tradition of ground warfare. Department of Energy/Photodisc/Getty "Relax. What's the worst a plane could do?" Advertisement Advertisement



But It Turned Out ... Thanks to your high school history teacher and Michael Bay, you know precisely how this story goes: Early one Sunday morning in December of 1941, a hundred Japanese bombers buzzed over Oahu and made short work of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, then attacked Clark Field in the Philippines just hours later, effectively drawing America into World War II. It was an attack that came as a complete surprise to everybody ... with the exception of Billy Mitchell, who had predicted it with eerie specificity nearly 20 years earlier. His lack of reaction was mostly due to his being dead at the time, but still. Never let it be said that The Man can't play backsies with the best of 'em: Mitchell's legacy was redeemed when, in 1946, he finally received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "outstanding pioneer service and foresight in the field of American military aviation." Today, Billy Mitchell is most well known as ... that dick with the '80s hair from the Donkey Kong documentary. David Greedy/Getty Images News/Getty Images Let's not forget the milk-curdling sneer. Advertisement



But a close second as the patron saint of the United States Air Force.

4 Russ Tice Thinks the NSA Spies on Americans Photos.com Advertisement Russ Tice may sound like a shitty Pokemon, but he was much closer to a professional paranoid. Tice was an intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency, serving for decades before he decided to turn whistle-blower in 2005. And when he went, he went big -- Tice ran screaming straight to the New York Times about how the American government was invading the privacy of its citizens. They're reading your emails! They're listening in on your phone conversations! PhotoProdra/iStock/Getty Images "They've got your browser history! Abort! Abort!" Advertisement



What a loon. As if the government could ever guess your password. You used a "3" instead of an "E"! That's practically cryptomancy. Unfortunately for Tice, this wasn't his first brush with whistle-blowing. In 2001, he suspected a co-worker of being a Chinese double agent and was so insistent that his superiors finally submitted him to an emergency psychological evaluation. They declared that his delusions of being surrounded by Asian 007s were less than concrete and downgraded his security clearance before eventually firing him altogether. Thanks to his prior tug-of-war with NSA bigwigs, many wondered if Tice was simply spreading malicious rumors after his disgraceful firing. Add to that the fact that his allegations at the time sounded like a bad techno-thriller plot -- the NSA has a massive computer system that can sort and filter hundreds of thousands of conversations in seconds, and only Sandra Bullock can stop it! -- and Tice was difficult to take seriously. Critics said he was paranoid, and professional butt cheek Bill O'Reilly even went so far as to call for Tice to be imprisoned for his outrageous claims. Via YouTube Always a level-headed voice of reason, that Bill O'Reilly. Advertisement Advertisement



But It Turned Out ... You know exactly how that whole NSA thing turned out: In early 2013, Edward Snowden entered stage left. Unlike Tice, who had always been careful to stick to his non-disclosure agreements while blowing on the ol' whistle, Snowden began drop-kicking secrecy left and right -- the more classified the information, the better. Snowden trucked in a massive amount of physical evidence to support his case, and his revelations proved that Tice was not only telling the truth, but had in fact merely scratched the surface. The entire concept of privacy in America would never be the same! The American public was devastated by this betrayal and displayed said devastation in their own unique way: by briefly skimming the news, deciding it was too long to read, and then going right back to tweeting about celebrity sex tapes and unsatisfying burritos. Rebecca Brockie/iStock/Getty Images The NSA's files on subpar Mexican food must be staggering. Advertisement



3 NYPD "Helps" Paranoid Officer Check into Mental Hospital Photos.com Advertisement In October of 2009, NYPD officers of the 81st Precinct were worried about one of their own. Officer Adrian Schoolcraft had been spreading malicious rumors about nefarious activities at the precinct and had been declared "emotionally unstable" by a police department psychiatrist, so when he unexpectedly left work early one day, his co-workers were obviously concerned. That night, they went to his apartment, talked his landlord into giving them a key by explaining that Schoolcraft was suicidal, and then helped him check into a psychiatric ward to get the help he so desperately needed. Oh, and the way they chose to help was by handcuffing him to a gurney. Tough love, you know. Photos.com "The duct tape and rope are because we care, man." Advertisement

While the final report produced by Schoolcraft's involuntary committal indicated plenty of paranoid behavior -- "He expressed questionable paranoid ideas of conspiracy and cover-ups going in the precinct" and "Since then, he started collecting 'evidence' to 'prove his point' and became suspicious 'They are after him.'" -- it was ultimately decided after a few days of observation that he displayed no significant psychiatric symptoms. That didn't stop the hospital from giving Schoolcraft one last kick in the balls as he checked out in the form of a bill for $7,185. Photos.com That's still pretty cheap by kidnapping standards. Advertisement Advertisement



But It Turned Out ... Not only had Schoolcraft recorded that handcuff-heavy police visit to his apartment (he had two tape recorders running at the time, but his co-workers only found one), but he had been taping every roll call at the precinct since 2008. And boy oh boy, were these tapes doozies: In order to meet the quotas that the department was expected to produce, officers were repeatedly ordered to arrest people who were just standing around being all law-abiding, deliberately underreport serious crimes ("lost property" sounds a whole lot less scary than "robbery at gunpoint"), or downright ignore victims of serious crimes. Official procedure dictates employing the "Plug your ears, close your eyes, and yell 'Na na I can't seeeee yooou'" maneuver. Those annoying potential murder victims tend to work themselves out if you ignore them. Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images "Screaming followed by the line going dead again? There sure are a lot of prank calls tonight." Advertisement

Note that Schoolcraft wasn't slapping bugs directly onto the chief of police's ass -- he was simply recording the day-to-day activities of his precinct, and the product was so damning that his superiors had him forcibly committed. The fallout from the tapes contributed to the end of New York City's stop-and-frisk policy and played no small part in shifting the focus of New York City police work away from producing impressive stats and back to actual police work. Or, failing that, kicking some serious ass at Candy Crush while sipping coffee in the cruiser. Advertisement

2 Gary Webb Claims the CIA Helped Kick Off the Drug Epidemic Photos.com Advertisement Gary Webb was a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the San Jose Mercury News who mostly investigated government corruption. His most famous work was a series of articles published in 1996 called "Dark Alliance," in which Webb presented evidence that, through funding Contra sympathizers/known narcotics producers in Nicaragua, the CIA had effectively and wittingly assisted with smuggling cocaine into America. And not just because the CIA are such notorious party animals. Photos.com You can only party so hard when it requires Level 4 clearance to access the keg. Advertisement Advertisement



The CIA released an official denial of the allegations, and Webb got his ass kicked by the journalistic community, enduring attacks on his credibility by such major pillars of the newspaper world as the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times -- even the Weekly World News' Batboy dropped in to shake his head sadly in disapproval. Webb took so much damage from his peers that his own newspaper persuaded him to quit by reassigning him to a bureau 150 miles from his house. But It Turned Out ... Following Webb's decline, the CIA conducted their own internal investigation and, two years after the publication of "Dark Alliance," they publicly acknowledged that, whoops, they had in fact been covering up Contra drug trafficking. For more than a decade. Tiomono at en wikipedia "Our bad." Advertisement



We guess nobody asked Tim, the crack-funding guy, whether he'd funded any good crack lately. The news swept across the nation, and all those major newspapers that had previously blasted Webb with their contempt for his shoddy journalism printed front-page apolog- nah! Haha, just kidding. Can you imagine? Journalistic accountability, in this day and age? Of course the corrected story barely registered, and Webb left journalism altogether and eventually committed suicide, because the world is fucking awful. But hey, that's what drugs are for: to obliterate the tragic reality of our daily lives. Might we recommend some quality crack cocaine? We hear the government's got their hands on some good shit. Advertisement
FAIRFIELD  When Robert Kalm found a 160-year-old photo album in his grandparents house on Old Spring Road in the late 90s, he felt a strong calling toward finding its rightful owners.

"That album would mean an tremendous amount to me if I found it," he said. "So, when I found it I couldn't throw it away."

Kalm said his sister bought the home from his grandparents in 2000, and the album had sat there for more than 20 years as he wondered who it belonged to.

When she went to sell the house last year, Kalm said, his sister found the deed, which sent him on a genealogical journey to solve the mystery and put the album back in the hands of the original owners' descendents.

That journey culminated last summer and fall, Kalm said, when he untangled the web of historical records and was able to contact a person related to the people in the photographs.

Kathy Nelson-Anderson said it was a welcome surprise when Kalm contacted her about a photo album she had never heard of. She said it was interesting to be able to look back at her relatives, and she was happy he had the research skills to find them

"He did a nice job on it," she said.

Kalm, a documentary filmmaker originally from Shelton, said researching genealogy always came naturally to him. He said he once traced his grandfather's lineage all the way back to distant relatives who were Puritan colonists.

"I love doing that," he said. "I love finding the facts and doing whatever it takes."

When the photo album was found in the summer of 1999, Kalm said, all he knew is that it came with the house and had Victorian-era carte-de-visite format photos dated to the Civil War era with names of photography studios from Norway. At first, he said he thought maybe they were relatives of his he never knew about.

Kalm said he realized he could look more into it when his sister showed him the deed to the house last spring.

"I said to myself that that wouldn't be that hard," he said. "With online search engines you can do a lot. Things like that, it's a new train of thought. I'll get itchy and I won't be able to put (the work) away. I probably started that day."

Kalm said he used to deed and census records to figure out more about the people who lived in the house before his family. He said they were named the Frankos and were of Polish and Czech descent.

"There was nothing there," Kalm said. "Then, it took me a few days to realize if I found them in the census records, maybe I could go back further."

What broke the case for him, Kalm said, was finding the immigration record for Fritz Nelson, whose son owned the house in the 30s and 40s. He said father Fritz emigrated in 1914 from one of the same Norwegian cities mentioned repeatedly on the photographs, Sarpsborg.

"That was the clincher," he said.

Kalm said he used his research skills to find the names and addresses of living people related to the Nelson family. He said Kathy Nelson-Anderson seemed like the best option, as she even lived in the house as a child.

"I reached out to Kathy through email," he said. "She got the album on October 12th."

Nelson-Anderson said she appreciates Kalm's work to reconnect her family with the photo album. She said she wished her aunt Betty, who died in early 2022, was alive to see it because she knew the entire family's history.

"She would have actually really loved it," she said. "My father was about 12 years old when his family came over from Norway. I found out some pretty interesting things I didn't know. It all turned out well."

Kalm said it was wonderful to be able to connect Nelson-Anderson and her family to the long-lost family artifact. He said he wants people to understand that this is something everyone can do.

"Being able to show that this is possible, maybe we'll save a few more things," he said. "To me, that album is the most important thing. It's your history. Somebody could have put the names of the people in this album on the photos. They figured they would have the time some day, and then they didn't. So much history goes with us. It just disappears when somebody dies. I find those stories (of people's roots) the most valuable."
WINDSOR LOCKS  Tech-savvy burglars who have targeted homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts broke into a local residence after getting detailed information on the security system from the homeowner's co-worker, according to arrest warrants obtained Friday.

Matthew Colon, 31, of West Springfield, Mass., was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny. Enrique Santiago, 37, of Springfield, Mass., faces charges that include first-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, stealing a firearm and conspiracy.

Police said they expect to arrest a third man in the case, which is connected with other break-ins that included advanced surveillance and information about when homeowners would be away, according to the warrant for Colon.

Early on May 20, 2022, a Green Manor Terrace resident called police from Long Island, reporting that a security camera showed two men walking through his backyard. Officers who interrupted the break-in found a shattered rear sliding glass door and a trail of discarded evidence near the house, including a Wi-Fi jammer, two-way portable radio, glass punch tool, pry bar and bolt cutters, according to the warrant.

The thieves had cut through a chain link fence and disabled surveillance cameras both manually and with the Wi-Fi jammer, but one camera by the pool was out of range of the jamming device and continued recording, Windsor Locks Detective Sgt. Jeff Lampson wrote in the arrest warrant affidavit. The homeowner reported $4,200 in cash missing, along with men's watches, jewelry and his wife's 9 mm pistol, the warrant said.

On May 26, a resident two houses away from found a pillowcase containing the watches, handgun and other items that the victims verified were theirs, police said. The locations of the bag of loot and the backpack with the Wi-Fi jammer showed the burglars fled in different directions after the break-in, police said.

Federal law prohibits the use or operation of jamming devices and federal investigators are interested in the case, Lampson said Friday. He said police in the area are starting to see more use of the devices in residential burglaries.

In this case, however, police said DNA proved the thieves' undoing. During a daylight canvass of the Green Manor Terrace area on May 23, a homeowner told police she found a pair of gloves she had not seen before and handed them over to investigators. Police submitted swabs from the gloves and other evidence they suspected the thieves had touched to the state forensic laboratory.

On Aug. 16, the lab reported an "offender hit" from DNA on the gloves to Santiago, Lampson wrote in the warrant. Police said the same DNA was connected with two previous burglary investigations, including a car break-in in Middletown from 2010 and a 2012 burglary in South Hadley, Mass., where firearms were stolen. Santiago was arrested in both cases, according to the warrant.

Santiago told Windsor Locks investigators through his lawyer that a man who drove a black sedan and whose father owned a remodeling company coordinated the Green Manor Terrace burglary, the warrant stated. When Lampson asked the homeowner if he knew a person matching that description, the man immediately identified Colon, a co-worker at a home health care business in East Longmeadow, Mass., Lampson wrote in the warrant.

The homeowner said he considered Colon a friend and had told him about his trip to Long Island last May, the warrant stated. The victim also said Colon and his father had helped him remodel his house, the warrant stated. He said Matthew Colon had been to his home numerous times and was aware of the surveillance camera system, the warrant said.

Confronted with the victim's statements and evidence from the burglary, Colon told police he had been "wheeled in" to the burglary scheme by the third suspect in the case, the man police said they expect to arrest soon, according to the warrant.

That suspect's girlfriend also worked at the home health care business with Colon and the Windsor Locks victim. Other workers at the business reported their homes in Massachusetts had been burglarized, including a woman who said Colon had been at her house to help fix a gazebo before the break-in, Lampson wrote in the warrant.

Cellphone records showed calls between Colon, Santiago and the unidentified suspect in the Windsor Locks burglary before and after the break-in, the warrant stated. Police said the third suspect is a felon with a long criminal record that includes armed robbery and numerous burglaries.

Santiago also has a long rap sheet, including convictions in Connecticut for burglary and larceny, the warrant stated. Massachusetts investigators said they believe he is part of a criminal organization involved in targeted burglaries, according to the warrant. He posted $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Hartford on May 31. Colon posted bond of $100,000 and is to appear in court on May 2.
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NEW YORK (AP)  Without citing a reason, the Delaware judge overseeing a voting machine companys $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News announced late Sunday that he was delaying the start of the trial until Tuesday.

The trial, which has drawn international interest, had been scheduled to start Monday morning with jury selection and opening statements.

The case centers on whether Fox defamed Dominion Voting Systems by spreading false claims that the company rigged the 2020 presidential election to prevent former President Donald Trumps reelection. Records produced as part of the lawsuit show that many of the networks hosts and executives didnt believe the allegations but aired them, anyway.

Claire Bischoff, a Dominion spokesperson, said the company would have no comment on the trial delay, as did Fox Corp., which is being sued along with Fox News. Representatives of the network did not return a request for comment.

In his statement, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis said only that the trial, including jury selection, would be continued until Tuesday and that he would announce the delay in court on Monday.

That's when Fox News executives and the network's star hosts were scheduled to begin answering for their role in spreading doubt about the 2020 presidential election and creating the gaping wound that remains in America's democracy.

Jurors hearing the $1.6 billion lawsuit filed against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems would have to answer a specific question: Did Fox defame the voting machine company by airing bogus stories alleging that the election was rigged against then-President Donald Trump, even as many at the network privately doubted the false claims being pushed by Trump and his allies?

Yet the broader context looms large. A trial would test press freedom and the reputation of conservatives' favorite news source. It also would illuminate the flow of misinformation that helped spark the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and continues to fuel Trump's hopes to regain power in 2024.

Fox News stars Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity and founder Rupert Murdoch are among the people who had been expected to testify.

Barring a settlement, opening statements are now scheduled for Tuesday.

This is Christmas Eve for defamation scholars, said RonNell Andersen Jones, a University of Utah law professor.

If the trial were a sporting event, Fox News would be taking the field on a losing streak, with key players injured and having just alienated the referee. Pretrial court rulings and embarrassing revelations about its biggest names have Fox on its heels.

Court papers released over the past two months show Fox executives, producers and personalities privately disbelieved Trump's claims of a fraudulent election. But Dominion says Fox News was afraid of alienating its audience with the truth, particularly after many viewers were angered by the network's decision to declare Democrat Joe Biden the winner in Arizona on election night in November 2020.

Some rulings by the judge have eased Dominion's path. In a summary judgment, Davis said it was CRYSTAL clear that fraud allegations against the company were false. That means trial time won't have to be spent disproving them at a time when millions of Republicans continue to doubt the 2020 results.

Davis said it also is clear that Dominion's reputation was damaged, but that it would be up to a jury to decide whether Fox acted with actual malice  the legal standard  and, if so, what that's worth financially.

Fox witnesses would likely testify that they thought the allegations against Dominion were newsworthy, but Davis made it clear that's not a defense against defamation.

New York law protects news outlets from defamation for expressions of opinion. But Davis methodically went through 20 different times on Fox when allegations against Dominion were discussed, ruling that all of them were fully or partly considered statements of fact, and fair game for a potential libel finding.

A lawsuit is a little bit like hitting a home run, said Cary Coglianese, law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You have to go through all of the bases to get there." The judge's rulings "basically give Dominion a spot at third base, and all they have to do is come home to win it.

Both Fox and Dominion are incorporated in Delaware, though Fox News is headquartered in New York and Dominion is based in Denver.

Fox angered Davis this past week when the judge said the network's lawyers delayed producing evidence and were not forthcoming in revealing Murdoch's role at Fox News. A Fox lawyer, Blake Rohrbacher, sent a letter of apology to Davis on Friday, saying it was a misunderstanding and not an intention to deceive.

It's not clear whether that would affect a trial. But it's generally not wise to have a judge wonder at the outset of a trial whether your side is telling the truth, particularly when truth is the central point of the case, Jones said.

The lawsuit essentially comes down to whether Dominion can prove Fox acted with actual malice by putting something on the air knowing that it was false or acting with a reckless disregard for whether it was true. In most libel cases, that is the most difficult hurdle for plaintiffs to get past.

Dominion can point to many examples where Fox figures didn't believe the charges being made by Trump allies such as Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani. But Fox says many of those disbelievers were not in a position to decide when to air those allegations.

We think its essential for them to connect those dots, Fox lawyer Erin Murphy said.

If the case goes to trial, the jury will determine whether a powerful figure like Murdoch  who testified in a deposition that he didn't believe the election-fraud charges  had the influence to keep the accusations off the air.

Credibility is always important in any trial in any case. But its going to be really important in this case, said Jane Kirtley, director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and the Law at the University of Minnesota.

Kirtley is concerned that the suit may eventually advance to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could use it as a pretext to weaken the actual malice standard that was set in a 1964 decision in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. That, she feels, would be disastrous for journalists.

Dominion's lawsuit is being closely watched by another voting-technology company with a separate but similar case against Fox News. Florida-based Smartmatic has looked to some rulings and evidence in the Dominion case to try to enhance its own $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit in New York. The Smartmatic case isnt yet ready for trial but has survived Fox News effort to get it tossed out.

Many experts are surprised Fox and Dominion have not reached an out-of-court settlement, though they can at any time. There's presumably a wide financial gulf. In court papers, Fox contends the $1.6 billion damages claim is a wild overestimate.

Dominion's motivation may also be to inflict maximum embarrassment on Fox with the peek into the network's internal communications following the election. Text messages from January 2021 revealed Carlson telling a friend that he passionately hated Trump and couldn't wait to move on.

Dominion may also seek an apology.

The trial has had no apparent effect on Fox News' viewership; it remains the top-rated cable network. And there is little indication that the case has changed Fox's editorial direction. Fox has embraced Trump once again in recent weeks following the former president's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, and Carlson presented an alternate history of Capitol riot, based on tapes given to him by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

___

Associated Press writers Randall Chase in Dover, Del., and Jennifer Peltz in New York contributed to this report.
The city of Waterbury has never had a particularly easy time finding teachers, superintendent Verna Ruffin says, but this year was more difficult than ever.

Amid a statewide educator shortage that has taxed poor, urban districts most, Waterbury had tried recruiting staff through alternative certification efforts and partnerships with local universities and various other initiatives but still found itself with more than 200 vacancies entering last fall.

"We've always been challenged in some of the hard-to-fill areas, but this year it's been just about every position," Ruffin said.

Ruffin had often heard teachers say they valued professional development, and she knew many struggled to pay for master's degrees. So, to distinguish Waterbury from other districts, she partnered with a national education talent development company to design a program called Waterbury U, which lets teachers in the district earn graduate credit through virtual classes and on-the-job learning opportunities, free of charge.

As of late March, the program had 88 participants, Ruffin said, some of whom had already completed their courses. The idea, she says, is to draw educators into the district, invest in them and convince them to stay long-term.

"It was really a step in the right direction for morale," said Tara Cusack, a high school teacher and Waterbury U participant who has already earned the credits she needed for an advanced degree and will receive a salary bump as a result. "It gives people an opportunity to earn more credits, earn more degrees and do so during their workdays and without having to pay for it."

While other Connecticut school districts haven't gone as far as Waterbury in their recruitment and retention efforts, many have become more aggressive in that area. Hearst Connecticut Media reached out to more than a dozen Connecticut districts, nearly all of which reported workforce issues and most of which said they had taken steps to improve recruitment and retention.

Those efforts have included job fairs, advertising campaigns, alternative certification programs and recruitment efforts as far afield as Puerto Rico, as well as pay increases through new collectively bargained contracts. They've come as lawmakers consider various proposals aimed at bolstering the teacher workforce statewide, including minimum salaries, improved benefits and professional development.

Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, has pushed statewide fixes but also praised districts like Waterbury for their efforts locally.

"In the grand scheme of things, the only way we're going to really shift the narrative around recruitment and retention is through multifaceted approaches," she said. "So I think that type of (development) program is something more districts should be looking at."

'This year has not been good'

For many Connecticut districts, finding and retaining good teachers, particularly in special education and other problem areas, has been an issue for years. And in many places, the problem has only gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic, as a growing number of teachers have quit the profession.

In some towns and cities, that has meant unfilled teaching positions and a reliance on long-term substitutes to fill gaps. In others, even some of the state's wealthiest suburbs, it has meant fewer applicants for openings and difficulty finding substitutes and paraprofessionals.

According to data from the State Department of Education, Connecticut school districts had nearly 1,300 teaching vacancies and another 1,300 paraprofessional vacancies as of March, with most concentrated in the state's poorest districts, where salaries are often lower and working conditions more difficult.

In Hartford, a spokesperson said this week that 11 percent of certified and non-certified positions in the district are vacant, with math, science, speech and English as a second language particular areas of difficulty. In Stamford, the local school district recently posted a list of 112 open positions for the coming school year, including 40 in special education.

"A deep fear I have and probably a nightmare I have every night is what's next year going to look like?" Stamford associate superintendent Mike Fernandes said during a recent meeting. "This year has not been good, and I anticipate it might get worse."

Though the problem is most severe in major cities, it stretches to the suburbs as well. In New Fairfield, superintendent Kenneth Craw said the applicant pool has been smaller this year, leading to a shortage in special education and other areas. In Shelton, superintendent Ken Saranich said his district is fully staffed with certified teachers but has struggled to find substitutes and paraprofessionals.

New Milford superintendent Janet Parlato said her district has been unable to find a middle school French teacher and also faced a lack of paraprofessionals.

"We have been able to come up with ways to cover both of these areas," Parlato said, "but having the proper amount of staff is the ideal situation."

Even some of the state's wealthiest towns have struggled, though less than other districts. Darien administrators say they've struggled to fill special education vacancies and have found sparse attendance at job fairs, while Ridgefield's superintendent said problem areas there include special education, world language and science.

Newtown's superintendent Chris Melillo said the district has seen a decrease in applicants, with many of those interested coming from nearby urban districts. Glastonbury superintendent Alan Bookman reported the same, saying that while his district is in decent shape, he knows neighboring ones might be struggling.

"We will be fine in filling the openings we have," Bookman said. "However, some of our new hires come from other school systems, so those systems need to find new teachers."

'We owe it to our students'

In districts across Connecticut, administrators have taken steps to improve recruitment efforts, varying in scale and urgency.

New Fairfield, for example, recently held a "Sign and Sub" event, where prospective substitute teachers could show up, fill out some forms, sit for a quick interview and be approved as substitute teachers on the spot. Some school systems, such as Norwalk and East Hartford, say they have filled openings through relationships with local colleges and universities.

Norwalk has also stepped up its advertising, a spokesperson said, with recruitment messages on banners, billboards, buses, lawn signs, at movie theaters and on the radio.

Other districts similarly report recruitment campaigns through social media and paid advertising, as well as an increased presence at job fairs.

West Hartford's interim superintendent said the town has benefited from the Connecticut Teacher Residency Program, which provides an alternative path to certification through a residency model, with the goal of diversifying the teaching profession in the state. Hartford has recruited teachers from Puerto Rico through a program called Paso a Paso, meaning Step by Step.

In maybe the simplest recruiting tactic, some districts have raised educators' salaries. New Haven, for example, has offered teachers bonuses for taking on additional classes and, in November, agreed to a new contract with the local teachers union that will increase salaries by 15 percent over the next three years.

Ansonia's superintendent said he hopes a new contract with teachers there will boost recruitment.

A spokesperson for Connecticut's State Department of Education touted initiatives to recruit educators to the state, such as free one-on-one support for teachers, expedited certification for those relocating from certain other states and an oversight panel tasked with attracting candidates of color. In late March, Gov. Ned Lamont's administration unveiled a new evaluation and support system designed to enhance recruitment and retention.

"We owe it to our students to provide them with the best possible education, and that starts with ensuring that our teachers are well-trained and supported," the governor said in a statement.

'I really don't want them to leave at all'

Daniel LeVasseur, a fifth-grade teacher in Waterbury, had been planning to start looking into master's programs when the district first announced information sessions about Waterbury U. He decided to hold off and pursue his degree through the new initiative instead.

"Right when we came back to school at the beginning of this year, they started advertising it to us, and I just went ahead and took advantage of it," he said.

LeVasseur, who grew up in Watertown and Thomaston and began his teaching career in Waterbury just before the pandemic, said he has enjoyed the program so far, particularly leadership courses that he hopes will prepare him to become an administrator one day. He's grateful for the free master's degree and the signal that his district values him.

"By announcing this program, to me, it's showing that they care about me, and they care about me growing as a teacher and there being the best teachers they can find in the district," he said.

Waterbury's partnership with BloomBoard, a Pittsburgh-based education talent development company, allows up to 800 educators to participate in the Waterbury U over the life of the initiative. On top of the 88 participating as of March, Ruffin said the district expects a larger cohort to begin this fall.

Educators who gain degrees through Waterbury U are required to stay in the district for at least three years, but Ruffin hopes they'll stick around much longer than that.

"That's not the limit," Ruffin said. "I really don't want them to leave at all."

Reporters Mollie Hersh, Sandra Fox, Kaitlin Lyle, Brian Gioiele, Kendra Baker, Steven Goode, Jonah Dylan, Jesse Leavenworth, Rob Ryser, Josh LaBella and Ignacio Laguarda contributed to this story.

alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com.
BERLIN (AP)  The chief executive and co-owner of media company Axel Springer apologized Sunday for making crude remarks about East Germans in text messages leaked to a rival newspaper.

German weekly Die Zeit quoted Mathias Doepfner as saying that the Ossis (a derogatory term for East Germans) are either communists or fascists. The comments prompted sharp rebukes from officials in the east and calls for Doepfner to resign.

In a short article for tabloid Bild am Sonntag, Doepfner expressed regret that I have offended, unsettled or hurt many with my words.

Doepfner said his remarks about East Germans were triggered by his anger at the large share of voters there who back the post-communist Left party or the far-right Alternative for Germany.

When I'm angry or very happy, my cell phone becomes a lightning rod, he said, adding that he had sent the messages to people whom I trust greatly, believing they would understand what he really meant.

Doepfner did not comment on other leaked messages suggesting that he had put pressure on journalists to promote a small pro-business party, the Free Democrats, ahead of the last election.

German media noted that several of the leaked comments were addressed to the former editor of daily Bild, Julian Reichelt, who was ousted two years ago over misconduct claims.

Shortly after Reichelt's departure Axel Springer, which is majority-owned by U.S. investment firm KKR, completed its acquisition of the political news outlet Politico.
During The Kids Easter break, I took him to a Bruce Springsteen concert and the New York International Auto Show.

You might think less of my parenting habits when I mention that The Kid has autism.

After all, exposing an 11-year-old on the spectrum to see the Boss and 18,000 acolytes screaming Badlands and plopping him in a test run to experience a Ford going zero-to 60 in 3.5 seconds could be judged as acts of cruelty.

But both experiences reminded me during Autism Awareness Month that its called a spectrum for a reason.

Experts cautioned us early on that our son would need to avoid parties, concerts, amusement parks, malls  basically anything where he could experience heightened stimulation.

The Kid has been struggling of late, dealing with a fresh diagnosis of diabetes on top of his autism. Losing ice cream is probably the leading trigger of meltdowns these days (and thats just for me). But his flareups seem to occur in more tranquil settings.

So I flinch when strangers say, I know autism. Perhaps they do. But autism is like a fingerprint. The Kid is a Seeker, relentlessly snatching phones to talk to friends and family, scrambling ahead to catch up with neighbors walking their dog up ahead, chatting up strangers in restaurants. For some others on different hues and wavelengths of the spectrum, any of these traits would be anathema. Of their autism, I do not know.

When it comes to keeping The Kid on track I often steer into the curve, letting him take repeat rides on roller coasters because he likes to feel the extra hug of gravity pressing on his frame. But even I know there are far more curves than usual at a Springsteen gig and an auto show in Manhattan.

I was prepared to bail on Springsteen, but heroic friends volunteered to take the ride with the Kid wherever it took them. That might just mean a song or two. I found other heroes at the UBS Arena in Long Island. I reached out about getting permission for The Kid to bring in a handheld gaming device. The head of security for the event gave his stamp of approval, and his cell number to call in case we needed anything on site.

I also inquired about sensory rooms at the arena, which just opened in 2021. The only previous concerts The Kid has attended were brief (unlike any E Street Band show), but they taught me that he benefits from taking breaks.

I should probably also mention that this was his first Bruce show  and my 54th. And  though no one believes me  I try not to expose him to too much Springsteen. He shows no such sensitivity in relentlessly blaring an eccentric playlist of Reel 2 Real, Metallica, a-ha, Masked Wolf, Flo Rida, Buzzcocks, Post Malone 

The Kids Easter gift to dad was to stream live on Facebook as we rocked along to Out in the Street while he figured out why I made him practice his Bruuuuuces and whoo, whoos. At one point, we were both convinced Springsteen had pointed right at The Kid. Just those few minutes were enough for me. My beautiful reward, as someone once sang. So I didnt mind a few songs later when he typed Can I take a break? on my phone. He was convinced we could find a friend in the crowd. Thanks to his posting, they found us. Former work colleagues. One of my grade school classmates. A neighbor.

I took him to the sensory room more out of curiosity than need. The lawmakers debating remedies to seclusions in schools should check it out too. Its by far the best one Ive ever seen, with bean bag chairs, an infinity tunnel, bubble tubes, and more. Staff offered to lend The Kid noise canceling headphones or ear plugs. He declined, finding his balm in some BBQ chicken before we headed back to the music.

For the second time that night, I had to boot someone from our seats. For all the viral kerfuffle over tickets, I got exactly the seats I wanted (by asking for them specifically when my number came up on the day they went on sale). The upper section behind the stage, end of the front row. It was like a Juliet balcony overlooking the stage and offered the perspective of the band taking in the rest of the crowd.

Sorry, these are the best seats in the house, a woman said politely as she moved from our perch. It turned out she'd once had better. A retired elementary school teacher, she recalled seeing Springsteen barnstorm in Jersey bars more than 50 years ago.

And yes, The Kid made it to the end, and even proved me wrong about finding friends by sneaking up on one of his favorite people in the downstairs section.

So clearly, I owed him.

Thus, we hopped aboard a Metro-North train three days later to Grand Central, where the subway delivered us straight to the car show. I didnt know how he would respond to this spectacle either, but it turns out that the New York Auto Show is The Kids Springsteen.

I never needed to search for sensory rooms at the Javits Center, as The Kid seemed to find one behind every steering wheel. And while this too was his rookie ride, Id been there before, attending my first some 50 years ago with my father. My dad advised The Grandkid to bring a bag so he could collect promotional materials.

Theres a lot less paper these days, but some things havent changed. When I was growing up, a neighbor told me that when he was at the show in the 1960s, he flagged someone from Aston Martin that people were nicking souvenirs from James Bonds ride. That earned him the top secret assignment to guard The Most Famous Car in the World for a few days.

While The Kid was fantasizing about driving a Subaru, I noticed the shift knob was missing.

Please tell me someone didnt walk off with that? I inquired.

No, we take them off before the show.

The Kid spent hours teaching me about cars. Our last stop was to see one of Mr. Bonds other Aston Martins, where The Kid did his best 007 impersonation.

We stopped to see my parents on the way back, where The Kid drifted down the street to tell Bonds former protector about his adventures. Then my dad shared how when I was a boy, I participated in a demonstration at the car show where the moderator asked if I was afraid to click two electric cables together.

John didnt care, my dad told The Kid.

My son laughed at me. Youre stupid  but brave.
Looking at some recent data on childhood poverty after the worst parts of the pandemic is sobering. In America, the official poverty line is based on a hypothetical food budget and the size of the family. As it costs more to feed a family, the poverty level increases. As the number of people in the household increases, the higher the poverty level. In 2022, the poverty line for an American family of four was about $26,000. The median household income in Connecticut is $83,572. Trying to live in this state for even twice the national poverty level would be difficult.

In a country of over 330 million, we have over 12 million children (about three and half times the population of Connecticut) living in poverty. Of these children about 4.5 million are Hispanic, 4.2 million are white, and 2.8 million are Black.

During the pandemic, the Biden administration enacted several emergency programs to keep American families afloat. The extensive list of programs included stimulus checks, child tax credit expansions, free school meals, increased Women, Infant, and Children grants, subsidized COBRA, expanded Medicaid coverage, foreclosure moratoriums, eviction moratoriums, rental assistance, and required paid leave to name a few of the pandemic income assistance programs.

Because of the emergency programs, childhood poverty in this country declined. However, with the economy mostly recovered, many of these programs are scheduled to be eliminated or dramatically curtailed. And with this return to prepandemic anti-poverty programs, childhood poverty will increase. The obvious question is: why do we tolerate the level of childhood poverty in America, when it is so clear that we can eliminate childhood poverty in America?

The challenge of eliminating childhood poverty is one of priorities and faulty thinking. The faulty thinking is based on a partial truth that is as old as the Bible:  The poor you will always have among you. (Mark 14:7). I would argue the real moral dilemma is that the super wealthy are the ones that will always be in our midst. One need not be a Biblical scholar or even a believer to conclude that Jesus was correct that relative poverty or inequality will always exist. The fact that relative poverty exists among humans  some people, regardless of how society is organized, will have, or take more than others  has led to the faulty reasoning that we cannot end the suffering associated with absolute poverty.

Another area of faulty reasoning that prevents us from having this serious conversation about the elimination of childhood poverty is that we somehow need poor people to serve as an example, reminding the rest of us to continue to work hard so that we do not end up like them. This faulty view of human behavior ignores the reality that the poor neither choose to be poor, nor to serve as examples of human frailty.

Absolute childhood poverty in America is now a choice. We chose during the pandemic to support families who could not go to work to support themselves because we feared that society could collapse under the weight of a global pandemic. And now we choose to return to an America that tolerates childhood hunger, disease, ignorance, and despair.

The Connecticut organization Connecticut Voices for Children recently completed a study (Cost and Distributional Estimates of the Governors Major Tax Proposals FY 24-25) on state and federal policies that impact childrens poverty. Gov. Lamont has proposed tax policies that would increase the states child-tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and several other programs to offset the reduction in some of the pre-pandemic income security programs. These changes need to be enacted. But the biggest impact we can have on absolute childhood poverty in Connecticut and America would be to reprioritize federal spending.

It is almost sacrilegious to question the Defense Department budget in times of war or peace, but we cannot ignore the following realities: in fiscal year 2023, the Department of Defenses budget was $817 billion while the pandemic era child tax credit was $67 billion and is scheduled to go back to $18 billion in three years. We are flexible with childhood poverty, but the military budget only goes up. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford, one of the nations newest aircraft carriers cost $13 billion more than five times the amount allocated to the extraordinarily successful federal Earned Income Tax Credit program.

I learned in Economics 101 that societies make choices between guns and butter. The more guns you have the less butter you can have and vice versa. It is within our grasp to eliminate childhood poverty. The only thing stopping us now is the will to do it.

Fred McKinney is the co-founder of BJM Solutions, an economic consulting firm that conducts public and private research since 1999, and is the emeritus director of the Peoples Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Quinnipiac University.
MONROE  A volunteer firefighter was hospitalized after sustaining serious but non-life threatening injuries at a house fire on Old Zoar Road Saturday, according to town fire officials.

In a Facebook post, the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department said the fire was reported about 5 p.m. Saturday, as an engine with six firefighters was returning from another call and arrived quickly to encounter heavy fire coming from the attic of a two-story home.

Two people got out of the house prior to the arrival of firefighters, who made an aggressive interior attack and contained the fire relatively quickly, according to the fire department.

During firefighting operations a Monroe volunteer firefighter sustained a traumatic injury and was immediately treated by Monroe EMS crews who were standing by on scene and our Rapid Intervention Team, the fire department Facebook post said. He was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The firefighter was not identified. No other injuries were reported.

In an email, Monroe Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin Catalano said the firefighters injury was related to a fall while opening up the roof over the attic fire while working with another firefighter who was not injured.

He fell from the roof of a two story home and landed on the wooden deck. Other firefighters and EMTs began rendering aid within seconds of the fall, Catalano said.

The fire department said the firefighter was in stable condition and in good spirits while recovering at the hospital Sunday.

At this point, continued wishes for a speedy recovery are all that is needed but we will post if any further support is requested for the firefighter, Catalano said.

We greatly appreciate the efforts of all who provided excellent medical care and our surrounding agencies for their support and outreach, the fire department said. In particular Trumbull Center FD for providing us station coverage and helping to get the injured firefighters engine and crews equipment back into service, and Bridgeport FD for providing coordination assistance at the hospital.

The fire department also thanked First Selectman Kenneth Kellogg amd Monroe EMS leadership for support at the hospital.

The house where the fire was reported sustained structural damage is not habitable, and residents have found temporary housing, the fire department said.

The Fire Marshals office is investigating the cause of the blaze, but the fire department said it initially appears to be electrical in nature.

Firefighters from Shelton and Oxford also responded to the blaze.
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STRATFORD  It has been almost 372 years since Goody Bassett was sentenced to death for the crime of witchcraft. But after nearly four centuries, the obscure figure from Connecticuts colonial period may soon have her name cleared.

The Town Council is considering a resolution that would officially exonerate Bassett of conspiring with the devil.

The resolution was proposed by the Stratford Historical Society, which is urging the body to reverse what it describes as a historic injustice organized by some of the colonys most powerful individuals.

The charge of witchcraft was ordinarily proffered to outspoken women of a lower social standing in the colony of Connecticut, David Wright, Stratfords town historian and the vice president of the historical society, told the council last week. Such women were oftentime healers or midwives and, in several instances, widows. The charge of witchcraft was often used to settle property disputes or as a tool to administer vengeance to an outspoken person.

Bassett was hanged on May 15, 1651 following a trial overseen by Gov. John Haynes, one of the founders of the colony. Little is known about the details of the case, including who accused Bassett of witchcraft and why.

Historians believe she was a victim of a witch hunt due to a short paragraph buried in colonial era documents that references the trial as well as records from separate trials later held in Fairfield and New Haven.

Even less is known about Bassett herself, including her first name. Wright noted that Goody is short for Goodwife, which was a common way of addressing a married woman of low social standing during the colonial era.

She's pretty invisible, Wright said.

The push to exonerate Bassett  as well as Hugh Crosia, a Stratford man who was accused but never convicted of witchcraft in 1691  comes as Connecticut lawmakers consider a symbolic resolution acknowledging the persecution and murder of Connecticut residents tried as witches.

The statewide effort is backed by the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, an organization made up of descendants of accused witches and researchers eager to see the victims cleared of wrongdoing.

We want the state to acknowledge the injustice of the witchcraft accusations and trials, recognize the innocence of all who were accused of witchcraft, recognize the suffering of the accused and their families, clear the names of those who were accused, and apologize for all actions by colonial officials against the accused, their families, and their descendants, organization officials wrote on the groups website.

According to the group and local historians, Bassett was one of 11 people who was executed for being a witch in Connecticut during a 16 year period. The first execution was held in 1647 in Windsor and the last took place in 1663 in Hartford.

Mary Ann Vlahac, a Stratford resident and Housatonic Community College professor who conducts walking tours focused on Stratfords strange history, including Bassetts trial, said she believes people are still interested in the centuries-old story due to its parallels to modern day life.

She said Bassett should best be understood as a relatively powerless scapegoat who fell victim to a community panic that had likely been whipped up by a baseless rumor. It is an example, she said, of what can happen to a person who is unable to defend themselves.

The internet didn't exist, but word of mouth spread pretty quickly, Vlahac said. I looked at it as a form of bullying as well as a form of misinformation.

To commemorate the anniversary of Bassetts death, the Historical Society is planning a series of events about her life and trial over the next month, culminating with the Inaugural Goody Bassett Ball on May 20.

Mayor Laura Hoydick has also agreed to issue a proclamation next month recognizing Bassett for what she called a valuable contribution to the towns storied history.

In the run up to the gala, the society will also hold walking tours tracing Bassetts final steps from the old town meeting hall to the site of the since-demolished gallows, which is believed to be where Interstate 95 now runs through downtown.

We want to take a look at some of the people that were probably standing along her path, and very likely weren't making her journey more pleasant as she was on her way to the gallows, Wright said. As best we can, we're going to try and paint a picture of 1651 and what it was like to be Goody Bassett.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com; Twitter @RichChumney.
Sabic Ordinary General Assembly approved the appointment of Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Sabic CEO, as an executive member of the Board of Directors from March 21, 2023, until April 9, 2025  the Boards tenure end date.

In its last meeting, the Board of Directors, had agreed to appoint Dr Mohammed Yahya Al-Qahtani as Vice Chairman.

As the Head of the meeting, Khalid Al-Dabbagh, Sabic Chairman, paid tribute to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for enabling the right environment for Sabic and the various productive sectors to grow despite harsh global conditions resulting from the current geopolitical developments and Covid impacts.

Al-Dabbagh expressed his gratitude to Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, for his continuous support and contribution to the companys success.

He also valued Sabic shareholders contributions that had the best impact on continuing its success and enhancing its contributions to the ambitious national development plans and programs.

The year 2022 was exceptional with its fluctuations and challenges, yet Sabic managed to face the challenges by intensifying its development programs to achieve record numbers in terms of production, sales, and revenues that exceeded the achievements of the previous year. However, its net profits have not met its aspirations and have shrunk compared to last year due to the worsening global conditions.

He added: "Over the past year, Sabic has been strengthening its integration activities with Saudi Aramco, which resulted in many achievements. Sabic marketed chemicals and polymers from Aramcos joint ventures, supplying them to customers in China, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The integration between the two companies extended to include several new projects planned to be established.

Sabic continues to operate its business responsibly and profitably for the long term, incorporating ESG considerations into all investment decision-making processes, and complying with these practices at all levels, he added.

Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Sabic CEO, highlighted that Sabic has successfully faced the challenging global conditions, investing in its collaborative relations with Aramco, which led to the successful supply of the world's first commercial shipment of independently certified blue ammonia to South Korea.

It is also focusing on strong capital discipline to enhance profitability and future growth opportunities, adding more investments to develop information technology infrastructure, benefit from digital transformation, and rely on the effective use of big data tools to be more proactive and data-driven.

Al-Fageeh said that Sabic is pursuing plans to manage working capital through the Cash Cost Transformation program, and is sparing no effort to achieve sustainable growth, adopt long-term strategic goals for sustainability, and reduce emissions related to the life cycle of its products across the value chain.

The General Assembly approved all other agenda items, the appointment and determination of the fees of an external auditor based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee to examine, review and audit the financial statements for the Q2, Q3, and full year of 2023 and Q1 2024, and discharging the members of the Board of Directors for the year ending on December 31, 2022.

The assembly delegated the Board of Directors to distribute quarterly or semiannual dividends for the fiscal year 2023, and to determine the maturity and disbursement dates in accordance with the Implementing Regulation of the Companies Law for Listed Joint Stock Companies, and commensurate the Company's financial position, cash flows and expansion and investment plans.-TradeArabia News Service
Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira is charged with the unauthorized removal and transmission of classified national defense information, including recent assessments of the situation in Ukraine, details of China's approval of the "provision of lethal aid" to Russia in its war in Ukraine and Egypt's secret plans to supply rockets to Russia. The charges carry a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

President Biden, high-profile Department of Defense officials and members of Congress have called into question the clearance process and security protocols that they say gave Teixeira access to the leaked documents.

In Ireland on Friday, Biden said he has asked to "make sure they get to the root of why he had access in the first place." While there may have been failures that allowed Teixeira allegedly to view and take home such a large volume of national secrets, it is not out of the norm for a young person in the military to be entrusted with such responsibilities, experts say.

Here's what to know about that process and how Teixeira fits into the larger system.

- - -

Why did Jack Teixeira have a top-secret security clearance?

In his role as a "Cyber Transport Systems Journeyman," Teixeira managed computers and communications systems, a function similar to providing tech support. To do that job, he had maintained a top-secret clearance since 2021, a federal complaint notes, and could view a smaller category of highly classified material called sensitive compartmented information.

Teixeira also had access to a Defense Department computer network called the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System, a U.S. official familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. That could have allowed the 21-year-old to read and potentially to print documents with the same level of classification as many of the ones leaked.

In response to questions from reporters, Pentagon spokesman Patrick S. Ryder, a brigadier general, said Thursday that the military regularly entrusts young people with classified information, that Teixeira having that level of clearance was normal and that scores of other young workers have that type of access.

Experts in national security and clearance law agreed.

"For someone in his particular position and his responsibilities, it's not unusual that he would have that kind of access," said Bradley Moss, a lawyer who works in security clearance law. Because Teixeira worked in a space where those documents existed, he needed that clearance, Moss added.

Teixeira was serving in a National Guard unit that has large responsibilities. The 102nd Intelligence Wing runs an around-the-clock operation that distills intelligence for senior military leaders, a defense official told CNN.

Because of the large amount of classified information, more information technology workers who might not otherwise need clearances must get them to manage the systems, said Amy Jeffress, a lawyer who specializes in national defense matters and served in the Justice Department.

- - -

What is the process for getting a top-secret security clearance?

More than a million people have top-secret security clearance. To get it, a candidate must fill out an exhaustive form called the SF86, which asks for information including any foreign contacts, places of residence and work history. Some positions also require applicants to take a polygraph exam.

Candidates also submit to investigative interviews, and background checkers question friends, family members and colleagues to obtain a broader picture of each person. The government runs criminal and financial checks in a process that can take months or longer.

Moss explained that investigators are looking for potential risks of reliability such as financial problems, drug or alcohol abuse, questionable foreign connections, and professional misconduct.

Finding someone reliable and not a security risk, though, is a determination made about a moment in time, said Kenneth Gray, a retired FBI special agent and lecturer at the University of New Haven.

"The clearance process shows you are a reliable person, that you are not going to commit espionage against the federal government," Gray said. "That's only a snapshot in time, though. It doesn't mean you are necessarily reliable in three years."

- - -

How effective are background checks, and what measures are taken at secure facilities?

Security experts said the background checks are largely effective in determining whether someone has been approached by foreign agents or governments but are not infallible. Some people can beat polygraphs and, as Gray noted, the clearances show someone is reliable only at a moment in time.

But 18- or 19-year-olds who receive clearances could undergo significant changes in maturity or ideology before follow-up clearance checks, which often are conducted every five years.

"When you are granting access to a person with classified documents, you always have the possibility that that person is not going to be trustworthy," Gray said. "There are effective safeguards in audits, but there's always risks. If you want to lock it down totally and grant very limited access, it makes it very difficult to do your job."

Guardrails do exist once someone starts working with classified materials. Certain documents can be viewed only inside Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), and officials use access cards that leave a digital trail of what someone has downloaded and printed.

But, Moss said, an element of "honor and trust" is placed in individuals who have been cleared that relies on their adhering to security protocols.

"Security officials don't have the time to check every person as they exit the building," Moss said. "They do random inspections, but it would too significantly disrupt work operations to inspect everyone every day."

- - -

Could this leak affect the clearance and security process?

After Teixeira's arrest Thursday, high-level officials across the U.S. government called for a review of the security and clearance processes surrounding classified documents.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement that he was directing the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security to review intelligence access, accountability and control procedures to "prevent this kind of incident from happening again."

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement Thursday that Congress must address "protocols for how intelligence is handled, the security clearance process, and how officials can prevent intelligence leaks like this."

What exactly those changes would be is not clear. After Edward Snowden used a thumb drive to transfer classified material out of secure facilities, that type of hardware was prohibited. Moss suggested a review of physical security procedures and a possible increase in random inspections of clearance-holding people in offices is needed.

Gray said there should be an in-depth study and probably changes in how documents will be handled.

- - -

The Washington Post's Ben Brasch, Mariana Alfaro and Shane Harris contributed to this report.
Australian Dollar Forecast: Neutral

The Australian Dollar had a whippy week with a solid rally before retreating

The US Dollar sell off and recovery was a key feature as bond spreads kicked in

With US CPI out of the way, AU CPI moves into view. Will it boost AUD/USD ?

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy Get Your Free AUD Forecast Get My Guide

The Australian Dollar scaled to a seven-week high last week before collapsing. The US Dollar faced renewed selling pressure after benign CPI and PPI figures in the US before recovering into the weekend.

CPI was 5.0% year-on-year to the end of March instead of the 5.1% forecast and PPI came in at 2.7% for the same period rather than the 3.0% anticipated.

While a 25 basis point hike is expected at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in early May, the softening price pressures have led to hopes that the tightening cycle might be near its conclusion.

Equity, commodity and currency markets appear to have seen it that way, but Treasury yields are yet to get on board with the concept it appears. US Government bond yields eventually nudged higher.

Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter

However, Australian Commonwealth Government bonds (ACGB) did move higher last week after another strong labour market report. The unemployment rate was 3.5% in March against estimates of 3.6% and 3.5% previously. 53.0k Australian jobs were added in the month, beating the 20k forecast and 64.6k previously.

The nominal yield on the 10-year ACGB is around 23 bps higher over last week while the Australian 10-year breakeven rate also recovered.

The spread between US and Australian government bonds moved in favour of the Aussie Dollar although this appears to be coincident rather than causal with the greenback generally sinking across the board. Nonetheless, AUD/USD did a bit better than other currency pairs overall.

The upcoming week will see the RBA meeting minutes released for its March gathering. Given the commentary from the bank since then, it seems unlikely that there will be any surprises in the notes.

From a domestic perspective, the next impact event for AUD will be the quarterly CPI on Wednesday 26th April. A soft reading there will give the RBA breathing room to pause on any future hikes, but a reacceleration of price pressures may see a pivot back to a more hawkish attitude.

In the meantime, the trajectory of the US Dollar seems likely to continue to permeate AUD/USD moves.

AUD/USD AGAINST AU  US 3- AND 10-YEAR GOVERNMENT BOND SPREADS

AUD/USD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

AUD/USD briefly popped above the 0.6547  0.6793 range that it had been in for 7-weeks last Thursday, but it was unable to follow through. False breaks have been a feature of many asset markets of late.

The Aussie managed to chop through a couple of previous peaks but a series of daily Simple Moving Averages (SMA) were unable to be overcome.

Looking closer at the daily SMAs, the longer-term 55-, 100-, 200- and 260-day SMAs are above the price and have negative gradients.

The shorter-term 10-, 21- and 34-day SMAs are below or near the current price and have a mostly positive slope. All of these SMAs appear to be converging.

A clean break the 260-day SMA (currently 0.6813) might see bullish momentum unfold while a snap below the 34-day SMA (currently 0.6686) could see bearish momentum evolve.

Until one of these SMAs is broken, the Aussie might be in a range trading setup.

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy How to Trade AUD/USD Get My Guide

--- Written by Daniel McCarthy, Strategist for DailyFX.com

Please contact Daniel via @DanMcCarthyFX on Twitter
Going out for a meal is one of life's great pleasures  but not at current prices.

Finding any restaurant in London, for example, that might remotely be considered inexpensive is nearly impossible.

I'm not talking Nando's, but the kind of cosy neighbourhood hang-out to go for a gossip with a girlfriend.

And the girlfriend element is important, because generally it's the chat that's the prime motivation in such rendezvous. They're not occasions to try out the next big gastronomic experience. Nor are they times for people-watching  where the celebrity count is added on to the bill.

Last week, I had lunch with a friend (male) and the bill, in what used to be a pretty reasonably priced place in Soho frequented by publishers, art dealers and journalists, was 147 for two courses and a bottle of wine.

Last week, my ex-husband took me and my partner, David, for lunch at Bouchon Racine in London's Farringdon (Bouchon Racine file image)

ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: I'm not talking Nando's, but the kind of cosy neighbourhood hang-out to go for a gossip with a girlfriend (file image)

Recently, too, I had dinner with a female friend. We had just one course each and shared a bottle of wine. The bill was 118.

When I mentioned this to someone, they said I was lucky. More often than not, a restaurant bill begins with the number two.

Of course, the days have gone (somewhere back in the 1980s) when a table for two came in at about 30. But, even so, there's been a massive jump.

Sadly, this changes the whole joy of eating out. What was once a nice, relaxed, relatively frequent event has become a luxury experience with the question 'Is it worth it?' hanging over every aspect.

God forbid that you might have a row at the table.

You'd think this would mean that restaurants would be empty, but far from it. Despite these gut-wrenching prices, it's also a major feat to secure a table in popular establishments.

Last week, my ex-husband took me and my partner, David, for lunch at Bouchon Racine in London's Farringdon.

Reputedly, it's the hardest place to bag a table, with people making bookings four months in advance. And now I know why.

It's a delight. Unpretentious, comfortable and friendly  with delicious French food.

We stuffed our faces (in the unlikely event you secure a booking, you mustn't miss the chocolate mousse) and with three glasses of wine, the bill was 197.

That's scarcely a bargain, but compared to many restaurants with indifferent food and insane wine lists, it was reasonable. Worth every penny.

A pity little Royals will miss the big day

The grandchildren of the monarch are rare sightings at Coronations  the last being in 1902 at the ceremony for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Which makes it particularly sad that Charles won't have two of his grandchildren at Westminster Abbey next month.

Which makes it particularly sad that Charles won't have two of his grandchildren at Westminster Abbey next month (pictured as a family in 2021)

It's probably easier for all concerned that Meghan is staying at home with Archie and Lilibet.

But all the same, it's a shame that when the Sussexes' children are older and asked what they were doing on their grandfather's big day, they are going to have to say: 'Well, it's kinda complicated. We weren't there. We were knocking about on a bouncy castle in Oprah's backyard.'

Count me out of the trans Census debate

I regard myself as generally keen to be well informed, but if I never hear the words 'trans' or 'gender politics' again, I would be delighted.

The debate around this subject seems relentless.

Of course, my feeling is because I do not identify as trans. If I did, no doubt I would think the issue disgracefully under-represented. Or would I?

According to Office for National Statistics figures from the most recent Census, about 262,000 people identify as transgender in England and Wales.

Surprisingly, there are a similar number of people who consider themselves Jews.

Admittedly, Censuses are unreliable in terms of real numbers because answers can depend on the way questions on the form are phrased.

For example, I didn't tick the Jewish box. But since my father was Jewish (albeit non-practising), I certainly sort-of identify with the Jews. Jewish-lite.

Though that doesn't mean I want to read endless stories about the Jewish condition, either.

Stone the crow's feet ...what a cream!

It appears that Boots No 7 has done it again with the release of its new skincare range, with a waiting list of 94,000 and queues of shoppers snaking around the stores just four days after its launch.

The last time this happened was in 2007 when it released its Protect & Perfect range, which was hailed by users as miraculous.

It appears that Boots No 7 has done it again with the release of its new skincare range, with a waiting list of 94,000 (file image)

The new 'breakthrough', No 7 Future Renew Damage Reversal (not the snappiest of names), is being marketed as an alternative to Botox that can target fine lines and wrinkles.

This makes it sound extremely appealing. Even non-interventionist women such as myself, who steer clear of cosmetic procedures, are tempted by a daily dose of cream massaged into the old crow's feet.

Boots must be thrilled by women's reactions  nobody can possibly know yet whether it truly makes a difference. That won't emerge until several months of application.

But no matter whether it does or doesn't. The reality is that when it comes to handing over cash for a new face cream, nothing has changed since Revlon founder Charles Revson described them as 'hope in a jar'.

Super-rich leave behind a fine mess

Pity the poor Italians who are being fined for crowding out their own country's tourist areas.

The mayor of the picturesque fishing village of Portofino has imposed a 275 (243) fine for loitering at pinch points in the resort where the narrow streets are dangerously busy.

Pity the poor Italians who are being fined for crowding out their own country's tourist areas (pictured, Portofino)

The area's popularity is attributed to Italians sensibly realising that the nicest place to go on holiday is their own country.

However, there has been no attempt to limit the number of hideous cruise ships decanting tourists from around the world into this magical spot on the Italian Riviera, or the massive number of super-yachts that anchor just off the coast in summer.

If there weren't so many of those, perhaps the locals could wander as they please.
Soon after Sir Keir Starmer was elected Labour leader, one of his advisers explained to me how he would be sold to the British people. 'We're going to present him as our Eliot Ness,' he said, referencing Kevin Costner's incorruptible crime-fighter who successfully brought down Al Capone in Hollywood blockbuster The Untouchables.

'It's going to build on his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. That's a different sort of background for a Labour leader.'

Over the past month, Labour's latterday Eliot Ness has been pushing the Tories hard. In one speech he pledged: 'Everyone protected, everyone respected. No one denied the law. No one above the law. Not the murderers of Stephen Lawrence  who, for a time, thought they were. Not Al Qaeda terrorists. Not MPs, Labour or Conservative, gaming the expenses system to line their pockets. I prosecuted them all and I'm proud of that. One rule for all.'

Last week he was at it again. 'As a former Director of Public Prosecutions, my life's work has been about making our country safer and more secure, building a better Britain for families everywhere,' he boasted, before going on to defend his advert branding Rishi Sunak an appeaser of paedophiles. 'I stand by every word,' he proclaimed.

Fair enough. Let Sir Keir stand by his words  and his record. And let's examine what his time as the country's chief prosecutor tells us about what he would be like as PM.

DAN HODGES: Over the past month, Labour's latterday Eliot Ness has been pushing the Tories hard (file image)

A good place to start is the infamous Savile controversy.

Last year Boris Johnson caused uproar by claiming Starmer had spent most of his time as DPP 'prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile'.

Shortly afterwards, Labour's leader had to be bundled into a police car to escape an angry mob chanting that he was a 'paedophile protector'. He angrily denounced Johnson's 'ridiculous slur by Right-wing trolls', and raged: 'He does it because he doesn't understand what honesty and integrity means.'

But as we have seen, it's Keir Starmer who is now peddling slurs about his political opponents being paedophile protectors. And who, for reasons of electoral expediency, has cast honesty and integrity into the gutter.

The Savile row is also revealing in other ways. At the time of the controversy, a spokesman for Starmer insisted he would 'not comment on individual cases'. But journalists were privately briefed it was inappropriate to attach blame to him because he had not been directly involved in the decision to drop the prosecution of the BBC presenter.

Both those claims are misleading on several levels.

When it suits him, Starmer is only too happy to talk about individual cases from his time as DPP. Stephen Lawrence is one. Another he frequently cites is that of Daniel James, who was paralysed in a rugby accident and whose parents assisted their son to die at the Dignitas clinic in Zurich. 'Reading the interview in that case would make you weep,' Starmer said in justification of his decision not to bring a prosecution.

Last Monday, he tweeted about the case of John and Penny Clough, whose daughter was murdered by an abusive ex-partner: 'I wanted to make sure no other family endured what John and Penny had to go through. So we changed the law.'

Labour was under fire over an advert claiming Rishi Sunak does not believe adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should be jailed

Similarly, when the failure to charge Savile was fully exposed  following a critical internal review by Starmer's own principal legal adviser, Alison Levitt  it was clear responsibility lay not with the case's lead officer, but the Crown Prosecution Service as a whole.

And we know this because Starmer's Shadow Cabinet colleague Emily Thornberry responded on behalf of Labour by stating at the time: 'This is a grave denial of justice to the victims. The institutional failings involved are staggering there needs to be cultural change in the organisation.'

Current Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: 'We need a proper overarching review led by child protection experts into why everyone failed to stop Savile and what should be done now.'

Everyone, it would seem, except for her own leader.

But just how credible is it that Starmer genuinely had no awareness of the decision about whether to charge Savile at the time it was taken? In 2012, while still DPP, he took part in a talk at the London School of Economics in which he was quizzed on the criteria and systems he used to determine which cases he personally oversaw.

DAN HODGES: Last year Boris Johnson caused uproar by claiming Starmer had spent most of his time as DPP 'prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile'

'Is that ever driven by personality?' he was asked. 'Does the fact that somebody is well known mean that, even in a case that's relatively trivial, you have some system whereby you know about it?'

In response Starmer replied: 'One of our criteria is whether the case would have reputational implications for the CPS. So that may be because it's a particularly sensitive case. It may be because it's about a particularly sensitive issue. So it's not person-specific, but it is I'm obviously personally concerned about any case that may have reputational impact for the CPS.'

Savile was one of the most high-profile celebrities of his generation. He was accused of being a serial sexual abuser of children. When interviewed by police, he warned them he would sue and the case would 'finish up at the Old Bailey'. The failure to prosecute him was one of the greatest in CPS history.

Yet Starmer seriously wants people to believe that at no point was this case deemed sensitive enough, or to carry sufficient potential reputational impact for the CPS, for it to be brought to his attention.

Asked more broadly about his ethos as DPP, Starmer also supplied another revealing answer. 'I have to empower my teams to make decisions,' he explained. 'That means I revel in the celebration when they get it right, and I carry the can when they get it wrong. And that's part of the deal.'

But it isn't. Where things went right during his time at the CPS, he wants to take the credit. Where things went wrong, he wants to claim it was someone else's fault, or that he's been the victim of some unconscionable smear.

And if you doubt that, just examine what Starmer's own staff think. In 2011, halfway through his tenure, an internal CPS employee survey was leaked to the Press. Only 21 per cent of those questioned said they believed Starmer's actions were 'consistent with the CPS's values'. Even fewer  12 per cent  agreed with the statement 'the organisation is managed well'.

Presented with these results, CPS senior managers ordered staff to undergo 'retraining'. According to one CPS official, 'it was a strange reaction. It seemed like the higher-ups were trying to brainwash us'.

DAN HODGES: Savile (pictured) was one of the most high-profile celebrities of his generation. He was accused of being a serial sexual abuser of children

Starmer's time as DPP is indeed instructive. Yes, he has significant achievements to his name. But he is not shy of bragging about them, even when they are framed by the tragedy of others.

He is proud of his record, rightly in many instances. But he wants it scrutinised selectively. And where mistakes are identified, he seeks to ensure the buck stops elsewhere.

There are also signs that in his eagerness to confront the Tories on their traditional battleground of crime and punishment, he is starting to lose all sense of perspective.

No one sitting in his chair at the time the Savile file was passed through the office shredder can seriously claim to have overseen 'justice for all'.

At the end of The Untouchables, Eliot Ness get his moment of triumph. But it comes at a price.

In the defining scene, the principled crusader for justice hurls Capone's defenceless henchman from the courthouse roof. And in that instance becomes everything he used to hate.

Sir Keir Starmer's allies are right. He may well turn out to be Labour's Eliot Ness.
She wanted people to have access to spa quality facials at home

A busy mum-of-two has revealed how she turned her dull, congested skin into a business that's turned over $3million in three years.

Before kids Elle Gencer would pop into her favourite beauty spa once a fortnight to keep her skin bright and healthy.

But once she started her family the 37-year-old marketing executive, from Brisbane, Queensland, had no time for lavish excursions and found it difficult to find room for them in the family budget.

Before long the mum's skin was dull and lifeless.

Speaking to FEMAIL Elle revealed she dreamed of being able to go for her facials at 9pm.

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Elle Gencer, pictured here with her sons, developed salon quality, DIY facial tools after realising she wouldn't be able to go back to fortnightly spa visits after having kids

She worked all day and her out-of-hours schedule was dominated by children's activities and rarely aligned to spa hours.

'But then it becomes a financial issue and you have to prioritise the family budget,' she said.

Elle was suffering from post-natal depression, her lack of me-time and diminishing complexion added to her insecurities.

'I want women to be able to use their time, once they have finished work and said goodnight to the kids, because self-care is important. Especially for mental health.'

Then in 2019 after the 'crazy' newborn years Elle decided something had to be done for other mums feeling the pressure to put themselves last.

Elle used to prioritise the visits - and had glowing skin. But it became dull and congested when she stopped heading to the spa

'I decided all women should have access to treatments like microdermabrasion at home,' she said.

In 2020, when he sons were five and seven, Dermeren was born.

'I was starting to feel normal again, had no more midnight wakeups and felt rested, so I knew it was the perfect opportunity to start my business,' she said.

The company specialises in salon-quality DIY facial kits, so women (and men) don't have to miss out on facials if salon hours or prices no longer align with their lifestyles.

'I was so excited about it - and it was something I believed in, so it gave me power to drive it.'

Her tools have a camera - so people can see exactly what they are sucking out of their skin

As she got closer to executing her business she quit her job in marketing and poured all of her efforts into making her at-home microdermabrasion tool dubbed 'Mycro'.

Once it passed her own strict tests she dropped $3000 on a 'tiny batch' of the devices to test the market.

And her business has gone from strength-to-strength since.

'It has been three years, I have an amazing team and I get to have family time with my kids,' she said.

Her business has turned over $3million in three years

The Mycro has changed since the launch in early 2020, which 'luckily' came just before lockdown when people became obsessed with at-home skincare options.

'It now has an HD camera on the tip so people can see what is coming out of their skin,' she said.

She also claims the device has been used next to salon machines - leaving beauticians shocked by the quality.

Elle's business idea, dreamt up in a moment of desperation, has turned over three million dollars in just three years.

She now has an IPL tool, blackhead remover and facial brush as part of the range.
I think cats are winning in this life. That might seem like an odd opening sentence for a fashion column but bear with me.

If you scroll through social media reels these days, it's predominantly cats acting cute, getting one over on a dopey dog or cuddling up to sleep with their BFF  the family pooch or rabbit (I've even seen a parrot).

Hell, some cats on Instagram are practically talking now. I kid you not. Racking up millions of views and reams of positive comments, cats can do no wrong.

As the owner of two  Herbie and Audrey, since you ask  I sometimes wonder whether I should turn my Instagram account over to them and be done with it. Because the weird thing is that while everyone is revering cats, humans are just getting meaner and meaner to each other.

The comments under so many reels  ones with humans just doing human things  now verge on the absolutely vile. But, of course, nobody from Instagram or TikTok bothers to rein it in.

Joanne Hegarty (pictured) is 'thrilled that safari jackets are having a revival', enjoying their structured look

It's a free-for-all, a big playground for bullies. And everyone is incredibly angry, all of the time. Mothers who share their daily routines, getting up early to have some me-time before the school run, attract special abuse.

Naturally, celebrities are getting roasted, too, with nothing about their looks or appearance out of bounds. Gwyneth Paltrow's revelation that she enjoys bone broth for lunch sent everyone into a furious tailspin.

Safari jackets are having a revival and look ever so stylish for spring

Ditto Jennifer Aniston's face fillers  did she, didn't she? Nepo babies  AKA the successful offspring of the rich and famous  are another favourite new target. There are no lows people won't sink to.

Personally, I find it terrifying that we suddenly live in a world where it's apparently acceptable to openly abuse one another without consequence.

Meanwhile, back in cat land, everyone is a hero. And in that spirit, my outfit this week is inspired by big cats. I'm thrilled that safari jackets are having a revival  structured, with lots of pockets, they look ever so stylish for spring.

I like to team one with my favourite gold jewellery and cream or white trousers and jeans. They also look excellent open over this season's new maxi denim skirt.

As its name suggests, the safari jacket was intended for use in the African bush, with the term first cropping up in the mid-1930s.

But its roots lie in the khaki cotton drill uniforms of the British Army, introduced in 1900 when troops were stationed in South Africa during the Second Boer War.

And these days on social media, it certainly feels like we all need some combat gear.

LEAF ENCOUNTER

Necklace, 235, lamaisoncouture.com. In addition to its good looks, all profits from its sale will be go to Earthbeat Foundation

When it comes to jewellery I can never resist a leaf design, which is why I'm coveting this piece from the new collab between La Maison Couture and award-winning designer Tomasz Donocik.

In addition to its good looks, all profits from its sale will be go to Earthbeat Foundation, which raises funds to improve livelihoods in small-scale mining communities in Uganda.

BUTTON IT!

Polo shirts are having a moment this season and this vibrant green ribbed one ticks all the style boxes. Top, 89, whistles.com

Polo shirts are having a moment this season and this vibrant green ribbed one ticks all the style boxes, particularly its button details, which add a touch of whimsy.

Team with dark denims and sandals.

TO THAI FOR

The luxury group's resorts in either Koh Samui (pictured) or Chiang Mai may just be the show's next backdrop

Cult hit The White Lotus is looking at Thailand to set its third series. With its previous ones filmed at Four Seasons hotels in Hawaii and Sicily, I bet the luxury group's resorts in either Koh Samui or Chiang Mai will be the show's next backdrop. I can't wait for the drama  or vacay outfits.
Gibson and Spielberg - two names you would never expect to find together in Hollywood - have united in the most extraordinary way.

Mel Gibson is the radical Catholic whose anti-Semitic rants ostracised him from much of Hollywood, while Steven Spielberg is the Jewish director behind Schindler's List.

Gibson is preparing to direct the sequel to his controversial hit The Passion of the Christ, while Spielberg's Shoah Foundation films the chilling testimony of Holocaust survivors.

But a fascinating new book reveals the secret friendship that for years has brought Gibson and Spielberg together.

Yet it's not the 'Lethal Weapon' star and the 'Jaws' director - it's Mel's sister-in-law Shanas Gibson, and Steven's father Arnold Spielberg, whose unlikely affinity is unveiled in her memoir, 'Gibson & Spielberg: A Beautiful Friendship, A Journey of Hope, A Road to Resilience & Survival.'

A fascinating new book reveals the secret friendship that for years has brought Shanas Gibson (right) and Arnold Spielberg (left) together

It's yet another surprising foray into the public eye for Arnold Spielberg, whose family life was the subject of his son's 2022 hit movie The Fabelmans, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

Steven called the film a 'love letter' to his parents, especially his father, who bought him his first camera, and whose death in 2020 at the age of 103 inspired him to finally tell the story of his upbringing.

Yet Shanas' book, which she hopes will find a publisher at the London Book Fair next week (April 18-20), brings to life an aspect of Steven Spielberg's father's life that The Fabelmans never hinted at: Arnold's deep ties to Mel Gibson's sister-in-law.

Mel Gibson is the radical Catholic whose anti-Semitic rants ostracised him from much of Hollywood

The Spielberg family: Sue Spielberg, Nancy Spielberg, Anne Spielberg, Steven Spielberg and Arnold Spielberg at the USC Shoah Foundation's Inaugural Inspiration Award & Luncheon in LA

Artist Shanas, 47, married to Mel Gibson's younger actor brother Don 65, met Arnold Spielberg purely by chance at a Los Angeles coffee shop in 2000.

Their rapport was instant, and their bond unbreakable.

'Because of his experiences and everything he had been through in his life he became the most wonderful friend and mentor for the next 20 years,' she said last night.

Arnold stood by Shanas even as her world fell apart when Mel Gibson was excoriated for his alleged anti-Semitism, she reveals.

Steven Spielberg on the set of The Fabelmans, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards

It's yet another surprising foray into the public eye for Arnold Spielberg, whose family life was the subject of his son's 2022 hit movie The Fabelmans

Mel Gibson's high-powered team of expensive pit-bull lawyers and publicists worked overtime to crush any criticism of the star whose films include 'Mad Max' and 'Braveheart'

Steven Spielberg, as a child, being held in his father's arms, with mother, Leah, smiling as Steven looks towards the camera

As an artist she worked closely with Holocaust survivors, and was shocked to be shunned by friends and work colleagues when her brother-in-law Mel Gibson released his controversial The Passion of the Christ in 2004.

While the movie earned Gibson a reported $600 million, it was branded anti-Semitic for depicting Jews as being responsible for Christ's death.

In one scene - a hallucination suffered by Judas - Jewish boys turn into demon children.

Two years later (2006) Gibson allegedly shouted a barrage of anti-Semitic remarks at police officers who pulled him over while he was being arrested for driving drunk. Gibson has always denied being an anti-Semite and made a public apology for his 'despicable' remarks.

Mel Gibson's actor brother, Donal Gibson (pictured), also starred in Braveheart - one of the films he directed

Mel Gibson, right, directs Jim Caviezel on the set of Gibson's movie 'The Passion of The Christ'

As an artist, Shanas worked closely with Holocaust survivors, and was shocked to be shunned by friends and work colleagues when her brother-in-law Mel Gibson released his controversial The Passion of the Christ in 2004

Actor Gabriel LaBelle holds up a camera in a scene from The Fabelmans - his character is based on a young Steven Spielberg

Shanas said: 'In Mel's Gibson's family no one is allowed to speak up, and as a result we all became his victims'. Pictured: Shanas (centre) with Steven's parents, Arnold Spielberg and Leah Adler

But, says Shanas, the fall-out to his actions led to a rift within the family: she and her husband no longer speak to Mel.

She also lost many of her friends - but Arnold Spielberg remained loyal.

'My career and my friendships were destroyed,' she says. 'When my world was being torn apart and my whole life was being destroyed by Mel Gibson and his cronies, my friend Arnold Spielberg was always there to pick me back up again.'

Mel's high-powered team of expensive pit-bull lawyers and publicists worked overtime to crush any criticism of the star of Mad Max and Braveheart, according to Shanas.

While the movie earned Gibson a reported $600 million, it was branded anti-Semitic for depicting Jews as being responsible for Christ's death

An image from The Fabelmans film shows shows Gabriel LaBelle, from left, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Keeley Karsten, Julia Butters and Sophia Kopera

Shanas said the fall-out to his actions led to a rift within the family: she and her husband no longer speak to Mel

'Arnold was the calm in the middle of the storm,' says Shanas. 'He was someone I could lean on in trying times and he never let me down. He was always there for me. He would always tell me: 'You are a fighter. You need to persevere. You need to be resilient.'

Shanas was unable to defend herself, she explains: 'In Mel's Gibson's family no one is allowed to speak up, and as a result we all became his victims.

'I have not watched any Mel Gibson movies ever since The Passion. It pretty much ruined my life because I was caught in the crosshairs and became a target of not only Mel and his attack dogs, but also of the many people who were offended by Mel's actions and his film.'

Steven called the film a 'love letter' to his parents, especially his father, who bought him his first camera. An image from the The Fabelmans film

Director Steven Spielberg and parents Arnold Spielberg and Leah Adler at the American Jewish Committee's 83rd Annual Executive Council

'Arnold was the calm in the middle of the storm,' says Shanas. 'He was someone I could lean on in trying times and he never let me down

As her world fell apart, Arnold Spielberg was her unlikely saviour.

'I don't think I would be alive if it wasn't for our amazing two-decades-long friendship,' she admits. 'He stood by me when life became almost unbearable.

'Arnold would never allow me to be the victim. He wanted me to celebrate my life by realising and acknowledging that I was a survivor. I had survived, I was alive and it was something to be proud of.'

Steven said his father's death in 2020 at the age of 103 inspired him to finally tell the story of his upbringing

That first coffeehouse meeting soon turned into weekly rendezvous for lunch. Arnold, a retired electrical engineer who helped design some of the earliest computers, would regale her with tales of his military career and his life, which included three marriages.

'Arnold was Jewish and, while I am not, race, religion, age and background didn't matter,' she says. 'We were equals and best friends from the moment we met.'

Gibson & Spielberg: A Beautiful Friendship, A Journey of Hope, A Road to Resilience & Survival

He supported her through the heartache of two miscarriages, and 'he was always there to hold me up,' she says fondly.

Her book contains scores of photographs of the two of them together - along with supportive notes he wrote her.

'My book is an homage to our longtime friendship of over 20 years - 20 years that saved my life,' she says.

Shanas has also penned a second book, 'In the Valley of the Shadows,' about her '20 years of living dangerously... and all the pain I endured at the hands of Mel and his violent cronies,' hoping to find a publisher.

Both books speak out against hatred and bigotry of any kind, and she says: 'Anti-Semitism is on the rise and I hope history will never repeat itself in this regard.

'Mel's film The Passion of the Christ frightened people and divided them. I want my book to unite people. I want it to build bridges between them in order to bring people together.'
Another woman married - and later divorced - the ghost of a Haitian pirate at sea

People claim to have found love with a Boeing 737, a ragdoll and the Eiffel Tower

It can seem hard to find the perfect match in this day and age - with internet dating and apps making life as a singleton tougher than ever.

But a number of people have taken their search for love to new extremes and found romance in the unlikeliest of places.

In fact, it seems that even marriage - one of the oldest and most sacred traditions known to man - doesn't necessarily need to be between two living human beings.

This might be comforting to some singletons - but the stories of a woman who found love with a Boeing 737 aircraft, and one who married the Eiffel Tower could be rather shocking.

Here, FEMAIL reveals the strangest things people have fallen in love with...

I married a ragdoll - now I'm pregnant

Meirivone Rocha Moraes, from Brazil, was thrilled to announce that she is expecting another baby with her rag doll husband

Meirivone Rocha Moraes, from Brazil, has gone viral several times over the past few years after sharing her whirlwind romance with an inanimate object - a ragdoll.

Just this week, the 37-year-old was thrilled to announce that she is expecting another baby with her rag doll husband - showing off a pregnancy test on TikTok that appears to be positive.

The clip has racked up over 369,000 views with the couple saying they are 'so happy' and hoping for a girl this time around.

In the video, Meirivone said: 'I'm very happy because I'm pregnant with Marcelo again,' Meirivone said. 'This time we're going to have a girl.

'We really wanted to get pregnant again, Marcelo kept asking when we're going to get another baby, and I said one day.

'There were a couple times I felt nauseous, so I would take a test, but they were negative.

'However, I recently started to get nauseous again, so bought a test from the local pharmacy and it was positive!

We are so happy. We would love to have a little princess.

'We already have a boy, but if the baby turns out to be one too, we will love them just the same.'

The couple already have a son who they welcomed last year after getting married, because they didn't want to have the baby out of wedlock.

Their wedding ceremony was attended by 250 guests.

I'm in a relationship with a Boeing 737

Sarah Rodo, from Dortmund, Germany, who is in a sexual relationship with an aeroplane has revealed that she travelled abroad 30 times in the last year just to spend quality time with her lover

A woman who is in a sexual relationship with an aeroplane recently revealed that she travelled abroad 30 times in the last year just to spend quality time with her lover.

Sarah Rodo, from Dortmund, Germany, found love on her first flight with a Boeing 737 - after an unfulfilling attempt to date humans.

Since then, the 23-year-old has also 'met' 60 figurines and three larger models who she considers part of a 'collective being' that she is dating, and so she often refers to her lovers as one.

Keeping up a relationship with an object requires real commitment.

The avid jet-setter is so loved up that she has booked 30 mini-breaks in the last 12 months just to be close to her original beau, the Boeing 737.

I'm 'objectum sexual' and proposed to a collection of balloons

Aakash Majumdar (above), from Mumbai, India, shares a bed and has a physical bond with his inflatable partners

Aakash Majumdar, from Mumbai, India, shares a bed and has a physical bond with his inflatable partners.

The 28-year-old identifies as 'objectum sexual', which means he is sexually attracted to lifeless things.

Mr Majumdar's bond with his balloons began as a friendship but has since blossomed into something deeper and more affectionate.

He said: 'I like their presence and warmth, and share intimate feelings with my balloons and vice versa.

'I make out with my balloons. When you're in love, you spend a lot of time together and accept all kinds of flaws.

'Every morning, I wake up by saying good morning and giving a kiss to my balloons that sleep beside me, and vice versa.'

Two years ago, Mr Majumdar got down on one knee and proposed to the balloons.

I love objects which are misunderstood - I married the Eiffel Tower back in 2007

Perhaps the most notable example of people falling in love with inanimate objects, Erika Lebrie changed her surname legally to Eiffel after 'marrying' the Parisian landmark

Perhaps the most notable example of people falling for inanimate objects, Erika Lebrie changed her surname legally to Eiffel after 'marrying' the Parisian landmark.

She has even had a documentary made about her relationship and her sexuality.

Like Aakash, Labrie - or Eiffel - identifies as Objectum Sexual. This essentially means she forms romantic attractions and relationships to inanimate objects.

She told the New Zealand Herald: 'I find my type is an object thats misunderstood by the world.

'The Eiffel Tower is surrounded by millions of tourists who are in love with each other, not with her.'

She insisted that 'everyone has a type' - this is simply hers.

I've fallen out of love with the ghost of a 300-year-old pirate

Amanda Sparrow Large, 46, had been married to the ghost of a 300-year-old Haitian pirate, but the pair split recently

Amanda Sparrow Large, 46, met 300-year-old Haitian pirate ghost Jack Teague and within two years had sailed into international waters to wed him at sea using a spiritual medium.

Amanda 'met' love Jack in 2014 when his apparition appeared beside her in bed. She was immediately taken with the spook, who she claims looks like Pirates of the Caribbean character Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp.

Jack, a Haitian pirate from the 1700s who was executed for being a thief on the high seas, then began appearing regularly, with Amanda feeling his energy around her.

Before long she realised she fancied him and said they began having sex. After two years of dating, Amanda told him she wanted commitment and he agreed to marry her.

In 2016, Amanda hired a registrar and sailed into international waters so she could legally marry him - using a spiritual medium to allow him to say 'I do' during the ceremony.

However, after two years of marriage Amanda started suffering from health problems and started to get recurring abscesses.

After three weeks, the sores got so bad that Amanda had to be rushed to hospital for surgery.

In May 2018 she developed sepsis.

She said: 'I almost died and I was in the hospital for a week.'

She claims that this was the main reason she ended the relationship after being advised that they had to cut the energy link between them.

Amanda also claimed that her spooky partner tried to kill her when she ended their relationship and she underwent an exorcism in December 2018 after Jack possessed her.

I found love with a duvet - and my boyfriend isn't jealous

Pascale Sellick, 49, from Devon, planned a 'lavish' wedding to her duvet before finding love with a fellow human - and says her boyfriend isn't at all jealous

Pascale Sellick, 49, from Devon, planned a 'lavish' wedding to her duvet before finding love with a fellow human - and has insisted her boyfriend isn't at all jealous.

She previously claimed her relationship with the quilt was the 'most intimate and reliable relationship' she had ever been involved in.

'That's because it has always been there for me and gives me great hugs,' she said.

Ms Sellick - who now has a boyfriend, Jonny - said he understood why the wedding was taking place on Valentine's Day in 2019.

'He understands I'm marrying the duvet for art and to come across a message, we have a really loving relationship,' she said.

'He's not jealous of my duvet, in fact, he's very proud of me.'

I broke it off with the Statue of Liberty - and proposed to a chandelier

Amanda Liberty, 35, from Leeds, is what is known as an 'objectophile' and has fallen in love with a 100-year-old light fitting that she admits is 'too big to take to bed'

Amanda Liberty, 35, from Leeds, is what is known as an 'objectophile' and has fallen in love with a 100-year-old light fitting that she admits is 'too big to take to bed'.

She started dating 28-inch Lumiere in 2017 following several profound trysts with inanimate objects - and the woman and her chandelier are now 'engaged'.

'I didn't just decide, "Oh, Im going to fall in love with a chandelier today",' she explained on Facebook. 'No. It just happened. It was totally led by my heart.'

Ms Liberty's latest romance started with the live action version of Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson in 2017.

Ms Liberty has since filled her home with 25 hanging lamps, and is said to be in an open relationship with the light fixtures - and her fiance Lumiere.

Her journey began with a drum kit when she was 14 and by her late 20s she'd changed her name to match America's most famous statue.

Pledging herself to the structure, she had a USA flag tattooed on her right arm to commemorate her relationship with 'Libby'.

But the union collapsed in 2016 when the avid Disney fan felt they'd be better as friends due to the difficulties of their long-distance arrangement.
Blokes who can make a stunning fry up are sexier than those plating up avocado on toast, new research has found.

The English Breakfast Society found that a stunning 84 per cent of women see the ability to make a good full English as 'very sexy' or a 'total turn on'.

But less than one in five found those making the millennials' breakfast of choice attractive.

But veggie breakfasters have slammed the study - saying that fry ups have passed their popularity peak and alternatives are quicker and easier.

Chairman Guise Bule hailed the meal's 'seductive power' as he called the traditional dish a true 'expression of love'.

The English Breakfast Society found that a stunning 84 per cent of women see the ability to make a good full English as 'very sexy' or a 'total turn on'

Project manager Ryan Davis, 45, said he's so good at making fry ups he must be extremely attractive

He said: 'After speaking with a number of the research respondents, we established that what they actually found sexy was a persons attention to detail, quality and care in preparing a tradition dish of food and then presenting it to them for inspection and consumption.

'It is often said that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach - doubly so with the English breakfast - but when a man makes a magnificent English breakfast using ingredients sourced from British farmers and butchers, it has the effect of increasing his standing in life, making him more attractive to the opposite sex in the process.'

In 1st Choice Cafe in Kingswood, Bristol, tradesmen from carpenters to stonemasons were sitting down to tuck into a Full English Breakfast.

Ryan Davis, 45, a project manager for a carpentry company, joked: 'I must be well attractive, I can make a banging fry-up breakfast.

'I think cooking in general is an attractive quality in a man. I'd definitely cook a fry-up if I was cooking breakfast for my wife at home, and she'd be happier with that.

'I also think it's more masculine when a man can tuck into a full English breakfast as well.

'A man who eats a full English breakfast is probably going to then go off and do a full day's work after that meal. It's a working man's breakfast, you have to work harder to burn it off.

'If you're eating avocado you're more likely to be a stay-at-home dad or something.'

Andy James, 50, who works in waste clearance services, says he thinks his wife loves his fry ups - and wouldn't be as happy if he handed her avocado on toast

Stonemason Billy England says that sausages are the most attractive part of his favourite breakfast

The 33-year-old says he would be in his partner's good books for the rest of the day if he made her a fry up

Andy James, 50, who works in waste clearance services, said: 'Avocado on toast is not for me. I cook breakfast most days, and I'm more likely to cook a fry-up. I think my wife would be happier with a full English fry-up, too.

'I can see how it's a more attractive option.

'Even in the summer when the temperatures are warmer and you want some lighter food, I'd still cook a meal with elements of the fry-up, like scrambled eggs. I'd still base it on a fry-up, but just without cooking the full breakfast.

'In the winter time, there's nothing better than a full English to warm you up and set you up for the day.'

And stonemason Billy England, 33, who was just about to tuck into a full English fry-up, said: 'I think it's a good skill to have if a man can actually cook.

'Traditionally it's more of a woman's place to cook, but nowadays if you woke up and cooked the Mrs a fry-up, you'd be in the good books for the rest of the day.

'It's gotta be the sausages that are the most attractive part of it. My wife would much rather have sausages or bacon on a plate than something like avocado on toast.'

But in trendy, rustic brunch spot, The Crafty Egg, cabinet maker Thomas Mason, 64, said he didn't agree with the correlation between the attractiveness of a man, and his ability to cook a fry-up.

In trendy, rustic brunch spot, The Crafty Egg, cabinet maker Thomas Mason, 64, was enjoying some shakshuka. He said he didn't agree with the correlation between the attractiveness of a man, and his ability to cook a fry-up

Nature and health practitioner, Jason Leck, 40, said his wife - who is from Mexico - would prefer a light breakfast of avocado on toast

Thomas, who was enjoying a shakshuka for breakfast, said: 'I don't necessarily agree with the premise that being able to cook a fry-up breakfast makes a man more attractive.

'My wife and I are light breakfasters, and avocado on toast is the sort of breakfast that she would have. She would be happier if I made her that, than a full fry-up.

'I can understand why making a fry-up might be more appreciated, as there is a bit more to it, and it is a bit more complicated.

'But I think that any cooking skill is a good skill to have. If I was making breakfast at home, I would go for something a little bit quicker and easier.'

And nature and health practitioner, Jason Leck, 40, who was enjoying a cup of coffee in Grounded, also seemed surprised about the results of the poll.

He said: 'If I was to cook breakfast, it would not be a fry-up. I find it's a bit too heavy.

'I think with the youngsters today, the English fry-up breakfast is probably past its popularity peak now, too.

'My wife is Mexican, so she's not really bothered about whether I can cook a full English or not.

'I think because she's from Mexico, if I made her avocado on toast for breakfast, she'd think it was great. She'd love it. But we're not really full English breakfast people.'
A teenager who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background is now studying law at the prestigious university.

Callum Stevens, 20, from Bolton, Manchester, came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16.

Although the odds were stacked against the aspiring lawyer, the dedicated student managed to bag a spot at one of the most prestigious universities in the world thanks to a mentoring scheme.

The 20-year-old explained that he would 'never change' where he grew up as it has taught him important life lessons.

Speaking to the Metro, he said: 'I would never change where I come from, there is a true camaraderie to be had and I thoroughly believe that such an upbringing will teach you things that formal education never will.

Callum Stevens, from Bolton, Manchester, who was told he had no chance of making it to Cambridge due to his background, is now studying law at the prestigious university

At Callum's state school, 50 per cent of students were eligible for free school meals and only 30 per cent achieved a Grade 5 or above in English or Maths.

As such, he says his teachers never expected him to be applying for such an elite university - especially as his mother or grandmother didn't go on to higher education.

He said: 'When I was at school it was often said that ''people like you don't go to places like Cambridge'', so I decided to apply as a joke at first.

'The comments were not only disheartening but difficult to overcome as they did not come from a place of animosity, but misinformation.'

Callum landed a work experience placement with a law firm in Year 10 which ignited his passion for law.

He then moved to Holy Cross College in Bury with a new support network and input from the Zero Gravity social mobility tech company.

As Callum didn't see Cambridge as a 'serious option', he applied for several other universities.

However, he secured his place at Christ's College with A*'s in Law, English Literature and Mathematics.

Callum came from a single-parent family after his mum, Maria, gave birth to him when she was just 16

Callum said the primary barrier that his place of upbringing put before him was mindset (pictured as a child)

While applying for Cambridge, Callum received help through the process through his Zero Gravity mentor Annabelle, who had recently graduated with a degree in Law.

In hindsight, Callum says this support was 'vital' to him and he continues to receive help from the organisation.

The Zero Gravity Fund, also gave the law student a 1,000-a-year scholarship for the duration of his course.

He admitted: It has opened me up to so many opportunities which otherwise wouldnt have been available. I hope that no matter what I go on to achieve in life, I will make an active contribution to bring those opportunities to those from upbringings like mine.

'Getting to university is just one hurdle, funding it is entirely different. This has allowed me to focus on my studies, attend prestigious internships and make the most out of university life.'

Callum was raised by his mother and his grandmother also had a huge impact on his life (pictured with his mum)

Callum posed for a snap with fellow Christs student Laura at the colleges May Ball in 2022

Zero Gravity was started by Joe Seddon when he was just 21, after he grew up in a single-parent family and went to state school before attending Oxford.

He came from a single parent, state school background and grew up in Morley, West Yorkshire before going on to study at Oxford.

As a result, he witnessed first-hand how challenging it can be for someone from his background to enter elite institutions such as Oxbridge, which is what encouraged him to set up Zero Gravity with the last 200 of his student loan.

Zero Gravity have supported over 8000 students from low opportunity backgrounds into top universities around the UK.
The Royal Family of Denmark put on a united front for Queen Margrethe's 83rd birthday today.

Queen Margrethe - who underwent back surgery last month - was all smiles this afternoon as she waved to crowds of wellwishers from a balcony at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

The mother-of-two cut an elegant figure in a matching powder blue midi skirt, high-neck top and jacket.

The Danish Queen - whose half-century reign makes her Europe's longest-serving monarch - swept her hair back into her trademark and bun and wore a set of blue diamond earrings.

She added a pop of colour to her outfit with some vibrant red nail polish but otherwise wore minimal makeup.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark waved to crowds of wellwishers outside the Palace in Copenhagen on her 83rd birthday

As she stepped out on the balcony, Margrethe was pictured without a walking stick - having previously been spotted with one at Fredensborg Castle in Denmark on Wednesday.

The monarch was also joined by her son Frederik, Crown Prince and his wife Princess Mary and their four children - Prince Christian, 17, Princess Isabella, 15 and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 12.

However, Prince Joachim and his children were also in attendance - with the full family appearing on the balcony later in the afternoon.

It was a tumultuous autumn for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch stripped her younger son Prince Joachim's four children of their prince and princess titles - a shocking move which he publicly spoke out against.

She has said the decision was intended to allow Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20 - born from Prince Joachim's first marriage - and Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, to live normal lives without royal obligations.

Instead of being Princes and Princesses, they are Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - a change which is now reflected on the household's website.

At the time, Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother's decision - claiming that his children had been 'harmed' in the process.

Later this year, the 53-year-old royal, who is sixth in line to the Danish throne, will relocate to Washington DC with his family to become defence industry attache at the Embassy of Denmark.

The monarch was also joined by her son Frederik, Crown Prince and his wife Princess Mary and their four children

Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Count Henrik, Count Nikolai and Countess Athena pictured on the balcony at Amalienborg Castle

Last year, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days' notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified

Meanwhile, his ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

Queen Margrethe (centre) pictured with her sons Prince Frederick (left) and Prince Joachim (right) and their children

Pictured: royal fans gather outside Christian VII Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen to catch a glimpse of the monarch

Last year, Queen Margrethe stripped Prince Joachim's children of their royal titles. Pictured with her sons on her 83rd birthday

The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

In February, the royal palace announced that Queen Margrethe was having to undergo 'major back surgery'.

'During a long period, Her Majesty has been affected by problems with her back, and in recent times the situation has worsened,' the announcement read.

Following the operation, the palace said the Queen needed to go through a 'longer rehabilitation process'.

The announcement came after Margrethe was forced to cancel a string of events - including the opening of an exhibition in Copenhagen.

The mother-of-two cut an elegant figure in a matching powder blue midi skirt, high-neck top and jacket

The oldest son of Denmark's popular monarch, heir to the throne Crown Prince Frederik (pictured front, right), 54, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary (pictured back, right), 51, are likely to step in as well as Margrethe's youngest son, Prince Joachim, 53, and his wife Princess Marie (pictured together, back, left), 47, and the queen's sister, Princess Benedikte, 78

The Danish Constitution gives Margrethe, Denmark's head of state, no political power and her duties are ceremonial.

She was proclaimed queen on January 15, 1972, a day after her father, King Frederik IX, died following a short illness.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Margrethe became the only living Queen in the world.

She is also now the second longest-serving monarch in the world, second only to Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, after celebrating 50 years on the throne.
Sarah Ferguson cut a solemn figure this afternoon as she was spotted leaving the Royal Lodge in Windsor following her coronation snub.

The 63-year-old Duchess of York was seen in the passenger seat of a Range Rover driven by her ex-husband Prince Andrew.

The mother-of-two was dressed casually in a tan blazer, shirt and black circular glasses.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, 63, was sporting a navy jumper over a red shirt as she drove the 4x4 out of the complex.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Duchess of York is not expected to attend the coronation next month - despite the fact Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are set to be there.

The Duchess appeared downcast and reflective as she sat in the passenger seat of Andrew's Range Rover

Prince Andrew, Duke Of York and Sarah Duchess Of York leave Royal Lodge after it was announced she will not be attending the Coronation of King Charles

Experts claim King Charles decided to not invite Sarah Ferguson to the historic event because she is an 'embarrassment' and no longer a member of the Royal Family.

Royal commentator Tom Bower told MailOnline that Sarah had excluded herself because of her previous 'conduct'.

He added that her presence would 'provoke critical comment which Charles doesn't need'.

And royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams praised the 'extremely wise' decision from the King because she has been an 'embarrassment to the Royal Family for many years'.

But the apparent decision has surprised some royal watchers - with Meghan Markle's friend Omid Scobie tweeting: 'If true, this feels kinda cruel, no?'

It comes after royal officials revealed that Prince Harry will be at the coronation but without his wife and the couple's children Archie and Lilibet.

Speaking about the absence of Sarah, Mr Bower said she will be left out 'because she is not a member of the Royal Family'.

He added that she had excluded herself 'by her past conduct', saying: 'Her presence would provoke critical comment which Charles doesn't need.'

King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey next month and be attended by the most senior members of the Royal Family

The ex husband and wife still live together in the Royal Lodge, Windsor, despite being divorced and seem firm friends

Among Sarah's most embarrassing moments was when photographs were published showing her having her toes sucked by her financial advisor John Bryan at her holiday villa in St Tropez, while they were also seen kissing, embracing and frolicking in the pool.

She was also said to have had a rift with her once good friend, Princess Diana, after she claimed she got a verruca after borrowing a pair of her shoes. They were reportedly still not speaking at the time of Diana's death in 1997.

And in 2010 she apologised after being secretly recorded offering to sell access to Andrew in return for 500,000.

Mr Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: 'The decision not to invite Sarah Ferguson is extremely wise and to be welcomed. She has been an embarrassment to the royal family for many years.

'Time and again she gives embarrassing interviews, there seems no end to it.

Sarah, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew attend Ascot Racecourse together in June 2019

Camilla, King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew at Windsor Castle on April 9

Sarah, Duchess of York and then-Prince Charles kiss after a polo match in Windsor in June 1986

Who will be attending the King's coronation? More than 2,000 guests will gather at Westminster Abbey on May 6 for the nation's first coronation in 70 years. As King Charles III is the reigning monarch, Prince William is now heir to the throne - with him and Kate now set to play important roles in the event. Prince George has also been handed a notable role in proceedings, as one of Charles's four Pages of Honour. George will be required to carry the King's robes with three other Pages of Honour - schoolboys Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, Nicholas Barclay, 13, and Ralph Tollemache, 12. All three are sons of His Majesty's friends. Camilla has made her three grandsons - twins Gus and Louis Lopes, 13, and Freddy Parker Bowles, 12, as well as her great-nephew, Arthur Elliot, 11 - Pages of Honour as she is crowned Queen. Prince Harry will attend, but his wife Meghan Markle will remain in the US with their children Archie and Lilibet. Prince Andrew is also expected to attend with his daughters Eugenie and Beatrice, but his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York is not set to be there. Heads of state and representatives from a number of key British allies and Commonwealth nations are also expected to be part of the guest list. These include leaders from Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, Japan, Hungary and Monaco. All three presidents of the European Union  Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola and Charles Michel  will attend. Foreign dignitaries are also set to include First Lady Jill Biden - but her husband, Joe Biden, will not be there. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata will attend, but Cabinet ministers will be denied a 'plus one' Advertisement

'There are times when a dignified silence is required which she seems incapable of.'

Sarah did attend the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey last September, but was not one of the 30 guests for Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021.

She was not invited to Prince William and Kate's wedding in 2011, saying she went on holiday to Thailand instead - but did attend Harry and Meghan's marriage at St George's Chapel in Windsor in May 2018.

Speaking about the coronation, one of Sarah's friends told the Independent: 'She has been hugely supportive of Charles and Camilla and does not want this to become about her.

'The whole day is about the new King and the success of his reign but she has always championed the royal family and the Queen undoubtedly would have wanted her to be there.'

Her lack of coronation invite comes despite Andrew turning up at the Easter Service at St George's Chapel in Windsor, although her ex-husband is still excluded from most of life within the Royal Family.

Sarah herself has also had something of a renaissance in recent months, having been invited to join King Charles and other senior royals at Sandringham at Christmas, as well as looking after the late Queen's corgis.

She was also a favourite of the late Queen and they were known to spend plenty of time together including walks at Windsor Park.

They knew each other before Sarah's marriage to Andrew because her father Major Ronald Ferguson was the royal polo manager.

Last month Sarah revealed during a chat with Glamour editor Samantha Barry that she had not received an invitation to the coronation - joking that it was 'TBD' whether she would end up going.

'The invitations haven't gone out yet. Have they?' she asked when questioned whether she plans to go.

Sarah also insisted that a lack of invitation did not bother her, saying: 'Well I've decided the best thing about being British around a coronation - although I've never been to one - I think we should, I should set up a tea room at the bottom of the drive with bunting and cakes.'

Just over a week ago she spoke of her continued sadness at the Queen's death but also her admiration for Charles.

In an interview to promote her new historical fiction book 'A Most Intriguing Lady', Sarah told OK! magazine: 'I have known both the King and the Queen Consort since I was a child.

'I think if you look at the King's track record in areas like the environment, where he was decades ahead of his time, and the Prince's Trust, it's clear what an extraordinary man he is and how fortunate we are to have him on the throne.

'I also admire the way the Queen Consort has worked tirelessly in areas like literacy and domestic violence.'

Sarah, Duchess of York (centre, left) posted a picture in May 2020 of her with Prince Andrew (centre, right) and their daughters Princess Eugenie (far right) and Princess Beatrice (far left)

Princesses Beatrice (left) and Eugenie at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor on April 9

While speaking to Royal Central to promote her new book, Sarah also revealed that she is considering writing another autobiography.

Fergie has already written two memoirs of her own - the first being My Story, published in 1996 just months after her divorce from Andrew was finalised.

She then wrote Finding Sarah, which came out in 2011 after another bout of financial woes.

Any new autobiography is likely to cover more recent years, including the period around Andrew's very public fall from grace.

Despite the pair having been divorced for nearly 30 years they are still said to remain best friends and live together.

It has been rumoured that Andrew is also considering putting his own side of recent events down in print - but sources close to the disgraced royal have denied this.
They found fame on Gogglebox ten years ago when their hilarious, often booze-fuelled commentary, made them a favourite with television viewers on the Channel 4 show.

Now Steph and Dom Parker, Inspire's former agony columnists, are celebrating 25 years of marriage.

Here, they reveal the golden rules that have helped them overcome huge emotional hurdles to reach their silver wedding anniversary... and which they believe could work for you, too.

Steph, 56, says:

It was on September 12, 1998, in a church in a Kent village, that I married my true love, 'The One'. We were living together within four months of meeting, and I moved countries to be with him. It was a whirlwind of a fairy tale I never regretted (well, maybe once or twice!).

Steph and Dom Parker, Inspire's former agony columnists, are celebrating 25 years of marriage

Over the quarter of a century that followed, we have endured the most unbearable challenges and pain, but also the most fantastically joyous and hilarious moments.

No matter what life has thrown at us, we've overcome it because we are together, and we will always be together. If the Dom I know now was to ask me to marry him, I'd still say 'yes' in a heartbeat...

Don't settle for anything less than 'The One'

Why do I believe in 'The One'? - because we're walking, living proof of it. Before that first date with Dom, I was a very independent woman who never needed to be with a man. I had a career I loved, my own money and I sure as hell wasn't going to compromise and settle for just anyone, as I'd seen so many people do.

At 30 I had been in a long-term relationship and was engaged, but I called it off. I couldn't fault the guy - he was lovely - but it just didn't feel right.

Within a day of meeting Dom, he'd totally rocked my world. It was the most natural response; it begged no questions, no argument, no doubt - just this instant connection.

Within a day of meeting Dom, he'd totally rocked my world. It was the most natural response

We'd met fleetingly in our 20s when he was my landlord, but I was with someone else at the time. But he came back into my life and, instantly, he was it: the path I was meant to follow and the man with whom I was meant to be.

After four months I quit my job in Brussels and moved in with him in Kent. I told Dom that if he hadn't decided I was The One after a year, and proposed, then I was off. In true Dom fashion, he waited a year and a day before he got down on one knee.

Expect rain in paradise - it's inevitable

In our case it's been torrential, with a side order of cyclone. I'd met my Prince Charming, we'd had our fairy-tale wedding, we were comfortably off and for two years everything was magical. Then... boom, Max our son arrived and life was never the same again.

Max, 22, is seriously disabled. [They also have a daughter, 19-year-old Honor.] He is autistic and severely epileptic with the mental capacity of a six-year-old.

But his condition took all the focus off us - it stopped us getting too obsessed with our own relationship and each other; we had much bigger things to worry about.

Max, 22, is seriously disabled. He is autistic and severely epileptic with the mental capacity of a six-year-old. Pictured from the left: Steph, Max, their daughter Honor and Dom

Only 23 per cent of marriages survive bringing up a chronically disabled child, and I'm so proud we're one of them.

But we'd never have got through if we weren't as rock solid as we are. Through each storm we've clung to one other, never let go and refused to let it blow us apart.

Choose compromise over pride

Learning the art of compromise will save you a lot of grief in a marriage. I've had to learn to meet Dom halfway, even when, as a proud and stubborn person, I really haven't wanted to.

We have to fight for so much in this life - our job, our finances, our kids, our health - that you don't want to waste precious time bickering.

We laugh like drains most days. The worse the situation, the more important it is to find humour in it

If you find yourselves having a trifling row where you are going back and forwards, tackle it once and for all, say sorry and move past it.

I believe that men can lack emotional intuition sometimes. They seem to bumble through life without noticing things.

Women tend to process things more deeply, while men can be much more basic in their thinking. It took me years to realise this and learn to back down and say sorry for a more peaceful life.

I was a massive sulker, too. It used to take me four days to come round; now it's only four hours. Progress!

At the end of the day, we chose each other, and learning to be gentle and kind to one other is a big part of marriage.

Don't row in public

Surviving 25 years of marriage is also down to a deep-rooted respect for myself, as well as Himself.

There are times when I think he's the biggest goof in the world, but that's between us, and I would never put him down in public.

Dom is a gentleman. He holds open the car door for me and he stands up when I leave the table, even when it's just the two of us at home. His respect for me is absolute and lovely. I would never ridicule him in front of friends with a cheap shot.

There are times when I think he's the biggest goof in the world, but that's between us, and I would never put him down in public, says Steph

I can't bear it when I see women put their men down in public, even in a jokey way. I think it's unnecessary and cruel.

We don't argue in public either, it's a social no-no, as it makes the other people uncomfortable. Dom would never deliberately hurt me in public either. When we're out we present a united front against the world.

Never mention the 'D' word

We have a rule in our marriage that we never throw the word 'divorce' into an argument or make light of it. I think once you mention it, even in jest, it's out there and on the table as a possibility.

Marriage is hard work and it's much easier to quit and throw in the towel then to keep taking the hits, but it lessens you as a human being if you give in.

I'm proud of the fact we're still fighting together. We took our vows before our friends and God, and I have too much respect for them to throw the D word around, however infuriating Dom can be.

Say 'I love you' every day

I tell Dom I love him every day. It will never not be wonderful to have someone tell you that. But even more importantly, I try to remember to thank him for every act of kindness or selflessness.

Over the past five years I've been quite infirm with one injury after another (including double pneumonia that nearly killed me and a heart infection) and Dom had to care for me. I was mindful of saying 'thank you so much' when he made me a sandwich or brought my phone to me.

Women can be a little quick to notice when their chap doesn't do something - 'when was the last time you...' etc - but we must appreciate the times that they do do things for you.

Mind you, he'll be getting his revenge soon when I'll have to wait on him for six weeks after his upcoming back surgery. He'll be a nightmare. He's already suggested I get him a bell. Not a chance!

Dom, 58 says:

Since the day I met her, Steph has felt like my other half. We know each other inside out.

Her overpacking for every trip drives me to distraction, and if I stress too much about her constant lateness I'll have a heart attack. But I love her

Of course, that's not to say we don't drive each other potty. 'I can't hear you!' is one of the most-used phrases in our home.

Steph is convinced I am deaf or have selective hearing when I fail to pick up what she's saying as she tries to speak to me from a different room on a different floor.

Her overpacking for every trip drives me to distraction, and if I stress too much about her constant lateness I'll have a heart attack. But I love her, even though the word 'love' somehow feels inadequate.

What we have transcends love and, whatever it is, needs protecting, feeding and nurturing and hard work. But that's OK, because it's work I'm happy to put in till the day I die.

Believe in fate

It was 35 years ago that a young, strong, beautiful woman came into my life and left an instant impact on me. I was a landlord and she came to look at the flat I was renting. I was enchanted - she couldn't have cared less.

Then, years later, a friend started to talk about a girl he knew that I must meet and who would be perfect for me. I wasn't convinced but I agreed to go on the only blind date I've ever had.

Halfway through our evening the penny dropped and we both said: 'Oh my God, it's you!' It was my thunderbolt moment, I knew immediately this was it.

You hear people say 'there's someone for everyone', and, like many, I used to think 'yes, but given the world's population, what's the chance of ever meeting them?' I absolutely believe that, for Steph and me, it was written in the stars, especially as she wasn't even living in the UK by the time we had our date.

When we met ten years earlier, the timing was wrong for us, but fate stepped in to give us a second chance.

Ignore other people's marriages

Marriage had been a disaster for my parents. I was only six years old when my father walked out. My mother had poor health so I had to assume responsibility from a very young age, doing all the shopping, cleaning and cooking.

Consequently, I grew up believing firmly that marriage was a crock of s*** and not something we were meant to do. I was completely wrong. In fact, a big part of my speech at our wedding was me apologising to my friends for being so rude about marriage.

Other people's experiences are theirs alone. Quite simply, my parents hadn't found the right partner. I did.

Learn to embrace life's surprises

As something of a control freak, I'm not the sort who likes surprises, yet Steph has a habit of springing them on me. Every time she announces she's planned something, my immediate reaction is: 'Oh God, what now?'

Learning to relax and relinquish control and leave your comfort zone can lead to the sort of exciting adventures you'd never experience if left to your own devices

Like the time I came home to find a taxi driver sitting in our kitchen drinking tea surrounded by our packed suitcases. Steph had arranged a ten-day trip to Vegas. Flights booked, hotel room reserved, taxis arranged  without a word to me. I thought, 'I'm going to hate this', but we had the time of our lives.

Learning to relax and relinquish control and leave your comfort zone can lead to the sort of exciting adventures you'd never experience if left to your own devices.

Laughter is essential

Steph and I laugh like drains most days, and the worse the situation the more important it is to find humour in it.

At the beginning of this year, we decided to celebrate our 25 years together by going on a trip around the world, just the two of us.

In typical Parker style it went horribly wrong when I badly hurt my back in Mauritius and we had to be repatriated.

I was in agony but we still found time for lots of bladder jokes about me wetting myself! We've been through a lot together, especially with our son, Max, and Steph's poor health, but we always find time to tell funny stories and make inappropriate jokes.

Laughing is a powerful, emotional release, right up there with crying. We got the keys to our hotel, The Salutation, back after our tenants went bankrupt then we went straight into lockdown. Brilliant! Having all the maintenance costs without any guests meant we took a huge financial hit and then it took another two years to sell. But we joked that at least we didn't have to worry about the dusting! Without the laughter we wouldn't have made it.

Never stop holding hands

When we were on Gogglebox people used to remark on how we were often holding hands when we watched TV. It wasn't contrived, it happened quite naturally.

It's something we did from day one and have never stopped. It's the simplest gesture, yet there is something very pure, grounding and comforting about it. We're one unit, co-joined and we reach for each other's hand instinctively.

When I was stranded at our hotel in Mauritius for ten weeks, I noticed the couples who held hands seemed to be happier.

If you already do this, never stop, and if you're not hand-holders then it's never too late to start.

When we were on Gogglebox people used to remark on how we were often holding hands when we watched TV. It wasn't contrived, it happened quite naturally

There's no such thing as too much time together

There are many days when Steph and I are together 24/7. We work and live together, yet some people are horrified by the idea. Why? I married her, I should want to be with her all the time.

Sometimes, you'll hear couples talk about how they're dreading spending a week together on holiday or at Christmas. If that's the case then I'd say you have a problem. It's probably why so many relationships faltered during lockdown.

We can escape each other if we wish, but my private time includes, not excludes, my wife.

When we're apart, I like to know where she is and use the Find My Friends app to check on her. She does the same to me. It's not stalking; we've nothing to hide. My life would fall apart without her and I like to know she's safe.
Hermes, the maker of the luxury Birkin and Kelly handbags, has seen a jump in sales as super-rich shoppers continue to spend on high-end fashion despite the cost of living crisis.

The French retailer said sales in the first three months of the year were 23 per cent higher than in the same period of 2022.

Wealthy shoppers bought accessories such as colourful scarves and the expensive leather Birkin bags.

Several factors affect the price of the must-have Birkin bags, including size, colour, material and condition, according to a guide published by the Sotheby's auction house last year.

A Birkin bag bought directly from the store starts at $9,000 (7,249) and can sell for $30,000 (24,165) according to Sotheby's guide.

The French retailer said sales in the first three months of the year were 23 per cent higher than in the same period of 2022 as luxury shoppers splash out (file image of Birkin bag)

Despite a cost of living crisis, luxury firms have reaped the rewards of big-spenders continuing to splurge. A new workshop opened in Normandy, France, last week (pictured)

Last year, a 2021 Himalayan Birkin 30 with diamonds sold at Sotheby's for $450,000 (362,479).

Hermes sales in China were nudged up by shopping during the Lunar New Year and the lifting of Covid curbs in the region at the start of the year.

Executive chairman Axel Dumas said the sales leap was 'driven by the loyalty of our customers', who forked out on watches and classic leather bags.

Sales hit the equivalent of 2.9billion for the quarter.

Booming interest in pricey leather bags has led the company to open a slew of new 'artisan' factories to keep up with demand.

A factory in Normandy opened just last week, where workers usually spend between 14 and 20 hours making one Kelly handbag.

The iconic bag was renamed after Hollywood actress Grace Kelly used the accessory to conceal her pregnancy in the 1950s.

Another signature product, the Birkin handbag, pictured, was named after an encounter in the 1980s between then Hermes boss Jean-Louis Dumas and the actress Jane Birkin on a flight.

Executive chairman Axel Dumas said the sales leap was 'driven by the loyalty of our customers', who forked out on watches and classic leather bags (file image)

Booming interest in pricey leather bags has led the company to open a slew of new 'artisan' factories to keep up with demand (file image)

Despite a cost of living crisis, luxury firms have reaped the rewards of big-spenders continuing to splurge.

Hermes' bumper figures came just days after rival LVMH  whose brands include Christian Dior and Dom Perignon  reported a 17 per cent rise in sales.

Family-owned French designer Hermes started out in 1837 as a harness and saddle maker.

The brand's infamous silk scarves, beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth II, former first lady of the US Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn, were created in 1937.
December 2018, and the festive rush was in full force at one of the busiest department stores in London.

I was 18 years old and, even though I had no retail experience, my recent qualification in TV, film and theatre make-up had secured me a job as a beauty consultant for a well-known cosmetics brand.

After a brief induction I stood dutifully before the counter with my sparkling new brush belt, ready to make people feel beautiful.

On cue, a customer made a beeline and requested a foundation match. I got to work finding her perfect shade, then applied it all over her face to ensure she was happy. She examined herself in the mirror.

'I look a bit flat. Would you mind adding a little more bronzer, dear?'

Freya Barnes Webb, pictured, opens up about her beauty customer-service horror stories in retail

Eager to showcase my skills I was happy to oblige, complying further when she went on to ask for concealer, blusher, lipgloss

'Your eyeshadow looks amazing,' she said, looking up at me with puppy-dog eyes,

'I wish I could do mine like that for my date tonight.'

It did the trick. I applied the eyeshadow and she walked away eventually with a full face of make-up.

I resumed my position by the counter as one of my colleagues, a veteran of the brand, wandered over.

'She does that to all the new girls,' she explained. 'If she does it again just tell her she'll need to book an appointment and purchase some products'

Amazingly some people try to get refunds on counterfeit make-up

I hadn't even noticed that the woman hadn't bought anything.

Regardless of ulterior motives I was happy to help those who were nice, as a welcome respite from curt Christmas shoppers.

Their demands  'Get me this', 'I need one of these', 'Can I have a free gift?'  would ring in my ears long after my shift.

Some characters came in to do their make-up for the day, every day; treating the counter as a personal vanity; smearing on unsanitised lipstick testers; applying mascara straight from the wand instead of using a disposable one.

Perhaps they'd have refrained if they knew the units of bacteria per square centimetre on the average beauty tester: 200 times that of a typical toilet seat.

The department store I worked in is the shopping destination of choice for London's super-rich.

FACE SAVERS FROM FREYA Free samples? Ask nicely and youll likely receive  I gave bundles to polite people. Theyre useful if youre unsure of a product, as you can trial it at home

Ask for a sample of a darker foundation to use as a liquid bronzer. Blend (using a brush or sponge) a dash of it round the edges of your face for a free sun-tinged glow

Save on tinted moisturiser by mixing one part foundation, two face cream  play around with the ratios

Use lipstick as creamy blusher. Rub a smudge between thumb, middle and ring fingers then dab on the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards. Itll match lips perfectly so youll achieve a more cohesive look at half the price

Revive dried-up mascara with a few drops of contact lens solution (or eye drops  the unmedicated kind) and stir it with the wand. But if its more than six months old, its probably time to invest in a new one

If you want perfectly even wings, keep both eyes open as you look in the mirror when applying liner. Many of us do the classic one-eyed squint, which can create wings that only look good when you blink Advertisement

It was eye-opening. Soon after I began there, a clearly wealthy woman ordered me to demonstrate some make-up products on her assistant.

No sooner had I begun applying heavy black kajal eyeliner than the woman nodded her approval and pointed to the till.

Quickly I tried to remove my work but she held up her hand with a sharp 'No'.

Having made her purchase, she stomped off with her poor assistant in tow sporting one smoky eye.

When not dealing with the entitled uber-rich I was staffing the tills, the hub for all chancers.

Customers would flock for refunds on counterfeit versions of our products, or foundations they had emptied and refilled with a cheaper version.

Often I would sniff, tell them I knew it wasn't genuine and wait for their reaction.

Momentary embarrassment would turn to demands to speak to the manager, who would usually give them the refund to avoid complaints to head office.

Something I never got used to was vandalism: a certain woman would, routinely, saunter through the hall, extend her arm and knock the foundation bottles and designer perfumes to the floor.

As they fell like dominoes, the din of shattering glass would silence the whole floor.

The security guards would escort her out, only for her to return the following week and do it all again.

Recently I caught up with a former colleague to reminisce about those.

We recalled the woman once caught pumping foundation from a tester vigorously into a sandwich bag; the feral children who'd chew lipstick testers while their mothers got a makeover.

But it wasn't all bad. Many people were wonderful, reminding me why I loved make-up in the first place.

My favourite was a glamorous older woman who would waft in most weeks and ask for me. She would give the best life advice as I dolled her up, trusting me and always loving the look.

Customers like her were the reason I stayed for 18 months. But eventually even her visits weren't enough to make up for rudeness, the thieves and chancers. I resigned.

To all the beauty consultants still at it, I salute you  as we know, it's not as glam as it looks
Foodies have been left drooling at a woman's McDonald's hack she used to make her own loaded fries.

Lauren Griffiths, from the UK, combined pieces of a cheeseburger as well as mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders with a large serving of fries and topped the creation with sweet and sour and curry sauces.

Despite some of the ingredients she used not currently being available on Macca's Aussie menu, the hack caught the attention of thousands of Australians.

The mozzarella sticks and curry sauce were last available at Australian restaurants in July of last year for a limited time however many are hoping for their return.

McDonald's fans called Lauren's loaded fries trick, which she tried and customised after seeing it all over social media, 'mouth watering' as many were keen to try their own version.

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Lauren Griffiths (pictured), from the UK, has sent foodies into a spin after she shared how to make 'phenomenal' loaded fries using burgers, snacks and sauces from McDonald's

Lauren combined a large fries with pieces of cheeseburger patties, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders then topped it with two delicious sauces

'I could not not do this one,' Lauren said in a TikTok video after she saw the loaded fries trend circulating online.

In a plastic container, Lauren poured in the contents of a large fries and torn up pieces of chicken selects.

While chicken selects also aren't on the Australian menu, customers can swap them out for the take away giant's chicken bites.

How to make an Aussie version of the McDonald's loaded fries hack What to order Large fries

Double cheeseburger with extra pickles

Chicken McBites

Sweet 'n' Sour sauce

Big Mac Special Sauce Method Pour large fries and chicken McBites into a container Take apart the cheeseburger and scrape the onions, pickles and sauce on top of the fries Break the two burgers patties into small pieces and add to the container. Put the lid on the container and give it a shake to combine the fries, snacks and burger pieces Drizzle the two sauces over the top and enjoy Advertisement

'Then I got a double cheeseburger and I asked for extra pickles so this is the moment of truth,' Lauren said before discovering she had only been given four pickle slices.

She scraped the onions, sauce and pickles from the burger on top of the fries and broke the two patties into small bites.

'This is looking phenomenal, look how good that looks,' she said.

Lauren then added pieces of the cheesy mozzarella sticks to the mix and closed the container lid to give the fries a shake and combine them with the sides and burger pieces.

Finally, she tops the mixture with sweet and sour as well as curry sauces before tucking in.

'I cannot tell you how good this is, just amazing,' Lauren said rating the meal a 10 out of 10.

'I can see why this trend is going absolutely mad because it's crazy.'

Lauren's loaded fries hack amassed more than 4.3million views and sent foodies into a spin in the comments.

'My mouth is WATERING,' one woman replied.

'One thing I hardcore miss from the UK is the sweet curry sauce from McDonald's. We don't have it in Australia,' a second said.

'Why have I never thought about this?' asked a third.

'I will try this with a fries, Big Mac (cut up in tiny pieces with scissors), nuggets and lashings of Big Mac sauce,' a fourth wrote.
Shoppers have been sent into a spin after discovering a budget candle dupe of a popular a scent from a high end brand.

New Zealand brand Maison and Muse, which is currently stocked at Wooloworths, created a $25 version of Glasshouse Fragrance's Tahaa Affair which costs more than double the price.

Fragrance lover Danika, from Sydney, shared the find online telling followers to 'run' to Woolies to get their hands on the dupe before they all get snapped up.

Danika was shocked by how similar the Maison and Muse's Marilyn scent range was to Glasshouse's $54.95 Tahaa Affair calling it 'sweet and divine'.

Maison and Muse launched the Marilyn scent in December of 2021 across New Zealand stores but it has only just been made available to Australian shoppers.

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Shoppers have discovered Maison and Muse's $25 Marilyn candle (left) from Woolowrths that is a perfect dupe of Glasshouse's popular Tahaa Affair (right) scent which costs $54.95

'PSA to all my fellow Glasshouse girlies, yes we are in Woolies, and yes you read that right, we are on the hunt for the Tahaa dupe,' Danika said in a TikTok video as she searched the supermarket aisles.

She reminded viewers to check both fragrance sections in Woolworths before finding Maison and Muse's Marilyn and Diana scents in both a reed diffuser and candle.

Danika was 'genuinely shocked' when she smelled the Glasshouse dupe for the first time confirming it was just like the real thing.

The scent lines are inspired by Marylin Munroe and Princess Diana and are currently on special in Woolworths for $17 a candle down from $25.

'Now don't be confused, these guys are not just another basic dupe, another supermarket candle,' Danika said.

'If you actually go to (Maison and Muse's) website, you can find tailored mood boards cocktails and even Spotify playlists to pair these scents with when you take them home and burn them.'

Danika bought a Marilyn candle and Diana diffuser at full price before the special went into effect but only spent $50 which is $4.95 cheaper than one 380g Glasshouse candle.

'You will find them in Woolies across Australia and online as well so if you don't see them when you go in definitely head to the service counter and ask,' Danika explained.

'But otherwise jump online and hopefully you can find them there.'

TikToker Danika (pictured), from Sydney, 'genuinely shocked' when she smelled the Glasshouse dupe for the first time confirming it was just like the real thing

Danika bought a Marilyn candle and Diana diffuser at full price before the special went into effect but only spent $50 which is $4.95 cheaper than one 380g Glasshouse candle

Once at home, Danika opened and styled the candle and diffuser in her apartment.

'I can confirm Diana is a beautiful, beautiful fragrance, really refreshing compared to the Marilyn which is just sweet and divine like that Tahaa you're used to,' she said.

Her video racked up thousands of views and many said they were rushing to Woolworths to get their own Tahaa dupe.

'This TikTok just made me go to Woolies 15 minutes before closing. Candle secured,' one woman said.

'We LOVE Tahaa so I'll go check it out,' a second wrote and a third added: 'I have to try this!!'

Other were curious about how strong the scents were and wanted to know if they would fill their home.

Danika said the diffuser was 'super intense' and perfect for those looking for an 'extra hit' while the candle made her whole apartment smell 'nice' after a 'full burn'.
Hunter Dew was only four when he was hit by a car on April 8, 2012

A heartbroken mum has recalled the horrifying moment her toddler died after being hit by a car on a busy main road.

Hunter Dew was killed on Easter Sunday in 2012 after running onto Port Elliot Road in South Australia and was struck by an oncoming vehicle and dragged a few metres.

Mum Renee Cooper, now 41, sprinted to her little boy and screamed at the driver to call an ambulance.

Minutes before, the loving, energetic boy and his family were enjoying time together feeding ducks at Lakala Reserve and were on their way home.

Now Ms Cooper is an a mission to keep the lives of children safe by advocating for safer road restrictions and calling on people to think twice about their driving.

Mum Renee Cooper (pictured left) sadly lost her third child Hunter Dew (right) in a car accident after he ran onto a busy main road

Little Hunter Dew tragically died on Easter Sunday in 2012 after running onto Port Elliot Road in South Australia and was struck by an oncoming vehicle and dragged a few metres. Ms Cooper, now 41, sprinted to her little boy and screamed at the driver to call an ambulance

'It happened in a split second. I yelled telling him to stop but it happened so fast,' Ms Cooper said.

'I saw it all. He was hit and dragged up the road under the car because his hoodie got stuck on the front license plate.

'I remember running onto the road to him, just collapsed to the ground and sat beside him. My clothes were completely drenched in his blood.'

The driver got out of the car and Ms Cooper screamed at him to call an ambulance.

Paramedics nearby rushed to the devastating scene and tried to work on Hunter, but unfortunately it was too late. Hunter was gone.

The shocking scene left Ms Cooper in a 'zombie' state and she doesn't recall how long paramedics were there for or who called them.

'It's like living a nightmare but you feel as if you're gonna stop breathing because your heart might stop and give in to the pain,' she said.

'You can't compare losing a child to anything on Earth because it's that painful.'

A funeral was held for Hunter the following week and 'hundreds' of people from the community joined to mourn.

A month on it would've been his fifth birthday.

A month on it would've been Hunter's fifth birthday

Ms Cooper described Hunter as a 'very loving, happy' little boy who was 'always full of energy' and enjoyed playing with his siblings and cousins (pictured from left to right: Hunter with siblings Indiana, Wyatt and Madison)

At the start of Easter Sunday Ms Cooper woke up to Hunter running into her room excited to start eating chocolate.

'I love you mum!' he said as he jumped on the bed, and she said it back.

'He was excited about Easter celebrations and everything involved ... flash forward to later on in the day when the kids and I decided to go to the park before it started raining,' Ms Cooper told FEMAIL.

Little did she know what would unfold that day would change her life forever.

'In the spur of the moment we decided to go to the park and feed the ducks at the pond,' she said.

But when it started to rain Ms Cooper and her four kids sought shelter then decided to head back home.

The heartbroken mum described Hunter as a 'very loving, happy' little boy who was 'always full of energy' and enjoyed playing with his siblings and cousins.

His favourite thing to do was dress up as Buzz Lightyear or Spiderman and had just started kindergarten.

Ms Cooper also says the speed limit on the main road Hunter died on should reduced to 40km/h as she continues to advocate for road safety.

'If you're tired, drinking, on drugs or not a vigilant driver, don't get in the car,' she said.
A struggling single mum was moved to tears after a generous stranger gave her $50 to do her back-to-school shopping.

While the Queensland woman was picking up some groceries ahead of the school term starting again she was carefully adding everything up and checking the price of each item so she didn't go over budget.

A young girl came up to her and handed her a $50 saying it was a gift from her mum.

Completely taken aback by the unexpected gesture, she thought the girl was mistaken but started 'shaking and crying' when she realised she was in fact the correct recipient of the out-of-the-blue gift.

Hundreds were touched by the stranger's 'incredible' act of kindness as more families are feeling the pressure with skyrocketing costs of living.

A single mum was moved to tears after a generous stranger gave her $50 to go towards her back to school shopping as she was struggling to stick to her shoestring budget

'I had the most incredible thing happen to me today. I'm in Woolies Riverlink in Ipswich QLD getting a few things for back to school and I'm adding my shopping up on my calculator and checking the price of EVERYTHING,' the mum wrote in a Facebook post.

'Next a lovely little girl came up to me handing me a $50 and said 'My mummy wants to give you a gift', I said 'Thank you, have the wrong person, honey'.'

The young girl assured the woman she was the person her mum wanted to give the $50 to and ran off before she could say anything else.

'I looked up at her mum shaking and in tears and she gave me a nod and a thumbs up,' the woman said.

The woman was checking the price of every item during a shop when a young girl handed her a $50 note she said was from her mum (stock image)

'She had no idea just how much I needed this right now. Her kindness meant to the world to me.'

The mum shared the heart-warming story to the Australian single mums who budget and save Facebook group leaving one member to tears.

'Made me cry this lovely Sunday morning. Always gives hope to know there are some really wonderful people out there,' she said.

'There are some truly wonderful people in the world! You don't have to give someone $50 to make their day - any small kind gesture can change the course of someone's life,' a second agreed.

'Even a smile on a s*** day can make everything seem OK.'

'There are some absolute angels out there for sure!' a third wrote and another replied: 'Wow, that is truly incredible. Love this so much'.
Q I am in my early 50s and split from my husband two years ago. During our marriage, my sex life was very disappointing.

My ex had a lower sex drive than me, was very shy in the bedroom and unwilling to try new things.

As a result, sex (when we had it) would follow the same routine. I also got fed up having to initiate proceedings each time, only to be disappointed by the result.

While we tried to address this issue on several occasions, by the time we separated our marriage had been sexless for 12 years.

I feel that I am now ready for a new relationship and would love this to encompass a fulfilling sex life.

Q I am in my early 50s and split from my husband two years ago. During our marriage, my sex life was very disappointing. Stock image used

During our marriage, my sex life was very disappointing

However, the thought of having that physical closeness with someone new is really scary.

After being celibate for so long and having not had much sexual contact before that, I feel that this particular aspect of life has passed me by.

I don't even really understand what good sex is or how to have a relationship in which it's a key part.

A It is sad for you both that your marriage didn't survive. Being in a sexless relationship for so long may have left you with low self-esteem because it is hard to feel undesirable.

But this is not your fault  just unlucky circumstance. Sometimes couples do simply have very different sex drives which, sadly, can be a gap that is hard to bridge.

You say that your husband was very 'shy' in the bedroom, so I wonder if he was maybe brought up in a household where sex was considered dirty or wrong  something people didn't talk about or only did to have children. You probably do need to take it slowly. Some people might advise you to rush out and have some fun.

Being in a sexless relationship may have left you with low self-esteem

And while I think you should have fun too, it needs to be underpinned by trust, otherwise you might end up feeling quite hollow. So when you start dating again, aim initially for friendship and get to know and trust a man first.

The thought of having sex feels so scary at the moment partly because it is an abstract concept  not having a specific partner in mind. But once you make an emotional connection with someone you find attractive I am sure it will feel natural to take that next step.

It is important to tell your new partner of your worries and your sexual history. Be wary of anyone who tries to rush you into bed.

Any decent man who is worth your time (even if it doesn't work out long-term) will be happy to take it slowly  and make you feel safe and comfortable until you are ready. Unlike your first sexual encounters when you, and no doubt your partners, were younger and quite inexperienced, most men in their 50s are (hopefully) more sexually accomplished and better able to guide you into having a fabulous time, helping you to feel sexy again.

MY MANAGER HAS BEEN BULLYING ME

Q For over 12 years I've worked as a carer for an adult with multiple learning difficulties. My client's parents are amazing and treat me like family. However, I had a horrible experience with a new manager.

Recently my husband had to be rushed to hospital and I had to take time off with no notice. My client's family were so supportive and urged me to go and be with him.

(He is recovering well.)

However, I got a barrage of bullying texts from the new manager telling me I hadn't followed the company protocol and should be disciplined. I complained to higher management but they were no help. I was so upset that I felt like giving up my job  but

I could never let my client down. Fortunately, this new manager is now leaving (though I understand it's a promotion). But it has left me feeling very upset.

Q For over 12 years I've worked as a carer for an adult with multiple learning difficulties. Stock image used

A I am sorry that your manager treated you in this way when you were vulnerable and worried about your husband. I cannot stress this strongly enough: you do amazing work.

Being a carer is an unselfish job and it takes a special person to choose a career looking after others. It is awful that your boss subjected you to such a tirade and that you weren't listened to by a senior manager.

So contact a union for advice. I am not suggesting that you necessarily want to take any further action as I think that could be stressful.

But just being listened to about the unfair way you have been treated (and advice on what to do if such a thing happens again) will help you feel supported. They should know about a manager who behaves in this way and yet is promoted. See unison.org.uk/care-workers-your-rights

If you have a problem, write to Caroline West-Meads at YOU, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY, or email c.west-meads@mailonsunday.co.uk. You can follow Caroline on Twitter @Ask_Caroline_
Social media users left shocked at the discovery that smaller was deemed better

Video Ruby Reign posted explaining why they were has gone viral on TikTok

Statues like Zeus and Hercules were presented as having tiny members

White giants of marble, the epitome of male vigour set in stone for the adoration of men and women for thousands of years... or so they thought.

Their muscles may be big, but their (ahem) members are suprisngly small.

Statues of the Greek gods and heroes that survive to this day have left many wondering just how accurately they were carved to scale.

And, now a TikToker has explained exactly why these famous statues have such small penises , after people joked they are 'so glad' they were not born back 3,000 years ago.

Ruby Reign, who goes by @rubysaysstuff on TikTok, has done some digging, and discovered why hulking statues of Zeus and Hercules were so presented so modestly down below.

The social media star found herself scratching her head after noticing this and that the Hellenes depicted appendages differently to how we do today.

In the video, which has garnered 3.5 million views and 409,000 likes, Ms Reign asks: 'Have you ever wondered why so many of the ancient Greek statues have colossal muscular physiques, and yet a tiny package?

'Well, I have, so I did some digging.'

TikToker Ruby Reign, who goes by @rubysaysstuff, shared a video on the social media site explaining exactly why Antient Greeks were depicted to have small penises

Statue of the Greek God Zeus in late afternoon sunlight, in the Piazza Delle Signoria, Florence, Italy. The TikTok star explained that in antient Greece, having a 'smaller package was considered a sign of virtue'

In showing an image of a Hydria, an antient Greek pot that was used for carrying water, she explained that the mythical creature seen, Satyr, 'was depicted as barbaric and having a huge c**k'

She continued to say that she found a quote from a Greek playwright called Aristophanes, who was a comedy-writer of ancient Athens, that stated the ideal of male beauty was 'a gleaming chest, bright skin, broad shoulders, tiny tongue, strong buttocks and a tiny p***k.'

Meanwhile, larger appendages were still depicted by the antient Greeks, but more so rather negatively.

In showing an image of a Hydria, an antient Greek pot that was used for carrying water, Ms Reign explained that 'what you see illustrated here is Satyr, a mythological Greek creature that was depicted as barbaric and having a huge c**k.'

But she continued to say that: 'What I wasn't aware of was that the Greeks often presented their enemies, the Egyptians, the Satyr creatures, and even fools in comedies as having large appendages.

'So it was quite a negative thing to have, which is quite different today.

'So actually, what I discovered was that big D's bad and small D's good in ancient Greece. But why was this? This is obviously different to today.'

In sharing another video on the social media site, Ms Reign explained that in antient Greece, having a 'smaller package was considered a sign of virtue, of civility, or self control or discipline.

'Meanwhile, having a bigger one was a sign of lustfulness, of gluttonous appetites and barbarism, which is quite interesting because it's different to today.'

However, social media users have been left shocked at the discovery that smaller was deemed as better, whereas today, Ms Reign says, that people think bigger is better.

Ruby Reign has shared a video on TikTok, explaining exactly why antient Greek statues such as Zeus (left) and Hercules (right) were all presented as having tiny members

The social media star found herself scratching her head after noticing this and that the Hellenes depicted appendages differently to how we do today

One person commented: 'I think Im starting to like the people of Ancient Greece.'

While another said: 'I think I have Greek genes.'

And a third put: 'This sounds like societal reasoning, they may have not considered size a factor in prowess at all like we do today.'

And a fourth wrote: 'I'd argue its because we now value barbarism, lustfulness and depravity.'

Another said: 'I always found that the statues had decidedly average packages.'

While one person jokingly wrote: 'Thank god I wasnt born back then. I would have been labelled a demon,' as another said: 'Seems Ive got the peak male physique.'

A second also put: 'Thank God I wasn't born then I would have been a demon.'

Another humorously wrote: 'I have something in common with Zues and Hercules.'

Ms Reign concluded to say that these changing depictions go to show that our beauty standards and ideals in the modern world are all social constructs, and that we should 'not get bogged down feeling bad about ourselves because of what society tells us.'
She said it was important to check in with others to ask whether they are okay

The rapid pace of modern life means the odd ignored text or angry outburst over an expensive bill can go unnoticed.

But subtle changes in a loved one could be a sign that your friend is struggling with mental health problems, according to Dr Thema Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association.

She said that everyone carries stress differently and explained seven signs that suggest you should check in on your friend  even if the changes seem innocuous.

Pictured above are seven warning signs that your friend may need your help. These are indicators and the list is by no means exhaustive

About 26 percent of Americans suffer from a mental health disorder, estimates suggest. But there are signs that this level may be rising nationwide.

Just this week the CDC reported suicide had become the second leading cause of death for under-35s.

They did not give a reason for this, but experts have previously blamed it on the economic and psychological fallout from the pandemic.

Being slow to respond to texts

Dr Bryant told DailyMail.com one of the most common signs someone is struggling emotionally is when they start to close themselves off.

This can include simple signs such as taking longer to respond to texts or meeting up with friends less often.

'If you haven't heard from them for a while or if usually they are responsive but now they are not responding. [You can see] the change based on text frequency.'

She explained: 'If they were usually someone where they responded within a day whereas now over a day has passed, or within an hour and now several hours have passed, that marks a change from what would have been your normal level of communication.'

People may self-isolate when they are depressed as a coping mechanism, allowing them to have more control over their lives, or because they are feeling overwhelmed.

Picking at skin, hair or nails

Another warning sign that all is not well could be regularly picking at skin, hair or nails.

Experts say the repetitive behavior is often driven by a sense of tension or anxiety that is relieved by picking.

Skin picking is a medically recognized condition, named dermatillomania. An estimated one in 20 people may have the condition at some point in their lives.

Dr Thema said people may start picking areas of their body because they 'don't have the word for naming their distress and so they are expressing it physically'.

Many people pick their bodies, but signs that someone is picking because of emotions may be that they do it without realizing or that it happens when they feel angry or stressed.

The picking may also end up causing cuts, bleeding or bruising, or someone may be picking at moles, freckles or spots to 'smooth' them out.

Self-defeating talk

It can be tempting to overlook a downcast comment from a friend while you're enjoying a coffee or a meal out.

But Dr Thema urged people to sit up and take notice of comments like 'why would anyone hire me'.

She told DailyMail.com emotionally troubled friends may say something like, 'Oh, why would anyone hire me' or 'No one wants to date me because I'm the worst'.

'[It's] when people indicate a sense of hopelessness or powerlessness, a feeling that things would never get better.

'They might have also lost pleasure in things that they used to enjoy, but don't anymore.'

Pets or children terrified of them

If someone's child or pet appears to be frightened of them, this could actually suggest that they are struggling emotionally.

Dr Thema said that when people are stressed or feel like they've hit a dead end they tend to bottle up their emotions and then take them out on those closest to them.

'Some may take out their frustration on other people or even on their pet,' she told DailyMail.com.

'Mistreating a pet or child may be because, let's say, at work they are feeling powerless and stressed out and they come home and take out all that frustration on family members.

'Someone's dog or cat looking afraid in a way that doesn't seem good [can also be a sign].'

She said that in many situations people will avoid saying anything, thinking to themselves 'their family, their business'.

But if you are close enough with someone, it is worth pointing out that there is another way to handle what they are going through.

Sudden weight loss or weight gain

Dr Thema said a more common warning sign of mental health problems can be a sudden weight fluctuation.

Depressed people may start eating less because of negative emotions or a loss of interest in activities they enjoy.

Conversely, they may also eat more to cope with emotions and because they have become less active.

Are overbearing parents to blame for explosion in child mental problems? Overbearing parents are driving an explosion in mental health problems among children, a study suggests. A Florida research team found parents' good intentions were depriving their children of essential time to play, roam and engage in activities independently. In an analysis of 80 studies, researchers found children have been left with less independent playtime since the 1970s, corresponding with a sharp rise in depression and anxiety over that period. Now, nine in ten school administrators now saying their students are battling moderate or severe mental health challenges. Dr David Bjorklund, a psychologist at Florida Atlantic University, just north of Miami, who led the research, said: 'Parents today are regularly subject to messages about the dangers that might befall unsupervised children and the value of high achievement in school. 'But they hear little of the countervailing messages that if children are to grow up well-adjusted, they need ever-increasing opportunities for independent activity. '[This includes] self-directed play and meaningful contributions to family and community life, which are signs that they are trusted, responsible and capable.' Advertisement

Dr Thema said: 'I have had a number of people who lost weight when they were depressed and everyone kept complementing them, so it was really hard for them when they had all this positive affirmation.

'At the same time, weight gain can be triggered by depression. So, instead of a response with compassion, it becomes a put-down, so really that person is already struggling and then they have more on top.'

Hoarding 'clutter'

Stacking up items at home could also be another sign someone is struggling emotionally, Dr Thema said.

This can include items that may give them comfort, security or a sense of control, like clothes, books or sentimental items.

Hoarding can be a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult emotions, Dr Thema said, or it may provide a sense of relief from negative feelings.

Suddenly snapping at small things

If a friend has a sudden angry outburst over small things like an expensive bill, it may be a sign they are struggling emotionally.

Dr Thema said you could spot an angry snap when someone appeared to have an out-of-proportion rage response to something relatively minor.

She said this could also include children taking too long to tie their shoelaces.

What should I do for a friend who is struggling?

If you have been reading the above and noted that one of your friends may need help, Dr Thema said there are several things you can do.

First of all, she said it was important to calmly check in on a friend without making assumptions.

She told DailyMail.com: 'You could say, you know, "oh I usually hear from you and you didn't respond so I just wanted to check in and see if everything is ok",' she said.

'If it really is nothing and they have a busy day, they will just say that. If it's nothing, the person will say I have this work day and that, you didn't offend them you just asked.

'But if it is a bit more serious, they may let you know.'

Should a friend indicate there is something more serious happening, then there are a number of things you can do.

This includes listening to their problems without judgment, being there for them and also offering acts of kindness.

Dr Thema said this could include buying a meal for them. For example, you could ring one day and say you are ordering in and also want to get them something because you know what a difficult time they are having.

If they have children, this could also include offering childcare, or if they have lost their job, this could be referring them for a new one.

What if this describes me?

If you have read the above and thought 'oh god, that's me', Dr Thema said you shouldn't panic.

'If you notice you are stressed or potentially depressed or overwhelmed, I want to say the first step is the acknowledgment.

'So many of us are so busy taking care of other people or our professional responsibilities, but just being aware of I'm exhausted, that's the first step.'

Tips she offered to help with negative feelings included carving time out for yourself to relax during the day.

Other strategies include not working late into the night or being on social media late in the evening and keeping a consistent sleep schedule.

Exercise can also help to boost mood, she said, including doing it in a group as it gives you a chance to mix with others.
Botox is a prescription only drug with strict rules on how it is advertised in Britain

A Turkish hospital is offering Brits free Botox in an attempt lure them to get budget 'mummy makeovers' in what campaigners say is a 'new low' in preying on women's insecurities.

Ads linked to the Egemed Hospitals, a cosmetic and weight loss surgery clinic in Soke in western Turkey, have been uploaded to social media to tempt British women to go under the knife.

One ad from the clinic, featuring a woman holding a baby, invites women to 'refresh' themselves with 4,200 'mummy makeover'.

To sweeten the deal, the clinic is also offering a 'gift' of three treatments of Botox. But it doesn't mention any of the associated risks from the prescription-only drug.

This Egemed Hospitals ad spotted on Facebook Marketplace offers a 'mummy makeover' for 4,200 and offers a gift of three treatments of Botox to sweeten the deal

Another ad, this time posted on Facebook directly repeats the offer

Botox is a prescription only medication in the UK, meaning it is forbidden from being featured in advertisements or being used in promotional offers to Brits.

Campaigners for safer cosmetic surgery told this website such ads were preying on the insecurities of new mothers and that more must be done to protect Brits from these kind of exploitative marketing tactics.

But UK advertising regulators said their hands are tied in many cases such as these, as they cannot act against companies based overseas.

It comes as increased scrutiny piles on how Brits are being lured to undergo risky cosmetic surgery overseas following the death of British woman died during a weight loss op in Turkey.

At least 22 Brits are known to have died in the plastic and weight-loss surgery hub since 2019  either during or shortly after procedures there.

WHAT IS BOTOX? Botox injections relax the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. It's not permanent  it usually lasts for around 3 months. In the UK, the cost of Botox injections can vary from about 100 to 350 for each treatment, depending on the clinic and the area being treated. Botox injections for cosmetic reasons are not available on the NHS. The procedure, which usually only lasts 10 minutes, involves having botulinum toxin injected into the face muscles using a very fine needle. It then takes around two to three days to start working and up to three weeks to see the full effect. Side effects include, headaches, a frozen look, weakness in the face and bruising, swelling and redness where the needles went into the skin. However, Botox can also be used to treat medical conditions. These include abnormal contractions of the eye, conditions that cause muscle pain and stiffness such as cerebral palsy  and excessive sweating. Source: NHS Advertisement

Dozens more have required corrective surgery upon return to the UK, costing the taxpayer millions and taking up precious NHS resources.

Turkey has been labelled the 'capital of butchery' by some campaigners, with operations there costing just a fraction of the equivalent in the UK.

Dawn Knight, of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, a body dedicated to promoting good practise in the cosmetic industry, told MailOnline that the ads and offer of free Botox were a ploy designed to prey on new mothers' insecurities.

'It's a psychological ploy, it's piling on pressure on new mothers who are already under so much strain,' she said.

She added that so-called 'mummy makeovers' often required extensive and sometimes risky operations all at the same time.

'The fact that the adverts have young women holding young babies implies you should be having this treatment soon after [giving birth], which is just terrible and a new low,' she said.

Ms Knight called for the social media giants hosting ads that promote prescription-only medications to do more against the companies and individuals posting them.

She added that the Government should also be more proactive in warning Brits about the dangers of going under the knife for budget surgery overseas.

Complimentary Botox is a common feature on many other ads bearing the Egemed Hospitals branding including those for weight loss surgeries and Brazilian Butt Lifts.

Other similar Egemed Hospitals ads also tout how they offer VIP transfers and luxury hotel stays as part of their treatment package alongside the free Botox.

Botox is a brand name for Botulinum toxin injections, which are used to relax muscles in face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. They can cost upwards of 100 in the UK.

It is a prescription-only medication in the UK which makes it illegal to advertise or be used in promotions.

An Advertising Standards Agency spokesperson said their remit only covers ads that are paid for specifically to target British consumers directly such as through targeted ads on social media.

Campaigners have called such marketing tactics a 'new low' that exploits the pressures new mums can experience post-childbirth

The free Botox offer is repeated for other procedures offered by the hospital such the a gastric sleeve weight loss procedure

A free Botox treatment is also offered with a Brazilian Butt Lift in this advertisement

Read more: Fury as Transport for London is caught advertising cut-price cosmetic ops in Turkey in wake of death of 28-year-old British woman who flew out for gastric band Transport for London (TfL), under control of London's Mayor, has been running adverts for Ekol International Hospitals in Izmir, on the west coast of Turkey, offering breast aesthetic surgery (pictured above) Advertisement

While this can include businesses that are based abroad that pay for such advertising, so-called 'organic marketing' which are unpaid posts on social media are governed by the country in which the business is registered.

The risks of Botox treatments are small when performed correctly but, like any procedure, having a drug injected into the face is not risk free.

People can have their face 'frozen' if too much toxin is injected at one time, have areas of their face 'droop', experience blurred or double vision, and even breathing difficulties following injections.

Complaints over non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including Botox, recently hit a record high in the UK.

And Turkey was recently the site of a botulism scare triggered by the injections being used in a form of weight-loss treatment.

The condition, caused by toxins produced by bacteria that make-up the drug, can lead to paralysis if not treated urgently.

A so-called 'mummy makeover' is not a specific surgery but a package of operations designed to change parts of the female body, like the breasts, stomach, thighs, and genitals that have changed, or are perceived to have changed, following pregnancy and childbirth

British surgeons are growing concerned that the NHS is helping subsidise poor care overseas, with the bill costing the taxpayer an estimated 4.8million over the last four years

Cosmetic procedures in Turkey often go at bargain basement prices compared to their British counterparts. Turkey and UK prices have been sourced from multiple websites (model is a stock image)

From 'extreme' liposuction to so-called 'virginity-repair' surgery, there are a number of cosmetic procedures British surgeons steer clear of. But the same, risky procedures are still offered abroad, including in Turkey

The Egemed Hospitals version includes breast surgery, a tummy tuck, and two areas of liposuction.

As specific surgeries included in each 'mummy makeover' are tailored to what a woman specifically requests, price comparisons are difficult. But the more extensive packages in the UK can cost upwards of 10,000.

Egemed Hospitals was contacted for comment.

This 'new low' comes amid increasing concerns about Brits endangering themselves by going to 'budget' surgery clinics in Turkey.

While operations are not inherently riskier in Turkey some surgeons in the country will perform procedures deemed too dangerous or unethical in Britain.

Others will skimp on aftercare, according to campaigners and some surviving patients, which can leave people vulnerable to dangerous complications.

Earlier this month, MailOnline revealed the family of Carol Keenan, 54, who died after Brazilian Butt Lift surgery in Turkey, are still battling to get the results of her autopsy more than 11 months on.

Ms Keenan paid 7,000 to undergo the buttock enhancement procedure and a tummy tuck at a private hospital in Istanbul.

She also accepted an offer to get free abdominal muscle repair surgery shortly before she was taken into the operating theatre.

But Ms Keenan of Glenrothes, Fife, collapsed and died before she was due to have a final check up and fly home, just six days after her surgery.
The sex and drugs scandal at the CBI has raised so many questions.

The organisation claims to be 'the voice of business', but what exactly does this mean  and what would that sound like?

Are the orotund pronouncements of FTSE 100 grandees the voice of business? The social media musings of Elon Musk or Matt Moulding? Is the voice of women in business being heard at all?

When female Footsie chief executives are subjected to sexist heckling from shareholders at their agms, you have to ask.

The CBI sounds like a throwback to the 1960s when business largely meant British-owned manufacturing dominated by white men. We now have a diverse business landscape with growing numbers of female and minority ethnic entrepreneurs.

Moving in the right direction?: The CBI sounds like a throwback to the 1960s when business largely meant British-owned manufacturing dominated by white men

Even before recent events, it looked like a stretch to claim that the CBI could speak for the kaleidoscope of UK firms in 2023.

The immediate question is whether members will quit. A more pertinent question, perhaps, is whether anyone would pay to join the CBI as a new member after this.

Why, if you are the 35-year-old female founder of a tech unicorn, for instance, would you subscribe? For the contacts? Not when you have your pick of networking events in chic venues and no need to be seen dead on the CBI rubber chicken circuit?

Another important question is why, in this age of woke-ism, sexual harassment and assault of women remains so prevalent in the workplace? The alleged behaviour at the CBI is disgusting, but not a one-off. Harassment and assault of women and gay men are found in many places, including Parliament  remember 'Pestminster'?

Trades unions have had their share. The Labour peer Lady [Helena] Kennedy recently published a horrifying report into alleged harassment and bullying at the TSSA transport union.

She found that women were subjected to sexual assaults, inappropriate and sexual touching, and coercive and manipulative behaviour over many years.

McDonald's, the fast food chain, was in February forced to sign a legal commitment with the equality watchdog in the UK to protect its female staff against sexual harassment after more than 1,000 complaints.

This widespread oppression and mistreatment of women at work is appalling.

As for the CBI's members, their reluctance to sever ties or speak out is probably down to worries that similar things are happening in their own organisation. Yet their silence risks being interpreted as a refusal to stand up for women's right to be safe at work.

Victims of sexual harassment or assault often fear reporting it to their employer, and this can be with good reason. The fear is they will be met with wilful blindness, attempts to exonerate the culprit, or even be blamed themselves.

Installing a female boss, as the CBI has now done, is a positive move but will not of itself solve the problem. Tony Danker, who was ousted last week for conduct that fell short of expectations, was preceded as director general by Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, a highly respected businesswoman.

But a tiny handful of women at the top cannot hope to overturn a deep-seated and widespread toxic culture.

The most difficult questions for the CBI are these: why did it seemingly fail to hear the women on its own staff, who describe such awful experiences? Why did it fail to protect them, to the extent they felt impelled to go public?

No organisation in the 21st century can credibly claim to be the voice of business if it does not listen to the voice of women.
Americans are 'voting with their feet' and waving goodbye to eye-watering taxes, high living costs and bad job prospects in Democrat-leaning areas for better deals in red states, experts told DailyMail.com.

Recent data from the US Census Bureau show how such states as New York, Illinois, and Hawaii saw their populations shrink between 2021 and 2022, while Florida, Texas, Montana, and South Dakota saw big population gains.

A similar pattern plays out at the county level. Arizona's Maricopa County was the fastest-growing in the US, adding 56,831 residents in 2022, a gain of 1.3 percent against 2021.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County, California, posted a loss of 90,704 people.

Mark Perry, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank, said the overall population drift was from Democrat-run states to mostly Republican-administered boomtowns in the South and West of the country.

America's overall population drift has been from liberal-leaning states to mostly boomtowns in the South and West of the country

America is on the move: often away from inner-city scenes of deprivation, like this makeshift encampment for homeless people in San Francisco, California

A tranquil scene of a resident in a hammock looking at the growing skyline of Saint Petersburg, Florida, one of America's fastest-growing states

'Americans are moving from blue states that are more economically stagnant, fiscally unhealthy states with higher tax burdens and unfriendly business climates with higher energy and housing costs and fewer economic and job opportunities,' Perry said.

They're opting for 'fiscally sound red states that are more economically vibrant, dynamic and business-friendly, with lower tax and regulatory burdens, lower energy, and housing costs and more economic and job opportunities.'

The five counties which lost the most residents are all located in high-tax states, namely California, Illinois, and New York. They have also been wracked by homelessness, drug taking and high rents and living costs.

California is the epicenter of America's homelessness crisis. About a third of the entire US homeless population  171,521 people  is in California, and Los Angeles hosts around 65,000 of them.

By contrast, counties experiencing the largest influx of people were in Arizona, Texas, and Florida, where taxes are significantly lower. The destination areas typically have more affordable housing and fewer problems like crime and vagrancy.

According to the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit policy group, Florida, Texas, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Nevada, are especially attractive to arrivals because they do not levy taxes on workers' wages.

At the other end, California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon, are losing people because of their double-digit income tax rates, which wage earners have to pay on top of their federal and local taxes.

People also move around to overcome rising living costs  and the biggest expense for most people is rent.

According to RentCafe, an apartment listing service, the most affordable states in the US are Oklahoma, where the average renter spends $957 per month, Arkansas ($987 per month) and North Dakota ($1,011 per month).

America's most expensive states to rent an apartment are Massachusetts ($2,632 per month), New York ($2,552 per month) and California ($2,506 per month)  states that are seeing population declines.

Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has been shrinking, as residents relocate from a city that has been dogged by scenes like this of homelessness and drug abuse on the street

Meanwhile, parts of the South and West are steadily gaining population. Pictured: Construction in the rapidly growing downtown of Saint Petersburg, Florida

William Frey (left), a population expert at the Brookings Institution, Mark Perry (center), an economist at the American Enterprise Institute, and Ray La Raja, a political science professor, have spoken about population shifts

Some Americans relocate for political reasons.

Republican-run states tend to be more socially conservative, which appeals to people who share those values, and want to live in an area that restricts abortions and makes it easier to own firearms.

America's internal migration trends could affect the outcome of future elections. Electoral boundaries are continually being redrawn as populations change.

Texas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon gained Electoral College votes as a result of the 2020 Census.

Meanwhile, California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia lost voting clout.

Some of America's fastest-growing counties are in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Newcomers to those areas may appreciate the warmer climes, but may not realize they've moved to areas experiencing drought, dwindling water supplies and other effects of climate change.

Population shifts are driven by migration, both within the US and due to arrivals from overseas. It also depends on how many babies are being born, how many people die, and how long they live.

William Frey, a population expert at the Brookings Institution, a Washington DC-based think tank, said the flight from big cities that began at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic could be starting to reverse.

Philadelphia, St Louis and Pittsburgh continue to see their population shrink, Frey told DailyMail.com.

A long line of people wait for holiday jobs in New York City. The high cost of living and above-average taxes make many people think twice about living in the Big Apple

A homeless man in his tent with a river view in Portland, Oregon, where residents complain about vagrancy, crime, and drugs aong other social problems

About a third of the entire US homeless population  171,521 people  are in California. That includes more than half of the country's unsheltered homeless population, 115,491 people.

'But in many of the large metros that suffered great declines  especially Manhattan and San Francisco  the new data indicate that the previous year's sharp declines in the prime pandemic year were a blip,' he added.

When the latest figures were released at the end of last month, the US Census Bureau noted how counties that are home to big colleges and universities which hollowed out in the pandemic were coming back to life.

Whitman County, in southeastern Washington, which is home to Washington State University, saw its population plummet by 9.6 percent at between 2020 and 2021 at the start of the pandemic.

Last year, however, it rebounded with a 10.1 percent population bump as students returned to the campus, which dominates the city of Pullman.

Massachusetts, a high-tax Democrat-led state that has lost people in recent years, could face a 'brain drain' in the coming years as educated workers flee the state's high living costs and progressive politics, researchers found.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll this month found that four in 10 Massachusetts residents had considered relocating from the state this past year, and more than half of its Republican-voting residents felt that way.

'Massachusetts residents continue to contemplate moving from the state, with the top concern the high cost of living,' said political science professor Ray La Raja, a co-director of the poll.

'Moreover, it is younger people and the more educated who are more likely to think of leaving the state, groups that the state cannot afford to lose for its future.'
The pandemic was harder than most on migrant twins Roni and Ramsin Shawka, who gained national notoriety for driving across locked down New South Wales as removalists after testing positive to Covid at the height of the 'Delta' outbreak.

Within days, they'd gone from unknown removalists trying to earn a living for their family in western Sydney, to becoming the state's most notorious men - a circus which ended in the devastating loss of their mother to the virus.

But nearly two years later, their fortunes have turned around, with both finding happiness and marrying their partners in glamorous ceremonies.

Ramsin wed his now-wife Silvia in November last year, and brother Roni tied the knot last month.

'We are very happy, it's going very well,' his wife Maryana told Daily Mail Australia.

Roni shared a video of himself grinning as he was driven to the ceremony in a Maserati.

But his late mother has never been far from his mind and he honoured her memory at his wedding with a portrait of her placed on a chair near the altar.

He regularly shares images of her on social media.

'There is no taste for life without you, my mother, I love you,' he captioned one picture of the pair of them together.

In one of Australia's bizarre Covid-era moments, in July 2021, the then 28-year-old twins faced the prospect of jail time and hefty fines for their illegal road trip.

Roni Shawka (pictured, right) married his fiance Maryana (left) last month

The ceremony honoured Mr Shawka's late mother, Saeeda, who died after contracting the Delta strain of Covid-19 in July 2021

Ramsin Shawka (pictured, right) married Silvia in November last year

Just 48 hours after they were charged by police over their health order breach, amid a tidal wave of public outrage, their mother, 54-year-old Saeeda, tragically died from the virus.

In heartbreaking scenes, the twins, who moved from Iraq to Australia with their parents, were forced to isolate in a parked car outside the family home while undertakers removed their beloved mother's body.

Roni proposed to Iraqi-born Maryana last year on a patch of grass overlooking the Harbour Bridge that was laid with a red carpet, bouquets of roses, sparklers, champagne on ice and a sign saying 'marry me'.

Maryana shared a five-minute-long professional video of the proposal on social media, complete with drone footage and lingering shots of the pair embracing one another.

Roni (pictured) was driven to his wedding ceremony last month in a Maserati

He proposed to his girlfriend Maryana (left) in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge in November last year

Roni (pictured, right) has documented his married life on social media, including a helicopter tour

Last year, the loved-up couple even got their names tattooed to each other's wrists.

Roni has since documented their married life together on Instagram, sharing pictures of them on trips to the Sea World theme park in Queensland, an indoor sky-diving experience and a helicopter tour.

At the time of their illegal road trip, Greater Sydney was under strict lockdown and public health orders stipulated all positive cases must isolate immediately.

The pair had been tested just before leaving Sydney but had pressed on with the delivery immediately instead of isolating while they waited for the result.

The Shawkas gained national notoriety of their work trip in July 2021 when Australia was battling to contain the highly contagious Indian Delta strain

The twin brothers were forced to isolate in a car outside their family home as undertakers removed their mother's body

TIMELINE OF RONI AND RAMSIN SHAWKA'S TRAGIC COVID TALE THAT DIVIDED AUSTRALIA July 15, 2021: The removalist twins travel around NSW on a work trip after Roni tested positive for deadly delta strain July 16: Police intercept the removalists in Molong, near Orange. They are escorted to their Green Valley family home to isolate for 14 days July 19: Saeeda, the twins' 54-year-old mother, dies after contracting Covid-19. The twins are forced to isolate in a car outside the family home as undertakers remove their mother's body August 6: Heartbroken brothers wearing covid-secure masks and gloves bury their mother alongside only eight other family members as hundreds pay their respects online November 24: The twins are convicted, fined and sentenced to a one-year community corrections order by a magistrate but spared jail because of their poor English and their mother's tragic death Advertisement

And when NSW Health phoned to tell Roni he had tested positive and needed to isolate immediately, his poor English had meant he did not understand.

Ramsin and co-worker Maryo Shanki, 21, were also later confirmed Covid positive.

Police eventually tracked down their truck in Molong, near Orange, 300km north west of Sydney, and pulled it over to stop them infecting anyone else.

However, back home in Sydney, the pair had given Covid to their mother, 54-year-old Saeeda.

She became seriously ill and died from the disease at home just a couple of days later.

In heartbreaking scenes, the brothers - who were still in isolation - were forced to watch the family tragedy unfold from inside a sealed car outside the home.

In addition to her Covid diagnosis, grieving family members attributed Mrs Shawka's sudden death to the 'shock' of the punishment faced by her boys, her neighbours said.

'The shock of learning her boys were fined $22,000, that's what did it (killed Mrs Shawka),' one neighbour said.

'That and just the heartbreak of seeing her sons faces all over the news. The fear of being spat at in public, of being shamed. All over a mistake.'

A funeral for their mother took place with just 10 people under strict lockdown conditions almost three weeks later after the twins were freed from isolation.

In November they were fined $1,100 each for not complying with a COVID-19 notice direction and ordered to pay NSW Police another $2,000 in decontamination cleaning fees for the vehicle used in arresting them.

They faced possible prison sentences for putting the community at 'extreme risk', but Orange Local Court Magistrate David Day said he took mercy on them because of their poor English and their mother's death.

Incredibly though, the court heard NSW Health believed no-one else outside of their immediate family had been infected by their run into country NSW.

The funeral for their mother (pictured) took place with just 10 people under strict lockdown conditions almost three weeks later after the twins were freed from isolation
Major retailers in the US have been forced to shut down stores due to millions of dollars in losses as rampant theft plagues big box stores across the country.

This week, Walmart announced it will shut down four of its stores in Chicago just weeks after America's biggest employer shuttered its only stores in Portland.

It comes as shoplifting reaches alarming levels and other large retailers, including Target, Macy's and Best Buy, are now making good on threats to shutter outlets if petty crime was not lowered.

In 2021 retailers lost a combined $94.5billion to shrink, a term used to describe theft and other types of inventory loss. And organized retail crime incidents soared by 26.5 per cent in the same year, according to the 2022 National Retail Security Survey.

Along with brazen daylight thefts, self-checkouts have also made it easier for people to walk out without paying for items.

Progressive district attorneys in cities like Chicago, New York, Portland and California have also been blamed for effectively legalizing shoplifing with either not prosecuting thefts under $950, or letting criminals off with a slap on the wrist.

Here DailyMail.com lists all the big box stores which have been forced to close their doors after being savaged by rising theft.

Major retailers in the US have been forced to shut down stores due to millions of dollars in losses as rampant theft plagues big box stores across the country

Walmart

Walmart decided to shut 17 of its stores across nine states after CEO Doug McMillon warned in December that theft was the highest it's ever been around the country and if it did not slow down, stores would have to close.

And the company announced on Tuesday it would be shutting half its Chicago stores, mostly located on the crime-ridden city's south and west sides, because they are losing tens of millions each year.

CEO Doug McMillon warned in December that theft was the highest it's ever been around the country

The stores on Stewart Avenue, South Cottage Grove Avenue, North Broadway and West Cermak Road had 'not been profitable' for several years, even after efforts to turn them around, according to a statement released on their website.

Chicago's closings come just weeks after Walmart closed its last two stores in Portland, Oregon at the Delta Park and Eastport Plaza shopping centers in March, due to significant losses.

Portland is widely-viewed as America's most progressive and permissive city, with crime spiraling out of control there and murders hitting an all-time high in 2022.

Other Walmart stores throughout the U.S. which have closed or are set to close, are in Washington on Highway 99 in Everett, in Minnesota on Shingle Creek Crossing and in Wisconsin on West Silver Spring Drive.

A store on Portage Road in Indiana, in Hawaii on Fort Street, San Mateo Boulevard in New Mexico, 99 H Street in D.C. and two stores on Howell Mill Road and M.L.K. Jr Drive in Atlanta.

It also closed a further two in Illinois on South Halsted Street and South Route 59.

The big box chain has been closing a handful of stores annually in recent years, always citing the location 'underperforming.'

The retail behemoth is also closing two stores in Illinois and Arkansas that were 'pick-up only' and two 'neighborhood market' concepts in Florida and Texas.

Target

Target revealed it lost an extraordinary $400million in profits last November due to organized gangs of shoplifters who had been stealing merchandise from its stores.

And its CFO said the company expected retail thefts to reach $600million by the end of the year.

Now the retailer has announced it is closing four stores in three cities in the coming months.

Stores on Baltimore Ave in Maryland, West Lake Street in Minnesota, Chestnut Street in Pennsylvania and South Washington Street in Virginia are all affected.

All four smaller-format stores were rolled out about 10 years ago as a way to reach customers in more urban areas and will close on May 13.

Although the company cited declining foot traffic as the main reason for the closures and a spokesman for Target said: 'The decision to close one of our stores isnt something we take lightly.'

Target has announced it is closing four stores in three cities in the coming months after it lost an extraordinary $400million in profits last November due to organized gangs of shoplifters

Walgreens

Walgreens has previously complained about retail shrinkage largely due to organized shop lifting last year and spent money on extra security measures including glass panels and security guards as preventative measures.

But its chief financial officer James Kehoe came out earlier this year and said 'maybe we cried too much last year when we were hitting numbers that were 3.5 per cent of sales'

But its chief financial officer James Kehoe came out earlier this year and said 'maybe we cried too much last year when we were hitting numbers that were 3.5 per cent of sales'.

This figure is now down to around 2.5 per cent and they are 'quite happy' with where they are.

High-profile incidents in San Francisco - where thieves were filmed walking out of stores with armfuls of stolen goods while security guards stood helpless - seemed emblematic of the issues facing the retailer.

And there have indeed been a number of closures, with five alone in San Francisco in fall 2021.

Walgreens closed a store in Chicago in January and three last month on Grand Avenue in Texas and South Orange Blossom Trail and South Orange Avenue in Florida.

Walgreens previously complained about retail shrinkage largely due to organized shop lifting and spent money on extra security measures including glass panels and security guards

Macy's

Shopping mall staple Macy's is closing four stores in the first quarter of 2023, with malls in California, Colorado, Hawaii and Maryland losing out.

It experienced a rise in theft across its stores which was an 'industrywide trend', according to CEO Jeff Gennette

The closures are part of Macy's three-year plan to close 125 locations as an increase in organized retail crimes cuts into the profits of businesses.

Its CEO Jeff Gennette said it has experienced a rise in theft across its stores and that it was an 'industrywide trend'.

'These are crime levels we havent seen before,' he said.

He announced new anti-theft measures in March to target the thieves and reduce their losses.

The company now uses radio frequency ID tags to accurately track its inventory and it has hired more security guards and locked high-value products with cables and censors.

Department stores are already struggling due to the boom in internet shopping and Macy's - which also owns upmarket sister rival Bloomingdale's - are keen to slash avoidable losses where possible.

More than a dozen looters (pictured) were captured on surveillance footage stealing about $10,000 in merchandise from Macy's Herald Square store in New York City. Two men, one with a bat and another with a hammer, are seen trying to bust the glass doors of the store

Within a matter of seconds, the group of men (pictured) are seen running inside the store

Best Buy

Best Buy CEO Corie Barry highlighted the growing problem with theft at its stores back in November 2021.

The big box retailer sells very high value gadgets including computers, TVs and phones - many of which are smaller in size but high in value, making them prime targets for shoplifters.

Its CEO Corie Barry highlighted the growing problem with theft at its stores back in November 2021

Barry said organized retail crime groups would steal entire shelves of high-value products like electronics to resell them at a discounted price.

'This is traumatizing for our associates and is unacceptable,' he said.

'We are doing everything we can to try to create [an] as safe as possible environment.'

They implemented measures like locking up products and hiring extra security staff to minimize theft and protect staff and customers.

But the outlet revealed it would closing down 20 'large-format' stores this year as consumer spending slowed and losses increased.

And the retailer is planning to close an average of 20 stores each year going forward.

Best Buy revealed it would closing down 20 'large-format' stores this year as consumer spending slowed and losses increased.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond's troubles extend beyond shoplifting, with the ailing retailer set to close hundreds of stores as demand for its homewares evaporate.

The retailer, which once owned more than 1,500 stores across America, has identified at least 416 of its US stores for closure.

The company has suffered through a tumultuous few months in the leadup to its latest decision, including massive losses, the death of its CEO, and an activist investor selling a huge stake in the company.

It struggled as sales plunged and it reported a $358million net loss in the first quarter of 2022.

Despite owning 953 locations across North America just a year ago, by the end of 2023 there will be only 360 flagship Bed Bath & Beyond stores in America alongside 120 Buybuy Baby locations.

The state that will be hit the worst is California, which will see 35 stores close, while Florida will lose 21, New York will lose 23, and Illinois will lose 18.
A harrowing new book charts the lives of Holocaust survivors who fled Europe for the US after surviving the genocide that saw 11 million murdered.

Photographer B.A. Van Sise spent seven years traveling the US interviewing and photographing survivors.

He then compiled their stories and pictures into what he described as a '224-page prose poem' about the experience.

The book, 'Invited to Life: Finding Hope after the Holocaust,' was released several months before Yom HaShoah, the annual Holocaust remembrance days which fall on April 17 and 18 this year.

This year marks the 82nd year since the Holocaust began en-masse in 1941. It saw around six million Jews exterminated - many at concentration camps - with the Nazis murdering another five million, including prisoners of war, Romany gypsies and homosexuals.

Van Sise wrote that though the book may appear to be about the Holocaust, in fact it was not. Rather, he wrote it was 'a story of overcoming.'

Survivors in the book include a man who learned to drum using spoons in Oskar Schindler's factory before making it to America and starting the 'Holocaust Survivor Band.'

Also featured is a Manhattan-born Catholic who was captured by the Gestapo while visiting Italy and sent to Auschwitz on false espionage accusations.

Sam Silberberg, 91, survived Auschwitz and then escaped the death march that followed the camp's liquidation by the Nazis as the Soviet Army closed in. In the US he first settled in a small town in Ohio that had no other immigrants so he would be forced to learn English. Today he lives near Los Angeles, where he goes for hikes every day

Saul Dreier was sent to the Paszow concentration camp where he wound up becoming one of the lucky prisoners who worked in Oskar Schindler's factory and survived the war. While there he picked up a pair of spoons and used them to practice drumming wherever he could. After being liberated Dreier spent five years playing drums with a band at a displaced persons camp, then immigrated to the US and didn't play again for seventy years. One day he went to a music shop, bought a set of drums, and picked up where he left off. Together with another Holocaust survivor he started the 'Holocaust Survivor Band,' and have since played weddings, bar mitzvahs, and countless social events

Lyubov Abramovich returned home one day after the Nazis had invaded Belarus to find that her husband and children were gone. After accepting a posting working for German security forces in the area, she began working for resistance forces and sabotaged Nazi troop transports and attacked garrisons

While Gabriella Karin and her family were hiding from the Nazis, a seamstress was also hunkered down with them. The relationship sparked Karin's interest in the craft, and after the war she immigrated to the US where she went to school for fashion design. She specialized in making clothing that women could wear in their everyday lives, and relished seeing her designs on people out in the streets

Tova Friedman said she considers her liberation from Auschwitz in January, 1945, to be her birthday. She and her mother had hidden in a pile of bodies for two days before Russian forces arrived, and then immigrated to the US to start life anew. There she became a psychologist in New York City and then New Jersey. In her old age, she started practicing stand-up comedy

Jack Rennert and his mother were hidden by a sympathetic Belgian family throughout the war, and then immigrated to the US. There Rennert earned a degree from Columbia University, and has stayed in NYC ever since. He opened a poster gallery in Union Square in 1964, and from there became a renowned dealer and collector

Elsie Ragusin was born in Manhattan, and as a teenager took a trip to Italy with her family. There they were captured by the Gestapo and accused of being spies. Her father died in captivity, and Ragusin was sent to Auschwitz. She managed to survive and returned home after the war ended

John and Toni Rinde were both born in Poland in Poland, but did not know each other while both of their families hid from the Nazi invaders. After the war both of their families immigrated to New York City, where the pair met and were married. John earned an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and they later moved to Arkansas where John earned a medical degree, then finally settled in Florida
Footage of a top-secret commando unit within Ukraine's elite border force has emerged online, offering a rare glimpse into their operations as they join the fight against Russia's invading forces.

Known as the 'D.O.Z.O.R' unit, the Ukrainian special force is not your typical group of border guards. There is little passport checking here.

The unit - officially named the 10th mobile border detachment - is selected from the most elite troops within Ukraine's militarised State Border Guard service, or civilians that are deemed fit, strong and skilled enough to pass the demanding entry tests.

Founded in 2002, DOZOR is tasked with carrying out clandestine missions to protect Ukraine from threats posed along its expansive borders that span a total 7,000 miles - including a long stretch of coast.

With Belarus to the north, the Black Sea to the south and Russia dominating its eastern boundaries, Ukraine has for years fielded threats from its enemies.

Footage (pictured) of a top-secret commando unit within Ukraine's elite border force has emerged online, offering a rare glimpse into their operations

Since breaking away from the Soviet Union and becoming independent in 1991, Ukraine has ever since existed in the shadow of Russia's intimidation.

READ MORE: Russia has suffered devastating losses to its elite Spetsnaz commando units that could take a decade to replenish, leaked US documents reveal Advertisement

The military threat to Ukraine's borders became acute in 2014, when Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea and pro-Moscow separatists launched a coup in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine - backed by Russian military forces.

But as we now know, this was only a precursor to what was to come later.

In February 2022, Putin ordered his forces to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with the goal of overthrowing the pro-western government in Kyiv and replacing it with a pro-Russia puppet government more amenable to Moscow's will.

Since then, DOZOR unit has been actively fighting against the Russia invaders, and while little is known about the specifics of their operations, a picture of the unit can be pieced together from its limited public profile.

The 10th Mobile Border Detachment - also known as the 10th Separate Operational Response Detachment 'DOZOR' - is assigned tasks by the State Border Service.

According to information in Ukraine, these tasks will be to fulfil missions deemed most high-risk, often requiring an armed and forceful response.

Other than Russia, Ukraine's border faces other challenges too. With Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova to the west, the country serves as an entryway into Europe for people traffickers, drug smugglers and gun runners.

As a result, Ukraine has a huge border force made up of some 53,000 people - including 45,000 military personnel.

Among them, the DOZOR unit is considered the best of the best.

According to risk intelligence firm Sibylline, prior to the full-scale invasion, the US was actively involved in supporting, training and outfitting DOZOR units, including through donations of tactical equipment as well as maritime patrol craft.

The unit, the firm says, operates along the rivers along Ukraine's borders, including that with Belarus, and has previously been known to take part in NATO-led Sea Breeze exercises, where they took part in anti-landing and anti-sabotage exercises along the Black Sea coast.

Sibylline added: 'On land since the full-scale invasion, DOZOR have been active in preventing cross-border people smuggling, a practice that has dramatically increased since the outbreak of the war.

'As such, they likely play a key role in preventing organised criminal groups from smuggling military-aged men out of Ukraine to avoid conscription.

'Given the attritional nature of the fighting in the East and the growing need for manpower, these operations will likely remain of increasing importance as conscription avoidance remains an enduring issue.'

The footage that emerged online - to mark the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the unit on April 5 - demonstrated the wide array of skills required from its troops.

The clip shows that DOZOR's special forces are high trained in the use of military-grade firearms as well as the use of vehicles on land, sea and air.

They are also expected to be capable fighters on multiple terrains, including underwater combat, while also being able to operate in the dark.

The clip shows DOZOR soldiers training with helicopters, armoured vehicles, boats, night vision goggles and lazer sights. One is seen firing a rifle while underwater.

Known as the 'DOZOR' unit, the Ukrainian special force is not your typical group of border guards. There is little passport checking here. Pictured: A soldier of the DOZOR unit in a diving suit is seen firing a rifle underwater in a video of their training exercises

Founded in 2002, DOZOR is tasked with carrying out clandestine missions to protect Ukraine from threats posed along its expansive borders that span a total 7,000 miles - including a long stretch of coast. Pictured: DOZOR soldiers are seen training in footage

Ukraine's state border force is highly militarised. The DOZOR unit within it is comprised of the state agency's most capable soldiers. Pictured: A DOZOR unit is seen in combat training

While the unit is largely military focused, it also performs law enforcement operations. Ukraine's special border unit is often tasked with carrying out raids on criminals attempting to smuggle goods and people further west into Europe.

Clips shared to its social channels often show its highly trained members charging after a suspect through urban terrain before pinning them to the ground in cuffs.

Among their many responsibilities, DOZOR unit is also expected to - when required - be involved in the organisation and protection of the President of Ukraine during his domestic trips when he visits of the country away from Kyiv.

Since his landslide election victory in 2019, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is believed to have been a long-time target of the Kremlin and its assassins.

Despite this, he has made regular trips to the east of Ukraine where the country is most volatile. This is only possible with the best protection.

Since being founded, the DOZOR unit has undergone several rounds of reform - expanding its remit to include law enforcement and anti-terrorism missions.

In the mid 2010s, the Ukrainian government ordered it to adapt to meet EU and NATO standards as part of the country's steps being taken towards membership.

In 2018, the unit launched a recruitment drive with the aim of expanding its operations - particularly along its eastern borders with Russia.

A press release from 2018 stated that the State Border Guard service was looking to bolster its special forces ranks amid concerns over Russian aggression.

A statement at the time from the head of the state branch, Petro Tsyhykal, said that by the end of 2018 he was hopeful DOZOR would have at least 1,000 special troops.

He said 270 of these would serve on the coasts of the Azov and Black Seas.

At the time, it was reported that the special unit was deployed in Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Lviv, Kherson and Odesa - several of which have seen intense fighting since 2022.

In its call for applicants, the government agency said DOZOR was not an ordinary unit of the State Border Service of Ukraine.

'It is used in the most difficult areas of the border, where the most illegal activities are concentrated. These are groups of illegals, armed smugglers and potential terrorists,' the statement said.

Soldiers in the unit spend their working days training, shooting and practising tactical techniques and improving combat skills, it said.

Pictured: A video shows DOZOR soldiers training with helicopters, armoured vehicles, boats, night vision goggles and lazer sights. One is seen firing a rifle while underwater

Pictured: DOZOR soldiers are seen taking part in an amphibious landing exercise

In 2018, the unit launched a recruitment drive with the aim of expanding its operations - particularly along its eastern borders with Russia - in order to combat the threat posed by Russia. Pictured: DOZOR soldiers are seen riding a military vehicle

Pictured: Three DOZOR soldiers are seen hanging from below a helicopter during an exercise

The selection process for new applicants began in May 2018 in the form of a competition between active members of the State border Service - who had to be under the age of 35 - who wished to join the special unit.

The statement said civilians could 'also be admitted to the selection after successfully passing the tests'. It said 'during the selection, not only endurance and physical fitness will be checked, but also moral stability and the ability to work in a team, because in a real dangerous situation everyone can rely only on a friend.'

It is clear from clips of the unit that comradery a highly sought after trait, with the DOZOR soldiers shown working in tight-knit formations when undertaking intense training and missions.

That same year, it was reported that the United States had supplied the unit with two special boats, along with a variety of equipment, suggesting that the US embassy in the country was playing an active role in DOZOR's upkeep.

Other reports about the unit have sporadically appeared on various online sources.

In 2019, the unit was reported to have taken part in a military competition in Lithuania - held across four days - also thanks to US involvement.

Thirteen teams of special forces entered in total from the likes of the home nation, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine, and saw the different groups undertake a variety of challenges to test their fighting prowess.

While the hosts won the overall tournament, Ukraine's DOZOR unit came in second - ahead of other special forces units considered to be more well established.

All these skills will have been put into practice in life-or-death situations since February 24, 2022, when Putin ordered thousands of his soldiers into Ukraine in a clear violation of its borders.

Since then, information about the unit's activities has been scarce, but reports say the DOZOR unit has been actively involved in the fight against the invading Russians.

Details of their operations is a state secret, but some videos released online have shown the unit taking part in the fight for Bakhmut - the war's longest and bloodiest battle so far - likened to a First World War 'meat grinder.'

Pictured: Four DOZOR soldiers pose with a flag bearing the special unit's insignia

Tens of thousands of soldiers - on both sides of the conflict - have been killed or wounded in the intense fighting for the city.

In one clip, six fighters from the unit are purportedly shown in the middle of an intense fight in the city, in which they were said to have held out for three hours before pulling back.

Despite Russia's instance on the contrary, Ukraine's borders have officially stayed the same since 2014. However, the frontlines of the war have shifted, with Russia currently occupying of vast swathes of the east of the country.

Such clips suggest that DOZOR's determined soldiers are still fighting their hardest to carry out their ultimate mission: to protect Ukraine's borders - both from criminal activities, terrorists and military threats - as well as those living within them.
Everyone likes to find extra cash in an old pair of jeans or down the back of the couch - but many could be sitting on a small fortune.

A single coin in your purse or jar of change could actually be worth thousands of dollars so its worth sifting through to see if you've got a rare collectable.

The Lincoln cent coin minted in Philadelphia in 1972 is worth up to a whopping $3,500 due to the doubling of the words on the front.

And a 1972 half dollar minted in Denver sells for around $1,000 because it is missing the initials of its designer.

The two main factors that make a coin rare and valuable is the doubling of letters on the front, known as double die, and if it is missing aspects of a design or has extra detail.

DailyMail.com spoke to a coin valuation specialist to reveal the most valuable coins in circulation that could be hiding in your pocket.

The Lincoln cent coin minted in Philadelphia in 1972 is worth up to a whopping $3,500 due to the doubling of the words on the front

Steve Feltner, director of numismatic education & grading team leader, says you should prioritize looking through silver coins, as they are the most valuable.

He said: 'It is better to look through silver coins- dimes, quarters and half dollars - and you are looking for those minted in 1969 or earlier.

'The things people are often looking for is variety and something that is out of the norm from tradition.'

1972 Lincoln cent double die obverse - $3,500

This Lincoln cent which was minted in Philadelphia is widely available in circulation and each coin is worth up to $3,500.

It is easily identified as the words 'In God We Trust', 'Liberty' and '1972' on the front of the coin has a strong doubling.

There are over 10 different double dies for this 1972 Lincoln Cent but only this type is considered major.

It is also very popular with coin collectors as the detail is strong enough to see with the naked eye.

The coin sold for a record $14,400 at the Long Beach Expo coins signature auction in June 2019.

Almost three billion Lincoln cents were minted in Philadelphia in 1972 and are in circulation.

This Lincoln cent is easily identified as the words 'In God We Trust', 'Liberty' and '1972' on the front of the coin has a strong doubling

1972 Kennedy half dollar no FG initials- $1,000

This rare Kennedy half dollar coin, minted in Denver, is worth up to $1,000 because a small percentage of those produced were not imprinted with the designer's initials- FG for Frank Gasparo.

They were supposed to appear on the reverse of the coin between the eagle's left leg and the tail.

While it appears to be a mistake on the engraver's part, it is more likely that the dies were ground down to remove clash marks, and in the process, the initials were erased.

This variety was discovered in 1983 and it remains 'presently very rare' to this day.

It sold for a record $2,485 at the Long Beach Expo coins signature auction in September 2016.

There were 141 million Kennedy half dollar coins minted in Denver in 1972 and they are in circulation.

This rare Kennedy half dollar coin, minted in Denver, is worth up to $1,000 because a small percentage of those produced were not imprinted with the designer's initials

'FG' for Frank Gasparo was supposed to appear on the reverse of the coin between the eagle's left leg and the tail

1982 Roosevelt dime missing mint mark- $100

These Roosevelt dime coins minted in Philadelphia are worth a thousand times their original face value because they are missing the 'P' mint mark.

The mistake was originally discovered in December 1982 and most of the coins were initially found in Sandusky Ohio, where approximately 8,000 to 10,000 coins were reportedly discovered.

It is the first and only business strike coin which left the US Mint without containing its intended mint mark on the front of the coin.

This coin sold for a record $2,185 in May 2004.

At least 226 million Roosevelt dime coins were minted in Philadelphia in 1982 and they are in circulation today.

These Roosevelt dime coins minted in Philadelphia are worth a thousand times their original face value because they are missing the 'P' mint mark

It is the first and only business strike coin which left the US Mint without containing its intended mint mark on the front of the coin

2004 Washington quarter extra leaf high reverse - $100

The 2004 Washington quarter, minted in Wisconsin, is readily available as there are millions in circulation.

The design on the reverse features a cow, cheese wheel and an ear of corn and on some coins there is an extra leaf on the side of the corn.

Two different varieties were discovered, one where the leaf hangs high and another where it droops low.

The 'high leaf' variety is the more rare of the two and it is worth around $100.

This variety was discovered late in December 2004 by Robert Ford and the coins made the news, with people all over the country out searching for them.

There were reports of people finding up to hundreds of them from bank wrapped rolls, making it seem as if they were abundant.

The auction record for this coin is $6,000 and it sold in Orlando, Florida in January 2020.

Half a billion Washington quarters were minted in Wisconsin in 2004 and are in circulation today.

The 2004 Washington quarter, minted in Wisconsin, is readily available as there are millions in circulation.

The 'high leaf' variety is the most rare and it is worth around $100

1995 Lincoln cents double die obverse- $50

The 1995 double die Lincoln cent minted in Philadelphia is worth around $50 and it is the last of its kind because mints began using a single hub technique which would only strike all dies once.

The doubling of letters can be seen clearly in the world 'Liberty' mostly in the letters BER.

When the coins were initially discovered, they were commanding as much as $300 for each raw example.

As time went by, many more examples were discovered and the prices dropped.

They are easily affordable and anyone can get their hands on it.

It sold for a record $5,053 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida back in January 2017.

A total of 6.4 billion of these coins were produced at the Philadelphia in 1995.

The 1995 double die Lincoln cent minted in Philadelphia is worth around $50 and it is the last of its kind because mints began using a single hub technique which would only strike all dies once

The doubling of letters can be seen clearly in the world 'Liberty' mostly in the letters BER

For those who aren't lucky enough to stumble upon these rare coins in their loose change, Feltner says coin roll hunting is a good starting point to get your hands on them.

It is the process of searching through rolls of coins, usually obtained from banks, to find rare and valuable coins.

The coin valuation expert said: 'Coin roll hunting is a good starting point for those who are looking to get into collecting rare coins.

'You dont need much investment and you can sort through them while watching TV.'

But he has insisted any coin collectors should buy the Cherry Pickers' Guide and use it to cross reference any coins they find to see if they are valuable.

He added: 'Education is the biggest thing. The saying is buy the book before the coin because by spending $40 they can save hundreds of dollars in grading fees.'

It costs $23 to get coins worth up to $300 valued at the Professional Coin Grading Service and $40 for coins worth up to $2,500 and there is a waiting period of two months.

While their premier service costs $70 and is for coins valued up to $10,000 and has a two-week turnaround.
French gendarmes said 'ne personne' after looking in, but one was under duvet

A British couple have accused French police of an 'astonishing' dereliction of duty after two migrants attempted to stowaway to the UK in their caravan.

Catherine Broughton, 71, and her husband Bruce, 74, were returning from a two-week holiday near La Rochelle.

The couple were shopping for wine in the port of Caen when a fellow shopper told them two men believed to be migrants had broken into their caravan.

They ran outside and after spotting their four-berth Bailey Unicorn caravan had clearly been broken into they alerted two gendarmes who were driving by in a patrol car.

Mrs Broughton, a writer, said what followed was like a 'comic sketch' as the two officers stepped into the caravan.

British couple Catherine Broughton (right), 71, and her husband Bruce (left), 74, have accused French police of an 'astonishing' dereliction of duty after two migrants attempted to stowaway to the UK in their caravan.

The couple were shopping for wine in the port of Caen in France when a fellow shopper told them two men believed to be migrants had broken into their caravan (file photo)

She said: 'The gendarmes came out and said: "Ne personne" meaning there was no-one there.'

Mrs Broughton, who is a fluent French-speaker, said: 'The officers were just mumbling to themselves saying there was no-one there and acting as if we were just wasting their time.

'I don't think they thought I would understand them but they were completely disinterested. It was astonishing. I think it was time for their lunch.

'But when we walked into the caravan I could see within seconds there was someone hiding under the duvet.

'It was like something out of a comic sketch or a farce. It was bordering on funny but the gendarmes were not interested in finding anybody - to them it was just more work.

'After he had climbed out I asked the gendarmes to look again in the wardrobes and units and they again said: 'Ne personne, ne personne' but I insisted they look under the bed and, sure enough, there was the second stowaway.

'How do you not spot a person hiding under a duvet and under a bed. It's laughable. It was just clear the gendarmes didn't give a tuppence.

'I spoke to the second boy in my rudimentary Arabic. One was called Mohammed and the other was called Omar. I'd estimate they were between 17-20 years of age and they were clearly desperate.

'I felt really sorry for them. I gave him a bag of food which he was clearly delighted with.

'He wouldn't tell me where they were from but I think they may have been from one of the sub-Saharan countries, possibly Sudan.'

Mrs Broughton, who is a fluent French-speaker, said: 'There was quite a bit of damage to the caravan windows where the boys had broken in and a bit of damage to a table inside.

'The gendarmes asked whether we wanted to press charges and, of course, we said: 'No' so the officers just waved the two guys away. They sort of shooed them off. I was amazed.'

After alerting the French gendarmes to the migrants breaking in, 'the gendarmes (file photo) came out and said: "Ne personne" meaning there was no-one there,' Mrs Broughton said

Last November the Government signed a historic 62m deal with France to help their officials tackle the cross-Channel migrant crisis.

The crackdown came after the number of migrants who arrived in Britain on small boats this year hit more than 40,000 last year.

But Mrs Broughton, a mother-of-three grown up children, says the British government should ask for a refund as their French counterparts are not taking the matter seriously.

Mr Broughton, a retired structural engineer, said: 'Rishi Sunak should ask for the refund. Quite clearly the French authorities are not keeping up their part of the deal.

'It was a joke. The French police didn't even take or attempt to take their details. It was incredible.'

The couple have a holiday home near La Rochelle and often travel to and from the UK by ferry.

They said ports such as Caen and St Malo always have clusters of migrants hanging around the entrance attempting to try their luck and more should be done to help them.

Mrs Broughton, who was born in South Africa, said: 'I feel I should tell them it's not that great over in the UK for them and they could find themselves stuck in a migrant centre. They should stay in France.

'I think the Government probably needs to get the message across that this country isn't a bed a roses for them, tell them 'Don't bother'. I feel terribly sorry for them but the UK is not the answer.'

The couple say they have never experienced anything like it before and have vowed to be extra-vigilant on future trips to France.
The JCB diggers have fired up again to look for Columba McVeigh. In Bragan Bog, County Monaghan, Ireland, the steel teeth resume turning over the damp sods in search of his body. Kneeling, and probably weeping, 19-year-old McVeigh was shot dead in this bleak, remote spot south of the Northern Irish border by the IRA in November 1975.

Years later, as part of the Good Friday Agreement, which had its 25th anniversary celebrated last week by Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak, the IRA agreed to identify the locations of the bodies of the so-called Disappeared. They were the 17 men who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during Northern Irelands Troubles.

McVeigh, from Donaghmore, County Tyrone, was abducted and murdered after allegedly confessing to being a British Army agent with instructions to infiltrate the IRA. The authorities have found some of The Disappeared  but not McVeigh.

I have a vested interest in the discovery of his remains. In 1975, living in a flat in Dublins Rathmines, I was persuaded by his brother to give him temporary accommodation.

McVeigh had been recruited by British intelligence to help discover IRA covert routes across the border. Bullets were deliberately secreted in his family home. He was arrested and taken to Crumlin Road jail to establish his IRA credentials.

An undated photo of Columba McVeigh, a teenager who was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1975

IRA gunman in Belfast (File photo). Kneeling, and probably weeping, 19-year-old McVeigh was shot dead in this bleak, remote spot south of the Northern Irish border by the IRA in November 1975

When he escaped, he headed for the home of a local priest suspected of having IRA sympathies and who was believed to shelter volunteers and help them cross the border into the Irish Republic.

It was hoped McVeigh would reveal details of the priests secret routes. However, the cleric wouldnt even let him through the door.

Discredited, McVeigh had nowhere to go. So he fled to his brothers home in Dublin and eventually landed on us.

My flatmates, a car mechanic and two trainee Woolworths managers, were not best pleased. Styling himself Columbo after Peter Falks TV detective, he was 6ft 2in, with a shaved head wearing a bomber jacket, jeans and Doc Marten Boots. He was brash.

Is there anything to eat? he asked before introductions.

I gestured towards the fridge where he promptly plundered some sausages earmarked by the mechanic for his evening meal.

Wheres the pan? he demanded as I politely tried to explain that the sausages were not his to fry.

Dympna Kerr, the sister of Columba McVeigh, holds a prayer card for the disappeared at Bragan bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan during the search for the remains of teenager Columba McVeigh

He ignored me, deftly turning on the gas and throwing the entire string of sausages into the frying pan. When he brought his feast into the sitting room and plopped down on the sofa in front of the TV, I gingerly tried to explain the fairly primitive house rules.

That first evening was marked by his f*** off! response to the car mechanics demand for an explanation when he returned home and found his sausages were not in the fridge. McVeigh also took control of the TV and, when not focused on the screen, hinted at his revolutionary life up North. Oh, I could tell you stories, hed say.

That first evening, he retired to bed leaving his dirty dishes on the floor. He started as he meant to go on, developing a pattern: lying in bed until lunchtime, hed rise and scour the fridge, cupboards and bread bin for provisions. He spilt milk everywhere. He discarded crumbs, cereal, bits of egg, sardine and cheese on his progress from kitchen to sofa.

His only trips out were to the newsagent and off-licence. He had also somehow managed to sign on the dole, though still borrowing money from us.

Our evenings were full of details of his derring-do fight for Irish freedom. He had, of course, shot at least two soldiers, driven a car bomb to a rural police station and was one of the most seasoned and experienced Volunteers of the Irish Republican Army. He had only recently celebrated his 18th birthday.

A digger at Bragan bog near Emyvale in County Monaghan during the search for Columba McVeigh

Hints about leaving had turned into open demands for his departure. But our house guest simply threw back his shoulders, squared up and said: Make me go!

None of us felt able to rise to the challenge. About six weeks after his arrival, I returned home one afternoon. I found him on the sofa studying his newspaper, clad in an eye-searing multi-coloured woollen jumper. I recognised it instantly.

It was an unwanted knitted present from my mother. I had only worn it once. Sweetly, she had sewn, schoolboy-like, a label with my name on it into its neck. I had long since banished it to the back of the wardrobe.

McVeigh had obviously commandeered the sweater without permission. I feigned annoyance. It was my favourite jumper, I lied. Then, conscious that he owed me more than 20 and that he had collected his dole that morning, I had a brainwave. Tell you what, I said. Ill let you have it for a tenner.

He eyed me up and then glanced briefly down at the jumper and said: Its a deal.

The Reverand Ian Paisley meets Vera McVeigh, mother of murdered teenager Columba McVeigh, in Dungannon County Tyrone on November 30, 2006

Miraculously, he handed over the ten pounds. For the next three weeks, McVeigh imposed himself on us as a lodger. The jumper only left his back when he went to bed. Then like some insidious dentists drilling that suddenly stops, he was gone. No goodbyes. Nothing. He popped out to the newsagents and never came back.

We couldnt believe our luck. We waited until the weekend to celebrate. In time, McVeigh was a distant memory. It was only after the Good Friday Agreement that I discovered the truth.

He had been abducted on a street in Dublin, taken north, forced to his knees and shot dead in the head.

For years, his mother Vera campaigned tirelessly, but in vain, for the return of his body. She died in 2007. I hope they find his last remains. He might still be wearing my own mothers jumper.

Preserved in peat will be the name-tag my mother lovingly sewed in place.

I dont want the jumper back.
A corruption watchdog has carried out raids on the homes of former and current Liberal MPs including the brother of ex-NSW premier Dominic Perrottet.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption seized laptops and phones from up to five homes during the early morning raids that began last week.

Charles Perrottet was also targeted with his Melbourne home raided after the NSW watchdog co-opted Victoria Police to enter his house, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The raids are linked to allegations Liberal MP Ray Williams raised under parliamentary privilege in June 2022.

Charles Perrottet's Melbourne home has reportedly been raided by officer of the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption

He claimed several senior members of his party were paid to install new councillors on Sydney's Hills Shire Council who would be friendly to developer Toplace.

Mr Williams did not name Charles as one of the Liberals involved in the matter.

Then NSW premier Dominic Perrottet referred the claims, made under parliamentary privilege to ICAC.

A parliament inquiry was launched with Charles called on to appear as a witness and his brother Jean-Claude also asked to make an appearance in February.

Both brothers failed to show up with each one giving different reasons for their absence.

Charles, who is no longer a member of the Liberal party, wrote to the inquiry saying as he no longer lived in NSW he was not required to give evidence.

'I decline your invitation. I am a resident of Victoria. I have resided in Victoria since January 2021,' he wrote.

Jean-Claude went missing for a month while summons servers looked for him across NSW to try to make him show up.

When tracked down in a relative's house by Channel Nine and asked where he had been, a shocked looking Jean-Claude said he had been 'overseas'.

Dominic Perrottet (pictured right with wife Helen Perrottet at the Sydney premiere of the musical Hamilton in 2021) referred the claims made against his brothers to the state's corruption watchdog

He offered no reply, though, when asked: 'Why did you try and dodge (the inquiry)?'

Because he was not found before the inquiry was required to finish, due to the state election on March 25, he avoided giving evidence.

In its final report the inquiry recommended a fresh probe be established after the election, and that it should call on Jean-Claude, Charles, Christian Ellis and Toplace director Jean Nassif to give evidence.

Mr Nassif was in Lebanon at the time.

He has rejected the allegations as 'nonsensical' and denied claims he or his business had contact with the new councillors.

When asked for confirmation of the raid on Charles Perrottet's housed ICAC said it declined to comment.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Perrottet's office for comment.
She also faces two counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16

Hancock faces two counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology

Married former substitute teacher Emma Delaney Hancock, 26, is accused of kissing and sending nudes to a 15-year-old student

A married former substitute teacher in Oklahoma, who is also believed to be the daughter of the town mayor, has been accused of kissing and sending nudes to a 15-year-old student.

According to the criminal affidavit, Emma Delaney Hancock, 26, a former teacher at the Wellston Public School district began texting the 15-year-old in October 2022 to send him a school assignment.

After a few weeks the teen he sent a shirtless snap of himself to Hancock via Snapchat, documents say.

Hancock responded saying, 'are we sending half naked pictures now?' the teen responding, 'I don't know, are we?' she then allegedly replied, 'Are you trying to get me to lose my job?' the documents say.

Emma Delaney Hancock, 26, a former teacher in the Wellston Public School district began texting the 15-year-old in October 2022 to send him a school assignment. After a few weeks the teen he sent a shirtless snap of himself to Hancock via Snapchat, documents say

Hancock (left) is a prominent member in the community and is married to the Chief of Police Alfred Hancock (right)

The affidavit then said Hancock and the teen began exchanging nude photos and videos of sex acts more frequently.

Which later escalated into Hancock and the teen kissing each other on two occasions while in classrooms.

Hancock is also accused of touching the teen inappropriately during the second time they kissed, according to the court filing.

Hancock is married to the town's Chief of Police Alfred Hancock and is believed to be the daughter of Wellston Mayor Paul Whitnah.

The educator is facing two counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology and two counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under the age of 16.

Dougherty said that given Hancock's relationship with the Wellston police chief (right), the Oklahoma State Bureau (OSBI) were asked to step in to conduct the investigation into the case to avoid conflict

DailyMail.com have contacted the Wellston police chief (left) for comment as well as the town's Mayor

Hancock is also believed to also be the daughter of Wellston Mayor Paul Whitnah (pictured) according to the town's residents

The 26-year-old appeared in court on Thursday before turning herself into jail and posting a $50,000 bail bond before being released, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Charlie Dougherty said.

Dougherty said that given Hancock's relationship with the Wellston police chief, the Oklahoma State Bureau (OSBI) were asked to step in to conduct the investigation into the case to avoid conflict.

The affidavit also said that at one point, the 15-year-old told his friend about the relationship with Hancock.

When the other student asked Hancock if this was true, she initially denied it but then admitted that it was true, the affidavit shows.

Hancock and her husband appear in several couple shots on social media and appear to share a daughter. It remains unclear if they have more children

The 26-year-old appeared in court on Thursday before turning herself into jail and posting a $50,000 bail bond before being released, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Charlie Dougherty said

Hancock's relationship with the teen is said to have escalated to the two kissing each other on two occasions while in classrooms at the Wellston High School

She allegedly told the student it would, 'not amount to anything because they were not going to get caught.'

Residents in Wellston told News 9 that Hancock is the daughter of Mayor Paul Whitnah. DailyMail.com have contacted Whitnah and the Chief of Police for comment but did not immediately hear back to the request.

Wellston Public Schools Superintendent Mike Franz told the outlet that as soon as the district learned about the allegations in November, Hancock was removed from the call list and banned from campus.

The district notified authorities and cooperated with the investigation, said Franz.
The deaths of 650 patients treated by a breast surgeon who carried out 1,000 botched operations are being investigated.

Ian Paterson was found to have been convicted in 2017 of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding and is now serving a 20-year sentence.

An inquiry found he carried out unnecessary operations in NHS and private hospitals on more than 1,000 patients over 14 years, exaggerating or inventing cancer risks and claiming payments for more expensive procedures.

Medical experts are now looking through records belonging to women under his care.

His 2017 Nottingham Crown Court trial heard how he carried out unapproved 'cleavage-sparing' mastectomies on patients which left behind the breast tissue, risking a return of cancer.

Ian Paterson (pictured) was found to have been convicted in 2017 of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding and is now serving a 20-year sentence

He was initially jailed for 15 years before the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to a 20-year term.

The surgeon worked for the NHS and built a practice at two private hospitals run by Spire Healthcare in Birmingham.

Some of Paterson's patients underwent unnecessary chemotherapy, tests and other procedures.

The Times reported that 27 inquests have been opened as a result of cases where coroners 'believe there is evidence to have reason to suspect that some of those deaths may be unnatural'.

The court heard that there had been 'no medically justifiable reason' for many of the procedures, conducted for financial gain between 1997 and 2011.

The investigation is to be led by deputy high court judge Richard Foster, who is experienced in medical negligence cases.

According to the families who have been impacted by Paterson and sources close to the inquest, 650 deaths are being looked into.

An inquiry has also already discovered hundreds of other patients that had inappropriate or unnecessary operations and treatment.

One of Paterson's victims, Marie Pinfield, wanted a double mastectomy to remove all her breast tissue. Pictured: Marie Pinfield with sister Shirley Moroney

Victim Patricia Welch speaks outside Nottingham Crown Court following Ian Paterson's sentencing in 2017

Out of 1,206 mastectomy patients, 675 had died, according to a report by the Heart of England NHS Trust, compiled in 2017 by the breast surgeon Martin Lee.

The law says that the Coroner must open an inquest into a death if there is reasonable cause to suspect that the death was due to anything other than natural causes.

The report believes that as many as 1,000 of Patersons private patients have died but the cause of death is unknown.

Figures provided by Cancer Research UK figures show that female patients aged between 50 and 60 have a 90 per cent chance of survival when facing breast cancer.

However, the survival rates were less than 56 per cent for Paterson's patients.

One of Paterson's victims, Marie Pinfield, wanted a double mastectomy to remove all her breast tissue.

However, only two years later in 2008, Ms Pinfield passed away after cancer spread to her lungs.

An inquiry found he carried out unnecessary operations in NHS and private hospitals on more than 1,000 patients over 14 years

Her sister, Shirley Moroney, recalls feeling a sense of dread before Marie was due to have surgery and advised her to put her wishes in writing.

Following a report into Ms Pinfield's case by the consultant surgeon Professor Nigel Bundred, it was found that she had been misled by Paterson before her first operation for no good reason.

Compensation was awarded to Ms Moroney and the families of those who had suffered from negligent care.

Now, following the opened inquests, including that of Ms Pinfield's, families are being told to expect more and will have the opportunity to tell their stories.

Ms Moroney hopes to be able to give her evidence in a public inquest but has forgiven Paterson.

She said: 'I think as human beings, there's no point in harbouring evil thoughts about somebody. An awful lot of other people haven't had their day in court. I hope the inquests give them that.'

A number of the women agreed to the mastectomies on the basis that it would allow them to keep some of their breasts, however, Paterson began giving cleavage-sparing mastectomies without their knowledge.

Victim Diane Green speaks outside Nottingham Crown Court following Ian Paterson's sentencing in 2017

During a seven-week trial in 2017, the jury heard that the father-of-three carried out 'extensive, life-changing operations for no medically justifiable reason' on ten patients between 1997 and 2011.

He altered medical records to justify the most lucrative surgery.

Judge Jeremy Baker concluded that he was driven by 'self-aggrandisement and the material rewards which it brought from your private practice'.

In a statement, Patricia Welch, 64, from Walsall, West Midlands, revealed she had a lump removed from her breast by Ian Paterson in 2001 when she was 48.

In her victim impact statement, she said: 'Before being told [the operations] were unnecessary, when I looked at myself in the mirror I saw someone that had avoided cancer by having a mastectomy.

'Now and probably for the rest of my life, I see a victim of Ian Paterson, who took away part of me as a woman.'

While GP Rosemary Platt, 67, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, was referred to Paterson after finding a lump in her right breast in 1997. The surgeon then carried out a series of unnecessary procedures, including a mastectomy.

In her victim impact statement read out in court, Dr Platt said the long-term effects of his actions were 'painful, mutilating scars' and he had shaken her trust in fellow medical professionals.

Victim Judith Conduit (second from left) arriving with other victims at Nottingham Crown Court where Ian Paterson was sentenced

Spire Healthcare, announced in a statement this week that it was cooperating with the coroner's investigation.

The initial review of its patients focused on the patients that survived, however, teams are now going back over the notes of patients who have since died.

At least 1,000 private patients have brought negligence claims against Paterson.

Spire Healthcare recently identified an additional 1,500 patients who could yet bring claims and there were also at least 200 claims by NHS patients.

In total, the damage has cost Spire 50 million in compensation while the NHS has paid more than 10 million.

Dr Cathy Cale, its medical director, told The Times: 'Spire has changed radically since 2011. We have worked tirelessly to overhaul our culture, consultant management and standards to ensure that safety and quality sit at the heart of everything we do.'

'We are very sorry for the significant distress and harm suffered by patients who were treated by Ian Paterson. Although we cannot put right the wrongs of the past, we are determined to do everything we can to support his victims.'
Ahmad was under arrest and was being escorted by police during the incident

Atiq Ahmad and his brother were shot dead live on TV speaking to journalists

This is the horrifying moment a fanatic shooter walks up to a gangster-turned-politician and his brother in India and shoots them in the head.

In the shocking scenes from the state of Uttar Pradesh, Atiq Ahmad was shot dead live on TV as he stops to speak to journalists.

Ahmad, who had over 100 criminal cases against him, was under arrest and was being escorted by police for a court-mandated medical checkup when the incident occurred.

This comes just two days after his son, Asad Ahmad, was shot dead by Uttar Pradesh Police in what is being seen as an extra-judicial killing.

The gangster was asked by journalists why he had not attended his son's funeral and just as he responds that he was not allowed to go, a shooter sneaks up behind him, points a gun directly at his head, and fires a shot instantly killing him.

Policemen stand guard the area where gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot, in, Prayagraj, India

Atiq Ahmad (right) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead live on TV as they stop to speak to journalists

While Atiq collapses to the ground, the shooter sprays him with several bullets.

Two other shooters then open fire, killing his brother, Ashraf, who was a similar criminal background to his cousin.

A police constable and a journalist are also reported to have injuries in the melee of bullets.

Amid the shootings, attackers are heard shouting the words 'Surrender' and 'Jai Sree Ram', a slogan to praise the central figure of the Hindu religion, as police capture them.

'All the three shooters have been kept in three different police stations of the city,' a police commissioner confirmed following the attack.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also ordered a judicial commission to probe the attack.

Additional police forces have been brought into the area and are now foot-marching across the city.

Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, where the shooting took place, has been criticised for promoting 'encounters', a term used for extra-judicial killings in his state. He has now constituted a high-level committee to investigate the killing.

In the shocking scenes from the state of Uttar Pradesh, Atiq Ahmad was shot dead live on TV as he stops to speak to journalists

Two other shooters then open fire, killing his brother, Ashraf, who was a similar criminal background to his cousin

A gun is seen on the ground after a police constable and a journalist were also reported to have been injuries in the melee of bullets

Opposition politicians and human rights activists have slammed Adityanath and the ruling party, BJP, for promoting 'anarchy and lawlessness'.

'When someone can be killed by firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public?tweeted Akhilesh Yadav, a former Chief Minister of the state.

'Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere.'

Police have imposed a strict curfew and are holding flag marches in the area in an attempt to restore law and order.

The three shooters have been kept at three separate police stations while initial investigations are concluded.
They said former Labour seats such as Thurrock and Dartford could stay Tory

Sir Keir Starmer's drive to win a workable Commons majority at the General Election is being put at risk by Sadiq Khan's London-wide anti-pollution plans, which Labour insiders fear will hit the poorest.

They warned that the London mayor's controversial ambition to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for polluting vehicles could deny Labour victory in winnable seats just outside the capital.

Party insiders said former Labour seats such as Thurrock and Dartford that Sir Keir should be winning back could now stay Tory because of widespread anger at being charged 12.50 just to drive from there into Greater London.

And in a sign of the scale of the damage Mr Khan was inflicting on his own party, they pointed to how the Tories were 'gleefully' putting the loathed ULEZ extension centre-stage on their campaign leaflets for next month's local elections.

Last night, one insider lashed out at the London mayor, saying: 'When was the last time Sadiq Khan did the national party any favours?'

Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer (File photo). Party insiders said former Labour seats such as Thurrock and Dartford that Sir Keir should be winning back could now stay Tory because of widespread anger at being charged 12.50 just to drive from there into Greater London

Pictured: Sadiq Khan (File photo). In a sign of the scale of the damage Mr Khan was inflicting on his own party, party insiders pointed to how the Tories were 'gleefully' putting the loathed ULEZ extension centre-stage on their campaign leaflets for next month's local elections

However, allies of Mr Khan hitback to attack Tory 'scaremongering', insisting that the scheme would affect very few existing vehicles and would 'not be an issue' at the General Election expected next year.

The controversial ULEZ plan will go to a judicial review after five local authorities were last week granted leave to challenge its implementation.

The mayor's spokesman said that nine out of ten cars in outer London were already 'ULEZ compliant', adding that 'around 4,000 Londoners die every year as a result of poor quality air'.

But Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, told The Mail on Sunday that Mr Khan should postpone the scheme, saying that small businesses and the less well-off in the outer London suburbs would be hard hit. She added: 'It's a laudable aim to clean up the environment but it cannot be right that the poorest and the most financially marginal are impacted. It cannot be right at a time when the economy is so shaky to put small businesses in jeopardy.'

Dartford Tory MP Gareth Johnson said: 'If the ULEZ expansion goes ahead, that would be catastrophic for Dartford, particularly for the poorest.'
A group of 25 Christian inmates are planning legal action against the Prison Service for failing to protect them from violent Islamist gangs.

Lawyers for the prisoners say wardens have allowed the groups to take control because they fear being accused of racism.

The gangs offer 'protection' to those who convert to Islam and punish those who refuse, even threatening family members on the outside.

Wardens have moved Christian inmates to solitary confinement for their own protection rather than dealing with the problem, it is claimed.

Last night, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith called on prison governors to stamp out the gangs, as a group of barristers plan a class-action legal challenge to force them into action. Several Government reports have identified the gangs as a growing menace, with one warning last year that some were running Sharia courts and dishing out punishments such as floggings.

Last night, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) called on prison governors to stamp out the gangs, as a group of barristers plan a class-action legal challenge to force them into action

Criminal barrister Tony Wyatt has clients serving entire sentences in 'the block'  an isolation wing usually reserved for dangerous prisoners  as they refused to convert to Islam.

Mr Wyatt said: 'We have reached a point where these so-called Islamic gangs seem to run our prisons. This problem has been left to fester and grow for 20 years. There is now no conceivable fix which does not include a fundamental overhaul of the prison system. For years, misguided political correctness made wardens hesitant to call out what was happening, but now it's too late. These groups are now so big that there just aren't enough prison staff to take them on.

'Successive governments have effectively surrendered our prisons to an organised crime group. The fear of identifying these gangs as Muslim stems from a fear of what the outraged response will be, as no one wants to be accused of racism.

'These gangs are taking advantage of that. Everything they do, everything they stand for, goes against the Koran. They are an organised crime group and use Islam as a shield to protect themselves.'

Mr Wyatt said he is aware of dozens of cases where prisoners have been isolated for years in bare cells usually reserved for disruptive inmates.

One client, convicted drug offender Richard Caswell, has witnessed the rise of the gangs over the last 20 years. He said they became 'emboldened' in the wake of 9/11 and started 'throwing their weight around'.

Mr Wyatt and colleagues are now planning to launch a class-action judicial review on behalf of at least 25 Christian prisoners being held in isolation for their own protection.

Iain Duncan Smith said: 'Justice must be delivered. We cannot have a perversion of justice, no matter who the group is or what their beliefs are'

Iain Duncan Smith said: 'Justice must be delivered. We cannot have a perversion of justice, no matter who the group is or what their beliefs are. The prisons should be run by the prison governor and the staff. There should be no subsets or organisations capable of bullying and threatening their way into running things. The authorities must take action immediately, without fear or favour.'

It's estimated that more than a third of prisoners in London jails now identify as Muslim, up from 27 per cent in 2014. Nationally, nearly one in five prisoners (18 per cent) identify as Muslim, while they make up just six per cent of the UK's population.

In a report on prisons last year, Jonathan Hall KC told the Government that Islamist gangs would undermine wardens by throwing around claims of racism.

He said they would make 'insincere allegations of racism and Islamophobia... to delegitimise staff authority' and 'intimidate staff when their behaviour is challenged'.

Mr Hall wrote: 'For the last decade and a half, groups of prisoners have adopted an anti-State Islamist stance that condones or encourages violence towards non-Muslim prisoners, prison officers and the general public. There is evidence of some highly structured Islamist gangs operating within the prison estate.'

A 2019 Ministry of Justice report into prison gangs found the biggest one was composed of Muslim inmates 'operating as a gang under the guise of religion'.

The report also said it caused 'a significant management issue at each establishment' and that violence, bullying and intimidation were all 'prevalent' within the gang.

The Prison Service said: 'Staff act swiftly to clamp down on intimidating or threatening behaviour regardless of cultural or religious sensitivitiesPrisoners may be moved wings for many reasons including for their own protection or if they are a risk to others.'
A woman from Louisiana has secured the World Record for the largest afro for the third time in 13 years.

Aevin Dugas, 47, began growing her hair in 1999 and initially did so with the intention of promoting the beauty of natural hair.

Dugas says she coveted the Guinness record for the longest hair, particularly because some cultures have historically associated beauty with straight hair.

'I didn't decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural,' Dugas told Guinness World Records. 'It's about pride in textured hair which leads to self-love.

'At one time I strived to get hair that was bone straight and now all I want is it big and poofy'.

Aevin Dugas has broken the Guinness world record for the largest afro three times in the past 13 years with her hair now stretching 5'5" across

Dugas, from Louisiana said she aimed to promote the beauty of natural hair by breaking the record and grew up coveting the record for the longest hair

She began growing the afro hairdo, which is now her trademark, in 1999 although it does require frequent trims and styling regimens to maintain

In her 20s she began to admire natural hairstyles that many black women wore as a means of expressing identity and pride.

It was after an unsuccessful trip to a hairstylist, she started braiding, perming, and coloring her own hair, learning how to cut her hair without much difficulty before growing he trademark afro.

She recently revealed on her TikTok account, which has almost 48,000 followers how a stylist once braided her hair so tightly it made even the bottom of her feet ache, so she removed the braids within hours.

'From that day on, I knew: "You know what? If you want to do your hair, do it yourself  learn it yourself,"' Dugas said.

In 2010, she broke the Guinness world record for the largest afro with a circumference of 4ft 4in (132cm).

Dugas is an advocate for natural hair and has gained international recognition for her impressive afro - although she often wears it tied back

Aevin Dugas says I didnt decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural.

Dugas says she has embraced her natural hair texture and broken the Guinness world record for the largest afro three times

Dugas says she aims to promote self-love and pride in textured hair

Eleven years later, in 2021, she broke her own record with nearly 5ft 2in (157cm) before setting the current record of almost 5ft 5in (165cm) in September 2022.

Her record-setting afro is also more than 9in (25cm) tall and 10in (26cm) wide.

Even though size is everything, the record-setting afro still requires frequent trims and a strict styling regimen to maintain.

Her jaw-dropping look brings her attention wherever she goes but it does have its drawbacks as she often gets it caught in trees, car doors and people's earrings.

It can also take two days to wash and dry and is so big she struggles to see clearly out from beneath it - which means she cannot drive with her 'hair up'.

To get her hair ready for a night out she shampoos it and then uses up to five conditioners.

She then puts her hair into two French braids and from then it takes about two days to dry.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives and she has become a hero in her hometown of Reserve, about 35 miles west of New Orleans.

Her biggest joy is inspiring young girls to stop using chemical straighteners, which can cause long-lasting damage to hair.

She said: 'I don't know why but there's something very important to me about little girls appreciating my hair and then wanting to wear their hair the same.

'I tell them there is nothing that I did special, there is no magical formula, we are born with our hair like this.'

Dugas's bad experience with a professional hairstylist forced her to take matters into her own hands

Dugas emphasizes that she wears her hair in various styles to adapt to the hot and humid weather of southeastern Louisiana

She receives a mixed response from the public, with some people admiring her hair, while others make inappropriate comments or try to touch her hair without permission

Dugas said she came to admire natural hairstyles that many black women wore as a means of expressing identity and pride in her 20s

Aevin was originally inspired by a picture of her mum Deborah Dugas wearing an afro in the sixties - and she remains one of her biggest fans today.

Mrs Dugas, 72, who runs a care home, said: 'I'm humbled by the fact she did this because she liked my natural hair, way before she was born.

'It was about half the size of Aevin's and everybody loved it.'

She added: 'Her hair has definitely had an impact on the community.

'She made her decision when wearing your hair natural was considered unattractive in the black community.

'But, against all that, she started wearing her hair natural years ago. I am really proud.'

Dugas noted that she can't drive while her hair in the style of an afro so has to wear it tied up

Dugas learned how to cut her hair without much difficulty and began growing her trademark afro in 1999 first breaking the record for the world's largest in 2010

The record-setting afro requires frequent trims and styling regimens to maintain

Dugas learned how to style her hair herself, which ultimately led to the birth of her iconic afro

Sometimes Dugas simply opts to wear dreadlocks coupled with beads

Dugas says she receives a wide range of reactions from members of the public when she lets her afro loose in public with everything from words of admiration to even tugging on her hair without asking permission.

'Ive learned to just give them a little pop on the hand with a few words of choice I wont repeat,' Dugas told Guinness.

Although Dugas says she likes how her distinctive hair helps her become a noticeable figure in a room, she also wears her hair in various other styles in order to survive the scorching Louisiana temperatures.

'Its hot. Its not something you wear out in the Louisiana heat just because,' she said.
Only eight per cent of staff at the UK's energy watchdog were in the office at the height of the pricing crisis, figures reveal.

A Freedom of Information request has shown that just one in 12 Ofgem employees were at their desks as bills hit record highs last autumn.

In 2021, 30 energy suppliers went bust, and bill-payers have had to shoulder the 3 billion cost.

Ofgem 'failed to act against unfit energy suppliers', Citizens Advice said.

TaxPayers' Alliance's Joe Ventre commented: 'Taxpayers will be shocked by these low occupancy rates.'

A Freedom of Information request has shown that just one in 12 Ofgem employees were at their desks as bills hit record highs last autumn (file image)

Household customers were left to foot a bill of nearly 3 billion when 31 firms went bust during 2021 and 2022, through a levy added to all bills (file image)

An Ofgem spokesman said: 'Whether from home or from one of our three offices, our top priority remains to protect consumers.'

The news comes after Ofgem was forced to hand consultants millions of pounds to help clear up the mess left by the collapse of gas and electricity suppliers.

Household customers were left to foot a bill of nearly 3 billion when 31 firms went bust during 2021 and 2022, through a levy added to all bills.

Since the start of the crisis, Ofgem has spent 32 million on consultants, according to Tussell, a firm which tracks Government contracts.

Baringa recently landed a six-month deal worth 330,000 to help out with Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) payments  costs incurred by suppliers who step in when another firm goes bust.

At least 13 other contracts have been given out by the regulator, including to KPMG, which earned almost 2.5 million for five contracts.
A revenge porn victim is using the 100,000 in damages she was awarded to contract a specialist company to remove the material of her from the internet.

The unnamed woman won a landmark case at the High Court last month in which the judge ruled she had been a victim of 'image based abuse'.

This was the first reported civil judgement of its kind after her former partner was found to have used hidden cameras to upload images to her on porn sites.

The High Court ruled last month that Stuart Gaunt, 57, would have to pay 100,000 in compensation to her, in what is thought to be a legal first.

Speaking out for the first time, she said she is using the money in the landmark case to try and wipe the images of her from the internet so she could be a 'beacon of hope' for other revenge porn victims.

Stuart Gaunt was later convicted of voyeurism in September 2020 and received a two-year suspended jail sentence (file image)

The court heard last month how Gaunt had set up microscopic cameras in her bathroom to covertly film her while she was naked. He would then upload the images on to a pornographic website next to a photograph of her face so she could be recognised.

Speaking about the case for the first time, the woman, 48, told The Times, how she had been in love with Gaunt, sharing the same bed and home with him before realising her horror situation.

She told the publication she met Gaunt on Tinder in 2016, describing him as 'debonair' and 'a catch'.

The two moved in together after a couple of months, but she told him she wanted to remain from sex until marriage due to her Christian faith.

One day, in October 2017, she walked past his computer screen, seeing a black dog, but clicked play on the video which was indecent footage of a child.

She said she then went through his computer, scanning Gaunt's hard drives. It was at this point that she discovered footage of herself.

The woman said she discovered images that showed her sleeping with no clothes on, a clip of her in the shower, and of her cleaning the bathroom.

She subsequently alerted police who found the microscopic cameras.

Gaunt was later convicted of voyeurism in September 2020 and received a two-year suspended jail sentence.

But despite the conviction, the woman detailed how it did not prevent her images still being online.

'I sit on trains and look around and worry that someone has seen the video', she told The Times.

The unnamed woman won a landmark case at the High Court last month in which the judge ruled she had been a victim of 'image based abuse' (file image)

High Court judge Mrs Justice Thornton ruled last month that the woman should be awarded 97,041, citing PTSD resulting in an 'enduring personality change' as a result of Gaunt's actions.

In the ruling Mrs Justice Thornton also criticised the term revenge porn, highlighting that it 'conveys the impression that a victim somehow deserved what happened to them.

The court has since instructed reputation management company Igniyte to remove the footage of the woman.

It will scan the internet for the material and for any copies of the footage. As the woman does not own the copyright to the footage, the court ruling can be cited that proves voyerism and image based sexual abuse. The total will likely take around six months.

But the woman added: 'Sadly it won't ever be over. The fear is constantly there, that there is material stored somewhere I don't know about.'

In last month's landmark ruling, the victim detailed how she had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as well as PTSD following the horrific revelations.

She told the court: 'I have become like a recluse. I am managing to work but only because I am allowed to work from home.

'I am reluctant to ever leave home and find any excuse not to go out. I have tried to overcome this, but find it impossible. I tend to do all my shopping online.

'I have real trust issues. I cannot trust people. When I have travelled, I become paranoid about cameras being hidden and filming me. I will look everywhere to try and find cameras  in air conditioning grates and behind seats.'

She added: 'I will not try on clothes in a shop because of a fear that I am being filmed. The fear does not leave you and is constantly there. I am always worried that somebody is watching me that I do not know about.

'I still have nightmares about what happened. I wake up in a sweat. I have completely come off social media. It is a self-protection thing.'
The 'officer class' of the Army and Royal Navy remains almost exclusively white-skinned, according to figures obtained by The Mail on Sunday.

More than 90 per cent of officer cadets at the Army's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and the Navy's Dartmouth training college last year were white.

For the most recent RAF officer intake, 91.9 per cent were white and 8.1 per cent from ethnic minorities.

The shameful lack of leaders from ethnic minorities comes despite pledges from defence chiefs to improve diversity.

Despite the shortage of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) officer trainees, there are no specific targets to boost the number of officers from these backgrounds, only for recruits. Being privately educated remains an advantage for candidates hoping to enter top military colleges.

More than 90 per cent of officer cadets at the Army's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) last year were white (graduates passing out in April 2023)

Ethnic minority representation at Dartmouth was even lower, with just ten BAME trainees out of 400 (file image)

Of the 580 officer cadets who entered Sandhurst in 2022, only 40 identified as BAME.

Ethnic minority representation at Dartmouth was even lower, with just ten BAME trainees out of 400.

Last night, former Army officer Ben Obese-Jecty, who is mixed-race, said: 'Given the military's desire to diversity its senior ranks, it is clear that the current officer recruitment strategy is in need of a drastic rethink.'

Last night, the Army said: 'Training at RMAS is accessible to any British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen who meets the academic, aptitude, physical and medical requirements, irrespective of the candidate's ethnic or social background.'

The Navy said: 'We continue to increase the number of people from ethnic-minority backgrounds, women and LGBTQ individuals who serve.'

The RAF added: 'The RAF is actively working to recruit the best people from the widest possible pool of talent.'
Hospitals are continuing to post job advertisements for midwives showing a bias towards 'normal' births  a year after being instructed to stop.

NHS bosses last year wrote to hospitals amid growing concern women were being forced to give birth 'naturally' when it could be dangerous for them.

They told maternity departments to stop using caesarean rates for performance management and ordered them not to use language in job advertisements that 'suggests a bias towards one mode of birth'.

But The Mail on Sunday has discovered a string of new job listings that flout the guidelines.

An advertisement for a community midwife in November by Barts Health said: 'We strive to make every birth as normal as possible.'

Rhiannon Stanton-Davies (right) pressed for the inquiry following the death of her daughter, Kate, who died after problems emerged during labour at a remote midwife-led unit

The Ockenden Report was last year published to detail catastrophic maternity failures at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (file image of a maternity unit)

The successful applicant would 'need a passion for optimising women's opportunities for normal birth including promoting births out of the obstetric unit for low-risk women'.

An obsession with 'normal' births has been a hallmark of successive maternity scandals, from Morecambe Bay to East Kent Hospitals.

Safe birth campaigners say this fixation on 'normality'  which they claim has become code for 'natural' birth  has led to many midwives frowning on medical intervention and caesareans.

When the MoS last month contacted Barts, which runs five maternity units in East London, a spokesman replied: 'We realise the error we have made with the wording of the job ad and will review future adverts.'

But a week later we found a second Barts employment notice on the NHS Jobs website  for another community midwife  using identical wording and with a closing date of March 30. The spokesman said this was also an 'error'.

East Kent Hospitals posted an advertisement in January for a midwifery sister, stating the job would involve 'a focus on reducing caesarean section rates locally'.

Sarah Shingler, East Kent Hospitals' chief nursing and midwifery officer, said the reference to caesareans 'was a mistake, will be removed and not included in any future job roles'.

In March, East Sussex Healthcare was looking for a labour ward lead matron 'who is passionate about promoting normality', while Surrey and Sussex Healthcare also wanted a midwife for its 'practice that promotes normality'.

An East Sussex spokesman said: 'The advert, which utilised outdated language, has now been removed and will be updated.' Surrey and Sussex said it 'respected' women's birth wishes, adding: 'This advert was placed in error.'

In a call for a 'safeguarding midwife'  working with vulnerable women  University Hospitals Dorset described its maternity team as 'champions of normality'.

A spokesman responded: 'Normalising birth at the risk of safety is not something we promote.'

The Ockenden Report was last year published to detail catastrophic maternity failures at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.

Midwife Dame Donna Ockenden found more than 200 babies and 12 mothers might have survived if they had received better care.

One employee said that her staff 'would definitely try to avoid a caesarean', while another claimed 'it was almost [like] we have to do everything to get a vaginal delivery'.

Rhiannon Stanton-Davies pressed for the inquiry following the death of her daughter, Kate, who died after problems emerged during labour at a remote midwife-led unit without surgical facilities.

Two weeks earlier, Mrs Stanton-Davies had been classed at 'high-risk' of having issues during labour, but staff failed to switch her to an obstetric-led unit.

She has lamented maternity departments' resistance to change.

Mrs Stanton-Davies said: 'We've almost given up trying to change the NHS. Now it's about trying to make sure people are educated and informed about the risks of each birth option, rather than being passive recipients of care and blindly trusting all will be well.'
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the veteran leader of the far-right party Le Front National in France, suffered a 'mild heart attack' and was taken to hospital on Saturday, a close source said.

'Jean-Marie Le Pen has been hospitalised in a public institution in the Paris region. His family and friends are concerned but calm,' the 94-year-old's advisor Lorrain de Saint Affrique said, confirming a story run by Le Point news magazine.

Le Pen remains 'conscious,' he added, and his family are said to be at his bedside.

Le Pen, father of current far-right leader Marine Le Pen, has suffered several health issues in recent years.

In February 2022, Le Pen senior was hospitalised after suffering a 'minor' stroke.

Jean-Marie Le Pen is in hospital after a 'mild heart attack', a source close to the leader has said

The founder of far-right party Le Front National, now Le Rassemblement National, was kicked out by his own daughter Marine le Pen in 2015 over comments he made about the Holocaust

Jean-Marie Le Pen ran for president five times, sending shockwaves through France in 2002 when he made it to the second round of the election, which was won by Jacques Chirac.

The former paratrooper was the co-founder of the National Front - later renamed the National Rally (Le Rassemblement National) - and spent decades whipping up anger over immigration.

While his political fortunes fluctuated sharply over more than half a century - his unabashed racism leading to him being dubbed the 'Devil of the Republic' - he once boasted that the rise of the far-right around Europe showed his ideas had gone mainstream.

His daughter Marine Le Pen has taken over the party, rebranding it the National Rally in a bid to distance herself from her father's provocative outbursts and alleged anti-Semitism.

For decades the elder Le Pen waged a nationalist battle against France's political establishment, accusing it of being too soft on immigration and of diluting French national identity in its acceptance of greater European integration.

Marine Le Pen later tried to clean up the image of the party and kicked him out in 2015 over remarks he made that the Holocaust was merely a 'detail' of history.

The party has since made significant inroads in both European and French politics.

Marine Le Pen got a far-right record of 23.15 percent of the vote in 2022 presidential elections, as the party won 89 seats in parliament, becoming the country's main opposition party.

French National Front president candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen pictured in 2002

Le Pen blasted Marine at the time, after she sent her 'henchmen' to remove him, saying she was not prepared to do it face-to-face because 'it's dirty to kill your daddy'.

The then-87-year-old politician was thrown out of the party after a three-hour internal disciplinary hearing by the National Front's executive bureau.

The complaints targeted recent public statements by Le Pen, including those in which he downplayed Nazi gas chambers and insulted his daughter and the party's No. 2 figure Florian Philippot - whom father Le Pen openly distrusts.

Born in the port of La Trinite sur Mer in the western Brittany region on June 20, 1928, Le Pen served in colonial wars in Algeria and Vietnam.

He became France's youngest MP at 27 when he was elected to parliament in 1956.

Even in his later years, as he made fewer public appearances, he did not express regret for any of his controversial remarks or viewpoints.

'I was a committed fighter, loyal to my cause. An unfortunate cause, but I do not regret it,' he said in April.

Le Pen handed over power within the National Front to his daughter in 2011, who soon sought to address the party's reputation.

In 2017, he was found guilty in a court of inciting racial hatred over comments he made about travelling communities. He was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to just over 4,000 for the outburst.

In the same year he was charged with inciting racial hatred a second time over comments he made in 2014 in which he 'joked' about Nazi ovens which were used to burn the bodies of Holocaust victims.

He referred to a Jewish French celebrity and made a pun using the French word for oven to suggest the star would be part of 'a batch we will get next time'.

He has repeatedly made racist remarks about Muslims, Jews and other minority groups in France.
The writer and former actress also took aim at the #MeToo movement, and said the media attention she has received has been a 'terrible burden'

Samantha Geimer told the infamous film director's wife the 1977 attack was 'never a big problem' for her

Roman Polanski's victim has defended the film director over 45 years after he raped her aged just 13

The woman who was raped by infamous director Roman Polanski aged just 13 has spoken out in defense of her attacker, claiming it was 'never a big problem' for her.

Samantha Geimer, 60, said in an interview with Polanski's wife Emmanuelle Seigner, 56, that she 'didn't even know it was illegal' when she was plied with alcohol and pills before being raped at the home of Jack Nicholson in 1977.

'I was fine, I'm still fine,' she said in the interview with French outlet Le Point. 'The fact that weve made this thing up weighs on me terribly. To have to constantly repeat that it wasnt a big deal, its a terrible burden.'

Geimer is one of six woman who have accused Polanski of sexual abuse, however she has repeatedly defended the French-Polish film director in recent years.

Polanski still has a warrant out for his arrest for the rape of Geimer in 1977, and he fled to France in 1978 after learning he was set to be given jail time for the attack. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

After the publication of the interview, Seigner, who married Polanski when she was 23 and he was 56 in 1989, posted photo of her with Geimer on Instagram. 'Thank you Samantha for coming all this way to meet me and talk to me.' The victim replied: 'I'm very happy to have a new friend.'

Roman Polanski, pictured in May 2018, fled to France in 1978 after learning he was set to be jailed for the rape of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer the year before

Geimer, a writer and former actress, has repeatedly defended the director in recent years

In her latest interview, Geimer brushed off the 1977 attack, as she claimed differing attitudes towards sex in the 1970s meant 'sex was recreational, sometimes transactional.'

'I remember the time when I was starting to work - I became a model at 14 years old,' she continued.

'All the girls, the models, slept with the photographers and I was no exception. But sex was something normal, a natural aspect of life. There wasnt all this drama, all this darkness surrounding sex.'

The infamous case of Polanski's rape of Geimer came after he invited the then-13-year-old to a photoshoot under the guise of being featured in an edition of Vogue magazine, which Polanski was set to guest-edit.

He would serve just 42 days in jail for the attack, and after he took a plea bargain he saw charges of rape by use of drugs, perversion, sodomy, lewd act upon a child aged 14, and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor all dropped.

Upon learning he was likely to be imprisoned, he became a fugitive from justice and fled to France just hours before he was due to be formally sentenced.

The Oscar-winner has since avoided countries likely to extradite him to the United States, and he still has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Polanski, pictured leaving court in 1977, has been accused by multiple women of sexual assault

Samantha Geimer was just 13-years-old when she was raped by the Oscar-winning film director

The wide-ranging interview with Polanski's wife also touched upon limitations with the #MeToo movement, which saw Geimer hit out at attorney Gloria Allred, who has taken on several notable cases of sexual assault and women's rights.

'(Allred) just diminishes women to exploit their pain,' she said. 'I'm sorry but that is no defense.'

After Sieger claimed that 'feminine desire has been denied, annihilated', Geiger continued: 'It's sad for women but especially young women.

'Imagine reaching adulthood in this era, it seems appalling to me. I dont see whats so feminist about claiming victimhood.

'Today, womens pain is valued, and theres a whole industry that exploits suffering. Those who participate in it dont know what theyre stepping into.'

Polanski has largely remained in France over the last four decades to avoid extradition back to the United States

Samantha Geimer was just 13 when she was plied with alcohol and pills before being raped by Polanski

Geimer said that she initially didn't feel like a victim after the infamous attack, and only later felt victimized after being hounded by the press and by repeated court appearances.

'If someone had something to say about Roman, about any mistreatment, 1977 would have been a really good year to help me,' she continued.

'Because with my family, we couldnt even leave our house anymore! Everyone was attacking us.

'No one came to stand by my side and say: "Hey, you know what? I think shes telling the truth because something similar happened to me." Its not like the story was private, it was in newspapers around the world!

'But no, no one, not one of the women who, today, claim to have had a problem with Roman, took the trouble to contact me.

'And now, now that they have an urgent need to unpack everything? Who are they kidding.'

While Polanski remains wanted by law enforcement, Geimer insisted that he should have the charges against him cleared and should be allowed to return to the United States.

'People pretend to act in the name of justice, or because they support me, but its the antithesis of what I want and of all I say that I want,' she said.

'They think of themselves as morally superior, when theyre just taking the easy way out. The extradition attempt, the fact that Roman was arrested like that, it was so unfair and so in opposition to justice.

'Everyone should know by now that Roman has served his sentence. Which was long, if you want my opinion. From my side, nobody wanted him to go to jail, but he did and it was enough. He paid his debt to society. There, end of story.

'He did everything that was asked of him until the situation went berserk he had no other choice but to flee. Anyone who thinks that he deserves to be in prison is wrong. It isnt the case today and it wasnt the case yesterday.'
Chinese agents are harassing Uighur Muslims living in Britain, a Foreign Office-funded report has found.

The Uighurs are being forced to spy on each other with their families back home effectively held hostage.

Those targeted are ordered to take pictures at pro-Uighur rallies, while others have been told to get work at Amnesty International and report back, to create paranoia and distrust in their community.

Up to 60 per cent of British Uighurs have faced harassment from the Chinese authorities, the report concludes.

They are informed that their families will be harmed if they fail to comply, with some given photos and videos of their loved ones surrounded by police officers.

Those who do not comply are also told they will be sent to detention if they return to China (a police officer attempts to detain a protester at a demonstration in support of the Uighurs in Hong Kong in 2019)

Chinese agents are harassing Uighur Muslims living in Britain, a Foreign Office-funded report has found (file image)

Those who do not comply are also told they will be sent to detention if they return to China.

The study  conducted by an academic at the University of Sheffield  interviewed Uighurs in Britain, Turkey and Thailand.

Report author Dr David Tobin said: Peoples families are being held as hostages in China. The goal is to break the Uighurs ability to have connections with the outside world and with their homeland.

He added that victims are spurred to send videos to police by being told they will not face trouble if they go back home.

Aziz Isa Elkun, 52, who lives in Enfield, North London, was targeted by Chinese security agents after he told CNN they demolished his fathers tomb in Xinjiang for looking Islamic.

He received calls and WhatsApp messages with photos of his 80-year-old mother attached, asking him to call a number on the message.

He does not know where his mother is now.

A Home Office spokesman said: We continually assess potential threats and take protection of individuals rights and safety in the UK very seriously.
Rapist Sean Hogg, 21, spared prison as he was 'too young' after raping girl, 13

A convicted rapist who was ruled 'too young to send to jail' fathered two children while awaiting trial, The Scottish Mail on Sunday can disclose.

The case of Sean Hogg sparked anger this month when he was spared a prison sentence despite being found guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl.

Sentencing guidelines for criminals under the age of 25, imposed last year as part of 'soft-touch' reforms by the SNP, meant that, even though a judge ruled Hogg had committed 'one of the most serious crimes', he was not sent to jail but given a community payback order instead.

Critics, including Harry Potter author JK Rowling, said it was appalling that anyone found guilty of rape should escape a prison sentence.

Now the row has been reignited as we reveal that  despite being too young for jail  21-year-old Hogg had a relationship with a woman and became a father to two children after being charged.

OUTCRY: Sex offender Sean Hogg, 21 walks free from court after he was ruled was ruled 'too young to send to jail'

Harry Potter author JK Rowling (pictured) hit out at the appallingly lenient sentence

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Jamie Greene said the decision not to jail Hogg for raping a young girl sparked 'understandable outrage' across the country.

'The revelation that he fathered children himself makes it all the more perplexing that he avoided prison on the grounds of being too young in the eyes of the sentencing guidelines,' he said.

'It's absurd  and offensive to his victim  that Hogg has been spared jail simply for being under 25 because of an arbitrary guideline which the general public rightly feel is as unfair as it is irrational.'

He added: 'SNP Ministers have the power to set the direction of travel of justice. That starts with giving judges the absolute and unimpeded power to impose sentences that are entirely appropriate to the crime committed.'

Hogg, from Hamilton, was 17 when he raped a 13-year-old girl in Dalkeith Country Park, in Midlothian, in 2018.

In July the following year he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in relation to the crime and was released on bail.

The Scottish Mail on Sunday can now reveal that three months later  while in a relationship with a young woman who was not the victim of his attack  he became a father for the first time.

In August 2020 he appeared at the High Court accused of rape but denied the charges. Within months  and with a string of sexual offence charges hanging over him  his then partner was pregnant for the second time and gave birth in the autumn of 2021.

At trial, Hogg was found guilty of pouncing on the vulnerable teenager at Dalkeith Country Park on a number of occasions between March and June 2018.

This month he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow to be sentenced. Although Hogg committed a serious crime and was convicted by a jury, the judge decided not to send him to prison because of his age and instead issued a community sentence.

New guidelines for sentencing criminals under the age of 25 were introduced in Scotland in January last year.

Rather than focusing on punishment, the guidelines made rehabilitation the priority and recommend that judges take an 'individualistic approach', considering offenders' life experiences.

In Hogg's case, Judge Lord Lake said rape was 'one of the most serious crimes' and that the victim's age and vulnerabilities were 'aggravating factors'. However, he told Hogg: 'I have to consider your liability and have regard to your age as a factor.

'For this offence, if committed by an adult over 25, you attract a sentence of four or five years.

'I don't consider that appropriate and don't intend to send you to prison.

'You are a first offender with no previous history of prison  you are 21 and were 17 at the time.'

As well as being sentenced to 270 hours of community work, Hogg was also placed under supervision and on the sex offenders register for three years.

Afterwards Ms Rowling joined the growing backlash and warned: 'Progressive Scotland 2023, where a man gets no jail time for raping a 13-year-old girl in a park. Young Scottish men are effectively being told "first time's free.'

In Hogg's case, Judge Lord Lake said rape was 'one of the most serious crimes' and that the victim's age and vulnerabilities were 'aggravating factors'. However, he told Hogg: 'I have to consider your liability and have regard to your age as a factor.' Pictured: The High Court in Glasgow, Scotland

The Crown Office still has a couple of weeks to lodge a possible appeal against the leniency of Hogg's sentence.

A spokesman said: 'The Crown is currently considering whether there are grounds for lodging an appeal against this sentence.'

Meanwhile Hogg's lawyer, Donald Findlay, KC, is considering lodging an appeal against his client's conviction.

Last night Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: 'This is a shocking case which sends entirely the wrong message to anyone considering reporting rape.

'It can take a lot of courage to report and go through what can be a very difficult and prolonged justice process.

'It is hard to think of any circumstances where community service for rape could ever be an appropriate sentence.'
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Vladimir Putin was seen celebrating Orthodox Easter on Sunday, just days after a US intelligence leak revealed that his top general was readying to 'throw' the war in Ukraine as the Russian leader reportedly undergoes treatment for chemotherapy.

Moscow's worshipers crowded into the vast Christ the Savior Cathedral overnight with the Russian despot in attendance for the Easter service led by one of his vocal supporters.

Patriarch Kirill - who splintered the worldwide Orthodox Church following his statements backing Russia's invasion - led the congregation during the midnight service.

The latest appearance by Putin came after it was unveiled that he is receiving treatment for cancer, according to a rumour contained in the leaked American intelligence document.

The leaked document - which appears to be the gravest disclosure of US secrets in years - has prompted a national security investigation in the US. But the information also appears to be highly damaging for the Kremlin following the intelligence revelations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an Orthodox Easter service in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

Parishioners take the part in a religion procession during the Orthodox Easter service

Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill conducts an Orthodox Easter service in the Christ the Savior Cathedral, in Moscow

The services began late Saturday and were to extend long into Sunday as phalanxes of white-robed clerics circulated through the cathedral swinging smoking censers and a choir sang and chanted.

Putin, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and dark purple tie, stood to one side in the Cathedral, holding a lit red candle, live images of the midnight service showed.

The tyrant crossed himself several times during the ceremony, known as the Divine Liturgy. When Patriarch Kirill announced 'Christ has risen', Putin joined the other members of the congregation with the reply 'Truly he is risen'. He otherwise did not speak.

Putin has praised the church for supporting Moscow's forces fighting in Ukraine in an Orthodox Christmas message designed to rally people behind his vision of modern Russia.

Most Western churches observed Easter on April 9, but the Russian Orthodox Church follows a different calendar.

In a video message broadcast on state television before the start of the service, Kirill lamented the 'grave events taking place on our Russian historical land, ' echoing the claim of Putin and other Russian officials that an independent Ukraine is essentially a fiction.

Kirill called for prayers 'so that peace and a common good life, fraternal relations again unite our peoples, who were once the one people of united Russia.'

The service comes after the alleged disclosure of detailed information about troop movements and losses on both sides fighting in Ukraine. The trove also contained daily intelligence briefings - a collection of short updates from a variety of sources from around the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin attend the Orthodox Easter service in the Christ the Savior Cathedral

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin attend the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow

Moscow's worshipers crowded into the vast Christ the Savior Cathedral overnight with the Russian despot in attendance for the Easter service led by one of his vocal supporters

One of these alleged briefings appears to contain a rumour that said that Russia's top general is conspiring to 'throw' the war in Ukraine while Putin is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

The claim suggests Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev and Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov are behind the plot.

Pictures of this part of the documents have been shared online along with many of the other 53-pages included in the leak.

It says that the plot - uncovered by Ukraine - is 'presumably in an attempt to sabotage Russian President Vladimir Putin'.

'Ukraine Learns of Alleged Russian Plot to 'Throw' So-Called Special Military Operation By 5 March,' says the title of the intelligence update.

Small parts of the update have been redacted, but it does include a string of coded of letters along the top that signify its security classification.

This comes after Ukrainian and Russian forces continued fighting in the smashed eastern city of Bakhmut.

Ukraine's military said on Saturday that pro-Kyiv forces were still holding on amid the extremely bloody battle.

Russia's defence ministry said that fighters from the Wagner mercenary group had captured two more areas of Bakhmut, the main target of Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers of the 80th brigade firing artillery in the direction of Bakhmut

Ukrainian artillery fires towards the frontline during heavy fighting amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Bakhmut

A Ukrainian serviceman stands next to a 2S3 Akatsiia self-propelled howitzer during firing towards Russian troops near the frontline town of Bakhmut

Wagner has spearheaded Russia's attempt to take Bakhmut since last summer in what has been the longest and deadliest battle of the war for both sides.

'Bloody battles unprecedented in recent decades are taking place in the middle of the city's urban area,' said Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern military command.

'Our soldiers are doing everything in bloody and fierce battles to grind down (the enemy's) combat capability and break its morale. Every day, in every corner of this city, they are successfully doing so,' he told the 1+1 television channel.

The Russian defence ministry also claimed Wagner units had taken two areas on the northern and southern outskirts of the city. Russian army paratroop units were supporting the claimed advance by holding back Ukrainian forces on the flanks, it added, but this report could not be confirmed.

Britain said in an intelligence update on Friday that Ukrainian troops had been forced to cede some territory in Bakhmut as Russia mounted a renewed assault there, with intense artillery fire over the previous two days.

Bakhmut, which had a pre-war population of around 70,000 people, has been Russia's main target in a winter offensive that has so far yielded scant gains despite infantry ground combat of an intensity unseen in Europe since World War Two.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made no mention of Bakhmut in his daily video address on Saturday and reiterated Kyiv's desire to join NATO as soon as possible. Ukraine would need effective security guarantees before that happened, he said, but gave no details.
Two in five Brits would be put off visiting places where they have to use these

Those with poor vision and arthritis have been affected by pay to park apps

Baffled motorists are having to tap their smartphone as many as 226 times when they find themselves forced to use an app to pay for parking.

App-controlled parking machines are commonplace in town centres and at hospitals and railway stations. For some time they have been offered alongside pay-and-display machines, which let drivers use coins or tap a bank card. But these machines are increasingly being ditched  leaving motorists with no option but to sign up to a smartphone app the first time they turn up at many car parks.

Campaigners say older people with poor vision and arthritic hands are particularly affected by app-only parking. They are also more likely to have basic mobiles which cannot run apps, rather than smartphones.

Poor internet coverage can also make using apps impossible.

Pay-and-display machines have disappeared from parts of London and are set to go in Brighton and Slough. Many councils are ditching them because the 3G mobile network used to run them will soon be switched off. Upgrading them to 4G can cost millions, so councils are moving to parking apps.

Two in five Brits would be put off visiting places where they have to use apps to park

Two in five Britons now say they would be put off visiting places where they have to use apps to park, according to research.

A Mail on Sunday reporter signed up to the major apps and counted the 'keystrokes'  how many taps on the phone screen  it took to pay to park.

Unlike using a pay-and-display machine, our reporter had to sign up for the apps by entering her name, address, email, bank card details and car make and colour.

Using one of the most popular apps, Apcoa Connect, our reporter used 226 keystrokes and took three minutes 43 seconds to sign up and pay. It could take someone older much longer. The JustPark app needed 135 taps to get through the process, but it still took nearly three-and-a-half minutes.

Dennis Reed, of Silver Voices, a campaign group for the over-60s, said: 'How on earth are older people, who may have poor close vision and stiff fingers, expected to negotiate this Byzantine series of operations on a small screen, particularly if the weather is bad or the mobile signal poor?

'It is unsurprising so many of our members are being forced to desert the high street because of this counter-productive move. Thousands do not have a smartphone or, if they do, only use it for calls.

'Older people are council taxpayers too, and we are urging our members to raise this age discrimination with political parties in the run-up to local elections on May 4.'

Motorists parking in different parts of the same town may even have to use more than one app if they use council car parks and those operated by shopping centres or leisure parks, or at stations.

Those with poor vision and arthiritis are particularly affected by pay to park apps

In Slough, the council is moving to app-only payment with RingGo, but parking at the station is run by Apcoa, although there are also payment machines. Tereena Davies, chief executive of Age Concern Slough, said: 'It's going to be very difficult for the elderly. It's leaving them behind. With the security issues and scams, there's a lot of suspicion around technology.'

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'We are still light years from a world in which digital tech can help everyone.'

The small station at Sandy in Bedfordshire requires two apps  with the car park for London-bound trains using PayByPhone, and the one across the bridge using Apcoa.

Many town halls say motorists can still get tickets for cash through the PayPoint scheme in shops.

Apps such as RingGo and PayByPhone let drivers give card details over the phone  but they can also charge extra fees of up to 30p an hour if used this way.

Parking apps have proved so lucrative that major car brands have entered the market, with VW owning PayByPhone, and RingGo being controlled until recently by BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

JustPark, whose turnover more than doubled to 8 million last year, said it had made its 'partners', mostly councils and other car park owners, 250 million over 15 years.

Government contracts reveal a multi-million-pound industry. Last year, RingGo was one of five companies in a 29.7 million deal to provide parking services in the City of London until 2027. Apcoa has had deals worth almost 18 million over three years, including 11.3 million with the London Borough of Hillingdon and almost 650,000 to run parking at Manchester Aquatic Centre.

Slough Borough Council said: 'We will be looking to remove parking meters in the next 12 months. For those without smartphones or who don't use parking apps, we will be looking at PayPoint options.'
Posing proudly with her medals, Jo England appears to be one of the most highly decorated combat doctors to have served in the British Army.

She says she served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal on a tour of Afghanistan.

Over more than a decade, her charity work has taken her to remote corners of Africa and the Ukrainian front line. There, she claims she has treated children and performed crucial surgery.

But last night serious concerns were raised about the truth of her qualifications amid allegations that Ms England  who also goes by the name Joanne Bruce  is a fantasist.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that nobody with those names and her date of birth had ever served with the British Army.

Posing proudly with her medals, Jo England (pictured) appears to be one of the most highly decorated combat doctors to have served in the British Army. Last night serious concerns were raised about the truth of her qualifications

Ms England also claimed to be a surgeon at Barts NHS Trust in London. But the trust, which includes St Barts Hospital, confirmed it did not employ a doctor with either name.

She provided a General Medical Council (GMC) number that belongs to a Joanna Bruce, but she is practising in Australia, and other personal details do not marry up. The GMC said no doctor with the name Jo England is registered.

Last night, Ms England maintained that she has served in the Army and is a qualified doctor, although she said this was under yet another name. Despite requests, she has not provided this name.

Ms England was in Ukraine last week  verified by other sources  and has visited the front line multiple times. While there, she has worn a majors uniform and asked people to address her as Maam.

Doubts about Ms England were first made by an armed forces veterans group which exposes fake war heroes, known as the Walter Mitty Hunters Club.

In messages seen by The Mail on Sunday, Ms England discusses sewing up wounded soldiers in Ukraine and says her stitching isnt pretty but would give folk a fighting chance. She has also provided advice on equipment needed on the front line from a surgical point of view. A friend of Ms Englands husband, who has also known her for more than two years, said he has questioned her military service when she attended a Remembrance Sunday service wearing medals incorrectly. Its difficult to believe a word that she says, he added.

Evidence suggests she has travelled to Africa since 2011 while claiming to be a doctor. She allegedly claims to have carried out treatment on children and surgical procedures around the world.

She has been pictured in a doctors uniform with a lanyard saying Dr Jo, and registered medical practice activities firm Medic Aid Associates, listing her job as a doctor.

Doubts were first made by an Armed Forces veterans group which exposes fake war heroes. Photographs also show Ms England wearing a red beret and medals. Ms England claimed to have been awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal for bravery during a tour of Afghanistan. But when questioned, she said she had been wearing the medal for a laugh and had borrowed it from a friend.

She maintained that she is a qualified doctor, studying at Trinity College Dublin. The university said it could find no record of Jo England or Jo Bruce with her date of birth having studied at its medical department. Ms England said she served with the Royal Army Medical Corps between 2003 and 2009 as a trauma doctor.

When informed that the MoD, St Barts and the GMC could find no record of her, she did not respond to further questions.
A private school is cracking down on mullets, threatening to cut students' hair on site if they turn up sporting the hairstyle.

Waverley College, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, last week said students with mullets would be billed $20 and sent to a hairdresser stationed on campus from the first day of term two.

The new policy will also apply to any students attending the private all-boys school donning mohawks, dreadlocks, buns and braids.

Students attending the $22,555-a-year college who did not comply would be sent home.

Sydney private boys school Waverly College said students with mullets would be billed $20 and sent to a hairdresser stationed on campus

Deputy principal Gabby Smith told parents any student flouting the rules 'will either be sent home on his first day or we will have a hairdresser on site where he can receive a haircut at the cost of $20, charged to his school fees account'.

'Your son will be given a choice on this day and a note will be logged on his file. There will be no phone calls home,' she said.

The drastic new rules also include undercuts, dramatic layering, tracks (shapes cut into the hair), overuse of product, tinting and colouring.

In 2021, the school sparked attention when then deputy principal Patrick Brennan announced a ban on students wearing the on-trend mullet hairstyle.

In the same year, schools across New South Wales including Wyong Christian Community School, Snowy Mountains Grammar School and Bathurst's Scots All Saints College also put restrictions in place.

The current Waverley deputy principal told the Sydney Morning Herald the school rules were clear and that parents supported the school's position.

'Part of maturing in life is understanding that rules, guidelines, and expectations are necessary for growth  even when these might not align with our personal preferences,' she said

'Waverley College's uniform policy includes presentation standards such as appropriate hairstyles and just as many workplaces have expectations of presentation, we expect our students to adhere to a dress code that includes neat hair.'

The mullet haircut became popular in the 1980s, with famous people from the hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, to Australian icon John Farnham, rocking the look.

In 2018, the principal of exclusive Melbourne private school Trinity Grammar resigned after controversy that erupted when a deputy principal was sacked after he trimmed a student's hair ahead of a school photo.
There's no love lost between Donald Trump and Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis whose super PAC, Never Back Down, dropped a campaign ad calling Trump a 'coward' when it came gun control - just moments before the former president addressed the NRA in a speech.

The ad calls Trump a 'gun-grabber' who has attacked the National Rifle Association.

Both Trump and DeSantis both spoke at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum along with a host of other Republican leaders - although Trump appeared in person in Indiana while DeSantis appeared by video.

The damaging ad accuses Trump of aligning with anti-gun Democrats, naming President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi.

It opens up with an archive clip of Trump speaking at an earlier NRA event with the narrator stating: 'Trump promised NRA members he'd have their back. But when Second Amendment rights came under attack, Trump abandoned us and stood with liberal Democrats.'

Never Back Down super PAC, which supports Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, released an ad attacking former President Trump as a 'gun-grabber'

The ad dropped just moments before for former president addressed the NRA in a speech

The ad then shows clips of Trump supporting gun control measures such as 'red flag' laws and working with Democrats including Senator Dianne Feinstein on gun control.

It also likens some of Trump's past statements on the issue of gun control to what liberals have said, painting him as someone who has abandoned Second Amendment principles.

'Trump cut and run like a coward,' the voiceover states, together with an image of a Breitbart headline calling Trump a gun-grabber.

'Trump the gun-grabber doesn't deserve a second chance,' the ad concludes.

The Trump campaign also released a political ad targeting DeSantis, albeit on completely unrelated political issues - but the timing of the Governor's spot was clearly designed to have maximum impact.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also spoke at the event, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, but virtually

DeSantis PAC's ad accuses Trump of being a 'gun grabber' who aligns with anti-gun Democrats

The ad listed what the NRA saw as betrayals by Trump as it listed various Democrats he sided with

The ad was designed to have maximum impact as it was released just before Trump spoke

Despite this, it's clear that the rivalry between Trump and DeSantis is heating up as the 2024 primaries draw closer.

DeSantis has not officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race yet he is still seen as Trump's main rival in the GOP primary.

His speeches at various GOP events across the country have resulted in big crowds and record fundraising from supporters urging him to run.

The 44-year-old lawmaker is an exceptional fundraiser with a $110 million war chest.

But $80 million of that is tied to the Sunshine State, and cannot be transferred to a presidential campaign. DeSantis has yet to announce his intentions, although it seems all-but-certain that he will.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has enjoyed a huge polls bump in the wake of his indictment over hush money charges, and subsequent arraignment.

Trump, until recently-seen as an also-ran, has had his campaign turbocharged by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's indictment and is once-again raising huge sums of cash.

Donald Trump has enjoyed a huge polls bump in the wake of his indictment over hush money charges, and subsequent arraignment

Trump, until recently-seen as an also-ran, has had his campaign turbocharged by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's indictment and is once-again raising huge sums of cash

Many grassroots Republicans and independents have also been reminded of the former president's sheer charisma and scrappiness, which even Democrats concede is a force to be reckoned with.

DeSantis has so far kept many donors at arm's length while touring the country.

His aloofness is said to have raised doubts about his ability to campaign on a national level among some senior Republicans and engage in 'grip-and-grin' schmoozing.

But DeSantis' defenders point to his competence as a lawmaker, and say the Florida governor has always prioritized hard work and getting results over networking.

When it comes to fundraising, he would be prohibited by law from transferring Florida state-raised dollars into a national presidential campaign.

Any attempts to move the money over to the Never Back Down super PAC would almost certainly raise red flags among campaign finance watchdogs.

DeSantis's poll numbers look to have have slumped against Trump in recent weeks with 56 percent supporting Trump compared with just 23 percent backing DeSantis.

Although DeSantis's nine-figure $110million haul sounds impressive, big-dollar fundraising does not always translate to victory.

Donors and strategists cite the examples of former Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida as warnings.

Bush was an early front runner having raised more than $100 million prior to his 2016 run only for his race to fall flat early on.

There are many months before the primaries kick off in early 2024, but DeSantis will need to make a decision before Trump runs away with the GOP nomination for a third time.
A young paramedic was stabbed 50 times in a McDonald's car park after he was 'stalked' from his ambulance, police allege.

Steven Tougher, 29, was nearing the end of his shift when he sat down in the back of his ambulance on Queen Street outside a McDonald's at Campbelltown, in Sydney's southwest, at 5.30am on Friday.

As he took his meal break, police allege the rear doors were pulled open by Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, who then stabbed Mr Tougher in the stomach.

The paramedic was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, but could not be saved.

A police statement of facts alleged Fineanganofo pulled up in his car alongside Mr Tougher's ambulance and stalked him for 30 seconds before unleashing his frenzied attack, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A young paramedic (centre, Steven Tougher) was stabbed 50 times in a McDonald's car park after he was 'stalked' from his ambulance, police allege

Police allege Mr Tougher's attacker was standing over him as he stabbed him over and over while he was 'completely defenceless' and wedged between Fineanganofo's car and the ambulance.

Passersby tried to talk Fineanganofo down or kick him, but were allegedly unable to stop his rampage, police allege.

Fineanganofo was then tasered by police before he was arrested and charged over the incident.

Fineanganofo did not appear before Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, with his lawyer Javid Faiz telling the court his client was not applying for release.

Court documents claimed Fineanganofo was diagnosed with psychosis in 2021, but never received medication for his condition.

Outside court Mr Faiz said the accused was aware of the serious crime he was accused of, despite suffering from serious mental health issues.

Fineanganofo's case has been adjourned until June 28.

Mr Tougher's wife Madison, his parents Jillian and Jeff and his sister Jess issued an emotional statement on Saturday afternoon.

They also supplied two photos- one of Mr Tougher in his parademic uniform and another of the whole family on his wedding day just five weeks ago.

'Steven's dedication to helping others shone brightest during his work as a NSW Ambulance paramedic and previously as a nurse,' the family said.

'But it wasn't just his medical expertise that made him exceptional  Steven's compassion touched the lives of so many people.

'He had a way of calming fears, offering words of solace, and showing kindness in the midst of chaotic or traumatic events.

'Steven had an uncanny ability to connect with people, to truly understand their needs, and to provide care with genuine warmth and empathy.

'He was always ready with a smile, a kind word, or a lending hand and brought joy to those around him.

'While we are still grieving our much-loved husband, father, son, and brother, we are thankful for all the love and support we've received from his NSW Ambulance colleagues, his closest friends and family, the greater NSW Health family, NSW Police, and members of the community.

'As we are still coming to terms with our loss, our family requests privacy at this time.'

Lawyer Mr Faiz said his client Fineanganofo was aware of the seriousness of the crime he is accused of.

'I've explained the offences and he is fully aware of the gravity,' Mr Faiz said.

Paramedic Steven Tougher (right) married the love of his life, Madison (left), just four weeks before he was stabbed to death outside a south-west Sydney McDonald's

Mr Tougher was set to go on paternity leave soon with his and his wife Maddison's new baby set to arrive in a few weeks (pictured, Mr and Mrs Tougher leaving their wedding together in mid-March)

'My client currently (has) police (at his) bedside and he is suffering a mental health issue.'

After the court appearance, Fineanganofo's devastated dad said the family was 'broken'.

'We just want to say we are so sorry to the family and for what has happened.

'We can't say anymore,' Toketa Fineanganofo told the Saturday Telegraph at his south-west Sydney home, where it's understood Jordan lived with his parents.

Mr Tougher, a newlywed whose wife is due to have their second child in weeks, has been described as a 'beautiful soul' by friends and family.

A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $259,000 for his young family.

Tributes have flowed throughout Australia for the paramedic killed while doing his job.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Tougher on Twitter on Friday, calling his death 'as shocking as it is tragic'.

On Friday NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Mr Tougher 'wanted nothing more than to serve his community'.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce broke down in tears as she addressed the death.

'I'd like to extend the deepest condolences to the wife and family of the paramedic,' she said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the stabbing was a 'terrible situation' for the entire paramedic fraternity to experience.

'It's a reminder that it's a very difficult and dangerous job,' Mr Minns said

Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, was arrested at the scene and taken to the Campbelltown Police Station, where he was later charged

The death of a paramedic in Sydney this morning is as shocking as it is tragic.



All Australians send our sympathies and condolences to his loved ones, friends and colleagues.



To every frontline worker, you are valued. You keep us safe. You deserve to be safe at work.  Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 14, 2023

This morning we lost the life of a young paramedic who was killed while on duty.



He dedicated his professional life to helping others.



To all those mourning after hearing this news - my heart goes out to you.



And to every paramedic in our state - thank you for all that you do.  Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) April 14, 2023

Mr Tougher had married the love of his life, Madison, just five weeks earlier.

Excited family members shared videos and photos of the happy bride and groom on the special day on social media.

'Mr and Mrs Tougher,' the groom proudly posted the following day.

Footage and photos show the couple doing their wedding waltz, celebrating with loved ones and on the dancefloor with guests.

'We could not be more proud of our boy on his wedding day,' his mum wrote at the time.

'What a magical day!'

Mr Tougher's tragic death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from grief-stricken friends and colleagues, along with messages of support for his wife and family.

Many have changed their profile photo to the NSW Ambulance logo surrounded by angel wings in honour of the fallen paramedic.

'Life isn't fair. Life is too short. Especially to you Steven Tougher,' one woman wrote.

'I remember our days as you being a cadet, being that absolute keen bean wanting to take over patients and being involved as much as possible - to finally becoming a nurse and then paramedic as your dream job became true.

'To Mr and Mrs Tougher, I am so sorry for the loss of your son.

'Madison, I can't begin to imagine what pain you are going through right now. Just know that he will be with every future moment of your life sitting in your heart.'

A former nursing colleague added: Such a tragic loss I can't believe your gone, I remember your first days starting nursing at Lawrence Hargraves as an AIN, you said from the start I want to be a paramedic and that's just what you did, you worked so hard to get there because your passion was to help other, such a kind and caring soul. My heart breaks for all you family and many many friends and colleague.'

One friend wrote: 'No words can explain how unfair this is. Steven Tougher you sir were truly an angel that lived amongst us and what has happened to you is beyond devastating.

Tributes were placed at the scene of the tragedy on Friday as family and friends remembered Mr Tougher online

'Mate I know it's a pretty generic line that's thrown around a lot in times like these, however in regards to you it's absolutely on the money: 'Buddy it was a blessing to have known you and be blessed to have experienced the warmth of your beautiful soul.'

'Rest easy big fella.'

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan met with Madison in the hours after the attack as well as Mr Tougher's mother, father and sister and said they are 'beside themselves'.

He said Mr Tougher's father told him he knew from the age of five that he wanted to be a paramedic.

'He wanted nothing more than to serve his community,' Commissioner Morgan said.

'He'd been with us for a relatively short period of time and had recently found out that he'd been posted back to southwest Sydney.

'I'm told he was so pleased that he was going to be able to stay here and bring up his family.'

Commissioner Morgan also sent well wishes to Mr Tougher's family and coworkers.

'I have such respect for the way that (Mr Tougher's family) are working through their grief, and am wishing such great things for the man's paramedic colleagues who valiantly worked to resuscitate and save their paramedic colleague's life  unfortunately, it was not to be,' he said.
Horror footage has emerged of a man plunging from an iconic beachside venue after attempting to gain re-entry by climbing in.

A NSW Police spokesman said the man, 20, was denied entry to the Coogee Pavilion, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on Saturday evening.

He then attempted to climb into the Pavilion when he fell at around 7pm.

Video footage shows the moment he falls three metres from the climb and hits the ground.

A man has fallen three metres to the ground after trying to climbs into an eastern Sydney pub

A police officer is seen rushing to his aid in the video.

'Officers ... who were present for an unrelated matter rendered assistance before he was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics,' a NSW Police spokesman said.

'(He sustained) a minor injury to his elbow and taken to St Vincent's Hospital as a precaution.'

Bystanders reported seeing the man scaling a power pole several shops down from the venue.

He then climbed across multiple awnings on Dolphin Street in the direction of the Pavilion.

Others reportedly witnessed police communicate for the man to come down before he fell from another building.

While police did not confirm whether the man was under the influence of alcohol or any other substances at the time of the incident, a spokesman said it was 'important to note that he had been refused entry to the premises'.

Merrivale, the owner of Coogee Pavilion, declined to comment.

The footage comes less than a week after a security guard at the venue was filmed pushing a woman and a boy, 13, onto the ground outside the same venue in an unrelated event.

The woman repeatedly screamed the boy was 'intellectually disabled' in the footage.

A NSW Police spokesman said the security team had reported 'malicious damage and assault of a security guard'.

'On arrival, officers were told a young person had forced entry to the venue, before allegedly smashing a glass door and getting into an altercation with a security guard,' the spokesman said.
The soldier was seen casually hanging his legs out the back of an aircraft hanger before the plane dramatically hits a bump

A viral video caught the moment US military flight engineer Shane Sutton fell from the back of an aircraft

Dramatic footage captured the moment a US soldier was left hanging onto a Chinook helicopter by his fingertips after hitting turbulence while hanging his legs off the back of the aircraft.

In a widely circulated video, flight engineer Shane Sutton, 26, is seen casually sitting on the edge of the ramp before the helicopter, which was travelling over the desert floor, dramatically hit a 'wind pocket coming off the mountains'.

Sutton told DailyMail.com the accident occurred in the training area in Fort Bliss, Texas, which led military higher ups to order the servicemen to 'change policies' about sitting on the powerful helicopter's ramps.

Thankfully, the soldier was 'strapped in' when he plummeted from the aircraft, and he admitted he only suffered bruising which left him 'super sore for a few days'.

An outlandish video posted to Instagram saw US Army flight engineer Shane Sutton fly out the back of an aircraft after hanging his legs off the ramp

After hitting a bump as the aircraft travelled along the desert floor, Sutton is seen hitting his head before dramatically falling from the back of the plane

The viral footage, which was first shared in 2021 before being widely circulated in following years, saw Sutton initially hanging his feet out the back of the $39 million Chinook helicopter.

After the 4,700 horsepower aircraft hits turbulence, Sutton was sent flying, and hit his head on the roof of the helicopter's hanger.

He is then seen dramatically falling from the back and towards the desert floor, while his fellow soldiers watch on in shock.

The 26-year-old has posted several images to his social media showing him dangerously hanging out the back of aircrafts.

While admitting that the video didn't fly under the radar and was seen by 'some pretty high up people' in the military, he said it didn't land him in hot water.

'They let my leadership handle the situation', he added, as the military hierarchy 'had us change our policies'.

While before soldiers were able to sit on the ramps 'freely', Sutton said the accident meant they were instead only able to do so 'if the mission dictates, such as too much cargo inside (the Chinook)'.

Despite the embarrassing incident, Sutton, who served on the 501st Combat Aviation Brigade, insisted the accident didn't stop him from dangling his legs off again.

'I still sit on the ramp a lot,' he added.

Sutton has posted numerous images from his army days online showing him inside the military aircrafts

The flight engineer admitted the in-flight fiasco earned him several nicknames, including 'Slingload Sutton' and 'Sky Surfer'

Sutton, from El Paso, Texas, admitted that 'everyone makes fun' of him for the video, which was captured in the training area in Fort Bliss

Sutton, from El Paso, Texas, served on one rotation into Europe, before he was sent on a tour to the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, which he said on his Instagram was a 'good deployment with lots of amazing memories'.

And according to his social media, Sutton has spent over 700 hours flying in Chinook helicopters, including in Alaska, Afghanistan and Texas.

Noting his widely-seen blunder, he shared online that it made his year one to remember, after 'falling out of a helicopter and going viral'.

'Everybody makes fun of me for it,' he added. 'But it's great, all of my friends always send me the video'.

He added that he earned several nicknames after the fiasco, including 'Slingload Sutton' and 'Sky Surfer'.

Sutton served on one rotation into Europe, before he was sent on a tour to the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan
A teenager has died on a rural property after her quad bike crashed.

Emergency services were called to property on the outskirts of Wilcannia - in northwestern NSW - about 11.45am on Saturday.

They had received reports a girl, 14, had been 'seriously injured' in a quad bike accident.

A teenager has died on a rural property after her quad bike crashed (stock image)

The girl died at the scene.

A crime scene has been established and investigations into the incident have commenced.

This comes only four days after a man died in a quad bike crash in central Victoria.

The 34-year-old died after a quad bike crashed on McLennan Road, Ladys Pass in the early hours of Tuesday April 11.

In Alice Springs a 27-year-old man died on Friday April 7 after his quad bike collided with a motorbike on a track near Maryvale Rd.

Quad bike safety has been an area of focus for the ACCC which lobbied for tougher standards in 2018 as record levels of all-terrain vehicle-related deaths in Australia peaked.

New safety regulations were introduced in 2019 in a bid to reduce quad bike-related injuries and fatalities.

In 2022 it was found more than 90 per cent of all new quad bikes sold in Australia had complied with the national safety standard.
A group of men used fake mail addresses to have cocaine shipped from Serbia to Australia, with two exploiting their employment as courier drivers to enact the cunning scheme.

The Sydney trio - a 37-year-old from Pemulwuy, a 45-year-old from West Hoxton, and a 54-year-old from Homebush - have now been jailed for a combined 15 years for their role in the massive mail-order scheme to import 5kg of cocaine from Serbia.

The last of the trio was sentenced at Parramatta District Court on Friday.

A group of men used fake mail addresses to have cocaine shipped from Serbia to Australia, with two exploiting their employment as courier drivers to enact the cunning scheme (pictured, footage of the arrest)

The last of the trio was sentenced at Parramatta District Court on Friday

It followed a major Australian Federal Police investigation starting in September 2020.

In a statement the AFP said two of the men worked for courier services and would have the drugs shipped to fake addresses in Sydney.

They would then collect the drugs and pass them to a third man for distribution.

Searches of the men's properties turned up about $67,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and numerous containers with traces of white powder.

'The parcels seized across all locations had identical packaging, concealment methods, and consignor and consignee details,' an AFP spokesman said.

'Police are working with international partners to identify the source of the drugs and anyone else involved.'

Last October, a 45-year-old West Hoxton man and 54-year-old Homebush man pleaded guilty at Parramatta District Court to charges of importing and trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug respectively.

The West Hoxton man was sentenced to four years and six months' prison.

The Homebush man received a six-year jail term.

On Friday a Pemulwuy man, 37, pleaded guilty to importing a quantity of a border-controlled drug.

He was jailed for four years and seven months.

Searches of the men's properties turned up about $67,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and numerous containers with traces of white powder

'The parcels seized across all locations had identical packaging, concealment methods, and consignor and consignee details,' an AFP spokesman said

AFP Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the outcome should serve as a clear warning to criminals.

'While many airmail or air cargo imports may seem like relatively small amounts of illicit substances, combined they equate to millions of individual street deals and can cause significant harm,' said Superintendent Blunden.

'Illicit drug use also causes a significant burden to the Australian economy; the estimated total social costs for every kilogram of illicit drugs of cocaine is more than $640,000 through crime, loss of productivity, emergency treatment and increased health care costs.

'The community needs to be aware that their illicit drug use bankrolls violent transnational serious organised crime groups, who may also be involved in other abhorrent crimes such as human trafficking and sexual servitude.'
An Air National Guardsman is facing federal charges after he attempted to apply for work as a hitman to make some extra cash on the side, in addition to his job in the military, the Department of Justice said in a press release.

Josiah Ernesto Garcia, 21, from Tennessee, who nicknamed himself 'The Reaper', attempted to become involved in a murder-for-hire scheme after he came across a website, rentahitman.com, which he believed to be a site for those looking for work as a professional killer.

The domain is actually a parody site that offers false testimonials from individuals who have claimed to use hitman services, yet Garcia was so desperate for the extra cash, allegedly willing to perform a hit for a mere $5,000, he appeared to be completely unaware that the site was parody.

Garcia was in need of money to support his family and began searching for contract mercenary jobs online in mid-February and it was during the search he came across the website. Garcia indicated on his profile that while he would be okay to kill in his home state, he would prefer to travel for work.

Originally created in 2005 to advertise a cybersecurity startup, the website failed, and over the next decade, yet received many inquiries about murder-for-hire services.

Josiah Ernesto Garcia, 21, is facing federal charges for attempting to engage in a murder-for-hire scheme with an undercover FBI agent

Garcia, 21, needed money to support his family and searched online for a job as a hitman despite having a job with the Tennessee Air National Guard

Originally created in 2005 to advertise a cybersecurity startup, the website is now a parody site with a feedback form where people can request hitman services

The website's owner then converted the site to a parody site with a feedback form where people can request such services alongside an option for someone to apply to work as a hired killer.

Garcia submitted an employment inquiry indicating that he was interested in obtaining work as a hitman.

He then repeatedly followed up on his initial request and submitted other identification documents including a resume indicating that he was an expert marksman and had been employed in the Tennessee Air National Guard since July 2021.

The resume also indicated that Garcia was nicknamed 'Reaper,' which he had earned from his military experience and marksmanship.

Garcia continued to follow up with the website administrator, indicating that he wanted to start work as soon as possible.

Garcia submitted an inquiry to the website to work as a hit man with the website owner then forwarding his information to the FBI

During a search of his Garcia's home, an AR-style rifle was found. He posted about it online

Garcia is alleged to have not realised that the website was a joke and repeatedly contacted the website administrator over getting work as a hitman

There are even some fake testimonials on the site further enhancing the illusion of legitimacy

Josiah Ernesto Garcia of Hermitage, Tennessee told the undercover agent that he was known as the 'reaper'. Pictured, artwork as seen on his Facebook page

Garcia allegedly learned the hard way that being a hitman is not a 'job' - it's a crime. Now, he will be facing the 'consequences' of his actions in court

Garcia, (second from left) is seen in photos from his mother Patricia's Facebook page

Just over one month later, an undercover FBI agent became involved and started communicating with Garcia. It ended up with him agreeing to kill an individual for $5,000.

On Wednesday, Garcia met the undercover agent at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where he was provided with information for a fictional individual, including photographs for the person he needed to murder, together with a down payment of $2,500.

After agreeing to the terms of the murder arrangement, Garcia even asked the agent if he needed to provide a photograph of the dead body.

'You are locked in? This is what you want? Because it sounds like you have a lot going on. You're in the military. You've got college. You've got a lot going on, as far as good things in your life to kinda' get in this world,' the agent asked, according to the affidavit.

'It is a shady world, and I just don't want you to have regrets if you come to work for us, because it, I mean it messes with your mind, shooting people.'

Garcia stated that he had weighed the psychological effects of killing someone and that he had no qualms with it.

Garcia allegedly told the undercover FBI agent that was in need of money to support his family and began searching for contract mercenary jobs online in mid-February

Garcia claims he was nicknamed 'Reaper,' which he said he had earned from his military experience and marksmanship

He stated to the undercover agent that he would prefer to work in another state but that he would also be fine to kill locally.

The agent then told him that if he were to kill fifty people, he would make a large amount of money.

'That's rookie numbers for the Reaper.' Garcia is alleged to have responded before adding, 'My only question is when can I start? I'm very excited.'

It was then Garcia was arrested by FBI agents. During a subsequent search of his home, an AR-style rifle was found.

If convicted, Garcia faces up to 10 years in prison.

Garcia has since stated that a co-worker in the Tennessee Air National Guard was the one to suggest he seek out hitman jobs as a way to make some additional cash.

Garcia's plan to become a hitman 'missed' the mark when the FBI set up a sting operation that led to his arrest

It's alleged Garcia wanted to be a hitman, but the FBI 'hit' him with a surprise arrest instead
Criminal syndicates are targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme and rorting the system of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money.

The NDIS fraud fusion taskforce, which was created in October, is currently reviewing $300million worth of suspicious payments.

It marks a massive increase of $50million in the space of three months with 1,700 tip-offs received by the taskforce in just one month.

Among the 38 investigations taking place are accusations that crime syndicates are using cash vouchers and gifts to get Australians to sign up for the scheme by faking medical evidence and diagnosis of disability.

A taskforce set up to investigate fraud in the National Disability Insurance Scheme expanded the amount of suspicious payments by $50million in just three months (stock image pictured)

Some have been encouraged to use NDIS funds to pay for holidays and luxury lifestyle items.

Other alleged fraud includes money being paid for services that are never delivered or that the recipient should not be eligible for.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has vowed to crackdown on the misuse of money meant to help the most vulnerable.

'Every single tip-off will be analysed,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'We are encouraging people to continue to help us in our efforts to stamp out dodgy behaviour.'

Mr Shorten is expected to announced a number of changes to the scheme, which is mushrooming in costs, on Tuesday ahead of the federal budget next month.

He accused the previous Morrison government of leaving the 'back door open to criminals'.

In August it was alleged the notorious Hamzy network, which operates in western Sydney, was one of the groups ripping off the NDIS.

Members are alleged to have used violence to extort intellectually disabled people.

One disabled person was threatened with a knife, another family was threatened with death by standover merchants trying to steal their NDIS entitlements.

In another case, there was an allegation a person was threatened with being committed into a psychiatric ward unless they helped criminals rort the system.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief Michael Phelan said at the time an estimated 15 to 20 per cent of the NDIS annual budget of almost $30 billion may have been misused.

Last year's federal Budget set up the $126.3 million anti-fraud NDIS taskforce, which includes federal police, the tax office and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

The NDIS was legislated in 2012 and went into full operation in 2020, to fund the costs associated with disability care.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten (pictured) has vowed to crackdown on the millions being stolen out of the scheme

Blowouts have seen the NDIS become the second largest area of federal government spending and the fastest growing program

More than 500,000 Australians have enrolled on the scheme with more than 280,000 recently joining.

This has led to spiraling costs making it second largest federal outlay, after aged care, and the fastest growing program.

Overall disability spending was expected to increase by 9.6 per cent between 2022-23 and 2025-26, as costs for every individual on the NDIS rose by 18.6 per cent.

The scheme, designed when Labor was last in government more than a decade ago, was expected to cost $166.6billion over four years but the ended up being an underestimate of $8.8billion.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Parliament last May the government wanted to make the NDIS sustainable.

'We choose dignity for Australians with disability,' he said.

'This Budget begins the task of repairing the NDIS and securing its future.'
Orchard owner Kalim Saliba, 86, died after he and his wife were allegedly attacked at their home in Cherrybrook in April, 2020

Two men accused of bashing a pensioner to death in an alleged home invasion three years ago have been revealed to be his relatives.

Orchard owner Kalim Saliba, 86, suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital after he was allegedly attacked by two men who broke into his home in Cherrybrook in Sydney's north-west on April 29, 2020.

He bravely tried to defend his 83-year-old wife of 60 years, who was also seriously injured in the attack.

NSW Police offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in December, 2021 and on Wednesday charged two men.

Danny Stephen, 33, was arrested at his home in Castle Hill and Tony Tadrosse, 58, was arrested at Silverwater Correctional Complex.

Tadrosse is Mr Saliba's nephew and Stephen his great-nephew, and also nephew of Tadrosse, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Both were charged with murder and aggravated breaking and entering. Police said they were also alleged drug dealers facing drug supply charges.

Two men have been arrested over the alleged murder and home invasion of Mr Saliba

Police said in a statement of facts referred to in court that they alleged they had cracked the case using mobile phone pings that allegedly placed the pair near the scene of the crime.

Tadrosse and Stephen allegedly attacked Mr Saliba because they knew he had a safe full of case hidden in his living room floor.

Mr Saliba and his wife were bludgeoned with a 'wooden-handled weapon with a bulbous head', the police documents alleged.

Mr Saliba's family thanked the police force in a statement on Wednesday and said their grief at losing their loved one would stay with them forever.

'We are extremely thankful to the NSW Police Force for all their diligent hard work and assistance over the past three years. We have full confidence in the investigation team and appreciate their support and hard work,' the family said.

'This has understandably been a traumatic and emotional time for our family. We lost a treasured family member, and continue to grieve the loss every day.

'While the courts process is underway, our family requests privacy at this time.'

At the time of the attack, police said two masked men broke into the couple's home just after midnight.

Detectives spent months combing through CCTV around the couple's home in a bid to find their attackers.

Mr Saliba owned the family-run Saliba Fruits apple orchard in the Blue Mountains town of Bilpin.

NSW Police officers are seen arresting a 33-year-old man over the alleged murder of Mr Saliba
Six prison guards have been injured after a child hit an officer with a makeshift weapon and stole her keys before sparking a massive riot.

The juvenile detainees were being held in Unit 18 youth detention facility within Casuarina Prison, a maximum security prison in Perth, at 4pm on Saturday.

Two children were outside of their cells for recreation when one of them used a makeshift weapon - made from the metal of their bed frame - to hit a Youth Custodial Officer in the head and steal her keys.

A group of 13 juvenile inmates at Perth's maximum security Casuarina Prison rioted after two of them attacked a guard and stole her keys

The pair then freed 11 other children from their cells, leading to the riot.

'The 13 detainees climbed rooftops of Unit 18 and two nearby buildings, damaging infrastructure and throwing debris at staff,' a Western Australian Department of Justice spokesman said.

'A security cordon was put in place and prisoners at Casuarina secured during the incident.

'The detainees progressively surrendered to officers during the night, the last doing so at 2.15am.'

Six prison officers were injured during the incident, including one who suffered a broken foot.

Three buildings were damaged and one flooded after the fire sprinkler system was activated.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said the conduct of the detainees was 'appalling.'

'They'll suffer the consequences, they'll suffer the charges and so forth,' Mr McGowan said during a media conference on Sunday.

'When they do these sorts of things it's unacceptable, shocking, it's appalling.

'I have no time for it, I think the vast majority of the problem has no time for it either.'

At least one of the group of 13 is over the age of 18, having been sentenced when they were a juvenile offender.

The youths are being held at Casuarina while repairs are carried out at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre, where accommodation was damaged in riots earlier this year.

After 13 of the juvenile inmates climbed onto the prison's roof guards were not able to fully restore order for around 10 hours

WA Premier Mark McGowan labelled the behaviour of inmates 'appalling' and said they would suffer consequences for their actions

'We're spending a lot of money to beef-up security and so forth, because they just destroy their cells ... when they're given the opportunity to go and engage in some recreation, they attack people,' Mr McGowan said.

'That's the problem we face.'

The Premier again indicated his government will try and have laws brought in by the middle of the year to ensure offenders are moved to adult facilities once they reach 18.

In a separate riot in late February, a prison guard at Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre had his skull fractured.

Another large-scale riot also took place there on New Year's Eve, with two buildings damaged by fire.

There was also a 'disturbance' at Acacia Prison in late January, which also required the assistance of firefighters.
The shocking moment a ute collided with a car on a suburban street sending it flipping onto its roof and killing a father-of-six has been caught on CCTV, with police investigating if drag racing was involved.

Nour Marbany, 35, was a passenger in a Holden Commodore driven by his brother travelling on Hawksview St at Merrylands, in western Sydney, around 5pm on Saturday.

Residents reported hearing three loud bangs as the Commodore collided with a reversing Hyundai i30, then rolled before hitting an unoccupied parked HiLux ute.

Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics, Mr Marbany died at the scene.

The residential street has a 50km/h speed limit. It is not known what speed the ute was travelling but moments earlier it was filmed on CCTV rapidly accelerating to overtake a truck on the same stretch of road.

Father of six Nour Marbany (pictured), 35, died on Saturday in a horror car crash on Hawksview St, Merrylands, west of Sydney

The black ute clipped one car on the residential street sending it off course (pictured)

The ute then flipped and hit a second parked car (pictured)

His wife Rema Zreika sahred a touching tribute to her late husband on social media, citing an Arabic phrase from the Koran.

'You've shattered me into a million pieces. Inshallah [If God wills] I can be strong enough to raise your 6 kids,' she wrote on Facebook.

'Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return.'

Family and friends were quick to offer their support for the heartbroken family.

'May Allah give you and your beautiful children the strength and patience to get through this difficult time,' one comment read.

'So sorry to hear Rema,' another said.

'May Allah ease the pain in your hearts, grant him Jannah [paradise] and have mercy over him and your family.'

Neighbours have called for action to prevent another tragedy in the area, where accidents have become commonplace.

Hawksview Street resident Jemma Achi said there was an accident on the street 'every six weeks'.

'Unfortunately someone had to lose their life [Saturday] night,' she told the Daily Telegraph.

'Whenever there is an accident, all the neighbours come together and we all come running outside.'

Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics, Mr Marbany tragically died at the scene of the crash

Emergency services on the scene following the three-vehicle crash

Neighbours have called for increased safety measures on Hawksview St, where car accidents have become commonplace

Neighbour Tommy Naati said another resident had been reversing out of their driveway onto the road when the car Mr Marbany was in crashed into it.

'There have been so many accidents here,' he said.

'That is why I don't park my car on the street, I park it in the back. People are always speeding down the street.'

Ms Achi and Mr Naati want the collisions to be investigated and said speed bumps or other safety measures need to be installed to prevent more tragedies.

The 23-year-old driver of the Holden was taken to Westmead Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 37-year-old man, was not injured and underwent mandatory testing at Westmead Hospital.

Police investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information into the incident, or dashcam footage, is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers
A Canadian Pacific freight train derailed and caught fire in Maine on Saturday, causing minor injuries to three rail employees.

'A total of three locomotive engines and six rail cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring derailed into a wooded area, where they caught fire and started a small forest fire,' Maine's Forest Department said in a statement.

Additional rail cars transporting hazardous materials did not derail, it said, adding that these hazardous materials are 'not at risk' of leaking and catching fire.

The derailment happened when the train encountered a 'track washout,' Canadian Pacific said in a statement. The washout may have been caused by a build-up of melting ice and debris.

Earlier in the day, Rockwood Fire and Rescue posted a photo of the derailment on its Facebook page asking residents to 'stay clear.' It's the third such incident this week, following derailments in Pittsburgh and Alabama.

A view of a train following derailment and fire near Rockwood, Maine

Three locomotive engines and six cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring went off the track at about 8:30am

C. Doniele Carlson, the director of communications for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, also confirmed the derailment about 15 miles east of Jackman and said the hazardous elements of the train's cargo were not involved in the fire.

'Our emergency response teams and hazardous materials experts have responded and continue to conduct a full assessment of the situation,' Carlson said in a statement. 'There are no evacuations and no threat to public safety.'

The fire and rescue department in nearby Rockwood posted a photo of the derailment on its Facebook page and advised residents to stay away from the area. The image showed multiple derailed cars and a small fire, with black smoke wafting across snowy forestland.

A merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern was announced Friday. The rail line bills itself as the first and only single-line railway connecting Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

The derailment occurred in Rockwood, Maine, a village in Somerset County that borders Moosehead Lake

The train carrying potentially hazardous materials derailed near Rockwood, a village in Somerset County that borders Moosehead Lake, Maine

The crash on Saturday was the most recent derailment to have taken place across the U.S.

The derailment is the latest one to hit the rail industry. Federal regulators and members of Congress are urging railroads to do more to prevent derailments after recent fiery wrecks involving hazardous chemicals in Ohio and Minnesota prompted evacuations.

Rockwood, about 90 miles northwest of Bangor, is a village in Somerset County with about 300 residents. Located on the western side of Moosehead Lake, one of the state's largest freshwater bodies, it's a destination for salmon and trout fishing on both the lake and the Moose River.

Earlier this week in Jasper, Alabama, 11 cars on a North Atlantic Southern train derailed.

Two crew members were transported to a nearby hospital after the crash, but have since been released.

'According to Norfolk Southern, the train crew was briefly trapped in the engine room because the engine tilted over. There were no major injuries, but RPS was called to the scene to evaluate the crew and transported two crew members as a precaution,' Jasper Police wrote in a statement.

'Jasper Fire called all personnel in to assist the crew in getting out of the train and managing the scene, along with Jasper Police. Norfolk Southern and Walker County EMA are remaining on the scene to return the track to service,' the statement continued.

It came just hours after five Norfolk Southern Trains were derailed in Pittsburgh, causing no hazards or injuries, according to authorities.

Five empty train cars veered off the tracks near Telford and West Carson Streets in the citys Esplen neighborhood, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said.

City officials temporarily closed parts of West Carson Street as crews moved equipment through the area to remove the derailed cars.

It was unclear what caused that derailment.

The crash on Saturday was the most recent derailment to have taken place across the U.S, following a Norfolk Southern derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, in February

The toxic train derailed in a fiery crash on February 3, leading authorities to evacuate the surrounding East Palestine, Ohio area. A giant plume of smoke can be seen during the aftermath of the incident which could be seen from miles away

The crash on Saturday was the most recent derailment to have taken place across the U.S, following a Norfolk Southern derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, in February.

It resulted in the evacuation of residents after the trains spilled hazardous materials.

Norfolk Southern has faced mounting criticism over safety since the major derailment.

The state of Ohio also subsequently sued the railroad company over the freight train derailment under charges that it exposed East Palestine to huge levels of toxic material.

The lawsuit demanded the company pay for the full cleanup of the accident and for any environmental damage it caused.

It also seeks to force the company to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring in the years to come, along with compensation for economic losses in East Palestine and surrounding areas.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw apologized before Congress in early March for the impact the derailment had on the village and its surrounding communities, but he didn't make specific commitments to pay for long-term health and economic harm.

The company pledged more than $20million in aid to East Palestine.
Yergeau's neighbor, Stacey Wezenter, said she was traumatized when officers broke down her door and handcuffed her before realizing their mistake

Yergeau had been working as the marketing and communications director at the Long Wharf Theatre and previously worked for Planned Parenthood

Tim Yergeau, 36, took his own life five days after a botched police raid in connection to child pornography at his New Haven, Connecticut home

The former director of strategic communications at the Southern New England branch of Planned Parenthood took his own life amid a child porn investigation in Connecticut this week.

Police have not named abortion advocate Tim Yergeau, 36, as the suspect in the probe but confirmed that the man who committed suicide in the apartment building was a suspect.

Yergeau, 36, took his own life, five days after an apparent botched attempt by police to take him into custody. Investigators broke down the door of his neighbor in New Haven, Connecticut and handcuffed her before realizing they had raided the wrong apartment.

'The person who died was definitely the suspect in a child pornography investigation and the person who committed suicide,' New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson told the New Haven Register.

Yergeau appeared to post regularly on social media until December 2022. Pictures of his godchildren, family, friends, and work events lay bare his life in the months prior to his death.

Tim Yergeau, 36, took his own life five days after a botched police raid in connection to child pornography at his New Haven, Connecticut home

In an interview with Hartford Business , Yergeau, 27 (left) at the time, said he'd spent his entire career working in the arts, fundraising, and advocating arts. He's seen pictured with Former Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy (right), Liza Minnelli (center right) and Malloy's wife Cathy (center left)

Yergeau had been working as the marketing and communications director at the Long Wharf Theatre and previously worked for Planned Parenthood (pictured with other PP staff)

Yergeau appeared to post regularly on social media until December 2022. Pictures of his god children, family, friends, and work events lay bare the 36-year-old's life in the months prior to his death

Jacobson requested an internal affairs investigation after members of the Special Victims Unit 'obviously hit the wrong door.' The investigation will also examine how Yergeau took his own life in wake of the raid.

'Unfortunately, a mistake was made,' Jacobson said. 'We feel for the woman and we're going to do everything we can to make it right.'

'The investigation is part of holding my department accountable and transparent.'

Jacobson declined to confirm if Yergeau was the suspect of the child pornography investigation however, Yergeau's neighbor and the state Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner both confirmed he died Tuesday morning. The medical examiner also confirmed Yergeau died by suicide.

Yergeau was hired in August 2022 as the Long Wharf Theatre's marketing and communications director, according to the organization's website.

Pictures on his Instagram show behind the scenes at the job in the few weeks after he started the job.

'We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn the developments of the last 24 hours,' a spokesperson for the theater said Wednesday in an email to the outlet.

'Given the difficult news, it would be inappropriate to comment further.'

During his time at Planned Parenthood Yergeau was part of an artmaking and letter-writing workshop in the parking lot of PPSNE  writing 247 'love letters' to abortion.

He said at the time of the event that the notes may become an installation at the Whitney Avenue office, or at one of PPSNE's 14 satellite locations in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

In an interview with Hartford Business, Yergeau, 27 at the time, said he'd spent his entire career working in the arts, fundraising, and advocating arts.

Yergeau's neighbor, Stacey Wezenter, said she was traumatized when officers broke down her door and handcuffed her before realizing their mistake

Police raided the East Street New Haven home (pictured) April 6 looking for a suspect in a child pornography investigation

When speaking about how he creates professional connections he noted that: 'I try to be as authentic as possible  I think everyone is constantly over-stimulated, over-sold, over-worked  so I try to be upfront and honest, to discover areas of agreement, and be straightforward with my values.'

When sharing what he'd like his legacy to be he said: 'I think it's a little too early to start thinking about a lasting legacy.

'I like making people laugh and making them think. I'd love to hear people say, 'He was funny' and 'He always had something thoughtful to share.'

Jacobson said there are still two open investigations into the matter and police are not going to release the application for the search warrant or information about what was found in Yergeau's apartment until they are certain no one else is involved in the case.

The state could also decide whether or not to release the warrant.

Yergeau's neighbor, Stacey Wezenter, said she was traumatized when officers broke down her door and handcuffed her before realizing they had the wrong apartment on April 6.

'Every time I walk down my hallway, I relive it,' said Wezenter, whose two children, ages 20 and 4, were home when police barged through the door.

'What if I had a gun permit? What if I came down the hallway with a gun? Would I have gotten shot?

What if my four-year-old had woken up? Would they have shot him?' Wezenter said Wednesday. 'You just don't do that to people.'

Wezenter heard a boom at about 6 am in the morning when she realized police had taken down her door and were sifting through her apartment with their guns drawn, she said.

'I started running down the hallway, it was just like a movie. They had guns and flashlights on me,' Wezenter said.

'They put me against the wall and handcuffed me. I was crying and saying, 'What's happening? ''

Wezenter could hear the officers yelling: 'clear, clear,' every time they entered a room, and they kept asking her where the man was located, she recalled.

'I was like, 'What man? I'm here with my children,'' she said. 'They asked, 'Who's Tim? ' and I said that's my neighbor downstairs.'

When they saw her son's toys, they realized they were in the wrong place, she explained to the outlet.

The officers said that they'd been conducting surveillance of her neighbor, who was the focus of an investigation, she added.

Yergeau appeared to post pictures quite frequently on social media platforms until the end of 2022

Yergeau posted pictures behind the scenes at his job in Long Wharf in Dec 2022

'They literally came up to the third floor. If they had been watching him, they would have seen my son and I coming and going,' she said.

Wezenter has since filed a complaint and said police tried to connect her with mental health services, but she declined.

'I was planning on going down there and talking to him,' she said about her neighbor, before realizing he'd taken his own life.

'I just thought that maybe a small act of compassion might help.'
A young father and former soldier from the Gold Coast is fighting for life after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a motorcycle crash while on holiday in Bali.

Remuna Avaemai, 26, from Tugun in the Gold Coast, is currently on life support in an induced coma following a motorcycle accident while on holiday to the popular Indonesian province on Friday.

His family are on a desperate mission to raise enough cash to bring him home once he is stable after being quoted up to $180,000 by medical authorities.

Mr Avaemai's former partner, Meg Sproule, with whom he shares a young daughter named Maeva, said he had been in Bali for a quick break between jobs when disaster struck.

'To fly Remuna home, with the care he requires, will be a massive undertaking and extremely costly,' she said.

The family of Remuna Avaemai (pictured, left) desperately want to reunite him with his young daughter Maeva (left)

'Our aim is to bring him home as soon as he is stable enough, to be with his daughter and family.'

Ms Sproule revealed that her former partner served in Afghanistan during a five-year career with the Australian army.

'We are really hoping that Australia can help him in return,' she added.

Ms Sproule said she was desperate to reunite him with his young daughter.

'The only thing he would want is to feel her presence and hear her words,' she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

She said the dad and daughter had a 'very unique connection'.

'Our biggest thing is trying to get him through this so he can continue making memories with Maeva,' Ms Sproule said.

'She has a very profound love for her dad and doesn't understand what is going on at the moment.'

Mr Avaemai served his country in Afghanistan: 'We are really hoping that Australia can help him in return,' said his ex-partner Meg Sproule

Doctors have removed half of Mr Avaemai skull and will need to operate again to replace it.

Despite being in a 'delicate state', Ms Sproule said her ex-partner had shown positive signs in his recovery.

'When his brother saw him, he squeezed his brother's hand and was trying to pull the tube out of his mouth.'

Mahana Avaemai, Remuna's sister, is by his bedside as he fights for his life.

'I'm here with him now and he will not fight this alone,' she wrote on Facebook.

'We are grateful for any donation to get him home.'

Gold Coast company, Medical Rescue, has since reportedly offered to coordinate Mr Avaema's transfer and repatriate him back to the coast.

Daily Mail Australia has approached the company for comment.

Ms Sproule has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her ex-partner's medical treatment and to raise funds for his repatriation.
At least 56 civilians have been reported dead in Sudan as a power struggle between the country's army and a notorious parliamentary force has broken out.

Residents avoided gunfire in the capital, Khartoum, as rival forces fought over the presidential palace, state TV, and army headquarters.

Twenty-five people have died in the city, a doctors' organisation said, including 17 civilians.

The clashes happened after tensions over a proposed transition to civilian rule.

The army and its rivals, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both claimed they had control of the airport and other key sites in Khartoum, where fighting carried on throughout the night.

Pictures taken this morning show black smoke rising over residential buildings in Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, as fighting between the forces of two rival generals continues

People walk along a deserted street in Khartoum's twin city Omdourman this morning

Shops are shuttered in Khartoum's twin city Omdourman as civilians are encouraged to stay indoors to avoid gunfire

At least 595 people had been injured in total, and 56 are reported dead

Heavy artillery was heard in Omdurman, next to Khartoum, and nearby Bahri in the early hours of this morning. Witnesses also reported gunfire in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

Tahani Abass, a prominent rights advocate, said 'the battles have not stopped' from her family home close to the military headquarters. 'They are shooting against each other in the streets. It's an all-out war in residential areas,' she said.

Abass added that her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home.

'No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion,' she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking.

Military jets also pounded RSF bases across the capital.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims could not be independently verified.

The military launched strikes from fighter jets and drones at paramilitary positions in and around the capital yesterday

A military vehicle and soldiers said to be from the Sudanese armed forces are seen on a street in Khartoum, Sudan yesterday

Both sides signaled late last night that they were unwilling to negotiate.

The military, headed by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a 'rebellious militia.' The head of the RSF, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiations. Dagalo called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting. Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan - Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - also called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 'We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition,' he said in a statement early Sunday.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Fierce clashes broke out across the capital Khartoum and the sister city of Omdurman

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Khartoum residents told the BBC of their terror and despair, with one describing bullets being heard at their neighbour's house.

READ MORE: Choas in Sudan amid an attempted coup as government fighter jets fire missiles over capital as fears mount of a wider conflict Advertisement

At least 56 civilians have been killed in cities and regions around Sudan, a Sudanese doctors' committee reported, adding that dozens of military personnel were dead, some of whom had been rushed to hospital.

According to the committee, at least 595 people had been injured in total.

Three employees for the World Food Programme (WFP), which gives food assistance to vulnerable areas, were killed after the RSF and armed forces shot guns at a military base in Kabkabiya.

People were filmed running away and taking cover in Khartoum as black smoke smothered the city.

One eyewitness speaking to the BBC via her Kenya-based sister said: 'Shooting is still ongoing and people are staying indoors - there is so much panic and fear.'

Residents in Sudan did not anticipate the clashes, according to the witness, and many were caught in transit, with bridges and roads shut while schools were forced into lockdown.

Yesterday armoured tanks were seen rolling into Khartoum as the military launched strikes from fighter jets and drones at paramilitary positions in and around the capital.

The brutal scenes serve as a new blow to the country's hopes of a transition to democracy and have raised fears of an even wider conflict. The intense clashes sparked global calls for calm in a country which has seen decades of unrest.
Environmental protesters halted a train bound for the Port of Newcastle before scaling it and shovelling coal out of its wagons, resulting in dozens of arrests.

The train was waved down a few kilometres from the world's largest coal export port when passing Sandgate, near the Pacific Highway, about 10am on Sunday.

About 20 people linked to so-called climate defence group Rising Tide climbed the carriages, while another 30-odd provided support inside the rail corridor.

Police charged 50 people who were moved out of the rail corridor with most given future court attendance notices and released, but four were taken away by police.

The train was stopped for at least four hours as the group of protesters, numbered by some reports as high as 150, unfurled banners reading 'Survival guide for humanity: No new coal' and 'Rising Tide'.

The protesters waved down the train, bringing it to a halt before climbing onto the coal laden carriages (pictured)

Up to 150 in attendance chanted and waved banners reading 'Survival guide for humanity: No new coal'

Those involved in Sunday's protest said protests were their only option when NSW was significantly expanding its coal production.

Eight NSW coal projects awaiting approval this year would produce carbon emissions equivalent to 10 times the state's annual CO2 budget, advocacy group Lock The Gate said in February.

'The Albanese government is allowing massive new fossil fuel projects to proceed. This is an emergency, but we're yet to see the ALP take decisive action,' law student, Zack Schofield, 24, said.

'NSW is facing the largest coal expansion since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. The Hunter Valley Operations expansion alone would produce more than a third of NSW's domestic emissions for the next 25 years.'

Renewable energy engineering student Jasmine Stuart said: 'Rallies and campaigning within the system are clearly not working, so people like me are left with no option but civil disobedience,'

'As the head of the UN said, the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.'

Police arrested 50 people with most given notices to appear in court

The protesters are linked to the 'Rising Tide' environmental activist group

Another protester said both the NSW and federal ALP governments need to cancel all new coal projects immediately to battle the 'climate emergency'

NSW Police confirmed in a statement they have charged 50 people who attended the protest.

'About 10am, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, along with specialist police resources, attended Tourle Street, Sandgate, in relation to unauthorised protest activity,' the statement said.

'Police are speaking with a group of about 50 people who entered the railway corridor, with a portion of those people who had climbed onto a train carriage.'

'While we won't comment on specific individuals, or groups, the community can be assured we continue to monitor activities and will take action where appropriate.'

A series of similar protests disrupted the Port of Newcastle in 2021.

The Port's main exports are thermal and metallurgical coal which make up most of the $71 billion of goods passing through each year.
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Leading roles in a ten-year HBO Harry Potter series are up for grabs, as its revealed the future stars could make millions.

A handful of actors will be picked through open calls, with casting to begin in nine months' time.

Minimal acting, landscape self-taping and staying off social media are the top tips from talent agents to prospective parents and children.

There has been much excitement over the announcement of the new series, but not from everyone, as some fans feel the remake takes away from the original stars.

There have also been calls to boycott the series due to JK Rowling's comments on transgender people - with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint all publicly distancing themselves from the author over her views.

Leading roles in a ten-year HBO Harry Potter series are up for grabs, as its revealed the future stars could make millions

There have been calls to boycott the series due to JK Rowling's comments on transgender people - with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint (pictured as Harry, Herminoe and Ron) all publicly distancing themselves from the author over her views

Agents will be looking for children to sign onto their books this week so they can be put forward for the roles when casting does finally begin, according to founder of Hero Talent Group Nicola Tasker.

'The casting team will do open calls on social media, go to local drama groups and contact all the child agencies,' Ms Tasker, whose clients have been in Sex Education and The Great, told The Times.

'It used to just be the big drama schools, but everything is more open now.'

All seven books will be revisited in the HBO series, which will span a decade, but filming is not set to start for at least a year.

There is also not yet a script writer or executive producer lined up for the project, however original producer David Heyman is suggested to be in talks to run the series.

READ MORE: 'There's not an ounce of originality': Harry Potter fans rage over 'pointless and lazy' detail in new TV adaptation announcement Advertisement

HBO and Max content chairman Casey Bloys said talks about who may star in the show have so far remained internal, as the project is in its early days.

But as the news has now been announced, they are set to go out to agencies in a bid to find the next child star.

Those picked to take on the iconic roles will see huge financial gain, with Radcliffe having earned a whopping 86 million by the end of the -eight-film franchise.

The films also proved economically valuable for the UK's cinematic elite, with the late Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snap, becoming the eighth highest grossing actor of all time.

Emma Thompson, who earned 40 million as Professor Sybil Trelawney, said: 'Absolutely everyone in Equity has been in it, including all my family, practically.'

And while the small screen often pays less than the big screen, stars in successfully long-running series can make as much as up to $1 million (836k) per episode.

Concerns are often raised over how the funds of child actors are managed, with the US having strict rules regarding them only being paid to the children.

However in the UK, parents of child stars can withdraw an unlimited amount of the money their offspring earn.

HBO and Max content chairman Casey Bloys said talks about who may star in the show have so far remained internal, as the project is in its early days

The UK does offer protection regarding contracts for children however, with strict licensing on how long they can work, chaperoning and health and safety.

Matt McGibbon, of the Sylvia Young Agency said: 'Children in the industry here are very well protected.'

The announcement of the series was met with mixed reactions, some of elation.

However there were calls from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to boycott the series as a result of JK Rowling's views in transgender people.

Some of her views that sparked outraged included her anger at the term 'people who menstruate' and when she wrote a lengthy essay entitled 'TERF wars'.

And she pinned a tweet to her account saying: 'Men defining what a woman is, what women should and shouldnt fear, what women should and shouldnt say, what rights women should be fine with giving up and, of course, what constitutes real misogyny: get a bloody mirror. Thats real misogyny, looking right back at you.'

And her three main stars of the film franchise have also spoke out against her, with Harry Potter Radcliffe writing: 'Transgender women are women.

Actors Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe with author JK Rowling (second left) as they attend the 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' film premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on July 7, 2009 in London

The first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for sale on eBay for over 16,000

'Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.'

Watson, who played Hermione Granger, wrote: 'Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are.

'I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.'

And Grint, who played Ron Weasley, said in a statement to The Times: 'I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.

'Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.'

Despite fan backlash, Rowling expressed her support for the TV series. She said: 'Maxs commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and Im looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,' according to The Mirror.
Detectives investigating Claudia Lawrences disappearance think it unlikely double murderer Christopher Halliwell was involved - after a seven year probe placed him in Swindon.

North Yorkshire Police has revealed it has been working with the Wiltshire force since September 2016 when it was suggested he may have been connected.

Suspicions were aired then by former detective superintendent Steve Fulcher, who had just brought him to justice for murdering Sian O'Callaghan and Becky Godden.

But the Yorkshire force say it has examined digital devices and interviewed witnesses that place Halliday in Swindon at the time Ms Lawrence vanished in York in March 2009.

It will come as a major blow to the missing woman's mother Joan, 79, who want officers to question him about her daughter.

Det Supt Wayne Fox, head of the Major Investigation Team at North Yorkshire Police, said: "We have pursued lines of enquiry which are focussed on any link he may have to the North Yorkshire area and, in particular, the movements of Christopher Halliwell during the material times in which we believe Claudia came to harm.

Ms Lawrence vanished in York in 2009 but has not been seen since despite huge investigation

Detectives say digital devices and witnesses place Halliwell in different area to Ms Lawrence

"The results of those enquiries, which included examinations of digital devices and the interviewing of several witnesses, indicated that Halliwell continued to operate as a taxi driver in the Swindon area within the relevant time parameters.

"Both investigation teams reached a position in which we concluded it to be unlikely that Halliwell left the Wiltshire area, or was present in North Yorkshire, at the time of Claudia's disappearance."

Halliwell, now 58, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 after he admitted murdering Ms Godden-Edwards, 20, in 2003, while being questioned about the murder of another young woman, Ms O'Callaghan, 22, in 2011.

But some have always suspected the former taxi driver from Swindon of murdering more women, and in 2019 he was linked with four other unsolved cases.

Ms Lawrence, 79, said last month she believes police should be looking closely at Halliwell in her daughter's case.

Suspicions were aired then by ex detective superintendent Steve Fulcher in September 2016

Claudia's mother Joan Lawrence has urged detectives to question Halliwell about the crime

She claims more witnesses have come forward about Halliwell's connections to York, where her daughter was last seen, including a construction boss who travelled to the region with a team which included Halliwell.

Detectives believe Claudia - who lived in the Heworth area of York - was murdered, although no body has ever been found. North Yorkshire Police has conducted two investigations and questioned nine people in relation to her disappearance and suspected murder, but no charges have ever been brought.

They believe her personal life is a key aspect of the case and have dismissed any links to Halliwell.

But Ms Lawrence fears they are 'blinkered' and has said there are three witnesses who can link Halliwell to North Yorkshire.

'More and more people keep coming forward,' she told The Mirror. 'This can't just be a coincidence.'

'It just feels like there is something we are all missing. Surely police should be looking at this again?'

Ms Lawrence said she was contacted by a woman who saw a picture of Halliwell in the paper. The witness believes she saw him in a red Rover near the Nestle factory at 5am in March 2009.

According to Ms Lawrence, the witness spoke to the police about it but she felt they 'weren't taking her seriously.'

'The way he looked at her frightened her so much she ran home,' Ms Lawrence said.

'Years later when Halliwell was in the papers after he was in court for murder, she recognised his face and she made contact with me.'

She has also urged police to allow her to see Halliwell's 'treasure trove' of items linked to his crimes, found in a lake in Ramsbury in 2014. It included the boots of one of his victim's, a shotgun, and women's clothing.

She has also begged police to see his drawings of beauty spots, wondering if she might spot something linked to her daughter.

''Please show me Halliwell's treasure trove,' she said. 'I might recognise something of Claudia's that could be vital'.

It comes after Ms Lawrence claimed the BBC has been chasing her missing daughter for her licence fee and has threatened court action.

Ms Lawrence's father, Peter (pictured together), died last year without knowing what happened to his daughter

She said the demands have caused 'untold heartache' and has called on police to stop the BBC sending letters to the property.

'Youd think theyd know by now, after all the publicity, wouldnt you,' she said.

'They must have sent two or three letters a year in all the time this has been happening. One was nasty and horrible. It threatened that not paying could affect her credit score.

'Im not someone who has ever had any debts, I pay for things straight away, so it was an awful thing to read. It really must stop.'

The BBC later issued an apology, stating that they would be apologising to Ms Lawrence directly.

A BBC spokesman said: 'We're very sorry for the distress caused to Mrs Lawrence and we will be apologising to her directly.

'We have taken steps to ensure no further letters are sent to the address.'

In a public appeal last year, Joan said she is continuing to try and solve the mystery for herself and is reviewing what happened 'with a fine-toothed comb' for 'simple things that have been missed'.
Humza Yousaf has played down fears the SNP is facing bankruptcy - as Keir Starmer reaps the benefit from the party's extraordinary meltdown.

The Scottish First Minister denied that the separatists are on the brink of collapse as he confirmed forensic auditors could be appointed.

Police are investigating the SNP's finances in a probe which has involved former chief executive Peter Murrell - Nicola Sturgeon's husband - being arrested amid a search of their home, then released without charge.

Sir Keir said he is determined to make a 'strong showing in Scotland' at the next general election, with sources suggesting the party wants to pick up more than 20 seats. Its tally in 2019 was just one.

Polling guru Professor John Curtice has underlined the threat to the SNP, warning that independence backers seem to be switching to Labour.

Humza Yousaf has played down fears the SNP is facing bankruptcy - as Keir Starmer reaps the benefit from the party's extraordinary meltdown

Sir Keir (pictured campaigning in Great Yarmouth last week) said he is determined to make a 'strong showing in Scotland' at the next election, with sources suggesting the party wants to pick up more than 20 seats. Its tally in 2019 was just one

Speaking to reporters yesterday shortly after the SNP's National Executive Council (NEC) met, Mr Yousaf said the body agreed to hold a governance and transparency review.

Questioned on speculation the party could be bankrupt, he said it is 'solvent' and bankruptcy had not been discussed at the NEC.

'We're not close to bankruptcy. This is something I've read in some social media circles but, no, the party is solvent,' he said.

On the review, Mr Yousaf said: 'We will ensure we have external input, particularly around the issues of financial oversight.

'So, that may well be forensic accountants, it may well be some other means and method  but I think around the additional financial oversight, external input is really important.'

An interim report on the review is expected in June, with a full report due in autumn and the latter will be made public.

Mr Yousaf said the party is 'desperate' to appoint auditors. Last week it emerged he was unaware before becoming leader that the previous auditors resigned more than six months ago.

He added: 'I'm not concerned about what they might find. I'm concerned about the fact that, from my perspective, we could improve our governance and our transparency and I'm concerned about the fact that in six months we haven't been able to find auditors.'

Mr Yousaf was speaking at a campaign event in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, where the party could face a by-election.

Sitting MP Margaret Ferrier won the Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat for the SNP in 2019  but was later found to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and placed people at risk by taking part in a debate and travelling by train while suffering from Covid-19.

If she is barred from the Commons for 10 days or more, that could trigger a recall petition, which would result in a by-election in the constituency  although 10 per cent of voters there would need to support this for it to go ahead.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 programme Leading Scotland Where?, Sir Keir said Labour party needs to break the SNP's dominance north of the border.

'It matters to the Labour Party,' said Sir Keir. 'I want to be not the Prime Minister of the UK  but the Prime Minister for the UK.

'That means a strong showing in Scotland, so we have that legitimacy.'

At the 2019 General Election, the SNP claimed 48 of the 59 seats  six of them taken from Labour who were left with just Edinburgh South.

Police are investigating the SNP's finances in a probe which has involved former chief executive Peter Murrell - Nicola Sturgeon's (pictured) husband - being arrested amid a search of their home, then released without charge

Labour sources feel they could claim more than 20 seats at the next election, but Sir Keir said the need to win seats was 'not translated into a number'.

'It does mean I need and want to be able to show that we have significant support in Scotland, as we do in Wales and will have across England,' he said.

Prof Curtice told the Scottish Sun on Sunday that the SNP should be worried about the lack of any poll bounce after Mr Yousaf took over from Nicola Sturgeon - and signs that voters are switching to Labour.

'The crucial thing going on is that this is happening despite the fact that support for independence is not falling.

'The SNP's problem is that they're no longer commanding the support of Yes voters to the degree they've done at recent elections.'
The mother of 12-year-old schoolgirl Ava White who was stabbed to death says police should be allowed to stop and search teens with previous knife offences.

Leeann White says if police had the same powers for young offenders as they did for adults, the knife that was used to kill her daughter might have been taken off the streets beforehand.

She has called for a pilot scheme that lets police stop and search adults over 18 who have previously been convicted of carrying bladed or offensive weapons to be extended to cover children as young as 12.

Ava was fatally stabbed to death by a 14-year-old boy outside a Primark in Liverpool city centre in November 2021 in a petty row over a social media video, with her brutal murder shocking the nation.

Her killer, who was so young he struggled to see over the counter at the police station when he was arrested and cannot be named due to his age, was later jailed for 13 years for murder after a jury rejected his claims of self-defence.

Ava White, pictured here in her school uniform, was stabbed in the neck by a 14-year-old boy after a row about a social media video

The 12-year-old was fatally injured during the stabbing in Liverpool city centre on November 25, 2021

Ms White, who has become a knife campaigner, says it makes her 'really angry' to think that if police had the ability to stop and search children her daughter's death 'could have been stopped'.

Liverpool's police force, Merseyside Police, is taking part in a two-year trial of serious violence reduction orders (SVROs) which give officers the power to stop and search adults who have previously been convicted of bladed or offensive weapons charges.

READ MORE HERE: Mother of 12-year-old stabbing victim sobs as teenage murderer is jailed for at least 13 years Advertisement

Ms White told Sky News she would be happy to see that scheme extended to young offenders.

She said: 'I would rather have my child searched than my child be murdered. Personally I think they should be done as young as 12 - we know 12-year-olds are committing murders, we know 12-year-olds are being arrested with bladed articles.

'Ava's murderer was 14 - maybe if these powers were launching earlier and he'd been stopped and searched Ava might not have been murdered and that knife might have been took off the street that night.'

Merseyside Police says recorded knife crime has risen on a national level for several years, but that January this year saw the lowest level of knife crime in its area since April 2020.

Superintendent Phil Mullally, Merseyside's Lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime said: 'We welcome the opportunity to trial these new powers and keep the pressure on those who are involved in the most serious violent crime and ultimately, keep our communities safe.

'Both serious violence and knife crime are falling in Merseyside, but we know there is still work to do. These new powers will enable us to continue to drive down knife crime and reoffending.

'Merseyside Police is absolutely committed to targeting those who bring misery to our communities and getting knives and offensive weapons off our streets.

'The new powers will enable a more proactive approach for repeat offenders and will help us protect those most vulnerable from being drawn into further exploitation by criminal gangs.'

The boy stabbed Ava with a three-inch-long flick knife, pictured here, and was later found guilty of her murder

Ms White said her life had been 'dimmed forever' following her daughter's death. Pictured: Ava (left) and Ava with her older sister Mia and mother Leeann (right)

However, a spokesperson for human rights group Liberty said stop and search is 'incredibly traumatic and harmful'.

They told Sky News: 'Imagine every time you walk down your local high road or on your way to school, and being stopped and searched by police.

'It's incredibly humiliating, and ultimately, it's not effective. Why do we invest so much in a tool that we know alienates young people? It causes distrust, and doesn't do anything positive to make our communities safer and more thriving.'

READ MORE HERE: Video shows moment youngster struggled to see over counter at police station after he was arrested for stabbing girl to death outside Primark in row over social media video Advertisement

It was claimed Ava's killer had been de-sensitised to violence after witnessing his father attack his mother at home and had been made the subject of a community resolution notice four months earlier for hitting a police community support officer on the head.

At the time of Ava's murder, he was also awaiting trial for assaulting two women and had come to the attention of police because of concerns he was being groomed into a criminal gang, the court heard.

Sentencing the boy, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attended a special school, High Court judge Mrs Justice Yip told him he would serve at least 13 years in a young offenders' institute and prison before being eligible for parole.

The trial heard Ava had been drinking vodka with her friends on November 25, 2021, when they encountered the boy and his friends. She became angry when he filmed her rolling around and laughing on the floor and posted it online.

Ava demanded he delete the video from Snapchat and an argument developed which resulted in Ava being stabbed. Jurors heard how the boy 'grinned' as Ava lay dying, before running off to discard his coat and knife.

Ms White said when she first received a phone call to say Ava had been stabbed, she thought it was a mistake.

She said: 'I'd not long been home from work and my sister called me. I can remember just when she said it I thought she'd made some mistake to be honest.

'I can remember just everything being manic, I remember just getting into the taxi, getting into the hospital and then everything was just a blur.'

In a tearful victim impact statement made after her daughter's killer was locked up, she had said she was so 'heartbroken' she no longer had anything to live for.

'In November last year the light in my life was dimmed forever,' she said.

'The moment Ava died is now yesterday, tomorrow and for ever, it is the past, the present and the future. My beloved Ava dies all over again every morning I wake up.'
Rogue Senator Lidia Thorpe has been filmed screaming profanities at a group of men outside a strip club in the early hours, telling one: 'You've got a small penis'.

Footage of the extraordinary spray, which took place outside Maxine's Gentleman's Club in Melbourne at 3am on Sunday, shows Ms Thorpe pointing her finger at the men in a heated exchange.

At one stage, Ms Thorpe walks up to one of the men and says in a menacing tone 'you, you are marked'.

One of them calls her a 'racist dog' to which she responds 'f*** you' before a friend holds her back.'

She tells the men: 'All I want to say to the black brothers there and anyone that we're fighting...

'Any black man that stands with the f****** white little c*** like that - yous (sic) can all get f***** too!'

The outspoken independent Senator who broke away from the Greens earlier this year, was out with friends to celebrate a 50th birthday.

One of the men asks, 'how the f**** does someone get in parliament like you?'

She hits back: 'We've been repressed all our f***** life in this country and you let this little dog speak...'

Senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured) was filmed unleashing an extraordinary spray on a group of men outside a Melbourne strip club at 3am on Sunday

At one point, the Senator approaches one of the men and says: You are marked'

At one point, a friend of Ms Thorpe says 'how dare you say that to her'.

A member of the group told 7News that the senator was 'out of control'.

Ms Thorpe told 7News Sydney that she was allegedly provoked and harassed by the men.

'It's sad people are utilising whatever they can to drag me down when we're trying to discuss important issues in this country,' she told the network.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Ms Thorpe for comment.

It's not the first time the former Green Senator has been involved in controversy.

Last year, she was forced to quit as Green party deputy leader in the Senate after she failed to disclose her relationship with former bikie boss, Dean Martin, while serving on a committee which looked into bikie gangs.

Lidia Thorpe (pictured) has attempted to storm the podium during British trans critic Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's speech for the Let Women Speak rally outside parliament house in March

She was also forced to unreservedly apologise after interjecting during a parliamentary debate with the line 'at least I keep my legs shut', which was allegedly directed at Liberal senator Hollie Hughes.

In February, Ms Thorpe caused a scene at Sydney's Mardi Gras parade when she laid down in front of an Australian Federal Police float after screaming 'f*** the police'.

Last month, she disrupted a 'Let Woman Speak' event outside Parliament House in Canberra held by controversial women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull.

Draped in an Aboriginal flag, Ms Thorpe made a beeline toward Ms Keen-Minshull, before she was intercepted and taken down by police.

She crawled along the lawn and made her way toward a group of more than 100 pro-trans counter-protesters.

The independent 'black sovereignty' movement senator later claimed she was 'pulverised' by police and said Ms Keen-Minshull - who she referred to as 'filth' - should not be allowed to speak on Aboriginal land.
Putin was meanwhile protected by a huge security team at a service in Moscow

Civilians have taken to Twitter to express horror at the violent Easter attack

Ukraine today claimed Russia bombed a church in the Zaporizhzhia region of the war torn country on Orthodox Easter Sunday.

Photographs showed the building in ruins with just rubble and debris in its place and a scorched black hole in the ground.

It comes as Putin and a huge security team joined worshippers at a service in Moscow, led by Russia's top bishop and ally of the president.

The Russian dictator was attending Moscow's largest cathedral, Christ the Saviour, to mark Orthodox Easter.

Footage showed the country's top churchman Patriarch Kirill, 76, entering the midnight service surrounded by dozens of suited security operatives mostly in red ties.

Russia is believed to have conducted a cruel Easter attack overnight when it bombed a church in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine

Shocking photographs show the church diminished to nothing but rubble and debris

They were believed to be crack FSO Federal Protection Service guards who are routinely armed and whose task is to keep Putin and other top officials safe.

Meanwhile, supporters of Ukraine took to Twitter to share their horror at the Church bombing in the village of Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko posted: 'On Easter night, the Russians destroyed a church near Zaporizhzhia. And they call Ukrainians Nazis and Satanists.'

Another commented: 'r*ssia celebrates orthodox easter by overnight bombing of a church in the suburbs of my homecity Zaporizhzhia.'

Ukrainian patriot Anton Gerashchenko took to the social media platform to confirm the church was empty and no one was harmed.

He also claimed that Russia attacked Snihurivka, in Mykolaiv region, killing two teenagers.

Meanwhile, stern-faced agents in Moscow appeared to be in place to protect Putin from worshippers who underwent intense security checks before being allowed into the cathedral.

A man carried an Orthodox icon at a site of a church destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region

Putin and a huge security team joined worshippers at a service in Moscow, led by Russia's top bishop and ally of the president

The Russian dictator was attending Moscow's largest cathedral, Christ the Saviour, to mark Orthodox Easter

Traffic was restricted in central Moscow hours before the service began.

Putin admitted that the second Orthodox Easter of his war with Ukraine came at a time of 'serious challenges'.

'The wonderful, beloved Easter holiday gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to affirm high moral ideals and values in society,' said Putin, whose war is feared to have killed more than 200,000 people.

'The Church has always been together with the people, sharing joys and hardships with them.

'And today, in the face of serious challenges, it is actively involved in the affairs of mercy and charity, helping people find a strong spiritual support.'

Putin was accompanied at the ceremony by Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin, a close ally.

Kirill gave a sermon which gave his church's blessing to aggressor Putin's invasion of Ukraine - telling the dictator that the sovereign land he has invaded is traditional Russian territory.

The country's top churchman Patriarch Kirill (pictured), 76, entered the midnight service surrounded by dozens of suited security operatives mostly in red ties

Putin admitted that the second Orthodox Easter of his war with Ukraine came at a time of 'serious challenges'

Ukrainian patriot Anton Gerashchenko took to the social media platform to confirm the destroyed church in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine was empty and no one was harmed

'Today, on our Russian historical land, grave events are taking place,' he said.

'You could say it's an internal feud.

'And today I am addressing both Russians and Ukrainians. I especially appeal to those who, against their will, were involved in this conflict.

'We must do everything by the power of our prayers and our good deeds to stop this conflict as quickly as possible, so that peace and a common good life, fraternal relations once again unite our peoples firmly and firmly, who were the one people of united Rus.

'Today, this will be my special prayer, and I would ask you all to join this prayer so that the Lord blesses the Russian land.

'When I say 'Russian', I mean Rus', from which the Great Russians, Little Russians, and other nationalities came out, but the same Rus' with which we are all connected historically, spiritually and in terms of civilisation.

'May the Lord help us, having passed the trials that are now taking place, to regain peace, mutual respect, harmony, the ability to live and work together.

Russian Orthodox believers attending the Easter Orthodox service at the Christ The Savior Cathedral

Patriarch Kirill, surrounded by bodyguards at the Easter-2023 service

'May the Lord preserve the Russian land, may the Lord preserve all the peoples who historically live on this vast part of the land.

'May the Lord keep our countries, may peace and love be strengthened in relations between us.

'Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!'

Putin was seen crossing himself several times during the ceremony, known as the Divine Liturgy.

Concern over Putin's security is acute in Russia amid the war against Ukraine.

Two weeks ago pro-Putin blogger and propagandist Vladen Tatarsky was assassinated in St Petersburg.

Putin's official palaces and residences are now protected with sophisticated air defence systems.

Some reports say he uses body doubles to minimise the risk of assassination at events with large crowds.

He has also reduced public appearances citing the danger of covid infection.
A unique 'diamond within a diamond' has been unearthed, according to a company in India's Surat - one of the rarest in history when it comes to such stones.

V D Global named the 0.329-carat piece 'Beating Heart' and said it consists of a piece of diamond with a smaller freely-moving piece trapped inside, according to the Times of India.

The stone was originally found in the rough in October last year by the diamond manufacturer that operates from Surat and Mumbai, according to the Independent.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) set up by the Indian government said the 'Beating Heart' joins a little group of similar natural diamonds such as the Matryoshka diamond from Siberia, which was first recorded in 2019.

The authenticity of the stone was confirmed via further analysis, using optical and electron microscopes.

A unique 'diamond within a diamond' (pictured) has been unearthed, according to a company in India's Surat - one of the rarest in history when it comes to such stones

V D Global named the 0.329-carat piece 'Beating Heart' and said it consists of a piece of diamond with a smaller freely-moving piece trapped inside

'I have certainly never seen anything like the 'Beating Heart' during my last 30 years in the diamond sector,' Samantha Sibley, Technical Educator at De Beers Group Ignite said.

'Using the expertise of De Beers Group, we can shed light onto the formation and structure of this natural specimen and share these insights with a wider community of diamond professionals,' Ms Sibley reportedly added.

The rare diamond has 'etch features' visible on both the smaller diamond in the inner cavity, it was found.

Experts explained the cavity may have formed due to the preferential etching of an intermediate layer of poor-quality fibrous diamond.

In 2019, another unique 'gem inside a gem' diamond (pictured) was unearthed in Siberia. The 'Matryoshka' diamond resembles traditional Russian nesting dolls, one inside the other

The 'Matryoshka' diamond found in 2019 is 800 million-years-old and was said to be priceless

In 2019 another unique 'gem inside a gem' diamond was unearthed in Siberia.

The 800 million-year-old two-in-one jewel was said to be priceless and the only such discovery in the world.

The so-called 'Matryoshka' diamond resembles traditional Russian nesting dolls, one inside the other.

Inside, the tiny nested diamond in its own sealed air space has an estimated weight of .02 carats and dimensions of 1.92.10.6 mm. The smaller diamond rattles inside the larger jewel.
Up to 25 British holidaymakers have been hit with food poisoning at a five-star Turkish hotel with some being left needing hospital treatment.

The guests were staying at the Rixos Sungate - an all-inclusive hotel offered by holiday firm TUI - in the Turkish Riviera when they were struck down with the illness.

The tourists are thought to have become ill last week at the resort, which offers rooms as part of getaways from Britain to southeast Turkey that can cost up to 4,000-a-week.

Brits looking for some spring sun over the Easter break flocked to the hotel in the hopes of relaxation and fun for their kids.

However, according to Kate Bracewell, whose brother had travelled there, 'more than 10 families' showed symptoms of food poisoning and the numbers were 'growing by the day'.

Have you had food poisoning at Rixos Sungate? Send your pictures to tips@dailymail.co.uk

Families staying at the Rixos Sungate resort (pictured) have allegedly been struck down by food poisoning

The hotel (pictured) has a five-star rating on TUI's website and boasts being part of the firm's 'Platinum' collection

The Mirror reports that around 25 tourists have been struck by the illness in the resort in Goynuk, about an hour from the city of Antalya.

Writing on Twitter on April 12, Mrs Bracewell said: '@TUIUK my family are staying in your @RixosSungate 3 people out of 5 have food poisoning from your establishment with one hospitalised. Your staff are not doing anything to help with this denying all knowledge even though other guests have complained of the same problems.

She added: 'The mother of the children is currently unwell with two children whilst their father is in hospital with their other child. She has asked for help from staff members to no avail? Absolutely horrendous customer service.

'The father in hospital with his daughter are both without clean clothes or phone charger to remain contact. They have asked if the hotel could get a bag of clothes and supplies to them however have not been helpful. Where is the customer service?'

On its website TUI classes the Rixos Sungate hotel as a 'Platinum' resort, meaning it is consistently scored highly by customers and gives it a five-star rating.

One of its selling points is that it is 'tailored just for families' - it comes with a waterpark attached and a kids club.

TUI's website claims people staying at the hotel will have an English-speaking rep visiting the hotel during their stay, and they can get information and support on its app 24 hours a day.

A spokesperson for TUI told MailOnline: 'We are concerned to hear of a small number cases at Rixos Sungate in Turkey, as health and safety of our customers is our highest priority.

'Our team at resort are in close contact with our guests and offering support where necessary.

'Our health and safety team are investigating in close collaboration with the hotel and we will remain in frequent contact with our guests.

'We'd like to reassure all customers that we regularly audit all of our hotels in respect to health and safety, including hygiene.'

Accor, which owns Rixos hotels, has been contacted for comment.
A Chinese Communist Party insider has slammed Australia's decision to ban TikTok from all government devices over national security fears as 'racism'.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued the directive after a Home Affairs department review into the risks posed by the Chinese-owned video-sharing app.

Australia's ban follows similar moves by the US, Canada and several European countries, who also declared TikTok a security threat.

But Victor Gao, a former diplomat who is close to the Communist regime, said 'Falsified and inflated national security concerns should be avoided. And probably it's racism.'

Speaking on 60 Minutes, Mr Gao said the ban would enrage China and inflame tensions between the countries.

A Chinese Communist Party insider has slammed Australia's decision to ban TikTok (pictured) from all government devices over national security fears as 'racism'

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'Australians need to be really confident about their own system, rather than being threatened by TikTok. Banning it is not a sign of strength,' he said.

'It's not a sign of superiority, it's not a sign of confidence. It's just the opposite.'

Federal Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, said the ban 'will come into effect as soon as practicable'.

State and territory governments are expected to follow through with similar bans, which will apply to mobile phones and other devices issued by the government to politicians and public servants.

But Mr Gao said security fears are not the reason behind the ban.

'Probably it's racism, probably it's racial discrimination, probably it's banning Chinese again, which was a disaster many years ago,' he said.

'Now you want to do that again? It will not be a success.'

He also warned that Australia needs to be careful to protect its relationship with China.

'I would urge the Australian government to really treat China as an equal, because you do not want to have an enemy with 1.4billion people,' he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has issued a directive to ban TikTok from all Australian government devices

Victor Gao (pictured), a Communist regime mouthpiece and former diplomat, said 'Falsified and inflated national security concerns should be avoided'

Concerns over TikTok relate to the potential for data to be harvested and accessed by the Chinese government under national laws that can compel companies to hand over information.

ByteDance, which owns the social media app, denied its user data can be supplied to Beijing and said TikTok posed no risk to Australians.

'We are extremely disappointed by this decision which, in our view, is driven by politics, not fact,' Lee Hunter, general manager of TikTok in Australia and New Zealand said after the ban was announced.

'We are also disappointed that TikTok, and the millions of Australians who use it, were left to learn of this decision through the media, despite our repeated offers to engage with government constructively about this policy.

'Again ... there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms.'

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher took a very different view of the matter, saying 'This has been informed by security agencies' advice on work that's been done and provided to the government'.

Australia's ban follows similar moves by the US, Canada and several European countries, who also declared TikTok (app pictured) a security threat

The US government is reportedly considering going even further by enforcing a nationwide ban on TikTok, not just from government devices.

Australia's move to ban the app on government devices comes after more than three years of bitter hostilities with China.

Tensions flared in 2020 during the Covid pandemic when the Morrison government called for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, which originated in Wuhan.

Beijing reacted with fury to the calls for transparency and slapped Australia with about $20billion in arbitrary trade bans and tariffs for key exports such as coal, beef, cotton, wine, barley, timber and lobsters.

Chinese officials also released an extraordinary list of 14 grievances the authoritarian state had with Australia - ranging from 'racist attacks against Asian people' to siding with the 'United States' anti-China campaign' and criticisms against Beijing from Australian media.

Chinese president Xi Jinping (pictured) pledged his country would strengthen its military in response to the AUKUS plan

It was reported in February that Beijing was preparing to wind back sanctions on beef, timber and other exports.

But the welcome news came just before Mr Albanese announced the $368billion AUKUS nuclear submarine deal alongside US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

China warned that the US, UK and Australia were treading on a 'path of error and danger' that will result in 'years of confrontation'.

Chinese president Xi Jinping pledged his country would strengthen its military in response to the AUKUS plan.
Best Buy is cutting workers in hundreds of stores across the US as the electronics retailer looks to cut costs and shift focus towards e-commerce.

Last week workers who specialize in selling complex products in stores, sometimes called 'consultants', were told they would lose their job, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The layoff will affect jobs across the more than 900 stores Best Buy operates in the US. Those laid off were invited to reapply for open positions within the company or receive severance.

'As we shared last month, we're evolving our stores and the experiences we offer to better reflect the changes in customer shopping behavior, as well as how we organize our teams,' Best Buy said.

Best Buy is cutting workers in hundreds of stores across the US as the electronics retailer looks to cut costs and shift focus toward online sales

Those affected will be workers that specialize in selling complex products in stores, sometimes called 'consultants'

The job cuts are part of a wider trend that has seen the retailer shrinking its workforce over the last two years and comes months after in January it laid off around 700 employees in Canada.

Most of the cuts are in stores, and a reflection of reduced demand for electronic appliances as compared with during the pandemic when sales were up, the Journal reported.

As of January 2023, Best Buy had more than 90,000 employees in the United States and Canada, including about 58 percent full-time employees, 32 percent part-time workers and 10 percent seasonal staff.

'Over the past three years we have been optimizing our store staffing model to reflect the changes in customer shopping behavior and to fuel investments in higher wages,' said Best Buy Chief Executive Corie Barry during an earnings call last month.

During the pandemic demand for electronic devices was high but that demand has since dwindled

An employee shows customers various flat screen television options at a Best Buy in Illinois

She expected the hard times to persist, saying: 'Macroeconomic headwinds will likely result in continued volatility and we are preparing for another down year for the industry.'

Online sales are playing an increasingly large role in its business. Barry said that about a third of Best Buy's US sales came from its online as compared with 19 percent two years prior.

Sales made by phone, through chat or virtually have also grown, she said.

Profits at Best Buy reflect the drop in demand. It recorded net earnings of $277 million for the three months ending October 29 last year, down from $499 million during the same period a in 2021.
A 21-year-old father of a four-month-old baby girl is dead after a tire flew from a trailer into the windshield of the SUV he was a passenger in on a Texas highway.

Clayton Vaughan was in the passenger seat of a Kia SUV being driven by his girlfriend when the freak accident happened on the Katy Freeway, in Houston at around 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The horror accident happened when a tire came loose from a landscaping-style trailer driving in the eastbound lane which bounced over into the westbound lanes. A picture of the wreckage shows the passenger side of the windshield completely caved in.

The driver of the vehicle from which the tire came did not stop, leaving the victims, observers, and law enforcement officers with many questions about precisely what had happened.

Vaughan's girlfriend, the mother of their four-month older daughter, is expected to be okay.

21-year-old Clayton Vaughan was killed last Thursday when a loose tired slammed into the car he was a passenger in on a Texas freeway

The Kia SUV that was totaled when the loose tired slammed into it on the freeway

Initially, deputies with the constable's officer thought the tire had come from an 18-wheeler, but after speaking with more witnesses, they threw out that theory.

One witness saw the tire fly off the trailer of a black truck that did not have a license plate. The tire bounced several times before it made contact with another truck.

It then rolled into the the HOV lane, where a white pickup truck hit it before it bounced over the barrier.

When it finally hit the victims' Kia, it slammed into the windshield, glass flew everywhere, the car's hood popped up and the car started spinning. The Kia veered across all six lanes of the highway before hitting the outside wall.

The witness, Randrell Alexander, said the whole incident happened quickly, but she was, during one moment of the chaos, side by side with the driver of the truck that the tire fell from.

'I know he saw it out of his rear-view (mirror), because he let his window down,' she said. 'It happened so fast, but by the time we got side by side, it was like he was going to stop. But Im sure he saw what I saw, and he started driving slow.'

According to the constable's office, the driver could be charged with failure to stop and render aid, if and when he is found.

Whether or not the driver is charged will depend upon evidence presented to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Vaughan's uncle, Evan Richard, told a local ABC affiliate that the family hopes more witnesses will come forward in the hopes of getting more answers about what happened.

'I'm not here to place judgement,' he said. 'Things happen, but obviously, negligence of some sort played a role in this. He was a passenger in a vehicle struck by an oncoming tire.

'What are the chances of something like this happening? [You should] know, you are endangering lives around you, and I cant bring him back. But I can get the message out that you can do better. The city can do better.'

Vaughan (right) with his mother and younger brother

Vaughan (left) with his aunt Priscilla Stansell and brother

The multi-lane Katy freeway in Houston on which the accident occurred

Vaughan was the father to a four-month-old baby daughter when he died last week

Richard said his nephew's life was taken before his time and before he got a chance to watch his daughter grow up.

But Richard says Vaughan will be remembered for the loving person he was.

'He was a big old teddy bear,' he said.

'He was a young 21-year-old trying to find himself in this hectic world.'

Vaughan's aunt, Priscilla Stansell, established a GoFundMe for funeral expenses for new nephew, as well as for funds to raise his now fatherless baby daughter.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing more questions about his finances with a new report on Sunday about thousands of dollars of income he's reporting from a real estate firm with ties to his wife Ginni Thomas.

And that firm no longer exists, having been closed 17 years ago

Thomas, on his financial disclosure forms, reported rental income totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a firm called Ginger, Ltd., Partnership, The Washington Post reported.

But that Nebraska-based real estate firm, which was started in the 1980s, hasn't existed since 2006.

The latest revelation about problems with Thomas legally-required financial disclosure forms raises questions about how seriously he took his obligation to disclosure his finances to the public.

Public officials are required to fill out such forms to show if they have any conflict of interests between their personal finances and public duties. Thomas is facing calls for an investigation and his resignation.

The latest questions about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' financial disclosure form is tied to his wife Ginni Thomas - above the couple at the 2019 White House state dinner

The Washington Post report on Sunday also detailed how Thomas has had errors on his forms for years, many of them tied to his controversial wife Ginni, who became a nationally-known figure in the aftermath of the 2020 election when reports revealed her emails to Arizona officials who were questioning Joe Biden's victory in that state.

The latest problems for Clarence Thomas are tied to this real estate firm that shut down in 2006.

After it closed, a new firm Ginger Holdings, LLC, which is managed by Ginni Thomas sister, took over the holdings.

Ginger Holdings, LLC, is registered to a home in Lincoln, Nebraska, and employees two people. According to its fiings, it works in the financial services industry.

But Thomas has reported income from the defunct company - between $50,000 and $100,000 annually in recent years - with no mention of the new firm.

It could be a simple paperwork error.

Ginger Holdings, LLC, which is managed by Ginni Thomas sister, is registered to a home in Lincoln, Nebraska (above)

But the Supreme Court justice has faced questions about his finances since ProPublic revealed he and his wife Ginny accepted lavish, luxury vacations from Dallas-based Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow that Thomas didn't publicly disclose, despite being legally required to do so.

Thomas said he didn't disclose them because the trips were from a friend and he had been assured 'personal hospitality' from close friends was allowable.

But the watchdog group CREW has filed civil and criminal complaints against him in the matter and Senate Democrats have demanded Chief Justice John Roberts investigate the gifts from Crow.

Some Democrats have called on the high court to adopt a formal code of ethics - it is currently the only court in the federal judiciary that does not have one for its nine members.

Some have even called on the 74-year-old Thomas to resign. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have called for his impeachment.

The justice didn't respond to The Washington Post's inquiries on the real estate income.

The firm is managed by Joanne Elliott, Ginni Thomas' sister.

Elliott told the newspaper they could ask her sister Ginni about the matter.

'You could call her and she could answer anything that she wants you to know,' Elliott said before she hung up on the news outlet.

Clarence Thomas described receiving $270,000 to $750,000 from the Nebraska firm since 2006, calling it 'rent.' His salary as a justice this year is $285,000.

The income is tied to investments made by Ginni Thomas's late parents. Ginni Thomas is from Omaha.

Ginni Thomas' income has been an issue in the past on her husband's disclosure forms

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing calls for his resignation

Ginni Thomas isn't mentioned in state incorporation records establishing the new firm.

But her income has been an issue for Thomas in the past.

In the 2000s he failed to disclose his wife's employment as required by law until the watchdog group Common Cause reported the omission.

Ginni Thomas earned more than $686,000 from the conservative Heritage Foundation from 2003 until 2007 but he checked a box labeled 'none' for his wife's income during that period.

He did the same in 2008 and 2009 when she worked for conservative Hillsdale College.

He admitted to the error in 2011 when he amended his filings, saying the information 'inadvertently omitted due to a misunderstanding of the filing instructions.'

Ginni Thomas is an attorney and longtime conservative activist.

She was an ardent supporter of Donald Trump. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, when Trump falsely claimed it had been stolen from him, her email correspondence between with Trump's election attorney John Eastman - who supported the legal theory that claimed then-Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to overturn states' election results - came to light.

Clarance Thomas also faces questions about gifts from billionaire Republican donor Harlan

Subsequent evidence emerged that Thomas encouraged state lawmakers in Arizona and Wisconsin to overturn the presidential election results.

She was called to testify in front of the panel investigating the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol.

And many critics called on Justice Thomas to recuse himself from any election-related cases that came before the Supreme Court.

Ginni Thomas told the January 6th committee that she stays in the 'political' lane at home and her husband stays in a 'legal' lane.

'He's uninterested in politics,' she said. 'I did not speak with him at all about the details of my post-election activities, which were minimal.'
A jury has awarded $15 million to the father of a 13-year-old Los Angeles student who died in 2016 after finding physical education teachers to be at fault for the child's death.

The teen, referred to in court documents only as M.T., died at Palms Middle School on April 25, 2016, after collapsing while jogging during a physical education class.

Staffers at the time said they attempted CPR on the youngster - however, the effort proved ineffective in supplying sufficient oxygen to his heart and brain, leaving the boy effectively brain dead.

Per public school policy, the school had an automated external defibrillator (AED) set aside for such recovery efforts in an office across the street - however, officials failed to use the technology, leaving the boy to languish for a crucial 12 minutes before paramedics arrived.

For nearly six years, medical experts testifying for the boy's father argued the use of the AED device would have saved his son's life - leading jurors to vote to award him the sum Friday, while holding The LA Unified School District liable due to negligence.

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The teen, referred to in court documents only as M.T., died at Palms Middle School in LA (pictured) on April 25, 2016, after collapsing during a physical education class

Lawyers led by civil rights attorney Gary Casselman argued the use of the defibrillator would have saved the child's life - leading jurors to award the sum Friday

'Another hard fought victory for our clients,' civil rights attorney Gary Casselman - who filed the wrongful death suit on behalf of the boy's father back in July 2017 - wrote in an post to Facebook that touted his team's 'years' long [sic] perseverance, [and] unwavering dedication.

Speaking to The Times, he added that while the boy's family is 'gratified that the jury rendered a verdict in their favor', they 'have been devastated by the loss of their son.'

'Nothing will bring him back, but they wanted accountability from the district,' attorney Casselman told The LA Times Friday of the verdict, after the case finally went to trial last week.

Casselman, along with fellow attorney Haytham Faraj, had argued in court papers that physical education staffer failed the youngster when he collapsed during school hours, citing how LAUSD attorneys confirmed the boy had a pre- existing medical condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The condition occurs in individuals whose heart muscle are more thickened than usual, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood.

Lawyer tapped to represent the district, however, insisted that neither CPR nor the use of an AED would have been enough to restore his heart function to normal, citing his condition.

'In fact, at the time of his collapse, there was nothing... immediately at the school site that would have allowed decedent to be resuscitated,' the defense wrote in one section of the since resolved suit.

Out of the several teachers who rushed to the boy's aid, none thought to track down an AED device that likely could have saved his life - despite it being located in a predesignated place on the school's grounds

Officials arrived at the scene roughly 12 minutes after the boy collapsed, during which time the child did not receive necessary oxygen to supply his vital organs. By the time they arrived, the boy had suffered from enough oxygen deprivation that he was left effectively brain dead

They further maintained that multiple teachers attended to the boy and tried to revive him to best of their abilities before he was hospitalized - only to die two days later.

But out of the several teachers who rushed to the boy's aid, none thought to track down an AED device that likely could have saved his life - despite it being located in a predesignated place in the schools front office.

Testimony from the defense during last week's proceedings alleged that this was due to the school's principal not being notified of the device's existence, despite the defibrillator's presence being district policy.

The principal is responsible for informing all staff of the defibrillator's existence, something that apparently did not occur on the day of the incident.

Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene roughly 12 minutes after the boy collapsed, during which time the child did not receive necessary oxygen to supply his vital organs.

By the time first responders arrived, the boy had suffered from enough oxygen deprivation that he was left effectively brain dead, testimony showed.

The lawsuit is only the latest filed by parents whose children have died while attending public school, with parents of one five year old in Connecticut filing a suit last week that claims teachers ignored their five year-old as he lay dying in a school playground because they thought he was just playing dead for fun.

Like the suit in LA, the youngster's surviving relatives argued the youngster, Romeo Pierre Louis, would have lived if not for the school's negligence.

That suit is currently making its way through the Connecticut courts.

DailyMail.com has reached out to lawyer Gary Casselman for comment on the more recent case.
The judge who oversaw the sentencing of the Parkland massacre gunman was removed from another death penalty murder case because she showed unfair bias by hugging prosecutors and victims, according to the Florida Supreme Court.

Judge Elizabeth Scherer, 46, was removed on Thursday from overseeing any post-conviction proceedings for Randy Tundidor, who was sentenced to death for the 2010 murder of his Broward County landlord and is appealing his case.

Tundidor, 56, is serving a 40-year-sentence and fears Scherer's chummy interactions with prosecutors, who were seeking the death penalty against Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz during sentencing, may interfere with his right to a fair trial.

At the time of his sentencing, prosecutor's said Tundidor killed his landlord, who was about to evict him and his family. In 2019, he appealed his sentencing which was to go to court under Scherer's supervision.

Judge Elizabeth Scherer, 46, was removed from overlooking a post-conviction proceeding for a death row inmate on April 13. Pictured: Scherer during gunman Nikolas Cruz's hearing in October

Randy Tundidor, who was sentenced to death for the 2010 murder of his Broward County landlord, is appealing his sentencing

Scherer was in the spotlight for her work in the Parkland school shooter case that concluded last November when Cruz was sentenced to life in prison after murdering 17 people and injuring another 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.

Florida Justices cited Scherer hugged prosecutors who were seeking the death penalty against Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz during sentencing when she was supposed to remain neutral.

'Immediately after sentencing Cruz, Judge Scherer left the bench and, while still in her judicial robe, exchanged hugs with the victims families and members of the prosecution team,' the justices said in their unanimous decision.

Scherer had no choice but to sentence Cruz to life in prison with no parole after the jury couldn't reach a legally-required unanimous decision on recommending the death penalty.

One of the prosecutors in Tundidor's case, Assistant State Attorney Steven Klinger, was also on the team that prosecuted Cruz.

Tundidor claimed last week that at his November 4 hearing, Judge Scherer was 'sympathetic' toward Klinger following the sentencing for the Parkland School shooter.

He added he heard Klinger add, '"words cannot describe" how he felt,' according to court filing.

While Tundidor didn't hear Scherer or Klinger mention Cruz's case by name, he concluded the two were discussing the case based on the timing.

Tundidor concluded Scherer and Klinger shared their disappointment on how the case ended.

His report led to the officials determining Scherer wasn't a good fit for the appeal case.

The Supreme Court also said Scherer also engaged in heated exchanges with Cruz's lawyers, accused one of threatening her children, and told two members to 'go sit down.'

Florida Justices cited Scherer hugged prosecutors who were seeking the death penalty against Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz during sentencing when she was supposed to remain neutral. She also hugged victim's families

Scherer was seen above hugging a victim's family on November 2 at the Boward County Courthouse

Judge Scherer was in the spotlight for her work in the Parkland school shooter case with gunman Nikolas Cruz (above) that concluded last November when Cruz was sentenced to life in prison after murdering 17 people and injuring another 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018

Tundidor's report came amid the state Legislature passing a bill on Thursday that will allow the death penalty when at least 8 of 12 jurors recommend it.

The measure was filed as a response to the Parkland case. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis supports the bill.

Tundidor, who is a death row inmate, was initially sentenced for the 2010 murder of his professor and landlord.

At the time of Tundidor's conviction, prosecutors said he killed Joseph Morrissey as the landlord prepared to evict him and his family.

Tundidor and his son, also named Randy Tundidor, had broken into Morrissey's home and forced him to withdraw money from an ATM before stabbing him and burning down his home with Morrisey's wife and son inside.
Senator Lindsey Graham slammed his fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene on Sunday for defending the man who leaked intelligence secrets on to the internet, calling it 'terribly irresponsible.'

He said Greene and others who defended Jack Teixeira were indicating 'that its OK to release classified information based on your political views. That the ends justify the means. It is not OK.'

'Its one of the most irresponsible statements you could make,' he said on ABC's This Week. 'The way we gather intelligence protects our country. There are military members serving today from Georgia and other places who are less safe because of what this airman did.'

'There is no justification for this. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terrible irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.'

Senator Lindsey Graham slammed his fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene for defending the man who leaked intelligence secrets on to the internet

Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia, claimed on Friday that Teixeira is being prosecuted for being 'white, Christian and anti-war.'

Teixeira, a 21-year-old-National Guardsman, leaked files that detailed possible weapons deliveries to Ukraine, as well as outlining the number of foreign intelligence agents inside the country.

'Jake Teixeira is white, male, Christian, and antiwar,' Greene wrote on Twitter, spelling his first name incorrectly. 'That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.'

'He told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more,' the she added. 'Ask yourself who is the real enemy?'

Greene has long opposed the United States assisting the war in the Ukraine. Her comments came as Teixeira appeared in court in Boston, Massachusetts to face two charges of leaking classified information.

Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina who also served in the National Guard, said he is confounded by how Teixeira had access to such sensitive information.

'I was a captain and major. I would be surprised if I had that kind of information,' he told ABC News.

'I dont know what led to this airmans actions, but hes done a lot of damage to our standing,' he added. 'And I am stunned that somebody at that level could have so much access.'

'So, the question is, how did he get it and why did he do it. And we  some people need to be fired over this.'

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Jack Teixeira is being prosecuted for being 'white, Christian and anti-war.'

President Joe Biden said on Friday he ordered investigators to determine why the alleged leaker had access to the sensitive information, which included records showing purported details of Ukrainian military vulnerabilities and embarrassed Washington by revealing its spying on allies.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who sits on the Senate intelligence committee, said their panel plans to do a full investigation.

And she said senators would received a briefing on the leak this week when they return to Washington D.C. after their Spring break.

'I have a lot of questions about, why were these documents lying around? Why did this particular person have access to them? Where was the custody of the documents and who were they for? Those are important questions we can ask in the Intelligence Committee so that we can have stronger oversight,' she told CNN's State of the Union on Sunday.

She also said she wanted to know more about Teixeira.

'We need to know who this airman was, why he felt he had the authority or ability to show off confidential documents, secret documents to his friends. It sounds like he was extremely immature and someone who did not understand the weight and the importance of these documents. And so we need to figure it out and put proper protections in place,' she noted.

Teixeira was hit with two federal charges under the Espionage Act for his alleged role in the Pentagon leak.

He faces 15 years in prison if convicted of illegally taking and leaking classified information and military secrets.

But questions are being asked as to how Teixeira, who lived with his mother in North Dighton, Massachusetts, got clearance to access sensitive documents.

Jack Teixiera worked as a junior cyber security specialist in the National Guard

FBI agents arrested Jack Teixeira at his mother's home in North Dighton, Massachusetts on Thursday

According to the charge sheet, Teixeira received top security clearance in 2021 as a member of the National Guard. He worked as a junior cyber security specialist in the intelligence unit based at the Otis Air National Guard Base in western Cape Cod.

He posted the treasure trove of top secret files under his online user name 'Jack the Dripper' for months before the leak was uncovered.

Teixeira's next hearing has been set for Wednesday, April 19.
By 2040 20 percent of Americans will be older than 65 - up from around 16 now

US has an aging population - its Social Security trust fund will run dry in 2033

Protests have erupted in France amid proposals to raise its retirement age

The US could face retirement riots like those plaguing France as Social Security's trust funds could be depleted as soon as 2033, some experts predict.

In recent months, president Emmanuel Macron has sparked unrest with unpopular plans to raise France's national retirement age from 62 to 64.

Although the US retirement age of 67 is among the highest in the world, after decades of growth, Social Security funds are shrinking - in part because the number of people in retirement is steadily growing, but also because the pool of those earning is becoming smaller.

As the baby boom generation graduates from the workplace, Social Security funds are put under increased pressure, and some experts predict they will run out by 2033.

Experts have warned when that happens, payments will not disappear altogether but will likely be cut by around 25 percent.

A recent survey, carried out on behalf of Newsweek, indicated that 29 percent of Americans think the retirement age is already too high. In a March poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center, 79 percent of respondents said they oppose reducing the size of Social Security benefits.

Protests have erupted in a number of French cities as president Emmanuel Macron proposed raidsing the retirement age from 62 to 64

The number of retired workers receiving Social Security in the United States has been steadily increasing. Meanwhile the pool of people paying into the Social Security trust finds is decreasing

France has a relatively low retirement age as compared with that of the US, 67, which is one of the highest in the world. Protestors are pictured in April chanting during a demonstration after the French government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote

'Social Security faces a looming financial shortfall,' Richard Johnson, director of the Program on Retirement Policy at the Urban Institute, told Newsweek.

'The trust funds are scheduled to be depleted in 2033 - that's 10 years away from now,' echoedJason Fichtner, chief economist at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Making matters worse is the reality that the pool of people of working age, between around 20 and 64, that share the cost of sustaining Social Security beneficiaries is also dropping in size.

The latest Social Security Administration projections indicate that there will be 2.1 workers per Social Security beneficiary in 2040, down from 3.7 in 1970, according to the Urban Institute.

Another report from the Administration on Aging found that more than one in six Americans were 65 or older in 2020 - a 35 percent increase on a decade earlier.

Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, said the collapse of Social Security is likely to hit millions of American retirees even harder as the pension system has become more and more dependent on it.

'Social Security is increasingly an important part of retirement income,' he told Newsweek.

'And that is unfortunately due to the decline over the last 30 or 40 years of separate pensions from one's workplace, as well as a lower savings rate into retirement.

'So Social Security has become more important for retirement income, unfortunately, because of declines in other sources.'

A man protesting in France pushes a box shaped like a coffin, labelled: 'Your new pension fund'

The latest Social Security Administration projections indicate that there will be 2.1 workers per Social Security beneficiary in 2040. The percentage of the population above 65 is expected to rise by around 4 percent in the next 20 years

'I do not think raising the retirement age above the current 67 is going to be at all politically popular, and people who proposed that would see a backlash,' Fiesta told Newsweek.

'Our own data over the last decade show that the most unpopular change proposal to Social Security is raising the retirement age,' he said.

Questions therefore arise as to which policies could be introduced to deal with the impending retirement crisis.

'There are many ways policymakers can avoid Social Security insolvency,' Johnson told Newsweek. One way involves taxing those with a higher income more.

'One option is to inject new revenue into the system by extending Social Security's payroll tax to higher-earning workers.

'Social Security revenues come primarily from payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers on earnings up to a certain amount each year.'

As it currently stands in the US, those who earn up to around $160,000 pay into Social Security on that income. Johnson suggested the cap could be raised.

Biden proposed during his 2020 election campaign that all incomes above $400,000 should be subject to the payroll tax. That change would have meant people pay tax on income up to $160,000 and above $400,000, but not in between.

Fichtner said that tax increases would reduce some of the strain but would also disgruntle Americans.

'If you were to raise taxes in 10 years just to cover that increase, then you would have to raise our payroll taxes,' he said.

'That would hit current workers today, and I don't think any Congress is going to put a 33 percent tax increase on current workers,' he added.

In March, Biden issued the first veto of his presidency, and it related to pensions.

The veto stopped a Republican-led bill that would have overturned his administration's rule allowing retirement account planners take 'environmental, social and governance,' referred to as ESG, factors into account.

Former president Donald Trump had restricted retirement funds from investing in ESG assets during his time in office because they took focus away from a fund's traditional objective of making money for the investor and growing the size of their pensions.

However, because climate change, social impacts and ongoing lawsuits have significant financial repercussions, administration officials argue such investment limits are courting possible disaster.

However, 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.
On Saturday afternoon a group of gunmen stormed a local resort in central Mexico, slaughtering seven people including a child

At least seven people killed including a child after gunmen stormed a resort swimming pool in Mexico before the attackers fled with the security cameras.

The local security department said it is not clear who was behind the attack that killed seven and left another person seriously injured. They have not yet identified a motive.

In recent years, however, rival drug cartels have waged brutal battles to control territory and trafficking routes through the central state.

The La Palma resort is situated in the small town of Cortazar, about 40 miles south of Guanajuato city.

It is unclear if the victims were Mexican nationals or visiting tourists.

Video showed the aftermath of the mid-afternoon attack that left seven dead

A map highlighting the six of 32 Mexican states that the US State Department currently has listed under its most severe 'do not travel' category, due to local cartels that may rob and/or kidnap American tourists

Unverified video taken soon after the attack showed shocked adults and children walking past dead bodies near a swimming pool.

An unidentified man said that 'heavily armed sicarios arrives and this is what happened,' using the word for assassins.

In a statement, Cortazar's security department said: 'After the attack, (the attackers) fled, but not before causing damage to the resort store and taking the security cameras and the monitor.'

The mid-afternoon shooting claimed the lives of three men, three women, and one child.

The suspects reportedly began opening fire indiscriminately around 4.30pm before ransacking the resort's store.

Mexican officials used a helicopter to search for the attackers who had fled the scene.

Scenes from the La Palma resort, where a Saturday afternoon attack has left local officials searching for suspects

In recent years rival drug cartels have waged brutal battles to control territory and trafficking routes through the central state

The shooting happened as visitors lounged by the pool on a sunny weekend afternoon

Guanajuato is a Mexican state listed under the US State Department's second highest level warning. The entity advises US citizens to 'reconsider travel to' the state due to 'crime and kidnapping.'

Of Mexico's 32 states, just two are currently listed under the State Department's lowest level 'normal precautions' designation - Campeche and Yucatan.

Quintana Roo, the popular tourist state that includes vacation hotspots like Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, currently has a level two 'exercise increased caution' warning.

Guanajuato is an agricultural and industrial hub, but has become one of Mexico's most violent states in recent years.

The Jalisco New Generation drug cartel - Jalisco flanks Guanajuato to its West - has been fighting for years with local area criminal gangs, including the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, which is reportedly backed by the Sinaloa cartel.
It is hoped the creations could become as popular as 'Poulet Reine Elizabeth'

Pupils created dishes such as The King's Coulis and Little Seeds Crown Cakes

It is an afternoon tea fit for a King.

Pupils from schools around Scotland have created dishes to celebrate the coronation of King Charles - which will now be served at the beloved stately home he saved for the nation.

It is hoped the culinary creations could become as popular as 'Poulet Reine Elizabeth' which was first produced for the crowning of the late Queen - and is now better known as Coronation Chicken.

The royal menu, which is to be served in at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, features Galloway Heather Honey Beef Sandwiches made by students from Dalbeattie.

A Little Seeds Lemon Cake made by pupils from Saltcoats brings a sweet touch alongside a King's Coulis created by pupils from Easterhouse.

Pupils from schools around Scotland have created dishes to celebrate the coronation of King Charles - which will now be served at the beloved stately home he saved for the nation. At the top is The King's Coulis, in the middle is Little Seeds Crown Cakes, and on the bottom is Busy BBQ Bee-f Open Sandwich

Pictured is the Little Seeds Crown Cakes created by St Matthews Academy

The idea was cooked up by The Prince's Foundation's Food For the Future programme, which was created by the new King himself. Charles is pictured on Friday

The idea was cooked up by The Prince's Foundation's Food For the Future programme, which was created by the new King himself.

The modern dishes will be served at the tea dance at Dumfries House on the weekend of the Coronation to celebrate the historical and momentous event.

Executive Chef at Dumfries House Tom Scoble judged the entrants and selected the three winners.

He said the kitchen may even consider making them a permanent feature on the menu.

Aspiring baker Joey Munn, 14, a pupils from St Matthew's in Saltcoats, was part of the group who made the lemon flavoured cake topped with rhubarb.

It is hoped the culinary creations could become as popular as 'Poulet Reine Elizabeth' which was first produced for the crowning of the late Queen - and is now better known as Coronation Chicken

The royal menu, which is to be served in at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, features Galloway Heather Honey Beef Sandwiches made by students from Dalbeattie

Seventy years ago the recipe 'Poulet Reine Elizabeth', now known as Coronation Chicken, was created by Le Cordon Bleu London to be served at the Coronation Luncheon. The dish is pictured above

Coronation chicken was created for the Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 (pictured)

He said: 'The rhubarb was chosen because it is a seasonal fruit, the lemon flavour is to represent fresh beginnings and the seeds are to represent sustainability, which we learned about on the programme.'

Catriona Donaldson, food, farming and horticulture tutor for The Prince's Foundation said: 'It's also been lovely to connect the learning to a momentous time for our charity founder His Majesty King Charles III.

'Ingredients included are inspired by actions His Majesty has taken over the years such as championing the importance of bees in biodiversity, which led to the inclusion of honey.

'We hope perhaps the recipes might find their way to His Majesty to try at some point in the future.'

The Big Lunch on the weekend of the King's Coronation will see millions across the nation celebration.

The modern dishes will be served at the tea dance at Dumfries House on the weekend of the Coronation to celebrate the historical and momentous event

In 2022, 17.2 million people took part in The Big Jubilee Lunch, as part of the official celebrations for our late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Miss Donaldson said: 'We would love to see the dishes tried out by organisations and individuals taking part in The Big Lunch and perhaps they could tag @princesfoundation as we would love to see them on tables across the land.

'Beyond the Coronation it would be fantastic to see them become a staple item in much the same way as the Coronation Chicken created for our late Queen Elizabeth's coronation has become.'

Seventy years ago the recipe 'Poulet Reine Elizabeth', now known as Coronation Chicken, was created by Le Cordon Bleu London to be served at the Coronation Luncheon.

It was one of the most significant moments of Le Cordon Bleu London, one of the oldest cookery schools in the UK and world renowned for the best education in culinary and used as benchmark for excellence in the industry right back in the 16th century.

The King's Coulis By Lochend Community High School

INGREDIENTS Coulis Sauce 150g blackberries 150g strawberries 1 x stalk rhubarb 1 x lemon (juice & zest) 2 tbsp water 1 tbsp sugar Fat-free Sponge 75g caster sugar 3 x free range medium eggs 75g self raising flour 1.25ml baking powder 1tbsp coulis Filling 150ml double cream 15ml icing sugar 15ml coulis sauce Decoration Strawberries for decoration Makes 7/8 sandwiched sponges METHODOLOGY Coulis Sauce Wash & hull the strawberries, cut each into quarters. Wash and slice the rhubarb. Zest and juice the lemon. Put all fruit, lemon zest and juice into a pot with 2 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of sugar. Bring mixture to the boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until all fruit has softened and liquid is reduced. Remove from heat and allow to cool.. Using the back of a spatula, mash down some of the larger pieces of fruit, do not blend. Fatless Sponge Preheat the oven 200 C / Gas No. 6. Crack 3 eggs into a bowl with the caster sugar. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Double sieve the flour (firstly onto a plate then secondly into the bowl). Use a metal table spoon to carefully fold in the flour. Add 1 tbsp of the coulis to the mixture, fold through to create a marble effect. Pour the mixture into a Swiss roll tin (greased and lined). Ensure the mixture is evenly distributed. Bake for 10-12mins until golden brown. Turn it out onto the sugared paper, trim off the edges. Lay onto a clean sheet of greaseproof paper to cool. Filling Whisk the double cream to soft peaks. Fold in 15ml of sieved icing sugar. Fold in 15ml of coulis. Put mixture into a piping bag and chill until required Assembly The sponge is divided into 14/16 (depending of thickness). Dip the inside of the sponge into the coulis to apply an even layer, to both top and bottom sponge. Pipe 3 x cream rosettes onto one layer of sponge, sandwich the top. Pipe one rosette on top of each sponge, sprinkle with lemon zest and decorate with sliced strawberries. Advertisement

Little Seeds Crown Cakes By St Matthews Academy

INGREDIENTS Rhubarb Compote 250g rhubarb, roughly chopped (or use chopped frozen rhubarb) 100g caster or granulated sugar 1 lemon, zested  tsp vanilla bean paste or extract drop of red food colouring gel (optional ) Sponge 175g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 175g golden caster sugar 200g self-raising flour 2 lemons, zested plus 1 tbsp juiced for icing 3 eggs 2 tbsp poppy seeds 125g pot natural yoghurt Icing 200g icing sugar 3 tbsp lemon juice (from the lemons used for the cake) Makes 12 mini bundt cakes or 8 cupcakes

METHODOLOGY Rhubarb Compote Tip the rhubarb, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla bean paste into a large saucepan along with 2 tbsp water (omit the water if youre using frozen rhubarb). Simmer over a medium heat for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally until the rhubarb has softened and is almost collapsing, and the mixture has thickened. If youre using frozen rhubarb, you may like to stir in a drop of red food colouring to enhance the pink colour. Transfer the compote to a bowl and leave to cool completely. Sponge Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease a mini bundt cake tray well. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Zest four lemons. Juice two of the lemons and set aside for the icing. Add the flour, eggs, poppy seeds, yoghurt and lemon zest to the butter and sugar mixture, and beat until combined. Spoon into the mini bundt tray and smooth over the top. Bake for 15-20 mins. Cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning out. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Lemon Icing Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Beat in the lemon juice to make a runny icing. Assembly Spoon the rhubarb compote into the centre of each cake. Drizzle over the lemon icing. Garnish with herb leaves of your choice (thyme or lemon thyme works perfectly). Advertisement
Footage showed the moment a territorial octopus nearly strangled a professional diver 40 feet below.

Divers Michael Marcotte and Stuart Seldon, who are familiar with Canadian waters and what lives below, knew what they were getting themselves into when they submerged underwater for a closer look at marine life.

The two went underwater with the mission to find an octopus in the British Columbia waters when they came across the massive orange-colored creature they referred to as Larry the giant Pacific octopus (GPO).

The divers brought their waterproof camera gear with them and filmed the moment they found the eight-legged creature.

Footage showed the octopus swimming close to Seldon, also referred to as Stu, before slowly wrapping its tendrils around his camera gear and body.

Footage showed the moment a territorial octopus nearly strangled a professional diver 40-feet below. Pictured: the eight-legged creature and the diver

The octopus approved diver Stuart Seldon and clung onto his torso and neck

'As [Stu] began to take the photos the GPO jumped onto his camera and wrapped some of its tendrils around Stus neck, limbs and torso,' Marcotte wrote on Facebook.

Marcotte described Stu's eagerness to show him the octopus as he quickly swam with the creature clinging onto him.

'As I looked up from the wall I saw my buddy in an upright stance with an amused if not stunned and confused look upon his countenance. At first, I had no idea what I was looking at,' Marcotte wrote.

'A large amber plastic bag, perhaps an old set of bagpipes abandoned at sea, Oh my god a GPO!'

Marcotte recalled how he quickly grabbed his GoPro and started to him the octopus wraps around Stu.

But within a matter of seconds, the octopus got bored and charged toward Marcotte.

'As I filmed the majestic movement of this beautiful beast he began to take an interest in my GoPro, almost attempting to snatch it from my hands but perhaps he had had enough camera candy for the moment,' Marcotte wrote.

The footage only captured the last few moments of the octopus around Stu.

Divers Michael Marcotte and Stuart Seldon, who are familiar with Canadian waters and what lives below, knew what they were getting themselves into when they submerged underwater for a closer look at marine life in October

The octopus got bored seconds later and swam away. It was later seen hanging onto camera gear of another diver

I was recently interviewed about this video. Here was my response. WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE VIDEO TAKEN? This video was taken in early October of 2022 on the browning wall north east of port Hardy in the lower Queen Charlotte Straights. British Columbia, Canada. CAN YOU BRIEFLY DESCRIBE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE VIDEO? While diving on the Browning wall my buddy Stuart Seldon and I got separated upon descent due to the rushing tides. When I descended to about 40 I began searching for octopus in the cracks and crevices along the wall that was teaming with anemones, soft corals, crustaceans and countless examples of unique marine life. Not far from me, perhaps fifty yards away was Stu with his camera at a similar depth. As he descended he saw a GPO (giant pacific octopus) on the wall. As he hovered motionless in front of this incredible creature he began to set up his camera to take a shot, hoping I would soon join him. As he began to take the photos the GPO jumped on to his camera and wrapped some of its tendrils around Stus neck, limbs and torso. In a feeble manner my buddy Stu decided to swim as best he could to show me the GPO I would name Larry. As I looked up from the wall I saw my buddy in an upright stance with an amused if not stunned and confused look upon his countenance. At first I had no idea what I was looking at. A large amber plastic bag, perhaps an old set of bag pipes abandoned at sea, Oh my god a GPO! I remembered my GoPro was clipped off on one of my D-rings and so I began to film this abstract visage before me. Soon afterwards Larry, the GPO, lost interest and swam back to the wall and began searching for a new perch. As I filmed the majestic movement of this beautiful beast he began to take an interest in my GoPro, almost attempting to snatch it from my hands but perhaps he had had enough camera candy for the moment. After a brief photo shoot with Larry and I by Stu, I began to see bubbles from different depths so I swam off to notify my fellow divers of this wonderful wild creature above. While I was away swimming, Stu continued to document Larry, the mollusc with eight limbs. Once I notified everyone I returned to a cluster of cameras and swam on to find new creatures and crustaceans along the wall in an ebbing flow. Upon surfacing I found out that Larry a had lunged onto two other cameras held by two fellow divers. It was a memorable dive that will remain forever fixed in my brain. WHAT MADE YOU TAKE THIS VIDEO? See above CREDIT FOR THE IMAGES? Michael Marcotte videographer Stu Seldon Model Larry GPO Model ANYTHING MORE TO ADD? We were staying at the Hideaway, a floating Dive Resort of lowered expectations. This is why we dive! Posted by Michael Marcotte on Thursday, March 2, 2023

Marcotte is the owner of the Canadian fishing and private tours company, WetRock. He has extensive experience in diving

The 'memorable dive' that occurred in October will stay with the Marcotte forever as he continues his journey's.

Marcotte is the owner of the Canadian fishing and private tours company, WetRock.

He regularly documents his deep sea dives and shares his latest findings on social media.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna encouraged California Governor Gavin Newsom to appoint a 'caretaker senator' in Dianne Feinstein's place as he continued his call for the 89-year-old lawmaker to resign.

Khanna said if Feinstein stepped down, Newsom wouldn't have to wade into the thorny politics of endorsing someone already running for the Senate seat but could go with another option.

'Gov. Newsom can appoint a caretaker, he doesn't have to appoint someone in the current race,' Khanna said on Fox News Sunday. 'I would support the governor doing that. This has nothing to do with the current race, because a caretaker would solve that.'

Khanna kicked off a firestorm last week when he called on legendary, longtime senator to resign. Many women have rallied to Feinstein's defense, with some calling the resignation demands sexist, noting the number of male lawmakers who have served through illness and old age.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said California Governor Gavin Newsom can name a 'caretaker senator' if Dianne Feinstein resigns

Additionally, there are concerns that if Feinstein did resign, Gov. Newsom - who has to name someone to fill out her term - could upend the race to replace her by appointing someone already running for the seat.

Khanna is leading the pressure campaign on Feinstein, who has been absent from the Senate for more than two months after a diagnosis of the shingles. The California senator has missed nearly 60 votes since her shingles diagnosis in mid-February.

Feinstein, however, is refusing to step down.

She's already said she won't seek re-election in 2024 and she asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Senate Judiciary Committee so President Joe Biden's nominees can move through the confirmation process.

Some are suggesting Khanna's motivations are politically motivated as he is backing Rep. Barbara Lee in the Democratic primary to replace Feinstein.

Lee is black. Newsom has promised to name a black woman if he needs to appoint a replacement for Feinstein. If the need arises and he keeps that promise, than all eyes would turn to Lee  who, if appointed to serve out the rest of Feinstein's term, could run for a full term with the advantage of incumbency.

Khanna rejected the notion that politics is behind his statement, saying Newsom should go with a non-candidate.

'This has to do with someone who's just not showing up,' he said. 'I said out loud what people have been saying in private.'

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has missed two months on Capitol Hill because of a case of the shingles

WATCH: @RoKhanna joins @ShannonBream to discuss the growing calls for congressional action to regulate A.I. and his recent calls for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to step down. #FoxNewsSunday pic.twitter.com/kWpQ5NqvH9  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) April 16, 2023

Ro Khanna is backing Rep. Barbara Lee in the race to replace Dianne Feinstein

The race to replace Feinstein in 2024 is already competitive with several Democrats running to fill a Senate seat that hasn't been vacant for 30 years. In addition to Rep. Lee, Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter also have announced bids.

California has a jungle primary, meaning the top two winners in the primary, regardless of party, move forward to the general election. That means the heavily-Democratic state could see two Democrats running in the November 2024 election.

Meanwhile, Feinstein's fellow female senators are supporting her staying office, arguing it's her 'right' to do so.

'We have had so many senators who have had illnesses, whether it's Mitch McConnell's illnesses, or senators who have had strokes,' Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union.

'We believe that a senator should be able to make their own judgments about when they're retiring and when they're not. And they all deserve a chance to get better and come back to work. Dianne will get better. She will come back to work.

'She's an extraordinary member of the Senate. It's her right. She's been voted by her state to be senator for six years. She has the right, in my opinion, to decide when she steps down.'

Others echoed that argument.

'It's up to Dianne Feinstein and her family to decide whether she wants to keep on serving and she's had a remarkable record and I respect that,' Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press.'

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Dianne Feinstein has a 'right' to stay in the Senate

If Dianne Feinstein resigns, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would appoint a replacement to hold the seat until the 2024 election

And Senator Amy Klobuchar told ABC's This Week that 'I'm taking her at her word that she's going to return.'

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker emeritus, last week blasted the resignation calls as sexist.

'Senator Feinstein has been a champion for California for 20 years,' Pelosi told CBS News. 'She deserves that respect to get well and be back on duty.

'It's interesting to me. I don't know what political agendas are at work that are going after Senator Feinstein in that way. I've never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate in that way,' she added.

But there have been male senators who served to an advanced age and amid questions about their health, including Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. Bryd died in office and Thurmond retired after he became the only lawmaker to reach the age of 100 in office.

Additionally McConnell, the Senate's Republican leader, has been out after recovering from a fall and Democratic Senator John Fetterman missed two months on the job while he was in Walter Reed hospital being treated for depression.

Both men are scheduled to return to the Senate on Monday, when lawmakers return after a two-week Spring break.

Feinstein has not given a date when she expects to return to Washington.
Leading hospitality group Hyatt has announced two senior appointments in its fast-expanding Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) region - Heidi Kunkel has been named Senior Vice President for Commercial Services, while Monique Dekker is the Senior Vice President for Human Resources.

The appointments bolster the regions executive team as it prepares for continued growth under the leadership of EAME Group President Javier Aguila, said a statement from Hyatt.

In 2022, 45% of the 120 hotels that joined the global Hyatt portfolio were based in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The regions contribution to the Hyatt growth journey continues into 2023, with 10% of its record pipeline of 117,000 rooms expected to join the portfolio in EAME markets.

Both leaders bring extensive experience in the hospitality sector in some of Hyatts primary growth markets alongside a track record of championing and progressing equitable practices in the workplace, it stated.

According to Hyatt, the appointments of Heidi and Monique will increase female representation at the highest levels of the organisation as part of an intentional strategy to attract and recruit exceptional female talent into leadership positions, in its regional Head Office and across its portfolio of hotels.

"Kunkel and Dekker are incredible talents and will be instrumental as Hyatt continues growing with intent here in EAME," remarked Javier Aguila, the Group President for EAME.

"As we scale, we want to attract and develop strong leaders who will take our culture and purpose of care out into our new properties and across our corporate offices, infusing this philosophy with our partners. I couldnt think of two more perfect professionals to help us achieve that ambition," he added.

Kunkel will lead Hyatts Commercial Services function in EAME, which combines sales, revenue management, distribution strategy, corporate marketing, brands, communications and digital, along with oversight for the World of Hyatt loyalty platform.

She joins from Hilton Hotels and Resorts, where she held the position of Vice President of Operations for Australasia, and, previously, spent 15 years at Club Med with Commercial and Operations responsibility across Asia Pacific and Europe & Africa.

She has an enviable track record of achieving uplifts in revenue, profitability, operational efficiency and employee engagement across the Pacific region, Southeast Asia and Europe / Africa.

"As we scale, we want to attract and develop strong leaders who will take our culture and purpose of care out into our new properties and across our corporate offices, infusing this philosophy with our partners. I couldnt think of two more perfect professionals to help us achieve that ambition," stated Aguila.

On Dekker, Hyatt said the Netherlands-born executive has more than 25 years service at Grand Hyatt New York. After numerous posts across Hyatt properties in Tokyo, Dusseldorf, Chicago and Singapore, she took on the coveted role of General Manager at the Park Hyatt Vienna, one of the groups most iconic properties in Europe.

She combined that role with that of Area Vice President for Austria, Czech Republic, Italy and Hungary, whilst also serving on the groups Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council and was Chair for Women @ Hyatt a global initiative to accelerate and increase professional growth opportunities for female employees, with 13 chapters and more than 600 colleagues directly involved in EAME alone.

In her new role, Dekker will be responsible for bringing Hyatts purpose to life as it scales, creating professional opportunities for its growing workforce of more than 18,000 professionals in EAME at every level. Besides driving the development and retention of the industrys best talent, she will advance a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.-TradeArabia News Service
Around 50 police officers have been drafted in to keep two crowds of protesters separate at a Kellie-Jay Keen rally in Belfast today - just weeks after the women's rights campaigner was pelted with tomato sauce in New Zealand.

Hundreds of people gathered in the Donegall Quay area of the city centre on Sunday afternoon to hear Keen, also known as Posie Parker, calling counter-protesters 'f***ing deranged'.

Parker, who has repeatedly said she is 'not a feminist', addressed the 'Let Women Speak' demonstration beside the city's 'Big Fish' landmark.

It comes after Keen fled New Zealand last month after being pelted with eggs and doused in tomato sauce by activists against her gender critical views.

Keen was forced to cut her 'Let Women Speak' tour short following the incident at Albert Park, in Auckland's CBD.

Around 50 police officers have been drafted in to keep two crowds of protesters separate at a Kellie-Jay Keen (pictured) rally in Belfast today

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, who was today banned from Twitter for a second time, also attended the Belfast rally

She was due to give an address when she was mobbed by counter protesters and covered in tomato soup before being taken away under police protection.

A video taken by New Zealand Herald columnist Shaneel Lal, who praised the fact she wasn't allowed to deliver a speech, showed counter-protesters taking over the area where the rally was taking place.

After the incident, JK Rowling accused former Glasgow City councillor Austin Sheridan of being 'open' about not taking 'male violence against women' seriously after he tweeted a photo of a bowl of tomato soup.

Mr Sheridan responded, 'I have never ever condoned violence against women', to which the Harry Potter author sarcastically responded that it was 'entirely about your desire for tomato soup'.

On Sunday, Keen questioned why men attend LGBT+ events in front of supporters in Belfast, saying of one protester at a recent rally: 'He doesn't even look gay.'

She continued: 'I don't even understand why he was there, representing the so-called LGBT community, which let's face it, is a bunch of f***ing men in dresses.'

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, also a vocal critic of the trans rights movement, was among those who attended the event today.

Linehan was today banned from Twitter for the second time, after he was reinstated by Elon Musk after his takeover of the company.

Posie Parker, pictured with tomato sauce on her head, was targeted by pro-trans activists at a rally in Auckland, New Zealand last month

A protester rushed the stage and poured the red liquid over Keen before she started speaking

Parker was escorted away by police after being covered with tomato sauce at her rally in Aukland

After the incident, JK Rowling accused former Glasgow City councillor Austin Sheridan of being 'open' about not taking 'male violence against women' seriously after he tweeted a photo of a bowl of tomato soup

The writer had already received warnings from the site over his views on trans rights, but was removed after 'joking' he would kill LGBT+ activists at today's rally.

Linehan wrote: 'Durr imm gonna kill em,' in a response to a pro-trans tweet on the platform.

Nearby to Parker's rally, several LGBT+ groups assembled for a counter rally.

More than 50 police officers formed a line between the demonstrations, as loud music was played and participants on both sides chanted and waved flags and placards - but the demonstrations remained peaceful.

Parker's views on gender have sparked chaos Down Under, and her talks have seen demonstrations from local trans activists in both countries.

One Australian Green MP called her 'a c***', while neo-Nazis have also taken the chance to take part in a bid to stir up trouble.

Speaking to MailOnline, Parker said she feels like 'public enemy No 1' and admits she fears for her safety after becoming 'a hate figure'.

She said: 'I didn't realise how much women are hated by some parts of society before I came here.

Parker (pictured in Belfast today), who has repeatedly said she is 'not a feminist', addressed the 'Let Women Speak' demonstration beside the city's 'Big Fish' landmark

Parker's views on gender have sparked chaos Down Under, and her talks have seen demonstrations from local trans activists in both countries

Speaking to MailOnline, Parker said she feels like 'public enemy No 1' and admits she fears for her safety after becoming 'a hate figure'.

'I feel like there are some great powers somewhere who don't want women talking.

'I can take being called a transphobe, but calling someone a Nazi? One of the politicians here called me a c***. They used rhyming slang of "dropkick and punt".

'The war on women in these countries is absolutely frightening.

'I have got to have a team of seven security guards out here with me. I genuinely do feel my life could be in danger sometimes.'

Parker has been interviewed by police for various suspected offences in relation to their views on the LGBT+ community.

In 2018, she was interviewed by Wiltshire and West Yorkshire Police forces over comments she made about transgender teens, but no charges were brought.

In May of the same year, she was removed as a speaker from Woman's Place UK, a women's rights organisation, over now-deleted tweets where she said the town of Bradford in England was an 'awful place for women' due to its high population of 'Pakistani Muslims'.

Supporters of the LGBT+ community also turned out in solidarity with the transgender community

The counter-protesters held pride flags and slogans in support of transgender people

A man dances next to policemen during the pro-LGBT+ gathering in Belfast this afternoon

Parker, 48, - who has been supported by JK Rowling - is described as a 'women's rights campaigner' by her supporters, but her recent rally in Melbourne was attended by Nazis (Pictured at the rally)

She added it was 'disgusting' that young children were 'wearing hijabs' and said that Islamophobia was 'b******' made up to 'silence critics of Islam'.

In 2021, she wrote a blog for UK's political magazine The Spectator, where she slammed an advert for British department store John Lewis for allowing a boy to dress up and play with what she sees as 'girls' toys.

And at a Parker rally earlier this year in Newcastle, one speaker read out an excerpt of Hitler's Mein Kampf. The woman referred to Nazi ideology of 'the big lie', and said acceptance of transgender people was equivalent to the 'big lie'.

Parker told the crowd at the Let Women Speak event today: 'I know for many of you it has taken a lot of your big girl pants to come out here, because it is really genuinely intimidating.'

Despite Parker's insistence that children should not be allowed to question their gender, her rally children as young as 11 speaking publicly to anti-trans activists, with their comments being widely shared on social media.

Even fellow 'gender-critical feminist groups' are cutting ties with the mother-of-four, with one prominent UK group saying the presence of Neo-Nazis at the Melbourne event should be a 'wake-up call'.

John O'Doherty, director of LGBT+ support group the Rainbow Project, took part in the trans rights demonstration.

'We're here today to ensure that every trans and non-binary person in Northern Ireland knows that they're welcome and there is a community here waiting to embrace them and the hatred being shared by the other demonstration today is not reflective of the people in Northern Ireland,' he said.
The heartbroken rabbi whose British-Israeli wife and two daughters were killed in a brutal West Bank drive-by shooting has revealed the pride he has in his family.

Rabbi Leo Dee also praised the UK government for standing 'unequivocally against terror' after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly condemned the 'senseless violence'.

Mr Dee's daughters Rina and Maia, aged 15 and 20, were killed by 20 bullets from a Kalashnikov rifle and his wife Lucy was shot twice as they drove up the Jordan Valley for a Passover holiday on Lake Galilee on April 7.

Mrs Dee was airlifted to hospital but succumbed to her injuries three days later. Mr Dee tragically described how their 'family of seven is now a family of four'.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Dee - formerly the senior rabbi at Radlett United Synagogue in Hertfordshire and assistant rabbi in Hendon, north London - said: 'I'm extremely proud of all of them.'

Rabbi Leo Dee (pictured), whose British-Israeli wife and two daughters were killed in a brutal West Bank drive-by shooting, has revealed the pride he has in his family

Mother Lucy Dee left, died as a result of her injuries following the drive-by shooting, three days after her daughters Rina (centre) and Maia (right) were killed in the attack

Rabbi Leo Dee also praised the UK government for standing 'unequivocally against terror' after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly condemned the 'senseless violence'

He also admitted that he does not 'hold any hate' towards the attackers who killed his family, but he hopes they will be brought to justice to prevent another attack from taking place.

Mr Dee had been driving ahead of his wife and two daughters in a separate car with two of his children.

Tragically, suspected Palestinian gunmen shot down the car which had Mrs Dee and her two daughters in it. After forcing the car off the road, the terrorists stopped and continued to fire at them.

Mr Dee described the pain of attempting to contact the three but he was unable to get hold of them. The rabbi's son then saw a photo of the car in which the pair suddenly spotted their suitcases covered in blood.

Despite Lucy being airlifted to a hospital in Jerusalem, she never regained consciousness and died on April 10.

She donated her organs after her death and has already saved five lives, including an Arab - something Mr Dee said was 'significant to us because Lucy was very much into peaceful relations with our neighbours and I think she would have been very proud that she saved the life of an Arab'.

Mr Dee described his wife as an 'exceptional human being', adding: 'She was a community builder, she was someone who gave and that was really her defining feature.

'The kids picked up from that and they've learnt to give.

'She [Lucy] would stay up all night talking to girls, particularly girls who were struggling in the group and she would try and help them through their difficulties. She was just busy, busy the whole time. I'm extremely proud of all of them.'

Family members mourn next to the bodies of Maya and Rina during their funeral in the Israeli settlement of Kfar Etzion in the West Bank

Israeli medics and policemen check a damaged car at the scene of the April 7 shooting attack

British sisters Maia (left) and Rina (right) were murdered in a West Bank drive-by shooting on Friday

Following the shocking attack - which came amid rising violence in the West Bank between Palestinians and Israeli factions - Foreign Secretary James Cleverly publicly called for the brutality to end.

READ MORE: Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen and injure two others amid soaring tensions in West Bank where two British sisters were shot dead Advertisement

He wrote on Twitter: 'Tragic news that Leah Dee has also died following the abhorrent attacks in the West Bank. There can be no justification for the murder of Leah and her two daughters, Maia and Rina. We will continue to work with the Israeli authorities to end this senseless violence.'

Rabbi Dee praised Mr Cleverly for condemning the attack - something he labelled as the 'Cleverly Declaration' - taking inspiration from the Balfour Declaration in 1917 where Britain said it would support the formation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

'I feel that statement, saying that Britain stands unequivocally against violence and against terror, is a landmark in British history in terms of the way it's dealt with the State of Israel,' Mr Dee said.

He described previous condemnation of violence as 'wishy-washy' but hopes the change in attitude can be the 'beginning of a new cycle of peace'.

Friends and family members of Maia and Rina mourn during their funerals last Sunday

An aerial view shows friends and family of Maia and Rina gathering for their funeral

Relatives lean over the shrouded bodies of the sisters in grief at their funeral on Easter Sunday

Thousands of mourners have travelled far and wide to pay their respects to the three victims of the West Bank shooting - bringing food to the family Shiva, the seven-day period of mourning in Judaism.

Heartbreaking photos from the sisters' funeral on Easter Sunday showed Mr Dee and other family members crying while leaning over the bodies wrapped in cloth - both embroidered with a Star of David.

Israel's Prime Minister, who has strongly condemned the attack, is among those who have been to see the grieving family.

'Now your wife and daughters will live on through you,' Benjamin Netanyahu told Dee, the Times of Israel reports.

The shooting earlier this month came amid escalating violence in in response to clashes at the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem.

Violent scenes showed police using weapons to beat worshippers barricaded in the mosque, who retaliated by shooting fireworks and throwing stones.

Following the death of Lucy, Rina and Maia Dee, Israeli forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy and injured two others in a raid on a refugee camp near Jericho in the occupied West Bank.
Former BBC and Capital Radio DJ Tim Westwood is promoting upcoming nightclub performances just days after he was interviewed by police over sex offence complaints.

Westwood, 65, has invited fans to come 'get litty' with him at a club in southeast London over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend.

Met police questioned the DJ on March 15 and then again on April 4 about a series of five sex offence allegations spanning 34 years. No arrests have been made.

All five of the allegations are said to have happened in London between 1982 and 2016. The time period covers his career both at the BBC and Capital FM.

Former BBC and Capital Radio DJ Tim Westwood (pictured last September) is promoting upcoming nightclub performances just days after he was interviewed by police over sex offence complaints

Westwood, 65, has invited fans to come 'get litty' with him at a club in southeast London over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend

The disgraced DJ today shared a video on his Instagram stories of people dancing in a club.

The post invites his followers see him perform on April 30 at the 701 Club on Old Kent Road.

The event is slated to run from 11pm to 4am. Entry is free for those with advance tickets who enter before 12.30am.

Tickets for entry after 12.30am begin at 5. VIP packages range from 320 to 730.

Last week, a spokesman for the Met told MailOnline: 'Police are investigating five reports relating to allegations of non-recent sexual offences allegedly committed by a man.

'The offences are alleged to have occurred in London between 1982 and 2016.

'A 65-year-old man was interviewed under caution on March 15, 2023, and April 4, 2023.'

In August the BBC said it should have further explored issues raised about Westwood during his time at the broadcaster, an internal review concluded.

He has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing or illegality. The BBC are currently probing six misconduct allegations of bullying and sexual misconduct against him.

The disgraced DJ today shared a video on his Instagram stories of people dancing in a club

The post invites his followers see him perform on April 30 at the 701 Club on Old Kent Road

The broadcaster has appointed an independent barrister to lead a broader review to 'fully examine' his conduct during the two decades he spent working there.

The veteran DJ, who left the BBC in 2013, stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April following accusations by several women of misconduct and predatory behaviour.

In July, the BBC said it had received six complaints against Westwood, including one that was referred to police, despite director-general Tim Davie previously saying he had seen 'no evidence of complaints'.

Last year a 40-year-old woman claimed the hip-hop star had been in a relationship with her when she was just a schoolgirl.

The alleged victim - who was known under the pseudonym Esther - said she felt the DJ groomed her and she was 'prey' to 'predator' Mr Westwood.

She said they began their relationship after meeting at a club night in Arch in Vauxhall in 1990, which developed into a sexual one when Westwood allegedly started kissing her before initiating unwanted sex.

The Former Radio 1 star has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing or illegality

Esther said their alleged underage relationship later led to her attempting to take her own life.

She said at the time: 'I kind of thought it was normal but that's because I didn't understand the gravity of the situation, she said.

'It wasn't a relationship and it wasn't about love, it was just a thing, and a thing you couldn't discuss with anybody.'

She added to the BBC she felt: 'Disgusted. Angry. Upset. Dirty. Yeah, dirty. I wish I could pretend it never happened but it did.'

Westwood said in a statement in 2020 claims of inappropriate behaviour made against him on social media were fabricated, false and without foundation.

He said: 'I can categorically say that I have never had an inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18.'

'Esther' is one of 10 women who have come forward to accuse the former Radio One DJ of sexual misconduct. None of the 10 initially reported the incidents to the police.

Another woman claims she was 16 when the renowned hip-hop DJ, who was in his 40s at the time of the alleged incident, kickstarted their 'controlling' relationship.

Veteran DJ Tim Westwood has now been interviewed under caution twice by the Met Police

DJ Tim Westwood was accused of being a 'predator' after a woman claimed he had sex with her multiple times starting when she was just 14-years-old

A third, who was 20 when she first met Westwood while he toured clubs and student unions across the country, claims he pushed his penis into her mouth despite her resisting.

Two more women claim they were sexually assaulted by Mr Westwood.

The new allegations had come forward as part of a BBC News documentary, entitled Tim Westwood: Hip-Hop's Open Secret, that details more than two decades worth of sexual misconduct allegations against the DJ stretching from 1990 to 2012.

'Lydia', another woman claiming to have been targeted by Westwood, says she was approached by him during a night at Caesars club in Streatham, south London.

Although she was only 16 at the time while he was in his 40s, 'Lydia' and Mr Westwood allegedly began an 18-month sexual relationship in which he is accused of isolating her from friends and family.

'It was quite controlling in lots of ways,' she told the BBC.

'I had a home phone, and he demanded to have the password to it so he would often listen to my messages.

'I wish more people had stepped in, I wish the adults who were around him, the bodyguards, the secretaries, the people who I would say were bystanders.'

Following social media allegations published in 2020, Westwood has previously 'categorically' denied claims he has had an 'inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18'.

Seven women came forward to accuse the DJ of initiating unwanted sexual behaviour following a joint investigation by the BBC and the Guardian earlier this year.

One woman, using the pseudonym Isabel, alleges she was 19 and the DJ was 53 when he exposed his genitals to her in a car

A woman using the alias Pamela claims Westwood drove her to a flat in central London and initiated unwanted sex when she was 19 and he was 53

A woman, using the alias Tamara, alleges Westwood, then aged in his mid-thirties, also subjected her to unwanted sex when she was 17

Following the allegations, Mr Westwood resigned from his weekly Capital Xtra radio show 'until further notice'.

A statement from a representative of Westwood in April last year said: 'Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

'In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially.

'Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.'

Ten more women have since come forward to share their allegations against the DJ since the investigation broke in April. Several claim they engaged with Mr Westwood while they were under the age of 18.
Fierce fighting raged in Sudan's capital city today despite the agreement of a three-hour humanitarian 'ceasefire' agreed for safe passage of urgent humanitarian cases.

The leaders of Sudan's army and a warring paramilitary group earlier agreed to stop fighting to allow aid through between 4pm and 7pm locally each day, from Sunday.

At least 61 civilians including three UN staff have been killed since yesterday in clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), prompting the UN World Food Programme to temporarily halt operations.

Despite factions supporting the UN-proposed rolling peace agreement, witnesses reported violence to have carried on unabated, tanks rolling through Khartoum and jets flying overhead as the government appeared to take the upper hand in the city.

Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on 16 April, 2023, as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals

Smoke rises as a car drives along an almost deserted street in Khartoum on Sunday

Smoke billows above houses in east Khartoum on Sunday despite the agreed ceasefire

Sudanese greet army soldiers in Port Sudan on 16 April. The army appeared to have the upper hand in the capital city of Khartoum by Sunday

Earlier today, the Sudanese Armed Forces had confirmed it would open a safe passage for urgent humanitarian cases for three hours every day, again from 4pm until 7pm local time.

The plan, which aimed to help evacuate the wounded and supply vital aid to where it was most needed, was proposed by the UN following the deaths of three staff.

READ MORE: At least 56 civilians are killed and hundreds more are injured as violence rocks Sudan with the army and paramilitary force RSF battling for control of the presidential palace, state TV and the military HQ Advertisement

The army maintained that it retained the right to react if 'the rebellious militia commits any violations'.

Despite the peace agreement, explosions and gunfire continued to rattle buildings in the city of Khartoum, witnesses said.

It came as the SAF started to gain the upper hand in the war-torn capital.

Meanwhile, the RSF says it has taken control of state TV and other strategic facilities - claims refuted by the SAF.

Sudan state television nonetheless cut its transmission on Sunday afternoon.

Employees of the broadcaster said the move was meant to prevent the RSF from broadcasting propaganda.

As night fell residents reported the sound of artillery and the roar of warplanes in the Kafouri district of Bahri, which has an RSF base, across the Nile river from the capital.

Earlier today, and some 850 miles northeast of Khartoum, witnesses reported gunfire in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

Tahani Abass, a prominent rights advocate, said 'the battles have not stopped' from her family home close to the military headquarters.

'They are shooting against each other in the streets.

'It's an all-out war in residential areas,' she said.

At least 61 civilians are reported to have died since Saturday as factions continue to fight for control of the presidential palace, state television, and the army headquarters.

At least 670 people had been reported injured as of Sunday evening.

Sudanese greet army soldiers in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on 16 April 2023

Two burning planes at Khartoum International Airport, 16 April, amid clashes for strategic locations between the RSF paramilitary group and the Sudanese armed forces

A tuk tuk drives through a residential area in Khartoum on Sunday as smoke billows behind

The conflict in Sudan is between the government's Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

They are two of the most powerful factions in Sudan, competing for control as the country undergoes huge political changes.

In 2021, a military junta tasked with transitioning Sudan to a democracy was overthrown in a military coup.

Who are the RSF? The Rapid Support Forces are a paramilitary group, which Sudan's intelligence service created from the Janjaweed militia in 2013. The Janjaweed militia had worked closely with the Sudanese military and police forces in the War in Darfur (2003-20). The war was fought between an alliance of rebels and the Sudanese government, backed by the Janjaweed and supported by Libya, Russia, Iran and China, among others. Rebel groups accused the government of oppressing non-Arabs in western Sudan. The war saw a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arabs, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and a major humanitarian crisis as refugees fled the country. While the UN and African Union managed to establish a peacekeeping mission to help negotiate the end of the conflict in 2020, the RSF became a branch of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in 2013. It has since been deployed in a number of roles domestically and in foreign conflicts, including in Libya and Yemen. The RSF is accused of numerous human rights abuses, and reportedly tied to Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries, active in Ukraine Advertisement

Since then, Sudan has been governed by a council of generals led by current de facto president Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

His deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemeti, is commander of the 100,000-strong RSF.

Tensions have since grown as the SAF and RSF have competed for legitimacy amid wider discussions about the future of the country.

In December 2022, civilian groups that had been sidelined by the 2021 coup signed an initial deal with the military to start a new two-year political transition and appoint a new civilian government.

On 5 April 2023, the final signing for the deal was delayed a second time, amid disputes over whether the army would be placed under civilian oversight in a new administration, and how the RSF would be integrated into the armed forces.

Civilian groups also seek justice for alleged war crimes by the military and its allies.

In this volatile environment, the relationship between Burhan and Hemeti has been strained, leading the RSF leader to say since that the 2021 coup was a 'mistake'.

On 13 April, the army warned that the RSF's mobilisation risked conflict.

Two days later, fighting broke out as RSF personnel were redeployed into roles around Sudan.

Both sides accused each other of starting the conflict, and last night signalled they were unwilling to negotiate.

The government called for the RSF to be dismantled in light of the clashes.

Hemeti called on Burhan to surrender.

Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan - Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - also called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

'We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition,' he said in a statement early Sunday.

France's foreign ministry said in a statement today: '[Paris] reiterates its call to make every effort to stop the fighting and prevent any escalation.'

Regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) plans to send the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile conflicting Sudan groups, Kenyan President William Ruto's office said on Twitter.

The region remains geopolitically important and western allies fear the possible establishment of a Russian base on the east coast on the Red Sea, to which some military leaders have been receptive.

Sudan's army chief Burhan (left) and his deputy and the RSF commander Dagalo (right)

Fierce clashes broke out across the capital Khartoum and the sister city of Omdurman

Sudan has been trapped in conflict on-and-off since declaring independence in 1955, recognised on 1 January 1956.

READ MORE: Chaos in Sudan amid an attempted coup as government fighter jets fire missiles over capital as fears mount of a wider conflict Advertisement

The northern region of historic Sudan is predominantly Muslim and Arabic-speaking. In the south, it is multi-religious and multi-lingual. The region was ruled as two separate Sudans for most of the time it was under British administration.

Britain and Egypt cooperated in the administration of the country during the colonial period (1899-56), which saw a modernising push in the north while the south and west were largely neglected. This contributed to other underlying divides that have broken out into conflicts in the years since.

After gaining full independence in 1955, the south demanded more autonomy. The country collapsed into a horrific civil war, lasting 17-years and resulting in up to a million deaths and reports of mass rape.

The eventual peace process in 1972 failed to address the fundamental tensions, leading to a Second Sudanese Civil War from 1983 until 2005.

The south then found oil in 1978, exporting barrels from 1999 and setting itself up for independence in 2011.

Groups in the west continued to suffer from marginalisation from the north. The War in Darfur (2003-2020) would see the Rapid Support Forces put together from a militia that sided with the government in the conflict.

Some 300,000 were killed in attacks on villages in only the first five years, the UN estimates.

The region remains volatile, with clashes ongoing in the west of the country.

Heavy smoke billows above the Khartoum International Airport on Sunday despite ceasefire

People gather on the street in east Khartoum on Sunday 16 April, 2023

Since then, the RSF - formed in 2013 by Hemeti - have been under control of the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Through these years, the RSF gained significant power and wealth, becoming the de facto infantry of Sudan before long-time president and supporter Omar al Bashir was overthrown in 2019 in a military coup.

Tensions have only grown as the sitting administration jostles with the RSF for legitimacy and control while the government negotiates with civilian groups.
A motorcyclist who was going twice the speed limit when he hit and killed a 12-year-old boy has been jailed for just under three years.

Dariusz Adamusiak was riding his motorbike in 20mph area in Wembley, north west London, when he collided with schoolboy Qusai Alomar on September 16, 2021.

The boy, who was from the area, was taken to hospital where he died three days later.

A court heard that Adamusia, 37, was riding his Yamaha motorbike at a speed of at least 39mph in the 20mph zone. He stopped after the collision, which happened at around 5pm, and remained at the scene.

Adamusiak, from Barham Court, Wembley, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the Old Bailey and was sentenced on Friday. He was jailed for two years and ten months, and will serve half in custody.

The remainder of his sentence will be served on licence.

Qusai Alomar, 12, was taken to hospital after the collision on September 16, 2021, where he died three days later

He was also disqualified from driving for four years and five months. To get back behind the wheel, he will need to pass an extended driving test.

DI John Millward, of the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: 'This was truly a tragic case where a young boy sadly and needlessly lost his life due to a motorcyclist who ignored the designated speed limit.

'I would like to send my continued condolences to this young boy's family, and thank them for their patience and trust in the investigation.

'I would also like to thank my detectives and colleagues for their professionalism and dedication to seek justice for this grieving family.'
A pair of evil thugs who kidnapped two women they met in a nightclub before dragging them back to a property where one of them was raped are facing jail.

Badr Alhadidi, 39, and Dhari Alshammari, 27, targeted the women at a nightspot in Vauxhall, London, where they approached them on the dancefloor.

Alshammari then poured vodka into glasses for the women while Alhadidi waited for them outside the toilets.

A court heard how the four of them left the club at around 6am on July 16 last year before the men bundled the drunk lone women into a car.

After driving them to an address in Kensington, CCTV footage showed Alshammari dragging one of the victims along the pavement.

Dhari Alshammari, 27, was charged with kidnap and one count of rape and was found guilty of both charges

Badr Alhadidi, 39, was found guilty of kidnap but cleared of three counts of rape and sexual assault by penetration

Both women were forced through a doorway where they then collapsed.

Inside the property Alshammari raped one of the women, before going to a nearby McDonald's to order food on his way back home to Wandsworth.

Later that morning Alhadidi, from Birmingham, drove the woman to a petrol station in another area of London and left them.

The women were seen on CCTV falling over and falling into traffic as they were still drunk on their walk home.

One of the victims reported the incident to the police but could not remember a portion of the evening.

She said she remembered being pinned down in a car and sexually assaulted in a room.

After analysing CCTV footage the police were able to identify and arrest the two men a couple of days later.

When the men were shown the footage in their police interviews they both laughed and maintained that both complainants were sober and consented.

After raping one of the women inside the property, Alshammari went to a nearby McDonald's to order food on his way back home to Wandsworth [Stock photo]

Alshammari was charged with kidnap and one count of rape and was found guilty of both charges.

Alhadidi was found guilty of kidnap but cleared of three counts of rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Both men will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on May 26.

Detective Constable Tony Larkin, who led the investigation, said: 'Alhadidi and Alshammari are two predators who set out that night with only one sinister intention in mind.

'They had a clear plan of how they were going to target the victim-survivors and thought they could get away with it.

'They've shown no remorse and have no idea how much harm and distress they have caused.

'The CCTV footage reviewed as part of our investigation was harrowing and showed real violence and monstrous treatment of the victim-survivors.

'I would like to thank the victim-survivors in coming forward and reporting this to police, they have been extremely brave.

'No matter when someone choses to report a rape or sexual assault, detectives will always listen to and support you.'
A Wyoming newspaper claims more than a third of the small-town bars they surveyed are experiencing boycotts of Bud Light beer following the company's ad partnership with trans influencer, Dylan Mulvaney.

After finding bars throughout larger Wyoming towns were not experiencing a drop off in Bud Light business, the Cowboy State Daily decided to go deeper and consult 14 bars in small towns.

Their findings showed that out of 12 bars that responded, five had seen changes in the amount of customers buying Bud Light ranging from barely discernible to very severe.

'Two of the 14 declined to comment. Seven of the 12 that commented said theyve seen no noticeable change in Bud Light sales since the controversy began. The remaining five reported changes from barely discernible to very severe,' the report reads.

It comes as Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch lost a whopping $6billion in market cap in just six days last week in the wake of its partnership with Mulvaney, who promoted the brand by posing with her personalized can of beer in a bathtub on TikTok on April 1.

The K Saloon in Powell, Wyoming said sales of Bud Light have declined noticeable since the boycotts of the product began. The beer has dropped out of its position as the bar's most popular brew

The Ponderosa Bar in Hulett said there had been no noticeable changes in Bud Lights sales since the controversy erupted

Turf Bar in Sundance said they'd seen a noticeable dip in the sale of Bud Light

K Bar Saloon in Powell, Wyoming said that their sales of the Anheuser-Busch owned beer have gone down.

'The beer was once the bars top seller and now its down to No. 2. Many customers have switched to Coors Light,' read the report.

The Turf Bar in Sundance, Wyoming reported that customers did pivot away from Bud Light, but stayed within the Anheuser-Busch family with their new selections.

'I've noticed a lot of people don't realize Corona and Michelob Ultra are made by Anheuser-Busch,' said one bartender.

The Lucky 5 Lounge in Shoshoni said that 'multiple customers have switched, but Bud Light is still selling.'

Transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney became well known for the 'days of girlhood' videos, in which the 26-year-old documented the first year of identifying as a girl.

In a bathtub, Mulvaney posted a clip of herself sipping Bud Light to promote its March Madness competition. The video also featured a custom Bud Light can featuring Mulvaney's face, which was a one-off, and is not on sale to the general public.

Mulvaney, 26, has angered some feminists and conservatives over claims she's 'play-acting' being a 'girl,' and co-opting parts of womanhood she finds interesting - without having to deal with the misogyny or prejudice many women face.

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth delivered a lackluster apology on Friday.

'We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer,' said Whitworth in the statement.

In a statement after the initial blowback, the company tried to calm conservative consumers with a statement.

'Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics and passion points.

'From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney.

'This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public.'

Anheuser-Busch defended the gift in a statement, saying 'From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale'

In early April, Mulvaney shared a video of herself in a bathtub sipping from a can of Bud Light to announce her new partnership with the brand

The company has been hit with a barrage of complaints, with many customers filming themselves pouring the liquid away

Their doubling down only enraged angered customers more.

Onlookers are now criticizing the maneuver as a shameless publicity grab, amid the recent trend of companies going 'woke' to better their bottom lines.

Alissa Heinerscheid, Budweiser's vice president of marketing, previously stoked the flames of the controversy by saying she had a mandate to update the brand's 'fratty' and 'out-of-touch' image.

'I'm a businesswoman. I had a really clear job to do when I took over Bud Light, and it was This brand is in decline, its been in a decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand there will be no future for Bud Light,' she said in a video that has been heavily criticized.

'Its like we need to evolve and elevate this incredibly iconic brand,' she added.

'What does evolve and elevate mean? It means inclusivity. It means shifting the tone. It means having a campaign thats truly inclusive and feels lighter and brighter and different.

'And appeals to women and to men,' she concluded in an interview from March 30.
Budweiser has released a patriotic new ad featuring its iconic Clydesdale horses just two weeks after Dylan Mulvaney's Bud Light deal sparked a huge backlash, but the public is not biting the bit.

The one-minute spot was released on social media Friday and features shots of the iconic Clydesdales galloping across the country, in open fields, and past landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial and the New York City skyline.

A deep-voiced narrator says that Budweiser is 'a story bigger than beer' as the horses race across the screen.

'This is the story of the American spirit,' he says.

The ad for the beer - which like Bud Light is owned by Anheuser-Busch - appeared to be a return to traditional values for the brand which has historically appealed to blue-collar American workers.

This is in stark difference to Bud Light's doomed partnership with trans influencer Mulvaney - which ended in a lukewarm apology from the firm's CEO.

However, online users slammed the ad as a pathetic attempt to right the ship that was permanently sent in the wrong direction with the Mulvaney partnership.

The iconic Clydesdales are shown galloping across iconic American settings

'My favorite advertisement by a mile was the Clydesdales after 9/11. It was absolute perfection. After your embrace of the trans agenda, glorifying a man looking for his 15 mins of fame by mocking women. I will never buy, drink or serve your beer again,' wrote one user.

'Is the horse trans now?' wrote radio host Dan O'Donnell.

'Nope, you guys destroyed your own base and market because you had to go woke. I'll never drink any of your products again,' wrote Brandon Saario.

'Lol, hard pivot huh?' wrote Angela McArdle, the chair of the Libertarian Party.

Commentator Philip Holloway wrote: 'Don't look now Anheuser Busch and Budweiser but the Clydesdale has already left the barn. The train has sailed, the ship has left the station.'

In one shot, the ad showcases two people raising an American flag as one places her hand over her heart.

As the flag is raised, the narrator says: 'Brewed for those who found opportunity in challenge and hope in tomorrow.'

In another shot, the ad shows the downtown NYC skyline, where the Freedom tower now stands instead of the World Trade Center. At that moment, the narrator says the word: 'Remember.'

Not everyone appreciated the reference. Brandon Morse, the senior editor of Red State responded: 'I'm not sure a lineup of B-roll footage and some guy throwing middle-America buzzwords at us will win us back, and frankly, bringing 9/11 into this is kind of insulting.'

The Budweiser Clydesdales have been featured in the Budweiser Super Bowl ad for more than 30 years

The targeted ad arrives as Anheuser-Busch continues to navigate the controversy surrounding Bud Light's partnership.

Bud Light and Budweiser are distinct brands housed under the same parent company. With the new ad, the latter - often called The King of Beers - appears to be stepping in to save the reputation of Bud Light.

In her controversial ad, Mulvaney posted a clip of herself sipping from a one-off, custom Bud Light can with her face on to promote its March Madness competition - and the backlash saw parent company Anheuser-Busch lose $6billion in market cap within six days.

Mulvaney became well known for the 'days of girlhood' videos, in which the 26-year-old documented the first year of identifying as a girl.

But the TikTok star, 26, has angered some feminists and conservatives over claims she's 'play-acting' being a 'girl,' and co-opting parts of womanhood she finds interesting - without having to deal with the misogyny or prejudice many women face.

Even the Budweiser Clydesdales have not escaped the backlash against the partnership, as a Budweiser distributor in Missouri canceled all scheduled events to showcase the massive horses last week amid safety concerns.

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth, 46, delivered a lackluster apology on Friday

Whitworth issued this public statement on Friday, two weeks into the controversy

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth delivered a lackluster apology on Friday.

'We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer,' said Whitworth in the statement.

In a statement after the initial blow back, the company tried to calm conservative consumers with a statement.

'Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics and passion points.

'From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney.

'This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public.'

Whitworth is seen in the early 1990s, in a feature about the sporting and academic star in his local Delaware newspaper

Whitworth qualified for the Ironman World Championship - an ultra-triathlon held annually in Hawaii - but did not take up his place, joining the CIA in 2001 instead

The decision to team up with Mulvaney was reportedly made by a low-level marketing executive, but that has not stopped Whitworth and his vice president of marketing for Bud Light, Alissa Heinerscheid, from facing a torrent of criticism.

Yet few are better positioned to draw on a lifetime of challenging situations than Whitworth - an 'all American hero' and trainee doctor who joined the Marines - where he was a star athlete - and the CIA, recruiting and handling spies across the Middle East, before going to Harvard Business School.

Whitworth has lived across the United States, and has been a registered Republican for most of his life.

'I felt fortunate to have been born in the United States,' he said. 'I felt like I needed to pay that back - like I had a bit of indebtedness that I needed to pay.'

Whitworth grew up in the Alapocas Woods area just outside Wilmington, Delaware - the son of a doctor, Michael Whitworth, and his wife Sara.

He attended Salesianum School, a Catholic high school in Wilmington, and graduated in 1994, having led the school soccer team to win the state championship. He was also fiendishly academic, earning straight As in honors pre-calculus.

Whitworth then decided to follow in his father's footsteps and study medicine, attending Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

Yet midway through his college career, he had a change of heart.

Having always admired military and government service, he decided he wanted to join the Marines, attending Officer Cadet School and being commissioned as a lieutenant in his senior year.

Whitworth played soccer at high school in Wilmington and at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania

His grandfather worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), serving under President Hoover, before running the training in Quantico, Virginia.

'That's where kind of the attachment to serving the country came from,' Whitworth told Fox News in an October interview.

By the age of 25, Whitworth, 6ft 2in and 185lbs, was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, and making headlines as an Ironman.

He ran the Marine Corp Marathon in a remarkable two hours 55 minutes, and the following year qualified for the Ironman World Championship - an ultra-triathlon held annually in Hawaii.

Whitworth did not take up his place, however: by then, he had decided to leave the Marines, after three years, and join the CIA.

In the aftermath of 9/11, from 2001-6, Whitworth worked in some of the toughest spots around the globe at the height of the War on Terror - Pakistan, Tunisia, Iraq.

His LinkedIn describes his role as: 'Specialized in the recruitment and handling of human sources with access to vital intelligence that prevented and disrupted terrorist threats.'

The CEO of Anheuser-Busch is seen during a Belgian Economic Mission to the U.S. in June 2022. AB-InBev, the parent company for Anheuser-Busch, is based in Belgium

Whitworth is seen addressing an Anheuser-Busch gathering

His family were proud, but worried.

His older sister Kelty - an All-American swimmer at Ursuline Academy in Delaware, who then went to Harvard - told him it was time to get out.

'While she appreciated what I had been doing she, as any protective sibling would be, was constantly saying, 'OK, you've done eight years now  What do you think about prioritizing yourself?'' he told Fox Business.

Whitworth described his sister as being a 'strong, well-grounded opinion' in his life.

He reluctantly agreed with her, but on the condition that he would only leave if he got in to Harvard, like her.

'There are a bunch of great business schools but I always felt like she had something on me, too,' he explained.

'So, I was like, 'All right, fine, I'm going to go there'.'

He prepared for his Graduate Management Admission Test while in Baghdad, studying late at night after his CIA shifts ended.

In 2006 he arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Whitworth continued to play sports, particularly rugby.

But he focused on his studies, and on graduation landed a prime job with PepsiCo.

In 2013, he joined AB-Inbev - the Belgian-based brewing company, formed from the merger of US firm Anheuser-Busch with brewing companies around the world.

He rose up the ranks, leading trade marketing, category and sales technology divisions before becoming US Chief Sales Officer in November 2017, and finally US CEO.

'It's hard to find a few things that are as closely attached to the United States of America than Anheuser-Busch,' he said at the time of his appointment, in July 2021.

Whitworth is seen in a Budweiser hoody greeting drinkers at a trade fair

'That passion for the country just naturally connected to a passion for Anheuser-Busch and I grew up drinking Budweiser.

'I would bring Budweiser to college parties, and not even really care what was in the keg.'

Whitworth credits his Marine training with helping him rise to the top of corporate America.

'They put you through a process to screen you, to see if do you have the capabilities to lead Marines,' he said.

'Then they give you what they believe are the right leadership principles and then they give you a platoon of Marines, and you have to go see if that all works.

'That early experience gave me an appreciation that I've continued to build upon  what it means to connect with, sell to, market to someone from Philadelphia or somebody from San Antonio.'

It's certainly made him a wealthy man.

Whitworth is believed to earn $12 million a year, and lives with his wife Meredith in a $7 million apartment on the Upper East Side, close to Central Park.

He will draw on all of his experience as he helps Anheuser-Busch weather the Mulvaney storm.

'None of us get it right every time. We're not supposed to,' he told Business Insider, in the November 2021 interview about his hiring technique.

'But I want to see people that get it wrong and then quickly move on to try and get it right.'

Anheuser-Busch defended gifting Dylan Mulvaney her personalized can in a statement: 'From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale'

In early April, Mulvaney shared a video of herself in a bathtub sipping from a can of Bud Light to announce her new partnership with the brand

The company has been hit with a barrage of complaints, with many customers filming themselves pouring the liquid away

Last week, the company's doubling down only enraged angered customers more.

Onlookers are now criticizing the maneuver as a shameless publicity grab, amid the recent trend of companies going 'woke' to better their bottom lines.

Alissa Heinerscheid, Bud Light vice president of marketing, previously stoked the flames of the controversy by saying she had a mandate to update the brand's 'fratty' and 'out-of-touch' image.

'I'm a businesswoman. I had a really clear job to do when I took over Bud Light, and it was "This brand is in decline, its been in a decline for a really long time, and if we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand there will be no future for Bud Light,"' she said in a video that has been heavily criticized.

'Its like we need to evolve and elevate this incredibly iconic brand,' she added.

'What does evolve and elevate mean? It means inclusivity. It means shifting the tone. It means having a campaign thats truly inclusive and feels lighter and brighter and different.

'And appeals to women and to men,' she concluded in an interview from March 30.
Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and his former press secretary Alastair Campbell have been pictured arriving at a gala dinner to mark the 25th anniversary of Northern Ireland's landmark peace accord, the Good Friday Agreement.

Political leaders from the Good Friday era are tonight meeting to recognise the late Mo Mowlam's contribution to the 1998 deal, ahead of a major three-day conference in Belfast commemorating it.

The agreement put an end to decades of violence in North Ireland and the period known as 'The Troubles' - although some sporadic violence has continued since.

Mr Blair and Mr Campbell were both highly involved in the negotiations which led to the deal, as were their Irish counterparts.

Mo Mowlam, who died in 2005, served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Tony Blair and played a major role in negotiations.

Tony Blair arrives at a Gala dinner to recognise Mo Mowlam's contribution to the peace process and to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland

Former advisor and press secretary to Tony Blair Alastair Campbell (left) arrives alongside Jonathan Powell, a former Labour government advisor

Mo Mowlam, who died in 2005, served as Cabinet Minister for Northern Ireland and played an instrumental role in securing the Good Friday Agreement

The dinner was organised at Hillsborough Castle to mark her contribution to the peace process, which has also been marked by Labour figures this week.

Earlier this week, the Labour Party shared a tribute to the politician, who represented constituents in North Yorkshire.

A statement read: 'Securing the Good Friday Agreement is one of the Labour Party's proudest achievements.

'Today we pay tribute to the incredible Mo Mowlam, who was instrumental in making it happen.

'Labour will always work to secure peace and prosperity for future generations in Northern Ireland.'

Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner said: 'On the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, remembering the vital role of the much-missed Mo Mowlam.

'The contribution she and other women made to the peace process is too often overlooked. We wont forget.'

On Sunday the Tony Blair Institute tweeted: 'We celebrate Mo Mowlam for the role she played in the peace negotiations resulting in the #GoodFridayAgreement and as the warm and inspirational figure she was. Tonight, Tony Blair will pay tribute to her at [Hillsborough Castle] where Mo brokered talks in the lead up to the 1998 agreement.'

Tony Blair was quoted as saying: 'I chose Mo because I thought she was completely different, because she would be a complete breath of fresh air, and she was, and also because she was a very clever politician.'

Former US president Bill Clinton, ex-US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and chairman of the Good Friday talks Senator George Mitchell attended several events in Belfast over the weekend ahead of the start of the conference at Queen's University on Monday.

As well as Sir Tony Blair, former Irish PM Bertie Ahern will be among the high-profile figures participating at Queen's.

An attending US delegation appointed by President Joe Biden will be led by his special envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III.

Current UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are due to attend later in the week.

The commemorations are taking place at a time when the powersharing political institutions created by the Good Friday deal are in abeyance due to a row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the Stormont assembly and executive in protest at economic barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Ireland's deputy premier Micheal Martin has said events to commemorate the occasion could provide an impetus to restore devolved governance at Stormont.

'I would like to think that there's a genuine desire to get the institutions back up and running,' Mr Martin said in Dublin on Sunday.

'I've met with all of the party leaders over the last year and, irrespective of their positions, they've all resolutely said that they want the institutions back up and running.'

Mr Martin, who will also attend the conference, said the Windsor Framework recently agreed by the UK and EU had resolved many of the issues created by the contentious post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

He expressed frustration that Stormont was still in cold storage nearly a year after last May's Assembly election.

'All around the world when elections happen, parliaments get convened,' he said.

'And I think there was a real necessity to do that in Northern Ireland to respond to the mandate that the people have given their public representatives to enable them to deal with very significant challenges facing Northern Ireland, in respect of economy, health and housing, and many other issues.

'And there are many newly elected MLAs who I know would dearly love the opportunity to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, I've met a number of them from different parties.

'And they're impatient with the fact that the mandate that they have been given by the electorate, they do not have the opportunity to reflect that mandate in the Assembly.

'I would like to think next week may give an impetus and a cause for reflection. I think there is space being provided for people to assess the situation, analyse it from their perspectives.

'But there is no getting away from a very basic democratic thing, which is basically when elections happen, parliaments get convened.'

Mr Martin was speaking to reporters after attending an annual Fianna Fail commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin for the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland.

On Saturday evening, both Bill and Hillary Clinton were guests at a special screening in Belfast of a film about murdered journalist Lyra McKee.

Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed rioting in Londonderry in April 2019.

On Sunday, Ms Clinton attended an event for young leaders who have taken part in the Washington Ireland Programme.

Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell was given a standing ovation as he arrived at Belfast's Lyric Theatre on Sunday afternoon for a performance of a play about the striking of the agreement in 1998.

Across the city, a church service was held in Clonard Monastery to reflect on the Good Friday Agreement.

Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker and US envoy to Northern Ireland Mr Kennedy III were among those who attended the service of recommitment that was organised by peacebuilding group, the Corrymeela Community.

The leaders of both the Catholic church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland, archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, also attended.

One of the events in the extensive programme of events at Queen's is the screening of a film telling the stories of several victims of the Troubles.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said the film created by members of the Truth and Justice Movement would convey a powerful message of opposition to Government plans to offer a limited immunity from prosecution to perpetrators of Troubles crimes.

'The GFA is 25 years old, yet some of our group has been fighting over 50 years for truth and justice and none of us can't or won't rest until we get the justice our families deserve despite the British government's fear of the truth and justice,' he said.
Mueller turned the private university into a publicly-traded for-profit institution, and has since used the profits to invest billions into expanding the school

A Christian university more than tripled its enrollment in ten years after adopting a what its president called a 'new model for higher education' aimed at making college accessible to everybody.

Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, Arizona, grew its student body from 7,602 in 2012 to 25,350 in 2022 as its newly president rolled out aggressive measures to overhaul the school.

President Brian Mueller joined CGU in 2008 when the school had about only 1,000 students, according to Fox News, and converted the school into a publicly traded for-profit institution to fund the school's expansion.

Mueller said his plan was to 'use the public markets to get access to capital' which the school used to expand its campus, its curriculums, and to offers extensive scholarships to its student body, all while maintaining a consistently low tuition.

He said the school's plan was to grow the student body to 50,000 within ten years, and that building plans to accommodate were already underway.

Grand Canyon University's enrollment rose from 7,602 in 2012 to 25,350 in 2022

President Brian Mueller joined GCU in 2008 and set about aggressively expanding the school

The school was founded in 1949, and Mueller told Fox News it was 'always on the verge of closing' until it began to roll out the new financial plan.

As the school became publicly traded, it began buying up property in its lower-wealth west Phoenix neighborhood, investing billions into building out its campus and growing the number of academic programs it had from 100 to about 300.

The school also leveraged the socio-economic challenges of its neighborhood to become a vital part of the community.

'We were in a neighborhood that was very, very challenged from a crime perspective, from a poverty perspective,' Mueller told Fox. 'But we thought we could use this to create a new financial model for higher education, one that would make it affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans.'

GCU began offering free tutoring to local K-12 students to encourage their participation in higher education later in life, and opened a number of businesses within the community to provide its students with jobs while enrolled.

'When you're able to do that, you're able to fulfill the real goal and objective of higher education, which is to lift all boats,' Mueller said. 'Higher education should be a great democratizing force in our country.'

The university has also frozen its tuition for the past ten years, which currently averages at about $9,200 per year without scholarships, and $8,897 for campus room and board.

Last year alone the school gave out about $180million in scholarships, and Mueller said he hopes to be able to freeze tuition for the next ten years.

GCU added 9,700 students in the last academic year, and about 11,000 in this academic year.

The school was founded in 1949 in Phoenix, Arizona, and had a small student body for years

The student body at GCU has more than tripled in a decade while the campus has grown

Mueller told Fox News his plan was to freeze GCU's tuition for the next ten years and double the student body to about 50,000 students

Students in the United States graduated with an average of $31,820 in debt in 2021, according to US News and World Report. At GCU, students graduated with an average of only $21,557 in debt, according to school officials.

'We haven't raised tuition for 10 years,' said Mueller. 'And the average student graduates with less debt than the average state university student.'

Mueller said the school is able to keep its own costs by limiting the size of its staff, and having faculty teach both the on-campus and online student body.

'We thought in the past small and elite won the day in higher ed,' he said. 'The future is going to be very large, very scalable [and] very flexible being able to educate people across the lifespan.'

The success of the school's methods come at as college tuitions have continued to skyrocket across the country.

Data from TheBestSchools in March showed tuition at nearly all schools across the country rose 1.5 percent between the 2019 and 2020 school years.

To combat those rising costs, a number of prominent schools including Dartmouth and Princeton have adopted scholarship programs intended to help students from certain socio-economic thresholds graduate debt-free.
The top ten most expensive cities in the US have been revealed, where you'd need to earn $300,000 to feel like you earn $100,000 - and New York did not come top of the list.

Surprisingly, the most expensive city was Honolulu, followed then by New York and San Francisco.

A ranking compiled by the personal finance advisor SmartAsset ranked 76 US cities to determine which were the cheapest and most expensive to live in.

To have the 'purchasing power' of $100,000 each year you will clearly need an annual salary higher than that, but how much more will depend on local taxes and the cost of living.

In Honolulu, New York and San Francisco, a salary of about $310,000 boils down to $100,000 once taxes and the increased cost of living are considered.

By contrast, in Memphis, El Paso and Oklahoma City, a comparatively low salary of around $120,000 will offer the same sense of financial freedom, or the 'new' $100,000.

The most expensive city was Honolulu in Hawaii, where a $312,000-a-year salary is required to have a purchasing power of $100,000

Honolulu in Hawaii was found to be one of the most expensive cities in the country. To leave you feeling as though you have $100,000 to spend after tax, a whopping $312,000 is in order

State income tax is around eight percent on a $312,000-a-year income in California. In Hawaii and New York (pictured) it is around nine and six percent respectively

That ranking is heavily influenced by local taxes - the most expensive states, California, Hawaii and New York, all have high income tax.

State income tax is around eight percent on a $312,000-a-year income in California. In Hawaii and New York it is around nine and six percent respectively.

Similarly the states containing cheapest cities, Tennessee and Texas, have no income tax. Meanwhile Oklahoma's income tax is relatively low - around 4 percent on a $120,000-a-year income.

The cost of living was considered using the Council for Community and Economic Research's cost-of-living data, according to SmartAsset. It takes into account the price of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and other necessary purchases.

The full list revealed that other Californian cities require similarly large annual salaries in order to offer the feeling of having $100,000 to spend after tax.

In Oakland, which is ranked the fourth most expensive city in the US, a salary of at least $246,000 is needed to leave you feeling like you have $100,000 to take home.

Los Angeles and Long Beach, both in California, were in fifth and sixth position. In both $245,000 is needed to provide the purchasing power of $100,000.

Others that make up the top 10 most expensive cities include: Washington DC, San Diego, Boston and Seattle. In Seattle $210,000 boils down to $100,000.

In Memphis, El Paso and Oklahoma City, a comparatively low salary of around $120,000 will offer the same sense of financial freedom, or the 'new' $100,000

Memphis, Tennessee, was the cheapest city in the country, according to the ranking. In Memphis an annual salary of $117,00 will leave you with $100,000-worth of purchasing power after tax

On the other end of the spectrum, Corpus Christi in Texas was found to be the fourth cheapest city in the US. In the port city, situated on the Gulf of Mexico, a salary of just $122,000 will feel like $100,000.

Other cities that were among the top ten were mostly in Texas - Lubbock, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Arlington - as well as St. Louis, Missouri.

US census data from last month painted a similar picture. In terms of domestic internal migration, people were recorded leaving counties in states with high tax and moving to those with less.

Counties home to LA, Chicago and New York City suffered the largest exodus of people in the country - while tens of thousands flocked to Arizona, Texas and Florida.

San Francisco was another city where an income of more than $300,000 was needed to provide $100,000-worth of purchasing power

Los Angeles County, which is still the most populous county in the US, saw an average of 143,000 people leave between July 2021 and July 2022, according to the census data.

It was followed by Cook County, home to Chicago, which lost around 94,000 people to other parts of the country. Three of New York City's counties - Kings, Queens and the Bronx - were all among the top five counties facing a mass migration.

On the other hand, Maricopa County in Arizona, home to Phoenix, had the largest influx of domestic migrants, around 33,000.

It was followed closely by Collin County in Texas, and Polk County in Florida.
Two teenage boys, 16 and 17, were reported shot but in stable condition

The rowdy group torched cars and got into fights before gunfire ended the night

More than a hundred teenagers gathered in Millennium Park on Saturday

A crowd of more than a hundred rowdy teenagers turned violent in Downtown Chicago on Saturday night as dozens torched and smashed cars while blaring music in a 'teen trend' that left two with gunshot wounds.

Shocking footage showed some teenagers jumping on top of a bus while others started a massive brawl after descending on Millennium Park and attempting to breach barricades.

Gunshots rang out with some rounds striking two teenage boys aged 16 and 17.

The two youths were transported to a nearby hospital in fair condition. A total of 15 people, nine adults and six children were arrested.

Police said most of the charges were for reckless conduct, but a 16-year-old boy was also charged with unlawful use of a weapon, and a firearm was recovered. An adult and a juvenile were also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Cars were also left vandalized near East Washington Street in the Windy City, including a Tesla which worth about $120,000.

More than a rowdy hundred teenagers gathered in Millennium Park on Saturday

Two teenage boys, 16 and 17, were reported shot during a fight. They were transported to the hospital in stable condition

The rowdy group torched cars and got into fights before gunfire ended the night

Hundreds of teenagers flooded into Downtown Chicago on Saturday night, smashing car windows, trying to get into Millennium Park

The huge gatherings in the street are being dubbed 'teen trends' which extends invites to teenagers across the city, according to NBC Chicago, and Saturday's incident occurred a day after another teenage boy, 14, was shot at another gathering near 31st Avenue Beach.

During the chaos on Saturday night, a bystander was attacked while in the driver seat of his car by rowdy teenagers and had to be taken to the hospital.

It appeared as if police were unable to handle the crowd and were seen escorting innocent bystanders and tourists to safety.

Officers worked to clear large the crowds and video showed dozens of cops lining the street near Washington and State.

'It's heartbreaking, kids fighting, chasing each other, some of them got guns,' an unidentified witness told NBC News. 'It's really heartbreaking when one of them actually gets hurt, and that's unfortunate, happened last night.'

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson both issued statements regarding chaotic scenes.

Mayor Lightfoot said while many of the young people gathered to have a good time and enjoy the weather, some were involved in 'reckless, disrespectful and unlawful behavior.'

'As I have said before, we as a city cannot and will not allow any of our public spaces to become a platform for criminal conduct,' the mayor's statement read, in part.

'Most importantly, parents and guardians must know where their children are and be responsible for their actions. Instilling the important values of respect for people and property must begin at home.'

Lightfoot noted that Chicago police leadership has assured her they will 'make the necessary adjustments to address these teen trends issues as we move into the summer months.'

Video taken by Jessica Tamburo shows young people jumping up and down on a car on Michigan Avenue in Chicago on the night of April 15

Shots were fired near the corner of Madison and Michigan with some news organizations deciding that it was unsafe to keep news crew on the scene

Two teens were wounded by gunfire in the crowds in the first block of East Washington Street

A 16 and 17-year-old boy were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition with gunshot wounds

The crowd was trying to get into Millennium Park, but there were checkpoints around the perimeter and people under 21 are not allowed without an adult

Chicago police said nine adults and six juveniles were arrested. Most were charged with reckless conduct

The witness added that police stood no chance against the crowed.

'It was a lot of cops here, but they were still outnumbered,' the witness said. 'There were so many teenagers that showed up, and they tried to keep the peace and keep them under control.'

After the shooting, a nearby Tesla was then seen on fire.

The rowdy teenagers disrupted the city's transportation system after several climbed on top of a bus. They could be seen dancing while the bus was at a stop.

It's unclear if anyone was in the bus at the time but the Chicago Transit Authority announced that schedules were disrupted due to police activity.

After the shooting, a nearby Tesla was then seen on fire. Pictured: the torched car

The rowdy teenagers disrupted the city's transportation system after several climbed on top of a bus. They can be seen dancing while the bus was at a stop

It's unclear if anyone was in the bus but the Chicago Transit Authority announced that travels were disrupted due to police activity. Pictured: The rowdy crowd

On Friday night, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the thigh around 9pm.

Beforehand, authorities were informed about the 300-person gathering via Emergency Management and Communications.

Some reports cited that nearly 1,000 teenagers were at the 'teen trend' event - though the true number remains unclear.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the shooting.

Chicago police work the scene following a police involved shooting in the 3800 block of W. Flournoy on Saturday

Police in Chicago are seen looking over the scene of a police shooting although it was several miles west of downtown

Most of those arrested were charged with reckless conduct, but a 16-year-old male was charged with unlawful use of a weapon

Chaotic scenes erupted in the downtown area amid large gatherings over the weekend

The gatherings led to a large response from law enforcement in the downtown Chicago area
PETA has laid blame on Big Apple citizens for the city's rampant rat woes, slamming Mayor Eric Adams' recent cull campaign as 'inhumane' and no more than a political ploy.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Sunday, rep Ashley Byrne offered insight on the activism group's reaction to Adam's recent move to hire a $155,000-a-year 'rat czar' to carry out the killing.

An official listing published by the city called for candidates that were not only motivated, but 'somewhat bloodthirsty' - perquisites apparently exhibited by a 34-year-old former elementary school teacher appointed to the post last week.

Tasked with overseeing the animal activist group's communications, Byrne - a resident of Brooklyn herself - on Sunday called the move from the former NYPD captain 'cartoonish' and 'entirely unhelpful.'

Instead of killing the animals - which she described as 'intelligent and sensitive creatures' - Byrne says the city should first look toward what is drawing the rats: the trash wrought by millions of New Yorkers on a daily basis. She suggested birth control as well as increased city cleanup efforts as more reasonable alternatives.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Sunday, rep Ashley Byrne offered insight on the activism group's reaction to Adam's recent move to hire a $155,000-a-year 'rat czar' to carry out the cull.

She called Adams' appointment of Kathleen Corradi as the new Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation at an outdoor procession in Harlem's St. Nicholas Park as no more than 'ghoulish political theatre' - a performance that accomplishes 'nothing'

'It's worrying that tax payer dollars are being used for a public official to stand at a podium to boast about killing these small sensitive animals,' the animal activist said of Adams' campaign

'All you need have to do is walk down the street to see what the issue is,' said Byrne when asked about Adam's ongoing effort to quell the city's well-known rat predicament.

'As long as humans are littering and leaving garbage, rats will be there,' she added.

'You can hire whoever, rats will come and go as they please as long as the streets stay filthy.'

She said the city is currently in such a state, with 'disgusting human behavior' being to blame.

She called Adams' appointment of Kathleen Corradi as Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation at an outdoor procession in Harlem's St. Nicholas Park as no more than 'ghoulish political theatre' - a performance that accomplishes 'nothing.'

'Holding a conference and referring to the creatures as some sort of malevolent beings gives the appearance of doing something, when in reality, it does nothing. It's just cartoonish and entirely unhelpful.

'As long as the garbage is there and being littered across the city, rats will be there,' she said.

'It's worrying that tax payer dollars are being used for a public official to stand at a podium to boast about killing these small sensitive animals,' which she cited feels pain just as a god or cat does. 'It's reprehensible.'

She slammed the latest move from the former NYPD captain - who has so far been unsuccessful in bids to quell not only the rat epidemic but crime - 'cartoonish' and 'unhelpful'

At Wednesday's conference the city laid out a variety of materials it was proposing to use in order to attack the rat population, including traps, sealant and poisons

She added that it's easier for the politician - who after failing to quell the city's crime rate has widened his focus to address rising vermin numbers - to pass blame on the four-legged critters instead of owning up to his own failures as a leader.

'The city needs to change how garbage is managed. The only effective long-term solution is to treat our city our city differently.

'A lethal solution will not change that. A real solution takes time and effort to bring change in the long-term. It's unfortunate that instead we are subjected to these performances.

'We need more diligent trash collection, and to get New Yorkers to stop leaving trash on their city's streets and treating it like a garbage dump.'

Byrne's comments come after Adams announced the appointment of the city's inaugural director of rodent mitigation, crowning Corradi with the position.

The position was listed for several months, and had been billed toward anyone with a background in urban planning, project management, or government work.

It explained the job would require doing 'the impossible' to reduce the number of rats in the city, with the main goal being to stop the spread of diseases the vermin are thought to commonly carry.

It also suggested the right candidate would have a 'swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor and general aura of badassery,' A knowledge of PowerPoint, and a 'somewhat bloodthirsty' nature.

The PETA official, however, called these prerequisites 'a joke' - claiming if the city actually care about solving its prevailing rat issue, they would do something about the dozens of live animal food markets it currently allows to operate.

'If they were actually concerned, they would not allow more than 80 live animal markets to operate within their city's limits in the middle of an Avian Flu outbreak.

'The real solution is to take the time and effort to actually bring long-term change. Not this.'

She added that rats will always be as synonymous with the City That Never Sleeps as long as there is trash, and that the city should not have the right to kill them in an inhumane manner.

Previously, Adams has said that he is 'fixated on killing rats', labeling the animals 'public enemy number one.'

Now tasked with carrying out the killing is Corradi, who has worked at the Education Department and previously led its rodent reduction efforts, The New York Times reported.

'Due to those efforts nearly 70 percent of schools with persistent rodent issues reached their compliance goals,' Corradi said of her previous campaigns to control the animal population.

'As New York City's first Director of Rodent Mitigation, I will bring a science and systems based approaching to reducing New York City's rat population,' she added

'You'll be seeing a lot of me and lot less rats.'

Speaking to The Times, Corradi's mother her hatred of rats is long-lasting. She recounted how nearly 25 years ago, a ten-year-old Corradi spotted a dead rat by some train tracks on Long Island.

In shock she distributed a petition between neighbors and delivered it to local officials demanding that something be done.

'The Long Island Rail Road listened,' said her mother. 'They came and did rat mitigation.'

At Wednesday's conference the city laid out on a table a variety of materials it was proposing to use in order to attack the rat population, including traps, sealant and poisons.

Adams declared a war on rats last December when he began his search for somebody to occupy the new position. 'There's nothing I hate more than rats,' he said while advertising what is now Corradi's job.

New York City - a longtime haven for the creatures that commonly indicate filth - boasts a rat population roughly quarter the size of human population  amounting to approximately 2 million rats.

The creatures only live for about a year, but seemed to increase in prevalence during the pandemic, when there was less foot traffic to deter them from venturing on the city's streets.

These days, thought, the rodents have grown increasingly more brazen, despite daily activities in the Big Apple for the most part resuming as normal.

Adams's rat city-wide rat issue has affected his own home too. In December, he was served a summons for a rat infestation at the Brooklyn home in which he lives with his son.

His record showed an unpaid summons penalty for $330 that he received in May - after it was found that his Bedford Stuyvesant home is flooded with the rodents.

Adams contested the ticket in a hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings in February, but an officer denied the challenge and the mayor was ordered to pay $300.

The 'Director of Rodent Mitigation' job posting, for which Corradi has now been hired

Adams invited reporters to tour his basement home in Brooklyn last year, in a bid to prove that he actually lived in the city - rather than in New Jersey

When Adams was the president of the borough of Brooklyn he staged a press conference to illustrate that he did live on the property

Adams' home serves as a partial rental property. The mayor previously failed to list his home as a rental and critics have accused him of actually living in New Jersey with his girlfriend Tracey Collins.

To debunk those claims last year he invited reporters into his Brooklyn home. He said he lived in the basement and rented out the floors above to pay for his son Jordan's college fees.

Adams is registered to vote on the first floor, yet a tenant who has lived there for years is listed under the same unit in multiple documents obtained by Politico last year.
His killers say they wanted to 'become popular' and 'wipe out' Ahmad's 'gang'

Atiq Ahmad and his brother were shot dead live on TV speaking to journalists

Relatives gathered today for the burial of the gangster-turned-politician who was shot dead during a live televised interview with his brother in India on Saturday.

Mourners were seen today carrying the bodies of Atiq Ahmad, a former lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges, and brother, Ashraf.

Both were speaking to journalists, under arrest and being escorted by police to a medical checkup in Uttar Pradesh, when three men posing as reporters attacked.

One assassin walked up behind Atiq and shot him in the head from close range before police could tackle the killer to the ground and arrest him on camera.

The killing of Atiq and Ahmad came just two days after Atiq's son, Asad Ahmad, was shot dead by Uttar Pradesh Police in what is being seen as an extra-judicial killing.

Journalists on Saturday night had asked Atiq - who had more than 100 criminal cases against him - why he had not attended his son's funeral, when he was shot dead.

Relatives and locals carry the body of Atiq Ahmad, a former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges, for burial in Prayagraj, India, on Sunday

Relatives and locals carry the body of Ashraf Ahmad, who was also shot dead in the dramatic attack captured by live television on Saturday evening before police could arrest the attackers

A live television stream caught the moment the shooter approached and shot Atiq.

The shooter shot the former lawmaker several times as he collapsed on the ground.

Two other shooters then opened fire, also killing his brother, Ashraf.

The brothers were in handcuffs when they were killed around 10pm on Saturday.

A police officer and a journalist are reported to have sustained injuries in the attack.

Attackers are heard during the conflict shouting the 'Surrender' and 'Jai Sree Ram' - a slogan to praise the central figure of the Hindu religion - as police capture them.

They have been identified as Lavlesh Tiwari, 22, 'Mohit', 23, and Arun Maurua, 18.

The attackers later turned themselves in and said they hoped to 'become popular'.

'We wanted to kill Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf with the aim of completely wiping out the Atiq-Ashraf gang and making a name for ourselves,' they were reported to have told the police.

They have been charged for murder and attempted murder, according to the Times of India.

At least two guns have been recovered from the scene of the crime.

A police commissioner said after the attack that all three were being kept in different police stations across the city.

The Uttar Pradesh government has also ordered a judicial commission to probe the attack.

Additional police forces have been brought in to patrol the city.

Atiq Ahmad was accused of the murder of BSP politician Raju Pal in 2005, after Atiq defeated him in an election in 2002.

Atiq had reportedly also confessed to plotting to kill Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case for Raju Pal, on 24 February.

Atiq is seen speaking to journalists before an assassin approaches from behind and kills him

Two other shooters then open fire, killing his brother, Ashraf, who was a similar criminal background to his cousin

A gun is seen on the ground after a police constable and a journalist were also reported to have been injuries in the melee of bullets

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has formed a judicial investigation to look into the killing of Atiq and Ashraf Ahmad.

Vikram Singh, former director general of the state's police, told the BBC that the murder was unacceptable.

He said: 'Death in custody is bad enough. Murder is much worse.'
Boris Johnson yesterday criticised Sadiq Khan's low emission zone expansion in London and claimed it has nothing to do with air pollution.

The former mayor accused his Labour successor of misleading the public about the scheme's health benefits.

Mr Johnson said the Ultra Low Emission Zone was designed to fill a black hole in Transport for London's finances, not to save lives. The controversial levy will be expanded on August 29 and will impose a daily charge of 12.50 on non-compliant cars in all of the capital's boroughs.

Mr Khan has insisted the scheme will save lives as 4,000 Londoners die from air pollution each year.

But Mr Johnson hit back saying the charge 'has nothing to do with improving air quality. It's all about Khan's catastrophic mismanagement of TfL finances.'

Protesters with 'Stop ULEZ' signs line the roads with a backdrop of black smoke flares at Trafalgar Square

Former prime minister Boris Johnson leaves his home in London, the day after his appearance before the Commons Privileges committee over his denials of No 10 parties during the pandemic

READ MORE: Tractors parade in Orpington against Sadiq Khan's plan to spread Ulez Advertisement

The former prime minister told the Sunday Telegraph: 'How can it be right that Khan is able to impose this tax on working people who have been given no say, and no opportunity to raise their objections?

'This scheme was never intended for outer London. Khan must be stopped.'

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in hi-viz jackets over the weekend to campaign against the expanded scheme.

They waved placards reading 'Free Our Streets' in Trafalgar Square. Mr Khan has justified the scheme using figures based on Imperial College London modelling which state pollution accounts for 70,200 life years lost each year, the equivalent of 4,100 deaths.

But campaign group Together calculated that pollution reduces each Londoner's life by an average of 68 hours per year, while life expectancy increases by an average of 73 days a year.

Ben Pile, of Together, said: 'Rather than causing deaths, at worst, air pollution slightly impedes the rate at which life expectancy increases.'
ABC presenter Virginia Trioli has returned to her slot on morning radio after a lengthy hiatus caused by a 'long and complex summer of family illness'.

Trioli returned to ABC Radio Melbourne 774 at 8.30am on Monday more than four months after she last hosted her morning radio show.

The presenter spoke out about returning on Sunday, telling fans it had been a 'pretty long and tricky time for me and my family' but that she was 'so happy' to be back.

'It will be wonderful to chat to you all again, and there's a lot to catch up on,' the presenter said.

'My thanks to the fabulous producers and presenters of ABC Melbourne for stepping in and helping me out - as someone very wise told me over the last few weeks - if it's a choice between work and family and you choose your family, you've made the right decision.'

In March, the presenter took to Twitter to explain her absence after confused fans questioned when the popular host would return.

'Some personal news: it's been a long and complex summer of family illness, and my focus needs to be on home for now,' Trioli wrote.

'To my wonderful ABC Melbourne Mornings audience I'll see you very soon, and many thanks to my ABC colleagues and management for their kindness and support.'

Virginia Trioli, host of Melbourne ABC Radio 774, has returned to her slot on morning radio after a lengthy hiatus caused by a 'long and complex summer of family illness'

Virginia Trioli explained her continued absence on Twitter back in March (pictured)

There had been suggestions during her absence that Trioli would ditch her radio gig for television.

She has previously hosted Sunday Arts, Artscape and Q&A with well-placed sources telling the publication the ABC was developing a new prime-time show for Trioli.

Trioli (pictured) took to Instagram on Sunday to announce she would be returning to the airwaves after a pretty long and tricky time for me and my family

Fans were quick to flood the comments with words of encouragement.

'Raff and your cover crew were great but those morning boots were made for you. Welcome back!' one listener wrote.

'My morning will resume back to 'normal' so happy to have you in and around us again. Now 2023 can start again,' a second said.

'I'm so pleased you are back. It can be tough coming back to work after a hiatus, so go easy on yourself. Best of luck,' a third commented.

'So grateful to have you in our lives. I hope you and your family are blessed with good health, love and happiness. We missed you Virginia,' fourth wrote.

It comes after fans were left confused in March after Trioli failed to return to her slot on Monday, March 13, despite it being announced by stand-in presenter Ali Moore.

Moore promoted Trioli's return at the beginning and end of her show on the previous Friday, with fans left disappointed.

'It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to be with you over the last couple of months,' Moore told listeners.

Trioli (pictured) will return ABC Radio Melbourne 774 at 8.30am on Monday more than four months after she last hosted her morning radio show

'VT will be back here on Monday in this chair.'

Many were understanding of Trioli's hiatus and sent messages of support.

'I turned the radio on at 08h30 looking forward to hearing you and was sad to hear you have illness in the family,' one wrote.

'Hope you are managing during a difficult time. All the best.'

'Wishing you and your dear family all the best and be assured that we are so looking forward to having you back on our radio but only when the time is right for you and yours,' another said.
The name adds onto the list of the most unique and exclusive names

The baby name has gained traction on social media by users in disbelief

A grandmother revealed the unique name for her granddaughter - and no one can believe it is real.

The grandmother-of-two welcomed her newest family addition via a Facebook post announcing her rare name - Avacuddo.

In recent years, some parents have gotten bored of generic everyday names and have decided to go with unthought-of and exclusive names for their babies.

The Kardashians have led this trend since 2013 when Kim K decided to name her oldest daughter North, following her two others, Saint and Psalm.

A grandmother revealed the name of baby granddaughter (above). In recent years, some parents have gotten bored of generic everyday names and have decided to go with unthought-of and exclusive names for their babies

The baby was born around August 2019 but the posts showing off her name has only recently gained traction.

Several people have reacted to the post copied onto Reddit in disbelief while some worried the baby would be bullied.

'No. Stop it,' one person wrote in belief to the name.

'That poor kid is doomed,' another added.

The comments were in response to the grandmother's post showing off her granddaughter in a side-by-side photo, along with her brother Nicholas.

'Its official my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl,' the grandmother wrote in the screenshot post on Reddit.

She then revealed her name: 'Welcome baby Avacuddo.'

'Maybe her name is Ava and avacado is a nickname? I hope,' one Reddit user commended.

The unique names appears to be adding onto the list of least favorite, which also include Jayden, Bohdi and Olivia.

As for Avacuddo, her grandmother showed her off in a side-by-side photo, along with her brother Nicholas (above)

Avacuddo adds onto the growing list of rarest names for children.

Last year, a study by Pregnacare revealed that names such as Brydie, Gladys, Edmond and Neville are facing extinction in 2023.

Nameberry's CEO Pamela Redmond revealed to DailyMail.com last year the 10 rarest names that are often overlooked.

The expert told FEMAIL: 'It's difficult for parents to settle on a name because a name says so much about your personal and family identity.

'A name signals your feelings about your family, your cultural heritage, your style, your desire to fit in or stand out in society.

'And a name is a one-time decision that lasts for your child's entire life - at least unless they decide to change it!'

Here Pamela shares the unique monikers that were used by less than 25 US-based parents in 2021, according to the world's largest baby name website.
Five people have been arrested after dozens of heavily-armed police officers descended on a block of units in southwest Sydney.

Police arrived on Charles Street in Liverpool in the early hours of Monday morning after residents reported hearing a gunshot.

A woman was arrested as she left the apartment block at about 2.15am, with another two woman and two men also taken into custody.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Heavily-armed tactical police officers arrived on Charles Street in Liverpool in the early hours of Monday morning after residents reported hearing a gunshot

The unit block has been cordoned-off from the public, with specialist officers and police negotiators also called to the scene.

The five people in custody have been taken to Liverpool Police Station, with police vehicles seen leaving the street at about 5.40am.

NSW Police said a crime scene warrant would be executed with detectives to continue to investigate.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Liverpool Police or Crime Stoppers.
There are fears among racing-lovers that the Epsom Derby could be the next target of animal rights activists who tried to disrupt the Grand National on Saturday, as courts are told to 'throw the book' at the 118 people arrested this weekend.

Magistrates were last night urged to 'throw the book' at 'ignorant anarchists' who tried to stop the Grand National as 118 people arrested on Saturday were bailed pending court summonses.

Animal rights activists from Animal Rising, formerly named Animal Rebellion, attempted to storm the course at Aintree but were largely halted by police, security and racing fans.

The group says it will announce further action imminently as it plans to start a 'national conversation' around animal welfare concerns - three horses are known to have died as a result of injuries sustained while racing at Aintree this weekend.

Possible targets include the Derby on June 3, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 and the Royal Ascot from June 20 to June 24.

Handcuffed activists are guarded by police officers during the Grand National at Aintree

A massive police response was triggered after two protesters made it onto the course

Will the Epsom Derby be Animal Rising's next target? It is one of several meets which the group could try and disrupt

Merseyside Police said last night that of those arrested on Saturday, 65 people were taken into custody who are 'being processed and will be bailed pending further enquiries'.

Animal Rising later said on social media that 42 of its activists had been 'de-arrested'.

The others arrested were released on Saturday. Those arrested at the racecourse, attempting to block the nearby M57 motorway and in pre-emptive action were men and women aged between 18 and 66-years-old and came from as far as Kent, Southampton, London, Essex, Swansea, Falkirk and Glasgow, the force said.

They were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including conspiracy to cause public nuisance, obstructing highways and possession of controlled drugs.

The plot to wreck the national was exposed by an undercover Mail on Sunday investigation earlier this month. It meant police and security guards were able to prepare and minimise the disruption on Saturday.

Animal Rising, the Extinction Rebellion offshoot behind the protest, said it expected members to be summoned to face charges before magistrates at a later date.

In a tweet posted last night, the group said: 'This week has been just the beginning of Animal Rising, it's all up from here.' It also shamelessly promoted a Zoom call it is holding later this evening so would-be recruits could 'hear more about our plans'.

Police rushed to the site and carried the two protesters from the jump, reportedly removing a small part of it in order to do so

A protester runs towards the exterior fence to break into the course

Police escort an animal rights activist from the scene of the racecourse after several attempted to glue themselves to a jump

A detained animal rights activist is carried by police officers

Members of the police remove a protester before the start of the Grand National

Tory MP Philip Davies, vice chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Racing and Bloodstock, said: 'I very much hope that the courts throw the book at these ignorant, virtue signalling anarchists who wouldn't know one end of a horse from another, and whose antics did more damage to horse welfare on Saturday than anyone else.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Hill Sixteen, said the horses were 'very wound up' by the disruption and that his horse had never fallen before in his 26-race career.

He cited the delay and the rushed preparation caused by the protesters as being a major reason for the race's total of three fallers, along with five unseated jockeys, over the first two fences.

Hill Sixteen was one of three horses who died during this year's three-day Grand National Festival, down one from four last year. Calls for tough action to repel the protesters had been demanded before the race by figures including former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.

The MP said: 'All these people ever do is protest  it's become a way of life for them. The police shouldn't tolerate it.'

British Horseracing Authority chief executive officer Julie Harrington last night condemned the disruption, but the authority will now 'analyse the races in painstaking detail' to understand the cause of the incidents.

At least two activists made it onto the racecourse and attempted to glue themselves to the second jump

Police and race officials confiscate ladders which protesters attempted to use to get inside Aintree today

Police officers restrain several protesters who were foiled in their plan to enter Aintree

Protesters are detained outside the racecourse by police, wearing Animal Rising t-shirts

One of the protestors has their face on the ground while a police officer kneels beside them
Prince William has no plans to reunite with his younger brother when the Duke of Sussex visits the UK for the King's Coronation, reports say.

Royal analysts revealed that Harry, 38, had a heartfelt talk with his father on Saturday in an attempt to ease tensions, but has not addressed the ongoing dispute with William.

It is also understood that there will be no time for the pair to meet during Harry's trip for the May 6 event, The Sun reported.

Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, told the newspaper that the royals all have 'really tight schedules' and she thinks Harry addressing his relationship with William is 'for another time'.

Prince William has no plans to reunite with his younger brother when the Duke of Sussex visits the UK for the King's coronation, reports say. The pair are pictured together in July 2021

Royal analysts claim Harry, 38, had a heartfelt talk with his father on Saturday, but has not addressed the ongoing dispute with William. It is also understood that there will be no time for the pair to meet during the trip. Pictured: Harry, Meghan, William, Kate and Charles in 2020

The royal analyst noted it would be 'nice' for Harry to 'stick around and be friendly'. However, it is understood that the Duke's solo trip across the pond will be short.

'Out of politeness you'd think Harry would want to mingle with his family no matter how difficult that might be for him,' she said.

Ms Seward added that she is 'glad' Harry has spoken with Charles because it has 'eased the path to rapprochement'.

William, 40, and Harry will see each other during the Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. This is understood to be the first time the pair will face each other since Harry released his memoir, Spare, in January - which saw him brand his brother as his 'arch-nemesis'

She said: 'Charles will welcome his son. I think his relationship with William is for another time.'

William, 40, and Harry will see each other during the Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

This is understood to be the first time the pair will face each other since Harry released his memoir, Spare, in January - which saw him brand his brother as his 'arch-nemesis'.

Harry has also publicly called on his family to apologise to himself and Meghan for what they see as slights.

Charles is said to be very pleased his youngest son is coming and his mood is described as 'generally quite forgiving', however, the Prince of Wales is understood to still feel betrayed and angry, particularly by the revelations in the memoirs.

Sources have recently alleged the 'gulf' between the brothers, who were once as close as siblings could be, is now so large they cannot see how their relationship can ever be repaired.

It is also reportedly unlikely that the pair will have a sit down - which insiders have previously claimed that Harry demanded.

William had no contact with his brother when he came over with Meghan and the children for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.

And the brothers barely spoke at her funeral later in the year, meeting briefly when William invited him and Meghan to join him and Kate to meet the public and view the flowers outside Windsor Castle.

Royal Family members on the day of the Queen's funeral in London on September 19, 2022

But the King hopes his Coronation can heal some of those wounds. He will also use the historic event to bring his younger brother Prince Andrew in 'from the cold'.

His ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, is not invited and will watch the Westminster Abbey ceremony at home where she plans to hang bunting and chomp on coronation chicken sandwiches like millions of others.

One friend told The Daily Telegraph earlier this week that 'there's a warmth around the place and a proper rallying around the King, who in turn is showing some serious EQ [emotional intelligence] by ensuring the family is given the opportunity to pull together.'

The insider added: 'All four siblings spent most of the Easter weekend together with assorted children and plus ones - including the Duchess [of York].

'I suspect some Palace staff and parts of the media are well behind the curve in their understanding of this private family unity. The Duke [of York] stands four square behind the King.'

Sussex supporters said Harry understood that the Coronation is the biggest day of his father's life and felt it was right to be present, despite his attacks on the family.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort during a visit to Malton, North Yorkshire, on April 5

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and then-Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey in March 2019

Harry will attend his father's Coronation alone, with Meghan set to remain in California with Prince Archie  who turns four that day  and Princess Lilibet, one.

The Duke is only planning on a flying visit, with sources close to the Sussexes indicating last week that he won't even return to Buckingham Palace to gather with the rest of the family or take part in any further events over the Coronation weekend.

Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie tweeted: 'Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry.'

His decision to attend the Westminster Abbey Coronation service is viewed as a potential olive branch by royal insiders, following an earlier demand that his family should apologise to him and Meghan if they were to consider coming.

But he is not expected to take part in the procession after the service or join other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, or for other celebrations.

Sources told The Daily Mail that the decision by Meghan to remain in the US with the couple's two young children had come as a relief in some circles, following fears her presence could have heightened family tensions.

The late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020

It is also understood there was real concern in the Sussex camp about the public reception the couple would have received if they attended the Coronation together.

Friends, including Mr Scobie, suggested her decision was largely due to the Coronation falling on the same day  May 6  as Archie's fourth birthday.

The couple had delayed answering their invitation for weeks, causing difficulties for organisers tasked with complex seating plans, transport and security for senior members of the Royal Family, world leaders and other dignitaries.

Sources described the negotiations as a game of 'transatlantic ping pong', and Harry was said to have wanted numerous assurances about arrangements.
Australians are missing out on millions of dollars with nearly two dozen people sitting on unclaimed lottery tickets hidden somewhere in their homes.

There are currently 21 unclaimed division one and major lottery prizes across Australia worth $15,840,462.05.

NSW residents can claim the trophy for being the most forgetful lotto winners with 10 prizes to be claimed in the state, followed by Queensland with 8, two in the ACT and one in Victoria.

The highest unclaimed prize is a 'Set For Life' worth an eye-watering $4.8 million which won in April 2021 from a ticket purchased at Thistle Kiosk, Woden in the ACT.

People are urged to check old shopping bags and through their cars and wallets for old tickets that could be a winner.

There are six other winners who could cash in with at least a million dollars in winnings.

One of the most recent unclaimed prizes is a TattsLotto prize of $775,265.76 won in April from a ticket sold at Mernda Lucky Charm in Victoria.

Depending on where you live, there may be only a limited time you can come forward to claim any lotto winnings.

In Queensland, people have seven years to come forward, while NSW and ACT residents have six.

However in Victoria, people only have 12 months to claim directly from the lottery company and after that they must claim it directly from the government.

One Queenlsand winner can claim their million dollar prize from a ticket they bought in 2016.

If the money is not claimed in the prize period, the prize will either go to the government, to the community via donations, or back to players in bonus draws depending on the jurisdiction.

People have taken years to come forward to claim their prize, with one man discovering his lottery ticket from the year before in a shopping bag while he was cleaning his car.

He then checked if it was a winner and discovered he was a million dollars richer.

If you feel as though you've lost your ticket, there are some steps to take in order to get a replacement.

Nearly $16 million is sitting unclaimed across Australia.

If your tickets are registered to a player card, you can call The Lott on 131 868 and they will send you a free ticket certificate or cheque in the mail.

If you have not registered the ticket, you will need to fill out a form to provide a variety of details about the ticket including what type, where it was purchase, time of purchase, and how it was paid for.

You will also have to pay a search fee of $15 or $22 in South Australia to find the ticket in the system.
Council went bankrupt in 2020 following speculation on commercial property

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of a spectacular own goal last night after his latest attack ad highlighted a 15 per cent council tax increase that was caused when a Labour authority went bust.

In an extraordinary online ad Labour said the Conservatives were raising council tax by up to 15 per cent, adding: Do you think your council tax should be 15 per cent higher? Rishi Sunak does.

Yet the only authority in the country raising council tax by this level is Croydon in south London, which was given special permission to help rebuild its finances after the disastrous management by a Labour regime left the borough bankrupt.

Home Office minister Chris Philp described the ad as another spectacular own goal which serves to highlight something that is in fact Labours own fault.

Labour-run Croydon effectively went bankrupt in 2020 following reckless speculation on commercial property fuelled by 545million in borrowing. Investments included 30million on a hotel which went into administration and 53million on a struggling shopping centre.

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of a spectacular own goal last night

In this extraordinary online ad, Labour said the Conservatives were raising council tax by up to 15 per cent, adding: Do you think your council tax should be 15 per cent higher? Rishi Sunak does

READ MORE: Keir Starmer targets Rishi Sunak's wife as he steps up dirty war against multi-millionaire PM with dig at Akshata Murty's non-dom 'tax loophole' The Tories hit back, accusing Labour of 'the height of hypocrisy' amid questions over Sir Keir's pension from his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. Advertisement

The council has been run by a minority Conservative administration since May last year. It was forced to declare itself bankrupt again in November, citing a toxic debt burden that was eating up a sixth of the authoritys annual budget in interest payments.

Mr Philp, the MP for Croydon South, said: I am astonished Labour is choosing to highlight the fact a council they ran until May 2022 went spectacularly bust on their watch, necessitating this tax increase.

Labour spectacularly bankrupted Croydon during their eight years running the Borough.

Council tax rises have been effectively capped at five per cent for most authorities this year. Under the last Labour government, council tax bills more than doubled. The row came as senior Labour figures defended the partys aggressive attack ads.

Labour has been mired in controversy since launching a negative series of adverts, including one that claimed the Prime Minister did not think paedophiles should be jailed. Polling yesterday suggested the ads were damaging Labours reputation.

An Opinium poll for The Observer found the advert about Mr Sunak made 12 per cent of voters feel less favourable about the Labour Party.

A Tory attack ad about Sir Keirs voting record on crime dented confidence in Labour among 9 per cent of voters. A shadow cabinet source told the paper that the negative approach had triggered a backlash among Labour activists and supporters.

The source said: Our people didnt like it. They thought it crossed the line.

Another Labour source said: There remain questions about whether we lose more than we gain by coming off the moral high ground.

The only authority in the country raising council tax by 15 per cent is Croydon, south London, which was given special permission to help rebuild its finances following disastrous management by a previous Labour regime left the borough bankrupt

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper  who was not consulted on the attacks on the Tory crime record  is among those said to be unhappy about them.

But Labours deputy leader, Angela Rayner, insisted yesterday that the party would continue with its negative tactics. She claimed the ads were factual, telling the Sunday Mirror: Were going to keep highlighting to the electorate what theyve done, how theyve damaged the country and how wed repair it.

Shadow health spokesman Wes Streeting told GB News that Sir Keir was right to be absolutely robust in attacking the Prime Ministers record of failure.
Scores of police officers have misused their warrant cards to intimidate the public during drunken fights and to inappropriately approach women, it can be revealed.

Forces across the country have investigated 110 officers for wrongly showing their police identification while off-duty in the past five years  with the vast majority allowed to keep their jobs.

Campaigners have warned the soft-touch approach leaves officers who exploit their powers feeling 'untouchable' and potentially posing a greater risk to the public.

The issue was brought into sharp focus when Wayne Couzens used his badge to stop Sarah Everard on a road in south London, before he abducted, raped and killed her in March 2021.

A Mail investigation has now uncovered details of internal investigations into officers who have misused credentials in physical altercations outside pubs and clubs, when making 'threats of violence' to members of the public and while trying to dodge speeding sanctions.

Scores of police officers have misused their warrant cards to intimidate the public during drunken fights and to inappropriately approach women. Wayne Couzens (pictured) stopped Sarah Evarard using his badge before raping and killing her

This is the moment that Wayne Couzens tricked Ms Everard by showing her his police badge before abducting her

Rapist David Carrick showed ID to target victims A Metropolitan Police officer unmasked as one of Britain's worst serial rapists earlier this year would show his warrant card to victims to try to win their confidence. David Carrick was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years for committing more than 70 sex attacks on at least a dozen women over at least 17 years. One of the women said Carrick produced his warrant card on their first date. He would tell his victims: 'I'm a police officer, you're safe with me.' An independent review concluded that police missed 18 opportunities to stop Carrick. David Carrick (pictured) would show his warrant card to victims In a similar case an unnamed officer who produced his warrant card during a fight which saw him allegedly spit in someone's face was just told to think about his actions by bosses. The off-duty officer tried to use his badge to enter a club in November 2021. He was then involved in an altercation which saw him allegedly spit in the face of a member of door staff. Despite this he was simply told to take 'reflective practice'. Advertisement

Several cases have chilling similarities to the case of Ms Everard, including incidents in which police allegedly produced their warrant cards to inappropriately 'reassure' women and to 'initiate a conversation' with strangers.

One police insider described the summaries as 'euphemisms' for predatory behaviour.

Yet many officers continue to escape with only a slap on a wrist, such as being ordered to do 'reflective practice' or simply receiving a dressing down from a superior.

There are now calls for police chiefs to stamp out warrant card abuse by potentially to investigating it as a criminal offence.

Sue Fish, the former chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'This sort of paternal view that 'a slap on the wrist will suffice' has to be stopped.

'If you can get away with that, you're home and dry, so risky behaviour continues  it is well-evidenced that it escalates and ultimately you could use your warrant card to abduct women off the street.'

She said the cases exposed by the Mail are likely 'just the tip of the iceberg' as often complaints will not be made against officers abusing their badge because the process is 'soul destroying'.

'Policing needs complete reforming, not just tinkering at the edges,' she added.

Internal misconduct cases from 33 police forces  uncovered by the Mail through Freedom of Information laws  include a Northumbria Police officer who was given a written warning in 2017 for flashing his badge while he 'verbally abused, made threats of violence and threatened to arrest' a stranger.

The Metropolitan Police - recently found to be institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic by a damning review  investigated 14 officers for misusing their warrant cards between 2017 and 2022.

In 2018, one officer was said to have been 'very drunk and abusive' in a taxi.

He vomited inside, only to produce his badge when the driver tried to call the police. He received a written warning.

An officer from Cleveland Police tried to use their warrant card to get discounted entry to a club in 2021, before physically assaulting door staff and allegedly making a 'racist comment' towards one of them.

Several cases have chilling similarities to the case of Ms Everard (pictured), who was killed by a serving officer in March 2021

There are now calls for police chiefs to stamp out warrant card abuse by potentially to investigating it as a criminal offence

They were told to undertake reflective practice, which effectively amounts to being asked to think about what they have done.

Last night, MPs expressed grave concerns about the findings, warning they could further erode the public's trust in policing.

Former justice secretary Robert Buckland described the revelations as 'disturbing' and said police should consider prosecuting officers who abuse their position.

He said: 'This is another disturbing example of the extent of the work that still needs to be done in order to ensure that the police are maintaining the highest standards in public life.'
People complain that Americans are insincere with their friendly greetings, but the coffee barista who'd just served me a 4.50 latte sounded like he meant it when he thanked me for being a 'loyal customer'.

After all, apart from him, his two under-employed colleagues, and a solitary couple poring over a laptop in a distant corner of one of San Francisco's largest and smartest coffee shops, we were entirely alone.

At this hour, the establishment  Joe & The Juice on Market Street, the city's busiest pedestrian thoroughfare  would once have been heaving with thrusting young technology workers stocking up on pricey coffee and 'cold-pressed' fruit juice before heading off into their gleaming offices to spearhead the digital revolution.

But on Wednesday morning last week it was almost empty and, even more astonishingly, there was barely anyone on the street outside. If you ever want to experience the real meaning of 'ghost town', head to the 'Downtown' financial district of San Francisco.

Drug addicts and the homeless in the Tenderloin District, San Francisco. Fentanyl is the leading driver of drug overdose deaths in the United States, as well as San Francisco. Of the 620 overdose deaths in 2022, 72 percent were attributed to fentanyl. San Francisco, California.

Ghost-town San Francisco: Tech entrepreneur shares snaps of woke city's deserted downtown on weekday morning and says she fears its finances will collapse unless workers return to their offices

Scenes of poverty in the Tenderloin District of tech hub San Francisco

It's a once-thriving area packed with the headquarters of technology giants including Uber, Airbnb, Yelp, Square and Twitter. The only problem for the folks at Joe & The Juice  and for San Francisco in general  is that there are so few people actually in them.

The undeniably beautiful 'City by the Bay', which for years was the one destination on America's West Coast that tourists missed at their peril, is now a must-see in a rather different way  as a bleak warning of what could kill cities around the world as they struggle to cope with the lingering economic legacy of the pandemic and the flight from offices.

For San Francisco is falling into what economists call an 'urban doom loop', essentially a vicious circle of interconnected trends and forces that send cities spiralling into economic and social ruin.

Although the trend of 'remote working' is the root cause of the city's troubles, San Francisco's woes have provided an alarming illustration of what can happen when an achingly progressive Left-wing local government turns a blind eye to crime, drugs and homelessness at the same time as encouraging an invasion by tech companies that forced many local people out.

With salaries that often started at $200,000 (161,000), the techies (who'd been lured with tax incentives from Silicon Valley, centred on the city of San Jose 48 miles to the south) first made San Francisco too expensive for most people to live in by encouraging landlords to charge sky-high rents and have now left in droves to work from home.

While other industries regard it as essential that staff return to the office, tech companies have realised their line of work  involving large numbers of people devoted to the solitary occupation of writing code  relies less on people in an office.

And San Francisco depends financially very heavily on its technology industry and the Downtown area where it's clustered. Although some 373,000 tech workers constitute 10.9 per cent of the jobs in the wider San Francisco Bay Area (almost triple the national average), they account for the lion's share of the region's tax income.

Two New York academics drew attention to the threat of 'doom loops' late last year in a report cheerily titled 'Work From Home And The Office Real Estate Apocalypse'.

Their research described how death spirals have become a real possibility with a decline in people working in central business districts (such as the City of London and Wall Street) which led to less local spending.

That, in turn, caused various negative effects, such as fewer eyes on the street so more crime, and less tax income from residents, shops and restaurants to finance city services.

And, of course, the more a city gets run down by lack of local government spending, the less people want to live there or visit. Inevitably, many local businesses will struggle to make a profit and go under, further weakening a city's appeal.

A vicious circle, indeed, and all stemming from the seemingly harmless shift to working from home.

'There's a little bit of desolation in the air, so it definitely seems a little bit apocalyptic to me,' one of the report's authors, Arpit Gupta, said of San Francisco.

Not only have thousands willingly relocated from the city but thousands more have been laid off in the latest meltdown of the tech industry. Elon Musk said last week he had shed more than 6,000  or 80 per cent  of Twitter's staff since taking over the company six months ago.

Even those tech workers who still come into work are often only doing so for three days a week and leaving as early as 2pm so they can avoid rush-hour traffic. And with the average monthly rent for a flat in the city still at a hefty 2,700 a month, the nurses, restaurant workers and firefighters who once lived there won't be flooding back.

Open use drug addicts in the Tenderloin District. Fentanyl is the leading driver of drug overdose deaths in the United States, as well as San Francisco

Homeless tents are seen in Tenderloin District during heavy rain in San Francisco on January 11, 2023 as atmospheric river storms hit California, United States

In San Francisco's smart Nob Hill neighbourhood, restaurateur Sam Habr said WFH was hitting his business hard because it inevitably meant fewer people were eating out or drinking in the city.

'At home, my neighbours are either lawyers or tech workers and they're all working from home,' he said. 'All restaurants now close early and bars are dead by midnight.'

Meanwhile, San Francisco's population (at least its non-homeless one) is getting smaller and its coffers emptier. The city recorded its lowest population in a decade in July 2022  now down to 808,000 people from 870,000 two years earlier  while it is projecting a 627 million deficit over the next two years.

And yet its woke leaders have still agreed to consider a new proposal to give every black San Franciscan 4 million in slavery reparations, that experts say will cost 160 billion. Analysts said the huge tax increase necessary to finance it would be the last straw for the city, although some fear it may be already reaching the point of no return.

There are no reliable figures on how many businesses have closed, but a record 29.5 per cent of business premises are now unoccupied.

Insiders say a great number of restaurants and cafes have gone, not only because owners don't get enough customers, but because they cannot find the staff in such an expensive city. Workers are sick of coping with the city's army of homeless drug addicts who police have been instructed to leave alone.

Pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS have shut many of their outlets in the city, waving white flags to a tidal wave of shoplifting brought on by a California-wide law that downgraded stealing goods worth less than $950 (764) from a felony to a far less serious misdemeanour crime.

Predictably, as the city has become a less pleasant place to live, there's been even less of an incentive for those highly paid tech remote workers  contentedly tapping away at their computers in other cities and suburbs across the U.S.  to come back to San Francisco to live or work. Tourism is down 16 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.

Tech workers can hardly have been reassured when two weeks ago a well-known Silicon Valley executive, Bob Lee, was stabbed to death in a smart neighbourhood just around the corner from the local headquarters of Google.

The city's African-American mayor, London Breed, scorned critics who'd blamed her administration when a fellow tech executive was arrested for his murder instead of  as many assumed  a random homeless drug addict.

Nevertheless, Ms Breed has been forced to back-pedal on some of her more controversial crime policies, such as her support for 'defunding' the police, while an ultra-progressive district attorney who pledged to keep people out of prison and announced that he wouldn't prosecute street-level drug dealers because they are 'themselves victims of human trafficking' has been ousted.

However, San Francisco remains blighted by crime  particularly against property  partly because its police force is under-strength.

It doesn't help that the city is being ravaged by fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid. Addicts say users flock to San Francisco because drugs are easily available and police just watch them getting high. Last year, an estimated 620 people died of overdoses there.

Open-air drug abuse is rampant  in the city's evil-smelling Tenderloin district, where so many of the addicts congregate on streets fouled with human excrement, I watched a junkie injecting himself while half lying under a police vehicle. Armed car-jackings, shop break-ins, muggings and aggressive shoplifting are prevalent.

Even those accustomed to the rich-poor divide in cities such as London and New York are likely to be astonished by the inequality on display in San Francisco, where millionaires step gingerly around squalid street tents and drug addicts sprawl against the windows of luxury goods stores getting high.

Just last week, the city's attempt to stem the negative headlines suffered another setback when a large branch of Whole Foods, the upmarket grocery chain, that opened to huge fanfare in an effort to gentrify its local neighbourhood suddenly closed after only a year.

The company said it had made the move in the interests of staff safety amid endless drug-related crime (one addict recently died of an overdose in the store's toilets).

The store was very close to the headquarters of Twitter whose owner, Elon Musk, only a day earlier had tweeted: 'Downtown S.F. looks like a zombie apocalypse. People who've never been there have no idea.' I couldn't find anyone who fundamentally disagreed with this assessment.

Drug addicts and the homeless in the SOMA (South of Market) District, San Francisco

Drug addicts and the homeless in the SOMA (South of Market) District, San Francisco

Homeless tents line Main Street in San Francisco's financial district during shelter in place order. Tents are surrounded by modern skyscrapers in an affluent area of the city

The mood in a once somewhat smug city is now gloomy and suffused with anger towards political leaders and the tech firms alike.

One of those who has decided to sell up is cafe owner Joseph Dabit, who's never seen it so bad. He told me he had trouble finding staff and, even when he did, 'they tend to leave after a month because of the hassle'.

For while two years ago, they might have to deal with a mentally disturbed drug addict coming in once every two or so weeks, now they were getting two or three a day. 'Sometimes they're violent. The police who patronise my cafe say I have to handle it myself because their hands are tied,' he says in exasperation.

San Francisco's local government is notoriously profligate and bureaucratic. While the city's businesses are not allowed to deal with violent drug addicts, they are in turn weighed down by endless regulations and taxes, according to Mr Dabit.

'The thieves, the druggies and the grifters have more rights than us, the business owners . . . being politically correct has not worked here.'

The general mood is soured considerably by fear of crime, much of it committed by addicts who are alarmingly unpredictable. Artist Ian Miller says he never goes out without pepper spray and 'some sort of knife'. Bar worker Clarissa Liwanag said that whenever she gets on a bus she positions herself so she can see everyone who gets on. 'All my friends talk about the crime,' she said.

Scenes of poverty in the Tenderloin District, San Francisco

Drug addicts and homeless people on the steps of City Hall in the SOMA District, San Francisco

What is the chance of doom loops threatening other cities? There's already been concern about workers leaving London and, perhaps worryingly, a recent study claimed a fifth of jobs are now in tech.

Arpit Gupta told the Mail the UK capital was copying San Francisco in some areas but not in others.

'My sense is that London has substantial remote working and urban flight. However, on other measures, such as Underground usage, it seems to have recovered better.'

London, he said, also seemed to be faring better on tourism and by U.S. standards  lower crime and public order.

Meanwhile, the Californian city's bohemian reputation will probably never return, laments Ian Miller. 'Our politicians are still riding on that Summer Of Love thing from the 1960s but that's kind of gone right now.' That's putting it mildly. Some believe the hippie capital that brought us 'flower children' and 'free love' has its very survival at stake.
Rishi Sunaks smart motorways ban began to unravel yesterday as officials admitted half of the roads set for the chop are already smart m-ways  and will remain so.

The Prime Minister said at the weekend that 14 future schemes will be axed as he acknowledged drivers do not have full confidence in the controversial roads.

But seven of these, covering around 100 miles, already dont have a permanent hard shoulder and will stay that way, Government sources confirmed. It means, in reality, only seven are being axed.

Two further schemes, on the M56 and M6, will still open this year as they are already more than three-quarters built.

There are also fears that the shelved roads could be revived as the Governments announcement referred to them being removed from 2020-2025 and 2025-2030 building strategies, raising questions about whether they could be revived post-2030.

The Prime Minister has said that 14 future smart motorway schemes will be axed

Rishi Sunak acknowledged concerns about safety and cost of smart motorway

Transport Secretary Mark Harper fuelled those fears last night, writing for The Mail+ that the move will allow more time to track public confidence in smart motorways over a longer period.

But he said: As the Prime Minister has said, all drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country, which is why he committed to stop the building of all new smart motorways. Promise made, promise delivered.

He added: We remain determined to make existing smart motorways as safe as possible, and are investing 900million in delivering safety improvements across the network.

This includes improving the performance of stopped vehicle detection technology on every all-lane running (ALR) smart motorway, adding an extra 150 emergency areas, and giving motorists clear advice when using existing smart motorways.

It came as calls grew for ministers to go further by restoring the hard shoulder on hundreds of miles of existing schemes.

But Tory party chairman Greg Hands yesterday said the existing stretches will remain.

Asked if the roads will disappear altogether, he told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: No, were not saying that. Weve said we will not approve any new smart motorways, clearly as a result of public concerns and safety concerns, and were going to keep a close eye on the situation with the existing smart motorways.

But at the moment the announcement is purely about no new smart motorways. The PMs weekend announcement said 14 planned ALR smart m-ways  where their hard shoulder is removed and turned into an extra live lane to increase capacity  were being cancelled.

Protesters against smart motorways gather outside the ICC

It means drivers can be marooned in live traffic if they cannot reach an emergency layby.

But seven of the 14 are already dynamic hard shoulder (DHS) smart motorways. These turn the hard shoulder into an extra lane during peak traffic times, effectively converting them into ALR motorways at certain times.

Government sources yesterday confirmed these seven schemes will remain as DHS roads.

READ MORE: Plans for deadly smart motorways are SCRAPPED by Rishi Sunak after PM acknowledged safety concerns Advertisement

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: Rather than remain as dynamic hard shoulder, why not convert them back to having a permanent hard shoulder?

They were going to do the work [converting to ALR] anyway. The Prime Minister has said the public no longer has confidence in smart motorways and a dynamic hard shoulder is a smart motorway.

On existing schemes, he added: It is quite clear, and all our surveys reflect this, that drivers want the return of the hard shoulder. There should be an immediate inquiry to look at that.

You cant on the one hand have the Prime Minister saying that drivers have lost confidence in smart motorways, and then on the other hand say that theyve got to continue driving on hundreds of miles of smart motorways. That is not logical.

Claire Mercer launched the Smart Motorways Kill campaign after her husband Jason, 44, was hit by a lorry on the M1 in 2019. She said of the PMs announcement: It doesnt go far enough. It doesnt cover existing roads, and of course its the existing roads that are killing people because they are being left as sitting ducks in live lanes.

Tory Karl McCartney, a member of the Commons transport committee, was pleased by the announcement but added: We cannot stop there as we need to urgently review the existing ones.

There are more than 400 miles of ALR smart m-ways when both carriageways are counted. In the five years to 2020, there were 38 deaths on smart m-ways.

Mr Sunak pledged to ban new schemes in last summers Tory leadership race. Around 37 per cent of breakdowns on smart motorways happen in live lanes.

The Government says scrapping the future schemes will save more than 1billion.
Nicola Sturgeon is facing pressure to leave the SNP and will likely be 'stepping down sooner rather than later' because her 'reputation is in tatters', party insiders say.

The former first minister has been met with mounting pressure to quit the party after a series of astonishing new allegations suggested she scuppered efforts from SNP officials to hire a fundraising manager to provide checks and oversight of donations.

New video footage released yesterday also revealed Ms Sturgeon claimed in a 2021 meeting that the SNP's finances had 'never been stronger'.

A senior party source told The Daily Telegraph that they 'don't see the advantages' in Ms Sturgeon keeping her role as an MSP and that the 'pantomime' will make life in Parliament 'very uncomfortable for her'.

The remarks come as senior SNP figures insisted the party remains 'solvent' after its treasurer admitted at a weekend meeting of the party's national executive committee (NEC) that he was having difficulty balancing the books.

Nicola Sturgeon refused to open up the SNP's finances to more scrutiny and denied the party was facing a cash crisis, it has been revealed. She is pictured outside her Glasgow home today

New video footage revealed Ms Sturgeon claimed in a 2021 meeting that the SNP's finances had 'never been stronger'. Some allege the clip reveals 'everything that was wrong with the SNP under the control of her and Peter Murrell.' Mr Murrell is pictured in 2020

According to the Sunday Mail, detectives investigating the funding and finances of the SNP have been passed emails from June 2021 suggesting Ms Sturgeon personally refused a proposal to hire the fundraising manager.

Douglas Chapman, who was the SNP's treasurer at the time, had suggested the appointment and this was backed by current treasurer Colin Beattie, but the idea was dismissed by Ms Sturgeon.

The emails, which are notes from an SNP governance review group, said: 'CB can see benefits of a fundraising manager. KB (deputy leader Keith Brown) mentioned this was declined by NS.'

In another email on June 28, 2021, Mr Brown said he had shared details about the proposal being rejected 'in confidence' and requested that the member of the review group who received the email did not tell anyone else.

Video footage of a March 2021 NEC meeting also showed Ms Sturgeon lashing out at the decision of three members of the party's finance and audit committee to quit over the lack of transparency about finances. She said: 'The party has never been in a stronger financial position than it is right now and that's a reflection of our strength and our membership.

'I'm not going to get into the details... but just be very careful about suggestions there are problems with the party's finances, because we depend on donors.

'There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party's finances and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting there is. We've got to be careful we don't reap what we sow. If we have leaks from this body it limits the ability for open discussion.'

In wake of the newly unveiled evidence, SNP insiders allege Ms Sturgeon - who planned to remain in Holyrood until 2026 - will be quitting 'sooner than later'.

'There is growing suspicion now that she will be stepping down,' the source told The Telegraph, adding that regardless of how Ms Sturgeon tries to help her consistency the 'opposition will drag all this up any chance they get.'

First Minister Humza Yousef, Ms Sturgeon's successor, is also facing demands to suspend her party membership if she does not step down.

Nicola Sturgeon votes with her husband Peter Murrell at Broomhouse Community Hall in Ballieston on December 2019, in Glasgow, Scotland

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'Nicola Sturgeon has huge questions to answer over this devastating video, which reveals everything that was wrong with the SNP under the control of her and Peter Murrell.

'For her to claim that the party's finances were in rude health  a matter of weeks before a police investigation was launched into the missing 600,000 and her chief executive husband lent his own employers a six-figure sum to help with 'cashflow' issues  is frankly astonishing.

'Her trademark addiction to secrecy, and to image over candour, can be seen in her crude efforts to suppress any discussion from NEC members about the party's finances because it might put off donors.

'No wonder 'continuity candidate' Humza Yousaf is now desperately trying to distance himself from the Sturgeon-Murrell era. The shocking lack of transparency among the toxic clique at the top of the SNP is what has got the party in its current mess.

'If Humza Yousaf wants to show he's determined to tackle the crisis within the SNP, he should suspend the party membership of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell.'

At a meeting of the SNP's NEC on Saturday, Mr Beattie is said to have warned about the growing strain on the party's finances. According to the Sunday Times, he said there was 'difficulty in balancing the books due to the reduction in membership and donors'.

Last month, it was revealed that the SNP had lost 30,000 members in just over a year, even though the party previously claimed the figures were inaccurate.

Ian Blackford, the SNP's former Westminster leader, yesterday tried to dismiss the concerns about the finances of the party. He told BBC Radio Scotland's The Sunday Show that the reported comments were 'highly selective'.

Mr Blackford said: 'Absolutely, categorically, the SNP is solvent, the finances are in balance.

'We will be able to meet our obligations, our liabilities, going forward. Everybody knows there has been a dip in SNP membership. I'd like to think we can grow the membership over the coming period, but when all is said and done we've still got over 70,000 members  members that are paying subscriptions  donations coming in, parliamentarians making contributions.

'As would be normal, we'd be looking at how we can raise additional funds as well.'

He added: 'The party, financially, is in robust health in terms of meeting its obligations.'

'If Humza Yousaf (pictured on Monday) wants to show he's determined to tackle the crisis within the SNP, he should suspend the party membership of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell,' said Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy

Mr Blackford admitted he could not 'tell you exactly when' he heard that the party's auditors had quit.

Johnston Carmichael resigned as the SNP's auditor last September and also walked away from the SNP Westminster group, which is now in danger of losing more than 1million of Westminster 'short money' unless it finds, by the end of next month, a new auditor to confirm it spent the money exclusively on parliamentary duties.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'The SNP is a party in complete disarray, with claim and counter-claim being traded in the crossfire.

'Ian Blackford has been at the heart of the SNP leadership for years. He is directly implicated in the financial and political chaos at the heart of the party.

'That Blackford claims to not remember when he was told that the auditors had quit is mind-boggling. All the evidence shows that they resigned while he was leader of the SNP Westminster group.'

It also emerged yesterday that the SNP informed the Electoral Commission that its auditors had resigned in 'early February', which was shortly before Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation.

Referring to Saturday's meeting, the SNP said: 'The SNP national executive committee agreed to a series of proposals to increase transparency in the SNP.

'It is the case that the SNP accounts are published annually and are in order.'
A 21-year-old student who has become the youngest Grand National-winning owner in history yesterday said his decision to buy a 3,000 share in Corach Rambler was 'pure luck'.

Cameron Sword said he was 'over the moon' at the success of the horse he jointly owns as part of a seven-strong syndicate who will share winnings of 561,000.

In total, the horse has won 690,000 for the syndicate, meaning each will take home just shy of 100,000.

Sword revealed the first thing he did was congratulate jockey Derek Fox, 30, who had overcome a collar bone injury in a fall while racing only a week earlier.

Mr Sword was yesterday back at trainer Lucinda Russell's stables in Kinross, Perthshire, having been driven north at 5am with just a few hours' sleep after celebrating in the wake of Saturday's Aintree victory.

Describing his feelings during the race, Mr Sword said: 'Derek rode a blinder and I think Corach just took to the jumps, which was ideal and then when he was coming up that home straight, I can't remember it. We were all screaming away in the parade ring.'

Celebrating: Cameron Sword, right, winning horse Corach Rambler, trainer Lucinda Russell and co-owner Thomas Kendall

Protesters are detained by police during day three of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Mr Sword, who studies business management at Edinburgh's Herriot-Watt University, has not yet decided how he will spend his winnings.

His decision to invest in Corach Rambler two years ago has already paid handsome dividends after two victories at Cheltenham which brought in 200,000 in prize money for the syndicate.

Mr Sword, who comes from a racing family, said choosing Rambler was 'incredible luck'. 'It was purely based on the fact Lucinda was my local trainer, she's 20 miles away from me,' he said.

'So I came down and he was the only horse for sale and that's how it happened, so there was a lot of luck involved.'

Mr Sword and fellow members of Ramblers' syndicate, which includes enthusiasts in Ireland, London and Australia, each pay 300 a month for Corach Rambler to train with Ms Russell.

They bought their shares in the horse two years ago. Despite his young age, Mr Sword said he was unlikely to do anything in his life which beats the experience of winning the Grand National.

He said: 'I don't think you can top it. And I think it's just the prestige and the size of the race as well... that just makes it that bit more special.'

He added to the Sun: 'We're just trying to soak it all up. Everyone in the syndicate is a normal guy and we've won the National.

'We're friends for life now. How do you top it? You can't.'

He takes the title of youngest owner of a National winner from Bryan Burrough, who was 23 when Corbiere won the race in 1983.

Mr Sword's mother Jennifer, 52, is also a horseowner.
Dozens of rapes and sexual assaults take place in hospitals every week, a damning report reveals today.

The official figures lay bare the horrific scale of abuse  with 6,500 attacks being reported in just three years.

They include gang rapes and assaults on children. The statistics are published today by the Women's Rights Network whose founder Heather Binning said they were 'just the tip of the iceberg'.

'Hospitals are places where everyone  patients, staff and visitors  should feel completely safe but rapes and violent assaults are taking place in hospitals every week,' she added.

'The figures show hospitals are just not safe places. They are almost a market for sexual offenders. It's absolutely terrifying.'

The official figures lay bare the horrific scale of abuse  with 6,500 attacks being reported in just three years (file image)

Heather Binning (right) said the police were not doing enough to pursue the hospital-based claims of sexual assault and rape

She said the sheer extent of the problem had echoes of the Jimmy Savile scandal and his abuse of patients at Stoke Mandeville.

The figures are based on freedom of information requests to police forces in England and Wales.

At least 2,088 rapes and 4,451 sexual assaults were reported between January 2019 and October 2022  a rate of 33 a week. The data does not detail whether the offences were carried out at NHS or private facilities. But a shocking one in seven took place on hospital wards.

And just 4.1 per cent of the crimes resulted in the suspect facing a charge or summons.

Ms Binning claimed this 'added to the horror' and showed hospitals and police forces were failing to protect the vulnerable.

She said: 'The police are not doing enough in terms of recording the crimes properly and pursuing them  these are places with CCTV and restricted access. Why is the charge rate so low?'

Her WRN group is calling on the NHS, the Care Quality Commission and police to acknowledge this 'hidden domain of sexual violence'.

Ms Binning said: 'These statistics are jaw-dropping. We began this investigation because of concerns about the safety of women and children on NHS wards, but we are horrified at what we have uncovered.

'The volume of sexual assaults and rapes is even more horrific when you consider that this data covers the pandemic, when much of the country was in lockdown and hospitals were supposedly even more vigilant.'

The crimes reported include the rape of a girl under 13 and the rape of a woman by 'multiple offenders' in hospitals in the West Midlands.

Three young girls and a boy reported being raped in facilities in Cambridgeshire while six girls were said to have been attacked in hospitals in Lancashire.

Jo Phoenix, the Reading University criminology professor who wrote the report, said the findings showed NHS trusts were 'failing in their duty to protect both patients and staff'

Jo Phoenix, the Reading University criminology professor who wrote the report, said the findings showed NHS trusts were 'failing in their duty to protect both patients and staff'.

She added: 'The fact that 95.9 per cent of all reports were either no-further-actioned or not recorded (officially as crimes) is also truly appalling. Although there are no reasons given within the research for this alarmingly low figure, what is clear is that there appears to be ingrained inertia in dealing with this safeguarding and policing failure.'

WRN researchers sent freedom of information requests to 43 police forces. Eight, including those in Scotland and Northern Ireland, were unable to provide the data.

Ms Binning added: 'The true figures are going to be undoubtedly much higher. Crimes of this nature notoriously go under reported as it is and in addition to that there is a lot of missing data.'

The WRN said there needed to be better record-keeping of crimes in healthcare facilities and called on the Home Office to set guidelines for the police to build a more accurate picture of the problem.

The report also called for scrapping rules that say trans people should be accommodated 'according to their presentation' in hospital wards.

It says there should be 'single-sex exemptions for hospital wards in order to ensure that women and girls in particular are adequately protected'.

Other recommendations include clear procedures for reporting and recording allegations. NHS and private hospitals are also urged to review existing safety measures.

Ms Binning added: 'This is serious, it's not going to go away and it's only going to get worse if we don't get a handle on it. We thought we were past the days when someone like Jimmy Savile could go in and wander the wards unchallenged. This does have echoes of that.'

An NHS England spokesman said the figures were 'unacceptable'.

They added: 'All NHS Trusts and organisations must ensure robust measures are in place to ensure immediate action is taken in any cases reported to them and anyone who has experienced any misconduct or violence should come forward, report it and seek help.'
In his heart, Prince Harry knew for the best part of a month that he was going to be at his father's Coronation.

A trusted former equerry, who is one of the very few still on good terms with both Harry and Prince William, was made aware of Harry's plans at the beginning of last month.

What Harry has been describing as an 'in-and-out job', the fly-by visit will not allow him to catch up with that one-time inner core of UK-based friends, which now numbers only around six people.

Harry's delay in confirming his attendance has been widely put down to gripes over being placed behind senior royals for the Westminster Abbey service.

But a key issue has been his determination for the status of his children Archie and Lilibet to be publicly recognised by the Royal Family.

Prince Harry knew for the best part of a month that he was going to be at his father's Coronation before it was announced, sources said (pictured together in 2019)

A key issue has been his determination for the status of his children Archie (pictured) and Lilibet to be publicly recognised by the Royal Family

As the Coronation date, May 6, is the same day as Archie's fourth birthday, it offered the perfect opportunity for the King's fourth grandchild to receive some special recognition.

Charles was said to be open to the suggestion that he should make a gracious nod to Archie and rumours circulated that he would raise a glass to his grandson during a post-procession Coronation lunch.

A source said: 'The King considered a toast to Archie. But with no member of the Sussex family now due at the lunch, it is highly unlikely he would do in their absence.'

The whole episode has been described by courtiers as 'a tug of war'  one that has become typical of Buckingham Palace's engagement with the Sussexes.

There's nothing more 'triggering' for Harry than wrangles over protocol, rules, hierarchy and perceived slights.

Other discussion topics have included Buckingham Palace balcony positions. As well as guidance that stops young children being in Westminster Abbey, the King's aides have stuck firmly behind the protocol that only working members of the Royal Family should appear on the balcony in front of crowds.

Thus no space for Harry  or Prince Andrew for that matter. Friends of Harry, though, point out that after the late Queen's Coronation, she had both Charles and Anne on the balcony.

A further grievance is the relationship between Harry and his cousin Princess Eugenie, which is claimed to be strained, particularly after her mother, the Duchess of York, said Meghan 'can't have it both ways' when it comes to being part of the Royal Family.

Eugenie may therefore be in an awkward position if she meets Harry on May 6.

There's nothing more 'triggering' for Harry than wrangles over protocol, rules, hierarchy and perceived slights (file image)

As for quibbles over 'placement', they are nothing new for the Sussexes. There were misunderstandings over 'who sits where' at a west London dinner party when Harry and Meghan were dating in 2016.

There was similar awkwardness at a London dinner hosted by Jack Mann, a polo-playing friend of Harry's, and then at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception, where Meghan was seated separately from Harry and their view of each other was obscured by a table decoration.

Most significantly, there were issues about seating during the Platinum Jubilee, for a Commonwealth Day Service and for the late Queen's funeral, when the Sussexes were in a corner at the end of the second row  with a candle obscuring cameras' clear view of the Duchess.

For Harry, this was the equivalent of social Siberia.

All this might explain why Harry has allocated just 36 hours to his trip  which will be facilitated by a Cessna private jet which he's thought to use from Luton Airport.

A source says: 'Harry plans to attend the Coronation and celebrate Archie's birthday on the same day.

'The flight back to Los Angeles takes roughly ten hours, which means he'll be with his family by 5pm, have a birthday supper with Archie and kiss him goodnight.'
If you were to close your eyes and imagine a hot cup of coffee, would you see a mug with steam rising off it? Or nothing at all?

Everyone's mind's eye is different, and a recent study from the University of Sussex revealed that one per cent of people are completely 'mind blind'.

Also known as aphantasia, this means that they cannot visualise anything inside their heads, and little is known about why it occurs.

So how well can you picture things? Click here to take a quiz to find out.

You will be given a description of something, and then asked to rank how vividly you can picture it in your head.

MailOnline takes a look at the different ways our minds perceive the world around us

In the quiz, you will be given a description of something, and then asked to rank how vividly you can picture it in your head

This is known as the 'Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire', and has been proven to be an accurate indicator of the strength of your visual imagination.

But not everyone pictures images in their mind, as some have something called 'ticker tape synaesthesia'.

This is where they visualise the words appearing like subtitles when listening, speaking or thinking.

MailOnline takes a look at the different ways our minds perceive the world around us.

Mind blindness

Visualisation is the result of activity in a network of regions widely distributed across the brain.

These networks work together to help us generate images using our memories of how things look.

Regions include areas in the frontal and parietal lobes, which 'organise' the process of visualisation.

They work together with areas in the temporal and occipital lobes, which represent the items we wish to call to the mind's eye.

An inability to create mental images, or aphantasia, could result from an alteration of function at several points in this network and the concept was first identified by Sir Francis Galton in 1880.

Everybody's mind's eye is different, and a recent study from the University of Sussex revealed that one per cent of people are completely 'mind blind' (stock image)

This problem has been described previously following major brain damage and in the context of mood disorder.

Those with severe aphantasia can't remember faces, imagine a scene or count sheep when they're trying to get to sleep.

For a University of Exeter study from 2015, 21 patients with aphantasia described their experiences of it.

Some of them reported a significant impact on their lives from being unable to visualise memories of their partners, or departed relatives.

Others said that descriptive writing is meaningless to them, and careers such as architecture or design are closed to them, as they would not be able to visualise an end product.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE SYNAESTHESIA? Synaesthetes tend to have more connectivity between certain parts parts of their brains responsible for processing sensory information. These areas of the brain are also larger, while other regions - the ones that help to establish the boundary between 'self' and 'other' are smaller in synaesthetes. Scientists have identified six genes in people who have various forms of synaesthesia. Dr Joel Salinas, an assistant professor of behavioural neuroscience at Harvard University explained that these six genes are 'expressed in the hearing and seeing parts of the brain, and are involved in the shape and way these brain cells connect to each other. 'So there's a lot of evidence that synaesthetes don't just report this experience, their brains are wired differently and that goes down to the level of genes.' Advertisement

Visualise words on ticker tape

Synaesthesia is a condition where certain colours or sounds trigger different senses.

There is a theory that it evolved in humans because it enhanced our ability to process information and make connections between different stimuli.

For example, it would allow us to quickly associate a small rustle in a bush with a potential predator, or a certain colour with a non-poisonous berry.

Studies have found that nearly everyone associates certain colours with different vowel sounds.

Mental images can also help us better remember and understand information about the world.

Ticker tape synaesthesia is where people visualise the written form of all utterances which they are hearing as scrolling text.

The name 'ticker tape' comes from the old-fashioned machines that used to print out stock prices on a long strip of paper.

Most of us can imagine the written form of sounds if we tried, but for those with ticker tape synaesthesia it is involuntary.

This can cause problems when lots of people are talking at once, as it can make conversations hard to follow.

But some people with this type of synaesthesia find it helpful for certain tasks, like proofreading or editing.

This is because they can 'see' errors or inconsistencies that they might have missed otherwise.

In one study of people with ticker tape synaesthesia from last year, it was found that 90 per cent had it as a response to their inner voice.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYNAESTHESIA? There are thought to be between 50 and 150 types of synaesthesia. Here are some of the most well-known forms: Grapheme-colour synaesthesia - Letters and numbers are perceived as having distinct colours. Chromesthesia - Sounds are perceived as having distinct colours. Lexical-gustatory synaesthesia - Reading or hearing certain words evokes taste sensations. Mirror-touch synaesthesia - Feeling a physical sensation when seeing someone else be touched. Number-form synaesthesia - Numbers are perceived as having specific spatial locations, either in a mental or physical landscape. Time-space synaesthesia - Time is perceived as having a specific spatial layout or shape, such as a mental calendar or timeline. Ticker tape synaesthesia - Any words heard are visualised as scrolling text. Spatial sequence synaesthesia - Sequences, such as numbers, days of the week or months of the year, are perceived as having specific spatial arrangements or layouts. Advertisement

Visualise words as colours

For one in 3,000 people, music, lyrics and everyday sounds can make them see their own personal light show.

Pharrell Williams, Billy Joel and Vincent Van Gogh were all thought to be among these few who have neurological condition called 'sound-to-colour synaesthesia,' or 'chromesthesia.'

This makes the person involuntarily see colours when they hear sounds.

Some chromesthetes, called 'projectors', see the colours as if they are projected into the external world, rather than existing inside their heads.

Other chromesthetes, called 'associators', experience the colours inside their heads rather than in the external world.

People with chromesthesia are consciously aware of their colour associations, and many grow up assuming everybody else has the same response.

But it doesn't have to be sounds that evoke these distinct colours, as for some people it is letters and numbers.

This is known as Grapheme-color synaesthesia, and affects about one percent of the population.

'Hear' what you see

Some people have the ability to 'hear what they see,' assigning subliminal sounds to silent visual cues, and this is called 'visually-evoked auditory response' (V-EAR).

Research has found that roughly one in five people experience auditory sensations when viewing silent stimuli.

These include car indicator lights, flashing neon shop signs and people's movements.

The scientists behind the study think that some people hear silent movement when information from the visual parts of their brains gets 'leaked' to auditory areas of the mind.

Their report said: 'The survival of this association may explain links between sound and vision, such as why we like to listen to music synchronised with flashing lights or dance.

'The effect also provides a good way to learn about what's happening in the brain in people with synaesthesia, with vEAR's high prevalence making it easier to investigate the mechanisms behind such cross-sensory perception.'

The synaesthesia-like phenomenon may give these people an advantage when interpreting subtle visual signals, such as 'Morse-code' sequences of flashing light  but it could also interfere with their perception of real sounds.

'Taste' what you see or hear

Lexical-gustatory synaesthesia is a condition that causes people to taste something when they hear or see words.

They may associate certain words with specific flavours, but different people may have different associations

This is a rare form of the condition and affects less than one in 100,000 people.

It is thought to occur due to cross-activation between the brain regions responsible for language processing and taste perception.

Those with lexical-gustatory synaesthesia have said they experience both enjoyable and unpleasant taste sensations with their condition.

Some find it useful because they can easily associate pieces of information with different flavours.

Kathryn Jackson, 22, from Nottingham, (pictured) has a condition called lexical-gustatory synaesthesia that causes her to taste carrots every time she hears the name Rory

Kathryn Jackson from Nottingham, who has the condition, says she can also feel the textures of the food and smell their scent when she hears or reads words.

She said: 'Sometimes a word sounds like a food item, which can trigger me to taste it.

'So for example when I hear the name 'Lola' - I can taste lollipops.

'The name Ella makes me taste jelly beans because 'ella' and 'jella' rhyming.

'My friend Rory's name makes me taste carrots, because it sound like 'raw' at the start which makes me think of carrots.

'When I hear the name 'Gus', I taste custard - I guess because of 'Gus' and 'Cus'.'

She can also be prompted by childhood memories.

She said: 'My nan's hairdresser's name is Yvonne, so whenever I hear that name, I always taste cigarettes and smell hairspray.'

Mirror-touch synaesthesia is a rare neurological trait that makes people highly empathic, allowing them to feel emotional and physical experiences of others (stock image)

'Feel' what you see

Mirror-touch synaesthesia is a rare neurological trait that makes people highly empathic, allowing them to feel emotional and physical experiences of others.

For example, watching someone being hugged may trigger a physical sensation of pressure on their own body.

The parts of the brains of these synaesthetes responsible for sensory information are larger, but the areas that distinguish between 'self' and 'other' are smaller.

It helps some medical professionals diagnose patients by feeling their symptoms - even when they can't speak.

We all have a mental mirroring system, in which our brains are creating a 3D virtual reality of the situation we are in, but we are just not aware of it.

But those with mirror-touch synaesthesia are conscious of it all the time, and the boundary between themselves and other people is blurred.

This is thought to be the case for about two per cent of the population.
It will be visible from parts of equator and southern hemisphere early Thursday

A once-per-decade astronomical event is set to stun lucky skygazers later this week.

The 'hybrid solar eclipse' is a rare type of eclipse that changes its appearance as the moon's shadow moves across Earth's surface.

It means people will be able to see the sun being almost or completely covered by the moon, depending on where they are, causing a darker daytime.

According to Royal Observatory, the event will be visible from parts of the equator and southern hemisphere including Western Australia and Southeast Asia at around 11:30am local time, but not from the UK or the US.

Those who can see it won't want to miss it; the last hybrid solar eclipse was back in November 2013 while the next one isn't until November 2031.

Scroll down for video

Rarely, the curvature of the Earth will mean that the moon will be close enough during part of the eclipse to cover the whole of the sun but be just too far away during another part of the eclipse, so different parts of the world see a total or annual eclipse. This is known as a hybrid eclipse

Shaded area marks the moon's shadow moving over the Earth on Thursday; people in this area will only see a partial eclipse unless they're in the path traversed by the black dot right in the centre  in this case they'll see a total or annular solar eclipse

Solar eclipse: Types Total: Moon completely blocks out the sun, casting a shadow on Earth Annular: Moon doesn't completely cover the sun, resulting in a halo of sunlight known as a 'ring of fire' visible around the silhouette of the moon Partial: Sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it look like the sun has had a 'bite' taken out of it Hybrid: Combination of a total and an annular solar eclipse Advertisement

It's well known that a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and our planet, blocking our view of the sun.

But there are several different types of solar eclipse depending on how much of the sun's surface is actually blocked.

A 'total' solar eclipse occurs when the face of the sun is completely blocked by the moon, while an 'annular' solar eclipse is where the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, leaving a bright ring of light around the moon's silhouette.

Meanwhile, a 'partial' solar eclipse is where the sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it look like the sun has had a 'bite' taken out of it.

A hybrid solar eclipse is a combination of a total and an annular solar eclipse, but it's preceded by a partial solar eclipse as the moon moves into position.

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told MailOnline: 'This eclipse is only visible from Australia, East Timor, Indonesia, the southern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, while the connected partial eclipse will also be visible to a few surrounding regions.'

Area indicated by the blue lines on this map is the total area that will be traversed by the moon's shadow on Thursday. The purple line in the centre marks out 'the path of totality'

So how exactly does a hybrid solar eclipse happen?

When will the hybrid eclipse occur? The hybrid solar eclipse will be preceded and succeeded by a partial solar eclipse. Times given in Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): Partial solar eclipse starts: 10:04am Totality begins: 11:29am Totality ends: 11:31am Partial solar eclipse ends: 1:02pm Advertisement

On Thursday, the moon's shadow will pass across the Earth, thousands of miles wide  and every region within this shadow will at least see a partial solar eclipse.

The centre point of this shadow is known as 'the path of totality'  and it is along this path where Earthlings will also see either a total solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse.

Which one people will see  total or annular  depends on where exactly they will be along the path.

Because Earth is a globe, some points on the planet are closer to or farther from the moon at any given moment.

So on Thursday, as the the sun, moon and Earth line up, people in Western Australia, East Timor and Indonesia will be closer to the moon than those who are positioned further around the curvature of the Earth.

Because of this, people in these locations (Western Australia, East Timor and Indonesia) will be perfectly placed to see a total solar eclipse.

Meanwhile, those further along the path of totality will see an annular solar eclipse, because they will be just that bit further away from the moon.

As a result of this extra distance, the moon will appear smaller and so it won't quite cover as much as the sun  resulting in an annular solar eclipse.

On Thursday, as the the sun, moon and Earth line up, people in Western Australia, East Timor and Indonesia will be closer to the moon than those who are positioned further around the curvature of the Earth. Therefore the moon will appear bigger and block more of the sun. Time in top right corner is given in UTC

Total solar eclipse is seen near Hopkinsville, Kentucky on August 21, 2017. It's less than a year until a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. On April 8, 2024, the moon will cast its shadow across a stretch of the US, Mexico and Canada, plunging millions of people into midday darkness

Like any eclipse, it's important that skywatchers do not look directly at the sun with the naked eye while the event is happening, even with sunglasses on.

READ MORE- Partial solar eclipse graces skies A partial solar eclipse appeared in skies around the world in October Advertisement

It is also not wise not to look at the sun through binoculars, telescopes or a telephoto lens on an SLR camera.

Using a simple pinhole projector, solar eclipse viewing glasses, which can be purchased online, or special solar filters are viable alternatives.

'The simplest way to watch an eclipse is to use a pinhole in a piece of card,' said Dr Robert Massey at the Royal Astronomical Society.

'An image of the sun can then be projected on to another piece of card behind it (experiment with the distance between the two, but it will need to be at least 30 cm).

'Under no circumstances should you look through the pinhole.'

Dr Massey said another popular method used to view an eclipse is the mirror projection method.

'You need a small, flat mirror and a means of placing it in the sun so that it reflects the sunlight into a room where you can view it on a wall or some sort of a flat screen,' he said.

'You may also have eclipse glasses with a certified safety mark, and these are available from specialist astronomy suppliers.

'Provided these are not damaged in any way, you can then view the sun through them.'

Binoculars or telescopes can also be used to project the image of the sun.

'Mount them on a tripod, and fit one piece of card with a hole in it over the eyepiece, and place another between 50 cm and a metre behind it, Dr Massey said.

'Point the telescope or binoculars towards the sun and you should see its bright image on the separate card.'

Unfortunately, the next total solar eclipse  when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun  isn't visible in the UK for another 67 years.

Occurring on September 23, 2090, this solar eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Britain since August 11, 1999, and the first visible from Ireland since May 22, 1724.

However, the next US solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, passing from Texas to Maine.

This will be seen as a partial eclipse in parts of Britain just before sunset.
Welcoming a puppy into the family home is often a dream of many.

But experts are urging owners to be aware of what's in store, as certain dog breeds can hugely increase in size as they reach adulthood.

Sixty of the UK's most popular and common dog breeds were measured at eight weeks old and again one-year-old as part research by Petplan.

Labradoodles topped the charts for picking up most weight, with a 900 per cent jump in size from its puppy phase to adulthood.

Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers followed just behind, as their bodies changed by 700 per cent and 692 per cent over the same time period.

Sixty of the UK's most popular and common dog breeds were assessed in a Petplan study

A Labradoodle's weight can increase by 900 per cent from the puppy phase to adulthood

Why small dogs like Chihuahuas live LONGER than big breeds like Great Danes, according to science - READ MORE Scientists from the University of Adelaide think that larger dog breeds have shorter life expediencies because they are more susceptible to cancer at a younger age Advertisement

The study comes at a time when pet homes across the UK are brimming with abandoned dogs and cats.

Rehoming centres believe the cost-of-living crisis has worsened this, with cash-strapped Brits handing over their pooches in numbers unseen since the 2008 crash.

As a result, Petplan believes it is vital that people are aware of how much money, effort and space is needed to keep certain breeds.

Kennel Club Dog Trainer, Joe Nutkins, also added that larger dogs may cost 50 per cent more than smaller breeds when it comes to leads, collars and other essentials.

He told MailOnline: 'When choosing your breed type of puppy or young dog it's important to remember they will grow to have varying needs.

'A smaller dog will have the smaller costs as there's less materials for collars, beds or coats, less meds needed per dose and less daily food intake for meals and treats. A bigger size dog could have 50 per cent upwards added to the costs of the same items so it's worth beating this is in mind when choosing your next puppy or adult dog!'

While Labradoodles and similar dogs may be a lot to handle, there are other breeds that do not grow so much as they age.

The weight of Mini Cavapoos - a Mini Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross - only jumps up by 50 per cent from eight weeks to a year.

A Mini Cavapoo's weight only jumps up by 50 per cent from eight weeks to a year

Meanwhile, a Chihuahua's weight will increase by just 100 per cent, while a Staffordshire Bull Terrier's will rise by 118 per cent.

Even so, Mr Nutkins stressed that prospective pet owners need to understand that cost and exercise needs are impacted by other factors too.

He continued: 'Levels of fitness differ with each dog, based on a dog's breed type rather than just size. A a Jack Russell Terrier is likely to be more active for longer periods then a Greyhound or Mastiff breed.

'Although we can walk our dogs and play game at home for free, it's still wise to consider what additional costs may be included if you needed a dog walker, took part in dog training and activities or wanted to hire a secure field.'

The weight of Mini Cavapoos - a Mini Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross - only jumps up by 50 per cent from eight weeks to a year

Petplan's research took into account data from The Kennel Club and HelloBark, in addition to professional sources of the pet insurance company.

Female dogs were excluded in this study, with a sole focus on male puppies and grown adults.

Height change was another factor looked at by experts, which can play a part in costs for bedding and other equipment.

English Springer Spaniels were seen to grow more than three times their puppy size in height, with Golden Retrievers a runner up at 267 per cent.

On the flipside, Border collies only saw an increase of 13 per cent, followed by Pugs at 25 per cent and Poodles at 50 per cent.

'If you are considering bringing a dog into your family do spend time researching the breed types you are interested in to have an idea of how big a puppy may grow or the size of a rescue dog,' Mr Nutkins added.
A Flat Earther spent a staggering $20,000 on a DIY experiment that accidentally proved the planet is round.

He was in the middle of filming for a Netflix documentary titled Behind the Curve when he realised his pricy mistake.

Seeking to disprove the mass of research led by NASA experts, he explained the particulars of the DIY experiment using a laser gyroscope.

The test involved using a camera to film through two holes, with a person standing on the other side and shining a torch back at the camera, according to a report by Unilad.

The Flat Earther professed that if the light can be seen with a camera, the holes in the fence and the torch all at equal differences above the ground, then he could draw a positive conclusion that the planet is flat.

The test involved using a camera to film through two holes, with a person standing on the other side and shining a torch back at the camera

The Flat Earther claimed that if the light can be seen with a camera, the holes in the fence and the torch all at equal differences above the ground, then he could draw a positive conclusion that the planet is flat

Yet, in a humorous and expensive turn of events, no light could be seen, causing the Flat Earther to mutter an awkward 'interesting' after the mistake.

According to Unilad, one Instagram user claimed: 'I bet he still won't accept it.'

Another said: 'Something oddly satisfying about watching a simple opinion dissolve in the face of non-rigorous methods lol.'

The failed experiment has since gone viral on Reddit, with people noticing that even after the experiment, the Flat Earther kept using 'mental gymnastics' to claim his conspiracy theory was still correct.

One person wrote: 'I've seen that clip many times but have yet to see his explanation as to how that happened.'

The Flat Earther was in the middle of filming for a Netflix documentary titled Behind the Curve when he realised his pricy mistake

He has since opened up about the experiment and what it means for Flat Earthers across the globe
Private jet travel is reserved for celebrities and the super rich.

But two private jet staff members - speaking anonymously - have shared some insights around what goes on behind the scenes with DailyMail.com.

Both women, one a pilot and the other a stewardess, say that their jobs are very rewarding but after five years flying high-flying customers around the world, they have seen varying degrees of behavior: both good and bad.

Glide down to learn what goes on above the clouds when it comes to high rollers.

Two private jet staff members - speaking anonymously - have shared some insights around what goes on behind the scenes with DailyMail.com

Oddest requests? 'One time I was asked to stop piloting and dance'

While she was flying passengers, the private jet pilot said she was once asked to 'make the plane oscillate up and down so the bouncing movement would help with their dancing.'

Sticking to the hip-shaking theme, she added: 'Another time one of the air stewardesses came into the cockpit and asked if one of us, the pilots, could go back to the cabin as the passengers had requested to dance with one us.

'Male passengers often get excited when they spy a female pilot.'

Another time, the pilot said she witnessed a flight attendant being demanded to seatbelt every passenger in, 'including a small dog.'

The private jet stewardess says she's had as equally bonkers requests during her time in the skies but one remains fresh in her mind.

She reveals: 'Probably one of the strangest demands from a client was not to look at them in the eye or talk to them.

'It was very odd. Basically anything they needed, they would tell their personal assistant and then that person would let me know.'

Who are your clients? 'I once flew a criminal with three armed guards'

The pilot and stewardess say they have encountered all different kinds of people during their careers but the one thing private jet passengers have in common is wealth.

The pilot says she has flown as many as 35 VIPs over the years, with these ranging from 'CEOs to billionaires, to actors, producers, musicians and athletes.'

However, one time she had a passenger who was a little different.

The aviator explained: 'Looking back at one of my odder clients.

'I once flew to an airstrip to pick up a prisoner who was caught in Australia and had to be extradited to the US. He was escorted on to the plane with three armed marshals. It was a little unnerving.

Meanwhile, the stewardess says she has never encountered any criminals but she has flown more than 50 VIPs. 'Not giving any names though!'

The pilot and stewardess say they have encountered all different kinds of people during their careers

Strangest encounters? 'I caught a couple joining the mile high club'

When it comes to the wildest thing she's witnessed during a flight, the private jet stewardess says it has to be the time she 'caught a couple attempting to join the mile high club.'

Recalling the embarrassing situation, she said: 'I was sat down off the main cabin and the call light suddenly rang.

'I assumed the clients needed a top up of champagne or something. However, when I opened the door I realized that it probably wasn't their fingers that had hit the button as they were writhing around half naked. I quickly retreated!'

The pilot says luckily she hasn't witnessed anyone having sex on her planes but there have been lots of parties in the skies.

She revealed: 'I have seen disco lights flashing at the passengers requests and very enthusiastic dancing.

'Some of our famous musician passengers have also sung songs to our flight attendants. It can get very wild! If guests are too intoxicated they are usually helped off the plane by their assistants. It does happen fairly often.'

What's the average spend? 'Some spend $1 MILLION A MONTH on simple trips'

Both women say the sky is the limit when it comes to customers splashing cash.

The pilot says that the planes she flies generally cost from $6,000 to $12,000 an hour to charter.

This means a simple trip from London to New York could come in at $100,000 after the catering and additional fees have been added on.

She adds: 'It takes just ten trips, and then before you know it you've blown $1 million jetting around.'

The air stewardess says she's witnessed similar spend.

She muses: 'I'd say the costs for private jets range anywhere from $20,000 to $1 million. I've had a client spend $1 million in a month before.

'Things can really add up and the requests can be as lavish and as outrageous as you like. For instance, the client might order vintage champagne or a supercar to pick them up on the runway. No request is too much in the world of uber luxury!'

Another cost factored into client spend are tips. The stewardess says she often gets hefty tips and the best one she received was $2,000.

She explained: 'What made it even better was that the client just asked me to leave him alone the entire time, so that's what I did. Another time I got a bottle of champagne worth around $4,000 as a thank you.'

Both women say the sky is the limit when it comes to customers splashing cash

The best and worst passengers? 'Musicians and wannabes are the rudest'

When quizzed about the best kind of private jet passengers, the pilot says she most likes ferrying around athletes and business executives.

She explains: 'They're almost always on time, not very needy and have a good expectation that we're there for safety of flight.'

Another of her top picks when it comes to passengers are animals, with some of her more unusual furry flyers including hamsters and cats.

When it comes to the worse behaved customers, the pilot reveals: 'I would say the worst are usually musicians and producers that for whatever reason seem to have an air of entitlement, a lack of punctuality and a condescending attitude towards the crew.'

While the air hostess says 'egotistical musicians can also be a pain', in her experience, 'the worst are the ones who have never been on a private jet and are trying to impress their friends or social media followers... I feel like they can sometimes be obnoxious.'

However, she adds: 'This statement doesn't go for all though. I've had people who've never flown private and were the absolute best. It really depends.'
Advertisement

These fascinating vintage pictures take you back to the America of yesteryear.

The photographs are a selection from the archives of the Smithsonian Institution - the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, founded in the U.S in 1846.

Dating back to the mid-19th century, some of these archival images paint a picture of day-to-day life in the U.S, showing everything from families holidaying by Niagara Falls to postmen on their mail route. Others highlight the darker side of American history, such as one image that shows a slave trading firm operating in Virginia.

The images can be found specifically in the Smithsonian Open Access archive, which is a collection of more than four million images that the public can download, share, and reuse as they please.

Commenting on the Open Access archive, which was launched in 2020, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said: 'Open access is a milestone for the Smithsonian in our efforts to reach, educate and inspire audiences. Through this initiative, we are empowering people across the globe to reimagine and repurpose our collections in creative new ways.'

Scroll down to delve into the Smithsonian's eye-opening archives...

A group of unidentified men make up the 'rafting party' in this picture, which dates back to around 1910. It's part of the archives of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

This image, which dates back to the 1890s, shows an unidentified man standing next to a Conestoga wagon - a type of covered wagon - drawn by three oxen, two of which are sitting in the dirt. He's holding leather reins in his left hand and a driving stick or whip in his right hand

In this shot, captured around 1905, an unidentified Rural Free Delivery carrier - a type of postman for rural communities - tries out a car on his snowy route 'to show off for a Post Office Department photographer'. The National Postal Museum explains: 'The Department hoped to encourage carriers to replace their horses and wagons with the latest in transportation technology. Few carriers did so. Vehicles at the time were not yet adequate replacements for horses, wagons, and sleds on rural roads'

This disturbing image, taken in 1862, shows the slave trading firm of 'Price Birch and Co' of Alexandria, a city in Virginia. A sign on the building reads 'Price Birch and Co / Dealers In Slaves'. All the men to the front of the building are in full uniform, including hats, rifles, and swords

This image, taken in 1865, shows a medical supply boat - the vessel with the word 'Planter' written on its side - on the Appomattox River in Virginia

This incredible shot, which dates back to around 1865, shows a family at Niagara Falls

Captured around 1910, this picture shows a rural post carrier at a row of mailboxes in an unnamed location. The image is from the archives of the National Postal Museum, which says: 'Postal officials encouraged Rural Free Delivery (RFD) carriers to replace their horses and wagons with the latest in transportation technology. This unidentified carrier painted his early electric-motored vehicle in the same paint and identification scheme as the RFD wagons of the era. He is, no doubt, only able to complete his wintertime rounds thanks to a snow-ploughed road'

Dating back to 1885, this image shows the since-dismantled Dale Creek Bridge in Wyoming

In this picture from the 1880s, taxidermist William Temple Hornaday works on a tiger model in the taxidermy and model shop behind the Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington D.C

A group of men camp near Raquette Lake in Hamilton County, New York State, in a picture that dates back to 1889

This picture shows the devastating aftermath of the Johnstown Flood of 1889, which occurred after the failure of Pennsylvania's South Fork Dam. The dam was situated upstream from the Pennsylvanian city of Johnstown on the Little Conemaugh River

From the archives of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, this image, captured between 1895 and 1910, shows an unidentified man drinking from a jug while sitting in a wagon. The museum notes: 'A group of white men in suits stand in front of the nearest storefront to the wagon in the right background. The title "White Man's Bar" is printed in white in the lower right corner of the image, inferring that the African American man in the wagon is drinking alcohol in the street because he is not allowed into the whites-only bar'

Taken on August 8, 1885, this image shows the cottage of Ulysses S. Grant, who served as the President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. Grant had died earlier that year. The man in the image is unidentified

This harrowing picture shows the devastation of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture explains: 'On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as "Black Wall Street," in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history. Homes, businesses, and community structures including schools, churches, a hospital, and the library were looted and burned or otherwise destroyed. Exact statistics are unknown, but the violence left around 10,000 people homeless and as many as 300 people dead with many more missing and wounded.' The museum continues: 'Photo postcards of the Tulsa Race Massacre were widely distributed following the massacre in 1921. Like postcards depicting lynchings, these souvenir cards were powerful declarations of white racial power and control. Decades later, the cards served as evidence for community members working to recover the forgotten history of the riot and secure justice for its victims and their descendants'

Captured in 1900, this picture shows the Morris and Essex Canal at Waterloo Village in New Jersey

This image from the National Postal Museum's archives shows 'a quartet of new Post Office Department trucks leading a parade of vehicles along an unidentified snowy street'. It was captured around 1955

In this shot from 1953, a letter carrier drives one of the Postal Department's 'new right-hand drive vans on the snowy streets of an unidentified city', the National Postal Museum reveals. It says: 'The Department ordered thousands of new postal vehicles in the early 1950s as part of its post-war modernization plan. A variety of vehicles were ordered, including right-hand drive step vans such as this'

This interesting shot shows an 'observatory team' from Harvard University 'photographing an eclipse'. It dates back to 1869

This photo postcard from 1922 shows men and women - some on horseback - outside a storefront in the town of Little Eagle, South Dakota

This image from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, captured in 1885, shows a 'train load of logs measuring 88,568ft (26,995m)'. Its location is unknown

This picture shows a flood that took place in the village of Herkimer in New York State in 1910

This picture, captured between 1894 and 1904, shows an unidentified man standing in front of an open cart stacked high with hay. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture notes that 'the cart and the man are on a dirt street in front of the photographer's studio, a white building with the text "E. K. Blush / Photographer" stencilled in large dark letters across the top of the building'
Amber Turner has slammed Chloe Brockett for her 'erratic' behaviour after her latest slew of drama.

And in an exclusive clip from Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex, Amber admitted 'she's not the Chloe I became friends with'.

Chloe has been at the centre of action recently, after she locked horns with her ex boyfriend Jordan Brooks over his new relationship with Sophie Kasaei.

As for 'friends' Chloe and Amber, an 'explosive' row erupted between the pair a few weeks ago, after a recent night out went wrong.

And opening up about her relationship with Chloe in Sunday's latest episode, Amber said: 'This is what's getting on my nerves. I just think it's not necessary.

Clash: Amber Turner has slammed Chloe Brockett for her 'erratic' behaviour after her latest slew of drama

Under fire: In a MailOnline exclusive clip from Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex, Amber admitted 'she's not the Chloe I became friends with'

'I love Chloe, but the way she's acting - it's like she's split personality in the middle. There's one side of her that's the most caring, loving, kind friend and does anything for you has your back for everything.

'There's the other part of her that she just acts erratic.

'And that's what's getting to me because it's so I'm seeing it all around me and I'm just like "what's going on? She's not the Chloe I became friends with".

The reality TV stars have been friends since Chloe, 22, joined The Only Way Is Essex cast in 2019, where she soon became a part of the friendship group with Amber, 29, Courtney Green, 27, Chloe Meadows, 31 and most recently Elma Pazar, 29.

But according to The Sun, their relationship has been strained after Chloe convinced Amber's boyfriend Dan Edgar, 32, to continue their group night out to an afterparty.

A source divulged to the publication last month that they were all enjoying their time together while out partying but Amber decided to head back early, while Dan said he was 'going to stay out for a little longer' before joining her at the home they share.

They continued: 'Chloe then talked Dan into going to an afterparty and he got home really late, leaving Amber fuming.

'Nothing untoward happened between Chloe and Dan, they were just having a good time, but Amber hasn't seen it that way.

Drama: Chloe has been at the centre of action recently, after she locked horns with her ex boyfriend Jordan Brooks over his new relationship with Sophie Kasaei

Candid: And opening up about her relationship with Chloe in Sunday's latest episode, Amber said: 'This is what's getting on my nerves. I just think it's not necessary'

Drama: The reality TV stars have been friends since Chloe, 22, joined The Only Way Is Essex cast in 2019

'She thinks it's really out of order for Chloe to go out all night with her mate's boyfriend, but Chloe thinks she's making a drama out of nothing. Dan is trying to smooth things over, but he's also in the dog house.'

Meanwhile, in Sunday's episode the cast arrived in sunny Thailand - where it was reported that a huge feud erupted between members of cast.

It is claimed there was a 'frosty' atmosphere between some members of the show as soon as they reached the hotel reception after their flight.

A source told The Sun there was 'a lot of drama' with Chloe Brockett and Jordan Brook, with them clashing in 'a big way'.

They added: 'Chloe has been involved but this time she had a reason to kick off and all will become clear as filming rumbles on.'

The source continued: 'There is no love lost between Junaid and Amber either  the pair are taking their dislike to the next level and let their feelings be crystal clear.

'To say the atmosphere in Thailand is frosty is a huge understatement. There are two camps in the cast opening up and a big divide is emerging.

Feud: As for 'friends' Chloe and Amber, an 'explosive' row erupted between the pair a few weeks ago, after a recent night out went wrong

Dog house: According to The Sun, their relationship has been strained after Chloe convinced Amber's boyfriend Dan Edgar, 32, (pictured together) to continue their group night out to an afterparty

'It is the worst in terms of atmosphere that has ever been seen. Amber and Junaid are on very rocky ground, and even girl band are not unscathed.'

MailOnline has contacted TOWIE for comment.

The latest season of TOWIE began filming in Thailand in February, with all major cast members making the trip.

James Lock's brother George has also joined the show for the new series and was seen with his sibling in Phuket in recent days.

Filming for the latest series comes after long-standing cast member Pete Wicks quit the show after seven years, MailOnline exclusively revealed.

The show has seen the hunk rise to fame thanks to his relationships with former cast mates Megan McKenna, 30, Chloe Sims, 41, and Ella, 22.

Pete is looking to explore fresh opportunities away from the world of reality television.

A source told MailOnline Pete's departure has been a huge blow for ITVBe executives.

The show has already suffered the loss of longstanding cast member Chloe Sims, as well as her sisters Demi and Frankie, last year.

Girl group: The reality TV stars have been friends since Chloe, 22, (left) joined The Only Way Is Essex cast in 2019, where she soon became a part of the friendship group with Amber, 29, (centre right) Courtney Green, 27, (right) Chloe Meadows, 31 (centre) and most recently Elma Pazar, 29 (centre left)

Not all fun in the sun: Jordan (pictured) and Chloe are said to have had a falling out, with all the cast members arriving to film in Thailand last week

An insider revealed: 'Pete is a hugely loved member of TOWIE both among viewers and the cast.

'But it's time for him to move on now, he's slightly older than the rest of the cast, and he's hoping to achieve more in his career after being on the show for such a long time.

'It's been a monumental stint and his storylines will go down in TOWIE history but for now he's taking a step away.'

A second source added: 'Pete will continue to cameo on TOWIE when it makes sense to appear alongside his friends, but he will no longer be a fully-fledged cast member.'

MailOnline approached TOWIE and Pete's spokesperson for comment at the time.

Pete joined TOWIE in 2015 introduced as James Lock's best pal and immediately set eyes on Jess Wright.

He soon became a main character on the series, romancing the likes of The X Factor: Celebrity winner Megan, who he had a tempestuous relationship with.

Their romance came to an explosive end when Megan discovered Pete had been sending explicit text messages to his ex-girlfriend Jacqui Ryland.

He dated Miss Great Britain and co-star Shelby Tribble, who's since had a baby with former TOWIE cast member Sam Mucklow.

He later had a rocky relationship with Chloe, who was left brokenhearted when Pete wasn't prepared to commit and it dramatically impacted their friendship.
Helena Christensen looked nothing short of sensational as she recreated the iconic 1991 'The Wild Ones' snap featuring the biggest supermodels from the 1990s.

The model, 54, took to her Instagram on Friday to reveal she was taken aback when she came across a recreation of the original image by Thee Queer Coven, which was curated by digital creator Barry Brandon.

And after being impressed with their 'perfect reenactment' of the snap, which sees the nine men posing up a storm in mini skirts, leather jackets and fishnet tights, Helena told how she asked if they could recreate the image this time featuring herself.

The Danish stunner - who was among the top models dubbed The Magnificent Seven in the 1990s - gushed over her new shoot in the post, remarking that it was a day about 'inclusivity, unity, lots of laughter and love love love.'

The new image featuring Helena comes over 30 years after the original image shot by the late photographer Peter Lindbergh and featured the likes of Helena, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, and Stephanie Seymour.

Double take: Helena Christensen (centre) looked nothing short of sensational as she recreated the iconic 1991 'The Wild Ones' snap featuring the biggest supermodels from the 1990s

Wow: The new image featuring Helena comes over 30 years after the original image shot by the late photographer Peter Lindbergh and featured the likes of Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Helena, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, and Stephanie Seymour (L-R)

 Slide me  Spot the difference: Helena's recreation with Thee Queer Coven was taken 32 years after she starred alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer in the original photo

The original iconic black and white image, shot in Brooklyn, featured the supermodels posing in racy mini skirts, black biker jackets and black leather caps.

The ladies showcased their incredible pins in sheer tights and black ankle boots as they posed up a storm in the Dumbo neighbourhood of New York, in the shoot for American Vogue.

And Helena certainly defied her years as she looked as incredible as ever in the recreation of the shot 32 years on, which sees her once again donning her leathers and a thigh skimming skirt.

Captioning her post, she penned: 'A few months back I came across an IG photo that stopped me in my tracks. Wait, huh? I had to look twice.

'It was a visual I knew very well and yet, something was different. It was a perfect reenactment of the iconic @therealpeterlindberg motorcycle gang portrait with 8 of us girls but with the inspiring, talented, fun gang that is @thequeercoven.

'I immediately thought wow kinda crazy no one had done that before. I got in contact with @thequeerindigo who had organized the shoot and asked if they would do it again and include me. And thats what happened.'

She continued of the shoot: 'It was the best day, we put together similar outfits, found the exact corner in Dumbo the original shot was taken and paraded up and down the street brazing a cold winter storm but there was so much warmth and joy amongst us.

'We laughed and shared stories and after the shoot we ended up in a little cool store with the owners making us all hot coffee watching a dance performance by the talented voguer @hanabithek

Impressed: The model, 54, took to her Instagram on Friday to reveal she was taken aback when she came across a recreation of the original image by Thee Queer Coven, which was curated by digital creator Barry Brandon

Loving it: Captioning her post, she penned: 'A few months back I came across an IG photo that stopped me in my tracks. Wait, huh? I had to look twice'

Excited: 'I immediately thought wow kinda crazy no one had done that before. I got in contact with @thequeerindigo who had organized the shoot and asked if they would do it again and include me. And thats what happened'

'Thank you to everyone involved, this day was about inclusivity, unity, lots of laughter and love love love.'

Her post garnered plenty of positive messages from her fans and showbiz pals, including author Padma Lakshmi who penned: 'This is the perfect example of your charm, kindness and spirit that delights sweet Helena!!'

While Julianne Moore commented: 'So good', with Tan France simply adding: 'ICONIC'.

Elsewhere, digital creator Barry aka The Queer Indigo took to his own Instagram page to share what the original supermodel photo meant to him, as well as sharing his joy of working with Helena for the recreated image.

In a lengthy post, he wrote: 'The Magnificent Seven. Naomi. Linda. Christy. Cindy. Elle. Claudia. Helena.

'Growing up, not having access to lgbtqia+ culture, from the perspective of prominent visible famous people on tv or in films, though I didnt fully realise the importance of that sort of visibility until I was seeing it, I had access to Oprah, Janet Jackson, Madonna and 90s supermodels, more specifically the Magnificent Seven.

Message: Elsewhere, digital creator Barry aka The Queer Indigo took to his own Instagram page to share what the original supermodel photo meant to him, as well as sharing his joy of working with Helena for the recreated image

'Seeing them in all forms of pop culture, from magazines to music videos and everywhere else they were accessible to me, I was drawn like a magnet to the power they held. I think now, looking back, my access to finding myself was through the power of strong women and they, to me, were a massive part of my DNA. They showed me strength, power and glamour and a sense of freedom.

'I had an idea to recreate a photograph that was snapped originally in Brooklyn by the iconic Peter Lindbergh. The deeper meaning for me in wanting to recreate the image was to use the inspiration from what I saw when I was younger, the magic, power and strength that I took from that image and so many others, and retell that through a queer lens showcasing unity and inclusion through the power and strength of AMAB Queers expressing openly, confidently and visibly.

'The photo included humans from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Italy, Mexico, Romania and the states and was taken in Barcelona. This was a way to emulate further the notion that, much like Magnificent Seven who were from Denmark, the UK, Germany and the states.

'The photo went up and BAM, she shared the photo and wrote what took them so long? I am fairly certain that in that moment Tom, Frank and I collectively took the biggest gay gasp that ever was.

'We started chatting in DMs and we came to the conclusion that a collaboration needed to happen. We opted to return to the original location in DUMBO where the photo had been snapped years ago with, again, AMAB Queer people taking up space next to ICON + activist Helena Christensen.

'The message? Be bold. Express yourself. Be you.

'The better question is, what do you see? Us x Helena Christensen.'
Is this a hint that Game Of Thrones star Sophie Turner is ready to put down roots in the UK with American pop star husband Joe Jonas?

Sophie, 27, sporting a 3,000 Louis Vuitton handbag with her leather jacket and grey tracksuit, seemed delighted to be strolling through North London  but Joe, 33, looked more worried about keeping their Money Tree houseplant upright in last week's high winds and showers.

They and their two children live in a Miami mansion but Sophie, who later discarded the jacket, has confessed to missing home, saying of America: 'The chocolate ain't good, the crisps ain't good. It's not the same.'

She added: 'I'm slowly dragging my husband back... England would ideally be the final destination, but Joe might take quite a bit of convincing!'

Sophie Turner (left) with husband Joe Jonas (right) carrying a Money Tree houseplant through North London

They and their two children live in a Miami mansion but Sophie (pictured), who later discarded the jacket, has confessed to missing home

Let's hope Martin Clunes is more charming than his grumpy Doc Martin character when he welcomes an extra on to the set of his latest drama  as they will have paid at least 2,500 for the privilege.

Clunes's company Buffalo Pictures has offered a part in series Out There, due to film this summer, on Radio HP  a site known as the posh Gumtree.

The start price is hefty but the cash will go to a good cause  the charity Southern Spinal Injuries Trust.

Hairdresser Nicky Clarke with wife Kelly

Has Nicky blown in it?

He tended to the locks of Diana, Bowie and Naomi Campbell, but have the glory days faded for celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke, right with wife Kelly.

Liquidation documents from his Mayfair salon, which closed abruptly a year ago, reveal a debt of 473,000 owed to creditors and no cash in the bank.

Meanwhile all 67,000-worth of his hair product stock has now passed its shelf life. A very bad hair day.
Weeks after she and advertising guru Charles Saatchi called it quits on their ten-year relationship, makeover expert Trinny Woodall has found the next special one in her life  only this time it has four legs.

Trinny, 59, has previously adopted furry friends from rescue charity Dogs Trust, and returned to the charity's West London rehoming centre last week to find the latest addition to her family.

A black mongrel appeared to steal her heart and happy Trinny says she's already head over heels in love.

Makeover expert Trinny Woodall (pictured) has found the next special one in her life  only this time it has four legs

Trinny (left) and Charles Saatchi (right) attend the Spring Gala In Aid of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital at Claridge's Hotel in May 2015 in London

Fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper

Jade: It's time for a change

She has dressed Kate Middleton and is the mum to two young children, so it seems natural that fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, right, should release a changing bag for Norland nannies  the baby carers famed for their traditional uniform and who look after the Wales kids.

The bag, inset, will be gifted to each nanny who passes Norland training. If you want the arm candy without the four-year course, it's 349 online.

CRUSH OF THE WEEK... Alex Hassell

CRUSH OF THE WEEK: Actor Alex Hassell, 42

Jilly Cooper told me last year that she was on the hunt for a dashing blond in his 30s to play cad Rupert Campbell-Black in the upcoming TV adaptation of her bonkbuster Rivals, which is headed for Disney's streaming service.

He's neither blond nor in his 30s but it seems Jilly has found her man  Alex Hassell, left.

Jilly says she knew Alex, 42, would be perfect for the role of the ex-Olympian, hedonistic Tory MP from the moment she met him.

Curiously, Jilly previously said that Campbell-Black was inspired by Andrew Parker Bowles, the former husband of Camilla. I wonder if the Queen will be tuning in to watch?

Lady Marina Windsor, 30, with boyfriend Nico Macauley

If Lady Marina Windsor gets a 'plus one' to the Coronation, I think I can guess who she will invite.

The 30-year-old, granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, seems to have found love with handsome cyber security specialist Nico Macauley.

Marina, who was once linked to furniture maker and Belladrum estate heir Eion Gibbs, shared news of the new relationship by posting this beach selfie, right, with Nico to celebrate his 30th birthday.

Fingers-crossed he gets that Coronation invitation  then he can meet the whole family in one fell swoop!
Simon Cowell sparked concern among Britain's Got Talent viewers over his appearance on Saturday's launch show of the new series.

The music mogul, 63, is back on the judging panel alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer Bruno Tonioli.

However,ReOne viewer commented on their concern on Twitter by saying: 'Simon is looking thin #BGT.'

While another added 'What is going on with Simon?'

A third viewer said: 'Watching #BGT2023 who is that next to Amanda Holden? Looks like Simon Cowell.'

Look: Simon Cowell sparked concern among Britain's Got Talent viewers over his appearance on Saturday's launch show of the new series

A fourth wrote: 'WTF has Simon Cowell done to his face?' while a fifth said: 'Seeing Simon Cowell and his face!'

It comes after Simon insisted he has never had a facelift after hosts Ant & Dec made a cheeky quip about his changing appearance during a press event.

Declan Donnelly introduced the judges to the audience and said 'We have a new face joining the judging panel.'

To which Ant McPartlin joked 'What? Simon has a new face?'

The music mogul, however, hit back after the Geordie duo both joked about his 'new face' during the opening episode.

Speaking to The Mirror Simon laughed off the suggestion that he had gone under the knife, despite his drastically altered features.

'I think it's hysterical. I mean, it just makes me laugh. I haven't had a facelift or anything.'

'I've had a bit of Botox or whatever, but nothing drastic. So when I hear about this stuff, honestly it does make me laugh'.

Concerned: The music mogul, 63, is back on the judging panel alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer Bruno Tonioli (Simon pictured in 2018)

Reaction: As the first act took to the stage, viewers seemed to be more distracted by Simon's latest look

Appearing on Lorraine this week ahead of the talent show's return fans expressed concern for the star with one writing: 'He seems to have changed his face which has made him look strange.'

Another added: 'Simon Cowell looks like a completely different person lately.'

While a third penned: 'Simon Cowell looks like a hologram,'.

In recent times, Simon has sparked concern with his radically different facial features, looking unrecognisable notably in a Britain's Got Talent promo.

The record label also boss sparked concern with his 'unrecognisable' appearance at the Royal Variety Performance, which was filmed on December 2 and aired on ITV later that month.

Returned: The concern comes after Britain's Got Talent returned on Saturday night and viewers saw a batch of contestants take to the stage in a bid to impress the judges

Distracted: However, as the first act took to the stage, viewers seemed to be more distracted by Simon's latest look

Cracking jokes: Big-time hosts Ant & Dec also poked fun at their co-star's new look at the very beginning of the show

New judge: Declan Donnelly, 47, at the beginning of the show, introduced the judges to the audience and said 'We have a new face joining the judging panel.'

Joke: To which Ant McPartlin, 47, joked 'What? Simon has a new face?'. The music mogul, however, hit back after the Geordie duo both joked about his 'new face' during the opening episode

It comes after he revealed his hope of becoming a father again at the age of 63 and has even given up smoking in a bid to become the perfect parent.

The music mogul, who already shares nine-year-old son Eric with fiancee Laura Silverman, 45, said that while it 'might not happen' he would love to grow his family.

Speaking to The Sun Simon said: 'Being a dad is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love every second I spend with [Eric]'.

'But you never know with kids if they're happy being on their own or how would he feel if there was another one?'

Before adding: 'So look, will it happen? I don't know. But I would love another kid. I really like being a dad.'

He told The Mirror how he had given up his 40 cigarettes a day smoking habit since swapping single life for fatherhood.

In October last year, The BGT judge's pal Sinitta said how Eric was doing his best to stop his father from smoking.

Telling The Mirror: 'He follows him around, with the smoking thing, he only allows Simon to have one puff of a cigarette, he always says, 'how many puffs, how many puffs', Eric's like a little cigarette police and keeps him on his toes. It's very sweet.'
Channel Seven has secured the rights to a new dating show from the Danish creators of Married At First Sight, called Stranded on Honeymoon Island.

The network is set to film an Australian version of the popular reality show, which blends the romance of Married At First Sight with the thrilling action of Survivor.

The heart-stopping show sees couples dumped on a deserted island with nothing but their wedding clothes and forced to survive the elements while hopefully developing their romance.

Its format borrows heavily from Married At First Sight, with four couples being put together by a panel of experts who then put their love to the ultimate test.

Seven's Head of Programming Angus Ross said in a statement the network was confident viewers would fall in love with the new franchise.

Channel Seven has secured the rights to a new datingshow from the Danish creators of MAFS called Stranded on Honeymoon Island. (Pictured: Promo picture from the Danish version of SOHI)

'There is a good reason broadcasters around the world have fallen in love with the show. We're taking the reality dating genre to a whole new addictive level,' he said.

'It blends fledging love with the adventure of a lifetime. We have no doubt viewers will lap up every minute of this bold and exciting new format.'

Stranded on Honeymoon Island Australia will be broadcast on Channel Seven in 2024.

Earlier this month, Married At First Sight's explosive finale was a massive ratings hit for Channel Nine, drawing 2.124million viewers across Australia.

The network is set to film an Australian version of the popular Denmark reality show which blends the romance of MAFS with the thrilling action of Survivor. (Pictured: Promo picture from the Danish version of SOHI)

The heart-stopping show sees couples dumped on a deserted island with nothing but their wedding clothes work to survive the elements and hopefully develop their romance. (Pictured: Promo picture from the Danish version of SOHI)

The cast's heated reunion on Monday, April 3 had audiences hooked as they watched Harrison Boon and Alyssa Barmonde embarrass themselves over dinner.

The enormous viewership was over double the amount of people who tuned in to episodes aired the week before.

Viewers were gripped as they watched the cast reunite at a dinner party and look back at their time on the dating experiment.

It was particularly popular amongst the coveted 25 - 54 year old demographic, with 455,000 metropolitan viewers watching it as it aired.

Seven's Head of Programming Angus Ross (pictured) said in a statement the network was confident viewers would love SOHI
Lauren Harries has woken up after emergency brain surgery, her mother has confirmed.

Taking to Twitter, the 45-year-old television star's mother Katy revealed that her daughter had to have her shaved during the procedure.

She explained that former Celebrity Big Brother star Lauren was now awake and recovering after the surgery.

Katy wrote: 'Lauren has woken up after her brain surgery. They had to shave her hair. As you know this is Laurens worst nightmare but she would have died if not.

'The amazing staff in the Heath Hospital have been wonderful. Thank you for your kind words, her recovery ahead. Update to follow.'

Recovery: Lauren Harries' mum revealed on Saturday night that her daughter has woken up after emergency brain surgery

Together: Taking to Twitter, the 45-year-old television star's mother Katy revealed that her daughter had to have her shaved during the procedure

It comes after Katy took to Twitter on Friday to beg fans to 'send prayers' as her daughter recovered from the operation.

Lauren found fame as a precocious 12-year-old antiques expert called James, who appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and Wogan, before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2003

Her distraught mother penned: 'Please pray or send good thoughts to my precious daughter Lauren @Laurenharries. Who is recovering from emergency brain surgery today,' she shared on the platform.

As fans learned of the worrying news, many rallied to send their messages of support to the star, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013.

'Send love and prayers to Lauren xxx,' wrote one follower, as others wished Lauren a speedy recovery.

The post was retweeted by Lauren's official Twitter page, who was last actively tweeting on the page just three days prior, liking tweets just 11 hours prior.

Whilst the cause of the surgery is not yet known, MailOnline reached out to representatives for comment at the time.

Many fans reached out with messages of support, with one writing: 'Im sorry to hear that, all the best'.

Ill health: It comes after Katy took to Twitter on Friday to beg fans to 'send prayers' as her daughter recovered from the operation

'Oh my gosh, sending all my thoughts and prayers xx,' added another.

Lauren has a famously close bond with mother Katy, often noting how supportive she is, gushing over her numerous times over her career.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star was born James Charles Harries in Surrey in 1978, being the youngest of three children.

And famously appeared on the Antiques Roadshow and Wogan as a 12-year old antiques expert.

The Welsh star has since carved out a TV career and even released a single, I Am A Woman in 2015.

These days, Lauren sells artwork via her website, with pieces ranging from 20 to 150.

She has previously spoken about her gender reassignment surgery in 2003, admitting that it was 'dangerous' at the time.

The television personality underwent the surgery, which converts male anatomy to female anatomy aged 23.

Unknown: Whilst the cause of the surgery is not yet known, MailOnline has reached out to representatives for comment

Well wishes: As fans learned of the worrying news, many rallied to sent their messages of support to the star, who appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2013

Candid: Lauren underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2003, and has spoken openly about the surgery since - admitting it was 'dangerous' at the time (pictured that year)

.

She told the Daily Star: 'It is a big operation and when I had it done all those years ago it was more dangerous as they didnt know enough about it,' she said.

'There was talk that if I had it done I would have a heart attack in my 30s as my body wouldnt be able to deal with it."

'To me, it was like get me in the kitchen, get a vet, get whoever, let's get it done, in those days it cost me 20,000 but I think it was more then than it is now.'
Ekin-Su Culculoglu has reportedly lashed out at a love rival model in a foul-mouthed rant after as she accuses her of sleeping with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti.

The Love Island winner, 28, who won the show with beau Davide, also 28, last year, is said to have branded Harriet Wilson, 24, a 'f***ing s**g' over her suspected fling with the Italian hunk.

According to The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su is said to have also called the model 'disgusting' and fumed 'Youre finished' in angry messages after finding texts from her on Davide's phone.

The publication reports that the Turkish TV star also lashed out at a second woman, Phoebe Wintle, after also discovering her texts on his mobile.

Ekin-Su's alleged outburst came after she returned from a trip to Belfast earlier this month and had feared that Davide had hooked up with Harriet and Phoebe.

Raging: Ekin-Su Culculoglu has reportedly lashed out at a love rival model in a foul-mouthed rant after as she accuses her of sleeping with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti

Accusations: The Love Island winner, 28, who won the show with beau Davide, also 28, last year, is said to have branded Harriet Wilson, 24, a f***ing s**g over her suspected fling with the Italian hunk

In messages reportedly seen by The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su is said to have ranted: 'You f***ing s**g. Sleeping with my boyfriend! Disgusting. Why would you do that?

'You and Phoebe are gonna be shown to everyone slags. Pretending nothing happened. Just wait for it. You cow. Youre finished mate.'

A source is said to have told the publication that Harriet was 'taken aback' by the Instagram messages, adding: 'What makes it worse is that they knew each other before this all kicked off.

'Harriet used to keep an eye on Davide for Ekin-Su on his nights out in Manchester and report back to her.'

The couple headed off on a make-or-break trip to Amsterdam last week, and while Davide shared a snap of the beauty at breakfast, she failed to upload an image of him.

Earlier this month, Ekin was reportedly left furious after finding messages and pictures from two models on Davide' s phone.

The reality star is said to have been 'fuming and upset' as she suspected Davide had a romantic rendezvous with the pair, who are said to be regulars on the Manchester party scene.

Actress Ekin-Su allegedly messaged one of the girls to ask what had gone on after the reality star returned from a trip to Belfast.

Anger: According to The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su is said to have also called the model (pictured) 'disgusting' and fumed 'Youre finished' in angry messages after finding texts from her on Davide's phone

Letting rip: In messages reportedly seen by The Sun on Sunday, Ekin-Su is said to have ranted: 'You f***ing s**g. Sleeping with my boyfriend! Disgusting. Why would you do that?'

Furious: The publication reports that the Turkish TV star also lashed out at a second woman, Phoebe Wintle (pictured), after also discovering her texts on his mobile

Suspicious mind: Ekin-Su's alleged outburst came after she returned from a trip to Belfast earlier this month and had feared that Davide had hooked up with Harriet and Phoebe

A source told The Sun: 'It all exploded last Sunday after she found messages on Davides phone discussing their time together.

'He had been messaging both of the girls and she suspected they had all met up one night.

'Ekin-Su contacted one of the girls to tell them she knew about things. She was furious and really upset.'

Television personality Ekin-Su posted a number of cryptic social media messages, including a tweet which appear to mock Harriet's Instagram snaps.

Unimpressed: Earlier this month, Ekin was reportedly left furious after finding messages and pictures from two models on Davide' s phone.

Suspicions: The reality star is said to have been 'fuming and upset' as she suspected Davide, 28, had a romantic rendezvous with the pair

The post, which has since been deleted, read: 'No man will ever take u seriously with just half naked pictures of u in a bikini and lingerie'.

While she also liked two posts from another user which mentioned 'disrespect' and the need for 'distance', according to the publication.

She also shared some words on Instagram which read: 'A girl can be just as sexy without showing some skin.'

The pair moved in together after winning Love Island last year but earlier this year were forced to dismiss claims their relationship was a showmance.
Abbie Quinnen put on a leggy display as she left a celebrity hangout on Saturday evening.

The dancer, 25, sported a chic blazer and matching skirt, revealing her slender pins.

She added a blue cropped top to the ensemble, showcasing her washboard stomach.

Abbie, who split from former Strictly star AJ Pritchard in 2022, complemented her look with a pair of sparkly thigh-high black boots.

The beauty wore her blonde tresses in loose waves that cascaded down her back.

Stunner: Abbie Quinnen put on a leggy display in a grey blazer and matching skirt as she left Mano Mayfair on Saturday night

Glam: Abbie, who split from former Strictly star AJ Pritchard in 2022, complemented her look with a pair of sparkly thigh-high black boots

Looking good: The beauty wore her blonde tresses in loose waves that cascaded down her back

Abbie was all smiles as she left the venue alongside her pals.

It comes after Abbie revealed she's been inundated with messages from Love Island stars who have 'slid into her DMs.'

While the beauty has plenty of options when it comes to her love life, one person who she wont be dating is Love Island lothario Adam Collard, as she's heard 'bad things' about his reputation.

Speaking to The Sun about her ideal man, Abbie explained: 'I have been on a few dates, I just want someone with a really big personality, kind and who makes me laugh. There has been a couple of Islanders that have slid into my DMs.'

The blonde beauty added that she's had 'quite a few messages' from Love Island hunks, though she didn't spill any names.

However, when asked if ladies' man Adam was one of the boys to message her, Abbie insisted that he was not the man for her as she didn't believe he was the 'dating type'.

She said: 'I don't think he's the dating type, I've heard bad things about him. I think everyone knows too much, it's going to be difficult for him to get a girlfriend now.'

Adam split with ex Paige Thorne last year after she accused him of cheating when he was filmed flirting with other girls on nights out, with the paramedic later going on to claim she'd seen further videos of him cheating.

Fabulous: Abbie was all smiles as she left the venue and looked glowing as she strolled through central London

Abbie told how she's better than ever and is 'thriving' since former Strictly star AJ broke up with her last year.

She said: 'I'm having the best time ever, I'm thriving and I haven't had this much fun in such a long time.'

Abbie split from boyfriend AJ, after she allegedly caught him messaging another woman in October.

Former Strictly star AJ then quickly moved on with new girl Zara Zoffany, as Abbie was said to be 'distraught'.
Jeremy Renner paid a visit to the medical staff that 'saved his life' after he was crushed by a 14,000-pound snow plow on New Year's Day.

On Saturday, the actor, 52, spent time at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, which is near his lavish Lake Tahoe abode, and shared photos to Instagram.

'I got to revisit the amazing group of people who saved my life,' he captioned the post featured on his Instagram Story.

Renner - who suffered over 30 broken bones from the accident - was seen using a cane as he posed beside medical works in one of the hospital's visiting areas.

Just days earlier, he opened up about the weeks he spent in the ICU - which he compared to being in a 'haunted house' due to the sounds of other patient as well as the mixture of medications he was on.

He also told Jimmy Kimmel that he would be 'apologizing' to the nurses that had to deal with him in the early days of his recovery.

Giving thanks: Jeremy Renner paid a visit to the medical staff that 'saved his life' after he was crushed by a 14,000-pound snow plow on New Year's Day

He posted another photo showing him standing beside a surgeon that he captioned:, 'Thank you,' followed by a prayer hand emoji.

Dressed in gray sweatpants, a black puffer jacket and sneakers, Renner took a photo outside in front of the medical center's sign with four staff members.

Renner's chest crushed and his upper torso collapsed when he was pulled under and crushed by a seven-ton snow plow near his Lake Tahoe property just hours after ringing in the New Year.

He had been trying to pull his nephew's vehicle from the snow in his driveway when the horrifying incident occurred.

Renner was heard in agony in a 911 call following the accident, which resulted in him being airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he was initially listed in 'critical but stable condition.'

The Avengers star has been sharing updates on his condition and rehabilitation via social media, including a January 21 post showing him in physical therapy for his legs.

'Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years . Spawned from tragedy for my entire family, and quickly focused into uniting actionable love,' began the star.

'I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness for my family and I . Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30 plus broken bones will mend , grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens . Love and blessings to you all.'

Grateful: The actor posted another photo on Instagram showing him standing, with the help of a cane, alongside a surgeon that he captioned:, 'Thank you,' along with a hand prayer emoji

Humbled: Renner also went outside and posed outside in front of the medical center's sign with four other staff members

Scary: Renner had his chest crushed and his upper torso had collapsed when he was pulled under a seven-ton snowplow at his Lake Tahoe property just hours after the new year rang in

Brush with death: The Hollywood leading man shared a photo showing his bruised face, to go along with the more than 30 broken bones he suffered, a few days after the accident: 'Thank you all for your kind words. I'm too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all'

Updates: The Hurt Locker actor has been giving updates on his condition, including a photo of his rehabilitation in bed that was posted on Instagram January 21, three weeks after the mishap

Fast Forward nearly three months, and Renner looks to be in great shape in comparison to the initial images of him in hospital all bruised and bandaged up.

But Renner still has a long road to recovery ahead of him that will consist of extensive physical therapy.

Earlier this week, the Oscar nominee walked hand-in-hand with his 10-year-old daughter Ava Berlin Renner at the premiere of his Disney+ series mini-series Rennervations, which chronicles Renner helping charities by reconstructing decommissioned vehicles for new uses.

He also made his guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier in the week, which began with the actor doing a little dance with his cane as he made his way to his chair for the interview.

After the two joked about him being 'indestructible' and the host calling him the 'toughest Avenger', Renner shared about his experience in the hospital.

'I kept trying to get out of the hospital as soon as I was in it,' he excitedly told Kimmel with a big smile on his face.

'I'm like, "I'm out of here." I hate what I was wearing. It was gross,' he added, which got laughs from the live audience. 'It was terrible.'

When asked how long he was in the first hospital, the father of one seemed to look towards someone he knew in the audience and responded, 'I thought I was there a couple of days, but apparently I was there about a week, the first hospital, right?'

He then explained, 'There's two different ICUs. I got kicked out of the first one,' which he blamed, in part on the medications he had been receiving.

'First of all, look man, they put you on so many drugs. It [The hospital] was under construction sort of ICU. They weren't done yet with the ICU area when I got there. So they put me in like a janitors closet; it's like a VIP thing.'

By this time there were even more laughs coming from Kimmel and his studio audience.

Sense of humor: During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week, Renner and Kimmel joked about him being 'indestructible' and the host calling him the 'toughest Avenger'

The Modesto, California native laughed as he shared about his experience in the ICU just after the accident, comparing to a 'haunted house'

'They had no bathroom in it, and I'm like, The lights are flickering. And every one in here is moaning, like they're dying in the ICU. This is like a haunted house,' he joked of his time in the first ICU

Promise made: Eventually, Renner revealed he was 'going back to that hospital this week to apologize to every one of those nurses. Yes, I'm going to apologize'

Comeback: Earlier this week, the Avengers made his first red carpet appearance since his near-death accident for his documentary mini-series Rennervations, which he shared with his 10-year-old daughter Ava

On the mend: Renner continues to use a cane to help with his walking three months after the horrifying accident that nearly killed him

'They had no bathroom in it, and I'm like, the lights are flickering. And everyone in here is moaning, like they're dying in the ICU. This is like a haunted house,' he joked.

Showing off his acting skills, he added a play on words: 'It's called ICU,' and then proceeded to do a creepy monster-like voice, in a haunting tone with plenty of animation: 'I... see... you.,' that got even more laughs from the crowd.

Renner reiterated that it was 'creepy' and 'like a haunted house,' and that he 'wanted out of this place. I'm not going to get better here.'

Sounding far more serious, he then revealed his intention to go 'back to that hospital this week to apologize to every one of those nurses. Yes, I'm going to apologize.'
Sex/Life star Adam Demos has revisited that steamy nude scene showing his manhood on the hit Netflix series.

The Australian native, 37, spoke to The Daily Telegraph about the scene - saying it was a surprise it was such a viral moment.

'When you're shooting these things you don't think they're going to be a viral moment,' he told the publication.

The large appendage raised the suspicions of fans with many of them saying it must be a prosthetic - speculation which turned out to be correct.

'I don't even think TikTok was around or that popular, he continued.

Sex/Life actor Adam Demos, 37, has revealed the truth about THAT steamy scene on the show during an interview with The Daily Telegraph this week. (Pictured is the infamous nude shower scene that sent Netflix viewers wild)

'Then it becomes its own thing and everyone now knows it's a prosthetic. I think that was part of the intrigue.'

Adam finished by saying he had a good laugh over the good-humoured speculation, with his mates also finding it hilarious.

Elsewhere in the interview, Adam spoke about his relationship with co-star Sarah Shahi, who he met while filming the Netflix show.

'When you're shooting these things you don't think they're going to be a viral moment,' he told the publication. 'Then it becomes its own thing and everyone now knows it's a prosthetic. I think that was part of the intrigue.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Adam spoke about his relationship with Sarah Shahi, whom he met on Sex/Life. Both pictured

'I just fell in love with who she is and what she's about,' he said, adding: 'Her soul, the way she talks about her kids and her family and as a professional, too, I think she's one of the best actors ever. I learn a lot when I get to work with her.'

It comes after the actor, who plays Brad Simon in the hit series, sent pulses racing after he uploaded a half-naked bedroom selfie on his Instagram page last month, telling his over 1M followers 'it's naughty time'.

In the photo, he showed off his toned torso while holding up two sign of the horn hand gestures.

Adam Demos shared a steamy bedroom selfie last month to celebrate the second season of his Netflix series Sex/Life coming out

He captioned the racy snap: 'Happy f**ckin @sexlife season 2 day! (well here in the future aka Australia but soon everywhere else) its naughty time people.'

The plot is based around suburban mother-of-two Billie (Sarah) who is involved in a love triangle with her husband Cooper (Mike Vogel) and an old flame from her past, Brad (Adam).

The original series is based off BB Easton's novel 44 Chapters About 4 Men and the second series is now available to stream on Netflix.
Today show host Karl Stefanovic believes the breakfast TV scene is experiencing a change for the better.

The 48-year-old, who has served as the host of Nine's breakfast program for years, told The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday that the competitive media industry no longer has space for people with big egos.

'Back in the day, there were a few of them wandering around. But if you're an ego now, you are gone. It's just not happening,' he explained.

Karl, whose former co-hosts include Georgie Gardner and Lisa Wilkinson, also praised his current sidekick Sarah Abo, 37, for her good nature and journalistic prowess.

'The show has benefited in a tremendous way from having Sarah on it. We are people who try to get the right vibe and energy for a story and there's nothing better,' Karl gushed.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic, 48, (left) has claimed breakfast TV no longer has space for people with big 'egos'. (Pictured with co-host Sarah Abo, 37)

Sarah began hosting Today full-time in January, but had been a familiar face to viewers for some time while filling in for former co-anchor Ally Langdon last year.

Elsewhere in the interview, Karl was also asked to discuss his infamous Noosa melee with Michael Clarke, but declined with a 'no comment'.

Sarah was happy to briefly comment on the saga, however, telling the publication: 'There seems to be a real interest in the program because we're welcomed into people's households every single day.'

'Back in the day, there were a few of them wandering around. But if you're an ego now, you are gone. It's just not happening,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald this weekend

Sarah began hosting Today full-time in January, but had been a familiar face to viewers for some time while filling in for former co-anchor Ally Langdon last year

Elsewhere in the interview, Karl was also asked to discuss his infamous Noosa melee with Michael Clarke, but declined with a 'no comment'

Sarah was happy to briefly comment on the saga, however, telling the publication: 'There seems to be a real interest in the program because we're welcomed into people's households every single day, so it sort of comes with the territory that there'd be an interest in what Karl's up to in Noosa'

'So it sort of comes with the territory that there'd be an interest in what Karl's up to in Noosa,' she diplomatically added.

Footage surfaced earlier this year of Karl and his wife Jasmine attempting to break up a fight between Michael Clarke and his girlfriend, Jasmine's sister Jade Yarbrough, in the coastal town.

In the video, which was filmed by an onlooker on January 10 and later sold to The Daily Telegraph for a reported $10,000, Jade accused Clarke of cheating on her with his ex, fashion designer Pip Edwards, on December 17.

It has been revealed that Michael, 42, and Jade are no longer together - let alone on speaking terms - following the incident.
The Challenge winner Kiki Morris recently moved to Ibiza, Spain, to be with her new boyfriend Jorge Darek.

And the reality queen proved she's loving every minute of it as she posed in a tan bikini on the beach on Saturday.

Kiki, who rose to fame on the Bachelor franchise, flaunted her enviable curves in the bikini as she relaxed on wooden decking.

The star looked every inch the glamazon as she flaunted her endless trim pins and flat stomach in the skimpy swimsuit.

She later posed from behind sharing a photo of her peachy derriere.

The Challenge winner Kiki Morris, 35, (pictured) slipped into a very skimpy tan bikini as she posed in Ibiza on Saturday, after packing up and moving to the party island

Kiki made sure to keep the sun out of her face by wearing a wide-brim hat.

'Lio's mom needs a break,' she captioned the post, referring to her new kitten.

Kiki packed up her life and headed to Madrid last month where she debuted her new boyfriend, Jorge Darek.

She has shared numerous snippets from her new life including her new glamorous apartment in Ibiza.

Kiki, who rose to fame on the Bachelor franchise, flaunted her enviable curves in the bikini as she relaxed on wooden decking

Kiki packed up her life and headed to Madrid last month where she debuted her new boyfriend, Jorge Darek (left)

Kiki wrote in a post in February: 'It's not goodbye, it's see ya later. Last weekend in Sydney with my beautiful girls! Tomorrow is the day'

She wrote in a post in February: 'It's not goodbye, it's see ya later. Last weekend in Sydney with my beautiful girls! Tomorrow is the day.'

Morris quietly signed up to OnlyFans in December last year and has been selling raunchy photos and videos behind the paywall ever since.

The former Bachelor star invited her followers to subscribe to her page for free and hoped to secure a sale once on board.

'Hi guys, I am so excited to finally join you all here. I will be sharing with you what you want to see feature on my page so let me know what you want to see of me, Or just stop and say hi,' she wrote in her initial post.

Bachelor fans will remember Morris from Richie Strahan's season in 2016. She later starred in spin-off series Bachelor In Paradise.
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Keanu Reeves and girlfriend Alexandra Grant put on a loved-up display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 58-year-old John Wick star - who recently gushed about his lady - shared a sweet kiss with the 50-year-old visual artist as they arrived at the event.

Reeves, who first went public with Grant in 2019, was dressed in a black suit with a white button-up shirt.

For her part, Alexandra looked ravishing in a bright red dress with a floral pattern throughout for the couple's moment on the red carpet, which also saw them reunite with Keanu's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure co-star Alex Winter, 57, and his partner Ramsey Ann Naito.

Date night: Keanu Reeves and girlfriend Alexandra Grant put on a loved-up display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday

PDA: The 58-year-old John Wick star - who recently gushed about his lady - shared a sweet kiss with the 50-year-old visual artist as they arrived at the event

Keanu, who starred in 2022's DC League of Super-Pets, wore his long, dark hair loose and slightly disheveled.

He looked typically handsome with spots of white-gray hair in his fully-grown beard.

Alexandra complemented her longtime love as she styled her graying bob haircut in a side part with sideswept bangs.

She walked the carpet graciously, flaunting her statuesque frame in her statement-making frock.

The gown boasted a halter neck and ruffled detail and cinched at her trim waistline.

The number had a skirt that flowed out with stunning ruffles and was long enough that it covered her footwear.

The two kept close as they walked the step-and-repeat side-by-side.

Sweet: Keanu and Alexandra posed with Keanu's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure co-star Alex Winter, 57, and his partner Ramsey Ann Naito

Cult classic: Keanu and Alex are pictured in their 1989 movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Unabashed: The lovebirds didn't hold back from showing affection for each other

Dapper: Keanu, who first went public with Grant in 2019, was dressed in a black suit with a white button-up shirt

Dazzling: For her part, Alexandra looked ravishing in a bright red dress with a floral pattern throughout

Handsome: Keanu, who starred in 2022's DC League of Super-Pets, wore his long, dark hair loose and slightly disheveled

Cute: Alexandra complemented her longtime love as she styled her graying bob haircut in a side part with sideswept bangs

Ann, who married Alex in 2010, looked fashionable in a gold and black patterned dress.

Her raven-hued locks were parted down the middle as they fell over her chest in a straight style.

She donned a long gold chain necklace and wore a pair of square-shaped, black-framed eyeglasses.

The president of Paramount Animation made a statement with a bold red hue coated on her pout.

She carried a large gold handbag with a round handle and rounded out the outfit with a pair of black wedges with ribbon straps.

Her counterpart looked dapper in a dark suit that he wore with a floral patterned button-up shirt.

He added a pair of square-shaped, lightly-tinted eyeglasses and wore his short hair slightly tousled.

Fantastic: Ann, who married Alex in 2010, looked fashionable in a gold and black patterned dress

Duo: Actress Lisa Edelstein, 56, took the red carpet with husband Robert Russell, who is an artist

Actress Lisa Edelstein, 56, took the red carpet with husband Robert Russell, who is an artist.

She looked great in a plunging two-toned dress that boasted a pink top and cream-colored skirt.

The look was embellished with a space shuttle graphic across the front and golden sparkles.

She wore her brunette bob in tightly wound waves and a side part, showing off her effortlessly cool aesthetic.

Robert towered over her in a three-piece black suit that he teamed with a button-up black shirt.

His fine, long gray hair was parted down the middle and flowed over his shoulders in a straight look.

Iconic star: Actress Jodie Foster, 60, was all smiles as she attended the buzzy event in a black outfit

Night out: The longtime entertainer was accompanied by her wife of nine years, Alexandra Hedison, 53

Actress Jodie Foster, 60, was all smiles as she attended the buzzy event in a black outfit.

The longtime entertainer was accompanied by her wife of nine years, Alexandra Hedison, 53.

Jodie wore a button-up white shirt with a dipped front that bared her chest.

Her graying bob haircut was arranged in an off-center part and a sleek straight style that cropped at her chin.

Alexandra, a photographer, looked great in a draped green blouse that she wore underneath a baggy black blazer.

She carried a large black clutch and accessorized with a statement-making necklace with white and red tassels.

Eye-catching: American-Canadian actress Jennifer Tilly, 64, was unmissable in a purple dress with black sleeves

Photo-op: The quirky look also had a bright red belt that she tied around her waist and she wore black fishnet tights; pictured with Paul Robinson

Beauty: Samara Joy was showstopping in a gorgeous copper gown with long sleeves

Cheese: Catherine Opie and Oliver Obie posed for a snapshot

American-Canadian actress Jennifer Tilly, 64, was unmissable in a purple dress with black sleeves.

The quirky look also had a bright red belt that she tied around her waist and she wore black fishnet tights.

Jennifer wore her raven locks in a wispy bob situated with a side part.

Her red lipstick pulled the look together and she flashed a strapless black bra under her sheer bodice.
Ana de Armas looked incredible as she made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, along with another Spanish sensation, musical guest Karol G.

The Cuban-born actress, 34, began her opening monologue in Spanish, before quipping, 'Just kidding. I speak English. But I didn't when I first got to the U.S.' and joking she had learned the language by watching Friends on TV.

Ben Affleck's ex-girlfriend later fondly looked back at the time she worked with Robert de Niro, 79, and how he surprised her father by visiting him in Cuba.

The Blonde star stunned in a chic black leather dress that showed off her toned arms, and wore her brunette tresses cascading down in light curls.

It was also the first SNL appearance for Karol G, 32, who thrilled the audience with her hits Mientras Me Curo del Cora and Tus Gafitas, and also appeared in one of the skits alongside Ana.

Stunner: Ana de Armas looked incredible as she made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, where she joked about how she learned English by watching Friends

Funny: The Cuban-born actress, 34, began her opening monologue in Spanish, before quipping, 'Just kidding. I speak English. But I didn't when I first got to the U.S'

Icon: Ben Affleck's ex-girlfriend later fondly looked back at the time she worked with Robert de Niro, 79, and how he surprised her father by visiting him in Cuba; The duo pictured in 2016

Ana started out her monologue by opening up about her Cuban roots.

'I was born in Cuba, came to America when I was 26, and I learned English the way everyone who comes to this country does, by watching "Friends."'

'Who would have thought the best English tutor would have been Chandler Bing. Look at me now, could I be any better at English?' she said, mimicking Chandlers sarcastic tone.

The Deep Water star revealed that it's been a great year for her, and shared that she will become an official citizen of the United States in three weeks.

'This has been a magical year. Not only I was nominated for an Oscar, but in three weeks, I'm going to officially become an American citizen. I am proud to become a citizen because when I moved here, everyone was so welcoming.'

She then recalled working with Robert de Niro on Hands of Stone in 2016, and how he surprised her father one day while visiting Cuba.

'When I did my first movie in the U.S. I got to work with Robert de Niro, and one day on set, he told me, "I may be going to Cuba soon, and if I do, I'll say hello to your family."'

'He asked me for their phone number. I completely forgot about it, and one day I get a phone call from my dad, he's hysterical, and I go, "Dad, what's wrong?" and he goes, "Robert de Niro just came to visit me at work!"'

How she learned English: She started out her monologue by joking that she had actually learned English by watching Friends on TV

Sarcasm: 'Who would have thought the best English tutor would have been Chandler Bing. Look at me now, could I be any better at English?' she said mimicking Chandlers sarcastic tone

Sweet: She then discussed de Niro - with whom she worked on Hands of Stone in 2016 - and revealed the actor asked for her parents' phone number and said he was going to Cuba soon

What a visit! 'One day I get a phone call from my dad, he's hysterical, and I go, "Dad, what's wrong?" and he goes, "Robert de Niro just came to visit me at work!"'

Tres chic: The Blonde star stunned in a chic black leather dress that showed off her toned arms, and wore her brunette tresses cascading down in light curls

Citizen! The Deep Water star also revealed that it's been a great year for her, and shared that she will become an official citizen of the United States in three weeks

'That was such a kind gesture, and I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful actors. My dad was so proud of me, and he would be proud to see me today standing on this stage,' she added, before starting the show.

In the first skin Ana played a gorgeous game show participant named Carmen, who was on the show with her husband, Matt.

However the duo distracted the host - played by Kenan Thompson - and other participants, who thought Carmen was way out of her husband's league in terms of looks.

'I'm sorry. I have a bad ear for accents. Sounds like you said that Matt's your husband,' the host asked, confused.

'I did. We're married.'

The host then proceeded to find out that Matt was not wealthy and actually worked in the food industry.

'I'm a taste tester at purina dog chow,' Matt shared, further confusing everyone, who thought Carmen was with him for the money.

'He tries new dog foods to tell them if it's too, like, spicy. You know, because the dogs can talk,' Carmen responded.

Enlisting some help: Ana was joined by musical guest Karol G for one of the skits

Fluent: She played a Spanish-speaking student in a Spanish class, where she confused the teacher, Mikey Day, whose Spanish was not that advanced

Adios! Correction: Ana and her brother went on to correct the teacher multiple times, until he left to use the restroom

Native speakers! The actress was then joined by Karol, who rocked bright pink hair, as both of them decided to take over and teach the students themselves

Funny: In the first skin Ana played a gorgeous game show participant named Carmen, who was on the show with her husband, Matt

Out of his league: However the duo distracted the host - played by Kenan Thompson - and other participants, who thought Carmen was way out of her husband's league in terms of looks

Yikes: At one point Matt scratched his midriff, exposing his chest, which featured multiple nipples, as the shocked host continued to wonder why Carmen would ever be attracted to him

Doll: Ana kept the audience laughing while playing an American Girl Doll in a live action movie

Tragic: As all the dolls in the movie introduced themselves, they gave a tragically sad background stories

Sad fate for the dolls: As the film went on, two dolls ended up dying from tuberculosis

Matt then nervously scratched his midriff, exposing his chest, which featured multiple nipples, as the shocked host continued to wonder why Carmen would ever be attracted to him.

Ana kept the audience laughing while playing an American Girl Doll in a live action movie.

As all the dolls in the movie introduced themselves, they gave a tragically sad background stories.

'I'm from Victorian times. I watched my parents die in a boat,' one said.

'That's okay. My daddy's a prisoner of war, and tragically, I have glasses,' another one added.

'That's okay. My mama is dead, we buried her in the church graveyard,' Ana added.

'That's okay. I don't know my birthday because I'm a run away slave,' yet another one replied.

The narrator then compared the film to the new Barbie movie: 'Do they have pink corvettes? Nope, boyfriends, no way. Did all their family members die of vague old-timey diseases? Absolutely.'

Rap queen: Another skit saw the actress and her friend as they attempted to create a producer tag for a rap star called Young Spicy

Not getting it: But although Young Spicy wanted something 'sexy and cool' the girls kept saying unsexy things

Giving up: 'Ooh, young spicy, you stupid. Ooh, spicy can't read,' they sang, before the rapper completely gave up

SNL after party: The next skit saw the SNL writers discuss one of their afterparties, and wonder if some of them had too much to drink

Flashbacks: When Ana walked into the room, one of them had a flashback of their conversation, where she turned him down

Awkward: 'So like are your thoughts usually in Spanish or English?' he asked her in the flashback. 'Can you stop like yelling in my mouth?' she replied

As the film went on, two dolls ended up dying from tuberculosis.

Another skit saw the actress and her friend as they attempted to create a producer tag for a rap star called Young Spicy.

But although Young Spicy wanted something 'sexy and cool' the girls kept saying unsexy things.

'Ooh, young spicy, you stupid,' one sang.

'Ooh, spicy can't read,' another one added.

The frustrated rapper begged them to stop: 'Stop. Okay, ladies, I am begging you. Can y'all say something like, oh, the ladies love spicy?'

However the girls continued to say mildly uncomfortable things, until Spicy finally gave up and called it a day.

Continuing on with the laughs Ana played a Spanish-speaking student in a Spanish class, where she confused the teacher, Mikey Day, whose Spanish was not that advanced.

Guest: Ana then played a woman named Kelly, who was a guest at a wedding with some friends

Rowdy sister: She was seated next to her friend's sister, Lisa, who thought that Kelly was a lesbian hitting on her, and began to rambunctiously mix a salad while spilling everything

Bride's not happy: The bride then came over complaining: 'What happened? A piece of salmon hit my mother!'

Not a good sign: 'Why you over here talking to me? Dance, b****. Y'all see this, right? There is champagne all in the food, vegetables everywhere. That marriage is doomed,' Lisa quipped

Ana and her brother went on to correct the teacher multiple times, until he left to use the restroom.

The actress was then joined by Karol G who rocked bright pink hair, as both of them decided to take over and teach the students themselves.

The next skit saw the SNL writers discuss one of their afterparties, and wonder if some of them had too much to drink.

When Ana walked into the room, one of them had a flashback of their conversation, where she turned him down.

'So like are your thoughts usually in Spanish or English?' he asked her in the flashback.

'Can you stop like yelling in my mouth?' she replied.

'You're hilarious,' he said.

'Seriously, you smell like you have a dead tooth,' she quipped back.

Dog acting school: Ana then played a teacher on an acting school for dogs.'Our instructors are ready to handle every aspect of your dog's career from social media to head shots'

Four-legged scandals: 'And we can even cover up embarrassing scandals. Like if your dog is stinky and gets caught hooking up with a cat,' Ana and another teacher joked

Yikes! In her last skit Ana played the girlfriend of a man who held the Guinness World Record for the 'world's longer fingernails'

No fun: ''What about me, Gregg? Where is my certificate? I deserve the Guinness World Record for wiping your butt for 12 years!' she complained while they visited a nail salon

Ana then played a woman named Kelly, who was a guest at a wedding with some friends.

She was seated next to her friend's sister, Lisa, who thought that Kelly was a lesbian who was hitting on her, and began to rambunctiously mix a salad while spilling everything around her.

The bride then came over complaining: 'What happened? A piece of salmon hit my mother!'

'Why you over here talking to me? Dance, b****. Y'all see this, right? There is champagne all in the food, vegetables everywhere. That marriage is doomed,' Lisa quipped.

Ana then played a teacher on an acting school for dogs.

'Our instructors are ready to handle every aspect of your dog's career from social media to head shots.'

'And we can even cover up embarrassing scandals. Yeah. Like if your dog is stinky and gets caught hooking up with a cat,' Ana and another teacher joked.

In her last skit Ana played the girlfriend of a man who held the Guinness World Record for the 'world's longer fingernails.'

Wow! Karol G, 32, later took the stage to perform on the SNL stage for the first time, and flashed the flesh in a beige dress with a front cut-out that showed off her toned midriff

Thrilling: The MAMIII hitmaker performed Mientras Me Curo del Cora for the thrilled audience

Think pink: She rocked vivid pink hair

'What about me, Gregg? Where is my certificate? I deserve the Guinness World Record for wiping your butt for 12 years!' she complained while they visited a nail salon.

'You act like I've never tried to wipe myself. I did once and almost died,' he replied.

'You promised me! You promised me you were going to cut your nails, learn Wonderwall on the guitar, and do hand stuff to me for the first time.'

Despite having a fight and Gregg leaving, he later returned after having finally cut his nails.

Karol G later took the stage to perform, and flashed the flesh in a beige dress with a front cut-out that showed off her toned midriff.

The MAMIII hitmaker performed Mientras Me Curo del Cora for the thrilled audience.

She later returned after a quick outfit change to perform Tus Gafitas.

Karol showed off her incredible physique once more, donning a black leather spiked top and matching skirt.

Mami! Outfit change: She later returned after a quick outfit change to perform Tus Gafitas

Racy: Karol showed off her incredible physique once more, donning a black leather spiked top and matching skirt

Giving it her all! She immersed herself into the performance while flexing her vocals
New Zealand Rural Land Company Limited (NZX.NZL) is pleased to advise that it has today completed the acquisition of the forestry estate announced to the market on 21 October 2022.

Under the transaction 100% of a forestry estate located in the Manawatu-Whanganui region in the North Island has been acquired. The estate comprises of five individual properties with a total area of approximately 2,400 hectares. NZLs cost to acquire the estate was approximately $63m. The estate is leased to New Zealand Forest Leasing (NZFL) for a 20-year term with the first years payment being approximately $5m. The lease then has annual CPI-linked rental adjustments.

The purchase has been funded using a combination of debt and equity. Debt has been provided through an increase in borrowings from Rabobank of $25.2m. The borrowings are in the form of a green loan established within a Green Financing Framework managed and reported on, in line with the Asia Pacific Loan Market Associations Green Loan Principles.

The equity component has been funded from the proceeds of NZLs recent accelerated renounceable entitlement offer and from the proceeds of a $12m convertible note issued to an entity associated with NZFL. As noted in previous market announcements, NZFL and NZL had agreed for NZFL to subscribe for a direct shareholding in the estate and contribute up to $18m towards the purchase price of the estate. This has been adjusted to a convertible note structure to facilitate NZL owning 100% of the estate and, NZLs intention to repay the note during its term (in preference to diluting its equity ownership of the estate should conversion of the note occur).

The note is unsecured and pays a coupon of 8% p.a and NZL can redeem any part of the note at any time without penalty. At 12 months, NZL must start partially redeeming the note on a quarterly basis. NZL will also make note redemptions from the net proceeds of any capital raisings it may undertake during the term of the note or from the net proceeds (post any required debt repayment) of asset disposals. The note matures after 18 months and at that point the note may convert to ordinary shares in the forest owning subsidiary. Should conversion occur, there are then put and call arrangements to enable NZL to return to 100% ownership of the forests.

For further information please contact:

Richard Milsom - Director, NZRLM or

Mobile: 021 274 2476

Email: richard@nzrlm.co.nz

Christopher Swasbrook - Director, NZRLC

Mobile: 021 928 262

Email: chris@nzrlc.co.nz

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Offset is paying tribute to his late cousin and Migos collaborator Takeoff in a way that will last forever.

On Saturday, the rapper took to Instagram and unveiled his new portrait tattoo of Takeoff (born Kirsnick Khari Ball) that covers his entire back, five months after his death.

'Love you 4L & after,' Offset, 31, wrote in the caption, alongside two photos that give his 21.4 million fans and followers a couple of different angles of the intricate body ink.

The first picture shows a shirtless Offset standing with his back to the camera but slightly to his side, which gives a partial view of his two large necklaces and his dreaded braids that are falling down in front of him.

The tattoo features Takeoff from the chest on up to his face, wearing several gold chains, a frame that goes around his head and shoulders and a rocket and a planet.

Lifetime honor: Offset, 31, paid tribute to his late cousin and Migos collaborator Takeoff with a massive portrait tattoo that covers his entire back

There's also a third photo that the grieving rapper posted on his Instagram Stories that had him posing directly in front of the camera, giving the best view of the artistry.

Before laying down for his latest ink, Offset (born Kiari Kendrell Cephus) reportedly had 36 tattoos, including several on his face and neck, to go along with the artwork he has in more traditional places like his arms and legs, according to Body Art Guru.

He's even got his wife Cardi B's name etched on his neck; the word 'blessed' over his right eyebrow; and his daughter's name 'Kulture' across his left jawline, among many others.

This appears to be the first time Offset has honored his late cousin with an artistic salute.

Takeoff was one of three people who were shot outside of a bowling alley in Downtown Houston, Texas on November 1, 2022.

Police say at least two people fired shots following a dispute over a game of dice, NPR is reporting, and that Takeoff was not involved and was 'an innocent bystander.'

The two other victims, a man and a woman, suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators have made two arrests. Cameron Joshua, 22, was picked up on November 22 and charged with the unlawful carrying of a weapon. And then in early December, Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, was arrested and charged with murder.

Massive: Offset posed shirtless for a couple of other photos with different angles

Intricate ink: The tattoo features Takeoff from the chest on up to his face, wearing several gold chains, a frame that goes around his head and shoulders and a rocket and a planet

The investigation: Police have made two arrests in connection to Takeoff's killing, in which he was determined to be an innocent bystander; Migos members Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff are seen in September 2019

Police revealed they relied on video surveillance and cell phone audio and video to find one of the suspects. They also used physical evidence, shooting reconstruction and ballistic evidence to help finger Clark as the 'lethal shooter in the case,' according to another report by CNN.

Two weeks after his tragic death, Offset shared an emotional letter on Instagram, where he expressed his disbelief and sadness over his senseless shooting and death at the age of just 28.

'Dear Take, doesn't feel real posting you like this., he began in the caption. 'This still doesnt feel like reality. I've been searching for the right words to say, but there aren't any that will suffice. Until we meet again, Rest In Power. I love you.'

He got even more heart-wrenching In the letter to his cousin.

'The pain you have left me with is unbearable. My heart is shattered and I have so many things to say, but I can't find the words. I've been going to sleep and hoping that all of this is a dream, but it's reality, and reality feels like a nightmare,' he wrote, before noting about how they would share a 'hug' instead of a more casual 'dap' whenever they saw each other.

He then wished for one last hug; one last laugh; one more smoke; and one more performance together.

Heartbreaking: The grieving rapper shared an emotional letter to his fallen cousin two weeks after he was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas

Family: The member sof Migos - Takeof (left), Quavo and Offset - are all related and grew up together in suburban Atlanta; they are seen at BET Awards in June 2021 in Los Angeles

'I hope you can see how much we love you and miss you. You have left a hole in my heart that will never be filled.'

Offset ended by asking for 'strength' for himself and Takeoff's family.

'Even though I know you will always be with us, throw me a lil sign or a beautiful dream," concluded Offset's letter. "I love you forever, 4L and after.'

Founded in 2008 in their hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Migos also features Quavo, who's also related to Takeoff and Offset, They released four studio albums between 2015 and 2021, along with on EP and 12 mixtapes.
Tara Moss is engaged in a legal battle with a surgeon who operated on her hip six years ago, claiming their 'negligence' has now forced her into a wheelchair.

The model-turned-author, 49, is arguing the surgery caused years of 'agonising pain, loss of work and left her using a walking stick', reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

The British Columbian native's lawyers allege this is due to Blue Mountains doctor Chris Coghill failing to properly diagnose a right labral tear in her hip in 2016 - Coghill has rejected the claim.

'The defendant says if any damages were suffered by the plaintiff as alleged, which is denied, they were caused or contributed to by (her) own negligence,' the defense has claimed.

Both teams met for a mediation session on Friday to see if they could reach a settlement.

Tara Moss, 49, (pictured) is engaged in a legal battle with a surgeon who operated on her hip six years ago, claiming their 'negligence' has now forced her into a wheelchair

They will head to court in May for a planned six-week trial if no agreement can be reached.

Moss recently submitted a substantial 'evidentiary statement' to support her case, which includes about 80 pages of social media content.

Tara has been open about her struggle with pain over recent years, documenting her use of a cane and wheelchair on Instagram.

And back in 2021, the model gave a tell-all interview where she revealed that being in constant pain has changed the way her brain works.

The raven-haired beauty told Body and Soul magazine: 'I've come to learn that chronic pain is really neuroplasticity  brain changes  gone wrong.

The model-turned-author is arguing the surgery caused years of 'agonising pain, loss of work and left her using a walking stick', reports The Sydney Morning Herald

Tara has been open about her struggle with pain over recent years, documenting her use of a cane and wheelchair on Instagram

'Now I want to use the brain's adaptability to work in my favour, and retrain it not to be so loud and vocal about my pain'.

Elsewhere in the interview, the author was critical of the lack of accessible spaces for disabled people.

Tara began modelling at the age 14, before turning her attentions to writing, publishing her first novel, Fetish, in 1999.

She is now a bestselling author who has published 13 books in 18 countries and 13 languages around the world, and is considered one of Australia's best crime novelists.

The former model lives in the Blue Mountains with her Australian poet husband Berndt Sellheim and their 12-year-old daughter Sapphira.
Masterchef star Khanh Ong recently underwent a life changing experience  a hair transplant.

After feeling self-conscious and struggling with his hair loss for years, the reality television star, 29, is now feeling like he's a completely new person.

Before and after photos show Khan smiling ear to ear as he revealed his new hairline after just nine months.

Opting for a natural hairline, Khan decided to get 7,500 grafts of hair.

Hair grafts are extracted in follicular units comprising of 1-4 hairs through a follicular unit extraction (FUE) method.

Masterchef star Khanh Ong has revealed that he feels like a 'completely new person' after getting life-changing hair transplant nine months ago. Pictured before and after

A hair transplant in Australia can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the extent of the hair loss and the type of procedure you have.

During a candid Q&A session with his followers on social media, Khan explained his decision-making process in choosing a clinic and the type of procedure he wanted.

He said, 'I went to a couple of places and they were very like, this is what needs to be done in this amount of time. You have to shave your head for us to do it in the like appropriate amount of time. So I was like, no, well, like this is not like a motorbike service.'

Before and after photos show Khan smiling ear to ear as he reveals his new hairline after just nine months. (Pictured left before transplant and right after transplant)

Opting for a natural hairline, Khan decided to get 7,500 grafts of hair. (Pictured on MasterChef)

The popular chef eventually chose Brisbane-based Gro Clinics, an Australian clinic recommended by a friend, because they listened to his concerns and worked with him to create a plan tailored to his specific needs.

'They were like listening to like my issues, what I needed, what I wanted to happen, and they negotiated and they helped plan my kind of like hair thing, which is better,' he shared.

The cost of the procedure was not insignificant, with Ong revealing that it started around $10,000, but eventually doubled as he wanted to keep his hair on top and add more volume.

During a candid Q&A session with his followers on social media, Khan explained his decision-making process in choosing a clinic and the type of procedure he wanted

He emphasised that this was a personal investment for his lifetime and chose to stay in Australia - rather than go to Turkey, where he can get it for a fraction of the price - for the procedure to have easy access to the clinic if any concerns arose.

In terms of post-operative experience, Ong was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pain he encountered.

He said, 'I really thought that I would be in some sort of pain, but I'm not. I'm having really a lot of fun and I feel fine... It's no worse than getting a tattoo.'
Carrie Bickmore has shared a sweet tribute to her mother on the day of her retirement.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, the former star of The Project spoke fondly of her mum, Jennie Bickmore-Brand, who was a a lecturer at Curtin University, Perth.

The mother and daughter posed side by side in photos shared to the social media platform, cuddling up close, with the family resemblance evident.

'My amazing mama has just retired (I think shell back) after 50 years contribution to education,' Carrie, 42, wrote.

'Mum you are a trailblazer, an inspiration, a shining star. You did it all while raising kids, living and loving hard and all with a soft touch and huge smile.

Carrie Bickmore has shared a sweet tribute to her mother on the day of her retirement. In an Instagram post on Sunday, the former star of The Project spoke fondly of her mum, Jennie Bickmore-Brand, who was a a lecturer at Curtin University, Perth. Both pictured

She concluded: 'Enjoy the next chapter whatever it may hold '.

It comes after the television and radio host split with her partner Chris Walker in January.

She has since '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 the mother-of-three's side in January when she confirmed her split, 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 her last day on The Project last November, Tommy also treated the blonde bombshell to a private helicopter ride across Melbourne.

'My amazing mama has just retired (I think shell back) after 50 years contribution to education,' Carrie, 42, wrote. 'Mum you are a trailblazer, an inspiration, a shining star. You did it all while raising kids, living and loving hard and all with a soft touch and huge smile'

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.

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.

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.
Britain's Got Talent has been plunged into a fix row already as one hopeful from Saturday's series premiere was revealed to have tried his luck on the franchise before.

Ichikawa Koikuchi, 42, whose routine saw him blow out candles, set off a party horn and pop a balloon with his own farts, auditioned for the Asian version of the show in 2019, as well as the French one in 2022.

Despite his cringe-worthy performance, the Japan-native was given three yeses from the judges and sent through to the next round.

Coincidentally, he was also sent through the initial stage on Asia and France's Got Talent, but didn't make it very far after that.

While new judge Bruno Tonioli described the act as 'torture', the other three panellists saw the funny side.

Uh-oh: Britain's Got Talent has been plunged into a fix row already as one hopeful from Saturday's series premiere was revealed to have tried his luck on the franchise before

Done it before: Ichikawa Koikuchi, 42, whose routine saw him blow out candles and a set off a party horn with his own farts, auditioned for the Asian version of the show in 2019

Again?! He also appeared on the French one in 2022

Head judge Simon Cowell even joined Ichikawa on stage for the final trick while Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden burst into laughter.

Another wacky auditionee left viewers disgusted as the talent show returned on Saturday night.

Mikko Rautiainen took to the stage in a bright pink suit, telling the judging panel he had high hopes of having his own show in Las Vegas.

However, things took a unique turn when he took a recorder and stuck it up his nose to play a number of tunes, prompting many viewers to take to Twitter to expressed their revulsion.

One person declared: 'Urgh he's putting the recorder up his nose that's disgusting.'

While another person wrote: 'Putting the recorder up your nose how disgusting!!!'

Another astounded viewer tweeted: 'Shoved the recorder up his nose for crying out loud.'

'Okay yeah i've seen it all now, playing the recorder with his nose. Aha nah i can't cope,' remarked someone else.

Why? Despite his cringe-worthy performance, the Japan-native was given three yeses from the judges and sent through to the next round

Disgusted: Despite his cringe-worthy performance, the Japan-native was given three yeses from the judges and sent through to the next round

Disbelief: Head judge Simon Cowell even joined Ichikawa on stage for the final trick while Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden burst into laughter

OMG: Simon covered his mouth as he couldn't believe what he was seeing

One other person posted: 'How is playing the recorder through your nose a talent?! #BGT.'

Someone else posted: 'Don't really think sticking a Recorder up your nose, is talent #BGT #BGT2023.'

While someone else shared: 'A Finnish man with a beautiful pink jacket playing a recorder thats shoved up his nose whilst saying he can play a trumpet with his other hole is peak saturday night telly #BGT.'

It comes after head judge Simon revealed he 'wasn't involved' in David Walliams' decision to leave the Britain's Got Talent judging panel.

Breaking his silence on the comedian's exit, the TV mogul admitted he'd 'never condone' his sexual remarks towards other contestants, for which he apologised before stepping down from the show.

Simon added that despite being an executive producer and judge on the show, talks surrounding David's exit involved other producers who were more 'hands-on',

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'I didn't really get involved in the decision. From what I understand, he decided to take a step back.

'We did say to the two producers, ''You have to make the final decision''because, yeah, I am an exec producer, but they're more hands on.'

Same old: Ichikawa also pops a balloon with his own farts in his very well-rehearsed routine

Wacky: He is pictured on France's Got Talent performing the same routine

Simon added that for much of his time on BGT, David was 'very respectful and emotional' about other contestants.

But he continued: 'We had a conversation. But you know, he owned what he said, he wasn't proud of what he said. This is not something that I would ever condone.'

David decided to leave Britain's Got Talent after he was forced to apologise for describing an elderly contestant as a 'c***' and making vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part.

The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up on the programme's microphones and revealed in December 2022.

During the audition, an older performer engaged in banter with the judges in which he made a jibe about Walliams. After the audition, the pensioner left, at which point Walliams is said to have called him a 'c***' three times.

Another instance occurred after a female contestant auditioning on the same show had walked off stage.

David remarked: 'She's like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don't It's the last thing on your mind, but she's like, 'Yep, I bet you do!' '

A source told The Sun: 'He hasn't taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.

Debut: Ichikawa first showed off his windy talents on Asia's Got Talent in 2019

Hilarious: One judge broke out into fits of giggles at his routine

Why? He was also sent through the initial stage on Asia and France 's Got Talent, but didn't make it very far after that

'David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.

'His team have quietly been having conversations over the past few days where it has been made clear that David is readying himself to step down  and then producers will start to think about who might replace him.'

'No I don't! I had a bit of a b***r, but now it's going, it's now shrivelled up inside my body.'

Sources close to BGT had said that David's return was 'very much under threat' and he was 'under the microscope', with some senior staff saying that he should be immediately axed.

In a statement to The Guardian, the Little Britain star said: 'I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain's Got Talent in 2020.

'These were private conversations and - like most conversations with friends - were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.'

A spokesman for ITV said: 'We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations and we have spoken to the producers of Britain's Got Talent.

'Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners.'
ITV is reportedly set to send celebrities into space for a new reality TV series called Stars in Mars.

Contestants on the show will dress up as astronauts in spacesuits and live in a space station simulation of the red planet - and they will have to withstand the harsh conditions of living in a spacecraft.

The extreme environments of space will mean the stars will live in microgravity and learn how to complete everyday tasks like eating, drinking, exercising and sleeping while floating in a makeshift orbiter.

According to The Sun, an insider has detailed that Stars In Mars is currently being pre-produced by Britain's Got Talent creators Thames TV and will reach our screens by next year.

Celebrities will face challenges and be competing against each other, similar to the bushtucker trials of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in the hopes of being crowned the 'brightest star in the galaxy'.

New: ITV is reportedly set to send celebrities into space for a new reality TV series called Stars in Mars. Contestants on the show will dress up as astronauts in spacesuits and live in a space station simulation of the red planet - and they will have to withstand the harsh conditions of living in a spacecraft (file photo)

Trials: Celebrities will face challenges and be competing against each other, similar to the bushtucker trials of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in the hopes of being crowned the 'brightest star in the galaxy' (pictured, campmates in the I'm A Celeb jungle last November)

The source said: 'This show is zany and different  audiences haven't seen anything like it before. It will be a challenge and some will struggle with the conditions.

'The celebs will live, sleep and eat together  and those who don't cut the mustard will get voted off.

'Talent bosses are currently floating ideas for a presenter and celebs to take part.'

Their endurance will really be tested - The European Space Agency describes space as 'one of the most extreme environments imaginable'.

Although it is understood that the celebrities will only be in a simulation of the spacecraft, their time is likely to only be made more difficult by being pitted against one another in trials and tests thrown in throughout the series.

To make matters more exciting, the celebs will also face public votes which will reveal some of the favourites in the special bunch.

The publication reports that a US version of the series is set to air on Fox this June, while the UK's will be next year.

Star Trek actor William Shatner is understood to be taking part in the Fox series across the pond in just a few months time.
Britian's Got Talent returned to ITV on Saturday and while filming in Manchester hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly lost the judges while exploring the Coronation Street set.

The presenters were seen wondering around the cobbles as Dec admitted he was tracking Simon Cowell's phone.

The duo bumped into Corrie's Sally Metcalfe who looked rather shocked, Ant said: 'Ant McPartlin, former rapper, current TV host and two time rear of the year award.'

Dec quickly butted in to say he was only 'runner up' but Sally didn't seem to take much notice as she told him he was 'standing on her foot' and walked off.

The clip cut to see judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all sat around a small square table at Roy's Rolls cafe.

Oh dear: Britian's Got Talent returned to ITV on Saturday and while filming in Manchester hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly lost the judges while exploring the Coronation Street set

Lost: The presenters were seen wondering around the cobbles as Dec admitted he was tracking Simon Cowell's phone

Dressed in their finery, Amanda looked incredible in a bold red figure hugging dress and pulled her long blonde tresses up in a neat high ponytail.

Alesha stunned in a pink number and slicked her dark locks back into a stylish up-do while Bruno cut a dapper figure in a black leather jacket.

Meanwhile, Simon rocked his usual round neck dark jumper as he ordered his 'usual' with Shona Platt behind the counter.

Shonda later brought over a plate of toast and spaghetti letters with just the letters 'BGT', Simon said: 'Just how I like it'.

Meanwhile, Ant and Dec were spotted outside the famous Rovers pub as they bump into Kirk Sutherland exiting.

The pair asked if the 'BGT judges were inside' but Kirk looked shocked and replied: 'Are you having a laugh next you'd be telling me Ant and Dec are coming.

'And anyway where are your parents, children shouldn't be hanging around the pub'.

The ITV presenters continued to walk around the cobbles and and spotted 'Simon Cowell's Rolls Royce outside Roy's Rolls', and laughed to themselves over the tongue twister.

Accident: The duo bumped into Corrie's Sally Metcalfe who looked rather shocked as Ant stood on her foot

'Just how I like it': Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all sat around a small square table at Roy's Rolls cafe as Simon ordered his 'usual'

'Are you having a laugh': Meanwhile, Ant and Dec were spotted outside the famous Rovers pub as they bump into Kirk Sutherland exiting and asked if he had seen the BGT judges

Joking around: The ITV presenters continued to walk around the cobbles and and spotted 'Simon Cowell's Rolls Royce outside Roy's Rolls', and laughed to themselves over the tongue twister

'They are very bossy': The presenters bursted through the door of the cafe finding Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno they told them: 'We are late for auditions, lets go, go, go!'

Beaming Ant and Dec said: 'Hang on, are we on Coronation Street!'

The fun video headed back inside to the judges as Shonda asked: 'How was your food Simon'.

Looking serious, he said: 'I didn't like it, I loved it'.

Just as Ant and Dec burst through the door of the cafe finding Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno they told them: 'We are late for auditions, lets go, go, go!'

Still sitting and enjoying their food, Bruno joked: 'They are very bossy, I love it'.
Dame Emma Thompson and husband Greg Wise enjoyed a romantic trip to Venice, Italy during their Easter holidays recently.

The actress, 63, who has been in a relationship with actor Wise, 56 , since they met on the set of Sense And Sensibility in 1995, appeared to be enjoying some well deserved time off work.

The couple enjoyed the sights as well as a spot of retail therapy at the swanky Pot-Pourri Boutique.

Emma looked effortlessly stylish on the outing in a brown wool blazer which she layered over colour coordinating dungarees.

The Oscar winning actress completed the look with a crisp white shirt and wore her silver locks loose.

Getaway: Dame Emma Thompson, 63, and husband Greg Wise, 56, enjoyed a romantic trip to Venice, Italy during their Easter holidays

Style: Emma looked effortlessly stylish on the outing in a brown wool blazer which she layered over colour coordinating dungarees

Meanwhile, Greg cut a casual figure in an electric blue raincoat, jeans and a pair of Nike trainers.

Emma has been happily married to her second husband Greg for 20 years.

Despite their wedded bliss, however, she has described romantic love as a 'myth' that can be quite 'dangerous'.

The Love Actually star said that people should think 'sensibly' about love and how to nurture it.

'It's philosophically helpful and uplifting to remember that romantic love is a myth and quite dangerous,' she told the Radio Times.

'We really do have to take it with a massive pinch of salt. To think sensibly about love and the way it can grow is essential.

'Long-term relationships are hugely difficult and complicated. If anyone thinks that happy ever after has a place in our lives, forget it.'

Emma stars in new rom-com What's Love Got to Do With It? , co-starring Lily James and Shazad Latif, which explores arranged marriages.

Fun in the sun: The couple enjoyed the sights as well as a spot of retail therapy at the swanky Pot-Pourri Boutique

loved up: Emma has been happily married to her second husband Greg for 20 years (pictured together earlier this year)

The Oscar-winning actress has had her fair share of heartbreak in the past following her very public break-up with first husband, Sir Kenneth Branagh.

The pair wed in 1989 and were the British acting scene's golden couple until Sir Kenneth had an affair with Helena Bonham Carter while directing her in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Dame Emma and Sir Kenneth, 62, divorced in 1995 and he continued to date Miss Bonham Carter until 1999.

Dame Emma said she drew on her real-life heartbreak while playing her Love Actually character, who is betrayed by her husband played by Alan Rickman.

Former flame: The Oscar-winning actress has had her fair share of heartbreak in the past following her very public break-up with first husband, Sir Kenneth Branagh (pictured together in 1994)

'That scene where my character is standing by the bed crying is so well known because it's something everyone's been through,' she said in an interview in 2018.

Dame Emma has also admitted she still struggles with the 'pressure' of awards ceremonies. 'Both times I had to do the Oscars I got seriously ill. I found the pressure and glare of it too much,' she said.

'It's astonishing  and then afterwards you want to lie down in a dark room. You think, "Please don't ask me any questions or make me talk about myself".'
Martin Freeman made a rare public appearance with girlfriend Rachel Mariam on Sunday.

The Sherlock actor, 51, and the French actress, 29, held hands as they enjoyed a romantic stroll around Hampstead.

Martin looked edgy in a blue and green patterned jacket, beige shirt and dark jeans for the low-key outing.

His girlfriend, who he has been dating for two years, looked summery in a yellow crop top, black shirt and high-waisted trousers.

She accessorised with shades and wore her dark tresses in a curly style while opting for a natural and dewy makeup look.

Together: Martin Freeman made a rare public appearance with girlfriend Rachel Mariam on Sunday

Love: The Sherlock actor, 51, and the French actress, 29, held hands as they enjoyed a romantic stroll around Hampstead

Outfit: Martin looked edgy in a blue and green patterned jacket, beige shirt and dark jeans for the low-key outing

Martina and Rachel - who starred in hit BBC Three series Normal People - were getting some light exercise and fresh air as they walked around the fancy north London area and visited a book shop.

Watch Normal People available now only on Stan.

Martin shares two teenage children Joe, 16, and Grace, 14, with ex-partner Amanda Abbington, 48.

The actor co-parents his two children with ex Amanda, following their split in 2016 after 16 years together.

The couple went public with their romance in 2021, when they graced the red carpet at the Raindance Film Festival Opening Night gala screening of Best Sellers at The Dorchester just months after Amanda discussed their split.

Speaking about the impact the split would have on their kids, she said in April: 'I think it's unsettling if I pretend I'm this Stepford Wife parent...

'Nobody is. I'm sure I've given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point.

'That's what I am striving for and what Martin strives for as well  to create a place where they're not hiding anything.'

Martin previously made the surprise revelation that he'd previously smacked his two children and called them 'little f*****s'.

Fashion: His girlfriend, who he has been dating for two years, looked summery in a yellow crop top, black shirt and high-waisted trousers

Walk: Martina and Rachel - who starred in hit BBC Three series Normal People - were getting some light exercise

Stroll: She accessorised with shades and wore her dark tresses in a curly style while opting for a natural and dewy makeup look

Out and about: They were getting some light exercise and fresh air as they walked around the fancy north London area and visited a book shop

Family: Martin shares two teenage children Joe, 16, and Grace, 14, with ex-partner Amanda Abbington, 48

Over: The actor co-parents his two children with ex Amanda, following their split in 2016 after 16 years together

Sweet: The couple went public with their romance in 2021, when they graced the red carpet at the Raindance Film Festival Opening Night

Oh no: Martin previously made the surprise revelation that he'd previously smacked his two children and called them 'little f*****s'

Father: Speaking during the promotional tour for his new series Breeders, the Hobbit star admitted that he'd physically punished his children on two occasions

What? 'I know I'm not supposed to do it, but there are so many images about how (parenting) all just has to be brilliant that it makes people feel bad,' he said in an interview with The Sunday Times

He added: 'Because it's not brilliant. I mean, it is - it's the best thing I'll do. But that doesn't mean it's not really hard. This idea you only ever rationalise with a toddler?'

Martin continued: 'Genuinely, good luck. If you could do that, God go with you. 'Amazing. I'm not proud I did that, but I have. I don't think it's a policy. And I'll do it again!'

Out and about: They were enjoying a lovely stroll around the north London area of Hampstead

Nice weather: Martin also wore shades to sheild his eyes from the sun

Speaking during the promotional tour for his new series Breeders, the Hobbit star admitted that he'd physically punished his children on two occasions, despite then-partner Amanda banning smacking in the house.

'I know I'm not supposed to do it, but there are so many images about how (parenting) all just has to be brilliant that it makes people feel bad,' he said in a candid interview with The Sunday Times.

'Because it's not brilliant. I mean, it is - it's the best thing I'll do. But that doesn't mean it's not really hard. This idea you only ever rationalise with a toddler?'

'Genuinely, good luck. If you could do that, God go with you.

'Amazing. I'm not proud I did that, but I have. I don't think it's a policy. And I'll do it again!'
A children's singing and dancing group burst into tears on Sunday night's episode of Britain's Got Talent after getting thought to the next round.

The Pixiebelles received four yeses after they performed their rendition of Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast.

The boys and girls from Manchester, were aged six to nine, and dressed as characters out of the popular Disney film.

They performed an incredible routine and the judges were blown away, with new judge Bruno Tonioli saying: 'That's a yes!'

All the judges sent them through to the next round and the kids all became emotional as they excitedly celebrated.

Wow! A children's singing and dancing group burst into tears on Sunday night's episode of Britain's Got Talent after getting thought to the next round

Through! The Pixiebelles received four yeses after they performed their rendition of Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast

And viewers at home were equally impressed by the performance, taking to Twitter to praise the group.

One said: 'Well those kids who sang be our guest gave a fantastic performance on #BGT tonight'.

Another echoed: 'those kids are absolutely adorable doing Beauty and the Beast! So sweet! #BGT'.

A third added: 'i thought they were just gonna dance they PERFORMED! that was great!!'

A fourth admitted: 'I admit, even my cold cynical heart thinks this is cute and above average for the usual kids acts on #bgt'

And a fifth tweeted: 'This is so lovely. Got me smiling'.

Performance: The boys and girls from Manchester, were aged six to nine, and dressed as characters out of the popular Disney film

Sensational: They performed an incredible routine and the judges were blown away, with new judge Bruno Tonioli saying: 'That's a yes!

Praise: And viewers at home were equally impressed by the performance, taking to Twitter to praise the group

It comes after Britain's Got Talent viewers were left 'obsessed' by the show's Coronation Street themed intr.

While filming in Manchester hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly lost the judges as they explored the soap's famous set.

Bumping into a whole host of famous faces they later found Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno at Roy's Rolls cafe.

Racing to Twitter one viewer jokingly asked if Weatherfield's serial killer Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) will choose one of the judges as his next victim.

While another viewer, loving the hysterical sketch, wrote: 'That Corrie sketch was brilliant!'.

Loving it: Britain's Got Talent viewers were left 'obsessed' by the show's Coronation Street themed intro on Sunday

Drama: Racing to Twitter one viewer jokingly asked if Weatherfield's serial killer Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce, pictured) will choose one of the judges as his next victim

The sketch saw the presenters were seen wondering around the cobbles as Dec admitted he was tracking Simon Cowell's phone.

The duo bumped into Corrie's Sally Metcalfe who looked rather shocked, Ant said: 'Ant McPartlin, former rapper, current TV host and two time rear of the year award.'

Dec quickly butted in to say he was only 'runner up' but Sally didn't seem to take much notice as she told him he was 'standing on her foot' and walked off.

The clip cut to see judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all sat around a small square table at Roy's Rolls cafe.

Oh dear: Bumping into a whole host of famous faces they later found Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli at Roy's Rolls cafe

Lost: The presenters were seen wondering around the cobbles as Dec admitted he was tracking Simon Cowell's phone

Dressed in their finery, Amanda looked incredible in a bold red figure hugging dress and pulled her long blonde tresses up in a neat high ponytail.

Alesha stunned in a pink number and slicked her dark locks back into a stylish up-do while Bruno cut a dapper figure in a black leather jacket.

Meanwhile, Simon rocked his usual round neck dark jumper as he ordered his 'usual' with Shona Platt behind the counter.

Shonda later brought over a plate of toast and spaghetti letters with just the letters 'BGT', Simon said: 'Just how I like it'.

Meanwhile, Ant and Dec were spotted outside the famous Rovers pub as they bump into Kirk Sutherland exiting.

The pair asked if the 'BGT judges were inside' but Kirk looked shocked and replied: 'Are you having a laugh next you'd be telling me Ant and Dec are coming.

'And anyway where are your parents, children shouldn't be hanging around the pub'.

The ITV presenters continued to walk around the cobbles and and spotted 'Simon Cowell's Rolls Royce outside Roy's Rolls', and laughed to themselves over the tongue twister.

Accident: The duo bumped into Corrie's Sally Metcalfe who looked rather shocked as Ant stood on her foot

'Just how I like it': Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all sat around a small square table at Roy's Rolls cafe as Simon ordered his 'usual'

'Are you having a laugh': Meanwhile, Ant and Dec were spotted outside the famous Rovers pub as they bump into Kirk Sutherland exiting and asked if he had seen the BGT judges

Joking around: The ITV presenters continued to walk around the cobbles and and spotted 'Simon Cowell's Rolls Royce outside Roy's Rolls', and laughed to themselves over the tongue twister

'They are very bossy': The presenters bursted through the door of the cafe finding Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno they told them: 'We are late for auditions, lets go, go, go!'

Beaming Ant and Dec said: 'Hang on, are we on Coronation Street!'

The fun video headed back inside to the judges as Shonda asked: 'How was your food Simon'.

Looking serious, he said: 'I didn't like it, I loved it'.

Just as Ant and Dec burst through the door of the cafe finding Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno they told them: 'We are late for auditions, lets go, go, go!'

Still sitting and enjoying their food, Bruno joked: 'They are very bossy, I love it'.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo posted behind-the-scenes shots from their respective roles as Glinda and Elphaba in the forthcoming film adaptation of Wicked on Sunday.

Grande, 29, posted an image of her character, the good witch Glinda, donning a pink gown while making her way up a long staircase.

Erivo, 36, shared a shot of her character, wicked witch Elphaba pictured with her hat and broom.

The film's director Jon M. Chu posted both of shots with the caption, 'You weren't told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road? FIRST LOOK of the #WickedMovie  currently in production in Oz.'

Erivo responded in the comments, 'Its been wonderful making magic with you.'

Wicked sneak peek! Ariana Grande posted an image of her character, the good witch Glinda, donning a pink gown while making her way up a long staircase

On her broomstick: Cynthia Erivo shared a shot of her character, wicked witch Elphaba pictured with her hat and broom

Chu also took to Twitter to praise his leading ladies and their performances in the upcoming movie.

'Ive already been changed for good by these two women #CynthiaErivo & #ArianaGrande as the Witches of Oz,' he said. 'They will lift ur spirits, break ur heart and leave you speechless with their voices. So excited to introduce you into our world SO much more to come'

The film is based on Gregory Maguires best selling novel and the hit Broadway musical adaptation, which debuted in 2003 starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.

It is a prequel to the The Wizard of Oz in which the storyline proceeds Dorothy and details the one-time friendship between the Elphaba and Glinda characters.

It also stars Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, as well as Bowen Yang, Adam James, Keala Settle and Bronwyn James.

Last month, the women were pictured together in a series of shots they shared to the social media site. Grande captioned the snaps, 'up to (no) good' and added bubbles and a broom emoji.

In the first photo, the women sat in the back of a car; Grande was dressed in an elegant pink polka dot gown and long white gloves with her blonde hair in her trademark high ponytail, with a pair of Mikimoto dangling pearl earrings.

Erivo was dressed in a short plaid dress with tall black boots and big hoop earrings as the two women looked at each other.

The film's director Jon M. Chu posted both of shots with the caption, 'You weren't told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road?

Chu to Twitter to praise his leading ladies and their performances in the upcoming movie

Something Wicked: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo wowed as they shared behind-the-scenes snaps from their roles as Glinda and Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked in March

The carousel of snaps also featured some behind-the-scenes shots from the set of Wicked, including one shot of two pairs of feet in which Grande tagged Chu and the Wicked Movie account.

In the BTS shots, Eviro could be seen with long, pointy nails that are painted black as she holds Grande's hand.

Last month, Jeff Goldblum let it slip that he had been cast in the film while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

'I was just on the set of Wicked. I'm not supposed to talk about that. But it's been out and about,' he said. 'You should see our witches, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, very good.'

Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps.

Wicked Part 1 was originally set for a Christmas Day, 2024 release but it has been moved up to November 27, 2024, with the second installment set to arrive December 25, 2025.

Chu shared the new release date on Instagram last month, writing, 'We are deep into shooting WICKED here in London and weve received an overwhelming amount of messages asking us to release the movie earlier than planned and trust me, we want it tooso we now have a BRAND NEW RELESE DATE!! NOVEMBER 27th 2024!!!

'Bring the family, bring your friendsits going to be a ride!!! appreciate all your support through this long production process. Shooting two movies at once is no small feat. Cannot wait to share more.'

Two parts: Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps

Co-stars: The film also stars Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey and is directed by Jon M. Chu

Thankful: Wicked Part 1 will be released on Thanksgiving Day 2024 with Part 2 coming a year later

Long shoot: The film began shooting early this year and is expected to wrap in July

Last month, it was revealed that Oscar winner Yeoh was living in a 1,500-a-night suite at a luxury hotel in London since the start of the filming of Wicked.

Yeoh's Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University and was originally played by actress Carole Shelley in the original Broadway Wicked musical.

Director Chu revealed the news about Wicked being split into two films on Instagram. The film is expected to continue shooting until at least July.
In July 2010, violent criminal Raoul Moat, 37, was released from Durham Prison after serving a four-month sentence for assault. Two days later he shot his former girlfriend and her new partner with a sawn-off shotgun. Christopher Brown was killed. Samantha Stobbart, with whom Moat had a daughter, was seriously injured. Only hours later, Moat shot PC David Rathband in the face. Rathband survived but was blinded.

Moat went on the run and, after a huge, week-long manhunt, was spotted in the Northumberland town of Rothbury. A six-hour stand-off with armed police followed before the former nightclub bouncer shot himself.

One of the most extraordinary things about this whole terrible saga was the fact that some people took to social media to declare their admiration for Moat, viewing him as a kind of anti-authoritarian icon, meting out rough justice to those who had wronged him. The RIP Raoul Moat You Legend Facebook page attracted 30,000 subscribers before it was eventually taken down.

This three-part dramatisation of those events opens with a scene depicting Moats deluded fans laying flowers at the site of his death on its one-year anniversary. Were here because Raoul Moat is a hero to us, says one, who has travelled all the way from Surrey.

But then we flash back to the events leading up to Moats release from jail and subsequent events. This is a well-made, gripping drama that shows that Moat was certainly no hero. While careful not to give any cause for complaint that it is glorifying crime, it is definitely a series that viewers will be talking about.

Violent criminal Raoul Moat, 37, was released from Durham Prison after serving a four-month sentence for assault

The Hunt for Raoul Moat dramatisation airs on ITV1 from Sunday to Tuesday at 9pm

There are good performances from Sonya Cassidy and Lee Ingleby (above with Cassidy and Vineeta Rishi). Sally Messham (inset), playing Samantha Stobbart, is excellent. It is abundantly clear how terrified she is of the abusive, bullying Moat (Matt Stokoe, above left). The scene in which she summons up the courage to visit him in prison to tell him to stay away from her is a difficult watch.

But the question is, why are we watching it at all? Is this a suitable subject for a prime-time drama? The writer, Kevin Sampson, has said he spoke directly to Browns family and they want him to be remembered.

In contrast, members of Stobbarts family are against the project. One of her sisters, Kelly, told a newspaper: My whole family and I all feel that it should be left in the past. And we dont know Rathbands thoughts because, tragically, he took his own life in 2012.
Civeo Co. (NYSE:CVEO  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 391,800 shares, an increase of 169.3% from the March 15th total of 145,500 shares. Currently, 2.9% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 97,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days.

Civeo Stock Up 0.4 %

Civeo stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $21.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 35,755 shares, compared to its average volume of 129,112. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.20. Civeo has a 12 month low of $18.59 and a 12 month high of $36.88. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $25.22 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.30. The company has a market capitalization of $321.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -54.59 and a beta of 2.60.

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Insider Transactions at Civeo

In other Civeo news, Director Constance B. Moore sold 5,406 shares of Civeo stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.00, for a total transaction of $124,338.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 29,340 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $674,820. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Civeo news, Director Constance B. Moore sold 5,406 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.00, for a total transaction of $124,338.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 29,340 shares in the company, valued at $674,820. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Lance Torgerson sold 500,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.00, for a total value of $16,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,219,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,014,016. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Civeo

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of CVEO. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of Civeo by 466.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,082 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 891 shares during the period. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in shares of Civeo in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Civeo in the 1st quarter valued at about $55,000. Parian Global Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Civeo in the 3rd quarter valued at about $101,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Civeo by 33.2% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,387 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342 shares during the period. 88.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Civeo in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a buy rating for the company.

About Civeo

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Civeo Corp. engages in the provision of workforce accommodations, logistics and facility management services to the natural resource industry. It operates through the following business segments: Canada, Australia, and U.S. The Canada segment provides accommodation services through lodges, open camps and mobile assets, which supports workforces from oil sands and in a variety of oil and natural gas drilling, mining and related natural resource applications, as well as disaster relief efforts.

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Greggs plc (OTCMKTS:GGGSF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 144,600 shares, an increase of 280.5% from the March 15th total of 38,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Greggs Stock Performance

GGGSF stock remained flat at $33.50 during midday trading on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $30.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.42. Greggs has a one year low of $18.00 and a one year high of $30.00.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Greggs from GBX 3,000 ($37.15) to GBX 3,200 ($39.63) in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Liberum Capital began coverage on shares of Greggs in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. They issued a buy rating for the company. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Greggs from GBX 2,900 ($35.91) to GBX 3,020 ($37.40) in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Greggs from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th.

Greggs Company Profile

Greggs plc operates as a bakery food-on-the-go retailer in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of fresh and frozen bakery products, sandwiches, and drinks. The company sells products to franchise and wholesale partners for sale in their own outlets. It is also involved in the property holding, non-trading, and trustee businesses.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Wednesday.

HEP has been the subject of several other reports. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Holly Energy Partners from $17.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Holly Energy Partners from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 23rd.

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Holly Energy Partners Price Performance

HEP stock opened at $17.39 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.82 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. Holly Energy Partners has a 12-month low of $15.12 and a 12-month high of $20.00. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $17.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.24.

Holly Energy Partners Dividend Announcement

Holly Energy Partners ( NYSE:HEP Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 24th. The pipeline company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $142.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $148.10 million. Holly Energy Partners had a net margin of 39.60% and a return on equity of 23.88%. Holly Energy Partnerss revenue for the quarter was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.43 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Holly Energy Partners will post 2.07 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 30th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.05%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 27th. Holly Energy Partnerss payout ratio is presently 79.10%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Holly Energy Partners

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Holly Energy Partners by 25.3% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 167,900 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,963,000 after purchasing an additional 33,900 shares in the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV bought a new stake in Holly Energy Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $761,000. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Holly Energy Partners by 8.9% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 942,962 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $16,681,000 after acquiring an additional 77,033 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Holly Energy Partners by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,322,137 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $58,769,000 after acquiring an additional 19,400 shares during the period. Finally, Vident Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Holly Energy Partners by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC now owns 38,915 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $688,000 after buying an additional 2,737 shares during the last quarter. 25.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Holly Energy Partners Company Profile

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Holly Energy Partners LP engages in the business of operating a system of petroleum product and crude pipelines, storage tanks, distribution terminals, and loading rack facilities. It operates through the Pipelines and Terminals, and Refinery Processing Unit segments. The Pipelines and Terminals segment includes petroleum products, crude pipelines and terminal, tankage, and loading rack facilities.

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Invesco Senior Income Trust (NYSE:VVR  Get Rating) saw a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 171,700 shares, a decline of 82.0% from the March 15th total of 956,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 917,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Invesco Senior Income Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VVR traded down $0.01 on Friday, reaching $3.73. 582,674 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 901,918. The company has a 50-day moving average of $3.84 and a 200-day moving average of $3.83. Invesco Senior Income Trust has a 1-year low of $3.56 and a 1-year high of $4.31.

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Invesco Senior Income Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 17th will be given a dividend of $0.039 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 14th. This represents a $0.47 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.55%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Senior Income Trust

About Invesco Senior Income Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VVR. Sowell Financial Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 9.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 197,645 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $735,000 after buying an additional 16,530 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 11.1% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 28,367 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 2,829 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,646,238 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $6,124,000 after purchasing an additional 22,807 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 308,022 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,146,000 after purchasing an additional 13,072 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Logan Stone Capital LLC lifted its stake in Invesco Senior Income Trust by 99.3% in the 3rd quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 229,301 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $853,000 after buying an additional 114,261 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco Senior Income Trust operates as a closed-end investment trust. The firms investment objective is to gain a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The company was founded on June 23, 1998 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

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Ithaca Energy (LON:ITH  Get Rating) had its target price reduced by Jefferies Financial Group from GBX 245 ($3.03) to GBX 195 ($2.41) in a research report released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

Separately, Barclays upped their price target on Ithaca Energy from GBX 140 ($1.73) to GBX 160 ($1.98) and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, March 6th.

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Ithaca Energy Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of LON:ITH opened at GBX 160 ($1.98) on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 167.85. The stock has a market cap of 1.62 billion and a P/E ratio of 195.12. Ithaca Energy has a fifty-two week low of GBX 141 ($1.75) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 254.90 ($3.16).

Ithaca Energy Dividend Announcement

Ithaca Energy Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 5.77%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. Ithaca Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1,341.46%.

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Ithaca Energy plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in the North Sea. The company own a portfolio of assets located in Northern and Central North Sea and Moray Firth areas. As of December 31, 2021, it had proved and probable reserves, and resources of 5.6 millions of barrels of oil equivalent.

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Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc. (NYSE:IIF  Get Rating) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,700 shares, a decrease of 59.1% from the March 15th total of 11,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 36,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund during the 4th quarter worth $98,000. Elequin Securities LLC purchased a new position in Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $82,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $137,000. Gould Asset Management LLC CA boosted its holdings in Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA now owns 10,634 shares of the companys stock valued at $216,000 after acquiring an additional 620 shares during the period. Finally, Samalin Investment Counsel LLC boosted its holdings in Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 9.6% during the 4th quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 11,416 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. 44.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE IIF traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $19.63. 19,664 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,404. Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund has a 52-week low of $18.91 and a 52-week high of $25.79. The companys 50-day moving average is $19.71 and its 200-day moving average is $21.59.

About Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund

Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc The fund is co-managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company. It invests in the public equity markets of India. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PNGAY  Get Rating) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 83,400 shares, a decrease of 67.2% from the March 15th total of 254,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 293,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS PNGAY traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $13.16. 74,681 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 134,480. The companys fifty day moving average is $13.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.62. Ping An Insurance has a fifty-two week low of $7.80 and a fifty-two week high of $16.76.

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Company Profile

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. provides financial products and services for insurance, banking, asset management, and fintech and healthtech businesses in the People's Republic of China. The company's Life and Health Insurance segment offers term, whole-life, endowment, annuity, investment-linked, universal life, and health care and medical insurance to individual and corporate customers.

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Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 11,100 shares, an increase of 164.3% from the March 15th total of 4,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 52,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Hitachi Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:HTHIY traded down $0.40 on Friday, hitting $111.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,377 shares, compared to its average volume of 30,062. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $105.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $101.11. Hitachi has a 1 year low of $83.49 and a 1 year high of $112.25. The company has a market capitalization of $53.78 billion, a PE ratio of 17.36, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

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Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The conglomerate reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.50 by ($0.36). The business had revenue of $23.61 billion during the quarter. Hitachi had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 7.38%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Hitachi will post 9.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Hitachi Company Profile

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Hitachi in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a conviction-buy rating on the stock.

(Get Rating)

Hitachi Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of electrical equipment. It operates through the following segments: Information Technology (IT), Energy, Industry, Mobility, Life, Hitachi High Technologies, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, Hitachi Chemicals and Others. The IT segment handles systems integration, consulting, control systems, cloud services, software, IT products such as storage and servers, and automated teller machines.

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Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund (NYSE:JFR  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 444,800 shares, an increase of 249.7% from the March 15th total of 127,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 226,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund in the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund in the 3rd quarter worth about $72,000. Finally, Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $76,000.

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Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:JFR traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $8.45. 122,799 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 230,356. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $8.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.26. Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund has a 12 month low of $7.69 and a 12 month high of $10.15.

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Announces Dividend

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 14th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th.

(Get Rating)

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund is a closed-end investment fund. Its investment objective is to achieve a level of current income by investing in adjustable rate secured and unsecured senior loans and other debt instruments. The company was founded on March 25, 2004 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

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Quinsam Capital Co. (OTCMKTS:QCAAF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 30,200 shares, a growth of 98.7% from the March 15th total of 15,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 302.0 days.

Quinsam Capital Price Performance

OTCMKTS QCAAF remained flat at $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $0.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.07. Quinsam Capital has a twelve month low of $0.02 and a twelve month high of $0.12.

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About Quinsam Capital

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Further Reading

Quinsam Capital Corporation operates as a merchant banking firm in small-cap market in Canada. It primarily focuses on investments in technology, healthcare, mining exploration, e-sports, and cannabis markets. The company's activities include acquisitions, advisory services, lending activities, and portfolio investments.

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Staffline Group plc (LON:STAF  Get Rating) insider Thomas Spain sold 65,237 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 38 ($0.47), for a total transaction of 24,790.06 ($30,699.76).

Thomas Spain also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, April 4th, Thomas Spain sold 118,240 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 34 ($0.42), for a total transaction of 40,201.60 ($49,785.26).

On Tuesday, March 28th, Thomas Spain purchased 70,000 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 36 ($0.45) per share, for a total transaction of 25,200 ($31,207.43).

On Wednesday, March 22nd, Thomas Spain sold 45,428 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 37 ($0.46), for a total transaction of 16,808.36 ($20,815.31).

On Thursday, February 9th, Thomas Spain bought 50,000 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 35 ($0.43) per share, for a total transaction of 17,500 ($21,671.83).

On Monday, February 6th, Thomas Spain sold 20,721 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 35 ($0.43), for a total transaction of 7,252.35 ($8,981.24).

On Tuesday, January 31st, Thomas Spain sold 222,289 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 36 ($0.45), for a total transaction of 80,024.04 ($99,100.98).

Staffline Group Trading Up 2.8 %

STAF opened at GBX 38 ($0.47) on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 36.45 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 37.30. Staffline Group plc has a 1-year low of GBX 31.23 ($0.39) and a 1-year high of GBX 59 ($0.73). The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.10. The company has a market cap of 62.99 million, a P/E ratio of 1,900.00, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.75.

Staffline Group Company Profile

Staffline Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides recruitment and outsourced human resource services, and skills training and probationary services. It operates through three segments: Recruitment GB, Recruitment Ireland, and PeoplePlus. The company provides solutions to the agriculture, drinks, food processing, manufacturing, e-retail, driving, and logistics sectors.

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Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors lifted its position in shares of JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEARCA:JEPI  Get Rating) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 141,142 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,006 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF comprises approximately 2.0% of Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors holdings in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF were worth $7,691,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF by 16.2% during the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,095,205 shares of the companys stock valued at $158,566,000 after acquiring an additional 432,479 shares in the last quarter. Requisite Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF by 13.8% in the third quarter. Requisite Capital Management LLC now owns 2,017,658 shares of the companys stock worth $103,365,000 after purchasing an additional 244,569 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF by 17.6% in the third quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 1,588,346 shares of the companys stock worth $81,371,000 after purchasing an additional 238,167 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF by 13.0% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 1,211,446 shares of the companys stock worth $62,063,000 after purchasing an additional 139,777 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF by 7,085.6% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,081,502 shares of the companys stock worth $55,405,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066,451 shares during the last quarter.

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JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of JEPI stock opened at $54.78 on Friday. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF has a 12-month low of $49.92 and a 12-month high of $62.60. The firms 50 day moving average is $53.95 and its 200 day moving average is $54.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.55 and a beta of 0.64.

JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF Company Profile

The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 index. The fund is an actively-managed fund that invests in large-cap US stocks and equity-linked notes (ELNs). It seeks to provide similar returns as the S&P 500 Index with lower volatility and monthly income.

Further Reading

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Hallmark Capital Management Inc. trimmed its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 61,444 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 673 shares during the period. Hallmark Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $4,421,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Boston Partners grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 103.1% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 10,166,384 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $725,297,000 after purchasing an additional 5,161,226 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 174,002,852 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,369,862,000 after purchasing an additional 3,357,590 shares during the period. Edmp Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6,884.3% during the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 3,343,588 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $46,471,000 after purchasing an additional 3,295,715 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 199,886,585 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $14,209,937,000 after purchasing an additional 3,058,491 shares during the period. Finally, Cowa LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9,777.8% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 1,657,894 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,641,110 shares during the period. 75.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP Ann Powell sold 11,183 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total transaction of $835,258.27. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,043 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,721,081.67. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total transaction of $17,916,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,625,163.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 11,183 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total transaction of $835,258.27. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,721,081.67. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.3 %

BMY opened at $70.45 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $69.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $72.78. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $65.28 and a 1-year high of $81.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.45.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.11. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 13.71% and a return on equity of 51.60%. The business had revenue of $11.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.20 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.83 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 77.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on BMY. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Atlantic Securities raised their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, January 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $79.69.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Get Rating)

Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Nucor (NYSE:NUE  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Thursday morning.

NUE has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Credit Suisse Group raised their price objective on Nucor from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Bank of America began coverage on Nucor in a research report on Wednesday, January 4th. They set a buy rating and a $172.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Nucor from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Nucor from $113.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Nucor from $144.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $153.44.

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Nucor Stock Down 0.4 %

Nucor stock opened at $146.19 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 3.39 and a quick ratio of 2.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.09 and a beta of 1.56. Nucor has a 1-year low of $100.13 and a 1-year high of $187.90. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $158.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $146.55.

Nucor Announces Dividend

Nucor ( NYSE:NUE Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 26th. The basic materials company reported $4.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.18 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $8.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.54 billion. Nucor had a return on equity of 42.03% and a net margin of 18.33%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 15.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.97 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Nucor will post 16.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 11th. Investors of record on Friday, March 31st will be paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.40%. Nucors dividend payout ratio is presently 7.10%.

Insider Activity at Nucor

In related news, EVP Daniel R. Needham sold 5,000 shares of Nucor stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.36, for a total value of $841,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 61,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,293,025.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Daniel R. Needham sold 5,000 shares of Nucor stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.36, for a total value of $841,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 61,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,293,025.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenneth Rex Query sold 1,962 shares of Nucor stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.99, for a total value of $349,216.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 74,138 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,195,822.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 9,575 shares of company stock worth $1,630,000 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nucor

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in Nucor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN purchased a new stake in Nucor during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in Nucor during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Nucor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Nucor during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. 78.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Nucor Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Nucor Corp. engages in the manufacturing of steel and steel products. It operates through the following segments: Steel Mills, Steel Products, and Raw Materials. The Steel Mills segment consists of carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate, steel trading businesses, rebar distribution businesses, and Nucors equity method investments.

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Lenovo Group Limited (OTCMKTS:LNVGY  Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,100 shares, a decrease of 97.8% from the March 15th total of 94,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 98,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Lenovo Group Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of LNVGY traded down $0.20 on Friday, reaching $21.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 18,493 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,097. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Lenovo Group has a twelve month low of $13.51 and a twelve month high of $22.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.78 billion, a PE ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $19.15 and a 200-day moving average of $16.98.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Lenovo Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 24th.

About Lenovo Group

Lenovo Group Limited, an investment holding company, develops, manufactures, and markets technology products and services. It operates through Intelligent Devices Group, Infrastructure Solutions Group, and Solutions and Services Group segments. The company offers commercial and consumer personal computers, as well as servers and workstations; and a family of mobile Internet devices, including tablets and smartphones.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI/ File Photo)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed happiness over the strides made by the 'Make in India' initiative globally.

His praise for the initiative came in response to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's tweet about taking a ride in a 'Made in India' train from Maputo to Machava with Mozambican Transport Minister Mateus Magala.

Tagging Jaishankar's tweet, Modi said, "This will make every Indian happy! Make in India continues to make global strides" Modi has lauded six Road Over Bridges (ROBs) that were inaugurated for Vidarbha region Saturday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting ahead of Assembly polls, in Kolar, Karnataka, Sunday, April 16, 2023. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)

Bengaluru: Stating that the BJP may take to corrupt practices such as poaching MLAs in Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed apprehension about the saffron party using money to grab power in the state.

The Congress leader was referring to BJP dislodging the JDS-Congress alliance in the state in 2019 after poaching opposition MLAs.

Speaking at the Jai Bharat Satyagraha Yatra in Kolar, Rahul Gandhi appealed to the electorate to vote for Congress nominees in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly election and elect as many as 150 MLAs from the Congress so that the corrupt practices of the BJP will fail. He also expressed happiness over Congress leaders in the state fighting together to win the election.

The BJP would take to corrupt practices to gain power using money it has amassed by collecting 40 per cent commission on government works, he claimed.

Rahul Gandhi also expressed confidence of the Congress coming to power in Karnataka, and told leaders to fulfill assurances made to the voters, such as 200 units of free power, Rs 2,000 allowance for women members of a household, Rs. 3,000 unemployment allowances for the graduates, Rs. 1,500 for diploma holders and 10 kgs of rice per month for poor families.

"These schemes will be implemented on the first day of the first Cabinet meeting itself," Rahul Gandhi said.

He also asked Congress leaders in Karnataka to send a message all over the country that "if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give thousands of crores to Adani, we can give money to the poor and women."

Taking at dig at Modi, he said "If you wholeheartedly help Adani, we (the Congress) will wholeheartedly help the poor, unemployed youth and women. You (the PM) do your work; we will do our work."

Launching an attack on Modi by raking the Adani "corruption" issue, Gandhi reiterated that he was not scared of the BJP government at the Centre.

It was over his remarks on the Modi surname, during the Lok Sabha election campaign in Kolar in 2019, that the Congress leader was convicted of criminal defamation and stripped of his Parliament membership last month.

In his first visit to Karnataka after the Assembly polls were announced, Gandhi sought to know Modi's "relation" with businessman Gautam Adani.

"Till the time I get the reply, I will keep asking this question. You disqualify me, jail me or do whatever you want; I will not be scared," he added.

He also attacked the Basavaraj Bommai government in Karnataka over corruption issues, including allegations by contractors and private schools that they were forced to pay "40 per cent commission" and charges of "corruption" in recruitment of sub-inspectors.

The Congress leader alleged that the contractors' association had written a letter on the issue of "40 per cent commission" to the Prime Minister, who chose to remain silent. This was a "confession" that there indeed was corruption, he claimed.
Policemen barricaded the area where Atiq Ahmad, a former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges stays, in Prayagraj, India, Sunday, April 16, 2023. (AP)

NEW DELHI/ LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday reviewed the security situation in the state following the killing of gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother, Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf, on Saturday night in Prayagraj. The CM also announced a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of gangsters.

The state home department constituted the commission under the Commission of Inquiry Act of 1952.

The commission will have to submit its report to the government within two months. It will be headed by retired high court judge Arvind Kumar Tripathi, with retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh as its members, the officials said.

A day after Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range, the Uttar Pradesh police tightened security across the state. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to prevent any untoward incidents.

Police patrolling was intensified on Sunday in Prayagraj's Chakiya area, where Atiq's house is located. Internet services remain suspended in Prayagraj district as part of the security measures.

Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on their way to a medical college for a checkup, late on Saturday evening. The police personnel were escorting the two brothers at the time of the shooting.

Briefing reporters about the incident, Prayagraj police commissioner Ramit Sharma said on Saturday that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Atiq and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Atiq and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Mr Sharma added.

The Prayagraj police on Sunday registered a case against the three assailants. SHO of Dhoomanganj police station Rajesh Kumar Maurya said the case has been registered against Lavlesh Tiwari (a resident of Banda), Mohit alias Sunny (Hamirpur) and Arun Maurya (Kasganj) under Sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC, the Arms Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

The police had also recovered the arms used in the crime from the crime scene.

Atiq and Ashraf, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of the media crews around 10 pm on Saturday.

The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Atiq's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed here just hours before the shooting.

Police constable Man Singh was injured in the firing incident as a bullet hit his arm, an officer said, adding that a journalist was also hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting.

Video footage showed a man thrusting a gun at Atiq's head as he talked to reporters and the former Samajwadi Party MP collapsing. The footage also showed the three assailants firing at the brothers even after they had fallen.

In 2006, Atiq and his aides abducted Umesh Pal and forced him to give a statement in court in their favour. Mr Pal registered a complaint in this regard.

The Supreme Court had, in April 2019, directed that Atiq be shifted to a high-security jail in Gujarat after he was accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and assault of Lucknow-based real estate businessman Mohit Jaiswal while in jail.

Atiq was named in more than 100 criminal cases, including the Umesh Pal murder case, the police said.

Among the most sensational murders in which Atiq was allegedly involved was that of Raju Pal, the then-BSP MLA who was shot dead in 2005.

Atiq moved the Supreme Court for protection, claiming that he and his family have been falsely implicated in the Umesh Pal murder case and that the Uttar Pradesh police may kill him in a fake encounter.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (ANI)

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen supremo Asaduddin Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP, on Sunday termed the killing of Uttar Pradesh gangster-MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf as politically motivated and state-sponsored. He also condemned the celebration of the extra-judicial killings which he said would not be appreciated by society at large.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle within hours of Atiq Ahmeds killing, Owaisi wondered how the assailants could go close to him and his brother despite a police guard being present, and open fire at point plank using modern weapons. "After the incident, the ministers in Yogi cabinet announced that the people would reap what they sow and have to settle all their dues in this lifetime," he pointed out.

Explaining the political motives, the MIM supremo said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths immediate objective was to win local body polls that are due in the next few months. "In the long run, he wants to position himself as successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The one upmanship for the post Modi era has begun in the BJP," he alleged.

Owaisi cautioned that the rise of parallel Hindutva extremism would lead India the Israel way and eventually hurt the BJP. The party would one day be challenged by fellow Hindutva groups who would be more aggressive and would force the BJP to match their aggression. These activities are in sharp contrast to Prime Minister's image-building exercise to reach out to minorities before the international event of G20, he added.
Iraqi archaeological marvels that have survived millennia and the ravages of war now face a modern threat: being blasted and slowly buried by sandstorms linked to climate change.

Ancient Babylonian treasures, painstakingly unearthed, are slowly disappearing again under wind-blown sand in a land parched by rising heat and prolonged droughts.

Iraq, one of the countries worst-hit by climate change, endured a dozen major sandstorms last year that turned the sky orange, brought daily life to a halt and left its people gasping for air.

When the storms clear, layers of fine sand cover everything -- including the Sumerian ruins of Umm al-Aqarib, "the Mother of Scorpions", in the southern desert province of Dhi Qar.

Sandstorms have slowly begun to reverse years of work there to unearth the temples' terracotta facades and many priceless artifacts, said archaeologist Aqeel al-Mansrawi.

Also Read | Iraq calls on Turkey to apologize for attack on Sulaymaniyah airport

Archaeologists in Iraq have always had to shovel sand, but now the volumes are growing.

After a decade of worsening storms, sand at Umm al-Aqarib now "covers a good part of the site", that dates back to around 2350 BC and spans more than five square kilometres, he said.

In the past, the biggest threat was looting of antiquities at the ruins, where pottery fragments and clay tablets bearing ancient cuneiform script have been discovered.

Now the changing weather and its impact on the land, especially creeping desertification, spell an additional threat to ancient sites all across southern Iraq, said Mansrawi.

"In the next 10 years," he said, "it is estimated that sand could have covered 80 to 90 percent of the archaeological sites."

The fabled land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers hosted some of the world's earliest civilisations, the remains of which are under threat in modern-day Iraq.

The oil-rich country is still recovering from decades of dictatorship, war and insurgency and remains plagued by misrule, corruption and widespread poverty.

Compounding its woes, Iraq is also one of the five countries most impacted by some effects of climate change, including drought, says the United Nations.

Upstream dams in Turkey and Iraq have reduced the flow of its big rivers, and more water is wasted by Iraq's ancient irrigation system and outdated farming practices.

Summer temperatures topping 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) now often batter Iraq where droughts have parched agricultural areas, driving farmers and pastoralists into crowded cities.

"The sandstorms became more frequent, the wind became dustier and the temperatures increase," said Jaafar al-Jotheri, professor of archaeology at Iraq's Al Qadisiyah University.

"The soil has become more fragile and fragmented because of the lack of vegetation and roots," he explained.

As more farmers flee the countryside, "their land is left behind and abandoned and its soil becomes more exposed to the wind".

Winds pick up "more sediment fragments that reach the archaeological sites", Jotheri said, adding that the "sand and silt cause physical weathering and disintegration of buildings".

The problem is compounded by salinisation, said Mark Altaweel, professor of Near East Archaeology at University College London.

During extreme heat, he explained, water on the land surface evaporates so quickly that the soil does not reabsorb the crystals, which are left behind as a crust.

"When it's hyper dry, the water quickly evaporates and that leaves that salt residue," he said, adding that "you can see it on the bricks".

Jotheri said that salt in the earth carried by sandstorms causes "chemical weathering for archaeological buildings".

Iraqi authorities insist they are tackling the complex and multi-layered problem.

The government "is working to contain the sand dunes", said Chamel Ibrahim, director of antiquities of Dhi Qar province.

He pointed to a plan to plant a "green belt" of trees at a cost of about $3.8 million.

But Jotheri voiced doubt, saying that to keep the vegetation alive, "you need a lot of water".

When it comes to climate change, he said, "we are the country facing the most and acting the least. We are at the bottom of the list in terms of acting against climate change."
Fighting in Sudan raged for a second day Sunday after battles between rival generals in control since their 2021 coup killed at least 56 civilians and wounded hundreds more people, sparking international alarm.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire shook buildings in the capital Khartoum's northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Violence erupted early Saturday morning after weeks of deepening tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with each accusing the other of starting the fight.

Read | Saudi-bound plane hit by gunfire in Sudan unrest

Both sides claim they control key sites.

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other strategic sites, but the army insist they are in charge, with the air force late Saturday urging people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes targeting RSF bases.

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in central Khartoum.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

"The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56," said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, an independent pro-democracy group of medics, adding there were "tens of deaths" among security forces, but they were not included in the toll given early Sunday.

The committee said it had counted around 600 wounded, including some among security forces, but that many casualties could not be transferred to hospitals due to difficulties in moving during the clashes.

Overnight, explosions and shots rang out throughout densely-populated areas of Khartoum.

On Sunday morning, the stench of gunpowder wafted through the streets, deserted except by soldiers as terrified civilians sheltered inside their homes.

"We had a very difficult night, and we couldn't sleep well because of the sound of the explosions and gunfire," said Ahmed Seif, who lives in east Khartoum with his family of five.

He said he fears his building was hit by gunfire, but said it was still too dangerous to go outside to check.

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm anytime soon," he added.

Bakry, 24, who works in marketing, said Khartoum residents had "never seen anything like" this unrest, with the power out across much the city.

"People were terrified and running back home," said Bakry, who gave only a first name.

Fighting has also erupted outside Khartoum, including in the troubled western Darfur region.

In the eastern border state of Kassala, army fired artillery at a paramilitary camp, according witness Hussein Saleh.

UN chief Antonio Guterres called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and spoke to both Burhan and Daglo, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians".

The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation.

Similar appeals came from the African Union, the European Union, Russia and Iran.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks: in an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender."

The army, on its Facebook page, declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

The latest violence, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 18 months.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests, adding to the deepening troubles of one of the world's poorest countries.

Burhan, a career soldier from northern Sudan who rose the ranks under the three-decade rule of now jailed Islamist general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions into politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" and that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
After three youths posing as journalists shot dead gangsters Atiq Ahmed and his brother in Prayagraj, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the safety and security of journalists.

The SOP is likely to outline the do's and don'ts for journalists and the steps to be taken by the administration to enable journalists to cover events in a safe and secure environment.

The MHA's decision to prepare an SOP came after the incident involving the murders of Ahmed and his brother when they were speaking to the media while police were taking them for medical check-ups.

Read | Atiq Ahmed murder: What we know about the killers so far

Officials have not provided details about how the MHA plans to go ahead in preparing the SOP and whether there would be consultations with media and journalist bodies before coming out with the guidelines, amid concerns from some quarters that it could lead to curtailing journalists access.

Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were talking to the media when the youth posing as journalists shot them point blank on Saturday night. The incident exposed the lack of preparedness of the police in ensuring the security of those in their custody as well as media persons who were present at the spot.
The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu has slapped a legal notice on state BJP Chief K Annamalai over his graft allegations against the party, its President and Chief Minister M K Stalin, demanding an apology and damages to the tune of Rs 500 crore.

The 10-page notice issued on behalf of DMK Organisation Secretary R S Bharathi said Annamalai's allegations named 'DMK Files' and targeted at Stalin and other party leaders were "false, baseless, defamatory, imaginary and scandalous."

Also Read | Chennai Metro Rail says BJP leader's allegations are false, malicious

Referring to Annamalai's "Rs 200 crore" graft charge against Stalin, the notice said "the DMK President has not received a single paise as illegal gratification from any person throughout his 56 years of public life."

Besides demanding an unconditional, public apology from Annamalai on behalf of Stalin, Bharathi wanted "offending" videos containing the allegations removed from the social media and a website.

It also called upon the BJP leader to "pay damages to the tune of Rs 500,00,00,000 (Rupees five hundred crore only) to our client (Stalin), which our client intends to pay over to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's relief fund."

These should be done within 48 hours of "receipt of this notice, failing which our client will be constrained to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you and your properties, holding you personally liable for all costs and consequences arising therefrom," it said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday in BJP's first election campaign rally in South Goa ahead of the 2024 general elections, steered clear of the Mahadayi issue, even as scores of Congress leaders including state president Amit Patkar were detained while they were enroute to the site of the public meeting to "question" Shah over his comments on the inter-state water diversion issue.

Shah however expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party would win the upcoming state assembly elections in Karnataka. "We will convincingly win the Karnataka polls," Shah said.

Read | BJP will form government in Karnataka again: Amit Shah

Shah's Lok Sabha election campaign rally in South Goa's Farmagudi village, the party's first in Goa ahead of the 2024 general elections, had been a political talking point in wake of the former BJP national president's controversial comments in Belgavi in January this year when he said that the BJP government's in Goa, Karnataka and at the Centre had resolved the Mahadayi deadlock, a claim which has been contested by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and at least two cabinet ministers.

State Congress president Amit Patkar also took potshots at Shah, over the Union Home Minister's failure to comment on the Mahadayi issue.

"Triple Engine @BJP4India, @BJP4Karnataka & @BJP4Goa Govt's have Murdered our Lifeline Mother Mhadei & hence Home Minister @AmitShah & @goacm, @DrPramodPSawant had no guts to speak Truth on Mhadei at Holy Precinct of Shree Katamgal Dada, worshipped by many at Farmagudi #MhadeiJagor," Patkar said.

Triple Engine @BJP4India, @BJP4Karnataka & @BJP4Goa Govt's have Murdered our Lifeline Mother Mhadei & hence Home Minister @AmitShah & @goacm @DrPramodPSawant had no guts to speak Truth on Mhadei at Holy Precinct of Shree Katamgal Dada, worshipped by many at Farmagudi #MhadeiJagor pic.twitter.com/tnF9iwINxX  Amit Patkar (@amitspatkar) April 16, 2023

In his speech in South Goa, Shah took potshots at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.

Rahul baba finished his yatra. And after his yatra the Congress was upbeat but after that in three elections in the North East, the Congress lost. Here there were minority-dominated states. Congress would take them for granted, the Union Home Minister said.

We have sent the message that the person has the authority to run the government, the man who can secure the country's safety, the country's peace and the country's development and who can make the country prosperous, he further said.
The Aam Aadmi Party took to the streets in Delhi on Sunday against the CBI for summoning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for interrogation in connection with the excise policy case.

Top leaders of the party, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi and Kailash Gahlot, and Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, gathered near the federal agency's headquarters and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Kejriwal's questioning was underway.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed that around 1,500 people have been detained by police and several MLAs and councillors "arrested" across the national capital for staging protests against the CBI summons to the chief minister.

Also Watch | Some anti-national forces dont want India to develop, says Arvind Kejriwal

"The central government is conspiring to arrest Kejriwal. Several people even took the streets and protested against the CBI across the city. Heavy security was deployed and many people who came out in support of Arvind Kejriwal were detained," he said.

"Around 1,500 people have been detained or arrested by police across Delhi for staging protests. Thirty-two Delhi MLAs and 70 councillors have been arrested in the city and 20 Punjab AAP MLAs have been arrested at Delhi border," Rai claimed.

"Leaders including Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Jarnail Singh, Rituraj Jha, Naresh Yadav, Gulab Singh Yadav, Somnath Bharti, Girish Soni, Amanatullah Khan and Shiv Charan Goel were arrested in Delhi," he added.

Several party leaders and workers had gathered at the MP road in Mehrauli, under IIT flyover, and near ITO as well, leading to traffic disruption.

A large number of security personnel was also deployed across the city and barricades were put up at various locations.

AAP leaders, including Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav, Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, Bijwasan MLA Bhupinder Singh Joon and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, were detained by police during their protest.

Party MLA Somnath Bharti, who was leading a protest under IIT flyover, alleged that the Centre was "misusing the CBI" and "trying to scare" a leader who has worked for the development of the country.

"They (Centre) can do anything and can get anyone arrested. They have destroyed democracy and misused their powers. This is the first time that the CBI has summoned a chief minister for questioning. They don't have a speck of evidence against our leaders. The Centre is misusing the CBI and trying to scare the leader who has always worked for the development of the country," he alleged.

AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta said party leaders and workers were staging peaceful protests across the city and that massive security has been deployed at various locations to detain the protesters.

"Most of our workers who are trying to stage protests are being detained by the police personnel deployed everywhere in the city," Gupta said.

Heavy traffic snarls were witnessed in several parts of the national capital on Sunday following the protests by the AAP workers.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, police officials said.
The three assailants, who killed gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf, belong to three different districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Lovlesh Tiwari belongs to Banda, Sunny Singh belongs to Hamirpur and Arun Maurya lives in Kasganj.

Surprisingly, the families of all three men have disowned the assailants and said that they had already left their homes much before the incident.

Also Read | Atiq Ahmed, brother Ashraf shot dead in Uttar Pradesh; 3 held

All three have been booked and jailed for petty crimes in the past.

What is intriguing to the police is the fact that they have no answer for their motive for killing the two brothers.

Atiq and his brother Ashraf were killed in firing near medical college in UP's Prayagraj. Visuals from the site of firing. pic.twitter.com/YCa4DKNb4R  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 15, 2023

The three assailants came to Prayagraj 48 hours before the incident and were staying in a hotel.

Also Read | Yogi announces 3-member judicial panel to probe killing of Atiq Ahmed

They have not divulged where they got the sophisticated weapons that were used to gun down Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf.

According to a police source, one of the three has said that they executed the crime because they wanted to make a name for themselves in the underworld. However, until other questions are answered, this theory will not hold water.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed her shock at what she termed as collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state.

The chief minister was reacting to the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmad at Prayagraj in UP by suspected cirminals while they were being escorted by a strong police posse for medical examination.

Also Read | Murdered in cold blood: 10 things to know about slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed

Banerjee claimed that criminals are now taking the law into their own hands, unfazed by the presence of police and media and termed it as a "shameful" act.

"I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that criminals are now taking the law into their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence," Banerjee tweeted.

I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law & order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that perpetrators are now taking the law in their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence. Such unlawful acts have no place in our constitutional democracy.  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 16, 2023

The two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of an impromptu media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a checkup.

Police patrolling was intensified on Sunday in Prayagraj's Chakiya area where gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's house is located even as the Uttar Pradesh police tightened security across the state, a day after Atiq and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range.
UDF in Kerala has urged Centre that the Vande Bharat train service to be launched in Kerala to not leave out Kasargod and should be extended till Mangaluru.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan sent a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in this regard on Sunday. He said that as per reports the Vande Bharat service in Kerala was proposed between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. It shall be extended to Mangaluru so that Kasargod district in Kerala would also get connectivity. He also urged that steps should be taken to straighten the curves on the railway track so that Vande Bharat train could run at the maximum speed.

Also Read | Bhopal residents praise redeveloped station, say Vande Bharat will save time

Meanwhile, the ruling CPM in Kerala is maintaining that it would go ahead with the proposed SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project.

CPM state secretary M V Govindan said that the Vande Bharat could not be an alternative for the Silver Line.

"There will be only one service of Vande Bharat daily, whereas the proposed Silver Line will have services every 20 minutes. Also Vande Bharat's speed is low compared to the proposed SilverLine. Hence Vande Bharat could not be considered as an alternative for the proposed Silver Line. SilverLine is a necessity for Kerala in future," he said.

The CPM leader's reaction came while the BJP was trying to take political advantage of the decision to launch Vande Bharat service in Kerala. CPM camps had also unleashed a campaign that the ticket charges of Vande Bharat would be much higher compared to the charges of the proposed SilverLine.

The CPM government's proposed SilverLine greenfield rail project has been facing stiff resistance as it required massive displacement of people for acquiring the land. Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been stern in taking forward the project, the Centre is yet to give nod for the project. The railways was also objecting to the SilverLine project as land identified for the project was close to the existing railway lines at many places. Hence it may affect future expansion of railways.

The cost estimate of over Rs. 1 lakh crore for the Silver Line project also raised concerns as the state is going through acute financial crunch.

Experts had suggested that instead of going for a new rail project efforts should be made to straighten the curves in the existing rail line so as to enable operation of high speed trains.
Days after a Supreme Court green flag, the RSS on Sunday took out route marches at 45 locations across Tamil Nadu and the events passed off peacefully amid security, police said.

Union Minister of State L Murugan was among those who participated at the meets held in different parts of the state including Chennai, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet.

Police security was posted at the routes where the RSS volunteers, dressed in their trademark white rolled up sleeves and khaki trousers, took out the march.

The route marches passed off peacefully, police said.

On April 11, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras High Court orders allowing RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) to hold marches in the State and dismissed the appeals of the Tamil Nadu government.

Also Read: Supreme Court clears RSS marches in Tamil Nadu, dismissing govt's pleas against Madras HC order

Meanwhile, the RSS said the route march is a part of its regular training.

"Well-trained Swayamsevaks (volunteers) are members of the organisation. They range from daily wage earners, students to well-placed professionals, factory, office workers. Swayamsevaks working with their various other organisations also take part," the organisation said in a statement.

"Sangh route march is a public exhibition of exemplary discipline by normal citizens and the organisation's training abilities. RSS conducts its route march to instil confidence amongst the general public that Hindu society can walk together in an organised, disciplined and punctual manner," it added.
In a major development in the 2019 murder case of former Andhra Pradesh minister Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested his brother Y. S. Bhaskar Reddy.

Bhaskar Reddy is father of Kadapa MP Y. S. Avinash Reddy and uncle of Chief Minister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI arrested Bhaskar Reddy from his residence at Pulivendula in Kadapa district.

Also Read: YSRCPs mega survey on government's governance covers 64 lakh households so far

The CBI officials handed over the arrest memo to Bhaskar Reddy's family and took him into custody.

A large number of Bhaskar Reddy and Avinash Reddy's supporters had reached their residence.

The CBI was shifting Bhaskar Reddy to Hyderabad where he will be produced before a magistrate by Sunday evening.

Bhaskar Reddy's arrest came two days after police arrested G. Uday Kumar Reddy, a close follower of Avinash Reddy, the nephew of the deceased who has been questioned by the agency multiple times in recent months.

He was brought to Hyderabad and produced before a CBI court which sent him to judicial custody.

The CBI expedited the pace of investigation after the Supreme Court last week constituted a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the agency and directed it to complete the investigation by April 30.

Bhaskar Reddy is the fifth accused to be arrested in the case. He and his son Avinash Reddy were earlier questioned by the CBI.

Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle of present Andhra Pradesh Chief Ninister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula of Kadapa district on the night of March 15, 2019, a few days before the elections.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh going bankrupt due to ruling YSRCP's failed policies, says TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu

The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Suneetha Reddy, who raised suspicion about some relatives.

The Supreme Court transferred the case to Hyderabad in November last year while observing that doubts raised by Suneetha Reddy about getting a fair trial and investigation in Andhra Pradesh were reasonable.

In an affidavit filed in Telangana High Court a few days ago while opposing the bail petition of Sunil Yadav, one of the accused, the CBI had claimed that Avinash Reddy, Bhaskara Reddy and their follower D. Siva Sankar Reddy, hatched a criminal conspiracy to kill Vivekananda Reddy over conflicting political ambitions.

Avinash Reddy and Bhaskar Reddy allegedly had a grouse against Vivekananda Reddy as the latter was opposed to YSRCP fielding Avinash as the party candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. The former minister wanted Jaganmohan Reddy to field his sister Y. S. Sharmila or mother Y.S. Vijayamma.

The CBI claimed that Rs 40 crore was offered to the other accused to carry out the murder.

The investigating agency also stated in its counter that Vivekananda Reddy was not happy with his brother Bhaskar Reddy and nephew Avinash Reddy as they had sabotaged his chances in MLC election in 2017 in Kadapa.

Avinash and his father wanted Siva Sankar as MLC candidate but when Jaganmohan Reddy fielded Vivekananda, the trio ensured he was defeated.

Avinash Reddy, who has been questioned by the CBI multiple times in recent months, had denied the allegations and claimed that he and his father were in no way involved.
Paris is playing host to an exhibition titled Ramses II and the Gold of the Pharoahs running at the Grande Halle de la Villette from April 7 to September 6.



The sarcophagus of the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II for the exhibition was carried from Cairo to Paris on board a regular Air France flight operated by the Airbus A350 Biscarosse.



On arrival at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, the sarcophagus was escorted to the capital, where it will be presented to the public at the Ramses and the gold of the Pharoahs exhibition which opened on April 7 at the Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris.



Presented to the French public only once before, 45 years ago, the sarcophagus of the Pharoah had not left Egypt since. Although the exhibition will tour a number of major cities around the world, the sarcophagus, as the centrepiece of the exhibition, is being exclusively loaned to France to keep transport to a minimum. This exhibition therefore constitutes a very special occasion for experts and admirers of Egyptology.



Air France Cargo has provided its full range of expertise in handling this extraordinary shipment. Its colleagues have worked with Egyptian and French experts to define and ensure optimal transport conditions at every step of the journey, in line with conservation measures that are as close as possible to those in Cairo.



For 90 years, Air France Cargo has regularly deployed its widely recognized technical expertise in transporting particularly fragile and precious works of art. In recent years, Air France aircraft have carried -



 54 works by Pablo Picasso, travelling to Los Angeles,

 Pages of the original manuscript of St Exuperys Little Prince, which flew from New York to be shown at the Paris exhibition A la rencontre du Petit Prince; the first time the manuscript had travelled to France.

 The historic collection of the jeweller Chaumet, which were flown to Tokyo,

 And the Tyrannosaurus Rex named Trix, from the US to Europe.



Air France Cargo has a team dedicated to transporting works of art. Special care is taken with these objects, that require appropriate monitoring and security. Customers, notably the worlds largest museums, can monitor the different stages of transport of the works of art, from palletization to disembarkation.



This part of the groups activity illustrates air transports role in creating unique ties between people and cultures, in this case by transporting the worlds most beautiful works of art to different locations around the world for as many people as possible to admire.



The Air France-American Express card is the official partner of this event.  TradeArabia News Service








In a shocking tragedy, at least eleven persons - who had come to attend the grand Maharashtra Bhushan awards ceremony in the satellite township of Navi Mumbai on Sunday - have died of heat stroke and dehydration.

At least 50 others are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Navi Mumbai and Raigad districts.

The Maharashtra Bhushan Award was conferred to the well-known social worker, Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, popularly known as Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.

The function was held at the Corporate Park at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The ground was packed with people belonging to Shree Sadasya, the movement of the Dharmadhikari-family.

The award comprised a shawl, a citation and memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, which Dharmadhikari donated to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund.

Unconfirmed reports put the figures of death and those undergoing treatment much higher.

The majority of the patients are undergoing treatment at MGM Hospital at Kamothe in Navi Mumbai.

Also Read: Sea of humanity gathers to honour Appasaheb Dharmadhikari

I spoke to the doctors, patients and their families.what has happened is very unfortunateeleven people have died, around 50 are undergoing treatment, who are now stable, Shinde told reporters after rushing to the hospital.

Shinde announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and that the medical expenses of those would be taken care of by the state government.

Lakhs of people from the four corners of Maharashtra and neighbouring states had gone to attend the event.

They had come to Navi Mumbai in buses, trucks, cars, jeeps and even by boats. Some of them reached on Saturday itself.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has targeted the Shinde-Fadnavis government for holding the function during the day when the state was reeling under heat.

State Congress President Nana Patole said that the government is solely responsible for this and it should be booked for culpable homicide. They should resign, Patole said.

NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said that Shinde owes an answer. News of lives lost due to heat after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan award programme organised by the incumbent Maharashtra government in Kharghar is disturbing. With day temperatures soaring so high, why was this function held in the open?, he asked.

News of lives lost due to heat after attending the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award program organised by the incumbent Maharashtra government in Kharghar is disturbing.

With day temperatures soaring so high, why was this function held in the open?

CM Eknath Shinde ji owes an answer.  Clyde Crasto -   (@Clyde_Crasto) April 16, 2023

Over the last few days, there were reports that around 20 lakh people would come to attend the programme.

On Sunday, IMD-Mumbais Colaba and Santacruz observatories recorded 32.4 degrees Celsius and 34.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Meanwhile, the states Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that people have a love for the Dharmadhikari family and have come in huge numbers.
A series of events focusing on workers rights will be held this month marking Workers Rights & Social Justice Week (WRSJW), which this year runs from Monday April 24th until Monday May 1st.

Social Justice is about empowering workers, citizens and communities to take action and help bring about positive change, creating fair, inclusive and equitable places to live and work. The programme is led this year by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC).

Launching the programme, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said: Council is committed to supporting local people in the campaign for better social and working conditions for everyone, and with the current challenges presented by the cost of living crisis, this has never been more important.

As a city we have a long history of driving change through the Civil Rights movement and supporting workers through our strong Trade Union network.

"The Workers Rights and Social Justice programme offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past, and how they resonate with modern campaigns for social justice.

"It shines a light on how far we have come, and how these lessons can continue to influence and shape our approaches going forwards, particularly now as we emerge from the Covid pandemic and navigate the current economic crisis.

This years programme will feature a series of talks, workshops and films brought together under the banner of Together for Change. It will raise awareness of the key milestones and historic figures that have driven forward workers rights locally and beyond, focusing particularly on workers rights, trade unionism and social justice issues, and exploring themes such as challenging racism and the role of artists in activism.

Events kick off on Monday May 24th with a screening of ground-breaking documentary The Killing Floor, charting the trade unions struggles in 1950s Boston to support workers in the meat factories. This will be followed on Friday by a viewing of 406 Days shining a light on the strikes by Debenhams workers, accompanied by a special panel discussion.

Other highlights of the week include a lecture by Anna Liesching, Curator of Art at National Museums NI, examining the under-representation of women in art, taking place in the Tower Museum on April 25th. The talk will explore the history of local activism through objects from the Ulster Museum collection starting with the 1500s and ending with present day practice in Ireland.

The talk is followed on April 27th by a panel event, also in the Tower Museum, led by local academic Adrian Grant, titled Shirts, Ships and Strikes: Exploring the histories of work and life in 20th century Derry.

The discussion will bring together historians who have carried out research on the broad history of work and everyday life in Derry, particularly on the docks and in factories, and the subsequent decline of industry.

Young people are also welcome to get involved in this years programme, and have the chance to learn more about the role of activism in driving social change by joining in a banner making workshop on Tuesday 25th April at 10am in Tower Museum.

These events set the scene for the annual May Day March, which leaves Ebrington Square, making its way over the Peace Bridge, through the City Centre to Guildhall Square on Saturday May 29th.

Local people are invited by Derry Trades Union Council to come together to demonstrate their commitment to working together to achieve a better future for everyone.

Chair of Derry Trades Union Council, Niall McCarroll said: On behalf of our affiliated trade union branches and as Chairperson of Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC) - it is a real privilege to be in the position to put before the people this years programme of events - as we launch Workers Rights and Social Justice Week.

DTUC would like to express our appreciation to all those across council and within the trades council who have worked together in delivering this year's week-long programme of events.

"Over recent times we have seen a rise in popularity and appreciation of trade union organising and social justice campaigning as people grew weary of falling living standards and decided to do something about it.

Those both in work and out have realised that our combined contributions to society were not being valued or recognised. WRSJW 2023 is yet another platform through which we can further widen this conversation, broadening the awareness of the importance of the organised collective.

Together for Change is our message this year and it must also be our collective campaigning message - as we together continue our quest and mobilise as one in demanding social justice and equality for all.

Find out more about the full programme of events marking Workers Rights and Social Justice Week at derrystrabane.com/ workersrights
Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Good Friday Agreement as he enters a second week of events to mark 25 years of the peace deal.

After meeting Joe Biden during the US presidents brief visit to Northern Ireland last week, the Prime Minister will return to Belfast on Wednesday to give a speech at a major conference and host a gala dinner that will include young volunteers.

A number of events have been taking place in the region to commemorate the 1998 agreement, which largely led to the end of the 30-year Troubles and established the powersharing Assembly at Stormont.

The institutions are currently suspended as part of a protest by the Democratic Unionist Party against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Mr Sunak will meet key architects of the Good Friday Agreement and representatives from Ireland and the US during his visit  his fifth to Northern Ireland since taking office.

Queens Universitys three-day Agreement 25 conference, starting on Monday, will also feature speeches by Sir Tony Blair and former US senator George Mitchell.

It will be hosted by former US secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton, with attendees including Bill Clinton, US president in 1998; and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Sunak said: This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today  those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.

The events in the coming days will focus on the peace, prosperity and economic opportunity the Good Friday Agreement brought to Northern Ireland, Downing Street said.

Last week, Mr Biden delivered a speech at Ulster University in which he expressed hope for a return to powersharing, saying a stable devolved government could deliver an economic windfall for the region.
By Comcores

As data consumption grows and chip designs evolve to meet this demand, Interlaken is the ideal high-speed chip-to-chip interface with efficiency, reliability and scalability.

Interlaken addresses modern chip-to-chip design challenges

System and chip designers are challenged like never before. The continuous growth in data consumption is driving demand for higher speeds and capacities, but designs also need to consume less power-per-bit at a lower cost-per-bit. Reliability is, of course, a key requirement, but not at the expense of efficiency and cost.

One of the chip design elements that is most critical is the chip-to-chip interface. Poor chip-to-chip interface design can lead to system bottlenecks and unreliable data transfers that can compromise the entire solution. Choosing the right chip-to-chip interface technology is therefore critical.

Interlaken provides a high-speed interface with efficiency, reliability and scalability. The design of the Interlaken interface ensures low power consumption and cost-per-bit without compromising on performance, reach or reliability.

Multiple design challenges

Efficiency

The challenge when connecting chips is to find an economic means of transferring data between chips on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) implementation. This means as few pins and PCB physical connections, or trace-routes, as possible.

To achieve this, serial interfaces are preferred as they drastically reduce the number of pins required. Serial interfaces consume less power and are less sensitive to electro-magnetic interference compared to parallel connections. Serial interfaces have fewer connections that can be spaced effectively to reduce these effects. This increases the effective reach of the interface leading to longer trace-routes and more flexibility during design. This decreases the complexity and cost of PCB and chip design.

Reliability

One of the important requirements for chip-to-chip interfaces is that they need to be transparent. Data needs to be reliably transferred from one chip to another without relying on higher layer protocols.

First, the chip-to-chip interface needs to ensure that there is bounded disparity, which means that the number of 1s and 0s transmitted are as equal as possible. If not, a Direct Current (DC) offset is introduced that can affect coupling capacitors or transformers on the line. This can lead to challenges in identifying voltage levels accurately and retrieving clock data. To compensate for this, an effective block coding mechanism is needed that will reduce the running disparity, the difference between the number of 1s and 0s, as much as possible.

The next step is to ensure that bits have not been corrupted during transmission. An effective Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) for each data transmission can indicate if errors have occurred, while a Forward Error Correction (FEC) can be used to correct any errors.

Finally, it is desirable to ensure that the flow of data is controlled so that receiving chips are not overwhelmed, which can lead to packet loss. For bursty data that is switched to different locations, flow control can be extremely effective in managing data bursts and ensuring maximum throughput.

Scalability, Configurability and Reuse

In an ideal world, each application will have a chip-to-chip interface that is optimized for that specific application, but it is far more desirable to have an interface that can be configured and reused to meet different requirements.

Enabling the chip-to-chip interface to scale to meet different data rates enables maximum reuse across multiple designs and applications. In addition, the ability to configure the interface to fit different SerDes (Serializer/Deserializer [1]) lane configurations provides maximum flexibility in meeting application needs.

ASIC chip designs are often prototyped on FPGAs first. It is therefore desirable to have a chip-to-chip interface that can not only scale, but also migrate from FPGA platforms to ASIC designs with minimal impact. Today, FPGAs are often combined with ASICs, which requires chip-to-chip interfaces that can be implemented on either platform.

Introducing Interlaken

Interlaken provides a standardized serial interface that is agnostic of underlying SerDes implementations. It can also be configured to support multiple lane configurations.

Interlaken ensures reliable transfer of data over as few physical connections as possible. Interlaken provides mechanisms to ensure the integrity of data transfer as well as manage data flows to ensure that the chip is not overloaded. These mechanisms effectively increase the operational reach of Interlaken interfaces to allow longer chip-to-chip interfaces.

Interlaken inspired by XAUI and SPI4.2

Interlaken was introduced in 2006 by Cisco Systems and Cortina Systems to address the need for both a high-speed chip-to-chip interface and a reliable packet transfer mechanism. Available alternatives at the time were XAUI and SPI4.2 and both inspired the design of Interlaken, which combines the best of both.

XAUI

XAUI, or 10 Gigabit Attachment Unit Interface, was originally introduced in the IEEE 802.3ae standard for 10 Gbps Ethernet. In the standard, the 10 Gbps Ethernet protocol stack defined a new parallel interface between the MAC layer and the PHY layer called XGMII (10 Gbps Media Independent Interface).

System and chip designers needed the option of implementing the 10G MAC layer and PHY layer on different chips. However, the XGMII interface requires over 70 pins to connect the MAC and PHY. As a parallel interface with a high number of connections, the effective reach was relatively short at only 3 inches or 7.5 cm. This made XGMII an impractical chip-to-chip interface.

XAUI was defined as an alternative XGMII extender interface. XAUI is a serial interface that maps the parallel data of the XGMII interface to 4 serial interfaces operating at 3.125 Gbps. Each interface requires two connections leading to a need for 16 pins for full duplex operation, which is a dramatic improvement on the over 70 pins used by XGMII. The effective reach can be longer than 40 inches or 100 cm, but is specified normally to 20 inches or 50 cm.

It is this efficiency that inspired Interlaken designers to adopt a serial interface rather than a parallel interface.

The disadvantage of XAUI is that it is limited. While the 8b/10b block coding used in XAUI helps in improving running disparity, it does not remove the effects completely. A CRC is used to ensure that bits are transmitted correctly, but there is no flow control mechanism. This is not needed for communication between the MAC and the PHY, but can pose a problem if XAUI is used for other chip-to-chip applications.

SPI4.2

From a flow control perspective, the best example of an interface implementing this capability, at the time, was the SPI4.2 (System Packet Interface level 4, phase 2) interface published by the Optical Interconnect Forum (OIF) in 2003.

SPI4.2 was designed as a parallel interface between PHY devices and link-layer devices for 10 Gbps Ethernet, as well as OC-192 ATM and SONET/SDH.

One of the big advantages of the SPI4.2 interface is that a separate flow control interface is provided that allows the First-In First-Out (FIFO) buffer status of the receiver to be communicated back to the transmitter. The separate flow control interface enables the transmit and receive data flows to operate separately with their own flow control for each virtual port.

This ensures that the FIFOs at the receive side are not overloaded or starved. It also enables rate matching mechanisms, where the line rates on the transmit and receive sides can vary. This was the case with 10 Gbps LAN Ethernet, which operated at a different rate to 10 Gbps WAN Ethernet and OC-192.

Interlaken has adopted similar rate matching and flow control mechanisms as SPI4.2 using it as an inspiration for design.

Interlaken for high-speed chip-to-chip interfaces

Interlaken was conceived as the best of the XAUI and SPI4.2 implementations. It combines the serial, channelized interface of XAUI with the flow control capabilities of SPI4.2 to provide the ultimate high-speed chip-to-chip interface.

Interlaken provides efficiency

Interlaken is designed as a serial interface similar to XAUI and can achieve long reach using fewer physical pin connections. It makes it possible to use Interlaken in a variety of applications, from system-level chip-to-chip interfaces to chiplet-to-chiplet interfaces within a package.

In Interlaken, a meta-frame concept is introduced to control transmission of control and data words on each lane. For each lane, a set of words associated with the meta-frame are sent along with the payload of control and data words. These are:

Synchronization: used to align lanes

Scrambler State: used to synchronize the scrambler

Skip: used for clock compensation

Diagnostic: used for per-lane error checks and status messages

Click to enlarge

Figure 1: Interlaken striping and word format

Data is transmitted across the Interlaken interface in configurable bursts, like SPI4.2, which are a subset of the data to be transmitted. The minimum burst size, known as BurstShort, is 32 bytes divided into 8-byte increments known as words. An equivalent maximum burst size, named BurstMax, can also be configured. BurstMax is defined as a multiple of 64 bytes.

Similar to SPI4.2, the data word bursts are bookended by control words that provide additional information on the data being sent, as well as control information. The format of the control word is shown in Figure 1.

Each burst is associated with one of up to 65536 logical channels, which can represent ports or any other logical stream of data. This allows different data streams to be mixed while meeting tight latency requirements.

Click to enlarge

Figure 2: Transfer of 72-byte packet with BurstMax = 64 bytes and BurstShort = 32 bytes

An IP packet can be transmitted without interruption over several bursts. This is known as Packet Mode. Alternatively, segments from multiple packets can be interleaved. This is known as Segment Mode. The individual segments can be interleaved on different channels. The two modes enable the chip-to-chip interface to match application needs. For example, it might be more important to ensure that packets are not interrupted and sent in full using Packet Mode. Alternatively, for applications that need low latency, Segment Mode can be used to avoid head-of-line blocking and delays.

When the amount of data to be transmitted is less than BurstShort, Interlaken includes idle control words that can be inserted to meet the burst size requirements, as shown in Figure 2. When transmitting a specific packet, the start of the packet is indicated by a control word with a Start of Packet (SOP) field. The packet data is segmented into multiple 8-byte data words according to the configured burst size parameters with idle control words inserted as necessary.

The final control word contains an End-of-Packet (EOP) Format Field, which not only indicates the end of the packet transmission, but also how many bytes of the last data word are valid.

Interlaken provides several reliability mechanisms

Interlaken is designed to be completely transparent, thus providing different reliability mechanisms to ensure correct data transmission.

Better block encoding

First, Interlaken uses a more advanced block coding scheme to reduce running disparity as much as possible. A 64b/67b block scheme is used, where the 8-byte words to be transmitted are mapped or striped on a sequential basis to a 67-bit block. Using a larger block for encoding is more efficient and uses less bandwidth. At the receiver, the reverse operation occurs where the 67-bit block data is mapped to 8-byte words.

This is a similar mechanism to the 64b/66b block used in Ethernet implementations and defined in IEEE 802.3ae for WAN applications, but includes the addition of an additional inversion bit. The inversion bit indicates whether data has been inverted allowing mechanisms to reduce running disparity even further.

Similar to 64b/66b, the Interlaken implementation scrambles the 64-bit data to improve running disparity, but leaves two added sync bits unscrambled to enable control words to be identified.

Interlaken uses a 24-bit CRC in the control word that is calculated across all data in the burst across all lanes.

Flow control

One of the major advantages of the Interlaken interface is flow control. Inspired by SPI4.2, Interlaken implements a per-channel control mechanism, which enables the receiver to communicate backpressure.

The flow status of each channel is communicated using a single bit indicating either a 1 for XON state or a 0 for XOFF state per logical channel. Data can be transmitted on a channel as long as the flow control status is XON.

Interlaken provides the option of using a calendar to indicate the status of all logical channels and the link at once. In the calendar, status is provided for the link as well as each logical channel with a single XON/XOFF bit.

Interlaken supports both out-of-band and in-band flow control allowing for efficient interface implementations. Out-of-band flow control requires separate pins while In-band flow control information is indicated in the flow control field of the control word.

With these flow control mechanisms, it is possible to meet the data flow requirements of each channel individually. Should the receive buffer of an interface become congested, the flow control can ensure that the transmission of data is managed to address this situation

An additional control feature is Rate Matching. This ensures that the data rate of the Interlaken interface is matched to the downstream service. This can be helpful in situations where two chip implementations operate with different clocks or there is a need to convert to different data rates.

One of the features of SPI4.2 that was not originally implemented in Interlaken was Hit-Less Bandwidth Re-Provisioning. It allows channels to be added or removed, channel priorities to be changed dynamically or channel bandwidth to be changed without affecting traffic on the interface.

In 2014, this capability was added with the Interlaken Dual Calendar Extension Revision 1.0. This allows two calendars to be defined, one active and one shadow calendar. A calendar selection bit (CAL_SEL) is added to the flow control word to indicate whether the active calendar or shadow calendar should be used (referred to as CAL0 and CAL1 respectively).

Multiple CRC checks

CRC checks are applied at multiple levels of Interlaken. First, a 24-bit CRC is calculated across all data in the burst, as well as the control word itself. At the meta-frame level, a 32-bit CRC is calculated across all words in the meta-frame. Out-of-band flow control is also protected with a 4-bit CRC.

These multiple levels of CRC checks ensure maximum data integrity. However, CRC checks can only indicate errors and not correct them. Therefore, in 2020, the Interlaken Alliance published the Interlaken Reed-Solomon Forward Error Correction Extension Rev. 1.1, which defines how the RS(544, 514) FEC can be used in Interlaken to provide additional data integrity protection.

In 2012, the Interlaken Alliance provided an extension called Interlaken Retransmit Extension Revision 1.2, which enabled buffered data retransmission in the event that a CRC error is detected.

Interlaken provides scalability

Because Interlaken is designed to be configurable and independent of the underlying physical lane implementation, it can be scaled to meet any requirement. This distinguishes Interlaken from both XAUI and SPI4.2 as both are based on a fixed number of connections.

For a chip designer, this is extremely useful. It means that the same Interlaken implementation can be configured to meet different chip-to-chip interface design requirements. For example, the chip-to-chip interface could be based on a single lane at full data capacity. Alternatively, it could be based on 4 lanes each operating at a quarter of the data capacity.

Click to enlarge

Figure 3: System- and board-level applications

When combined with the ability to define logical channels, the chip designer is provided with multiple configuration options that enable Interlaken to scale from single lane 10 Gbps connections to multi-100 Gbps connections. These scalability capabilities provide chip designers with reuse opportunities across multiple designs and applications.

Because Interlaken is standardized and independent of the underlying physical implementation, it allows a chip designer to design a chip-to-chip interface for an FPGA platform that can be reused should the design be migrated to an ASIC platform.

Interlaken applications

As a chip-to-chip interface that is independent of the underlying physical implementation, Interlaken can be used in multiple applications. Because of its configurability and scalability, it can be adapted to meet specific needs while ensuring a narrow, economic and reliable interface.

System-level applications

In a typical data processing system, the data processing units need to be connected to the data input/output logic.

For smaller systems, that can be a single pizza-box motherboard where MAC/PHY chips are connected directly to the data processing unit (e.g., CPU, NPU, GPU or similar) or a switch/mapper chip. In these applications, Interlaken can be used to connect the MAC/PHY chips to the data processing unit or switch.

The Interlaken logical channels can represent networking ports or switching ports, types of data, such as control or management data or different types of payload data, such as Ethernet or OC192.

Interlaken flow control and rate matching can be used in switch systems to manage the flow of input/output data based on the FIFO buffers for each switch port ensuring that no packet data is dropped in the system.

Because Interlaken is independent of the communication protocol or underlying implementation, the designer can choose where chip logic should reside. For example, the designer can choose how many sub-layers of the physical layer should be implemented close to the port and how many should be centralized in a separate chip. This can be seen in Ethernet implementations, but also in 5G RAN implementations with split-PHY eCPRI interfaces.

For larger systems, the data processing or switch units can be separated from the data input/output logic on separate plug-in boards connected over a backplane. Now, the Interlaken chip-to-chip interface needs to connect the same chips to each other, but must do so across the backplane. Thanks to the built-in reliability and relatively long-reach of Interlaken interfaces, this does not present a challenge. Figure 3 provides examples of system- and board-level applications.

Board-level applications

At the board-level, many of the same advantages can be reaped as at the system level. While network adapters have traditionally been focused on transferring data to and from central data processing units, modern adapters are increasingly offloading data processing tasks with more advanced capabilities.

This often includes data processing chips, and even switch chips, on the adapter based on ASICs, NPUs, GPUs and FPGAs. Adapter design has thus become more complex with more processing and memory chips on the adapter requiring high-speed chip-to-chip interfaces.

As board-level design is limited due to the size of the board (e.g., PCIe adapter, OCP mezzanine cards or motherboards), compact designs are important. Interlaken provides advantages such as reducing the cost, power consumption and complexity of the board design, because only a few physical lanes are required to be implemented.

Since board designs can involve multiple chips in the data path, Interlaken can be used to meet the individual requirements of each chip interface with respect to number of lanes and speed rates. Flow control and rate matching can be used to match data rates in applications where there can be clock or data rate discrepancies between chips.

Look-aside applications

In both system- and board-level applications, co-processing chips are used to offload specific tasks. This could be search engines, policing engines, cryptographic engines etc. Typically, they are focused on processing header information or specific types of packets or some other subset of the data being processed.

For these applications, the Interlaken Alliance has defined a lightweight version of the Interlaken protocol called Interlaken Look-Aside. This was published in 2008 as Interlaken Look-Aside Protocol Definition Revision 1.1. The Interlaken Look-Aside protocol is similar to Interlaken, but with the following differences:

It is designed for fewer channels

Packet Mode is used instead of segment mode

Single-burst packets are used for short packets

BurstShort minimum is reduced to 8 bytes

A single reference clock with only 1 skip word



Using Interlaken Look-Aside feature, an even more compact and lightweight implementation can be adopted. For co-processor applications that are used to processing a small subset of the total data, the Interlaken interface can be used to directly connect the co-processor and main processor.

Figure 4: Chip-level applications

Chip-level applications

According to a recent report from PwC [2], global data consumption in 2020 increased 30.4% compared to 2019 and is expected to grow 26.9% per year until 2025. This requires higher speeds and capacities, which means bigger chips and greater power consumption. Power consumption is a major challenge for data centers and is as important as speed and capacity in decisions on which networking technology and chips to deploy. Space is also an issue, so compact solutions are important. The challenge, for both system and chip designers, is to minimize the cost, size and power consumption of systems and chips as much as possible.

This is leading chip designers to break up designs so that they can either be implemented on multiple physical chips or on chiplets, which are smaller chip dies that are combined with high-speed interfaces to form an efficient solution within a single package. This technique has been used by CPU manufacturers for some time and can also be seen in System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions, as shown in Figure 4. For chip designs that involve multiple separate chiplets, Interlaken can provide the ideal interconnecting interface. This is especially true for high-speed chip solutions.

For the user of the chip, it is important that it operates as if the implementation was on a single die. In other words, the interconnecting chiplet interface should not introduce any observable effects.

The reliability and flow control provided by Interlaken ensures that the interface is self-reliant as well as being efficient. It enables different chiplets with different requirements to be combined. Interlaken can configure the interface and control the data flow to match requirements. This allows efficient chiplet designs to be re-used in multiple packages.

Another chip-level application of Interlaken is System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions where FPGA logic is combined with hard-coded blocks or separate dies in the same package. A good example of this is SoC solutions supporting digital or even analog signal processing. The signal processing functionality can be provided on a separate die that is optimized for this kind of functionality. Interlaken provides an efficient and reliable interface for connecting blocks and separate dies with the FPGA logic.

Because the Interlaken interface is standardized and independent of the underlying implementation, it is also agnostic of the FPGA platform provider and can thus be used in solutions that need to support multiple FPGA vendors. The FPGA can also be migrated to an ASIC without major impact.

Suitable for a broad range of high-speed applications and reuse

Because of its configurability and scalability, a single Interlaken interface design can be reused to meet a broad range of applications making it an efficient and profitable design investment.

However, there is no need to invest in designing Interlaken interfaces, as pre-tested and verified implementations are already available that can easily be integrated into chip designs. Comcores Intellectual Property (IP) blocks can be used in both FPGA and ASIC designs and provide all the configurability and scalability that Interlaken is designed to deliver.

Comcores Interlaken IP can be used for a variety of applications making it a valuable investment that not only saves critical time and resources today, but also in future chip designs.

Click to enlarge

Figure 5: Comcores Interlaken Controller IP

Comcores Interlaken Intellectual Property

Comcores is the leading provider of reliable and efficient IP Blocks for Ethernet, Wireless and Chip to Chip interfaces including the Interlaken IP.

Complete solution with support for fast time-to-market

The Comcores Interlaken controller IP provides a complete Interlaken implementation including all extensions. The IP is designed for ease of integration enabling chip designers to quickly and easily implement and configure Interlaken chip-to-chip interfaces to suit their specific needs.

Comcores provides extensive documentation, reference design information with a complete simulation environment and Comcores engineers provide support throughout the design and bring-up process.

Highly configurable

In addition to the configurability expected of a complete Interlaken solution, Comcores also provides support for up to 48 SerDes lanes of 56 Gigabaud signaling rate enabling the Interlaken controller IP to deliver up to 2.6 Tbps per interface in both directions. The width of the SerDes interface can be configured from 10-bit or 67-bit interface widths.

An application interface is provided based on the ARM AMBA Credited eXtensible Stream (CXS) interface. The advantage of AMBA CXS as an application interface is that it is designed to support wide interfaces that can transfer packets at high data rates. This enables multiple packets to be merged into a single transfer if required.

The Comcores Interlaken controller IP can be configured to support various application interface widths of 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096 and 8192 bits. The number of interface segments can also be configured to be either 2, 4 or 8.

The Comcores Interlaken controller IP supports a variety of management interfaces to enable support for various chip designs and platforms:

APB: ARM  Advanced Peripheral Bus interface, which is part of the Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA  ) and can be used in FGPA or ASIC designs

Advanced Peripheral Bus interface, which is part of the Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture (AMBA ) and can be used in FGPA or ASIC designs AXI4-lite: part of the ARM  AMBA  AXI control interface and used by AMD  /Xilinx  for connecting to LogiCORE IP AXI interconnect core in an FPGA design

AMBA AXI control interface and used by AMD /Xilinx for connecting to LogiCORE IP AXI interconnect core in an FPGA design Avalon: Intel  /Altera  interface for interconnecting components in an FPGA design

/Altera interface for interconnecting components in an FPGA design I2C: Inter-Integrated Circuit serial communication bus interface

Simulation and testing environment

To enable fast time-to-market and ease of integration, Comcores provides extensive documentation and a simulation environment with test cases and test scripts. This includes a hardware test environment as well as RTL testbenches.

The current hardware test environment is based on a Xilinx Virtex-UltraScale VCU108 board (xcvu095-ffva2104-2-e) with External FMC loopback card. This enables two primary test cases to be implemented:

Functional test: Implementation of two Interlaken interfaces in the same FPGA, which are then externally connected. A hardware traffic generator block drives data to both interfaces and then examines the received data on both application interfaces.

Interoperability test: The same test is performed, but by replacing one of the Interlaken interfaces with a 3rd party Interlaken implementation, such as the Xilinx Interlaken core to test interoperability

Click to enlarge

Figure 6: Comcores Interlaken IP Core FPGA-based Test Environment

Future of Interlaken

As data consumption continues to grow, data center processing workloads and data network capacity needs to grow to meet demand. However, the challenge for todays data centers is that low-cost-per-bit is no longer a sufficient performance goal. Low-power-consumption-per-bit is just as important. Raw speed and capacity are no longer enough; they need to be delivered with low power consumption.

This is forcing system and chip designers to re-think their approach. Instead of relying on CPUs as the main processing engine, a variety of alternatives are being used, such as ARM processors, NPUs, and GPUs, while there is an increase in the number of application-specific dedicated data processor solutions. Open RISC-V designs are now also available, including chiplets for integration in chip packages. SoC designs and disaggregated chip designs combining multiple optimized chiplets are also becoming more popular in an effort to meet stringent cost, speed, capacity and power consumption targets.

The common theme is a need to optimize how data is processed at every stage to ensure that an optimal system solution can be provided. Interlaken provides the ideal chip-to-chip interface to address these needs. As a highly configurable and scalable solution that is agnostic of the underlying physical implementation and whether the chip is FPGA or ASIC based, Interlaken can be optimized to meet the specific needs of modern system and chip designers.

Interlaken provides the further advantage of reuse in multiple applications and across platforms.

With the Comcores Interlaken IP Controller, chip designers have a complete, highly configurable IP block that can be quickly and easily integrated as well as verified with expert support throughout the process.

For more information on Comcores packaged IP solutions and access to Comcores Interlaken IP core visit: www.comcores.com or contact us at sales@comcores.com.

The hardware test environment can be controlled at the board level with the possibility of adding control via a UART console running a Linux environment. This can enable test configuration, launch and test result checks via user interface.

[1] A physical layer SerDes converts parallel data on multiple physical connections or lanes to serial data on one or more lanes

[2] Source: World Economic Forum (weforum.org)






Motorola could launch more than one folding phone this year. The leaks and rumours suggest there will be a Moto Razr Plus and a Moto Razr Lite. The latters renders are out thanks to OnLeaks via MySmartPrice. They reveal an unassuming design and heres what we mean by that.

Motorola Razr Lite renders

As per the leaked renders, the Razr Lite could have a small strip-like cover display. It seems to take up about 25 percent of the space. It houses two camera lenses and although we dont its features, we suspect it could show time, calendar, and phone notification messages/alerts, among other things.

On the bottom half of the back side, we see a Motorola logo and Razr branding.

The front of the phone has got a punch-hole cutout for the front camera. The bezels appear thin and symmetrical. But, they are also very apparent to the eyes.

Inside, the Razr+ could ship with a less-powerful chipset, fewer memory options, and less capable cameras.

However, it is too early to tell. What the renders reveal confidently is the devices clamshell form factor.

Meanwhile, heres what we know about the Razr Plus:

Motorola Razr Plus: Expected design and specs

The Razr+ renders suggest a ginormous cover display (relatively speaking that is). There seems to be enough surface area for a list of phone notifications to show up. A tiny turf at the bottom appears to be used for a tiny icons-based status bar.

Internally, the battery size is said to be 3640mAh (split into 2 parts viz. 2,850mAh and a 790mAh). This is rumoured to be supported by a 33W fast charger.

Thats about it. We expect both phones to come out in June. Lets see.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
The Ireland Funds, the global philanthropic network, has opened applications for its Heart of the Community Fund 2023, which will provide funding in response to the needs of non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland.

The Ireland Funds recognises the challenges organisations face in securing support to build capacity or meet their core costs, so the Heart of the Community Fund 2023 will provide Organisational Investment Grants with a total of at least 500,000. Applications are open until 9th May 2023.



The Heart of the Community Fund 2022 provided support to the Louth-based non-profit organisation Drogheda ABACAS Special School for children with autism and complex needs.



The Heart of the Community Fund 2023 will continue to respond to the non-profit sector by encouraging organisations to present their unique needs for funding consideration, be that operational or programmatic. Grants between 5,000-25,000 will be awarded.



Siobhan Gallagher, Executive Director of The Ireland Funds, said: The Heart of the Community Fund is all about meeting the needs of communities all across Ireland. It is designed to help non-profit organisations providing key services to people in need.

"The Ireland Funds is proud to strengthen Irelands non-profit sector with practical help and financial support. We would like to thank The Ireland Funds network of donors for their ongoing generosity, which ensures that we can enable organisations to deliver vital supports to those across the island of Ireland who need it most.



The Ireland Funds will host an Information Session about the Heart of the Community Fund and how to apply in Dublin on April 20th. To register or find out more, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ dublin-event-the-ireland- funds-heart-of-the-community- fund-2023-tickets-610951902587

For more information on The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund 2023, please visit - www.irelandfunds.org/grants/
On Wednesday the Dundalk Democrat was one of a select few Irish media outlets to be granted access to President Bidens address in the Windsor Bar and Restaurant.

Selected media were escorted by plain clothes gardai through the barriers and with a double knock ushered in through a side door of the pub where they were met by a group of stern looking secret service agents.

Once inside bags were placed in a pile for security and their sniffer dogs to rifle through while journalists were given the once over by handheld metal detectors.

When it was determined that there was no threat posed to US national security the press pack were again led to a small cordoned off section where television cameras for RTE and Fox News were already set up and ready to capture the speech.

Instrumentals of famous Irish songs rang throughout the pub from a trad group who played off to the side as distant relatives and dignitaries took their seats in front of the presidential podium which was set against a backdrop of a tricolour, star spangled banner and an old fashioned A Guinness a day sign.

There was however, no Guinesses in sight in the hours before the address. Under strict instructions from the secret service the Windsor became, as the famous song goes, A pub with no beer.

Twenty minutes before the presidents arrival the White House press pool flooded into the cordoned off media zone which was now threatening to spill over such was the number of bodies now squeezed in, leading to a jostling of shoulders and elbows usually reserved for junior B games.

The expectant atmosphere grew as the crowd were given the two minute warning that the president was on his way.

Fifteen minutes later Tanaiste Micheal Martin shuffled in, almost apologetically, aware that for today at least he wasnt the main attraction; soon followed by a smiling President Biden who made his way over to one of the children sitting at the side and whispered something.

Mr Martin spoke first as the president sat down, focusing his remarks on the value of peace to the border town as he introduced Mr Biden.

He said that the value of the Good Friday Agreement was so tangible and real here in this location.

It is a shared space, a place that links rather than divides. Peace is not an abstraction here, he said.

As we build on the ambition of the Good Friday Agreement to sustain a dynamic and prosperous peace, the US will remain an essential and fundamental partner.

He finished: Welcome home, Mr President.

Coming here feels like coming home is how the president described his visit as he took to the podium addressing a gathered crowd of distant relatives including local councillor Andrea McKevitt, John Own Finnegan and rugby star Rob Kearney.

I said last time I was here, in a sense I know why my ancestors [left] during the famine but you know, when youre here youd wonder why anybody would want to leave, I mean it.

He continued:

I wish my mom Catherine Eugenia Finnegan were here today. Shed be so damn proud, Louth held such a special place in her heart.

Every time Ive come, the welcome from the people in the streets has been so gracious.

Im so proud to be here. So proud to be in Louth, he proclaimed.

The Presidents speech drew on anecdotes from his youth when his grandparents would impress upon him his Irish heritage and his own familys emigration for Louth over 170 years before.

He told how his grandfather had never been to Ireland, but he raised his family with a fierce pride in our Irish ancestry.

He further told of his pride when he found out his second granddaughter was to be given the name Finnegan.

However, his message was also one of hope for the future:

Ive often said the Irish are the only people who are nostalgic about the future. In my experience, hope is what beats in the heart of all people, particularly the heart of the Irish.

Every action is about hope that we can make things better, hope to build both our nations that has been passed down generation to generation by our families. And its hope that continues to this day.

He summarised the message of his speech by saying: 45 years ago Pope John Paul spoke down the road, quoting St Patrick the pope said, and I quote I have kept the faith, that has been the ambition of the Irish down the centuries.

I think thats who we are. We keep the faith, and Im not talking about religion per se, Im talking about keeping the faith in who we are and what we believe.

So my message to you today is quite simple. We have to continue to keep the faith.

The presidents media handlers, in hindsight, probably wished he had stopped there as apart from a minor gaffe when he called the Tanaiste a proud Louth man the speech had otherwise gone smoothly.

It was his closing comments about former rugby player Rob Kearney (seated to his left) beating the hell out of the Black and Tans, that would prove to be the headline grabber and the reason many would remember the speech.

The President had hardly finished thanking those present when the media were unceremoniously whisked out the door, a stray question from the fox journalist regarding leaked Pentagon documents falling on deaf ears amid the clamour.
Innovating Communities is to hold a virtual Learning Showcase on Friday 21 April from 10-1pm to celebrate its successes and share learning and opportunities that it says can make regional development even more innovative in years to come.

Innovating Communities is a partnership project by: Monaghan Integrated Development CLG; Louth Leader Partnership; Cavan County local Development; Leitrim Development Company; County Sligo Leader Partnership CLG; and Donegal Local Development Company CLG).

After two years of delivery, the Innovating Communities project has trained over 1300 people across the Southern Border region in Design Thinking as a problem-solving tool to support local community development. While doing this, over 130 local

Challenges that were put forward by community groups and individuals have been tackled locally. These include tackling challenges like finding studio spaces for an artist collective in Louth, breathing life back into a town centre in Sligo, considering rivers and lakeshores in Cavan, developing a recreation corridor for tourism in Donegal, tackling village depopulation in Co Leitrim and supporting climate action, biodiversity and sustainability across Monaghan.

Those who have completed the training will now go on to implement and share the Design Thinking techniques across their own challenges and work within their community.

The partnership team behind the Innovating Communities project invites you to join them virtually in celebrating the success of the project so far, as they share the learning and opportunities for making regional development even more innovative for years to come.

To get the link to the Learning Showcase livestream, register now at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/innovating-communities-leader-learning-showcase-livestream-tickets-579211094977.

The programme has been a pilot project that over the past two years has thoroughly proven the benefits of Design Thinking for local groups and individuals in tackling local issues, Gabriel OConnell, CEO, Monaghan Integrated Development.

Throughout and since the covid pandemic, communities across the region have pulled together using the project and with this creative mindset, can go forward to tackle more problems while making the most of local resources and strengths.

Desmond Bernie from icecream architecture; the organisation leading the Design Thinking training added At least 165 people from each one of the six border counties have dug deep for their local community and the Learning Showcase is an opportunity to celebrate and take stock of that effort.

The response and motivation within local towns, villages and rural areas has been immense, so its only fitting that we acknowledge their commitment and share their achievements on an international level.

During the Learning Showcase, registered attendees will hear from various speakers, including the Minister for Rural and Community Development - Heather Humphreys, European Policy Coordinator for LEADER programme Iwona Lisztwan and a host of Challengers from across the region who undertook the process.

The event will premiere a Showreel featuring challengers and representatives from across the six counties, the community challenges they undertook, innovative solutions they developed as part of the project, and a Fireside Chat with community experts to wrap up the day.

Innovating Communities says it wishes to acknowledge the project funding being provided by the LEADER Local Action Group under the LEADER Programme in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal; the Department of Rural and Community Development under the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the European agricultural fund for rural development 2014-2020.

For more information about Innovating Communities, please visit: innovating.ie. For any enquiries about the event, please contact Sophie Gardiner on: hello@innovating.ie +353 (0)71 9344 933
The visit of the US president was a day that will live long in the extensive history of the Windsor Bar and Restaurant; a history owner Donal McGeough had to regale embassy staff and US officials with before theyd green light the venue for Joe Bidens speech.

As part of the vetting process for the visit Donal had to explain how the pub got its name and convince officials it held no political connotations

I had to explain to them that this place was built in the 1890s on the corner of Dublin street and Windsor Avenue and of course the street name got changed after independence to Vincents Avenue, Donal told the Democrat.

But the Windsor was being run by the Lennon sisters who ran it for 80 years and changed nothing in 80 years, didnt change the name and werent going to change the name.

Donal explained how he was first informed of a potential visit only a few days before the president was due to come to the town.

The first contact was made with me by Brian McPartland from the White House staff.

He called me on the bank holiday Monday.

He came in and toured the Pub and said there was a possibility the president would be stopping off, but that they were looking at other options and it may not happen at all.

Late on Tuesday, Brian came in for lunch with other members of his team and it was around 4 oclock that afternoon that he said it was looking very likely the president would be making a stop.

Organisers needed a venue that was big enough and members of the Irish Embassy and gardai thought the Windsors position on the corner would be ideal from a security point of view, with plenty of entry and exit points.

The following 24 hours saw a frenzy of activity as a swarm of people descended on the pub to carry out security checks and set the stage for the presidents speech.

But even at 3 oclock on Wednesday as the secret service was doing one last security sweep with their dogs, Donal says he still wasnt 100% it would still be going ahead.

The event, of course, did take place with 150 people including national and international media, government officials, local politicians and friends and family packing into the Windsor.

Donal got to greet the president and Michael Martin with his eldest son and mother as they came in and said he was impressed with the presidents warm demeanour.

He had a lovely chat with my mother.

Theyd both be from the same era, and they made a lovely connection.

I got to have a chat with him.

I told him that my mother had ten children and thirty seven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren and he was in awe of her.

When he was leaving he made a point of going back over to her in her seat and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

It was very heartwarming. Hes a very sincere, solid sort of a guy.

When his speech was finished, the president was in no apparent hurry to leave, taking the time to talk with bar staff and the gathered crowd.

As soon as he finished his speech, I thought this had to be choreographed and nobody was allowed near him without permission, but not at all, he just took off, going down through the people shaking hands taking selfies and photos and singing happy birthday to one wee [child].
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CORK authors Graham Norton, Adam and David King, Catherine Ryan Howard, Darina Allen, and Disha Bose are among the line-up of writers attending this years West Cork Literary Festival.

The festival, which is billed as a week-long celebration of writing and reading, takes place in and around the town of Bantry from Friday, July 7, to Friday, July 14.

A firmly established highlight of the Irish literary calendar, the festival, each year, gathers famous Irish and international writers.

The festival features master classes, readings, and workshops, as well as interviews with authors, book launches, and a myriad of other events.

This years list of visitors to Bantry includes Graham Norton, India Knight, Donal Ryan, Darina Allen, Rory OConnell, Catherine Ryan Howard, John Banville, Megan Nolan, Raymond Antrobus, Disha Bose, Adam and David King, Clara Kumagai, Sally Hayden, and Alice Zeniter, whose novel The Art of Losing won the 2022 Dublin Literary Award.

Festival director Eimear OHerlihy said the organisers were very excited to be able to bring so many writers and events to West Cork this summer.

Its been another bumper year for publishing, and Irish writers continue to shine, Ms OHerlihy said.

Weve a jam-packed schedule of events from three-day writing workshops to master classes, readings by international and Irish authors with a good mix of Cork talent, a pop-up Gaeltacht, showcases of new and emerging writers, and yoga on the lawn of Bantry House and a sea swim for those who need a little time out.

Weve got novelists, short story writers, essayists, poets, illustrators, songwriters, nature writers, theatre, and much more, she said.

This year our events for children and young people are all free of charge and I hope that young people and families will take the opportunity to join the fun and discover a love of reading.

Booking for all events is now open on www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie.
People in Blackpool have called for a united stance on restoring the identity of the village on the northside of the city while future-proofing it for generations to come.

Calls were made during a meeting of traders on Friday evening at Glen Rovers Hurling Club for the protection of the biodiversity in Blackpool by the retention and improvement of the River Bride.

Cllrs Tony Fitzgerald and John Sheehan, at the gathering of Blackpool traders to discuss future plans for Blackpool, at Glen Rovers Hurling Club.

During the meeting, the Blackpool Traders Group (BTG) which comprises of chairman Mick Moriarty, who owns the Baldy Barber in Blackpool, secretary Tadhg OLeary of OSheas Pharmacy and PRO Jer Buckley, presented a plan to improve connectivity in the area, deliver a greenway linking Blackpool to Blarney, and find solutions to ongoing flooding issues.

There was an impressive turnout of traders and local residents at the meeting, including representation from local politicians, some of whom called for trust and collaboration among the people of Blackpool and for alternative plans to be considered in relation to the greenway.

James Keegan and Dolores and Brian Barry, at the gathering of Blackpool traders to discuss future plans for Blackpool, at Glen Rovers Hurling Club. Picture: David Keane.

Speaking during the meeting, Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said: I think, like what John Sheehan said, this is actually Blackpools time if we can get that trust and collaboration together.

We could start arguing over different points of where your proposed greenway is going to go but the big vision is something that I think there is an opportunity to get behind.

He said that he and councilor John Sheehan put in a joint motion for the greenway last week  because I think thats a really powerful vision for Blackpool if it can be done.

Teddy and Betty Barry, attending the gathering of Blackpool traders to discuss future plans for Blackpool, at Glen Rovers Hurling Club. Picture: David Keane.

He said that time will tell where the proposed greenway can be taken, but said that there should be reliance on the experts including the OPW and experts in City Hall who he said should be the ones relied upon to set the route of the greenway.

The councilors who are here, yourselves, I see people from the Community Centre - we should all get together and start developing a plan for Blackpool that everyone can get behind.

Instead of concentrating on the things that divide us, I think our energy would be better put concentrating on things that unite us because this is Balckpools time, he said.

Tom Feeney, guest speaker and chairman of Blackrock Business Network, Co Dublin, left and Michael Thornhill, Skibbereen Floods Committee, at the gathering to discuss future plans for Blackpool, at Glen Rovers Hurling Club. Picture: David Keane.

The OPWs state-of-the-art Flood Scheme designed to address the flooding issues, including a proposed 350m culvert over the river, has been paused as the culvert has been at the centre of an unresolved legal objection by local environmental group Save Our Bride Otters (SOBO).

Blackpool Traders Group wants to see the delivery of a greenway, which would run for a 350m stretch through Blackpool village and cross the River Bride over the proposed culvert, and stretch as far as Blarney Castle, but this cannot be advanced until the culvert issue is resolved.

Following a recent tour of the proposed greenway route, however, deputy chief executive of the National Transport Authority (NTA) Hugh Creegan said the proposal does have merit and requires further investigation.
A Corkman has successfully scaled one of Corks steepest hills 65 times in one day in an attempt to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland as part of the charitys 65 Roses Day Challenge.

This year, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland asked those taking part in the fundraiser to be creative and try to include 65 in their efforts, so Padraig Carroll of Carrigaline decided to do something different by doing 65 climbs of Patricks Hill.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Carroll said he reached his target and completed the full 65 laps which took him over 12 full hours in total.

Beginning at 7am in the morning and finishing at 7.30pm in the evening, he and his childhood friend Colin McCormack completed the challenge together after some knee popping and clicking.

Priscilla Carroll with her son Lucas at the event where her husband Padraig completed 65 climbs of Patrick's Hill in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

He said they took on the challenge by breaking it into sets of 10, taking a 10-minute break after each set of 10 circuits up and down Patricks Hill, as well as a one hour and 30-minute break, completing the challenge with a total of over 60,000 steps covered and 671 flights of stairs.

He said there were also many others who joined in for some of the walk, and others who came to support.

The amount of people that came out. I saw people that I hadnt seen in about 20 years who came out to support and donate money. It was absolutely incredible. Mr Carroll took on the challenge to raise awareness about the disease which has touched his own family.

At the event is Erin, Jason and Jayden O'Mahony. Pic Larry Cummins.

He and his wife Priscillas son Lucas, who is almost two, has Cystic Fibrosis and the pair lost their newborn daughter Alice last August to the disease.

I didnt know anything about Cystic Fibrosis myself. My wife didnt either, shes from Brazil and its not a big thing in Brazil.

It makes it even more puzzling because CF is generally the Irish gene. One in 19 people in Ireland are whats known as carriers. There are no underlying illnesses or anything, youre just a carrier.

"However, if that person and another person who is also a carrier meet and decide to have a kid then there is a one in four chance that child is going to have CF.

Padraig Carroll of Carrigaline walking up Patricks Hill 65 times in aid of charity for Cystic Fibrosis, with supporters and friends. Pic Larry Cummins

There is a 50% chance that child will be a carrier and theres a 25% chance that they wont, he said.

In total, over 11,000 has been raised through the Just Giving page and additional funds that were collected during the event on Saturday which Mr Carroll said he is very grateful for.

Donations can still be made via the dedicated fundraising page here.
By David Young, PA

Northern Ireland has an incredible opportunity for economic growth, US president Joe Biden insisted as he pledged to continue to work with the UK and Irish governments to restore devolution.

On his four-day visit to the island of Ireland, Mr Biden claimed hundreds of US corporations were ready to invest in Northern Ireland  but were cautious about the lack of devolved government in the region.

He also said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish government to support the people of Northern Ireland.

The president again addressed the power-sharing impasse at Stormont on Saturday when he was back in the United States.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with US president Joe Biden (Paul Faith/PA)

Devolution is in cold storage at Stormont due to a political impasse over post-Brexit trade.

We have more to do in the north, the president told reporters in Delaware.

We have more to do to get the government formed. And I think we can still do that and its important.

And Ill continue to work with the Prime Minister of England (UK PM Rishi Sunak) as well as the Taoiseach (Leo Varadkar).

In a keynote address at Ulster University in Belfast on Wednesday, Mr Biden praised the work of the UK and EU to strike the Windsor Framework on post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The presidents visit to Northern Ireland came as the region marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Good Friday peace accord that created Stormonts powersharing institutions.

The DUP is blocking those institutions in protest at Brexit trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It has said the framework does not go far enough to address its concerns over sovereignty.

There had been speculation that Mr Biden would address the Stormont Assembly on his visit north of the border, but that plan did not materialise, with suggestions that the powersharing deadlock was a determining factor.

Throughout his trip to the island, Mr Biden repeatedly expressed hopes of a return to devolution north of the border and insisted stable governance at Stormont could deliver an economic windfall for the region.

This is such an opportunity, he said back in the US on Saturday.

It really is an incredible opportunity for the north, in terms of economic growth and economic prosperity.

And they have all the tools. They have the universities. They have the technicians.
By David Young, PA

Events marking the 25th anniversary of Northern Irelands landmark peace accord can provide an impetus to restore devolved governance at Stormont, Irelands deputy premier has said.

Micheal Martin was commenting as political leaders from the Good Friday Agreement era prepared to participate in a major three-day conference in Belfast commemorating the 1998 deal.

Former US president Bill Clinton, ex-US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and chairman of the Good Friday talks Senator George Mitchell attended several events in Belfast over the weekend ahead of the start of the conference at Queens University on Monday.

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern will also be among the high-profile figures participating at Queens.

Current British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are due to attend later in the week.

The commemorations are taking place at a time when the power-sharing political institutions created by the Good Friday deal are in abeyance due to a row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the Stormont assembly and executive in protest at economic barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Chairman of the Good Friday talks George Mitchell (Liam McBurney/PA)

I would like to think that theres a genuine desire to get the institutions back up and running, Mr Martin said in Dublin on Sunday.

Ive met with all of the party leaders over the last year and, irrespective of their positions, theyve all resolutely said that they want the institutions back up and running.

Mr Martin, who will also attend the conference, said the Windsor Framework recently agreed by the UK and EU had resolved many of the issues created by the contentious post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

He expressed frustration that Stormont was still in cold storage nearly a year after last Mays Assembly election.

All around the world when elections happen, parliaments get convened, he said.

And I think there was a real necessity to do that in Northern Ireland to respond to the mandate that the people have given their public representatives to enable them to deal with very significant challenges facing Northern Ireland, in respect of economy, health and housing, and many other issues.

And there are many newly elected MLAs who I know would dearly love the opportunity to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, Ive met a number of them from different parties.

And theyre impatient with the fact that the mandate that they have been given by the electorate, they do not have the opportunity to reflect that mandate in the Assembly.

I would like to think next week may give an impetus and a cause for reflection. I think there is space being provided for people to assess the situation, analyse it from their perspectives.

But there is no getting away from a very basic democratic thing, which is basically when elections happen, parliaments get convened.

Mr Martin was speaking to reporters after attending an annual Fianna Fail commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin for the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland.

On Saturday evening, both Bill and Hillary Clinton were guests at a special screening in Belfast of a film about murdered journalist Lyra McKee.

Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed rioting in Londonderry in April 2019.

On Sunday, Ms Clinton attended an event for young leaders who have taken part in the Washington Ireland Programme.

Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell was given a standing ovation as he arrived at Belfasts Lyric Theatre on Sunday afternoon for a performance of a play about the striking of the agreement in 1998.

Across the city, a church service was held in Clonard Monastery to reflect on the Good Friday Agreement.

NIO minister Steve Baker and US envoy to Northern Ireland Joe Kennedy III were among those who attended the service of recommitment that was organised by peace building group, the Corrymeela Community.

The leaders of both the Catholic Church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland, archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, also attended.

Later on Sunday, a special dinner was organised at Hillsborough Castle to mark the contribution to the peace process by the late Mo Mowlam, who was Northern Ireland Secretary in 1998.

Prominent victims campaigner Raymond McCord (Rebecca Black/PA)

One of the events in the extensive programme of events at Queens is the screening of a film telling the stories of several victims of the Troubles.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said the film created by members of the Truth and Justice Movement would convey a powerful message of opposition to Government plans to offer a limited immunity from prosecution to perpetrators of Troubles crimes.

The GFA is 25 years old, yet some of our group has been fighting over 50 years for truth and justice and none of us cant or wont rest until we get the justice our families deserve despite the British governments fear of the truth and justice, he said.
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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is demanding answers in the death of a Fort Hood soldier whose family has suggested she was the victim of sexual harassment.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said she was pressing for information about the case of Pvt. Ana Basaldua Ruiz, 20, because of Fort Hood's troubling history regarding the treatment of female soldiers. The post also has witnessed outbreaks of violent crime and suicides.

On ExpressNews.com: Fort Hood soldier's death sparks claims of harassment

In all, 101 Fort Hood soldiers have died on-base and off since 2020. Thirty-one died last year; seven have died so far this year. Of the 101, 44 were suicides, Fort Hood officials told the San Antonio Express-News.

About 35,000 soldiers are assigned to the post near Killeen, about 150 miles northeast of San Antonio. It is home to the Army's 1st Cavalry Division.

"This is a story I want to get to the bottom of, and because it's Fort Hood, there's no way they've cleaned up their toxicity for assault and harassment that quickly," Gillibrand said in an interview. "There's no way. So I just have all these red flags. That's why we're demanding the investigation."

Basaldua Ruiz, of Long Beach, Calif., was found dead March 13 on the post. The Army has not said how she died, but her family contends she was sexually harassed.

The post's commander, Lt. Gen. Sean Bernabe, said shortly after her death that Basaldua Ruiz was dealing with "stressors in her life" not tied to harassment. He did not elaborate.

Three years ago, the death at Fort Hood of another Hispanic female soldier, Vanessa Guillen, 20, of Houston, captured national attention and led to sweeping changes at the post and in the military justice system.

Guillen also had told her family that she had been sexually harassed. She went missing in April 2020. Her remains were discovered in June that year near the Leon River in Bell County. Prosecutors said a fellow soldier bludgeoned her to death with a hammer, then tried to dismember and burn her remains. He committed suicide before he could be tried.

An Army investigation sparked by Guillen's murder found major flaws at Fort Hood and a command climate that was permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

The base's acting commander, Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, and top leaders of the 1st Cavalry Division lost their jobs. In all, 14 commanders up and down the chain of command were removed from their posts.

A few weeks before Basaldua Ruiz's death, Bernabe told reporters, "I feel like we are in a very good place" in terms of protecting soldiers from harassment.

Gillibrand, however, said she doubted that much has changed and that she would "not let go on this investigation requirement."

She added: "And I'm now going to ask for the files and records of what they did investigate, and I'm going to review them."

In a letter to Bernabe, Gillibrand and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked him to conduct a complete, thorough and impartial investigation into the soldier's death.

Other senators who signed the letter included Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Gillibrand, Hirono and Warren are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"Once again, Fort Hood has failed the young women who stand up to serve our country and entrust themselves to the Armys care," they wrote.

The letter stated that "the permissive environment identified years ago has not been eliminated and has claimed another victim."

A Ford Hood spokeswoman, Lt. Col. Tania Donovan, said Friday that the post had received the letter "and it is currently being staffed with the proper channels."

Efforts to reach Basaldua Ruiz's parents were unsuccessful.

However, a lawyer representing the family, Ryan D. Guilds, said in a statement to the Express-News that they support calls for an independent investigation into the command climate and culture at Fort Hood.

"The Army investigation into Anas death is ongoing, and many questions remain unanswered," said Guilds, who is associated with a pro bono network led by Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for sexual assault victims in the military. "We remain reluctantly patient but skeptical, particularly given the Armys sad history of doing the right thing for its soldiers and their families  especially at Fort Hood.

"Anas potential and contagious smile shine no more," the statement said. "And it happened on the Armys watch. We will not rest until a comprehensive and transparent investigation surrounding Anas death takes place. Ana and the nations soldiers and their families deserve nothing less.

Sexual harassment and sexual assault have plagued the armed services for decades.

The Pentagon said service members filed 6,236 reports of sexual assault and harassment in fiscal year 2019, a 3 percent increase over the previous year.

Some 1,630 sexual assault cases resulted in disciplinary action, including 795 court-martial charges. Of those, 363 went to trial and 264 ended in convictions, the Pentagon said.

You cannot have 20,000 sexual assault cases a year, have 7,000 people report and then end up having a handful  250  that get convicted, then-U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said in 2021 in arguing for changes in the military justice system. You cant tell me that those 7,000 that report, that 99 percent of them are lying.

Gillibrand and Speier were among those who spearheaded legislation that transformed parts of the military legal system, particularly sexual assault cases, after the murder of Guillen.

The I Am Vanessa Guillen Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2021, stripped commanders of the power to decide whether defendants in sexual assault and harassment cases should stand trial.

Until then, commanders in the military had always decided whether to order trials for a variety of offenses. Professional prosecutors will now make that determination.
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Jalen McKee-Rodriguez made history two years ago when he ousted a first-term incumbent in a runoff, becoming the first openly gay man elected to City Council. At 26 years old, he was also one of the councils youngest-ever members.

Now, the former high school math teacher is seeking to keep his East Side seat in the May 6 election, which would put an end to the revolving door of new faces representing District 2.

Hes the seventh person to hold the office since 2014, the most turnover of any of the councils 10 districts.

Unlike other incumbents on the ballot who have just one or two challengers, McKee-Rodriguez faces nine.

Theyve cast him as out of touch with District 2 residents and their needs. They say hes too progressive. Too anti-police and not tough enough on crime. Unwilling to meet with developers. Unresponsive to neighborhood groups and residents. Divisive. Not a lifelong East Side resident.

Sitting in a conference room on City Halls third floor, McKee-Rodriguez brushed off these criticisms. For him, this election is a chance to prove his naysayers wrong and show them that what he and his district office staff have done since 2021 is working.

I think what people expect of a council person is someone who bends to the whim of these different factions, he said. You have to go with the neighborhood (association) every time, and you have to be at every religious function. You have to do X, Y and Z thing, or else were going to run against you.

I dont bend to the whim of any of the powers that be, he said. And if theres something thats going to be a truly public good, thats how I vote.

Challengers: Hes out of touch

Now 28, McKee-Rodriguez described his challengers as emblematic of what he considers the East Sides old guard. Thats partly because the majority of them are twice his age. But he also believes that many of them cling to a belief that District 2  which spans the citys East and Northeast sides  is more conservative than it is.

McKee-Rodriguez has outraised each of his opponents, bringing in nearly $40,000 in contributions during the most recent reporting period, from Jan. 1 to March 27. Thats enabled him to hire a campaign team of almost a dozen paid staffers.

Still, the crowded ballot ensures that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for him to win outright on May 6. That would require earning more than 50 percent of the vote.

Candidates Denise Gutierrez, Patrick Jones, Carla Walker and Rose Requenez Hill are well known in their own circles in District 2, and any one of them could force McKee-Rodriguez into a runoff.

Gutierrez, 58, ran for District 2 in 2019, falling 60 votes short of making the runoff between Jada Andrews-Sullivan and Keith Toney. In 2021, instead of seeking a rematch against Andrews-Sullivan, Gutierrez was a long-shot candidate for mayor, coming in third with under 2 percent of the vote.

Gutierrez, an artist, charged McKee-Rodriguez with being more interested in promoting his lifestyle than advocating for District 2.

Hes Mr. Twitter, hes Mr. Instagram. He wants to be a celebrity, she said. He lives in his own world that he has made up, and hes not in the world of the reality of District 2.

McKee-Rodriguez is active on both his personal and officeholder Twitter accounts, the former boasting his endorsement from rapper Nicki Minaj.

Jones, 61, is the pastor of Greater Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. He stepped down in May as president of the Baptist Ministers Union of San Antonio & Vicinity.

Last election, Jones was among a group of clergymen who backed Andrews-Sullivan. McKee-Rodriguez accused Jones of telling his parishioners at the time not to vote for him because of his sexual orientation, a claim Jones denied.

In order for things to get done in our community, our council person should have a relationship with the community, Jones said. It doesnt have to be a great relationship, but it has to be one where we can at least sit down and discuss matters at hand  with law enforcement, with our developers, with our faith-based community, with the nonprofits, our small businesses.

READ MORE: Garcia: Shadowy new PAC goes on the attack against Jalen McKee-Rodriguez

Walker, 64, was a longtime member of the citys Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, which plans San Antonios annual MLK march, until McKee-Rodriguez removed her in 2021 at the request of other members. The councilman declined to discuss the details, likening it to a personnel matter, but said Walker was unilaterally pushing for changes to the commission structure without consulting other members.

Walker, a retired communications professional, said she believes that McKee-Rodriguez pushed her out because of simple pure jealousy.

It hasnt been since former Mayor Ivy Taylor held the District 2 seat from 2009 to 2014 that the East Side has had a councilman who cares about the constituents, who really wants a relationship with residents and who can relate to what were going through, Walker said.

Hill, who is in her early 60s but declined to give her specific age, is president of the Government Hill Alliance Neighborhood Association. She co-founded the D2 Presidents Roundtable, comprised of the heads of the districts neighborhood groups. Before retiring, she worked in the mortgage banking industry.

Among Hills supporters is Lou Miller, Andrews-Sullivans former chief of staff. McKee-Rodriguez accused Miller of harassment during the year McKee-Rodriguez spent as the District 2 communications director. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated the complaint but closed it without any action.

Prominent on Hills list of complaints is the lost connection between our councilman and our neighborhood presidents and what she alleges is a lack of responsiveness from district office staff.

McKee-Rodriguez said members of his district staff regularly attend association meetings, while he aims to attend every associations meeting at least once a year.

Other District 2 candidates are Edward Earl Giles, who identified himself as a care provider on his application for a place on the May 6 ballot; author and activist Denise McVea; consultant James M. Guild; Wendell Carson, a public middle school teacher; and logistics specialist Michael John Good.

A polarizing proposition

McKee-Rodriguezs unwavering support for Proposition A has opened him up to even more backlash from challengers and critics. Hes one of three council members who support it  the others are District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo and interim District 7 Councilwoman Rosie Castro. Castro is not seeking election in May.

The city charter amendment proposes a slew of policing measures, including requiring officers to issue citations for certain misdemeanor offenses, decriminalizing abortion and small-scale marijuana possession, and codifying existing police department bans on chokeholds and no-knock warrants.

The police union, the business community and Mayor Ron Nirenberg have taken strong stands against it.

Jones, Walker, Hill and Gutierrez all voiced opposition as well, citing concerns about rising crime.

McKee-Rodriguez says his support for the ballot initiative is grounded in his own beliefs and what he knows about District 2. When he ran for the seat in 2021, his mailers highlighted his support for making cite-and-release a permanent city policy and decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana and the need to increase police accountability.

Those are things that were extremely popular in the district, and they continue to be extremely popular in the district, he said. Issues of the environment, issues of civil rights  all those things that Ive championed are guided by the district.

READ MORE: Misinformation and fear: Policy nuances lost in Prop A debate about cite-and-release

As evidence, he points to the fact that a majority of District 2 voters approved a 2021 proposition that would have stripped the police union of its right to collectively bargain with the city. The measure, known as Proposition B, narrowly failed at the polls, losing by fewer than 3 percentage points.

I didnt run for office to be the public safety person, McKee-Rodriguez said. But because of my districts relationship with police and public safety and their ideas of community safety, it became something that I have to fight for on the dais.

He opposed the police union contract that council approved in 2022 and has fought against increasing the San Antonio Police Department budget. Most recently, he was vocal about his dislike of SAPDs approach to curbing violent crime through a hot-spot policing initiative that launched in January.

Instead, he has advocated for more city spending to fix potholes and to install street lights to make District 2 residents feel safer.

Outspoken

Though his positions, particularly on policing, have put him on the losing side of several council votes, McKee-Rodriguez doesnt believe that has hampered his ability to generate support for his policy ideas.

Thats because hes built strong working relationships with his colleagues, he said, that make it so that I can challenge them on the dais about issues without the relationships suffering.

Each of his nine council colleagues, he said, have signed onto at least two of the 13 policy proposals he has submitted for council consideration  the first step in getting a policy before the full council for a vote. The speed of that process is largely determined by council committee chairs appointed by the mayor.

If theyre followed through, theyll be life-changing in some instances, McKee-Rodriguez said of the proposals hes helped craft.

One has been fully implemented, according to a District 2 newsletter in March: requiring a displacement study to be conducted for new housing projects. Another  creating an Office of Crime and Recidivism within the city  has seen partial progress, with Metro Health creating a position focused on these issues.

McKee-Rodriguez expects that council will vote on his proposal to create an insulin cost-share program in the coming months.

The district needs a council person whos outspoken, whose decisions are morally sound, whos communicative and is doing their best at the root of it, McKee-Rodriguez said.
The U.S. government is sending Mexico about $26 million, much of it from the sale of real estate seized in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

The money is restitution for a massive fraud perpetrated by Javier Villarreal Hernandez, the former treasurer of Mexicos Coahuila state and now a U.S. government witness who owns a modest home on San Antonios West Side.

Mexicos government says federal funds will be used to pay back $250 million in loans Villarreal illegally obtained using Coahuila state's credit from 2009 to 2011. Villarreal and his bosses, including former governor Humberto Moreira, left the state nearly $2 billion in debt. According to the Justice Department, tens of millions of dollars stolen from Coahuila flowed into South Texas.

This is definitely good news, because it means somebody is doing something, said Rodolfo Walss, a state legislator in Coahuila, which borders much of South and West Texas. Right here in the state of Coahuila, most of the people think this is an issue that nobodys taking care of. But apparently somebody is taking care of it, and somebody is getting good news for the people of Coahuila, and we hope this is the beginning of getting justice for us.

Villarreal once oversaw a real estate empire with residential and commercial properties across San Antonio and in Cameron County that he purchased through shell companies with money he and others stole from Coahuilas coffers. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in a San Antonio federal court.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced this week that the U.S. government agreed to Mexicos petition to return $246 million that Villarreal obtained through fraudulent loans, but the Justice Department says it has only recovered about 10 percent of that money  more than $26 million  which it plans to return.

Related: Ex-Mexican governor accused of laundering money through S.A. real estate gets 9 years

The Justice Department will continue to bend all efforts to locate, forfeit, and return to Mexico any other proceeds of this fraud that might be within the United States, a DOJ official said.

The investigation into Villarreal, part of Operation Politico Junction, a multi-agency effort based in Houston and San Antonio targeting officials from four Mexican states, was a boon for the Justice Department. Court records and Treasury Department auction results show that over ten years the U.S. recovered nearly $40 million from politicians and business owners from Coahuila. That includes more than $30 million from the sale of real estate Villarreal owned through shell companies and $3.5 million in bank accounts he surrendered.

The U.S. seized millions more from others accused in the theft and money laundering scheme, including a Bermuda annuity account owned by former Coahuila governor Jorge Juan Torres Lopez and a North Side home in San Antonio owned by Moreiras mother-in-law. A federal judge in Corpus Christi sentenced Torres to three years in prison in 2021 and hes since been released; Moreira has not been charged with a crime in the U.S. and has denied any involvement in the scheme.

In 2014, Villarreal agreed to forfeit an additional $5.84 million to the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. Officials there did not respond to questions about whether Bexar County will return any of that money to Mexico.

The U.S. alleged that Villarreal and other officials stole hundreds of millions of dollars through a number of schemes. During Torress sentencing hearing, Villarreal testified that along with taking out unauthorized loans using the states credit, officials and business owners in Coahuila inflated public works contracts and skimmed money off the top.

But to date, Mexicos government has only acknowledged the hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent loans and blamed the debt on Villarreal. In 2017, when Mexico petitioned the U.S. to recoup its lost money, it requested only the amount of money the federal government will be required to pay if Coahuila defaults on the fraudulent loans, 4.81 billion pesos, or about $246.13 million.

Related: Mexico's cartels kill without consequence. But when victims are U.S. citizens it's bad for business.

During his news conference Wednesday, Lopez Obrador shared part of a letter from the Justice Department granting Mexicos petition for the return of the money but cautioning the property seized so far would be insufficient to fully compensate Mexico. The letter lists a number of non-public administrative forfeiture cases, indicating the U.S. has recovered more assets than has been reported in court records.

Even after this weeks announcement, many questions remain unanswered, said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor of policy and government at George Mason University and expert on corruption and organized crime.

What happened to the rest of the money and how were they able to launder it, to steal it from the Coahuila citizens? she said.

Villarreal remains free on bond pending his sentencing, which has been delayed several times and is currently scheduled for October. Earlier this year, Villarreal testified for federal prosecutors in New York in the trial of Genaro Garcia Luna, Mexicos former head of federal police. Villarreals attorney Michael Wynne said Friday he had no comment on the financial restitution to Mexico.

This weeks announcement raises questions about who should get money stolen from taxpayers in Mexico, where corruption remains rampant, and laundered in the U.S. During his Wednesday news conference, Lopez Obrador suggested spending it on an anti-drug campaign. Coahuila governor Miguel Angel Riquelme Solis has called for it to be returned to the state.

The problem is, in more than 10 years, the government of Coahuila has done nothing to get that money back, said Walss, the state legislator. Now that its coming back, theyre raising their hand and saying, Hey give it back to us.  I dont know how the government now expects to get something out of this, when they have done nothing about this issue.

jbuchreporter@gmail.com
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Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to call for a pardon for a man convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin is just the most recent example of the influence Fox News host Tucker Carlson has had on Republican politics in Texas.

THE LATEST: Tucker Carlson, Fox News' most popular host, out at network

Two weeks ago, Carlson was on air calling out Abbott for not agreeing to appear on his show to address the murder conviction earlier that day of Daniel Perry. Carlson said Abbotts office suggested they talk to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton instead.

So that is Greg Abbotts position  theres no right to self-defense in Texas, Carlson told his estimated audience of over 4 million viewers.

Less than 24 hours later, Abbott took to social media to make his first public comments on Perrys case and to declare Texas has one of the strongest self-defense laws in the nation.

I am working as swiftly as Texas law allows regarding the pardon of Sgt. Perry, Abbott said, making no mention of the Carlson jab the night before.

With Carlson now parting ways with Fox, here are other examples of pressure he has applied on Texas lawmakers.

Troops on the Texas border

In September 2021, Carlson was ripping Abbott on air for not doing more about securing the Texas border, even though the governor already had committed more than 2,000 National Guard troops and 1,000 DPS officers to protect the border.

But that didnt matter to Carlson.

Weve asked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott many times to come on this show to explain why he hasnt called the National Guard to seal the Texas border and protect the rest of us from this invasion. Greg Abbott has refused to come on, repeatedly, he said then.

Two months later, Abbott ramped up his border program, sending more than 10,000 National Guard members to the border.

Abbott eventually went on the show, only to have Carlson quiz him on why he hadnt sent 19,000 guard members to the border.

Support for Ukraine

Carlson has vocally opposed U.S. sending aid to Ukraine, even as most Republicans and Democrats backed the idea. Carlson in May 2022 specifically went after U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, for supporting a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine in Congress.

While Crenshaw has remained firm in his support of Ukraine, Carlsons constant political pressure appears to have had an impact on other Republicans. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had taken a hard line against Russia in some other interviews, told Carlson that the war was a territorial dispute that is not a top national security interest of the United States.

When the war started in Ukraine, Abbott was an outspoken supporter of the nation, lighting the Governors Mansion in the colors of the blue and yellow flag of that nation and declaring: The U.S. must do more to end this war. Sanctions are not enough. Ukraine needs weapons.

But in a written statement to Carlson in March, Abbott said President Joe Biden must do more to secure the Texas border before sending more aid to Ukraine.

Before he sends any more money or assets to Ukraines border, he must enforce our immigration laws and secure our southern border, Abbott said.

Border militia bill

Carlson doesnt just influence Abbott and other governors, as evidenced by his call for Texas to recruit regular citizens to go to the border to help repel migrants trying to cross.

In an interview with Abbott, he pressured the governor and the Legislature to send volunteers to the border.

Why dont you say, any person with military or law enforcement experience can join up? We are starting our own force, its volunteer  Carlson said.

While Abbott didnt fully support that idea, the Texas House has been debating House Bill 20, which would create a new state border guard unit that would recruit former military and law enforcement, just as Carlson had suggested.

Why Carlson?

There are dozens of cable television hosts who go after Republicans and Democrats almost daily. But Carlsons show was a heavyweight.

According to Ad Week, Carlson had more than 3.6 million viewers the week he pushed Abbott to pardon Perry  by far the most views of any cable TV news show. Thats almost 1 million more viewers than other hosts such as Sean Hannity or Jesse Watters. Its nearly double any program on MSNBC or CNN.

Carlson had various roles at Fox News starting in 2009 and had hosted his own prime-time show since 2016. Before his tenure there, he had programs on CNN and MSNBC.
A clogged sewer line spilled more than 60,000 gallons of wastewater near a Boerne neighborhood on Tuesday, city officials said.

Crews cleared the blockage, with cleanup and decontamination continuing into the afternoon, according to the city. No homes lost water or sewer service due to the spill, city officials said.

Boerne Utilities, the city-owned utility that operates the sewer system, estimated 61,875 gallons of discharge was released.

The spill happened near the Southglen development, which on the citys southwestern edge about half a mile from Cascade Caverns.

Investigators from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were called to the scene. A TCEQ spokesperson said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The city said the last time it notified TCEQ of a wastewater discharge was in 2019.

PARTING SHOT: Boerne's mayor has no apologies for critics as he prepares to leave office.

The discharge began when a manhole behind homes along Wickersham Street overflowed about 10:45 a.m. due to a clogged pipe, according to the city. The preliminary cause of the clog is believed to be a buildup of construction materials and grease from cooking that had been poured down drains, the city said in a written statement.

Cleanup crews cleared the blockage by 11:30 a.m., returning the system to normal activity, according to the city. Decontamination continued until 2 p.m.

Boerne Utilities director Michael Mann told Express-News the city isnt aware of the discharge causing problems at any nearby homes.

It was on the low end of the neighborhood, so everything running down their drains was coming out that manhole, Mann said. The manhole lid stayed on the manhole, so it didn't blow the lid off. What was coming out was water. It looked clean, but it wasn't.

The discharge didn't include any solid waste, but the water wasnt safe for human contact, Mann said.

You wouldn't want to walk in the stuff, Mann said. You might get a staph infection.

Mann said city crews disinfected the area with dry chlorine, which is comparable to substances used to clean swimming pools.

Mann said he wasn't aware of the sewage reaching any caves or creeks nearby, although he said its difficult to tell if the water made it to the subsurface level.

ricardo.delgado@express-news.net
More than 100 people have been attending weekly anti-abortion prayer vigils outside the site of a future Casper, Wyoming, clinic offering abortion and other health care services. (Arielle Zionts | Kaiser Health News)

Thirty years ago, Blue Mountain Clinic Director Willa Craig stood in front of the sagging roof and broken windows of an abortion clinic that an arsonist had burned down early that morning in Missoula, Montana.

This morning, Missoula, Montana, learned that there is no place in America that is safe from hateful, misguided groups, she told the crowd of reporters and onlookers.

The 1993 fire at Blue Mountain Clinic was part of a particularly violent period of anti-abortion attacks in the U.S. that continued through the 1990s and 2000s, when clinics were bombed and abortion providers killed. Now, less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, rhetorical and physical attacks have increased against clinics that still provide abortions in conservative-led states.

The U.S. Justice Department formed a Reproductive Rights Task Force after last years Supreme Court decision, in part to bring more attention to anti-abortion violence and threats. Since 2011, the DOJ has prosecuted dozens of criminal and civil cases over obstructing access to, threatening, or damaging abortion clinics. It charged 26 people in 2022  more than in the previous three years combined. The FBI is also investigating a series of abortion clinic arsons, primarily in states that have maintained or bolstered abortion access since the June 24 Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision overturning Roe.

The increase in violence has led abortion rights advocates to worry that more violence could be coming if the fringes of a fragmented anti-abortion movement become impatient with judicial and political efforts to ban and restrict abortion. Meanwhile, anti-abortion activists worry that vandalism committed at pregnancy resource centers during the past year is an indication that abortion rights advocates could escalate into violence if states further tighten abortion access.

Violence against abortion providers was already on the rise before the Supreme Courts decision to end federal protections for abortions, according to the National Abortion Federation. Nationally, from 2020 to 2021, reports of stalking rose 600%, clinic invasions 129%, and assaults 128%, according to the federation. The organization is still aggregating its 2022 figures, which include data from after Roe was overturned, but it expects the upward trends to continue, according to Chief Program Officer Melissa Fowler.

When a clinic closes, the protesters dont just pack up and go home, Fowler said. A lot of times, they will travel or even move to other communities and states and target the clinics that remain open there.

There have also been attacks on anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers, which have been vandalized in several states since last year. Police in Minnesota were looking for the vandals responsible for smashing windows and spray-painting in red, If abortion isnt safe, neither are you, at Abria Pregnancy Resources in St. Paul last summer, KSTP reported.

The clinics director, Angela Franey, had previously voiced support for the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision.

Last May in Wyoming, after a draft opinion of the decision was leaked to the press, a new abortion clinic in Casper was set on fire before it could open. Owner Julie Burkhart blamed the incendiary rhetoric of anti-abortion groups.

They are highly skilled in getting these lone wolves to come in and do their dirty work so that their hands can remain clean, Burkhart said.

Federal officials recently charged a woman with arson in that case. According to an affidavit, 22-year-old Lorna Green allegedly admitted to lighting the fire at the Wellspring Health Access clinic in her hometown of Casper because she did not like abortion.

The clinic plans to open this spring, but its future is uncertain. A state law bans nearly all abortions in Wyoming, though on March 22 a judge temporarily blocked the law while a legal challenge against it is pending.

In Montana, the most recent attack against an abortion clinic happened in 2014 in Kalispell, about 120 miles north of Missoula by car, where the son of an anti-abortion activist broke into and vandalized All Families Healthcare. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended.

All Families Healthcare owner Susan Cahill said she wanted to continue working after the break-in. But her family, fearing for her safety, persuaded her to retire.

I was quite depressed for a couple of years after the office was destroyed, Cahill said.

The clinics closure created an abortion care desert for four years before another provider took over the practice.

Montana continues to allow access to abortion services because of protections in its state constitution, but clinics that perform abortions are few. Blue Mountain reopened after its 1993 fire, and Planned Parenthood of Montana also provides abortion services in multiple Montana cities. All Families reopened under new owner Helen Weems, in Whitefish, just north of Kalispell in northwestern Montanas Flathead Valley.

Montanas Republican governor and Republican-led legislature are now seeking to restrict abortion access. Gov. Greg Gianforte and state Attorney General Austin Knudsen are asking the state Supreme Court to overturn its 1999 decision in the case Armstrong vs. State, in which it held that abortion access is protected under the Montana Constitutions right to privacy.

Its time for the Montana Supreme Court to take up the Armstrong case, take another look at it, and reverse it, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said at a January anti-abortion rally in the Montana Capitol. It is garbage law and it needs to go.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are moving legislation that seeks to decouple abortion access from the constitutional right to privacy, along with other measures that would restrict abortion. Gianfortes administration and conservative lawmakers are also trying to make it more difficult for Medicaid patients to obtain medically necessary abortions.

However, polling suggests most Montanans support abortion access, and voters rejected a 2022 ballot initiative that would have created criminal penalties for health officials who do not work to save the life of an infant born after an attempted abortion or birth, even if the infant has no chance of long-term survival.

A recent survey from the Public Religion Research Institute found a greater percentage of Montanans than of people in any bordering state think abortion should be legal in most or all cases.

The message sent by voters in Montana  and those who passed 2022 ballot measures in support of reproductive rights in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Vermont  has left Republican lawmakers with unexpected challenges, said Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California-Davis who studies the anti-abortion movement.

Those politicians want to avoid upsetting voters, but they also want to pacify the more extreme anti-abortion groups by promising progress through legal means, said Ziegler. With the movement fragmented after Roe was overturned, those in the mainstream anti-abortion movement worry about what the more radical elements might do if their cause isnt advanced in the courts and statehouses, she said.

Quite literally the last thing you want is PR where your movement is being associated with violence, Ziegler said.

Health care providers in Montana said the post-Roe era has been an uneasy time as they defend themselves against legal and political attacks while trying to keep their doors open for patients from Montana and neighboring states where abortion is banned.

Our patients show up every day because they are desperate to get this care, said Nicole Smith, the current executive director of Blue Mountain Clinic. We have to be there and hold the line for them.

Weems, of All Families Healthcare, said having to constantly fend off legal attacks on abortion care has changed how she thinks of herself.

Its felt like theres been a change in my role from strictly a medical provider to more of a political activist, she said.

Abortion rights advocates are working to support medical providers in managing the mental toll these legal attacks take. The newly created Montana Sexual & Reproductive Health Collective is partnering with licensed therapists to provide free emotional and psychological support for providers.

We dont want to have to be doing triage on our abortion providers or our abortion rights community, said Hillary-Anne Crosby, the groups leader. We want to be there every step of the way so it does not get to that crisis point.

This article is part of a partnership that includes Montana Public Radio, NPR, and KHN.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

The post Abortion clinics in conservative-led states face increasing legal threats appeared first on Daily Montanan.
TikTok and civil liberties groups are promising legal challenges after the Montana Legislature approved a bill Friday that bans the China-based social media platform statewide.

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who banned TikTok from state phones and computers in December citing security worries, still has to decide the new measures fate.

The Montana measure bars internet and smartphone app companies and platforms from offering TikTok to users in Montana. TikTok users would not face penalties or sanctions but technology platforms and providers could face fines of $10,000 per infraction and per day, according to the Montana bill which passed the GOP-controlled state legislature on Friday.

The American Civil Liberties Union promises lawsuits over the prohibition  the first of its kind in the U.S. as lawmakers from the both political parties assail the popular social media platform over its Chinese ownership, privacy protections and content moderation.

This ban is censorship, pure and simple, the ACLU said in a statement on the Montana prohibition. Hundreds of thousands of people in Montana use TikTok to communicate, get the news and express themselves. We wont stop fighting against these unconstitutional bans  in Montana and at the federal level.

TikTok which is facing potential federal and state bans across the U.S. over its Chinese ownership and as it bites into marketshare held by American social media platforms  also promises legal action against the Montana bill.

The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalizing this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts. We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach, the company said in a statement provided by spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter.

But TikTok prohibitions enjoy plenty of U.S. political support  especially among Republicans concerned about the company sharing data with the Chinese government.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, a Republican, backs the statewide ban.

Montana is on its way to being the first state in the nation to ban TikTok. Glad to report our bill is headed to the Governors desk. This legislation is a critical step to ensuring we are protecting Montanans privacy, Knudsen said in a social media statement.

TikTok is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. The social media platform  which centers on short videos  and claims more than 150 million users in the U.S. It is popular with social media influencers and younger celebrities and media personalities as well as corporate brands.

The company has 1 billion users worldwide, according to Utah-based Wallaroo Media. That trails only Facebook 2.9 billion, Google-owned YouTube $2.2 billion and Facebook-owned Instagram 1.4 billion.

TikToks popularity among younger demographics  across the U.S. and other markets  has bitten into market and advertising shares of Meta (the parent of Facebook and Instagram), Alphabet (which owns Google and YouTube) and other technology players.

In the social media space, TikTok has more users than Snapchat (750 million users), Pinterest (480 million) and Elon Musks Twitter (300 million), according to Wallaroos industry analysis.

The Montana bills own language outlines criticisms and concerns about TikTok including social media challenges and trends  some of them mischivious, some of them dangerous or even leading to criminal behaviors.

TikTok gathers significant information from its users, accessing data against their will to share with the People's Republic of China, the Montana bill reads. TikTok fails to remove, and may even promote, dangerous content that directs minors to engage in dangerous activities, including but not limited to throwing objects at moving automobiles, taking 22 excessive amounts of medication, lighting a mirror on fire and then attempting to extinguish it using only one's body parts, inducing unconsciousness through oxygen deprivation, cooking chicken in NyQuil, pouring hot wax on a user's face, attempting to break an unsuspecting passerby's skull by tripping him or her into landing face first into a hard surface, placing metal objects in electrical outlets, swerving cars at high rates of speed, smearing human feces on toddlers, licking doorknobs and toilet seats to place oneself at risk of contracting coronavirus, attempting to climb stacks of milk crates, shooting passersby with air rifles, loosening lug nuts on vehicles, and stealing utilities from public places.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled by U.S. lawmakers, during a congressional hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chew said TikTok had increased its privacy protections efforts and had plans to sequester its U.S. data at a Texas operations center.

Still, the Chinese platform has been banned on federal phones and computers by President Joe Biden as well as by governors  including Gianforte and Florida Republican Ron DeSantis citing privacy and security concerns.

Critics of the bill argue other social media and technology platforms have also been criticize for data collection, privacy and content policies.

A coalition of libertarian, free speech and technology groups pressed against the bill before its final passage.

That includes Americans for Prosperity  which often advocates for tax and regulatory cuts  and the Center for Democracy & Technology.

The bottom line is that this bill is censorship: The government and politicians have no right to control what technology goes on your phone, said David Herbst, state director of Americans for Prosperity  Montana. National security does not, nor should it ever, trump Montanans civil liberties. This bill is a step too far, and we urge lawmakers to reject this blatant government overreach.

Caitlin Vogus, deputy director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology, said "banning TikTok in Montana would raise serious First Amendment concerns and is not the appropriate way to protect the privacy of users data or respond to content on the app that lawmakers disapprove of" in a letter to state lawmakers.

Gianforte has not given a public indication of whether he will sign the TikTok bill  though his December state government restriction and passage of the bill through the GOP majority state assembly could foretell an approval.

Use of TikTok on state devices poses a significant risk to the security of our state and Montanans sensitive data. Given these grave security concerns, effective immediately, no executive agency, board, commission, or other executive branch entity, official, or employee of the State of Montana shall download or access TikTok on government-issued devices or while connected to the state network.

This TikTok ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and other devices capable of internet connectivity, and I direct you to take all necessary steps to block TikTok from being accessed, Gianforte told state agencies in December.
Iconic Phantom of the Opera actor Murray Melvin has died aged 90.

Iconic Phantom of the Opera actor Murray Melvin has died aged 90

The veteran star who worked with the likes of Michael Caine and Stanley Kubrick, and acclaimed for his role in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, passed away at hospital on Friday (14.04.23) after a fall from which he never fully recovered.

Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE, creative director at Theatro Technis, announced Murrays death on Twitter by saying: Its with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Murray Melvin  actor, director and theatre archivist.

He had a fall in December, from which he never fully recovered. He died at St Thomas Hospital on Friday, 14th April, aged 90.

He was one of my closest friends and will be missed by so many of us who had the privilege to know him.

Tributes that poured in following the announcement included one from Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, 59, who said on Instagram: Murray Melvin (1932-2023), bless him, he played the wonderful villain in Torchwood, Bilis Manger, and he loved it! But what a career!

He created the great, gay Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey, on stage and on film. Tons of work with Joan Littlewood and Ken Russell. Amazing. Such a gent.

He lived through a century that saw the understanding of his identity change so profoundly, and he did so with dignity, class and wit.

His last email to me ended, Take care, we still cannot afford to take chances. Oh he was wise. Night, Murray.

Born on 10 August, 1932, in London, the actor rose to fame playing gay art student Geoffrey in the film adaptation of Shelagh Delaneys play of the same name A Taste of Honey, and became an integral member of Joan Littlewoods Theatre Workshop company.

He went on to star in films such as 1966s Alfie alongside Michael Caine, Stanley Kubricks epic Barry Lyndon and the 2004 version of The Phantom of the Opera.

Melvin won the BAFTA film award for Most Promising Newcomer and Cannes Film Festival Best Actor award for his role in A Taste of Honey in 1961.

He also starred in The Devils, Ghost Story and more recently The Lost City of Z in 2017 alongside Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller.
Prince Harry reportedly had a heart-to-heart talk with King Charles before it was announced he would come to his dads coronation.

Prince Harry reportedly had a heart-to-heart talk with King Charles before it was announced he would come to his dads coronation

The 38-year-old, who confirmed on 12 April he would travel from his home in the US without his wife Meghan and their two children  nine days after the RSVP deadline for replies to invites had passed  is said to have shared a willingness with Charles to mend on both sides during the chat, which came amid the fallout from Harrys memoir and tell-all interviews about the royal family.

Their apparently emotional talk was reported by The Sun, which said sources told them it ended months of no contact between the pair.

But the newspaper said Harry has not spoken to his older brother Prince William, 40, ahead of his visit to London on 6 May, when they will see their father, 74, crowned alongside his 75-year-old wife Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey.

The Sun also said its understood there was correspondence with Buckingham Palace before Harry accepted his coronation invite.

It added insiders say the king is happy with his sons decision to travel to London, and understanding of why Meghan, 41, is staying at their home to look after their 22-month-old daughter Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie, as his fourth birthday falls on the same day as the coronation.

The Sun added: Meghan is said to back Harrys decision and is only staying behind because of the clash with Archies birthday.

Charles said in a speech on Friday (14.04.23) he had immense pride in both Harry and William, who are said to have not spoken since the release of Harrys memoir Spare, in which he claims he was assaulted by his older sibling during a row that he says included Meghan being branded rude and difficult.

Charles will reportedly mark his coronation by only appearing on the Buckingham Palace with working royals.

His apparent plan is thought to be part of the monarchs aim to show he is having a more slimmed down ceremony when he is crowned, according to royal sources.

The Daily Mirror said it had seen detailed outlines about the big day that show the king Camilla  who will be known as the Queen after he is crowned  have decided to say thanks to fans on the balcony alongside royals who have dedicated their lives to public service.

It said the Prince and Princess of Wales will appear with their three children  Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and four-year-old Prince Louis, on the famous balcony.

The Mirror added in the report there were no plans to include Harry and Meghan among the final group of 15.

Also set to join the balcony set are the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duke of Kent, 87, and Princess Alexandra, 86, as will the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's popular show Anupamaa never miss out on a chance to leave the fans intrigued. From being high on emotional content to bringing an impressive ensemble of cast together, Anupamaa has all the elements of a hit show since its inception. And while Anupama and Anuj Kapadia's separation has been a shock for the audience, it looks like their story is set for another twist now.

So far we have seen how Anupama has moved on in her life after her separation from Anuj Kapadia and Choti Anu has been quizzing Anuj about her. And now, the upcoming episode will drop hints about Anupama and Anuj's much awaited reunion. This will happen after Anuj will get a call from his elder brother following which he will have to leave for Ahmedabad where Anupama is staying. On the other hand, Anupama also gets a call for an urgent work which indicates MaAn will be reuniting soon.

As Anuj will agree to go to Ahmedabad, Maya (played by Chhavi Pandey) will be in shock worrying about his reunion with Anupama in Ahmedabad. It will be interesting to see if she along with Barka (played by Ashlesha Savant) will be plotting a new plan against Anuj and Anupama or Choti Anu will manage to reunite the duo in the upcoming episodes.

Meanwhile, the Shah family is also witnessing massive turmoil as Dimpy and Samar have taken over Anupama's dance academy. Their decision left everyone in shock and the Shahs were strictly against Samar and Dimpy. And while Samar stands strong with his decision and wants to marry Dimpy, the Shahs refuse to have his back. However, Samar remains unfazed. As a result, Samar and Vanraj (played by Sudhanshu Pandey) get into an ugly conflict and the former decides to leave the house.
Anupamaa twist: Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's show has been hogging all the limelight ever since the makers introduced a new track focusing on Anupamaa and Anuj Kapadia's separation. It's hard for the fans to believe that MaAn are no longer together.

The two lovebirds parted ways after Choti Anu got separated from them. Anuj decided to break all the ties with his wife over a misunderstanding, leaving the viewers shocked. The separation track has become the talk of the town as everyone is busy discussing how Anuj ended his relatioship with the person for whom he waited for 26 long years.

ANUPAMAA LEAP UPDATE

Amid the constant buzz over MaAn's reunion, gossip mills have suggested that the makers would take a six-year leap in the upcoming days. Producer Rajan Shahi has refuted the rumours, stating that the time jump would be according to the demand of the storyline.

"Expect the unexpected in upcoming episodes of Anupamaa. Anupamaa and Anuj will reunite; however, there's still time for that. The creative team has planned a special twist that will change the lives of MaAn and other people involved with them," a source close to the show earlier told Filmibeat.

"There's no huge time jump as mentioned by Rajan Shahi sir. The new track will be full of melodrama. Expect loads of tears and emotional moments in the show along with new entries," the source added.

RAJAN SHAHI ON KAVYA'S TRACK IN ANUPAMAA

After Rajan Shahi confirmed that a few characters will bid adieu to the show post the time jump, fans wondered if Kavya's journey will come to an end. Before you start believing the rumours, we have to stop you right there.

Madalsa Sharma is very much a part of the show and she is not going anywhere. The producer, while interacting with a portal, dropped hints about the future of Kavya's character in the show.

"Kavya will also have her phase where one would get to see the modeling phase, the issues she would have with Vanraj post Anirudh coming in the picture," Rajan told Tellychakkar.
Anupamaa twist: Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna's daily soap has been dishing out drama-packed episodes, keeping the audience hooked on to their television sets. Anupamaa and Anuj's separation has become the talk of the town as the two lovebirds have parted ways. In a shocking twist, the duo ended all the ties after Choti Anu got separated from them.

ANUJ ANUPAMAA REUNION

Anuj, who madly loved Anupamaa, decided to end his relationship with her. As he waited for 26 years to marry her, his decision to call it quits surprised the ardent viewers of the show.

Fans have expressed their displeasure over the new track in Anupamaa, slamming the makers for separating a happily married couple. They wondered why MaAn couldn't work on their differences and resolve the issues.

Amid the hullabaloo over their reunion, speculations are rife that a new entry will play a significant role in reuniting MaAn. There are mumours that Mahi Soni's character will be the one, who will make Anuj and Anupamaa realise what happened in their lives was not their fault.

GAURAV KHANNA DROPS HINT ABOUT ANUPAMAA TWIST

Gaurav Khanna, who is quite active on social media, dropped a new post on his Instagram story, making the fans wonder if he was hinting towards a new twist. On Sunday (April 16), he shared a video where he was seen rolling a magnet.

Fans wondered if their favourite Anuj hinted a major twist through his post. One user, "What is our Anuj Kapadia trying to say with this video? I bet he is dropping a hint about something."

Once upon a time

There lived a ghost

He was known to be a killer

And feared the most



The eagle is coming

You better start running

His blood is rushing

Stunning and gunning



ANUJ KAPADIA IS BACK



So excited #AnujKapadia #Anupamaa #MaAn #Magnet #GauravKhanna pic.twitter.com/1ex6ZIYITt  Ella MaAn Addict  (@ella_vimal06) April 16, 2023

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN ANUPAMAA?

A source close to the show exclusively told Filmibeat, "Expect the unexpected in upcoming episodes of Anupamaa. Anupamaa and Anuj will reunite; however, there's still time for that. The creative team has planned a special twist that will change the lives of MaAn and other people involved with them."

"There's no huge time jump as mentioned by Rajan Shahi sir. The new track will be full of melodrama. Expect loads of tears and emotional moments in the show along with new entries," the source added.

The show co-starring Sudhanshu Pandey, Chhavi Pandey, Muskan Bamne, Nidhi Shah and Madalsa Sharma will witness a time jump, as the story demands a new track. The hit daily soap airs on Star Plus every day at 10pm.

Are you eagerly waiting for Anupamaa and Anuj's reunion? What will be the new twist in the show? Share your thoughts with us @Filmibeat.

Keep watching this space for more updates.
Strong Supporting Cast

Directed by Lijo Pellisery, the film's script is penned by S Hareesh. The film features performances by a stellar cast of actors from the Malayalam and Tamil film industry. Mega star Mammootty plays the lead role in the film. With a significant role in this film, veteran actor Ashokan returns to showbiz after a long break.

'Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam' also marks Tamil actress Ramya Pandian's debut in the Malayalam film industry. Being her first entry into Mollywood, movie buffs are eagerly waiting to see her on-screen presence with the legendary actor Mammootty.

The film features T Suresh Babu, Ashwath Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Sharma, and others in supporting roles.
SISTERS make the best friends, its said. But heres an example of two sisters and besties who are also rather successful business partners. Kaabia and Sasha Grewal, one year apart, could very well be twins. They look alike, sound alike, and finish each others sentences.

We both knew we wanted to work with each other right from the time when we were in school, Kaabia, 36, tells me. And we knew we wanted to make jewellery. We always wanted jewellery we could wear at parties, not put away in a locker. The sisters grew up in Ludhiana to parents they thank for a liberal upbringing. We wanted to break barriers, we wanted to do something new, Sasha, 35, adds. A formal four-year training course at Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) followed since they decided they needed to learn the nuts and bolts of jewellery making, and not just drawing designs on paper.

They launched their jewellery label, Outhouse, a decade ago. It already has five boutiques across India (Two in Delhi, one each in Kolkata and Mumbai, a newly opened one in Goa) and are opening their sixth store in Hyderabad shortly.

Outhouse is not for the faint-hearted. Its designs are contemporary, bold and even outre. People pay great value to precious metals and stones, but we decided that the time was right for people to appreciate design-led jewellery too. We are still very skill-based, so craftsmanship and quality are important to us, Sasha says. Outhouse is among Indias first bridge to luxury fashion jewellery labels, and has slowly and steadily found its own tribe.

Our pieces are conversation starters for sure, Sasha laughs. But theres so much soul behind our design. Its for the woman who is empowered, and likes her jewellery to empower her too. We dont beat around the bush, our pieces speak loud and clear. So yes, our jewellery is definitely for the strong and accomplished woman, says Sasha.

I especially love it when women come in and are unsure about an item but buy something smaller and daintier as an experiment, Kaabia says. Once the compliments start coming, they then turn into braver and more regular customers. I love that we are able to bring about a transformation in women, to make them more confident. And that they evolve with us, after all a woman is a different person at 25 and at 35.

Outhouse finds favour with several celebrities, in India and abroad. Beyonce has worn their pieces and shops for them for her personal wardrobe too. As do Kourtney Kardashian and Alia Bhatt. Their small mens range is adored by Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor.

Both sisters are creative and cool young women, but have learnt some business smarts along the way. Being a creative person and an entrepreneur is walking a tightrope, Sasha explains. You are fire-fighting every day, and keeping your vision on track. You still need to focus on business plans, growth, new markets and profitability. We have learnt the importance of being businesswomen. For example, I learned sales only once I realised I had to know everything.

We turned profitable by our second year itself, Kaabia says. Of course much of what we made went back into the business, but growth was very important to us. Sasha informs the business has been growing by 30-40 percent each year, and they hope to accelerate it into a global brand soon. We also believe in hiring great top management, thats very important for the business.

Outhouse launched its ecommerce business in 2019, and got an ecommerce manager on board. We realised the true potential when the right people came on board. Now our stores and online businesses bring us equal revenue, Kaabia shares. Ecommerce also makes us a global player.

The Goa store, launched in chic Assagao last week, is inspired by the Cyclades, a group of islands south of Greece. I think we both had a spiritual awakening when we went to Greece, the girls laugh.

We wanted to have that coastal energy, no straight lines, one room flowing into another, a lot of wicker and bamboo everywhere, Sasha says. Our iconic bags are well-mounted, and we have a story wall thats inspired by our personalities. Theres also some earthenware for sale that shares their brand story. Outhouse launched a series of party purses in 2016, and are already a rather popular accessories label.

Sasha now lives in New Delhi, while Kaabia married and moved to Mumbai and has two young sons. But their days echo each other despite being in different cities. We both start our days with prayer. It centres us, and makes us feel alive. We work very hard during the week. I didnt take any time out when I had my babies, I just enjoyed my work so much, Kaabia says.

And they like to party on weekends. The Grewal girls throw fabulous dinners, and costume ball parties, and bring fantasy to their Instagram profiles. Partying is an important part of life too. If we dont celebrate ourselves, why are we even here? Sasha asks. We love doing things well, and we love doing things in style. And that reflects in our professional and personal lives too. There are no shortcuts with us.

The Indian fashion jewellery market has grown in the last decade, they girls say. Sasha wore a cape made of two or three thousand tourmalines, at the recent opening of the NMACC in Mumbai, and received many compliments as well as orders.

Namrata Zakaria is a seasoned writer and editor, and a chronicler of social and cultural trends. Her first book, on late fashion designer Wendell Rodricks Moda Goa museum, is due to be published shortly. Zakaria is especially known for her insiders take on fashion, luxury and social entrepreneurship in India. Her writing is appreciated for shaping opinions, busting myths, making reputations and sometimes breaking the odd career. Zakaria is also involved in putting together philanthropic efforts in the field of economic and environmental sustainability.

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New Delhi: Mafia don Atiq Ahmed, who had imposed a reign of terror in Prayagraj, has been gunned down in spectacular fashion  in a hail of bullets on live TV while being accompanied by a sizeable police contingent in full view of the media.

The deaths of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed ended the 40-year rule of the mafia don, who had masterminded a host of high-profile murders over the years.

In three days, Atiq Ahmeds family has lost three of their members. First the encounter killing of Atiq Ahmeds son Asad Ahmed and then two days later the mafia don himself was shot dead along with his brother Ashraf Ahmed.

The attack on Atiq Ahmed, which took place late on Saturday, also reminded of a sequence of events that had taken place about 18 years ago. A curse of a woman is being said to be responsible for the destruction of Atiq Ahmeds family and his henchmen. That woman is none other than Pooja Pal, wife of slain MLA Raju Pal.

The story of Pooja Pals curse dates back to the time when Atiq Ahmed won the Lok Sabha elections from Prayagraj in 2004. The assembly seat of Prayagraj West had also fell vacant. In 2005, when by-elections were held on this seat, Atiq Ahmed fielded his brother Ashraf Ahmed.

Raju Pal contested the election against of Ashraf Ahmed on a BSP ticket and emerged victorious. This was the first time that a family member of Atiq Ahmed had to face defeat.

A few days after becoming an MLA, Raju Pal got married to Pooja Pal. Meanwhile, the family of Atiq Ahmed plotted to eliminate Raju Pal. Atiq Ahmed gave his brother Ashraf Ahmed the task of killing Raju Pal.

Raju Pal was killed by Atiq Ahmeds men

On January 25, 2005, Raju Pal was surrounded by Atiq Ahmeds henchmen in the Dhumanganj area of Prayagraj. Raju Pal was chased and fired upon. The entire state was shaken by this heinous murder in Prayagraj.

Due to the murder of Raju Pal after nine days of marriage, Pooja Pal had reportedly cursed Atiq Ahmed and his family. No one in Atiq Ahmeds family had probably expected that Pooja Pals curse would weigh so heavily on them.

Pooja Pal was crying and said that what Atiq and his henchmen have done to my husband, one day God will punish them for their deeds. This curse came to fruition 18 years later.

Within three days, three crucial members of Atiq Ahmeds family have been killed. erased. Two of his sons are in jail. Wife Shaista is absconding. Two days ago, son Asad Ahmed was killed in an encounter. Two days after that, while being brought to the hospital for routine checkup, Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were fired upon and died on the spot.

Talking to the media personnel on the death of Atiq and Ashraf, Pooja Pal has said that one pays as he does. She said that history repeats itself and man has to harvest the fruits of his deeds.

Pooja Pal took over husband Raju Pals legacy

After the murder of Raju Pal, his wife Pooja Pal took over his legacy. The assembly seat had become vacant after Raju Pals murder. A few days later by-elections were held on this seat. During this, Pooja Pal contested against Ashraf Ahmed on a BSP ticket, but was defeated.

In 2007 once again assembly elections were held in which Pooja Pal won for the first time on a BSP ticket. After this, in the 2012 assembly elections, Pooja Pal defeated Atiq Ahmed gain, this time contesting for Apna Dal.

In January 2018, BSP expelled Pooja Pal, who belongs to the Gaderia community, on charges of indiscipline. There was also speculation that she might join the BJP. Now the SP has made her the partys candidate from Unnao.

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Lucknow: The three men who killed gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf while posing as media persons told police they did this to make a name for themselves in the world of crime.

Out of the three men, names of at least two of them figure in the records of police stations in the state, but for nothing as audacious as the almost point-blank shooting of the two brothers as they were being escorted into a Prayagraj hospital Saturday night for a medical check-up, while the cameras rolled.

The alleged assailants, Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj, were arrested by policemen accompanying the Ahmad brothers.

Tiwari was injured in the cross-fire, which also hurt a policeman. A Banda resident, who did not want to be named, told media persons that Tiwaris family was unlike the rogue son, whom he also described as a drug addict.

His family has been our neighbour. The family is simple. Two of his brothers are priests while one is still studying. Lavlesh has been into crime and has been to jail several times. He has also gone to jail in an eve-teasing case earlier, he said.

He had ambitions to earn a big name in the world of crime, the neighbour claimed.

In Hamirpur, Sunnys brother Pintu said he had no idea how he got into crime. My brother used to do nothing, and roam here and there. He has some cases registered against him, but I dont know the details, he told reporters on Sunday.

We were three brothers, out of which one has died earlier. I dont know how Sunny got into crime. He ran away from home many years ago. I have no clue about what happened yesterday, he said.

A neighbour said Sunny has not been living in the area for about 10 years. He was a resident of Kurara, and was normal when he was young. He went to jail after a brawl, after which his mentality changed and he entered the world of crime. After a few incidents, he left Kurara. He was in Hamirpur jail for about a year, he said.

In Kasganj, the neighbours of Arun Maurya expressed shock over the incident. The alleged shooters parents are dead. Two of his brothers are in the scrap business in Delhi, they told reporters.

They also claimed that no one in the village knew what Maurya did and where he lived. He too appeared to have left the village about a decade ago.

Police have charged the three men for murder and attempt to murder, as well as under the Arms Act. At least two firearms were recovered from the site of the shooting.

According to the FIR, the accused told police they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity in the state by eliminating Atiq Ahmads gang.

They said they couldnt make their escape because of the swift police action, according to the FIR. Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan, one of the accused told police.

Police said the three assailants had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from the two gangsters. The men suddenly dropped their camera and whipped out the arms, they said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi: In 2008, six criminal-politicians, including Atiq Ahmad, who along with his brother was shot dead on Saturday, were furloughed from different jails in just 48 hours with little fanfare, with a book on Baahubalis claiming that the votes of these politicians were crucial to save the embattled UPA government and Indias civil nuclear deal with the US.

During that time, the Opposition had brought a no-confidence motion against the Manmohan Singh-led government and at stake was the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the nuclear deal.

Among these six legislators, who collectively had over 100 criminal cases against their names, was the then Samajwadi Partys Lok Sabha MP Atiq Ahmad, who represented Allahabads (now Prayagraj) Phulpur constituency.

The book  Baahubalis of Indian Politics: From Bullet to Ballot  authored by Rajesh Singh and published by Rupa Publications mentions how the gangster-politician had the distinction of being one of the musclemen who saved the UPA government from a collapse. The Left parties had withdrawn their outside support to the regime in mid-2008 over the governments decision to proceed with a civil nuclear deal. The UPA had 228 members in the Lok Sabha and was short of 44 seats for a simple majority to overcome the crisis of confidence. Prime Minister Singh, however, expressed confidence that he would survive. It soon became evident as to where that confidence came from, Singh writes.

He notes that the Samajwadi Party extended support, as did Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Deve Gowdas Janata Dal (Secular) to the UPA while there were others, including the Baahubali netas, who did their bit. Forty-eight hours before the vote and with little fanfare, the government furloughed six of the nations most prominent suspected lawbreakers  collectively facing over 100 cases of kidnapping, murder, extortion, arson and more  so that they could fulfil their constitutional duties as lawmakers, the book states.

One among them was Ateeq Ahmed, a Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh, with a conspicuous handlebar moustache and a penchant for safari suits. He dutifully cast his precious vote, no doubt in favour of the beleaguered UPA. The don had, by then, established himself in both politics and crime, according to the book.

He was a five-time MLA from Uttar Pradesh, having forayed into electoral politics successfully in 1989. He became a member of the Lok Sabha in 2004 elected on a Samajwadi Party ticket, though, less than five years later, the party would expel him on grounds of his criminal record.

Ahmad (60) identified himself as a politician, contractor, builder, property dealer and agriculturist but also had serious criminal charges to his name including of kidnapping, extortion and murder.

Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on Saturday night in Prayagraj in a dramatic turn of events when three assailants posing as journalists opened fire on them in the middle of a media interaction. The Ahmeds were handcuffed together as they were being escorted in police security at a hospital for mandatory health checkup. As they alighted from the police jeep, surrounded by police personnel, and were trying to answer questions by the media persons, they were shot dead in full view of the camera.

Earlier on Saturday, Atiqs son Asad was buried in Prayagraj, a day after he was killed in an exchange of fire with the UP polices Special Task Force in Jhansi. No close family member, including the beleaguered gangster himself, could attend the burial.

Briefing reporters about the deadly shootout, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma on Saturday said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned, Sharma said.

A three-member judicial commission has been formed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to probe the killing of Atiq and his brother, according to officials.

(With inputs from PTI)

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The so-called modern mind is cursed with faithlessness. Ironically, it takes pride in it. It thinks faith is an antithesis to rationality. To add to it, it is also afflicted with a judgemental and know-it-all trait. Even the greatest of the souls can be judged, abused, and called names in no time.

It happened last week with the 87-year-old Dalai Lama. A monk par excellence, the Tibetan leader has lived all his life preaching and practising love, compassion and non-violence. But that hasnt stopped the modern, rational mind from judging him. Why? Because he kissed a boy and asked him to suck his tongue! That very evening, I heard one of my colleagues in journalism saying, Whats wrong with the Dalai Lama? I have stopped believing in these babas. A few others sitting with her nodded their heads in vindication

Faithless judgemental know it all!

Even before one does a psycho-cultural analysis of the Dalai Lamas act, the modern, rational mind should have at least done the basic homework. The event, which took place in late February at the Dalai Lamas monastery in Dharamshala, was attended by about 100 young students. In a video that has gone viral, a child requested His Holiness: Can I hug you?

Hearing this, the Dalai Lama asked the boy to come up to the platform where he was seated. Touching his cheek, he said, first here, after which the child kissed him and gave him a hug. The Tibetan leader held him lovingly in his arms and said, I think here also  and he planted a kiss on his lips. And then he asked the boy to suck my tongue, sticking out his tongue. Forehead to forehead with the Dalai Lama, the boy quickly stuck out his tongue.

What was missing in this carefully edited video was how the Dalai Lama laughed and pulled the boy in for another hug. What was cut out was how the entire incident was duly photographed and hailed by those present there. What was also deliberately kept out was that the boys mother was present at the event, sitting near the Dalai Lama.

When I saw the unedited video of the event, rewinding it again and again, all I could sense was a grandfatherly banter. It evoked the memory of my late grandfather. Of course, he would not ask me to suck his tongue! He was not a Tibetan, after all! But I felt the warmth, the tenderness and the unassuming simplicity of my grandfather. He would often pull my shirt and aggressively kiss the stomach. His freshly grown up beard would create sensation and I would laugh no end. At a time when faithlessness looms large, it seems there is no space for grandfatherly banters. Everyone is a suspect, till proven otherwise.

This takes us to the third aspect of this episode: The know-it-all phenomenon. Modern mind seems to believe that it knows everything, even when all it knows is its own cultural mores  and that too quite scarcely. Theres also a tendency to uniformise global diversity. So, hello and hi have become a normal way to greet people. What if someone greets you with his tongue out? You may be offended, may even resort to violence. But thats how Tibetans greet. In Tibet, sticking out your tongue has been a traditional way of saying hello. It is also a sign of respect and  as a Tibetan friend of this author said  an elderly persons unconditional love for a young one.

The practice had its origins in the 9th century when a tyrant king with a black tongue died. The Tibetans believe in reincarnation, and by sticking their tongues out, they prove they arent the tyrant reborn. Had one known this story, one would have realised the flippancy of the uproar. The Dalai Lama could still have been accused of committing a mistake had he done the same in a non-Buddhist event in Delhi or New York. But he was in Dharamshala, mostly amid his own Tibetan people. Still, following the uproar, His Holiness apologised for his inappropriate and scandalous behaviour.

The know-it-all liberal mind should also have realised the timing of the incident, coming as it did soon after the Dalai Lama had announced the selection of an eight-year-old US-born, Mongolian boy as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, the third most important spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism. As this writer wrote in detail in the 27 March 2023 article in Firstpost, the recognition of the Mongolian boy has stumped the Xi Jinping dispensation, giving it a nightmare on the Dalai Lama succession issue. The Xi Jinping administration knows it well that that the institution of the Dalai Lama is the strongest bulwark against Chinese hegemony in Tibet. If it cant be removed, then it should at least be discredited. Thats what seems to be the motive behind the mischievously edited Dalai Lama video.

Tibetans alone dont have weird traditions. For instance, there are many cultures where smiling isnt seen as a friendly gesture. In some Latin cultures, one smiles to say Excuse me or Please. Also, if someone does not return your greeting smile, this doesnt mean some sort of enmity or hostility. Some Asian cultures reserve smiling for informal occasions; smiling while being formally introduced is considered disrespectful.

Likewise, Indians, Europeans and Americans are mostly advised to make eye contact while interacting with others. Not making eye contact is seen as a sign of disinterest, evasiveness and elusiveness. But in many cultures, including Korean, avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect.

Diversity is equally evident in table manners across the world. In China, for instance, making a mess of the table is seen as a sign of the guest enjoying the meal. You should also leave a bit of food on your plate to make the host think that you are full and have enough to eat  one is, however, advised not to leave any rice leftover in the bowl. Likewise, in Egypt, one is expected not to fill his own glass for water  it is the job of his immediate neighbour on the table to fill his glass! In Afghanistan, when a piece of bread drops on the floor, its lifted and kissed. And in Canada, guests should not come on or before time; its acceptable for them to come late.

As for Indians, they have taken, obviously out of coloniality, the Western table manners to a different level. So much so that my yoga teacher was bemoaning the other day how most of his young students couldnt sit properly, and were prone to joint and back problems very early in their lives! The tradition of sitting cross-legged on the floor is almost extinct, especially in urban homes, though some families have realised its importance and are striving to bring it back into their lives.

Its a case of utter coloniality because theres a tendency among educated Indians to look down upon lesser Indians, while gleefully accepting the same mistakes from their Western counterparts. Mispronounce a French or a Latin word in a group of educated individuals, and suddenly there would silence that would intermittently break with hushed up giggling noises. Some braveheart polyglots may even stand up to mock at your egregious error. But the same courtesies are never extended to Europeans when they mispronounce Indian names and words. Punjab is often pronounced as Poonjab, but no one laughs  and even fewer rush to correct them!

The Dalai Lama saga is a reminder to the modern, tech-savvy man about the loss of his faith and reasoning. This has made him shallow and bottomless. He is full of information, but has a dearth of understanding. This has made him a faithless, judgemental and pretentious know-it-all being.

Arun Shourie once narrated to this writer a touching encounter with the Dalai Lama. In 2017, he had invited His Holiness for the release of his book, Two Saints, based on Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Ramana Maharshi. Shourie would always ask his son, Aditya, who has cerebral palsy, to release his books, and on this occasion he asked him to present a copy to the Dalai Lama.

I cant forget that moment. While presenting the book to His Holiness, Aditya placed his hand on his head. And this great monk bowed in front of Aditya. His Holiness laughed, and sought more blessings from Aditya. My sons condition doesnt allow him to look attentively at anything for a long time, but that day he kept looking at the Dalai Lama with an undivided gaze and attention, Shourie recalled. Later during his speech, Shourie added, His Holiness again mentioned how touched he was to receive Adityas blessing.

This is the real Dalai Lama. By judging him, the so-called modern mind has only exposed its fallacy and hollowness. His apology, in that way, is the noble souls apology on behalf of humanity, on whom the Dalai Lamas faith has not wavered a bit despite seven decades of suffering and hardship.

The author is Opinion Editor, Firstpost and News18. He tweets from @Utpal_Kumar1. Views expressed are personal.

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Turkey recently told Russia that they would not need the second S-400 air defense system battery it agreed to receive from Russia. That was not a binding agreement and Turkey exercised its cancellation option. There were several reasons for this and the most obvious one was that, after over a decade of effort, Turkey had developed a full range of air defense systems and the last one, Siper, did what the S-400 did and, according to the Turks, did it better and cheaper. While Russia has exported S-400 to several countries, Russian air defense systems have a reputation for being effective but flawed. Even the Turks have exposed and exploited flaws in modern Russian air defense systems. The Turkish developed systems seek to be more reliable and less exploitable than Russian systems.

For several years Turkey has been testing its new Siper SAM (Surface to Air Missile). Siper is somewhat like the American Patriot, the Israeli Davids Sling and the Russian S-400 systems. Siper is one of four SAM systems that comprise the new Turkish developed Hisar (Fortress) air defense system. Two Turkish firms have been developing this since 2007. With the completion of testing, Hisar provides Turkey with a modern air defense system for domestic use and export customers.

Hisar consists of Hisar A, with a missile range of 15 kilometers, Hisar O with a range of 25 kilometers, Hisar U with a range of 100 or more kilometers and Siper with a range of 150 or more kilometers. The first two were in development from 2007 and Hisar A entered service in 2021 with Hisar O in 2022. Hisar U and Siper were the last to complete testing.

Hisar A batteries, each with four-to-six launcher vehicles, were sent to Syria and Libya several years ago for some combat experience. Hisar A is mounted in a tracked vehicle that carries four ready-to-fire missiles plus with an electro/optical (visual) sensor and an FCS (fire control system) that can also operate with a radar each battery has. Hisar A is a heat seeking missile with a proximity fuze that detonates the warhead if the missile is close enough to do damage. Max altitude is five kilometers. The Hisar A missile uses INS (inertial guidance system) to get close enough to the target for the heat-seeker to take over.

Hisar O uses the same tech as Hisar A but has a larger missile carried in a heavy truck with six missiles. Each battery has three launcher vehicles plus another vehicle with an AESA radar and FCS. Hisar O missiles have a max range of 25 kilometers and max altitude of ten kilometers. Each launcher vehicle also has its own visual FCS like that used on Hisar A. The battery AESA radar has a max range of 60 kilometers but is most effective at 40 kilometers or less. The battery has several vehicles to carry the radar, FCS and communications system. The radar FCS can track up to sixty targets at a time and assign targets to each of the launcher vehicles.

Hisar U missiles are also truck mounted but use longer range radars and an FCS that does not support optical sensors.

Siper missiles are larger still and only use a battery radar and more complex guidance system in each missile.

Turkey will have all four systems in service this year or 2024, depending on manufacturing capacity. Compared to earlier development projects using complex tech, that may be optimistic and the Hisar A/O systems use tech that has been around for decades. Turkey has made this work, especially with their UAVs and the laser guided missiles they use.

The other two air-defense systems are Korkut and Sungur. Korkut entered service in 2016 and has been used in Syria for nearly as long. Korkut is a tracked armored vehicle armed with twin 35mm autocannon that can fire 1,100 rounds a minute. This comes out to 18 a second, and most of the time Korkut will fire short (1-3 second) bursts. A Korkut battery consists of three 35mm gun vehicles and a command/control radar vehicle. The radar has a range of 70 kilometers while the 35mm guns are effective up to four kilometers. The 35mm gunner has an optical (visual) sight aided by the radar vehicle which also coordinates the fire of all three Korkut vehicles. Turkey is building enough Korkut equipment for 40 batteries and some are now in service. So far, Ukraine is the only export customer.

Finally, there are Porsav and Sungur. Porsav is similar to the American Stinger, which the Turks currently use. Stinger is a 14.3 kg (31.5 pound) shoulder fired anti-aircraft system that fires its 10.1 kg (22.2 pound) missile out to 4,500 meters. Sungur is heavier and carried and used from a vehicle. Sungur is similar to the French Mistral, which uses an 18.7 kg (42 pound) missile with a max range of 6,500 meters. Porsav and Sungur have many common components and differ mainly in weight and range. Sugur and Porsav were both in service by 2022.

Turkey is offering all five systems (Hisar, Siper, Korkut, Sugur and Porsav) to export customers. Turkish air defense systems are the latest addition to a large selection of weapons, ranging from small arms to armored vehicles, helicopter gunships, artillery and warships. Turkey gains a lot of favorable attention, and orders, from other Moslem nations.
New Delhi: India on Sunday said there is a need to holistically address climate change issues in tandem with environmental action.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed a plenary session of the G7 ministers meeting and highlighted Indias emphasis on collective action to address environmental challenges, including efforts to encourage individual and community action through Mission LiFE.

He said changing individual and community behaviour can have a meaningful impact on mitigating the effects of environmental and climate crises.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last year launched Mission LiFE (lifestyle for environment) which calls for a global mass movement for inducing behavioural changes focused on mindful and deliberate utilisation of resources.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems can help us reduce the extent of climate change and cope with its impacts. It is, therefore, important that we address issues related to climate change in tandem with environmental action, holistically. We do hope that this is at the core of deliberations of this meeting of the Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers of the G7 countries, he said.

Climate change, desertification, and biodiversity loss are deeply interlinked and pose existential challenges to humanity, said Yadav.

He said Rio conventions have made remarkable progress in addressing these challenges through a consensus-driven approach based on principles.

While India has taken strong domestic actions to combat climate change, set ambitious targets for itself, and steer international actions through various initiatives, Yadav emphasised the need for a country-driven approach based on the principles of equity and CBDR-RC (common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities) to undertake decisive action.

Equity essentially means each countrys share of carbon dioxide emissions is equal to its share of the global population.

The CBDR-RC principle recognises that each country is responsible for addressing climate change, but developed countries should bear primary responsibilities as they account for most of the historical and current greenhouse gas emissions.

Yadav expressed hope that the leadership of G7 nations would ensure an effective fight against the triple challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, conscious of the fact that we have One Earth, we are One Family and have One Future.

The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

During the G7 summit in Germany last year, the participating countries established a shared objective of transitioning towards a predominantly decarbonised electricity supply by 2035.

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Ouagadougou: At least 40 people, including 34 defence volunteers and six soldiers, were killed in a suspected jihadist attack in insurgency-hit northern Burkina Faso, the regional governorate said on Sunday.

According to an official statement, a detachment of soldiers and the civilian volunteers was the target of an attack by unidentified armed men on Saturday  at about 4:00 pm, near Aorema village.

The provisional death toll was 34 auxiliaries from the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP) and six soldiers, the statement said, adding that 33 more people were wounded and in a stable condition in the regional capital Ouahigouyas university hospital.

A security source confirmed the death toll and said several dozen terrorists had been neutralised, meaning killed, during a riposte launched after the attack.

Another security source said the detachment that came under assault was deployed to maintain security at the Ouahigouyas aerodrome.

Burkina Fasos military junta had declared Thursday a general mobilisation to give the state all necessary means to combat a string of bloody attacks blamed on jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Last week, 44 civilians were reported killed by armed terrorist groups in two villages in the northeast, near the Niger border.

It was one of the deadliest attacks against civilians since Captain Ibrahim Traore came to power last September, after 51 soldiers were killed in February at Deou, in the far north.

The government had already announced the same month a plan to recruit 5,000 more soldiers to battle the insurgency that has gripped one of the worlds poorest countries since 2015.

The violence has left more than 10,000 people dead, according to non-governmental aid groups, and displaced two million people from their homes.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Dubai: At least four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, were among the 16 people killed after a major fire broke out in a residential building in Dubai, injuring nine others, according to PTI.

On Saturday, at 12.35 pm the Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was notified of a fire at a building in Dubais ancient suburb of Al Ras, according to Gulf News.

According to the report, the big fire started on the fourth story of the building and quickly spread to other areas.

A crew from Dubai Civil Defence HQ arrived at the scene of the fire and began evacuating residents.

Teams from the Port Saeed Fire Station and the Hamriyah Fire Station were also summoned.

The flames were doused by 2:42 pm (local time), the paper said.

Quoting Naseer Vatanappally, an Indian social worker who was at the Dubai Police mortuary, the paper reported that four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, have been identified among the victims.

So far, we have managed to identify 4 Indians, including a couple from Kerala and two men from Tamil Nadu who worked at the building, 3 Pakistani cousins and a Nigerian woman, Vatanappally said.

Vatanappally said he was coordinating with Dubai Police, the Indian Consulate in Dubai, other diplomatic missions and friends and relatives of the deceased, the report said.

According to a representative for Dubai Civil Defence, preliminary examinations revealed that the structure breached adequate safety regulations.

Authorities are undertaking a thorough investigation to offer a detailed report on the causes of the incident, according PTI.

With inputs from agencies

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New Delhi: Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke over the phone on Sunday where they discussed regional as well as global issues.

A warm conversation, as always with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning. Discussed current regional and global issues. Noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties, Jaishankar tweeted.

During an earlier meeting in March, the two leaders met and held discussions on measures to mitigate the global impacts of Russias war in Ukraine. Blinken and Jaishankar held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in New Delhi.

At this meeting, Blinken shared his views on tackling global and regional challenges with Jaishankar. US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said issued a statement at the time saying that the two parties discussed ways how India and the US can expand technology and defence cooperation and increase food energy, and health security.

Ned Price also informed that Blinken and Jaishankar spoke about efforts to elevate and expand strategic technology and defence industrial cooperation and promote food, energy, and global health security. The two leaders also held discussions to promote clean energy transition, counternarcotics cooperation and womens economic empowerment.

In March, the state secretary visited India to attend the Raisina Dialogue, the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting and Quad Foreign Ministers Meet.

During this trip, Blinken echoed his comments with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he said that there are real challenges to multilateralism and added that they are directly coming from Russia.

With inputs from agencies

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Helsinki: While three nuclear power plants shut down operations in Germany, Europes largest nuclear reactor Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) in Finland finally began regular output on Sunday after nearly 18 years of waiting.

The plant will help mitigate some of the energy losses suffered due to Russian cuts.

The unit in Finland is expected to meet around 14 per cent of the countrys electricity demand, reducing the need for imports from Sweden and Norway, said OL3s operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO).

The new reactor is expected to produce for at least 60 years, TVO said in a statement on Sunday after completing the transition from testing to regular output.

The production of Olkiluoto 3 stabilises the price of electricity and plays an important role in the Finnish green transition, TVO Chief Executive Jarmo Tanhua said in the statement.

The construction of the 1.6 gigawatts (GW) reactor began in 2005. It is Finlands first new nuclear plant in more than four decades and Europes first in 16 years.

OL3 first supplied test production to Finlands national power grid in March last year and was expected at the time to begin regular output four months later, but instead suffered a string of breakdowns and outages that took months to fix.

Russias power exports to Finland ended last May when Russian utility Inter RAO said it had not been paid for the energy it sold, a consequence of the widening gulf between Moscow and Europe over the war in Ukraine.

Russian state export monopoly Gazprom shortly ended shipments of natural gas to the Nordic nation.

With inputs from agencies

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Celaya: Six people and a kid were killed by gunmen who invaded a water park in central Mexico on Saturday, causing fear among the crowd, according to local authorities.

Police arrived at the scene where they found three dead women, three dead men, and a seven-year-old minor, in addition to one person seriously wounded, according to a statement from Cortazar City Hall, the municipality where the attack occurred, according to AFP.

Violence linked to drugs has increased significantly recently in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.

The attackers arrived at the La Palma swimming resort at 4:30 p.m. local time (2230 GMT) to perpetrate the attack, according AFP.

Attackers went directly toward a group of people and opened fire, then yanked out security cameras from the site before retreating, authorities said.

According to a video posted on local news site Debate Noticias, which was taken by an eye-witness at the scene, the victims had collapsed on the floor or on the chairs where they were sitting amid thick clouds of smoke  apparently from the gunshots.

The footage also shows people running for cover from the gunfire.

The website of TV Azteca, one of Mexicos main television networks, had a video from the scene showing panic-stricken adults and children still in swimwear  including pool floats  on the scene after the shooting.

The attack occurred on the last day of the spring school vacation period.

The resort, abutting a university campus, was swarmed by military and state police after the attack.

Guanajuato, a prosperous industrial state, has become one of Mexicos most dangerous due to a feud between the Santa Rosa de Lima crime syndicate and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which is dedicated to fuel theft and drug trafficking.

Since the government controversially sent the army to battle drug cartels in 2006, Mexico has recorded over 350,000 homicides, the majority of which have been blamed on criminal groups, reported AFP.

With inputs from agencies

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Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologised to victims of sexual abuse for freeing around 100 imprisoned offenders before they completed their sentences due to a loophole in the infamous yes means yes law.

The yes means yes law was applied last year in response to a 2016 case where five men, known as the Wolf Pack, raped an 18-year-old woman at the world-famous bull-running festival.

Under the new law, all non-consensual sex was to be counted as rape as opposed to the previous rule where rape convictions could only be secured if a prosecutor could prove that violence and intimidation had been employed.

According to VOA News, Ana Bernal, a journalist who specialises in feminist issues said, This law has left a legal loophole. There are many victims who are scared about what could happen because the people who abused them could be let out of prison earlier. They are worried about their safety.

Moreover, as the new law carries a lower minimum sentence  the result of merging the crimes of sexual abuse and aggression  it has enabled some perpetrators convicted before it took effect to successfully seek reduced sentences or early release.

Since the law was passed in October last year, the sentences of 978 have been reduced 104 prisoners have been released early as of March 31, the General Council of the Judiciary said last week.

In an interview with El Correo newspaper, Sanchez said, Some of these releases or reviews are not final, they can still be appealed. But in any case, there has been an undesired effect that we have to resolve.

If we have to apologise to the victims, I apologise to the victims, he added.

With inputs from agencies

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Washington: Indias Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India and the US are working collaboratively to build a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community.

Her comments came during her visit to Washington for the International Monetary Fund and World Banks spring meeting.

She said, When we celebrate diversity, celebrate inclusiveness, it is also the point that we share a lot of positive thoughts when we are doing this.

Today when we celebrate togetherness, it is that spirit which governs India and US relationship: a positive thinking relationship of two democracies, which have their own share of challenges and their own share of internal problems, but we dont allow them to overwhelm us, she added.

She was addressing the Indian diaspora at an event organised by the Indian Embassy here to celebrate the countrys diversity.

You integrated yourself or do you recall with fondness the place of your origin, but youre part of the US today and building a very dynamic and robust economy. This is exactly what is even in India. Differences are there between different regions, different people and different languages, Sitharaman said.

She took note of the achievements made by India in making itself digitally sound and credited the success of digital platforms on languages, which she said are at least 15 s recognised by the Constitution of India.

The finance minister also stressed on the existence of dialects that can be spoken but not written into formal language as they do not have a script.

But the Indian Constitution recognises 15 of them. Most of our platforms are available now in regional languages. And thats why when you pay your little bills to your milkman or you wish to vendor, you do it in their own languages. These are the instruments of success, Sitharaman said.

The event was also attended by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Kurt Campbell, the Indo-Pacific Coordinator of the US National Security Council, General Atomics Chief Executive Vivel Lall, and White House official Dr Rahul Gupta.

With inputs from agencies

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New Delhi: In the midst of the ongoing Sudanese fighting, an Indian national named Albert Augestine succumbed to his injuries after getting hit by a stray bullet.

According to media reports, in order to make additional arrangements for the deceased, the Indian Embassy in Khartoum stated that it was in contact with the family and relevant medical personnel.

It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements, read the embassys tweet.

On Sunday, the Sudanese military launched a series of airstrikes on a paramilitary base near the capital city of Khartoum. The clash between the government and the military left as many as 56 people dead.

Also Read: Sudan military attack on paramilitary base kills 56, leaves 600 wounded

Eyewitnesses said that after the attack on the paramilitary bases, the army went on to strike a government paramilitary base called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman.

With inputs from agencies

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Tokyo: The situation in Japan is palpable after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was attacked during a campaign event on Saturday. Concerns over the safety of the Group of Seven (G7) officials who are expected to visit next month are higher than ever.

Kishida, however, addressing these concerns has said that the country will do everything that is needed to ensure the safety of the foreign dignitaries.

At a time when high-ranking officials from all over the world are visiting Japan as a whole needs to maximise its efforts to ensure security and safety, Kishida told reporters on Sunday.

Its unforgivable such a violent act was committed during an election campaign, he added.

Prime Minister Kishida escaped an attack unharmed after a 24-year-old man threw a homemade pipe bomb during a campaign event in the western city of Wakayama.

A 24-year-old man was arrested but has so far revealed nothing about his motives in the attack, which came as Japan hosts two G7 ministerial meetings.

Kishida said that he expects the police force to step up the safety situation in the country in the wake of the incident.

The attack on the Japanese prime minister brought back cruel memories of the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot at last year during a rally.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Saturday that police have been instructed to boost security and the government would do what is necessary to ensure security when Kishida hosts the May G7 summit in Hiroshima.

With inputs from agencies

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Over the last two decades, emergency medicine, administered by civilian EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) or military combat medics has made huge strides. Now the new medical tech is coming to band aids or bandages for people with minor bleeding injuries like cuts or scrapes. Some people do not heal as quickly and these minor injuries can take a long time to heal. The solution is the self-monitoring polymer band-aids or bandages. This smart bandage tech has completed animal testing and now faces up to a decade of human tests and development of larger bandages before it is generally available.

This smart bandage is worn for a week or two until the chronic bleeding is healed. The smart bandage consists of two parts. The most obvious is what appears to be a disposable band-aid or bandage containing biosensors, electrodes and hydrogel containing medications in hydrogel form as well as a device delivering low-level electrical stimulation to speed the healing. The second component is a flexible reusable electronic patch that monitors the healing process by tracking temperature, PH and other items that allow a doctor or medical technician to monitor the healing process. Each year there are millions of people with slow-healing wounds and the smart bandage is designed to speed the healing process.

The smart bandage benefits from two decades of dramatic developments in emergency and combat medicine. These new techs and procedures led to a reduction of combat deaths by more than half since 2003. This was the result of new treatments to deal wounds for which there was previously no battlefield treatment. That meant the victim would die before more extensive treatment could be applied. Chief among these were deep (abdominal or thigh) wounds where large arteries (like the abdominal aorta) were opened. When that happens the victim bleeds to death in minutes.

There have been several new battlefield treatments for catastrophic injuries like this. The first appeared in 2013 in the form of a belt that is placed on the abdomen and activated. A bladder inflates which puts sufficient pressure on the abdominal aorta to stop the bleeding or reduce it enough to make it possible to get the casualty to a surgeon. The belt does not always work. This led, in 2014 to the introduction of another more thorough solution. This was XStat, a syringe-like device that injected nearly a hundred small cellulose sponges into deep wounds. The tiny sponges were infused with anti-bacterial and clotting chemicals that stop the most severe bleeding in 20 seconds or less. The latest version of Xstat sponges also contains a material that can be detected by X-rays and makes it possible for a surgeon to be sure all the tiny sponges are later removed.

While tourniquets have been around for thousands of years, these devices only work on limbs and not well enough when extensive damage is done to major arteries. Preventing death from most other rapid blood loss situations was achieved with the development and widespread use of powders and granules that could quickly stop the bleeding. First (in 2004) came special bandages like the Chitosan Hemostatic Dressing (more commonly called HemCon). This was basically a freeze dried substance that caused rapid clotting of blood and was incorporated into what otherwise looked like a typical battlefield bandage. This bandage greatly reduced bleeding, which had become the most common cause of death among wounded American troops. This device was a major breakthrough in bandage technology. Over 95 percent of the time, the HemCon bandages stopped bleeding, especially in areas where a tourniquet could not be applied. This did not work for extreme cases, especially if the abdominal aorta was involved. HemCon was followed by WoundStat powder to deal with some of the bleeding that HemCon could not handle. While medics, and troops, prefer the bandage type device, there are situations where WoundStat (a fine granular substance) is a better solution (especially in the hands of a medic). Only the medics got packets (usually two) of Woundstat powder. That's because this is only needed for deep wounds and has a theoretical risk of causing fatal clots if it gets into the bloodstream.

WoundStat was but one of many new medical tools for battlefield medicine that greatly increased the effectiveness of the immediate, as within minutes or seconds after getting hit, medical care for troops. This effort consisted of three programs. First, there was the development of new medical tools and treatments that troops could quickly and safely be taught to use. This included stuff like HemCon. Then came the equipping of medics (about one for every 30 or so combat troops) with more powerful tools, so that troops were less likely to bleed to death or suffocate from certain types of wounds that are not fatal if treated quickly enough. Finally, there was the Combat Lifesaver program, which more than tripled the number of "medics" by putting selected soldiers through a 40 hour CLS (Combat Lifesaver) course in the most common medical procedures soldiers can perform to deal with the most dangerous types of wounds usually encountered. These CLS trained soldiers were not medics, but they did make true emergency medical treatment more widely available in combat. In other words, CLS qualified troops are sort of "medics lite," which is close enough if you are badly wounded and in need of some prompt medical treatment.

During the last two centuries major wars have tended to produce significant improvements in medical care. This is what has happened since 2001 but in a much accelerated fashion. For example, since September 11, 2001, over two million American troops went off to war and about two percent of them were killed or wounded. Only 12 percent of the 57,000 combat zone wounds were fatal, the lowest percentage in military history. This was largely due to major improvements in dealing with rapid blood loss from a major artery being severed and the increased speed with which complex medical care could be delivered to wounded troops. New medical technologies also made it possible to detect injuries (like brain trauma) that, in the past, was very difficult to detect and treat.

The Combat Lifesaver course teaches the troops how to do things like inserting breathing tubes and other emergency surgical procedures to restore breathing. The CLS troops have skills most likely to be needed in life saving situations when a medic is not available. The additional emergency medical training, and new emergency first aid gear (the "CLS bag"), has saved hundreds of lives and reduced the severity of even more wounds. Enough troops have taken CLS training so that there is one for every 10-15 combat troops and one for every 20 or so support troops on convoy or security duty.

These new developments were also popular with civilian emergency medical services, and many of the experienced combat medics coming out of the military went to work as EMTs, thus increasing the quality of care for civilian accident victims. This was similar to what happened to the EMT field after the Vietnam War, when ambulance crews rapidly evolved from simply transporting accident victims, after a little first aid, to EMTs who could administer procedures that previously only doctors could handle. This followed the experience in World War II, where war demands led to development of mass production of the newly created antibiotics and that led to a revolution in surgery techniques.
Karachi: Six Pakistani policemen were killed after their vehicle collided with a truck in Pakistans Balochistan province. The officials were returning home for the Eid holidays.

The incident took place on the Quetta-Karachi national highway in Wadh area of Balochistan province on Saturday night when a truck coming from the opposite direction hit the police vehicle, killing all six men on the spot, Khuzdar SSP Fahad Khoso said.

The police personnel were returning home for Eid after attending a course at police training college, Khoso was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

In a separate incident, a shootout in Pakistans restive northwest claimed the lives of two soldiers and eight militants.

The Pakistani Army said on Saturday that an intense exchange of fire took place between the security forces and militants during the raid on a hideout in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, the army said.

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been responsible for the uptick in attacks against the countrys law enforcement agency officials.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Manila: Philippines Parliament Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez on Saturday suggested that the country alongwith US, and India should partner to construct digital public infrastructure, according to the Philippines House of Representative press release.

It is very important for the Philippines, India, and the US to lead in this digital public infrastructure initiative because nations have much to gain from this, he said following the Digital Public Infrastructure lecture at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington.

He also had a brief chat with Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of the Indian multinational information technology company Infosys.

He said building public digital platforms is very much aligned with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to speed up the countrys digital transformation, added the release.

This is the reason why the House of Representatives has passed the E-Governance/E-Government Bill, which seeks to shift the entire bureaucracy to the digital space for faster and transparent delivery of services, and for better engagement with the public, he said.

The House of Representatives passed on third reading an e-governance bill on March 6. A counterpart bill in the Senate is currently at the committee level.

If passed into law, the digitization of paper documents and processes is expected to encourage cooperation between the government and the private sector in improving the ease of doing business.

Digitalization will definitely prove to be the panacea to the economic problems left behind by COVID-19, Speaker Romualdez said.

The information technology and business process management industries in India account for over 55 per cent of the global outsourcing market.

The Indian Government also launched its Digital India Mission in 2015 to focus on using technology and digitalization to enhance governance.

Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development in January allotted USD 18 million to help Philippine small and medium enterprises enhance their digitalization transformation.

Romualdez bared that during the event IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva extended her best wishes to the Philippines and its strong economy, read the release.

She is very, very delighted with our attendance and presence during the Spring Meeting of the IMF here in Washington D.C. We look forward to further interaction with the IMF, World Bank, and other leading financial institutions, said Romualdez.

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Tokyo: A week after a Japanese military helicopter mysteriously crashed into the sea, rescuers found some wreckage along with the bodies of five of the 10 people who were on board.

Last week, an unused lifeboat, a door and other fragments were found among the debris of a UH60 troop transport, commonly known as the Black Hawk.

The aircraft disappeared from radar on 6 April near Miyakojima, part of its southwest Okinawa island chain, according to an army spokesperson and media reports.

The UH60 troop transport disappeared from radar tracking after leaving a Ground Self Defense Force base on Miyakojima and did not respond to radio communications, according to public broadcaster NHK.

With inputs from agencies.

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Moscow: On Orthodox Easter Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the churchs strengthening role for society and youth, while the nations top bishop backed the offensive in Ukraine.

Putin after taking part in the liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow said, I would like to express my profound gratitude for your tireless and selfless work in preserving the enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, by educating and enlightening youth, reported AFP.

He added, For many years, your wise pastoral words have served to strengthen society Today, as we face serious challenges, it is particularly important.

Easter is the most important Orthodox event in both Russia and Ukraine.

According to AFP, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Russias top bishop, has previously justified the countrys offensive in Ukraine by claiming that Russians and Ukrainians are brothers who have been separated by force, particularly by the West.

However, the Ukrainian government has responded by condemning the Kremlin-led fight and pursuing investigations and charges against the church and priests perceived to be close to Moscow.

Ukrainian authorities have further enraged the Russian church by announcing the removal of monks from the historic Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, Pechersk Lavra, which is regarded as the origin of Russian Orthodoxy.

Patriarch Kirill called the expulsion monstrous in March, according to AFP.

With inputs from agencies

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Seoul: The South Korean military fired warning shots at a patrol boat from the North that had crossed the countries de facto maritime border, Seoul said on Sunday, reported AFP.

The boat crossed the Northern Limit Line on Saturday morning near South Koreas Baekryeong Island, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

It said, according to AFP, Our Navys high-speed boat sent warning messages and conducted warning shots and immediately warded it off.

The statement added, Our military is prepared against various provocations and keeping a decisive combat posture while closely monitoring the enemys movements.

During the operation, some South Korean crew members were being treated for injuries sustained when their vessel collided with a Chinese fishing boat.

The de facto maritime border  which was never officially recognised by the North  has long been a flashpoint between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, according to AFP.

Last year the nuclear-armed North fired a ballistic missile across the maritime border, prompting Seoul to fire three missiles of its own in response, while also suspending flight routes and warning island residents in the area to shelter in bunkers.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years after Pyongyang declared itself an irreversible nuclear power last year, effectively ending the possibility of denuclearisation talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has doubled down on weapons testing, with Pyongyang firing several of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles this year.

In response, Washington and Seoul have increased defence cooperation by staging joint military drills including modern stealth jets and high-profile US strategic weapons.

North Korea sees such drills as practise for invasion, describing them as frantic drills simulating an all-out war against Pyongyang on Tuesday, reported AFP.

With inputs from agencies

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Khartoum: In a bid to reassert its power in the country, the Sudanese military on Sunday launched a series of airstrikes on a paramilitary base near the capital city of Khartoum. The clash between the government and the military left as many as 97 people dead.

Eyewitnesses said that after the attack on the paramilitary bases, the army went on to strike a government paramilitary base called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman.

The clash between the RSF and the military forced the former to seize the presidential palace, army chiefs residence, state television station and airports in Khartoum, the northern city of Merowe, El Fasher and West Darfur state. Apart from killing 97, around 600 people were also left heavily wounded.

The Sudanese air force told people to stay indoors while it conducted what it called an aerial survey of RSF activity, and a holiday was declared in Khartoum state for Sunday, closing schools, banks and government offices.

According to reports, sustained firing broke out at one of its bases in the Sudanese capital on Saturday morning and the sound could be heard in a number of areas, including central Khartoum and neighboring Bahri.

Apart from the recent faceoff, the army-RSF rivalry dates back to the rule of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019. Under the former president, the paramilitary force grew out of former militias known as the Janjaweed that carried out a brutal crackdown in Sudans Darfur region during the decades of conflict there.

In a rare televised speech Thursday, a top army general warned of potential clashes with paramilitary force, accusing it of deploying forces in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan without the armys consent. The RSF defended the presence of its forces in an earlier statement.

Coup attempt in Sudan, action of MiG-29 SE of the regular army against the coup plotters (rapid reaction force) in the city of Khartoum.

By the way, a few months ago, Sudan gave permission to the Russian Federation to build a base in the Red Sea. Is this the Wests answer? pic.twitter.com/KWUPDsIGdM  Spriter (@Spriter99880) April 15, 2023

Egyptian national carrier EgyptAir on Saturday suspended flights to and from Khartoum for 72 hours in the wake of fierce clashes between Sudans military and the countrys powerful paramilitary force that erupted Saturday in the capital and elsewhere in the African nation.

Meanwhile, State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) said one of its Airbus aircraft had an accident at Sudans Khartoum airport before its scheduled departure to Riyadh on Saturday, without providing further details.

With inputs from agencies

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Washington: Unbelievable and visionary, that is how US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Recounting her time during a visit to India last month, she recalled her interaction with Prime Minister Modi, saying that he is the most popular world leader with the commitment and desire to move India forward as a global power.

I had an incredible opportunity to spend more than an hour and a half with Prime Minister Modi. He is the most popular world leader for a reason. He is unbelievable, and visionary and his level of commitment to the people of India is just indescribable and deep and passionate and real and authentic. And his desire to lift people out of poverty and move India forward as a global power is real and it is happening, Raimondo said amid thunderous applause from the audience.

She added, The best part of the meeting for me was this. Anyone who knows Prime Minister Modi, all of you knows, he is a tech guy and he is deep into the details. So, I found myself at his home at 7.30 on a Friday night, talking about the details of radio access networks and artificial intelligence. It was just amazing.

The diplomat was in India last month for the India-US Commercial Dialogue and India-US CEO Forum meeting.

In the years to come, there will be two ecosystems of technology. One consistent with our democratic values and another not. I said to him, the United States and India need to lead the world together in this technology ecosystem. Without missing a beat, after he travelled all week, he said to me, well, Secretary AI doesnt stand for artificial intelligence. He said, AI is America-India technology, she said during an event hosted by the Indian Embassy here on Saturday.

With inputs from agencies

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Tel Aviv: Thousands of Israelis protested government judicial reforms in Tel Aviv late on Saturday, which they believe is an attack on democracy, reported AFP.

The 15th consecutive week of protest came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 27 March announced a pause to allow for dialogue on the reforms which were moving through parliament and split the nation.

AFP reported that within a sea of Israeli flags waved by protesters, banners reading Lets save democracy were seen.

Smaller demonstrations were also held outside Justice Minister Yariv Levins Modiin residence and in the northern port city of Haifa.

Tens of thousands turned out, according to Israeli media, like in prior demonstrations.

61-year-old Nadav Tamir told AFP, We are fighting for our democracy. We have no other country.

Karen Baron, a 45-year-old Tel Aviv psychiatrist, said: I didnt want to come today but my sister told me, We have no choice, and its true. We have no choice  we cant lower our guard. We have to defend our country.

The proposals would curtail the authority of the Supreme Court and give politicians greater powers over the selection of judges.

Netanyahus government, a coalition between his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues the changes are needed to rebalance powers between lawmakers and the judiciary.

Saturdays protest comes a day after US rating agency Moodys revealed that Israels rating had been downgraded from positive to stable.

It stated that the change reflects a deterioration in Israeli governance, as evidenced by recent events surrounding the governments proposal to overhaul the countrys judiciary.

Moodys noted, While mass protests have led the government to pause the legislation and seek dialogue with the opposition, the manner in which the government has attempted to implement a wide-ranging reform without seeking broad consensus points to a weakening of institutional strength and policy predictability.

With inputs from agencies

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Washington: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with the Sikh diaspora at the Celebrating Togetherness event at India House here on Sunday.

The Union Minister interacted with them and extended Baisakhi greetings.

Members of Sikh diaspora from all across the joined in #CelebratingTogetherness event at India House. FM @nsitharaman interacted with them and extended Baisakhi greetings. Highlighted the initiatives by the Govt for the community, Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in a tweet.

Earlier, the Finance Minister paid tribute to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. She was also joined by Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Joined Nirmala Sitharaman in paying tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Recalled his contribution towards drafting We the people Constitution of India and connect with the US, Sandhu tweeted.

Sitharaman and United States Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo also stopped by a stall that showcased various handicrafts and textiles under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. FM @nsitharaman and @SecRaimondo stopped by at a unique stall to showcase various handicrafts and textiles under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, Taranjit Singh Sandhu wrote on Twitter.

While attending the Celebrating Togetherness event, she also interacted with a group of young students and faculty members from local universities at India House.

Building the future, one step at a time! FM @nsitharaman interacted with a group of young students and faculty members from local Universities at India House. Knowledge partnership continues to grow from strength to strength. FM also paid tributes to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Sandhu informed via Twitter.

Sitharaman also met a group of Tamil diaspora and complimented their success in various fields and updated them on the multiple steps the Government of India is taking. Puthandu Vazthukal! At India House, FM @nsitharaman met a vibrant group of Tamil diaspora members. Complimented their success in various fields and updated the various steps the Government of India is taking, Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu informed on Twitter.

Earlier today, speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Sitharaman said, We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community.

The Finance minister arrived in the US on April 9.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Shelby wheels on a 79 F250?

Can anyone in here tell me anything about these center caps and wheels? Or where I can find a couple of these center caps for sale? They were on my truck when I bought it over 20 years ago from some foofy rich guy in Pasadena CA. I've gone to different dealers looking for answers and even called the dealer where it was originally sold. All said their systems don't go back that far. I even ordered a deluxe Marti report to see what I can find out. I found out a lot of great info about my truck but nothing about those wheels. Next I'm going to order an original copy of the window sticker from Marti to see if there's any mention about these wheels. I believe they were custom fitted at the dealer when it was first sold because I've seen another truck identical to mine with the exact same center caps and wheels except it was black. The guy in the black truck and i both couldn't stop looking at each other's trucks in full amazement. Even more intriguing, at one of the dealers I went to, a salesman mentioned to log into the Shelby website. I almost fell out of my chair when they allowed me to register my VIN number. Before I get TOO excited about possibly owning a rare 79 F250 Shelby. I'm going to follow up with Shelby to confirm my VIN number and hopefully they might be able to give me info about the center caps and wheels. Does anyone else own one of these rare trucks with these center caps and wheels? Thanks for reading my first thread.
For East Albany residents, news that the city is considering a whole new development scheme for their side of town revealed an older plan  one that charts out new streets  already had envisioned big changes.

It's how one business owner learned a future street would bisect his property and threaten his livelihood.

When Randy Vogl received a notice in the mail about the East Albany plan, a framework for development decades in the future, it led to the eventual discovery that the city already had plotted a road extension through his property.

Unlike all the other changes the East Albany plan envisions, including adding denser housing projects and new businesses to the region, this wasn't a proposal.

It turns out, that road plan has been in Albanys Transportation Systems Plan for decades, but Vogl, a new owner, was never told about it when he purchased the property last year.

A new business

Inside Sensible Rehab, 3615 Spicer Drive SE, Vogl sits across a small red desk with blue and green chairs. Childrens games and tools line the shelf.

His business, which only moved into the building in September, offers speech and occupational therapy services to all ages. And its been booming since it opened.

There was a gap in services for about a year and a half, so there is a huge need in the community, he said, referring to the pandemic.

At Sensible Rehab, the team of professionals works with children and adults with dyslexia, autism and developmental delays as well as strengthening fine motor skills, speech and communication.

Fewer face-to-face interactions because of the pandemic has further exasperated the community need, he said.

The building used to house Mighty Oaks, which offered similar services. But when it shuttered, locals had to travel to McMinnville or Salem, he said. So, Vogl and his wife brought the business, whose main operations are in Salem, to Albany.

Then not 50 days ago, his whole world changed. He discovered he may not be able to stay in this exact location as long as he hoped.

Communication

Vogl received his Measure 56 notice, which requires owners be told of potential land use changes, from the city. In looking into the plans further, he found a map that marked the extension of Spicer east of Timber Street, right through his building.

That extension has been on the books as part of the Transportation Systems Plan since 1997, when it was first adopted, and remained with each update over the years.

Vogl didn't know any of this. Neither the sellers nor the city had disclosed the plan, he said.

He began to knock on the doors of his neighbors to ask if they knew about the road extension and a proposed roundabout connecting Timber, the Spicer extension and the extended Maple Leaf Avenue.

The answer he overwhelmingly got back, he said, was no.

There hasnt been a public conversation about this road, he said.

Vogl got busy, informing some 30 residents in the area about the proposed road extensions and roundabout.

I was just the first person to tell them, and there was trust built because of that communication, he said.

Many people who live on Spicer shared their frustrations at last months Planning Commission meeting.

A roundabout planned where Jeff Hanson lives on Spicer means he would lose some of his driveway, he said. He was only aware of that plan because of Vogl, he said.

The traffic feature will impact others, including VFW Post 584, whose representatives stated they would lose some of their land they use for community gatherings.

At a public hearing on April 12, 16 people spoke against the plan. Their concerns included safety risks tied to traffic and increased crime, and loss of privacy as the roads are built out.

Really what they are frustrated about is communication, he said.

Many people who live in the area are elderly on fixed incomes. So moving isnt really an option, Vogl added.

Although the road plans have been set in stone for decades, it was the first time many people were hearing about them.

The city does put efforts into transparency, but its done differently than for land use processes, said Albany Transportation Systems Analyst Ron Irish.

The planning process requires a more direct approach, while outreach for the transportation plan is done more broadly, he said.

That means open houses, surveys and notice over social media. So if you arent paying attention, its easy to not know what is going on, Irish said.

People dont know or arent interested until it directly impacts them, he said.

To change the notification system, though, might be difficult, though, because its hard to judge how wide a net to cast, Irish said. A letter mailed to everyone in the city would likely just end up in a lot of waste bins, he said.

Road plans

When you look at the map, its just a bunch of colors on a piece of paper, Vogl said.

But real lives are impacted by those colors on a piece of paper, he said.

First envisioned by the 1997 Transportation Systems Plan, the planned roadways south of Highway 20 in the East Albany Plan are not new. The only thing that changed were the details in how they would connect. That wasn't specified.

Spicer, Timber and an extension of Maple Leaf could have come together as an intersection with stop signs or signals, but the East Albany plan designated it as a roundabout, he said.

Irish said they couldn't not plan for some sort of connection because development will attract more people, and getting around the city would be difficult without connectivity.

When looking at Albanys streetways, Irish said, a number of factors constrain planning and reinforce the need for the roundabout that would cut through Vogls property.

One of the main considerations is the expectation that, as development occurs, Oregon Department of Transportation will restrict left-turn movement to get back to town on Highway 20. That means that people can enter the area along Spicer Road from Highway 20, but they wont be able to leave that way, he said.

Its hard to say when ODOT might make that move, Irish added, putting a guess at more than 10 years.

Theres a number of other constraints dictated by the planning process, such as rules encouraging people to drive less so they send less exhaust into the environment, Irish said.

Another constraint has to do with the land uses, he said. Commercial areas may not thrive if the roads force awkward directions of travel, he said.

Because of those factors, there were only so many solutions for connectivity in the East Albany plan, he said. The roundabout made sense.

Moving forward

When the City Council first took up the East Albany plan Wednesday, April 12, Vogl was told his concerns lie not with that plan but with the Transportation Systems Plan. However, he believes the two plans can be aligned together simultaneously.

City staff chose to look at each plan one at a time because the state has required a citywide Transportation Plan update. Doing the TSP alongside the East Albany plan would mean they would have to do two updates instead of one, Irish said.

Vogl has opted not to pursue legal remedies for the lack of disclosure about the road during his purchase because there would be no money to chase, he said. The previous owner likely knew but passed away, which explains why he wasnt told.

At the end of the day, if its best for the public for the building to go away, we will figure out a plan, he said.

A likely scenario would be an offer from the city to buy the property and Vogl relocates. With the way market prices are driven, he's hoping he will be compensated well, he said.

My goal isnt to be malicious. If we are going to have this plan I just want to have a conversation about it," he said.

At a Wednesday's meeting, city councilors decided to keep the public comment period open to receive written correspondence until May 10, when the matter will be discussed again.

Editor's Note: This article has been edited to correct the mention of a street name.

Related stories:
Officials at Stanford University could learn something from the New York City Police Department about defending free speech while maintaining order. When hecklers prevented an invited speaker from addressing an audience at Stanford's law school, what could have been a peaceful protest turned into an act of verbal violence. It's easier to stop people from crossing these boundaries when you've established boundaries.

In this case, the scheduled speaker was a conservative judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Stuart Kyle Duncan's views on transgender people's use of bathrooms and gay marriage are not relevant here. He was officially sanctioned to present his views, however controversial.

Stanford Law Dean Jenny Martinez won justified praise from free-speech advocates for sending an apology to the judge and issuing a 10-page rundown of what the disrupters did wrong.

"Some students might feel that some points should not be up for argument and therefore that they should not bear the responsibility of arguing them," she wrote. But that "is incompatible with the training that must be delivered in a law school."

Or, frankly, in a high school.

But she could have gone a step further. Toward the end, she did support forging a "more detailed and explicit policy" for dealing with disruptions, including enforcement "through disciplinary sanctions." Too bad she wasn't more explicit about the possibility of expelling those who forcibly prevent invited speakers from sharing their views.

There has to be punishment with teeth. The prospect of getting kicked out of an elite law school could well have deterred the self-appointed censors. (How students seeking a profession dedicated to using words for argumentation  rather than drowning out the other views with volume  got into Stanford in the first place is worth asking.)

Quote The prospect of getting kicked out of an elite law school could well have deterred the self-appointed censors.

Compare this with the sophisticated approach of the NYPD when faced with the two volatile days of Donald Trump's recent arrival and arraignment. Around both Trump Tower and the courthouse, the department had deployed a first line of experts in maintaining order and lowering temperatures. They wore bright blue slickers with the words NYPD Community Affairs written on the back.

At the courthouse they kept pro-Trump and anti-Trump demonstrators separated by erecting barriers with a path between. Mental health issues were on both sides, but here's one example of how they worked: When a fuming young Trump supporter tried to force her tantrum on the anti-Trump crowd, the Community Affairs guys surrounded her and coaxed her back to the Trump side.

And importantly, another layer of policing helped keep the peace: the NYPD's uniformed army. The officers carrying battle gear were largely kept in the background, but the demonstrators knew they were there. If they got violent, they knew the consequences would be arrest, not discussion of possible "disciplinary sanctions."

How did they know that? They knew because of the recent coverage of how big the NYPD was and how prepared. They knew because Mayor Eric Adams famously kicked off the events with a public address wrapped in steely promise of enforcement.

"New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger," the former police captain said, the police commissioner by his side. "While you're in town, be on your best behavior."

These carefully chosen words, stripped of overt threat, effectively got the point across to the politically charged crowds descending on two cramped corners of Manhattan. Imagine the message a law school dean could deliver if she had a genuine enforcement mechanism at her disposal.

Martinez did a good job given what she had to work with. But at the end of the day, one needs muscle to preserve free speech. The dean probably already knows that.
Russo-Ukraine War - 15 April 2023 - Day 416

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 11 April 2023, the Russian State Duma adopted a law establishing a unified registry of individuals eligible for military service. The key implication of the measure is that in future, the authorities will be able to serve call-up papers electronically, rather than by letter, removing one obstacle which has previously allowed some to dodge the draft.

With individuals' call-up data now digitally linked to other state-provided online services, it is likely that the authorities will punish draft-dodgers by automatically limiting employment rights and restricting foreign travel.

The measures are reported to be coming into force later in the year; they do not specifically indicate any major new wave of enforced mobilisation. Russia is, for now, prioritising a drive to recruit extra volunteer troops. However, the measure is highly likely part of a longer-term approach to provide personnel as Russia anticipates a lengthy conflict in Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the during the day of April 15, Russian forces launched 19x air, 4x missile strikes, more than 15x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian infrastructure in various settlements. The Russian aggressor keeps using terror tactics. The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

Russia suffers considerable losses, but does not abandon its plans to occupy Ukrainian territory. The Russian invaders continue to focus their main efforts on the offensive operations on Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar'inka axes. Bakhmut, and Mar'inka remain at the epicenter of the fighting. During the day of April 15, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 40x Russian attacks in these areas of the frontline.

Volyn, Polissya, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna axes: no signs of the formation of adversary offensive groups were found. A comprehensive inspection of the combat readiness of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus is underway. Certain units of the territorial troops of the russian Armed Forces continue their deployment on the territory of Belarus.

Certain Russian units are still present in the areas of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts (russia) bordering Ukraine.

During the day of April 15, Russian forces shelled the settlements of Bunyakyne, Iskryskivshchyna, Volfyne, Shpyl', Yunakivka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, and Vovchans'ki Khutory (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces mined the area in the vicinities of four settlements. The Russian invaders shelled the settlements of Novomlyns'k, Dvorichna, and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives near the settlement of Dibrova. Stel'makhivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Ivanivka, and Spirne (Donetsk oblast) were shelled with artillery.

Bakhmut axis: Russia continues its offensive operations. Fighting for the city of Bakhmut continues. The Russian adversary attempted an attack in the vicinity of settlement of Khromove, to no success. Min'kivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Dyliivka, and New York, (Donetsk oblast) suffered from Russian shelling.

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the vicinities of Sjeverne and Pervomais'ke, to no success. More than 10x settlements near the line of contact were shelled by Russian forces. In particular, these are Keramik, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke, and Karlivka (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled numerous Russian attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). At the same time, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Kurakhove, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were shelled by Russian forces.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive operations during the day of April 15. The Russian invaders shelled the settlements of Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia continues to defend. During the day of April 15, the invaders shelled several settlements. Among them are Vremivka, Novopil' (Donetsk oblast), Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and the city of Kherson.

To replenish its casualties, Russia is conducting a campaign to support mobilization. All available methods are being used to popularize military service. The Russian leadership promises its citizens high salaries and a social benefits package. In addition to the media, propagandists use propaganda leaflets of the respective content in public places. Recently, the campaigning was reported to intensify in Voronezh.

During the day of April 15, Ukrainian Air Force launched 5x air strikes on Russian concentrations. In the meantime, missile and artillery units hit 3x concentrations of troops, as well as 1x concentration of artillery, 1x radar station, 1x anti-aircraft missile system, and 1x ammunition depot.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that units of PMC "Wagner" attacked in the direction of Khromovo. During the day, positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Minkovka, Orekhovo-Vasilevka, Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, Stupochek, Dyleevka were subjected to shelling.

In addition, during the briefing, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that rocket, artillery and air strikes were carried out on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Krasnoye, Kalinovka and Bogdanovka. The department reported that in this area aviation carried out 6 sorties, artillery performed 57 fire missions.

The situation on other sectors of the front

DNR

During the day, Ukrainian troops opened fire on Donetsk, Makiivka and Gorlovka. Fixed damage to residential buildings, as well as the building of the kindergarten and the contact network of the tram and trolleybus management.

The Ministry of Defense stated that during the day strikes were carried out on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Novomikhailovka and Vugledar. The enemy lost up to 30 servicemen, a pickup truck, Msta-B and D-30 howitzers. In addition, enemy units were hit in the areas of Ternov and Torskoy. In the region of Slavyansk, a warehouse of fuel and lubricants of Ukrainian troops was destroyed.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR warned citizens about a possible increase in the intensity of shelling of the territory of the republic on Easter. Residents were urged to refrain from visiting cemeteries in the frontline zone, as well as near the village of mine No. 29 in Donetsk.

LC

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported on the defeat of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Stelmakhivka and Chervonopopovka.

On the territory of the republic for the time of Easter, the curfew was suspended. As the acting head of the LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, noted, restrictions have been temporarily lifted in those areas where the military situation allows it.

Kherson region

Up to 15 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the fire defeat in the Kherson direction during the day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. In addition, Ukrainian troops lost 2 vehicles and 3 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts.





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NEW YORK, April 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of VBit Technologies Corp., VBit Mining LLC (Collectively, VBit) securities, which were unregistered in the form of investment contracts, between January 1, 2019 and February 13, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period), of the important April 17, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased VBit securities, which were in the form of investment contracts, during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the VBit class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12202 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 17, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants violated provisions of the Exchange Act by making false and misleading statements and omitting material information concerning VBits mining operations. The lawsuit also alleges that defendants violated the Securities Act by offering, selling and soliciting unregistered securities.

To join the VBit class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12202 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

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www.rosenlegal.com
TORONTO, April 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the travel app Visited , India is currently ranked as the 43rd most visited country among global international travelers. The Visited travel app has over 1.6 million users across the globe, and offers a unique glance into popular destinations. All data is based on the user's self-reported information on where they have been, and where they would like to go.



On average an international traveller has been to 15 countries outside of India. While people from Scandinavia and Switzerland have been to more countries, Indian travellers are on par with the American travellers.

Visited App has recently published the top 10 most visited countries from India . The list ranks the following top 5 destinations as visited most by Indians:

1) Thailand

2) Singapore

3) France

4) United States

5) United Kingdom



The Visited travel app has the full list of the top 10 countries visited by Indians, as well as a way to scratch off all places that youve been to. You can also get inspired by uncovering new destinations and checking off famous sights.

The travel list feature allows users to check off destinations based on interests. For those wanting to tick off capitals of the world, the number one destination is Paris, while New Delhi comes in the 40th spot in popularity.

For those looking to see all the wonders of the world the Taj Mahal is ranked 28th most visited, while the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Venice Canals top the list. Other popular lists also include the most beautiful beaches, national parks, art museums, culinary experiences and more. With over 200 customized travel lists youre likely to find something that appeals to you; whether youre looking for places to visit in India or abroad.

For those looking for more travel stats, you can download the 2022 travel report . This report highlights how many countries travellers around the world visit, want to visit, and lists all the popular destinations for 2022.

Visited app, allows users to create their very own digital scratch map with past and future travels, by country, region/state and city. Users are able to easily track their personal travel goals and gain personalized insights to key stats; such as travel ranking, percentage of the world seen, and total countries visited.

App users can also leverage the Inspiration feature to discover new destinations with an intuitive swiping experience. By scanning popular and less viewed travel destinations, users can visualize and plan their next adventure on the Visited App with ease.

To learn more about the Visited app and its latest feature update, please visit https://visitedapp.com .

To download the app for free, you can find Visited on iOS and Android .

About Arriving In High Heels Corporation

Arriving In High Heels Corporation is a mobile app company; Visited is its most popular app. For inspiration on travel destinations, travel stats and the latest travel news, follow Visited's Travel Blog .

Contact:

Anna Kayfitz

anna@arrivinginhighheels.com


NEW YORK, April 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit or the Company) (NYSE: SPR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Spirit 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 April 13, 2023, media outlets reported that The Boeing Company (Boeing) would likely have to reduce deliveries of its 737 Max airplane in the near term because of a problem with a part manufactured by Spirit. Boeing stated that Spirit had informed it that a non-standard manufacturing process was used on two fittings in aft fuselages.

On this news, Spirits stock price fell $7.38 per share, or 20.73%, to close at $28.22 per share on April 14, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, 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, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz 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.pomlaw.com .

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980




Perth, April 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEYAS SAND GOLD PROJECT UPDATE

Perth, Western Australia/April 17, 2023/ Perseus Mining Limited (PRU:ASX/TSX) owns 70% of the Meyas Sand Gold Project (MSGP), in northern Sudan, located approximately 75 kilometres south of the border with Egypt and more than 1,000 kilometres north of Sudans capital city, Khartoum.

During the weekend, international and domestic media outlets reported on instances of armed conflict between the Sudanese military and an influential militia group, in and around Khartoum.

While Perseus does maintain a small office in Khartoum to service the MSGP, its presence in the capital city is minor. Perseuss staff, both in Khartoum and on site at MSGP, are safe and no damage has been reported to any of its physical assets or infrastructure.

Perseus is maintaining a business as usual approach while actively monitoring the situation, along with a team of international security specialists. The safety of all of Perseuss staff is the number one priority in this situation and Perseus has a range of measures in place to appropriately respond to any change in circumstances.

Perseuss Managing Director and CEO Jeff Quartermaine said: Our Meyas Sand Gold Project, which was acquired nearly 12 months ago, is located more than 1,000km away from Khartoum  more than the distance from London to Berlin or 1.5 times the distance from Sydney to Melbourne. All of our people are safe, and our physical assets are not damaged by the reported events in Khartoum. We are monitoring the situation very carefully and are prepared to act if necessary.

To the end of February 2023, Perseus had invested approximately US$23 million in MSGP, preparing for a possible Final Investment Decision (FID) on MSGP in the second half of CY2023. As such, our Sudanese exploration and pre-development assets currently comprise a relatively small part of our portfolio.

All of our gold production activities that currently deliver more than 500,000 ounces of gold per year at an AISC of less than US$1,000 per ounce, take place in West Africa, specifically, Ghana and Cote dIvoire which are not in any way impacted by the reported events.

Perseus will publish our March 2023 Quarter report on Wednesday April 19, 2023, that will indicate that the Company is in very good shape and continues to deliver material benefits to all of our stakeholders.

This announcement was approval for release by Jeff Quartermaine, Managing Director and CEO.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION:

This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaoure Gold Mine, Edikan Gold Mine and Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Companys ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Perth, April 17, 2023 - MEYAS SAND GOLD PROJECT UPDATE

Perth, Western Australia/April 17, 2023/ Perseus Mining Ltd. (PRU:ASX/TSX) owns 70% of the Meyas Sand Gold Project (MSGP), in northern Sudan, located approximately 75 kilometres south of the border with Egypt and more than 1,000 kilometres north of Sudan's capital city, Khartoum.

During the weekend, international and domestic media outlets reported on instances of armed conflict between the Sudanese military and an influential militia group, in and around Khartoum.

While Perseus does maintain a small office in Khartoum to service the MSGP, its presence in the capital city is minor. Perseus's staff, both in Khartoum and on site at MSGP, are safe and no damage has been reported to any of its physical assets or infrastructure.

Perseus is maintaining a "business as usual" approach while actively monitoring the situation, along with a team of international security specialists. The safety of all of Perseus's staff is the number one priority in this situation and Perseus has a range of measures in place to appropriately respond to any change in circumstances.

Perseus's Managing Director and CEO Jeff Quartermaine said: "Our Meyas Sand Gold Project, which was acquired nearly 12 months ago, is located more than 1,000km away from Khartoum - more than the distance from London to Berlin or 1.5 times the distance from Sydney to Melbourne. All of our people are safe, and our physical assets are not damaged by the reported events in Khartoum. We are monitoring the situation very carefully and are prepared to act if necessary.

To the end of February 2023, Perseus had invested approximately US$23 million in MSGP, preparing for a possible Final Investment Decision (FID) on MSGP in the second half of CY2023. As such, our Sudanese exploration and pre-development assets currently comprise a relatively small part of our portfolio.

All of our gold production activities that currently deliver more than 500,000 ounces of gold per year at an AISC of less than US$1,000 per ounce, take place in West Africa, specifically, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire which are not in any way impacted by the reported events.

Perseus will publish our March 2023 Quarter report on Wednesday April 19, 2023, that will indicate that the Company is in very good shape and continues to deliver material benefits to all of our stakeholders."

This announcement was approval for release by Jeff Quartermaine, Managing Director and CEO.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION:

This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaoure Gold Mine, Edikan Gold Mine and Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company's ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Adjetey Anang to host AMVCA nominees announcement tomorrow

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Apr - 15 - 2023 , 20:35

Award-winning Ghanaian actor, Adjetey Anang has been announced as the host of the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominees announcement tomorrow, April 16 across all Africa Magic Channels on DStv and GOtv from 6 pm.

The movie star will announce all categories except the MNET original category which will be presented by two child actors, Jasmine Olarotimi and Nifemi Lawal who are also actors in Africa Magic Original telenovelas, The Johnsons and Ajoche.

Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West African Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria said, We are happy to unveil the nominees for the 9th edition of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

This year, we saw a 40% increase in the number of entries received and hundreds of hours have gone into painstakingly reviewing each of them to arrive at the nominees. Each of the nominees for this years awards are reflective of the abundant talent our continent boasts and we cant wait to celebrate them.

The call for entries which started on February 20, 2023 and ended on March 17, 2023 was open to filmmakers across Africa whose works fell within the specified timeline and were relevant to the categories available.

Of the 33 categories, 10 will be open to public voting, 2 categories will be decided by live voting at the event and 22 categories will be decided by the AMVCA panel of judges headed by veteran filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi.

The AMVCA jury is working alongside Deloitte to ensure the voting process is free and fair.

The ninth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards is a three-day event with the award show scheduled for May 20, 2023 with a live broadcast across all Africa Magic Channels on DStv and GOtv.

A number of Ghanaian actors have won AMVCA awards in previous years. In 2018, Lydia Forson won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Kukua in Jadesola Osiberus Romantic comedy Isoken.

Adjetey Anang was also awarded the Best Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Boi in Peter Sedufias Keteke.

Last year, Nigerian actors Stan Nze and Osas Ighodaro won the Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) and Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) respectively for their roles in Rattle Snake.

Read also Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin celebrates 36th birthday at his school

Swiss-based Ghanaian musician Seley expresses concerns over sexual demands in Ghana's music industry

Prophet Kofi Oduros gospel of condemnation is nauseating and stinking -Fredyma
Prophet Kofi Oduros gospel of condemnation is nauseating and stinking -Fredyma

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Apr - 15 - 2023 , 09:22

Renowned music producer/engineer, Fred Kyei Mensah popularly known as Fredyma says the gospel of condemnation of founder of Alabaster Ministries International, Prophet Kofi Oduro is becoming nauseating, stinking and repugnant.

In a long Facebook post on Thursday, April 13, Fredyma said the respected man of God loves to paint people black and has used his pulpit to insult every facet of the society including the President, Politicians, Chiefs, Tribes and members of the Creative Arts Industry.

Dont ever think that, every message you preach in your church is the gospel, a part of the post reads.

Fredymas post is a response to a comment by Prophet Kofi Oduro during a sermon in his church last Sunday when the latter condemned submission by veteran gospel music trio, Daughters of Glorious on UTVs United Showbiz that they listen to some secular artistes like Amakye Dede.

I like Amakye Dedes songs and I like him. This doesnt make me a non-believer. You dont judge peoples outlooks and determine whether the person is a Christian or not. That I am playing Amakye Dede in my car, doesnt mean I am not a Christian, Edna, a member of the group said.

During his sermon, Prophet Kofi Oduro described Daughters as a terrible example for Christians since such actions were condemned by the Bible, which is the standard for all Christians.

When it comes to the Word, your opinions do not matter. The word of God is paramount. When you burn in hellfire, youd realise your opinions do not matter, he said.

Read Fred Kyei Mensahs full post

"PROPHET" KOFI ODURO'S EFFUSIONS.

Take your time and read.

Hasten slowly in your approach to issues in this part of the world  for, if you proclaim to be the smartest and a warrior, you might not even partake in a struggle.

I respect protocol, i observe protocol, i respect leadership and don't attack men of God. I have a lot of great men of God, who monitor me on social media so, i am careful when expressing my feelings on an issue which bothers them.

The gospel of condemnation from Prophet Kofi Oduro, is becoming nauseating, stinking and repugnant! You make people feel that, you were inside the cross exactly where the nails were pinned on Jesus making others sinners, fake and rebellious of the gospel! 'To wo bo na', no one is perfect. You have attacked Rev Owusu Bempah, Archbishop Salifu Amoako and others and now descending on Daughters ebei!

Suffice to say that what my sisters, Daughters of Glorious Jesus whom i have known and played with for the past 34 years contributions about their love for other musicians of other genres which are not gospel on the United Showbiz on Utv were not suitable to you, your colleague pastor, Abraham Lamptey, had also said, he loved Samimi's songs on the same program and you speak ill and insult their intelligence? Such a despicable language coming from you "Prophet"?

You pick on people and try to paint them black and when you are served with same, you try to absolve yourself from them. Don't ever think that, every message you preach in your church is the gospel. At least, Jesus never worn lady's pants during his ministry on earth, to demonstrate to his disciples about marriage relationship.

The self aggrandizement and righteousness of your Don Quixotic approach to the bible as if you are the primus inter pares among men of God, is fallacious!

Numbers 6 vrs 5. The bible, admonishes us not to shave however, you always have a clean shave. You tend to have weird opinions about everything. The last time, you intentionally attacked Charter House over VGMA issues, trying to instigate the public against them and undermining their business as saying, people should boycott their award scheme. If you were served with the same recipe as to telling people not to patronize your "noise" making church, how will you feel? Stop that and respect other views. You're so myopic and insensitive towards the creative arts industry that, at the least opportunity, you pick on people and vilify them. Suban wei nso firi he?

You have insulted every facet of the society including the President, Politicians, Chiefs, Tribes, Creative Arts Industry, you name it.

Meanwhile you have instrumentalists and musicians in your church. If you enjoy certain gospel songs which some of the players also play for your reference to others genres of music as circular musicians then, shame unto you!

You can have dissenting views without recourse to total condemnation and insults of other views. Change your style and respect others "Man of God". We all have hemoglobin laden saliva in our buccal cavity however, we tend to spit the whitish foam. No malice intended.

Good beads dont rattle, (sic).
Swiss-based Ghanaian musician Seley expresses concerns over sexual demands in Ghana's music industry

GraphicOnline Showbiz News Apr - 15 - 2023 , 13:58

A Ghanaian female musician based in Switzerland, Seley, has expressed her concerns over the excessive demands for sexual favours in the music industry when female artists aim to promote their craft.

Seley, who is currently promoting her latest single "Problem," recently visited Ghana to establish herself in the local music industry, but says she was shocked by the level of sexual demands made by many producers and other male industry players.

According to her, this phenomenon is a worrying trend for talented female artists who aspire to pursue a successful career in the industry. During her stay in Ghana, she encountered producers who were not interested in her talent or how to develop it, but rather made sexual demands.

Seley believes that addressing this major problem is crucial to creating a more equitable and fair industry for female artists.

"All these guys and producers just want sex. They are not interested in your talent or they don't see your worth as a woman, they just see punani," she said.

Despite the setbacks, she remains determined to pursue her music career and is currently working on various musical projects.
Politics of taxation

Dr John Osae-Kwapong Opinion Apr - 15 - 2023 , 10:59

Ghanaians are not opposed to paying taxes.

In 2002, the Afrobarometer survey asked Ghanaians whether authorities have the right to make people pay taxes. In response, eight out of ten Ghanaians (80 per cent) said yes. The survey repeated the question five more times (2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2017), and each time, at least 80 per cent said yes. In fact, in 2012, as many as 90 per cent responded in the affirmative.

In 2012 and 2014, the survey further inquired whether it was not wrong at all, wrong but understandable, or wrong and punishable not to pay the taxes owed on income. In 2012, 63 per cent said it was wrong and punishable, rising to 71 per cent in 2014.

In 2014, as many as eight out of ten Ghanaians (80 per cent) said citizens in a democracy should always pay taxes they owe to the government. In 2012 (84 per cent) and 2014 (79 per cent), citizens agreed that they must pay their taxes to the government for the country to develop.

Challenges

There is no doubt that efficient revenue collection is an administrative challenge that local authorities have faced over the years. Those in the formal business and employment sector are easy to identify and tax, putting them in a state of shouldering a significant portion of the tax burden. Then there is the vast informal sector and the conundrum of how to effectively tax its economic activities.

Beyond these challenges that the tax system faces, what else irks Ghanaians about taxation? I believe there are three things  a) the proportion of the tax burden carried by those in the formal sector of the economy, b) the timing of the imposition, and c) the politics of taxation. I want to focus on the third.

Taxation

On March 31, 2023, Parliament passed three tax bills along strictly partisan lines. The bills form part of the governments efforts to generate more revenue as it faces fiscal challenges and works to secure a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the aftermath, the government has been reminded of several statements key people in their party made in the lead-up to the 2016 election. These statements include the condemnation of the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) government on the issue of taxation and promising to move the country away from taxation to production. Therefore, the imposition of these revenue measures goes contrary to what they promised.

In fairness to the government, it did honour its campaign promises on taxation. In the fiscal year 2017 budget, it introduced several tax measures, including abolishing the one per cent Special Import Levy imposed on imported raw materials and machinery; the 17.5 per cent VAT/NHIL on Financial Services; the 17.5 per cent VAT/NHIL on domestic airline tickets; the excise duty on petroleum; import duty on specified vehicle spare parts; the five per cent VAT/NHIL on real estate sales; the 17.5 per cent VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines not produced locally; and levies imposed on kayayei by local authorities.

The government also reduced the following taxes  a) the Special Petroleum Tax reduced from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent; b) the Energy sector levy rates for National Electrification and Public Lighting from five per cent to two per cent and five per cent to three per cent, respectively; c) exemption from tax gains from the realisation of securities listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange for five years.

But the government had introduced some revenue-enhancing measures, even before these recently passed ones, including the electronic levy (e-levy); the one per cent COVID-19 levy; the five per cent financial sector clean-up recovery levy; and the 2.5 per cent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT)

Amidst the economic pinch points faced by citizens who were promised a move away from taxation to production, it comes as no surprise then that the government will take a lot of political heat for the introduction of any form of taxes.

Lesson to political parties

Taxes are a legitimate tool of government. There are times when a government may have no choice but to tweak the tax net to broaden it and raise more revenue from citizens. But doing so has political consequences, especially for those who promised to do otherwise.

Perhaps, instead of a blanket promise to move an economy away from taxation, it will serve political parties well to promise a combination of several measures. Measures like enhanced efficiency in revenue collection; improvement in the judicious use of taxes; reduction of the tax burden whenever possible; and the possibility that, under certain conditions, new revenue measures may be necessary and more realistic promises to make.

The future is unpredictable; therefore, we must be circumspect in how we play politics with the legitimate tools of government, such as taxation.

The writer is a CDD-Ghana fellow
Driver jailed nine months for biting Police Officers fingers

GNA Apr - 16 - 2023 , 10:29

The Assin-Fosu District Court has sentenced a 24-year-old commercial driver to nine months jail term for biting the fingers of a Police officer while resisting arrest.

The convict, Ebenezer Nkoom, pleaded guilty to 13 different charges, including causing harm, unlawful harm, resisting arrest, and other road traffic offences.

He begged for leniency at the Court, presided over by Mr Abdul Majeed Illiasu.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Gilbert Ayongo said the complainants were General Constable Samuel Ayamba and Constable Sophia Essel, who were stationed at the Central North Regional Police Command of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).

On Friday, April 7, 2023, at about 6:30 am, the complainants were detailed to manage traffic at the Assin-Fosu old market stretch of the highway where they spotted the convict driving a Hyundai Atos taxicab, with registration number CR 1157-20.

The prosecutor said the convict stopped at an un-designated place to pick up passengers without reasonable consideration to other road users.

The police officers approached the driver and cautioned him not to pick up passengers at that place and asked him to leave.

He was, however, adamant and replied that he would continue to pick up passengers from that spot until the Police arrested all other drivers who did the same.

Barely an hour later, Chief Inspector Ayongo said the convict returned to the same location, which led to his arrest.

While the officers joined his vehicle to be driven to the Regional MTTD, the convict rather drove them to an unknown destination and attempted to escape.

In the process of rearresting him, he resisted and bit the finger of General Constable Ayamba, inflicting severe injuries on his hand, the prosecutor said.

A motor rider who witnessed the incident quickly picked up the injured police officer and chased the convict, who drove the vehicle into a nearby bush, abandoned it and absconded.

The two officers reported the incident to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Wonder Lumor, the Central North Regional MTTD Commander, who deployed two plain-clothed policemen and CID officers to the scene.

The prosecutor said about an hour later, the convict emerged in the company of two others, and he was arrested to assist with investigations.

A thorough check on the vehicle and documents revealed that he had failed to validate his drivers license since Tuesday, February 1, 2022, and was driving a commercial vehicle at an unauthorised age of 24, instead of 25 years and above.

Also, he was driving a commercial vehicle without a spare tyre, warning signals, and fire extinguisher, among other things.
MBABANE  Industrial Court Judge Thulani Abande Dlamini is demanding E250 000 compensation from the female doctor who assaulted him.

The judge, through MTM Ndlovu Attorneys, has already served Dr Sibahle Sigwane of Fairview in Manzini, who is based at the Mankayane Government Hospital, with a letter of demand. We act on behalf of our client Thulani Dlamini herein. Client instructs that, and as a result of the assault on the 26th March 2023, it suffered delictual damages to the amount of E250 000 (two hundred and fifty thousand Emalangeni), partly reads the letter. According to information from South African lawfirm Johan van de Vyver Attorneys, delictual damages is when a person claims compensation from another for harm that has been suffered.

The damages in delict are divided into: Patrimonial / special damages  for instance, medical costs, loss of income, and cost of repairs; non-patrimonial damages / general damages  for instance, pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of amenities, and injury to personality; and financial damages (pure economic harm), states the information. On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Sigwane appeared before the Manzini Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to assaulting the judge.

The court sentenced the doctor to four months imprisonment, which carried an option of a fine of E2 000, which she paid, and was also directed to pay E4 000 for the eye lenses of the judge that were damaged during the assault. The assault is said to have occurred On March 26, 2023 at Kai Kai Holiday Parks in Manzini. As reported by Eswatini News publication on April 8, sources disclosed that the judge was with the doctor and her husband at the hangout spot when the incident took place. The source alleged that the doctors husband had a heated argument with another man, which eventually led to the involvement of Sigwane and the judge. The judge supposedly intervened as the quarrel resulted in a fight and this led to him being assaulted in the face by the doctor. That was when the judges eye glasses were broken.

disrespectful

After the assault, the judge reported the matter to the Mafutseni Police Station, with the intention of getting a proper apology from the doctor. However, inasmuch as the doctor apologised to the judge, the latter felt that she was disrespectful, therefore, he laid an assault case against her. In court, the doctor conducted her own defence and pleaded guilty to the charge. Thereafter, the crown said there was no need to lead evidence and the court found her guilty as charged and based on her own plea. The accused was asked why he assaulted the complainant and in response, she submitted it was a spur of the moment thing and that the commotion escalated. She said she was trying to break up the commotion and pushed the judge away. In mitigation, Sigwane submitted that the issue would diminish her reputation. After considering her mitigation, the court then issued the sentence. The judge has given Sigwane a week to pay the E250 000.

We are, therefore, instructed to demand from you, as we hereby do your immediate payment of the same and within seven days of receipt hereof failing which, it is regretted, we have strict instructions to institute proceedings against you and at your cost without any further notice to you, adds the letter of demand. The Times SUNDAY understands that there are presently means being made by the judge and doctors close associates to bring them together so that they could avoid the legal proceedings between the two. The judge and Sigwanes husband reportedly know each other, which is why means to broker peace between the duo is considered important. Dlamini was appointed Industrial Court judge on a permanent basis in March 2013 after acting in the position for about two years. Before serving as acting judge, he was the assistant to then Supreme Court Registrar Lorraine Hlophe (now also industrial court judge). He also worked at the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC).
See the types of SIMs that will be deactivated by AirtelTigo, MTN, and Vodafone by Monday

Kweku Zurek Apr - 16 - 2023 , 09:03

Ghanaian mobile network operators AirtelTigo, MTN, and Vodafone will comply with the directive issued by the National Communications Authority (NCA) regarding the ongoing (subscriber identity module) SIM registration exercise.

The NCA has instructed all disconnected SIMs to be delinked from all databases by Monday, April 17, 2023, including those blocked in November 2022 for failing to complete both stages of the sim registration.

The directive also requires all SIM cards registered after the limit of 10 per individual to be delinked, deactivated, and removed from all databases by the same date.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, an industry association representing mobile network operators in Ghana, has encouraged subscribers who have acquired Ghana cards but have not completed registration to do so before April 17, 2023.

Subscribers with more than 10 SIMs registered to themselves are also urged to verify their SIMs on record at their nearest mobile network operator service centres.

The Chamber in a press release said it had invested heavily in arrangements to ensure that subscribers who have their Ghana cards and are ready to register to get registered at any of their several touchpoints across the country.

However, subscribers who fail to complete registration before the deadline risk having their impacted SIMs completely deactivated without further notice or an extension of time.

It said it remained committed to supporting the efforts of all stakeholders to ensure that every customer in every part of the country registers their SIM card(s) with the Ghana card.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications is an advocacy institution established to help direct telecommunications policy, legislation and regulation, and pursue research towards the development of the telecommunications industry in Ghana.

Attached below is a copy of the full statement from the chamber;
Technology group Wartsila, along with Norway-based Hoegh LNG and other partners, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), University of South-East Norway, Sustainable Energy and BASF SE have received funding of approximately @5.9 million from the Norwegian Government for the development of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for the energy market.

The funding is a part of Norways Green Platform program of initiatives and amounts to approximate 50% of the total budget for the joint project.

The project is designed to enhance the availability of large-scale storage and transportation capabilities of clean energy. Hydrogen is emerging as a viable future fuel for addressing the move away from fossil fuels. However, it is difficult to store and transport due to its low volumetric energy density and with potential large vaporization losses. Ammonia is significantly better suited than hydrogen for this purpose, since it can be stored in liquid form at moderate pressures and temperatures. The objective of the project is to enable ammonia to be converted back to hydrogen at the receiving destination.

As a carbon-neutral renewable energy carrier, green ammonia is produced from hydrogen, via electrolysis of water, and nitrogen from the air. The significant emission reduction impact will reflect this green approach when the energy is consumed. Green ammonia acts as a liquid battery with a high energy density compared to alternative solutions for the storage and transport of renewable power. The infrastructure for the large-scale transport of ammonia at sea already exists via a fleet of gas tankers having ammonia on the cargo list.

This important project is a natural extension of the investments and efforts made by Wartsila to accelerate the use of decarbonized energy. Hydrogen will play a considerable role in future renewable fuel consumption, and there is a clear need for the development of ammonia as a storage and transportation carrier for hydrogen. We are grateful to the Norwegian government for its support and funding, and we appreciate also the cooperation of Hoegh LNG and our other partners in making this project possible. Walter Reggente, Vice President of Wartsila Gas Solutions





The project aims to develop a system to convert ammonia back to hydrogen, which will then be installed onboard a Hoegh LNG vessel. This will provide a floating receiving terminal capable of being relocated as needed, requiring minimal use of coastal land and a solution resulting in lower overall cost, improved safety and competitive hydrogen prices.
GREENWICH  In 1921, a year after American women gained the universal right to vote, a group of Greenwich women got together and formed a local chapter of League of Women Voters to promote access to the ballot box and strengthen the spirit of democracy.

A recording secretary took careful notes of the very first meeting after the organization was formed.

Now those handwritten notes, and hundreds of other documents from the Greenwich LVW, are finding a new home at the Greenwich Historical Society. Some 25 linear feet of meeting minutes, studies, posters, educational brochures and other papers  which until recently had been housed in a barn in Riverside  will become part of the collection at the historical society and open to study.

The archivist at the Historical Society, Christopher Shields, said the partnership with the LWV made sense for everyone.

"The league  it has such a long history in Greenwich, and they've worked on so many important projects. And in addition to the importance of preserving the records, having them at the Historical Society will make them accessible, so people can learn from them. It becomes more of a resource, " Shields said.

The collection had been carefully collected and stored by Jara Burnett, a former LWV president and an immigrant from the former Czechoslovakia who became an ardent champion of American-style democracy. She and the LWV leadership came to the realization that the archives were an important resource and needed to be preserved in a more suitable location than her barn, she said.

The Historical Society was putting together an exhibit in 2020 on the campaign for women's right to vote that included materials from the LWV archives, which opened the process for the relocating the documents, both organizations said.

Lynn Garelick, the historian for the Greenwich LWV, was tasked with the job of emptying the barn and cataloging the contents, a Herculean undertaking.

"Little did I know," Garelick joked.

The LWV historian had done a similar job archiving the records for Christ Church Greenwich from the1830s to the present, so she was prepared for the work. She was a history major in college, she noted, and "I know my way around old paper."

Sandy Waters, the current president of the Greenwich LWV, said the numerous studies on Greenwich town government  such as suggested improvements to the Representative Town Meeting, best practices for an ethics policy, an examination of the functioning of the Board of Estimate and Taxation  were in the archives, a valuable source of information. A number of documents cover the contentious debate in 1946 over whether Greenwich should become the headquarters of the newly founded United Nations, a proposal that eventually failed, sending the U.N. to midtown Manhattan instead. Another community debate over how many high schools Greenwich should build in the late 1960s is in the archives.

Additional documents from the LWV will also be archived in the future. The Historical Society is looking to transcribe the older handwritten documents into a more modern format, index the collection more comprehensively and digitize much of the collection, Garelick said. The collection is currently open for research.

The non-profit voting organization encourages "informed and active participation in government" and "influences public policy through education and advocacy," according to its information, and it is strictly non-partisan.

The Connecticut State Legislature approved the 19th Amendment allowing women the right to vote in 1920, after the measure had already achieved the necessary number of states to have ratified the new law. Greenwich was home to a number of prominent leaders in the Suffrage movement, as the right to vote was called, including Caroline Ruutz-Rees the headmistress of Rosemary Hall School when it was located in Greenwich, and Grace Gallatin Seton, a Greenwich author and travel writer who drove all over Connecticut to promote the cause.

The archives that date from that era will now be kept in safe storage and open for study, Waters said, adding she was thankful for the new home.

"This is valuable and worth preserving," she said.
NEW LONDON  Police are investigating the death of a 17-year-old girl who was found unresponsive early Saturday in a home off Jefferson Avenue, officials said.

New London Police Capt. Matthew Galante said officers and medics responded around 3:10 a.m. to a home in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Buchanan Road for a report of an unresponsive person.

Upon arrival, the crews located and then transported the unnamed teen to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead, Galante said.

In addition to the 17-year-old girl, officials discovered two other individuals at the home and transported them to the hospital for treatment of unspecified, but not life-threatening injuries, Galante said.

Galante said the identity of the girl who died is being withheld until the teens family members are notified of her death. Similarly, he said the identity of the other two individuals is being withheld for investigatory reasons."

In a memo sent to students and families in the city's public schools Saturday, Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie said the girl was a high school student.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the entire school community of which this student was a beloved part," Ritchie said. "This news is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions, especially for our staff and students."

In a statement, New London Mayor Michael Passero said, "My heart goes out to the loved ones of the young lady who has passed away."

"Our community is grief stricken at this sudden, tragic loss of a young life," Passero said. "We ask everyone to please respect the family and friends who are grieving. Our school administration is providing counseling to students and staff. We are asking for everyones patience and understanding as our investigators help us learn more about this tragedy."

The superintendent said in an email that counselors for students were in place Saturday and would continue to be Sunday. "Our district is home to a robust mental health team that employs an Assistant Director of Mental Health, school counselors and social workers," Ritchie said.

"Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as the family and school community processes this tremendous loss," the superintendent said. "Please allow time and privacy as many grieve."

No further information about the incident was immediately available from police, including the cause of the girls death. The Connecticut State Police and local prosecutors are assisting New London police with the ongoing investigation, Galante said.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com; Twitter @RichChumney.
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GREENWICH  Bagel connoisseurs have reason to celebrate this week as PopUp Bagels has set up shop in Glenville.

PopUp Bagels  a two-time winner of the Peoples Choice Best Bagel at Brooklyn Bagel Festival  opened its Greenwich location on April 7 at 12 Riversville Road. This is the companys third permanent location after it started as a temporary pop-up bagel purveyor in Fairfield County.

The Glenville location is not a dine-in restaurant. Customers need to order in advance online and schedule a time to pick up bagels, sold only by the dozen. The bagels are boiled, seeded and baked on-site, with pickup slots Thursday through Sunday mornings in Glenville. More midweek options are coming soon, owners said.

PopUp Bagels was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when founder Adam Goldberg started making bagels at home and selling them to friends from his backyard, he said.

If you've never had our bagels, you got to try them once, because it's a game changer, Goldberg said on Friday. It'll just change bagels for you forever, we think. And we love making them.

Glenville customers will be able to choose which flavor bagels they want in advance (like sesame, everything, plain and others), where PopUp previously only offered a variety bag. It's pricey, though. A dozen bagels, plus two artisan schmears, costs $42.

The Glenville location is a small, 350 square foot space without a road-facing storefront. An ice cream store used to occupy the space, so there is a pickup window that now slings bagels.

We love it. It's very intimate, you can see everything, Goldberg said. When people are picking up their bagels, they're watching us make the bagels. I mean, there's no hiding in that space.

Rich Martin is the general manager of the Glenville location and Goldberg said he is known as Dr. Schmear in the company since he's the chef behind the companys schmears. 'Schmear' is a Yiddish word that describes what is slathered on a bagel  all PopUp schmears are cream cheese based.

Goldberg said they prepare at least 700 pounds of schmear each week and they need around 1,000 pounds for busier weekends when they sell thousands of bagels.

PopUp Bagels started in Westport  Goldbergs first use of an industrial kitchen was at chef Bill Taibes kitchen at Don Memo  and the company now has permanent locations in Westport and Redding. There are also regular pop-ups in the Hamptons, Bergen County, New Jersey and Wellesley, Mass.

PopUp Bagels will open its fourth permanent location in Greenwich Village in three weeks, Goldberg said.

PopUp Bagels has already garnered considerable praise in its short history. Aside from winning acclaim at the Brooklyn Bagel Festival, Goldberg has worked with Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten to host pop-up events in New York City. PopUp Bagels was also the subject of a New York Times article this time last year.

The company has also recently raised seed funding to help it grow. Actors Patrick Schwarzenegger and Paul Rudd, as well as athletes JJ and TJ Watt, Michael Phelps and Michael Strahan contributed money to the seed funding. The round was led by movie producer John Davis, who has previously invested in Blaze Pizza, Wetzels Pretzels and Daves Hot Chicken.

Goldberg would not say exactly how much money the company has raised so far, but it said it is a few million.

The funding means that Goldberg can take his bagels to more places. This season, the bagels will be served at the New York Mets Citi Field in K Korner, the newest bar to open in the stadium. PopUp Bagels will also be available, for the first time, at this years Greenwich Town Party on May 27.

Goldberg made his living selling flood mitigation barriers before the pandemic and he still runs that business. He said hes always liked cooking and entertaining, but it's still surreal that hes selling bagels on such a large scale.

It gives me a chuckle almost every day. It really does, he said. I always thought about it, one day, in the back of my mind, but to get to where we are now is pretty awesome.
On April 4, the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) approved an additional $67,500,000 to rebuild Central Middle School (CMS), bringing the total project cost to $70,000,000, including the $2.5 million approved during last years budget. This $67.5 million allocation was the most significant capital request this year, representing roughly 60 percent of the towns total approved capital budget for the fiscal year 2024. The BET has been unequivocal about championing this project by prioritizing and appropriating funds to support its expeditious build. Despite the BETs approval of this extraordinary amount of taxpayer funds, one of the largest on record, there have been misleading arguments criticizing the BETs allocation as too little. Those arguments are without basis.

A year ago, in April 2022, the Board of Education (BOE) proposed a budget of $70 million to rebuild CMS, and the BET unanimously and quickly approved its initial design funding. The $70 million project provided for a school 25 percent larger than needed, of roughly 100,000 gross square feet as presented by the then chairman, BOE, and the superintendent of schools. The assumed all-in cost was $600 per square foot, once again a number suggested by BOE leadership, which many professionals considered was on the high end. However, the project scope increased during the design phase, and the design ballooned to 140,000 square feet. As a result, the BOE increased the projects budget and requested a total of $90 million plus for the build, indicating costs could likely be closer to $100 million. The BET analyzed the two drivers of this cost escalation  increase in size and price per square foot. The BET determined this escalation from $70 to $90 million can be avoided if we work together and make small compromises on sizing and costing.

Sizing

State guidelines and comparable projects can help provide a framework for sizing CMS. Since towns receive state funding for new school construction, ranging from 10-70 percent state reimbursement, the state sets size and budget guidelines depending on the maximum enrollment the school will observe over the next eight years. For a 500-student maximum enrollment, as in the case of CMS, state reimbursement guidelines recommend building around 80,000 square feet. Towns can elect to build larger, but the state does not reimburse the overage. Greenwich receives only 10 percent reimbursement from the state. At the current proposed size of 140,000 square feet, our reimbursement rate will be closer to 5 percent, meaning Greenwich taxpayers will cover roughly 95 percent of the project cost.

Several new public middle schools have been built in Connecticut over the last few years. In Oxford, with a similar sized enrollment to that of CMS, the town recently built a new 82,000 square feet middle school. In Cromwell, a middle school with a similar sized enrollment to that of CMS is currently being built for 83,000 square feet. For Greenwich, a 100,000 square foot new school, as originally proposed, would still be 25 percent larger than state guidelines and most other schools in Connecticut. We could find no example of any middle school being built to be 50-75 percent larger than the guidelines, as in the escalation request. As Greenwich, we do have resources but we should still be equitable to all other students in our surrounding communities.

Is building a 50-75 percent larger school in one of the wealthiest towns in the state and country the right thing to do? Based on state guidelines and comps, we have requested the BOE to adjust the proposed schools size and keep it 25 percent over state standards  a step that would make escalation unnecessary.

Building cost consideration

The architect hired for the CMS project and the construction managers indicated a construction cost of $400-$450/square feet. The total cost consists of construction, architectural, and other soft costs, which sum up to less than $600/square feet. The BET should not approve a budget above the going market rate. There is a discussion of a recession which should provide more room for cost control. Providing robust budgets and not inviting waste is essential.

Small compromises will ensure CMS is built on time and within budget

Looking ahead, the BOE will soon reconvene to consider revising educational specifications. The CMS building committee has made some recommendations, but it is ultimately the BOEs decision on if or how to reduce. To make the state grant deadline on June 30 of this year, the BOE must submit a plan that meets both the educational requirements and the BET budget. The timeline should and can be met, but the BOE needs to make small compromises. A new CMS that is roughly 100,000 square feet, and still 25 percent larger than our needs, can be built with the $70 million budget.

Some articles in the media have eschewed this rational thinking and implied a 100,000 square foot, $70 million school is too small and insufficient.

Those viewpoints are misleading and unreasonable. Greenwich should build the best school possible but also be mindful of taxpayers dollars. We are in uncertain times, and there is no reason to burden each household with extra thousands in property taxes when reasonable choices can avoid it. CMS is an important project for our community  lets work together to ensure we can get it done on time and within budget.

Nisha Arora, Bill Drake, Karen Fassuliotis, Harry Fisher, Dan Ozizmir and Leslie Tarkington are Republican members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Arora is also a member of the CMS Building Committee.
Apple introduced the original iPhone in January 2007 and a few months later it leveraged the new all-touch interface to add a new branch to the iPod family tree. While the iPod touch was outsold by the iPhone, it was still highly successful  Apple celebrated 100 million units sold in mind 2013.

Naturally, Android makers wanted to have their own iPod touch. In 2009 the Archos 5 Internet Tablet hit the scene. It was billed as a PMP, Portable Media Player, and it may have been the first of its kind to run Android (v1.6 Donut). It could play MP3, AAC, FLAC as well as various video formats and had a large for the time 4.8 display.

At IFA 2010 Samsung introduced the Galaxy Player 50 and said it was the first of its kind, though that may require some asterisks. Anyway, the 8GB model cost 150, 40 less than an 8GB iPod touch at the time. There was a 16GB model too, but a cheaper way to get more storage was with microSD (cards up to 32GB were supported).



Galaxy Player 50

It ran Android 2.1 Eclair and had full access to the Android Marketplace, so you could install apps and games. There was no 3G connectivity, of course, though it did have Wi-Fi for those apps that needed Internet connectivity.

With a 3.2 WVGA display this was also a video player with built-in DivX support. For example, the browser supported Flash, so you could browse the entire web at home or at a cafe.

A few months later several more models appeared: Galaxy Player 3.6, 4.0, 4.0, 5.0. These were alternatively known as Galaxy S WiFi followed by the same numbers (which indicated display size).



The Samsung Galaxy Player 5.8 was huge

The (almost) last attempt was the Galaxy Player 5.8 from 2012. With its 5.8 540 x 960px display it larger than a Galaxy Note II, though its hardware was more like the original Note (dual-core Cortex-A9 CPU at 1.2GHz, 1GB of RAM).

Sony is the company that invented the tiny personal audio players with the first Walkman and it did not want to be outdone. The Sony Walkman Z100 arrived in January of 2012  the $250 player took design cues from the Xperia Arc series and featured a 4.3 WVGA LCD.



Sony Walkman Z-1000

There were 8, 16, 32 and 64GB versions (that last one was a Japan exclusive) and ran Android 2.3 Gingerbread on a Tegra 2 with a 1GHz dual-core CPU and 512MB of RAM. It had a microHDMI port as well as a proprietary connector for docks, it could also stream video to your TV over DLNA. It had familiar Sony tech like S-Master MX, DSEE and so on.

If youll allow us a quick detour, we want to mention a few music streaming services. Its no longer with us, but Sonys Music Unlimited wanted to rival the likes of Spotify and iTunes. For $4 a month you could listen to Internet radio, $10/month gave you on-demand playback.

The service could also sync your personal music library from your PC to the cloud and then down to your Walkman Z (or Xperia phone). This included Offline Playback since mobile data was still quite expensive back then. Music Unlimited was shut down in 2017.

Samsung had its own streaming service for a short while, Milk Music was introduced in early 2015 (powered by Slacker Radio) with ad-supported and ad-free subscriptions. Samsung started shutting down the service a year later and it was completely gone in 2017.

Back to Android MP3 players. Sony may have given up on being a streaming music company, but it did not give up on the players. This January it unveiled the NW-A300 and NW-ZX700.



Sony Walkman NW-A300 and NW-ZX700

The latter is no joke, it costs JPY 104,500 in Japan (720) and has features like support for 96kHz 24-bit FLACs and a 4.4mm balanced output for headphones. The A300 is a bit more reasonable 400 but still clearly in audiophile-only territory.

Of course, these days most people use wireless headphones and if they want to listen to music on the go  but dont want to bring their smartphone along  they can play music on their smartwatches.

Do you think there is still a market for Android-powered portable media players or is this something that is extremely niche (e.g. people who know what a 4.4mm balanced output is)?
The Guam Chess Federation hosts the two-day 2023 Open/Jr. Chess Championship, open to adults and youth, on April 22-23, 2023 at Guam Premier Outlets.
MBABANE  The Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) has refused to respond to information linking it to under-fire security company G4S.

This is the company that is presently embroiled in the Thabo Bester scandal in neighbouring South Africa. The Times SUNDAY has it in good authority that the CBE entered into a three-year agreement with G4S for the provision of cash security services. The CBE Head Strategy and Communications, Mandla Luphondvo, when asked about G4S, said responding could compromise the bank. While the Central Bank values engagement with the public through media, we note that responding to the questions you have raised will inevitably result into a compromise on some of the banks highly classified information, its security processes and operations. It is in this regard that the Central Bank wishes to decline responding to your questions as raised, Luphondvo said.

The following questions were posed to Luphondvo: Does the Central Bank of Eswatini still have a contract with Cash-In-Transit (CIT) security company G4S? In November 2019, an amount of R100 000, which was part of E29m, that was being repatriated to the South African Reserve Bank from the CBE through Matsapha International Airport, went missing. G4s was responsible for handling this money. Was this money eventually recovered; if so, from who? Who was eventually held liable for the disappearance of the R100 000? How was/is the working relationship between the CBE and G4s, considering that the company has come under fire or strong criticism in the handling of the Thabo Bester escape from a South African prison? G4S is a London-based global security company, owned by Allied Universal, a security and facility services company.

According to G4S, the Allied Universal partnership allowed the company to be on a global level. Through a global workforce of approximately 800 000 people, we leverage best practices in communities all over the world. With revenue of approximately $20 billion, we have the resources to deploy efficient processes and systems to help deliver our promise locally: keeping people safe so our communities can thrive, G4S states on their company website. In Africa and the Middle East, we have an extensive network of offices and more than 122 000 employees to support our local communities and customers. In South Africa specifically, G4S says it has a strong presence in all nine provinces. We are one of the largest private sector employers, providing employment to 10 000 screened, security vetted and highly trained personnel countrywide.

The company, in South Africa, provides multiple services, which include G4S Cash solutions cash-in-transit arm of the company. The security company also provides ATM solutions (installation and care of ATMs). G4S also has a banking solutions arm that allows them to work with nine commercial banks in South Africa and further runs dedicated regional and shared cash centres on their behalf. G4S provides a cash processing service for banks in SA.

solution

G4S operates a network of cash centres in South Africa. Currently providing a full outsourced solution for a number of commercial banks, and processing much of the countrys cash requirements, reads the information on the companys website. This publication understands that the contract between the CBE and G4S entailed handling money that is destined for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The contract between the CBE and G4S was in full existence when the amount of R100 000 that was part of a sum of R29 million went missing before reaching the SARB around November 2019. Although the CBE at the time did not disclose the name of the security company that was part of the moneys repatriation process from Eswatini to South African, it did acknowledge its involvement. Sources had informed this publication that it was at the O.R Tambo International Airport in South Africa that officials from the SARB discovered that part of the E29 million was missing.

tampered

When the consignment left Eswatini there was nothing wrong or suspicious. But at O.R Tambo, the SARB officials discovered that the original seal of the consignment had been tampered with and a second seal used to try and close the package. When the consignment left Eswatini, there was only one seal, which was an indication that everything was perfect. However, the officials found that from the amount of R29 million someone had taken a stack of R100 000, one of the sources disclosed. The CBE has confirmed the missing money and the figure involved but held back on disclosing the entire figure from which it was stolen, neither did they disclose the name of the security company pending the investigations. Kindly be advised that one parcel containing ZAR100 000.00 was discovered missing from one bag consignment of substantial amounts when the bag was opened at the South African Reserve Bank premises. This incident occurred in November 2019 and the repatriation originated from Matsapha International Airport, the anks then Head of Strategy and Communication Zithulele Gina, said in response to questions that were sent to him.

He stated that following the discovery, the Bank conducted its own internal investigations after invoking internal incidence reporting procedures. The internal investigations revealed that there were no procedural flaws or breaches in procedure within the CBE in the incident and no blame could be apportioned to any individual, Gina further said. He said the bank, in covering its own processes, also covered processes for the Cash In Transit (CIT) Company that took over the consignment from the airport to deliver it at SARB and as well as the SARB processes.

processes

He said this processes were carried out in partnership with the CIT Company and the SARB. It was alleged that the CIT Company at one point offered to repay the lost money in full but, after apparent legal consultation, came back and made an offer to pay only half of the E100 000. This was probably done so as to avoid taking sole and full responsibility for the lost money, said the sources. The CBE Board, according to the well-placed sources, were incensed that the internal investigations did not find anyone to be liable for the missing money.

Thats where the confusion lies; that neither the bank nor the security company is liable. The Board is now suspicious and suspects that someone is hiding the truth; which is what any normal person would think, related some of the sources. Gina mentioned that even though the internal investigation had not found anyone liable, the matter was reported to local police service. Upon conclusion of the banks internal investigations and after considering all aspects of the report (of the internal investigations), the board then directed that the matter be referred to the REPS, he said.

The highly-placed sources said then that there was one particular head of department who was supposed to be held responsible for the lost money but, for unknown reasons, he was not taken to task. To this, Gina responded: The repatriation process is a responsibility of various departments within the bank and involves external stakeholders and for security reasons it will not be appropriate of us to mention each individual involved. In this regard, the process is not the responsibility of one individual or single department.

agreements

Asked what the SARBs reaction had been regarding the lost money, Gina said there were agreements in place that catered for such eventualities. and the Central Bank has received very good cooperation from the South African Reserve Bank during the investigations, he added. The R100 000 that went missing was not the first instance that the CBE experienced issues of money finding its way out of the banks possession under controversial circumstances. One such instance also occurred at the Matsapha Cash Centre, where all the currency and notes are kept in the country. The applicant stated in or around September 2015, his services were suspended by the respondent pending certain investigation relating to an incident that took place at the Matsapha Cash Centre.

The Matsapha Cash Centre is a facility owned by the respondent and it is where all the currency in notes and coins are kept in the country. G4S, meanwhile, says that as the countrys leading cash solutions company, it has the expertise and experience to provide efficient and secure cash-in-transit services, that can be tailored to meet the requirements of each of their customers. These services are reportedly carried out by security professionals, who have undergone specialised training to meet high industry standards.
Bottom line, this proposed bill corrects unnecessary government overreach.

I am born and raised in southern Guam, and yall know down in Humatak we keep it real: real south, real CHamoru and real Guam.

Down here, we dont need more rules telling us how to live. We know how to do things the Guam way.

We make creative solutions to problems using what we have and we protect our own.

Reading the comments on social media about this bill, I see a lot of babarias (CHamoru: nonsense) and Im going to shed some light on these like that unobstructed sunset down here over the Humatak Bay.

This bill introduced by my nephew, Sen. Roy Quinata, and Sen. William Parkinson proposes to remove unnecessary government overreach in my life and the lives of other trans people in Guam. Below, I will break down some of the misconceptions Ive read on social media coverage about this bill.

Babarias #1: This bill will force being trans on our children and then theyre going to change their genitals  No. This is todu babarias (CHamoru: complete nonsense). No one is forcing anything on children and this proposed bill removes the requirement for trans adults to change their genitals in order to change their legal gender on their birth certificates.

This removes an unnecessary requirement the government is forcing on me and other trans people by telling me what genitals I need to have legal status that reflects who I am.

For those concerned that trans people may make an irreversible decision they will regret, citing unnamed and unverified sources who came to regret genital surgery, this change prevents that from happening by creating the option for a full legal transition without requiring genital surgery.

Babarias #2: This is outsider stuff and has no place in Guam. No, more todu babarias. If anything is from outside of Guam, its needlessly categorizing people in order to make their life harder, or worse, drawing distinctions to oppress people. This is toxic, colonized thinking and perpetuates half a millennium of other people telling us how to live.

The Spanish erased trans history in Guam and there is trans history; we cant have been the only island in the Pacific to not have more than one gender. Hawaii kept their mahu, but in Guam we dont even have a word anymore.

This bill works to correct centuries of a colonial mindset being forced on us in Guam and fosters core CHamoru values of love, acceptance and community.

Who would want to make things harder for people who are different, instead of making life easier and safer? Dont be matapang.

Babarias #3: This bill will let sexual predators use the bathroom to sexually assault our most vulnerable groups: wives, children, the elderly absolutely no, the most todu babarias of them all.

This one hits many trans people close to home because I dont know a single trans person who hasnt been physically, verbally or sexually assaulted themselves while trying to use the restroom, or in my case all three.

The way the bill is written, someone would need to have a medical professional like a doctor or a psychotherapist with a Ph.D. provide a sworn statement saying the person wishing to change their gender is transitioned and living as that gender.

Additionally, it requires a judge to rule as well  this is two levels of highly detailed scrutiny by our most educated medical, social, legal and moral experts.

This fear is also completely unfounded for a few reasons: 1. Trans people as a group are probably afraid or at least avoidant to using public restrooms  I know I am sometimes, at least to dodge drama surrounding my need to evacuate my bladder. Most of the time its easier to hold it despite the abdominal pain than deal with a Karen.

2. The price tag for the process of transitioning, professional evaluation, and court costs is likely thousands of dollars and is a third mitigating barrier for nefarious actors to abuse this bill.

3. Women and manamko may be safer using a restroom with a trans woman because you know I would have no problem putting the six-foot-plus beauty that is me in between a pervert and a woman and bringing that creep to the ground. And generally, trans people are very helpful, so if an elderly person needs assistance, wed jump in to help if they asked.

For the practical implications of this bill and how it would make life easier and safer for trans people, I recommend taking a look at what my sister Wilamina has been saying to the press.

She offers candid insight as to how much this small change to law will have a major positive impact on trans people in Guam.

In closing, chelu (CHamoru: sisters and brothers, family), fight to make our lives easier and safer as trans people like how we fight for you. Trust us when we say we need this very small change to help us. Embrace core CHamoru and Guam values by supporting this bill and perpetuating our true culture of love, acceptance, and looking after our own.

Si Yuus maase for reading this and I look forward to a better future for all of us here in Guam. From beautiful Humatak, Maria.




Haiti - Insecurity : Kidnapping at the Saint Charbel Oratory





The Office of the Communication Service of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, in a note dated April 14, 2023, expresses its indignation after a kidnapping by armed men, at the end of a mass celebrated by the Archbishop from Port-au-Prince to Saint Charbel's Oratory.



Note from the Archdiocese :



"At the end of a mass presided over by the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince at the Saint Charbel Oratory, on the afternoon of Thursday, April 13, 2023, armed but decently dressed men perpetrated, inside the space itself, an act of kidnapping which left the faithful and everyone in shock. As they left, the bandits not only knocked down the entrance gate to the courtyard of the Oratory, but they also hit two people who had to be hospitalized urgently.



This act of kidnapping, which is one too many, undermines both the integrity of a place of worship, which is a sacred place, and the freedom of movement and circulation of people in the country. The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince once again expresses its indignation at such acts which spare no one and respect no place; in this sense, it demands that the authorities of the State finally guarantee the safety of life and property, that they prosecute and convict those who operate the kidnapping industry and derive their profits from it.



God wants his children to be free and not to be oppressed or treated as slaves (cf Lv 25, 39.42). He is the helper of his people. May he take us into grace, bless us and save us.



On Friday April 14, 2023, in the octave of Easter.



Given to the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By Aisha Adnan | Published on 2023/04/15

"Duty After School" is the latest K-Drama that has gained popularity among fans. The drama is available on TVING and is divided into two parts. The first six parts were released on 31st March whilst the other 4 episodes are promised to be released on 21st April.

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"Duty After School" is a science-fiction military drama that tells the story of the 3rd grade class of the 2nd class students of Sungjin High school. After mysterious 'spheres' begin invading the world, high school seniors are brought onto the battlefield to fight the extra-terrestrial species.

Whilst you wait for the other four episodes to be available, Han cinema is here to fill the void and suggest dramas with similar concepts, i.e, high school vs monsters.

___________

"Duty After School" is directed by Seong Yong-il, written by Yoon Soo-I, and features Shin Hyun-soo, Lee Soon-won, Lim Se-mi, Kwon Eun-bin, Kim Ki-hae, Kim Min-chul. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/03/31 - 2023/04/21~Upcoming, Fri 16:00 on TVING.

"All of Us Are Dead"

"Duty After School" tells the story of a particular class and how they fought through the apocalypse. Similarly, "All of Us Are Dead" tells the story of how high school students survive through an apocalypse. An unknown virus spreads throughout the country, converting people into zombies. The students are trapped in their schools waiting for help, but as they do so, they also have to fight the zombies to survive.

"All of Us Are Dead" quickly grew popular and ranked number one on Netflix in many countries. Netflix recently promised that the show would have a second season.

___________

"All of Us Are Dead" is directed by Kim Nam-soo, Lee Jae-gyoo, written by Cheon Seong-il, and features Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee Yoo-mi. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/01/28, on Netflix.

"The School Nurse Files"

Starring Nam Joo-hyuk and Jung Yu-mi, the Netflix short series, "The School Nurse Files" tells the story of Eun-young (Jung Yu-mi). Eun-young may seem like a normal nurse working at a high school. But Eun-young has the ability to see monsters (ectoplasms) like jelly figures. When the school is threatened by a swarm of such monsters, Eun-young partners up with another teacher, In-pyo (Nam Joo-hyuk), to protect the students.

___________

"The School Nurse Files" is directed by Lee Kyoung-mi, written by Chung Se-rang, and features Jung Yu-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Teo Yoo, Choi Jun-young-I, Lee Joo-young-I, Kim Mi-soo. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/09/25, Fri on Netflix.

Both of the series are available on Netflix with all their episodes. If you have any more suggestions, let us know in the comments below.

By Aisha Adnan
By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/04/15

With opening ratings of 16.1% in its 1st episode and 17.3% ratings in the final, 123rd episode, "The Love in Your Eyes" had a fairly typical popularity arc for a South Korean daily evening soap opera. Bae Noo-ri starred in the leading role as the daughter-in-law to a traditional beef bone restaurant, her husband dying the same day her daughter was born, finding love again. But it's been Jung Soo-han in a secondary role that attracted outsized attention among fans.

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Jung Soo-han plays the heroine's younger brother-in-law, a close friend who is always just a close friend, involved in his own romantic subplot with Kim Ga-ran. In a recent interview, Jung Soo-han claimed he was initially nervous to take on such a long-ter commitment- his only other screen projects to date had been in films. Jung Soo-han credited his more experienced co-stars for being able to help put him at ease and make him feel comfortable as he strived to work hard and do his best.

Jung Soo-han said he was sorry to separate from them, particularly as "The Love in Your Eyes" was his first particularly intense project, making that separation all the more regrettable. Jung Soo-han also said that he's thought a lot about taking on another such project. In regard to a specific co-star, Jung Soo-han claimed that Kim Ga-ran was quite similar to her character. Any time he had an idea, Kim Ga-ran would stylishly and encouragingly support giving it a try.

In the case of erotic scenes, for example, Jung Soo-han would often suggest intensifying them, or adding more comedy to them, or simply omitting them altogether. For viewers, this resulted in a very broadly intimate relationship between the characters, further heightening their appeal. Jung Soo-han would also hype himself up for their scenes on the way to work by looking at Kim Ga-ran's picture and thinking, today I go to see my wife.

According to Jung Soo-han, much of screenwriter Na Seung-hyun's concept for "The Love in Your Eyes" was to break the mold of a standard family drama with frank discussion of non-marital relations. So Jung Soo-han's suggestions were seen as very on-brand. There were many revisions of the script and discussion of those revisions with Na Seung-hyun as well as director Ko Yeong-tak. Jung Soo-han has no confirmed upcoming screen projects.

Written by William Schwartz

___________

"The Love in Your Eyes" is directed by Ko Yeong-tak, written by Na Seung-hyun, and features Baek Sung-hyun, Bae Noo-ri, Choi Yoon-ra, Jung Su-hwan, Jung Hye-sun, Park Chul-ho-I. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/10/03~2023/03/24, Mon~Fri 20:30 on KBS.
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SIPHOFANENI  Kuneligudla.

Translated to mean we have an impediment, the above sentiments were shared by Make LaMasuku when making a submission during the civic and voter education hosted by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) at KaMkhweli Umphakatsi under Siphofaneni constituency. A majority of other residents concurred with LaMasuku and requested the EBC to ensure that the country holds a national dialogue before the general elections. The calls were made by a majority of those who made submissions during the civic and voter education held at KaMkhweli Umphakatsi under Chief Prince Mshengu. The commission convened the residents to educate them on the process and procedure of the national elections.

Out of 15 residents who made submissions and asked questions from the commission, the recommendation of a national dialogue was submitted eight times. The community had a number of questions for the EBC team led by Commissioner Mlamuli Shabangu. They questioned the commission on an alleged promise made by its Chairperson Prince Mhlabuhlangene that it was important for the dialogue to be held before the national election. The residents said Prince Mhlabuhlangene made the promise while motivating for participation before the 2022 by-elections to replace axed Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane. They questioned the commission if they had no power to influence that the dialogue happens before the elections.

unrest

The residents said there was a need for the constituency and the country to heal from the aftermath of the political unrest. Its a pity that Prince Mhlaba is not here today, I wanted to ask him about a promise he made last year, which was even carried by newspapers that the dialogue will come first before the elections, said LaMasuku. Themba Ndzinisa corroborated the submission and said it was important for the country to hold the national dialogue before the general elections. He said the political unrest opened a number of wounds which needed to be attended to. He said a dialogue was needed before the election to reunite the nation so that the voting process would be free and fair. Ndzinisa said the situation was not conducive due to animosity within the society. He made an example of the killing of police officers and said some families still needed to heal before they could vote for others.

assisted

Siphofaneni specifically needed special attention and the national dialogue would have assisted in mending relationships ahead of the elections, he said. Commissioner Shabangu, in his response, said the issue of a dialogue was being handled by another department in the arms of government but as a commission they would make the recommendation.
Published on 2023/04/15 | Source

New behind the scenes images added for the Korean drama "Duty After School" (2023).

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Directed by Seong Yong-il

Written by Yoon Soo-I

Network: TVING

With Shin Hyun-soo, Lee Soon-won, Lim Se-mi, Kwon Eun-bin, Kim Ki-hae, Kim Min-chul,...

10 episodes - Fri 16:00

Part 1 - 6 episodes: 2023/03/31

Part 2 - 4 episodes: 2023/04

When mysterious alien spheres start invading the world, high school students are called upon to join the world's first war against extraterrestrial forces.

Synopsis

Unidentified extraterritorial spheres take over the world. The Department of Defense, in a desperate bid to recruit more soldiers, offers college admission incentives to get 18-year-olds to sign up as part of the reserved forces. A High school's class of 2022 seniors sign up to become soldiers, and they soon become frontline fighters in the war.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2023/03/31 - 2023/04/21
LOBAMBA  Two ministers could be in contempt of Parliament for making statements outside the House, which contradicted what they had said inside the chambers.

For them to escape a Parliament sanction, a legal source said they should rescind the statements they made in the House. This would enable the statements they made outside Parliament to be a point of reference, while expunging the one on the Hansard. The ministers are Dr Tambo Gina, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Prince Simelane, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development. Dr Gina issued a public statement that contradicted what he had earlier said in the House of Assembly about the government loan sought from Taiwan.

fail

Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo had asked the minister this question: How true is it that the government signed an agreement with the Taiwanese Government to the effect that should the government fail to service the loan, the government will cede the ICC and FISH building to Taiwan? Dr Gina responded: The allegations are true that government signed a loan agreement with Exim Bank of Taiwan that has a clause that stipulates that government will forfeit properties, but not specifically the ICC and FISH project in the event she defaults on repayment. The minister has only rebutted the statement outside Parliament. The ministers statement is still on the Hansard. A Hansard, which is used for reference, is a verbatim record of what was said in Parliament. It includes records of votes and written ministerial statements.

agreement

In a press statement on March 29, 2022, the minister changed his Parliament statement to say that he had gone through the loan agreement and was convinced that there was no debt trap.

Outside Parliament, Dr Gina said: The minister has actually read the original agreement and it does not contain any such requirements and that the minister is not aware of any other agreements with such conditions. But it can be categorically stated that the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Five Star Hotel (FISH) lines of credit do not involve pledging of assets as collateral in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Eswatini particularly, the Public Finance and Management Act. The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini bilateral cooperation with the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) which dates back to 1968 is above board and conforms to the Constitution and the countrys laws, especially Section 53 (1) and (2) of the Public Finance Management Act of 2017. The cooperation also aligns with the cooperation agreements that the country has with other development partners that are providing development assistance to the country.

agreed

He also said: The two countries governments have, over the years, signed periodic agreements to guide their cooperation in agreed areas of mutual interest. Dr Gina said the agreements allocated non-repaid resources (grants) to the Kingdom of Eswatini for developmental purposes and cultural heritage. He said grant assistance that has been allocated to the Kingdom of Eswatini over the years towards the following areas included:

* The Taiwan Technical Mission.

* The Taiwan Medical Mission.

* KMIII Airport and Bio-Technology Park.

* Agricultural and rural development.

* Human resources development through improved education and health.

* Infrastructure development.

* Information, Communication and Technology development.

* Enhancing human resources development through improved education and health.

* Enhancing food security.

* Other socio-economic development projects supporting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and other objectives of the KOE (e.g. rural electrification programme, potable water supply programme).

On the other hand, Prince Simelane, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, told Parliament that the local government elections went smoothly. He said there was a supplementary budget for the local government elections. He said, when he was briefed on the election, he even asked; where is the vendor that offered IT solutions during the 2018 general election? The vendor that offered the elections management system is Slomoes Corporation (Pty) Ltd.

solution

Outside Parliament, the minister told the Times of Eswatini that he wanted the procurement for the procurement of a technological solution for local government elections awarded to the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP). He said he wanted E4.7 million that had already been spent on the project to be returned to the Consolidated Fund. Reacting to the issue in an interview with the Times SUNDAY yesterday, Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo, a seasoned legislator, said: To make a statement outside the House that is contradictory to the one a minister made in Parliament is contemptuous.

withdrawal

MP Khumalo, who has been in Parliament since 1998, said a minister was not supposed to lie in Parliament unless he or she made a formal withdrawal of the said statement inside the chamber in which it was made. If it is discovered that he lied to Parliament, the Privileges Act of 1967 would have to be applied, the MP said. He said a minister easily attracted a vote of no confidence for misrepresenting facts in Parliament.

address

Contacted for comment, Dr. Gina, the minister, said he would address the issue on his return from World Bank meetings. Prince Simelane, the minister, could not be reached for comments as he was not reachable through his mobile phone yesterday. Alpheous Nxumalo, the Government Press Secretary, said the ministers in question would definitely apply themselves and respond accordingly. Nxumalo said even though he and MP Khumalo had set on the opposite political pendulum for reasons best known to him since 2004, he (Khumalo) was correct in his assertion that wrongly deposited information or statements should be corrected. The government press secretary said MPs were compelled or required to effectively fulfil their roles of scrutinising the work of government, passing legislation and facilitating debate. As a result, he said they needed to work with accurate information. He said parliamentarians have confidence that everything that was said in Parliament was accurate.

error

The clearest incident about making inaccurate statements to Parliament mostly comes from outside of parliament. Nonetheless, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity is and should be allowed without any alleged breach of the principle of good ministerial conduct, he said. In the past history of the kingdoms parliamentary activity, he said both MPs and Cabinet ministers usually corrected the record when the politicians had been found to have given inaccurate information to Parliament. Usually, they do this by making a written statement (in the case of a minister) or by raising a point of order in the House, advised Nxumalo. My conclusion would be that MP Khumalo mustnt assume that the ministers in question are contemptuous without affording them the opportunity to explain or clarify, or even correct their earlier inaccuracies if any at all. If MP Khumalo does that, obviously, he will be too presumptuous.

Section 68 (4) (e) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini) provides that the office of a minister shall become vacant where after a resolution of no confidence is passed by at least two thirds majority of all the members of the House on the minister. If the two-third majority of the members successfully pass the vote, the supreme laws provide that the King shall remove the minister. It has also been discovered that committees of Parliament have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a justice of the High Court at a trial. It is stated in Section 129 (1) each chamber of Parliament shall appoint sessional committees and other committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of the functions of that chamber.

inquiry

Subsection two says the standing committees shall be charged with such functions, including the investigation and inquiry into the activities and administration of ministries and departments as Parliament may determine. The Constitution also provides that the investigations and enquiries may extend to proposals for legislation. According to the supreme law, every member of Parliament not being a minister shall be a member of at least one of the standing committees. The composition of the committees shall, as much as possible, reflect the different shades of opinion or interest in Parliament.

Section 129 (5) then states that the committee appointed under this section shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial for:

(a) Enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise;

(b) Compelling the production of documents; and -

(c) Issuing a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.

The Eswatini Parliament is modelled upon the British legislature. In the UK, lying to Parliament is treated as such a serious offence because of its potential to undermine the legislatures role in its democratic system and what is arguably its most important function - scrutinising the government, and holding ministers and civil servants to account for their decisions. In 2021, a petition to make knowingly lying to parliament a criminal offence obtained more than 100 000 signatures. The UK Government announced that it does not plan to do so.

debt trap

In another development, Taiwan has urged Hondurus not to quench its thirst with poison and fall into Chinas debt trap. Taiwan said it would not compete monetarily with China to keep its formal allies after its decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing. Last month, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that her country would begin to establish an official relationship with Beijing, in effect severing its ties with Taipei. Her Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina had asked Taiwan to double its annual aid to US$100 million, the equivalent of E1.7 billion. Hondurus said Taiwan should renegotiate its (Hondurus) debt to the island. The Central American country was struggling to repay its international debts, including US$600 million (E10.2 billion) owed to Taiwan.

In response, Taiwans Foreign Ministry said Reinas statements did not reflect the whole truth of the negotiations and that the ministry had actively engaged in bilateral talks with Castros government. Our communication efforts with Honduras have never stopped, the ministry said last month, adding it was trying its best to maintain its friendship with Honduras.

We urge Honduras, which is already suffering from debt problems, to not quench your thirst with poison and fall into Chinas debt trap, the ministry said in its statement. Taiwans response comes as the US warned Honduras that Beijing may not follow through on its promises of financial investment and aid. The Honduran Government should be aware that the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) makes many promises that are unfulfilled, a State department spokesperson said, adding that the department was closely monitoring the situation.

attempts

Honduras diplomatic switch leaves Taiwan with 13 countries that recognise it as a country. China does not allow any of its diplomatic allies to recognise Taipei in an effort to isolate the island democracy from the international community. Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and has not ruled out the use of force in attempts to reunify it with China.

Honduras becomes the latest Central American country to sever ties with Taiwan to pursue relations with China, as Beijing seeks to assert its international influence amid souring tensions with the West. Beijing incentivises countries with promises of investment and trade in return for siding with its narrative on its claim to Taiwan. China has already invested US$298 million, the equivalent of E5.066 billion, in a first dam in eastern Honduras inaugurated in January 2021.
The 11th Edition of the MEET ICT Conference as well as the Bahrain International Technology Exhibition (Bitex) have been rescheduled to take place now from July 4 to 6, 2023 instead of May 7 to 9. They will take place at the Gulf Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel, Bahrain.

This will provide more opportunities for interested participants to plan and prepare. MEET ICT and Bitex is a collaborative initiative between the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH) and WorkSmart for Events Management.

This highly anticipated technology event spans a comprehensive three-day programme, commencing with an extensive conference featuring an impressive line-up of international experts and speakers in diverse fields including but not limited to communication networks, blockchain, cryptocurrency, AI, financial technology, cybersecurity, and more.

Engaging meetings

The subsequent two days are set to be packed with a series of engaging meetings and a day of workshops, providing valuable opportunities for attendees to enhance their knowledge and skills.

The conference aims to foster discussion and exchange of ideas among professionals and organisations on the topic of Achieving Sustainable Development Through Digital Transformation.

Moreover, the conference agenda encompasses strategies for future-proofing businesses through the redirection of capital towards sustainable companies, advocating for sustainable practices in government policies, as well as promoting the usage of sustainable products and services among customers.

Longest conference

As one of the longest conferences in the kingdom, the MEET ICT Conference promises to deliver a wealth of knowledge through its intensive and informative sessions led by distinguished speakers. Attendees can expect to gain insights into the latest and most pertinent topics in the technology realm. The conference runs in parallel with the exhibition, which provides a platform for all ICT companies to converge under one roof to showcase the latest digital transformation products and solutions in the dynamic ICT industry.

Tareq Fakhro, Chairman of BTECH, said: The organisation of the MEET ICT Conference and the Bahrain International Technology Exhibition (Bitex) symbolises the noteworthy progress Bahrain has accomplished in the realm of technology investment and employment. This significant milestone epitomises the kingdom's unwavering commitment and relentless endeavours towards providing cutting-edge technological infrastructure, highly skilled human resources, and a supportive legislative framework, thus enabling Bahrain to emerge as a distinguished international model for digital transformation and exemplary performance in the technology industry.

Ahmed AlHujairy, CEO of WorkSmart, highlighted the significance of this event as a platform for decision-makers across private and public sectors, as well as IT experts, technology enthusiasts and key players, to engage in meaningful networking, forging valuable partnerships and reopening/expanding business opportunities.

The ultimate goal is to collectively advance innovative trends, services, and products of ICT companies, while enhancing the productivity of private sector institutions in the technical realm, all in the spirit of competition and continuous development.-- TradeArabia News Service
Daily horoscope prediction says life is an ocean and your mission is to sail through it. Start the day with yoga and meditation.

Here are accurate Sagittarius daily horoscope predictions for 17 April 2023. Everything related to career, finance, romance, and health are analyzed here.

How hard you try to avoid problems, they will erupt in the love life. Troubleshoot them to make your relationship stronger. The hiccups at office demand extra effort and youll get results. Wealth will come to you and health will also be fine today.

Also Read Horoscope Today, April 17, 2023

Sagittarius Love Horoscope Today

Ensure your love life is perfect today. There can be outside interferences that may disastrously affect the bonding. A past affair may come back and turn everything upside down. You need to talk with the partner and resolve all issues before the relationship turns into a fiasco. You may also fall for a coworker which is good in case you are unmarried. Otherwise, it may have a serious impact on your family life. Female natives may become pregnant today.

Also Read Weekly Love Horoscope, April 17-23, 2023

Sagittarius Career Horoscope Today

There may be hiccups at the office that can disturb the mental peace. Extreme pressure may take a toll on life. IT professionals, bankers, insurance, sales, and marketing people, and animation designers will have a sword hanging over their heads today. This means you may require spending long hours at the workstation. Armed persons, lawyers, judges, fashion designers, and editors may have opportunities to grow and you need to utilize them the most. You may also get victimized at the office and can be answerable for failures. This can mentally hurt you.

Also Read Weekly Career Horoscope, April 17-23, 2023

Sagittarius Money Horoscope Today

Your professional commitments also ensure better compensation which means additional income will arrive in the coffers. You need to have financial discipline today. Take the guidance of financial experts for better investment lessons. Do not burn money for luxury and instead save for rainy days. You may need to spend for the educational purpose of your sibling or children today. There can be emergencies as well which would drain the money. Today is also good to start repairing the home or buying electronic devices.

Sagittarius Health Horoscope Today

You may have issues related to breathing. Start the day with yoga and meditation. Spend more time at the park which will rejuvenate you. Some senior natives may complain about chest and heart part pain and you need to rush to a doctor. Mental pressure at the office may also affect sleep tonight.

Sagittarius Sign Attributes

Strength: Wise, Practical, Audacious, Beautiful, Lively, Energetic, Lovely, Optimistic

Weakness: Forgetful, Careless, Irritating

Symbol: Archer

Element: Fire

Body Part: Thighs & Liver

Sign Ruler: Jupiter

Lucky Day: Thursday

Lucky Color: Light Blue

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Stone: Yellow Sapphire

Sagittarius Sign Compatibility Chart

Natural affinity: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius

Good compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius

Fair compatibility: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn

Less compatibility: Virgo, Pisces

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: https://www.cyberastro.com

E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com

Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857

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Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Saturday announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party after he was denied a ticket for the May 10 state assembly election. Jagadish Shettar said on Saturday he is confident his name will appear in the next list of assembly election candidates of BJP (PTI)

The 67-year-old leader said he would also resign from the assembly.

However, Shettar, who was the leader of the opposition when the Congress was in power in the state, said he would contest the poll for sure.

"I have decided to resign from the legislative assembly," a visibly upset Shettar told reporters.

He added that he has sought an appointment with the Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, who is at Sirsi, and tender his resignation.

"With a heavy heart I will resign from the party. I am the one who has built and raised this party. They (some party leaders) created a situation for me to resign from the party," Shettar said.

Recalling his contribution to the BJP and the key posts, including that of assembly speaker, he held in the state, Shettar said, "They (party leaders) have not understood Jagadish Shettar yet, for the way they humiliated me."

"I am upset over the way they ignored me, which made me think I should not sit quiet and I must challenge them. In view of that I had been saying that I will contest in this election," he said.

Also read: Karnataka polls: BJP denies ticket to seven sitting MLAs in second list

The Lingayat leader also alleged that there was a systematic conspiracy against him and added that he was never an indurate person but the party forced him to become one.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan failed.

The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJP's decision of not fielding him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

According to Shettar, the party high command had asked him not to contest the assembly election to make way for young people. However, he said he will contest the election come what may.

Earlier in the day, Shettar said that if he is denied ticket then it will have a bearing on 20 to 25 assembly seats in north Karnataka, apart from the state.

This is the second major blow to the BJP. Just a day ago, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi resigned from the party and joined the Congress.

Savadi who was aspiring to contest from Athani constituency was upset over BJP giving ticket to Mahesh Kumathalli, who was previously with Congress but defected along with 17 others in favour of the BJP to bring down the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2019.
Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Saturday said that former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar has chosen himself over the party after he announced his resignation on Saturday from the party and from the post of MLA. Despite all assurances, Jagdish Shettar chose himself over party: BJP sources

Also Read - Denied ticket in Karnataka polls, 'humiliated' Jagadish Shettar quits BJP

"Despite a constant effort to talk to Jagdish Shettar by the party's top leadership, he chose self over the party," party sources told ANI.

Party sources further mentioned that several options were given to Jagdish Shettar.

"Shettar was given several options including a ticket being promised to a family member. He was also given the option of governorship or a larger role in the organisation. The top leadership in the party was in conversation with him," sources said.

Earlier Union Minister and Karnataka election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Pralhad Joshi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held a meeting with former state chief minister Jagadish Shettar amid his ultimatum over the allocation of a ticket for the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment.

Shettar, a six-time MLA from the constituency was reportedly advised by the party to stand down and not seek a fresh term as MLA from the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment, following which his followers expressed their anguish against the party's high command.

On Saturday after announcing his resignation Jagadish Shettar also mentioned that there is a conspiracy against him and that is why he was denied a ticket.

"There is a conspiracy against me, will tell everything after resigning," Shettar told ANI.

After being left out from the BJP's candidate lists, Shettar had issued an ultimatum to the party, saying he will consider his future political course if denied a ticket from his preferred segment.

The Karnataka assembly elections will be held in a single phase on May 10, with the counting of votes scheduled on May 13.
Senior Congress leader and disqualified Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP at the Jai Bharat rally in Karnatakas Kolar. This is the first time for Rahul Gandhi to visit the town after getting convicted in a defamation case for his statements at Kolar rally in 2019. It is BJP which insulted OBCs: Rahul Gandhi in Karnataka's Kolar

Also Read - Karnataka Assembly Election LIVE updates: Rahul Gandhi addresses crowd in Kolar

Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government and said that they are insulting the OBCs of this country. BJP says that I insulted the OBCs of this country. Lets talk about the OBCs here today. When the UPA was in power, the caste census was conducted, and the BJP has hidden the data after coming to power. Today, SCs, STs and OBCs represent only seven per cent of BJPs central government. If the caste census data is revealed, it is going to be clear who is insulting the OBCs. I demand the BJP government put out the data.

He also took a swipe on the Modi government and told them that he is not allowed to speak inside the parliament. PM Narendra Modi only works for Adani and the growth of his empire. Whenever I speak about Adani in parliament, my mic is turned off. I even showed the picture of PM Modi sitting next to Adani in his aircraft, and I was forced to put down the image. If I ask the speaker about it, he only smiles and doesnt answer my question. PM Modi will soon sell this country to Adani, added Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi also showed confidence in winning Karnataka in upcoming assembly polls. He said, The Congress party will fulfill all the poll promises soon after coming to power. The Congress wave in Karnataka is clear and the credit goes to united leadership in the state. We are winning with more than 130 seats in the state.

The assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13.
Former Karnataka CM and BJPs tall leader BS Yediyurappa slammed Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi who quit the party, ahead of Karnataka assembly polls. He said that the people of Karnataka will teach them a lesson. K'taka people wont forgive:' BSY on Shettar and Savdi's decision to leave BJP

Also Read - It is unfortunate, BJP will be impacted: CM Bommai on Shettar's resignation

Speaking with the reporters on Sunday, BS Yediyurappa said, The whole party is unhappy regarding the decision of two senior most leaders in the state. The people of Karnataka will not forgive them and teach them a lesson in the elections. I will visit the areas of these leaders and explain to the people about their betrayal. It is unfortunate.

Yediyurappa also said that he is confident about the Lingayat communitys loyalty and assured that they will be with the BJP. The Ligayat community has been traditionally with the BJP and will remain with us. Just because some leaders changed teams, the people of the community will not stop trusting us. I am still here, and I appeal the leaders of Lingayat community that bigger opportunities will be provided to them in near future, he added.

CM Basavaraj Bommai also said that Shettars exit will impact the BJP a bit, but they are going to overcome it. On Friday, former deputy CM of Karnataka Laxman Savdi quit the BJP, followed by former CM Jagadish Shettar on Sunday. Both were denied tickets by the BJP for upcoming assembly polls.

Meanwhile, Savdi has already secured a Congress ticket from Athani and Jagadish Shettar is yet to reveal his action plan. The assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13.
Three policemen have been suspended after an accused in an idol theft case died in police custody after he allegedly tried to escape by jumping from a hotel in Gujarats Surat on Thursday, officials said on Saturday. Police said the accused jumped from the second floor of the hotel to escape from the cops. (Representative Image)

Damoh superintendent of police (SP) Rakesh Kumar Singh on Saturday suspended Kerbana outpost in-charge Yogendra Gaikwad and two constables after the accused died in police custody.

A resident of Gugrakala village of Damoh, Narendra Lodhi, 27, stole an antique idol of a god from Khaderi village two years ago. He had been absconding since then. Police got information that the accused was in Surat. Outpost in-charge Yogendra Gaikwad along with two police constables reached Surat, where the accused used to work in a private company. With the help of local police, the Damoh police arrested the accused on Wednesday night. In the night, Damoh police took the accused to a hotel. In the morning, the police opened the handcuffs of the accused as he wanted to go to bathroom. The accused came out of the bathroom and tried to run away. He later jumped from the second floor of the hotel to escape the police arrest. He was injured seriously and later died in the hospital on Thursday. Police came back with the body of Lodhi on Friday, said the SP.

The family members of Lodhi demanded a fair probe in the matter as they accused police of killing him.

His father Nathu Lodhi said, My son died in police custody. He was beaten to death by police and to give it a name of accident, they threw my son from a hotel. Fair probe should be conducted in the matter.

The SP said, The investigation is going on in the matter. The cause of death will be known after the postmortem report.

(with inputs from Anupam Pateriya from Sagar)
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Militants in Sudan take control of central state laboratory with disease samples - WHO 25 Apr 2023 | 5:05 PM Doha, Apr 25 (UNI) The armed forces of one of the conflict parties in Sudan took control of the central state laboratory with samples of dangerous diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Sudan, Dr Nima Saeed Abid, said on Tuesday. see more..

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An 18-year-old boy out for shopping with his friend was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Dera Bassi on Saturday evening. The truck driver fled the spot after hitting the teen. He has been booked by the Dera Bassi police. (iStock)

The deceased was identified as Arman Alam. His friend Mohammad told the police that Alam got down from a bus around 4.30 pm and was crossing the road to visit a shop. Meanwhile, a speeding truck ran over him. He was rushed to GMCH, Sector 32, but was declared brought dead. The truck driver fled the spot. He has been booked by the Mubarakpur police.

Man run over by train

An unidentified youth, who appeared to be in his early 20s, was run over by a train near the Dera Bassi railway overbridge on the Ambala-Kalka rail route on Saturday night. Government Railway Police (GRP) have kept the body in the mortuary of the Dera Bassi civil hospital for identification.

ASI Sukhwant Singh from GRP said the man was hit by a train heading from Delhi to Chandigarh. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and black bottoms. No ID was found on his person.
Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers and MLAs from Punjab on Sunday alleged that they were stopped from entering the national capital where partys national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the excise policy case. Punjab cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal with Aam Aadmi Party workers and leaders staging a protest in Amritsar on Sunday. (Sameer Sehgal /Hindustan Times)

While Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had reached Delhi a day earlier, a number of AAP leaders, including cabinet ministers and legislators, started for the national capital in the morning to express solidarity with the party chief. The AAP claimed that party leaders, including health minister Dr Balbir Singh, revenue minister Bram Shanker Jimpa and legislators Dinesh Chadha and Kuljit Singh Randhawa, were stopped at Singhu border and not allowed to enter Delhi.

Accusing the BJP of murdering democracy in the country, Balbir tweeted, MLAs, ministers, and volunteers, who were peacefully travelling to Delhi, were stopped, illegally detained, followed by brutal lathicharge on unarmed, peaceful people. We had to do CPR & rush the injured to hospital to save lives. Brutal assault by Modi regime to crush @ArvindKejriwal.

He also said that the Constitution and the Supreme Court gave them the right to move freely in the country and protest peacefully.

School education minister Harjot Singh Bains also said that he was stopped and tweeted, We cannot even enter our capital? @DelhiPolice not allowing my car to enter Delhi (sic). Bains, however, later managed to enter Delhi and protested outside the CBI headquarters. The AAP, in a statement, said that party leaders and supporters going from Punjab to Delhi were lathicharged by the Delhi Police at Singhu border.

BJP scared of Kejriwals rising stature: Dhaliwal

The AAP on Sunday staged a protest in Amritsar against summoning of Kejriwal by the CBI. Raising slogans against the Modi government, cabinet minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, along with various Punjab ministers, MLAs and a large number of volunteers, sat on a dharna at Bhandari bridge.

Dhaliwal claimed that the BJP has been shaken by the growing stature of the AAP and its national convener Kejriwal. Thats why the BJP has summoned him (Kejriwal) through the CBI to implicate him in a false case, he added.

He said no matter how much the central government misuses its agencies, the AAP cannot be stopped. We will not stop till Arvind Kejriwal becomes the Prime Minister of our country. Narendra Modi is afraid of Kejriwal. He knows that only Kejriwal can challenge him in 2024, so he is troubling him repeatedly, Dhaliwal said.

Dhaliwal was joined by cabinet ministers Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Lal Chand Kataruchak, MLAs Ajay Gupta, Jeevan Jyot Kaur, Jasbir Singh, and Dalbir Singh Tong, besides other AAP members and workers.

Meanwhile, in a press conference at Jalandhar, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemned the dictatorial attitude of the BJP-led central government and said, The BJP and the Congress are older outfits, but the AAP gained the title of national party in just 10 years. We are also garnering the support of people everywhere we are contesting elections. The BJP is scared of the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.

Cheema said the Punjab government implemented the same liquor policy in state and the revenue from it increased by 41%. If it wasnt a good policy, then how come the revenue increased so much? he asked.
As many as 10 incidents of drone intrusion into the Indian territory at the Punjab border with Pakistan have been reported in the past month, with Border Security Force (BSF) troops managing to capture only one. Out of the total incidents of intrusions, one black-coloured drone (quadcopter-DJI Matrice) was captured in Rajatal village of Amritsar district on March 27. (HT File photo)

According to BSF officials, the anti-national elements have reduced the timing of the movement of drones into Indian territory in the recent past, making it difficult for the jawans to shoot them down.

The time of movement of drones into the Indian territory has drastically decreased in the past few weeks, due to which we are facing problems in downing them, said AK Vidyarthi, deputy inspector general (DIG).

According to BSF, from March 19 to April 15, 10 incidents were reported in which the drones sneaked into the Indian territory from the Pakistan side, dropping their consignment of arms and drugs. Out of the total incidents, one black-coloured drone (quadcopter-DJI Matrice) was captured in Rajatal village of Amritsar district on March 27.

Incidentally, March 27 was also the busiest for the BSF troops. The security personnel apprehended two suspects along with the recovery of a drone, a pistol and 10kg of heroin in four separate incidents reported along the India-Pakistan border.

Three incidents were related to the intrusion of drones in the Amritsar sector. In the fourth incident in the Fazilka district, two Pakistani intruders had allegedly retreated after throwing a packet of drugs and weapons consignments into the Indian territory.

In total, BSF seized around 40 kg of heroin and seven pistols allegedly dropped by the drones in these 10 reported incidents.

BSF officials said this year, its troops have noticed around 23 intrusions of drones into Indian territory. From January 1 to March 18, around 13 incidents of drone intrusions were reported, out of which it managed to shoot down drones on seven occasions.

However, the rate of shooting down drones has drastically come down in the last month.

Anti-drone technology

BSF has been running a trial of an anti-drone technology for the last one-and-a-half-year, but this technology, as per its officials, works at a particular frequency and has not been found to be effective.

A senior BSF official, who did not wish to be named, said, The drones which have been captured were shot down by our jawans, who have been given special training. The technology we are using is not very much effective. Pakistan-based smugglers are very shrewd and are working in collusion with the countrys intelligence agency (ISI) and China. Most of the drones being used by Pakistani smugglers are assembled. They are not using drones made by companies, which have fixed frequencies. The possibility of these assembled drones, which fly at varying frequencies, being detected in our anti-drone technology is very less. We need an effective anti-drone technology to tackle the threat.

8 drones shot down this year

This year, the BSF has captured eight drones in total. Last year, BSF shot down 23 drones used for smuggling drugs, arms, ammunition and explosives from across the border.

Last year, besides announcing 50,000 reward to the drone hitting party and 1 lakh to the informers, the BSF took several measures to tackle the drone threats at the Punjab border.

Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit had also conducted back-to-back visits at the Punjab border and asked the security agencies to increase their coordination to tackle the drone threats.

According to a senior BSF official, who didnt wish to be named, due to the absence of an effective anti-drone technology, most of the drones manage to retreat, either after dropping consignment or reconnaissance.

Many times, our jawans rely on the buzzing sound of the drone. They open fire towards the sound, but chances of them hitting the intended target are very low as drones cant be seen in the dark, he said.

On Sunday, 3kg of heroin seized

The BSF troopers recovered 3kg of heroin dropped by a Pakistani drone near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar on Saturday night.

The BSF jawans opened fire towards the drone, which had sneaked into the Indian territory from the Pakistan side, but it had managed to retreat after dropping the consignment.

GFX

Tacking the menace

Total intrusions this year: 23

Drones shot down this year: 8

Drones captured last year: 23

Recent major seizures involving drones:

April 16: 3-kg heroin seized near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar sector

April 15: 3-kg heroin near Mullakot village seized in Amritsar sector

April 13: 4.5-kg heroin seized in Mansa district

April 4: 12-kg heroin seized in Tarn Taran and Amritsar district.

March 27: Three drone intrusions, BSF apprehends two suspects along with recovery of drone, a pistol and 10kg of heroin in four separate incidents

March 27: 6.2kg of heroin seized by BSF personnel near Toor village in Amritsar

March 24: Five pistols, ten magazines and 91 live rounds recovered in the Gurdaspur sector

March 10: Hexacopter gunned down in the Gurdaspur sector, one AK series rifle, two magazines & 40 rounds recovered
A local court here on Sunday sent a close aide of the radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, Joga Singh, who was arrested two days ago, to three-day police remand. Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh's main aide Joga Singh who was arrested by the Punjab Police on Saturday, April 15. (PTI)

Joga Singh was arrested in a joint operation by the Hoshiarpur and Amritsar-rural police when he was coming to Punjab from Haryana. He was arrested allegedly for providing shelter and other assistance to Amritpal Singh in Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit district. He was produced before a local court on Sunday. The police sought seven-day custody of the accused but the court granted three-day remand.

A resident of Ludhiana and in-charge of a dera in Pilibhit, Joga Singh was nabbed from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib after he crossed over to Punjab from Haryana, police had said.

Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh has been on the run since March 18 after the police crackdown against him and his aides.

Joga Singh had been in direct contact with Amritpal Singh, police had said. It was Joga Singh who brought Amritpal and his other aide Papalpreet back to Punjab.

Amritpal and Papalpreet fled Punjab following a police crackdown on March 18. They returned to the state on March 28. Papalpreet has already been arrested.

Punjab Police launched a major crackdown last month against Amritpal and the members of his Waris Punjab De outfit.

The Khalistan sympathiser escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18 by switching vehicles and changing appearances.

Amritpal and his associates have been booked in several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

After Joga Singhs arrest, the Punjab police said he was in direct contact with Amritpal.

Joga Singh was in direct contact with Amritpal. He arranged shelter and vehicles for the pro-Khalistan leader and his aide Papalpreet from March 18 to March 28. He arranged his stay in Pilibhit and then return to Punjab, deputy inspector general (border range) Narinder Bhargav had said after the accused was arrested on April 15.

Amritpal had fled to UP through Haryana after evading his arrest during the Punjab Police crackdown.

The DIG said on March 28, Amritpal, Joga, Papalpreet and Sharanjit were spotted in the Hoshiarpur district. Amritpal is still on the run but the three of his associates have been nabbed, he said adding that Joga has not been arrested under the National Security Act (NSA). He was booked on March 28 in Hoshiarpur under Sections 212 (harbouring offender), 279 (rash driving) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the DIG said.

Apart from Joga Singh, the Hoshiarpur police had also arrested three persons, including a lawyer, for helping and giving shelter to Amritpal. While Onkar Nath and Sarabjit Singh hail from Jalandhar district, the lawyer, Rajdeep Singh, is a resident of Babak village of Hoshiarpur. The court sent Onkar to judicial custody, whereas the other two were remanded to four-day police custody.
Terming the accused mentally sick who doesnt deserve to live in a civilised society, a fast-track court on Saturday awarded life imprisonment till death to an Uttar Pradesh native who raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter in 2018. The accused repeatedly ravished a girl to whom he was duty bound to play the role of her father and influenced her to an extent that she never uttered the truth before any authority, remarked the court. (HT)

The accused repeatedly ravished a girl to whom he was duty bound to play the role of her father and influenced her to an extent that she never uttered the truth before any authority, remarked the court of additional district judge Swati Sehgal, while also imposing a fine of 50,000 on the 34-year-old convict.

On Thursday, the same court had held the man guilty under Section 376 (3) (committing rape on a woman under 16 years) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused was booked on April 13, 2019, on the complaint of the childs mother.

The court of additional district judge Swati Sehgal also imposed a fine of 50,000 on the 34-year-old convict. (HT)

The mother had told the police that she had two teen sons and a 13-year-old daughter from her first marriage. After her first husband abandoned the family, she got married to the accused in 2013.

While they initially lived in Uttar Pradesh, they moved to Chandigarh after four months of marriage. She said she was against having more children, but the accused would keep pressuring her. Later, he started assaulting her and her children, and would also make advances at her daughter.

One day in 2018, when she returned home from work, she found the door bolted from inside. On forcing entry, she found her husband sexually assaulting her daughter.

The next day, he took her daughter to his native place without informing her and also refused to return her custody. The woman further alleged that on November 6, 2018, he called her up while raping her daughter to make her hear her screams. She recorded the phone call and informed the police on November 11, 2018. She filed another complaint at the public window on December 12, 2018, and an FIR for kidnapping and rape was finally registered on April 13, 2019.

Child remained mum against stepfather

During trial, the child did not say a word against her stepfather. This point was used by the defence counsel to buttress his innocence.

However, the court observed, The edifice of the prosecutions story rests on the complainant whose version before the police and court is consistent. Her testimony is supported by documentary, medical and electronic evidence.

Also, the CFSL report in itself speaks volumes of the sexual exploitation of minor victim by the hands of the accused. Thus, defence counsels plea of false implication is bereft of merit, the court held.

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Over 19 months after a car claimed the life of a 67-year-old scooterist near Command Hospital, Panchkula, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Panchkula, had awarded 12.35 lakh compensation to the victims wife and four daughters. The tribunal clarified that as the car involved in the accident was duly insured, the primary responsibility to pay the compensation amount will be that of the insurer. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The victim, Shyam Lal Dhiman, had retired from HMT Pinjore. As per his familys claim petition, Dhiman was going to Old Panchkula on his Honda Activa on June 18, 2021. Around 11.30 am, when he reached near Command Hospital, a car hit him from behind and sped away.

Dhiman was rushed to the civil hospital in Sector 6, but referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh, where he succumbed to the injuries. A case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Sector-5 police station on June 21, 2021.

Eyewitness had told the police that the car driver was wearing an army uniform and speeding. The driver of the car, which had a temporary registration number, was traced with the help of CCTV cameras installed in the area. He was identified as Jigmet Chat, a resident of Ladakh.

While seeking dismissal of the claim petition, Chat had claimed that no accident took place and a false FIR was lodged only to grab compensation. The car insurer, Cholamandlam MS General Insurance Company Limited, also sought dismissal of the petition, claiming no accident occurred with the said car.

However, the tribunal, presided by Harbir Singh Dahiya, directed the car driver and insurer to jointly and severally pay the victims family a compensation of 12.34 lakh with 6% interest.

However, the tribunal clarified that as the car involved in the accident was duly insured, the primary responsibility to pay the compensation amount will be that of the insurer.

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Denying a Covid-19 patients medical claim on the grounds of non-hospitalisation has cost an insurance company dear. In their response before the consumer commission, the insurer said any outpatient/OPD treatment was not covered under the policy. (Shutterstock)

Holding Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited, Chandigarh, guilty of causing the patient mental agony and harassment, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, had directed the firm to settle her 5,521 claim and also pay 10,000 as compensation, apart from 10,000 as litigation costs.

The patient, Nidhi Gupta, a resident of Panchkula, had submitted that she had bought a 25 lakh Family Floater Mediclaim Insurance Policy from the company for her family, including herself, her husband and two minor sons, by paying premium of 35,636. The policy was valid from May 25, 2020, to May 24, 2021.

In September 2020, after her husband tested positive for Covid-19, she was advised to get a rapid antigen test done and she was also found positive. As per doctors advice, she also got an X-ray done and took medication, costing 5,521, and remained under home isolation.

Gupta submitted that when she approached the insurer to reimburse the 5,521 bill, her claim was repudiated, vide letter dated May 3, 2021, stating that she was never hospitalised. Alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of insurance company, she approached the consumer court.

In their response before the consumer commission, the insurer said any outpatient/OPD treatment was not covered under the policy.

However, the commission observed that the insurance company could not repudiate the claim on technical grounds, such as non-hospitalisation, especially when the situation in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic was so serious that even beds in hospitals were not available and majority of the patients were advised to remain under home isolation.

Hence, it is safe to hold that the act of the insurance company in repudiating the genuine claim of the complainant certainly amounts to deficiency in service on their part and the present consumer complaint deserves to succeed, the commission said, while directing the insurer to pay compensation to the patient and also settle the claim, along with interest at 9% per annum from the date of repudiation of claim, May 3, 2021, till its realisation.

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Principal district and sessions judge, Udhampur, Haq Nawaz Zargar on Saturday awarded death sentence to a man for killing his mother in 2014. Principal district and sessions judge, Udhampur, Haq Nawaz Zargar on Saturday awarded death sentence to a man for killing his mother in 2014. (Image for representational purpose)

Jeet Singh of Rassain village in Ramnagar tehsil had on December 7, 2014, hacked his mother Vaishno Devi to death and also attacked his wife Santosh Devi when she tried to rescue her.

The court observed that the crime was committed in a most brutal manner by the convict and the deceased was none other than the one who had given birth to the convict.

It is clear that the crime was committed for the reason that the convict was demanding two kanal of land from the deceased besides asking her to reside with the other son Mulakh Raj. Such kind of crimes besides being antisocial, shock the very conscience of the society where the relation of mothers are taken on highest pedestal on the moral as well as religious grounds, the court observed.
Panipat deputy commissioner Virender Dahiya has ordered to chargesheet two mandi secretaries and suspension of a Class IV employee for dereliction of duty. As per the information the action was taken following the visits of the deputy commissioner to various mandis. The DC has ordered to chargesheet secretaries of Israna and Sanoli mandi and a Class IV employee at Bapoli mandi. As per the information, the action against the three employees for dereliction of duty was taken following the visits of the Panipat DCs to various grain mandis. (HT Photo)

According to an official spokesperson, the action was taken against the secretary of Sanoli Grain Market as the deputy commissioner found a tractor-trailer from Uttar Pradesh brought wheat to the mandi. The deputy commissioner also suspended the licence of the concerned commission agent.

Similarly, deputy commissioner took action against the Secretary of Israna Mandi and a fourth class employee of Bapoli Mandi for not ensuring light reflectors on farmers tractor-trailers brining wheat in the mandis.

The Deputy commissioner also directed the officials concerned to ensure to fix light reflectors on the tractor-trailers so that it can be easily detected from behind. He said farmers should also follow road safety and traffic guidelines while transporting their crop to the grain markets.
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has listed a slew of measures for farmers to prevent fire incidents in fields and protect their harvested wheat from such mishaps. PSPCL has asked farmers to be cautious about transformers near or in the fields. (HT File Photo)

The PSPCL issued an advisory in this regard, asking the farmers to be cautious about transformers near or in the fields and also sparks from machines used in the fields.

Harvester combine should be operated only during day time. Watch out for sparks from parts. The harvester combine must not collide with poles, power lines, and pulls. If there is a spark from a power line, it should be reported immediately to the concerned PSPCL staff of/JE/sub divisional officer. Do not touch the electric line with bamboo or stick, the advisory reads.

A PSPCL spokesman has also appealed to the farmers to cut one marla of wheat around a transformer beforehand. The 10-meter radius around the transformer in the fields should be made wet so that even if a spark falls, it can prevent fire.

Dont set fire to the waste/husk of wheat. No worker should be allowed to smoke beedi/cigarette near wheat. To protect the wheat from fire, keep a watch on the mischievous elements, the advisory reads further.

The precautionary advisory also stated that the consumers can register their electricity complaints on the helpline numbers 9646106835 and 9646106836 which will be functional 24 hours. Consumers can also register their complaints on WhatsApp number 9646106835.
Khartoum, Apr 16 (UNI) The death toll from the clashes between the Sudanese national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has gone up to 56, while another 596 people were injured, Reuters reports, citing the Sudanese Doctors' Union.

Late on Saturday the agency said that at least 25 people were killed and 183 others were injured in Sudan.

Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum.

Director of a hospital in Omdurman told Sputnik on Saturday that the fighting between the RSF and the national army left six civilians killed.

UNI/SPUTNIK GNK
A speeding car crashing into an electricity pole triggered a massive fire at a rice mill godown near Nijjar Chowk at Chajju Majra, Kharar, on Saturday. Firefighters rushed to the scene with three fire tenders that were refilled 15 times to douse the flames. (HT)

Kaur Singh, senior station officer at the Kharar fire station, said they received information about the fire at Garg Rice Mill around 9.30 am.

Firefighters rushed to the scene with three fire tenders that were refilled 15 times to douse the flames. Singh said gunny bags, tarpaulin and wooden slabs, used for storing rice and wheat grain, were gutted in the blaze.

Mills owner Rishabh Singla said residents informed him that a car rammed into an electricity pole outside the godown that triggered sparks in a transformer. A spark fell on the jute and plastic gunny bags kept in the godown, leading to a fire that spread through the godown in less than an hour. Singla claimed that he suffered a loss of over 50 lakh.

Later during the day, an earth mover was pressed into service and the godown was demolished. As the locality is heavily populated, police also reached the spot and cordoned off the area. Police also had to resort to crowd control measures to keep curious onlookers away from the fire.
After receiving complaints from parents against arbitrary fee hike by a school, the UT district education officer (DEO) has written to all private schools to submit details of the fees charged over the last three academic sessions, including 2023-2024. The Right to Education Act and the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, adopted by Chandigarh in 2018, cap the annual fee hike at 8%. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The letter was sent after some parents complained that a private school had hiked the annual fees beyond 8% in violation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act and the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, adopted by Chandigarh in 2018.

While officials revealed that complaints were against a private school in Sector 41, they said so far, no wrongdoing had been found on the institutions part. The education department will investigate the matter further, while all private schools have been reminded to follow the RTE Act guidelines.

UT DEO Bindu Arora said the letter had been sent as a precautionary measure to remind schools not to hike fees beyond 8%. Usually, a reminder is sent before the start of the new academic session to warn schools of action if rules are flouted. It will take a few days for all schools to submit the sought data, she added.

Stating that the letter is a timely initiative, president of the Chandigarh Parents Association, Nitin Goyal said, We have also been receiving complaints and if found true, the authorities must act on them. Even an 8% fee hike is not mandatory. Schools have assets worth crores, so they must be more humane and hike fees by a smaller percentage.

Meanwhile, president of Independent Schools Association (ISA), HS Mamik said, Schools are very careful with this stipulation and it is unlikely that any school would have gone beyond 8% or 8.1% fee hike at most.

Among the recognised private schools in the city, 38 are senior secondary, 18 high, 13 middle, seven primary and three playway schools.

In 2020, after the UT administration had directed private schools to upload their balance sheets on their websites, ISA had challenged the order till the Supreme Court that had ultimately reversed UTs decision in May 2022.
The Uttarakhand government has decided to closely monitor the helicopter services being operated for Kedarnath during the Char Dham yatra season for which it has begun the exercise to install nine CCTV cameras around each helipad in Guptkashi to Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district. During the Char Dham yatra period, every day on an average the choppers take 400 sorties in the Kedarnath area. (File Photo)

The activities starting from the helipad to the passenger waiting room, ticket counter, and helicopter will be monitored with these cameras, said a district administration official.

The move comes after a helicopter crash killed six devotees and one pilot in the Kedarnath area in October last year. After the helicopter crash, Uttarakhand governments civil aviation development authority (UCADA) had decided to write to the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) to set up an air traffic control system in the Kedarnath area to monitor the operation of the heli services in the area and thus help in improving the air safety. During the yatra period, every day on an average the choppers take 400 sorties in the Kedarnath area.

Yogendra Gangwar, deputy director of tourism, said, Around nine CCTV cameras will be installed at helipads from Guptkashi to Kedarnath to closely monitor the activities so that pilgrims using the heli service do not have to face any inconvenience.

The offices of Heli companies or operators will also be connected with the CCTV cameras to be installed at helipads at Guptkashi, Badasu, Maikhanda, Phata, Shersi, Sonprayag, and Kedarnath for better operation of heli services, said tourism officials.

The booking of helicopter service tickets for Kedarnath for the period from May 1 to 7 will start from April 18. The Indian Railways Tourism and Catering (IRTC), a subsidiary of the Indian Railways that manages the ticket booking for railways, has been assigned the task during this yatra season to end black marketing of the tickets.

The tourism department has also decided to add a clause for amending the dates while registering online for Char Dham Yatra.

Gangwar said, If a pilgrim fails to get the Yatra dates during online registration matching to his helicopter booking for Kedarnath, he can amend the date accordingly which can also be done through a toll-free number.

The government is also planning to install the Doppler radar technique at Kedarnath so that the pilot operators providing Heli service for Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district can get correct information thus leading to mitigating accidents due to bad weather in Kedarnath.

Bikram Sigh, director, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Dehradun centre, said, The weather suddenly turns bad resulting in poor visibility and in such conditions, pilots are unable to get the correct information before flying Helicopters in the Kedarnath region. The state government is planning to install Doppler radar in the region, and has asked us to provide technical expertise, for which we have given our consent.

He said consultations are going on with UCADA and IMD for the installation of Doppler radar to prevent helicopter accidents in the Kedarnath area.

In Uttarakhand, one Doppler radar is currently functional in Nainitals Mukteshwar and at Surkhanda Devi temple near Mussoorie which are being used to assess the precipitation and forecast rain-related disasters.

Delhi-based advocate Gaurav Bansal, who had raised concerns over the biodiversity in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary due to the regular operation of helicopters in his plea before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2017, said, Given the difficult terrain, and fragility of the Himalayan ecology and the large number of people using Copper services, there is a dire need to monitor the Chopper operations in the area on a constant basis.

Kedarnath area has reported Chopper crashes earlier also. In June 2013, three choppers crashed while conducting rescue operations during the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy. As many as 23 people including Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel were killed in the crashes. In July 2103, a pilot and a co-pilot of a private chopper were killed as it crashed minutes after taking off from flood-hit Kedarnath. In April 2018, one person was killed and three others were injured when an IAF cargo helicopter caught fire while landing in Kedarnath.
Senior leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Delhi cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Rajya Sabha members of parliament Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh were among those detained during what AAP claimed was a series of agitations across 15 areas in Delhi over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summons to Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday. Police detain AAP leaders during a protest near the CBI office in New Delhi on Sunday. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

The senior leaders were detained by the Delhi Police near CBI headquarters, where they protested. Late in the night, after Kejriwals questioning ended, special commissioner of police for law and order Dependra Pathak, said that all the detained persons were let off. They were all detained under the Delhi Police Act as a precautionary measure. They have all left, Pathak said.

According to a statement released by the AAP, over 30 AAP MLAs and 70 councillors, who participated in the protests at different places, were detained.

Meanwhile, Delhi AAP leaders called an emergency meeting at the party headquarters on Sunday evening even as Kejriwals questioning continued after 5pm.

Calling it a witch-hunt against the AAP, Delhi minister and AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the detention of the party leaders and alleged that the PM was blindsided by his dictatorial attitude and wants to crush AAP because it has become a ray of hope in the country.

According to the Delhi Police, the agitations were peaceful and an official statement said that the total number of detained protesters was 1,350, which the AAP claimed was over 1,500. Despite the gatherings at many locations, the agitators werent able to cause any major trouble. There was no violence reported. We have not registered any FIRs so far, said Sagar Preet Hooda, the other special commissioner of Delhi Police for law and order.

Kejriwal was summoned by CBI as a witness in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case. Kejriwal has, however, not been named an accused in CBIs FIR filed on August 17 last year.

However, according to people aware of the investigations, Kejriwals name cropped up when the other accused and witnesses were interrogated, prompting the agency to seek clarifications.

A total of 32 MLAs and 70 councillors of Delhi have been detained from different areas. Around 20 MLAs accompanying Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann have also been detained. The police have also detained a huge number of common citizens, taking the total number of protestors detained at police stations to over 1,500. PM Narendra Modi has insulted not only CM Kejriwal and the AAP but also the people of Delhi through his actions, Gopal Rai said at a press conference.

Rai condemned the arrests and called them the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments blatant attack on democracy. It is clear that the Prime Minister and his cronies will stop at nothing to silence those who speak truth to power, he said.

Jasmine Shah, vice-chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi, said while the Delhi Police detained AAP leaders, BJP leaders doing dharna at many places were not detained. Many ministers, MPs, AAP leaders of Delhi and Punjab governments were waiting outside CBI HQ for Kejriwal to come but the police took everyone into custody without any crime. BJP was protesting at many places but they were not taken into custody, Shah said.

Rai said that the AAP will not surrender or back down. But let me be clear. We wont surrender or back down. If they seek to extinguish the spark of hope that burns within us, then we shall ignite it brighter and take it to every corner of this great country, Rai said.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the people of Delhi rejected the protest calls given by AAP and most AAP workers stayed away from the demonstrations. Traffic flowed freely across the city and the Delhi Police only detained a few for trying to obstruct traffic, said Kapoor.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said the BJP will continue to struggle till Kejriwal goes to jail. We will hold a protest at the Delhi assembly on Monday. Due to the struggle of BJP workers, Kejriwal has been called by CBI for questioning but it is surprising that Kejriwal resorted to gimmicks by visiting Raj Ghat to hide his lies, Sachdeva said.

A group of BJP leaders including Sachdeva and leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri sat on a dharna at Raj Ghat against AAP leaders who compared Kejriwal with Mahatma Gandhi after he was summoned by CBI.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday was questioned for over nine hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the alleged excise policy scam case- the same case in which former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in February.

Post the questioning, Kejriwal said that the alleged liquor scam is fake. AAP is 'kattar imaandaar party'. They want to finish AAP but the country's people are with us, he told the media.

The investigative agency, on the other hand, said that Kejriwal's statements will be verified and collated with the available evidence.

Meanwhile, several AAP leaders including Bhagwant Mann, Atishi, Raghav Chadha, and Sanjay Singh - who were protesting outside the CBI office against Kejriwal's questioning - were detained by the Delhi Police. However, they were later released after being questioned.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday attacked Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal ahead of his appearance before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the alleged liquor policy scam case. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Aam Aadmi Party leader of bringing an era of corrupt governance through the implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Sambit Patra addresses a press conference.(ANI)

Referring to Kejriwal's video statement earlier in the day, Patra said the Delhi CM claims he loves India but he actually loves his position. Patra also took a dig at the Opposition unity  after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's show of solidarity to Delhi CM on the CBI probe  claiming it to be bhrastachariyo ki baraat.

Also Read| 'Investigates on merits' : CBI responds to Kejriwal's jibe on summons

The CBI is here to investigate who was the kingpin of Delhi excise scam.is it not true that former deputy CM Manish Sisodias former secretary accepted before the magistrate that in 2021, the changes in the policy were done at Kejriwals residencethis calls for questioning? Patra said at a press conference in Bhubaneswar. Sisodia, as then excise minister, had piloted the policy.

Arvind Kejriwal ji thinks just because he has not left any traces at the crime scene, he is absolved of the charges, Patra alleged, adding that the Delhi CM was involved in the case wearing Sisodias gloves but now it's time the hands behind the massive corruption in the policy should be revealed.

Also Read| Ready to die...: Asaduddin Owaisi to visit UP after Atiq Ahmad's killing despite threat

Patra also maintained that AAPs communication strategist Vijay Nair has a key role in the whole case. Referring to Nairs name in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet, Patra said Nair attempted to set up a meeting between businessman Sameer Mahendru and Kejriwal, which calls for an investigation.  Did you Facetime Sameer Mahendru or not? Patra asked, rubbishing Kejriwals claims that federal agencies were being misused against him.

Just because you are CM, a VIP, shouldn't you be probed? Patra further slammed the Delhi CM, alleging a series of charges.

He also alleged that the AAP governments excise policy has caused 3,000 crore loss to Delhi and further asked if AAPs liquor policy was so good then why it was scrapped. He also demanded Kejriwals answers on whether liquor wholesalers' commission was increased from 2% to 12% and if AAP also took a portion of it. Why did you raise the commission? Patra targeted the Kejriwal-led AAP government while asking a series of questions including why wasnt the then excise commissioners recommendations on the policy considered while implementing the policy.

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Jaipur: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday targeted the Congress over the infighting between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, and exuded confidence about the Bharatiya Janata Partys victory in the state elections due this later. **EDS: TWITTER IMAGE VIA @AmitShah** Bharatpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah with former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje during 'Booth President Sankalp Mahasammelan', in Bharatpur, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)(PTI04_15_2023_000308B)(PTI)

The attack comes days after Pilot ignored Congresss warnings and sat on a day-long fast, demanding action from the Gehlot government against alleged corruption by the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP regime. The Congress termed the protest an anti-party activity.

Addressing the BJPs booth-level workers in Bharatpur, Shah accused the Congress of always giving Gehlot precedence over Pilot. Pilot can stage dharnas but his number will never come his contribution on the ground may be a bit more than Gehlot, but Gehlots contribution to the Congress treasury is more, he said, accusing the incumbent CM of looting the public and alleging that the money then went to the party.

But, Shah said, the fight between Pilot and Gehlot for the CMs chair will be in vain as the BJP will form the next government in Rajasthan. Why are you fighting for something that doesnt exist? he asked.

Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is one of the most corrupt governments in the history of Rajasthan. People are fed up, he added.

Hitting back at Shah over the remark against Gehlot and Pilot, Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said Shah should not meddle in internal matters of the Congress. Instead of commenting on our party, he should speak on the internal factionalism in the BJP, he said.

Compared to 2018 when the BJP was in power, crime in Rajasthan has reduced by 9%, he added.

Shah attacked the state government over what he said were the 3Ds  danga (riots), durvyavhar (misbehaviour with women) and Dalit atyachar (crimes against Dalits). Referring to the acquittal of the accused in the 2008 Jaipur bomb blast case, the Union minister said: You (the Gehlot-led government) should be ashamed that you are doing vote bank politics over the victims of the bomb blasts. But people are watching and understanding all this. They have made up their mind and your time has come, he said.

The Union minister also highlighted efforts of BJPs booth workers and the welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he urged the people to vote out the government in elections, and help the BJP win two-thirds majority in the assembly and sweep all 25 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 for the third time.

The Congress government lost the trust of the people the day it banned shobha yatras on Ram Navami and put a ban on hoisting of saffron flags to mark the Hindu New Year, he said.

Chaturvedi dismissed Shahs allegation of a ban on rallies or saffron flags in the state, saying: The government has only banned hoisting of flags of any religious denomination in public places without permission.
Navi Mumbai: Over 20 lakh followers of preacher-social worker 77-year-old Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, popularly known as Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, came from all over Maharashtra and the rest of the country to witness the presentation of Maharashtras highest civilian award, the Maharashtra Bhushan 2022, to him on Sunday. Navi Mumbai, India - April 16, 2023:Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis conferred Maharashtra Bhushan to Dr. Appasaheb Dharmaadhikari at Corporate Park , Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, India, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO)

The award was presented by Union minister Amit Shah in the presence of chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and a host of state ministers. The programme was held at the 206-acre Corporate Park in Kharghar. The award comprises a medal, a citation and 25 lakh, which Appasaheb donated to the chief ministers relief fund.

The followers sat patiently in sweltering heat for hours for the award ceremony that began shortly after 11 am. Several had been around from the previous evening.

Speaking at the programme, Amit Shah said, People are sitting here in 42 degrees as far as I can see. It is the public service of Dharmadhikari sans any expectation that has resulted in such a huge crowd. Only respect and devotion can make this possible, and it can only come from the sacrifice, submission and service of Appasaheb. Shah added that he had seen families blessed with money, bravery and education but had never seen the social service that was visible in the three generations of Dharmadhikaris, with Nanasaheb, Appasaheb and his son Sachin.

Shah asked the audience to applaud the state government for honouring Appasaheb. Further pushing the point, he said that Devendra Fadnavis, as CM, had recommended the Padmashree award for Appasaheb, and it was the BJP-Shiv Sena government which started the Maharashtra Bhushan award in 1995. Sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle have got it, and now for the first time, a father and son have both been conferred the award, he said.

The Union home minister held forth on Chhatrapati Shivaji and other greats of the state who had given it patriotism, spirituality and social service like no one else. Our Upanishad says that people should be taught by actions, as speech, religion and mantras are short-lived but actions stay, he said. Appasaheb has taught crores of people to work for one another and inspired them through his actions. Appasaheb has helped when the country has needed it most.

Thanking the state government and Shah for taking the time out for the event, Appasaheb said, This award is huge, but it is for the work done by us all and hence our entire family of Shri Sadasya get credit for it. Nanasaheb started the work from the rural areas, as he wanted the people there to first imbibe good values and culture. We have never advertised and do not want publicity.

Appasaheb went on to declare that humanity was the biggest religion and people needed to observe it in their hearts. Nanasaheb did a lot of good work, and I shall work till the last breath of my life, he said. My son Sachin will carry the legacy forward.

Earlier Eknath Shinde, himself a follower of Appasaheb, started his speech with Jai Sadguru, and stated that he was there not as CM but as Shri Sadasya, a member of the family. Not one person has left despite the heat, due to Appasahebs blessings, he said. People have been arriving for the last two days for the love of Appasaheb, which is his power and magic. I too have benefited from him when tragedy struck my family. Spiritual power is more powerful than political or administrative power, and Appasaheb is the inspiration here.

Shinde said that the senior Dharmadhikaris award ceremony had brought in a record crowd, which found a place in The Limca Book of Records. Today, that record has been broken, which could only have been done by Shri Sadasyas, he said. I see God in Appasaheb.

Deputy CM Fadnavis praised the record gathering, saying, There are seven wonders of the world but every time I come for a pratishthan programme, I see the eighth wonder in the record crowds that come with an unmatched discipline. You do not see one piece of garbage after the programme.

Added Fadnavis, Lord Sri Krishna said in the Gita that money does not make a person richtrue wealth is in values, and this richness is in the Dharamdhikari family, which I believe is the wealthiest family in the world. You are carrying forward Nanasahebs legacy, and hence no one can be wealthier than you.

Adding that it was a pleasant coincidence that Appasaheb was getting the award in Nanasahebs birth centenary year, Fadnavis said the Dharmadhikaris were given the title during Shivaji Maharajs time. It was for their work of religious awakening and they have been at it for eight generations, he said.
Mumbai: In order to meet the Centres End Tuberculosis by 2025 target, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now roped in private hospitals to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis. Drug-resistant TB is caused by TB bacteria that are resistant to at least one first-line anti-TB drug. According to WHO, people with drug-resistant TB face significant economic and social costs and only 1 in 3 access quality care. Reaching the missing patients remains a significant public health challenge. BMC to start DR-TB centre in private hospitals

Therefore, to make TB treatment more accessible for patients the BMC plans to start drug-resistant tuberculosis centres (DR-TB) in private hospitals.

Starting a DR-TB centre in private hospitals is one of the many initiatives that we are taking to eliminate TB. We are waiting for an expression of interest from the stakeholders for being part of this initiative. The centres will be closely working with the BMC TB office, said Dr Mangala Gomare, executive health officer, of BMC.

A meeting for the same was held last month after which the Mumbai TB office has received 2-3 corporate hospitals coming forward. We are waiting for more corporate hospitals to come forward before rolling out the initiative, said Dr Varsha Puri, deputy executive health officer and Mumbai TB officer.

While private Dr-TB is presently functional in PD Hinduja Hospital and KJ Somaiya Hospital, Dr Yatin Dholakia, secretary of Maharashtra State Anti-TB Association said having more DR-TB centres in private hospitals will improve access to DR-TB treatment.

It is a known fact that the majority of TB patients prefer going to a private physician/hospital. Drugs like Bedaquiline, and Delamanid are only available in the public health system. Private chemists cant stock them. Private doctors have to refer their DR-TB cases to the public system for management. There are many private physicians who are not referring the DR-TB patients to public centres for treatment, he said.

Dr Dholakia added that having more private centres will increase the DR-TB treatment ambit. Many patients do not want to come to public TB centres due to long waiting lines etc. For them, having more DR-TB centres in private hospitals will be a boon, he said.

Dr Lancelot Pinto, pulmonologist and epidemiologist, PD Hinduja Hospital-Mahim said as high as 50-70% of TB patients first approach the private sector. It will be beneficial to the patients as they will be getting a standardised drug-resistant regimen through the government. Monitoring and follow-up will be easier, he said.

Dr Pinto added that by involving private hospitals that have consultants experienced in TB treatment, can manage DR-TB better. Opening up to all private practitioners, it will be difficult to monitor the quality of treatment and care, he said.

Mumbai has been seeing more than 5,000 drug-resistant tuberculosis cases every year. In 2022, Mumbai saw 5,758 drug-resistant TB cases. In 2021, the city recorded 5,978 DR-TB cases while in 2020 there were 4,775 cases reported. In 2019 and 2018, there were 5,997 and 5,343 cases respectively.

BMC had also started 23 adverse drug clinics which helped them bring down the loss to follow-up (LTFU) percentage from 16% to 2% in the last five years. BMC officials said they had found many DR-TB patients left the treatment due to adverse drug effects. They found 95% of the adverse drug effects were minor problems like allergic skin reactions, body aches, gastritis etc which are now addressed in BMCs adverse drug reaction clinics and have helped retain patients to complete the TB treatment. The Mumbai TB official also said they are looking at artificial intelligence to predict tuberculosis (TB) patients who have a high probability of defaulting and not completing the treatment.
Mumbai: While it is well documented how landlords often discriminate against members of certain communities and single people in this city, housing societies are much less welcoming to women associated with Kranti, a 12-year-old NGO that rescues and rehabilitates trafficked people. The group  the youngest of whom is now 15 years old  has had to relocate seven times in the last years  eight times as of April 13, when they were evicted from their Santacruz residence as the landlord defaulted on a mortgage payment. After the girls were rendered homeless, well-wishers have, since, stepped in to help the women find temporary accommodations in homes and huts across the city. (HT PHOTO)

Left in the lurch, without shelter and without access to clothes, official documents and essential medicines, the group has posted an impassioned and urgent plea for help on crowdfunding site Milaap. https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-survivors-of-trafficking.

Kranti [the NGO] has been paying 62,000 per month towards rent for four years, says Robin Chaurasiya, who co-founded the NGO. Its the first time we have lived in one place for so long. This was possible because this building doesnt house families, she says. The property in Krishna Villa building at Santacruz (W) has been at the centre of a legal battle for some years, and Chaurasiya says legal notices have been spotted on the premises thrice or four times over these years, but nothing ever happened, so we had no reason to suspect they would take such immediate action.

At about 1pm on April 13, armed with an order from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Esplanade, four representatives of Mogaveera Co-Operative Bank Ltd, one representative of the court and two police officers asked the women to vacate the premises. At first, we were shocked; we couldnt fully understand what was happening and we scrambled to find solutions, recalls Tara-Shweta Katti, who works with Kranti. In the meantime, the cops called for assistance and about a dozen women police officers came in. They physically forced us to leave. By 3.30pm, we were homeless, says Katti.

Well-wishers have, since, stepped in to help the women find temporary accommodations in homes and huts across the city. One activist I called said we have the right to stay put, but the problem is we have no locks on the doors at the apartment as some of the girls have tried to inflict self-harm in the past  so there was no way to lock ourselves in and stay. Then, the cops gave us five minutes to pack up and leave, adds Chaurasiya, who fears that the inability to access their belongings, including vital medicines, may cause irreparable harm.

One girl has received a scholarship from an educational institution in Denmark, and without her passport, which is locked in that apartment, she stands to lose out on that opportunity. Some others have left their medicines behind in the rush, and these include antipsychotics that keep a few girls from inflicting self-harm, as well as HIV meds, Chaurasiya shares. Two other girls are expected to return from scholarship programmes in Denmark and Amsterdam soon. Where will they go? she adds.

Kranti empowers women and children from these communities with a very personalised form of education. The efficacy of their model has drawn international attention. Top educational institutions have extended scholarship programmes to Krantikaris. For example, Katti, who is one of the organisations early success stories, bagged a scholarship at Bard College in the US and received the United Nations Youth Courage Award in 2014. In 2019, the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law was conferred upon Chaurasiya for her work.

But for all that, the organisation has found inadequate support at home. Now what? Must I send them back to live in the red-light areas we pulled them out of? Chaurasiya asks, wondering if help will come through in time.

The larger issue here is of public apathy, says Chaurasiya, who studied psychology and political science in the US, then served as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force before she started Kranti. They are not my children. I am trying to help these women who have been let down by society and exploited at every turn. Doesnt our society have any obligation to help these women who are trying to break out of this vicious trap? she asks.

Currently, the NGO is engaging in talks with the bank, hoping to impress on officials the need for a more lenient approach. Chaurasiya also hopes the public will sympathise once they understand the gravity of the current situation. I hope and pray that people who read this will pitch in to help us, she says.
Khartoum, Apr 16 (UNI) The death toll from the clashes between the Sudanese national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has gone up to 56, while another 596 people were injured, media reports said.

Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudans capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe.

The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum.

Director of a hospital in Omdurman told Sputnik on Saturday that the fighting between the RSF and the national army left six civilians killed.

UNI/SPUTNIK GNK
Mumbai: A 54-year-old man was arrested for allegedly impersonating officials from the armed forces to cheat people. His modus operandi was to approach people on social media and lure them into getting branded things from the army canteen at discounted rates. Upon conducting a search of Surves residence, the police found several fake ID cards through which Surve pretended to be an officer with the armed forces. After questioning him, Surve admitted that he cheated several people by offering them branded items from the army canteen at discounted rates (HT Photo)

According to PSI Kalyan Patil, from Borivali police station the accused identified as Deepak Surve, was arrested from Navi Mumbai with several fake identity cards of Indian Army, Navy and CISF officials. Patil said that on January 31, they had received a complaint from a Borivali resident that he had been approached on Facebook by Surve. After talking to him, Surve offered the victim branded items at cheap rates from the army canteen.

The complainant said that he paid 40,000 to Surve through an online transaction for a refrigerator, however, when he asked for the item, Surve had switched off his phone, We initiated an investigation and found Surves location in Navi Mumbai following which we arrested him, said Patil.

Upon conducting a search of Surves residence, the police found several fake ID cards through which Surve pretended to be an officer with the armed forces. After questioning him, Surve admitted that he cheated several people by offering them branded items from the army canteen at discounted rates. He has cases against him at Shahu Nagar, Bhoiwada and other police stations across the city, said Patil.

Surve also cheated people by promising jobs in the armed forces, There is a fake job racket case against Surve registered at Mira Road police station, added Patil.

Surve had been arrested for impersonation and cheating and will be produced before the court on Monday.
Mumbai: After five years of a face-off between a contractor appointed to construct the Middle Vaitarna dam in Thane (one of the key sources of water to Mumbai) and the BMC, the arbitrator has ordered the civic body to award approximately 30 crore for two commercial claims which were not honoured by it in the past. The work began on October 27,2008 and was completed on March 28,2014. During the course of the contract, disputes arose between the contractor and BMC, said advocate Prerak Choudhary representing Soma Consortium. While the quality of construction was declared excellent by the civic body, some commercial claims of the contractors towards labour cess deductions, fly ash lead charges and royalty charges were allegedly not paid by the BMC. (HT PHOTO)

The company, Soma Consortium, undertook the construction of the Middle Vaitarna dam on the Vaitarna river, along with an approach road and other infrastructural amenities in 2008 after the BMCs standing committee passed the proposal at a cost of 505.91crore. The contractor completed the work in record time, and the dam was declared the ninth fastest-built dam in the world.

The work began on October 27,2008 and was completed on March 28,2014. During the course of the contract, disputes arose between the contractor and BMC, said advocate Prerak Choudhary representing Soma Consortium. While the quality of construction was declared excellent by the civic body, some commercial claims of the contractors towards labour cess deductions, fly ash lead charges and royalty charges were allegedly not paid by the BMC.

The contractors invoked arbitration proceedings under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and Justice V C Daga, a former judge of the Bombay high court, was appointed as arbitrator to decide the matter.

An arbitral award is one passed by the arbitral tribunal. The arbitrator is a retired judge, and the award is akin to an order passed by the high court. Under the Arbitration Act, every contract has an arbitration clause, which essentially means that any dispute arising in a contract will be resolved by the appointment of an arbitrator. The parties can decide on who they want as the judge, and if they are not able to decide, they can approach the high court, which, in turn, will appoint the arbitrator. Arbitration proceedings in this case commenced in 2017. Senior counsel Dipal Merchant represented the BMC.

The contract was for 812 crore, and the firm completed the work in record time, said advocate Choudhary. The dispute arose with respect to three claims. One, the one percent labour cess was wrongly deducted from the bill amount, something that was not done for other contractors. Two, the contractor had paid some money towards royalty charges for procurement of rubble, stone and earth, which were initially 100 per brass, but increased later. The third claim was for fly ash charges, which had to be procured from somewhere near Bhusawal instead of Nashik, as was originally planned. This resulted in an additional transportation cost, called lead charges, of approximately 13 crore. The amount for the three claims aggregated to 23-odd crore along with interest.

After hearing the parties from 2017 to 2023, Justice Daga ruled in the contractors favour and awarded a prize of approximately 15.30 crore together with interest to be calculated at 12 percent per annum from 2015 till the date of award within 90 days, stated the order. The entire amount comes to approximately 30 crore. HT has a copy of the order passed by the arbitrator.

The order first came on February 21, 2023, but another proceeding was started under Section 33 of the Arbitration Act to rectify some errors, since interest was not added to the conclusive part. That proceeding took effect from February 23 till April 15 when a final award was passed with corrections.

Senior counsel Dipan Merchant, representing the BMC, said that the order was passed a month ago, and on Saturday there were corrections made in the main order. I dont know the exact amount that is awarded, he said. But there were three claims made out, of which the claim made on labour cess was rejected by the arbitrator.

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The 84-metre-tall middle Vaitarna dam is the third tallest dam in the state and is made of roller-compacted concrete.

It was built on the Vaitarna river in Thanes Kochale village in 2014. The dam stands at an elevation of 102 metres to impound the 455 million litres of water vital for Mumbais growing water demand. The city receives only 3,950 million litres (Mld) per day compared to the demand of 4,000 Mld. The water is transported to the Bhandup treatment plant through a 40-km pipeline and delivered to Mumbai city.
Mumbai: For 16 years, this murder accused hid in plain sight, mingling with cops and even becoming their informer. He had been living without fear of being arrested as he was confident his name was not mentioned in the FIR of a case. However, while investigating a cold case, the Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police learnt about his involvement and arrested him on Friday. Unnamed accused in murder case hobnobs with cops for 16 years

Nilesh Dandekar, who is the main accused in the murder of Sanjay Vinod Jha, 32, a production manager of a garment company, was living in Mira Road and working as an estate agent and a police informer.

Dandekar was named by two accused Puransingh Pratapsingh Unyoni alias Puransingh Kapursingh Parihar, 41, and Mohansingh Pratapsingh Unyoni alias Mohansingh Kapursingh Parihar, 38, who were arrested from Uttarakhand by the officers of crime branch last month.

We keep investigating cold cases and, in this one, we knew that the accused were in Uttarakhand but did not have their addresses, said a crime branch officer from MBVVV. After coordinating with Uttarakhand police, the crime branch officers arrested Pratapsingh and Mohansingh from Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand on March 23.

During interrogation, the two revealed the names of Dandekar and Ashok Jharkar and both of them were arrested from Mira Road and Dombivali respectively, said the officer.

Dandekar had a financial dealing with Jha. On December 13, 2007, Dandekar, Jharkar, Mohansingh and Pratapsingh met Jha in the evening and after consuming alcohol, they had an argument after which the four of them allegedly strangled Jha and smashed his face with a stone before dumping the body near Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on December ,13, 2007.

The family members of Jha only knew the names of Pratapsingh and Mohansingh because of which Dandekars name never surfaced, said the officer.

Since Dandekar was confident that the FIR does not contain his name and the accused named in the FIR were absconding, he was carefree. We knew that he was often seen in the Mira Road police station trying to help cops but none of them knew about his past, added the officer.
The cold war or the silent power tussle between the uncle and the nephew, which has been going on for more than a decade, is finally reaching a decisive stage in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), if the developments that have been happening in the past few days are any indication. Nationalist Congress Party leaders Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar. (Photo by Rahul Raut/HT Photo)

Also Read | Buzz grows over Ajit Pawars next move

It is now almost apparent in political circles that senior party leader Ajit Pawar is keen to go with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has told the party chief and his uncle Sharad Pawar that NCP should join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Ajit has pointed out that he and several other MLAs of the party are facing trouble at the hands of different agencies and want an end to it. Senior Pawar is not in favour of an alliance with the BJP and has reportedly told his nephew that he is free to take his decision. Ajits aides have started getting in touch with most of the partys 54 MLAs to get them on their side. On the other hand, the old guard in the party has largely chosen to be with Pawar and are now working their phones to ensure that the majority of the MLAs do not join Ajit.

Whether Ajit will split the party, defer the move or stay back will be clear in the next few days but these developments have brought the cold war between the uncle and the nephew to a decisive stage.

Also Read | Ajit Pawar and the art of disappearing

In the NCPs hierarchy, Ajit has always been considered as the number two after Pawar. For a long time, the party leaders and the cadre believed that the duo was on the same page when it came to political decisions. The differences first came to the fore in 2010 when the Congress-NCP government in the state saw a change of guard. Following allegations against him in Adarsh controversy, then chief minister Ashok Chavan resigned. Congress chose Prithviraj Chavan as his successor. Though Chhagan Bhujbal was the deputy chief minister, the NCP MLAs raised the demand for a change in the partys leadership in the government and insisted on Ajit Pawar being elected for the post. Though Ajit had more following among the party MLAs, it was for the first time he decided to assert his authority, which clearly did not go down well with his uncle. The tussle intensified in 2019 when Ajit tried to form the government with Devendra Fadnavis even as Pawar was busy cobbling up the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. With the majority of party MLAs sticking to Pawar, Ajits bid failed but he was rehabilitated as deputy chief minister in the MVA government.

However, Pawar then ensured that the leaders loyal to him remained in key positions and that Ajit would not have absolute power in the party. He also consciously gave a bigger role to his daughter and Baramati MP, Supriya Sule, in the partys decision-making process. The tussle could now turn into a war within the NCP, which threatens to split the party. Ajit is trying to get maximum MLAs on his side while his uncle is trying to show him who the boss is. A senior NCP leader, who has seen Pawar for a long time, however, is still trying to avoid a showdown by convincing the latter that it is high time he gives serious thought to Ajits proposal.

Also Read | 'Our connection like Fevicol...': Sena's Sanjay Raut on Ajit Pawar-BJP link

The timing of Shindes mega show

Amid speculations that Ajit Pawar could be joining the BJP camp and may get a significant position in the government, it cannot be a mere coincidence that chief minister Eknath Shindes aides took upon themselves the task of putting up a grand show for the function in which Union home minister Amit Shah conferred Maharashtra Bhushan, state governments award, to spiritual leader Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. Several aides of Shinde were working round the clock to ensure that the function was attended by a huge number of people. Their task was made easier by the followers of Dharmadhikari, who make it a point to attend each and every programme organised by his foundation that works in the social sector. The timing, however, was crucial and so was the presence of Shah. It is believed that the union home minister will soon take a call on the power equations in the Shiv Sena-BJP government.

Kissa kursi ka

The chairs kept for the top leaders addressing the rallies of the MVA became a talking point recently. In the last meeting of the MVA in Sambhaji Nagar on April 2, eyebrows were raised as the chair kept for Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was taller and different from others. The NCP leaders were not amused. While such reports appeared in the media, Ajit Pawar explained that he was told a separate chair with tall backrest was arranged for Thackeray due to his health condition. However, the organisers of Sundays MVA rally at Nagpur were cautious and avoided another controversy. They ensured that all the chairs on the dais were of the same size.

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Mumbai: A 25-year-old biker was killed, while a woman pillion rider sustained severe injuries after a speeding dumper dashed into their vehicle near T-junction at Mankhurd on Sion-Panvel Highway. The driver of the dumper  identified as Dharmendra Singh, 32  fled from the spot but was arrested later. He was coming from Turbhe. Our team reached the hospital and recorded the statement of the woman and registered an FIR, said the police officer. The woman noted down the registration number of the dumper (MH01-DR-1663) and based on that, we managed to arrest Singh. (HT PHOTO)

The deceased, identified as Vipul Bhoir, was an engineering student and resided in Ghatla village, Chembur. As per the police, the incident happened on Saturday night when the duo were returning home after shopping.

As per the police, the 22-year-old pillion rider  also an engineering student and a resident of Chembur  had gone shopping in D-Mart at Vashi and around 8pm met Bhoir, who had given her a lift to drop her home. While returning around 8:30pm, the speeding dumper came from behind and hit Bhoirs bike.

The pillion rider was thrown away from the vehicle and fell on the left side of the road while Bhoir was dragged along with his bike around 25 feet and dashed with a safety wall on the highway, said a police officer.

The woman sustained injuries in her leg while Bhoir started bleeding from his head, he said, adding, The onlookers rushed them to the hospital where Bhoir was declared dead.

Our team reached the hospital and recorded the statement of the woman and registered an FIR, said the police officer. The woman noted down the registration number of the dumper (MH01-DR-1663) and based on that, we managed to arrest Singh.

The Mankhurd police have registered a case under section 304 (a) (causing death due to rash and negligent driving) and other relevant sections of the IPC and motor vehicle act against the dumper driver.

Singh will be produced before the court on Monday, said senior inspector Mahendra Koli of the Mankhurd Police Station.
VARANASI To advance research collaborations and generate awareness about millets and other ancient grains in the wake of the ongoing International Years of Millets 2023, India will table the Millets And Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI) proposal in G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS), which is being organised at Varanasi between April 17 and April 19 by the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The delegates will be taken to Sarnath on April 18. (HT File)

General (Retd) VK Singh, minister of state road transport & highways and civil aviation, Government of India, will address the inaugural session. Addressing a press conference at a hotel, ICAR, Director General and secretary, DARE, Himanshu Pathak, said, The Millets And OtHer Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI) is proposed for deliberations as G20 initiative during India Presidency. MAHARISHI aims at advancing research collaborations and generating awareness about millets and other ancient grains during International Years of Millets 2023 and after.

We will put the MAHARISHI proposal in the G-20 meeting on Monday and are quite hopeful of its approval, said Pathak. About 80 foreign delegates from G20 member states, including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France , Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, the USA, and European Union; Invited guest countries -- Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain UAE, Vietnam; and international organisations such as United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation, World Trade Organisation, International Labour Organisation, FSB, OECD, Chairs of Regional Organisations AU, AUDA-NEPAD, ASEAN and Special Invitees by India -- International Solar Alliance, CDR, and Asian Development Bank -- shall be participating in the three meetings.

DARE Additional Secretary Sajay Garg and other top officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries including Ministry of External Affairs are also attending the meeting. The various issues of agriculture research and development including food security and nutrition, Climate Smart Agriculture, Digital Agriculture, Public Private Partnership etc. will be up for discussion.

Government has made arrangements to give a taste of the unique experience of Indias rich cultural and spiritual heritage to the foreign delegates arriving at Varanasi. The guests were given traditional welcome amid Conch shell blowing and tunes of classical instruments. City has been beautified. From Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport to the City Banaras, the dais was made at different locations with artistes playing drums and shehnai. Adequate arrangements for their security and safety at the Meeting Venue and Hotels of their stay have also been made.

Theme for MACS 2023

The theme of the MACS 2023 is Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and Planet. After inauguration, the subsequent technical sessions include presentations by the experts on various subthemes related to food security and nutrition, resilient agri-food systems, digital agriculture and sustainable agri-food value chain and public-private participation for agricultural R&D, followed by discussion and intervention by the participants.

A dedicated session is planned on MAHARISHI which includes presentations by experts and interventions by all G20 Member States, Guest Countries and International Organisations. On second day, the discussion on MACS Communique will start post-lunch session and the same would conclude on the third day.

The delegates would be taken on a cruise ride to witness the scintillating view of Ganga Aarti on April 17. Thereafter, a welcome dinner and cultural program is organised at Taj Ganga. The welcome dinner shall be attended by General (Dr.) V K Singh (Retd) in the honor of visiting G20 Delegates.

The delegates will be taken to Sarnath on April 18. They will be given a guided tour of ASI Museum and Budha Stupa and also witness the Light and Sound show. Subsequently, the Cultural Performance and Gala Dinner for Delegates is arranged at the serene surroundings of the Budha Theme Park. The delegates will visit Trade Facilitation Centre on April 19 and have the glimpse of textile history of the city along with live demonstrations of the local artisans making their products.
VARANASI A man and his wife and their teen daughter were hacked to death, allegedly by their 20-year-old son, in the Kaptanganj area of Azamgarh, police said on Sunday. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. (HT Photo)

The accused is absconding, said SP Anurag Arya. According to police, accused Rajan Singh, a resident of Dhandhari village in Kaptanganj, allegedly committed the triple murder after being reprimanded by his father a couple of days ago.

Rajan Singh allegedly killed his father Bhanu Pratap Singh (45), mother Sunita Singh (42) and 13-year-old sister Rakhi Singh with an axe when they were sleeping on Saturday night, added the SP. After receiving information about the triple murder, forensic and police teams with sniffer dogs reached the spot.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. SP Arya said that police teams are on the lookout for prime suspect Rajan Singh.

(With inputs from PTI)
The three assailants, who gunned down mafia-politician and former member of Parliament (MP) Atiq Ahmad and his former legislator brother, Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj on Saturday, had been following the duo along with the crowd of media persons right since they were sent on police remand, according to the first information (FIR) report in the case. The FIR said that the three assailants who gunned down Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were nabbed along with weapons from the crime spot itself. (PTI)

The named FIR, a copy of which is with HT, mentions that during interrogation by police about their motive, the three assailants confessed that they killed Atif and Ashraf to wipe out their gang and make a name for themselves in the state by doing so, which would have benefitted them in future.

The FIR was lodged by the station house officer (SHO) of Dhumanganj police station, inspector Rajesh Kumar Maurya. It has named Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit aka Shani (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya Kumar (18) of Kasganj district as the accused.

The FIR states that the trio along with weapons were nabbed from the crime spot itself. It said that the assailants posing as media persons approached Atiq and Ashraf along with other media representatives as the duo was being taken by police to the Motilal Nehru (Colvin) Divisional Hospital for their daily medical examination.

The medical examination was mandated by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) court of Prayagraj while awarding Atiq and Ashraf four-day police remand to the Dhumanganj police in connection with the February 24 murders of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two police guards, in which the duo is among the main named accused.

The Dhumanganj polices FIR said before anyone could react the three assailants opened fire using sophisticated firearms on Atiq and Ashraf from close range.

The FIR has been registered under different sections of IPC (Indian Penal Code) including section 302 (murder), and 307 (attempt to commit murder), besides sections 3 (using prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition), 7 (prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or sale of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition) and 25 (possession or carrying any prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition) and 27 (using any arms or ammunition sans license) of the Arms Act and Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act, said Ashwani Kumar Singh, SHO of Shahganj police station.

According to the FIR, the trio confessed that they failed to gauge the security arrangements in place and therefore could not flee the scene and got caught. They also confessed that they had targeted the two brothers earlier as well but could not succeed due to lack of a right opportunity, the FIR added.

To be sure, a confession or disclosure statement of any person made before a police officer is not admissible as evidence before a court unless it is backed by other evidence. Only a confession before a judge is admissible as evidence against an accused.

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PATNA: As the toll in the Motihari hooch tragedy jumped to 22 on Sunday,the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as partners of the Grand Alliance (GA) in unison criticised the state government over its inability to control hooch tragedies, even as chief minister Nitish Kumar has been defending prohibition and maintaining that such tragedies are occurring due to some unscrupulous elements. Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha called the Motihari hooch tragedy failure of the administration. (ANI)

With the toll expected to mount further, several leaders from the BJP on Sunday reached the affected area.

It is a carnage due to the inability of the administration to check spurious liquor from reaching the people. During the RJD regime, Bihar was infamous for massacres. Now, it is a different kind of carnage and chief minister Nitish Kumar should take moral responsibility for this. The kin of the victims should be given compensation, as it was not their fault. It is the failure of the administration. Had the government learned lessons from the Saran hooch tragedy and taken prompt action, such a situation would not have arisen, said the leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha, who visited the victim families along with senior BJP leaders Radha Mohan Singh and Ram Surat Rai.

Sinhas predecessor and MP Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal said seven of the 24 victims were from his Lok Sabha constituency Bettiah and alleged that the administration reached the home of the victims and threatened their kin to perform last rites immediately. The autopsy of those who died in hospital was also not performed, as the administration has been directed to minimise the toll and its spread. It is strange that the administration tried to propagate diarrhoea theory first, unmindful of the magnitude of the tragedy. How could diarrhoea not affect any woman or children? he asked, attacking Nitish Kumar for silence over another man-made tragedy.

Nitish Kumars ally and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi demanded an all-party meeting to discuss the future course of prohibition, as deaths were consistently taking place. I have been telling that it needs to be reviewed, as spurious liquor is reaching the people. Bihars anti-liquor law has been a major challenge for the government from day one, he said.

Earlier, Manjhi had demanded a review of Bihars liquor policy by following the Gujarats permit model to prevent hooch tragedies.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Bihar also demanded proper treatment for those admitted to hospitals and adequate support for their kin.

Strongly defending prohibition once again, Nitish had earlier said that the hooch tragedies taking place in states without prohibition is a bigger crime. We have been largely successful in prohibition, as it has been established that family bliss has returned due to it and people are happier spending the amount saved on liquor on better food and lifestyle. However, nobody can claim it can be 100%, as there are always some unscrupulous elements into making money at the cost of human lives and resorting to criminal acts, he said while interacting with the media.

The challenge of prohibition stares at the government despite surveys showing overwhelming support for the policy. A number of hooch tragedies, the worst being in Saran last year in which, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), 77 lives had been lost, has raised a question mark over the efficacy of prohibition, which was imposed in the state in April 2016.

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Bakhtiarpur (Patna): Bihar kicked off the second round of its caste-based survey on Saturday, marking the beginning of a crucial exercise that will attempt to successfully enumerate all castes in one of Indias most-populous states for the first time since Independence. Bakhtiyarpur: An enumerator staff receives information from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the second phase of caste census at the state, in Bakhtiyarpur, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI04_15_2023_000123B)(PTI)

The first round of the so-called caste census was conducted between January 7 and 21, when officials listed the households in their respective districts and numbered them. In the second phase, enumerators will document socioeconomic indicators as well as the caste status of roughly 127 million people.

The caste survey that began today is a good exercise. It will give us information about the numbers of every caste, their socioeconomic status, and help us design government programmes better, chief minister Nitish Kumar told reporters after taking part in the survey in his ancestral home in Bakhtiarpur.

He said that the report of the survey will be tabled in the Bihar assembly and then made public. Well also tell the Centreitll be good if there is a caste-based census across the country. Many people have wrong ideas about this.

The second round of the survey will continue till May 15. Around 320,000 enumerators will fan out across the state, documenting the details of 29 million registered households on 17 socioeconomic criteria  ranging from employment, education, marital status, land holding and property ownership  and caste. Enumerators will have to choose between 214 pre-registered castes that have been allotted individual codes. Officials said the data will be recorded on a paper form, and then uploaded on a specially designed app. 50,000 entries had already been filed by 2pm, said Mohammad Sohail, secretary of the general administration department, the nodal body overseeing the exercise.

Counting caste has always been a contentious ask in India. British-era censuses counted caste in minute detail but the last one to enumerate all castes was conducted in 1931. Independent India abolished the practice and subsequent censuses only counted scheduled castes and tribes. Though unofficial estimates exist, especially of the numerical strength of backward groups, there is no official count.

In 2011, the central government announced that alongside the regular census, a socioeconomic and caste census will also be conducted. But the caste data was never made public and the government later told Parliament that methodological infirmities held up an accurate analysis of the data.

Because we are doing it for the first time, we are getting a lot of interest from other states as well. This has been our longstanding demandmany states also want a caste census and we have raised this issue in Parliament as well, Kumar said.

The survey is happening against the backdrop of a political churn in a state considered as the cradle of backward caste assertion. The ruling coalition in Bihar  comprising the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress  hopes to use the caste census to resurrect a new model of social justice politics to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2024 general elections. The BJP has remained cautious on the demand, joining an all-party delegation to back the census but also expressing reservation.

The exercise is also facing legal challenges. On Tuesday, the Patna high court will decide whether a petition filed by an activist  who has challenged the exercise on the grounds that only the Centre can notify a census  is admissible.

In this speech, Kumar also hit out at the Centre for not allowing a national caste count and for delaying the decennial census. This has happened for the first time.

The BJP hit back, with state spokesperson Nikhil Anand saying: After sitting in the lap of RJD, Nitish Kumar is practising the politics of Muslim appeasement and casteism. He has become a desperate contender to become PMhe is fast losing ground under his feet.

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Mexico City, Apr 16 (UNI) At least twenty gunmen attacked visitors at the La Palma swimming resort in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, leaving seven people dead, media report.

The attack occurred in the municipality of Cortazar on Saturday. At least 20 attackers with assault rifles opened fire on people in the recreation area, the Universal newspaper said.

At least seven people (three women, three men and one child) were killed as a result.

The gunmen reportedly took some of the security cameras from the resort with them before fleeing.

UNI/SPUTNIK GNK
Maharashtra has logged a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases and casualties this month. As many as 60% of the Covid-related deaths this year in the state have been reported in the first two weeks of April alone, according to data compiled by the state health department. Maharashtra has logged a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases and casualties this month. (HT FILE PHOTO)

As per the state health department data, as many as 36 out of the total 60 Covid-related deaths since January 1, 2023 were recorded between April 1 and April 15 this year whereas the remaining 24 Covid casualties were reported over a three-month period between January and March, 2023. Although the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths started increasing since the beginning of April, officials claim that most of the deceased were aged and had co-morbidities.

A senior officer from the state health department on condition of anonymity said that the first Covid-related death this year was reported in January after which the number of such deaths remained meagre in February. Later in March, the number of deaths due to Covid gradually began increasing. It is only since the last two weeks of March that the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths started to increase. With more infections, there is a possibility of high-risk people being infected. The number of deaths has increased due to this, the officer said.

Most of the Covid infected cases are asymptomatic or mild symptomatic with few people requiring hospitalisation. The deaths were reported mainly amongst high-risk and elderly patients, the officer added.

In April, Maharashtra logged the highest single-day Covid caseload after a gap of seven months. The state reported over 1,000 fresh Covid-19 cases thrice during the first 15 days of April alone. Reportedly, Maharashtra recorded 1,115 Covid cases on April 12 followed by 1,086 on April 13 and 1,152 on April 14, officials said. The state currently has 6,047 active Covid-19 cases, out of which 740 are in Pune district. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Maharashtra has reported 8,155,189 Covid-19 cases and 148,477 deaths, said state health department officials.

Pune district has reported a total six deaths due to Covid-19 this year, out of which, the first death was reported in January followed by four deaths in March and one death in April. Three deaths were reported in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area; two in Pimpri-Chinchwad; and only one in Pune rural. The Covid-19 patients (one male and five females) who succumbed to the disease were aged between 65 and 89 years, according to officials.

Dr Bhagwan Pawar, health officer of the PMC, said, that though the number of deaths in the state has increased this month, the number remains under control in Pune. All the Covid-19 patients who died were aged and had co-morbidities. This is why health experts and the government always say that the elderly and high-risk people should take precautions. Taking booster doses also has an added benefit but unfortunately, with the lull in cases in the interim, the response to the booster dose too fell. Still, people in the high-risk category must follow Covid-appropriate behaver and be cautious, Dr Pawar said.
Pune: Villagers draw fire lines as a precaution to avert forest fire at Sakhargaon village in Velhe tehsil in Pune. (HT PHOTO)

In the last week of March, a forest fire was observed in Sakhargaon village in Velhe tehsil, which is part of northern Western Ghats. Immediately, some youths in the area who had previously undergone training to tackle the situation doused the fire, which otherwise would have caused significant damage to the environment.

The fire issue was brought under control rather quickly as a result of their quick response.

The training offered by the forest department and Raintree Foundation, a non-profit organisation, as part of the forest fire management project, made this feasible. As part of this effort, almost 200 villagers from nine villages have gotten training in the last year.

Forest fires are one of the most serious threats to the Western Ghats rich biodiversity. The Bhor forest range experienced six significant forest fires between March and April 2022, according to the Forest Survey of Indias real-time Forest Fire monitoring statistics. This year, the number of forest fires has been reduced to two between March and April 15.

According to forest experts, the majority of forest fires are caused by human mistakes, with misconceptions about agricultural practices frequently causing forest fires. The Western Ghats are similarly vulnerable to forest fires, according to a 2017 Forest Survey of India assessment.

To address this issue, the Pune Forest Department has been educating villages about the value of forests, their ecosystem, and how they can safeguard forests by preventing forest fires.

With the assistance of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dedicated to biodiversity conservation, the department launched a forest fire management effort.

Over the previous two years, more than 200 residents from nine villages have been educated to prevent and control forest fires.

Speaking about the initiative Manoj Mahajan, forest Forest Conservator from Bhor Forest range said, The early response is very important in case of a forest fire. The Forest department is effectively doing forest fire control work in the forest area. However, it has limits due to a lack of public participation. Forest fire management efforts can be done more efficiently with increased public participation. With the assistance of the Raintree Foundation, we are now trying to raise awareness about forest fire management in nine villages. Due to awareness and response from the villagers, the number of forest fires has reduced this year.

Nowadays people realise the importance of the environment surrounding our village. They learned that forest conservation is our moral responsibility and that forest fires can be avoided if they can be more careful while burning the grass in their fields. Thanks to efforts done by the forest department and the NGO team, many changes have been seen in the village, said Satyawan Renuse, sarpanch, Meravane-Fanshi village.

Rahul Walgude, head, Gunjan Maval Durg Rakshak Sangh, Velhe Tehsil, said, Earlier the forest surrounding our village often suffered from forest fires. It has destroyed rare medicinal plants, animals, and insect species over the years. The forest and NGO team made us realise the importance of this ecology and how it may impact us in future if not conserved properly. Ive seen a shift in the last two years, and many young people like me are stepping forward to conserve the forest and biodiversity here.

Velhe, in the Northern Western Ghats, is a biodiversity hotspot as well as a UNESCO world heritage site, making it an important landscape for the foundation.

Upon beginning work in this region four years ago, we found that human activity caused by forest fires was rampantly prevalent. It took a lot of effort over many years to change the communitys mindset through workshops, lectures, campaigns, and grassroots communication with the help of the forest department. This year, however, the community has become more willing to learn and be trained on preventing forest fires, Leena Dandekar, founder of the Raintree Foundation said.
Deliciousness returned to the bylanes of the city as Muslims in the city observed the month-long Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk. As the holy month enters its last leg, with just a few days left for Eid-ul-Fitr, Hindustan Times went on an Iftar trail to Camp, Mominpura, Yerawada, Nana Peth and Kondhwa where twinkling lights and the waft of Ramadan special food greet you with open arms. Ramadan delicacies in Kasuarbaug in Pune. (HT PHOTO)

This year, people across all communities were seen making a beeline to Kausarbaug in Kondhwa which has become the traditional Muslim food bastion in recent times. Visitors going to Kausarbaug for dinner usually tour the iconic Kausar Baug Mosque and take selfies against the soaring minaret before they depart to gorge onto Ramadan delicacies.

From vegetarian and non-vegetarian starters including samosas, cutlets, to delicacies like dal cha, haleem and various types of biryanis to special sweets like malpaua and falooda, residents throng in large numbers to stalls that are open all night in these areas.

Anis Somjees Supreme in Kausarbaug had over 25 people waiting to get a table. Easily, the most popular spot in the city, Supreme serves traditional Muslim delicacies. The restaurant thrives on the food being flavourful and hygienic. We opened our restaurant this year and have received a good response. People start coming during Iftar and we are open till Sehri. We are known for our taste, quality, quantity and hygienic environment along with great customer service. People from across all communities come and relish our food. Non-veg starters, dalcha and sweets like rabdi gulab jamun are among the most popular dishes. said Anis Somjee, the owner of the place.

Shalimar Caterers is another popular joint in Kausarbaug where Lucknowi Pulao and seekh sell like hot cakes.

Proprietor Nusrat Shaikh said, We have been getting unprecedented response from people who come to relish special Ramadan food like Bakra raan, chicken samosas, malai seekh and Haleem. Our customers come from all over the city and even different parts of the state to enjoy the food. We are happy that business is good as there is no Covid-19 impact.

Apart from Kausarbaug, the area around Shivaji Market, Sachapir Street, East Street, MG road, Azam Campus is dotted with many food stalls serving faluda, special mango ice cream, kebabs, phirnis and other non-vegetarian dishes.

Businessman Ikram Khan said, Ramdan food is one of the biggest factors that brings about cultural unification among all communities.Also through Iftars, we aim at uniting all the citizens and promote love, peace and brotherhood.

The holy month ends on Eid-ul-Fitr, which will be celebrated on April 22, with special congregational prayers where Muslims greet each other and rejoice with the favourite Sheer Khurma (sweet milk drink ).
Pune: The interrogation lasted several hours and after questioning, the accused was released. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

A team of the Special Task Force (STF) from Delhi Police landed in Nashik on Saturday in search of a man suspected to be linked with gangster Guddu Muslim. The STF team, has been tracking leads and conducting raids at numerous hotels and resorts in Nashiks Ambad area.

The man questioned by police works in a hotel in the Ambad MIDC area, said officials from Nashik Police unit.

According to officials, one of the main suspects in Delhi police custody had contacted Nashik based man. Technical analysis proved that there were calls between them and hence by tracing calls, STF started investigation and initiated searches at various places in and around Nashik.

As soon as they arrived in Nashik, the STF team conducted searches at multiple hotels and lodges in the city. After extensive search and interrogations, they questioned a person to probe if he knows about Guddu Muslim whose name was the last thing Atiq Ashraf uttered before he along with Atiq Ahmad were shot dead on Saturday at Prayagraj. Like Atiq, his brother Ashraf and son Asad, Guddu Muslim is also accused of the Umesh Pal murder case.

The interrogation lasted several hours and after questioning, the man was released.

Yes, a team of special cell from Delhi Police conducted search operations in the jurisdiction of Ambad police station, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Chandrakant Khandvi.

They were hunting for a man who had been in touch with one of the main suspect. There were no arrests made in connection with this. They searched the Welcome Hotel and surrounding area, questioned a man, and then left.
Indian Army will begin the Agniveer Computer-Based Written Examination (Online CEE) tomorrow, April 17. Candidates will be able to download the hall ticket from the official website at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. Indian Army Agniveer Admit Card 2023 out at joinindianarmy.nic.in, link here

The Online Computer-Based Written Examination will end on April 26. candidates can check the detailed schedule of the examination here.The

The selection process will comprise two phases. Phase I will consist of the Online Common Entrance Examination at Computer Based Test Centers located throughout India, and Phase II will consist of the Recruitment Rally by AROs at the Rally Venue.

Here's the direct link to download the admit card

Indian Army Agniveer exam admit card: How to download

Visit the official site of the Indian Army at joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Click on the login link for Agniveer available on the home page.

Key in your login credentials

Click on submit and your admit card will be displayed on the screen.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.
Demon Slayer Season 3 has been long-awaited by fans all around the world, and now it is finally available on Netflix in several countries. The anime series has taken the world by storm with its captivating storyline, breathtaking animation, and lovable characters. The theatrical screenings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc are part of the World Tour Screenings.(Ufotable)

In which countries is Demon Slayer available on Netflix?

The availability of Demon Slayer Season 3 on Netflix is great news for fans who have been waiting eagerly for its release. Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc episodes are available on Netflix just a few hours after their release in Japan.

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Canada

Colombia

Czech Republic

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Israel

Italy

Japan

Lithuania

Malaysia

Mexico

Philippines

Poland

Romania

Russia

Singapore

Slovakia

South Africa

South Korea

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States

Fans who are not living in these countries can either catch the Demon Slayer Season 3 on Crunchyroll or use VPN. (Also Read: Meet the Upper Moon Demons: The fearsome foes of Demon Slayer Season 3)

Get Ready for Action-Packed Adventures: Demon Slayer Season 3 on Netflix

The third season of Demon Slayer picks up where the second season left off and promises to be an exciting and action-packed ride. Fans can now catch up on all the latest episodes and follow the journey of Tanjiro Kamado and his friends as they battle the Upper Moon demons. (Also Read: Tanjiro's shocking connection to Upper Moon 1 revealed in Demon Slayer Season 3)

Get Ready for Action-Packed Adventures: Demon Slayer Season 3 on Netflix

The addition of Demon Slayer Season 3 to Netflix's library of anime titles is a testament to the show's popularity and success. It is a great opportunity for new viewers to discover this phenomenal series and join the fandom.

Join the Fandom: Discover the World of Demon Slayer Season 3 on Netflix

As Demon Slayer Season 3 continues to captivate audiences with its stunning visuals and engaging storyline, fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures from Tanjiro and his friends. With its availability on Netflix, viewers from around the world can now immerse themselves in the world of Demon Slayer and experience the magic of this beloved anime.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Episode 2 starts with Mash Burndead waiting for the entrance exam to begin, showing off his muscles and sitting in an air chair. Meanwhile, his friends Brad and Regro follow him, trying to act like they are not there. When the arrogant and snotty instructor, Claude, arrives, Mash calls out how ridiculous everything is, making him an unsuitable student for a magic school. Although Mashle is not particularly well animated and does not have the best soundtrack, the show is goofy fun that doesn't make much sense, and that is okay.(A-1 Pictures)

Meet Lemon: the unexpected ally in Mash's magical journey

However, Mash meets the female lead, Lemon, a cute girl out to get in because her family is poor. She appears underhanded at first, but she helps Mash when he gets bullied and almost leaves the school. When they arrive at the academy, Mash is rooming with Finn, who wants nothing to do with Mash because he sees him as nothing but trouble.

Meet Lemon: the unexpected ally in Mash's magical journey

Although Mashle is not particularly well animated and does not have the best soundtrack, the show is goofy fun that doesn't make much sense, and that is okay. Not everything has to be high art or have meaning and progression to have value. Mashle exists to make you smile a little every few seconds, and it does that job admirably for the first two episodes. (Also Read: Mashle: Magic and Muscles Episode 1: Is it worth the watch?.)

Lacking in subtlety, Mash's character is aware of his limitations and is resourceful in finding solutions beyond his own abilities by utilizing his existing skills. He tends to rely on physical strength to overcome obstacles, but his interactions with other characters keep his persona from becoming one-dimensional.

Brad and Regro: the comedic duo with heart in Mashle

Mashle's secondary characters are just as important as the protagonist. Brad and Regro's presence is often used for comic relief, but they also help Mash navigate the school and offer support when he needs it.

Mashle's goofy charm and distinctive animation style in Episode 2

The show's animation quality is not a strong point, but the character design and animation style are suitable for the show's tone. Mash's exaggerated muscles and Lemon's cute and innocent appearance are distinctive and memorable. The show's soundtrack is also not outstanding, but the opening theme, "Burn the Witch" by Fate/Grand Order, is catchy and fits the show's tone. (Also Read: Get ready for Mashle: Magic and Muscles - Premiere details & preview images inside)

Mashle: Magic and Muscles Episode 2 is a fun, goofy show that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's not high art, but it doesn't need to be. Mash's straightforward personality and muscles provide humour, and Lemon's introduction adds depth to the show.
Joe Russo, along with his brother Anthony Russo, has directed several big Hollywood films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and The Gray Man. The filmmaker was attending the Sands International Film Festival in Scotland where he spoke about his upcoming series Citadel with Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden as well as other future projects. He spoke about backing other industries around the world, including Bollywood, to give them a wider reach. He singled out SS Rajamouli's RRR for getting the movie fans excited by its storytelling around the world. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song for the Telugu hit Naatu Naatu. (Also read: Russo Brothers say honoured to meet great SS Rajamouli, he responds: 'Looking forward to learn a bit of your craft') Director Joe Russo's next project Citadel will also feature an Indian version. (IANS)

Prime Video's Citadel is going to be adapted for Italian and Indian audiences as well. The Indian version of Citadel will be helmed by filmmaking duo, Raj and DK, with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu taking on the lead roles. While the original Citadel will premiere on April 28, the Indian version is currently under production.

When asked what the best version of Hollywood looks like, Joe Russo said it should get more international and pointed out Bollywood as an example. He told Hollywood trade website Deadline, "Certainly a more diverse version and one thats more international. Bollywood, for instance, is one of the more significant film businesses in the world but it has extremely minimal exposure outside of India. Thank God for movies like RRR, using a level of technical genius, visual effects, and mythological storytelling to appeal to a much wider audience. We learn about other cultures from movies like that. So, I guess, our goal would be empowerment. We want to support other markets as much as possible so their stories can get through in a broader way."

Joe has worked with Indian artistes before in the films Extraction and The Gray Man. The former starred Randeep Hooda, Pankaj Tripathi and Priyanshu Painyuli, while the director cast Tamil star Dhanush in The Gray Man. The filmmakers have also hinted that Dhanush's character, an assassin named Avik San, could return in the sequel of The Gray Man.

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Palak Tiwari will soon be making her acting debut with Salman Khan's Kis Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. The actor's fans, however, were quite disappointed when they could spot her in the film's recently-released trailer. Palak maintains that the film solely belongs to lead star Salman Khan and that no one will be coming to the theatres to watch her. (Also read: Palak Tiwari reacts to Ibrahim Ali Khan dating rumours: 'Love can never be calculated or predicted') Palak Tiwari has spoken about not appearing in the trailer for Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is helmed by Farhad Samji and also stars Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh Daggubati, Jagapathi Babu, Bhumika Chawla, Vijender Singh, Abhimanyu Singh, Raghav Juyal, Siddharth Nigam, Jassie Gill, Shehnaaz Gill and Vinali Bhatnagar in pivotal roles. The film is all set to hit the theatres on April 21, 2023.

In a new interview with Connect FM Canada, Palak was asked about her absence from the trailer. With this movie, I was just happy to be there. If Im being very frank, with this movie, mujhe pata tha mujhe dekhne koi nahi aa raha hai (nobody is going to watch this movie because of me). Mera hona ya na hona koi difference nahi bana raha (me being in the movie or not makes no difference), in the sense, it is a Salman Khan film. And he said from the start, and this is true, the casting in this movie has been done because we really do fit these characters. For the first time in my life, as a budding actor, it was tough, but this is the most selfless I have been. Ive just wanted to contribute to the movie, instead of thinking how I can stand out. All of our goals was to fit in and blend in seamlessly

In a recent interview, Palak spoke about working with Salman as an assistant director on Antim. She also shared that Salman had a dress code for the women on his film sets, where in they weren't allowed to wear low necklines. Palak later said in a statement that her words were misunderstood.

Its really been misunderstood. All I wanted to say is that I have put certain guidelines for myself as to how to dress around people who are way senior to me, who have I pretty much grown up idolising. Salman sir is of course one of them," she said.

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Actor Rani Mukerji recently attended fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's new store opening in Mumbai. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra posted several pictures giving a glimpse inside Sabyasachi's store. (Also Read | Rani Mukerji and Bhumi Pednekar hug each other at Mumbai event) Rani Mukerji with Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Bibhu Mohapatra.

In the first photo, Rani posed with Sabyasachi and Bibhu. For the occasion, Rani wore a printed saree and blouse. She also carried a bag. While Sabyasachi opted for a white ensemble, Bibhu was seen in a blue and grey outfit.

Bibhu posted pictures of several guests at the event including Shobhaa De, and Bobby Beard among many others. He also posted pictures giving a peek inside the decor of the store. Bibhu posed with several guests for pictures.

He captioned the post, "The beautiful world of Sabya. Massive congratulations my friend @sabyasachiofficial on the opening of your spectacular Mumbai flagship. You are a beautiful dreamer and thank you for weaving us all into that. And, what a wonderful reunion of friends to cheer you on with!!" He also added the hashtags--Sabyasachi, Mumbai, Colaba and India.

Fans saw Rani recently in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, in which she essays the role of a mother battling the state for her kids. The film is based on Sagarika Chakaraborty's book The Journey of a Mother. Helmed by Ashima Chibber, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway also stars Neena Gupta, Jim Sarbh and Anirban Bhattacharya among others. It hit the theatres on March 17.

Talking about the film, Rani said, as quoted by news agency ANI, I have given it my all to bring Sagarika's daunting struggle of getting her kids back on celluloid. I have seen how my mom, a Bengali mother, is fiercely protective of her children and I saw the same traits in Sagarika when I learnt about her life story.

Rani also added, "So, two Bengali moms have actually inspired me to play this role and I'm so proud that it is resonating with people, especially mothers, across India. If I have made Bengalis living across the world proud by my portrayal of a courageous mother in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway as well as through my career choices so far, that's enough reward for me to keep acting and keep pushing the boundaries as an artiste."

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Fire Service Personnel attend variety of courses at The Fire Service College

The Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service personnel have been busy over the past couple of months, with personnel engaged in a wide variety of courses.

These have ranged from Incident Command, at Silver/Tactical and Gold/Strategic levels for Officers, to maintenance of the all-important Compartment Fire Behaviour skills for firefighters.

Advanced Tactical Incident Command  ICL3

Station Officers Jared Olivero and Kevagn Estella recently completed the Advanced Tactical Incident Command course (ICL 3) at the Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK.

Building on previous levels of Incident Command, this course provides the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform as an Advanced Tactical Incident Commander, focusing on tactical command and coordination at larger, more serious incidents, including working in a Multi-Agency environment.

Compartment Fire Behaviour Refresher Training

As we gradually pick up momentum following the pandemic, the GFRS were once again able to engage with the Fire Service College for the provision of this 2-day, bespoke Compartment Fire Behaviour Refresher Course. The course conforms to recommended industry best practice, for the maintenance of competence for Breathing Apparatus wearers.

Personnel were put through their paces in this vital discipline, providing the opportunity to sharpen skills in state-of-the-art facilities, including creating awareness in identifying and understanding fire conditions and flow paths, thus applying appropriate ventilation and water application techniques.

Multi Agency Gold Incident Command Course

Divisional Officer Edgar Ramirez also completed the Multi Agency Gold Incident Command Course, at the Fire Service College.

Designed to develop the Gold Commanders ability to make decisions and work within a multi- agency team, this Tri-Service venture, between the College of Policing (CoP), the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), is aimed at Category 1 responders from blue light services and partner agencies.
Oscar Winner and U.S. actor Jamie Foxx is recovering following a medical complication after he was hospitalised in Atlanta, where he was filming a new comedy with actress Cameron Diaz for Netflix. Jamie Foxx attends the premiere of the film "Creed III" in London, Britain February 15, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls(REUTERS)

Also Read : LeBron James and Jennifer Hudson share heartfelt wishes for 'ailing' Jamie Foxx

So what really happened to Hollywood star, Jamie Foxx?

On April 12 Jamie Foxx's daughter Corinne Foxx issued a statement on her Instagram. We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday, the statement read. Luckily, due to quick action and care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.

According to a report by TMZ, Foxx experienced a medical emergency, on Tuesday morning, April 10 and was rushed to the hospital immediately. Even though no official statement has been made on the exact details of the medical emergency his condition was serious enough that his family was asked to come by his side immediately. After 6 days in medical care, it is being reported that he is communicating and thats a good news'.

In the past Foxx has admitted to substance abuse as well, When [Kanye] talked about the drugs, the mental drugs, Ive had an episode of that, he said in a 2018 interview with Hip Hop Hollywood, . When [Kanye] was talking about the, I went in for two pills, and then seven pills [he received from the hospital], thats real!

CNN quoted a source confirming, the medical incident didn't happen in Atlanta, Georgia where Foxx was filming the Netflix movie, Back in Action.

Weeks before the incident he allegedly had a breakdown on set after which the film had to be halted and four people fired. There have been some issues on set and Jamie has had a major meltdown over it all, the insider told The Sun He demanded the problems be sorted immediately and sacked four of the production staff  as if that would magically improve the situation. The source added: Some people working on it are totally fed up with how this has played out and Jamie has become pretty unpopular.

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The Met Gala is one of the most highly anticipated fashion events of the year, with A-list celebrities and fashion icons coming together to showcase their stylish looks on the red carpet. However, this year's event is raising eyebrows for different reasons. According to Page Six, ticket prices have been increased from $30,000 to a whopping $50,000. This sudden price hike is sure to make it difficult for many to attend, even for some celebrities. Blake Lively and husband Canadian-US actor Ryan Reynolds arrive for the 2022 Met Gala. (AFP)(AFP)

This year's Met Gala theme  Honouring Karl Lagerfeld

In addition to the hefty price tag, this year's theme is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. " While the theme seems fitting to honour the late designer, it is also very specific and could make it challenging for some designers to come up with the right look. Many have also expressed their displeasure with the theme, and it remains to be seen how designers will interpret it.

Fans react to the price hike  Social media influencers uninvited?

Fans on Twitter have had mixed reactions to the news, with some expressing shock and others poking fun at the expense. Some have joked that social media influencers may not be able to attend this year's event, given the steep price increase. However, it's important to note that the Met Gala is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the high ticket prices go towards supporting the institution's exhibitions and acquisitions.

The Met Gala's exclusive guest list  What to expect on the red carpet

The Met Gala has always been known for its extravagant fashion and star-studded guest list, and this year's event promises to be no different. However, the price increase and specific theme may lead to a more exclusive guest list and more selective fashion choices. It remains to be seen who will make the cut and what looks will be showcased on the red carpet, but one thing is for sure: the Met Gala is sure to make headlines once again.

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The concluding part of the film adaptation of classic Tamil novel, Ponniyin Selvan, hits theatres later this April. The film's stars headed out together on a chartered plane as they arrived in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to promote it. Vikram, who plays Aditha Karikalan, the prince of the Cholas, posted a picture with a few of the other cast members including Trisha Krishan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi and Aishwarya Lekshmi as they landed at the airport. (Also read: Ponniyin Selvan 2 trailer: Aishwarya Rai reigns supreme once again as Nandini who seeks revenge from Cholas. Watch) The actors of the Mani Ratnam film travelled together for the film promotions in Tamil Nadu ahead of Ponniyin Selvan 2's release.

On Twitter, the 'Chola' gang looked quite different in their modern avatars. A slim Vikram is almost unrecognisable as he had his hair up in a bun and was sporting a long beard. The actor was wearing an all-white shirt and pants. Trisha Krishan had donned a sea green dress, while Aishwarya Lekshmi posed on the airplane steps in a pink floral dress. Karthi had on a maroon flannel shirt with a white T-shirt and jeans, while Jayam Ravi wore a blue polo shirt and jeans.

The actor added the hashtag, the Cholas are back, to the group photo. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has a double role in the film, was not present with the group for the promotions. Fans reacted positively to the cast picture and also praised Vikram for his new look. One fan wrote, "Leaner meaner stronger." While another shared, "Chiyaan looking super fit and reduced huge amount of weight n his dedication to the movies are always awesome."

Directed by Mani Ratnam, the first part of the epic historical saga was released theatrically on 30 September 2022. It went on to earn over 500 crore (around $63 million) and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022. Besides the Chola gang, PS - 2 also stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Prabhu, R Sarathkumar, Vikram Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Rahman, R Parthiban and Lal.

The music for the film is composed by Mani's long-time collaborator AR Rahman. The screenplay has been written by Mani, B Jeyamohan and Elango Kumaravel. In the second part of the film, which releases on April 28, Arulmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) sets out on a path to become Rajaraja I, the famed ruler of the Cholas, and fulfill his destiny. Aishwarya as Nandini, Queen of Pazhuvoor seeks to exact revenge on Vikram's Aditha Karikalan.

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The Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony on Sunday in Navi Mumbai turned fatal for at least 11 people who died of heatstroke after standing in the sun for hours. About 125 people who attended the ceremony complained of exhaustion, chest pain etc. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reached the Kamothe Hospital where the patients were taken for treatment and reviewed the situation. Shinde announced 5 lakh relief to the family of the deceased. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is also likely to visit the hospital. At Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2022, followers of Nirupankar' Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari standing in the scorching hear in Navi Mumbai(PTI)

The function was held in a large open ground at Navi Mumbai's Kharghar between 11.30am to 1.30pm to felicitate social worker Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, also known as Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. Lakhs of his followers attended the event. After standing under the sun during the peak daytime, many complained of illness and were sent to the hospital for treatment where at least eight of the followers died.

Shinde termed the deaths 'very unfortunate' and said the expenses of the treatment will be borne by the state government. The Chief Minister also directed officials to shift patients to specialised hospitals if they needed additional treatment.

The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

"Lakhs of people had come for the event and it went well. It is painful to see some of them suffer. It is a very unfortunate situation which is very painful for me," Shinde said.

"It is very unfortunate and painful that some members participating in the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony this morning died due to heatstroke. I offer my heartfelt tributes to these seekers. We share in the grief of their families," deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai held a meeting at 5 PM at the party's office on Sunday fearing the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi excise policy case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses a press conference just before his CBI visit for questioning.(PTI)

News agency ANI reported that AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi, Deputy Mayor Aale Iqbal and other office bearers and party leaders were present at the meeting.

Kejriwal was summoned for questioning by the CBI on Sunday morning. Since the Delhi Chief Minister entered the CBI office, AAP leaders and party workers have taken to the streets of Delhi to protest against CBI summons in the case.

Follow live updates for Arvind Kejriwal's questioning

Many party leaders who were protesting outside CBI office including Bhagwant Mann, Atishi, Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh were detained by the Delhi Police. Several party workers from across the national capital were also detained.

As reported by ANI, Raghav Chadha said, "BJP suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwal's fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail."

AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26 by the CBI and is currently under investigation by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Former AAP Minister Satyendar Jain was arrested by the ED in May 2022 in a money laundering case.

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Aiming at a united opposition ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dialled Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal after he received the CBI summons in connection with the liquor policy case. Though the AAP and the Congress are at loggerheads, Kharge reportedly expressed solidarity with Kejriwal before he was questioned by the CBI. However, Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken struck a discordant note and said people like Kejriwal should not be shown any sympathy or support. Read | Kejriwal quizzed for 9 hours by CBI in liquor case; They asked me 56 questions Ajay Maken said AAP's corruption money are used against Congress and so there should be no sympathy or support to Kejriwal.

In a long post on Twitter, Maken revisited Kejriwal's political journey, how he dissolved his 40-day government in 2014 etc.

"I believe that individuals like Kejriwal and his associates who face serious corruption charges should not be shown any sympathy or support.The allegations of LiquorGate and GheeGate must be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty should be punished," Maken wrote.

In a veiled message to the party president, Maken wrote that all political leaders, including those from the Congress, must recognise that 'money gained through corrupt means by Kejriwal has been used against the Congress Party in several states, including Punjab, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi'.

"Kejriwal founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2013 with the aim of fighting corruption, following the Anna Hazare movement. The party promised to enact the Lokpal bill, which was viewed by the opposition parties as a solution to corruption in the Congress Party. However, Kejriwal dissolved his own government in February 2014, just 40 days after coming to power, demanding a strong Lokpal bill, which was later made public," Maken wrote.

"Despite this, in December 2015, Kejriwal introduced a watered-down version of the Lokpal Bill that differed greatly from the original bill proposed in 2014. This exposes the true character and intentions of Kejriwal. The original bill, which formed the basis for dissolving his 40-day government, has yet to be implemented. Since 2015, Kejriwal and his party have failed to push for a stronger Lokpal bill. Instead, they have become known for their protests, marches, and counter-allegations only seeking more power. Now that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Kejriwal, a stronger Lokpal bill istead, could have investigated the GheeGate allegations," Ajay Maken wrote.

Making an appeal to advocates of the Congress, Maken said they shoul not represent Kejriwal or his government in court.

"While it is within their professional realm to represent anyone, doing so for Kejriwal's government and associates sends the wrong message to our cadres and confuses them. It ultimately benefits the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by dividing Congress Party votes," Ajay Maken wrote

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A tweet by BJP spokesperson Tajinder Bagga is doing the rounds on the internet after the death of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad. After Atiq's killing, Bagga reiterated his claim of how he had already warned about the incident in his pevious tweet. Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad shot down by people disguised as mediapersons on Saturday.(PTI)

I already warned. Next time media shouldn't be allowed with Gangsters, he said.

In a tweet put out by him earlier, Bagga had said that the media should not be entertained near gangsters like Atiq Ahmad as in the future any gangster disguised as media professional can shoot them down.

Soon after the killing of Atiq and his brother Ashraf Bagga reiterated his claim.

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot down by three people, Lovelesh, Sunny and Arun who posed as media persons. The assailants were heard chanting "Jai Shri Ram" during the attack. They were apprehended immediately by the UP police.

The shooting occurred around 10 pm while Atiq and Ashraf were surrounded by the police and were being brought to Prayagraj in connection with the investigation in Umesh Pal murder case. Atiq Ahmad was shot dead on the same day his son Asad Ahmad was killed in an alleged encounter with UP police.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested Y S Bhaskar Reddy, uncle of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, in connection with the alleged murder of his another uncle and former member of Parliament (MP) Y S Vivekananda Reddy. Bhaskar Reddys son and Kadappa MP, Y S Avinash Reddy is said to be the main accused in the case. Y S Bhaskar Reddy. (File Photo)

Vivekananda Reddy, a former member of the Lok Sabha and the state assembly, was found dead at his residence on the intervening night of March14-15, 2019. The CBI in an affidavit submitted in the Telangana high court hinted at the involvement of Bhaskar Reddy in the murder saying that he knew what his son had done for gaining political power.

On Friday, the CBI arrested Avinash Reddys close associate Gajjala Uday Kumar Reddy alias Uday, who the agency suspects to have played a key role in destruction of vital evidence in the murder, three months after the Supreme Court asked the Telangana high court to reconsider the default bail granted to him.

An official privy to the development said that the CBI sleuths picked up Uday from the residence of his father at Pulivendula and took him to Hyderabad, where he was arrested. The CBI officer said Bhaskar Reddy was arrested on the basis of Udays statement that he knew about the killing.

In its 38-page affidavit filed before the Telangana high court on February 22, a copy of which was reviewed by HT, the CBI mentioned the name of Uday quite a few times saying he, in association with Avinash Reddy, played a role in erasing the evidence in Vivekananda Reddys murder.

The affidavit says the investigating agency had made use of the Google takeout technology to track the movement of the suspects including Avinash Reddy and Uday on the day of the murder.

It said the forensic analysis of Google takeout carried out by the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFSL), New Delhi, had revealed that Uday was present at the house of Avinash Reddy at 6.25am on the day of murder. The location of his mobile phone revealed that he was present inside the house of Vivekananda Reddy between 6.29am and 6.31am, the affidavit said.

The CBI said that Avinash Reddy, along with his aides Devineni Siva Shankar Reddy, Uday Kumar Reddy and others, after finding Vivekananda Reddy in a pool of blood in the bathroom, tried to float the theory that the former MP had died of a heart attack and heavy blood vomiting.

Later, they got the entire premises cleaned. Cotton and bandages were arranged and applied to hide the grievous injuries on the body of Vivekananda Reddy, which was later shifted to the government hospital, Pulivendula in an ambulance, the affidavit said.

The CBI questioned Uday a few times in the past on the suspicion of destruction of evidence at the scene of crime. However, on January 27, 2022, he lodged a complaint with the Kadapa police against the investigating officer of the CBI saying that the latter was harassing him. The CBI challenged this complaint in the Andhra Pradesh high court, which stayed the case against the investigating officer, the affidavit said.

The CBI suspected that Avinash Reddy, with the help of Bhaskar Reddy had conspired to eliminate Vivekananda Reddy who they felt was a hurdle in his political growth.

Avinash Reddy, who was questioned by the CBI four times in the last two months, moved the Telangana high court challenging the CBIs affidavit and seeking an anticipatory bail.

He said the CBI was trying to falsely implicate him in the case based on a confessional statement of Sheik Dastagiri, who had earlier worked as a driver of Vivekananda Reddy and was one of the four who allegedly executed the murder. Dastargiri turned an approver in the case in 2021.

Appearing for Avinash Reddy, senior counsel T Niranjan Reddy told the court on Thursday that the CBI was giving undue importance to Dastagiri and the trial court should not have relied on his deposition because he was part of the killer gang.

CBI counsel N Nagendran, however, told the court that Dastagiris confessional statement was not its only evidence. He said granting pardon to anyone was trial courts decision. The case has been posted to April 17 for further hearing.

The CBI had filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022.
The three killers of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were sent to 14-day judicial custody by remand magistrate, Prayagraj on Sunday. The shooters - identified as Sunny Singh, Lavlesh Tiwari, and Arun Maurya - were produced before the court earlier in the day. Uttar Pradesh Police release pictures of 3 assailants .

Also read: Atiq Ahmad's killers shouted Jai Shri Ram; identified: What we know

Meanwhile, Atiq's and Ashraf's bodies have been brought to Kasari Masari graveyard - their native village located in the old city area of Prayagraj - where they will be buried. Notably, Atiq's son Asad - who was killed in an encounter with the UP STF in Jhansi on April 13 - was buried at the same place on Saturday.

The Ahmad brothers were killed on Saturday night around 10 pm when they were being taken for a medical examination as a mandatory legal requirement in Prayagraj. The three assailants posed as journalists, and shot Atiq and Ashraf at point-blank range in full view of camera crews. They were even surrounded by police when the incident took place. The shooters immediately surrendered after the killing and were arrested.

Also read: Who is Guddu Muslim whose name was the last thing Atiq, Ashraf uttered?

Following the incident, internet services were suspended in the old Prayagraj area and Section 144 of CrPc was imposed in the entire state of Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier in the day, the UP government formed a three-member judicial committee to probe the killing of Ahmad brothers. The commission will be headed by Allahabad high court judge (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, and will include two other members - retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh.
Gangster Atiq Ahmad killed in a cold-blooded shootout on Saturday night was buried at Kasari Masari graveyard in the old city area of Prayagraj where his son Asad Ahmad was laid to rest on Saturday. It is the graveyard where all their predecessors were buried. Atiq was not allowed to attend the last rites of his son. In the evening he was killed while he was in police custody. Atiq Ahmad was killed along with his brother Ashraf in a shootout on Saturday

Atiq Ahmad killing: Follow live updates

Here are the latest updates:

1. A three-member judicial enquiry committee will probe the murder of Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf and will submit a report to the government in two months.

2. Lavlesh Tiwari, Mohit alias Sunny and Arun Maurya -- the three killers have been sent to 14-day judicial custody. Police said they wanted to make a name in Uttar Pradesh's crime world after eliminating the Atiq gang.

3. According to the FIR of the shootout case, Atiq Ahmad admitted to the police to having links with Pakistan's ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

4. Atiq said the weapons taken from ISI and LeT were used in the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal and two policemen in February this year.

5. Security has been stepped up outside the residence of Umesh Pal in Prayagraj

6. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to prevent any untoward incident.

7. Internet services are still shut down in Prayagraj district as part of the security measures.

8. Police said the attackers used made-in-Turkey pistol to kill Atiq and Ashraf.

Attackers had mike, identity cards, Turkey-made weapons: What Police said

According to the statement issued by Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar, the attackers used made-in-Turkiye pistols and fired indiscriminately from point-blank range on the two brothers.

"At about 10.30 pm both Atiq and Ashraf were being taken for a health examination Motilal Nehru Regional Hospital in Shahganj area, where mediapersons were persistently trying to take bite of the two," the Special DG (Law and Order) said in the statement.

"The mediapersons were breaking the security cordon to reach to the accused (Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf) for taking their bites. In this sequence, both Atiq and Ashraf were giving bites to the media and they were escorted (by the police). Meanwhile, from the crowd of media, three mediapersons with video camera, mike and media Id reached them and started firing indiscriminately," he said.

Police have recovered three firearms including a countrymade A-30 pistol (7.62), a made-in-Turkiye nine-mm Girsan pistol, and a 9-mm Zigana Pistol, also made in Turkiye, it said.

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A battle for control between rival forces in Sudan has turned deadly and sparked international alarm. Hundreds have been wounded in the fighting between the military and a paramilitary force. DW has the latest.

At least 56 people have been killed as Sudan's armed forces (SAF) battled the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of the country, according to the Sudanese Doctors' Union.

The doctor's syndicate also said some 600 people were wounded in the fighting that broke out on Saturday.

Fighting continued well into the night in the capital Khartoum and other parts of the country after months of tensions erupted between two rival military leaders.

The sound of heavy firing could be heard as the military urged people to remain inside their homes. Schools, banks and government offices would be closed on Sunday.

Both sides claim they control key airports and other installations.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to the military leader Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, calling for an immediate end to violence and a return to dialogue.

Burhan overthrew long-term ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Eighteen months later, the military and the RSF staged a second coup, upending a transition to democracy.

Disagreements between Burhan and Dagalo over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army have now turned into open conflict.

The armed forces, on its Facebook page, declared Dagalo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia," saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

In an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, Dagalo accused Burhan of starting the battle by surrounding RSF troops. "This criminal, he forced this battle upon us," he said.

Here are some of the other notable developments concerning the fighting in Sudan on Sunday, April 16

Fighting 'even more aggressive,' Khartoum-based journalist says

Mohamed Amin, a journalist currently in Khartoum, told DW clashes continued on Sunday and that the situation was "even more aggressive" than Saturday with heavy shelling in the vicinity of the armed forces headquarters.

He added that there were air strikes and artillery attacks against army headquarters, with both the military and the RSF claiming control over the vital facility.

Electricity has been cut from most of the capital city, Amin said.

"The clashes can be witnessed all over Khartoum and the sounds of the bombs and gunfire are everywhere," he said. He added that Khartoum's international airport remained shuttered for the second day in a row.

RSF accused foreign planes of striking bases in Port Sudan, Amin said, describing this as a "very new element" of the conflict.

Egypt says soldiers in Sudan for 'military drills'

Egypt's armed forces have justified the presence of its soldiers in Sudan, saying they were attending "military drills with counterparts in Sudan," after the RSF paramilitary claimed to have captured Egyptians fighting alongside the Sudanese army.

The Egyptian military was coordinating with the concerned authorities in Sudan to guarantee the Egyptian forces' security, an Egyptian armed forces spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

The RSF forces on Saturday released a video purportedly showing Egyptian troops it said had "surrendered" to them at the Merowe air base north of Khartoum.

The video shows a group of men in military uniforms sitting on the ground, surrounded by standing RSF forces. One of the sitting men then speaks in an Egyptian dialect, identifying himself as a military officer within the Egyptian armed forces, and says he is the troops' leader.

Sudanese activists have repeatedly accused Egypt of meddling in their country's affairs, with a specific accusation to the neighboring country of supporting Burhan's 2021 coup.

Air strikes reported in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman

The Sudanese military has carried out air strikes on a base belonging to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the city of Omdurman, eyewitnesses told the Reuters news agency.

The military said its troops had seized all RSF bases in Omdurman, but DW could not independently verify this.

Omdurman is close to the capital Khartoum.

Even before the air strikes, the Sudanese Doctors' Union reported that four people were killed in fighting in the city.

Amal Mohamed, a doctor in a public hospital in Omdurman, described, "fire and explosions are everywhere."

Sudanese air force calls on citizens to stay indoors

The Sudanese air force called on citizens to stay indoors as they conducted operations in the areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Fighter jets were seen flying overhead on Saturday.

The military said it launched strikes from planes and drones at RSF positions in Khartoum.

Khartoum International Airport was closed, and major international airlines suspended their flights to Sudan.

One eyewitness told Reuters they could hear sounds of explosions near the airport late on Saturday.

Fighting in Sudan is 'worst case' scenario

Fighting between the two groups was the worst-case scenario, Isma'il Kushkush, a journalist who watched their power struggle, told DW.

"This is the worst-case scenario that the Sudanese had hoped would never happen as they hoped for a transition into democracy after the 2019 Sudanese Revolution."

After Sudanese protesters toppled the regime of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, an agreement was made on transitioning the country into a democracy. It included both the military and the RSF, Kushkush said.

"That agreement - there were a number of issues that were to be dealt with - including justice and accountability... and the removal of the hands of the army and the Rapid Support Forces in the Sudanese economy. These were among the major issues."

"But really the major issue between these two groups is the issue of command. Does the Rapid Support Forces come under the direct command of the army?"

"There were many in the Sudanese army that were distrustful, that were discontent of the power of the Rapid Support Forces that didn't have the same traditional military training that the Sudanese army has."

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This is one side of the story, Kushkush said.

"The other side is that many see that there are elements within the Sudanese army that still have connections to the old government of Omar al-Bashir. There was a great deal of politicking between both sides and the civilians on how to transition."

Diplomats call for end of hostilities and return to dialogue

The conflict has been widely condemned internationally, with the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union calling for an immediate end to the hostilities.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with Burhan and Dagalo and appealed for a return to dialogue.

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell; the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat; the Arab League chief, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, all called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations.

The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, was scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation.

In a joint call, Saudi, US, and UAE foreign ministers emphasized "the importance of stopping the military escalation," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss the situation.

China also expressed concern, urging both sides to cease fire and prevent further escalation in a statement by its embassy in Sudan.

lo/wd (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)
As gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj on late Saturday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi trained guns at the Yogi Adityanath government alleging that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using rule of the gun to run the state. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi addresses a press conference.(PTI file)

AIMIM chief, addressing the media on Sunday morning, said radicalisation must be stopped and also slammed those who were celebrating the killings. I am ready to die... Radicalisation needs to be stopped. I will surely visit Uttar Pradesh, I am not scared.Jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya, he said, referring to the attack on his convoy in UP in February.

Calling the murders cold-blooded, Owaisi reiterated his stand that the incident evokes serious questions about the state of law and order in UP.

Also Read: In 50 days, Atiq Ahmad among 6 accused killed in Umesh Pal murder case

I have always been saying that the BJP in Uttar Pradesh is not running the government by the rule of law but by the rule of gunAfter this incident will the public have any faith in the constitution and Law & order of the country? the AIMIM chief asked.

How did they (killers) get those weapons?... Why were they raising religious slogans after killing them? What will you call them if not terrorists? Will you call them Patriots? People celebrating this incident are vultures he added.

Also Read| Atiq Ahmad shot dead: Who were the assailants posing as journalists?

Alleging that the UP government has a role in the incident, Owaisi also demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter. No officer from Uttar Pradesh should be included in the committee he said, demanding CM Yogi Adityanaths resignation.

Atiq and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at close range by three men posing as journalists. They were remanded in police custody in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were being escorted to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup on Saturday night, when the incident occurred.

In the aftermath of the incident, CM Adityanath held a late-night meeting, instructing the police department to be on high alert and ensure law and order is maintained in the state.

Meanwhile, the postmortem of Atiq and Ashraf is expected to take place at a hospital in Prayagraj by a panel of five doctors.

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Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on Saturday in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj when they were being taken for a medical check-up in police custody. The firing took place inside MLN Medical College premises.

The three killers of the Ahmad brothers, who posed as journalists in the middle of a media interaction, have been detained and identified. Three people identified as Arun Maurya, Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny Singh, were detained, but no official statement on their names was issued.

The shooting was caught on camera as media persons were following the two being escorted to the hospital by police for a medical check-up around 10pm. In the shocking videos of attackers that surfaced online, the killers can be heard shouting slogans of Jai Shri Ram after killing Atiq and his brother.
Yagya Tiwari, the father of Lavlesh Tiwari, one of the assailants who killed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj on Saturday night, claimed that said his son was jobless and a drug addict. Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny Singh (right- this picture above is taken from police station) -- the alleged killers of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf. (HT photo)

"He is my son. We saw the incident on TV. We are not aware of the actions of Lavlesh nor do we have anything to do with this. He never lived here and neither was he involved in our family affairs. He did not tell us anything. He came here five to six days ago. We have not been on talking terms with him for years. There is already a case registered against him. He was jailed in that case," Yagya Tiwari told reporters

Follow Live Updates on Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf killings

"He doesn't work. He was a drug addict. We have four children. We have nothing to say about this," Yagya Tiwari added.

Watch: Atiq Ahmed's killers caught chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' on cam after murder; Posed as media

Besides Lavlesh Tiwari, the other two killers, Arun Maurya and Sunny, have been detained by the UP Police soon after the shooting incident.

Who are the killers of Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf?

Sunny Singh is a resident of Hamirpur district, Lavlesh Tiwari is from Kotwali in Banda and Arun Maurya belongs to village Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.

Also Read: In 50 days, Atiq Ahmad among 6 accused killed in Umesh Pal murder case

Lavlesh Tiwari: Lavlesh Tiwari is a Bajrang Dal leader, according to his Facebook profile. He says he is Zila Sah Pramukh of the Bajrang Dal.

Lavlesh Tiwari is a Bajrang Dal leader, according to his Facebook profile.

Sunny Singh: He has 17 criminal cases against him in Hamirpur district. He was studying at Lucknow University but dropped out in the first year of B.A. He was jailed for teasing a girl three years ago. Sunny Singh is a history-sheeter criminal of Kurara police station in Hamirpur district.

Sunny Singh is a history-sheeter criminal of Kurara police station in Hamirpur district.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Pintu Singh, brother of shooter Sunny Singh, said, He used to wander around and did no work. We live separately and don't know how he became a criminal. We have no idea about the incident.

Arun Maurya: The father and mother of Arun Maurya have died and his uncle and aunt live in village of Kasganj district. Arun Maurya alias Kalia had left the village 15 years ago and has never returned to the village. His uncle Megh Singh Maurya resides in the village with his family.

The Kasganj police reached village Baghel Pukhta on Sunday morning and inquired about the whereabouts of Arun Maurya.

Laxmi, the aunt of Arun Maurya said he had left the village in Kasganj when he was 10 to 11 years after the death of his parents. She was totally unaware of the crime committed by Arun in Prayagraj.

I do not know about the whereabouts of Arun who has his land share after the death of his father. I am not aware of any crime committed by Arun, said Laxmi told the media.

(With inputs from Haidar Naqvi and Hemendra Chaturvedi)

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Three killers of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad have been detained and identified. Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by the three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by the three men in UP's Prayagraj.

In some shocking videos of attackers that surfaced online, the killers can be heard shouting slogans of Jai Shri Ram after killing Atiq and his brother.

Who are Atiq Ahmad's killers?

1. Three people identified as Arun Maurya, Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny, were detained, people aware of the matter said, but no official statement on their names was issued till the time of going to press.

Also Read: In 50 days, Atiq Ahmad among 6 accused killed in Umesh Pal murder case

2. Sunny is a resident of Hamirpur district, Lavlesh Tiwari is from Kotwali in Banda and Arun Maurya belongs to village Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.

Lavlesh Tiwari.

3. Sunny has 17 criminal cases against him in Hamirpur district. He was studying at Lucknow University but dropped out in the first year of B.A. He was jailed for teasing a girl three years ago. Sunny Singh is a history-sheeter criminal of Kurara police station in Hamirpur district.

4. Lavlesh Tiwari is a Bajrang Dal leader, according to his Facebook profile. He says he is Zila Sah Pramukh of Bajrang Dal.

Lavlesh Tiwari is a Bajrang Dal leader, according to his Facebook profile.

5. Father and mother of Arun Maurya have died and his uncle and aunt live in village of Kasganj district. Arun Maurya alias Kalia has left the village 15 years ago and never returned to the village. His uncle Megh Singh Maurya resides in the village with his family

6. Sources said initial questioning has revealed that they wanted to rise in the field of crime and therefore committed the crime, but the police are still interrogating them and are yet to provide any details officially.

7. In the shocking videos of attackers that surfaced online, the killers can be heard shouting slogans of Jai Shri Ram after killing Atiq and his brother.

Watch: Atiq Ahmed's killers caught chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' on cam after murder; Posed as media

8. Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of mediapersons who were trying to get sound bites from Atiq and Ashraf.

9. Some reports indicated that they came in the guise of mediapersons with one of them even carrying a mic along with an ID.

10. As journalists questioned Atiq about his questioning in the police custody, he said: "Main baat yeh hai ki Guddu Muslim... (Actually, Guddu Muslim...) " and was shot dead in the head, even before he could finish what he was saying.

(With inputs from Haidar Naqvi and Hemendra Chaturvedi)

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Police have recovered three firearms from Lavlesh, Sunny and Arun Kumar Maurya -- the three killers of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf. Two of these three firearms are made in Turkey -- one 9mm Girsan pistol and a 9-mm Zigana pistol. There was another countrymade A-30 pistol(7.62). Atiq and Ashrag were killed using these weapons, police said. The three killers have been sent to 14-day judicial custody. Cops said they killed Atiq to make a name for themselves by eliminating the powerful Atiq gang in Prayagraj. Their background reveals that they have been cut off from their families and are without jobs. Read | In 50 days, Atiq Ahmad among 6 accused killed in Umesh Pal murder case The three assailants used Turkey-made pistold to kill Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf

Given the background of the three killers, questions are being raised about how they procured the costly pistols or who masterminded the killing.

Attackers had microphone, media ID, camera: Cops

Narrating how the attack took place, special DG (law and Order) Prashant Kumar said the attackers posed as media persons and had a mike, a video camera and media ID. They merged into the crowd of the media personnel who were asking Atiq and Ashraf questions. As the brothers were speaking, indiscriminate firing started.

FIR says Atiq Ahmad admitted ISI links

The FIR registered at the Shahganj police station says Atiq had admitted to having links with ISI and LeT. "The ISI, using drones, used to drop weapons in Punjab, and someone linked to the ISI used to collect these arms and send some of them to LeT, some to Khalistan separatist organisations, and some weapons like .45 bore pistol, AK-47 and RDX were made available to me, and I used to pay for the same," the FIR stated this to be Atiq's statement recorded on court orders.

Lavlesh, Sunny, Arun Maurya -- the killers

Hamirpur's Sunny has a criminal history with 14 cases registered against him, including that of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, narcotics smuggling.

Lavlesh Tiwari faces cases of selling illicit liquor, manhandling, eve-teasing, and charges under the IT Act.

Not much is known about Kasganj's Arun Maurya.

(With inputs from Bureau, agencies)

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Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prepares for the Karnataka assembly elections next month, it is carrying out a much larger exercise to win more seats in the 2024 parliamentary polls and a key tool towards this end has been to conduct extensive surveys, party functionaries said on Sunday. Party officials said Union home minister Amit Shah is supervising exercise to win more seats in the 2024 parliamentary polls (PTI)

At least four widespread surveys will help formulate the BJPs strategy to fight the general elections next year, according to three persons involved in these plans being supervised by home minister Amit Shah.

While some surveys are on and will continue till 2024 to maintain a dynamic campaign, four key survey results are being tallied by party president JP Nadda to decide the strategy for the Lok Sabha polls by May, exactly a year before the general elections, the people cited above said, seeking anonymity.

One of the ambitious surveys was conducted by 40,000 booth workers, covering 100,000 booths across all 543 parliamentary constituencies and polling 10 million respondents. The idea came from the Prime Minister, said a key functionary who was part of the team of eight persons in Delhi that coordinated the results from all states.

The PM said that we should try to get booth-level data of why we lost 160 seats in the last elections, he said. Last May, the party began the exercise using the Saral app. All booth workers, helped by 2,000 state level representatives, asked respondents why they didnt vote for the party and what they found attractive about other candidates.

We were able to get in all responses by November, but the data is so vast and threw up such micro information about so many booths that we are still making sense of all that it has thrown up, the functionary said. It ranged from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the BJP is yet to make inroads, to collecting data from booths in constituencies in which the BJP lost in Gujarat.

There are 3-4 main reasons why the BJP loses an election, according to this survey, the functionaries said. The first and most obvious reason is that the rival candidate was preferred. In such cases, there isnt much that we can focus on other than perhaps try to convince that person to join the BJP, they said.

The BJP has successfully taken in 211 MPs and MLAs from other parties between 2014 and 2022, 177 from the Congress party alone.

A second reason for losing, according to worker responses in the survey, was infighting. This problem exists in all states and the party is using the survey results to send a message to district and state units to sort out internal messes.

However, its the third reason for defeat thrown up by the survey that has attracted the most attention from the party brass. We found that in many cases, the state government was piggybacking on our schemes and people thought that they were the local governments schemes, said the leader quoted above.

One instance of this was on display in Telengana in September, when finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman objected to a ration shop for not displaying Prime Minister Narendra Modis image. We are trying to tweak the programmes so that if the central scheme gives free rice, it comes pre-packaged, and the local government isnt able to piggyback on it, the leader said.

The survey takers were also given another key task besides noting down responses. They had to identify an influencer in each booth. This could be a local teacher or a local lawyer, someone who people looked up to. The party then planned to draw them into its campaign, with some leaders paying them a visit if they were campaigning in the area.

The final move to win over tough constituencies will be a visit by Modi. While he doesnt plan to go to all 160 of those where the BJP lost in 2019, he will visit at least 40. Of the remaining 120, Shah will visit 60 and Nadda the rest. During each visit, there will be a programme to meet beneficiaries of government schemes and influencers.

The detailed plans will take time to be firmed up, but the PM will only focus on governance, said a second leader involving in planning. The partys booth to Lok Sabha strategy has truly taken off.

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Mysuru According to police, a group of people started pelting stones at cars and smashed window glasses after an altecation. The group also attacked the BJP MLAs supporters and tried to assault the legislator. (HT Archives)

At least four people were injured and five cars damaged when a group of people pelted stones at Chincholi BJP MLA Avinash Jadhav and his supporters in Kalaburagi district on Saturday night, officials said.

According to the police, Jadhav visited Chandanakera village in Chincholi taluk for election campaign. While returning from a Dalit colony in Chandankera, a few people stopped them and questioned why the MLA did not garland Dr Ambedkars statue in the village.

After an altercation, the group started pelting stones at cars and smashed window glasses. The group also attacked the MLAs supporters and tried to assault the MLA, police said. Soon after the incident, senior police officers rushed to the village and brought the situation under control, they added.

When I visited the village with my supporters for election campaign, a group of people stopped us and quarrelled with us for not garlanding Dr Ambedkars statue, Jadhav told reporters on Sunday.

He alleged that it was the work of the Congress for political mileage ahead of May 10 election. The Congress through goondaism is trying to create fear. But we will not budge to such threats and will face it. I have instructed the police to take stringent action against the miscreants, he added.

Based on a complaint by the MLAs supporters, we have registered a case under IPC section 143 (unlawful assembly) 147 (guilty of rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (criminal force to deter public servant to discharge duty), 427 (mischief causing damage), Ratkal police station inspector B Shiva Shankar said.

We have identified 35 people who created havoc in the incident and already arrested 29 persons. The investigation is on and we will arrest more people if found guilty, he said, adding the situation is peaceful and heavy police personnel have been deployed in the village.
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The Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday arrested YS Bhaskar Reddy, uncle of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, in connection with the murder of former MP YS Vivekananda Reddy, another uncle of the chief minister. Bhaskar Reddys son YS Avinash Reddy is suspected to be an accused in the case by the CBI. The CBI arrested YS Bhaskar Reddy, uncle of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, in connection with the murder of YS Vivekananda Reddy (PTI)

YS Vivekananda Reddy, a former Lok Sabha and state assembly member, was found dead at his residence on the intervening night of March14-15, 2019. The CBI in an affidavit submitted in the Telangana high court had hinted at the involvement of Bhaskar Reddy in the murder, as he knew what his son has done to gain political power.

The role of father and son in the case became apparent when on Friday the federal agency arrested Gajjala Uday Kumar Reddy, alias Uday, who the CBI suspects played a key role in destruction of vital evidence in the murder, three months after the Supreme Court asked the Telangana high court to reconsider the bail granted to him.

Uday, who hails from Pulivendula, is a close associate of YSR Congress party MP from Kadapa, Avinash Reddy. The CBI suspects Avinash Reddy was the mastermind in the murder of Vivekananda Reddy at his Pulivendula residence.

CBI sleuths apprehended Uday from the residence of Bhaskar Reddy at Pulivendula and took him to Hyderabad, where he was arrested, an official privy to the development said on condition of anonymity. Bhaskar Reddy was arrested on basis of Udays statement that he knew about the killing, the officer said.

In its 38-page affidavit filed before the Telangana high court on February 22, a copy of which has been reviewed by HT, the CBI mentioned the name of Uday a few times, saying he, in association with Avinash Reddy, played a role in erasing the evidence in Vivekananda Reddys murder.

The affidavit says the investigating agency had made use of Google takeout technology to track the movement of the suspects, including Avinash Reddy and Uday, on the day of the murder.

The forensic analysis of Google takeout carried out by Central Forensic Laboratory in New Delhi revealed that Uday was present at the house of Avinash Reddy at 6.25 am on the day of murder, the agency said. The location of his mobile phone revealed that he was present inside the house of Vivekananda Reddy between 6.29 am and 6.31 am, the affidavit said.

The CBI pointed out that Avinash Reddy, along with aides Devineni Siva Shankar Reddy, Uday Kumar Reddy and others, after finding Vivekananda Reddy in a pool of blood in the bathroom, tried to float the theory that the former MP had died of a heart attack and heavy blood vomiting.

Later, they got the entire premises cleaned. Cotton and bandages were arranged and applied to hide the grievous injuries on the body of Vivekananda Reddy, which was later shifted to the government hospital in Pulivendula in an ambulance, the affidavit said.

The CBI questioned Uday a few times in the past on suspicion of destruction of evidence at the crime scene. However, on January 27, 2022, he lodged a complaint with Kadapa police against the investigating officer of the CBI, saying that the latter was harassing him. The CBI challenged this complaint in the Andhra Pradesh high court, which stayed the case against the investigating officer, the affidavit said.

The CBI suspected that Avinash Reddy, with the help of Bhaskar Reddy, had conspired to eliminate Vivekananda Reddy, who they felt was a hurdle in his political growth.

Avinash Reddy, who was questioned by the CBI four times in the past two months, moved the Telangana high court, challenging the CBIs affidavit and seeking anticipatory bail.

The CBI was trying to falsely implicate him in the case based on a confessional statement of Sheik Dastagiri, who had earlier worked as a driver of Vivekananda Reddy and was one of the four who allegedly executed the murder, he said. Dastargiri turned an approver in the case in 2021.

Appearing for Avinash Reddy, senior counsel T Niranjan Reddy told the court on Thursday that the CBI was giving undue importance to Dastagiri, and the trial court should not have relied on his deposition because he was part of the killer gang.

CBI counsel N Nagendran, however, told the court that Dastagiris confessional statement was not its only evidence. The case has been posted to April 17 for further hearing.

The CBI had filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021, and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested YS Bhaskar Reddy, the uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, in connection with the murder of former MP Vivekananda Reddy. YS Bhaskar Reddy, the uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy who was arrested by CBI on Sunday. (Twitter/ANI)

Vivekananda Reddy, who was the brother of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was also the uncle of incumbent AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Reddy was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula on the night of March 15, 2019, just weeks before assembly elections in the state.

Jagan Mohan Reddy had then alleged that the conspiracy for the murder was hatched by the then ruling Telugu Desam Party, led by former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry in the case saying that he had no faith in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police constituted by the then Naidu government to probe the case.

The case which was initially probed by a special investigation team (SIT) was then handed over to the CBI in July 2020.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022.

(With inputs from PTI)
Peacekeepers from the UN's MONUSCO mission patrol in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (file photo).

The CODECO rebel group has been blamed for the attacks on villages in DRC's Ituri province. The militant organization was once a peaceful agricultural cooperative.

More than 40 people were killed in attacks on villages in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a civil society organization said Saturday.

"They burned down several homes. There are also seven people wounded," said Dieudonne Lossa, the president of the organization in Banyari Kilo, the area in Ituri province where the attacks took place.

Former peacemakers-turned-rebels blamed

Local sources blamed the attacks on the CODECO militants, saying they attacked at least three villages, around 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the provincial capital of Bunia.

A regional administrator, Innocent Matukadala, said CODECO rebels had arrived at around 0500 local time/GMT on Friday, with the Congolese army responding around three hours later. He put the death toll at 42.

The army confirmed the attack to local media and said it was searching for the perpetrators.

Banyali Kilo resident Jean Basiloke said children were among the victims.

CODECO, the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo, is one of the myriad armed groups operating in the restive mineral-rich region.

It was started as an agricultural cooperative in 1970s to protect the interests of the local Lendu community. During the Ituri war (1999-2003), however, it transformed into an armed militia that claims to protect the Lendu from another local ethnic group, the Hema, and the army.

Fighting between CODECO and Zaire, a mainly ethnic Hema self-defense group, has been ongoing since 2017 but worsened recently.

In February, CODECO fighters killed at least 32 civilians, local officials said.

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In December, the UN said the insurgent group was expanding its areas of control, attacking civilians and members of Congo's military, and taxing communities in the areas that it holds.

Deteriorating security in eastern DRC

Eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed militias, many of which are a legacy of regional wars that flared in the 1990s and 2000s.

Most of the groups are fighting for land and control of mines with valuable minerals, while others are trying to protect their communities.

Ituri province is one of the violence hotspots, where attacks claiming dozens of lives are routine.

The government declared a state of siege in Ituri and neighboring North Kivu province in 2021, in an attempt to stem rampant militia violence.

But the killings and rebel activity have not shown any sign of abating.

mm/dj (AFP, AP, Reuters)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday quizzed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for nine hours in connection with the alleged excise policy scam case - the same case in which former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in February. The investigative agency said that Kejriwal's statements will be verified and collated with the available evidence. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed a press conference just before his CBI visit for questioning.(PTI)

Also read: AAP leaders hold emergency meet fearing Kejriwal's arrest in Excise Policy case

The Chief Minister of Delhi was issued a notice under section 160 Cr.P.C for his examination in this case on 16.04.2023 and answering various questions related to the case. He joined the investigation today and his statement has been recorded u/s. 161 Cr.P.C. The statement will be verified and collated with the available evidence. Further investigation of this case is continuing, a statement by the CBI read.

It added that the CBI had registered a case against the then Deputy Chief Minister and Minister In-charge of Excise, GNCT of Delhi and 14 others for an investigation into the allegations of irregularities in framing and implementation of the Excise Policy for the year 2021-22 and extending post tender benefits to private persons.

Also read: AAP has no moral right to remain in power in Delhi: BJP

After investigation, one charge sheet was filed by CBI on 25.11.2022 against the CEO of a Mumbai-based firm and 6 other accused persons, the statement added.

Meanwhile earlier in the day, several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders including Bhagwant Mann, Atishi, Raghav Chadha, and Sanjay Singh - who were protesting outside the CBI office against Kejriwal's questioning - were detained by the Delhi Police. However, they were later released after being questioned. Other AAP workers also protested in Punjab's Amritsar.

After his release, AAP's Raghav Chadha slammed the BJP saying that the party suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwal's fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail, he said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday questioned chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for the first time in connection with its corruption and criminal conspiracy probe into the alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, with the latter emerging after over nine hours to reiterate that the case was a political conspiracy by the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with AAP leaders on Sunday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

The questioning was preceded by protests and demonstrations by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers at several locations, and multiple senior leaders were detained by police for violating restrictions on large gatherings.

The chief minister of Delhi joined the investigation today and his statement has been recorded under section 161 CrPC. The statement will be verified and collated with the available evidence. Further investigation of this case is continuing, a CBI spokesperson said on Sunday.

After reaching his residence late in the evening, Kejriwal said: I was called at 11 am and they questioned me till 8.30pm. They questioned me in a cordial atmosphere. I want to thank CBI officers for their hospitality and courtesy. I answered all the questions because I did not have anything to hide.

The CM repeated his defence, saying the allegations of scam were fake and baseless and inspired by dirty politics. AAP is hardcore honest. Hardcore honesty is our basic ideology and we will never compromise with it. This is the reason they want to throw mud at us

The second reason is that they (BJP) do not like the good work done in Delhi and in Punjab. They cannot do the good work that we are doing. We are expanding, they want to finish AAP. It cannot be done, the people of the country are with us, said Kejriwal, who reached the CBI headquarters in the morning. His counterpart from Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, and Delhi cabinet colleagues accompanied Kejriwal when he left his residence, but they were stopped before they could reach the CBI headquarters

Kejriwal said he was asked 56 questions. While the agency did not release details, people aware of the matter said the questions were focused on meetings around the time when the policy was being formed and implemented, the decision to fix 12% commission for wholesalers, and allegations of favouring certain politicians and businessmen from the South, allegedly for bribes.

Leaders such as Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha were among dozens detained by Delhi police from outside the CBI office, where Delhi Police had deployed close to 1,000 personnel, people aware of the matter said.

Before going for questioning, Kejriwal said in a video message that he would truthfully and honestly answer the questions posed to him as he had nothing to hide, while also targeting BJP.

These people are very powerful. They can send anyone to jail, it does not matter if that person has committed any crime or not. I think the BJP has instructed CBI that Kejriwal should be arrested. If BJP has given an order, then who is CBI? CBI is going to arrest me, he said.

Kejriwal was summoned by the probe team as witness, not as a suspect, HT reported on Saturday.

The agency is trying to ascertain the role of all involved in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped policy over which his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, was arrested on February 26.

Kejriwal is not named in the first information report (FIR) filed on August 17 last year, but he was part of certain meetings and was in the know of developments, something the agency focused on during his questioning on Sunday, an official aware of the matter said.

C Arvind, former secretary to Sisodia told investigators that the decision to increase the profit margin for wholesalers or L1 licences from 5% to 12% was conveyed to him for the first time at CMs residence in mid-March, 2021.

Kejriwal was neither a part of any GoM (group of ministers) to decide the contours of excise policy, nor did he sign any document, but the federal agency believes the decision to increase the profit margin from 5% to 12%  one of the key portions of the allegations  was not possible without the approval of a top authority in the Delhi government.

Officials said C Arvind was given the draft of GoM report, which had 12% profit margin for wholesalers, for putting before the council of ministers at CMs residence.

There were no discussions about handing the wholesale liquor business to private players in meetings held by the group of ministers (GoM)  which comprised Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Kailash Gahlot  before mid-March 2021, C Arvind claimed.

The CMs questioning also covered why AAPs communications in-charge Vijay Nair was given full authority, as claimed by multiple witnesses, to meet with liquor traders and politicians and businessmen from the so-called South group that got nine retail zones out of 32.

According to arrested businessman Sameer Mahendrus statement to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kejriwal told him during a video call arranged by Nair that Vijay (Nair) is his boy and that he should trust him.

Mahendru, agencies have alleged, was part of the South group, which gave 100 crore bribe to the AAP leaders in lieu of nine retail zones.

Kejriwal on Saturday alleged that witnesses were being tortured to make false statements, and said that his party would pursue charges against investigators for making false claims.

The South Group, according to ED, comprises YSR Congress parliamentarian Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy (or MSR), his son Raghav Magunta, Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Group), K Kavitha (daughter of Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao) and Mahendru.

The Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business by handing the trade over to the private sector. The plan, however, came to an abrupt end, with Delhis lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommending a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime. This ultimately resulted in the policy being scrapped prematurely and being replaced by the 2020-21 regime, with AAP alleging that Saxenas predecessor sabotaged the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the people of Delhi rejected the protest calls by AAP against the summoning of CM. Traffic flowed freely across the city and the number of arrests by Delhi Police for trying to obstruct traffic was very less, said Kapoor.

Former Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said that Kejriwal and his associates who face serious corruption charges should not be shown any sympathy or support.

I believe that individuals like Kejriwal and his associates who face serious corruption charges should not be shown any sympathy or support. The allegations of LiquorGate and GheeGate must be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty should be punished, he wrote on Twitter.
A two-hour drive from Shivamogga city in Karnataka, cracked and dusty bitumen roads lead to a tiny village of 70-80 houses in Sorab taluk. These are some of the difficult areas Ive visited during the campaign. These people ask a lot of questions but political leaders dont answer. I explain and address their queries. I tell them I can help them only if they give me the power to do so, Madhu Bangarappa, the Congresss candidate from the constituency, says while campaigning for next months assembly elections. Madhu Bangarappa is the Congresss candidate from Sorab constituency for the Karnataka elections.

The villagers huddle together as Madhu begins his address, with a picture of his late father and former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa in the backdrop. Who gave you programmes which are alive even today? Who gave free electricity to farmers, which has made your life easier? Bangarappa ji did. He could do that because he was voted to power, Madhu says, as the crowd cheers him on.

But its not just Madhu who is riding on Bangarappas legacy and goodwill to win Sorab, a constituency nurtured by the latter. His brother and sitting MLA Kumar Bangarappa, who is contesting from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is seeking a re-election from the seat and trying to claim his fathers legacy.

As Bangarappas two sons are set to cross swords in the May 10 elections, Madhu invokes his late father in every village he visits in the state during the campaign. I invoke him not just here, but even when I tour across the state. People want this. They ask me about him, he says.

Madhu recalls how his fathers scheme of free power for irrigation pumps up to 10 HP (high pressure) is even alive today. The scheme was started by the Congress government led by Bangarappa, from 1990-1992.

Madhu vs Kumar

The Sorab constituency remained Bangarappas bastion for several decades as he represented the seat for seven consecutive terms, from 1967 to 1994, mostly on Congress tickets. When Bangarappa was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1994, he left the constituency to his elder son, Kumar.

In the 1999 assembly elections, Kumar retained the seat and went on to become the minister of state in the SM Krishna-led Congress government.

The rift between the two brothers widened ahead of the 2004 elections, when Bangarappa joined the BJP and fielded Madhu from the party from Sorab constituency. Kumar followed in his fathers footsteps but rejoined the Congress on the same day after he learnt that his father had decided to field Madhu from Sorab seat.

In 2008, Bangarappa joined and contested the assembly polls on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Kumar was the Congress candidate. Former minister Haratalu Halappa, once a staunch supporter of Bangarappa, contested from Sorab on a BJP ticket and won the polls.

In 2010, Bangarappa joined JD(S). He died a year later. In 2013, Madhu won from Sorab, this time on a JD(S) ticket. After Bangarappas death in 2011, Madhus animosity towards his brother continued and in the 2018 assembly elections, he was defeated by Kumar by 3,286 votes.

Family feud

The sibling rivalry between Madhu and Kumar has taken several ugly turns in the past, as both sides leveled various allegations against each other.

Madhu, however, says he is not comfortable talking about their family feud anymore. Because at the end of the day, we are Bangarappas children. But it hurts me personally. When you use the sibling rivalry narrative, there are followers of Bangarappa here who dont know what exactly happened, he says.

My father, mother and I walked out of our house at midnight. People dont know that. We dont say that my brother threw us out of the house. My brother was the minister then. My father walked out and said if you want to stay with your brother, you can People may think why are Bangarappas children fighting like this. So, I try not to answer, he adds.

Asked how it feels to be pitted against his brother, Madhu points out that it was his fathers decision and he abided by it. My father was alive when I stood against him. It was not my decision. My father said that he made a mistake of fielding him and that he was disappointed. So, he said he was going to use me to take care of it. He said that it would be tough but I had to do it.

He adds: After I was pitted against my brother, I lost two elections. Then I lost my father. Since my father told me to stand against him, the only person who can cancel (withdraw the decision to fight) this is him, which is not going to happen because he is not around.

Last month, Kumar had lashed out at his brother, saying Madhu is a one-term MLA, who won the elections on a wave of sympathy and not on his own strength.

On Madhus claims that he had kicked them out of the house in 2004, Kumar says: In 2004, Madhu Bangarappa, who lied that Kumara Bangarappa had kicked his parents out, at that time, took a loan on the house and dumped it on his parents. He then hid in places like Chennai and Bombay for three months.

Recently, Kumar had alleged that Congress leaders did not offer assistance to the people during the Covid-19 pandemic but are now seeking votes ahead of the elections. The Congress is an election-time guest. They dont know anything about development. On May 10, the voters will decide who will win, he said at a public meeting in Sorab.

Madhu says he is banking on his connection with people across all sections in his constituency, like his father, for support. He says that he hopes that the corruption in the BJP and lack of implementation of development works would tilt the balance in his favour.

Kumar says he is confident that he would be able to retain his seat.
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Congress MP and the party's general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Sunday said criminals should be given the harshest punishment but it should be as per the law of the land. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh addresses a press conference,(ANI)

His remark comes a day after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj in full media glare on Saturday night. LIVE updates on Atiq's killing here.

In an official statement, the Congress MP said, "The rule of law as laid down in our country's Constitution is paramount. Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land."

"Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," the statement quoted Ramesh as saying further.

Also Read: Wanted to kill Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf to become popular: FIR quotes killers

"It should be our collective endeavour to ensure that the judicial system and the rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit," it further stated.

Meanwhile, hitting out at the BJP government over the brazen killing of the ganglord-turned-politician and his brother, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Sunday said the saffron party has turned India into a "mafia republic".

"BJP has turned India into a mafia republic. I will say it here, I will say it abroad, I will say it everywhere because this is the truth. Two men in custody shot dead in front of a zillion policemen and cameras -- this is the death of the rule of law," the TMC leader said in a tweet.

Also Read| UP is now becoming 'encounter Pradesh': Mayawati on Ahmad's killing

The three assailants, who surrendered and were arrested after shooting Atiq and his brother Ashraf dead, will be presented before the magistrate today.

All three attackers were apprehended at the scene after they voluntarily turned themselves in. They have been kept in the custody of the police and questioned.

As per the law, any criminal caught in this manner has to be presented before the remand magistrate within 24 hours.

The Uttar Pradesh Police imposed Section 144 across the state in the wake of the incident and security was beefed up at key public installations and areas deemed sensitive.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, as well as in the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP leader's murder, in February this year.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member judicial commission.

"UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident. He immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. He also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member judicial commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," the officials said.

Chief Minister Adityanath, in a late-night meeting, instructed state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state.

"UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed the police to be on alert, ensure that peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," read a statement by the Chief Ministe's Office.
Section 144 of CrPc was imposed across Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, a day after gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead in Prayagraj, while security has been tightened in all prominent religious places in the state. Cities, including Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura, have been placed under extra protection with priests being asked to alert any suspicious activity or person at temples. Security personnel being deployed in an area in view of Section 144 imposition in Uttar Pradesh after mafioso-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Khalid Azim aka Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj. (PTI)

Police forces have been deployed at all major locations in Ayodhya, while a three-tier security system comprising CRPF and local police have been positioned at the site of the Ram Temple.

Also read: Atiq Ahmad's killers shouted Jai Shri Ram; identified: What we know

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has also cancelled all his events for the day. He has ordered for a three-member judicial commission to probe the incident. In a late-night meeting, Adityanath asked the UP Police to be on high alert and ensure peace is maintained in the state. Internet services remain shut in the old Prayagraj area as part of the security measures.

"UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident. He immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter," officials said.

Ironically, Atiq and Ashraf were killed on a day the body of the gangster-turned-politician's son was buried after being killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi on April 13.

Following the incident, security was beefed up at key public installations and areas considered sensitive.

The three assailants, who were arrested after shooting Atiq and Ashraf at point-blank range, will be presented before the magistrate on Sunday.

Sunny Singh is a resident of Hamirpur district, Lavlesh Tiwari is from Kotwali in Banda and Arun Maurya belongs to village Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.

The brothers were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10pm on Saturday.

Atiq was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, as well as in the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP leader's murder in February this year.

(With agency inputs)

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A resolution similar to the one passed by the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on April 10 will be tabled in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha in the upcoming session urging the Union government to fix a timeframe for governors and lieutenant governors (LGs) to carry out their constitutional duties such as approving bills passed by state legislatures, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has said in a letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart M K Stalin. Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. (File Photos)

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, who received the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) conveners letter on Saturday, shared a copy of it on Twitter on Sunday. This is a development following Stalins letter on April 11, which was sent to the chief ministers of non- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states seeking their support for Tamil Nadus resolution and he urged them to adopt similar resolutions in their state assemblies. Kejriwal is the first to show support to the Stalin-led government.

Indeed, the sovereignty of the legislature is supreme in any democracy. No appointed Governor shall undermine the legislative power & responsibilities of elected Govts, Stalin said.

Kejriwal in his letter said that a silent war is being waged by the Union government and added that governors and LGs in non-BJP ruled states including in Delhi are indefinitely holding bills, undermining elected governments.

It is a foregone conclusion that democracy in India is suffering from blows every single day. The interface of State Governments and their Governors/Lt. Governors has effectively become a battlefront where a silent war is being waged by the Union Government, Kejriwal said.

Governors/ Lt. Governors are wilfully undermining democratically elected state governments, and obstructing administration as per their whims and fancies. They have become the face of the deepening chasm between the Union and the States run by non-BJP governments, he added.

Kejriwal explained that the situation in Delhi is further exacerbated since the LG has regularly meddled with the democratic mandate of Delhis legislature, blocked the presentation of Delhis budget and has brought the functioning of the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to a standstill under the guise of the unconstitutional 2021 amendment to the GNCTD Act. The actions of the Lt. Governor is hindering the functioning in every area where our Government seeks to make giant strides - be it healthcare, education, water, power, industries, finance or infrastructure, Kejriwal said.

Tamil Nadu on April 10 urged the Union government and President of India to fix a timeframe for governors to approve Bills given the long standing feud between the state government and governor R N Ravi over more than a dozen bills pending in the Raj Bhavan.

Soon after, the Raj Bhavan informed the Tamil Nadu secretariat that Ravi had approved the bill banning online gambling two days before. This was after the state assembly passed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 for the second time on March 23 after Ravi returned the Bill after 131 days. On March 6, the governor said that the state does not have the legal competency to pass a law on the subject after the assembly had first passed the Bill on October 19 last year.

Kejriwal commended Tamil Nadu for its firm stand. No constitutional functionary should think that they are law unto themselves. It is high time that we unequivocally highlight that India is governed by the rule of law, and not by the writ of the central government and its representatives, Kejriwal said. We should collectively resist any action to decimate or obliterate State/ NCT Governments.
UP govt forms 3-member judicial committee to probe Atiq, Ashraf Ahmad's killing Police personnel stand guard as security has been beefed up outside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's residence, after the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother in Prayagraj, in Lucknow, Sunday. (PTI)

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday formed a three-member judicial committee to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad. The commission will be headed by Allahabad high court judge (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, and will include two other members - retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh. Read more

Fed up: Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar quits BJP after denied ticket

Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who was denied a ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the May 10 assembly elections in the state, resigned as MLA and from the primary membership of the party on Sunday. He accused the BJP leadership of humiliating him and said that he will soon decide on his next course of action, whether to fight independently or with a party. Read more

How did Earth gets its water? Missing link found!

According to recent study, Earth's water could have come into existence as a result of chemical interactions between hydrogen-rich atmospheres and magma oceans during planet formation. This study suggests that Earth developed its own water, contradicting the theory that frozen comets or asteroids brought water to a dry young Earth. Read more

Kartik Aaryan performs at Miss India 2023, poses with winners. See pics

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Arjun Tendulkar makes much-awaited IPL debut for MI; Sachin, Rohit have intense chat, Sara cheers from the stands

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Washington Amid both contextual and fundamental challenges, the G20 expert group on strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs), under the leadership of former United States treasury secretary Larry Summers and veteran Indian policymaker NK Singh, commenced its work in Washington DC in the past week on the margins of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. PREMIUM Veteran policymaker NK Singh, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and former United States treasury secretary Larry Summers in Washington DC. (HT)

Singh told HT that the group held its first in-person internal meeting and also interacted with heads and top officials of a range of multilateral banks, besides engaging with a range of other stakeholders. They also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is chairing the G20 finance track and took the lead in setting up the group, on Saturday.

The high-level group has assumed critical importance in the backdrop of an intensified discussion on the reform of institutions such as the World Bank, a core theme of both the spring meeting discussions as well as Indias G20 finance track meeting. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said on Friday that Indias initiative in this regard was very well appreciated and the G20 FMs and central bank governors had accepted the formation of the group.

Besides Summers and Singh as co-conveners, the group includes Singapores senior minister Tharman Shanmugarathnam, former director general of the South African national treasury Maria Ramos, former governor of the Central Bank of Brazil Arminio Fraga, London School of Economics academic Nicholas Stern, former World Bank chief economist Justin Yifu Lin, former World Bank Vice President and current dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University Rachel Kyte, and former executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa Vera Songwe.

The groups objectives include preparing a road map for an updated MDB ecosystem for the 21st century in all its respects including vision, incentive structure, operational approaches, and financial capacity to ensure that such banks can finance both developmental and newer trans-boundary challenges such as climate. The group has also been tasked with evaluating the scale of funding required by MDBs and devise mechanisms for coordination among MDBs.

Contextual challenges

Explaining the wider context in which the group is operating, Singh said, Multiple initiatives have taken place in tandem and they need to be taken full cognisance of.

The first of these initiatives is the evolution road map prepared by the Banks executive directors, which was discussed by the Banks development committee last week. The report on the Banks evolution suggests reframing and expanding its mission, overhauling its operating model, and finding new ways to boost its financial capacity. But key decisions have been left for the annual meeting of the Fund and the Bank in Morocco in October.

The second is the French initiative announced by President Emanuel Macron. Paris is hosting a summit for a new global financial pact on June 22 and 23 this year.

The G20 group will also take into account the fact that United Arab Emirates is leading discussions in the run-up to the COP-28 on a very large green pact that can be devoted to climate financing.

Beyond this, the group will also take into account two other past G20 initiatives. Under the German presidency, the group set up eminent persons group on the issue under the leadership of Tharman Shanmugarathmam in 2017  the report was finally submitted during the period of the Argentinian presidency. That report contains some very important suggestions, particularly the way in which financing of MDBs, mainly the World Bank, can be used to incentivise, catalyse and guarantee private capital in green area. That report needs to be fully considered, said Singh. The second G20 initiative in this regard was the report under the Italian presidency on the capital adequacy framework, which has been considered by the World Bank in its own evolution road map and has been reflected in the G20 chair summary.

Substantive challenges

Among the core fundamental challenges for the group is finding ways to balance and reconcile the traditional mandate of the MDBs, especially the World Bank, with newer challenges.

The basic twin objective of the World Bank has been eradicating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Reconciling this traditional mission with adequacy of financing for green is key. What are the base numbers? Unless there is a very substantial augmentation, there would be a shuffling around with the same finances. This challenge has to be confronted.

The second issue is concessional finance and the future of the International Development Association, which is the Banks arm to help the poorest countries through grants and low-interest loans.

Singh said, The third issue is how much and in what manner can private capital be garnered. This is not a romantic notion. What guarantees will be required to getting substantial private finance?

And the final issue will be around general capital increase. The Bank has spoken about the fact that its leveraging capability is high. With a $20 billion paid-in capital, it could provide finances of upto $800 billion. If its leveraging capability is so high, why cant there be a general capital increase? But this is embedded in geopolitics, acknowledged Singh. Finding a way to ensure capital increase without affecting the balance of power will be the yet another challenge for the group.

It is in this backdrop of contextual and fundamental challenges that two of the worlds most distinguished policymakers, Summers and Singh, have set out with the agenda of reforming global institutions.
Reacting to the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf, Congress leader and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said the law of the country is paramount and the criminals should be given the harshest punishment within the ambits of the law. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.(Congress Twitter)

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Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in Prayagraj in full media glare on Saturday night.

In a series of tweets in Hindi, the Congress leader said, Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be according to the law of the land. Playing with or violating the rule of law and the judicial process for any political purpose is not right for our democracy.

Read here: Centre mulls SOPs for safety, security of journalists after Atiq Ahmad shot dead

"Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who indulge in such an act, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on that person," Gandhi said.

"It should be the endeavour of all of us that the justice system and the rule of law should be supreme in the country", she added.

Meanwhile, hitting out at the BJP government over the brazen killings, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said the saffron party has turned India into a "mafia republic".

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were being taken to Prayagraj's MLN medical college for their routine checkup as a mandatory legal requirement. The Ahmad brothers were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10pm. The horrifying videos were circulated widely on social media and television channels.

Read here: UP is now becoming 'encounter Pradesh': Mayawati on Ahmad's killing

The three killers, who surrendered and were arrested after shooting Atiq and Ashraf, will be presented before the magistrate. They have been kept in the custody of the police and questioned.

Atiq Ahmad was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, as well as in the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP leader's murder, in February this year.

(With inputs from PTI)
The head of the United Nations mission in Sudan and the United States on Saturday called for an "immediate" end to fighting between the regular army and paramilitaries. At least three civilians have been killed and a dozen injured in clashes in Khartoum and other cities.

Air strikes and artillery exchanges were heard in the Sudanese capital Saturday as paramilitaries and the regular army traded attacks on each other's bases, days after the army warned the country was at a "dangerous" turning point.

The eruption of violence comes after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The pair have been at loggerheads over talks to finalise a deal to return the country to civilian rule and end the crisis sparked by their 2021 coup.

A plan to integrate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into Sudan's regular army is one of the key points of contention, analysts have said.

Trading blame

The two sides traded blame for starting the fighting at the weekend.

The RSF said they were "surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps", reporting a "sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons".

Army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah said the paramilitaries launched the fighting, attacking "several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan".

"Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country", he added.

The RSF said its forces had taken control of Khartoum airport, after witnesses reported seeing truckloads of fighters entering the airport compound, as well as the presidential palace and other key sites.

Its claims were quickly denied by the army, who said the airport and other bases remain under their "full control", publishing a photograph of black smoke billowing from what it said was the RSF headquarters.

Casualties

The army said it had carried out air strikes against RSF bases in Khartoum. "The Sudanese air force destroyed Tiba and Soba camps," it said in a statement.

Witnesses also reported clashes around the state media building in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman, as well near Burhan's residence and in Khartoum North.

Outside the capital, witness Eissa Adam said explosions and gunfire had been heard across the North Darfur state capital of El Fasher.

The doctors' union said three civilians had been killed, including at Khartoum airport and in North Kordofan state, and at least nine others wounded.

Pleas to cease hostilities

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday he was "deeply concerned" about the reports of fighting.

"We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations or troop mobilizations and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues," he tweeted from Hanoi, Vietnam, on his way to a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting in Japan.

The military's civilian interlocutors called on both sides "to immediately cease hostilities and spare the country slipping into the abyss of total collapse."

Their plea was echoed by the head of the United Nations mission in Sudan Volker Perthes who called for an "immediate" ceasefire.

"Perthes has reached out to both parties asking them for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people and to spare the country from further violence," the UN mission said.

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Western governments had been warning of the dangers of all-out fighting between the rival security forces since the army issued its warning to the paramilitaries on Thursday.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

In recent months, Daglo has said the 2021 coup was a "mistake" that failed to bring about change in Sudan and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime, which was ousted by the army in 2019 following month of mass protests.

Burhan, a career soldier from northern Sudan who rose the ranks under Bashir's three-decade rule, maintained that the coup was "necessary" to bring more groups into the political process.

(with AFP)
A man and his wife allegedly committed suicide by decapitating themselves using a guillotine-like device, which they created at home, so that they could offer their heads for a sacrificial ritual in Gujarat's Rajkot district, police said on Sunday. Hemubhai Makwana (38) and his wife Hansaben (35) killed themselves by getting their heads. (Representational image)

Also Read | Hate speech case: Gujarat Police arrest right-wing activist Kajal Hindustani

Hemubhai Makwana (38) and his wife Hansaben (35) killed themselves by getting their heads severed by the blade of the device in a hut at their farm in Vinchhiya village, sub-inspector Indrajeetsinh Jadeja of Vinchhiya police station said.

The husband-wife duo executed the plan in such a manner that their heads rolled into the fire altar after getting severed, he said, adding that a suicide note was found at the spot.

Also Read | Gujarat conman Kiran Patel posing as PMO official arrested in J&K: What we know so far

"The couple first prepared a fire altar before putting their heads under a guillotine-like mechanism held by a rope. As soon as they released the rope, an iron blade fell on them, severing their heads, which rolled into the fire," Jadeja said.

The ritual was performed between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon when the police were informed, he said, adding that a suicide note was recovered from the spot. The family members of the couple said the duo had been offering prayers in the hut every day since the last one year, he said. The couple has two children, parents and other relatives living nearby, who learnt about the incident on Sunday morning and informed the police, the official said.

A suicide note was also recovered from the couple's possession, in which they urged their relatives to take care of their parents and children, he said. A case of accidental death was registered and the bodies were sent for post-mortem, the official added.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. A few major suicide prevention helpline numbers in India are 011-23389090 from Sumaitri (Delhi-based) and 044-24640050 from Sneha Foundation (Chennai-based).
A woman was arrested on Sunday in Hajipur area of Bihars Vaishali district in connection with the murder of her two daughters in a suspected case of honour killing, said police, adding that her husband who is also the prime accused is absconding. On getting information, a police team reached the accuseds house and found the woman sitting near the bodies of her daughters, said the officer. (Representative photo)

Police identified the accused as Rinku Devi and her husband Naresh Baitha.

Confirming the incident, Hajipur (sadar) deputy superintendent of police Om Prakash said that the parents killed their daughters fearing social stigma as their daughters were in relationships with menfrom other caste.

During interrogation, Rinku Devi said that her husband killed their daughters as they had fallen in love with menfrom other caste. The initial probe, however, revealed that both the woman and her husband were involved in the twin murders, said the DSP.

A police officer familiar with the matter said that the parents killed their daughters, aged 18 and 16, at their home in Bhakurhar village under Sarai police station in Hajipur. The girls were suffocated to death while they were sleeping, said the police officer quoted above. Soon, after committing the crime, accused Baitha left from his house, said the officer. It seems that he escaped after committing the crime, said the police officer.

During interrogation, the mother said that they were annoyed with their daughters as they were involved in relationships with men and had earlier left the house without informing them, police said.

The girls used to elope with them frequently. They had eloped with two men around 15 days ago, the police officer said while quoting Rinku Devi.Their elder daughter had recently appeared for the matriculation examination but had failed, the officer added.

On getting information, a police team reached the accuseds house and found Devi sitting near the bodies of her daughters, said the officer.

Another police officer privy to the probe said that a manhunt has been launched to arrest their father Baitha, who used to run a laundry in Kolkata.The officer said that Rinku Devi was taken into custody and sent to jail later.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code at Hajipur police station, said the officer, adding, a probe is underway into the matter.
Since the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal and two policemen in Uttar Pradesh on February 24, a total of six accused have been killed so far, with gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad being shot dead at point-blank range by three men on Saturday night in Prayagraj. A man opens fire at gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad as they are being taken for a medical checkup in Prayagraj on Saturday, (PTI)

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence. Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Atiq, Ashraf, Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others.

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While Shaista Parveen is on the run and carries a reward of 50,000, her two sons Umar and Ali are in jail under police surveillance at the Children Protection Home.

Watch: Atiq Ahmed's killers caught chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' on cam after murder; Posed as media

Arbaz, reportedly the driver of the killers' vehicle on February 24, was killed in an encounter on February 27 in Prayagraj.

Usman was killed on March 6 in another alleged encounter in Prayagraj while Asad and Ghulam were killed by police in Jhansi on April 13.

Atiq, a former Samajwadi Party MP, and his brother were brought in Prayagraj from Gujarat's Sabarmati jail for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

Also Read: Yogi Adityanath's instructions after Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf shot dead. 10 updates

The last rites of Asad were performed at the Kasari Masari graveyard Prayagraj on Saturday amid heavy police security, with only a few distant relatives and locals present inside the burial ground.

VIDEO: Moment when Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf killed in Prayagraj

Incidentally, Atiq and Ashraf were being questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Police at the Dhoomanganj police station, around 3 km from the burial venue.

Atiq's aides Guddu Muslim, Armaan, and Sabir are currently on the run and each carries a reward of 5 lakh.

A month before his son's death, Atiq had requested protection in custody in the Umesh Pal murder case. The Supreme Court had permitted Atiq's lawyer to withdraw the plea, assuring him that the state machinery would take care of him.

What is the Umesh Pal murder case?

Jaya, the wife of Umesh Pal who was killed on February 24, informed the police that her husband was an eyewitness in the Raju Pal murder case. She also alleged that in 2006, Atiq Ahmad and his associates had kidnapped her husband and coerced him to give a statement in their favour in court.

Umesh and his police escorts were attacked while returning home from a local court in Prayagraj. Jaya claimed that Ahmad's sons Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and others came from behind, opened fire, and hurled crude bombs at them. Umesh Pal and the police escort were taken to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

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Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya on Saturday said India always had spiritual democracy and it is this identity which is known as Hindutva in the world. Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya.(File/ PTI)

Read here: Satya Pal Malik gets defamation notice from RSS leader over bribery allegation

He also said unlike in Pakistan, "so-called" minorities in India have many equal rights, which is "Hinduness of the Indian constitution".

Speaking on the topic 'Sanatan Bharat" in a programme organised by Hindu Dharm Sankriti Mandir here, Vaidya said the meaning of the word "rashtra" should be understood correctly as Bharat is neither nationalist nor Rashtrawadi but is "Rashtriya".

"India always had spiritual democracy and it is the identity of India which has got the name Hindutva in the entire world. It is wrong to call it Hinduism in English but it should be called Hinduness," he added.

Vaidya said religion should not be regarded as "Dharma" because Dharma is entirely different and everyone has the freedom to choose "upasana" (forms of worship).

"In Bharat, religion is as personal as one's toothbrush," he said quoting Hindutva ideologue Dattopant Thengdi.

Vaidya said India and Pakistan were one stock and the Constitutions of both countries were prepared at the same time.

"However, minorities in Pakistan do not have equal rights in their Constitution. But, in Indian Constitution, the so-called minorities have many equal rights and this is the Hinduness of our Constitution", he added.

Vaidya said India is not nationalist but it is Rashtriya.

"We are not nationalist, we are not rashtrawadi but we are 'Rashtriya'. In the Indian context, (the meaning of) rashtra is different while (the meaning of) nation in the West is different. In India, samaj (society) is rashtra. Hence rashtra is a society that needs to be connected and become Rashtriya", he added.

Read here: SC allows RSS route marches in TN, dismisses DMKs plea

Vaidya said nationalism in Europe has the baggage of Hitler and Mussolini.

He said caste and casteism are two different things.

"Casteism is absolutely wrong and it does not have any basis shastras (scriptures). Casteism should be eradicated from society. When every person is part of God and all are one, then why (classifications of) high caste, low caste, and untouchables etc"? he asked.
An Indian national identified as Albert Augestine has succumbed to his injuries on Sunday amid army-paramilitary clashes in Sudan, informed the Indian embassy in Sudan in a tweet. Augestine, who was working for the Dal Group Company in the African country was hit by a stray bullet on Saturday. Smoke is seen rising from a neighborhood in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 15. (AP)

It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements, read the embassy's tweet.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar also condoled the demise and assured full assistance to the aggrieved family. The minister expressed concern about the situation in Khartoum, adding that all minor developments are being monitored.

Also Read| Advisory for Indians in Sudan amid army-paramilitary confrontation

On Saturday, the embassy issued an advisory to all the Indians in the embattled country to take utmost precautions and stay indoors. The mission also said that Indians planning to travel to Sudan should postpone their visit.

The death toll in fierce fighting between the armed forces and a powerful paramilitary group has risen to 56, reported AP. The Sudan Doctors Committee said at least 595 people were wounded across Sudan. According to eyewitnesses, explosions and gunfire rang out on the deserted streets of Khartoum after the paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place, Khartoum airport, and other vital facilities, AFP reported.

Also Read| Amid Sudan unrest, Saudi plane hit by gunfire; flights suspended

However, the army refuted the claims in a statement late Saturday while the Sudanese air force urged people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes against bases of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia said earlier one of its planes, with passengers and crew aboard waiting for departure, was "exposed to gunfire damage".
In poll-bound Karnataka, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been at its wits end with the rebellion that erupted after it announced the candidates for 212 of 224 constituencies for which the elections will be held on May 10. Expression of discontent by aspirants who fail to get the party ticket is a common phenomenon in all parties during every election. However, what the BJP has been witnessing in the state is certainly more than what is considered normal and is symptomatic of certain deeper currents in the party. A Naryana (HT Photo)

The BJP this time tried to create an impression that its list of candidates would be full of surprises with many new faces, breaking the status quo. However, finally when the much-awaited list was announced, it belied the initial expectations. There were new faces, and 16 sitting legislators were denied ticket, but these changes were more reflective of the serious limitations that the BJP has in Karnataka to experiment, rather than its strength. The party seems to be in a hurry to get adventurous in a state where it suffers from serious structural weaknesses and deep factional fissures.

On record, the candidates list has many fresh faces, but most of them have been fielded from those constituencies where the party lost last time or holds little hope of winning this time too. This is the case in almost entire Old Mysore region. Among those counted as new faces are also those fielded in constituencies where the sitting MLAs had announced their retirement (for example: Kundapur in Udupi district) or where the incumbents were caught in serious allegations making it difficult for the party to nominate them again (for example: Puttur in Dakshina Kananda district). Also among the new faces are two candidates who allegedly faced serious criminal cases, and a former bureaucrat who was arrested in a multi-crore financial scam. The party has justified their inclusion on the ground of caste balance in the list.

Similarly, while much has been claimed about dropping sitting MLAs, the reality is different. In none of these cases one can see the party taking the risk on a principled stand. Some of the dropped MLAs are from those constituencies where the party is sure of winning as those in coastal Karnataka, or from those constituencies where the party had little chance of getting re-elected.

The entire bold new experiment that the partys media managers tried to sell has thus largely fallen flat but what is more interesting is the scale and intensity of the rebellion that even this limited experiment has led to in the party. Neither the BJP nor any other party in Karnataka has seen the kind of a backlash that the BJP has been witnessing since the names of the party nominees went public. The saga of protests, resignations, defections, and threat to contest as rebel candidates continues to rattle the party leadership. Supporters of some of the disgruntled leaders went to the extent of pulling down Prime Minister Narendra Modis portraits and burning the party flags. At least six party MLAs, including former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi have resigned.

The rebellion has exposed a serious contradiction in the way that the BJP is expanding in Karnataka. The party, despite its nationwide claims of being a disciplined party, has expanded in Karnataka so far by accepting disgruntled, power-hungry leaders from the Congress and the Janata Dal over the years. These leaders who have no ideological affinity with the party are naturally unwilling to cooperate with the BJP high commands plans for bold experiments. The party engineered large scale defections from the Opposition to mobilize numbers to secure the governments it formed both in 2008 and 2019, having failed to win a majority.

The state BJP has also nurtured leadership among several radical Hindutva activists who carry out the partys communal agenda on the streets. These leaders, some of whom have serious cases pending against them, are now demanding their pound of flesh by seeking nomination to contest the Assembly elections. The BJP is dependent heavily on these migrants and street-level leaders who make the bulk of its middle-level fleet across the state. Against this backdrop of undisciplined growth, when the leadership tried a small measure of disciplined ticket distribution, it has expectedly backfired.

The BJPs plans to experiment in candidate selection also had to reconcile with the fact that the party is heavily dependent on former chief minister B S Yediyurappa without whom it cannot count the support of dominant Lingayat community. Old-horse Yediyurappa with his own network of leaders and workers, not speak of his kith and kin, bargained hard to ensure sufficient representation of his supporters in the list. In the meantime, the Opposition turncoats who had joined the BJP under Operation Kamala also emerged a strong bargaining group within the BJP, who wanted the ticket for themselves and for a few of their supporters. The strongest voice in this group was that of Ramesh Jarkiholi from Belagavi district in northern Karnataka, who virtually secured ticket for the defectors and their supporters. The party had to mostly yield to his pressure, considering his clout to influence results in neighbouring seats but it has led to the exit of former deputy chief minister Lakshman Savadi. Jarkiholi, a former minister, had to resign following allegations of his involvement in a sleaze CD case.

Finally, the list that has emerged is a compromise, which has created discontent in every faction. What is more glaring is that the image of an all-powerful high command which has taken direct charge of the elections in Karnataka has not helped much for the party to have its way in the candidate selection or to manage the rebellion. A section of the party leadership is apparently unperturbed as it believes that it has been able to build a base of supporters who would vote for the BJP symbol irrespective of the candidate or the presence of a rebel. Why then the defectors and those facing serious charges found a place in the list at the cost of loyalists and those with clean record such as former chief minister Jagadish Shettar is another intriguing element in the BJPs botched-up experiment.

(Views expressed by the author are personal and not necessarily of the publisher. The author is a professor of public policy and governance at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru)
Several AAP leaders, including Punjab ministers and MLAs, Sunday alleged they were stopped from entering Delhi, as the party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal appeared before the CBI for questioning in the excise policy case. The ruling party in Punjab claimed that ministers Bram Shanker Jimpa, Dr Balbir Singh and Harjot Singh Bains, and MLAs Dinesh Chadha and Kuljit Randhawa were among those stopped at the Singhu border. (PTI)

The party's leaders from Punjab were headed for Delhi in a show support to Chief Minister Kejriwal, who was summoned by the federal agency to its office in the national capital in connection with irregularities in formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy.

Read Here: Arvind Kejriwal to be questioned by CBI today in liquor policy case: 10 facts

The ruling party in Punjab claimed that ministers Bram Shanker Jimpa, Dr Balbir Singh and Harjot Singh Bains, and MLAs Dinesh Chadha and Kuljit Randhawa were among those stopped at the Singhu border and not allowed to enter Delhi.

"We cannot even enter our capital? @DelhiPolice not allowing my car to enter Delhi," Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains said in a tweet.

Balbir Singh, the health minister of Punjab, charged democracy was being "murdered" in the country.

Also Read: Why Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by CBI? Details here

"The Constitution and the Supreme Court give us the right to move freely in our country & to protest peacefully. Neither is being allowed. Many of my cabinet colleagues, MLAs & volunteers have been illegally detained at badli. Shame," he tweeted.

"Cabinet Minister @BJimpaAAP MLA @dineshchadha3 MLA @MGiaspura KuljitRandhawaa detained by police while protesting against the Centre's misuse of CBI to muzzle the voice of AAP convenor & Delhi CM," AAP said in a tweet.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Bhagwant Mann among several others were detained by the Delhi police for protesting against the summons by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy scam case. AAP leaders including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Raghav Chadha, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj were among the leaders protesting outside the CBI office. (ANI/Twitter)

The Delhi Police held up over 1500 AAP leaders and workers who were protesting in favour of Kejriwal, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai tweeted. He further added, Out of which 1379 people have been kept in different police stations and others are being taken in buses.

AAP leaders took to streets across Delhi to protest against CBI summons leading to heavy traffic in the national capital on Sunday.

Party leaders protesting outside CBI office in Delhi included Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as well as Delhi ministers Atishi, Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Read Here: 'Investigates on merits' : CBI responds to Kejriwal's jibe on summons

Speaking to ANI, Atishi said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of the growing popularity of Arvind Kejriwal. This is the reason why the leaders of AAP are being put in jail. This is the reason Arvind Kejriwal has been called for questioning by CBI. They say that it is a scam of thousands of crores but till now they have not been able to prove that even a single rupee was embezzled. The entire country is with Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had arrived to CBI headquarters in Delhi on Sunday morning for questioning in the liquor policy scam. Speaking to reporters outside CBI office, Kejriwal had said, I will answer all the questions. BJP leaders are talking about it (my arrest). The CBI is controlled by BJP.

As reported by PTI, AAP leaders had also alleged that several Punjab ministers had been stopped at Singhu border and were not allowed to enter Delhi. Among them were Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and AAP leaders Kuljit Randhawa and Dinesh Chadha.

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Chennai A resolution similar to the one in Tamil Nadu will be tabled in the Delhi assembly in the upcoming session that would urge the central government to fix a time frame for governors and lieutenant governors to carry out their constitutional duties such as approving bills passed by legislatures, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal wrote in a letter to MK Stalin. Delhi CM supports Stalins resolution to fix timeframe for passing bills. (ANI)

The Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president on Sunday thanked Kejriwal for agreeing with him. Indeed, the sovereignty of the legislature is supreme in any democracy. No appointed Governor shall undermine the legislative power & responsibilities of elected Govts, Stalin said on Twitter and posted Kejriwals letter, which he had received on April 15.

A silent war is being waged by the Union government and added that constitutional heads in non-BJP ruled states, including Delhi, are indefinitely holding bills and undermining elected governments, Kejriwal said, adding that this was a violation of constitution.

It is a foregone conclusion that democracy in India is suffering from blows every single day, Kejriwal said in his letter to Stalin. The interface of State Governments and their Governors/Lt. Governors has effectively become a battlefront where a silent war is being waged by the Union Government. Governors/ Lt. Governors are wilfully undermining democratically elected state governments, and obstructing administration as per their whims and fancies. They have become the face of the deepening chasm between the Union and the States run by non-BJP governments.

The cherished ideal of cooperative federalism has been rendered a lip-service, despite the State Governments honouring the principle to its core, the Delhi chief minister said. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the people raising questions about the very role of the solemn office of the Governor/ Lt. Governor.

The situation in Delhi is further exacerbated since their the lieutenant governor has regularly meddled with the democratic mandate of Delhis legislature, blocked the presentation of Delhis budget and has brought the functioning of the government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to a standstill under the guise of the unconstitutional 2021 amendment to the GNCTD Act, Kejriwal said.

The actions of the Lt. Governor is hindering the functioning in every area where our Government seeks to make giant strides - be it healthcare, education, water, power, industries, finance or infrastructure, he said.

This is a development following Stalins letter on April 11, which was sent to chief ministers of non- BJP ruled states, seeking their support for Tamil Nadus resolution. Stalin had urged them to adopt similar resolutions in their state assemblies.

Kejriwal is the first to show support to the Stalin-led government. Tamil Nadu on April 10 urged the Union government and President of India to fix a time frame for governors to approve draft legislations, given the long standing feud between the state government and governor R N Ravi over the pendency of more than a dozen bills in the Raj Bhavan.

The Raj Bhavan immediately informed the Tamil Nadu secretariat that Ravi had approved the bill banning online gambling two days earlier. This was after the state assembly passed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, 2022 for the second time on March 23, since Ravi had retired the Bill after 131 days.

On March 6, the Governor told the state government that it does not have the legal competency to pass a law on the subject after the assembly had first passed the Bill on 19 October last year.

Kejriwal commended Tamil Nadu for its firm stand. No constitutional functionary should think that they are law unto themselves. It is high time that we unequivocally highlight that India is governed by the rule of law, and not by the writ of the Central government and its representatives, Kejriwal said. We should collectively resist any action to decimate or obliterate State/ NCT Governments.
The special investigation team (SIT) of Kerala police on Sunday invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Shahrukh Saifi, the sole accused in the Kannur express train arson case , an official said. Accused Shahrukh Saifi is a resident of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. (PTI)

Also Read: 3 die as man sets co-passengers on fire in Kerala train

Fresh charges were slapped on Saifi after detailed investigation and a report was submitted to the sessions court in Kozhikode in this regard, the official said, declining to be named.

The SITs investigation in Delhi showed that he was mentored and radicalised by certain terror outfits, he said. Saifi is a resident of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. A carpenter by profession, he helped his father run a small furniture workshop in the national capital.

The latest charge enables the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case. The NIA submitted a report to the Union home ministry last week, saying it was a clear case of terror and a thorough investigation was needed to unearth conspiracy and involvement of mentors and handlers of the accused, the official said.

Also Read | NIA to take over Kerala train fire case: Officials

There was criticism over the delay in invoking UAPA against the accused. The Bharatiya Janata Party had accused the state government of going slow on disruptive forces.

On April 2, Saifi allegedly sprinkled petrol on passengers of the D-1 compartment of Kannur-bound Executive Express and lit them afire. Three persons, including a child, died after they jumped out of the moving train in panic; nine others received burn injuries. Saifi was arrested two days later from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra and brought to Kerala.

The accused was earlier charged with murder and taken to various places as part of evidence collection. He was identified by two passengers during an identification parade. It was difficult for Saifi to carry out such an attack on his own and several clues clearly showed involvement of others, the official said.

There have been reports in local media that five persons including a corporation councillor was questioned and detained, but the SIT refused to confirm it.

The SIT had received CCTV footage from Kannur railway station that showed Saifi was wearing a different shirt after fleeing from the fire incident spot in Elathur in Kozhikode district. He had lost his bag in the mayhem soon after the fire and how he managed to get another shirt should be investigated, said the official. Evidence collected from his lost bag led to his arrest from Ratnagiri, he added.

Saifis lunch box had some home-cooked food that showed that he may have got some local help, SIT investigators said, adding that he insisted during interrogation that the crime was planned and executed solely by him.

After reaching Shoranur station in the early hours of April 2, he reportedly spent more than 12 hours at the station. How he selected a day train and what was the motive remains a mystery, investigators said, wishing to remain anonymous. Saifi could have received local assistance, they said.

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Khartoum / Merowe  Reports of deaths, as well as rocket and gunfire have been confirmed throughout Sudan's capital of Khartoum this morning. The escalating violence follows the now erupted tensions between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) commanded by Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) headed by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemeti'.

A video currently circulating on social media shows a man at Khartoum International Airport frantically stating that that two people died as a result of shelling. People in Khartoum have already shared images of the shelling destroying homes. Footage is also being shared widely of Sudanese fighter jets and combat helicopters deployed in the skies above the Sudan capital. Several foreign embassies have cautioned their citizens to stay indoors and keep out of the city centre.

The violence is reportedly spreading, within and beyond the capital. The city of Merowe in Northern State, 200 kilometres north of Khartoum, has also witnessed gunfire, with reports of plumes of smoke rising from the military camp there, according to Al Arabiya TV. Radio Dabanga earlier reported the large number of RSF paramilitaries being deployed in Merowe over the past few days.

According to RSF claims, their forces have taken control of the Khartoum International Airport and the Republican Palace. In a subsequent statement, the RSF claims that it was able to take control of the Merowe airport and base, expel those it described as 'aggressors' from the forces headquarters in the Soba camp. Other reports suggest that RSF cadres have cordoned off the Sudanese Broadcasting Corporation building, and unverified reports say that broadcasting facilities have been shelled.

The SAF denies or downplays these claims, and competing reports from both warring camps, as well as social media posts depicting events, have not been able to be verified at this stage. In a press statement today, the General Command of the SAF claim that their forces are "pushing RSF forces from its bases spread throughout the capital".

Pointing to the strategic sites including the Republican Palace, the General Command, and the office of the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council currently being contested, the SAF asserts: "Their sinful endeavours will be disappointed and broken in the face of the determination, will, and courage of our men of the armed forces."

This is a developing story...
A day after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the saffron party has turned India into a mafia republic. TMC MP Mahua Moitra.(PTI)

"BJP has turned India into a mafia republic. I will say it here, I will say it abroad, I will say it everywhere because this is the truth. Two men in custody shot dead in front of a zillion policemen and cameras -- this is the death of the rule of law," the TMC leader said in a tweet.

Mahua said she believes that the killing was done apparently to deflect the attention away from former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Maliks recent interview repercussions.

Follow Live Updates on Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf killings

I can even believe BJP got UP shooting done simply to deflect attention away from Satyapal Maliks interview repercussions. Nothing, just nothing, is beyond this government, the TMC firebrand MP tweeted.

Calling the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath by his real name, Moitra tweeted, So basically Ajay Bisht & @Uppolice found 3 men who very conveniently have 'no family connections' to kill Atiq & his brother. Thats how all terrorist organisations recruit their hitmen btw.

Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the incident a cold-blooded murder, adding that people who are celebrating this killing are "vultures".

Addressing mediapersons on Sunday morning, Owaisi said, "The BJP government has a role in this. ASupreme Court-monitored investigation should be done and a committee should be formed in this matter. No officer from Uttar Pradesh should be included in the committee. This was a 'cold-blooded' murder."

Days after Atiq Ahmad's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

Atiq was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 and also in the subsequent killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP's leader's murder, in February this year.

All three assailants were arrested, informed police after Atiq and his brother were shot dead.

Who are the killers of Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf?

Sunny Singh is a resident of Hamirpur district, Lavlesh Tiwari is from Kotwali in Banda and Arun Maurya belongs to village Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.

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Belagavi: A group of Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi have asked their community members to boycott the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the May 10 assembly elections after the ruling party denied ticket to a Marathi MLA. Belagavi North MLA Anil Benake was replaced by Ravi Patil, a Lingayat leader, in the constituency, which angered his supporters. Belagavi North MLA Anil Benake was replaced by Ravi Patil, a Lingayat leader, in the constituency, which angered his supporters. (ANI)

The Marathi community has around 75,000 votes in Belagavi North and 100,000 in Belagavi South constituency, according to local leaders. The Belagavi North constituency has about 225,000 voters, including 40,000 Muslims and around 25,000 Lingayats.

In previous elections, most of the Marathis voted for the candidates whom the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) supported, and later they turned toward the BJP and Congress after the interstate border dispute was taken to court.

Most of the Marathis supported the BJP in Belagavi North as it has fielded a candidate from our linguistic group. Now we have appealed to Marathis to boycott the BJP and vote according to their wishes, said Prashant Jadhav, an office-bearer of Ekdant Yuvak Mandal.

Benake defeated Congress candidate Feroz Saith in the 2018 polls by a margin of about 17,000 votes after losing to him in 2013.

Anil Benake said he didnt know the reason for denial of ticket to him, adding that he was satisfied with his work in the constituency. The call to boycott the BJP by my community members was not done on my instructions; it was a reaction from them. Despite doing good work, I dont know why I was denied a ticket. Not considering me is an injustice to my community. Not just Marathis but people from other language groups voted for me, he said.

Belagavi city Congress president Asif (Raju) Saith welcomed the move of Marathis to boycott the BJP. Not only Marathis but also others will reject BJP for its anti-people stand, Saith said.

Benake, according to sources in the BJP, has not been considered for a ticket as his work was not satisfactory and he was not available to public. The partys internal report has stated that the BJP would loose the constituency if he (Benake) was fielded again, a BJP leader, who was a member of the committee that prepared internal report, said on condition of anonymity.

The state and central government intelligence reports were also not favourable to Benake, the leader said.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu - who was recently released from jail - claimed to have spotted an unknown suspicious character wrapped in a grey blanket at the terrace of his residence in Punjab's Patiala. Calling it a security lapse, Sidhu said that the object was spotted around 7 pm on Sunday. Congress leader Navjot Sidhu. (HT File Photo)

Also read: Navjot Singh Sidhu was asked about Amritpal. He said...

Today on the terrace of my residence an unknown suspicious character wrapped in grey blanket was noticed around 7:00 PM , the moment my servant went out raised the alarm and called for help , he immediately ran and escaped. Have spoken to @DGPPunjabPolice and SSP Patiala has also been informed. This security lapse will not deter me from raising my voice for Punjab, Navjot Sidhu tweeted.

The Congress leader also tagged Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann in his tweet.

On April 1, Sidhu walked out of Patiala jail after 10 months of rigorous imprisonment in the 1988 road rage case in which 65-year-old Gurnam Singh had died. The Congress leader was jailed on May 20, 2022. He was released a few weeks early due to his good conduct during imprisonment.

Also read: 'Asked for my death': Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife says day before his release

As he walked out of jail, Sidhu hit out at the BJP saying that they are stoking violence in Punjab.

There is no such thing as democracy right now. A conspiracy is being hatched to bring President's Rule in Punjab. Minorities are being targeted. If you try to weaken Punjab, you will become weak, he had said.
The Supreme Court is set to commence its hearing from April 18 on a batch of petitions demanding legal validation for same-sex marriages in India even as some key constitution bench matters, including those related to the abrogation of Article 370, entry of women into Sabrimala temple, scope of judicial review in matters of faith and the challenge to the Citizenship Act, await adjudication by appropriate benches. PREMIUM A five-judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud was notified to hear the same-sex marriage case on April 16. (REUTERS)

The same-sex marriage case was referred to a constitution bench on March 13 and a five-judge bench to be headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud was notified on April 16. However, each of the other matters mentioned above has been pending for at least three years now.

Also Read: SC notifies 5-judge bench to hear same-sex marriage pleas

The bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 was last listed in March 2020 when a five-judge bench had declined to refer the matter to a larger bench. The reference was sought on the grounds that two previous judgments of the apex court were conflicting with each other, but the bench did not agree with this contention. The top court had admitted the challenge to the withdrawal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and its splitting into two Union territories on August 28, 2019  merely a few days after the presidential order on the abrogation was issued.

At that time, it was noticed by the bench that there was also an older batch of petitions pending in the Supreme Court that challenged the validity of Articles 370 and 35A which accorded special status to J&K. It pointed out that all the matters related to Article 370 should be preferably heard together.

On December 14, CJI Chandrachud had said he would examine the matter and give a date, but the matter is yet to be listed. The composition of the bench that may hear the case is also not notified till date.

Also Read: Ahead of SC hearing, Indian Psychiatric Society supports same-sex marriage

Similarly, a reference order of 2019 to a nine-judge bench on the issue of entry of women of all ages to Keralas Sabrimala temple and a raft of issue related to the scope of judicial review of religious practices is still waiting for the constitution of a suitable bench.

In February 2020, a nine-judge affirmed the decision of the Sabarimala review bench of five judges to refer to a larger bench a bundle of legal issues on the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths across the country. The nine-judge Bench, led by hen CJI SA Bobde, noted that the reference was required to do complete justice in a pending matter, namely Sabarimala, adding a bench engaged in the review of a particular judgment could indeed refer other questions of law to a larger bench.

The November 2019 order by a five-judge bench had set out seven questions of law to be examined by the larger bench. They included -- the interplay between freedom of religion under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution; need to delineate the expression constitutional morality; the extent to which courts can enquire into particular religious practices; the meaning of sections of Hindus under Article 25 and whether essential religious practices of denomination or a section thereof are protected under Article 26.

Also Read | Same-sex marriage is a demand for dignity

Another question was the permissible extent of judicial recognition to PILs in matters calling into question religious practices of a denomination or a section thereof at the instance of persons who do not belong to such religious denomination.

A 2014 reference by the Supreme Court to determine the validity of Section 6A in the Citizenship Act also awaits adjudication by the top court. A bundle of petitions, led by Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, challenged the validity of Section 6A, alleging it violates fundamental rights in that no mechanism is provided to determine which persons are ordinarily resident in Assam based on the dates of their entry into Assam. The array of issues arising out of 1985 Assam Accord and validity of cut off dates for illegal immigrants of Indian origin who came into Assam from Bangladesh is currently pending before a bench led by CJI Chandrachud.

A reference in 2017 to a nine-judge bench for reconsidering the definition of industry, as interpreted by a seven-judge bench in 1978 in the Bangalore Water Supply case, is also awaiting adjudication.

Also Read | Same-sex pleas mark a key shift

Apart from these larger bench cases, some other sensitive matters, such as hijab row and the challenge to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), are also pending before the Supreme Court much before the same-sex marriage cases were filed last year.

In October 2022, the top court had delivered a split verdict on the ban of wearing of the hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka  with one judge affirming that the state government is authorised to enforce a uniform in schools and the other calling the hijab a matter of choice that cannot be stifled by the state. The matter was thus referred to a three-judge bench.

The matter has been mentioned at least three times since the order of reference, but the three-judge bench is yet to be notified.

The batch of petitions challenging the validity of the CAA has also not been heard effectively since October 2012. The three-judge bench had at that time observed that the case may be referred to a constitution bench after hearing preliminary submissions.

Senior advocate and former additional solicitor general (ASG)Bishwajit Bhattacharyya said: Now that the Supreme Court is working with full strength of 34 judges, it would be opportune to have a permanent constitution bench so that old matters may also get due priority and hearing.

The senior counsel added that the procedure before the constitution bench should limit the duration of arguments by lawyers followed by written submissions that would address the scope of the issues involved. Such a procedure would help a time-bound wrap of arguments in constitution bench cases, added Bhattacharyya.
Uttar Pradesh on Sunday constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the sensational killing of gansgter-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf as Indias most-populous state remained on high alert and clamped a ban on large gatherings amid growing outrage over the murders amid heavy police presence. People gather for Atiq Ahmeds funeral in Prayagraj on Sunday. (PTI)

Posing as journalists, three assailants sprayed Ahmad and his brother with bullets at the Colvin Hospital premises in Prayagraj city at around 10.30pm on Saturday when police brought the two there for a routine health examination. Ahmad and Ashraf were talking to the media and were ring-fenced by policemen when gunshots rang out and the murder was captured live on video.

A first information report (FIR) registered on Sunday morning named the three men as Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit aka Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Kumar Maurya (18) of Kasganj district.

During interrogation about the motive, the three assailants confessed that they killed Atiq and Ashraf to wipe out their gang and make a name for themselves in the state, said the FIR, a copy of which is with HT. The three men were booked for murder, attempt to commit murder, using prohibited arms, carrying prohibited arms, and using arms without licence.

As questions grew about how the assailants pierced the police cordon in such a high-profile case or why dozens of policemen couldnt stop three men, the government constituted a three-member panel, headed by former Allahabad high court judge, justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi, which will submit a report in two months. The panel also comprised former district judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former director general of police (DGP) Subesh Kumar Singh.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath held a series of meetings with top officials through the day as Prayagraj wore a deserted look with shops shuttered and police personnel marching through roads. Mobile internet remained suspended through the day.

Officers posted in the field should remain vigilant and strict measures should be taken to maintain peace in the state police and district administration officers should ensure that common people do not face any problem, and ensure anti-social elements do not create any law-and-order problem, said the chief minister in a press statement.

Ahmad and Ashraf, also known as Khalid Azeem, were laid to rest at their ancestral village in Prayagraj district. A post-mortem examination revealed Atiq received at least 10 bullet wounds on his chest and head. Five bullet injuries were found in Ashrafs body. Dramatic video footage of the attack showed one of the assailants shooting Atiq on the temple and another opening fire at Ashraf. At least 18 rounds were fired at the spot, police said. The cartridges recovered from the spot were of 9mm calibre and fired from semi-automatic pistols.

The deaths came two days after Ahmads son Asad was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh police, which triggered a political storm with allegations that the state administration had staged the shootout. Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go), Ahmad was quoted as saying in the moments before he was shot dead, in what was a reference to his son Asads funeral that was held earlier in the day. He had just climbed out of a police van and was walking, his brother handcuffed to him.

Ahmad  a former five-time state legislator and former Lok Sabha member who has 100 cases against him  and Ashraf were both wanted in the February 24 murder of lawyer Umesh Pal, who was the prime witness in the 2005 killing of Bahujan Samaj Party lawmaker Raju Pal. Ahmad was a prime accused in the 2005 case as well. This was the sixth death of an accused in the February 24 case.

But questions mounted over possible lapses in arrangement by the police, with Opposition parties leading the charge.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said Uttar Pradesh was caught in the grip of jungle raj. There is no rule of law and the Constitution here the systematic killing (of the two) in the police security is the failure of the government. When someone in police custody can be killed, then it can be guessed how safe the general public is, Yadav added.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said the killing was just as heinous as the murder of Umesh Pal. Now, instead of rule of law by law in Uttar Pradesh, how appropriate is it that it becomes encounter Pradesh? It raises serious questions on the law and order of the UP government, and its style of functioning, she said.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the judicial system was circumvented to serve political interests in the case. Those who advocate the bullet system and mob system only destroy the Constitution. Whoever interferes with our justice system for political purposes to intimidate and threaten someone in the society, he is also a partner of punishment along with the criminal, he said in a series of tweets.

Police said the three assailants carried video cameras, mikes and media identity cards to pose as journalists and were later overpowered because they had underestimated security arrangements. Special director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar said the attackers used made-in-Turkey pistols and fired from point-blank range.

Sunny is a professional criminal and has 14 criminal cases including that of murder, loot, narcotics transport, and attempt to murder in Hamirpur. Tiwari faces cases of selling illicit liquor, manhandling and harassing women, he said.

But Ahmads lawyers said the police should have taken greater efforts to protect a man who had even approached the Supreme Court last month over threats to his life. Police were not taking Atiqs security seriously despite an appeal made to court to ensure his safety during custody remand. The court had directed the police to ensure security of Atiq and his brother Ashraf. However, only a few policemen were accompanying him when he was being taken for medical examination, his lawyer Vijay Mishra said.

Former senior police officer Prakash Singh said without police lapses, the assailants couldnt have gotten close to Ahmad and Ashraf. Accountability should be fixed for the lapses and proper investigation should be done, he said over the phone.

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The future will be made of two ecosystems of technology, one consistent with democratic values and the other not, and the United States wants India to be a partner in leading the world in the former. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with United States secretary of commerce Gina Raimondo during the community event, in Washington DC. (ANI)

The position was articulated at the highest levels, when US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an hour-and-a-half last month in New Delhi.

The US and India need to lead the world together in this technology ecosystem, Raimondo told Modi. Sharing the anecdote in the presence of finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday in Washington DC at a special spring celebration, Raimondo  who is among the most powerful cabinet members in the Joe Biden administration  called Modi an unbelievable visionary.

The Prime Minister, who Raimondo described as a tech person with whom she had been discussing details of open radio access networks (ORAN) and artificial intelligence, responded by saying AI did not stand for artificial intelligence. Raimondo was taken aback and asked, Really? Modi said, AI is the America-India technology ecosystem.

His level of commitment to the people of India is indescribable and deep and passionate and real and authentic, Raimondo said. His desire to lift people out of poverty and move India forward as a global power is real and is happening.

The spring celebrations were held at India House  the residence of Indian ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu  on Saturday with the theme of celebrating togetherness. The event showcased Indian diversity across regions, religions, festivals and languages; marked the shared ideals and values that formed the basis of India-US relationship; and commemorated the life and legacy of BR Ambedkar.

National Security Council Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell; director of the Office of the National Drug Control Policy Rahul Gupta; and state legislators and key diaspora figures including FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam attended the event.

Marking the diverse festivals being celebrated at India House, Sitharaman said, We always had this diversity. It is country that loves diversity. It is a country which loves celebrating and recognising diversity. She said that India had turned every issue of diversity into an advantage.

It was also this positive spirit that governed the India-US relationship. A positive thinking relationship of two democracy which have their own share of challenges and internal problems, but we have not allowed it to overwhelm us, the finance minister said. We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community.

Sitharaman also hailed the contribution of Indian diaspora, and said that while they recalled their heritage, they had integrated themselves and become a part of the US economy.

Suggesting that democracy formed the basis of the ties, Raimondo said: Democracy is messy. Our democracy is diverse, messy, and imperfect, as is yours. But we value the diversity, education, human rights and equality and it is on the basis of that foundation we will see a greater flourishing of the relationship.

Raimondo described the ties between the two countries as entering into a new era of deeper collaboration and partnership. And I use that word partnership deliberately -- equal partners working together, Raimondo said. India has arrived. India has already arrived.

Both countries can show that they can both be committed to democracy and be among the most vibrant and productive economies the world had seen, Raimondo said. I am committed to it and quite frankly, we have no choice.

Campbell, who is among the architects of Quad grouping of nations of which India is a part, and the Indo-Pacific strategy in the Biden administration, said that the India-US relationship was not just a meeting of elites, it was not just about technology or security issues.

This is a relationship based at people-to-people level. There is no stronger people-to-people ties that the US enjoys than with India. This is the most powerful connectivity between two peoples I have ever experienced, he said. And in many respects, we, as governments, just need to get out of the way.

Campbell said it was the greatest honour of his professional life to see the bilateral relationship to come to fruition. Recalling an incident from 15-20 years ago when, in a difficult conversation with an Indian counterpart in New Delhi where they were going back and forth, Campbell lost his temper and told his interlocutor, I am going to tell you something and it is going to really bother you. We are destined to be closer friends. And that is what we have done. The relationship would only get stronger and deeper, he claimed.

Raimondo said she had travelled to reconvene the India-US CEO Forum and claimed they had an electric meeting.

We talked about the most important issues of the day  technology, AI, supply chains, moving towards decarbonisation and working towards on renewables. But more than that, there was a palpable commitment in the room to take action beyond talk and move forward around technology that is consistent with the shared values of democracy.

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India and the United States are building the foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said as she also wished that the relationship between the two countries grows from strength to strength. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Twitter/nsitharamanoffc)

Speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Sitharaman said, "We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community."

"I wish this relationship between the United States of America and India grows from strength to strength, and all of us will surely contribute towards it," she added.

At the reception, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Sandhu, and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs in the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell were also present.

In the reception, Union Finance Minister also spoke about the diversity and the celebration of various festivals to mark the new day of the year. She said, "It's very inspiring to see energetic people before me, each coming to celebrate their own Vishu, Ugadi, Navroz. But all in India House. India houses all of these people. And we've always had this diversity. It's a country which loves celebrations, celebrating and recognizing its diversity even as we are doing all this per the Auspicious calendar, each one of us follows either based on the sun, moon, or horoscope. So they are all around the same time."

She also talked about Bhimrao Ambedkar saying that he stood for and worked for India. He came from the oppressed Dalit community but still became part of the new India in the making and wrote the constitution along with experts, she noted.

At the reception, Sitharaman said the contribution of the Indian diaspora is very important. "You've integrated yourself, although you do recall with fondness the place of your origin. But you're part of the US today and building a very dynamic and robust economy. So that is exactly what we do. Even in India, differences are there between different regions, different people, and different languages, when we talk about digital achievements of India, the achievements are pure because the platforms have languages which are at least 15 as recognized by the constitution of India. There are no such languages. There are dialects, of course, in which people just talk, they can't write because they don't have a script. But the Indian constitution recognizes 15 of them. And most of our platforms are available now in regional languages," she added.

Earlier, on Saturday, Sitharaman participated in India's Digital Public Infrastructure - Stacking Up the Benefits, which is organised by IMF on how public and private sectors can work together on DPI in Washington.

At the event, she said that climate change is now "hitting us in everyday life" from different angles.

"Climate is now hitting us from various different angles, hitting us in everyday life," Sitharaman said during a panel discussion at a World Bank-organised event on 'Making it Personal: How Behavioral Change Can Tackle Climate Change'.

The Finance minister, who arrived in the US on April 9, participated in the Development Committee Meeting during the World Bank-IMF's Spring Meeting, a panel discussion on 'Empowering Women as Entrepreneurs and Leaders' and hosted the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG).
Reacting to the video of Lavlesh Tiwari's mother Asha crying on camera after Lavlesh was arrested for killing mafia-politician Atiq Ahmad in police custody, Congress leader Alka Lamba asked why she was crying as there is an 'atmosphere of celebration' in Uttar Pradesh. "The mother also knows that those who had given him (Lavlesh) the supari (contract to kill Ati and Ashraf) can now get him killed in an encounter. All evidence has to be destroyed," Alka Lamba tweeted. Read | Killed Atiq Ahmad, Ashraf to become popular': Police quote attackers in FIR Lavlesh's father said he was an addict and jobless.

In an unexpected turn of events, just two days after gangster Atiq Ahmad's son Asad was killed in a police encounter, Atiq was shot dead by three attackers in the police custody. The attackers posed as journalists and was very close to Atiq and Ashraf when the gangster brothers were giving statements to the media. The brothers were shot point blank from a close range and the attackers Lavlesh, Mohit aka Sunny and Arun Maurya were arrested. According to the FIR, they told police that they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity by eliminating Atiq Ahmad's gang.

The police did not say anything on how the three got together in hatching the murder plan. What links these three killers is the statements of their family members that they had no connection with the families. As the emerging details only thicken the mystery behind this high-profile murder by three apparenly small-timers, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra said, "So basically Ajay Bisht & @Uppolice found 3 men who very conveniently have no family connections to kill Atiq & his brother. Thats how all terrorist organisations recruit their hitmen btw."

Lavlesh's mother told the media that he was deeply religious and used to visit temples regularly, but was not in touch with the family. Lavlesh's father said his son was jobless and a drug addict.

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Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead at close range by three men posing as journalists during a media interaction while being escorted by police to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup on Saturday night. The brothers were handcuffed at the time of the killing and the disturbing footage of the incident was widely shared on social media and television networks. Policemen attempt to apprehend an assailant who opened fire at gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad in Prayagraj on Saturday, (PTI)

Earlier on Saturday, Ahmad's son Asad Ahmad, who had been killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, had his last rites performed. Ahmad, a former Samajwadi Party MP, and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

Follow Live Updates on Atiq Ahmad's killing

Top updates on the killings of Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf Ahmad:

1. Police commissioner Ramit Sharma told reporters that the three attackers, who were promptly detained, had joined the group of journalists seeking to obtain comments from Atiq and Ashraf.

Watch: Atiq Ahmed, brother shot dead on live TV in Prayagraj | Watch

2. The shooting was caught live on camera as journalists were following the two being escorted to the hospital by police for a medical check-up around 10pm. No one else appeared to have been injured in the shooting.

3. Images and videos from the spot showed the two men, handcuffed together, on the ground with blood pooling around them. At least two guns were seen at the spot, which the police said were dropped by the attackers.

4. Three accused identified as Arun Maurya, Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny, were detained, the police said in a press note.

5. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath in a late-night meeting instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state.

6. Yogi Adityanath also appealed to the public to avoid paying attention to rumours about the incident. The meeting at chief minister's residence was attended by UP home Secretary Sanjay Prasad, UP Police director general of police (DGP) RK Vishwakarma and other senior officials.

7. Senior police officers ordered the state police social media cell to monitor online posts related to the Prayagraj incident and stern action be taken against people posting objectionable content in this regard.

8. In the aftermath of the incident, Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in all 75 UP districts.

9. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi: "Crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and the criminals are unfazed. When someone can be shot dead amidst a police cordon, then what about the safety of the general public? An atmosphere of fear is being created among the public due to this and it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere."

10. Reacting to the sensational killings, Subrat Pathak, BJP MP said, What has happened in Prayagraj is a matter of investigation. Though the manner of killings cannot be justified yet, one must also remember that those who were killed were no saints. They were wanted in connection with dozens of cases of heinous crimes.

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Former Union minister Kapil Sibal on Sunday asked how can Asad Ahmad, the son of gangster Atiq Ahmad, could have posed a security threat to the country that he had to be eliminated in an encounter. "But an individual, Asad, a young boy whose age is 19, how can he threaten the security of the country? If you want to catch him, hit him on the leg, prosecute him. Why do you want to kill him," Kapil Sibal said a day after Asad's father Atiq Ahmad was killed in police custody -- two days after Asad was killed in a police encounter. Kapil Sibal said Asad Ahmad could have been shot in the leg instead of being killed in an encounter.

Atiq Ahmad killing: Follow LIVE Updates

Kapil Sibal's 'young boy' comment drew criticism as BJP's Priti Gandhi said, "When you think about it, the Kapil Sibals of our country are a bigger threat to national security than the Asad Ahmeds!!" Sibal received flak on social media for his 'young boy Asad' comment as social media users questioned how old was LeT terrorist Ajmal Kasab during 26/11.

Read | Mahua Moitra reacts to Atiq Ahmad killing: Ajay Bisht and UP Police

Sibal, a former Congress leader and a senior advocate, said the Supreme Court should set the whole process of law on who should be arrested and how long he should be in jail.

Asad Ahmad and his aide, accused in the killing of Umesh Pal who was a key witness in the 2005 murder of BSP leader Raju Pal, were killed on Thursday in an encounter by the UP police special task force. On Saturday, Asad's father gangster Atiq Ahmad and his (Atiq) brother Ashraf were killed in police custody by three assailants.

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Addis Ababa  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said he is extremely alarmed by reports of fighting in different parts of Khartoum between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The executive secretary urged both sides to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation, and resolve their differences through dialogue.

According to him, the Sudanese parties and stakeholders, including SAF and RSF, have made commendable progress in the past few months towards signing a final political agreement and formation of a civilian-led transitional government.

These reports of fighting will not only cause setback but will also cause serious insecurity and instability to Sudan and the region at large, Workneh noted.

He further urged both sides to give dialogue a chance, cease hostilities, and allow the Sudanese people continue observing Ramadhan fasting in peace.

The statement stressed that IGAD will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their aspiration for peace.
Actor Bhumi Pednekar attended Miss India 2023 finale last night, won by 19-year-old Nandini Gupta. Bhumi hosted the beauty pageant with Maniesh Paul. The star attended the event dressed in a gorgeous strapless gown with a unique deep neckline. She also shared pictures of her ravishing look on Instagram. The photoshoot shows her serving glamorous poses for the camera while showing off her outfit. Keep scrolling to check out Bhumi's pictures and read our download on her Miss India 2023 look. Bhumi Pednekar attends Miss India 2023 finale in a ravishing in deep-neck gown. (Instagram)

(Also Read | When Miss India 2023 Nandini Gupta named Priyanka Chopra and Ratan Tata inspiring people in her life)

Bhumi Pednekar attends Miss India 2023 finale

Bhumi Pednekar took to Instagram to share pictures of her outfit for attending the grand finale of Miss India 2023 pageant. "Tonight for #FeminaMissIndia2023 [heart emoji]," Bhumi captioned the post. She wore a black and orange gown for the occasion. It is from the shelves of the clothing label Laith Maalouf, styled by celebrity stylists Chandini Whabi and Sanya Kapoor. Netizens loved Bhumi's stylish avatar and flooded the comments section with praises. Tahira Kashyap wrote, "Wow." Samikha Pednekar commented, "Love this." A few of Bhumi's fans dropped fire and heart emoticons. Check out the post.

Bhumi's gown features a risque plunging detail on the sweetheart neckline to flaunt her decolletage, a corseted bodice, a figure-hugging pleated skirt accentuating her enviable curves, a cinched waistline, exaggerated ruffles on the side, and a midi hem length.

Bhumi wore the ensemble with minimal accessories, including Christian Louboutin's black pumps with killer high heels, statement rings, and dainty earrings. In the end, Bhumi chose side-parted open wavy locks, mauve lip shade, subtle smoky eye shadow, sleek eyeliner, feathered brows, rouged cheekbones, dewy base and beaming highlighter for the glam picks.

Meanwhile, the winner of Miss India 2023 is 19-year-old Nandini Gupta from Kota, Rajasthan. Delhi's Shreya Poonja became the first runner-up, and Manipur's Thounaojam Strela Luwang was crowned the second runner-up.
Twenty years ago today, an international group of scientists in the Human Genome Project (HGP) published the very first sequence of the human genome. "This is the most important, most wondrous map ever produced by humankind," then-US president Bill Clinton said in June 2000, when the first draft of the human genome sequence was revealed at the White House. The Human Genome Project gave us the first sequence of the human genome, kickstarting a revolution in biology. (Zoonar.com/Ake Puttisarn/picture alliance)

The map itself consisted of three billion units of DNA, essentially a blueprint of a human being. While the sequence was partially incomplete and assembled from bits of several people's DNA, the HGP was a monumental achievement of technology and science.

Genome mapping promised many things. We would discover our ancestral histories. We would discover how genes are involved in diseases. We would read our genome sequences like coffee grains in a cup to predict if we develop diseases in the future. But by then we would have developed the therapies needed to treat those diseases.

(Also Read | What is a genome, anyway? The myths, a timeline and links to the stars)

Some of these developments have come to pass, others were fanciful. But a revolution in biological sciences began in 2003, as genome technologies transformed our understanding of human disease, our evolutionary history and what it means to be human.

The medical genetics revolution

Genomic medicine has been at the heart of the biological revolution. By sequencing the genomes of more than a million people since 2003, scientists have seen how genetic variation between people affects the risk of disease.

"The idea that you can get the whole genome sequence of a sick baby and understand why they're sick within days is remarkable," said David Curtis, a professor of medical genetics at University College London, UK.

For Curtis, it's this routine use of genetic technology in clinical practice that is the biggest benefit to come from the HGP.

"In the last few years of big sequencing studies, we've found the first gene for schizophrenia. Now we have 10. If these genes are damaged, it has a huge effect on your schizophrenia risk," Curtis told DW.

And it's not just schizophrenia where we've linked genes with diseases. Scientists have found mutated genes that cause cancers, heart disease, diabetes, you name it. The next big benefit lies in being able to create new therapies by studying the genetic mutations in the lab.

We've already seen some success in gene-based therapies, from retraining immune cells to fight cancer to using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools to treat sickle cell disease.

"Genetics is very helpful to study diseases and there's massive scope for genetic therapies," said Curtis.

The limits of medical genetics

But the new boom has also shown the limits of genetic medicine. The fact remains that genes are just one factor in disease outcome, and few inherited diseases are caused by mutation in a single gene.

In the case of schizophrenia, Curtis said, only about 1% of people with the disease have a mutation in one of those 10 identified genes. In total, there are more than 250 genetic "risk factors" for schizophrenia. The sheer number of risk factors, plus the fact we don't understand how these contribute to the disease, create a real challenge for medicine.

"Some people have a mutation and they haven't got schizophrenia, or they've got a different disease entirely. The whole relationship between genetic mutation and disease has gotten shakier [since genome sequencing]," said Curtis.

Grandad was a Neanderthal, and other human evolutionary tales

Where genome sequencing has been truly ground-breaking is in evolutionary biology.

"We can compare the human genome sequence to those of our close relatives and place our species within that broader evolutionary context. It's shown us that human history was much more dynamic than anyone could have predicted," Anders Bergstrom, an evolutionary biologist at the University of East Anglia, UK, told DW.

Scientists studying the genome sequences of early and modern humans have shown that our ancestors interbred with other hominins like Neanderthals and Denisovans. We now have insights into the lives of Neanderthal communities in central Europe, providing clues about their population decline, as well as tracing the genetic heritage of long-lost people like the Minoans in modern-day Cretans.

By studying ancient DNA and the little traces of ancestors inside of us, we're understanding how our species has expanded across the world, brought cultural advances like farming to distant lands, and developed resistances to diseases along the way.

What is a human?

The biggest questions about genetics have yet to be answered. For one, only about 1% of the genome codes proteins  we don't really understand what much of the other 99% does.

For Bergstrom, the biggest question genetics can answer is what makes us human.

"Almost all of the progress that has been made in genetics in the last 20 years is about explaining differences among humans, but it doesn't tell us about what's universal among us," he said.

Genome sequencing has changed how we view ourselves, but mostly by giving scientific backing for the idea of individualism. The thinking goes that everyone's genetic code is different (even identical twins don't have exactly the same code), so by identifying all the tiny genetic variations between people, we can see what makes each of us different.

This is often productive. Genome sequencing has shown, for example, that "race" is a social construct not rooted in genetics (there is more genetic variation within racial groupings than between them). But by always looking for differences, we lose track of what makes us collectively humans rather than 8 billion individual ape-like beings on the same planet.

Take chimpanzees. We know we have 96% genetic similarity to them, but we don't really understand how the 4% difference makes us more "human" than our lice-grooming cousins.

"It's a fundamental question," said Bergstrom. "What is it that makes us humans and unique as a species?"

Increasing genome diversity

The progress made in the last twenty years was not without its failings. More than a million genomes have been sequenced so far, but 95.2% of the data in genetics studies comes from European genomes.

"It didn't represent diversity among humans at all. If our science is biased towards people of a particular type of ancestry, then we won't be able to offer the same quality of personalized medicine to different people," said Bergstrom.

Things are changing. The Nigerian 100k Genome Project aims to sequence, well, 100,000 genomes in Nigeria. Similar efforts are underway elsewhere in Africa, and Asia and South America. The hope is that more routine and cheaper genome sequencing technologies around the world will benefit all of humanity.
Pulverised by a series of attacks against their henchmen, the underworld in Bombay was stunned into disbelief in the 1980s as police sharpshooters started gunning them down one by one. Accolades were showered on the so-called encounter specialists who worked with great precision, and, in the process, created a new term in the police lexicon, encounter killing. Four decades later, similar encomiums are being expressed in certain quarters for the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) for the killings of Asad Ahmad, son of gangster Atiq Ahmad, in an encounter last week. PREMIUM Should encounter killings be celebrated in a democracy? Certainly not. (ANI)

Should encounter killings be celebrated in a democracy? Certainly not. But can you blame people living for decades under the thumb of a marauding gangster for exulting over his demise? Politicians reacted expectedly along party lines, some even calling the encounter fake  an irresponsible statement to make before the Supreme Court-mandated magisterial inquiry findings.

Is an e.ncounter the answer to a gangsters menace? No. But neither is the existing broken criminal justice system. Out of 100 crimes registered against Atiq, 40 were dropped. A murder trial from 2005 continued even after 18 years, and the prime witness was murdered.

Lawyers engaged by the accused prolong trials by seeking future dates at every hearing, which suits everyone except the complainant. Even a conviction after several years can be stuck in endless cycles of appeals. So, where is the closure for the complainant?

The most troubling is the sociopolitical environment that fosters the growth of such mafia dons. In large swathes of the country, they have a loyal following because they are seen as dispensers of justice. The same culture of weak institutional structures and unbridled power births another set of larger-than-life figures, the encounter specialists. For the common folk who remain subjugated, the display of machismo and dominance appears glamorous.

The fall of Atiq was as spectacular as his rise  shot down in police custody, just outside a hospital, by three assassins allegedly posing as journalists. Police security for a dreaded criminal, who had shared with the court a fear for his life, was shoddy to say the least. The court must have asked for daily medical check-ups while in police custody. It was important for the police to appeal to the court that daily movement involved security implications, hence check-ups should be allowed in the police station. Otherwise, security should have been carefully planned and handled by personal protection experts. The murder will cast a long shadow on Prayagraj polices professional acumen.

The Jhansi encounter that killed Asad Ahmad was the 183rd in UP in the last six years, and the third in connection with the Umesh Pal case. Parties aligned against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) say the state government is running an encounter raj. But UP has always held this dubious recognition. Out of 440 encounters in the country in 2002-08, UP led with 231, followed by Rajasthan 33. During 2009-13, UP again topped the pack with 138, followed by Manipur, 52, out of 555 encounters.

State governments should sober up to the harsh reality of encounter killings. There is nothing to rejoice when a criminal justice system in tatters is a helpless witness to kangaroo courts taking over. When petty criminals are gunned down in encounters, its time to sit up and take serious notice. When gangsters are felled on account of religion, caste and party affiliations, its time for constitutional watchdogs to take over. On the UP Polices website is a list of most wanted criminals against whom rewards range from 50,000 to 5 lakh. Besides, there are a number of other dons, said to be aligned with various political parties, who have between 28 to 106 criminal cases against them. A zero-tolerance policy against the mafia means relentless pursuit of all cases against each of them, requiring active cooperation of the court, prosecution, police, jail authorities and the officials concerned. Where do we begin to put an end to encounter killings? The first step would be to look at the breeding grounds of the mafia and the political climate sustaining its rise. Will parties stop promoting, using and giving tickets to criminals? Perhaps not. The fall of such dons will always be celebrated, whether by justified means or not.

From the Bombay underworld in the 1980s to the badlands of UP today, the same questions continue to be raised. The imperative to set the criminal justice system right cannot be overemphasised. Police, prisons, judicial and prosecutorial reforms are a dire need. Piecemeal tweaks will not help. A white paper should be released, laying out the broad areas of reform and the timeframe to achieve it. Too much time has gone in trying ad hoc and short-term measures. A holistic package is required  from CCTVs in all stations, certain percentage of women in every station, prison, court or prosecution, forensics support, able prosecutors, capable fast-track courts, and a prison-monitoring system.

New-age policing relies on technology. Can illegal sand, coal, forest and other mafias flourish in an era of drones and satellite imagery? Can kidnapping and extortion continue with impunity in an era when high-tech electronic gadgets are available with the police for interception? Zero tolerance for crimes against women, illegal mining, and looting of State resources is needed to stem the tide. To let criminals flourish under one political dispensation and down them in encounters under another reveals a serious flaw in our system. But as long as police action is privy to the political executives nod, the system will continue to suffer.

Yashovardhan Azad is chairman Deepstrat, a former central information commissioner and a retired IPS officer who has served as secretary, security, and special director, Intelligence Bureau The views expressed are personal
Can one be famous without being controversial? The case of Osho comes to my mind. In my view, Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who rose to international fame in the 1970s and 1980s, was a truly original thinker who built upon the remarkable legacy of Indian philosophy and metaphysics like few others in his time. His teachings and philosophy, which he called "Rajneeshism," were a unique blend of Eastern spirituality and Western individualism, and he attracted a large following of devotees who were drawn to his charismatic persona and unconventional approach to spirituality.

Born in India in 1931, Osho became interested in spirituality and meditation at a young age. He studied philosophy at the University of Jabalpur and later earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Sagar. In the 1960s, he began teaching meditation and yoga in Mumbai and quickly gained a reputation as a charismatic and unconventional teacher.

In the 1970s, Osho established an ashram in Pune, India, which became the centre of his spiritual movement. The ashram attracted thousands of followers from around the world, and Osho's teachings were disseminated through a vast array of books, videos, and audio recordings.

Osho's philosophy emphasised the importance of individual freedom and self-expression, and he encouraged his followers to reject traditional religious and social norms. He believed that meditation was the key to achieving enlightenment and that sexuality was a natural expression of human freedom and creativity. Photographs and videos of half-dressed men and women dancing in ecstasy in his ashram in Pune, became the subject of much curiosity, attraction, and censure.

Osho's teachings were controversial because he was fearlessly unconventional. To him, what mattered was the emptying of the ceaselessly agitated mind, and he didn't care how this was achieved, since in that emptiness lay redemption in the form of true meditation and communion with the absolute. His personal lifestyle mirrored this unconventionality, given his penchant for expensive clothing, luxury cars, and the attractive women who surrounded him, which his critics saw as contradictory to his message of spiritual enlightenment and renunciation.

Osho also faced legal troubles during his time in India, including accusations of tax evasion, and involvement in a bioterrorism attack in the United States in 1984, where he had set up a large religious commune in Oregon in 1981. Soon enough, he felt foul of the local people and of the law, was arrested, deported to India in 1987, and died soon thereafter in 1990.

The irony is that Osho, who believed so passionately in following one's individual path on the journey to personal moksha, became himself a victim of the organisational machinations of the very institutional framework he set up. The dirty and dangerous politics of his ashram, of which he was both a perpetrator and a prisoner, has been chronicled now on the popular Netflix series, and other platforms, where his foremost follower and aide, Ma Anand Sheela, became his chief critic and enemy.

It is not easy to be isolated from the milieu of which you are a part. Osho, unaware of how similar his own future would be, illustrated this through a story which he narrated in the 1970s in a lecture in Mumbai.

'There was a Sufi saint Hijira. An angel appeared in his dream and told him that he should save as much water from the well, because the next morning all the water in the world was going to be poisoned, and all those who drank it would become mad. So the whole night the fakir saved as much water as possible. And then the phenomenon really happened: Everyone became mad. Only the fakir knew he was not mad, but the whole city talked as though he had gone mad. One morning they came to get hold of him. Either he would be treated as if he was ill, or he would have to go to prison. Then the fakir said: 'Give me one moment more. I shall heal myself'. He ran to the common well, drank the water, and became "all right". Now the whole city was happy; now he was not mad. Really he had gone mad, but he was not considered so because he was part and parcel of a common world'.

Osho, the philosopher who wanted to travel alone, drank too much water from the poisoned well of the politics of his own ashram, and alas, went 'mad'. But the legacy of his original thinking is path-breaking and cannot be erased.

Satinder Lambah's book

Satinder Lambahuniversally known to his friends as Satti, was one of Indias finest diplomats, and apart from being High Commissioner to Pakistan, was also Indias Ambassador in Germany and Russia. Post-retirement, he became Special Envoy for back-channel talks with Pakistan during Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs tenure for a decade. No other Indian diplomat was so equipped to provide an insiders account of the turbulent history between India and Pakistan, and how close the two countries had come at one time to reaching a peace agreement.

It is absolutely engrossing book. Unfortunately, Satti passed away just before its publication. The book launch was organised by his wife, Nina, and was a huge success. The panel for the discussion included former High Commissioners to Pakistan, Sharat Sabharwal, TCA Raghavan and G Parthasarathy, as also former foreign secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon. The moderator was the well-known strategic thinker, C Raja Mohan. The hall at the Hotel Lalit in New Delhi was overflowing, since apart from the diplomatic fraternity, Satti and Nina were a very popular couple. It is such a pity that he died before his book was launched.

Pavan K Varma is author, diplomat, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

Just Like That is a weekly column where Varma shares nuggets from the world of history, culture, literature, and personal reminiscences with HT Premium readers

The views expressed are personal
Germany has begun the closure of its remaining three nuclear reactors, despite the fact that several nations are experiencing atomic energy resurgences as a green energy source and the country itself is experiencing energy shortages as a result of natural gas supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. Lights illuminate the Neckarwestheim 2 Nuclear Power Station, operated by EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg AG, in Neckarwestheim, Germany, before being shut on April 15. (Bloomberg)

It is not an instantaneous decision to stop using nuclear power in its grid. Germany first codified the objective in 2002, and the law was finally passed in 2011 in response to the Fukushima nuclear reactor accident in Japan. The legislation ordered phasing out the use of nuclear energy for commercial electricity production because of the substantial hazards involved.

Nuclear energy usage has been a big political issue. Green Party, one of the three parties in ruling coalition, has longstanding objection to nuclear power and sees nuclear opposition as the crux of its political identity.

The last three nuclear plants were contributing 6% of Germany power requirement till last year, Bloomberg reported. It will now be difficult for the Olaf Scholz-led government to find substitute before it develops alternate green energy sources.

The problem arises at an unprecedented time when the West is facing an impending energy crisis due to Ukraine war and its reliance on Russian natural gas.

Environmentalists are concerned that the lack of renewable energy alternatives would lead to an increase in coal consumption. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has criticised Germany's decision to close its last operating nuclear power reactors as it may lead the country to rely only on coal-fired power.

However, Germany's environmental minister Steffi Lemke has dismissed such fears, claiming that shifting away from "high-risk forms of energy" will not jeopardise Germany's energy supply, according to Bloomberg, and that eliminating the risk of "devastating environmental disasters" will eventually make the country safer.

While Germany works to tackle the energy crisis, other major issues await resolution. Now that the facility has been shut down, the question is how to dispose of and demolish the nuclear infrastructure. The government must locate suitable areas to deposit radioactive waste.

(Inputs from wires)
A man from Florida in the United States has invented a unique device called "Bugkiss" that allows bug enthusiasts to interact with insects in a new and unconventional way - through kissing. The invention that has been garnering attention on the internet was by a 34-year-old software engineer, Justin. While some have found this to be peculiar, it has certainly piqued the interest of many. The invention was by a 34-year-old software engineer named Justin.(New York Post)

Also Read | Australia bans TikTok on government devices over security concerns

According to a report from the New York Post, a TikTok video featuring the Bugkiss device created by Justin has gone viral, amassing over 15.2 million views.

The report which cited NeedToKnow.co.uk stated that the Bugkiss device, created by this 34-year-old software engineer, consists of a pair of miniature baby doll lips attached to a pacifier using a spring from a pen.

In addition to its basic design, the Bugkiss device also features two different lip sizes, each intended for use with insects of varying sizes. For example, the device includes an extra small set of lips that are ideal for kissing ants.

Also Read | WhatsApp unveils device verification, account protect features

The intended method to properly enjoy Bugkiss is to hold the silicone bite piece in your mouth, with the mini-lips pointing out in the direction of the bugs, the 34-year-old said.

The inspiration for the this device to kiss bugs came to Justin when he stumbled upon an image that read, "I want to kiss a bug, but they are so small."

There is an image circulating on the internet of a window sticker which reads, I want to kiss every bug, but they are so small and my lips are so strong. I dont know where the phrase originated, but it made me laugh. Then it made me think: this is a problem I can solve, he said.

Also Read | New Zealand to ban TikTok on devices linked to parliament

Following the inventor's confession, some social media users have expressed feelings of discomfort saying Why bugs?

While others have shared their own desire to show affection towards bugs. The response to the TikTok video featuring the Bugkiss device has also been mixed, with some questioning the appeal of kissing insects and wondering why one would choose to do so.

Some comments according to the NYP report read as, Bro is just casually assaulting the bug kingdom.

Another said, I dont even wanna kiss humans why would I wanna kiss bugs.

While a third was enthusiastic. Never have I felt so strongly about backing a product.

Justin expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response to his creation, stating, "I never imagined that there would be such a significant number of people who were interested in smooching with creepy crawlies."

Ive had so many viewers ask to buy Bugkiss that Ive decided to launch it on Kickstarter soon, he further said.

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A passenger plane preparing to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia came under fire on Saturday as deadly fighting rocked Khartoum, the kingdom's flag carrier said. The eruption of violence came after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. (AFP)

The Airbus A330 bound for Saudi Arabia "was exposed to gunfire damage... with guests and crew on board" ahead of its scheduled departure to Riyadh, Saudia said in a statement.

"It has been confirmed that all members of the aircraft's cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan," the statement said.

"Meanwhile aircraft flying over Sudan have returned and all other flights to and from Sudan have been suspended in order to preserve the safety of the guests and crew."

Clashes broke out on Saturday between Sudan's army and paramilitaries, and the doctors' union reported three civilian deaths, including at Khartoum's airport in the city centre.

The Saudia statement did not mention any casualties in the incident involving its aircraft.

Read Here: Advisory for Indians in Sudan amid army-paramilitary confrontation

The paramilitaries said they were in control of the airport as well as the presidential place, claims denied by the army.

The eruption of violence came after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.

That was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the crisis sparked by their 2021 coup, which triggered a deepening economic crisis in what was already one of the world's poorest countries.

The Saudi embassy in Sudan "urges all Saudi citizens to remain at home", the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel reported.

Both the Saudi foreign ministry and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, headquartered in Riyadh, issued statements of concern about Saturday's violence.
A total of 56 civilians were killed and 595 others were wounded in clashes across Sudan, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said early on Sunday, a day after fighting broke out between Sudan's military and a government paramilitary force. Two armed men seen on a street in Kartoum, Sudan April 15, 2023, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Mohammadkhair Abdualrhman/via REUTERS

Sudans military and a powerful paramilitary force battled fiercely Saturday in the capital and other areas, dealing a new blow to hopes for a transition to democracy and raising fears of a wider conflict. The countrys doctors syndicate said at least 27 people were killed and more than 100 wounded.

The clashes capped months of heightened tensions between the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces group. Those tensions had delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its short-lived transition to democracy, which was derailed by an October 2021 military coup.

After a day of heavy fighting, the military ruled out negotiations with the RSF, instead calling for the dismantling of what it called a rebellious militia. The tough language signaled that the conflict between the former allies, who jointly orchestrated the 2021 coup, was likely to continue.

The Sudan Doctors Syndicate did not immediately release details of where the 26 deaths occurred, but it reported that at least six of them were in the capital Khartoum and its sister city Omdurman. At least eight of the dead and 58 wounded where in the vicinity of Nyala, the capital city of the South Darfur province in the countrys southwest.

Also read: Advisory for Indians in Sudan amid army-paramilitary confrontation

The fighting erupted early Saturday. The sound of heavy firing could be heard throughout the day across the neighborhoods in and near the capital, where the military and the RSF had massed tens of thousands of troops since the coup.

Witnesses said fighters from both sides fired from armored vehicles and from machine guns mounted on pick-up trucks in densely populated areas. Some tanks were seen in Khartoum. The military said it launched strikes from planes and drones at RSF positions in and around the capital.

The miliatry said in a statement late Saturday that its troops had seized all RSF bases in Omdurman, while residents reported heavy airstrikes on paramilitary positions in and around the capital continued into the night. Sounds of gunfire and explosions were still heard in several parts of Khartoum, they said.

Those in Khartoum described chaotic scenes. Fire and explosions are everywhere, said Amal Mohamed, a doctor in a public hospital in Omdurman. We havent seen such battles in Khartoum before, said resident Abdel-Hamid Mustafa.

One of the flashpoints was Khartoum International Airport. There was no formal announcement that the airport was closed, but major airlines suspended their flights.

Saudi Arabias national airline said one of its aircraft was involved in what it called an accident. Video showed the plane on fire on the tarmac. Another plane also appeared to have caught fire. Flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 identified it as a Boeing 737 for SkyUp, a Kyiv, Ukraine-based airline. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Sudan Doctors Syndicate said earlier in the day that two civilians were killed at the Khartoum airport. Another man was shot to death in the state of North Kordofan, it said. The BBC said one of its reporters was stopped by soldiers, taken to the military headquarters and beaten.

The leaders of the armed forces and the RSF traded blame over who started Saturdays fighting and offered conflicting accounts of who was in control of key installations.

Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, commander of Sudans military, told the Qatar-based satellite news network Al Jazeera that RSF troops first harassed the military south of Khartoum, triggering the clashes.

Burhan accused the RSF of entering Khartoum airport and setting fire to some planes. He also said all strategic facilities including the militarys headquarters and the Republican palace, the seat of Sudans presidency, are under his forces control. He threatened to deploy more troops to Khartoum.

The head of the RSF, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, accused Burhan of starting the battle by surrounding RSF troops. This criminal, he forced this battle upon us, he said.

Dagalo told Al Jazeera that he believed the fighting would be over in the next few days."

The RSF alleged that its forces controlled strategic locations in Khartoum and the northern city of Merowe some 350 kilometers (215 miles) northwest of the capital. The military dismissed the claims as lies.

The fighting comes after months of escalating tensions between the generals and years of political unrest since the 2021 coup. The tensions stem from a disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudans unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the militarys headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters. Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats expressed extreme concern over the outbreak of violence. We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations or troop mobilizations and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues, Blinken wrote on Twitter.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; the European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell; the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat; the Arab League chief, Ahmed Aboul Gheit; and Qatar all called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates called on those fighting in Sudan to exercise restraint and work toward a political solution.

Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was ousted in the 2021 coup, warned of a possible regional conflict if the fighting escalates. Shooting must stop immediately, he said in a video appeal to both sides posted on his Twitter account.

Cameron Hudson, a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank and a former U.S. diplomat, said the fighting could become wider and prolonged, calling on the United States to form a coalition of regional countries to pressure the leaders of the military and RSF to de-escalate.

Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy for Sudan, and the Saudi ambassador in Sudan, Ali Bin Hassan Jaffar, were in contact with Dagalo and Burhan to try to end the violence, said a U.N. official who asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Chad announced that it is closing its land borders with Sudan.

The clashes also took place in other areas across the country including the Northern province, the conflict-ravaged Darfur region, and the strategic coastal city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. ___ Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Toronto: Canadas oldest Vaisakhi celebration returned to the streets of Vancouver on Saturday after three years following a Covid-19 -enforced gap. The city welcomed back the nagar kirtan with nearly a quarter million thronging to attend the parade. The main float at the Khalsa Day parade in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday. (Source: Khalsa Diwan Society)

The Khalsa Day parade is organised by the Khalsa Diwan Society, which was established in 1906, and also operates the historic Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia.

Organisers were thrilled that the nagar kirtan was back for the first time since 2019, as the Societys president Kuldip Singh Thandi said, It was fantastic, people were very excited.

While over 100,000 came for the 2019 nagar kirtan, which marks the founding of the Khalsa panth, he estimated the crowd this year was nearly 250,000. He said these celebrations made up for the disappointment of the last three years as the parade could not be held due to restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The principal attraction was the main float, which was 55 feet long, and featured the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest text of the Sikh faith. The event to marked the 324rd Revelation Day of Khalsa, when Guru Gobind Singh established the order.

This is the oldest nagar kirtan outside India, having been held for the first time in 1979, according to the Societys vice-president Jagdeep Sanghera. He said they were very happy with the success and turnout of the nagar kirtan. There was a lot of appreciation from the congregation, they were very enthusiastic, he said.

The parade started from the Ross Street Gurdwara at 11am and returned to the temple at around 4.30pm.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the gurdwara on Friday, and later tweeted, Community is what Vaisakhi is all about  and today at Khalsa Diwan Society in South Vancouver, we came together to celebrate exactly that. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

He was accompanied by his Cabinet colleague Harjit Sajjan.

Among those at the nagar kirtan on Saturday was Vancouvers Mayor Ken Sim, who tweeted, Had a wonderful time today celebrating the return of Vancouvers Vaisakhi parade. Thank you to the organisers of todays festivities for their hard work on such an amazing event, and to all those who attended and embodied the values of service, equality, and compassion. Nishan sahib, the triangular pennant of the faith, was raised at the gurdwara on Friday.

After cancellations in 2020 and 2021, smaller observations took place last year but were limited to the gurdwara.

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China launched a weather satellite on Sunday as civilian flights altered their routes to avoid a Chinese-imposed no fly zone to the north of Taiwan which Beijing put in place because of the possibility of falling rocket debris. People watch a fight information board, as China's no fly and no shipping zone comes into force in East China Sea to the north of Taiwan.(Reuters)

Read here: China hopes Germany to support peaceful Taiwan reunification

Taiwan's transport ministry said Beijing had initially notified Taipei it would impose a no-fly zone from Sunday to Tuesday but later said that period had been reduced to 27 minutes on Sunday morning after Taiwan protested.

The no-fly announcement rattled regional nerves as it followed shortly after China staged new war games around Taiwan, which Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China's main contractor for its space programme, said the weather satellite Fengyun 3G had successfully launched from the northwestern province of Gansu at 9:36 a.m. (0136 GMT).

It did not say what the flight path of the rocket carrying it was, but the time coincides with China's previous announcement about the no-fly zone.

China has said it is inaccurate to call it a no-fly zone, though Taiwan has issued a notice to airmen, or NOTAM, that uses the wording "airspace blocked due to aerospace flight activity".

Flights to and from Taiwan and China, Taiwan and South Korea and Taiwan and Japan were amongst those detouring around the zone on Sunday morning, according to routes tracked on Flightradar24.

The zone is in an area over the East China Sea slightly northeast of Taiwan that routinely sees heavy civilian flight traffic.

Taiwan has said it expected around 33 flights to be affected and has warned shipping to stay away.

Read here: Philippines stoking the fire over Taiwan's independence: China envoy

China has denounced what it has called hype around China's space activities and an attempt to escalate confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.
The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Amb Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Saturday, April 15, called for a ceasefire in Sudan after the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) clashed in the capital Khartoum.

Mahamat has continued to follow very closely, and with deep concern, the developments in Sudan and to encourage, directly and indirectly, the political, civilian and military parties to find a consensual solution to the crisis created by the October 25 coup and its harmful consequences, the AU Commission said in a statement.

The AU said tensions have gone "dangerously out of control and resort to armed violence has prevailed as a means of resolving political disputes."

"The AUC Chairperson makes a fervent appeal to all parties, the armed forces and the rapid intervention forces, in particular, to immediately stop the destruction of the country, the panic of the populations and the bloodbaths of the innocents in the last ten years of the holy month of Ramadan," the statement reads in part.

Shooting and blasts took place on Saturday in the vicinity of Sudan's army headquarters and the defence ministry in central Khartoum, as well as the presidential palace and airport, Al Jazeera reported.

Mahamat called upon international players to urge restraint in Sudan to bring the situation under control.

"At this moment of extreme gravity, the Chairperson of the AUC urges all components of the international community to combine, in unity and urgency, their efforts to bring the parties to immediately cease military actions and return to the negotiating table for a satisfactory exit from the crisis for all," the statement said.
At least 56 people, including an Indian national, were killed and close to 600 have been injured amid the ongoing clashes between Sudans military, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the countrys powerful government paramilitary force, Rapid Support Forces (RSF). People run past a military vehicle in Khartoum on April 15, 2023, amid reported clashes in the city. - Sudan's paramilitaries said they were in control of several key sites following fighting with the regular army. (AFP)

Sudans military and RSF had entered a fierce battle on Saturday in various areas across the country including the capital. While there have been fears of a wider conflict unfolding, the hopes of Sudan transitioning into a democracy have taken a new hit.

The clashes began on Saturday morning and firing could be heard in the countrys capital, Khartoum, and in neighbouring areas. Military and RSF have both gathered thousands of troops in the capital, AP reported.

An Indian citizen, Albert Augestine, died amidst the RSF-SAF clashes, the Indian Embassy said in a tweet. Working for the Dal Group Company in Sudan, Augestine was hit by a stray bullet on Saturday.

The Indian embassy said, It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.

So, what happened in Sudan and why?

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said on Sunday that at least 56 civilians had died and over 595 had been injured in the clashes. Out of this, in the capital city of Khartoum, 25 people including 17 civilians have lost their lives.

Both Sudans military and paramilitary forces have blamed each other for escalating and initiating the violence.

The RSF has claimed that its forces have control over key areas in Khartoum, including the army chiefs residence, the presidential palace and three airports. Attacks near many other important areas have been reported including army headquarters, the defence ministry and the state TV stations. While the SAF has refuted the RSFs claim, the armed forces have also claimed that they have attacked RSF bases.

While there is no electricity in many parts of Sudan and people have been encouraging to stay inside their houses amid heightened tensions, other countries have been affected by the ongoing crisis.

A Saudi passenger plane which was supposed to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia was subjected to gunfire before it landed in Riyadh.

"It has been confirmed that all members of the aircraft's cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan," the airlines said in a statement.

While the Airbus A330 had returned to Saudi Arabia, all the flights to and from Sudan have been suspended by the country.

Why are tensions escalating in Sudan?

The clashes are a result of a month-long tension between the RSF and SAF regarding bringing Sudan back to democracy. Sudans political parties had been in conversation to bring back the short-lived democracy in the country, which was destabilised by a military coup in 2021.

Read Here: Advisory for Indians in Sudan amid army-paramilitary confrontation

Sudan had attained democracy for a brief time period when Abdalla Hamdok, the democratic prime minister of Sudan had toppled the rule of Sudan leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019. However, in 2021, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of RSF and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of SAF came together for a military coup.

Dagalo and Burhan had decided on Friday that they would work towards de-escalating the tensions between the two military groups along with defusing the issue regarding who out of the two will be heading the military in a democratic government. Another issue Dagalo and al-Burhan decided to work towards was the disagreements over RSFs integration into the army.

However, soon after, the tensions escalated with RSF deploying their forces in the capital and other locations. It was also reported that Dagalo had told the media that the RSF would not back down until they had covered all military bases.

According to the New York Times, since it gained independence in 1956, Sudan is the only African country that has had the most successful military coups. However, none before have just been between two wings of the armed forces.

What have other nations said?

Countries worldwide have urged the two groups to call a ceasefire and de-escalate the tensions within the country.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the violence and tweeted, I condemn the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces & the Sudanese Armed Forces in Sudan. Im engaging with the AU and leaders in the region & reaffirm the commitment of the @UN to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore a democratic transition.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement on Sunday, said that dangerous fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Security Forces threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudans democratic transition.

He further added, The only way forward is to return to negotiations that support the Sudanese peoples democratic aspirations. We continue to remain in close touch with our Embassy in Khartoum and have full accountability of our personnel. We also have been communicating with American citizens who may be in the region about safety measures and other precautions.

Chinas foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire and said the country was concerned about the developments in Sudan. Reuters reported that the Chinese Embassy in Sudan had asked Chinese nationals to remain safe.

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At least four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, were among the 16 people dead after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Dubai that also injured nine people, a media report said on Sunday. Char marks are seen after an apartment fire in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, April 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

The Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was notified about the fire at a building in Dubais old neighbourhood of Al Ras at 12.35 pm on Saturday, Gulf News reported.

The massive fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building and began spreading to other areas, the paper said.

A team from the Dubai Civil Defence headquarters arrived at the site of the blaze and began evacuating residents in the building.

Teams from the Port Saeed Fire Station and the Hamriyah Fire Station were also summoned.

The flames were doused by 2:42 pm (local time), the paper said.

Quoting Naseer Vatanappally, an Indian social worker who was at the Dubai Police mortuary, the paper reported that four Indians, including a couple from Kerala, have been identified among the victims.

So far, we have managed to identify 4 Indians, including a couple from Kerala and two men from Tamil Nadu who worked at the building, 3 Pakistani cousins and a Nigerian woman, Vatanappally said.

Vatanappally said he was coordinating with Dubai Police, the Indian Consulate in Dubai, other diplomatic missions and friends and relatives of the deceased, the report said.

Preliminary investigations showed the building lacked adequate safety requirements, the Dubai Civil Defence spokesperson said.

Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed report on the causes of the fire, it added.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expanded his cabinet for the eighth time inducting a Foreign Minister and a Minister of State for Transport. As per the release from the Office of the President, Dahal inducted Nepali Congress leader Narayan Prasad Saud as Foreign Minister while Nanda Chapai got the portfolio of state minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expanded his cabinet for the eighth time

Also read: Nepal Police on alert amid possible entry of Amritpal

Both the ministers were administered oath to post and secrecy amid a ceremony at Presidential Palace in Kathmandu.

Earlier on 31st March, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda had reshuffled the cabinet after weeks of hiatus when he was only able to induct 11 ministers which included a state minister.

Intra-party rift of the Nepali Congress has been blamed for the delay in the expansion of the cabinet as 10 parties are on board the coalition presenting their own demands. In four months since formation, Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda has undergone two rounds of vote of confidence and 8 cabinet reshuffles, yet failed to fill all the ministries.

Also read: Mamata Banerjee slams UP govt after Atiq Ahmad's killing: Shameful

Supported by 10 parties in the March 20 vote of confidence who have come on board the ruling coalition, Dahal on Friday managed to take 5 parties on board.

Despite filling up the majority of the ministries, PM Dahal still holds the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; the Ministry of Forest and Environment; the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
At least six female teachers were arrested in the US in two days for allegedly having sexual relationships with their students. The arrests include one of a Kentucky staffer who allegedly had trysts with a pair of 16-year-old boys, reported the New York Post. A collage of the six accused. (Twitter )

Also Read| Spanish PM apologises over sexual consent law reform loophole

38-year-old Ellen Shell was arraigned in a district court on Thursday after prosecutors said she had sex with the teens on two separate occasions in July and August last year, added the report.

WTKR reported that the accused works as a teachers aide at Woodlawn Elementary School in Danville. Before that, she worked at Lancaster Elementary School in Garrard County.

The recent bust was one of at least six cases of female teachers engaging in sexual misconduct with their teen charges in the past few days, stated reports from across the country.

On Friday, Heather Hare, a 32-year-old teacher at Bryant High School, surrendered to a detention center after allegations of sexual misconduct with a student were reported, said Arkansas Times. She was charged with sexual assault in the first degree and spent three and a half hours in jail before being released on a bond of $15,000.

Another teacher, Emily Hancock, 26, was arrested Thursday after local police were tipped off to her alleged relationship with a student. As per a report in Koco news, court documents say the 26-year-old started messaging the student during the fall semester of 2022 when she was a substitute for one of his classes.
A 26-year-old man was charged with mischief and slapped with a fine of $5,000 (around 4 lakh) after he was stuck inside a public artwork in Canadas Edmonton and had to be rescued by firefighters. The artwork, which is made up of large silver metal spheres, was cut open to rescue the trapped man. Firefighters working to rescue the trapped man. (CTV Edmonton)

Also Read| Canadas oldest Vaisakhi parade held in Vancouver after three years of Covid-enforced gap

On April 9, firefighters were called to the Talus Dome sculpture around 8:30 pm after someone walking by noticed a strange sight, reported CBC News. A video of the incident has gone viral in which a passerby documented the incident on his phone and poked his head inside the sculpture for a closer look.

The person who shot the video has been identified as Connor Schwindt. He said that he was on a post-Easter dinner run past the sculpture perched on the edge of Fox Drive and the Quesnell Bridge when he noticed a commotion.

After seeing firefighters attempting to carry out the rescue work, Schwindt said he asked if it was a man or animal trapped inside.

He said the man inside the structure was beginning to panic. "It was kind of like watching a mouse fall into a bucket," said Schwindt.

"He was just kind of running around inside of it starting to freak out because he couldn't get out."

According to the police, the man had climbed on top of the structure, damaging several of the balls of the structure, and became trapped inside soon after. Three crews, including a technical rescue team, were involved in the call, said a spokesperson for Edmonton fire rescue services.
Many domestic air routes sold out for national holidays

Tickets for the coming Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) on many air routes have sold out.



According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), tickets on air routes from Hanoi to HCM City, Hue, Phu Yen and Dong Hoi and many other tourist destinations nationwide had sold very well as of April 14. No tickets are available on flights from Hanoi to Vinh, Hue or Tuy Hoa.





Travel demand by air surges when summer is nearing



Up to 90 percent of flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi and Phu Cat airports have been sold.



Large numbers of flight bookings have been made on flights from HCM City to Tuy Hoa, Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh.



Ticket prices have been on a sharp rise due to higher demand. CAAV has asked domestic airlines to consider increasing the flight frequency from Hanoi/HCM City to Phu Quoc, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Nha Trang and Con Dao.



Vietnamese airlines will provide an additional number of 5,000 tickets per day to meet the demand on the coming Reunification Day on April 30, and International Labour Day on May 1.



The Ministry of Transport has urged airlines to take measures to mitigate flight cancellations and delays.


Khartoum / Omdurman / Zalingei / Kabkabiya / El Geneina / El Obeid  Fierce clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) commanded by Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) headed by Lt Gen Mohamed 'Hemeti' Dagalo, that erupted in the Sudanese capital Khartoum yesterday and have since spread to other parts of the country, have already claimed at least 56 civilian and dozens of military lives, with hundreds more reported injured.

The inter-factional violence that broke out yesterday, following longstanding tensions between the forces loyal to Sudan's two most powerful generals, quickly escalated. Army and paramilitary troops battled over key points in and around Khartoum, including the airports, Presidential Palace, and TV broadcast centre, while terrified civilians ran for cover. As the violence continued overnight, conflicting claims and counter claims of both factions regarding which key points they control are difficult to verify.

Fighting talk

Fighting talk is being used by both factions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Sudanese Armed Forces announced that "there can be no negotiation or dialogue" until what it described as "Hemeti's rebel militia" is dissolved.

In a separate statement via the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA), member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Lt Gen Yasir El Ata, said that the SAF were able "to control all the major RSF camps in Khartoum, and in several other cities and towns, including Port Sudan, El Gedaref, and Kosti".

'There can be no negotiation or dialogue until Hemeti's rebel militia is dissolved...' - Sudan Joint Chiefs of Staff

Last night, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported that at least 56 civilians had died as well as "dozens of military personnel". The doctors also say they have counted close to 600 injured at the time of their report.

The clashes were initially reported in central Khartoum, however, gunfire and shelling could soon be heard across the city, and the sound of artillery shelling was reported later in Omdurman to the north-west, and Khartoum North (Bahri). The government urged the public to remain indoors. Armoured military vehicles and other deployments could be seen on the streets, as fighter jets and assault helicopters of the Sudanese Air Force patrolled the skies above the capital.

Battle for key points

The first deaths were reported after fighting around Khartoum International Airport, and widely shared images show smoke rising close to an Airbus of Saudia Airlines on the tarmac. The airline has since confirmed that one of its aircraft "came under fire". All Saudia and EgyptAir international flights to Khartoum have been cancelled, and foreign embassies have urged their citizens to 'shelter in place'. Chad has announced that it has closed its border with Sudan.

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Yesterday, it was reported that clashes around the military camp at Merowe in Northern State, 200 kilometres north of Khartoum. Radio Dabanga earlier reported the large number of RSF paramilitaries being deployed in Merowe over the past few days.

Further afield, gunfire has been heard in Port Sudan in Red Sea state. Three employees of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reportedly died when SAF and RSF troops clashed at a military base in Kabkabiya, North Darfur. The WFP has been contacted by Radio Dabanga for confirmation.

Reports from El Obeid in North Kordofan list at least three people dead and dozens more injured. Clashes also continued in the Central Darfur capital Zalingei, as well as El Geneina, capital or West Darfur, however exact figures are still being assessed.

Tensions

This eruption of violence follows growing tensions and a power struggle between Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, commander of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan's de facto leader following the 2021 military coup, and Lt Gen Mohamed 'Hemeti' Dagalo, commander of the notorious paramilitary RSF.

While the intention to integrate the SAF and RSF into a unified national army has been voiced repeatedly by both sides, the most recent negotiations regarding the Framework Agreement for a transition to civilian governance stalled largely due to failure to reach consensus on security and military reform.

This is a developing story...
This years conference theme for the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia (FHS) is Invest in Change, highlighting the importance of the positive change that can be brought forward through the investment in time, intellect and expertise in the hospitality industry to keep up with changing times and trends to better shape the future of the industry. In the lead up to the event we asked a number of industry partners how they are investing in change.

Innovation in any industry is often propelled by two primary forces. One is certainly the evolving habits and preferences of consumers, which themselves tend to be driven by the second factor in this equation of transformation  technology.

Nowhere does this ring true more than in hospitality, an industry impelled forward by monumental leaps in cutting-edge innovation. And nowhere is this more prevalent than in the advent of the cities of the future.

As the pinnacle of a new era in urban development, a cognitive community such as the one being built at NEOM represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for pioneering enterprises and service providers to make their mark on the world stage.

Indeed, to truly stay ahead in an increasingly competitive hospitality ecosystem, this unique environment is the ideal playground for bold, unfettered innovation that will not only revolutionize guest experiences, but also serve as an example of leadership and ingenuity for other sectors and industries to follow.

With no legacy infrastructure and a blank canvas invigorated by predictive and proactive technologies and solutions that will enhance lives and enrich the human experience, NEOM is building a world-class tourism sector. In parallel, it is also pursuing the ambition to serve as an economic engine for Saudi Arabia, fueling the diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Fundamental to these efforts is NEOM Hotel Development, a standalone division responsible for creating and operating hotels of the future, while accelerating human progress by redefining how we travel, stay and live.

More specifically, it is the ability to shape a new frontier in experiential hospitality that sets NEOM Hotel Development apart, as it brings to life properties built around unique, groundbreaking, and diverse concepts, and seamless services carefully tailored to guest profiles.

Predictive solutions will take the hospitality trends initiated by the development of mobile technology to the next level, transforming the guest experience with services such as biometric check-in and room access.

Other innovations, such as an AI-powered cognitive concierge, will automate and manage all aspects of the guest journey  from home-to-hotel-room luggage assistance to hyper-personalizing their stay according to interests, lifestyle, and wellbeing preferences, as well as any health-related considerations.

Cognitive technology will also allow NEOM Hotel Development to supercharge efficiencies in energy use and maintenance, streamlining hotel operations, automating tasks, and freeing up staff to offer the warmth and service excellence that will challenge and reinvent every dimension of modern hospitality.

That said, NEOMs approach to innovation in technology has neither been nor will ever be to diminish the importance of the human element in any way. Empowering people is at the very center of NEOMs philosophy.

To this end, NEOM Hotel Development is developing a dynamic and diverse future workforce to host visitors from across the globe and showcase human creativity as a primary driver of both value and novel, meaningful experiences.

Built on the foundations of a culture that reimagines working in hospitality, NEOM Hotel Development is committed to making it an attractive career path and nurturing proud Saudi ambassadors who will form the bedrock of the industry.

The same culture cherishes diversity and supports expertise, enabling people to dream big and realize their potential. It invites a strong, ambitious contingent of youth talent from all walks of life and from across the Kingdom and beyond to forge a career at NEOM and play a leading role in changing the future of hotels.

NEOM Hotel Development is further investing in change in hospitality by encouraging democratization in the workplace, where the absence of a traditional hierarchy will allow for community building and fluidity of roles and responsibilities that emphasize the need for hyper-collaboration.

A workforce empowered to ideate boldly and creatively to truly deconstruct hospitality from the ground up will entail the adoption of a prototype mindset, bringing concepts to life as quickly and as often as possible.

Our industries, economies, and indeed the world at large were reconfigured by the existential challenges of the Covid pandemic. A comprehensive recovery will come only for those that can evolve  from reactive to proactive action. In other words, this new era has brought with it an abundance of opportunity, but to make the most of it, we must not only change with the times. We must be the change.
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Iliana Oberkircher cant quite recall how old she was. Maybe 10? But she clearly remembers holding an orange pill bottle, doing her best to translate the prescription from English to Spanish for her mother.

The medicine was for her younger brother, Juan Carlos or Carlitos, who suffered from a complex heart condition, requiring her mother to shuttle him from doctor to doctor in the Rio Grande Valley, Oberkircher always came along to translate.

Looking back now, Oberkircher said, having a Latino physician who spoke Spanish was just unheard of.

Today, Oberkircher is a student at the University of Houston College of Medicine, but Hispanics, as well as other minorities, remain woefully underrepresented among physicians  a legacy that has contributed to higher incidences of disease and mortality rates among racial and ethnic minorities. Hispanics, for example, account for 40 percent of the Texas population, but only 10 percent of the states primary care physicians.

A growing body of research shows patients tend to have better trust and communication with doctors of the same race or ethnicity, and people of color are also likely to experience racism in the health care system. Now, a new survey overseen by a Baylor University Medical Center physician, has found that those who experience such racism are more likely to put off treatment, not make a follow-up appointments or otherwise delay care.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

Those decisions to delay or forego treatment, in turn, may contribute to the higher incidences of chronic disease and health problems among minorities. People of color experience higher rates of diabetes, obesity, stroke, heart disease, and cancer than whites, according to Health Affairs, a peer-reviewed journal based in Washington.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas ranks among worst in the nation for racial health disparities

Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer

Take diabetes, for example. Black Americans have a 77 percent higher chance and Hispanics a 66 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites, according to Health Affairs.

Oberkircher cant help but think of her brother who had four open heart surgeries before he died at 12, and the lack of prenatal care that her mother received. She wonders whether her brother would have been born with a heart defect had her mother been told  or understood  what she should do during pregnancy, such as taking iron and folic acid to prevent iron deficiencies and birth defects.

Theres definitely somewhere where the system failed us a little bit, Oberkircher said. Especially being in a situation where my mom didnt completely understand what his condition was.

One in three

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Baylor University Medical Center, has heard stories like these over a 15-year career. She became curious about how patients responded to doctors who couldnt speak their language or made assumptions based on their race and whether it might create a chilling effect that disrupts care.

Shepherd helped launch a survey of 1,000 Black Americans and 1,000 white residents, and published the results in February on Verywell Health, a wellness site fact checked by medical professionals. The survey found about one in three Black respondents reported experiencing racism while using the health care system.

To me, we have so much literature and data on how health care bias and racism is seen in health care, Shepherd said. The more focal part (of the survey) is what people decide to do with those actions.

In Verywell Health's national survey, about 36 percent of the respondents who said they experienced racism in the health care system decided to see another provider. Twenty-eight percent said they delayed making a health decision, such as getting preventative screening, while another 28 percent said they didnt make follow-up appointments. Nearly one-fourth, or 24 percent, said they stopped getting treatment after encountering racism.

Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer

Delaying treatment or foregoing follow-up appointments can have serious consequences, keeping patients from getting needed medications and allowing illnesses to progress until they become emergencies  or worse.

Black residents account for about 12 percent of the U.S. population, but only about 5 percent of physicians, according to a study last year from the University of California at Los Angeles. In Verywell Health's survey, only one in four Black Americans reported seeing a Black doctor, and only half said they felt that their last provider was familiar with Black patients.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Diversity, equity and inclusion becomes a full-time job at HCA Houston Healthcare

Dr. Alishka Abioye, a primary care physician at Oak Street Health West Bellfort location in southwest Houston, said patients often remark that she is the first Black physician theyve seen. Seeing a doctor of their same race tends to make patients feel more comfortable, allowing them to build trust, understanding and communication, she said.

One of her patients, a Black woman, had seen several doctors, all of whom recommended kidney dialysis, but the woman refused. The other physicians had written her off as a difficult patient, but Abioye was able to build a connection, learning why the woman was resisting treatments.

The woman had lost a loved one shortly after they began dialysis, leading her to equate dialysis with a death sentence. After Abioye explained that the womans loved one probably waited too long, and dialysis could add years to her life, the woman agreed to begin treatment.

Black patients just tend to open up more which leads me to provide more effective care for them, Abioye said. If I can get more information from them and better understand their history, I can take care of them in more comprehensive and holistic way.

A history of mistrust

Experts say this lack of Black and minority doctors reinforces mistrust of a health care system that has a history of racist practices, including experimentation on Black and enslaved people for research without their consent.

One infamous experiment was done by J. Marion Sims, who conducted gynecological surgeries on enslaved women without anesthesia or their consent in the mid-1800s in Montgomery, Ala. One woman was operated on 30 times between 1846 and 1849.

Almost a century later, the federal government allowed hundreds of Black men in rural Alabama go untreated for syphilis for 40 years for research purposes. About 600 Black men who took part in the study thought they were receiving treatment, but physicians lied about the nature of the study, and never told the participants they were only receiving placebos.

Even after penicillin was discovered as a cure for the venereal disease, about one-third of the men were left to suffer with the disease, which if left untreated leads to blindness and mental impairment.

These examples are often cited as reasons why Black Americans remain skeptical of the health care system, often hesitating to make routine doctor's visits, and most recently, refusing COVID-19 vaccinations. When the vaccine rollout began, Black people and people of color had the lowest vaccination rates due to lack of access and skepticism of the vaccine.

Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer

The gap has narrowed since then. In a survey conducted in March of 14,000 people 82 percent of Black adults 18 and over reported they were fully vaccinated, compared to 85 percent of whites, 86 percent of Hispanics and 97 percent of Asians, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rosemary Agwuncha saw in real time how this mistrust could affect patient outcomes last spring as a University of Houston College of Medicine student doing clinical rotations.

A patient, who is a Nigerian immigrant, came for a checkup. Agwuncha and her instructor asked the woman if she wanted a COVID shot.

The woman hesitated, explaining she heard all sorts of rumors on the vaccine from social media and worrying that the white man wanted to put a chip in her.

Agwuncha caught the woman eyeing her name badge. Im Nigerian, too, Agwuncha told her. As the two talked, they discovered they were both part of the Igbo tribe. Then the woman asked Agwuncha: Well, did you get it?

Agwuncha told her she did. The woman ultimately decided to get vaccinated.

I didnt want to shame her or negate what she had to say, but just kindly reorient her to better resources, Agwuncha said. I said, You know, I got it and my (instructor) got it and were both women of color.

Hope for the future

Part of the solution to stopping racist practices in health care is to ensure that more minorities are represented in executive suites, research labs, insurance companies and doctors offices, Shepherd said.

What we need to understand is that the fundamentals of medicine need to change, Shepherd said.

Oberkircher said she feels hopeful that this can happen. Shes enrolled at the University of Houston College of Medicine, which has focused on preparing primary-care doctors to practice in under-served urban and rural areas of Texas, and training doctors who look like the communities they serve. The school launched in 2020 with the aim of enrolling 50 percent of its students from minority populations.

Currently, about 36 percent of first year students are Black and 36 percent are Hispanic. Nationally, Black or African American students made up 11.3 percent of first year medical students and Hispanic, Latino, or students of Spanish origin made up 12.7 percent of first year students, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Before applying, I was surprised how most medical schools arent representative of their community, Oberkircher said. I think what were doing here is really going to make a difference.

becca.carballo@chron.com
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BROWNSVILLE  It was Friday night, and at the Rocket Ranch campground between Brownsville and SpaceXs Starbase launch site, more than two dozen guests were settling down for dinner at the ranchs main house.

Theyd arrived in RVs with solar-powered systems and Tesla electric vehicles from Seattle, Chicago, Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts to set up camp on the 10-acre property nestled into a curve along the Rio Grande. They ate grilled hamburgers, drank Johnny Walker Double Black whiskey, eyed livestreamed images of the nearby launch pad and discussed how they expect SpaceX to launch the Starship into orbit for the first time ever Monday from nearby Boca Chica Village.

Theyre here hoping to witness it.

Sitting at the kitchen table, Gary Brosz, a 65-year-old retired engineer from Colorado who worked for Aerojet Rocketdyne building NASA shuttle engines, beamed as he talked about how unbelievably fast SpaceX makes decisions and finishes the engineering needed to launch.

SpaceX is 10 times faster than NASA, he said.

Live updates Follow developments at SpaceXs Boca Chica launch site this morning at express-news.com. The Starships 150-minute launch window opens at 7 a.m., with the countdown beginning about two hours earlier. If it goes as planned, the Super Heavy rocket lower stage will push Starship upward for 2 minutes and 49 seconds. Super Heavy then will separate from the spacecraft and splash down in the Gulf of Mexico. The Starship upper stage is to continue around the planet and, about an hour and a half later, splash down off the coast of Hawaii. Itll land before taking a full lap of the Earth. Why South Texas? SpaceX has been developing its Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft in Boca Chica, an unincorporated area outside Brownsville. Starship has taken high-altitude test flights on its own, but today will be the first time the companys Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft launch together  and the first time theyve aimed for orbit. See More Collapse

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF: SpaceX gets federal approval for South Texas launch of Starship, the worlds most powerful rocket

Ian Millek, a 19-year-old aspiring engineer from Denmark, nodded in agreement. He graduated from high school last year and found his way to the campground as part of his gap-year travel plans, drawn by the chance to see Starship aim for orbit after the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday gave SpaceX the final approval it needed to launch from South Texas.

But he was concerned SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, whom he called superhuman, might push out the target launch date a few days to coincide with Thursday, April 20, or 4/20, which is a code for marijuana and a Musk obsession. Millek told Brosz that his U.S. tourist visa expires Saturday.

I would really like to see Starship launch before I have to leave, he said, taking a long breath.

Brownsville boom

The prospect of a launch Monday had already drawn thousands of SpaceX fans into nearby Brownsville, South Padre Island and anywhere else they could find a spot to park, pitch a tent or rent a room. Bar, restaurant and hotel managers this weekend were seeing a rush of tourists piling into South Texas to get as close as they can to the possible launch. And, most said, more were still coming.

Nearly 20 miles west of Starbase, Cori Pena, president and CEO of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corp., reflected last week on how SpaceX has already hired 1,600 employees, making it the largest employer in her city. She is among those who support SpaceXs presence in and near Brownsville, the border city where nearly a quarter of its 187,000 residents live in poverty and unemployment is routinely at or near the highest rate in the state.

Creating jobs means SpaceX employees buying homes, shopping and keeping our talent in the community, she said. Brownsville is embracing the culture of what tech is and what SpaceX brought here.

The company invested about $430 million in operations in Cameron County in 2021 and was expected to add $855 million in gross economic output for the county last year, Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez has said.

Still, Brownsville is not a company town like those Musk is attempting to build in the Austin area for SpaceX and his other business ventures, which include automaker Tesla and tunneling firm The Boring Co.

AT SNAILBROOK: As Elon Musk reshapes rural Texas, is Bastrops Snailbrook the start of his next company town?

But locals say theyre seeing more Teslas in downtown Brownsville, as well as restaurants and cafes whose designs, intended to attract newcomers, stick out on streets with a hodgepodge of discount clothing stores, Mexican restaurants and dilapidated buildings.

The boom has created a divide in Brownsville, as residents debate whether the mayors pro-SpaceX stance has helped ignite the local economy or simply led to environmental damage and loss of access to Boca Chica Beach when roads are closed for SpaceX operations or clogged by tourists.

Elon Musk is bringing in new possibilities for Brownsville, Itzak Izaguirre, owner of The Masters Barbershop, said Friday after shaving a young mans beard in the spacious establishment he opened two years ago. People think SpaceX is gentrifying the city, but I think its great and brings more opportunities.

While Brownsville locals say visitors will leave some of their space tourism dollars in the city on their way to angle for a view of a launch, most residents arent planning to leave city limits for the event.

HOLDOUTS: 'This is not SpaceX property': Elon Musks company looks to rename South Texas town 'Starbase'

Izaguirre said he has clients who work at SpaceX but that he hasnt witnessed any of the companys tests and doesnt follow chatter about the possible orbital launch on Twitter, which is also owned by Musk. He didnt watch YouTube stars such as Everyday Astronaut, whose online content helped draw people from across the country to the Rocket Ranch campground.

We have SpaceX here all the time, Izaguirre said. Its nothing new to us.

'Amazing moment'

By Saturday morning, Anthony Gomez, 40, manager and partner at Rocket Ranch, was preparing for nearly 150 more SpaceX enthusiasts to arrive before Monday morning

Those already here were sporting Rocket Ranch and Starbase, TX T-shirts and surrounded by SpaceX memorabilia, an orange NASA astronaut dummy, a U.S. Space Force poster and a copy of the book Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX.

They spoke nonstop about whether SpaceX will launch or scrub this week. Calling themselves space nerds, they recalled how the company had run test flights of the Starship that led to a string of fiery crashes before successfully flying one about 6 miles high in May 2021.

This time, SpaceX plans to launch a Starship stacked atop its Super Heavy booster for the first time.

For the California-based company, much depends on the nearly 400-foot-tall Starship reaching orbit: NASA wants to use the rocket to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era, and Musk wants it to fulfill his dream of sending humans to colonize Mars.

SEE THE ROCKETS: Its not going to be as sexy: Boca Chica looks toward a SpaceX future less lofty than itd hoped

If Starship launches, our guests will witness the most amazing moment in human history, said Gomez, 40. People that are here are trying to find their own way to being part of that story. This is the first sentence of human beings leaving the Earth and exploring ways to settle on the moon and Mars.

He noted that the ranch offers WiFi beamed through a SpaceX Starlink communications satellite, the kind the private space company says can be more rapidly deployed from Starship than its current rocket systems.

Some Rocket Ranch guests paid $35 to camp in their RVs or other vehicles, while others spent from $80 to $140 to sleep in trailers and inside the main house in the Moon Room or Solar Room. Guests have volunteered to help Gomez make coffee, cook and set up white tents dubbed pods on the grass, mere steps away from the riverfront offering a view across the Rio Grande of Mexican farmland with horses and cows.

A hundred more SpaceX enthusiasts bought tickets at prices ranging from $150 to $350 to stay at Rocket Ranchs private outpost just 4 miles from Starbase. Sunday evening, Gomez was driving those paying customers to the outpost, which includes shipping containers with a sign that reads Dont Panic and a metal platform atop where fans can stand to view the launch. The idea is to beat the expected closure of Texas 4, which runs next to Starbase and passes through Boca Chica Beach, Texas state parks and the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge. Those at the private outpost will stay there overnight to be ready for a possible launch Monday morning.

Guests, who signed waivers to be so close to the launch, will have the worlds best view of Starship from the edge of SpaceXs so-called keep out zone around the 47-acre Starbase compound, Gomez said.

You want to make sure theyre as close as possible with the best opportunity to be safe, he said of customers who bought no-refund tickets for the outpost. If Starship launches, our customers will have witnessed the most amazing moment in human history.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORRIES: It just shouldnt be going on here; Brownsville activists say Elon Musks SpaceX spaceport damaging wildlife habitat

He and his guests were making backup plans in case it doesn't launch. Some visitors were planning to stay for a possible launch later in the week, while others must get back to their families and jobs.

Were ready to go, but its likely to scrub Monday, he said. These set and postponed launch dates can break your heart.

Other visitors

Back in Brownsville, at a downtown border crossing station, the city has planted a welcome sign in the shape of the Starship upper stage that reads: On the Border By the Sea and Beyond.

Ricardo Torres, a resident of Matamoros, Mexico, who crosses the border here each morning to work at Lupitas Inc. Perfumes and Wireless store, said he hasnt visited Starbase  yet.

Elon Musk is interesting, and Id like to see the rockets, said Torres, 26, who has a college degree in the health field. But I dont have a car.

Down near Boca Chica Beach, Dariem Hernandez, a 40-year-old production manager for a food company in New Jersey, was among the space fans who lined the public access road to stare at the Starship from his vehicle parked at the Starbase launch site.

He was documenting what appeared to be SpaceX employees standing on a boom lift beside the Super Heavy booster on the launch mount to share on his Spanish-language YouTube channel, Explorando el Espacio.

He planned this trip to Boca Chica without believing the FAA would approve the operator license. After it was issued Friday, he was hoping to stay on South Padre Island to see a launch Monday morning because he was scheduled to return to his wife and 8-year-old daughter Tuesday.

It would be sad if I have to get on an airplane and they launch, he said, adding: Id like to bring my daughter to a launch one day.
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Houston police arrested a man accused of shooting at a police helicopter that had been sent to southeast Houston early Sunday following reports of an earlier shooting in the area.

Around 2:25 a.m., a Houston police helicopter was responded to a report about a man shooting at a woman, near 4200 Crenshaw St. At one point, the man shot at the helicopter, police told OnScene TV reporters.
On Scene TV

A man has been charged with murder in connection to the death of a man inside a motel room in March.

MORE ON LOCAL: 19-year-old Texas City resident charged with murder over Galveston shooting
As a chemistry teacher at Sharpstown High School, Nabeel Ahmad noticed that some students were taken with the material, and some expressed wanting to work as health care professionals. He found himself adding to the lesson plans to meet their interests.

But there was only so much he could do.



I needed someone who is wearing a white coat or a nurse, or someone who has this extra knowledge, Ahmad said. I had that thought in the back of my mind that my students lack that opportunity and access to these resources.

MORE FROM REBECCA: KIPP alums started their own school, and then the pandemic hit. Here's what they're up to now.

He was working there as a Teach for America corps member when he started to see some of the inequities that played out in the public school system. Not only did the Sharpstown students not have access to certain programs, but he noticed that many were dealing with trauma and depression and didnt have primary care doctors. So he decided to apply to medical school.

Now, he's a third-year medical student at the University of Houston's Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, where he is part of the Health Career Collaborative, a national program that started in 2013 to support underserved high school students as they pursue post-secondary education, gain health literacy and consider health careers.

The program partners high schools and medical schools across the country. Its target population is underrepresented minority and low-income high school students. The organization partners with high schools that serve greater than 90 percent of that population.

Ahmad and his peers at the medical college pitched the idea of bringing the program to Jack Yates High School to both the college and the high school. They got the green light from both institutions, and in 2021 they held their first class.

What was once a lofty goal he had as a chemistry teacher was now a reality. He stood in front of an anatomy class at Yates in his white coat and asked the class what they should do if they break a bone.

Cry, one of the students said, and stifled giggles rippled through the classroom. Ahmad smiled and told the student that was a likely outcome, but then explained they would need to immobilize the injury until they could get medical attention. He then showed the students how to create a sling with a splint and swathe. They then split off into small groups to practice on each other.

Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Five other medical students also were in the classroom. They also gave presentations and led small group activities. Sierra Cowan, one of the other medical students helping to teach the class, instructed the students on how to identify the three types of fractures -- traverse, oblique and comminuted -- by showing them X-rays, which was also followed by a small group activity, led by the medical students.

Learning and relationship building happens best in smaller groups Ahmad said. This is where they start to get to know their students.

ENROLLMENT: Houston ISD class sizes are growing, but enrollment is declining. Here's why.

Cowan helped her small group identify different fractures on their own based on the lesson. Their group finished a little earlier, so they spent the remaining time chatting. One of the students told Cowan she might want to be a dermatologist, but she wasnt sure. She wanted to try a little bit of everything.

You should think about family medicine then, Cowan suggested.

Then another student chimed in.

I want to be a psychiatric nurse, said Baylee Smiley, a senior. I like the rush of it.

Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Smiley used to go into work with her mother, who is a psychiatric nurse at Ben Taub Hospital, and Smiley was fascinated with the work. Initially, her mother would take her along so she wouldnt be home alone, but then Smiley started to tag along because she wanted to be there.

The class isnt just worthwhile for people who want to work in health care, Smiley said.

They teach us everything about the health system, Smiley said. Every lesson, we learn something new. They teach us about the body, infections and how to treat them. Even if you dont want to work in the health field, its still worth learning.
While in prison in Mangaung, Thabo Bester ran a business and even appeared by video link at an event.

Nandipha Magudumana used Bester's alias to stay in luxury accommodation in Bloemfontein and Ballito in the weeks before he escaped

Bookings for luxury accommodation made in the name of "TK Nkwana" reveal Nandipha Magudumana's movements in the months leading up to Thabo Bester's escape.

An invoice found in Magudumana and Bester's abandoned Hyde Park house proves that Magudumana visited Bloemfontein in March and April 2022.

The police have been informed of this, but have not yet picked up the invoice from the property manager.

Nandipha Magudumana, who is facing charges of murder and aiding Thabo Bester's escape, used Bester's alias to book accommodation in Bloemfontein and Ballito in the weeks leading up to the escape. More than R120,000 was spent on these bookings.

The police were informed of an invoice for a luxury hotel in Bloemfontein over a week ago. The invoice was left behind in the Hyde Park property where Magudumana and Bester were staying. The police raided the house but didn't enter a section of the property with the invoice and Madungama's diary. As of Friday the police had not sent anyone to pick up the invoice and diary, nor had they contacted the hotel in question.

Thabo Bester escaped from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein on 3 May 2022, after faking his death in a fire in his prison cell. He sometimes used the alias "TK Nkwana" and used a fake ID in that name to sign lease agreements while in prison.

In the two months before the escape, an Airbnb profile in the name of "TK Nkwana" was used to make at least ten bookings at luxury properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

One of these bookings was for a mansion in an estate in Ballito Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal, from 12-14 March 2022. The Airbnb host told GroundUp that he spoke to a man called "TK" on the phone before the booking. The booking cost R18,000.

According to the Airbnb host, "TK" provided the names and ID numbers of four people to stay in the house. Magudumana's ID number was provided, but she used the name "Dr Enjoy Magudumana Nkwana". Three others were also registered, two of whom were co-directors of Magudumana's company, Vibes Africa International.

It is understood that Magudumana's children also stayed at the house, but did not have to provide their ID numbers because they were underage.

A week and a half later, on 24 March 2022, Magudumana checked in at a luxury hotel in Bloemfontein, which is a 30-minute drive from Mangaung Correctional Centre. She provided a copy of her ID upon check-in. But the booking, which had been made online, was under TK Nkwana.

The manager of the hotel told GroundUp that Magudumana made a second visit to the hotel on 13-14 April. The second booking was also made by "TK Nkwana".

The police (SAPS) confirmed in Parliament on Thursday that Magudumana claimed three bodies from the state morgue in Bloemfontein, one of which was the body that was found in Bester's prison cell. The Sunday Times previously reported that this took place in early April.

G4S, the multinational company that operates and partly owns the prison, told Parliament on Wednesday that Bester received regular visits from Magudumana, starting in 2017. The last recorded visit was in December 2021. But the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) said that Magudumana had made an appointment to see Bester on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2022. This appointment was later cancelled.

On 15 April 2022, the day after Magudumana checked out of the hotel in Bloemfontein, Bester applied to be held in a single cell due to safety concerns. But he later withdrew his application. JICS told Parliament that during their investigation they were informed by an inmate that Bester had received a secret, unrecorded visit on 16 April.

Magudumana again checked in at the Ballito accommodation on 19 April and stayed for 11 nights, this time accompanied by three others, one of whom was a co-director of Vibes Africa International. The booking was made by "TK" (one of Bester's aliases), who had reached out to the host directly on WhatsApp. The eleven-night stay cost a total of R90,800. It was booked well in advance and paid for on 23 March.

On 28 April 2022, Bester successfully applied to be held in a single cell and was moved. On 3 May, a fire broke out in his cell, a body was burnt, and he escaped from the prison. Two days later, on 5 May, Magudumana claimed the body from the state morgue, saying she was Bester's customary law wife.

Magudumana left the country via the Beitbridge border post on 9 May. This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Friday. She returned to South Africa on 12 May.

In the months after Thabo Bester's escape, the Airbnb account was used at least another ten times, with the last booking in February 2023. GroundUp understands that the estate in Ballito, where Magudumana stayed, was inspected by the Hawks in early April.

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Could Bester have visited Magudumana in the Bloemfontein hotel?

We asked two prison officials at Mangaung Correctional Centre whether it would have been possible for Bester to leave the prison for brief stints. One official said that Bester often required mental health treatment and that prisoners would occasionally have to go to an external hospital. In December 2022, another inmate at MCC escaped while in the hospital.

But another official, who has worked in the admissions department since 2013, which records all hospital visits by prisoners, said he had no recollection of Bester ever leaving the prison. He says the system was watertight and it would have been almost impossible for Bester to leave the prison. But G4S told Parliament on Wednesday that according to the prison's records, Bester visited an outside specialist five times in 2015 and once in 2016.

G4S, the company that operates the prison, and the Department of Correctional Services did not respond to our questions. A spokesperson for SAPS, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, said: "We cannot provide blow-by-blow feedback of the evidence gathered and collected thus far. We request space for the detectives to do their work without undue pressure and expectation."
The Galveston County Health District has ordered that The Childrens Center be closed after discovering that families were living in unsafe, unsanitary conditions.

MORE ON LOCAL: In a field with racist past, Houston med students are helping Black teens see a future as doctors

Phil Keiser, chief executive officer at the Galveston County Health District, said Saturday that they began investigating about a month ago after they learned a child at the shelter had tested positive for lead.

"We were notified that there was a child at The Childrens Center with high lead levels, Keiser said.

The center opened in 1878 to help children in crisis, according to its web site, and has "transitioned into a human rights and social justice organization dedicated to providing safety, housing and mentoring for those who are abandoned, abused, neglected and exploited."

A small team was sent to inspect the facility and found that children were getting exposed to lead from paint from the outside of the building that getting into the soil. The team also reported a rat infestation, rat droppings, fleas, and dirt on the floor at the shelter.

Keiser decided they needed further testing with a bigger team and they inspected the facility April 6, and were shocked by what they discovered.

MORE ON LOCAL: Newborn with irreparable heart defect dies after family relocates to Houston for hope of surgery

The place was filthy, he said. At that point, there was just way too much going on in here and this place was not safe and I issued a control order and ordered the shelter be closed.

A City of Galveston fire marshal inspection revealed no fire alarms or smoke detectors.

Nine families, or 21 people, were evacuated. Of them, 19 people consented to be tested for lead and four children had positive results.

The Episcopal Healthcare Foundation is helping to relocate some of the displaced families, while others are being housed in hotels or found their own lodging.

Theyve turned into a godsend. We had no idea how to do it, he said.

The University of Texas Medical Branch is working with the health district to help treat the individuals who tested with high levels of lead.

Keiser said he isn't sure how long the building will be closed.
At 20 weeks of pregnancy, Juan and Alexis Rivera learned that their unborn son had a congenital heart defect.

Juan Rivera Jr. would need multiple heart surgeries for a chance at life, and Alexis would need to relocate to Houston for that to happen.

MORE ON LOCAL: 18-year-old charged with killing a man in a motel room in Houston (houstonchronicle.com)

Rivera Jr. was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

According to the CDC, the left side of the heart does not form correctly during pregnancy. About 1 of every 3,841 babies in the U.S. annually receives this diagnoses.

Juan documented the familys move to Houston and their sons health journey on their GoFundMe page, which was created Feb. 1.

The support we receive will go towards travel, lodging, and medical costs we encounter through our journey, he said. We are constantly praying for the best outcome for our little guy.

The Rivera family were living in Ingleside when their doctors in Corpus Christi recommended that their son be delivered at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston so he could receive the proper palliative care.

MORE ON LOCAL: Court limits years of disgraced Houston cop Goines' known misconduct, lets man's conviction stand

The family moved to Houston in February, where the mother Alexis stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while she awaited her due date.

She was scheduled for a C-section on April 5. Their son was born a few days early April 2 and was put on a breathing tube April 7, while surgeries were scheduled.

But on April 12, Juan and Alexis met with a few cardiologists, the ventricle team and a cardiothoracic surgeon and learned that their son was not a candidate for surgery. Due to his pulmonary vein placement, it was irreparable and surgeries would have caused him pain and could have been potentially fatal.

Their family was given the option to make their son comfortable and take him off of the machines, keeping him alive and allowing their family members to meet him before they continued.

Their son passed away at 1 a.m. Thursday.

Thank you all for the support we have received and continued prayers throughout this tough time, Juan said.

The family posted on their GoFundMe asking for support and donations as they arrange their son's funeral.
Regarding "Abbott's preemptive pardon request in George Floyd protest killing isn't justice (Editorial)," (April 12): Gov. Abbott is seriously considering pardoning Daniel Perry who was recently convicted in the murder of a Black Lives Matter protester, and the governor is pressuring the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to swiftly issue a pardon recommendation. Abbott was not present in the courtroom for the evidence presented, the arguments of the prosecutors and the defense attorneys, or the 17 hours of jury deliberations. Yet he feels that he has enough insight to pardon Mr. Perry.

Daniel Perry has not yet been sentenced or appealed his conviction. Yet, Abbott seems determined to subvert the rule of law. Why doesn't our "law and order" governor allow the criminal justice system to see the case through and keep the separation of powers intact? And one must question if Abbott would be so quick to intervene if the roles were reversed and it was the BLM protestor who had been convicted of murder.

Stay in your own lane, governor. Texas has a myriad of issues that need to be addressed. This is not one of them.

Karlene Denby, Houston

Mark Twain said "If voting made any difference, they wouldn't let us do it." So now we have Republicans in our state legislature restricting voting. It's easy to see that the voting in Harris County made a difference Republicans could not accept, as voters here have voted for Democrats by large margins. And now Gov. Abbott wants to nullify the vote of a Texas jury to convict a man who shot and killed a BLM protester, a vote that made a difference he could not abide such that he is prepared to pardon a convicted murderer.

One pathetic aspect of this rush to pardon is that it was first popularized by Fox host Tucker Carlson, who the governor is apparently eager to please. The governor's shamelessness is compounded by our understanding of another politically charged pardon. That is, in 2021 when the Board of Pardons and Paroles voted to posthumously pardon George Floyd after a Houston Police Department narcotics unit may have criminally targeted him for a drug offense in 2004. Just months later the Floyd pardon decision was reversed without explanation other than, it seems, to please the governor who had appointed them.

David A. Jones, Houston

Priorities

Regarding "Why do we need so many lawns anyway? (Opinion)," (April 11): Wow! Leaf blowers. Who knew? And I thought it was going to be the annual kickoff of daylight savings time that was finally going to send me into the next room. But no, it is leaf blowers  with their pollution and hot air, blowing dust and minute feces  that will ultimately end me. Now I know. Thanks to your readers.

But as we throw leaf blowers out the window, lets not forget their evil kin. Lawn mowers, powered by internal combustion and electricity. Lawn edgers. String trimmers. Chainsaws. They all throw and blow dirt and spew uncontrolled emissions. And we need to toss out pressure washers since they use the same infernal, life-squelching engines.

And what about all those emergency electric generators without which we apparently cant live our lives? You know, they are really loud, too. And, burning gasoline and natural gas, they also spew air-polluting emissions. If were seriously talking about emissions of PM 2.5 (weve learned a new word, boys and girls), its time to ban charcoal-burning backyard grills. I like to call them the silent killers.

Or, on the other hand, I may have gone too far with that last one. It may be the only item listed here that these whining, complaining urban and suburban homeowners themselves actually operate. For the most part, operation of all the others has been relegated to hired workers. Hmm.

Gene Fisseler, Houston

Six long letters to the editor complaining about leaf blowers. Really? I am so glad to know that I can rest easy and sleep well knowing that so many people are concerned about one of the greatest problems facing mankind in the modern age: leaf blowers. Warning, summer is coming, and those water sprinklers can be so irritating. People, get a life!

Bill Johnson, Texas City

Any mayoral campaign should contain these issues:

1. Ban gas-powered leaf blowers (The homeowners can pay for the cost of the battery-powered lawn equipment.)

2. No texting while driving

3. Fix all potholes

4. All men must wear shirts when in the park

5. All political signs must be removed within a week after an election

It really needs to happen.

Jeff Suttles, Houston

Good old-fashioned way

In the 1950s, my grandfather used a manual leaf sweeper on his large lawn in River Oaks to capture leaves and grass clippings. It made no noise, was efficient and effective. The leaves were captured in a large hopper that would periodically be dumped in a mulch pile behind the garage. He used the mulch to feed his magnificent azaleas every spring.

A google search revealed this amazing technology is still available! Imagine a no-noise, no-pollution, no-bags-required exercise machine that you can buy today for yourself or your landscaper.

John Williams, Piney Point Village
Governor Announces Action to Protect Access to Medication Abortion

BOSTON  Following a federal court ruling in Texas in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food & Drug Administration that blocked the FDA's approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey announced steps that the state is taking to protect access to care.

At the Governor's request, the University of Massachusetts and health care providers have taken action to stockpile doses of mifepristone, and the Governor is issuing an Executive Order confirming protections for medication abortion under existing state law.

"Medication abortion is safe, effective and legal. Mifepristone has been used safely for more than 20 years and is the gold standard. Here in Massachusetts, we are not going to let one extremist judge in Texas turn back the clock on this proven medication and restrict access to care in our state," said Governor Healey. "The action we are taking today protects access to mifepristone in Massachusetts and protects patients and providers from liability. In Massachusetts, we stand for civil rights and freedom. We will always protect access to reproductive health care, including medication abortion."

At Governor Healey's request, the University of Massachusetts Amherst last week purchased approximately 15,000 doses of mifepristone to ensure sufficient coverage in the state for more than a year. The doses are expected to arrive this week. Health care providers in Massachusetts have also agreed to purchase additional quantities to make available for patients. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is also dedicating $1 million to support providers contracted with Department of Public Health with paying for these doses.

"Our administration is grateful for the partnership of UMass and health care providers across the state who readily agreed to take this urgent action to protect access to care," said Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll. "We're also grateful for the hard work of legislators, advocates and the public health community who rallied to pass protections after the Dobbs decision last year. These efforts ensured we had the option to take this meaningful action to protect access to medication abortion."

Additionally, Governor Healey is issuing an Executive Order confirming that the 2022 Shield Law should be interpreted as protecting access to medication abortion, including mifepristone. This will ensure that providers, including pharmacists, can continue to stock and dispense mifepristone and will protect providers and patients from criminal and civil liability for accessing this essential care. The Executive Order also instructs the Department of Public Health and Division of Insurance to issue guidance to help implement the order and requires the Department of Public Health to provide support to public universities and colleges to expedite development and implementation of their medication abortion readiness plans.

"We are pleased to answer the Governor's call to provide this vital assistance to the Commonwealth," said Marty Meehan, President of Umass and Kumble Subbaswamy, Chancellor of Umass Amherst. "Helping to ensure access to safe, effective, reproductive healthcare for the residents of Massachusetts is fully aligned with UMass Amherst's longstanding mission to serve the Commonwealth."

In addition to abortion care, mifepristone is also used for miscarriage management, to treat lupus, and to reduce the risk of ulcers, among many other medical uses.
Veterans Agent Stephen Roy accepts a donation from Abbot Memorial School for the veterans food bank. PreviousNext

Abbott Memorial Raises Money for Veterans Food Pantry

FLORIDA, Mass.  The Gabriel Abbott Memorial School community raised $808.08 through its Penny Delay Day. Although ir caused a bit of work for teachers, the drive has helped support an important regional agency.

"The trick of getting them to bring more money in was we couldn't start teaching until we counted the change," Denise Chesbro, second-grade teacher and assistant principal said. "We made it educational with math games, but the kids loved it."

She said the fundraiser was schoolwide and took place on April 3 when students were asked to bring in pennies or other change. She said they actually raised around $750, but a teacher wanted to round out the total to 808.08 so kicked in the rest.

"It was families, it was kids, teachers, anybody who wanted to do it," she said. "It's pretty impressive for this tiny little school."

She said there were only eight bills in the collection  the rest was all change.

Some students did help with the counting and organizing which was OK because there were important math lessons to be learned.

"Some of them helped us sort quarters, nickels, dimes which is good," she said. "There is a lesson there."

But more importantly, students learned a lesson in civics.

"It shows them that not everybody has what they need. And these people, who have served our country, might not have enough," she said. "They were really enthusiastic about it."

To thank the students for their hard work, Veterans Agent Stephen Roy and assistant Tina Samson held a pizza party for the school Friday.

"It is really wonderful what you all have done and helped make happen here," Roy said. "It is wonderful to be able to put food on the shelves for folks in need."

Roy added after that every little bit counts and there is always a need for more support.

"And there is what we get from food bank donations and things but a lot of that has dried up," Roy said. "Now it is more donations and stuff like this really helps our food bank in a big way."




iciHaiti - PNH - Wanted notice for Izo Leader of the 5 second gang





The National Police of Haiti (PNH) has launched a NOTICE of search against Johnson ANDRE alias "IZO", Leader of the Gang "5 seconds" of Village-de-Dieu.



He is wanted for: assassination, kidnapping for ransom, illegal possession of firearms, hijacking of goods trucks and association of criminals.



The PNH warns that this man is dangerous and armed. In case of location call one of the following telephone numbers:



3834-1111

3836-1111

3837-1111

3838-1111

2817-0545

3106-0573







IH/ iciHaiti


















Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli met Saturday 15/04/2023 with Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tariq Al-Mulla to review projects implemented by the ministry.

The ministry implements many essential projects with high added value in the petrochemical industry with the goal of delivering the products and raw materials required for local market usage and substituting imports of these items to serve the national economy, the minister said.

Refining and petrochemical projects, as well as oil sector infrastructure, are critical to supporting goals to secure and stabilize the supply of oil products to the domestic market, as well as helping Egypt's aspirations to become a regional hub for oil and gas commerce, he added.
Nairobi  Inspector General Of Police Japhet Kome says his will not be intimidated by threats by opposition leaders to take him to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for brutalising protesters.

Koome said he will continue discharging his mandate and will not be cowed by such theats.

"I am telling you and all my officers in the National Police Service that I will not be intimidated by the letter [to ICC by the Opposition]," he said, and directed officers to "continue serving the Kenyan people and foreign visitors without fear."

The Opposition has already written to the ICC prosecutor calling for an investigation on Koome, accusing him of brutalising protesters during last month's demonstrations called by Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

"I am doing my job and those threats won't make me slow down in my work or fear," Koome told reporters Sunday during a press conference at his Kamulu home in the outskirts of the capital Nairobi.

But even as he spoke, Odinga was set to hold a major political rally at the Kamukunji grounds where he was expected to call for fresh street demonstrations.

Odinga called off demonstrations last month after President William Ruto called for a truce so as to have the Opposition concerns, which include the reconstitution of the electoral commission handled through parliament.

Just last week, Opposition leaders, among them Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused the police of shooting directly into Odinga's vehicle as they quelled protests, describing it as an attempt on his life.
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China has launched a weather satellite as civilian aircraft flying to the north of Taiwan altered their routes to avoid a Chinese-imposed no-fly zone.

Beijing had reportedly put the no-fly zone in place in the area, which routinely sees heavy civilian flight traffic, due to the possibility of falling rocket debris.

Chinas Fujian Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation warning on Thursday that there may be falling rocket wreckage between 9 am to 3 pm on 16 April, Taiwanese local news reported.

The no-fly zone was initially planned to be imposed from Sunday to Tuesday, but the period was later reduced to 27 minutes on Sunday morning after Taiwan protested, according to Taiwans transport ministry.

Taiwans Civil Aeronautics Administration said in a one-hour period from 9 am local time more than 30 flights had to change their routes, adding five to 10 extra minutes of flying.

Meanwhile, the weather satellite Fengyun 3G was successfully launched from the northwestern province of Gansu at 9:36 am, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation  the countrys main contractor for its space programmes  said.

The contractor said the Chinese low-earth orbit satellite, which was designed to track rainfall, entered its set orbit successfully.

While the flight path of the Long March 4B rocket carrying the satellite was not revealed, the launch coincides with Chinas no-fly zone announcement.

Some debris from the rocket launch had fallen into the warning zone off Taiwans northern coast, the islands defence ministry said, adding, however, that it did not affect its territorial safety.

In an earlier warning, China said ships would be banned from entering the area on 16 April.

The announcement came after China held large-scale military drills that formally ended Monday in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens transit visit to the US last week.

Data from Flightradar24 suggest flights to and from Taiwan and China, Taiwan and South Korea, as well as those to and from Taiwan and Japan, were among those detouring around the no-fly zone on Sunday, with normal flight paths seemingly resuming after 10 am.

However, China has called Taiwans claims an attempt to escalate confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.

China has claimed Taiwan as part of its own territory  a point of contention in Beijings relationship with Washington.

The US remains one of Taiwans biggest unofficial allies and sells the island weapons.

A number of US lawmakers have visited Taiwan over the past year as a show of support.
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South Korea fired warning shots at a boat from North Korea as it crossed the defacto border sea between the two countries, Seouls military said on Sunday.

South Korea fired broadcast warnings to expel a North Korean patrol boat that breached the de facto sea boundary the Northern Limit Line (NLL) at 11am local time on Saturday, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemys movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL violations by North Korean patrol boats, the JCS said in a statement.

The vessels border breach comes as tension has flared over the Norths increased military activities in recent weeks.

Last week North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed the miraculous success of its new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile which experts say may facilitate missile launches by the country with little warning.

The missile test carried out on Thursday prompted Japan to order the evacuation of its citizens on Hokkaido island  a warning it later retracted.

The solid-fuel ICBM, experts say, is more advanced than the liquid-fuelled missiles it currently operates as it can be launched quickly, making them harder to detect when having intercontinental targets, such as the US.

While the test was a demonstration of the Norths technological advancement towards building a nuclear arsenal capable of reaching the US, analysts say it still did not demonstrate the new weapon systems full capacity.

Pyongyang has also threatened quick, overwhelming action in response to the US and South Korea holding their annual springtime exercises since March.

The Souths air force has said it would conduct combined drills with the US Air Force and Marines from Monday until 28 April.

The exercises are expected to include over 100 aircraft, including South Koreas F-35 and F-15 fighters and American F-16 jets and KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers, as well as 1,400 troops from both sides, Reuters reported.

North Koreas state media KCNA said the country would ceaselessly develop its military power to become a superpower with the ability to deter nuclear holocaust and enhance its nuclear war deterrence for self-defence.
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Former MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead by three men posing as journalists in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj in India on Saturday.

Ahmed was a member of the Indian Parliament and the UP Legislative Assembly and had over 100 criminal cases registered against him.

Both he and his brother were being taken for a mandatory medical checkup at a hospital while in local police custody when they were shot point-blank by semi-automatic pistols around 10.30pm on Saturday.

The shocking incident was captured live on camera as the two brothers were answering questions being posed by reporters.

Local reports suggest about 20 bullets were fired at the brothers as they collapsed. A journalist and a police constable were also injured in the shooting.

Cameras show a hand carrying a pistol pushing aside Ahmeds white turban from behind with the nozzle and firing at his left temple.

In some videos of the incident shared widely on social media, slogans of Jai Shri Ram can be heard as police subdued two of the perpetrators.

The Independent has not verified the authenticity of the videos.

Local police said that the assailants have been identified as Lovelesh Tewari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya.

They arrived in Prayagraj two days ago and planned the attack after learning that the brothers were in police custody, according to NDTV.

A senior official told The Indian Express that the interrogation of the two brothers was almost finished and as per routine legal procedure, both were taken to the hospital under police security for a check-up before sending them back into judicial custody.

Atiq Ahmed was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for his involvement in the death of Umesh Pal, a witness in the 2005 murder case of a local member of the legislative assembly.

Based on a complaint made by Pals wife, a case was filed against Atiq, Ashraf, Asad Ahmed [Atiqs son], his aide Ghulam Hassan and others on 25 February.

The cordoned-off crime scene where Indias former MP Atiq Ahmed was killed along with his brother, at the MLN Medical College premises in Prayagraj (EPA)

Meanwhile, UP police said the three assailants behind Atiq and his brothers killing are being interrogated. Local reports said that the three gunmen told police that they wanted to kill the brothers to become famous.

State chief minister Yogi Adityanath  a leading figure in prime minister Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  set up a three-member judicial commission to probe the incident.

Curfews and restrictions on peoples movement have been imposed in the city. There is heavy police deployment in several sensitive towns to maintain law and order, according to local reports.

Officials have also suspended the cops deployed to escort the brothers safely to the medical college, according to The Wire.

The killings come just two days after the politicians son Asad Ahmed, as well as Hassan, were killed in a police encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF).

The two were shot dead by the STF during an encounter where they reportedly refused to surrender and opened fire in an attempt to flee.

Asad had earlier approached the Supreme Court stating that he feared he would be killed in a fake encounter but Indias top court had turned down his plea.

Two of Atiq Ahmeds alleged aides, who were also accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, were also recently killed in separate police encounters.

One of the alleged perpetrators apprehended by UP police after the incident (Twitter)

Several Indian TV channels televised the disturbing footage of Ahmed and his brothers killing fully without any breaks or blurs.

By doing false encounters, the BJP government is trying to divert attention from the real issues. The BJP does not believe in the court at all, the states opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party tweeted on Thursday.

Ahmeds lawyer told NDTV that the police security arrangement when the brothers were being taken to the hospital for a mandatory medical check-up was very minimal.

Opposition party leaders, including Mr Yadav, have criticised the failing law and order situation in UP citing the recent killings that happened under police watch.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the murders a perfect example of Yogis big failure of law & order.

In a society where murderers are celebrated, whats the use of a criminal justice system? he tweeted.
Japans prime minister Fumio Kishida, a day after the smoke-bomb scare, has promised utmost security to the visiting G7 dignitaries.

On Saturday, right before Mr Kishida was to give a speech, a loud explosion rang out at the venue in the city of Wakayama in western Japan. The prime minister, however, was evacuated to a safe place and was unharmed.

On Sunday, the local police also raided the home of the suspect  24-year-old Ryuji Kimura  as authorities said they believe the object thrown prior to his speech in Wakayama may be a pipe bomb.
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Rachel Weisz has discussed the ease of having a life away from the eyes of the public.

The Oscar-winning actor lives in Brooklyn, New York with husband Daniel Craig and their children.

Despite being an A-list pairing, neither party engages often with media outside of promotional duties relating to their projects.

In a new interview, Weisz shared her feelings of apathy towards being a famous figure, and how easy she finds it is to keep her personal life private.

Celebrity  it really doesnt mean anything to me, she told The Guardian.

And its no work at all to keep not showing up at events. Its no work at all, to keep a private life. Life can be demanding, life in a family can be complicated but I dont even know what celebrity means. I dont think of myself like that.

Weisz has a teenage son with director Darren Aronofsky, as well as a four-year-old daughter with Craig.

Elsewhere in the interview, published on Sunday (16 April), Weisz, 53, was asked whether she experienced any negative response after having a child at age 48.

Rachel Weisz (Getty Images)

The actor seemed to have been unaware of any commentary on her motherhood choices.

Perhaps its just that we were very, very tired. Maybe I didnt notice what was going on, she said, adding: You go into a bubble when you have a newborn, dont you?

In 2020, she said that being a mother at a later age was a more tiring experience than before.

Weisz will soon star in a double role as identical twins in Dead Ringers  a series adaptation of the 1988 film of the same name by David Cronenberg.

Dead Ringers begins on Amazon Prime Video on Friday 21 April.
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A former member of King Charless court has recalled the challenges in coordinating his wedding to Camilla.

The couple, who are set to be officially crowned as King and Queen next month, have known each other since the Seventies.

While known as Prince Charles, the current monarch was married to Princess Diana for 15 years, divorcing in 1996. Meanwhile, Camilla was married to Andrew Parker-Bowles from 1973 to 1995.

Charles and Camilla finally married in April 2005. Ahead of their coronation, some of the couples closest companions have been sharing insights into their journey to this landmark moment.

In a new interview, a former courtier of the King has looked back on the task that Sir Michael Peat, Charless principal private secretary at the time, had in order to achieve a successful wedding for the pair.

He had to align all the planets in a row  the union had to be accepted and supported by the Queen, Downing Street, the Church and the public, the courtier explained to The Times.

Everyone could see the boss was devoted to her and wanted to marry her, and in time all parties came to see it was good for the future of the monarchy.

The courtier went on to note that despite receiving a cold shoulder from public onlookers, due to the nature of Camilla and Charless relationship during his marriage to Princess Diana, Camilla didnt express any upset with how she was received.

Camilla was smart and more interested in and savvy about the media than the prince, he said. But the media environment was still incredibly hostile towards her. I never saw her show frustration or anger about it.

Queen Camilla (Getty Images)

At their wedding in 2005, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a speech that spoke of her happiness at their union, despite having made her disapproval of the relationship clear in the past.

My son is home and dry with the woman he loves, the late monarch said in her toast, which marked a significant change in tone towards the current Queen Consort.

The Queens speech set the tone going forwards  if the Queen says they are a good match, then everyone else just cracks on, the courtier noted.

Camilla will hold an ivory sceptre at the coronation ceremony next month, despite previous reports that its inclusion would be dropped due to William, Prince of Waless anti-ivory campaign.

Follow along with all the latest royal updates here.
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Prince Harry held peace talks with his father, King Charles III, before his presence at next months coronation was confirmed.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to be officially crowned on 6 May.

The Duke of Sussex has had a turbulent relationship with his father in recent years after moving to California with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

After the release of Harrys tell-all memoir, Spare, in January, speculation increased as to whether their father-son relationship had any chance of improving.

Also subject to much discussion was the question of whether Harry and Meghan would attend the coronation.

On Wednesday (12 April), Buckingham Palace announced that Harry will attend the ceremony, while Meghan will remain in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

According to a friend of the Sussexes, Harry reached out to Charles ahead of confirming his attendance at next months coronation.

As reported by The Telegraph, a friend of the couple said that there had been some positive conversations between the father and son.

The report states that Harry did not speak to his elder brother, William, Prince of Wales, as part of this reconciliation.

Prince Harry and King Charles in 2018 (Getty Images)

Insight into the tense relationship between the brothers was detailed in Spare, as Harry alleged that William assaulted him in his home ahead of his wedding.

William and Harry were last seen together in public for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September.

Elsewhere, close friends of Charles and Camilla have been sharing details about the couples long journey to the crown. One source claimed that Camilla is the yin to Charless yang, while another looked back on the struggle it took to integrate Camilla into the royal inner circle.

Follow all the latest royal updates here.
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Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union leader Pat Cullen has said nurses could strike until Christmas if Rishi Sunaks government does not back down on pay demands.

It comes as the countrys largest nursing plans to raise the stakes with a mega strike that would mean nurses walking out of every NHS hospital trust in England for the first time.

Nurses will strike for 48 hours at the end of April after RCN members rejected the governments 5 per cent pay rise offer. Staff in emergency departments and cancer wards will take action for the first time.

The RCN will also hold a new ballot next month as a single, national vote for strike action for the rest of 2023, rather than taking action trust by trust.

Asked by the BBC if the union will stop strike action, Ms Cullen said: No, our nurses will absolutely not do that. We have strike action for the end of this month and the beginning of May. Then we will move immediately to ballot our members.

The union leader told the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: If that ballot is successful it will mean further strike action right up until Christmas.

Conservative party chair Greg Hands told Sky News on Sunday that a full and final pay offer had already been made to nurses, saying the upcoming RCN will clearly have an impact on patients.

Strikes involving RCN members held since November have only involved around half of Englands NHS trusts in England. Union members rejected action and worked as normal in the other half of trusts.

But the union is considering running the new ballot as a single, national vote, the RCN officials confirmed to The Independent  an escalatory move that would widen the impact of industrial action.

Ms Cullen told The Observer that 280,000 members in England will get a fresh vote this summer. If the majority support it, we will be striking in double the number of places than we have to date, she warned.

Junior doctors leaders in the British Medical Association (BMA) have warned they could coordinate strike action with nurses. Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chair of the BMAs junior doctors committee said was definitely something we would consider.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen (PA Wire)

But Ms Cullen dismissed the idea on Sunday, telling the BBC: There are no plans in place from the Royal College of Nursing to coordinate strikes with doctors.

Saffron Cordery, chief executive of the NHS Providers  the umbrella body for NHS hospital and ambulance services  said the prospect of strikes until Christmas was ugly.

She told the BBC: Its not sustainable going forward for the NHS to manage strike action. It feels like a really ugly situation to say were going to have strikes now until Christmas. We desperately need the government to come to the table alongside the unions coming to the table.

Asked if patients would die if junior doctors and nurses went on strike at the same time, Ms Cordery said: I think its really difficult to say whether that is the case or not  but we know that there are significantly higher levels of risks not just in hospitals, in mental health care. Everyone is affected by these strikes.

Health secretary Steve Barclay said safety of patients put at risk by strike (PA)

Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said he was deeply worried about nurses withdrawing emergency care during the 48-hour strike set for 30 April  saying it was the wrong thing to do.

Mr Streeting told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday: Id appeal to them, if they are going on strike, to continue to protect patient care.

Speaking on BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Streeting said he didnt support further strike action. How could I? I mean theres a risk to patient safety. It wouldnt be the right thing to do, said the senior Labour figure.

The government have got to bend over backwards to resolved disputes, he also said, but added that a 35 per cent pay demand for junior doctors is not something that I would be able to deliver if I were the health secretary.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said he didnt support further strikes (PA)

Health secretary Steve Barclay has called on the RCN to accept the governments 5 per cent pay increase offer so the NHS can get back to focusing on patients.

In an opinion piece for The Sun, Mr Barclay said: Patient safety is my first priority ... Industrial action means the safety of patients is put at risk. Cancelled operations, missed appointments, and treatments postponed  none of this is good for the NHS or patients.

The Tory chair said full and final pay offer had been made to nurses, but added the government is waiting to see if the other health unions accept it before responding formally to the possibility of wider strikes.

Mr Hands told Sky News: Steve Barclay is always willing to talk, so long as there arent preconditions attached, and so long as there isnt the threat of strikes going on at the moment.

It comes as hundreds of staff at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are to work to rule from next week in a dispute over pay. Unison said those taking industrial action from Monday include inspectors of health and social care organisations, workers in call centres and data analysts.

The action will involve employees doing no more than the minimum required under their job contracts, such as working only the hours they are paid for, not doing overtime and taking all the breaks to which they are entitled.
press release

The provisional liquidation of the South African Post Office has been met with serious concern by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon Mondli Gungubele. In response, he has requested that the Board and Management of SAPO provide him with a detailed account of the circumstances that led to this development, the steps taken by the Board to address the issue, and the measures that SAPO intends to implement to resolve the situation promptly.

Minister Gungubele emphasized the importance of SAPO as a crucial government service platform which caters to millions of citizens and cannot afford to cease its operations. The Department and SAPO must work diligently to ensure that the Post Office transforms into an independent and profitable business entity for the benefit of the country's citizens. The minister assures the public that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure continuous provision of social services, timely grant payments, efficient workforce, and harmonious negotiations with SAPO's creditors towards favourable outcomes.

The Minister requested that the SAPO Board Chair and GCEO proide a detailed briefing on all litigations and debts currently facing the organization. Following a thorough study of this information, the Minister plans to engage the appropriate structures and ultimately provide feedback.
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The UK is not ready for the next global pandemic because public services are being dismantled and key research is being defunded, experts have claimed.

More than three years after the global outbreak of coronavirus, top scientists have warned that the UK is no better prepared for a pandemic than it was in 2020.

They say another epidemic on the scale of Covid-19 is inevitable, but that disinvestment in infection-monitoring services, dismantling of key infrastructure, and the state of the NHS mean the country is losing ground.

The warning comes as virologists told The Independent that the new Covid-19 variant behind a surge of 10,000 new Covid cases a day in India may turn more aggressive, and could become the dominant strain in the UK.

The variant, first identified in January and known as Arcturus, has been found in 22 countries, including the UK and the US, and has prompted India to resume its production of vaccines.

Sitting ducks

Sir John Bell, a leading immunologist and a member of the UKs Covid vaccine taskforce during the pandemic, said it was too easy to dismiss Covid-19 as a once in a generation crisis.

Writing in The Independent, he warned that it is a question of when, not if, another pandemic strikes, adding that the nation needs to adopt an always on approach that includes building a more resilient healthcare system, carrying out better surveillance, and identifying future threats.

Despite everything we have learned, we are not ready for the next pandemic, he wrote. The next pandemic could be even more devastating than the last. We must be in a constant state of readiness for the next big health crisis  if we do not act now, we will not be forgiven.

He referred to modelling that suggests there is a 38 per cent chance that another pandemic will happen within our lifetime, which would have the potential to cause even greater destruction.

Professor Teresa Lambe, one of the principal investigators leading the Oxford-AstraZeneca programme, said the UK had failed to take on board many hard-learned lessons from Covid. She warned that the public will be sitting ducks in a new pandemic if there are no further efforts by the government to invest in preparation.

She highlighted the governments decision to disband tracking systems  including its gold standard Covid survey, the last remaining system used to monitor infections  as a sign that the country would not be fully prepared for another pandemic.

Writing in The Independent, she described such surveillance systems as crucial for identifying new variants, tracking case numbers and helping the UK to tackle any virus spread. She added: We have learnt time and again that we need to track this virus carefully to distinguish if the current vaccine recommendations are enough.

She added: Without more of a concerted effort to work together and invest in pandemic preparedness, we are sitting ducks for the next virus.

Nothing has changed

Some experts also pointed to the issue of Covid-testing labs being mothballed, and plans to sell off the UKs future vaccine manufacturing and research laboratory  the UK Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre  before it had even opened.

In addition, after a year of record A&E waits, ambulance delays and escalating waiting lists, there are concerns that the NHS is now in a worse position to tackle a pandemic than it was when Covid struck three years ago.

Sir David King, a former chief scientific adviser to the government, who led the 2006 research that closely predicted the Covid pandemic, said the world is likely to see another virus outbreak on the same scale in the next 15 years.

He told The Independent: Were in the same position as we were in 2020. Nothing has changed... if anything it has got worse.

Sir David said the government had failed to invest in the NHS and he was in no doubt that it was in a worse position than it was three years ago.

The former government adviser added that, by failing to fund the health service or bolster Britains ability to respond to another pandemic, the government is discounting the future.

Thats what the pandemic in 2020 proved: that we had jettisoned all of the processes that would have managed the epidemic. I see no signs of this being reversed at the moment, he said.

If you wait for the next epidemic, which I think is where the government may be now  if you wait until the next vaccine is developed, for whatever disease that is, it will take months and months for that vaccine to arrive. We cannot rely on that. We will have many, many cases, itll get really out of hand again, and then well have hospitals completely overwhelmed by an outbreak of this kind.

Losing ground

Professor Peter Horby, the lead for the groundbreaking Covid Recovery trial and head of the Pandemic Sciences Institute, also warned that the UK would be ill-prepared if a new pandemic were to hit in the coming years.

The Oxford professor said that, despite the government backing scientific work during Covid, disinvestment since means that the UK is now losing ground. He claimed that researchers on the Covid Recovery trial  which was launched in 2020 and has identified four treatments for the disease  are having to rely on philanthropic funds because there is no sustained investment.

There were some good strategic moves by the UK government [in response to the pandemic], but I have been disappointed by whats happened since then, he said.

What weve seen is there has been the discontinuation of funding of some of the jewels in the crown of the UK response, like the ONS survey, like the Covid Geonomics Consortium, like the Recovery trial ... the mothballing of the [Covid lab] facilities.

Instead of building on the successes, [the government has] been dismantling the successes, and I find that a potential risk for the future.

He added: We may be back in the position that we saw ourselves in 2020, where weve got a new threat and we dont have the diagnostics, the drugs, the vaccine, or the surveillance capabilities that we would desire.

A government spokesperson said: We have flexible pandemic response plans which are kept under constant review and continuously updated to reflect the latest scientific information, lessons learned from exercises and our response to emergencies, including Covid, to ensure preparedness.

The UK Health Security Agency was set-up to combat future health threats and it continues to monitor the threat posed by Covid through surveillance systems and genomic capabilities, while maintaining our laboratory infrastructure and stock of lateral flow tests will ensure testing can be scaled up swiftly if a Covid wave results in significantly increased pressure on the NHS.

A record 14.1 billion of funding for health and social care over the next two years will help the NHS to address the unprecedented impact of Covid and cut waiting times.
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A young man has died after being found stabbed in a shop in south London.

Emergency services were called to reports of a stabbing in Norwood Road, Lambeth, at around 6pm on Saturday evening.

They found a man, believed to be aged 20, inside a shop with stab wounds. He died at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police believe they know who the victim is and are working to tell his next of kin.

The force launched an investigation but has so far made no arrests. A crime scene remained in place on Saturday night.

Police were granted additional stop and search powers for the borough of Lambeth from 7pm on Saturday until 7am the following Sunday morning.

Anyone who has information, video or images that could help police is urged to call 101, referencing CAD 5605/15 Apr.
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Dominic Raab faces legal action over his refusal to trigger a public inquiry into the abuse of thousands of boys held in youth detention centres from the 1960s to 1980s.

More than 2,000 victims have come forward from a single facility  Medomsley in County Durham  and many more have reported mistreatment at centres across England during the same period.

Several were raped and sexually abused by guards as children, and although several men have been prosecuted, survivors say the full extent of the horrors they suffered has not been properly investigated.

A group of survivors have now launched legal action over the justice secretarys refusal to mount a public inquiry, which campaigners say is necessary to examine alleged cover-ups and collusion.

Claimants argue that Mr Raabs decision was legally irrational and violates obligations under human rights laws, including the freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

Dozens of men have contacted The Independent about mistreatment at centres as far apart as Kent, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire, including physical beatings, cruel punishments and sexual and emotional abuse.

John McCabe, who was targeted by prolific paedophile Neville Husband at Medomsley Detention Centre, has been fighting for an inquiry for over a decade and raised his case with successive Conservative governments.

I think there are still more victims out there, he told The Independent. Husband was a prison officer and there are people who havent been held to account. The governors have never stood in a dock, never been questioned.

Mr McCabe said Britain must learn about what led to such extensive abuse, and why it took so long to be uncovered, adding: If we get to hear these people at an inquiry, well learn how it happened and it will never happen again.

Lawyer David Greenwood said he had personally received reports of abuse at every youth detention centre in the country in the 1970s and 1980s.

A light must be shone on what is happening with those detention centres but weve got to start with some kind of official review into what happened at Medomsley, he added.

It cant have just happened in isolation, there have been reports everywhere.

Mr Greenwood, the head of child abuse at Switalskis Solicitors, said he had been contacted by 160 people held at the former Eastwood Park youth detention centre in Gloucestershire, but believes the true number of victims there will be more than 1,000.

A large number of men are still tormented by their memories of painful abuse in detention centres, he added.

Its affected how they relate to other people and how theyve got on in life, and the numbers of people affected make it so serious that the public need to know about it

Alexander Flavell was the last Medomsley prison officer to be prosecuted as part of a decade-long police investigation (PA)

They were in there literally in the care of the prison authorities at the time, who should have protected them from harm.

Several prison officers have been convicted of abusing young inmates, although several of the accused were ruled unfit to stand trial for health reasons and others died before proceedings could be brought.

Last month, former Eastwood Park prison officer Patrick Devaney, now 81, was convicted of misconduct in public office after subjecting detainees to a litany of cruel and violent acts.

In February, former Medomsley officer Alexander Flavell was convicted of the same offence and indecent assault.

The 89-year-old, who had been ruled unfit to stand trial, was the last person prosecuted as part of Durham Constabularys decade-long investigation into the detention centre, which closed in 1988.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ashton said: The investigation into the abuse which occurred inside Medomsley Detention Centre in the 1960s, 70s and 80s highlights shocking and cruel treatment which many young people suffered whilst being detained there.

In listening to survivors, it has been clear that as young people, they suffered some horrendous forms of abuse, committed by people around them who were in positions of authority and this never should have happened.

Medomsley was excluded from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse because some inmates were aged over 18, while other detention centres have not been subject to extensive police investigations.

Answering a parliamentary written question on whether an inquiry would be mounted into historic abuse, justice minister Damian Hinds said: The government has the deepest sympathy for the men who suffered sexual or physical abuse while detained at Medomsley Detention Centre.

A judicial review claim has been launched in regard to the governments decision not to hold a public inquiry into Medomsley. It would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.
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James Cleverly will use a trip to the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Japan, and then to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Foreign Secretary and his counterparts from the Group of Seven of the worlds advanced economies begin their three-day gathering in Karuizawa on Sunday, ahead of the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima in May.

Discussions are expected to focus on support for Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion, and closer security and defence ties in the face of Chinas growing assertiveness in the Pacific.

Ahead of his travels, Mr Cleverly said: With increasing competition in the region, it is more important than ever that we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

With increasing competition in the region, it is more important than ever that we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific James Cleverly, Foreign Secretary

It is critical to the UK, to our economy, our security and our values.

Throughout my visit, I will build on commitments to our friends across the Pacific nations in their bid to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

The Governments updated integrated review last month reinforced a post-Brexit tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region as a permanent pillar of British foreign policy.

Mr Cleverly will announce that the UK will join the US, Japan and Australia as a member of the Blue Dot Network, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The global scheme certifies infrastructure projects in the developing world that meet high quality standards so that they attract private investment.

The Foreign Secretary will also discuss opportunities created by the UKs accession last month to a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) marked Britains biggest trade deal since leaving the EU.

But critics say the impact will be limited, with official estimates suggesting it will add just 1.8 billion a year to the economy after 10 years, representing less than 1% of UK GDP.

After Japan, Mr Cleverly will travel to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to offer UK support on tackling climate change.

He will announce 4.5 million of new funding to help connect communities there to clean energy sources.

Mr Cleverlys trip then continues to Samoa and New Zealands capital Wellington.
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The official investigation into claims Dominic Raab bullied government staff will not offer a verdict and will leave Rishi Sunak to assess whether his behaviour merits punishment, it has emerged.

The independent probe by lawyer Adam Tolley KC will reportedly set out the facts of the case  but make no recommendations about whether Mr Raab broke the rules.

The report expected when parliament returns from Easter recess will leave Mr Sunak to make to decision whether or not to sack his deputy PM and justice secretary, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Mr Raab has previously said he will resign if found to have bullied staff, but the report suggests Mr Tolleys report may not come to any definitive conclusion on whether his behaviour amounted to bullying.

Rishi and Dominic are very close. If he is going, he will own it and just do it, one source told the newspaper. Theres a chance he announces something before we even know. If he is staying, the report will be published and we will have a chance to have a look at it.

Mr Sunak has been contingency planning for the report being damning enough that Mr Raab will have to quit, according to the Sunday Times  with the report said to be likely to come in the week beginning 24 April.

The PM is thought to be unlikely he will appoint another deputy prime minister to replace Mr Raab if he does have to go  but culture secretary Lucy Fraser and Treasury minister Victoria Atkins have been tipped as potential replacements as justice secretary.

Mr Raab has denied bullying and insisted he had behaved professionally throughout  but said that he would resign if an allegation of bullying was upheld.

He has also suggested the rules surrounding the inquiry into whether he bullied officials may have been breached by witnesses speaking to the media.

However, the FDA civil service unions general secretary Dave Penman has said some staff who worked with the senior cabinet minister had suffered mental health crises and been forced to quit and downgrade jobs as a result of his behaviour.

A former official told ITV News at the end of March that civil servants in the Foreign Office were terrified of having contact with Mr Raab or even speaking to the close circle in the ministers office.

Some people allegedly described working in the office as like going to Pyongyang or Moscow, a place where officials face significant risks, according to the official.

Mr Sunak ordered the investigation in November after coming under pressure following numerous claims, including that he was so demeaning to junior colleagues that many were scared to enter his office.

Boris Johnson and the Foreign Offices former permanent secretary Simon McDonald are those understood to have given evidence to the investigating lawyers team.
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Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting offered a defiant defence of Labours controversial attack ads against Rishi Sunak  vowing that there is more to come from the opposition.

The frontbencher said the accusation that the Tory prime minister did not think child sex abusers should be in prison was not a mistake, despite the major row now engulfing Sir Keir Starmers party.

Mr Streeting said he had to assume Mr Sunak did not believe in jailing child sex abusers based on the record of the Conservative government  risking inflaming internal divisions on the gutter politics strategy.

Speaking to the Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Mr Streeting was asked whether he believes Mr Sunak actually thinks that people who have sexually assaulted children should not go to prison.

Mr Streeting told stand-in host Sir Trevor Phillips: Id like to believe that the answer is no but look at the figures ... Why is he allowing this to happen? And its perfectly reasonable to challenge a Conservative prime minister on the abysmal failure of 13 years of Conservative government.

Pressed again on whether he believes Mr Sunak doesnt think child sex abusers should be in prison, Mr Streeting said: Well, I have to assume that he thinks that, because otherwise its either that or incompetence, isnt it?

The Labour frontbencher added: Either he thinks it, which is bad, or he doesnt think and isnt doing anything about it, which is equally bad. Labour is absolutely right to take the gloves off.

On whether the advert was a mistake, the shadow health secretary said: I dont think it was a mistake at all. I absolutely stand by Labours ad  and theres more to come. Theres more to come.

A major dispute has enveloped Sir Keirs party since social media ads accused the PM of failing to send child sex abusers to prison, being soft on gun crime and suggesting thieves should not be punished.

Labour MPs are expected to confront the leadership about the sex abuse ad at a showdown meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on Monday evening. While Sir Keir is not expected to attend, MPs will share their frustration with shadow cabinet ministers and top officials.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting says there is more to come (PA)

Left-wing Labour MP Barry Gardiner said engaging in a brutal slugging match of abuse, oversimplification and cheap slogans was both morally wrong and a bad strategy.

Writing for The Independent, he said: If we blur the distinction between policy and person, we descend into the gutter. Child abuse is a sickening crime, not an instrument to be weaponised against a political opponent.

Despite ex-home secretary David Blunkett and other senior figures within the party condemning the ads as gutter politics, Sir Keir has stood firmly by them, arguing that they are highlighting the failures of the Tory government.

The Independent understands that the disquiet goes beyond those on the left, with MPs loyal to Sir Keir using WhatsApp groups to discuss their exasperation about the strategy.

Keir Starmer faces an internal row about the attack ads (PA)

Labour general election candidates have suggested that voters prefer Tory slogans to those devised by Sir Keirs team, according to the Telegraph.

Dr Jeevun Sandher, running for Labour in Loughborough, told a Labour in Communications event: Think about Take back control and Get Brexit done  a three-word slogan that encapsulated an entire narrative? That is the bit that is missing, its the comms bit.

Alex McIntyre, the Gloucester candidate, told the event: Nuance is our enemy. Our immigration policy is a good example. Weve got a five-step plan and thats great, but the Conservatives slogan is Stop the boats. We really need to get that comms piece in place.

The ad that accused Mr Sunak of not wanting to jail child sex abusers has caused more voters to think negatively of the Labour Party than a Tory poster that accused the Labour leader of being soft on crime, a new Opinium poll suggests.

The Labour advert made 17 per cent of voters feel less favourable about the Tories and 12 per cent feel less favourable to Labour, the poll for the Observer found. The Tory advert about Sir Keir being soft on come made 9 per cent feel less favourable about Labour and 2 per cent less positive about the Tories.

Meanwhile, it emerged that a glitch in Labours phone-banking system could have put data on the voting intentions of millions of Britons in local authority wards across the country at risk.

Labours Dialogue system, used by activists to make calls, was pulled for 48 hours and given additional security measures after The Guardian informed the party of potential breaches.

The newspaper reported that a glitch had meant data such as postcodes could have been combined with voting intentions to allow people to generate a list of millions of voters.

A Labour spokesperson said: As soon as this question was brought to our attention, the system was taken down for investigation. The party takes the security of all personal information for which it is responsible extremely seriously.
David Cameron has performed a U-turn on cuts to Britains foreign aid spending, saying he was now a realist on moves to slash the budget.

The former Tory prime minister had previously condemned then-chancellor Rishi Sunak for breaking the partys promise to spend 0.7 per cent of the UKs income on overseas aid.

Mr Cameron said in 2020 that reneging on the promise to the pledge to the worlds poorest was very sad moment and a promise that we do not have to break.
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Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured as the fighting in Sudan between the countrys military and powerful paramilitary enters its second day.

Fierce battles erupted in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other areas early on Saturday, with the Sudan armed forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) blaming the other for initiating the violence. A doctors syndicate said early on Sunday the death toll had risen to 56, with at least 595 people wounded.

One official with deep knowledge of the situation told The Independent that the international community had failed to act on escalating tensions between the generals. The violence will spark fears of a wider conflict in the chaos-stricken country, which is already dealing with economic breakdown and flare-ups of tribal violence.

Heavy smoke bellows above buildings in the vicinity of the Khartoum airport on Saturday, amid clashes in the Sudanese capital (AFP)

Months of heightened tensions between the two sides had delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its short-lived transition to democracy, which was derailed by an October 2021 military coup.

Chaotic scenes unfolded in the capital of Khartoum, where fighters firing from truck-mounted machine guns battled in densely populated neighbourhoods.

Residents of Khartoum told The Independent gunfire first echoed through the capital at 6am local time and plumes of smoke were rising above parts of the city.

In my neighbourhood, RSF forces came in this morning on land cruisers with small and heavy arms, Ahmed, 48 told The Independent from a northern part of the capital, as gunfire crackled in the background.

They are still here now and seem like they are on standby for something. No civilians are moving - everyone is taking shelter inside the streets are empty. My 7-year-old son heard the bombing and was crying begging me not to go outside.

He said earlier he saw Sudanese army fighter jets roar above the buildings and heard explosions, with reports RSF camps in other parts of the city had been the target.

Smoke is seen rising in Khartoum as the power struggle between Sudans military and the countrys powerful paramilitary continues (AP)

Everyone is extremely worried about what is going to happen. But it feels like [RSF] forces are not stable, he added.

Khartoum is not Darfur  Hemedti [RSFs chief] might be able to control some areas outside the capital but his forces dont know these streets well.

By the end of the day, the military issued a statement ruling out negotiations with the RSF, instead calling for the dismantling of what it called a "rebellious militia." The head of the paramilitary group, in turn, branded the armed forces chief a "criminal." The tough language signaled that the conflict between the former allies, who jointly orchestrated the 2021 coup, was likely to continue.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting. Top diplomats, including the US Secretary of State, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

The British embassy told British nationals to stay indoors, as officials closely monitored the escalating situation (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  also called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition," he said in a statement early Sunday.

The British embassy told British nationals to stay indoors, as officials closely monitored the situation.

A senior United Nations official told The Independent tensions between the Sudanese army and the RSF had been simmering for a while and that the international community had failed to act.

The UN official added in the last week there were many SOS and May Day calls made to the US State Department about the gravity of the impending crisis but they were ignored.

A military vehicle and soldiers are seen on a street of Khartoum (Reuters)

The international community failed to address the largest elephants in the room, the UN official said.

Number one was how do you convince Hemedti to relinquish his army and stay alive and have a future in Sudan?

Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, the billionaire militiamen with ties to the countrys gold mines, denies accusations the RSF raped and killed protesters in Khartoum in 2019 and committed genocidal violence in Darfur (Reuters)

Problem number two related to the political framework agreement that was designed to facilitate the nations turbulent transition to civilian rule, the official added.

Hemedti, the billionaire militiamen with ties to the countrys gold mines, leads the RSF which was accused of raping and killing protesters in Khartoum in 2019 and committing genocidal violence in Darfur (accusations he denies). He currently holds the position of deputy head of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council while still commanding his forces which analysts say number as many 100,000.

The UN official said the international community had failed to come up with a landing zone for Hemedti.

The other source of the crisis is the political framework agreement.

The official said International negotiators - including the U.S., Norway and the U.S. were pushing this framework agreement very hard they ignored [General Abdel Fattah] al-Burhan who had said they needed to open framework agreement as it is not representative enough.

There was an arrogance - they said they would sanction individuals who were blocking the transition.

The Sudan Doctor's Syndicate said at least six of the deaths were reported in the capital Khartoum and its sister city Omdurman and another eight near Nyala, the capital city of the South Darfur province in the southwest.

The syndicate said the casualty toll was likely higher, with many believed to be still uncounted in western Darfur region and the northern town of Merowe.

The military said in a statement late Saturday that its troops had seized all RSF bases in Omdurman, while residents reported heavy airstrikes on paramilitary positions in and around the capital that continued into the night. After nightfall, sounds of gunfire and explosions were still heard in several parts of Khartoum, they said.

Earlier on Saturday, Sudan's paramilitary RSF said they had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief, and Khartoum international airport in an apparent coup attempt. The RSF also said they had seized the airports in the northern city of Merowe and in El-Obeid in the west. The military dismissed the claims as lies.
 Close Dadeville shooting survivor speaks from hospital bed

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Six suspects have now been arrested over the mass shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that left four people dead and 32 injured in Dadeville, Alabama.

On Thursday, authorities announced that three more suspects were taken into custody including a 15-year-old who has not been named due to his age, Johnny Letron Brown, 20, and Willie George Brown Jr., 19.

The arrests bring the total number of people arrested over the shooting to six after the earlier arrests of Wilson LaMar Hill Jr, 20, and brothers Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16.

All six have been charged with four counts of reckless murder.

The latest arrests come five days after the horror attack at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio on Saturday night.

High school football star Philstavious Phil Dowdell, 18, was one of the four killed in the incident and it has emerged that he died saving the life of his sister Alexis, whose birthday celebration it was.

Shaunkivia Nicole KeKe Smith, 17, Marsiah Collins, 19, and Corbin Holston, 23, were also killed.

No motive has been outlined by the police.
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High-profile tech entrepreneur Bob Lee was stabbed to death outside a luxury apartment building in San Francisco in the early hours of 4 April.

The 43-year-old was found at 2.35am outside a luxury high rise apartment on the 300 block of Main St, near Rincon Hill and the Bay Bridge, with life-threatening stab wounds, the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.

The tech executive was treated at the scene by first responders before being rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries, police said.

Police arrested fellow tech executive Nima Momeni on 13 April in connection with the killing and he was booked into the San Francisco Sheriffs Jail. The reported arrest has yet to be officially confirmed by the San Francisco Police Department.

Heres what we know so far about the murder.

Attacked a block from Google HQ

The San Francisco Police Department said in a statement that Lee was found with two stab wounds to the chest in Downtown San Francisco between Soma and the Financial District, a block from Googles San Francisco headquarters.

Cash App creator Bob Lee has reportedly been stabbed to death in San Francisco (MobileCoin)

Friend and MMA fighter Jake Shields tweeted that Lee appeared to have been the victim of a random mugging in the good part of the city.

The tweet caught the attention of Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who offered his condolences and called on San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins to take tougher action against violent criminals.

Many people I know have been severely assaulted, Mr Musk tweeted. Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately. Is the city taking stronger action to incarcerate repeat violent offenders Brooke Jenkins?

Elon Musk has been a frequent critic of efforts to reform criminal justice in San Francisco (Associated Press)

Ms Jenkins later tweeted her sincerest condolences to Lees grief-stricken family and friends.

We do not tolerate these horrific acts of violence in San Francisco, she added.

Responding to Mr Musk, she said: No one who commits a violent crime, or whos a repeat offender are receiving overly lenient plea deals.

A suspect arrested more than a week after attack

On 13 April it was reported that San Francisco police had arrested fellow tech executive Nima Momeni in connection with the fatal stabbing.

Mr Momeni has been booked into the San Francisco Sheriffs Jail.

This is the first step toward justice, Ms Lee said from her home in Miami, where Bob Lee had moved from Mill Valley, California, last year.

Police in San Francisco arrested Mr Momeni on Thursday.

Mr Momeni, 38, allegedly stabbed the 43-year-old after being involved in an altercation while driving in San Franciscos Rincon Hill area early on 4 April.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott confirmed Mr Momeni had been charged with one count of murder at a press conference on Thursday.

The suspect was arrested without incident at an address in Emeryville, a city in the Bay Area, early on Thursday.

The Mission Local news site was the first to report the arrest and said that the pair were known to each other.

Mr Momeni appeared in court for the first time on Friday after the case sparked a furious debate about public safety in the city.

A crowd of reporters packed into the courtroom as the suspects sister Khazar Momeni, also called Khazar Elyassnia, attended the hearing with her husband, Dr Dino Elyassnia, and three other members of the family, according to Mr Momenis temporary lawyer Robert Canny, The San Francisco Standard reported.

The suspect was wearing an orange sweatshirt and sweatpants as his sister and another woman held up her hands in the shape of a heart as the suspect smiled at them.

Mr Momenis arraignment was initially set to take place on Friday, but it has now been rescheduled for 25 April.

He will be represented for the rest of the proceedings by Mr Cannys sister, Paula Canny, a private lawyer from Burlingame, California who wasnt present on Friday, the paper noted.

The facts of what occurred, or didnt occur, will come out over time, Mr Canny said, stepping in for his vacationing sister.

Mr Momeni didnt speak in court except to say yes, your honour when he was asked if he agreed to decline his right to a quick trial.

The suspect is set to remain in custody without bail. He didnt enter a plea on Friday and he didnt make any comments. His next appearance is set to take place at 9am PT on 25 April.

Booking records from the San Francisco County jail show that Mr Momeni was booked in on a murder charge at 9.19am on Thursday.

The arrest was earlier confirmed by Lees ex-wife Krista, his brother Tim Oliver Lee, and city officials on Thursday.

Onlookers ignored Lees plea for help

Surveillance footage appears to capture Lee approaching a parked car clutching one side of his body and bleeding heavily from stab wounds.

The 43-year-old father of two lifts his shirt to show the driver the extent of his injuries, but rather than help, the motorist speeds off.

Those last tragic moments as he stumbled down Main St in San Franciscos downtown district at 2.30am on Tuesday in search of help were caught on CCTV and viewed by journalists from The San Francisco Standard.

The footage did not capture the stabbing, but shows Lee walking along a deserted sidewalk on Main St with his mobile phone in one hand and holding his side with the other, The Standard reported.

Bob Lee, who founded the Cash App, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Tuesday morning in San Francisco (Twitter / Bob Lee)

The Cash App founder then crosses at the intersection with Harrison St toward where a white Toyota Camry with flashing lights is parked.

The footage reportedly shows Lee lift up his shirt in a plea for help, and then fall to the ground as the driver pulls away.

Lee then gets back to his feet and starts to retrace his steps along Main St in the direction of the Bay Bridge before collapsing again outside the Portside apartment building at 403 Main St.

He could be heard pleading for help on a 911 call made at 2.34am, according to The Standard.

The news site reported that it witnessed staff members cleaning what appeared to be blood from the side of the building on Wednesday.

Father says he lost his best friend

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Lees grieving father Rick Lee described the slain tech mogul as his best friend.

Mr Lee Sr wrote that the pair had lived together in Mill Valley, California, since the death of his wife in 2019, before relocating to Miami in October last year.

Bob would give you the shirt off his back. He would never look down on anyone and adhered to a strict no-judgment philosophy, his father wrote.

Rick Lee wrote that life has been an adventure with two bachelors living together, and the pair had grown close in recent years: Bobby worked harder than anyone and was the smartest person I have ever known. He will be missed by all those that knew him.

Bob Lee pictured at the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 on the day that Square, now known as Block, listed as a public company (Facebook / Bob Lee)

Bob Lees brother Tim wrote in a separate post that he was saddened and disheartened over the senseless slaying.

Lee reportedly separate from his wife Krista in 2019. They have two daughters, Dagny and Scout.

Crazy Bob

Bob Lee was a much-loved member of the San Francisco tech community, where he was affectionately known as Crazy Bob.

After working as an open source code developer in Missouri, where he attended St Louis University, Lee moved to San Francisco in his early 20s in 2004 to work as an engineer at Google, according to the San Francisco Standard. There he led a team that developed the first Android app.

Lee was headhunted by Square, becoming its 13th employee, where he helped launch the Cash App and became the payment firms first chief technology officer in 2011, a Linkedin profile shows.

Bob Lee, known to his friends as Crazy Bob, was knifed to death in central San Francisco early on Tuesday morning (Twitter / Bob Lee)

After leaving Square in 2014, he invested in several tech startups including Clubhouse, Beeper and Faire, and the female-focused social media and networking company Present. He identified as a stay at home dad in an online blog post during this period.

In 2021, Lee joined MobileCoin, a crypto payment firm, as its chief product officer.

Stabbing shakes San Francisco tech community

Lees former boss Jack Dorsey was one of many well-known San Francisco tech entrepreneurs to express their shock and grief at his death.

Its real, Mr Dorsey wrote on his social network Nostr. Getting calls. Heartbreaking. Bob was instrumental to Square and Cash App. STL guy, he wrote, in an apparent reference to Lees hometown of St Louis.

MobileCoin CEO Joshua Goldbard wrote that Lee was an incredible human being.

Bob was so much more than a technologist. Bob was an artist. Everywhere he went Bob breathed love into this world. He had so much deep heartfelt love. Traveling with Bob was like seeing the world for the first time, Mr Goldbard wrote.

As a lifelong Bay Area resident I have more questions than answers tonight. I dont know how to fix whats wrong, but I know something isnt working in our grey city, he added.

Tributes poured in for the slain tech founder from his many friends in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Jack Dorsey at the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, Florida (Marco Bello/AFP via Getty Images)

He was a generous decent human being who didnt deserve to be killed, Bill Barhydt, CEO of Abra, posted on Twitter.

So sad to hear of @crazybobs untimely passing, Figma CEO Dylan Field wrote on Twitter. I first met him in summer 2006  he didnt care that I was only 14 and we talked tech / geeked out about programming. We remained connected over the years and he was an early supporter of Figma. Its so hard to believe he is gone.

Other Silicon Valley executives laid the blame for Lees death on Mayor London Breed and the citys Board of Supervisors.

Congratulations, your policies have claimed another life, wrote Alan Alden, a Palo Alto financier who was friends with Lee.

Venture capitalist Matt Ocko, another friend, wrote on Twitter that Chesa Boudin, & the criminal-loving city council that enabled him & a lawless SF for years, have Bobs literal blood on their hands.

Mr Boudin was Ms Jenkins predecessor as San Francisco district attorney and had become publicly associated with liberal policies on criminal justice.

On the San Francisco Reddit forum, friends and acquaintances of Lee expressed frustration at all the needless violence.

Something seriously needs to change in this city, one wrote.

Crime in San Francisco

San Francisco is often portrayed as a lawless city where drug use and homelessness have fueled a surge in violent crime and robberies.

That narrative led in part to former District Attorney Chesa Boudin being ousted in a recall election in June last year, after he sought to eliminate cash bail and reduce the prison population.

Ms Jenkins took over as District Attorney on a platform of balancing criminal justice reform while making stiffer penalties for violent offenders, and won re-election last November,

Members of the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Teams Encampment Resolution Team speak to with homeless people in San Francisco in 2022 (file) (Associated Press. )

Figures from the San Francisco Police Departments crime reports show the situation is more complicated than often portrayed.

While some violent crime began increasing during the pandemic, rates were still much lower than in previous years.

In 2022, homicide rates remained flat at 55, exactly the same number as the previous year. Homicides hit a 56-year low in the city in 2019, when 41 people were killed in the city.

There have been 12 homicides in the city so far in 2023, preliminary data shows.

Aggravated assault, robbery and rape increased in 2022, but was still much lower than in 2016, 2017 and 2018, according to San Francisco crime statistics.
Tunis/Tunisia  The Tunisian film "Under the Fig Trees", by director Erige Sehiri, will open the 20th edition of the Tarifa-Tangier African Film Festival (FCAT) with a simultaneous screening on both shores of the Strait of Gibraltar, on the opening day of the festival which will be held from April 28 to May 7, 2023.

This feature film, which is the director's first fiction film and which was presented at the "Quinzaine des Cineastes" of the Cannes Film Festival, was screened in several festivals in Europe, Africa and America. It was also on the list of Tunisian films selected for the Oscar for best international film. The same is true of Alcarras, by Carla Simon, a film with which 'Under the Fig Trees' has many similarities, not only in the story it tells, but also in the atmosphere, the treatment and the way it is shot with non-professional actors and actresses.

The 20th edition of the FCAT will open simultaneously in Tarifa and Tangiers. The Moroccan city will host an opening gala in the recently renovated Alcazar Cinema, a symbol of Spanish cinema during the Protectorate. This event is being organised in collaboration with the Cervantes Institute in Tangiers and the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, and will be attended by the Tunisian director Erige Sehiri, who will present the opening film.

The Tarifa-Tangiers African Film Festival (FCAT) will celebrate its 20th anniversary in the 2023 edition, revealing the cinematographic productions of the African continent and becoming a reference point for African cinema, both in the Spanish-speaking world and in Europe. This year, the FCAT will resume its activity on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, in order to continue forging diversity and cultural dialogue between the two continents.
 Close Idaho police detective, FBI continues to testify in Lori Vallow triple-murder case

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The trial of doomsday cult mom Lori Vallow is underway in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where the mother-of-three is accused of killing her two youngest children and her new husband Chad Daybells first wife.

The 49-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, and Mr Daybells first wife Tammy, 49.

Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.

The string of mysterious deaths and murders, and the bizarre cult beliefs of those involved, have generated huge interest in the case. Ms Vallow allegedly also conspired to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow and is charged separately in a case in Arizona.

In court on Tuesday, a video call was played between Ms Vallow and her sister Summer Shiflet in which the latter sobbed and shouted at the defendant about the deaths of her children, saying even if she hadnt killed them she had not cared they were thrown away like garbage.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene has defended the Air National Guardsman arrested by the FBI for allegedly leaking national security documents.

The far-right Republican lawmaker took to Twitter to show her support for Jack Teixeira who she lauded for being white, male, christian and antiwar  although she referred to him as Jake Teixeira.

Authorities raided the Massachusetts home of the 21-year-old who worked in cyber security for the Guard and took him into custody on Thursday.

Hundreds of pages of classified military intelligence have been shared with an online gaming group before becoming public in a string of disclosures last week.

But that did not stop the controversy-courting Georgia congresswoman from leaping to his defence, while also getting his first name wrong.

Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more, she tweeted.

Ask yourself who is the real enemy? A young low level national guardsmen? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers?

Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar.



That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.



And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more.



Ask yourself who is the real enemy?



A young low level national guardsmen?



Or the  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 13, 2023

Following the arrest, Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared at the DOJ to confirm that the suspect had been taken into custody without incident.

Mr Garland said that the suspect was being investigated for the alleged unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified national defence information and that he would make his first court appearance at the US District Court for Massachusetts.

Jack Teixeira (Instagram)

The so-called Pentagon Papers, widely shared and leaving many in Washington ashen-faced with embarrassment, have yet to be officially authenticated but appear to contain details on deeply sensitive matters pertaining to national security and foreign affairs.

The slides of photographed files that were made public include detailed battlefield maps from Russias war in Ukraine and the alarming suggestion that the US believes Kyiv will soon run out of missiles for its air defence systems, in addition to awkward revelations about Americas attitude towards many of its allies around the world, including the UK, South Korea, Egypt, Israel and the UAE.

Precisely how many documents were leaked is not known, with estimates varying from 50 into the hundreds.
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Highly classified military documents shedding light on American intelligence gathered about other countries were released online this week, sending the Pentagon into full-speed damage control to assure allies and assess the scope of the leak.

On Thursday, armed FBI officers arrested a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Authorities raided the home of 21-year-old Jack Teixeira  who worked in cyber security for the Guard  and took him into custody.

The information has apparently highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Ukraine's air defence capabilities and exposed private assessments by allies on an array of intelligence matters, raising questions about whether the leak will erode allies' trust in sharing information with the US or affect Ukraine's strategic combat plans.

Suspect in leak of Pentagon secrets, Jack Texeira, is arrested by armed FBI agents in North Dighton, Massachusetts (CNN )

Funded at $90bn annually, US intelligence agencies have sweeping powers to tap electronic communications, run spies and monitor with satellites. The results of those powers are rarely seen in public, even in limited form.

Overall, the leaked documents present a "very serious risk to national security," a top Pentagon spokesman told reporters on Monday. The Ministry of Defence has tried to play down the impact, referring to serious inaccuracies.

Here are five of the key takeaways from the leaked Pentagon documents:

UK special forces might have operated in Ukraine

Claims that UK special forces have operated in Ukraine have been widely reported.

Media outlets including the BBC and The Guardian reported that a document, dated March 23, indicates as many as 50 UK special forces personnel have been deployed to the country alongside other Western special forces.

The Ministry of Defence warned against taking allegations contained in the reported leak of US classified information at "face value".

An MoD spokesperson said in a message posted on Twitter: "The widely reported leak of alleged classified US information has demonstrated a serious level of inaccuracy. Readers should be cautious about taking at face value allegations that have the potential to spread disinformation."

The Pentagon was sent into full-speed damage control to assure allies and assess the scope of the leak (AP)

Ukrainian casualties higher and air munitions lower

The leaked documents point to Ukrainian casualty figures being higher than publicly stated by Kyiv, which was broadly known by those familiar with the conflict.

Also, it suggests that Ukrainian air defences were running out of munitions. This again was known, but not to the extent suggested  that they will start running out by the end of May.

Much of the material is about Western efforts to keep Ukraine supplied with weapons.

There were claims that Serbia, the only European state to refuse to impose sanctions on Russia following the invasion, with Alexander Vucics government repeatedly professing neutrality, had agreed to send arms to Ukraine, and may have done so already. The countrys defence minister, Milos Vucevic, denied the report; there is no comment, yet, from President Vucics office.

US seems to spy on its allies

The leaks have highlighted how closely the US monitors how its allies and friends interact with Russia and China. Officials in several countries have denied or rejected allegations from the leaked records.

The AP has reported on US intelligence picking up claims from Russian operatives that they were building a closer relationship with the United Arab Emirates, the oil-rich Middle Eastern nation that hosts important American military installations. The UAE rejected the allegations, calling them categorically false.

Other leaks have concerned allegations that South Korean leaders were hesitant to ship artillery shells to Ukraine and that Israels Mossad spy service opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus proposed overhaul of the judiciary.

The leak has been described as a nightmare for the Five Eyes  the intelligence-sharing nations of US, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada  by a senior intelligence official speaking to The New York Times.

Pentagon spokesman U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon (The Associated Press)

Egypt planned to supply rockets to Russia

According to the leak, Egypt, which receives $1.3bn (1bn) in American military aid each year, was planning to sell rockets and munition to Moscow, with Egypts president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi instructing officials to keep production and shipment secret to avoid problems with the West.

Russian officials, according to the documents, were boasting that the UAE has agreed to cooperate against US and UK intelligence. This was immediately denied by the UAE. But the allegation comes during a time of waning American influence in the region  with China brokering a diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman refusing US requests to raise oil production after the shortages caused by the embargo on Russia and announcing this week that it will cut production.

Rumour Putin is undergoing chemotherapy

The recently leaked documents address the rumour that Russian President Vladimir Putin is undergoing chemotherapy.

The recently leaked documents address the rumour that Russian President Vladimir Putin is undergoing chemotherapy (via REUTERS)

The papers, labelled as Top Secret, also indicate that Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev devised a plan to sabotage Mr Putin while he undergoes medical treatment.

Russia planned to divert resources from Taganrog, Russia to Mariupol, Ukraine and focus its attention on the southern front, the document says. According to [redacted] source, the plan for the offensive (no further information) was suspected to be a strategy devised by [Mr Gerasimov and Mr Patrushev] to sabotage Putin.

The papers do not specify what alleged medical condition Mr Putin has that requires chemotherapy but there have been longstanding rumours that the Russian president has cancer.
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Over the last two decades, Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly failed to accurately report hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of income from a family holding company and claimed rents from a company that no longer exists, according to The Washington Post, citing state records and federal disclosures.

The high court justices financial disclosure reports claim between $50,000 and $100,000 of income from Ginger, Ltd., Partnership, a Nebraska real estate firm, that was dissolved in 2006. Thats the same year the assets and properties of the firm, founded in the 1980s by the family of his wife Virginia Ginni Thomas, were moved to a new company, Ginger Holdings, LLC.

The revelation comes as the Supreme Court justice is under intense scrutiny for his ethical and financial conduct, following reporting from ProPublica earlier this month that Mr Thomas accepted lavish vacations from conservative Texas billionaire and Republican donor Harlan Crow. The outlet also reported that Mr Crow bought a group of properties from Justice Thomas in Georgia, which the jurist failed to disclose, a likely violation of federal ethics laws requiring judges to report most real estate sales worth more than $1,000.

Any presumption in favor of Thomass integrity and commitment to comply with the law is gone. His assurances and promises cannot be trusted. Is there more? Whats the whole story? The nation needs to know, Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics expert at New York University, told the Post, arguing the integrity of the Supreme Court is now in serious jeopardy.

The Independent has contacted the Supreme Court and a lawyer for Ms Thomas for comment.

Justice Thomas and Mr Crow have both defended their relationship as proper.

"Early in my tenure at the (Supreme) Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable," Mr Thomas said in a statement earlier this month.

"As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them," he added.

Mr Crow told ProPublica he "never sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue."

Its not the first time the private activities of the Thomas family have raised questions about the Supreme Court justices position.

Following the 2020 election, Ms Thomas privately urged Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows not to have Donald Trump concede the election, reiterating wild conspiracy theories and telling the official : It takes time for the army who is gathering for his back."

She later told the congressional January 6 committee she regrets the tone and content of those messages.
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The campaign finances of New York representative George Santos are in rough shape this year, according to federal election filings.

The Republican, whos come under scrutiny for exagerrating or inventing numerous details of his backstory, has a campaign operating a loss of $3,000 this year, Axios reports.

Rep Santos raised about $5,300 during the first three months of this year, according to the filings. He refunded roughly $8,300 during that same period.

That leaves his campaign with $25,000 on hand going into April, much of which was raised before Mr Santos was outed for making dubious claims about his education, business career, and other achievements.

The deficit couldnt come at a worse time.

Mr Santos is reportedly planning to announce his reelection campaign on Monday, the New York Post reports.

The Long Island Republican called big donors and sat down with supporters and believes he can raise $500,000 to $750,000 in the second quarter of 2023, a person close to the House member told the paper.

Kellen Curry, an Afghanistan war veteran and former vice-president at JP Morgan, has announced his intention to run against Mr Santos as a Republican, promising to "restore honesty and integrity back to our congressional representation, according to a statement from his campaign given to CNN.

"With a passion for public service and a strong desire to restore honorable leadership back to our congressional representation, Kellen is seeking the republican nomination," the statement adds.

Republicans in Congress, as well as residents of Mr Santoss district, have called on the representative to resign.

In addition to political and fundraising headwinds, Mr Santos faces a raft of investigations.

Officials reportedly including the US Attorneys Office, FBI, FEC, SEC, New York Attorney Generals Office, and Queens County District Attorney are all either considering or actively conducting investigations into the finances and past actions of Mr Santos.

In January, Mr Santos amended a campaign finance form that previously said he loaned $500,000 of his own money to his campaign. The amendment stated that the loan came from another, undisclosed source outside of Mr Santoss personal funds.

During his first run for Congress in 2020, Mr Santos listed a salary of $55,000, a figure that jumped into millions of earnings the following year, raising eyebrows.

Mr Santos has explained the influx of wealth as legitimate earnings from his business making capital introductions.
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Senator Lindsey Graham chastised Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for defending the US Air National Guardsman who leaked sensitive documents that included Ukrainian troop information.

The senator appeared on ABC News and spoke with journalist Jon Karl, who asked the lawmaker about her stance.

"For any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible," Mr Graham replied.

Ms Greene issued a tweet on 13 April defending Jack Teixeira  who she mistakenly called Jake  a US Air National Guardsman who allegedly leaked sensitive documents to members of his private Discord server. Mr Teixeira was not acting in a whistleblower capacity when he leaked the documents, but allegedly hoped to use the documents to impress his teenage friends in the server.

"Jake [Jack] Teixeira is a male, christian, and antiwar," she wrote. "That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime."

She went on to claim that he "told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more."

"Ask yourself who is the real enemy," she wrote. "A young low level national guardsmen? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers?"

Mr Graham said what Ms Greene and other boosters  like Fox News' Tucker Carlson  "are suggesting will destroy America's ability to defend itself."

"That it's OK to release classified information based on your political views," he said. "That the ends justify the means. It is not ok. If you're a member of the military intelligence community, and you disagree with American policy, and you think you're going to be ok when it comes to leaking classified information, you're going to go to jail."

The Senator said it was "one of the most irresponsible statements you could make."

"There is no justification for this," he said.

Ms Greene posted a fake image of Mr Graham to her Twitter account in which the senator appears to be holding a can of Bud Light featuring trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The original photo shows Mr Graham holding a glass of beer.

There was no text to accompany the photo so the image may not be a direct rebuttal to Mr Grahams rebuke.

The congresswoman also told right-wing commenter Charlie Kirk that she believes there needs to be an opposition party if Republicans wont address the serious problems the nation is facing.

Ms Greene has been a frequent critic of the USs involvement with Ukraines defense against Russias invasion.

Mr Teixeira was arrested earlier this week by federal law enforcement. He was formally charged on Friday for leaking classified documents.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly spent more than $65,000 of her campaign funds installing a fence at her home, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Ms Greene's schedule B itemized disbursements show her various campaign expenditures. Included in that list is a $65,257.49 payment to Bartow Fence Company Inc for the installation of an "additional security fence for residence."

The expenditure is not illegal; FEC rules allow candidates to spend campaign funds on personal security. However, the cost of the fence is more than $10,000 more than the median household income in her district, according to RawStory.

HomeAdvisor estimates that a typical homeowner spends between $1,400 and $4,500 on fence installation. Even if a special security fence cost ten times the high-end average amount, it would still be less than Ms Greene spent on her fence.

The Independent has reached out for comment.

Some critics on social media questioned the cost of the installation.

"Doesnt she own a construction company? 65k for fencing seems a little much for a fence or wall around her property. Sounds like just moving campaign funds into her pocket," one user wrote.

There is no evidence Ms Greene pocketed the funds she used for the fence.

Ms Greene and her husband purchased her father's construction company, Taylor Commercial, prior to her election to Congress, according to Yahoo News.

Another user joked about the fence's true purpose.

"Its not working, she is still getting out," they wrote.

Ms Greene recently became a defender of the publics right to access information  which would include her campaign spending  when she began championing the US Airman who allegedly leaked sensitive US government documents that contained information about Ukranian troop movements.

The US Airman, Jack Teixeira, 21, was arrested this week for the breach.

The lawmaker defended Mr Teixera  who was not acting as a whistleblower but was instead allegedly trying to gain clout in his Discord server by sharing the sensitive information  and pointed out that he was white, male, Christian and antiwar.

Ms Greene has been critical of the war in Ukraine, frequently complaining that the US is spending too much to help the nation defend itself from Russia's invasion.

The congresswoman is not exactly an anti-conflict ideologue; she has called for the US to deploy its military to Mexico to fight Mexican drug cartels.
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A super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis released a television ad attacking former President Donald Trump, accusing him of spending airtime and money attacking the likely Republican presidential candidate.

Donald Trump is being attacked by a Democrat prosecutor in New York, the ad's narrator says. So why is he spending millions attacking the Republican governor of Florida? Trumps stealing pages from the Biden-Pelosi playbook.

Mr DeSantis is expected to announce a bid for the White House in 2024, though he has not formally confirmed his candidacy.

The ad focuses in part on Social Security, which Mr DeSantis has previously stated should begin when American workers turn 70, rather than the current age of 65. The Florida governor has since changed his position, arguing the program should not be touched during negotiations, according to The Hill.

A clip of Mr Trump is played in the ad in which he tells the World Economic Forum that entitlements like Medicare and Social Security  important to seniors, who also make up a large portion of the GOP's voter base  would be subject to spending cuts "at some point."

"At the right time, we will take a look at that," he said at the time.

The ad then asks "what happened to Donald Trump?" suggesting he should be spending his time fighting Democrats, and not lashing out at fellow Republicans like Mr DeSantis.

The Super PAC's ad comes appears to be a rebuttal to another Super PAC's ad attacking Mr DeSantis.

The Make America Great Again Inc PAC launched an attack on the Florida governor, accusing him of having "dirty fingers"  a reference to him eating chocolate pudding with his fingers  and accusing him of supporting entitlement cuts.

Ron DeSantis loves sticking his fingers where they dont belong, the ad says, before accusing the governor of supporting cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and for raising the retirement age.

DeSantis and Trump are likely heading into a 2024 matchup (Getty)

Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off his money, the advertisement says. And oh, somebody get this man a spoon.

Mr DeSantis and Mr Trump have been sniping at each other for months ahead of their predicted primary rivalry heading into 2024.

Around the time of Mr Trump's indictment and arraignment, Mr DeSantis said he had no experience "paying hush money to a porn star" when asked of the former president's situation.

Mr Trump was incensed by the comment, and lashed out at the governor on Truth Social, even going so far as to suggest he will face his own sexual misconduct allegations, possibly with a man.

Ron DeSanctimonious will probably find out about FALSE ACCUSATIONS & FAKE STORIES sometime in the future, as he gets older, wiser, and better known, when hes unfairly and illegally attacked by a woman, even classmates that are underage (or possibly a man!), Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social. Im sure he will want to fight these misfits just like I do!
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Governor Ron DeSantis's fundraising speech in New Hampshire was momentarily interrupted when a pair of protesters leapt on stage, according to local reports.

Mr DeSantis was meeting with fellow Republican donors on Friday night when two women leapt onto the stage and began chanting Jews against DeSantis," according to WFLA.

Security rushed the stage and removed the women. Mr DeSantis quipped about the interruption to deescalate the room.

"You gotta have a little spice in the speech, right," Mr DeSantis said. "You gotta have a little fun."

The women reportedly were carrying a sign that said "Ron DeSantis: Loves Israel, Hates Jews."

The organisation IfNotNow confirmed to WFLA that its members were the ones who interrupted the governor's speech.

Were making clear that DeSantis is an antisemite whose actions and policies both support Israeli apartheid and put Jews in danger, the organization posted on Twitter.

IfNotNow has accused the Republican governor of supporting organisations with ties to illegal settlers in the West Bank and criticised him for not denouncing far-right conservatives that espouse white nationalist and antisemitic beliefs.

"DeSantis refuses to condemn the Nazis who demonstrate across his state and even show up to his fundraisers," the activist group claimed in a Twitter post, citing a New York Times report on the prevalence of Proud Boys in the Miami-Dade County Republican Party.

They also accused the governor of counting Christian nationalists among his allies, citing the inclusion of Pastor Larry Jinks in one of Mr DeSantis's re-election ads.

IfNotNow cited a piece by the Forward that includes a quote by Mr Jinks saying Jewish people should have "known better" than to reject Jesus as the prophesised messiah, and called their unwillingness to embrace him a "shame."

A pair of protesters from IfNotNow are led off-stage by security at a Republican fundraiser event in New Hampshire as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis watches from the podium (Screengrab/IfNotNow)

Its a shame that the Jews, who should know better, reject their own Messiah (who fulfilled everyone of their prophecies) still believe that they need sacrifices and the Temple to sacrifice them in, Mr Jinks wrote in a now-hidden Facebook post responding to a story about the Jewish Temple being rebuilt . Nonetheless, because of their rejection they will move forward with that plan.

They also slammed Mr DeSantis for his closeness to AIPAC, the largest pro-Israel PAC in the US. Though ostensibly a bipartisan organisation, AIPAC has been at odds with progressive Democrats who criticise Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

"AIPAC and DeSantis support occupation and apartheid at the expense of Jewish safety," IfNotNow said in a Twitter post. "We believe in the opposite vision: where liberation for Jews and Palestinians are inextricably linked. We fight for equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Israelis and Palestinians."

The Independent has reached out to Mr DeSantis office for comment.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with China's defense minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijing's strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.

Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Gen. Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow.

China has refused to criticize Russias military actions in Ukraine and blames the United States and NATO for provoking Moscow. But Chinas foreign minister said last week that China wouldn't be helping Russia with weapons, as the U.S. and other Western allies have feared.

Officially, China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict. However, Xi's trip emphasized how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline during the Ukraine conflict.

In comments opening the meeting, Putin praised the general development of Russia-China relations.

We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchanging information that is useful to us, cooperating in the field of military-technical cooperation, conducting joint exercises, moreover, in different theaters: in the Far East region, and in Europe, and at sea, and on land and in the air, he said, according to the Kremlin.

Li said that the countries' relations outperform the military-political unions of the Cold War era. They rest on the principles of nonalignment, and are very stable.
Tunis/Tunisia  The Tunisian Observatory of Economy organised on Saturday a meeting focusing on the means to develop the fishing sector and the valorisation of sea products in Jerba Ajim. The aim is to ensure local development in the region.

The meeting allowed to discuss the means to benefit from the resources and wealth of the fishing sector which represents one of the main economic activities in the region and contributes to 5. 8% of the production of fishing in the governorate of Medenine or 16156 tonnes in 2020.

This initiative is part of a project aimed at involving youth in local and regional development, launched in 2020 in 3 governorates namely, Kairouan, Kef, and Medenine.

According to Mohamed Ali Kordi, Director of the project, the choice of the development of artisanal fisheries comes because of the potential that this sector has a low value despite the importance of natural wealth in the delegation of Ajim.

Nejib Bouchouicha, president of the local union of agriculture and fisheries in the region, said that the fisheries sector in Ajim requires development according to a national programme of reform and updating of legislation for a better adaptation to reality, in addition to the need to improve the situation of ports and fight against anarchic fishing and pollution.
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The National Rifle Association boss Wayne LaPierre warned gun-hating politicians that his group could end their political careers and also blasted the media for glorifying mass shooters.

During NRAs annual convention on Saturday, Mr LaPierre said that gun-hating politicians should never go to bed unafraid of what this association and all of our millions of members can do to their political careers.

During the event in Indianapolis, his comments received a loud cheer from the audience.

He added: I am speechless that the American media cant be bothered to glorify the Second Amendment, but they sure glorify mass shooters. Enough is enough.

Im offended when DAs dont do their job, when prosecutors say dropping charges is the right thing to do, cash bail is wrong, violent felonies are to be ignored, but criminals, theyre not to be punished. Theyre to be understood. Give me a break, he stated.

If a deranged nutcase wants to commit suicide in a blaze of demonic glory, thats a complete media blackout. They never existed. Never say their name. Never show their face or their picture and for Gods sake, dont publish a manifesto. Dont give the devil himself a nanosecond of notoriety, Mr LaPierre added.

The NRAs annual convention started on Friday and former president Donald Trump spoke at the event too. He told NRA it better endorse him in the 2024 presidential race. And warned or theyll have some explaining to do. No, I do believe were in pretty good shape.

Meanwhile, South Dakota governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate Kristi Noem told the crowd at the NRA event that her nearly two-year-old granddaughter already has a shotgun and a rifle.

I want to reassure you, she said.

Ms Noem also signed an executive order in the middle of her remarks, inviting the NRA president to join her as she barred state agencies from working with banks that discriminate against firearm-related businesses

The order will protect the God-given right to keep and bear arms from being infringed upon by financial institutions, she said.

There have been more than 155 mass shootings and more than 12,000 gun-related deaths in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
A full emergency was declared at the Indira Gandhi International Aiport in Delhi after a plane with 230 passengers onboard suffered a technical failure on Saturday.

An IndiGo fight, bound for Bagdogra in West Bengal, was scheduled to land around 4.10pm but was forced to make an emergency landing at the Delhi airport.

The airline said in a statement that the IndiGo flight 6E 6282 from Delhi to Bagdogra returned to Delhi as a precaution.
Joe Biden spent four days on the island of Ireland to trace his roots and meet with the leaders of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The US president's trip coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the peace deal which largely ended the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Arriving in Belfast on Tuesday, 11 April, Mr Biden then met with Rishi Sunak and spoke at Ulster University.

He went on to tour the Republic of Ireland, visiting locations where his ancestors hailed from.

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By Innocent Tshukudu for The Voice Botswana

Covid-19 has brought death and misery to the world, claiming over 6.5 million lives around the globe and 2,790 souls in Botswana; now CoP 19 appears to pose a threat to livelihoods in Southern Africa.

Set for the Panamanian capital, Panama City, next month, the Nineteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna CITES CoP 19 is expected to order a blanket ban on elephant hunting and ivory imports.

In an agenda that is giving countries in Southern Africa sleepless nights, the conference is likely to move elephants from Appendix II to Appendix I of CITES regulations, which protect such classes of animals from being hunted.

Highlighting the impact such a decision  made in Central America over 11, 000km away will have locally, Director of Ngamiland Coalition of Non-governmental Organisations (NCONGO), Siyoka Simasiko explained, What it essentially means is that the hunting quotas which communities have been benefiting from through hunting safaris will be outlawed through CITES.

Simasiku just returned from a five-day African wildlife consultative forum in Maputo, Mozambique, where issues surrounding sustainable use of wildlife and conservation were discussed, including the possible ban of trophy hunting.

Many communities in other SADC countries will be affected by this ban, he told The Voice this week.

Although the ban will also apply to hippopotamuses, this will not impact Botswana as the country stopped issuing hunting licences for hippos back in 2014, to allow their numbers to recover. However, it will affect Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia, where hippo hunting is currently permitted.

The just-ended forum was for us as SADC countries to meet, discuss priority action items in preparation for CITES among other matters of interest, added Simasiku.

Hundreds of communities in SADC countries depend on wildlife related tourism, with the sector second to only diamonds in terms of Botswanas GDP.

For communities in hard to reach areas, along the Okavango Delta and Kgalagadi area, the government introduced Community Development Trusts, which rake in millions of Pula annually

through tourism activities including hunting safaris. The income is used to provide basic needs and supplement deficiencies in such communities.

Reached for comment, Chairperson of Community Leaders Network in SADC, Rogers Lubilo stressed that Southern Africa is right to be worried, warning such a move would spell misery for them all.

Indeed CoP 19 is around the corner and we have noted with concern some manoeuvres by other governments, primarily European governments, which are aimed at ensuring that there is a trophy hunting ban especially from targeted countries in Africa. If successful, this will affect millions of communities who depend on hunting and wildlife tourism in Southern Africa.

Lubilo believes a ban would be counterproductive and cause more harm than good.

It poses a great danger to conservation itself because a sustainable use approach has been used over the last five years in Southern Africa to bridge the gap; to reduce human-wildlife conflict, to create incentives to rural communities and to create jobs. And also sustainable use has been used to actually champion conservation. Most of the habitat restoration of wildlife has recovered in areas where local communities were involved is sustainable conservation, he pointed out.

Lubilos hope is that SADC governments will stand together and present a united front at COP-19, hopefully forming alliances outside its boundaries and ultimately vote in majority numbers against the ban.

I am aware that our governments, through various ministries, are working together to ensure they present a strong message to the global world during the COP-19 summit. Southern Africa has adopted an agenda of inclusiveness, community based resource management and their sustainable use is one of our approaches that we so much cherish! he concluded.

This article is reproduced here as part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe by USAIDs VukaNow: Activity. Implemented by the international conservation organization Space for Giants, it aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Written articles from the Mozambican and Angolan cohorts are translated from Portuguese. Broadcast stories remain in the original language.

Read the original story here:
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None of us want to live through anything like the Covid-19 pandemic again but the reality is that the next pandemic is coming. The bleak fact is that there are plenty of other pathogens out there with the potential to cause even greater destruction.

Three years on from the declaration of the worst pandemic in living memory, we are still feeling the effects. More than 6.8 million people are dead, 1.6 billion students have had their education disrupted, and the global economy will have lost more than $12.5 trillion in 2024, according to IMF estimates published last year. Covid-19 wreaked havoc on incomes, health services, mental health and our childrens education  we must do what we can to make sure this never happens again.

It is a question of when, not if, another pandemic strikes. Modelling suggests we could have a 38 per cent chance of experiencing another pandemic in our lifetime  that is a huge risk to bear. But that risk is simply a matter of timing. Experiencing one pandemic does not reduce the threat of the next or mean that it couldnt happen this year or next. One thing is clear  despite everything we have learned, we are not ready for the next pandemic and have even seen cuts in our health security infrastructure.

The public agrees. Published on 13 April, polling from YouGov reveals well over half (59 per cent) of the British public think UK politicians arent taking the threat of future pandemics seriously.

More broadly, theres a consensus that world leaders also need to be doing more. In the same poll, more than three-quarters of the British public (77 per cent) said they think governments around the world should be investing more in their own healthcare systems ability to respond to a future pandemic, while 72 per cent think they should be working more with other governments to prevent diseases spreading around the world.

Baroness Halletts inquiry into the pandemic will no doubt yield vital lessons for the future about how public policy was developed in the UK. In the meantime, many of us in public health are already thinking deeply about how we can reimagine our healthcare systems so they can transform to deal with future pandemics.

So, what do we need to do? What we need is an always on approach to create more resilient health systems, which have the capacity to deliver routine clinical care in normal times and are able to respond rapidly to deliver a future pandemic response. We can integrate genomic sequencing and surveillance into routine patient care, improve diagnosis and help tailor treatment, whilst also maintaining our ability to proactively identify future pathogenic threats.

We can harness the power of new adult vaccines and prophylactic injectables to prevent disease and save lives, whilst also keeping manufacturing and delivery infrastructure warm and ready to pivot to produce novel vaccines for a future pandemic.

Creating an economically sustainable model for global health architecture that is always on can improve lives during peacetime as well as ensure were properly prepared for the next global health crisis.

To deliver on this vision and drive progress, we need to adopt the same mission-focused approach we saw in response to Covid-19  with clear objectives, funding and resources to support delivery, and endorsement from global government bodies.

The Global Health Security Consortiums One Shot campaign is an example of this mission-based approach. It aims to create a global disease-prevention programme focused on routine delivery of adult vaccines and novel injectable prophylactics, which have the potential to save up to 10 million lives every year.

And by making greater use of existing and forthcoming vaccines, the campaign will create higher and more predictable demand, leading to a healthy, self-sustaining global vaccine market, with distributed R&D and manufacturing capacity across low- and middle-income countries, which is able to rapidly respond to future pandemic threats.

We need that capacity now to deal with the devastating threats from diseases we already know and understand  and for when new threats from disease inevitably emerge.

This month, with colleagues at the Global Health Security Consortium, we are convening global health experts and political leaders at the Rhodes Policy Summit to examine what this should look like  to make sure the devastating events of 2020 are never repeated.

What can we learn from Covid-19 and its early spread? How do early policy responses compare in different countries? And what were the reasons for the collective failure to fast-track access to life-saving technologies for the most vulnerable populations during this crisis?

An always on approach would ensure the world has the right tools, from vaccines to clinical research infrastructure which can predict the spread of diseases  and respond rapidly to save lives.

We need to consider the worst-case pandemic scenarios and stimulate sustained political focus and investment from governments, global health organisations and industry into pandemic preparedness.

In a world where attention is rightly focused on the rising cost of living, international conflicts and the energy crisis, it would be easy for us to concentrate on a return to business as usual, to regard Covid-19 as a once-in-a-generation crisis that is now in the past. Sadly, disease is not so obliging  it is no respecter of time, distance or borders. The good news is that we have advanced our knowledge and ability to spot these threats and respond.

The next pandemic could be even more devastating than the last. We must be in a constant state of readiness for the next big health crisis  if we do not act now, we will not be forgiven.

Sir John Bell is Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford and chair of the Rhodes Trustees
The Central Bank of Ireland has said it has received a significant volume of derogation applications mostly related to EU sanctions against firms and people sanctioned over Russias war in Ukraine.

According to the Central Banks website, the volume is such that applicants need to be aware that it may take several weeks if not longer, to assess derogation applications.

Under a website heading urgent derogation applications, the Central Bank said it will prioritise cases where the EU sanctions regulations require a derogation to be provided by a certain date or in circumstances where a derogation is urgent for other reasons.

In response to Russias invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the European Union has introduced 10 new rounds of sanctions in addition to those imposed after Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Many of the EU Council Regulations within these packages contain derogation provisions, with the Central Bank of Ireland responsible for assessing applications for waivers to financial sanctions here in Ireland.

A Central Bank spokeswoman said it was not appropriate for the Central Bank of Ireland to comment on the specific nature of the derogation applications received and/or authorisations granted.

The spokeswoman added the Central Bank took its role in assessing sanctions derogation applications extremely seriously.

Separately, PAO Sovcomflot, Russias largest shipping company and currently under EU sanctions, said last week that it continues to work with Irish and UK regulators to obtain approvals required to make payments on Eurobonds, where the rights to such bonds are accounted for not in the Russian infrastructure.

The Central Bank said it is not in a position to comment on individual derogation applications received in connection with EU restrictive measures.
Irelands largest hotel group, Dalata, plans to upgrade the extension of its Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane in Dublins docklands and invest around 22m in the project.

The Dublin and London-listed company, which owns the Clayton and Maldron chains, published a planning notice last week to revise a planning approval and upgrade redevelopment plans at the Cardiff Lane hotel, across from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

The notice said Dalata plans to add 117 bedrooms with the extension over 10 different floors, with the hotel currently boasting 304 rooms.

A spokeswoman for Dalata said: We are excited by and committed to the development opportunity at Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane.

Dermot Crowley Chief Executive Officer at Dalata Hotel Group. Photo: Mark Condren

Our investment of circa 22m will see the addition of 117 bedrooms, result in new local jobs and bring enhancements to the street itself.

In August 2019, Dublin City Council granted permission for Dalata for a more modest expansion of the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane.

Dalata CEO Dermot Crowley said the company could add one or two more hotels in Dublin

Dalata operates 50 hotels across Ireland, the UK and Germany, employing nearly 5,500 staff.

It recently recorded its revenue had increased to 558.3m for 2022, up from 192m the previous year. Dalata also posted a 109.7m profit in 2022, after Covid-19 contributed to an 11.4m loss in 2021.

Last week, in an interview with the Sunday Independent, Dalata CEO Dermot Crowley said the company could add one or two more hotels in Dublin.

Crowley also said Dalata was keen to add more hotels in the UK and was looking in continental Europe, having opened its first in Dusseldorf last year.


Ergo

Irish President Michael D Higgins (left) and US President Joe Biden, stand together after the US President rang the Peace Bell in the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on day three of his visit to the island of Ireland. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A barking dog may have been the big news from US President Joe Bidens trip to Aras an Uachtarain last week, but a more cultural aural experience also featured on the day. President Michael D Higgins chose to present Mr Biden with a copy of Almost Everything  the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh, a double album on vinyl, because of their shared love of Irish poetry.

Claddagh Records, which is chaired and owned by Denis OBriens PR man James Morrissey, last year launched the album featuring Bono, Hozier, Imelda May, Liam Neeson and President Higgins all reading their favourite Kavanagh poems.

The poet has a special resonance for the US president.

President Barack Obama quoted Kavanagh in his eulogy at the funeral of Beau Biden in June 2015. Would Kavanagh have ever believed that over half a century after his death the soil and soul of his poetry would achieve such recognition?

Claddagh will be hoping the prestigious gesture delivers a significant boost for the label set up by Garech Browne in 1959. Claddagh was relaunched with a new website in 2021 following a licensing deal with Universal Music Ireland. Releases include The Chieftains albums 1-10, Leo Rowsomes King of the Pipers and Derek Bells Carolans Favourite.

Irish Dog Foods gets Naas extension nod

Irish Dog Foods plans to extend its manufacturing facility barked up the right tree after Kildare County Council gave the company approval.

According to the planning application, the Queally family-owned Arrow Group company is looking to develop an industrial building extension for an increased manufacturing area.

It is also seeking permission to demolish a number of industrial units at the Naas facility.

Planning documents also indicate a small increase in employment at the facility, if the extension is developed.

Irish firm reaches agreement with Volkswagen after lawsuit over charging tech

A lawsuit in the US between Volkswagen and an Irish firm has been dismissed following an agreement between the parties.

A judge dismissed the suit at the request of the parties  VW and Irish firm Scramoge. In April 2022, Scramoge alleged VW had ripped off three of its patents relating to wireless charging tech.

The order didnt specify the reasons for the dismissal, according to Bloomberg Law. It followed a filing at the US Patent and Trademark Office, where VW sought to cancel Scramoges patents, which disclosed an agreement resolving all disputes between the parties.
Airline in US court battle with third-party travel sites over allegedly libellous communications

The alleged Ryanair statements included that third-party sites sometimes offer a 'bogus discount', the counterclaim said. Photo: Urbanandsport/Nur/ Getty Images

Ryanair will face allegations it made defamatory statements over communications it is claimed to have sent to customers to discourage them from using travel-search websites such as Booking.com.
This is not work to me  its a journey  White Hag co-founder Paul Mullin is ready to get the craft beer brand fizzing in new markets

The Irish market may be close to saturation  but with diversified channels and a boost from Covid, the road ahead is long, believes White Hag Brewing Company co-founder Paul Mullin

Paul Mullin, co-founder and managing director of The White Hag Brewing Company Ltd, Ballymote, Co Sligo. Photo: James Connolly

Sean Pollock Sun 16 Apr 2023 at 03:30
"It is imperative that the President-Elect and the Party wade into this situation and announce an acceptable zoning formula as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent over-investment by candidates, which leads to acrimony and bitterness. New Senators-elect and members-elect are being offered thousands of dollars," the governors said.

The governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have recommended a zoning formula for the choice of the presiding and principal officers of the 10th session of the National Assembly for the consideration of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The governors under the aegis of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) recommended the zoning of the Senate President to either the South-east or the South-south regions and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to either the North-west or the North-central regions.

They also proposed that the positions of Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip of both should be used as compensation for those that may be asked to step down from running for the four presiding officers' positions.According to a memo obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, the governors reached the decisions at a meeting held on 8 April.

"The President-Elect, Vice President-Elect, and the National Working Committee of the APC need to meet urgently with the PGF and APC Caucuses of the National Assembly under the auspices of National Caucus and NEC to debate and adopt a zoning formula for the leadership of the two Houses.

"The PGF met in plenary and proposes the following as basis for consideration of the President-Elect and the Party:

a. Senate President - South-East or South-South or North-Central

b. Deputy Senate President - North-Central or North-West

c. Speaker of the House - North-Central or North-West

d. Deputy Speaker of the House - South-East or South-South

"Other principal officer positions may be offered by the Party to compensate those that may be required to withdraw from the races or step down include:

a. Majority Leader

b. Deputy Majority Leader

c. Chief Whip, and

d. Deputy Chief Whip

"Above for your consideration and expedited action please," the memo said.

The governors agreed to forward the memo, signed by the PGF Chairman and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, to Mr Tinubu for "expedited action".

However, it is not clear if the memo has been sent to the president-elect who is currently in Europe.

APC Composition in NASS

The ruling APC had after the 25 February election, emerged as the party with the majority in the 109-member Senate with its 57 elected senators.

However, it has yet to form a comfortable majority in the 360-member House of Representatives as it currently has 162 members-elect.

Seven other parties with membership in the 10th session of the House have about 163 members-elect.

The numbers are expected to increase after the supplementary elections held across the country on Saturday. The elections were held in 31 federal constituencies and five senatorial Districts.

Both chambers of the National Assembly will be inaugurated in June during which the presiding officers will be elected.

Current zoning formula

In the current ninth National Assembly which has APC members in the majority, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, a Muslim, is from the North-east while his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, a Christian, hails from the South-south zone.

In the lower chamber, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, a Muslim, comes from the South-west zone while the deputy speaker is from the North-central region.

Mr Gbajabiamila hails from the same zone as the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The principal officers of both chambers come from different zones.

The surge of aspirants

PREMIUM TIMES reported that about 10 aspirants have signified interest to be the Speaker of the House. They include Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), Muktar Betara (APC, Borno), Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Tunji Olawuyi (APC, Kwara) and Abubakar Makki (APC, Jigawa).

Others are Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo) Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna), and Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara).

Jibrin Barau (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Governor Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Orji Kalu (Abia), Osita Izunanso (Imo), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), Sani Musa (Niger) are currently jostling for the Senate Presidency.

The report also explored how the same faith presidential ticket of the APC will affect the distribution of the National Assembly offices.The governors 'full recommendations

As a course of action, the APC governors are proposing a meeting between Mr Tinubu, Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, the APC governors, the National Working Committee of the party and the National Assembly caucuses "to debate and adopt a zoning formula for the leadership of the two Houses."

They also proposed that other principal offices such as the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip should be used as compensation for those that may be asked to step down.To make the arrangement work, the governors proposed that candidates from the South-west and North-east must be discouraged from running for any of the four principal offices since Messrs Tinubu and Shettima are from the two regions.

Monetisation of the process

The state chief executives noted that some aspirants for the positions are willing to offer as much as $1 million for a single vote.

They specifically expressed concerns that if the president-elect and the party fail to give direction, it may be too late to stop the aspirants.

"It is imperative that the President-Elect and the Party wade into this situation and announce an acceptable zoning formula as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent over-investment by candidates, which leads to acrimony and bitterness. New Senators-elect and members-elect are being offered thousands of dollars.

"Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken," the memo reads in part.

Need for strategic calculations

Although the governors warned the lawmakers from using religion to campaign for the positions, they, however, conceded that the Senate President should be a Christian from the South-east, South-south or North-central parts of Nigeria.

They also expressed concerns about the status of the APC in the House of Representatives because of the slim majority the party may have

"Due to our expected slim majorities, candidate risk analysis and management of unreasonable ambitions must be carefully undertaken by the President-Elect and the APC national leadership to avoid the recurrence of the 2015 Saraki/Dogara debacle, more so in the case of the House of Representatives," they stated.

The governors also listed six factors the party and Mr Tinubu must put into consideration in the zoning formula.

The factors include: "Electoral contribution towards Asiwaju's victory in February 2023. Current number of APC Governors elected/re-elected in 2023. Positive prospects of expanded APC footprint by 2027."

The others are: "Prioritize creating a sense of belonging to 'electorally excluded' parts of the country. Reward inclusive politics and signal adequate deterrence for exclusionary electoral conduct."

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Regional analysis

The South-east geopolitical zone did not get a favourable review from the governors.

They stated that the zone "contributed the least to Asiwaju's victory, consistently exhibited the most exclusionary electoral conduct since the advent of the Fourth Republic, and yet also feels entitled to the Senate Presidency."

They also stated the prospect of maintaining the two states it controls in the South-east is "somewhat uncertain."

It is not clear why the governors expressed fear over Ebonyi and Imo states, the two states governed by the APC in the South-east. In the former, the party won the governorship election, and the governorship election in Imo State is not until November.

The governors appear to be more disposed to the South-south region. They noted that "the prospects of the APC expanding its footprint in Edo and Bayelsa States are quite high."

Off-cycle governorship elections hold in Bayelsa in November and in Edo in 2024.

Governors rule out Oshiomhole, Umahi

However, two prospective candidates for the Senate Presidency, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Adams Oshiomhole, senator-elect for Edo North were ruled out due to the rules of the National Assembly on ranking.

"Rules of both chambers of the National Assembly require that only ranking members can aspire to the top four elective vacancies. This provision effectively disqualifies former Governors Umahi and Oshiomhole from contesting the positions," they stated.

On the North-west, the governors said with President Muhammadu Buhari leaving office, the region has a "sense of loss and exclusion from the top two positions and therefore feels entitled to the Senate Presidency."
Media & Marketing

So far, it has also steered well clear of the data privacy controversies that have plagued its rivals.. Photo: Getty Images

Social media giants' struggles reveal a structural and moral frailty in a world that may well have bid adieu to its halcyon days. Photo: Getty IMages

As a petulant Elon Musk continues to divide opinion on Twitter and Mark Zuckerberg remains fixated on building his Metaverse, it is tempting to write the obituary for social media as we know it.

Massive lay-offs, plunging share prices, revenue declines as both advertisers and users vote with their money and their feet, have all conspired to a reveal a structural and moral frailty within a social media world that may well have bid adieu to its halcyon days.

It may be a slow and lingering death but there is a palpable sense right now that social medias ultimate demise, if it continues down the path it has taken, might also well be a welcome one.

If there is one bright light in the social media firmament, some will point in the direction of TikTok, the short-form video platform that continues to hog the headlines. Others will point towards LinkedIn, the somewhat enigmatic social platform for professionals and companies that continues to grow its business, most of the time under the radar.

Social media giants' struggles reveal a structural and moral frailty in a world that may well have bid adieu to its halcyon days. Photo: Getty IMages

A hybrid social networking and media platform, LinkedIn is the antithesis of Twitter and Facebook. An oasis of tranquillity in a blistering desert of discord, shouty trolls, spammers and state-backed spreaders of disinformation and misinformation, LinkedIn has managed to remain a politics-free zone. So far, it has also steered well clear of the data privacy controversies that have plagued its rivals.

LinkedIns quiet and conservative ascent since then has been viewed with envy by its competitors and as a text-book case for companies looking to survive and thrive in a hugely competitive digital world.

As it prepares to celebrate its 20th birthday in May, LinkedIn now has over 850 million members worldwide  two million of whom are in Ireland. Last year, global revenues grew by 26pc to $14.4bn (13bn) and are heading towards $16bn by 2024, according to some analysts.

As we have seen with the many problems facing Twitter recently, the success or failure of any social network  or indeed any online business model  ultimately depends on how much value the target audience places on the offering and whether or not this can be successfully monetised.

LinkedIns success to date has demonstrated that this is possible.

Ad revenue grew from $1.75bn in 2017 to $4.4bn in 2022

While LinkedIns basic subscription tier is free, analysts estimate that it managed to generate around $5bn in 2022 from premium subscribers, a feat its rivals can only dream of.

But it is the advertising market where LinkedIn has been slowly making the most waves.

Advertising revenue in 2017, for example, amounted to around $1.75bn, according to analysts. This grew to $4.4bn in 2022 and is forecast to grow to $5bn this year and to $7.7bn by 2026.

At a time when many advertisers remain wary of Twitter and may have historically overinvested in other platforms, LinkedIn and TikTok appear to be the main beneficiaries. For now anyway.

Of course, LinkedIn is not without its own shortcomings.

So far, it has also steered well clear of the data privacy controversies that have plagued its rivals.. Photo: Getty Images

Apart from annoying invitations to connect with sales reps trying to sell industrial LED lights, digital marketers from India offering to SEO your website to within an inch of its life and recruitment agencies looking to hire you, it can seem somewhat dull and boring when compared to the impulse-driven edginess of Twitter or the mindless mundanity of Facebook.

For some, LinkedIn can also feel slightly intimidating, for others it has zero relevance to them. But thats the nature of social media and its ability to fire up aspiration, resentment and indifference in varying quantities.

For those of us tired of endlessly doom-scrolling on Twitter or Telegram, dull and boring is much more appealing than divisive, dangerous and dishonest, but I will hold off for another while on finishing the obituary for social media.

Supporting Pieta

Droga5 Dublin has rolled out a new advertising campaign in support of Darkness into Light, the annual Pieta House fundraising initiative which is sponsored by Electric Ireland.

Now in its 11th year, the event will take place on Saturday May 6 around the country. Since it was first held in 2009, the event has raised over 36m for Pieta Houses suicide prevention services as well as providing support to those impacted by suicide and self-harm.

Cartys bacon bonus

The Athlone-based Oliver Carty & Family has won the 2023 Love Irish Food Brand Development Award, picking up a prize worth 150,000 in advertising services in the process. The award is run in partnership with the OOH firm Global and advertising agencies Owens DDB and The Marketing Network. A producer of pork and bacon products, it is headed up by Ted Carty, while Connaghty Rugby fly-half Jack Carty is marketing manager.


Companies supported by EI employ over 218,000 people

Enterprise Ireland is proud to have played a role in this important story.

Supporting Irish-owned companies to achieve greater scale and expand their global footprint is a priority for our organisation. We are delighted to have been on this journey with Irish entrepreneurs since 1998.

Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland are economic cornerstones in communities the length and breadth of the country. They employ over 218,000 people  68pc of those jobs are based outside Dublin, which is vital for regional development  and they spent 31bn in the local economy in 2021.

Our indigenous business sector has never been stronger  from startups to scaling companies, and global multinationals too. This week, we recognise that success, as we celebrate the journey of Irish enterprise has been on  and look to the next horizon of innovation and sustainable growth.

Over the coming days, representatives from companies we support, the Enterprise Ireland team, and stakeholders that support the Irish enterprise ecosystem will meet to discuss the progress of Irish enterprise and its future impact for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This week we bring together several forums we would typically host throughout the year, including our annual Start-Up Showcase and the first Enterprise Ireland Summit.

Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland

On Monday and Tuesday, we will host a Meet the Markets event at our Dublin office, where client companies will have the chance to meet with staff from our 39 overseas offices to discuss further potential international opportunities. We know this partnership between our expert team and Irish business leaders is critical to building new export opportunities and breaking into new international markets.

On Tuesday, we host our annual Startup Showcase, bringing together members of Irelands startup ecosystem, including investors. We will put a spotlight on the exciting early-stage companies we invested in last year.

From Wednesday to Friday, well host the first Enterprise Ireland Summit, beginning with a Wednesday morning conference at the RDS where attendees will hear from a variety of national and international speakers, including Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, and Prof Philip Lane of the ECB executive board.

As well as discussing the journey of Irish enterprise to date  attendees will be able to hear from Enterprise Irelands founding CEO Dan Flinter  there will be a huge focus on sustainability, scaling, and innovation. Well hear how Enterprise Ireland is supporting the innovations of new disruptive companies.

Enterprise Ireland was established in 1998, and our team is proud to have been on that 25-year journey with Irish enterprise. We are excited about the opportunities the next 25 years will bring, and believe Irish enterprise has the sustainable solutions needed to solve global challenges.

We look forward to playing our part in helping companies on the next stage of their export-led journey, achieving their global ambition and ensuring that high-quality jobs continue to be created across the country.

Jenny Melia is Executive Director at Enterprise Ireland
The Chinese social media app has a big presence in Ireland, but it is threatened by US bans and European sanctions

Last summer, when Micheal Martin stood with TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew at a photo op to announce 1,000 new jobs at the companys Irish offices, there was little chance he could have expected what was coming next for the global tech company.
Life

At last, we seem to be getting the best from our plug-in hybrids 03:30
Fiction

A House for Alice is a stand-alone sequel to Diana Evanss successfully received novel Ordinary People, which won the South Bank Sky Arts Award in 2019. In her new novel we meet Melissa again, the youngest daughter and probably the most fully-drawn of the characters.
I have no further interest in a role at RTE, he says as he clarifies his position in statement

An Post CEO David McRedmond has moved to end speculation over his links with the RTE Director General role.

He said the recent spate of publicity linking him with the recruitment process is damaging to RTE, his own company and those involved.

He said in a statement from An Post this afternoon that he wished to clarify my own position after being one of the names linked with the 306,000 role in the past few weeks.

I was asked by several people to apply for the role. I was grateful for their support, he said.

I did an interview on March 13 with the Chairperson and two directors of RTE and was informed by the recruitment consultant the follow day that I was not being shortlisted.

I accepted that decision.

The former CEO of Virgin Media said that he is no longer a candidate in any process for a role at RTE.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have no further interest in a role at RTE, he said.

I still careful deeply about RTE. It is vital that we support professional, indigenous journalism and public service broadcasting. I also have a personal gra for the organisation through my late father and late sister who both worked there.

I wish RTE well in its appointment of a new DG. There seems to be excellent candidates and I hope they proceed swiftly.

He added: I will be making no further comment on this role. My focus is to complete, with my brilliant colleagues and board, the successful transformation of An Post.

Station insiders believe that the current frontrunner for the 306,000 role is now Kevin Bakhurst, who had been managing director of RTE News and Current affairs for four years previously.

He interviewed for the DG role in 2016 but lost out to Dee Forbes, who will now step down from the seven-year-long role in July of this year.

A recent meeting of the RTE Board members had been described as fraught after an issue broke behind-the-scenes over the possible appointment of candidate Kevin Bakhurst to the high-profile role.

He had been deputy director general and managing director of news and current affairs at RTE until 2016 and was considered a strong contender for the role.

But questions were asked about the selection process and why McRedmond had been interviewed for the role but not been shortlisted during the interview stage.
Irish News

Girl left with scar after she was scalded by coffee settles court case against cafe for 45,000
All eyes will be on The Monk and state witness Jonathan Dowdall

Gerry Hutch is a unique figure in the Irish underworld in more ways than one and when he stands to face judgment tomorrow he will attract more interest than ever in the Special Criminal Court with its hair-raising conviction rate.
Simeon Burke is expected to be tried tomorrow. Photo: RollingNews.ie

Simeon Burke has been placed on a restricted regime at Cloverhill jail after it was reported to the prison governor he is under threat or may be vulnerable behind bars.

The Sunday Independent understands a report was made to prison authorities by a third party rather than Burke, (24).

The law student was placed on a restricted regime, under Rule 63 of the prison service rules.

Prisoners are placed on protection when the authorities are informed of a threat or vulnerability issue raised by a third party.

Read more Judge rules Simeon Burkes detention is lawful and that trial can go ahead

It is understood the concerns were made known around three weeks ago.

Prisoners placed on protection or restricted regime must be housed in a cell alone and spend almost all of the day and night locked up alone.

The younger brother of schoolteacher Enoch Burke, who is involved in a long-running dispute with his former employer Wilsons Hospital School in Westmeath, is permitted to exercise in the prison yard alone as well as attend other jail facilities, but he is effectively being kept in isolation.

The Irish Prison Service declined to comment. Attempts were also made to contact the Burke family.

Simeon is a member of a well-known family of evangelical Christians from Co Mayo. 

The student has been on remand in prison charged with a breach of the peace following incidents at the Court of Appeal linked to his brothers case since early last month.

On Friday, the High Court ruled the young law student is being lawfully detained in Cloverhill Prison.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan said Mr Burkes submissions and concerns were unfounded.

He said actions have consequences and Mr Burkes situation was as a result of his own actions.

Burke denies the charge and his trial is scheduled to take place in the District court tomorrow.
Former President Peter Mutharika has accused the Chakwera administration for failing to evacuate people in cyclone Freddy disaster hit areas before the calamity occurred.

Speaking on Saturday in Mangochi when he donated relief items to cyclone Freddy survivors, Mutharika said the warnings of the coming of cyclone Freddy were issued but the government did not take heed.

He said reluctance by the government to take heed of the cyclone Freddy warnings led to the death of nearly 700 people in the southern region.

He said authorities in Mozambique managed to evacuate people before the Cyclone, which he says minimised the number of deaths.

"The Mozambique government evacuated people before the Cyclone and kept them in hotels and other areas, while here they waited for the disaster that is why we lost a lot of lives than in Mozambique where only 66 people died," he says.

He further called for unity when implementing interventions meant for the support of cyclone victims by making sure that all people affected are being reached without discrimination.

Mutharika visited Samama primary school and Mponda evacuation camps where he donated maize floor, beans and other food items.
A garda is being prosecuted following an alleged serious assault on a 17-year-old boy while the youth was being arrested in Dublins Temple Bar during the pandemic .

The Sunday Independent understands that the DPP has directed the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc ) to proffer criminal charges against the rank-and-file officer.

The garda, who was based in a busy Dublin station , is facing Section 3 assault charges on the teen following an incident in June 2021 on East Essex Street in Dublin 2.

The youth was allegedly assaulted during the course of his arrest for alleged public order offences

A Section 3 assault causing harm charge stipulates that the prosecution be dealt with at Circuit Court level, which attracts lengthier potential custodial sentences when compared to lesser Section 2 assault cases, which are handled at District Court level.

The altercation involving the teenager and the garda took place on June 1 , 2021 .

It is understood the youth was allegedly seriously assaulted by the garda during the course of his arrest for alleged public order offences at the height of the pandemic .

The incident  which was captured on CCTV  was referred to the garda watchdog by a garda superintendent, in line with protocol.

Sources say the CCTV is of very high quality.

The garda was suspended at the outset of the Gsoc investigation, as was a garda sergeant who was also linked but not implicated in the incident.

It is understood the DPP has directed that the garda sergeant  a highly respected officer  has no criminal case to answer.

It is hoped he will soon be reinstated to his job, almost two years on from being suspended, having been cleared of any wrongdoing.

When contacted, a spokesman for Gsoc declined to comment on the prosecution, but did release a statement to this newspaper confirming it investigated the incident, saying: Gsoc received a referral from a Garda Superintendent following the arrest of a 17-year-old in the area of East Essex Street, Dublin 2, on June 1, 2021. Gsoc launched a criminal investigation pursuant to Section 98 of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005.

Gsoc concluded its investigation, and a file was issued to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in November 2022. The case is now a matter for the DPP. Gsoc is not in a position to comment further at this time.

Eight days after the case was referred to it in June 2021, the garda watchdog released a statement appealing for witnesses to the public order incident to come forward , and also issued a request for relevant CCTV, dashcam or mobile footage.
Concerns in relation to rostering, location, locum cover and protection of work-life balance are raised at IMO conference

They are among the best paid public service jobs in the country with incomes of up to 300,000 a year  but the jury is out on how many takers a new contract being offered to hospital consultants will attract.

With a salary of up to 252,000 a year and top-up allowances of another 50,000, the prospects for the new contract offered to hospital consultants remain unclear, a doctors conference was told.

They will work a 37-hour week in public hospitals and be allowed treat private patients in private hospitals in their own time. But a majority of the doctors union have said they would not take the contract.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Matthew Sadlier told the annual meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) that the problem with the new offer  which it is hoped will fill hundreds of vacant jobs - is not money and salary.

It is due to concerns with rostering, location, locum cover and protection of work-life balance, he told the gathering.

The doctor could be rostered weekdays between 8am to 10pm and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Rostering remain a key concern. You could end up in a department with six consultants. Five are on the old contract and the sixth could be the person working every single Saturday.

He said location is another issue and a doctor could potentially find themselves being moved to another hospital.

It could mean doctors working in an area easy to recruit could move to an area difficult to recruit.

There is provision for consultants to have to give cross-cover for other doctors and look after patients who might be fifty miles away.

He said this has the potential to put doctors and patients at a huge level of risk.

The loss of private income to public hospitals as the newly recruited doctors will no longer be allowed treat private patients on site also will leave a 600m hole in funding, he added.

Dr Sadlier who is chairman of the IMOs consultant committee and a consultant in north Dublin said already under the existing contract there are few if no applicants for jobs.

When I did my first job interview there were 37 applicants. For the second there here were eight. Over the last three years as clinical director there has never been an interview where there were more than one applicant.

That is the shift that has happened. Our jobs are not desirable. People do not want to work here .

He added :If this contract works then fantastic but if we are right and (the Department of Health ) is wrong they need to come back and must re-negotiate.

This can only work when there are enough consultants in the system which allows for reasonable working hours, flexibility in terms of work life balance and a working and supportive environment.

Peadar Gilligan, an emergency consultant in Beaumont Hospital said no other country would offer a contract that makes life more difficult for a doctor in the face of so many vacancies.

However, speaking at the conference Health Minister Stephen Donnelly hit out at misinformation about the new deal.

For many consultants, the contract will result in pay and on-call payments at more than 300k per year. Consultants wanted an end to the 2012 pay disparity. That has been achieved. It is a good deal.

Consultants wanted to retain private practice in private settings. That required a fundamental shift in Government policy, and was achieved. Consultants wanted additional funding for research and development. That has been achieved, with an annual fund of 20,000, along with increases in on-call payments. 

He said there will be no excessive or unfair demands on consultants to work an unreasonable number of evenings or Saturdays.

Consultants will not be rostered for duty without the necessary levels of support to deliver a satisfactory and appropriate level of patient care - as specified in clause 13.7(d).

A consultants work location will not be changed without engaging fully with the consultant and/or the IMO. Also, any requirement to move location will be subject to the protections available to all public servants under national agreements.

The requirement to provide cover for an absent colleague is limited under the terms of the contract and will also have regard to the consultants own work commitment.
Survivor Lee Deady believes all schools must now be compelled to release their files to upcoming inquiry

John Deady sighs deeply as he stares at the Waterford Stanley stove in his kitchen. Hes missing his wife  Elmas death last year rocked him.

Elma had some memory, he says. He wishes she was there to recount every detail of those meetings he hates recalling now, when they were trying to understand what had happened to their son, Lee, at Waterpark College, Waterford, in the 1990s.

Upwards of 14 alleged victims of Tom Meehan, a former teacher at Waterpark from the 1970s to the 1990s, have now come forward. Some told their stories on Waterford Local Radio (WLR), claiming they suffered sexual abuse and indecent assaults.

Meehan died in 2019. He was investigated by gardai a number of times, but never prosecuted. When the Deady family went to the school in the late 1990s, they contacted a garda detective, but Meehan continued teaching.

He may not have his wifes acute recall, but John Deady does remember certain aspects of those encounters at the school.

I can see him [Meehan] clearly now, coming in sweating like a pig, so bad I suggested we stop the meeting as I thought he was going to have a heart attack. And, sure enough, I heard he had to go to hospital after, he says.

He used to drive up and down the road past the house here. I didnt know it at the time, but when Lee told me [about the abuse], it turned my stomach.

Teacher Tom Meehan, who died in 2019, was never prosecuted

Lee can see the railings of Kilcohan dog track from the front window of the family home  the location where he tried to take his own life when he was 17. He was saved by two passing neighbours, who brought him home.

I thought it was the only way out, he says. I know now it wasnt. Therapy has helped over the years, but it never leaves you  never. You just try to cope, to put it in a box, a compartment. But there are so many questions left unanswered, like who knew what and when. And why wasnt something done about it?

If others were abused before me, which now appears to be the case, maybe it mightnt have happened to me if action was taken.

Lee and John are very close. They have a loyal, extended family who have always been there for them. Their home is on a solid, working-class estate.

John says Meehan knew what he was looking for  like most abusers, he targeted his victims.

Both men say the Government must compel schools and religious orders to release all files as part of their forthcoming inquiry into sexual abuse in education.

Last week, a spokesperson for Education Minister Norma Foley said her department is conscious of the trauma endured by survivors of abuse.

The scoping inquiry which has been established by Minister Foley will shape the Governments response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders and will have survivor engagement as a central part of its work. This will allow the views of those who are most directly affected to be heard clearly, they said.

Another man, Keith Whitty, who now lives in London, says he was abused by Meehan when he was 14.

Im so glad its out there now, he says. This is all I have ever wanted for years. Its important this story is told  its been hidden for too long.

Meehan was grooming me by giving me loans and months later telling me I had to pay it all back in one go because it was school funds. He abused me in his office. The abuse involved showing me pornographic magazines and then putting his hand on me. I was only in second year.

When I went later to the gardai, the DPP decided not to press charges. Ive learned there were other people who had also reported abuse. There could have been a case brought against him when he was still alive  you feel really let down by the system.

One man who came forward after the WLR broadcast says he witnessed his best friend being touched up and indecently assaulted by Meehan in 1969, when the young teacher was starting out in his career.

As a career guidance teacher at Waterpark, Meehan had his own office, where much of the abuse took place. He later became vice-principal.

Waterpark, formerly run by the Christian Brothers, is operated under the auspices of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, who say they condemn any form of child abuse and are committed to the best standards of child protection.

Lee, now a social worker in Waterford, started school at Waterpark in 1995. The abuse went on for the best part of three years, from second year on, he says. It could have been once a week, once a fortnight, depending on when hed bump into you.

I tried to avoid him like the plague, but then hed arrive into my class with his little slip of paper to say Id a meeting with him down in his office. There was no way of escaping him.

There were times I had to strip off my pants in front of him. Hed have the door locked and rubbed his hand on the inside of my leg, saying dirty stuff. And then worse things happened.

I was trying to laugh it off. I didnt realise what was going on, I didnt want to believe it. And thats when I just had enough. He was a monster, he had a type, he knew who to go for.

John and Elmas suspicions were raised when they found out their son was dodging school. Elma said something to Lee, and he said, That dirty bastard. We had meetings with the school then.

In those days we werent as educated, we werent able to cop on to things. He was a groomer. If they were coming from a poor background, he was able to groom them.

Lee made an initial statement to gardai in 2008, but never heard anything back. He found the DPPs decision not to prosecute difficult to understand.

I took a civil case and got 60,000 in a settlement on the steps of the court, but it was never about the money, he says. I wanted to go into court and have a say about the impact it had on my life.

Gardai say they received a number of complaints between 2009 and 2011 and another in 2019. Files were sent to the DPP, who decided not to proceed.

In March 2022, Mr Justice Cian Ferriter delivered a judgment in the High Court in relation to a civil case involving a man who lives in Tramore and a number of named individuals, including the executors of the will of Meehan, a representative of the Christian Brothers and the former principal of Waterpark, Thomas Beecher.

The judgment outlines the background to the case, in which the man was seeking damages arising out of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated on him from the age of 13 between 1993 and 1998 by Meehan in the school grounds, in private and during the school day while he was a Waterpark pupil.

The man made an initial complaint to gardai in 2010. Proceedings taken by him started in 2012 and the matter was before the High Court in Waterford in March 2014.

Those representing the school were seeking to have the matters struck out of court because of the lapse of time and inordinate delays in the case.

Mr Justice Ferriter outlined how the man had chronicled the very serious adverse effects which he has suffered throughout his adult life as a result of the alleged abuse and that his account makes for harrowing reading.

He ruled that because Meehan was dead, no proceedings against the executors of the will should continue, but matters remained active for the school and the Christian Brothers.

The case was settled last February with what is believed to have been a substantial payment to the victim.

In his kitchen, John Deady shakes his head slowly and purses his lips. Theres a lot more to this, he says.
All is going well with Juniper. We almost have the hang of parenting, says People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy

New dad says he knew the decision to raise baby as gender neutral would cause some discussion, but I didnt expect it to take off like it did

Jess, Paul and baby Juniper

Ali Bracken Sun 16 Apr 2023 at 03:30
US secret service agents wearing Mayo GAA hats gifted to them by Garda at Ireland West Airport Knock, in County Mayo, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland. Picture date: Friday April 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Biden. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

BALLINA, IRELAND - APRIL 14: Garda officers check the River Moy prior to the arrival of US President Joe Biden to a celebration event outside St Muredach's Cathedral, on April 14, 2023 in Ballina, Ireland. US President Joe Biden has travelled to Northern Ireland and Ireland with his sister Valerie Biden Owens and son Hunter Biden to explore his family's Irish heritage and mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The security bill for US president Joe Bidens visit to Ireland will exceed 50m, a security source has said.

Mr Biden flew out of Ireland on Friday night following a four-day tour which began in Northern Ireland on Tuesday and passed off without any major security issue.

Keeping the president on schedule was the only real issue  an important element of any major policing plan.

The only minor issue is that he was not a man who could be kept to a schedule, according to a source attached to Garda headquarters.

Because he was enjoying talking to people so much, he would often stay in places a lot longer chatting.

Thats just his personality, he clearly was loving every minute of his visit and meeting people. But it could cause logistical issues from a policing point of view.

BALLINA, IRELAND - APRIL 14: Garda officers check the River Moy prior to the arrival of US President Joe Biden to a celebration event outside St Muredach's Cathedral, on April 14, 2023 in Ballina, Ireland. US President Joe Biden has travelled to Northern Ireland and Ireland with his sister Valerie Biden Owens and son Hunter Biden to explore his family's Irish heritage and mark the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Peace Agreement. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

He was an hour late to his dinner in Dublin Castle for example. The amount of logistical work that goes on behind the scenes before he attended anywhere  from Dundalk, Dublin city centre, the Phoenix Park, Ballina and Castlebar  is phenomenal. Every location has to be declared sterile, safe for the US president to go to.

Senior gardai and the US secret service were in constant dialogue during the trip, and in the couple of months leading up to it.

Rumours in garda circles that there were stand-up rows between the two during the visit over who was in charge of security arrangements have been dismissed as untrue.

An Garda Siochana and the secret service have a very good relationship. There were discussions, maybe they became robust on occasion, when decisions had to be made. But there were never any problems; it was all just discussions around the plans and arrangements, said the source.

Gardai and the secret service have worked together on previous presidential visits, and the relationship is strong.

It is understood there were some last-minute itinerary changes to Bidens schedule.

His visit to Castlebar was added relatively late, meaning gardai worked around the clock to put the necessary security measures in place there in a relatively short time frame.

The major garda operation involved thousands of officers, with all annual leave cancelled for members of the force during the visit.

It was a bigger security operation than Obamas visit, because it went on longer. Obamas 2011 trip to Ireland was cut short because of the volcanic ash cloud blowing down from Iceland.

It was also a bigger operation than any of the royal visits from the UK. I believe it was the biggest security operation An Garda Siochana has ever been involved in in the history of the State.

There were so many places Biden wanted to visit and that meant a lot of work behind the scenes. For him to go to the Phoenix Park is one example  it is Europes largest city park. Every inch of it had to be searched to ensure it was safe, and then closed ahead of and during the visit. Biden really packed in a lot during his visit, added the source.

US secret service agents wearing Mayo GAA hats gifted to them by Garda at Ireland West Airport Knock, in County Mayo, on the last day of his visit to the island of Ireland. Picture date: Friday April 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Biden. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Various garda specialist units were involved, from Crime and Security to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

In addition, all garda units were on standby and officers bussed around Ireland depending on Mr Bidens movements.

Gardai were put up in hotels and provided with meals when necessary. Overtime was also necessary as part of the policing plan.

It is understood that in the region of 300 secret service agents travelled to Ireland to bolster Mr Bidens protection.
Devices will remain despite concerns of politicians and civil liberties body

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail is a member of the Oireachtas Commission which decided the Hikvision cameras were not a security threat.

Chinese-made surveillance cameras are to remain installed around Leinster House despite concerns they present a national security risk as they could be used to spy on politicians and their staff.

Hikvision cameras have been installed in the House of the Oireachtas complex in Dublin for several years, but in February, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) wrote to Leinster House authorities seeking their urgent removal over concerns they could be used to carry out covert surveillance on TDs and senators.

Politicians have also raised concerns.

Chinese government-backed company Hikvisions cameras have already been banned from government buildings in Denmark, the UK, the US and elsewhere.

The European Parliament also banned their use two years ago. The company has also been implicated in human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

However, the Sunday Independent has learned that Leinster House officials told a meeting of the Oireachtas Commission  the secretive body which oversees the administration of parliament  last month, they were satisfied the cameras installed in the parliamentary precinct did not present a security risk.

Their reasoning, according to sources, was that because the cameras were not connected to Wi-Fi or internet, there was no potential for images to be transmitted beyond the building.

However, some members of the committee have sought more information, including how long is left on the contract the Office of Public Works (OPW) has with the camera provider.

The Oireachtas Commission comprises a cross-party group of TDs and senators and is chaired by Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail.

A Houses of the Oireachtas spokesperson declined to comment as the issue concerned security matters and a private meeting.

In calling for the removal of the cameras, the ICCL said Italian investigators discovered Hikvision devices transmitting back to locations in China, with a separate probe finding that each Hikvision device installed in Romes Fiumicino airport sent data 11,000 times an hour to China.

In a letter to the Oireachtas secretary general Peter Finnegan  copied to the Taoiseach, Tanaiste, the Ceann Comhairle, the OPW, and all party leaders  the ICCLs technology fellow Dr Kris Shrishak wrote: In addition to the risk that cameras inside the Oireachtas may be reporting back to China, security researchers regularly find new security vulnerabilities that allow hackers to seize full control of various types of Hikvision cameras.

"Hackers can record what the cameras see and, potentially, what they hear. ICCL has directly observed Hikvision cameras inside the Oireachtas Buildings and about its grounds.

The cameras are positioned at locations where they can capture video of TDs, senators and staff, and their private conversations. They may also capture what was said.

A Hikvision spokesperson said at the time: It is categorically false to represent Hikvision as a threat to national security.

They added that no respected technical institution or assessment has come to this conclusion.

"Hikvision cameras are compliant with the applicable Irish laws and regulations and are subject to strict security requirements, they said.

Chinas embassy in Dublin has previously dismissed concerns that the cameras present a national security risk as an incredible conspiracy theory.

Those who made up this incredible conspiracy theory are kindly invited to invent another one, eg, Irish-made whiskey, meat, milk are reporting back to Ireland and pose massive national security risks to China. 1  reward offered! NO LIMITS!, the Chinese embassy in Ireland tweeted in February.

The OPW has said it will continue to review best practice in collaboration with industry experts and implement any recommendations as necessary.

Concerns about the use of Hikvision cameras in Leinster House were first raised in 2019 by Fianna Fail TD James Lawless.

Mr Lawless wrote to the head of security at the time, seeking details on what security assessment was carried out prior to the installation of the cameras. However, it is understood the Kildare North TD, who chairs the Oireachtas Justice Committee, never received a detailed response.




Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he supports the public naming of people who do not pay their tax.

Revenue is currently reviewing a major decision from the EU, which ruled last month Hungarian tax authorities breached the privacy of a businessman whose name and home address were listed on a tax defaulters list.

The Sunday Business Post reported today that Finance Minister Michael McGrath told Sinn Fein that Revenue is considering the impact of the case.

It is expected the Government will review the EU decision on the case, and whether or not it will mean a change will be needed to Irish laws.

There are many penalties for non-compliance, and one of those is the public naming of people who do not pay their tax and I support that, Mr Martin said today.

But also, of course, the biggest penalty is the interest and financial penalties that go with breaching of tax regulations, thats fundamentally where it gets the hardest.

The Revenue Commissioners publishes a list of defaulters every three months as part of deterring people from not fully paying their taxes.

The Tanaiste said the EU judgement will be analysed and the Irish Government will get a full read out on that and its implications.

I wouldnt draw immediate conclusions in terms of the impact of that judgement on Irish legislation, so we do need to study that in detail.

The defaulters list is one of Revenues most powerful tools in persuading people to fully pay taxes.
Politicians reject Elon Musks 11-a-month offer for verified status

Most politicians, political parties and government departments are not subscribing to Twitter Blue, the social media companys opt-in subscription service that will allow them to retain their prestigious blue ticks.

Twitter owner Elon Musk said last week the platforms legacy account verification tags will be removed in the coming days, with those who wish to retain their blue tick forced to subscribe at a cost of up to 11 a month or 114.99 per year.

The opt-in service will also allow users to edit and post tweets of up to 10,000 characters.

Senior government ministers, including the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, have automatically been given a grey tick mark to indicate they are government officials.

A snapshot of Leo Varadkar's Twitter account

Others who face losing their verification status include Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald who, as of yesterday, only has a blue tick.

By contrast, the partys deputy leader and the Norths First Minister designate Michelle ONeill has a grey tick mark.

We have not currently subscribed to Twitter Blue for the Sinn Fein party account, nor has Mary Lou McDonald. It is up to representatives themselves as to whether or not they wish to subscribe, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Simon Coveneys Department of Enterprise said it has subscribed to Twitter Blue.

A snapshot of Micheal Martin's Twitter account

Doing so provides enhanced content features and retains two-factor authentication protection, it said in a statement.

His was the only government department which confirmed it had signed up to the premium service. This is despite it having a grey tick mark indicating it has automatically been given verification status.

An account with a grey tick is described by Twitter as verified because it is a government or multilateral organisation account.

Not all government departments have the grey tick mark, however, including Simon Harriss Department of Higher Education. Mr Harris, however, does have a grey tick mark.

A snapshot of Simon Harris's Twitter account

The Governments official news service, MerrionStreet.ie, does not have a grey tick mark but still had its blue tick as of yesterday afternoon.

The Green Party said that subscribing to Twitter Blue was under consideration but said no decision had been made as to whether to pay for the service. Fianna Fail said it does not intend to subscribe to Twitter Blue. Fine Gael said it does not have a subscription.

Of the smaller opposition parties, Labour said it does not intend to subscribe to Twitter Blue nor does any of its representatives. People Before Profit said it does not have any subscriptions and does not intend on subscribing at this stage.

The Social Democrats did not respond to queries.

A snapshot of Mary Lou McDonald's Twitter account

The Sunday Independent also asked all TDs and senators whether they had already signed up or intended to sign up to Twitter Blue. Of those who responded, most said they would not be.

Fianna Fail TD James Lawless said: I have a difficulty in principle with it.

Verification should be on the basis of authoritative source and identity validation, not paid subscription.

I also struggle to see the benefit in the very long Twitter posts which are now available  to me, they destroy the whole idea of Twitter.

I am also not impressed at how Twitter have managed their staff, including in the Dublin office which has been hollowed out.

A snapshot of James Lawless's Twitter account

His Fianna Fail colleague Senator Gerry Horkan said he had never been verified in the first place. I dont intend to subscribe to what isnt a verified status, but merely a way of giving Twitter money  subscribing doesnt verify anything, he said.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus ODowd, joked: Im no Blueshirt and wont wear one.

By contrast, his party colleague, Senator Mary Seery Kearney, said she had decided to pay for Twitter.

We chatted it through at length here in the office and took the decision to subscribe for one year up front with the view that it gave us access to the editing facility as well as other extras, she said.

A snapshot of Fergus O'Dowd's Twitter account

Her Fine Gael colleague and fellow senator Joe OReilly said he had not yet subscribed but probably will.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said: I am verified on Twitter already, Im unaware I have to subscribe to keep it, Ill cross that bridge when I come to it.

Other politicians noted that they do not have Twitter accounts, including long-serving Tipperary independent Michael Lowry and Fine Gael Senator John Cummins.

This article was amended on 16/04/2023
President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has called for unity and love as the country is grappling with natural disasters.

Chakwera said this on Saturday when he addressed people who gathered at Katoto round about to see him off to Lilongwe.

"On top of other problems which the country was already facing, Malawi is now also facing hardships caused by adverse weather conditions.

"The government is working to address the situation," Chakwera said.

He said, considering the calamities which have befallen the nation, there is need for enhanced unity in addressing the situation.

"Let's work together so that our country is no longer mentioned as an example of one of the poorest nations on the planet," he said.

He called on universities to actively take part in providing solutions which might help the country rise above some of the calamities.

The President advised government officials to serve the nation with integrity instead of focusing on enriching themselves.

Malawi Congress Party Vice President who is also Minister of Defence, Harry Mkandawire said Chakwera is demonstrating qualities of a good leader by working tirelessly to find solutions to the problems which are rocking the country.
We dont think its resignation territory, says a government source

A long-delayed report into former chief medical officer Tony Holohans abandoned move to Trinity College Dublin is set to conclude that procedures were not followed in the botched secondment.

The Sunday Independent can reveal that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is expected to publish the report by former Institute of Directors chief Maura Quinn this week  nine months after it was submitted to him.

We dont think its resignation territory, said a government source

It will outline the central role played by Robert Watt, the Department of Health secretary general, in the abandoned appointment as well as other officials, including Martin Fraser, the Irish ambassador to the UK, who was secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach at the time.

It doesnt read very well, but we dont think its resignation territory, a government source said last night. A second source said the report would be a lessons learned exercise. A third source claimed it is not critical of Watt and does not make findings against him.

But the report is understood to have identified that procedures were not followed in the process of finalising the proposal for Holohan to become Professor of Public Health Strategy in Trinity while the Department of Health continued to pay his 187,000 salary.

It also raises issues over the manner in which the appointment was announced publicly.

Watt has previously told an Oireachtas committee that the department had been bounced into making a statement on Holohans move earlier than they had hoped in March last year, due to it leaking to the media.

Donnelly had been unable to publish the Quinn report for the last nine months due to concerns over due process and fair procedures to those involved in the controversy.

He commissioned the report after Watt insisted in his own report on the debacle that there was nothing unusual about failing to tell the minister the precise details of plans for Holohan to move into academia.

Its publication is likely to reignite the controversy that ultimately led to the former CMO abandoning the move to Trinity and retiring from the civil service entirely last summer, following a major political backlash to the proposal.

Tony Holohan is currently working on his autobiography, which will be published in September.

In January, this newspaper revealed that Stephen Donnelly had consulted the Attorney General over the contents of Quinns report and that the delay in publishing it was due to resistance to its findings from within the Department of Health, where Watt, who was centrally involved in the Holohan secondment, is the most senior civil servant.

Tony Holohan is currently working on his autobiography

Watt, in his own report, said the planned move to TCD would cost 2m a year and 20m if Holohan remained in the role for 10 years.

The senior civil servant told the Oireachtas Health Committee last May that the Department of Public Expenditure, where he previously served as secretary general, had not been made aware of this proposed expenditure  but Watt argued, based on a civil service circular, this was not always necessary.

Robert Watt also gave evidence to the committee that he had discussed Holohans secondment with Martin Fraser, then the most senior civil servant in the State, and that he absolutely supported it.

Records released to the Sunday Independent show a flurry of email exchanges involving Watt, Quinn, Donnelly and Holohan last June and July while the report was being compiled.

Further records disclosed to this newspaper last month show there continued to be extensive correspondence between the minister, his two advisers, and Watt between last August and the middle of January over the Quinn report.

But the Department of Health has refused to release the emails under Freedom of Information law, citing concerns that their release could adversely impact its functions.
The teen whisperer on what your teenager is really trying to tell you
Soak up the cowboy vibes with jaw-dropping vistas, hair-raising canyon treks, sleeping in wagons, and drive-in movies under the stars

Im about 20 minutes into my hike at Capitol Reef National Park when I realise Ive made a big mistake. Its unseasonably warm  the gauge in the car reads 42 degrees  and I have just finished my only bottle of water. Im drenched in sweat, which isnt surprising. What is surprising is the fact my sweat is freezing cold, trickling down my spine like melting ice cubes.
A Meath schoolboy last night got four yeses on Britains Got Talent with judge Simon Cowell branding him amazing.

Cillian OConnor (13), from Mornington, wowed the judges with his amazing magic tricks to get a standing ovation from the audience and panel.

Among the tricks which flummoxed Simon, was Cillian correctly telling him he had thought of the Seven of Diamonds playing card, and also the correct figure of 2,500 jellybeans he perched in a jar front of him on his desk.

Wow, you are unbelievably talented, said Simon. Seriously. That absolutely absolutely freaked me out, when I saw that (the 2,500 figure).

There is something really really incredible about you and I do believe in magic and you are such an amazing performer, brilliant, brilliant.

A weepy Amanda Holden agreed. You have made me and Alesha (Dixon) a mess, you were amazing, she said. I mean absolutely phenomenal, great showmanship. Im really glad that magic has changed your life and given you so much confidence. But above all of that, you are a little superstar so well done.

Alesha added: I loved everything about it but especially love you, your passion, your personality and its clear to everyone just how much this means to you which makes this extra special.

New judge Bruno Tonioli was also holding back the tears.

I was totally, totally captivated by what you were doing, he exclaimed. For somebody so young its an incredible quality. You have a fantastic future in front of you.

When Cillian, who spoke about having autism, got four yeses his proud mum Elaine rushed onstage to hug him and told him he was amazing.

When I grow up I want to be a magician, Cillian, said before his routine. What I like about magic is just try to make people smile.

If I can make them believe in magic and then perform at the Royal Variety Show, I would legitimately cry. Before I had the magic my social skills were very bad. I would just be in the corner. I didnt want to be within 50 feet of anyone.

My legs would be shaking, my arms would be trembling.

He told the audience and judges at the London Palladium: I have learned that having autism is not a disability, its ability, he stressed. When I was younger I was unable to interact with people.

I felt a bit empty, incomplete. I felt invisible. After discovering magic my life changed. It was like a light switch coming on inside my head.

I found a way to interact with people through my magic.

Cillian became Irelands youngest magician when he joined the Society of Irish Magicians.
The experts say theres a one in 10 chance of species extinction. Our species

The GPT-4 chatbot posed as a human, hired a worker and then lied to them

Peter Vandermeersch, the CEO of Mediahuis Ireland, which publishes this newspaper, recently told RTE Radio 1 he was not worried about the likely disappearance of printed newspapers within this decade as journalism was no longer dependent on paper.
Joe Biden wasnt going to waste time in Belfast  he has an election campaign to win

Bidens visit might not help get Stormont back up  but thats not what it was really about

Joe Biden speaking at the state dinner at Dublin Castle on Thursday. Photo: Julien Behal

Shane Ross Sun 16 Apr 2023 at 03:30
Ireland is an only somewhat sovereign country now and if we abandon our neutrality, as some are proposing, we will become less sovereign still. Its a curious paradox that we have spent the last few years marking the various centenaries in our struggle for independence without really debating the extent to which we are independent today.
When they were desperately trying to save the life of Logan Roy on his private jet, they were doing most of the pumping and pummelling off camera. The Succession writers seemed to be leaning into the audiences general sense of distrust about everything that a global media leader might get up to these days.
Frank Coughlan: It doesnt sit well with some, but our democracy was built on peaceful prose and not bloodshed
The successful visit of US president Joe Biden to Ireland came at a time when questions were needlessly being asked about the wider relationship between Europe and the United States. Shortly before Mr Biden touched down in Northern Ireland, the French president provoked a geopolitical stir when he said Europe should avoid being Americas follower  including on the matter of Taiwans security.

Emmanuel Macron was speaking to reporters on his return from a visit to China as that country unleashed another simulated attack on Taiwan, a territory it sees as a breakaway province.

The French leader said Europe must reduce its dependency on the US and avoid getting dragged into a confrontation between China and America over Taiwan.

He also re-emphasised his oft-stated view that Europe should aim for strategic autonomy to become a third superpower.

European Council president Charles Michel said last week that some European leaders were becoming increasingly favourable towards the French presidents push for strategic autonomy away from the US. The comments provoked an expected response from US Republican senators, who have called for the US to rein in support for Ukraine if Europe is not prepared to back the US over China.

Republican senator Marco Rubio said: If France wont pick sides over Taiwan, maybe the US shouldnt pick sides on Ukraine and leave it to Europe.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar subtly reiterated Irelands  and, indeed, Europes  official position when he met Mr Biden at Farmleigh House last week. In an important intervention, he said democracy was in retreat in large parts of the world, adding that if it were not for the US and Europe working together, he did not know what kind of world we would be living in.

Irelands position must be that, given the level of US support for Ukraine, it is vital for the US and Europe to continue to work together.

Indeed, most European leaders would agree the bloc faces its most serious security challenge in decades as a result of Russias war in Ukraine: losing Ukraine would embolden Moscow to chip away at the EUs eastern flank.

At the same time, Europe is feeling its way towards a new relationship with China. Ireland will want good relations with both and would want to see a cold war between the US and China avoided.

Whatever happens in that regard, Ireland must always stand for democracy, liberty and the avoidance of violence to solve political disputes.

Mr Macron, meanwhile, has been attempting to dispute the interpretation put on his remarks following his photo opportunity with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

However, this was not the first time the French president has had to clarify such comments. In 2019, he said Nato was experiencing brain death. A few months after Russias invasion of Ukraine, he was offering Vladimir Putin security guarantees.

The position outlined by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen  depicting a China more repressive at home and more assertive abroad and quick to use political and economic coercion  is accurate.

In any struggle to force systemic change of the international order with China at its centre, Ireland and Europe must stay on the side of the US.
analysis

Forced to adapt to the political establishment, and financially beset by Big Data, what is the future of Africa's media?

This year started on a high note for African media with the recent African Media Festival in February. Hundreds of media practitioners, funders, and state agencies gathered in Nairobi to reconnect, share expertise, and re-imagine African media. The reflections and debates all tied back to a common theme: African media's future is stable and potentially successful if business models are sustainable, innovative, and inclusive.

African media has evolved in lockstep with maturing African democracies, constantly having to reinvent itself as it tested the boundaries of restrictive regimes. Over the past decade, the industry has grappled with failing traditional business models in the face of the digital revolution, while accepting the reality of sharply falling revenues thanks to the domination of Big Data. Journalists have been put out of work and media businesses operating barely above water. Solutions have seemed elusive after the Pandemic exposed the massive inequalities these disruptions had triggered globally.

This crisis is playing out as audiences adopt trends more accessible and better suited to emerging digital cultures. A section of African media is already braving the new world order by adapting to these new ecosystems. By diversifying their revenue streams, experimenting with new formats, and developing unique branding, they are unlocking potential in the industry.

Big Cabal Media, for example, directly targets young people - Africa's biggest demographic by some distance. They cracked the code by leading with short-form digital content on social media which plays well into virality and the fast online news cycle.

Stears, a data-insight company in Nigeria, is experimenting with a membership model that allows mobile payments. After solidifying its brand as a respectable data source in Africa, Stears is building a distinctive profitable business model.

Podcasting is slowly growing on the continent. Some radio stations quickly embraced this format and structured content accessible for dislocated online audiences. Minoritized groups also use this platform to build community, having been actively or unconsciously excluded from mainstream narratives.

SemaBox, a Kenyan podcast production company affiliated with Baraza Media Lab solved this problem and built an incubation programme for women and non-binary podcasters. This programme helps beneficiaries through idea conception, production, and marketing - breaking down barriers that effectively silenced them, limiting their participation in society.

I celebrate these early adapters who overcame immense structural barriers during these hugely uncertain times. Still, I hope that this challenges more stakeholders to delve deeper into some chronic issues discussed at the festival.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Sustainable Development ICT By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Legacy media businesses reflected on the apparent lack of agility in their income generation strategies, and in the same vein, the unequal representation of the society in the content. I appreciated the candid reflections of media practitioners who discussed how the old portrayal of women led to harmful narratives, notably around women in leadership on the continent.

At a creative podcasting hackathon during the festival hosted by PRX, one of the world's leading podcast publishers, attendees raised important questions about existing exclusions on this platform. People with visual disabilities challenged the inaccessibility they face with production. Affordable note taking, recording, and editing materials for people with disabilities can ensure that this new media revolution brings in more voices within the podcasting space.

Media can transform the future of our societies. With shared knowledge, and strategic resourcing, the next decade in the media industry calls for robust collaboration.

Stan Getui is Director, Africa at Luminate Reach him at [email protected]
Tralee jockey Phillip Enright and Born By The Sea finished sixth in Saturdays Aintree Grand National, a race disrupted by animal rights protesters.

Kerry jockey Phillip Enright has said the animal rights protesters responsible for delaying Saturdays Aintree Grand National do not deserve public attention.

Merseyside Police had to arrest 118 people who tried to breach the perimeter fence of the course at various points at around 5pm on Saturday, with the race due off at 5:15pm.

Their aim was to force the cancellation of what is regarded by many people to be the worlds most famous race.

The 39 jockeys were told to stay in the weighing room while the police and members of the public tried to keep the protesters from entering the track. One protester even tried to handcuff their wrist to one of the fences out on the course.

The 14-minute delay meant the horses had to be brought back to the pre-saddling enclosure after spending several minutes walking the parade ring, a situation many felt was counterproductive to the welfare of the animals.

Tralee jockey Enright, who enjoyed a fantastic ride in the race to finish sixth on Born By The Sea for trainer Paul Gilligan, refused to be drawn on the protestors, accusing them of not understanding how well the horses are cared for by stable staff.

I dont think they deserve any publicity, so Im not going to comment much on it, Phillip told The Kerryman.

Horses are like humans in that their routine is important. These protests shouldnt be taking place anywhere; these horses are looked after so well. The care they get is unbelievable, he said.

Saturdays race was the third time that Phillip Enright has raced in the Aintree showpiece. When asked about Born By The Seas effort, Enright said he couldnt have been happier with him off a low weight of 10-2.

He travelled and jumped very well throughout. I got a great trip around there, thank god. I felt we had a chance after we jumped the third last. From there on it is kind of into the unknown a bit. Youre just trying to find as much as you can. He was brilliant, in fairness, said Phillip.

This years Aintree Grand National produced one fatality, Hill 16, whose owner, Jimmy Fyffe, criticised the protesters saying the delay didnt help his horse who had become hyper.

Hill 16 had completed the Aintree circuit on two occasions before Saturdays race.

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White told the media that a significant protest in relation to the running of the Grand National had begun early on Saturday morning.
Thinking of travelling overseas for dental work? Here are some things to know before you do

With the cost of dentistry in Ireland continuing to rise, dental tourism is becoming increasingly popular among Irish people.

Getting a dental crown in Ireland can cost 900-1,000 per tooth, depending on the type of material used. Whereas at Kreativ Dental Clinic in Budapest, Hungary, for example, it can cost between 290-550 per tooth. Dental care abroad can offer savings of up to 70pc on Irish prices.

Add in the fact that flights to European destinations can be reasonably priced, depending on the time you book. Plus, you can use your time visiting an overseas clinic as an excuse for a holiday abroad too!

However, Mary Flanagan, the Irish representative of Kreativ Dental Clinic, strongly advises those heading abroad for dental procedures to research well before travelling.

The price does play a huge part in why people go abroad, says Mary. However, it is important to ensure the clinic has a good reputation for dental treatment. Kreativ Dental has been treating Irish and worldwide patients for over 20 years. And I do believe the clinic would not be in business as long as it has been if the quality wasnt good.

Quality care

Mary was once a clinic patient herself, and over the space of 10 years in Ireland, she had root canal treatments, crowns fitted, which later fell out, and eight teeth extracted.

Mary Flanagan Irish Representative of Kreativ Dental Clinic Budapest

I was told by an Irish dentist that my only option was dentures. Another told me getting work done would cost up to 60,000. I had so many problems with dentists and my teeth over the years until I was advised to visit Kreativ Dental by a retired Irish dentist.

The consultation and OPG X-ray were free. And when I proceeded with treatment, I ended up having eight implants and 26 porcelain crowns fitted at the much lower price of 12,000, plus 400 for my flights. Ive never experienced any issues since my treatment.

Mary says many of the clinics dentists have been working there since its opening, and all are specialists in their respective areas, providing treatments such as dental implants and porcelain crowns using advanced dental technology.

They even work closely with Budapests top-ranked medical college, Semmelweis University, providing their advice and expertise as guest lectures on everything, including bone implants and more complex cases, says Mary.

Its vital that you check that the dental clinic you plan to visit is accredited and that the dentists are qualified to carry out the work. Read the reviews online, or if you know someone that has travelled abroad for treatment, speak to them about their experience.

Patients should also be aware of their rights and protections in the country where the procedure is carried out in the case of a medical error. Most clinics require follow-up care, and the dentists should explain this to the patient, as well as provide aftercare details.

Mary says, I believe an aftercare service in Ireland is an important factor to look into when travelling abroad for dental work. This can help in the unfortunate case that something does go wrong. This can put patients at ease. Kreativ Dental Clinic provides an aftercare service in Ireland, as well as a written guarantee.

Mary adds, Patients can also claim tax back, similar to an Irish dentist.

Travel planning

For those considering travelling abroad for dental treatment for the first time, Kreativ Dental offers a free consultation and OPG X-ray, free accommodation for the first night in Budapest, and free airport transport.

Theres never any pressure put on patients to proceed with the treatment after their consultation, says Mary. So even if you dont decide to go ahead with the treatment, it is worth visiting the clinic for a free consultation to find out how the specialists can help your specific case and your options. The dentists will provide a fully comprehensive breakdown of the suggested treatment plan, which includes prices. So there are no hidden costs.

Mary can help to book your appointment at the clinic. However, she advises making sure there is an appointment available before booking flights.

For more information, visit kreativdentalclinic.eu, call Mary at (086) 029 9998 or email mary@kreativdentalclinic.eu.
The suspect is held down by police after the incident. Photo: JPN/Wakayama.

Fumio Kishida, t he Japanese prime minister, survived an apparent assassination attempt after a bomb exploded as he was about to speak at a campaign rally.

Video of the incident showed the moment an explosive device landed within a few feet of the premier, whose security detail quickly removed him to safety and leapt on a suspect.

Nearly a minute after it was thrown and with Mr Kishida taking cover, the device exploded, injuring one policeman.

Mr Kishida was unharmed.

The explosion sparked panic in the crowd that had gathered to hear Mr Kishida speak in Wakayama in western Japan.

The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura, from Kawanishi, a city 60 miles north of Wakayama.

Hirokazu Matsuno, the chief cabinet secretary, refused to comment on the suspects motive and background, saying police were still investigating.

National broadcaster NHK reported police believed the device was a pipe bomb, a crude homemade explosive device.

Police said they had seized two objects at the scene. One device failed to explode.

The attack came less than a year after the assassination of Shinzo Abe, the former prime ministee.

People caught up in yester days chaos described moments of panic. I ran frantically and then 10 or so seconds later, there was a loud sound and my kid started crying. I was stunned, my heart is still beating fast, one woman said.

A man at the scene said: When we all stopped in front of the podium, someone started saying culprit! or something, or an explosive was thrown, so everyone started dispersing fast. And then, about 10 seconds after the culprit was captured, there was a blast.

Mr Kishida stuck to his schedule and went on to speak at the Wakayama railway station.

Dozens of officers stood a few metres apart while security police were positioned around the campaign car.

I apologise for causing all of you to worry, but we are now conducting an election that is very important for the nation and I want to work until the end together with all of you in this important endeavour, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper quoted the prime minister as saying.

Hiroshi Moriyama, the ruling Liberal Democratic Partys election strategy chairman, told NHK: That something like this happened in the middle of an election campaign that constitutes the foundation of democracy is regrettable. Its an unforgivable atrocity.
The clashes capped months of heightened tensions.

Smoke is seen rising in Khartoum, Sudan (Marwan Ali/AP)

The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group are battling for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day, signalling they are unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

At least 61 civilians were reported killed, including three employees of the UN food agency. The Sudan Doctors Syndicate said it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. It said more than 670 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes capped months of heightened tensions between the military and its partner-turned-rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group.

Those tensions had delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its short-lived transition to democracy, which was derailed by an October 2021 military coup.

Heavy fighting raged on Sunday in the capital Khartoum and the adjoining city of Omdurman.

Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan, said that both sides leaders agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause in fighting in the late afternoon on Sunday, but violence continued to engulf the capital.

As night fell, residents reported heavy explosions and continued gunfire. Some said thick flames could be seen in the city centre where both the army and the RSF have military facilities and camps. The clashes come as most Sudanese are preparing to celebrate the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

During the day there were fierce clashes around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters, said Tahani Abass, a prominent rights advocate.

The battles have not stopped, she said from her family home close to the military headquarters.

They are shooting against each other in the streets. Its an all-out war in residential areas.

Ms Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home.

No-one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said.

Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

Military jets also pounded RSF bases across the capital.

Fighting was also reported in the western Darfur region, where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

Their claims could not be independently verified.

Both sides signalled late on Saturday that they were unwilling to negotiate.

The military, headed by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, called for dismantling the RSF, which it labelled a rebellious militia.

The head of the RSF, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiations.

Gen Dagalo called on Gen Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the US secretary of state, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Members of the UN Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said he had consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early on Sunday.

The Sudan Doctors Syndicate appealed to international humanitarian and medical organisations to support medical facilities in the country.

The group also called on the international community to press both sides to ensure safe passage for ambulances and medical personnel.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Gen Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process.

The merger is a key condition of Sudans unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the country over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the militarys headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed more than 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable.

The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in the 1950s.

The country has borders with six African nations and a strategic coastline on the Red Sea.

A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

The clashes will increase hardship in Sudan, where the UN says some 16 million people  or one-third of the population  already depend on humanitarian assistance.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf is facing calls to suspend his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon following claims police are investigating attempts to shut down scrutiny of party finances.

Ms Sturgeon blocked plans to hire a fundraising manager for the party when she was leader and first minister despite concerns about transparency, leaked emails appeared to show.

Police Scotland detectives investigating the partys finances have been handed emails showing Ms Sturgeon quashed the idea of a fundraising manager in June 2021, according to Scotlands Sunday Mail.

Leaked video also shared by the newspaper showed Ms Sturgeon angrily denying to the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) that there were any problems with the accounts.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours deputy leader, said Mr Yousaf should suspend both Ms Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell while police inquiries continue.

This bombshell revelation goes to show just how central Nicola Sturgeon was to the secrecy and culture of cover-up that festered within the SNP, said Ms Baillie.

She has big questions to answer over her actions and Humza Yousaf must consider suspending her party membership and that of her husband, former chief executive Peter Murrell, until the investigation has been concluded.

Extracts from leaked emails appeared to show that a suggestion to hire a fundraising manager was rejected by Ms Sturgeon, with those carrying out a review ordered to remove the idea from their final report.

The leaked footage from an SNP NEC meeting in March 2021 showed Ms Sturgeon giving her top officials a stern warning to be very careful about suggesting there was any problems with party accounts.

She said: Just be very careful about suggestions that there are problems with the partys financesThere are no reasons for people to be concerned about the partys finances, and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting that there is.

The latest revelations follow the shock arrest of Ms Sturgeons husband and the search of the couples Lanarkshire home during a police raid. Mr Murrell was later released without charge, as police continue to investigate the partys finances.

The probe into 660,000 raised specifically for Scottish independence campaigning was launched after it was alleged money had been diverted from ring-fenced fund  sparking the exit of several senior people from the SNP.

Mr Yousaf has denied the SNP faces bankruptcy this weekend as he confirmed forensic auditors could be appointed following a meeting of the partys ruling body.

The Sunday Times reported that the partys treasurer Colin Beattie told the SNPs NEC meeting on Saturday it is having difficulty in balancing the books due to the reduction in membership and donors.

But the recently-elected SNP leader told reporters: Were not close to bankruptcy. This is something Ive read in some social media circles but, no, the party is solvent.

Mr Yousaf said the party is desperate to appoint new auditors. Last week it emerged he was unaware before becoming leader that the previous auditors resigned more than six months ago.

The SNP leader also said he was not aware about the purchase of a camper van by the party, seized by police, after he became first minister last month.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who resigned from the NEC when the fundraising row first emerged, said she had never seen business conducted in such an inadequate way as it is on the SNP NEC  saying its business had been conducted in a menacing atmosphere.

But the SNPs former Westminster leader Ian Blackford said on Sunday that the partys finances are in robust health following claims its ruling body was told it is struggling financially.

Mr Blackford told BBC Radio Scotland: Absolutely, categorically, the SNP is solvent, the finances are in balance. We will be able to meet our obligations, our liabilities going forward. Everybody knows there has been a dip in SNP membership.

The Independent has contacted the SNP and Police Scotland for comment.
Putin favourite slams Moscows decadent elite for undermining war effort

11 were killed in a Russian rocket attack on this building in Sloviansk

Ukraines counter-offensive will likely smash through Russias defences because Russias decadent elite has undermined the Kremlins war machine, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has said.

The mercenary bosss comments are the most forthright assessment yet from a top Russian commander that the Kremlins armies will fail to repel the major Ukrainian attack expected in the coming weeks.

The Ukrainian army will launch a counter-offensive and somewhere will be able to break through the defences, he wrote in an essay published online.

Their focus is on their own positions in society, their own comfort and their own capital

Ukrainian commanders have been building up their forces, though they have not said where or when they will strike.

Recent speculation has focused on the occupied town of Melitopol, which lies around 80km south of the frontline along the Dnipro River. It guards important road and rail junctions that link occupied Crimea with occupied parts of Donbas.

Russian forces have dug miles of trenches near Melitopol, but Prigozhin has little confidence in the defensive system.

For Russia, there is a real risk that after the start of the counter-offensive, the situation at the front will worsen, he wrote.

Prigozhin, whose profile has grown enormously since the Kremlin ordered his Wagner mercenaries into battle around Bakhmut, has constantly blamed the Russian ministry of defence and Russias lazy elite for the Kremlins failure to defeat Ukraine in a war that Vladimir Putin had expect to win within a week or so.

A Ukrainian serviceman with a self-propelled howitzer firing on Russian troops near Bakhmut

And in his essay, he again railed against Russias deep state, which he said was mired in luxury and bureaucracy and wanted to negotiate an end to the war.

Their focus is not on a country or a people, their focus is on their own positions in society, their own comfort and their own capital, he wrote.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War say Prigozhin published the essay because he wanted to benefit from a Russian military defeat.

Prigozhins essay is consistent with his previously stated effort, to transform the Wagner Group into a parallel military organisation  a hardline ideological elite.

Where the Ukrainian counter-offensive will take place remains a mystery. Speaking in the US on Friday, Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines prime minister, said it would start in the near future, and Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said final preparations were being made.

The key is the constant destruction of the occupiers, which is done to downgrade their logistic capabilities and any potential in the occupied territories. This is preparation for our active operations, this is counter-offensive work, he said.

11 were killed in a Russian rocket attack on this building in Sloviansk



Most of the fighting over the past six months has focused on the town of Bakhmut in the Donbas, where Wagner mercenaries have been leading Russian assaults. In new photos published yesterday, Wagner mercenaries again claimed to have captured the centre of the town.

In far-east Russia, Russias Pacific Fleet was yesterday ordered to high alert to check readiness. Russias ministry of defence said this was in response to rising tension in the region, but western analysts say the Kremlin is trying to impress the Chinese minister of defence who is due in Moscow today for talks.

The public would know as soon as the first Russian aircraft is shot down

Ukraines air force, meanwhile, said the delivery of the Patriot air defence system promised by the US was expected in Ukraine some time after Easter. The primarily Orthodox Christian country celebrates Easter today.

Ukrainian officials declined to give a precise timeline for its arrival  but said the public would know as soon as the first Russian aircraft is shot down. A Patriot missile battery typically includes six mobile launchers, a mobile radar, a power generator and an engagement control centre. Germany and the Netherlands also have pledged to provide a Patriot system each to Ukraine.

In addition, a SAMP/T anti-missile system pledged by France and Italy should enter Ukraine in the near future.

Ukraine is looking to beef up its ability to intercept missiles as it prepares for the counter-offensive. Though a year of fighting has depleted weapon supplies on both sides, Russian forces have intensified their campaign to seize Bakhmut, the focus of the wars longest battle so far.

Elsewhere, a new law signed by Vladimir Putin on Friday that allows military offices send draft notices electronically instead of delivering them in person is part of Russias preparation for a protracted war in Ukraine, the UK defence ministry said yesterday.

As the law does not come into force until later in the year, the e-notices do not automatically point to a major new wave of enforced mobilisation but instead forms part of a longer-term approach as Russia anticipates a lengthy conflict.

About 52,000 young Russian men already have received draft orders as part of the countrys regular spring call-up, and 21,000 of them qualified for military service.

Evan Gershkovich

Mum, you prepared me well for Russian jail food, jokes US reporter

Meanwhile, the US reporter jailed by Moscow last month has written to his family, joking that his mothers cooking had prepared him well for the gruel served for breakfast by Russian prison guards.

In his first letter since being arrested and charged with espionage, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich told his family he was not losing hope.

The Wall Street Journal published extracts from the letter he sent to his parents in Philadelphia. The letter was dated April 5.

Mum, you unfortunately  for better or worse  prepared me well for jail food, he wrote. In the morning, for breakfast, they give us hot creamed wheat, oatmeal cereal or wheat gruel. I am remembering my childhood.

Russias FSB security service arrested Gershkovich on March 29 while on a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg in Russias Ural mountains. He was charged with spying last week. He denies the charges.

These are my sons words, I am sure, said Evan mother

Gershkovich (31) is a respected reporter and has official accreditation from the Russian ministry of foreign affairs. His parents both emigrated from the USSR in 1979 to the US, and he grew up speaking Russian at home.

He told his parents in the letter that he loved them and that he had not given up hope of seeing them soon.

I am not losing hope, he wrote in his letter. I read. I exercise. And I am trying to write.

He is being held in Moscows notorious Lefortovo prison, where high-profile prisoners are sent before trial. He will be held in near total isolation, although he has access to a prison library.

So far, only his lawyer has seen him. No other visits have been allowed, though the reporter confirmed in his letter that he had received a care package which contained slippers, toiletries, T-shirts and socks.

His mother, Ella Milman, said she felt great joy on receiving the letter.

These are my sons words, not someone else telling me, she said. His spirit is shining.

Analysts believe the Kremlin may have decided to arrest him and hold him as a pawn for possible future prisoner swaps.
Media moguls company is facing two defamation cases in a multibillion-dollar legal battle

Rupert Murdoch says hes never watched Succession  despite allegedly putting a clause about the TV show in his divorce agreement with Jerry Hall.

The fictional saga about the infighting at a powerful US media dynasty is said to be loosely based on the life of the billionaire media mogul.

However, the real-life Murdoch appears to have lined up his own succession plans in a more orderly fashion.

So far, nothing has really gone Ruperts way. All this is embarrassing

Son Lachlan is already head of Fox Corp and ready to take the reins.

Now, though, an existential threat has emerged  in the form of a multibillion-dollar legal battle. Fox is facing two defamation claims brought by the makers of voting machines, which claim the network knowingly spread Donald Trumps lie that the 2020 US election was stolen by Joe Biden.

The case, scheduled to begin in the US this week, poses the biggest challenge to Murdochs empire since the phone hacking scandal  and threatens to cast a shadow over his legacy. Murdoch himself is expected to be called as a witness, with the billionaire taking the stand as soon as this week.

It will be the first public grilling of the mogul since the Leveson Inquiry in the UK over a decade ago.

The family in 'Succession'

Reputational risk is high. Murdoch is already facing embarrassment after his fifth engagement collapsed after just two weeks, while an explosive Vanity Fair article last week revealed salacious details about his relationship with Jerry Hall and the state of the 92-year-olds health.

So far, nothing has really gone Ruperts way, says Alice Enders at Enders Analysis. All this is embarrassing. Its bad for Ruperts legacy.

Foxs legal woes date back to the aftermath of the 2020 US presidential election, when the opinionated news channel was battling to keep hold of viewers loyal to Donald Trump.

Trump was pushing the lie that Joe Biden had won with fraudulent votes.

Internal messages from senior Fox executives, made public as part of the trial, show they worried Trump supporters would switch to rival right-wing networks if the channel did not back Trumps false claim.

Two tech companies, Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic USA, have accused Fox of knowingly airing false claims that their systems were used to rig the election.

From what I have seen, Fox could be in some serious trouble

Murdoch admitted in a deposition that some Fox presenters had endorsed the idea of a stolen election on air. Asked if he could have intervened to prevent the false claims from being broadcast, the media baron said: I could have. But I didnt.

This apparent awareness is at the heart of the legal challenge launched by Dominion, which argues that Fox knew the claims were false  but broadcast them anyway.

In a raft of explosive emails and text messages, Murdoch, executives and presenters voiced their concerns that the channel was airing lies peddled by Trump.

Murdoch described claims the election was stolen as really crazy and damaging, adding it was very hard to credibly claim foul everywhere.

Meanwhile, host Tucker Carlson branded the idea that Dominion had rigged votes shockingly reckless and described the former president as a demonic force.

Raj Shah, a top Fox executive, said the claims were outlandish and mind-blowingly nuts. One producer on Laura Ingrahams show wrote: This Dominion s*** is going to give me a f****** aneurysm.

Smartmatic is seeking $2.7bn in damages, while Dominion wants $1.6bn. The trial is due to begin with opening statements on Monday and run for five weeks.

To win, the two companies must prove that Fox either knew the statements it aired were false or recklessly disregarded their accuracy.

In a blow to Foxs case, the channel has been barred from using the defence that it was merely reporting newsworthy claims.

In a further setback, the judge has threatened sanctions against the channel over accusations its lawyers withheld critical details about the role Murdoch played at Fox News.

Superior court judge Eric Davis said the companys handling of the case left it with a credibility problem.

From what I have seen, Fox could be in some serious trouble, says one industry source, adding that Fox could be liable to punitive damages.

Successful claims by Dominion and Smartmatic could open the floodgates to more lawsuits.

Enders says Foxs huge profits mean it can absorb the financial blow. But she adds: I think the fact that litigation is going to go on and on makes it very difficult to value Fox, because its got these potential liabilities.

More fundamentally, industry watchers warn the trial could have a damaging impact on Murdochs reputation and legacy  just as he looks to hand over the reins.

I wouldve thought someone should have told Rupert to settle this.

A shareholder suit filed directly against Murdoch and his son Lachlan alleges that their failure to act on red flags exposed the company to the defamation suits in the first place, highlighting the risk of personal liability for the family. Lachlan is also expected to take the stand.

The cash by itself is not so much an issue, but it may raise questions about the management decision-making and compliance, the industry source says.

Murdoch has already suffered a shareholder backlash this year, after his attempt to merge Fox and News Corp, the parent company of titles including the Wall Street Journal, The Sun and The Times, was blocked.

The deal was seen as a way of consolidating power as the billionaire gears up for a handover.

Many also question Murdochs decision not to settle the Dominion case  a strategy previously employed during the phone-hacking scandal.

News Corp is still forking out hundreds of millions of pounds to settle those claims, but damaging headlines about the scandal are long gone.

Fighting the Dominion and Smartmatic cases in court has already aired Foxs dirty laundry and threatens to turn up yet more embarrassing details once the trial begins.

It is riveting that Fox lawyers have failed to stop the trial, says Enders. I wouldve thought someone should have told Rupert to settle this.

As Murdoch prepares to take the stand, the media mogul knows it is not only his finances on the line but his reputation.
Mike Pompeo was one of Mr Trumps most vocal defenders in office. Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht/Reuters

Mike Pompeo, the former US secretary of state, has declined to endorse Donald Trumps presidential bid as he opted out of his own ambitions for the 2024 race.

Mr Pompeo, one of Mr Trumps most vocal defenders in office, had suggested for months that he would challenge his former boss for the Republican nomination. However, he failed to make a dent in polls of GOP primary voters, with a core base remaining loyal to Mr Trump.

Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, is the only prospective candidate apart from the former president to reach double digits in most polls.

Officially ending his own bid, Mr Pompeo said: The time is not right for me and my family.

He claimed Mr Trump was not a factor, but issued a thinly veiled criticism of him, saying: I think Americans are thirsting for people making arguments, not just tweets. I think theyre looking for someone who can clearly articulate their vision.

I dont know if that will end up being president Trump the American people choose or if thats who our party will choose to be its nominee. But Im hopeful it will be those debates about real arguments, things that really matter.

Mr Pompeo had fuelled speculation of a 2024 bid, travelling to the early primary states and doing a publicity tour for his recent memoir, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love.

Asked about who he would endorse in the 2024 primary, Mr Pompeo, (59), said he was waiting to figure out who that right person is, but did not rule out supporting a rival to Mr Trump. He added that he had not ruled out a future bid.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, claimed yesterday he had only strengthened his hold over his party.

Republicans, the former president said, were very happy with my polls. Way up on all Republicans, and Biden.

The 76-year-old has rallied Republicans as he faces criminal charges in New York over hush-money payments, and other pending investigations elsewhere, portraying himself as a victim of a Democratic conspiracy.

A Florida Rabbi is launching the first challenge to Ron DeSantiss abortion ban, claiming it criminalises Judaism. Mr DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions after six weeks of pregnancy into law on Thursday, constituting a near-total ban since it is before many women know they are pregnant. It gives the Republican governor a key political victory among his partys primary voters ahead of an expected 2024 presidential bid.

But it has been fiercely opposed by the White House and abortion-rights groups, who described it as extreme.

Rabbi Barry Silver, of Congregation LDor Va-Dor, a synagogue in southern Florida, argued that the Torah teaches that any woman suffering emotional or physical harm from a pregnancy is not just entitled, but required by Jewish law to abort that foetus.

So this law criminalises Jewish law, and also the law of almost all the different religions that are different than fundamentalist Christianity, he said.

Rabbi Silver says he plans to launch the first legal challenge to the six-week ban, arguing it infringes on religious freedom laws.

The six-week ban will take effect if the states current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives.

Its impact would be felt throughout the south-eastern US, where draconian bans were enacted in the wake of the Supreme Courts overturning of nationwide abortion protections last year.

The legislation contains exceptions, including to save the womans life. Abortions involving rape or incest would be allowed until 15 weeks, with documentation such as a police report.

Abortion bans are popular among religious conservatives who are part of the GOP voting base, but polling suggests the majority of Americans oppose severe restrictions on the procedure.

Mr DeSantis, who has framed himself as a national leader on culture war issues, has been uncharacteristically tepid on the six-week ban, signing it with little fanfare close to midnight.
A Pentagon official who heads up a secretive unit studying unidentified flying objects has speculated that recent sightings in US airspace could actually be alien probes from a mothership sent to study Earth.

Sean Kirkpatrick, of the Pentagons All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), wrote in an academic paper how the objects, which appear to defy physics, could be probes from an extra-terrestrial parent craft.

The draft paper, co-authored by Harvard professor Avi Loeb and seen by Politico, said interstellar objects could potentially be a parent craft that releases many small probes during its close passage to Earth.

The authors compare the probes to dandelion seeds that could be separated from the parent craft by the suns gravitational force.

The probes could use starlight to charge their batteries and the Earths water as fuel. Habitable planets would be particularly appealing to extra-terrestrial trans-medium probes, capable of moving between space, air and water, the authors write in the paper dated March 7.

From a large distance, Venus, Earth or Mars would be equally attractive for probes. But upon closer inspection, Earth would show spectral signatures of liquid water and vegetation.

The paper, which has not yet been peer viewed, demonstrates that the Pentagon is open to scientific debate of the origins of UFOs, Politico reports, an important signal to send to the academic world.

He and Mr Kirkpatrick, a scientist who has worked in the Department of Defence and US Space Command, speculate on the motive for aliens to send exploratory probes to Earth.

What would be the overarching purpose of the journey? In analogy with actual dandelion seeds, the probes could propagate the blueprint of their senders, the authors write.

As with biological seeds, the raw materials on the planets surface could also be used by them as nutrients for self-replication or simply scientific exploration.

AARO was set up last summer and has already received hundreds of reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs).

The office works with other US federal agencies to detect objects of interest near military installations or other areas of interest and is required to report regularly to Congress.

Interest in UFOs has peaked in recent weeks after the US shot down what it described as a large Chinese spy balloon that entered American airspace.

American jet fighters then shot down three unidentified flying objects, two in the US and one over Canadian airspace in quick succession.

The incidents triggered the Pentagon to begin looking more closely at other airborne objects.

But David Jewitt, a professor of astronomy at the University of California Los Angeles, said some of the claims in the paper are highly questionable and said it was odd that Mr Kirkpatrick was named as co-author.

The Air Force is very good at bombing things, but as far as their research on UFOs I think Id trust them about as far as I can throw them, Mr Jewitt told the website. Its not clear that the Air Force and military capabilities are best suited to the study of aliens.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service in London who are investigating the 1985 murder of Gerard Hoarau, a former political figure from Seychelles, are appealing for information more than 37 years after the killing.

According to a press release from the Met Police on Friday, the ongoing investigation is being led by detectives from the Met's counter terrorism command, and officers continue to explore lines of enquiry in the United Kingdom and overseas.

The press release stated that Hoarau, aged 34 at the time, was shot multiple times with a sterling sub-machine gun on the doorsteps of his home in Greencourt Avenue, Edgware, at around 10.15 p.m. on Friday, November 29 in 1985.

He was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

At the time, Hoarau was a leader of the Mouvement Pour la Resistance (MPR- Movement for Resistance), a Seychellois political activist group based in London opposing Seychelles' government of the time that was led by late President France Albert Rene.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the counter terrorism command, said that Hoarau was a prominent Seychellois activist who was living in London when he was brutally murdered.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to bring anyone to justice for his murder. However, the passage of time has not diminished our efforts to achieve justice for Gerard's family," said Murphy.

The Met Police is asking anyone with information in relation to the murder of Hoarau to contact the investigation team at GerardHoarauMurderAppeal@met.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously quoting "Met Police - SO15 Op Edgcourt" on the UK number 0800 555 111.

Murphy added that "while we keep an open mind as to the circumstances around Gerard's murder, we can't rule out the possibility of it being linked to his political life, and this remains a line enquiry."

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"This remains a sensitive and extremely challenging investigation, and detectives are appealing to anyone who may have information about Gerard's murder to come forward. We appreciate that people might be hesitant to tell police what they know about Gerard's murder, but I want to give assurances that any information provided to officers will be treated in the strictest confidence," said Murphy.

Gerard's brother Ralph Hoarau, speaking on behalf of the family, said in a statement: "Gerard's love for his country and his people was absolute and unconditional. On behalf of our family, I appeal to all our fellow Seychellois to kindly cooperate with the Met Police and afford them every assistance in their investigations and in the pursuit of establishing the truth."

He added that "on behalf of all who supported and loved Gerard, we would like to thank Scotland Yard for their relentless work, efforts and dedication in trying to solve this case."

Two arrests were made as part of the investigation, following a 2016 review of the case by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.

A 77-year-old man, Ian Withers, was arrested in Antrim, Northern Ireland, on August 2 in 2018, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. According to the BBC, the former private detective admitted to spying on Hoarau but denied any involvement in the murder. He was released under investigation.

Another man in his 80s was also arrested at Gatwick Airport on August 9 in 2018 arriving on an inbound flight into the UK, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He remains released under investigation.
Image credit: UNI

Khartoum/UNI: At least 25 people were killed and 183 others were injured during clashes between the Sudanese national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Reuters reported, citing the Sudanese Doctors' Union.

The report says the union could not determine whether all the casualties were civilians.

On Saturday, the director of a hospital in Sudan's most populous city of Omdurman told Sputnik that the fighting between the RSF and the national army left six civilians killed.

Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the RSF broke out on Saturday in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases.

The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe.

The national army denied the Presidential Palace's takeover and said it was bombing RSF bases near Khartoum.


New Delhi/UNI/IBNS: The Congress on Sunday took a swipe at the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh over the firing incident in Prayagraj saying criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land.

The party also said, "subverting or violating" the rule of law and judicial process for any "political purpose" is dangerous for the 'democracy'.

Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by unidentified assailants last night in Prayagraj while they were being taken to a medical college for regular check up in police custody.

"The law of our country is written in the Constitution. This law is paramount. The criminals should be given the harshest punishment. But it should be under the law of the land," Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote in a series of tweets, in a veiled attack on the BJP-led government in UP.

The Congress leader added, "Playing with or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is not right for our democracy."

Echoing a similar sentiment, Congress general secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh said, "The rule of law as laid down in our countrys Constitution is paramount.

Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. "

"Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," the MP said in a statement.

It should be our collective endeavors to ensure that the judicial system and rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called a meeting with senior officials of the state police, including the Director General of Police (DGP) and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), after the shocking on camera killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj by unidentified attackers despite police security.
Image Credit: UNI

Dubai: At least sixteen people died and nine sustained injuries as a massive fire engulfed the fourth floor of a residential building in Dubai, media reports said.

A Dubai Civil Defence spokesperson said the fire broke out in Al Ras on Saturday afternoon.

The Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was first notified about the fire at 12:35 pm.

A team reached the spot within six minutes and began both evacuation and firefighting operations.

Teams from the Port Saeed and Hamriyah fire stations provided backup to the operations. The fire was brought under control at 2:42 pm, after which the cooling operations were started, Khaleej Times reported.

Expressing his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, a spokesperson said urgent medical aid was provided to the injured even as firefighters worked to put out the blaze.

Preliminary investigations showed that a lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements caused the fire, the spokesperson added. Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed report on the causes of the accident.

(WITH UNI inputs)
Atiq & Ashraf's shooters wanted to become big gangsters: L-R Sunny Singh, Arun Maurya, Lovelesh Tiwari

Prayagraj: The three shooters, who killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed on Saturday night, have been identified as Lovelesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya.

The killers came disguised as mediapersons and opened fire at Atiq and his brother Ashraf near Colvin Hospital in Prayagraj where they were being taken for a regular check-up.

Atiq Ahmed, the Uttar Pradesh gangster politician, and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, were killed on Saturday while on their way to a medical check-up in Uttar Pradesh.. #AtiqAhmad pic.twitter.com/JUPut6WWAM  India Blooms (@indiablooms) April 15, 2023

Atiq and Ashraf collapsed on the ground immediately as the assailants fired several rounds despite tight security arrangements around the medical college hospital.

According to the UP Police FIR, the three shooters said they wanted to kill gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf to become popular and big gangsters, India Today reported.

The shooters, when questioned by the UP Police about their intentions, revealed that their primary motive was to gain notoriety in the criminal underworld by assassinating Atiq and Ashraf.

They had been planning to carry out this act since learning about the duo's custody and had posed as journalists to gain access to them. Finally, they were able to carry out their plan on Saturday.

The police arrived at the medical college at 10:35 pm with the Atiq and Ashraf, and as they walked towards the college, they were surrounded by the media. After taking just 15-20 steps, they stopped to give a statement to the media.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), when Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf began speaking to the media, one of the shooters dropped his microphone and camera, then grabbed his pistol and fired at them. In the ensuing crossfire, a constable named Mann Singh was shot in the hand, and one of the attackers was also hit by his accomplice's gunfire.

Subsequently, the shooters dropped their loaded weapons, and a few of the journalists who were present at the scene sustained minor injuries. Atiq and Ashraf were immediately taken to the hospital, where they were declared dead.

According to the FIR filed by the UP Police, Atiq Ahmed had received arms that were dropped by Pakistani drones in Punjab. Atiq was known to be a leader of the IS 227 gang, and he had a criminal record. His brother Ashraf was also an active member of the same gang.

In a statement, Atiq claimed that he had connections with the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and that he had received arms that were dropped by a Pakistani drone in Punjab.

Atiq and Ashraf also claimed that they knew the address of the person who had delivered those arms, but they were unable to locate it while they were in jail.

However, they said that they would be able to identify the location if they were taken there. The UP Police FIR stated that the arms used in the murder of Umesh Pal were received from the same person who had provided the address.

On April 14, the police attempted to question Atiq and Ashraf, but they were unable to obtain much information as the two were in shock over the death of Asad.

The following day, on April 15, the police found pistols and cartridges that had connections to Pakistan and were used in the murder of Umesh Pal. An FIR was filed against Atiq and Ashraf under the Arms Act for possession of these illegal weapons.
New Delhi/Khartoum: An Indian citizen lost his life when he was hit by a stray bullet in Khartoum amid clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday expressed grief over the death and said the Indian Embassy is making all efforts to extend assistance to the family.

The Indian Embassy in Sudan said in a tweet: It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.

Press Release



It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries.



Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.  India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 16, 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a tweet said that the situation in Sudan is of great concern and that India is monitoring the situation.

Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments, he tweeted.

Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family.



The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments. https://t.co/GJ9iFowLwu  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 16, 2023

On Saturday, the Indian Embassy had asked all Indians living in Sudan to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and not venture outside. It also urged Indians planning to travel to Sudan to postpone their travel.

The fighting erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country as a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership.

(With UNI inputs)
Image Credit: You Tube video grab

Lucknow: Six criminal-politicians, including Atiq Ahmad who was shot dead on Saturday, were quietly released in 2008 on furlough from various jails within a span of just 48 hours, according to a book on "Baahubalis." The book claims that their release was tied to the UPA government's need for their votes to save the civil nuclear deal with the US, which was facing opposition at the time. The politicians' votes were believed to be crucial for the government's survival.

During the Manmohan Singh government's tenure, the Opposition had moved a no-confidence motion which had put the UPA government and India's civil nuclear deal with the US in jeopardy.

A report in the media quoting the book on "Baahubalis" said that to save the embattled government, six criminal-politicians were quietly released on furlough from different jails in just 48 hours. These legislators collectively faced over 100 criminal cases, and Atiq Ahmad, then a Lok Sabha MP representing Phulpur constituency in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), was one of them.

According to the book "Baahubalis of Indian Politics: From Bullet to Ballot" authored by Rajesh Singh and published by Rupa Publications, Atiq Ahmad was one of the criminal-politicians who played a crucial role in saving the UPA government from collapse when the Opposition brought a no-confidence motion against it.

The book mentions that Atiq Ahmad, along with five other legislators who collectively had over 100 criminal cases against them, had been furloughed from different jails in just 48 hours in 2008, and their votes were crucial to save the government and the civil nuclear deal with the US.

The Left parties had withdrawn their outside support to the government in mid-2008 due to its decision to proceed with the nuclear deal.

"The UPA had 228 members in the Lok Sabha and was short of 44 seats for a simple majority to overcome the crisis of confidence. Prime Minister Singh, however, expressed confidence that he would survive. It soon became evident as to where that confidence came from," Singh writes.

According to the book "Baahubalis of Indian Politics: From Bullet to Ballot" by Rajesh Singh, the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) led by Ajit Singh, and Janata Dal (Secular) led by Deve Gowda, extended their support to the UPA government during the time of crisis. However, there were other "Baahubali netas" who played a role in saving the government, said the report.

"Forty-eight hours before the vote and with little fanfare, the government furloughed six of the nation's most prominent suspected lawbreakers -- collectively facing over 100 cases of kidnapping, murder, extortion, arson and more -- so that they could fulfil their constitutional duties as lawmakers," the report further quotes the book.

"One among them was Ateeq Ahmed, a Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh, with a conspicuous handlebar moustache and a penchant for safari suits. He dutifully cast his precious vote, no doubt in favour of the beleaguered UPA. The don had, by then, established himself in both politics and crime," according to the book.

Atiq Ahmad had a long innings as a politician who had a successful electoral career in Uttar Pradesh. He won five consecutive assembly elections from 1989 to 2002. In 2004, he was elected to the Lok Sabha as a member of the Samajwadi Party. However, he was expelled from the party in 2009 due to his criminal background.

Atiq Ahmad enjoyed multiple identities, using power and clout to extend his interests in various businesses. He was not just a politician, but also a contractor, builder, property dealer, and agriculturist. He also had a criminal record and faced charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder, among other serious offenses.
Image tweeted by @SandhuTaranjitS

New Delhi: US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has described her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her recent visit to India as an incredible opportunity and added that she was able to witness the best of Indian culture, traditions, and celebrations during her tour.

Raimondo, who had an hour-long meeting with PM Modi, said he is the most popular world leader for a reason.

"I had an incredible opportunity to spend an hour and a half with Prime Minister Modi. He is the most popular world leader for a reason. He is unbelievable, visionary, and his level of commitment to the people of India is just indescribable," she said addressing a gathering of Indian Americans at the India House on Saturday.

He is the most popular wrld leader fr a reason; he is a visionary; & his level of commitment to ppl ofis indescribable..his desire to lift ppl out of poverty & move fwd as a global power is real; & its happening @SecRaimondo on PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/SK2oIHpYIK  Taranjit Singh Sandhu (@SandhuTaranjitS) April 16, 2023

The US Commerce Secretary said she went a day earlier to ensure she was able to participate in the Holi celebrations.

Recounting her visit, she said, "I went a day earlier so that I could have the opportunity to participate in Holi. And the defence minister was so gracious to host me with his family.

At the beginning of this year, India and the United States announced collaborations in various domains such as space, defence, semiconductors, and advanced technologies.

During her speech at the India House, Raimondo said that India and America would lead the artificial intelligence revolution.

With new bilateral agreements in strategic areas, the US-India ties have deepened further, while isolating China.
Image Credit: UNI

Prayagraj/IBNS: The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday formed a judicial commission to probe the caught on live killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother while cops were escorting them for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

The killers came disguised as mediapersons and opened fire at Atiq and his brother Ashraf near Colvin Hospital in Prayagraj where they were being taken for a regular check-up. The police nabbed the shooters at the scene.

The Home Department has issued an order in response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions to form the commission. The commission will be established under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952.

The order specifies that Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi (II), a retired judge from the Allahabad High Court, will lead the commission. Additionally, Subesh Kumar Singh, a former Director General of Police (DGP), and Brijesh Kumar Soni, a retired judge, have been selected to serve as members of the commission.

The spokesman stated that the commission is expected to conclude its investigation into the incident within two months and submit its findings to the state government.

It is worth mentioning that Atiq Ahmed and Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf were killed by three gunmen while being taken into police custody for a medical examination at Colvin Hospital on Saturday night.

At the time, the two brothers were in police custody for their alleged involvement in the murder of Umesh Pal, the key witness in the case against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal.

Advocate Umesh Pal and two of his security guards were shot in front of his home in the Sulem Sarai area February 24, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Dhoomanganj police station.

Following the incident, Jaya Pal, Umesh Pal's wife, filed a murder case against Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, Ashraf's wife Shaista Parveen, their two sons, and nine others.

After the killings of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf on Saturday night, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter and instructed the formation of a three-member judicial commission.
Representational image from Wallpaper Cave

New Delhi: Red Lantern Analytica, a New Delhi-based international affairs observer group, has released a statement alerting Bhutan that sliding with China will cost it huge losses like Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The Doklam plateau issue rose to the limelight when, in 2017, under the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) leadership, Chinese troops with construction vehicles and road building equipment, began extending an existing road southward in Doklam. Doklam is a disputed area between India, Bhutan and China.

While owing to its hegemonic desires, China claims the entirety of the plateau, India maintains the dignity of historical treaties.

Bhutan, who even agreed to coordinate its foreign policy with that of India, under agreements like the Friendship Treaty, is now being heavily pressured by the CCP to change its stand owing to which Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, recently made claims stating that "China has equal stake in Doklam dispute" as it is not up to Bhutan alone to solve the Doklam dispute and that all three countries  Bhutan, India and China are equal stakeholders.

China has been toying with Bhutans sovereignty and territorial integrity for decades  sometimes by showing large parts of Bhutan as part of China in Chinese maps, sometimes by building heavy infrastructure in Bhutans territory, but mostly by trying to construct illegal sites in the disputed areas.

What Bhutan doesnt understand is that China is trying to shift the disputed tri-junction southward, which would make the entire Doklam plateau legally a part of China  which is in close proximity to Indias strategic Siliguri Corridor.

Bhutans position might look like it has limited options when it comes to stopping Chinas increasing encroachment on Bhutans territory but it is very crucial for Bhutan to not get lured by the cheesy words of the CCP and take a pacifist stand  as taking side with China just might fetch the exact opposite outcome.

In the past few years, Asia has become the target of CCPs cruel Debt Trap Diplomacy, major examples being Pakistan (so called "all weather friend" of China), Sri Lanka, Mongolia and even Nepal.

All these countries were exploited by China for its own personal gains, rendering them reliant on China and eventually losing access to their own natural resources and infrastructure.

"We, at Red Lantern Analytica, would like to alert Bhutan to not fall trap to Chinas dubious claims and reciprocate the gusto which India has always shown in trying to resolve Bhutans conflicts with China," the statement read.

Bhutan must take its own clear stand, uninfluenced by the hinges of China. The Doklam issue is a sensitive geopolitical issue of which Bhutan is an indispensable part; therefore Prime Minister Lotay Tshering must take into consideration the interests of both India and Bhutan before caving in to the whims and fancies of the CCP.
At least four people have been killed and 16 people have been shot at in a mass shooting in the US state of Alabama on Saturday.

Reuters

Most in attendance were teens

Several people were injured following the incident at a teenager's birthday party in the city of Dadeville, local media reported. "This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians," state governor Kay Ivey said.

Television station WRBL early on Sunday reported heavy police activity and crime scene tape around a building in Dadeville, Alabama, where it said white sheets could be seen covering parts of the floor.

us-shooting

Law enforcement agencies have not publicly confirmed any injuries or fatalities, but local media and witnesses have said several wounded people, the majority of them teens, were transported to local hospitals for medical attention.



Dadeville, population 3,000, is about 45 miles northeast of Montgomery.

The Alabama shooting happened the same day that shots were fired into a crowd at a park in Louisville, Kentucky. Two people were killed and four others were wounded.

Representational Image/Shutterstock

Gun violence in US

The United States, a country of around 330 million people, is awash with some 400 million guns, and deadly mass shootings are a regular occurrence. The country has suffered at least 162 mass shootings in the first 15 weeks of 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Thats an average of more than 1.5 mass shootings every day so far this year. The archive defines mass shootings as those in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


The Nigerian army says an alleged secret abortion program for women rescued from Boko Haram never took place. However, human rights groups insist a thorough probe into the claims is crucial.

The Nigerian Human Rights Commission - which is currently probing allegations of army-backed abortions among Boko Haram captives - has promised its final report will be thorough amid repeated denials from the country's military.

The commission's special panel has been holding public hearings since February this year when it launched a special investigation.

A secret, military-run mass abortion program was alleged to have been carried out by the Nigerian army as part of its fight against extremist group Boko Haram in the country's northeast.

An investigative report released in December last year claimed the military had overseen approximately 10,000 abortions on women and girls who were detained and raped by the Islamist militants.

"We are succeeding and not many are happy that we are succeeding, they cannot reverse our successes therefore they rubbish it," Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya said while testifying before the special panel last month.

"Sometimes, they are playing other people's script. We are not Boko Haram terrorists, we are trained to be professionals and the training is continuous."

Yahaya denied that the secret abortions took place, which were said to have been carried out on the rescued wives of Boko Haram fighters while they were living in displaced person's camps.

Military denies abortion report

According to the original Reuters report, the alleged abortions were mostly performed without the women's consent between 2013 and 2022.

General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff who served between 2015 and 2021, told DW that he doubted the existence of the abortion program.

"The Chief of Defence Staff has said it very clear and nothing of that [happened]," he said

"When I was there too I never heard it, nobody had reported it."

Buratai explained that the army had special arrangements in place for the care of pregnant women.

"We have facilities where women were kept, including pregnant women and they are all allowed to deliver normally. And the commander there always pays all the medical bills and organizes naming ceremonies, so I can't understand the basis [of the allegations]."

Rights groups demand fair probe

But some human rights activists are suspicious of the military's denails and have demanded thorough investigations into the allegations.

Udeme Edoemaowo from the Network Against Domestic Violence Foundation told DW that civil society groups are contemplating carrying out their own probe.

"We want to investigate, we want to do something about these women and be sure, because if the Nigerian army is claiming that the thing is not true, we have to do something," she said.

The Nigerian Human Rights Commission said that it is committed to carrying out a thorough investigation.

"The commission welcomes the cooperation extended to it by all agencies of government and in this case the Nigerian military," Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the Human Right Commission told DW

"The determination of the commission [is] to investigate the allegation."

But Edoemaowo said her coalition of civil society groups would also still want to verify the claims themselves.

"[We will go and investigate this thing because we will not take it lying down, we have to fight and be sure," she said.

"We have to go to Maiduguri...We have to do everything we can do to ensure that we find the truth on this matter."

Claims of a distraction from a larger fight

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Andy Parah, an Abuja-based Nigerian lawyer, told DW that the military must avoid any cover ups, but said the allegations could divert attention from the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

"I don't see how terminating the pregnancies of victims of rape by Boko Haram men will solve [local people's] problems," he said.

"They have even greater problems. They have problems of resettlement, their homes that have been destroyed, their livelihoods...this is a much greater problem than the issue of abortion. It is an attempt to divert attention from the main battle," he said.

Former Chief of Army Staff General Buratai, said he considered the allegations a "subversive strategy or campaign against Nigeria and of course even Africa," without providing evidence for his claims.

Human rights groups have called for the final report of the investigation to be made public, which the Human Rights Commission has assured will be done in accordance with the principles of fair hearing.

Edited by Ineke Mules
A few governorship aspirants who participated in Kogi State primaries under the platform the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the outcome of the process.

The aspirants that rejected the results included Smart Adeyemi, Prince Shuaibu Audu, Stephen Oseni and a member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Yakubu Ajaka.

Information Nigeria had reported that the secretary of the Kogi State APC Primary Election Committee, Patrick Obahiagbon, on behalf of the chairman of the panel, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, announced a former Auditor General for Local Governments in Kogi, Ahmed Usman Ododo, the APC standard bearer for the election fixed for November.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, four of the aspirants dismissed the process that produced Ododo as a sham, calling on the APC NWC to disregard the outcome of the polls.

Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi West) said no election took place, claiming that the team sent to conduct the direct primary and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) were nowhere to be found.

He said: It was scheduled for yesterday (Friday) The election was supposed to be concluded by 2 pm. Results were prepared even before the commencement of voting.

This is the worst form of rigging, it was unprecedented. There was no election. For somebody to have audacity to write results, we are saying the INEC should be prepared to tell Nigerians if election was conducted.

READ ALSO: Ododo Emerges Winner Of APC Guber Primary In Kogi

None of the officials of INEC and the panel led by Zamfara state governor came out. We are aware that Governor Matawalle wasnt happy with the sham and that was why he left.

There is a guideline that in the absence of the Chairman, that secretary should not announce the result. What we had was allocation of votes. The purported winner is the Auditor General of Kogi.

We have no problem with the Governor but the level of his involvement. There was no election at all.

It was supposed to be a direct primary, people were mobilised but there was no election.

Adeyemi who admitted that aggrieved aspirants organised a parallel Congress was however silent on the winner.

Some of us have to organise a parallel Congress.

If the APC refuses to do what is right, it will be difficult for people to vote for us in Kogi. What happened was a betrayal of democracy. People were not allowed to vote, results were written.

I want to call on the leadership of the party to avoid the collapse of the party. The tenets of democracy is one man, one vote, he added.

Audu, on the other hand, called on president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC not to submit Ododos name to INEC.

He said: I was at my Polling Unit, I waited till 6 pm, no election materials, no INEC officials. It was a sham of a process, the election did not hold. I will like to appeal to the NWC to take a look at the sham that happened on April 14. I will like to call on the President-elect and Vice President to take a look at it. It was a sham of a process and we dont want it to stand.

Another aspirant, Ajaka, on his part, accused the team that conducted the process of betrayal of trust.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sunday morning declared Aishatu Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Adamawa governorship election.

Hudu Yunusa, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the State, made the declaration following the supplementary election held Saturday.

The collation exercise kicked off at exactly 9:30 pm on Saturday night with results from Demsa and Yola South Local Government Areas presented at the centre by the local government returning officers.

There was however drama when journalists sought to know whether Yunusa, the REC, had recused himself from proceeding with the conduct of supplementary elections, as demanded by the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa.

READ ALSO: Naira Redesign Didnt Stop Kidnapping, Hoodlums Were Engaged With Polls  Anglican Bishop Calls For Job Creation

Recall the PDP questioned the neutrality of the REC after a leaked audio tape emanated where he was heard asking the electoral officer in Fufore local government area to help This woman surfaced.

The results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas had been declared yesterday while the exercise was adjourned till 11am.

However, Ari made pronouncement an hour before the scheduled time.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was leading before the pronouncement was made.

Some PDP supporters in the hall had protested why the announcement was made by the REC instead of the returning officer.

Information Nigeria reports that Binani represented Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the 9th Assembly. She was formerly a member of the House of Representatives for Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 7th Assembly (2011-2015)

Moreso, Adamawa had produced first female Senator, Folasade Bent from the North.
Self acclaimed Investigative Journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, has revealed that Nollywood Actor Yul Edochie has recently discovered that he is not the biological father of Judy Austins son, Star Dike.

Kemi Oluloyo took to her Facebook page on Saturday to reveal emphatically that the DNA test that was conducted on the son of the actors second wife showed he did not belong to Yul Edochie.

READ ALSO: Yul Edochie Deletes Instagram Photos Of Second Wife Judy Austin, Son

She wrote; l just heard that DNA tests revealed that Judy Austins son was not fathered by Yul Edochie.

Also, recall that a few days ago, media personality Daddy Freeze disclosed in a video that a popular Nigerian celebrity has discovered through a DNA test that he is not the biological father of the son he welcomed with his second wife.

After this disclosure, a lot of people suspected Yul Edochie because he had earlier deleted the photos of his son and second wife, Judy Austin from his Instagram page.

See post below:
Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted an Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) officer, identified as Commander Popoola Azeez Olasupo.

Olasupo was kidnapped around 6:30 am on Sunday around Eledumare-Fidiwo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while he and his colleagues were on an official assignment.

An anonymous source disclosed that the authorities of the TRACE Corps are making frantic efforts to keep the incident a secret.

However, it was gathered that the police and local vigilantes are on the trail of the suspected kidnappers.

READ MORE: Gunmen Shoot Ex-Indian Lawmaker, Brother Dead On Live TV

The kidnappers were said to have ambushed the men as they suddenly emerged from the bush along the highway.

TRACE spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, did not pick calls to his phone.

But, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.

According to him, the commands anti-kidnapping squad are already after the kidnappers.

We are combing the forest and we know that they will all be arrested. Ogun State is not a ground for criminals to settle. It is either they leave or we smoke them out of this State, Oyeyemi stated.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa has dismissed the Divisional Police Officer of the Okokomaiko Division, Emmanuel Edebagha, over his failure to monitor the officials in his unit efficiently.

Edebaghas men had been indicted for extortion and misconduct.

The police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a tweet on Saturday, April 15.

READ ALSO: LP Aspirant Murdered PDP Chieftain Over Political Ambition  Ebonyi Police

CP Idowu Owohunwa has ordered the immediate removal of DPO Okokomaiko for his lack of supervision of his men.

CP Owohunwa has also ordered the commencement of disciplinary action against him and all his indicted officers (who are already in the state headquarters), Hundeyin tweeted.

The disciplinary action against the police officials followed a report that some officials attached to the Okokomaiko division extorted the sum of N100,000 from their victim.

The report alleged that the police forcefully obtained money from him despite not finding anything incriminating on him.
A suspected ballot box snatcher has been shot dead by soldiers at Bajida polling unit 001, Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi South.

The man was reportedly shot dead while he was attempting to snatch a ballot box from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the ongoing supplementary elections in the state.

According to Vanguard, an eyewitnesses in the area, the deceased was a member of the proscribed Yansakai, a local volunteer vigilante group.

READ ALSO: Kano Supplementary Polls: Thugs Attack Polling Unit, Disperse Voters

He was said to have stormed the polling unit, claiming to be a security agent.

He allegedly attempted to snatch a gun from a soldier at the polling unit when he was shot.

He and his group rushed to the polling unit trying to snatch the ballot box as INEC officials were moving the ballot box to the collation centre.

Efforts to stop him by people at the polling unit failed and as he struggled to collect the gun from a soldier he was shot by another soldier, an eyewitness said.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-year-old lady identified as Aminat Ajayi, with 103 wraps of synthetic cannabinoids popularly known as Colorado.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, April 16, 2023, said the suspect was arrested during a raid at Whitesand area of Ijora-Badia.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Surinamese Man With 9.9kg Cocaine Concealed In Condoms

DPO Ijora-Badia and team, acting on actionable intelligence, stormed Whitesand area where 20-year-old Aminat Ajayi was arrested with 103 wraps of colorado. Investigation is ongoing. Reduction in drug is directly proportional to reduction in crime. We will not relent, he stated.

See post below:
Northeast High School students walk the hallways of their school during Afro Day. Students at Northeast High school marked a day to celebrate natural hair and all it means, personally and culturally. Read more

When Kadedra Mattis decided to rock her Afro, it was tough at first. Managing her gorgeous natural hair was easy, but managing others reactions to it, not so much.

Some people lodged food, or pencils, in her hair. Others made fun of it, calling it wild or kinky or unkempt.

But embracing her natural hair is incredibly empowering, Mattis said. So when she looked out at two dozen fellow Northeast High students gathered to celebrate their Black hair last week, she couldnt help but smile.

We feel comfortable with our authentic selves, said Mattis, 16, a 10th grader.

Spurred by a conversation in teacher Keziah Ridgeways African American history class, Mattis and her classmate Amia Harris dreamed up Northeasts first Afro Day, with several dozen students simply wearing their hair as is, then meeting up for a photo to commemorate it.

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They traded stories of times they felt judged  when their families questioned their decision to forgo chemicals and go natural, when someone came up and touched their hair without permission, how it felt to be mocked at a camp of mostly white people for wearing a swim cap to protect their hair from chlorine.

Afro Day was about hair, but also about power, about community, and love.

Our hair isnt wild, it isnt crazy, said Harris, 15, also a sophomore. Its beautiful.

Harmony-Spirit Morrison was so excited when she heard about Afro Day that she took her hair out of its braids to show off her full crown. Having so many classmates sport Afros and locs, braids and passion twists with her gave her a sense of comfort and belonging, she said.

I like my hair, but Im scared to wear it out sometimes, Morrison said.

You have to learn to love your hair, because if you dont, who will? I used to be so insecure about my fro. But now, I got too much confidence  yall cant stop me, Harris said, laughing.

Northeast, with more than 3,300 students, is the citys largest school and one of its most diverse, a place where students cultures are not just endured but celebrated, said students and Ridgeway, who helped the kids spread the word about the event.

This makes me so happy, Ridgeway said about Afro Day. This is a neighborhood high school, and we have kids here doing amazing things, leading things. They are creating, and seeing things through.
Peco crews work on restoring power along Washington Avenue in Newtown, Bucks County, after the April 1 tornado outbreak. No twisters were reported Saturday, but some places got hit hard by storms. Read more

Lightning was blamed in the death of a Chester County motorist, and slow-moving downpours targeted parts of South Jersey and Bucks County on Saturday, prompting flood advisories, closing inundated roads, taking down large trees, and pelting numerous towns with hailstones.

State police said that, about 3:10 p.m., a tree branch felled by lightning crashed atop a 2014 Kia Sportage SUV in Highland Township, killing the victim on impact. A passenger was taken to Paoli Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Another passenger was not injured. Their names were not released.

On the other side of the Delaware River, the National Weather Service reported that nearly 2 inches of rain fell on Mount Laurel in just 50 minutes.

Up to 3 feet of water pooled atop Larchmont Boulevard at Willow Turn, stranding at least one vehicle, the weather service said. Waters blocked lanes on Creek Road near Route 38. Multiple large tree limbs were draped upon portions of Marne Highway near Hartford Road.

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 READ MORE: Tornado and flood warnings might be delayed on Twitter, weather service advises

The storms ponderous movements became problematic during the afternoon. Storm motion, the weather service said, has been slow .... allowing for heavy downpours to train over the same location for a prolonged period.

As storms are wont to do during the warm seasons, these were capricious in selecting their targets.

While prodigious rains were falling about 20 miles to the east, not so much as a droplet was observed officially at Philadelphia International Airport as of 7 p.m. Philly rainfall since March 1 has been about half of normal.

 READ MORE: In the April 1 tornado outbreak, the sun was a big player.

The deluges were set off by an approaching front that is forecast to restore some sense of thermal sanity to the region after a run of summery temperatures in the 80s.

Sunday is expected to be dry, and still warm, with readings in the low 80s, but they are not expected to get out of the 60s Monday through Wednesday.
A Union Fire Company ambulance exits through Lincoln Universitys main gate shortly early Sunday morning after two women visiting campus were shot. Read more

The search continued Sunday for the person who shot two women inside a residential building of Lincoln University around 10 p.m. Saturday night.

The victims, who were not students but visiting the Chester County campus during the annual Yardfest spring celebration, were treated at Christiana Hospital and released before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the university.

University and Chester County law enforcement are collaborating in the investigation and apprehension of the shooter, Lincoln University President Brenda Allen said in a statement Sunday.

The Chester County District Attorneys Office said the shooting happened in a hallway on the second floor of the Thurgood Marshall Living Learning Center, or LLC building. Hundreds of people were packed into the hallway when a single gunshot sent the crowd running. Authorities believe the same bullet struck one woman in a thigh and hit the second woman in an ankle.

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Thousands of people were terrified during this unexpected shooting, and it is very fortunate that there were no fatalities, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said in a statement, asking anyone with information to call Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Students who posted to TikTok about Lincolns Spring Fling event showed glimpses of drunken festivities and a campus covered with debris from a night of partying.

Lincoln, a public, state-related historically Black university with about 1,800 students in Lower Oxford Township, was also the site of a fatal stabbing last year.

Nydira Smith, 40, is awaiting trial for the murder of 21-year-old student Jawine Evans, and for wounding two other people in an attack inside a dorm room.

The universitys most recently published crime statistics indicate that over the three-year span from 2019 to 2021 there were no homicides on campus, a total of 10 rapes, and 10 aggravated assaults.

Police and university officials have not made public any suspected motive for the shooting.

At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the university issued an alert about the shooting and announced an all-campus lockdown, during which only those with Lincoln University IDs were allowed into residence halls. The lockdown had been lifted Sunday and campus activities had resumed.

Lincoln University holds student safety and well-being as an essential part of student life, Allen said.

According to Marc R. Partee, Lincoln Universitys director of public safety/chief of police, Yardfest is an annual spring tradition at the university that allows students to decompress and enjoy themselves. Its part of a week of Spring Fling concerts and parties; a sign posted at Lincoln University last week advised that the event was for students and their guests only.

Anyone with information can also contact campus security at 484-365-7211 or Chester County law enforcement authorities at 610-344-6801.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Accused Xolani Klaas to appear in court next month

Former Social Justice Coalition (SJC) general manager Xolani Klaas made a brief appearance on charges of fraud at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his case was once again postponed, this time because Klaas had no legal representation.

Klaas faces charges related to fraud in excess of R730,000.

Last year, Groundup reported that Klaas appeared to be using SJC funds to buy furniture, household appliances, luxury clothes, watches, groceries, and expensive technology.

Klaas was subsequently suspended and SJC staff laid criminal charges against him at Lingelethu West Police Station. In July, Klaas returned some furniture, purchased using SJC money, to the organisation's offices.

Wearing a striped top and pink trousers, with a sling bag over his chest, Klaas stood in the dock on Thursday and told the magistrate that he was seeking new legal representation and that he would be ready after 26 April.

SJC's Thozama Dyum who was in court for the proceedings, said the delays were frustrating and the case was "standing still."

Meanwhile, the SJC says its internal investigation into Klaas's actions has been finalised and the organisation and board is analysing the findings.

Klaas is due back in court on 3 May.
Lisa Wolverton, a personal trainer from Ardmore, still owns three pieces of Tupperware, including a yellow strainer she uses each day. Read more

In December 1999, Guinness World Records listed the 10 greatest inventions of the 20th century.

The computer wasnt included. But the food-storage containers made by Tupperware were.

The company is famous for durable products lauded as sacrosanct  icons of modernism that are included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian Institution. An estimated 90% of U.S. homes have at least one Super Storer, Thatsa Mega mixing bowl, or other classic pieces of Tupperware.

The companys nearly 80-year-old corporate model, featuring women both as salespeople and consumers interacting at Tupperware parties held in private homes, has become an indelible part of American  and world  culture.

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Now, however, Tupperware faces what may be its last days.

Financial experts say the Orlando-based company doesnt connect with young people, is overwhelmed by competitors, and is suffering a sharp decline (18%) in its in-person sales force, as demand for its products wanes. Net sales for 2022 were $1.3 billion, an 18% decrease from 2021.

Tupperware didnt file its annual report on time, and may be delisted by the New York Stock Exchange as a result. CEO Miguel Fernandez says the company is taking immediate action to seek additional financing.

Last year, the company began selling some of its products in Target to revive sales, but few are buying. In a recent filing, the company concluded theres substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

As end times loom, people have been reassessing their ancient but nevertheless indispensable Tupperware items.

I still have old-school pieces from when my mom sold Tupperware 20 years ago, said Lisa Wolverton, 50, a personal trainer from Ardmore. A yellow strainer, a Jell-O mold, and a cupcake holder. I use that strainer daily.

Others are sharing amusing stories from long-ago Tupperware parties, and are re-appreciating how the company influenced the lives of countless women who made cash hawking ways to keep foods fresh.

I used to take in $200 extra a month selling Tupperware in the mid-1980s when I was living in the Northeast, said Linda Solomon, a former Philadelphia social worker who didnt give her age, and who now lives in Richmond, Ind. But my Tupperware manager made enough to pay college tuition for her eight kids.

Hosting parties was extremely uncool, but it was fun, and if you had a sense of humor and a sense of improving your home, it was worthwhile. And a lot of laughs.

The burp

As recently as 2014, according to Good Housekeeping, Tupperware took in $2.6 billion in revenue.

Since the mid-1990s, 85% of Tupperware has been sold internationally, according to Alison J. Clarke, author of the book, Tupperware: The Promise of Plastics in 1950s America.

In 2015, there was one Tupperware party being conducted every 1.4 seconds somewhere in the world, Good Housekeeping reported. In France alone, people held 500,000 such parties per year. While parties are still held, the exact numbers were unavailable, and Tupperware officials didnt respond to requests for information. Whats clear is that the Tupperware sales force has diminished, said Neil Saunders, analyst for GlobalData, a management consulting company.

New Hampshire chemist Earl Tupper started his company in 1946. Products didnt do well in stores because people couldnt understand how they worked.

In 1951, a single mother from Detroit named Brownie Wise innovated the idea of holding events in peoples homes where she could explain Tupperware to friends. She demonstrated the famous burp, or rush of air (satirized in Seinfeld decades later) that occurs when a cover seals a container.

The company pulled its products from stores and went all-in on a sales force of women selling in living rooms.

The timing was perfect, according to Stephanie Coontz, a director of the Council on Contemporary Families.

Women had to give up the jobs theyd taken during World War II when the men were off fighting, Coontz said. Upon their return, women were forced back home, and they were discontented.

Tupperware was a nice distraction. Women could make money and socialize, breaking up the monotony of being a 1950s and 60s housewife.

That kind of earning didnt threaten the marital zeitgeist, which was centered on the husband working and the wife keeping house, said Nicole Cochran, a Temple University Ph.D. candidate in sociology who is writing a dissertation on companies like Tupperware.

A woman could work from home within the confines of traditional womanhood, still present for the children, Cochran said. She could be somewhat liberated, yet still deemed feminine.

Marjorie Britt, 59, of Abington, said her mother was one of those women.

I got sentimental about her selling Tupperware, and I got into it myself a few years, she said. We had a blast  eating, playing games. I even ended up getting some men to come.

Mostly, I really liked the awesome products, and the more you sold, the more free pieces you got.

Jennie Nemroff, 59, a registered nurse from Wynnewood, can relate.

I had a Tupperware party so I could get discounts and free Tupperware, she said. In her case, there was an emergency that warranted a bevy of containers: She and her husband had encountered mouse problems in their first house. I had to put everything in Tupperware. Now, I always recommend it to anyone with mice.

In loading up on Tupperware, Nemroff, like others, deduced one of Tupperwares potential weaknesses years ago: It lasts forever. So once you have it, you dont need to replace it.

University of Delaware anthropologist Neri de Kramer, an expert on food and consumerism, concurred.

Theyre thick and very sturdy. But we live in a throwaway culture and people like to refresh their kitchens frequently, she said. An item that lasts a lifetime may not be as attractive to todays consumers.

Indeed, said Cochran, young people are more accustomed to repurposing food-takeout containers for storage.

In-person sales companies such as Tupperware, Avon, or Mary Kay dont appeal very much to todays women, she added, although some young women do sell from home. Cochran said: MONAT hair care and Arbonne skin care and nutrition products, for example, are pitched on Instagram.

People prefer online or in-store sales, Saunders said.

Tupperware enjoyed a brief bump in sales during the heart of the pandemic, when people were cooking more and needed food storage, said Ed Nelling, finance professor at the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University. But it didnt last. And no one was organizing parties for Tupperware or anything else as COVID-19 raged.

Ultimately, Saunders speculated, Tupperware could be bankrupt in two months. But the name likely wont die.

Some household products company will want to buy the brand, he said. I dont know if itll survive in its current form. But Tupperware wont disappear completely.

Its iconic.
This fire truck drives near the area of a forest fire in Little Egg Harbor on Tuesday, March 7. Another blaze broke out in Little Egg Township on Saturday, April 15. Read more

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported a 1,607-acre wildfire Saturday in Bass River State Forest, the Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area, and the Warren Grove Bombing Range in Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County.

The service said the fire was detected at 10:17 a.m. from the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower. No residential structures were threatened, the service said, and evacuations were not required. Route 539 was closed from Warren Grove to Forge Road.

The service reported that the use of a helicopter was discontinued due to lightning in the area. It said at about 8:30 p.m. that the fire had been 60% contained.

 READ MORE: Hot times are here for the Philly region. Is nature skipping another season?

Earlier Saturday, firefighters in North Jersey battled a 972-acre wildfire in West Milford Township, Passaic County, which was brought under control. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, a wildfire tore through 3,859 acres in Ocean County and necessitated evacuations and road closures.

The wildfire season typically begins mid-March and continues through May as the weather warms up and fire conditions ripen.
Gov. Josh Shapiro during a Thursday press conference at the Finishing Trades Institute in Philadelphia, where he and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a partnership to form an interstate task force to address wage theft and worker misclassification in both their states. Read more

 Its headed to 75 and sunny, just how I like it.

We take a closer look at how Josh Shapiros governing Pennsylvania at this point in his tenure.

And faculty union leaders and administration at Rutgers University announced a framework for new contracts, with union leaders suspending their strike and returning to work.

If you or anyone you know needs someone to demystify the housing market for you this season, I recommend signing up for our real estate newsletter.

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If you see this  in todays newsletter, that means were highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

 Ashley Hoffman (@_AshleyHoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

 Now Im handing over the microphone to reporter Gillian McGoldrick:

Welcome to the honeymoon period. As Pennsylvanias new governor, Josh Shapiro has been traveling the state, pitching his first state budget and his vision for one of the nations most populous  and most politically divided  states. Hes extended olive branch after olive branch to Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvanias divided government, where theres a one-seat Democratic majority in the state House and a strong GOP majority in the Senate. Ive spent time with Pennsylvanias 48th governor over the last two months, observing him as Ive tried to capture the first portrait of who he is as a leader. Ive spoken with his current and former colleagues to find out: Were his campaign promises to work across the aisle bull?

The short answer is: no. Those close to him describe him as someone who, at his core, wants to solve problems and find common ground. Hes continuing to build his reputation as an ambitious pragmatist who has spent his entire career building up to this moment.

Few in Harrisburg will criticize the new governor just yet, as the Capitol brims with hope for the new administration. Read my story on Shapiros leadership style, the differences between him and former Gov. Tom Wolf, and more.

What you should know today

Pop quiz

What is not one of the four common technical aspects of poetry?

A) rhyme

B) imagery

C) flow

D) structure

Find out if you remember the answer.

 Unscramble the anagram 

The original name of the 1979 movie Beach House filmed in Ocean City.

Hint: A + Me + 

RDWTOHNESHOE

Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if youd like. Email us if you know the answer. Cheers to Bill Tirrill who correctly guessed Fridays answer: Frankford Hall.

Photo of the day

 For todays Sunday track, were listening to He hears the silence howling / catches angels as they fall

 Enjoy today. Im recommending Bolo for a very fun night out, and if the sun cooperates, Ill be enjoying The White Lotus vibes of Piazza Altas Aqua Foro rooftop pool.
"Two Degrees" author Alan Gratz chats with 14-year-old reader Calliope Price at the Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown on Saturday. Conservative school board members had successfully blocked the book from a reading program at a middle school in the Berks County community. Read more

KUTZTOWN, Pa.  If you ban it, they will come.

For the better part of an hour Saturday, dozens of teenagers and their parents snaked around the towering stacks of tomes inside Kutztowns Firefly Bookstore and sometimes spilled onto the sidewalks of this quaint Berks County college town  most of them clutching the book that conservatives on the local school board didnt want them to read.

Calliope Price, 14 and in the eighth grade, came out to meet Alan Gratz  author of the banned young-adult novel about climate change, Two Degrees  after hearing about the controversy and realizing that Gratz had also written her favorite book, which is called, ironically, Ban This Book. Holding her now-signed copy, she weighed in on Kutztown Area Middle School canceling a planned One School, One Book program amid conservative complaints a climate book would somehow scare or indoctrinate adolescents.

I think its really stupid, she said.

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Price has a good point. Right-wingers who thought theyd scored a victory by canceling the middle school program only ensured that more young folks in Berks County would actually read Two Degrees  a tale of teens dramatically fighting catastrophes brought on by climate change. They were helped by the progressive grassroots organization Red Wine & Blue, which raised money to buy 200 copies to give away to Kutztown youth. Gratz, whod long planned to come to Kutztown University for its annual conference on childrens literature, arranged to hold both afternoon and evening book signings to meet as many young fans as possible.

Saturday was the day that the book banners lost in Kutztown, a somewhat liberal-leaning borough surrounded by a political red sea of Trump voters where the left and the right are currently duking it out for control of the Kutztown Area school board. And it couldnt have come at a better time, when it seems that the culture warriors of the extreme right are waging war against not just books but freedom of thought, from coast to coast.

In Missouri, state House members took the radical step of cutting all state dollars for its 160 public libraries in a fit of pique over a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, which is challenging a state law forcing libraries in the Show-Me State to yank some 300 books over allegations they are sexually explicit. In Texas, Llano County officials backed down from their threat to shut down its library system after a judge ordered that 17 books be returned to the shelves, but battles around titles dealing with race, sexuality, and other topics are still raging in many jurisdictions. Especially in politically riven communities like Kutztown.

Now a top author like Tennessee-based Gratz  who has steadily climbed toward the top of the young-adult bestseller lists with his 19 books on hot-button subjects such as refugees, the Holocaust, and terrorism, an approach that he calls social thrillers  is finding himself on the front lines of a war that no one expected to see in America.

The reason Im writing these books is because kids are asking me to write about these topics, Gratz told me. We always want to say were trying to protect children by keeping these kind of things from them, but honestly the world is coming at kids faster than before. The kids have been going through active shooter drills since kindergarten and have also been exposed to debates over tough issues like racism at a young age. The world is coming at them, he said, and I hope that books like mine can give them a way of seeing whats happening in the world without having to experience it just yet.

 READ MORE: In Kutztown schools, the rights culture warriors block a book on climate change | Will Bunch

That was certainly the thinking behind his latest, Two Degrees, in which everyday teens cope with events such as floods and wildfires in a near future when the worlds temperature has risen 2 degrees due to greenhouse gas pollution. The implied message of a call to action around climate change, and Gratzs long-planned appearance at the local university, had inspired Kutztown Area Middle School to pick Two Degrees for its annual One Book, One School schoolwide reading program.

The books had already arrived when several conservative board members and parents leaned on the school to cancel the program. According to the Reading Eagle, one adult complained at a board meeting that a book about climate change might make kids feel guilty  and turn them against their parents.

The backlash was hardly unique, either nationally or in Pennsylvania  where several suburban districts have seen bitter clashes over whats in school libraries  or even in Kutztown, where school officials did retain the controversial book Gender Queer, but with a parental consent form, after a lengthy public debate. But the controversies in this college town about 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia have brought pushback in favor of free expression.

The 2022 fight over Gender Queer inspired local teen Joslyn Diffenbaugh, now a ninth grader, to launch the Kutztown Teen Banned Book Club, which garnered her a national free speech award. Diffenbaugh and a couple of her girlfriends were among the first in line Saturday, and club members returned in the evening for a discussion panel with Gratz.

I think its amazing that we have such a well-known author in our tiny town, and I think its amazing that we were able to get these books out to all the people who are here because that opportunity was unjustly taken away from kids in the middle school, Diffenbaugh told me. She said the students werent just supposed to get a free book but to have a conversation, and having conversations about books are so influential and helpful in education.

But right-wingers who thought they had banned a climate change book in Kutztown only made it more popular. Middle schoolers not only were allowed access to Two Degrees from the boxes that school officials had already opened before the One Book, One School cancellation, but many enjoyed the 200 free copies doled out by Red Wine & Blue.

Whats more, academic free speech is now the number one issue in a heated May 16 election that will determine the future direction of the Kutztown Area school board. Four of the five candidates from a group called KOFEE (Kutztown Organized for Educational Excellence) running on an Open Books, Open Minds platform were at the bookstore Saturday to show their support for Gratz and his teen readers.

Its just outrageous, one of those KOFEE candidates, Charles Brown, told me of the districts backdown on Two Degrees, one of the reasons he decided to run. Its not like a book, How To Make a Bomb or anything. ... To think that its propaganda  to me, the issue is that kids have to learn the difference between fact and fiction and how to judge something they read. Not ban books!

Not surprisingly, Browns slate is facing spirited opposition from a Republican ticket, the Concerned Citizens of KASD, whose platform calls for banning what it called critical race theory as well as diversity programs in the Kutztown schools, and which has been showing up at board meetings with signs like, We Do Not Co-Parent With the Government.

The battle is now joined. What happened this weekend in Kutztown shines a bright light on one of the most encouraging political trends of 2023, in which a radical minority of extremist book banners has awakened a sleeping giant: the vast no-longer-silent majority who still believes that absurd restrictions on exposing our young people to ideas are un-American.

In that Llano County, Texas, flap, officials ultimately backed down from their threat to close the library because of public pressure and national publicity. Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, over 150 kids at Perkiomen Valley High School, carrying signs like Teach Children the Truth, walked out of school to protest proposed book restrictions that are on hold.

The bad news might be this it cant happen here reality that America is even debating these restrictions on free speech in the 2020s, but the great news is that the book banners are often failing. And more voters need to know that your childs freedom to read a book, and to learn, is on the ballot in 2023 and especially in 2024.

Absolutely its a victory because its the people in the community who stood up and said were not going to let a few people speak for them, Gratz told me after signing dozens of books Saturday. I think that whats happening around the country is that a few loud people are making a stink and getting school boards and superintendents to back down because they dont want the trouble. And I think a lot of people are standing up and making good trouble.

 READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter
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With one month to go before the all-important Democratic primary, the Philadelphia mayors race remains wide open.

But the shape of the race has begun to clarify after last week, the most consequential of the campaign to date. Two major candidates dropped out, the Board of Ethics accused a front-runner of wrongdoing, and the first televised debate showed who is ready for primetime.

Those developments have helped illuminate paths to victory for the remaining serious contenders: former City Councilmembers Helen Gym, Cherelle Parker, and Allan Domb; ex-City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart; and ShopRite proprietor Jeff Brown.

Neil Oxman, a political consultant who has worked on nearly every mayoral race since 1979 but is unaffiliated in this one, called the campaign one of the most fascinating hes ever seen because of how competitive it still appears to be.

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Any one of the top five can still win right now, Oxman said.

There has been no independent, publicly available polling in the race, but private polls that have made the rounds in political circles have consistently shown that no candidate has separated from the pack. At the moment, the top five candidates each appear to be taking between 10% and 20% of the vote, and many voters remain undecided.

 READ MORE: Your no-nonsense guide to the 2023 primary elections

That could all change quickly depending on what happens with the more than $22 million and counting that has flowed into the campaigns and the political groups backing them  especially if more negative advertising appears.

Four of the top contenders have independent expenditure committees, or super PACs, ready to spend hefty sums on their behalf, and the fifth, Domb, has a personal fortune he has shown no compunction about tapping for his mayoral bid.

Can Jeff Brown bounce back?

Presidential elections have October surprises  game-changing developments, often of the scandalous variety, that come to light just weeks before voters head to the polls. For this Philly mayors race, it was an April surprise, and it came in the form of the Board of Ethics.

On Monday, the city agency tasked with enforcing campaign finance laws accused Brown of illegally coordinating with an outside spending group that has raised millions to boost his profile but is supposed to operate independently of his campaign.

 READ MORE: Sign up for the 100th Mayor, the Inquirer's mayoral race newsletter

The news broke the day before the first TV debate, allowing his rivals to tee off on Brown. He didnt make things any easier on himself by making a dismissive comment about Chester in response to a question about complaints of environmental racism  providing the first viral moment of the election.

Brown is also the only candidate so far who has been subjected to attack ads on TV. Thats thanks to Domb, a real estate magnate who has poured $7 million into his own campaign and stands to benefit if Brown loses support with white working-class voters in South and Northeast Philadelphia.

As if to resuscitate Browns campaign with those voters, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 on Thursday endorsed Brown, turning the Northeast  where many police officers and their families live  into a complicated battlefield that as many as four of the top candidates are making a play for.

Despite the endorsement, many political observers believe the events of the last week have done irreparable harm to Browns chances. Oxman said Brown, a first-time candidate who shot to the top tier of the race after being one of the first candidates with a significant TV presence, has probably peaked.

Sam Katz, a documentarian who ran for mayor three times, said Brown is out of it.

Ive never seen anybody pull as many unforced errors on their own as Brown, Katz said.

 READ MORE: How Jeff Browns three bad days could shape the Philly mayors race

George R. Burrell, a former City Councilmember who unsuccessfully ran for mayor, said Brown was obviously hurt by the news of the ethics probe. But Burrell said Brown could bounce back, citing his strong message as an outsider at a time when many feel disillusioned with the state of the city.

Jeff Brown hasnt collapsed, he said, but hes at least made himself vulnerable.

For Brown, a lot could depend on what happens in the court case over his alleged coordination with For a Better Philadelphia, the super PAC backing him. The ethics boards lawsuit will be heard on April 24, and Common Pleas Court Judge Joshua Roberts said he intends to make a decision that day.

Rhynhart and Gym are fighting for votes

Gym, a leader of the citys progressive movement who helped push Council to the left in her two terms, has long been considered a front-runner thanks to her loyal and passionate following among young voters in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Her most likely opportunity for growth beyond that bloc is relatively older, liberal voters in Center City and Northwest Philadelphia. But she appears to have hit a roadblock: Rhynhart, the former controller.

Joseph P. McLaughlin, a City Hall veteran and former director of Temple Universitys Institute for Public Affairs, said Rhynhart has surpassed his expectations, noting she collected the most signatures on her nomination petitions, has been endorsed by two former mayors, and has the backing of several high-turnout wards in Center City.

She has more grassroots support than I would have imagined when we started, McLaughlin said.

Alan Butkovitz, a ward leader who is supporting Parker, agreed that Rhynhart could cut into Gyms support, saying the early expectation was that Gym would be overwhelmingly strong in Center City.

Now its clear that Rhynhart is pulling predominant support in some sections, said Butkovitz, a former controller who lost to Rhynhart in 2017. That tracks this ideological divide. Rhynhart is a more business [candidate], and Gym is a more leftist candidate. But theres some crossover.

Still, Gym remains strongly positioned. She was endorsed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and is backed by a coalition of well-organized progressive groups. Among them is the Working Families Party, which has teamed up with four other organizations to knock on about 300,000 doors to boost Gym.

Barring another major surprise, Oxman said Gyms fervid base may be enough to lift her to victory.

There are some data to back up how loyal Gyms supporters are. An Inquirer analysis of campaign-finance records found that, of all the candidates, Gyms donor base has been most unique  the vast majority did not contribute to other candidates. For example, of Dombs donors, about 15% also donated to at least one of his rivals. Only 5% of Gyms did the same.

And other candidates appear to be testing attacks on Gym. One day after Browns stumbles at the debate, several took notably aggressive postures toward her at a forum.

Shes got a hard base, Oxman said of Gym. The question is, if someone attacks Helen, does her base move, or are they too committed to her?

Parker has a clear path

By any measure, Parker had a good week.

Former Councilmember Derek Green dropped out of the race, making Parker the only remaining top candidate who is Black. The bad news for Brown, who made significant efforts to appeal to Black voters, is likely good news for Parker. Council President Darrell L. Clarke announced he is supporting her, the latest in a string of endorsements from top Black elected officials in the city.

And on Friday, she was endorsed by The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, another sign that she has momentum. McLaughlin said the groups backing is very significant and may make Parker the favorite.

But there are doubts about whether Black voters, often the most important voting bloc in city politics, will turn out in the same numbers this year. About 42% of Black voters remain undecided, according to a recent poll reported by the Philadelphia Tribune.

Burrell said a high percentage of undecided Black voters could be a problem for Cherelle because they have not attached to her, adding that it could be an indicator of potentially low turnout.

Cherelle relies on the fact that she will be the only Black candidate on the stage, but right now, today, no one is speaking to the community, he said. This is a frustration for the Black community. Nobody is challenging the white business community on their responsibility to address Black poverty, Black wealth, and Black employment.

Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., who has endorsed Parker, said it is no longer the case that Philadelphians automatically vote along racial lines.

Philadelphias electorate has gotten beyond that kind of definition of how they predictably will vote, Jones said.

He pointed to Mayor Jim Kenney, who is white but won over large numbers of Black voters in his 2015 win over State Sen. Tony Williams, who is Black. Conversely, former Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who is Black, won the 2007 race over white businessman Tom Knox with significant support in white neighborhoods.

But Jones said Parker will win over Black voters thanks to her message and to endorsements from well-known elected officials such as Clarke. He expects the field to continue to consolidate.

People that are running for office have to make an assessment: Do I have a path? Jones said. I think this bodes well for Cherelle Parker.

Inquirer staff writers Julia Terruso and Aseem Shukla contributed to this article.
On an unusually warm morning in late March, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros convoy of black SUVs followed a winding gravel road down to a ninth-generation family farm in Lancaster County.

He had a message to deliver, in concert with top Republican lawmaker Sen. Scott Martin, who also ran for governor last year, about how the state is responding to one of the worst avian flus in decades. One of the most conservative lawmakers in the state House, Rep. David Zimmerman, joined them.

This is how government is supposed to work, Shapiro said, standing in front of a small tractor and a few stacked hay bales while a few cows grazed on the early spring grass nearby.

Shapiro, 49, has earned a national reputation as an ambitious pragmatist, after a landslide victory last year. Leaders from both political parties describe him as one of the most qualified and politically savvy governors the state has ever had. Every step in his career led him to the governorship  and could keep leading him higher up the political ladder.

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Hes taken the wheel in Pennsylvania with opportunities that his predecessor, fellow Democrat Tom Wolf, never had. Now he has to figure out how to execute his bipartisan promises.

The Inquirer spoke with some of Shapiros current and former colleagues for this portrait of the governor, as he tries to bring one of the nations most populous states  and the most politically divided  to a new future.

Across political parties, those who have worked with Shapiro over his career describe him as someone who at his core wants to solve problems and find common ground.

If you try to romanticize it, when you look up in the sky and see a billion stars up there, [Shapiro has] always been the one whos been able to connect them, said Lee Soltysiak, the chief operating officer of Montgomery County, who first worked with Shapiro in former U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffels office.

I think that youd be hard-pressed to find anyone who has trained better during their adult life to hold the position of governor, said Bruce Castor, a former Republican Montgomery County commissioner who later defended former President Donald Trump at his second impeachment trial.

As Shapiro approaches his 100th day in office, few in Harrisburg will criticize him (though many said his $44 billion budget proposal was too pricey). For now, hes still enjoying a honeymoon period during which the state Capitol is brimming with hope for compromise.

He worked at it

Those close to Shapiro say theyve known he would be governor since first working with him. The former state attorney general was angling to succeed Wolf, from the time Wolf began his second term in 2018, many in Harrisburg recall.

He got there because he worked at it, Castor said. I thought he would be [governor] if he wanted to be. He was as good of an administrator in that commissioners role as Id ever seen. I thought he was a better commissioner than me.

Now in the governors office, theres is a photo on his desk of his family  his wife, daughter, and three sons  in front of the governors mansion, a 30,000 square-foot home on the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg. The photo was taken when Wolf was still governor and he invited the Shapiro family to visit.

Shapiros family now lives in the mansion. (Wolf chose not to live there and stayed at his familys home in Mount Wolf, York County, for the entirety of his governorship.)

Despite the grandeur of the office in the state Capitol building, Shapiro is comfortable. Hed been in office for only a month when The Inquirer sat down with him, but his understated confidence made it seem as if hed been there for much longer. Several portraits gaze at him at his desk: William Penn looking at him straight ahead, Benjamin Franklin to his right, and a number of Pennsylvanias 47 other governors around the room and out the door.

If a man fills his office with the things that represent his values, hes surrounded by photos of family, a union-made metal American flag, a framed photo of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes front page following the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018.

Another core view for Shapiro: He views Pennsylvanias residents as customers  and believes that state government should respond to residents needs, Soltysiak said.

Those small, early wins in identifying things that should be better, showing your team and our constituents that government can change for the better  thats a credibility that gives you the traction to climb your way up the ladder to the harder-to-change issues, Soltysiak added.

Shapiros administration includes a Republican legislative liaison and a Republican nominee for secretary of state. In his first executive action as governor, Shapiro removed college degree requirements for most state government jobs, pleasing the states business community and Republican lawmakers. Olive branch, after olive branch.

As he travels the state, he invites local lawmakers, no matter their party. For example, when Shapiro appeared with Gov. Phil Murphy in Northeast Philadelphia last week, Rep. Martina White (R., Philadelphia) attended the event.

An early test

Just two weeks into his administration, Shapiro got his first 3 a.m. call.

A train carrying toxic chemicals had derailed in Ohio, just near the Pennsylvania border. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection called to alert him of the derailment, which included one car filled with vinyl chloride.

That one car turned into 11.

And that dangerous toxic chemical turned into multiple hazardous materials that mixed together  eventually requiring some residents in Beaver County to evacuate while the rail company slowly released the toxins into the air to prevent an explosion.

Shapiro has since been working on a unified response with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, taking calls from President Joe Biden and being focused like a laser beam on residents of Western Beaver County.

Disasters can be defining moments for governors: Hurricane Sandy for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, or COVID-19 for Wolf. Its too early to say how this will define Shapiro, but he acknowledged its already been a proving ground.

We were tested; I was tested as a governor, Shapiro told The Inquirer in February, just after he got back from visiting the crash site.

Shapiro spent most of his time as state attorney general pursuing corporations taking advantage of Pennsylvania residents. Now hes using his background as the states top prosecutor to make demands of rail company Norfolk Southern. So far, the administration has collected $7 million for the area  what Shapiro called a starting point.

Since the derailment, the Shapiro administration has been attentive and helpful to those affected, said state Rep. Jim Marshall (R., Beaver), who represents the area.

I expected Gov. Shapiro to do well, and hes probably exceeded my expectations already, he said. Governor Shapiros style and tone are on target with what the governors office should do.

Marshall told Shapiro that first responders needed more equipment, and that Darlington Township residents didnt want to have to go to Ohio to receive services. Hes been able to text Shapiros legislative liaison, former Republican Rep. Mike Vereb, to get the areas resource center open longer.

And he did it, Marshall said.

Martin, a Republican from Lancaster County and the top leader of the Senate Appropriations committee, said its refreshing to work with Shapiros administration after several frustrating years with Wolfs administration.

In the past, we would reach out, and we would get no response [from the Wolf administration], no willingness to engage on these things, Martin added. Maybe thats the beauty of why the executive branch is set up the way it is. Eight years can be a long time, and sometimes things go stale. You need a new leadership style or willingness to potentially compromise on certain issues. I see a lot of hope.

That doesnt mean Shapiros without criticism from Republicans: Martin noted GOP lawmakers wont budge on a number of issues: energy policy, tax increases, school choice, and maintaining the states rainy day reserve fund.

Thats the heart of the challenge ahead. Shapiro will need to navigate a split legislature with a one-seat Democratic House majority and a strong GOP Senate majority.

But theres hope from Republicans and Democrats alike.

On all these topics, I think theres definitely an appetite from what Ive seen from all parties, to really engage in the discussion, trying to find common ground, Martin added.

A different style

Wolf and Shapiro dont differ much politically. Both portray themselves as moderate Democrats willing to work across the aisle.

But how they got to the top spot  and the state of Pennsylvanias finances once they got there  couldnt be more different.

Wolf, a businessman with a doctorate in political science who self-funded his first campaign, had never held elected office before. He entered the governorship with a massive budget deficit, and his first budget proposal led to a nine-month impasse with the GOP-controlled General Assembly.

Shapiro, in contrast, rose through the ranks as a state lawmaker to a county commissioner of one of the most populous counties to state attorney general. Pennsylvanias coffers are overflowing, with $5 billion in the states rainy day fund after years of federal COVID-19 relief money and better-than-projected revenues. Hell have an  albeit, one seat  Democratic majority in the state House for the first time in Pennsylvania in 12 years.

How they interact with the General Assembly also differs: Wolf often made grandiose budget proposals, seeing what might stick. In his last budget, he proposed a $1 billion increase to the states K-12 education funding.

Shapiro said thats not his style.

My focus is more on finding ways to bring people together and find that common ground, while staying true to your principles, Shapiro added.

His budget proposal embodied that delicate dance. Shapiro avoided controversial topics like legalizing recreational marijuana and school choice and focused on pleas to top lawmakers to negotiate.

Berwood Yost, a government professor and the executive director of Franklin & Marshalls College Poll, said this is what voters want. The colleges poll has shown for years voters are increasingly concerned about the partisan divide and want it bridged.

Voters want things to get done, he said.
More people than ever are embracing the fresh air and recreational pull of forest walks, mountain hikes and other outdoor activities.

Most people keep their dogs under control, take home their rubbish, close any gates they open, quench picnic fires, and take away any rubbish they create.

But the same cant be said for a minority of visitors who carelessly leave behind plastic bottles, food cartons and littered papers.

Their actions can sometimes lead to sheep being worried by dogs, or a gorse or forest fire spreading from a discarded cigarette end or a BBQ fire not fully extinguished.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue recently told the Dail that wildfire ignitions occur from a variety of sources, not just agriculture.

Many recent fires have occurred on land with no associated agricultural activity. They include bogs and public sites with open access used by the people for recreation.

Fires associated with illegal dumping on bogland are a particular problem. In 2020, some of the largest and most problematic fires resulted from recreational land user activities, he said.

Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association vice president Pheilim Molloy recently sought new legislation around dog control, plus the provision of an education programme and public indemnity.

The call was based on a survey of members which showed a real concern relating to the threat posed to farmers and their livestock by walkers bringing dogs onto hills and farmlands.

He said the INHFA was asking Oireachtas members to legislate and ensure that all non-working dogs are banned from hills and farmlands.

While this may seem drastic to some people, it would remove any ambiguity about access with dogs and challenge the minority who either do not understand or are unwilling to respect the landowners property and livelihood rights, he said.

The INHFA is also calling for legislation requiring anyone accessing property for recreational purposes to have private and public liability insurance.

Mr Molloy said the unregulated encouragement of public access "adds to the risk of farms as workplaces in a manner that would not be tolerated under health and safety requirements in other industries.

He said they were seeing regular reports of fences broken, stock injured, and in some cases, wildfires being caused by wild camping that has undermined Common Agricultural Policy payments to farmers.

Mr Molloy said the INHFA is also looking for public support to increase awareness around land ownership.

Its policy paper highlights a widespread ignorance of farming practices and ownership that many recreational users do not seem to appreciate.

Mr Molloy said there is a need for recreational users to understand that they are entering a place of work and livelihood when they walk on farmland.

Access to hills should not be seen as a public right. Where farmers are willing to facilitate such access, due respect, including the absence of dogs, is vital.

We must also recognise that there are landowners that dont want people on their property, and this right must also be respected, he said.

Meanwhile, illegal dumping and fly-tipping in the countryside, including bogland, is another problem being linked to recreational land user activities.

Washing machines, fridge freezers, household waste, including black sacks with food, nappies, cans and bottles, tyres, beds, sofas, household furniture and building rubble have all been found dumped in recent years.

Coillte has spent almost 2m in removing dumped waste from its forests over the past five years.

This material is often discarded at forest entrances or along the forest boundaries, which makes it unsightly for visitors.

Illegal dumping causes serious damage to habitats and biodiversity, and pollutes soils, rivers and drinking waters.

Coillte says it takes the issue of illegal dumping extremely seriously and works closely with the Gardai and the local councils to ensure offenders are prosecuted.

In known blackspot areas, it has increased surveillance by deploying remote cameras to monitor illegal activity and to help seek prosecutions.

PURE, an environmental project, has meanwhile made huge progress in combatting illegal dumping and fly-tipping in the scenic uplands of Wicklow and Dublin.

Ian Davis, Pure manager, said most regions in Ireland are reporting an increase in illegal dumping, but its initiative, the first of its kind in Ireland, is seeing a decrease.

It encourages local rural groups to adopt a mile or miles of road for litter picks, clean-ups, anti-dumping campaigns and other activities. These have resulted in the removal of over 4,000 bags of litter and rubbish.

Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton recently called in the Dail for an unrelenting national awareness campaign.

It is a national blight, and it is polluting our rivers, seas, streams, and land. It is unsightly, toxic, and dangerous, and it needs to be stopped, he said.
They argue that the sites in Philippi, Mfuleni and the Culemborg Safe Space are not reasonable housing options

The City of Cape Town is seeking an eviction order against 29 people occupying municipal land in Observatory.

The property was formerly leased to the South African National Circus School whose owner had unlawfully sublet the property. The circus's lease was terminated in 2017.

The City offered the occupiers alternative accommodation in Philippi, Mfuleni, or the Culemborg Safe Space.

The group refused these offers, stating several reasons including that those areas were far from work and could be dangerous for the occupants.

The City of Cape Town has offered to relocate a group of people living on property formerly leased to the South African National Circus School in Observatory to sites in Philippi, Mfuleni or its Culemborg Safe Space shelter at the Foreshore.

This was revealed in the City's court application for an eviction order against the group of 29 occupants at the Cape Town regional court on Thursday. But the group, who call themselves the Willow Arts Collective (WAC), rejected these offers.

Some of them initially moved onto the premises in 2016 when the circus founder unlawfully sublet the property, which is owned by the City. The circus's lease was terminated in 2017.

GroundUp reported that the residents have since started growing vegetables to feed themselves and surrounding soup kitchens and create art on the property.

The City initially approached the court for an eviction order in September 2019. Before the order could be granted, the City had to compile a report on the occupants' personal circumstances and engage with them to find alternatives to eviction.

In July 2021, the group lost a bid to have some details of the City's housing report excluded from the court record. The housing report was completed in June 2020, but the court gave the occupants about a week after the July 2021 hearing to respond to the report.

This week, the City has also offered to provide housing kits to members of the Willow Arts Collective if private landowners give them permission to erect structures on their land. So far no private landowners have volunteered to house them despite calls on social media and earlier support from civic groups and residents of Observatory.

The City, represented by advocate Bronwyn Wharton, argued that the property, which was to be used as an extension of the Hartleyvale sporting complex for public use, had been "hijacked" by the WAC.

Responding to the group's rejection of the proposed alternative accommodation offers, Wharton said that the City was not obligated to provide accommodation at a specific location. The occupiers could not determine where they should be moved.

One of the group's arguments against being relocated to Kampies in Philippi or Bosasa in Mfuleni, was the distance these areas are from Observatory - where they made a living.

In response to this, Wharton told the court that most of the occupants had declined to provide their personal details in questionnaires which formed part of the City's housing report. This meant there was no way of determining how dependent the occupants were on being in, or close to, Observatory.

She argued that the Culemborg Safe Space is an acceptable alternative because it is relatively close to Observatory and was suitable as there is only one couple among the occupants.

She argued the occupiers could not be deemed a collective as 16 of the original members had since left, with new people moving onto the land to take their place.

The court, she said, was not required to specify what temporary accommodation must be made available, only to direct the City to provide it. The occupiers' preference as to where they want to live was no basis for the court to refuse an eviction order, she said.

Advocate Jonty Cogger from Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre is representing the Willow Arts Collective. He challenges the City's basis for bringing the eviction application, which he said was due to complaints by a handful of residents making sweeping statements about litter and crime.

Cogger argued that the occupants were supported by a much larger cohort of Observatory residents through community organisations.

In response to the City's assertion that the land would be used for sporting purposes, Cogger argued that there already existed a plethora of sport and recreation facilities in the area.

He said when members of the WAC visited the site in Philippi, residents there warned them that it was dangerous, and that they were "constantly being attacked and robbed by other residents and police don't come to help". He added that one of the few employed occupants would have to spend his entire salary to commute to and from work. Those who were unemployed had little chance of finding employment in Philippi, he said.

Cogger said that Bosasa in Mfuleni was even further from Observatory and had a very real threat of xenophobic violence should the occupiers, many of whom are foreign nationals, be moved there.

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He said during the site visit there, they had to flee the area after some members who split off to buy refreshments at a spaza shop were threatened.

Cogger said the Culemborg Safe Space was also unacceptable because it would not be a permanent solution as they would need to vacate during the day with their belongings and would only be allowed to stay there for up to six months.

He asked that if the court found it just and equitable to issue an eviction order, that it suspend the execution of the order until the City can provide suitable alternative accommodation close to Observatory.

Judgment was reserved.

Outside court, WAC member Glynnis Bentham, who works for Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said she would become homeless if evicted.

Bentham said she could not afford to travel from Mfuleni or Philippi to her work, and would rather be on the street than at the Culemborg Safe Space. She earns R9,000 a month and helps to support ten grandchildren.
I grew up in a small town on the edge of Belfast where my father had a pub. We belonged to a fairly small Catholic community that made up about 10%.

When I was 12, my family left the North and moved to the south. There were multiple bomb attacks on our family pub, one in 73 and one in 74.

A few doors up the road from our house was a pair of sisters. One of my earliest memories is being in their house eating pink wafer biscuits in the living room. I dont know how I ended up there. It wasnt until later that I realised they were watching my mother running up and down the street looking for me. My mother was really upset. At some point, they opened the front door and I went back out.

I dont think Im any different now than I ever was. There has been a lot of happenstance or luck in me becoming a writer. Leaving the North did something to my relationship with language that didnt mean anything until I started writing  and that happened very late. I literally hadnt written anything until I was 47 and Im 55 now.

Leaving the North made me an outsider wherever I go. If you are someone who never quite belongs in the place where you find yourself, you see things in a different way.

When we were children, if we were hurt and started whinging, we didnt get any attention. But if we were funny or entertaining, we got a lot of attention for that. That expectation  in some way  led to my storytelling.

Ive had cancer a couple of times in the last few years. Im still in treatment, but these have really been the best years of my life.

My teens in school were miserable. Secondary school can be a very deadening time for your intellect and your soul. I got a lot of praise for that sort of thing (storytelling) and in my childhood, that was certainly something I was very proud of.

My friend Una Mannion is the one I always turn to. If I have doubts about anything, whether its advice, writing or anything, I always run it past her.

My sister Joanne has been amazing. Shes driven across the country with food, shell hoover around the place and shes brought me to appointments.

The life lesson I would pass on is that its unreasonable to expect 17 or 18-year-olds to know exactly what theyre going to do with the rest of their lives. I did a social science degree when I finished school and presumed Id be a social worker, but I wasnt right for that.

I learned to cook and I spent nearly 30 years working in restaurants. My last shift in a restaurant was about five years ago.

I went to college at 48 to Queens to do a masters and I stayed on to do a PhD. The greatest advice Ive been given was that its never too late and Id like to pass that on to young people.

Ive only learned recently to have gratitude. I never thought Id be a person like that. I always thought Id be a bit negative but it seems not.

Its no harm to have lived a bit as well. I read a collection of short stories last year and the author was 80. Im absolutely not disrespecting young people who can write, but it just didnt occur to me.

Id like to be remembered as someone who told the truth. And I try not to be an asshole; I try.

I really wish I had gotten over my anxiety earlier.

Ive gotten better at that because of writing  it started off with reading my work in my writers group to a small number of people.

Im mortified at the condition weve left the world in for future generations. I try not to waste things, but thats just not enough.

My greatest quality is making other people feel comfortable.

Cooking is my greatest skill. I cook Lebanese food because I lived in Beirut for about two and a half years in the 90s.

The kindness of people really surprises me. Last year when I was sick, people who I thought wouldnt have noticed or cared that I wasnt well were really lovely.

The safety of my children preoccupies my mind more than most things. For their generation, theyve had no peace from the internet. They have some perspective but its something that still worries me because they understand technology way better than I do.

I worry about their immediate safety too. If my son is on a night out  if he is going to be assaulted or if my daughter comes home alone one night. I always say: Dont buy fast food after midnight.

In lots of ways, my life really hasnt changed that much. Im in the kitchen now and its freezing because I dont want to put the heating on.

If I went down a different fork in the road, I may have lived a very quiet life. Thats not to say its all been rock and roll but if Id gone teaching, I might have gotten bored very quickly.

If I didnt go to Beirut, I might not have gotten the confidence to open up my own restaurant when I got back. That really opened up the world to me.

Louise Kennedy and Anne Enright will be in conversation with Glenn Patterson at the final event of Cuirt International Festival of Literature on Saturday, April 23 in Galway Town Hall Theatre. cuirt.ie
Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Good Friday Agreement as he enters a second week of events to mark 25 years of the peace deal.

After meeting Joe Biden during the US presidents brief visit to Northern Ireland last week, Mr Sunak will return to Belfast on Wednesday to give a speech at a major conference and host a gala dinner that will include young volunteers.

A number of events have been taking place in the region to commemorate the 1998 agreement, which largely led to the end of the 30-year Troubles and established the powersharing Assembly at Stormont.

The institutions are currently suspended as part of a protest by the Democratic Unionist Party against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Mr Sunak will meet key architects of the Good Friday Agreement and representatives from Ireland and the US during his visit  his fifth to Northern Ireland since taking office.

Queens Universitys three-day Agreement 25 conference, starting on Monday, will also feature speeches by former British prime minister Tony Blair and former US senator George Mitchell.

It will be hosted by former US secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton, with attendees including Bill Clinton, US president in 1998; and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak met over tea at a hotel in Belfast city centre last week (PA)

Mr Sunak said: This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today  those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.

The events in the coming days will focus on the peace, prosperity and economic opportunity the Good Friday Agreement brought to Northern Ireland, Downing Street said.

Last week, Mr Biden delivered a speech at Ulster University in which he expressed hope for a return to powersharing, saying a stable devolved government could deliver an economic windfall for the region.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has urged the DUP to reach a compromise to restore Stormont powersharing as he praised British prime minister Rishi Sunaks efforts to break the impasse over post-Brexit trade.

Mr Ahern said it was not tenable or sustainable for the party to stick rigidly to the same position.

The former taoiseach commended Mr Sunaks attempts to secure a return to devolution as he said Ireland had experienced great difficulty in its dealings with former prime minister Boris Johnson during the Brexit process.

The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain.

Bertie Ahern commended Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks efforts over the powersharing impasse (Phil Noble/PA)

The barriers were first introduced under the Withdrawal Agreements contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.

The UK and EU have agreed the new Windsor 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.

It has opposed the framework at Westminster and has made clear its boycott of Stormont will continue until it secures further assurances over its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland.

Asked in an interview with Sky News what his message to the current DUP leadership would be, Mr Ahern said past unionist political leaders in Northern Ireland, such as the late David Trimble and Ian Paisley and also Peter Robinson, had shown a willingness to compromise to make progress.

You do not make much progress in politics if you dont do that, he said.

And I think we have to get away from, you know, this is the position and no other position is satisfactory, its not tenable or sustainable. And its not in the interests of the people in Northern Ireland, there are huge issues in Northern Ireland as there is everywhere else.

Mr Ahern said the Windsor Framework nearly solves the issues standing in the way of a return to powersharing.

There seems to be a few outstanding ones that have to be resolved, he added.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (PA)

The former Fianna Fail leader contrasted Mr Sunaks approach with that taken by Mr Johnson.

To be honest, it doesnt really matter to me who the prime minister of the United Kingdom is, thats a matter for the United Kingdom, but you will appreciate that we found it very difficult to deal with Boris, he said.

He seems to be a very colourful guy and a very nice guy but, you know, we had the trouble with the backstop, we had trouble with the protocol, we had a lot of trouble with Brexit in the first place.

Quite frankly, I dont think we would have had the institutions in Northern Ireland down on and off for the last six or seven years if it hadnt been for Brexit and its caused us untold difficulties and problems.

But we try in Ireland to live in the future and we try and get on with things and, you know, I think what we now need to do is Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister, he has really done a good job in our estimation here in the last six months, he has invigorated the efforts to get everything working in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ahern referred to Mr Sunaks attendance last November at the British Irish Council  one of the east/west bodies established by the Good Friday Agreement.

He said it was quite odd that prior to that engagement a British prime minister had not attended such a meeting in 15 years.

Mr Ahern said that level of engagement is what he believed US president Joe Biden was referring to last week when he said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish government to support the people of Northern Ireland.
A fuel delivery driver was killed in a freak accident after falling into an underground diesel tank on the forecourt of a filling station two years ago, an inquest has heard.

Robbie Slye. 64, died from injuries sustained during the incident at Tuites garage on Cavan Road, Oldcastle, Co Meath on April 6, 2021.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court heard that the father of four from Clonshaugh, Co Dublin, who worked for Capital Oil, was in the process of opening a manhole to access an underground diesel tank at around 12.30pm when he slumped headfirst into the chamber from a kneeling position.

Although he was rescued from the tank within a minute and subsequently transported by air ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital, he was pronounced dead later that night at 10.30pm The owner of the garage, John Tuite, outlined in evidence how he became aware of the accident when he noticed Mr Slyes legs sticking out of a manhole in the forecourt.

Mr Tuite said he called out for assistance from other workers at the garage and they managed to pull the delivery driver out of the hole.

The witness recalled that Mr Slye was limp and blue and unresponsive. He also described how a small amount of liquid had come out of the victims nose and mouth.

However, Mr Tuite said Mr Slye started to breathe again after CPR had been carried out on him.

He was looking good and appeared to be doing well, said Mr Tuite.

The inquest heard that CCTV footage which captured the incident showed Mr Slye had been in the hole for 40 seconds before he had been spotted by Mr Tuite and he was pulled out within a minute of falling in.

In response to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, the witness said he had never experienced such an event in a lifetime of operating the service station.

Mr Tuite said the underground diesel tank was in use all the time with deliveries being made every 7 to 10 days.

He said Mr Slye, who regularly delivered fuel to his garage, had already spent half an hour filling other tanks on the day without incident.

Another man who helped in rescuing the driver, said Mr Tuites head had been fully immersed under black water in the chamber.

The inquest heard the chamber was about three feet deep with around one foot filled with water with a film of diesel on top.

A firefighter who happened to be passing the garage, Nicky Brunton, said the victim initially had no pulse but started to breathe again without ever regaining consciousness.

HSA investigation

An inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, Stephen McGarry, who investigated the circumstances of Mr Slyes death, said the underground tank was of standard construction and design dating from 1937.

Mr McGarry said the driver had already carried out 11 deliveries to Tuites garage in the preceding 12 months.

The HSA inspector said that although it was undesirable to have water in the chamber accessing the diesel tank, it was almost impossible to avoid given the Irish weather and the prevalence of rainwater and run-off, even with newer, more modern tanks.

He told Dr Keane that he had never come across a similar incident in some 21 years working with the HSA.

Mr McGarry said safety guidelines around fuel tanks at forecourts were more focused on petrol as it was more highly flammable than diesel.

In response to the concern of members of Mr Slyes family about the volume of diesel that might have been present in the chamber, the HSA inspector said he believed there would only be a small amount of fuel which would arise from the coupling and uncoupling of a pipe used to fill the tank.

Mr McGarry said he believed it was unlikely that the victim could have been overcome by diesel fumes as he was not operating in an environment where there would have been dense fuel vapours to have made him deficient in oxygen.

He acknowledged that the type of incident which occurred had not been foreseeable and had not been the subject of any risk assessment by the HSA. He remarked:

It would be very difficult to legislate for what happened.

The inquest heard that responsibility for inspection of forecourts had passed in recent years from the HSA to the fire officers of local authorities.

The inquest heard that the HSA concluded no prosecution was warranted as there had been no breach of any health and safety regulations.

Several relatives of Mr Slye claimed that he would not have ingested any fuel if there had been no liquid in the chamber or if a safety cage had been fitted to prevent him from falling into it.

The victims son, Eamonn Slye, who also worked with Capital Oil like his father, said they wanted to ensure that measures were taken that could save another persons life in similar circumstances.

He told the coroner he had spoken to his father on the phone about 20 minutes before the fatal accident.

Mr Slye said his father, who suffered from asthma, was fine and had gone back to work after having earlier attended the Mater Hospital in Dublin for a covid vaccination.

Post-mortem results showed Mr Slye died as a result of multi-organ failure which was most likely due to exposure to diesel.

A jury of five women and one man returned a verdict of accidental death.

Dr Keane endorsed a recommendation made by the jury that consideration be given to installing a safety grid to the access chamber of underground fuel tanks where possible which could be removed for cleaning, access and maintenance and which could be relocked into position on completion of such work.
Hundreds of people have joined Charlie Bird as part of his Hand of Friendship Walk in aid of Samaritans and to raise awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).

The veteran broadcaster, who was diagnosed with MND in 2021, organised the walk at Avondale Forest Park, Wicklow, and was joined by wife Claire and their dog Tiger as well as volunteers and supporters.

Mr Bird has vowed to continue his work raising awareness of Samaritans' work as long as he is "mobile and alive".

His latest charitable adventure follows the Climb with Charlie event that took place in 2021 when he and others climbed Croagh Patrick to raise money for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.

"Instead of Charlie shutting down shop, not leaving the house, he decided he was going to do something good with the horrors of having MND," said his wife Claire today, in reference to the climb that raised 36m for charity.

Charlie Bird & his wife Claire before leading the 5km walk. Picture: Fergal Phillips

"He decided after that, he wanted to continue working for a charity and he chose Samaritans  and they're an amazing charity.

He's an absolute inspiration, not just to you, but to me as his wife.

His courage, his resilience, he's unbelievable and we want to continue working for charities.

"So today, this is an amazing day to be here for Samaritans.

While Mr Bird led a 5km walk in Wicklow, Samaritans volunteers and members of the public went on walks simultaneously in Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon; Curraghbinny Woods, Cork; and at Ard na Gaoithe, on the Galway/Mayo border.

A commemorative tree was planted at each site before the walk and a special message from Mr Bird was played to volunteers, supporters, and members of the public.

Picture: Fergal Phillips

He told supporters in Wicklow that after the success of Climb with Charlie last year he had made a promise to support another charity, and Samaritans came into his head.

During my working career I knew of six people who died by suicide, and I just wanted to raise awareness of the incredible work they [Samaritans] do, he said.

Samaritans' volunteers are there to help people in dark places, 24 [hours] a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

They are there at the end of their freephone line with what I call their friendly non-judgmental ear.

The truth is none of us know what might be around the corner of our lives.

Charlie Bird before leading the walk. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Dublin Samaritans volunteer branch director Anne Vaughan praised Charlie, Claire, and Tiger as "some team".

Last year, Charlie extended the Hand of Friendship to us in Dublin and said from the beginning that he wished to do so for all Samaritans, and today is that day," she said.

To reach out and give your own precious time to others and raise awareness of Samaritans is a wonderful gift to all of us and we are very grateful. We will always remember with great warmth your hand of friendship, Charlie.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
Warnings that cannabis is increasingly being adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids, boosting potency and potentially leading to grave health impacts, were made at the first Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use.

Eleven EU member states have detected adulterated samples of the drug since 2020, with both fatal and non-fatal outcomes, Dr Eoghan Quigley of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), said.

Cannabis remains Irelands and Europes most popular drug with an estimated 15.5% of people aged 15-34 (15m people) reporting using cannabis in the last year. The drug is responsible for some 80,000 people accessing drug treatment in Europe, Dr Quigley said.

Drug markets

Innovation in the drug market is now driving high availability and greater diversity of substances  including through synthetic drug production and new trafficking routes.

Drug supply and use began to bounce back after the pandemic disruption, with increasing residues of drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine found in wastewater analysis between 2020 and 2021.

And while darknet drug markets have seen signs of decline, generating 30,000 per day in 2021 rather than 1m per day in 2020, overall digitisation of the drug market may have increased, with dealing now common through messaging apps and social media.

Dr Quigley also raised concerns about a potential increase in the use of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, in Europe, as the continent is now a major producer of the drug and record amounts of methamphetamine have been seized on the main heroin trafficking routes towards Europe from Afghanistan, as production of the drug has increased there.

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use held its first meetings this weekend, where 100 members were told that drug policy could include options from depenalisation, decriminalisation, to full legalisation.

The Assembly will make recommendations on Irelands drug policy later this year to the Oireachtas.

A significant increase in the number of women, particularly young women, taking cocaine was noted by the HSEs national clinical lead for addiction services, Prof Eamon Keenan.

Cocaine use

And the number of people presenting for cocaine treatment has tripled in the last six years, with 34% of those people in employment.

From an Irish point of view, our rates of cocaine use are increasing across all age groups  2.3 in 2019, up from 1.1%, said Prof Keenan.

HSEs national clinical lead for addiction services, Prof Eamon Keenan. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

He also noted a steady increase in drug hospitalisations over recent years.

While the number of people using opioids was stabilising in Ireland, cocaine and cannabis presentation was increasing, he said.

A drug testing and monitoring programme piloted at Electric Picnic last year proved a useful intervention  warning festivalgoers of particularly potent MDMA in circulation  and this will be extended to three festivals this year, he said.

Crack cocaine was also identified as a growing problem in disadvantaged communities.

Garda concerns

While Gardai support the current health-led approach to drug policy, it has grave concerns around the potential implications of legalising drugs, Justin Kelly, assistant commissioner for organised and serious crime said.

Legalising drugs could lead to significant drug tourism, he warned. He also raised concerns about policing the border with the North if the two countries had very different drug policies.

Under current policy, gardai had seized more than 336m worth of drugs since May 2015, as well as 147 firearms, and deprived criminal gangs 28.4m in cash, which could have been used to fund further criminality, he said.

Drug-driving detections almost doubled in Canada following legalisation in that jurisdiction, he warned.

Ben Ryan, head of policy for criminal justice at the Department of Justice, said that decriminalisation would effectively mean legalisation because of the structure of Irelands legal system.

But he said that policy was constantly evolving, and the Department of Justice would listen to all proposals.

An 'opportunity to be transformative'

The Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use concluded its inaugural meeting at The Grand Hotel in Malahide on Sunday. Its next meeting is scheduled for May 13 and 14 in Dublin Castle.

Speaking at the close of todays meeting, Assembly chairperson Paul Reid said that this weekends discussions demonstrated the breadth and complexity of the issues that the Assembly will consider over the next six months, but welcomed members understanding and determination to produce informed recommendations.

We have now begun the most ambitious and far-reaching discussion on drugs use and national drugs policy that has ever taken place in Ireland," he said.

"This Assembly has the opportunity to be transformative. Clearly our members recognise this, and I want to thank them for their enthusiasm, engagement, and eagerness to learn."
A Cork couple who contracted a Co Meath father and son to convert a Renault van to a camper van at a cost of 19,295 claimed in court that the vehicle had 15 faults in the workmanship, and that it was returned to them in a dangerously defective condition.

Kieran and Olwyn Buckley, of Bowningtown Lodge, Ballinlough Rd, Cork, took a civil claim at Navan District Court against father and son Matty and Simon Murtagh, Actionhorse Ltd, trading as Van Life Conversions of Otterstown, Athboy, Co Meath.

Ms Buckley, represented by solicitor David Browne, told Judge Marie Quirke that the work on the vehicle was to take seven weeks but, in fact, took seven months and a fuel line had been left exposed, constituting a significant fire hazard.

In December 2020 she and her husband wanted a camper van for holiday purposes.

Following a recommendation from friends, they went to Simon Murtaghs yard where he showed them a van. However, they wanted something bigger. They decided on a vehicle and Simon Murtagh said he would do it up.

He emailed a list of components needed and, during a visit to their house in Cork, they handed over 5,000 in cash. He told them he now had a permanent job but would work on the van the rest of the time.

The Renault van, for which they paid 7,000, was to be converted in seven weeks and the overall price was 16,500. There was no haggling and a component list was agreed between them, she said.

In March 2021, 5,000 was sent to Mr Murtagh Snrs account, and a further 4,000 in July.

Vehichle 'leaking'

On the way from collecting the vehicle in Meath they had pulled into a garage to get diesel, and they found that the diesel had started to pour out from the end of the van.

There were numerous other issues, the court heard.

Ms Buckley said that the vehicle was leaking and water poured in through the ceiling onto cushions. The electrics were under the cushions and they were very concerned about this, she added. Other complaints raised included roof lights leaking and no fans in the roof lights as agreed; sliding door misaligned; fresh water and waste tank problems; the diesel night heater was leaking fuel; no sink had been installed in the bathroom, no portable toilet had been fitted and the shower was leaking; the gas bottle was not secured or in a gas locker; there was no reversing camera.

Ms Buckley said they were to collect the van at Easter but there was no sign of it in May.

When we contacted Mr Murtagh, he said he was under pressure and that we were harassing him, she said.

Cross-examined by Simon Murtagh, representing himself, who asked if she had any proof that they had handed 5,000 to him, Ms Buckley replied: It was only my husband, myself, and you who were there.

Mr Murtagh said he had proof that the Buckleys had done 3,500km in the vehicle and he asked how that had arisen. Ms Buckley said that they had visited their grandchildren in West Cork but they could not use the vehicle as a campervan, but just as a vehicle.

Motor assessor Keith Ballard said that his examination of the vehicle found that it had a number of shortcomings.

The workmanship was poor and the vehicle was dangerous because the diesel was leaking, he stated. He believed it would take 10,050 to remedy the problems on the vehicle.

'Very little involvement'

In a statement to the court, Simon Murtagh said he had never been involved in the Actionhorse company, had never been paid any money by it, and he was only ever doing work to help his father. He said the only reason he was standing in court and taking all of this on me is because he was the person with most to lose.

He said it was only on the day of the court case he discovered that the claim had been contracted with him because I have had very little involvement in this whole process.

There had been problems with the supply chain of components because of the Covid lockdown, he said, and the project had gone way over budget because of the component shortages, and alternative parts had had to be sourced from other suppliers at a higher cost.

He said the contract appeared to be impacted by the Buckleys themselves due to requests for extra parts and labour after the final price had been agreed.

Agreement could not be reached to rectify the issues. He said a very generous offer had been made to the Buckleys comprising of 10 days' work at 10 hours by day to work on the vehicle to rectify it, and that would have been at a cost to himself.

He contested aspects of the claim before the court, saying that he had not lived at Otterstown but at Oranmore, Co Galway, and had never owned, operated, or carried out a business at Otterstown as stated by the Buckleys in their claim before the court.

He added that what needed to be resolved in the case was more about time and labour rather than components, and that if the case went against him he could not afford to hire a third party to complete that labour.

He said he had offered to do the work himself and he could not see any reason why the Buckleys would think that the quality of work he would do would be any different to anyone elses.

He admitted to Mr Browne that there were shortcomings with the workmanship. He empathised with the Buckleys and their situation and the whole process had put a massive strain on the relationship between himself and his father" to the point where he could not be involved with either the Buckleys or his father any more.

Judge Quirke awarded a decree to Mr and Ms Buckley for 13,922.57 and 1,000 for the loss of the use of the vehicle as a camper van from August 2021 to April 14, 2023.

She also awarded them their legal costs and said that vouched witness expenses should be paid.
The husband of a woman who died of cancer just five days after their wedding has appealed to the Government to open cancer services seven days a week.

Michelle McLoughlin nee Crowe, 33, from Cappawhite, Co Limerick, underwent chemotherapy in November after she discovered a cyst that was later confirmed as cancerous.

A mastectomy on Valentines Day was successful, but further tests showed the cancer had spread to the mother of twos liver and she was given a terminal diagnosis.

Oisin, Dave, Michelle, and Cillian McLoughlin.

On March 20, Michelle married her partner of 19 years, David McLoughlin, 35, in front of family and friends in the chapel of University Hospital Limerick.

Five days later, she passed away at Milford Care Centre in Limerick.

Mr McLoughlin praised the care provided by University Hospital Limerick, saying it "should be the model for how we treat people with cancer in Ireland".

Dave and Michelle McLoughlin.

He said: "From oncology to the breast clinic, to the ward that she was on, they couldn't have done a better job. It would be incredibly disrespectful of me to say otherwise. If it wasn't for the staff in UHL we never would have gotten our wedding day.

He would like the government to pay more attention to cancer services in the country, and to expand services to seven days per week.

"Take a look at oncology in UHL and see the care they give he said. It's a resourced unit.

"But cancer care clinics in hospitals should be open seven days a week".

'It took her so quickly'

Last weekend, family, friends, and the community decorated the village of Cappawhite with pink balloons, posters, and flags in memory of Michelle.

The 'Go Pink for Michelle' event was organised by friends and family to support Dave and his sons, Cillian 13, and 15-month-old Oisin.

Dave and Michelle McLoughlin on their wedding day.

Mr McLoughlin said: I feel I'll never ever be able to thank everyone enough for their kindness. The community came out in their droves, people who didn't even know Michelle got stuck in. When the absolute worst happens, people come from everywhere to help.

He continued: "Michelle's cancer was aggressive, and it took her so quickly. She was the nicest person you could meet, and she would be so happy to know people care about her children, who meant everything to her. She loved the bones of her family and friends.".

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland.

Figures from the Irish Cancer Society show around 3,400 women and 30 men are diagnosed with the disease every year.

Tragedies

The couple endured many tragedies in the run-up to Michelle's diagnosis and believed they had survived the worst of them, after suffering the loss of a baby boy in April 2020 as well three previous miscarriages.

The couple was delighted when they discovered they were expecting a baby in 2019, however, little John James was stillborn.

David said: "It was the worst thing that ever happened. Michelle could take just about anything, but baby John's death broke her.

"We were allowed to take him home in a cold cot and he is buried with my parents; we didn't expect Michelle to follow him.
The parents of a 10-year Cork girl who died following a Strep-A infection have called for parents to be more aware of the disease and for paediatric ICU facilities outside Dublin.

Vivienne Murphy, from Millstreet in north Cork, died on March 1, 2019 having been complaining of feeling unwell and having a sore throat in February.

On February 14, her parents Dermot and Lilly took their daughter to an out-of-hours doctor after seeing Vivienne had a high temperature and rash.

Speaking on RTE's This Week, the parents said they were told she had a viral illness. She took paracetamol and ibuprofen but her condition did not improve.

In the following days, two other doctors, including their GP, agreed with the viral infection diagnosis but after five days, and with Vivienne not improving, the Murphys again went to the out of hours doctor.

They were told it could still be a flu-like virus but were told they could go to the emergency department if they wanted to. At this stage, Vivienne's rash was "really angry looking" and her right knee was swelling. She was lethargic and had been unable to produce urine samples.

That night, the parents took Vivienne to Cork University Hospital (CUH) and while she was being examined by a nurse, Ms Murphy noticed "a little black mark on her right leg". It was the first time they had seen the mark.

Upon noticing it, the nurse "went into a little bit of a panic mood" and blood tests were carried out on Vivienne. When the results returned, the Murphys were told "your daughter is critically ill".

Mr Murphy noticed that the black mark was getting bigger and they were told it meant Vivienne had sepsis and was going into shock.

The mark indicated that Vivienne had Strep A which had led to sepsis, shock and then necrotising fasciitis, also known as the flesh-eating disease. It is a rare bacterial infection that can cause death.

The Murphys were told Vivienne would need surgery at Temple Street as there was no Paediatric Critical Care Unit at CUH.

"That took hours. We had to wait for an ambulance to come from Dublin with specialists to look after her. It took ages."

At Temple Street, the surgeon had to "cut away 17%" of Vivienne's body in an attempt to save her.

The day after the operation, she went into cardiac arrest due to the extent of the surgery and the disease.

Mr Murphy told the programme: "There was an alert put out for us to come quickly to her bedside.

"We ran into the room. There were six or seven nurses, doctors, professors there. The head professor was in there and they were trying to bring her back. He was really going hard to save Vivienne.

"At one stage he turned to Lilly and me, and said: 'Parents scream at your daughter, call her back! Call her back! Bring her back!'"

"And we started screaming, please come back to us, please come back to us, and it went back a long time, and he said 'call her - she will know your voice'."

The doctors resuscitated Vivienne but the cardiac arrest lead to brain damage. An MRI scan revealed she was brain dead and that "there was no hope".

The grief stricken parents have raised their concern around the lack of ICU facilities to children outside of Dublin and also said they want other parents to be aware of the dangers of Strep A.

"Cork is a big hospital, and we don't have any intensive care facilities for children, it doesn't make sense," said Ms Murphy.

"If Vivienne's story could only save one child, that's a plus," she said.

Ms Murphy added in a plea to parents: "If your child has a fever, or a rash, be vigilant, these things can change so quickly. Our daughter started off with signs and symptoms and within ten days she was gone.

"We are just begging and pleading that parents look out for these things, dont be submissive, and dont ever think that you are being an overreacting parent, because you are not."

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
"Our community are fed up. Were fed up and frustrated. The attacks on Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee didnt change anyone. It didnt wake anyone up," says Harper Rooney, slowly emphasising the last four words for effect.

As a transgender woman living and working in Sligo, she feels nothing has changed in the 12 months since three gay men were attacked in the northwest town. It rocked the entire country and cost two of the men their lives.

Last week, as Ireland collectively celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, two families in Sligo and Roscommon quietly mourned their lost sons and uncles, while one man reflected on his narrow escape.

Harper Rooney says that, despite the outpouring of public goodwill at the time, the deaths of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee didnt wake anyone up'. Picture: Catriona Bonne/Tully Crafts

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, Anthony Burke was allegedly attacked and stabbed in the face by an assailant outdoors. He survived but was severely injured in his left eye.

The next day, Sunday, April 10, 42-year-old Roscommon auctioneer, successful businessman, and popular Fine Gael activist Aidan Moffitt was killed in his home in Cartron Estate in the town. His body wasnt discovered until the following evening, Monday, April 11.

Just over 24 hours later, on Tuesday, April 12, 58-year-old retired care worker Michael Snee was also killed in his own home close to the town centre.

Low-key first anniversary masses were celebrated for both men in both counties. Sligo Pride declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Examiner. While the mens deaths prompted a nationwide outpouring of support for the LGBT+ community at the time, it hasnt materialised into meaningful change, according to Rooney.

There was a great outpouring of empathy for the victims, but it didnt massively wake Ireland up and shift Ireland to say hang on a minute we need to take a step back here. We need to do something now, so this doesnt happen again, she says.

The only thing that I feel that it has done is empowered other people who hate our community to spread more hate while we continue to get killed and attacked.

A vigil in Sligo in memory of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee on April 15, 2022. The two gay men were found dead in their homes within a day of each other after separate violent attacks. File picture: Carl Brennan/PA

An Garda Siochana have recorded a 30% increase in reported hate crimes in 2022, with the LGBT+ community the second most attacked minority. Speaking about the 2022 statistics, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, whose remit includes the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit, accepted the huge impact on victims of hate crime but also pointed to the significant impact on wider communities and society. Even State bodies accept that hate crimes send a ripple of fear around the country.

When the killings happened in Sligo, people started to check themselves again, says Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival chairperson Clive Davis.

Will I be safe coming out of that venue at night time? On that street? People were being more aware of their surroundings, of having people to walk home with. It made us all look at the activities that we were taking for granted before that, he tells the Irish Examiner. He adds:

The gay community has evolved from meeting in bars and clubs to meeting online but especially with AI now, you dont know who youre meeting [online], added Davis.

Sometimes when youre scrolling online, the comments that you see underneath a post on social media, how people in the trans community are being treated at the moment, its always something negative.

It saddens us, that weve come so far, weve had all these positive things in Ireland and yet were checking ourselves.

"It makes you look over your shoulder, it makes you not want to hold hands with your partner, he says.

I have friends who always feel the need to be prepared for a fight because they never know whats going to happen next.

We also feel we have to have our defences up, essentially. Its just the way it has always been for us, it never feels like its ever going to change, she says.

According to NUIG psychology lecturer Chris Noone, the technical term for what Davis and Rooney describe is minority stress  a type of stress that can only be experienced by people who face oppression.

Thats exactly what the feeling was when these awful killings happened last year, the community was on edge as a result, he says.

Its something that anyone who is straight, white, grew up in Ireland, in a fairly well-off situation, cant really understand. Its the knowledge that there is a wider homophobic discourse out there thats providing a home for people who think this way.

Theres more and more spaces now for people with homophobic beliefs to find community. Were especially seeing that now with the rise of the far right in Ireland.

New hate crime legislation is winding its way through the Oireachtas and its hoped The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill will be passed before the summer. However, LGBT Ireland sees the new law as just the very beginning of a response to the rise in hate crime.

It has to be the start of a process and not the end, says LGBT Ireland policy and research manager Padraig Rice.

We need to see training for the gardai, the judges, the DPP," he says.

"We need to see better reporting, better monitoring and data protection, more awareness campaigns, better victim support.

"And ultimately we need to do more work around prevention  which is down to education  to get to the root causes of the rise in hate that weve seen over the last number of months."

Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival chairperson Clive Davis says the deaths made us all look at the activities that we were taking for granted.

Noone also sees education as key to protecting minority communities. Im sceptical of the value of concentrating on hate crime legislation first. I can see while its useful, the priority has to be education. This is where the battleground is going to be, he says, and points to recent protests at a Dublin library against LGBT+ books.

Pride flags have been burned in Waterford. Bricks have smashed through gay bars in Dublin. Now libraries are being targeted. All the more reason for a really robust response, according to Rice.

Weve been calling for a national action plan. So far that call has gone unanswered from the Government and wed really love to hear from the Minister for Justice about what he thinks should be done and what the Garda Commissioner thinks because so far its kind of been silence, says Rice.

Responding to queries from the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the Minister for Justice Simon Harris insists that Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland is, and remains, a safe and secure place for all".

The spokesperson says the rise in hate crime figures reported last year could be as a result of increased awareness of hate crimes which may have encouraged more people to report such crimes to An Garda Siochana. They also said social media companies would face serious financial sanctions for any breaches of new online safety codes under the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022.

A brick thrown through Pantibar's window just now. No one hurt.

It says in Irish "FAIRIES (fags) OUT OF IRELAND"



But we are Ireland



Happy Pride everyone. It's going to be a great day tomorrow, full of Irish love and queer joy.

Be thankful for it, cos some people have neither pic.twitter.com/AQe2YwXpvY  Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) June 29, 2018

Other actions to tackle prejudice and intolerance the Government plans to take include the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National LGBTI+ Strategy. Work is also continuing on reforms such as Supporting a Victims Journey which aims to make the criminal justice system more victim-centred.

For trans women like Harper Rooney, Sligo feels no safer now than it did a year ago.

I feel the same. Its no different. If someones going to attack me, theyre going to attack me, theres just nothing I can do about that as a trans woman," she says.

I was certainly afraid after the attacks had happened, I was quite nervous but its something that many of us, including myself, have just accepted.

We accept the fact that going down the street someday somebody could give us a dirty look, someone can harass us, someone can attack us.

"Its just what happens.

A 22-year-old man is currently before the courts in connection with the Sligo attacks.
This was a a story that was both immensely interesting and of immense public interest

Thabo Bester's escape is one of those stories that is both immensely interesting to the public and of immense public interest. It has captured the public imagination because his escape was so audacious and absurd. The love interest with celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana adds to this.

But GroundUp is not known for covering salacious stories, like this Bonnie and Clyde tale. Certainly such stories should be reported. But we have a very specific focus: human rights stories that bigger publications often don't have the resources to cover.

When we were given information in late October by Justice Edwin Cameron, the Inspecting Judge of Correctional Services (who is also a GroundUp board member, but has no role in our editorial decisions), that something strange had happened on 3 May 2022 in the G4S-run maximum security prison in Mangaung, we did not believe that Bester had escaped. It seemed like the stuff of a farfetched crime novel.

The reason we decided to take the story on was that irrespective of whether the body found burnt in the cell was Bester's, it appeared to us that the authorities had failed to investigate it properly. Also, if Bester was free, it meant a convicted murderer and rapist was at large.

We published our first article on Thabo Bester on 8 November. We wrote that there were many unanswered questions about Bester's reported death. In particular: How could a fire start in an isolation cell? What was the cause of death - did the person die before the fire? Whose body was found in the cell?

Notably, we wrote: "At this stage the possibilities are (1) the body is Bester's and he killed himself by fire; (2) it is Bester and he died in an accidental fire; (3) it is Bester and he died in a fire set by someone else; (4) it is Bester and he was murdered before the fire; or (5) it was not Bester who died, and Bester might have escaped. Possibility 5 is the most unlikely, but without a proper investigation none of these possibilities can be excluded."

At this stage we did not have the post mortem that had been conducted on the body in the cell, nor did we definitely know that tests showed that the DNA of the body did not match that of the woman claiming to be Bester's biological mother. G4S, the Department of Correctional Services and the police gave us little or no information.

We had only one reporter, Marecia Damons, working on the story. The article was not widely read. (In fact some readers expressed a lack of sympathy for a prisoner dying in a fire.)

But, after the story was published, people emailed us with some extraordinary claims about Bester, including that he ran a business from prison and that he scammed people after escaping. (Amazingly, we also found a tipoff about Bester's business in the GroundUp inbox from February 2020; we simply did not have the resources to investigate it then.)

As more information trickled in, we realised we needed at least two reporters on it, and so Daniel Steyn joined Marecia in February. In between investigating Bester they had many other stories to do. They were extensively helped by James Stent and GroundUp's other editors.

Marecia and Daniel were daily on the phone to sources, questioning them, double-checking their claims, trying to cajole them to obtain additional evidence to support their claims. In movies, journalism can look quite glamorous, but in real-life it is usually grinding. (Incidentally, unsung heroes of this story are the investigators at the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services who analysed hours and hours of CCTV footage to find the few moments at 2:59 am on 3 January showing two people hastily exiting the prison. It is this kind of monotonous, pedantically conducted work that solves mysteries.)

By mid-January the evidence had accumulated that Bester had escaped. But it appeared to us that we still didn't have quite enough. In fact the other story we were working on, that Bester ran a business from prison, was coming together quicker.

On 20 January we published Murder at Mangaung Prison: Leaked report shows 'Facebook rapist' was dead before a fire broke out in his cell. We had obtained a judges' report which referred to a post-mortem conducted on the body. As the wording of the headline shows, we were still unconvinced that Bester had escaped.

We then asked freelance reporter Chris Gilili to go to the Pretoria High Court to obtain the documents in the court case brought by Nandipha Magudumana to obtain the body. This didn't prove easy and perhaps there's a story to be written on the lack of accessibility of court papers. Nevertheless, Chris's perseverance paid off and we got access to most, not all, the papers.

Perhaps bringing that case was Magudumana's big error that led to her and Bester being caught, because the court documents were gold and, critically, led to us getting hold of the full post-mortem report. It was then that we realised that the body in the cell was considerably shorter than Bester's.

Moreover, the report showed that within days of the incident of 3 May, the authorities knew that the person in the cell had been murdered and had died of blunt force trauma, not fire. Yet no further investigation appeared to have been done to ascertain who the person was or who had murdered him. (A leading forensic pathologist helped us understand the post-mortem report properly.)

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Two other journalists, Masego Mafata and Kimberly Mutandiro also deserve mentioning; they traipsed around Johannesburg obtaining bits of vital information for us.

At this point we had enough information to publish our story of 15 March: Did the Facebook rapist die in his cell? Or did he escape from prison?

This story opened the floodgates. That day we received photographic evidence from a member of the public showing Bester and Magudumana shopping a month after Bester's supposed death in Woolworths in Sandton City. We examined the metadata in the photo and also confirmed with two other people who knew Bester well that it was indeed him. We published the photos on 16 March. From that point we ceased speculating about whether Bester had escaped; it was now pretty much a certainty.

The story erupted into one of the biggest scandals in South African prison history. And that is how an investigation which started for us as a matter of public interest became a story of such huge interest to the public.

Geffen is GroundUp's editor.
I was in Lisbon recently where I had arranged a series of meetings with people who are experts on responding to drug use. The people I met with are well placed to speak on the subject; not least of all because they have lived and worked in a jurisdiction where decriminalisation of drugs is well established; and where drug consumption rooms have recently been implemented.

In Portugal, drugs were decriminalised in 2001. This means drugs remain illegal, and the response to possession of drugs for personal use is a referral by the police to the Dissuasion Commission. There is plenty of evidence that this approach has worked better than if Portugal had continued to criminalise people who use drugs as in other European countries.

In 2019, a mobile supervised injecting facility was introduced in Lisbon, and this was followed up with the opening of a fixed-site drug consumption room in May 2021. The evidence is clear that drug consumption rooms achieve what they are set up to do  namely, reduce the many and varied harms associated with street-based drug use.

My first meeting was with Nuno Capaz, the Vice President of the Dissuasion Commission of Lisbon. Nuno speaks with authority about the benefits of Portugals drug decriminalisation policy.

Nuno explained that of all the Dissuasion Commissions procedures, the 2021 national data shows that 78% were suspended, 21% were sanctioned (a fine, regular presentations, etc), and 1% were absolved.

The national data for 2021 also shows that 75% of the Dissuasion Commission procedures were related to cannabis with a minority of this total (circa 10%) relating to under-18-year-olds. Cannabis remains illegal and use of cannabis amongst under 18s is a concern. So, reaching under 18s through a decriminalised response means they are not criminalised; that they are given advice, support, and offered a referral to a range of supports, if needed.

Injection rooms

Next, I visited the fixed-site drug consumption room, run by the NGO Ares do Pinhal, where I met Hugo Faria, Paulo Caldeira, Roberta Reis, and the team.

The drug consumption room in Lisbon has an injecting room with eight injecting booths (for one or two people to inject, at any one time) and an inhalation room with the capacity for six people to smoke drugs. There are also one-to-one rooms; group rooms; showers; toilets; offices and storage rooms.

I have visited a number of drug consumption rooms over the years and I observed something here, which I had not seen before. Namely, in the injecting room, a woman was injecting a man in the neck. This is different as, for example, neither neck injecting nor injecting another person, is allowed in the recently established drugs consumption room in Athens, Greece. Also, when I visited the Sydney medically supervised injecting centre in 2015, neither of the above activities were permitted; although at the time they were working through how they could allow people to inject themselves in the neck with the person utilising mirrors.

There is a challenge with drug consumption rooms to ensure that the management of clinical risk does not become a barrier to service provision. The approach taken by Hugo Faria, and the team in Lisbon, in this regard, is a response to injecting practices on the streets in the surrounding area. People inject each other in the neck outside  this is risky and Farias opinion is that it is safer for them to do this in the Injection Room. It is, of course, risky behaviour to manage in the drug consumption room; and I understand their approach to managing the reality of this risky drug-taking behaviour and not leaving people out in the street.

Importantly, between May 2021 (when the rooms opened) and April 2023, there have been 42 overdoses reversed at the fixed site service. However, they dont include the times they have administered oxygen in that figure. Oxygen is administered when someone is technically overdosing, but not yet become unconscious, lips turned blue with skin turned pallid and grey. In drug consumption rooms across the world, people proactively have their blood oxygen levels checked and are put on oxygen when needed; meaning many more serious overdose situations are avoided.

Next, I went to Bairro Portugal Novo  Rua Al Berto to visit the mobile supervised injecting facility. Like the fixed site service, this is a type of drug consumption room; but delivered from a vehicle and only working with people who inject drugs  they dont have the capacity to facilitate the inhalation of drugs.

Parked up across from a block of apartments and next to an open grassed area, the service is a discreet vehicle that looks like any other mobile health unit that you might see in Ireland. Bruna Alves had arranged for me to meet her colleagues  two nurses, a peer worker (someone with lived experience of drug use), and a psychologist. They explained their work; how they drive to different areas of the city to meet a cohort of people who inject drugs and offer them a safe non-judgmental service. The mobile service is a different experience to the fixed site service. It has capacity for two people to inject. However, I saw the team provide support to one individual at a time, which struck me as a more intimate experience for the client.

Irish strategy

Whilst none of the above policies has yet been implemented here, Ireland is following a similar path to Portugal.

In 2019 the Government announced that a similar approach would be implemented here; and the new health diversion programme is being developed under the auspices of Irelands National Drug Strategy. The recently established Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use is discussing and debating the decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use. It will be instructive to hear their findings on the Portuguese model of decriminalisation. For me, the benefits of the Portuguese model of decriminalisation are not in question where people (found in possession of drugs for personal use) are afforded each and every time the opportunity of harm reduction advice and/or a referral to a health/social intervention.

Similarly, Ireland has had legislation for supervised injecting facilities since May 2017. Nothing has been implemented yet. However, planning permission for the Dublin pilot medically supervised injecting facility was granted at the end of December 2022. The provider, Merchants Quay Ireland, is working with various stakeholders to open the service as soon as possible. It will be a great achievement when, at long last, it opens and begins to reduce street-based injecting in the area, improving the health of those attending the service and the many other well-documented benefits supported by evidence from across the globe.

Unfortunately, since the pandemic, smoking crack cocaine has increased among people who use drugs problematically. There is an argument that in parts of Ireland drug consumption rooms, with inhalation rooms, are needed.

A significant benefit of mobile units is that they do not require planning permission unlike fixed-site supervised injecting facilities. So, in theory, they can be established quickly once a decision to implement them is made. However, we dont have mobile supervised injecting facilities in Ireland. Although there is support for such services in areas across the country where street-based injecting is identified by local stakeholders as an issue. For example, HSE CHO4, Cork City Council, Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force and many other local stakeholders are actively advocating for a mobile supervised injecting facility in Cork City. Indeed, a group of delegates from Cork City are to visit the above services in Lisbon in mid-May this year on a fact-finding trip.

Finally, Ive mentioned evidence a few times here, and drug policy must be evidence-informed, but it would be naive to think that drug policy is only based upon evidence. As the Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use begins its work in earnest, its important to consider that effective drug policy is informed by three elements empathy, evidence, and experience. The Portuguese have these in spades.

Tony Duffin is CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project.
The ecumenical patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, based in Istanbul, fulfilled a 10-year promise to mark Easter on the Turkish island of Gokceada where he was born.

In candle-lit masses held over three days, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over services that brought together Orthodox Christian believers from the Aegean island and abroad.

About 200 visitors and locals attended the services. Many of them were returning Greeks whose families lived on the island in the past but had since left. Others had also travelled from abroad while a few lived on the island.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, conducts Mass on the eve of Christs resurrection at the Church of St George on the island of Gokceada, Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP/PA)

Chants and hymns reverberated and two golden candles were lit at the Cathedral of St George where the midnight Easter Mass was held. Fireworks accompanied the patriarchs sermon. Sundays final ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Dormition of Virgin Mary in the morning.

The Good Friday service was at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, which was also attended by Greeces Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

Ay woman walks on a path in the village of Zeytonli on the island of Gokceada, Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP/PA)

I always feel pain when I am away from the island. This is a place that I visit with tears in my eyes that stirs and also calms my soul and fills me with emotion, Bartholomew I told worshippers during the church service on Sunday.

On the last Easter he held on the island in 2013, the patriarch promised to return in 10 years if his health allowed.

Its been 69 years since I left the seminary here after completing my studies  We left our sweet homeland, the church bells, the humble chapels, the familiar pathways and the familiar faces. But the (island) was never out of my thoughts and out of my heart. It will be there til I die, the patriarch added.

Another stop of the visitors tour was a coffee shop that previously housed the patriarchs fathers barbershop. A memorial with pictures of Bartholomew I and portraits of his father was kept there along with the barbers chair.

Pictures of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and a painted portrait of his father are displayed in a coffee shop in the village of Zeytonli on the island of Gokceada, Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP/PA)

The island, which was home to ethnic Greeks historically, was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for nearly five centuries. Greek forces took control of the island in 1912 and it was used as a base by Allied forces during First World War campaigns against the Ottomans.

Following the Turkish war of independence, the island became part of the nascent Turkish Republic with the 1923 peace treaty of Lausanne and is the countrys largest island.

The numbers of ethnic Greeks living on the island have dwindled over the decades, first with population exchanges after Lausanne and later amid ethnic and political tensions between Turkey and Greece, like the war in Cyprus. Several hundred ethnic Greeks currently live on the island.

About 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating Easter on Sunday, a week later than other Christians.
Saturday, Apr 11th, 2020 (12:01 am) - Score 206,168

Most of us are lucky enough to live within reach of a fairly strong UK mobile broadband (3G, 4G or 5G) network signal but that isnt true everywhere, particularly in some remote rural areas. Sometimes the best way to receive a stronger signal is to try installing your own external antenna, but knowing what to get can be tricky.

Before we get started its important to clarify that this article is primarily intended for people who cant access a good fixed line broadband ISP connection but may still be almost within reach of a viable mobile broadband alternative, albeit often struggling to get a good or stable signal from any of the operators. In this case you may benefit from an external antenna.

Obviously if you can already get a fast fixed line broadband ISP and just want a better indoor mobile signal then many of the operators already offer Femtocell style devices, which essentially plug into your home broadband connection (speeds of 0.5Mbps or 2Mbps+ are usually required) and use that to boost a localised mobile signal for your Smartphone.

Examples of Femtocell devices are Vodafones Sure Signal router, Three UKs Home Signal , O2s Boostbox or EEs Signal Box device. Failing that some Smartphones and Apps from mobile network operators also support making calls on your allowance via home WiFi (some mobiles also have a more direct WiFi Calling feature that does this without an app).

Lets talk external antennas

The actual process of installing an external antenna is usually just a case of screwing one to the highest and most stable location possible outside of your house (e.g. a solid brick wall near your roof), pointing it in the right direction and then drilling the cable through into the house (making sure to avoid electrical cables, water pipes and sealing up afterwards etc.). Plenty of professional installers can do this for you too (often for sub-100).

However as anybody who has ever tried to improve their mobile signal will probably attest, finding the right kit for the job isnt simple and the variable nature of the radio spectrum  passing through different environments as it does  can result in all sorts of quirky outcomes. Sometimes the most logical solution doesnt always turn out to be the right one for your specific location or needs.

Nevertheless our aim here is to provide some general guidance, but remember that sometimes its necessary to test a few different approaches before you decide upon the best one. In addition, we arent going to dare delve into the more industrial setups (e.g. personal mast construction or WiFi relays) as those are a bit too complex for most people, but if youre surrounded by tall trees then sometimes its necessary to get radical.

Often its possible to buy a pole mounting and then fix your antenna on top of that (i.e. raised higher above your house) but just be sure that what you install is stable and wont damage the house. Likewise in some areas a tall pole may breach planning rules, so always check with the local authority first.

Omni-directional or directional antenna

The first decision is whether or not to go with a directional or omni-directional antenna. A directional antenna will focus its higher gain (reception) in one direction, although it also becomes weaker in the other directions. By comparison omni antennas try to attract similar reception from all directions, albeit for a lower overall gain.

NOTE: Despite appearances above, direction and omni-directional antennas come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Sometimes they can even look the same.

On the surface you may think you know the answer to this one but its not always so simple. If you know where the nearest mast or base station for your operator is, particularly if you have LOS or Line-of-Sight (nothing in the way), then going directional might be the best choice (often true in rural areas). However a directional antenna can run into problems, such as if the station is congested or goes out of service (can occur during upgrades).

On the flip side an omni may result in better reliability because its looking at a wider area, although it can also attract more interference and may not deliver the same sort of performance as a well positioned directional. Generally if youre not entirely sure where the mast is, or you live in an urban or suburban area, then an omni is probably the better choice. In fact start with an omni first anyway, its just easier.

NOTE: If youre doing this DIY then an omni will be easier (less alignment hassle).

Now if youre really feeling adventurous then you could install two antennas of different types but in order to make that work youd have to connect them both to a MIMO configured router (two ports), such as the Huawei B618. Likewise you can also buy some MIMO antennas that have two outputs (MIMO 22) for related routers with two inputs. Just remember that this kind of kit tends to be more expensive and adds to the hassle of setup.

Generally its best to try with one antenna first and dont bother buying a MIMO router with two external antenna ports if youre only going to use an antenna with a single output, although if you do try installing two antennas then make sure to space them apart a bit.

At this point we should touch on polarisation. Mobile signals tend to be linearly polarised (they vibrate vertically, horizontally or a bit of both) and ideally the aim is to match the polarisation of your antenna to that of the signal (trial and error  helps if you can rotate the antenna). A quick solution to this is to go with a cross-polarised antenna, these usually have two outputs (good for MIMO routers), which can latch on to the signal regardless of its polarisation.

Wed also suggest keeping the cable between your antenna and router as short as possible in order to limit interference. Generally 5 metres or less should be fine, although some people have used more without problems but your mileage may vary (more cable usually equals greater signal loss). However, there are other factors that you need to consider too, so lets move on.

What do the gain (dB / dBi) figures on an antenna mean?

The power of an antenna is measured by its gain, which is usually reflected in figures for either dBi (decibels relative to an isotropic radiator) or just dB (decibels relative to a dipole radiator  technically dBd but marketing folk often just use dB, which is confusing). The gain is essentially a relative measure of the antennas ability to direct (concentrate) radio frequency energy in a particular direction or pattern.

At this point the explanations can get very complicated and as this guide is directed toward people from all walks of life then well simply say that the higher the gain, the better the antennas performance and range (over simplification). However antennas with very high gain may also be more expensive, often to reflect their quality, and so theres something to be said for picking one in the middle ground (note that for every c.6dBi in gain, you could double the range of an antenna).

Some antennas may also give several different gain values to reflect the range of spectrum bands they support, as each may have different characterises due to the antenna design. As such it helps to know what bands your mobile operator is actually using and how to understand the different measures of signal strength (this will help when trying to identify unusual reception problems), which is what well touch on next.

Maps and spectrum bands  finding the info.

One of the biggest challenges with setting up a new antenna is knowing where the signal comes from, how strong it is and which bands are being used in your local area (this can vary depending upon the operator). Vodafone, Three UK, O2 and EE (BT) all have coverage checkers on their websites but these are extremely vague and not always particularly accurate (see Ofcoms Mobile Coverage Checker).

Continued on Page 2..
Luanda  The Angolan authorities have expressed their willingness to join the "Blue Skies and Net Zero" campaign initiatives, which is developed by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the director for Africa of the institution, Malle Fofana said Thursday in Luanda.

The fact was mentioned to the press at the end of an audience that the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperanca da Costa, granted to the head of the institution.

In his statements, Malle Fofana welcomed the actions and dynamism of the Angolan authorities in the field of environmental protection, which led to the choice of the country for the opening of the campaign.

In his view, there is already a firm political commitment of the national authorities to the protection of the environment.

The Blue Skies and Net Zero campaign refers to the implementation of actions to fight pollution and it is part of the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, related to pollution, in conjunction with the recommendations of the 2022 General Assembly on the Environment.

Actions in the environmental field

Angola already has specific legislation in this area, such as the National Environmental Quality Program, which includes the air, water and soil components, and for this campaign, in particular, it has the air component, which involves fighting pollution in cities, rural areas, and beyond.

Similarly, there is also the Presidential Dispatch on the Promotion of Green Spaces, which goes up to the level of municipalities, as well as the national programs for Environmental Standardization and Environmental Technologies, all within the framework of the National Strategy for Climate Change.

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GGGI is an international intergovernmental organization, of which Angola has been a member since 2019, based on treaties dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies.

The organization also provides support, in terms of institutional capacity building, fundraising for the implementation of projects, as well as the promotion of actions so that cities can become greener, taking into account the goal of mitigating the harmful effects of actions such as pollution.

National projects

Among the different projects developed in the country, there is an emphasis on the construction of the Cafu canal, which aims to improve access to water in the communities, the Renewable Energy Program, launched in Benguela Province, the Combined Cycle in Soyo, the Lauca project, as well as the Mayombe initiative, which can be considered as "keys actions of the country in this sector.
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Luanda  The participants of the 9th Broad Consultative Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) this Thursday, in Luanda, highlighted Angola's recent achievements in the international landscape, particularly the progress made in the process of pacification of states and regions in Africa.

In their final communique, they also noted the opening of new routes for political, technical and economic cooperation in Asia, as well as the consolidation and expansion of bilateral ties with countries on the American and European continents.

The Mirex staff underlined Angola's contribution to the regional integration process and promotion of free trade, as ways for the economic development of African countries, of which the emergence of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).

The note adds that the participants considered also important the diplomatic achievements, Angola's performance in chairing the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and the initiatives to consolidate its economic pillar, leadership of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and taking over the presidency of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP).

It adds that in terms of international politics, the MIREX officials said the geopolitical disputes in Europe and Asia have a negative impact on the structure of international relations, mainly on the international security system, trade and the world economy.

Therefore, a necessary adjustment in Angolan foreign policy and diplomacy has been recommended in the face of possible changes in world order, without losing sight of the defence of national interest.

The Council urged that economic issues, promotion of trade relations, direct investment and transfer of technology be placed at the centre of its work, as well as the permanent training of diplomats.

It called for a focus on public diplomacy and the continued strengthening of institutional cooperation, and advocated expanding Angola's diplomatic presence in regions of strategic interest, whenever the country's resources allow.

In the multilateral diplomacy arena, the Council defended the continuous engagement and commitment of Angola with the intergovernmental organizations of which it is a member, as it corresponds to its strategic interests.

The Council defended the need for the inclusion of national cadres in international civil service, especially in organizations where Angola is under-represented, having urged the elaboration, under MIREX leadership, of a "national strategy for the integration of Angolan staff in international organisations".

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The MIREX staffers highlighted their contribution to the country's political, economic, social and cultural life and the need to guarantee legal protection in host countries, and recommended a statistical survey of Angolan communities abroad, identifying their social status, migratory, labour and family situation.

The meeting that was held under the slogan "MIREX and Diplomatic Action in the Current International Context: Challenges and Perspectives", addressed, among others, political-diplomatic, strategic, administrative, financial, patrimonial and legal-legal issues and took decisions on the main issues related to diplomatic activity in the geographic areas covered by the Angolan Embassies.

It also addressed the organisation and functioning of the structures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including staff policy, diplomatic career development and social support, plus Angolan communities abroad.
The Somali government has called for an immediate end to the ongoing war in Sudan

April 15 (Jowhar.com)  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia has issued a press release expressing its concern over the armed conflict between the army and the air force in Sudan.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the warring parties in Sudan to immediately cease firing and end the conflict through dialogue.

The Federal Republic of Somalia calls on all parties involved in the conflict to immediately stop the conflict and to control themselves and enter into a dialogue to resolve the conflict, to maintain security and political stability.

In Sudan, especially in the countrys capital Khardum, there are hundreds of Somali students studying at the countrys universities.

The Somali government has called for an immediate end to the ongoing war in Sudan, expressing its concern over the armed conflict between the army and the air force.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia, the government called on the warring parties in Sudan to immediately cease firing and end the conflict through dialogue.

The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for all parties involved in the conflict to control themselves and enter into a dialogue to resolve the conflict. The government of Somalia also urged the warring sides to maintain security and political stability in the region.

The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for several months, with clashes between the army and the air force escalating in recent weeks. The situation has led to the displacement of thousands of people and the loss of many lives. The conflict has also impacted hundreds of Somali students studying at universities in the country, particularly in the capital city of Khardum.

The Somali governments call for an end to the conflict in Sudan is a crucial step towards resolving the crisis and restoring peace and stability in the region. The governments appeal for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict is commendable, and it is hoped that the warring parties will heed the call and work towards ending the violence.

It is important to note that Somalia has itself experienced years of conflict and instability, and the governments call for peace in Sudan is a reflection of its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. The governments efforts towards conflict resolution and peacebuilding will undoubtedly contribute to the overall peace and stability of the region.

In conclusion, the Somali governments call for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan is a significant step towards resolving the crisis and restoring peace and stability in the region. It is hoped that the warring parties will heed the call for dialogue and work towards ending the violence, and that the international community will support efforts towards peacebuilding and conflict resolution in the region.

Jowhar.com
When a former colonel in the Saudi police force, who is seeking asylum in the UK, went live on TikTok in mid-March to explain why he had left the police force, internet vigilantes immediately put a bounty on his head.

A horde of Twitter accounts has been harassing the 44-year-old online since then, calling him a traitor and doxxing him, revealing information about his whereabouts.

The former colonel, Rabih Alenezi, says he now fears for his life as the threats are coming from all social media platforms. He told Observers team that they want to kill him before he gets political asylum in the United Kingdom.

Alenezi is living in constant fear in a concealed location. His terror has risen since a mysterious Twitter account offered 10,000 Saudi riyals (around 2,400) to anyone who has information on his whereabouts.

On March 7, 2023, Rabih Alenezi published a video to his Twitter account announcing his decision to leave the Saudi police.

On March 17, Alenezis Twitter account was hacked, and all his tweets criticizing the regime were removed and replaced with photos of Mohamed Bin Salman, the crown prince of the Saudi kingdom.

Then, on March 22, while live streaming on TikTok from a restaurant in central London, the Twitter account Fahad Bin Sattam (@fahadnoic), which boasted that he had been able to locate Alenezi, put a bounty on his head.

Alenezi subsequently stopped the live broadcast. The nightmare continued for Alenezi on March 23, when he started streaming from another cafe in London, and Bin Sattam doxxed him again, determining his filming location where he immediately left the cafe.

On March 27, Bin Sattam posted a sort of wanted ad online, offering 10,000 Saudi riyals (2,400) to anyone who has information about Alenezis location, stating that he is renting a studio in London, probably in Kensington.

He added images of the inside of the apartment where the former colonel was staying, which he took from his TikTok videos.

Three days later, Bin Sattam told his followers to find Alenezis property on British housing sites Zoopla Property or OnTheMarket, offering 5,000 riyals (1,200) extra to the first person who finds him before him.

Hundreds of tweets praised Bin Sattams efforts, with one even offering an additional 1,000 riyals (200) to him to add to the 10,000 riyals.

Many of Bin Sattams followers joined Alenezis live streams on TikTok, filling the comments sections with threats and insults. Despite multiple reports, Twitter did not take any action against Bin Sattam, as his threatening messages did not violate Twitter rules.

Alenezi is doing his utmost to limit contact with strangers, and he is afraid that masked men will show up at his door to kill him any minute.

He has become a target for many trolls after leaving the police force and expressing his opinion.

He says the trolls became terrified after his posts, as if he was an imminent danger to the Kingdom, but all he did was talk about his experience in the police and express his opinion.

He also says that nobody dared threaten a colonel without the consent or direct order of the Saudi authorities, leading him to believe that they are behind the threats.
The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, was the site of deadly battles between paramilitaries and the regular army, resulting in at least 56 deaths and nearly 600 wounded.

The fighting between the two groups, including General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalos paramilitary group, referred to as the Rapid Support Forces, and the regular army has been ongoing as these groups compete for power during negotiations over a transitional government after the 2021 military coup.

Explosions and gunfire could still be heard in Khartoum, Omdurman, Bahri, and Port Sudan on Sunday. The Sudanese Doctors Union reports that fatalities have occurred at several locations, including Khartoums airport and the cities of Nyala, El Obeid, and El Fasher.

The RSF has claimed to have taken control of the presidential palace, state television station, army chiefs residence, and airports in several cities, including Khartoum, Merowe, El Fasher, and West Darfur. However, the army has disputed these claims.

After UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, African and Arab regional blocs, the EU, Iran, and France have also appealed for a ceasefire.

The Saudi and United Arab Emirates foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a joint call emphasising the importance of stopping the military escalation.

Former civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok called for a ceasefire, as did US Ambassador John Godfrey, who expressed his concern about the fighting. Despite pleas for a ceasefire, Hemedti stated that Burhan must surrender, referring to a power struggle between the two men.
A dramatic attack caught on TV in northern India resulted in the death of former Indian lawmaker Atiq Ahmad and his brother, Ashraf Ahmad.

The two were under police escort on their way to a medical checkup at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh state on Saturday night when they were targeted by three men posing as journalists, who quickly surrendered to police after the shooting.

At least one of the attackers reportedly chanted a slogan associated with Hindu nationalism.

Atiq Ahmad, who was jailed in 2019 for kidnapping, faced murder and assault charges at the time of his death.

A shocking attack in northern India has left former Indian lawmaker Atiq Ahmad and his brother, Ashraf Ahmad, dead. The incident occurred on Saturday night when the two were being escorted by police to a medical check-up at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh state.

According to reports, three men posing as journalists attacked the duo. The attackers quickly surrendered to the police after the shooting. At least one of the attackers was heard chanting a slogan associated with Hindu nationalism.

Atiq Ahmad was a former member of the Samajwadi Party and had served as a lawmaker in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He was also a businessman and had been accused of several crimes, including murder and assault. In 2019, he was jailed for kidnapping.

The incident has sent shockwaves throughout India, with many condemning the attack. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation into the matter, and the police have detained several people for questioning.

The attack has also raised concerns about the safety of politicians and public figures in India. Many politicians have expressed their condolences to the family of Atiq Ahmad and have called for swift action to bring the attackers to justice.

The incident has also highlighted the growing concern of religious extremism in India. The slogan chanted by one of the attackers has been associated with Hindu nationalism, a movement that has been accused of promoting violence against religious minorities in India.

In recent years, India has seen a rise in religious extremism, with incidents of mob violence and lynchings being reported from various parts of the country. The government has been criticized for not doing enough to curb the spread of hate speech and intolerance.

The attack on Atiq Ahmad and his brother is a tragic reminder of the need for peace and tolerance in India. It is a wake-up call for the government and the people of India to come together and work towards a more inclusive and tolerant society.
On the Second Day of Cross-Border Exchange, Hundreds of Yemeni Prisoners of War are Released.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has announced that hundreds of prisoners of war, including Saudis, have been freed as part of a cross-border exchange between a Saudi-led military coalition and Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

The exchange took place over several days and involved nearly 900 detainees, coinciding with peace talks which have led to hopes of ending Yemens eight-year-old war.

The flights began by taking 120 Huthi rebel prisoners from the southern Saudi city of Abha to Yemens Huthi-held capital Sanaa.

There was also a flight carrying 20 former detainees, 16 of which were Saudis, from Sanaa to Riyadh. Other flights carried a combination of 117 and 100 Huthi prisoners.

The aim of the ongoing exchange is to get back all prisoners and detainees, according to coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki.
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( Middle East Monitor )  Clashes erupted Saturday between the conventional Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), formerly known as the Janjaweed militias, in the capital Khartoum. The RSF had been deployed in 2019 by the military junta against the civilian revolutionary movement that overthrew dictator and war criminal Omar al-Bashir.

After 2019 a joint military and civilian council had been ruling Sudan in preparation for a hoped-for transition to a democratic republic, but regular army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is seen by the civilian leadership as dragging his feet on the next change and of acting in an authoritarian manner. In October 2021 al-Burhan dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his civilian government. Last December, the military and the civilian leadership reached a new accord, which was supposed to be finalized in early April but so far no final agreement has been reached.

Gunfire and bombs were heard near the army headquarters and presidential palace, according to an Anadolu reporter in Khartoum.

In a statement, the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces south of Khartoum with light and heavy weapons. The paramilitary force called the armys action a brutal assault, saying it had informed local and international mediators of the developments.

The RSF also claimed that its forces had taken control of Khartoum airport, presidential palace, the residence of the army chief and Merowe military base in northern Sudan.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Sky News Australia: Heavy gunfire in Sudanese capital as military and paramilitary force clash

RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, claimed that his forces have taken the Khartoum airport and the presidential palace.

Speaking to the Doha-based Al Jazeera television, Hemedti described army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as a criminal and corrupt who killed the Sudanese people, vowing to end this war in the coming few days.

Hemedti is al-Burhans deputy in the ruling Transitional Sovereign Council in Sudan.

For its part, the Sudanese army accused the RSF fighters of attempting to attack its forces south of Khartoum.

The rebel RSF spreads lies about our forces attacking them, to cover up their rebellious behavior, the statement said, declaring the paramilitary force a rebel group.

According to eyewitnesses, the Sudanese army carried out airstrikes on RSF bases in the capital Khartoum.

Witnesses said military warplanes struck RSF bases in Riyahd and Bahri neighborhood east and north of Khartoum.

The Sudanese army also denied the RSF claim of taking major sites in the capital, saying its forces had confronted the RSF attacks against the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and al-Burhans residence.

Local medics said three civilians were killed in the clashes between the army and RSF forces.

In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Committee said two people were killed in the fighting at Khartoum airport, while a third was killed in El-Obeid city, south of Khartoum.

Nine people, including an army officer, were also injured in the violence.

The dispute between the two sides came to the surface on Thursday when the army said recent movements by the RSF had happened without coordination and were illegal, with their rift centering around a proposed transition to civilian rule.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021 when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdoks transitional government and declared a state of emergency.

Last December, Sudans military and political forces signed a framework agreement to resolve the months-long crisis.

The signing of the final agreement was scheduled to take place on April 6, but was delayed. No date has been announced for the signing of the deal.

Sudans transitional period which started in August 2019 was scheduled to end with elections in early 2024.
Luanda  The minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete Antonio, urged this Thursday in Luanda the Angolan diplomats to exercise a dynamic and assertive diplomacy, with the participation of all officials, from top to bottom.

Tete Antonio, who was speaking during the closing ceremony of the IX Extended Consultative Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), pointed out to the need of a collective action in order to lead in the right path the mission regarding the promotion of Angola's image abroad, as well as the attraction of investments in the framework of the economy diversification process.

The minister reminded the diplomats that their first task is to represent Angola abroad and it must be performed with zeal, pride and discipline, despite any difficulties.

According to the minister, the speech of the Head of State, Joao Lourenco (at the opening ceremony), serves as a guideline for a more assertive performance.

"The tools given during this meeting are indispensable to break taboos and the current work culture, in order to contribute to a better MIREX, which can support with excellence the Head of the State and of which we can be proud", he emphasized.

The advisory council was held under the motto "MIREX and Angolan diplomatic action in the current international context: challenges and perspectives" and aims to carry out a periodic performance assessment in the field of foreign policy and diplomacy.

The event also served to evaluate the degree of coordination between MIREX structures and government partners, planning activities for the current year, strengthening internal organization, and analyzing the main issues in international politics.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Arabic press is reporting violent assaults Saturday evening by Israeli police against Palestinian Christian worshipers in Jerusalem attempting to make their way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for the Saturday of Light commemoration. The police attacks took place at the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in response to Christians objecting to the barriers the police had erected to keep crowds away.

On this day Eastern Orthodox priests descend to the basement where they say their candles are lit from an illumination emanating from the tomb that once held Christ before his resurrection. The lighted candles they bring back up are used to light other candles, and the light is taken by airplane to Eastern Orthodox countries like Greece, Bulgaria and Ukraine and distributed to churches.

So not only are the Israelis refusing to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian occupation, they are limiting Ukrainian pilgrims from attending the Saturday of Light festivities.

Ordinarily 10,000 worshipers would flock to the church for this festival, but the Israeli police under the new extremist, Jewish supremacist Netanyahu government, have refused to allow more than a fraction of them to gather there this year. Some 1800 were allowed inside the church and another 1200 were permitted to gather in the square just outside it.

The Israeli police statement claimed that some of the Christian worshipers attempted to enter the church by force. The police arrested one man, who is charged with attacking them.

Horrific scenes from Jerusalem as Israeli regime forces beat Palestinian Christian worshippers in order to prevent from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the old city. https://t.co/IlIDdEGyie  Dr. Yara Hawari .   (@yarahawari) April 15, 2023

The foreign ministry of the government of Palestine issued a statement saying that it condemns in the strongest terms the occupation forces attack on Christians celebrating the Holy Saturday in the Old City (Jerusalem), and preventing dozens from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, adding that it considered these actions strong evidence of the oppression practiced by the occupation forces toward Palestinian citizens, and toward the believers who came to worship in Jerusalem, regardless of their nationality.

The assaults on these worshipers, the ministry said, are a flagrant attack on the political, historical and legal status quo, and a brazen violation of the obligations of Israel, the occupying power, in Jerusalem.

The Status Quo is a technical term. According to agreements that go back to the Ottoman period and which were accepted by Israel in 1967 when it militarily seized Palestinian East Jerusalem, each religious community has control over its own religious edifices.

The Eastern Orthodox Church explains, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has absolute sovereignty, both in the Church of the Resurrection and the Holy Sepulchre, as well as in the rest of the Holy Sites within Palestine. The Church of the Resurrection, the Golgotha, the Holy Sepulchre and Adams Chapels, the Crown of Thorns, Centurion Longinus the Monastery of the Klapon and the Prison of Christ fall within the spiritual, administrative and pastoral jurisdiction of the Patriarchate, as well as part of the Praetorium, the Tomb of Panaghia in Gethsemane, the Church of Little Galilee on the Mount of Olives, the site where Protomaryr Stephen was stoned to death, and the house of Theotokos.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Middle East Eye: Israeli Forces Attack Christians during Sabbath of Light Celebrations in Jerusalem

It is open season on Christians in Jerusalem since PM Binyamin Netanyahu brought extremists such as Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir and Religious Zionism head Bezalel Smotrich into the cabinet and even gave them power over the Palestinians.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who is appointed by the Vatican, told AP this week that the far, far right government has emboldened Jewish extremists to attack clergymen and commit vandalism against churches at an unprecedented rate. He said that the extremists now feel that they have government protection, adding, The frequency of these attacks, the aggressions, has become something new.
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By Kambaiz Rafi, SOAS, University of London | 

The economic and political isolation of Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August 2021 has worsened a humanitarian crisis in the country. The World Food Program has projected that between November 2022 and March 2023 the number of food-insecure Afghans would rise to 20 million  3.2% of them under the age of five. Some 6 million people were classed in urgent need of assistance.

Arguments that the west should attempt to engage more effectively with the Taliban were mounted throughout the US-backed governments in Kabul which were put in place after the 2001 coalition invasion following on from the 9/11 terror attack on New York.

These were the driving force behind the Doha peace talks in 2018 which led to a deal in which the US agreed to withdraw its forces by May 2021. The US failed to meet this deadline and as the newly installed Biden administration delayed American forces were forced to make a chaotic withdrawal before the Taliban took control of Kabul in August that year.

The Taliban has been designated a terrorist organisation since 2001. Nevertheless, there have been repeated calls for a degree of engagement by the west. Arguments for engagement are twofold. Firstly on purely humanitarian grounds. But also due to the belief that continuing total isolation would lead to the Taliban tightening its already oppressive policies.

Some advocates are arguing that engagement should progress beyond the current focus of merely providing humanitarian support into the political and diplomatic arena. Washington was even poised to open diplomatic channels for the potential recognition of the Taliban regime back in March 2022. But the plan was shelved when the Taliban banned secondary school for girls.

Many of the US sanctions imposed against the Islamic Emirate (IE) have been softened over the past 18 months through the issuing of US Treasury General Licences. These are meant to permit broad financial relations between the US and other countries and entities around the world.

Afghanistan-related licenses since December 2021 effectively allow most financial transactions that involve the Taliban and its affiliate, the Haqqani Network (a group that officially remains under the Taliban leadership but has its own chain of command and semi-autonomy). But direct money transfers to these groups, who are still designated as terrorist entities, remain prohibited.

The IE even received an exemption from the US sanctions regime designed to punish Russian businesses following the invasion of Ukraine. Under GL28, individuals and corporations can continue dealing with Russias TransKapitalBank (TKB).

But the 18 months of Taliban rule in Afghanistan indicates that this easing has not been met with any concessions on the part of the Taliban administration. The idea that engagement might be reciprocated by the Taliban appears to have gravely underestimated the groups determined adherence to its repressive core ideology  even at the cost of ignoring deteriorating realities on the ground.

Afghanistans extremist rulers have intensified their repressive policies rather than reacting positively to the easing of sanctions. This has been particularly marked in the case of policies relating to women, as the table below shows:



Kambaiz Rafi , Author provided



Kabul has meanwhile received more than US$3.7 billion (2.98 billion) from donor countries during 2022  close to one-third of it from the US. This is less than half of the more than US$8bn that the former western backed republic received annually before 2021. But it indicates that there is still a degree of international goodwill that any less oppressive regime could make better use of.

Is the Taliban playing ball?

Reluctance among the Talibans leadership for genuine engagement can be seen in the fact that the Taliban office in Doha, Qatar, which was instrumental in negotiating the US withdrawal agreement in February 2020, has been marginalised since the takeover. The man who led the talks from the Taliban side between 2015 and 2020, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai  who has been critical of the way the regime is treating girls  has been downgraded to the relatively obscure post of deputy minister of foreign affairs.



Photo by Joel Heard on Unsplash

Administration of the Talibans government is now firmly in the grip of Hibatullah Akhundzadeh, who has shifted the groups power base to southern Kandahar province, where conservative loyalists tend to dominate. He is now seen as having consolidated his factions grip on the IEs domestic and regional policy.

Akhundzadehs attitude to women could be seen in his refusal to meet UN deputy director-general Amina Mohammad  the UNs highest-ranking woman  when she visited in January, chiefly to engage the regimes leadership.

Prominent womens activist, Mehbouba Seraj  who has been shortlisted for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize  remains an advocate of engagement with the Taliban. If we dont sit down and talk to them and see what it is exactly that we can do and they can do, the ones who are going to be paying for it, and who are paying a huge price, are the poor people of Afghanistan, the women and children, she said in February.

But realities on the ground since August 2021 show that ideological extremism cannot be countered by wishful thinking. Any continued western engagement should come with a price tag for the IE, not offered on the cheap. It should be based on clear communication of reforms by the regime, particularly to improve the conditions for women and an entire generation of girls who are being denied an education.

Kambaiz Rafi, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, SOAS, University of London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Otherwords.org )  The Prohibition Era mobster and thug Alphonse Al Capone comes to mind as we see the man who incited the January 2021 Capitol insurrection, among other misdeeds, finally face a criminal charge: falsifying business records.

Al Capone was the boss of a murderous Chicago criminal enterprise that controlled the illegal booze business through violence and graft.

His men bombed establishments that wouldnt buy from him, engaged in tommy gun battles with rivals, and slew those who got in his way. Most famously, Scarface (as he was also known) was believed to be responsible for the cold-blooded Valentines Day Massacre of seven North Side Gang members in 1929.

But the criminal conviction that took down Capone, and earned him a long sentence, wasnt murder. It was federal tax evasion.

Similarly, the charges brought against Donald Trump in New York may seem like a baby step toward justice in light of the menace Trumps lawlessness has posed to American constitutional democracy.

Nonetheless, a crime is a crime. Just as no one could say now that Al Capone shouldnt have been charged with tax evasion because of his murders and racketeering, theres no reason to claim that Trump shouldnt be charged with lesser crimes because he hasnt (yet) been charged with graver crimes.

Although Republican political leaders have joined Trump in denouncing the charges as political, they havent seriously disputed that Trump did in fact falsify business records. Whether Trump did or didnt have an affair with adult actress Stormy Daniels, no one can claim that the payment to her on Trumps behalf was a legal expense as the Trump Organization asserted.

Trumps Republican defenders argue that it was wrong to charge this offense as a felony, not merely a misdemeanor, because the falsification was not, as alleged, in aid of a further crime. But even if that were true, so what? In either scenario, theyre saying Trump should get a free ride for his crimes.

In actuality, the case is strong that Trump did falsify business records to conceal other crimes  including making an unlawful campaign contribution. He paid $130,000 to silence what amounted to a threat against his campaign.

These are likely not the last charges that will be brought against Trump.

It was difficult to convict Al Capone for his crimes of violence because he intimidated witnesses, and there were no films of Capone shooting rival gang members nor audio recordings of him calling his henchmen to perpetrate the Valentines Day Massacre. But Trumps further crimes are well-documented in his own recorded words.

Anyone can listen to him demand that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger overthrow the states 2020 election results by finding 11,780 votes. Since Raffensperger had repeatedly told Trump that his claims of election fraud had all been investigated and found baseless, Trump knew full well he was asking the Georgia official to find imaginary votes  that is, to engage in election fraud.

Nor can anyone seriously dispute that Trump deliberately incited mob violence at our Capitol on January 6, 2021. At the time, the Republican leaders of both the Senate and the House each plainly stated that they considered Trump and his inflammatory speech responsible for the violence.

After the mob attacked, Trump tried to join the rioters. And when he couldnt, he refused to try to restrain the mob for hours  and later praised them. Obviously, there is a strong case that what took place was what he intended. That is, he deliberately incited an insurrectionary riot.

I expect Republican officialdom to froth with indignation at the possibility that Trump will be held responsible for any of his actions. But for the rest of us, its a step toward justice when the powerful face even the smallest charges for their crimes. Well see if the bigger ones follow.
Libolo  The Angola government has said it will invest 90 billion kwanzas in listing ravines all over the country's 18 provinces, with the aim to stop them from spreading, the national director for Engineering Works, Lucau Pedro, said Thursday in central Cuanza Sul Province.

Speaking to the press, Lucau Pedro said the Ministry of Public Works, Urbanisation and Housing has catalogued 742 ravines in the country that require urgent intervention.

In relation to Cuanza Sul, the national director - who was speaking at the ceremony that served to handover the task to the contractor that is to intervene in the ravine located in the Novo neighbourhood - said the Ministry monitors 108 erosion processes, some of which are already being dealt with, specifically in the municipalities of Seles and Amboim.

"It's important to say that not all the ravines in Cuanza Sul are emergencies. Some are only in the formation phase, which is why each one will be solved in an isolated manner, according to the difficulty we encounter", Lucau Pedro explained.
Han So Hee feels apologetic to fans after not doing this at the airport.

Want to know what happened? Then read on!

Han So Hee Guilty of Not Greeting Her Fans at the Airport

Han So Hee is known for being friendly to fans. Anywhere she goes, the actress always acknowledges her supporters and makes sure to show how grateful she is to them.

However, with her back-to-back schedules in Korea and abroad, the celebrity unfortunately barely interacts with the crowd.

On April 15, Han So Hee returned to Seoul via Incheon International Airport after finishing her Dior Show in Los Angeles.

But when she arrived home, Han So Hee immediately shared a post on her SNS apologizing to fans for not being able to greet them at the airport.

Alongside her airport snap, the star wrote the caption:

"I'm sorry that I couldn't get your letter. I'll definitely receive them all next time. My apologies to you all, I couldn't say hello because I was so busy. Thank you for waiting for me even though it's already late. Get home safely. Thank you again, and we'll meet again. I hope no one got hurt."

Han So Hee felt guilty about not meeting and greeting her fans when she arrived at the airport. Despite being busy, the "My Name" actress still expressed her gratitude to fans and apologized in her SNS message.

In her published photo, the "Nevertheless" star is wearing a black bucket hat and a cropped top with jeans, revealing her slim body.

Han So Hee Reunites With Cha Eun Woo at Dior Show

Meanwhile, Han So Hee reunited with Cha Eun Woo in the U.S. as they made appearances at the Dior Show attended by international famous personalities. The star-studded gathering also became a hot topic on social media.

In 2022, Han So Hee and Cha Eun Woo worked together in the dramatized version of the popular webtoon "The Villainess Is A Marionette." They starred alongside Lee Soo Hyuk, and the trio showcased amazing chemistry with their acting and visuals.

What's Next for Han So Hee: 'Gyeongseong Creature,' 'The Price of Confession,' & 'Heavy Snow'

Han So Hee is preparing for her new projects to be released this year. She will meet the viewers through the historical-romance series "Gyeongseong Creature," alongside Park Seo Joon.

Adding to the list is her much-awaited collaboration with superstar Song Hye Kyo for the revenge drama "The Price of Confession."

Her movie "Heavy Snow" will finally debut on screen as it is invited to be screened at the upcoming 24th Jeonju International Film Festival, which will take place from April 27 to May 6 in South Korea.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Han So Hee's First Queer Movie To Screen in THIS International Film Festival

What can you say about the news? 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.
TOWN OF BRIGHTON  An Illinois man was killed in a single-motorcycle crash in Kenosha County on Saturday afternoon.

The Kenosha County Sheriffs Department indicated that the accident occurred in the 700 block of 312th Avenue (Highway J) at approximately 3:37 p.m.

Kenosha County deputies and Fire/Rescue personnel from the Town of Burlington and Kansasville responded to the scene.

Initial reports indicated that a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle was southbound on 312th Avenue and failed to negotiate the curve as it approached 7th Street (Highway BB).

According to the deputies on the scene, the motorcycle left the roadway and crashed into the ditch line on the west side of 312th Avenue. The roadway was wet as it had just finished raining.

The motorcycle was occupied by two riders and had extensive damage.

The operator of the motorcycle, a 54-year-old man from Buffalo Grove Ill., suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kenosha County Medical Examiners Office.

A female passenger of the motorcycle was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Due to the crash resulting in a fatality, the Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) responded to the scene to assist in the accident investigation.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending proper notification. The investigation is still active.

The public is encouraged to contact the Kenosha County Sheriffs Department with any information regarding the crash at 262-605-5100.
Luanda  The CEO of the Data Protection Agency (APD), Maria Pinto, said Thursday that in Angola personal and corporate data are legally protected by the Data Protection Law, IT Networks and Systems.

Maria Pinto said it is up to the State bodies to permanently supervise its application, just as the Agency itself does.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2nd edition of the "Angola Digital Forum", an initiative of the IT Portal, the APD CEO said that the changes in Angola are promising, since technological progress is expected to open up opportunities for the improvement of society.

Maria Pinto highlighted the improvements that have been marked in digital transformation supported by information and communication technologies.

The APD CEO explained that numerous personal data of citizens are processed on those digital tools and that privacy should not be neglected, while technological solutions are created.

To Maria Pinto, some of the technological improvements registered in the country are reflected in the betterment of the quality of life of Angolan society and other areas.

The official mentioned the new technologies incorporated in the country's banking sector, citing payment applications for financial products and services, as well as other services.

Review of legislation

Maria Pinto also said, on the sidelines of the Forum, the APD is working on updating the Data Protection Law, with a view to addressing current challenges.

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According to the official, the legal tool to be updated has been in force since 2011.

Maria Pinto said the updating would come into force this year and would cover concerns involving artificial intelligence in terms of the Data Protection Law (LPD).

Asked about how the APD is preparing itself to deal with the potential threat of artificial intelligence (AI) to citizens' data security, Maria Pinto explained that the Agency is currently working on the revision of the current Data Protection Law (LPD) to adapt it to the current challenges.

Maria Pinto added that the APD has a team to oversee compliance with the LPD in the country.

Meanwhile, she warned that in terms of data security, whether in relation to artificial intelligence or technology in general, the citizen has also the responsibility to protect it.

Maria Pinto clarified that the agency works only on ensuring compliance with regulations in terms of use of citizens' data, and intervenes when necessary to ensure such compliance.
Many consequences can happen to a physician who has faced the disease of addiction. One of the worst is to be placed on the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) exclusion list, which prohibits billing for both Medicare and Medicaid. During my hydrocodone addiction, I diverted the medication by writing prescriptions to my patients, who would bring the pills back to me for my use. I was charged with a felony, pleaded guilty after two years of wasted time in negotiations, and was placed on four years of probation. After two years, my probation was ended thanks to my probation officer advocating for me to the judge. Thirteen months after I had pleaded guilty, I received a bombshell letter in the regular mail from the OIG informing me I was placed on the exclusion list for five years because of my felony conviction. This came nine months after I had been fully credentialed for both Medicare and Medicaid with full disclosure of my felony and history of drug addiction and nearly five years since I last diverted a narcotic. I was practicing family medicine in a small town in North Carolina at the time, and I maintain medical licenses in both North Carolina and Nebraska that have been rendered worthless.

There are several ways to respond when placed on the OIG exclusion list. An appeal can be filed within 60 days of receipt of the letter. I was informed by my attorney and the hospital administration not to file an appeal because they were going to seek a waiver of the exclusion since I was practicing in an underserved area. I was instructed to sit tight and keep seeing patients. Three weeks after I received the notice, I was terminated because the CEO who had signed my contract said he did not know I was a felon when they hired me.

My licensing attorney was friends with the entire administration, and he initiated conversations and described my history, which led to their interest in hiring me. I personally informed the same people, and I was interviewed in person, and a contract was offered and signed. The office submitted the credentialing forms under the direction of the chief operating officer and included my history of felony and addiction. They had complete and indisputable knowledge of my history. During the month after receiving my termination notice signed by the vice president and delivered in person by the COO, there were multiple attempts to convince the CEO to change his mind. These attempts were unsuccessful, and the CEO kept to the story; he did not know I was a felon. I wrote a letter of appeal and called the OIG exclusion office, but they informed me the appeal time had expired.

There are three ways to overcome the OIG exclusion. You can file an appeal. You can obtain a waiver from the same people who excluded you, and I will describe this process and its futility. A presidential pardon will remove the felony, and the OIG exclusion is then ended. The state Medicaid director for both states I have medical licenses has submitted requests for a waiver. The OIG has granted a Medicaid waiver, but Medicare has denied it for small, underserved communities in both states. I have been talking with the small town of Aurora, Nebraska, which has three full-time physicians and one part-time. Medicare denied the waiver request because they said there were 49 family physicians in Aurora and 14 unique family practice offices in town. (There is one practice, and there never were or will be that many physicians in Aurora; according to Nebraska DHHS, there are only seven physicians in the entire county.)

They also said there are 348 family doctors in a town 30 miles away and 114 unique family practice offices. When confronted with the inaccurate numbers, the OIG exclusion office said they do not dispute the numbers from the Medicare people. A similar response was received for a town of 200 people in rural North Carolina. So two communities with difficulty recruiting and maintaining physicians cannot receive the care they deserve, and I was willing to provide.

My request for a presidential pardon was supported by a Nebraska Congressman that is no longer in office, so I was informed the request is just sitting in the Department of Justice. Not one Nebraska Congressman or Senator is willing to help, some have directly said no, and most will not return multiple phone calls or emails. Before me, no physician in Nebraska had been indicted for diverting, stealing, or buying illegal drugs on the street. The U.S. attorney who prosecuted me has a history of two DUIs and is recovering from an alcohol use disorder. My licensing attorney in North Carolina informed me no physician had been indicted for diverting a narcotic.

If you are charged with a felony, my advice is not to accept a plea deal. I believe a jury would have understood the disease of addiction and the resulting behaviors better than our legal system. I have been in recovery for 62 months, and I cannot practice my profession.

Jeffrey L. Fraser is a family physician.
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I was sitting alone in a rundown trailer in the woods, surrounded by five acres of trees that crowded the blue sky. I had 60 aminophylline pills in my hand, hoping they would end my life. As an asthmatic, I believed that this was the best way to escape my problems, and no one would ever find me in this remote location.

My husband and I had moved to this place to get away from the city, to live off the land and pretend to be hippies. I was young and naive, and I thought I had found my magic man. However, his love, gaslighting, and incredible charm turned out to be a bunch of red flags. I had grown up being told by my parents that I was fat, ugly, and stupid, so when he threw breadcrumbs of love my way, I grabbed them because I had never experienced anything better.

For four years, I thought we were living in bliss. He would gaze into my eyes and profess his love for me, and I believed every word. I was halfway through nursing school and almost there, but he started to distance himself from me. He would come home late from work, sleep on the couch, and go on business trips with another woman. He claimed it was all business, but the truth was revealed after four years of marriage. My husband was having an affair with his colleague, and our marriage was just a farce.

The day I found out, he left me and went to live with his brother in Texas. He packed his bags and said he needed to take care of himself, and I realized thats all he had ever done. Her husband, a deer hunter, even grabbed his gun and was going to come after my husband, which felt like something straight out of a country song.

I held the 60 pills in my hand, staring at the Bible and praying while Pink Floyds Shine on you crazy diamond played on the record player. I felt crazy but knew I was a diamond. I chose not to ingest the pills and decided to finish nursing school. An older nurse advised me to wrap my troubles in a blanket and send them up to God.

My husband was like a continuation of my parents, and I had poor survival skills. I was afraid to go out but also afraid to stay in. However, I chose not to take my life. Eventually, we tried to repair our marriage, and three children later brought me great joy. Although my husband returned to me with a litany of forever apologies, he never changed his ways and remained unfaithful to the end. After he passed away from cancer in multiple organs, we scattered his ashes into the winds on a mountaintop.

Although I had a tormented soul, I must have had a guardian angel watching over me. When I look into my little granddaughters eyes, I see their innocence, brilliance, magic, and beauty, and there is nothing more in life that I want or need than my children, grandchildren, and puppies by my side.

My message to anyone who may be struggling is to not give up and call for help. Help is available, and the little light inside you shines through. You can get through anything. Call #988 if you need immediate help.

Debbie Moore-Black is a nurse who blogs at Do Not Resuscitate.
A dire lack of humanitarian funding has left hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people in Chad facing hunger in the coming months, UN agencies said on Friday.

Speaking from Ndjamena, Pierre Honnorat, director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Chad, said that as the country moves into the lean season in-between harvests, food assistance could grind to a complete halt.

"Chad is surrounded by countries with crises and hosting some 600,000 refugees from Sudan, Niger, Cameroon and Central African Republic. It's one of the biggest caseloads in Africa. And the number kept rising with the recent conflict in the communities in Sudan," Mr. Honnorat told reporters in Geneva.

An additional 300,000 people in need of aid are internally displaced Chadians.

Complex crisis, chronic underfunding

WFP said that after fleeing conflict and violence, refugees, internally displaced people and their host communities face growing food insecurity and malnutrition, high food prices and the destructive effects of climate change. In the second half of 2022, the country saw the most devastating floods in 30 years.

Mr. Honnorat flagged that last year, some 90 per cent of refugees in Chad did not receive adequate food assistance and rations had to be cut in half.

He warned that "2023 is another very difficult year, whereby we have absolutely no funding from May onwards for the refugees and the displaced people."

Food assistance coming to a halt

WFP has already reduced its support in April and will only be able to serve just over 270,000 refugees this month.

To avoid food assistance coming to a complete halt and to "put food on the table of all crisis-affected populations" in Chad, WFP urgently needs additional funding of $142.7 million for the coming six months.

Hunger compounding vulnerabilities

Mr. Honnorat called on donors to help the Government of Chad "in their efforts to host so many refugees with so many crises at the same time", while emphasizing the upcoming "very difficult" lean season.

WFP projects that nearly 1.9 million people will be in severe food insecurity from June to August 2023, while more than 1.3 million children will suffer from acute malnutrition.

According to the UN agency, other disastrous impacts of the crisis could include a rise in child labour, under-aged marriage and recruitment into armed groups.

UNHCR appeal

Echoing the call for urgent action, Matthew Saltmarsh from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, also appealed to the international community to help tackle the crisis.

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"For our part of the appeal, we're looking to raise $172.5 million to provide protection and relief assistance to the one million forcibly displaced people and their hosts", he said, adding that UNHCR's appeal was, for now, only 15 per cent funded.

Development solutions

Speaking about longer-term solutions to the crisis, including development interventions, Mr. Honnorat highlighted a new project which WFP was running together with UNHCR and the Chadian agriculture ministry, to promote empowerment and self-reliance among the displaced by enabling them to become farmers and live off the land.

"We have just rehabilitated 1,600 hectares of land, which have already produced 2,900 tonnes of food", he said, stressing that the return on investment of the operation is "fantastic" and that most importantly, 16 villages now no longer require assistance.

Mr. Honnorat went on to underscore that in his 33 years at WFP, he had rarely seen development projects as "solid" as in Chad and praised the efforts of the Government in favour of the refugees, including ongoing work on a new asylum law, which should be finalized soon.
Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgeralds call for the establishment of a national arts and cultural centre on the Abbey Quarter site is a timely one.

Similar visions have been set out before. An international centre of study of the Normans and their historical and cultural impact was one suggestion from TD John McGuinness back in 2008 when Diageo confirmed its intention to vacate the site.

Parcels of the Abbey site have already been brought back into use, with public realm upgrades, the riverside park and skatepark.

The Brewhouse office building has several occupants at this stage, including Tirlan. When the new city library opens, it will bring further activity and vibrancy to the area.

The possibility of landing a third level campus on the site appears as remote as ever, but perhaps there is still scope for something that can add to Kilkennys artistic and cultural bona fides. A centre with such far-reaching ambition would be an appropriate anchor for another portion of the site.

Hopefully, the mayors proposal can at least be explored, and if it proves suitable and viable, the people of Kilkenny can get behind it.

MINISTERS VISIT

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly paid a recent visit to Kilkenny, with some key stops. He officially opened the new Lakeside Primary Care centre in the east of the city, as well as the new facility in Thomastown.

Crucially, he also visited the construction site of the new 95 bed Community Nursing Unit in the town. As our population ages, facilities of this type are going to be more in demand than ever in the coming years.

Question marks still remain over the health ministers handling of the trolley crisis, and hospital overcrowding in general. Figures from the INMO showed 31 people waiting for a bed at St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny on Tuesday. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away.
Yaounde, Cameroon  Two journalists in northern Cameroon are calling for government protection after witnesses say a mayor publicly threatened to kill them for investigating corruption in road construction contracts. The Cameroon Journalists Trade Union has condemned the threat, which came after the killings in January of two reporters who were outspoken on corruption.

The journalists say Sali Babani, the mayor of Maroua, a city near the northern border with Chad and Nigeria publicly threatened several times this month to kill reporters there.

The Cameroon Journalists Trade Union in a statement April 8 said the mayor threatened freelance reporter Ousman Alh Boubakari for asking about accountability on development projects.

Boubakari had accused the mayor on Facebook of abandoning some road construction projects in Maroua.

Mahamat Hamidou said that during a public ceremony at Kakatare last week, he heard Babani threatened to punish or kill journalists for reporting that some public projects have been abandoned. Hamidou said Cameroon's government should investigate why the mayor threatened to kill journalists instead of explaining why the road projects have not been completed as the Maroua Council promised.

The journalists' union said the mayor also threatened to kill Douala-based Channel 2 International's correspondent, Aminou Alioum.

Alioum and Boubakari said they received several anonymous calls threatening violence if they do not stop critical reports against the mayor.

Alioum told VOA that Boubakari received death threats from Babani for reporting that some roads in Maroua and construction work on the Kakatare junction in the same city have been abandoned. Alioum also said the mayor threatened him for taking pictures of the abandoned projects. He said the death threats from Babani add to other threats and intimidation reporters along Cameroon's northern border with Chad and Nigeria regularly get from Boko Haram militants.

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Babani refused to respond to VOA's questions on the threats, which journalists also took to the police.

The spokesperson for Cameroon's police would not comment on the threats, but told VOA it was their duty to protect all citizens.

Alioum and Boubakari said the threats will not stop them from carrying out their work as reporters but joined the journalists' union in calling for the government to ensure their safety.

Cameroon's government has not yet commented on the journalists' plea for protection.

Babani's threats of violence against the media come less than two months after two journalists were killed in Cameroon.

The mutilated remains of Martinez Zogo, a popular radio announcer and journalist, were found January 22 in Yaounde.

Police arrested 20 people in connection with the killing, including senior police intelligence officers and a well-known media mogul, Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga.

On his radio program, Zogo had accused Belinga and several government ministers of planning to kill him for his reporting on their alleged corrupt deals.

Radio presenter Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe was also found shot dead on February 2 outside his home in the capital.

Like Zogo, Bebe was an outspoken critic of government corruption.
Army soldiers deploy in Khartoum on April 15 amid reported clashes in the city. Sudan's paramilitaries said they were in control of several key sites following fighting with the regular army on April 15, including the presidential palace in central Khartoum.
An emergency rule introduced this week by Missouris Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey will impose numerous restrictions on both adults and children before they can receive puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or gender-affirming surgeries
Alaska Wealth Advisors lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJH  Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 210,767 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,310 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF makes up approximately 9.1% of Alaska Wealth Advisors portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Alaska Wealth Advisors holdings in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF were worth $50,982,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of IJH. Cottage Street Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 19,784.8% during the 4th quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC now owns 4,334,888 shares of the companys stock valued at $912,000 after acquiring an additional 4,313,088 shares in the last quarter. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 23,653.4% during the 3rd quarter. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,573,937 shares of the companys stock valued at $799,000 after acquiring an additional 3,558,891 shares in the last quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $217,139,000. Cowa LLC raised its position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF by 4,837.6% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 993,299 shares of the companys stock worth $4,817,000 after purchasing an additional 973,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parker Investment Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF during the 4th quarter worth $105,988,000.

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iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

NYSEARCA:IJH traded down $1.36 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $247.98. 804,080 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,116,134. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.24 and a beta of 1.12. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF has a one year low of $217.39 and a one year high of $272.95. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $252.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $247.60.

About iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

Ishares S&P Midcap 400 Index Fund, formerly The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States mid-cap stocks, as represented by the Standard & Poors MidCap 400 (the Underlying Index).

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJH  Get Rating).

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Lome  The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is ramping up its emergency food assistance to more than 30,000 people affected by the spill over of the Sahel armed conflict in the Savanes region in northern Togo - including refugees, internally displaced people (IDP) and members of the host community. Thanks to a financial contribution from the European Union's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO), and in partnership with the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC), WFP has begun distributing cash to help affected people purchase food. This includes primarily those affected by conflict and displacements.

"This EU's funding comes at a critical time as it enables us to respond rapidly to the food and nutritional needs of those who have been forced to flee their homes and abandon their belongings, businesses and food sources," said Aboubacar Koisha, WFP Representative and Country Director in Togo.

To further safeguard the nutritional status of the most at-risk groups and prevent malnutrition, WFP is also providing a fortified cereal to pregnant women and/or breastfeeding mothers, and to children under two in addition to the cash transfers.

"The government counts on the solidarity of partners such as WFP and the EU, the humanitarian arm of the European Union, to guarantee the well-being of vulnerable populations by minimizing the impacts of crises," said Yoma Baka, Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency, representing the Minister for Security and Civil Protection.

The spillover of the Sahel crisis has forced more than 27,000 people mainly women and children from Burkina Faso to flee their homes and seek refuge in northern Togo, in addition to 32,000 Togolese internally displaced due to insecurity. Most of the refugees and IDPs depend on the generosity of host families, government and aid organizations support for their survival. WFP has been supporting the government's response plan by providing rapid initial assistance starting in February targeting the most vulnerable IDPs, refugees, and members of the host community.
Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK  Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Barclays from $64.00 to $62.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, The Fly reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on BK. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Bank of New York Mellon from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $59.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. Wolfe Research raised Bank of New York Mellon from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $60.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $49.00 to $46.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $53.00 to $52.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of New York Mellon currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $51.46.

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Bank of New York Mellon Stock Performance

Bank of New York Mellon stock opened at $46.36 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $47.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. Bank of New York Mellon has a 12-month low of $36.22 and a 12-month high of $52.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.07.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of New York Mellon

Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 13th. The bank reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $3.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.12 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 12.87%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.04 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Bank of New York Mellon will post 4.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,626,336 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,604,967,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,130 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 17,130,608 shares of the banks stock valued at $779,785,000 after purchasing an additional 647,934 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,074,935 shares of the banks stock valued at $684,941,000 after purchasing an additional 144,887 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $503,489,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 9,401,434 shares of the banks stock worth $427,953,000 after acquiring an additional 122,471 shares during the last quarter. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bank of New York Mellon

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The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. is a bank holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and Other segment. The Securities Services segment includes Asset Servicing business, which provides global custody, fund accounting, integrated middle-office solutions, transfer agency and data and analytics solutions.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Guess (NYSE:GES  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Wednesday.

GES has been the subject of a number of other reports. Small Cap Consu reissued a buy rating on shares of Guess in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. TheStreet raised Guess from a c rating to a b rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued a market perform rating and set a $23.00 target price on shares of Guess in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Guess presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $26.00.

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Guess Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE:GES opened at $19.40 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $20.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.80. Guess has a 52-week low of $14.27 and a 52-week high of $24.66. The company has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a PE ratio of 8.70 and a beta of 1.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Guess Dividend Announcement

Guess ( NYSE:GES Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 14th. The company reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.44. The business had revenue of $817.78 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $772.00 million. Guess had a return on equity of 33.93% and a net margin of 5.57%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Guess will post 2.66 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 29th were issued a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.64%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 28th. Guesss dividend payout ratio is currently 40.36%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guess

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Guess by 27.5% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,692 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Guess by 48.5% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 22,428 shares of the companys stock worth $490,000 after buying an additional 7,322 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in shares of Guess by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 33,609 shares of the companys stock worth $734,000 after buying an additional 4,152 shares during the period. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new position in shares of Guess in the 1st quarter worth $391,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its position in shares of Guess by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 37,147 shares of the companys stock worth $833,000 after buying an additional 2,112 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.81% of the companys stock.

Guess Company Profile

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Guess?, Inc engages in designing, marketing, distributing and licensing contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children that reflect the American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities. It operates through the following segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing.

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CLS Holdings plc (LON:CLI  Get Rating) insider Andrew Kirkman bought 115 shares of CLS stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 131 ($1.62) per share, for a total transaction of 150.65 ($186.56).

Andrew Kirkman also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, March 9th, Andrew Kirkman sold 12,461 shares of CLS stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 145 ($1.80), for a total transaction of 18,068.45 ($22,375.79).

CLS Stock Performance

LON:CLI opened at GBX 135.80 ($1.68) on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 142.24 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 146.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 90.88, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 0.64. CLS Holdings plc has a 52 week low of GBX 127.80 ($1.58) and a 52 week high of GBX 231 ($2.86). The firm has a market cap of 539.41 million, a P/E ratio of -679.00 and a beta of 0.86.

CLS Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd will be paid a GBX 5.35 ($0.07) dividend. This is a positive change from CLSs previous dividend of $2.60. This represents a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 23rd. CLSs dividend payout ratio is currently -4,000.00%.

CLI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Peel Hunt reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 175 ($2.17) target price on shares of CLS in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Berenberg Bank reduced their target price on shares of CLS from GBX 205 ($2.54) to GBX 190 ($2.35) and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 6th.

About CLS

(Get Rating)

CLS Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the investment, development, and management of commercial properties in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. It operates in two segments, Investment Properties and Other Investments. The company also invests in a hotel; and corporate bonds and other corporate investments, as well as rents office buildings.

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MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag (OTCMKTS:MGYOY  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,200 shares, a decline of 57.9% from the March 15th total of 7,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 17,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag Trading Down 10.1 %

Shares of MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag stock traded down $0.43 on Friday, reaching $3.82. 41,619 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,023. MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag has a 1-year low of $2.52 and a 1-year high of $5.58. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $3.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.45.

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About MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag

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MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Plc engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. It operates through the following segments: Upstream, Downstream, Consumer Services, Gas Midstream, and Corporate and Other. The Upstream segment covers production fields and assets under construction.

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The New Germany Fund, Inc. (NYSE:GF  Get Rating) was the target of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,500 shares, an increase of 1,400.0% from the March 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 18,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

The New Germany Fund Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE GF opened at $9.14 on Friday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $9.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.43. The New Germany Fund has a 12-month low of $6.81 and a 12-month high of $11.18.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in The New Germany Fund by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 103,161 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $718,000 after purchasing an additional 1,499 shares during the period. Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its position in The New Germany Fund by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 205,864 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,633,000 after purchasing an additional 1,952 shares during the period. UBS Group AG lifted its position in The New Germany Fund by 117.2% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,722 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,008 shares during the period. Arnhold LLC lifted its position in The New Germany Fund by 8.3% during the 3rd quarter. Arnhold LLC now owns 32,643 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $227,000 after purchasing an additional 2,491 shares during the period. Finally, Uncommon Cents Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of The New Germany Fund by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 316,957 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,501,000 after acquiring an additional 3,015 shares during the last quarter.

About The New Germany Fund

The New Germany Fund Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc The fund is managed by Deutsche Asset Management International GmbH. It invests in the public equity markets of Germany. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Get Rating) had its price objective cut by Truist Financial from $18.00 to $16.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $16.50 to $15.25 in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $17.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. StockNews.com started coverage on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Citigroup raised their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $15.00 to $16.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Friday, December 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.88.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Stock Performance

Shares of PEB opened at $14.21 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.85. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has a 52-week low of $12.37 and a 52-week high of $26.14. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $14.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces Dividend

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust ( NYSE:PEB Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.34) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.18 by ($0.52). Pebblebrook Hotel Trust had a negative net margin of 6.26% and a negative return on equity of 2.77%. The firm had revenue of $319.61 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $309.55 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.06 earnings per share. Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts revenue was up 29.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Pebblebrook Hotel Trust will post 1.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st will be paid a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.28%. Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -4.12%.

Insider Transactions at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

In other Pebblebrook Hotel Trust news, CEO Jon E. Bortz acquired 14,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $13.62 per share, with a total value of $190,680.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,108,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,092,349.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Jon E. Bortz acquired 11,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $12.95 per share, for a total transaction of $142,450.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,122,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,531,220.90. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz acquired 14,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 16th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $13.62 per share, for a total transaction of $190,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,108,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,092,349.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders purchased 39,865 shares of company stock worth $555,064. 2.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in PEB. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 48,151 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 4,591 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 176,918 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,475,000 after buying an additional 6,388 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,551,178 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $478,613,000 after buying an additional 226,216 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 30,800 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $754,000 after buying an additional 1,607 shares during the period. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust during the 1st quarter worth $237,000.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Company Profile

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is a real estate investment trust, engages in investments and acquisitions in hotel properties. Its hotels are located in markets like Atlanta, Georgia, Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago, Illinois, Key West, Miami and Naples, Florida, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, California, Nashville, Tennessee, New York, New York, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

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Virgin Money UK PLC (OTCMKTS:CBBYF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,680,100 shares, a growth of 67.3% from the March 15th total of 2,797,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 46,801.0 days.

Virgin Money UK Price Performance

OTCMKTS CBBYF remained flat at $2.40 during trading on Friday. Virgin Money UK has a 1 year low of $2.40 and a 1 year high of $2.40. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $2.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2.40.

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About Virgin Money UK

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Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; asset and invoice finance services; risk management; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products.

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Luanda  The Supreme Court (ST) decided Friday to create a fourth division of the Criminal Chamber, aimed to speed up the processing of the cases, the institution's spokesman Leandro Lopes has said.

Leandro Lopes was speaking at the end of an ordinary session of the Supreme Court, chaired by presiding judge.

He said that of the eight new judges who had recently joined the court, five were assigned to the Criminal Chamber, while the other three were placed in the civil one.

Leandro Lopes also said that the institution now have 23 judges, distributed across four chambers, namely Criminal, Civil, Administrative Litigation, Tax and Customs and Labour.

The spokesman said that the arrival of new magistrates had made it possible to redistribute many pending cases, with a view to meeting the challenge of the president of the Supreme Court, Joel Leonardo, to resolve more than 2,000 pending cases by 2025.

As example, he noted that the Criminal Chamber, with 12 judges, currently has 1,887 cases, with each of them having close to 150 unresolved cases.

The spokesman stated that the new judges will start their functions next Monday .
False Igbo title claim

IN SHORT: As Nigeria's economic capital takes stock of its March 2023 election for governor, claims have been made online that the state has banned a traditional Igbo title. It hasn't.

Ahead of the Lagos state governorship election on 18 March 2023, there were fears about how ethnic profiling, threats and attacks on Igbos in the state would affect voter turnout.

And on 1 April, a post on Facebook claimed that the Lagos state government had banned "Eze Ndigbo titles".

It read: "Lagos State Government Has Put A Ban On All Eze Nd'Igbo Titles Henceforth, Warn All LG CHAIRMEN To Be On Alert ".

LG is short for Local Government, one of the units of administration in the country.

The same claim appeared on Facebook here, here, here, here and here.

What does this mean and is it true?

Ethnic affiliations highlighted in election season

The Igbo community is one of the largest in Nigeria, alongside the Hausa and the Yoruba. The Igbo and Yoruba are the predominant groups in Lagos state.

The Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was targeted because of his Igbo heritage. This was despite him being of mixed Igbo and Yoruba descent.

Labour caused an upset in Nigeria's presidential election on 25 February 2023, when its candidate Peter Obi won more votes in the state than president-elect Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).

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But the APC turned the tables on Labour in the state in March when its candidate, the incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, defeated Rhodes-Vivour.

Rhodes-Vivour has claimed that the election was marred by voter intimidation and rigging, and said that he would challenge the result in court.

It is in this context that Eze Ndigbo of Ajao estate, Fredrick Nwajagu, reacted to the targeting of Igbos by threatening to invite the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra or Ipob, to secure Igbo properties in the state. This led to his arrest on 1 April.

The title "Eze Ndigbo", or "Igbo king", is given to an Igbo man chosen by his community members to lead them. Ndigbo is a plural term for the Igbos. Some community leaders say the title doesn't imply royalty as it is given outside what was traditionally Igbo land.

'Nothing like that'

But has Lagos banned the title "Eze Ndigbo"?

"No nothing like that," Gboyega Akosile, the state's chief press secretary, told Africa Check.

The mainstream media also reported that the state had denied banning the title.

Catherine AdeniyiJunior researcher
Washington [US], April 16 (ANI): When people kiss, share drinks, or use the same eating utensils, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) primarily transmits through saliva. It should therefore come as no surprise that EBV is one of the most widespread viruses, affecting more than 90% of the population of world, primarily during childhood.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Nature.

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EBV is a cause of infectious mononucleosis and other infections, however frequently there are no symptoms. Although the majority of infections are small and transient, the virus is still present and can occasionally go dormant or reactivate. Long-lasting latent infections are associated with a number of cancers as well as several chronic inflammatory disorders.

Researchers at University of California San Diego, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and Ludwig Cancer Research at UC San Diego, describe for the first time how the virus exploits genomic weaknesses to cause cancer while reducing the body's ability to suppress it.

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These findings show "how a virus can induce cleavage of human chromosome 11, initiating a cascade of genomic instability that can potentially activate a leukemia-causing oncogene and inactivate a major tumor suppressor," said senior study author Don Cleveland, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Neurosciences and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

"It's the first demonstration of how cleavage of a 'fragile DNA' site can be selectively induced."Throughout every person's genome or full set of genes are fragile sites, specific chromosomal regions more likely to produce mutations, breaks or gaps when replicating. Some are rare, some are common; all are associated with disorders and disease, sometimes heritable conditions, sometimes not, such as many cancers.

In the new study, Cleveland and colleagues focus on EBNA1, a viral protein that persists in cells infected with EBV. EBNA1 was previously known to bind at a specific genomic sequence in the EBV genome at the origin of replication. The researchers found that EBNA1 also binds a cluster of EBV-like sequences at a fragile site on human chromosome 11 where increasing abundance of the protein triggers chromosomal breakage.

Other prior research has shown that EBNA1 inhibits p53, a gene that plays a key role in controlling cell division and cell death. It also suppresses tumor formation when normal. Mutations of p53, on the other hand, are linked to cancer cell growth.

When the scientists examined whole-genome sequencing data for 2,439 cancers across 38 tumor types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes project, they found that cancer tumors with detectable EBV revealed higher levels of chromosome 11 abnormalities, including 100% of the head and neck cancer cases.

"For a ubiquitous virus that is harmless for the majority of the human population, identifying at-risk individuals susceptible to the development of latent infection-associated diseases is still an ongoing effort," said the study's first author Julia Li, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Cleveland's lab. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, April 16: The banner of revolt by disappointed ticket aspirants in a number of constituencies seems to be keeping the BJP leadership on tenterhooks, as it resorts to douse the fire with less than a month to go before the Assembly polls.

The decision of former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and former deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi to quit the BJP after the party decided not to field them in the May 10 elections, has given a jolt to the party. Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: BJP President JP Nadda Kickstarts Vijaya Sankalp Abhiyaan at Mega Rally in Vijayapura (See Pics).

Party leaders in private acknowledged that the disgruntlement after announcement of candidates is certainly a cause for worry. The BJP has so far announced candidates in 212 constituencies out of the total 224 in two lists. Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Congress Leader Siddaramaiah to Contest From Kolar Constituency.

According to party sources, there seems to be revolt in about two dozen Assembly segments. Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa on Sunday said no force can stop the party from coming back power with a clear majority. The national party has pressed its leaders into action for damage control.

Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan (poll in-charge), Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Yediyurappa, state president Nalin Kumar Kateel are engaged in trouble-shooting exercises. Also, some RSS leaders are said to have been roped in to pacify the dissidents.

Bommai and Yediyurappa have said that they are talking to all the disgruntled leaders personally to ensure that they don't leave the party, and the central leadership is personally in touch with some seniors who are upset. Pradhan was even sent to Belagavi where the party has fielded seven new faces, and has replaced at least two sitting legislators.

The BJP in the first two lists has dropped at least 17 sitting MLAs and has fielded 67 new candidates. While deciding tickets, the party has adopted the policy of trying to replace some seniors and those nearing "retirement" (75 years), fielding new faces in segments where it has not won, and asking leaders to withdraw from the fray if they want tickets for their children, a party functionary said.

According to reports, the leadership, during the Central Election Committee meeting had expressed reservations regarding the State BJP's recommendation list, which re-nominated most of the sitting legislators, and it contained the names of both father and children.

After the CEC meeting, Bommai himself had given an indication in this regard by stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave some directions and the party is working on various inputs to finalise the list. He, however, did not elaborate on the nature of directions or inputs. Several rounds of deliberations were held in Delhi before announcing the first list.

Among the legislators who have resigned from the post and the primary membership of the party include - MLAs M P Kumaraswamy (Mudigere), Goolihatti Shekhar (Hosadurga), and MLCs Laxman Savadi (Athani) and R Shankar (Ranebennur).

Savadi quit BJP and joined Congress on Friday. On Saturday, the grand old party gave him a ticket from Athani in Belagavi district. Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar and former MLA from Tumakuru city Sogadu Shivanna too have announced that they will resign from the primary membership of the party.

Several other leaders or legislators who have not got the ticket have openly expressed their angst and have said that they will decide on their next move in a couple of days, once they consult their supporters and voters in the constituency.

Of the 12 seats for which tickets are yet to be announced, seven are currently held by BJP MLAs. They include Shivamogga and Hubli-Dharwad Central, the seats represented by senior party leaders K S Eshwarappa and Shettar, respectively.

Eshwarappa, a former deputy Chief Minister, has told the party's Central leadership that he wishes to retire from electoral politics and has requested it to not consider fielding him in the Assembly polls. He is, however, seeking a ticket for his son K E Kantesh, from Shivamogga, some reports said.

The decision of Shettar, a prominent Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, may adversely impact the party's prospects in a number of segments in the region, according to political observers. At least 16 Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation councillors have offered to tender their resignation in support of Shettar.

Shettar, a veteran BJP leader whose family has been associated with the party since Jana Sangh days, is an influential leader from its bastion of Kittur-Karnataka region.

The other segments for which the tickets are to be announced include - Govindarajanagar represented by Minister V Somanna, who is now the party's candidate from Varuna and Chamarajanagar. Somanna wants a ticket of his erstwhile constituency to his son Arun Somanna. Also to be announced are former ministers Aravind Limbavali and MLA S A Ramadass' Mahadevapura and Krishnaraja segments respectively.

Bommai, on his part, has said that in a ruling party where there are a lot of aspirations, it is natural to have disgruntlement during ticket distribution ahead of elections, and the party is strong and capable enough of managing things.

He said some leaders with ambition to become legislators might be parting ways, but workers were committed to the party. Minister S Angara and MLA Raghupathi Bhat, who had expressed displeasure about being denied tickets from Sullia and Udupi respectively, and had decided to stay away from the party work, have reconciled and have announced that they will campaign for the party candidates.

Confident that things will fall in place very soon, as national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah among others will come to State for campaigning, some BJP functionaries are of the opinion that the "experiment" adopted by the party for ticket distribution in Karnataka is part of a larger strategy to strengthen and broadbase the party, while grooming the new line of leadership.

"Such experiments have been done in States like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam and Himachal Pradesh among a few others, now in Karnataka, and it will continue in other States," a party functionary said, adding that he is hopeful of success, as it is also part of a strategy to combat "anti incumbency".

Some party leaders feel that fielding new faces for elections, will energise workers as it gives assurance to them about opportunities ahead, and will also attract more people to join BJP, thereby expanding the cadre base.

Some partymen point at BJP's decision to spice up the poll scene, by fielding heavyweights against top Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar and taking the fight to the opposition camp, as a "bold step" and a right move to end "adjustment politics" between political leaders.

BJP has announced that senior Ministers V Somanna and R Ashoka would take on former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress chief Shivakumar in Varuna and Kanakapura, respectively.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], April 16 (ANI): Officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday recovered two packets of contraband drugs in Punjab's Gurdaspur, officials said.

The recovery of packets, suspected to be Heroin, was made in Bahupur Afgana village.

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"On April 16, during evening hours, BSF received information of a suspected packet in a farming field close to the deployment area and after a quick reaction could recover two packets of narcotics suspected to be heroin in the area near Bahupur Afgana village of Gurdaspur district," BSF said in a statement.

"The Gross weight of the recovered packets is 2.1 Kg. The packets were tied in a single piece of cloth. A hook along with nylon rope and a luminous strip was also found attached to the consignment," the statement added.

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Earlier in March, BSF recovered a cache of arms allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone along the international border in Punjab.

In a statement, BSF said, "On March 24, BSF troops deployed along the Indo-Pakistan border in the area of Metla in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab detected a drone infiltrating into Indian territory from Pakistan side, and subsequently fired upon the rogue drone."

Earlier on March 10, the BSF shot down a Pakistani drone near the international border in Punjab's Gurdaspur district which was used from across the border to supply arms and ammunition.

The hexacopter drone was shot down and recovered along with contraband items by the BSF troops from the area near Metla village in the Gurdaspur district.

One AK series rifle, two magazines and 40 rounds of live cartridges were also recovered from a farming field in depth area near Nabi Nagar village in Gurdaspur. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Maputo  Contrary to initial reports, Mozambican Justice Minister Helena Kida will not chair the Commission set up to assess the viability of holding elections to district assemblies in 2024.

The spokesperson for the commission, academic Ismael Mussa, on Thursday told the independent television station, STV, that in reality the commission chairperson is Aguiar Mazula, who today holds no government position, but is a former Minister of Labour, Minister of State Administration and Minister of Defence.

Mussa's claim is strange, because the government decree setting up the Commission, known by the acronym CRED, states unequivocally that it will be led by the Minister of Justice.

But Mussa insisted that the true coordinator of CRED is Aguiar Mazula, and that Helena Kida "participated simply on the day the Commission was formalized at the Prime Minister's office, to present the space where the Commission will undertake its work'.

Mussa was once a member of the main opposition party, Renamo, but in 2009 he defected to the breakaway Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) and was appointed MDM General Secretary. He resigned from this position in April 2011.

He kept his position as an MDM member of the Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic

In the municipal elections of 2013, Mussa ran as an independent candidate for the post of Mayor of Maputo. He came last out of three candidates, with just 1.59 per cent of the votes.

This political career ensures that Mussa is not trusted by the opposition parties.

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The other members of CRED are not yet publicly known, apart from two ministers who will sit on the Commission ex oficio - the Minister of Economy and Finance (Max Tonela) and the minister whose brief includes local administration (Ana Comoana).

No other members of CRED have yet been appointed. It should include "experienced staff in the area of local governance and public finance', and academics "from the area of public administration, decentralization, and constitutional and administrative law'.

It is already certain that no members of opposition parties will sit on the Commission. Indeed, Renamo, regards CRED as illegitimate, and wants it scrapped.

The Commission has just 15 days to carry out its work over the entire country. This work, according to a report in the independent daily "O Pais', includes "reflecting on the viability of holding district elections in 2024, considering political, administrative, social and financial factors; assessing the implementation of decentralization in the country; and analyzing the territorial coexistence and functional coordination between the bodies of provincial governance, municipal bodies and the bodies of decentralized district governance'.

CRED must then advise the government "on the position to be taken regarding the deepening of decentralization at district level in 2024'.

Doing all this, over the entire country, in just a fortnight seems an impossible task, and just strengthens Renamo's conviction that the government and the ruling Frelimo Party have already decided that district elections will not be held in 2024.
Bandora (Goa) [India], April 16 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Goa CM Pramod Sawant visited Nagesh temple in Bandora, Goa on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Shah presented the "Maharashtra Bhushan" award for the year 2022 to Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, a social worker, at Raigarh, Maharashtra.

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Shah said that people have immense respect and devotion for Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari or Appasaheb, and "such respect and devotion can be achieved only through sacrifice, dedication and service."

On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and many other dignitaries were present.

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"People have immense respect and devotion for Appasaheb, a social worker who did social service in public life without aspiring for any fame. Such respect and devotion can be achieved only through sacrifice, dedication and service done by Appasaheb. People's love, trust and respect for Appasaheb is a tribute to his work and value, and the teachings of Nanasaheb. Like Appasaheb, instead of following the people, one should act in such a way that people follow him," Shah said.

He said that it is rarely seen in history that the culture of social service remains in the same family for three generations. First Nanasaheb, then Appasaheb and now Sachin Bhau and his brothers are carrying forward this tradition of social service.

He said that by giving him the Maharashtra Bhushan Award the Maharashtra government has not only honoured Appasaheb but has also inspired crores of people to live life like him.

"This land of Raigad in Maharashtra is the holy land of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This land has continued three traditions in the country. First- the tradition of valor and sacrifice for the nation, was started by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rising from the land of Maharashtra across the country, great freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Chapekar brothers and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak laid down their lives for Swaraj and respect," said Shah.

Amit Shah prayed for Appasaheb's long life and wished lakhs of his followers to continue working in society for many years as per Appasaheb's directions. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Panaji (Goa) [India], April 16 (ANI): Goa Congress president Amit Patkar, General Secretary Captain Viriato Fernandes, and other party leaders were detained while on their way to protest at the venue of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's public meeting in south Goa on Sunday evening, a police official said.

The Congress workers were detained at Banastarim bridge, almost 10 kms away from Farmagudi ground near Ponda town, where Shah is scheduled to address BJP's public meeting later in the evening, said an official. As per the police, the detention came as a preventive measure and all the detainees were taken to Old Goa Police Station.

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"Congress leaders were on their way to Shah's rally. We wanted to seek clarification from Shah about his statement on the diversion of Mhadei river water by Karnataka," he said. Patkar claimed Shah had told a public meeting in Karnataka that the water of the Mhadei river would be diverted for which the Goa government has given its consent.

"Shah may be a BJP leader but he is the country's Home Minister. We have a right to question him during the public meeting," he said. (ANI)

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (PTI) Despite a marginal fall in temperature across Odisha, the mercury level on Sunday remained at or above 40 degrees Celsius in at least 20 places in the state, according to a meteorological department bulletin.

The industrial town of Jharsuguda was the hottest place in the state with the mercury level touching 43 degrees C while three places - Boudh, Sambalpur and Talcher- recorded temperatures above 42 degrees C.

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Similarly, six places recorded temperatures at or above 41 degrees C.

These places are Angul (41.1), Sundergarh (41.5), Bolangir (41.2), Titlagah and Malkangiri (41.5 each) and Rourkela (41).

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The maximum temperature recorded in Bhubaneswar was 40 degrees C.

The IMD issued a yellow warning and stated that thunderstorms with lightening are very likely to occur at one or two places in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar and Bhadrak districts.

It also forecast light-to-moderate rain or thunderstorms at one or two places over the districts of Kendrapara, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Nuapada by 8.30 am on Monday.

Meanwhile, the state government announced that all Anganwadi centres will have classes from 7 am to 11 am from Monday due to heatwave conditions.

The Women and Child Development Department, in a notification, said that all Anganwadi centres have also been directed to make arrangements for an adequate supply of drinking water for the children and their staff during working hours.

However, the district collectors have been empowered to make changes in the timing of the centres, according to the heatwave conditions in their areas.

Government and private schools will also hold morning classes from Monday for the heatwave in the state.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 16 (ANI): All educational institutions in West Bengal were directed to remain closed for a week from April 17 due to the prevailing heatwave situation in the state.

"All autonomous, state, central government aided and private universities and affiliated colleges in the state except in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts will remain closed for a week from April 17 due to the prevailing heatwave situation," read an official notice from the West Bengal government.

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Earlier on April 12, the Odisha government had ordered to close the Anganwadi centres and schools both government and private, up to class 10th from Wednesday to April 16 due to intense heat wave conditions.

As summer extends its grip across vast swathes of the country, Odisha is literally feeling the heat, with the day temperature on Thursday recorded at 43.5 degrees Celsius, the highest this month.

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"Baripada recorded 43.5C, which is the highest temperature recorded in Odisha this month," Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at India Meteorological Department (IMD), told ANI.

"We have issued a (heatwave) warning, especially for April 14 and 15. Hot weather conditions in Odisha may continue over the next 3 days," the IMD senior scientist added.

"Owing to the ongoing heatwave conditions, we have advised the citizens to take precautionary measures," he said.

On April 10, the maximum daytime temperature in the state capital Bhubaneshwar touched 37. 5 degrees Celsius. With a significant reduction in thunderstorms, it is expected that the maximum temperature in the city will rise over the next couple of days, the meteorological agency said.

"Day temperature is likely to increase 2-3 degrees Celsius in next two days, and after that, it will likely stabilise," Das had said earlier.

He further advised people in the state capital to wear light clothes and carry water bottles while stepping outdoors in view of the hot and humid weather.

Meanwhile, considering the ongoing heatwave condition in the state, the Odisha government has ordered all Anganwadi centres and schools, both government and private, up to class 10, to close from Wednesday. The schools and Anganwadi centres will be closed till April 16. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 16 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh reported 56 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the tally of active cases to 1,869, the state health department informed through a bulletin on Sunday.

One death was reported in the past 24 hours while 260 people recovered in the same period, it said.

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Earlier on Thursday, amid the increasing COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, the state government decided to make wearing masks mandatory in hospitals. The health department at the state Cabinet meeting gave a presentation of the Covid preparedness in the state.

The Cabinet has also appealed to the people not to panic as the virus is mild. Cabinet Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said, "Today cabinet has made it mandatory to wear masks in the hospitals so that there is nothing to panic about, the situation is normal in the state, and everything is under control."

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Meanwhile, the country recorded 10,093 new cases of coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, as per the daily health bulletin released by the Union Health Ministry released on Sunday. According to the Health Ministry, India's active caseload currently stands at 57,542 which is 0.13 per cent of the total cases. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 16 (ANI): Making progress on the 'G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)', the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the second in-person meeting of DEWG in Hyderabad from April 17-19, 2023, said the MeitY officials in a press conference here on Sunday.

The press briefing jointly done by Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, MeitY and K. Rajaraman, Secretary (Telecom) was organised as a part of the curtain raiser event.

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"The first day of the second meeting of DEWG will begin with side events on April 17, 2023. The inaugural address will be given by Union Minister of State of Communication, Devusinh Chauhan and Union Minister of State of Social Justice & Empowerment, A. Narayanaswamy", said the officials.

The side events will focus primarily on Digital Connectivity and will comprise three-panel discussions on the thematic areas namely, 'High-Speed Mobile Broadband and its Impact on Lives, Society and Industry', 'Digital Inclusion: Connecting the Unconnected', and 'Sustainable, Green Digital Infrastructure: Challenges and Opportunities'. Global experts will share their experience in emerging & telecom technologies and on technology-led inclusive development, the officials said.

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The officials further added, "On the second and third day of the meetings, G20 Members, invited guest countries and International Organisations will have an extensive discussion on the actionable deliverables in priority areas namely 'Digital Public Infrastructure', 'Cybersecurity' and 'Digital Skilling'."

As per the press conference, the delegates will visit the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad to gain first-hand knowledge of India's expertise in emerging digital and telecom technologies viz. 5G-i, 6G, Internet of Things (IoT) and the various uses cases pertaining to the welfare of citizens. A workshop titled 'Multi-stakeholder Consultation for Mutual Recognition of Digital Skills' will also be held on April 18, 2023.

The 'Stay Safe Online (SSO)' campaign and 'G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (DIA)' have been launched under Indian Presidency to engage with common people especially youths and entrepreneurs in G20 Member States. So far, under the Stay Safe Online campaign, 1,58,000+ persons have participated in the national level Cyber Quizzes. Under DIA, 1600+ Startups have applied for the contest, informed the officials. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will be celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week from April 17 to 21 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) 2.0 in the run-up to the National Panchayati Raj Day, said an official release.

According to the release, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conceptualized a series of Thematic Conferences for the National Panchayat Awards Week on the theme "Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav" to celebrate this monumental occasion in the right spirit and in line with the AKAM 2.0 directives of adopting a "whole-of-society" and "whole-of-government" approach as well as enhancing the outreach of AKAM 2.0 to touch the lives of every Indian."

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At the conference, representatives of high-performing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will not only receive their coveted Awards but will also deliberate and discuss their achievements in the presence of other stakeholders that can set examples for others to follow.

Informing about the National Panchayat Awards week, the release said, "The five-day National Panchayat Awards Week will commence with organizing the 'National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony' in New Delhi on Monday."

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"The President of India has accorded her consent to inaugurate the 'National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony' on 17th April 2023 to flag off the National Panchayat Awards Week, confer the National Panchayat Awards and address the august gathering on this occasion," added the release.

The National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony is expected to witness the participation of more than 1,500 delegates from across the country.

Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Union Minister of State for Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste, Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and other Senior Officers of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will also be present on the occasion. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 16 (ANI): Three people, accused of posing as pressmen and spraying bullets on the gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother, have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, District Government Counsel (DGC) criminal Gulam Chandra Agrahari said on Sunday.

He said that the court has decided April 29 as the date for further hearing.

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"Today all the three accused were produced before the Remand Magistrate. The three accused have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the court. Now the date of April 29 has been fixed," Gulam Chandra Agrahari told ANI.

The three shooters who shot down the former MP and his brother were identified as Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari.

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Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly point-blank range.

Internet was suspended thereafter in Prayagraj. However, it has been restored in some parts of the district.

After the killing of the gangsters in police custody, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting last night and ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

Three-member judicial enquiry committee pertaining to the murder of Atiq Ahmed, his brother, will give a report to the UP government in two months. The committee will be headed by Retired Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi of Allahabad HC, including retired IPC officer Subesh Kumar Singh and Retired District Judge Brijesh Kumar Soni.

Security was heightened in the city after Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj yesterday. Section 144 of CrPC was imposed in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh.

"The situation is normal in all districts. Police are on alert," Praveen Kumar, IG Ayodhya range said.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.

All three assailants were arrested, informed police after Atiq and his brother were shot dead.

"Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said earlier.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that shooters who killed Atiq and Ashraf were posing as Journalists at the spot of the incident.

Shortly after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds.

"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this, an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Apr 16 (PTI) A court here on Sunday sent a close aide of radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to three-day police remand.

Joga Singh, who was arrested by police for allegedly providing shelter and other assistance to Amritpal Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, was produced before a court on Sunday.

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A resident of Ludhiana and in-charge of a "dera" in Pilibhit, Joga Singh was nabbed from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib after he crossed over to Punjab from Haryana, police had said.

He was apprehended in a joint operation by the Amritsar Police (Rural) and the Hoshiarpur Police.

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Joga Singh had been in direct contact with Amritpal Singh, police had said. It was Joga Singh who brought Amritpal and his other aide Papalpreet back to Punjab.

Amritpal and Papalpreet fled Punjab following a police crackdown on March 18. They returned to the state on March 28. Papalpreet has already been arrested.

Police launched a major crackdown last month against Amritpal and the members of his "Waris Punjab De" outfit.

The Khalistan sympathiser escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18 by switching vehicles and changing appearances.

Amritpal and his associates have been booked in several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharastra) [India], April 16 (ANI): Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday called the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, a big question on 'Law and Order' in Uttar Pradesh.

"A murder happened and section 144 was imposed, the government there (Uttar Pradesh) did it. But if this incident took place despite the presence of (UP) police, then it is a serious matter," Raut said while speaking to the media.

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"This raises a big question on law and order," he said.

He refrained from talking much about the incident by saying, "It's not right to talk about the law and order of any other state, the Uttar Pradesh government is capable of handling the system there, be it mafia or someone else. I can understand the matter of encounter, it is serious if a murder takes place in broad daylight under the supervision of the police."

Also Read | Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed Shot Dead: UP Police Intensifies Security in Prayagraj; Internet Services Shut, Section 144 Imposed.

"The thing is when his (Atiq's) son was encountered earlier before this, we said that such encounters happen in Mumbai as well, but if there is a mafia in front of the medical college is getting killed that too in police custody, then it's a big question on law and order," Raut added further.

Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed both were shot dead at point-blank range outside a hospital in Prayagraj late at night on April 15.

The deceased Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed had more than 100 First Information Reports (FIR) and his brother Ashraf had more than 57 FIRs against Ashraf, a police official informed on Sunday.

In the aftermath of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath constituted a three-member judicial inquiry commission and ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. Uttar Pradesh Government also implemented Section 144 in the entire state and the state police are on high alert.

Uttar Pradesh Police further informed that as many as three people were arrested. "Three people have been arrested. Further details are to be shared later," said an officer after the gangster-turned-politician and his brother were shot dead in Prayagraj. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Maputo  Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday expressed an interested in continuing to cooperate with Mozambique in rail transport, and a new agreement is in sight.

Jaishankar was speaking in Maputo during a visit to the headquarters of the Mozambican port and rail company, CFM, where he held a courtesy meeting with Mozambican Transport Minister, Mateus Magala.

"India is prepared for several lines of development cooperation with Mozambique', said the Minister. "The railways are a component, but there is also the component of water resources, and the building of roads and bridges. As a country, we are prepared for cooperation, but our philosophy rests on the priorities of the partner'.

He added that, in planned meetings with his Mozambican counterpart, Veronica Macamo and with President Filipe Nyusi, he would see what other opportunities for cooperation exist. "The government of India is open to other forms of cooperation with Mozambique', he said.

Mateus Magala guaranteed that the Mozambican government will shortly begin negotiations for a new cooperation agreement with India.

He thought that a rail agreement could "meet our needs to link our country from north to south'.

The matter had been discussed with Jaishankar, who was very willing to step up railway cooperation, and assist in the transition to electric trains.

India has also offered Mozambique ten locomotives and 90 passenger carriages.
New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): The second Health Working Group (HWG) meeting under G20 India Presidency is scheduled to be held from April 17 to 19 in Goa, according to an official release.

More than 180 delegates from 19 G20 member countries, 10 invited states and 22 International Organizations will be participating in the meeting, the release said on Sunday.

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"The second HWG meeting will have thematic discussions on three priorities identified under the G20 Health Track. The first priority is Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness and Response with focus on One Health and AMR (antimicrobial resistance). The second is Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on access and availability to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics).

"The third priority includes Digital Health Innovations and Solutions to Aid Universal Health Coverage and Improve Healthcare Service Delivery," added the release.

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Several cultural programmes infused with flavours of Goan culture have been planned for the event to showcase India's rich diversity and culture based on Indian philosophy of 'Atithi Devo Bhava', the release said.

"Delegates will also be able to experience Goa's culinary culture, besides enjoying its scenic beauty and generous hospitality," added the release.

The release said, "The Health Track of the G20 India Presidency will comprise four Health Working Group (HWG) Meetings and one Health Ministerial Meeting (HMM)."

India plans to host four side events along with HWG meetings to enrich, supplement and support G20 discussions. A side event on Digital Health will be held on the sidelines of the 2nd meeting of HWG at Goa, 18th - 19th April.

The meetings will also be held in different locations across the country to showcase India's rich and diverse cultures, it said.

India assumed the presidency of the G20 on 1 December, 2022, marking a significant milestone. India is currently part of the G20 Troika comprising Indonesia, India and Brazil marking the first time that the troika is consisting of three developing and emerging economies, the release said.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had reiterated that G20 India Presidency will be inclusive, action-oriented and decisive. The theme unveiled by Hon'ble Prime Minister: 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', based on India's philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', is a catchphrase for people across the world to collectively work towards building a healthier post- pandemic world, it said.

As chair of the G20 Presidency, India aims to continue and consolidate health priorities and key takeaways from previous presidencies while highlighting critical areas that require strengthening. India also aims to achieve convergence in discussions across various multilateral fora engaged in health cooperation and work towards integrated action, the release added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 16 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Sunday confer social activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari with the state's highest civilian honour 'Maharashtra Bhushan', at the Maharashtra Bhushan Awards at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also arrived at the award ceremony.

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Shah reached Mumbai on Saturday evening where he will hold a key meeting with senior party leaders.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, Tourism minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, along with other party MPs and MLAs, welcomed Shah at the Mumbai airport on Saturday.

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The Home Minister was in Rajasthan earlier on Saturday where he addressed a public meeting.

According to sources, Shah will hold a meeting with BJP leaders of the state unit and discussions will centre around the party's strategy for the upcoming elections. The meeting will take place at Sahyadri State Guest House. There will also be discussions about Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, other civic polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sources said.

Shah is also likely to hold a meeting with CM Shinde to discuss a strategy around the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the functioning of the state government. (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, Apr 16 (PTI) Varanasi is all set to host the G20 events for three days from Monday and showcase Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural heritage to the world, officials said.

Representatives of 20 leading countries of the world and delegates from other partner countries will participate in the meeting of the Agriculture Working Group which will take place from April 17 to 19 in the city of light', they said.

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To ensure a grand organisation of the G20 events, the Yogi Adityanath government has made complete arrangements, an official statement said here.

A message will be given from the land of Goddess Annapurneshwari, to promote nutritious foods, food security and environment-friendly farming, it said.

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With the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', India is hosting the G20 Presidency this year. There will be a total of six G20 meetings in Varanasi.

The first series of these meetings are starting on Monday. For this, on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the entire city has been decorated.

Along with this, tight security arrangements have been made. The main meeting will be held at Hotel Taj. After this, there will also be a Kashi tour' for the guests.

About 80 foreign delegates from G20 countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the European Union will attend the events in Varanasi.

On the first day of the summit, there will be an opening of MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists) 2023, Sustainable Agrifood System for Healthy People and Planet.

The first session of the meeting will be on Food Security and Nutrition: Role of Science, Technology and Innovation and the second session will be on Resilient Agri-Food System'.

In the evening, the G20 delegates will participate in the world-famous Ganga Aarti at Kashi.

On the second day, there will be a session on Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Agri Value Chain' and on Public Private Partnership in Agriculture R&D: Perspective from Developed and Developing Countries.

The guests will proceed to Sarnath in the evening on April 18 and will see the museum and light and sound show and later a dinner along with a cultural program will be held at Buddha Theme Park.

On April 13, a discussion and finalisation of the MACS -2023 communique will be done and the guests will visit the Trade Facilitation Center (TFC) at Bada Lalpur in the afternoon.

The theme of the G20 Indian Presidency is 'One Earth, One Family and One Future', which celebrates the spirit of togetherness and harmony amongst us to ensure a bright future for the world.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, April 16: Public opinion in Ukraine toward China is souring as Beijing is maintaining its professed neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reported The New York Times (NYT).

China had been Ukraine's top trade partner, importing barley, corn and arms. Now, Russia's war raises the question: Is there still a relationship? asked Vivian Wang in an NYT article. Russia-Ukraine War: China Calls for Ceasefire, Opposes Use of Nuclear and Biological Weapons.

Notably, last time in January 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and China's top leader, Xi Jinping, spoke, when they celebrated 30 years of diplomatic ties, hailing their "deepening political mutual trust" and their people's "profound friendship." Volodymyr Zelenskyy Issues 'World War' Warning Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Says There Will Be Global War 'If China Allies Itself With Russia'.

However, since the start of the war on February 24, Xi has not spoken to Zelenskyy, despite the latter's repeated requests. And the "sound and stable" relationship they touted seems like a distant memory, reported NYT.

The question of when and whether Xi will speak with Zelenskyy -- which Western leaders have also urged him to do -- reflects their countries' uncertain relations amid Russia's war in Ukraine. Before the war, trade and cultural exchanges had been growing. Now both sides are juggling goals, reported NYT.

Ukraine is wooing China for its potential to rein in Russian aggression. But it is keenly aware of Beijing's demonstrated reluctance to do so and China, in turn, wants to maintain its professed neutrality in the conflict, said Vivian Wang.

Talks with Zelenskyy could bolster China's desired image as a responsible global power, but, it has cast doubt over the future world order, with the United States on one side and China and Russia on the other and Kyiv's embrace of the West puts it on the wrong side of that divide, reported NYT. Moreover, Ukraine, as a country under attack, does not hold the same economic appeal for China as before.

"Today's Ukraine is still at war, China's investments there have been bombed, and we don't know what Ukraine will look like in the future," said Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University. "Is there still a China-Ukraine relationship?"

Between 2017 and 2021, exports from Ukraine to China quadrupled. By 2019, China was Ukraine's largest trading partner and the top importer of its barley and iron ore, according to a report by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ukraine was also China's largest corn supplier and its second-largest arms supplier. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was a discarded Soviet vessel bought from Ukraine that the Chinese Navy refurbished, reported NYT.

Ukraine's then-prime minister declared 2019 the "year of China." Chinese companies were tapped to build a new subway line in Kyiv. Ukraine's free trade agreement with the European Union made it an attractive entry point for Chinese goods to flow into the lucrative market, said Vivian Wang.

Ukraine also faced pressure from the United States to distance itself from China, leading it in 2021 to scrap the USD 3.6 billion sale of a Ukrainian aerospace manufacturer to Chinese investors, reported NYT.

But after the war began, China adopted many of the Kremlin's talking points and disinformation, accusing NATO of instigating the conflict and refusing to call it an invasion. Popular videos celebrate Russian drone strikes on China's heavily censored internet, and nationalist influencers taunt Ukraine's turn toward the West.

The frustration with China has grown in Ukraine, in the government and among ordinary people. An October poll by a Ukrainian research group found that unfavourable views of China had doubled since 2021, to 18 per cent, reported NYT.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of Congo], April 16 (ANI): The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is scrutinizing the mining contract concluded in 2008 with China, which is heavily skewed in favour of Beijing following the call for an overhaul of USD 6.2 billion mining deal with China in February 2023, reported US-based publication Quartz.

National assembly speaker Christophe Mboso has sought a proper audit of mining contracts with a strict review of the government's deals with "certain partners such as the Chinese contract."

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Finance Minister Nicholas Kazadi has alleged that these contracts were skewed in favour of Beijing and wants the tax obligations on these companies increased, reported Quartz.

In February 2023, the impoverished but mineral-rich nation called for an overhaul of a USD 6.2 billion mining deal with China.

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This followed President Felix Tshisekedi's demand for a bigger share of the country's vast mineral resources than that agreed upon by his predecessor.

"It is not normal that those with whom our country has signed exploitation contracts are getting richer while our people remain poor," President Tshisekedi said in May 2021. "It is time for the country to readjust its contracts with the miners in order to seal win-win partnerships."

Sicomines is a mining company owned by both DRC (32 per cent) and China with around 6.8 million tonnes in mineral reserves. It owns most of the 19 mines in the country.

DRC holds its stake in Sicomines through the state-run mining firm Gecamines. In exchange for China's 68 per cent share, Beijing-based Sinohydro Corp and China Railway Group agreed to build roads and hospitals for the central African nation of 95 million people, reported Quartz.

At 3.5 million metric tons, DRC has 70 per cent of the world's cobalt reserves, according to the UN. Around 80 per cent of the cobalt it produces goes to China for processing today. DRC is also Africa's largest copper producer.

"Sicomines, it seems, is not keen on paying the USD 200 million that the DRC is asking for after making huge profits," Kazadi said, as quoted by the East African newspaper on April 8. "They have to pay...," said Kazadi.

Notably, copper and cobalt are critical in the global switch to clean energy, as they are used in electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, a field that China wants to continue dominating.

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila (2001-2019) negotiated a deal in 2008 which saw Congolese cobalt and copper exchanged for infrastructure construction by a Chinese consortium.

The original deal was worth USD 9 billion but was then renegotiated to USD 6 billion under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reported The Brussels Times.

Considering the demand of copper and cobalt, Kinshasa is now dissatisfied. In February 2023, the state audit office Inspection Generale des Finances (IGF) asked for an additional USD 17 billion in infrastructure investment from China, looking to make such deals fairer to DRC.

An IGF report released at the time showed that Sicomines had so far invested USD 822 million on infrastructure projects in the DRC, despite earning USD 10 billion from contracts in the project over the past 10 years, reported Quartz.

IGF now wants China to increase its investment in Sicomines from the current USD 3 billion to USD 20 billion and also hire more Congolese staff.

President Tshisekedi, who will be seeking re-election in December, will use the issue in his campaign to right the Kabila regime's wrongs, observers have said, reported Quartz. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paris [France], April 16 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron, despite severe protests across the country, has signed a pension bill into law to raise the country's retirement age by two years, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday.

The key retirement-age legislation was accepted by France's Constitutional Council on Friday, which came after months of opposition to the change, which the administration rammed through parliament without a final vote.

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Key reform provisions, such as raising the retirement age to 64 and lengthening the number of years of employment necessary for a full pension, were approved by the nine-member Constitutional Council, which found that the legislation complied with French law.

The fight to put the bill into effect ended up being the biggest domestic obstacle of Macron's second term because of both the overwhelming public resistance to the revisions and his own declining personal popularity, Al Jazeera reported.

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A specific contract for older workers as well as requiring large corporations to disclose the number of persons over 55 they employ were two of the nine minor ideas that were turned down in the discussion, according to Al Jazeera.

Earlier, the reforms were passed by parliament on March 16 after the government used a mechanism to bypass a vote by MPs, inflaming nationwide protests. They were considered adopted by parliament when the government survived two no-confidence motions on March 20.

But the reforms can only come into law once they are validated by the Constitutional Council, which has the power to strike out some or even all of the legislation if deemed out of step with the constitution, reported France24.

Before the verdict, protesters opposed President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular plan to raise the retirement age to 64 marched in cities and villages throughout France.

The citizens of France have been a part of the months-long protest movement against the pension reform that has sent social tensions spiralling in France and Macron and his government refuse to give way. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dubai [UAE], April 16 (ANI): The Indian Consulate in Dubai identified four Indians among the victims of a tragic fire in a residential building in Dubai on Saturday, Gulf News reported.

Sixteen people were killed and nine others injured in the blaze which Dubai Civil Defence attributed to a lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements.

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The deceased are a couple from Kerala and two men who worked at the building that caught fire in the Deira district on Saturday afternoon, an official at the Indian Consulate told Gulf News on Sunday morning, Gulf News reported.

The Indian victims identified so far are Rijesh Kalangadan, 38, his wife Jeshi Kandamangalath, 32, Gudu Saliyakoondu, 49 and Imamkasim Abdul Khader, 43.

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"We have received their passport copies through social worker Naseer Vatanappally. We want to express our heartfelt condolences to the families and thank the social workers and others who have reached out with support. We are coordinating with the local authorities for the repatriation procedures," said Bijender Singh, consul, Consular and Labour, at the consulate, Gulf News reported. Kalangadan worked as a business development manager with a travel and tourism company while Kandamangalath was a school teacher, it was disclosed.

Meanwhile, Saliyakoondu's elder brother Saliga Sahib Gudu Basha told Gulf News he was outside the building when his brother was inside, insisting on helping out with the rescue of others when he died. He claimed it was the same case with Abdul Khader who also hailed from his hometown, Gulf News reported.

Saliyakoondu and Abdul Khader worked as watchman-cum-cleaner and painter-cum-carpenter respectively. "I was helpless...I could only watch from outside," Basha said. Basha works as a security guard in a nearby building. On hearing about the blaze, he said he rushed to the site around 12.30 pm.

"A Pakistani man living on the lower floor of the building told me he had told my brother and his colleague to come out. But they refused to leave as they wanted to be of help," he said.Basha said he watched his brother being rushed to the hospital around 3 pm. "I also went to the hospital and was told he was declared dead on arrival," he said.

According to Basha, Saliyakoondu has worked in Dubai for 26 years and has been with the building for five years. He had three children. Abdul Kahder also hailed from their native place in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and was working in the building for three years, he said, adding that he was also married with two children, Gulf News reported.

"People call them Rafiq and Imam. Their families are back home. Imam has got a three-month-old child. He had not seen the child. He wanted to go home after Ramadan," claimed the devastated Basha who is coordinating with the authorities and social workers to repatriate the deceased.

According to Vatanappaly, all victims were identified with the help of relatives, friends and colleagues by Sunday noon.

"Apart from the four Indians, the other victims have been identified as six Sudanese nationals, three Pakistani cousins, and one each from Jordan, Egypt and Cameroon," he told Gulf News.Official confirmation of this is awaited.

"Seeing people identifying their loved ones in this tragedy was heartbreaking. I have been flooded with calls as I was the focal point for coordination along with Nisar Pattambi (another Indian social worker). I left from the police mortuary around 5 am but had to come back in a few hours as we had only identified all the victims at night," he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Zagreb [Croatia], April 16 (ANI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi on Sunday joined a yoga session organised by the Indian Embassy along with the Indian community and the "Friends of India" in Zagreb.

"Joined a yoga session organised by the Indian embassy along with the Indian community & the Friends of India in Zagreb this morning. Impressed by their enthusiasm. Happy to see India-Croatia relations growing & Indian spiritual wisdom contributing to peace, harmony and happiness," tweeted Lekhi.

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She is on an official visit to Croatia and Slovenia from April 15-20 to further reinforce the momentum in India's relations with these countries.

Lekhi also visited Nikola Tesla Technical Museum and Zagreb City Museum in Croatia.

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Sharing details regarding her visit to Museum, Meenakashi Lekhi tweeted, "Visited Nikola Tesla & Zagreb City Museum and got an impression of the rich scientific & historical heritage of Croatia. Nikola Tesla, indeed a person of global importance, given what he left behind for humanity, was also influenced by Indian philosophy."

She also held discussions on genomics, economics, sports, history, and politics and discussed opportunities for collaboration between India and Croatia.

"Had a wonderful discussion on genomics, economics, sports, history, & politics with @draganprimorac2, Ms. Martina Dalic, @IgorStimac, @AlojzijeJ. Discussed the tremendous opportunities for collaboration between India & Croatia," she tweeted.

During her visit, Lekhi will hold discussions with Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman, Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen and State Secretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs said in the press release.

After her visit to Croatia, Lekhi will travel to Slovenia. In Slovenia, Lekhi will call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and meet the Deputy Foreign Minister, according to MEA press release. She will also interact with the Indian community and participate in an AKAM event at the University of Ljubljana.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the press release stated, "India has close and friendly ties with Croatia and Slovenia. The visit will further reinforce the momentum in India's relations with these countries." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Ayushi Agarwal

New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): On the eve of Thingyan or the Myanmar new year, Myanmar Ambassador to India Moe Kyaw Aung here today hailed the strong cultural ties between both the nations and wished the citizens peace and prosperity.

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In an event at the Myanmar's embassy here, the envoy also took part in the performance of Myanmar's traditional dance troupes.

"Myanmar and India are very friendly countries and we share very- very strong cultural ties and we share a very long border and also maritime border. So, on the occasion of this auspicious day, I wish all the Indian people and citizens of the world peace and prosperity", said the envoy while speaking with ANI.

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"This is a very auspicious occasion for Myanmar's traditional calendar. This is new year's eve. Myanmar's new year also shares with Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka, and also some parts of India celebrate this time because we use the same lunar calendar. On this day, I wish all the Indian people a happy new year", he added.

The Thingyan water festival which kicked off in all regions and states across Myanmar on Thursday will run until April 16 and the Myanmar New Year falls on April 17.

As part of the celebration of the festival, people throw and douse water onto one another to wash sins and make clear moral impurities from the old year.

Being a part of the festival, Thailand's ambassador to India too hailed the ties that India and Thailand share and was glad that she could take part in the festival.

"I am so glad that I am able to take part in the festival because Myanmar and Thailand are neighbours and we had these kinds of similar festivals in Thailand. In Thailand, we also have the Thai new year on the 13th of April similar to Myanmar. So, we also have the festival where we pour the water on each other. We also pay respect to our elders and our families. We go to the temples and celebrate", said the Thai envoy, Pattarat Hongtong while speaking to ANI.

"India and Thailand are very close friends. We share a lot of commonalities in terms of culture, heritage and also traditions. People-to-people ties are very close and these days we have Indian tourists visiting Thailand. Last year, it was number two after Malaysia and this year again we hope to see more Indian friends visiting Thailand and Thai people have started coming to India as well. We also have cooperation in other important areas. So far the relations have been very smooth and friendly" she added.

Traditional dance troupes in colourful dresses performed at the embassy here in New Delhi with several delegates in attendance.

Myanmar people celebrate the Thingyan water festival annually to welcome the new year as other Southeast Asian countries such as Songkran in Thailand and Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia.

There are many things which make this Festival special.

Many flowers bloom in this time of the year and 'Padauk' is the most iconic among them and a typical symbolic flower of Thingyan. Symbolic 'Padauk' flowers can be seen in the decoration of the event.

Also, a unique dance of this festival, known as Thingyan Yane, is performed solely in this festival. The easy and effortless move of 'Thingyan Yane' attracted the participants to dance along with the performers simultaneously by following their steps. Embassy diplomats, and Myanmar scholars performed traditional 'Thingyan Yane'.

Like many other festivals around the world, Thingyan has its own particular festival foods.

The most popular Thingyan foods are Shwe Yin Aye and Mont Lone Yay Paw. Shwe Yin Aye is a type of cold coconut milk juice with extra ingredients. Mont Lone Yay Paw is a floating rice dough ball which is boiled instantly before serving. (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 [Pakistan], April 16 (ANI): Casualties from violence have soared in Pakistan, at least 854 people were killed or wounded in terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations in the first quarter of this year, reported Dawn.

According to the report, prepared by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, the number of deaths was 358 and that of injuries was 496, which resulted from as many as 219 terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations during the January-March period.

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Notably, this number was half of what was witnessed during the entire of 2022. Most deaths -- 245 (or 68 per cent) -- were reported from KP, followed by Balochistan's 64 (18 pc), and then in Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad, reported Dawn.

As per the report, the month of January 2023 was the most fatal for security forces in a decade, following a similar trend from the previous year, which ended with the decade's deadliest Dec for them.

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With a death toll of 111, January recorded the second-highest number of fatalities of security personnel in a single month, second only to July 2014 with 118 fatalities, reported Dawn.

"Most concerningly, the fatalities of security and government officials almost doubled, from 88 in the first quarter of last year to 167 in the first quarter this year," the report said.

The terrorist attacks against security personnel, government officials, and civilians accounted for most incidents of violence and counter-violence that took place in the first quarter. The outlawed TTP carried out at least 22 attacks causing 107 fatalities, reported Dawn.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a proscribed militant organisation, has escalated its attacks since negotiations with them ended in November of last year, focusing primarily on the KP police and regions bordering Afghanistan.

Since the Afghan Taliban took power across the border, there have been countless reports of terrorist outfits, principally the TTP, organizing and launching attacks.

The law and order situation in the nation has gotten worse over the past few months as terrorist organisations carry out assaults virtually unchecked across the nation.

Underfunded, ill-equipped, and barely trained police in Pakistan are quite vulnerable to terrorist attacks, reported The News International.

There are, arguably, few institutions in Pakistan where the ratio of respect to importance is more distorted than when it comes to the police.

The KP police have lost around 125 officers less than five months into the year and over 200 have been injured, mostly in terrorist attacks. This means that the total number of deaths among KP police this year has already surpassed last year's total.

The deadliest attack in 2023 was the Peshawar police lines blast in January, in which a suicide bomber killed over 80 personnel and injured over a hundred. The attack took place inside a mosque located in an, apparently, high-security zone of Peshawar that is home to the police headquarters. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Maputo  Mozambican fuel distribution companies are demanding an increase in the price of fuel, on the grounds that they are makin heavy losses with the current prices, fixed by the government about a year ago.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Michael Ussene, chairperson of the Mozambican Association of Petroleum Companies (Amepetro), said the ideal price for a litre of diesel would be 110 meticais (1.7 US dollars, at the current exchange rate), rather than the current 87.97 meticais. Ussene believed that petrol should be sold for 104 meticais a litre, rather than 86.97 meticais.

Ussene was thus calling for a 25 per cent rise in the price of diesel, and 20 per cent in the price of petrol.

He said that Amepetro had been disappointed at the sudden announcement by the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that, as from May, they intend to cut crude oil production by a million barrels a day. This has led to immediate rises on oil prices on the world market.

"The price of a barrel of Brent crude, which is the reference point in our region, has risen to more than 80 dollars', Ussene added. "According to the current prices of fuel at the petrol stations, we should be buying Brent for less than 70 dollars a barrel. But in fact today a barrel of Brent costs 83 to 84 dollars, and this is hugely damaging to Mozambique and to the neighbouring countries'.

Since prices had risen internationally, they also had to rise on the Mozambican market, Ussene insisted - especially since the compensation mechanisms by which the state should clear its debt of some 450 million dollars to the fuel companies, are not working.

The last price rise in Mozambique was in July 2022, when the price of a litre of petrol rose from 83.3 to 86.97 meticais, while the price of a litre of diesel rose from 78.97 to 87.97 meticais.
Warsaw [Poland], April 16 (ANI): In an effort to support its farmers, who claim they are losing a lot of money as a result of an oversupply of Ukrainian grain on the market, the Polish government announced it will temporarily forbid grain and other food imports from Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.

The administration declared that the import restrictions would be in place until June 30. Imports of sugar, eggs, meat, milk, other dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are also prohibited by the legislation.

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Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling party in Poland, claimed that despite Poland's support for Ukraine, it was compelled to take action to defend its farmers as the Polish countryside is currently experiencing a "period of crisis."

"Today, the government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of food, to Poland," Al Jazeera quoted Kaczynski as saying at a party convention in eastern Poland on Saturday.

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However, the Ukrainian side expressed regret over the decision of the Poland government and said that it is the Ukrainian farmers who are under a massive crisis.

"Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, but we emphasise that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most difficult situation", it said.

The ministry suggested that the two nations reach a fresh, amicable arrangement in the upcoming days.

Farmers in nearby nations have also expressed concern over Ukrainian grain flooding their nations, causing a surplus that has down prices and forced them to suffer significant losses.

Russia's conflict with Ukraine is to blame for the current scenario. The European Union removed tariffs on Ukrainian grain to ease its transportation to Africa and the Middle East after Moscow blocked conventional export sea routes.

The Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24 has taken numerous lives and the war continues to escalate between the two nations even now. The biggest land conflict in Europe since the Second World War has displaced millions leaving Ukrainian cities, towns and villages in ruins and disrupting the global economy. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jerusalem, Apr 17 (AP) Iran's exiled crown prince is scheduled to come to Israel this week on a visit that reflects the warm ties his father once had with Israel and the current state of hostility between Israel and the Islamic Republic.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah to rule Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said Sunday that he will be delivering a message of friendship from the Iranian people.

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He is set to participate in Israel's annual Holocaust memorial ceremony on Monday night, said Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, who will host him. He is also set to visit a desalination plant, see the Western Wall, and meet representatives of the local Baha'i community and Israeli Jews of Iranian descent, she said.

Gamliel praised the brave decision by Pahlavi to make what she said would be his first visit to Israel. The crown prince symbolises a leadership different from that of the ayatollah regime, and leads values of peace and tolerance, in contrast to the extremists who rule Iran, she said.

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Pahlavi left Iran at age 17 for military flight school in the US, just before his cancer-stricken father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi abandoned the throne for exile. The revolution followed, with the creation of the Islamic Republic, the takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran and the sweeping away of the last vestiges of the American-backed monarchy.

Pahlavi, who still resides in the US, has called for a peaceful revolution that would replace clerical rule with a parliamentary monarchy, enshrine human rights and modernise its state-run economy.

Whether he can galvanise support for a return to power is unknown. His father ruled lavishly and repressively and benefitted from a CIA-supported coup in 1953. The late shah also had close diplomatic and military ties with Israel.

That ended in 1979, when the Iranian revolution's leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, declared Israel an enemy of Islam and cut all ties. Today, the countries are arch-enemies. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing the country's calls for Israel's destruction, its support of hostile militant groups on Israel's borders and its nuclear programme. Iran denies accusations by Israel and its western allies that it is pursuing a nuclear bomb.

I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people. The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations, Pahlavi said on Twitter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington [US], April 16 (ANI): United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that he was deeply concerned about reports of escalating violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the country's main paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces and urged to stop the violence immediately.

Taking to Twitter, Blinken said, "Deeply concerned about reports of escalating violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. We are in touch with the Embassy team in Khartoum - all are currently accounted for. We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations or troop mobilizations and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues."

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"Fighting between SAF and RSF forces threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudan's democratic transition. The only way forward is to return to negotiations," he added in a tweet.

This statement came after clashes were reported between rival factions of armed forces in Sudan, several gunshots and explosions rang out on Saturday morning in various parts of Khartoum, reported New York Times.

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The skirmishes were a dire development after weeks of escalating tensions between the Sudanese Army, led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary organisation, led by Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan.

The military, 18 months after its coup, had promised to cede control to a civilian-led government this month. Yet, the process has been dominated by a rivalry between General al-Burhan and General Hamdan, also known as Hemeti.

The two generals have been openly criticising one another in speeches over the past few months, and they have dispatched reinforcements and armoured vehicles to oppose military camps spread around the city.

Meanwhile, in the statement, US State Secretary said after consulting with Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, they agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition.

He also urged the Sudanese army general, General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan and Deputy of Sudan's Military Leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to take active measures to reduce tensions and ensure the safety of all civilians.

He also stated that the only way forward is to return to negotiations that support the Sudanese people's democratic aspirations.

"We continue to remain in close touch with our Embassy in Khartoum and have full accountability of our personnel. We also have been communicating with American citizens who may be in the region about safety measures and other precautions," Blinken added.

On Saturday, the residents' worst fears came true when the fighting soon extended across the Nile to Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, where locals reported that armed men had surrounded the state broadcaster's offices.

Heavy gunfire and blasts were reported following days of tension between the armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also claimed at least 25 lives and left around 183 people injured, reported Al Jazeera. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna, April 16: Severe heatwave conditions are expected to prevail in Bihar in the next three-four days, according to a government weather bulletin. The mercury crossed the 42 degrees Celsius mark in at least five places in the state. Aurangabad district recorded maximum temperature of 43 degree Celsius on Saturday.

A bulletin issued by the Bihar Mausam Sewa Kendra (BMSK) of the state government said severe heatwave conditions are expected to prevail in the next three-four days. Heatwave in Delhi: Temperature Breaches 49 Degrees In Many Parts as National Capital Witnesses Season's First Heat Wave.

"People are advised to avoid heat exposure, keep cool and avoid dehydration. Besides, district authorities have also been advised to monitor the situation in their respective districts. Situation is being closely monitored by the state Disaster Management department," Bihar Disaster Management minister Shahnawaz told PTI on Saturday.

Five districts recorded a maximum day temperature of 42 degrees Celsius or more on Saturday, maximum day temperature of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded in Aurangabad. Heatwave-Like Conditions in Rajasthan: State Records Highest Maximum Temperature of 42.1 Degrees in Last 24 Hours, Fresh Western Disturbance May Bring Relief Next Week.

The districts that recorded 42 degree Celsius or more temperature on Saturday included: Dehri (42.8 degree Celsius), Patna (42.4 degree Celsius), Jamui (42.3 degree Celsius), Khagaria (42.2 degree Celsius) and Sheikhpura (42.1 degree Celsius).

Maximum temperature of 43.2 degree Celsius was recorded at Dehri block of Rohtas, Khizarsarai Block of Gaya and Warisaliganj of Nawada Districts on Friday.
China has "advised" the Philippines to oppose Taiwan's independence instead of offering the US access to its military facilities near the Taiwan strait, reported Manila-based publication Daily Tribune.
Six female teachers have been detained in the US over the course of two days after they had sex with students. 38-year-old Ellen Shell, a teachers aide in Kentuckys Danville, is accused of having sexual intercourse with two teenage boys.
Joe Morgenstern is a journalist and screenwriter who lives in Santa Monica

At this time last year, when Aaron Bacon was 16, his young life was in tumult, though it was still a life.

A funny, endearing kid for most of his privileged childhood, Aaron had changed, within a matter of months, into a testy, withdrawn stranger. A gifted kid who had loved to write poetry in a lyrical mode, he was ditching school and lying about it. As his grades slipped, his writing lost its literary luster. More and more, his poems read like death-rock lyrics from the backs of old vinyl-album covers. Like so many of his peers, Aaron was caught in a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and anger.

His parents knew this. They had coped with the adolescent rebellion of their older son, Jarid, and recognized Aarons behavior as another stormy rite of passage. Yet their knowledge was clouded by fear. Gangs had spread from Los Angeles to Phoenix, where the Bacons lived, drugs were pandemic, and Aaron had recently transferred to a public school, Central High, from a rigorous, and sheltered, private school in nearby Paradise Valley; with his beguiling gift of gab, he had lobbied for the switch on the grounds that his private school wasnt providing enough socioeconomic diversity.

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When Aaron was jumped by a group of local Crips in Central Highs parking lot, he denied any involvement in a gang. But a witness said the Crips had called him Rabbit, which suggested something other than a chance encounter; Aarons parents figured that hed been selling the gangbangers pot. At that point, Bob and Sally Bacon--he is a Phoenix architect and designer, noted for big projects like the Boulders Resort in Carefree; she is an artist and part-time real-estate agent--realized that they had to do something right away.

They pulled Aaron out of school but found themselves at a loss about what to do next. Then Sally recalled having heard from a friend about a couple who had sent their rebellious son to North Star Expeditions, Inc., a 4-year-old wilderness therapy group in southern Utah. Several such organizations in the Western states take troubled youngsters on long, rigorous treks in the desert, the theory being that teaching kids survival skills and self-discipline will enhance their self-esteem. A few of these programs have excellent reputations, but the wilderness-therapy business as a whole has a tainted history about which the Bacons knew nothing when they called North Stars 800 number and asked for a brochure.

Wilderness therapy! The phrase plays, with perfect pitch, on the conscious needs and unconscious yearnings of desperate parents. It suggests the tough-minded challenge of Outward Bound and the purifying spirit of Thoreau. And in a crude, shrewd way, the cover of the North Star brochure struck its own resonant, even quasi-religious, chord: It showed the figure of a young man with a backpack in silhouette against a desert sunset, standing tall on a mountaintop and pointing to a shining star.

Never mind that the cover shot was a fuzzy composite, the star was a fake and the advertising copy inside was a pastiche of earnest-sounding slogans (The students at North Star Expeditions learn that Mother Nature does not make exceptions.) and glib, semiliterate promises (North Star Expeditions can and will help your child find their way home). Sally and Bob Bacon were in no mood to scrutinize the prose with cool detachment. On top of the panic and despair most parents feel when their children spin out of control, they were beset by guilt: Sally, the attractive, emotive daughter of an Irish father and an Italian mother, had gone through her own drug wars in the 60s and 70s. Bob, a Midwesterner by birth and tightly wound, with a ponytail and a sharp, dry wit, was a recovering alcoholic, sober for 8 1/2 years after a drinking career that spanned two decades. Aaron felt I was overreacting because of my own experiences, Bob said, that Id lost perspective on his life.

After reading the brochure, the Bacons spoke by telephone with Barbara Jagger and Pattie Henry, the wives of the companys co-owners, Lance Jagger and William Henry, who assured them that Aaron would be in good hands. North Star gave them a list of other parents whose children had gone through the 63-day program in the high desert of southern Utah. (Ninety percent of the hundreds of youngsters who have passed through the program have come from Southern California.) None of the parents, in retrospect, said the North Star program was wonderful, but every call that Sally made yielded a recommendation. Whats more, wilderness therapy seemed to offer a good fit with Aarons personality. Two years before, the Bacons had sent Jarid to Hazelton, a conventional drug and alcohol treatment center in Minnesota, but with mixed results; only later did Jarid, now 19 and living with his girlfriend while he attends Phoenix College, turn his life around on his own. All the more reason, then, to find an alternative for Aaron, with his unconventional style and his fondness for solitude. They decided to give North Star a try.

That meant taking a second mortgage on their house. North Star charged $13,900, plus transportation, and Jarids treatment had already tapped out the Bacons medical insurance. But Sally, in particular, believed that the investment in wilderness therapy would be worthwhile. I pictured Aaron sitting around campfires, being nurtured by nature, she says. I thought I was sending him to a little slice of heaven.

On Monday, Feb. 28, Bob and Sally met Lance Jagger, or Horsehair, as he likes to call himself, for the first time. The 37-year-old Air Force veteran had flown to Phoenix in a single-engine Cessna that North Star operated from its base at a remote airstrip in Escalante, Utah. Jagger cuts a forbidding figure--obese, bearded and aggressively rough-hewn--but he can speak with some eloquence when he chooses. He explained that he and his brother-in-law, who lived in Phoenix and whose name was never mentioned, would be dealing firmly and decisively with Aaron when they took him, by surprise, from the Bacons home.

Aaron got the first inkling of his fate the next morning, March 1. At 6 a.m., Mae, one of three Shar-peis in the house, woke him up with anxious whining outside his bedroom door. Moments later, all three dogs began to growl and bark. Suddenly, the door burst open and Aarons father walked in, accompanied by Jagger and the brother-in-law. Aaron, Bob Bacon said. I love you, but were going to have to make some changes today. These two guys are here from North Star to take you, and I want you to go with them.

Aaron, terrified, made a move to get up. Jagger grabbed his arm. When the boy tried to pull away, Jagger put both hands on Aarons shoulders, pushed him back into bed and said, according to the Bacons: You dont know me and I dont know you, but if you try to pull away from me, Im going to take the appropriate action.

Just before Aaron left the house in the custody of his handlers, Sally says she tried to hug him, but Jagger wouldnt allow it. Instead, she gave him a quick kiss, said she loved him and told him not to be afraid, that they were doing what they thought best. Moments later, when Jaggers rented car drove off, Bob broke down and wept.

Then, once a week, as directed by North Star, Sally called Barbara Jagger in Escalante for reports on their sons progress. The news was not reassuring. First Aaron had been disciplined for talking about unspecified inappropriate things. Then Aaron was uncooperative. Then Aaron was refusing to carry his pack.

This angered Sally, but it also baffled her. Aaron was certainly at war with his parents, but his attitude toward the rest of the world was another story. Like so many rebellious kids, he needed to prove himself outside his family. Only two days before his sudden removal to Utah, Aaron had landed a job selling tickets for the Phoenix Symphony and was proud of having done so without his parents help. The child described by Barbara Jagger--a slacker, a whiner, a chronic complainer--was not a child Sally knew.

Yet, she and Bob might have guessed wrong about Aaron rising to the challenge of a wilderness trek; perhaps North Star was a mistake. That was Jarids feeling when, on March 30, he took his mother to lunch and told her that as far as he was concerned, his younger brother was just a punk teen-aged kid who would outgrow his problems, just as Jarid had done.

The next day, as Sally was driving through town, her pager went off. When she got home and called the pager company, North Stars number came up. Moments later, she listened in horror as Barbara Jagger said: Aarons down and we cant get a pulse.

In fact, Aaron was dead. After collapsing on the trail, he had died in the back of a North Star pickup truck on Hole in the Rock Road, 15 miles southeast of Escalante. An emergency evacuation helicopter summoned by North Star took Aarons body to a medical facility in Page, Ariz., where a doctor made the death official.

When law enforcement officials arrived at Hole in the Rock Road from tiny Panguitch, the Garfield County seat 70 miles to the west, they had no reason to suspect wrongdoing. Aaron Bacon, they were told by students and counselors alike, had collapsed without warning and had died despite repeated efforts by North Stars staff, and then an ambulance crew from Escalante, to revive him with CPR. At the same time, these officials--Sheriff Than Cooper, Deputy Sheriff Celeste Bernards and County Attorney Wallace Lee--knew something that Bob and Sally Bacon did not: Two teen-agers had already died while trekking through the desert with other Utah-based wilderness groups. A third death would need careful looking into.

Deputy Bernards, a mother of three as well as an officer with 2 1/2 years of homicide-investigation experience in Salt Lake City, interviewed counselors from Aarons group in her patrol truck. A day later, she asked the students to prepare written statements and collected them along with the daily journals that students and counselors alike had kept on the trail. Everyone seemed reasonably cooperative, and everyone told more or less the same story, of a death that had occurred without warning.

The story soon received support from an autopsy, performed in Flagstaff, that found a perforated ulcer in Aarons large intestine. The contents of his digestive system had leaked through the hole into the abdominal cavity, causing severe damage and acute peritonitis. In the bloodless lexicon of forensic medicine, this was considered natural causes.

But there was nothing natural about the spectacle that greeted Bob and Sally Bacon at a Phoenix mortuary. They might have mistaken their sons body for someone elses, were it not for a childhood scar above one eye. For Aaron, already thin at 131 pounds on his 5 foot, 11 1/2-inch frame when he entered the North Star program one month before, had wasted away to 108 pounds. With his sunken cheeks, toothpick legs and bulging knees, he looked for all the world like a concentration camp victim. Sally covered her eyes, screaming hysterically. Bob tried to comfort her, but he felt the same mixture of horror and bewilderment that she did. Aaron had never complained of stomach problems, let alone manifested symptoms of an ulcer, and it seemed inconceivable that an ulcer, in itself, could account for his emaciated state. Something else, something inexplicably sinister, they sensed, had killed their son.

A few days later, horror piled upon horror when a Phoenix television reporter called the Bacons at home to tell them of two previous wilderness-therapy deaths, both in 1990. Then a woman named Cathy Sutton called from Northern California to offer her condolences and some appalling details. Her daughter, Michelle, had died, Cathy Sutton told them, of severe dehydration during the first desert trek organized by a provisionally licensed, poorly equipped Utah outfit called Summit Quest. Six weeks later, 16-year-old Kristen Chase, from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., died of heat stroke while participating in another wilderness-therapy program, the Challenger Foundation, which was run, out of Escalante, by an entrepreneur named Steve Cartisano. A hugely profitable enterprise while it lasted, Challenger operated without a license and lost two of its key employees in the statewide outcry that followed Kristen Chases death. Those employees, the Bacons learned, were Lance Jagger and Bill Henry, both of whom turned states witnesses when Utah tried, and failed, to put Cartisano in jail for negligent homicide.

Aaron Bacon was buried in Phoenix on Easter Monday. The following Thursday, Bob and Sally drove to Utah to see where he had died. In Escalante they met Wallace Lee, Than Cooper and Celeste Bernards, who were quietly sympathetic; the Bacons chose not to confront Lance Jagger and Bill Henry. Bob, describing his shock at the condition of Aarons body, asked Lee whether the case would be investigated further. Yes, the county prosecutor replied, he and his colleagues were very concerned about the circumstances. Without elaborating on this, Lee handed the Bacons their sons journal.

Until then, Bob and Sally thought that nothing could be worse than what they had already gone through. But they were wrong. Plunging into Aarons journal that night at their motel, they found the frightened, then anguished, then frantic chronicle of a desperately ill child--their child, their beloved son--who did not know the source of his excruciating pain and who could not comprehend why his counselors kept responding to his pleas for help with mockery, accusations of faking and increasingly pitiless punishment. Aarons journal, the Bacons concluded, was more than a chronicle of cruelty; it was evidence of criminal behavior.

Deputy Celeste Bernards reached the same conclusion, though only after months of painstaking work. She studied all of the students and counselors journals, cross-referenced their contents, saw that they corroborated Aarons own account, then organized the evidence, including weather data, into calendar form. From that she calculated how many days Aaron had been forced to go without a sleeping bag (14 of 20 days on the trail), without so much as a blanket (four days, three of which were marked by below-freezing temperatures) and without food (11 days, plus four days on which he had only meal, and one day on which his only food was a lizard and a scorpion).

The poor kid was freezing out there, says prosecutor Wallace Lee, who runs a one-man office in Panguitch. It really struck me hard. Aaron was bright, and here he was writing in his diary about having blurry vision. It was just terrible. Confronted by this array of red flags, Lee asked the state attorney generals Childrens Justice Division for help in bringing criminal charges. He also expressed concern that North Star was being allowed to take more children into the desert, despite his ongoing investigation. This was a thorny issue, because the state licensing specialist charged with overseeing wilderness-therapy camps, Ken Stettler, had worked hard and effectively to impose controls on an essentially unregulated industry in the wake of the Summit Quest and Challenger tragedies. But Stettler had also declared North Star in full compliance with state guidelines only weeks after Aaron Bacons death.

In response to Lees calls, a team of investigators from Salt Lake City made a surprise visit, on Sept. 7, to North Stars unmarked offices in a weather-beaten prefab building next to a machine shop at Escalante airport. In the course of what they termed a spot inspection, the investigators checked company records and copied individual student files. The following day, two doctors, a psychologist and a nurse flew in from Salt Lake City. After examining 21 youngsters still involved in the program, they deemed three girls unfit to continue and placed them in nearby foster homes until they could be returned to their families.

Shortly afterward, in a conversation with this reporter in Escalante, Jagger called the inspection a witch hunt, and heaped scorn on the investigators for taking solely the word of the kids. In the same conversation, Jaggers partner, Bill Henry, sought to defend North Stars treatment of Aaron Bacon by attacking the victim. Henry, formerly an Idaho farmer, portrayed Aaron as having been a heavy drug user--Not just one joint a day, were talking continuous--and insisted that Aaron must have been suffering from an ulcer for a long time, with marijuana masking the symptoms: This thing did not pop up in 20 days. (Prosecutors say theres no evidence of Aaron having had an ulcer prior to his arrival at North Star. As for the effects of marijuana, doctors consulted for this article say that nothing could mask a perforated ulcers pain.)

On Oct. 18, the state of Utah filed felony child-abuse charges against Jagger, Henry and seven of their employees, all of whom now are free on their own recognizance. One defendant, a woman named Georgette Costigan, was additionally charged with tampering with witnesses. In the hours after Aarons death, according to Mike Hill, a North Star employee who has cooperated with the investigation, Costigan looked at the statements prepared for the sheriffs office by Aarons fellow students and insisted that the youngsters revise them because these look incriminating.

No alterations were made in the journals kept by students and counselors during Aarons fateful trek. They, together with the results of Celeste Bernards inquiry and Aarons own account, constitute the main body of evidence in the case and the source of the following narrative.

After Aarons arrival in Utah on March 1st, he was given a medical exam--by a physicians assistant, not by the doctor himself--and certified to be in good overall health, according to the prosecutions account. He and five other new students went into what North Star called its A-team, a process of acclimation, over 10 days, to the chilly winter temperatures and 5,000-foot-plus altitude of their new surroundings. This gave Aaron some time to ponder his fate, and his early journal entries bespeak the fractured, forlorn logic of many troubled teens.

I see my parents as the source of all my problems right now, Aaron wrote after arriving in Escalante. His parents were anti-drug hysterics, his parents didnt understand that pot is not addictive, his parents didnt trust him, he wasnt a drug addict at all, but then again he had used other drugs, so why should his parents trust him? For all his intelligence, Aaron was a little kid overwhelmed by huge events.

But Aaron soon began to acknowledge some harsh realities. He was alone. He yearned for his girlfriend, Carrie Colburn. He was cold: I have been shaking with cold since I got here . . . . I feel like Im going to die. And as early as March 5, he was in pain: My stomach really hurts. Ive had gas all day. This isnt really pleasant stuff to read but o well its my day and my journal.

On March 11 he moved to North Stars so-called Primitive Section, which plunged new students into the actual wilderness phase with desert hikes and a two-day fast. Aaron was scared, but he tried to psych himself up: . . . my self-discipline is going to skyrocket, as the staff obviously doesnt take any breaking of the rules.

While some of his earnest, upbeat entries were written for the benefit of the counselors, who reviewed student journals every night, Aaron was also reconsidering his relationship with his parents. I wonder if they miss me, he wrote. They havent written. I wonder if they are still angry at me for my behavior when I left. I should have told them I love them & Im sorry I didnt. I didnt even hug them & that was terrible. I sure wish I could hug them & tell them I love them now.

His second day in the Primitive Section was marked by the onset of obvious physical distress. He fell on the trail and couldnt get up by himself because his pack was too heavy. Falling a second time, he sensed his whole body go numb. I was down for so long that I began to lose sight. Not go blind, but I couldnt keep my eyes open. He felt bad for being the wimp who impeded the groups progress, but two days later, March 14, his pride seemed less important than his persistent pain. Im just so enveloped in pain, Aaron wrote after slipping on a slick rock and bashing his chin. Now all I can think about is heat, sleep & food.

The next day Aaron lost his pack and was forced to go without supplies until someone returned it on March 17. During that time, according to investigators, he often collapsed on the trail, where counselors revived him by dousing him with water. On March 17 he managed to do well on the hike--probably because he got something to eat after having been deprived of food, apart from a can of peaches, for the previous five days--and his spirits rallied. Today has been my first good day here at North Star. I wondered if Id ever have one, especially in Primitive. My legs are still in some total pain but other than that its been a good day.

It was the last good day of his life. On March 18, Aarons group forded a gulch through chin-deep water. Because he was too weak to lift his pack over his head, everything in it got soaked, including the food he needed to survive. That night, still wet and shivering, he sat as close to a fire as his counselors would allow--not close enough to get dry--and recorded his growing terror of what he had later termed legal child abuse: I am so scared here of everything, staff, slickrock, nights, the cold, my pack, everything . . . my nose has been bleeding for the past couple of days & even that scares me. I never had nosebleeds at home . . . .

Anyone with half a brain, plus a heart, could see that Aaron was too enfeebled to cope with the programs basic demands. He couldnt walk fast enough, couldnt carry his supplies, couldnt wash his clothes or build a fire. Yet, according to investigators, his agony was greeted by the groups anger that he was slowing them down with taunts--several students, along with their counselors, told him they thought he was gay--and by endless lectures about the need to work harder. Then came new, Draconian punishment. Counselors took away his sleeping bag, forcing him to sleep in the open on two windy, icy-cold nights with the temperature as low as 25 degrees.

On March 21, after wetting his pants three nights in a row and soiling them uncontrollably during the day, Aaron sought to convince his counselors, whom he continued to call Sir in keeping with North Stars rules, that he was sick and needed a doctor, but they would have none of it. In their view he was faking. I am in terrible condition here, he wrote that night in an entry that was barely legible. My hands are all chapped & my lips are cracking. I feel like Im losing control of my body. By March 22, his handwriting had become an erratic scrawl, with misspellings, such as Pheonix instead of Phoenix, that suggest the onset of delirium. I miss my family so much, Aaron wrote. The wind has been atrocious . . . . My hands, my lips & my back are dead. Now we have to build another shelter. The one we built is horrible but it took us forever, we all really did try. Now we cant eat. I need to eat now. I havent been able to eat trail food all day . . . I am so cold.

Aarons journal ended on that day, but his calvary did not. He was deprived of food, yet again, for the next two days, according to investigators findings. On the day following that, March 25, Henry and Jagger, the latter trained in emergency medical care, visited the Primitive group and, as later charged by the prosecution, lectured their problem child on the evils of malingering. The two men also took his metal cup away from him because he wasnt keeping it clean. Other students watched as counselors pushed Aaron to walk faster and he kept falling to the ground. But they were forbidden to give him help, or food, and under North Stars tight discipline, no one dared to break the rules.

On March 26, Aarons only nourishment was prickly pear cactus and pine needle tea. Other youngsters in his group described him variously as looking bulimic, weak and brittle, like a skeleton, an old man or like he was from Auschwitz or Ethiopia. On March 27, he was given rice and lentils but nothing to drink, because his water and Gookinaid, a product similar to Gatorade, apparently had been stolen.

On March 30th one of Aarons counselors called North Stars base and asked Georgette Costigan, another staff member trained in emergency medicine, to check Aaron out. Costigan arrived to find him on the trail. She gave him a piece of cheese, but she left as soon as he resumed hiking. Investigators say Costigan made no effort to perform a medical evaluation. She seemed to accept the prevailing opinion that Aaron Bacon was a shameless fake.

The leader of another North Star group felt otherwise. Mike Hill, a 20-year-old Apache from the San Carlos Indian Reservation in southeastern Arizona, had no training in medicine, or much else. Hed been a drifter on the reservation when North Star offered him a job in Escalante, then recruited him into service as a counselor in the field. On the evening of March 30, Hill found Aarons backpack in a wash and took it over to him--the two campsites were only a mile apart. Hill, who had met Aaron during the acclimation phase and liked him, was shocked by what he later called Aarons anorexic appearance and his constant moans.

The next morning, Hill got a radio call from one of Aarons counselors, asking if Aaron, unable to hike to the next destination, could spend the day with Hills group, which was scheduled to remain at its encampment. Hill agreed and volunteered to pick Aaron up.

When Hill and his students arrived, he found Aarons condition terrifyingly worse. Hill told authorities that Aaron was sitting in a latrine, too weak to get up, while one of his counselors taunted him and gave an imitation of how hed collapsed. Outraged by the counselors behavior, Hill demanded to know what was going on. The counselor replied that Aaron had been starving himself because he wanted to die.

Hill and one of the students from his group lifted Aaron off the latrine, carried him to a shady spot beneath a tree and laid him down. Hill asked Aaron if what the counselor said was true. The boy, whose hearing had become impaired, strained for Hills words. Please speak louder, sir. I cant hear you, Aaron said, speaking loudly himself because he couldnt gauge the volume of his own voice. Hill repeated his question: Are you doing this because you want to die?

No, sir, Aaron replied. I dont want to die, sir.

Hill made Aaron some oatmeal and tried to feed him. After swallowing a few spoonfuls, Aaron moaned in pain and could not eat any more. He also said in a raspy voice that he couldnt see well because his vision had become a white glare.

By this time, Hill says, he knew that Aaron was dying. Taking some yellow medicine-man powder from his pocket, Hill scattered it around while he and his students prayed. Aaron urinated on himself uncontrollably, but Hill lay down on the ground beside him, continuing his prayers, while one of the boys in his group wept.

During the afternoon, a truck driven by Eric Henry, one of Bill Henrys sons, left Escalante to pick Aaron up. Incredible as it seems, North Star had now decided, according to the criminal charges, to put Aaron through the acclimation process a second time, either to shape him up or to fatten him up before physicians could see how wasted he had become. As Eric Henry neared the campsite, he radioed to Hill that he should get the faker ready. When the truck arrived, Aaron was told to get in, but he fell down and was too weak to get to his feet. Henry lifted him into the back of the truck and then, as Mike Hill has stated, spent 15 or 20 minutes chatting with other staff members. As far as Hill could see, no one was in a hurry to get Aaron back to Escalante. A few minutes before 3 p.m., Hill and Henry returned to the truck and found Aaron unconscious, without a pulse. The two men put Aaron on the ground, and Hill started CPR, or as much of the technique as he could remember, while Henry radioed his home base. When Georgette Costigan arrived, she assisted with the CPR and, according to Hill, kept saying Oh, s - - -! Oh, s - - -! as they tried unavailingly to bring Aaron back to life.

Sometime in the latter half of this year, Lance Jagger, Bill Henry and their co-defendants in the North Star case will stand trial in the little town of Panguitch. If convicted, they face penalties of up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The Bacons have filed civil suits against all defendants, and the state of Utah is talking yet again about tightening regulations for its wilderness-therapy programs.

Meanwhile, Bob and Sally, who have never heard a word from the parents of other youngsters in Aarons group, keep Aarons memory alive by talking about him, thinking about him, smiling about him when they can, looking at his pictures, cherishing his poems. Dreaming with a heart full of wonder, he wrote in one sonnet, And a mind full of knowledge/Our thirst for life and love/Does not set with the sun behind us. Once, those words, so full of young hope, made his parents proud. Now they are almost too painful to bear.

In the long months since their younger sons death, Bob and Sally Bacon have tried to remember Aarons heart full of wonder, but they keep coming back to the terror and pain that he diligently recorded in his journal, and then, inescapably, to their own crushing sense of guilt for sending him off on his wilderness journey. Jarid, for his part, is still trying to grasp the fact that Aaron is gone--We were so close; we looked up to each other--and to convince his parents that his kid brothers death wasnt their fault. Theres no way, he tells them, you could have known what would happen.

Yet there is some solace to be found in Aarons journal, the last testament of a young man who struggled mightily, even gallantly, to survive. A lesser spirit would have given up trying to hike, given up trying to build a fire, simply given up. But Aaron persevered. In his mortally weakened state, Aaron Bacon found great strength.
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Tammy Martin quietly pulled a gun out of her purse and pointed it at her husband, David. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed as he sat at the dining table, praying with his parents.

Tammy Martin pulled the trigger. The slug hit her husband in the chest, narrowly missing his heart. The .357-caliber pistol roared again. Another shot to the chest.

She kept firing. Her father-in-law, Bob Martin, was hit as he tried to grab the gun. Though wounded, he forced her out the front door and locked it.

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When she broke a window and shoved the gun back inside, he wrenched it from her hand. The mayhem in the Chandler, Ind., home of Tammy Martins in-laws was finally over.

David Martin would survive. He was luckier than his wifes first husband. Ricky Terry died in a 1990 shooting that remains unsolved.

The two men had something in common besides Tammy, according to court records and police: Both carried big life insurance policies that stood to make her rich.

For years, Tammy Alexander had turned heads in her northwest Alabama hometown of Moulton, pop. 3,260. Now 42, she is slender, tall and blond, with fashionable clothes and the air of someone who knows how to wear them.

Her small-town chic seemed at odds with Ricky Terry, a good ol boy who worked in construction, owned a horse and loved to hunt.

But Tammy and Ricky were childhood sweethearts who dropped out of high school and married when she was 16. Her parents gave them an acre of land in their neighborhood, keeping their daughter close to home.

After 10 years of marriage, however, the couple divorced in 1986. They parted on good terms, partly for the sake of their 3-year-old daughter, Whitney. Sometimes they rode to work together.

Then, on April 12, 1990, Ricky Terrys body was found slumped in his red pickup parked beside Full Gospel Holiness Tabernacle, outside Moulton.

Six .22-caliber slugs had gone into his chest. A wound to his hand was probably from trying to fend off the first shot, surmised Mike Ball, an agent with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

The volume on the radio was turned down low and shots appeared to have been fired from the passengers seat. Ball added it up: Ricky Terry was killed while talking to someone he knew.

At first I never thought it would be a hard one to solve, Ball said.

But he realized key evidence was missing. No murder weapon, shell casings or fingerprints were found.

There was one thing that caught everyones eye, though: a womans purse. The small handbag was on the front seat, bloodied and partially hidden by Terrys body. It belonged to his ex-wife.

Tammy said she left the purse in the truck long before the killing. And Ball believed that given the time of the killing and the places she was seen that morning, there was almost no way she could have killed her ex-husband.

Besides, she passed two lie-detector tests, including one in which she denied having a gun.

Then, police found a man who claimed to have sold a .22-caliber Ruger handgun to David Martin, whom she was dating. Ballistics tests showed such a weapon could have been used to kill Terry.

Tammy changed her story. She had, in fact, had a gun, she admitted now. She had given the weapon to Terry a week before the killing because he was afraid someone was after him, she said.

David Martin took a polygraph test, and it indicated he was lying when he said he didnt know anything about Terrys slaying, according to Ball.

But detectives were left with circumstantial evidence and suspicions.

Meanwhile, Tammy sued for $1 million from Jackson National Life Insurance Co., which had a life insurance policy on Terry.

The company refused to pay because he had identified himself as a nonsmoker on his insurance application. Cigarettes were found on his body when he was killed.

Eventually, a federal court ordered the company to pay Tammy $250,000 plus interest.

In July 1992, less than two years after Terrys death, David Martin and the ex-Mrs. Terry filed a form with an employer, declaring themselves common-law spouses.

They divorced three years later. But they remained together, which under Alabama law is enough for a common-law marriage.

And so it was that they traveled in February 1999 to visit David Martins parents in Indiana, supposedly because of a dream Tammy had.

David Martin told police that his wife said she had dreamed that she would buy a winning lottery ticket after praying at the home of his parents, Bob and Ann Martin.

But instead of buying a lottery ticket, Tammy pulled a gun and started shooting.

Afterward, investigators pieced together what seemed a meticulously planned attack--even though Tammy said at one point that she had fired on impulse.

Shes sharp as a tack, said Randy Merta, an investigator in Warrick County, Ind., where the shooting occurred.

No fingerprints were on the gun. Tammy had worn plastic gloves during the drive from Alabama to Indiana, explaining to David she would bite her fingernails otherwise.

Merta said that when the subject of Tammys first husband came up, she said he had died in an accident.

When the detective later learned the truth about Terrys death, he said he wondered, What do we have here? Is it the same thing?

Divorce records show David and Tammy Martin were required to name each other as the beneficiary of life insurance policies, and Merta said Tammy Martin stood to gain $1 million if her second husband died.

Police went to court with what they thought was enough to get a long prison sentence: A confession to the shooting, three witnesses, the weapon and a motive.

While in the hospital, David Martin told investigators all about the shooting and the lottery dream. He sought and received protective custody of their son, who is in grade school.

Then something happened: Both David Martin and his father asked prosecutors to go light on Tammy.

They went from being sandpaper to velvet, Merta said.

David, who had filed the second divorce petition of their marriage, withdrew the complaint. Again, the couple remained together.

Originally charged with attempted murder, Tammy Martin pleaded guilty by reason of mental illness to two charges of criminal recklessness. The Indiana judge ruled that two mental evaluations backed up the insanity claim.

He sentenced her to two years in jail but agreed to let her go back to Alabama to a prison work-release program. A dispute with Terrys relatives landed her back in custody in Indiana, but she again returned to Alabama, where her probation ends in 2003.

For her to get what she got was a slap at us, said Merta.

Medical records introduced in another court case show Tammy Martin has been in psychiatric care and was hospitalized last year after a serious suicide attempt.

In June, Tammy Martin was hospitalized again, this time after her arm was severely injured with a chain saw. A probation officer said the Martins have said it was an accident that happened as they were clearing some land.

Last year, in an interview with the Associated Press, Tammy Martin said that she never meant to hurt anyone in the Indiana shooting, and that her husband forgave her. She has been working at a family restaurant and lives in a $200,000 brick home that is heavily mortgaged.

This spring, she spent time at her sons elementary school and chaperoned a student field trip, much to the displeasure of some other parents.

One recent day, she and David walked through Moulton holding hands, a picture of happiness.

Were working our lives out and were happier than weve ever been, Tammy Martin said last year. Citing her probation, she declined recent interview requests but said she may talk someday:

What a story I could tell.
Nairobi  Kenya's president William Ruto has voiced concerns oer the escalating crisis in Sudan where over 60 civilians were killed in fighting between the army and paramilitaries.

President Ruto has urged the country's leadership and all concerned parties to instead explore dialogue to resolve their differences.

"I implore all parties to address any differences through peaceful means for the sake of the security of the people of Sudan and stability in the country and the region, especially during this Holy month of Ramadan," he said in a statement as fighting raged, leaving more than 600 people wounded.

The Sudanese capital Khartoum on Saturday woke up to the sounds of heavy gunfire, which were soon confirmed as an outbreak of clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF.

The two sides have been slapping accusations against each other for initiating the conflict.

President Ruto said the outbreak of violence will only reverse the gains Sudan has made to the detriment of its lasting peace and prosperity.

Video clips posted on social media showed that the Sudanese Army targeted the headquarters of the RSF through warplanes, while Dagalo denied that the headquarters of his forces were destroyed by the Sudanese Army.

The military conflict is a culmination of the festering tension between the two military forces.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, especially over the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between the military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022.

The tension has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the army considered illegal.

Ruto said "Kenya and the IGAD States are available and ready to contribute to the resolution of this crisis. I am consulting with the regional leadership and other relevant international partners to seek ways to support dialogue and mediation."

Video footage showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" amid the clashes but that it had been contained.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

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- 'Terrified' -

"The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56," said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, adding there were also "tens of deaths" among security forces, as well as around 600 wounded

Medics on social media have continued to call for help, pleading for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims, warning the streets were too dangerous to bring many casualties to hospitals.

On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except by soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes.

"We had a very difficult night, and we couldn't sleep well because of the sound of the explosions and gunfire," said Ahmed Seif, who lives in east Khartoum with his family of five.

He said he fears his building was hit by gunfire, but said it was still too dangerous to go outside to check.

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm anytime soon," he added.
If theres trouble, Ghennifer Zando-Dennis wants to be there.

Shes documented war in Sierra Leone as well as hurricanes in Haiti and Puerto Rico.

Im interested in traveling to places where things are happening, the Easton resident said.

The world traveler plans to deepen her roots in the Easton community by serving on the Easton Area School Board. The 12-year West Ward resident is running unopposed in the May 16 primary election in for a seat representing Region II.

She and her wife moved to Easton as an affordable alternative to Brooklyn. She teaches media literacy at Ramapo College in New Jersey and filmmaking for the New York State Summer School for the Arts. She wants a seat on the school board because shes a teacher interested in advocating for the rights of youths and teachers.

Shes among a group looking to open the Overtown Media and Arts Center, an arts center from Eastons West Ward that could benefit from a $40 million federal Choice Neighborhood grant. Easton is in the process of applying for that grant.

Zando-Dennis said she befriended some mental health professionals who travel around the world providing services through the United Nations to individuals who suffer trauma such as war or natural disasters. The connection led to her work documenting the relief trips. Even before the trips, she gravitated toward destinations of unrest. After film school she traveled around Eastern Europe to see the transition to freedom after the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also volunteered as a relief worker after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Her experiences have translated into discussions and lessons for her students. For her class on Latin American media and culture she describes how some post-Hurricane Maria victims were classified in news reports as looters based on their race and class compared to others who were just finding food.

Media studies teacher Ghennifer Zando-Dennis is running unopposed for the Easton Area School Board. She's in a committee looking to open the Overtown Media and Arts Center in Easton's West Ward.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

She learned about boundaries  when it was appropriate to document the plight of victims and when it was more appropriate to help them out. She looked for opportunities to capture moments off the beaten path, such as a conversation with a young boy whose horse enclosure had been flattened by the high winds.

She wants to inspire and prepare the next generation of filmmakers. She envisions the Overtown Media and Arts Center as a place where young people can rent high-end camera gear and equipment for a modest fee so they can stretch the limits of their creativity.

Zando-Dennis plans to draw on the experience she gained with her wife when they helped found the Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center in Buffalo, New York. She served as program director there.

Arts centers can democratize access to tools and information in the digital age, she said.

Zando-Dennis, 55, said she plans to speak up in support of the arts as a member of the school board.

Whos running?

Here are the candidates for the Easton Area School Board. The primary election is Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Easton Area School Board Region I (Palmer Township). Vote for two: Bill Whitman and Jodi Hess. Each has cross-filed to run as a Democrat and a Republican. Each is an incumbent.

Easton Area School Board Region II (Most of the City of Easton). Vote for one: Ghennifer Zando-Dennis, Democrat. Shes the only candidate. Incumbent Michelle Price isnt seeking re-election.

Easton Area School Board Region III (Forks Township, part of Lower Mount Bethel Township, part of Easton). Vote for one: Edward Keegan and Michael Simonetta. Each has cross-filed to run as a Democrat and a Republican. Keegan is an incumbent.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
The Stradbally committee which works with the Electric Picnic organisation to ensure a smooth running of festival in the Laois town every year is writing a constitution to guide its work.

The first meeting of the newly formed EP residents committee took place on Wednesday, March 15.

The meeting gave members the opportunity to get to know each other, put in place plans and ambitions going forward and reflect on the AGM. It was agreed that the first order of business is to draft a constitution that will govern the committee.

The Committee say t constitution is simply the aims and rules that your group will use. They add that its a statement of what your group is going to do and how it is going to do it.

It is intended that the draft constitution will be put forward for residents approval at the next public meeting scheduled for Monday, April 24 at 7:30pm in St Colmans National School.

If residents would like to contact the committee you can now do so via email at electricpicniccommittee@gmail.com
A woman appeared in court for being drunk and abusive at Portlaoise Train Station.

Melissa Mulqueen, 46, of 82 Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick was arrested at Portlaoise Train Station on April 1.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was shouting and roaring at 4.55pm on the date in question. He said the woman has no previous convictions.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading at the earliest opportunity. She had been returning from Dublin when the incident occurred.

She has written a letter of apology, said Ms Fitzpatrick. She said the woman had also brought a sum of 200 to court.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the woman was travelling to meet members of her family who she generally isnt in the company of.

Generally if she is taking a drink at all she would do it in the company of her sisters who would look after her, said Ms Fitzpatrick.

Judge Andrew Cody said he would strike the matter out if 400 is donated to the court poor box.

If she can afford to go on a binge on the train to Dublin she can afford that, said Judge Cody.

Despite a request from Ms Fitzpatrick who outlined the womans financial situation, Judge Cody refused legal aid.

If she has enough money to go on a drinking binge she can pay your legal fees, he stated.

After a donation of 400 was made, Judge Cody struck out the charges of public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Events marking the 25th anniversary of Northern Irelands landmark peace accord can provide an impetus to restore devolved governance at Stormont, Irelands deputy premier has said.

Micheal Martin was commenting as political leaders from the Good Friday Agreement era prepared to participate in a major three-day conference in Belfast commemorating the 1998 deal.

Former US president Bill Clinton, ex-US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and chairman of the Good Friday talks Senator George Mitchell attended several events in Belfast over the weekend ahead of the start of the conference at Queens University on Monday.

Former UK and Irish prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will also be among the high-profile figures participating at Queens.

An attending US delegation appointed by President Joe Biden will be led by his special envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III.

Current UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are due to attend later in the week.

The commemorations are taking place at a time when the powersharing political institutions created by the Good Friday deal are in abeyance due to a row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP is blocking the functioning of the Stormont assembly and executive in protest at economic barriers on trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

I would like to think that theres a genuine desire to get the institutions back up and running, Mr Martin said in Dublin on Sunday.

Ive met with all of the party leaders over the last year and, irrespective of their positions, theyve all resolutely said that they want the institutions back up and running.

Mr Martin, who will also attend the conference, said the Windsor Framework recently agreed by the UK and EU had resolved many of the issues created by the contentious post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

He expressed frustration that Stormont was still in cold storage nearly a year after last Mays Assembly election.

All around the world when elections happen, parliaments get convened, he said.

And I think there was a real necessity to do that in Northern Ireland to respond to the mandate that the people have given their public representatives to enable them to deal with very significant challenges facing Northern Ireland, in respect of economy, health and housing, and many other issues.

And there are many newly elected MLAs who I know would dearly love the opportunity to participate in the Assembly. Indeed, Ive met a number of them from different parties.

And theyre impatient with the fact that the mandate that they have been given by the electorate, they do not have the opportunity to reflect that mandate in the Assembly.

I would like to think next week may give an impetus and a cause for reflection. I think there is space being provided for people to assess the situation, analyse it from their perspectives.

But there is no getting away from a very basic democratic thing, which is basically when elections happen, parliaments get convened.

Mr Martin was speaking to reporters after attending an annual Fianna Fail commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery in Dublin for the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland.

On Saturday evening, both Bill and Hillary Clinton were guests at a special screening in Belfast of a film about murdered journalist Lyra McKee.

Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans as she observed rioting in Derry in April 2019.

On Sunday, Ms Clinton attended an event for young leaders who have taken part in the Washington Ireland Programme.

Meanwhile, Mr Mitchell was given a standing ovation as he arrived at Belfasts Lyric Theatre on Sunday afternoon for a performance of a play about the striking of the agreement in 1998.

Across the city, a church service was held in Clonard Monastery to reflect on the Good Friday Agreement.

Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker and US envoy to Northern Ireland Mr Kennedy III were among those who attended the service of recommitment that was organised by peacebuilding group, the Corrymeela Community.

The leaders of both the Catholic church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland, archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, also attended.

Later on Sunday, a special dinner was organised at Hillsborough Castle to mark the contribution to the peace process by the late Mo Mowlam, who was Northern Ireland Secretary in 1998.

One of the events in the extensive programme of events at Queens is the screening of a film telling the stories of several victims of the Troubles.

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said the film created by members of the Truth and Justice Movement would convey a powerful message of opposition to Government plans to offer a limited immunity from prosecution to perpetrators of Troubles crimes.

The GFA is 25 years old, yet some of our group has been fighting over 50 years for truth and justice and none of us cant or wont rest until we get the justice our families deserve despite the British governments fear of the truth and justice, he said.
Northern Ireland has an incredible opportunity for economic growth, US president Joe Biden insisted as he pledged to continue to work with the UK and Irish governments to restore devolution.

On his four-day visit to the island of Ireland, Mr Biden claimed hundreds of US corporations were ready to invest in Northern Ireland  but were cautious about the lack of devolved government in the region.

He also said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish government to support the people of Northern Ireland.

The president again addressed the powersharing impasse at Stormont on Saturday when he was back in the United States.

Devolution is in cold storage at Stormont due to a political impasse over post-Brexit trade.

We have more to do in the north, the president told reporters in Delaware.

We have more to do to get the government formed. And I think we can still do that and its important.

And Ill continue to work with the Prime Minister of England (UK PM Rishi Sunak) as well as the Taoiseach (Leo Varadkar).

In a keynote address at Ulster University in Belfast on Wednesday, Mr Biden praised the work of the UK and EU to strike the Windsor Framework on post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The presidents visit to Northern Ireland came as the region marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Good Friday peace accord that created Stormonts powersharing institutions.

The DUP is blocking those institutions in protest at Brexit trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It has said the framework does not go far enough to address its concerns over sovereignty.

There had been speculation that Mr Biden would address the Stormont Assembly on his visit north of the border, but that plan did not materialise, with suggestions that the powersharing deadlock was a determining factor.

Throughout his trip to the island, Mr Biden repeatedly expressed hopes of a return to devolution north of the border and insisted stable governance at Stormont could deliver an economic windfall for the region.

This is such an opportunity, he said back in the US on Saturday.

It really is an incredible opportunity for the north, in terms of economic growth and economic prosperity.

And they have all the tools. They have the universities. They have the technicians.
The Curragh will honour both Lester Piggott and Kevin Manning at their race day on Sunday 16th April.

Gates open at 11.30am and first race is at 1.25pm with the last race at 5.25pm.

The inaugural running of the Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes, sponsored by Jamie Piggott Bloodstock, will be one of the highlights of the eight-race programme.

The race day will also feature a unique exhibition celebrating the career of Lester Piggott. Curated by racing memorabilia collector Nick OToole, the exhibition will showcase a variety of fascinating mementos associated with the legendary jockey. The Lester Piggott exhibition will take place on Level 1 of the Curragh grandstand and will include trophies, race cards, paintings, statues, prints and photographs.

Piggott enjoyed many successes at the Curragh winning 16 Irish Classic races between 1965 and 1981 including the Irish Derby on Meadow Court (1965), Ribocco (1967), Ribero (1968), The Minstrel (1977) and Shergar (1981).

The association with the Gladness Stakes is very appropriate as not only did he ride Gladness to some of her most famous successes including the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Ebor Handicap at York, but he also rode Minsky, Apalachee, Night Alert to victory in the race.

The Curragh unveiled a magnificent statue of the iconic jockey, which is located close to the parade ring, just before he passed away last May.

Tracy Piggott commented, The Piggott family are delighted that this special race is now being named after our father Lester. We have some great memories of him winning at the Curragh, and it was so fitting to unveil his statue there last May. He always said that the Curragh was probably one of the best tracks he had ever ridden on during his very long career. We hope that everyone will enjoy the memories and memorabilia as much as we do.

In addition, on April 16th, The Curragh will also honour the riding career of Kevin Manning who retired late last year after an outstanding career in the saddle. He enjoyed many of his greatest victories at the County Kildare venue riding mainly for his father in law Jim Bolger, including Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby success on Trading Leather, together with further Classic race wins on Finsceal Beo and Pleascach in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and Margarula in the Irish Oaks, while the impressive roll of honour of his many other Group 1 victories featured New Approach, Dawn Approach and Teofilo in the Goffs Vincent OBrien National Stakes and Perfect Imposter in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Curragh CEO, Brian Kavanagh commented, Kevin has had a remarkable career as a jockey at the highest level and we could not let his retirement pass without marking it here at the Curragh  he rode his first ever winner here at the Curragh in April 1983 and very few sportsmen get to retire after forty years of competing at the top of their profession. Kevins dedication and skill were widely admired and we are delighted to be able to recognise his career here with family, friends, fellow jockeys and racegoers,

Admission: 15 (early bird offer), 20 on day.

Under 18s free accompanied by an adult

Free shuttle bus from Kildare Town and Newbridge

For further details see www.curragh.ie
Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin was delighted to meet President Joe Biden during his visit to the Dail. The Independent Deputy described the Presidential visit as a warm, personal occasion.

I was honoured to represent the Independent Group in welcoming the President to Dail Eireann when he addressed the joint session of the Dail and Seanad. I was introduced to the President by the Ceann Comhairle who explained I had been a member of the European Parliament and elected to the Dail on two occasions. The President said, So you have been around the houses, You and me both, Mr President, I replied," recalled Deputy Harkin.

Deputy Harkin and the President spoke about Senator Tom Harkin, a relative of the TD who is a long-serving Democratic Senator from the State of Iowa and a good friend of the President. He was Deputy Harkins guest in the Dail a few months ago.

The occasion of the Presidents visit was extraordinary, Deputy Harkin said, his address was personal and warm, and was totally reciprocated by a packed chamber of TDs and Senators, former members, Taoisigh, former President McAleese with ambassadors and dignitaries from various countries."

His first words as he looked up to the heavens and said, Mom you were right, these set the tone for his address. It wasn't about policy issues other than at the highest overarching level. He talked about shared values and the dignity of every single person along with the importance of equality and diversity in decent societies."

Deputy Harkin described the Presidents presence in Ireland to support the Good Friday Agreement and strengthen democracy as a reminder that peace and democracy cannot be taken for granted.

After 25 years of peace in Northern Ireland we know that peace is not a static thing, it is something that has to be worked out and worked on every day and every week in communities throughout the island. Similarly, democracy is not something we can take for granted because there are many agents and many groups, here and across the world, whose purpose is to undermine the democratic order and that is something we have to be vigilant about and protect fiercely, she said.

Overall, she described the speech and the occasion as really uplifting.

"The President used one word to describe Ireland and that was the word 'possibility'. It gives us a real sense that so much is possible. Flying into Ireland West Airport, visiting Knock Shrine and Co Mayo was a fitting end to a wonderful trip and was a great occasion for the people of the entire Northwest," Deputy Harkin concluded.
An aerial view of the nuclear power plant in Olkiluoto, Finland. TAPANI KARJANLAHTI / AFP

Finland's next-generation Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor, the largest in Europe, has gone into regular production after months of delays, its operator said Sunday, April 16, hours after Germany ended its nuclear era.

Olkiluoto 3, now producing around 14 percent of the country's electricity, is expected to remain operational for "at least the next 60 years," according to the site's operator TVO.

The European pressurized water reactor (EPR), already more than 12 years behind schedule, was supposed to come fully online in December, but the start was pushed back several times during its testing phase.

Built by the French-led Areva-Siemens consortium, the reactor was first started up in December 2021 and connected to the Finnish power grid in March last year.

"Test production has been completed and regular electricity production started today," TVO said. "From now on, about 30 percent of Finnish electricity is produced in Olkiluoto," which already had two reactors.

On Sunday, more than 50 percent of Finnish electricity was being produced from nuclear power, according to Finland's transmission system operator Fingrid.

The most powerful nuclear reactor in Europe, with a capacity of generating 1,600 megawatts, Olkiluoto 3 reached full power in late September for the first time since construction began in 2005.

Finland had been hoping to rely on the new reactor for its electricity needs earlier this winter, given fears of energy shortages after Russia, a major supplier to Europe, invaded Ukraine and cut off gas exports in response to Western sanctions.

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Safety versus climate

The EPR was designed to relaunch the European nuclear industry after the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986, and was touted as offering higher power and better safety.

But several EPR projects have been plagued by delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns.

At the end of last year, France's state-owned energy group EDF had to announce another six-month delay for a new reactor being built at Flamanville, in northwest France, pushing back its projected start to mid-2024.

Hinkley Point in Britain and the Taishan plant in China have also suffered EPR production setbacks, cost overruns and delays. The two EPR units in China have already entered commercial production, making Olkiluoto 3 the third to go into operation in the world.

Germany meanwhile has officially ended decades of atomic energy use by turning off its last three nuclear reactors on Saturday. Europe's largest economy had been looking to leave behind nuclear power since 2002, but the phase-out was accelerated by former chancellor Angela Merkel in 2011 after the meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.

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TVO hailed the Olkiluoto 3 reactor as "Finland's greatest climate act," adding that it would "accelerate the move towards a carbon-neutral society."

Le Monde with AFP
InvestigationAdrien Labi, who owns numerous lavish buildings in Paris, has been indicted for tax fraud and money laundering. The courts have seized nearly half a billion euros to ensure the payment of his tax debt.

Monday, March 6, was supposed to be a great day for Adrien Labi. The British businessman was in Paris to finalize a major real estate deal with Kering. The French luxury giant headed by Francois-Henri Pinault had agreed to pay the astronomical sum of one billion euros to buy two buildings located on Avenue Montaigne in Paris' 8th arrondissement, where property prices are among the highest in the capital. A lucrative deal for Labi, who more than doubled his initial wager when he bought the buildings eight years ago.

Yet euphoria soon gave way to stupor after the sale was signed. Upon leaving the notary's office, he was arrested by agents of the Brigade Nationale de Repression de la Delinquance Fiscale (National Fiscal Offenses Repression Brigade, BNRDF) and placed in police custody. This improbable development marked the end of 20 years of real estate adventures during which Labi's name could be heard as often in the affluent Parisian districts as in the courts.

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The spotlight first fell on the man nicknamed the "Ghost" of Paris' prestigious neighborhood in the 8th arrondissement, known as the "Golden Triangle," in 2015. An investigation by Le Monde's magazine M brought to light the vast prestigious real estate portfolio in this posh area of Paris' hyper-center, worth hundreds of millions of euros, held by this businessman unknown to the public at large. Yet Labi was already a very familiar figure to the French tax authorities, who started taking an interest in his dealings in the mid-2000s. Riddled with tax audits, his companies were forced to pay millions of euros in tax adjustments, but the "ghost" refused and exploited every possible legal recourse to avoid doing so.

His daughter sentenced to two years in prison

Slowly, however, the noose tightened as tax authorities referred the most serious cases to the courts. The first judicial investigation was dismissed in 2010. Two years later, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced a company that was part of Labi's empire for tax fraud for the first time. Tempolux was found guilty of having moved four Parisian properties between several companies in Luxembourg and France "exclusively for tax purposes" to dodge four million euros in capital gains taxes. Labi, who was not officially linked to any of these companies, managed to slip away. His daughter Clarissa, on the other hand, was sentenced to two years in prison as manager of Tempolux. The court noted that it "appears highly probable" that she "was not the sole perpetrator."

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Comunicado Oficial 010-23:

Comunicado del Peru sobre la situacion en Sudan.

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A train loaded with coal, in Gillette, Wyoming, on July 4, 2020. TANNEN MAURY / EPA / MAXPPP

Alan Hall is in his 70s and wears a hearing aid, but in his jeans, cowboy boots and jacket, he has the get-up of an adventurer who perpetuates the legends of the American West. In late March, the venture capitalist entrepreneur arrived in Gillette, Wyoming's coal capital, with his son and an associate.

He's not an "oil man"; he's not a "coal man"; he's an alchemist, proposing to turn coal into oil. In a well-rehearsed speech, he promised wonders to the county's economic leaders. "Our mission is to save coal. We want to keep the mines open, keep the jobs, and organize the industry shift," he said.

The process Hall wants to use, which is under license from the Renuva company, is to distill the hydrocarbons in the coal to make oil and use the residue as charcoal. "One ton of coal will produce two barrels of oil," said Hall, or 318 liters.

In the still-deserted premises of the Wyoming Innovation Center, a mile from a coal-fired power plant and on the edge of the railroad tracks, he proposed to install 10 mobile factories by the end of 2024, including two as early as this summer. Each unit will cost $10 million (9.2 million), consume 100,000 tons of coal, and employ 60 people, he announced. He has also promised to donate to the community and not to ask for subsidies. In return, he wants unlimited coal and expedited authorizations to set everything up. And he intends to make a fortune selling his oil and charcoal.

Inevitable decline

Hall, who named his company Blue Sky Energy, asks whether his talk of coal turned to oil will satisfy the requirements of the "ESG narrative," or the respect of environmental and governance criteria. "I don't think it is enough," said his local contact Jim Ford, one of the county's leaders, bluntly, reassuring him that there would be no activists in the area. "There will be no pickets." "Maybe they'll come from Washington DC," said Hall. "On their solar panel-powered plane," added his son Eric.

After discussing the project at length, Ford said: "There are a lot of tire kickers, but these guys are serious enough to be listened to. I've engaged with hundreds of companies in the last few years [trying to exploit coal wealth], but the only one that's out there seriously is Atlas Carbon," a company that is expanding the number of uses for carbon.

This is the tragedy of Gillette, in the heart of Wyoming, a state that's half the size of France (253,000 square kilometers) and has a population of 580,000. The region sits on a 30-meter-thick inexhaustible artery of coal (estimated at 20 years of supply for global consumption), which outcrops from the ground. But since the peak in 2008, annual production has almost halved, falling from 430 million to 260 million tons. Coal is rightly accused of causing global warming and has suffered from the competition with gas, causing its inevitable decline.

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AWARD-WINNING Limerick print and design company Cube has been in business for 27 years.

During that time, management at the firm, located at Ballysimon Road on the outskirts of the city, have seen many changes which have impacted on it.

Chief among these, says TJ Ryan, Cube's sales director, were the move by Dell to significantly downsize its operation at Raheen and the Covid-19 pandemic which dominated the opening years of this decade.

Despite all this, Cube remains strong, and is currently providing work for 40 local people.

At the forefront of the pharmaceutical print industry since 1996, Cube specialises in the printing of instructions for use booklets and product information leaflets.

This information is normally provided for the medical device, pharmaceutical and technology markets.

Crucial to Cube's success, Mr Ryan says, is the loyalty of its staff and customer base.

"People have stayed with us for a long time and they are really pleased with the success of Cube Printing. Brendan Ring and Frank Fitzsimons were the key drivers early on. We were in a very small office in Henry Street, but we moved to Ballysimon in 2002. Cube has been a key driver in the print industry in Limerick and the Mid-West for the last 27 years, and I'd hope it will be around for another 27!"

Mr Ryan himself is celebrating a personal milestone with Cube Printing.

For this June, he will have served 21 years in the company.

"I was only 27 when I joined. I didn't know a huge amount about the industry so I learnt as I went on. It's been all positive, I have to say. From my point of view, I'd like to express huge thanks to Brendan Ring and Frank Fitzsimons. They have taught me everything I know," he said.

Since the company opened in 1996, the world of printing technology has transformed beyond belief.

"There has been so many changes - file transfers, emails, getting files sent on your phone. The print technology and machinery has changed with it, all for the better. What the next 27 years will bring, we just don't know!"

Visit Cube Printing at www.cube.irish, or telephone 061-400658.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has criticised the new consultant contract being introduced by Government and labeled it a 'missed opportunity'.

Professor Matthew Sadlier, Chairman of the Consultant Committee of the IMO said that the Government has missed an opportunity to create an attractive common contract that would appeal to all consultants (existing and new).

Speaking at the IMO AGM in Killarney, Professor Sadlier said that feedback from IMO Consultants around the country had identified concerns on issues such as rostering, work locations and the requirement for consultants to provide locum support on top of their own clinical responsibilities.

Professor Sadlier said; Many consultants do currently work in different locations and do work weekends and evenings and the issue with this contract is to ensure that there are reasonable agreements on how these matters will be dealt with in the future.

Professor Sadlier said that the lukewarm response to the new contract did not bode well for the urgent need to recruit consultants; with over 900 posts that we need to fill, the HSE has chosen to go to the market with this contract. We are concerned that it may not bode well for their plans to increase urgently needed recruitment.

Professor Sadlier said that the IMO would monitor the response to the new contract closely over the coming months. He said; we cant afford to lose another decade. If this contract runs into difficulties, we will be looking for urgent action to address the shortcomings so that patients are not forced to lose more years while the HSE avoids fixing the mess it has made.

The Consultant Committee of the IMO also heard from Dr Peadar Gilligan, Head of the Emergency Department at Beaumont Hospital and a former President of the IMO who spoke on the crowding issue at Emergency Departments (ED).

Dr Gilligan said that the lack of available hospital beds was a direct factor in overcrowding in Emergency Departments (ED). He said that a requirement of an admission to hospital was the major predictor of a protracted stay in an ED and the length of time which each patient spends in the ED is the major contributor to crowding.

Dr Gilligan said that being able to move admitted patients to a ward bed in a timely manner would significantly decrease the crowding of EDs in Ireland. In terms of reducing the patient length of stay in ED, Dr. Gilligan said that timely assessment and admission by the on call teams would reduce ED length of stay and having more timely availability of lab tests and radiology would help to reduce crowding and length of stay in ED.

Dr Gilligan warned that the problem would get worse. He cited ESRI figures which project a need for between 4,000 and 6,300 additional beds in public and private hospital between 2015 and 2030; with up to 5,600 of these project to be required in public hospitals.
Michelin Chief Executive Officer Florent Menegaux recently said that the company is actively considering production of passenger vehicle tyres locally in India. Talking to PTI, Menegaux said the group sees India as a great developing market.

As per the agency report, he stated that the company is eager to invest in the local production of passenger vehicle tyres in India and the only thing which needs to be worked out is the timing for the same.

"Now we are reaching the moment where it will make sense to invest in the passenger car capacity (in India)," Menegaux noted.

The Frech tyre maker has presence in 175 countries with 67 plants. It currently sells only premium bigger size tyres in limited quantity especially for performance oriented models in India. The local manufacturing will help in scaling up operations in India, which remain critically subdued with the government introducing import restrictions in 2020.

Michelin currently has presence in the truck and bus radial tyres in India. It has a production facility in Chennai with an installed capacity of over 30,000 tonnes per annum.

The facility is currently focussed on manufacturing a range of radial truck/bus tyres and defence tyres for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as for the replacement market in the country.

Michelin also gets two-wheeler tyres manufactured in the country through a partner.

Indian government in 2020 imposed curbs on imports of certain new pneumatic tyres used in motor cars, busses, lorries and motorcycles in a move to promote domestic manufacturing. Tyre companies can now import only a small number of tyres into the country under a limited import licence, which was not the case before 2020.

During the PTI interaction, Menegaux said that as the company has presence across the globe it needs to carefully evaluate investment options across the regions.

"We invest in many places around the world so the question is when is the right time for India. It is not a question whether we should invest in India, the question is when," said.

On asked specifically about the timeframe for the new investment, he said: It is under the process right now."

"With proper infrastructure in place the speed (of vehicles on roads) will increase and the relevance of our technology will be even more visible," he said.

Commenting about the government putting restrictions on imported tyres in India, Menegaux said We had developed a good market in the passenger car segment with imports which is the traditional way of doing business. Everywhere we start by importing up to a point where we reach a certain volume and then we implement production."

(With inputs from PTI)
MUMBAI : The central government has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order on the write-down of Yes Banks additional Tier-1 bonds. The plea will be heard on 18 April.

On 20 January, the Bombay High Court directed the lender to pay the bondholders but gave it six weeks to file an appeal. On 13 February, the Reserve Bank of India and Yes Bank had moved the apex court challenging the order.

The HC set aside an order by Yes Banks administrator to write down the bonds, saying that he had exceeded his powers in doing so, as the decision was taken after the final reconstitution scheme was notified on 13 March 2020.

The SC has extended the stay on the high court order and has sought response from the finance ministry, Securities and Exchange Board of India, RBI, stock exchanges and others on the appeals filed by RBI and Yes Bank against the high court order.

The apex court observed that small bondholders must not suffer and asked Yes Bank and RBI to explain which legal provisions empower them to issue a complete write-off.

It is an admitted position that in terms of Para 2.15 of the RBI Master Circular, the AT-1 bonds have to be written down after the decision to reconstitute is taken by the relevant authorities. This is before the reconstruction of Yes Bank. Therefore, the decision to write down the AT1 bonds was taken after RBI and the government notified the reconstruction scheme," said a legal expert seeking anonymity.

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal and solicitor general Tushar Mehta appearing for Yes Bank and RBI, respectively, argued that a write-off is essential for the reconstruction and, if not allowed, may lead to Yes Bank becoming unviable again.

They argued that State Bank of India and seven other banks invested public money in Yes Bank based on the write-offs, and the administrator had the power to fully write down AT-1 bonds. Further, RBI submitted the bonds were high-interest-bearing and high-risk instruments, and the subscribers were rich people" who understood the risks. It also said the high court had erred in acknowledging the correct date of reconstruction of the bank.

The SC bench seemed in favour of retail bondholders during the first hearing. It prompted the court to direct Yes Bank to break up different bondholder classes based on their exposure to the bonds. So the governments plea will offer more teeth to the arguments raised by Yes Bank and RBI," another legal expert said requesting anonymity.
The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has cracked down on ad-tech and new-media company Brightcom Group Limited (BGL) through an order for non-compliance, and violating norms.

The market regulator said that the Brightcom Group, headquartered in Hyderabad has understated expenditures and overstated profits after Sebi had initiated an investigation into the financials from the period 2014-15 to 2019-20.

It served a show-cause notice on the top executives of the company, including its Chairman and Managing Director Suresh Reddy.

The scale of fraud is indeed large. The company attempted to camouflage accounting entries in excess of 1,280 crore during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to give a distorted picture of its financial position," said Sebi in its order.

The promoters shareholding in BGL has progressively decreased from 40.45 percent on March 31, 2014 to 13.96 percent on March 31, 2020 and further to 3.51 percent as on June 30, 2022.

During FY 2021-22, the company had made preferential allotment of equity shares to 79 allottees and raised 836.38 crores.

Such allottees included 4 entities which subsequently became part of promoter Group. By virtue of the same, the shareholding of the promoters and promoter group of the Company now stands at 18.47%,as on December 31, 2022. The abovementioned preferential allotment was done at Rs.7.70 per share (face value of each share was Rs.2). Subsequently, there were two bonus issues in the ratio of 1:4 and 2:3 during FY 2021-22, as a result of which the effective allotment for the preferential allottees came to Rs.3.70(approx.)per share," said Sebi in its order.

Sebi said that the the promoter group of the company has directly benefitted as a result of manipulation of financial statements.

However, prior to the abovementioned preferential allotment, the promoter group had sold shares when the average price of the scrip was much higher than the effective allotment price. Considering the same, it is apparent that the abovementioned increase in shareholding by the promoters was achieved at price far below the prices at which the promoters had offloaded a large percentage of their shareholding through a purported pledge," it said.

The company and its directors have been ordered to undertake the examination of its consolidated financial statements for the period 2014-15 to 2021-22 in order to ensure that they are in compliance with all the applicable accounting standards.

Sebi has issued this direction in light of the several non-compliances with the accounting standards as well as violations of disclosure norms by the company.

The company has also been ordered to disseminate the standalone financial statements of each of its subsidiaries on its website, for the period between FY 2014-15 and FY 2021-22, as required under Sebi (LODR) Regulations, 2015, within fifteen days.

Brightcom Group saw its share price zoom up from barely 4 in April 2021 to a high of 118 in December 2021. On Thursday, at the end of the trading day, the scrip was trading at 15.45.
Nima Momeni stabbed Cash App founder Bob Lee to death after the pair left the apartment where Mr. Momenis sister lived, prosecutors alleged Friday.

While prosecutors wouldnt say what occurred in the apartment, a court filing said the two men discussed the suspected killers sister earlier in the day and that Mr. Momeni had been angry with Mr. Lee.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins gave the most detailed account of Mr. Lees final hours alive in a motion to detain Mr. Momeni without bail filed Friday. Mr. Momeni was arrested on suspicion of murder Thursday in a case that has rocked Silicon Valley.

Ms. Jenkins didnt reveal a specific motive for the killing, which occurred in the early morning hours of April 4. But much of the narrative her office presented revolved around Mr. Momenis younger sister, identified by Ms. Jenkins as Khazar Momeni.

Earlier Friday, a judge ordered that Mr. Momeni be held without bail while awaiting his arraignment, which was postponed until April 25 because the lead defense attorney is out of town.

Robert Canny, an attorney for Mr. Momeni, said the facts of the case will come out during the course of the trial. Mr. Canny didnt respond to a request for comment on the filing Friday afternoon.

Ms. Momeni couldnt be reached for comment. Her husband, a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon, didnt respond to requests for comment. The couple declined to speak with the media before Fridays court hearing.

According to the filing, Mr. Lee and Ms. Momeni were drinking and talking with others on the afternoon of April 3 at a home in San Francisco, a witness told police. The witness said that Mr. Momenis sister was married but the relationship had possibly been in jeopardy."

Ms. Jenkins said that Mr. Lee was a friend of Ms. Momeni but declined to elaborate.

Mr. Lee and the witness left and went to the Cash App founders hotel room, where Mr. Lee and Mr. Momeni engaged in a phone conversation about Ms. Momeni. Mr. Momeni questioned Mr. Lee regarding whether his sister was doing drugs or anything inappropriate," the witness told police. Mr. Lee reassured Mr. Momeni that nothing inappropriate occurred, the witness said.

Later that night, Mr. Lee allegedly went to the Millennium Tower, an expensive San Francisco apartment building where Ms. Momeni lived. Surveillance video showed Mr. Lee, wearing black clothing, entering the building at 12:39 a.m., the filing said.

Mr. Lee and Mr. Momeni rode down the elevator at the Millennium Tower together at around 2:03 a.m. and got into Mr. Momenis white BMW Z4, according to the filing. The pair drove a short ways before getting out of the car.

The two figures stood together for about five minutes, after which Mr. Momeni stabbed Mr. Lee three separate times, including twice in the chest, prosecutors alleged.

One of the stab wounds, showing a direct and clear intent to kill, penetrated [Mr. Lees] heart," the filing said.

Mr. Momeni then threw down the kitchen knife he had used and drove away, leaving Mr. Lee to die, according to the court filing.

Investigators later unlocked Mr. Lees phone and found a text message from Ms. Momeni sent to Mr. Lee, prosecutors wrote.

Just wanted to make sure your doing ok Cause I know nima came wayyyyyy down hard on you," the message said.

Ms. Jenkins said her office is looking at the killing as a case of premeditated murder.

This is a person who was in his vehicle with a kitchen knife," said Ms. Jenkins. Thats not something most of us carry around at all times with usand so that this was something that he intended to do."

Mr. Momeni lived in Emeryville, a small city across the Bay from San Francisco, according to police. A LinkedIn profile for a Nima Momeni of Emeryville showed he is a tech consultant and an entrepreneur.

Mr. Lee was the chief product officer at MobileCoin Inc., a cryptocurrency company, at the time of his death. He is known for creating Cash App, which people can use to transfer money, buy crypto and trade stocks. He made the app while he was the chief technology officer at Square Inc., now known as Block Inc., where he worked from 2010 to 2014.

Before he joined Square, he worked at Alphabet Inc.s Google and helped develop the Android mobile operating system.

He worked with people across Silicon Valley as an executive and an angel investor. He invested in companies including SpaceX, run by Elon Musk, and Figma, the collaboration-software business Adobe Inc. agreed to acquire for $20 billion last year.

Mr. Lees old colleagues and friends responded to his death with stories about his selflessness and his knack for coding. He was known on Twitter by his handle crazybob."
Its great to be a megabank, even in a banking crisis.
The notorious mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were fatally shot on Saturday in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, while being transported for a court-mandated medical check-up during their five-day police remand.

This article delves into Atiq Ahmad's rise as a prominent criminal in UP, his political influence, his election as a Member of Parliament, and ultimately, his downfall.

Atiq Ahmed's personal life

Atiq Ahmad, originally from Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh, was born in 1962. He was married to Shaista Praveen, who is currently on the run. Atiq and Shaista had five sons named Ali, Umar, Ahmad, Asad, Ahzaan, and Abaan. Tragically, Asad was reportedly killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh police in Jhansi on Friday.

Khalid Azim, who was also known as Ashraf, and happened to be Atiq's brother, had previously served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

Atiq Ahmed's political journey

Atiq Ahmad had a prolific political career, having served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Uttar Pradesh for five terms and also as a former Member of Parliament (MP).

He entered politics in 1989 as an independent candidate and won the Allahabad (now Prayagraj) West MLA seat. He continued to retain the seat in the following two legislative assembly elections. In 1996, Atiq Ahmad won his fourth consecutive term, this time as a member of the Samajwadi Party.

After three years, Atiq Ahmad departed from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and assumed the presidency of Apna Dal (Kamerawadi). He went on to secure victory in the 2002 assembly election.

However, the following year, he returned to the SP. Subsequently, Atiq Ahmad was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Phulpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh for the 14th Lok Sabha, serving from 2004 to 2009. It's worth mentioning that Phulpur had previously been held by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Atiq Ahmed criminal history

Atiq Ahmad has a long history of criminal involvement, with 101 reported criminal incidents involving him in the past four decades in the state. Police records indicate that the first murder case against him was filed as far back as 1979. He has been implicated in various crimes such as murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, fraud, threats, and land grabs.

Atiq Ahmad was also alleged to be involved in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal. The incident took place when Pal challenged Atiq's influence and emerged victorious in the election against Atiq's younger brother Khalid Azeem. Pal was shot and killed just three months after defeating Atiq's brother in the Allahabad (West) assembly seat.

Atiq Ahmad, who transitioned from being a gangster to a politician, was also charged with kidnapping Umesh Pal, the key witness in the murder case of Raju Pal. Umesh Pal was allegedly coerced by Atiq Ahmad to provide a statement denying his presence during Raju Pal's murder and expressing unwillingness to testify. As a result, Atiq Ahmad was sentenced to life imprisonment for the abduction that occurred in 2006.

Signs of Atiq Ahmad's eventual downfall emerged in 2016 when his associates were alleged to have assaulted college staff in Prayagraj for taking action against cheating students. He was subsequently detained in 2017 and later shifted out of the state in 2018.
" " A pair of thylacines (Thylacinus cynocephalus) in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 1906. Wikimedia Commons

You've no doubt heard about the Tasmanian devil or, better yet, even seen an animated version of the whirling dervish in a Looney Tunes cartoon. But what about the Tasmanian tiger? Actually not even a tiger at all  instead a marsupial scientifically known as the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus)  this creature is thought to have gone extinct almost 100 years ago. But did it really? Well, while many experts believe that the last-known thylacine died at Australia's Hobart Zoo in 1936, yet others ardently claim that the animal still exists because they have spotted one or more in the wild.

"The international, Australian and state definition of an extinct species is that there has been no reliable evidence of the species for 50 years," states Kathryn Medlock, honorary curator of vertebrate zoology at the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, in an email interview. "By this definition, they are officially an extinct species. Although designated as officially extinct, it is difficult to prove that something is not there as opposed to proving it is. There are many cases of species being 'rediscovered' after many years of supposed extinction."

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According to Rick Schwartz, an animal ambassador for California's San Diego Zoo, Tasmanian tigers became an extinct species in the 1930s. "Since then," he wrote in an email, "there have been a few claims that they have been seen for brief moments in the wild. However, no substantial evidence has proven they exist at this time."

Neil Waters of the Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia disagrees. "Do I think the animal is extinct? No, because I have seen two and been coughed/barked at by one in South Australia in 2018," he said via an email interview. "There have been more than 7,000 documented sightings of thylacines (or animals that appear to be thylacines), with the majority of those sightings on mainland Australia.

"According to the scientific formula applied to mammals, though, it is extinct and has been since 1936," Waters adds. "For 50 years, the animal was considered rare and endangered. This fact inconveniently keeps the animal as a recent extinction, rather than an ancient one we should lose hope over and forget about."

On May 19, 2020, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) released a short newsreel clip, digitized in 4K, of the last surviving thylacine as he stalked his enclosure in 1935:
Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly election, Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar has announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he was denied a ticket for the May 10 state assembly election.

The 67-year-old leader said he would contest the poll for sure. Shettar said he would also resign from the assembly.

Shettar was the leader of the opposition when Congress was in power in the state.

"I have decided to resign from the legislative assembly," a visibly upset Shettar told the media. He added that he has sought an appointment with the Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, who is at Sirsi, and tender his resignation.

"With a heavy heart, I will resign from the party. I am the one who has built and raised this party. They (some party leaders) created a situation for me to resign from the party," Shettar said.

Recalling his contribution to the BJP and the key posts, including that of assembly speaker, he held in the state, Shettar said, "They (party leaders) have not understood Jagadish Shettar yet, for the way they humiliated me."

"I am upset over the way they ignored me, which made me think I should not sit quiet and I must challenge them. In view of that I had been saying that I will contest this election," he said.

The Lingayat leader also alleged that there was a systematic conspiracy against him and added that he was never an indurate person but the party forced him to become one.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan failed.

The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJP's decision not to field him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

According to Shettar, the party's high command had asked him not to contest the assembly election to make way for young people. However, he said he will contest the election come what may.

Earlier in the day, Shettar said that if he is denied a ticket then it will have a bearing on 20 to 25 assembly seats in north Karnataka, apart from the state.

This is the second major blow to the BJP. Recently, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi resigned from the party and joined the Congress.

Savadi who was aspiring to contest from Athani constituency was upset over BJP giving a ticket to Mahesh Kumathalli, who was previously with Congress but defected along with 17 others in favour of the BJP to bring down the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2019.Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly election, Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar has announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he was denied a ticket for the May 10 state assembly election.

The 67-year-old leader said he would contest the poll for sure. Shettar said he would also resign from the assembly.

Shettar was the leader of the opposition when Congress was in power in the state.

"I have decided to resign from the legislative assembly," a visibly upset Shettar told the media. He added that he has sought an appointment with the Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, who is at Sirsi, and tender his resignation.

"With a heavy heart, I will resign from the party. I am the one who has built and raised this party. They (some party leaders) created a situation for me to resign from the party," Shettar said.

Recalling his contribution to the BJP and the key posts, including that of assembly speaker, he held in the state, Shettar said, "They (party leaders) have not understood Jagadish Shettar yet, for the way they humiliated me."

"I am upset over the way they ignored me, which made me think I should not sit quiet and I must challenge them. In view of that I had been saying that I will contest this election," he said.

The Lingayat leader also alleged that there was a systematic conspiracy against him and added that he was never an indurate person but the party forced him to become one.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan failed.

The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJP's decision not to field him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

According to Shettar, the party's high command had asked him not to contest the assembly election to make way for young people. However, he said he will contest the election come what may.

Earlier in the day, Shettar said that if he is denied a ticket then it will have a bearing on 20 to 25 assembly seats in north Karnataka, apart from the state.

This is the second major blow to the BJP. Recently, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi resigned from the party and joined the Congress.

Savadi who was aspiring to contest from Athani constituency was upset over BJP giving a ticket to Mahesh Kumathalli, who was previously with Congress but defected along with 17 others in favour of the BJP to bring down the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2019.
The CBI will question Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today (16 April) in a case related to Delhi excise policy. The Delhi CM will have to appear at around 11 am IST on Sunday.

Kejriwal is being summoned as a witness and is not an accused in the excise policy case. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, also a close friend of Kejriwal, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) in the liquor policy case since 26 February.

Here are 10 updates on the Arvind Kejriwal-Delhi excise policy case:

1.It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The policy was later scrapped.

2.Delhi Police will deploy over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, outside the CBI headquarters to ensure safety of Kejriwal.

Security will also be tightened outside the AAP office on Rouse Avenue.

3.CBI may quiz Kejriwal on the statements of other accused where they have indicated the manner in which policy was allegedly influenced to favour some liquor businessmen and the 'South liquor lobby'.

4. Kejriwal may also be asked if he was involved in the formulation of the policy before it was given approval.

5.Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP leaders were demanding his arrest and that if the saffron party had "ordered" the probe agency to arrest him, it cannot refuse to do so.

Kejriwal said no party in the 75-year history of independent India had been targetted like the AAP because it has given hope to people which no other party has been able to do so far.

Kejriwal alleged that the CBI and the ED "lied" in court that Sisodia destroyed 14 mobile phones to hide evidence.

"The seizure memo of ED shows that it has four of the 14 phones, while one was with the CBI. Our own investigation has revealed that the remaining nine phones (numbers) were active and being used by persons like AAP volunteers," he claimed.

6.He cited the names of several persons under the net in the excise case and alleged third-degree treatment of them.

One Chandan Reddy was beaten so badly that his eardrums burst. A witness was pressured to sign a fabricated statement by threatening to jail his father and wife. Some others were coerced into giving false statements that they later withdrew in the courts," he claimed.

7.Opposition leaders like the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and JD(U) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have expressed solidarity with Kejriwal and renewed calls to speed up opposition unity efforts to take on the BJP.

8.Kejriwal said he will sue the CBI and ED officials for alleged perjury and filing false affidavits in courts.

9.Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju took a jibe at Kejriwal over his sue CBI and ED remarks, saying the AAP leader will file a case against the court if convicted.

10.The AAP alleged that the Centre was "misusing" probe agencies to "harass" its leaders and preparing to arrest Kejriwal.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had broached the possibility of his arrest on Saturday ahead of his appearance before the CBI. The Aam Aadmi Party chief is being questioned in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case. But as the CBI questioning continues and party workers and leaders protest across the national capital concerns about a possible arrest appear to be growing.

According to an ANI update quoting sources, AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai had called a meeting at the party office at 5 pm. This was attended by the office bearers, district president, national secretaries and other leaders of the party. AAP National Secretary Pankaj Gupta, Mayor of Delhi Shelly Oberoi and Deputy Mayor Aale Iqbal also attended the emergency meeting.

Meanwhile, several AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh have been detained by the Delhi Police for protesting near the CBI office on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Arvind Kejriwal faces three legal challenges at once. Details here

"I have been summoned by CBI today and I will give all the answers with honesty. These people are very powerful. They can send anyone to jail, it does not matter if that person has committed any crime or not," the AAP leader had assered ahead of the meeting.

"Since yesterday, all of their leaders are screaming at top of their voices that Kejriwal will be arrested and I think BJP has instructed CBI also that Kejriwal should be arrested. If BJP has given an order, then who is CBI? CBI is going to arrest me," he added.

ALSO READ: Delhi witnesses heavy traffic snarls amid AAP protest. Check areas to avoid

While the AAP holds a clear majority in the Delhi Assembly Kejriwal's arrest could pose a massive problem for the UT. In such a case, the administration might have to pick another leader from amongst themselves (at least for the interim) to lead the Delhi government.

(With inputs from agencies)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered a high-level probe into the sensational killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj, officials said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Ahmad (60) and his brother were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel was escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels, PTI reported.

"The chief minister has constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf," Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said, adding that the three assailants were arrested from the spot and a detailed probe is on in the matter.

He added that the chief minister convened a high-level meeting in Lucknow and ordered the probe after the Prayagraj incident.

The development comes less than two days after Ahmad's son Asad and an accomplice were killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13. Their last rites were conducted earlier in the day while Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were being questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Dhoomanganj police station.

Ahmad, a former Samajwadi Party MP, and his brother Ashraf had been brought to the city for a court hearing concerning the Umesh Pal murder case.

Asad Ahmad and Ghulam were hunted down by UP cops in a special operation codenamed 'Jhansi' that was launched after a tip that the two were on the move. According to the police, the two opened fire after being cornered and were shot dead in the subsequent exchange of bullets.

(With PTI inputs)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members have resorted to protesting in several parts of national capital Delhi after their leader and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Excise Policy Scam case.

Several AAP leader protested the questioning of CM Kejriwal. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed, "The police have arrested all ministers and members. We were peacefully sitting here but the police have illegally arrested all of us."

The detainees included Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Adil Ahmad Khan, Pankaj Gupta and some ministers in the Punjab government.

Vehicular movement was choked at the protest sites of Anand Vihar Terminal, ITO Chowk, Mukarba Chowk Peera Garhi Chowk, Lado Sarai Chowk, Crown Plaza Chowk, Dwarka More Sec 6 and Sec 2 Chauraha, Pecific Wala Chowk Subhash Nagar More, Prem Wari Chauraha Ring Road, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate Side, Bara Hanuman Mandir, Karol Bagh Chowk, IIT Crossing, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Raj Ghat and NH 24 near Murga Mandi Gazipur.

Serpentine queues of vehicles clogged the roads owing to the protest.

Commuters stuck at NH-44 and GT-Karnal Road tweeted pictures that showed long queues of vehicles.

Police officials, along with the traffic unit deployed at multiple locations, persuaded the protesters to move from the roads and allow vehicular movement to flow.

"We have deployed sufficient force at these locations. But the protesters are on a sit-in, so we are persuading them to move because they are causing heavy traffic jams. If they are refusing to cooperate, we are removing them from the spot," a senior police official said.

The CBI has summoned Kejriwal to its office to answer questions of the investigation team as a witness in the excise policy case, according to a notice issued by the agency.

Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal's former deputy in the Delhi government, was arrested last month in the case.

CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed.

The agency adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called to the agency headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody.

The allegations relate to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The CBI is probing into allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licences.

The AAP has strongly refuted these charges but its government later scrapped the policy.

It was further alleged that irregularities, including modifications in the excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the extension of L-1 licence without approval, etc were committed, a CBI spokesperson said after the FIR was filed on August 17, 2022.

The CBI filed its charge sheet against seven accused on November 25.

It alleged in the charge sheet that the excise policy was framed in a manner to promote cartelisation and monopoly at the wholesale level.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar concludes his six-day visit to African nations. Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique which started from Uganda on 10 April.

EAM called on president Yoweri Museveni, and had comprehensive discussions with his counterpart, the foreign minister of Uganda, H.E. General Jeje Odongo covering a wide range of issues. EAM along with the minister of water and environment of Uganda formally launched the EXIM Bank funded project that will supply drinking water to half a million people in 20 districts of Uganda," according to the ministry of external affairs.

EAM Jaishankar met with members of Ugandas Parliamentary Forum on Indian Affairs to discuss parliamentary cooperation and development cooperation.

He also inaugurated the first overseas campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the country.

EAM also interacted with the Indian community of Uganda and addressed the Indian Business Forum, which was attended by minister of trade, industry and cooperatives H.E. Mr. Mwebesa Francis. EAM also formally launched a project funded by the Indian community of Uganda for the restoration of the Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi," said an statement issued by the ministry of external affairs.

Jaishankar then went on a transit visit to Ethiopia where he met deputy prime minister and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen.

He later visited Mozambique, the first Indian foreign minister to do so since 2010, where he met with top leadership, including president Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and discussed a wide array of subjects including bilateral, regional, and international issues.

The meetings covered a wide array of subjects including bilateral, regional and international issues. Issues related to cooperation in multilateral fora, including the UN were also discussed," according to the ministry of external affairs.

The spotlight was on India's development cooperation, as Jaishankar rode on a train procured under an Indian Line of Credit (LoC) and inaugurated a bridge being constructed through another Indian LoC.
New Delhi: The G20 expert group on strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs) has begun its work in the US capital amid intensified discussions on reforming the World Bank a key agenda of Indias presidency of the grouping.

Experts led by former US treasury secretary Larry Summers and veteran Indian policymaker N.K. Singh began meetings last week on the margins of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Singh told HT the group has held its first in-person internal meeting and also interacted with heads and top officials of a range of multilateral banks, besides engaging with other stakeholders.

They also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is chairing the G20 finance track and took the lead in setting up the group, on Saturday.

The high-level group has assumed critical importance in the backdrop of an intensified discussion on the reform of institutions such as the World Bank, a core theme of both the spring meeting discussions as well as Indias G20 finance track meeting.

Sitharaman said on Friday Indias initiative was very well appreciated" and that the G20 FMs and central bank governors had accepted the formation of the group.

Besides Summers and Singh as co-convenor, the group includes Singapores senior minister Tharman Shanmugarathnam, former director general of the South African national treasury Maria Ramos, former governor of the Central Bank of Brazil Arminio Fraga, London School of Economics academic Nicholas Stern, former World Bank chief economist Justin Yifu Lin, former World Bank vice president and current dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University Rachel Kyte, and former executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa Vera Songwe.

The groups objectives include preparing a road map for an updated MDB ecosystem for the 21st century in all its respects including vision, incentive structure, operational approaches, and financial capacity" to ensure that such banks can finance both developmental and newer trans-boundary challenges such as climate.

Explaining the wider context, Singh said, Multiple initiatives have taken place in tandem and they need to be taken full cognisance of."

The first of these initiatives is a roadmap prepared by the Banks executive directors, which was discussed by the Banks development committee last week. The report on the Banks evolution suggests reframing and expanding its mission, overhauling its operating model, and finding new ways to boost its financial capacity. But key decisions have been left for the annual meeting of the Fund and the Bank in Morocco in October.

The second is a French initiative announced by president Emanuel Macron. Paris is hosting a summit for a new global financial pact in June, with the aim of building a new contract between the global north and south to enable greater financing.

The G20 group will also taken into account the fact that the UAE is leading discussions in the run-up to the COP-28 on a very large green pact that can be devoted to climate financing".

Beyond this, the group will also take into account two other past G20 initiatives. Under the German presidency, the group set up eminent persons group on the issue under the leadership of Tharman Shanmugarathmam in 2017  the report was finally submitted during the period of the Argentinian presidency.

The second G20 initiative in this regard was the report under the Italian presidency on the capital adequacy framework, which has been considered by the World Bank in its own evolution road map and has been reflected in the G20 chair summary.

This is the background and framework in which the high-level expert group has begun its work in its earnest," said Singh.

Substantive challenges

Among the core fundamental challenges for the group is finding ways to balance and reconcile the traditional mandate of the MDBs, especially the World Bank, with newer challenges.

The basic twin objective of the World Bank has been eradicating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Reconciling this traditional mission with adequacy of financing for green is key. What are the base numbers? Unless there is a very substantial augmentation, there would be a shuffling around with the same finances. This challenge has to be confronted."

At a time when countries in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa are worried that extreme poverty has increased and per capita incomes have gone down, they have expectations that the twin traditional functions of the Bank should not become smaller  yet there are expectations of finding green finance. Resolving this contradiction will be a top priority for the group.

The second issue is concessional finance and the future of the International Development Association, which is the Banks arm to help the poorest countries through grants and low-interest loans.

Singh said, The third issue is how much and in what manner can private capital be garnered. This is not a romantic notion. What guarantees will be required to getting substantial private finance?"

And the final issue will be around general capital increase. The Bank has spoken about the fact that its leveraging capability is high. With a $20 billion paid-in capital, it could provide finances of upto $800 billion. If its leveraging capability is so high, why cant there be a general capital increase? But this is embedded in geopolitics," acknowledged Singh. If there is an increase in capital increase in a manner that affects voting share on the board, it will bring alive the fault lines between those who, at the moment, exercise control over the Bank such as the United States, and those who will seek greater control, such as China. Finding a way to ensure capital increase without affecting the balance of power will be the yet another challenge for the group.

It is in this backdrop of contextual and fundamental challenges that two of the worlds most distinguished policymakers, Summers and Singh, have set out with the ambitious agenda of reforming global institutions in Washington DC.
An Ahmedabad court issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh in a criminal defamation complaint for their alleged derogatory statements against the Gujarat University over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's academic degree.

The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Jayeshbhai Chovatiya on Saturday summoned the two AAP leaders on May 23, according to the news agency PTI.

This came after observing that prima facie there appeared to be a case against them under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (defamation) on a complaint filed by the Gujarat University's registrar Piyush Patel.

The court also ordered to delete 'Chief Minister' from Arvind Kejriwal's name in the cause title of the case, saying the statements were made by him in his personal capacity.

Kejriwal and Singh had made the comments after the Gujarat High Court passed an order setting aside the Chief Information Commissioner's order asking the Gujarat University (GU) to provide information on PM Modi's degree.

According to the complaint, they made "defamatory" statements in press conferences and on Twitter handles targeting the university over Modi's degree.

Amit Nair, the complainant's lawyer argued that the Gujarat University was established more than 70 years ago and it is reputed among the people, and utterances by the accused will create mistrust about the university.

He further alleged the statements were defamatory towards the university because they were sarcastic and intended to intentionally hurt the prestige of the university.

They were shared in the media and on Twitter handles with the same intention, he said.

The comments quoted by the complainant and attributed to Delhi CM Kejriwal are: If there is a degree and it is genuine, then why is it not being given?", PTI reported.

"They are not giving degree because it might be fake," and "If the Prime Minister studied at Delhi University and Gujarat University, then Gujarat University should celebrate that our student became the country's PM".

As per the complainant, Sanjay Singh had said "they are trying to prove the PM's fake degree as genuine."

Four witnesses were examined and other evidence submitted during the court inquiry, and the complainant's lawyer argued their statements would make a person believe that GU issues fake and bogus degrees.

(With PTI inputs)
Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead on Saturday night by three men posing as journalists during a conversation with media persons while being escorted by police to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. Both the brothers were handcuffed at the time of the killing yesterday and the visuals went viral on social media platforms.

This came after the killing of Atiq Ahmad's son Asad Ahmad during a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13. Asad's last rites were performed on Saturday, April 14. Atiq and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.

Here are top 10 updates on Atiq Ahmad and Asraf Ahmad killings:

1) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered a high-level probe into the sensational killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj.

2) Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to maintain law and order, the officials said.

3) They informed that the three assailants were arrested from the spot and a detailed probe is on in the matter.

4) After the Prayagraj incident, the chief minister convened a high-level meeting in Lucknow and ordered the probe.

5) Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma said that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

6) Ahmad's son Asad and one of his accomplices were killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13.

7) The last rites of Asad were performed at the Kasari Masari graveyard here on Saturday amid heavy police security, with only a few distant relatives and locals present inside the burial ground.

8) Opposition leaders on Saturday questioned the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and demanded that the state government be dismissed after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj.

9) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and criminals are unfazed.

10) Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary asked if 'jungle raj' prevails in the state. Nobody is sympathising with Atiq Ahmad because a criminal should be punished. But anyone who will see this video will question if we are a democracy. Every criminal has the right to be heard in court and be convicted there. But you can see they were killed in police custody in the open."

(With PTI inputs)
As the Ukraine-Russia war continues, much has been said about India's ongoing import of Russian oil. Putting its own interests front and centre, New Delhi has been buying oil from Moscow at a steep discount since global powers imposed sanctions against the Kremlin. Now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has indicated that the country will explore buying Russian crude oil near or past the price cap imposed by the G-7 if necessary.

Yes, because otherwise Ill end up paying far more than what I can afford. We have a large population and we also therefore have to look at prices which are going to be affordable for us," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Bloomberg in an interview on Saturday.

While India has not signed any agreement with the Western powers to impose a price cap on Russian oil officials had previously indicated that the country was nlikely to breach sanctions on Russia. A recent surprise OPEC+ oil-output cut however appears to have led to a change of heart.

ALSO READ: India FY23 exports defy global turmoil to hit record high

The Finance Minister said that India needed to constantly look for the 'best deal' since it imports almost 80% of its crude oil requirements. She cited the risk of higher oil prices and the impacts from Russias war in Ukraine as the biggest threats to Indias economic growth.

Meanwhile, Russia's oil exports jumped to their highest level in almost three years in March this year in spite of Western sanctions. Moscow's crude exports rose by 100,000 bpd to five million bpd, with India replacing China as the main destination for Russian shipment in Asia. However revenues were down sharply from last year.

(With inputs from agencies)
In 2017, six steers in St. Louis were sent to a slaughterhouse, but they had other plans. Led by a huge steer named Chico, six of them busted out, supposedly agitated by the rumblings of an approaching thunderstorm. Likely scared by their freedom  and the ruckus they'd caused  they ran through the streets of St. Louis for hours. They evaded everybody and captured the attention of the media, animal lovers and the local community.

Authorities eventually rounded the crew up, but by then the public also had begun a campaign for their freedom. After several attempts from rescue organizations to negotiate with the slaughterhouse failed, The Gentle Barn stepped in. Founders Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner had 24 hours to find them a new home. And that they did. The six were sent to a rescue until enough funds could be raised to build a new facility in Missouri especially for them.

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Though one bull, Spirit, had to be euthanized, the other five now happily live as therapy cows at the third Gentle Barn location, just a short drive from the slaughterhouse where they escaped.

" " Chico (seen far right) led the amazing escape that took over local news and reached national attention. Since being rescued by The Gentle Barn, Chico and his brothers were given medical attention and now enjoy their freedom at The Gentle Barn in Missouri. PRNewsfoto/THE GENTLE BARN
India has recorded a slight decline in daily Covid-19 cases today. The country recorded 10,093 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

On Saturday, India detected 10,753 new Covid-19 cases, while on Friday, the country saw 11,109 infections.

With new Covid-19 cases, India's active caseload has gone up to 57,542.

Maharashtra recorded a slight decline in daily Covid-19 cases on Saturday as the state had 660 new coronavirus infections and two deaths yesterday, according to the bulletin released by the health department. A day before, the state had recorded 1,152 new cases and four fatalities.

The national capital also reported 1,386 Covid-19 cases on Saturday. While on Friday, Delhi logged 1,527 Covid-19 cases and two deaths, the health department said in a bulletin.

After witnessing a spike in daily Covid-19 cases, a health expert has advised people to wear masks in crowded places and follow Covid-appropriate behavior.

Dr Sandeep Nayar, Pulmonologist, HOD, BLK Hospital said, Amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, it is most important that people start wearing masks. One should wear a mask while going to any crowded place. Use double-layer masks in places like hospitals etc., as it is very effective in preventing infection."

"Corona cases are shooting up, patients with symptoms of sore throat, cough, cold, and fever are coming to us," the health expert said. "We are advising the patients with such symptoms to have strict home isolation for seven days," he stated.

"Very few patients require hospitalization. Only patients suffering from some serious illness are required to be admitted to the hospital. Patients suffering from cancer, or other serious diseases are at greater risk from this variant and need to be extensively taken care of," Dr Nayar added.
The upcoming week is set to be busy with major companies, particularly in the banking, IT, and financial sectors, gearing up to announce their Q4 earnings for FY23.

Key results to watch out for include ICICI Bank, HCL Tech, Yes Bank, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and Tata Communications, among others.

With limited significant events, market sentiment will be influenced by these Q4 earnings reports as well as global trends. Additionally, the performance of Infosys and HDFC Bank in their quarterly results will also impact equity markets.

On April 17

Angel One, Network 18 Media & Investments, Just Dial, TV18 Broadcast, Hathway Cable & Datacom, and Quick Heal Technologies were notable companies or entities.

On April 18

ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Schaeffler India, Crisil, Tata Coffee, Accelya Solutions India, and Oriental Rail Infrastructure were prominent companies or entities.

April 19

Tata Communications, ICICI Securities, Alok Industries, Mastek, Benares Hotels.

On April 20

HCL Technologies, a leading IT company, will release its Q4 results. In the previous quarter, Q3 FY23, HCL Technologies recorded a 19% year-on-year (YoY) growth in consolidated net profit, amounting to 4,096 crore. The revenue for the same quarter also showed a significant YoY growth of nearly 20%, reaching 26,700 crore.

In terms of constant currency, the revenue for the December quarter witnessed a sequential growth of 5% and a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 13.1%. Additionally, the services business revenue also showed a sequential growth of 2.2% and a YoY growth of 15.4% in constant currency terms.

HCL Technologies is set to propose an interim dividend for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023. In addition to HCL Technologies, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Cyient, Rajnish Wellness, and Orient Green Power will also be announcing their results on April 20.

On April 21

Reliance Industries, Tejas Network, Wendt India, Tanfac Industries, and Aditya Birla Money were notable companies. In the third quarter of FY23, Reliance Industries recorded a 15% year-on-year (YoY) decline in consolidated net profit, amounting to 15,792 crore.

However, its revenue increased by 15.3% YoY, reaching 2.20 lakh crore. Furthermore, the consolidated operating profit, calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), rose by 13.5% YoY to 38,460 crore.

April 22

ICICI Bank, India's second-largest private lender, is scheduled to announce its Q4 results on April 22. In the third quarter of FY23, ICICI Bank recorded a significant 34.2% year-on-year (YoY) increase in its standalone profit after tax, reaching 8,312 crore. The bank's net interest income (NII) also saw a substantial YoY growth of 34.6%, amounting to 16,465 crore in Q3. Additionally, its net interest margin expanded to 4.65% in Q3, compared to 3.96% in the year-ago period and 4.31% in Q2 of the current financial year.

ICICI Bank's net NPA ratio improved, declining from 0.61% at the end of the September quarter to 0.55% at the end of December. The provisioning coverage ratio for non-performing assets stood at 82%.

Alongside ICICI Bank, YES Bank is also set to announce its Q4 results on April 22. YES Bank, a private sector lender, reported a significant 80.66% year-on-year drop in its standalone profit for the December quarter, amounting to 51.52 crore, primarily due to ageing-related provisions.

However, its net interest income showed improvement, with an 11.7% YoY growth at 1,971 crore in Q3.
Tata Steel's CEO, T V Narendran, stated that the company is continuing its pursuit of a financial package from the UK government, in response to a question about their stance on exiting the UK business.

Narendran, who also serves as the Managing Director of Tata Steel, made these comments.

"Tata Steel is still pursuing it (request) with the government there (UK)," he told PTI on the sidelines of an event in the national capital.

He noted that there has been no conclusion to the request made for a financial package.

Tata Steel, a company based in India, owns the largest steelworks in the UK located in Port Talbot, South Wales, and has approximately 8,000 employees across all its operations in the country.

The company had requested a financial package of 1.5 billion from the UK government to support its decarbonisation plans.

Earlier this year, the UK government made a counteroffer to Tata Steel for a financial package, which fell short of the company's expectations.

Narendran stated in an interview with PTI that Tata Steel believes it cannot envision a viable future in the UK without the support of the government there.

(With inputs from PTI)
Uttar Pradesh Government has imposed Section 144 of CrPC across the state after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj on Saturday.

Days, after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, Atiq and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, were killed yesterday while being taken for a medical in Prayagraj.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

"CM Yogi immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. Chief Minister also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," according to the state government officials.

Uttar Pradesh Police has nabbed three people pertaining to the murder.

The state police said that the shooters who killed Atiq and Ashraf on Saturday night were posing as Journalists at the spot of the incident.

"Shooters were posing as journalists. As Atiq reached for a check-up, they were surrounded by other journalists and got close to Atiq and his brother. One was having a camera and was posing as a cameraman. While one was roaming with a mike where it was written NCR News. Third was assisting both," UP Police said.

"As Atiq reached the hospital, reporters started questioning them after 2 lines, one guy fired on his head from very close and Atiq fell down. Another two guys also threw the camera and mike and started firing," an official stated.

In the aftermath of the incident, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that this incident is a perfect example of the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi's failure to law and order system in the state.

Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter and said," Atiq and his brother were in police custody. He was handcuffed. JSR slogans were also raised. The killing of both is the failure of Yogi's law and order system. Those celebrating encounter Raj are also responsible for this murder".

Earlier Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that crime has peaked in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds.

"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this (alleged encounter killings), an ambiance of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambiance," tweeted Akhilesh Yadav tweeted.
Vodafone Idea has reportedly placed an order of approximately 200 crore with Chinese company ZTE for network gear, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The order pertains to broadband network equipment in the telecom circles of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MP-CG), as informed by the sources to PTI.

"Vodafone Idea has awarded an order of around 200 crore to ZTE," one of the sources said.

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), which oversees the Trusted Telecom Portal and grants clearance for permissible telecom equipment, has been informed about the matter, according to the sources.

An email inquiry sent to Vodafone Idea did not receive a response.

According to two sources, the order for network gear has been placed by Vodafone Idea for the Gujarat and MP-CG circles, while one of the sources mentioned that the order also includes the Maharashtra circle.

The National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector, which was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on December 16, 2020, requires service providers to procure equipment from trusted sources.

As per this directive, the government provides a list of trusted sources and products that can be used for installation in the country's telecom network.

The trusted telecom portal is utilized for all activities related to the implementation of the directive, including the determination of trusted sources and products. A committee led by the deputy national security advisor approves the list of trusted sources and products.

It's worth mentioning that the directive does not affect annual maintenance contracts or updates for existing equipment that was already inducted into the network before its implementation.

As a result of this directive, Chinese companies have not been successful in securing orders for 5G telecom gear.

According to an official source, an objection has been raised with the NSCS regarding the award, and the matter will be examined by the council.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and crisis-hit Pakistan are locked in a debate over an unfinished loan program required for the ongoing financial collapse. Both have been negotiating since early February on an agreement that would release USD 1.1 billion to the cash-strapped, nuclear-armed country of 220 million people, and it's supercritical for the liquidity-challenged country.

The Pakistani government has made various economic modifications including hikes in fuel prices, raising taxes, and others demanded by the financial body for loans. The funds are part of a USD 6.5 billion bailout package the IMF approved in 2019 -- vital to Pakistan to avert defaulting on external payment obligations.

The United Arab Emirates recently confirmed financial support of $1 billion to Pakistan on Friday, removing yet another hurdle before the cash-strapped nation can secure funds from the IMF.

However, the Washington-based financial body is still seeking further assurances to ensure Pakistan has fulfilled the condition of arranging the $6 billion financing to reach a staff-level agreement, according to a report published by Geo News.

Nathan Porter, the IMFs Mission Chief to Pakistan said that there was an agreement on the need to maintain strong financial policies and secure sufficient financing during the meeting between the Pakistani delegation and IMF staff.

He added that the IMF looks forward to obtaining important financing assurances as soon as possible to unlock the bailout package.

It is pertinent to note that IMF has asked Pakistan to arrange $6 billion in external financing to avoid default, but Dar urged the financial body to cut down the amount to $5 billion due to improvement in the current account deficit. However, the IMF reduced to accepting Pakistan's request, Geo News reported.

So far, Saudi Arabia confirmed $2 billion in funds to Pakistan, while UAE has committed $1 billion which reduces the now required amount to $3 billion.

Responding to IMF's recent remarks, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the country has now met all tough conditions laid forth by the financial body and now it has no excuse to delay the state-level agreement.

Pakistan was not created to run on debts and act like beggars because their forefathers and different generations had given sacrifices for the motherland," PM Shehbaz said as quoted by Geo News.

He accepted that cash-strapped Pakistan had no choice but to accept all strict conditions laid forth by the lender to secure a much-awaited bailout tranche. The country has signed a $6.5 billion bailout package with IMF in 2019, so far, $3 billion has been released.
Ties with India are set to be a prominent focus for Lithuania, as the Baltic country prepares to release an Indo-Pacific strategy, said Diana Mickeviciene, its Ambassador to India in an interview. This assumes importance given Lithuanias support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Lithuania is also considering a proposal to join the India-led International Solar Alliance, with a migration and mobility pact as well as increased defence ties next in the agenda for ties. Edited excerpts:

India has just opened an embassy in Lithuania. How have ties progressed?

The government in Lithuania, is a government that has, for almost the first time, paid very close attention to Indo- Pacific generally and India specifically. Before, we were quite focused on our immediate survival needs. Lithuania has now arrived as a very mature partner finally and is ready to partner even with big countries and superpowers. We can do it in our own niche way. Currently, Vilnius is drafting an Indo-Pacific strategy in which India will definitely take an important place. There is also a China angle to this.

We also were hoping to develop economic relations with China and invested a lot in that relationship but we realized that there were very problematic aspects of that relationship because we were not strong enough to resist certain pushes from China. This included interfering very rudely in our domestic affairs, and then when we resisted, they applied strong economic coercion.

What can Lithuania and India do together in the Indo-Pacific?

I think weve agreed in our capital that our main direction for the future will be high technology cooperation. Both countries are very strong in their IT sectors. We have some Indian companies which are present in Lithuania like HCL and WIPRO in a small way. We are in talks with several others. Im very proud to say that a Lithuanian company has been partnering with Tata Consultancy on Aadhaar 2s development. On the Internet of Things, a Lithuanian company Teletonica has been here since the last two years selling rotors and tracking devices very well. This company has plans in Asia and is choosing the countries where to invest into a bigger production facility. It is definitely considering India.

Any other fields we are looking at?

Solar is a key field. We are one of the few countries in Europe that have managed to preserve solar technologies. Teltonica is also diversifying into solar panels and batteries and is looking at the batteries market in India. There is a great deal of interest in Lithuania joining the India-led International Solar Alliance and the matter is under consideration.

Is a migration and mobility agreement under consideration?

I think it will be the next logical step but I cant say we are considering it right now. We are waiting for the Indian embassy to start operations in Lithuania. I definitely see there will be more exchanges and this will be another good sign to Indian companies. We need more Indian companies and we are very keen about Indian talent coming in. Even now, we have provided separate channels for Indian talents to come to Lithuania. We definitely have to expand the scope of this exchange.

Is there a sense of what India and Lithuania can do on the defence and security side of the relationship?

Just like mobility and talent, I think thats going be a next logical step. We trust India and we think India is a friendly country. We are sure that India considers us a friendly country. At the same time, a security and defence dialogue has not started yet. Let the Indian Embassy set itself up and I think we will move to that. What we have started is the cybersecurity cooperation. We are cooperating on the US-led cyber ransomware initiative where Lithuania and India are cooperating and having a dialogue on cyber. I would love to do something more on cyber because our companies have done some things on cybersecurity in your neighbourhood. The National Cyber Response Center in Bangladesh and in Bhutan have been set up by Lithuanian firms but not in India so far.
Sudan's army and rival paramilitaries on Sunday began an hours-long humanitarian pause on the second day of urban battles that killed at least 56 civilians and three UN staff.

The raging battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern. Neighbours Egypt and Chad closed their borders with Sudan.

After the killing of the three World Food Programme workers the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Violence erupted early Saturday after weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF.

Each accused the other of starting the fight.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded.

Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT.

RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side.

One hour into the agreed pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area.

"The gunfire and explosions are incessant," said Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb.

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon," said Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident.

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic locations, but the army insist they are still in control.

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" but that it had been contained.

On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except for soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes.

Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to hospital.

- 'Appalled' -

Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp.

The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation".

The UN says one-third of Sudan's population need humanitarian aid.

UN Special Representative Volker Perthes condemned the killings and said he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur".

WFP said an aircraft managed by the organisation "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport.

"We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said.

- 'No negotiations' -

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians".

Similar appeals came from Britain, China, the European Union and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue.

After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender".

The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia".

There "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now jailed general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions into politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
Fierce fighting raged in Sudan's capital despite an hours-long pause Sunday to address humanitarian needs including the evacuation of wounded, on the second day of battles that left three UN staff among more than 50 civilians killed throughout the country.

The World Food Programme said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country after the killing of its three workers.

The battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern, including border closures by neighbours Egypt and Chad.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Fighting continued after nightfall on Sunday, as Sudanese hunkered down in their homes with fears of a prolonged conflict that could plunge the country into deeper chaos, dashing long-held hopes for a transition to civilian-led democracy.

Violence erupted early Saturday following weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF.

The pro-democracy Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded.

Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours which ended at 1700 GMT.

RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side.

Despite the pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area.

"The gunfire and explosions are incessant," Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb, said earlier.

Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident, called the situation very worrying and said: "It doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon."

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic locations, but the army insist they are still in control.

As the fighting continued, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except for soldiers.

Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to hospital.

- 'Appalled' -

Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army fired artillery at a paramilitary camp.

The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan".

After their deaths as well as other civilians, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "justice without delay". He had earlier warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation".

The UN says one-third of Sudan's population need humanitarian aid.

WFP said an aircraft managed by the organisation "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport.

"We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said.

- 'No negotiations' -

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that was hoped to restore Sudan's civilian transition and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup by Burhan and Daglo.

Appeals to end the fighting have come from across the region and the globe, including the US, Britain, China, the European Union and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue.

After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission.

The Arab League bloc held an emergency meeting in Cairo, at the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Sudan's former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, described the humanitarian situation as "catastrophic", called for a truce, and appealed for "a helping hand" particularly from Arab countries.

But the two generals appeared in no mood for talks, having described each other as criminals.

Their October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions in politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
Nitish Kumar travelled to Delhi last week to pitch for Opposition unity, and he returned to Patna with some early success. Rahul Gandhi tweeted after the meeting, Saath khade hai, saath ladenge, bharat ke liye ." (We stand together, we will fight together, for India). In a similar tone, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said, Nitish Kumars initiative has our support." Sharad Pawar, too, echoed Rahul.

So, has the Opposition caravan started rolling? What will the shape of this unity be? In our experience, such Opposition grand alliances do not always produce favourable results. Will different sorts of coordination emerge in different states? Amid these contradictions, how can a common goal be achieved?

The supporters of Nitish believe he qualifies for a national role" as besides having experience as the chief minister of Bihar for the last 18 years, without being accused of dynastic politics or corruption, he also has had experience as a central minister. His image and acceptance can help to smooth the path to unity. The best examples are the stands taken by Gandhi and Kejriwal.

Currently, 14 states are ruled by opposition parties. In Maharashtra Sharad Pawar is talking about unity, while Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal has not indicated if she will participate in any such initiative. She recently tried to obstruct the path of the Congress by fielding TMC candidates in Goa, Meghalaya and Tripura. Mamata wants the Congress and Left parties to remain weak in Bengal and her party to compete only with the BJP at the next polls, reaping the benefits of vote polarization.

It is critical to discuss Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav here. Hes still reiterating ekla chalo (walk alone). Will Nitish and Tejashwi Yadav succeed in persuading him? Supporters of unity say it will be difficult for Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati to hold Muslim votes united, as minorities attitudes towards the Congress have changed since Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. In this scenario, they must join the chorus of opposition unity anyway. What will Mayawati do if Akhilesh Yadav and the Congress unite in Uttar Pradesh?

Also, doubts linger about two other chief ministers: Naveen Patnaik of Odisha and Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of Andhra Pradesh. The policy of these bigwigs has been to stay with whoever is at the Centre. Then theres K. Chandrashekhar Rao of Telangana, who has declared war on both the Congress and the BJP. These three states collectively contribute 63 Lok Sabha seats.

There is also the issue of big leaders egos. Kumar and Pawar appear to be speaking the same language. Who would be the prime ministerial contender if Banerjee also joined this club tomorrow? Who will be the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) convenor? Sonia Gandhi has served as its convenor since its inception. She is prepared to resign owing to health concerns. Reports also suggest Rahul Gandhi would prefer not to run for prime minister. Will these three stalwarts be able to reach an agreement despite the Gandhi familys sacrifice"?

Now coming to the NDA, since there are no major parties left in the alliance at the moment, the focus is solely on the BJP. The party led by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah has established a new electoral norm in Indian politics. They are skilled at anticipating the next move of the enemy. Consider Modis recent statement in Telangana. Corrupt parties went to court so that the files of their corruption could not be opened, but even there they got a shock." The Centre is accused of exploiting investigative agencies, which is why the prime minister said recently that corrupt parties have come together in fear of the CBI and ED. What he means is obvious. Prior to any unity, the saffron party wishes to portray the Opposition as a collection of crooks.

Rahul Gandhi continues to accuse the government of capitulating to Chinas aggression. In this context Shahs visit to Kibithu, in Arunachal, and spending the night there ignoring Chinas objections was a symbolic gesture used in politics to communicate a positive message.

To oppose Modis charisma and the BJPs election machine, proponents of opposition unity will undoubtedly need to find some solid issues. According to some, the BJP received only 37.7% of the vote in the last general election. Only the unity of non-BJP parties will bring victory in such a situation. Why do such people forget that elections are won not only via arithmetic but also through the chemistry of affection and trust?

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
Cocaine allegedly being sent through the mail from Serbia to Sydney.

A group of men used fake mail addresses to have cocaine shipped from Serbia to Australia, with two exploiting their employment as courier drivers to enact the cunning scheme.

The Sydney trio  a 37-year-old from Pemulwuy, a 45-year-old from West Hoxton, and a 54-year-0ld from Homebush  have now been jailed for a combined 15 years for their role in the massive mail-order scheme to import 5kg of cocaine from Serbia.

The last of the trio was sentenced at Parramatta District Court on Friday.

It followed a major Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation starting in September 2020.

In a statement the AFP said two of the men worked for courier services and would have the drugs shipped to fake addresses in Sydney.

They would then collect the drugs and pass them to a third man for distribution.

The AFP said three men had the cocaine sent to fake addresses, where two of the men, who were courier drivers, would intercept them. Picture: Supplied / AFP

Searches of the mens properties turned up about $67,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and numerous containers with traces of white powder.

The parcels seized across all locations had identical packaging, concealment methods, and consignor and consignee details, an AFP spokesman said.

Police are working with international partners to identify the source of the drugs and anyone else involved.

Last October, a 45-year-old West Hoxton man and 54-year-old Homebush man pleaded guilty at Parramatta District Court to charges of importing and trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug respectively.

The West Hoxton man was sentenced to four years and six months prison.

The Homebush man received a six-year jail term.

On Friday a Pemulwuy man, 37, pleaded guilty to importing a quantity of a border-controlled drug.

He was jailed for four years and seven months.

Cocaine was sent through the mail from Serbia to Sydney. Picture: Supplied / AFP

Cash seized by the AFP during the operation targeting alleged cocaine importation from Serbia. Picture: Supplied / AFP

AFP Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the outcome should serve as a clear warning to criminals.

While many airmail or air cargo imports may seem like relatively small amounts of illicit substances, combined they equate to millions of individual street deals and can cause significant harm, said Superintendent Blunden.

Illicit drug use also causes a significant burden to the Australian economy; the estimated total social costs for every kilogram of illicit drugs of cocaine is more than $640,000 through crime, loss of productivity, emergency treatment and increased health care costs.

The community needs to be aware that their illicit drug use bankrolls violent transnational serious organised crime groups, who may also be involved in other abhorrent crimes such as human trafficking and sexual servitude.
Just when former Indian bureaucrat N.K. Singh is sitting across the table from former Harvard University president Larry Summers to discuss ways of reforming multilateral development banks (MDBs), such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, there comes a reminder that overhauling such institutions would also need a closer look at both geopolitics and the domestic political dynamics of the worlds leading nations. The proposed reforms are unlikely to be linear, achievable with the push of a button. Fortunately, the Singh-Summers talksinitiated as part of Indias G20 presidency for 2023are kicking off around the same time as the Fund-Banks annual spring meetings with finance ministers and central bank governors from across the world. One vexed issue that has seized attendees is the indebtedness of poor countries, which escalated during the pandemicZambia, for example, defaulted on its external debtand has become unmanageable after the Russia-Ukraine war. In this mix, Chinas negotiating strategy and role as a major creditor country holds out lessons for the future of MDB reforms.

Chinas emergence as a large creditor and its hard-nosed bargaining tactics on the restructuring of loans has all the hallmarks of the sovereign commercial debt crisis of the 1980s. According to a 2020 article in the Harvard Business Review, the Chinese state and its subsidiaries have lent over $1.5 trillionwhich works out to over 5% of global GDPin vanilla loans, structured debt and trade credit to about 150 nations across the world. With sovereign debt defaults now a reality, there were demands (and expectations) that China take hair-cuts and provide some concessions to indebted countries. Chinas counter-offer on the table at the Fund-Bank meetings, asking the World Bank to also take losses along with other creditors in a global debt rejig, took others by surprise. Chinas demand demonstrated its intransigence on two counts. One, Fund-Bank loans are concessional in nature and are earmarked for nations in trouble with no other borrowing option. Chinese loans are essentially commercial, with market-linked coupons and repossession clauses. Second, no matter how desperately the worlds multilateral institutions need reforms, it is a huge stretch and an unfair comparison for China to put itself on the same pedestal as MDBs.

Fortunately, better sense may have prevailed with China subsequently softening its stance. This helped resolve the impasse, with the Bank considering a proposal to provide fresh concessional loans to nations which have defaulted on external debt. But this episode holds out an object lesson for the Singh-Summers panel that is looking at ways to reform MDBs. In this instant case, it is obvious that China is flexing its muscle to overhaul the current shareholding and derivative power structure at these two multilateral institutions. Even if Beijings heart happens to be in the right place, its tactics leave much to be desired. The core of the problem is the nature of partisan and combative domestic politics in the US. Any change in the Fund-Banks extant policies, or its shareholding pie, will require the White House to seek US Congress approval. Given the animus between Americas two rival political outlooks, and lack of bipartisan champions in the Republican party, any prospect of reforming the Fund-Bank will require extraordinary talent, and not obstinacy of the Chinese variety.
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SANDWICH ACADEMY GRANT TOWNSHIP, Maine (AP)  Railway owner Canadian Pacific Kansas City is leading cleanup and track repairs following a freight train derailment and fire in Maine that sent three railway workers to the hospital for treatment, officials said Sunday.

The three workers were treated and released Saturday after three locomotive engines and six train cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring went off the track in Somerset County, officials said.
Jerry Craft was intent on creating the kind of story he wished had been in his classroom while he was growing up in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood - a positive tale featuring a Black protagonist that wasn't, as he says, about "misery and history."

His story about Jordan Banks, a Black student who transfers to a predominantly White private school - loosely inspired by the youthful experiences of Craft and his two sons, who are now both grown - was swiftly a hit. And for more than two years, Craft relished visiting classrooms and Zooming with students, without controversy.

Craft calls the response to his work "a lovefest," as children gave him their drawings of the characters in his 2019 bestseller, "New Kid," the first release in a three-book, graphic-novel series aimed at middle-grade readers. By early 2020, "New Kid" became the only book to rack up the Kirkus Prize, the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.

But then, in late 2021, Craft got word: A school district in Katy, Tex., had pulled "New Kid" from circulation after a parent petition claimed that the book contained harmful content involving critical race theory. "New Kid" was reinstated after a 10-day review - when a committee found no inappropriate content - but not before Craft's Zoom appearance there had been postponed. According to the PEN America organization, a nonprofit that defends free expression for authors, "New Kid" has also been challenged in at least two other Texas school districts, as well as districts in Florida and Pennsylvania.

And, more enduringly, Craft and his work joined the hundreds of other works challenged each year as potentially inappropriate amid the current culture wars. Craft says he would have preferred to receive attention for simply drawing a book that students have embraced. Instead, he and his titles - including his "New Kid" follow-up released this week, "School Trip" - have gained enough attention that by Thursday, he was a guest on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," on which he emphasized that the term "graphic novel" does not mean a novel with graphic content.

"You think that's not real," he said, "but there are people that think that, so they're like: 'I don't want my kid to read a graphic novel.'"

Craft still speaks with a tone of disbelief over bans in the United States, while noting he has received no complaints from overseas readers. "I thought I was doing this book with a happy, Black family. There's no slavery, no struggle for civil rights, no police brutality," he told The Washington Post, adding: "To have it be as controversial as it's been is just mind-boggling."

So how did he respond to that first Texas case? "I had to Google 'critical race theory,'" Craft said with a laugh during a Zoom call earlier this week from his home in Florida - another state where books aimed at young readers have become ongoing targets in cultural standoffs over what is appropriate to teach in schools.

As a parent himself, Craft says, he respects the right of parents to be involved in what their children read, but says that doesn't grant the right to deny other children access to what age-appropriate books they might like.

Craft anticipates facing some heat as he goes on tour this month to promote "School Trip," the third book in the "New Kid" series. Yet he says the strong response from schoolchildren - some of them so-called reluctant readers who are drawn to Craft's textured mix of prose and pictures - inspires him to keep creating books and making visits.

The educational landscape that Craft encounters goes far beyond challenges to such widely popular graphic novels as "New Kid" and Raina Telgemeier's "Drama." According to the American Library Association, challenges to books in school libraries and public libraries have increased markedly since 2021 - nearly 1,300 instances last year, which was more than double the year before.

People often challenge books they find controversial "because they dispute the presentations around gender identity, sexual orientation, race and racism, and this rubric around what is claimed to be critical race theory," says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. Yet in truth, she notes, many of the titles are "simply books that elevate Black people, authors of color and elevate the voices of Black persons, or they offer alternative perspectives on our history of race and racism in the United States."

The ALA director says that about 40 percent of the challenges are to "100 titles or more at one time" rather than an individual title challenged by a lone concerned parent. "What we're seeing is political advocacy groups trying to suppress the voices of marginalized groups and prevent students the access to different viewpoints."

Jeff Trexler, a lawyer who is interim director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, thinks that the challenges to Craft's YA series - including "Class Act" - stem partly from people who aren't versed in the nature of how to read graphic novels as a layered narrative rather than as isolated images. Trexler points to one scene in "New Kid" in which kids laugh at a group of "well-meaning liberals" who "bend over backward trying so hard to be sensitive."

The scene is intended to be funny, Trexler says, noting that the pictorial humor could go over the heads of some offended adults. "There's satiric discussion of complex social dynamics. . . . It's a real work of literature. It's a real work of art."

Trexler says the "New Kid" case in Texas presaged "an explosion" in graphic novel challenges. One fan of Craft's who was surprised by such blowback was Jeff Kinney, author and creator of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" publishing empire.

Kinney, who provided a blurb to "New Kid" and hosted an early Craft appearance at his Plainville, Mass., bookstore, says that Craft's "rise as a children's author has been meteoric, and it's been so well-deserved."

Craft, 60, toiled for decades in other areas of the industry before writing his own graphic novel. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, his various jobs included working in the comic art department at King Features Syndicate, and he self-published his own comics for years, including the strip "Mama's Boyz." By 2014, though, he became inspired by such graphic novels as Telgemeier's "Smile" and Gene Luen Yang's "American Born Chinese."

Publishers became interested once Craft pitched the idea of his experiences as a Black transfer student, which he envisioned as a warmhearted, humorous comic far different from all the books about slavery, the Civil War and civil rights that he was raised on - stories in which the Black experience was always intertwined with suffering. Which is why attempts to ban his books have blindsided him.

Craft aims to be inclusive in his "New Kid" series. He has added various characters after students asked him whether they might see themselves in his work. Plus, "Jordan is light-skinned - my complexion," he says, while a character named Maury "has dark skin. I wanted to have many different types of African Americans to show that there's no one way to be."

Still, "I'm not Garry Trudeau - I'm not political," Craft says, grinning at the irony of his situation while noting that he had no intention of stirring controversy. He even resisted all early-career attempts by editors who encouraged him to write with outrage. He refused "to do the 'angry Black man' thing," he says, and pushed back against those who had urged him to put curse words in his comics. In terms of cartooning, he knew his natural voice was being the equivalent of a "clean comedian."

That approach finally paid off. Kinney was among those early fans who found "New Kid" to be "funny, fresh, and much-needed." Which is why he was stunned by the Texas case, too. "When I first heard that 'New Kid' was being challenged, I was shocked and dismayed," says Kinney, who offered to do an event with Craft in support.

"But Jerry and his publisher decided to handle it in a different way, which I respect," Kinney says. "It turns out book banning is contagious, and before long, 'New Kid' was being challenged or banned all over the country. . . . It speaks to the despicable moment that our country is living through that a book as wholesome and humorous as 'New Kid' is being taken off shelves, for no other reason than the characters it features are non-White. It's vitally important for kids of every type to be able to see themselves as protagonists of books. The harm done to a child who's not being reflected in literature is self-evident."

As "School Trip" makes its debut, Kinney says that "the reflexive, ignorant-minded banning of books" angers him. He also admires Craft's mind-set.

"Jerry's decided to take the high road and to be a positive force and a voice of reason," Kinney says. "His books are a reflection of his character - warm, kind, gentle, curious and funny. We need more authors like Jerry Craft, and more books like 'New Kid.'"

On Thursday, Craft visited Eliot-Hine Middle School in the District as part of his tour. He says that one young fan approached him with a request. He made Craft promise that "I won't stop doing what I'm doing."
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released as part of a major Easter exchange with Russia, a top official said Sunday, as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a second time since Moscow unleashed its full-scale war more than a year ago.

While celebrations were subdued because of security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services, Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesus resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory.

Dozens of families had special reasons to rejoice, as presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow were on their way back home following a big Easter prisoner exchange.

Yermak said in a Telegram post on Sunday that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city which has for months been the focus of Russias grinding offensive.

The lives of our people are the highest value for us, Yermak said, adding that Kyivs goal was to bring back all remaining POWs.

There was no immediate information on how many Russian prisoners were released, but the press service of the founder of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-affiliated paramilitary force whose fighters are prominent in eastern Ukraine, also released a video Sunday showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being readied for an exchange.

In his Easter address released on Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the holiday as marking the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life, and he stressed what he said was Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian aggression.

Belief in victory unites all of us always, and especially today. At Easter, which from time immemorial has been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope and great unity. We are one big family  Ukrainians. We have one big home  Ukraine. We have one big goal  victory for all, Zelenskyy said.

In central Kyiv, people gathered in the courtyard of the landmark St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery on Sunday morning to have their Easter eggs and baskets of food blessed by a priest. A curfew had prevented most from attending the traditional all-night service there hours earlier, with many tuning into a live stream instead.

Ukrainian churches are usually crowded on Orthodox Easter Sunday. But this year, the wide courtyard was barely half full, and the line of people waiting for the priest to sprinkle holy water on their adorned baskets was moving briskly.

For a second year in a row, the war interrupted holiday routines. Ukraine's main security service this week issued a statement urging residents not to linger in churches on Sunday, in order to avoid crowding and minimize security risks.

Alla Voronina, one of the people who came to St. Michael's with baskets containing Easter cakes and multi-colored eggs, said that the restrictions were very hard" on residents' morale.

You constantly recall how it used to be before the war," she told The Associated Press. She said that she and her family would nevertheless follow the security recommendations and go straight home after receiving the blessing.

Another worshipper, Tetiana Voloshyna, said she was praying for Ukrainian troops who defend us and make it possible for us to have this holiday. She added she had come to the monastery with her personal pain and personal requests to God for victory, peace and life.

Russians also observed Easter, including President Vladimir Putin. He attended midnight services in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral that were led by Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, who has firmly supported the war.

In a statement, Putin commended Kirill for tireless, selfless work aimed at preserving enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, the upbringing and education of the youth.

Kirill has repeatedly spoken out in support of Russias invasion of Ukraine. In a video message broadcast on Russian state television late Saturday, before the start of the Easter service in Moscow, Kirill lamented grave events taking place on our Russian historical land in reference to the war, echoing the Kremlins claim that an independent Ukraine is essentially a fiction.

Despite the shared Orthodox holiday, Russian shelling and missile attacks continued to sow destruction in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian regional officials. Officials in the country's south and east said that churches had not been spared. The governor of the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhii Lysak, said Russian forces stationed at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant shelled a church in a nearby town, wounding two civilians.

The Russians have once again confirmed that they hold nothing sacred, Lysak said in his post.

Earlier on Sunday, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia province reported that Russian shelling overnight hit an Orthodox church in the town of Komyshuvakha. Photos showed local residents rescuing icons from the church, its gutted frame visible in the background.

At least four civilians were killed and eight others were wounded on Saturday and overnight, Ukrainian officials reported on Sunday morning. The national emergencies service said the death toll in a Friday attack on the city of Sloviansk rose to 13 as more bodies were found in the rubble of an apartment building.

Across the front line, in Russian-occupied territory in Ukraines industrial east, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Donetsk region claimed that a Ukrainian strike killed one civilian and wounded six others in the provinces namesake capital. Denis Pushilin wrote in a Telegram post that shelling hit the center of the city, near its Holy Transfiguration cathedral.

The Russian defense ministry on Sunday announced that assault units from the Wagner group have captured two neighborhoods in the embattled city of Bakhmut. Bakhmut, a former mining hub now largely reduced to ruins, has been a key target of Russias monthslong grinding campaign in eastern Ukraine.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Boosted by House Republican leaders and notable GOP donors, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams received more than $500,000 in his first fundraising quarter as a member of Congress.

Williams, R-Sennett, raised $88,669 from individuals, but a bulk of his money came from PACs and other political committees ($223,850). He also received $195,048 in transfers from joint fundraising committees.

From Jan. 1 through March 31, his campaign reported receipts totaling $517,567. He spent $68,789 and has $471,507 in the bank.

It is a strong showing for Williams and highlights the benefits of incumbency. As a political novice, he raised $913,265 during the entire 2022 campaign.

House GOP leaders backed Williams in the first fundraising quarter. Federal Election Commission records reveal that PACs aligned with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Leader Elise Stefanik each donated $10,000.

Williams received financial support from several other House Republicans. The donations include $2,000 from U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan's campaign and $2,500 from U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney's Tenacious PAC.

Prominent Republican donors also gave to Williams. He received $3,300 each from Harlan and Katherine Crow. Koch Industries PAC contributed $1,000. Ronald Lauder, who has supported conservative and Republican causes in New York, gave $6,600 through New York Majority Makers, a joint fundraising committee.

Businesses and industry groups donated to Williams' campaign. Notably, he received $5,000 from Micron's PAC. The memory chip manufacturer is planning to invest $100 billion over a 20-year period to build a chip fab facility in Onondaga County.

The Oneida Indian Nation, which is based in the 22nd Congressional District, contributed $6,600.

Although Williams has not made a formal announcement, he is expected to run for reelection in 2024. Sarah Klee Hood, a Democrat who serves as a town councilor in DeWitt, announced last week that she will seek her party's nomination to challenge Williams next year.

Klee Hood was not actively fundraising in the first three months of the year  her campaign launch came early in the new quarter. But she received $4,900 in donations in the first quarter and has $3,938 in the bank as she kicks off her second campaign for Congress.

The 22nd district, which includes all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, will be one of the most important House races in the country in 2024. House Republicans have a slim majority and will need wins in races like NY-22. For Democrats, the central New York district is a top target in their bid to take back the House.
A new study found that four megachurches have cornered the market on worship music in recent years, churning out hit after hit and dominating the worship charts
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Local News, Home & Garden

By Jacob Alvear Published: April 16 2023

County Contribution Will Allow Long Awaited Project to Move Forward

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone and Senator Anthony Palumbo today announced $1.5 million in new funding needed to allow a long-awaited project to connect 64 homes in an area of Riverhead that has been impacted by groundwater contamination to connect to public water. The County Executive and State Senator were joined at the event by Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, County Legislator Al Krupski, Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Suffolk County Water Authority, homeowners, and environmental advocates.

"These homeowners have been waiting for too long for a definitive answer about the cost of connecting their homes to the public water supply," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. "We are here today to eliminate any uncertainty about how this project will be paid for. With today's announcement, we make it clear that these families will be connected to a safe and reliable source of drinking water at no cost. This day has been a long time coming."



The 64 homes are located in the Town of Riverhead and are part of a broader area south of the former US Navy/Grumman industrial site in Calverton where the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has investigated groundwater contamination and initiated surveys of private wells focused on volatile organic compounds and emerging contaminants including 1, 4-dioxane and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A separate project to connect 64 homes in part of the study area located in Brookhaven Town is moving forward due in part to a grant of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by the Town of Brookhaven.

The overall cost of the project includes the price for installation of water mains, service lines to connect homes to the mains, as well as tapping fees and surcharges. Town of Riverhead and Suffolk County Water Authority have been working to obtain the grant funding needed to complete the estimated $10.85 million project. A total of $7.35 in federal funding had been secured with the help of Senator Chuck Schumer and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. The Suffolk County Water Authority's Board of Directors recently approved a policy that authorizes a credit to homeowners that will reduce the project cost by $2.41 million, leaving a funding gap of about $1.3 million. The new $1.5 million award of ARPA funding from Suffolk County's Water Infrastructure Fund will ensure that the project is fully funded and can be completed at no cost to homeowners.



"When it comes to addressing water quality problems, our goal is always to make solutions easy and affordable for homeowners," said County Executive Bellone. "By working together with our partners in federal, state and local government, with this contribution from the County's Water Infrastructure Fund, we will have succeeded in providing a reliable source of safe drinking water with no out of pocket cost to these 64 homeowners."

The County Executive credited the Town of Riverhead and Suffolk County Water Authority for working cooperatively on the project and thanked Senator Schumer, Senator Palumbo and Legislator Krupski for their efforts.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: This is a great day in Manorville. For years I have worked with residents, advocates, and Riverhead Town to bring federal funding for safe drinking water to Manorville and Calverton families with contaminated water wells, providing $13.5 million in federal funds directly and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Thanks to County Executive Bellone, the final needed funding is on its way from the County Water Infrastructure Fund. I applaud the work of Riverhead Town Supervisor Aguiar, the Suffolk County Water Authority, New York State and State Senator Palumbo for their work alongside mine to secure safe water for these residents.

Senator Anthony Palumbo said: "I have been focused on working with all stakeholders to secure the funding needed to complete this project since the day I took office, and today's announcement is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many of the people who are with us today. I cannot thank Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the Suffolk County Water Authority enough for their efforts in addressing this problem and coming up with the additional funding needed to get this critically important water infrastructure project moving forward. Providing clean, reliable and safe drinking water to the residents of Suffolk County remains one of my top priorities.

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said: This is great news! I am thankful for the collaboration of all the Elected Officials, the Suffolk County Water Authority, the environmental community and the residents who have been advocating for far too long for the connection to public water. Clean water to drink, cook and bathe with is a Constitutional right in NYS.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said: Clean water is critical to protecting the health of Long Islands communities and natural resources. New York States sustained and comprehensive efforts are tracking down and eliminating sources of emerging contaminants and other pollutants in our environment, and DEC looks forward to continuing to partner with Suffolk County and other state, local, and federal leaders to advance actions to protect water quality and drinking water supplies.

Legislator Al Krupski said: "I'd like to thank the County Executive for being responsive to the clean water needs and Manorville residents. Additional thanks to the professional services provided by the Suffolk County Health Department for all their water sampling and testing throughout this process."

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said: I applaud County Executive Steve Bellone and his team for working collaboratively with the Town of Riverhead and the Suffolk County Water Authority on this public health effort, which has been ongoing for decades. Last year when I requested assistance from Steve, he replied, I will see what I can do. Today, it is mission accomplished!

Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner, Dr. Gregson H. Pigott, said: "The Suffolk County Sanitary Code has a long-standing policy to promote the extension of public water, especially to impacted areas in need, such as Manorville. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has supported this public water supply extension for many years, conducting several private well surveys and groundwater investigations in this area to help demonstrate the need and protect public health. We are gratified that residents, environmental advocates, and elected officials have worked diligently to develop this solution."

SCWA Chairman Patrick Halpin said: The Suffolk County Water Authority is grateful to Suffolk County for their commitment to providing the necessary funding to complete the Riverhead portion of the Manorville project for these 64 homes. The Town of Riverhead and the residents of the impacted neighborhood are eager to see this project completed and have access to high quality water in their homes.

SCWA Board Member Charles Lefkowitz said: There has been a tremendous collaborative effort from different agencies to secure the funding needed to move this project forward. Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and former Congressman Zeldin secured millions of dollars for this project. I also want to acknowledge Governor Hochul and the states role in providing additional funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These efforts, combined with todays announcement from Suffolk County, ensures 100% funding for the connection of these 64 homes and better drinking water for these families.

Todays announcement is the result of years of hard work and the determination of residents and is a prime example of what can be accomplished when government works together for the betterment of its citizens, concluded Senator Palumbo.
The Philippines has been at the receiving end of Chinese aggressive maneuvers that continue to violate territorial rights and destroy marine resources in our exclusive economic zone

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in 2014 allows US forces to access, to build facilities, and position equipment, aircraft, and vessels, to designated Philippine military facilities, but not as permanent bases the way Subic, Zambales and Clark in Mabalacat, Pampanga hosted the largest US military bases in the eastern Pacific until 1991 when the Philippine Senate rejected the treaty to extend US military presence.

The EDCA is envisioned to operationalize the implementation of the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

The EDCA is designed to promote: Interoperability; Capacity building towards AFP modernization; Strengthening the AFP for external defense; Maritime security; Maritime domain awareness; and Humanitarian assistance and disaster response  all of which are very critical, given the geopolitical complications confronting the Indo-Pacific region.

Early this month, Malacanang announced four additional EDCA sites namely: the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac Island in Palawan.

Other locations included in the agreement are: Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

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In the recently concluded US-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Plenary Session on Promoting Regional Security at the State Department in Washington, DC, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken together with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced that the US will be allocating over $100 million to develop infrastructure at these EDCA sites.

Austin committed to swiftly finalizing the Philippines-US Bilateral Defense Guidelines, which outlines alliance cooperation across all operational domains, including addressing threats in space and cyberspace. Priority defense platforms will include military transport aircraft, coastal and air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, and radars.

Also ongoing is Balikatan 2023 where 17,000 soldiers, of which 12,200 from the US, 5,400 from the Philippines and 111 from Australia are participating in the largest war games that will highlight a whole-of-alliance defense approach that includes maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercises, urban and aviation operations, counterterrorism, and cyber-defense and will mobilize all military components of the navy, army, and the air force.

Other allied countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, France, and some ASEAN nations have been invited as observers.

Beijing has expectedly objected to these developments with its Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian accusing the Philippines of stoking the fire by expanding US access to Philippine military bases which may be used to interfere in Chinas problem with Taiwan and anti-China agenda despite President Marcos Jr.s statement that EDCA sites cannot be used for offensive military operations for as long as the Philippines is not attacked.

He stressed they will not renounce the use of force and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures against external interference and all separatist activities.

He even advised the Philippines to unequivocally oppose Taiwan Independence rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.

Sounds to me more like a veiled threat.

The recent statement of the National Security Council has clarified the increased security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is meant to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and defend the territory of the Philippines and not to contain or counter any nation in the region or to interfere in another nations affairs.

The Philippines has been at the receiving end of Chinese aggressive maneuvers that continue to violate territorial rights and destroy marine resources in our exclusive economic zone.

Hundreds of diplomatic protests have documented these incursions but were just brushed aside with double speak and blatant lies while gray zone operations continue to push Beijings expansionist agenda which is now playing out to be an escalating geopolitical power play that might spark a risky scenario that would have catastrophic repercussions to a world already stressed by aftereffects of a pandemic and economic fallout of the Ukraine war.

As the government continues to pursue the path for peace and sustaining regional stability in a rule-based international order, complementing this with a clearly defined and demonstrable defense posture with our allies is a language that Beijing might better understand.

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A delegation from the Aboitiz Group, headed by Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, embarked on a three-day innovation and technology tour in Israel from March 13 to 15. The delegation was immersed in Israels innovation ecosystem as they explored and engaged with various tech companies and met with industry change-makers.

The region, like the Aboitiz Group, is steeped in history while also being home to a community of innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future. In recent decades, Israel has established itself as an epicenter of booming start-ups and breakthrough technologies.

As the Aboitiz Group undergoes its great transformation to become the Philippines first Techglomerate, its team leaders are committed to lifelong learning. The tour added valuable knowledge to the groups ecosystem about innovation, technology and open-mindedness.

SEA OF LIFE. Aboitiz delegates learn about some benefits gained from the marine algae from Israel-based, eco-friendly company that has developed unique land-based, super seaweed technology. This advanced technology results in faster-growing seaweed production for a continuous and plentiful supply of nutrition.

Exploring Israels innovation ecosystem has been an eye-opener. Their achievements in technology taught us that success is not just about having resources, but also about having the determination and creativity to make things happen. Their startup spirit and willingness to take risks have inspired us to think bigger and bolder, and we are eager to apply our learnings to drive innovation and progress in the Philippines, said Aboitiz.

The delegation included Aboitiz Equity Ventures chairman Endika Aboitiz, vice chairman Mikel Aboitiz, director Montxu Aboitiz, director Luis Miguel Aboitiz, chief financial officer Toto Hilado, chief transformation officer Emilie Sydney-Smith, first vice president Gie Polanco and first vice president for sustainability and chief reputation officer Ginggay Hontiveros.

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Also joining them are Aboitiz & Co. director Tony Canova, ACO director Antonio Moraza, Aboitiz InfraCapital president and CEO Cosette Canilao, Pilmico and Gold Coin Group president and CEO Tristan Aboitiz, Aboitiz Power Corp. president and CEO Manny Rubio and Aboitiz Data Innovation CEO Dr. David Hardoon.

Among the locations that the Aboitiz delegation visited was the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where they met with its chairman and Pitango Venture Capital co-founder Chemi Peres. Founded in 1996 by Chemis father, Israel Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres, the Peres Center is on a mission to promote lasting peace and advancement in the Middle East by fostering tolerance, economic and technological development, cooperation and well-being.

In Israel, a land lacking in natural resources, we discovered the greatest resource of all: human capital, which is richer than any of the resources on earth, said Chemi Peres in a discussion with Sabin Aboitiz.

The tour was facilitated by the Israeli Embassy of the Philippines and its Economic Mission.

The Aboitiz Group brings back to the Philippines new ideas and insights that can contribute to the Groups mission of advancing businesses and communities, ultimately propelling the countrys economic growth and progress.

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There's an argument to be made that the timing of Gov. Kathy Hochul's nomination for the state's chief judge was counter-productive to the need for her and the state Legislature to get a budget finalized.

But the reality is that the budget negotiations happening right now do not involve the same state Senators who derailed Hochul's first choice for the chief judge post back in January.

Top aides to the governor and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie are the ones hammering the spending plan details out. Most of the senators who most vociferously opposed the choice of Hector LaSalle to head the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, are basically just waiting for their leaders to tell them it's time to vote on the budget.

As a result, there's plenty of opportunity for them to do now with the new chief judge nominee what they failed to do with LaSalle  meet with him early in the process and ask him to address any concerns they might have with his qualifications or judicial record.

Like LaSalle, Rowan Wilson is highly respected in the legal community, and he has a strong record of service as a state judge. He's probably more left-leaning, but the reality is that LaSalle was far from a conservative.

Hopefully Hochul also learned some lessons from the LaSalle nomination, especially about the need to involve key senators and listen to them in the process of reviewing the field of finalists.

What must absolutely not happen this time is a repeat of the last process, when a chief judge nominee was voted down for the first time in state history. New York needs to have a permanent chief judge installed so the court system can move forward.

The Citizen Editorial board includes executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd

Hochul announces new pick to lead state's highest court New York Governor Kathy Hochul is nominating Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge of the states highest court. If he's approved, Wilson would be the first Black person to hold such a position. Hochul says in a statement released Monday that Wilson's record of upholding justice and fairness makes him well-suited to lead the court. This nomination comes after Hector LaSalle, Hochul's initial pick, was rejected by Democrats in her own party in favor of a judge with a more politically progressive record. Hochul is also nominating former state solicitor general Caitlin Halligan to fill Wilsons spot as associate judge.
After 20 years, Flagstaff residents only have a little bit longer to wait until they can order their In-N-Out Burger, animal-style, with fries.

While the folks from the City of Flagstaffs Economic Development Department hesitate to hazard a guess as to when the new Milton Road restaurant will be ready to take your order, they did say In-N-Out construction has been known to take at least 10 to 12 months in the past.

At this point, a few months more might not seem like too long to wait for fans of the brands hand-cut, sunflower oil-cooked fries and cherished, if short, menu. For years, one only had to whisper In-N-Out in Flagstaff for visions of red-and-white-tiled restaurants and palm trees to dance in peoples heads.

Our City of Flagstaff Economic Development Team did meet with the folks from In-N-Out Burger back in 2002 when we started going to the International Council of Shopping Centers Conference. It was a very large development conference back then. Almost 60,000 people attended, said John Saltonstall, the City of Flagstaffs business retention and expansion manager. They told us back then that they were interested in Flagstaff, but it would be a while.

It certainly was. Now, in the spring of 2023, the old Pizza Hut on Milton has been fully demolished, and the ground is broken on the West Coast burger restaurant with a cult Flagstaff following.

Why did it take so long?

For one thing, the business attraction manager for the City of Flagstaff, Jack Fitchett, said attracting new business is a long, slow process. Fitchett himself has been in talks with In-N-Out Burger for about three years. His predecessor, Gail Jackson, had been carrying the negotiations before him.

Attraction is a long-term game. Companies dont make decisions overnight on whether or not they want to be somewhere. They do a lot of research independently, or through their own financial partners  market studies, all of that good stuff  to determine if Flagstaff  or any location for that matter  is going to be a good fit for them, Fitchett said.

Once In-N-Out knew they wanted to open up shop in Flagstaff, the specific spot became a subject of some back and forth, and that provided plenty of fuel for a burger-hungry rumor mill.

Every time theres a concept plan and a site map to see if everythings going to work out on that site, people can see that the concept plan has been submitted. They think a concept plan means, Yep, were getting it. Thats not the case, Fitchett said. They have to go through the whole planning process. I think theres been a lot of hope and now its finally coming to fruition.

Available real estate, Fitchett said, is a constant constraint when it comes to bringing new businesses to Flagstaff.

We dont have a lot of available space  whether thats existing parcels that are shovel ready or vacant buildings that someone can come in and remaster to their own purposes. Theres just not a lot of space ... when location is everything, coupled with that lack of available space, its got to be a perfect 10/10 for the final attraction to occur, he said.

Finding that 10/10 spot for In-N-Out wasnt an easy task, Fitchett and Saltonstall agreed. The Flagstaff locations the family-owned chain was willing to consider were limited from jump.

Back in 2018 when they were getting a bit more serious about coming to Flagstaff, their desire is that they want to be seen from the highway. There needs to be proximity. I believe it is less than a mile from an exit. Granted, that Pizza Hut location is perfect, the intersection between I-40 and I-17, Fitchett said. That location worked great for them; it was just a matter of making sure that the ADOT approvals could occur with that mitigation. Thats why it took four additional years after that location was identified. Making sure everything could be placed on that end.

More than that, one of the key elements of the In-N-Out Burger brand is its particular method of ingredient sourcing.

In the past, they talked about their supply chains. They dont freeze their meat. Its very fresh. So when theyre talking about their growth plan, theyre talking about logistics, Saltonstall said. As they planned out their long-term growth, they recognized communities that would likely be candidates for locations in the future. It would all be predicated on the growth and their ability to serve those facilities to the level of quality that they expect.

The first In-N-Out burger opened in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California. It was the first drive-through burger stand in the state. Now, the fast food chains brand continues to have sticking power, and new restaurants are met with blockbuster openings.

When the chain opened two Colorado locations in 2020, diners were reported to have waited in lines for as long as 12 hours to get their Double-Doubles.

Its a very strong brand. There is something about what they do that strikes a chord, that resonates with people all over, and I think the Flagstaff community is very excited. It resonates with them. Probably the level of quality, the customer service, Saltonstall said.

Fitchett said that these days, business acquisition managers can use software to find out which chains their communities are clamoring for. They can identify places where Flagstaff residents might be driving to Phoenix or Prescott to spend their dollars.

We call that leakage. Where are they spending their money on something that we dont already have? Thats a really good indicator to get us started in thinking about what we would attract, he said.

Still, there are brands Flagstaff residents have asked for so vehemently, so frequently, Fitchett doesnt need a computer to know theyd receive a warm welcome.

I grew up in Flagstaff. The holy trinity has always been In-N-Out, Trader Joes and Costco as far as retail businesses go. I get questions from residents every day about when Trader Joes is coming. Costco has been a huge one for a long time and we engage with them, he said.

Fitchett said the process isnt necessarily simple. Knowing that the community is eager to see a certain chain in their backyard and finding out the brand is interested in moving to northern Arizona are just the first steps. Everything goes back to location, and Flagstaffs limited number of what Fitchett calls shovel-ready parcels.

They will wait for the right opportunity to arrive here. Trader Joes wants to be in this market, but theyre very location-oriented just like In-N-Out, so they will wait for the appropriate space to land here, he said.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 16, 2023

Montana lawmakers on Friday passed a bill banning most uses of TikTok in the state, largely due to concerns about national security.

Senate Bill 419 now heads to Governor Greg Gianforte, who hasn't yet said whether he plans to sign the measure, which has an effective start date of January 1, 2024. If signed, the measure will almost certainly face a legal challenge.

If enacted and allowed to take effect, the law will prohibit app stores from offering TikTok to users in Montana, and prohibit from people from using TikTok in the state (with some exceptions for law enforcement and other governmental functions). An earlier version of the bill also would have prohibited internet service providers from offering TikTok to Montana users, but that provision was deleted from the final version.

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The measure doesn't penalize users, but provides for sanctions of $10,000 per day against TikTok and mobile app stores. The statute has exemptions for law enforcement activities, national security interests and activities, security research activities, or essential government uses permitted by the governor on the information technology system of the state.

TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said last week that supporters of the bill have no feasible plan for operationalizing the measure.

We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach, Oberwetter stated.

Public officials in the U.S. have been scrutinizing TikTok for months -- largely over concerns that data collected by the company about U.S. users is being shared with China.

Numerous states have banned the use of TikTok on government owned devices, but Montana is the first state to attempt to prohibit people from accessing the app on private devices.

The Montana bill contains language saying TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, gathers significant information from its users, accessing data against their will to share with the People's Republic of China.

One provision says the bill will be void if TikTok is acquired by a company that is not incorporated in a country considered a foreign adversary.

Civil rights groups including the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy and Technology and Electronic Frontier Foundation opposed the measure, arguing it violates the First Amendment.

SB 419 is censorship, the groups said in a letter sent to lawmakers last week. It would unjustly cut Montanans off from a platform where they speak out and exchange ideas everyday, and it would set an alarming precedent for excessive government control over how Montanans use the internet.
The United Kingdom has given the world some of its greatest actors.

These are performers who have not only stolen the show but who have also left a lasting impression on the craft.

This blog post will count down the top 10 greatest British actors of all time.

From legends like Sir Laurence Olivier to modern-day masters like Daniel Day-Lewis, these are the actors who have truly made their mark on the world stage.

However, 10 is a very small percentage considering the famous British actors out there. To know more, read about 20th-century and 21st-century British male actors.



Read on to find out if your favorite British actor is on the list or not.

Ready to dive in? Let's get started!

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Sean Connery

British actor Sean Connery is best known for his portrayal of the character James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983. Connery's film career began with minor roles in British films during the 1950s. His breakthrough came when he was cast as Bond in the first film in the series, Dr. No. The success of that film led to Connery's signing a three-film contract with United Artists. He starred in films like Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever. In addition to his work as an actor, Connery has also directed two films, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Finding Forrester.

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Curious to know about Sean Connery and Brigitte Bardot? Read here.



Ian McKellen

Aside from being an incredible actor, Ian McKellen is a class act all around. He's been in some of the best films of all time and always brings his A-game to every performance. He's also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been a powerful voice in the fight for equality.

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Check out his biography here!



Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig is one of the most popular British actors of all time. He is best known for his role as 007 in the Bond films of today. Craig has also starred in many other successful films, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Knives Out and Spectre, the latter being his last as Bond. He is a very talented actor who always gives a great performance.

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Super news - the actor seems to be a big fan of Bollywood movies.



Timothy Dalton

One of the most underrated British actors of all time is Timothy Dalton. He has starred in some great films and television shows but is often overshadowed by his more famous colleagues.

Dalton was born in Wales in 1944 and began his acting career on stage. He made his film debut in 1967 and quickly became a star of British cinema. He appeared in several classic films such as The Lion in Winter and Oliver!

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In the 1980s, Dalton moved to Hollywood, where he took on the role of James Bond. He starred in two Bond films, The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. He was widely praised for his performance as Bond and is considered one of the best actors to have played the character.



After his stint as Bond, Dalton returned to Britain and continued to appear in film and television. He has starred in many great productions, such as Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice.

Dalton is a highly talented actor who has had a long and successful career. He is one of the best British actors of all time and has stolen the show in many of his roles. Read more about the incredible work of one of the finest British actors here.

Sir Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins is one of the most celebrated British actors of all time. He has starred in some of the most iconic films and television shows of all time, including The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, The Elephant Man and Westworld.

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Hopkins was born in Wales in 1937 and began his acting career in the early 1960s. He quickly rose to prominence with his performances in films such as The Lion in Winter and Magic. In the 1980s, Hopkins cemented his status as a Hollywood legend with his roles in The Elephant Man, Blade Runner and The Silence of the Lambs. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.

Hopkins has continued to work steadily throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, starring in major films such as Nixon, Meet Joe Black, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Thor: Ragnarok. In 2020, he starred in HBO's Westworld as Robert Ford, the creator of the titular theme park.

Hopkins is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time. His mesmerizing performances have captivated audiences for decades, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Jude Law

Jude Law is one of the most popular British actors of all time. He has stolen the show in many films, including The Talented Mr Ripley, Sherlock Holmes and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Jude Law is also a very successful stage actor, having starred in Hamlet and Henry V productions.

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Dame Judi Dench

One of the greatest female British actors of all time is Dame Judi Dench. She has appeared in some of the most iconic films and television shows, stealing the show in each and every one.

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Some of her most famous roles include M in the James Bond franchise, Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love and Mrs Henderson in Mrs Brown. In each of these roles, Dench brought something unique and special to the character that left audiences spellbound.

It is no wonder that she has won numerous awards throughout her career, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award. She was also made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to drama.

Dench is truly one of the greatest British actors of all time, and there is no doubt that she will continue to dazzle audiences for many years to come.

Ewan McGregor

Scottish heartthrob Ewan McGregor first won our hearts as Mark Renton in 1997's Trainspotting. Since then, he's shown his range with starring roles in big blockbusters like the Star Wars prequels and independent films like Young Adam. He's also an accomplished stage actor, having starred in a Tony Award-winning production of Othello. No matter what role he's playing, McGregor always enchants us with his performance.

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Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy is one of the greatest British actors of all time. He has starred in some of the most popular films and television shows of the last few years, including Inception, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road and Peaky Blinders.

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Hardy is an immensely talented actor who always seems to give his 110% to every role he takes on. He has a unique ability to completely transform himself physically for each character he plays, and this allows him to disappear into his roles in a way that few other actors can.



Hardy is also a very charismatic actor who always commands the attention of the viewer whenever he is on screen. He has a true star quality that is impossible to ignore.

There are very few actors working today who are as consistently excellent as Tom Hardy. He is, without a doubt, one of the finest talents Britain has to offer, and he always kills it whenever he appears on the screen.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is one of the most accomplished British actors of all time. He has appeared in some of the most iconic films of our time, stealing the show in everyone.

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Oldman got his start in film with small roles in Films like Sid and Nancy and Meantime. It wasn't until he was cast as the lead in Francis Ford Coppola's True Romance that he made a name for himself. Oldman's performance as the gregarious and foul-mouthed Drexl Spivey was electric, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's leading men.



Since then, Oldman has gone on to have an illustrious career, appearing in such classics as The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional, Batman Begins and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He has played everyone from a punk rocker to a superhero to a James Bond villain, showing his incredible range as an actor.

There are few actors who can match Gary Oldman's sheer talent and charisma. He is truly one of the greats and will no doubt continue to be so for a long time.

The End

British actors have been around for more than three centuries now, going back to the days of Shakespeare. We've had many stalwarts, including Sir Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman, just to name a few. Listing just ten isn't justified; hence let this write-up be just a start! Do read and share your feedback, including other famous British actors' names in the comments section.




(Xinhua) -- Many recent media reports focus on one fact: The international community, especially developing countries, are more and more vocal in their criticism of the hegemonic and selfish behavior of the United States.

A peaceful and stable international environment -- the biggest aspiration for developing countries -- is a precondition for national development. However, it is made out of reach by the United States -- the biggest peacebreaker and troublemaker in today's world.

Countries like Iraq and Afghanistan are still trapped in turmoil because of the wars launched by the United States there. As for the Ukraine crisis, the United States is constantly fanning the flame and hindering other countries from promoting talks for peace.

Leaders of many developing countries believe that by prolonging the crisis, the United States is exacerbating the Ukrainians' suffering, and impeding the resolution of other pressing issues facing the international community.

"We don't want to go on discussing who will be the winner or the loser of a war," said Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez. "We are all losers and, in the end, it is humankind that loses everything."

U.S. hegemony has damaged all economies in the world, especially the developing ones with a relatively weak development foundation.

Over the years, the United States has arbitrarily imposed sanctions on other countries, erected tariff barriers, and disrupted global industrial chains and supply chains.

After the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, U.S.-led Western countries launched severe sanctions against Russia, resulting in a spike of prices of global food, energy and other commodities, which overwhelmed developing countries.

The United States is playing camp confrontation, undermining international cooperation. However, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries have made it clear that they do not want to be forced to "choose sides" between China and the United States.

In the name of promoting "democracy" around the world, the United States is actually harming the interests of many developing countries.

When U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Africa last August, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor made it clear that "you can't just come in and claim to lecture about democracy ... Foreign interference has created instability, including funding opposition groups against liberation fighters."

It is obvious that more and more developing countries are now vocal in their opposition to the various irresponsible actions of the United States, with many refusing to follow the United States in imposing sanctions against Russia.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said lately that he is prepared to pursue Saudi interests without the help of the United States, including restoring ties with U.S. adversaries like Iran.

Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, said Washington must adapt to the new reality: Developing countries are becoming more sophisticated and more capable of making their own decisions.

A report recently released by the European Council on Foreign Relations, a European think tank, pointed out that America's global hegemony is rapidly declining, and many people in the Global South wish to build a new multipolar world.

For years, American politicians have been used to pointing fingers at other countries and acting willfully on the international arena. It remains to be seen if they have noticed the changes in the Global South and started to reflect on the reasons behind them.
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas military says it fired warning shots to repel a North Korean patrol vessel that temporarily crossed the countries disputed western sea boundary while chasing a Chinese fishing boat.

The North Korean patrol boat crossed the so-called Northern Limit Line at around 11 a.m. Saturday while pursuing the Chinese boat in waters near South Koreas Baekryeong island but immediately retreated after a South Korean naval vessel fired warning shots, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

While there were no exchanges of fire between the North and South Korean vessels, the South Korean high-speed vessel collided with the Chinese boat as it responded to the intrusion amid poor visibility, causing bruises and other minor injuries to some of the South Korean sailors.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean military activities while preparing for various possibilities of provocations.

South Koreas navy has often fired warning shots to repel North Korean vessels crossing the countries poorly marked sea border, but there also have been some deadly clashes over the years. South Korea blamed North Korea for an attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors in 2010, but the North has denied responsibility.

Saturdays intrusion came amid heightened tensions in the region as the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises aimed at countering the North Korean threat have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct another large-scale joint exercise from next week involving some 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets. Seouls Defense Ministry said the aerial drills, which will be begin Monday and continue through April 28, are aimed at sharpening combined operational abilities and demonstrating the allies joint defense posture in the face of North Korean threats.

North Korea last week staged one of its most provocative military displays in years by test-launching what it described as a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which if perfected could potentially give the North a more powerful and harder-to-detect weapon targeting the mainland United States.

South Korean officials also say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for more than a week, which raises concerns about potential kinetic provocations as communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals sea borders.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries conducted their biggest field exercises in years last month and separately held joint naval and air force drills involving a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable U.S. bombers. The exercises prompted fierce protests from the North, which describes those drills as invasion rehearsals while continuously using them as a pretext to push forward its own weapons development.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired more than 100 missiles into the sea, including three different types of ICBMs and various shorter-range missiles it describes as battlefield nuclear weapons, as it tries to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea.

South Korea has patrolled waters around the Northern Limit Line for decades after it was drawn up by the U.N. command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea does not recognize the line and insists upon a boundary that encroaches deeply into waters currently controlled by the South.
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KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP)  The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signaling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least 41 civilians were killed Sunday, bringing the two-day death toll to 97, the Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said Monday. Hundreds of people have been wounded since fighting started Saturday, the group said. In addition, dozens of fighters are believed to have been killed, according to the group.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy for Sudan, said that both Burhan and Dagalo agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause in fighting in the late afternoon Sunday, but violence continued to engulf the capital.

As night fell, residents reported heavy explosions and continued gunfire, as well as airstrikes pounding RSF targets. The clashes come as most Sudanese are preparing to celebrate the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally fast from sunrise to sunset.

Fighting raged around the militarys headquarters throughout the day. Heavy explosions and gunfire around the clock, said Amany Sayed, a 38-year-old Khartoum resident. The battles here (in the capital) never stopped.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was also reported around Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said clashes with RSF fighters began earlier in the day around military headquarters.

They are shooting against each other in the streets," said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. "Its an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

Satellite images analyzed by the AP showed columns of black smoke covering the sky over the capital's airport. The images by Maxar Technologies showed two large planes on fire, and four others damaged. Airlines have suspended flights to the Sudanese capital.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldnt be independently verified.

Both sides signaled that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhan's military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a rebellious militia. Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Khalid Omar, a spokesman for the pro-democracy block that negotiated with the generals in recent months, warned that the conflict could lead to war and the country's collapse.

In a series of tweets Sunday, Omar called on pro-democracy groups to set aside their disputes to find a way to end the crisis immediately.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting. Members of the U.N. Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

The African Unions top council called Sunday for an immediate cease-fire "without conditions. It also asked the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat to immediately travel to Sudan to engage the parties towards a cease-fire.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Farhan bin Faisal spoke by phone with Sudans rival generals and urged them to stop all kinds of military escalation, Saudi state TV reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early Sunday.

On Sunday, the World Food Program said it temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in clashes the previous day and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged.

We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed, said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. About 16 million people, or one-third of Sudan's population, require humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the city's airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centered around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudans unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the militarys headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters. Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for those responsible for the death of civilians, including three employees with the U.N. food agency, to be held accountable, according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

The U.N. Security Council will discuss the crisis in Sudan on Monday, said Fedor Strzhizhovskiy, the spokesman for the U.N. mission of Russia, which holds the council's presidency this month.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo.

___

Associated Press writer Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed.
Connecticut State Police /contributed

NEW HAVEN  Four people were hospitalized after a crash involving multiple vehicles on Interstate 95 late Saturday, according to state police.

State police said the crash occurred about 10:52 p.m. on I-95 north in the area of exit 44.
NAUGATUCK  A 24-year-old Prospect man died Saturday after police said he was struck by two vehicles on Route 8 following his involvement in a head-on crash on an overpass above.

The man, Anthony Michael Meier, was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision, which was reported about 8:34 p.m., according to a prepared statement from state police.

Police said state troopers from the Troop I barracks in Bethany were dispatched to the area of Route 8 south between exits 28 and 29 for reports of a body in the roadway.

Upon arrival, a male was located in the right lane of two with injuries consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle, state police said. Throughout the course of the investigation, it was learned through Naugatuck Police Department that the victim was involved in a previous collision on the Prospect Street overpass.

In a news alert posted to Facebook, Naugatuck police said police officers there responded to a two-car head-on crash in the area of Prospect Street about 8:30 p.m.

Witness reports informed one of the operators fled the scene and was struck on Route 8 after jumping from the Prospect St bridge, the Facebook post said.

The statement from state police identifying Meier did not reference the witness reports cited by Naugatuck Police.

For unknown reasons the victim fell from the overpass onto the Route 8 southbound lanes of travel where he was struck by a GMC Denali and Toyota Prius, according to state police.

The drivers of the vehicles  a 56-year-old Naugatuck woman and a 35-year-old Waterbury woman, respectively  were not injured, according to police.

Route 8 was closed in both directions for hours following the crash as police investigated.

State police asked anyone who witnessed the collision or may have pertinent information to contract Trooper Daniel McCue at 203-393-4200 or Daniel.Mccue@ct.gov.




Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi met with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday, saying that China is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with Germany and pointing out that China supported Germany's reunification and hopes and believes that Germany will also support China's peaceful reunification.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said during the meeting that China and Germany share a wide range of consensus and common interests, and China is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with Germany, enhance mutual understanding, and prepare for a new round of China-Germany government consultations. The two sides should jointly address global challenges such as climate change, promote the healthy development of bilateral relations, and release positive and constructive signals to the turbulent world, Wang told Baerbock.

The meeting came after Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and the German FM had comprehensive, candid and in-depth communication on Friday over China-Germany, China-EU relations and international and regional issues.

Qin systematically elaborated on China's stance on the Taiwan question, stating that peace and "Taiwan independence" cannot co-exist and it is China's internal affair that allows no external interference.

On the Taiwan question, Wang told Baerbock that Taiwan's return to the motherland is an important part of the international order in the post-WWII era. "Taiwan independence" forces on the island are seeking to disrupt the current situation in the Taiwan Straits and endanger peace in the region. To maintain stability in the Taiwan Straits, it is necessary to firmly oppose the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, Wang noted.

"China supported Germany's reunification, and hopes and believes that Germany will also support China's peaceful reunification," he told Baerbock.

Baerbock's visit to China came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron's calls for Europe's strategic autonomy made waves within the continent and across the Atlantic, especially when the French President said that on Taiwan question, France should not get caught up in an escalation between the US and China.

Some Chinese experts see Macron's remarks as a wake-up call for Europe as in recent years, some European countries have been echoing the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy and NATO's Asia strategy of using the Taiwan question to contain China.

"It is believed that such in-depth dialogue on the Taiwan question would help the German side further understand China's position and the essence of the Taiwan question. As Baerbock is a young politician, it is important to elaborate on the history about the Taiwan question to her," Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Just hours ahead of Baerbock's visit to China, German Foreign Ministry on Wednesday claimed China "had inflamed tensions with its military exercise around Taiwan island."

Baerbock also warned against a "horror scenario" in case of "military escalation" in the Taiwan Straits after her meeting with Qin on Friday, saying that a unilateral, violent change of the status quo would not be acceptable for Europeans, according to media reports.

Some Europeans have been following the US rhetoric on the Taiwan question, and it's important to clarify on the matter about who changed the status quo and who escalated the situation, experts said. "Chinese officials have pointed out in a straightforward way that the 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their collusion with the US are endangering the stability in Taiwan Straits, Germany should understand this fact and should not go too far on the question," Sun said.

Baerbock said during her meeting with Wang that Germany understands the importance and sensitivity of the Taiwan question to China and adheres to the one-China policy.

It's very important for China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Germany as a major European country to strengthen dialogue and communication, the German diplomat said. The two countries have many common interests, and Germany is willing to strengthen interaction and communication with China, enhance mutual understanding, expand cooperation in economic, trade, tourism, cultural and other fields, jointly maintain smooth world trade, and continuously develop German-Chinese relations, Baerbock said.

Since the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations, Germany has adopted a rational and calm attitude on the Taiwan question as China had always supported Germany's reunification, but recently, the German Foreign Ministry, along with the EU, have been changing in accordance to the US' Taiwan policy, Sun said.

Fu Cong, head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, told the Global Times in a recent interview that concerning the Taiwan question, it's important to emphasize that any position of the European side on the question must be recognized by the Chinese side. And some high-level officials in EU institutions and European anti-China lawmakers visiting the island violated the one-China principle.

From the meeting with Ursula von der Leyen to the meeting with Baerbock, Chinese officials have made it very clear that the Taiwan question is China's core interests, serving as a warning against playing with the fire on the question, Sun noted. "It will be helpful for European officials to take a reflection on it and become more cautious before taking some moves," Sun said.


Contributed photo/Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

The Middlesex County Historical Society will add a letter written by George Washington and two watches to its historic collection on Monday, according to a release from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, which has housed the objects for over a century.

The first president of the United States wrote the now-framed letter to Middletown resident Captain William Van Deusen on Sept. 1, 1782. According to David Field's "Centennial Address," his son, William Van Deusen, graduated Yale University in 1801 and studied law in Middletown and Litchfield. He was appointed captain by the General Government and commanded the fort at New London before his death in 1833.
The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting the Mexican Navy in its search for three American sailors who were headed to San Diego but have been missing for more than a week, federal officials said.

Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William Gross were last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlan, Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. The trio reportedly left the city on a 44-foot La Fitte called Ocean Bound with plans to stop in Cabo San Lucas, but there are no reports that they arrived.

Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja California, but the vessel has not been located, federal officials said. Urgent marine broadcasts have also been issued over very high frequency marine radio requesting sailors be on the lookout for the missing group and their boat.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
DELTA COUNTY, MI  One person was killed, and another was injured in an off-road vehicle crash, Michigan State Police reported.

The individual who died in the Friday, April 14 crash was identified as 52-year-old LeeAnne Moore of Rapid River.

Troopers initially responded to a 3:30 p.m. report of an off-road vehicle crash in Delta Countys Nahma Township.

Upon arrival, police found a Moore  who was a passenger in the vehicle  dead underneath the ORV.

The driver, also from Rapid River, was ejected from the ORV and sustained several injuries. State police said the drivers injuries are not life-threatening.

Police said the ORV was traveling west on 27.25 Road, near KK Road, when a blown tire caused the driver to lose control. The vehicle then rolled and ejected both occupants.

Police said the driver and passenger were not wearing a seat belt or helmet, and speed is believed to be a factor.

The crash remains under investigation.

Read more on MLive:

Man who went missing in December found dead in Northern Michigan

Other victims asked to come forward after Michigan mans arrest on child porn charges

Driver arrested after nearly hitting deputys patrol vehicle in Southwest Michigan
Ruby-throated hummingbirds and monarch butterflies, two beloved emblems of warmer weather, are making their way back to Michigan this very moment after a long winter away.

The migration of these winged beauties can be seen on the Journey North website, which uses citizen-reported observations to share maps and news updates tracking North American migratory species.

The site also collects data on other seasonal signs such as the emergence of earthworms, tulips and milkweed, allowing visitors to anticipate when they might start seeing signs of spring each year.

The spring 2023 monarch butterfly map currently shows observation reports of adult monarchs moving northward through the U.S. from Mexico, where they spend their winters in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Monarch sightings have been reported as far north as the New York and Chicago areas, but Michigan is still awaiting its first reports.

Similarly, the spring 2023 map for ruby-throated hummingbirds has been tracking the tiny birds migration north since late winter. The first reported 2023 ruby-throated hummingbird in Michigan was observed April 12 in the Lansing area and there have been several more since.

The site also currently tracks reports of bald eagles, barn swallows, American robins, red-winged blackbirds, and Baltimore orioles.

According to Journey North, the citizen-reported observational data on their site helps further scientific understanding of migratory species, especially those threatened by habitat loss and climate change. In 2022 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature listed monarchs as an endangered species.

To report a sighting, visit journeynorth.org/sightings.

Learn more about Journey North at journeynorth.org

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GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI  A man who was reported missing over five months ago was found dead by a search and rescue team, Michigan State Police reported.

The body of Dean Nicholas Barnes, of Interlochen, was located Saturday, April 15, in the area of East Creek Reserve off of Mayfield Road in Paradise Township in Grand Traverse County.

Barnes, 51, was located by search and rescue volunteer Steven Kieliszewski and his team from Alpena County Search and Rescue.

State police said the cause of Barnes death at this time is believed to be suicide. An autopsy will be completed on Monday, April 17.

Barnes was last seen on Dec. 1, 2022. His vehicle was found at the East Creek Reserve trailhead on Mayfield Road on Dec. 5. Police previously searched with area with canine and aviation units but could not locate Barnes.

He was believed to be in possession of a firearm.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. People can speak with a certified listener by calling 1-800-273-8255.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available at any time of day, and confidential.

Read more on MLive:

Driver arrested after nearly hitting deputys patrol vehicle in Southwest Michigan

Michigan home sales jump 28% as mortgage rates simmer

State gets new gun laws, EV projects net $410M: Your guide to Michigan politics
MARQUETTE, MI  Investigators are reviewing one mans arrest on child pornography charges for other potential victims that may have been exploited, according to Michigan State Police.

Earlier this month, Samuel Walter Numikoski, of Marquette, was arrested and charged with single counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material; possession of child sexually abusive material; and using a computer to commit a crime.

The charges stem from an investigation that was initiated by state police when they learned that Numikoski, 49, was allegedly viewing files of child sexually abusive material on the Internet.

Police said if there are other victims that want to come forward with information, they are asked to contact the Marquette Computer Crimes Unit at 906-227-7505 or their local Michigan State Police post.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to talk with their children about the safe use of the Internet.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides a comprehensive list of resources at www.missingkids.org. The MSP ICAC Task Force also provides resources at www.michiganicac.com.

If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, report it to the CyberTipLine at www.missingkids.org/cybertipline.

Read more on MLive:

Man who went missing in December found dead in Northern Michigan

Driver arrested after nearly hitting deputys patrol vehicle in Southwest Michigan

Shot twice in 2 years, Michigan teen navigates healing the mental wounds
ANN ARBOR, MI - With the weather warming, the road closures are multiplying in Washtenaw County.

New resurfacing projects are getting underway in Ann Arbor, Chelseas downtown thoroughfare is temporarily shutting down and I-94 work is expected in multiple locations.

Heres a list of road work that could affect commute times and travel across Washtenaw County for the week beginning Sunday, April 16.

ANN ARBOR

Broadway Street: The street on the north side is set to close on Monday, April 17 between the Traver Creek pedestrian crossing island, just south of Jones Drive, and Plymouth Road for a project bringing water main upgrades, sidewalk improvements and pavement resurfacing.

Construction is expected to be complete by Monday, Aug. 21.

Read more: Ann Arbor street closing for much of summer for utility, resurfacing project

Keech Avenue: The street along the Michigan Stadium will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 16 for an annual box car derby event.

South Main Street: The street is closed between William and Liberty streets until Friday, May 5, for the first phase of a major resurfacing project. The Liberty and Main street intersection also is closed.

Local businesses will remain open, and pedestrians can still access the businesses in the Main Street commercial district. Crews will replace a water main, make crosswalk improvements and put new pavement on the crumbling downtown street.

The project will progress between Liberty and Huron streets between May and July, with additional sewer work at the Main and Huron intersection in July and August.

Read more: Expect closures for $8M project to fix Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor

Whats that under Ann Arbors Main Street? Mysterious bricks spark theories

William Street: The westbound street is closed at South Main Street as part of the resurfacing project, with the protected bike lanes at the intersection closed in both directions.

A subsequent closure of the eastbound lane of William at Main streets also will be necessary as part of the project, and officials say they will announce the traffic restrictions in advance.

Read more: Drivers and cyclists will be affected by new closures for Ann Arbor Main Street project

South State Street: The downtown street is closed to vehicle traffic between North University Avenue and Huron Street until Friday, Sept. 1, for the second phase of a major overhaul extending curb-less design in the area near the University of Michigan Diag and bringing water and sewer upgrades.

The intersections on either side of the work zone will remain open. Regular updates can be found online from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Read more: 6-month closure coming as State Street overhaul resumes in downtown Ann Arbor

East Hoover Avenue: The street is closed until Monday, May 8, in the westbound direction between State and South Division streets for a city sewer-lining project.

Platt Road: The road on the citys east side is reduced from four lanes to two between Packard Road and Huron Parkway until Friday, Aug. 1.

The restrictions will allow for crews to replace an existing water main, as well as replace curb, sidewalk and ramps while resurfacing Platt Road. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Read more: Traffic restrictions coming for 2 Ann Arbor water and sewer projects

Scio Church Road: A section of the road between South Seventh Street and South Maple Road is closed until May for a resurfacing project, bringing improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

Construction on the first phase of the project is set to run through Friday, May 26, when Scio Church Road will reopen in the eastbound direction, and officials will notify residents of a new traffic pattern.

During the project, the Maple Road intersection will remain open to traffic turning left onto Maple or right onto Scio Church to ease congestion because of the damage to the Liberty Road I-94 overpass.

Read more: $3.58M resurfacing project set to begin, bringing closures to southwest Ann Arbor road

M-14: Both directions of M-14 between Newport Road and Huron View Boulevard will see for permit work overnight between midnight and 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday nights only beginning Saturday, April 15 and ending Sunday, April 23. Crews will implement intermittent 15-minute closures.

Long-term projects: North Fifth Avenue from Detroit to Catherine streets will have a lane shift through June 2024 for a new development.

Eastbound South University Avenue traffic between East University Avenue and Church Street is closed long-term for high-rise construction.

The Liberty Road bridge over I-94 is reduced to single-lane traffic, with temporary traffic signals, until further notice after being damaged by a truck on March 13. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to design and contract for a bridge replacement, officials say, though no timeline has been released for the project.

OTHER WASHTENAW COUNTY PROJECTS:

Chelsea - Main Street: Main Street running through downtown Chelsea between Middle and North streets will close to all traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on April 17 and ending 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 for railroad crossing repairs.

Read more: Chelseas Main Street closing through downtown for railroad repairs

Pittsfield Township - U.S. 23/Michigan Avenue: A major project widening Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township and upgrading the U.S. 23 interchange will cause shoulder closures and intermittent nightly lane closures on a stretch of U.S. 23 south of Ann Arbor.

Beginning April 17, westbound Michigan Avenue from Carpenter Road to U.S. 23 will also see a single-lane closure with a lane shift.

The construction is scheduled to run through November. Pittsfield Township is posting regular updates.

Read more: Closures coming to U.S. 23 near Ann Arbor for $69M construction project

Ypsilanti - I-94: Two Huron Street ramps to I-94 will see regular overnight closures between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday for a bridge painting project until Thursday morning, April 24.

Double lane closures are also planned nightly on the interstate at the Ypsilanti interchange, Exit 183.

Read more: Overnight closures coming to I-94 ramps for bridge painting project

York Township - U.S. 23/Willis Road interchange: Willis Road at U.S. 23 is closed in both directions through late June as bridge construction takes place, with a detour route available.

The eastbound Willis Road ramp to northbound U.S. 23 also is closed during the project. The detour route is available online.

Read more: U.S. 23 closing for bridge demolition, ramp construction in Washtenaw County

Sylvan/Lima townships - I-94: The interstate will see a single-lane closure in the westbound direction between Freer Road and the Washtenaw/Jackson county line for construction Monday until Thursday, April 27.

Lyndon/Sylvan townships - Various roads: Several roads in the townships will see intermittent lane restrictions through July for a Consumers Energy natural gas pipeline replacement project. A project map is available online.

Sylvan Township - Sibley Road: The road will be closed between Conway and Bush roads from April 17 to Saturday, July 1 for the Consumers pipeline project.

Read more: 55-mile natural gas pipeline will pass through nature areas in Washtenaw County

Pittsfield Township - Morgan Road: The road between Carpenter Road and Michigan Avenue is closed for sanitary sewer installation until June 30. A detour map is available online. Morgan Road east of Platt road will also see intermittent lane closures through Saturday, April 29 for a private road installation.

Pittsfield Township - Platt Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Bemis Road and Michigan Avenue through September for construction of a non-motorized pathway.

Pittsfield Township - Crane Road: The road between Textile Road and Michigan Avenue will be closed through Wednesday, May 26 for sanitary sewer installation. A detour map is available online.

Pittsfield/Ypsilanti townships - Textile Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures running through Friday, April 21 between Crane Road and Rawsonville Road for forestry and drainage improvements.

Pittsfield Township - Lohr Road: The road will see lane restrictions between Weatherstone Drive and Lohr Circle between April 17 and April 23 for the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk.

Saline Township - Lindsley Road: The road between Hack and Arkona roads will see intermittent lane restrictions between April 17 and April 21 for limestone resurfacing.

Saline Township - Arkona Road: The road between Abel and Case roads will see intermittent lane restrictions between April 17 and April 21 for limestone resurfacing.

Saline Township - Braun Road: The road between Michigan Avenue and Macon Road will see intermittent lane restrictions between April 17 and April 21 for limestone resurfacing.

Saline Township - Macon Road: The road between Hack and Arkona roads will see intermittent lane restrictions between April 17 and April 21 for limestone resurfacing.

Scio Township - Huron River Drive: The road will be closed between Zeeb and Wagner roads for culvert work happening alongside construction of a new segment of the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail through April 19.

Read more: Road closing for Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail construction

Superior Township - Intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Harris Road: The intersection will see intermittent lane restrictions for pedestrian improvements through April 21.

York Township - Hack Road: The road between Maple and Ridge roads will see intermittent lane restrictions through Friday, April 28 for forestry and drainage work. This project has been extended.

York Township - Judd Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions through April 21 for drainage work between Platt Road and U.S. 23 and through April 28 between US. 23 and Carpenter Road.

York Township - Moon Road: The road between Stony Creek Road and Saline-Milan Road will see intermittent lane closures through April 28 for drainage and forestry work.

York Township - Bishop Road: The road between Willis and Moon roads will see intermittent lane closures through April 28 for drainage work.

York Township - Willow Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions west of Moon Road for drainage work through April 28.

Ypsilanti - Clark Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions west of Leforge Road until April 30 for forestry work.

Ypsilanti Township - Ruth Avenue: The avenue will see daytime lane closures between Georgina Street and Hull Avenue for DTE Energy gas line replacement running through November.

Ypsilanti Township - Grand Boulevard: Speed hump replacement will result in daytime lane closures between April 17 and May 5 between Michigan Avenue and Forest Avenue.

Ypsilanti Township - Rue Deauville Boulevard: Speed hump replacement will result in daytime lane closures between April 17 and May 5 between between Holmes and Clark roads.

Ypsilanti Township - Rue Willette Boulevard: Speed hump replacement will result in daytime lane closures between April 17 and May 5 between Rue Deauville Boulevard and Clark Road.

Ypsilanti Township - Sweet Road: Speed hump replacement will result in daytime lane closures between April 17 and May 5 between Holmes and Clark roads.

An updated list of Ann Arbor city street closures is available online here. The weekly Washtenaw County Road Commission schedule is here and the MDOT road closure map is here.

More from The Ann Arbor News:

5-year tax break OKd for rehab of vacant industrial site along I-94

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With 38 miles and counting, Washtenaw Border-to-Border Trail continues to grow

Bulldozed trees angered students, so University of Michigan may tweak $14M rec fields
YPSILANTI, MI -- The second annual Unicorn Festival created an inclusive event, welcoming any families interested in having fun.

Unicorn Feed & Supply held the event at Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., on Saturday, April 15.

Anyone can be a unicorn, owner of Unicorn Feed & Supply, Jen Eastridge, said. That means girls, boys, adults, young people, everyone.

Many guests arrived dressed like a unicorn. Some wore colorful onesies, rainbow tutus, or full-on unicorn costumes.

The festival offered many different activities, including unicorn wand-making, coloring books, snacks, and even a quiet corner for those who may get easily overstimulated.

Vendors like Spun Sugar Detroit and Kona Ice allowed guests to feed their sweet tooth. Dessa the Unicorn Princess ran a sparkle station, decorating cheeks with illuminating glitter. Those waiting to get temporary tattoos danced their hearts out with large balloons and rainbow-filled balls. Drag queen Maxi Chanel played the role of MC, greeting guests and leading the dance party.

The goal of the event was to introduce play and set an example of what it means to love and be loved, Eastridge said.

Our motto is feed your happy place, and thats what this is all about, said Lee Cloutier, Marketing Manager for Eastridge Enterprises. Im so happy to see the joy in so many people today.

With a very small team, the festival took over four months to plan and prepare. Leading up to the event, tickets started at $40, increasing as time went on. On Saturday, April 15, tickets cost $65 per child in order to pay the vendors and staff for putting in their hard work.

Unicorn Feed & Supply will host a fifth birthday party on Saturday, June 10. The free event will happen at the shop, 114 W. Michigan Ave.

Attendees can look forward to seeing the life-size unicorn Reginald Peppercorn receive his golden horseshoes. Kids will also be able to write birthday cards to Reginald.

Events like this are helping us stay alive, as its still a really hard time for brick and mortars, Eastridge said. So I just want to thank the community for sticking with us.

More from the Ann Arbor News:

2 of 3 Ypsilanti refuse trucks have broken down so city puts yard waste pickup on hold

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Ice storm took estimated $2M bite out of public coffers in Washtenaw County
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The Flint areas first music superstore opened here more than 40 years ago, chock-full of customers and boasting a half-million-dollar inventory of records and tapes.

But today, the glitz of the former Grapevine store on North Clio Road is long gone and the tax collector is the new landlord.

Like 788 other homes and businesses in the county, 4161 N. Clio Road has been lost because of past-due property taxes and is likely headed to a foreclosure auction later this year or into the inventory of the county Land Bank.

The property still has a market value of nearly $185,000, making it one of the 10 most valuable on this years foreclosure list, which is shrinking compared to previous years and which contains far less high-value real estate than it used to.

County records show just 789 properties were lost for back taxes this year when owners failed to pay the bills for at least two years and didnt arrange for extensions or payment plans from the Treasurers Office by March 31.

Thats the lowest number of tax foreclosures by the county in more than 20 years with the exception of 2020 when foreclosures were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only 10 properties on the foreclosure list have a market value of at least $149,800 with the highest-value property -- City Center Plaza on North Saginaw Street in Flint -- valued by assessors at $413,000.

Although the numbers are big, they have declined steadily and significantly since 2015 when 2,710 property owners lost their homes, land or businesses.

The stack is getting smaller ..., county Treasurer Deb Cherry said. Were always guessing why the numbers are rising or dropping, but Im hoping this means a better economy.

It may also mean more property owners are getting help.

The county has used a state program -- the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund -- to help income-eligible homeowners make payments toward mortgages and back taxes.

The fund was established through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 to mitigate hardships tied to COVID-19 by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosure as well as the loss of utilities. Michigan received more than $242 million from the federal government for the program that same year.

We hate to foreclose on people and we do help a lot of people, Cherry said. Typically, properties on the foreclosure list are vacant and owners who remain in homes as tax bills mount are below the poverty level and could qualify for assistance, she said.

Hamed Awad, the registered agent for FM Enterprises LLC, said this week that hes continuing to try to make such arrangements to save two commercial properties from foreclosure. The company owned both the former Grapevine store on Clio Road and what was a quick oil-change business that was located near a Meijer store on Pierson Road that has since been demolished.

Awad declined to comment further about the properties, both of which are among the 10 highest-value parcels with unresolved tax delinquencies dating back to at least 2020.

County records show the tax bills for Center City Plaza, 3615 N. Saginaw St., date back to 2016 because of past payment extensions granted by the county.

Center Citys owner is listed in county records as Gerald and Michelle Parker. Federal bankruptcy court records show the couple filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2016 with the case having closed in 2022. Center City was among the assets listed in the bankruptcy filing.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach the Parkers for comment on the strip shopping center.

In addition to Center City and the properties owned by FM Enterprise, parcels at 2408 W. Carpenter Road and 3155 Richfield Road are among other commercial holdings that assessors have assigned the highest values to on this years foreclosure list.

The Carpenter Road property is valued at more than $183,000. Remax & Associates is listed as the owner of the property in county records and a quit claim deed shows it was sold less than three years ago for just $10,000.

The Richfield Road property was owned by Tamara L. Clark, according to the county. Flint Journal files show that in 2015, thieves broke into a commercial building on the same parcel, damaging and stealing property from a home appliance repair company attempting to relocate there.

In addition to the commercial properties, five homes valued at more than $149,000 were also among the highest-value properties on the foreclosure list. Those properties are located at 10169 Van Vleet Road, 4056 S. Henderson Road, 5128 Worchester Drive, 1099 Grand Blanc Road, and 9174 Perry Road.

Those properties will be evaluated in the coming months to determine which will be offered for sale -- some individually and some in bundles containing multiple parcels -- at auctions later this year.

Municipalities also have the option of claiming properties within their borders and unsold parcels end up in the inventory of the county Land Bank.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Genesee treasurer says no foreclosures during coronavirus crisis

Flint fire chief says theres an arsonist at work in the city

First house comes down as Flints massive demolition program gets rolling
FLINT, MI - Goodrich resident Genavieve Linkowski has performed on a national stage before.

But there is one key stage she has yet to perform on and thats in her hometown area.

The former American Idol contestant is set to make her debut at the Capitol Theatre in Flint on Friday, May 12, opening for musician Michael W. Smith at 7:30 p.m.

This is surreal, Linkowski told MLive-The Flint Journal. I have never seen the place, but Ive seen videos and pictures and it is outstandingly beautiful. Im really, really excited to be on that stage.

Linkowski made appearances on American Idol in both 2018 and 2020. Despite falling short, she caught the attention of many people around the country.

Her fight through losing her sister due to a car accident has been well-chronicled, and Linkowskis determination is still at the forefront today.

She has partnered with Michigan-based producer Zachary Schossau and formed a band with seven members.

Linkowski linked up with Schossau at a music festival and they followed each other on social media before finally teaming up.

She pieced together a song with him called To be in love that she plans to sing at the Capitol, calling it one of her favorites. She plans on releasing new music and is available for bookings at genavievemusic.com, where Linkowski said shes known for worship music.

Linkowski has multiple videos on YouTube with millions of views, including a cover song performance of Whitney Houstons I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) that has 2.7M views.

Its beautiful seeing what God is doing with her, Tamara Linkowski, Genavieves mother, said. Just watching your kid blossom like a flower and she is excited about what the future holds.

Genesee County residents get 30% off ticket prices, with the discount applied at checkout. Tickets can be purchased here.

The president of FIM reached out to us and said he likes Genavieve and her music, Tamara said.

When Linkowski steps on stage at the Capitol, it might not have the audience reach of American Idol, but there is significance of performing in her hometown area.

We are honored to have been asked to go there, she said.

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Yellowstone National Park bison advocates are at odds over whether the killing of more than 1,100 of the animals by tribal members this winter is a hunt, a harvest or a slaughter.

How in the world is this buffalo population supposed to survive all these people coming to kill them? questioned Jaedin Medicine Elk, a Northern Cheyenne tribal member and cofounder of Roam Free Nation.

The killing of bison was extensive this winter because deep snow and extended cold weather forced as many as 1,600 bison to migrate outside the park in search of food. Hundreds moved into the Gardiner Basin, past the parks North Entrance, stepping into a firing line of mostly tribal hunters waiting near Beattie Gulch and Eagle Creek.

Boundaries

The removal of so many bison from the nations only wild, free-roaming herd  last estimated at 6,000 animals  has once again drawn national and international criticism to the region. Last year the killing of 24 park wolves that wandered outside Yellowstones boundaries brought condemnation.

The bison brouhaha comes as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers a request to list the animals as an endangered or threatened species. In addition, the National Park Service is working to update its bison management plan, which was written in 2000 with fellow Inter-Agency Bison Management Plan members.

Word choice

The bison advocacy group Roam Free Nation and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies paid for billboards in seven Montana cities decrying the tribal bison killing as a slaughter. That prompted the Buffalo Field Campaign to issue a press release denouncing the use of the term.

Slaughter is a word more appropriate to what Euro-Americans did, Buffalo Field Campaign argued, when millions of bison were killed only for their hides and the species was nearly exterminated.

It is perfectly fine to point out that the harvest this season is not a sustainable harvest, and many Tribal members would agree with you on this point, BFC wrote. To call it a 'slaughter,' however, is to minimize what happened in the 19th century and is incredibly disrespectful  if not actually racist  of the situation the Tribes have been placed in by the state of Montana's heavy hand on the scales of bison management.

BFC went on to argue use of the word hunting when applied to tribal bison killing is a mismatch of terminology based in a European tradition that includes trophy hunting. Instead, the group sees tribal bison killing as an honorable harvest that goes beyond the act of taking the bisons life, calling it a relational process that scorns the glorification indulged in by hunters who pose for photographs with their kill.

So please, out of respect for our 'elders,' let's stop conflating hunting with harvest, or trying to impose colonial ideas like fair chase on honorable harvest, BFC wrote.

The Nez Perce Tribe alone accounted for more than 400 recorded bison kills, the most of any of the eight tribes involved. A rough estimate of the amount of boned-out meat from that many bison totaled more than 61,000 pounds, or about 17 pounds of meat for each of the 3,500 enrolled members of the tribe. For comparison, an average deer may yield around 50 pounds of boned meat.

Calls and emails to the Nez Perce for this story were not returned.

The Northern Arapaho and Blackfeet said their bison hunting season will last until April 30, according to a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks spokesman, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have a year-round season.

Montana-licensed hunters killed 75 bison. Another 100 bison deaths are classified as unknown for not being formally reported by a tribe. Together with trapping conducted by the Park Service to enlist disease-free bison in its live transfer program to tribes, more than 1,500 bison have been removed from the population.

The Park Service consigned 88 bison to slaughter, a practice it is attempting to move away from with its quarantine and live transfer program. Its unknown what the bison death toll may be from winterkill.

Another 800 are being held in Park Service corrals for release as soon as conditions are favorable, a park spokesperson said. Snow still encases Yellowstone, despite the calendar saying it is spring, making it difficult for bison that choose to migrate back into the park to find nourishment.

Appropriate use

Stephany Seay, a former Buffalo Field Campaign member who has helped organize Roam Free Nation, said use of the word slaughter is completely appropriate in the wake of so many park bison being killed, mostly by tribal members.

In general I think their (BFCs) language is completely human-centric and offers no consideration for the buffalo, she said. I think BFC has lost sight of what is actually happening to the buffalo and focusing way too much on human interests.

Thats a line of thinking echoed by conservationist George Wuerthner. In a posting on The Wildlife News website, he argued the tribal killing of bison is having significant ecological impacts.

The tribal hunters removal of biomass (bison) is essentially strip mining food that would feed native species, from scavengers like ravens and coyotes to predators like grizzlies to wolves, Wuerthner wrote.

He and Seay both argue that the removal of bison could also affect the animals social behavior, everything from breeding and fidelity to a loss of learned knowledge about the best places to graze or when to migrate.

Legal argument

Wuerthner is also arguing the hunts are not even legal and is chastising other conservation organizations for not speaking out against the liberal killing of bison. He wrote that although courts have ruled in favor of tribal rights to hunt on ceded lands, none of the tribes occupied and used lands near Gardiner over an "extended period of time."

That viewpoint contradicts Yellowstone National Parks stance, which acknowledges the region was utilized from around 1400 to 1700 by the ancestors of many contemporary tribes. The Park Service recognizes 26 tribes associated with Yellowstone.

University of Montana associate professor of law Kekek Stark pointed to several court rulings acknowledging tribal rights.

When a Tribe contends that it used and occupied an area since time immemorial, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that this contention is sufficient proof of Indian title or the right of occupancy because an accepted principle of federal Indian law is that Indian Nations held aboriginal title to the territories, Stark wrote in an email.

Tom Woodbury, of Buffalo Field Campaign, cited a different argument in upholding tribal hunting rights to Yellowstone bison.

The U.S. may not claim that off-reservation treaty rights no longer apply to areas where their own policy extirpated the subject of the treaties; i.e., bison, he wrote in an email.

He went on to argue, "As a matter of law and basic human rights, the Tribes have inherent jurisdiction over their aboriginal food source. It is ethnic genocide to deprive them of that most sacred relationship."

Agreement

One thing all of the disputing parties agree on is that Montanas current management of Yellowstone bison is broken. The animals are the only wildlife in the state regulated by the Montana Department of Livestock.

Thats because the animals may carry brucellosis, which can cause pregnant cattle to abort. Elk also carry brucellosis but are allowed to roam freely. Their management is overseen by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks which tries to keep elk and cattle separated, especially in the spring when its believed transmission of the disease is most likely to occur.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens have cited people for shooting into elk herds, but people are shooting into bison herds as soon as they set one foot into Montana in the narrow Beattie Gulch hunting trap with no consequences, said Mike Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. The state of Montana needs to let bison roam throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and let Fish, Wildlife & Parks manage them to have a sustainable population, just like they do with elk.

Buffalo Field Campaign agreed.

The problem is the restrictions placed on natural migration of buffalo in the Yellowstone ecosystem, and the artificially low population of Yellowstone bison that has resulted from decades of shipping them to slaughter and sacrificing our national mammal and keystone species on the altar of Montana's livestock industry, BFC wrote.

Wuerthner goes even further, saying tribal members are essentially doing the bidding of the Montana livestock industry, which seeks to bottle up Yellowstone bison in the park based on the exaggerated threat of brucellosis transmission to cattle.

In the end, though, Seay said, It doesn't matter who is doing the killing or why, a dead buffalo is a dead buffalo.
UPDATE: Michigan State Police have announced that the missing man was found.

Michigan State Police troopers in Jackson County are asking for the publics help in locating an elderly man who has been missing since early Sunday, April 16.

Steven McCarthy, 68 of Munith, was last seen walking in the area of Coon Hill Road near M-106 Sunday morning. Hes known to suffer from memory issues, according to a Michigan State Police press release, and is considered a missing and endangered person.

McCarthy is a white male, 58 tall and 165 pounds with white hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tan polo shirt, black sweatpants, brown boots and was carrying a large walking stick and a gallon of water.

State police are asking anyone who has seen McCarthy or who has additional information related to his disappearance to contact the Michigan State Police Jackson Post at 517-780-4580.

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CASS COUNTY, MI -- Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a rollover crash that sent a young man to the hospital Saturday morning, police said.

At about 8:40 a.m. April 15, deputies from the Cass County Sheriffs Office responded to a rollover crash on Yankee Street near Wolfe Street in Howard Township -- western Cass County.

Early investigative findings indicate an SUV driven by an 18-year-old Edwardsburg man left the road before it hit a tree and overturned, police said.

The 18-year-old was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital by ambulance to be treated for minor injuries, police said. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Howard Township Fire Department and Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service. The crash remains under investigation.

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VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A Hartford man was taken into custody on a slew of charges after leading police on a high-speed chase, Van Buren County sheriffs deputies said.

The 28-year-old Hartford man was arrested Saturday, April 15, for a third-offense of operating while intoxicated, fleeing police, and driving with a revoke license.

The pending charges stem from a crash in Hartford Township.

A sheriffs deputy was on patrol on County Road 687 near I-94 when a Nissan Titan was driving southbound and crossed the centerline and narrowly missed the officers patrol car.

Police tried to pull the driver over, but he fled. A pursuit lasted several minutes with speeds reaching more than 100 miles per hour.

Police said the driver was unable to navigate a turn, crashed into a hill, and was taken into custody.

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The legislature was back in session for the first time since March this week and it didnt waste any time when it came to moving on major Democratic policy wants.

This included signing into law two of three major policy wants on gun control on April 13, exactly two months after a lone gunman opened fire on Michigan State University, killing three students and wounding five others.

And while the third piece is still awaiting further legislative approval, lawmakers also signed off on just over $400 million in funding for electric vehicle projects across the state, heard testimony on updating Michigans texting and driving laws and took steps toward making it easier for military and overseas voters to cast ballots in elections.

If you missed out on any of this news  and with the weather being what it was this past week, I dont necessarily blame you  heres a quick refresher.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs off on a series of gun control-related bills implementing universal background checks on the sale of all firearms in Michigan and mandating they are safely stored around minors on Thursday, April 13, at Michigan State University (MLive | Simon Schuster).

Dems make big moves on gun legislation

Early Thursday, April 13, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed off on a handful of bills requiring safely storage of firearms and ammunition around minors while also mandating universal background checks in the sale of all firearms in Michigan.

Gun violence is a scourge that is unique to this country, and thats why were taking action, Whitmer told a packed conference room Thursday. Across the nation, too many criminals have an easy time getting their hands on guns and perpetuating cycles of violence, endangering families and law enforcement. ... This uniquely American problem, we are working and taking steps, today, to address.

As none of the signed bills received immediate effect when in the legislature, these policies will not be enforceable until 90 days after lawmakers adjourn for the legislative year.

Once the law takes effect, however, every person buying a gun in the state will need to undergo a background check for any firearm purchased in order to obtain a license.

READ MORE: Housing, infrastructure and the environment: Whats next on the agenda for Michigan Democrats?

The bills also spell out a number of penalties for failing to abide by the new law, including the requirements to first be eligible to undergo a background check for licensing.

Its the same for the safe storage legislation signed, which outlines how a person should lock up their guns and ammunition when children are present.

As for penalties, someone could be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than 93 days in jail, a fine at most $500, or both, if a minor obtains the firearm due to improper storage. Imprisonment time and fines increase dramatically should a child then hurt or kill someone by way of an improperly stored firearm.

Missing from the signing conversation, however, is the last piece of Democrats current gun policy wants: Extreme risk protection orders, otherwise known as red flag laws.

READ MORE: Old convictions automatically erased for 1 million Michiganders under clean slate law

The most contentious policy of the three, House lawmakers voted the bills out of the lower chamber Thursday, teeing up senators to take a vote on the package as soon as next week.

House Bills 4145, 4146, 4147 and 4148 would collectively create the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act and outline how the red flag process would work in Michigan. An order, if granted, would last one year and could be modified in order to end the period early or extend if needed.

Lawmakers also gave a partisan OK to Senate Bill 83 Thursday, which is a near mirror of HB 4145. The main difference between the two comes down to where a protection order can be filed. Under the Senates version, a person could file one in any Michigan county, much like how personal protection orders currently operate.

The Houses version, however, would limit the filing venue to a county meeting one of four criteria: where the requester lives, the location of the requesters workplace, where the respondent lives or where the respondent works.

A sign prohibits parking except for electric vehicles while charging at Clackamas Town Center mall on Tues., Jan. 24, 2023.Dave Killen / The Oregonian

EV projects see millions. Gotion? Not so much.

Lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee voted overwhelmingly to award $410 million in state funding to two electric vehicle battery projects from Ford and Our Next Energy.

Ford received a $210 million state grant to support its proposed $3.5 billion, 2,500-job battery plant in Marshall County. The project also got a 15-year tax break worth $774 million plus $630 million from a supplemental budget bill for site prep work and a $120 million grant for land acquisition.

A $200 million grant was awarded to Our Next Energy for a $1.6 billion electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Wayne County. The Detroit startup expects to create 2,112 jobs at the factory in the Charter Township of Van Buren.

Absent from that allocation, however, was a third battery manufacturer  Gotion, Inc.  which has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks for its ties to China and its government.

Gotion, for its part, has maintained it is not held to the same standards as its parent company  Gotion High Tech  which in its own bylaws require loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.

READ MORE: Senate Democrats propose moving Michigan to 100% clean energy by 2035

There is no communist plot within Gotion to make Big Rapids a center to spread communism, Chuck Thelen, Gotions vice president of North American operations, told Green Charter Township residents in early April.

The company was set to receive $175 million from the state for a $2.4 billion battery parts plant in Mecosta County. The project, which also received a 30-year tax break valued at $530 million, is expected to create 2,350 jobs by 2030.

Though lawmakers voted against the move on April 13, it wouldnt stop the company from potentially coming back to the committee in search of further funding.

Thats also not to say Gotion was the only one to receive pushback on their project, either.

Fords move to erect a 950-acre development in Marshall Township received sharp outcry from residents, who are concerned the project will destroy historic farmsteads while scarring the natural landscape.

The voting buttons at a desk in the Michigan House of Representatives in Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

And in other Capitol news...

Though guns dominated the conversation in Lansing this week, there was no shortage of other work being done on the likes of voting rights, maternal mortality rates and road safety.

Senators on the upper chambers Election Committee voted unanimously on April13 to send a bill to the chambers floor which would give military and overseas voters more time to return their ballots in all future elections.

Military and overseas voters, of which Michigan had more than 21,000 in the last presidential election, are currently treated like any other voters: Their absentee ballots must be at their local clerks office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Under the Senate Bill 259, these voters ballots would be counted if postmarked by Election Day. Ballots then must be received within six days after the election.

RELATED: Will Ann Arbor voters take advantage of new early voting option? City seeks feedback

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist also sat down to talk shop with MLive reporter Alyssa Burr on the administrations Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, initiative.

The project is aimed at tackling racial disparities within Michigan that have lead to a high rate of Black mothers dying in childbirth, both in-state and across the nation.

Whitmer first proposed the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies in her 2020 State of the State address. In the years since, the state has expanded Medicaid coverage from a 60-day post-partum period up to a year, provided doula services for Medicaid recipients and invested funds into doula training to ensure care throughout the state.

The latest data from the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Program is from 2019, so its currently unclear what effects these programs had on maternal mortality rates, if any.

READ MORE: Far from vanilla: Gerald Ford is consequential, relevant in new biography

House lawmakers this week also took a look at updating Michigans anti-texting and driving statute, calling current law not modern enough.

Its currently illegal to text and drive in Michigan, though it is not illegal to use a cell phone or other electronic device to send messages, video chat or use social media.

A bipartisan three-bill package  House Bill 4250, HB 4251 and HB 4252  would update Michigans existing anti-texting and driving laws to also include using any electronic device for things like streaming, using social media sites or making video calls.

If enacted, Michigan would become the 26th state to implement hands-free driving laws. The bills are still in the House Committee on Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure where they await a vote.

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LANSING, MI  Is now the time to revive polluter pay?

Emboldened by majorities in the House and Senate, Michigan Democrats are developing legislation to revise state law with an eye toward preventing pollution and holding bad actors accountable for the release of harmful substances.

No bills have yet come forth, but legislative leaders say the time is right to revisit polluter pay, a catchy phrase in environmental policy circles that generally means entities which cause contamination or benefit from polluted property should pay to clean it up, not taxpayers.

In broad strokes, its a simple notion. But it can be devilishly hard in practice, thanks to amendments written into Michigan environmental law over the past 30 years which limit liability for property owners and allow pollution to remain as long as steps are taken to keep people away from it.

In Michigan, regulators estimate there are roughly 24,000 known contamination sites and taxpayers are on the hook for managing or remediating about half of them. The properties range from old dry cleaners and gas stations to former automotive factories and industrial suppliers, tanneries, chemical plants, military bases and more.

Supporters of limited liability argue its put many blighted, contaminated properties back on the tax rolls by reducing redevelopment costs. That was the goal of Republicans in the mid-1990s, who rolled back Michigans once-strict liability standard to protect property buyers and promote redevelopment during Gov. John Englers administration.

On the flip side, strict liability advocates argue the weakened law shifted the cost burden to taxpayers and shoved cleanup responsibility onto future generations, creating sacrifice zones along the way where Michigans natural ecosystem is just written off as unsalvageable.

Legislative Democrats who have taken up the polluter pay mantle say theyre looking for a compromise, but threading a line between those two camps may not be easy.

Its something that were definitely working on here in my office, said Sen. Jeff Irwin, a Democrat from Ann Arbor who put forth polluter pay legislation which did not receive a hearing under previous Republican-controlled legislatures.

Were looking at Part 201, were looking at pollution prevention opportunities and how can we put forward a package that could protect clean water, project clean air going forward but also garner a majority of votes in the House and Senate and get the governors support, Irwin said.

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What type of policy changes around pollution liability Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, would support is unknown. Liability advocates see cause for worry in her embrace of manufacturing, an industrial sector which can drive economic growth and employment but which also is known for causing severe contamination and taking aggressive steps to foil pollution controls by lobbying for laws which ease cleanups.

The governors communications staff did not reply to a request for comment last week about prospective legislation.

What Republicans might support could be inferred from their track record, but it nonetheless remains an open question. Communications staff for Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, also did not respond to a media inquiry.

I think the Michigan Manufacturers Association and the chamber have a lot of sway with Democrats and the governors office, said Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer at the Michigan Environmental Council. I know there is a chunk of the Democratic legislature and some folks in the administration who would not look kindly upon something that the manufacturers or other big businesses would have issues with.

Jameson, whose organization represents many state environmental groups, worries that new legislation wont include strict liability or require full cleanup, giving a false appearance that weve done polluter pay, when we havent.

Strict liability chilled redevelopment, opponents argue

What polluter pay advocates say they want is, essentially, a return to state law as it existed 30 years ago, when, from 1990 to 1995, Michigan enforced strict joint and several liability.

That standard, among strictest in the nation, meant any operators or property owners where contamination occurred could be held liable for cleanup, even if they were only minimally involved or came after the pollution release. Additionally, hazardous material producers and transporters could be held liable if they dealt with the site.

The Michigan Environmental Response Act (MERA) was a counterpart to the federal Superfund law, CERCLA, but it also went further by applying to petroleum products exempted under federal law. Causation was inconsequential. The thinking was that if a property buyer benefited from the property, they should also contribute to cleaning it up.

Deterrence was also part of the appeal. During five years in the early 1990s, people who owned businesses, entities who knew that they were going to be held accountable, behaved differently, Lana Pollack, a former state senator from Washtenaw County who authored the 1990 law, told WEMU-FM in the wake of a toxic discharge that nearly polluted the Huron River last year. Theres nothing like liability  fair liability  for polluters to make people think ahead of time and take steps and provisions so that they dont pollute.

Then, in 1995, Republican legislators overhauled MERA and created Part 201 of the states Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The changes eased liability and cleanup standards. Property buyers could avoid liability by performing a baseline environmental assessment and providing that to state regulators. Pollution could remain under many circumstances so long as controls were put in place to reduce peoples exposure to it.

The goal was to promote brownfield redevelopments and reduce remediation costs by enabling financial incentives for developers; putting liability on those who did the polluting, not innocent buyers who were being scared off.

There was a huge inventory of old abandoned sites and nobody would buy them because if they did, they were responsible for the contamination, said Grant Trigger, a longtime Michigan environmental attorney who manages General Motors site cleanups for RACER Trust.

The trust remediates and markets old GM sites offloaded during the company bankruptcy, one of which is the 350-acre former Buick City complex in Flint, which is being redeveloped with state incentives by Ashley Capital, a major U.S. private real estate investment firm.

That would be impossible under a strict liability law, he argued.

Why do you think we can sell property to somebody like Ashley Capital in Flint and they are willing to buy it? Trigger said. Because they are not liable for contamination.

Trigger and organizations like the Michigan Manufacturers Association argue that existing law already gives state regulators authority to order cleanups when releases happen and pursue costs from entities which caused pollution.

Contaminated property buyers arent completely off the hook under Part 201. They have a due care obligation to protect people from contamination on their property  a legal requirement that often includes fencing-off contaminated areas and capping them with clay, soil or asphalt.

Existing law is polluters pay, Trigger said.

To me, theres a complete disconnect here that somehow or another, you can find a way to fund cleanups on orphaned sites by changing the liability structure under the existing law and not impose a penalty on innocent people, Trigger said. Because, if the responsible parties, the guilty ones, are already responsible, who else do have to add to the list?

Risk-based approach carries latent dangers

Critics, however, say the practical outcome of easing liability to benefit real estate transaction has been a growing universe of contaminated sites which are not cleaned up, or which Michigan taxpayers eventually pay to remediate.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) says about 3,100 of the states estimated 24,000 contamination sites have been remediated and redeveloped in the past 30 years. About 11,000 are toxic orphans where the state is responsible for assessment and managing cleanup through a mixture of regular appropriations, federal funds and bond financing.

Regulators can only address a fraction of those and many carry unknown risks. Not all have been discovered. Last spring, a century-old underground fuel storage tank nobody knew existed at a steel factory in Flat Rock prompted an emergency response when it began leaking into the Huron River.

The state often discovers new sites through the required baseline assessment during property transactions. About 1,200 to 1,500 of those are submitted annually and they offer a snippet which doesnt tend to tell us the nature and extent of that contamination and all the exposure pathways that may be there, said Joshua Mosher, assistant remediation division director at EGLE.

What happened in 1995 is that a lot of people walked away from the obligations they no longer had to clean up sites, Mosher said. We got a lot of letters which said you never demonstrated I caused this  because we didnt have to at the time That left us with a lot of this legacy.

In addition to a move away from strict liability, lawmakers also changed the requirements for cleanups. Rather than cleaning up all contamination to the point where it could no longer be detected, a new risk-based approach was allowed. Contamination could be left in place under some type of engineered control and/or remediated to pre-determined levels based on complicated calculations which differed based on property use. More pollution could be left under a factory building versus a housing development, for example.

In many cases, you dont have to clean up a release of hazardous substances anymore, said Stanley Skip Pruss, a former state administrator and advisor to the Traverse City nonprofit For Love of Water (FLOW) who represented the state attorney generals office in a legislative workgroup that helped develop the 1990s liability law.

You can rely on institutional controls. You can get a local ordinance passed or simply file a restrictive covenant with the Register of Deeds, Pruss said. By doing that, youre also saying to future generation, youve got to be mindful of this migrating plume, which is ever expanding, ever affecting new uncontaminated areas.

A key danger, critics say, is that some pollutants are now known to be more dangerous than previously thought and leaving them in place amounts to ignoring a ticking time bomb.

Half the state gets their water from groundwater and here we are, just writing off aquifers left and right because were allowing corporations to pollute them, said Jameson.

The dangers go beyond drinking water. Certain pollutants, such as perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene, are now known to volatilize into toxic soil gas that can enter buildings through poorly sealed basements. The threat from such vapor intrusion has driven a nationwide re-examination of toxic sites in the past decade  many of them small sites such as old dry cleaners, auto repair shops, and gas stations that went out of business and left orphaned pollution behind.

Michigan began to take steps to address poison vapor risks in 2016 following high profile residential evacuations in Grand Rapids and Detroit, which were sparked by improved technology that could detect lower levels soil gas levels and new toxicity studies which showed that very low levels of exposure were more hazardous than previously thought.

A similar dynamic has arisen with PFAS chemicals, which werent on EGLE radar until about 2010 and werent being actively searched for until 2018  after Wolverine Worldwide tannery PFAS pollution began showing up in Kent County drinking water. Advances in scientific understanding have driven safe exposure levels to PFAS chemicals in drinking water down to nearly undetectable levels.

In Kent County, Wolverine is capping its infamous tannery dump under a negotiated settlement with the state but the remediation project does not involve actually cleaning up its huge PFAS plume. Homeowners no longer drink the groundwater because the company has paid for municipal water extensions but the contaminants are still leaching into the Rogue River.

The state does pursue liable parties for contamination, but polluters can often draw out cleanups by doing minimal work through voluntary programs allowed under Part 201.

Sometimes a recalcitrant polluter must be sued in court, which can drag out remediation for years. In Ann Arbor, 1,4 dioxane from the former Gelman Sciences property has made vast swaths of local groundwater unsafe to drink.

The contamination was found in the 1980s but legal battles to compel cleanup in court continue.

Source control is the most important thing in the entire cleanup program, Pruss said. If you address the source of contaminants you are preventing later volatilization, contamination of groundwater; and, essentially, you dont have to do that anymore.

Legislative leaders says polluter accountability is a priority

In Lansing, Irwin said past iterations of polluter pay legislation under the Republican regime is an indicator of his direction but its not clear if the bills will resurrect strict liability.

I dont think the decision has been made yet, he said.

Michigans current brownfield program doesnt really tickle my fancy, but I have to acknowledge that there have been some ways its been very effective, he said.

If youve got a polluted piece of property that is brought back into productive use and the public health has been protected and that all has happened with new private money from a new entity that gets reimbursed through their future taxes  thats not an ideal scenario, Irwin said. Id much rather have the original polluter be held to account; but oftentimes, they have escaped behind the corporate veil and theres just no way to get resources out of them. And, at that point, sometimes youre left with, you know, maybe something that is not as ideologically pure, but is more practically effective.

Whether or not strict liability returns, advocates say there are ways to shift the coast burden away from taxpayers and potentially find middle ground on the issue.

New financial surety obligations for companies which handle hazardous material similar to those already imposed on landfills, or pooled financial instruments paid into by operators similar to an existing state fund that underground petroleum storage tank cleanups could serve as models for raising funding for cleanups that arent paid for with tax dollars.

Finding a solution wont be an easy task, but Democratic legislative leaders say its a priority.

For those of us from Kent County who have dealt with the ramifications from PFAS contaminants in our water, the consequences of corporate pollution are all too real. Holding polluters accountable has and remains a key policy priority for Democrats in the Legislature, said Sen. Winnie Brinks, senate majority leader from Grand Rapids.

With our new majority, the time is right to enact policies that hold bad actors accountable when they treat our environment like a personal dumping ground, Brinks said, in a statement. Senators are hard at work putting bills together, and the next step will be a robust committee process to ensure proposed legislation is both effective and enforceable.

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Air strikes and artillery exchanges rocked the Sudanese capital Saturday as paramilitaries and the regular army traded attacks on each other's bases, days after the army warned the country was at a "dangerous" turning point.

The paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place as well as Khartoum airport, claims denied by the army, as civilian leaders called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent the country's "total collapse".

The doctors' union said three civilians had been killed, including at Khartoum airport and in North Kordofan state, and at least nine others wounded.

The eruption of violence came after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.

The army said it had carried out air strikes against RSF bases in Khartoum. "The Sudanese air force destroyed Tiba and Soba camps," it said in a statement.

Regular army soldiers deploy in Khartoum as fighting with a rival paramilitary force rages elsewhere in the Sudanese capital. By - (AFP)

Military leader Burhan has been at loggerheads with his number two, the RSF commander, over talks to finalise a deal to return the country to civilian rule and end the crisis sparked by their 2021 coup.

The RSF said its forces had taken control of Khartoum airport, after witnesses reported seeing truckloads of fighters entering the airport compound, as well as the presidential palace and other key sites.

Its claims were quickly denied by the army, who said the airport and other bases remain under their "full control", publishing a photograph of black smoke billowing from what it said was the RSF headquarters.

The army also accused the paramilitaries of burning civilian airliners at the airport, and Saudi flag carrier Saudia said it had suspended all flights to and from Sudan until further notice after one of its Airbus A330 planes "was involved in an accident".

RSF chief Daglo vowed no let-up. "We will not stop fighting until we capture all the army bases and the honourable members of the armed forces join us," he told Al Jazeera.

'Sweeping attack'

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By (AFP)

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

A plan to integrate the RSF into the regular army is one of the key points of contention, analysts have said.

Eleventh-hour haggling between the two men has twice forced postponement of the signing of an agreement with civilian factions setting out a roadmap for the transition.

Witnesses also reported clashes around the state media building in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman, as well near Burhan's residence and in Khartoum North.

Outside the capital, witness Eissa Adam said explosions and gunfire had been heard across the North Darfur state capital of El Fasher, where civilians were hunkered down inside their homes.

The two sides traded blame for starting the fighting.

Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) pictured in 2019: the unit emerged from the Janjaweed militia of Darfur. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

The RSF said they were "surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps", reporting a "sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons".

Army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah said the paramilitaries launched the fighting, attacking "several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan".

"Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country", he added.

'Slipping into abyss'

The military's civilian interlocutors called on both sides "to immediately cease hostilities and spare the country slipping into the abyss of total collapse."

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, pictured on December 5, 2022. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

Their plea was echoed by US ambassador John Godfrey, who tweeted that he "woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting" and was "currently sheltering in place with the embassy team, as Sudanese throughout Khartoum and elsewhere are doing".

"Escalation of tensions within the military component to direct fighting is extremely dangerous. I urgently call on senior military leaders to stop the fighting," he said.

The head of the United Nations mission in Sudan Volker Perthes called for an "immediate" ceasefire.

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, pictured on June 8, 2022. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

"Perthes has reached out to both parties asking them for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people and to spare the country from further violence," the UN mission said.

Western governments had been warning of the dangers of all-out fighting between the rival security forces since the army issued its warning to the paramilitaries on Thursday.

In recent months, Daglo has said the 2021 coup was a "mistake" that failed to bring about change in Sudan and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime, which was ousted by the army in 2019 following month of mass protests.

Burhan, a career soldier from northern Sudan who rose the ranks under Bashir's three-decade rule, maintained that the coup was "necessary" to bring more groups into the political process.
Many NPP politicians and supporters claim that "if Mahama returns as the NDC's flag bearer for a second time, he will fail and the NPP will win." That's fine, but the issue is whether Mahama's second coming will allow the NDC to move into opposition, in which case the NPP should be pleased. This assertion implies that they are aware that Mahama is more capable, clever, and hardworking than Akufo Addo, and that his second arrival would consequently be a threat to the NPP.

The Ghanaian media faces the same social issues as the majority of Ghanaians, including hypocrisy, lies, and deception, making it difficult for them to uncover the truth, fortunately, I have no concern about losing my job and since I am not employed by any media company, I write the truth. If someone's second bid for president will cost the political party, why shouldn't the NPP leaders wouldnt be thrilled about it? Instead, this has become their top issue of worry.



The assertion made by NPP politicians that Mahama is the party's weakest link is simply untrue and deceptive because no NDC politician has a chance of winning the 2024 presidential race than Mahama, the party's presidential nominee.

If Akufo Addo had even one-tenth of John Mahama's intelligence, he wouldn't have embarrassed himself in this manner as president, therefore in my opinion it is sinful for anyone to draw comparisons between him and the former president of Ghana. Tribalism, hate, and animosity have played a big role in the under-appreciation of Mahama's successes, hardworking, and effective leadership. Every serious and wise Ghanaian is aware of that because Akufo Addo has been a saw in the flesh.

As I used to say, "Whatever happens to me, benefits me," I believe Mahama's loss to Akufo Addo in the 2016 presidential election was a good thing that has helped him now. Ghanaians would not have witnessed Akufo Addo's violent and aggressively corruptible nature, incompetence, and arrogance, if that hadn't occurred. An intelligent leader who wants to run a successful government will not appoint his relative as finance minister, unless an unwise with the intention to loot the nation.

The fact that the NPP politicians are facing the threat of defeat, disappointment, and loss in the 2024 elections due to Akufo Addo's incompetence, they want to incite violence so that Mahama would be held accountable. Why would Bryan Acheampong assert that the NPP will never hand over power to the NDC and that the party will disintegrate? It is because they are aware that the NPP has failed as a political party and that their chance of success is very dim.

Considering all the unmet promises and the horrible things Akufo Addo said about John Mahama, the disgrace the NPP is attempting to avoid has already befallen them, exposing the incompetence of Akufo Addo as the worst president in the history of Ghanaian politics. Since he failed to protect the public's funds and instead institutionalized corruption by allowing people who were deeply involved in it to continue in his administration, Akufo Addo topped the list for both incompetence and corruption.

The actual reason Ghanaians, including politicians from the NPP, especially Akufo Addo, are terrified of John Mahama's second coming is that he would come and fix the economy, and in a year or two, they will see the changes that will also reveal Akufo Addo as the least effective leader in Ghana's political history. Considering his accomplishments in Ghana as vice president and then president, John Mahama should be considered a genius; nevertheless, because Akufo Addo was unable to accomplish the same, many people are envious of and hostile toward Mahama.

If the NDC is duped into buying into this foolishness and decides to make a change by removing Mahama as the party's standard bearer, that would be their biggest error. The NPP continues to spread misleading information while being well aware that no one has the chance to defeat Mahama in a presidential election. The intelligent ones among Ghanaians must avoid these political ruses and swindles by the NPP. You can see how harmful the current government may be by looking at fake prepared media banners by those who are making false statements against John Mahama.



The NPP politicians that claim that the government will break the 8th cycle sound like fools. In 2016, when Ghana was at its best with a flexible economy, Akufo Addo claimed that Mahama is incompetent, therefore, he will make Ghana better, and the fools among Ghanaians believed his lies and deception. So if the NPP government has destroyed Ghana beyond remedy, how can they break the 8th cycle? I will only agree if they claim that the NDC will break their incompetence.
American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat is the subject of two major exhibitions in Paris this spring, one focusing on music, the other on his collaboration with Andy Warhol.

As short as it was, the life of Basquiat (1960-1988) produced an incredible number of creative periods, styles and artworks.

Covering the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, two new exhibitions at the Philharmonie de Paris and the Louis Vuitton Foundation offer fresh insight into how music, pop art and his Afro-Caribbean heritage informed the artist's work.

From sound to sight

Music was a key influence on Basquiat, from the songs his Haitian father played him, to his formative years in a band, and his deep interest in diverse African-American and African genres.

With its show "Basquiat Soundtracks", the Philharmonie delves into the relationship between Basquiat's keen interest in music and his visual art.

From bebop to jazz and later hip-hop, music from Black Atlantic culture  comprising African, American, British and Caribbean influences  were especially key in the painter's life and work.

The Philharmonie describes the exhibition as a feast for the ears as well as the eyes, presenting Basquiat's artworks alongside musical instruments and audiovisual media.

Basquiat emerged as a self-proclaimed poet, musician, DJ and artist in late-1970s New York, using the street as a canvas for his words.

At the time, the city was the hotbed for two surging musical movements: avant-garde "no wave" and soon-to-explode hip-hop.

Click on the arrow below to see slideshow:

Basquiat was then the unofficial leader of the underground band Gray. He frequented New York's downtown clubs, sharing stages and dancefloors with a generation of punk-influenced artists experimenting with new forms of performance and expression.

At the same time, Basquiat embraced emerging hip-hop culture, inspired by Black history and struggles. He even teamed up with rapper friends to produce a 1983 single, "Beat Bop", complete with original cover art.

Jazz and especially the music of Charlie Parker also had a key place in Basquiat's paintings, used as references in many of his early paintings.

Basquiat meets Warhol

At the Louis Vuitton Foundation, it is Basquiat's work with pop art pioneer Andy Warhol that takes pride of place in "Basquiat x Warhol. Painting four hands".

Between 1984 and 1985 especially, Basquiat and Warhol created around 160 paintings together, including some of the largest works of their respective careers.

Fellow New York artist Keith Haring, who witnessed their collaboration, described a conversation occurring through painting, instead of words.

"Andy would start one [painting] and put something very recognisable on it, or a product logo, and I would sort of deface it," Basquiat said of their creative process.

"Then I would try to get him to work some more on it."

The exhibition also features are individual works by Basquiat and Warhol, as well as other artists from the downtown New York art scene of the mid-1980s.

African energy

Some of Basquiat's most powerful work relates deeply to his Haitian origins and African inspiration.

At the Louis Vuitton Foundation, the large sculpture "Ten Punching Bags (Last Supper)" and the 8-metre canvas "African Mask" particularly stand out.

Produced between 1985 and 1986 but never exhibited while neither Basquiat or Warhol were alive, "Ten Punching Bags (Last Supper)" evokes the lynchings of African-Americans.

"African Masks" is the most monumental work in the exhibition. While Warhol described it as a masterpiece of African art, Olivier Michelon, one of the co-curators of the exhibition, told RFI: "It is not an African masterpiece, it is a painting made in New York, in 1984, by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, with African iconography."

Basquiat visited the African continent just once, after his collaboration with Warhol. But according to Michelon: "As an African-American, with origins in Haiti and the Caribbean, it's clearly something that interested him. He also worked quite a bit on myths and rites from West Africa, notably Yoruba legends."

At the Philharmonie, Basquiat's work is placed in the context of the Black Atlantic: the intangible, diasporic continent where music is a place of memory, as the curators describe it.

His work bears witness to a spiritual continuum from the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of the blues, to the coasts of Africa and the Caribbean, to which Basquiat was linked by Haitian and Puerto Rican ancestry.

One country in particular held a powerful appeal for the artist: Cote d'Ivoire.

Basquiat went there in 1986, exhibited in Abidjan, and planned to visit the country again in August 1988. But he would pass away of a heroin overdose, aged 27, a few days before his flight.

"Basquiat Soundtracks" is at the Philharmonie de Paris until 30 July 2023. "Basquiat x Warhol. Painting four hands" is at the Louis Vuitton Foundation until 28 August 2023.
Bawah Ankoh, a scrap dealer, has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for stealing five laptops worth GHS36,000.

Ankoh broke into the offices of Synlab Ghana Limited and made away with the five computers, according to prosecutors.

Ankoh was sentenced to 15 months on the charge of unlawful entry and 20 months on the charge of stealing. Sentences will however run concurrently. Ankoh pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah convicted Ankoh on his own plea.

An accomplice, Godwin Nyame, a 47-year-old trader, who dishonestly received the five laptop computers, has been admitted to bail in the sum of GHS70,000 with two sureties.

Nyame denied the charge of dishonestly receiving.

The matter has been adjourned to May 5, 2023.

Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Clement Takyi, said the complainant, name withheld, was an Administrative Manager of Synlab Ghana. Ankoh and Nyame reside at Achimota and Abofu, respectively in Accra.

Prosecution said on or before February 13, 2023, at midnight, Ankoh unlawfully entered the offices of the complainant at Shaishie and stole five Del Laptop computers valued at GHS36,000.

It said during the operation, Ankoh was captured by the CCTV at the offices.

The Prosecution said the complainant reported the matter to the Airport Police.

On March 4, 2023, one Michael Awitor who is alleged to be known for breaking into offices at Airport and its surrounding, was arrested.

The Prosecution said the video of the stealing incident at the complainant's office was shown to him and he identified Ankoh as the one in the video.

It said the Police through intelligence nabbed Ankoh who is notorious for breaking into people's residence and sold the booty to second accused person (Nyame) at Vergas Achimota.

Ankoh led the Police to arrest Nyame. When a search was conducted in Nyame's room and one MacBook Laptop computer was retrieved, he could not prove ownership.

GNA
Secretary of National Patriots Against Injustice and Corruption Ghana (NAPAIC-Ghana), Zumah Tii-roug, has been arrested by the Upper East Regional police command for allegedly blackmailing and attempting to extort money from a businessman.

Tii-roug was arrested on Friday, April 14, 2023, after he fled a citizens arrest on Thursday, April 13, 2023. He had failed to provide video evidence to support his claim that the businessman had a romantic affair with a married woman at a prayer camp in an orchard and demanded money from the businessman to prevent the video from going viral.

Sources from Citi News report that Tii-roug is being held at the Bolga District police station and has been charged with attempting to commit a crime, namely extortion. He is due to be arraigned before the Bolgatanga circuit court on Monday, April 17, 2023.

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Tii-roug went to the owner of a drinking spot behind the forestry commission and claimed that the businessman (name withheld) had a romantic affair with a married woman (name withheld) at a prayer camp in an orchard in front of the spot. He said that he had two boys with him at the time who had videoed the act. Tii-roug demanded money from the businessman to prevent the video from being sent to the womans husband.

The owner of the drinking spot, who knew the businessman, called him and invited Tii-roug to a meeting at the spot. Tii-roug repeated his claims and demanded money from the businessman. The businessman refuted Tii-rougs claims and requested that Tii-roug call the woman and her husband to come and watch the video as proof of his innocence. However, Tii-roug declined and fled the scene, leaving his motorbike behind.

Tii-roug was arrested by the Upper East Regional police command on Friday, April 14, 2023.

It is worth noting that Tii-roug was previously interdicted by the Ghana Education Service on February 17, 2020, for fraudulently using his late brother Baba Zumahs certificates to gain employment at Arigu D/A Junior High School in the West Mamprusi District of the North East Region.

Tii-roug has multiple names and it is unclear what his birth name is.

He bears the name Baba Zumah on his educational certificates, Baba Zumah Yaro on his National Health Insurance card issued in 2008, and Teroug Zongbil Yaro Zumah when registered to contest assembly member elections for Tindongo-Sheaga in 1998.

-citinewsroom
Accomplished University of Montana researcher Andrij Holian, who directs UMs Center for Environmental Health Sciences, may need a bigger trophy case.

With his latest accolade, Holian was named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Election to this organization is one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to a medical and biological engineer. The College of Fellows is composed of the top 2% of such engineers.

Its a humbling honor, said Holian, who is a professor of toxicology in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences in UMs College of Health. This is important for the additional recognition that it provides to the diverse research enterprise that exists at the University of Montana."

Holian was nominated, reviewed and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows. According to AIMBE, he was selected for fundamental understanding of bioactivity and toxicity of nanomaterials and advancing science in safe nanomaterial development and potential therapeutic treatment.

The 140 new AIMBE Fellows were inducted March 27 in Arlington, Virginia. They are employed in academia, industry, clinical practice and government. AIMBE Fellows represent 30 countries and include three Nobel Prize laureates.

At that same conference, Holian received two other awards from the Society of Toxicology: one for Excellence in Mentoring and another for Significant Contribution in Advancing the Field of Nanotoxicology.

Holian directs UMs Center for Environmental Health Sciences. His varied research interests often focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of lung injury from a diverse array of sources, from nanomaterials and methamphetamine to biomasss smoke. He also has studied the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mined in Libby.

In 2021, Holian was invited to serve on the influential National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council, which advises high-level federal government leaders such as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the director of the National Institutes of Health and the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. His expertise was sought regarding research, training and other matters significant to meet national research goals.

Andrij has long been an important part of the research enterprise at the University of Montana, said Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship. Its researchers like him  who are world leaders in their fields  who helped UM become a top-tier R1 research institution.
Fighting in the Sudanese capital raged into the early hours of Sunday after a day of deadly battles between paramilitaries and the regular army that left at least 27 people dead and 170 wounded.

Explosions and gunfire rang out on the deserted streets of Khartoum, according to witnesses, after the paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other vital facilities.

The army denied the claims, and in a statement late Saturday, the Sudanese air force urged people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes against bases of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Fighter jets were earlier seen flying overhead.

Windows rattled and apartment buildings shook in many parts of Khartoum during the clashes, according to AFP correspondents, with explosions heard early Sunday.

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By (AFP)

The doctors' union said at least 27 people were killed including two at Khartoum airport and the rest in others parts of Sudan.

Around 170 others were wounded in the clashes, it added in a statement early Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia said one of its planes, with passengers and crew aboard waiting for departure, was "exposed to gunfire damage".

Bakry, 24, who works in marketing, said Khartoum residents had "never seen anything like" this unrest, which left dark smoke hanging over the capital.

"People were terrified and running back home. The streets emptied very quickly", said Bakry, who gave only a first name.

Violence erupted after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of Daglo's RSF into the regular army.

People run past a military vehicle in Khartoum. By - (AFP)

The integration was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and discussed ways to de-escalate with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki.

He also spoke with Burhan and Daglo urging them "to return to dialogue."

The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation in Sudan.

In a joint call, the Saudi and United Arab Emirates foreign ministers, along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasised "the importance of stopping the military escalation", the Saudi ministry said.

Trading blame

Similar appeals came from the African and Arab regional blocs, the European Union, France, Italy, Russia and Iran.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

But in an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, who is also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender."

He denied that RSF had started the fight, after Burhan in an earlier statement said he "was surprised by Rapid Support Forces attacking his home at 9:00 am".

The army, on its Facebook page, declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

The military said it carried out air strikes and destroyed two RSF bases in Khartoum. It said the airport and other bases remain under its "full control", and published a photograph of black smoke billowing from what it said was the RSF headquarters.

The latest deaths, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations since the coup.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

RSF published on Twitter a video showing uniformed men which it claimed were "Egyptian soldiers who surrendered with Sudanese military" in Meroe, northern Sudan.

Egypt's army confirmed "the presence of Egyptian forces" in Sudan for exercises, and said it was following the situation.

Daglo told Sky News Arabia the Egyptians would not be harmed and would be returned home.

Haggling between Daglo and Burhan has twice delayed the signing of an agreement with civilian factions setting out a roadmap for restoring the democratic transition disrupted by the 2021 coup.

On Saturday, witnesses reported clashes around the state media building in Khartoum's sister city Omdurman. Others described clashes in the Darfur region and elsewhere.

Chad, which borders Darfur, said it was closing its frontier, "faced with this troubling situation."

Waking up to gunfire

The military's civilian interlocutors and ex-prime minister Abdalla Hamdok appealed for a ceasefire, a plea echoed by US ambassador John Godfrey who tweeted that he "woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting".

Daglo has said the coup was a mistake that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under Bashir's three-decade rule, maintained the coup was necessary to bring more groups into the political process.
Fighting in Sudan raged for a second day Sunday after battles between rival generals in control since their 2021 coup killed at least 56 civilians and wounded hundreds more people, sparking international alarm.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire shook buildings in the capital Khartoum's northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Violence erupted early Saturday morning after weeks of deepening tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with each accusing the other of starting the fight.

Both sides claim they control key sites.

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other strategic sites, but the army insist they are in charge, with the air force late Saturday urging people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes targeting RSF bases.

Heavy smoke billows over Khartoum airport. By - (AFP)

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in central Khartoum.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

'Terrified'

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By (AFP)

"The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56," said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, an independent pro-democracy group of medics, adding there were "tens of deaths" among security forces, but they were not included in the toll given early Sunday.

The committee said it had counted around 600 wounded, including some among security forces, but that many casualties could not be transferred to hospitals due to difficulties in moving during the clashes.

Overnight, explosions and shots rang out throughout densely-populated areas of Khartoum.

On Sunday morning, the stench of gunpowder wafted through the streets, deserted except by soldiers as terrified civilians sheltered inside their homes.

"We had a very difficult night, and we couldn't sleep well because of the sound of the explosions and gunfire," said Ahmed Seif, who lives in east Khartoum with his family of five.

He said he fears his building was hit by gunfire, but said it was still too dangerous to go outside to check.

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm anytime soon," he added.

Bakry, 24, who works in marketing, said Khartoum residents had "never seen anything like" this unrest, with the power out across much the city.

"People were terrified and running back home," said Bakry, who gave only a first name.

Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

Fighting has also erupted outside Khartoum, including in the troubled western Darfur region.

In the eastern border state of Kassala, army fired artillery at a paramilitary camp, according witness Hussein Saleh.

International worry

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

UN chief Antonio Guterres called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and spoke to both Burhan and Daglo, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians".

The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation.

Similar appeals came from the African Union, the European Union, Russia and Iran.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks: in an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender."

The army, on its Facebook page, declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

Members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), pictured here in 2019. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA (AFP)

The latest violence, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 18 months.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests, adding to the deepening troubles of one of the world's poorest countries.

Burhan, a career soldier from northern Sudan who rose the ranks under the three-decade rule of now jailed Islamist general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions into politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" and that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
The French government is trying to renew dialogue between New Caledonia's pro and anti-independence groups. Negotiations broke down after a third referendum in 2021 rejected full sovereignty for the Pacific Ocean island group.

The French took over New Caledonia in 1853, first as a penal colony. Over the years its indigenous Kanak population were outnumbered by descendants of European settlers.

As the movement for independence grew in the 1970s and 80s, so did the violence, culminating in the Ouvea grotto massacre in May 1988 in which 19 Kanak militants and two soldiers died.

In June 1988, the Matignon accords were signed between Paris and representatives of both the pro- and anti-independence factions, bringing an end to more than 140 years of colonial rule and a decade of violence.

This week in Paris, a room in the National Assembly was ceremoniously named after rival leaders  loyalist Jacques Lafleur and Jean-Marie Tjibaou of the pro-independence FLNKS movement.

The president of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet paid tribute to the two men, calling them artisans of peace.

No family photo

Pro- and anti-independence delegations have been in Paris for discussions on the institutional status of the archipelago after a majority voted to remain French in a third and final referendum in December 2021.

No representatives of the pro-independence delegation attended the ceremony in the National Assembly, nor did any members of Tjibaou's family. Only two of the loyalist delegation were present.

We refused to take part in this exercise, the president of the loyalist Avenir en confiance group in New Caledonia's congress told the archipelago's La Premiere TV station.

"N ot because we don't recognise the people being honoured, on the contrary, but we don't wish to play in a photo opportunity when the real issue is 'when will we, pro- and anti-independence groups, finally get round the table with the state and discuss our future together?'

The Kanak political group FLNKS ( Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front) refuses to sit down with the loyalists having rejected the 2021 referendum results.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne therefore held separate meetings with the rival factions on Tuesday.

'Illegitimate' referendum

The 1998 Noumea accords, which laid down the roadmap for the decolonisation process, provided for three referendums on full sovereignty.

The final one, held in December 2021 amid the Covid pandemic, delivered a resounding 'No' with 96 percent voting to remain part of France.

But turnout was just 43.9 percent after FLNKS called for a boycott. They had tried in vain to get the referendum postponed arguing the epidemic made it impossible for them to campaign.

Covid had a big impact on Oceanic peoples, and mourning is a very collective ritual," says New Caledonia specialist Isabelle Merle. "When a Kanak village is in mourning it's impossible to go in there with a megaphone calling on people to go and vote.

It would have made sense to postpone the referendum until after the 2022 French presidential and legislative elections, she explains, but the government forced it through" for political reasons.

Among them was a desire to comfort its loyalist electorate ahead of the presidential poll.

"Legally speaking the referendum outcome is defendable but politically it's completely illegitimate," she says.

She regrets the government's refusal to postpone, not least because the second referendum in 2020 was a close run, with the 'No' winning by a margin of less than 10,000 votes.

Even if the 'No' had won again, the gap would have been smaller, it would have created a power struggle, more interesting discussions, with neither side crushed," she argues.

"A big opportunity was missed and instead we have a political impasse."

While both the government and loyalists consider Caledonians have expressed themselves and consultations are over, FLNKS reject the results and demand further discussions on the process of self-determination.

In Tuesday's meeting with PM Borne, Roch Wamytan, a leading pro-independence delegate, said substantive talks could begin only after France has outlined the trajectory to full sovereignty.

Questionable neutrality

Paris officially remains neutral on the New Caledonia question and said it would let the people decide their destiny.

But even former PM Jean Castex told the Senate on two occasions that he strongly wished the Caledonians to choose France.

Sonia Backes, a leading anti-independence politician, says a solution will be found once all sides sit around the table.

But Backes was also recently named secretary of state for citizenship. "It suggests the government is walking hand in hand with the loyalists, says Merle.

Key differences

While Paris has described this week's meetings as an important step, the two sides remain far apart on the main issues of self-determination and electoral rolls.

Under the Noumea Accords voting is largely restricted to indigenous Kanaks and people who took up residency in the territory before 1998 .

The restrictions are enshrined in the French constitution; l oyalists want it amended to loosen voting restrictions.

In 2019 t he group One Heart One Vote, which considers the system discriminatory, turned to the European Court of Human Rights to help restore the vote to the estimated 40,000 people who fail to meet the criteria.

Backes said pro-independence politicians would not take part in next year's provincial elections unless the electoral rolls are opened up.
Tofiakwa! This word reminds me of my deceased friend, Kwadwo Nkrumah a.k.a Okobo. Whenever a question was put to him regarding whether he would give a position, or offer assistance, to, a particular person that he personally felt did not merit that position, he would move his right hand over his head, crack his fingers and say, tofiakwa.

Tofiakwa is an Akan word or expression meaning, never ever. It is a strong emphasis on the fact that the request will never ever be granted.

Now, in my candid opinion as an honest person with the love and prosperity of Ghana at heart, it will be over my dead body and a tofiakwa to have former President John Dramani Mahama elected as the president of Ghana for the second time.

While his number one contestant, Dr Kwabena Duffour, for the position of NDC flag bearer-cum-presidential-candidate is campaigning on policies, ideas and programmes as to what he will do for Ghana and Ghanaians if he became the president of Ghana, John Mahama is only out there sorely criticising President Nana Akufo-Addo and his NPP government.

He enviously criticises even the very queen or kings tone in which President Nana Akufo-Addo speaks the English language. He mocks him for speaking English in American slangs to deceive Ghanaians to vote for him whereas actually, Nana Akufo-Addo is hollow on governance for bettering the conditions of living of Ghanaians, John Mahama asserts.

Why cant John Mahama campaign on policies, programmes and ideas, telling Ghanaians what he will do better and differently when offered the chance to rule Ghana again, rather than continually destructively criticising President Nana Akufo-Addo and his policies and programmes?

When I compare and contrast, I can only conclude that Mr John Dramani Mahama does not come anywhere near President Nana Akufo-Addo when it comes to talking about he who overflows with innovative policies and programmes intended for the upliftment of the image of Ghana and the long term conditions of living of the Ghanaian.

Who came up with the idea and implementation of the free Senior High School education? It is obviously Nana Akufo-Addo, although the NDC with their principal liar John Dramani Mahama, claim it is either them, or it was already enshrined in the constitution (sitting there gathering dust), so Nana Akufo-Addo cannot take credit for it.

Who is Mr John Mahama kidding, if not his miserable self?

I was in Ghana on holiday in February/March 2012, when hectic campaigns were ongoing by the various political parties to win the election.

I watched on television the numerous anti-free Senior High School education adverts made and run a hundred times a day for weeks and months on end by John Dramani Mahama and his NDC to subvert the programme. How could a person and party that were frantically campaigning against that Nana Akufo-Addos vision of establishing free SHS education in Ghana, if he won the election, now turn around to claim they introduced the free SHS education?

This is one of the many instances that goes to confirm how and why John Dramani Mahama is a liar, hence Rockson Adofo always calling and treating him so in his online publications.

Who introduced the free school dinner in Ghana? Was it not former President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP government and then expanded by President Nana Akufo-Addo? Nevertheless, John Clueless Mahama who never added anything to it is out there on his campaign tours claiming the free food given to students is not worthy for even dogs to eat, let alone, humans, hence he will review it if he won election 2024.

Was it not John Mahama that sought to cede 75% of the Nyinahini bauxite mineral deposit to his half-sibling, Ibrahim Mahama, a week or so to leaving office after losing election 2016, all against the constitutional requirements for awarding contracts for mining mineral deposits in Ghana? How can a person without respect for the constitution creditably be elected to rule Ghana, unless Ghanaians were stupid and have a short memory as he has publicly teasingly said?

John Mahama does not propose any policy or programme that he will implement to better Ghana but on any platform that he mounts, he criticises President Nana Akufo-Addo with such avidity that confirms how he is deficient in ideas and policies of his own to rule Ghana.

It is only in Ghana that such destructive criticisms of ones political rival can win the criticiser the admiration of his audience or the electorate. If it were in any civilised society, John Mahama would have long been written off as a sore loser.

Who will vote to elect a person without policies and programmes to lead a country, except the voter is a fool?

Dr Kwabena Duffour is laying bare his policies and programmes in public for all to see, hear and read. What and where are those of John Dramani Mahama? Are his policies and programmes the attacks on, and destructive criticisms of, President Nana Akufo-Addo?

Sorry, Ghanaians will be damn stupid to vote for John Mahama on such criticisms taken for his flagship policies and programmes for improving the conditions of living of the Ghanaian.

Out of the two, Dr Kwabena Duffour and John Dramani Mahama, which one will you go for if asked to choose between them for the president of Ghana? Bear in mind the Akan proverb that goes, Ye soma 3ba nyansani, na yen nsoma annamon tenten, to wit, we send out a wise person on a mission (as an emissary) but not a leggy (long-legged) person

I hope you will be rational enough when making your choice between Dr Kwabena Duffour and former President John Dramani Mahama for the NDC flag bearer-cum-presidential-candidate position and eventually, the president of Ghana.

Rockson Adofo

15 April 2023
No sooner had the Kumawu member of parliament, Philip Basoah (Hon), passed, then heavy road construction machineries sent to Kumawu, surely or probably by the Road Minister, Honourable Amoako Atta, to begin work on the remedial reconstruction of the Kumawu urban and its environs roads.

It is a good news to Kumawuman that has been side-lined for far too long when it comes to the sharing of national development projects under the administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo. At long last, it is their turn to enjoy a share of the national cake and are grateful to the president and his NPP government to have heeded their cries, although in the midst of the dreadfully phenomenal worldwide economic crisis ravaging financial indebtedness on countries, without Ghana being an exception.

Nevertheless, many a Kumawuman citizen is asking if the timing of the preparedness by the government to begin work on the Kumawuman roads is a deliberate act in honour of the deceased member of parliament, or a proof of their dislike for him hence doing nothing for his constituency while he was alive but dead?

Others are in doubt about the reality of the execution of the project. Is it not a political gimmick, only to be terminated midway through after the funeral of Philip Basoah and the successfully winning of the attendant by-election by NPP to replace him have been completed?

They are neither being pessimistic, nor wanting to be overly optimistic, but a bit suspicious.

Kumawu constituency as inextricably married to the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition, thus, NPP, as it is, should have been treated fairly many years ago, without needing to weep their eyes out begging and at the expense of the death of their beloved member of parliament, Philip Basoah, before the government coming to their aid.

While acknowledging the governments efforts with much gratitude, I shall advise Kumawu constituents to be as wise and smart as the serpent and clever as the ant. Dont continue to sit down for your knife to be used to flay the puff adder, your Akan proverb goes.

The untimely death of lovable Philip Basoah should not be let go in vain. Those who made his life a hell unto death, may get their comeuppance; that is certain! This is not a curse but the reality of life as the consequence of the evil you do to your neighbour.

Does the bible not say that the wages of sin is death while others say the evil that men do lives after them?

Let us hope that the good roadworks started in Kumawu constituency will not stop a few miles or kilometres into the project but will continue to admirable fruitful end to make any discerning Kumawu constituent happy.

Rockson Adofo

Sunday, 16 April 2023
The Third Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Trade Facilitation Committee (RTFC) was held on 27  29 March in Accra  Ghana, to review the implementation of regional trade facilitation reforms and consider innovative approaches to improve free movement of goods in the region. The meeting also provided the regional experts with a platform to consider the ECOWAS Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Elimination Policy and the Regional Trade and Transport Facilitation Strategy, which are expected to significantly reduce the challenges faced traders in the region and increase intra-ECOWAS trade.

On behalf of H.E. Nana AKUFO-ADDO, the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Hon. BAAFI welcomed participants to Accra, Ghana. He noted that the 3rd RTFC meeting provided a platform for relevant stakeholders to address trade barriers in the region. He stated that the advent of AfCFTA provides the West African region with an opportunity to work together to form common positions, and effectively benefit from the continental free trade area. He urged the Commission and Member States to take advantage of AfCFTA to develop local economies and improve intra-regional trade in West Africa.

Mr. DJALO, Secretary General at the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, and Chair of the Meeting, noted that the region can greatly benefit from the opportunities presented by the continental free trade area. He also highlighted that the need to reduce barriers to intra-regional trade and facilitate free movement of goods as enshrined in the ECOWAS protocol. He noted that the meeting will provide an opportunity for participants to make proposals in order to address challenges associated with free movement of goods and urged participants come up with actionable recommendations during the meeting.

In his opening remarks, read on behalf of Madame Massandje TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA, Acting Director of Trade noted that trade facilitation is among the most effective solutions to maintain the normal flow of the global supply chain and mitigate the negative effects of conflicts and crisis. He highlighted that the RTFC provides a platform that fosters holistic approach to deal with trade facilitation reforms which cut across various thematic sectors and bring together stakeholders from public and private sector, as well as civil society organizations.

The meeting considered the status of implementation of the WTO TFA and agreed on assigned roles and responsibilities for Member States and ECOWAS Institutions to improve implementation. The Meeting also proposed mechanisms to deepen collaboration between the ETLS Task force and the RTFC in ensuring the full implementation of the ETLS across Member States and improve free movement of goods within the region. The meeting unanimously recognized the need for ECOWAS Member States to adopt a strong mechanism to report and eliminated non-tariff barriers and abnormal practices that continue to hinder intra-regional trade, especially for MSMEs and small traders.

The Third RTFC Meeting was attended by Member States Experts representing the Ministries responsible for Trade, Customs Administrations and National Chamber of Commerce. Also were present at the meeting, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission and Regional Business Associations, as well as World Bank Group, the World Trade Organization, the German Agency for International Development and United Nations Conference for Trade and Development.
16.04.2023 LISTEN

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has reacted to the video showing that some toilet cubicles at the Ghana Senior High School, Tamale have been converted to serve as accommodation for some students.

In a press release, GES says the conversion is not only unfortunate but disturbing as well.

Insisting that Ghana Senior High School should have excess capacity to house extra 300 students in its dormitories, GES says what is going on in the school is unacceptable.

The attention of the Management of Ghana Education Service has been drawn to a viral video being circulated on social media showing some students of Ghana Senior High School, Tamale, using toilet cubicles as dormitories.

This is very disturbing and unfortunate especially when records available to us indicate that, out of the 1790 vacancies declared by the school, only 1467 students have enrolled. The school is expected to have excess capacity to even house extra 300 students. It is thus, unacceptable to have students sleep in such a place, parts of the GES press release said.

The release dated April 16 further disclosed that the Senior Headmaster of Ghana Senior High School, Tamale has been directed to step aside as the Regional Director of Education looks into the matter.

The Headmaster and the Senior Housemaster have been directed to step aside to allow for further investigations into the matter by the Regional Director of Education and report back in two weeks, the release signed by the head of GES Public Relations Unit, Cassandra Twum Ampofo added.

Meanwhile, the GES management has given assurance to all stakeholders and the general public that it will continue to ensure that the students entrusted in its care operate in a safe school environment.

Below is a copy of the release:
16.04.2023 LISTEN

Crisis Communication is a part of Public Relations designed to protect and defend an individual, company or organization facing a public challenge to its reputation. Crisis refers to unwanted events at the workplace which often leads to unrest. Hence Crisis Communication presents an initiative which aims at protecting the reputation of the organization and maintaining its public image.

Usually, companies crisis communication focusses on bigger crisis such as loss of network for lots of people in case of a teleco, major leakage of dangerous fluids in case of a mining company or a breakage of a companys billboard resulting in injuries and/or heavy traffic of some sort. These instances quickly compel companies communicators and public relations personnel to quickly communicate to the public via press releases or press conferences on the awareness of the problem and the steps being taken to address them. In as much as this practice is very good, companies must also focus on the small crisis that often happens in the operations of the company. A typical example can be the sudden breakdown of three of five teller machines at a shopping mall or bank resulting in long queues and a bit of inconvenience as a result of pressure on the remaining two. Most often communicators do not communicate anything to customers and other stakeholders when some of these small crises happen. I believe that when some small crisis like this happen, the communicators should quickly place a notice at some viewable points in the premises explaining the problem, apologizing for the inconvenience and also appealing for co-operation. A voice announcement can also be made from time to time explaining the problem, apologizing for the inconvenience and also appealing for co-operation.

Another thing that can be done to improve Crisis Communication is for every organization to have a crisis plan. By Crisis plan, I mean every organization should access the crisis that can befall it and have a plan as how and within what time frame the crisis will be resolved. For example, a company a teleco should be able to know what time a loss of network problem can be resolved so that communicators work can be made easier. If say, a teleco knows that a particular network problem can be solved in 24 hours, that will be a written down plan so that when such a crisis happen, the communicator can, after acknowledging the problem and apologizing for the inconvenience, assure customers and all stakeholders involved that the problem will be solved within 24 hours. Companies with big Bill boards mounted outside should also have crisis plan should in case something happens and also have compensation packages listed in case the crisis will require compensation. So all companies must have a crisis plan so that communicators work can be easy in times of crisis. It must also be emphasized the crisis plan should not be just a mere rhetoric as it can affect the credibility of the communicator or public relations person and the organization as a whole. If lets say the public or victims of a crisis, through a press release or conference are assured that the problem will be resolved in 24 hours and maybe compensations paid at a later date and the promises are not fulfilled, the Communication or Public Relations Officer together with the organization will be seen as liars and that will affect them negatively. Hence organizations must ensure that they fulfil the crisis plan they announce or plan.

Finally, like in marketing, Communication is moving from the Communications or Public Relations Department does the Communication to everyone does the communication. This is because in times of crisis for example and on many other occasions, things concerning the organization are asked from anyone and not specifically someone from the Communications or Public Relations department. Hence there has to be a call on everyone in the organization to be professional in their communication. In times of crisis for example, whether it is a big or small crisis, all employees must be taught to APOLOGIZE, AND ASSURE AND POLITELY ASK FOR CO-OPERATION for the moment. So for example in a shopping mall or bank or a utility paying company where some tellers have seized to work resulting in customers having to be in longer queues, any employee who is approached with a complaint should go like we are sorry for this situation, we are assure you it will soon be resolved and wont be repeated so please bear with us in the meantime. This will beautifully calm a customer down and will further give the customer a better impression of the company. It can even lead to a third party endorsement.

Employees sometimes jump to the defence of the company sometimes resulting in unpleasant exchanges between them and customers. This I think is not a healthy practice especially in a crisis situation.

So to summarize my main points in the article: In order to improve on crisis communication, companies should have a crisis plan and also be true to the plan so that communicators work will be easy; they will have a clear message to communicate to stakeholders assuring them of a plan with time frame. And also they wont be seen as liars because the organization will be true to the plan. Secondly, all crisis whether big or small should be tackled with all seriousness. Especially with small crisis, messages should be placed at viewable points in the organization explaining the problem, apologizing for the inconvenience and also assuring stakeholders that everything will be fine. Or voice messages from time to time explaining the problem, apologizing for any inconvenience and assuring everything will be fine.

Finally, communication is moving from communications or public relations department does the communication to everyone does the communication hence employees should be taught to be professional in their communication especially in crisis communication where they would need to APOLOGIZE, ASSURE AND POLITELY ASK FOR CO-OPERATION.

By Martin N.B.Pieterson
16.04.2023 LISTEN

A finest bird has appeared in the nest of professional journalists organization in Africa. Congress of African journalists (CAJ), was birthed by gurus in the pen pushers firmament with the vision of protecting journalists and improving professionalism.

Since its incorporation in Nigeria in November 2020, CAJ has attracted the largest networks of men and women in the noble pen profession for its glaring and stupendous uniqueness. The organization is the only indigenous organization of journalists of African origin with extensions in the diaspora. Hence, CAJ covers all the continent of Africa and diaspora as an umbrella body for journalists who are of African dissent and those who perhaps might have not been born in the continent but can also trace their ancestry to Africa all over the world. This is to also say that CAJ is a global organization for journalists who are Africans.

The formation of CAJ was conceptualised by Michael Adeboboye, a Nigerian International Journalist and editor, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Dali, a renown international and award winning Egyptian journalist and poet, Emannuela Maikem (Cameroon), Ambe Macmillian (Cameroon), Ajong M. Laurean, Managing Editor, Pan African Visions Magazine, USA, Addy Makenzie, multimedia journalist, Zimbabwe, Habibbah Bolaji, Nigerian award winning veteran journalist, Amina W. Mussa, former BBC Somali senior Journalist, United Kingdom.

As at today CAJ has its networks in over 30 different African countries and diaspora: Egypt, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Eswatini, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius, Ghana, Cote dIvoire, Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, United States of America and Europe.

Objectives of CAJ are seeking to establish a Pan African journalists organization with the aim to bring together, under one umbrella, journalists of Africa origin, both conventional and non-conventional, establish greater unity, cooperation and solidarity, to raise awareness among journalists and media professionals in Africa through education of the importance of ethics, human rights and good governance in the exercise of journalism and the administration of news media and promote and encourage interaction between journalists in all its forms on the value of informed, ethical journalism in Africa CAJ also advances the education, skills and competence of people engaged in all forms of journalistic work at all levels of media and across all platforms (New Media/Social Media and the conventional media) of media throughout Africa and the rest of the world. It also seeks to promote the dignity and honour for the status of journalism by enhancing levels of skill and knowledge of ethical principles within media, particularly through training and education of journalists, media managers and owners, amd appraise critically, current ethical challenges and governance issues affecting journalists and their work, seek to resolve these issues through information sharing; country missions; targeted research; and distribution of reports and materials on matters of contemporary concern to journalists and media professionals which will be freely available to all.

The organization seeks to promote unbiased investigative and interpretative journalism, elimination of hate speech, fake news and to eliminate any form of government or external influence on journalists and journalism, by monitoring members in order to promote best practices or advocate for improvement with respect to coverage of the African community and Africans in the Diaspora.

Its core activity is to promote and encourage good leadership and governance in Africa countries through awards and recognitions and also honors journalism excellence and outstanding achievement, seeking to serve as platform for credible news and information dissemination in Africa continent and to issue globally, acceptable and recognized press card for journalists.

Composition of Membership and Membership Eligibility

Membership of CAJ is by registration with specified amount payable by applicant into the accredited bank account(s) or recommended officers of the organization. CAJ membership is composed of journalists, journalism educators, media owners, students pursuing a career in journalism, mass communication, media related courses and people or entities that support the organizations vision and goals. To be eligible for office in the organization, a candidate must be a member who has been dully registered and fulfilled payments of CAJ dues with evidence of payments as at when due and must have proven to abide by the constitution of CAJ.

Categories of CAJ membership

(1). Lifetime Members. CAJ founders, Members of the Board of Trustees and past CAJ presidents NOT REMOVED FROM OFFICE are automatic Lifetime members. (2). Professional Members: Professional membership is open to any person whose principal livelihood comes from creating, producing or supervising the creation of journalism and related media activities. (3). Affiliate Members: Affiliate membership is opened to unions and associations of journalists in Africa, journalists of Africa origin organization in Diaspora, including organizations that trades in any form of media related activities. (4). Academic Members. Academic membership is open to college and university faculty and other academic professionals, including administrators and trainers, with research and or teaching interests in journalism. (5). Veteran

Members: Veteran membership is open to anyone who has been in the practice of journalism and media professionals for not less than 25 years. (6). Student Members. Student membership is open to students of institute of journalism, college or university students including undergraduate, graduate and associate degree students, who have demonstrated interest in journalism and media related courses and trainings. (7). Honorary membership: The board of trustees of CAJ have the authority to nominate and accept into its membership, individuals of any endeavour, within and outside Africa, whose actions and activities supports its mandates as honourry members though without voting right. (8). Fellowship Membership: Fellows of Congress of African Journalists shall be an honour bestowed on the best in the profession by election at the Board of Trustees in a meeting. The membership is in recognition of distinguished contributions to the journalism profession.

CAJ publishes its international magazine, contributed by members in Africa and diaspora. It also hosts voices from other continents, especially in culture, with a belief that its mission is to unite voices together to serve its global role.

Michael Adeboboye: CAJ International President (top left), Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Dali: CAJ Vice President, North African Region (top right), Sabiiti Daniel: CAJ Vice President, East African Region (Middle left), Admire M. Kudita: CAJ Vice President, Southern Africa (Middle), Mobolaji VP, Habibah: CAJ Diaspora (Middle right), Emmanuela Maikem: CAJ, Vice President, Central African Region (bottom left), Dela Ahiawor: CAJ Vice President, West African Region (bottom middle) and Ajong M. Lauren: CAJ Diaspora (bottom right).

Source: CAJ
Battling fighters in Sudan said Sunday they had begun an hours-long humanitarian pause, including to evacuate wounded, on the second day of raging urban battles that killed more than 50 civilians, including three UN staff, and sparked international outcry.

After the killing of the three World Food Programme workers the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Violence erupted early Saturday after weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Each accused the other of starting the fight.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said they had recorded 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded.

Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours from 1400 GMT.

RSF issued a separate statement saying they had agreed to the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side.

One hour into the agreed pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport.

"The gunfire and explosions are incessant," said 34-year-old Ahmed Hamid from a northern Khartoum suburb.

This combination of pictures shows army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (R). By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm anytime soon," said Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident, who said it was too dangerous to go outside.

Both sides claim they control key sites. Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic locations, but the army insist they are still in control.

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" amid the clashes but that it had been contained.

On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except for soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes.

Medics had pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims. They warned the streets were too dangerous to bring many casualties to hospitals.

Civilians 'not a target'

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By (AFP)

Fighting has also erupted outside Khartoum, including in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp.

The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur, announcing a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned on Saturday that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation in the country."

The UN says one-third of Sudan's population need humanitarian aid.

UN Special Representative Volker Perthes condemned the killings and said he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur".

People carry their belongings in Khartoum as fighting continued between rival forces. By - (AFP)

WFP said an aircraft managed by the organisation "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport.

Announcing the suspension of work in the country, the agency's head Cindy McCain said: "We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed."

'No negotiations'

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

Two men cross a deserted street in Khartoum's twin city Omdourman, on the second day of clashes between rival military forces in Sudan. By - (AFP)

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians".

Similar appeals came from the African Union, Britain, China, the European Union and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue.

The AU is to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, as is the Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with UAE-based Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender".

The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

The latest violence, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 18 months.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now jailed general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions into politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
One sheriff's deputy died on his 44th birthday and two other law enforcement officers were injured after a shootout in west-central Minnesota that also killed the suspect in a domestic assault call Saturday night.

Pope County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Owen died at the hospital Saturday after the shooting that happened around 7:30 p.m. at an apartment in Cyrus, authorities said. Another deputy and a police officer from Starbuck, Minnesota, were also injured. But they are expected to be OK.

The shooting began after the officers told a man that he was going to be arrested for domestic assault. Scott Mueller, deputy superintendent for investigations at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the man responded by pulling a handgun and shooting at the officers. That agency is investigating the shooting.

The man officers exchanged gunfire with died at the scene. His name and the names of the other officers involved in the incident were not immediately released Sunday.

Mueller said all three officers were wearing body cameras, and that footage will be released later.

This shooting extends a streak of gunfire involving police officers in the state.

In 2023, weve had seven police officers shot in the line of duty in Minnesota," Mueller said. "This is an alarming trend that needs to stop now.

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association identified Owen as the deputy who died Sunday morning.

This killing is a senseless act of violence and hate towards police officers who put everything on the line to serve and protect our communities, the associations director, Brian Peters, said. It shows the dangers of the job that police do every day, and how what could be considered a normal day could turn into their last day.

Owen had worked as a deputy for nearly 12 years after previously serving in the U.S. military, Sheriff Tim Riley said. His squad car was parked outside the Pope County Courthouse in Glenwood Sunday with a bouquet of flowers on the ground in front of the car.

Deputy Owen had a heart as big as his stature. He leaves behind a wife and a son," Riley said while trying to hold back tears at a news conference Sunday afternoon. He loved his family, his brotherhood and his community.

According to the Pope County Sheriffs offices Facebook page, Owen was just honored last month along with two other first responders for his response to a Glenwood house fire in November. The department said Owen helped care for an individual injured in the fire after another deputy and another responder pulled that person from a burning house.

Cyrus is a town of about 300 people that is 140 miles northwest of Minneapolis.
Fierce fighting raged in Sudan's capital despite an hours-long pause Sunday to address humanitarian needs including the evacuation of wounded, on the second day of battles that left three UN staff among more than 50 civilians killed.

The battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern, including border closures by neighbours Egypt and Chad.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

There are fears of a prolonged conflict that could plunge the country into deeper chaos. By - (AFP)

Fighting continued after nightfall on Sunday, as Sudanese hunkered down in their homes with fears of a prolonged conflict that could plunge the country into deeper chaos, dashing long-held hopes for a transition to civilian-led democracy.

After Saturday's killing of the three World Food Programme workers the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country.

Violence erupted early Saturday following weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF.

Each accused the other of starting the fight.

The pro-democracy Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as "tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded.

A satellite image shows two Il-76 transport aircraft on fire and several additional planes damaged at Khartoum International Airport. By - (Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies/AFP)

Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had "agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours which ended at 1700 GMT.

RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to "respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side.

Despite the pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area.

"The gunfire and explosions are incessant," Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb, said earlier.

This combination of pictures shows army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (R). By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident, called the situation very worrying and said: "It doesn't seem like it will calm any time soon."

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic locations, but the army insist they are still in control.

As the fighting continued, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except for soldiers.

Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to hospital.

'Appalled'

Map of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.. By (AFP)

Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp.

The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a "temporary halt to all operations in Sudan".

After their deaths as well as other civilians, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "justice without delay". He had earlier warned that an escalation in the fighting would "further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation".

The UN says one-third of Sudan's population need humanitarian aid.

People carry their belongings in Khartoum as fighting continued between rival forces. By - (AFP)

WFP said an aircraft managed by the organisation "was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport.

"We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said.

'No negotiations'

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

Sudanese greet army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. By - (AFP)

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that was hoped to restore Sudan's civilian transition and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup by Burhan and Daglo.

Appeals to end the fighting have come from across the region and the globe, including the US, Britain, China, the European Union and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events "with concern" and urged dialogue.

After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would "immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender".

The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia".

There "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions in politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged Africa to eschew the mindset of impossibility and embrace a mindset of possibility, for the African continent to get to the levels of developed countries.

Addressing participants of Harvard University's Africa Development Conference in the United States over the weekend, Dr. Bawumia identified the continuous reliance on ineffective systems in Africa as the bane of the continent's economic growth and development, adding that the status quo remains because the continent has, for many years, not broken the "shackles of impossibility mindsets".

"The truth is that while African countries are politically free, we still have a mindset that is shackled by the experience of 500 years of slavery and colonialism," Dr. Bawumia said. "For the longest time, we have not believed in ourselves. The dominant mindset is one of impossibility."

Addressing issues stunting the economic growth of the African continent, Dr. Bawumia said the over-reliance on raw materials instead of human capital development, as well as lack of effective systems such as identity system, property addressing system, huge financial exclusion and manual delivery of public services, are some of the major contributory factors to Africa's stunted progress.

To address these, Dr. Bawumia noted, Africa must embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution to address these basic system challenges, and more importantly, break the impossibility mindset, which he said is a major hindrance to Africa's forward march.

"Our generation needs to break the shackles of the impossibility mindset and embrace the mindset of possibility! It is time for us to figure out the best ways to be masters of our destiny, to chart our own path and develop on our own terms. It is possible!"

Back home in Ghana, Dr. Bawumia has spearheaded Ghana's successful digitalization drive to address some of the basic system challenges he spoke about at the conference.

He has, however, faced his own challenges of "impossibility mindsets," and has often spoken about how pessimists attempted to impede and discourage many of the successful digital innovations he led, as not possible to implement.

The Harvard Africa Development Conference brings together high level participants to discuss issues relating to the development of the African continent.

Vice President Bawumia delivered the keynote address as the Guest of Honour.
Banco Comercial Portugues, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BPCGF  Get Rating) saw a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,957,700 shares, an increase of 157.8% from the March 15th total of 3,475,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Banco Comercial Portugues Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:BPCGF remained flat at $0.22 on Friday. Banco Comercial Portugues has a 1-year low of $0.12 and a 1-year high of $0.23. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $0.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.17.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Banco Comercial Portugues from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th.

Banco Comercial Portugues Company Profile

Banco Comercial Portugues SA engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Retail Banking; Companies, Corporate, and Investment Banking; Private Banking; Foreign Business; and Other. The Retail Banking segment consists of Retail Network of Millenium bcp (Portugal), retail recovery division, and Banco ActivoBank.

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Johnson Rice began coverage on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE:AESI  Get Rating) in a report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock.

AESI has been the subject of several other reports. Piper Sandler began coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Citigroup started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They issued a buy rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Bank of America started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They issued a buy rating and a $23.00 target price for the company. Finally, Capital One Financial started coverage on Atlas Energy Solutions in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. They issued an overweight rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $24.44.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Stock Performance

AESI opened at $18.24 on Wednesday. Atlas Energy Solutions has a 1-year low of $15.06 and a 1-year high of $18.57.

Insider Activity

Atlas Energy Solutions Company Profile

In other Atlas Energy Solutions news, insider Ben M. Brigham bought 280,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $18.00 per share, for a total transaction of $5,040,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 280,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,040,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other Atlas Energy Solutions news, Director Douglas G. Rogers acquired 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.00 per share, for a total transaction of $54,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, insider Ben M. Brigham acquired 280,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.00 per share, for a total transaction of $5,040,000.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 280,000 shares in the company, valued at $5,040,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here

(Get Rating)

Atlas Energy Solutions Inc is a provider of proppant and logistics services to customers engaged in the oil and natural gas industry principally within the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. Atlas Energy Solutions Inc is based in AUSTIN, Texas.

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Scotiabank upgraded shares of Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Rating) from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. They currently have $200.00 price objective on the oil and gas companys stock, up from their previous price objective of $195.00.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. BNP Paribas upgraded Chevron from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Chevron from $204.00 to $199.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Chevron from $215.00 to $212.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 30th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Chevron from $179.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Chevron in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $191.11.

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Chevron Price Performance

NYSE:CVX opened at $172.44 on Thursday. Chevron has a 52-week low of $132.54 and a 52-week high of $189.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.47. The company has a market cap of $328.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.43, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.16. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $163.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $170.63.

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 27th. The oil and gas company reported $4.09 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.16 by ($0.07). Chevron had a return on equity of 23.52% and a net margin of 14.40%. The business had revenue of $56.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $53.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.56 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 17.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Chevron will post 14.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, January 25th that allows the company to buyback $75.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the oil and gas company to repurchase up to 21.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Chevron Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 16th were paid a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 15th. This is a boost from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.42. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.50%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is presently 33.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Chevron news, VP Rhonda J. Morris sold 19,666 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $3,343,220.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,967 shares in the company, valued at $674,390. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Chevron

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CVX. Good Life Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Good Life Advisors LLC now owns 28,054 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,031,000 after acquiring an additional 719 shares during the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 92,113 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $16,533,000 after acquiring an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,580 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,361,000 after acquiring an additional 674 shares during the last quarter. CapWealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. CapWealth Advisors LLC now owns 173,721 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $24,959,000 after acquiring an additional 1,097 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC lifted its stake in shares of Chevron by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC now owns 18,710 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,688,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. 69.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Chevron Company Profile

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Chevron Corp. engages in the provision of administrative, financial management, and technology support for energy and chemical operations. It operates through the Upstream and Downstream segments. The Upstream segment consists of the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas, the liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas, the transporting of crude oil by major international oil export pipelines, the processing, transporting, storage, and marketing of natural gas, and a gas-to-liquids plant.

Further Reading

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Coca-Cola HBC AG (OTCMKTS:CCHGY  Get Rating) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a drop of 50.0% from the March 15th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,580 ($31.95) to GBX 2,545 ($31.52) in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,200 ($27.24) to GBX 2,125 ($26.32) in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,600 ($32.20) to GBX 2,500 ($30.96) in a research note on Tuesday, January 10th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,500 ($30.96) to GBX 2,700 ($33.44) in a research note on Thursday, February 16th.

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Coca-Cola HBC Stock Down 0.5 %

OTCMKTS:CCHGY traded down $0.13 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.86. The stock had a trading volume of 489 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,786. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $26.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.21. Coca-Cola HBC has a twelve month low of $18.89 and a twelve month high of $29.03.

About Coca-Cola HBC

Coca-Cola HBC AG engages in the production, sale and distribution of non-alcoholic and ready-to-drink beverages. It operates through the following segments: Established Markets, Developing Markets, and Emerging Markets. The Established Markets segment consists of Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Switzerland.

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General Electric (NYSE:GE  Get Rating) had its target price boosted by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $97.00 to $103.00 in a report published on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the conglomerates stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of General Electric in a report on Friday, March 10th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of General Electric from $98.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of General Electric from $92.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Argus upped their price target on shares of General Electric from $85.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of General Electric from $98.00 to $87.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, General Electric presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $99.21.

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General Electric Price Performance

NYSE:GE opened at $95.44 on Wednesday. General Electric has a one year low of $46.55 and a one year high of $97.87. The company has a market cap of $104.06 billion, a P/E ratio of -3,181.33, a P/E/G ratio of 6.76 and a beta of 1.27. The firms fifty day moving average price is $88.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $82.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.86.

General Electric Announces Dividend

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 24th. The conglomerate reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.13. General Electric had a net margin of 0.29% and a return on equity of 8.47%. The firm had revenue of $21.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.92 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that General Electric will post 1.99 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 6th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,066.67%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On General Electric

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in GE. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in General Electric by 10.0% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 305,384 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $27,925,000 after buying an additional 27,682 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,518,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in General Electric by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 11,748 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,075,000 after buying an additional 334 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 1st quarter worth approximately $388,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 1st quarter worth approximately $230,000. 70.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

General Electric Company Profile

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General Electric Co engages in the provision of commercial and military aircraft engines and systems, wind, and other renewable energy generation equipment and grid solutions, and gas, steam, nuclear, and other power generation equipment. It operates through the following segments: Aviation, Healthcare, Renewable Energy, and Power.

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Forge Global (NYSE:FRGE  Get Rating) is one of 23 public companies in the Security & commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges & services industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Forge Global to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, risk and dividends.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

13.7% of Forge Global shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 63.7% of shares of all Security & commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges & services companies are owned by institutional investors. 20.0% of Forge Global shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.0% of shares of all Security & commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges & services companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Forge Global and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Forge Global $69.38 million -$111.86 million -1.16 Forge Global Competitors $7.34 billion $656.15 million 30.86

Analyst Ratings

Forge Globals peers have higher revenue and earnings than Forge Global. Forge Global is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

This is a summary of recent ratings for Forge Global and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Forge Global 0 4 2 0 2.33 Forge Global Competitors 146 903 1212 32 2.49

Forge Global currently has a consensus target price of $3.23, suggesting a potential upside of 91.96%. As a group, Security & commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges & services companies have a potential upside of 26.83%. Given Forge Globals higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Forge Global is more favorable than its peers.

Profitability

This table compares Forge Global and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Forge Global -161.22% -26.59% -22.44% Forge Global Competitors 4.06% 20.57% 5.50%

Volatility & Risk

Forge Global has a beta of 2.29, suggesting that its stock price is 129% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Forge Globals peers have a beta of 1.37, suggesting that their average stock price is 37% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Forge Global peers beat Forge Global on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

About Forge Global

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Forge Global Holdings, Inc. provides marketplace infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for private market participants. It enables private company shareholders to trade private company shares with accredited investors. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in San Francisco, California.

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Mizuho began coverage on shares of Huntsman (NYSE:HUN  Get Rating) in a research note published on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $27.00 target price on the basic materials companys stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on HUN. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Huntsman from $33.00 to $30.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on Huntsman from $27.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 11th. StockNews.com started coverage on Huntsman in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Huntsman from $28.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, Vertical Research cut Huntsman from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $30.58.

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Huntsman Trading Down 2.1 %

NYSE HUN opened at $26.95 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.13. Huntsman has a 52 week low of $23.53 and a 52 week high of $37.13. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $28.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $28.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Huntsman Increases Dividend

Huntsman ( NYSE:HUN Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.58 billion. Huntsman had a net margin of 5.47% and a return on equity of 16.03%. The companys revenue was down 21.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.95 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Huntsman will post 1.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.2375 per share. This represents a $0.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. This is a boost from Huntsmans previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Huntsmans dividend payout ratio is currently 43.98%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Huntsman by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,672,792 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $475,358,000 after buying an additional 47,739 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Huntsman by 19.8% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,428,507 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $259,096,000 after purchasing an additional 1,558,767 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Huntsman by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 9,078,812 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $222,794,000 after purchasing an additional 495,609 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management raised its stake in shares of Huntsman by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 8,073,546 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $221,861,000 after purchasing an additional 261,030 shares during the period. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Huntsman by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,566,483 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $152,967,000 after purchasing an additional 102,087 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.57% of the companys stock.

Huntsman Company Profile

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Huntsman Corp. engages in the manufacturing of differentiated organic chemical products. It operates through the following segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. The Polyurethanes segment manufactures and markets polyurethane chemicals, including MDI products, PO, polyols, PG, TPU, aniline, and MTBE.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Jiangsu Expressway (OTCMKTS:JEXYY  Get Rating) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

Jiangsu Expressway Stock Performance

Shares of Jiangsu Expressway stock opened at $19.65 on Thursday. Jiangsu Expressway has a one year low of $13.76 and a one year high of $20.68. The stocks 50-day moving average is $19.64 and its 200-day moving average is $17.60.

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Jiangsu Expressway Company Profile

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Jiangsu Expressway Company Limited invests in, constructs, operates, and manages toll roads and bridges in the People's Republic of China. The company operates the Jiangsu section of Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, Ningchang Expressway, Zhenli Expressway, Guangjing Expressway, Xicheng Expressway, Xiyi Expressway, Zhendan Expressway, Wufengshan Bridge, Jiangyin Bridge, and Sujiahang Expressway toll roads in Jiangsu Province, the People's Republic of China.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene's supporters will likely be thrilled to hear their donations helped fund her new security fence. Spending campaign funds on personal security is legal, however, this is one costly fence. The fence costs more than the median income in Greene's district!

Raw Story:

The line-item from Greene's schedule B itemized disbursements list for her campaign shows she spent $65,257.49 on "additional security fence for residence" in March of this year. The funds appear to have gone to Bartow Fence Company Inc., which is based in Georgia.

The campaign expenditure is legal due to FEC rules allowing candidates greater ability to spend campaign cash on personal protection, but spending more than $65,000 on her home fence stands out in a district where $54,634 was the median household income for a whole year in 2020.
WPP (LON:WPP  Get Rating) had its price objective cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 1,300 ($16.10) to GBX 1,240 ($15.36) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on WPP. Barclays raised their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 1,200 ($14.86) to GBX 1,250 ($15.48) and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded WPP to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from GBX 920 ($11.39) to GBX 1,158 ($14.34) in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Finally, Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of WPP in a research note on Tuesday, February 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 1,121.71 ($13.89).

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WPP Stock Performance

Shares of WPP stock opened at GBX 951 ($11.78) on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 977.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 886.36. WPP has a one year low of GBX 713 ($8.83) and a one year high of GBX 1,082 ($13.40). The stock has a market cap of 10.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,559.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 172.61, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

WPP Increases Dividend

Insider Transactions at WPP

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th will be given a dividend of GBX 24.40 ($0.30) per share. This is a boost from WPPs previous dividend of $15.00. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a yield of 2.4%. WPPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6,393.44%.

In other WPP news, insider Mark Read sold 154,765 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 933 ($11.55), for a total value of 1,443,957.45 ($1,788,182.60). Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

WPP Company Profile

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WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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Royal Bank of Canada restated their outperform rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY  Get Rating) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 70 ($0.87) target price on the financial services providers stock.

LLOY has been the subject of several other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Thursday, February 2nd. Barclays upgraded Lloyds Banking Group to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from GBX 55 ($0.68) to GBX 75 ($0.93) in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price objective on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 55 ($0.68) to GBX 58 ($0.72) and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 68.11 ($0.84).

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Lloyds Banking Group Price Performance

Shares of LON LLOY opened at GBX 48.94 ($0.61) on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 49.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 47.10. The firm has a market cap of 32.55 billion, a PE ratio of 699.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.24. Lloyds Banking Group has a 1 year low of GBX 38.51 ($0.48) and a 1 year high of GBX 54.33 ($0.67).

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Lloyds Banking Group

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 13th will be issued a dividend of GBX 1.60 ($0.02) per share. This is an increase from Lloyds Banking Groups previous dividend of $0.80. This represents a dividend yield of 3.14%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 2,857.14%.

In other Lloyds Banking Group news, insider Charlie Nunn bought 285,316 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 48 ($0.59) per share, for a total transaction of 136,951.68 ($169,599.60). 0.37% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

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Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers.

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MTY Food Group (TSE:MTY  Get Rating) had its price objective decreased by CIBC from C$73.00 to C$69.00 in a research note published on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on MTY. TD Securities raised their price target on shares of MTY Food Group from C$65.00 to C$67.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 17th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of MTY Food Group from C$66.00 to C$75.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of MTY Food Group from C$59.00 to C$69.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 17th. National Bankshares lowered their price target on shares of MTY Food Group from C$73.00 to C$72.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on shares of MTY Food Group from C$64.00 to C$65.00 in a report on Friday, February 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$70.00.

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MTY Food Group Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of TSE MTY opened at C$59.70 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$64.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$60.90. The firm has a market cap of C$1.46 billion, a PE ratio of 19.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.87. MTY Food Group has a 1 year low of C$45.20 and a 1 year high of C$73.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 148.46, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

MTY Food Group Announces Dividend

MTY Food Group Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 3rd will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 2nd. MTY Food Groups payout ratio is currently 32.68%.

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MTY Food Group Inc franchises and operates quick-service, fast-casual, and casual dining restaurants in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company also sells retail products under a multitude of banners. As of November 30, 2021, the company had 6,719 locations comprising 6,603 franchised, 23 joint ventures, and 93 corporate locations.

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Credit Suisse Group upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Rating) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on NVO. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from 925.00 to 1,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $697.78.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE NVO opened at $168.60 on Thursday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $95.02 and a one year high of $169.88. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $147.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market cap of $381.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.59, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.48.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.02. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 31.44% and a return on equity of 73.39%. The company had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.74 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 4.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 27th were issued a $1.1887 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 24th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is presently 48.70%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 4th quarter valued at $258,000. Keybank National Association OH increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 11.1% in the 3rd quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 27,511 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,741,000 after acquiring an additional 2,755 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 46.5% in the 4th quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 879 shares of the companys stock valued at $118,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the period. Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 8,304 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,151,000 after buying an additional 479 shares during the period. Finally, Old North State Trust LLC acquired a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. 6.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

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Novo Nordisk A/S is a global healthcare company, which engages in the the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products. It operates through the Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Biopharm segments. The Diabetes and Obesity Care segment includes insulin, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products (OAD), obesity, and other serious chronic diseases.

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RINO International Co. (OTCMKTS:RINO  Get Rating) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 32,400 shares, a decline of 76.2% from the March 15th total of 136,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 29,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days.

RINO International Trading Up 37.5 %

OTCMKTS RINO traded up $0.01 on Friday, hitting $0.03. 2,223 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,880. RINO International has a fifty-two week low of $0.00 and a fifty-two week high of $0.07. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $0.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.03.

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RINO International Company Profile

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RINO International Corp. is a shell company seeking to merge with other entities with experienced management and opportunities for growth in return for shares of common stock to create value for shareholders. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, TX.

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BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust (NYSE:ECAT  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 327,200 shares, an increase of 194.8% from the March 15th total of 111,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 339,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CWM LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $128,000. Mariner LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $146,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $156,000. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $162,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $165,000.

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BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:ECAT traded down $0.01 on Friday, hitting $15.31. 119,901 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 332,466. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust has a 1 year low of $12.74 and a 1 year high of $15.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.17.

BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust Dividend Announcement

BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.80%.

(Get Rating)

BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trusts (ECAT) (the Trust) investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust invests in a portfolio of equity and debt securities. Generally, the Trusts portfolio will include both equity and debt securities.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Get Rating) in a report published on Wednesday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of American Shared Hospital Services stock opened at $2.81 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 3.95 and a quick ratio of 3.95. American Shared Hospital Services has a 1-year low of $2.18 and a 1-year high of $3.75. The business has a 50-day moving average of $3.07 and a 200-day moving average of $2.91. The company has a market capitalization of $17.29 million, a PE ratio of 13.38 and a beta of 0.86.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Shared Hospital Services

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CI Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in American Shared Hospital Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $470,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 158,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $465,000 after buying an additional 5,899 shares during the period. Canton Hathaway LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 50.0% in the 1st quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC now owns 30,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 34.6% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 26,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 6,679 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.25% of the companys stock.

About American Shared Hospital Services

American Shared Hospital Services engages in leasing radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to healthcare providers. Its equipment includes Gamma Knife, PBRT, and IGRT. The Gamma Knife radiosurgery equipment is a non-invasive treatment for malignant and benign brain tumors, vascular malformations and trigeminal neuralgia.

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Research analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Leju (NYSE:LEJU  Get Rating) in a research report issued on Friday. The firm set a buy rating on the financial services providers stock.

Leju Stock Performance

Shares of LEJU opened at $1.20 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $1.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.40. Leju has a 1 year low of $1.03 and a 1 year high of $6.69.

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Leju Company Profile

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Leju Holdings Ltd. engages in the provision of online-to-offline real estate services. It offers electronic commerce, online advertising, and listing services on new residential property sales. The company was founded on November 20, 2013 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Wednesday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on CACI International from $355.00 to $357.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Cowen boosted their price target on CACI International from $313.00 to $330.00 in a research note on Monday, January 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, CACI International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $338.50.

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CACI International Trading Down 0.3 %

CACI International stock opened at $308.60 on Wednesday. CACI International has a 52 week low of $245.32 and a 52 week high of $319.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.03, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.97. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $294.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $293.46.

Insider Transactions at CACI International

CACI International ( NYSE:CACI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The information technology services provider reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.35 by ($0.07). CACI International had a return on equity of 13.59% and a net margin of 5.63%. The business had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.39 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that CACI International will post 17.99 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director William L. Jews sold 1,018 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.43, for a total transaction of $289,549.74. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,065 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,293,927.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.23% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CACI International

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its position in shares of CACI International by 262.5% during the 4th quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 87 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of CACI International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of CACI International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of CACI International by 33.0% during the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 234 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in shares of CACI International by 47.7% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 288 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $87,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.08% of the companys stock.

About CACI International

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CACI International, Inc operates as holding company, which engages in the provision of information solutions and services in support of national security missions and government transformation for intelligence, defense, and federal civilian customers. It operates through the Domestic Operations and International Operations segment.

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MY Wealth Management Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT  Get Rating) by 30.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,123 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 9,132 shares during the period. Vanguard Information Technology ETF accounts for 10.3% of MY Wealth Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. MY Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Information Technology ETF were worth $6,747,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in VGT. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF in the first quarter worth $84,000. AMI Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 5.9% in the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 47,612 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $19,829,000 after acquiring an additional 2,662 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 40.4% in the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 650 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $271,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 24.8% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 180,462 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $75,159,000 after acquiring an additional 35,906 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 5.9% in the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 5,085 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,118,000 after acquiring an additional 283 shares in the last quarter.

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Vanguard Information Technology ETF Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of VGT stock opened at $380.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $46.94 billion, a PE ratio of 24.70 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $366.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $342.02. Vanguard Information Technology ETF has a twelve month low of $291.61 and a twelve month high of $398.52.

About Vanguard Information Technology ETF

Vanguard Information Technology ETF seeks to track the investment performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index, a benchmark of large-, mid-, and small-cap United States stocks in the information technology sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).

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In a delightful update from San Francisco, Emperor Norton I, the charming 19th-century eccentric, is being honored with a street named after him there. The 600 block of Commercial Street, located between Montgomery and Kearny Streets, is now officially known as "Emperor Norton Place." Interestingly, Norton actually lived on this very block in a building called the Eureka Lodgings from around 1864-1865 until his death in 1880.

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"This commemorative name designation is befitting," that district's supervisor Aaron Peskin said at the committee meeting, adding that Emperor Norton was "truly visionary, a humanitarian, and advocate for equality for minorities, for extending the vote to women, and the original proposer of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge." In a nod to those who have campaigned to rename the Bay Bridge for Emperor Norton, Peskin said "the California state legislature shirked this board's urgence [sic] many years ago to name [the bridge] for Emperor Norton and instead named [it] for our former mayor Willie Louis Brown."
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO  Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 21,600 shares, a decrease of 62.2% from the March 15th total of 57,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 107,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Stock Performance

Shares of AIO traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $17.28. 49,610 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 107,009. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $17.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.75. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $14.92 and a twelve month high of $20.80.

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Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, April 13th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.42%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 12th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund

About Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AIO. Karpus Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 171.6% during the 3rd quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 666,465 shares of the companys stock worth $10,384,000 after purchasing an additional 421,038 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 39.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 267,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,845,000 after acquiring an additional 75,695 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 9.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 504,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,168,000 after acquiring an additional 45,285 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 262,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,732,000 after acquiring an additional 37,935 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 536,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after acquiring an additional 35,686 shares in the last quarter.

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The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will arrive in poll-bound Karnataka on a two-day visit to take part in a host of events, including party rally in Kolar on Sunday. This is the maiden visit of Gandhi to the state after his disqualification from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case. According to party sources, the former Congress president is expected to reach Bengaluru in the morning and then proceed to Kolar by a helicopter. Gandhi will address a public meeting in Kolar as part of Congress' 'Jai Bharat' rally. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign in Kolar, Rahul Gandhi had made the Modi surname remark, which led to his conviction by a Gujarat court and his subsequent disqualification from Parliament. The Kolar event, which was earlier called 'Satyameva Jayate', was scheduled to take place on April 5, but was postponed twice. The even renamed as 'Jai Bharat' rally was rescheduled to April 16. After his address in Kolar, the Congress leader will return to Bengaluru by helicopter in the afternoon. Later, in the evening, Gandhi will interact with the 'Pourakarmika', the sanitation workers and street vendors in the state capital. After the meeting, he will inaugurate the newly-built Indira Gandhi Bhawan, office and auditorium with a seating capacity of 750 people, in the city. The leader will stay at a hotel in Bengaluru tonight. On Monday, he will take a special flight from the HAL airport to Bkhalki in Bidar district, where he will address a public meeting. Congress working president Eshwar Khandre is contesting from Bhalki. Rahul Gandhi will address another public meeting in Humnabad in the same district. The Congress has fielded Rajashekar Basavaraj Patil in this assembly segment. In the afternoon, the Gandhi scion will travel to Hyderabad by a helicopter from where he will fly back to Delhi. For the 224-seat assembly, the Congress has so far announced candidates for 209 seats, including 124 in the first list, 42 in the second list and 43 in the third. The party is yet to announce seats of 15 more candidates.
Singapore investment giant Temasek's healthcare platform Sheares Healthcare has entered the last leg of negotiation to raise its stake to 90 percent in leading Kolkata-based hospital chain Medica Synergie by providing an exit to the chief founder, multiple sources told Moneycontrol. In December 2021, Sheares had acquired a majority position in Medica Synergie by purchasing the stake held by private equity firm Quadria Capital. "Sheares is looking to shore up its current stake from around 75 percent to around 90 percent in the firm via a combination of primary and secondary issue of shares," said one of the persons above. A second person told Moneycontrol that as part of the proposed transaction, Sheares has held talks to buy out the minority stake held by Medica Synergies Chairman and founder Dr Alok Roy and related entities. According to a third person familiar with ongoing discussions, "Sheares is in consolidation mode. It is an active investor, has an operational bent of mind and gets involved in day-to-day operations." If the deal fructifies, Sheares is likely to appoint a new chairman of Medica Synergie from its India team, this third person added. He further added that the remaining shareholders of Medica Synergie, which include an early investor along with doctors and associates, are not in exit mode. All the three persons above spoke to Moneycontrol on the condition of anonymity. In response to a detailed email query from Moneycontrol, Sheares Healthcare responded saying, " It is not our practice to comment on media reports with regards to market transactions." An email query to Medica Hospitals was left unanswered and when contacted, Dr Alok Roy declined to comment. Sheares holds an 18 percent stake in Manipal Hospitals and also has exposure to Global Health, the listed operator of Medanta Hospitals. The Medica journey Medica Hospitals, a leading healthcare chain in eastern India, has built and managed a number of multispecialty and superspecialty healthcare facilities across the region. According to its website, it has a total of 11 hospitals. Beginning its journey with Medica North Bengal Clinic (MNBC) in Siliguri in 2008, the group launched its flagship Hospital  Medica Superspecialty Hospital (more than 400-plus beds) in Kolkata in 2010. Soon after Medica Cancer Hospital in Rangapani, Siliguri, was set up in North Bengal and the trust hospital R.C. Agarwal Memorial run by Medica in Tinsukia brought quality multispecialty healthcare to Assam. Medica tied-up with the Jain Samaj for Bhagwan Mahavir Medica Superspecialty Hospital, a new venture in Ranchi. Tata Steel Medica Hospital in Kalinganagar, Odisha, began operations in 2015. In 2017 Medica stepped into Bihar with a specialized heart care unit, Medica Heart Institute, Patna. The Sheares strategy Sheares Healthcare Group invests in and provides healthcare delivery services in Asia, with a focus on China, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, along with the United States. The platform looks to build its portfolio of healthcare delivery assets by investing in healthcare companies with strong management teams and proven track records. It aims to develop new healthcare delivery models and processes in the right setting by leveraging innovative technologies and operators. A landmark deal On December 27, 2022, Moneycontrol had reported that Temasek was eyeing a controlling stake in the Manipal Hospitals chain by buying a stake from the promoter family and other investors TPG and NIIF in a proposed transaction, which would value Manipal Hospitals between Rs 40,000 crore and Rs 42,000 crore. Later on April 8, Moneycontrol reported that the deal had been signed between both the parties. In his first interview to the media post the official announcement of the deal, Dr Ranjan Pai told Moneycontrol that Temaseks entry valuation is reflective of the long-term potential of the healthcare services segment in India. When asked about the possibility of a merger in the near future between Manipal Hospitals and Medica Synergie (with Sheares a common investor in both entities), Pai said, "No discussions regarding this have happened at this point in time." Hospital M&A: In the pink of health and cheer The Indian healthcare space has been buzzing with M&A activity in the last two years. Back in January 2022, Moneycontrol was the first to report that nearly three years after taking over the management of hospitals and clinics previously managed by a fund of failed private equity firm Abraaj, TPG-backed Evercare was looking to exit Hyderabad-based Care Hospitals. On September 3, 2022, Moneycontrol reported that peers Manipal Health Enterprises and Max Healthcare were likely to express interest if a controlling stake was up for grabs in private equity firm True north backed KIMSHEALTH. On February 7, 2023, Moneycontrol also reported that the Ranjan Pai-led hospital chain had offered a fresh, revised bid for Emami Group-owned AMRI Hospitals and entered into settlement talks with the Kolkata- based diversified conglomerate.
In India over 68 per cent of total payments are made through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with 8.7 billion UPI transactions being witnessed in March 2023 alone and overall growth of 82 percent in financial year 2022-23 over the previous year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman said on Friday. Sitharaman was delivering the keynote address during a seminar on 'India's Digital Public Infrastructure - Stacking Up the Benefits', organised by IMF in Washington DC. Talking about the benefits of digital public infrastructure ( DPI), she said how the government has leveraged its benefits, especially during the pandemic. The Finance Minister mentioned how UPI has been a game changer when it comes to making digital payments in India. DPI reached the last mile during the pandemic with about $4.5 billion transferred directly into the bank accounts of 160 million beneficiaries. India's pandemic recovery efforts were greatly supported by the development of the COWIN app which was scaled up to deliver over 2 billion doses of vaccines, she said. Potential of DPI to contribute to both public and private sector are enormous and can transform the development trajectory of countries even in difficult times. We are dealing with multiple challenges including macroeconomic and pandemic related ones. Foundational building blocks approach of India stack (digital identity, digital payments and consent based data sharing) has helped us in improved governance, bring ease of doing business and enable ease of living for our people, Sitharaman said. India has seen record opening of 462.5 million low-cost bank accounts with 56% account holders being women. This has enabled us to transform the government service delivery by building the worlds largest direct benefits transfer system. DPI based direct benefits transfer system has aided about 650 mn people who received $322 bn directly into their accounts, which have led to overall savings of more than $ 27 bn just across key central government schemes. Aadhaar through e-KYC has also brought down costs of verification, leading to savings in costs for customer acquisition from Rs 500700 ($6-9) per person to Rs 3 (0.4 cent). Due to the consent based data exchange framework, the cost of loan processing is estimated to have declined by almost 75 per cent. Lowering of such transaction costs for the public and private sector ensures onboarding of more people into the formal financial system and thus more inclusion, the finance minister stated. In India, there are various other DPI initiatives across sectors, like DIKSHA, a DPI which serves close to 500 mn school children & ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), an open network to democratize digital commerce for millions of MSMEs. DPI has some inherent features like interoperability, openness, low cost access and transparency which makes it inclusive by design and this is helping India in addressing the various digital divide challenges. The scalability feature of our DPI makes the investments economical and is therefore beneficial to the end user as the costs can be minimised, or the access can be made altogether free, too; this is pro-inclusion," she said. Better targeting has been achieved through DPI including gender-sensitive focus and targeting vulnerable sections. By leveraging jan dhan accounts and Aadhaar, more than 90 mn cooking gas connections have been provided under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana as on 30 Jan 2023. DPI has tremendous transformational potential by facilitating innovations continuously by involving private sector and the government effectively. Leveraging of DPI sets a virtuous cycle in motion which incessantly delivers huge benefits for countries to fast pace development processes. Examining how we can leverage DPI to further gains and stack up benefits will go a long way in strengthening our endeavour to achieve strong inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic growth, she said.
The US has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries. According to the provisional data of the commerce ministry, the bilateral trade between India and the US has increased by 7.65 per cent to USD 128.55 in 2022-23 as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. It was USD 80.51 billion in 2020-21. Exports to the US rose by 2.81 per cent to USD 78.31 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 76.18 billion in 2021-22, while imports grew by about 16 per cent to USD 50.24 billion, the data showed. On the other hand, during 2022-23, India's two-way commerce with China declined by about 1.5 per cent to USD 113.83 billion as against USD 115.42 billion in 2021-22. Exports to China dipped by about 28 per cent to USD 15.32 billion in 2022-23, while imports rose by 4.16 per cent to USD 98.51 billion in the last fiscal. Trade gap widened to USD 83.2 billion in the last fiscal as against USD 72.91 billion in 2021-22. Experts believe that the trend of increasing bilateral trade with the US will continue in the coming years also as New Delhi and Washington are engaged in further strengthening the economic ties. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President A Sakthivel said that increasing exports of goods such as pharmaceutical, engineering and gems and jewellery is helping India to push its shipments to America. "The trend of increasing trade with the US will continue in the coming months also," he said. FIEO Vice President Khalid Khan said India is emerging as a trusted trading partner and global firms are reducing their dependence only on China for their supplies and are diversifying business into other countries like India. "The bilateral trade between India and the US will continue to grow as our exporters are getting good orders from that country," Khan said. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Director of the Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), Bangalore, too said that India provides huge trade opportunities for the US as India is the world's third largest consumer market and the fastest growing market economy. "Major export items from India to the US include petroleum, polished diamonds, pharmaceutical products, jewellery, light oils and petroleum, frozen shrimp, made ups etc. whereas major imports from the US include petroleum, rough diamonds, liquified natural gas, gold, coal, waste and scrap, almonds etc," Joshi said. America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. In 2022-23, India had a trade surplus of USD 28 billion with the US. The data showed that China was India's top trading partner since 2013-14 till 2017-18 and also in 2020-21. Before China, the UAE was the country's largest trading partner. In 2022-23, the UAE with USD 76.16 billion, was the third largest trading partner of India. It was followed by Saudi Arabia (USD 52.72 billion), and Singapore (USD 35.55 billion).
Fresh from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek acquiring a majority stake in it, Manipal Health Enterprises plans to add another 12-14 hospitals with around 4,000 beds to its network in the next five years, according to the company's Managing Director & CEO Dilip Jose. The company is looking at both greenfield hospitals and acquisitions for its expansion, he said but did not disclose the investments lined up for the purpose. "We have now 29 hospitals and 8,300 beds. We expect in the next five years 4,000 beds more to get added and that could be from about 12 to 14 hospitals," Jose told PTI. When asked about investments for the expansion, he said the company does not normally divulge it. "We are happy with our funding ability. We will not have an issue funding it, we are comfortable on our balance sheet. With the backers, with the investors that we have, the mandate that we have is go ahead and execute, funding will not be a concern," he asserted. On the expansion programme, Jose said, "We are currently building three greenfields -- two more in Bangalore under construction and one greenfield in Raipur is under construction, and we are pursuing two acquisitions. So our next five year trajectory is a mix of greenfield and acquisitions." The healthcare chain will look at greenfield projects more in locations where it is already present with multiple hospitals and can go deeper into that geography, he said, adding, "we prefer greenfield because we can build exactly what we want to construct". On the other hand, Jose said, "To enter a new territory or new geography we prefer to look at an acquisition because that is quicker to the markets to provide access." In terms of region, he said East India is an underserved area, where the chain has presence with only one hospital which it had acquired from Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt Ltd. "That's the only hospital (we have) but we believe East is underserved in quality healthcare, we would want to be there. That is the potential that we look at," he said. He further said, "We are also interested in Hyderabad as a city. We have said in the past also, it's an adjoining geography to Karnataka." Besides, the company is also "very interested in Kerala, for the reason that Manipal is a household name in Kerala on account of the educational pedigree that we have. Many people from Kerala travel to Manipal University for their higher education...Also, it is a natural extension of geography from Karnataka." In the National Capital Region, he said Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE) would like two more hospitals to the existing three. Last week, the company had announced that Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek will buy an additional 41 per cent stake in it, taking its total shareholding to 59 per cent. The deal was pegged at over Rs 16,300 crore (USD 2 billion), valuing MHE at around Rs 40,000 crore making it the largest deal in the Indian healthcare sector. Temasek, which already has an 18 per cent stake in Manipal through a wholly-owned subsidiary Sheares Healthcare Group, will buy the additional stake from Manipal founder Ranjan Pai's family, TPG and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Jose declined to comment on the transaction but said although the proportion of shareholding has changed, the shareholders remain the same and the company would carry forward the practice of running the board by consensus. "We have always been professionally managed, a board-run professionally managed company. Even when the Pai family had the majority at 52 per cent, they had separated ownership from management, not only for Manipal hospitals, but all their enterprises. All their group companies are run by professional CEOs and with an independent board." The management team at MHE will also remain the same, Jose said adding,"It is a matter of continuity...the shareholding transactions are happening at shareholders' level or owners' level. At an operating company level at MHE, we have not changed. We have the same set of shareholders and the same management will run it."
Here is a collection of the most important stories this evening: India could buy Russian crude past cap if Opec+ cuts boost costs: FM India will explore buying Russian crude oil near or past the price cap imposed by the G-7 as it navigates external risks it sees as the biggest economic threat. Yes, because otherwise Ill end up paying far more than what I can afford, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview Saturday in Washington, when asked if India would continue importing Russian oil beyond the $60-a-barrel price cap. We have a large population and we also therefore have to look at prices which are going to be affordable for us. Read here Talks with UK govt on financial package still on: Tata Steel CEO Tata Steel is still pursuing its request for the financial package with the UK government, the company's CEO T V Narendran said. Narendran made the remarks in reply to a question on stance on exiting the UK business. There has been no conclusion to the request made for a financial package, he said. Read here TCS, Infosys results signal subdued Q4 for IT pack, experts see choppy 1-2 quarters The results of top-tier companies TCS and Infosys have tripped on global uncertainties and missed street estimates, setting a subdued tone for Q4 show by the IT pack, and experts see choppy 1-2 quarters for the industry but are hopeful of subsequent recovery. Read here Mcap of 7 of top-10 most valued firms climb Rs 67,859 cr; ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank shine Seven of the top-10 most valued firms together added Rs 67,859.77 crore in market valuation in a holiday-shortened last week, with ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank emerging as the biggest gainers. Read here Saudi prince gives 4% Aramco stake to public investment firm Saudi Arabia's crown prince announced on Sunday the transfer of a 4 percent stake of the oil giant Saudi Aramco to a subsidiary of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, further boosting its coffers as the kingdom tries to expand its economy beyond oil. Read here Protest against CBI summons to Kejriwal: AAP says senior leaders detained by police Several senior AAP leaders were on Sunday "detained" by the Delhi Police while they were staging a sit-in to protest against the summoning of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI in connection with the excise policy case. Read here Atiq Ahmad, brother killing: UP govt forms 3-member judicial commission; to submit inquiry report in 2 months The Uttar Pradesh government on April 16 constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe into the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf. The commission will be headed by high court judge (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, and retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh will be its members, officials said in Lucknow. Read here
There are three commercially important tuna species in the Indian Ocean, and all of them are at risk. One of the prickliest issues for tuna fisheries in the world is the use of fish-aggregating devices, or FADs. On 5th February, countries hammered out an agreement on FADs in Mombasa, Kenya. Thats when members of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) agreed to reduce the number of drifting FADs and to impose three-month closures on the devices. Critics say this progress has happened despite the European Union attempting to water down ambition on critical measures aided by the vastly disproportionate negotiating muscle of its delegation to tuna talks, including numerous industry representatives. The blocs distant-water fishing fleet reels in the largest share of tuna in the Indian Ocean, most of it taken by massive industrial vessels that use FADs. EU public authorities and industrial lobbies have merged into a unique body which, on top of damaging marine wildlife and ecosystems also harms developing economies in the Global South, Frederic Le Manach, scientific director of BLOOM Association, a French non-profit, said n a statement. The EU has sent more lobbyists than officials to high-level tuna talks in recent years as negotiations around saving the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna  a valuable stock perilously close to crashing  intensified, according to an investigation by BLOOM. The IOTC, an intergovernmental body responsible for managing tuna stocks, declared yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) overfished in 2015, sparking years of hectic negotiations centered on setting catch quotas and regulating destructive fishing gear like FADs. That year, the EU delegation to the IOTC annual meeting included six members affiliated with industrial fishing lobbies along with 12 public officials. By 2018, lobbyists outnumbered public officials in the EU delegation 14 to 12. The trend has persisted every year since then, with the exception of 2020. Le Manach said these numbers are a sign of toxic collusion indicative of a deeper rot in the blocs handling of negotiations around fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean and Africa, where many coastal countries are former colonies of the EU member states. The EU is the main actor in the Indian Ocean when it comes to tuna fisheries. Historically, it extracted the biggest catches. Despite its share falling in recent years, its industrial vessels (both those flagged to EU states or ultimately controlled by EU companies) still pull in the lions share of tuna, about 33%. Most countries along the Indian Ocean coast capture much smaller catches distributed among millions of artisanal fishers. Indonesia, a large Indian Ocean fishing nation with a population four times that of France, took less than 16%, a majority of which was caught by artisanal fisheries. In response to growing concerns about tuna stocks, other IOTC members like Indonesia have also buttressed their delegations. But the recent expansions have only served to magnify the lopsided representation at such meetings, the BLOOM analysis shows. Between 2016 and 2020, the EU sent 40 delegates on average, compared to 20 from Indonesia, a distant second in average delegation size, with the other 27 commission member states trailing behind. EU delegates made up 20% of the total delegates between 2002 and 2020, even though the number of vessels flagged to EU member states is only about 2% of the boats active in the region. A spokesperson for the European Commission (EC), who declined to be named citing commission policy, attributed the increase in delegation size partly to the pandemic. Since 2020, the IOTC has permitted online participation at meetings, which meant the size of all participating delegations, including the EU, has increased in recent years due to the possibility for stakeholders to attend those meetings virtually and save travel costs, the spokesperson said. It is also indicative of the increasing interest from stakeholders on IOTC matters, they said, but added that, strictly speaking, only EC officials are part of the EU delegation. Representatives from the fishery sector could also be part of the EU delegation as observers, the statement noted, but they are not authorized to negotiate. However, in official IOTC documents, lobbyists from several French and Spanish tuna fisheries interest groups are listed as advisors in EU delegations, not observers, and delegations had begun to swell even before the pandemic. The EU fleet comprises dozens of purse seiners, most of them flagged to Spain and France, which catch tuna using FADs. These are raft-like structures with underwater tails made of netting, canvas or ropes. Some FADs are anchored in one place while others, called drifting FADs (DFADs), are set loose on the open sea. They attract fish, adults and juveniles, by the thousands, making it easier for purse seiners to scoop them up. The capture of juvenile tuna, which are yet to reproduce, depletes populations and makes recovery that much more difficult. FADS, especially the unanchored ones, also contribute significantly to marine pollution in certain areas, as reported earlier by Mongabay. As far back as 2015, the IOTC flagged FAD fishing as a threat to tuna populations, including bigeye (Thunnus obesus) and skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) that are caught alongside yellowfin tuna. Despite warnings from scientists about the dangers of FAD fishing, purse seiners continue to release the devices by the thousands every year. In 2022, the IOTC declared the Indian Oceans bigeye populations overfished and assessed that skipjack was being fished at unsustainable levels. From 3rd to 5th February, IOTC members gathered in Kenya for a special session on the use of these fishing aids. At the meeting, India pushed for a ban on drifting FADs, saying it was necessary to apply the precautionary principle given the alarming state of yellowfin tuna. Another plan, backed by several major fishing nations, including the Maldives, Indonesia and India sought annual three-month drifting FAD closures. It called for a steep cut to the number of devices a vessel can deploy at any one time, from 300 to 150. This proposal was initially submitted by Kenya and Maldives. But Kenya abruptly rescinded its support for the plan at the start of the talks. BLOOM accuses the EU of pressuring the East African nation to withdraw by threatening to cut off funding for the countrys Blue Economy program. The EC spokesperson refuted the accusation that the EU resorted to any economic pressure or behind-the-scene pressuring, adding that the bloc maintains a regular bilateral dialogue with all its partners on matters of sustainable fishing and our ocean agenda more broadly. Mongabay also reached out to Kenyas department of fisheries, which sends representatives to the IOTC talks, about the accusation and did not receive a response by the time of publication. In its own proposal, the EU recommended reducing the number from 300 to 280 starting in 2024 and then gradually bringing it down to 240 by 2028. The bloc said there wasnt enough scientific evidence for FAD closures yet. The revised proposal ultimately accepted at Mombasa via secret ballot, with 16 votes of 23 cast in favor, set the limit at 250 by 2024 and 200 by 2026. Its unclear at the moment how the EU voted. EU has always tried to facilitate negotiations and compromises for FADs and tropical tuna regulations in general, said Antonin Violette, a spokesperson for Orthongel, a group representing the French tuna industry that has consistently participated in IOTC tuna talks. Violette described the EUs proposal as very ambitious, saying that it improves management, traceability, transparency and biodegradability of both anchored and drifting FADs. The EC statement cited the large number and wide-range of proposals put forward by the EU as evidence of the blocs constructive role at the IOTC, adding that these proposals tackled a host of important issues, from tuna stock management to regulation of FADs. [I]t is probably not what you would expect if commercial interests were dominating the EU position, the EC spokesperson said. According to Le Manach, if the EU actually supported ambitious measures to conserve tuna species, like the ones put forth by India and the Maldives, the situation would improve for everyone because the EU is such a dominant player in the region. But that, he argued, would require radically limiting the presence and influence of lobbyists at IOTC negotiations.
The Uttar Pradesh government on April 16 constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe into the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf. The commission will be headed by high court judge (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, and retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh will be its members, officials said in Lucknow. The commission will have to submit its report to the government within two months, they said, adding the state home department has constituted the commission under Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead late night on April 15 while being taken for medical checkup in Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmad is the father of gangster-turned-politician Asad Ahmad who was killed in encounter by Uttar Pradesh Police in Umesh Pal murder case. The shooting that occurred around 10 pm was caught on camera as mediapersons were following the handcuffed duo, who were being taken to the hospital by police for a medical checkup. A senior police officer said three people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred just two days after Ahmad's son Asad was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi. Asad's last rites were performed here earlier in the day. At least three people, who posed as mediapersons, were seen firing from a close range at Ahmad (60) and Ashraf, who fell to the ground. Police soon overpowered the assailants. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi: "Crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and the criminals are unfazed. When someone can be shot dead amidst a police cordon, then what about the safety of the general public? An atmosphere of fear is being created among the public due to this and it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere." Ahmad, a former SP MP, and his brother were brought here for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody. Ahmad's son Asad and one of his accomplices were killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13. (With agency inputs)
Several senior AAP leaders were on Sunday "detained" by the Delhi Police while they were staging a sit-in to protest against the summoning of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the CBI in connection with the excise policy case. The detainees included Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Adil Ahmad Khan, Pankaj Gupta and some ministers in the Punjab government. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also joined the sit-in on Archbishop Road, had left the spot before the AAP leaders' detention. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed, "The police have arrested all ministers and members. We were peacefully sitting here but the police have illegally arrested all of us." "The Delhi Police has arrested us for sitting peacefully and is taking us to some unknown place... what kind of dictatorship is this?" Chadha tweeted in Hindi. The CBI summoned Kejriwal to its office to answer questions of the investigation team as a witness in the excise policy case, according to a notice issued by the agency. Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal's former deputy in the Delhi government, was arrested last month in the case. The AAP has called the case a conspiracy against its leaders. CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed. The agency adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called to the agency headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody. The allegations relate to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The CBI is probing into allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licences. The AAP has strongly refuted these charges but its government later scrapped the policy. It was further alleged that irregularities, including modifications in the excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, the extension of L-1 licence without approval, etc were committed, a CBI spokesperson said after the FIR was filed on August 17, 2022. The CBI filed its charge sheet against seven accused on November 25. It alleged in the charge sheet that the excise policy was framed in a manner to promote cartelisation and monopoly at the wholesale level.
A public school teacher in Naples, Florida, shared pro-Confederate propaganda with their students because of the glorious losers. In addition to praise for secessionist trash, the school teacher rebranded the Civil War as "The War to Prevent Southern Independence." Local parents were outraged, and the school district is, of course, investigating.

April is Florida's "Confederate History Month."

NBC-2:

A teacher at a Collier County school is facing backlash from parents after they showed a video celebrating "Confederate History Month" to the entire school.

The video aired as part of the morning announcements on Tuesday at Manatee Middle School, according to a district spokesperson.

"If you didn't know, April is an officially celebrated month here in the State of Florida named Confederate History Month," the teacher said in the video.

The school district wouldn't identify who the teacher is but said they are investigating.

"Every year our state celebrates and memorializes that valiant, brave fight and the countless sacrifices by our men and women during that known as the Civil War," said the teacher in the video.

The teacher bills the video as a look into the state's recognition of Confederate History Month.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appeared before the CBI on Sunday for questioning in the excise policy case as party leaders staged protest outside the agency's office and elsewhere in the city. In a five-minute video message on Twitter ahead of his arrival at the heavily fortified agency headquarters at 11:10 am, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP might have ordered the agency to arrest him. The AAP leader asserted that he would truthfully and honestly answer questions posed by the CBI in the excise case as he has nothing to hide. "I have been summoned by CBI today and I will give all the answers with honesty. These people are very powerful. They can send anyone to jail, it does not matter if that person has committed any crime or not," the AAP leader said. "Since yesterday, all of their leaders are screaming at top of their voices that Kejriwal will be arrested and I think BJP has instructed CBI also that Kejriwal should be arrested. If BJP has given an order, then who is CBI? CBI is going to arrest me," he said. Talking to reporters at his residence before leaving for the CBI office, he said, "I am going to the CBI office, and will answer all questions. After 75 years, such a government came to Delhi which created hope. Development has taken place after 75 years". Kejriwal was accompanied to the agency's office by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann and some cabinet colleagues. After his arrival at the agency headquarters, Kejriwal was taken to the first floor office of the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, which is probing the matter. As Kejriwal's questioning got underway, top AAP leaders, including Mann, Delhi Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh gathered near the CBI headquarters and raised slogans against the prime minister. The agency had summoned Kejriwal on Friday last seeking his appearance as a witness before the investigation team to answer their queries on the inputs generated during the probe in which his former deputy Manish Sisodia was also arrested on February 26, they said. Senior officials of the agency remained present in the office on Sunday to keep an eye on the development, a normal course whenever a VIP comes to the agency, they said. During the day, which will also include a lunch break, the CBI may ask the chief minister about the policy formulation process, especially the "untraceable" file, which was earlier slated to be put before the Council of Ministers, they said. They said the file containing opinions of the expert committee and public and legal opinions on it was not kept before the council and remains untraceable. The agency may also quiz Kejriwal on the statements of other accused, where they have indicated the manner in which policy was allegedly influenced to favour some liquor businessmen and the South liquor lobby, they said. In addition, the officials said the agency might also seek his role in formulating the excise policy and his knowledge about the alleged influence being cast by the traders and South lobby members. Kejriwal may also be asked if he was involved in the formulation of the policy before it was given approval, they said. It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was later scrapped. Security was stepped up at the CBI headquarters with the Delhi Police putting in place four rings of barricading to prevent protests by the Aam Admi Party leaders and supporters. Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, they said. Security has also been tightened outside the office of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Rouse Avenue, the officials said. Barricades have also been placed on streets at both these places  AAP office and CBI headquarters  to ensure the party's workers and supporters do not create any trouble, a senior police official said. CBI officials have said they asked Kejriwal to appear on a Sunday as the offices in the area remain closed. It had adopted the same strategy when Sisodia was called at the agency's headquarters, where he was grilled for eight hours before being taken into custody. As AAP workers held protests against the summoning of Chief Minister Kejriwal, traffic snarls were reported in many parts of the national capital. Traffic jams were witnessed in the protest sites of Anand Vihar Terminal, ITO Chowk, Mukarba Chowk Peera Garhi Chowk, Lado Sarai Chowk, Crown Plaza Chowk, Dwarka More Sec 6 and Sec 2 Chauraha, Pecific Wala Chowk Subhash Nagar More, Prem Wari Chauraha Ring Road, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate Side, Bara Hanuman Mandir, Karol Bagh Chowk, IIT Crossing, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Raj Ghat and NH 24 Near Murga Mandi Gazipur. Police officials, along with the traffic unit deployed at multiple locations, are persuading protesters to move from the roads and allow traffic. "We have deployed sufficient force at these locations. But protesters are on a sit-in so we are persuading them to move because they are causing heavy traffic jams. If they are still not cooperating, we are removing them from the spot," a senior police official said.
Director Aashiq Abu had created a huge splash in Malayalam cinema with his runaway hit movie Salt n Pepper way back in 2011. The movie stood out for a new approach to story-telling and direction and cemented his place as a director with immense potential. His latest movie Neelavelicham, based on a well-known short story, will hit the screens on April 20, and by his own admission, it has been the most challenging work in his career so far. Excerpts from an interview: Your latest offering Neelavelicham starring Tovino Thomas, Rima Kallingal and Roshan Mathew, is based on a story penned by the legendary Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. You have produced it under your banner OPM Cinemas. When was the project conceived and how was it brought to life? Script writer Syam Pushkaran and I had planned a horror movie some time ago but eventually dropped the idea because we didnt want to do a flick that would go against science. Many years later, I read the new edition of the Basheer novel. My reading habit had come down to reading stuff on the phone but this novel had an immediate impact. It was so descriptive. It talks in detail about even the sound of a moving door, leaves rumbling in the wind, the moon, the sky and even a dog in the frame. It was a very Basheerian world. It's about a young writer who stays in a mansion, haunted by the apparition of a young woman who committed suicide. Basheer, in his foreword, refers to the theme as a wonder bubble which he has tried to burst with a scientific needle and couldnt. He says maybe the reader could. The horror, triggered by hallucination, may even appeal to the scientific mind. Have you tried to make changes to the original script? The story of Neelavelicham was made into a movie called Bhargavi Nilayam in 1964. Since we are releasing the movie again in 2023, we had to make changes to suit todays sensibilities, otherwise we felt it may look like we are mocking it. Bhargavi Nilayam was some sort of a classic. However, I have taken some cinematic liberties to adapt the story to todays times. Do you see this as a test of your calibre as a director, since its the first time you are basing a movie on a well-known story? Its not just my effort alone. I have tried to guide it through. Some of the best people are involved in this project, be it the actors or the technicians. It has been a very challenging movie, but very exciting at the same time. Aashiq, you have never tried to stick to one pattern of movie making. Whether it is 22FK, Idukki Gold or Mayanadi, all your movies have stood out with their differentiated content and direction. Was that a conscious strategy? Thats my survival strategy. The fact that I have not tried to do another movie on similar lines is to ensure that viewers always get a surprise. The effort is always to get maximum viewers into the theatre and from that perspective I have always been a commercial director. I just try to deal with varied subjects and bring in quality into each of them. I know that if I try to repeat the subject or treatment, the movie could fail. For my own survival, I have to find something new all the time or else people will get bored. They keep pushing us to reinvent ourselves. Over the last decade, Malayalam cinema has seen a number of gifted directors (Dileesh Pothan, Anwar Rasheed, Anjali Menon, Alphonse Puthran etc) coming through the ranks. How has it benefited you as a filmmaker? Its an opportunity for me to get educated further about cinema. All these new filmmakers are making movies in and around you, and you get to see them. Frankly, its cinema thats most important and not who is making it. Directors and writers get celebrated here in the Malayalam movie industry and not just actors. So, its exciting for us to experiment in Malayalam as we get enough support and recognition here. This has helped the new generation of directors too. Acting in Malayalam movies has also seen a big shift. European cinema has been a big influence here. Most of our actors are exposed to high quality work in the international movie industry (not just Hollywood) and pick up cues. Fahad Fazil is a good example of an actor who has benefited through constant feedback and encouragement received from a very educated audience. Our audience understands fresh cinematic language and techniques and the actors try to keep up to those standards. With the internet, movie education is free for all. Viewers are getting updated about new ways of acting as they have access to data and phones. While there is nothing called realistic acting, our actors try to keep their craft as real as possible. Competition is growing and other actors who cant match up to these standards will struggle. However, we need more script writers who understand screenwriting and I believe the same is the case globally. The new OTT platforms are providing regional cinema a great business opportunity. With the advent of digital platforms, movie watching is essentially now in two buckets - community viewing and personal viewing. People choose between the two. When they want a larger-than-life spectacle, they prefer watching it in a theatre and if they want a more emotional engagement they look towards OTT. Malayalam cinema can now make bigger movies mounted on bigger budgets, thanks to a bigger market opportunity. Regional is now international due to the internet and the next generation of movie makers will keep pushing the envelope further. One can expect large scale movies like RRR or KGF from Malayalam in the near future.
During the month of Ramzan, the fragrance of non-alcoholic perfumes wafts through the mosques and shrines of Kashmir. During the holy month, the demand for non-alcoholic perfumes, also known as attars, goes up, as people who observe fasting prefer to apply attar, an oil-based natural perfume, before going for congregational prayers in mosques and shrines, a custom widely attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The use of attar also increases during the festive occasion of Eid ul Fitr, when Muslims wear new clothes and apply attar, a natural perfume extracted from flowers, before going to offer grand prayers in a large gathering. Where to buy the best attar in Jammu & Kashmir The cramped and narrow lane that leads to the aptly-named Ranger Masjid Bohri Kadal in Srinagar's downtown is home to a variety of smells. A number of attar shops line the lane. Locals know this is among the best places to get attar at wholesale prices. The sale of non-alcoholic perfumes goes up by 50 percent during Ramzan compared to the rest of the year. We have 400-500 collections of perfumes and the rate ranges from Rs 25 per ml to Rs 60,000, said Arif Wani, who runs a wholesale attar store. It has been 13 years since Wani opened his attar storeMaktaba Mehmoodiyain Srinagar's Bohri Kadal area. During Ramzan, every day around 50-60 customers purchase perfumes from my store compared to 20-30 (per day) in other months. When demand is highest Temporary kiosks and stalls selling non-alcoholic perfumes pop up near attar shops in different markets of Srinagar city as the sales shoot up in the holy month. Such stalls are also set up outside mosques and shrines to grab the attention of worshipers. The sales are particularly high after Zuhr, noon prayers and Asr, the afternoon prayers. Kashmir has seen a rapid increase in the demand for alcohol-free perfumes over the past few years. Common alcohol-free perfumes are easily available in the range of Rs 25 to Rs 500, while top international attar brands are much more expensive. Husaib Malik who works at attar shop located in Srinagars Madina Chowk told Moneycontrol that the sale of attar has increased 80-90 percent during Ramzan. He added that Oud perfume which is sold at Rs1,600 per 8 ml is trending and "sold like hot cakes" in Ramadan 2023. Oud is a special non-alcoholic perfume which has a good customer base because its fragrance lasts longer," he explained. Religious scholars are divided over the use of perfumes containing alcohol. Still, the more devout worshippers tend to avoid alcohol-based perfumes as the use of alcohol is prohibited in Islam. Attar for teetotalers and naturalists Wani said that not just muslims but non-muslims including tourists come to his store and buy different types of attars throughout the year. Perfumes sold in the market contain alcohol to help the scent rise from the skin  yet it also causes it to evaporate faster. But attars are concentrated perfume oil and can last for a day or two because they do not contain alcohol, Wani explained. The sheer variety of fragrances helps, too. Reasons to head to Gaw Kadal Abdul Wasay Ansari, who has been selling attar for decades in the Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar, told Moneycontrol that the business of attar flourishes during the month of Ramzan as compared to any other month. As one steps inside Ansaris perfume outlet in Gaw Kadal, the multiple fragrances linger in the air. We have 800-900 varieties of attar in our shop. We make a number of varieties ourselves while others are imported from various countries including India, Saudi Arabia and UAE, said Ansari who has been in the attar business for the last 33 years. Origins of attar Attar, according to Wani, has its origins in India and the Middle East. India has been one of the largest attar markets in the world. Even before 1947, India had been exporting oil used for making attar to various countries. The global market for perfumes is estimated at $35-50 billion a year, depending on which source you believe. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest consumer of perfumes, followed by the UAE. Our religion Islam has stressed a lot on cleanliness. We have been asked to put on a good appearance. It is a tradition to put on attar not just in Ramzan but throughout the year, said Mir Shahnawaz, who regularly purchases non-alcoholic perfumes. Most popular fragrances Some of the most popular attar fragrances sold in the markets of Kashmir are Janat ul Firdous, Oud, Fawakeh, Gulab, Chameli, Nargis, Musk, Chocolate, Banana, and Kesar. With good perfume, you can create a good vibe and ambience. Smelling good makes your personality better because the aroma has a direct impact on the mood, said Wani with a smile. Attar, according to perfume sellers, is made from flowers, agar, spices, types of wood that are left to steep for a long time to get the best fragrance which is completely chemical-free.
Protesters opposing French President Emmanuel Macrons unpopular plan to raise the retirement age to 64 from its current 62 recently targetted the headquarters of luxury conglomerate LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton). The group is led by Bernard Arnault -- the richest person in the world. According to Forbes, he and his family are worth more than $240 billion. The incident happened on Thursday in a final show of anger before a crucial decision on whether the measure meets constitutional standards. Protesters were also seen holding banners that read: "Macron (French President), take the money of Bernard (world's biggest luxury goods company LVMH's French CEO Bernard Arnault), it will be alright." Hundreds of activists poured through the entrance doors of LVMHs building on Avenue Montaigne, where boss Bernard Arnault has his office. Visuals from the chaotic scene showed protesters climbing up an escalator that led to the higher levels of the office building, New York Post reported. If youre looking for money to finance pensions, take it from the pockets of billionaires, protester Sud Rail told the publication. Paris police banned all gatherings outside the council from Thursday evening through Saturday morning, in an attempt to reduce pressure on the council members as they make their decision. Police said some 3,80,000 people took part in the protests across France Thursday. The number was down from recent weeks, but unions still managed to mobilize sizable crowds. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, though dozens of injuries were reported among police and protesters. (With inputs from agencies) Read more: France's Constitutional Council approves higher pension age
In terms of sheer wizardry, the T-cell therapy technically deserves the prize. In order to vanish or cure the cancer, usually certain types of blood cancer, the treatment involves removing the T cells (cells in the bone marrow which are part of the immune system), white blood cells that fight viruses, from the patients blood and genetically engineering them to fight the cancer and then infusing the modified cells into the patients blood circulation. The therapy technically is so efficient that the T cells remain constantly vigil even though the cancer is gone. The complexity is mindboggling and so are the side effects of the treatment which need a range of strategies to deal with them. For instance, if the modified T cells are taught to recognise B cells (if the cancer involves the B cells which are the antibody-forming cells of the immune system) and destroy them, then even when the cancer is gone, the modified T cells will continue to be the sentinels and systematically destroy the good B cells. No cancer but no B cells remain as well. The cured patient would need immunoglobulin infusions for the rest of their lives. Apart from the complexity of the treatment and the specific infrastructure needed, the therapy is expensive and so, in countries where the majority may not be able to afford it, it has yet to catch on. The glad tiding is that this therapy is now under way in Bengaluru, a first for the nation. Immuneel Therapeutics was founded in December 2018 with a purpose to accelerate development of advanced cell and gene therapies and provide those to patients in India keeping affordability in mind. Its founders are Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (founder and chairperson of Biocon), Dr Kush Parmar (founder of Boston-based 5AM Ventures) and Pulitzer Prize-winning cancer doctor and researcher Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee. On his last visit to the city to launch his latest book The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human (2022), he had spoken about Immuneel, noting Indias first integrated state-of-the-art cell therapy R&D and manufacturing facility which is now fully functioning while building the ecosystem needed to build novel and innovative cell therapy assets. It has been licensed for its programme, the Imaging and Epidemiology (IMAGINE) study, which, according to Dr Arun Anand, COO and board member, Immuneel Therapeutics, is Indias first Phase 2 multicentre CAR-T therapy trial for a CD19 CAR-T in 2022 indicated for B-cell malignancies. The early results were presented in December last year at the 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH) held at New Orleans, the US. IMAGINE builds on excellent Phase 1 clinical data from Spain for Varnimcabtagene developed by Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Dr Anand says. The trial is active and recruiting at multiple centres in India. The IMAGINE study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Varnimcabtagene autoleucel (IMN [1] 003A), a novel CD19 directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) Cell Therapy for treatment of B-Cell malignancies, such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (B-NHL). Incidentally, India joined the CAR-T cell therapy space in 2021 with Tata Memorial and IIT starting a single site CD19 CAR-T Phase 1 academic trial. Historical roadmap of T-Cell therapy The recognition of T-cell as a medical tool: T cells can easily search, recognise, and kill cancer cells facilitated by a guide which directs them to the tumors. These antibodies, which are proteins, emerged as a valuable scientific reach and medical tool. In 1975, the first monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed. The first mAb to be used as a cancer therapeutic was developed in 1997. This therapeutic mAb Rituximab (Rituxan) was soon approved to treat certain types of lymphoma. Importance of CAR-T cells: Rituximab paved the way for several other targeted cancer therapies. In 1987, the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) was created by Israeli immunologist Zelig Eshhar. However, the early trials were not successful, and indeed, the field slowed for two decades, and was resurrected in the late 2000s when the DNA coding for this receptor was implanted in T cells to create CAR-T cells which targeted tumors. Once it binds to the tumor cell, the CAR-T cells multiply and kill the tumor cells in the vicinity and persist in the body for years and serve as guards to call in additional CAR-T cells as necessary to destroy stray tumor cells. First clinical trial: In 2011, U-Penn initiated the first clinical trials in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). From 2012 onwards, stellar results were reported for CAR-T therapies in children and adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with complete remissions in patients in terminal stage. This was transformative science! Latest in therapy: In 2017, cancer patients found hope in the historic victory of the efforts of cancer researchers when on August 30, Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) was approved by the United States of America FDA for the treatment of children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Soon after, on October 18, 2017, FDA granted approval for Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) for treating patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/rDLBCL) and other rare large B-cell lymphomas. T cells are interesting, because they are the bodys natural mechanism designed to kill abnormal cells. To summarise, since the first historic CAR-T approvals in 2017, six CAR-T cell therapies have achieved widespread approvals, including Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel), and Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel). But what exactly is CAR-T cell therapy? Dr Anand says, CAR-T cell therapy is an individualised cell-based technique that involves removing some of the patients own white blood cells, including T cells. The right type of cells is selected from this pool, and then used to make CAR-T cells. The collected T cells are genetically treated in the lab to produce special receptors called chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs. These CARs are like hooks, and allow the T cells to recognise an antigen (or marker) at the surface of cancer cells and activate the T cells ability to kill these cancer cells. The CAR-T cells are infused back into the patients body to identify and destroy certain cancers. This personalised immunotherapy is one of the most promising areas of cancer treatment. Call it bespoke therapy or creating personal assassins. Who can avail this treatment? The FDA-approved below conditions for CAR-T cell therapy include those with: B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in people up to 25 years of age; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma; large B-cell lymphoma transformed from follicular lymphoma; high grade B-cell lymphoma; aggressive B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (NOS); mantle cell lymphoma; follicular lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The bottom line: The expense and commercial availability of the treatment Although there are a few other players in India working in cell-therapy space, India does not have any commercialised CAR-T cell therapy available for patients. Immuneel, too, has not rolled out commercially. Dr Anand says, Immuneels targeting to reducing the price to 1/4th the US prices in India. Currently the cost of the drug in the US is nearly $450,000-500,000. Since these are personalised therapies, it is a very expensive affair. Immuneel, through its programmes, is innovating on several elements of the manufacturing and delivery system to bring cutting edge global quality programmes with global data to Indian markets at a fraction of global prices. This will set the trend for the growth of the ecosystem in the country, that can further innovate, increase scale, increase efficiency, and bring down costs further. Roadblocks Globally, the CAR T treatment is known to have caused serious side effects in some patients like high fevers, comas, and dangerously low blood pressure, however, in most patients the alarming symptoms resolve. Also, strangely, some patients have shown resistance to the therapy or have relapsed. In the roadmap ahead, these are the factors that will be tackled and resolved hopefully.
As OYO plans to add over 100 hotels this year across the US, founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal said that the country is full of opportunities as nearly 15 percent of the global tourism spending emerges from there. Taking to Twitter, Agarwal who is currently touring the US, said, "Since I first visited the US for the Thiel Fellowship in 2013 as a starry-eyed small-town boy, it became absolutely clear that the US market is full of opportunities waiting to be explored." "Over the years, it has become one of OYO's most promising international markets. In terms of scale and size for the tourism and hospitality industry, US is a juggernaut with nearly 15 percent of the global tourism spending emerging from there." Ritesh Agarwal added that the company plans to add over 100 hotels this year across the states of Oregon, Washington, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Florida. This is nearly double the number of hotels the company added to its portfolio in 2022. Speaking about the challenges OYO may face while expanding in the US, the CEO said the hospitality industry in the US has a massive trust deficit. "The biggest growth driver for us, however, was - learning and delivering improved technological services. Our teams doubled down on solutions and products for hotel owners and over 35 percent of our new hotels came from recommendations or referrals by our existing hotel owners," he said. "This has also led to better customer trust and brand affinity for us in the region. Our revenues per room are 3x higher than the industry in most locations and nearly 41 percent of bookings happen directly on our app/website." The company also recently onboarded some marquee properties such as Plaza on the Pike by OYO in Atlantic City, OYO Hotel Renton Bellevue in Seattle, Tulsa Square Hotel by OYO in Tulsa and OYO Hotel Hermiston in downtown Oregon, it stated in a release. Over 15 hotels have already signed up with OYO in 2023. Read more: Oyo's Ritesh Agarwal on the 'most valuable trait' for a young entrepreneur. Watch
If you ask me to pick my favourite city in Europe, it will probably be Berlin. That answer might change if I need to make a recommendation for a solo traveller. Its Budapest that wins my vote as a haven for solo travellers. The river Danube splits the city into its two distinct hearts (Buda and Pest) that beat as one. This is a city of a thousand faces and, as I discovered, theres no better way to discover this city than to pound Budapests sidewalks. Happy cruisin The first thing I did after I arrived in Budapest was sail down the Danube river. If youre on a tight schedule, this is probably the best way to appreciate the citys striking landmarks and iconic bridges. Budapest looks prettier at night; if you have time for just one cruise, wait for the sun to go down. The Hungarian Parliament (Parlamento Budapest) is one of the riverfronts most instantly recognizable buildings and puts on quite a show in the dark in its illuminated avatar. Get up close with Budapests instantly recognizable Chain Bridge which dates to 1849. The Grand Budapest Hotel In 1896, when the Grand Royal hotel (with its distinctive French renaissance design-language) debuted to coincide with Budapests Millennium Exhibition, it was Europes most imposing hotel. The sweeping views from the atrium reminded me of some of the scenes from The Grand Budapest Hotel which won the Academy Award for Best Production Design (and a total of four Oscars). The hotels fortunes faded after World War I and suffered heavy damages during World War II. It reopened as the Corinthia Hotel in the 2010s. It helped that I could come back to this lap of luxury each night after a frenetic day in the city. Keep on walking Theres no better way to explore this city than by foot. Walking tours (like the ones organised by www.freetour.com) are not just a great way to uncover the citys historical sights but also a great platform to meet fellow solo travellers from across the world. I met a bunch of Israeli travellers during my walking tour who then walked me to Budapests charming Jewish quarter. The Dohany Street Synagogue (built in a revival style with Byzantine and Gothic design influences) was the highlight of that detour. My walking tour led me through some of the citys most historic streets and past St. Stephen's. Completed in 1905 with a Neo-classical design, this church houses one of the countrys most treasured relics. Built in honour of Saint Stephen I, the incorruptible, Hungarys first king, this churchs reliquary houses his right hand. The large square around the church features local stores and quaint cafes  the perfect pit-stop on a sunny day. Take in the views from Citadella The local word for citadel, this unique fortification, that was built as a symbol of power on Gellert Hill by the Hapsburg dynasty in the 1850s has come to symbolise liberation and freedom. Used as a strategic location by the Nazis and then later by the Soviets to quell the Hungarian uprising in 1956, this UNESCO World heritage is not just steeped in history. It offers stunning 360-degree panoramas of the city. Soak in Budapests historic baths The city became one of Europes spa capitals in the late 19th century, but it was the Romans who discovered the citys miraculous waters centuries ago. The Ottoman Turks ushered in Budapests bath culture almost five hundred years ago. For as low as Rs 3,500 (for a daily pass) you can soak in one of the citys popular public baths like Szechenyi (www.szechenyibath.com) that provides the perfect antidote to Budapests nightlife. This Neo-baroque complex was built in 1913 and features 18 pools. If youd like something more intimate and luxurious, theres the restored, 19th Century pool at the Corinthia Budapest with a well-appointed spa. Wine and dine in the old city Hungarys fine wines are one of the countrys best kept secrets. With 22 wine regions (thats more than France) producing exquisite small-batch wines, the countrys best wine doesn't leave Budapest. The Halaszbastya restaurant located in the Fishermans Bastion region in Buda offers great views and serves Hungarian signatures like the Hortobagyi crepes stuffed with veal. Don't leave the country without sampling the countrys most popular broth  the Goulash. Make time to check out the Central Market Hall, where locals stop for daily supplies and fresh produce. Its where you can stock up on the citys finest gourmet souvenirs. Hungarian sausages, Paprika, Palinka (the countrys most popular spirit) and wines figure high on that list. Ruin bars  the citys ultimate solo magnet Szimpla Kert is widely acknowledged to be the catalyst of one Budapests most unique nightlife phenomena  the ruin bar. This trend of converting abandoned buildings or repurposing old workshops) into chic bars went from a cult movement in the aughts to a mainstream nightlife trend in the 2010s. The citys ruin bars are a melting pot of locals, large groups and solo travellers who share local beers, small plates and conversations in an eclectic setting. If I had to pick one ruin bar, it would be Kuplung thats open round the clock. Ride the funicular to Castle hill Many walking tours or solo treks end up at Castle Hill; mine did. The funicular is a great way to ride up this medieval hilltop district. Its home to quite a few attractions and has been a playground for the Hungarian royalty. The Mathias Church embellished with gorgeous local tiles has been a venue for numerous coronations. Its just around the corner from Sandor Palace, the official residence of the President. Panoramic views are a given from Fishermans Bastion where local fishermen once traded their catch.
There may be some respite for the people of Delhi and NCR from the ongoing heatwave as the India Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall from this week. In its weather bulletin, the IMD stated that "thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind very likely at isolated places over Delhi" between April 18 and April 20. According to IMD scientist Kuldeep Srivastava, the rainfall will be caused by a western disturbance. "A western disturbance is approaching Delhi-NCR. Significant activity is not expected during the day on the 18th but light rain or drizzle is likely at night. Thunderstorm and light rain is expected on the 19th and some impact might be seen on the 20th as well, he told Hindustan Times. Another IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy told news agency ANI, From April 17, the temperature in Delhi is expected to decrease due to Western disturbances. There is a chance of a fresh spell of thunderstorms and rain on April 18 and 19 in areas in the northwest plains including Delhi. Thunderstorms expected over Central India." The maximum temperature on Saturday breached the 40-degree mark in Delhi for the first time this year, with parts of the city experiencing heatwave conditions, IMD officials said. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has issued guidelines for schools in anticipation of the upcoming heatwave. According to a report by ANI, a circular has been sent to all schools recognised under the Directorate of Education in Delhi to ensure the well-being of the students. The circular specified that schools should not conduct student assemblies during the afternoon shift and that they are given sufficient water breaks throughout the day. Read more: Were Toast: Hotter days ahead but India seems ill-prepared to deal with heatwaves
The Arc Erie County has received a $25,000 matching grant from New York State Industries for the Disabled for a program to provide training for janitors.

In addition to training disabled people on specialized janitorial equipment at The Arc's Specialized Workforce Training Center on Main Street in Buffalo, the grant will help create partnerships with local agencies and businesses to offer employment.

"The Arc Erie County is an important, long-standing institution in our community, helping those with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives as members of the workforce," said Assemblywoman Karen McMahon, D-Amherst, who chairs the Assembly's Committee on People with Disability. "The addition of a janitorial training suite ... will offer even more opportunities for those who are seeking to acquire new skills."
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SEATTLE (AP)  A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people ran aground near Bainbridge Island west of Seattle on Saturday but there were no reports of injuries or contamination, authorities said.

The Walla Walla ran aground in Rich Passage around 4:30 p.m. as it was traveling from the city of Bremerton to Seattle, according to Washington State Ferries, a division of the state Department of Transportation.

Initial indications are the vessel suffered a generator failure, but investigators were still looking into what happened, the agency said.

Passenger Haley Socha told The Seattle Times that the ferry's lights went out about 20 minutes into the voyage and the engines stopped. The lights came back on after a minute and there was an alarm and an announcement saying the vessel had no propulsion and warning people to brace for impact.

People helped one another as they donned life vests, Socha said.

Everybodys been really nice and good to each other, Socha told the Times.

There were 596 passengers and 15 crew members aboard, according to ferries spokesperson Diane Rhodes. A tug boat and the Coast Guard were on the scene.

Vessel engineers believe tide will be at the right height to safely tow the boat at midnight. We apologize to passengers. Their safety is our first priority, Washington State Ferries said via Twitter.

Passengers were initially kept onboard. One passenger suffered a medical emergency unrelated to the grounding and necessitated an evacuation, the agency said.

Around 8 p.m., Kitsap Transit began taking others off the boat, ferry officials said. The transit agency deployed two passenger-only vessels, the Commander and the Waterman, with respective capacities of 250 and 150 passengers, requiring multiple trips to the Walla Walla. Around 8:30, Kitsap Transit reported the Commander had delivered the first load of people to the slip at Bremerton.

Were working on a plan for the vehicles onboard so passengers can retrieve them tomorrow, Washington State Ferries said.

A photo taken by a Coast Guard officer showed the Walla Walla near the shore as people looked at it from the beach and snapped pictures. A tug was positioned at one end of the ferry with an apparent Coast Guard boat nearby.

No pollution or hull damage detected at this time, the state Department of Ecology reported. Ecology responders on the way to the scene.

The Seattle-Bremerton route was out of service until further notice, the Department of Transportation said on its website.

The website lists the Walla Walla as a four-engine, jumbo class ferry with a maximum capacity of 2,000 passengers and 188 vehicles. It is 440 feet (134 meters) in length with a draft of 18 feet (5.4 meters).

The Walla Walla was constructed in 1973 in Seattle and rebuilt in 2003, according to the site.

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Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed.
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JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP)  Separatist gunmen attacked Indonesian army troops who were deployed to rescue a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by the rebels in Indonesias restive Papua province, leaving at least six dead and about 30 missing, officials said Sunday.

Initial information from army reports said there were about 36 soldiers at a post in the hilly district of Nduga, when attackers from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, opened fire on Saturday.

At least six died and 21 others fled into the jungle, according to the military reports seen by journalists. A military spokesman confirmed only one dead. Nine soldiers were reportedly being held by the rebels.

Papua military spokesperson Col. Herman Taryaman said the soldiers were part of a group that was searching for Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot for the Indonesian aviation company Susi Air who was abducted by the rebels in February.

He said authorities were searching for about 30 soldiers.

Its still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured, Taryaman said. We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts.

First Adm. Julius Widjojono, the spokesperson for the Indonesian National Armed Forces, or TNI, told a news conference in the capital, Jakarta, that the search operation will be carried out with maximum force.

He said the rebels confronted troops when they tried to comb an area close to the position of the pilot and his abductors. The rebels shot a soldier who fell into a 15-meter (49-foot) deep ravine, and launched a second attack while troops were getting his body out, Widjojono said. He confirmed only one fatality so far.

Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a statement that the groups fighters carried out the attack in revenge for the killing of two rebels in a shootout with Indonesian security forces last month. He said at least nine members of Indonesias elite army force were killed in Saturdays attack.

Sambom urged Indonesias government to stop its military operations in Papua. He also said his group had offered to negotiate with both the Indonesian and New Zealand governments for the pilot they took hostage, but said they had not received a response.

Indonesias government must stop its security operation in Papua and be willing to negotiate with our leaders under the mediation of a neutral third party from a United Nations agency, Sambom said.

Widjojono said the military operations in Papua were launched with a view to avoid a large number of casualties.

TNI has never stepped back even once in maintaining our territorial sovereignty, Widjojono said. And this is being implemented consistently in Papua.

The rebels in February stormed a single-engine plane shortly after it landed on a small runway in Paro in remote Nduga district and abducted its pilot. The plane initially was scheduled to pick up 15 construction workers who had been building a health center after separatist rebels threatened to kill them.

Saturdays fighting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in recent years in Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia. Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are common.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham. Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.

Rebel attacks have spiked in the past year, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed.

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Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (front left) accompanies Marshall Islands President David Kabua (front center) and his delegation March 20 at TTIA in northern Taiwan.
Once again, a recession has knocked the stuffing out of the Buffalo Niagara economy, and it is taking a painfully long time for the region to get back on its feet.

David Robinson: Buffalo Niagara's job market still on 'right track'; labor shortage lingers Across the country, fears are growing that the economy is heading toward a recession. But here, the signs are much more positive, even if Buffalo Niagara feels the same pangs of caution that are felt elsewhere. Yet there are growing fears that a downturn is coming.

Just how sluggish the recovery has been was made clear in new research from economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Among the nations 100 biggest metro areas, the recovery by the Buffalo Niagara region has been the 10th slowest. Rochester has fared even worse. Its had the third-slowest recovery, measured by how many jobs it has now, compared with before the pandemic.

That the regions recovery has been tepid has been clear for a long time. The region still hasnt recovered about 2% of the jobs it had before Covid-19. But a spurt in hiring over the last few months has raised hopes among some economists that the region could wipe out that shortfall by the end of the year, if we avoid a recession.

But when the recovery is over, the Buffalo Niagara economy will be different.

We are seeing a return to where things were before the pandemic, said Richard Deitz, an economist at the New York Feds Buffalo branch. But we've also seen some significant changes.

Many jobs that required person-to-person contact have been the hardest hit and have taken the longest to recover, and it is possible they may never return in the same numbers as before.

Retail employment is down 4%  double the regions overall shortfall. Leisure and hospitality jobs are off by 7%  an even steeper decline exacerbated first by the shutdown of the Canadian border and then crossing restrictions that were lifted only months ago. Personal services jobs are down by 6%  three times the regional decline. Health care, where hiring has been especially hard, is off by 7%.

"Those sectors are still having trouble hiring people to get back to where they were, so that seems like one change thats sticking, Deitz said. Theyre issues that have become more intense because of the pandemic. Now that things are returning to a little bit more like we saw before the pandemic, these problems are again resurfacing.

That is because workers, who were hard to find before the pandemic, are even more difficult to hire today after a wave of retirements swept through the workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic. As businesses scramble to hire, part-time workers are landing full-time jobs, and higher wages are allowing some part-time workers to get by with one or two jobs, instead of two or three, economists say.

Since the pandemic, the regions labor force has shrunk by 2%. Not coincidentally, that roughly matches how many jobs havent returned.

So far in the recovery, the Old Economy is doing much better than the New Economy. Factory employment is up by 4% since the pandemic began. Construction jobs are up by 11%. Transportation and warehouse jobs have grown by 10%.

Global supply chain issues have been good for U.S. manufacturers, when companies learned that cheaper overseas imports arent necessarily better if you cant get what you need, when you need it. Rising rents have spurred demand for new apartments, especially in older buildings in Buffalo that are being renovated, boosting the construction sector.

And the rapid growth of online shopping is adding to the demand for workers in both the construction and warehouse sectors. New warehouse space is in high demand, and several new projects to open facilities are underway across the region, including two in the former Bethlehem Steel complex in Lackawanna.

There's been a massive shift in the tastes and preferences of consumers away from in-person retail brick and mortar toward online purchasing and delivery, said Jaison Abel, another Fed economist based in Buffalo. These big surges in transportation and warehousing reflect those changes in tastes and preferences that are likely to be somewhat permanent going forward.

The trend toward remote office work also is impacting stores and other service firms that cater to those workers. Many of those workers now work hybrid schedules and come into the office two or three days a week, but even that is hard on the businesses that cater to them because their schedules are uneven, often with fewer workers on Mondays and Fridays, and more midweek. That makes it tough on restaurants that cater to the lunch crowd and other similar businesses.

What also is missing is the catalyst from fast-growing sectors of the New Economy. The Buffalo Niagara region has long suffered from a vastly undersized technology sector, and that is still the case.

There has been, for a long time now, a lack of growth in a lot of jobs that other parts of the country have had, especially in business services and the information sectors, Deitz said. On the one hand, youve got sectors that are having trouble finding workers, but on the other hand, youve got this coinciding with upstates lack of growth in a lot of the areas that are driving growth in other parts of the country.

The Buffalo Niagara unemployment rate took a surprising turn in February The Buffalo Niagara unemployment rate did an unusual thing during February: It went down.

In other words, companies cant find enough workers to fill the jobs we already have, let alone new ones in fast-growing industries that might come along.

So the bottom line is that regions like Buffalo Niagara cant grow faster if there arent enough workers to hire. And for that, there arent any easy answers.

Businesses are going to have to get creative, and were already seeing signs of that, Deitz said.

Wages are rising, which is a good first step, but there are limits to how high they can go before they start cutting into profits too deeply. Offering remote work opportunities can be highly appealing to potential workers, Deitz said, although that is only possible in certain jobs that can be done away from the office or the factory.

I think that businesses are going to have to work on things like training workers to get them up to speed, because they wont necessarily be ready, he said.

Cooperating with local colleges and universities, especially community colleges, can be very helpful to try and tap into a good, steady supply of workers, Deitz said. They can offer training programs if they work with the business community.

But there also are reasons to be optimistic. Travel continues to pick up, and the lifting of the border crossing restrictions with Canada should give a boost to local tourism, as well as stores, restaurants and other businesses that depend on Canadian customers.

And the overall job market remains stronger than it has been in decades.

Jobs are plentiful and unemployment is very low, Abel said.

So, there is plenty of work for people who want it. We just need more of them.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers an audience question after speaking at a "Politics and Eggs" forum at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., September 20, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Nearly four months after a deadly blizzard struck the region, a federal disaster loan program for those impacted by the storm continues to draw applicants.

The Small Business Administration has awarded about $9.5 million worth of low-interest disaster loans related to the blizzard to applicants in the region, said James Accurso, a spokesman for the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience.

The SBA is providing loans to assist with repairing physical damage to homes and businesses, as well as economic injury disaster loans for small businesses that suffered financial harm from the storm.

The loans are available to applicants in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee and Wyoming counties, for physical or economic damage that occurred between Dec. 23 and 28.

Complete coverage: Blizzard of 2022 The Buffalo Niagara region is still reeling from the blizzard that walloped the area on Dec. 23 and 24.

So far, the SBA has approved a total of 307 disaster loans for the region. Of those, 287 were for homeowners or renters to repair or replace damaged property; 12 were for businesses to repair or replace damaged property; and eight were economic injury disaster loans, providing working capital for small businesses that endured economic hardship.

Some of the loans for home repairs are for burst pipes, roof damage and fences knocked down by the high winds, Accurso said.

The SBA has received a total of 938 applications for the different types of disaster loans from the region, he said.

Victoria Reynolds, deputy district director of the SBA's Buffalo district office, said she anticipates the number of applications for economic injury disaster loans to go up.

"Some folks don't realize they don't have an economic injury because they haven't done their taxes yet," she said. "They don't realize that they had a loss of revenue, because they haven't done their accounting yet." The SBA has received 61 applications for economic injury disaster loans thus far.

The SBA is operating an in-person outreach center at the Delavan Grider Community Center, at 877 E. Delavan Ave. "We are encouraged by the fact folks continue to come in," he said. The outreach center was scheduled to close in early April, but the SBA is keeping it open until further notice, due to continued demand.

The deadline to apply for SBA disaster loans related to physical damage is April 28, while the deadline for economic injury disaster loans is Nov. 27.

The outreach center's hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Information about the loans is also available over the phone at 1-800-659-2955 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and online at sba.gov/disaster.
Former Indian lawmaker, brother fatally shot live on TV View Photo

LUCKNOW, India (AP)  A former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges was shot dead along with his brother in a dramatic attack that was caught live on TV in northern India, officials said Sunday.

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were under police escort on their way to a medical checkup at a hospital on Saturday night when three men posing as journalists targeted the two brothers from close range in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh state.

The men quickly surrendered to the police after the shooting, with at least one of them chanting Jai Shri Ram, or Hail Lord Ram, a slogan that has become a battle cry for Hindu nationalists in their campaign against Muslims.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by Indias ruling Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party since 2017. Since then, over 180 people facing criminal charges in Indias most populous state have been killed in so-called police encounters that rights groups say are often extrajudicial killings.

Following Saturdays shooting, authorities imposed a ban on the assembly of more than four people across the state and also cut internet access on mobile phones in Prayagraj city. The government also ordered a judicial probe headed by a retired judge.

Police officer Ramit Sharma said the three assailants came on motorcycles posing as journalists.

They managed to reach close to Atiq and his brother on the pretext of recording a byte and fired at them from close range. Both sustained bullet injuries on the head, he said. It all happened in seconds.

Multiple videos of Saturdays shooting went viral on social media. It was initially broadcast live on local TV channels as the brothers spoke to media while being taken to the hospital.

The footage shows someone pulling a gun close to Atiq Ahmads head. As he collapses, his brother is also shot. The video shows assailants repeatedly firing at the two men after both fell on the ground.

Atiq Ahmad, 60, was jailed in 2019 after he was convicted of kidnapping a lawyer, Umesh Pal, who had testified against him as as a witness in the killing of a lawmaker in 2005. In February, Pal was also killed.

On Thursday, Atiq Ahmads teenage son and another man, both of whom were blamed for Pals death, were killed by police in what was described as a shootout.

Two weeks earlier, Atiq Ahmad had petitioned the Indian Supreme Court for protection, saying there was an open, direct and immediate threat to his life from state functionaries of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports. But the court declined to intervene and instead asked his lawyer to approach the local state court.

Atiq Ahmad was a state lawmaker four times and was also elected to Indias Parliament in 2004 from Uttar Pradeshs Phulpur constituency, once represented by Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

He faced more than 100 criminal cases and was among the first politicians from Uttar Pradesh to be prosecuted under the stringent Gangster Act in the late 1980s. He also cultivated a Robin Hood image among mostly Muslim constituents and used to financially help many poor families.

But he was also criticized for leveraging his political clout to develop a syndicate that was an active player in the real estate market amid allegations of forced capture of properties and other crimes.

Opposition parties criticized the killings as a security lapse and accused the government of ruling by fear.

By BISWAJEET BANERJEE

Associated Press
Polly Anna Rocha

When MySA last stopped by Mr. Juicy, the burger restaurant was at the early stages of a full blown phenomenon after chef-owner Andrew Weissman introduced a chicken fried steak that brought in an overwhelming rush of eager customers. Now, the team at Mr. Juicy is looking to pivot away from the craze as it ends the reign of its coveted chicken fried steak.

As of Thursday, April 13, Mr. Juicy has sold its last chicken fried steak, according to a report from the San Antonio Express-News. This news comes as no shock to anyone who has been following the tumultuous ups and downs of the restaurant's chicken fried sensation.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A fire swept through an apartment building in an older neighborhood of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, killing at least 16 people and injuring another nine, authorities said Sunday.

The blaze Saturday in the Al Murar area of Dubai's historic Deira neighborhood struck an apartment believed to have been shared by multiple individuals, a common practice for laborers who power the economy in this city-state known more for its towering skyscrapers. But the tight quarters, often subdivided by makeshift barriers of plywood, drywall or shower curtains, can become a major risk in fires.

A statement from Dubai Civil Defense issued by the city-states media office gave the death toll. Authorities did not answer questions from The Associated Press.

Naseer Vatanappally, a Dubai-based businessman who volunteers with the Indian Consulate on repatriation issues, told the AP that authorities had identified the dead as six Sudanese, four Indians, three Pakistanis, a Cameroonian, an Egyptian and a Jordanian. He said police were working to process paperwork to send the remains of the dead back to their homelands.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said online that he was very sad over the deaths of the three Pakistanis.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families over the tragedy (and) have directed Pakistans Mission in the UAE to extend support to the affected families, Sharif said.

On Sunday, char marks could be seen on the five-story apartment building, home also to a grocery store, a smoke shop and other businesses on its ground floor. Yellow police crime scene tape cordoned off the building, which also still had a heavy police presence. Massive Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s owned by the long-haul carrier Emirates roared overhead as the neighborhood sits only 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Dubai International Airport along its flight path.

On several neighboring balconies, a wardrobe's worth of clothes could be seen hanging  a common practice when closets are converted into living space for laborers sharing an apartment that was initially designed for a single family. That's seen throughout Deira, which is located alongside the Dubai Creek and is also home to its gold and spice markets, a major tourist attraction in the city.

A man working nearby at the time of the blaze put the start of the fire at just after noon Saturday. He told the AP that there had been an explosion, like from a gas cylinder catching fire, followed by thick black smoke. That corresponded with videos posted to social media of the flames shooting out of the apartment as firetrucks arrived to the scene Saturday, with at least one person inside the building waving a white shirt from a balcony to signal rescuers.

The man said neighbors believed people were asleep inside at the time, something typical for the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan when the faithful abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

A Dubai police officer stopped the AP journalist from talking to the man before he gave his name and told the reporter to leave the area.

The Dubai Civil Defense statement described the fire as starting on the fourth floor. The char marks, however, could be seen on the fifth floor, where glass appeared to have been blown out by the blaze.

Preliminary investigations showed that lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements caused the fire, the statement said. Relevant authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to provide a detailed report on the causes of the fire.

The statement did not elaborate. The building's management declined to answer any questions when reached by the AP, citing the ongoing police investigation. It wasn't immediately clear who owned the building.

Dubai in recent years has faced a spate of high-rise fires, fueled by flammable siding material. However, other fires at warehouses and smaller structures can strike, particularly in the summer when temperatures top 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). On Saturday, Dubai saw a high of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) with strong winds.

Illegal apartment partitioning has been a problem in Dubai for decades, worsened when the city-state sees real estate booms and economic growth like it now is experiencing. Authorities have launched crackdowns in the past, but landlords persist in offering partitioned apartments as workers from Africa, Asia and the Mideast try to save every penny to send back home.

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Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
It seems I wasnt the only one curious about who is behind the lowrider van cruising around San Antonio. After sharing my sighting of the head-turning ride, the owners, who say theyre used to seeing their van in pictures and videos online, got in touch with me and were happy to chat.

Say hello to Robert and Cynthia Garcia, husband and wife behind the wheel of (arguably) the most thrilling ride in the Countdown City. I caught up with them at Espada Park on the citys Southside to learn more about their lowrider, and it turns out that the van is a means of both business and pleasure.

Robert Garcia drives the van as a mobile mechanic, meaning he goes from job to job riding around in style. Clients will even doublecheck with Garcia to make sure hes showing up in the signature vehicle. These days he relies solely on word of mouth since the vans attention came with necios who would call Garcia and stay quiet on the phone.

Sarah Martinez for MySA

Still, his work as a mobile mechanic is how Garcia was able to begin customizing the van, though he found motivation to do so elsewhere.

When I first spotted the lowrider van, I noticed the range of stickers on display, one of which was in tribute to Estilo Zeke Bajito. Garcia explained that Zeke was his best friend and the one to encourage him to turn the van into a lowrider.

I was at the car club with him and he was like, Man, you should put some thirteens on it, Garcia says, referencing the wheel size now part of the van.

Sarah Martinez for MySA

Garcia questioned if hed find adapters that would fit, but Zeke told him theyd make it happen if he found the parts.

I did a little side job, some mechanic work, and I saw some adapters thrown there, Garcia explains, retelling a conversation he had with a client. He says the man let him have the parts for free since they were too big for his own car.

I went home and I tried them and they fit, Garcia says with an excitement in his voice. It was kind of meant to happen, you know?

Sarah Martinez for MySA

Once Garcia put the tires in place with the correct adaptors, Zeke encouraged him to add hydraulics next. Garcia was hesitant at first given that the van doesnt have an A/C, but Zeke recommended the window system: down if its hot out and put on a sweater if the weather calls for chilly temperatures.

Garcia was fully invested in customizing the van by this point, choosing to replace the motor, put a bed in the back, and cut the top off.

Its not hot in there no more, either, Cynthia Garcia laughs. I used to sweat in it.

The kids love it. They lay in the back, Robert Garcia says, noting that his kids watch the stars with the open view.

Sarah Martinez for MySA

Its not just the views that the family is able to enjoy together. For Garcia, lowriding is a lifestyle that he gets to share with his wife and kids.

When I was a kid I had a lowrider bike, then to a lowrider car, and then kept on going. I never stopped lowriding, the proud Southsider says. I just do it cause I love it. Thats my thing.

Cynthia Garcia says riding around in the van, which the couple purchased five years ago and use as their main vehicle, is a way of keeping the lowrider culture alive.

Sarah Martinez for MySA

We dont want it to end. We want to bring it back! she says. Every time we go somewhere, were bored, we just go cruise and the energy changes. Everybodys smiling and laughing. Its hype.

Robert Garcia says he receives both positive and negative comments about the van, but the unity and nostalgia it brings is unbeatable. Given the decked out sound system and a knack for playing oldies, that should be no surprise.

Sarah Martinez for MySA

We went to Corpus and there was a guy dancing. He loved the van. A lot of different people  white, Mexicans, Black  everybody loves the van, Garcia says. Man, its beautiful.

That beauty is made even more special remembering how the iconic ride came to be. Despite multiple offers, including one that proposed a hot rod and lowrider car in exchange for the van, the couple says Zekes influence is worth more than anything.

We cant ever sell it because its sentimental, Cynthia Garcia says.
Volunteers worked in unison inside a commercial kitchen on Buffalo's West Side on Sunday afternoon, prepping chicken, chopping cilantro and crushing garlic.

On the menu, courtesy of the chef Hanifah Abdus-Sabur: Coconut curry chicken with black beans and rice, cabbage and carrots.

Photos: Feed Buffalo's Sadaqah Sunday iftar delivery feeds Muslim community Volunteers at Feed Buffalo have been delivering meals this month in a community effort they refer to as Sadaqah Sundays for iftar, the breakin

By 7 p.m., these hot and halal meals, along with grocery bags filled with fruits, vegetables, rice and other healthy food, were delivered to about 75 local Muslim families in time for iftar, the meal held every day at sunset during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from even a sip of water, and break the fast at sundown with iftar.

"I love giving back to the community," said Abdus-Sabur, as she directed the kitchen. "I feel good, and I feel like I'm paying into my afterlife."

This effort, organized by Feed Buffalo, is called Sadaqah Sundays, which was held every Sunday from when Ramadan began March 22 to when it concludes this Thursday evening. Sadaqah, as Feed Buffalo founder Drea d'Nur explains, translates to righteousness and is a word that is often used to mean a good deed.

What makes Sadaqah Sundays special, those involved say, is it meets people where they are, delivering high-quality nutritious food that is culturally relevant to those receiving it. Further, the effort comes in a city that, while it has many diverse communities, is heavily segregated with its fair share of inequities, particularly when it comes to access to healthy food.

"Our vision is to get healthy food to the community," D'Nur said. "We've already been giving healthy groceries every day. It was important for us to serve fasting families in need and give them a healthy option to break their fast with their family."

On Sunday, just like the prior Sundays, about 20 volunteers made the effort possible. And one thing d'Nur is proud of with this year's Sadaqah Sundays is that it brought together volunteers from various backgrounds and faiths.

"It was a beautiful opportunity to see people of all faiths come together for a purpose," D'Nur said. "I think it's important to highlight what we have in common rather than our differences as a community."

And at our core, D'Nur believes people want to help their neighbors.

Sunday was proof of that.

For the effort, Massachusetts Avenue Project donated the use of their commercial kitchen at 387 Massachusetts Ave. Meanwhile, just a block away, volunteers packed grocery bags at Feed Buffalo's pantry at 456 Massachusetts.

Each of the meals sent out were accompanied by a card made by student volunteers from the Universal School. Inside each card were the meal's ingredients, written by hand.

"I think that we could grow it even more if we have more support," said Brittany Fletcher, executive assistant to d'Nur, "and if we continue growing our partnerships with other organizations, because we can serve a lot more people."

Akram Shibly, born and raised in Buffalo, helped on each of the four Sundays, typically there from 1 to 6 p.m. as he helped with prep and whatever else that day's chef needed  there was a different chef for each Sunday.

Shibly said he was looking for a way to connect more spiritually with the community. So in advance of Ramadan, he gave d'Nur a call to see if there was some way he could help.

And what he really appreciates about Feed Buffalo, he said, is that all the food they prepare and deliver is quality food sourced properly.

"I think it's incredible," Shibly said. "I mean we're helping 75 people, but they're actually helping us. You know, this really feeds our soul. This really is, especially after so many years of isolation, a way to come out and be a part of a community and to see each other and to be able to give and to feed.

"At the end of the day, yes, we're feeding them a meal for the night, but they're feeding us so much more spiritually than I can even put into words. So I'm really grateful for this opportunity."
NEW YORK  The murder plot Anthony Zottola initiated was chilling.

Working with a leader of a notorious street gang, federal prosecutors said, Zottola planned to kill his father, a reputed Mafia associate with a Bronx real estate empire, and his brother, who helped the father install jukeboxes and pool tables at bars and restaurants.

At stake were more than two dozen residential and commercial properties worth millions of dollars. Anthony Zottola wanted to control them, prosecutors said, and saw his father, Sylvester Zottola, and his older brother, Salvatore, as obstacles.

As part of the plot, a group of brutal and bumbling assassins tracked Sylvester Zottola for about a year before fatally shooting him in late 2018 as he sat in his SUV at a McDonalds drive-thru in the Bronx.

Anthony Zottola was convicted last year of murder-for-hire and conspiracy, and on Friday, a federal judge sentenced him to life in prison, the mandatory minimum. The judge, Hector Gonzalez, said Zottola had subjected his family to a reign of terror.

Earlier in the day, Gonzalez had sentenced Himen Ross, who prosecutors said killed Sylvester Zottola and shot Salvatore Zottola, to life in prison.

Before his brother was sentenced, Salvatore Zottola addressed him in court.

You had everything in life, he said. What you did to Dad, to myself and to this entire family is unimaginable.

Next up was a sister, Deborah Ann Zottola, who told her brother she loved him.

I will not dig you a deeper grave, she added.

In his own remarks to the court, Anthony Zottola did not apologize for what he had done but expressed love for his wife, his children and my sister Debbie and my brother Sal.

During his eight-week trial, prosecutors described how Anthony Zottola had turned against members of his close-knit family, which lived for decades in the Bronx neighborhoods of Pelham Bay and Locust Point, a sedate enclave on Long Island Sound.

The small cluster of brick houses his father built on adjoining Locust Point lots were meant for the family to live together in what they called Zottolas Court, Salvatore Zottola testified. Mottos such as Our foundation is built from love were carved into the homes facades.

In making their case, prosecutors outlined a broad conspiracy that included a network of hit men hired by Bushawn Shelton, described by authorities as a high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang. At times, according to testimony and evidence, the hit men resembled the hapless criminals in Jimmy Breslins 1969 novel The Gang That Couldnt Shoot Straight.

A tan minivan they employed as a getaway car often would not start, and a getaway driver parked on a quiet street near Salvatore Zottolas home once infuriated Shelton by smoking marijuana the gang leader believed might signal their presence.

There were several unsuccessful attempts to kill Sylvester Zottola. Someone tried to shoot him as he drove on the Throgs Neck Expressway, prosecutors said, but he escaped by driving in reverse. Later, men lurking inside his home stabbed him in the neck. Another time, an assailant broke into the Zottola family office with a gun with the goal of killing Zottola but fled after he accidentally tripped a panic alarm.

One hired killer, Ron Cabey, testifying as a government witness, described how he strode up to Sylvester Zottola on a Bronx street in summer 2018, pointed a pistol at him and pulled the trigger, only for the weapon to misfire. Cabey said Zottola began firing at him as he fled.

Cabey was arrested within hours by police officers in Manhattan.

He soon pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire and began cooperating with authorities. Investigators subsequently arrested Shelton at his Brooklyn home and retrieved thousands of text messages he had exchanged with Anthony Zottola  a step-by-step account of the assassination plot.

Some texts showed that while expressing concern about the attempts on his fathers life, Anthony Zottola had given Shelton information about the older mans movements and whereabouts and those of other relatives. After Salvatore Zottola took a picture of a car used by two hired killers, Anthony Zottola warned Shelton that the men needed a new one.

The two often texted in code, prosecutors said: Sylvester Zottola was the actor, and murder attempts were scenes. On the day Zottola escaped the attempted expressway shooting, Shelton wrote to Anthony Zottola that the actor had gone in reverse in the middle of shooting a scene.

Zottola replied that he was changing the location of the last scene.

We going to film in his dressing room, he wrote. Hours before the attack on Sylvester Zottola at his home, Anthony Zottola wrote: I get keys to dressing room.

That night, prosecutors said three men entered Sylvester Zottolas home, waited for him and then stabbed him multiple times in the torso and neck before fleeing.

Salvatore Zottola testified that he learned that his father had been attacked when a neighbor called to tell him. When he arrived at his fathers home, Salvatore Zottola said, he found him leaning against a wall.

There was blood everywhere, he testified.

Anthony Zottola arrived at the home too, Salvatore Zottola testified, adding that his brother waited for investigators to leave so he could go in and clean up the house.

When a police officer asked for security camera footage, prosecutors said, Anthony Zottola provided video that did not show the attack. He also cleaned the blood up, prosecutors added, then charged his father $3,450 for the work.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Grand Central Cafe

The house where some of the most gruesome scenes in "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" were filmed is now being transformed into a family restaurant.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

The Victorian home seen in the 1974 movie was where Leatherface and his cannibalistic family lived. In 1998, the house was taken down from its original location in Round Rock and reassembled in Kingsland. In 2012, it was turned into the Grand Central Cafe. Now it's being transformed into a full-service restaurant called Hoopers in honor of Tobe Hooper who directed the horror classic.
A Capitol staffer alleged in an internal complaint that state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, had sexual relations with an intern two weeks ago.

The new details of the allegation come from the complaint filed by a legislative staffer to the House General Investigating Committee. Earlier this week, The Texas Tribune reviewed excerpts of the complaint, which alleged that Slaton, 45, was having an inappropriate relationship with an intern who is under the age of 21. The complaint said Slaton called her after 10 p.m. on March 31 and invited her to his Austin apartment.

A full version of the complaint, first posted on The Quorum Report, states the intern disclosed that she had sexual relations with Slaton that night.

Another person with direct knowledge of the situation who works in the Capitol corroborated the complaint and said that Slaton and the intern drank alcohol together. Slaton, one of the most far-right social conservatives of the Legislature, has been married to his wife since 2017.

The complaint alleges that sometime after the night at his condo, Slaton brought the intern into an office and flirted with her again. The same day, Slaton allegedly showed the intern emails from his personal account that accused him of having sex with a staffer, according to the complaint. The staffer believed Slaton wrote the emails as a test to see if she would report him. Slaton told her and her friends to keep quiet, according to the report.

Slaton and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday evening. Earlier this week, Slatons attorney issued a statement calling allegations against his client outrageous and false.

Julie Springer, an attorney for the intern, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Texas Tribune is not identifying the intern.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, declined to comment. Rep. Andrew Murr, the Junction Republican who chairs the House General Investigating Committee, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The House General Investigating Committee, which has the power to conduct inquiries into state agencies, departments and officials and has the ability to draft articles of impeachment against lawmakers, is investigating Slatons case. On Friday, the panel met and issued four subpoenas but would not disclose the investigations or people involved.

At least two House Republicans have called for Slaton to resign this week: Briscoe Cain of Deer Park and Steve Toth of The Woodlands. Both Cain and Toth are staunch conservatives who typically align with Slaton ideologically.

At least one House Democrat, Ana-Maria Ramos of Richardson, has also called for Slaton to resign. This week, Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, drafted bill language that would target members of the Legislature who engage in grooming behavior with victims under the age of 21. He tweeted Thursday that he is looking for ways to hold lawmakers accountable for inappropriate behavior.
Ken Branca

A Southside bar staff member was transported to the Brooke Army Medical Center in critical condition early Sunday, April 16 morning after being shot trying to break up an altercation, the San Antonio Police Department says.

SAPD authorities were responding to a shots fired call off 8902 S. Presa St at Thirsty's SA bar on the city's Southside around 2 a.m. on Sunday. According to the SAPD, some sort of altercation took place at the establishment before a staff member at Thirsty's SA stepped in to diffuse the situation. When the staff member came in to stop the fight, the supposed suspect pulled out a gun and started opening fire in the area, authorities say.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department on Friday announced charges against more than two dozen members of Mexicos powerful Sinaloa cartel, including sons of notorious drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in a sprawling fentanyl-trafficking investigation.

The three Guzman sons charged  Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar and Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar  are known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, and have earned a reputation as the more violent and aggressive faction of the cartel.

Of the three, only Guzman Lopez is in custody, in Mexico.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, standing alongside Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, unveiled the indictments in three districts aimed at hitting the cartels global network.

The defendants span a broad swath of a complex manufacturing and supply network. They include Chinese and Guatemalan citizens accused of supplying precursor chemicals required to make fentanyl, as well as those suspected of running drug labs in Mexico and others accused of providing security, weapons and illicit financing for the drug trafficking operation.

The wide-ranging case comes as the U.S. remains in the grip of a devastating overdose crisis largely by fentanyl poisonings. Nearly 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021, a record-setting number.

Fentanyl seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have increased by more than 400% since 2019, officials said, and this fiscal year's seizures have already surpassed the total for all of 2022.

Most of the fentanyl trafficked in the United States comes from the Sinaloa cartel, the Drug Enforcement Administration says.

Families and communities across our country are being devastated by the fentanyl epidemic, Garland said. We will never forget those who bear responsibility for this tragedy. And we will never stop working to hold them accountable for their crimes in the United States.

The Sinaloa cartels notorious drug lord, known as El Chapo, was convicted in 2019 of running an industrial-scale smuggling operation. At Guzman's trial, prosecutors said evidence gathered since the late 1980s showed he and his murderous cartel made billions of dollars by smuggling tons of cocaine, heroin, meth and marijuana into the U.S. A defiant Guzman accused the federal judge in his case of making a mockery of the U.S. justice system and claimed he was denied a fair trial.

In outlining the charges Friday, Garland described the violence of the Sinaloa cartel and how its members have tortured perceived enemies, including Mexican law enforcement officials. That has included people fed to tigers owned by Guzman's sons, sometimes while the victims were still alive, Garland said.

Eight of those charged have been arrested and remain in the custody of law enforcement officials in Colombia, Greece, Guatemala and the U.S., Milgram said. The U.S. government is offering rewards for several others charged in the case, including up to $10 million for Guzman's other two sons.

Friday's indictments were filed in New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.

Along with the five defendants from China and Guatemala accused of supplying the cartel with precursor chemicals, two Chinese firms were also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control Friday.

U.S. government officials are pressing Chinese officials to do more to stem the shipment of those chemicals. With Washington-Beijing relations strained, the Biden administration says it has looked to allies in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere to make clear to China that the issue is a global problem, according to senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters following the announcement of the indictment.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, one of Guzman's sons, was arrested in January in the Sinaloa capital of Culiacan. Ovidio Guzman, nicknamed the Mouse, had not been one of El Chapos better-known sons until an aborted operation to capture him three years earlier. This time Mexico successfully got Guzman out of Culiacan. In 2019, authorities had him, but they released him after his gunmen began shooting up the city.

Some 30 people among authorities and suspected gunmen died in the operation, which unleashed hours of shootouts shutting down the citys airport. The U.S. government is currently awaiting the younger Guzmans extradition.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez and another brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, allegedly helped move the Sinaloa cartel hard into methamphetamines, producing prodigious quantities in large labs. They were previously indicted in 2018 in Washington on drug trafficking charges.

The other two sons, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar and Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, are believed to have been running cartel operations together with Ismael El Mayo Zambada. They were previously also charged in the U.S. in Chicago and San Diego.

Zambada had been rumored to be be in poor health and isolated in the mountains leading the sons to try to assert a stronger role to keep the cartel together.

The DEA said it investigated the case in 10 countries: Australia, Austria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and the United States.

Death and destruction are central to their whole operation, Milgram said of the cartel. Todays indictments strike a blow against the Chapitos and the global network they operate, a network that fuels violence and death on both sides of the border.

___

Sherman reported from Mexico City. Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this story.
Hibernating bears dont get blood clots. Now scientists know why ScienceNews

Underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga was most powerful natural explosion in a century ZME Science

$200,000 in dimes stolen from trailer parked at Walmart in Northeast Philly, police say PhillyVoice

Climate/Environment

Water

#COVID-19

XBB.1.6 picks up speed in US The WHOs technical advisory group on COVID vaccine composition met in the middle of March in to review the performance of bivalent COVID vaccines and establish a timeline for a new recommendations for 2023. Mmmk https://t.co/6VfxfoLwAo  Jess (@MeetJess) April 14, 2023

Old Blighty

The Koreas

China?

New Not-So-Cold War

Laffaire Leaker

Look whats going on here: First the NYT (jointly with CIA-front Bellingcat) and WPost hunted down, exposed and ensured the arrest of the 21-year-old leaker. Now theyre having a party with the docs, publishing one EXCLUSIVE after the next as if they bravely obtained them: pic.twitter.com/Izqn5mtXHq  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 15, 2023

Nintendo Wants Discord Subpoenaed To Reveal Leaker Of Unreleased Zelda Artbook Techdirt

Syraqistan

2024

Democrats en deshabille

Railroad Workers United: We Would Never Concede Our Right to Strike Jacobin. A response to Dems, such as AOC who said she was acting on the wishes of RWU when she voted to break the strike. Can Movements Stop Politicians From Selling Out? Dissent Magazine

The Supremes

HOW THE COURT IS PITTING WORKERS AGAINST EACH OTHER The Law and Political Economy Project

Police State Watch

Abortion

Home Pregnancy Tests Could Now Put Women in Danger Wired

Imperial Collapse Watch

Class Warfare

Tech

Parler shuts down as new owner says conservative platform needs big revamp Ars Technica

AI

The Bezzle

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
By Conor Gallagher

For the better part of a year the Putin administration has been accused of using twisted logic to spread the false narrative that Poland might join the fight in Ukraine. Recall that Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev published the following map last year:

Well we now have an increasing number of signs that something of the sort is in the works. The Polish ambassador to France said in March that Poland would be forced to enter the war if Ukraine failed. The quote:

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.

The Polish embassy in France later walked the statement back, but more signs are pointing to Warsaws growing role.During his recent trip to Poland, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made the following loaded comment: You have stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and we are grateful for it, and he added the pledge that be no borders in political, economic and  especially important  in historical terms between the two countries.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was just making the rounds in the US where he criticized France and Germany and while visiting VP Kamala Harris at the White House and declared Poland the leader of the new Europe after the failure of the old Europe. More:

Old Europe believed in an agreement with Russia and old Europe failed, said the Polish premier. But there is a new Europe, a Europe that remembers what Russian communism was, and Poland is the leader of this new Europe. Poland wants to become a bedrock of European security and we are on the right track. Poland wants to build the strongest army in Europe, that is why we want to cooperate with the most advanced defence industry in the world, which is the American industry, he continued.

Indeed, Morawiecki also met with US defense industry representatives to discuss financing the billions of dollars of Warsaws planned purchases of F-35 fighter jets, Abrams tanks, HIMARS artillery systems and Patriot missile launching units. Additionally, Morawiecki announced Polish aims to become the service center for the US-made Abrams tanks in Europe.

A March 26 op-ed written by Dalibor Rohac, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, in Foreign Policy is titled Its Time to Bring Back the Polish-Lithuanian Union.

Using the 700-year-old example of when the ruler of Lithuania, Jogaila, married the child queen of Poland, Jadwiga, to create a political union between Poland and Lithuania that also included large parts of todays Belarus and Ukraine, Rohac urges the following:

Fast-forward to the present and to the near future, however. Both countries are facing a threat from Russia. Today, Poland is a member in good standing of the EU and NATO, while Ukraine is keen to join both organizationsnot unlike the Grand Duchy of yesteryear, eager to become part of mainstream, Christianized Europe. Even if Ukraines war against Russia ends with a decisive Ukrainian victory, driving degraded Russian forces out of the country, Kyiv faces a potentially decades long struggle to join the EU, not to speak of obtaining credible security guarantees from the United States. The poorly governed, unstable countries of the Western Balkans, prone to Russian and Chinese interference, provide a warning about where prolonged candidate status and European indecision might lead. A militarized Ukrainian nation, embittered at the EU because of its inaction, and perhaps aggrieved by an unsatisfactory conclusion of the war with Russia, could easily become a liability for the West. Imagine instead that, at the end of the war, Poland and Ukraine form a common federal or confederal state, merging their foreign and defense policies and bringing Ukraine into the EU and NATO almost instantly. The Polish-Ukrainian Union would become the second-largest country in the EU and arguably its largest military power, providing more than an adequate counterweight to the Franco-German tandemsomething that the EU is sorely missing after Brexit.

Timothy Less, lead researcher at the Centre for Geopolitics project on Disintegration Studies at Cambridge, believes Warsaw is trying to create breakaway NATO group with the Bucharest Nine, which is made up of Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia. From Unherd:

Balkans expert Timothy Less calls this the new Warsaw Pact, which rather than defending Russias interests, seeks to protect central and Eastern Europe from the Russians. For Less, this is a strategy that echoes the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth born in the late Middle Ages, as well as the Intermarium, a fanciful plan by Polish leader Jozef Pisudski to form a superstate from the Baltic to the Black Sea after the First World War. Behind each of these alliances was a fear of bullying neighbours over the centuries  Prussia, the German Reich, Austria-Hungary and, of course, Russia. Polands Eastern European alliance, according to Less, would marginalise France and Germany, threaten the predominant position of the EU in Europe and galvanise its seeming slow-motion decline. Its a vision that will appeal to Eurosceptics across the Continent: a new era in which the US gradually moves its military resources from Germany to Poland, a growing hub of power and influence.

Biden met with representatives from the Bucharest Nine in Warsaw back in February in an attempt to rally them to the war cause. There are obvious divisions in the group, however, with countries like Hungary and Bulgaria questioning the war while Poland and the Baltic states are some of its strongest backers.

Another Foreign Policy piece from February is called How Poland and Ukraine Could Undermine Putins Imperial Dreams. This is written by Pawel Markiewicz, the executive director of the Washington office of the Polish Institute of International Affairs, and Maciej Olchawa, the Kosciuszko Foundation scholar at Loyola University Chicago. It is filled with magical thinking and arrives at the same idea of Poland playing a key role in Putins downfall:

Poland knows that when given the tools and know-how, Ukraine will quickly shift from being a consumer of Western security to a critical provider of it for the Euro-Atlantic community. These like-minded anti-imperialists not only threaten to upend Russian President Vladimir Putins revanchist drive once and for all but are accelerating the shift of Europes political and military center of gravity east, something that will redefine the European Union and NATO for decades to come. The West should prepare for contingencies following the fall of Putins empireone of which is a postwar Europe underpinned by a Polish-Ukrainian strategic alliance.

Former Stratfor director George Friedman, believing that NATO was obsolete, was resurrecting this idea of an Intermarium all the way back in 2010. Highly influential in the DC policymaking circles, Friedman wrote the following in his Geopolitical Journey, Part 2: Borderlands

[A] US-backed Poland guarding the North European Plain, with Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania guarding the Carpathian approaches, would prevent what the United States should fear the most: an alliance between Russia and Germany plus Western Europe.

This narrative that Warsaw will be the new European power center of NATO as it is taking some sort of courageous stand that the Germans, French, and much of the EU refuse to do is picking up steam.

The Wall Street Journal noted in February:

Now, after Warsaw helped get Germany to agree to send Leopard 2 tanks following weeks of pressure, Polish officials are urging the U.S. and its European allies to jointly supply Ukraine with F-16 jet fighters, said Andrzej Zybertowicz, an adviser on the Polish National Security Bureau. Poland is an important defender of NATOs eastern flank, said Mr. Zybertowicz, adding that Polands forward position means it must act more boldly than other European allies, such as Germany. Poland has struck out on its own after decades of following currents within the EU because it now understands that following others in Europe is dangerous not only for Polands prosperity but for its very existence, he said.  Our red lines are practical in nature, [determined by] the operational capability of our armed forces, said [Jacek Siewiera, the head of the countrys national security bureau]. But if Poland would receive assistance from allies, in the form of backfilling process, we could still do more, he said.

And from the Atlantic Council:

Polish leadership is helping to fill a geopolitical vacuum created by the declining influence of Europes traditionally dominant foreign policy forces. Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, greatly reducing the UKs ability to shape Europes response to the Russian threat. Meanwhile, throughout his reign, Putin has demonstrated an ability to co-opt French and German politicians and businessmen with trade deals, pipelines, and other incentives. It is no coincidence that the Russian dictator handpicked Germany and France in 2014 to participate in the Normandy Format talks to end the war sparked by Russia in eastern Ukraine. This approach resulted in the failed Minsk Agreements and set the stage for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Alexander Mercouris on his April 5 broadcast discussed the possibility of Polish involvement and detailed the hurdles hawks there are facing, which include

The Polish military is opposed to any confrontation with Russia as they have seen their weaponry destroyed by Russia on the Ukrainian battlefield. Many members of the Polish military have already been killed in Ukraine and many others, fearing a confrontation with Russia, have deserted. A lack of public support. Poland taking in so many Ukrainian refugees and importing Ukrainian wheat has damaged the market for Polands own agriculture, upsetting Polish farmers. (Warsaw has since suspended imports of Ukrainian grain.) Polands ruling Law and Justice party will soon have to face upcoming elections and would damage their chances with further involvement in Ukraine.



But rational decision making is in short supply these days.

What I think most of all is that the empire is now desperately seeking to buy time. They have awakened to the reality that they are quite literally in no position to engage in any manner of high-intensity conflict against Russia  or anyone else for that matter. 3/end  Will Schryver (@imetatronink) April 8, 2023

Poland would, in theory, have a lot to gain from Europes center of gravity shifting eastward, which likely explain its visions of grandeur. France and Germany would have the most to lose. French President Emmanuel Macron seemed to be hedging his bets while in Beijing, declaring that the EU should not become Americas followers. A little late for that. Meanwhile, theres a new trial balloon in the air:
(Natural News) The Biden administration and Danco Laboratories, a distributor of the abortion medication mifepristone, has asked the Supreme Court to block an order threatening access to the dangerous pills, and a member of the House Appropriations Committee has suggested defunding the FDA as one way of dealing with the situation.

Mifepristone, which is used in conjunction with the drug misoprostol to terminate pregnancies, is currently the most common method of abortion in the U.S. and makes up around half of all abortions that are performed in the country.

The move came after U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk signed an injunction last week instructing the FDA to stay the approval of the drug on the grounds that it was approved improperly and too hastily.

In his decision, he said that the court did not take the act of questioning the FDAs decisions lightly. However, he noted: But here, FDA acquiesced on its legitimate safety concernsin violation of its statutory dutybased on plainly unsound reasoning and studies that did not support its conclusions.

The same day, President Biden issued a statement vowing to fight the ruling, while Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department would continue to defend the FDAs decision to approve the drug.

On Sunday, the FDA appealed the decision, saying that their approval was based on a comprehensive review of available evidence and maintained the drug is safe and effective. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals then blocked the order suspending the FDAs approval of the drug but voted 2-1 to temporarily reimpose certain restrictions on the medication.

This had the effect of temporarily blocking mail delivery of the drug, reimposing the requirement for women seeking the drug to visit a doctor first. It also reduced the amount of time into a pregnancy during which women can take the pill from 10 weeks to seven weeks.

Could FDA programs that dont make sense be defunded?

Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) has said that one option that is on the table should the Biden administration dismiss the ruling suspending mifepristones approval is defunding the FDA.

Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and he said that his fellow House Republicans could use the power of the purse to make sure the administration stays accountable.

Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, he said: Its very dangerous when you have the administration, the Biden administration, coming out and saying they may not uphold a ruling.

He added: And if the administration wants to not lead this ruling, not live up to this ruling, then were going to have a problem. And it may come to a point where House Republicans on the appropriation side have to defund FDA programs that dont make sense.

Abortion pill dangers are not widely known

The pill can cause side effects such as cramping, vomiting and heavy bleeding; in some cases, it can cause women to lose consciousness. Around 3 percent of women who take the drug end up needing emergency room care to address complications. Moreover, up to 7 percent of women who take it will end up needing to undergo a surgical abortion to terminate their pregnancy. In addition to killing millions of unborn babies, thousands of women have been harmed by using the drug properly.

The FDAs own statistics show that it has caused 24 maternal deaths and more than 4,000 adverse reactions ranging from hemorrhage and severe abdominal pain to life-threatening infections. Because many of these incidents are not reported, this is believed to represent just a small fraction of the true number of adverse events.

Despite these dangers, the pro-choice crowd is insisting that the move is somehow bad for women and will put their health at risk. If they really cared about women being able to make decisions about their bodies, however, they would be in favor of vetting abortion drugs more thoroughly and ensuring greedy pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to peddle toxic medications to them.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

LifeSiteNews.com
Reporter

I use the Erie County government beat to find issues and stories that tell us something important about how we live. An alumna of the Columbia Journalism School and Buffalo News staff reporter since 2000, I can be reached at stan@buffnews.com. Follow me on Twitter @SandraTanBN and Facebook.com/SandraTanBN
(Natural News) In some parts of the world, people are actually fighting back against government tyranny in a formidable way. One of those places is France, where the ongoing protests against Emmanuel Macrons dictatorial behavior hit the headquarters of Louis Vuitton (LVMH) in Paris this week.

Just days after protesters stormed the French offices of financial terrorist group BlackRock, they made their way over to LVMH, which just a few years back was handed cash by the European Central Bank (ECB) at negative interest so the company could purchase Tiffany & Co. for 16 billion euros.

Louis Vuitton chairman Bernard Arnault, by the way, is considered to be the worlds richest man  at least on the lists they publish publicly  with a net worth close to $200 billion.

To put that kind of money into perspective, it would take Arnault more than 500 years to spend all that if he bought $1 million worth of goods and services every single day  and much longer than that if you consider all the additional income he is likely making from that money making even more money in usurious investment schemes.

All that to say, the French have had enough of their government under Macron catering to the uber-wealthy and banking elites in this manner while they are being told to eat cake and work a few more years before being allowed to retire. Rather than watch the rich get richer while they get ever poorer, the French have taken matters into their own hands  watch below:

(Related: Similar protests broke out last summer in France, Spain, and Albania over skyrocketing fuel costs.)

When did France become braver and more committed to justice than America?

In a statement aired on television, Fabien Villedieu of the Sud-Rail unions explained the reasoning behind LVMH being the latest target, the company having recently reported better-than-expected first-quarter sales and seeing a record high share price in the markets.

Apparently our government is struggling to finance our social security and pension system, so money needs to be found where it is, which is in billions in companies like LVMH.

The working French have had a system in place for many years that allows them to retire at the statutory age of 62. However, the Macron regime wants to raise the retirement age to 64 so it can continue to send money to Ukraine, to the bankers, and to large corporations like LVMH so their corporate executives can add a few extra billions to their loot chest.

Speaking of garish excess, Macron himself is regularly seen flashing hundred-thousand-dollar watches while preaching to the working French that they need to work longer and harder before receiving their proper retirement. Enough is enough.

Macron was a banker without ever holding public office, one commenter wrote about the situation. He magically won his first election, and the second election was likely thrown in, too.

When demonstrators were protesting his heavy-handed governance, he told the police to use excessive force. Many protesters were maimed. This was during the many months of Yellow Vest protests before the pandemic. The police were told to use excessive force again this time around. When the French parliament could not pass the reform bill, Macron stepped in with an executive order.

Another wrote that this is not just a pension protest like the media is framing it to be. It is a revolution against Macron appointing himself monarch with his new laws.

Pension protest narrative is to make the citizens look like malingering lazy whiners. Its about a TYRANT that has sold out his own people.

Unrest is spreading. To keep up with the latest, visit Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A 40-year-old teacher from a state-run academy in London was caught bullying his students and threatening them to comply with the LGBTQ+ agenda. In his lecture at the Stationers Crown Woods Academy, the teacher made it clear that he is a homosexual and identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. He plainly told his students that LGBTQ education is mandatory and anyone who disagrees will be dealt with severely.

And let me make this very clear, the teacher demanded. You do not have a choice whether or not you learn about LGBTQ+ in this school. You dont have a choice. Its one of our values and if you refuse to do it, that will be dealt with severely.

Flagrant homosexual demands students agree with him, presses them to challenge their parents

In his lecture of false guilt and indoctrination, the teacher demanded that his students agree with him, or else they dont value him as a person. If you disagree with LGBT people, youre saying you dont value me, the teacher quipped, pushing false guilt on the students for daring to think differently, while demanding their intellectual servitude to the LGBTQ+ agenda.

The flagrant homosexual refused to keep his personal life and homosexual desires to himself. Instead of keeping his sexual identity a private matter, he pushed it onto the students and insisted that the children go home and lecture their parents about their values.

You need to go home and have a conversation with your parents and ask them: Why are my values so different to what Britain is? Why have I got this view? Where does it come from?

During his diatribe, the teacher revealed the underlying reason why he is so adamant about pushing the LGBTQ+ agenda. When he was just a boy, the teacher said he was questioned and bullied by the girls, and he never forgot it. Why should I be judged based on who I choose to love? the man says. Whether you agree or not, dont say something thats going to make me or someone like me feel less human. Like a bully, the teacher held the students hostage, demanding that they affirm his identity, while allowing no diversity of thought.

Bully teacher says any opposition to LGBTQ is racist behavior

The indoctrination goes a step further. During his diatribe, the British instructor equated any opposition to homosexuality and transgenderism as racist behavior that would be punished. However, genetic homosexuality and transgenderism have never been proven. By claiming that homosexuality is inborn like race, the teacher directly contradicts his entire argument for choosing to love another man. If homosexuality was as inborn as race, then he would never have the free will to love another man, let alone lust after men and choose to have sexual relationships with members of the same sex. Likewise, transgenderism is ultimately a choice, evidenced by the growing number of adults who are de-transitioning from a gender transition that was pushed on them as a child.

To make matters worse, the academy coerces and bribes students to celebrate the month of February as LGBTQ History Month. As part of the indoctrination program at the Stationers Crown Woods Academy, administrators pay the students the equivalent of $25 to visit pro LGBTQ+ History exhibits at the British Museum. Students were paid to peruse the Desire, Love, Identity: LGBTQ Histories Trail which pushes the students to accept homosexuality and transgenderism.

According to the audio, the teacher arrogantly believes that he can push the LGBTQ+ agenda on the students because it is somehow not sex education. The only thing you can be taken out of [class for] is sex education, and that is from your parents, he remarked. Nobody in this room has done that. LGBTQ is not sex education. That is relationships. You do not have the authority or the ability to refuse to do it.

Source include:

WND.com

Twitter.com
(Natural News) New York City (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams is reintroducing Digidog, a $74,000 dog-like robot that will be enlisted to help the New York City Police Department (NYPD) fight crime.

The robotic dog was recalled by the previous NYC mayor shortly after its introduction in 2021 due to major backlash and security issues. Civil rights advocates found Digidogs aggressive policing creepy and scary.

The prior administration didnt have a mayor that was a computer geek and that was willing to go where others are not willing to go to keep the city safe, Adams said in a press conference Tuesday, April 11, in Times Square. I made it clear on the campaign trail, I am going to use technology with transparency to keep this city safe. And others just werent willing to do that, and I am.

The mayor said the remote-controlled, 70-pound and highly mobile K-9 robot will be deployed starting this summer. It will be used in high-risk situations and locations. [Digidog] will undoubtedly save lives  both of the public and the police, the NYPD added.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said this particular technological advancement is a testament to the police departments history of being the first to use the latest technological innovations to safeguard a modern city. He noted that the Big Apple was among the first cities to adopt the 911 emergency call system and to take mugshots and fingerprints.

NYPD to deploy other new tech this year

Apart from the robot, the NYPD is also rolling out two other technologies this year: the StarChase GPS system and the K5 Autonomous Security Robot.

StarChase is a GPS tag system that tracks vehicles by using a projectile that attaches a GPS-enabled device, providing real-time information about the vehicles location and allowing NYPD officers to track a tagged vehicle remotely to avoid a high-risk vehicle pursuit in the crowded streets of NYC.

Meanwhile, the K5 robot or K5 Autonomous Security Robot will provide additional camera coverage of confined public areas, such as transit facilities. K5 has been used by law enforcement agencies, college campuses, corporations and shopping malls across the country to provide security and deter crime. According to the NYPD, K5 will be put to use during a pilot program that will last seven months, beginning in the summer of 2023.

Sewell assured the public that the use of this new tech will be transparent, consistent and always done in collaboration with the people that we serve.

And as with every NYPD initiative, we will continuously evaluate their use and impact on our city. Our job is to fight crime and keep people safe. And these tools are significant steps forward in that vital mission, she said.

Meanwhile, civil libertarians and police reform advocates are still uneasy and are questioning the need for high-tech devices. (Related: NYPD to use Robocop-style patrol cars with 360-degree cameras.)

This latest announcement is just the most recent example of how Mayor Adams allows unmitigated overspending of the NYPDs massively bloated budget, said Ileana Mendez-Penate, program director of Communities United for Police Reform. The NYPD is buying robot dogs and another fancy tech while New Yorkers cant access food stamps because city agencies are short-staffed, and New Yorkers are getting evicted because they cant access their right to counsel.

Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, said: The NYPD is turning bad science fiction into terrible policing. New York deserves real safety, not a knockoff RoboCop.

Follow PoliceState.news for the latest updates on law enforcement policies in the United States.

Watch this video showing the Digidog being introduced to the public a couple of years ago.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

San Fran police seek permission from city council to authorize killer robots.

TERMINATORS: Killer robots join Ukraines line of defense against Russian troops.

Oakland police pursuing development of armed killer robots to enforce the law.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

FoxNews.com

GovTech.com

Police1.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The Biden family is facing allegations from a former Obama administration official who claims that when Joe Biden was vice president, he was involved in a kickback scheme related to his son Hunter Bidens foreign business dealings, according to reports this week.

Mike McCormick, a former White House stenographer who served for 15 years, claimed on the Fox News show Fox & Friends First that he is willing to testify under oath before the federal grand jury investigating Bidens son, Hunter Bidens overseas business dealings. McCormick also accused the FBI of ignoring him, despite his willingness to provide testimony, Fox News reported.

In February, I went to the FBI and filed one of their tips on their website. If you do that, and youre lying to them, you go to jail. Im not lying. Im telling the truth, and Im not going to jail, he said. Joe Biden is a criminal. He was conducting malfeasance in office to enrich his family. Jake Sullivan is a conspirator in that, and theres more Obama officials involved in it, I believe.

McCormick, who worked with Biden from 2011 to 2017, recounted a conversation he overheard involving the vice president, his aide Jake Sullivan, and the press on Air Force Two prior to a trip to Kyiv, Ukraine on April 21, 2014, Fox News noted.

According to the New York Post, Sullivan, who is the current national security adviser, outlined Bidens priorities for his trip to Ukraine in a White House transcript, which included U.S. investment in the Ukrainian energy sector just days after Hunter joined the board of Burisma.

Months later, and well after the trip, Congress allocated $50 million to Ukraines energy market, the news outlet said.

Im sitting back there with a tape recorder. Jake Sullivan comes back and somebody asks about fracking. His answer is, well, were bringing a lot of American assistance over for fracking. Burisma was the direct beneficiary of that fracking, and thats what I recorded, and thats in a White House transcript, the former stenographer said.

In the transcript, you dont know who Jake Sullivan is. Its a senior administration official. Im the witness that says Jake Sullivan is the guy who said it and he should be investigated because at the time Hunter Biden was on the board of Burisma and Joe Biden is bringing American taxpayer money to enrich that company and himself and his family, he added.

According to McCormick, Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma just three days before Joe Bidens trip to Ukraine. He alleged that the timeline shows that Biden was sending American money overseas to enrich himself and his family.

If David Weiss (the prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case) cant have me in front of his grand jury explaining what I know as a witness, thats a fraudulent grand jury, McCormack noted further. Its a fraudulent use of the American judicial system to cover for Barack Obama and Joe Bidens crimes in office.

McCormick has additionally claimed to possess information that directly implicates President Biden and other officials in what he alleges was an influence peddling scheme.

If I went in there, I would tell them to have Barack Obama called in as a witness because hes part of the conspiracy. Hes an ex-president. He has to answer who was in charge of this, putting Joe Biden into this role? Did Barack Obama know about it? McCormick noted in the interview.

Theres evidence Ive seen and put in my Substack on April 16th, so two days before Hunter joins, Joe Biden is with Hunter in the West Wing. They have a meeting, and then later that day in the evening, Joe Biden spends a day in the limousine in the back of Barack Obamas limousine in western Pennsylvania, he noted further.

WATCH:

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

ConservativeBrief.com
(Natural News) The most likely origin for the leak of highly classified intelligence from the Pentagon has been explained in a newly published analysis at The Conservative Treehouse.

By now people are familiar with a New York Times (original source) story of a leak of sensitive classified information regarding U.S. operations in Ukraine and other geopolitical efforts. The New York Times was the first with the story, as shared with them by senior Biden administration officials,' the analysis opens.

The Times explained that the classified war documents containing confidential American and NATO plans to strengthen the Ukrainian military in preparation for an anticipated attack against Russian troops were shared on social media channels.

[L]ets use this opportunity to expand our knowledge base, overlay the known frameworks that operate within our government, and simultaneously give a perspective that will not surface anywhere else, TCTs analysis continued.

The emergence of the story in The New York Times suggests that the key players involved in the background narrative of the issue are domestic intelligence interests. If the State Department had a stake in the matter, CNN would have presented the story. Alternatively, if a U.S. foreign intelligence operation had a stake in the issue, the Washington Post would have been the one to report the story, TCT noted.

According to the New York Times, the story is attributed to senior Biden administration officials, pointing to a U.S. domestic intelligence interest. This implies that the narrative is strategically directed towards shaping public opinion from the perspective of U.S. government domestic public relations. The intention behind this narrative is to influence a domestic audience with a motive towards a specific objective, the analysis said.

Secondly, and in full alignment with the first point, the centerpiece of the story is focused on a leak that surfaces in social media,' the analysis continued. This fits perfectly with the domestic intelligence stakeholders (DHS, National Security Council, etc). We know domestic intelligence operates in the backbone of social media platforms. An example is DHS and domestic Intelligence Community (IC) work as outlined in the Twitter files.

Put them together, a domestic IC product surfaced (being called leaked) into social media platforms containing portals controlled by domestic IC, TCT explained further. The domestic IC then report on the leaks to the outlet used by the domestic IC. See how these fit?

By connecting the dots, one can infer that the domestic intelligence community may have intentionally placed the classified information on accessible platforms, only to later report on its leakage to media outlets that align with their narrative-shaping objectives, TCT noted.

But why would the IC plant classified information, then turn around and report on the classified information they planted? This is where you need to learn how the motives work, against a bigger picture, the analysis continued. The leak (planted information) and then the telling of the leak (NYT story) creates an opportunity for the domestic IC to frame a Russian dis/mis/mal-information narrative.

How come the domestic IC would want to stir up a mis/disinformation story like this? TCT explained:

18 hours before the leak/story construct[t]wo Russian gremlins, perhaps state sponsored, or perhaps just state aligned, tricked former French President Francois Hollande into admitting the U.S. government and western alliance were behind all of the events in Ukraine after 2014, with the expressed intention to construct a proxy war against Russia using Ukraine.

Russian Pranksters Vovan and Lexus, posing as former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, got French ex-President Francois Hollande to admit the Minsk Accords were a NATO ruse to militarize Ukraine, and Western nations overthrew Ukraines democratically-elected government in 2014.

As noted by Gonzalo Lira, Francois Hollande, former president of France, confirms that the 2014 coup detat in Ukraine was part of a long-term plan to have Ukraine fight a proxy war against Russia. The Americans have been preparing this war since the Obama administrationit is now confirmed beyond doubt.

Francois Hollande, former president of France, confirms that the 2014 coup detat in Ukraine was part of a long-term plan to have Ukraine fight a proxy war against Russia. The Americans have been preparing this war since the Obama administrationit is now confirmed beyond doubt. https://t.co/SPr1hoqp57  Gonzalo Lira (@GonzaloLira1968) April 6, 2023

Hollandes admission supports the narrative of the U.S. using Russia as a scapegoat, including in the effort to discredit Donald J Trump. The U.S. had been planning a proxy war against Russia since the Euromaidan protests and the subsequent color revolution in Ukraine, which were initiated by the U.S. State Department and aided by American allies in Europe, said the analysis.

This is the most explosive dose of geopolitical sunlight in years, and obviously these statements by Hollande were a serious issue for the White House and U.S. Intelligence Community. Hollande was tricked by two Russian pranksters into spilling the real story about Ukraine and U.S. involvement therein, TCT noted.

Now do you see the need? The Hollande admission is an urgent problem.

Sources include:

TheConservativeTreehouse.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Slovakian authorities are planning to destroy a 1,500-ton shipment of grain from Ukraine after discovering banned pesticides in the shipment.

Slovakian Minister of Agriculture Samuel Vlcan announced on Thursday, April 13, that inspections have discovered high amounts of chlorpyrifos in the Ukrainian grain while it was being processed by one of the largest grain mills in Slovakia.

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide subject to a European Union-wide ban. (Related: Russia-Ukraine war could contribute to more severe food shortages, mass starvation for years to come, warns UN.)

Vlcan noted that he first sounded the alarm over the issue of potentially tainted Ukrainian grain as early as July 2022, when he ordered Slovakia to tighten controls over grain imports coming from the country.

Even before we started placing seals on all transit trucks with Ukrainian grain, a relatively big sample of Ukrainian grain had been intercepted, and three independently accredited laboratories confirmed the presence of the increased content of pesticide residue in it, said Vlcan.

He added in another statement that the extent of the contamination of the grain was so severe that the entire shipment had to be burned. He also pledged that the government will ramp up the process of reviewing agricultural products from Ukraine for potential pesticides and other toxic substances.

Slovakia to halt Ukrainian grain imports as other EU members pass similar bans

Following the discovery of a contaminated batch of Ukrainian grain, the Slovakian Agriculture Ministry announced that it temporarily banned the processing and sale of grain from Ukraine due to the possible presence of pesticides banned by the EU.

The decision was taken after a pesticide was confirmed in a batch of wheat from Ukraine weighing 1,500 tons, which is not authorized in the EU and has a negative impact on human health, the ministry noted in a statement emphasizing that it will collect samples of all Ukrainian grain and flour that is already in the country.

We will also inform the ministers of agriculture from Bulgaria and Romania at todays meeting, which will be dedicated to the protection of the markets against the import of cheap goods from Ukraine, the ministry added.

Cheap Ukrainian grain has been flooding EU markets since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, as the bloc attempts to keep the Ukrainian agricultural sector running and the countrys economy afloat by making sure it can still sell its food products. This torrent of Ukrainian grain has been aided by the EU waiving customs duties and import quotas.

Slovakias decision to ban further grain imports comes as other EU nations, particularly those in Eastern Europe, pass similar bans or are actively considering them.

Poland was one of the first nations to pass such bans. The country reached an agreement with Ukraine to halt grain imports until at least July due to the large and uncontrollable influx of cheap Ukrainian grain in Poland that has stoked the anger of Polish farmers.

Hungary followed Poland on Sunday, April 9, when it said it would introduce new measures to curb the volume of Ukrainian grain entering the country, citing concerns over large quantities of cheap Ukrainian agricultural products entering the country and hurting domestic markets.

Learn more about the global food situation at FoodCollapse.com.

Watch this clip from Romania showing hundreds of farmers on tractors protesting the massive influx of cheap Ukrainian grain into the market, ruining their livelihoods.

This video is from the channel Cynthias Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Poorer countries in free-fall COLLAPSE as global food import costs reach alarming level.

Russia halts participation in Ukraine grain deal following massive Ukrainian drone attack on Black Sea fleet.

Wheat prices jump following US-NATO attack on Russian warships in Black Sea.

Food inflation continues: Bread prices in Europe soar due to higher energy, ingredient costs.

Satellite images show wheat crops all over the world are FAILING  except in Russia and China.

Sources include:

RT.com

Interfax.com

Novinite.com

KyivIndependent.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The National Education Union (NEU), the largest teachers union in Britain, is calling for schools across the United Kingdom to bring in drag queens to groom children in every school.

(Article by Shane Trejo republished from BigLeaguePolitics.com)

NEU members voted in favor of a motion that promoting drag queens, along with all kinds of other LGBT indoctrination rituals, in order to combat the heteronormative culture pervasive in British schools.

Initiatives like drag queen story time and inviting LGBT+ authors into schools can help challenge the heteronormative culture and curriculum that dominates education, the motion stated.

?? The UKs biggest teaching union has voted to have Drag Story Hours across all British schools. The National Education Union (NEU) conference, overwhelmingly voted to push LGBTQI+ initiatives in schools. This would facilitate gender ideology being pushed on young children, pic.twitter.com/Aw2FUQLWTb  Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 8, 2023

Teachers are blaming United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Conservative Party member, for enabling attacks on drag queen story hour events and causing violence against mutilated transgenders.

He is supporting the far right attacks on drag queen story time. He is saying hate and abuse is fine. We wont stand for this, said drama teacher Kacey de Groot.

An NEU leader said that promoting LGBT degeneracy in schools would counter the rise of voices like pro-masculinity activist Andrew Tate, who has gained popularity with young men and boys in recent years with his politically incorrect message.

Empowering all young people to develop positive attitudes from their time at school is essential  especially at a time when young people are targeted online with intolerant and divisive ideas from figures like Andrew Tate, said Dr. Mary Bousted, the NEUs joint general secretary.

Big League Politics has reported on how drag queens are regularly used to groom children and sexualize them as the LGBT plague circulates like a poison throughout society:

On Saturday, a LGBT Pride event hosted by the city of Venice, Fla. allowed children to play dildo ring toss as they partied with scantily-clad crossdressing perverts. This state-sponsored grooming activity featured rainbow dildos that children could throw rings over while the Kids Korner portion of the event gave drag queen strippers access to young children.

The dildo ring ross event was sponsored by CAN Community Health, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization, that exists to promote the supremacy of HIV+ homosexuals. They sponsor pride events across the nation and revel in exposing young children to dildos and other phallic objects.

An image from the pride event, provided by Libs of TikTok, can be seen here:

Words I never thought Id write Dildo ring toss game for kids at a pride event Full story: https://t.co/FwDzv3gTi8pic.twitter.com/F1fq7mPIRD  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 14, 2022

 Its hard to go a day in America without witnessing another LGBT atrocity being perpetrated against the youth. These organized predators are after the souls of the innocent. Christian Nationalism is the only answer to this societal plague at this point.

Britain may be lost to the reprobates, but Americans have the means to resist this demonic agenda. Christians need to read the Bill of Rights and exercise their rights before it is too late.

Read more at: BigLeaguePolitics.com
Ship strikes are some of the main causes of anthropogenic deaths affecting whales and other marine animals in the United States, as well as in other parts of the world.

In recent years, whale strandings have been reported from the West Coast to East Coast. In addition to fishing net entanglements, the collision between marine mammals and vessels are a growing concern.

One of the latest cases of vessel strikes occurred in San Francisco Bay in California, near San Leandro Marina Park, where a dead juvenile gray whale washed ashore on April 7.

A necropsy or animal autopsy on April 8 conducted by scientists from the California Academy of Sciences, along with The Marine Mammal Center, reportedly concluded that giant marine mammal was killed by a ship strike.

San Francisco Bay Whale

A team of scientists identified signs of hemorrhage in the San Francisco Bay whale's soft tissue, primarily around its eye, lower jaw, and shoulder which showed evidence of blunt force trauma that was inflicted while the animal was still alive, according to a new released emailed by the California Academy of Sciences to Patch Media.

The media release also found severed tail flukes and propeller lacerations throughout the whale's body. These wounds are reportedly consistent with vessel collision. Furthermore, scientists also found a fishing line entangled on the whale's snout.

Two weeks prior to the incident, another dead gray whale was found along the Bolinas Beach in Marin County. The whale also sustained blunt force trauma and died caused by a vessel strike.

Also Read: Tour Boat Hits Whale Off the Coast of Mexico; Six People Injured

What is a Vessel Strike?

Vessel strike is a term used to describe the collision between "any type of boat" and a marine animal in the ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries), which emphasized vessels can vary in sizes, ranging from large ships to jet skis. These vessels have the potential to collide with nearly all marine species.

The NOAA states most reported ship strikes on record involve large whales, seals, or sea lions, highlighting that strikes resulting in injury or death of the animals may go unnoticed by the vessel operator.

This is because the operator does not always see the ocean surface. There are instances wherein a marine animal is seen but there is not enough time for either to avoid an impending collision, the U.S. government agency adds.

Unusual Mortality Event

NOAA researchers reported that the gray whale species has lost almost 40% of its population since 2019, as cited by Patch Media.

Under such circumstances, the elevated gray whale strandings along North America's west coast from Mexico through Alaska has prompted the NOAA Fisheries to declare the event since January 1 of 2019 as an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).

Previous investigations, including full or partial necropsy examinations, of gray whale strandings have shown evidence of emaciation, which is a state of being abnormally thin or weak, the government agency reported.

Related Article: Vessel Strike Likely Behind Latest Dead Whale at New Jersey Shore [Officials]
According to a new study, climate change is speeding up and intensifying droughts, particularly the fast-developing heat-driven type that catches farmers off guard.

Droughts are generally being triggered faster, according to a study published in the journal Science on Thursday.

It also demonstrated that a specific and particularly nasty sudden type, dubbed "flash droughts" by experts, is leaving a growing crop-killing footprint.

More 'Flash Droughts' Suck Soil, Plants Dry

It only occurs during the growing season-mostly summer, but also spring and fall-and is insidious because it is caused by factors other than the lack of rain or snow that causes a typical slow-onset drought, according to hydrologists and meteorologists, as per Phys.org.

The air becomes so hot and dry that it sucks the water right out of plants and soil.

It's the increasing thirstiness of the atmosphere, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain of UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, who was not involved in the study. Swain described the issue as "extremely relevant" in light of global warming.

According to the study, the term flash drought was coined around 2000, but it really took off in 2012, when a $30 billion sudden drought hit the central United States, one of the worst droughts since the infamous Dust Bowl devastated the Plains in the 1930s.

Because it happens so quickly, people became interested in this new phenomenon, according to study lead author Xing Yuan, dean of the School of Hydrology and Water Resources at China's Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. In the case of the 2012 drought, it actually developed in a very severe state within a month.

Last summer, most of China's Yangtze River basin was hit by a flash drought caused by high temperatures, which also triggered wildfires, according to Yuan.

He claimed that parts of the river had dried up and that there was an energy shortage in southern China due to the failure of hydropower.

Another unexpected drought occurred in the United States. According to Jason Otkin, a study co-author and an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the Southeast in 2016 and was a factor in devastating wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

According to Joel Lisonbee, a climatologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Integrated Drought Information System in Colorado, the current drought in the Oklahoma-Texas panhandle and Kansas began two years ago as a rapid onset drought.

He wasn't involved in the study, but he praised it, saying that a warmer world allows for faster onset of drought.

Yuan, Otkin, and their research team examined droughts, how quickly they occurred, and what type they were since 1951 and discovered that flash droughts are becoming more common in nearly three-quarters of the world's climate regions.

They also discovered that droughts of all kinds were becoming more common.

Although they couldn't quantify how much faster because of the variability in locations and times, Yuan believes it's safe to say droughts are occurring weeks earlier than they used to.

Yuan stated that Europe and Australia have seen some of the largest increases in sudden droughts. The Amazon, according to outside experts, is prone to them.

Yuan's team also used computer simulations, both with worst-case warming and more moderate warming, to predict that the proportion of flash droughts will increase in a warmer world, and droughts will become more frequent.

Experts say flash droughts are especially bad for agriculture because they are caused by low soil moisture levels.

The problem is that there has been an old way of thinking that we have months or years before we need to worry about drought, according to Mark Svoboda, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's National Drought Mitigation Center.

That's why Svoboda, who wasn't involved in this study, claimed to have invented the term "flash drought" in order to dispel the myth that droughts only occur over long periods of time.

Also Read: Drought in Western US Could Last Until 2030 Due to Climate Change

Flash Drought Impacts

Droughts can reduce crop yields, damage pastures, increase irrigation needs, and deplete water supplies, posing serious challenges for water management and food security.

Wildfires, which can destroy homes, infrastructure, and wildlife habitats, can also be exacerbated by flash droughts.

Furthermore, flash droughts can have an impact on air quality because dry conditions increase dust storms and smoke from fires.

Heat stress, respiratory problems, dehydration, and malnutrition are all possible consequences of flash droughts.

Flash droughts are expected to become more common and severe in the future as the climate changes as a result of human activity.

Flash droughts have increased in frequency and intensity in many parts of the world since 1980, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications.

The study also predicted that flash droughts would continue to increase under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios.

Multiple research paths, according to the authors, are needed to better understand the regional drivers of flash droughts and their complex interactions with socioeconomic impacts.

Related article: Extreme Drought in Year 2100 Could Affect 700 Million People, Study Predicts
An elephant trampled to death a college student in an Indian village earlier this week. Local reports on Wednesday, April 12, said the wild elephant, which was part of a herd, suddenly attacked the victim while the villagers were chasing the elephant group when it entered the Balibhasa area in the Jhargram district of West Bengal, India.

The country's forest department reportedly assured the victim's family or relatives will be compensated accordingly in relation to the attack, which only confirms that the said wild animals dubbed as the "gentle giants" tend to become violent whether in circumstances under a provoked or unprovoked attack.

The recent wild elephant attack adds to the growing cases of deadly encounter between the large mammal and humans in India in recent years. In 2022, a different elephant trampled to death a woman and came back after several hours to crush her body at her own funeral. Last year's cause of attack still remains a mystery until now, a story also covered by Nature World News.

Jhargram Elephant Attack

Local police stated the death of a 22-year-old second year college student occurred on Wednesday morning in the said area where one of the elephants in the herd suddenly broke out and attacked the victim named Sanjeeb Mahato from behind and trampled him to death, as cited by the Deccan Herald

The villagers took Mahato to a hospital but was declared by doctors as dead upon arrival to the facility, the police official adds, IBC 24 reported.

Also Read: Wild Elephant in Thailand Uses Trunk to Flip Over Vehicle [VIDEO]

India Elephant Attacks

Experts assert that elephants, just like other wild animals, are unpredictable and can snap with little or without warning. In India, where some elephant herds and human communities closely live with each other is a testament to this danger.

Between 2014 and 2022, India's state of Odisha ranks among the list for human deaths from wild elephant attacks and it is followed by West Bengal and Jharkhand; overall, a total of 3,900 people have died from such attacks during the eight-year period, according to an RTI query by K Govindan Nampoothiry, a Kerala-based RTI campaigner, as reported by India Today.

Among the deaths, the highest number of incidents were reported between 2021 and 2022, when the South Asian country was facing a series of lockdowns due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In June 2022, a wild elephant crushed a woman in her 70s to death in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. However, the attack did not end there as the tusked mammal came back for her corpse during her funeral.

Wild Elephant Behavior

Wild elephants are considered to possess high social skills and complex range of behaviors, ranging from being solitary, family-oriented, and engaging in aggressive behavior, according to the South African National Parks.

The park explains elephants become violent in different ways, including response to threats or challenges, as well a showing dominance or display of power to other members of their herd or outsiders.

Related Article: Elephant Tramples Woman to Death, Comes Back After Few Hours to Crush Body at Her Funeral
Photo: The Canadian Press B.C. began a free contraceptives program on April 1.

A couple of weeks after B.C. became the first province to make prescription birth control free, some people are surprised to find they still have to pay for their prescriptions or need to switch to an equivalent medication.

The provinces free contraceptive program, which began April 1, covers the pill, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, an injection, an implant and the morning-after pill.

But birth control pills covered in the program are generally generic versions, with either partial or no coverage for more expensive brand names.

Ashley Jensen ran into the issue when she went to refill her prescription for birth control pills, discovering the brand that shes on is not covered under the new PharmaCare plan. Instead, she had to pay the roughly $80 it costs to fill a three-month prescription.

She wasnt sure if she could switch to another version without adverse side effects. Many women are sensitive to hormonal birth control and have trouble finding something that works for them, which can make switching feel daunting.

Oral birth control generally contains two components  estrogen and progesterone  and there are many different formulations and dosing of the two, said Dr. Joshua Greggain, president of Doctors of B.C. While a particular brand may not be covered, people who take oral birth control will be able to find the same formulation of active ingredients in a generic version that is covered on the provinces list, he said.

Switching to a pill that has the same formulation shouldnt cause side effects, Greggain said, but people should speak to a health care provider to assess their personal history.

I think there is an ample number of options for contraceptive that are being covered by this new program, he said.

There are over 60 commonly used contraceptives that are fully covered, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The list does not include vaginal rings and the dermal patch, but B.C. PharmaCare will consider the safety, efficacy, value for money and economic impact to the province in revisiting its decision on these options, the ministry said.

Vaginal rings and the dermal patch were previously reviewed and determined to be considerably more expensive than alternatives with no additional efficacy or safety benefits, the ministry said.

However, we know some people may prefer these delivery mechanisms and PharmaCare will review this.

A full list of contraceptives covered under the new program is available on the provinces website at gov.bc.ca/contraceptives.
A former U.S. Postal Service worker has pleaded guilty to stealing gift cards from the mail, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.

Shalika Williams, 30, of Buffalo, entered her plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen to being an officer or employee of the U.S. converting the property of another. When she is sentenced Aug. 21, she faces a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Prosecutors said that Williams, while working as a sales, service and distribution associate at the Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center on William Street between September and Nov. 4, 2022, opened sealed pieces of mail and stole 10 to 15 gift cards valued at $300 to $360.

The plea came following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General's Northeast Area Field Office.
Within a few years of wood harvest, native bees in the Oregon Coast Range are numerous and diversified in clearcut regions, but as planted trees grow and the forest canopy closes, their numbers rapidly decline.

Bees swarm in clearcut areas but decline in number while forest regenerates

The researchers noted that the results are critical for comprehending the potential contributions that forest management might make to the preservation of a significant pollinator group, as per Phys.Org.

The effects of land management techniques on wild bees outside of agricultural systems are little understood, despite increasing concern about how human activity may be causing global decreases in pollinator species.

That information gap must be filled since bees pollinate many flowering plants which sustain food webs and form ecosystems.

Scientists examined native bee colonies in 60 Douglas-fir stands with a range of ages during the spring and summer of 2018 and 2019 across a time period corresponding to a normal 40-year harvest rotation.

After harvest, the overall number of bees found and the variety of bee species both significantly decreased with stand age, falling by an average of 61% and 48%, respectively.

Nearly 90% of the blooming plants on Earth, particularly many food crops, benefit from the reproduction of animal pollinators, which are crucial to the diversity of insects and plants.

Native insect pollinators, particularly bees, are projected to generate more than $3 billion annually in commercial pollination services in the United States and are crucial to the health of natural ecosystems and food webs.

Nearly a quarter of Oregon's 600 native bee species can be found in newly cut forests, where the state's more than 600 native bee species can be found.

Recent research has shown that lowering the use of pesticides slightly in the first few years following harvest can sometimes increase the diversity of pollinator species without reducing crop yield.

Another strategy to assist assure maximal bee presence following timber harvesting, the researchers write, is to incorporate species of plants that are pollinated by bees into the seed mixtures used for revegetation along roadside ditches and at log landings. Before being loaded onto trucks, logs are stacked on a landing.

Also Read: Bees Observed 'Ejaculating' Themselves to Death Due to Severe Heat

Bees mostly dies in usage of pesticides

Pesticides and other agricultural substances put bees at risk of poisoning and death. Growers and beekeepers should both take measures to promote safe pollination and reduce the risk of bee poisoning, as per Agriculture Victoria.

The majority of bee poisoning incidents happen as a result of poor communication and organization between pesticide users and beekeepers.

It is illegal to use chemicals in a manner that is against the label's instructions, according to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act of 1992.

Bee-related claims are listed within the label's Protection of Livestock section for many agricultural pesticides, especially insecticides.

Bees are important to sustain biodiversity

Cross-pollination is essential to the proliferation and survival of 90% of all plants and 30% of all crops worldwide. In terms of pollinators, bees are crucial, as per Premier Tech.

In each component of the ecosystem, they are involved. Trees, flowers, and other plants that provide food and shelter for both large and little creatures can grow thanks to their support.

Species from a wide range of different species can coexist in habitats because of the complex, interconnected ecosystems that bees support.

Related Article: Reasons Why Bees Are Dying At An Alarming Rate
A new law in Washington will soon go into effect requiring boats and other vessels to maintain a 1000-yard buffer zone to protect orcas.

People on recreational boats hoping to catch a glimpse of the southern resident orcas will be subject to the new regulations. Whale-watching vessels must be kept 1,000 yards away from endangered orcas according to legislation that Governor Jay Inslee has yet to sign.

Whale Watching and the 1000-Yard Buffer

Officials stress that the distance won't change the reputation of Washington as one of the finest whale-watching destinations in the world.

Sarah Hanke, general manager of Puget Sound Express Tours, said for licensed whale watch vessels like hers, the 1,000-yard buffer specified in Senate Bill 5371 in the Washington State Legislature will not affect operations. Under the current license program, they have already been at a distance of 1,000 yards from orcas since January 2021.

The focus of this legislation, according to Rep. Debra Lekanoff, is on those who harass or harm killer whales or cause them to become distressed.

Recreational vessels have been permitted to observe southern resident killer whales from a distance of 300 yards, so this distance is new to them.

Giving those whales extra space will prevent the underwater noise from interfering with their ability to catch salmon, according to Julie Watson, who leads the Killer Whale Policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Recreational fishers may also do this, as many people are out kayaking or on a pleasure cruise.

Protecting Orcas and Other Whales

According to Watson, the species suffered greatly from captures for aquariums in the 1960s and 1970s, and recovery has been sluggish due to the scarcity of salmon, as well as water pollution and underwater noise.

Only 73 resident killer whales remain in the southern waters.

The legislation specifies that the WDFW will implement the vessel setbacks through outreach and by putting up signs at the public boat docks and marinas. Watson added that the female orcas need additional space so they can hunt for food and feed their young.

Also Read: Great White Sharks With No Organs Found in South Africa, Two Orcas Possible Culprit

Those who are unsure can also keep an eye out for whale-watching boats, which frequently serve as sentinels.

Hanke added that a whale warning flag had been erected to let boaters know that whales were present and to advise them to slow down.

Those caught near the orcas will face possible suspension of their operator or business license, according to officials, who suggest that whale-watching tours concentrate on the other species that inhabit the region that they can get closer to, such as the flourishing Biggs Killer Whales, Humpbacks, Gray Whales, and Minke Whales.

Prior to taking effect in January, the bill will return to the Senate for Inslee's signature, KOMO News reports.

Whale-Watching in Washington

There are three main places to go whale watching in Washington, according to the World Whale Watching Guide: Seattle, where gray whales divert from their northern migration to eat the plentiful shrimp population around the Whidbey and Camano Islands from May to March; the San Juan Islands, where orcas normally swim by the west side of San Juan Island from late spring to early autumn; and Bellingham, where family groups of the local salmon-eating orcas and solitary minke whales abound.

Related Article: Humpback Whales Spotted From Hawaii Nearly Reaches 1000
Winter weather with heavy snow and blowing snow has returned to the Upper Midwest, replacing the recent "very warm temperatures" that caused snowmelt flooding across the region, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

While snowfall is expected not to be extreme, the wintry conditions could persist despite the country being in the middle of the spring season that started in March 20.

During this period, the states of Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and even their surrounding areas could experience reduced visibility from the snowy precipitation, which could disrupt air and ground travel throughout the weekend.

In addition, temperatures could also plummet in the affected locations.

Upper Midwest Winter Weather

The NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Saturday, April 15 issued a short-range forecast for the Upper Midwest winter weather and other regions across the U.S., as far as the Great Lakes and Northeast regions, as well as the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.

The forecast is valid from Sunday to Tuesday, April 16 to April 18.

The weather outlook shows the accumulation of snowfall for parts of the Upper Midwest starting Sunday evening since a cold air will push southward toward the said region, behind a low pressure area as moisture continues to enter from the Southeast.

With this, accumulating snowfall could reach between four and seven inches from late Sunday to Monday, April 17 for parts of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where winter storm watches are in effect, according to the US weather agency.

Also Read: Intense Winter Storm Puts Over 100 Million Americans Under Winter Weather Alerts

Critical Fire Weather Threats

While other regions will experience rain and snow precipitations, other areas of the country will experience critical fire weather threats and severe thunderstorms.

The NWS forecasted a powerful cold front that could bring potential isolated severe thunderstorms and localized heavy rain in areas from the Southeast to the lower Great Lakes region.

Furthermore, gusty winds could generate critical fire weather threats in the central Great Plains in the coming hours or days.

According to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), elevated to critical fire weather is in store for a portion of central and eastern New Mexico.

This comes amid a surface low that will move across the southern Plains toward the central Mississippi Valley due to a mid-level trough spreading to the central U.S. as of Sunday.

The fire weather conditions would allow the growth and spread of wildfires across the region, where it will mainly affect approximately 200,000 people in Roswell and Lovington in New Mexico.

Last year, the 2022 New Mexico wildfire season saw the burning of almost 1 million acres of land and the deaths of at least two people.

Moreover, FOX Weather previously forecasted that renewed severe weather is expected across the South, which was struck by a deadly tornado several weeks ago.

This means that large hail, damaging winds, and even isolated tornadoes are possible to occur.

Related Article: Winter Weather Advisory In Effect Over Areas of Sierra Nevada; Imminent Flood Warnings in California Counties
Coral reefs are known to be some of the world's most significant marine ecosystems serving as shelter and source of food for fish and other marine animals, as well as for microorganisms.

These underwater natural habitats are created by reed-building corals, which are designated by scientists to belong in the Animal Kingdom rather than plants.

Reefs do not produce their own food but rely on others.

Being animals and living organisms, corals are also vulnerable to damage and even death.

Aside from other sea creatures eating them, coral reefs can also die from environment-damaging events, including oil spills, ocean warming, pollution, and physical impacts from people and ships.

Amid the threat, conservationists have also considered reefs in recent years of needing protection.

Now, a new study led by researchers in the United States has found that fish poo may serve as probiotics to coral reefs due to the presence of beneficial microbes like bacteria in the feces.

The study found that while corallivores, fish that prey on corals, can damage reefs, their excrement can be beneficial if it does not contain deadly coral pathogens.

Coral Reefs Health

In the said paper published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science on Thursday, April 13, researchers from Rice University and their collaborators acknowledged the importance of animal waste products in nutrient cycles and transmission of diverse microorganisms.

The research team attempted to further explore the growing notion that the feces of consumers like predators could impact resource species, which is their prey, through physical and/or microbial activity, according to the study.

In short, the team debunked the long-held notion that corallivores were thought to weaken reef structures, while grazers (fish that consume algae and detritus) were believed to keep coral reefs healthy.

Nevertheless, the scientists involved in the study found the feces of grazers leave big cuts on corals, hypothesizing this occurs since they may contain coral pathogens.

Meanwhile, feces from corallivores contain beneficial microbes that can help the corals thrive.

Also Read: How Will Coral Reefs Survive a Warming Planet?

Corallivores and Grazers

To arrive at their conclusion, the scientists studied the effects of fish feces from both corallivores and grazers on a living coral.

This was made possible by putting pieces of coral in jars with sterile seawater and applied the different types of fish poo with the corals to different jars, as summarized by the AAAS.

The team found that the corallivores' excrement contains bacteria that acts like probiotics, which are live microorganisms recognized by health authorities of bringing health benefits.

Are Corals Plants or Animals?

Contrary to popular belief, corals are animals despite being often mistaken to plants or inanimate rocks, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which explained that a coral consists of tiny animals called polyps.

A coral polyp is an invertebrate animal that has a size not large than a pinhead of up to a foot in diameter.

The importance of coral reefs to the marine world is recognized by scientists.

However, reefs are damaged due to changing water temperatures, invasive species, ocean acidification, and among others, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries).

As of early 2023, Earth has already lost 30% to 50% of its coral reefs already, the NOAA Fisheries added.

Related Article: Scientists are Weeding Coral Reefs to Help Lessen the Impacts of Climate Change
WASHINGTON  Rep. Brian Higgins returned to Buffalo Saturday after joining President Biden on his four-day visit to Ireland this week, and the local lawmaker came home feeling energized both about the president and the status of the 25-year-old agreement that restored peace to Northern Ireland.

Higgins, a member of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus and, like the president, a Democrat, was one of seven House members whom the Biden administration invited on the trip. And for Higgins  who, like Biden, proudly touts his own Irish roots  it was a trip to remember in part because of the unusual amount of time he and his colleagues got to spend with the president.

Most notably, Biden spent about 90 minutes with the lawmakers on Thursday, mingling with them and listening to them talk about how things are back home.

"We had a long talk about Buffalo. We talked about May 14 and the fact that he and the first lady were there," Higgins said. "You know, a place like Buffalo appeals to him because it is not dislocated from his experience in Scranton (Pa.)," Biden's hometown. "The two cities are historically tied. A lot of the people from Scranton came to Lackawanna to work at Bethlehem Steel ... So I think he finds that connection with Buffalo."

Policy matters weren't exactly on the minds of either the lawmakers or the president during that gathering at Biden's hotel in Dublin. "There was Guinness, there were drinks, there were high-top tables and maybe 20 people in the room," including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and former Senators Gary Hart and Chris Dodd.

Higgins spoke with Biden again Friday after the president's speech outside St. Muredach's Cathedral in his family hometown of Ballina in County Mayo. Higgins described the scene as that akin to a rock concert, given that Biden spoke to a crowd of 27,000 after the Chieftains, a legendary Irish folk band, performed.

"The people were just so exuberant," Higgins said. "It's just very emotional to see this president embrace his Irish heritage as exuberantly as he does."

Biden's trip began Wednesday in Northern Ireland to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of conflict between Protestants and Catholics in the only remaining part of the Irish isle that remains part of the United Kingdom.

Higgins, who has remained deeply engaged in the situation in Northern Ireland throughout his years in Congress, said he feels confident that the Good Friday Agreement will continue to bring a durable peace to Northern Ireland despite a dysfunctional government there.

"In Northern Ireland, this place called Victoria Square, which is about a block and a half from Belfast City Hall  It's 700 stores, restaurants, street performers. It's multicultural. It's multiethnic. There's a vibrancy, there's an optimism in the way that people walk and the way that people look, in the way that they interact," Higgins said.

Other House members who traveled with the president were Reps. Pat Ryan of New York, Katherine Clark and Richard Neal of Massachusetts, Debbie Dingell of Michigan, and Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania. All are Democrats.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Baskin Robbins, an ice cream brand operating in the premium space, has plans to add around 100 parlours in the current fiscal expanding its network further, said a top company official.

The company is looking for double-digit growth in sales, helped by multiple growth drivers, including expansion of ice cream parlours and new offerings, said Mohit Khattar, CEO of Graviss Foods -- the Indian franchise partner of Baskin Robbins.

"Last year, we have crossed 850 ice cream parlours and this year (FY24) the plan is to add another 100 parlours to our network," said Khattar.

Most of the expansion would be through its franchise partner, though the company would also open some of them.

"The idea is to keep penetrating, keep going down and extending the brand into new cities," he said When asked about the growth, he said: "We expect the market to grow about 15 to 16 per cent and we are expecting a growth higher than that."

Khattar declined to share the financial details, however, he said: "In the last couple of years, we were outperforming the market and this year, we expect to grow higher than the market."

Baskin Robbins is the largest player in the premium space in the ice cream market, Khattar said.

As the mercury is rising in April, Khattar expects sales to be on track.

"We were expecting March to be super hot but it did not happen.

But from last week in April, heat has started building up again and as of now everything is on track," he said, adding, "there was a bit of worry at the end of March but its all opening up now."

The US-based ice cream chain, which has been operating in India since 1993 through a master franchise agreement with Graviss Group, runs over 850 ice cream parlours across 230 cities.

According to Khattar, Baskin -Robbins is the second largest QSR (quick service restaurant) chain operator after Jubilant Foods, which has the franchise of Domino's Pizza in the country.

Besides ice cream parlour channels, Baskin Robbins is also present in modern trade formats as a supermarket and leading e-commerce platform.

It is also present in the B2B channels as food service space and HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering) space, he added.

The company has set up a unit in Pune, which caters to its requirement in India and some neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mauritius.

According to Khattar, the premium ice cream market is growing, though it has a small share in the overall ice cream market of the country, which is estimated to vary from Rs 14,000 crore to Rs 20,000.

The premium ice cream market is around 10 per cent of the total branded market.

The Indian ice cream market is largely dominated by unorganised or small city-based brands mostly operating through push carts.

NEW DELHI: Baskin Robbins, an ice cream brand operating in the premium space, has plans to add around 100 parlours in the current fiscal expanding its network further, said a top company official. The company is looking for double-digit growth in sales, helped by multiple growth drivers, including expansion of ice cream parlours and new offerings, said Mohit Khattar, CEO of Graviss Foods -- the Indian franchise partner of Baskin Robbins. "Last year, we have crossed 850 ice cream parlours and this year (FY24) the plan is to add another 100 parlours to our network," said Khattar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Most of the expansion would be through its franchise partner, though the company would also open some of them. "The idea is to keep penetrating, keep going down and extending the brand into new cities," he said When asked about the growth, he said: "We expect the market to grow about 15 to 16 per cent and we are expecting a growth higher than that." Khattar declined to share the financial details, however, he said: "In the last couple of years, we were outperforming the market and this year, we expect to grow higher than the market." Baskin Robbins is the largest player in the premium space in the ice cream market, Khattar said. As the mercury is rising in April, Khattar expects sales to be on track. "We were expecting March to be super hot but it did not happen. But from last week in April, heat has started building up again and as of now everything is on track," he said, adding, "there was a bit of worry at the end of March but its all opening up now." The US-based ice cream chain, which has been operating in India since 1993 through a master franchise agreement with Graviss Group, runs over 850 ice cream parlours across 230 cities. According to Khattar, Baskin -Robbins is the second largest QSR (quick service restaurant) chain operator after Jubilant Foods, which has the franchise of Domino's Pizza in the country. Besides ice cream parlour channels, Baskin Robbins is also present in modern trade formats as a supermarket and leading e-commerce platform. It is also present in the B2B channels as food service space and HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering) space, he added. The company has set up a unit in Pune, which caters to its requirement in India and some neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mauritius. According to Khattar, the premium ice cream market is growing, though it has a small share in the overall ice cream market of the country, which is estimated to vary from Rs 14,000 crore to Rs 20,000. The premium ice cream market is around 10 per cent of the total branded market. The Indian ice cream market is largely dominated by unorganised or small city-based brands mostly operating through push carts.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he will sue the CBI and ED officials for alleged perjury and filing false affidavits in courts.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal accused the central probe agencies of filing false affidavits in courts.

"We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts," he tweeted.

We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2023

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned the AAP leader in connection with the case on Sunday.

He has been asked to be present at the agency headquarters at 11 am to answer queries of the investigating team, officials said.

The central probe agency has already arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the case.

Earlier, the chief minister said the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in its charge sheet, had said that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia destroyed 14 phones and IMEI numbers of these phones were are also included in the documents.

"The seizure memo shows that out of these 14 phones, four are with the ED and one with the CBI. Most of the other phones are alive and are being used by volunteers. The ED and the CBI know about these phones. They are misleading the court by filing false affidavits," he alleged.

Kejriwal, who has been served a notice by the CBI, to appear before it on Sunday, alleged that the agencies were torturing people to extract false confessions.

ALSO READ | Will appear before CBI on Sunday; if I am corrupt, no one in the world is honest: Kejriwal

"People are being asked to falsely take my name and Sisodia's name. One Chandan Reddy, whom we are not acquainted with, was tortured and his medical report says he suffered trauma to his ears and face. These people are using third-degree, mental harassment and physical torture to extract false statements," he said.

"Sameer Mahendru and Arun Pillai have been tortured. One person, who has two young daughters, was asked, 'How will your daughter go to college tomorrow?' Another one was quizzed, while his wife and father were made to sit in another room and he was threatened that they would be sent to jail," he claimed.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he will sue the CBI and ED officials for alleged perjury and filing false affidavits in courts. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal accused the central probe agencies of filing false affidavits in courts. "We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts," he tweeted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2023 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned the AAP leader in connection with the case on Sunday. He has been asked to be present at the agency headquarters at 11 am to answer queries of the investigating team, officials said. The central probe agency has already arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the case. Earlier, the chief minister said the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in its charge sheet, had said that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia destroyed 14 phones and IMEI numbers of these phones were are also included in the documents. "The seizure memo shows that out of these 14 phones, four are with the ED and one with the CBI. Most of the other phones are alive and are being used by volunteers. The ED and the CBI know about these phones. They are misleading the court by filing false affidavits," he alleged. Kejriwal, who has been served a notice by the CBI, to appear before it on Sunday, alleged that the agencies were torturing people to extract false confessions. ALSO READ | Will appear before CBI on Sunday; if I am corrupt, no one in the world is honest: Kejriwal "People are being asked to falsely take my name and Sisodia's name. One Chandan Reddy, whom we are not acquainted with, was tortured and his medical report says he suffered trauma to his ears and face. These people are using third-degree, mental harassment and physical torture to extract false statements," he said. "Sameer Mahendru and Arun Pillai have been tortured. One person, who has two young daughters, was asked, 'How will your daughter go to college tomorrow?' Another one was quizzed, while his wife and father were made to sit in another room and he was threatened that they would be sent to jail," he claimed.
By PTI

NEWE DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party took to the streets in Delhi on Sunday against the CBI for summoning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for interrogation in connection with the excise policy case.

Top leaders of the party, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi and Kailash Gahlot, and Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, gathered near the federal agency headquarters and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Kejriwal's questioning was underway.

  ,   ,   ,   

   ,    

 ,        #KejriwalRukegaNahi pic.twitter.com/0qKaaCQdYe April 16, 2023

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed that around 1,500 people have been detained by police and several MLAs and councillors "arrested" across the national capital for staging protests against the CBI summons to the chief minister.

"The central government is conspiring to arrest Kejriwal. Several people even took to the streets and protested against the CBI across the city. Heavy security was deployed and many people who came out in support of Arvind Kejriwal were detained," he said.

"Around 1,500 people have been detained or arrested by police across Delhi for staging protests. Thirty-two Delhi MLAs and 70 councillors have been arrested in the city and 20 Punjab AAP MLAs have been arrested at the Delhi border," Rai claimed.

"Leaders including Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Jarnail Singh, Rituraj Jha, Naresh Yadav, Gulab Singh Yadav, Somnath Bharti, Girish Soni, Amanatullah Khan and Shiv Charan Goel were arrested in Delhi," he added.

Several party leaders and workers had gathered at the MP road in Mehrauli, under the IIT flyover, and near ITO as well, leading to traffic disruption.

ALSO READ | Kejriwal reaches CBI headquarters to answer questions on Delhi Excise scam

A large number of security personnel was also deployed across the city and barricades were put up at various locations.

AAP leaders, including Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav, Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, Bijwasan MLA Bhupinder Singh Joon and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, were detained by police during their protest.

Party MLA Somnath Bharti, who was leading a protest under the IIT flyover, alleged that the Centre was "misusing the CBI" and "trying to scare" a leader who has worked for the development of the country.

"They (Centre) can do anything and can get anyone arrested. They have destroyed democracy and misused their powers. This is the first time that the CBI has summoned a chief minister for questioning. They don't have a speck of evidence against our leaders. The Centre is misusing the CBI and trying to scare the leader who has always worked for the development of the country," he alleged.

AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta said party leaders and workers were staging peaceful protests across the city and that massive security has been deployed at various locations to detain the protesters.

ALSO READ | BJP has 'instructed' CBI to arrest me, will honestly answer questions posed by agency: CM Kejriwal

"Most of our workers who are trying to stage protests are being detained by the police personnel deployed everywhere in the city," Gupta said.

Heavy traffic snarls were witnessed in several parts of the national capital on Sunday following the protests by the AAP workers.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, police officials said.

NEWE DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party took to the streets in Delhi on Sunday against the CBI for summoning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for interrogation in connection with the excise policy case. Top leaders of the party, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi and Kailash Gahlot, and Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, gathered near the federal agency headquarters and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Kejriwal's questioning was underway.   ,   ,   ,       ,      ,        #KejriwalRukegaNahi pic.twitter.com/0qKaaCQdYegoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 16, 2023 Addressing a press conference here, AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed that around 1,500 people have been detained by police and several MLAs and councillors "arrested" across the national capital for staging protests against the CBI summons to the chief minister. "The central government is conspiring to arrest Kejriwal. Several people even took to the streets and protested against the CBI across the city. Heavy security was deployed and many people who came out in support of Arvind Kejriwal were detained," he said. "Around 1,500 people have been detained or arrested by police across Delhi for staging protests. Thirty-two Delhi MLAs and 70 councillors have been arrested in the city and 20 Punjab AAP MLAs have been arrested at the Delhi border," Rai claimed. "Leaders including Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Jarnail Singh, Rituraj Jha, Naresh Yadav, Gulab Singh Yadav, Somnath Bharti, Girish Soni, Amanatullah Khan and Shiv Charan Goel were arrested in Delhi," he added. Several party leaders and workers had gathered at the MP road in Mehrauli, under the IIT flyover, and near ITO as well, leading to traffic disruption. ALSO READ | Kejriwal reaches CBI headquarters to answer questions on Delhi Excise scam A large number of security personnel was also deployed across the city and barricades were put up at various locations. AAP leaders, including Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav, Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar, Bijwasan MLA Bhupinder Singh Joon and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, were detained by police during their protest. Party MLA Somnath Bharti, who was leading a protest under the IIT flyover, alleged that the Centre was "misusing the CBI" and "trying to scare" a leader who has worked for the development of the country. "They (Centre) can do anything and can get anyone arrested. They have destroyed democracy and misused their powers. This is the first time that the CBI has summoned a chief minister for questioning. They don't have a speck of evidence against our leaders. The Centre is misusing the CBI and trying to scare the leader who has always worked for the development of the country," he alleged. AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta said party leaders and workers were staging peaceful protests across the city and that massive security has been deployed at various locations to detain the protesters. ALSO READ | BJP has 'instructed' CBI to arrest me, will honestly answer questions posed by agency: CM Kejriwal "Most of our workers who are trying to stage protests are being detained by the police personnel deployed everywhere in the city," Gupta said. Heavy traffic snarls were witnessed in several parts of the national capital on Sunday following the protests by the AAP workers. Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI headquarters and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, police officials said.
Debjani Dutta By

Express News Service

PUDUCHERRY: As the temperature sizzled at 39.8C across Puducherry, and deadpan ponds with murky water shimmered in the midday heat, disquiet was palpable in the air. The scorching sun screamed down parched fields mercilessly. Environmentalists associated with PondyCAN in the union territory expressed concern over the dire situation of waterbodies drying up post-haste. They took a vow to save them after scouting all across Puducherry.

Under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance (AGG), a battery of 12 civil society organisations, including PondyCAN, joined forces to revive waterbodies. Of the string of over 600 ponds that quenched the thirst during the reign of the Cholas, a thousand years ago, only 420 or so remain in Puducherry. Today, most of the waterbodies in Puducherry are getting restored, thanks to AGGs efforts.

The system of Kudimaramathu - in vogue during the Chola era - helped local communities preserve waterbodies through revenue generated from the rearing of fish and the like. They devised a range of strategies, including long-term planning, desilting works, strengthening bunds, and planting trees to maintain the water bodies.

Later, the French government entered the scene and institutionalised the Kudimaramathu, renaming it to Syndicate Agricole and Caise Commune. Budgets, every year, were prepared for the maintenance of ponds and big tanks.

On November 1, 1954, Puducherry was liberated from French rule. Eight years later, the colonial settlement now abounded with Instagrammable streets and idyllic monuments, was formally merged with the Indian Union, following which the administration of waterbodies, once again, changed hands to rest on the shoulders of the public works department (PWD) of the newly formed union territory.

Over the years, however, the system failed, as the officials recruited were relatively inexperienced or the work was contracted out. Fund shortage worsened the plight, rues Probir Banerjee of PondyCAN. Between 1999 and 2008, as many as 83 tanks were restored through the Tank Rehabilitation Project of Pondicherry, which was aided by the European Union. An association of tank users formed in the times bygone has become non-functional, and the tanks fell into a state of neglect.

Well, the wells are almost empty and the ponds are now ridden with garbage, Banerjee laments. Encroachments added fuel to the fire as the groundwater level depleted and the water turned saline. Individual efforts to protect the dying ponds gradually swarmed into a movement as the waterbodies regained their lost charm.

The non-profit organisations under AGG have revived 47 ponds and cleaned up another seven this year. They have created a new tank at Mullodai. The plan is to restore as many waterbodies as possible and create awareness so that it becomes a community project. Recreational spots need to be created so that the waterbodies turn out to be of public interest, says Banerjee.

Akin to PondyCAN, Kulangal Kappom and Waters of Pondicherry, too, set out to save the ponds. During their formative years, they were met with a deep crisis: we really wanted to save waterbodies, but we could not, however, spot one, recalls Dinesh Krishnamoorthy of the NGO.

Where are all the waterbodies? We had then asked ourselves, prompting us to chalk out a plan to map the network of waterbodies in Puducherry. We posted the list on our official website for future reference, Dinesh adds.And when the going gets tough, the tough get going. In 2020, the AGG faced its darnedest challenge: save Vannan Kulam, the biggest urban pond, located at Marapalam, which is now reeking of garbage and devastation.

After three months of strenuous efforts, the pond was restored by mobilising funds. Its capacity is now 50 lakh litres and a spring beneath the pond pumps in water. It is now filled with lilies and lotus plants. The bid to turn its surroundings into a recreational spot by including a childrens park and badminton court did not materialise, as the restored park was figured in the smart city scheme of the government.

The concrete wall prevents water percolation to the pond, and the vacant area surrounding the pond is still used to park garbage trucks, Probir reflects gloomily.In similar bids, the Vannan Kulam at Kamban Nagar and Reddiarpalayam Pond, too, were saved from damnation. After its restoration, local associations contributed to its development, and the AGG advised residents to harvest rainwater and drain the water into the tank.

Other restoration works included two ponds at the electricity substation in Marapalam, after which a retired police officer took a stroll down the memory lane recollecting episodes of swimming across the pond to reach the substation. Similarly, it took six weeks to restore the Eri Amman pond at Abhishekapakkam. It had not been desilted for over 50 years.

Moreover, in order to uproot the tendency to overuse water, annual celebrations of a Water Festival teem with people, spreading awareness of water conservation. Similarly, residents fill up water pots and carry them from Ousteri Lake on the occasion of the Neer Kudam Yatra to symbolise the interconnectedness of water and people.

In 2020, AGG took up the One School One Pond program (OSOP) across schools in association with the education department. The OSOP follows a structure in which each school is assigned a pond in their neighbourhood which will be studied and analysed. The students will take up the responsibility to clean, conserve and enhance the waterbodies with local support, fostering a sense of belonging among the students. So far, around 230 schools, including both government and private schools, have become a part of OSOP.

According to TP Raghunath of Sri Aurobindo Society, the Water Literacy project was launched in 10 government schools to sensitise students to climate change and the importance of rainwater harvesting. Along with this, the AGG is engaged in bio-regional planning in Auroville, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts.

Bioregional planning is a holistic and integrated approach to development which transcends political boundaries to branch out to a wider landscape of natural forms. Watershed areas define its boundaries, says Banerjee. On the mission of the AGG, Banerjee says it works in collaboration with all stakeholders to devise a sustainable future that incorporates an abundance of water.

The Alliance for Good Governance comprises PondyCAN, Svarnim Puducherry, Confederation of Government Employees Association, HOPE, Kulangal Kappom, Waters Of Pondicherry, Nansey, Pondicherry Science Forum, Bangaaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Koottamaippu, Poovulagin Nanbargal, Sembandugai Naneeragam, National Human Resource Foundation, INTACH, and Karunaalayam.

They show us the way of water instills a sense of belonging with nature, a togetherness long overdue to be acknowledged. Yet again the wildflowers will blossom, and, after every rain, the overgrown byroads of Puducherry would whiff of cashews.The ponds of Pondicherry would once again be brimming with water and pride. They would once again cherish the moment.

PUDUCHERRY: As the temperature sizzled at 39.8C across Puducherry, and deadpan ponds with murky water shimmered in the midday heat, disquiet was palpable in the air. The scorching sun screamed down parched fields mercilessly. Environmentalists associated with PondyCAN in the union territory expressed concern over the dire situation of waterbodies drying up post-haste. They took a vow to save them after scouting all across Puducherry. Under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance (AGG), a battery of 12 civil society organisations, including PondyCAN, joined forces to revive waterbodies. Of the string of over 600 ponds that quenched the thirst during the reign of the Cholas, a thousand years ago, only 420 or so remain in Puducherry. Today, most of the waterbodies in Puducherry are getting restored, thanks to AGGs efforts. The system of Kudimaramathu - in vogue during the Chola era - helped local communities preserve waterbodies through revenue generated from the rearing of fish and the like. They devised a range of strategies, including long-term planning, desilting works, strengthening bunds, and planting trees to maintain the water bodies. Later, the French government entered the scene and institutionalised the Kudimaramathu, renaming it to Syndicate Agricole and Caise Commune. Budgets, every year, were prepared for the maintenance of ponds and big tanks.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On November 1, 1954, Puducherry was liberated from French rule. Eight years later, the colonial settlement now abounded with Instagrammable streets and idyllic monuments, was formally merged with the Indian Union, following which the administration of waterbodies, once again, changed hands to rest on the shoulders of the public works department (PWD) of the newly formed union territory. Over the years, however, the system failed, as the officials recruited were relatively inexperienced or the work was contracted out. Fund shortage worsened the plight, rues Probir Banerjee of PondyCAN. Between 1999 and 2008, as many as 83 tanks were restored through the Tank Rehabilitation Project of Pondicherry, which was aided by the European Union. An association of tank users formed in the times bygone has become non-functional, and the tanks fell into a state of neglect. Well, the wells are almost empty and the ponds are now ridden with garbage, Banerjee laments. Encroachments added fuel to the fire as the groundwater level depleted and the water turned saline. Individual efforts to protect the dying ponds gradually swarmed into a movement as the waterbodies regained their lost charm. The non-profit organisations under AGG have revived 47 ponds and cleaned up another seven this year. They have created a new tank at Mullodai. The plan is to restore as many waterbodies as possible and create awareness so that it becomes a community project. Recreational spots need to be created so that the waterbodies turn out to be of public interest, says Banerjee. Akin to PondyCAN, Kulangal Kappom and Waters of Pondicherry, too, set out to save the ponds. During their formative years, they were met with a deep crisis: we really wanted to save waterbodies, but we could not, however, spot one, recalls Dinesh Krishnamoorthy of the NGO. Where are all the waterbodies? We had then asked ourselves, prompting us to chalk out a plan to map the network of waterbodies in Puducherry. We posted the list on our official website for future reference, Dinesh adds.And when the going gets tough, the tough get going. In 2020, the AGG faced its darnedest challenge: save Vannan Kulam, the biggest urban pond, located at Marapalam, which is now reeking of garbage and devastation. After three months of strenuous efforts, the pond was restored by mobilising funds. Its capacity is now 50 lakh litres and a spring beneath the pond pumps in water. It is now filled with lilies and lotus plants. The bid to turn its surroundings into a recreational spot by including a childrens park and badminton court did not materialise, as the restored park was figured in the smart city scheme of the government. The concrete wall prevents water percolation to the pond, and the vacant area surrounding the pond is still used to park garbage trucks, Probir reflects gloomily.In similar bids, the Vannan Kulam at Kamban Nagar and Reddiarpalayam Pond, too, were saved from damnation. After its restoration, local associations contributed to its development, and the AGG advised residents to harvest rainwater and drain the water into the tank. Other restoration works included two ponds at the electricity substation in Marapalam, after which a retired police officer took a stroll down the memory lane recollecting episodes of swimming across the pond to reach the substation. Similarly, it took six weeks to restore the Eri Amman pond at Abhishekapakkam. It had not been desilted for over 50 years. Moreover, in order to uproot the tendency to overuse water, annual celebrations of a Water Festival teem with people, spreading awareness of water conservation. Similarly, residents fill up water pots and carry them from Ousteri Lake on the occasion of the Neer Kudam Yatra to symbolise the interconnectedness of water and people. In 2020, AGG took up the One School One Pond program (OSOP) across schools in association with the education department. The OSOP follows a structure in which each school is assigned a pond in their neighbourhood which will be studied and analysed. The students will take up the responsibility to clean, conserve and enhance the waterbodies with local support, fostering a sense of belonging among the students. So far, around 230 schools, including both government and private schools, have become a part of OSOP. According to TP Raghunath of Sri Aurobindo Society, the Water Literacy project was launched in 10 government schools to sensitise students to climate change and the importance of rainwater harvesting. Along with this, the AGG is engaged in bio-regional planning in Auroville, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts. Bioregional planning is a holistic and integrated approach to development which transcends political boundaries to branch out to a wider landscape of natural forms. Watershed areas define its boundaries, says Banerjee. On the mission of the AGG, Banerjee says it works in collaboration with all stakeholders to devise a sustainable future that incorporates an abundance of water. The Alliance for Good Governance comprises PondyCAN, Svarnim Puducherry, Confederation of Government Employees Association, HOPE, Kulangal Kappom, Waters Of Pondicherry, Nansey, Pondicherry Science Forum, Bangaaru Vaickal Neeraadhara Koottamaippu, Poovulagin Nanbargal, Sembandugai Naneeragam, National Human Resource Foundation, INTACH, and Karunaalayam. They show us the way of water instills a sense of belonging with nature, a togetherness long overdue to be acknowledged. Yet again the wildflowers will blossom, and, after every rain, the overgrown byroads of Puducherry would whiff of cashews.The ponds of Pondicherry would once again be brimming with water and pride. They would once again cherish the moment.
M Abdul Rabi By

Express News Service

KANNIYAKUMARI: A tender ocean breeze glided through the windows of the handicraft unit in Kanniyakumari as the women skilfully sculpted coconut shells into jewellery and utensils. S Jeya Cruz stands tall, guiding them through the process.

The 62-year-old master craftsman is now the lifeline of around 25 destitute women, who were lurking in the darkness of indigence. He provides training to the women from coastal areas in the district to transform coconut shells into value-added products such as necklaces, bangles, earrings, hair clips, jewellery boxes, wine cups, soup bowls, spoons, and other items, helping them create a livelihood.

I aim to transfer the art to future generations by imparting the skill to these women, says Jeya Cruz with a smile of contentment.Born to a family of artisans, Jeya Cruz excelled in the craft. His maternal grandfather S Samathana Villavarayer was a great artisan in tortoiseshell crafts. Later, when the art form got banned, he turned to oil painting and seashell crafts, where he outshined his counterparts. Following his footsteps, Jeya Cruzs father ST Sebastion and mother S Rajathi Villavarayer also became excellent artisans.

Realising that academics is not his forte, Jeya Cruz started polishing his skills in handicrafts from his teenage days. When he failed the SSLC exam, he decided to shift focus completely to coconut shell art. The coconut shell craft products are 100% natural and environmentally friendly. The coconut shell spoons especially Agapai used in cooking and serving food would extend the longevity of the food and provide an aroma, he says.

With popularity across national boundaries, he started exporting coconut shell crafts to Europe and other countries. Utensils and jewellery handicrafts made from coconut shells in Kanniyakumari have markets in Germany, France, USA and other countries, he says with gleaming eyes.

Later, in association with the Tamil Nadu government district skill training office at Nagercoil, he started training women in coconut shell craft, making them future entrepreneurs.Acknowledging his expertise in the field, skill development offices Assistant Director SP Lakshmi Kanthan said, Jeya Cruz is a master. His decision to train these destitute women, enables them to live a life with dignity.

The 47-year-old L Delmet and G Rashmi, who are getting trained at the centre, said, Because of the training given by Jeya Cruz, we are now able to provide for our family. Further, seeing a final product after hours of hardwork gives us immense joy.

As with any other artisan, Covid-19 and the following lockdown took a hit on Jeya Cruz too. Many women, who were getting trained under him, picked up other jobs and his export business got affected. However, he was not ready to back down. Now, his business is slowly climbing back up again.

As an appreciation, many laurels have come his way, including, the Utility Award and Kalai Chemmal Award from the Tamil Nadu government, Kalashri Award from Haryana State Government and a National Award.

KANNIYAKUMARI: A tender ocean breeze glided through the windows of the handicraft unit in Kanniyakumari as the women skilfully sculpted coconut shells into jewellery and utensils. S Jeya Cruz stands tall, guiding them through the process. The 62-year-old master craftsman is now the lifeline of around 25 destitute women, who were lurking in the darkness of indigence. He provides training to the women from coastal areas in the district to transform coconut shells into value-added products such as necklaces, bangles, earrings, hair clips, jewellery boxes, wine cups, soup bowls, spoons, and other items, helping them create a livelihood. I aim to transfer the art to future generations by imparting the skill to these women, says Jeya Cruz with a smile of contentment.Born to a family of artisans, Jeya Cruz excelled in the craft. His maternal grandfather S Samathana Villavarayer was a great artisan in tortoiseshell crafts. Later, when the art form got banned, he turned to oil painting and seashell crafts, where he outshined his counterparts. Following his footsteps, Jeya Cruzs father ST Sebastion and mother S Rajathi Villavarayer also became excellent artisans.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Realising that academics is not his forte, Jeya Cruz started polishing his skills in handicrafts from his teenage days. When he failed the SSLC exam, he decided to shift focus completely to coconut shell art. The coconut shell craft products are 100% natural and environmentally friendly. The coconut shell spoons especially Agapai used in cooking and serving food would extend the longevity of the food and provide an aroma, he says. With popularity across national boundaries, he started exporting coconut shell crafts to Europe and other countries. Utensils and jewellery handicrafts made from coconut shells in Kanniyakumari have markets in Germany, France, USA and other countries, he says with gleaming eyes. Later, in association with the Tamil Nadu government district skill training office at Nagercoil, he started training women in coconut shell craft, making them future entrepreneurs.Acknowledging his expertise in the field, skill development offices Assistant Director SP Lakshmi Kanthan said, Jeya Cruz is a master. His decision to train these destitute women, enables them to live a life with dignity. The 47-year-old L Delmet and G Rashmi, who are getting trained at the centre, said, Because of the training given by Jeya Cruz, we are now able to provide for our family. Further, seeing a final product after hours of hardwork gives us immense joy. As with any other artisan, Covid-19 and the following lockdown took a hit on Jeya Cruz too. Many women, who were getting trained under him, picked up other jobs and his export business got affected. However, he was not ready to back down. Now, his business is slowly climbing back up again. As an appreciation, many laurels have come his way, including, the Utility Award and Kalai Chemmal Award from the Tamil Nadu government, Kalashri Award from Haryana State Government and a National Award.
Lockport will be enhanced as a place for bicyclists to visit through its designation as one of this year's provisional Empire State Trail Towns by Parks & Trails New York in conjunction with the New York State Canal Corp. The other provisional Trail Towns are Newark and Rome.

Under the program, which began last year with Brockport as a pilot community, Lockport will be promoted as a destination for cyclists along the Erie Canal.

During the provisional period, Lockport will work with Parks & Trails New York to develop ways to promote trail amenities and adopt a plan for Trail Town programming in the future. It will be certified as a fully-fledged Empire State Trail Town once the process is completed.

Bicycle-friendly businesses will be identified with window decals. They also will get special recognition on Parks & Trails New York's Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour.

"As a provisional Empire State Trail Town," Canal Corp. director Brian U. Stratton said, "Lockport will be elevated as a tourist destination, building networks that preserve the future of the trails, as well as driving support to the businesses anchored along the Erie Canal."
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

UTTAR PRADESH: If green symbolises prosperity and health, a group of 14,000-odd women draped in green saris are epitomizing the notion across six district of eastern UP. Better known as the Green Gang, the group was started about eight years ago when a small group of 10-15 women of Ramasipur village in Varanasi district came together. They shared the same predicament: domestic violence by their husbands who were deep into alcoholism and gambling.

Having taken birth as a motley group of women with the intent to try and correct the ways of the men, this gang has now metamorphosed into an organised movement, to such an extent that the UP government integrated it with its flagship campaign Mission Shakti, which is aimed at promoting the security, dignity and empowerment of women. From Ramasipur village, it spread to Deora, Khusiyari, Jagadeopur and Bhadarsi villages of Varanasi where about 40 per cent of the 12,000-odd men were addicted to the two vices. Now most of them have shunned booze and gambling, or are in the process of doing so, said a police official of Varanasi.

Their modus operandi is simple and direct. The Green Gang members do the recce of the addas and the meeting points of men where they collectively indulge in boozing and gambling. These addas are generally situated in secluded areas of the village or outside. After the recce, the Green Gang members raid these spots, destroy the play cards and smash the liquor bottles. This had immediate and tangible effects.

Liquor bottles seized from men being crushed

Now the Green Gang is working in tandem with Mission Shakti, making a discernible impact on incidents of domestic violence, eve-teasing, child marriage and female foeticide in around 150 villages across half a dozen districts including Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ayodhya, Sonbhadra, Chandauli and Jaunpur in eastern UP. Green Gang leader Geeta Devi narrates her ordeal which pushed her to stand up against the vices of her husband. She says she wanted to end her life as she had given up on her husband.

As I was running to take the plunge in river Ganga at Assi Ghat, a person approached me. He asked me to calm down and listened to me patiently, she says, referring to Divyanshu Upadhyay, a member of Hope Welfare Trust, a group of students from various colleges in Varanasi working towards checking social evils from villages in Varanasi district. The members of the trust decided to help the woman. We imparted basic literacy and martial arts lessons to the women and educated them about brave women from Indian history, says Divyanshu.In the meantime, Geeta contacted other women and encouraged them to act against their husbands vices by destroying the liquor bottles and playing cards.The women decided to don green sarees as their dress code and started carrying batons.

Recalling the initial days, Geeta says it all started with patrols in Ramasipur. Initially, the villagers mocked at them but gradually the group started getting recognition. We used to target the addas. The impact was such that gradually the addicts started fearing the colour green. They used to run for their life on seeing us, says Geeta, with a grin. We have also reported cases of domestic violence to the police, and some men were also sent to jail, she says. Even the men accept and appreciate the efforts of the green gang in transforming their life. Initially, it seemed difficult. We suffered from sleep disorders, irritation and loss of interest in work, but gradually we learnt to cope with it. We are completely cured now, says Raj Kishore, a plumber in Ramasipur village.

Being a part of Mission Shakti, each member of the Green Gang has the contact details of the nearest police station which can be directly contacted in case of emergencies, and for police assistance. Each group of the gang comprises of a Police Mitra - one member who keeps in touch with the local police, providing them with regular updates.

Shayma, who leads the campaign in Mirzapurs Jungal Mahal village says that the gang celebrates the birth of a girl child by putting affixing a Khushhali Chinha (mark of happiness) on the house where a girl child is born. The gang has also started focusing on issues related to environment. Sunita, group leader in Jalalpur village of Jaunpur district claims that they planted trees to check soil erosion near a pond in the village.

UTTAR PRADESH: If green symbolises prosperity and health, a group of 14,000-odd women draped in green saris are epitomizing the notion across six district of eastern UP. Better known as the Green Gang, the group was started about eight years ago when a small group of 10-15 women of Ramasipur village in Varanasi district came together. They shared the same predicament: domestic violence by their husbands who were deep into alcoholism and gambling. Having taken birth as a motley group of women with the intent to try and correct the ways of the men, this gang has now metamorphosed into an organised movement, to such an extent that the UP government integrated it with its flagship campaign Mission Shakti, which is aimed at promoting the security, dignity and empowerment of women. From Ramasipur village, it spread to Deora, Khusiyari, Jagadeopur and Bhadarsi villages of Varanasi where about 40 per cent of the 12,000-odd men were addicted to the two vices. Now most of them have shunned booze and gambling, or are in the process of doing so, said a police official of Varanasi. Their modus operandi is simple and direct. The Green Gang members do the recce of the addas and the meeting points of men where they collectively indulge in boozing and gambling. These addas are generally situated in secluded areas of the village or outside. After the recce, the Green Gang members raid these spots, destroy the play cards and smash the liquor bottles. This had immediate and tangible effects.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Liquor bottles seized from men being crushed Now the Green Gang is working in tandem with Mission Shakti, making a discernible impact on incidents of domestic violence, eve-teasing, child marriage and female foeticide in around 150 villages across half a dozen districts including Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ayodhya, Sonbhadra, Chandauli and Jaunpur in eastern UP. Green Gang leader Geeta Devi narrates her ordeal which pushed her to stand up against the vices of her husband. She says she wanted to end her life as she had given up on her husband. As I was running to take the plunge in river Ganga at Assi Ghat, a person approached me. He asked me to calm down and listened to me patiently, she says, referring to Divyanshu Upadhyay, a member of Hope Welfare Trust, a group of students from various colleges in Varanasi working towards checking social evils from villages in Varanasi district. The members of the trust decided to help the woman. We imparted basic literacy and martial arts lessons to the women and educated them about brave women from Indian history, says Divyanshu.In the meantime, Geeta contacted other women and encouraged them to act against their husbands vices by destroying the liquor bottles and playing cards.The women decided to don green sarees as their dress code and started carrying batons. Recalling the initial days, Geeta says it all started with patrols in Ramasipur. Initially, the villagers mocked at them but gradually the group started getting recognition. We used to target the addas. The impact was such that gradually the addicts started fearing the colour green. They used to run for their life on seeing us, says Geeta, with a grin. We have also reported cases of domestic violence to the police, and some men were also sent to jail, she says. Even the men accept and appreciate the efforts of the green gang in transforming their life. Initially, it seemed difficult. We suffered from sleep disorders, irritation and loss of interest in work, but gradually we learnt to cope with it. We are completely cured now, says Raj Kishore, a plumber in Ramasipur village. Being a part of Mission Shakti, each member of the Green Gang has the contact details of the nearest police station which can be directly contacted in case of emergencies, and for police assistance. Each group of the gang comprises of a Police Mitra - one member who keeps in touch with the local police, providing them with regular updates. Shayma, who leads the campaign in Mirzapurs Jungal Mahal village says that the gang celebrates the birth of a girl child by putting affixing a Khushhali Chinha (mark of happiness) on the house where a girl child is born. The gang has also started focusing on issues related to environment. Sunita, group leader in Jalalpur village of Jaunpur district claims that they planted trees to check soil erosion near a pond in the village.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The Prayagraj police, on Sunday, registered an FIR against the three assailants for the dastardly killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in full public view in front of Kalvin Hospital of Prayagraj, late Saturday night.

The three assailants were Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny and Arun Maurya. They have been booked under Sections 302 (Punishment for murder) and 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code along with Sections 3, 7, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

As per the police sources, the three assailants had been carrying very sophisticated weapons and had fired around 44 shots at the handcuffed gangster brothers. They used the Zigana pistol  the same Turkey-manufactured weapon -- which was used to kill Sidhu Moosewala.

The killing of the two gangster brothers was caught on live camera. The assailants had come there in the garb of media persons carrying an old video camera with a microphone and had intruded into the police circle escorting Atiq and Ashraf to the hospital for routine medical check-ups.

The first shot was fired at Atiq when he and his brother Ashraf were responding to the questions posed by media persons in front of the hospital. It was followed by a flurry of firepower on the two brothers and within a span of 44 seconds they were lying dead in a pool of blood.

However, the attackers continued to shoot at Atiq and Ashraf even after they had fallen. While the assailants were emptying their weapons on Atiq and Ashraf, they were overpowered by the cops. In the melee, constable Man Singh, who was part of the police escort, received a gunshot in his arm and a journalist also sustained some injuries.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination of both Atiq and Ashrafs bodies has been going on in Prayagraj.

As per the police sources, a panel of five doctors was conducting the autopsy via videography. They are expected to be buried by Sunday evening at their family graveyard in Kasari-Masari where Atiqs son Asad was laid to rest on Saturday. Asad and his aide Ghulam Mohammad were killed in an encounter with UP STF in Jhansi on Thursday.

Atiq had been facing more than 102 criminal cases and his brother Ashraf had 57 cases of various crimes including murder, land grabbing, abduction, and extortion. While Atiq was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment in the Umesh Pal abduction case on March 28, his brother was exonerated by the MP/MLA court for evidence.

Pal, who was killed allegedly by Atiqs henchmen led by his own son Asad on February 24, was a main witness in the 2005 Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq was the prime accused.

LUCKNOW: The Prayagraj police, on Sunday, registered an FIR against the three assailants for the dastardly killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in full public view in front of Kalvin Hospital of Prayagraj, late Saturday night. The three assailants were Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny and Arun Maurya. They have been booked under Sections 302 (Punishment for murder) and 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code along with Sections 3, 7, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. As per the police sources, the three assailants had been carrying very sophisticated weapons and had fired around 44 shots at the handcuffed gangster brothers. They used the Zigana pistol  the same Turkey-manufactured weapon -- which was used to kill Sidhu Moosewala.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The killing of the two gangster brothers was caught on live camera. The assailants had come there in the garb of media persons carrying an old video camera with a microphone and had intruded into the police circle escorting Atiq and Ashraf to the hospital for routine medical check-ups. The first shot was fired at Atiq when he and his brother Ashraf were responding to the questions posed by media persons in front of the hospital. It was followed by a flurry of firepower on the two brothers and within a span of 44 seconds they were lying dead in a pool of blood. However, the attackers continued to shoot at Atiq and Ashraf even after they had fallen. While the assailants were emptying their weapons on Atiq and Ashraf, they were overpowered by the cops. In the melee, constable Man Singh, who was part of the police escort, received a gunshot in his arm and a journalist also sustained some injuries. Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination of both Atiq and Ashrafs bodies has been going on in Prayagraj. As per the police sources, a panel of five doctors was conducting the autopsy via videography. They are expected to be buried by Sunday evening at their family graveyard in Kasari-Masari where Atiqs son Asad was laid to rest on Saturday. Asad and his aide Ghulam Mohammad were killed in an encounter with UP STF in Jhansi on Thursday. Atiq had been facing more than 102 criminal cases and his brother Ashraf had 57 cases of various crimes including murder, land grabbing, abduction, and extortion. While Atiq was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment in the Umesh Pal abduction case on March 28, his brother was exonerated by the MP/MLA court for evidence. Pal, who was killed allegedly by Atiqs henchmen led by his own son Asad on February 24, was a main witness in the 2005 Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq was the prime accused.
By PTI

HYDERABAD: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday attacked the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh over the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incident and urged for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.

Alleging that the BJP was running the government in Uttar Pradesh by "rule by gun" and not rule of law, Owaisi said this had been continuing ever since the BJP government was formed in 2017.

A day after Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh, the Hyderabad MP termed the killings cold-blooded murder.

"You see the way the weapons were fired. It is cold-blooded murder and they (those involved in the killings) are professionals. How much is the role of BJP's Uttar Pradesh government and who are these people who in the presence of police and media resorted to cold-blooded murder? Who told them? What is their background and why didn't the police stop them? And for this it is needed that Supreme-Court-monitored investigation should be done into this incident," Owaisi told reporters here.

Condemning the incident, the AIMIM chief said it is not only Indian Muslims, but all those citizens of the country who believe in rule of law and the Constitution, "all of them feel weak today".

He charged that there was radicalisation in the majority community.

"Who are these people? Those who were involved in yesterday's killings if they are not related to the Uttar Pradesh government. I am raising a question. I don't know if they are related or not. And how did they got radicalised? How come they got these weapons?" Owaisi asked.

"These are highly radicalised elements. Who are these people, after firing (they) raise religious slogans What will you call them if not terrorists? Will you call them 'Desh Bhakts'? Will you garland them?" he asked and slammed those who were celebrating the incident.

Owaisi said the entire responsibility lay on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

ALSO READ | Killing of Atiq Ahmad as heinous as Umesh Pal murder case: Mayawati

"We demand the resignation of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The Supreme Court should suo-motu take cognisance of the matter and form a team to investigate the incident and there should be no officials from Uttar Pradesh in that team. I plead to the Supreme Court," Owaisi said.

The team should carry out investigations in a time-bound manner and it should report to the Supreme Court, he said and demanded that all those police personnel who were present there (during the incident) be removed from service.

Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

HYDERABAD: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday attacked the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh over the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the incident and urged for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter. Alleging that the BJP was running the government in Uttar Pradesh by "rule by gun" and not rule of law, Owaisi said this had been continuing ever since the BJP government was formed in 2017. A day after Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh, the Hyderabad MP termed the killings cold-blooded murder.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "You see the way the weapons were fired. It is cold-blooded murder and they (those involved in the killings) are professionals. How much is the role of BJP's Uttar Pradesh government and who are these people who in the presence of police and media resorted to cold-blooded murder? Who told them? What is their background and why didn't the police stop them? And for this it is needed that Supreme-Court-monitored investigation should be done into this incident," Owaisi told reporters here. Condemning the incident, the AIMIM chief said it is not only Indian Muslims, but all those citizens of the country who believe in rule of law and the Constitution, "all of them feel weak today". He charged that there was radicalisation in the majority community. "Who are these people? Those who were involved in yesterday's killings if they are not related to the Uttar Pradesh government. I am raising a question. I don't know if they are related or not. And how did they got radicalised? How come they got these weapons?" Owaisi asked. "These are highly radicalised elements. Who are these people, after firing (they) raise religious slogans What will you call them if not terrorists? Will you call them 'Desh Bhakts'? Will you garland them?" he asked and slammed those who were celebrating the incident. Owaisi said the entire responsibility lay on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. ALSO READ | Killing of Atiq Ahmad as heinous as Umesh Pal murder case: Mayawati "We demand the resignation of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The Supreme Court should suo-motu take cognisance of the matter and form a team to investigate the incident and there should be no officials from Uttar Pradesh in that team. I plead to the Supreme Court," Owaisi said. The team should carry out investigations in a time-bound manner and it should report to the Supreme Court, he said and demanded that all those police personnel who were present there (during the incident) be removed from service. Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday accused the central government of indulging in "headline manipulation" and diverting attention from former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik's allegations over the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged on Twitter that the "Modi machine" has quickly either suppressed the "revelations" or diverted attention from them by generating other headlines and debates, an apparent reference to the narrative around the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

And see how the Modi Machine has quickly either supressed the revelations or has diverted attention from them by generating other headlines and debates. https://t.co/sS9WSq275b

 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 16, 2023

The BJP has cited Malik's past remarks, including the one that mocked former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a "political juvenile", and slammed him as the "disgraced governor of Jammu and Kashmir."

BJP's I-T department head Amit Malviya had on Saturday tweeted an old remark of Malik, who has become a strong critic of the government in recent years, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "best PM" for Jammu and Kashmir, to hit out at his "U-turn."

Congress' media department head Pawan Khera also slammed the government on Sunday, saying questions do not vanish by "headline manipulation."

He said, "Questions only increase. Why clean chit to China? Why no JPC on Adani? Where did 20K crores come from in Adani's shell companies? Why no answers on Pulwama?"

Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor put out a Twitter thread summarising the "revelations" made by Malik which he said had been "under-reported" by the media. Tharoor said the "revelations" were on matters of national security which ought to be of concern to the nation.

"There is no national security interest involved in suppressing the story, only the political interests of the ruling party. The media should press GoI for an honest admission of failure and corrective action. The 40 jawans won't come back to us but they and our nation deserve the truth," Tharoor said.

There is no national security interest involved in suppressing the story, only the political interests of the ruling party. The media should press GoI for an honest admission of failure&corrective action. The 40 jawans wont come back to us but they&our nation deserve the truth.

 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 16, 2023

The Congress had on Saturday demanded that the Centre reveal the outcome of the probe into the 2019 Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed and asked why the paramilitary personnel were "denied" aircraft and made to commute by road despite the terror attack threat.

Ramesh had accused the BJP-led Union government of "minimum governance and maximum silence" and sought its response to the allegations made by Malik, who was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of the Pulwama terror attack.

There has been no reaction from the government since Malik's interview with a news portal was released, while the BJP has said that there were serious questions about his credibility and cited various statements made by him in recent years.

Sharing a clip of a recent interview, in which Malik withdrew a controversial comment he claimed Home Minister Amit Shah had made, Malviya had said Malik admitted to "lying and making up baseless stories on what Home Minister Amit Shah had said about Prime Minister Modi."

"No one took him seriously even when he made these allegations back then. But it raises serious questions on his credibility," he had added.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday accused the central government of indulging in "headline manipulation" and diverting attention from former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik's allegations over the 2019 Pulwama attack. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged on Twitter that the "Modi machine" has quickly either suppressed the "revelations" or diverted attention from them by generating other headlines and debates, an apparent reference to the narrative around the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf. And see how the Modi Machine has quickly either supressed the revelations or has diverted attention from them by generating other headlines and debates. https://t.co/sS9WSq275bgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 16, 2023 The BJP has cited Malik's past remarks, including the one that mocked former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a "political juvenile", and slammed him as the "disgraced governor of Jammu and Kashmir." BJP's I-T department head Amit Malviya had on Saturday tweeted an old remark of Malik, who has become a strong critic of the government in recent years, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "best PM" for Jammu and Kashmir, to hit out at his "U-turn." Congress' media department head Pawan Khera also slammed the government on Sunday, saying questions do not vanish by "headline manipulation." He said, "Questions only increase. Why clean chit to China? Why no JPC on Adani? Where did 20K crores come from in Adani's shell companies? Why no answers on Pulwama?" Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor put out a Twitter thread summarising the "revelations" made by Malik which he said had been "under-reported" by the media. Tharoor said the "revelations" were on matters of national security which ought to be of concern to the nation. "There is no national security interest involved in suppressing the story, only the political interests of the ruling party. The media should press GoI for an honest admission of failure and corrective action. The 40 jawans won't come back to us but they and our nation deserve the truth," Tharoor said. There is no national security interest involved in suppressing the story, only the political interests of the ruling party. The media should press GoI for an honest admission of failure&corrective action. The 40 jawans wont come back to us but they&our nation deserve the truth.  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 16, 2023 The Congress had on Saturday demanded that the Centre reveal the outcome of the probe into the 2019 Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed and asked why the paramilitary personnel were "denied" aircraft and made to commute by road despite the terror attack threat. Ramesh had accused the BJP-led Union government of "minimum governance and maximum silence" and sought its response to the allegations made by Malik, who was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of the Pulwama terror attack. There has been no reaction from the government since Malik's interview with a news portal was released, while the BJP has said that there were serious questions about his credibility and cited various statements made by him in recent years. Sharing a clip of a recent interview, in which Malik withdrew a controversial comment he claimed Home Minister Amit Shah had made, Malviya had said Malik admitted to "lying and making up baseless stories on what Home Minister Amit Shah had said about Prime Minister Modi." "No one took him seriously even when he made these allegations back then. But it raises serious questions on his credibility," he had added.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, spoke over the phone with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday discussing global and regional matters.

"A warm conversation as always with Secretary Blinken. We discussed current regional and global issues and noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties," the External Affairs Minister tweeted.

A warm conversation, as always with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning.



Discussed current regional and global issues. Noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties.

Earlier in March, both leaders held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi. They had discussed measures to mitigate the global impacts of Russia's war in Ukraine.

During the meeting, Blinken spoke to Jaishankar and shared his views on tackling global and regional challenges. In a statement, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken met with Jaishankar to discuss how India and the US can expand technology and defence cooperation and increase food energy, and health security.

Jaishankar had just concluded his visit to Uganda and Mozambique on Saturday, while Blinken completed his first visit to Vietnam, where he spoke about the US's commitment to elevate the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and work together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The US has always spoken about strengthening the Indo-Pacific with India as a steady partner. With the Chinese built up around Taiwan and USs constant support to Taiwan tension is building up around that area.

Meanwhile, Kurt Campbell, the Indo-Pacific Coordinator of the US National Security Council, on Saturday, talked about strong people-to-people ties between India and the US. He said that the relations between the two nations will get better in the future.

"There is no stronger people-to-people ties between any country that the US enjoys with India. We have built a stronger relationship and the situation will only get better, it will get stronger and deeper," Campbell said while addressing a gathering of hundreds of Indian Americans at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C.

(With inputs from ANI)

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, spoke over the phone with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday discussing global and regional matters. "A warm conversation as always with Secretary Blinken. We discussed current regional and global issues and noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties," the External Affairs Minister tweeted. A warm conversation, as always with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning. Discussed current regional and global issues. Noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 16, 2023 Earlier in March, both leaders held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi. They had discussed measures to mitigate the global impacts of Russia's war in Ukraine. During the meeting, Blinken spoke to Jaishankar and shared his views on tackling global and regional challenges. In a statement, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken met with Jaishankar to discuss how India and the US can expand technology and defence cooperation and increase food energy, and health security. Jaishankar had just concluded his visit to Uganda and Mozambique on Saturday, while Blinken completed his first visit to Vietnam, where he spoke about the US's commitment to elevate the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and work together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US has always spoken about strengthening the Indo-Pacific with India as a steady partner. With the Chinese built up around Taiwan and USs constant support to Taiwan tension is building up around that area. Meanwhile, Kurt Campbell, the Indo-Pacific Coordinator of the US National Security Council, on Saturday, talked about strong people-to-people ties between India and the US. He said that the relations between the two nations will get better in the future. "There is no stronger people-to-people ties between any country that the US enjoys with India. We have built a stronger relationship and the situation will only get better, it will get stronger and deeper," Campbell said while addressing a gathering of hundreds of Indian Americans at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. (With inputs from ANI)
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The bodies of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Kahlid Azim alias Ashraf were laid to rest at their family graveyard in Kasari Masari on late Sunday evening.

Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists when they were answering reporters' queries while being escorted by police personnel to a medical college here for a checkup on Saturday.

As per the local sources, around 70-80 people including close relatives of Atiq and Ashraf joined their funeral procession and paid their last tributes to the gangster brothers who were laid to rest at their family graveyard. Atiqs son Asad had earlier been buried in the same graveyard on Saturday after being killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on Thursday.

Atiqs two twin minor sons  Mohmmad Azhum and Mohammad Abaan -- currently in a juvenile home, were taken in an ambulance to the burial ground to pay their last respects. Even Ashrafs daughters were also reportedly present in the graveyard to have a last glimpse of their father and uncle.

ALSO READ: I'll be found dead by the roadside: Atiq's premonition came true

However, Atiqs wife Shaista Parveen and Ashrafs wife Zainab failed to turn up at the burial ground amid heavy police deployment. Both Shaista and Zainab are accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and have been absconding since the day of the incident on February 24.

Similarly, Atiqs two elder sons -- Umer and Ali -- lodged in Lucknow and Naini jail respectively could not join the funeral as they are in judicial custody.

Meanwhile, a panel of three doctors had earlier conducted the post-mortem examination of the body of Atiq and Ashraf. As per the sources, the autopsy report claimed that while Atiq had sustained eight bullet shots, Ashraf had six. The viscera of both Atiq and Ashraf were preserved for future investigations if needed. The entire process of the autopsy was conducted under videography following the laid norms.

According to officials, Atiq and Ashraf had a long criminal history.

Since 1979, 101 cases were registered against Atiq, while 57 were lodged against Ashraf. The first murder case against Atiq was lodged in 1979, when he was 17 years of age. By 1985, Atiq's terror had spread not only in Prayagraj, but to other parts of Uttar Pradesh as well.

LUCKNOW: The bodies of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Kahlid Azim alias Ashraf were laid to rest at their family graveyard in Kasari Masari on late Sunday evening. Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists when they were answering reporters' queries while being escorted by police personnel to a medical college here for a checkup on Saturday. As per the local sources, around 70-80 people including close relatives of Atiq and Ashraf joined their funeral procession and paid their last tributes to the gangster brothers who were laid to rest at their family graveyard. Atiqs son Asad had earlier been buried in the same graveyard on Saturday after being killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on Thursday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Atiqs two twin minor sons  Mohmmad Azhum and Mohammad Abaan -- currently in a juvenile home, were taken in an ambulance to the burial ground to pay their last respects. Even Ashrafs daughters were also reportedly present in the graveyard to have a last glimpse of their father and uncle. ALSO READ: I'll be found dead by the roadside: Atiq's premonition came true However, Atiqs wife Shaista Parveen and Ashrafs wife Zainab failed to turn up at the burial ground amid heavy police deployment. Both Shaista and Zainab are accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and have been absconding since the day of the incident on February 24. Similarly, Atiqs two elder sons -- Umer and Ali -- lodged in Lucknow and Naini jail respectively could not join the funeral as they are in judicial custody. Meanwhile, a panel of three doctors had earlier conducted the post-mortem examination of the body of Atiq and Ashraf. As per the sources, the autopsy report claimed that while Atiq had sustained eight bullet shots, Ashraf had six. The viscera of both Atiq and Ashraf were preserved for future investigations if needed. The entire process of the autopsy was conducted under videography following the laid norms. According to officials, Atiq and Ashraf had a long criminal history. Since 1979, 101 cases were registered against Atiq, while 57 were lodged against Ashraf. The first murder case against Atiq was lodged in 1979, when he was 17 years of age. By 1985, Atiq's terror had spread not only in Prayagraj, but to other parts of Uttar Pradesh as well.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday blamed the media for making a 'gangster' out of Atiq Ahmed.

Yadav admitted that Atiq had several cases against him. But none of the charges against him was proven and he was not proven guilty by a court of law.

"The media made him a gangster. There are cases where influential men, occupying high positions kill people. But no one terms them as gangsters", Ram Gopal Yadav told media persons in his native Safai village in Etawah district.

He also added that "so many fake cases are filed against people day in and day out...Atiq Ahmed became MLA in 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1995, and an MP from Phulpur in 2004. It's not that all goons wins elections. He won for a record three times as an independent candidate."

Yadav claimed that the killing of Atiq and his brother Ashraf was an organised murder. Recalling the UP CMs statement in the Assembly that the killers of Umesh Pal and gangsters would

be decimated, Yadav said that the killers of Atiq and Ashraf will not face punishment.

Yadav said that his fears for the life of Atiq's son came true on Thursday last when Asad was killed in a fake encounter in Jhansi.

On the other, BSP chief Mayawati called the killing of Atiq Ahmed in police custody as heinous as that of Umesh Pals killing. Raising serious questions over the style of functioning of the Uttar Pradesh Government, she said it would be better if the Supreme Court took cognisance of the "extremely serious and worrisome" incident, which was being discussed across the country.

In a series of tweets, she said, "Now, instead of 'rule of law by law' in Uttar Pradesh, how appropriate is it that it becomes 'encounter Pradesh'? Something to think about."

Meanwhile, reacting to the killing, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the law of the country was paramount and the criminals should be given the harshest punishment within the ambit of law.

In a series of tweets in Hindi, the Congress leader said that criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be according to the law of the land. Playing with or violating the rule of law and the judicial process for any political purpose was not right for democracy.

"Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who indulge in such an act, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on that person," Gandhi said.

LUCKNOW: The Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday blamed the media for making a 'gangster' out of Atiq Ahmed. Yadav admitted that Atiq had several cases against him. But none of the charges against him was proven and he was not proven guilty by a court of law. "The media made him a gangster. There are cases where influential men, occupying high positions kill people. But no one terms them as gangsters", Ram Gopal Yadav told media persons in his native Safai village in Etawah district.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He also added that "so many fake cases are filed against people day in and day out...Atiq Ahmed became MLA in 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1995, and an MP from Phulpur in 2004. It's not that all goons wins elections. He won for a record three times as an independent candidate." Yadav claimed that the killing of Atiq and his brother Ashraf was an organised murder. Recalling the UP CMs statement in the Assembly that the killers of Umesh Pal and gangsters would be decimated, Yadav said that the killers of Atiq and Ashraf will not face punishment. Yadav said that his fears for the life of Atiq's son came true on Thursday last when Asad was killed in a fake encounter in Jhansi. On the other, BSP chief Mayawati called the killing of Atiq Ahmed in police custody as heinous as that of Umesh Pals killing. Raising serious questions over the style of functioning of the Uttar Pradesh Government, she said it would be better if the Supreme Court took cognisance of the "extremely serious and worrisome" incident, which was being discussed across the country. In a series of tweets, she said, "Now, instead of 'rule of law by law' in Uttar Pradesh, how appropriate is it that it becomes 'encounter Pradesh'? Something to think about." Meanwhile, reacting to the killing, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the law of the country was paramount and the criminals should be given the harshest punishment within the ambit of law. In a series of tweets in Hindi, the Congress leader said that criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be according to the law of the land. Playing with or violating the rule of law and the judicial process for any political purpose was not right for democracy. "Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who indulge in such an act, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on that person," Gandhi said.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: With Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf being shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj on Saturday, three of the family's four members named in the Umesh Pal murder case have been killed.

Ten people were named in the FIR registered at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj on February 25, a day after Umesh Pal was killed.

Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was also named as a shooter alongside six others.

Apart from Ahmad and Ashraf, four others named in the FIR -- Asad, Arbaaz, Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman, and Ghulam -- have also been killed.

Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen and three other alleged shooters are absconding.

In the FIR registered after the murder of Umesh Pal on February 24, who was a key witness in the 2005 MLA Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq Ahmad was also an accused, police registered an FIR at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj.

Of the seven people seen in a CCTV footage that captured the Umesh Pal killing, Arbaaz, who allegedly drove the SUV carrying the attackers, was killed in an encounter on February 27.

Shooter Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman was killed in an encounter in Prayagraj in March 6.

Asad Ahmed and Ghulam were killed in another encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force on April 13 in Jhansi.

The remaining three shooters -- Guddu Muslim, Sabir and Armaan -- are absconding.

Shaista Parveen is also on the run.

Atiq Ahmad, a former SP legislator, had earlier expressed apprehension that he could be killed by the Uttar Pradesh Police while being brought to Prayagraj from the Ahmedabad prison, where he was lodged in connection with another case.

When he was being taken to the city for Thursday's court appearance, he made a similar remark.

"I am totally reduced to dust, but please don't trouble the women and children of my family now," the 60-year-old told reporters from inside a police van.

After the Umesh Pal murder, Akhilesh Yadav had flagged the law and order issue in the state assembly.

In the heated debate, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had accused the Samajwadi Party of sheltering gangsters like Atiq Ahmad and said the government will ground the mafias to dust ("mittee me mila denge") The bodies of Atiq Ahmad and is brother Ashraf's body will be buried in thir native village, officials said.

LUCKNOW: With Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf being shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj on Saturday, three of the family's four members named in the Umesh Pal murder case have been killed. Ten people were named in the FIR registered at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj on February 25, a day after Umesh Pal was killed. Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was also named as a shooter alongside six others.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Apart from Ahmad and Ashraf, four others named in the FIR -- Asad, Arbaaz, Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman, and Ghulam -- have also been killed. Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen and three other alleged shooters are absconding. In the FIR registered after the murder of Umesh Pal on February 24, who was a key witness in the 2005 MLA Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq Ahmad was also an accused, police registered an FIR at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj. Of the seven people seen in a CCTV footage that captured the Umesh Pal killing, Arbaaz, who allegedly drove the SUV carrying the attackers, was killed in an encounter on February 27. Shooter Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman was killed in an encounter in Prayagraj in March 6. Asad Ahmed and Ghulam were killed in another encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force on April 13 in Jhansi. The remaining three shooters -- Guddu Muslim, Sabir and Armaan -- are absconding. Shaista Parveen is also on the run. Atiq Ahmad, a former SP legislator, had earlier expressed apprehension that he could be killed by the Uttar Pradesh Police while being brought to Prayagraj from the Ahmedabad prison, where he was lodged in connection with another case. When he was being taken to the city for Thursday's court appearance, he made a similar remark. "I am totally reduced to dust, but please don't trouble the women and children of my family now," the 60-year-old told reporters from inside a police van. After the Umesh Pal murder, Akhilesh Yadav had flagged the law and order issue in the state assembly. In the heated debate, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had accused the Samajwadi Party of sheltering gangsters like Atiq Ahmad and said the government will ground the mafias to dust ("mittee me mila denge") The bodies of Atiq Ahmad and is brother Ashraf's body will be buried in thir native village, officials said.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The Flag Foundation of India said 95 per cent of Indians do not have a fair knowledge about the national flag.

I would say 95 per cent of people in India do not have a fair knowledge about the Tricolour. They arent confident whether it can be kept hoisted day and night and whether it should be made of khadi or cotton, Maj Gen (retd) Ashim Kohli, CEO, Flag Foundation of India, told this newspaper.

The Delhi-based NGO set up its 107th Monumental Flag at the Armys Narengi Military Station in Guwahati on Saturday. The foundation also educates people on the Tricolour and inspires them to hoist it.

The flag could be made of cotton, khadi, silk and polyester and it has to be in the ratio of 3:2, the CEO of the Foundation said.

He also said that he was sad when some educated and senior persons told him they had lowered the flag at the end of the celebration of Independence Day on August 15.

The governments order is very clear. It is your right to keep it hoisted 365 days a year, Maj Gen Kohli said.

We say go to America and you will feel great to see the countrys flag fluttering everywhere. Why is it not so in India? The only reason is that the right information is not going to people through any medium, he said.

The Foundation, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1980, is run with CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds.

Earlier, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 did not allow an Indian to wear a lapel pin or badge of the Tricolour. After an amendment to the Act, one can now wear it waist above but it has to be worn respectfully, Maj Gen Kohli said, adding, You have to give it the kind of respect that you give to an idol at home. That is the general principle.

The Foundation helped set up the first Monumental Flag in Haryana in 2009. Thereafter, it installed the Tricolour at several institutions, both government and non-government.

We are happy that various institutions, including some from the corporate sector, have started installing the Monumental Flag. We talked about Har Ghar Tiranga. Our focus now is that it should be Har Din Tiranga, Maj Gen Kohli said. Our aim is that it should be the flag of the common people, he added.

The Foundation bears the cost of the Monumental Flags.

We facilitate the installation of Monumental Flags if any institution takes the onus of looking it after round the year. The institution has to have its own land where it will be set up. We check everything before going forward, the CEO of the Foundation further said.

GUWAHATI: The Flag Foundation of India said 95 per cent of Indians do not have a fair knowledge about the national flag. I would say 95 per cent of people in India do not have a fair knowledge about the Tricolour. They arent confident whether it can be kept hoisted day and night and whether it should be made of khadi or cotton, Maj Gen (retd) Ashim Kohli, CEO, Flag Foundation of India, told this newspaper. The Delhi-based NGO set up its 107th Monumental Flag at the Armys Narengi Military Station in Guwahati on Saturday. The foundation also educates people on the Tricolour and inspires them to hoist it.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The flag could be made of cotton, khadi, silk and polyester and it has to be in the ratio of 3:2, the CEO of the Foundation said. He also said that he was sad when some educated and senior persons told him they had lowered the flag at the end of the celebration of Independence Day on August 15. The governments order is very clear. It is your right to keep it hoisted 365 days a year, Maj Gen Kohli said. We say go to America and you will feel great to see the countrys flag fluttering everywhere. Why is it not so in India? The only reason is that the right information is not going to people through any medium, he said. The Foundation, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1980, is run with CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds. Earlier, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 did not allow an Indian to wear a lapel pin or badge of the Tricolour. After an amendment to the Act, one can now wear it waist above but it has to be worn respectfully, Maj Gen Kohli said, adding, You have to give it the kind of respect that you give to an idol at home. That is the general principle. The Foundation helped set up the first Monumental Flag in Haryana in 2009. Thereafter, it installed the Tricolour at several institutions, both government and non-government. We are happy that various institutions, including some from the corporate sector, have started installing the Monumental Flag. We talked about Har Ghar Tiranga. Our focus now is that it should be Har Din Tiranga, Maj Gen Kohli said. Our aim is that it should be the flag of the common people, he added. The Foundation bears the cost of the Monumental Flags. We facilitate the installation of Monumental Flags if any institution takes the onus of looking it after round the year. The institution has to have its own land where it will be set up. We check everything before going forward, the CEO of the Foundation further said.
The woman arrived in Buffalo three weeks ago, exhausted, creases surrounding her pained eyes.

She is staying at the refugee shelter Vive with her five children: the eldest, a young adult; the youngest, preschool age. They came here from their home in Colombia, where kidnapping and violent crime are commonplace. Her teenage daughter was raped there, and gave birth to a baby girl.

We dont even know who it was, said the woman, who spoke through an interpreter on the condition of anonymity, for the protection of her family, and we decided to leave before facing even greater danger.

The woman, her five children and her baby granddaughter left Colombia in September, fleeing by foot through the rugged Darien Gap, a 100-mile-wide jungle that separates Colombia from Panama. They walked for eight days, passing dead bodies that rolled down the mountainside into the river. Her baby granddaughter became dehydrated. Her 7-year-old boy was swept into the river, but some man came out of nowhere, she said, and was able to save him.

The family made it through Central America to Mexico, then Texas and zigzagged by bus through the United States. On the way, the woman met a group that was fleeing to Canada, which has become a destination for people seeking refuge from danger. She kept in touch, learned they made it to Canada and decided that would be the best place for her family, too.

Her best route into Canada would be by crossing the border in the northeastern corner of New York. She bused her family to Buffalo and came to Vive to stay temporarily, gathering the money and supplies she would need to take her family by bus to Plattsburgh, a small city near the New York-Vermont line. From there, they would take a 45-minute taxi ride to a nondescript country road that has become an international, and unofficial, pathway into Canada.

Roxham Road runs northward, past a horse pasture, a trailer and a few old homes. Then it stops, abruptly, with signs telling people to travel no farther.

The end of Roxham Road is also the end of the United States. Across a small gravel and dirt patch is Canada, open and available, a five-second walk from where Roxhams pavement stops.

Since 2016, when Donald Trump's electoral victory ensured that America's stance on immigration enforcement would become steelier, tens of thousands of migrants crossed the border there. They were arrested immediately, but then claimed asylum and were given the chance to make their case to stay in Canada.

Roxham was a beacon, and for many, Buffalo was a stop on the way.

Thats why this woman and her family came here. But then in late March, with no notice and little time for planning, Roxham Road closed.

That closure effectively served as a broken link in a chain for those seeking asylum. And it has had a direct impact on shelters like Vive, where thousands of journeys have ended for now and where resources are stretched to their limit as refugee advocates plead for help from the government.

  

People dont stay long at Vive, a former school on Buffalos East Side that is now a shelter for refugees. Their stays are typically measured in weeks, even days. Many leave and head to Canada, where they hope to seek asylum, making the case for why they are fleeing violence and terror in their home countries and seeking a new life.

On March 23, a pair of families arrived at Vive, hoping to stay briefly while getting ready to trek northward to Canada. That day, the director of Vive, Matt Tice, received word that Roxham Road would likely be closing very soon.

Were scrambling to help along the folks in the building who were planning to head that way, Tice said that night. Vive doesnt encourage people to head to Canada, or transport them to Roxham, but it does provide information on regulations and processes. In this case, the information was clear: If youre heading to Roxham, you need to hurry. (We) dont want them ending up stuck, Tice said.

The United States and Canada had agreed on a revision to the Safe Third Country Agreement, a pact that requires asylum seekers to make their claim in whichever of those two countries they are in first. For years, asylum seekers have made use of a loophole in the agreement: If people seeking asylum found their way into Canada between a port of entry, they would be arrested for an irregular crossing. But they would also be allowed to stay in Canada and make their claim.

Except in rare or limited circumstances  such as when the cross-border traffic was largely closed for a 20-month stretch during the pandemic  they would not be returned to the United States.

The flow of people in Canada  nearly 40,000 in 2022 alone  created a border crisis in Canada and ignited political pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Unlike the U.S.-Mexico line, where Border Patrol agents are apprehending large groups of people traversing land and river borders en masse, Roxham Road was orderly. People lined up, one by one and family by family, to cross the border to be arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who years ago set up a processing center at the site.

But Trudeau and President Joe Biden reached an agreement to close the loophole. Canada agreed to accept 15,000 migrants annually. In return, anyone who crosses at Roxham  or anywhere else between ports of entry along the northern border  will be returned to the United States. (The reverse is also true: People crossing southward will be returned to Canada.)

For refugees, their road to freedom was closing. They just didnt know when.

  

Knowing when to cross at Roxham is not a snap decision. People need money for bus tickets to Plattsburgh, a taxi ride to the end of Roxham, information on what to do and what to avoid.

For example, when an asylum seeker would show up at Roxham Road and was still on the American side of the border, Canadian police officers delivered a loosely scripted warning: If you choose to enter this way, its illegal and youre going to be arrested. They told the asylum seekers to go to a port of entry.

But this doesn't work, unless the person crossing has a direct family member in Canada  in which case, they wouldnt have come to Roxham in the first place. By walking into Canada, getting arrested and claiming asylum, those crossing would be given shelter and food, education for their children, and the opportunity to build a case. There are no guarantees, but it's a chance.

That Thursday night, five families decided they were ready to go. They were 14 people in all, half of them children, from Congo, Angola and Colombia. Around 8 p.m., the group headed from Vive to the Buffalo bus station. Their eastbound Greyhound was scheduled to depart shortly after midnight.

About an hour later, Tice received further word: The official announcement was coming the next day, when Biden and Trudeau were meeting in Ottawa, and the closing would be near-immediate. He started making contingency plans in case the 14 people made it to Plattsburgh but could go no farther. Hes part of a large network of immigration advocates and volunteers and reached out to his contacts in the Plattsburgh area. Tice and his staff also kept an eye on the Greyhound schedule, hoping there were no bus delays.

That was all they could do.

  

The closure of the loopholes in the Safe Third Country Agreement will have implications that play out in Buffalo and across the 5,525-mile U.S.-Canadian border. Because crossing northward at Roxham Road now guarantees a quick return to the United States, its likely that more migrants will try to slip into Canada  or southward into the United States  undetected through fields and waterways.

The geography is dangerous. Last month, eight people were found dead in the St. Lawrence River in Akwesasne, the Indigenous territory that straddles the U.S.-Canada border where Ontario, Quebec and New York meet. The six adults and two children, including an infant, were from two families: one from India and the other of Romanian descent. All are believed to have been attempting illegal entry into the U.S. from Canada, said Lee-Ann O'Brien, the deputy chief of police for the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, in a March 31 news briefing.

When Safe Third Country Agreement revisions became public, Dr. Myron Glick, the founder of Vives parent organization, Jericho Road Community Health Center, criticized the decision.

The closing of Roxham Road will cost lives," he said in a statement. "When someone flees from their home, they are doing what so many have done before  partaking in the centuries-long tradition of seeking freedom and safety, elsewhere. We believe that caring for asylum seekers is caring for our neighbor. We are deeply troubled by the decision to further restrict access to safety. These children, parents, and individuals have lost all but what they could carry on their back  some have even lost their lives along the way. The decision to now turn them away flies in the face of this country's promise, and of our humanity.

Glicks statement revealed that in the last year, 2,000 people stayed at Vive on their way to Canada. Under this new policy, half of that group would be immediately barred from the country. (The other half, presumably, had direct family in Canada and could make an official application for entry.) Now, more of those people will be staying in Buffalo, elevating an already dire need for housing and support.

In the week following the closure of Roxham, the staff of Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, was in contact with state officials and the Western New York agencies that support refugee resettlement. Higgins, who is co-chair of the Houses Northern Border Caucus, sent a letter March 31 to President Biden urging increased funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

Immigration agencies in Western New York work tirelessly to assist asylum seekers, Higgins wrote, noting that the organizations already operate under significant strain and will require additional resources to increase capacity and bandwidth in order to meet their mission.

Three days after Higgins wrote that letter, a group of 21 people, most of them from Peru, showed up at Vive. They saw a set of four bright yellow signs on the door, with the same message in four languages:

VIVE IS FULL.

Vive is almost always full. The shelter has room for 120 people, is consistently at or over capacity, and is seven months into a capital campaign to raise $6 million for a new, expanded facility. Today, those signs stay up longer because people will need lengthier stays. The Vive staff doesnt simply turn people away; instead, they work to find other places in Buffalo for them to stay, which is what happened with the Peruvian families.

When people show up, we've completely run out of cots, beds, emergency space, Tice said, so we're looking for outside placement all over the place.

  

Late in the morning on March 24, Tice received news: His group of 14 was on schedule for arrival in Plattsburgh by early afternoon. But Roxham Road was closing at midnight. His group en route would make it. But nobody else from Vive could go.

Tice and his staff held a meeting with the people still at Vive to deliver the news. There was a sense of dread in the room, recalled Maria Perez-Gomez, Vives assistant director. Beyond the perceived stoicism, there was an unspoken hopelessness.

The woman from Colombia was part of that meeting. Though she appeared stolid in the room, she later broke down. I couldnt stop crying, she said. After leaving a horrifying reality in her home country, surviving a journey through the most dangerous jungle on the planet, and finding her way across countries and states, she was so close to Canada.

And now, so far.

But then she considered her priorities. The most important is her childrens education. She spoke with officials at Vive, and took steps to enroll her school-age children in the Buffalo Public Schools. She is grasping opportunity for the moment, but nothing is settled: To stay, she still has to make, and win, an asylum case.

I want to be where my children can do well. she said. If theyre going to do well here, then itll be OK.
Prabhu Chawla By

The legacy of the father, more often than not, is a boon for the son. Sometimes, it is a burden. Going by the rebellious behaviour of Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, DNA is dictating direction. Their fathers, Rajesh Pilot, Madhavrao Scindia and Jitendra Prasada were credible Congress leaders and Gandhi loyalists. Scindia and Prasada had royal trappings. And the middle-class Pilot became a national neta. Though their party had generously rewarded them, they challenged the Gandhis. Now their parceners have followed paters footsteps. The first two left the Congress to join BJP. Pilot is hanging on for the time being.

Sachin Pilot: Hair-raising Heir. Last week, the Rajasthan scion went on a hunger strike against Ashok Gehlots reluctance to investigate Vasundhara Raje. The Gandhi in the stage backdrop wasnt Rahul or Sonia, but the Mahatma himself: the symbolic sage of every Congressman who parades his conscience. The Family had made him the countrys youngest MP, minister, youngest state president and youngest Deputy CM of Rajasthan. Though he was projected as the natural CM, Gehlot upstaged him. As state president, Sachin played a big part in its victory in 2018. He was the Gandhis personal choice to lead the Congress and perhaps their first choice as CM. But the old fox Gehlot, an experienced master of statecraft, outmanoeuvred Sachin. Since then, they have been at war. Sachin claims the Gandhis and party boss Mallikarjun Kharge have betrayed him. In July 2020, with support from 30 MLAs, he almost pulled down Gehlots government. Intermediaries from Delhi persuaded him to stay on and wait for his turn since age was on his side. The High Command kept him hanging until the organisational elections got over. When the September 2022 elections were announced, Gehlot refused to leave the CMs chair for Congress presidency but would pave the way for Pilot later. Party rules mandate that the same person cannot be both president and chief minister. Pilots hopes to lead the 2023 state elections went kaput. The party is trying to convince him to hang on until the polls are over. But once bitten twice shy, the rebel dynasty is truculent. Will he ditch the Gandhis? He has definitely acquired the combative skills of his IAF fighter pilot father Rajeshwar Prasad Bidhuri aka Rajesh Pilot. Rajesh left the cockpit for politics to become a Congress Lok Sabha MP when he was just 35 years old. He evolved as a Gujjar helmsman and a national figure after winning six Lok Sabha elections. He was a prominent frontline Congress satrap and CWC member. As Minister of State for Internal Security in P V Narasimha Raos government, he even jailed notorious godman Chandraswamy, who was close to Rao. When Rao faced corruption charges and a proxy rebellion by Sonia, Rajesh was part of the group searching for an alternative. He hoped he would be chosen. Rao survived but lost the subsequent general election badly. Once he was forced out of the Congress presidency, Rajesh threw his hat in the ring. Rajesh revolted against Sitaram Kesri. He was shocked when Sonia chose Kesri. Unfortunately, Rajesh died in a car crash on June 11, 2000. Two decades later, his only son is seeking the support of the Gandhis to claim his legitimate right.

Jyotiraditya Scindia: Royal Rebel: Like Rajesh was a national leader with PM potential, so was Madhavrao Scindia, ex-Maharaja of Gwalior and current Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindias father. Over two decades after he died in an air crash, Jyotiraditya revolted against the Gandhis and joined the BJP. Madhavrao was a nine-time Lok Sabha member who began his political career at 26 as a Jan Sangh MP in 1971. He left India during the Emergency and returned to win as an independent candidate in 1977 during the Janata wave. He joined the Congress in 1980 and trounced Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1984. Later the royal resented Narasimha Rao for forcing his resignation from the Cabinet after his name surfaced in the Jain Hawala scandal. Subsequently, he was back in the Cabinet because Rao wanted to eject his tormentor Arjun Singh. Madhavrao was considered close to Sonia; Rao had met her a day before sacking Singh to inform her that he was elevating Madhavrao. Though the ex-royal emerged as the secular face of the Congress and a PM alternative, he was denied a meaningful national role. He floated his party and contested against the Congress candidate in 1996. Once Rao was removed from the AICC presidency, Madhavrao did ghar wapsi. When Sonia became party president in 1998, she appointed him the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. Madhavrao was the most trusted political point-man of the Gandhis until his tragic death, although he began his career in the saffron realm. Then Jyotiraditya won the Guna Lok Sabha seat in 2002 with a whopping margin of over 4,50,000 votesa feat he repeated in 2004 and 2009. Like his father, he was a prominent member of the Gandhi inner circle; close to Rahul and Priyanka. He was a minister in Manmohan Singhs Cabinet and, even after losing the election, was made a Congress general secretary and put in charge of Uttar Pradesh under Priyanka Gandhi. But he didnt vibe well with senior Congress leaders. Then he was denied a Rajya Sabha ticket because Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh convinced the Gandhis that he wasnt a vote catcher. Like Madhavrao, Jyotiraditya rebelliously and revengefully toppled Kamal Naths government and inherited the same Ministry of Civil Aviation which daddy ran during the early 1990s. If the father leaving the Jan Sangh was the Congresss gain, the sons defection to the saffron phalanx has made the wheel come full circle.

Jitin Prasada: Papas Boy: Currently a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath sarkar, Jitin began his career in the Youth Congress after his fathers death. Jitendra Prasada was a prominent Brahmin leader and a political advisor to Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri and Sonia Gandhi. Yet he challenged Sonia for the post of the AIIC President in 2000 since he believed in internal democracy and felt that the Gandhis could not hold the monopoly for Congress captainship. But he never left his party, which was then almost sinking. Although his well-spoken and well-educated son was a minister in Manmohan Singhs government and party in charge of West Bengal elections, Jitin didnt trust his fathers outfit to further his political growth. His maternal royal genes put him at odds with the Congress Old Guard, who controlled the grassroots. As long as Rahul was taking the call, Jitin stayed on, hoping for a major role in the party. The disappointed dynast was one of the 23 signatories to the letter written to Sonia demanding the democratisation of party forums. Eventually, he switched sides for greener (read saffron) pastures in his home state.

The Nehru-Gandhis set the template for succession in the Congress. Ironically, they dont grant other descendants of Congress heavyweights the same right of succession. In outlier cases, politics is childs play. Then nothing succeeds like succession.

prabhu chawla

prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com

Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla

The legacy of the father, more often than not, is a boon for the son. Sometimes, it is a burden. Going by the rebellious behaviour of Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, DNA is dictating direction. Their fathers, Rajesh Pilot, Madhavrao Scindia and Jitendra Prasada were credible Congress leaders and Gandhi loyalists. Scindia and Prasada had royal trappings. And the middle-class Pilot became a national neta. Though their party had generously rewarded them, they challenged the Gandhis. Now their parceners have followed paters footsteps. The first two left the Congress to join BJP. Pilot is hanging on for the time being. Sachin Pilot: Hair-raising Heir. Last week, the Rajasthan scion went on a hunger strike against Ashok Gehlots reluctance to investigate Vasundhara Raje. The Gandhi in the stage backdrop wasnt Rahul or Sonia, but the Mahatma himself: the symbolic sage of every Congressman who parades his conscience. The Family had made him the countrys youngest MP, minister, youngest state president and youngest Deputy CM of Rajasthan. Though he was projected as the natural CM, Gehlot upstaged him. As state president, Sachin played a big part in its victory in 2018. He was the Gandhis personal choice to lead the Congress and perhaps their first choice as CM. But the old fox Gehlot, an experienced master of statecraft, outmanoeuvred Sachin. Since then, they have been at war. Sachin claims the Gandhis and party boss Mallikarjun Kharge have betrayed him. In July 2020, with support from 30 MLAs, he almost pulled down Gehlots government. Intermediaries from Delhi persuaded him to stay on and wait for his turn since age was on his side. The High Command kept him hanging until the organisational elections got over. When the September 2022 elections were announced, Gehlot refused to leave the CMs chair for Congress presidency but would pave the way for Pilot later. Party rules mandate that the same person cannot be both president and chief minister. Pilots hopes to lead the 2023 state elections went kaput. The party is trying to convince him to hang on until the polls are over. But once bitten twice shy, the rebel dynasty is truculent. Will he ditch the Gandhis? He has definitely acquired the combative skills of his IAF fighter pilot father Rajeshwar Prasad Bidhuri aka Rajesh Pilot. Rajesh left the cockpit for politics to become a Congress Lok Sabha MP when he was just 35 years old. He evolved as a Gujjar helmsman and a national figure after winning six Lok Sabha elections. He was a prominent frontline Congress satrap and CWC member. As Minister of State for Internal Security in P V Narasimha Raos government, he even jailed notorious godman Chandraswamy, who was close to Rao. When Rao faced corruption charges and a proxy rebellion by Sonia, Rajesh was part of the group searching for an alternative. He hoped he would be chosen. Rao survived but lost the subsequent general election badly. Once he was forced out of the Congress presidency, Rajesh threw his hat in the ring. Rajesh revolted against Sitaram Kesri. He was shocked when Sonia chose Kesri. Unfortunately, Rajesh died in a car crash on June 11, 2000. Two decades later, his only son is seeking the support of the Gandhis to claim his legitimate right. Jyotiraditya Scindia: Royal Rebel: Like Rajesh was a national leader with PM potential, so was Madhavrao Scindia, ex-Maharaja of Gwalior and current Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindias father. Over two decades after he died in an air crash, Jyotiraditya revolted against the Gandhis and joined the BJP. Madhavrao was a nine-time Lok Sabha member who began his political career at 26 as a Jan Sangh MP in 1971. He left India during the Emergency and returned to win as an independent candidate in 1977 during the Janata wave. He joined the Congress in 1980 and trounced Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1984. Later the royal resented Narasimha Rao for forcing his resignation from the Cabinet after his name surfaced in the Jain Hawala scandal. Subsequently, he was back in the Cabinet because Rao wanted to eject his tormentor Arjun Singh. Madhavrao was considered close to Sonia; Rao had met her a day before sacking Singh to inform her that he was elevating Madhavrao. Though the ex-royal emerged as the secular face of the Congress and a PM alternative, he was denied a meaningful national role. He floated his party and contested against the Congress candidate in 1996. Once Rao was removed from the AICC presidency, Madhavrao did ghar wapsi. When Sonia became party president in 1998, she appointed him the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. Madhavrao was the most trusted political point-man of the Gandhis until his tragic death, although he began his career in the saffron realm. Then Jyotiraditya won the Guna Lok Sabha seat in 2002 with a whopping margin of over 4,50,000 votesa feat he repeated in 2004 and 2009. Like his father, he was a prominent member of the Gandhi inner circle; close to Rahul and Priyanka. He was a minister in Manmohan Singhs Cabinet and, even after losing the election, was made a Congress general secretary and put in charge of Uttar Pradesh under Priyanka Gandhi. But he didnt vibe well with senior Congress leaders. Then he was denied a Rajya Sabha ticket because Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh convinced the Gandhis that he wasnt a vote catcher. Like Madhavrao, Jyotiraditya rebelliously and revengefully toppled Kamal Naths government and inherited the same Ministry of Civil Aviation which daddy ran during the early 1990s. If the father leaving the Jan Sangh was the Congresss gain, the sons defection to the saffron phalanx has made the wheel come full circle. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Jitin Prasada: Papas Boy: Currently a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath sarkar, Jitin began his career in the Youth Congress after his fathers death. Jitendra Prasada was a prominent Brahmin leader and a political advisor to Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri and Sonia Gandhi. Yet he challenged Sonia for the post of the AIIC President in 2000 since he believed in internal democracy and felt that the Gandhis could not hold the monopoly for Congress captainship. But he never left his party, which was then almost sinking. Although his well-spoken and well-educated son was a minister in Manmohan Singhs government and party in charge of West Bengal elections, Jitin didnt trust his fathers outfit to further his political growth. His maternal royal genes put him at odds with the Congress Old Guard, who controlled the grassroots. As long as Rahul was taking the call, Jitin stayed on, hoping for a major role in the party. The disappointed dynast was one of the 23 signatories to the letter written to Sonia demanding the democratisation of party forums. Eventually, he switched sides for greener (read saffron) pastures in his home state. The Nehru-Gandhis set the template for succession in the Congress. Ironically, they dont grant other descendants of Congress heavyweights the same right of succession. In outlier cases, politics is childs play. Then nothing succeeds like succession. prabhu chawla prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla
Shankkar Aiyar By

The lexicon defines a roundabout as that space or axis where a cluster of roads join in and traffic must go around. The theory is that this enables a smoother flow of movement. Those living in Delhi (and navigating the gol chakkars) will attest that frequently, motion is mistaken for movement. In a sense roundabouts are an apt metaphor for the random layers and gaps afflicting public policy design. The promise of ease of living is delayed, and even detained at the intersection of multiple and often pious objectives.

Like on Friday the residents of Mumbai learnt that a vital arterial road bridge connecting the eastern and western parts of Andheri may not be ready in June 2023. The nodal Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge had collapsed in July 2018. After four years of to-ing and fro-ing between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Indian Railways, following serious strictures by the CAG, the authorities promised that work would be expedited and at least a part of the bridge would be opened by June 2023. It now turns out that the bridge will not be ready before the monsoon, worsening the woes of commuters.

Like, the reason for the new delay is worth attention: the unavailability of steel girders due to a strike at the factory contracted to fabricate them. This in a country where crude steel output this year touched 124 million tonnes! Last year the BMC floated tenders for concreting 400 km of city roads and this week the BMC issued a notice to the contractor for failing to start work. Clearly agility necessary to address citizens' woes to address citizens woes is afflicted by both sloth and flexibility in policy. One wonders if the initiative of PM Gati Shakti  the National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity has a mechanism to bridge the gaps in policy faultlines.

Like the promise of the bridge is just one of the many projects afflicted by the culture of roundabouts in public policy. It is true that the platform of PM Gati Shakti has enabled better planning of infrastructure projects. But there is no mistaking the gap in implementation and accountability. In February 2023 the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation published a review of projects worth over Rs 150 crore. The details are revealing. Of the 1418 projects 823 projects are delayed, 346 projects have cost overruns and 316 projects have reported inadequate information about commissioning schedule. The gap between estimated and now anticipated cost: Rs 4.46 lakh crore. For context consider this: the gap between estimated and anticipated cost is more than twice the total allocation for food subsidy for 2023-24.

Like, the adoption of Aadhaar-based identification has been celebrated globally as a mechanism for delivery of welfare, issue of documents and access to banking/telecom services. The use of biometric authentication enabled the triangulation of ease of governance, ease of business and ease of living. Sometime during the pandemic a new guideline was introduced by the TRAI  telecom operators issuing a new connection, post Aadhaar based biometric authentication, are required to live photograph the customer with date and time stamp. The rationale for the live photograph presumes inadequacies in biometric identification and its objectives are mystifying to say the least.

Like earlier this week the Mumbai High Court was seized with what has been described as a genuine problem of residential areas littered with vehicles seized by the police. The challenge is the absence of a policy. Justices Girish Kulkarni and R N Laddha asked the government to place on record any policy for dealing with seized vehicles causing public nuisance by their haphazard storage. Now this brings into focus the intent to scrap vehicles older than 15 years. How effective is the policy and systems for disposing these vehicles  just the union government plans to scrap over 1.28 lakh vehicles!

Like the state of education depends on physical and human infrastructure. The students  who have lost out due to the pandemic  require enhanced attention from teachers. And this is challenged by systemic inefficiencies and apathy. A report by the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education reveals that, as of December 2022, over 9.86 lakh teacher posts are lying vacant across the country. The largest gap concerns the most vulnerable --over 7.47 lakh teacher posts are vacant in primary schools. Vacant teacher posts are a persistent phenomenon. In 2021-22 over 12.54 lakh posts for teachers were vacant. Lack of teachers translates into serious implications for the quality of workforce India will need.

Finally, the phenomenon of phone call and message scams is now verily an epidemic. The perpetrators of the scam are coming up with new ways of vishing with threats to vital utilities ranging from bank accounts to phone connections to electricity supply. Those who pick up the call and are skeptical face a barrage of threats and abuse and the innocent are scammed. The TRAI issues periodic warnings and has format for complaints. But criminal gangs are operating with impunity. The situation calls for exemplary prosecution and it may help if the TRAI shares the number of complaints and details of criminals nabbed.

Indias aspiration to a digitalized $ 10 trillion economy demands better policy design and implementation.

The lexicon defines a roundabout as that space or axis where a cluster of roads join in and traffic must go around. The theory is that this enables a smoother flow of movement. Those living in Delhi (and navigating the gol chakkars) will attest that frequently, motion is mistaken for movement. In a sense roundabouts are an apt metaphor for the random layers and gaps afflicting public policy design. The promise of ease of living is delayed, and even detained at the intersection of multiple and often pious objectives. Like on Friday the residents of Mumbai learnt that a vital arterial road bridge connecting the eastern and western parts of Andheri may not be ready in June 2023. The nodal Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge had collapsed in July 2018. After four years of to-ing and fro-ing between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Indian Railways, following serious strictures by the CAG, the authorities promised that work would be expedited and at least a part of the bridge would be opened by June 2023. It now turns out that the bridge will not be ready before the monsoon, worsening the woes of commuters. Like, the reason for the new delay is worth attention: the unavailability of steel girders due to a strike at the factory contracted to fabricate them. This in a country where crude steel output this year touched 124 million tonnes! Last year the BMC floated tenders for concreting 400 km of city roads and this week the BMC issued a notice to the contractor for failing to start work. Clearly agility necessary to address citizens' woes to address citizens woes is afflicted by both sloth and flexibility in policy. One wonders if the initiative of PM Gati Shakti  the National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity has a mechanism to bridge the gaps in policy faultlines.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Like the promise of the bridge is just one of the many projects afflicted by the culture of roundabouts in public policy. It is true that the platform of PM Gati Shakti has enabled better planning of infrastructure projects. But there is no mistaking the gap in implementation and accountability. In February 2023 the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation published a review of projects worth over Rs 150 crore. The details are revealing. Of the 1418 projects 823 projects are delayed, 346 projects have cost overruns and 316 projects have reported inadequate information about commissioning schedule. The gap between estimated and now anticipated cost: Rs 4.46 lakh crore. For context consider this: the gap between estimated and anticipated cost is more than twice the total allocation for food subsidy for 2023-24. Like, the adoption of Aadhaar-based identification has been celebrated globally as a mechanism for delivery of welfare, issue of documents and access to banking/telecom services. The use of biometric authentication enabled the triangulation of ease of governance, ease of business and ease of living. Sometime during the pandemic a new guideline was introduced by the TRAI  telecom operators issuing a new connection, post Aadhaar based biometric authentication, are required to live photograph the customer with date and time stamp. The rationale for the live photograph presumes inadequacies in biometric identification and its objectives are mystifying to say the least. Like earlier this week the Mumbai High Court was seized with what has been described as a genuine problem of residential areas littered with vehicles seized by the police. The challenge is the absence of a policy. Justices Girish Kulkarni and R N Laddha asked the government to place on record any policy for dealing with seized vehicles causing public nuisance by their haphazard storage. Now this brings into focus the intent to scrap vehicles older than 15 years. How effective is the policy and systems for disposing these vehicles  just the union government plans to scrap over 1.28 lakh vehicles! Like the state of education depends on physical and human infrastructure. The students  who have lost out due to the pandemic  require enhanced attention from teachers. And this is challenged by systemic inefficiencies and apathy. A report by the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Education reveals that, as of December 2022, over 9.86 lakh teacher posts are lying vacant across the country. The largest gap concerns the most vulnerable --over 7.47 lakh teacher posts are vacant in primary schools. Vacant teacher posts are a persistent phenomenon. In 2021-22 over 12.54 lakh posts for teachers were vacant. Lack of teachers translates into serious implications for the quality of workforce India will need. Finally, the phenomenon of phone call and message scams is now verily an epidemic. The perpetrators of the scam are coming up with new ways of vishing with threats to vital utilities ranging from bank accounts to phone connections to electricity supply. Those who pick up the call and are skeptical face a barrage of threats and abuse and the innocent are scammed. The TRAI issues periodic warnings and has format for complaints. But criminal gangs are operating with impunity. The situation calls for exemplary prosecution and it may help if the TRAI shares the number of complaints and details of criminals nabbed. Indias aspiration to a digitalized $ 10 trillion economy demands better policy design and implementation.
Faisal C K By

Denial of the right of marriage to same-sex couples would breach the Constitutional social contract and its underlying Due Process Clause.

Recently, the Supreme Court Chief Justice referred petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages to a Constitution bench. The case is listed for final argument on April 18, 2023. A major question of law involved in the dispute over same-sex marriage is whether it will be brought within the Special Marriage Act of 1954. Same-sex unions are part of wider social change in which priority is given to individual choice and the acceptance of diversity. Same-sex marriages have some significant advantages vis-a-vis heterosexual marriages. Same-sex relationships involve a greater degree of choice than conventional heterosexual families, and commitment becomes increasingly a matter of negotiation rather than ascription.

Jeremy Bentham, in his seminal treatise An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1781), stated that Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do. On the one hand, the standard of right and wrong, on the other, the chain of causes and effects, are fastened to their throne. Bentham argued that the purpose of law must be providing the maximum happiness to the maximum number in the community.

He further elaborated: The community is a fictitious body, composed of individual persons who are considered as constituting as its members. The interest of the community then is, what is it?  the sum of the interest of the several members who compose it. It is vain to talk about the interest of the community without understanding what the interest of the individual is...

Bentham held that the principle of utility is also described as the greatest happiness principle in that it asserts that the only morally right and proper goal of action is to achieve the greatest happiness for all individuals whose interest is affected by the action. The conundrum of same-sex marriage must be examined through the prism of the Benthamite principle of morality and law-making.

Lockean Social contract theory is the basis of classical liberalism and constitutionalism. John Locke emphasised three fundamental natural rights, namely life, liberty, and property. These rights, he argued, are existed in the state of nature and beyond the long arm of any government. Protection of life, liberty, and property is the gist of constitutionalism, and governmental powers are defined and limited for this purpose by constitutional order. A constitution is a social contract forged between the citizenry and the State.

The Indian Constitution upholds the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. This made the right to privacy as well as the decriminalisation of homosexuality possible. The Supreme Court in Francis Coralie v. Union Territory of Delhi(1981) underscored that the right to live includes the right to live with human dignity and all that goes along with it, including the right to express oneself in diverse forms and mixing and mingling with fellow human beings. Marriage is the highest form of expression, mixing and mingling with fellow human beings. Denial of the right to marriage, irrespective of ones sexual orientation, is an affront to the citizens right to live with human dignity.

The USAs founding fathers replaced the Lockean right to property with the pursuit of happiness in the American Declaration of Independence. In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the United States Supreme Court held that marriage is a pursuit of happiness and the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. It is the due process which had made Article 21 a robust fundamental right and which has today enabled the triumph of individual freedom [] By the time the Indian Constitution came to life in 1950, the due process guarantee was absent from the Constitutional text. Nevertheless, from the ashes of unsavoury rejection by the Drafting Committee, Due Process against all odds found its way into the Indian Constitution.- says Rohan J. Alva in his Liberty After Freedom: A History of Article 21, Due Process and the Constitution of India (2022).

John Rawls, the American political philosopher, argued that people had to choose their justice principles under a veil of ignorance. It is an experiment under which individuals would know nothing about their particular societal positions. Under the veil of ignorance, imaginary people would not know their age, sex, race, social class, religion, abilities, preferences, life goals, or anything else about themselves. Rawls argued that only under a veil of ignorance could human beings reach a fair and impartial agreement (social contract) as true equals, not biased by their place in society.

We must undergo a Veil of Ignorance experiment and forget our sexual orientation and moral and religious biases to adjudge the LGBTQ+ communitys right to same-sex marriage. Denial of the marriage right to same-sex couples would breach the Constitutional social contract and its underlying Due Process Clause.

Faisal C K

(Views are personal)

(faisal.chelengara10@gmail.com)

Denial of the right of marriage to same-sex couples would breach the Constitutional social contract and its underlying Due Process Clause. Recently, the Supreme Court Chief Justice referred petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages to a Constitution bench. The case is listed for final argument on April 18, 2023. A major question of law involved in the dispute over same-sex marriage is whether it will be brought within the Special Marriage Act of 1954. Same-sex unions are part of wider social change in which priority is given to individual choice and the acceptance of diversity. Same-sex marriages have some significant advantages vis-a-vis heterosexual marriages. Same-sex relationships involve a greater degree of choice than conventional heterosexual families, and commitment becomes increasingly a matter of negotiation rather than ascription. Jeremy Bentham, in his seminal treatise An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1781), stated that Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do. On the one hand, the standard of right and wrong, on the other, the chain of causes and effects, are fastened to their throne. Bentham argued that the purpose of law must be providing the maximum happiness to the maximum number in the community. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He further elaborated: The community is a fictitious body, composed of individual persons who are considered as constituting as its members. The interest of the community then is, what is it?  the sum of the interest of the several members who compose it. It is vain to talk about the interest of the community without understanding what the interest of the individual is... Bentham held that the principle of utility is also described as the greatest happiness principle in that it asserts that the only morally right and proper goal of action is to achieve the greatest happiness for all individuals whose interest is affected by the action. The conundrum of same-sex marriage must be examined through the prism of the Benthamite principle of morality and law-making. Lockean Social contract theory is the basis of classical liberalism and constitutionalism. John Locke emphasised three fundamental natural rights, namely life, liberty, and property. These rights, he argued, are existed in the state of nature and beyond the long arm of any government. Protection of life, liberty, and property is the gist of constitutionalism, and governmental powers are defined and limited for this purpose by constitutional order. A constitution is a social contract forged between the citizenry and the State. The Indian Constitution upholds the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. This made the right to privacy as well as the decriminalisation of homosexuality possible. The Supreme Court in Francis Coralie v. Union Territory of Delhi(1981) underscored that the right to live includes the right to live with human dignity and all that goes along with it, including the right to express oneself in diverse forms and mixing and mingling with fellow human beings. Marriage is the highest form of expression, mixing and mingling with fellow human beings. Denial of the right to marriage, irrespective of ones sexual orientation, is an affront to the citizens right to live with human dignity. The USAs founding fathers replaced the Lockean right to property with the pursuit of happiness in the American Declaration of Independence. In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the United States Supreme Court held that marriage is a pursuit of happiness and the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. It is the due process which had made Article 21 a robust fundamental right and which has today enabled the triumph of individual freedom [] By the time the Indian Constitution came to life in 1950, the due process guarantee was absent from the Constitutional text. Nevertheless, from the ashes of unsavoury rejection by the Drafting Committee, Due Process against all odds found its way into the Indian Constitution.- says Rohan J. Alva in his Liberty After Freedom: A History of Article 21, Due Process and the Constitution of India (2022). John Rawls, the American political philosopher, argued that people had to choose their justice principles under a veil of ignorance. It is an experiment under which individuals would know nothing about their particular societal positions. Under the veil of ignorance, imaginary people would not know their age, sex, race, social class, religion, abilities, preferences, life goals, or anything else about themselves. Rawls argued that only under a veil of ignorance could human beings reach a fair and impartial agreement (social contract) as true equals, not biased by their place in society. We must undergo a Veil of Ignorance experiment and forget our sexual orientation and moral and religious biases to adjudge the LGBTQ+ communitys right to same-sex marriage. Denial of the marriage right to same-sex couples would breach the Constitutional social contract and its underlying Due Process Clause. Faisal C K (Views are personal) (faisal.chelengara10@gmail.com)
Renuka Narayanan By

With Eid greetings in advance to all, I would like to retell some stories from Islamic heritage. Tahira means pure and good in Arabic and back in the sixth century, even the constantly warring Arabs of that era could tell a lady. Thats what they called a certain single woman, Makkah-born and based, who traded all over the Arabian Peninsula and maintained her own establishment, employing a number of men. Tahira, at 40, was a widow and a person of repute, respected for her wealth and dignity by everyone around. But she needed a bright, honest man to manage her caravans and trade on her behalf in faraway places.

Someone told her about an orphan of 25, who was known to be exceptionally straightforward. Tahira thought she would like to employ him and negotiated through his uncle, Abu Talib, to hire him.

The young man was sent to Damascus in charge of one of Tahiras caravans, loaded with all sorts of profitable goods. Tahira was not an astute businesswoman for nothing. She appointed her slave, Muaser, to keep watch over her new manager and give her a full account of every detail of his conduct.

The good report she had of him made her think well of her new employee. Tahira sent him a proposal of marriage through his uncle. He agreed and their wedding took place in 595 CE, with Tahira providing her own dower.

But some women in Makkah found fault with the match. How could a wealthy person like her marry that penniless man raised on the charity of the Banu-Hashem tribe? they exclaimed.

Tahira and her husband were too happy to care, despite the 15-year age gap. Their marriage lasted a full 25 years until her death at the age of 65. They had two sons and four daughters. Both sons, Qasim and Abdullah, took ill and died very young. A daughter, Ruqaiyya, went and settled far away with her husband in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Besides these sorrows, Tahira also had to bear poverty, hardship and great hostility against her husband when he began his lifes work. Through all this, she was staunchness personified.

Her husband, they say, never looked elsewhere through all the years of their marriage. Ever after her passing, he spoke of her in glowing terms, with respect, love and gratitude for her support.

So, the first Muslim was a loyal woman: Tahira, whose real name was Khadija, whose husband was the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition states that she believed in him when nobody did.

Another story comes from Persian tradition, from the Masnavi, a literary work by a thirteenth century theologian and poet, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. His verses, recreated through English translations by American writer Coleman Barks, were all the rage over twenty years ago. I was disappointed later to discover that Rumi reportedly called Indians black and ugly infidels who should be ruled by the Turks. Contrarily, this story is charming.

There was this unworldly shepherd whose heart overflowed with love for the Creator. All day long, as he tended his flock, he would talk aloud to God: Where are you, my Beloved? How I long to serve you.

One day, Hazrat Moosa (the prophet Moses) passed by the meadow where the shepherds flock was grazing and heard him call aloud: God, where are you, that I might stitch your clothes, mend your socks, polish your shoes, comb your hair and bring you a cup of milk?

Hazrat Moosa was horrified at what he considered blasphemy of the formless Almighty. How dare you speak to God like that? He raged. Stuff cotton in your worthless mouth if this is how you blaspheme; at least, others will be spared the sin of listening to your polluting words. Is God a mere human, that he needs to drink milk and have his hair combed and his shoes polished? You insult the Almighty by such talk, you enemy of religion. Let us pray that the Creator will not punish the whole human race because of you.

The poor shepherd was shattered by this rant. What had he said that was so wrong? Sobbing heartbrokenly, he apologised to the great prophet and led his flock away, feeling wretched and bereft.

Proud that he had caught and taught an erring person, Hazrat Moosa marched grandly away when the Lords annoyed voice arrested him. Why did you interfere with me and mine, Moosa? asked the Almighty from up above. Who authorised you to separate the lover from the Beloved? Did I make you my prophet to bring humanity to me or to drive it away?

Stunned, Hazrat Moosa fell to his knees.

I did not create this world for my profit, Moosa, said the Lord sternly. My creation is for the benefit of my creatures. I have no need of praise and worship; it is the worshipper who benefits, not I. Nor do I care about what form the worship takes. Try to understand me, Moosa. It is the sincerity of the heart alone that interests me. Those bound by outward correctness are unlike those bound by their love for me. Those who love me know no religion but their Beloved.

Humbled and repentant, Hazrat Moosa went back to look for the shepherd. After much searching, he finally found him in tatters, meditating by a spring. He eagerly related what had passed but the shepherd had no more to say. With a compassionate smile, he simply moved away.

On a lighter note, another story from the 13th century concerns Mulla Nasruddin, a Turkish Sufi known for his sarcasm.

Nasruddin was taking a shortcut home through the cemetery and saw a burial going on. As he walked past the mourners, he heard one of them say: Alas, today we have buried an honest man and a politician.

How strange, said the Mulla. They have buried two people in one grave.

There are other such stories to explore from the tradition beyond Aladdin and Sindbad.

Renuka Narayanan

(shebaba09@gmail.com)

With Eid greetings in advance to all, I would like to retell some stories from Islamic heritage. Tahira means pure and good in Arabic and back in the sixth century, even the constantly warring Arabs of that era could tell a lady. Thats what they called a certain single woman, Makkah-born and based, who traded all over the Arabian Peninsula and maintained her own establishment, employing a number of men. Tahira, at 40, was a widow and a person of repute, respected for her wealth and dignity by everyone around. But she needed a bright, honest man to manage her caravans and trade on her behalf in faraway places. Someone told her about an orphan of 25, who was known to be exceptionally straightforward. Tahira thought she would like to employ him and negotiated through his uncle, Abu Talib, to hire him. The young man was sent to Damascus in charge of one of Tahiras caravans, loaded with all sorts of profitable goods. Tahira was not an astute businesswoman for nothing. She appointed her slave, Muaser, to keep watch over her new manager and give her a full account of every detail of his conduct.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The good report she had of him made her think well of her new employee. Tahira sent him a proposal of marriage through his uncle. He agreed and their wedding took place in 595 CE, with Tahira providing her own dower. But some women in Makkah found fault with the match. How could a wealthy person like her marry that penniless man raised on the charity of the Banu-Hashem tribe? they exclaimed. Tahira and her husband were too happy to care, despite the 15-year age gap. Their marriage lasted a full 25 years until her death at the age of 65. They had two sons and four daughters. Both sons, Qasim and Abdullah, took ill and died very young. A daughter, Ruqaiyya, went and settled far away with her husband in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Besides these sorrows, Tahira also had to bear poverty, hardship and great hostility against her husband when he began his lifes work. Through all this, she was staunchness personified. Her husband, they say, never looked elsewhere through all the years of their marriage. Ever after her passing, he spoke of her in glowing terms, with respect, love and gratitude for her support. So, the first Muslim was a loyal woman: Tahira, whose real name was Khadija, whose husband was the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition states that she believed in him when nobody did. Another story comes from Persian tradition, from the Masnavi, a literary work by a thirteenth century theologian and poet, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. His verses, recreated through English translations by American writer Coleman Barks, were all the rage over twenty years ago. I was disappointed later to discover that Rumi reportedly called Indians black and ugly infidels who should be ruled by the Turks. Contrarily, this story is charming. There was this unworldly shepherd whose heart overflowed with love for the Creator. All day long, as he tended his flock, he would talk aloud to God: Where are you, my Beloved? How I long to serve you. One day, Hazrat Moosa (the prophet Moses) passed by the meadow where the shepherds flock was grazing and heard him call aloud: God, where are you, that I might stitch your clothes, mend your socks, polish your shoes, comb your hair and bring you a cup of milk? Hazrat Moosa was horrified at what he considered blasphemy of the formless Almighty. How dare you speak to God like that? He raged. Stuff cotton in your worthless mouth if this is how you blaspheme; at least, others will be spared the sin of listening to your polluting words. Is God a mere human, that he needs to drink milk and have his hair combed and his shoes polished? You insult the Almighty by such talk, you enemy of religion. Let us pray that the Creator will not punish the whole human race because of you. The poor shepherd was shattered by this rant. What had he said that was so wrong? Sobbing heartbrokenly, he apologised to the great prophet and led his flock away, feeling wretched and bereft. Proud that he had caught and taught an erring person, Hazrat Moosa marched grandly away when the Lords annoyed voice arrested him. Why did you interfere with me and mine, Moosa? asked the Almighty from up above. Who authorised you to separate the lover from the Beloved? Did I make you my prophet to bring humanity to me or to drive it away? Stunned, Hazrat Moosa fell to his knees. I did not create this world for my profit, Moosa, said the Lord sternly. My creation is for the benefit of my creatures. I have no need of praise and worship; it is the worshipper who benefits, not I. Nor do I care about what form the worship takes. Try to understand me, Moosa. It is the sincerity of the heart alone that interests me. Those bound by outward correctness are unlike those bound by their love for me. Those who love me know no religion but their Beloved. Humbled and repentant, Hazrat Moosa went back to look for the shepherd. After much searching, he finally found him in tatters, meditating by a spring. He eagerly related what had passed but the shepherd had no more to say. With a compassionate smile, he simply moved away. On a lighter note, another story from the 13th century concerns Mulla Nasruddin, a Turkish Sufi known for his sarcasm. Nasruddin was taking a shortcut home through the cemetery and saw a burial going on. As he walked past the mourners, he heard one of them say: Alas, today we have buried an honest man and a politician. How strange, said the Mulla. They have buried two people in one grave. There are other such stories to explore from the tradition beyond Aladdin and Sindbad. Renuka Narayanan (shebaba09@gmail.com)
By Express News Service

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Saturday said it is negotiating with the Union Home Ministry to waive off the Rs 3 crore that it had remitted for getting its Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) licence renewed.

Notably, the FCRA permissions given to TTD to receive donations from foreign and NRI devotees expired in January 2020 and TTD has already applied for its renewal. As part of this, the TTD said it had frequently clarified issues raised by the Union Home Ministry.

Some objections were raised on interest accounting of such deposits by Foreign contributors due to technical issues between FCRA and State Endowments Department. To expedite the license renewal, TTD has already remitted a fee of Rs 3 crores as advised by FCRA officials, TTD Trust Board chairman YV Subba Reddy said after the Trust Board meeting.

Subba Reddy also expressed hope that the Central government might send its approval on renewal of FCRA licence to TTD very shortly.

Giving more details, Subba Reddy said that TTD has decided to allocate Rs 100 crore to take development works of Sri Padmavathi Womens Medical College, the first women college in south India and the third across the country.

As part of it, the TTD Trust Board had approved to Rs 53 crore worth plans in the first phase. These funds would be utilised towards construction of TB, chest and skin isolation wards and staff quarters cum hostels at the medical college.

Subba Reddy informed that a committee has been constituted with TTD Trust Board members Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Sanath Kumar and Vemireddy Prashanti Reddy to deliberate with RySS and AP MARKFED to fix rates towards purchasing 12 organic products, as per TTD requirements.

The TTD has decided to appoint regular teaching staff in TTD general schools, Junior and Degree Colleges while continuing the existing contract faculty. They have also decided to speed up the works on Srinivasa Setu and bring it to public utility by June 15, he added.

The TTD chairman lauded the efforts of the TTD employees, officers, district administration and Srivari Sevaks for successful conduction of the annual brahmotsavams in Sri Kodanda Ramalayam at Vontimitta in YSR Kadapa district.

The brahmotsavams was observed with celestial grandeur. The Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam was also a huge hit as scores of devotees thronged the Kalyana Vedika to witness the mega ritual, he added.

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Saturday said it is negotiating with the Union Home Ministry to waive off the Rs 3 crore that it had remitted for getting its Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) licence renewed. Notably, the FCRA permissions given to TTD to receive donations from foreign and NRI devotees expired in January 2020 and TTD has already applied for its renewal. As part of this, the TTD said it had frequently clarified issues raised by the Union Home Ministry. Some objections were raised on interest accounting of such deposits by Foreign contributors due to technical issues between FCRA and State Endowments Department. To expedite the license renewal, TTD has already remitted a fee of Rs 3 crores as advised by FCRA officials, TTD Trust Board chairman YV Subba Reddy said after the Trust Board meeting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Subba Reddy also expressed hope that the Central government might send its approval on renewal of FCRA licence to TTD very shortly. Giving more details, Subba Reddy said that TTD has decided to allocate Rs 100 crore to take development works of Sri Padmavathi Womens Medical College, the first women college in south India and the third across the country. As part of it, the TTD Trust Board had approved to Rs 53 crore worth plans in the first phase. These funds would be utilised towards construction of TB, chest and skin isolation wards and staff quarters cum hostels at the medical college. Subba Reddy informed that a committee has been constituted with TTD Trust Board members Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Sanath Kumar and Vemireddy Prashanti Reddy to deliberate with RySS and AP MARKFED to fix rates towards purchasing 12 organic products, as per TTD requirements. The TTD has decided to appoint regular teaching staff in TTD general schools, Junior and Degree Colleges while continuing the existing contract faculty. They have also decided to speed up the works on Srinivasa Setu and bring it to public utility by June 15, he added. The TTD chairman lauded the efforts of the TTD employees, officers, district administration and Srivari Sevaks for successful conduction of the annual brahmotsavams in Sri Kodanda Ramalayam at Vontimitta in YSR Kadapa district. The brahmotsavams was observed with celestial grandeur. The Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam was also a huge hit as scores of devotees thronged the Kalyana Vedika to witness the mega ritual, he added.
K Shiva Kumar By

Express News Service

MYSURU: Workers of prominent political parties have started knocking on the doors of voters in border villages and tribal hamlets to gather information on migrant labourers to make them come back and vote in favour of their candidates in the May 10 Assembly elections.

The parties and candidates foresee a keen contest in many constituencies on the border of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, where migrant voters are in large numbers.

The workers have started collecting details such as names of voters who have migrated from their villages and hamlets in search of work, their present workplaces, booth numbers, etc. They are also collecting details of such voters political affiliations. Local leaders and village heads have been roped in by the parties to reach the migrant voters. They have been promised attractive wages, food, transport and other facilities.

In Hanur Assembly constituency alone, more than 12,000 voters are working in textile mills at Tirupur in Tamil Nadu. Many are working in estates and farms in that state. Govinda of BG Doddi said many families from Budipadaga, Aradinapura, VS Doddi, Gundi Mole and other villages have migrated to other places in search of jobs. Workers of various parties have visited these villages and have prepared a list of such voters.

Many migrate to work in coffee estates

A similar situation prevails at Pudur, Gopinatham, Palar and other border villages as many families work in textile mills at Tirupur, Erode and other towns in Tamil Nadu.

There are 32 tribal hamlets in Hunsur constituency and more than 7,000 voters have migrated to neighbouring Kodagu district and Wayanad in Kerala to work in coffee estates. Ramu, a tribal leader, said local tribal leaders and panchayat members associated with major political parties have been promised handsome wages and other perks to bring those voters and make them vote in favour of their candidates.

Leaders of BJP, Congress and JDS, and some independent candidates have gathered information in 120 tribal hamlets at Heggadadevanakote, Saragur and parts of Nanjangud taluks. They have started distributing pamphlets and guarantee cards in these taluks as well as Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal taluks.

Sameer, a resident of DB Kuppe, said some panchayat members have booked vehicles to bring back migrant voters residing in Kodagu and Wayanad. Nallore Mani, a Congress leader, hoped that migrant voters would return if their villages received good pre-monsoon showers. They would come back and start tilling their land.

MYSURU: Workers of prominent political parties have started knocking on the doors of voters in border villages and tribal hamlets to gather information on migrant labourers to make them come back and vote in favour of their candidates in the May 10 Assembly elections. The parties and candidates foresee a keen contest in many constituencies on the border of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, where migrant voters are in large numbers. The workers have started collecting details such as names of voters who have migrated from their villages and hamlets in search of work, their present workplaces, booth numbers, etc. They are also collecting details of such voters political affiliations. Local leaders and village heads have been roped in by the parties to reach the migrant voters. They have been promised attractive wages, food, transport and other facilities. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In Hanur Assembly constituency alone, more than 12,000 voters are working in textile mills at Tirupur in Tamil Nadu. Many are working in estates and farms in that state. Govinda of BG Doddi said many families from Budipadaga, Aradinapura, VS Doddi, Gundi Mole and other villages have migrated to other places in search of jobs. Workers of various parties have visited these villages and have prepared a list of such voters. Many migrate to work in coffee estates A similar situation prevails at Pudur, Gopinatham, Palar and other border villages as many families work in textile mills at Tirupur, Erode and other towns in Tamil Nadu. There are 32 tribal hamlets in Hunsur constituency and more than 7,000 voters have migrated to neighbouring Kodagu district and Wayanad in Kerala to work in coffee estates. Ramu, a tribal leader, said local tribal leaders and panchayat members associated with major political parties have been promised handsome wages and other perks to bring those voters and make them vote in favour of their candidates. Leaders of BJP, Congress and JDS, and some independent candidates have gathered information in 120 tribal hamlets at Heggadadevanakote, Saragur and parts of Nanjangud taluks. They have started distributing pamphlets and guarantee cards in these taluks as well as Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal taluks. Sameer, a resident of DB Kuppe, said some panchayat members have booked vehicles to bring back migrant voters residing in Kodagu and Wayanad. Nallore Mani, a Congress leader, hoped that migrant voters would return if their villages received good pre-monsoon showers. They would come back and start tilling their land.
By Express News Service

KANNUR: A Keralite was killed in Sudan's Khartoum after being hit by a stray bullet in the crossfire between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Albert Augustine (48), a native of Alakkode in Kerala's Kannur district was killed when a stray bullet hit him while he was talking on the phone in his apartment in Khartoum with his son, who is in Canada.

Albert, an ex-serviceman, has been working as a security manager with Dal Group of Companies in Khartoum, Sudan, for the last six months.

"Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum and the embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We shall continue to monitor developments, said External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar.

His wife Cybella and younger daughter Marita had reached Sudan two weeks ago. The tragedy hit the family when they were about to return to Kannur the next week.

Relatives of the family in Kannur have been trying to bring the mortal remains of Albert. His wife Cybella and daughter, and their family members in Kerala, are knocking at the doors of the Indian embassy in Sudan.

Meanwhile, Cybella has reportedly contacted the relatives over the phone and sought immediate intervention from the government in this as she and her daughter endure a tough time surviving even without food for the last 24 hours.

She said that even the dead body of Albert is not being removed from where it is lying in the flat. It is said that the Indian embassy has got in touch with the family and steps have been initiated to bring the mortal remains of Albert and his wife and daughter back home.

KANNUR: A Keralite was killed in Sudan's Khartoum after being hit by a stray bullet in the crossfire between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Albert Augustine (48), a native of Alakkode in Kerala's Kannur district was killed when a stray bullet hit him while he was talking on the phone in his apartment in Khartoum with his son, who is in Canada. Albert, an ex-serviceman, has been working as a security manager with Dal Group of Companies in Khartoum, Sudan, for the last six months.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum and the embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We shall continue to monitor developments, said External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar. His wife Cybella and younger daughter Marita had reached Sudan two weeks ago. The tragedy hit the family when they were about to return to Kannur the next week. Relatives of the family in Kannur have been trying to bring the mortal remains of Albert. His wife Cybella and daughter, and their family members in Kerala, are knocking at the doors of the Indian embassy in Sudan. Meanwhile, Cybella has reportedly contacted the relatives over the phone and sought immediate intervention from the government in this as she and her daughter endure a tough time surviving even without food for the last 24 hours. She said that even the dead body of Albert is not being removed from where it is lying in the flat. It is said that the Indian embassy has got in touch with the family and steps have been initiated to bring the mortal remains of Albert and his wife and daughter back home.
By PTI

BHUBANESWAR (Sambalpur): The Odisha Police has arrested 79 people for their alleged involvement in the violence in Sambalpur city during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, officials said Sunday.

The situation is gradually limping back to normalcy in Sambalpur, where curfew is still continuing along with the suspension of the internet, they said.

Sambalpur SP B Gangadhar said there has been no report of any untoward incident since the curfew was promulgated in the city early Saturday.

A number of accused persons are still absconding, police said.

"While 26 people were arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident during the bike rally on April 12, 53 others have been taken into custody for violence and arson during the procession on April 14," Gangadhar said.

"It appears to be pre-planned violence as per the indications received so far. More arrests will be made in future," he said.

The state government has suspended internet services in Sambalpur district till 10 am on April 17, the SP said.

ALSO READ | Hanuman Jayanti violence: Sambalpur tense, shops set on fire

Odisha DGP Sunil K Bansal said stringent action will be taken against those involved in the violence, and expressed hope that normalcy will be restored in a day or two in the city.

The prohibitory orders, however, were relaxed for students and candidates of various recruitment examinations on Sunday, police said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said it is unfortunate that the state government has been adopting an "appeasement policy" while dealing with the case.

ALSO READ | Odisha Opposition trains guns on govt over Sambalpur violence

"The government is shielding some people involved in the violence," he alleged.

Countering him, BJD leader and MLA Amar Satpathy said the government has taken action as per the law.

BHUBANESWAR (Sambalpur): The Odisha Police has arrested 79 people for their alleged involvement in the violence in Sambalpur city during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, officials said Sunday. The situation is gradually limping back to normalcy in Sambalpur, where curfew is still continuing along with the suspension of the internet, they said. Sambalpur SP B Gangadhar said there has been no report of any untoward incident since the curfew was promulgated in the city early Saturday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A number of accused persons are still absconding, police said. "While 26 people were arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident during the bike rally on April 12, 53 others have been taken into custody for violence and arson during the procession on April 14," Gangadhar said. "It appears to be pre-planned violence as per the indications received so far. More arrests will be made in future," he said. The state government has suspended internet services in Sambalpur district till 10 am on April 17, the SP said. ALSO READ | Hanuman Jayanti violence: Sambalpur tense, shops set on fire Odisha DGP Sunil K Bansal said stringent action will be taken against those involved in the violence, and expressed hope that normalcy will be restored in a day or two in the city. The prohibitory orders, however, were relaxed for students and candidates of various recruitment examinations on Sunday, police said. Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said it is unfortunate that the state government has been adopting an "appeasement policy" while dealing with the case. ALSO READ | Odisha Opposition trains guns on govt over Sambalpur violence "The government is shielding some people involved in the violence," he alleged. Countering him, BJD leader and MLA Amar Satpathy said the government has taken action as per the law.
Sivaguru S By

Express News Service

KRISHNAGIRI: In a case of suspected honour killing, a 50-year-old caste Hindu man hacked to death his 28-year-old son, who married a Dalit girl, at Arunapathy village near Uthangarai in Krishnagiri early on Saturday. While Dhandapani also murdered his 65-year-old mother, his daughter-in-law Anusha who suffered grievous injuries is being treated at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital. Police identified the deceased as D Subash (28) and P Kannammal (65).

According to police sources, the accused allegedly tried to take his life by slashing his neck near Hanumantheertham village late on Saturday. He was secured by the Uthangarai police and admitted to Uthangarai GH. He is out of danger. Based on a complaint from Anusha, police have filed a murder case and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case against Dhandapani.

According to Uthangarai DSP Amala Advin, Subash fell in love with Anusha (24), a Dalit girl from Ariyalur district who was staying near Subashs house in Tiruppur. The couple got married on March 27. According to sources, Subashs father P Dhandapani was not happy with his sons inter-caste love marriage. Two weeks back, Subash started a new job as a bank agent in Tirupattur and the couple moved to Tirupattur.

Dhandapani, who was working as a tailor in Tiruppur, came to Arunapathy last week and asked his mother Kannammal to invite the couple to her home. On Friday evening, Subash and Anusha came to Kannammals house in Arunapathy. According to sources, Dhandapani interacted with the couple and even served them palm fruits.

However, in the wee hours of Saturday, Dhandapani attacked his son and mother with a sickle and also tried to kill his daughter-in-law Anusha, who managed to escape.

Police sent the bodies of the victims to Uthangarai GH for a postmortem. The injured Anusha, who was sent to Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital, was later referred to Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital on Saturday evening.

Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) state general secretary K Samuel Raj, who condemned the attack, said the request to enact a special law against honour killing has not been heeded by the state government yet. TNUEF will stage protest against the murder in Krishnagiri on Sunday, he said.

CPM district secretary GK Nanjundan too condemned the murder. The state government should give Rs 25 lakh and a government job to Anusha. All the accused should be arrested, he said.

Last month, a man murdered his son-in-law, who belonged to his own caste, in Krishnagiri.

KRISHNAGIRI: In a case of suspected honour killing, a 50-year-old caste Hindu man hacked to death his 28-year-old son, who married a Dalit girl, at Arunapathy village near Uthangarai in Krishnagiri early on Saturday. While Dhandapani also murdered his 65-year-old mother, his daughter-in-law Anusha who suffered grievous injuries is being treated at Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital. Police identified the deceased as D Subash (28) and P Kannammal (65). According to police sources, the accused allegedly tried to take his life by slashing his neck near Hanumantheertham village late on Saturday. He was secured by the Uthangarai police and admitted to Uthangarai GH. He is out of danger. Based on a complaint from Anusha, police have filed a murder case and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case against Dhandapani. According to Uthangarai DSP Amala Advin, Subash fell in love with Anusha (24), a Dalit girl from Ariyalur district who was staying near Subashs house in Tiruppur. The couple got married on March 27. According to sources, Subashs father P Dhandapani was not happy with his sons inter-caste love marriage. Two weeks back, Subash started a new job as a bank agent in Tirupattur and the couple moved to Tirupattur.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Dhandapani, who was working as a tailor in Tiruppur, came to Arunapathy last week and asked his mother Kannammal to invite the couple to her home. On Friday evening, Subash and Anusha came to Kannammals house in Arunapathy. According to sources, Dhandapani interacted with the couple and even served them palm fruits. However, in the wee hours of Saturday, Dhandapani attacked his son and mother with a sickle and also tried to kill his daughter-in-law Anusha, who managed to escape. Police sent the bodies of the victims to Uthangarai GH for a postmortem. The injured Anusha, who was sent to Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital, was later referred to Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital on Saturday evening. Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) state general secretary K Samuel Raj, who condemned the attack, said the request to enact a special law against honour killing has not been heeded by the state government yet. TNUEF will stage protest against the murder in Krishnagiri on Sunday, he said. CPM district secretary GK Nanjundan too condemned the murder. The state government should give Rs 25 lakh and a government job to Anusha. All the accused should be arrested, he said. Last month, a man murdered his son-in-law, who belonged to his own caste, in Krishnagiri.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: BJP State president Bandi Sanjay wondered on Saturday what Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had to say about Prakash Ambedkars speech during the unveiling of the BR Ambedkar statue on Friday. Addressing the Nirudyoga March held from Kakatiya University to the Ambedkar statue in Hanamkonda, Sanjay declared that if the BJP comes to power, it will fill all vacant government posts, and recruitment will begin from the first day of the governments formation.

Sanjay also declared that the BJP would continue its agitation until KCR apologised to the youth, IT Minister KT Rama Rao is removed from the cabinet, the TSPSC question paper leak case is handed over to a sitting High Court judge, and affected job aspirants are given `1 lakh as ex gratia.

A view of the crowd at the Nirudyoga March taken out from Kakatiya University to Ambedkar statue in Hanamkonda on Saturday

Furthermore, Sanjay warned that BJP workers would drag the Chief Minister by the neck to make him answer to the people and not tolerate his family sucking the blood of the people. Sanjay questioned why KCR was not ordering an inquiry by a sitting judge into the TSPSC question paper leak if there was no mistake made by his family members. He also asked the CM to explain why the TSPSC shouldnt be cleansed of all present members and the chairman. The government is afraid that if this is done, the removed members of the Commission would expose its irregularities, Sanjay claimed.

He also wondered why the State government was unable to conduct a single exam properly when the Centre had already filled 2 lakh vacancies this year and was on course to filling 10 lakh vacancies by the end of the year.

He cautioned the youth that the CM would once again rake up the Andhra-Telangana sentiment before the Assembly elections and said that BJP was holding Nirudyoga March rallies in all erstwhile districts of Telangana to tell KCR that BRS timepass politics would not be allowed in the State. Taking a swipe at MLC K Kavitha for disclosing that she has suffered an avulsion fracture in her leg, Sanjay said that this was only a pretext to conduct a Rajasyamala Yagam.

RALLIES IN ALL DISTRICTS

Thanking the thousands of job aspirants who attended the rally by breaching the police barricades placed in the KU campus, Bandi said that the next rally would be held in Mahabubnagar, then Khammam, and then in all other erstwhile districts before a Million Nirudyoga March in Hyderabad.

HYDERABAD: BJP State president Bandi Sanjay wondered on Saturday what Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had to say about Prakash Ambedkars speech during the unveiling of the BR Ambedkar statue on Friday. Addressing the Nirudyoga March held from Kakatiya University to the Ambedkar statue in Hanamkonda, Sanjay declared that if the BJP comes to power, it will fill all vacant government posts, and recruitment will begin from the first day of the governments formation. Sanjay also declared that the BJP would continue its agitation until KCR apologised to the youth, IT Minister KT Rama Rao is removed from the cabinet, the TSPSC question paper leak case is handed over to a sitting High Court judge, and affected job aspirants are given `1 lakh as ex gratia. A view of the crowd at the Nirudyoga March taken out from Kakatiya University to Ambedkar statue in Hanamkonda on Saturday Furthermore, Sanjay warned that BJP workers would drag the Chief Minister by the neck to make him answer to the people and not tolerate his family sucking the blood of the people. Sanjay questioned why KCR was not ordering an inquiry by a sitting judge into the TSPSC question paper leak if there was no mistake made by his family members. He also asked the CM to explain why the TSPSC shouldnt be cleansed of all present members and the chairman. The government is afraid that if this is done, the removed members of the Commission would expose its irregularities, Sanjay claimed.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He also wondered why the State government was unable to conduct a single exam properly when the Centre had already filled 2 lakh vacancies this year and was on course to filling 10 lakh vacancies by the end of the year. He cautioned the youth that the CM would once again rake up the Andhra-Telangana sentiment before the Assembly elections and said that BJP was holding Nirudyoga March rallies in all erstwhile districts of Telangana to tell KCR that BRS timepass politics would not be allowed in the State. Taking a swipe at MLC K Kavitha for disclosing that she has suffered an avulsion fracture in her leg, Sanjay said that this was only a pretext to conduct a Rajasyamala Yagam. RALLIES IN ALL DISTRICTS Thanking the thousands of job aspirants who attended the rally by breaching the police barricades placed in the KU campus, Bandi said that the next rally would be held in Mahabubnagar, then Khammam, and then in all other erstwhile districts before a Million Nirudyoga March in Hyderabad.
A service that helps visually impaired visitors get around at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport is being expanded to include Metro Bus and Rail, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced.

The Aira (Artificial Intelligence Remote Access) app connects people who are blind or have poor vision with trained professionals to assist them.

The app, paired with a smart phone camera, allows the professional to provide guidance on routes, bus and rail schedules and other concerns.

Aira is free for Metro Bus and Rail users and for visitors to the airports. The NFTA notes that the service is in use at more than 40 airports across the U.S.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appears to be on his way out, making way for NCPs Ajit Pawar as his successor in alliance with the BJP.

With the Damocles sword of the Supreme Courts defection verdict hanging over Shindes head, the change of guard is just a matter of time. Ajit is in a hurry to realise his dream of becoming CM. He has the support of 35-40 NCP lawmakers, so the anti-defection law will not kick in.

However, senior leaders in his camp want him to get party founder Sharad Pawars consent so as to avoid the 2019 fiasco of forming a government with the BJP, which fell within 80 hours as the senior Pawar was not on board.

Sharad Pawar is reluctant to go with the BJP. He asked Ajit to take his own call, saying he (Sharad) was not willing to stigmatise his political career which is at its fag end by aligning with the saffron party. Ajits supporters are aware that going against the party patriarch could mean political suicide because of Sharad Pawars ability to sway the public mood, said a senior NCP leader who requested anonymity. So, the wary NCP MLAs have pressed Ajit to somehow get Sharad Pawars blessings.

When Ajit went incommunicado on April 8, he had actually taken a chartered flight to Delhi to meet BJP leader Amit Shah to strike the final deal, highly placed sources said. Party leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare accompanied him to decide the distribution of portfolios, a source said. Sources said the BJP has already sounded out Shinde.

The BJP is in a very difficult situation. The popularity of Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya has increased though they lost the party name and its symbol. According to an internal BJP survey, the Maha Vikas Aghadi would bag as many as 33 of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP cannot afford to lose Maharashtra, said the source.

The BJP wants a Maratha face as CM since they comprise 35% of the electorate, hence the attempt to draw Ajit Pawar.

Praful Patel an anchor?

When Sharad Pawar recently met Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, Praful Patel was conspicuous by his absence. It now transpires that Patel has been anchoring Ajits switch to the BJP alliance along with Sunil Tatkare

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appears to be on his way out, making way for NCPs Ajit Pawar as his successor in alliance with the BJP. With the Damocles sword of the Supreme Courts defection verdict hanging over Shindes head, the change of guard is just a matter of time. Ajit is in a hurry to realise his dream of becoming CM. He has the support of 35-40 NCP lawmakers, so the anti-defection law will not kick in. However, senior leaders in his camp want him to get party founder Sharad Pawars consent so as to avoid the 2019 fiasco of forming a government with the BJP, which fell within 80 hours as the senior Pawar was not on board.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sharad Pawar is reluctant to go with the BJP. He asked Ajit to take his own call, saying he (Sharad) was not willing to stigmatise his political career which is at its fag end by aligning with the saffron party. Ajits supporters are aware that going against the party patriarch could mean political suicide because of Sharad Pawars ability to sway the public mood, said a senior NCP leader who requested anonymity. So, the wary NCP MLAs have pressed Ajit to somehow get Sharad Pawars blessings. When Ajit went incommunicado on April 8, he had actually taken a chartered flight to Delhi to meet BJP leader Amit Shah to strike the final deal, highly placed sources said. Party leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare accompanied him to decide the distribution of portfolios, a source said. Sources said the BJP has already sounded out Shinde. The BJP is in a very difficult situation. The popularity of Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya has increased though they lost the party name and its symbol. According to an internal BJP survey, the Maha Vikas Aghadi would bag as many as 33 of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP cannot afford to lose Maharashtra, said the source. The BJP wants a Maratha face as CM since they comprise 35% of the electorate, hence the attempt to draw Ajit Pawar. Praful Patel an anchor? When Sharad Pawar recently met Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, Praful Patel was conspicuous by his absence. It now transpires that Patel has been anchoring Ajits switch to the BJP alliance along with Sunil Tatkare
Sandip Ghose By

The Sunderbans, home of the famed Royal Bengal Tiger, is next door to Kolkata. So, every Bengali is a tiger expert. But not many of them would have visited the area, which was declared a World Heritage site for its mangrove forests way back in 1987. Instead, ask them if they have been to the Kumaon Hills in Uttarakhand and the answer will invariably be a resounding yes. Some would have gone there more than once. The reason for their fascination for the region is none other than Jim Corbett. His books are immensely popular in Bengal  perhaps, more than other parts of the country. Some of his works have been translated into Bengali. This makes many Bengalis tiger hunters at heart.

I am no exception. Since childhood I have visited Corbett country many times. First with parents as a kid, later with the family and also on work when it was part of my sales beat. At one point I had seriously considered building a house there and even bought a small piece of land close to Ranikhet, which was later acquired by a former boss. Apart from the usual tourist circuit of Nainital, Bhimtal and Almora, we travelled off the beaten track to lesser known places like Garur, Bageshwar, Chaukori and Pithoragarh, sometimes by bus and on other occasions in rickety jeeps and ready to fall apart Ambassadors. The winding hill roads were hard on the radiators of those ancient jalopies. So, frequent pit stops were necessary in Pahari dhabas along the way. While sipping sugary tea and pakoras, what always caught my eyes were heaps of a yellow dry preparation of potatoes with whole green chillies sticking out of the mound and raita in round earthen vessels. The third item on display was the local sweet speciality called Mithai, which is a brown chocolate-like fudge covered with sugar-coated globules of poppy seeds. But sugar is not my poison, I prefer molasses in the form of refined liquid. There is no dearth of that in the Kumaon Hills, though much of it is sold as ayurvedic energising potions in glass bottles. However, real Pahadi food eluded me on those trips.

ALSO READ | The famed Wazwan and other treasures of Kashmiri cuisine

It was during the pandemic lockdown ensconced in the Nilgiris that pangs of nostalgia struck me. Unable to move out, the internet became, like for many others, my vicarious travel companion. Searching through the internet, I discovered many recipes of Aloo ke Gutke and Kumaoni Raita. At a superficial level, Aloo ke Gutke may appear to be the Pahadi cousin of Aloo Jeera. But it has a distinct character. The differentiators are the use of Hing and the native wild mustard seeds called Jakhiya, which the Garhwalis prefer over the ordinary local Rai. Besides, it is cooked in mustard oil with the addition of turmeric for colour and red chilli powder for zing. But cooking from YouTube recipes, one cannot replicate the original taste. Besides, even if one gets organic Jakhiya via Amazon, where do you find the famous Nainital Aloo?

The secret of Pahari food, I learnt after a lot of research, is Pahadi salt. And it is not the pink Himalayan salt, as I had first thought it to be. It is an aromatic salt mixture made with garlic or green garlic shoots, green chillies and cumin paste, which add a special flavour to the simplest of dishes. Though available online in dry form, nothing can beat the freshly made stuff on a stone grinder. While trawling the net, I also chanced upon Nimbu Saan or Sana Hua Nimbu, a salad made with the Himalayan Lemon or Galgal with dahi. The key ingredient for it is Bhang ke Beej (hemp seeds), considered to be a super food of Uttarakhand. On my recent trip to Dehradun, Chef Pradeep at the Hyatt introduced me to Bhang ki Chutney, which was delicious sans the high, taken with Gehat dal ka Parathe and Dapheli. Gehat is also called Kulti dal in the plains and is supposed to have medicinal properties such as clearing kidney stones and intestinal impurities. Dapheli is a form of Kadhi made with Jhangora or barnyard millets, which too is supposed to be loaded with health benefits.

ALSO READ | Govt-business link not new, opposition must stop tainting it

Thus the story of Pahadi food is one of hyperlocal ingredients that is not easy to commercialise. It is disappointing that with tourism booming in Uttarakhand, very few hotels and resorts offer authentic local cuisine. Sadly, Maggi noodles are the most popular dish in the so-called 'Pahadi dhabas' on the way to Rishikesh. But I was lucky to find a place called Desi Chulha on Rajpur Road in Dehradun which serves honest Pahadi fare. Their Kafuli -- a mix of three dals -- Lai, Palak and Kandali (also known as Sisunak or Bichua), Chainsoo (Urad Paste Daal) and Aloo Thechwani (a hilly potato curry with tomatoes, Jakhia seeds, garlic and coriander seeds) taken with ragi (millet) are great comfort foods.

Web Scrawl | Read our series of web exclusives here

What about meat? Surely, the Pahadis are not vegetarians. In the Himalayan foothills, from east to north, meat eating is widely prevalent even among Brahmins. Uttarakhand is no different. The cooking is characterised by the use of whole, coarsely ground spices, chillies and garlic more than onions. But curries are not items of daily consumption. On special occasions, a whole goat would be slaughtered and grilled on an open fire. The organs and parts are cooked as separate dishes. The Bhutwa made with goat innards and offal is a hill specialty. Though it is not for the weak-hearted, Desi Chulha turned out a mean preparation to be savoured with the hill red rice. Alcohol can be a great taste enhancer to be partaken either before or with the meal. I tried teasing Chef Ashish Pant at the Neemrana Glass House on the Ganges in Rishikesh to make some Bhutwa for us. He looked a trifle embarrassed and directed us to a dhaba in Raiwala on the way to Haridwar. Clearly, for all talk about vocal for local, gastronomic tourism is yet to arrive in India.

(Sandip Ghose is an author and current affairs commentator. Twitter handle @SandipGhose.)

The Sunderbans, home of the famed Royal Bengal Tiger, is next door to Kolkata. So, every Bengali is a tiger expert. But not many of them would have visited the area, which was declared a World Heritage site for its mangrove forests way back in 1987. Instead, ask them if they have been to the Kumaon Hills in Uttarakhand and the answer will invariably be a resounding yes. Some would have gone there more than once. The reason for their fascination for the region is none other than Jim Corbett. His books are immensely popular in Bengal  perhaps, more than other parts of the country. Some of his works have been translated into Bengali. This makes many Bengalis tiger hunters at heart. I am no exception. Since childhood I have visited Corbett country many times. First with parents as a kid, later with the family and also on work when it was part of my sales beat. At one point I had seriously considered building a house there and even bought a small piece of land close to Ranikhet, which was later acquired by a former boss. Apart from the usual tourist circuit of Nainital, Bhimtal and Almora, we travelled off the beaten track to lesser known places like Garur, Bageshwar, Chaukori and Pithoragarh, sometimes by bus and on other occasions in rickety jeeps and ready to fall apart Ambassadors. The winding hill roads were hard on the radiators of those ancient jalopies. So, frequent pit stops were necessary in Pahari dhabas along the way. While sipping sugary tea and pakoras, what always caught my eyes were heaps of a yellow dry preparation of potatoes with whole green chillies sticking out of the mound and raita in round earthen vessels. The third item on display was the local sweet speciality called Mithai, which is a brown chocolate-like fudge covered with sugar-coated globules of poppy seeds. But sugar is not my poison, I prefer molasses in the form of refined liquid. There is no dearth of that in the Kumaon Hills, though much of it is sold as ayurvedic energising potions in glass bottles. However, real Pahadi food eluded me on those trips. ALSO READ | The famed Wazwan and other treasures of Kashmiri cuisinegoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It was during the pandemic lockdown ensconced in the Nilgiris that pangs of nostalgia struck me. Unable to move out, the internet became, like for many others, my vicarious travel companion. Searching through the internet, I discovered many recipes of Aloo ke Gutke and Kumaoni Raita. At a superficial level, Aloo ke Gutke may appear to be the Pahadi cousin of Aloo Jeera. But it has a distinct character. The differentiators are the use of Hing and the native wild mustard seeds called Jakhiya, which the Garhwalis prefer over the ordinary local Rai. Besides, it is cooked in mustard oil with the addition of turmeric for colour and red chilli powder for zing. But cooking from YouTube recipes, one cannot replicate the original taste. Besides, even if one gets organic Jakhiya via Amazon, where do you find the famous Nainital Aloo? The secret of Pahari food, I learnt after a lot of research, is Pahadi salt. And it is not the pink Himalayan salt, as I had first thought it to be. It is an aromatic salt mixture made with garlic or green garlic shoots, green chillies and cumin paste, which add a special flavour to the simplest of dishes. Though available online in dry form, nothing can beat the freshly made stuff on a stone grinder. While trawling the net, I also chanced upon Nimbu Saan or Sana Hua Nimbu, a salad made with the Himalayan Lemon or Galgal with dahi. The key ingredient for it is Bhang ke Beej (hemp seeds), considered to be a super food of Uttarakhand. On my recent trip to Dehradun, Chef Pradeep at the Hyatt introduced me to Bhang ki Chutney, which was delicious sans the high, taken with Gehat dal ka Parathe and Dapheli. Gehat is also called Kulti dal in the plains and is supposed to have medicinal properties such as clearing kidney stones and intestinal impurities. Dapheli is a form of Kadhi made with Jhangora or barnyard millets, which too is supposed to be loaded with health benefits. ALSO READ | Govt-business link not new, opposition must stop tainting it Thus the story of Pahadi food is one of hyperlocal ingredients that is not easy to commercialise. It is disappointing that with tourism booming in Uttarakhand, very few hotels and resorts offer authentic local cuisine. Sadly, Maggi noodles are the most popular dish in the so-called 'Pahadi dhabas' on the way to Rishikesh. But I was lucky to find a place called Desi Chulha on Rajpur Road in Dehradun which serves honest Pahadi fare. Their Kafuli -- a mix of three dals -- Lai, Palak and Kandali (also known as Sisunak or Bichua), Chainsoo (Urad Paste Daal) and Aloo Thechwani (a hilly potato curry with tomatoes, Jakhia seeds, garlic and coriander seeds) taken with ragi (millet) are great comfort foods. Web Scrawl | Read our series of web exclusives here What about meat? Surely, the Pahadis are not vegetarians. In the Himalayan foothills, from east to north, meat eating is widely prevalent even among Brahmins. Uttarakhand is no different. The cooking is characterised by the use of whole, coarsely ground spices, chillies and garlic more than onions. But curries are not items of daily consumption. On special occasions, a whole goat would be slaughtered and grilled on an open fire. The organs and parts are cooked as separate dishes. The Bhutwa made with goat innards and offal is a hill specialty. Though it is not for the weak-hearted, Desi Chulha turned out a mean preparation to be savoured with the hill red rice. Alcohol can be a great taste enhancer to be partaken either before or with the meal. I tried teasing Chef Ashish Pant at the Neemrana Glass House on the Ganges in Rishikesh to make some Bhutwa for us. He looked a trifle embarrassed and directed us to a dhaba in Raiwala on the way to Haridwar. Clearly, for all talk about vocal for local, gastronomic tourism is yet to arrive in India. (Sandip Ghose is an author and current affairs commentator. Twitter handle @SandipGhose.)
BRUSSELS: In the weeks since Chinese leader Xi Jinping won a third five-year term as president, setting him on course to remain in power for life, leaders and diplomats from around the world have beaten a path to his door. None more so than those from Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a high-profile state visit to Beijing last week accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, just days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the northeast port city of Tianjin on Thursday, following a visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, would have been in China this week, too, but he tested positive for COVID-19.

For the 27-nation trading bloc, the reasons to head to China are clear.

As an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi could play a pivotal role in helping to end the war in Ukraine. The conflict has dragged on for over a year, driven up energy prices and inflicted more damage on economies struggling to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Europeans want Xi's help. They want him to talk to Ukraine's president as well as Russia's, but they don't see him as the key mediator. China's proposed peace plan for Ukraine is mostly a list of its previously known positions and is unacceptable, EU officials say.

The EU also fears that Xi might supply weapons to Russia. They've been particularly disturbed by Putin's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. That announcement came just days after Xi and Putin met to cement their "no-limits friendship."

Baerbock said the war is "top of my agenda." Praising Beijing for easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said that "its influence vis a vis Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and for our relationship with China."

ALSO READ: China has 'major role' to play in path to Ukraine peace, says Macron

At the same time, the EU is deeply concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. China launched war games just after Macron left. But unlike the U.S., with its military and strategic interest in Taiwan, the Europeans mostly see the island in economic and pro-democracy terms.

So the visits are meant to reassure Xi of respect for Beijing's control over all of the Chinese territory and to urge calm. They also highlight the challenge the U.S. faces as it tries to build a coalition of countries to ramp up pressure on Beijing over its expansionist policies.

"The key is that we have every interest, both in Europe and in China, to maintain the status quo," a senior EU official said Wednesday, briefing reporters on plans for Borrell's sensitive trip on condition that he not be named. "It has worked well for all sides for decades."

Beyond the geopolitics lies business. The EU and China did more than 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion) worth of trade every day last year, and the Europeans don't want to endanger that. However, the EU's trade deficit has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to level the business playing field.

It's also desperate to limit its imports of critical resources from China, like rare earth minerals or hi-tech components, after painfully weaning itself off its biggest, and most unreliable, gas supplier, Russia. It's a fine line to walk, and China is adept at divide-and-conquer politics.

Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has often used its economic heft to pry France, Germany and other allies away from the U.S. on issues ranging from military security and trade to human rights and Taiwan.

Beijing has called repeatedly for a "multi-polar world," a reference to Chinese frustration with U.S. dominance of global affairs and the ruling Communist Party's ambition to see the country become an international leader.

"There has been a serious deviation in U.S. understanding and positioning about China, treating China as the primary opponent and the biggest geopolitical challenge," the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, told reporters last month.

"China-Europe relations are not targeted, dependent, or subject to third parties," he said.

ALSO READ: US dismisses China as 'impartial mediator' between Moscow, Kyiv

Macron's visit appeared to illustrate that Qin's view isn't just wishful thinking. As tensions rise between Beijing and Washington, the French leader said, it is important for Europe to retain its "strategic autonomy."

"Being a friend doesn't mean that you have to be a vassal," Macron said Wednesday, repeating a remark from his trip that alarmed some European partners. "Just because we're allies, it doesn't mean (that) we no longer have the right to think for ourselves."

Such comments could strain ties with the U.S. and have also exposed divisions within the EU. Without mentioning Macron, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some in Europe were too slow to heed the "wake-up call" on China.

"You could see this over the past couple of weeks as some European leaders went to Beijing," Morawiecki said, adding: "I do not quite understand the idea of strategic autonomy, if it means de-facto shooting into our own knee."

For its part, the White House has sought to downplay Macron's talk of Europe as "an independent pole in a multi-polar world."

It thinks European skepticism toward Beijing is growing. U.S. officials note a recent Dutch decision to restrict China's access to advanced computer chip components or Scholz publicly prodding Xi not to deliver weapons to Russia.

Despite the differences of national emphasis, the EU's strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019  that the Asian giant is "a partner, a competitor and systemic rival." The aim of the recent visits fit that mold: to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources.

BRUSSELS: In the weeks since Chinese leader Xi Jinping won a third five-year term as president, setting him on course to remain in power for life, leaders and diplomats from around the world have beaten a path to his door. None more so than those from Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron made a high-profile state visit to Beijing last week accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, just days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the northeast port city of Tianjin on Thursday, following a visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, would have been in China this week, too, but he tested positive for COVID-19.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); For the 27-nation trading bloc, the reasons to head to China are clear. As an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi could play a pivotal role in helping to end the war in Ukraine. The conflict has dragged on for over a year, driven up energy prices and inflicted more damage on economies struggling to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. The Europeans want Xi's help. They want him to talk to Ukraine's president as well as Russia's, but they don't see him as the key mediator. China's proposed peace plan for Ukraine is mostly a list of its previously known positions and is unacceptable, EU officials say. The EU also fears that Xi might supply weapons to Russia. They've been particularly disturbed by Putin's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. That announcement came just days after Xi and Putin met to cement their "no-limits friendship." Baerbock said the war is "top of my agenda." Praising Beijing for easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said that "its influence vis a vis Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and for our relationship with China." ALSO READ: China has 'major role' to play in path to Ukraine peace, says Macron At the same time, the EU is deeply concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. China launched war games just after Macron left. But unlike the U.S., with its military and strategic interest in Taiwan, the Europeans mostly see the island in economic and pro-democracy terms. So the visits are meant to reassure Xi of respect for Beijing's control over all of the Chinese territory and to urge calm. They also highlight the challenge the U.S. faces as it tries to build a coalition of countries to ramp up pressure on Beijing over its expansionist policies. "The key is that we have every interest, both in Europe and in China, to maintain the status quo," a senior EU official said Wednesday, briefing reporters on plans for Borrell's sensitive trip on condition that he not be named. "It has worked well for all sides for decades." Beyond the geopolitics lies business. The EU and China did more than 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion) worth of trade every day last year, and the Europeans don't want to endanger that. However, the EU's trade deficit has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to level the business playing field. It's also desperate to limit its imports of critical resources from China, like rare earth minerals or hi-tech components, after painfully weaning itself off its biggest, and most unreliable, gas supplier, Russia. It's a fine line to walk, and China is adept at divide-and-conquer politics. Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has often used its economic heft to pry France, Germany and other allies away from the U.S. on issues ranging from military security and trade to human rights and Taiwan. Beijing has called repeatedly for a "multi-polar world," a reference to Chinese frustration with U.S. dominance of global affairs and the ruling Communist Party's ambition to see the country become an international leader. "There has been a serious deviation in U.S. understanding and positioning about China, treating China as the primary opponent and the biggest geopolitical challenge," the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, told reporters last month. "China-Europe relations are not targeted, dependent, or subject to third parties," he said. ALSO READ: US dismisses China as 'impartial mediator' between Moscow, Kyiv Macron's visit appeared to illustrate that Qin's view isn't just wishful thinking. As tensions rise between Beijing and Washington, the French leader said, it is important for Europe to retain its "strategic autonomy." "Being a friend doesn't mean that you have to be a vassal," Macron said Wednesday, repeating a remark from his trip that alarmed some European partners. "Just because we're allies, it doesn't mean (that) we no longer have the right to think for ourselves." Such comments could strain ties with the U.S. and have also exposed divisions within the EU. Without mentioning Macron, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some in Europe were too slow to heed the "wake-up call" on China. "You could see this over the past couple of weeks as some European leaders went to Beijing," Morawiecki said, adding: "I do not quite understand the idea of strategic autonomy, if it means de-facto shooting into our own knee." For its part, the White House has sought to downplay Macron's talk of Europe as "an independent pole in a multi-polar world." It thinks European skepticism toward Beijing is growing. U.S. officials note a recent Dutch decision to restrict China's access to advanced computer chip components or Scholz publicly prodding Xi not to deliver weapons to Russia. Despite the differences of national emphasis, the EU's strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019  that the Asian giant is "a partner, a competitor and systemic rival." The aim of the recent visits fit that mold: to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources.
UN voices concern over possible escalation of tensions in Sudan

United Nations, April 15: The UN has voiced concern over a possible escalation of tensions in Sudan.

UN voices concern over possible escalation of tensions in Sudan

"What we're seeing now is very concerning -- these reports of a continued build-up and mobilisation of various security forces. We're seeing that in Khartoum. We're seeing that in other cities in Sudan," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday.A calm situation and sustained commitment to democratic transition are essential as negotiations proceed, he told a daily press briefing as quoted by Xinhua news agency report."We, along with the African Union, with IGAD (the Intergovernmental Authority for Development) and the Trilateral Mechanism, are engaging all stakeholders to calm these tensions and secure a political agreement as soon as possible to see a return to a civilian-led transition," he added.IANS15 April 2023

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15 Sabarimala pilgrims injured as bus topples in Idukki

Chennai, April 15: At least 15 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were traveling to Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy hill shrine in Kerala were injured after the bus in which they were traveling toppled near Kuttinakanam in Idukki district of Kerala.

15 Sabarimala pilgrims injured as bus topples in Idukki

The pilgrims were from Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu and the bus toppled around 10 am near Kuttikanam on Saturday morning which is Vishu day in state (Kerala New Year day).Four of the 15 injured pilgrims are being provided treatment at the Peerumedu taluk hospital while others are at a private hospital in Kuttikanam. All the injured are said to be out of danger but are kept in hospitals for observation.Police said that the driver was overspeeding and lost control while passing through a sharp turn in Kuttikanam which is a high-range area of Kerala.IANS15 April 2023

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Amazon, Google CEOs hint at more layoffs amid economic meltdown

New Delhi, April 15: As tech layoffs continue unabated in 2023, Amazon and Google CEOs have hinted at more layoffs as the companies continue to evaluate business.

Amazon, Google CEOs 'hint' at more layoffs amid economic meltdown

In a letter to company shareholders, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that they reprioritised where to spend resources, which ultimately led to the hard decision to eliminate 27,000 corporate roles."There are a number of other changes that we've made over the last several months to streamline our overall costs, and like most leadership teams, we'll continue to evaluate what we're seeing in our business and proceed adaptively," the Amazon CEO wrote.Jassy said that the company had to conduct a thorough analysis of each business and invention within the company to determine whether they had strong potential to generate revenue, operating income, free cash flow, and return on invested capital in the long run.Meanwhile, Pichai said that the company is "literally looking at every aspect of what we do" in an effort to re-engineer its cost base permanently.In a recent interview with Wall Street Journal, the Alphabet and Google CEO said "We are trying to accomplish that across many different ways. We're literally looking at every aspect of what we do, and as we said on our last earnings call, we're thinking about how to re-engineer our cost base in a durable way.""We are definitely being focused on creating durable savings. We are pleased with the progress, but there's more work left to do," he was quoted as saying.Google had in January laid off 12,000 employees in its first round of layoffs."We've decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles. We've already sent a separate email to employees in the US who are affected. In other countries, this process will take longer due to local laws and practices," Pichai had said in a statement.Amazon initially eliminated 18,000 positions in January, saying that as "we completed the second phase of our planning this month, it led us to these additional 9,000 role reductions".In March, the e-commerce giant announced to lay off another 9,000 employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Twitch, advertising, and HR.IANS15 April 2023

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NTK leader asks TN BJP chief to expose AIADMKs corruption

Chennai, April 15: Actor-turned-politician and founder leader of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), a Tamil nationalist political outfit, Seeman has called on Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai to expose the corruption that took place during AIADMK regime.

NTK leader asks TN BJP chief to 'expose AIADMK's corruption'

Responding to media queries regarding the corruption allegations levelled by Annamalai against DMK ministers and Chief Minister, Seeman said "I welcome the corruption list published on ministers. This is nothing new. How much property do they have and how did they get them, everyone in the country knows that. But the question remains as to what action has been taken so far.""Not everyone in the AIADMK will become saints as the BJP has an alliance with that party," the NTK leader said, while calling on Annamalai to publish the list of "corrupt people from AIADMK". He further said that actions should be taken against both these Dravidian parties."If you keep your mouth shut because you have an alliance with them (AIADMK), we will ask why you are having an alliance with a corrupt party," Seeman asserted.He also asked Annamalai to announce that his party will not have any alliance with corrupt political parties and that "the corruption of the AIADMK must also be disclosed".IANS15 April 2023

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Tamil Nadu police bars wielding sticks during RSS rally on Sunday

Chennai, April 15: The Tamil Nadu police, which earlier gave permission to the RSS to take out a route march across 45 location in the state on Sunday, said on Saturday that the cadres must not wield sticks during the rally.

Tamil Nadu police bars wielding sticks during RSS rally on Sunday

The state police headquarters here issued a statement that said the organisers must ensure that no provocative slogans or speeches are made trageting any individual, religion or caste during the route march.The police also said that the route march must keep to the left side of the road and not block the entire road.Also, the organisers must make adequate arrangements for drinking water and ensure that proper first-aid kits are in place. They must also arrange for ambulance back-up and mobile toilets. CCTV cameras and fire fighting equipment must also be in place during the route march in consultation with the police.It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu police did not allow a route march by the RSS that was scheduled on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 citing security reasons.The police had then stated that after the ban imposed on the Popular Front of India (PFI) by the Centre, there could be some issues during the route march and hence they cannot not allow it.The RSS had then approached the Madras High Court which granted permission to the rally, but the state government had challenged the high Court order.The Supreme Court later upheld the order of the Madras High Court and directed the Tamil Nadu government to permit the RSS to conduct the route march on April 16.IANS15 April 2023

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If you had asked John Spears two years ago how he would feel about installing metal detectors in a public library, he admits he would not have been OK with that.

"I'd be like, 'No, we'll never do that,' " he said.

But that was before the former Colorado man came here to assume the reins as the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library director last year.

Now, having seen all he's seen and heard from patrons who worry about the safety and security of the downtown Central Library, he says he's made peace with a new reality. He's also become more philosophical about the role the library system should play in addressing the needs of students and youth in the community.

"If it gives people one less concern about coming to a public library, we'll do it," he said.

Included in a budget amendment package regarding the spending of year-end Erie County surplus money from 2022, the Poloncarz administration is asking the County Legislature to approve spending $511,000 to install new Evolv weapons detectors at the Central Library. These are the same types of detectors now in place in many Buffalo Public Schools.

The amendment package, which outlines how the administration wants to allocate $72 million of a $96.4 million surplus, was submitted to the Legislature after its regular meeting on Thursday. The spending resolution will be taken up at the Legislature's next meeting on April 27.

The recommendation for weapons detectors at the library comes on the heels of a pattern of fighting among students and teens in the library after school that has resulted in numerous police calls and in the Central Library cutting back afterschool hours during weekdays for two weeks in March.

The fights sometimes involved dozens of kids inside and outside the building along Lafayette Square. The library system subsequently hired Buffalo Peacekeepers, in addition to its pre-existing security, to quell or prevent incidents.

The Central Library is a large county-owned building that serves as the headquarters and hub of the library system, housing, storing and lending the library system's biggest collection of materials. Since the start of the year, hundreds of kids have been coming into the library after school, a huge increase from even months ago.

"The intent is to keep the teens here, not to push them away," said Spears, whose library system includes more than 30 buildings, nine of which are in the city.

The Central Library needs a better strategy to serve them and maintain a positive environment for all users, he said.

Spears also noted that there have not been any issues with weapons inside the Central Library, but the perception that the main library is not a safe or comfortable environment for library patrons needed to be addressed. Aside from weapons detectors, the library system is reviewing its entranceways, teen spaces and partnerships with community agencies, he said.

Erie County, which provides library funding, is helping to cover those costs.

"All of that is really intended to create an environment where, no matter who you are, you are going to be able to feel safe using this library, because that is the most important thing we can offer this community," he said.

The Evolv weapons detection system, which uses artificial intelligence to help detect weapons, is designed to look less obtrusive than old-fashioned metal detectors and work faster than individual wanding of students. It can be set to different sensitivity settings. Lights flash if the system is triggered, sending individuals to secondary stations where they can be searched by staff.

Currently, 17 Buffalo Public Schools high schools have the Evolv AI-security system, as does one middle school and the central office. Theres a pilot program coming soon for Southside Elementary, which serves children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Spears said the exercise of finding a way to encourage teen use of the library while still maintaining a positive environment for all has led him to be more thoughtful about the role libraries can play in addressing the root causes of violence among teens.

"Maybe we can be part of the conversation about what needs to happen as a community," he said.

News Staff Reporter Ben Tsujimoto contributed to this story.
How did Centre select EY to rejig general insurers, asks CPI MP Binoy Viswam

Chennai, April 15: CPI Rajya Sabha Member Binoy Viswam has asked the Union government as to how Ernst and amp; Young (EY), which has been fined overseas, has been selected as the consultant to restructure the government-owned non-life insurers.

How did Centre select EY to rejig general insurers, asks CPI MP Binoy Viswam

In a letter to Union Finance Secretary Vivek Joshi, the CPI leader has also claimed that Saurabh Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, has pressurised the General Insurance Public Sector Association (GIPSA) to select EY through a tender process for rejigging the government-owned insurers.Viswam in his letter said "Saurabh Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), for the reasons best known to him only, has pressurised GIPSA to select a consultant, i.e., Ernst iamp; Young, through a tender process in the name of having profitable growth and efficiency in the PSGICs (public sector general insurance companies), for which a huge amount of public exchequer has been paid to this consultant.""But the question of serious concern is that how a consultant having a dubious character, which has been fined $100 million in the US for cheating on Certified Public Account Exam (CPA), has been selected by GIPSA, and not objected by the DFS," Viswam wondered."A recent media report reveals that the said consultant has been very heavily fined of around 5,00,000 euro and the German audit watchdog banned Ernst iamp; Young over the Wire Card scandal from taking new audit work of the companies of public importance," Viswam added.Viswam also told Joshi that the public sector general insurance industry at present is facing unrest due to organisational restructuring and unilateral imposition of key performance indicators (KPI)/closure and merger of offices in the name of restructuring."Several media reports also confirm that the PSGI industry, which is worth more than one lakh twenty-five thousand crore (1,25,00,000+ crore) is being ruined," the letter noted.Viswam also raised the issue of GIPSA and DFS bypassing the orders of the Chief Labour Commissioner, Government of India, to have bilateral discussions with the stakeholders and started unilaterally implementing the recommendations of EY.The Rajya Sabha member said that more than 1,500 offices have been closed/merged by the managements of the four government-owned non-life insurers, resulting in denial of excess of general insurance policies to the general public of the country, especially in Tier II and III cities.Viswam urged Joshi for his immediate and effective intervention to ensure the sanctity of the authorities viz. Chief Labour Commissioner, and also to restore justice to all the working class and the policyholders of the general insurance industry.(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)IANS15 April 2023

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Muraleedharan lauds PM Modi for Kerala getting Vande Bharat train, says SilverLine project has become irrelevant

Thiruvananthapuram, April 14: Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vishukaineettam this year is Vande Bharat train service for Kerala.

Muraleedharan lauds PM Modi for Kerala getting Vande Bharat train, says SilverLine project has become 'irrelevant'

"The demand for a high-speed train for Kerala has now been fulfilled. Prime Minister takes special care of Kerala. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, the Centre is taking all efforts for the development of Kerala," he said.Muraleedharan said though the Centre had earlier indicated that Kerala will get the Vande Bharat train, a campaign was unleashed that the state had been denied the train."The CM should correct himself and thank the Prime Minister," Muraleedharan said.He also took a dig at the Pinarayi Vijayan government. "When there is a high-speed train, why should people give up their lands in the name of the SilverLine project? It has become irrelevant," he said.Vishukaineettam denotes a gift which is given by the head of the family to others on Vishu.The rakes of the Vande Bharat train, which will be run by the Southern Railways, reached Palakkad today morning.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off the Vande Bharat train service during his visit to Kerala later this month.ANI15 April 2023

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Weaver community to play key role in Karnataka assembly polls

Bengaluru, April 14: The weaver community is likely to play a key role in the assembly polls in Karnataka where the BJP is trying to form the government again.

Weaver community to play key role in Karnataka assembly polls

The weaver community, Nekara castes, in Karnataka, comprise around 60 to 65 lakh population. They come from 29 castes like Devanga, Thogataveera, Padmasali, Swakulasali, Kuruhinashetty, Pattasali, Sengundar, Hatagaara Koshti.Asked about whom the influential community is going to vote for in Karnataka Assembly polls, the State president of the State weavers association, MD Laxmi Narayan, told ANI that this time all the weavers will vote for Bharatiya Janata Party as they are very happy with the party's performance."That's why in 2023 all weavers in 224 assembly constituencies in 31 districts will vote for BJP," he said.He said that we had asked the Chief Minister to help us with 10 schemes, out of 10 schemes, he gave eight schemes for the weavers. "Our weavers' community is happy [with the BJP]. 'There are ten thousand to fifty thousand voters of the community in 55 assembly constituencies in Karnataka."In Karnataka, the weaver community comprises above 60 lakh, spread in 29 castes. I am the State president of the Weaver community for the past 10 years," he told ANI.Asha Nagraj, a power loom factory owner said that our work is going well, and the government is also helping us."Many weavers are associated with this work, they are getting good help from the government, BJP government gave Nekar Samman Yojna. It is very helpful for us. The ratio of males and females in this weaving work is 50-50 per cent. The women are involved in packing and binding work," she said.Earlier in 2020, amidst the Covid pandemic, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa had launched Karnataka Nekar Samman Yojana.It was a relief scheme to provide financial support to the destitute weaver of the state engaged in the handloom and textile industry whose livelihood was adversely affected by the pandemic.Raghavendra Rao, who runs the power loom unit, said that the BJP government is giving subsidies to the community."There are about 65 lakh weavers who are associated with this business. Earlier it used to take one week to make a saree, since the power loom has come, the state government and the central government has given subsidy to install computers," he said."The earlier governments had neglected the weaving community a lot, now the BJP government has helped us a lot. Weaver community plays the decisive vote in about 42 to 50 assembly constituencies. For so many years our Nikara community has never got priority in politics," he added."We think that we should also get a place in politics so that we can be represented. We will vote for those who will do good work, now BJP government is doing good work, and if the double-engine government will come, we will also be benefited, so we should support BJP," he added.Imran, a weaver who has been associated with this work continuously for 15 years, said that earlier I used to do this work in the village and now I am doing this work here in Karnataka."Due to technology, our work is mainly done with computers etc. We have got facilities from the government, and computers have been installed, so our work has become easier," he added.Earlier in January, the Bommai government, in a bid to resolve the problems of the weavers of the state, decided to extend the Nekar Samnan scheme to the labourers working in power looms and to implement them to 1.02 lakh power loom weavers and workers.Presiding the meeting, Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai also ordered the state officials to set up mini textile parks in 25 taluks of Karnataka.Under this scheme financial assistance of Rs 5,000 is remitted to the bank accounts of 1.02 lakh power loom weavers and workers under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).ANI15 April 2023

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Covid patients more at risk of hospital-associated infections: Study

New York, April 15: People admitted to hospital for the treatment of Covid-19 are likely to have a higher incidence of healthcare associated infections, finds a study.

Covid patients more at risk of hospital-associated infections: Study

The study, published online in JAMA Network Open, showed that the occurrence of central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia was between 2.7 and 3.7-fold higher in the Covid-19 population."Patients with Covid-19 may require additional protective care to prevent the infections," said Kenneth E. Sands, along with other authors from the HCA Healthcare in Tennessee, US.For the study, the team conducted a cross-sectional analysis of more than 5 million hospitalisations between 2020 and 2022.The results showed that the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection was nearly fourfold higher among the Covid-19 population than the non-Covid-19 population (25.4 versus 6.9 per 100,000 patient-days).Similar trends were seen for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (16.5 versus 6.1) and for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia (11.2 versus 3.7).However, the study found that occurrence of these infections among patients hospitalised without Covid-19 did not increase significantly."Despite the strain on the healthcare system, the increase in healthcare-associated infections was not observed in the non-Covid-19 population, suggesting that key safety processes were maintained," the team said.IANS16 April 2023

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UP govt pays tribute to Dr Ambedkar, says it achieved target of providing water connections to one crore rural families

Lucknow, April 14: Paying a special tribute to Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 132nd birth anniversary, the Uttar Pradesh government has achieved a new milestone by providing tap water connections to over one crore rural families in the state.

UP govt pays tribute to Dr Ambedkar, says it achieved target of providing water connections to one crore rural families

Under the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Yogi government has finished the major task of providing tap water to 1,00,37,256 rural families through the Har Ghar Jal Yojana.By 2024, the program aims to have tap water available to more than 2.65 crore rural families.On behalf of the Yogi government, Namami Gange and the Rural Water Supply Department celebrated this outstanding accomplishment of the massive campaign to bring tap water to the homes of farmers, labourers, and villagers in a grand manner throughout the state.The Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and the MD of the Jal Nigam (Rural), Dr Balkar Singh, arrived at the Daudnagar project in Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, and ate with the workers seated in a row.Congratulating all the officers, engineers, and workers of the department for providing water to every household to one crore rural families, the Minister said, "Baba Saheb's dreams are being fulfilled by the Modi and Yogi governments. UP will soon reach its goal for the Har Ghar Jal Yojana."Under the leadership of Yogi, UP has become the first state in the country to provide 40,000 tap connections daily. In terms of the number of tap connections offered, UP has climbed to third place among the major states in the nation. The campaign to provide water to every rural household is continuously setting new dimensions in UP.Only 5 lakh 16 thousand rural families had access to tap water in 2019, but the Har Ghar Jal Yojana has set a record for rapidly supplying clean drinking water to 1 crore rural families in UP.It is to be noted that in the districts of Bundelkhand, which were earlier deprived of government schemes, the target of providing tap water to every house is being fulfilled very quickly.In Mahoba, which has risen to the top spot among the districts with the most tap connections, tap water is available to 84.78 percent of rural households. In this area, 1,13,211 rural families out of 1,33,529 rural families have access to tap connections.Lalitpur district, which is in second place, is also making rapid progress toward achieving the goal. It has also provided tap water to 73.22 per cent of rural families.In Mirzapur, 72.18 per cent of rural families have access to tap water, while in Jalaun, 61.48 per cent do. In the Purvanchal region, more than 50 per cent of rural families in the districts of Gorakhpur and Deoria now have access to clean drinking water, a gift that will benefit lakhs of villagers.2,55,859 rural families in the Bareilly district of Rohilkhand have begun receiving clean drinking water. Varanasi is also moving fast towards achieving the target. Here, 51.40 per cent of rural families have benefited from the scheme.In West UP, over 73.10 per cent of rural families in the Baghpat district have been given the benefit of the scheme, and it is at number three in providing maximum tap connections.ANI16 April 2023

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India, Mozambique share vision for progress and prosperity: Jaishankar

Maputo [Mozambique], April 15: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday reiterated that India and Mozambique have a lot in common, including a shared vision for progress and prosperity at the 5th Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries.

India, Mozambique share vision for progress and prosperity: Jaishankar

"Our bilateral cooperation spans across a wide spectrum of areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, health, education, and defense. A review of our bilateral relations was conducted in the Foreign Office Consultations that were held between us in July last 2022. This Joint Commission is therefore, an excellent platform to take stock of the progress made in our ties and to explore new avenues of cooperation. Such institutional mechanisms of interaction form the structure of any bilateral relationship and indeed its regular meeting is central to the growth and steady advancement of our ties," said Jaishankar.He took stock of progress made in a wide spectrum of areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, agriculture, energy, railways, health, education, development cooperation and defense.Jaishankar further stated that the two countries have a robust bilateral trade of about USD 4 billion." It is a trade in which both countries have an interest in growing. We are looking at discussing new areas in meeting the expectations and aspirations of our people. There are new demands and new opportunities on both sides and surely the Joint Commission should explore that very actively," he said.India and Mozambique share a long-standing and friendly relationship that is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and economic ties."Our solidarity goes back to an era where we have both struggled for freedom and before I came to this meeting today, I had the honour of paying homage to your leaders of that struggle at Heroes Square. This relationship, for many decades, has been nurtured by the keenest interest shown by our leaders. It is a matter of pride for us, that every President of Mozambique has visited India. From our side, the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, gave a new impetus to our bilateral relations. We look forward to receiving President Nyusi in India for the next edition of Vibrant Gujarat when it takes place," said Jaishankar.The EAM also expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy."Our Prime Minister had expressed his sentiments in his tweet immediately after the storm. We had also offered the services of our naval ship, INS Sujata, to the Government of Mozambique during its stay in this country," said Jaishankar.A large number of Indian nationals call Mozambique home. There is a community here, for a very long time and certainly, their role in bridging the economic partnership between our countries is very, very significant."We also have a large Indian investment in this country, today estimated at about USD 11 billion, largely in the domain of energy and mining. And our development partnership which extends to 14 Lines of Credit, to the value of more than USD 770 million, is another example, a very practical example of South-South cooperation," said Jaishankar.Earlier, Jaishankar took a ride in a 'Made in India' train in the country's capital Maputo. "I had the privilege of riding with the Transport Minister in a train which was made in India and which is today operated by the railways of this country. And that, is an example of how, we have been supporting each other in the growth of infrastructure, in responding to the needs of our population, in creating affordable and accessible opportunities for each other's people," he said.Talking about defence ties between the two nations, he said, "Our defence ties have also taken giant strides in the past few years and we are again cooperating very effectively, especially when it comes to dealing with the challenges of terrorism.""I am accompanied by not just senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, but the head of our Working Group dealing with defence and security matters, two very important heads of enterprises dealing with energy and with railways, which are core areas of our cooperation. I look forward to a very productive meeting of the Joint Commission. And I am very confident that my visit today, my discussions with you, the meeting of our officials, the calls that I will have after this; all this will contribute to giving new directions to our partnership and taking our cooperation to a high level," he added.India-Mozambique cooperation today spans a very vast range of economic, developmental, people-to-people, and security domains. They also build on a long tradition of political cooperation, and this tradition has been particularly visible in multilateral forums."We are very glad that Mozambique is today, a non-permanent member of the Security Council and your presence, Minister, gives us a lot of satisfaction at seeing that an important voice of the Global South, sits at the highest councils of the world. Our commonality of world views has again underpinned our foreign policy cooperation and certainly, today as we look at the world we are also exploring, how India and Mozambique, as two important countries in the Indian ocean, how we discharge our shared responsibility for ensuring peace and security in the Indian ocean region. I can assure you that India will always be ready to cooperate with Mozambique in this regard," said Jaishankar.ANI16 April 2023

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Teachers who struggle with stress report less work satisfaction: Research

Washington, April 15: As teacher shortages worsen around the country, new research from the University of Missouri provides insight on why so many stressed-out and burned-out teachers are leaving the profession. According to the study, teachers who struggle to manage with job stress report much lower job satisfaction than those who find ways to deal with the stress.

Teachers who struggle with stress report less work satisfaction: Research

Seth Woods, a former doctoral student at MU, collaborated with Keith Herman, a Curators' Distinguished Professor in the MU College of Education and Human Development, and others to analyze survey data of 2,300 teachers from Missouri and Oklahoma who were asked to rate how stressed they were at work if they found ways to cope with work stress and how satisfied they were with their jobs.Woods said while the findings were not particularly surprising, the study highlights how the ability -- or inability -- to cope with work stress can be a significant factor contributing to teacher burnout, which ultimately leads many teachers to leave the profession."In my 20 years as an educator, I've seen many great people leave the profession unfortunately, and this research confirms that we need to start devoting more time and resources into helping teachers identify and adopt healthy coping mechanisms," said Woods, who is now principal at Beulah Ralph Elementary School in Columbia, Missouri. "Finding ways to mitigate teacher stress and investing in ways to help them cope with stress in positive manners will pay us back in not having to constantly hire and train new teachers all the time. In addition, retaining experienced teachers will likely benefit student achievement as well."The researchers explained that positive, healthy coping mechanisms can be quick, easy and free. One healthy coping mechanism Woods suggests for stressed teachers is writing and delivering a short letter of gratitude to a colleague they enjoy working with. Herman, who authored a book titled, "Stress Management for Teachers A Proactive Guide," said simple things like increasing positive interactions with students and peers, improving classroom management skills, and avoiding gossip at work can also help.Herman added that while systematic issues, such as low teacher pay and overburdened teacher workloads remain critical topics to address, school principals, district superintendents and school administrators can all play in a role in supporting stressed teachers who may be struggling to cope."Communicating with teachers about their concerns, demonstrating empathy and checking in on their health and well-being shows that you care," Herman said. "Our overall goal is to create school environments that allow teachers to thrive and give them the tools they need to be successful.""The relationship between teacher stress and job satisfaction as moderated by coping" was published in Psychology in the Schools. Funding for the study was provided by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Justice.ANI16 April 2023

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May the year ahead bring joy, exceptional health: PM Modi extends greetings on Poila Boishakh

New Delhi, April 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings on the occasion of 'Poila Boishakh' and wished happiness and good health to all.

May the year ahead bring joy, exceptional health: PM Modi extends greetings on 'Poila Boishakh'

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Shubho Nabo Barsho! May the year ahead bring joy and exceptional health. The Bengali culture and heritage are admired all over. As a new year commences, I pray for everyone's happiness and good health. Shubho Nabo Borsho."'Poila Boishakh' marks the beginning of the traditional New Year for Bengali-speaking people across the world who celebrate the occasion with much fervour.'Poila Boishakh,' which falls on Saturday this year, marks the first day of the first month (Baishakh) of the lunisolar Bengali calendar.According to Bengali Sakabdi, the first day of the year is considered the most auspicious.'Poila Boishakh' is observed by Bengalis all across the world irrespective of geographical location but the occasion has a special significance for Bengalis in Bangladesh and in Bengali-speaking areas of India including West Bengal, Tripura and Assam.To celebrate 'Noboborsho' (New Year), homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The front door is decorated with alpana, which is a painting done with a mixture of rice and flour.On the New Year, people wearing new dresses go to temples to pray and get blessings from God. The auspicious day is marked by various cultural and art performances. People visit their relatives and greet each other saying "Shubho Nobo Borsho" (Happy New Year).Traditional food is prepared at home, and restaurants, especially in Kolkata, serve authentic Bengali cuisine that offers a gastronomic delight.Shopkeepers start the day by performing Lakshmi-Narayan and Ganesh pooja wishing for a prosperous year ahead.They start new account books of the business in the name of God. As a custom, priests draw a Swastik symbol with vermilion on trader's accounts book to bring good fortune in business.Late on Friday West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Kalighat Temple in south Kolkata and offered prayers, according to a tweet posted by the All India Trinamool Congress."She extended her heartfelt wishes for a healthy, energetic and blessed year ahead. Let's embrace the new year with optimism and resolve to create a brighter tomorrow for our beloved state," the AITC official tweeted.Meanwhile, in Kolkata, Raj Bhavan opened its doors to the public on 'Poila Boishakh."Bengal has walked in the new dawn during this 'Nobo Borsho'. The youth power has been unleashed and the youth will see that peace and harmony are established in society. Bengal will regain its glory," said West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayer at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple on the occasion of 'Poila Boishakh' in Udaipur on Saturday.ANI16 April 2023

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Delegates arrive for the second Health Working Group G20 meeting in Goa

Panaji, April 15: The first group of international delegates arrived at Goa's Dabolim Airport early Saturday to attend the Second Health Working Group G20 Meeting from April 17 to 19.

Delegates arrive for the second Health Working Group G20 meeting in Goa

The group consisted of Francoise Vanni, Stephen Murphy, Dylan Pulver, Stephanie Seydoux, Alain Labrique, Derrick Muneene and Garrett Mehl from Switzerland, as well as Elise Anthony and Steven Posnack from the US. Delegates were warmly welcomed with a musical performance and taken to a reserved lounge where they were served Goan snacks such as Ragi chips, cashew nuts, and tender coconut water. They were then taken on a bus to the Grand Hyatt Goa.The airports in Goa have made arrangements and taken steps to ensure that the arrival process is efficient. Additionally, services such as a money exchange counter and SIM card counter are also available at the airports.Other delegates are expected to arrive in Goa over the next few days at either the Dabolim Airport or the Mopa international airport. The first meeting of the G20 summit in Goa is the Health Working Group, where participants will discuss health policies and initiatives. The summit is an important event, and this meeting of the Health Working Group could impact future global health policies significantly.The Group of Twenty or G20, is the premier forum for international cooperation comprising the world's most-powerful 19 economies and the European Union (EU).The group was established with the goal to solve major global issues which are related to the stability of International Finance, the international economy, migration due to changes in climatic conditions, and sustainable development.Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, United States of America, and the European Union (EU) form the G20 group. Representatives from guest countries and international organisations have also been invited to attend the Summit.ANI16 April 2023

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Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to review progress of IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh today

Chandigarh, April 15: The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will be visiting the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre on April 15 to review its progress, the Ministry of Defence informed in a release on Friday.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to review progress of IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh today

"The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari PVSM AVSM ADC will visit the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre on April 15, 2023, to review its progress," the Ministry said in the release.During his visit, the Chief of the Air Staff will be briefed on the progress of the work at the Heritage Centre. He will also interact with the team responsible for setting up of the Heritage Centre and will take stock of the preparations being made for its inauguration.The Heritage Centre is being built with state-of-the-art technology and is the IAF's first Heritage Centre. Its exhibits will be a source of inspiration for future generations and will showcase the indomitable spirit of the Indian Air Force, the release stated.As per the release, the inauguration of the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to take place on May 8, 2023, and the centre is expected to attract a large number of visitors from all over the country.The advisor to the Administrator, of UT Administration Chandigarh, Dharam Pal will also accompany the Chief of the Air Staff at the Heritage Centre, the Ministry added.ANI16 April 2023

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MARION, Iowa  For someone considering a Republican presidential campaign  such as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott  a visit with a group of pastors in Iowa is part of a decades-old courtship ritual in the state that kicks off the nomination process. Born-again Christians are the most influential group in Iowa's GOP caucuses, giving faith leaders particular sway in helping organize voters and shape the results.

But in the early phase of the next presidential campaign, Scott's joyful proclamations of his Christian faith face an unlikely obstacle. Like other Republicans eyeing the White House, he is navigating an evangelical community that is faithful to former President Donald Trump, the thrice-married former reality television star who once supported abortion rights and spent decades boasting of his sexual prowess.

That history repelled many Iowa evangelical leaders during the last competitive Republican caucuses in 2016, when they helped push Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to victory in the opening contest. As the 2024 campaign begins, however, many of those same leaders are open to Trump, grateful for his judicial appointments that resulted in the dismantling of a constitutional right to abortion.

They are unswayed by the controversy swirling around Trump, including the 34-count New York felony indictment handed down against him stemming from a hush-money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels, who alleged having an extramarital affair with him.

I believe, and I think many evangelical Christians understand, politics at that level is a blood sport. Donald Trump is fighting. Thats why he got things done, said the Rev. Terry Amann of suburban Des Moines. So, our role isnt to judge him.

Trump has denied having an affair with the actress and has characterized the charges  along with ongoing investigations related to other matters in Georgia and Washington  as politically motivated. But the evangelical support reflects a broader dynamic taking hold with the GOP base rallying around Trump in the aftermath of his indictment even amid signals that he could be vulnerable with the broader public in a general election.

An ABC News/Ipsos poll released last weekend found 50% of Americans thought Trump should have been charged with a crime and about as many  48%  said he should suspend his campaign. But just 14% of Republicans said he should be charged.

That GOP loyalty to Trump was evident in interviews with more than a dozen Iowa pastors in the wake of Trump's indictment. Each cited Trump's role in helping overturn Roe vs. Wade as central to the long-term rethinking about him since his first campaign. Several also pointed to Trump's recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

I appreciate the fact that, for what seems like the first time in my lifetime, someone did what they said they were going to do, said the Rev. Kerry Jech of Marshalltown. With Donald Trump, what he promised us, he delivered on. Thats one thing I cant get away from."

In a new display of pragmatism, Jech and others like him who didn't support Trump in 2016 say the former president is no less imperfect a man now, but that his action on policy they hold dear may erase questions about his moral character.

During the 2016 campaign, the Rev. Mike Demastus of Des Moines supported Cruz and called Trump morally loathsome, wicked and a reprehensible man." Today, Demastus calls him the most pro-life president we have ever had, and would consider supporting him in the caucuses, along with others.

Even Demastus' qualified support still puts Trump in better position now than his first bid.

In a March Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, Trump was viewed favorably by 58% of evangelicals, unfavorably by 39% and 3% were unsure. On the eve of the 2016 caucuses, Iowa evangelicals seemed to have a dimmer view of Trump. The Des Moines Registers Iowa Poll taken on the eve of the caucuses showed Trump with support from only 19% of evangelicals, with Cruz supported by 33%.

The awkward position is new for Iowa social conservatives, who have for three consecutive Republican presidential campaigns decidedly backed the more vocally evangelical candidate, though none would go on to win the nomination.

Beyond Cruz, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won the 2012 caucuses as a crusading abortion opponent. In 2008, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, posted a surprise victory by cobbling together a Christian coalition of pastors and religious home-school advocates.

Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence hope to replicate their success in 2024, should they continue taking steps toward running. In a visit to the state on Wednesday, Scott began his day meeting with a few dozen Christian home-school parents, a vital subset of Iowa's evangelical bloc.

It's a strategy pioneered by former Christian broadcasting personality Pat Robertson, whose focus on Iowa's network of evangelical Christian churches helped him finish a surprise second place in Iowa's 1988 caucuses, ahead of Vice President George H.W. Bush.

The more traditional approach set against Trump's atypical combination of accomplishment and high-drama personal life creates a new dynamic for Iowa social conservatives to weigh.

President Trump has stood up for the values that we hold dear, said Brad Sherman, a pastor and Republican state representative from Williamsburg who plans to support Trump in the caucuses. Then we need to pray for him that his personal life comes in line with that.

Others say everyone is offered forgiveness.

He is no perfect person. No one would say that. He is no King David, said the Rev. Bill Tvedt of Oskaloosa. But even David was tempted.

Tvedt also likened Trump to the biblical figure Cyrus, who was not a Christian but is lauded as an Old Testament hero for liberating the Jews from captivity in Egypt. He is more of a Cyrus, a protector, Tvedt said.

5 things the US can do better in the 2024 election All jurisdictions should have paper backups Counties in eight states are still using paperless voting equipment exclusively. We need them to transition to paper-based systems, providing financial resources if necessary. Voting equipment without an auditable paper trail can produce results that are inconsistent with voters choices, either because of hackers or a technical failure. In 2020, more than 90% of votes were cast on paper-based voting equipment, including all of the states President Donald Trump is contesting or that havent been called. Thats an improvement over the 2016 election, when 80% of votes had a paper record. The goal for the 2024 election should be 100%. More audits before official results All states using voting equipment with an auditable paper trail should conduct robust audits before election results are certified. This will ensure all ballots are counted correctly. It will also allow discrepancies to be remedied and reflected in the final results. If any issue threw off the count, election officials would be even more likely to spot it and re-create an accurate count with paper records. All jurisdictions need backup manual processes All areas without backups for each of their election technologies must obtain them. No technology is infallible. Each piece  including electronic poll books, electronic voting systems and online voter registration websites  has vulnerabilities that can be exploited or could experience technical failures. As we saw with the 2020 presidential election, safeguards such as backup paper poll books ensure that election infrastructure failures only slow down voting, rather than stop it. Bolster the mail-in balloting process Due to the pandemic, far more voters requested absentee ballots this year. Preliminary evidence suggests that relatively few of these ballots have been rejected. Unfortunately, U.S. Postal Service data also show that at least 150,000 ballots arrived the day after the election. To prevent this from happening again, there should be an investigation of USPS processing of election mail. It should determine how many ballots were late to election offices through no fault of the voter. States should also adjust deadlines For the next election, deadlines need to be updated to reflect the realities of mail balloting and provide even more options for returning ballots, including more ballot drop boxes and in-person drop-off locations. These measures would not only improve the administration of mail-in voting, they would counter the misinformation and disinformation surrounding mail-in ballots that weve seen throughout the 2020 cycle.
Andhra chief minister pays tribute to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary

Amaravati, April 14: Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at his camp office here on Friday.

Andhra chief minister pays tribute to BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Audimulapu Suresh, Minister for Transport P Viswaroop, MP N Suresh, MLA K Anil Kumar and Advisor to Government (Social Justice) J Prabhakar Rao were also present.Taking to Twitter the Chief Minister said ''Dr BR Ambedkar is one of the greatest intellectuals the country can be proud of who is versatile and has immense knowledge in legal, social, political, economic, spiritual and other fields. A visionary for the political, democratic, and social systems of the country by laying a strong foundation by drafting the Constitution. His efforts to eliminate the differences and make humanity flourish cannot be forgotten. Walking in the footsteps of that great man, we have taken historic steps in poverty eradication and social justice. Tributes to Ambedkar on his birth anniversary''.At Party Central Office, YSR Congress Party leaders celebrated the event by paying floral tributes to the social reformer. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Audimulapu Suresh said that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is following in the footsteps of Ambedkar, making historic decisions socially, politically, and economically benefiting the downtrodden communities, besides empowering them on all fronts.He also unveiled a book on the life history of Ambedkar written by social worker P Vara Prasad. Social Welfare Minister M Nagarjuna, MLC L Appi Reddy and P Sunitha, and other senior leaders were also present.ANI16 April 2023

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Saudia Airlines cargo flight makes emergency landing at Kolkata Airport after windshield cracks mid-air

Kolkata, April 15: A Saudia Airlines cargo flight on Saturday made an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport after its windshield cracked mid-air, airport officials told ANI.

Saudia Airlines cargo flight makes emergency landing at Kolkata Airport after windshield cracks mid-air

The aircraft landed safely at the Kolkata Airport at 1202 pm.Before the landing, the airport had made all the necessary arrangements.Full emergency was withdrawn after tje flight landed, according to airport officials.Recently, an Abu Dhabi-bound Etihad Airways flight returned to the Bangalore International Airport shortly after take-off due to a technical issue.The airline said that the aircraft did a normal landing at Bangalore airport.The flight inspection was done and later took off to its destination where it landed this morning.Earlier on April 1, a full emergency was declared at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi after a Dubai-bound FedEx aircraft suffered a bird hit soon after take-off, according to airport officials.ANI16 April 2023

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Boeing shares tumble as deliveries of some 737 Max halted

Arlington (Virginia), April 15: Shares of Boeing fell 5.56 per cent to USD 201.71 on Friday after the aircraft maker halted the deliveries for its 737 MAXs as a result of supplier quality problem from Spirit AeroSystems.

Boeing shares tumble as deliveries of some 737 Max halted

Boeing said it has discovered a manufacturing issue with some 737 Max aircraft, although it insisted the problem is not "an immediate safety of flight issue," according to CNN Business.A supplier used a "non-standard manufacturing process" during the installation of two fittings in the rear fuselage, Boeing said in a statement to CNN.The company said Max jets can continue flying while inspections are underway and the Federal Aviation Administration said it "validated" that conclusion. It already subjects new 737 Max aircraft to greater scrutiny than it does other newly manufactured planes prior to delivery following two fatal 737 Max crashes.Boeing declined to say how many 737 Max planes are affected, beyond calling it a "significant number."United Airlines said it doesn't expect "any significant impact on our capacity plans for this summer or the rest of the year." According to CNN Business, Southwest Airlines (LUV) said it would work with Boeing on "any needed inspections or part replacements."Boeing (BA) has reported only two profitable quarters in the nearly four years since the grounding of the 737 Max. After two fatal crashes that killed 346 people, the jet was grounded for 20 months starting in March 2019. Then a year later, the pandemic brought demand for flying and new aircraft to a near halt -- sparking the cancellation of hundreds of jet orders and the pileup of losses for Boeing (BA).ANI16 April 2023

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Peru compliments India for giving voice to Global South in G20

New Delhi, April 15: Peru on Saturday complimented India for giving voice to the South in the G20 and inviting President Dina Boluarte to participate in the Voice of Global South Summit, held earlier this year, according to a Ministry of External Affairs press release.

Peru compliments India for giving voice to Global South in G20

On Saturday, the 2nd India-Peru Joint Commission Meeting was co-chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) and Ignacio Higueras, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, in New Delhi.Both sides reviewed their traditionally friendly relations and discussed ways to take forward cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investments, health and pharma, traditional medicines, mines and minerals, energy and renewables, science and technology, agriculture, defence, space, capacity building, education, culture and people to people exchanges, added the release.They also discussed regional and multilateral issues of current relevance and took note of cooperation between the two countries in multilateral forums and international organizations.Both sides agreed to exchange visits and organize a series of trade, cultural, educational, and other bilateral events as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, read the release.Notably, Peru has been in peril and gripped by protests and political intrigue since the ouster of its former president, Pedro Castillo on December 7.Peru's security forces imposed a 30-day state of emergency on December 14, banning demonstrations, curtailing freedom of movement and allowing police to search homes without a warrant.Dina Boluarte, who served as Castillo's vice-president, was sworn into office on Dec. 7, the same day Castillo was ousted.She is the country's first female president and was not a high-profile politician before gaining power.She's supported a plan to push up the 2024 elections for president and Congress initially scheduled for 2026. She's also supported judicial investigations into whether security forces acted with excessive force.ANI16 April 2023

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Mountain girl Kangana Ranaut extends warm greetings on Himachal Diwas

Mumbai, April 15: On Himachal Diwas, actress Kangana Ranaut, who hails from Manali, extended warm wishes to everyone.

'Mountain girl' Kangana Ranaut extends warm greetings on Himachal Diwas

Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "Of all the names that people gave me, Mountain girl is my most favourite. Happy Himachal day to everyone."She also dropped a beautiful video in which she is seen spending memorable moments amdist snow-capped mountains.One of the clips shows Kangana playing in the snow. She also gave a glimpse of Himachali food prepared by her mother.Meanwhile, on the work front, Kangana will be seen headlining 'Chandramukhi 2'. Helmed by P Vasu, 'Chandramukhi 2' is the sequel to the blockbuster hit Tamil horror comedy film 'Chandramukhi' which starred Rajinikanth and Jyothika in the lead roles.In 'Chandramukhi 2' Kangana will portray the role of a dancer in the king's court, who was known for her beauty and dance skills.Kangana will also be seen in the upcoming period drama film 'Emergency' which also marks her first solo directorial film.'Emergency' revolves around the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and features Kangana in the titular role of the late politician.Apart from Kangana, the film stars Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhry, Vishak Nair and Shreyas Talpade in prominent roles.She will also be seen in 'Tejas' in which she will be seen portraying the role of an Indian airforce pilot. The official release date of the film is still awaited.In the upcoming months, audience will also see Kangana in 'Manikarnika Returns The Legend of Didda', and 'The Incarnation Sita' in her kitty.ANI16 April 2023

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Study reveals link between cartilage development and human height

Cambridge (Massachusetts), April 14: Our growth plates, the cartilage located close to the ends of our bones that hardens as a child develops, are what determine our destiny in terms of height.

Study reveals link between cartilage development and human height

Research published in the journal Cell Genomics demonstrates how the length, shape, and potential height of our bones are determined by cells in these plates. The research indicated that genetic variations impacting cartilage cell development may have a significant impact on adult height."The study is really understanding the genetics of skeleton," says senior author Nora Renthal (@noradrenal) of Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University. As a pediatric endocrinologist who cares for children with skeletal diseases, she is interested in understanding how bones grow. "Height is a good starting point to understand the relationship between genes, growth plates, and skeletal growth because we can measure the height of every human being."To pinpoint height-associated genes, the team screened 600 million mouse cartilage cells to identify genes that, when deleted, can alter cell growth and maturation. These types of cellular changes in the growth plate are known to lead to variations in human height. The search turned up 145 genes mostly linked to skeletal disorders and are crucial for growth plate maturation and bone formation.The team then compared the discovered genes with data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human height. GWAS allows researchers to survey the entire human genome to identify hotspots where "height genes" are located in our DNA. But these regions can contain multiple genes, making it hard for researchers to track down and study an individual target."That's kind of like looking for your friend's house, but you only know the zip code," says Renthal. "It's difficult."The comparison revealed that genes affecting cartilage cells overlap with hotspots from human height GWAS, precisely locating genes in our DNA that likely play a role in determining our stature. Renthal and her team also discovered that many of the GWAS suggested height genes led to early maturation in cartilage cells. These findings suggest that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may influence height more.Renthal notes that studies in mouse cells may not fully translate to humans, and GWAS are observational studies that cannot fully illustrate the cause and effects of height. But her study provides a novel method to bridge the two methods and provide new insights into human genetics.Next, the team plans to use the method to understand hormones' effect on cartilage cells. They will also look into some of the 145 genes that have no known connection to skeletal growth. The investigation may reveal new genes and pathways that play a role in the bones."I see patients with skeletal dysplasia, where there isn't any treatment because genetics made their bones grow this way," said Renthal. "It's my hope that the more we can understand about the biology of the growth plate, the more we would be able to intervene at earlier times in growing skeletons and the life of a kid."ANI16 April 2023

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MP BJP sees in Ladli Behna Yojna its saviour against anti-incumbency

Bhopal, April 16: It has been over a month since Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Ladli Behna Yojna' to target the crucial 48 per cent women's vote in the year-end assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. Calling it a step towards the 'economic empowerment' of poor women, the ruling BJP is leaving no stone unturned to use it to neutralise the high anti-incumbency of nearly 20 years of its rule.

MP BJP sees in 'Ladli Behna Yojna' its saviour against anti-incumbency

Whether this scheme to provide Rs 1000 per month to women aged 23 to 60 years (with certain conditions) be enough to convince the voters amid the continuing price rise of daily essentials like cooking gas, milk and foodgrains, apart from the issue of unemployment and growing corruption in the governance remains to be seen. However, the Madhya Pradesh BJP unit will undoubtedly be banking on the scheme launched just eight months before the assembly elections.The Chief Minister does not forget to mention the 'Ladli Behna Yojna', claiming that his government has brought an extraordinary scheme that will "change the life of not only women but the entire family living under the poverty line."The BJP will not need to hire any brand ambassador to advertise this scheme when it has the longest serving chief minister in Chouhan, who has already established himself as 'Mama' (maternal uncle) through a similar scheme -- the 'Ladli Laxmi Yojna' -- during his previous tenure. That scheme was later copied in some other states as well.Chouhan, who is also called 'pau pau wale bhaiya' (leader who walks to the people), would use all his skill while addressing a gathering of women. For instance, while addressing a large gathering of women on the occasion of his 64rth birthday on March 5, he got down on his knees on the stage decorated with a red carpet and flowers and appealed to them to give their blessing to their "brother" (him).At a time when the state BJP seems to be cornered from all sides by the opposition, and all eyes are on Chouhan, hailed as the unopposed leader of the Madhya Pradesh BJP for over 15 years, he is once again trying to win the assembly elections by establishing himself as the 'brother' of women.In another attempt to establish himself as a 'brother', while addressing a large gathering of women, Chouhan would start singing his own version of the famous Bollywood song "Phulon ka taron ka sabka kehna hai, lakhhon hazaron mein yeh meri behna hai."Beside all these tactics, he also narrates stories and creates imaginary scenes of economic empowerment through the 'Ladli Behna Yojna'.For instance, he will often reiterate while addressing a gathering of women, "One poor woman would get Rs 1000 per month, it means, she would get Ra 12,000 in one year. And if there are two women in the family, then the amount would be Rs 24,000 per annum. Further, if there is a sasu maa (mother-in-law) in the family, she would also get Rs 10,000 per year under the old age pension scheme.""More to it, if the family is eligible to get Rs 10,000 under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana, then the total amount rises to Rs 44,000 in one year. That is why I say that the 'Ladli Behna Yojna' is a life changing scheme for women and I feel proud of making it happen."A couple of days ago Chouhan said "I was feeling restless and I could not sleep the whole night. At 4 a.m., I decided to launch a big scheme for women to make them economically empowered and then this 'Ladli Behna Yojna' came into my mind."Due to his changing statements every day about the scheme, the opposition accuses him of doing "drama".But what actually made him launch this scheme just eight months before the assembly elections? There are different views on it in the political gallery.Some political analysts are of the view that this scheme was planned following a meeting held in the Ratapani forest sanctuary on October 1. The meeting was presided over by BJP national general secretary (organization) B.L. Santosh.In that secret meeting, Santosh had opened a bundle of wrongdoings by the state administration and had raised concerns while speaking about how these activities can and have impacted the party's electoral performance in the past, notably in the recently (few months back) held civic elections where the party lost mayor posts in crucial cities including Gwalior, Morena, Rewa and Singrauli.And also the 2018 polls in which the BJP lost and then had to go for extra-electoral measures to oust the Congress' Kamal Nath from power.Sources told IANS that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had held a meeting in Indore on April 7 to review the situation in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. Sources also claimed that only state BJP president V. D. Sharma was called to attend the meeting, not even CM Chouhan.At the end, will this scheme be a game changer for the BJP or not, will be known only after the polls are over at the end of this year. However, Chouhan is making all-out efforts to gain a 51 per cent vote share, a target set by the central BJP leadership.IANS16 April 2023

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Looking back with amusement

A few of the chiefs of Intelligence in India and abroad have written about their work in the agency they once headed - possibly to make up for the anonymity they had to face on the professional front and tell the world how important their role had been in helping the governance of the country right at the top.

Looking back with amusement

Publishing a book, no doubt is not everybody's cup of tea - writing on Intelligence always received media attention which is a sign that enlightened citizens wanted to know about matters relating to national security.To decide what part of operational work that one was privy to, should be kept from the public domain is a judgement call for the writer and it is presumed that at the level of a former chief, it would be taken on a note of professional wisdom.A ring-side view of how the government worked during a period has significance in terms of presenting a 'historical' perspective about it but the caveat here would be to filter out such events and decision-making processes that could 'predict' in the present the nation's future line of action on a strategic matter.It is known that Intelligence might provide decisive inputs for the government to take a stand on crucial matters but it did not 'dictate' policy.In the time of late P. V. Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister, a plenary meeting was once called by him on Kashmir at a juncture where cross-border terrorism there had touched a new high. Everyone who mattered was present - from Governor to the Army Chief - besides the top bureaucrats and they all favoured a line of immediate action.On being consulted by the Prime Minister, Director Intelligence Bureau (DIB) attending the round table, suggested that 'we should hold on' for the present and the former agreed with that. It so happened that the participants (of the meeting) pressed for a 'decision' whereupon the Prime Minister famously told the gathering that 'not taking a decision was also a decision'.Intelligence agencies keep national security above politics and do not involve themselves with the latter. In an electoral democracy, however, where there has to be a certain transparency of public life, any unforeseen or covert developments that could cause internal destabilisation, would be of concern to the national Intelligence set-up.The success of an Intelligence organisation depends a lot on the professional competence of the officers manning it. Every entrant - high or low in the hierarchy - has to undergo a 'basic' training programme for Intelligence orientation. The leadership of the organisation begins at the 'Desk' and the 'Desk Officer' though only an Assistant Director, is acknowledged as an expert on a subject covered on that desk - for the simple reason that he or she goes through every bit of information made available to the organisation in that sphere.I remember how I once addressed the 'Basic Course' as a desk officer and noticed two very senior officers sitting in front, listening to me with rapt attention and even taking down notes - one of them became my immediate boss and the other went on to become DIB soon enough.In a successful Intelligence organisation, there is no confusion about credit-sharing, operational decision-making is delegated in an environment of effective supervision and the senior is never evasive about giving guidance that his or her junior associate would ask for.Intelligence agencies worked on these basic principles of management with the chief being respected - not feared - because of his sterling leadership.Lesser men would show up occasionally in positions of leadership - they would deny credit to their own officer in a bid to usurp it for themselves. Such seniors are easily exposed within the organisation because an Intelligence agency is opaque for the outsiders but pretty transparent internally and reputations there are marred or made on sure grounds.When I joined IB in May 1964, the Bureau was run from South Block which housed the Prime Minister's Office. In the post-Nehru era, it was shifted to North Block, the seat of the Union Home Minister and the Ministry of Home Affairs.The Intelligence Bureau (IB) handled external Intelligence as well and the IPS officers, selected from amongst those at the top of the list in a batch, were inducted for long-term deputation at the Centre. They were all asked to complete a year of foreign language courses in anticipation of a posting abroad at some point of time.Soon enough, however, Riamp;AW was created in 1968 as a split off from the IB, for exclusive coverage of external Intelligence and put under the Cabinet Secretariat - incidentally, my Spanish still enables me to read novels in that language even as the ability to converse in Spanish had tapered off. There was an organic link between the two agencies for some time but this faded away gradually as the new organisation progressed to handle its special responsibilities.A meaningful exchange of officers between the two agencies should be built into the system for the benefit of the country - more so because there is often a 'cause and effect' relationship between external and internal threats to national security in the Indian context. These are the times for the fullest inter-agency coordination as security is an integral concept - even a closer liaison between Intelligence and agencies investigating economic crimes is desirable now for the simple reason that 'national security is inseparable from economic security' and both sides could benefit from information accessed by Intelligence or unearthed by an investigation.Officers of Intelligence opt for anonymity by choice and know they did not have to depend on the 'glamour of uniform' to feel important about the work they were engaged in for the national cause. They were aware that whatever they did might have been hidden from the public but it was directly in the knowledge of the powers that be and deeply appreciated.It was a traditional practice of Intelligence officers not to talk about their organisation in social gatherings which sometimes made their friends very curious about the nature of the former's work. I recall how in my early years, a family friend - both he and his wife were practising doctors - managed to know that my rank in the government was that of a Director in the ministry and that I had to look into communal riots as part of my job. At a dinner at his house, he introduced me to some other guests saying that I was the 'Director of communal riots' in the central government. Those people might have felt puzzled but they kept quiet.In the Indian context, Intelligence agencies kept track of whatever 'in their judgement' was a potential threat to national security. The political masters in charge of governance could of course task them also without overriding this professional call.For the government, Intelligence agencies were the only instrument for accessing reliable information on matters of national importance. In the 70's during a period of scarcity, field officers of IB furnished information on the price-line of food items in major markets and this was valued as the only source of correct knowledge on which Centre's Civil Supplies Management and Public Distribution System could bank. Intelligence set- up relocated its resources from time to time on a determination of the priorities of the security environment - the prime importance of the impact of International Communism in the Cold War years gave way to the coverage of the new global terror that appeared on the scene with great force in the post-Cold War era.Intelligence does not share with the masters only what they wanted to hear - it told them what all they had to know. It freely reports on both positives as well as the negatives of the public impact of a policy, to facilitate corrective responses.In the present environment, the adversaries have taken to newer methods of running the 'proxy war' against India - using social media for raising terror cells or 'lone wolves' and arranging funds for them, building anti-India narratives with the help of civil society groups and planning covert attacks on cyber systems of the target, figure prominently among them.A major threat to India's internal security is minority separatism instigated by Pakistan as part of its National Security Policy of fomenting communal militancy for generating faith-based terrorism. Even as traditional Hindu-Muslim riots had dwindled, violence in the name of 'Jehad' witnessed in Kashmir and elsewhere is the new source of internal destabilisation here.Equal respect for all religions is the acknowledged element of India's culture that recognised differences in the modes of worship of the 'same God' and thus effectively countered any 'supremacist' approach to religion like what Ulema and the communally-minded elite would adopt to hijack the politics of the minority.In a democratic state, there might be a question as to why should Muslims be led politically only by Muslims and why should Muslims not seek to be among the leaders of Hindus and vice versa. This would happen if religion was kept in the personal domain and not projected into politics.In 1978, the then Prime Minister late Morarji Desai visited Aligarh which had witnessed a huge communal riot, and at the town-hall meeting that had been called to form the joint Peace Committee in a highly tense atmosphere, he suggested that Hindus should elect the Muslim representatives and Muslims should choose the Hindu members. There was a sudden 'drop in the temperature' and restoration of peace was quick thereafter. Political 'separatism' of any minority community is the antithesis of democracy and this has to be countered through a multi-prong approach.Intelligence agencies need an outreach in all newer areas of threat and the wherewithal to achieve the same. There are challenges both in the sphere of human Intelligence and Technology.I became Director IB in mid-1994 when there were no mobile phones and yet the effort was to get to the fastest communication channels, available at the time. These included encrypted messages on Teleprinters using One Time Pad (OTP) which guaranteed an advanced level of security of communication then. Today, securing communications on national security matters is a new challenge and Intelligence agencies have to fully engage themselves with their technology counterparts to deal with the entire range of Cyber Security threats.Since there was a mention of books written by chiefs of Intelligence, it is only fair to point out that I wrote three books on Intelligence after my retirement, which were well received in professional and public circles - without producing a media splash. They did bring out, with illustrations, how Security could fail not because of lack of 'information' but due to failure of 'communication' or - what is more serious - for the failure of 'action'. They dealt with the principles of Intelligence management - that never become inapplicable - as also the traits of successful Intelligence professionals but more importantly they highlighted the fact that in the Age of Information, Intelligence was not only needed for national security but was also vital for success in any sphere including corporate business and even in the personal domain.Applied Intelligence is the trend-setter of our times since it means having the ability to read 'what lies ahead' - and this would indicate both opportunities that could be availed of and the risks that had to be avoided. My satisfaction is that these books are considered textbooks in many universities that had a Department of Security Studies and that in Uttar Pradesh they became a recommended reading for 'improving the English language'. My publisher would have wanted me to write about the 'inner stuff' but possibly sensed that I was the 'hard core' kind believing in the non-disclosure of operational work of Intelligence.In a democratic state, the Charter of Intelligence is pretty well-defined and it is pursued regardless of the political identity of the leadership in power. Its aim primarily is to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the country.A strong sense of nationalism and acceptance of the democratic tradition of keeping national security above politics, facilitate the working of Intelligence agencies. The Narendra Modi regime gets the credit for enabling the Intelligence set-up to perform at its optimal best - in a major sense, this is because an extremely competent National Security Advisor was available at hand, to the Prime Minister.(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views expressed are personal)'IANS16 April 2023

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Balbir Singh Sr, Milkha Singh to figure in Punjab textbooks

Chandigarh, April 16: To motivate and encourage students to excel in field of sports, the life stories of four great players of Punjab will be taught to them, said School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains here on Sunday.

Balbir Singh Sr, Milkha Singh to figure in Punjab textbooks

The four are three-time hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Sr, legendary athlete Milkha Singh, famous as 'Flying Sikh', Asian champion boxer Kaur Singh and India's first Arjuna Awardee and Olympian athlete Gurbachan Singh Randhawa. They have been included in the textbooks of physical education of Class 9 and 10.Bains said in consonance with the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to boost the sports culture in the state and to make Punjab a leader in sports arena, the School Education Department has made the biographies of great sons of soil part of the syllabus."Our great players proved their skills in every field, especially in sports, and these biographies will motivate younger generations to realise their dreams with grit and glory," he added.IANS16 April 2023

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Sudan clashes: Killed Keralites wife appeals for Centre for help

Thiruvananthapuram, April 16: The wife of a Keralite, who was killed during the exchange of firing between paramilitary forces and the Sudanese Army in Khartoum, has appealed to the Indian government to extend help to retrieve the body from the flat where they were living.

Sudan clashes: Killed Keralite's wife appeals for Centre for help

Speaking to reporters over telephone from Khartoum, Saibella on Sunday said that the ambulance that had come to take the body of her husband, Albert Augustine, was not allowed to remove his body as fighting was continuing in that areaSaibella, who was on a holiday to join her husband in Khartoum, said that she was now staying in the basement of the flat building along with the neighbours and her daughter who is in the Class 6, and had not consumed food for the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan said that the government was taking steps to bring the body of Augustine back to India and efforts are on to rescue his family.Augustine, an ex-serviceman, had joined as a private company in Khartoum as a security officer seven months ago and was shot dead on Saturday night when a stray bullet hit during fighting between paramilitary forces and the army in the Sudanese capital.IANS16 April 2023

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News / National

by Staff Reporter

Pressure is mounting on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to crack down on the gold mafia, which is reportedly bleeding the country of millions of dollars in revenue.The gold mafia is a group of individuals and companies that are involved in the illegal mining, smuggling, and sale of gold. They are said to be operating with impunity, with the help of corrupt officials in government and security forces.The gold mafia's activities are having a devastating impact on the country's economy. They are depriving the government of much-needed revenue, and they are also contributing to the country's high unemployment rate.In recent months, there have been a number of high-profile arrests of individuals linked to the gold mafia. However, many believe that these arrests are just the tip of the iceberg, and that the government needs to do more to crack down on the syndicate.In a recent interview, President Mnangagwa vowed to bring the gold mafia to justice. He said that the government would not tolerate the looting of the country's resources.However, many Zimbabweans are skeptical about the government's ability to crack down on the gold mafia. They point to the fact that the syndicate has been operating for years, despite the government's repeated promises to deal with it.Only time will tell whether President Mnangagwa will be able to live up to his promises and bring the gold mafia to justice. However, one thing is for sure: the gold mafia is a major problem that needs to be addressed, and the longer the government waits, the worse the problem will become.
Cong claims its leaders detained ahead of Shahs Goa visit

Panaji, April 16: Goa Congress has claimed that some of its leaders were detained ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the coastal state on Sunday.

Cong claims its leaders detained ahead of Shah's Goa visit

Congress Media Cell Chairman Amarnath Panajikar has claimed that he has been held under house arrest at his sister's place, while party state president Amit Patkar and other leaders were detained by police ahead of Shah's meeting in South Goa's Ponda on Sunday.Speaking to IANS, Panajikar said that he was being followed by police since morning and was "held under house arrest at his sister's place in Old Goa"."After I went to my sister's place in Old Goa, I was not allowed to move out. Police have held me under house arrest," he claimed."Mahila Congress President Beena Naik and other Congress leaders are detained by police in Old Goa and Ponda," Panajikar said.Couple of days ago, Panajijkar had dared Goa BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade, who had said that the party leaders have guts to tell even the Karnataka media that the state government will not compromise on the Mhadei river issue, to show the 'guts' in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah during his meeting on Sunday.In January, during a rally in Karnataka's Belagavi, Amit Shah had said "Today, I am here to tell you that the BJP at the Centre has resolved the long dispute between Goa and Karnataka over Mhadei and allowed the diversion of Mhadei to Karnataka to satisfy the thirst of farmers of many districts.""Pramod Sawant and other leaders of the BJP have now got a good opportunity to clarify this issue, when Amit Shah will speak in a public meeting in Goa on April 16. Forget about speaking in front of the media in Karnataka, let the BJP leaders make a statement in Goa, that too in front of Amit Shah that whatever their central leader said was wrong. Show your guts in Goa itself," Panjikar had said."Goa is eager to see your guts on the day when Amit Shah will address a public meeting in Goa, and also when the BJP leaders of Goa will campaign in Karnataka. If they fail to do so, then the people of the state will call them 'Masters of U-Turn'," Panajikar had said.Former AICC secretary Girish Chodankar told IANS that they are protesting in Ponda, a few kilometers away from the venue of Amit Shah's meeting, demanding that Shah should clarify on Mhadei issue. "Our many leaders are detained by police," he said.IANS16 April 2023

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Nani, Mrunal Thakur starrer Telugu movie to release on this date

Hyderabad, April 15: Telugu superstar Nani and Mrunal Thakur starrer upcoming movie gets a release date. The yet-untitled movie's first poster was unveiled on Saturday. The movie is tentatively titled 'Nani 30'.

Nani, Mrunal Thakur starrer Telugu movie to release on this date

Taking to Instagram, Nani shared the poster of the movie. He captioned the post, "And the wait is over ... 21 st dec it is ! In the poster, Nani is huggling a little girl, who has a worried expression on her face. Mrunal also shared the poster on her social media feed.Being helmed by debutant Shouryuv, the movie is touted to be an emotional family drama. The movie went to floors in January, this year.Speaking about the movie, Mrunal earlier said, "I'm sure elated and excited to be part of this project. It's a really heartwarming story and the team backing the project is immensely talented. I'm looking forward to working with Nani. It's an interesting curve, given I did the remake of Jersey last year, a film Nani originally starred in."Mrunal has recently been seen in 'Gumraah' paired opposite Aditya Roy Kapoor.On the other hand, Nani starrer 'Dasara' was released in the theatres on March 30. Written and directed by Srikanth Odela, 'Dasara' takes audiences through the socio-economic condition, political ambition and power struggle of the Singareni collieries.ANI17 April 2023

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Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Scattered frost possible. Low 32F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.
A University of South Australia nursing lecturer has used her own COVID-19 experience to inform research into a little-known side effect of the virus  sudden deafness.

Kim Gibson, a registered nurse with a clinical background in neonatal intensive care, has documented her experience with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) five weeks after testing positive to COVID-19. She was fully vaccinated.

Her findings and recommendations are published in the latest edition of the British Medical Journal Case Reports.

Gibson developed acute hearing loss in one ear, along with vertigo and tinnitus, several weeks after experiencing a mild COVID-19 infection in 2022.

She was referred to an otolaryngologist who confirmed sensorineural hearing loss, a little-known and poorly understood side effect of COVID-19 that is not listed as a common symptom on most websites or by GPs.

A course of oral prednisolone and betahistine was prescribed, and Gibson's hearing slowly improved over subsequent months, although she continues to experience intermittent tinnitus.

UniSA nursing lecturer Kim Gibson, who developed sudden hearing loss from COVID-19.

"The evidence around the short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and vaccines is still emerging and the aim of this paper is to highlight the lesser-known side effects of the virus," Gibson says. "We believe that clinicians should include sudden hearing loss as a potential side effect of COVID-19 when talking to patients. High-dose corticosteroids are a recommended first line of treatment for SSNHL and it is important that GPs promptly refer patients to specialists as soon as symptoms develop. "Hearing loss and associated symptoms can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life  they did in my case  and are closely related with anxiety and depression."

Gibson said that despite working in health education, she was not aware of COVID-19 causing hearing loss.

"This was a shocking experience for me that had a significant impact on my quality of life for several months as I had never had any problems with hearing before; not even an ear infection. "I was unable to drive a car while experiencing severe vertigo. I needed to reduce my workload, negotiate flexible working hours with my employers and take a leave of absence from study. This was all due to a mild COVID-19 infection. "I was worried that the hearing loss would be permanent and that I would need a hearing aid. I now feel very nervous about a second COVID-19 infection. What if I experience this again, or even worse?"

According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, sudden sensorineural hearing loss  also known as sudden deafness  occurs when you lose your hearing very quickly, typically only in one ear. It can happen instantly or over a span of several days. People can experience mild hearing impairment or total loss of hearing and it may be temporary or permanent.

Previous studies have linked SSNHL with COVID-19, as well as a potential side effect of COVID vaccination, but the evidence is still limited, Gibson says.

"My experience shows that even people who have a minor COVID-19 infection could be at risk of potentially permanent and debilitating long-term effects. High quality, person-centred care is so critical."
News / National

by Staff reporter

A former Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) regional commander Andrew Ndlovu, says he was dumped in Harare with no food and transport following his arrest in Bulawayo over a property dispute.Ndlovu, who is also the Zapu national secretary for security, was taken to the capital after his arrest on April 5.A Harare court refused to entertain the state charges and he was acquitted.Ndlovu spoke to the Sunday Southern Eye where he narrated his ordeal.According to Ndlovu, the detectives who came all the way from the capital, claimed he was on the wanted list."I was shocked by the claim because they never looked for me at my house nor did they call me to report to our local Nkulumane police to answer to any of their flimsy charges," Ndlovu said."They wanted to take me to Harare without any clothes apart from those I was wearing."After I had refused, fellow cops at Nkulumane police station advised them to allow me to go to my house to collect some clothing."They were embarrassed and agreed."Ndlovu said the journey to Harare was not pleasant."We boarded a Gonyeti to Kwekwe and connected with a bus."According to Ndlovu, it was clear when they arrived in Harare that he was facing trumped up charges."It became clear to me that the allegations laid against me were tribal and politically motivated as their intention was to steal my land and my property yet I had all the documentation," he said.Ndlovu appeared in court on April 6 and was released without any charge"The interdict they claimed against me was misplaced and it had nothing to do with me and my housing trust, Magamba eChimurenga Housing Trust, but had something to do with Sankorp Hols Pvt Ltd a company, which I last worked for in 2002 as a project manager," he said.Ndlovu accused police of being used by land barons to persecute him."I would not also rule out that some Zanu-PF politicians are involved as some land barons linked to the ruling party once invaded my property in 2013," he said."After the courts acquitted me, they (police) dumped me in Harare with no food, accommodation and bus fare to return home to Bulawayo. I used my own resources."
Private sector HDFC Bank on Saturday said its board gave approval for raising Rs 50,000 crore from bonds during the current fiscal to fund business growth.

The decision in this regard was taken in the board meeting during the day, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing.

The board of directors of HDFC Bank at its meeting held today, has approved the issuance of Perpetual Debt Instruments (part of Additional Tier I capital), Tier II Capital Bonds and Long-Term Bonds (Financing of Infrastructure and Affordable Housing) up to total amount of Rs 50,000 crores over the period of next twelve months through private placement mode," it said.

This is subject to the approval of the shareholders of the bank and any other regulatory approvals as may be applicable, it added.

HDFC has already received the required approvals from the Securities and Exchange Board, shareholders of HDFC and HDFC Bank, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and the Competition Commission of India.

This approval will help pave the way for the merger of HDFC into HDFC Bank expected to be finalised by the third quarter of next financial year.

The proposed entity will have a combined asset base of around Rs 18 lakh crore.

Once the deal is effective, HDFC Bank will be 100 per cent owned by public shareholders, and existing shareholders of HDFC will own 41 per cent of the bank. Every HDFC shareholder will get 42 shares of HDFC Bank for every 25 shares they hold.

Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number. It contains the individuals biometric and demographic information, such as fingerprints, iris scans, name, address, gender, and date of birth.

The Aadhaar system is the worlds largest biometric identification system. Aadhaar is used for a variety of purposes, such as accessing government services and benefits, opening bank accounts, and obtaining a mobile phone SIM card.

The Government of India as well as the State Governments fund a number of social welfare schemes and programmes which are focused towards the poor and most vulnerable sections of the society. Aadhaar and its platform offers a unique opportunity to the government to streamline their delivery mechanism under the welfare schemes, thereby ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Also Read: How Many Times Can You Update Address On Aadhaar Card?

Use of Aadhaar as an identity document enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements directly in a convenient and seamless manner by obviating the need to produce multiple documents to prove ones identity.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is responsible for maintaining the Aadhaar database and issuing Aadhaar numbers. UIDAI is a statutory authority established in January 2009, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to manage the Aadhaar project.

What fields can you update in Aadhaar?

You can update Demographic details (Name, Address, DoB, Gender, Mobile Number, and Email id) as well as Biometrics (Fingerprints, Iris & Photograph) in Aadhaar.

How can you update demographic details in Aadhaar?

There are 2 different ways you can get your details updated:- 1 - By visiting the nearest enrolment centre. Search the nearest enrolment centre by clicking on Locate an Enrolment Center on uidai.gov.in website. 2- Online using myAadhaar - online demographics update service.

Will the Aadhaar be delivered after updating mobile number or email id?

Aadhaar letter will not be delivered after updating mobile number or email id. For update of mobile number or email id, a notification will be sent on the given mobile number (and not on email id).

Will your Aadhaar number get changed after updating?

No, your Aadhaar number will always remain the same after the update.

Read all the Latest Business News, Tax News and Stock Market Updates here
In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the conduct of constable (general duty) examination for Central Armed Police Forces in 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English.

The historic decision has been taken at the initiative of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to give impetus to the participation of local youths in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and encourage regional languages, an official statement said.

The CAPFs are the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the National Security Guard (NSG).

In a landmark decision under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (the) Ministry of Home Affairs has approved conducting constable (general duty) examination for CAPFs in 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English, it said.

In addition to Hindi and English, the question paper will be set in 13 regional languages  Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, Manipuri, and Konkani.

The announcement comes days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Shah, calling him to include Tamil as a language for the written exam in the recruitment for CRPF personnel.

In his letter, Stalin said that in the notification for the CRPF recruitment written exam, it was mentioned that the test could be taken in English and Hindi.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the decision will result in lakhs of aspirants taking the examination in their mother tongue or regional language and improve their selection prospects.

The ministry and the Staff Selection Commission will sign an addendum to the existing Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the conduct of the examination in multiple Indian languages, the statement said.

Constable (general duty) is one of the flagship examinations conducted by the commission and attracts lakhs of candidates from across the country.

The examination in 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English, will be conducted from January 1, 2024.

The state governments and Union Territory administrations are expected to launch a wide campaign to encourage local youths to use this opportunity of taking the examination in their mother tongue and participate in large numbers to make a career serving the country, the statement said.

The ministry, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is fully committed to encourage the use and development of regional languages, it said.

Read all the Latest Education News here
Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Birender Singh is in favour of the party contesting the 2024 Haryana Assembly and Lok Sabha polls independently, saying it has a very strong" base in the state and does not need anyones support.

He asserted that the BJP and the Jannayak Janta Party came together in 2019 to form the government in Haryana as neither had the majority on their own and it was not about contesting the elections together.

Because BJP is now a party which is having a very strong base all over the state. It does not need anyone. When there is a need then the alliance is done. Situation (for a tie-up) comes when a person thinks the position is not that strong that they cannot fight polls independently. But that is not the case for our party which has been in power in the state for nine years now," he said.

The 77-year-old veteran leader, whose son Brijendra Singh is the BJP MP from Hisar, said the BJP formed an alliance with the Ajay Singh Chautala-led JJP to give a stable government.

When we did not have a majority, we had to take support. Independents were also giving support, but to be more positive and more stable we sought the support of JJP. To form a government, the need was at that time, but not to contest elections (in alliance)," said Birender Singh, the grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, a prominent peasant leader during the pre-independence era who championed the interest of farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala has said the alliance has worked to make the state progressive for the last three-and-a-half years but what lies in the future, I am not an astrologer to predict that.

Haryana BJP president Om Prakash Dhankar recently asserted the BJP-JJP alliance was on a firm footing and doing well and said any decision on contesting next years parliamentary election jointly will be taken at a later stage.

Currently, all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana are held by BJP members.

In the 2019 assembly polls, the JJP won 10 seats while BJP got 40. Six of the seven Independents also supported the BJP-JJP government.

Replying to a question, Birender Singh said although it was early to predict, BJPs fight in the next years state assembly polls should mainly be with the Congress.

How AAP performs in Punjab may have a slight impact in Haryana," he added.

About next years Lok Sabha polls, Birender Singh said, BJP will form the government, I dont see any problem there".

To another question, he said he will remain politically active, but he will stay away from electoral politics.

When asked on a lighter note if there is any chance of him contesting the assembly polls, Singh quipped, No, No".

Five decades in electoral politics is a long time," he said.

Ahead of the 2014 assembly polls, Birender Singh, who had once earned the sobriquet of tragedy king" of Haryana politics, joined the BJP ending his over four-decade association with the Congress.

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Days ahead of Karnataka Assembly Election, Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he was denied a ticket for the May 10 polls. As per sources, the former BJP veteran may join Congress, as the Opposition has extended him an invitation to join the party.

Shettar, a six-time MLA, was aspiring for a BJP ticket to contest the May 10 assembly election from Hubballi-Dharwad central constituency, but the party declined. His decision came after the BJPs central leadership made it clear that he would not be accommodated this time.

He submitted his resignation to the Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district.

The last-ditch efforts of senior party leaders, including BJPs election in-charge for Karnataka Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday to persuade the Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA to change his mind paid no fruits as he quit as a legislator today.

Shettar, a former State BJP President and a six-time MLA had on Saturday said he would resign as an MLA and also part ways with the saffron party after a three-decade long association.

However, the 67-year-old leader said he would contest the poll for sure. I have decided to resign from the legislative assembly," a visibly upset Shettar told reporters on Saturday.

With a heavy heart I will resign from the party. I am the one who has built and raised this party. They (some party leaders) created a situation for me to resign from the party," Shettar said.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan failed. The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJPs decision of not fielding him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

The Lingayat leader also alleged that there was a systematic conspiracy against him and added that he was never an indurate person but the party forced him to become one.

According to Shettar, the partys high command had asked him not to contest the assembly election to make way for young people. However, he said he will contest the election come what may.

Yediyurappa Slams Shettar for Decision to Quit BJP

Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa on Sunday strongly criticised former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar for his decision to quit the party after being denied ticket to contest the May 10 Assembly elections, saying the people would not pardon him.

Noting that Shettar had served as the partys state unit President, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Chief Minister, Yediyurappa asked, What injustice have we done to Shettar?" He said the people of his region would not pardon him.

The partys central leadership has suggested him to name a family member for the ticket, and also offered him to make a Rajya Sabha member and a Union Minister, he said.

Yediyurappa said the party had not asked him to retire from politics.

Why are you going to Congress? Did we say that we are not giving you power?", Yediyurappa, a former Chief Minister asked. What injustice have we done to him? He has already decided to go to Congress. Let him go." He said no power can stop the BJP from coming back to power in Karnataka. We will come back to power with a clear majority". In a jolt to the ruling BJP ahead of the elections, Shettar tendered his resignation as MLA today.

Big Blow To BJP

This is the second major blow to the BJP. Just a day ago, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi resigned from the party and joined the Congress.

Savadi who was aspiring to contest from Athani constituency was upset over BJP giving ticket to Mahesh Kumathalli, who was previously with Congress but defected along with 17 others in favour of the BJP to bring down the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2019.

(With PTI Inputs)

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After postponing the trip thrice, Congress leader and disqualified MP Rahul Gandhi visited Kolar today and attended the Jai Bharat event at the very same place he made the Modi surname remark that led to him losing his membership from Lok Sabha.

Rahul Gandhi will land in Bengaluru and later headed towards Kolar which is about 90 km from the I-T city where he addressed a public rally.

A huge stage with German pandals at Tamaka Industrial area in Kolar had been set up for Rahul Gandhis visit. Huge cutouts of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi along with the Congress CM candidate faces Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were put up at the entry of the venue.

A day before the arrival of Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leaders DK Shivakumar, KH Muniyappa and others arrived at Kolar to inspect the preparations for the Jai Bharat event. Congress is expecting about 1 to 1.5 lakh people to attend Rahul Gandhis event in Kolar.

Speaking about the Jai Bharat rally, KPCC chief DK Shivakumar called it an opportunity for people irrespective of caste and party to lend their support to Rahul Gandhi.

ALSO READ: Homework | Ahead of Kolar Rally, Why Rahul Gandhi Vs PM Modi Fight in Karnataka Hurts the Congress

We should save India, with this perspective Rahul Gandhi is coming here. He will be sharing his words with people from the very same land where his remarks led to his jail sentence and his disqualification. Our party workers are ready for this event. Theres an opportunity for people, irrespective of caste and party, to support him. The martyrdom, sacrifice and struggle of Congress leaders is itself a strength for the country, said the KPCC Chief.

Rahul Gandhi addressed the rally at noon in Kolar. The leader was scheduled to head to Bengaluru where to have a interaction with the sanitation workers and street vendors at JP Nagar. The former AICC chief was also slated to inaugurate the new Indira Gandhi Bhavan.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi Gets 2 Years in Jail for 2019 Defamation Case Over Modi Surname Remarks; Granted Bail

Indira Gandhi Bhavan, which is being built behind the existing Congress office, comprises an office and an auditorium with a seating capacity for 750 members.

Tight security arrangements were put in place with over 1,000 police personnel deployed for the event which will be overlooked by three SPs, four Additional SPs, and seven Deputy SPs.

The rally was supposed to take place on April 5 just days after Gandhi was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha. It has since then been postponed thrice. KPCC chief DK Shivakumar clarified that they postponed the rally to ensure that almost all candidates are finalised for upcoming assembly polls before Rahul Gandhis visit.

Rahul Gandhi was on March 23 sentenced to two years in jail by a court in Gujarats Surat in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his why all thieves have the Modi surname" remark.

A day later, he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction in the case. The Gandhi scion had made those remarks at Kolar in April 2019 during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.

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Karnataka Elections 2023 LIVE Updates: The Congress on Tuesday evening released its fourth list of candidates for seven more seats and gave a ticket to former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar to contest from the Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai confirmed that Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep will accompany him on Wednesday for filing nomination papers. He added that the Congress has ignored and cheated voters of the Lingayat community, a politically dominant group in the southern state.

The Lingayat voters in Karnataka are vigilant and they have always taken the right decision when required. The Congress has shown special love for them after the Assembly elections were announced. It was the same party that tried to divide the Lingayats and Veerashaivas. The people have not forgotten the divide-and-rule policy of the Congress party, Bommai was quoted as saying by the news agency IANS.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister N Nagaraju (MTB), considered to be one of the richest politicians in the country, has declared total assets worth Rs 1,609 crore while filing the nomination. He filed the papers as the ruling BJPs candidate from the Hoskote Assembly segment, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

On Monday, the BJP announced its candidates for 10 more constituencies. However, with only three days left before the deadline for filing nominations for the May 10 assembly elections, the candidates for Shivamogga and Manvi constituencies are yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday reacted to Nandini versus Amul battle in Karnataka and stressed that there is no need to boycott Amul in the southern state.

After a dramatic exit from BJP ahead of Karnataka assembly elections, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday joined Congress at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru. He talked about why he quit BJP. I agree that BJP had given me a good position and respect and in return even I have worked for the party. In the Hubli central constituency I have won 6 times with 25,000 votes margin, but I was hurt when they denied me ticket. Im hurt with the fact that they behaved with a senior leader in this manner, he said.

The joining comes a day after he met top brass from the grand old party, including state Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka state assembly Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, an ANI report said.

Besides, Bommai on Sunday claimed BJP national chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised a big post to Shettar. Jagadish Shettar has been a senior and an important leader in this region. JP Nadda and Union Home Minister had promised a big post in Delhi to Shettar. Everything would have been fine if the former CM had continued, an ANI report quoted Bommai as saying.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attended the Jai Bharat event in Karnataka. While addressing the event, Gandhi lashed out at PM Modi on his disqualification and parliament fiasco. He also made several promises to the people of Karnataka. The disqualified Lok Sabha MP announced 200 units of free power to every household, Rs 2000 for every homemaker woman, Anna Baghya 10 kg of rice to every person in the family every month as well as Rs 3000/ month for unemployed graduates.

This is the maiden visit of the Congress leader to the state after his disqualification from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a 2019 defamation case.

Targeting Centre on his disqualification and the Adani issue, Gandhi said, When I asked the PM about Adani ji in Parliament they switched off my microphone. When in parliament I showed Modi jis picture where he can be seen relaxing in Adanis chartered plane, I asked whats their link, I was not allowed to speak.

The polling date for the Karnataka assembly election is May 10 while the result will be out on May 13.

Meanwhile, News18 has learnt that BJP top brass has asked former chief minister BS Yediyurappa to handle the rebels.

(with inputs from PTI)

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The three assailants, who shot dead gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, used highly sophisticated Zigana pistols which are banned in India, as per a report by IANS. Zigana is a semi-automatic pistol produced by Turkish firearm manufacturing company TISAS. The production of the said pistols started in 2001 and is one of the first pistols in Turkey with an original design.

These are illegal and banned in India. The price of these pistols is around Rs 6 to 7 lakh.

But what is the Zigana pistol? News18 explains:

TISAS Trabzon Arms Industry Corp has been producing the Zigana family of pistols in Turkey since 2001, explains a report by Modern Firearms. These handguns are used in small quantities by numerous Turkish security companies as well as some Turkish military units. Unlike most other Turkish handguns, these appear to be of more or less unique design, rather than a replica of one or more existing European pistols.

The Zigana pistols are locked breech, short recoil-operated weapons with a modified Browning-type locking system in which the barrel is attached to the slide through a single big lug that engages the ejection port, the report says. The trigger is a double-action mechanism with an exposed hammer and a slide-mounted safety. These pistols also have an automatic firing pin block.

The original Zigana M16 pistol had a small underbarrel dustcover on the frame and a 126 mm (5") barrel. The Zigana T pistol has a heavier and slightly longer slide, an improved frame with a longer dustcover, and a barrel that has been increased to 130 mm.

Finally, the Zigana K pistol is a smaller variant of the Zigana T, with a shortened slide and a 103 mm barrel. All three models use double stack magazines with a capacity of 15 rounds (regular) or 17 rounds (extended). All Zigana pistols have fixed three-dot sights, the report says.

Imported to India through Pakistan?

Reports have said the pistol is illegally imported to India through Pakistan. Local workshops in Pakistan create and sell Zigana models illegally, as per a Turkish defence daily.

The report says that the weapons are made exactly the same as the original, but sold at a much lower price.

Pakistan has a thriving gun market and gun production sites. According to a report by ThePrint Pakistans Gun Valley, as it has been called, is a small and impoverished town with an estimated population of 80,000 people. It is home to around 2,000 weapon businesses, and the report says there are claims that more than half of the population is occupied in the manufacturing of weapons.

The products in Darra Adam Khel are of the highest quality and are practically impossible to differentiate from the originals. Everything is offered here at below-market costs ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000, including automatics and semiautomatics, 9mm and Beretta, and even anti-aircraft guns, the report says.

As per the report Pakistan exports shotguns and small arms to Austria and Lebanon, and its import bill of weapons is close to $20 million from China, the US and Turkey.

In 2021, Punjab Police had seized 48 foreign-made pistols and arrested an arms smuggler allegedly having links with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits and pro-Khalistani elements based in the US, the UK and Canada, according to an Indian Express report. The arms and ammunition recovered included 19 Turkey-made Zigana 9mm pistols.

Why is Zigana Preferred?

Its cheap and reliable, as per reports.

A review on the model Zigana PX-9 posted by the Truth About Guns says, For the price the PX-9 is a very capable defensive firearm and a good, affordable choice in a home defense pistol. It handles quickly, is reliable and features a tritium front sight as well as an accessory rail. In times when good guns are increasingly expensive or cant be found at any price, the Tisas PX 9 is a very good buy."

With inputs from IANS

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Australia is preparing to launch its first clinical trial involving faecal transplantation to treat blood cancer patients who have experienced major problems following bone marrow transplantation, reports say.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs when immune cells in a donors bone marrow (the graft) attack the organs and tissues of the recipient (the host). GVHD is especially dangerous for those who have had a bone marrow transplant to treat cancer, according to a report by New Atlas.

A bone marrow transplant can be a double-edged sword. It saves the lives of people with aggressive blood cancers but then can take their lives by causing GVHD, which is heartbreaking, Dr Andrea Henden, a clinician-scientist at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and doctor at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital told the publication.

Traditional therapies do not work for patients who develop GVHD in their gut, the report explains. This is where faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) comes in sometimes known colloquially as poop transplant," which is intended to restore gut health.

But how does a poop transplant work?

A faecal transplant from a healthy donor stimulates the recipients body to produce beneficial bacteria, which can treat some illnesses and lessen the severity of certain gut health issues.

Millions of bacteria live in the gut in a delicate balance. When these bacteria grow out of balance, a person may experience diarrhoea and other digestive issues, as per a report by Medical News Today.

In rare circumstances, medicines used to treat gastrointestinal illnesses can kill beneficial bacteria. For example, approximately 20% of people who take antibiotics for Clostridium difficile, a common bacterial stomach infection that causes diarrhoea, relapse. This recurrence could be related to drugs altering the gut microbiota, in which case restoring healthy bacteria by faecal transplant could be beneficial.

How is a fecal transplant done?

In most circumstances, a doctor will use a colonoscope to deliver the donor faeces to the recipient. A colonoscope is a small, flexible tube that they can put into the rectum into the colon, the report says. People are frequently given sedative medicines prior to the treatment so that they do not experience any pain or discomfort.

Instead of utilising a colonoscope, another method involves injecting liquid faeces through an enema.

Faecal transplants date back more than 1,700 years in ancient Chinese medicine, according to the report. Previously, this treatment required ingesting a liquid suspension of another persons faeces  a highly dangerous approach. Faecal transplants are now sterile and safe, and there is a growing corpus of data to back them up.

Important Role of Gut Microbes

Microbes are microscopic organisms that are beneficial to your health and play a crucial role in keeping you healthy, according to a report by Frontiers.

According to the report, we are microbe-free in the womb and begin to accumulate microbiota at birth. Following birth, humans are seeded with microorganisms from their mothers and their surroundings. We get colonised by different types of bacteria throughout our lives, depending on what foods we eat, where we live, how much we exercise, and even whether or not we have a cat or a dog. As a result, our bodies are intricate ecosystems. We provide a home for our microbiota, and they in turn help to keep us safe and healthy.

The majority of our microbiota live in our gut. Bacteria are the most numerous component of the gut microbiota. Gut bacteria aid in the digestion of food, the absorption of vitamins and nutrients, the protection of our bodies from pathogens, and the training of our immune systems to prevent allergies, asthma, and other immune dysfunctions. Gut bacteria can even convey messages to our brains, causing mood and behaviour changes, the report explains.

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One man was fatally injured following a dog attack at Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Sunday morning. A pack of dogs attacked an elderly man roaming in a park on the university campus, and mauled him to death, police said.

After getting the information regarding the incident, police reached the spot and obtained CCTV footage of the area, in which it could be seen that man was attacked by a pack of dogs, who dragged him across the park through his canines before he succumbed to his injuries.

#Aligarh #DogMenanceCCTV footage of the painful death of a person due to dog attack emerged. More than half a dozen #dogs attacked a person in the Aligarh Muslim University campus of Thana Civil Line area of Aligarh, which killed the person on the spot. pic.twitter.com/5XedupSu90  Dr. Sandeep Seth (@sandipseth) April 16, 2023

As per local media reports, the deceased has been identified as 65-year-old Dr Safdar Ali. Police received the information about a body lying in the park around 7:30 am.

The incident happened in the civil lines area of the AMU campus around 6:30 am.

Police took has sent the dead body for postmortem.

The incident comes amid a series of attacks by dogs on residents in UP last year, which prompted the administration to put a ban on three dog breeds as pets in the Ghaziabad district near Noida. The ban on Pitbull, Rottweiler and Dogo Argentino breeds followed several dog bite incidents.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has angrily reacted to claims that it was causing divisions in Matabeleland.Citizens Coalition for Change Bulawayo spokesperson Felix Mafa-Sibanda was quoted during a conversation with one of the foreign media houses last week saying the MRP was divisive.MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo said they were not amused by Mafa-Sibanda's remarks."I am particularly happy that our revolution is not only real, but that it is also a thorn in the flesh of many who, because of greed, are opposed to it," Moyo said."Among those who have openly expressed discomfort about the milestone we have gone is Mafa-Sibanda. We are succeeding and unstoppable."Mafa-Sibanda refused to be drawn to respond to Moyo when contacted for comment."This is not anything to write about," he said in response on Friday."Body politics facilitates public discourse."The MRP is pushing for a separate Matabeleland state.
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Delhi police.

Kejriwal, ahead of his appearance before the CBI on Sunday, alleged that the BJP might have ordered the probe agency to arrest him. He said they are very powerful and can send anyone to jail. Meanwhile, Delhi police have detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers protesting at Kashmiri Gate in support of Kejriwal.

The probe agency arrested Kejriwals former deputy Manish Sisodia on February 26 for alleged corruption in the same case. The Chief Minister has been called by the agency as a witness and is not an accused in the case.

On Saturday, Kejriwal said he will appear before the CBI and asserted that if he was corrupt then no one in the world was honest. The Delhi Chief Minister also said he will sue the CBI and ED officials for alleged perjury and filing false affidavits in courts.

We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts, he tweeted.

AAP Alleges Party Being Targeted For Raising Voice Against Corruption

The AAP has alleged that the party is being targeted for raising its voice against corruption. After Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia was recently jailed and with former home minister Satyendar Jain already behind bars, the AAP is concerned that this questioning could be a prelude to Arvind Kejriwals potential arrest in the near future.

This incident is unprecedented. And this should be discussed in the assembly. We will have views of all MLAs who are representing various constituencies in Delhi and know their perspective about this issue in the upcoming session, AAP national spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said earlier in the day.

AAP Calls Delhi Assembly Session on Monday

The Delhi government has called a special session of the assembly on Monday and it is likely to discuss CBIs notice to Kejriwal. The second part of the Budget Session will commence in the Assembly Hall at 11.00 am on Monday, according to official notification.

CBI Summons to Kejriwal Turns Fresh Rallying Point for Opposition

After Rahul Gandhis disqualification as MP last month, the CBI summons to Delhi Chief Minister has became the fresh rallying point for opposition parties ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Several opposition leaders expressed solidarity with Kejriwal after he was summoned by the CBI.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also dialled Kejriwal on Friday evening, extending his solidarity with the AAP leader and called for like-minded parties to unite on a common platform to defeat the BJP in the next general elections.

Sources said the opposition leaders are going to take this issue forward in a bid to unite strongly against the BJP.

Kharge, who has been reaching out to leaders of opposition parties, will be hosting a meeting of senior leaders of various parties in the next few days and chalk out a common programme.

A day after summons was issued to Kejriwal, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his Delhi counterpart will reply to all the actions initiated against him at an appropriate time.

This is the reason that we are making efforts to unite more and more parties in the country against the BJP-led central government. We will make all efforts and work unitedly, he said.

The Bihar chief minister met Kejriwal in Delhi on Wednesday.

Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal also hit out at the BJP over the CBI summoning Kejriwal, alleging that the ruling party wants to establish an Opposition-free India and is seeking to malign the image of leaders who stand up against it.

Sibal urged all Opposition parties to speak up in one voice against this misuse of probe agencies and asserted that it will be difficult to take on the BJP until all such parties stand together.

Kejriwal also wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart M K Stalin, saying democracy in India is being dealt blows every single day and the countrys federal structure is in grave danger.

Responding to a letter from Stalin, Kejriwal also noted that every tenet of the Indias Constitution stands compromised, be it liberty, equality, secularism, or fraternity.

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Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi is investigating the case. Internet services have been restored in parts of Prayagraj.

The post-mortem examination of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed has been completed by a panel of four doctors at SRN Hospital in Prayagraj.

The brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists, even as media personnel and police were present. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led UP government has ordered a high-level probe into the killings. The chief minister has constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf, Special DG, of Law and Order, Prashant Kumar told PTI.

The probe was ordered at a high-level meeting in Lucknow, called by CM Yogi right after the incident on Saturday night. The three assailants were arrested from the spot and a detailed probe is on in the matter.

Besides, the postmortem of Atiq and brother Ashrafs dead bodies took place on Sunday amid tight security. A panel of five doctors conducted the postmortem and the burial will likely take place at the Kasari Masari cemetery by late evening.

Briefing reporters in Prayagraj, Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma said that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

As per mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for medical examination. According to preliminary information, three persons posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned,  Sharma said.

In the incident, Constable Man Singh suffered an injury to his arm and a journalist was hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting, the officer said.

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The security across Uttar Pradesh has been tightened in wake of the sensational killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj. Police are on high alert and Section 144 has been imposed across the state.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath cancelled all his official engagements on Sunday to personally monitor the situation. Senior police officials led by director general of police RK Vishwakarma briefed the chief minister about the situation in the aftermath of the killings.

As a security measure, the entry of mediapersons has been banned at 5 Kalidas Marg that houses the CMs official residence. Houses of several ministers are also in this vicinity. Security at the residences of both deputy CMs, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, has been increased.

According to sources, the authorities are planning to restrict the direct entry of mediapersons at ministers residences. The decision is a fallout of the Prayagraj incident, where the three assailants were disguised as electronic media reporters carrying a video camera as well as a microphone.

In religious destinations across the state  especially Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura  police have been asked to be more vigilant. In the temple town of Ayodhya, cops have been deployed at all prominent locations. Priests of all prominent temples have been advised to keep an eye on new visitors as a precautionary measure.

The Ram Janmabhoomi site already has three-tier security apparatus with CRPF and local police deployed inside and outside the temple premises. In Varanasi, police are keeping extra vigil at marketplaces, especially in congested areas like Godowlia.

According to Varanasi additional police commissioner S Chinappa, police deployed at the Kashi Vishwanath dham have been given specific instructions related to security at the temple premises and checking on visitors. Barricades are up at several locations across the city and vehicles are being checked as a precautionary measure, said the police in Varanasi.

In Mathura, security has been beefed up in the vicinity of Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Masjid. Police have been deployed at prominent locations across the city.

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Mystery continues to shroud the killings of four soldiers at the Bathinda military station, even as police questioned four army personnel on Sunday after they issued a notice to at least a dozen of them to appear before them.

On April 12, four jawans of the 80 Medium Regiment were killed as two unidentified assailants fired at them with a stolen rifle. The Indian Army and police ruled out the terror angle in the case but even after four days, they have not been able to identify the accused. A head count at the station after the incident had established that no one was missing from the military station, indicating the involvement of outsiders.

The police have claimed that the army authorities have not been forthcoming with clear details of the incident, following which the notices were issued to 12 jawans from the military station to appear for questioning. Later, only four turned up before the police.

Bathinda senior superintendent of police Gulneet Singh Khurana said the role and statements of some jawans in the case seemed suspicious, due to which they were summoned for questioning. He added that police and army were looking into different aspects of the incident.

It seems, as of now, very improbable that unknown intruders may have entered. CCTV footage, so far, from outside indicates no suspicious entry of outsiders. But we are investigating the case from every angle, a police officer said.

Though the army, too, is carrying out a separate probe into the incident, it has not shared with police any concrete information on the accused or what actually transpired on that day except the FIR filed in the case.

We need to thoroughly examine the role of some army personnel, which could give us clarity on what actually happened, an officer said. The joint search operation by the police and army has not yielded much in terms of tracking down the perpetrators. Sources said the statement of some of the jawans seemed to be vague and doubtful.

They had indicated that the attackers were wearing white kurta-pyjama and one was carrying an axe and the other one a rifle. But there were bullet marks on all four bodies and not a single blow from an axe, a local police officer said.

The jawans were killed in their sleep in the firing, which took place in their barracks early on April 12. The next day, the army reported the death of another soldier who succumbed to a gunshot wound at the same base but said it was not linked to the initial case. Officials suggested it could be a case of suicide or accidental firing.

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Gangster-political Atiq Ahmed murder accused Lavlesh has 406 cases, Arun Maurya alias Kalia has a murder case against him and Sunny allegedly has Sunder Bhati gang links, according to the latest reports on Sunday. Atiq and his brother were shot dead by the three assailants who were posing as journalists at point-blank range as they were being escorted by the police into a Prayagraj hospital Saturday night for a medical check-up.

Police officers who were escorting the Ahmad brothers during the time of the incident, arrested Lavlesh Tiwari (22) from Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) from Hamirpur, and Arun Maurya (18) from Kasganj after they opened fire. Tiwari sustained injuries in a cross-fire, which also resulted in a police officer being hurt, according to news agency PTI.

So who are the assailants and what do we know about them?

Lavlesh Tiwari

Lavlesh has 406 cases of hooliganism and brawl registered against him. Loveleshs father works as a driver, and their family resides in a rented house, sources told News18.

Lavlesh Tiwari comes from a family that is very different from him, the report said. A neighbour was cited as saying that the Tiwari family is simple and two of Lavleshs brothers are priests, while the other is still a student. However, Lavlesh has been involved in criminal activities and has been to jail multiple times, including in a case of eve-teasing, it read.

The neighbour further claimed that Lavlesh had aspirations of making a big name for himself in the world of crime.

After the incident, Lavleshs mother was seen crying as she spoke to the news agency ANI, and said, Pata nahi uske naseeb mein kya likha tha (Dont know what was written in his destiny). He was deeply religious and would visit temples regularly for darshans. We have not talked to him since he left the house. His phone was also switched off."

Lavleshs father, Yagya Tiwari, has stated that he is not aware of his sons actions in connection with the shooting of the gangsters. Yagya claimed that he and his family saw the incident on television and had no involvement in the matter.

According to Yagya, Lavlesh had not been living with the family and was not involved in their family affairs. Yagya also stated that he had not been in contact with Lovelesh for several years. He further revealed that Lovelesh had been jailed previously in a separate case, which is already registered against him.

He doesnt work. He was a drug addict. We have four children. We have nothing to say about this," he added.

According to an official statement released by Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar, Tiwari faces multiple charges including selling of illicit liquor and allegations of manhandling and harassing women at the City and Beberu police stations in Banda. He has also been charged under the Information Technology Act.

Mohit alias Sunny

Sunny is suspected of having connections with a major gang and was released from jail six months ago. He had left home 12 years ago and was known to have worked for the notorious Sunder Bhati gang.

A neighbour from Kurara, the native place of Mohit, also known as Sunny, told PTI that he had not been living in the area for the past decade. According to the neighbour, Sunny was a regular young man, but his mentality changed after getting involved in a brawl that resulted in him going to jail.

After a few incidents, Mohit left Kurara and was in Hamirpur jail for approximately one year. The neighbor further stated that Mohit had entered the world of crime and had not returned to Kurara since.

According to Pintu Singh, the brother of the alleged shooter Sunny Singh, Sunny had no job and used to wander around." Pintu stated that they lived separately and he had no knowledge of how Sunny became involved in criminal activities.

Pintu further claimed that he and his family had no idea about the shooting incident and were not in contact with Sunny.

The Uttar Pradesh police on Sunday said as per the current information available, Sunny is a seasoned criminal and is classified as a history-sheeter". He has a total of 14 criminal cases pending against him in Hamirpur, which include charges related to murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and attempted murder.

Arun Maurya

Arun Maurya, also known as Kalia, has been named in more than three criminal cases, including a murder case of a GRP constable in 2014-15 and had served time in jail for his involvement in the murder case, as per reports.

When contacted by the news agency after the shooting incident, Mauryas neighbours from Kasganj expressed shock. It is learned that the alleged shooters parents are no longer alive. According to the neighbours, two of Mauryas brothers are engaged in the scrap business in Delhi.

Furthermore, the neighbours claimed that no one in the village knew about Mauryas whereabouts or his activities. He appeared to have left the village around a decade ago, and his current location was unknown to them.

The UP police said the criminal background of Maurya is currently being investigated.

Assailants Wanted to Make a Name for Themselves with Atiq Ahmeds Murder

The police have charged the three men for murder, attempted murder, and violation of the Arms Act. During the investigation, at least two firearms were recovered from the site of the shooting.

According to the FIR, the accused told the police that they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity in the state by eliminating Atiq Ahmads gang. However, they were unable to flee the scene due to the swift police action.

One of the accused reportedly admitted to the police that they had been planning to murder Atiq and Ashraf since they learned of their police custody. Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan," the accused told police.

The three assailants had joined the group of reporters trying to get sound bites from the two gangsters before suddenly pulling out their weapons.

The pistol used to kill Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf was a Zigana pistol made in Turkey, as per reports. This type of pistol is believed to be illegally imported into India through Pakistan.

During the shooting incident, Constable Man Singh sustained an injury to his arm, and a journalist was also hurt after falling during the commotion that ensued following the shooting. These details were reported by PTI on Saturday.

On Sunday, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to prevent any untoward incident. Internet services have been restored in some parts of the Prayagraj district after they were curtailed last night as part of the security measures.

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The Mumbai crime branch has arrested a person for manufacturing counterfeit products of American brand Levis of Levi Strauss & Co, California and has seized goods worth Rs 16 lakh, reports said on Sunday.

Officials conducted raids at the warehouse belonging to Smita Enterprises and recovered items including 300 T-shirts and machinery, a Times Now report said. The raid was carried out after observing the firm for several days.

Officials discovered that a warehouse was producing and selling substandard products under the well-known American brand in the citys open markets, shops, malls, and other outlets, in an attempt to deceive customers.

During the raid, the owner of Netrika Enterprises, who was also present, filed a complaint after inspecting the goods and confirming that they were counterfeit.

The accused owner of Smita Enterprises has confessed to the crime, it said. According to a Mid-day report, the 35-year-old accused has been arrested and booked under sections 420, 51, and 63 of the Copyright Trademark Act.

According to the report, the police are investigating the possibility of the accused being part of a larger network.

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With the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on Saturday, Prayagrajs almost-50-year-long gangster era has come to an end, according to former policemen and political observers.

Posing as journalists, three men  Lovlesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya  allegedly shot dead the duo at point-blank range while they were speaking to reporters after their medical test.

ALSO READ | Atiq Ahmed Death News LIVE HERE

No more gangs and gang wars! The killing of Ahmed has brought the gangster era in Prayagraj, the erstwhile Allahabad, to an end, said Brij Lal, a 1977 batch Indian Police Services (IPS) officer, who has served as a former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh and started his career from Prayagraj.

Lal has closely seen the rise and fall of gangster-turned-politician Ahmed. It was no less than a Bollywood movie. But Ahmeds conviction broke the myth that mafias always manage to escape from the clutches of law, said Lal.

FIRST MURDER IN 1979

Born in Shravasti, Ahmed stepped into the world of crime with his first murder in 1979. His name first appeared in the police records of Khuldabad police station of Prayagraj. Soon, Ahmed was at loggerheads with then dreaded gangster Shauq-e-Ilahi aka Chand Baba of the old city area, said a senior police officer. After several shootouts and gang wars, Ilahi was killed in a police encounter in 1989, the former DGP said.

AHMED AND CHAND BABA

Prior to Ahmed, Ilahi was the most dreaded gangster of the late 1970s and early 1980s, said Abhay Awasthi, a social scientist and former Allahabad student union president, who strongly feels that Ilahi was Ahmeds guru.

In 1986, Illahi committed the first murder. He killed a seer, earning the name Chand Baba. From there, there was no looking back in the world of crime, said Awasthi.

ALSO READ | Shauk-e-Ilahi: Most Feared Gangster of 1980s Guru or Friend to Umesh Pal Murder Accused Ateeq Ahmed?

People say that Ahmed first had a good bond with Ilahi. In 1988, Ahmed expressed his willingness to contest the 1989 assembly elections as an independent. Ilahi gave him a go-ahead, but after he was brainwashed by his political godfathers, he filed a nomination from the same constituency, Allahabad West. This brought the two at the loggerheads.

On November 6, 1989, the Chowk area witnessed a gruesome gang war near Raushan Bagh Dhaal, in which Ilahi was killed. The next day, the assembly election result was announced, in which Ahmed won by around 25,909 votes, whereas Ilahi secured only 9,221 votes.

5 TERMS AS AN MLA

With no one to challenge him, Ahmeds muscle power grew with each passing year. His entry into politics further strengthened his hold over the region. In 1989, Ahmed was elected as an MLA from Allahabad West assembly constituency. He won five consecutive terms between 1989 and 2004. In 2004, he won the Phoolpur Lok Sabha seat and served as an MP till 2009.

ALSO READ | Rangbazi, Bambazi as Old as Allahabads Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. Umesh Pal Murder Just a Reminder

When Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal challenged his clout and defeated his brother Khalid Azeem in the elections, Ahmed and his men killed Pal in full public view in Prayagraj. In this period, first information reports (FIR) against him also multiplied in Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Kanpur, and even other states. In around four decades, 101 criminal incidents directly or indirectly involving the former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader surfaced in the state.

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A day after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother were shot dead while being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj, families of shooters Lovelesh and Sunny interacted with the media, terming them both as jobless and drug addicts."

They are two of the three assailants arrested for the sensational killings that took place on Saturday night. Asha, shooter Lovelesh Tiwaris mother was seen crying as she spoke to the news agency ANI, and said, Pata nahi uske naseeb mein kya likha tha (Dont know what was written in his destiny). He was deeply religious and would visit temples regularly for darshans. We have not talked to him since he left the house. His phone was also switched off."

Meanwhile, Loveleshs father Yagya Tiwari said, He is my son. We saw the incident on TV. We are not aware of the actions of Lovelesh nor do we have anything to do with this. He never lived here and neither was he involved in our family affairs. He did not tell us anything. He came here five to six days ago. We have not been on talking terms with him for years. There is already a case registered against him. He was jailed in that case."

#WATCH | Banda, UP: Pata nahi uske naseeb mein kya likha tha" says Asha, mother of accused Lovelesh Tiwari, one of the shooters who killed Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf yesterday in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/QUsuJWzCVe ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2023

He doesnt work. He was a drug addict. We have four children. We have nothing to say about this," Yagya Tiwari added.

Meanwhile, Pintu Singh (brother of shooter Sunny Singh) said, He used to wander around and did no work. We live separately and dont know how he became a criminal. We have no idea about the incident."

Days after Atiq Ahmeds son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradeshs Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

Notably, the pistol used to kill them was a Turkey-made Zigana pistol. It is illegally imported to India through Pakistan, reports said.

In the shooting incident, Constable Man Singh suffered an injury to his arm and a journalist was hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting, a PTI report said on Saturday. Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma said that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

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A three-day Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under Indias G20 presidency will kick-start on Monday in Varanasi and will discuss sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and the planet.

Agriculture research and development, including food security and nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture, public-private partnership etc. will be deliberated in the meeting being organised by the Union agriculture ministry.

The Millets And Other Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI) is also proposed for deliberations as a G20 initiative during Indias presidency, an official statement said.

The MAHARISHI aims at advancing research collaborations and generating awareness about millets and other ancient grains during the International Year of Millets 2023 and after, it said.

The theme of the meeting is Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and the Planet. The inaugural session will be graced by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, and Civil Aviation, General (Retd) V K Singh.

On the second day, the discussion on the MACS Communique will start post-lunch and the same will conclude on the third day.

About 80 foreign delegates from G20 member states, including the USA, China, Russia and European Union, will attend the meeting, the statement said.

Invited guest countries (Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, and Vietnam) and international bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Health Organization, are scheduled to participate.

International Solar Alliance, CDR and Asian Development Bank will also be participating as special invitees in the three-day meeting.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries including the Ministry of External Affairs are also attending the meeting.

The government has made arrangements to give a taste of the unique experience of Indias rich cultural and spiritual heritage to the foreign delegates arriving in Varanasi. The traditional welcome has been arranged at the airport.

The district administration has also made elaborate arrangements for the delegates to facilitate their convenient movement in the city. Adequate arrangements for their security and safety at the meeting venue hotels of their stay have also been made.

The delegates would be taken on a cruise ride to witness the scintillating view of Ganga Aarti on April 17. Thereafter, a welcome dinner and cultural programme is organised at Taj Ganges.

The delegates will be taken to Sarnath on April 18. They will be given a guided tour of the ASI Museum and Buddha Stupa and also witness the light and sound show. Subsequently, the cultural performance and gala dinner for delegates is arranged in the serene surroundings of the Buddha Theme Park.

The delegates will visit Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) on April 19 and have a glimpse of the textile history of the city along with live demonstrations of the local artisans making their products.

A small exhibition of leading institutions of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the State Agriculture Department is organised at TFC. The delegates will be served with freshly-cooked millet dishes at the venue. Thereafter, farewell dinner and cultural performances are organised at the Hotel Taj Ganges.

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A 10-year-old boy has been detained over allegations of raping a three-year-old girl at a school in the Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar district, police said on Sunday.

The boy has been detained by the police, while the girl has been sent for medical examination, news agency PTI reported.

Citing the complaint lodged by the girls family members, police said the girl was taken to the roof of the school and allegedly raped by the boy on Saturday.

The minor boy is a student of Class 1, while the girl is a student of playgroup, police said.

(With PTI inputs)

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Photo: The Canadian Press From left, European Union Deputy Secretary General and Political Director of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, France' Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, at Karuizawa Station for a G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, Japan, Sunday.

Environment and energy ministers from G7 countries wrapped two days of talks in northern Japan on Sunday without acting on Canada's push to set a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants.

In their 36-page communique after the meeting in Sapporo, the ministers restated their commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, and promised to work with other countries to end new coal-fired power projects that don't take steps to mitigate emissions.

Canada's Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told the Japanese public broadcaster last week that he hoped to see "strong language" in the final statement about the phaseout of coal.

The leaders instead reaffirmed they need to achieve a predominantly decarbonized power sector by 2035, which leaves the door open to fossil fuels.

In a statement posted to Twitter Sunday, Guilbeault said he still welcomed the shared commitment between G7 countries to accelerate coal phase-out, but also called for greater urgency.

"For Canada, phasing out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 has never been so urgent," the statement reads.

"Science is clear, countries, in particular G7, must do more and on a faster timeline to address climate change and keep the Paris Agreement temperature goal in reach."

In the 2015 Paris accord, 196 countries, including Canada, agreed to set national targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions en route to preventing the planet from warming up more than two degrees Celsius on average compared with pre-industrial levels.

Guilbeault has advocated for consensus on phasing out coal by 2030, as Canada has promised to do, but G7 environment ministers have struggled to find common ground on the issue as countries like Japan continue to rely on coal-powered electricity.

Japan advocated instead for its own natural strategy that includes the use of what the country calls "clean coal," where the emissions are captured.
News / National

by Staff reporter

DESPITE attracting laughter for promising WiFi instead of jobs and other social amenities for votes, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and his campaign team are now offering free driving lessons.Ncube is eyeing Bulawayo's Cowdray Park parliamentary seat on a Zanu-PF ticket.It is the first time that the former chief economist and vice-president of the African Development Bank is contesting an election.Early this week, his campaign team was in Cowdray Park offering free driving lessons to the jobless youth.Zanu-PF Bulawayo spokesperson Archibold Chiponda said there was nothing sinister about the campaign strategy."The youth league has been running with this programme for a while now," Chiponda said."So Cowdray Park youths also showed interest and appealed that they not be left behind."The minister pledged to give them the necessary support by bringing the lessons closer to them not in town, to help on transport costs."However, residents are not convinced, saying this was a campaign gimmick.A Cowdray Park youth Nontokozo Ndlovu said: "It is clearly a campaign strategy but all that we need are employment opportunities not driving lessons."Another resident Yolanda Sibanda said they needed good roads, water and other social amenities."So what happens when we get drivers' licenses? Under normal circumstances, we could be happy, but this is not a priority for us. We can always find ways of getting the licences but what we want are jobs and better living standards," Sibanda said.But the Zanu-PF Bulawayo spokesperson said the driving lessons were an empowerment tool for the jobless youth."Driving is a skill and with that skill, youths can get employed. We are just answering to a need," Chiponda said."When Zimbabweans are empowered, the party benefits because it's the governing Party. So far over 1000 Youths have registered for the lessons."Ncube is likely to face CCC politician Thokozani Khupe in the elections.In a social media campaign message which has gone viral, Ncube promised to install Wi-Fi in the constituency to enable communication.
Following the arrest of Y S Bhaskar Reddy in the wee hours of Sunday in connection with the murder of Y S Vivekananda Reddy, Kadapa Member of Parliament Y S Avinash Reddy declared he would fight to any extent to prove his fathers innocence.

Vivekananda, the younger brother of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was found dead at his residence in Pulivendula, on the night of March 15, 2019, weeks before the State Assembly elections.

Bhaskar Reddy is also an uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Speaking to regional language news channels in Pulivendula, Avinash said the investigation was faulty and would not stand the test of law, and that they (he too is an accused in the case) would prove their innocence even in the face of harassment.

Our righteousness will definitely stand. We will fight to any extent. We have complete faith and respect on the judiciaryWe will fight and come out as innocent people. I still say justice should prevail, said Avinash Reddy.

Following his arrest, the CBI drove Bhaskar Reddy to Hyderabad from Pulivendula in Kadapa district and presented him before a judge who remanded him in 14 days custody.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing Bhaskar Reddy informed the judge that the latter was not in good health. One of the lawyers said Bhaskar Reddy had high blood pressure.

On requesting medical aid and other facilities for Bhaskar Reddy, the judge said the jail superintendent would take care of everything, the lawyer said. The lawyers have also requested the CBI to take care of Bhaskar Reddys health.

According to the lawyers, the remand report is not maintainable as per law and they are planning to file a counter on Monday.

They observed that a DIG rank officer was leading the investigation but in the remand report an ASP rank officers name was mentioned.

The case was initially probed by a special investigation team of the state crime investigation department, but was handed over to the CBI in July 2020.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022.

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The three assailants who were arrested for Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashrafs killings confessed to plotting and committing the murders. During a police interrogation on Sunday, the shooters told police that they wanted to make a name for themselves by eliminating the gang, according to an FIR.

The three assailants have been identified as Lovelesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur, and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj," Rajesh Kumar Maurya, SHO, Shahganj police station said on Sunday.

Confessing about their crimes, the shooters said they had started living with local journalists ever since they got to know Atiq and Ashraf have been taken into police custody. Posing as journalists themselves, the shooters joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf on Saturday night. Atiq Ahmed and his brother were shot dead while being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj.

Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan," a PTI report quoted one of the accused as saying during police questioning.

Earlier, Asha, shooter Lovelesh Tiwaris mother was seen crying as she spoke to news agency ANI, and said, Pata nahi uske naseeb mein kya likha tha (Dont know what was written in his destiny). He was deeply religious and would visit temples regularly for darshans. We have not talked to him since he left the house. His phone was also switched off." Lovelesh sustained injuries during cross firing, and was undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Medical College, a PTI report said.

Meanwhile, Pintu Singh (brother of shooter Sunny Singh) said, He used to wander around and did no work. We live separately and dont know how he became a criminal. We have no idea about the incident."

Days after Atiq Ahmeds son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradeshs Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

Notably, the pistol used to kill them was a Turkey-made Zigana pistol. It is illegally imported to India through Pakistan, reports said.

In the shooting incident, Constable Man Singh suffered an injury to his arm, and a journalist was hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting, a PTI report said on Saturday.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has summoned Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 16 in the now-scrapped liquor policy, is not ready to believe that the conspiracy happened without his knowledge, according to top CBI sources.

We have some evidence and documents to suggest he was also aware of the facts. And possibly all was done with his knowledge and executed by Sisodia (Manish), a top CBI source told News18.

The CBI wants to know the facts and circumstances under which the alleged conspiracy happened, the sources added.

According to the sources, the CBI top brass says Kejriwals arrest in the case is unlikely as the notice is under the section of witness statement recording.

Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26 in connection with the case and has been in judicial custody since then.

Meanwhile, Sisodias personal secretary has been called for questioning by CBI on how Sisodia manipulated the liquor policy, and how many people had the hardcopies of the plans.

Liquor Policy Leaked Before South Lobby First

CBI sources said South lobby was suspected to be pumped in for election purposes by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The South liquor lobby and AAP leadership entered criminal conspiracy before the policy was made public.

Sharad Reddy, Vijay Nair, Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders shared their views on policy before it was rolled out, according to the CBI. These people refuted the expert committee report because of the fear of cartelisation.

They also sought suggestions from eminent legal minds before the expert committee report including former chief justice Ranjan Gogoi and Senior Advocate General Mukul Rohatagi, which was also ignored, the CBI sources said.

They made their own draft of the policy and asked then commissioner Rahul Singh to place the file before the government. Instead of presenting the new draft, Singh had also given recommendations before the cabinet for which the AAP government transferred him.

Later, another commissioner was asked to put the file before the Group of Ministers without recommendations, and then the policy was made.

Tweaking of Policy and Quid Pro Quo

Between March 15 and 19, Sisodia called his secretary to the CMs residence and gave him a pen drive to take out the prinouts of the policy, which was of 36 pages. On the same day, lobbyists, including K Kavithas former auditor Bucchi Babu and Palli were staying in the Oberoi Hotels in central Delhi.

They both went to the Oberoi Maiden at 3 pm and took printouts of 36 pages as the digital investigation suggest.

The CBI says it feel these 36 pages are of the same liquor policy and cant be mere coincidence.

The CBI says the South India dealers have taken the pen drive from the AAP leader who was staying next to Oberoi Maiden Hotel in North Delhi.

On March 15-16, the draft policy said 6% but on the final day it was made to 12%. The final policy came with an inclusion of special officer to oversee the policy execution.

This was added on behalf of this South India group so that their work remains smooth. It was found that Rs 100 crores was paid upfront to tweak the policy, out of which, Rs 30 crore was sent to Goa through an AAP channel and the remaining Rs 70 crore is still under investigation

The CBI is verifying some details, which it has received digitally from the accused.

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Many people believe that becoming a social media influencer will result in a high-paying job and the ability to work according to their own whims. But the profession has its pitfalls, just like any other job. Experts believe influencers have a skillset that is very useful for fields such as public relations and marketing. But when they start the journey to become an internet sensation, they can encounter some problems that make it tough for them to survive in the field.

While becoming an influencer is a pipe dream for many, there have been cases of people opting for traditional 9 to 5 jobs instead. Lee Tilghman, who once got almost $20,000 for a single branded post on Instagram, later chose a full-time job as a tech platforms social media director, according to the New York Times. The internet sensation said that she had found it easier to work in an office than be a brand.

As the discussion around the profession continues, here are four reasons why a career as a social media influencer may not be what you dreamt of.

Mental Health: Social media influencers can face extreme backlash on their posts, which can lead to adverse effects on their mental health. People in the field also have to face trolling and constant anxiety to better their number of followers. Stress: The everyday struggle to post new content often leads to stress. Social media influencers work in a very fast-paced world. This takes a big toll on their mind and leads to anxiety and depression. Dependence on brand deals: Most influencers are reliant on brand deals for income. This can lead to over-dependence on one company for income. For instance, Kara Smith, an influencer who was making $10,000 to $12,000 a month on TikTok, decided to take a full-time job last year in order to become less dependent on brand deals. No Fixed Work Timings: The biggest issue faced by influencers is that they have no fixed work timings. They need to be alert all the time, which further leads to overexertion and anxiety. In many other professions, people can spend time with their families and take some time out for relaxation.

Read all the Latest Lifestyle News here
I have eaten as much Parsi food as is humanly possible for a non-Parsi. And I have spoken, written and, have passionately gushed over the cuisine more times than I should have. In fact, I am now beginning to appear like an ingratiating solicitor for the cuisine more than just a votary, admirer and fan. I have, over the last few years, even refused invitations to Parsi meals, feasts and weddings, because I am so glutted up with Parsi food, that I often anguish that, I may turn apathetic towards the cuisine and, that my splurges and familiarity with a Dhansak, Salli-Boti and Patra-ni Machhi, may with just breed some contempt for this fabulous cuisine. Finally resulting in me getting quite weary about it all.

But this is so far from the truth. Because the minute I am confronted with an able champion or cook of Parsi food I quite graciously tumble, crumble and fall in love all over again. Like I did with the food of a young chef called Shezad Marolia.

For that, you must visit the idyllic little town of Udvada, the Vatican City of the Zoroastrians. Udvada is a coastal town a few hours away from Mumbai and is home to the Iranshah Atash Behram, the oldest and most sacred fire temple, which houses a fire, which is believed to have been burning for over 1,300 years. It is a small, beautiful hamlet where time stopped a century ago. There are no modern places to live in, just old homes, dharmsalas and residents who may sell you a few snacks. There are one or two old hotels where you can have a humble stay but both serve a huge feast for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Amidst all this modesty, Chef Shezad Marolia and his mother Hilla Aunty run the quaint Sohrabji Jamshedji Sodawaterwala Dharamshala, and the short bouncy and enthusiastic Shezad has started up a cafe called Cafe Farohar right alongside. I met him in Mumbai last night at the Taj Lands End where he had hosted a pop-up, and we got into a highly passionate and gastronomical conversation about the state of Parsi cuisine, and the slow death of heritage recipes, and the need to safeguard them.

I have had the same conversation with the extremely learned and accomplished archaeologist, historian and chef Dr Khurush Dalal, and he had introduced me to long lost Parsi recipes such as Khatta Meetha Resa Ma Pattice  sweet and sour pulled meat, patties usually made from last-nights Salli Boti. Or Chicken Maivahlans (Mothers favourite curry), which is a baked chicken dish with an extravaganza of almonds, pistachios, cashews, raisins, and thick cream. And he also introduced me with the ingenuity of Parsi cooks being able to embellish all vegetables with meat. For example, guvar-ma-ghos, bhida-ma-ghos, french beans-ma-gosh, cauliflower-ma ghos, papri-ma-ghos, even tarela-kera-ma-ghos (Meat with fried bananas) and the classic kakdi ma ghos? Kakdi is cucumber or large marrow.

Shezad Marolia, too, has made a conscious effort to protect and preserve some heritage Parsi dishes. Of course, his menu boasted of the Dhansak, Pulao Dal, Patra-ni-Machi, Farcha and Salli-Boti. But there was platter of sizzling prawns called Tatrela Kolmi, papeta tarelli chicken, a chicken and potato curry. Atheli Marghi, a slow-cooked chicken stew that is flavored with a variety of aromatic spices and herbs. Some say the word Atheli" means eight, which refers to the eight pieces of chicken that are typically used to make this dish.

Bhaji Dana Ma Ghos is another traditional Parsi dish. Mutton curry cooked with a variety of vegetables and spices. Vegetables including surti methi bhaji, spinach, coriander, spring onions, dill, tuvar na dana or green peas, its rich and complex flavors quite forgotten by todays generation. Parsee Bhatia Ghosh sounds quite antithetic, doesnt it? Well, its a dry masala preparation, ideal to carry with you while you are on the move. Apparently, in the old days, the dry Bhatia Gosht used to be carried into the jungle by hunters for dinner. And this is just the beginning. Shezad has also opened Udvada Bakers, a small bakery which freshly makes Parsi delicacies like Bhakras, and other classics like Khari, Sugar Khari, Batasas, Nankhatai, Kaju, Almond and Walnut Macaroons and of course French pastry like Palmiers.

Shezad Marolia has now moved bag and baggage to Udvada after a couple of stints abroad and in Mumbai. His aim is to live in the past so that he can protect the future of a classical Indian cuisine.

Kunal Vijayakar is a food writer based in Mumbai. He tweets @kunalvijayakar and can be followed on Instagram @kunalvijayakar. His YouTube channel is called Khaane Mein Kya Hai. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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YS Bhaskar Reddy, the uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested in connection with a murder case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday.

Bhaskar Reddy is an accused in the murder case of former MP Vivekananda Reddy. The case was initially being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department but was later handed over to the Central anti-crime agency after a High Court order.

The accused is the brother of former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.

For the unversed, Vivekananda Reddy, former Lok Sabha MP of the YSR Congress Party, was found dead at his residence in Pulivendula in 2019 just before the state assembly election indicating a political ploy.

Read all the Latest Politics News here
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath on Sunday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the gunning down of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh a day earlier.

Ahmad and Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction late Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a mandatory check-up.

What kind of politics is taking place in Uttar Pradesh and in the country? One day someone is killed and the next day someone else. It is for the society to think where UP and the country is headed. The Supreme Court should take notice of it and order an inquiry," Nath said.

Hitting back at Nath, MP Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Narendra Saluja said Nath should have instead expressed grief over those who had been killed by Atiq Ahmad.

Atiq was facing more than 100 criminal cases. It is shameful Nath is demanding an investigation into the killing of a man who murdered several people and destroyed their families. Nath is siding with the mafia for the politics of appeasement," Saluja said.

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The Pulwama attack has once again become a center of political mayhem, after former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik blamed the 2019 incident on security lapse."

In an interview with The Wire, Malik claimed that the Home Ministry, under Rajnath Singh at the time, denied a request by paramilitary forces asking for an aircraft for commuting.

This resulted in the jawans traveling by road, where their convoy was attacked and 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The permission for an aircraft was denied by the home ministry, and it was unusual because the army personnel were large in numbers, five aircrafts would have been used for them, Malik said.

Malik also added that he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the day after the terrorist attack, and told him that it was the ministrys fault for denying the jawans an aircraft. To this, he adds, PM Modi told him to keep this down for now.

.@narendramodi ,     40                                                 pic.twitter.com/6qBVTpMqtk  Congress (@INCIndia) April 14, 2023

Congress, which has repeatedly questioned the Centre over the Pulwama attack, is demanding a probe into it and has reacted again after Maliks comments.

Sharing a video clip of Maliks interview, Congress took to Twitter and said, yes, the Pulwama attack and the martyrdom of 40 bravehearts in it happened because of the mistake of your government.

It added that instead of taking action for your mistake, the BJP-led government not only suppressed the matter but also started saving its image.

If our jawans had got the aircraft, the terrorist plot would have failed. The country is shocked to hear Satyapal Maliks statement on Pulwama, the grand old party added.

The saffron party also joined the banter, with Amit Malviya sharing several old videos of Malik praising the Modi government.

And before Congress minions get all excited about Satyapal Malik, their new found knight in the shinning armour, here is what he had to say about Rahul Gandhi.So, sit down pic.twitter.com/9SeQQeVtUg  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 15, 2023

He also shared a clip in which Malik calls Rahul Gandhi a political juvenile and wrote, And before Congress minions get all excited about Satyapal Malik, their newfound knight in shining armour, here is what he had to say about Rahul Gandhi.

Not the first Pulwama flagship point

This is not the first time, the Pulwama attack has been a flagship point for the two parties.

In January this year, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked for a report" on the 2016 surgical strikes, and the 2019 Pulwama Attack.

Till date, no report on Pulwama was placed before Parliament. They (the government) claimed a surgical strike was carried out but didnt show proof. They only spread lies," the Congress leader said in a video posted by news agency ANI.

Forty of our CRPF jawans were martyred in Pulwama. CRPF officials had requested the prime minister that personnel should be airlifted, but PM Modi didnt agree. How did such a lapse take place?" he added.

Although the Congress party clearly clarified that the party did not endorse his views, Singhs comments drew strong reactions from the saffron party.

BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that the grand old party does not believe in our brave army and repeatedly insults the army and the citizens of the country by raising such questions."

Read all the Latest Politics News here
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed NCP chief Sharad Pawar recently told Uddhav Thackeray that his party will never join hands with the BJP even if anyone takes an individual decision to do so.

Raut made the comments in his weekly column Rokhthok in the party mouthpiece Saamana in the wake of speculations that senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar may break ranks to join hands with the ruling BJP in the state, amid a plea seeking disqualification of 16 MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena pending before the Supreme Court.

However, Ajit Pawar, who is the leader of opposition in the state Assembly, dubbed such speculations as baseless and denied meeting Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah in Mumbai on Saturday night.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress are constituents of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state.

Raut in the Marathi publication claimed, (Sharad) Pawar told Uddhav Thackeray during their meeting (on Tuesday) that nobody wants to switch over. But, family is being targeted. If anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue. But we as a party will never go with the BJP." There is tremendous anger among people of Maharashtra against the present state government. Any one joining the BJP will be committing political suicide. This is want Thackeray and Pawar felt," the Rajya Sabha member wrote.

He further claimed that Sharad Pawar during the meeting with former chief minister Thackeray said he would like to tell those who want to switch over that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) files" will go in a cupboard from the table, but will never be closed.

There are speculations in political circles about what would be the future move of Ajit Pawar and the senior NCP leader should himself clarify, Raut said.

He said a sugar mill belonging to Ajit Pawars family was raided and seized by the ED. But, now the chargesheet doesnt have any mention of Ajit Pawar or his family members. "What happened to the allegations of money laundering in the purchase of the sugar mill. Were the raids and allegations just for political pressure?" the Sena (UBT) leader asked.

Sharad Pawars another associate (former Maharashtra minister) Hasan Mushrif was also being targeted by central probe agencies, Raut added.

Meanwhile, state minister Dada Bhuse, who belongs to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Sunday said, Ajit Pawar is restless in the NCP for several years. We all know it. Anything can happen." When reporters asked Ajit Pawar in Nagpur about speculations over his next political move, the NCP leader said, I have been reading the comments of ministers Dada Bhuse, Gulabrao Patil, Uday Samant about me. I cant understand why there is so much overpouring of love for me. We are working unitedly for strengthening the MVA." He denied rumours that he met Union minister Amit Shah in Mumbai on Saturday night. These are baseless talks," the NCP leader said.

Ajit Pawar further said the BJP and independents have 115 MLAs (in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly). Even if 16 MLAs are disqualified, the present government will have 149 MLAs. If 16 MLAs are disqualified, the Assemblys effective strength will be 272, he said.

There is no need to create unnecessary speculation and misunderstandings, he added.

Ajit Pawar also said two leaders from each party in the MVA will speak in the joint rallies of the alliance.

In Aurangabad (rally), myself and Dhananjay Munde from the NCP, Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan from the Congress and Chandrakant Khaire and Uddhav Thackeray from Shiv Sena (UBT) spoke. In Nagpur today, Jayant Patil and Anil Deshmukh will speak from the NCP side," he said.

The opposition alliance has planned to hold joint rallies in all seven revenue divisions of the state.

The message of unity needs to percolate to the grassroots, Jayant Patil said last month, while admitting that the MVA faces a double challenge of defeating the BJP by staying united as well as strengthening its own grassroot cadre.

This process will smoothen after the MVA holds joint rallies in the state, Patil had said.

Read all the Latest Politics News here
As tech layoffs continue unabated in 2023, Amazon and Google CEOs have hinted at more layoffs as the companies continue to evaluate the business.

In a letter to company shareholders, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that they reprioritised where to spend resources, which ultimately led to the hard decision to eliminate 27,000 corporate roles.

There are a number of other changes that weve made over the last several months to streamline our overall costs, and like most leadership teams, well continue to evaluate what were seeing in our business and proceed adaptively," the Amazon CEO wrote.

Jassy said that the company had to conduct a thorough analysis of each business and invention within the company to determine whether they had strong potential to generate revenue, operating income, free cash flow, and return on invested capital in the long run.

Meanwhile, Pichai said that the company is literally looking at every aspect of what we do" in an effort to re-engineer its cost base permanently.

In a recent interview with Wall Street Journal, the Alphabet and Google CEO said: We are trying to accomplish that across many different ways. Were literally looking at every aspect of what we do, and as we said on our last earnings call, were thinking about how to re-engineer our cost base in a durable way."

We are definitely being focused on creating durable savings. We are pleased with the progress, but theres more work left to do," he was quoted as saying.

Google had in January laid off 12,000 employees in its first round of layoffs.

Weve decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles. Weve already sent a separate email to employees in the US who are affected. In other countries, this process will take longer due to local laws and practices," Pichai had said in a statement.

Amazon initially eliminated 18,000 positions in January, saying that as we completed the second phase of our planning this month, it led us to these additional 9,000 role reductions".

In March, the e-commerce giant announced to lay off another 9,000 employees in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Twitch, advertising, and HR.

Read all the Latest Tech News here
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE documentary series titled "Gold Mafia", produced by Qatar-based international news network Al Jazeera, was an attempt to sully the ZANU PF Government and prompt the West to tighten economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, former Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Harry Kalaba, has said.Speaking to The Sunday Mail yesterday, Mr Kalaba said the documentary sought to undermine efforts by Government to bust sanctions and facilitate economic growth."For me, it is a story in bad taste, one that seeks to paint ZANU PF in a bad picture," he said."It is a story whose agenda is to bring down President Mnangagwa and his Government."It has nothing to do with the people; it is all political."There was nothing untoward, he claimed, about the "unorthodox" tactics deployed by Ambassador-At-Large to the Americas and Europe, Uebert Angel, when he tried to lure people he thought were genuine investors.He said such practices were common in diplomatic circles."There are many things that are done behind the camera that diplomats do that will never be made public," he said."That is why they are protected by the Vienna Convention."There is a reason for that."For them (Al Jazeera) to secretly record a diplomat of a country is undermining a country and the sovereignty of another country."The Al Jazeera crew decided to cover their faces and that says a lot about the documentary."The documentary, he added, was an attempt to undermine the authority of President Mnangagwa."It sought to scandalise ZANU PF."It had nothing to do with the ordinary people or alleviating poverty."Addressing Zambian journalists last week, Mr Kalaba said diplomats often deploy such unconventional tactics in behind-the-scenes meetings when attempting to convince investors to take up business opportunities in their countries."The issue of the documentary of the gold scam in Zimbabwe concerning President Mnangagwa and his administration and Ambassador Uebert Angel, I think from where I stand as a former Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Zambia from 2014 to 2018, it doesn't amount to much because diplomats have to go beyond the call of duty to convince investors."They have to convince investors that they have the ear of their principal, that is the president, and that they are the rightful ones to convince you to go in their country."Remember, we are competing for the same investors and same interests, so one has to use their ingenuity to make sure that they attract investors into their country."He said there was nothing "strange" about what was shown in the Al Jazeera documentary, which was common practice in diplomatic circles."And remember, the conversation is being held behind the scenes."Diplomats do all kinds of things in trying to convince investors to go into their jurisdictions."Some have to throw cocktails, some have to invite people to holidays; some have to do all kinds of things to invite investors to go and invest in their countries."And for a country like Zimbabwe, we have to understand it from the perspective of the sanctions that Zimbabwe is under."Zimbabwe has been going through excruciating sanctions, and President Mnangagwa has to be encouraged, instead of being vilified."Ambassador Uebert Angel also has to be encouraged because he has been doing a lot of good for his country amidst all these challenges."
Suspected Islamic State group fighters killed at least 31 people foraging for truffles in Syria on Sunday, a monitor said, in the latest such attack in the war-ravaged country.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the killing of four shepherds by IS jihadists in a separate incident, and the abduction of two others.

A total of 31 people, including 12 pro-regime fighters, were killed while collecting truffles in the desert east of (the central city) Hama," the Observatory said, giving a new toll.

Earlier it reported the death of at least 26 people, a figure confirmed by the official Syrian news agency SANA.

Syrias desert truffles fetch high prices in a country battered by 12 years of war and a crushing economic crisis.

Authorities frequently warn against the high-risk practice. But between February and April each year, hundreds of impoverished Syrians search for truffles in the vast Syrian desert, or Badia  a known hideout for jihadists that is also littered with landmines.

Since February, more than 230 people  most of them civilians  have been killed in IS attacks targeting truffle hunters or by landmines left by the extremists, according to the Observatory.

The victims included 15 people foraging for truffles who had their throats slit by IS last month.

High price, low wage

In February, IS fighters on motorcycles opened fire on truffle hunters and killed at least 68 people, the war monitor said at the time.

The Syrian desert is renowned for producing some of the best quality truffles in the world.

The prized fungus can sell for up to $25 per kilo (2.2 pounds) depending on size and grade  in a country where the average monthly wage is around $18.

Also on Sunday, IS jihadists carrying automatic rifles and riding motorbikes attacked a group of shepherds in the eastern region of Deir Ezzor, the Observatory said.

The fighters stole the sheep before fleeing, and also abducted two shepherds, said the war monitor which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its reports.

But the state news agency SANA said five shepherds were killed in the attack, as well as 250 sheep when the jihadists opened fire on them.

In March 2019, IS lost its last scraps of territory in Syria following a military campaign backed by a US-led coalition, but jihadist remnants continue to hide in the desert and launch deadly attacks.

They have used such hideouts to ambush civilians, Kurdish-led forces, Syrian government troops and pro-Iranian fighters, while also mounting attacks in neighbouring Iraq.

Syrias war has claimed the lives of around half a million people and displaced millions since it erupted in March 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Remnants of explosives laid by all sides in the conflict are now claiming more lives in Syria than anywhere else in the world, says the United Nations.

Since 2015, landmines and other explosive remnants have on average killed or injured five people every day, according to UN data.

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In a shocking incident, at least six female teachers have been arrested in the US in a span of two days this week for having sex with students.

Ellen Shell of Danville, who worked as a teachers aide at Woodlawn Elementary School, was charged with third-degree rape, according to a report in New York Post.

Shell, 38, was accused of having sexual intercourse on three occasions with two 16-year-old boys" on separate occasions in July and August last year, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.

She was arraigned in Garrard County District Court on Thursday. She was placed on administrative leave and the school officials sent out letter of parents alerting them of her arrest.

These boys are not aware of the laws that protect them and would not come forward because they thought they would be in trouble, one of the boys mothers told FOX56. The boy said she brought them alcohol 3 to 4 times, the parent added.

At least six cases of female teachers arrested for sexual misconduct have come to light in recent days in the US, according to multiple reports from the country.

32-year-old Heather Hare, an educator from Arkansas, is facing a first-degree felony assault rape for having a sexual relationship with a teen student, the Arkansas Times reported.

The teacher was expected to turn herself in on Friday and has resigned from her position.

Emily Hancock, 26, from Oklahoma was also arrested on Thursday for allegedly having a relationship with a 15-year-old student, the report said.

Hancock had reportedly began communicating with the minor on Snapchat in October last year. She has been charged under sections including with lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16; soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology and obscene or indecent writings, pictures.

In a similar incident, a former substitute teacher with Wellston Public Schools in in Lincoln County has been has been charged in connection with an inappropriate relationship after she began sending nude photos to a minor, KOCO reported.

Kristen Gantt, an English teacher at a school in Des Moines, Iowa, was also accused of having sex with a teen student multiple times inside and outside her school, local reports said.

She was accused to grooming the student over social media and was caught on camera going to a classroom with the student. She has been fired by the schools and charged with sexual exploitation.

A teacher at James Madison High School in Virginia was also arrested for allegedly having sex with a student over the course of several months, according to FFXNow.

In Virginia, a special needs teacher Allieh Kheradmand, was charged for allegedly having sex with a student over the course of several months, according to FFXNow. Kheradmand has been charged with four counts of indecent liberties and is being held without bond.

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Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu on Sunday hailed ties with Moscow during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

We have very strong ties. They surpass the military-political alliances of the Cold War era They are very stable," he said in translated remarks broadcast on Russian TV.

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US intelligence officials were aware of four additional Chinese spy balloons, apart from the one that flew over the North American space and was shot down earlier in February, a report has said.

The Washington Post, quoting leaked Pentagon documents, said that apart from the prominently reported China spy balloon incident, a second balloon flew over an American carrier strike group in the Pacific Ocean but was never reported.

A third craft crashed in the South China Sea, the report said quoting a top-secret document. However, there were no details on the launch dates.

The leaked intelligence also said that US intelligence agencies continued to have questions about the February spy balloon as they were unable to identify sensors and antennas of the Chinese craft weeks after it was shot down.

The revelation was based on the documents that The Washington Post obtained from classified documents leaked online.

Jack Teixeira, 21, believed to be behind the leak, was arrested for orchestrating the most damaging leak in a decade following a week-long probe. The documents also unveiled US concern over Ukraines ability to fend off the Russian invasion, and showed Washington has spied on allies Israel and South Korea.

The US officials named the first Chinese spy balloon, that was shot down in February, as Killeen-23 and labelled the two other balloons from previous years as Bulger-21 and Accardo-21.

However, the documents didnt make it clear if Bulger-21 and Accardo-21 were the same balloons that flew over the carrier strike group and crashed.

The report said that Bulger-21 carried sophisticated surveillance equipment and circumnavigated the globe from December 2021 until May 2022. Accardo-21 carried similar equipment as well as a foil-lined gimbaled, it added.

The balloons are believed to be named after notorious criminals, including Tony Accardo, James Whitey Bulger, and Donald Killeen.

The Chinese balloon spotted in the North American airspace had made headlines before it was shot down by a F-22 fighter.

Republicans had criticized the Joe Biden administration for not shooting down the Chinese surveillance balloon quickly enough, arguing that it allowed the Chinese government additional time to spy.

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Two married Hindu women and their children, a two-year-old girl and six-year-old boy, were allegedly abducted from their home in Pakistans Karachi. The women are from a prominent business family in the city and have been missing over the past two days.

According to reports, the two women and their children were last seen in Khamisa area near Gabol police station on April 11, when they were out shopping. The family members reported them missing with apprehensions that they may have been kidnapped. But they have not received any ransom call yet.

The family also met police officers at IGP Sindhs Karachi headquarters April 12, along with Pakistan Darawer Ittehad chairman Faqeer Shiva Kachhi, and were assured of full police cooperation.

A number of similar incidents have happened in the recent past, where Hindu women and girls were abducted and forcefully converted.

On March 15, social activists came out onto the streets to protest against forced conversions and abductions of girls from minority communities.

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At least 854 people have either been killed or wounded in militant attacks and counterterrorism operations in Pakistan in the first three month of this year, a study has shown.

According to a report released by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan registered 358 deaths and 496 injuries as a result of 219 terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations between January and March 2023.

However, the number of fatalities and injuries in the first three months has been half of what Islamabad witnessed in the entire of 2022.

The highest deaths were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Balochistan (64), and then in Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad, Dawn reported.

The first quarter of 2023 records 854 casualties which account for almost half of the casualties witnessed during the entire preceding year, @CRSSpak's Q1 2023 Security Report.Our Annual Security Report 2022 had predicted Pakistan's likeliness to endure more violence this year. pic.twitter.com/EUQS174DOj The Center for Research and Security Studies (@CRSSpak) April 10, 2023

The report also said that the deaths among security forces in January this year was the highest in a decade. The outlawed TTP carried out at least 22 attacks causing 107 fatalities.

But the hike was not new as a similar trend was seen in the previous year, which ended with the decades deadliest December in the country.

The toll in January accounted for 111 was the second-highest number of fatalities of security personnel in a single month, second only to July 2014 which witnessed 118 fatalities.

On January 30, a bomb blast at a police mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed 84 officers inside a fortified police headquarters, an attack claimed by a group sometimes affiliated with the TTP.

The violence-related deaths among civilians dropped in the 3-month period by more than half to 63, compared to 136 a year ago.

Most concerningly, the fatalities of security and government officials almost doubled, from 88 in the first quarter of last year to 167 in the first quarter this year, the report said.

Attacks by the Pakistani Taliban  known as Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  are on the rise, with a recent change in strategy to target security officials and avoid civilians.

The Pakistani Taliban share common lineage and ideals with the Afghan Taliban, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada who issues edicts from his hideaway in the southern city of Kandahar.

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The exiled son of the Iranian Shah toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution will visit Israel this week, Israels government said on Sunday, calling him the most senior Iranian personality to ever pay a public visit to Israel.

Israel and Iran enjoyed warmer ties under the U.S-backed Shah, though they have become enemies since.

Israel, in its statement, said the visit by Reza Pahlavi is meant to create a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and expressing joint opposition to the Ayatollah regime.

A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbours, Pahlavi was quoted as saying in the the Israeli statement. In my opinion, that day is closer than ever.

During his visit, Pahlavi will take part in Israels official Holocaust memorial ceremony.

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At least 56 people have been killed and 600 injured in fighting in the Sudanese capital in the early hours of Sunday as the deadly clash between paramilitaries and the regular army entered its second day.

Explosions and gunfire rang out on the deserted streets of Khartoum after the paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other vital facilities.

However, the army denied the claims and struck a base belonging to the governments paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Omdurman, which adjoins the capital city.

Here are the latest updates in the ongoing battle between the Sudan army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces:

The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56," said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors adding there were tens of deaths" among security forces but they were not included in the new toll early Sunday. An Indian citizen working in Sudan died by stray bullet injury amid violent clashes between the Sudan army and the paramilitaries. It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries," a tweet from the Indian Embassy in Sudan read. Gunfire and explosions could be heard across Khartoum, where TV footage showed smoke rising from several districts and social media videos captured military jets flying low over the city, at least one appearing to fire a missile. A passenger plane preparing to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia came under fire on Saturday during the fighting. The Airbus A330 bound for Saudi Arabia was exposed to gunfire damage with guests and crew on board" ahead of its scheduled departure to Riyadh. However, the aircrafts cabin crew safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan. The Indian embassy in Sudan advised Indian nationals in the country to take utmost precautions and stay indoors. Notice to all Indians. In view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for updates," the Indian mission tweeted. Russias foreign ministry called for urgent steps" to end violent clashes in Sudan between the army and paramilitary groups that left at least three civilians dead. France also voiced deep concern" at the outbreak of fighting in Sudan and called on warring military factions in Khartoum to do everything to stop" the violence. The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to hold an urgent meeting Sunday to discuss the situation in Sudan. The eruption of violence came after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army. The integration was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the militarys 2021 coup. Chads government, which shares a more than 1,000 kilometre (600 mile) border with Sudan, announced it was closing its border with the violence-torn nation.

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Fierce fighting raged in Sudans capital despite an hours-long pause Sunday to address humanitarian needs including the evacuation of wounded, on the second day of battles that left three UN staff among more than 50 civilians killed.

The battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) sparked an international outcry and regional concern, including border closures by neighbours Egypt and Chad.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoums densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Fighting continued after nightfall on Sunday, as Sudanese hunkered down in their homes with fears of a prolonged conflict that could plunge the country into deeper chaos, dashing long-held hopes for a transition to civilian-led democracy.

After Saturdays killing of the three World Food Programme workers the agency said it was suspending operations in the impoverished country.

Violence erupted early Saturday following weeks of power struggles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who heads the heavily-armed RSF.

Each accused the other of starting the fight.

The pro-democracy Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 56 civilians killed as well as tens of deaths" among security forces, and around 600 wounded.

Late Sunday afternoon the army said they had agreed to a United Nations proposal to open safe passage for humanitarian cases", including the evacuation of wounded, for three hours which ended at 1700 GMT.

RSF confirmed the measure, though they said it would last four hours, and both sides maintained their right to respond in the event of transgressions" from the other side.

Despite the pause, heavy gunfire could still be heard in central Khartoum near the airport, and dense black smoke billowed from the surrounding area.

The gunfire and explosions are incessant," Ahmed Hamid, 34, from a northern Khartoum suburb, said earlier.

Ahmed Seif, another Khartoum resident, called the situation very worrying and said: It doesnt seem like it will calm any time soon."

Daglos RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic locations, but the army insist they are still in control.

As the fighting continued, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoums streets, deserted except for soldiers.

Medics pleaded for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims because the streets were too dangerous for transporting casualties to hospital.

- Appalled -

Fighting also erupted in the western Darfur region and in the eastern border state of Kassala, where witness Hussein Saleh said the army had fired artillery at a paramilitary camp.

The UN said its WFP employees had been killed Saturday in clashes in North Darfur and announced a temporary halt to all operations in Sudan".

After their deaths as well as other civilians, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for justice without delay". He had earlier warned that an escalation in the fighting would further aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation".

The UN says one-third of Sudans population need humanitarian aid.

WFP said an aircraft managed by the organisation was also significantly damaged" at Khartoum airport.

We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," WFP head Cindy McCain said.

- No negotiations -

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in Darfur a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSFs planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that was hoped to restore Sudans civilian transition and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the militarys 2021 coup by Burhan and Daglo.

Appeals to end the fighting have come from across the region and the globe, including the US, Britain, China, the European Union and Russia, while Pope Francis said he was following the events with concern" and urged dialogue.

After a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the African Union said a senior official would immediately" travel there on a ceasefire mission.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, Burhan the criminal must surrender".

The army declared Daglo a wanted criminal" and the RSF a rebel militia".

There will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group, it said.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests met by a deadly crackdown.

Burhan, who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now-jailed Bashir, has said the coup was necessary" to include more factions in politics.

Daglo later called the coup a mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashirs regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.

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A passenger plane preparing to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia came under fire on Saturday as deadly fighting rocked Khartoum, the kingdoms flag carrier said.

The Airbus A330 bound for Saudi Arabia was exposed to gunfire damage with guests and crew on board" ahead of its scheduled departure to Riyadh, Saudia said in a statement.

It has been confirmed that all members of the aircrafts cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan," the statement said.

Meanwhile aircraft flying over Sudan have returned and all other flights to and from Sudan have been suspended in order to preserve the safety of the guests and crew."

The #SaudiAirlines plane was attacked at #Khartoum Airport. Is this the reward of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which stood with #Sudan in its various stations full of crises? This militia attack will not go unpunished. pic.twitter.com/xSXpu02f12 Saudi-Expatriates.com (@saudiexpat) April 15, 2023

Clashes broke out on Saturday between Sudans army and paramilitaries, and the doctors union reported three civilian deaths, including at Khartoums airport in the city centre.

The Saudia statement did not mention any casualties in the incident involving its aircraft.

The paramilitaries said they were in control of the airport as well as the presidential place, claims denied by the army.

The eruption of violence came after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.

That was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the crisis sparked by their 2021 coup, which triggered a deepening economic crisis in what was already one of the worlds poorest countries.

The Saudi embassy in Sudan urges all Saudi citizens to remain at home", the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel reported.

Both the Saudi foreign ministry and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, headquartered in Riyadh, issued statements of concern about Saturdays violence.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has lost more than half the prosecutors recruited since last year, a development that threatens the efficiency of the justice delivery system.Acting Deputy Prosecutor-General Mr Michael Reza told the inaugural Magistrates' National Conference held recently in Victoria Falls that 28 of the 46 prosecutors recruited since mid-last year had left the NPA."In the discharge of our duties, we have encountered some challenges that somehow militate against the effective execution of our mandate, which are identifiably the issues of high staff turnover and some notorious legal impediments that we have experienced in our daily operations as prosecutors," he said."As regards resignations, we continue to lose seasoned prosecutors at a high rate despite our best efforts to replace those that would have resigned in search of the so-called greener pastures."In the second half of the year 2022, we recruited 46 prosecutors and to this date, 28 have resigned."Some even send their resignations from other jurisdictions."The NPA, which typically spends years moulding "top-notch" prosecutors, has since approached Treasury for assistance."As we strive to achieve quality justice, every effort should be made to retain experienced prosecutors, and we are doing our best in that regard, as both feet  that is, the bar (prosecutors) and the bench (magistrates)  need to be anchored in legal wisdom and sound knowledge of the law."Thus, we have forwarded our concerns to Treasury and we are grateful for the support they have given us to date," he added.He welcomed Government's efforts to improve prosecutors' conditions of service, while proposing reforms to improve the NPA's efficiency."I wish to salute those who continue to serve with dedication and commitment to duty despite some financial constraints that they may be encountering," he said."This is patriotism par excellence."With regard to legal challenges, we have made a set of proposals for the amendments to an assortment of legislation that, in our view, would greatly improve our efficiency and effectiveness in the prosecution and timeous delivery of criminal justice."The NPA, Mr Reza said, was grateful for the decentralisation of courts, saying this will help reduce case backlogs and unclog the courts. President Mnangagwa officially opened the Epworth Magistrates' Court in Harare recently.Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Judicial Service Commission Secretary Mr Walter Chikwana, High Court judges and other stakeholders attended the conference.
If you want to see a specimen of the plant known as Kentucky glade cress, you'll have to travel to southern Jefferson County or northern Bullitt County in that state. Otherwise you're out of luck because, as environmental reporter Connor Griffin explains in the Louisville Courier Journal, the plant exists nowhere else on the planet. Nor should you wait too long to visit, because Griffin's story is about how Louisville's sprawl is steadily encroaching on the plant's territory. In 2014, the federal government designated about 2,000 acres in the two counties as critical habitat to protect the flower. That remains the case today, but developers have plans to build "on or near" that land, and advocates say the federal protections are too weak.

There are definitely populations of glade cress that are going to go under pavement," says Jeff Frank, founder of Friends of Floyds Fork, which is fighting to save the plant. But even if bulldozers don't directly roll over the land, the fear is that abutting developments will spoil it anywaythink runoff from herbicides on all those new lawns, for example. Meanwhile, Louisville Gas & Electric has gotten permission to install a pipeline that cuts through several patches of the flower's habitat. Advocates are fighting back against all this, through initiatives to buy up more land to keep it from development, and to root out invasive species to give the Kentucky glade cress a better chance to survive. Read the full story. (Or check out other notable longform stories.)
Ya Ya, a female giant panda, is returning to China after spending two decades on loan to the Memphis Zoo. This follows concerns raised by animal welfare activists and Chinese citizens, reports the New York Times. While the Memphis Zoo refutes allegations of inadequate treatment and has given explanations for Ya Ya's health issues to Chinese officials, the situation has sparked intense discussion on Chinese social media, with users scrutinizing zoo footage for evidence of mistreatment and even questioning China's long-standing use of pandas in diplomatic efforts. Groups such as Defense of Animals and Panda Voices were alarmed over videos and imagery that showed a thinning Ya Ya with patchy, possibly mangy fur, prompting the campaign to repatriate her.

Brittany Michelson, Captive Animals Campaigner for In Defense of Animals, said in a statement published after the death of Ya Ya's mate Le Le in February that his death was "heartbreaking" and he had "died prematurely of neglect and inadequate care." According to Michelson, the "Memphis Zoo blatantly failed" Le Le after "no recommended changes were made to help him or YaYa." However, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry says the panda appears to be in good health, aside from the skin issue, per Fox News. The Memphis Zoo says she may be having a routine hormonal issue that is affecting her appearance.

The zoo hosted a send-off celebration for Ya Ya, featuring speeches and performances by local Chinese organizations. Additionally, the zoo organized and recorded a lighthearted farewell in which various animals, including a tortoise, an aardvark, a sloth, a porcupine, and a penguin, paraded by Ya Ya's enclosure. A federal agency has yet to approve an exact travel date for Ya Ya's return home. The Times notes that China has been engaging in "panda diplomacy for over 50 years, and at least 18 countries currently have pandas on loan. (Read more giant pandas stories.)
A contract worker at a northern Michigan paper mill has died from a fungal infection that has forced the business to temporarily close for deep cleaning. The death was announced Friday by public health officials in Delta and Menominee counties, who said the worker died as a result of blastomycosis infection, per the AP. The person's name and a date of the death were not released. Company officials said the Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba, which employs more than 800 people, will close for up to three weeks for scrubbing after authorities confirmed at least 21 cases of blastomycosis among workers since March and dozens more probable cases.

The fungal infection is related to a fungus that grows in moist soil and decomposing wood and leaves, according to the public health department in Delta County. Blastomycosis does not pass from person to person, the department said. Common symptoms are cough, fever, shortness of breath, joint pain, and weight loss. Billerud said in a statement that an industrial outbreak of the fungus has not been documented anywhere in the US.

The health department in early March first publicly disclosed a number of unusual pneumonia infections among mill workers. About 76 people have been classified as probable blastomycosis cases, according to health officials. Of the 97 total cases, about a dozen have required hospitalization. All 97 of the cases are either employees, contractors or visitors of the paper mill, the health department said. The mill produces paper for magazines, catalogs, books, and other products. Billerud is based in Sweden.

(Read more paper mill stories.)
Google has released a security update for its Chrome web browser addressing issues, including one it considers a severe risk. For over 3 billion global Chrome users, the April 11 discovery of the first known Zero Day vulnerability of the year adds urgency to the call for users to update their browsers. In a blog post, Google acknowledged the Zero Day, which Forbes reports affects Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Google also verified that there is an active exploit "in the wild" for the issue, which it labeled CVE-2023-2033. When an exploit is described as "in the wild," it indicates that the exploit isn't merely theoretical; it's being used in potentially harmful real-world hacks.

Google's Threat Analysis Group was alerted to and identified the vulnerability. The company has released a patch, and it's vital for users to update Chrome right away to install it.

To initiate the update, navigate to the browser's upper right corner and select the overflow menu (represented by three vertical dots).

From there, choose Help, then About Google Chrome.

This asks Chrome to search for updates.

To ensure total protection, users should restart their browsers after downloading and finalizing the update.

(Read more technology stories.)
News / National

by Staff reporter

The results of the ZANU PF primary election reruns will be announced tomorrow following the largely peaceful party internal polls that were held in four constituencies yesterday.Scores of party supporters turned up to vote for their preferred candidates who were running to represent the ruling party in the forthcoming harmonised elections in Mbare, Churu, Gokwe-Nembudziya and Zvimba West constituencies.The poll rerun for Insiza South constituency has been scheduled for April 22.Most polling stations opened at the scheduled 7am. In an interview, ZANU PF National Political Commissar Mike Bimha said voting went on smoothly in all constituencies, with no complaints of malpractices reported by close of polls."Everything went on very well at most polling stations," said Bimha."Vote counting had already started by late afternoon and everything went according to plan."Results will be announced on Monday."As of now (yesterday), we have not received any complaints from any polling station."Voting went on without incident at polling stations visited by The Sunday Mail in Mbare and Churu constituency.Scores of the party faithful waited patiently in meandering queues for their turn to cast the ballots. Emmanuel Mahachi and Martin Matinyanya were battling to represent the ruling party in Mbare, while in Churu constituency, the party's Harare provincial vice chairman, Ephraim Fundukwa, contested against Charles Matsika.A huge number of voters turned up at Mai Musodzi Hall as was the case at other polling stations in the two constituencies."Our primary elections went on well in a peaceful manner," said Mahachi, who is the party's Harare provincial youth chairperson."I am happy that voting went on well, although there might be one or two things that have not gone on well, but we expect that during an election."I would like to thank the party for organising such a successful election."He said he will accept the outcome of the election, vowing to work towards delivering a landslide victory for the ruling party during the harmonised elections.Matinyanya said he was pleased with the turnout."I am pleased over the way the elections have gone," he said."I have not yet received reports or complaints of people whose names are missing from cell registers."We will respect the outcome of the elections as we do not have losers in our party, everyone will be a winner at the end of the day."In Zvimba West, incumbent Ziyambi Ziyambi battled it out with Maruva Mercy Dinha, while in Gokwe-Nembudziya, former Cabinet Minister Flora Buka locked horns with incumbent Justice Mayor Wadyajena.The party deployed Politburo members to monitor voting in the constituencies, with Paul Mangwana and Kenneth Musanhi supervising elections in Churu constituency, while Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Elifas Mashaba were in Zvimba West.Engelbert Rugeje and Daniel Mackenzie Ncube were monitoring voting in Mbare, while Douglas Mombeshora and Michael Nyambuya were in Gokwe-Nembudziya constituency.Returns collated from the respective constituencies will be relayed to the constituency command centres before being transmitted to the National Command Centre ahead of announcement of results tomorrow.
A shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday celebration in Dadeville, Alabama, on Saturday night sent at least 15 teenagers to hospitals with gunshot wounds, in addition to leaving four people dead. Five of the wounded teenagers were in critical condition Sunday, CNN reports. Authorities in the town of 3,000 had not released any information on the victims, whether a suspect was in custody, or what might have led to the shooting at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio as of Sunday afternoon. "I just ask for your patience," said one police official, per the AP. "It's going to be a long process."

"It's a very close, tight-knit community. Everybody knows everybody," said Ben Hayes, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church. "That's why this is so difficult," he said, adding: "I knew these kids personally. Most people did." Annette Allen told the Montgomery Advertiser her grandson was shot to death while celebrating his sister Alexis' birthday. Phil Dowdell was a high school senior headed to Jacksonville State on a football scholarship. "He was a very, very humble child," she said, with "a million-dollar smile." His mother was among those wounded, per the AP. This file has been updated. (Read more Alabama stories.)
More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released as part of a major Easter exchange with Russia, a top official said Sunday, as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a second time since Moscow unleashed its full-scale war more than a year ago. While celebrations were subdued because of security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services, Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesus' resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory. Dozens of families had special reasons to rejoice, as presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards, and others captured by Moscow were on their way home following a "big Easter prisoner exchange."

Yermak said in a Telegram post on Sunday that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city that has for months been the focus of Russias grinding offensive. There was no immediate information on how many Russian prisoners were released, but the press service of the founder of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-affiliated paramilitary force whose fighters are prominent in eastern Ukraine, released a video Sunday showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being readied for an exchange. In his Easter address released on Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the holiday as marking "the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life," and he stressed what he said was Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian aggression.

"Belief in victory unites all of us always, and especially today," Zelensky said. In central Kyiv, people gathered in the courtyard of the landmark St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery on Sunday morning to have their Easter eggs and baskets of food blessed by a priest. A curfew had prevented most from attending the traditional all-night service hours earlier, with many tuning into a livestream instead. Alla Voronina, one of the people who came to St. Michael's with baskets containing Easter cakes and multicolored eggs, said the restrictions were "very hard" on residents' morale. "You constantly recall how it used to be before the war," she said.



Russians also observed Easter, including President Vladimir Putin, who attended midnight services in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral. Despite the shared Orthodox holiday, Russian shelling and missile attacks continued to sow destruction in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian regional officials. Officials in the country's south and east said churches had not been spared. The governor of the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhii Lysak, said Russian forces stationed at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant shelled a church in a nearby town, wounding two civilians. "The Russians have once again confirmed that they hold nothing sacred," Lysak said in his post.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
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By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

OKSBOL, Denmark (Reuters) - Denmark has major shortcoming in its ability to defend its territory and meet its NATO commitments despite pledges to increase defence spending, its army chief said on Thursday, as the country hosted a large military exercise.

Denmark, a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, scaled down its military capabilities to wage a land war in Europe after the end of the Cold War.

But in response to the Ukraine crisis, the country has come under pressure to bring spending back up to a NATO target of 2% of GDP. Its government said in December it would aim to meet that target by 2030, three years earlier than planned.

"We need to get more robust and fix all the things we have neglected throughout the years since the Berlin Wall came down," Major General Gunner Arpe Nielsen told Reuters.

As part of its commitments to NATO, Denmark has been tasked with establishing a heavy infantry brigade. The project, however, has been marred by delays.

In January, the country donated 19 French-made Caesar howitzer artillery systems to Ukraine, further stunting its own military build-up.

"The biggest gap we have is personnel. I think we need to grab all the tools in the toolbox to attract and retain young people," said Nielsen, who is the commander of the Danish army.

"It could be money, but equally important would be new buildings and new equipment, and give young people the possibility to train in better surroundings," he said as explosions rang out at a artillery firing range near the town of Oksbol on Denmark's west coast.

Some 500 soldiers from eight different countries took part in the simulated attack involving live fire from HIMARS rocket launchers, AHS Krab and M777 howitzers, and Cardom 10 mortars.

The Dynamic Front exercise was led by the U.S. 56th Artillery Command, a unit that was re-established in 2021 to boost firepower in Europe.

Since the turn of the century, Denmark has focused its military on international operations in the Middle East and Africa at the expense of being able to defend its homeland.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Paul Simao)
Bahrain residents warn of impending health crisis as rodents continue to multiply

Bahrain residents warn of impending health crisis as rodents continue to multiply

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Zahra Ayaz

Sitra and Mina Salman are business hotspots in Bahrain, and their contributions to the economy are vital.

Bahrain's entire petroleum output is concentrated at Sitra, which also serves as an export centre for the oil resources of northern Saudi Arabia.

Mina Salman is a major Gulf port that has acted as a gateway to the Arabian Gulf since the 1960s.

However, these locations, as well as others near Bahrain's beaches, are now being discussed for a different reason: rats! thousands, not just one or two! They are said to be everywhere.

Residents told the Daily Tribune that unchecked rodents upset them.

People claim that their numbers and sightings have recently increased and that they have acquired so much daring that they now venture to enter a house in broad daylight!

The situation has deteriorated.

Interestingly, residents of Adliya, Gudaibiya, and Um Al Hassam also recounted the same account.

They claim that rat sightings have increased dramatically in recent months.

Tania Rebello, a resident of Adliya for several years, told The Daily Tribune, while being vocal about the attractiveness of the place, One thing that has always bothered me is the number of rats in the area.

I always find rats near the building as I return home from work in the evening.

You can see them roaming around during the day; they even reside on our terrace, and recently they ate through my AC drain pipe and tried to enter my house."

"The damage was expensive and time-consuming to repair.

She further added that her neighbour too went through the same trauma.

They managed to catch around 20 rats after setting traps, but freed them all at a faraway location!" Rebello, on the other hand, claims that traps have become less effective as the rodent population has grown from hundreds to thousands.

This endeavour is fruitless since it must be addressed on a much wider basis.

Rats, according to inhabitants, are not only destructive to the environment but also to humans.

The respiratory problems that might result from inhaling excrement and urine exacerbate the condition.

People are hoping that the government will move quickly to eradicate rats from the Adliya region.

So, what can be done?

According to a pet control agency, the most likely causes are garbage left on the street and thriving vegetation.
AFP | Riyadh

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Diplomats meeting in Saudi Arabia agreed Saturday that the Arab world must play a leading role in efforts to broker a solution to Syria's war, following talks aimed at easing Damascus's isolation.

Top diplomats from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- plus Egypt, Iraq and Jordan met in Saudi Arabia at the kingdom's request.

They stressed the "importance of having an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the crisis", according to a statement released by the Saudi foreign ministry early Saturday.

They also discussed "the necessary mechanisms for this role" and agreed to intensify "consultations among Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts".

Backed by Iran and Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been shunned by many Middle Eastern countries and is a Western pariah over the war -- which has killed more than half a million people and forced about half of Syria's pre-war population from their homes.

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 over Assad's brutal crackdown of pro-democracy protests.

But on Wednesday, in the latest sign of an easing in tensions with Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Jeddah, the first such visit since the war began.

Mekdad and his Saudi counterpart discussed "the necessary steps" to end Damascus's isolation, according to a Saudi statement on Wednesday.

And following the latest foreign minister meeting, top Arab diplomats "agreed on the importance of resolving the humanitarian crisis" in Syria and securing conditions that would allow for refugee returns, the Saudi foreign ministry said Saturday.

- 'Betrayed' -

Syria's rehabilitation sends "a message to the opposition that Assad will triumph in the end and that their foreign backers will betray them", Aron Lund of the Century International think tank told AFP earlier before Saudi Arabia's statement.

Inhabitants of rebel-held Idlib, in northern Syria, said they felt "betrayed" by the moves to rehabilitate Assad's government.

"We, the people who live in northern Syria, felt extremely betrayed when we heard about the normalisation with Assad," Rama Sifu, 32, who lives in Idlib, told AFP.

"How come after 12 years of struggle and revolution, they come today and tell him: here is your seat back at the Arab League? This is unacceptable, we really felt let down."

But late Thursday, the prime minister of Qatar -- an opponent of Assad's government -- poured cold water on talk of Syria's possible return to the Arab League.

"There is nothing proposed, it is all speculation," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said in a television interview.

The Jeddah meeting is one of a flurry of initiatives following Saudi Arabia and Iran's landmark, Chinese-brokered announcement on March 10 that they would resume ties, seven years after an acrimonious split.

On Friday, an exchange of nearly 900 prisoners from Yemen's civil war between the Iran-backed Huthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition got under way when flights carrying captives travelled between rebel- and government-controlled areas.

The Saudi ambassador to Yemen this week held talks with Huthi forces aimed at ending the devastating civil war that has raged since the Saudi-led military intervention started in 2015.

- 'Overcome Gulf differences' -

And late on Wednesday, gas-rich Qatar and its tiny but strategic Gulf neighbour Bahrain agreed to re-establish relations, putting aside a long-running diplomatic feud.

Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, and Shiite theocracy Iran have long been vying for influence around the region, with Yemen and previously Syria among their proxy conflicts.

But analysts say Saudi Arabia is now trying to calm the region to allow it to focus on ambitious domestic projects aimed at diversifying its energy-dependent economy.

Although the Arab League takes decisions by consensus, unanimous agreement is unlikely, said a Riyadh-based diplomat who declined to be identified.

"The meeting aims to overcome the Gulf differences over Syria as much as possible," the diplomat told AFP, singling out Qatar.

"The Saudis are trying at least to ensure that Qatar does not object to Syria's return to the Arab League if the issue is put to any vote," the diplomat added.
Sonia Ryma Ait Kheddache was assisting a newcomer at a Caraquet grocery store when an unidentified man in the store allegedly made racist comments towards her. (Radio-Canada - image credit)

Radio-Canada

A New Brunswick woman who was the subject of a racist incident in Caraquet, N.B., last week is speaking out.

Sonia Ryma Ait Kheddache, 24, shared the incident that happened on Wednesday on social media, along with a 20-second video she took on her cellphone of a man making racist and Islamophobic comments toward her in a grocery store.

"It remains a minority, but it exists." Kheddache said in French. "These kinds of statements, this kind of person needs to be exposed."

Kheddache is originally from Algeria and now lives in Shippagan, N.B. She was at the Coop IGA Extra in Caraquet, assisting a newcomer to Canada with their groceries.

She said the man first addressed her in English.

After an exchange about her wearing a headscarf, she says he raised his voice and made several comments suggesting she is not welcome in Canada and should go back to "her country."

Crossed paths a second time

Several moments later, Kheddache and the man crossed paths again in the same store and she said he made more Islamophobic comments that she recorded on her phone.

Caraquet Mayor Bernard Theriault called the incident unacceptable.

"It may be an isolated case but we cannot afford even one of those incidents," said Theriault.

"With the arrival of people from all over the world, we're in that game now, even in Caraquet. We have probably more than 200 people as we speak that are either here on working permits for fish plants or are on [residency] status."

Radio-Canada

He said Caraquet already has a team of 15-20 volunteers working to educate the community on tolerance and inclusion, but admits more needs to be done.

"I'm not proud of being the mayor of Caraquet when I heard about that," said Theriault. "But I'll take my responsibility and will make sure that this does not happen again."

He said he had been proud, and is still proud, of the warm welcome offered to newcomers by the majority of the Caraquet community, but the video of last week's incident made the underlying problems evident.

Story continues

"We are inviting everyone involved there not to tolerate that, and we will start, as soon as we can, some process to have a better education in there for our community."

RCMP Sgt. Martin Allaire of the Caraquet detachment confirmed to Radio-Canada that a complaint has been filed about the incident and an investigation is underway.

Christine Robichaud, the general manager of the Coop IGA Extra in Caraquet, confirmed the incident had occurred but did not want to comment since it is under police investigation.

According to Kheddache, the management of the grocery store and several employees apologized to her, told the man to stay away from the store, and called police.
Why would someone confess to a crime they didnt commit?

It happens more often than one might expect. According to the Innocence Project, fully one-quarter of wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence involve a false confession. Many involve promises of leniency offered to suspects that later disappear. Later, the confession is held up as definitive proof the state has found the right person.

Under current Connecticut law, police can lie to children during interrogations to extract false confessions. A movement is underway to change that.

We know from experience that false confessions happen. There are now many proven cases of people who have admitted, in detail, to crimes they are later conclusively proven not to have committed.

People who dont pay close attention to criminal justice issues have a hard time understanding how that could be possible.

Peter Reilly, a Connecticut resident who was wrongfully convicted in the death of his mother in 1974 and exonerated two years later, has long been an advocate for a reform of police interrogation methods. He described his situation in an opinion piece recently.

They told me that I had failed a polygraph test, even though they knew this was a lie. Over hours of interrogations, they convinced me that I had somehow done something I couldnt imagine. It wasnt until two years later that evidence showed I clearly could not have done what I was tricked into believing.

If this were a one-off incident, we could maybe brush it aside. Evidence shows it happens all too frequently. Policymakers must act to see that it stops.

Mark Fallon, a policing expert who has made a career out of getting information out of people, including terrorism suspects, is today a top proponent of eliminating what he refers to as bad tactics that elicit bad information. If the goal is to find people who committed crimes, rather than simply someone convenient to blame them on, we need a better way, he says.

Theres a lot of junk science, he said in a recent interview. Theres just an incredible amount of bad information that we get from coercion and bad interviewing tactics.

Fallon is working with the Innocence Project, which works to free people wrongly convicted of crimes, with a goal not only to help those who shouldnt be in prison, but to find the people who should be.

A top priority is a rethinking of what is legal in interrogations, including the allowability of lying to a suspect. Legislation before the Connecticut General Assembly this year would make it illegal to lie to a child under interrogation, which advocates call an attainable first step in the process.

Lying not a useful tactic, said Nathaniel Erb with the Innocence Project. The old stuff weve been using is not just ineffective, its counterproductive.

The pair laid out how the tactics can work on an innocent suspect. Investigators tell someone that they know hes guilty, that they have proof, that theres nothing that can be done. They say they have eyewitness testimony, DNA evidence, cellphone records, whatever. They say, if you want to make this easier on yourself and on your family, just tell us what happened.

Eventually, when whomever is being questioned is inexperienced, or becomes exhausted, of just doesnt see a way out, that person might come to believe that its possible they committed the crime as investigators say they did. They come to believe it would be easier to just admit it. They come to think that if they do what their questioners say, the ordeal will be over and they will be allowed to go on with their lives.

What happens instead is that their confession, offered under duress, is held as proof that the person is guilty, and their lives of freedom are ended.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty, but once guilt has been established, the legal system makes it exceedingly difficult to overturn that verdict. Even scientific proof that a person could not have committed a crime can take years before it leads to a prison sentence ending, and cases based solely on a confession where there is no scientific evidence are even harder to overturn.

Thats why its so important to prevent false confessions in the first place.

So much of what the public believes about police and interrogations comes from television, so it can be hard to push back on made-for-TV nonsense. For instance, experts say, theres no way to know that a person is lying based solely on nonverbal cues, like shifting in their seats, mumbling, looking away, etc. All that may be a sign of nervousness, which is not the same thing. In studies, experienced investigators have proven no better than random amateurs at knowing via those techniques when a suspect is lying.

The problem is when investigators go into an interrogation convinced they already know the answer. They have a hunch. They think they know. They want to get it wrapped up.

They end up with the wrong person.

The effect is lives wasted in prison even as the guilty walk free. Connecticut legislators have a chance to put a stop to it, at least in some form. They need to act.

Hugh Bailey is editorial page editor of the Connecticut Post and New Haven Register. He can be reached at hbailey@hearstmediact.com.
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NEW HAVEN  For 38 years, Yoon-Ock Kim has run a little Asian market and Korean restaurant in the East Rock section that has aimed to make customers feel like they were sitting in her kitchen.

Now, fans of The Oriental Pantry, currently at 486 Orange St., including its bibimbap, kimbap, japchae and unagi (eel) rice bowl, have little time to get one last fix. At the end of the month, Kim, a native of Busan, South Korea, will retire.

"Actually, I don't want to retire," she said Thursday, surrounded by all the goods and treats she has amassed in the place she built over many years. "This business is my baby. It's not just business for the money  but for my life. I want to introduce Korean culture."

At 71, Kim doesn't feel old. But her mother lives with Kim and her husband in Orange, and Kim's husband, Kapheon "George" Kim, is now retired and could use some company.

The couple raised two sons and a daughter, and now have three grandchildren. So Kim believes it's time to move to the next phase of life.

She's been looking for months for someone to buy the business and keep it going as it is. But so far, the closest she has come is a man, originally from the Dominican Republic, who wants to take over the space and buy the fixtures and furniture to operate an all-new place.

After this month, "I'll miss everything," Kim said. "I'll miss my customers and all the merchandise.

"I love my customers!" she said. "This is my working place. I come here to work, but also to socialize."

And there certainly are many loyal customers with whom Kim could socialize.

Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale Law School and onetime dean of the law school, is one of them: "He loved my bibimbap!" Kim said.

Koh, who is Korean American, said of Kim via email, "She is a lovely and gracious presence, who prepares everything with love and care. You walk in the door and youre at home. She deserves a restful and joyful retirement."

Because so many people have come through Yale and the neighborhood over the years from so many places, "we're known all over the world," Kim said. She gets Korean and Japanese scholars who come in with Oriental Pantry business cards given to them years ago by friends and colleagues, she said.

"I know how hard you have worked for all these years to make The Oriental Pantry the wonderful success that it has been," wrote author Diane Joy Charney, who also is a friend and longtime customer, in a text to Kim that she also posted to her Facebook page. "Of course you deserve a rest, but how I will miss you!"

A Korean friend of Kim's, Hyo-Gil Her, told her in a text that the Oriental Pantry "was not just a livelihood for you. I know it was your sanctuary, your dreaming place."

Over the years, "it's been a delightful parlor and a cozy resting place for you," Her wrote.

Kim spent her early life in Busan then moved to Seoul to go to college at 19. After meeting and marrying her husband, they moved to the U.S. in the late 1970s, initially settling in Boston before moving to New Haven in 1978 so her husband could attend Yale.

Kim opened The Oriental Pantry 38 years ago on Whitney Avenue, then moved to Orange Street in 2004. Before that, she owned a Korean and Japanese restaurant at Whitney and Trumbull streets.

In the store, Kim is surrounded by Korean products, including a variety of fresh food, Korean ice cream (black sesame, mango, green tea and red bean, to name a few), as well as a host of manufactured Korean products, including both fresh and dried ramen noodles, teas, candy, hand-held fans, gochujang paste, rice vinegar, soy and fish sauces  and even fine china, bowls, teapots, dolls and lamps.

On Thursday, former Yale doctoral students Hortense Fong and boyfriend John Finlay, now living in New York City after six years in New Haven, were back to hang out with friends.

"We're occasional customers" at this point, said Fong. "We came here for the bibimbap.

Their friend, Jaewon Lee, still a Yale doctoral student, said The Oriental Pantry "is cozier than other places."

At a nearby table, George Egan of Madison and Fred Pratt of Branford were waiting for some food as part of their weekly excursion for Asian food and a trip to Costco.

"Each week, we pick a different Asian restaurant," Egan said. He called the bibimbap at The Oriental Pantry "just unbelievable." But beyond that, "I love the atmosphere," he said. "They're very friendly. There's parking."

Kim broke the news to her customers Monday in a Facebook post, writing, that "running this business has been my great passion and I have loved being a member of this beautiful community. It has been an honor to serve you all and I hope you have enjoyed my food and service over the years.

"I will never forget the time we spent together and will always cherish our conversations and laughter but most of all, the friendships we have created," Kim wrote. "I hope you will also reflect fondly on our memories and shared experiences."
EAST HAVEN  Police say two men arrested in connection with the attempted armed break in of a Maple Street home planned to restrain the residents with zip ties during the robbery.

The pair were arrested after the failed home invasion was caught on a home surveillance camera Friday morning, leading investigators to the suspects within hours, according to the East Haven Police Department.

Police identified the men as Xavier Otero, 37, and Jean Carrasquillo-Torres, 26, of Hartford. Otero is accused of posing as a package delivery employee to try to gain access to the home, and police say Carrasquillo-Torres acted as an accomplice.

East Haven Police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo has said Otero knocked on the homes door around 9:45 a.m. and told the homeowner he had a package that belonged to him. The encounter was captured on a Ring security camera.

"He then immediately brandished a black handgun and attempted to enter the residence," Murgo said. "The homeowner can be seen pushing the suspect away."

Otero then fled in a silver and black Dodge Ram, or similar vehicle, with a bed cover, according to Murgo. Following the incident, police distributed the suspect's description and video of the incident.

Police said officers located Otero at a family member's home in Hartford with the help of tips from the public. They said investigators then uncovered evidence pointing to a plot to break into a home and restrain residents with zip ties before robbing them. The investigation also led to the discovery of a potential second home invasion in Manchester.

Police said Carrasquillo-Torres was arrested after the Dodge Ram pickup truck involved in the attempted home invasion was located at a separate residence in Hartford. A search of the home turned up zip ties, weapons, 1.1 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and items commonly used to distribute narcotics, police said.

Otero was charged with home invasion, first-degree threatening, criminal possession of a firearm and first-degree attempted unlawful restraint in connection with the incident. Carrasquillo-Torres was also charged with conspiracy to commit a home invasion, conspiracy to commit unlawful restraint and narcotics-related offenses.

Otero and Carrasquillo-Torres were both held at the East Haven Police Department on $250,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court on April 26, according to police.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com; Twitter @RichChumney.
Niagara Regional Police officers arrested a suspect in a Port Colborne convenience store robbery after the getaway vehicle was spotted Welland about five hours later.

Policed arrived at the Happy Market Convenience Store at 48 Main Street East at 9:29 a.m. Friday after a report of a robbery and learned a male suspect entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money from a female employee, who wasnt injured.

The suspect fled in a vehicle and headed east with an undisclosed amount of Canadian currency.

Detectives from the Welland/Pelham criminal investigative branch took over the investigation.

At 2:30 p.m., the detectives located the suspects vehicle in Welland. Police followed the vehicle for a short time before it pulled into a parking lot and stopped.

Detectives and uniform officers co-ordinated their arrest plan and safely took the suspect into custody.

A 21-year-old man from Thorold is charged with robbery.

He was in custody pending a bail hearing on Saturday at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.

No other suspects are being sought.

The police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, 1009318.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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CAMERON  About 2,000 people attended the visitation and funeral of slain police officers Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel as they were laid to rest Saturday.

Hundreds more lined the streets for the procession as the small northwestern Wisconsin town swelled with law enforcement and others who traveled to pay their respects.

Breidenbach, a 32-year-old Chetek police officer, and Scheel, a 23-year-old Cameron police officer, were killed a week ago in a shootout with 50-year-old Glen Douglas Perry of New Auburn during a traffic stop. Perry later died at a hospital.

At the funeral for the officers, Chetek Mayor Jeff Martin said Breidenbach wore a badge, carried a gun and helped maintain public safety.

But like all good officers, she did so much more than enforcing the law, he said. She built bridges into our community with kids and adults alike in our schools, on our streets downtown.

Maranatha Evangelical Free Church Senior Pastor Cody Kargus said he was close to both officers. He said both were good Christians and will be remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice: laying down their lives in the line of duty.

Last Saturday was the worst day of my life, Kargus said during the funerals. I lost my two friends. And today is hard. I want to thank you for being a supportive family and supportive of our agencies here in Chetek and Cameron.

We are going through a horrible time. So your presence and friendship is very important. It is overwhelming.

The village of Cameron and city of Chetek are small communities located 8 miles from each other. Each has about 2,000 residents.

Both communities police departments have just a handful of officers.

Cameron Police Chief Adam Steffen talked about hiring Breidenbach and the kind of woman she was.

All she wanted to do was help people, Steffen said. "She was always running around like her hair was on fire, trying to do the right thing. She was hands on. Everything she did she put her all into.

"Hunter and Emily performed their job with dignity, respect and professionalism."

Mike Breidenbach, Emilys brother said, There is darkness and there always will be. When that darkness comes to call I can thank God that there are such truly special men and women like Emily and Hunter.

Audrey Scheel had three words to describe her brother.

Confident, strong and fearless, Audrey Scheel said. "When I think about Hunter, picture him in my mind, I see his contagious smile. The smile that Hunter gave to anyone he met along the way."

Scheel's family members described him as giving, from touring in Afghanistan to helping his grandpa collect sap and make maple syrup. He was also an avid hunter, friends said.

Kargus encouraged people who knew the two officers to reach out to each other for support.

It is good to let someone know that youre hurting, he said. Youre not meant to do this alone, and youre not weak for asking for help.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Justice said Breidenbach and Scheel pulled Perry over to check on his welfare after their departments received notification of concerning behavior and because he had an outstanding warrant.

Court records show a Barron County judge issued a bench warrant for Perry on March 30 after he failed to appear during a court hearing requested by the countys child support agency as part of a divorce case. Perry was also charged twice with offenses related to domestic violence in 2020.

Breidenbach joined the Chetek police force in 2019 and handled the departments therapy dog, Officer Grizz. Before working for her hometown police department, she worked for nine months with the Stoughton Police Department in Dane County.

Scheel joined the Cameron Police Department in 2022 after graduating from the law enforcement academy in December. He also served six years as a member of the Army National Guard.

The shooting is being investigated by the DOJs Division of Criminal Investigation. It garnered national attention and an outpouring of condolences via social media from other law enforcement agencies and elected officials like Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers.

Evers ordered all flags be lowered to half staff on Wednesday in honor of Scheel and Breidenbach.

The officers morning visitation was followed by the funeral service. Both ceremonies were held at Cameron High School with police honors conducted outside the school at its conclusion.

Memorial funds for the fallen officers have been set up at banks in the region. Donations to the Hunter Scheel Memorial Fund can be sent to PO Box 457, 101 W. Main St. Cameron, WI 54822. Donations to the Emily Breidenbach Memorial Fund can be sent to Sterling Bank, 427 Second St., PO Box 106, Chetek, WI 54728.

Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel laid to rest First responders Law enforcement 2362C5BC-3AAA-42D7-83E0-934010CDE004.jpeg 9559AE4E-DF45-4FDC-BC99-6C736DB5B7DA.jpeg B2EE7510-FCE0-4179-A784-94DE2469097F.jpeg 13250676-EF1A-404B-8AF4-313A9D29E8CD.jpeg 82C7FEE9-70D9-4335-8BB4-2124E059B7D0.jpeg 1ACF534B-9F49-4187-9E6B-4024E2689E9C.jpeg 2B18219E-0E80-40C3-9C83-05E98878F28F.jpeg 7F1B807A-F805-42EF-9707-55414EED870E.jpeg 56634BF7-FEF5-436F-9240-15F267A9C5DB.jpeg EC56631F-160F-4E2E-B5F9-BBB37FFED32F.jpeg E5A6C59C-91F2-4056-BE1E-540FBDD43FA1.jpeg CCED2FF6-841A-4159-A4CB-E6BBA1B09884.jpeg 295739F8-5DCF-48AB-BE6C-A0B194866055.jpeg F412E00C-A026-4FF3-8304-744768F6E373.jpeg

Procession held for officers killed in line of duty Firefighters 1 Mayor Martin Procession Remembering officers Firehats Cameron and Chetek first responders Cameron and Chetek coffins Officers Parade of first responders
Living with your parents after you graduated was financially essential.

But now youve got a pretty good job, your debts are under control (specifically, consumer debts like credit card balances), and youre ready for what comes next.

Heres how to get yourself organized to be a financially independent adult and finally fly the coop. Youll want to do all of this before you start packing.

Get your banking accounts organized

If youve got accounts all over the place and some are joint with your parents while some are not, youll want to clear the clutter and have these three low-to-no-fee accounts just in your name. First, a chequing account where your pay goes into and where your rent, groceries, student loans and utilities will be paid from. Second, a savings account that will be used as an emergency fund. Third, another savings account youll use for bigger purchases throughout the year like an eventual trip to Europe.

New to saving? Start with this; once youve moved out, when you get paid, put three per cent of your pay cheque (the amount being deposited, also known as your net pay) into your emergency fund and another three per cent into your bigger purchases account. Automate these transfers so that you never forget to do this important savings.

Set up an investment account for the long-term

The TFSA is a great starting place to begin your investing journey (this is the money youll use way down the road, and that grows through the power of compounded interest and reinvested returns). These accounts can be opened at your local bank, through a robo-advisor or through a financial planner. If youve got a work pension plan, sign up for that as well because your employer might add money to your account through a matching program  thats free money!

As your income grows, adding an RRSP and possibly the new Tax-free First Home Savings Account (if you want to be a homeowner eventually) are other accounts for consideration.

My advice if youve never invested a single penny is to earmark four per cent of your net to go into a TFSA once youre launched.

Make a budget

Make a once I move out budget based on the income you have left over after youve done your saving and investing  in other words, plan to live off of 90 per cent of what you take home.

Whether you want to use an app or a Google sheets template or a tool promoted on TikTok, a budget is key to being the boss of your money. Youll input your earnings, add the saving and investing amounts I mentioned above and then your expected living costs. The goal is to make sure youre not spending more money than what you have, otherwise youll go into debt.

Quickly, youll get a sense of what you might be able to afford for rent, utilities, cellphone, groceries and transit. Armed with this information, check the rental listings that would work with your budget.

Keep your scores in check

Youll need some savings to get launched, and a good credit score.

Landlords will need a security deposit and one months rent up front. And, the only way theyll agree to lease to you is if you have a reasonably good credit score (typically over 650).

If you dont have savings or a good credit score, your next steps are super simple  start saving with each pay cheque and ensure youre making your loan and credit card payments on time (and in full, if you can). This could take a few months, but only good things can come from saving and using credit responsibly.

Still not enough?

You might discover that you dont make enough money to have everything you want, and thats when financial creativity can go a long way.

Heard about the singles tax? To sum it up, its the unfortunate reality that living 100 per cent on your own, without a partner or a roommate, is extremely expensive. There are only two ways to resolve this; make more or spend less. Im a fan of always finding ways to make more money no matter what stage of life youre in. It could be looking for a better job, taking on more shifts, freelancing or side-hustling  anything goes, especially if youre in an expensive city.

And, when it comes to spending less, this is simply that youll need to find less expensive rent, cheaper places to buy groceries, bundled discounts for insurance and so on. Youll want to be frugal because saving money on essentials gives you more money for the fun stuff. Or, house share. You wont have roommates forever, but having them can make living independently now a reality. Just be mindful who you choose to live with.

When youre ready, share your plans with your parents so that they can make their own plans and hopefully celebrate with you in this exciting new chapter of your life.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during a critical point in our nations history as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.

Saturdays nationwide rallies were sparked by the U.S. Supreme Courts actions the day before, when the high court intervened to delay rule changes that would have limited the way the abortion drug mifepristone could be used and dispensed. The limits were paused while the court reviews the case more thoroughly.

Harris made a surprise stop in Los Angeles at one of the rallies, where she called the latest upheaval over abortion rights a further incursion by conservatives into myriad fundamental rights many Americans thought they had.

And so this is a moment that history will show required each of us  based on our collective love of our country  to stand up, and fight for, and protect our ideals. Thats what this moment is, she said Saturday, speaking to several hundred demonstrators from the steps of City Hall. When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America.

Some of the protesters voiced their anger at the steps of the nations high court, which took Fridays action at the request of the federal Justice Department. The agency asked the high court to lift restrictions on mifepristone imposed by an appellate court in Texas earlier in the week. The decision by the appellate court reduced the window of time when the drug could be used and prevented the drug from being dispensed by mail.

Critics of the Texas and appellate court decisions, including pharmaceutical companies, viewed the courts actions as a dangerous intrusion into the authority of the FDA, which regulates how medications are sold and used in the United States.

Demonstrators in New York City stood behind a sign with a four-letter expletive directed at Texas, where a federal judge set off the latest salvo in the battle over abortion. They held signs urging the government to defend medication abortions.

But the crowd was modest, attracting a little more than 100 people outside the picturesque public library along Fifth Avenue.

Still, the demonstrators attracted looks from passersby along the busy thoroughfare, some briefly joining the group to lend their voices.

It can be hard to get people out, because people are being bombarded with all kinds of assaults on their bodies and people are tired and poor, said Viva Ruiz, who said she helped organize the rally.

The news cycle is so fast that when one thing happens something terrible happens the next day. So its hard to sustain the momentum or the energy for people to be on the streets, Ruiz said.

With few exceptions, many of the rallies  organized under the banner of a group calling itself Bigger than Roe  were held in smaller cities.

Since last year's reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the right to an abortion, more than a dozen states have effectively outlawed abortion, while additional states have moved to further tighten abortion laws.

On Thursday, the GOP-dominated Florida Legislature moved to became the latest state to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Restrictions on the delivery and use of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to end a pregnancy, would be a further blow to abortion rights advocates. The other drug, misoprostol, can be used on its own, but doing so is less effective than using both drugs in combination.

When mifepristone was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications.

If the appeals courts action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed.

States that support abortion rights, including California and New York, have begun stockpiling misoprostol to assure their states have adequate supplies. Washington state is among those stockpiling a supply of mifepristone or its generic form. And Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health buy additional quantities of mifepristone.

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used mifepristone as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

__________

Calvan reported from New York.

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CHICAGO (AP)  When the U.S. prisons director visited the penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, this past week, she stopped by the federal death row where Bruce Webster is in a solitary, 12-by-7 foot cell, 23 hours a day.

Websters not supposed to be there. A federal judge in Indiana ruled in 2019 that the 49-year-old has an IQ in the range of severe intellectual disability and so cannot be put to death.

But four years on, the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Prisons havent moved him to a less restrictive unit or different prison.

Why? His own lawyer, who secured a rare legal win in persuading a court to vacate Websters 1996 death sentence in the kidnapping, rape and killing of a 16-year-old Texas girl, says shes baffled.

How can I not get this guy off death row?, an exasperated Monica Foster said in a recent interview. Well, I did get him off death row. But why cant I physically get him off death row?

Asked about Websters continued placement on death row, a Justice Department official said only that the Bureau of Prisons is considering Mr. Websters designation determination.

Websters case illustrates chronic bureaucracy in the prisons system and the difficulties in getting anyone off death row. Theres sometimes additional reluctance to act in death row cases given the nature of inmates crimes.

In Websters case, he and three accomplices kidnapped a sister of a rival drug trafficker in 1994, kicking their way into an Arlington, Texas, apartment as Lisa Rene frantically dialed 911. They raped her over two days, then stripped her, bludgeoned her with a shovel and buried her alive.

Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters has said shes committed to reforms. Her visit to Terre Haute was part of regular inspections of U.S. prisons. It came months after a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana seeking to end the solitary confinement of federal death row inmates, saying that practice results in severe psychological damage.

Several death row inmates told The Associated Press by email that Peters came through their unit on Tuesday and spoke to some prisoners. Its not known whether she saw Webster or discussed his case.

The Biden administration should see moving Webster as an uncontroversial if modest step toward fulfilling President Joe Bidens campaign pledge to stop federal executions for good, Foster argued.

This case is a no brainer, the Indianapolis-based federal defender said. There is zero political liability for doing the right thing here and moving him off death row.

Webster, who wants to be transferred to a prison near his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, must be resentenced. Its supposed to be a formality because life in prison is the only available sentence.

When his lawyers and the Justice Department asked in joint 2021 motion for U.S. judge in Texas where Webster was tried in 1996 to resentence him, the judge refused, saying he lacked jurisdiction.

Judge Terry Means also chided his Indiana counterpart, Judge William Lawrence, for tossing Websters death sentence, saying Lawrence had brushed aside jurors finding, including that most rejected Websters intellectual disability claims.

That judgment is final, the government said about Means ruling, adding that it is the departments position that Mr. Webster is not currently subject to a valid death sentence.

Responsibility to get Webster off death row lies squarely with the Justice Department, Foster said.

The Justice Department executed 13 U.S. death row inmates, some of them Websters friends, in the last months of Donald Trumps presidency. While Biden's Justice Department paused the executions and reversed decisions to seek death sentences in some cases, it continues to seek them in others.

Lawrence based his Webster ruling on Atkins v. Virginia, a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2002 ruling that executing those with intellectual disabilities violated Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

That decision hasnt prevented some inmates with such disabilities from being executed, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. It identifies 25 cases where thats happened since that ruling, including two federal inmates executed under Trump, Alfred Bourgeois and Corey Johnson.

Whether Webster qualified as intellectually disabled centered on three questions: Was his IQ significantly below average, did he show an inability to learn basic skills and was the onset of the disability apparent before age 18?

In his ruling, Lawrence cited tests putting Websters IQ between 50 and 65, below the benchmark score for intellectual disability of 70. The average is 100.

During arguments, Websters lawyers said he relied on others to tie his shoes late into childhood, and, as a teenager, had trouble playing card games because he couldnt distinguish between clubs and spades.

Prosecutors accused Webster of playing dumb. They said he intentionally answered IQ questions incorrectly to avoid the death penalty. They said proof of his aptitude included how, during a jail stint, he figured out how to pick locks on a food chute to slip into a womens section.

Webster also has been able to hold a job, albeit it criminal in nature, a government filing added. Being a successful drug dealer is no less demanding than holding any number of legitimate jobs.

The decisive evidence, however, were newly obtained Social Security records from before the killing indicating Websters IQ was within the intellectually disabled range. That evidence, despite requests for it, wasnt made available at his trial.

Foster worries what could happen if Webster doesnt get off death row soon. Even though past rulings should prevent it, she fears that if Trump wins the presidency, his administration could seek to restore the death sentence.

If that happens, she said, Im concerned it could be carried out.

__

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm.

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Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says there was a deliberate attempt by some unnamed persons to deny Igbo-speaking people of the South-east an opportunity to produce a Nigerian president in 2023.

Mr Ikpeazu stated this on Wednesday when he met with the leadership of Nzuko Umunna, a pan Igbo political organisation, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Onyebuchi Ememanka, on Thursday.

The delegation of Nzuko Umunna was led by Ozichukwu Chukwu and Josephine Anenih.

The governor argued that the Igbos had made immense contributions to national development given that they reside in every part of Nigeria, but regretted that the conspiracy around them was very grave.

He stressed that it was time for Ndi Igbo to leverage on their unity, compromise and understanding to craft and construct a pathway towards their political liberation in next elections.

Igbos should not spend time fighting themselves but rather forge a common front for their future in Nigeria.

That time has come for Igbos to become intentional about their strategic disposition in Nigeria and therefore, should expand conversations around the issue with a view to strengthening their relationship with other ethnic groups across the country, Mr Ikpeazu said.

Speaking earlier during the gathering, the leader of the delegation, Mr Chukwu, said their visit to the governor was to further discuss the way forward for Ndi Igbo, and the need for them to come together and plan ahead, adding that although Nzuko Umunna is a political organisation, it is non-partisan.

He equally lauded the governor for congratulating the Abia State Governor-elect, Alex Otti, on his victory as well as for urging other candidates not to distract him with court litigations.

Background

Before the 2023 presidential election, there had been calls from South-east leaders that the region should be allowed to produce a Nigerian president for the first time in 2023.

Hope of many residents of the South-east was dashed when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the two dominant political parties in Nigeria, picked their candidates outside the region during their separate presidential primaries in May, last year.

But the hope was later rekindled after a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, dumped the PDP and defected to the Labour Party (LP) where he later emerged the partys presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

Although Mr Obi was not the only presidential candidate from the South-east, the LP candidate enjoyed swelling support across the country ahead of the election, mainly in South-east and South-south regions.

But the former governor later lost in the 25 February presidential election, after coming third in the exercise with a total of 6,101,533 votes.

Bola Tinubu of the APC was declared winner after polling a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who scored a total of 6,984,520 votes.

Mr Obi and Atiku are currently challenging the victory of Mr Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

Meanwhile, Mr Ikpeazu was a member of G-5, a group of five aggrieved PDP governors, opposed to the partys presidential candidate, Atiku, and its then national leadership.

Led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, the group had also campaigned unsuccessfully to have a southerner replace the then PDPs National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in order to achieve a regional balance since both Atiku and Mr Ayu are from the north.

The G5 said their opposition to Atiku was majorly because of their belief that the next Nigerian president ought to have come from the south, since the current President Muhammadu Buhari is from the north.

Governor Wike backed the APCs Mr Tinubu, now Nigerias president-elect, while Governor Ortom of Benue State supported the LP candidate, Mr Obi.

It is unclear who Mr Ikpeazu supported in the election. He had said he would not support Mr Tinubu.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there is a game plan of upturning the democratic wishes of the people of Adamawa State.

Atiku stated this on Sunday through a press release signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, following a declaration by Hudu Yunusa, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa of Aisha Dahiru, as the winner of the election in the State.

Recall that the electoral body suspended the collation of results in the supplementary gubernatorial election held on Saturday in the State following non-adherence to election guidelines and process.

Atiku said that the voided election in which Binani was declared winner has become a case study of the shambolic nature of the 2023 elections in general.

It must be put on record that the people of Adamawa State will not allow themselves to cheated three times in a row. It must also be put on record that whatever the consequences of the scheme being scripted, both the INEC and those vested with state powers should be blamed for the consequences of such actions, he said.

Atiku demanded that the Adamawa REC and other parties involved in the voided declaration, which he described as a treasonable act, should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to anti-democratic forces.
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state, Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, delivered an acceptance speech shortly after she was illegally declared the governor-elect of the state by the resident electoral commissioner (REC).

This follows Saturdays supplementary election held in the state.

Mrs Dahiru was hoping to upstage the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored more votes during the substantive election on 18 March.

According to Nigerias electoral law, the REC, Hudu Ari, has no power to announce the winner of the election. That responsibility solely lies with the state collation officer appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It was gathered that results from the remaining local government had not been received by the INEC when the REC announced Mrs Dahiru as the winner.

In a short acceptance speech watched by NigerianEye, Mrs Dahiru thanked the people of the state for electing her.

She said her election as the first female governor in the country would encourage other women to participate actively in politics.

Youve made history in electing the first female governor in our dear country, Nigeria. This will no doubt broaden political participation by encouraging our daughters, sisters, aunties, mothers and indeed the girl child., she said in the 21 seconds clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES and broadcasted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

INEC disagrees

However, a statement released by INEC and signed by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the declaration is null and void.

The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commissions Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly, Mr Okoye said.
Yunusa Ari, the resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa, has stoked controversy in the states governorship election.

Around 9am on Sunday morning, the INEC REC announced Aisha Binani Dahiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election.

His announcement elicited protests from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) present at the state collation centre in Yola.

Before the collation exercise was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced  and Binani was trailing Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and PDP candidate.

The collation of results from the remaining 10 LGAs was expected to commence by 11am on Sunday.

Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.

Lamido is empowered by law to declare the winner of the election.

Yiaga Africa, a civil society organisation, has described the declaration as illegal, saying it is against the guidelines of the Electoral Act.

Weve received reports of an illegal declaration of results by the @inecnigeria REC for #Adamawa in violation of S 64 & 65 Electoral Act 2022 & Part 3, INEC guidelines which vests the power to declare results solely on a Returning officer appointed by INEC, Yiaga Africa said.

We call on @inecnigeria to nullify the illegal declaration, suspend the REC for Adamawa state and take urgent actions to protect the integrity of the process.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has asked the people of Kano to forgive him.

The governor, while attending a Ramadan Tafseer in Al-Fruqan Jumaat Mosque, Alu Avenue Kano, said he has very few days to leave office, hence the need to seek forgiveness.

He said on his side, he had forgiven anyone who offended him and he wanted them to also forgive him.

With this, I can say that the end of my tenure has come as a governor of Kano state. I am bidding you farewell and I wish you all the best in life.

For those whom we have offended, already our Imam has preached about forgiveness. From my own side, I have forgiven you all. Whatever someone said about me I forgive him. I also beg you to forgive me. Thank you,  Ganduje said.

In another Tafseer session, headed by Sheikh Nasidi Abubakar Gorondutse, Ganduje said, I spent 6 year as a commissioner in Kano, 8 years as deputy governor and now 8 years as governor of Kano state. So I must thank Almighty God for this blessings.

But for this long period, there must be some places where I did right and where I did wrong. Sometimes someone will commit an offence on your behalf. For whatever wrong I did, please I seek for your forgiveness, he begged.

However, following the release of the twin videos on social media platforms, there were thousands of reactions from people within and outside Kano state.

While some people said they had forgiven him, others commended the governor for seeking forgiveness.

On the other hand, some gave conditions under which they could accept his plea, with few others saying they would never forgive him.

One Masud Abdulhamid said, We have forgiven you your Excellency, may Almighty God forgive us all.

Reedwan Shagari said Kano people will miss a good and kind hearted governor. Ganduje is kind despite all the sabotage people are doing to him, but he dont care.

Yakuba Magaji Mani said Where is our cleric, Abduljabbar? Release him if you want us to forgive you.

We forgive you Baba. May God increase you in health,  said Mustapha Idris Abdullahi.

Mubarak Sani Lambu said Please Kano people let us forgive and forget. Lets forgive Baba Ganduje.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyole Sowore, on Saturday, raised an alarm over the whereabouts and health status of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Sowore said Tinubu was not seen in Mecca performing the hajj which was contrary to claims by his aides.

He also wondered why Tinubus location and health status have been kept hidden from the public.

Tweeting, Sowore wrote: Tinubu @officialABAT wasnt seen anywhere in Mecca (some of his handlers claimed he briefly traveled there).

But he was never with @mbuhari and his tightly control apparitions in France are largely controlled but unverifiable sightings.

Whats Tinubus real health condition? Why is everything hidden since his selection and departure to France where he seems to be on an Island?

Recall that the camp of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, had raised an alarm over Tinubus whereabouts.
Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, has been declared winner of the Sokoto south senatorial district election.

Abubakar Bagudu, the returning officer, who announced the results, said the governor garnered 100,860 votes to win the election.

Tambuwal defeated Danbaba Dambuwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 95,884 votes to lose his re-election bid.

With his victory, he joins the list of governors who have won senatorial seats in the 2023 elections. Others are Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state and Abubakar Bello of Niger state.

Tambuwal was elected governor of Sokoto in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.

The 57-year-old initially vied for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but later stepped down for Atiku Abubakar.

At the time, he had announced the decision was for the good of the party and the country.

What we have done is for the good of our party and the country. I appreciate every one of you that prayed for me and our party, he had said.

The sacrifice that I have made on your behalf is aimed at strengthening our party, our democracy, and; by the grace of God, soft landing our polity.

This is in consonance with the teachings of our leaders and the emulation of the examples they have given to us in the past: that we must continue to make sacrifices for the good of all of us and our country.
Until final decisions are made regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys proposed limits on PFAS chemicals in potable water, much remains unknown about how the regulations could impact local water treatment plants or communities.

According to a March 14 article by the Associated Press, the EPA proposed the first federal limits that would reduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals, to the lowest detectable levels.

Also referred to as forever chemicals, there are thousands of types of PFAS, which break down slowly, making it possible for them to build up in people, animals and environments, the EPA said. Theyve been used since the 1940s and can be found in food, water, soil and air, as well as products like nonstick pans, food packaging and firefighting foam.

Research suggests PFAS can be harmful to humans, and the EPA said studies are underway to better understand their affect on human health, although exposure to certain levels could lead to interference with the bodys natural hormones or increase the risk of certain cancers, among other effects.

The proposed limits would confine two common types of PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid  PFOA  and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid  PFOS  to 4 parts per trillion, which is the lowest level that can be reliably measured, according to the AP. The agency also proposed regulating the combined amount of four other PFAS chemicals in water.

The rule set maximum contaminant levels of 14 ppt for PFOA and 18 ppt for PFOS in potable water and specifies requirements to ensure facilities comply with the limits, such as monitoring and reporting and approved technology for treatment, according to the DEP.

The borough has just initiated testing in accordance with the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule that spans 2023-2025, said Sara Crawshaw, Carlisles environmental lab supervisor. The borough will be sampling throughout the rest of this year, which will allow the borough to build a foundation for the water treatment plant to establish whether any treatment upgrades are necessary to comply with recently implemented PA DEP legislation and proposed EPA legislation.

She said Carlisle samples raw and finished water from Carlisles Water Treatment Plant along Longs Gap Road in North Middleton Township each quarter in conjunction with the contaminant monitoring rule. An EPA-approved lab then processes the samples and findings will be published in the plants annual Consumer Confidence Report early next year.

Any impact of EPAs proposed limits on Carlisles water treatment process depends on the final limits, Crawshaw said. The need for potential upgrades to Carlisles water treatment system along with any associated costs also remain unknown.

Crawshaw said all public water suppliers will fall under the same regulations.

Like Carlisle, Pennsylvania American Water, which has a system in Mechanicsburg, is evaluating EPAs proposed limits.

The Mechanicsburg facility serves Camp Hill, Lemoyne, New Cumberland, Shiremanstown, West Fairview and Wormleysburg, as well as East Pennsboro, Hampden, Lower Allen, Silver Spring and portions of Middlesex and Upper Allen townships, External Affairs Manager David Misner said.

Pennsylvania American Waters 2022 Water Quality Report for Mechanicsburg said state regulations do not require monitoring until the beginning of next year, but water samples indicate treatment wont be needed to meet DEPs standards. The facility will meet the required monitoring, according to the report.

The report said the facility will check for 29 PFAS in drinking water through EPAs Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule Program, which allows for data collection on contaminants that dont have federal regulations.

As always, American Water supports the U.S. EPAs efforts to protect the quality of drinking water and our annual Water Quality Reports show our commitment to protecting our customers and the communities we serve by meeting or surpassing required federal, state, and local drinking water standards, American Water said in a statement on PFAS.

Crawshaw, too, said Carlisle is committed to providing safe drinking water to residents.

PFAS is an ever-evolving issue that will take many turns before final rules and regulations are set by the EPA, she said. Once the final rule is published and propagated, there will be more information ... the borough will continue to learn and adapt as the EPA and PADEP send out information.

Photos: An inside look at Carlisle's Water Treatment Plant
Following the controversies that have trailed the movie, Gangs of Lagos, since it was released on Amazon Prime Video, the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, has explained why they cannot ban it.

The Executive Director and CEO of the regulatory body, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, said the board cant take any action against the movie for now.

According to him, the NFVCB has no legal backing to regulate what is being exhibited on the online platform.

Alhaji Thomas made this known in a telephone chat with Vanguard yesterday.

He regretted that regulating online platform poses a lot of difficulties since its not part of the mandate of the Board.

Have you seen the movie in any cinema house or being exhibited in any open space? Our job does not cover regulating online platforms.

I dont know why people are referring to the Censors Board to take action. We have a bill before the National Assembly seeking to empower the Board to regulate online platforms and any other platforms where movies are exhibited.

Online platform is difficult to regulate and its not part of our mandate, Alhaji Thomas explained.

His explanation became necessary as Lagos indigenes, on the platform of Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) recently petitioned the Censors Board over alleged defamation of their community and Eyo masquerade in the Gangs of Lagos film.

Lagos State Government, on its part, described the movie as a cultural misrepresentation as well as portraying the culture of the state in a derogatory manner.

According to the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Ministry, being the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film as a mockery of the heritage of Lagos.

Co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and Jade Osiberu, Gangs of Lagos was released on Amazon Prime Video, an online platform on April 7.

It featured the likes of Tobi Bakare, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, Olarotimi Fakunle, Chioma Chukwuka, Bimbo Ademoye.

Other stars of the hit movie are Iyabo Ojo, Zlatan, Debo Mr Maraconi Adedayo, Yhemolee, Pasuma, Toyin Abraham, Tayo Faniran, Damilola Ogunsi, Funke Williams, among others.
There was serious tension at the Gusau zonal office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, caused serious trouble after the returning officer declared Gusau Local Government result in the rerun election.

One of the APC agents, popularly known as Doctor, sensed that his party had lost in Gusau following the results and he began to make some utterances that offended the security operatives.

The security operatives, therefore, ordered everyone in the hall, including the journalists, to leave as some of them were set to shoot at sight.

However, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in the State, declared openly that the working journalists in the State would not leave the hall even at gunpoint.

The results were delayed for some hours due to some friction that bred up due to the APCs failure to capture the Senate and House of Representatives seats in the zone.

Even when counting resumed, many journalists were not allowed into the hall by the security operatives.
What just happened?

Rutgers University and three faculty unions that had been on strike for five days agreed early Saturday morning on a framework for a settlement. Not quite a tentative deal, which has everything wrapped up and ready for members to vote.

Will professors and adjuncts be back in class Monday and beyond?

Classes start up again Monday, officials said, and will continue, so long as negotiations dont break down.

What happens next?

Bargaining resumes Monday, to give negotiators a long-awaited rest. They will be meeting in New Brunswick, not the Statehouse in Trenton, where they met last week.

After a tentative agreement is reached, it will go to union members for a ratification vote. Once approved, the contract will kick into place. Some workers will receive retroactive pay that could significantly brighten their summers.

Whats the deal?

Here are core provisions of the framework:

Full-time faculty and counselors will receive 14% raises by the end of the contract in July 2025.

Part-time lecturers, also known as adjuncts, will receive a 43.8% increase in per-credit pay and some job security.

The minimum salary for postdoctoral fellows will increase 27.9% over four years.

Graduate fellows will be able to join the union.

Ten-month salaries for graduate assistants and teaching assistants will rise to $40,000.

Full-time faculty without tenure will no longer have to apply for their jobs at the end of each contract.

Whats not part of the deal yet?

Outstanding issues on the table include healthcare for adjunct professors. For the union representing medical faculty, unresolved points include family leave, parental leave, and addressing controversial hiring practices they consider union-busting.

Where will the money come from?

Stay tuned. Rutgers officials said they plan to work during upcoming state budget deliberations to address the fiscal impacts of the framework. One union source said the governor has contributed significant state resources for the agreement  meaning the state could provide more state aid to cover contract increases. But Gov. Phil Murphys office has not publicly provided detailed comment on financing.

Murphy has said he is against tuition hikes paying for this.

Can they strike again?

Unions officials say the strike that started Monday technically hasnt ended, and is just suspended. The unions plan informational pickets as the remaining issues are negotiated. But if things break down, they could walk off the job again.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
Perhaps after several days with 80-plus degree weather we can officially box away our memories of snow and ice.

Wait, what snow?

Hudson County saw just a couple of snow events with minor accumulation, which meant less sledding, less shoveling, and much less stress of government purse strings for snow removal.

Several Hudson County municipalities say they spent tens of thousands of dollars less than last winter on snow removal costs, including overtime for public works employees and the amount of in-house salt that was distributed.

Kearnys snow-related spending was less than one-sixth of that of the 2021-2022 winter, according to Kevin Murphy, the towns interim principle public works manager. It was less than one-tenth of that of the even snowier 2020-2021 winter.

Ive been with (Department of Public Works) almost 30 years now, and I dont remember another winter where weve had this little snow or this little amount of overtime, Murphy said. Even the years it didnt snow, we had the cold temperatures where wed get called out on icing calls.

Bayonne spent just $22,923.45 on overtime and salt-related expenses for the single snow event recorded thus far in 2023, according to data the city compiled and shared with The Jersey Journal.

During the same period in 2022, meanwhile, the expenses were more than $200,000 higher. That included $119,112 spent during a single snow event in late January, where payroll costs neared $60,000, salt use exceeded $34,000 and the city repaired a vehicle for $26,335, according to the city.

Extra payroll expenses on snowy days include overtime for Department of Public Works employees and meal stipends.

Workers cant leave their locations for meals while on snow shifts, explained the citys spokesman Joe Ryan. For example, a worker cannot leave the work location while plowing.

Hoboken shared statistics by calendar year, not season, but those still show a dramatic difference in spending between this year and the last couple.

So far, in 2023, Hoboken has spent just $28,000, compared to $128,000 in 2022 and $148,000 in 2021.

Murphy broke down Kearnys snow spending by the overtime hours, road salt used, and calcium chloride used. The city paid public works employees for 1,171 hours of overtime in the winter of 2021-2022. This winter, the 185 hours paid were less than 20% of that.

Murphy said that employees in his department were actually disappointed to leave this winter with less overtime cash than usual. Then again, in extra snowy winters like 2020, everyone can get tired of working the extra shifts.

We do 12-hour shifts and I remember that year we had four or five days in a row where guys were having to come in midnight to noon, and it wears on you because youre never able to get the sleep pattern back, the Kearny official said. Theres a love-hate relationship. We all like the extra money, but sometimes the hours are just crazy.

Overtime expenses are the bulk of Kearnys snow costs, but the calcium chloride adds up, too.

This winter the town used about 65 bags, which Murphy estimated to cost nearly $1,300. But the previous winter, it used 355 bags, or nearly $7,000 worth of calcium chloride.

In the last two months of the year, Kearny is able to move funds from departments that were overbudgeted for to other areas in need, said the towns Chief Financial Officer Shuaib Firozvi. Last year, which was also a light winter, it transferred $125,000 out of the DPWs streets division, which is where snow budgeting falls.

This year, the lack of snow may allow for a similar transfer.

And the trucks used for salting and plowing, which are also used throughout the year for a multitude of other purposes, may last an extra year because they didnt endure the wear and tear of a typical winter, Murphy said.

Even for a multipurpose vehicle, the worst beating they take is snow, he said.
North Dakota lawmakers have appointed an Ojibwe woman as the states poet laureate, making her the first Native American to hold this position in the state and increasing attention to her expertise on the troubled history of Native American boarding schools.

Denise Lajimodiere, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band in Belcourt, has written several award-winning books of poetry. Shes considered a national expert on the history of Native American boarding schools and wrote an academic book called Stringing Rosaries in 2019 on the atrocities experienced by boarding school survivors.
A Bergen County cat that underwent surgery after getting shot in the leg will soon be up for adoption, according to an animal rescue shelter in Oakland.

PeeWee, a 3-year-old domestic short hair, had its front right leg shattered earlier this month by a metal projective, which doctors confirmed was likely a bullet, according to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, which rescued the cat.
Searching for the best food to break the daily Ramadan fast, I walked into AlNoor Restaurant on West Side Avenue off Duncan Avenue, one of the busiest intersections in Jersey City. The restaurant was empty midday, typical during the 30-day period of Ramadan since Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

A solitary man came to the front counter from the kitchen, and I said, Im here for Ramadan. He said, I am Ramadan. He noticed my confused look. He then explained that his name is Ramadan, and I thought, What are the odds? The Arabic word literally means the hot month and the root ramad means dryness. In a sense, Muslims do experience a dryness on the fast.

Ramadan Taher, 65, the owner and chef, explained that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims say a morning prayer before sunrise and then have some dates with water, which is common, although some prefer milk with the dates. Until sunset, if able, they abstain from food, drink and sexual relations. If unable to fast, charity or fasting days outside Ramadan may suffice.

Fasting during Ramadan is intended to bring people closer to Allah as an act of worship. It is also a way of expressing gratitude for the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them.

Taher, an immigrant from Egypt in business for over 20 years in four different West Side locations, had a huge supply of dates and dried fruit on the counter. He added, Dates give energy, according to their Prophet Mohammed.

After sunset, they follow the same ritual at the breaking of the fast before they eat dinner as they did before sunrise, saying a prayer and eating dates with water or milk.

Ramadan breaking-the-fast dinners are also celebrated at local mosques where they potluck and the mosque compliments the rest of the food and drink.

Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan are the biggest of the communal celebrations, usually the sharing of sweets and treats.

I wondered if the breaking of the fast dinners had special cuisine and Taher and other Muslims I met that day said the meals are typical for all year round.

Any foods, Taher said. His favorites are shish kabob, traditionally made with cubes of meat and vegetables threaded onto a skewer, and kafta, a meatball using beef, chicken or lamb mixed with herbs, Middle Eastern spices and onions. He emphasized that all foods are halal, which means lawful or permitted. These would include Zabiha meat (beef and lamb) and poultry, fish with scales, animal-derived products extracted from Zabiha animals, milk and eggs of all permissible animal species, and vegetables, fruit and grains except those that cause intoxication.

His dessert of choice for Eid al-Fitr, either April 21 or 22 this year, is kahk. These Egyptian cookies are circular with a buttery crumb and can be made plain or with a variety of fillings dusted with powdered sugar.

That experience of sweetness on Eid al-Fitr also resonated with 13-year-old Mena Abdelaziz, a Kearny middle schooler, leaving school to meet her mother, Asmaa Elhosavy. She talked about enjoying cake. She translated for her mother, 39, who speaks Arabic. Their favorite Ramadan dinner is fish filet drenched with Egyptian spices. Or cow meat, meaning a steak.

They attend Friday services at Masjid Madinah Cultural Center on Midland Avenue in Kearny, one of the three in West Hudson. Its a modest storefront on a wide commercial strip of stores and homes.

A few blocks away on Schuyler Avenue, another major Kearny thoroughfare, is non-descript Ibn Khaldoun Mosque. There is no signage on this small building. There is a reserved parking spot for the imam and a few stars with light bulbs to illuminate at night.

Aziz, 37, who did not want to give his last name, a board member originally from Morocco, said that, for him, the best Eid dish is couscous -- but not the traditional way Americans think of it, he said. In Morocco, couscous is known as smida and refers to tiny balls of semolina flours made of durum wheat, he said. This fundamental dish to Moroccan cuisine is cooked in large quantities and is commonly enjoyed by groups of 10 or 20 people.

His favorite Ramadan dinner is harira, a zesty, fragrant tomato-based soup with chickpeas and lentils seasoned with ginger, pepper, cinnamon and lots of fresh herbs. Sounds like it will definitely eliminate ramad or dryness.

The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken.
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CHICAGO  Two teenagers were shot Saturday night as hundreds of people descended on the Loop, jumping on vehicles, getting into fights, and overwhelming Chicago police resources for the third night this week.

The victims, boys ages 16 and 17, were standing in the crowd on Washington Street near Michigan Avenue when someone fired shots at 9:05 p.m., according to a CPD statement. The younger boy was shot in the arm, and the other boy was shot in the left leg. Chicago Fire Department ambulances transported them to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition, CPD said.

Video stills show people climbing onto a CTA bus (left) while others run for safety after a loud bang sounded during a fight as a large group overtook the Loop on April 15, 2023. | @ChicagoCritter; @JuanSmith1776

Saturdays crowd, which formed after invitations to attend circulated on social media, began to go out of control around 7:30 p.m. as police said about 200 young people were fighting and jumping on cars near the intersection of Washington and Wabash. Video shows another car being jumped on in the area around the same time:

Another video shared on Twitter includes a compilation of incidents from the area. People are seen climbing a CTA bus, fighting, and running through the streets after a loud bang is heard:

Around 8:50 p.m., officers radioed that they came upon two robbery victims who were attacked during the incident. The pair was transported to Insight Hospital for treatment. A CPD spokesperson said further details were not available on Sunday morning because the case report had not been finalized.

Chicago police made several arrests throughout the incident, but the exact number of people taken into custody is not known. According to CPD radio transmissions, officers were taking detained persons to the Wentworth (2nd) District because the local districts station could not handle them. (Update: On Sunday afternoon, Chicago police said 9 adults and 6 juveniles were arrested.)

Fox32 announced that it pulled its news crews out of the area after they heard shots fired near the intersection of Michigan and Madison.

The station also reported that a woman whose car was smashed by people jumping on the windshield said her husband was beaten as he sat in the drivers seat. Hes been taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Chicago police officers escorted tourists and others to their cars in Millennium Park garage, the station said.

CTA limited stops in the Loop for Brown, Green, Pink, and Orange Line trains for about two hours late Saturday due to the incident. Regular service resumed shortly before midnight.

No public statements have been made about the incidents by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, or the Chicago Police Department.

On Friday evening, a 14-year-old boy was shot as a social media-fueled crowd formed at 31st Street Beach. Hundreds of people traveled to the lakefront area, but the situation devolved as night fell.

Video tweeted by @ChicagoCritter showed Fridays crowd jumping on a car in the traffic lanes of a nearby street before the vehicle caught on fire.

Save the excuses & rationalization, Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) tweeted Saturday morning. Unless you want this to be the norm in Chicago, hold them & their parents accountable.

But State Sen. Robert Peters (13th) fired back at Lopez: The main thing about a certain politician tweeting obsessively about Black children on a Friday night is how lonely and sad that must be. Go see a movie. Have a nice dinner. Meet up with friends. But for the love of God stop being a weirdo every time it gets warm out here.

Just doom scrolling about Black children and snitch tagging media late at night seems unbearably depressing. Like it was a nice spring week and theyre expecting snow on Monday. Chill, Peters advised.

On Wednesday evening, more than 100 young people spontaneously gathered in Millennium Park until a fight broke out, prompting police to break it up. No arrests were made, but a 16-year-old girl was treated for a head injury.

Update 4:27 p.m. Sunday, April 16: Mayor Lightfoot and Mayor-elect Johnson released statements this afternoon. They follow in their entirety.

Mayor Lori Lightfoots statement

Twice in the last few days, several large groups of young people have gathered across the city. Many of them were there to have a good time and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. However, some of those young people were involved in reckless, disrespectful and unlawful behavior. As I have said before, we as a city cannot and will not allow any of our public spaces to become a platform for criminal conduct. Most importantly, parents and guardians must know where their children are and be responsible for their actions. Instilling the important values of respect for people and property must begin at home.

I appreciate the individuals and business people who have reached out to me to express concerns. I have shared those concerns with the acting Superintendent and senior leadership within the Police Department in very candid and productive conversations.

CPD leadership has assured me that they will make the necessary adjustments to address these teen trends issues as we move into the summer months.

We have invested millions of dollars to support community-based organizations to partner with youth to co-activate fun, safe spaces all over the City throughout the year. We ask parents to partner with us by making sure that your childrens plans are safe and that they know when to exit a situation before it becomes unsafe.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnsons statement

In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend. It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.

Our city must work together to create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both residents and visitors. This is one aspect of my comprehensive approach to improve public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone.
Hey Blake,

Clancys is one of our favorite restaurants in New Orleans. Who was Clancy?

Dear reader,

The popular Uptown restaurant at Webster and Annunciation opened in 1983, keeping the name of a bar and restaurant that existed at the spot for several decades before.

From the 1940s until the 1980s, Ed and Betty Clancy owned and operated Clancys Bar and Restaurant. It was more of a neighborhood po-boy restaurant than the white tablecloth bistro it would later become.

In 1983, a group of investors led by former City Council member Bryan Wagner, U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcel Livaudais Jr. and towboat company owner Bill Slatten bought the property for $85,000, with plans to renovate and reopen it as a fine dining restaurant.

In 1987, the restaurant was purchased by its manager/maitre d, Brad Hollingsworth. A member of the restaurants original staff, he had also worked at Galatoires, LeRuths and the Pontchartrain Hotels Caribbean Room.

A 1991 Times-Picayune review by Gene Bourg said that by mixing a bistro atmosphere with a combination of Creole standbys and more daring dishes, Clancys has the makings of an Uptown institution. In 2019, the newspapers Ian McNulty would write that, Clancy's has all the trappings of an upscale restaurant  the fine cuisine, the epic wine list, the prices, and waiters in formal attire. But Clancys also has the soul of a neighborhood joint. Thats the way its regulars use it, and thats the vibe any newcomer drops in to when finding their way to its door deep Uptown.

Hollingsworths stepson Brian Larson is now Clancys chef and co-owner. His wife and other family members help run the restaurant.
Louisiana will need to spend billions of dollars on new levees and revive several thousand acres of marshland to protect the coast from whats expected to be a rough couple of decades, according to an updated 50-year master plan the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority approved Wednesday.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently congratulated Mitchell Dering of Fairdealing on shooting the third state record fish recorded in 2023  a 4-pound brown bullhead. Dering shot the fish while bowfishing at Duck Creek Ditch #105 on March 14. The previous state record brown bullhead was a 2-pound, 7-ounce fish caught in 1994 from Wappapello Lake.

I got off work that day and went out to one of the ditches in Duck Creek and just got lucky, honestly, Dering said. We shoot a lot of smaller fish. I knew it was a bullhead, but didnt know if it was a brown bullhead. But I knew it was large for its size.

Dering contacted the MDC Southeast Regional Office the next day to get his fish weighed. MDC staff verified the fishs weight on a certified scale in Wappapello.

Dering is no stranger to holding state records in Missouri. He briefly held the state record for spotted gar back in 2019. But qualifying for a world record is a new accomplishment. His recent brown bullhead beats the current 3-pound, 4-ounce bowfishing world record.

Thats honestly pretty awesome, laughed Dering. Ive bowfished for quite a while. Weve won a few tournaments in Kentucky and Tennessee and have placed in numerous other tournaments. Thats cool, I didnt know that!

In Missouri, the only confirmed self-sustaining natural population of brown bullheads occurs at Duck Creek Conservation Area and nearby Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Stoddard, Bollinger, and Wayne counties.

Dering said hes now working on his collection of state records and plans to get his bullhead mounted.

Ive never mounted anything before, he said. I broke the state record for spotted gar a few years ago, but some guy broke the record two years later so its not in the record books anymore. But Im working on getting me a collection of state records. I guess potentially world records now!

Learn more about brown bullheads from MDCs online Field Guide at https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/brown-bullhead.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, gig, bow, crossbow, underwater spearfishing, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or atlatl.

For more information on state record fish, visit http://bit.ly/2efq1vl.

To learn more about world record fish, visit the International Game and Fish Association at https://igfa.org/.
Loyola University New Orleans announced on Thursday, February 10, 2022 that Rev. Justin Daffron, S.J. will be interim president as outgoing president Tania Tetlow prepares to take on a new job as president of Fordham University in New York. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Hillyer: Mob scenes in capitols should be deplored by both parties
President Joe Biden arrives to speak about his infrastructure agenda at Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Walking behind Biden is Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Act Implementation Coordinator. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Cubist room at the International Exhibition of Modern Art at the Art Institute of Chicago on March 24 through April 16, 1913. The show was also known as the "Armory Show." (Wikimedia Commons)

In 1913, the Art Institute of Chicago was the scene of what is now known as a culture war, a spitting match between defenders of tradition and partisans of innovation. Each side was convinced that civilizations fate had been sealed, for better or worse, when the museum hosted the International Exhibition of Modern Art.

They came to study the pictures, the Tribune reported of socialites at the opening nights charity benefit, and study them they did from the hideous, deformed women of the Matisse conception, to the cubistic dancers and marchers of Picabia and Duchamp and their ilk.

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That salvo on March 25, 1913, initiated a month of putdowns of Henri Matisse, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp, and other European painters and sculptors who seemed to be polluting American art. The Tribunes critic was in an uncomfortable position. Harriet Monroe had seen the International Exhibition when it first appeared in New York, and recommended bringing it to Chicago.

Once the exhibit was here, she had to juggle explaining it to readers while also reporting its frosty reception  which sometimes involved taking a jab at her own town.

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Chicago Tribune critic Harriet Monroe founded Poetry magazine in 1912. (Chicago Tribune archive)

On one hand, she wrote: We are fighting one of those battles of the intellect  those of us who have any  which are common enough in Paris, but altogether too rare in our provincially shortsighted and self-satisfied community.

But she also conceded: Their art, if it is art, would seem to be in an experimental stage and time alone can determine if it will amount to anything.

She called Paul Gauguin, who went to Tahiti to paint, barbaric, and described his work as born of the grafting of a European mind upon savage superstitions.

Monroe couldnt pretend to be baffled that others saw artistic talent on display at the Art Institutes display of 634 works of modern art. Culturally sophisticated, she founded Poetry magazine in 1912, which published cutting-edge work by writers including T.S. Eliot.

But other Tribune writers werent afraid to write about their confusion over the exhibition. One wrote: This is the story of a lowbrow, who visited the exhibition of the Association of American Painters and Sculptors, that created the show.

By self-report, the Tribunes envoy went receptively, saw amazedly, and returned bewildered.

The International Exhibition of Modern Art was intended to be a prescription for parochialism. Among those who organized the show was Walter Pach, an American artist influenced by Pablo Picasso and Paul Cezanne who wanted to demonstrate that he and other modernists represented an approach to art that had passed from threatening to respectable in Europe.

Before the Armory Show came to Chicago in 1913, it was on display in New York. The Chicago Tribune wrote, Samples of Freak Art at Insurgent Exhibit in New York on Feb. 17, 1913. By March, the show would be at the Art Institute of Chicago where it was the talk of the town. (Chicago Tribune)

The show was originally mounted at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York, the artistic heart of the U.S. It was controversial there but even more problematic to conservatives in Chicago. As a museum, the Art Institute seemed to be putting the establishments imprimatur on modern art. With upward of 18,000 visitors a day, it seemed a now-or-never moment to push the avant-garde back behind the pale.

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The Tribune joined the counterattack with a sarcastic report of responses to what it reported as Paul Picassos The Woman and the Pot of Mustard, a work whose title is more generally translated as Woman With Mustard Pot.

It depicts the morning-after in the Desplaines Street police court, one onlooker explained, and the mustard pot is exhibit A.

But how did the mustard pot survive after such evident mutilation of the ladys features? an objector queried.

The story tried to soften such reactions with some words from Walt Kuhn, secretary of the Association of American Painters and Sculptors: It is not necessary to depict a thing exactly to make a person see what is intended. It makes people think and therefore is a triumph.

Yet that thought didnt sit well even in some corners of the Art Institute.

Marcel Duchamp created "Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2" in 1912. It was on display at the Art Institute of Chicago by 1913, showcasing the new style of modern art. (Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Charles Francis Browne, a faculty member, filled the museums Fullerton Hall with an attack on the revolving door of aesthetic fads. From the scratched stone of the cave dweller to the Nude Descending a Stair (case) was but a step, he said to great applause.

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The prurient interest of Duchamps painting might have been limited by its cubistic dissolve of the female figures form. But the police and the mayor werent lenient. The morning after the Art Institutes show opened, the proprietor of an art store on Wabash Avenue received a notice to remove from its window September Morn, Paul Chabas painting of a nude woman.

Sgt. Jeremiah OConnor, described in the Tribune as the citys official art censor had shown a copy to Mayor Carter Harrison Jr. The executive blushed even as OConnor had done, reported the Tribune, which thought the incident a warning to the Art Institute about displaying the nudes in its storerooms.

It is one thing for cops to have conservative tastes, but the behavior of the Art Institutes students in 1913 can be mystifying in the age of woke. Since the counterculture 1960s, students seem to be naturally rebellious.

Newton Carpenter, the museums secretary who had played a role in bringing in the exhibition, predicted its students would embrace avant-garde art, perhaps a tad too eagerly. He was wrong.

Students complained that he had turned the Art Institute into a circus. To show their disdain for the exhibition, students, professors and local artists took part in a Futurist Party, where Stewed Descending a Staircase was displayed and a pianist played Running Water, a sendup of Maurice Ravels music.

Students celebrated the exhibitions April 16 closing by putting modern art on a mock trial and tossing copies of three Matisse masterpieces into a bonfire. The originals were among the works loaded on a train headed for Boston, the exhibitions next stop.

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Henri Matisse's "Blue Nude" was on display at the International Exhibition of Modern Art at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1913. (Baltimore Museum of Art)

Promptly at 4 p.m. the students dressed in motley garb, emerged from the front door of the Art Institute and led the prisoner, white and terrified, to the south portico, where the trial was held, the Tribune reported.

The defendant was addressed as Henry Hair Mattress, a burlesque form of the artists name. The faux prosecutor told him: You are charged with artistic murder, pictorial arson, artistic rapine, total degeneracy of color, criminal misuse of line, general esthetic aberration, and contumacious abuse of title.

The students intended to burn an effigy of Mattress/Matisse, but the cops intervened, and as the flames subsided, Pach, the exhibitions organizer, made a prediction:

Ten or twenty years from now some of these students will be eating crow if they are as truthful as their instructor Charles Francis Browne, who has been partaking of that dish ever since he derided the impressionist painters when he was a student in Paris.

The Chicago Daily Tribune published photos showing protesters burning copies of modern art, like the ones that had been on display at the Art Institute for the International Exhibition of Modern Art in 1913 in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune)

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That probably proved prescient, as the art displayed at the exhibition was quickly accepted by the art world establishment. In 1926, the Art Institute became the first American museum to put a Picasso painting, The Old Guitarist, on permanent display.

Today, the Art Institute offers courses and advanced degrees in performance art. Essentially a theatrical discipline  as the artist is his art work  it is closer to the satirical Futurist Party of 1913 than the traditional arts that once monopolized an art schools curriculum.

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The museums Modern Wing, which opened in 2009 , answered a question posed at the 1913 exhibition. Noting that the image in modern paintings was becoming less and less discernable, someone asked if it might just disappear.

On display in the Art Institutes new wing was a bare space on a wall credited to Felix Gonzalez-Torres titled Untitled, and described as: Enamel paint on wall. Dimensions variable.

Thanks to reader Walt Zlotow of Glen Ellyn for suggesting the International Exhibition of Modern Art as a subject.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.
Gabriel Laufers latest book gives readers a glimpse of the pain Lithuanian Jews experienced while being stripped of rights, freedoms, belongings and hope during Nazi rule. It is a translation of a Jewish doctors journals of his time leading up to and during the Jewish ghetto confinement in Siauliai, Lithuania, during World War II.

Dr. Aharon Pick, a doctor, community leader and religious scholar in Siauliai recorded his observations and experiences of prejudice, cruelty and physical harm under Nazi occupation from 1942 to 1944 in three notebooks, which he titled Notes from the Valley of Slaughter in a reference to Jeremiah 7:32.

Pick died about a month before the ghetto was liberated, possibly from an intestinal illness he mentions late in his diaries. His notebooks, which chronicle an ominous progression of cruel treatment under state-sponsored anti-Semitism, were buried behind his ghetto lodgings for safekeeping. His son, Tedik, recovered the notebooks after the war and took them to Israel.

Picks writings document milder forms of antisemitism early in the war, including discrimination he faced in his medical profession, and escalating transgressions that included insults, punches and kicks in the streets once Jews were required to sew Stars of David on their clothing  later expanded to mass murders and deportations. Acquaintances who were entrusted with Jewish families belongings that could be sold later for food and medicine sometimes kept the items or sold them for their own benefit. A harrowing passage describes the fate of a baby girl born to a woman who got pregnant after German laws forbade Jews to bear children.

Laufer and Andrew Cassel teamed up to translate Picks diaries from the original cursive Hebrew and create Notes from the Valley of Slaughter: A Memoir from the Ghetto of Siauliai, Lithuania.

Laufer, the son of two Holocaust survivors, was born in Budapest and raised in Israel. He wrote A Survivors Duty about his fathers Holocaust experiences and his own service in Israeli wars.

Since retiring from his work as an engineering professor at the University of Virginia, Laufer has been volunteering with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., to translate personal accounts and make them available to scholars and readers.

Laufer has completed three document translation projects for the museum and is working on a fourth to make sure the Holocaust story is never forgotten, he said.

Laufer started working on translating Picks diaries in 2018, and in 2020, he was introduced to Cassel, who independently had been working on the diaries. Cassel, a retired journalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer, brought a family connection that traces back to when his grandfather, Boruch Chaim Cassel, teamed up with Pick in the 1890s to collect and preserve lyrics to traditional Jewish folk songs. His familys stories of life in Lithuania at the time helped illuminate some of Picks references.

The book introduction is a summary of his dissertation, Laufer said of Cassell. He has strong interest in Lithuania. Essentially, he would preserve the accuracy [of the translation], but would rewrite it in modern English so a reader can understand it. It would not have been as good as it is without him.

We got introduced to each other in February or March of 2020, and for both of us, it turned into a fantastic COVID project. By the time we started to open back up [after pandemic shutdowns], we were finished.

The work was published by Indiana University Press.

Holocaust denial has grown in recent years as social media has gained in popularity and extremist views have received more exposure. Fewer Holocaust survivors remain to share their stories in person. At the same time, a study released in September 2020 by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also known as the Claims Conference, revealed that younger Americans today are far less aware of the facts of the Holocaust.

The U.S. Millennial Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Study, the first to survey Americans ages 18 to 39 in all 50 states, showed that 49% of 11,000 millennial and Gen Z respondents had witnessed Holocaust denial or distortion of facts on social media. Among the surveys bleak findings: 63% of respondents did not know that 6 million Jews had been killed in the Holocaust; 48% could not name a single concentration camp; and 11% believed Jews actually had caused the Holocaust. That third figure rose to 19% in New York, the state with the nations highest Jewish population.

Three percent of the respondents said the Holocaust did not happen, and another 7% were not sure whether it had or not. Almost 1% could not recall hearing the word Holocaust before.

On the bright side, 80% believed that teaching people about the Holocaust is important, and 63% thought Holocaust education should be required in schools.

Laufer said he doubts that books such as Notes from the Valley of Slaughter can help reduce antisemitic sentiments, but he believes they can help help counter Holocaust denial.

What this book does is fight misinformation, Laufer said. There are a lot of Holocaust deniers out there, and more and more people are believing it. The way to fight misinformation is with more information.

A renowned scholar of religion and the Holocaust said that accounts such as Picks, and translations such as Laufers and Cassels, serve an important role in bringing what can seem like remote horrors of the Holocaust home to more readers.

I think that, especially, the personal accounts add depth to the story, said Victoria Barnett, who is the Frank Talbott Jr. Endowed Visiting Professor at UVas College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Jewish Studies Program for the 2022-2023 academic year. These personal accounts have an impact the broader stories dont have. It affects people more deeply than figures and facts. It brings the story to life.

Ive experienced this with my students. People see a movie or read about the Holocaust, but once you read the personal accounts and learn what it really meant to be persecuted by the Nazis, thats what makes it real.

Accounts such as Picks can be a powerful tool to fight Holocaust denial, Barnett said.

The Holocaust is something everyone knows about. People think they know  and dont, said Barnett, who has served as director of Programs on Ethics, Religion and the Holocaust at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Last week, Barnett shared with her UVa students Nazi propaganda that was specifically aimed at children, exploring with them the dark art of teaching children to hate, she said. That really shook the students up. Children learn what you teach them.

Barnett said Laufers efforts can help new generations educate themselves through the lenses of families and individuals experiences in the Holocaust.

In terms of translating these personal stories, that resonates with me, Barnett said.

Laufer said that efforts being made in Germany to educate people about the Holocaust through the Jewish Museum Berlin, Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe and other programs deserve credit, as do expressions of remorse and attempts to make amends. He said he was moved to see schoolchildren touring the Berlin museum.

Not only did they build it, but they are teaching children about it, Laufer said. When you see what they do, its hard not to forgive. We need to do all we can to make sure its not forgotten.

Processing the effects of the Holocaust remains a work in progress, however.

I have in me enough to forgive the Germans, he said. I dont know if I have it in me to forgive the Lithuanians.

There are plenty of other lessons Americans can come away with from works such as Picks, Laufer said. I wish we were owning up to what happened here before the Civil War, he said.
Charlottesvilles embattled animal shelter, where current and former employees have alleged ongoing mistreatment of both animals and people, has placed its CEO on administrative leave.

The Charlottesville Albemarle Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced on Friday that CEO Angie Gunter, who was often at the center of the controversy, would be stepping away from the role  at least for the time being.

Chief Executive Officer Angie Gunter is on administrative leave, the local SPCAs board of directors said in a statement released on Friday. We have hired an experienced human resources consultant to serve as Interim HR Director, provide support to our staff and assist with important procedural changes. We are committed to restoring the communitys trust in all that we do to serve the animals in our care.

The decision, the board said, was made after the conclusion of an independent review conducted by international law firm McGuireWoods at the boards behest after allegations first started to mount earlier this year.

The review included recommendations for changes designed to improve our workplace culture and the quality of care for the animals entrusted to us, the board said in its statement. Based on the results of the review, we are developing a specific plan with concrete steps to effect operational changes across several departments. We look forward to sharing more information with the community about our plan of action in the days ahead.

Jenn Corbey, the boards president, told The Daily Progress on Saturday that she had no additional details to provide at this time regarding who would be filling Gunters position, whether Gunter would still be paid during her leave and what in McGuireWoods conclusions prompted the board to remove Gunter after it previously said it stood by her as CEO.

I should have a status update by the end of next week, Corbey said.

The decision to hire McGuireWoods in February was prompted by a flurry of allegations from current and former employees and volunteers at the SPCA.

At the start of the year, a group calling itself CASPCA Concerns sent a letter to the SPCA board, which has since garnered more than 100 signatures, detailing what signatories described as misconduct and mismanagement at the shelter that has translated into animal neglect bordering on abuse. The shelter, the group said, is overcapacity and understaffed, with animals often kept in unsafe living conditions and their carers overworked in order to keep adoption rates high and contributions rolling in.

The letter called out Gunter by name and included photos of dogs in pens full of urine and feces, animals living in crates the group said are stored in the shelters basement and facilities that appear to be unclean, unkempt and dangerous to the animals living there.

In February, after the SPCAs board hired McGuireWoods to conduct its review, a Virginia Department of Agriculture inspection found repeat violations of state law at the animal shelter.

The report mentioned no evidence of animal abuse, neglect or other mistreatment. However, it did highlight multiple instances in which several documents at the shelter were missing information required by law.

March saw multiple volunteers either resign or asked to leave. And in one instance, the SPCA employed a Richmond-based law firm to dismiss a volunteer dog walker, a decision it said was necessary given the current climate and level of scrutiny at CASPCA.

Throughout all of this, the SPCAs higher-ups said they stood behind the shelters CEO.

That position has clearly changed since McGuireWoods concluded its review.

Which is one of the reasons why the CASPCA Concerns group has said it would like that review published for public scrutiny.

While we are glad that the Board has finally removed Gunter from direct daily operational influence, we believe that the SPCA must also be transparent about the results of their investigation into Gunters leadership, the group said in an email to The Daily Progress on Saturday. To promote public trust in the investigation and its findings, the entire unredacted report should be released to the community- specifically, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the Charlottesville City Council and City Manager since CASPCA is a steward of significant public funds, almost $1M yearly, and thus must be accountable to the public.

The animal shelter is supported financially by both Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville.

That relationship  as outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the three  has the city and county pay the SPCA for pound services. In the 2023 fiscal year, the county gave the shelter $699,122 for those services. While representatives for the city of Charlottesville have not responded to multiple request for comment from The Daily Progress, workers and volunteers at the local SPCA have estimated the city provides roughly $300,000.

Releasing the reviews conclusions, CASPCA Concerns said, will ensure that the Board cannot cherry-pick what information from the report is released or how it is handled. Allowing only Board members to evaluate a report based on their already demonstrated lack of stewardship of the shelter and lack of leadership around the current crisis at the shelter is akin to allowing the fox to guard the henhouse. This is why transparency is essential, it builds trust. We need  we deserve  to trust in shelter leadership.

The group said it applauded the decision to place Gunter on leave, but Gunter was only a part of the problem.

While we are glad that the board has taken action to place Angie Gunter on administrative leave, this news alone does little to restore trust in the shelter, the group said in its email. We hope that the Board will provide more information about who will be stepping in to lead the shelter during this time, and that they will choose an interim leader who is committed to transparency, collaboration, and compassionate care. It is crucial that the SPCA continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of the animals in their care, and we hope that the temporary replacement will be someone who is able to do so effectively.
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Books, Brushes, & Bands for Education invites you to attend the 5th Annual Spring Tea fundraiser on Sunday, April 30, from noon to 3 p.m. Books, Brushes & Bands (bbb4e for short) has been providing access to high-quality community arts programs since 2000, attracting thousands of public, private, parochial, and home school students from ages 5 to 18, and allowing them to experience excellent arts instruction and performance opportunities through literary and visual arts and community music programs. The Tea will offer delicious food and aromatic teas along with a group poetry-writing experience led by Sam Love and performances from the Midwest Youth Choir and Let's Sing! Proceeds from the event, to be held at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, will help to support bbb4e education programs. 219/781-3833 or https://bbb4e.org/

Pat Wisniewski and Tom Desch of For Goodness Sake Productions and House Painter Media are commemorating Earth Day, April 22, with Towards Sustainability, a celebration of sustainable design. This two-part event begins by examining the unintended solar legacy of the House of Tomorrow in Beverly Shores with rare interior tours of the house. The afternoon continues with a deeper dive into the field of sustainable home design with expert presentations at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts. The tour and presentations are free but advanced registration is required for each. Wisniewski and Deschs latest environmental history film about the St. Joseph River produced for WNIT recently won a National Public Media Award, and, if you're looking for something to watch this month, their earlier titles are available for free for a limited time on PBS. housepaintermedia.com/sustainablehouses

Art in Focus, the popular South Shore Arts art appreciation series founded in 1996 by retired educator Rita M. Ray, continues this spring with free in-person sessions for adult learners of all ages. Sessions are held at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts and are led by South Shore Arts Gallery Manager Brandon Johnson. On April 24, photographer Ann Latinovich offers personal insights into her newest body of master works on view in the CVPA Atrium. May 8 brings a screening of Simon Schamas award-winning BBC documentary, The Power of Art: Van Gogh, and, on May 22, two South Shore Arts instructors will discuss their own work. www.southshoreartsonline.org/#/art-in-focus/

The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra is back with two performances of Mariachi Acero de Las Vegas on May 4 & 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Living Hope Church in Merrillville. Be transported to Mexico with this exciting and festive concert featuring the award-winning Mariachi group led by East Chicagos own Erik Ramirez. The ensemble will collaborate with the Symphony on songs such as Mi Pais, Como Han Pasado Los Anos, and Popurri Veracruzano. The Symphony will also perform a variety of Latin orchestral standards. nisorchestra.org

As always, please visit the South Shore Arts Regional Calendar for organizational contacts and updates on current exhibits, concerts, plays, and other arts events at www.southshoreartsonline.org
HAMMOND  Weeks after a handgun was found on a School City of Hammond bus, the district has changed its procedures to require that drivers inspect their buses.

"That is being instituted immediately," Superintendent Scott Miller said.

A group of elementary school students found a handgun March 28 on their bus. The students immediately gave it to the driver, who secured it and in turn gave it to police, who began an investigation. Police determined that the gun was left by a high school student who had ridden that bus on a previous route.

While it wasn't an official policy before, Miller said, it was "an expectation" that drivers would walk their buses after the morning and afternoon routes but not between every route.

The district made it official policy Friday.

"If you think about it, we've conducted millions of bus rides without incident over 50 years," he said. "We're not going to call it a weapons check or anything like that. It's a bus check."

As to whether any drivers were reprimanded over the incident, Miller said there was no violation because inspecting the bus was not yet official procedure.

This at least the second time a firearm has been brought onto SCH property this year.

In January, a trespassing student reportedly brought a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, 30 rounds of ammunition and a laser-pointer attachment into Hammond Central High School. That student was charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun, a Level 5 felony, and his criminal case is ongoing. The student isn't being identified because he is a minor.

"We are always in the process of trying to evaluate the safety and security of our schools," Miller said. "It is absolutely a concern. We live in a state that continues to make it easier and easier for people to acquire weapons and guns. If you're 18, you can pretty much get it in multiple formats. That's the reality we live in."

Miller said that given the resistance of state lawmakers to curtail the proliferation of guns in Indiana communities, he wishes that they would at least give more resources to schools to protect themselves from gun violence. For example, funding school resource officers in every Indiana school.

"That would be an amazing gesture on the part of the state Legislature to take this seriously, and say, 'If guns are going to be a reality, we're going to make sure we have a police officer in every school, and we know most schools are strapped so we're going to provide the funding source for that.' But you don't hear talk like that. The Indiana Legislature doesn't want to take steps to do things right now."

He explained how difficult it is for a district like SCH, which has 19 buildings, to achieve this without money from the state.

"Our gold standard would be to have a police officer in every building," he said. "But it's just not feasible."

Miller declined to say whether stricter gun regulations would improve school safety at districts like SCH.

"I am not an expert in gun control or what is effective," he said. "I would just like to see some more serious conversation about, if guns are going to be a reality in Indiana, what can we do to better protect our schools from the legislators who have made it easier for everyone to have guns. That's what I don't hear enough conversation about."

However, Miller opposes proposals to put guns in the hands of teachers.

"And the average teacher does not have the training, the expertise to carry a firearms with them at all times like a trained officer would. They're not the same thing, and I think it's a slap in the face to many educators that legislators' solution to making our schools safer is to just put gun into the hands of teachers."

Miller hasn't heard one educator tell him this would be a good idea.

These incidents come amid an epidemic of school shootings in the U.S. As of Friday, at least 42 incidents of gunfire were reported on school properties this year, resulting in 17 deaths and 32 injuries, according to Everytown Research.

Since 2013, there have been at least 1,067 gunfire incidents, with 355 deaths and 756 injuries on school grounds.

While he is concerned about the gun being found on the school bus, Miller doesn't think the student who brought the gun onto campus fits the profile of a typical school shooter.

"All the evidence we have," he said, "this was not a disturbed kid who was planning to come in and just shoot anyone he could."

Miller said the boy gained access to the school and was surrounded by students but didn't shoot. He suspects it was gang-related.

"I'm not naive to the fact that in an urban environment there are things that happen outside the school day that we're not always privy to," he said. "And young people make tough choices sometimes. I don't have evidence it was gang-affiliated, but those are things that are a reality."

He pointed out that Hammond Police Department has a gang task force.

"There are things that are a reality in some of our kids' lives," he said.

Photos: Scenes from the mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville
GARY  In 2014, Jonathyne Briggs was preparing to go on a research trip to Paris.

He has three children; one is autistic.

"I was thinking, 'well, what would it be like to take them?'" the professor of French history at Indiana University Northwest said. "Give them the opportunity to go and live in France for a couple months, you know, it could be life-changing for kids."

Briggs was particularly interested in taking Sean, his youngest son, who has autism spectrum disorder. But when he looked into what it would be like for someone with autism in France, he realized that there is a "radical difference in approaches."

So radical that Briggs felt he couldn't take his son.

"I was fascinated by how different it was. And so as I was wrapping up my first book, I said 'this is the next project.' I need to understand how this has come to be."

Briggs then got to work, which has culminated with a book that's under contract with Oxford University Press. The working title is "Perpetual Children: The Politics of Autism in France," and it has an expected release date of late 2024.

He described the book as "sort of political and cultural history of autism in France."

"This is a book about the particular ways in which French society defines and treats autism there that's remarkably different from the way we do it. It's an examination of the ways they think about childhood and childhood behavior, parenting. And there's also some philosophical ideas about what it means to be disabled."

At the core of the book is what Briggs says is a set of outdated, inaccurate views, including ideas that autism is a negative result of bad parenting or that autism is a disease of society, as well as a misplaced reliance on psychoanalysis. He divides the history of autism in France into four phases.

The first phase included a lot of transatlantic exchange in which experts in the U.S. and France traded ideas and shared commonalities. These commonalities included many of the outdated views and reliance on psychoanalysis that Briggs said still exist in France.

That lasted until about the 1970s, when what he calls "a fringe divergence" occurred. At that point, French scholars and experts began to reject evolving views and breakthroughs that the rest of the industrialized world had accepted.

In the second phase, the U.S., the U.K., Sweden and many parts of Europe began examining the genetic and neurological causes of autism while the French rejected those notions.

"I think there's some allure for some French thinkers to the outsider status they get from this position," Briggs said, adding that in many sectors of society, the French tend to buck international norms.

Then, in the 1990s, came a new class of activists who mark the next phase. This third phase, Briggs explained, was significant in that the French government, prompted by pressure from these activists, was motivated to look at the causes of autism in the way the rest of the world was.

Still, this didn't move the needle in a medical community dominated by psychoanalysts.

The final phase is the one we're in; Briggs calls it an "international era" in which France is part of organizations like the European Union, which is imposing strict ideas about how autism should be treated and about the rights of autistic people.

"I would say the other thing that's kind of emerged in this fourth era is that autistic people themselves are more vocal about advocating for themselves. So it's kind of changed the tenor, where before it was really about parents telling their children's story. Now it's autistic people themselves telling their stories."

Briggs said this is one of the biggest lessons he learned during his research.

"One of the major problems in the length of this conflict between parents and professionals is that everybody thought that they spoke for autistic people themselves rather than letting autistic people speak for themselves," he said. "I try to keep that in mind to keep myself humble."

As a father of someone with autism, it was sometimes difficult to do this research.

"I sometimes read these documents and it's hard not to feel empathetic for the position of the parents," he said. "I can put myself into that situation. Like, I understand it in a very emotional and immediate way."

The book has inspired Briggs to teach a class at IUN on the history of disability. He's considering teaching one on the history of autism, too.

Ultimately, Briggs doesn't want his book to be a "definitive statement." He said he see it rather as "an attempt to open the conversation."
WINFIELD  The residential construction pace is picking up in one of the state's fastest-growing communities.

The Winfield Plan Commission has approved construction of 235 more homes.

The Plan Commission gave secondary plat approval for three subdivisions: Aylesworth Phase 3, 177 lots; Grand Ridge Phase 1, 34 lots; Estates of Wynbrook Phase 1, 24 lots.

Developers of the subdivisions will still need to receive Town Council approval of performance bonds before building begins, Town Administrator Nick Bellar said.

The Town Council next meets April 25.

In addition, the Plan Commission approved secondary plat approval for a $5 million addition and renovation at LifeWell Christian Church, 7037 E. 117th Ave.

Developers for the renovation work also will need to have a performance bond approved by the council.

The largest of the residential subdivision plans approved Tuesday was a request from Todd Kleven, director of land acquisition for Lennar Homes of Indiana.

Aylesworth Phase 3 is off 5807 E. 109th Ave., Kleven said. The subdivision will have 515 lots built on 200 acres. A zoning change was required to bring the plan to fruition.

Residents were concerned when the council was asked in June 2021 to change the zoning.

Kleven defended his plans at that meeting, saying his companys proposed property density would be lower than the average Winfield residence.

Kleven also noted that the average Winfield home sells for $409,000 while the average Lennar home sells for $425,900.

Residents were also concerned last year about plans for Grand Ridge, a 189-lot residential subdivision off Grand Boulevard.

Plans include building 189 homes on 87 acres at 10319 Grand Blvd., said Doug Ehens, vice president of Providence Real Estate.

One hundred thirty-four traditional homes ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet each will be built, he said, as will 55 maintenance-free, age-targeted cottages that will be 1,600 to 2,000 square feet apiece.

Cost of the traditional homes would be in the low to mid-$400,000s, while the age-targeted homes would cost around $300,000.

Estates of Wynbrook, described as an upscale development on 46 lots, will be built at 7391 East 109th Ave.

Ehens, who represented Estates of Wynbrook and Grand Ridge, made the presentation Tuesday seeking approval of Wynbrook's Phase 1 plans.

Custom homes there will start at $500,000. The size will range from 2,100 to 3,000 square feet in a choice of 1 stories, two stories and ranch, said Pete Metlov of Metlov Builders.
MARION, Iowa  For someone considering a Republican presidential campaign, a visit with a group of pastors in Iowa is part of a decades-old courtship ritual in the state that kicks off the nomination process.

Born-again Christians are the most influential group in Iowa's GOP caucuses, giving faith leaders particular sway in helping organize voters and shape the results.

But in the early phase of the next presidential campaign, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott's joyful proclamations of his Christian faith face an unlikely obstacle.

Like other Republicans eyeing the White House, he is navigating an evangelical community that is faithful to Donald Trump, the thrice-married former reality television star who once supported abortion rights and spent decades boasting of his sexual prowess.

That history repelled many Iowa evangelical leaders during the last competitive Republican caucuses in 2016, when they helped push Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to victory in the opening contest. As the 2024 campaign begins, however, many of those same leaders are open to Trump, grateful for his judicial appointments that resulted in the dismantling of a constitutional right to abortion.

They are unswayed by the controversy swirling around the former president, including the 34-count New York felony indictment handed down against him stemming from a hush-money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels, who alleged having an extramarital affair with him.

I believe, and I think many evangelical Christians understand, politics at that level is a blood sport. Donald Trump is fighting. Thats why he got things done, said the Rev. Terry Amann of suburban Des Moines. So, our role isnt to judge him.

Trump has denied having an affair with the actress and has characterized the charges  along with ongoing investigations related to other matters in Georgia and Washington  as politically motivated. But the evangelical support reflects a broader dynamic taking hold with the GOP base rallying around Trump in the aftermath of his indictment even amid signals that he could be vulnerable with the broader public in a general election.

An ABC News/Ipsos poll released last weekend found that 50% of Americans thought Trump should have been charged with a crime, and 48% said he should suspend his campaign. But 14% of Republicans said he should be charged.

That GOP loyalty to Trump was evident in interviews with more than a dozen Iowa pastors in the wake of Trump's indictment. Each cited Trump's role in helping overturn Roe v. Wade as central to the long-term rethinking about him since his first campaign. Several also pointed to Trump's recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

I appreciate the fact that, for what seems like the first time in my lifetime, someone did what they said they were going to do, said the Rev. Kerry Jech of Marshalltown. With Donald Trump, what he promised us, he delivered on. Thats one thing I cant get away from."

In a new display of pragmatism, Jech and others like him who didn't support Trump in 2016 say the former president is no less imperfect a man now, but that his action on policy they hold dear may erase questions about his moral character.

During the 2016 campaign, the Rev. Mike Demastus of Des Moines supported Cruz and called Trump morally loathsome, wicked and a reprehensible man." Today, Demastus calls him the most pro-life president we have ever had, and would consider supporting him in the caucuses, along with others.

Even Demastus's qualified support puts Trump in better position now than his first bid.

In March, a Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, Trump was viewed favorably by 58% of evangelicals, unfavorably by 39% and 3% were unsure. On the eve of the 2016 caucuses, Iowa evangelicals seemed to have a dimmer view of Trump: The poll taken on the eve of the caucuses showed Trump with support from 19% of evangelicals, with Cruz supported by 33%.

The awkward position is new for Iowa social conservatives, who have for three consecutive Republican presidential campaigns decidedly backed the more vocally evangelical candidate, although none would go on to win the nomination.

Beyond Cruz, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won the 2012 caucuses as a crusading abortion opponent. In 2008, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, posted a surprise victory by cobbling together a Christian coalition of pastors and religious home-school advocates.

Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence hope to replicate their success in 2024, should they continue taking steps toward running. In a visit to the state Wednesday, Scott began his day meeting with a few dozen Christian home-school parents, a vital subset of Iowa's evangelical bloc.

It's a strategy pioneered by former Christian broadcasting personality Pat Robertson, whose focus on Iowa's network of evangelical Christian churches helped him finish a surprise second place in Iowa's 1988 caucuses, ahead of Vice President George H.W. Bush.

The more traditional approach set against Trump's atypical combination of accomplishment and high-drama personal life creates a new dynamic for Iowa social conservatives to weigh.

President Trump has stood up for the values that we hold dear, said Brad Sherman, a pastor and Republican state representative from Williamsburg who plans to support Trump in the caucuses. Then we need to pray for him that his personal life comes in line with that.

Others say everyone is offered forgiveness.

He is no perfect person. No one would say that. He is no King David, said the Rev. Bill Tvedt of Oskaloosa. But even David was tempted.

Tvedt also likened Trump to the biblical figure Cyrus, who was not a Christian but is lauded as an Old Testament hero for liberating the Jews from captivity in Egypt: He is more of a Cyrus, a protector.

5 things the US can do better in the 2024 election All jurisdictions should have paper backups Counties in eight states are still using paperless voting equipment exclusively. We need them to transition to paper-based systems, providing financial resources if necessary. Voting equipment without an auditable paper trail can produce results that are inconsistent with voters choices, either because of hackers or a technical failure. In 2020, more than 90% of votes were cast on paper-based voting equipment, including all of the states President Donald Trump is contesting or that havent been called. Thats an improvement over the 2016 election, when 80% of votes had a paper record. The goal for the 2024 election should be 100%. More audits before official results All states using voting equipment with an auditable paper trail should conduct robust audits before election results are certified. This will ensure all ballots are counted correctly. It will also allow discrepancies to be remedied and reflected in the final results. If any issue threw off the count, election officials would be even more likely to spot it and re-create an accurate count with paper records. All jurisdictions need backup manual processes All areas without backups for each of their election technologies must obtain them. No technology is infallible. Each piece  including electronic poll books, electronic voting systems and online voter registration websites  has vulnerabilities that can be exploited or could experience technical failures. As we saw with the 2020 presidential election, safeguards such as backup paper poll books ensure that election infrastructure failures only slow down voting, rather than stop it. Bolster the mail-in balloting process Due to the pandemic, far more voters requested absentee ballots this year. Preliminary evidence suggests that relatively few of these ballots have been rejected. Unfortunately, U.S. Postal Service data also show that at least 150,000 ballots arrived the day after the election. To prevent this from happening again, there should be an investigation of USPS processing of election mail. It should determine how many ballots were late to election offices through no fault of the voter. States should also adjust deadlines For the next election, deadlines need to be updated to reflect the realities of mail balloting and provide even more options for returning ballots, including more ballot drop boxes and in-person drop-off locations. These measures would not only improve the administration of mail-in voting, they would counter the misinformation and disinformation surrounding mail-in ballots that weve seen throughout the 2020 cycle.
INDIANAPOLIS  For the first time in American history, a former president has been indicted, this time by a grand jury and District Attorney in Manhattan for allegedly making preelection hush money payoffs to a pornographic actress and a Playboy bunny.

In the coming weeks, Donald J. Trump could be facing a cascading number of additional criminal charges in Georgia and by the Department of Justice for his scheme to overturn the 2020 election, his hoarding of top secret documents at Mar-a-Lago and the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Trump is the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, even though he has called for the termination of the U.S. Constitution while dining with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. He threatened death and destruction if he is indicted.

The most prominent Trump supporter in Indiana to this day in the 2024 cycle is U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, the probable U.S. Senate nominee, who was endorsed by Trump earlier this year. Banks told the Washington Examiner, Donald Trump remains a very popular figure in the Republican Party in each corner of the country.

After Trump chose Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his running mate and won a freak upset victory in 2016, there were 25 or so Hoosiers who joined the administration.

How did that work out for them? Lets call the roll:

Vice President Pence: Once Trumps loyal vice president, Pence found himself under pressure to use his ceremonial U.S. Senate role affirming the Electoral College count on Jan. 6, 2021, to foil an attempted coup detat Trump was seeking. That resulted in the U.S. Capitol insurrection with seven deaths and 140 injured cops. The mob chanted, Hang Mike Pence as he, his wife, one of his daughters and congressman brother fled for their safety just seconds ahead of the mob. President Trump was wrong, Pence said in March. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable. Make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace.

Director of Intelligence Dan Coats: The out-going Indiana U.S. senator joined the Trump administration in the top intelligence post. It wasnt long before Coats began to think that Trump was impervious to facts. To him, a lie is not a lie, Coats is quoted as saying to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Bob Woodwards book Rage. Coats added, Its just what he thinks. He doesnt know the difference between the truth and a lie. Coats was fired by a Trump tweet in 2019. Woodward writes that Coats believed Trump has no moral compass and couldnt shake the suspicion that Trump must be beholden to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Coats ended up thinking Trump was an unstable threat to their country.

Former RNC Committeewoman Marsha Coats: She was a clinical psychologist who was initially skeptical of Trump, but helped Pence convince her husband to join the administration. Marsha Coats penned a letter to Trump after he had secured the nomination, raising her concerns. I gave that letter to Donald Trump, Sen. Coats said of a meeting the nominee had with Republican senators. When Trump appeared in Fort Wayne, He sought her out, the senator said. He said, Marsha, I will not let you down. Marsha Coats would say, God is so big he can even humble Donald Trump. In Woodwards book Rage, Marsha Coats confronted Pence at a White House dinner after something outrageous had happened. And I just looked at him, like, How are you stomaching this? Marsha Coats is quoted as saying. And he just whispered in my ear, Stay the course.

Surgeon General Jerome Adams: The former Indiana health commissioner was recruited by Pence to become Trumps surgeon general. After leaving office, he struggled to find a job before then-Purdue President Mitch Daniels hired him. People still are afraid to touch anything that is associated with Trump, Adams told the Washington Post. The Trump hangover is still impacting me in significant ways.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar: The former Eli Lilly executive became the second Hoosier to take the helm of the Health & Human Services post. When he resigned following the Jan. 6 insurrection, Azar said that Trumps actions and rhetoric had tarnished the administrations legacy. The attacks on the Capitol were an assault on our democracy and on the tradition of peaceful transitions of power that the United States of America first brought to the world, Azar wrote in his resignation letter to then-President Trump. I implore you to continue to condemn unequivocally any form of violence.

Medicaid/Medicare Commissioner Seema Verma: According to NBC News, she told staffers that she was repulsed by the way the vice president was treated outside and inside the administration. It was very disturbing. And it was, it was very, very hard to watch, Verma said of the attack on the Capitol, having witnessed events unfold from her office window.

RNC Committeeman John Hammond III: Asked by the New York Times earlier this year if renominating Trump would be a mistake, Hammond said, To win 50% plus one in the Electoral College requires us to find an alternative and I think weve got plenty of good choices. We cant be a cult of personality any longer.
An Albany man and convicted sex offender is suspected of killing his mother and injuring her husband Saturday night, April 15.

Arrested was Michael Flitcroft, 45, accused of second-degree murder, among multiple charges.

The Albany Police Department received a 911 call at 9:23 p.m. from a home in the the 1500 block of Del Rio Avenue Southeast. Resident Stewart Smith later told police he made the call, Lt. Buck Pearce said by email.

The caller did not communicate, and dispatchers heard "the sounds of disturbance," according to an Albany police news release.

Arriving on scene, officers found Flitcroft in the street near the home and detained him without incident, according to the release.

Inside the house, they discovered Suzanne Smith, 67, dead and Stewart Smith injured. The couple, longtime residents of Albany, lived alone at the house with their pets, police said.

In earlier court cases, Flitcroft listed his mother's address as his residence, but Buck confirmed he did not live there.

The initial release and Pearce later declined to elaborate on the types of wounds the Smiths suffered. The news release simply described Suzanne Smith as dying from "homicidal violence."

Flitcroft was also arrested on suspicion of assault in the fourth degree for injuring Stewart Smith. The release did not enumerate the other pending charges.

Flitcroft has a long history in the Oregon criminal justice system, including convictions for:

Assault in 1997

Attempt to commit a Class B felony, 2002

Failure to report as a sex offender, 2006

Failure to report as a sex offender and resisting arrest, 2010

Assault in the fourth degree, 2014 (two separate cases)

Felony criminal mischief, 2016

Burglary in the second degree and felony criminal mischief, 2016

Unlawful possession of methamphetamine, 2018

Criminal mischief in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, attempt to commit a Class C/unclassified felony, 2022

Disorderly conduct, 2022

Additionally, he was charged with strangulation in 2002 and 2014, but those charges were dismissed, according to court records.

According to court records, Flitcroft was in Benton County court as recently as Thursday, April 13, receiving an extension of his current probation, for charges of criminal mischief in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon.

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Buck said he was released from jail on Thursday, so detectives are asking the public for any information on Flitcrofts whereabouts from that day until Saturday night. Those with information are asked to contact the detective line at 541-917-7686.

"(W)ere trying to learn all we can about his last 72 hours," Pearce wrote.

Connected to allegations in Benton County, Flitcroft underwent psychological evaluation last year to see if he was fit to stand trial. An October finding filed with the court found "not presently incapacitated."

Albany police are continuing their investigation with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff's Office, Linn County Medical Examiner's Office, and Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story referred to the lieutenant by his first name.
Long regarded as the liqueur of choice for an older generation, Chartreuse became a favorite of bartenders in the know during the craft cocktail movement of the early 2000s, favored as much for the romance of its origin story  the recipe, entrusted to the monks in 1605, comes from an ancient manuscript on the Elixir of Long Life  as for its bittersweet profile and notes of anise, tarragon and fennel. According to Chartreuse Diffusion, the business arm of the monks operation, it took more than 150 years for the Carthusians to unravel the secret of the manuscript.

Chartreuse became a mixologists ace in the hole, said Joe Kakos, an owner of Kakos Market, a liquor store in Birmingham, Mich. Many credit Murray Stenson, a bartender at the Zig Zag Cafe in Seattle, with repopularizing the liqueur in 2003 when he resurrected the century-old Last Word cocktail, a mixture of gin, Chartreuse, lime juice and maraschino liqueur.

I almost feel a little bit guilty, said Ben Dougherty, the cafes owner.

In 2020, as the pandemic turned many people into at-home mixologists, sales of Chartreuse in the United States doubled, a pattern that held true worldwide, according to Chartreuse Diffusion. Global sales topped $30 million in 2022.

This rise in popularity directly conflicted with a collective decision that the monks quietly made in 2019 to cap production of their ingredient-intensive spirit in order to limit the environmental impact and to focus on their primary goal of solitude and prayer, as explained in a letter released in January.
In New York City, you can find a pretzel within minutes of a craving  in warmed glass cases on corner street carts, all over transit hubs, even in the odd department store. They vary in quality but are often forgettable, something to stave off hunger until a better snack presents itself.

But a big pretzel with a soft, dense middle, chewy ends and the perfect combination of tang and salt? Thats a little harder to come by. Unless you make it yourself.
In contrast, Representative Anthony DEsposito, a first-term Republican who represents a neighboring district in Nassau County, raised more than $215,000 from individual donors and more than $300,000 from political action committees.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Santos declined to comment on the fund-raising numbers.

Mr. Santoss filings are the first indication of his campaigns activity since he filed paperwork last month signaling his intent to continue raising money for a possible re-election bid. Though Mr. Santos has not publicly said whether he plans to run again, the move allows his campaign to keep raising and spending money.

But those hoping that the filings might offer a window into what exactly Mr. Santos has been doing since taking office in January will be largely disappointed. They show no campaign trips or payments to vendors. Nor do they show payments to any lawyers, despite continuing ethics and criminal investigations.

Mr. Santos has sought to blame his campaign finance issues, which prompted the watchdog group the Campaign Legal Center to file a complaint with the F.E.C., on his former campaign treasurer.

Subsequent filings, including the April quarterly filing, have been signed by his new treasurer, identified as Andrew Olson. But with no payments listed in reports, it would seem that he was not compensated by the campaign for whatever work he did for Mr. Santos.
A fire at a plastic resin plant in Brunswick, Ga., on Saturday prompted officials to issue an evacuation order for people within half of a mile of the facility, the authorities said, as billows of dark smoke rose and spread through the city.

The Brunswick Fire Department and Glynn County Fire Rescue responded to the Pinova plant around 7 a.m., the authorities said.

Firefighters contained the fire within hours but around 3 p.m. it had reignited, the Glynn County Board of Commissioners said on Facebook.

The board issued a shelter-in-place order for those living within half of a mile of the plant, and an evacuation order was issued about an hour later. The state of emergency was lifted by 8 a.m. on Sunday, the board said on Facebook.
After high school in Massachusetts, he studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University. His hair loss was still isolated to patches at that time, and professors often cast him as the longhaired bad boy, a look that determined most of his early roles. That hair and the worry that he would lose it were sources of anxiety. And after landing his first major role, as an amateur detective on the one-season Jerry Bruckheimer series The Forgotten, his alopecia progressed and he did lose it. At first he covered up, with hairpieces and eyebrow makeup, a must for character continuity. But when the series ended, he put the hairpieces away.

I really had nothing to lose at that point, he said as he spooned horseradish onto an oyster. Because I had no idea what my career was going to look like. I just knew that it was either try it with the way that I looked, or I was going to have to find a new career.

So he kept going, without wigs or false lashes, even when his representatives (now his former representatives) argued for them. He worried that this new appearance would limit the roles he was seen for. It did. But he suspected that this new self-acceptance would free him as an actor. Whatever parts did come his way, he would play the hell out of them.

The parts did come. Gone was the bad boy. In its place, he discovered, was the bad guy. He began to play villains, chief among them Victor Zsasz, the psychopath he played for 20 episodes on the Fox superhero series Gotham. He fretted, sometimes, that he was helping to reinforce a stereotype of bald men as sinister. But it kept him in the Screen Actors Guild. And it netted him an audition for Barry.

NoHo Hank, intended as a minor antagonist, is a member of a Chechen mob. Carrigan had little interest in playing another villain. But the scripts violent comedy delighted him. He went back to the formal exercises of his college days. How should Hank move? What animal would he be? A scorpion, he decided, which explains the puffed-out chest, the hands on hips, the scuttling walk.

Hes a lovable scorpion, Carrigan explained at the oyster counter. He doesnt want to sting anyone, he doesnt want to hurt anyone. But thats just his nature.
Clashes in Sudan

Fighting erupted across Sudans capital and in the Darfur region over the weekend after months of rising tensions between factions of the armed forces exploded into all-out battle. The violence, which continued for a second day yesterday, dashed hopes that military leaders would cede power to a democratic government led by civilians.

It remained unclear who was in control, as forces led by two rival generals engaged in ferocious battles. Both sides are fighting for control of the presidential palace, the main airport and the countrys military headquarters. At least 56 people were dead. Heres a map of the fighting.

The chaos was an alarming turn for Sudan. Just four years ago, the African country saw a jubilant popular uprising topple the widely detested ruler of three decades, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. But hopes for democracy and an end to the countrys international isolation faltered 18 months ago when the two most powerful generals united to seize power in a coup.

Those men  the army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces  are now fighting each other.
I think it would embolden them even further, he said.

This case has proved to be extraordinary on many levels, not only for its potential to deliver the kind of judgment that has so far eluded prosecutors like Mr. Weissmann, who have spent years pursuing Mr. Trump and his supporters who they believe bent the American democratic system to a breaking point.

Even if this didnt involve Donald Trump and Fox and the insurrection, this is a unique libel trial, full stop, said David Logan, a professor of law at Roger Williams School of Law and an expert on defamation. Theres never been one like this before.

It is extremely rare for defamation cases to reach a jury. Mr. Logan said his research shows a steady decline over the years, with an average of 27 per year in the 1980s but only three in 2017.

Some experts like Mr. Logan believe the cases significance could grow beyond its relevance to the current disinformation-plagued political climate. They see an opportunity for the Supreme Court to eventually take the case as a vehicle to revisit libel law and the actual malice standard. The justices have not done that since a 1989 case involving a losing candidate for municipal office in Ohio who successfully sued a newspaper after it published a false story about him a week before the election. The court said that a public figure cannot recover damages unless there was clear and convincing proof of actual malice.

The actual malice standard has been vital for individual journalists and media outlets who make mistakes  as long as they are honest mistakes. But some scholars like Mr. Logan  as well as two conservative Supreme Court justices, Neil M. Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas  have argued that actual malice should be reconsidered as too high a standard. Justice Thomas specifically cited as a reason the proliferation of falsehoods.
William Butler Yeatss The Second Coming has been called the most plundered poem in the English language, and its easy to see why. The poem, written in the immediate aftermath of World War I and during the height of the Russian Civil War, vividly captures the feeling that events are sliding out of control. Three lines in particular resonate in troubled times. Things fall apart; the center cannot hold, writes Yeats. The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity.

When I read these words, dramatic, violent events come first to mind. The Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6 is a prime example of the passionate intensity of one of the worst movements in American life. With each mass shooting, I think, Things fall apart.

But there are other ways in which the center finds itself under siege. The extremist attacks on free speech (from right and left) degrade American democracy, and those attacks are especially acute on college campuses, whether they come from angry left-wing students who shout down conservative speakers or from vengeful right-wing legislators who pass laws restricting free expression in the academy or from the online activism that often demands that universities discipline scholars for engaging in provocative (but constitutionally protected) speech.

Ive never interpreted the center in Yeatss poem to mean something like a politically moderate middle but rather a moral foundation, the ideological core of a nation and its people. The United States is certainly a nation built through raw power, as so many nations are, but at its best, its also built around a series of ideas, a declaration that its center requires, at a bare minimum, the promises of the Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech.
The European Commission described this approach as future-proof, which proved to be predictably arrogant, as new A.I. systems have already thrown the bills clean definitions into chaos. Focusing on use cases is fine for narrow systems designed for a specific use, but its a category error when its applied to generalized systems. Models like GPT-4 dont do any one thing except predict the next word in a sequence. You can use them to write code, pass the bar exam, draw up contracts, create political campaigns, plot market strategy and power A.I. companions or sexbots. In trying to regulate systems by use case, the Artificial Intelligence Act ends up saying very little about how to regulate the underlying model thats powering all these use cases.

Unintended consequences abound. The A.I.A. mandates, for example, that in high-risk cases, training, validation and testing data sets shall be relevant, representative, free of errors and complete. But what the large language models are showing is that the most powerful systems are those trained on the largest data sets. Those sets cant plausibly be free of error, and its not clear what it would mean for them to be representative. Theres a strong case to be made for data transparency, but I dont think Europe intends to deploy weaker, less capable systems across everything from exam grading to infrastructure.

The other problem with the use case approach is that it treats A.I. as a technology that will, itself, respect boundaries. But its disrespect for boundaries is what most worries the people working on these systems. Imagine that personal assistant is rated as a low-risk use case and a hypothetical GPT-6 is deployed to power an absolutely fabulous personal assistant. The system gets tuned to be extremely good at interacting with human beings and accomplishing a diverse set of goals in the real world. Thats great until someone asks it to secure a restaurant reservation at the hottest place in town and the system decides that the only way to do it is to cause a disruption that leads a third of that nights diners to cancel their bookings.

Sounds like sci-fi? Sorry, but this kind of problem is sci-fact. Anyone training these systems has watched them come up with solutions to problems that human beings would never consider, and for good reason. OpenAI, for instance, trained a system to play the boat racing game CoastRunners, and built in positive reinforcement for racking up a high score. It was assumed that would give the system an incentive to finish the race. But the system instead discovered an isolated lagoon where it can turn in a large circle and repeatedly knock over three targets, timing its movement so as to always knock over the targets just as they repopulate. Choosing this strategy meant repeatedly catching on fire, crashing into other boats, and going the wrong way on the track, but it also meant the highest scores, so thats what the model did.

This is an example of alignment risk, the danger that what we want the systems to do and what they will actually do could diverge, and perhaps do so violently. Curbing alignment risk requires curbing the systems themselves, not just the ways we permit people to use them.
Googles employees were shocked when they learned in March that the South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung was considering replacing Google with Microsofts Bing as the default search engine on its devices.

For years, Bing had been a search engine also-ran. But it became a lot more interesting to industry insiders when it recently added new artificial intelligence technology.

Googles reaction to the Samsung threat was panic, according to internal messages reviewed by The New York Times. An estimated $3 billion in annual revenue was at stake with the Samsung contract. An additional $20 billion is tied to a similar Apple contract that will be up for renewal this year.

A.I. competitors like the new Bing are quickly becoming the most serious threat to Googles search business in 25 years, and in response, Google is racing to build an all-new search engine powered by the technology. It is also upgrading the existing one with A.I. features, according to internal documents reviewed by The Times.
Veterinary students in most learning spaces can expect bright lights and thrumming, medical-grade ventilation systems scrubbing the air.

Ashley Guerra, a second-year student in Oregon State Universitys veterinary medicine program, was working in a place decidedly grittier on Saturday, April 15.

She finished asking the questions that would help her chart out medical history for a 7-year-old Chihuahua who presented with hair loss on her neck, then walked the patient to a tarp-covered table under a picnic shelter in Corvallis.

This keeps me alive, Guerra said.

In the field

By the end of 2025, if her studies go as planned, Guerra will hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

But by the end of their second year at Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, some students are looking for any opportunity to test and apply what theyve learned.

Youre in the books. Youre in the didactic lectures, Guerra said.

And at the low-barrier pet care event at Avery Park where Guerra was among a dozen or more veterinary students, she very much was in the field doing health care under the supervision of a couple of licensed vets.

The universitys Shelter Medicine Club partnered with an outreach team, Street Dawgz and Cats, to pull in dog and cat patients and their parents from Corvallis population of people without permanent housing.

Almost all of the patients were to receive a routine but missing vaccine; flea prevention and deworming medications also were among the most common treatments.

Guerra, a club officer, said she spent 4 1/2 years working as a veterinary assistant. Like most of her peers, she said, that practical hands-on experience helped make her a competitive applicant to the four-year program where shes learning how to heal animals.

Working with patients who otherwise may forgo care helps students like Guerra get back to hands-on care.

But its also a sorely needed service. Veterinary clinics are running with minimized staff or unfilled openings, and so many tried to get their pets into appointments with doctors during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021 that corporate-owned practices are trying to recruit Guerra and her peers straight out of school.

Getting into a vet is extremely hard, Guerra said.

Dogs without homes but not love

Kallie, the Chihuahua, was returned to her owner along with salve for the irritated skin on her neck where she lost her hair.

Justin Dalley said the dog lives with him in a van in Corvallis. A Street Dawgz volunteer rapped on his window to hand him a flier for the event where 51 or more had signed up to bring their pets in for free vet care.

He wasnt a small dog person until Kallie. Dalley said he ended up with the dog after splitting up with a girlfriend in California.

Ive been stuck with her ever since, Dalley said. Not that it's been hard. Shes the best.

A man seated to Dalleys right chimed in. Scott Hallett said hes known Dalley for about 10 months after the men met living in a parking lot behind a Walmart store.

I'm from California, and Id love to go back there, Hallett said.

Well go the f--- back, Dalley said.

Both men laughed loudly.

Hallett said he ended up in Corvallis after moving from Lakeview in Southern Oregon. He cared for a sister with multiple sclerosis, he said, and has lived out of a pickup while scraping together farm work.

Hes 63, Hallett said. The bright blue-eyed Australian shepherd-cattle dog mix lying at his feet was 5.

This is my pal, Hallett said. This is who goes with me everywhere.

Between jobs, approaching retirement age, Hallett said he wanted to take advantage of free care for his dog, Ernie.

Maxx Townsend was practically pulled along by a tan-colored dog at the end of a thick, rope-like leach.

The Depoe Bay woman was seated in a wheelchair and said she intends to take care of the 10-year-old pet shed brought to the mid-Willamette Valley.

He gets this thing going so fast, she said, pointing to the chair.

Townsend said the trip over the Coast Range was worth the time and expense because the care her dog received at no cost more than made up for it.

Even if someones homeless, the cheapest you can get is $85 and some change, Townsend said. Theyre not willing to charge $25 so people can actually get their pet in.

It was Townsends first time at the event, she said. Others nearby said theyd been visiting the free veterinary event since its first iteration in 2012.

The genesis

That was around the time Stephanie Hampton found that her interest in displacing corporate power overlapped with her love of pets.

Hampton had helped organize events with the Corvallis version of the greater Occupy movement, drawing attention to how unfairly wage earners are engaged in the economy compared to the wealthiest people.

The groups work took her to community meetings where people without sustainable housing were trying to get the shelter or care they needed to survive.

And that's what Occupy wanted, was for everyone to be considered community, Hampton said.

Shes had her hand in efforts to distribute free food or free clothing items, but Hampton said people she met in Corvallis with pets were worried about finding help for dogs or cats.

Thats family to them, Hampton said.

Hamptons a pet owner herself  theres a mama dog at home she rescued from a puppy mill, a 10-year-old Dachshund and a 1-year-old puppy, named Buddy.

Thats even before the three cats, three hens and two rabbits.

On Saturday, Hampton effectively was caring for dozens of pets.

Volunteers said about 51 dogs and 24 cats attended the veterinary event.

Some money ends up in tip jars around town that the outreach team uses to buy harnesses and leashes and supplies for folks who cant afford it.

But most of it comes from the volunteers themselves.

Right now, its my Social Security check, Hampton said.

Hampton is working with consultants to turn Street Dawgz into an Oregon-registered nonprofit corporation, she said, that could give her access to more funds.

Im going strong, Hampton said. But Im 73, too  I want this to survive me.
The studio hosted Zumba and line dancing classes for children and teenagers and had been rehearsing for a dance showcase celebrating its second anniversary on April 29, according to its Facebook page. A representative of the studio could not be immediately reached on Sunday.

At least 15 teenagers were treated for gunshot wounds, said Heidi Smith, a spokeswoman for Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville.

She said that nine of the teenagers were transferred to a different hospital to receive a higher level of care and that five of those nine were in critical condition. There were 17 ambulances on the scene after the shooting, Ms. Smith said.

Residents on Sunday morning grappled with the shooting, which took place at a 16th birthday party, said Ben Hayes, the senior pastor at Dadeville First Baptist Church, who is also the chaplain of the citys Police Department.

Philstavious Dowdell, a Dadeville High School football player who was known as Phil and who had committed to Jacksonville State University, was one of those killed, the pastor said.
For more than 30 years, researchers have scoured the depths of Lake Superior for vessels lost to time. Each carries a dramatic story of lives at risk and, many times, lives lost. A stretch of shoreline in Michigan with about 200 known shipwrecks is called Graveyard of the Great Lakes.

Among the greatest of those mysteries has been the disappearance of a fleet belonging to the Edward Hines Lumber Company. On Nov. 18, 1914, the steamboat C.F. Curtis was towing two schooner barges and carrying three million board feet of lumber when a surprise storm sent all three boats to the bottom of Lake Superior. Twenty-eight crew members died across the Curtis and the two schooners, the Selden E. Marvin and the Annie M. Peterson.

Now, more than 100 years later, researchers with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society say part of the mystery of where the boats laid has been solved.

The historical society in Michigans Upper Peninsula announced last week that it had found two of the fleets three boats during exploratory missions with its research vessel. The Curtis was found in the summer of 2021, some 500 feet below the surface along with eight other shipwrecks, and the Selden E. Marvin was found the next summer, about 600 feet below.
Two people were dead and four others injured after a shooting at a park in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday night, the police said, the latest instance of gun violence just days after five people were fatally shot at a downtown bank in the city.

The shooting at Chickasaw Park occurred around 9 p.m. as hundreds of people gathered to enjoy a warm spring night outside, Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Police Department said at a news conference on Saturday night.

Police were still looking for a gunman as of Saturday night, and said that they were unsure if there was more than one.

One person was in critical condition, Chief Humphrey said.

Officers were still trying to determine a motive.
The Supreme Court has lately been exceptionally receptive to claims of religious discrimination, largely from Christians, meaning that Mr. Groffs prospects are good. A ruling in his favor would extend a remarkable run of decisions chipping away at the wall between church and state and expanding the role of religion in public life, sometimes at the expense of other values, like gay rights and access to contraception.

Mr. Groffs case has the potential to affect countless workplaces and could require many employers to make major changes to accommodate religious workers. But a decision in his favor may be less contentious than some of the courts recent rulings on religion, in part because protecting the Sabbath may not divide Americans along the usual fault lines. Indeed, liberal justices have been at the forefront of efforts to shield workers from discipline and termination for following their faith.

Rachel Laser, the president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the case is a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Our civil rights laws rightly require religious accommodations for workers, which is especially important for religious minorities whose rights and customs might not be respected in the workplace, she said. But religious freedom does not mean we can shift the burden of practicing our faith onto other people. Religious freedom has never been a license to harm others, in employment or any other facet of life.

Mr. Groff, 45, said his request was both modest and important.

Sundays a day where we get together and almost taste heaven, he said. We come together as believers. We celebrate who we are, together. We worship God. And so to be asked to deliver Amazon parcels and give all that up, its just really kind of sad.
In a country long plagued by rebellions, coups and genocidal violence, the scenes of combat taking place in Sudans capital are notable because, until now, Sudans wars have unfolded on the geographic and political peripheries of the vast African nation.

For decades, Sudans military has waged brutal conflicts in the south, east and west of the country. That fighting led to the secession of South Sudan in 2011; an International Criminal Court determination that pro-government forces committed genocide in the western region of Darfur; the loss of land in a territorial dispute with neighboring Ethiopia; and monumental death, displacement and suffering.

Here is a look at some of the other conflicts Sudans army has fought in recent years:

South Sudanese civil war

A deadly struggle between secessionist fighters in the south and the government in Khartoum in the north consumed Sudan for decades, claiming more than two million lives. The two sides ultimately negotiated a peace agreement that split the country in 2011 after southerners voted in a referendum for South Sudan to become a new nation.
NAIROBI, Kenya  Sudans nightmare scenario is coming to pass.

Fighter jets screamed over Khartoum, the capital, on Sunday, firing rockets into a city of millions. Artillery barrages slammed into the military headquarters, reducing it to a tower of flames. Civilian planes were bombed at the citys airport, where terrified passengers cowered on the terminal floors.

The country has been walking a tightrope for four years now, clinging desperately to the dream of the 2019 popular revolution, when protesters toppled a brutal dictator and inspired sweet hopes of democracy.

But two power-hungry generals still dominate Sudan. And when their relationship disintegrated into violence this weekend, it set off a breathless descent that appeared to be the realization of many peoples worst fears.
When the police in Indias largest state put a notorious mobster-politicians associates in their sights, they unleashed a take-no-prisoners campaign that at times mirrored the brutality of their underworld targets, who had been implicated in a brazen murder.

In three separate raids, officers in the state of Uttar Pradesh shot dead four of those associates, including the mobster-politicians son. The deadly encounters, as such apparent extrajudicial killings are called in India, won praise from the states leader, Yogi Adityanath, a hard-line Hindu monk who is seen as a potential prime minister.

Members of Mr. Adityanaths Hindu nationalist governing party and loyal broadcast media outlets echoed the praise, but also posed a prodding question: Why had the mobster-politician himself, Atiq Ahmed, who was already serving a life sentence and had 100 other cases pending against him, been spared a similarly abrupt and bloody end?

That came on Saturday night.

Mr. Ahmed, along with his brother, was fatally shot at close range on live television as the two were being taken by the police to the hospital for what had been described as a routine checkup.
Hundreds of Orthodox Christians lined up outside a cathedral in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, after a service on Sunday as they waited for a priest to bless them with a spray of water as part of an Easter tradition.

They carried baskets packed with candles, delicately dyed eggs, paskha cake, chunks of cured pork fat known as salo, and sweet Ukrainian wine called Kagor. As the priest came down the line, some flinched or burst into giggles as the water caught their faces.

Alisa Kupchyn, 18, who stood in the half circle of people outside the church, the Holy Dormition Cathedral, said she wasnt normally a churchgoer but she respected holy days.

I just moved to Kyiv and wanted to visit the famous church, she said, having arrived from the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine for medical studies.
KYIV, Ukraine  The European Union has criticized bans by Poland and Hungary on imports of Ukrainian grain and other foods over the weekend, saying the unilateral moves were unacceptable.

The bloc, of which Poland and Hungary are member states, lifted tariffs on Ukrainian grain last year to help transport it to the rest of the world amid Russias invasion, but the exports have led to a glut of produce in Europe. As a result, farmers in Poland, Hungary and other nations have seen their incomes plummet.

Hungarys agriculture minister said on Saturday that in the absence of meaningful E.U. measures, his country would follow Poland in restricting Ukrainian grain imports until the end of June, according to Hungarian news reports. The announcement came after Warsaw reached a deal with Kyiv on Friday to strictly limit and, for a time, halt Ukrainian grain deliveries to Poland.

That deal was expected to affect Ukrainian grain, wheat, corn and some other produce, but on Saturday, Poland expanded it to include dozens of other types of food. Polands economic development and technology minister, Waldemar Buda, said in a tweet on Sunday that the measure would also prevent the transit of Ukrainian products through Poland.
For many Ukrainians, the idea of saving soldiers sperm is at once personal and patriotic. It helps men who want to ensure something of themselves remains if they die, and it brings comfort to their partners. In a country now famous for its spirit of resistance, it is also one more way of fighting back. It leaves open the possibility, at least, of preserving Ukrainian bloodlines even as the Kremlin insists that Ukrainian statehood  and by extension Ukrainians as a separate people  is a fiction.

The concept of denying that type of erasure has caught on enough that the Parliament is debating a bill that would allow soldiers to freeze their sperm at the states expense.

This is a continuation of our gene pool, said Oksana Dmytriieva, the Ukrainian lawmaker who wrote the bill, which has already cleared a hurdle toward passage in an initial vote.

Several clinics have already begun offering the service free, at their own expense. And Ms. Kyrkach-Antonenko has unexpectedly become something of a role model for the cause, using her Facebook page to encourage male soldiers and their wives to give themselves the option of making a family, no matter what happens on the battlefield.

The modern world allows us to give birth and raise the children of our fallen loved ones  the bravest and most courageous humans in this world, she wrote. Raise them worthy of their father, with the same love for Ukraine, and give them the chance to live in the country for which their father shed his blood.
Pland to demolish three derelict buildings in Roscrea town to make way for nine modern new housing units has been welcomed by local elected representatives.

The development, located at the Crescent and Grove Street, is one Roscrea's busiest route on the N62 and approach to Roscrea from the Birr direction.

The works will see the demolition of a terrace of three existing two storey dilapidated buildings and includes the clearance of overgrown vegetation to clear the way for the construction of nine new dwellings.

The units will comprise three new two bedroom, two storey terraced houses on Grove Street and six one bedroom apartments in two separate two storey blocks on the Crescent.

The development will include revised footpaths, underground services, attenuation area, car parking spaces, boundary treatments, bin storage, landscaping, open spaces and all associated site works.

The plans were discussed at the April monthly meeting of Tipperary County Council in Nenagh on Tuesday of this week, where local Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Smith said the development will transform the approach to Roscrea from the north-west on the N62, where motorists have been greeted by unsightly dilapidated buildings for several years as the enter the town centre.

This local authority has shown great vision and great leadership in purchasing this site and I want to applaud the local authority for publishing that site. It was a very unsightly buuilding and this is exactly the type of site that we need to turn around, Cllr. Smith told the meeting..

Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, Joe MacGrath said the development is much needed in Roscrea and thanked the members for their support.

Senior Engineer, Jonathan Cooney told the meeting that submissions relating to storm water drainage has been investigathed by Irish Water.

A situation where storm and waste water backs up in the underground network of drainage pipes after heavy rainfall will be remedied by a plan for Roscrea which includes this area of the town, Mr. Cooney said.
Former Irish premier Bertie Ahern has urged the DUP to reach a compromise to restore Stormont powersharing as he praised Rishi Sunaks efforts to break the impasse over post-Brexit trade.

Mr Ahern said it was not tenable or sustainable for the party to stick rigidly to the same position.

The former taoiseach commended Mr Sunaks attempts to secure a return to devolution as he said Ireland had experienced great difficulty in its dealings with Boris Johnson during the Brexit process.

The DUP is currently blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The barriers were first introduced under the Withdrawal Agreements contentious Northern Ireland Protocol.

The UK and EU have agreed the new Windsor 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.

It has opposed the framework at Westminster and has made clear its boycott of Stormont will continue until it secures further assurances over its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland.

Asked in an interview with Sky News what his message to the current DUP leadership would be, Mr Ahern said past unionist political leaders in Northern Ireland, such as the late David Trimble and Ian Paisley and also Peter Robinson, had shown a willingness to compromise to make progress.

You do not make much progress in politics if you dont do that, he said.

And I think we have to get away from, you know, this is the position and no other position is satisfactory, its not tenable or sustainable. And its not in the interests of the people in Northern Ireland, there are huge issues in Northern Ireland as there is everywhere else.

Mr Ahern said the Windsor Framework nearly solves the issues standing in the way of a return to powersharing.

There seems to be a few outstanding ones that have to be resolved, he added.

The former Fianna Fail leader contrasted Mr Sunaks approach with that taken by Mr Johnson.

To be honest, it doesnt really matter to me who the prime minister of the United Kingdom is, thats a matter for the United Kingdom, but you will appreciate that we found it very difficult to deal with Boris, he said.

He seems to be a very colourful guy and a very nice guy but, you know, we had the trouble with the backstop, we had trouble with the protocol, we had a lot of trouble with Brexit in the first place.

Quite frankly, I dont think we would have had the institutions in Northern Ireland down on and off for the last six or seven years if it hadnt been for Brexit and its caused us untold difficulties and problems.

But we try in Ireland to live in the future and we try and get on with things and, you know, I think what we now need to do is Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister, he has really done a good job in our estimation here in the last six months, he has invigorated the efforts to get everything working in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ahern referred to Mr Sunaks attendance last November at the British Irish Council  one of the east/west bodies established by the Good Friday Agreement.

He said it was quite odd that prior to that engagement a UK PM had not attended such a meeting in 15 years.

Mr Ahern said that level of engagement is what he believed US President Joe Biden was referring to last week when he said the UK should be working more closely with the Irish government to support the people of Northern Ireland.
XLs long-established strapline has been to provide a great deal more at your local store, which is very much the case in Cloghan, Co Offaly with the recent addition of the XL Cloghan Service Station to the landscape.

RTEs Marty Morrissey was the Master of Ceremonies at the recent opening launch of the newly opened XL Cloghan store on Thursday, April 13 when retailer Martin Grogan invited members of the local community to share in the celebrations. There was plenty to keep the whole family entertained at the launch including balloon modelling, stilt walkers, glitter tattoos and a host of tasty treats on offer.

XL Cloghan provides employment to 21 people locally and XLs newest retailer, Martin Grogan, was delighted with the turnout on the day.

We are very excited to provide this valuable service to the people of Cloghan, said Martin. We are offering a large selection of food to go and dinner options, including OReillys award-winning fish and chips, and the feedback we have received since opening has been brilliant.

XL is Irelands fastest growing retail symbol brand and offers our retailers a flexible, market leading package which enables them to tailor their shop to consumer needs and react quickly to changing market conditions and help grow their business.

Commenting at the launch, Paul Bealin, BWG Cash & Carry Sales Director (owners and operators of the XL brand in Ireland) said, I am thrilled to welcome Martin and his team into the XL family. XL retailers are also passionate about providing value to their customers and this is something that Martin also recognises and deliveries on for his customers. Working closely with our innovation and fresh food teams, this stores offering is second to none. We have worked hard over the last number of months and years to grow the XL brand and our ambition is manifesting in this first ever greenfield site addition to the XL family. XL Cloghan Service Station will deliver great value, choice, service and exciting consumer promotions to the local community and customers.
Caught on camera: Two women fight over saree during sale in Bengaluru

Bengaluru to observe Zero Shadow Day today: What does it mean?

'Winning Karnataka elections is out of question for Congress': Annamalai

Bengaluru

oi-Deepika S

IPS officer-turned-politician K Annamalai on Sunday claimed that a victory for Congress in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections is out of the question.

"Winning Karnatakia election is out of the question for Congress, whatever they are doing, they are doing to satisfy their ego. BJP workers are in full excitement and are very clear, we are aiming for a full majority and our mission is to bring BJP in power for good governance," Tamil Nadu BJP state president Annamalai told ANI.

"This time PM Modi is aiming for 'Mission Dakshin', especially 'Mission Karnataka' for 2023 with 130 plus seats. People of Karnataka want majority government this time," the BJP leader added.

Karnataka is the only South Indian State, where the BJP has formed the government several times and has a BJP Chief Minister.

The saffron party is also in power Puducherry but with an alliance. However, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, continue to be the biggest challenge for the party.

The BJP is eyeing to make inroads in these four south Indian states in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024.

Interestingly, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry together send 130 MPs to the Lok Sabha.

Out of 130 seats, only 29 seats are with the BJP. The saffron party has got 25 seats from Karnataka and four from Telengana. The BJP zero representation from the states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Puducherry.

Single phase elections will be held in Karnataka on May 10 and the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to form the government in the state with absolute majority on its own. The BJP is targeting 150 seats in Karnataka.

In 2018 elections, The BJP won 104 seats but the Congress and the JDS entered into an alliance and formed a coalition government in the state.
Bommai to take up Mahas insurance scheme in 865 border villages of Karnataka with Amit Shah

7 killed after an old tree falls on tin shed in Maharashtra's Akola

12 dead, several hurt as bus falls into gorge on old Mumbai-Pune highway

11 die of heatstroke at Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony

India

oi-Prakash KL

At least 11 people died due to heat stroke after standing under the sun for hours during the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony held in Navi Mumbai's Kharghar.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia to the kin of the deceased. He went to the hospital where over 120 people were admitted due to heat-related health issues, like dehydration, due exposure to sunlight.

The event was held in Navi Mumbai to present the Maharashtra Bhushan Award to social activist Dattatreya Narayan alias Appasaheb Dharmadhikari who was honoured with the award by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The event, which was held on a sprawling 306-acre ground in Kharghar, began around 11.30 am and went on till around 1 pm.

The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

The temperature of Navi Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degree Celsius.

"A total of 123 people complained of heat-related health ailments, like dehydration during the event. They were immediately referred to the 30 medical booths set up at the venue. Thirteen of the patients, who needed further treatment, were shifted to different private hospitals and the condition of one of them is serious," PTI quoted a revenue department official.

"A total of 30 doctors were deployed at the medical booths that had intensive care unit (ICU) facilities to treat people at the venue," she said.

Suraj Chavan, Working President of Maharastra State Nationalist Youth Congress, slammed the Maharashtra government over the incident and tweeted, "By keeping the Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony in the sun, it is believed that some innocent people have died and many people have died due to the negligence of the government. This is a case of culpable homicide by the government."

The event was also attended by Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis as well.

NCP Spokesperson Clyde Crasto questioned why the event was held in the open when the temperatures were soaring so high. He tweeted, "News of lives lost due to heat after attending the 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award program organised by the incumbent Maharashtra government in Kharghar is disturbing. With day temperatures soaring so high, why was this function held in the open? CM Eknath Shinde ji owes an answer."
Adani is a symbol of corruption, says Rahul Gandhi targeting PM Modi

India

pti-PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by bringing up the Adani "corruption" issue in this Karnataka district headquarters town and reiterated that he was not scared of the BJP government at the Centre.

It was in Kolar in 2019, during Lok Sabha election campaigning, that he made a remark on the Modi surname for which he was convicted of criminal defamation and stripped of his Parliament membership last month.

In his first visit to Karnataka after Assembly polls were announced on March 29, Gandhi emphasised on the Adani issue to target the Prime Minister and sought to know Modis "relation" with businessman Gautam Adani.

"I was disqualified from Parliament. They (central government) think that they will scare me by removing me and threatening me. I am not the one to get scared," Gandhi told the crowd at the event called 'Jai Bharat'.

"Till the time I get the reply, I will keep asking this question. You disqualify me, jail me or do whatever you want, I am not going to get scared," he added. Alleging that there was no investigation happening against Adani Group's firms that operate in the defence infrastructure, Gandhi charged that the chairman of the beleaguered conglomerate has appointed a Chinese man in his "shell company".

"Adani is a symbol of corruption," Gandhi said. "I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi: what is your relation with Adani who is being given airports in India? Rules are changed for him to award him contract. Why are the rules being changed?" Gandhi wondered.

The former Congress president said Adani Group has no expertise to run airports, which is a prerequisite for operating them but yet they were handed over to the business group.

"Those who owned airports were implicated by the central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and then these airports were given to Adani," the Congress leader said.

In Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen with his counterpart and Gautam Adani and a senior State Bank of India officer were seen next to them, he alleged, adding that the very next day, the SBI granted a loan to Adani.

In Sri Lanka, Gandhi claimed, the chairman of the airport authority there stated that the President of the island nation told him that Modi had asked officials to help out Adani. "The Prime Minister goes to Bangladesh and the contract goes to Adani.

The PM goes to Israel and Adani gets cement and airport contracts," Gandhi alleged. Besides, the Congress leader added that he has already raised the issue of Rs 20,000 crore belonging to Adani's "shell companies" and wanted to know whose money it was. Upon raising these questions, the ruling party did not allow Parliament to function, Gandhi said.
'If I am a thief, then no one...': Kejriwal after CBI summons him in excise policy

'If court convicts you?' asks Rijiju as Kejriwal vows to sue CBI, ED

Delhi liquor scam: Kejriwal appears before CBI, AAP leaders stage protest

India

oi-Deepika S

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

Hours before joining the CBI probe, Kejriwal claimed that the CBI may arrest him acting at the behest of the BJP government.

In a five-minute video message on Twitter, Kejriwal said he will honestly answer questions posed by the CBI in the excise case. 'When I have not done any wrong, there is nothing to hide,' he said

"These (BJP) people are very strong. They can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions," Kejriwal said.

"High on power, they are threatening everyone, be it politicians, judges, or the media, they have the power to jail anyone who doesn't listen to them," he added.

"You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest," he asked.

"I love my country and Bharat Mata. I can sacrifice my life for the country," Kejriwal asserted.

In a show of strength, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant MannAAP MPs and some Delhi ministers accompanied Kejriwal, whose questioning is the first for a serving Chief Minister in recent times.

The CBI is likely to question Kejriwal on the statements of other accused regarding the manner in which the policy was framed and details of a "south lobby", news agency PTI reported.

Opposition parties have accused the Modi government of misusing central agencies agencies to target and harass rivals.

Meanwhile, The police have stepped up security outside the CBI headquarters ahead of Kejriwal's appearance before it on Sunday in connection with the excise policy case.

Nearly 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, have been deployed outside the CBI office and section 144 of the CrPC has also been imposed in the area. Security has also been tightened outside AAP office at Rouse Avenue.

Several AAP workers protesting against the Kejriwal's CBI questioning have been detained by the police.
'Mafia who had a free run in 2017 are now begging for life': UP CM

Atiq Ahmed killing: Yogi govt forms 3-member judicial committee

India

oi-Prakash KL

Amid coming under attack from the opposition parties over the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmad, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government has formed a three-member judicial enquiry committee to probe the case.

The committee, which is formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, will be headed by Retired Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi of Allahabad HC, including retired IPC officer Subesh Kumar Singh and Retired District Judge Brijesh Kumar Soni.

The committee has been given two-month time to submit its report to the state government on the incident.

Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night.

The accused have been identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj.

Following the incident, the authorities imposed Section 144 of CrPc while shutting down internet services in the old Prayagraj area. Cops have been deployed at major places in Ayodhya.

Opposition Parties Slam Yogi Government

The leaders of opposition parties have criticised the ruling party over the incident. "When someone can be killed by firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," tweeted Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief and Opposition Leader in UP Assembly.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock "by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law & order in Uttar Pradesh." "It is shameful that perpetrators are now taking the law in their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence. Such unlawful acts have no place in our constitutional democracy," she tweeted.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury demanded stringent action should be taken against those involved in the incident.

"Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. Its USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics & patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators & punish them stringently," he said in a tweet
Atiq Ahmeds killers were jobless, addicted to drugs

India

oi-Deepika S

After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed was shot dead in Prayagraj in full media glare on Saturday night, the father of one of the assailants on Sunday said his son was jobless and a drug addict.

The family members of both Sunny Singh and Lavlesh Tiwari have said they had left the house long time ago, and they were not in touch.

"Lovlesh is my son. I saw the incident on TV. He never lived with us and neither was he involved in our family affairs. We do not acknowledge his actions nor do we have anything to do with this. He did not inform anything to us. We have not been in touch with him for several years now. He is already facing a case registered against him. He was jailed in that case," said Yagya Tiwari.

"He used to wander around and did no work. We live separately and don't know how he became a criminal. We have no idea about the incident," Pintu Singh, brother of shooter Sunny Singh told ANI.

Don-turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead while being taken for medical treatment in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

The incident took place around 10 pm when Atiq and his brother flanked by several policemen, were interacting with media when three people, disguised as media persons appeared out of nowhere and shot the two in the head in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the police caught the three killers soon after they shot Ahmed and his brother. Shocking videos of the incident, which went viral on social media show the killers chanting the slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" after killing the gangster.

The killers have been identified as Arun Maurya, Lavlesh Tiwari and Sunny.

While Sunny hails from Hamirpur district, Lavlesh Tiwari is a resident of Kotwali in Banda and Arun Maurya is from a village called Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.
I know their programme, they want to kill me: Atiq Ahmed says before being taken to UP from Sabarmati jail

What we know about Atiq Ahmed's killers, their background and motive?

Atiq Ahmed buried in Prayagraj; killers sent to judicial custody

India

oi-Prakash KL

Gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, who were killed by three men posing as journalists on Saturday night, were buried at Kasari Masari graveyard in Prayagraj on Sunday evening.

The bodies of the two brothers were handed over to the family members after conducting the post-mortem examination for performing the last rites.

The graveyard is located in the ancestral village of Ahmed and his son Asad Ahmed, who was killed in an encounter days ago in Jhansi, was also buried in the same graveyard.

Also, it is also the same place where the gangster's ancestors were buried.

On Saturday, Asad Ahmad's last rites were performed at the Kasari Masari graveyard amid heavy police security and a few distant relatives and locals were present inside the burial ground. However, Atiq was denied permission to attend the last rites of his son.

"I have also dug the grave of his (Atiq's) father. My father had dug the grave of his mother," Janu Khan, the grave digger, told a news agency.

Three men identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj killed Atiq Ahmed when police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup around 10 pm on Saturday.

The accused have told the cops that they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity in the state by eliminating Atiq Ahmad's gang, according to the FIR.

Meanwhile, a Prayagraj court has sent the accused to 14 days' judicial custody.

"Three accused in Atiq-Ashraf killing sent to 14 days' judicial custody by a court here," PTI quoted lawyer Manish Khanna, who represented Ahmad, told PTI.

On the other hand, the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government has formed a three-member judicial enquiry committee to probe the case.

Meanwhile, a plea has been moved in Supreme Court by an advocate, Vishal Tiwari, seeking to constitute an Independent Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of former SC Justice to inquire into the 183 encounters which had occurred since 2017 as stated by UP Special DGP (L&O) and also to inquire into police custody murder of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed, ANI reported.
BJP will form govt in Karnataka again: Amit Shah

India

pti-PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the BJP will form a government again in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are scheduled next month. Addressing a public meeting in south Goa where he kicked off the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Shah said the mood of people is in favour of BJP in Odisha and Telangana.

He referred to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks on BJP's victory in "small states" of Goa and Uttarakhand earlier and said Kharge shouldn't insult small states. Shah also said Congress was wiped out in recent polls in the Northeast after Rahul Gandhi campaigned for the party.

He said the Congress always considered Northeastern states as their stronghold due to a sizeable minority population in these states, but the outcome of recent polls favoured BJP. "I saw the mood of people in favour of BJP in Odisha and Telangana. I want to tell Kharge ji and Rahul baba that the BJP will form a government in Karnataka again," he added.

Shah said when BJP won elections in small states like Goa, Uttarakhand, and in the Northeast, Kharge said these are small states.

"They are small states but they are important states of the country. Khargeji should not insult small states," Shah added. He said small states are important parts of the country and it is the policy of the Modi government to have a "bigger responsibility towards small states".

"Small states are the 'dharohar' of our country and they are as much important as big states. The smaller the state, the bigger the responsibility of the Centre to work for its development. This is the policy of the Modi government," Shah said.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Shah said after 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', Rahul Gandhi undertook a full-fledged campaign in the Northeast elections, but the Congress party was wiped out from these states and people gave their mandate in favour of the BJP. He said BJP has won a full majority in Tripura elections while 13 MLAs of the saffron party were elected in Nagaland.

"The government in Meghalaya was formed with the support of BJP," the home minister added. Shah said the people of the Northeast have given a clear message that this country should be ruled by a party which can provide security, peace and development to the people.
Can Shettar achieve what other bigwig rebels could not in the past?

Denied ticket in Karnataka polls, Jagadish Shettar quits BJP

India

pti-PTI

Former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Saturday announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party after he was denied a ticket for the May 10 state assembly election.

The 67-year-old leader said he would also resign from the assembly.

However, Shettar, who was the leader of the opposition when the Congress was in power in the state, said he would contest the poll for sure.

"I have decided to resign from the legislative assembly," a visibly upset Shettar told reporters.

He added that he has sought an appointment with the Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, who is at Sirsi, and tender his resignation.

"With a heavy heart I will resign from the party. I am the one who has built and raised this party. They (some party leaders) created a situation for me to resign from the party," Shettar said.

Recalling his contribution to the BJP and the key posts, including that of assembly speaker, he held in the state, Shettar said, "They (party leaders) have not understood Jagadish Shettar yet, for the way they humiliated me."

"I am upset over the way they ignored me, which made me think I should not sit quiet and I must challenge them. In view of that I had been saying that I will contest in this election," he said.

The Lingayat leader also alleged that there was a systematic conspiracy against him and added that he was never an indurate person but the party forced him to become one.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan failed.

The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJP's decision of not fielding him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

According to Shettar, the party high command had asked him not to contest the assembly election to make way for young people. However, he said he will contest the election come what may.

Earlier in the day, Shettar said that if he is denied ticket then it will have a bearing on 20 to 25 assembly seats in north Karnataka, apart from the state.

This is the second major blow to the BJP. Just a day ago, former deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi resigned from the party and joined the Congress.

Savadi who was aspiring to contest from Athani constituency was upset over BJP giving ticket to Mahesh Kumathalli, who was previously with Congress but defected along with 17 others in favour of the BJP to bring down the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), led by H D Kumaraswamy in 2019.
How Opposition parties reacted to Atiq Ahmed's killing

India

oi-Prakash KL

The opposition parties have come down heavily on the Yogi Adityanath's UP government after the mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj.

Akhilesh Yadav, SP chief and Opposition Leader in UP Assembly said that crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the criminals is high. "When someone can be killed by firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," he wrote on Twitter.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over the incident.

"I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law & order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that perpetrators are now taking the law in their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence. Such unlawful acts have no place in our constitutional democracy," tweeted the West Bengal CM.

Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a checkup.

In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the rule of law as laid down in our country's Constitution is paramount.

"Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land. Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy," Ramesh said.

"Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," he said.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said stringent action should be taken against those involved in the incident.

"Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. Its USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics & patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators & punish them stringently," he said in a tweet

TMC MP Mouha Moitra said the country has been turned into "mafia raj".

"BJP has turned India into a mafia republic. I will say it here, I will say it abroad, I will say it everywhere because it is the truth. 2 men in custody shot dead in front of a zillion policemen & cameras - this is the death of the rule of law," she said.

Moitra also said that she can even believe that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got the shooting done simply to "deflect attention" from repercussions to the Satyapal Malik interview.

"Nothing, just nothing, is beyond this government," she said.

Former UP CM and BSP chief the incident raises serious question marks about the rule of law in the state.

"Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, who were brought from Bareilly jail, were shot dead openly in police custody in Prayagraj last night, just like the heinous murder of Umesh Pal. raises serious question marks," she tweeted.

"It would be better if the honorable Supreme Court itself takes cognizance of this very serious and very worrisome incident which is discussed all over the country and takes appropriate action. Anyway, instead of "Rule of law by law" in Uttar Pradesh, now how appropriate is it to become an encounter state? Something to think about," the leader added.
'If I am a thief, then no one...': Kejriwal after CBI summons him in excise policy

Gujarat court summons Arvind Kejriwal in PM Modi's degree case

India

pti-PTI

A court in Ahmedabad has issued summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh in a criminal defamation complaint for their alleged sarcastic and derogatory statements against the Gujarat University over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's academic degree.

The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Jayeshbhai Chovatiya on Saturday summoned the two AAP leaders on May 23, after observing that prima facie there appeared to be a case against them under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (defamation) on a complaint filed by the Gujarat University's registrar Piyush Patel.

The court also ordered to delete 'Chief Minister' from Kejriwal's name in the cause title of the case, saying the statements were made by him in his personal capacity.

Kejriwal and Singh had made the comments after the Gujarat High Court passed an order setting aside the Chief Information Commissioner's order asking the Gujarat University (GU) to provide information on PM Modi's degree.

As per the complainant, they made "defamatory" statements in press conferences and on Twitter handles targeting the university over Modi's degree. Their comments targeting the Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the institution which has established its name among the public, he said.

The Gujarat University was established more than 70 years ago. It is reputed among the people and utterances by the accused will create mistrust about the university, the complainant's lawyer Amit Nair argued.

The complainant alleged the statements were defamatory towards the university because they were sarcastic and intended to intentionally hurt the prestige of the university. They were shared in the media and on Twitter handles with the same intention, he said.

The comments quoted by the complainant and attributed to Kejriwal are: "If there is a degree and it is genuine, then why is it not being given?" (a copy of it to Kejriwal under RTI), "They are not giving degree because it might be fake," and "If the Prime Minister studied at Delhi University and Gujarat University, then Gujarat University should celebrate that our student became the country's PM".

As per the complainant, Sanjay Singh had said "they are trying to prove the PM's fake degree as genuine." Four witnesses were examined and other evidence submitted during the court inquiry, and the complainant's lawyer argued their statements would make a person believe that GU issues fake and bogus degrees.
PM dismisses oppositions campaign on job creation, says India will be an example for the world

How Atiq Ahmed's key vote helped save UPA govt in 2008

India

pti-PTI

Six criminal politicians, including Atiq Ahmad who was shot dead Saturday, were furloughed from different jails in just 48 hours with little fanfare in 2008, with a book on "Baahubalis" claiming their votes were crucial to save the embattled UPA government and India's civil nuclear deal with the US.

The Opposition had brought a no-confidence motion against the Manmohan Singh dispensation and at stake was his United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the nuclear deal.

Among these six legislators, who collectively had over 100 criminal cases against their names, was the then Samajwadi Party's Lok Sabha MP Atiq Ahmad, who represented Allahabad's (now Prayagraj) Phulpur constituency.

The book -- "Baahubalis of Indian Politics: From Bullet to Ballot" -- authored by Rajesh Singh and published by Rupa Publications mentions how the gangster-politician had the distinction of being one of the musclemen who saved the UPA government from a collapse.

The Left parties had withdrawn their outside support to the regime in mid-2008 over the government's decision to proceed with a civil nuclear deal. "The UPA had 228 members in the Lok Sabha and was short of 44 seats for a simple majority to overcome the crisis of confidence.

Prime Minister Singh, however, expressed confidence that he would survive. It soon became evident as to where that confidence came from," Singh writes.

He notes that the Samajwadi Party extended support, as did Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) to the UPA while there were others, including the "Baahubali netas", who did their bit.

"Forty-eight hours before the vote and with little fanfare, the government furloughed six of the nation's most prominent suspected lawbreakers -- collectively facing over 100 cases of kidnapping, murder, extortion, arson and more -- so that they could fulfil their constitutional duties as lawmakers," the book states.

"One among them was Ateeq Ahmed, a Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh, with a conspicuous handlebar moustache and a penchant for safari suits. He dutifully cast his precious vote, no doubt in favour of the beleaguered UPA. The don had, by then, established himself in both politics and crime," according to the book.

He was a five-time MLA from Uttar Pradesh, having forayed into electoral politics successfully in 1989. He became a member of the Lok Sabha in 2004 elected on a Samajwadi Party ticket, though, less than five years later, the party would expel him on grounds of his criminal record.

Ahmad (60) identified himself as a politician, contractor, builder, property dealer and agriculturist but also had serious criminal charges to his name including of kidnapping, extortion and murder.

Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead Saturday night in Prayagraj in a dramatic turn of events when three assailants posing as journalists opened fire on them in the middle of a media interaction.

The Ahmeds were handcuffed together as they were being escorted in police security at a hospital for mandatory health checkup.

As they alighted from the police jeep, surrounded by police personnel, and were trying to answer questions by the media persons, they were shot dead in full view of the camera. Earlier on Saturday, Atiq's son Asad was buried in Prayagraj, a day after he was killed in an exchange of fire with the UP police's Special Task Force in Jhansi.

No close family member, including the beleaguered gangster himself, could attend the burial. Briefing reporters about the deadly shootout, Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma on Saturday said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire.

Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Atiq and his brother, according to officials.
BJP has to go if democracy is to survive: Cong chief Kharge

Karnataka Polls: Jagadish Shettar 'undecided' on joining Congress yet

India

oi-Deepika S

Even as the poll battle heats up in Karnataka, former chief minister and prominent Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar is likely to join Congress today, dealing a major blow to the BJP.

Shettar submitted his resignation to the Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district. He is the second prominent Lingayat face to quit BJP in under a week after Laxman Savadi.

The 67-year-old leaders decision came after the BJP's central leadership made it clear that he has to make way for youngsters.

Top BJP leaders, including BJP's election in-charge for Karnataka Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai tried to persuade Shettar to change his mind paid no fruits as he quit as a legislator today.

Shettar, a former State BJP President and a six-time MLA reiterated that he was firm on contesting the elections. However, the oppostion Congress was quick enough anough to extend him an invitation to join the party.

Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad said that Congress would welcome Shettar in case he wishes to join it. Describing Shettar as an "honest CM", Hariprasad said Shettar has a cleam image during his tenure at the helm.

Meanwhile, the Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA has been tight-lipped about his decision to join the Congress.

"I have not decided yet. I will speak to my wellwishers before making any decision," said Jagadish Shettar on being asked whether he will be joining Congress.

Reacting to the development, Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa criticised Shettar's move, saying the people would not pardon him.

"The BJP has given him everything. He served as the party's state unit President, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Chief Minister. We also asked him to name a family member for the ticket, and also offered him to make a Rajya Sabha member and a Union Minister but he did not agree," Yediyurappa said.

"What injustice have we done to you, Why are you going to Congress?, asked Yediyurappa adding that no one can stop the BJP from coming back to power in Karnataka.

Shettar's resignation is likely to have ripple effects in his hometown of Hubbali-Dharwad- a politically significant region. The move appears to be a big jolt to the BJP, which has lost an influential leader of the Lingayat community, which stood behind the saffron party during the elections.
Vietnamese durian is the best-selling fruit in Japan. Photo by VnExpress/ Hong Chau

A kilogram of Vietnamese durian currently sells for $17-18 in Japanese supermarkets, double last years price due to higher import costs and more demand than supply.

Nguyen Phi Thoan, CEO of JV Solution, which specializes in supplying fresh fruit to Japan, said his company sometimes lacks durian  which is popular in both Japan and China  for supply to the Japanese market.

The company has exported 24 tons of durian to Japan by sea and several tons of the fruit by air.

At present, the price of one kilogram of Vietnamese durian in Japan is some $3 lower than that of Thai durian, but $3-4 higher than that of Filipino durian.

A durian sells for 7,800 yen ($58.29) in a Japanese supermarket. Photo by Duc Minh

According to Ta Duc Minh, a Vietnamese commercial counselor in Japan, the amount of fresh durian imported from Vietnam to Japan surpassed Thailands in the first two months of this year.

"Along with longan, Vietnamese durian is the best-selling fruit in Japan. Most of the buyers in Japan are people from China and some ASEAN countries," he said.

Many Japanese people also love Vietnamese durian.

Vietnam is expected to gain over $4 billion exporting vegetables and fruit  mainly durian, litchi and dragon fruit  to foreign countries this year, up 20% against last year.

Durian was the fastest-growing fruit export to China in the first two months of this year, rising by 291% year-on-year to a total value of $56.9 million, according the Agency of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
'Mafia who had a free run in 2017 are now begging for life': UP CM

'Killed gangster Atiq Ahmed to become popular', say assailants

India

oi-Deepika S

The three assailants, arrested for the murder of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed in Prayagraj told police that they wanted to make a name for themselves by eliminating the gang.

Uttar Pradesh Police has filed an FIR against three suspects- Lavelesh Tiwari, Arun Maurya and Sunny- in the Atiq Ahmed-Ashraf murder outside a Prayagraj hospital on April 15.

"We wanted to kill gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf to become popular," the shooters told the police during the interrogation.

The killers also claimed that has planned to fled the crime scene but they failed as the police in a swift action got hold of them.

"When we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to kill them. Disguised as journalists, we reached the Prayagraj hospital and migled with mediapersons. When we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and sucessfully implemented the plan," the accused told police.

Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead while being taken to a medical facility in Prayagraj.

The horrific incident took place at around 10 pm on Saturday, when Atiq flanked by several policemen, was speaking to the media when three people, disguised as journalists came out of nowhere and shot the gangster and his brother dead.

Soon after the police overpowered the killer and arrested them. Videos of the incident, that surfaced on social media show the killers chanting the slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" after killing the gangster.

The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.

While Lavlesh Tiwari is a resident of Kotwali in Banda, Sunny hails from Hamirpur district and Arun Maurya is from a village called Baghela Pukhta within the limits of Soron Kotwali police station in Kasganj.

Atif was killed on a day the last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed in Prayagraj.
Now mafia can't threaten anyone in UP: Yogi warns after Atiq killing

'Mafia who had a free run in 2017 are now begging for life': UP CM

Owaisi demands CM Yogi Adityanath's resignation after Atiq-Ashraf's murder

India

oi-Deepika S

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the murders of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed.

Addressing a press conference, Owaisi called for an investigation into the incident under the supervision of the Supreme Court stating that no officer from UP should be involved in the investigation.

"I demand that the Supreme Court should form a team and investigate this matter. We also demand all police officers present there should be removed from service," was quoted saying by ANI.

"Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody. How did the killers get those weapons?... They were also heard raising Jai Shri Ram slogans. Why were they raising religious slogans after killing them? What will you call them if not terrorists? Will you call them Patriots? People celebrating this incident are vultures...," he said.

The Uttar Pradesh government has a role in this. This was a 'cold-blooded' murder. This incident raises a big question about law and order. It raises a big question about law and order situation in the state. I demand the resignation of chief minister Yogi Adityanath," he said.

"If people are killed like this openly, will the public have any faith in the constitution and Law and order of the country? I have always been saying that BJP in Uttar Pradesh is not running the government by the rule of law but by the rule of gun," he further said.

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by three men disguised as media persons while they were being escorted by police to a medical college here on Saturday night.
Remove 50% cap on reservation: Rahul Gandhi in Kolar

India

oi-Prakash KL

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the 50 per cent cap on reservation while also asking him to make the 2011 caste-based census data.

"UPA in 2011 did the caste-based census. It has the data of all the castes. Mr Prime Minister, you talk of OBCs. Make that data public. Let the nation know how many OBCs, Dalits and tribals are there in the country," PTI quoted Gandhi as saying at 'Jai Bharat' rally in Kolar in Karnataka.

Except for the caste data, the reports from the census have been published.

The cap refers to Supreme Court judgments pointing out that the overall reservation in government jobs and education for various communities should not breach the 50-per cent mark. However, there are exceptions with some states crossing the figure.

This is Gandhi's first rally in Karnataka since he was disqualified from Parliament after being convicted in a defamation case last month.

Batting for the census data to be made public, Gandhi stated that it was important to find out the population size of each community if everyone has to become part of the development of the country.

"Please release the caste census data so that the nation knows how much is the population of OBCs, Dalits and tribals. If you don't do this, then it is an insult to the OBCs. Also, remove the cap of 50 per cent on reservations," Gandhi said.

"The biggest question is how many OBCs, tribals and Dalits are there in India. If we talk of money and power distribution, then the first step should be to find out the size of their population," he further sgtated.

The senior Congress leader, who was disqualified as the MP after his conviction by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case, also targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Adani row.

"If you [PM Modi] can give thousands of crores of rupees to Adani, then we can give the money to poor, women, and youths. You helped Adani wholeheartedly, and we will wholeheartedly help the people of the state," he said. "Aap Apna Kaam Karo, Hum Apna Kaam Karenge (You do your work and we will do ours)," he said while urging people to vote for Congress.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (middle) and other officials have dinner at a Hanoi restaurant, April 15, 2023. Photo obtained from Antony Blinken's Twitter account

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Vietnamese food is some of the tastiest in the world.

"You cant visit Vietnam and not sample the food. Vietnamese cuisine has some of the freshest flavors and we see its influence across the U.S. in our own restaurants," his Twitter account read on Sunday.

He visited a rice restaurant named "Com Tay Cam" on Trang Tien street on Saturday, where he tried spring rolls and rice cooked in a clay pot.

"Qua ngon! (So good)" he remarked in Vietnamese.

Blinken landed in Hanoi Friday night to begin his three-day visit to Vietnam per an invitation by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. He also broke ground on the new U.S. embassy compound in Hanoi's Cau Giay District Saturday morning.

This is Blinken's first visit to Vietnam as a Secretary of State. He had visited Vietnam in 2015 and 2016 as Deputy Secretary of State under the Obama administration.

Blinken left Vietnam on Sunday to travel to Japan and participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

"Thank you to the wonderful people of Vietnam and the Vietnamese authorities for hosting my first visit as Secretary. More committed than ever to elevating the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and to working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region," his Twitter account read.
Being in line with the interests of the Afghan people and the expectations of the international community, China's position paper on the Afghan issue will help Afghanistan achieve peace and development at an early date, as well as play a positive and constructive role in maintaining regional prosperity and stability, said experts.

In the position paper released on Wednesday, China expressed support for prudent governance and reconstruction of Afghanistan and its counter-terrorism efforts. It also urged the United States to live up to its commitments to and responsibilities for Afghanistan and called for international and regional coordination on the Afghan issue.

Afghan Taliban appreciates and welcomes China's release of the position paper on Afghanistan, and respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Afghan interim government, who thanked China for its long-term political support to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan understands China's security concerns, will never allow any forces to use the Afghan territory to harm China's national interests, and will spare no efforts to protect the safety of Chinese institutions and citizens in Afghanistan, Muttaqi said on Thursday during a meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

He also expressed the hope to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The paper provides a comprehensive explanation of China's policy on the Afghan issue and will play a positive role in achieving peace and stability for Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, said Najibullah Jami, a professor and political analyst at the Kabul University.

In the position paper, China welcomes Afghanistan's participation in Belt and Road cooperation and supports Afghanistan's integration into regional economic cooperation and connectivity that will transform Afghanistan from a "land-locked country" into a "land-linked country," Jami said.

"The position paper has drawn a blueprint for the future development of Afghanistan," he said. "It is not only a new beginning for Afghanistan ... but also a new opportunity for the further development of bilateral relations."

Zahir Behzad, an economics researcher from the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority of Afghanistan, said that China will play a vital role in helping Afghanistan to achieve peaceful reconstruction and stable development.

"Afghanistan, located in the heart of Eurasia, was once an important stop along the Silk Road, and we expect that China's initiative can help Afghanistan become a land of prosperity again," Behzad said.

There is no doubt that the United States bears primary responsibility for today's situation in Afghanistan. It should play a more active role in areas such as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and post-war reconstruction there, said Oleg Timofeyev, an associate professor at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.

China emphasizes in the paper that under the new circumstances, Afghanistan should become a platform for cooperation among all parties, rather than a venue for geopolitical games. "This is an admirable position. China is working hard to expand international consensus on the Afghan issue, and the results are promising," he said.

China attaches importance to dialogue and development but sticks to its fundamental principle of non-interference, said Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, chief executive officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development.

"So China lets Afghan people decide about that governance system and support them with economic and development opportunities. I think it will bring sustainable peace to Afghanistan, which will be beneficial for that region and the world," he said.

Chairman of the Association of Political Scientists of Tajikistan Saifullo Safarov considers China as a guarantor of security and stability in the region which has been proved by the position paper, bringing hope to all who are concerned about the future of Afghanistan and the Central Asian region.

"This paper, one of the most constructive documents on a global scale, can play a crucial role in establishing order and stability in Afghanistan and in maintaining peace in the region. We look forward to relevant parties responding to China's constructive proposal," he said.

The position paper shows that China is looking for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and is ready to help Afghan people to develop their own country, which is beneficial to the whole region and China itself, said Mohammad Reza Manafi, editor-in-chief for the Asia-Pacific news desk of Iran's official news agency IRNA.
The weekend shootings of three teenagers in two separate incidents drew responses from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson as summer looms.

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Lightfoot said her office has had very candid and productive conversations with the Chicago Police Department about monitoring and responding to such gatherings. She also asked parents and guardians to help ensure their childrens safety.

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Twice in the last few days, several large groups of young people have gathered across the city. Many of them were there to have a good time and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. However, some of those young people were involved in reckless, disrespectful and unlawful behavior, Lightfoots statement said. As I have said before, we as a city cannot and will not allow any of our public spaces to become a platform for criminal conduct. Most importantly, parents and guardians must know where their children are and be responsible for their actions. Instilling the important values of respect for people and property must begin at home.

[ 15 arrested after large groups of young adults, juveniles swarmed downtown Saturday night, police say ]

Johnson also issued a statement Sunday afternoon: It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.

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Johnson said improving public safety is one of his goals.

Our city must work together to create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both residents and visitors, the statement said.

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson speaks with the press after meeting with Mayor Lori Lightfoot at City Hall on April 6, 2023 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition after they were shot in the Loop Saturday night, Chicago police said.

The shooting happened around 9:05 p.m. in the 0-100 block of East Washington Street, according to police. The teenage boys stood in a crowd of people when they were shot by an unknown gunman.

The shooting affected the Chicago Transit Authoritys Brown, Pink, Green and Orange lines. Just before 10 p.m. Saturday, CTA officials notified riders about disrupted service for each line due to police presence in the Loop. Each train temporarily bypassed the Washington/Wabash and Adams/Wabash stations. Service returned to normal before 12 a.m. Sunday, according to CTA tweets.

The 16-year-old had a gunshot wound in his right arm, and the 17-year-old had a gunshot wound in his left leg, police said.

No one is in custody. Police detectives are investigating.

On Friday night, a 14-year-old boy was shot just before 9 p.m. on the 3100 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive near 31st Street Beach, according to police. He was transported to Comer Childrens Hospital with a gunshot wound in his left thigh, police said. No one is in custody. Detectives are investigating.

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oalexander@chicagotribune.com
Deputy Minister of Public Security Major General Nguyen Van Long visits the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia. (Photo: VNA)

During their stay in Australia, the Vietnamese officers had meetings with representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency at the Department of Home Affairs, Police of New South Wales and the New South Sales State Emergency Service, among others, and visited a prison in Sydney.

Their activities have opened up opportunities of cooperation in handling large-scale emergencies, ensuring traffic order and managing prisons, while contributing to deepening collaboration between the Vietnamese ministry and Australian law enforcement forces in different spheres like crime combat, immigrant management and the implementation of the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons.

The outcomes of the visit have also helped deepen the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership, creating an important foundation for the two countries to elevate their relations to a new height, especially in the context of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (February 26, 1973-2023), thus contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region./.
It has been well-established that Congress for decades since 1994 has been totally paralyzed on passing any meaningful gun control legislation. In those decades, mostly Democratic-controlled state legislatures in such states as California and New York passed tough gun laws.

But there were always two glaring problems with their actions. The first was that the SCOTUS and other federal courts would keep knocking those laws down as being too restrictive. This rendered them virtually ineffectual.

The second and even bigger problem is that it will make absolutely no difference if one state passes a tough gun control measure. A juvenile, an unstable individual, or a criminal can simply go to usually a neighboring state with minimal or no restrictions on the sale of guns and

purchase a gun and transport it across a state line.

Then there is the illicit sale of guns within cities and states that managed to keep a restrictive gun law on their books. The traffic in guns, both legal and illegal, goes unabated. The absence of a national uniform,

mandate, and fully enforced comprehensive gun control measure ensured that guns would always be freely trafficked, bought, and sold to any buyer.

After every mass shooting there followed the inevitable public outcry and demand for congressional action on gun control. In response, congressional GOP leaders and more than a few Democrats give the same three answers to why gun control laws were eternally stonewalled.

The first was that restrictions will not deter the shooters from obtaining their favored weapon of mass mayhem such as the AR-15 rifle. They would restrict law-abiding gun owners from possessing guns.

The second retort was to dutifully cite the Second Amendment.

The third comeback is to fall back on the old canard that the problem was not free access to guns but the absence of or laxity of mental health facilities and treatment for disturbed individuals. This blames the individual ignored the fact that many of the mass shooters had no history of

recorded mental health impairment, nor showed any outward signs of homicidal derangement.

This naked and horrid anti-gun control congressional firewall renders the pleas by Biden and the gun control votes by many Democrats within and without Congress and state legislatures cries in the dark. Biden and then President Obama, and even Trump met a hard wall of congressional resistance to their appointment of directors for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

There is yet another problem. That is the general public. There have been countless polls on public attitudes toward the passage of tougher gun control laws. The polls have shown a mix of ambivalence, hesitation, muddle, and outright hostility toward these laws. The gun lobby did an expert job in redefining the issue of the right to carry a gun anywhere and anytime and by anybody as an issue of freedom and liberty. Any restriction on that supposed right was attacked as an infringement on liberty, freedom, and rights.

Polls show that the spike in the public demand for some action on gun control almost always comes immediately after yet another massacre. But then as the days passed and the shooting dropped from the news headlines the spike in the public demand for action dropped quickly.

In polls an overwhelming majority of Americans say that government and society should act to prevent further carnage. A substantial percentage of those polled are pessimistic about the effect of any government action. They say that even if the government takes some action, it will not prevent more mass shootings.

There is a sliver of hope though of getting the public behind some action. Most Americans consistently say they back three measures on gun control. One is that those with a history of mental illness should not have access to guns. The second is that the government should require more stringent background checks on private gun sales and sales at gun shows.

The third is to renew the ban on the sale of assault weapons. Again, Congress and many state legislatures have refused to act on even these minimal demands favored by a majority of Americans.

SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas posed the right to carry guns as almost a patriotic duty of all Americans when he joined the majority in striking down New York's tough gun law. Said Thomas the laws must be "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition." In other words, that means almost no laws or restrictions on guns.

Much of the public's ambivalence and hostility to tight gun control laws has given Congress and the GOP-controlled state legislatures more than enough ammunition to brush aside almost any kind of restriction on the right to pack a gun. That includes even the most minimal requirement of obtaining a permit by teens.

Guns, and the unlimited right to possess them, are enshrined as America's sacred cows. It has been that way for decades. The massacres, no matter how shocking, heinous, and frequent, have not shaken the belief of much of the public that there should be only the mildest, if any restrictions on gun access. This ensures that the deadly tragedies will continue to be the American way.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His latest book, Mass Shootings-Made in America (Monthly Review Press). He is the host of the weekly Earl Ofari Hutchinson Show on KPFK-Radio 9 AM Saturdays and the Pacifica Network. He is the publisher of thehutchinsonreport.net


'Socialism with Chinese characteristics' explained Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here: sc.mp/subscribe-youtub e From Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s to Xi Jinping ...

(Image by YouTube, Channel: South China Morning Post) Details DMCA



Readings for the Second Sunday of Easter: Acts 2: 42-47; Psalm 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; First Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31

Today's rich reading from Luke's Acts of the Apostles shows how China's socialist policies - relentlessly vilified by our political leaders, educators, mass media, and churches - are far more in accord with the spirit of Yeshua and the early church than the corresponding policies of the United States.

That shocking fact is born out by the results of measures that China has for decades identified with its drive towards "Common Prosperity." Even since the time of Mao Zedong, the campaign's goal has been to narrow the wealth gap between the country's rich and poor.

And in a very short time, China has advanced towards its goal far beyond what Americans have been led to understand. That is while hunger, tent cities, ineffective schools, deteriorating infrastructure, and large population swaths without health care proliferate among us, things are quickly moving in the opposite direction under the aegis of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Think, for instance, of the CCP's verified announcement (vastly underreported in the United States) that it has virtually eliminated extreme poverty for over 800 million of its people. No wonder that according to surveys sponsored by U.S. pollsters, the Chinese government boasts approval ratings of nearly 90% of its people.

One might think that such unprecedented accomplishments and support would be widely celebrated across the planet. You'd think that it would be taken as a sign that "socialism with Chinese characteristics" is superior to neoliberalism's laissez-faire system.

However, China's success is not even widely acknowledged or celebrated among Christians who (judging by the reading from Acts just referenced) should embrace such accomplishment as a sign of progress towards the North Star Yeshua proclaimed as the "Kingdom of God." You'd think they'd embrace it because the early Christians practiced what might be called "communism with Christian characteristics."

Let me show you what I mean. Take that reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Today's Reading

Think about what we read there - a description of life among Jesus' first followers after the experience they called his "resurrection":

"All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need."

Luke the evangelist repeats that refrain later in the same source when he writes:

"Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common . . . There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to any as had need." (Acts 4:32-36).

There you have it. The early Christians:

* Lived communally

* Rejected private property

* Including land and houses

* Instead held everything in common

* Pooling all their resources

* And distributing them "from each according to ability to each according to need."

* As a result, they eliminated poverty from their midst.

Did you catch the operative words: they divided their property "among all according to each one's needs?" As Mexican biblical scholar Jose Miranda points out in his Communism in the Bible, those are the words of the Bible not of Marx or Engels. In other words, the formula "from each according to his ability to each according to his need" comes straight from the Acts of the Apostles. They have nothing to do with atheism. On the contrary, they have everything to do with faith.

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UPDATE: Oregon man suspected of fatally shooting police officer in Malheur County arrested

A reserve police officer from Nyssa was shot and killed Saturday evening in the eastern Oregon city, and police are still searching Sunday for the suspect.

Officer Joseph Johnson, 43, died after responding to reports of a violent person damaging property and threatening people, the Malheur County District Attorneys office wrote in a statement Sunday.

Johnson responded to the call around 8:20 p.m., and heard that the suspect had left in a car. Johnson pursued the man, and eventually both cars stopped at the corner of Locust Avenue and North 3rd Street.

As soon as Johnson stopped, the man, identified as 36-year-old Nyssa resident Rene Castro, started shooting at him, the statement from the DAs office said. The shooter then fled the scene.

Police identified Rene Castro, 36, as the suspect in Saturday's shooting of a Nyssa police officer.

Emergency medical workers and the Malheur sheriffs office responded, but Johnson was dead when they arrived, the DAs office said. He had served as a reserve officer in Nyssa since 2018 and worked as a behavioral health specialist at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, the Malheur Enterprise reported.

Oregon State Police troopers are leading the investigation.

The appreciation, love, and concern of all citizens of Malheur County go out to the family of Officer Johnson, the DAs office said in a statement. The Fallen Badge Foundation is accepting donations on behalf of the family.

Nyssa has a population of just under 3,200 people, according to census data. It is about 51 miles from Boise, Idaho.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the location of Castro to call Malheur County Dispatch at 541-473-5125.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
Nestled just an hour south of Portland is one of Americas most underrated cities worth a visit, according to Readers Digest.

If you want to skip the crowds of tourists this summer, Readers Digest has paired some typical travel destinations with lesser-known alternatives. It suggests skipping Portland for the charms of McMinnville. Elsewhere in the Northwest, it offers Tacoma as an alternative to Seattle.

Home to great food and wine, scenic vistas and a quaint-yet-vibrant downtown that looks straight out of a postcard, McMinnville, is one of 15 lesser-known destinations  at least to those outside of our great state  dubbed as a must-visit by the publication.

The nearly 35,000 residents of McMinnville, Oregon, have fallen under the spell of this alluring city in the Willamette Valley, writes Kelsey Ogletree of Readers Digest. A destination for wine aficionados, McMinnville boasts more than 20 of the valleys best wineries within walking distance. Dont miss IPNC, a three-day event celebrating local food and some of the countrys best pinot noir, in late July. Atticus Hotel, the citys first full-service boutique property, opened in April, and each room features unique local artwork and decor. If wines not your thing, craft breweries are popping up all over town, including Allegory Brewing, which debuted last summer. No matter your sipping preference, you can fill up on farm-to-table cuisine at local favorites like Pura Vida Cocina, Nicks Italian Cafe, and Thistle Restaurant & Bar. "

Outside Grain Station Brew Works in the Granary District of McMinnville, Ore., in October 2022. In the Willamette Valley, public transportation takes you to McMinnville, where you can walk to one, or all, of its nearly 20 tasting rooms. (Oregon Wine Country Photo Courtesy of George Barberis / The New York Times)

McMinville lands on the list along with Charlottesville, Virginia; Greenwich, Connecticut; Tacoma, Washington; Missoula, Montana; Traverse City, Michigan; Bloomington, Indiana; Branson, Indiana; and Provo, Utah, among others. See all 15 cities here.

Whether its a day trip for wine tasting, the UFO Festival, Wings and Waves waterpark, a stop on the way to the beach, or a weekend stay at the Hotel Oregon or one of the many bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels, its easy to see why McMinnville is considered an underrated gem.
Theres new outdoor public gathering space in Tigard.

Universal Plaza, hailed as a place for everyone in downtown of Tigard that celebrates our shared humanity and our one shared planet, was unveiled to the public Saturday morning with ribbon cutting ceremony, music, food carts, vendors and other amenities welcoming the hundreds who came to see the new space.

The completion of the first phase of the plaza includes oversized porch swings greeting guests as they arrive, two green spaces, Tigards first splash pad, a bike and pedestrian path and boardwalk overlooking Fanno Creek, two food carts  Harvest Moon Experience and West Coast Torta Company  a shelter for vending and storage and a four-stall bathroom with hand-washing station.

The second phase of the public plaza, to be constructed at a later date, will add an overhead canopy to provide shelter from the rain and sun, as well as a community room.

The plaza will host community events, the Tigard Farmers Market, year-round food carts and more.

If you go: Universal Plaza is located at 9110 SW Burnham Street, Tigard, Oregon, 97223 (map) | Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. April-September, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. October-March

Check out photos of the grand opening ing the gallery above.
Oregon legislators took a big step last week toward plugging some of the holes in Oregons management of Measure 110, the initiative that decriminalized personal drug possession and dedicated funds for addiction treatment services. House Bill 2513  a list of administrative and accountability fixes to address inefficiencies that plagued the measures implementation  handily passed the Oregon House last week with well-deserved bipartisan support. Dubbed the Hope and Recovery Bill, HB 2513 now moves on to the Senate.

What the bill does not do, however, is offer much hope and recovery for teens and young adults with drug or alcohol addiction. While the bill should improve the availability of programs for adults, it does not include targeted actions to boost Oregons meager services for teens, acknowledged Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, who led the 80-member task force behind the bill. Part of the problem of plugging the holes in the youth system? We dont really have a system for youth and adolescents to begin with, Nosse observed bluntly at a hearing last month. Instead, Oregons strategy has been to simply leave it to individual providers to offer services for youth if they want  an obscenely hands-off approach that has left youths and their families with few options for help.

The states lack of a system may seem surprising, but its not new, hidden or unknown to state leaders. Multiple reports dating back to 2008 have warned of the need for building out a network of services for teens and young people, as The Lund Reports Emily Green wrote in a recent story. In addition, Oregon has been called out year after year as one of the states providing the fewest addiction services while having among the highest rates of youth alcohol and drug use.

The states absence of a strategy has proven especially deadly to young people amid the fentanyl crisis, as Green wrote, with the states overdose death rate for teens now the fastest growing in the country. In 2018, four Oregonians between the ages of 15 and 19 years old died of drug overdoses, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That increased to 27 in 2021. For young adults between 20 and 24, overdose deaths increased from 26 to 64 in that same time period. And yet, even as high school communities mourn the deaths of students to fentanyl overdoses now, a bill to require school districts to provide opioid education targets the 2024-2025 school year as the implementation date. Thats despite the fact that the Beaverton School District has nationally sought-after curriculum on the issue ready to go, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Julia Silverman reported.

Oregon cannot solve our substance abuse crisis by focusing on adults alone. Yet, over and over, that has been the states approach. Even the funding bonanza that Measure 110 brought to the state reflects the adults-first, youth-never approach, with the vast majority of all grants going to programs geared for adults.

Legislators and Gov. Tina Kotek need to make investments and commitments now to show youth needs are as important as those of adults.

In his remarks last month, Nosse suggested creating a new work group to determine how best to build a youth-oriented system  a necessary first step. And the state already has a committee that should be asked to take that on. The System of Care Advisory Council, which includes representatives from multiple state agencies and health care organizations, was created by the 2019 Legislature to develop and maintain a coordinated statewide system for addressing youth public health, child welfare, education, juvenile justice and other youth-centered needs. Building out an addiction-care system  including a way to get teens to seek help now that justice system referrals have dropped under Measure 110  falls well within its expertise. Legislators and the governor should also commit dollars to support the councils development of such a strategy in conjunction with the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission and providers of youth services.

But tasking a group to study and issue recommendations with urgency is only a first step. Legislators must show their commitment to immediate action this session with money devoted to youth addiction and mental health needs. That can come by explicitly directing a portion of any new funds for residential treatment operations, outpatient facilities and other drug and alcohol addiction services to go toward youth-specific programs throughout urban and rural Oregon. The group that issues Measure 110 grants should also consult with state agencies, commissions and providers on devoting a portion of funds to youth-specific applications.

And Kotek should direct the Oregon Health Authority and other agencies to examine regulatory burdens that prevent or make it difficult to treat youth for both addictions as well as mental health concerns in one place. A frequent refrain among providers, this is an administrative barrier that can and should be rectified immediately.

Kotek and Oregon legislators are showing their commitment to tackling the staggering multitude of crises hitting Oregon. But they cannot check off the substance abuse crisis by focusing only on how it affects adults. Failing to meet the needs of Oregons youth now only ensures a new generation will carry on the crisis.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

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Michael C. Blumm

Blumm is Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar and a law professor at Lewis and Clark Law School. He lives in Lake Oswego.

Lake Oswego city officials are supporting a bill in the state Legislature that would enable homeowners to remove racially restrictive covenants from their deeds. In testimony to the Legislature, Mayor Joe Buck welcomed the opportunity to restore the rights of all our community members, regardless of race, to be free from the indignity of this language and the deep hurt that comes with it, thanking legislators for working to make all our communities more inclusive, welcoming and safe for every person.

Unfortunately, the citys interest in inclusiveness is tepid; it does not extend beyond old racial covenants. For more than a decade, the city has fought efforts to allow public access to Oswego Lake, instead supporting exclusive use by lakeside homeowners. The irony of advocating for a bill to remove racist language, while continuing to pay lawyers to defend excluding the public from the 400-acre lake is apparently lost on city officials.

The longstanding Oswego Lake dispute began in 2012, when a swimmer and a kayaker objected to the citys ban on public access to the lake. That year, the city adopted an ordinance reflecting an erroneous claim that a group of landowners around the lake (represented by the Lake Oswego Corporation, or Lake Corp) owned it. The swimmer and kayaker challenged that claim, arguing that the lake actually belonged to the public, not the landowners.

Although a lower court rejected the public ownership argument, in 2019 a unanimous Oregon Supreme Court reversed, ruling that the public would own the lake under Oregon law if it were navigable. If navigable, the plaintiffs had a right to access the lake from public lands adjacent to the lake, despite the citys exclusionary ordinance.

But that decision did not actually give the public access to the lake. Instead, the court sent the case back to Clackamas County circuit court to determine whether the lake was navigable  a standard that would determine state ownership of the lakebed. And second, if the lake was navigable, whether the citys decision to exclude the public was reasonable.

Last year, after a five-day trial, circuit judge Ann Lininger found that although the lake had been functionally privatized by the citys exclusionary policies favoring the wealthy members of Lake Corp, the lake was in fact a navigable waterway. This finding means that the public has rights to access the lake under the states public trust doctrine unless the citys exclusion is reasonable.

The issue of the reasonableness of the citys exclusion was set for a separate trial. But that trial was delayed when lawyers for Lake Corp filed a belated motion to disqualify Judge Lininger.

Why? Because in her previous role as a state legislator, she had a single phone call with one of the plaintiffs. Although Lininger did not introduce any legislation on behalf of the plaintiff and had disclosed contacts with people on both sides of the case, she was replaced by another judge.

The second phase of the trial now wont occur until April 2024fully 12 years after the case was filed. Delay has always favored those who support continuation of the ongoing monopoly.

This delay means that the Lake Corp. homeowners continue to enjoy exclusive access to boat, swim, and recreate on the water. Other residents using the citys adjacent parklands cannot dip their toes in the water without facing the potential for criminal penalties.

The case raises fundamental questions about how democratic institutions like the Lake Oswego City Council respond to groups with concentrated economic power. Members of Lake Corp are not a majority of the citys voters. Yet the city council not only has refused to rescind an ordinance that excludes most of the citys residents from a public resource, it has proceeded to spend some $600,000 in taxpayer dollars (so far) on lawyers fees to preserve a monopoly enjoyed by a privileged few.

One might fairly wonder why.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

(Photo: VNA)

They reviewed positive developments in the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership over the past time, with two-way trade growing impressively, hitting 123 billion USD last year.

Both highlighted collaboration in the COVID-19 combat, as well as the efficiency of cooperation projects on addressing war legacies, notably the one on dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airport, along with the increasing number of Vietnamese students in the US.

Vietnam always considers the US a leading important partner and wishes to enhance the comprehensive partnership on the basis of mutual benefits, and respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, Son said.

He lauded the coordination between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State over the past time, emphasising Blinkens role in promoting the bilateral ties, including the recent phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden, contributing to consolidating trust, creating more momentum, and opening a new period for cooperation between the two countries.

The FM suggested the two sides step up all-level delegation exchanges and contacts this year which marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership, and deepen the bilateral relations practically, for mutual benefits, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Blinken, for his part, affirmed the importance the US attaches to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, and commended Vietnams dynamic development, role and position in the region.

He stressed the USs commitment to respecting political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam, and supporting a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam.

The US will set aside more resources and budget to help Vietnam settle war consequences, and further bilateral cooperation in important fields such as trade-investment, science-technology, digital transformation, green transition, and high-quality personnel training in serve of the countrys development, he noted.

The two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern.

Son suggested the US continue its active role to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific, Indian Ocean and the world as well.

Blinken said the US backs ASEANs centrality in the region, and will work harder to promote cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership.

The US also supports the Mekong-US partnership, climate efforts and UN peacekeeping operations, he continued.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they agreed on the importance of peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters, addressing disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./.
Last year in Portland, 47 Black Portlanders were murdered, 11 Latino Portlanders, and 2 Asian Portlanders. Sixty out of 101 homicides in Portland  the whitest big city in the country  were of people of color.

In almost every neighborhood or business around town you can find a Black Lives Matter sign. But do Black lives really matter in Portland, or is it just a slogan that makes people feel good?

In March 2022, a group of 20 Black men and myself held a press conference demanding action on this issue. Mayor Ted Wheeler responded, declaring a state of emergency. The city made millions of dollars available for groups to address the violence. But there have been missteps, a lack of urgency and no collaborative plan.

Gov. Tina Kotek and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson should join Wheeler and convene a gun violence summit. We need mental health professionals, businesses, police, the district attorney, faith leaders, and street level outreach workers to name a few to come discuss what is working and what isnt. More importantly we need a commitment of at least $20 million a year focused on addressing the homicides of Portlanders of color.

We cant continue to ignore the overwhelming harm and trauma to Portlanders of color. Only until we put our money and resources where they are desperately needed, can we truly say Black Lives Matter.

Sam Sachs, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Every day, drivers pull into our gas stations and expect to pump their own gas. Thats because despite Oregons general ban on self-serve fuel, many are accustomed to serving themselves, whether theyve lived elsewhere  every state except Oregon and New Jersey allows self-service  or if they live in one of 18 counties where self-service is already allowed.

Those with diesel vehicles also help themselves when driving petrol vehicles, and many other Oregonians grew used to self-service when the fire marshal allowed it during public health and natural disasters in recent years.

Oregons outdated rules are absurd, and House Bill 2426, the bipartisan proposal offering drivers a choice between an attendants service and pumping their own gas, should be common sense in the legislative session underway.

The bill would not eliminate gas station attendants. Instead, it would replace todays ban on self-service with requirements to provide attendants for people who are elderly, disabled or simply prefer to have someone pump their gas.

Polling has consistently shown this is a change that a majority of Oregon voters support, and legislators have heard repeatedly from small businesses like ours struggling to survive the labor shortage. This bill provides critical relief while protecting jobs and access to fuel.

The Oregonian/OregonLives Editorial Board was right to call on state leaders to allow self-serve gas. As the editorial noted then, the ban is ridiculous as well as ridiculously easy to change.

Drivers all over the country safely pump gas. Its time to give Oregonians this choice.

Haseeb Shojai, Redmond

Louis Hernandez, Portland

Shojai owns gas stations in Central Oregon. Hernandez owns gas stations in the Portland metro area.

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah, takes place this year on April 18. As we approach this solemn occasion, we, the current and former executive directors of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, remind our fellow Oregonians that antisemitism has no place in our state. Hate has no place in Oregon.

We are a community that values diversity and stands united with our Jewish brothers and sisters. We have witnessed this rise in antisemitic attacks worldwide. We cannot be passive or silent as these attacks happen in our community or anywhere.

The Anti-Defamation League reports a significant rise in threats, crimes and other hateful actsJewish businesses vandalized, synagogues graffitied, individuals assaulted and accosted. Last year in our own community, three bias crimes against religious centers in Portland took place just a few days after Holocaust Remembrance Day. These evil acts, just as much as those attacks on our Muslim brothers and sisters, must be called out for their extremism and ignorant political rhetoric.

For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing, said Simon Wiesenthal, a death camp survivor and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.

Wiesenthals words continue to resonate today. It is incumbent upon us to stand up for all Gods children without discrimination, regardless of religious belief. It is our responsibility to confront evil.

Rodney Page, Jan Musgrove Elfers and Frank J. So

Page is executive director emeritus of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Elfers is the organizations former executive director and president. So is the organizations current president.

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, known for his energetic attitude and passion for the environment, died Friday at 73. He was on a cruise with his wife of 36 years, Katy Eymann.

His political impact will not be forgotten, former colleagues say.

Bill Bradbury may be gone, but he leaves behind a legacy in Oregon that will endure for generations to come, Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a statement.

Bradburys political career began when he was elected to the state Legislature in 1980. He served in the House and Senate, and was voted Senate president in 1993. Two years later, Bradbury announced his retirement.

He left the Legislature when he was 45 years old to fight the shrinking of salmon populations, a cause he had long been invested in. Bradbury, known then as Mr. Fish, served as director of For the Sake of Salmon until 1999.

Im very excited for the opportunity, Bradbury told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 1995. It keeps alive the moniker Mr. Fish.

In 1999, former Gov. John Kitzhaber appointed Bradbury to be Oregons 23rd secretary of state after Phil Keisling announced he wanted to leave public office. Bradbury served for a decade, focusing on improving Oregons voting system and establishing more transparent campaign practices.

All the while, Bradbury was living with multiple sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1981. The symptoms were barely noticeable at first, and by 2002 he only had a minor limp, The Oregonian wrote in 2010. MS is an unpredictable disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Bradbury was smoking a cigarette on his porch when his eyes crossed involuntarily, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. An eye doctor told him it could be a brain tumor or MS.

Bill got his MS diagnosis really early on in his career, said close friend and former state legislator Jules Bailey. He could have let that set him back or derail him. He didnt.

By the time he ran for governor in 2010, he needed a scooter to get around. Bradbury ran a series of witty ads during his campaign, highlighting his condition instead of hiding it.

He did not defeat Kitzhaber in the Democratic primary for governor, but his career left Oregon voters with easier access to voting and increased transparency. Bradbury established Oregons vote-by-mail system  the first in the country  which has significantly increased voter participation since 2000.

Bradbury also helped establish Oregons online political campaign contributions system, ORESTAR, which gives the public access to campaign finance information.

Those who knew him said, despite his condition, which can cause extreme bouts of fatigue, he was always optimistic.

In battling MS with his trademark relentless optimism, Bill showed all of us how to bring good cheer and inner toughness to lifes many challenges, Sen. Ron Wyden wrote on Twitter. He will be hugely missed.

The former legislator also prioritized environmental issues, and labeled himself a climate warrior. He advocated to preserve watersheds and for wildlife habitat protection throughout his career. From 2006 onward, Bradbury gave lectures on climate change at Oregon high schools and colleges, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also served on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council from 2010 to 2017.

Secretary Bill Bradbury was an unapologetic advocate for the environment and our democracy, current Secretary of State Shemia Fagan wrote on Twitter. May he rest in the peace of the lasting legacy he leaves in Oregon.

Bradbury was on a six-month cruise around the world when he experienced unexpected medical complications, according to a statement from the family, which was first reported by KATU.

Anybody who ever met Bill would say he was one of the nicest people youd ever meet, Bailey said. He really was that classic definition of the happy warrior.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said Bill Bradbury was elected Senate majority leader in 1993. He was elected Senate president.
The Portland Timbers erupted with a barrage of late goals to stun the rival Seattle Sounders 4-1 on Saturday night at Providence Park in Portland.

Dairon Asprilla leveled the match at 1-1 with his incredible bicycle kick, Nathan Fogaca put the Timbers ahead just minutes later, and then Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Juan David Mosquera added goals of their own as the Timbers poured it on. All four goals came in the final 20 minutes of the match.

It was a turnaround after the Sounders had been in control much of the way and scored first on Raul Ruidiazs strike in the 58th minute.

Heres a recap of how the match unfolded.

LIVE UPDATES RECAP, VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

PREGAME INFORMATION

ODDS (via DraftKings): Portland Timbers (+220) | Draw (+225) | Seattle Sounders (+120)

HOW TO WATCH

What: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders in a 2023 MLS regular-season matchup

When: 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 15

Where: Providence Park | Portland

TV channel: None

How to watch live stream online: This game is available to stream with MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. A subscription to MLS Season Pass will grant access to every MLS match  including the Timbers  all season long with no blackouts. MLS Season Pass is $14.99 per month or $99 for the full season, and the cost drops to $12.99 per month or $79 for the season if you are already an Apple TV+ subscriber.
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The Midland County Board of Commissioners will hear a special presentation on the possible expansion of Camp Grayling at its meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday in the County Services Board Room.

Retired Lt. Col. Mike McNamara will present on the expansion of the Joint Maneuver Training Center near Grayling, the largest National Guard training facility in the United States.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina in energy can be extremely fruitful, Sefik Dzaferovic, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018-2022, Member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, member of the national House of Peoples, told Trend.

He pointed out that President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the signed declaration, is an extremely important expression of firm commitment to cooperation and further strengthening of our bilateral ties,

Dzaferovic noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan have been known as friendly, brotherly countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and in the past period we have made them to be at an even higher level.

"I am convinced and wish that this trend will continue, to the benefit of our people. The Balkans and the Caucasus are very similar regions, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan are similar countries, which can understand each other well, and at the same time we have something to offer each other. During the visit of President Ilham Aliyev, special attention was paid to economic cooperation. It was agreed to establish a joint economic commission, as well as working groups in different sectors. On the one hand, Bosnia and Herzegovina has knowledge and tradition when it comes to industrial production, tourism is booming, there is a huge space for the development of agriculture and transport infrastructure," added Dzaferovic.

He noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the immediate neighborhood of the single European market.

"Also, in addition to the geographical position, we also have a special political position, as a country that has the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union. Azerbaijan is a country, which has made a strong economic momentum, using its energy resources in a smart way. In this sense, I see the announcements as positive, there is a strong interest of Azerbaijan in energy projects. As it was pointed out during the visit of President Ilham Aliyev, the expectations are that our trade exchange will increase in the coming period. Experience shows that nurturing good political relations creates trust for economic cooperation as well. The work of chambers of commerce has exceptional potential in this sense, especially when it comes to opening new connections between people and companies, which leads to the recognition of business opportunities. It is very important that the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Azerbaijan create the basis for stronger cooperation," said the former member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dzaferovic went on to add that in the newly emerging situation in Europe, as in the whole world, the importance of energy security, especially diversification in supply, has been demonstrated.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina has exceptional potential when it comes to hydropower and renewable sources, which represents a huge chance for our economy. When it comes to energy, Azerbaijan is an extremely recognizable and respected country, and I believe that cooperation on such projects, through joint research, can be extremely fruitful," he concluded.
Generation Z, the youngest voters in the electorate - ages 18 to 26 - by landslide margins, as best evidenced at the ballot box, are sickened by the MAGA GOPs racism, sexism, gun fanaticism, election denialism, Christian nationalism, homophobia, anti-science ignorance, forced-birth extremismhave I left anything out?

Republicans are somehow shocked that most Gen Zers feel this way  and suddenly realize that wooing the young-uns could be a herculean task in years ahead.

Im loathe to soil my column space by quoting Kellyanne Conway, but heres what she said earlier this week on Fox News: I think we got some work to do on the young people who think differently on abortion, perhaps guns, or climate change. The thing Im really concerned about on this is that the left becomes a turnout machine for young people.

Not sure what kind of work Kellyanne wants to do on the young people, but if the goal is to get them to think differently  to buy the MAGA belief that slaughtering innocent civilians on a regular basis is the price to be paid for freedom; that its wise to use government muscle to crack down on women, to the point of pulling abortion pills off the market; that climate change is a mirage; that anyone who isnt white and straight is an inferior human; that hate is cool  then I bet that most young people will spurn the cults invitation.

Most hilariously, Republicans thinkers seem to believe theyll win over Gen Zers with better messaging. I prefer to believe John Della Volpe, who directs polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics. After crunching the numbers, Volpe said, Republicans dont have a messaging problem with young voters, they have a values problem with younger voters.

Oh yeah. Most Gen Zers value the multicultural America of the 21st century  racial diversity, LGBTQ rights, female empowerment  coupled with the belief that government has a crucial role in solving problems. They also believe we shouldnt entrust the climate to God, that we shouldnt surrender our civility to guns, and that we need to rescue democracy from its current existential crisis. Those values clash with a cult led by a criminal defendant.

The proof is in the numbers that track voters under 30. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden beat Trump among youngsters by 59-35 percent  and their turnout was 11 percent higher than in 2016. In the 2022 midterm elections, a whopping 77 percent chose Democratic candidates; the GOP drew 21 percent. They were a key reason why the Republicans won the House by a paper-thin margin.

They were an even bigger reason why Democrats kept the Senate and added a seat: In Pennsylvania (where the seat flipped from red to blue), 70 percent of under-30s voted blue. In Arizona (where Dems were defending a seat), it was 76 percent, while in Nevada (where Dems were defending a seat), it was 64 percent. Down in Georgia, 63 percent helped to thwart the ascent of dolt Herschel Walker.

Theres no need to speculate about whether the U.S. Supreme Courts erasure of Roe v. Wade fueled their ire  young voters were the only age cohort to rank abortion and reproductive rights as the top voting issue. And that sentiment hasnt waned.

In last weeks Wisconsin state supreme court race  with the composition of the bench at stake and abortion rights hanging in the balance  young turnout was nearly as great as in the 2022 midterms, and their landslide support for the abortion rights candidate helped propel her to an 11-point win over the MAGA candidate.

In New Hampshire last year, a Gen Z Republican named Karoline Leavitt tried and failed to win a House seat. She recently contended in a Fox News column that her party can surely woo young voters if only it would tweak its messaging.

For instance, Republicans cannot continue to allow the Democrats to own an issue as popular and simple as protecting the environment. Republicans want clean water, air and forests, too, so why dont we say that, instead of allowing the Democrats to portray us as evil Earth-haters who want the planet to end in 10 years?

That is priceless. The reason Democrats own the environment issue is because her party refuses to help the environment. Last year, not a single congressional Republican voted for the new federal law that provides subsidies for low-emission technologies. Republicans have tried to use the government power to promote polluting energy sources  like burning more coal. Republican state treasurers have even sought to punish companies that want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Its not enough to say that Republicans want to protect the environment when their actions  and the donations they garner from fossil fuel sources  demonstrate precisely the opposite.

So with disgusted young voters poised to strike again in 2024, I have a better suggestion for the MAGA GOP:

Keep on doing what youre doing.

Dick Polman, a veteran national political columnist based in Philadelphia and a Writer in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania, writes at DickPolman.net. Email him at dickpolman7@gmail.com
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - At least 40 people, including 6 Burkinabe soldiers and 34 Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), were killed on Saturday in an attack on a military detachment, located 15 km from the town of Ouahigouya in the north of the country, an official source told PANA on Sunday
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The government of Benin has authorised the recruitment of 5,000 young people to strengthen the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB), according to a decision of the last Council of Ministers meeting
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - Nassim Oulmane of the Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management Division of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has called for reconciling coastal populations with their ecosystems
The EC is in standing touch with the governments of Poland and Hungary regarding the two countries' plans to ban imports of Ukrainian grain, the Commission's spokesperson, Arianna Podesta, told PAP on Sunday.

Podesta said the Commission has asked Poland and Hungary to report on their plans and undertakings connected with the ban in order to be able to pass an opinion.

She stressed that trade policy decisions in the EU countries belonged to the EU authorities, and that unilateral projects were not permitted. She added that in view of the current difficult situation, it was crucial to coordinate all such decisions with EU authorities.

On Saturday Poland's minister for development and technology signed a decree banning imports of Ukrainian grain, sugar and eggs until June 30.

The move was followed by the passage of a similar ban by Hungary.

Farmers in Poland are protesting countrywide after large quantities of Ukrainian grain, originally meant to transit Poland underway to Africa and Asia, flooded the domestic market, bringing prices down and making it impossible for them to sell their product.

Similar problems have affected other agricultural products as well, including poultry and eggs. (PAP)
Photo: (Photo : OLIVIER DOULIERY / Getty Images)

Montana's House approved a bill that bans TikTok in the state due to data safety concerns.

The bill, SB 419, is aimed at banning the popular social media app, TikTok, from being available for download on app stores within the state of Montana. Despite the likelihood of legal challenges, this action serves as an experiment for the TikTok-free America that some federal lawmakers are envisioning due to fears of Chinese spying.

Montana Bans TikTok

According to NBC, it also prohibits the operation of the app within the state, which means that if the app is already installed on a device, it can still be used, but new downloads will not be allowed. The bill has been a topic of controversy, as many feel that it infringes on personal freedom and limits the choices of individuals. However, supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect user data and prevent the spread of propaganda.

TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, has been under scrutiny due to concerns that user data may be handed over to the Chinese government or that pro-Beijing propaganda may be promoted on the platform.

These concerns have been raised by leaders at the FBI and the CIA, as well as lawmakers from both parties. However, no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.

The prohibition has been associated with a pair of Chinese laws that obligate corporations to collaborate with the government on intelligence-related endeavors. Supporters of the ban argue that these laws make it impossible for TikTok to guarantee the safety and privacy of user data.

The bill was passed by a vote of 54-43 and will now be sent to the governor for approval. It is worth noting that the bill will not take effect until January 2024, and it will be void if Congress passes a nationwide measure or if TikTok cuts its ties with China.

Read Also: Baby-Proofing Checklist: 10 Essential Tips To Ensure Your Home Is Safe

Worries on Chinese Spying and Propaganda

TikTok is a social media app that has exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among younger users. However, the app's Chinese ownership has raised data safety concerns among lawmakers in the US, who worry that the push of propaganda to the American people.

Last month, as previously reported by TechCrunch, the Biden administration increased its pressure on TikTok, leading to a hearing in which the company's CEO, Chew Shouzi, testified before Congress.

Chew sought to reassure lawmakers that TikTok takes the privacy and security of its users seriously and that the company has never shared US user data with the Chinese government. Despite these reassurances, there are still concerns about TikTok's ownership and its relationship with the Chinese government. In response to these concerns, some lawmakers have proposed legislation that would ban TikTok from being used in certain settings or even nationwide; currently, one of these is Montana.

According to the Associated Press, the statement from TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter, the advocates of the Montana bill have acknowledged that they do not have a workable plan to put into action their efforts to silence American voices. He also stated that the legality of the bill would ultimately be determined by the courts.

TikTok plans to keep fighting for the rights of its users and creators in Montana, who would be adversely affected by the government's overbearing actions and potential infringement of their First Amendment rights.

TikTok has responded to these threats with a charm offensive, touting the steps the company is taking to secure user data and highlighting the small businesses that rely on the app. The company has also argued that the proposed ban is an overreach of government power and could have a chilling effect on free speech.

Related Article: Arizona Mother Falls Victim To AI Voice Cloning Scam That Faked Her Daughter's Kidnapping
American biblical archaeologist Bryant G. Wood (b. 1936) obtained an M.A. in Biblical History from the University of Michigan in 1974 and a Ph.D in Syro-Palestinian archaeology from the University of Toronto in 1985. He argues for a 15th century B.C. date of the Exodus, and is the author of The Palestinian Evidence for a Thirteenth Century Conquest: An Archaeological Appraisal (1987) and The Sociology of Pottery in Ancient Palestine: The Ceramic Industry and the Diffusion of Ceramic Style in the Bronze and Iron Ages (JSOT Press for the American Schools of Oriental Research, 1990), and is a contributor to the Biblical Archaeology Review, the Israel Exploration Journal and the Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin.

American biblical archaeologist James K. Hoffmeier (b. 1951) is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His M.A. from the University of Toronto in 1975 was in Egyptian Archaeology in 1975, and his PhD from the same university focused on Egyptian Religion in 1977. He is the author of Israel in Egypt: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Exodus Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1996), and Ancient Israel in Sinai: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Wilderness Tradition (Oxford University Press, 2005). He contends for a 13th century B.C. date of the Exodus

They wrote competing articles about the date of the Exodus in the prestigious Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society: Woods The Rise and Fall of the 13th-Century Exodus-Conquest Theory in September 2005 (1) and Hoffmeiers What is the Biblical Date for the Exodus? A Response to Bryant Wood in June 2007 (2). Id like to hone in on one particular sub-topic in this debate: internal biblical chronology in relation to the date of the Exodus. Wood states,

The internal chronological data in the Hebrew Bible clearly support a mid-15th century BC date for the exodus. The pri mary datum is 1 Kgs 6:1 which states, In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solo mons reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord. Working back from Solomons fourth year, ca. 966 BC , brings us to ca. 1446 BC for the date of the exodus. (3)

One way we can determine the end of Solomons reign from archaeology is described by Hoffmeier:

Shishak, Sheshonk I of Egyptian records, is mentioned in 1 Kgs 14:25, providing an important synchronism with Rehoboams 5th year. The dates of Sheshonks reign are 945924 BC. This synchronism falls on the year 925 BC , thus producing the date for the end of Solomons reign, ca. 930 BC. Because Solomon is allotted 40 years (1 Kgs 11:42), his 4th year should be ca. 966/7 BC. (4) Hoffmeier makes an extensive and, I think, strong response to Woods argument, which assumes the literal nature of the 480 years referred to in 1 Kings 6:1:

I reject Woods view that there is a single authoritative biblical chro nology. . . . 1 Kings 6:1 . . . only records the time period from Solomons 4th regnal year to the departure from Egypt, viz. 480 years. The Septuagint reads 440 rather than 480, a difference of 40 years. Neither of these gures, however, agrees with the period derived from tallying the years in retrograde order from 1 Kings 6 back to the Book of Exodus. Here are the data provided by the OT: * 3 years  Solomons 4th year (1 Kgs 6:1) 40 years  the length of Davids reign (1 Kgs 2:10) 40 years  the length of Sauls reign (1 Sam 13:1) 30 years  estimated length of Samuels leadership 40 years  length of Elis judgeship (1 Sam 4:18) 20 years  length of Samsons judgeship (Judg 15:20) 40 years  length of Philistine oppression (Judg 13:1) 8 years  length of Abdons judgeship (Judg 12:14) 10 years  length of Elons judges hip (Judg 12:11) 7 years  length of Ibzans judgeship (Judg 12:9) 6 years  length of Jephthahs judgeship (Judg 12:7) 18 years  length of Ammonite oppression (Judg 10:8) 22 years  length of Jairs judgeship (Judg 10:3) 23 years  length of Tolas judgeship (Judg 10:2) 3 years  length of Abimelechs rulership (Judg 9:22) 40 years  period of Gideons deliverance and peace (Judg 8:22) 7 years  length of Midians oppression (Judg 6:1) 40 years  period of peace after Deborah and Baraks victory (Judg 5:31) 20 years  length of Jabins oppression (Judg 4:3) 3 years  length of Shamgars judgeship (Judg 3:31) 80 years  period of Ehuds deliverance and peace (Judg 3:30) 18 years  length of Moabite oppression (Judg 3:14) 40 years  period of peace after Othniels victory (Judg 3:11) 8 years  length of Mesopotamian oppression (Judg 3:8) 20 years  period from end of conques t to death of Joshua and the elders (Judg 2:67) 7 years  period of Joshuas conquest until the tribal allotments 40 years  length of time in the wilderness (Num 14:33) * 633 years  total number

Where the Bible does not specify the number of years, I have taken the minimal number. Just three years for Shamgars judgeship is assigned, which corresponds to the shortest period assigned to a ruler (i.e. Abimelech who was killed in battle), and the length of Samuels judgeship easily could be longer than the 32 years proposed here. Pauls 40 years could have been used (Acts 13:21). . . . Then, too, the period from the end of the conquest until the death of Joshua could be longer than the 20 years I allocated above. Consequently, 633650 years could be the time span for the period from Solomons 4th year to the exodus from Egypt according to this biblical chronology. Thus it could be argued that there are several biblical chronologies based on the OT. One places the exodus 633650 years before Solomons 4th year, and the other occurs 480 years before work commenced on the temple. Then, too, there is the shorter LXX -based chronology. So, which chronological system represents biblical chronology? (5)

These considerations  so Hoffmeier argues  result in competing biblical chronologies: one leading to the conclusion that the Exodus was in c. 1446 B.C. (Woods position), and the other producing a date between approximately 1617-1599 B.C. As to the latter dates, Hoffmeier informs us:

I am unaware of any historian who follows this dating because it pushes the date of the exodus, sojourn, and patriarchs too far back for anyones reckoning. This ultra-early chronology, nonetheless, is every bit as biblical as the one yielding the 1446/47 BC date. (6)

The crucial question, then becomes, for Hoffmeier and those like myself who hold to a 13th century Exodus: how to interpret the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1? Likewise, the big and relevant dilemma for Wood and those who follow the 15th century Exodus interpretation is how to harmonize the seemingly straightforward (and in their view, equally literal) chronological data in the chart above, with a c. 1446 Exodus date? (7) Hoffmeier opines that trying to harmonize these two chronologies of biblical thought, taken absolutely literally,  one abandons a straightforward, literal reading of the Judges through Exodus narratives. (8)

*

What Hoffmeier does, after noting the above contradiction (i.e., for those interpreting all these numbers absolutely literally) is propose the use of symbolism in the figure of 480 years:

It has long been thought that the 480-year gure of 1 Kgs 6:1 might be a symbolic gure that derives from 12 times 4040 years being a symbolic number for a generationthus signifying that 12 generations had elapsed between the exodus and Solomons 4th year. Since men were usually married and had children by age 2025, a period closer to 300 years would be more accurate. When one adds 300 to 967 BC , an Exodus date around 1267 BC (20 years into the reign of Ramesses II) results. (9)

Wood had already responded to this general hypothesis of 12 x 40 in his article:

There is no basis for such an interpretation, biblica l or otherwise. Nowhere in the Bible is it hinted that a full or ideal genera tion was 40 years in length. Quite the contrary, in the Hebrew Bible 40 years is often stipulated as a standard period of elapsed time . (10)

Wood then makes an argument from 25 years as a generation which he believes backs up his early Exodus date:

Moreover, there were more than 12 generations between the exodus and Solomon. In 1 Chr 6:3337, 18 generations are listed from Korah, who opposed Moses (Numbers 16; cf. Exod 6:1621), to Heman, a Temple musician in the time of David (1 Chr 6:31; 15:1617). Adding one generation to extend the geneal ogy to Solomon results in 19 generations from the exodus to Solomon, not 12. Using [an] estimated length of a generation of ca. 25 years yields a total estimated time span of 475 years, a gure that compares well with the 480 years of 1 Kgs 6:1. (11)

Both Wood (12) and Hoffmeier (13) note the many biblical uses of the number 40, and the latter adds:

The number 40 is one of the most frequently used numbers in the OT, and when u sed to signify a block of years, it occurs 33 times in the OT. This use is only surpassed by a block of seven years, which occurs 34 times. (14)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia provides fascinating information about non-literal use of the number 40:

The use of definite numerical expressions in an indefinite sense, that is, as round numbers, which is met with in many languages, seems to have been very prevalent in Western Asia from early times to the present day. . . . the modern Turks have 4 typical numbers which are often used in proper names with little or no reference to their exact numerical force3, 7, 40, 1,001. . . . The modern Persians use 40 in just the same way. Forty years with them often means many years . . . This lax use of numbers, as we think, was probably very frequent among the Israelites and their neighbors. . . . It is probably often used in that way in the Bible where it is remarkably frequent, . . . all [the many examples] suggest conventional use, or the influence of that use, for it can hardly be supposed that the number in each of these cases, and in others which might be mentioned, was exactly 40. How it came to be so used is not quite certain, but it may have originated, partly at any rate, in the idea that 40 years constituted a generation or the period at the end of which a man attains maturity, an idea common, it would seem, to the Greeks, the Israelites, and the Arabs. The period of 40 years in the wilderness in the course of which the old Israel died out and a new Israel took its place was a generation (Nu 32:13, etc.). (15)

Yet we saw above that Wood (on p. 484) denied that the Bible ever regarded forty years as a generation. Hoffmeier claims that t he use of the number 40 with such regularity, suggests that the number may symbolize an undisclosed period of time an approximate number (16).

*

Readers may choose which view to espouse. It seems to me, at the very least, that at least some, if not many numbers in the Bible cannot be interpreted literally; nor were they intended to be literal. The seeming clashes of chronologies suggest non-literal, symbolic usage somewhere. Solutions to these difficulties for those who believe in an inspired, inerrant Bible need to be worked out and through. And if this is so, we cannot be so sure of a 15th century B.C. Exodus date based simply or primarily on a literal take of the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1.

*

FOOTNOTES

*

48/3 (September 2005) 47589. https://www.academia.edu/70428780/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_the_13th_Century_Exodus_Conquest_Theory 1) Bryant G. Wood, The Rise and Fall of the 13th-Century Exodus-Conquest Theory Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

2) James K. Hoffmeier, What is the Biblical Date for the Exodus? A Response to Bryant Wood Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 50/2 (June 2007) 22547. https://www.academia.edu/2118904/What_is_the_Biblical_Date_for_the_Exodus_A_response_to_Bryant_Wood.

3) Wood, 477. See the related article, When Did Solomon Die?, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society: 46/4 (December 2003) 589603. https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/46/46-4/46-4-pp589-603_JETS.pdf

4) Hoffmeier, 229-230.

5) Hoffmeier, 226-228.

6) Hoffmeier, 230.

ndrew E. Steinmann, The Mysterious Numbers of the Book of Judges, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 48 (2005) 491500. https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/48/48-3/JETS_48-3_491-500.pdf. 7) For an attempt to harmonize these seemingly clashing biblical chronologies, see AJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society

8) Hoffmeier, 228.

9) Hoffmeier, 236.

10) Wood, 484.

11) Wood, 484, 486.

12) Wood, 484, 486; footnote 45.

13) Hoffmeier, 236.

14) Ibid.

15) William Taylor Smith, Number, in James Orr, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939). https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/N/number.html.

16) Hoffmeier, 237.

*

***

Summary: I survey an honest disagreement between Christian archaeologists Hoffmeier & Wood as to the date of the Exodus, based on how one interprets biblical chronologies.
Some Zen Words for End Times

James Ishmael Ford

Today, the 21st day of the first month of the third season, in the 23rd year of Thutmose IIIs reign, or as we may prefer to put it, the 16th of April, in the year 1457 before our common era (okay unless it was 1482 or 1479 BCE), marks the anniversary of the oldest battle recorded with anything resembling reliable detail.

It was a fight between Egyptians led by the Pharaoh Thutmose III and Canaanites led by the king of Kadesh. True to form what we know comes from the victors. In this case recorded by Tjaneni, a military scribe, and painted on the walls at the Hall of Annals in the Temple of Amun-Re in Luxor, Thebes. (Karnak in the day)

In the immediate it led to a strategic retreat into the city of Megiddo. Which would eventually result in the victory of the Egyptians. The battle is the Battle of Megiddo.

If the word is familiar, its because it also lends itself to the mystic ravings of the Apocalypse of John. Megiddo as a place name appears a dozen times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It has a single reference in the Apocalypse, at chapter 16, verse 16:

And the demonic spirits assembled the kings at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

From there the great battle, and the end of the worlds. One has to appreciate the bookending of history with a battle and a battle. Well. Sort of. The worm swallowing its tail, the whole thing a living, breathing, cycle of pain.

Now everybody seems to have end times, all cultures dream their beginnings, and have visions of their ends. But what those ends mean are different things to different people in different ages and places. So, in the Abrahamic traditions history tends to be a one way street with a beginning point and an end. The end being the end of it all. In Christianity and Islam with a high tribunal, and rewards and punishments meted out. In Buddhist tellings of the way things are, everything dies, everything passes away. But, in great cycles of birth and maturity and dying. Followed by another cycle. A distinction.

The end part of that cycle is called mofa in Chinese and mappo in Japanese. And in East Asian Buddhism while various periods have been considered the dawning of the mappo era, in popular Japanese Buddhism, through a calculation of when they thought Gautama Siddhartha lived, and giving each of the three eras, the beginning, the middle, and that end a thousand years each, set the year 1052 as the dawn of mappo. Which for the calendar minded puts us at the end of the end times.

Now, I suspect many traditions believe theyre somewhere near the end. Christianity, anyway, has been in the last phase since before it birthed, as John the Baptist preached on the shores of the Jordan River. It doesnt take hard looking at the state of the world to indulge fantasies of the end. One end or another. Could be the planet. Or, maybe just for tons and tons of people.

I suspect there are ways in which our stories about our cultures are also about our individual lives. As I write this I am within spitting distance of my seventy-fifth birthday. Okay, its still a couple of months out, but, it looms ever larger. And with that three quarters of a century of human life, Im mindful of my own looming end. Im without any doubt in the middle of my own end times. Sooner or a tad later, well, thats up the gods. Capricious shits that they are

Everything dies. Everything is dying. We are born dying. Just the way things are.

And. So. How do we meet this thing.

Jan Seymour-Ford and I are big fans of the Expanse, first the television series, and then the books. An epic tale of another ending with hints of other beginnings. Jan has gone on to join a couple of Expanse social media groups. On one people were asked what two things did they get out of the series?

Jans response was framed by the arc of the story. But, it was also pure Zen.

Jan said

Respect your tools. And everything you know is a working hypothesis

First those tools. There are several in the box. Having a sense of the disciplines of silence and presence are critical. Using them is very, very important. Also, Zen offers an astrolabe. Understanding how it works is just as important. And it offers a place to stand. When the very ground under us is shaking and falling away, standing there is a very good idea.

And. The universal solvent, the way to use those three great tools of the way, is understanding everything, including how we engage these tools, is tentative, a working hypothesis. The sages of our way constantly remind us how not knowing is most intimate.

These are perilous times. They might be end times. In one sense or another, of course theyre always end times.

Everything is falling apart. Including us, you and me.

And there is a way to meet this harsh truth. Your tools, and that working hypothesis.

A pointer.

Zen words for end times.
The Central Regional Directorate of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has mobilized about GH38 million from debtors in the Region. The amount received was part of the GH255 million owed by the state agencies, businesses and individuals in their catchment districts.



The ECG is yet to retrieve about GH217 million debts as part of its nationwide revenue mobilization exercise.



Boye Mahmar Awal, the Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ECG disclosed such information in an interview with GhanaWeb in Cape Coast. In the Region, he stated that the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has remained the highest debtor and efforts were made to retrieve the money.



He said over 1,000 customers have been disconnected so far across their ten operational districts in the Region. Illegal connections detected throughout the exercise was minimal and the ECG continues to advocate against the practice.



"The ECG is embarking on a revenue mobilisation drive to retrieve a debt of GH5.7 billion across the country, of which customers in the Volta and Oti regions owe about GH219 million. The exercise being undertaken operational districts across the region and was yielding the desired results, with two more weeks to go", he said.



Awal reiterated that ECG never took delight in disconnecting its clients but as a business entity, which bought power to trade for profit, it could crush when unpaid bills are not collected.



He said disconnections at the last resort was carried out to prevent the customer from accruing more debt and to enable the Company to gather more revenue to keep the electricity supply chain running.



The PRO advised the public to desist from connecting illegally since its a criminal offence to steal power, which when found attracts a jail term.

Source: Ghanaweb









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Featured Video
The Ghana Health Service has identified an invasion of a new kind of mosquito that is more harmful than anopheles.



The new breed is known as Anopheles stephensi, and it is a malaria-transmitting mosquito, according to the GHS.



According to the report, the new breed is highly invasive, spreads quickly, and can adapt to a wide range of climate conditions.



GHS has also established a foothold in Tuba and Dansoman, according to the GHS.



As a result, it has issued a warning to residents to take precautions.



The Anopheles stephensi first invaded Africa in 2019, the countries include Ethiopia Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria and unfortunately confirmed in Ghana just this March.



This breed produces both Plasmodium Falciparum (the deadliest species of plasmodium which causes malaria) and P Vivax Malaria parasites.



Also, a recent mathematical modeling study by the World Health Organization showed the spread of An. Stephensi and the implication for malaria transmission and control in Africa.



One study projected that An. stephensi could put an additional 126 million people in Africa at risk of malaria if the mosquito vector were to spread unchecked.



The statement also reveals that this breed is resistant to multiple insecticides which makes control very difficult. It is not known yet what really can kill it.



Meanwhile, the GHS has set up a task force, to implement a number of measures including the removal of water collection points in and around homes and communities to minimize the breeding sites





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. World Azerbaijanis made a statement in connection with the capture of Azerbaijani servicemen by Armenians, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with the Diaspora.

The statement strongly condemns the capture by Armenia of Azerbaijani servicemen Agshin Babirov, born in 2004, and Hussein Akhundov, born in 2003, in the border zone between the Shahbuz region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Armenia, as well as torture and inhuman treatment of Azerbaijani soldiers.

Azerbaijanis of the world stated that Armenia has not fulfilled its obligations under the Geneva Convention, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as other important international acts. They demanded that the relevant international organizations investigate the violence, give a proper legal assessment and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the Azerbaijani servicemen.

Please note, that the photos and videos published by the mass media of Armenia are clearly evidence the fact of torturing and other inhuman actions in relation to a serviceman of Azerbaijan in violation of international legal documents. Thus, from the video it can be seen how an Azerbaijani serviceman is being beaten with his hands tied and is being insulted.

According to the 3rd Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, persons who do not take an active part in the hostilities, shall at all times be treated humanely and prisoners of war shall always be protected against acts of violence and intimidation. So, this fact is another evidence of Armenias breach of its obligations under the Geneva Convention, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other important international acts, and widespread ethnic hatred and racial discrimination against Azerbaijanis in this country.

The relevant international organizations should investigate and properly evaluate the said violence, including the violence committed by Armenia against Azerbaijani prisoners of war and civilian prisoners, and 3,890 missing Azerbaijanis over the past 30 years.

As Azerbaijanis living abroad, we once again strongly condemn this crime and urge the international community to give a legal assessment to the actions of the Armenian government and crime perpetrators and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Azerbaijani servicemen who got lost by passing to the Armenia-controlled area due to the adverse weather conditions

We demand that the Representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia urgently visit those servicemen and provide information about their condition.

We call the world community to react to this fact and call Armenia to fulfill its obligations arising from international law, the statement says.
Asafo AEDA B Basic School can be located at Agona Asafo in the Agona East District of the Central Region of Ghana. The main occupation of the people in this town is farming. Since the establishment of the school in 1986, there has not been any major renovation. The school had remained in dire need of infrastructural development and basic amenities. The teachers and students lamented the lack of a toilet facility, computer laboratory, staff common room, potable water, and teaching aid which made it difficult for both pupils and teachers to experience a better learning environment.



According to the Headmaster of the school, Mr. Justice Ninson, some members of the foundation in the company of Mr. Isaac Kojo Nti, the Human Resource Manager and Administrator of JODi Constructions, visited the Agona Asafo AEDA B Basic school, in the first quarter of 2022 and were touched by the plight of the school and pledged to help in whatever way they could. This sparked rays of hope and joy within him for he believed, that their prayers had finally been heard.



True to their words, the Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation swung into action and embarked on a mission to renovate the school. They mobilized resources and solicited donations from individuals and organizations to support the project. The foundation also partnered with Mr. Isaac Kojo Nti, a native of the town, to ensure the success of the project.

The undertaken renovation works include a six-unit classroom block, replacement of classroom doors, completion of design blocks, plastering of the building, painting the entire block, provision of white boards and markers, demarcation of classes 4, 5 and 6, connecting the school to the main Ghana Water Company supply line and a provision of a storage tank to store water.



The impact of the Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation's intervention was monumental. The chiefs, teaching staff, pupils and town folk were excited to see the school transformed .The excitement and applause that welcomed the bus that conveyed the members of the Foundation felt like a reenactment of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ from the Mt. of Olives into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as captured by the Holy Bible. It would not be out of place to create a proportional relationship between the love story of Easter and the gesture of the foundation in this Easter Festive season.



According to The Headmaster, he cried on the day he was posted to this school as he wondered how the future leaders of this nation could be learning in such deplorable conditions.  I have sought help from many quarters to no avail. Today I am very happy to see this beautiful edifice. He expressed his delight at the transformation of the school and the positive impact it will have on the pupils and teachers. He was hopeful that the school's academic performance would improve significantly with the improved infrastructure and learning environment.



The population of the school has increased from 328 pupils to about 350 with a staff strength of 16 and one non-teaching staff. As such, he further sought the support of kindhearted persons and corporate organizations to emulate the intervention of Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation to assist them in the renovation of the schools washroom which is on the verge of collapse, acquiring computers for their computer laboratory, and to construct a staff common room, among others. He pronounced blessings from Deuteronomy 23 on the Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation for coming to their rescue.



Vera Asante, a JHS 2 pupil, narrated how the intervention of MyHelp-YourHelp Foundation would eradicate some of the challenges they had been experiencing. They had in times past suffered interferences during lesson time as they had three sets of classes in the same hall without demarcation. She also mentioned that they had to walk for about 45 minutes to fetch water from the Ayensu River, this was scary because there were times where some of her class and schoolmates fell into the river. There were also instances in which they had to paint their blackboards with battery acid so that they would be dark enough for pupils to see clearly when their teachers wrote on them. These activities adversely affected the quality of education they were receiving and certainly, their grades. With the introduction of the momentous changes made, concentration would be better, and Vera was certain that she would pass her final exams with excellence.



Commissioning



The pupils of the Asafo AEDA 'B' Basic School welcomed and entertained their guests with cultural displays, cadet corps drills, poetry recitals, choreography, and a musical interlude by the school choir.



Mr. Isaac Kojo Nti, in his speech, recounted receiving a telephone call from a teacher in 2020 when he had returned home for holidays, where the teacher explained the problems they faced in the school. Mr. Kojo Nti thought it wise to contact Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation having rolled out a similar project together in the past in Takyikrom. "Our partnership in executing this project is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving development goals. By leveraging the resources and expertise of both parties, we were able to successfully renovate the school and make a significant impact on the lives of the pupils and teachers. It takes a collective effort from individuals, organizations, and communities to bring about sustainable development in any society.



The Chairperson of the Ceremony who is also the chairperson of the School Management Committee (SMC) of Asafo AEDA Basic School, Mrs. Comfort Asare Baah, in her remarks, commended Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation for such a humanitarian act. She was beside herself with joy as she recounted the numerous times they have sought help. She called on the PTA to be hopeful and expect more transformation soon. She prayed that the pupils of the school will see great improvements in their examination grades.



The chief of the town, Nana Takyi Korkor, handled the commissioning of the Renovated Classroom block. He called on well-to-do indigenes of the town to retrace their roots and support the community.



According to Mr. Nicholas Cofie, the president of the Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation, they considered this project for their 2023 Easter project, as it aligns with the foundations core mandate of provision of clean water and sanitation and providing basic skills and quality education to the less privileged and the needy in society, synchronized with the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG GOALS).



About Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation



Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) made up of working-class professionals (bankers, doctors, nurses, lecturers, security officers, engineers, entrepreneurs, etc.) who have come together to pool resources to help alleviate the plight of the poor, needy, and less privileged in society. This is done by the mobilization of funds both internally (contributions from members) and externally (getting sponsorship from organizations, benevolent individuals, and philanthropists). The NPO focuses on inspiring and empowering orphans, street children, and the vulnerable in society, with the aim of improving their socio-economic status. Hence the slogan "Myhelp-Yourhelp Foundation!!! Caring for the Needy and Less Privileged in Society"



According to Mr. Cofie, the NPO was established on March 21, 2018, at Adenta in Accra, purposely to help the needy and less privileged in society, explaining that growing up as an orphan himself motivated him to establish the foundation to assist others.



The foundation, celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and prior to the project held over the Easter weekend, has successfully undertaken 14 projects.



In his closing remarks, Mr. Nicholas Cofie, on behalf of the leadership of the foundation, expressed his gratitude to the entire team for their dedication to showing love to the deprived and less privileged in society. He thanked the team for sacrificing their time and finances. He also appreciated all who earnestly prayed for the success of the program.

He said the Foundation is unable to execute as many projects as they would have wanted to. This is because the main source of funding for the foundation is the contributions of its members. But he believed the statement by Hudson Taylor, that  "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply". He further applauded Randa Cakes and More, and all others who supported this mission in cash or kind.



Media Houses: GTV, UTV, Joy News, Atinka TV, Angel TV, Daily Graphic, Myjoyonline, GhanaWeb, Peacefmonline.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Aspiring Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has concluded his four-day campaign tour of the Northern Region.



He interacted with the regional, constituency and branch executives of the party in all 18 constituencies in the region.



Whiles in the region the Former Governor and Finance Minister paid a courtesy call on Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, the Overlord of Dabgon.



Dr. Duffuor, in his interaction with the delegates, promised the party faithful that his leadership will ensure the party works closely with the government in order to further strengthen the grassroots of the party in a more sustainable way.



I will ensure appointments are made in consultation with you, the constituency and branch executives when elected leader of the party and president of the Republic come 2025 he said.



Dr Duffuor has commenced his 4 days tour of the North East and savannah regions of 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.

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The Chairman of the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama has called for expedited action on the proposed Islamic Marriage Bill.



Currently, Islamic Marriage or Marriage under the Mohammedan laws has no legal framework to make it legally recognized and the Bill seeks to resolve it.



Speaking at the 12th annual Ramadan Night of Power by the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, who is the MP for Yendi, called on the Attorney General to speed up the processes for the passage of the Bill.



Alhaji Farouk bemoaned challenges associated with the current status and made a strong call for the quick passage of the Bill which he said will resolve many issues.



Parliament's Night of Power was instituted 12 years ago by the Muslim Caucus of Parliament to bring Muslims together during the last 10 days of Ramadan to deliberate on critical issues towards the development of the country as well as pray for the country.



This years edition was held at Parliament House on Friday evening under the theme; "The role of Islamic Banking In Building A Sustainable Ghanaian Economy - The Need For Legislative Reviews Of Banking Laws In Ghana".



Various speakers addressed the theme and called for legislation to back Islamic banking in Ghana which is mainly based on the principle of zero interest to creditors.

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.

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It is likely Joana Cudjoe, the wife of popular musician, Keche Andrew will be cleared to contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Amenfi Central constituency.



According to reports, some people at the NDC national headquarters are scheming to approve her candidature.



Joana Cudjoe is one of five other seeking to challenge incumbent MP, Peter Kwakye-Ackah in the Amenfi Central primaries.



She was disqualified by the Regional Vetting Committee over allegations of forgery.



This was after the Committee established that, the aspirants name was not in 2008, 2012, 2016 or 2020 voters register of the Electoral Commission in Bantama constituency after testifying before the vetting Committee that she started voting there in 2008.



Also, the Committee noted that, Ms. Cudjoe only registered in 2020 in Amenfi Central which is far below the four-year mandatory period for aspirants wishing to contest as MP.



But a report by the vetting committee chaired by NDC Director of Communications, Kakra Essuman said the matter has been referred to Accra for further deliberation and advice.



Information available to us indicates that, Joana Cudjoe in spite of the allegations against her will be cleared to contest in the primaries.

Source: adomonline.com









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Two victims died after five people were shot during an altercation at a late-night cockfight Friday in Honolulu, police said.

Honolulu police responded to a call about shots fired just past midnight Friday and were searching Saturday for a suspect believed to be in his 20s who allegedly shot the others who were attending the event, KHON-TV reported.

At the end of the fight a group of males started arguing and then it escalated to a physical altercation, at some point gun shots were fired hitting the five people who were in the immediate area, Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON.

Police said a 59-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male were pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital, KHON reported.

Three men aged 38, 40 and 57 sustained gunshot wounds but were treated and released from a hospital, KHON reported.

Police said the circumstances of the shooting were not immediately clear.

I dont understand the circumstances from this, it could have stemmed from something totally different and they just happened to be in the same area at the same time, Thoemmes told KHON.

Honolulu city officials did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking additional information.

Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states but continues in some, including Hawaii, where fights sometimes draw hundreds of people.

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Two people were shot and wounded late Saturday night during an event at Lincoln University, and the schools residence halls were locked down temporarily, said Marc R. Partee, the head of campus security.

Lincoln University is a public state-related historically Black university (HBCU) near Oxford, Pennsylvania.

He said the wounded  identified only as females who arent Lincoln students  were taken to Christiana Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.
A federal judge recently found two elements of Camp Hill Boroughs sign ordinance to have violated residents first amendment rights.

District Judge Jennifer Wilson found restrictions on the duration signs can be posted, and the number of signs that can be posted, were unconstitutional.

But as the residents who sued the borough ask the court to collect attorneys fees stretching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, the borough seeks to appeal the decision.

Katherine Pearson and Caroline Machiraju, Camp Hill Borough residents, sued the borough last fall in anticipation of the 2022 General Election, saying the boroughs sign ordinances prohibiting residents from placing more than two signs was unconstitutional.

Although the sign ordinance does not dictate what messages may be conveyed on yard signs, the regulations regarding signs changed depending on the message they conveyed. Residents were limited to posting two political signs, and the duration they could post signs leading up to events were also limited.

This meant residents who wanted to support more than two candidates in the five-race election last fall could not do so, per borough ordinance, which was stifling to residents first amendment freedoms, according to Marc Scaringi, whose firm represented Pearson and Machiraju.

The Camp Hill Republican Association was also a named plaintiff in the lawsuit.

We were pleased with [Judge Wilsons] decision, Scaringi said. It is a validation of first amendment rights not only for our clients, but all the people of Camp Hill Borough.

Camp Hill Borough Council voted on Wednesday to appeal the decision because it believes the judgment is inconsistent with case law on the First Amendment, they said in a press release.

The Borough also said it is going to continue its efforts to refine the sign ordinance, but said Wilsons decision hindered that effort because it did not offer any guidelines for what regulations in sign ordinances are acceptable.

Camp Hills residents have always prized the Boroughs unique character and aesthetic values, a press release from the borough said. The sign ordinance seeks to protect our communitys beauty and enhance public safety by reducing clutter, distractions and hazards.

Additionally, Pearson and Machiraju are requesting the court to order Camp Hill to pay for their legal fees from Scaringi Law, $295,373.50, with $4,828.27 in costs. Scaringi Law Firm is entitled to claim the borough to pay their costs under the Civil Rights Act.

Camp Hill Borough said it is unlikely the boroughs insurance will cover costs for all the , and that regardless of the success of its appeal, it will challenge the reasonableness of the requested fees.

There are real concerns with the significant amount of fees that they claim they are owed for less than five months of legal work, the borough said.

But Scaringi said the borough defended the case thoroughly and aggressively, which required additional effort on the part of himself and his employees who worked around the clock.

READ MORE:

Tactical officers surround Harrisburg home after woman escapes domestic incident

Jury finds Harrisburg man not guilty in revenge killing case

Driver intentionally crashed into tractor-trailer, killing passenger: police
Police cleared the scene of a standoff in Harrisburg after a raid of the house revealed a man believed to be holed up inside was not there Saturday night.

Police cleared the scene at 8:40 p.m., nearly 10 hours after the mans girlfriend fled the house on the 1500 block of Briggs Street following a domestic incident, according to Harrisburg city spokesperson Matt Maisel.

Police searched the home and did not find the 40-year-old man inside.

Neighbors were displaced for around six hours as Harrisburg police officers and the Dauphin County Critical Response Team cordoned off the area Saturday afternoon.

The man and woman, who is 30, lived at the home together, Maisel said, but city police did not release their names. For the entirety of the stakeout, police believed the man was armed.

Harrisburg police have blocked access to a neighborhood near N. 15th and Briggs streets after a domestic incident.

The woman who escaped the home Saturday is the mans girlfriend, according to Maisel. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said she may have suffered a concussion, and Maisel said she did not go to the hospital for treatment.

Neighbors said the man is a military veteran who has suffered from mental health issues in the past.

The standoff was the second at the home within eight months. Officers surrounded the same home in September after a man with a shotgun climbed on the roof. He later surrendered peacefully, according to ABC 27 News.

The scene Saturday was heavily guarded by Harrisburg police officers and members of Dauphin Countys Critical Response Team (CRT) a tactical team trained for barricaded situations. At least five patrol vehicles dotted Forster and Briggs Streets, and one CRT armored vehicle was parked on Fifteenth Street. A UPMC ambulance remained on-scene at Forster Street.

Occasionally, police were heard yelling commands such as Back away from the window, and Stay where you are.

READ MORE:

Tactical officers surround Harrisburg home after woman escapes domestic incident

Jury finds Harrisburg man not guilty in revenge killing case

Driver intentionally crashed into tractor-trailer, killing passenger: police
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

Faced with a growing number of options for where to enroll their children in school, parents quickly narrow their choices based on their own educational experience as students.

Thats what we found for a study published in March 2023 in Social Currents.

Historically, parents have turned to their social networks and materials produced by school districts to help them choose a school for their children.

However, when we analyzed interviews with a diverse sample of 60 parents from the Dallas metropolitan area, we found that about one-third of them used their own experiences in school to narrow their options before they gathered other information about schools.

If parents had a positive educational experience as children, they frequently narrowed their options to the same type of school that they attended, whether that be a private, magnet or traditional public school. Their hope was to replicate this positive experience for their kids. For example, Janice, a Black mother of two, explained, Theyre in private school mainly because I went to private school.

Although parents of all backgrounds and income levels used this strategy, it was most common among white parents, who typically enrolled their children in private or suburban public schools, which they attended themselves. We refer to this as experience-motivated replication.

Virginia, a white mother of two, explained that her husband, John, just assumed our kids are going to public schools because the suburban schools he attended were such wonderful public schools. To replicate Johns experience the couple was in the process of leaving the city to buy a home in the suburbs.

Similarly, Rachel, a white mother of three, quickly narrowed her school options to consider only private Catholic schools because of her own positive experience. Rachels husband told us: The kids go to the same private Catholic school that she went to.

In contrast, we find that when parents had negative educational experiences, they typically sought to avoid enrolling their children in the type of school they attended, eliminating those schools from consideration. This strategy, which we call experience-motivated avoidance, was common among Black parents in our sample who felt underserved in city public schools as children.

For instance, Toni, a Black mother of three, shared: I went to a public school and I dont think that the teachers really care about the kids education. Thats me personally. I didnt get that one on one. Based on this negative experience, she did not consider their zoned Dallas public school. Instead, Toni focused on charter school options for her children. She ultimately enrolled them in a charter school near her home.

Why it matters

Where families decide to enroll their children in school not only influences the educational resources available to their child, but also shapes broader patterns of racial and socioeconomic segregation in Americas schools.

The school selection process plays a key role in how educational inequalities span generations, especially when white parents rely on their own experiences to inform the choices they make for their children.

For example, when white families move out of the city to enroll their children in suburban public schools, or consider only private schools like those they attended, these choices replicate historic patterns of white flight. It also helps explain why white families tend to be overrepresented in private schools and suburban public schools.

Conversely, when we examine how parents negative experiences as students influence which schools they consider for their children, it may help us to better understand why, for instance, Black and Latino families increasingly choose charter schools.

What still isnt known

While this study shines light on one key aspect of how parents choose schools for their children, we believe it is important to understand all of the ways parents choose schools. Examining the choice process for diverse populations of families in districts where school choice is available can reveal the full set of strategies parents rely on to select schools.

Anna Rhodes, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Rice University and Julia Szabo, PhD Candidate in Sociology, Rice University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The direct flight between Mashad and Jeddah will be resumed after updating agreements, said Head of Iran's Foreign Ministry office in Razavi Khorasan Province, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Speaking to IRNA, Mohammad Beheshti Monfared said that the flight will be resumed after finalizing negotiations between Iranian and Saudi officials in the aviation sector.

Earlier, a technical delegation from Saudi Arabia traveled to Mashhad to visit the Saudi Consulate General and review ways to reopen it.

The Saudi delegation visited its diplomatic places and embassy in Tehran in the past few days and traveled to Mashhad on Friday (April 14).

Nasser bin Awad Al-Ghannoum, the head of the Saudi delegation expressed hope that the revival of ties between Riyadh and Tehran would lead to further cooperation among regional countries and bring about prosperity to the region.

Meanwhile, Beheshti said that the previous premises of Saudi Arabias Consulate General in Mashhad has not been used for seven years.
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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been claiming $50,000-$100,000 in yearly income from a company that hasnt existed since 2006.

The Washington Post reported:



Over the last two decades, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has reported on required financial disclosure forms that his family received rental income totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a firm called Ginger, Ltd., Partnership.

But that company  a Nebraska real estate firm launched in the 1980s by his wife and her relatives  has not existed since 2006.



Since that time, however, Thomas has continued to report income from the defunct company  between $50,000 and $100,000 annually in recent years.

Justice Thomas has earned zero benefit of the doubt, but at best this behavior represents a reckless disregard for the ethics disclosure process. At worst, Thomas has been lying on his disclosure forms for nearly two decades.

Thomas should be under multiple investigations at by all three branches of the government.

The complete lack of oversight over Supreme Court justices is something that has to change. How could no one notice if Thomas was not complying with ethics laws? The answer is that the Supreme Court has no oversight to ensure that the justices are in compliance.

Clarence Thomas is corrupt and the example for why Supreme Court reform is needed.

The Court has proven that it is unwilling to police itself. Public confidence in the Supreme Court is at an all time low.

It is time for lawmakers to step in and deal with both Clarence Thomas and Supreme Court corruption.
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Sen. Lindsey Graham said that by making the Pentagon leaker a hero, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is putting America in danger.

Video:

Transcript via ABCs This Week:



KARL: She said, Jack Teixeira is white, male, Christian and anti-war. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more.

I mean Tucker Carlsons kind of turning him into a hero.

What  what do you make of that? Why?

GRAHAM: What theyre suggesting will destroy Americas ability to defend itself. That its OK to release classified information based on your political views. That the ends justify the means. It is not OK.

If youre a member of the military intelligence community and you disagree with American policy and you think youre going to be OK when it comes to leaking classified information, youre going to go to jail. Its one of the most irresponsible statements you could make. The ability for America to gather intelligence from human resources on the ground has been compromised. We cant have a chaotic intelligence gathering system. If you give us information and its disclosed, you can lose your life.

The way we gather intelligence protects our country. There are military members serving today from Georgia and other places who are less safe because of what this airman did.

There is no justification for this. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terrible irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.



Grahams comments about Greene reflect the deep and growing divide within the Republican Party on Russia, the war in Ukraine, and US foreign policy.

Sen. Graham was right. Rep. Greene is placing America in serious danger with her support for criminal leakers.

An argument could be made that Greene is the third most dangerous Putin propagandist in the United States behind Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson.

When Lindsey Graham and Democrats are in agreement is a sign of just how dangerous Marjorie Taylor Greene has become.
A British manufacturer of fine bone china is busy making God Save The King commemorative plates and mugs for King Charles II's May 6 coronation. Craftspeople at the Duchess China factory in the central England city of Stoke-on-Trent painted delicate gold edges on more teacups and saucers this week to make sure there are enough to meet the expected demand for royal souvenirs. Its range of commemorative china features the Union Jack colors of red, white and blue, and come emblazoned with the words God Save the King. The manufacturer said the design was inspired by china produced in the 1930s for the coronation of King George VI, Charles grandfather. Read moreUK china maker rolls out souvenirs for king's May coronation
The Group of Seven rich nations have agreed to call for reducing gas consumption and increasing electricity from renewable sources while phasing out fossil fuels faster and building no new coal-fired plants, France's energy transition minister said, Trend reports citing TRT.

G7 environment and energy ministers, however, could not agree on a specific date to exit coal power, France's Agnes Pannier-Runacher told reporters on Saturday - the first of two days of climate and energy talks in Sapporo in northern Japan.

"The G7 countries have agreed that the first response to the energy crisis must be to reduce energy and gas consumption For the first time ever, the G7 said that we must accelerate the phasing out of all unabated fossil fuels... Finally, it sent a message about accelerating renewable energy," Pannier-Runacher said.

Ministers also appeared to be considering numerical targets for increasing solar power capacity to at least 1 terawatt and offshore wind power capacity to 150 gigawatts by 2030, the source said.

Energy-poor Japan was pushing for investments to stay for the gas industry in order to keep the liquefied natural gas in the energy mix as a transition fuel, winning some - but not all - support from the rest of G7.

"The imperatives on gas supply are only short-term. This implicitly means that we cannot invest in the exploration of new gas capacity," Pannier-Runacher said, adding that nuclear energy is backed by G7 as a "solution for the energy transition" with the security of supply.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his candidacy for president. Read moreColumn: Tim Scott and American exceptionalism
A decision on plans for a new 133-unit hotel at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at Patriots Point are on hold for now.

Mount Pleasant Town Council elected to postpone a vote on the proposal last week. No reason was given.

The company behind the project is seeking to make revisions to its 1997 development agreement to allow the project to go forward. Town Council must approve the change.

So far the plan has received a mixed response. The town's planning committee was split in a 2-2 vote recently over whether the site can support more service for visitors without sacrificing livability for residents.

Described as an expansion, the project would include a new standalone building with an unspecified number of rental cottages. The addition would bring the resort's total room count to 350.

Management has said that it is only seeking the assurance that it could add rooms in the future based on market demand and had no immediate expansion plans. If the changes are approved, the hotel project will be subject to additional town-level reviews.

Two down

Plans to replace a budget motel with a luxury hotel in the heart of the peninsulas tourist district have cleared the second of three votes by Charleston City Council.

Strategic Property Partners is proposing three buildings for the 1.9-acre corner property that includes the former Days Inn at 155 Meeting St., with heights varying from three to seven or possibly eight stories if the company can demonstrate architectural merit.

The 150-room lodging, said to likely be a Four Seasons, is the centerpiece of the mixed-use project, which also includes 40 residential condominiums and commercial space.

The deal requires City Council to approve height-related zoning changes the developer is seeking. The next vote will be the final say.

A majority of City Council supported the rezoning during the first and second review. Caroline Parker was a no vote both times.

In an email to The Post and Courier, Parker, whose District 12 does not include the peninsula, said she didn't want to ignore the concerns of residents who believe the influx of additional hotels are "changing the charm of our city.

My constituents asked me to preserve and protect what makes Charleston so special, she wrote. While I am a strong advocate for property rights, I do believe that the citys urban growth boundary line and height restrictions are good guardrails.

New programs

Ahead of its June 27 debut, the International African American Museum plans to host a series of virtual and in-person educational programs.

The lineup focuses on topics like achievements of African American men, the connection between history and ancestry, holistic herbal practices rooted in African traditions and the influence of jazz music.

The museum sponsored similar events and educational content in February and March. Malika Pryor, chief learning and engagement officer for the museum, said that the programming is an opportunity to continue engaging with patrons "within and beyond the physical space of the museum."

IAAM also announced a Living Legacies Series of digital exhibitions available online. The series covers local African American history and draws connections to the broader impact of how local history helped shape the nation's history.

More information is at www.iaamuseum.org/events.

Around town

The Lowcountry Cajun Festival kicks off April 22 at James Island County Park. Attendees can jam out to Zydeco music from noon-6 p.m. while sampling Louisiana flavors in the Lowcountry. Chefs will serve up authentic Cajun and Creole foods like jambalaya, alligator, etouffe, andouille sausage, crawfish  and more. Ticket information can be found at www.ccprc.com/.
COLUMBIA  A proposed tax credit could be part of a bold plan to help lighten Columbia business' tax burden, according to Mayor Daniel Rickenmann.

The mayor wants to use a tax credit to reduce taxes for non-owner-occupied properties from 6 percent to 4 percent, which he said will promote growth by reducing taxes for Columbia businesses.

A city-commissioned report released in 2020 said Columbia was suffocating under high property taxes levied by the city, county and state. Compared with other major South Carolina cities with a lower overall tax burden for businesses  Greenville, Charleston, Lexington and Rock Hill  the capital city's growth lagged, according to the report.

While the mayor's current proposal emphasizes a tax credit as the solution, the city's 2020 report initially pointed toward what could have been a more painful fix, which involved cutting government spending, ditching tax breaks for certain major businesses, repealing a state property tax law and streamlining licensing and zoning practices to make it easier for businesses to invest.

A city committee formulated the mayor's current plan in May 2022, with the help of the economists who wrote the original report. In the year since, Rickenmann said he has been talking with lawmakers about formulating a statewide version of the credit for other cities to opt into, as well as getting county leaders onboard.

Although the taxes come from a combination of city, county and school districts, Rickenmann, who campaigned for city office based on his eye for business, has been leading the charge.

What's the plan?

The mayor is looking at a tax credit, similar to those issued to big developers, which would have the same effect as cutting property taxes for non-owner-occupied buildings from 6 percent to 4 percent.

Under the proposal, the city would begin setting aside money from extra revenues in an escrow account. Over a decade, the city would slowly reduce the amount of taxes it needs to collect by using the funds from the escrow account, Rickenmann said.

Every year, the city's and Richland County's revenues are expected to grow about 2 percent, a conservative estimate the real budget typically exceeds, the mayor said. For two years, Columbia and Richland County would put aside any revenues that come in above the planned 2 percent growth, plus a little extra as wiggle room.

With money in the bank, the city and county could then use it to fund the tax credit for small businesses, to the tune of covering the difference in property taxes without touching the county's overall tax rate, Rickenmann said.

What will it do?

The idea is that the tax credit would bring down the cost to taxpayers dealing with the much higher tax burden in Richland County to the levels in similar cities. Those taxes aren't specifically from the city, even though the mayor is driving this effort; instead, they are caused by a combination of city, county and school taxes. The mayor hopes this shift will drive more businesses to locate in the capital city.

As time goes on, tax revenue from businesses coming to Columbia and Richland County would fund the tax credit, which would create a cycle of investment, Rickenmann said. The idea is similar to the tax incentives already offered to big developers  think the billion-dollar statewide deal used to lure Scout Motors to Blythewood. But the credit would also include small- to mid-sized developments.

"We want to have the ability to allow the small businesses, the individual landowners, the folks who have rental property to be on the same basis as somebody who's putting $20 to $30 million down," Rickenmann said.

If no businesses take advantage of the credit, Rickenmann added, it would fizzle out with no harm done. But Rickenmann said investors have told him they're interested. He pointed to a committee meeting where a room full of Columbia business owners raised their hands when asked if they would be more likely to locate in Columbia with the credit in place.

Why tackle taxes?

Rickenmann hopes the change would break a cycle of high taxes, low property values and stagnant growth laid out in the 2020 report.

Columbia's property values, working age population and general population have grown little to none over the past decade, the report found.

Property values in the capital city rose 16 percent over that timeframe, while rising 36 percent in Greenville, 171 percent in Rock Hill and 217 percent in Charleston.

Despite thousands of college students coming into Columbia every year, its population has remained stagnant, even declining since 2016. The number of adults age 25 to 54 has grown only 2.5 percent, compared with 15 percent in Charleston, 34 percent in Greenville and 64 percent in Rock Hill, according to the report.

The reason: High taxes discourage investment and growth, which means lower revenues and more tax hikes, economist Rebecca Gunnlaugsson wrote in the report. Gunnlaugsson, who now works for the S.C. Department of Commerce, was contracted by the city to create the report in 2020 through her Columbia-based company, Acuitas Economics.

Offsetting the tax burden would put Columbia on a level playing field with other cities, Rickenmann said.

"All we're trying to do is make Columbia more competitive within our own state," Rickenmann said.

More growth and more investment would mean more growth and a higher revenue stream for the city, increasing the amount it can spend on projects, Rickenmann said, whether that means completing long-awaited plans to redevelop the riverfront or bolstering parts of downtown.

Plus, the tax credit could help promote affordable housing and bring in grocers to food deserts, Rickenmann said. It could also increase density downtown by encouraging businesses to fill in smaller plots of land.

"If we have all that investment, that gives us more money for our schools, more money for our parks, more money for our roadways, more money for us to invest in infrastructure because we're building up," Rickenmann said.

Who will be affected?

The plan is primarily meant to help small businesses. It wouldn't change property taxes for homeowners.

"It doesn't affect the state, it doesn't affect the homeowner, it doesn't affect anybody else," Rickenmann said.

One of the report's recommendations was to repeal part of Act 388, a state law that caps how much a home can rise in taxable value at 15 percent over four years, artificially depressing local tax revenues. Removing it would have actually raised taxes for longtime homeowners.

That step wouldn't be necessary under the current proposal, Rickenmann said. With the help of the escrow account, where the city and county would funnel away money. By making the change slowly and using extra revenue, he doesn't expect the city to need the extra funds that repealing Act 388 would have brought in.

Rickenmann's plan does involve a statewide element: He wants lawmakers to make this plan a statewide program that other cities and counties can opt into.

While the credit could happen at a county level, the bonus of doing it through the state is that it would be harder to repeal, Rickenmann said.

The fix is sorely needed, House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford said. While the Columbia Democrat said he couldn't talk specifics just yet, he said something has to change.

"We have got to do something," Rutherford said.

When will this happen?

The process was expected to take anywhere from a year and a half to two years to fully implement since its 2022 conception. That timeline is still the goal, Rickenmann said, with the hope of legislation moving in the Statehouse next session.

However, it still needs official buy-in. Columbia council members refrained from talking about the program, instead deferring to Rickenmann. County Council Chairman Overture Walker also said it was too early to offer his thoughts.

Columbia officials are in the process of talking with lawmakers about drafting the legislation outlining the statewide program, Rickenmann said, though it's still early in the process.

Rickenmann is also pushing for the city to audit its tax roll to ensure all property owners are paying taxes that they should be.

That's another driver of the high tax rate, the report found: With state and local government offices, the University of South Carolina and churches, about 78 percent of Columbia's parcels are tax exempt, compared with 7.2 percent in Greenville and 6.8 in Rock Hill.

While some include economic drivers that pay for themselves, like the Prisma Health System, Rickenmann wants the city to be sure, especially before raising taxes again for needs like a recently proposed increase in firefighter pay.

"Let's first make sure that the people who are supposed to be paying are paying before we go and just tax the people who are already paying," Rickenmann said.

Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C.
CLEMSON  South Carolina is facing a veterinarian shortage that could leave pets and farm animals without routine care, endanger the food supply and pinch public health resources.

Clemson University has a plan to help, but it will cost taxpayers $285 million.

The state's first veterinary school could graduate students as soon as 2030  the same year one report suggests the national veterinarian deficit could reach 15,000. Nearly half of South Carolina's counties are listed as "high needs" on the U.S. Department of Agricultures veterinary shortage map, leaving many local vets struggling to keep up.

Around 3,200 veterinary degrees are awarded annually in the U.S., a number that has been stagnant since Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee added its vet school in 2011. Not all graduates go on to practice, and those who do have high rates of burnout and suicide.

Veterinarians around the state are hopeful some relief might be coming, though not all agree on the best model. Pelzer vet Justin Martin could make more farm calls. Magley Clemson Animal Hospital owner Katie Magley would have capacity for the influx of pets coming to college. The Mill Village Veterinarian in Camden could build more exam rooms to serve walk-ins if it had vets to staff them.

The potential impact for Clemsons vet school is both for vets  like mental health and help for us  and for our clients, said Whitney Ozment, a veterinarian who works with Martin. Clients are frustrated that they call their vet and they can't get an appointment for three weeks.

There's more work here all day, every day, than we have hours. We're all, like, drowning.

Doubling SC vet grads

The push for a veterinary school came from legislators, former state veterinarian Boyd Parr said. Establishing it at Clemson, where animal science programs and a dairy farm are already in place, makes the most sense.

South Carolina spends $6.8 million every year on contract seats to provide in-state tuition for students who have no option other than leaving the state for vet school. There were 26 seats spread across University of Georgia, Mississippi State and Tuskegee University in Alabama, Parr said. Another 20 were added in 2022 through the Southern Regional Education Board program to bring the total to 46.

There are four colleges that offer formal pre-vet programs, according to the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. Students can apply for veterinary school with other science degrees, spokesman Mark Swart said, and those are available at each S.C. public university.

Clemsons current request to the Legislature is for $45.5 million in capital funds for site work and $2.5 million in recurring funds to allow for hiring the founding dean and other essential staff. That's after the $10 million award for a feasibility study.

The expected total cost is $285 million, plus $19.3 million annually in recurring funds.

Class sizes would be around 80 with a maximum of 125, according to the feasibility study. Parr said it has not been decided whether Clemson would offer seats to states without vet schools.

The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians is strongly in favor of the proposed school. President Lorin Lawrence, a relief vet who works in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties after retiring from his full-time practice in Rock Hill, said the strain on vets will continue to worsen as the population grows.

We are chronically deficient in agricultural veterinarians to support a $25 billion industry, Lawrence said. High demand and low supply are fueling the need for a veterinary college that is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.

If South Carolina doesnt approve the capital fund request for the 2024 fiscal year, it could dramatically slow down or even stop progress of building the school, Parr said.

The current budget request would cover the construction documents and site preparation, and the construction of two of the clinical skills laboratories, said Parr, who is on the steering committee for the vet school. Because the need is so great, we are aggressively moving using the commitments we've had so far. Until the governor signs the budget this year, we won't really know what weve got.

Overworked veterinarians

Martin, who owns Martin Veterinary Services where Ozment also works, has hosted several veterinary students during clinical rotations. He built an apartment on-site for their stay.

He cant find enough vets to serve all the animals that walk or waddle through his doors, even with three new hires coming this summer. The clinic has two full-time vets, two part-time vets and a support staff of around 20 people who are constantly on the move.

Any given day could bring bloodwork for horses, anemic goats, cancer diagnoses, puppy checkups, fertility testing, ultrasounds or a mini-pig who comes to say hello while Martin repairs tusk wounds on a hunting dog. Martin doesnt get much downtime with the current client load, unless standing still while tying sutures and prescribing meds for other pets counts.

There's not many mixed-animal veterinary practices," Martin said. "Usually, it's either just small animal or just large animal. It's sort of old-school, we do a little bit of everything.

Magley, who also has a practice in Westminster, is much the same. She sees a patient at the Clemson location every 15 minutes and her counterpart every 30. There's a two-week wait for appointments, she said.

She calls that a slower pace.

I dont know of a clinic that is not looking for another veterinarian, Magley said. Im looking for two right now. Ive put ads out on various websites and I havent had one phone call.

Mill Village Veterinarian owner Hamilton Tetterton sees 75 to 100 animals every day and tries to maintain the walk-in clinic availability, office manager and wife Stephanie Tetterton said. Hes the only full-time vet at the practice.

Theres enough space, but it doesnt do me any good to increase my space if I dont have anybody to run it, Stephanie Tetterton said. I could run four, five, six exams rooms at a time with the way were turning away people right now.

South Carolinas veterinarian population has slowly crept up over the last decade, growing 124 percent since 2002 to 2,588 in March 2023. The number of vet techs, however, increased more than 1,100 percent during that time, according to state licensing data.

The number of statewide households grew by nearly 10 percent from 2010, according to census figures. Using American Veterinary Medical Association calculations, that brought an estimated 129,000 additional pets to the state.

Only 714 vets were added in that time frame.

The vet shortage was already creeping up, then exacerbated by COVID-19. Older vets saw the pandemic as a sign to retire as more than 12 million pets were adopted and needed routine care. Demand spiked while the number of degrees awarded was stagnant. Adding to rural practice problems, the South saw an influx of people buying land and starting hobby farms. Educating clients has always been part of Martins job, and that has increased in recent years.

There are a few advantages to working in rural areas, though Martin admits he lured hires with dinner in downtown Greenville. Access to a larger city is crucial for fresh graduates, he said, and having a mixed-animal practice where farm calls are routine is a draw for those who arent sure if they want to specialize.

When we graduated in 2010, we were lucky to get a job, Ozment said. These students now have five, six offers lined up and theyre pitting everybody against each other.

There are also loan repayment programs for veterinarians who work in those high needs areas designated by the USDA. Martin tackled his loans using the program before going back into debt to open his practice on family land in 2015.

If he could have stayed in-state for school, the Clemson graduate said he probably would have. He graduated from Georgia in 2010. Consolidating work and home was the only way he could make ends meet if he wanted his own practice. Nearly a decade later, hes able to double his staff and build a home not connected to the clinic.

This is my great-grandfathers farm, Martin said. We just didn't have enough money when I started this practice to buy a piece of property somewhere else to put a clinic. So, I mean, we live here. I live here, work here, play here.

The S.C. veterinarian shortage

Despite nearly doubling out-of-state contract agreements last year, it's not enough to keep up with South Carolina's veterinary training needs, Parr said.

There are 32 U.S. schools currently accredited through the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. They produce about 3,200 vets annually. Its website cites a 2012 report showing a geographical shortage of veterinarians but little evidence of a widespread deficit.

Clemsons feasibility study cites a report from Banfield Pet Hospital, the nation's largest corporate practice with more than 1,000 locations, including clinics inside PetSmart stores. It shows there could be a shortage of 15,000 vets in 2030, leaving up to 75 million animals without care.

For those who dont live on farms or have pets, veterinarians are still crucial to society.

Veterinarians are the frontline of human public health," Ozment said. "We monitor rabies, we monitor things that can come to humans like lepto  which causes renal disease  parasites, brucellosis. If we don't control that in the pet populations and the livestock, then it spills over to people.

The American Veterinary Medical Association contends that if it had been consulted during the COVID-19 outbreak, things could have looked much different. Veterinary medicine dealt with a coronavirus in 2013 and could be key in preventing future pandemics, the report claimed.

Vets play a role in food chain safety by protecting herds and flocks from infectious diseases. Several veterinary labs provided testing during the pandemic, Parr noted.

Veterinarians also are an economic driver for South Carolina.

Its support of the No. 1 industry in South Carolina, which is agribusiness, Parr said. Animal agriculture can't function without a pathway to veterinary care. So the taxpayer support is critical to keeping in-state tuition significantly lower than out-of-state tuition.

Students from rural communities who become vets are six times as likely to return to those areas, Parr said. Clemsons veterinary college would focus on in-state students with rural backgrounds and livestock experience.

Tetterton said many vet students are from the Upstate, making it difficult to attract graduates to the Midlands. She and her husband try to encourage veterinary careers in their employees who show any sign of interest, she said, and foster that however they can.

Sometimes a push and guaranteed job arent enough.

I had an employee who applied to vet school and they had 1,200 applicants for 125 seats," Magley said of adding staff. "South Carolina only has so many of those seats, and theres just not enough. We have to go out of state, and then its hard to always bring those jobs back.

Dispersed model and site details

The proposed veterinary school at Clemson would utilize the dispersed model, which sends students into the field for the fourth year rather than to an on-campus teaching hospital. Veterinarians across the state and in neighboring states would receive special training, contracts and stipends for teaching the senior students in real-life settings, Parr said.

Clemson would be the sixth school to use the dispersed model. It brings the potential to have local vets hired as adjunct faculty and involved in research. Those details can be ironed out once a founding dean is in place, Parr said.

There are currently 200 students in South Carolina enrolled in vet school  154 of which were paying out-out-state tuition, a difference of about $20,000. Clemson has around 400 students in its pre-vet program.

The $285 million would build two clinical teaching centers on an initial 20-acre site across from T. Ed Garrison Arena on Queen Street in Pendleton, south of the main campus. Adding a teaching hospital would more than double the overall cost, Parr said.

The food animal teaching center would be located at Lamaster Dairy Center on Perimeter Road in Clemson, but the ambulatory and equine centers would be in Pendleton. The main building would be compact and tucked into the hillside.

Students would be able to list preferences for the clinical rotations that last three to six weeks. It is possible UGA's teaching hospital could be part of that system.

Fort Mill veterinarian Daniel Knox said veterinarians already serve as a training resource for those interested in the field, so having a formalized system through the vet school would feel familiar.

I feel like so many veterinarians over my career spent a lot of time helping me, tutoring me, mentoring me, Knox said. Ive done that for 20 years for anybody who wants to learn something. Weve all sort of been that way.

Parr said the dispersed model is best for the state, students and South Carolinas veterinarians.

We learned that it makes them better able to practice on day one.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 57F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 57F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Joe Biden is running for reelection. How is anyone going to tell? The basement presidency is about to embark on another basement campaign. Biden's political genius turns out to be not provoking strong negative emotions because no one particularly thinks of him as being in charge or as having anything interesting to say. Read moreLowry: Biden basement campaign could earn him 4 more years
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Medina Hospitality is excited to announce the grand opening of VINO, a new wine bar located at Prescott Pines Inn. The wine bar will be opening its doors to the public in late May 2023, and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday.PRESCOTT, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2023 / Medina Hospitality is excited to announce the grand opening of VINO, a new wine bar located at Prescott Pines Inn. The wine bar will be opening its doors to the public in late May 2023, and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday.VINO at Prescott PinesVINO at Prescott PinesVINO Wine Bar will offer a selection of local, national, and international wines, as well as several small bites and desserts on its menu. VINO will also offer wine-based cocktails and sangria options.Both guests of the Prescott Pines Inn and the general public will be able to enjoy the cozy ambiance and excellent service at VINO. Walk-ins and reservations will be available.The Prescott Pines Inn, purchased by Medina Hospitality early last year, has been undergoing renovations and upgrades for most of last year. The plans are to transform it from the old and tired bed and breakfast model to a new, fresh luxury resort getaway."There are very few options for resort boutique hotel experience in Prescott," stated Sara Medina, CHO for Medina Hospitality. "We want to not only offer a luxurious retreat, but also offer an elevated dining and wine experience for our guests and visitors." The addition of VINO Wine Bar is just one of the many changes guests can expect at the newly revamped Prescott Pines Inn. The wine bar will add to the overall experience, offering a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere where guests can enjoy a glass of wine or two with friends and family.For more information on the Prescott Pines Inn and attend their grand opening, visit their website at www.prescottpinesinn.com or follow them on social media IG & FB @prescottpinesinnAbout Medina Hospitality:Medina Hospitality was founded by Nick & Sara Medina. Medina Hospitality was created with the idea that hospitality should not be turn-key or formula. Their passion comes from inspiration of providing guests with something special and unique. To learn more about Medina Hospitality, visit them at http://www.medinahospitality.com Contact InformationFernando ZelayaDirector of Markingfernando@ medinahospitalityl.com SOURCE: Medina Hospitality
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The new villages being built for the Pilbara's FIFO workforce are a significant development for the region, with the potential to improve living conditions for workers, boost productivity and reduce turnover rates.PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2023 / The Pilbara region of Western Australia has long been a hub for mining activity, with thousands of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers travelling to the area for work. Until recently, the accommodations available for these workers have been limited, with many living in cramped, basic accommodation. That's set to change, as new resort-style accommodation villages are being built to cater to the Pilbara's FIFO workforce. Here, Techforce reveals everything to know.TechforceTechforce According to Techforce, a leading recruitment and workforce management company with extensive experience in supplying qualified employees for a range of mining positions including rigger jobs and FIFO chef jobs Perth-wide, the new accommodation villages are designed to provide a comfortable, modern living environment for FIFO workers with private rooms for each worker in addition to amenities such as gyms and swimming pools plus communal areas for socialising and relaxing.Techforce explains the new accommodation villages will have a range of benefits for workers in positions including mining chef jobs as well as employers. For workers, the improved living conditions are likely to lead to increased job satisfaction and a better work-life balance. The communal areas and social events will help to build a sense of community among workers, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.For employers, Techforce says the new accommodation villages are likely to lead to increased productivity and lower staff turnover rates. By providing workers with comfortable, modern accommodation, employers can improve job satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of burnout or exhaustion.Building these new accommodation villages is no small feat. The villages require a significant investment of time and money, with construction costs ranging into the millions of dollars. However, experts say that the investment is likely to pay off in the long run, as the improved living conditions are likely to lead to a happier, more productive workforce.The new accommodation villages are likely to have a positive impact on the local economy too, creating jobs and generating revenue for local businesses. Techforce says the villages will also help to attract new workers to the region, as they provide a more appealing living environment than traditional FIFO accommodation.To search for current positions including chef jobs and more, visit Techforce online.About TechforceTechforce Personnel is a national privately owned recruitment and workforce management company experienced in supplying qualified employees to a range of industries across Australia and New Zealand.Contact InformationTechforce PersonnelMarketing Managerrecruitment@ techforce.com.au (08) 6363 7040SOURCE: Techforce
At least 12 inmates were killed and three others injured during an armed clash between crime groups in an Ecuadorian prison on Friday, the Attorney General's Office confirmed Saturday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The National Service of Integral Attention to Adults Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders reported that the clash began on Friday afternoon inside the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil, the capital of the Guayas province and one of the most violent cities in the country.

The confrontation involved inmates from four wards fighting for control of the prison, led by criminal gangs linked to drug trafficking, according to the government.

The number of deaths was confirmed Saturday morning and the wounded were transferred to care homes in Guayaquil.

The Litoral Penitentiary has been the scene of some massacres recorded since February 2021 due to power disputes in Ecuadorian prisons, which have killed more than 400 prisoners, according to official statistics.
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GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2023 / Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-based precious metals trading agency, has recently announced its support of Besra Gold Inc.'s non-binding funding and offtake term sheet. The agreement, valued at US$300 million, aims to bring the 3 million ounce Bau Gold project in Sarawak, Malaysia into production. As part of the deal, the syndicate will provide $300 million in funding for plant construction and infrastructure.Besra and Quantum Metal Exchange have formed a strategic partnership, with Quantum Metal Exchange providing financial and logistical support for the project. The partnership was formed following extensive due diligence undertaken by Besra, which highlighted the significant potential of the Bau Gold project."We are excited to work with Besra Gold on this project, which has the potential to become one of the largest gold mines in Southeast Asia. This partnership is aligned with our company's mission to support the development of the mining sector in Malaysia and the region," said Dato Lim Khong Soon, the founder of Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd.The Bau Gold project, located in Sarawak State, East Malaysia, boasts an estimated mineral resource totaling around 3Moz of gold. The plant intends to produce about two hundred thousand tons yearly over a fifteen-year operational life. The project has recently been approved and funded, signaling a bright future for the team and investors alike.Besra Gold is committed to advanced mining practices and has taken various initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. The company has also established strong relationships with local communities and government stakeholders and is committed to creating lasting benefits for all.Quantum Metal Exchange is a metal trading platform used worldwide that provides investors with access to trade physical metals like Gold and Silver. The platform allows for the easy purchase and sale of physical metals in a secure and transparent manner, with transactions executed through a network of approved dealers. The company is dedicated to advancing the understanding and adoption of physical metals as a vital component of investment portfolios.About Quantum MetalQuantum Metal Sdn Bhd, established in 2012, is a Malaysian-based company specializing in the supply and trading of precious metal and gold products. With a focus on digital platforms, the company offers technology development, banking system solutions, and precious metal trading to local partners. As a subsidiary of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc. (QMEI) in New York, Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd shares the vision of establishing a legitimate global Precious Metal Exchange and is committed to promoting precious metals as a tool for unlocking the full potential of wealth. The company has played a significant role in connecting local banks with international bullion suppliers, ensuring secure and accessible precious metal markets for its customers.Media Contact DetailsCompany Name: Quantum Metal MalaysiaWebsite: https://www.quantummetal.com.my/ Email: info@ quantummetal.com Phone number: +60 4 - 2260755SOURCE: Quantum Metal Malaysia
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2023 / WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds investors in BlockFi Interest Accounts ("BIAs") between March 4, 2019 and November 28, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"), against Zac Prince, Flori Marquez, Amit Cheela, David Olsson, and Samia Bayou (together, "Defendants"), of the important May 1, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you invested in BlockFi Interest Accounts ("BIAs") during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the BlockFi class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12656 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@ rosenlegal.com or cases@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 1, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Defendants made false and misleading statements to promote BlockFi Interest Accounts ("BIAs"), including that BIAs were a secure method of collecting interest. In addition, the Complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants omitted and concealed material information concerning the risks associated with BIAs, including through BlockFi's exposure to FTX Trading, Ltd. ("FTX") and Sam Bankman-Fried's trading firm Alameda Research ("Alameda"), both of which collapsed in the wake of revelations that FTX and Alameda were engaging in fraud on a massive scale. In the wake of the FTX collapse, the lawsuit alleges that BlockFi froze withdrawals in BIAs, harming BIA investors. Further, investors in BIAs were not aware of conflicts of interest and self-dealing between BlockFi and other entities, such as Gemini Trust LLC, controlled by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. The Complaint further alleges BlockFi and the Individual Defendants engaged in the unlawful offer and sale of securities in violation of Sections 5, 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 by selling BIAs to investors. The lawsuit also alleges claims for violation of Section 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110A.To join the BlockFi class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12656 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@ rosenlegal.com or cases@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827lrosen@ rosenlegal.com pkim@ rosenlegal.com cases@ rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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Since assumption of office as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on July 8,2019, Mele Kyari has put in place a robust operational blueprint that has reduced costs and improved profitability for the National Oil Company.

Shortly after his appointment, Mr Kyari made his plans very clear for the Corporation which has now been transformed into a Limited Liability Company in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. Specifically, his plans centered around operational efficiency and transparency for NNPC Limited.

Going forward, we will seek to continuously entrench transparency, accountability, and performance excellence across all NNPC operations, and we will put the necessary structures in place to ensure compliance with these principles, he said shortly after assumption of office.

Before Mr Kyaris appointment, the manner in which the old NNPC managed its financial activities was a subject of controversy in the public sphere. The old NNPC was mostly accused of running an opaque operation where a few but not its majority shareholders  the Nigerian public, knew its financial status.

While this portrayed the NNPC as an untrustworthy entity back then, it also courted and swarm in controversies of financial immodesty, poor accountability, lack of profitability and even considered broke.

Between the Nigeria Extractive Industries Initiative (NEITI)  a natural resource utilization watchdog, and the Auditor General of the Federation, dealing with the NNPC to get it to account for its financial transactions was distressing. That was because the corporation was always recalcitrant in opening up its book for public scrutiny.

But under Mr Kyaris Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, the era of opaqueness in managing the affairs of the NNPC has since ended.

It is a well-known fact that in economics, cost minimization is a necessary condition for profit maximization in competitive markets. This is because, if, for a given level of output, a firm does not minimize costs, it therefore means that it is also not profit maximizing.

Within the first year of managing the NNPC, Mr Kyari, through his cost reduction strategy, was able to reduce NNPCs losses from N803bn in 2018 to N1.7bn in 2019 before the eventual declaration of the N287bn Net Profit in 2020.

Interestingly, the 2020 financial period is the first time in the 44-year history of the NNPC that the Corporation declared profit.

While revealing the facts behind the financial statement, Mr Kyari gave credence to the impact the cost reduction strategy had on the finances of the NNPC. Specifically, he said the National Oil Company did not buy what was not vital to its 2020 operations.

Mr Kyari said, What we did to arrive at this (N287bn profit), I think it is a continuous process. Since this administration came into being in 2015, there was a very drastic change in the way we do our business.

One is to cut cost, to be more efficient and also to ensure that this company is transparent and accountable to Nigerians and therefore it is a process that started in 2015 on the commencement of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has consistently being the Minister of Petroleum Resources in 2015 till this day and the end result is that, that piloting gave us the opportunity to do things differently.

And because it is a continuous process, when I came onboard, I learnt from what was on ground and also brought a new perspective which is to ensure that I build on what I met and to collaborate and steer the direction of the Board of Directors of this company to ensure that cost is reduced.

The combination of all these is the result we posted. First is the reduction of the losses in 2019. It is a collective activity, collective action, but ultimately, the things that we did make it possible.

It is also important to state that the NNPC, under the leadership of Mr Kyari, was able to engage all its contractors and insisted on cutting costs to at least 30 per cent in the 2020 financial period. This engagement with contractors worked and the NNPC was able to pull down most of its procurement cost by 30 per cent.

It is also instructive to state that the NNPC saw the opportunity to be much more efficient by automating its systems and processes. This made it faster, and also ultimately, it reduced so much of logistics cost that would have been an additional cost to the business.

Amidst the challenging operating environment which has tested the resilience of institutions and businesses globally, the NNPC continued to weather the storm by posting its second consecutive year of profit of N674.1bn in the 2021 financial period. This positive result came as global economies struggled with the recessionary forces and weak economic outlook.

In spite of a tough and volatile operating environment, the NNPC Groups investment strategy proved resilient and enabled the National Oil Company to deliver favourable outcomes as shown by the 2021 financial statement. For instance, the NNPC Group, which became a CAMA Company in 2021 following the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, grew its profit from N287bn in 2020 to N674bn in 2021. The NNPCs Group Account was audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, SIAO, and Muntari Dangana Accounting Firms.

The N674bn profit posted by the NNPC Group in the 2021 financial period represents an increase of N387bn or 134.8 per cent when compared to the N287bn recorded in 2020.

The 2021 financial year made it the fourth consecutive years that the NNPC will be making its Audited Financial Statement public. This was one of the innovations made by Kyari when he took over the helms of affairs of the National Oil Company.

In 2018 when the NNPC first made public its Audited Financial Statement, it made a loss of N803.9bn. Three components were responsible for the poor and worse performance of the Group ever. They were increase in cost of sales, specifically increase in crude cost; increase in the general and admin expense which almost doubled from N474bn to N894bn; and increase in impairment of receivables and other assets in the year by almost 300 per cent.

In 2019 when the NNPC Groups Audited Account was released, the loss position had reduced to just N2.3bn. But with the reforms that are being implemented by the NNPC boss, the loss position was reversed in the 2020 financial period when the NNPC posted its first profit in 44 years of N287bn.

Since then, the Company has bounced back to reckoning with impressive financial performance of N674bn in 2021. The rise in profit is mainly occasioned by significant increase in revenue and less proportionate increase in cost of sales resulting in 1,556.9 per cent increase in gross profit.

Other factors that contributed to the high profitability of the NNPC Group is the outcome of the N173.7bn arising from reconciliation with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), stronger emphasis on performance management, rationalization of non-essential expenditure and implementation of the transparency and accountability agenda.

The impressive profit performance recorded by the NNPC was further bolstered by the positive impact of the N193bn royalty which was written back as a result of the reconciliation with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Similarly, the emplacement of aggressive cost control measures by the NNPC management as well as the successes made in the implementation of system-based controls on funds management also boosted profitability.

Further analysis of the NNPC Group Audited Financial Statement showed that revenue rose by 72.6 per cent to N6.42trn in 2021 as against N3.72trn in 2020. The increase in revenue is attributable to improvement in the production and price of crude oil during the period under review.

The Audited Financial Statement further revealed an increase of 2.6 per cent in total assets from N15.86trn in 2020 to N16.27trn in 2021. Through efficient management of the affairs of the company, the Audited Financial Statement also showed that total liabilities decreased by 8.3 per cent from N14.68trn in 2020 to N13.46trn in 2021.

In line with the growth trajectory of the current management, the shareholders fund position of the NNPC Group also followed an upward trend as it rose to N2.81trn in 2021 as against N1.15trn in 2020. This represents 144 per cent increase in shareholders fund as of December 31, 2021. The net impairment loss on financial assets dropped to N65bn in 2021 as against the impairment reversal of N713bn in 2020.

Since he assumed office, Mr Kyari has pursued his Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, a five-step strategic roadmap for NNPCs attainment of efficiency and global excellence.

Mr Kyari, during the inauguration, had said pursuing TAPE was the only way to turn around the corporation and make it competitive. Under the roadmap, the Transparency component of the agenda was aimed at maintaining positive image, share values of integrity and transparency to all stakeholders, while the Accountability segment of the campaign is to assure compliance with business ethics, policies, regulations and accountability to all stakeholders.

In terms of the two-prong item of Performance Excellence, the idea was to entrench a high level of efficiency anchored on efficient implementation of business processes which would also emplace an appropriate reward system for exceptional performance among the workforce.

Unlike in the past when efficiency was compromised by tardiness, Mr Kyari is focused on delivering his mandate for the NNPC and the oil and gas industry is no doubt the better for it while Nigerians are the ultimate beneficiary.

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At least 56 people have died in an ongoing clash between soldiers and paramilitary officials in Sudan, Aljazeera is reporting

The unrest between the two groups which erupted on Saturday has seen about 595 people, including combatants, wounded according to the Sudanese Doctors Union.

Sudans paramilitary chief Mohamed Dagalo claimed to have seized most of Khartoums (capital of Sudan) official sites after clashes erupted between his armed group and the countrys military.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control more than 90 per cent of strategic sites in Khartoum, CNN quoted Mr Dagalo as saying in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

The countrys military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disputed the formers claim saying the military continues to maintain control over government sites.

Until recently, both groups were allies who worked together during a coup in 2021 but have recently developed tension as they negotiate plans to integrate the RSF into the army.

The sounds of gunfire and heavy artillery continue to reverberate across Sudans capital, Khartoum, for a second day. Sunday was declared a public holiday by the Khartoum State Security Committee in order to preserve the lives of citizens and their property.

According to Aljazeera, the two sides have been competing for power as political factions negotiate to form a transitional government after a 2021 military coup. The tensions stem from a disagreement between the military, headed by leaders of the two groups, about how the paramilitary force should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee that process.

Sundays fierce fighting came as the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates called for the opposing sides to immediately end hostilities without precondition.

World Leaders condemn unrest

World leaders have condemned the violence and called for de-escalation of the situation.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres in a tweet condemned the violence and said he is engaging with the AU and leaders in the region on the matter. He reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore a democratic transition.

According to the UN spokesperson, Mr Guterres has spoken to President Sisi of Egypt and African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Mahamat on how to de-escalate the situation.

He has also spoken to Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and RSF Leader Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, calling for an immediate stop to the violence and a return to dialogue. He offered his good offices, in close coordination with ongoing efforts, to restore security and conclude the ongoing political process, the spokesperson said in a tweet.

President of Kenya William Ruto said Kenya is concerned about the developing crisis in Sudan. He encouraged parties to address any differences through peaceful means for the sake of the security of the people of Sudan and stability in the country and the region, especially during this Holy month of Ramadan.

The outbreak of violence will only reverse the gains Sudan has made to the detriment of its lasting peace and prosperity, he said, adding that Kenya and the IGAD States are available and ready to contribute to the resolution of this crisis.

I am consulting with the regional leadership and other relevant international partners to seek ways to support dialogue and mediation, Mr Ruto added.

EU Commission Vice President, Josep Borell, said the EU strongly condemns the eruption of violence between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

We urge all sides to show leadership and engage in an immediate cessation of hostilities, he tweeted.

He expressed his support for the move by Kenyas president to convene IGAD member states to contribute to the resolution of the crisis in Sudan. All efforts are welcome to seek ways to support dialogue and mediation. The EU stands ready to support such efforts, he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said fighting between SAF and RSF forces threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudans democratic transition. The only way forward is to return to negotiations.

The African Union Commission (AUC) in a statement said it was following with deep concern the developments in Sudan and encouraged, directly and indirectly, the political parties, civilians, and military to find a consensual solution to the crisis created by the October 25 coup and its harmful consequences.

The AUC appealed to all parties, the armed forces and the rapid intervention forces, in particular, to immediately stop the destruction of the country, the panic of the population and the bloodbaths of the innocents in the last ten days of Ramadan.

At this moment of extreme gravity, the Chairperson of the AUC urges all components of the international community to combine, in unity and urgency, their efforts to bring the parties to immediately cease military actions and return to the negotiating table towards an end to the crisis that is satisfactory for all, the statement said.

The United Arab Emirates urged all parties in Sudan to exercise restraint, de-escalate and work towards ending the crisis through dialogue, according to the WAM state news agency.

The agency said that the UAE Embassy in Khartoum was following with great concern the developments in Sudan and has reaffirmed the UAEs position on the importance of de-escalation, and working towards finding a peaceful solution to the crisis between the concerned parties.

France voiced deep concern at the outbreak of fighting in Sudan and called on warring military factions in Khartoum to do everything to stop the violence.

Only the return to an inclusive political process leading to the appointment of a transition government and general elections can settle this crisis for the long term, the foreign ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said France was available, with Sudans other partners, to facilitate an end to the crisis and promote a political solution.

Russias embassy in Sudan said it was concerned by an escalation of violence in the country and called for a ceasefire and negotiations, the state-owned Russian news agency RIA reported.

The embassy said the atmosphere in Khartoum was tense but Russian diplomats were safe.

Egypt expressed grave concern over the ongoing clashes in Sudan and called on all parties to exercise restraint, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Saudi government said it was deeply concerned over the escalation and heavy fighting in Sudan. It called on the warring factions to choose dialogue over conflict.

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The candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, won the 25 February presidential election in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, according to results uploaded on the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

Mr Obis haul of votes in the area implies he, and not Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the presidential election in Rivers, contrary to the declaration made by INEC.

The result for Obio/Akpor council area, as declared by INEC, portrayed Mr Tinubu as scoring 80, 239 votes, with Mr Obi garnering 3,829 votes.

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 368 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party got 161 votes, this newspaper had reported.

Mr Tinubu was later declared winner of the election. Atiku came second while Mr Obi came third.

But PREMIUM TIMES review of the results from various polling units of the 17 wards in Obio/Akpor LGA as uploaded on IReV revealed a sharp contrast with the result declared by INEC.

Methodology

Given that Mr Tinubu was declared winner in Obio/Akpor, this newspapers review focused on the results of the votes scored by the APC and LP in the area.

By our tally, the APC got 17, 158 votes while the LP amassed 73,311 votes.

Obio/Akpor Local Government Area has 1,211 polling units across its 17 wards.

PREMIUM TIMES could only review results from 1,116 polling units uploaded on the IReV as of 16 March, representing about 94.13 percent of the results from the council area.

However, results from some polling units were either blurred or improperly snapped and therefore illegible.

Results from about 95 polling units, representing about 5.87 per cent, were yet to be uploaded within the period under review.

There were no results in some polling units either because the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System malfunctioned or people did not come out to cast their votes, as observed at Ake Hostel UNIPORT Polling Unit in Choba Ward.

This newspaper computed the available and readable results from the 1,116 polling units uploaded so far on the IReV within the period of the review.

Other findings

In some polling units in Obio/Akpor, PREMIUM TIMES found that some results were altered in favour of the APC, with the original scores mutilated.

The result from Rumuorluoji Open Space II polling unit in Oro-Igwe Ward, for instance, showed that the APC originally scored 17 but the number, 2 was added to the figure to read 217.

For the LP, 227 was recorded, but the number 2 was erased and altered to read 027.

At the column meant for recording the scores in words, there were evidence of adjustments to suit the changed figures.

In Rumuokoro Ward, it was noticed that in 34 polling units, results earlier written for the LP were erased and the figures swapped with that of the APC.

PREMIUM TIMES, nevertheless, tallied the figures as published by INEC, despite the obvious evidence of adjustments and mutilations. In other words, the figures were tallied as they appeared on result sheets, even when there was evidence that such figures were tampered with.

In some cases, the results for the National Assembly elections were uploaded in some polling units instead of the presidential election results.

A result from the Civic Centre Hall Polling Unit in Rumuigbo Ward, for instance, showed that a result from the House of Representatives election was uploaded in place of that of the presidential election.

Results from Degema

PREMIUM TIMES also tallied results from Degema Local Government Area uploaded on the IReV, and the findings confirmed Mr Tinubu won in the council area, although the score was slightly lower than the one announced by INEC.

However, this newspaper could not tally the results from some polling units in the council area because they were illegible or not yet uploaded within the period under review.

Obi was leading initially

Mr Obi was leading Mr Tinubu with over 23,000 votes by the time INEC announced the presidential election results in 21 of the 23 local government areas in the state.

The LP candidate polled 169,414 votes at the time, while Mr Tinubu scored 148,979 votes.

Mr Obis largest votes at the time came from Port Harcourt City Local Government Area where he scored 62,451 votes, while Atiku scored 7,203 votes, followed by Mr Tinubu, who scored 5,562 votes. Kwankwaso scored 301.

Results were still being expected then from two remaining local government areas  Obio/Akpor, where the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, hails from, and Degema.

With the results from Obio/Akpor coming in, and with INEC announcing that Mr Tinubu scored 80, 239 votes against Mr Obis 3,829 votes, the APC candidate was now in the lead and was eventually declared the winner of the presidential election in Rivers State.

Atiku scored 368 votes in Obio/Akpor, while Mr Kwankwaso scored 161 votes.

In Degema Local Government Area, Mr Tinubu scored 2,375 votes, while Mr Obi scored 2,212 votes. Atiku scored 3,108 votes, while Mr Kwankwaso scored 44 votes.

Mr Tinubu polled 231,591 votes in Rivers State as against Mr Obis 175,071 votes, according to INEC.

Atiku scored 88,468, while Mr Kwankwaso clinched 1,322 votes.

The collation officer for the presidential election in Rivers had adjourned the collation of results at some point over alleged threat to his life by some supporters of a political party.

There were reports of attacks and suppression of voters in the state.

Background

Governor Wike, who is a member of the PDP, led other PDP governors to rebel against the national leadership of the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku, following disagreement over which of the north or the south should produce President Muhammadu Buharis successor.

The Rivers governor had contested and lost in the PDP presidential primary.

He then supported the APC candidate, Mr Tinubu in the presidential election, saying since Mr Buhari is from the north, the next president of Nigeria, for the sake of fairness, should come from the south.

Mr Obi, like Mr Tinubu, is from the south of Nigeria.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Abbas Faisal of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the supplementary election for Kudan House of Assembly seat in Kaduna State.

INEC Returning Officer, Dauda Aminu, declared the results in Hunkuyi on Sunday, saying that Mr Faisal scored 22,993 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nura Abdulkarim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 22,878 votes.

He added that Sulaiman Umar of the Labour Party (LP) scored 1,463 votes and Shehu Doka of the NNPP scored 1,058 votes.

Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Abbas Faisal of the APC is returned elected, he said. (NAN)

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Two candidates who seek to hold the third and fourth-highest offices in Nigeria are rumoured to be planning to bribe their fellow lawmakers with as much as $1 million each to get elected, officials have said.

Governors elected on the platform of Nigerias ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this rumour in a memo to the countrys newly elected president, Bola Tinubu.

The governors under the aegis of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) said they were aware of rumours that two lawmakers, one aspiring for Senate President and another for Speaker of the House of Representatives, have expressed willingness to offer between $500,000 and $1 million per lawmaker in exchange for votes.

Although they did not name the two candidates allegedly involved in the bribery scheme, they suggested the two candidates are members of the APC.

Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that PGF had in a memo called for the intervention of Mr Tinubu on the zoning of the principal offices of the federal parliament. The governors recommended a zoning formula for the offices.

According to the memo which is the outcome of a meeting held on 8 April, the governors warned Mr Tinubu that the over-investment by the aspirants may make zoning impossible if action is not taken quickly.

The governors noted that aspirants are offering newly elected lawmakers thousands of dollars for support, and some are willing to take the offer to a million dollars per vote.

It is imperative that the President-Elect and the Party wade into this situation and announce an acceptable zoning formula as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent over-investment by candidates, which leads to acrimony and bitterness. New Senators-elect and members-elect are being offered thousands of dollars.

Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken, the memo reads in part.

Composition of National Assembly

The ruling APC had after the 25 February election, emerged as the party with the majority in the 109-member Senate with its 57 elected senators.

However, it has yet to form a comfortable majority in the 360-member House of Representatives as it currently has about 162 members-elect.

Seven other parties with membership in the 10th session of the House have about 163 members-elect.

The numbers are expected to increase after the supplementary elections held across the country on Saturday. The elections were held in 31 federal constituencies and five senatorial districts.

Both chambers of the National Assembly will be inaugurated in June during which the presiding officers will be elected.

History of vote buying in Nigeria

Nigerias electoral process has been marred by vote buying as politicians offer money to voters in exchange for votes.

Party primaries in Nigeria are also marred by allegations of vote buying, particularly if only delegates are allowed to vote in such primaries.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how a Peoples Democratic Party delegate, Tanko Sabo, gave millions of Naira to some people in his local government after serving as a delegate at the primaries.

Mr Sabo told reporters in Kaduna that he made so much money because he was a delegate to the state assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries of his party.

A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, last year, also alleged that aspirants at the APC presidential primary in June 2022 offered money to delegates.

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The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, has declared Aisha Dahiru, popularly called Binani, as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Mr Ari made the declaration Sunday morning amidst chaos at the collation centre in Yola, the state capital, Daily Trust reports.

A video of Mr Ari announcing Binani the winner has since gone viral.

However, according to the electoral law, the announcement should have been made by the returning officer of the election, who is a different person, usually an academic appointed by INEC for that purpose.

Weve received reports of an illegal declaration of results by the @inecnigeria REC for #Adamawa in violation of S 64 & 65 Electoral Act 2022 & Part 3, INEC guidelines which vests the power to declare results solely on a Returning officer appointed by INEC, prominent election observation group, Yiaga Africa, wrote on Twitter.

We call on @inecnigeria to nullify the illegal declaration, suspend the REC for Adamawa state and take urgent actions to protect the integrity of the process.

Mr Ari had earlier adjourned the collation to 11 a.m. Sunday but announced the winner an hour before the scheduled time.

As of 1 a.m., before the adjournment, only results of relevant polling units in 10 out of 20 local governments had been announced with the PDP candidate, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, still in the lead, Daily Trust reported

Binani, the candidate of Nigerias ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) seeks to become the first woman to be elected state governor in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Adamawa APC suspends ward executives indefinitely for suspending SGF

PREMIUM TIMES reported the herculean task Binani faces after the main election as she trailed Mr Fintiri with over 30,000 votes, and needed about 90 per cent of the votes cast in the rerun election held Saturday. The rerun election was held in 69 polling units in the 20 local governments in the state, with less than 40,000 eligible voters.

More details later

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa, has ordered the immediate removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Okokomaiko Division over alleged extortion of members of the public by his operatives.

Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the removal in a statement he issued in Lagos on Saturday.

Mr Hundeyin stated that the DPO was removed for his lack of supervision of his operatives.

He added that Mr Owohunwa directed that disciplinary action be taken against the DPO and the operatives involved in the extortion.

He stated also that the DPO and the operatives had been summoned to the police headquarters in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the police operatives arrested a cell phone dealer, labelled him as a fraudster and forcefully collected N100,000 from him.

(NAN)

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Consignments of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Ecstasy (Designer drug) and Cannabis concealed in winter jackets and bottles of body cream have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

The psychoactive substances were recovered at the new terminal of the airport on Friday following the arrest of a passenger, Joshia Sunday, who was travelling on a Qatar Airline flight via Doha to Oman, Middle East.

A thorough search of the suspects two black bags, according to a statement released on Sunday by the agencys director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, led to the discovery of 4.80 kilograms of cannabis concealed in three winter jackets and various quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Ecstasy (Designer drug) hidden in bottles of body lotion.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect came into Nigeria from Oman on 7 April and was returning exactly a week after.

In the same vein, a Lekki Lagos-based businessman, Cyril Chidiebere, was on Friday arrested along with two of his freight agents: Mejabi Peter Sunday and Oyeyinka Babatunde over their involvement in the importation of twelve (12) parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.

The arrest and seizure followed a three-day intelligence-led operation.

Following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Mr Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos.

Both Messrs Mejabi and Chidiebere have made useful statements to confirm that the latter has been involved in dealing with illicit drugs in the past.

Meanwhile, a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams, have been arrested by NDLEA operatives in Agbede, Etsako West LGA, Edo State while over 14 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and swinol were recovered from them on Saturday 15 April.

Also, a 22-year-old HND 1 female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Isoyo Iveren Susan was on Saturday arrested opposite the 2nd Gate of the institution for dealing in illicit drugs.

Recovered from her include 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283 grams of cannabis. This is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, with 43.4kg cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state on Friday.

In Katsina State, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Saadu in Katsina metropolis on Sunday 9th April just as Muhamadu Yusuf was equally arrested the same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along Kano  Katsina road.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna on Thursday 13 April raided a clandestine laboratory where mist potassium citrate was being produced in a residential apartment at 16 Sabon Gari, Zaria. The owner of the lab, Christopher Agodi, was arrested and 102 cartons containing 2,448 bottles of the substance were recovered.

Another suspect, Salisu Abdullahi, 25, was arrested along Abuja-Kaduna road with 11.7kg cannabis concealed in two jerrycans, which he was moving from Port Harcourt to Kano just as operatives of the agency also on Saturday nabbed one Atiku Abubakar, 22, on the same road with 50 blocks of cannabis weighing 28kg while travelling from Lagos to Shinkafi in Zamfara State in a commercial bus.

Similarly, anti-narcotic officers acting on a tip-off, arrested two suspects: Aminu Saudi, 45 and Abdullahi Sani, 35, at Ogbese, Ondo state, with 11 jumbo bags containing 211kg of cannabis concealed in rice chaff. This was closely followed by the destruction of six hectares of cannabis farm in the Uso forest in the state on Thursday 13th April.

The statement noted that the agencys chairman/chief executive officer, Buba Marwa a retired brigadier general, has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Edo, Ogun, Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna and Ondo Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week.

Mr Marwa urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain focused and continue the current drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts simultaneously.

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Islamic State (IS) militants gunned down 32 truffle hunters in Syria's central Hama province on Sunday, according to a report from the pro-government al-Watan online newspaper, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The victims were collecting truffles in the Doizin area, located in a desert region to the east of Salamiyeh city in the countryside of Hama.

The bodies of 26 of the slain workers have been taken to the hospital, the report said.

The attack is the latest of a string of IS attacks against Syrian truffle hunters in desert regions. In February, 53 civilians were killed by IS militants while collecting truffles in the central province of Homs.
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A former Indian parliamentarian, Atiq Ahmed, and his brother were on Saturday shot dead on live TV while fielding questions from reporters in India.

The deceased was convicted of kidnapping and was under police escort when a gun was pulled close to his head in Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad, BBC reported.

Before his demise, he claimed there was a threat to his life by the police.

After the shots were fired on Saturday night, three men who had been posing as journalists quickly surrendered and were taken into custody.

The three suspected assailants had arrived at the site on motorcycles, the police said.

A policeman and a journalist were also injured at the scene.

The deceaseds teenage son was shot dead by police days earlier.

Several cases, including kidnapping, murder and extortion, were registered against Mr Ahmed over the past two decades. A local court sentenced him and two others to life in jail in March this year in a kidnapping case.

Video showed Mr Ahmed and his brother, Ashraf, both in handcuffs, speaking to journalists on the way to a medical check-up at a hospital seconds before they were both shot.

In the footage, shared widely on social media and TV channels, his last words were in response to whether he attended his sons funeral.

They did not take us, so we did not go, Mr Ahmed said.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial probe into the killings and banned large gatherings in the districts of Uttar Pradesh state to ensure peace.

Who was Atiq Ahmed?

He had a long stint both in politics and with the criminal world. He was first accused in a murder case in 1979. In the next 10 years, he emerged as a person who had a strong influence in the western part of Allahabad city.

He won his first election as an independent candidate and became a state lawmaker in 1989. He went on to win the seat for two consecutive terms and his fourth win came as a lawmaker from the regional Samajwadi Party (SP).

In 2004, he won a seat in the federal election as an SP candidate and became an MP. Meanwhile, cases continued to be filed against him in Allahabad and other parts of the state.

Ahmed contested a few more elections in the next decade but lost all of them. In 2019, Indias top court ordered that he should be moved to a jail in Gujarat state after it emerged that he planned attacks on a businessman from a prison in Uttar Pradesh where he was being held awaiting trial in another case.

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He was brought back to Prayagraj in March from Gujarat to appear in a local court as it announced his sentencing in a kidnapping case.

Mr Ahmed was also brought to the city to be questioned in other cases. His brother Ashraf, who was in jail in the Bareilly district, was also brought to the city to be questioned.

They were both being questioned in the February murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Raju Pal had defeated Ashraf in the 2004 assembly elections in Atiq Ahmeds political stronghold.

Umesh Pal was killed in February this year when several people fired at him.

Atiq Ahmeds teenage son Asad and a few others were named as the main suspects in Umesh Pals murder case. Asad and another man were killed by police earlier this week in what was described as a shootout.

Crime has reached its peak in UP

Last month Indias Supreme Court declined to hear Mr Ahmeds petition in which he alleged there was a threat to his life from the police.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by the Hindu-nationalist BJP, and opposition parties criticised the killings as a security lapse.

Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high, Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the opposition Samajwadi Party, tweeted in Hindi.

When someone can be killed in firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public? Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere, he added.

More than 180 people facing various charges have been killed by police in the state in the past six years.

Rights activists accuse the police of carrying out extra-judicial killings, which the states government denies.

The police usually call them encounters  many say these are really staged confrontations which almost invariably end with dead criminals and unscathed police.

Encounters carried out by police are  at least in part  a response to Indias slow and dysfunctional criminal justice system.

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The governments of Nigeria and Chad have condemned the ongoing fighting in Sudan.

In a Sunday meeting between the presidents of both countries in Saudi Arabia, Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari said the ongoing fight is unwelcome and unfortunate.

According to a statement signed by a presidents spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the duo reviewed the unfortunate situation and called on all neighbouring countries and the international community to prevail on the warring sides to stop fighting and negotiate.

Mr Buhari noted that Sudan deserved peace given all that it had gone through in the past.

He commended Chads Transitional President Idriss Deby-Itno for his efforts to see a calming down, and for them to live peacefully. But you have to keep trying.

Mr Deby-Itno in turn described the situation as worrisome.

Unfortunately, if not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighbouring countries, he said, adding that he has closed our borders to Sudan and reinforced Chads security.

Mr Deby-Itno noted that he has spoken to the leaders of both factions.

If everyone tries, it will calm down the situation. African leaders, especially the elders (President Buhari), Macky Sall (Senegal) and AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani (Comoros) need to step in. For two days, they have been killing themselves, the statement quoted Chads president as saying.

Situation in Sudan

PREMIUM TIMES reported how fighting erupted in Khartoum on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group leading to the death of at least 56 people and 595 others including combatants injured.

Sudans paramilitary chief Mohamed Dagalo claimed to have seized most of Khartoums (capital of Sudan) official sites after clashes erupted between his armed group and the countrys military.

The countrys military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disputed the formers claim saying the military continues to maintain control over government sites.

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At least three staff members of the World Food Programme (WFP) have been killed in the ongoing clash between the army and paramilitary forces in Sudan.

I am appalled and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday 15 April in violence in Kabkabiya, North Darfur while carrying out their life-saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a statement.

She added that two other employees were also injured in the same incident.

She noted that the families of the team members have been informed.

Ms McCain said that any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable demanding immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain.

Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFPs critical work, she said.

In another incident within the same period, one WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was also significantly damaged at Khartoum International Airport during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday, seriously impacting WFPs ability to move humanitarian workers and aid within the country.

She added that the food programme is now forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan while it reviews the evolving security situation.

READ ALSO:

WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners are not guaranteed, she added.

She urged all parties to come to an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan who remain a top priority.

About 16 million people, a third of Sudans population, need humanitarian aid.

Situation in Sudan

PREMIUM TIMES reported how fighting erupted in Khartoum on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group leading to the death of at least 56 people and 595 others including combatants injured.

Sudans paramilitary chief Mohamed Dagalo claimed to have seized most of Khartoums (capital of Sudan) official sites after clashes erupted between his armed group and the countrys military.

The countrys military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disputed the formers claim, saying the military continues to maintain control over government sites.

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The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhasan Doguwa, has been re-elected to represent the Doguwa/Tudunwada Federal Constituency of Kano.

His victory comes weeks after he was charged with murder by the police.

The police in Kano charged Mr Doguwa with murder for allegedly killing three people during the 25 February election.

The lawmaker was involved in a violent confrontation between members of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) that led to the killing of three people and the burning of a campaign office of the opposition party in the Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano.

The police said the lawmaker was arrested and charged alongside other accomplices.

The lawmaker was charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire, inciting disturbance, the police spokesperson Abdullahi Kiyawa, said.

His election was later declared inconclusive.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday declared him as the winner of the supplementary election for the Tudun-Wada,/Doguwa constituency.

READ ALSO: House majority leader Ado Doguwa remanded in prison for alleged murder

The INEC returning officer, Sani Ibrahim, a professor, said Mr Doguwa scored the highest number of votes cast, 41,573, to defeat his closest rival of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) Yushau Salisu, who got 34,831 votes.

The supplementary election was conducted in eight wards in Tudunwada local government.

Saturdays supplementary election was reportedly marred by voter suppression and intimidation.

Mr Doguwa will be representing the constituency for the fifth term and is believed to be eyeing the position of Speaker of the Parliament.

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Wide-spread violence has compelled INEC to cancel Saturdays Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency rerun election in Akwa Ibom.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Cyril Omorogbe, told journalists in Uyo that the rerun election in the area was abysmal.

He said the election was cancelled in all 17 polling units because of the snatching of electoral materials, including Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

The fact is that we had about four local government areas where we conducted elections and one major one was Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

We were there early enough and at about 8:30 a.m., polling units were opened. Couple of hours after we opened the polls, I received a call that BVAS machines were snatched.

Two hours after that I received another report that was not good. So, the election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has been cancelled.

They were fighting all through the local government area in the 17 polling units. I received a report from Collation Officers in the area that election did not hold.

In the 17 polling units, materials were either snatched or the process disrupted.

The Collation Officers have all returned and have written their reports. The result sheets they were supposed to fill are all here in Uyo. Apparently, there was no election, he said.

Mr Omorogbe expressed regret that the violence led to the shooting of one of the corps members on election duty in the leg.

He wondered why politicians would be so desperate in a federal constituency election to the extent of shooting an innocent corps member.

The corps member was shot; he is still in the hospital, he said.

Mr Omorogbe added that no untoward reports had been received in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency and that results from there would be declared.

He said INEC would decide the next line of action on the Ikono/Ini federal constituency after a meeting in Abuja.

(NAN)

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The electoral commission, INEC, has declared as null, void and of no effect, the declaration of Aisha Dahiru as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa.

INEC stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye.

The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Hudu Ari, Sunday morning, controversially declared Mrs Dahiru, popularly called Binani, the winner of the election.

But Mr Okoye said the RECs decision to announce Mrs Binani as the winner was a usurpation of powers.

According to the electoral law, the announcement should have been made by the returning officer of the election, who is a different person, usually an academic appointed by INEC for that purpose.

The commission ordered the suspension of the collation of results and summoned both the REC and the Returning Officer to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended, Mr Okoye added.

The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commissions Headquarters in Abuja immediately.

Mrs Binani of the APC and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP are the two main contestants in the election with Mr Fintiri leading before Saturdays supplementary election in 69 polling units.

Before Saturdays supplementary elections, Mr Fintiri led Mrs Binani with over 30,000 votes.

The rerun election was held in 69 polling units in the 20 local governments in the state, with less than 40,000 eligible voters.

Therefore, to win the election, Ms Binani needed a huge turnout of voters and needed to win about 90 per cent of the votes cast in Saturdays supplementary election.

Observer groups react

Meanwhile, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and YIAGA Africa have condemned the action of the Adamawa REC.

The observer groups, in separate statements, called on the electoral commission to continue collation and sanction all erring officers.

It is important that laid down processes are adhered to avoid a breakdown of law and order in a heightened political environment. CDD will release a statement on the conduct of the elections later today, CDD said in a statement on its Twitter handle.

YIAGA Africa also said:  We call on @inecnigeria to nullify the illegal declaration, suspend the REC for Adamawa state and take urgent actions to protect the integrity of the process.

However, the APC is already celebrating the illegally announced result. The party, on its Twitter page, congratulated Mrs Binani.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, also posted a congratulatory message on his Twitter handle.

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It was a beautiful Saturday in Chika, a suburb community in Nigerias capital city, Abuja, as women and young girls trooped out to participate in the skills acquisition programme organised by Good Deeds Day, a non-governmental organisation.

The programme brought together professionals in soap making and other cleaning products; cooking and baking, to empower women in the community and ensure they contribute positively to society.

Speaking at the event, the NGOs team lead in Abuja, Benjamin Ibhazukor, said the programme was organised to empower young persons in the community.

Essence of initiative

Mr Ibhazukor said the aim is to give the participants a new phase of life, to be useful to themselves and society.

We are aware of the unemployment rate in the country so it is important for one to have skills as means of providing for their families. This motivated us at Good Deed to organise this acquisition programme to empower people, especially young women in the Chika community, he said.

He noted that the theme of this years outreach, Think Good and Speak Good is to help young women think beyond their reach and speak well.

The holy book says I will bless the works of your hands, so for our hands to be blessed, we should know how to use our hands to carry out work that will yield profit, he said.

He also said the organisation chose the Chika community following its assessment which shows that there are more women interested in acquiring new skills within the community.

Welcoming development

A participant, Rabiat Audu, said the programme is a welcome development to the community which, according to her, has lots of women willing to acquire new skills.

Ms Audu said: This is a great opportunity for me and other women to learn how to make different types of snacks, cooking, soap making and others.

Another participant, Joy Adegoke, said she was excited to be a part of the programme.

ALSO READ: FIST Africa empowers women with small business grants

This is a thumbs up to the organiser of the programme and I encourage them to keep up the good work, she said.

Sharing knowledge

Anna Joseph, a caterer and one of the trainers, said she is motivated to teach people new skills to make their lives better and easier.

Ms Joseph said many women are interested in making their snacks at home but dont know how to do it. When I learnt my skill, I paid for it but I am giving back my knowledge free of charge to these women as a way of spreading Good Deeds, she said.

Susan Ojeamiren, also a trainer, said the aim of the outreach was to contribute positively to peoples lives by teaching them various skills and means of survival.

We are in this community to train women who are interested in acquiring new skills and also improve their already existing skills, she said.

Adeola Otubusin, a representative of the Dental Experience, said she was on hand to talk about oral health with the people of the community.

Ms Otubusin said oral health has been neglected by many, hence the need to sensitise them on the importance of taking care of their health.

People need to know that they dont need to have pain before visiting dentists. Some oral health diseases may come as silent killers and people dont visit dentists until its so bad so we will give them precautions on what they can do and how to maintain good oral hygiene, she said.

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Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), celebrated the illegal declaration of its Adamawa State governorship candidate, Aisha Dahiru, as governor-elect.

The APC on Sunday used its verified Twitter account to post a congratulatory message to Mrs Dahiru, popularly called Binani, who was illegally declared as the winner of the governorship election, even though the collation process was still ongoing.

Breaking: @inecnigeria has declared Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.

Binani is the first elected female Governor in Nigeria, the tweet reads.

Aside from the party, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also celebrated the illegality.

Just woke up in the US to this wonderful news. I am screaming my head off here! This is such a glass-shattering watershed for the women of Nigeria! Huge congratulations to my sister, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Binani). At a point in the struggle we were speaking like a dozen times a day on phone!

Special thanks to all those who worked so hard for this; special thanks to the good people of Adamawa State for smashing this hoodoo of gender bias; special thanks to the APC for making this possible; special thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing such sterling leadership; special thanks to Nigerians for your support and prayers! Now, for the women of Nigeria, please go ye forth and conquer! Mr Keyamo, an APC presidential camapaign spokesperson wrote.

However, the electoral body, INEC, has declared the results as illegal because the wrong official announced the results and declared the winner.

INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, Festus Okoye, described its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Yunusa Ari, as a usurper for declaring the result. The commission also called for the suspension of the process.

The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended, the commission wrote.

Background

The Adamawa State governorship election of 18 March was declared inconclusive by INEC. The commission, thus, ordered a supplementary election in 69 polling units in the 20 local governments in the state. The eligible voters in the polling unit are less than 40,000.

Incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was leading Mrs Binani by over 30,000 votes before the election was declared inconclusive.

Mrs Binani thus needed an almost 100 per cent turnout of voters and about 90 per cent votes for her in the 69 units to emerge the winner.

The supplementary election was held on Saturday and collation was ongoing before Mr Ari declared Mrs Binani the winner.

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The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state, Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, delivered an acceptance speech shortly after she was illegally declared the governor-elect of the state by the resident electoral commissioner (REC).

This follows Saturdays supplementary election held in the state.

Mrs Dahiru was hoping to upstage the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored more votes during the substantive election on 18 March.

According to Nigerias electoral law, the REC, Hudu Ari, has no power to announce the winner of the election. That responsibility solely lies with the state collation officer appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that results from the remaining local government had not been received by the INEC when the REC announced Mrs Dahiru as the winner.

In a short acceptance speech watched by PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Dahiru thanked the people of the state for electing her.

She said her election as the first female governor in the country would encourage other women to participate actively in politics.

Youve made history in electing the first female governor in our dear country, Nigeria. This will no doubt broaden political participation by encouraging our daughters, sisters, aunties, mothers and indeed the girl child., she said in the 21 seconds clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES and broadcasted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

INEC disagrees

However, a statement released by INEC and signed by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the declaration is null and void.

The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commissions Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly, Mr Okoye said.

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The Committee to Protect Journalists, a non-profit organisation that focuses on promoting press freedom worldwide, has condemned the trial and conviction of two Nigerian journalists for defamation.

In a statement dated 14 April, the CPJ said the two Nigerian journalists  Gidado Shuaib and Alfred Olufemi  should never have been charged, let alone convicted, for publishing an investigative report about a factory.

It said their conviction sends a chilling message to the Nigerian press and highlights the urgent need for authorities to reform the countrys laws and ensure journalism is not criminalised.

A magistrates court in Ilorin, Kwara State, on 7 February, convicted the journalists for publishing a defamatory article against Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

In the contested publication published by an online platform, News Digest, the article said Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited, a firm located at Kilometre 4, Ajase-Ipo along Offa Road, Amberi Village, Kwara State, allowed its staff members to smoke Indian hemp freely.

A.S Muhammad, the trial magistrate, said in the verdict that the defendants had a common intention in publishing the damaging article and must have intended the natural consequences.

Mr Muhammad further ruled that the elements of defamation have been established by the prosecution.

The magistrate sentenced the journalists to two months imprisonment with an option of N40,000 fine on one of the two counts preferred against them  the offence of conspiracy.

He sentenced each of them to a fine of N60,000 on the count of defamation or three months imprisonment in default of payment.

The magistrate clarified that each of the convicts is to pay a fine of N100,000 only for the offences of conspiracy and defamation respectively, having been convicted.

The journalists have since paid the fine.

CPJ condemned the court decision following the PREMIUM TIMES publication earlier in April.

Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, from New York, quoted in the organisations statement also condemned the method of bringing the journalists to custody.

The CPJ recalled that before the charges were filed, police leveraged their access to call data and briefly detained a News Digest web developer and at least two other journalists in their efforts to locate the journalists.

The telecom surveillance used to bring the journalists into custody, followed by a more than three-year-long trial, demonstrates the lengths Nigerian authorities will go to arrest and prosecute the press, Ms Quintal said.

CPJ noted two ongoing suits instituted against the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2017 and 2018 over regulations granting warrantless access to telecom subscribers information.

Journalists fault court decision

Meanwhile, the journalists have faulted the court decision and vowed to appeal against the judgement to have it overturned.

Their lawyer, Ibraheem Gambari, in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES, expressed his clients confidence in the merit of the appeal.

The defence lawyer pointed out that the judgement was erroneously based on the police (a report that) had already found them (the two journalists) culpable long before they were invited to state their own side of the story.

Contrary to the courts findings, Mr Gambari argued that a former employee of Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited, testified before the court that he was not only a witness to how smoking of Indian hemp pervaded the site but equally, it was the persistent smoking of the Indian hemp that informed his decision to sever his employment with the company.

We strongly believe that justice will be achieved at appeal so that patriotic youthful elements in the society like our clients will not be discouraged from embarking on their respective altruistic endeavours, Mr Gambari said.

A former worker at the company, Adepoju Adedotun, testified in defence of the defendants, confirming that many labourers usually took Indian hemp on site to be able to do the strenuous work they were engaged for.

Mr Adedotun, who said he was engaged as a casual worker, told the court that he had to quit the job because he could not smoke Indian hemp which he said the job required. He said he also left the company because he wanted to pursue his academic aspirations.

During cross-examination by the prosecution, he confirmed that he did not report the smoking of Indian hemp at the company to any law enforcement agency.

The magistrate rejected his testimony and chose to believe the police which claimed it investigated and found out that Indian hemp smoking never took place at the company.

Reacting to the judgement, Mr Olufemi similarly expressed bewilderment that the magistrate ignored vital evidence that exonerated him and his colleague.

He lamented that the outcome of the trial was depressing, owing to the overwhelming evidence by a former employee of Hillcrest who boldly testified against the company before the court. It takes courage to come forward to do that.

Mr Olufemi, a multiple award-winning journalist, expressed concerns over the implication of the judgement on press freedom in Nigeria.

He said the decision would undermine accountability journalism in Nigeria, adding that it would embolden powerful people in public institutions as well as big corporations to break the law.

Background

In the publication complained about by the company, Mr Olufemi wrote that Hillcrest factory, a rice milling company, was permitting its workers to smoke Indian hemp and tobacco on duty.

The company said a key consequence of the defamatory article came when a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based company, Aras Group LLC, withdrew a loan facility it was about to issue to Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

The prosecutions first witness had told the court that the Aras Group LLC drew Hillcrests attention to the damaging article, saying they would not deal with (a) company that is involved in illicit drugs activities.

It was the loss of the loan facility from the Aras Group that triggered the defamation suit against the journalists.

The Hillcrest management filed a petition at the Kwara State Police Command, demanding an investigation into the allegations.

On 12 November 2019, Messrs Shuaib and Olufemi were arraigned on charges of conspiracy and defamation. The offences, the prosecution said, breached sections 97 and 392 of the Penal Code Law.

In proving its case, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered eight exhibits.

At the close of the prosecutions case, on 5 April 2022, the defendants filed a no-case submission, urging the court to dismiss the case against them on the grounds that the prosecution failed to lead any incriminating evidence against them.

In its ruling, however, the court dismissed the defendants no-case submission, affirming that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them.

The court then ordered the defendants to enter their defence.

Defence

The defendants jointly called only one witness, Adepoju Adedotun, and tendered six exhibits in a bid to extricate themselves from the case.

The two journalists insisted in their separate written statements to the police that their report was balanced and fair. They pleaded justification by insisting that their article was substantially true, and qualified privilege in that their reportage was done in the public interest.

Mr Olufemi said he worked as an undercover labourer at the factory for four days when he confirmed that casual workers are not stopped from smoking Indian hemp. To achieve a balanced reportage, Mr Olufemi said he called the companys hotline and a masculine voice confirmed the allegation when confronted with facts.

In arguing their case in their final written address, their lawyer argued that the Nigerian Supreme Court had decriminalised defamation.

They submitted two issues in their final written address before the court. The two issues were whether the prosecution had proven the offences as charged against the defendants and whether the defendants were not covered by the defence of justification and privilege.

Citing section 39 of the constitution, the defendants contended that the criminalisation of defamation was improper and antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression.

But the magistrate, in his verdict, held that the defendants arguments were clear attempts to distort or arm-twist the facts and decisions of the Supreme Court.

He also rejected the journalists defence of justification and qualified privilege.

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Three employees of the UN World Food Program (WFP) have been killed in clashes between the Sudanese army and the rapid support forces, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes said in a statement on Sunday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"Three employees from the World Food Programme (WFP) were killed in clashes that erupted in Kabkabiya, North Darfur on 15 April while carrying out their duties," says the statement posted on the missions website.

"I also am extremely appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises, as well as reports of looting of UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur. These recurring acts of violence disrupt the delivery of life-saving assistance and must end," he stressed and called on all the parties to the conflict to " to respect their international obligations, including to ensure the safety and security of UN and all humanitarian personnel and respect the integrity of premises and assets."
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Those who wonder how these killings have lasted and deepened in intensity for as long as they have need not worry anymore. With a law without enforcers and a state rapidly turning into a cemetery, Benues Governor Ortom probably knows one or two things most others may be unable to voice. First, the owners of the atrocity killings in Nigeria are back after the business of election rigging. Second, it is not difficult to know who they are.

Mbabai, the village where Tarnongo Mike Utsaha was buried on 1 April used to be part of the municipality of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. It only became part of Guma Local Government Area in Benue North-West in 1987. The current governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, also comes from Guma.

The LGA derives its name from River Guma, which empties into the River Benue, part of a network of fresh water sources that have historically defined that part of Nigeria as the nations food basket. With arable land drained by an abundance of freshwater sources on the foothills of the rainy season, this is a neighbourhood that should ordinarily bustle at this time of year.

The journey into Guma with Mikes remains revealed the opposite. Mbabai and its neighbouring villages had long been drained of life by mass atrocity. Mourners to the funeral needed the forceful presence of massive deployment of hundreds of well-armed soldiers along the route and in surrounding bushes to reassure them of their safety.

The compound in which the burial itself took place was nearly desolate. A capacious country home belonging to Mikes dad, a retired judge, had been burnt twice over in attacks reportedly perpetrated, the villagers said, by armed herders. All the mourners could do was linger in the village long enough for the body to be laid into the ground before everyone scampered, grateful that there were no atrocity incidents.

As the mourners left, it was impossible not to ask how the people of Guma, nearly all of who cannot afford what it takes to secure the kind of martial deployment that accompanied Mikes cortege, bury their dead. It did not take long to find out.

Mgban is a village also in Guma, not too far from Mbabai. Like Mbabai, Mgban has also been decimated by regular attacks from armed herders. Most of the village lives in internal displacement. By an arrangement involving the state government and the Benue State Emergency Management Authority, the Benue State Police Command deployed several police officers every evening to guard the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School in Mgban, so that those left in the community can go there to sleep at night.

That was until one week after the burial of Mike Utsaha. Shortly before midnight around Good Friday, according to survivors, the police officers deployed around the LGEA Primary School in Mgban all entered their vehicles and left the premises without warning. The villagers already at the school to pass the night had no place else to hide.

President Muhammadu Buhari, whose primary job is to guarantee the safety and security of all these people, had a statement issued in his name calling for an end to extreme violence. It was disconcerting to see the president mistake himself for a non-governmental organisation and reduced to condemning violence and calling for something to be done about it, as if he had forgotten that it was his place surely to do that something.

Moments after the police retreated, armed attackers arrived, making game of every person in sight, mostly the aged, women, and children. Initial casualty count was over 43 killed by sunrise. By the end of the morning after the massacre, another 45 had also been evacuated to nearby hospitals in critical conditions. The dead received a quick and perfunctory mass burial.

Less than 36 hours before the Mgban Massacre, on Wednesday, also in the Christian Holy Week, another attack on mourners in Umogidi in Entekpa-Adoka District of Otukpo LGA reportedly killed at least 52 persons. Another mass burial was all that they could get.

48 hours before the massacre in Umogidi, a similar attack liquidated at least 47 un-armed persons in Ikobi village in Apa LGA, including the local chief.

Amidst this orgy of massacres, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who has since lost the ability to safely visit his village in Guma, traveled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, around 6 April, reportedly to attend the commissioning of projects by his counterpart in Kaduna State, Nasi El-Rufai, both of them as guests of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. It was a characteristically thoughtless journey by a man who had long ago lost any sense of what a governor exists to do.

The symbolism of the encounter in Rivers State between the governors of Benue and Kaduna States, once implacable political foes, was not lost on many. In Port Harcourt, they could have been mistaken for a compatibly contented political pairing. Less than two years ago, in May 2021, they were at each others throats exchanging choice epithets with the abandon of drunken sailors in a bar-room brawl.

Between them, these two men have presided over arguably two of the worst records of mass atrocity in Nigeria in the past eight years. In 80 days in the first quarter of 2023, Kaduna State reported at least 125 killed and 60 abducted. Those who specialise in tracking these incidents would swear that these numbers massage the reality. Over five days in the first week of April 2023, Benue State lost at least 134 persons in a killing spree. In the period since the end of the presidential election in February, over 400 have reportedly been massacred in Benue State alone.

The timing of these massacres is significant. On 8 April, Daily Times reported that [p]alpable fear pervades the entire horizon as renewed incidents of banditry, kidnappings, killings take centre-stage after a cease-fire noticed in Nigeria ahead of the general elections in February and March.

three days after issuing this statement, entirely in keeping with his habit of disregard for Nigerians over the past eight years, the president sauntered off to Saudi Arabia on 11 April for a nine-day long jaunt. What he went there to do was unclear, a fact not much helped by the desperate effort by his team of media handlers who were busy spreading false information about the trip.

The previous day had witnessed the high profile abduction of law professor and former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State near the Federal Capital Territory, Onje Gye-Wado. The newspaper also recounted a staggering rise after the vote, of mass abductions of children, as well as massacres in many states around the country, including Benue, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Lagos, Zamfara, among others.

Confronted with this trend, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose primary job is to guarantee the safety and security of all these people, had a statement issued in his name calling for an end to extreme violence. It was disconcerting to see the president mistake himself for a non-governmental organisation and reduced to condemning violence and calling for something to be done about it, as if he had forgotten that it was his place surely to do that something. The statement also seemed to imply that violence was alright if it was not considered extreme, but provided no criteria with reference to which to determine what extreme violence means. It was a very odd kind of thing for a president to say. But this Nigerian president has built his brand around toxic awkwardness.

Then, three days after issuing this statement, entirely in keeping with his habit of disregard for Nigerians over the past eight years, the president sauntered off to Saudi Arabia on 11 April for a nine-day long jaunt. What he went there to do was unclear, a fact not much helped by the desperate effort by his team of media handlers who were busy spreading false information about the trip.

While Buhari remained in Saudi Arabia, Samuel Ortom quickly announced the demobilisation of the Benue State Livestock Guards, the militia group established to enforce the states anti-open grazing law. Many people read this to mean a suspension of the law itself. The governor begged to differ, claiming that the law still remained very much in force, without explaining who will now help him to enforce it.

Those who wonder how these killings have lasted and deepened in intensity for as long as they have need not worry anymore. With a law without enforcers and a state rapidly turning into a cemetery, Benues Governor Ortom probably knows one or two things most others may be unable to voice. First, the owners of the atrocity killings in Nigeria are back after the business of election rigging. Second, it is not difficult to know who they are.

When Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, spoke in his Easter Message about the urgent mission of helping Nigeria recover from the feeling of collective rape by those who imported the men of darkness that destroyed or country, he knew what he was talking about.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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The governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have recommended a zoning formula for the choice of the presiding and principal officers of the 10th session of the National Assembly for the consideration of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The governors under the aegis of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) recommended the zoning of the Senate President to either the South-east or the South-south regions and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to either the North-west or the North-central regions.

They also proposed that the positions of Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip of both should be used as compensation for those that may be asked to step down from running for the four presiding officers positions.

According to a memo obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, the governors reached the decisions at a meeting held on 8 April.

The President-Elect, Vice President-Elect, and the National Working Committee of the APC need to meet urgently with the PGF and APC Caucuses of the National Assembly under the auspices of National Caucus and NEC to debate and adopt a zoning formula for the leadership of the two Houses.

The PGF met in plenary and proposes the following as basis for consideration of the President-Elect and the Party:

a. Senate President  South-East or South-South or North-Central

b. Deputy Senate President  North-Central or North-West

c. Speaker of the House  North-Central or North-West

d. Deputy Speaker of the House  South-East or South-South

Other principal officer positions may be offered by the Party to compensate those that may be required to withdraw from the races or step down include:

a. Majority Leader

b. Deputy Majority Leader

c. Chief Whip, and

d. Deputy Chief Whip

Above for your consideration and expedited action please, the memo said.

The governors agreed to forward the memo, signed by the PGF Chairman and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, to Mr Tinubu for expedited action.

However, it is not clear if the memo has been sent to the president-elect who is currently in Europe.

APC Composition in NASS

The ruling APC had after the 25 February election, emerged as the party with the majority in the 109-member Senate with its 57 elected senators.

However, it has yet to form a comfortable majority in the 360-member House of Representatives as it currently has 162 members-elect.

Seven other parties with membership in the 10th session of the House have about 163 members-elect.

The numbers are expected to increase after the supplementary elections held across the country on Saturday. The elections were held in 31 federal constituencies and five senatorial Districts.

Both chambers of the National Assembly will be inaugurated in June during which the presiding officers will be elected.

Current zoning formula

In the current ninth National Assembly which has APC members in the majority, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, a Muslim, is from the North-east while his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, a Christian, hails from the South-south zone.

In the lower chamber, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, a Muslim, comes from the South-west zone while the deputy speaker is from the North-central region.

Mr Gbajabiamila hails from the same zone as the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The principal officers of both chambers come from different zones.

The surge of aspirants

PREMIUM TIMES reported that about 10 aspirants have signified interest to be the Speaker of the House. They include Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), Muktar Betara (APC, Borno), Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Tunji Olawuyi (APC, Kwara) and Abubakar Makki (APC, Jigawa).

Others are Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo) Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna), and Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara).

Jibrin Barau (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Governor Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Orji Kalu (Abia), Osita Izunanso (Imo), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), Sani Musa (Niger) are currently jostling for the Senate Presidency.

The report also explored how the same faith presidential ticket of the APC will affect the distribution of the National Assembly offices.

The governors full recommendations

As a course of action, the APC governors are proposing a meeting between Mr Tinubu, Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, the APC governors, the National Working Committee of the party and the National Assembly caucuses to debate and adopt a zoning formula for the leadership of the two Houses.

They also proposed that other principal offices such as the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, and Deputy Chief Whip should be used as compensation for those that may be asked to step down.

To make the arrangement work, the governors proposed that candidates from the South-west and North-east must be discouraged from running for any of the four principal offices since Messrs Tinubu and Shettima are from the two regions.

Monetisation of the process

The state chief executives noted that some aspirants for the positions are willing to offer as much as $1 million for a single vote.

They specifically expressed concerns that if the president-elect and the party fail to give direction, it may be too late to stop the aspirants.

It is imperative that the President-Elect and the Party wade into this situation and announce an acceptable zoning formula as soon as possible. This is necessary to prevent over-investment by candidates, which leads to acrimony and bitterness. New Senators-elect and members-elect are being offered thousands of dollars.

Indeed, it is being rumoured that one aspirant for the Senate Presidency and another for Speakership are willing to offer as much as $500,000 to $1 million per vote. Opposition party members of the National Assembly are being courted with the likelihood of the 2015 situation presenting itself if care is not taken, the memo reads in part.

Need for strategic calculations

Although the governors warned the lawmakers from using religion to campaign for the positions, they, however, conceded that the Senate President should be a Christian from the South-east, South-south or North-central parts of Nigeria.

They also expressed concerns about the status of the APC in the House of Representatives because of the slim majority the party may have

Due to our expected slim majorities, candidate risk analysis and management of unreasonable ambitions must be carefully undertaken by the President-Elect and the APC national leadership to avoid the recurrence of the 2015 Saraki/Dogara debacle, more so in the case of the House of Representatives, they stated.

The governors also listed six factors the party and Mr Tinubu must put into consideration in the zoning formula.

The factors include: Electoral contribution towards Asiwajus victory in February 2023. Current number of APC Governors elected/re-elected in 2023. Positive prospects of expanded APC footprint by 2027.

The others are: Prioritize creating a sense of belonging to electorally excluded parts of the country. Reward inclusive politics and signal adequate deterrence for exclusionary electoral conduct.

Regional analysis

The South-east geopolitical zone did not get a favourable review from the governors.

They stated that the zone contributed the least to Asiwajus victory, consistently exhibited the most exclusionary electoral conduct since the advent of the Fourth Republic, and yet also feels entitled to the Senate Presidency.

They also stated the prospect of maintaining the two states it controls in the South-east is somewhat uncertain.

It is not clear why the governors expressed fear over Ebonyi and Imo states, the two states governed by the APC in the South-east. In the former, the party won the governorship election, and the governorship election in Imo State is not until November.

The governors appear to be more disposed to the South-south region. They noted that the prospects of the APC expanding its footprint in Edo and Bayelsa States are quite high.

Off-cycle governorship elections hold in Bayelsa in November and in Edo in 2024.

Governors rule out Oshiomhole, Umahi

However, two prospective candidates for the Senate Presidency, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Adams Oshiomhole, senator-elect for Edo North were ruled out due to the rules of the National Assembly on ranking.

Rules of both chambers of the National Assembly require that only ranking members can aspire to the top four elective vacancies. This provision effectively disqualifies former Governors Umahi and Oshiomhole from contesting the positions, they stated.

On the North-west, the governors said with President Muhammadu Buhari leaving office, the region has a sense of loss and exclusion from the top two positions and therefore feels entitled to the Senate Presidency.

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The Kaduna State Government has confirmed yet another attack by gunmen in Runji village of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

The government said several people were killed in the Saturday attack.

The confirmation was issued Sunday morning by Samuel Aruwan  the states commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

Mr Aruwan said the military informed the Kaduna State Government of the attack.

He, however, said details of the exact casualties will be provided later in a subsequent briefing as security operatives are still at the scene of the attack.

The preliminary report further informed the government that the attack also left some residents injured and an unspecified number of houses burnt down in the community.

According to the report, troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area.

While waiting for a detailed report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai who received the preliminary report in the early hours of Sunday has condemned the killings as unacceptable and unjustifiable.

The Governor condoled the families that lost their loved ones and prayed for the repose of the victims souls. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The Kaduna State Government will update the public on the incident as soon as detailed reports are received from the security agencies.

Saturdays attack was the second in a week in the local government. PREMIUM TIMES reported how eight people were killed in Zangon Kataf last week.

The President of Atyap Community Development Association, a community-based organization in the area, Sam Timbuwak, said the initial killings occurred on Thursday at the AtakNjei community.

He said the gunmen invaded the community from a nearby bush and began a shooting spree, killing eight people in the process.

Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna is one of the areas being terrorised by non-state actors.

Thousands of people have been killed or kidnapped in Kaduna in recent years by various armed groups. The killings have continued despite the efforts of security forces.

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The Chocolate Crunch Cold Brew will be available for a limited time only

GRANTS PASS, Ore., April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dutch Bros is kicking off National Cold Brew Day with a new drink that will make celebrating a lot tastier! The Chocolate Crunch Cold Brew is a triple chocolate delight and will be available at all 700+ Dutch Bros locations beginning April 20.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9092653-dutch-bros-launches-chocolate-crunch-cold-brew-for-national-cold-brew-day/

Dutch Bros launches new drink for National Cold Brew Day!

The Chocolate Crunch Cold Brew features Dutch Bros' Cold Brew, dark chocolate sauce, chocolate macadamia nut flavor and chocolate milk topped with Soft Top and cookie crumbles! It can be served with regular or nitro-infused cold brew.

This is the first time ever that customers have the option to add delicious cookie crumbles to their DB drinks! In addition to this oh soooo chocolatey treat, on April 20 only, all shops will have a special drop of an exclusive sticker available with any cold brew purchase.

"We're so excited to launch our new Chocolate Crunch Cold Brew for National Cold Brew Day! We love surprising our customers with new and fun drinks." said Charles Swindler, senior vice president of brand at Dutch Bros.

The Chocolate Crunch Cold Brew will be available until April 30 or while supplies last. So get it while you can and celebrate National Cold Brew Day the right way!

About Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros Coffee is a drive-thru coffee company dedicated to making a massive difference one cup at a time. Headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, where it was founded in 1992 by Dane and Travis Boersma, it's now sharing the "Dutch Luv" with more than 700 locations in 14 states. Dutch Bros serves specialty coffee, smoothies, freezes, teas, an exclusive Dutch Bros Rebel energy drink and nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee. Its rich, proprietary coffee blend is handcrafted from start to finish.

In addition to its mission of speed, quality and service, Dutch Bros is committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through its Dutch Bros Foundation and local operators and franchisees, the company donates several million dollars to causes across the country each year.

To learn more about Dutch Bros, visit www.dutchbros.com , follow Dutch Bros Coffee on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , & TikTok , and download the Dutch Bros app to earn points and score rewards!

SOURCE Dutch Bros Coffee
IRVINE, Calif., April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Clarksville Tennessee businessman recently pled guilty to a single count of tax evasion and faces a sentence that could potentially include five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. According to allegations, the defendant underreported cash salaries paid to employees and misclassified employees as independent contractors.

Why you should use an Attorney to represent you in an audit

Cash payments and misclassified employees are two key issues that the IRS and most state taxing authorities want to know more about every year. If your returns feature either of these red flags, it is substantially more likely that you may find yourself or your business the target of a government audit. Moreover, paying employees or subcontractors in cash that does not ultimately get reported on a W2 or a 1099 can be considered aiding and abetting income tax evasion by itself because employees and subcontractors are not likely to report income that is not documented by a W2 or a 1099.

For concerns about impending or possible future audits or criminal tax investigations based on cash payroll or employee misclassification issues, you would be wise to contact the Dual Licensed Tax Attorneys and CPAs at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing. Reach out to us as soon as possible at (800) 681-1295.

Owner of Call It Pho and Venus Nails Spa Faces up to Five Years in Prison, $250k Fine

Recently, a Tennessee business owner entered a guilty plea on tax evasion charges in federal court. He owned multiple businesses on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, admitted to concealing wage payments to employees of the businesses, culminating in a total tax loss of over $428,000.

He was the owner of Call It Pho restaurant and Venus Nails Spa, where he allegedly avoided paying employer's taxes by using several underhanded reporting tactics. According to court documents, he would fail to issue W-2 forms to employees, instead offering payments in cash, personal checks, or a combination of the two.

He would also disguise wages by classifying them as nonemployee compensation. To do this, he would issue 1099 forms meant for independent contractors to employees. In doing so, he would represent employees of Call It Pho as though they actually worked for Venus Nails Spa, and vice versa.

During the tax years of 2017, 2018, and 2019, he paid Venus Nails Spa employees at least $946,716.24 in cash, which he did not report on the 1099 forms that he issued to them. This caused his employees to file false tax returns that did not report all their income, which resulted in a tax loss of approximately $315,856. In addition, he willfully failed to withhold and pay over to the IRS approximately $78,667 in employment taxes and federal income taxes from his employees' paychecks at Call It Pho.

Nguyen was officially charged on March 3 with multiple counts but would ultimately plead down to just one count of tax evasion as part of a plea agreement. Nguyen faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine upon sentencing, which is scheduled to occur on September 23, 2022. As part of the plea deal, Nguyen has agreed to pay immediate restitution to the IRS of $428,620.12.

The IRS is Looking for Red Flags in Your Returns

The Nguyen case is a prime example of two of the major red flags that will catch the eye of the IRS or a State taxing authority on a tax return: running a cash payroll and overuse of 1099s. Below are some of the issues with these red flags and how you can look to resolve them today.

Paying Employees in Cash

Small businesses that deal primarily in cash are some of the most frequent targets for IRS audits and investigation. This is not because there is anything inherently wrong with paying employees in cash. However, in the eyes of the IRS, these are typically the situations that are most ripe for tax filing mistakes and willful abuse.

If you own or operate a business that does a substantial amount of your payroll in cash, it is imperative that you have a dedicated Dual Licensed Tax Attorney and CPA on your side. Even if you remain fully compliant at all times, the IRS will likely show up at your door ready to seek out any inconsistencies. If you do have some inconsistencies in your past filings due to the complicated nature of your business' revenue and payroll operations, you can act now to rectify these mistakes with the help of your Tax Attorney to reduce or avoid any potential penalties you could face were the government to discover them first.

Using 1099s Instead of W-2s

As business models become more unique and creative, so too do the definitions of employment. Key to any small business is a thorough understanding of the differences between a traditional employee and an independent contractor. California has all but regulated subcontractors out of existence in most industries.

Many business owners mistakenly believe that they can simply choose which classification works for them, which provides tax and insurance coverage savings for the company. It may be true that your business requires the services of many independent contractors relative to traditional employees. However, you should also know that this may provoke the suspicions of the IRS.

Proper classification of an individual as either an employee or an independent contractor needs to answer to a number of determining factors. An independent contractor will typically do business with multiple other entities and come into a particular task with their own knowledge or expertise, requiring no training. Independent contractors are only responsible for completing the tasks in their contract, otherwise known as a Scope of Work (SOW). To that end, independent contractors typically work their own hours, set billing rates, and submit invoices for services, rather than simply receiving a salary.

If you are not sure how to classify an employee or independent contractor or believe that you may have misclassified an employee in the past, we recommend that you reach out to one of our Dual Licensed Tax Attorneys and CPAs to get specified analysis and competent legal advice on how to proceed.

Avoid Audits and Criminal Charges with the Help of the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing

Call our Dual Licensed Tax Attorneys and CPAs at (800) 681-1295 today to discuss your concerns about an upcoming or potential audit or criminal tax investigation on your small business.

Questions about delinquent payroll taxes and trust fund recovery penalty

Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

Public Contact: Dave Klasing Esq. M.S.-Tax CPA, [email protected]

SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC
GUANGZHOU, China, April 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea, a leading brand in smart home appliances, has debuted its latest intelligent energy management solution, the Midea Home Energy Linkage Inverter Optimization System (MHELIOS) at the 133rd Canton Fair, one of the world's pinnacle international trade expos, in April. The launch is Midea's latest innovation in professional solutions for household energy management and gives homeowners greater and greener control of their energy consumption.

MHELIOS is an intelligent energy management solution that includes a smart energy manager, functioning as a hybrid inverter. When paired with solar panels, energy storage systems, and smart home appliances, MHELIOS maximizes the use of green electricity. With 98.2% efficiency and I-V curve scan technology, the smart energy manager can maximize the use of solar. The energy storage system supports flexible capacity expansion ranging from 5kWh to 40kWh, to allow maximum PV self-consumption rates and meet various scenarios. With a switching time of 10ms and unbalanced off-grid output technology, the smart energy manager provides excellent backup performance, ensuring users aren't caught off guard during sudden blackouts, and may even be unaware of the power grid outage.

Along with the energy storage management function, the MHELIOS offers intelligent control of heat pumps and HVAC. With the help of AIoT technology, the system monitors when and how much energy is being used by heat pumps and HVAC. The system intelligently controls the operation of the HVAC and heat pump without compromising comfort and convenience, converting excess PV power into hot water, space cooling and heating to maximize cost savings. In the same vein of intelligent energy control, the MHELIOS has been developed with easy management in mind. Solar power, energy storage, HVAC systems, and heat pumps can all be effectively managed through one app to reduce costs associated with energy use. As a result, homeowners can see savings through real-time monitoring and maintain a green lifestyle without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

MHELIOS is the next step in Midea's promise to build a greener planet. While focused on developing and manufacturing smart household appliances and energy systems, the company has been committed to its Green Strategy since 2021. Part of that strategy includes reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and being carbon neutral by 2060. Other steps in this commitment include green design, procurement, and manufacturing, to ensure the company's values are inherent in its products.

SOURCE Midea Residential Air Conditioner Division
Global technology brand, OPPO, announces the availability of its highly anticipated Find N2 Flip in the UAE

The Find N2 Flip combines a revolutionary vertical cover screen  the largest of its kind, with a long-lasting, fast-charging battery and a host of flagship experiences

Marking the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones at large, the Find N2 Flip redefines boundaries with industry-leading features

The Find N2 Flip is available to purchase from select Sharaf DG stores across the UAE

DUBAI, UAE, April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand, OPPO, announced the launch of the Find N2 Flip in the UAE. Combining the largest cover screen of its kind with day-long battery life and SUPERVOOC flash charging, the Find N2 Flip takes foldables from the sidelines to the forefront in a compact, sleek, and remarkable way.

Find N2 Flip (PRNewsfoto/OPPO)

The new OPPO Find N2 Flip puts an industry-leading cover screen into palms and pockets, challenging what users come to expect from small form-factor foldables. Despite its light weight and pocketable size, the Find N2 Flip's vertical cover screen turns OPPO's debut flip phone into an incredible photography tool. The tall cover screen also features powerful widgets that help users stay on top of their notifications, and it's big enough to showcase meaningful information, so there's no need to open your flip phone constantly.

Empowered by world-class hardware, a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ power, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds, the Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for OPPO and flip phones as a whole.

Ivan Wu, General Manager of OPPO GCC said, "Every aspect of the Find N2 Flip reflects OPPO's mission to enrich real-world experiences. We combined industry-leading engineering and innovation with intuitive design principles. So Find N2 Flip's design is burdenless  each component moving in harmony, as it marries a powerful cover screen with a compromise-free package, elevated by subtle, rich flourishes."

Redefining the Cover Screen

Measuring 3.26 inches, the Find N2 Flip's cover screen is the largest of any flip phone currently available. Its vertical orientation is also game-changing, allowing the cover screen to display as many as six notifications in one view  that's industry-leading for a flip phone. Quickly reply to messages in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more  all without picking up or opening the phone. And with less need to engage fully, you can regain control over your digital balance while staying connected.

Balancing its useful features with fun, playful moments, the Find N2 Flip's cover screen is also home to one of five interactive pets. Users can choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster, or rabbit, and have company whenever fired up. From playful to laugh-out-loud, users can set a GIF as their cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop. In addition to Bitmoji and OMOJI stickers, the AOD also displays the time, date, power status, and notifications.

Rather than create a loud, attention-grabbing aesthetic for the Find N2 Flip's design, OPPO dialed down the visual volume, so the phone's style acts as a backdrop upon which the cover screen shines. With polished aluminium sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, the Find N2 Flip is available in two colours: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.

Weighing just 191g and measuring 7.45mm when open, the Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it feels like it truly belongs in your hand, whether open or closed. The smartphone's immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is picture perfect, with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

The Best Flip Phone Camera

The Find N2 Flip's flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens  a strong foundation for incredible imaging. See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives users the clearest selfie previews available. And when taking a photo or video of someone else, fire up Dual Preview so they can see how they look.

Unlock even more creativity with FlexForm Mode, made possible by the New Generation Flexion Hinge, as the Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45 and 110 for waist-level dynamic angles, and evocative 4K time-lapse video.

FlexForm Mode also turns the flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture  perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.

Co-developed with the iconic camera manufacturer Hasselblad, the Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colours, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame. Much more than just a photography champion, the Find N2 Flip's in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light.

Tested to over 400,000 folds

Much of what makes the Find N2 Flip incredible is made possible by its New Generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust, folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease.

The hinge's miniaturized design is made up of fewer components than the original Flexion Hinge, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The New Generation Flexion Hinge is also more compact than ever, creating more space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.

Just as with the Find N and Find N2, there is no hinge gap when you close the Find N2 Flip, so it keeps dust out, and OPPO appointed TUV Rhineland to test its durability independently. The phone is certified to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature, and it's also tested up to 100,000 times at 50C and 95 per cent humidity, and at -20C.

OPPO also iterated its New Generation Flexion Hinge to guide the screen into the gentlest folding angle possible, creating a water drop shaped fold that results in a significantly shallower, narrower crease than other flip phones when unfolded. In addition to being incredibly subtle to the eye, it also feels virtually imperceptible to the touch for an uncompromised, flat-screen experience.

The Longest Lasting and Fastest Charging Flip Phone

The Find N2 Flip crams a massive 4,300mAh battery into its compact body. This is the biggest battery in any flip phone by a huge margin.

In fact, according to OPPO's tests, the Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge  critical in popularizing the category on the whole.

OPPO also includes the fastest charging of any flip phone on the Find N2 Flip  44W SUPERVOOC, taking the battery from nearly empty to 50 per cent in just 23 minutes, and up to 100 per cent in less than an hour.

Additionally, OPPO worked closely with MediaTek to create an optimized version of its flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset for the Find N2 Flip, resulting in one more hour of video calling, two more hours of social media and five hours of music streaming.

All-Around Experience, In A Snap

The Find N2 Flip breaks through barriers with the largest cover screen on any flip phone. With it, world-class selfies and flagship photography experiences are made possible.

Robust enough for over a decade of folding, and with all-day power and fast charging, durability and battery anxiety will be little more than a memory as the Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones at large.

Market Availability

The OPPO Find N2 Flip is exclusively available to purchase from Sharaf DG stores in Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall, and City Centre Deira, and is priced at AED 3,999.

As part of OPPO's long-standing partnership with Google, UAE customers who purchase and activate the Find N2 Flip by July will be entitled to a complimentary 6-month Google One and 3-month YouTube Premium subscription, giving UAE Find N2 Flip users the opportunity to enjoy massive 100GB of cloud storage and uninterrupted YouTube videos and music. Terms and conditions apply.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global technology brand since 2004, dedicated to providing products that seamlessly combines art and innovative technology.

OPPO is on a mission to building a multiple-access smart device ecosystem for the era of intelligent connectivity. The smartphone devices have simply been a gateway for OPPO to deliver a diverse portfolio of smart and frontier technologies in hardware, software and system. In 2019, OPPO launched a $7 Billion US Dollar three-year investment plan in R&D to develop core technologies furthering design through technology.

OPPO is firmly pursuing the creation of the best technology products and technological artistry for global users. Based on the brand elements of leading, young and beautiful, OPPO dedicates to the mission of letting the extraordinary users enjoy the beauty of technology.

For the last 10 years, OPPO has focused on manufacturing smartphones with camera capabilities that are second to none. OPPO launched the first mobile phone, the Smile Phone, in 2008, which marked the launch of the brand's epic journey in exploring and pioneering extraordinary technology. Over the years, OPPO has built a tradition of being number one, which became a reality through inventing the world's first rotating camera smartphone way back in 2013, launching the world's then thinnest smartphone in 2014, being the first to introduce 5X Zoom 'Periscope' camera technology and developing the first 5G commercial smartphone in Europe.

Today, OPPO was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally. OPPO brings the aesthetics of technology of global consumers through the ColorOS system Experience, and Internet service like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+.

OPPO's business covers 60 countries operated by more than 40,000 dedicated employees, with over six research institutes and five R&D centers across the world, from San Francisco to Shenzhen. OPPO also opened an International Design Centre headquartered in London, driving cutting edge technology that will shape the future not only for smartphones but for intelligent connectivity.

About OPPO MEA

OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015 after setting up its regional office in Egypt. Following the immense success of the brand's sales centre in Cairo in the first year, OPPO accelerated its expansion plan across the MEA region and inaugurated its country operations in the UAE in 2019. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 14 markets across the region, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and the Levant.

To empower its presence in the region in line with its product localisation strategy, OPPO further invested in MENA and set up its very own factory in Algeria in 2017, thus, becoming the first Chinese brand to build a manufacturing premises in North Africa. Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service.

Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region.

A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055111/OPPO_Find_N2_Flip.jpg

SOURCE OPPO
At least 40 people were killed and 33 others wounded on Saturday in an attack against a military detachment in northern Burkina Faso, said the government on Sunday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

According to a statement by the general secretary of the North region, a military detachment based in the vicinity of the village of Aorema, located not far from the city of Ouahigouya, was attacked by unidentified gunmen on Saturday.

The provisional toll is 40 dead, including six soldiers and 34 army auxiliaries, said the statement, adding that 33 wounded were also recorded.

A security source told Xinhua over the phone that "at least 50 terrorists were neutralized" during the attack.
First-in-Class TEAD Autopalmitoylation Inhibitor is Well Tolerated and Demonstrates Antitumor Activity in Advanced Mesothelioma and NF2-Mutant Cancers

VT3989 is the First Therapeutic Targeting the Hippo Pathway to Demonstrate Clinical Activity in Patients with Cancer

SAN MATEO, Calif., April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivace Therapeutics, Inc., a small molecule discovery and development company developing first-in-class therapies targeting the Hippo pathway, today announced that the first clinical data for a cancer treatment targeting the Hippo pathway was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023. Results from the company's Phase 1 clinical study of its first-in-class transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) autopalmitoylation inhibitor, VT3989, showed the compound to be well tolerated with durable antitumor responses in patients with advanced malignant mesothelioma and other tumors with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) mutations. These findings were presented by Timothy A. Yap, M.D., Ph.D., of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, during an oral plenary session at the conference. The AACR conference is being held April 14-19, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.

Seven (7) of 69 patients had reductions in tumor size meeting the rigorous criteria for being partial responses that persisted up to 21 months, and 34 had stable disease. Tumor response was observed in patients with mesothelioma with and without NF2 mutations and other solid tumors with NF2 mutations. Because mesothelioma patients often have NF2 mutations or loss of Merlin it was an a priori indication of interest. Six (6) of the seven (7) partial responses were in patients with mesothelioma. The other response was in a sarcoma patient with an NF2 mutation. Of the 69 patients presented, 43 had advanced malignant mesothelioma and 26 had other solid tumors. Patients were heavily pre-treated with a median of three prior lines of therapy. A total of 37 patients had NF2 mutations. Ongoing dose optimization cohorts of the study are investigating different doses and schedules in two-stage designs.

"These are encouraging results that provide the first clinical proof-of-concept for drugging the Hippo-YAP-TEAD pathway," said Dr. Yap. "Preclinical data suggested that blocking the YAP-TEAD interaction could shrink tumors, and these clinical data validate that approach. These are early clinical trial data, but we look forward to future results from this trial and continuing to investigate the benefits to patients."

VT3989 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. The most common adverse events were albuminuria (a reversible increase in the protein albumin in the urine), swelling in the extremities, fatigue, and nausea. There were only seven grade 3 adverse events that were possibly treatment-related, which included albuminuria, swelling, fatigue, and increased liver enzymes alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, and one possibly related grade 4 cardiomyopathy.

Based on robust efficacy seen in dose escalation and plasma levels of VT3989 at and exceeding the concentrations projected for activity, the study has now expanded in patients with mesothelioma to define the dose and schedule that will become the basis of registrational development in patient with mesothelioma.

"It is gratifying to see the extensive preclinical data that we have generated for VT3989 translate so well into humans in both the anti-tumor activity and tolerability profile demonstrated in this clinical study. We view this as a significant milestone as these data position VT3989 as the very first cancer treatment targeting the Hippo pathway to show clinical relevance," said Sofie Qiao, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Vivace Therapeutics. "Based on this initial successful translation of preclinical data into humans, we now have high levels of confidence in a registrational path for VT3989 as a single agent in mesothelioma as well as in combination with targeted therapies to expand utility into major solid tumors. We look forward to continuing our development efforts in mesothelioma and proving the combination treatment hypothesis in a clinical setting."

The AACR presentation will be available at www.vivacetherapeutics.com after the conference.

In additional news from the AACR conference, Vivace Therapeutics announced that Tracy Tang, Ph.D., the company's vice president of biology was named winner of the inaugural Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Award for Outstanding Journal Article by AACR. The award is given to the authors of a Molecular Cancer Therapeutics article published in 2021-2022 that has had significant impact on the fields represent by the journal. It was presented to Dr. Tang and her co-authors for the paper entitled, "Small Molecule Inhibitors of TEAD Auto-palmitoylation Selectively Inhibit Proliferation and Tumor Growth of NF2-deficient Mesothelioma," at the AACR Journals Reception during the conference.

About Phase 1 study of VT3989

The Phase 1 study of VT3989 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04665206) is a multi-center, open label trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and biological activity of VT3989 in patients with refractory metastatic solid tumors, including refractory pleural malignant mesothelioma. The study includes both a dose escalation and a dose expansion phase, the latter of which is enrolling mesothelioma patients who have tumors with or without NF2 mutations.

About Vivace Therapeutics, Inc.

Vivace Therapeutics is a small molecule drug discovery and development company focused on targeting the Hippo pathway. The company is pursuing a first-in-class approach to treat human carcinomas of high unmet medical need. Based in San Francisco Bay Area, the company has raised $70 million to date, and is funded by leading biotechnology investors, including Canaan Partners, WuXi Healthcare Ventures, Cenova Capital, Sequoia Capital China, Boxer Capital and RA Capital Mangement. For more information, please visit www.vivacetherapeutics.com.

Contact information

Sofie Qiao, Ph.D.

President and CEO

[email protected]

650.666.2753

Tim Brons

Vida Strategic Partners (media)

646-319-8981

[email protected]

SOURCE Vivace Therapeutics, Inc.
NEW YORK, April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Dutch Bros, Inc. (NYSE: BROS) between March 1, 2022 and May 11, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 1, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Dutch Bros securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Dutch Bros class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12586 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 1, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements, and failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Dutch Bros was experiencing increased costs and expenses, including on dairy; (2) as a result, Dutch Bros was experiencing increased margin pressure and decreased profitability in the first quarter of 2022; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Dutch Bros class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12586 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
NEW YORK, April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Trinseo PLC (NYSE: TSE) resulting from allegations that Trinseo may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Trinseo securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=13711 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On March 27, 2023, The Inquirer published an article entitled "Bristol plant that spilled chemicals into Philly's water supply had other mishaps over the last decade." The article reported "a chemical plant in Bristol that authorities said caused a toxic spill, threatening Philadelphia's drinking water, has a long history of mishaps  including at least four recent contamination incidents." In addition, the article stated "over the past decade, the U.S. Coast Guard twice before detected releases of acrylates [commonly used to produce glass-like acrylics] from the Bristol facility into the Delaware. The EPA had separately flagged two other acrylate releases." The article cites, "David Salas-de la Cruz, a Rutgers University associate professor of chemistry, worked at the Bristol plant during its Rohm and Haas days. He said the number of incidents over the past decade was unusual."

On this news, the price of Trinseo's stock fell $1.09, or 5.26%, to close at $19.62 per share on March 27, 2023.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, a Kerten Hospitality brand, will open with 30 guest rooms

Kerten Hospitality brand, Hotel rooms and facilities are being developed within historic mud-brick structures and decorated with authentic materials and designs from AlUla's past

The project delivers on the Journey Through Time master plan in alignment with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its Journey Through Time master plan, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) will further expand the accommodation offering in AlUla with Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, an immersive and authentic hospitality experience in AlUla Old Town. Dar Tantora will also house a pool and spa as well as a restaurant and cafe.

Dar Tantora by The House Hotel (PRNewsfoto/Royal Commission for AlUla) Dar Tantora by The House Hotel (PRNewsfoto/Royal Commission for AlUla) Dar Tantora by The House Hotel (PRNewsfoto/Royal Commission for AlUla) Dar Tantora by The House Hotel (PRNewsfoto/Royal Commission for AlUla) Dar Tantora by The House Hotel (PRNewsfoto/Royal Commission for AlUla)

RCU is developing the 30-room landmark property by restoring several historical mud-brick buildings using contemporary engineering methods and time-honoured techniques. The development will showcase the Old Town village as a vibrant cultural hub. The rooms will be adorned with traditional decor, furniture and artistic accents, incorporating storytelling elements that capture the area's intangible heritage. Local artisans received specialised training to participate in the restoration endeavours.

The project reflects RCU's comprehensive efforts to revive AlUla Old Town with tourism as the engine of development and job creation. RCU is driven by an ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in its comprehensive regeneration efforts, including the Sustainability Charter that governs each project's economic, social and environmental impacts. For delivering on this vision, AlUla Old Town was recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as a "Best Tourism Village" in 2022.

John Northen, Vice President- Head of Hotels and Resorts, Royal Commission for AlUla, said, "Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will allow guests to live the rich heritage of the AlUla Old Town historical village. Steeped in the past yet embracing progress, this hotel encapsulates RCU's vision for a diverse range of accommodations as we continue to deliver on our plans for more than 5,000 keys by 2030."

"We take immense pride in operating Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, a location that seamlessly weaves AlUla Old Town's cultural legacy with the comfort of modern luxury. At Kerten Hospitality, our dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences resonates with RCU's objective of creating harmonious communities, and we eagerly look forward to playing a significant role in the region's development," said Marloes Knippenberg, CEO, Kerten Hospitality.

Noted for editors:

It is always AlUla / not Al-Ula

About the Royal Commission for AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU's long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area's natural and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme.

For more images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_1oQZT11gnDDy1f5uOhj9OFEpii6LfFI

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055109/Dar_Tantora_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055110/Dar_Tantora_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055107/Dar_Tantora_3.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055108/Dar_Tantora_4.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2055106/Dar_Tantora_5.jpg

SOURCE Royal Commission for AlUla
Khartoum, April 16 : The armed conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in the capital Khartoum, sparking concerns for a wider conflict in the country.

The initial gunfire near an RSF base south of Khartoum on Saturday morning quickly spread to other areas in the capital, including the Sudanese Army General Command and Khartoum International Airport.

Fighting continued into Saturday night as residents said they still heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions in different parts of Khartoum, including around the military's headquarters and other bases, Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest conflict capped the days of escalating tensions between the two main military forces in Sudan, which has been grappling with a political crisis since October 2021.

The two sides traded accusations of initiating the conflict. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Commander of the Sudanese Army, accused the RSF of attacking sovereign headquarters in Khartoum, including his own residence in the Army General Command.

In a telephone interview with the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV channel, Al-Burhan said that "the Rapid Support Forces are the ones who attacked our headquarters," adding he was taken by surprise when the RSF attacked his house at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT).

In response, RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo told Al-Jazeera that the army is the one who started the attack. The RSF also announced that it had taken control of the presidential palace, a strategic guesthouse within the army's headquarters, and the Khartoum International Airport in the capital.

The RSF also claimed to have seized control of Merowe and El-Obeid airports, as well as other strategic sites in the states, according to a statement released earlier on Saturday.

However, the Sudanese Army denied that the RSF had taken control of any sovereign sites, stating that "all sites are under the control of the armed forces. The Rapid Support Forces use psychological warfare based on misinformation".

Videos posted on social media showed the Sudanese Army targeting the headquarters of the RSF in Khartoum with warplanes, but Dagalo denied that the headquarters of his forces had been destroyed by the Sudanese Army.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of flights at Khartoum International Airport after clashes broke out inside the airport, damaging two planes, one belonging to Saudi Airlines and the other to the UN.

While no official statistics were released on the number of casualties or injuries during the violent clashes, the Sudan Doctors' Committee said that at least three civilians were killed, adding there was a significant number of casualties that had not yet been counted.

Media reports indicated that at least 12 people were killed during the conflict.

The committee called on the Sudanese Army and the RSF to ceasefire and provide safe passages for transporting the injured to hospitals.

Various countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Iran have issued statements urging Sudan's conflicting parties to exercise restraint, prioritise dialogue, and protect civilians. The Egyptian Armed Forces have also called for the safety of their forces training in Sudan.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has called for an immediate halt to the armed clashes, expressing shock and condemnation, and stressing the responsibility of the warring parties to protect the security and safety of Sudanese civilians.

The tension between the two military forces has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the Army considered illegal.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the Army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.
New Delhi, April 16 : The red-naped ibis, whose loud calls from atop a cellphone tower early in the morning often wakes you up, is visible across India's farmlands and cities but invisible in scientific literature! How? This is a fact that came to light in a multi-year monitoring programme from 2014 and 2022 by involving trained farmers and other local residents in districts across Nepal and northern India, traversing over 340,000 km.

The programme was designed by Gopi Sundar, the Co-chair of the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group.

This species, resident in South Asia, is found nowhere else in the world. That there are so many of these stunning birds is good news at a time when many other species are being found to have declined to small numbers.

Gopi Sundar explained to IANS that this is the same bird passengers would see sitting on the electricity poles as you enter the Delhi airport area. And farmers know this bird as the one that is unafraid to pick up grubs from near their feet.

Until recently, the red-naped ibis was known to be one of the least studied waterbirds in the world.

A new study published in SIS Conservation, the official publication of the IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group, has added important new information on the species' habits.

During the bird surveys, nearly 10,000 observations were obtained of over 54,000 red-naped ibis. The analysis of this humongous data set is yielding among the first ecological understanding of this species.

The first significant finding was that there were at least hundreds, though usually thousands of red-naped ibis in each location. Put together, the researchers provide the first population estimate for the species at between 1,700,000 and 2,540,000 red-naped ibis.

This first estimate is markedly different from the population mentioned in the BirdLife International's Red List status. They list the global population of the species as less than 10,000 and declining.

The red-naped ibis joins a long list of species that have had no serious ecological work focused on them until now but have had a definitive Red List status and a confident population estimate accorded to them.

Many of these statuses are accompanied by population estimates derived from volunteer-based winter waterfowl counts at wetlands. However, several species of waterbirds across Africa and Asia also use habitats such as agricultural areas.

The red-naped ibis also uses cities suggesting that counts at wetlands would be gross underestimates -- which the new study provides proof of.

Gopi Sundar told IANS that a lot of the bird species that are found in India may need to be accorded "Data Deficient" status to accurately reflect what is known of their habits. Doing so would allow researchers and conservationists to identify species that require research attention.

He says it would also make the Red List -- a globally important metric for tracking conservation -- a reliable source of information. As the Co-chair now, he's working with a global group of people interested in the 60 plus species of storks, ibises and spoonbills and trying to identify which species have accurate Red List assessments, and which ones have a Red List status that is made up with unreliable or incorrect information.

"There are, unfortunately, quite a lot of species of storks and ibises that seem to have incorrect and unreliable statuses. This situation of unnecessarily providing Red List status for all birds needs to be changed so that governments, academics, and conservation organizations can take the Red List seriously," he believes.

The new study also found that the density of the red-naped ibis in each location reduced during the winter. It is not entirely clear why these ibises are seen less during the winter, but Gopi Sundar suggests that this is an interesting aspect for future studies.

Since the red-naped ibis is resident, it can potentially be a great species to expend long-term resources on, especially since it commonly uses human modified areas such as farmlands and cities. Around the world, both cities and farmlands are being seen to lead to declines of bird species.

South Asia, it appears, has conditions that enable species like red-naped ibises to proliferate alongside human habitations. Trying to understand what allows for this situation is important and can be useful to make the situation better in countries where farmlands and urban birds are declining.

The new study also found that the red-naped ibis numbers declined in areas and in seasons when rainfall was high. These seasonal variations were far from trivial, with maximum densities being as high as three times the lowest density in the same location.

Gopi Sundar suggests that tracking the population of such a species will be very challenging given the observed fluctuations in numbers. The good news was that there are many locations across India where there are thousands of these ibises.

He told IANS the new study provides a new nuanced understanding of the habits of a resident waterbird species of India for the first time. "It is not every day that you get to be part of writing species accounts from scratch by providing among the first ecological information on the species," he said.

This work adds to ongoing scientific explorations across South Asian farmlands and cities that are showing these areas to be excellent habitats for a number of large waterbird species such as the Sarus crane and the woolly-necked stork.

Gopi Sundar concluded by saying, "We are pleased to add the red-naped ibis to the list of species benefiting from the South Asian countryside. There are likely to be many more and we hope much more work is done outside the protected areas network of the country." (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
Patna, April 16 : As the heat wave intensifies, there has been a rise in fire incidents in Bihar. They are being reported from almost all the districts of the state including Patna.

Though the government is taking measures to curb the fire incidents, it is proving to be insufficient. If the figures of the disaster department are to be believed, more than 1,000 fire incidents have happened in the state this year.

Incidents of fire in Bihar are not new. According to the statistics of the Disaster Management Department, last year 83 people died in fire incidents in the state while 54 people lost their lives in fire incidents in 2021. Similarly, in 2020, 28 people had lost their lives in fire incidents. Going by the figures, there has been a substantial rise in the number of people who died in the fire incidents.

So far this year, more than 15 people have died in the state.

In the current situation, fire incidents are reported every day from some or the other place, in which people suffer huge losses including crops, houses and livestock.

Out of the 1,000 fire incidents, more than one-tenth of the cases took place in March and April. Among the districts of Bihar, more than 125 fire incidents have occured in Darbhanga so far while more than 115 incidents have been reported from Samastipur.

The reason in most of the fire incidents is cited as a short circuit. Sometimes the sparks coming out of the thresher machine being used to separate wheat grains also cause a fire.

The villagers consider stubble burning as the reason for the fire incidents. Aurangabad district has witnessed 40 fire incidents in the last 10 days. People say that the prevailing westerly wind acts as fuel for the fire.

According to fire department officials, the incidents of fire increase by 40 to 50 per cent in the summer season. Among the many reasons is cooking food on firewood.

Officials say that a Fire Service Week is being observed, under which people are being told how to prevent fires.

Meanwhile, the Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited has instructed all the power circles to fix the hanging wires in the rural areas to prevent fire incidents during summer.

The company's managing director Mahendra Kumar says that fire incidents also happen due to theft of electricity. He agreed that fire cases increase in the summer season.

Patna district's fire department officer Manoj Kumar says that the department tries to rush the fire tenders to the spot in the least time after information about a fire is received. Continuous efforts are also being made for modernisation.

Presently Patna has 45 big and 40 small fire engines with three hydronic platforms for extinguishing fires in high-rise buildings.

A fire department official said that at present the fire department has about 700 vehicles like small, big and aerial hydraulic ladder platforms. These vehicles have been deployed from the district level to the headquarters, although their number is less than needed.
Patna, April 16 : After the successful meeting with opposition leaders in Delhi, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is turning out to be the biggest challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

However, Nitish Kumar clarified that he is not a Prime Ministerial candidate of the opposition parties but he might play the role of UPA convener by following in the footsteps of his senior leader late George Fernandes.

George Fernandes played a major role in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formation in 1998. At that time the Congress was ruling at the Centre and the opposition parties were scattered.

After the Mandal Commission report, a large number of regional parties emerged in the country. The BJP had then asked George Fernandes who was the chief of the Samata Party and Nitish Kumar was a member of it, to play the role of convener of the NDA and he had managed to unite 24 parties against the Congress.

Due to that unity, George Fernandes became instrumental in the formation of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1999. The NDA government completed its tenure of 5 years.

Now the way that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Arvind Kejriwal and Sitaram Yechuri said that Nitish Kumar is doing great work in uniting the opposition parties and they are with him, there is a hint of Kumar following in the footsteps of George Fernandes.

"Nitish Kumar has made it clear he wants to unite more and more opposition parties of the country and he is achieving success. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tweet "Ham Desh Ke Liye Sath Me Ladege" is the most important thing in the current political situation of the country.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also said publicly that whatever Nitish Kumar is doing in the country, he is with him. Left parties leaders also gave support to him. I don't know whether Nitish Kumar is following George Fernandes or not but he is heading in the right direction to unite the opposition parties," said Neeraj Kumar, JD-U MLC and chief spokesperson of the party.

"Nitish Kumar on Friday said that the BJP has only two leaders who are acting like totalitarians. They have captured all constitutional institutions and are targeting their political opponents. They have done nothing in the interest of common people. Hence you vote for them, you will destroy yourselves and if you vote against them you will develop yourselves, state and the country. So, Nitish Kumar is clear in his mind to unite a large number of opposition parties of the country against the BJP," Kumar said.

"The efforts of Nitish Kumar were appreciated by the leaders who met him recently but there is so much work to do. Bringing leaders like Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrashekar Rao on one platform with the Congress party will be a big achievement but it will take time. Once they sit together and finalize every aspect, followed by declaring the role of Nitish Kumar as convener, then we would say that all opposition parties agreed on one seat, one candidate formula," said Shivanand Tiwari, vice president of the RJD.

"When we talk about West Bengal having 42 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress party is no way near to the TMC. In Telangana, there are 17 Lok Sabha seats and the Congress has won three seats while the TRS won nine seats.

"So, the Congress has to drop some ego to minimize the division of votes. The same thing applies to the TRS and it will have to compromise with the Congress where the latter has sitting MPs. The key here is the opposition parties who would agree on one seat one candidate formula. This is the only way to defeat the BJP," Tiwari said.

"Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is a desperate man and in a hurry. Nitish ji is daydreaming to become the Prime Minister but at the same time he should remember that his support base in Bihar has slipped. The political credibility of Nitish ji is based on the support and mercy of his grand alliance partners, especially the RJD. While Nitish is aspiring to realize his daydream, the RJD wants to use this opportunity to promote Tejashwi as the CM of Bihar," said Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP OBC wing.

"There is no consensus in favour of Nitish ji and there are dozens of PM aspirants from different states. The opportunistic intention and motive of grand alliance parties, they will let down each other in course of time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the undisputed leader of India and there is no one who can challenge him in 2024. The NDA will come back to power with more than 400 seats," Anand said.
New Delhi: Police personnel outside the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his remarks during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in New Delhi on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Police personnel outside the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his remarks during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in New Delhi on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 16 : The police have made all the arrangements to deal with any kind of untoward incident during the questioning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the excise policy scam case, sources said on Sunday.

According to the sources, AAP supporters have come from Punjab and other states to stage protests and halt traffic at major crossings in the national capital. Seeing the gravity of the situation, Delhi Police staff have been asked to be on alert mode.

Rapid Action Force has been deployed at Rajghat, ITO, CBI Headquarters and in Lutyens zone.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, will be deployed outside the CBI headquarters here in Lodhi Road.

According to officials, security measures have been heightened outside the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office located near Rouse Avenue Court.

To prevent any trouble from the AAP workers or supporters, an adequate number of barricades have been set up on the surrounding streets.

"We have put in place a comprehensive security arrangement, and as he is a Chief Minister, there will undoubtedly be tight security for his safety," said a senior police officer.

The official further stated that over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, will be deployed outside the CBI headquarters to ensure that no unpleasant incidents occur.

"Section 144 CrPC to be imposed in the area," said DCP (South) Chandan Chaudhary.

The CBI has summoned Kejriwal to its office at 11 a.m. to appear before the investigation team as a witness in the excise policy case, according to a notice issued by the CBI.

It has been announced that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and all Delhi Cabinet Ministers will accompany Kejriwal to the CBI office.

Kejriwal has been summoned by the CBI for the first time in connection with the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case, which allegedly caused losses to the Delhi government and benefitted a group of liquor traders.

Kejriwal's name was mentioned in the second charge sheet filed before a Special ED Court on January 6 by the Enforcement Directorate.
Prayagraj : , April 16 (IANS) The three assailants, who killed gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf, belong to three different districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Lovlesh Tiwari belongs to Banda, Sunny Singh belongs to Hamirpur and Arun Maurya lives in Kasganj.

Surprisingly, the families of all three men have disowned the assailants and said that they had already left their homes much before the incident.

All three have been booked and jailed for petty crimes in the past.

What is intriguing to the police is the fact that they have no answer for their motive for killing the two brothers.

The three assailants came to Prayagraj 48 hours before the incident and were staying in a hotel.

They have not divulged where they got the sophisticated weapons that were used to gun down Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf.

According to a police source, one of the three has said that they executed the crime because they wanted to make a name for themselves in the underworld. However, until other questions are answered, this theory will not hold water.
The four defendants charged in the ComEd bribery scheme are, from left, consultant Jay Doherty, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, retired lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore. (Chicago Tribune photos)

As the ComEd Four trial shifts to the defense phase, one thing has become clear.

The prosecutions best testimony hasnt come from the cooperators who lined up to testify about ComEds efforts to stay in Democrat Michael Madigans good graces.

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Its come from the defendants own mouths, captured in the dozens of wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded videos in which they talked about an alleged scheme to funnel payments to Madigans cronies in exchange for little or no work on ComEds behalf  all when they thought no one was listening.

Those FBI wiretaps, however, only started rolling in mid-2018, years after the utilitys key legislative wins in 2011 and 2016 that are at the heart of the allegations in the indictment.

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ComEd lobbyist Jay Doherty on an undercover video with Fidel Marquez. (U.S. Attorney's Office)

What lies between is a rather large gap in which prosecutors are asking the jury to make the connection, based largely on circumstantial evidence, that the defendants believed the favors they were doing for Madigan would cause the speaker to help the company get what it wanted.

At times, the prosecutions evidence of Madigans influence has looked more like what any Springfield insider would say is typical legislative wheeling and dealing. Theyve shown roll calls and action reports showing bills being passed out of the Rules Committee, negotiated heavily by stakeholders on all sides, amended, returned to rules, and ultimately sent to the House floor for a frenzied vote.

Little happened in the House without Madigans touch, of course, and as the House speaker, he controlled the levers that moved or killed virtually any bill before the General Assembly.

But to prove their case, prosecutors have to show that the defendants, through Madigan, somehow intended to corrupt that process.

To be sure, there was no silver bullet in the governments case, no bag of cash being exchanged or a moment on a recording where Madigan or any of the other players refer to what they were doing as illegal.

Perhaps the most damaging tape heard by the jury came from a conversation in early 2019 when defendants Michael McClain, a longtime confidant of Madigan, and John Hooker, a contract lobbyist, talked in blunt language how they hatched the plan to funnel money to Madigans hand-picked associates through lobbying subcontracts.

We had to hire these guys because Mike Madigan came to us, McClain told Hooker on the call. Thats how simple it is. So if you want to make a federal court suit over it, OK. But thats how simple it is.

Another problematic recording for the defense came weeks later, when ComEd executive Fidel Marquez, who was secretly cooperating with investigators, asked defendant Jay Doherty, a ComEd contract lobbyist, what he had his Madigan-backed subcontractors doing for the utility.

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Well, not much, to answer the question, Doherty said. They keep their mouth shut, and you know. But do they do anything for me on a day-to-day basis? No.

Under the governing case law, prosecutors do not have to show a specific or obvious quid pro quo between Madigan and the four defendants, only that there was a corrupt intent to provide the stream of benefits to Madigan in order to win his influence.

Now that the prosecution has rested its case in chief, the defense is getting its chance to poke holes in that theory, starting with defendant Anne Pramaggiore, the former ComEd CEO who took the stand in her own defense late Thursday and denied that Madigan ever had his thumb on the scale for her company.

Pramaggiores testimony is set to resume Monday.

Defendant Anne Pramaggiore leaves the U.S. Dirksen Courthouse in downtown Chicago after testifying in her own defense on the 18th day of the ComEd Four bribery conspiracy trial, April 13, 2023. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune)

The indictment alleged the four defendants steered a total of $1.3 million in payments from ComEd to Madigan-approved subcontractors between 2011 and 2019. The charges also alleged the defendants schemed to hire a clout-heavy law firm run by political operative Victor Reyes and stack the utilitys summer internship program with candidates sent from the 13th Ward.

The four on trial  McClain, Pramaggiore, Hooker, and Doherty  have all pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers have contended the government is trying to turn legal lobbying and job recommendations into a crime.

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Madigan and McClain face a separate racketeering indictment that is set for trial next year.

Madigan, who held the speakership for a nationwide record 36 years, lost the position two years ago as the burgeoning scandal started to engulf him. He soon resigned his Southwest Side House seat and the chairmanship of the state Democratic Party. He was indicted last year.

Historically, defendants in corruption cases charged in Chicagos federal court have faced long odds of winning acquittal, and the ComEd Four case is likely no different.

Pramaggiore has taken the rare and risky step to take the stand in her own defense, hoping to convince the jury she is the highly ethical and honest leader described by her long lineup of character witnesses, not the person on the recordings who seemed at ease with participating in an Illinois old-school, pay-to-play political system.

Under direct examination by her attorney on Thursday, Pramaggiore was adamant that she never felt that ComEd had Madigan in its pocket.

Did he say, If you hire some people at my request, Ill help you out with your legislation? asked her attorney, Scott Lassar.

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No, she said firmly.

And did that ever change?

No.

Pramaggiore is sure to be cross-examined on that point when prosecutors get a chance to question her this week.

Jurors will also have to weigh Pramaggiores statements on the witness stand against what she said in the covert recordings, when she repeatedly pushed for things that Madigan wanted, sometimes even against the wishes of other top executives at ComEd or its parent company, Exelon Utilities.

You take good care of me, and so does our friend, and I will do the best that I can to, to take care of you. Youre a good man, Pramaggiore allegedly told McClain in one September 2018 call, allegedly referring to Madigan as our friend instead of by name.

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Defendant Michael McClain, center, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago on March 28, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

One particular instance of Pramaggiore allegedly doing Madigans bidding was in the push to put Juan Ochoa, the former boss of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, on ComEds board of directors. Several of Pramaggiores colleagues had raised concerns about Ochoas checkered financial past, according to court testimony.

When Pramaggiore ran by McClain the alternative idea of putting former Ochoa into a part-time ComEd gig instead  one that would pay the same $80,000-a-year compensation as the board job  McClain relayed back to her that the speaker wanted to keep pressing for Ochoa.

OK, got it, Pramaggiore said without pause on a recording played for the jury. I will keep pressing.

As the appointment was still pending, word that Ochoa had been selected leaked, causing a stir in political circles.

In one recorded call before Marquez began cooperating, he told Pramaggiore that hed been having dinner with then-state Sen. Iris Martinez when the subject of Democrat J.B. Pritzkers campaign for governor came up.

Iris starts going off about Pritzker and how there are people who were Blagojevich cronies, Marquez told Pramaggiore on the August 2018 call, referring to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and now theyre coming back out of the woodwork and theyre trying to get in with the Pritzker camp, like, and she goes, Like that mother (expletive) Juan Ochoa.

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Oh no, Pramaggiore said, laughing. Ugh. Oh my God.

Listen to the audio:

Ochoas appointment to the board was made official eight months later.

Another challenge for the defendants will be to explain to the jury why Pramaggiore and other top ComEd executives, including Marquez, spent so much time dealing with job recommendations being funneled from Madigan through McClain, often for unqualified candidates seeking low-ranking ComEd positions.

Jurors have seen dozens of emails and other evidence detailing how Madigan repeatedly turned to ComEd to try to land jobs and contracts for political associates, including the wife of convicted former City Clerk Jim Laski, the convicted son of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, former U.S. Rep. Morgan Murphy, and two daughters of former Cook County Democratic Chair Joe Berrios, who also served as county assessor.

It was a similar scenario with ComEds summer internship program, where year after year, a select number of jobs were given to students with political ties to Madigans 13th Ward fiefdom.

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There were also demands for more menial favors, everything from mediating disputes over utility pole work in the 13th Ward to dropping everything and taking care of a power outage being experienced by the speakers daughter, Tiffany.

All of the demands came through McClain, who constantly reminded everyone in his communications that he was working on behalf of our Friend  his code name for Madigan.

McClains defense, led by attorney Patrick Cotter, has tried to play down Madigans lengthy list of job candidates, saying they were nothing more than recommendations that every politician in the state makes, which companies are free to reject.

In his cross-examination of Marquez, Cotter brought up the issue of Madigans daughters power outage request, which wound up getting the attention of several top ComEd executives, including Marquez.

Would it have been good lobbying, he asked, to give Madigan the 1-800 number for customer complaints, so (the speaker) could give it to his daughter whos sitting in the dark somewhere?

No, Marquez answered.

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Marquez did qualify his views a bit when Cotter asked him whether McClain was serving ComEds interests when he relayed a nearly constant barrage of Madigan job recommendations and other issues to him.

Yes, but I think he was serving more Michael Madigan, Marquez answered.

McClains role as a double agent for both Madigan and ComEd came up repeatedly in the governments case, and jurors heard one fascinating wiretapped call where McClain discusses who might become his replacement as the companys point person with the speaker once he fully retired.

McClain told Marquez the point person has to have both Madigans and the companys trust.

And that persons gotta be very discreet, McClain said, pausing to clear his throat. And whoever that person is, uh, talking for the company, uh, like, let, lets say its you. Uh, theres a code, right?

That code could be simply used as a way to identify Madigan in conversations as Our Friend or Himself, McClain said. Or it may be knowing what the speaker meant when he often didnt say it directly.

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So, like, when all of a sudden I come to you and say  Would you take a look at this resume? I mean, thats like, Will you drop and do and try to get this done as fast as possible? Right? McClain said.

Another issue the defendants will have to explain is how so many Madigan-backed political pals ended up with subcontracts paid by ComEd and funneled under the radar through friendly lobbyists.

One secretly recorded meeting at ComEds offices captured McClain trying to explain to Pramaggiores successor as ComEds top executive, Joe Dominguez, that the Madigan subcontracts represented a modern version of old-style political patronage, such as when Madigan was given a free hand decades ago to name meter readers working in his ward.

So, thats just what weve, weve always done for, good lord, over 20 years now, McClain said in the 2019 meeting, which was videotaped by Marquez. Because we cant really do meter readers, we dont have em anymore.

At the heart of the alleged subcontracting scheme was Doherty, the former City Club of Chicago head whose consulting company, J.D. Doherty & Associates, was used as a pass-through for the illicit payments, according to prosecutors.

Over the years, Dohertys contract with ComEd ballooned to $400,000 a year, with much of it going to cover the subcontracts that paid Madigan political friends, according to trial testimony. Prosecutors have said Doherty also got a little bonus with each contract for his troubles.

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Among the Madigan acolytes on Dohertys payroll was former 13th Ward Ald. Frank Olivo, longtime Madigan precinct captains Ed Moody and Ray Nice, and ex-23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski, according to testimony.

In a key moment in the investigation, Marquez was sent by the FBI to talk to Doherty about how to inform Dominguez about the subcontractor arrangement, which was paid out of the CEOs budget.

During the meeting, which was secretly video recorded by Marquez, Doherty said that ComEds money comes from Springfield and that his contract should not be tinkered with, noting he had every reason to believe that McClain talks directly with Madigan about the arrangement.

My bottom-line advice would be, If it aint broke, dont fix it with those guys, Doherty said.

Dohertys attorneys have told the jury Doherty was simply saying that subcontractors like Moody, Nice and Zalewski were important to ComEds overall lobbying effort, and that their value cant necessarily be quantified by number of hours worked in a given week.

Jay doesnt admit to a crime, attorney Gabrielle Sansonetti said in her opening statement to jurors. He gives him advice. These guys are connected to Madigan. Theyre valuable. They can give you access. Dont fire them.

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The jury has also heard a recording of McClain and Hooker talking about how they were the architects of the off-the-books subcontracts. In one exchange, Hooker boasted that the plan they devised to use Doherty as a go-between was the best way to do it and was clean for all of us.

Right, McClain responded. We dont have to worry about whether or not, Im just making this up, whether or not (Zalewski) is doing any work or not. Thats up to Jay Doherty to prove that. ... Were not monitoring his workload; whether or not Zalewskis earning his five grand a month. Thats up to Jay Doherty.

Hooker reminded McClain that they had come up with the plan, and that Madigan thought it was great.

Through recordings and witness testimony, prosecutors attempted to show that showering Madigan with favors would keep ComEd on the speakers good side when he decided whether a utility-backed bill should live or die.

But there were other ways in which Madigan allegedly kept his hands on the controls. In his own testimony last week, Moody, who for decades was one of the speakers most loyal foot soldiers, said Madigan arranged for his lobbying subcontract after they had a rare, angry confrontation over his future.

He said calm down, youre gonna get your contract. Youre gonna make your $45,000 a year. Moody testified. But Moody told the jury Madigan also delivered an unambiguous warning:

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I control that contract and if you stop doing political work, youll lose that contract.

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Meanwhile, though Madigan is not on trial, he is so intrinsically tied to the allegations that jurors have been filled in on why top utility officials were trained to look for the way the speaker wiggled his eyebrow.

Before resting their case last week, prosecutors showed the jury a memo from McClain detailing how to deal with the speaker in a meeting.

Along with standard ideas, such as be transparent, McClain wrote that if an eyebrow goes up, the speaker should be asked if what was just said in the meeting needs further explanation.

In reviewing such thorough advice, Cotter, the attorney for McClain, noted that the speaker apparently has an eyebrow thats very suggestive, drawing chuckles from the jury and court spectators.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

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rlong@chicagotribune.com
Two individuals were killed and two others sustained injuries in drone attacks on villages in Sulaimaniyah province, located in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to a statement by the provincial governor on Sunday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Haval Abubakir, the governor of Sulaimaniyah province, said that the attacks took place on Saturday evening when an unidentified drone targeted three villages near the border with Iran in Sulaimaniyah province.

Abubakir said that preliminary investigations indicated two fatalities and two injuries, without providing further details about the incident.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama playfully posing with Muslim leaders from Turtuk who came to meet him on the final day of his teachings in Disket, Nubra Valley, J&K, on July 13, 2017. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor) Image Source: IANS News

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting young students on his arrival at Norbulingka Institute to attend its 21st Anniversary Ceremony in Dharamsala, HP, on March 9, 2017. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL) Image Source: IANS News

His Holiness the Dalai Lama playfully posing for photos with members of the security team that helped during his four-week visit to Bodhgaya in Bihar on January 28, 2018. (Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel) Image Source: IANS News

Dharamsala, April 16 : A viral video showing the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet and revered as a 'living god', asking a boy to "suck" his tongue has shocked the Tibetan community.

Many say the video in which the spiritual leader "kisses a child on the lips" was an attempt to vilify the Nobel Peace laureate who has spent decades trying to peacefully resolve China's brutal occupation of his homeland Tibet.

"Love is the absence of judgment," is one of the famous sayings of the Dalai Lama, 87, an icon of ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna (compassion) and the global face of the Tibetan exile movement.

Defending the Dalai Lama over the video row, Penpa Tsering, the head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said the Tibetan people were hurt by the insinuations and alleged that "pro-Chinese sources" were trying to tarnish his image.

The Dalai Lama has often been quoted as saying China is built on lies and its officials are hypocrites. Often humorously he puts his index fingers either side of his head to mimic the devil's horns while saying, "Some Chinese officials describe me as a demon." "His Holiness has lived nearly all of his life in the public eye and his life is as pure as of Tibet, the land of snowing mountains," remarked Lhakpa Kyizom, an octogenarian woman living in McLeodganj.

She has been living in the quaint town with the snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges in the background along with her great grandchildren since the Dalai Lama arrived here in the early 1960s after fleeing the Chinese army crackdown in Tibet.

With fond memories of her homeland, another octogenarian woman Padma Dolma told this IANS correspondent while pointing towards his beard, "Sometimes he does playfully tug someone's beard, or long moustache and tickle them, or pat them gently on the cheek or nose or ears. This is just how he normally is, and this shows no more than his genuine love for others." McLeodganj is in the northern hill district of Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama.

Joining the democratically elected political leader over the video row, former Tibetan parliamentarian Lobsang Yeshi said for over a month Chinese-sponsored cyber goons toiled rigorously inside Tibet and China to tarnish the image of the Dalai Lama by indicting him for sexual misconduct.

Standing in solidarity with His Holiness and the Tibetan people, who have endured unyielding aggression from China since the spiritual leader was pressured out of his native Tibet in 1959, Tibetan NGO Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) said the complete video, including interviews with the child and his mother, who was on stage throughout the interaction, provides essential context to this situation that has been dramatically sensationalized.

Both the mother and child express their happiness at meeting the Dalai Lama and say it was a "blessing" and "a really great experience." The family itself is reported to have sent a letter to the Dalai Lama apologizing for the uproar and expressing their continued, unwavering faith in him.

The Dalai Lama also issued an official apology saying he regrets the incident.

Amid the video row, Timur Shah handed over The Scheherazade Foundation Gold Medal Award for the 14th Dalai Lama for his humanitarian efforts and propagating peace in the world at the Office of Tibet in London on Friday.

A group of Tibetan leaders and activists from across the globe remarked, "Language, culture, and context define how people view any given situation. For Tibetans who see the video clip of the Dalai Lama's interaction with a child at a public event in February, it is clear he is displaying his affection, warmth, and humour. It is through a lifetime of familiarity with the Dalai Lama that we understand his words and actions." Writer and activist Tenzin Tsundue, who was born in exile and recently trekked the Himalayas to create awareness about the 70 years of Chinese occupation of Tibet, said 26 years ago he had his first audience with His Holiness.

"His Holiness listened to my story (on sneaking into Tibet) in every detail with a childlike wondering. It was rare for an India-born graduate to go to Tibet and return alive. He then called me 'pa-tuk', little hero. I was 23. That was 1997. Since then I have never stopped working for Tibet." Tsundue, known for his trademark red headband, had sneaked into Tibet secretly and alone, from Ladakh to fight China. He got arrested by the Chinese border police who interrogated and tortured him and locked him up in a prison.

Later when they couldn't prove any of the charges against him, they threw him out of Tibet.

Firmly believing that the Tibetans are deeply hurt by all negativity directed at His Holiness, top Tibetan leader Penpa Tsering said: "Who is the victim? The mother is not the victim, the boy is not the victim. They are not complaining, the victim here is His Holiness the Dalai Lama." Reacting to the media storm, thousands of people in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh last week joined a peace march in support of the Dalai Lama.

On March 31, 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama entered India from Chutangmu, a small Assam Rifles outpost near Tawang. In his biography, the Dalai Lama mentioned that when he first stepped into India after escaping from Lhasa he experienced "freedom".

According to a vision paper named "Securing Tibet's Future", released last week by Penpa Tsering, Tibetans face an existential threat to their culture and identity due to the repressive genocidal policies of China.

"Even though the Kashag (Cabinet) wishes to resume contact with the Chinese government, it depends on whether the Chinese leadership has the political will to resolve the conflict," it says.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
United Nations, April 16 : China's influence at the world body -- a barometer of its global clout -- measured by a recent secret electoral vote has shown a downward drift even as it maintains an iron grip on power at the Security Council because of its veto powers.

China went head-to-head against India in elections at the 53-member UN Economic and Social Council for the UN Statistical Commission India polled 46 votes, while China came in third with 19 votes, behind South Korea with 23.

And in a second round of balloting for the second seat on the commission for the Asia Pacific region, China tied with South Korea with 25 votes each, and Seoul got the seat in a draw of lots.

It was a big change for China pushing its goal of global dominance.

The difference between New Delhi and Beijing is stark in a changed situation where China's largesse increasingly looks like a usurious power play while India is leading the efforts to restructure the crushing debts of the developing countries.

Beijing poured hundreds of billions of dollars into its web of One Belt One Road initiative across the world and the bills are coming due to the recipients.

As the president of the G20, India has positioned itself as the voice of the Global South, while avoiding strident anti-imperialist/anti-neocolonial rhetoric, and this has put India on the opposite side to China, which probably is the biggest direct lender, although other countries and multinational institutions are also in the ranks of lenders..

At the G20 finance ministers meeting in February, India pushed proposals for the big lenders -- especially China -- to take a "haircut", write off portions of loans, to give relief to the debtor nations as they struggle from the economic crisis from the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

At the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings in Washington this month, India again took centre stage as a co-chair with the heads of those organisations of the Global Sovereign Debt Restructuring Roundtable to find a solution to the debt crisis.

As global polarisation accelerates, China is the leading force on one side of the divide and in a choice between India and China, especially if the ballot is secret, the preference appears to be to the sort of neutral country.

To counter China's attempts to get elected to international bodies, especially in leadership positions, the foreign ministers of the Quad, made up of India, the US, Japan and Australia, declared their commitment last month to "independent" candidates.

After their meeting, they said in a joint statement: "We will support meritorious and independent candidates for elections in the UN and in international forums to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the international system." While China's grip may loosen in anonymous elections, in open voting it still can use its position as a lender to advantage as it did at the UN Human Rights Council last October when a proposal to discuss China's alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang province was voted down.

It has a steely hold on the most important body of the UN, the Security Council where it can wield its veto as a permanent member or like any member on its committees like the ones for terrorism sanctions.

It has blocked several times attempts to designate Pakistan-based operatives behind attacks on India as global terrorists, which would place them under international sanctions.

But it has had to relent in some cases under international pressure.

Beijing agreed in January to designating Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Deputy Chief Abdul Rehman Makki after having blocked it earlier.

In 2019, China lifted its block on Masood Azhar of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

But it continues to block adding to the international terrorist list LeT leaders Sajid Mir and Shahid Mahmood, and JeM leader Abdul Rauf Azhar.

In the long-range, Beijing can also block the expansion of the Security Council's permanent membership, although it is already facing pressure from the African nations, a constituency it ha sought to cultivate.

Organisationally, China uses the power of the purse for influence. It is the second largest contributor to the UN's budget sending $438 million last year.

It gets it a measure of deference from UN officials.

The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet admitted that she had been under "tremendous pressure" over a report on China's human rights violations against the Uyghurs.

She published the report only on her last day in office after delaying its release for several years.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Colombo, April 16 : Battling with a mammoth debt, Sri Lanka's Agriculture Minister last week announced a plan to export 1,00,000 monkeys to China, the country's biggest bilateral lender.

According to the Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, the 'business' is to get rid of the endemic toque macaques or common monkeys in Sri Lanka, which have won the wrath of farmers for destroying crops. According to China, the request for monkeys was for them to be distributed among 1,000 zoos and the Minister had even appointed a committee to study the project.

However, planned monkey export to China has been opposed by environmentalists and animal rights activists who complained that the minister's decision needs a comprehensive study especially in a backdrop where there had been no census of monkeys over the last 40 years.

Leading environmental rights activist Jagath Gunawardana demanded clarity and transparency on the plan to export the animals which are not a protected species in Sri Lanka but are in the international red list of endangered animals. "We want to know why they want so many monkeys -- whether it is for meat, medical research or some other purpose." The environmentalist and animal rights activists, however, are against having the monkey business with China which some suspect as similar to donkey business with Pakistan. In last October it was announced that China was keen on importing donkeys and dogs from Pakistan, a cash-strapped country like Sri Lanka. Chinese interest in donkeys were to use the animals' hide to manufacture traditional Chinese medicines "eijao" or donkey-hide gelatin that is believed to have medicinal properties. However Sri Lanka's animal rights groups and others are dead against having the same fate of Pakistani donkeys to Sri Lankan monkeys.

The activists' protest seems justifiable as business with China is interpreted with suspicion as opposed to any other country. No financial detail of possible monkey export to China was immediately disclosed by either party.

Not only with monkeys, given the past experience with multi-dollar million, white elephant Chinese credit projects like country's second international airport, harbour, conference hall, highway all the island's rural southernmost point in Hambantota which is also the key location of China's BRI's 'Maritime Silk Road' in the Indian Ocean, questions are now being asked what benefit Sri Lanka gained by becoming the biggest debtor to Beijing. While China holds over a fifth of Sri Lanka's bilateral credit, what benefits Sri Lanka had reaped with these billion dollar loans are unknown to most.

It is a common knowledge that in the extremely corrupt political hands like in Sri Lanka, with no transparency with regard to financial handling, China, which is famous for offering commissions and kickbacks for anyone who would help their plans and become the victor, is able to get its plans through.

With such a history, this week's two other Asian giants, Japan and India, together with France announced a common platform for talks among bilateral creditors to coordinate restructuring Sri Lanka's debt. However, China last month announced that it would offer debt relief to the island nation for 2022 and 2023 in line with an IMF bailout program.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, who announced the creation of a platform, extended an open invitation to China stating, "I hope many countries will participate. It will be very nice if China will join," While the Japanese Finance Minister made the request, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman in response had reiterated the extension on Sri Lanka's debt service.

"Sri Lanka will not have to repay the principal and interest due of the Bank's (China's Exim Bank) loans during the above-mentioned period, so as to help relieve Sri Lanka's short-term debt repayment pressure; meanwhile, the Bank would like to have friendly consultation with Sri Lanka regarding medium- and long-term debt treatment in this window period," the spokesman from Beijing said.

The proposed platform and other debt restructuring measures are desperately needed for Sri Lanka to secure a $2.9 billion bailout package and start repaying around $6 billion annually until 2029.

Japan, and France, Paris Club members and India G20 chair, the key countries which initiated the platform hope that it would be a model for solving the debt burdens of middle income countries.

But it is uncertain whether China would join this historic initiative. The group has sent an invitation to all of Sri Lanka's bilateral creditors, including China, and hopes to hold the first round of talks at the earliest date possible, said Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda.

Playing a vital historical role to support her Southern neighbour, India had been with Sri Lanka throughout the crisis. Despite Sri Lanka having played the China card on a number of occasions ignoring India and Japan, it was India which was first to inform the IMF for debt relief support to Sri Lanka. The announcement in January was in addition to nearly $4 billion financial assistance within six months from January 2022, the period the country went through a major political turmoil.

Acting on the same spirit, last week, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attending a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, announced India's commitment to help Sri Lanka in handling the on-going economic crisis. Sitharaman stressed that a collaboration among creditors was important to ensure transparency and equality in treatment of all creditors in the debt restructuring discussions.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : In the April 2 train fire incident in Kerala, the Kerala Police are still in dark over the motive behind the attack.

The assailant, Shahrukh Saifi from New Delhi is in police custody after the Central intelligence bureau provided the tip. The Maharashtra ATS took him into custody from Ratnagiri and handed him over to the Kerala Police team.

Even though Saifi has been in the state police custody for the past nine days, the Kerala Police have not been able to crack the case as he is claiming repeatedly that he was alone in the attack.

Three people, including a two-year-old toddler, died by falling from the train during the burning incident.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already stated that this was a terror attack and that external forces were behind Shahrukh Saifi.

Police have also found that he had bought two bottles of petrol for burning the train compartment. The police have also found that he had bought the petrol from a fuel pump station at Shoranur in Kerala.

There are several unanswered questions as to why the assailant had reached Shoranur and whether he had received any support there. The assailant, according to police, spent around 14 hours in Shoranur is the main angle on which the investigation is centered.

Shoranur is a major hub of Islamist groups and the banned Popular Front of India has a strong base in this area. Even as the PFI is banned, its political arm, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is having a presence and almost all the PFI leaders are now with the SDPI.

With the Kerala Police not being able to crack the case on why Shahrukh Saifi has reached Kerala and what was the reason for burning the train, the CBI investigation seems to be a necessity, say sources.

According to information available from Kerala Police sources, Shahrukh Saifi seems to have received good psychological training of not wilting under pressure.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Election Commission (EC) revised the list of national and state political parties earlier this week.

The poll watchdog has elevated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to national party status, while downgrading Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The conditions are laid out in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which are amended from time to time, for recognition of a political party as 'state party' or a 'national party' by the EC.

Recently, the EC made its decision after examining the poll results of the parties in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and also election results of 21 legislative assemblies since 2014. Founded in November 2012, the AAP has already established itself as a state party in Delhi, Punjab, and Goa and its recognition as a state party in Gujarat earned it national party status.

The 'state party' can allot its reserved symbol to all the candidates contesting in the state or the states. And, when a party is recognised as a 'national party', it can allot its reserved symbol to its candidates contesting from parliamentary constituencies across the country.

The candidate of a 'state party' or a 'national party' needs only one proposer to endorse her or his candidature while filing the nomination for elections. However, a candidate of an unrecognized political party needs 10 proposers to endorse her or his candidature.

Conditions for a political party to be recognized as a 'state party' A political party can be recognized as a 'state party' in a state if the following conditions are met:

(a) In the last election to the legislative assembly of the state, the party's candidates should have secured not less than 6 per cent of the total valid votes polled and at least two of them won, or (b) the party should have secured 3 per cent of the total number of seats or at least three seats in the assembly, whichever is more

(c) The candidates set up by the party have secured not less than 6 per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state

(d) At the last general election to the House of the People from the State, the party has returned at least one member to the House of the People for every 25 members or any fraction thereof allotted to that state

(e) At the last general election to the legislative assembly of the state, the candidates set up by the party have secured not less than eight percent of the total valid votes polled in the State.

Conditions for a political party to be recognized as a 'national party' A political party can be recognized as a 'national party', if it meets any of the following conditions:

(a) The candidates set up by the party, in any four or more states, at the last general election to the House of the People, or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned, have secured not less than six percent of the total valid votes polled in each of those states at that general election

(b) In addition, it has returned at least four members to the House of the People at the aforesaid last general election from any State or States

(c) At the last general election to the House of the People, the party has won at least two percent of the total number of seats in the House of the People, any fraction exceeding half being counted as one

(d) The party is recognized as state party in at least four states

Advantages of being a national party

(a) There are specific advantages for a party granted national status, such as reserved party symbols, and its candidates get more coverage on television and radio during elections

(b) The right to use a reserved symbol, which is unique to the party, can't be used by anyone else, is granted to a national party for all elections held across the country

(c) A national party can contest in elections across the country and field candidates in any state

(d) A national party can engage 40 'star campaigners' and their expenses are not included in the party's overall costs of organising an election campaign. A registered unrecognised party is allowed to nominate a maximum of 20 star campaigners (e) A party with the 'national' status gets land from the government to build its headquarters

(f) A party is given two free sets of electoral rolls during the roll revision and it also gets one free electoral roll for each candidate during general elections

Conditions for continued recognition of a party as a 'state party' or a 'national party'

In 2016, the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968. It allowed a political party to retain the 'state party' or 'national party' tag even after it loses eligibility in the next Lok Sabha or state assembly election.

However, if the party fails to regain eligibility in the subsequent election to the state assembly or the Lok Sabha, then it will lose its status.

Why is AAP a national party, and TMC, NCP, and CPI stripped of 'national party' status? In the recently held Gujarat elections, the AAP won five out of 182 seats and received 12.92 percent of valid votes polled. The AAP has got the status of 'state party' in four states, as a result the EC recognised it as a 'national party'.

The NCP, in the assembly elections between 2017 and 2018, lost its state party status in Goa, Manipur, and Meghalaya, where the percent of valid votes polled were 2.28 per cent, 0.95 per cent, and 1.61 per cent, respectively.

The NCP, however, is a state party in Maharashtra -- in the 2019 assembly election, it received 16.71 per cent of the vote share -- and it was also granted state party status in the Nagaland election held earlier this year. In Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya, the NCP lost its 'state party' status and as a result lost its 'national party' status.

According to the EC, in the 2019 Lok Sabha election the TMC did not contest in Arunachal Pradesh or Manipur, however it received 0.40 per cent and 43.28 per cent of the vote in Tripura and West Bengal.

In the West Bengal state assembly election in 2021, TMC secured 48.02 per cent vote. However, the party did not contest in Manipur in 2022.

In assembly elections between 2016 to 2018, TMC got 44.91 per cent of the vote in West Bengal, 1.41 per cent in Manipur, and 0.30 per cent in Tripura, but did not contest in Manipur (2022). TMC was de-recognised by the EC as a 'state party' in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and it also withdrew its 'national party' status.

The CPI is a state party in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Manipur, however it lost the state party status in West Bengal and Odisha, as a result it is not a national party anymore.
New Delhi, April 16 : Ahead of the general election the Election Commission of India scrapping the national party status of the TMC, NCP and the CPI and granting national party status to the AAP may play a significant role in the positioning of the three opposition parties.

The dethroned parties will have to struggle for a national footprint and will have to ally with national parties to get the desired seat and vote percentage to claim the status again.

Majeed Memon of the TMC said, "when the graph of a national political party drops down from the requisite standard to qualify the EC should not withdraw its status. Five years to come up once again should be given and only after that the status could be brought down if the party does not regain lost ground." The BJP, the Congress, the CPI-M, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the National People's Party (NPP) and the Aam Aadmi Party are now the main national parties.

But insiders say that this will help to build an alliance and will lead to realignment of the parties in the general elections. Since the EC decision many meetings on opposition unity have taken place.

In the Lok Sabha the TMC has no member outside West Bengal. It is trying to create a presence in Assam amongst the Bengali speaking people and also in Tripura so it may go in for an alliance with the Congress in these states and concede some seats in West Bengal which the BJP won in the last election. Similarly the NCP has one MP from Lakshwadeep but it wants the MVA intact in Maharashtra. The AAP has gained national party status but has no presence in the Lok Sabha.

Punjab has 13 and Delhi 7 Lok Sabha seats so it may concede a few seats in Delhi to gain in Punjab.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NCP chief Sharad Pawar had met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi to take the cause of opposition unity forward. The meeting took place at Kharge's residence.

Sharad Pawar advocated for larger unity and will reach out to the TMC which has lost its national status. "I want that there should be talks with leaders of all opposition parties including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. We should talk to them and move forward, taking everyone along to unite the opposition," Pawar said.

The TMC and the AAP which have fought the Goa elections have affected the Congress while in Gujarat and Uttarakhand the AAP has damaged the Congress. The party which is ruling Delhi and Punjab has gained national status but has hinted at a restrained approach in the fight ahead and may align with the front.

Nitish Kumar's JD-U, and Lalu Prasad's RJD, who are coalition allies in Bihar, are also regional parties but could become the axis of the opposition alliance.

Nitish Kumar met Delhi Chief Minister and AAP head Arvind Kejriwal, CPI-M chief Sitaram Yechury and the CPI's D. Raja. The CPI has lost its national party status but can play a significant role in the opposition.

The Aam Aadmi Party was on Monday accorded the status of a national party by the Election Commission.

In an order issued on Monday, the ECI also withdrew the state party status given to late Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Andhra Pradesh, the PDA in Manipur, the PMK in Puducherry, the RSP in West Bengal and the MPC in Mizoram.

The Commission said that the AAP has been nominated as a national party after its electoral performance in four states namely Delhi, Goa, Punjab and Gujarat. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party is in power in Delhi and Punjab.

The poll panel said that the status of the NCP, the CPI and the Trinamool as national political parties would be withdrawn.

The EC also announced that the NCP and the Trinamool will be recognised as state parties in Nagaland and Meghalaya, respectively based on their performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

It also granted "recognised state political party" status to the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas in Nagaland, the Voice of the People Party in Meghalaya and the Tipra Motha in Tripura.
New Delhi, April 16 : After the gruesome murder of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother, the Congress said on Sunday the rule of law as laid down in the country's Constitution is paramount.

"Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land. Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," Said Jairam Ramesh, party General Secretary.

He said the collective endeavour should be there to ensure that the judicial system and rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a three-member judicial commission that will probe the murders of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in presence of the police and the media on Saturday night.

The state has been put on high alert and senior officials.
Kolkata, April 16 : The CBI will implicate Jiban Krishna Saha, the Trinamool Congress legislator from Burdwan in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, under Section 204 (punishment for destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code.

On Friday night, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths were conducting raid and search operations at Saha's residence in connection with the multi- crore teachers' recruitment scam, Shah suddenly threw both his mobile phones in a pond adjacent to his residence.

The CBI sleuths were able to track one mobile while the other one is still missing. The raid and search operations started at 1.30 p.m. on Friday and continued till the time this report was filed.

Sources said that this act of throwing away the mobile phones was a clear attempt to destroy the document or electronic records so that they could be produced as evidence against him.

The CBI sleuths are currently interacting with their legal brains so that the legislator can be implicated under Section 204 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides the other sections as applicable based on the evidence collected about his involvement in the recruitment scam, sources said.

Meanwhile, a team of technical experts have arrived at Saha's residence and they are trying to decipher the contents of the mobile phone that was recovered at around 7.30 a.m. on Sunday. The search for the second mobile is still on.

Meanwhile, the CBI sleuths have also recovered two pen- drives from the jewellery- box of Saha's wife. They suspect that those two pen- drives have crucial documents relating to the transaction of crime proceeds in the recruitment scam.

Earlier, the CBI had recovered a number of incriminating documents, including admit cards for written examinations for recruitment of primary, upper primary and second sections in the state-run schools. A diary has also been recovered which might contain records of scam proceeds collected.

During the course of its investigation and through questioning of arrested and expelled youth Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh, the central agency sleuths came across a local agent named Kaushik Ghosh.

Sources said that Kaushik Ghosh mainly acted as an agent in Murshidabad district and his task was to arrange for prospective candidates willing to pay hefty amounts of money for getting appointments in state-run schools.

From Kaushik Ghosh, the CBI sleuths came to know of Saha's involvement in the scam.
Los Angeles, April 16 : Actress Ana de Armas paid homage to her Cuban roots during her 'Saturday Night Live' hosting debut.

As the 'Blonde' star emerged on stage for her monologue, she greeted the audience in Spanish, before opening up about her experience coming to the United States, reports Variety.

"I speak English," De Armas continued.

"But I didn't when I first got to the U.S. I was born in Cuba. I came to America when I was 26, and I learnt English the way everyone who comes to this country does: by watching 'Friends.'" "Who would have thought that the best English tutor would be Chandler Bing?" De Armas joked, proceeding to mimic the fan-favorite sitcom character. "I mean look at me now; could I be any better at English?" De Armas went on to explain the hardships she faced coming to America with English as a second language. She used the example of an acting class, "which was definitely a scam," centred around the audition process: "There was this line, 'I beg your pardon.' But I had never seen or heard that phrase, so I thought this character was literally begging." The Academy Award nominee also shouted out Robert de Niro during her opening remarks, who she met while working on her first movie in the U.S., titled 'Hands of Stone'. De Armas elaborated on how the fellow actor visited her father at work while on a trip to Cuba.

"That was such a kind gesture, and I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful actors," De Armas concluded. "My dad was so proud of me, and he would be proud to see me today standing on this stage. I feel very lucky to be here." De Armas' latest project with co-star Chris Evans, an Apple TV+ film titled 'Ghosted', will premiere April 21. The actor also wrapped filming alongside Keanu Reeves for 'Ballerina', the fourth installment of the 'John Wick' franchise.
Guwahati, April 16 : Following the CBI's questioning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy scam case, the AAP has accelerated its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

While his party leaders are alleging that PM Modi invested crores of rupees in controversial industrialist Gautam Adani's establishments, the opposition parties in Assam, surprisingly are accusing the Delhi Chief Minister of dividing the anti-BJP votes and thus in turn helping the saffron party to win elections.

As a part of his party's national ambition, Kejriwal has targeted Assam for the party expansion. In the last year's local body election, AAP came second in the Guwahati municipal polls, while the Congress was behind them. This further fuelled AAP's aspiration to grow in this state.

Kejriwal recently visited Assam and participated in a rally in Guwahati. Prior to this and after his visit to the state, there were exchanges of words between the Delhi Chief Minister and his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Arvind Kejriwal came down heavily on Sarma on a number of issues, including governance, education, health, and so on. Kejriwal also attacked the Assam Chief Minister for his wife's decision to open a big private school in the state.

The AAP leader said, "I have heard that Assam Chief Minister's wife has opened a private school where lakhs of rupees in fees were taken. This is very dangerous. If the Chief Minister's wife herself runs private schools, the state education system will soon collapse entirely." Himanta Biswa Sarma sharply reacted to Arvind Kejriwal and warned the Delhi Chief Minister not to lie on the land of Goddess Kamakhya.

"How come the Delhi Chief Minister boasts that he has given 12 lakh jobs to unemployed youths in Delhi, when the total number of positions sanctioned under the Delhi government is about 1.5 lakh," Sarma asked.

He added, "Since lying is typically regarded as sinful in the area of Maa Kamakhya, I request the Delhi chief minister not to do so." This was well expected, however, it was surprising that Congress and the AIUDF have also launched fronts against Arvind Kejriwal.

Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said, "Arvind Kejriwal has come to Assam to break the opposition unity. He criticised the Congress party during his recent visit. Instead of unifying the opposition, he was actually trying to help the BJP to win votes. This will make our fight against the BJP weaker.

Badruddin Ajmal's party, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), also took a jibe at Kejriwal.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam said, "Himanta Biswa Sarma is giving a platform to Kejriwal so that he can break the secular vote in Assam. On the other hand, Kejriwal is also highlighting Sarma, trying to make him a leader at the national level. There is a secret understanding between the two. It will come to light one day." There are obvious reasons for the two primary opposition parties to fear AAP's activities in Assam. Kejriwal's meeting in Assam drew a good crowd. But according to political experts, the Aam Aadmi Party meeting was attended by people mostly from one particular community. Muslim supporters were more numerous.

Moreover, in the Guwahati municipal election, AAP's only councillor won the ward, where Muslim votes are in the majority. It goes without saying that AAP has gained the support of a section of Muslims in Assam.

Obviously, AIUDF is also worried, along with the Congress, that AAP may take away a share of the Muslim votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The opposition leaders have given the example of last year's Gujarat election, where the anti-BJP votes were divided between the AAP and Congress, and that paved the way for a big win for the BJP in that state The Congress and AIUDF leaders are anticipating that Arvind Kejriwal's party entering electoral politics in Assam will in turn help the BJP win the maximum number of Lok Sabha seats in the state.
The Arab League (AL) held on Sunday an emergency meeting in Cairo where representatives of Arab states discussed the ongoing military clashes in Sudan, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

In a statement following the meeting, the AL council at the level of permanent representatives stressed the necessity of "immediate ceasefire of all armed clashes to protect the civilians and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sudan."

The Arab delegates urged the Sudanese parties to return to the peaceful path to resolve the crisis, warning against the dangers of violent escalation.

The meeting, called for by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, came a day after clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following days of tension over the RSF's integration into the army.

During the meeting, Sudan's representative at the league Al-Sadiq Omar Abdullah said it was the RSF that initiated the fighting Saturday morning, referring to them as "rebels."

He added that the Sudanese army struck back and foiled the RSF attacks and was in control of the situation.

Abdullah called on Arab states to mediate for a calm and peaceful settlement in Sudan "away from international interventions."

For his part, Obaida El-Dandarawy, the official in charge of the AL affairs at Egypt's Foreign Ministry, said that "Egypt confirms and reiterates its genuine commitment to supporting the stability and territorial integrity of Sudan."

The AL members also stressed their readiness to make all efforts to assist Sudan to end the current crisis sustainably.

At least 56 civilians were killed and hundreds of people were wounded in the fighting since Saturday, according to Sudanese medics.
New Delhi, April 16 : A "no-nonsense" approach towards China seems to be taking shape in New Delhi, if India's recent responses to the 'Dragon's incursions and attempts to violate territory can be of any indication.

This prescription by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is loosely being termed as the "Jaishankar Doctrine" by foreign affairs experts, as some tough messages have been sent across to China by India in the recent past.

While India's firm counter-action against China's incursions during the Galwan stand-off of 2020 sent an incisive message across the border, Jaishankar's strong words during the past few days have been indicative of this 'doctrine'.

Just couple of days back, while the Indian community in Uganda, Jaishankar said forces who indulge in cross-border terrorism against India for decades now know this is a "different India" which will give them a reply, clearly indicating at New Delhi's renewed capabilities of meeting any national security challenges posed by China and also Pakistan.

About the challenges India faces on its borders, Jaishankar said: "Today people see a different India that is willing to stand up and India which will meet its national security challenges whether it is Uri or whether it is Balakot." He was referring to the 2016 Uri attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed insurgents from Pakistan against an Indian Army brigade headquarters and the 2019 Balakot airstrike conducted by Indian warplanes in Balakot, Pakistan against a terrorist training camp.

"Today, the forces which indulged in cross-border terrorism against India for decades and which India tolerated, they now know this is a different India and this India will give them a reply," he said.

On the challenges being faced in areas along the Chinese border, Jaishankar said: "For the last three years, in violation of the agreements, the Chinese have brought large forces." He went on to add, though, that today the Indian military is deployed at very great heights and in very tough conditions.

"This situation is different from the past as Indian soldiers have now the full backing, they have the right equipment and the infrastructure," he said Last month while addressing a media event, Jaishankar had said that the country's relationship with China is "challenging and abnormal".

"The China situation is very fragile and the situation is very challenging. You cannot violate agreements and pretend that everything is normal.

"There will be no normal ties with China if border agreements are breached. You have to mutually agree on patrolling in certain areas. In the 1970s, we chose areas where we wouldn't patrol," he had said.

Going by the tough bytes, interesting days may seem ahead as far as India-China ties are concerned.
New Delhi, April 16 : Amid accusations of "debt-trap diplomacy", Chinese companies seek more overseas direct investment opportunities and fewer foreign contracted projects as President Xi Jinpings flagship initiative of BRI is stymied by poor risk management, Nadia Clark wrote in a blog for Council for Foreign Relations.

China is now realising the true cost of the BRI, as it is forced to choose between repayment on the hundreds of billions in loans its companies and state banks have issued and whatever goodwill it may have accumulated through this initiative, Clark wrote.

China should be wary lest the BRI follow the path of its ancient predecessor, with fragmentation contributing to decline and eventual collapse.

China's ascent as an international financier (especially in low-income countries) has been accompanied by claims that it engages in so-called debt-trap diplomacy.

The term originated in 2017 to describe a deal that saw Beijing receive a 99-year lease for the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka after the country fell behind on debt payments and has since been more widely applied to any Chinese project that conflicts with Western interests, especially those under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Clark said.

Western media and senior policy officials seem to feel that China is using the BRI to exert undue influence over the world, especially because the initiative mostly funds infrastructure rather than the social sector projects, such as health or education initiatives, that are often favoured by large multilateral donors and Western nations.

Critics worry that China will be able to seize control of these assets for military use or use them as leverage in future negotiations, Clark said.

The real reason why the BRI has struggled to sustain itself is not due to debt traps or predatory lending, but something far more mundane: Poor risk management and a lack of attention to detail and cohesion from the Chinese state-owned enterprises and banks, private companies, and local governments involved, Clark added.

Chinese companies are not losing interest in BRI or overseas investment, but their preferences for engaging with the BRI have changed. It is possible that Chinese companies bit off more than they could chew when they began signing BRI foreign contracted projects at the start of the initiative, initially committing to a large volume of projects and leaving little room for participation in new projects in later years.

It could be that they feel less protected or supported without strong government oversight and therefore become more risk averse. It is also possible that less projects are being signed because companies cannot find willing host country partners, Clark wrote.

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports from BRI partner countries about construction flaws in major infrastructure projects, project cancelations initiated by BRI partner countries due to concerns over corruption and debt, project cancelations initiated by Chinese companies due to financial problems and projects that have led to nowhere (in some cases, literally - such as a BRI-funded that ends in the middle of a field in Kenya).

All of these factors do not point to malicious or predatory lending, but rather overzealous engagement on the part of both Chinese companies and BRI partners. BRI participants were so eager to see the gains from these projects (whether political, financial, or economic) that they rushed into deals without adequate planning.

Most projects were completed as standalone enterprises, with little thought for the bigger picture of how different pieces of infrastructure need to fit together in order to function effectively.

For example, standalone ports are essentially useless without accompanying roads and railways to transport goods from ships further inland. Such fragmentation has plunged both Chinese companies and BRI partners into billions of dollars of debt and a number of prolonged debt-restructuring deal negotiations, Clark added.

China has developed a system of "Bailouts on the Belt and Road" that helps recipient countries to avoid default, and continue servicing their BRI debts, at least in the short run, a new report has found.

In total, more than 20 debtor countries have received $ 240 billion in Chinese rescue lending since 2000. The scale of China's global bailout lending program is also growing fast. More than $ 185 billion USD was extended in the past five years alone (2016-2021), as per a report by researchers from the World Bank, Harvard Kennedy School, AidData, and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Thirteen countries made total drawings of $170 billion in situations of economic or financial distress. Examples include Argentina (2014-2021), Mongolia (2012-2021), Suriname (2015-2021), and Sri Lanka (2021), which drew on their RMB swap lines right before and/or after sovereign defaults on their external creditors.

Other important users include Pakistan (2013-2021), Egypt (2016-2021) and Turkey (2021), which made large drawdowns during protracted balance of payments crises, as demonstrated by their crashing currencies in the face of dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

Another group, including Russia (in 2015 and 2016) and Ukraine (in 2015), activated its swap lines in the face of sanctions and deep geopolitical crises.
Washington, April 16 : A top US military general had warned in January that the United States and China could be at war in 2025 over Taiwan.

General Mike Minihan, who heads the Air Mobility Command, wrote in an internal memo that he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping could invade Taiwan in 2024 as both the US and Taiwan will be distracted by their respective presidential elections. And the US will, he did not say explicitly in reports on the leaked memo, be drawn into the conflict.

"I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025," the general wrote.

Another US military general had warned in 2021 that China could invade Taiwan in six years' time. Others have been somewhat more circumspect -- Ely Rattner, a senior Pentagon official, has said he doesn't see a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in this decade.

In fact, he has gone on to tell a Congressional committee that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austen does not believe an invasion is either imminent or inevitable.

"I don't see an imminent invasion," Austin said in an interview to CNN last October, adding, "What we do see is China moving to establish what we would call a new normal. Increased activity - we saw a number of centre line crossings of the Taiwan Strait by their aircraft. That number has increased over time. We've seen more activity with their surface vessels and waters in and around Taiwan." It has become increasingly clear, though, that the United States is unlikely to let China invade Taiwan - US hopes to deter Beijing by expanding its military superiority over China - and, failing which, it will intervene militarily to defend Taiwan.

"Yes, if, in fact, there was an unprecedented attack," President Joe Biden said in an interview to American media outlet CBS in September last year when asked if the US would defend Taiwan.

And, "Yes", he answered when asked if the US would send forces to defend Taiwan, unlike in Ukraine, where the Biden administration has sent billions of dollars worth of military equipment.

Biden has tweaked America's decades-long China-Taiwan policy. Like his predecessors and their administrations, he has committed his administration to the "One China" policy, which acknowledges Chinese claims over the self-governing island without endorsing it; does not support Taiwanese independence; and commits US military supplies to help Taiwan defend itself.

But Biden has gone further than any of them and committed US troops to defending Taiwan. When he first made that statement, he was walked back by White House officials, who did the same two more times. But they did not when he made that commitment the fourth time, last September.

Is it US policy now? There is only one way to find out. And no one wants to go there. Not yet. Not the Chinese, who have responded with predictable outrage after every one of these Biden remarks.

Aside from the rhetoric, US relations with China over Taiwan are shaped by this old and "abiding interest in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait", as stated by Biden's National Security Strategy. That is "critical to regional and global security and prosperity and a matter of international concern and attention".

It further noted, "We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, and do not support Taiwan independence." And it went on to reassert historical US commitment "to our one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. And we will uphold our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act to support Taiwan's self-defense and to maintain our capacity to resist any resort to force or coercion against Taiwan." There is bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US, with Republicans, in fact, willing to go further at least in rhetoric. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy became the senior-most elected American official to meet a Taiwanese leader on US soil when he hosted President Tsai Ing-wen earlier this month in his home state of California.

President Tsai had quietly met Hakeem Jeffries, the top House Democrat, in New York during the same US trip.

Then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last August became the senior most US official to visit Taiwan. And Beijing had gone ballistic then, conducting live-wire military exercises to demonstrate its anger.

China had also shut down a regular hotline between its military and the US military. And, though not related apparently, it sent a 'spy balloon' over the United States earlier this year in its most audacious challenge yet.
New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Man with party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Man with party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Man with party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Man with party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Man with party leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: AAP leader and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann talks to media during a protest outside CBI office for supporting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he is summoned by CBI for questioning in the liquor scam, in New Delhi on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Photo: Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 16 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and other party workers are staging a protest near NIA headquarters as they were stopped from marching towards the CBI's headquarters.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are protesting to show their solidarity with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is currently being grilled by a team of senior CBI officials in connection with the Delhi excise scam case.

Suspectig that AAP workers may create ruckus during the questioning of Kejriwal, the Delhi Police had imposed section 144 outside the CBI's headquarters.

The AAP workers took to street all over the capital. They had called workers from other state too. According to information, AAP workers from Punjab and other state are staging protest.

Rapid Action Forces have been deployed at Rajghat, ITO, CBI Headquarters and in Lutyens zone.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, will be deployed outside the CBI headquarters here at Lodhi Road.

According to officials, security measures have been heightened outside the AAP office located near Rouse Avenue Court.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : The Congress in Kerala is feeling the heat as the state unit of the BJP has commenced an aggressive outreach for the Christian community.

The Congress, which has lost two consecutive Assembly elections in Kerala to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front has to somehow maintain its vote bank.

With the major Christian political party of Kerala, the Kerala Congress (Mani) already in the Left Front, the Congress is feeling the heat. With the Congress' repeated failure in the state and Centre, the party knows that political parties with community leanings would join the forces that are in power.

The BJP has already commenced reaching out to the Christian community and on Easter day, the senior leaders of the party met Cardinal George Alenchery, Bishop Joseph Pamplani, Bishop Thomas Netto and other senior Christian clergy members.

While the BJP said that it was only a friendly reach out to the Christian community, Congress has felt the heat and senior leaders of the party, including KPCC president, K. Sudhakaran and Opposition leader, V.D. Satheeshan has brought to notice the earlier "deeds of the Sangh parivar forces that were against the Christian community".

The killing of Graham Stanes, the death of Catholic priest Stan Swamy in prison and many attacks against churches across the country were highlighted by the Congress party. The Congress state president, K. Sudhakaran met the Bishop of Thalassery, Joseph Pamplani in a bid to defuse the situation that the Bishop was leaning towards the BJP.

The state Congress is conducting a high-level meeting on Thursday (April 20), and the church leaning towards the BJP would be a major subject of discussion.

A senior Congress leader while speaking to IANS said, "The Congress has to do some serious firefighting or otherwise the Christian community will shift its position towards the BJP as they have power at the Centre and will do anything to woo the Christian community."
Dubai, April 16 : At least 16 people, including four Indians, were killed and nine injured after a massive fire in a residential building in Deira district in Dubai, local media reported.

The deceased Indians were a couple from Kerala and two men who worked at the said building, Gulf News quoted an official at the Indian Consulate as saying.

The Indians who died were identified as Rijesh Kalangadan, 38, his wife Jeshi Kandamangalath, 32, Gudu Saliyakoondu, 49 and Imamkasim Abdul Khader, 43, the Gulf News reported.

The fire broke out on fourth floor of the building on Saturday at 12.35 p.m and soon spread to other areas. Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was informed about the inferno after which fire engines were rushed to the spot. The fire was controlled around 2.42 p.m., The Khaleej Times reported.

The building has been sealed for safety reasons.

As per preliminary investigations, fire was caused by lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : In the shootout between the paramilitary forces and the armed forces in Sudan, a man from Kerala died. The deceased is Albert Augustine of Alakkode in Kannur district of Kerala.

He was an ex-serviceman and was working in Khartoum in Sudan for the past few years as a supervisor in Dal group, a private company.

Albert Augustine's father Augustine told IANS that his son died in cross fire between the paramilitary forces of Sudan and the armed forces. He said that Albert was killed while he was on a telephone call.

The relatives of Albert Augustine said that they have petitioned the Government of India to bring his mortal remains back to his home town.
Mumbai, April 16 : The Maharashtra Congress on Sunday said it will hold state-wide protests on Monday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the revelations made by former Governor Satya Pal Malik.

State Congress President Nana Patole said the protests will be under the banner of 'Shame on Modi, Shame on you' for not commenting on Malik's statements that reek of a conspiracy behind the 2019 Pulwama terror strike that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans.

"Why was Malik asked to keep quiet about the matter... Why did the PM, Home Minister hide the truth from the people, and what is the government suppressing about such a big incident that shocked the nation," Patole demanded.

He reiterated the questions raised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies on Friday on Malik's contention that aircraft were not allowed to transport the CRPF forces convoys that could have averted the huge tragedy.

Patole asked what was the origins of the 300-kg RDX used in that blast, why did the government deliberately ignore intel warnings and Malik's claims that the Pulwama strike was due to the government's failure, yet he was told to keep mum.

"The Modi government has not given answers to many questions in the past including this which has made the authorities sleepless... All attempts by the BJP to divert nation's attention from Malik's statement will not work and the people will demand replies," Patole declared.

He said that thousands of Congress leaders and activists all over the state will hold demonstrations outside Collectorates with banners and placards of 'Shame on Modi, Shame on you' and demand replies from the BJP government.
Chennai, April 16 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday thanked Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal for joining the move against governors.

It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had earlier called upon Chief Ministers' of non-BJP ruled states to pass resolutions in their respective assemblies to fix time frame for governors to pass bills.

Stalin, on his Twitter handle, wrote, "Thank you for commending TNLA's resolution and join our bandwagon. Indeed the supremacy of the legislature is supreme in any democracy. No 'appointed' Governor shall undermine the power and responsibilities of 'elected' governments. He also said: Thee Paravattum (Let the fire spread.)" On April 9, Stalin had urged the President and the Union government to fix a time frame for the governors to give their assent to bills.

The resolution was passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after the Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi's statement that the bill withheld means it is 'dead'.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Afghan Taliban was discovered to have been actively participating in attacks targeting Pakistan's security establishment and law-enforcement, according to a media report.

"Our details show that in every 'tashkil' (movement), if ten TTP members were dispatched, five or four would be Afghan citizens, a senior Pakistan counter-terrorism officer said, The Express Tribune reported.

The officer revealed that 51 Afghan militants were killed in targeted intelligence-based operations carried out by the military, police and the Counter-Terrorism Department over the last three months. "Even in the attack on the police station in Karachi, two of the terrorists involved were Afghan citizens," he disclosed.

"We have informed and warned the Kabul Regime about the recent surge in the militancy across Pakistan and the participation of Afghan Taliban in these activities. We have demanded that they play their role in ensuring peace and stability in our country," the source shared further, adding that there were reports of more movement by Afghan Taliban in this year's spring season, The Express Tribune reported.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior journalist from North Waziristan confirmed that if an attack took place in North or South Waziristan, four out of ten terrorists responsible would be traced back to Afghanistan. "Three of the last ten suicide attacks in North Waziristan were traced back to Afghanistan," the journalist said. "It shows that the bonds (between TTP and Afghan Taliban) are still at place and TTP is enjoying backing from Kabul," The Express Tribune reported.

According to sources, the merger of Taliban groups has strengthened TTP hands across Pakistan. The TTP military commission, they said, has people with diplomatic experience who have attracted scores of militant, separatist and sectarian groups in Balochistan and Sindh, The Express Tribune reported.

In recent days, the Balochistan Liberation Army has softly inked an agreement with TTP, sources said, adding that it is only verbal at this stage as their ideology and areas of concern are different. A group of TTP from the Bannu Domail area and Abu Zar Fidae from the Peshawar adjacent Bara Tehsil of Khyber tribal district have also announced their alliance.

Sources said that Pakistan had lost a window for reconciliation with the Taliban following the killing of high-ranking Inter-Services Intelligence officer Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Barki on March 21.

Talking about Brig Barki's importance, sources privy to details said the ISI officer was Pakistan's window to the TTP and played a key role in bringing TTP leaders to the negotiation table in previous rounds of talks. According to them, he was the one who signed all previous agreements, particularly the Kabul agreement between the TTP and Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported.

According to one source, Brig Barki met the TTP leadership alone around eight times and was a man who enjoyed the trust of the group's chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. "Such was the extent of the trust between the two that Mufti Noor Wali joked that he trusted him more than his own brother," the source said, The Express Tribune reported.

The source added that Brig Barki always travelled to Afghanistan on his own risk and had forced Mufti Noor Wali and other TTP Shura members to come to negotiations with assurances.

With Brig Barki's cold-blooded murder and military operations being planned, sources said that any possibility of talks with the TTP was over for the time being, The Express Tribune reported.

With the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, the TTP has regained its footprint in Pakistan's erstwhile tribal regions.

According to former Afghan security analyst Fawad Lamay, TTP has for years hosted various Jihadi groups like the Haqqani Network, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Uzbeks, Turkmen and Chechens. "With the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, the TTP leadership now freely moves from one side to another, from border areas to main lands. It conducts meetings and more specifically has received intelligence from the Emirate-e-Islami (Afghan Taliban)," he said, The Express Tribune reported.

Lamay called TTP and the Afghan Taliban two sides of the same coin, adding that "it would be a lie to believe that the Emirate-e-Islami have broken off ties with other Jihadi groups".
Qatar Airways announced the suspension of its flights to Sudan due to the closure of Khartoum International Airport, Qatar News Agency said on Sunday, Trend reports citing Reuters.

Fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.
San Francisco, April 16 : Google has announced that it will shut down Currents, the platform that was introduced in 2019 as a replacement for Google Plus for G Suite users.

According to The Verge, the company will begin winding down Currents on July 5, with data available for export until August 8, 2023, when it will no longer be available.

Moreover, the tech giant in a blogpost said that it will discontinue Currents and will replace it with Spaces (a central place where people can share files, assign tasks, and stay connected).

"With Spaces now available, starting in 2023 we are planning to wind down Google Currents and bring remaining content and communities over to the new Spaces experience," Google said.

According to the company, the reason behind the change is to eliminate the need for users to navigate to a separate platform. Instead, they can conveniently use Chat and Spaces, which will soon be seamlessly integrated into Gmail.

Over the next year, it has promised to enhance Spaces and make it a more fitting replacement.

It plans to introduce new capabilities such as support for larger communities and leadership communication, advanced search options, content moderation tools, and more.

Meanwhile, Google has said that it will end the support for the Nest Secure and the Dropcam home security system starting April 8, 2024.

The company said that it will also shut down its 'Works with Nest' programme starting September 29.
Islamabad, April 16 : Two soldiers and eight terrorists were killed during a shootout between security forces and the terrorists in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an army statement said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in the statement that the military carried out an operation on tip-off in the district located in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

During the operation, a fire exchange took place between the two sides, during which the troops killed all the attackers in a retaliatory attack, said the ISPR.

Arms and ammunition were also seized from the terrorists, said the statement.
Nairobi, April 16 : Kenya and South Sudan have called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan where the military and a paramilitary group are engaged in fierce fighting.

Kenyan President William Ruto and his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir, in separate statements, urged the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, to embrace dialogue to resolve their issues, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"Kenya is concerned about the developing crisis in Sudan. I implore all parties to address any differences through peaceful means for the sake of the security of the people of Sudan and stability in the country and the region, especially during this Holy month of Ramzan," Ruto said in a statement issued Saturday in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

He said the outbreak of violence will only reverse the gains Sudan has made to the detriment of its lasting peace and prosperity. Ruto said Kenya and the East Africa bloc, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) states are available and ready to contribute to the resolution of this crisis.

The statement came as clashes between the two parties erupted on Saturday in Sudan's capital Khartoum. The paramilitary group, RSF, claims its units took control of the presidential palace and Khartoum's international airport, along with another airport and military base north of the capital.

However, SAF Spokesman Brigadier-General Nabil Abdallah refuted the claims, saying it had gained control over RSF leadership "without resistance" and had struck RSF bases, chasing after paramilitary units.

On his part, Deng Dau Deng, South Sudan's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said President Kiir is following the developments in neighboring Sudan with deep concern.

Deng said Kiir was in constant communication with the leaders of Sudan to de-escalate the current situation. "The Republic of South Sudan which is the closest country to Sudan expresses its hope that the current situation is brought to a speedy end," he said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

Deng said Juba which brokered the Sudan peace agreement continues to remain a major guarantor of that agreement and called for an immediate ceasefire and commencement of talks to resolve pertinent issues that led to the current situation.
Aizawl/Agartala, April 16 : The Mizoram Police and the Assam Rifles have seized 5.44 lakh kgs of areca nut, also called betel nut or 'supari', valued at Rs 31.73 crore in the past 100 days after these contraband were smuggled from Myanmar, officials said on Sunday.

A Mizoram Police official said that following the directives of state government, the police is making all out efforts in the fight against illegal transportation of smuggled dry areca nuts, resulting in significant seizures during the past 100 days (from January 1 to April 10).

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue our efforts with active support and participation of civil society and all stakeholders for complete stoppage of illegal transportation of smuggled areca nuts," the official said.

The police have so far registered 19 FIRs and arrested 61 persons in connection with the smuggling and illegal transportation of areca nuts.

Due to large-scale smuggling from Myanmar and Assam government's transportation restrictions, areca nut farmers in the northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Tripura, are affected a lot and are seeking central intervention.

The illicit trade of areca nut is on the rise with the security forces, including the Assam Rifles, often seizing thousands of tonnes of the product, along with drugs, exotic animals and other goods smuggled in from Myanmar.

To curb the clandestine trade, the Assam government last year imposed some strict restrictions on ferrying areca nut through its territory, affecting the farmers of Tripura and Mizoram from supplying their produce to other parts of India.

The representatives of the Mizoram Church Leaders Committee recently discussed the areca nut transportation issue with the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla, in Aizawl.

The church leaders explained how smuggling of dry areca nut from Myanmar through Mizoram is banned in Assam, which caused the imposition of a ban on exporting locally-grown areca nut of Mizoram as well.

They sought Barla's intervention in resolving this situation.

The Mizoram and Tripura governments on a number of occasions told the Assam government that there has been huge unrest among the areca nut growers in their states in view of the problems being faced in transportation of their produce to Assam and other parts of the country.

Congress leader and party legislator Lalrindika Ralte recently sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the problems being faced by areca nut growers in Mizoram due to rampant smuggling of Burmese areca nuts.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ralte had said there has been widespread illegal import of dry areca nuts from neighbouring Myanmar and elsewhere through the 518 km borders with Mizoram.

While the Assam government imposed restrictions to curb the entry of areca nuts into the state, law enforcement agencies have not been able to distinguish Burmese areca nuts from those grown in Mizoram and Tripura, leading to severe marketing problems for the local farmers.

Arecanut growers of Tripura earlier organised agitations against the transportation restrictions imposed on their produce by the Assam government.

Tripura's Jampui Hills, adjoining Mizoram, which is famous for oranges, is also known for large-scale production of areca nuts.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha earlier talked with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma over the issue, and wrote a letter to resolve the problem.

During the past several months, the Assam Police personnel posted across the inter-state border with Tripura have been blocking supply of Tripura's betel nut consignments ferried by trucks without any reason.

The action of the Assam Police has created a livelihood problem for the betel nut cultivators in Tripura.
Islamabad, April 16 : Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor was killed in a road accident, the Islamabad Police said in a statement.

The minister, who was driving a car himself here on Saturday, got hit by a pick-up truck when he was crossing a roundabout, the statement read, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The official was shifted to a hospital, but due to severe internal bleeding, he succumbed to his wounds, the statement said, adding that the driver of the vehicle that hit the minister's car has been taken into custody, along with the four other people on board.

Talking to media, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Akbar Nasir Khan said that the minister got a serious head injury which proved fatal for him.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the departed soul.
Give us 150 seats, BJP will try to break Cong govt to be formed in Ktaka appeals Rahul Gandhi Image Source: IANS News

Give us 150 seats, BJP will try to break Cong govt to be formed in Ktaka appeals Rahul Gandhi Image Source: IANS News

Give us 150 seats, BJP will try to break Cong govt to be formed in Ktaka appeals Rahul Gandhi Image Source: IANS News

Give us 150 seats, BJP will try to break Cong govt to be formed in Ktaka appeals Rahul Gandhi Image Source: IANS News

Kolar : , April 16 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday appealed to the people of Karnataka to ensure victory of his party in 150 seats, out of total 224, to ensure that the BJP does not break its government.

Addressing a mega "Jai Bharat" rally here, he stated that he is happy that the Congress unit is fighting unitedly.

"The party is all set to get a full majority. One thing you remember... The BJP, with full force, will attempt to break the government with the 40 per cent money taken from the people.

"They will try to break your own government from the money stolen from you. The Congress should come to power with 150 seats. No chance should be given to the BJP," he said.

Asserting that the Congress is going to come to power in Karnataka, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help top businessmen "and our government will help the poor, farmers, labourers and small industrialists".

"The BJP will open banks doors to industrialists. Our government will open the banks doors to small shop owners, small businessmen, poor and labourers," he assured.

"In few days, the Congress government will take charge in Karnataka. The question is what it will do after coming to power? What will it deliver to youth, women, and the poor? "After the elections in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, the CMs asked me what they have to do. I told them to deliver the assurances given to the people in the elections at the first cabinet meeting. It should not take one or two years," Gandhi said.

He said that the promises made in Karnataka - of providing 200 units of free electricity under Bhagya Jyothi scheme, Rs 2,000 allowance for woman heads of family under Gruhalakshmi scheme, 10 kgs of free rice for every member BPL family under Anna Bhagya scheme and Rs 3,000 allowance for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders should be fulfilled in the first cabinet meeting, he added.

He urged that the message should be given to PM Modi and people of the country that, if thousands of crores could be given to Adani and other businessmen, the Congress government can very well give it to the poor, women, and youth.

He claimed that whenever he questioned the relationship of PM Modi with the Adanis, he was targeted.

"I want to talk directly. They (BJP) want to scare me with disqualification, threatening. I will not fear. I will question the shell company and who the Rs 20,000 crore funds in it belongs to. Until I get the answer, I won't stop. Let them disqualify or put me into jail, It won't make any difference," Gandhi asserted.

Alleging that the whole infrastructure of the country has been handed over to Adanis, and thousands of crores come into his company all of a sudden, he claimed: "In Adani's shell company, a Chinese director is there. No investigation is done. How can a Chinese director sit there? No one is questioning. When a question is raised they divert the topic and brand me as anti-OBC." "Let's talk about OBCs. The power has to be distributed according to the population. Only 7 per cent of Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis are secretaries. Is the SC/ST quota of reservation equivalent to their population?" Gandhi asked.

He challenged PM Modi to make the caste basis census report done during the UPA government in 2012 public. "Let the Dalits, OBCs and Adivasi know what their population is," he said.

Gandhi also demanded that the reservation cap at 50 per cent should be removed. If PM Modi does not release the caste census data, it is an insult to the backward classes, he added.
Kathmandu, April 16 : Nepali Congress leader N.P. Saud was on Sunday appointed the country's new Foreign Minister - filling the key post that was lying vacant for over one and half months.

Saud, who is considered close with former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Chandra Poudel.

After assuming the office, he said that homework for the India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will now begin.

According to some media reports, Prachanda is now planning to visit India by mid May, instead of April as planned earlier.

"I have just assumed office today... I will take a briefing from the officials regarding the India visit of the Prime Minister," Saud said after assuming the office.

"We will strengthen our ties with the neighbouring countries," he added.

A slew of agreements across various sectors are expected to be signed during Prachanda's visit, including signing of an agreement for the construction of the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway with India's financial assistance as its detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared by the Indian consultant Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL).

The KRCL has already handed over the DPR to India's Ministry of External Affairs.

During a press conference on March 27, Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who then held the Physical Infrastructure and Transport portfolio, had said that the DPR of the proposed Kathmandu-Raxaul railway would be prepared within a month and the Nepali side could receive the report a month later.

To discuss the DPR of the 136-km-long railway that will link Kathmandu with the Indian town Raxaul, Nepal and India are holding a meeting of their joint working group on railway by the end of this week, said an senior official at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

Some other agreements and issues related to development of two hydropower projects in Nepal, energy cooperation, trade, commerce, digital payments, import of wheat, air routes, water resources, transit, cross-border transmission line among others will be signed or discussed in the visit.
Chennai, April 16 : The AIADMK Executive, in its meeting held here on Sunday, decided not to contest the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, and support the BJP instead.

The first executive meeting, since K. Palaniswami was elected as the party's General Secretary, was chaired by party Presidium Chairman Thamizhmagan Hussain.

The AIADMK's decision to support the BJP in Karnataka comes at a time when the BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai had engaged in confrontation with the party. However, sources in AIADMK told IANS that the BJP national leadership has requested the party to extend its support in the Karnataka elections.

The party has decided to convene a public meeting in Madurai on April 20.

A total of 15 resolutions were passed in the executive meeting of which 10 were against the ruling DMK, including one condemning it for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. One resolution was passed to authorise Palaniswami to lead the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The AIADMK, after election of Palaniswami, is trying to win at least a few Lok Sabha seats from Tamil Nadu in 2024.

The party is trying to conduct several programmes in the run-up to the elections and the decision to support the BJP in the Karnataka elections is a political move.

The AIADMK had won only one seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the 39 seats the NDA contested.

The DMK have announced that it would win all the 39 seats in the 2024 and has already appointed coordinators for each Assembly constituency to work among the masses.
Hyderabad, April 16 : A Hyderabad court on Sunday sent Andhra politician Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy, arrested earlier in the day in connection with the 2019 murder case of his cousin and former Andhra Pradesh minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, to 14 days judicial custody The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which arrested Bhaskar Reddy from Pulivendula town in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district early on Sunday, brought him to Hyderabad and produced before a magistrate who sent him to judicial custody till April 29.

Bhaskar Reddy, father of Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, was shifted to Chanchalguda Central Jail.

Before producing Bhaskar Reddy at the magistrate's residence, the CBI took him to Osmania General Hospital for medical check-up. His blood pressure was found to be high.

His lawyers informed the magistrate about his ill-health. The magistrate asked them to show medical certificates to jail superintendents for appropriate action.

Bhaskar Reddy was arrested early Sunday from his residence in Pulivendula town by the CBI amid high drama. A team of CBI officials went to his residence and handed a memo to his family members informing them that they are arresting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 120 B read with 302 and 201.

A large number of Bhaskar Reddy's followers had gathered at his residence at the time of the arrest. Some of the supporters reportedly tried to stop the vehicle when he was being shifted to Hyderabad.

Supporters of Bhaskar Reddy and Avinash Reddy later took out a rally in the town to protest the arrest. Shops and business establishments were closed.

Avinash Reddy, who reached Pulivendula from Hyderabad, alleged that the CBI ignored key facts in the case to project them as accused in the case.

Bhaskar Reddy's arrest came two days after police arrested G. Uday Kumar Reddy, a close follower of Avinash Reddy.

The CBI expedited the pace of investigation after the Supreme Court last week constituted a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the agency and directed it to complete the investigation by April 30 Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle of present Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula of Kadapa district on the night of March 15, 2019, a few days before the elections.

The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Suneetha Reddy, who raised suspicion about some relatives.

The Supreme Court transferred the case to Hyderabad in November last year while observing that doubts raised by Suneetha Reddy about getting a fair trial and investigation in Andhra Pradesh were reasonable.

In an affidavit filed in the Telangana High Court in February while opposing the bail petition of Sunil Yadav, one of the accused, the CBI had claimed that Avinash Reddy, Bhaskara Reddy and their follower D. Siva Sankar Reddy had hatched a criminal conspiracy to kill Vivekananda Reddy over conflicting political ambitions.

Avinash Reddy and Bhaskar Reddy allegedly had a grouse against Vivekananda Reddy as the latter was opposed to the YSRCP fielding Avinash Reddy as the party candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. The former minister wanted Jagan Mohan Reddy to field his sister Y.S. Sharmila or mother Y.S. Vijayamma.

The CBI claimed that Rs 40 crore was offered to the other accused to carry out the murder.

The investigating agency also stated in its counter that Vivekananda Reddy was not happy with his brother Bhaskar Reddy and nephew Avinash Reddy as they had sabotaged his chances in MLC election in 2017 in Kadapa.

Avinash Reddy and his father wanted Siva Sankar as MLC candidate but when Jagan Mohan Reddy fielded Vivekananda Reddy, the trio ensured he was defeated.
Bhopal, April 16 : Pankaj Mukheja won his second match in two days, topping the men's 50m rifle 3-positions (3P) T4 trials at the M.P. State Shooting Academy Range here on Sunday, after he had won the T3 trials of the same event on Saturday.

In the T4 gold medal match, Mukheja, representing the Railways, overcame local favourite Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar 16-12 to come out on top.

Also winning on the day was Mehuli Ghosh, now representing the ONGC, who won the women's 10m air rifle T4 trials with a 17-9 result over her former state-mate Swarnali Roy of West Bengal and Rajasthan's Bhavesh Shekhawat, who won the men's 25m rapid fire pistol (sRFP) T4 trials.

The day however belonged to Mukheja, who completed the men's 3P double on his current trip to Bhopal. He had gotten the better of Railway's colleague Swapnil Kusale in the T3 trials. Kusale was pushed to third on Sunday by India's number one Tomar as he finished second in the ranking round ahead to claim the right to challenge Mukheja for gold.

The winner for the second consecutive day finished way clear on top of the eight-man ranking round field shooting 413.2 as Tomar finished with 409.7. This after finishing only sixth in the qualifiers with a score of 580 even as Swapnil shot 590 to top the field and Aishwary qualified second with a 585.

In the women's 10m air rifle, Mehuli also shot an impressive 632.2 in qualification, which was a second high-score in two trials running. She however finished second as Maharashtra's Himani Chondhe upstaged her with a 634.5.

In the ranking round, West Bengal's Swarnali Roy, who had finished third in the qualification with a 631.1, upstaged all to finish on top with a score of 263.2. Mehuli followed her to the gold medal match with a 262.6 while Shriyanka Sadangi was third with 262.2. Mehuli's experience however was too good for Swarnali in the final as the former won comfortably in the end.

Bhavesh Shekhawat of Rajasthan meanwhile, emerged triumphant in the men's 25m rfp. He shot 577 to qualify in the third position and then topped the first semifinal with 15. The medal match saw him line up against the likes of Vijay Kumar, Olympic silver medallist, and regular India international Neeraj Kumar of the Army besides CISF's Udit Joshi. Bhavesh pipped Neeraj 30-29 to win as Vijay finished third with hits20 hits.

Among the juniors, rising local star Gautami Bhanot also did the double in the women's 10m air rifle, winning the junior T4 trials to go with her earlier T3 win. Vedant Waghmare of Maharashtra also won the junior men's 3P while Mahesh Anandkumar of Tamil Nadu won the junior men's 25m rfp T4 title.

There are two more days of the national selection rifle/pistol trials for Group A shooters yet to be conducted.
Sudans former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on Sunday warned against foreign interference into the countrys domestic affairs amid the armed confrontation between the army and the rapid support forces, Trend reports citing TASS.

"Any foreign interference in Sudans affairs must be rejected," the Al Arabiya television channel quoted him as saying. He called on the conflicting parties "for dialogue which will lead to an agreement and the refusal from any foreign interference into Sudans affairs."

"An immediate ceasefire and mutual understanding are needed," he said. "A catastrophic humanitarian situation has arisen in Sudan and the Sudanese has no other choice than peace."

"I am calling on Arab and African countries to support the Sudanese people which is in a dire humanitarian situation," he said, adding that the current confrontation in the country "is a war where the winner loses."

The situation in Sudan has escalated due to disagreement between army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the Sovereign Council (the country's governing body), and his deputy in the council, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the head of the rapid support force. On the morning of April 15, clashes broke out between the two forces near a military base in the city of Merowe and in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. According to latest reports, dozens have been killed and hundreds have been wounded in the conflict.
London, April 16 : China would probably establish air superiority very rapidly in any attack on Taiwan, according to leaked US intelligence assessments that raise disturbing questions about the self-ruled island's military readiness, media reports said.

The documents emerged as G7 foreign ministers met to discuss a common China strategy and Beijing briefly halted flights over part of the East China Sea on Sunday.

The classified documents seen by the Washington Post reveal that Taiwan's military leaders doubt their air defences can "accurately detect missile launches" and that only about half of the island's aircraft are capable of effectively engaging the enemy.

The documents also said Taiwan feared moving its aircraft to shelters could take up to a week, leaving them vulnerable to missile strikes, and that China's use of civilian ships for military purposes was hampering US intelligence's ability to predict an invasion, The Guardian reported.

Pentagon analysts concluded China's air force would find it far easier to establish early air superiority than Russia did in its invasion of Ukraine, it added.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expanded and modernised the People's Liberation Army and China's armed forces are thought to be 14 times the size of Taiwan's.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said in a statement to the Washington Post that it "respects outside opinions about its military preparedness" but its response to recent Chinese military exercises showed officers were "absolutely capable, determined and confident".

Taiwan last week staged large-scale emergency response drills enacting scenarios including missile and chemical weapons attacks, after China held its latest military exercises around the island, 100 miles (160km) off the Chinese mainland.

Flights out of northern Taiwan were delayed on Sunday morning after China launched a satellite rocket that dropped debris into waters north of the capital, Taipei. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said the incident posed no threat to "our nation's territory", The Guardian reported.
Hyderabad, April 16 : Doctors at a hospital in Hyderabad treated a patient with a massive tracheal tumor that was resulting in severe difficulty in breathing.

According to doctors, it is a very rare problem that affects only one out of 1 crore people.

A 58-year-old patient from Nizamabad, with no comorbidities, and no history of smoking suffered from severe cough, fatigue, and fever due to a massive tumor in the respiratory tract. The patient, who was on a ventilator, was brought to KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, where doctors treated him by removing the tumor, which normally had to be surgically removed, in an alternative manner.

"The patient was rushed to a hospital in Nizamabad after he complained of severe fatigue and breathlessness. Though the doctors there were treating him on a ventilator in the ICU, he wasn't getting any better. So, they referred him to KIMS Hospital for better treatment. By the time he came here, the patient had a severe cough, fatigue, and fever. A bronchoscope shows that there is a large tumor in the respiratory tract. With a width of 1.8 cm and a length of 2.5 cm, it occupied almost 80-90 per cent of the respiratory tract," said Dr. Srikanth Kishan Juvva, a pulmonologist at KIMS Hospital.

"Generally, in men, the width of the respiratory tract is only between 1.5 and 2 cm. If detected earlier, there may not be such a problem. This patient has been suffering for almost three months. These are very slow-growing tumors. It was only occasionally that there was cough and fatigue. But, the condition has worsened in these three months. We can only identify them (such tumors) if they occupy 70-80 per cent of the respiratory tract... Hence it becomes difficult to diagnose in advance," he said.

Normally, such a large tumor is operated upon and removed. But in this case, doctors removed the tumor in an endoscopic method using a device called a rigid bronchoscope.

"... After removing the tumor, we sent it for a biopsy. It was a benign tumor, so that's not cancer. Therefore, in the future, a bronchoscopy will be enough and there is no need to use medicines. Since we have already removed the tumor, the possibility of it growing again is very low. Had it been cancer, it would have increased again," Dr. Juvva elaborated.
Porbandar : , April 16 (IANS) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has filed a police complaint against 19 property owners for unauthorised construction within the 200 metre limit of Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace in Kirti Mandir.

The ASI's Conservation Assistant, Junagadh sub-circle, Harish Jivanlal Dasre, filed the complaint under the Archaeology Department's Rules, 1959 and amended Rules, 2010, which state that no new construction can take place without the permission of the ASI within 100 metres and 200 metres of nationally protected monuments.

Despite being served notice, the property owners continued their construction activities without the required permission. The ASI's strict action against the illegal construction is a result of increasing concerns about the conservation of India's cultural heritage.

The ASI has been actively working towards protecting and preserving India's historical monuments and buildings. The accused property owners face serious charges for their actions, and the ASI has urged the public to cooperate in their efforts to safeguard the nation's cultural legacy.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 16 : The wife of a Keralite, who was killed during the exchange of firing between paramilitary forces and the Sudanese Army in Khartoum, has appealed to the Indian government to extend help to retrieve the body from the flat where they were living.

Speaking to reporters over telephone from Khartoum, Saibella on Sunday said that the ambulance that had come to take the body of her husband, Albert Augustine, was not allowed to remove his body as fighting was continuing in that area Saibella, who was on a holiday to join her husband in Khartoum, said that she was now staying in the basement of the flat building along with the neighbours and her daughter who is in the Class 6, and had not consumed food for the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan said that the government was taking steps to bring the body of Augustine back to India and efforts are on to rescue his family.

Augustine, an ex-serviceman, had joined as a private company in Khartoum as a security officer seven months ago and was shot dead on Saturday night when a stray bullet hit during fighting between paramilitary forces and the army in the Sudanese capital.
Mumbai, April 16 : Shehnaaz Gill, who rose to fame with 'Bigg Boss 13', and is recently making headlines for her stint in actor Salman Khan starrer 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan', talked about her working experience with the Bollywood superstar.

Speaking to media here on Sunday, the actress also shared the difference she found in the Hindi film industry after being part of Punjabi industry and the advice she got from Salman for her career.

After working in the Punjabi industry, Shehnaaz experienced an altogether new atmosphere in Bollywood.

She said: "These are big-budget films. In fact, most Bollywood films are made with huge budgets and that can be seen on sets -- they are so big. I just hope the Punjabi industry also grows in the same way and similarly, big-budget films are made." Shehnaaz said: "Salman is the same in reality as he is seen on the stage of 'Bigg Boss'. I can't see any difference in him. He gives good advice to others and motivates them. He corrected me and asked me to concentrate on my work. I am doing the same and learning Hindi." Sharing her shooting experience, she said: "Salman used to have a lot of fun with us. From lunch to dinner, we enjoyed having food there." Talking about her journey in the industry, Shehnaaz said: "I want to focus on my career and nothing else. I want to dedicate my life to work and I keep getting love and support from the media and the audience." "I don't believe in planning. Because it never works. Just go with the flow." The actress said that she will work hard on her acting skills and will do whatever roles will come to her.

She said that if she can reduce weight then she can do anything and she will give her best.

Shehnaaz also answered the question about Salman restricting actresses from wearing revealing dresses, however, she declined it and said: "Nothing like that, I wore a very sexy dress during the promotion." "Salman sir keeps motivating me and saying that you will grow in your career," she concluded.
New Delhi, April 16 : The Delhi Police on Sunday detained as many as 1,350 AAP workers and leaders who were staging protest against the questionning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022, officials said.

The questioning of Kejriwal in the matter is currently underway, and the AAP has claimed that around 1,500 party workers have been detained by the police.

To avoid clashes with AAP workers, the Delhi Police imposed Section 144 outside the CBI's headquarters on the day.

The police also put extra barricades all over the city. Besides this, Rapid Action Force was also deployed to maintain law and order.

AAP workers, also assembled from other states, tried to halt the traffic at major crossings but were overpowered and detained by the police.
Patna, April 16 : In wake of the sensational murders of arrested gangster-turned- politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed in Prayagraj while under police custody, the RJD on Sunday said that there was clear "Jungle Raj" in Uttar Pradesh and there is a provision for the implementation of Article 356 of the constitution.

"Atiq Ahmed, during his interview with media persons on March 29, claimed that he would be brought out from jail on the pretext of something followed by his murder. He also told the media persons that a police officer informed him about such a plan. On April 15, his apprehension was proved true," RJD national Vice President Shivanand Tiwari said.

"Whenever, Atiq Ahmed came into public places, a large number of police force surrounded him. There was no chance for any media persons to reach there. On April 15, the cops had brought Atik Ahmed and his brother out of the police van. Some media persons reached there easily and took his interview and the killers posed as media persons executed the murder. Who had allowed media persons to go close to Atiq Ahmed who was in police custody," he asked.

"Atiq Ahmed was facing more than 100 criminal charges and there are possibilities that the court would give him capital punishment. No one objects to the decision of the court. But the way killers were given an opportunity to murder Atiq Ahmed and his brother, it proved that the government of Uttar Pradesh does not believe in law and judicial process. The state, which was not ruled through law and legislatures is called Jungle Raj. In such a state, there is a provision for the implementation of Article 356 under the Constitution," Tiwari added.

Meanwhile, the Bihar government is on high alert, especially in the districts adjoining Uttar Pradesh. A large number of people cross from UP's districts like Ballia and Ghazipur to catch trains in Buxar and police of these districts are checking every person crossing the border into Bihar.
Hyderabad, April 16 : Open public spaces in Greater Hyderabad will be rejuvenated through meaningful urban designs for public activities like libraries, play areas, social gatherings, and points for economic convergence.

An MoU was Sunday signed between the Telangana government and Hyderabad Urban Lab Foundation (HUL) to promote sustainable models, tools, and best practices for low-cost urban innovation and sustainable urbanisation.

The HULF will work in partnership with the local stakeholders, private organisations, architecture students and colleges, non-profit and philanthropic sectors.

This initiative aims to promote well-thought-out design solutions for the informal settlements like slums, abandoned and open places, stepped spaces and places where there rapid urbanisation. Through this initiative, these spaces will be converted into vibrant living spaces using "Urban Acupuncture".

Officials said all this will be taken up using low-cost intervention techniques. Citizens have been requested to send the list of such open spaces to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Almost all localities including slums have open spaces, varying from few hundred yards to about an acre. They are often neglected, used to dump garbage, construction and demolition waste and over a period of time, turn into a place which is used for consumption of alcohol or illegal activities. Left unattended, they often turn dangerous from a safety viewpoint, especially for women and children.

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, along with the Revenue Department and the GHMC, will identify and inventorise all such land parcels and over a period of time develop them into meaningful public activities. The effective use of urban designing and architecture can set the plan for development for such sites, in consultation with local stakeholders so that ownership is there and once the plan made ready, the MAUD Department and the GHMC can actually implement those plans for effective utilisation and meaningful rejuvenation of such places.

The Hyderabad Urban Lab Foundation, led by Anant Maringanti, has come forward to promote well-thought out design solutions for urban infrastructure and aesthetic deficits in Hyderabad, by working in neighbourhoods in an 'urban acupuncture' mode.

They made a detailed presentation to Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday. Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Arvind Kumar, GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, and all Zonal Commissioners were present.

A day later, the Department signed a MoU with HULF in the presence of the minister.
Chennai, April 16 : After a prolonged legal battle against the DMK government, the RSS on Sunday held route marches across 45 locations in Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan participated in the march in Korattur here.

The RSS leadership had fought a legal battle after the DMK government had banned the regular annual route march which was to be held on October 2, 2022. The Police Department informed the RSS that the march could not be allowed as after the ban on Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) by the Central government, there could be attacks on the route march of the RSS.

The RSS moved the Madras High Court and a single judge bench allowed the march to be conducted in three places which the organisation abided and held on November 6. However, the RSS approached the division bench which allowed the route march to be held in all parts of the state.

The Tamil Nadu government appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court but the apex court upheld the decision of the division bench and allowed the route march to be conducted across the state.

The Tamil Nadu Police had to allow the route march and the march was conducted in 45 places on Sunday.
Panaji, April 16 : Hitting out at the BJP, the Goa Congress on Sunday said that leaders of the saffron party, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, "failed to show the guts to speak truth over Mhadei issue" in front of people of the coastal state.

"Today none of the BJP leaders dared to speak over the Mhadei issue during Amit Shah's public meeting (in South Goa). However, Shah tried to divert the issue by boasting of state schemes, which always remains unfulfilled," said Chairman of Goa Congress Media Cell Amarnath Panjikar.

Referring to Shah's remarks, during a public rally in Karnataka's Belagavi in January, that the Centre "has resolved the long dispute between Goa and Karnataka over Mhadei and allowed the diversion of Mhadei to Karnataka to satisfy the thirst of farmers of many districts", Panjikar said: "Pramod Sawant and other leaders of the BJP had got a good opportunity to clarify this issue, in the presence of Amit Shah." Recently, Goa BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade has said that BJP leaders have "guts to tell even the media in Karnataka that the Goa government will not compromise on the Mhadei river issue". On this, Panjikar said, "Forget about speaking in front of the media in Karnataka, the state BJP leaders even failed to make a statement in Goa itself." "BJP has today proved that it is 'masters of U-turn' and doesn't have guts to face the public on Mhadei issue. They only know how to suppress voice of people who seek justice against their dictatorship. Today all Goans have come to know the real fake face of BJP leaders," he said.
France expressed dismay on Sunday over the killing of several UN workers in Sudan as violence spirals, claiming dozens of lives including civilians, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.

(Paris) reiterates its call to make every effort to stop the fighting and prevent any escalation, France's foreign ministry said in a statement, calling for the protection and respect of humanitarian personnel.

The UN's food agency on Sunday said it was suspending work in Sudan after three staff were killed in the restive Darfur region.

Fighting in Sudan raged for a second day Sunday in battles between rival generals who seized power in a 2021 coup.

At least 56 civilians, including the UN staff, have been killed and there have been tens of deaths among security forces, according to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

I am appalled and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday 15 April in violence in Kabkabiya, North Darfur while carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis, Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Program, said in a statement.

While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan, she said.
Ahmedabad, April 16 : Rajasthan Royals were literally in a no man's land at 66/4 in 12 overs in their pursuit of chasing down 178 against a strong Gujarat Titans bowling attack, who bowled 26 dot balls in the first six overs.

From there, captain Sanju Samson took 20 runs off Rashid Khan in the 13th over to eventually make 60 while Shimron Hetmyer smashed a whirlwind unbeaten 56 off just 26 balls to give Rajasthan an improbable three-wicket victory in 23rd match of the IPL 2023, here on Sunday.

The stunning heist also means that Rajasthan retain their top spot on the points table with eight points. Samson and Hetmyer added a crucial stand of 59 runs off 27 balls, followed by the latter adding 47 runs off 20 deliveries with Dhruv Jurel to complete the chase with four balls to spare.

Mohammed Shami built pressure from the word go, troubling Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler. Gujarat got the reward when Hardik Pandya had Jaiswal nicking to slip in the next over. Shami bowled a wicket maiden third over and took out Buttler, whose attempt to scoop backfired and could only see off-stump being sent on a cartwheel ride.

Gujarat could have got their third wicket had Shubman Gill held on to a tough chance at slip to dismiss Devdutt Padikkal off Shami. The left-handed batter then lofted Hardik inside-out over extra cover for six as Rajasthan ended power-play at 26/2. Samson and Padikkal hit a six and four each off Alzarri Joseph, with the Rajasthan captain driving Hardik in the gap between extra cover and mid-off after surviving an lbw appeal.

Rashid straightaway made a breakthrough as Padikkal's heave took an outside edge and was caught by short third man. The leg-spinner struck again in his next over as Riyan Parag holed out to a forward diving long-off. Samson, though, had other ideas, taking Rashid for a hat-trick of sixes -- once over long-off and twice pulling over deep mid-wicket.

Hetmyer took on Joseph by heaving high past leaping deep square leg for six and slogging through the same region for four more, before Samson got his fifty in 29 balls. Samson took on debutant spinner Noor Ahmad, lifting a drive over long-off for six and pulling past short fine leg for four.

But the teenager, coming in as an impact player for Gill, had the last laugh as Samson skied to long-off to get his first IPL wicket. Hetmyer turned the tide by smacking two gigantic sixes off Joseph in the 16th over, with Dhruv Jurel dabbing for a four. He then pulled Rashid for four, before slamming a six over long-on to take 13 runs off the 18th over.

Jurel welcomed Shami by smacking over long-on for six. But the pacer bounced back by having Jurel top-edge a hook to fine leg. Ravichandran Ashwin slapped his first ball over point for four, and followed it up with a pulled six over deep mid-wicket. Though Ashwin fell by slicing to short third man, Hetmyer finished off the chase by pulling Ahmad over deep mid-wicket for six to complete a sensational chase for Rajasthan.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 177/7 in 20 overs (David Miller 46, Shubman Gill 45; Sandeep Sharma 2/25, Adam Zampa 1/32) lost to Rajasthan Royals 179/7 in 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 60, Shimron Hetmyer 56 not out; Mohammed Shami 3/25, Rashid Khan 2/46) by three wickets

Latest updates on IPL 2023

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Karuizawa : , April 17 (IANS) The G7 foreign ministers had gathered in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc.

The top diplomats, including Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are expected to discuss issues such as the Ukraine crisis and nuclear disarmament over the next two days, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Sunday, Hayashi and his G7 counterparts took the one-hour shinkansen train ride from Tokyo to Karuizawa, whose arrival was accompanied by protests in the train station area, with people holding banners like "Objection to G7," calling the role of the club of the rich countries into question.

The talks in Karuizawa, which run until Tuesday, are meant to prepare for setting the agenda for the G7 leaders' summit to be held in Hiroshima in May.
Khartoum, April 17 : The Sudanese Army has said that it agreed on a proposal by the UN to open safe passage for humanitarian cases, for a period of three hours, starting from 4:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).

"The Sudanese Armed Forces has agreed on a proposal by the UN to open safe passage for humanitarian cases, for three hours, starting from 4:00 p.m.," the general command of the Sudanese Army said in a statement on Sunday.

It added that the move "does not cancel the Army's right to respond to any violations by the rebel militia".

Violent clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum and other cities, where the two sides traded accusations of initiating the conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tension between the two military forces has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the Army considered illegal.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the Army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.
Khartoum, April 17 : The UN has said that three workers of the World Food Programme (WFP) were killed during the clashes between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Darfur region.

"Three employees from the WFP were killed in clashes that erupted in Kabkabiya, North Darfur on April 15 while carrying out their duties," United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) said in a statement on Sunday.

Volker Perthes, the special representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the UNITAMS, condemned the attack on UN staff and humanitarian assets in Darfur, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I am extremely appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises, as well as reports of looting of UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur," Perthes said.

The UN envoy added that the recurring acts of violence disrupt the delivery of life-saving assistance and must end, urging all parties to respect their international obligations, including ensuring the safety and security of the UN, and all humanitarian personnel and respecting the integrity of premises and assets.

Violent clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the capital Khartoum and other cities. The two sides have been trading accusations of initiating the conflict.

Tensions between the two military forces have been on the rise since Wednesday in the Merowe region of northern Sudan, following the RSF's alleged movement of military vehicles to a location near a military air base, which the Army has deemed illegal.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the Army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.
Baghdad, April 17 : Two individuals were killed and two others sustained injuries in drone attacks on villages in Sulaimaniyah province, located in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to a statement by the provincial governor.

Haval Abubakir, the Governor of Sulaimaniyah province, said on Sunday that the attacks took place on Saturday evening when an unidentified drone targeted three villages near the border with Iran in Sulaimaniyah province.

Abubakir added that preliminary investigations indicated two fatalities and two injuries, without providing further details about the incident, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, an anonymous Kurdish security source told Xinhua that the strikes were aimed at the positions of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the villages.

The PKK is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU.
Damascus, April 17 : Islamic State (IS) militants gunned down 32 truffle hunters in Syria's central Hama province, according to a report from the pro-government al-Watan online newspaper.

The victims were collecting truffles in the Doizin area, located in a desert region to the east of Salamiyeh city in the countryside of Hama, Xinhua news agency reported.

The bodies of 26 of the slain workers have been taken to the hospital, the report said on Sunday.

The attack is the latest of a string of IS attacks against Syrian truffle hunters in desert regions. In February, 53 civilians were killed by IS militants while collecting truffles in the central province of Homs.

Despite the grave danger posed by IS, many Syrians, who are grappling with poverty after enduring 12 years of conflict, are risking their lives in pursuit of the expensive mushrooms and the lucrative profit they bring.
Kabul, April 17 : Afghan police have busted a gang of robbers and arrested four members of the gang in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, a local police official said.

According to deputy to station house officer in Police District 5 of the Kabul city, Mawlawi Rozi Mohammad Nazari, on Sunday, the operation was conducted on Saturday.

The arrested gang members were involved in criminal activities, including armed robbery, and theft in parts of the Kabul city, the official said, adding that the arrested men have confessed to their crimes, Xinhua news agency reported.

This is the second gang of criminals busted in Kabul in one week. Previously police busted a gang of criminals, including kidnappers, and arrested 14 outlaws in Police District 11 seven days ago.

As part of its efforts to ensure peace, security, law and order, the Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on criminals, irresponsible armed persons and drug traffickers in the war-ravaged Asian country.
Tehran, April 17 : Iran's elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has busted a rebel and terrorist cell linked to the anti-Iran Mujahedin-e Khalq Organisation (MKO) in the northern city of Amol, state media reported.

Citing Abedin Daghmechi, IRGC's regional commander in Amol, Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, that forces of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation identified and arrested the gang members after they engaged in "anti-security activities" in Amol.

Daghmechi noted the members of the cell sought to carry out certain operations in some "sensitive regions" in Amol before being arrested, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said they have cooperated with main MKO-affiliated media outlets, made explosives and Molotov cocktails, and targeted military bases during the recent riots in Iran.

Iran brands the group's exiled members, currently based in Albania, as terrorists.
As Microsoft continues to drive innovation and push the boundaries of whats possible, I am excited to be part of a team shaping the industry's future. | Erika Williams, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Queue Associates, Florida.

Queue Associates, a globally certified Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner, is pleased to announce that Erika Williams has officially been named the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Director of Queue Associates Florida. Regarding her new role, Ms. Williams stated that, The timing could not be better for me to join Queue Associates. They have a remarkable record of solving complex business challenges with Microsoft technology for over three decades.

Ms. Williams will be the executive team member responsible for identifying and evaluating partnership opportunities to accelerate Queue's growth in the Americas. As the company's key point of contact within the partnership community, Ms. Williams will collaborate closely with partners and clients to develop and execute strategies that will drive mutual success.

Jeffrey Goldstein, Managing Director, and Founder of Queue Associates Inc. expressed his excitement about Ms. Williams new role at Queue: "We are thrilled to welcome Erika to the Queue Associates team at this exciting time of growth for both the company and the Microsoft ecosystem. Her expertise and experience with partnerships and alliances, particularly in fintech, makes her the perfect candidate to help us achieve our goals and build even stronger relationships with our partners and clients."

Ms. Williams brings with her a 17-year career in partnerships and software. She previously worked at prominent fintech companies, including North America-customer-focused software company EBizCharge, global software publisher Sage, and Bay Area-based Tipalti. Her expertise and knowledge will be instrumental in driving the growth of Queue Associates in the Americas. Ms. Williams stated her excitement about joining Queue: As Microsoft continues to drive innovation and push the boundaries of whats possible, I am excited to be part of a team shaping the industry's future.

Erika Williams will attend the 2023 North America Directions Conference in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday, April 16th. Please email mailto:info@queueassoc.com [info@queueassoc.com __title__ info@queueassoc.com] with any inquiries regarding Erika Williams partnership with Queue. You may also connect with Ms. Williams on LinkedIn.

About Queue Associates, Inc.

Founded in 1992, Queue Associates, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner dedicated to contriving Microsoft solutions to domestic and global organizations. These solutions include accounting and finance, project accounting, human resources, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Queue Associates' team comprises full-time Microsoft Certified Developers, Microsoft Certified System Engineers, and certified public accountants (CPAs). With over thirty years of experience in the industry, Queue Associates is committed to delivering best-in-class solutions and unparalleled customer service to help clients achieve their business goals.

To learn more, please visit our website.
MSPA Elite Member Status As we look forward, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional results for our clients. This award is a strong validation of our work and encourages us to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. - Jason Bare, Global Vice President

BARE International Europe has been announced as an Elite Customer Experience Firm and will be awarded at the MSPA Europe/Africa annual conference in Portugal in May.

To be compliant with MSPA Elite membership standards is part of the BARE Europe everyday life, shares BARE Europe General Manager Jeno Zsiga. We are really proud of being awarded this designation which validates our commitment to high quality standards as a customer experience service provider and reliable partner.

The announcement comes on the heels of BARE Internationals record ninth consecutive honor of Elite status designated by MSPA Americas for their North America corporate office. MSPA, the trade association for companies engaged in creating, measuring, and enhancing the customer journey, announced the MSPA Americas Chapter winners of its annual Elite program for 2023 at its recent CME Conference in New Orleans.

MSPA Americas Elite companies are those members of the organization which most support the mission and objectives of MSPA Americas, as set annually by the board of directors, in advancing the stature and relevance of the trade association.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of MSPA Americas, Im proud to congratulate these outstanding companies for their support of our associations mission, and their leadership in advancing the associations goals for the customer experience and retail service provider industries as a whole, said MSPA Americas President Stan Hart. We all are grateful for their lead-by-example support, and we are honored to recognize them for achievements.

The MSPA operates on a regional basis worldwide, with Chapters located in America, Europe/Africa and Asia/Pacific. Member companies unite as a common body for the purpose of strengthening the Mystery Shopping industry through combined efforts and actions.

Its an honor to be an Elite member of MSPA Europe/Africa. We want to continue to innovate for our clients and for the industry, says Antonio Maiorano, Business Development Manager of BARE International Europe. Customer experience research is an ever-changing environment, and we strive to be the trail blazers and discover new paths for experience excellence.

For 35 years, weve dedicated our business to providing the best, actionable insights to our client partners, adds Jason Bare, Global Vice-President. As we look forward, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional results for our clients. This award is a strong validation of our work and encourages us to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.

In July of 2022, BARE International celebrated 35 years and introduced a soft re-branding including a modern logo that further defined the evolution of Customer Experience Research and BAREs commitment to providing support businesses need.

Our clients are true partners in business, and we share their goals, stated CEO Dale Bare. We recognize that each client has a unique path based on their needs in that moment of time, and were here to provide guidance through meaningful insight collection and analysis.

---

About BARE International

BARE International sets the industry standard as the largest independent provider of customer experience research, data, and analytics for companies worldwide. Founded in 1987, BARE International is a family-owned business with global capabilities. BARE is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Fairfax, Virginia with ten offices around the world. To learn more about BARE Internationals customer experience research services and their dedicated field force of evaluators, visit http://www.bareinternational.com

About MSPA Americas

MSPA Americas connects and supports businesses which measure, quantify, aggregate, interpret, and re- define customer experience through varied research and merchandising methodologies. Widely recognized as the leader in customer experience measurement, management, and training, MSPA Americas provides essential support to its members, and promotes the benefits and services of its diverse companies to enhance the industries they serve. Learn more at https://www.mspa-americas.org/

About MSPA Europe/Africa

MSPA Europe/Africa is the trade association representing the customer experience industry, established to provide timely, actionable, and impactful resources for shaping the future of business communities. MSPA Elite is an awards program designed to recognize the leading companies that are shouldering the advancement of the customer experience industry. Learn more at https://www.mspa-ea.org/
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday downplayed the significance of a leak of classified US documents about Israel, and insisted America remains his country's best ally despite friction over his contested reform push, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.

Among the trove of Pentagon files that found their way online in recent weeks, one said leaders of the Israeli spy agency Mossad encouraged staff to join demonstrations against the controversial judicial reforms sought by Netanyahu.

The document attributed the information to intercepted electronic signals, indicating US spying on a country with which it has close ties.

Interviewed on NBC talk show Meet The Press, Netanyahu called the reporting around the US classified material a misunderstanding.

The truth is that the Mossad legal adviser said that under Israeli law junior members of Mossad can participate in the demonstrations, not senior members, Netanyahu said, insisting that Israel's military and security services were working hand in hand with me, as prime minister, to assure the security of the country.

The prime minister's tone was more mollifying than earlier statements released by his office, which initially called the reporting mendacious and without any foundation whatsoever.

Netanyahu's reform push -- on hold since the end of March -- has prompted months of unrest and criticism from Western allies, including stern words from US President Joe Biden.

The Israeli prime minister dismissed the suggestion the reforms were putting a strain on relations with the United States.

America is Israel's indispensable and by far the best ally, he said, adding: Friends can have disagreements on occasion.

Netanyahu's remarks came hours after thousands of Israelis again took to the streets of Tel Aviv late Saturday to protest the government judicial reforms, which they view as an attack on democracy.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Johns Manville, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Johns Manville, alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Johns Manville is currently pending in the Glenn County Superior Court, Case No. 23CV03097. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Johns Manville allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, (f) failed to provide wages when due, and (g) failed to pay sick wages, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections  201-204, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

According to the lawsuit filed, Johns Manville. allegedly failed to pay employees for all the time they were under the employer's control. This, allegedly, includes the time Plaintiff and other California Class Members had to submit to mandatory COVID-19 screening prior to clocking in for the day. To the extent that the time worked off the clock did not qualify for overtime premium payment, Defendant allegedly failed to pay minimum and overtime wages for the time worked off-the-clock.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Johns Manville, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

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Eurostar are celebrating 5 years of high speed sustainable services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Since April 2018, over 1.6 million people have travelled between London and the Netherlands which is equivalent to 10,000 plane loads.

83,000 tonnes of CO2 has been saved as one flight to Amsterdam from London is equivalent to 7 Eurostar journeys.

Eurostar have recently added a fourth daily service in September last year to keep up with growing demand.

Travellers from Brussels to the UK or the Netherlands has increased by 106% since 2018.

Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO at Eurostar Group, said: As we celebrate five years of high-speed rail connections between London and the Netherlands, we are proud to be the greener way to go. There are now up to 18 daily services between Amsterdam, London and Paris, which is testament to the ever-growing demand for seamless high-speed rail connections as a sustainable and convenient alternative to air travel. As Eurostar Group, we want to carry 30 million passengers a year on all of our routes by 2030, and the continued growth of our Dutch routes will play a huge role in helping us deliver on these ambitions.

Wilbert Lek, Managing Director at Rotterdam Partners, says: The launch of the route to the Netherlands and the addition of a fourth direct train service last year supports us in our mission to promote sustainable travel to both business and leisure customers. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with Eurostar and to keep welcoming British visitors and businesses to our city.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"Putin held a working meeting with Chinas State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu," he said, adding that further details will follow.

The Russian defense ministry said on April 14 that Li Shangfu will pay his first foreign visit as defense minister to Russia on April 16-18. He plans to have talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Shoigu, to discuss "the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the defense sphere, as well as current issues of global and regional security."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Terrorists fired on Turkish bases in the areas of anti-terrorist operations "Olive Branch" and "Euphrates Shield" in northern Syria, Trend reports citing the press service of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

PKK/YPG terrorists fired mortars and multiple rocket launchers at the base. As a result of the incident, 4 Turkish army soldiers were injured, the Ministry said.

According to the information, the wounded servicemen were evacuated and hospitalized in the state hospital of Kilis.

The Ministry noted that the Turkish army is retaliating against the identified terrorist targets.
The introduction and presence of COVID-19 worsened mental health among various demographics on a national level, according to a study from Mental Health America.

The study found that Black individuals had the biggest increase in anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to other races and ethnicities, with a 5% increase in those screened who displayed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety. Suicidal ideation also increased the most among Black youth and adults from 2019-2021, higher than any other group.

Historically, Black women have often felt disrespected, unprotected and neglected, which have caused their mental health to look different from other symptoms of mental illness that exist.
The Uttar Pradesh police on Sunday conducted a flag march and patrolled various districts in the state after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj.

IMAGE: The police patrolling in Prayagraj after murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, April 16, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

While speaking to ANI, the Mau superintendent of police Avinash Pandey said," We are keeping vigil. After looking at the sensitivity of the situation in the district we are on alert. We are talking to the public to maintain peace".

In the aftermath of the incident, the UP police also conducted a flag march in Lucknow's Husainabad.

The police were also seen patrolling in Mathura.

According to the UP police officials, security has been beefed up in various districts after the incident.

The police also conducted a patrol in Ayodhya, officials informed.

Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts, in the aftermath of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed being shot dead in Prayagraj, officials informed.

"After the simultaneous killing of mafia Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, the police will be deployed in Prayagraj, especially the old areas of the city," police officials informed.

The UP police officials also mentioned that a Rapid Action force is being deployed in the Prayagraj to maintain high security.

In view of the tension, we have increased vigilance," the official said.

"Rapid Action Force has been called. Police are arranging security by dividing Prayagraj city into several zones," he added.

Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical in Prayagraj.

Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year.

The UP police so far has arrested a total of 3 shooters in this incident.

In the aftermath of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

"CM Yogi immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. Chief Minister also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member judicial commission (judicial enquiry commission) in the matter," officials said.

Reacting sharply to the incident, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that this incident is a perfect example of the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi's failure on law and order system in the state.

Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter and said," Atiq and his brother were in police custody. He was handcuffed. JSR slogans were also raised. The killing of both is the failure of Yogi's law and order system. Those celebrating encounter Raj are also responsible for this murder".
The three assailants who killed gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf posed as journalists, carrying video cameras, mics and media identity cards, the Uttar Pradesh Police said on Sunday.

IMAGE: Police personnel stand guard as the three assailants who shot dead gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf are taken away in a vehicle after they were produced in a court, in Prayagraj, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

According the the statement issued by Special DG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar, the attackers used made-in-Turkey pistols and fired indiscriminately from point-blank range on the two bothers.

The statement identified the three accused as Sunny, 23, from Hamirpur, Lavlesh Tiwari, 22, from Banda, and Arun Kumar Maurya, 18, from Kashganj.

'At about 10.30 pm both Atiq and Ashraf were being taken for a health examination Motilal Nehru Regional Hospital in Shahganj area, where mediapersons were persistently trying to take bite of the two,' the Special DG (Law and Order) said in the statement.

'The mediapersons were breaking the security cordon to reach to the accused (Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf) for taking their bites. In this sequence, both Atiq and Ashraf were giving bites to the media and they were escorted (by the police). Meanwhile, from the crowd of media, three mediapersons with video camera, mike and media Id reached them and started firing indiscriminately,' he said.

The two brothers got injured and fell on the ground instantly, he said, adding they were taken to the hospital where they were declared dead.

Constable Maan Singh has sustained a firearm injury, the police statement issued this evening said, adding some mediapersons also got injured due to the 'stampede' following the firing.

The injured policeman has been also sent for treatment.

The three attackers were caught by the policemen using necessary force, the statement said.

According to information gathered till now, Sunny is a professional criminal and a historysheeter and has 14 criminal cases including that of murder, loot, narcotics transport, attempt to murder pending against him in Hamirpur, Kumar said.

Tiwari faces cases of selling of illicit liquor, manhandling and harassing women at the City and Beberu police stations in Banda, he said, adding cases under Information Technology Act was also registered against him.

Maurya's criminal history is being traced, he said.

The statement said police have recovered three firearms including a countrymade A-30 pistol (7.62), a made-in-Turkiye nine-mm Girsan pistol, and a 9-mm Zigana Pistol, also made in Turkey, it said.

A first information report (FIR) has been registered in this case at Shahganj police station and probe is underway.

A report on the entire incident has been sent to the National Human Rights Commission and the State Human Rights Commission.

A three-member judicial commission has been constituted by the government that will submit its report within two months.

The commission is headed by HC Justice (retired) Arvind Kumar Tripathi, while ex-DGP Subesh Kumar Singh and former district Judge Brijesh Kumar Soni are its members.

Both Atiq and Ashraf were brought to Prayagraj from Gujarat and Bareilly prisons for interrogation in connection with the killing of Umesh Pal and his two police security guards.
Police patrolling was intensified on Sunday in Prayagraj's Chakiya area where gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's house is located even as the Uttar Pradesh police tightened security across the state, a day after Atiq and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range.

IMAGE: Security personnel being deployed in an area in Prayagraj, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to prevent any untoward incident.

Internet services remain shut in Prayagraj district as part of the security measures.

The two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a checkup.

Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma had on Saturday said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday registered a case against the three assailants.

SHO of Dhoomanganj police station, Rajesh Kumar Maurya said the case has been registered against Lavlesh Tiwari (a resident of Banda), Mohit alias Sunny (Hamirpur) and Arun Maurya (Kasganj).

The case has been registered under Sections 302 (punishment for murder), 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act.

Police had also recovered the arms used in the crime from the spot.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and his brother.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm on Saturday.

The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels.

The last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed in Prayagraj just hours before the shooting.

Police constable Man Singh was injured in the incident as a bullet hit his arm, an officer said, adding that a journalist was also hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting.

Video footage showed a man thrusting a gun at Ahmad's head as he talks to reporters and the former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP collapsing.

The footage also showed the three assailants firing at the brothers even after they had fallen.

The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.

In 2006, Ahmad and his aides abducted Umesh Pal and forced him to give a statement in court in their favour. Umesh Pal had got a complaint registered in this regard.

The Supreme Court had in April 2019 directed that Ahmad be shifted to a high-security jail in Gujarat after he was accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and assault of Lucknow-based real-estate businessman Mohit Jaiswal while in jail.

Ahmad was named in more than 100 criminal cases, including the Umesh Pal murder case, police said.

Among the most sensational murders in which Ahmad was allegedly involved was that of Raju Pal, the then Bahujan Samaj Party MLA who was shot dead in 2005.

Ahmad moved the Supreme Court for protection, claiming that he and his family have been falsely implicated in the Umesh Pal murder case and he may be killed in a fake encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Criminals should be given the harshest punishment but it should be under the law of the land and subverting the rule of law for any political purpose is dangerous for democracy, the Congress said on Sunday after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh.

IMAGE: Police personnel grab one of the assailants who shot dead mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf while on their way for a medical examination, in Prayagraj on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there are courts to ensure that criminals get the harshest punishment but 'playing with law and order only gives birth to anarchy'.

In a series of tweets in Hindi, Kharge said the Constitution of the country has been made by those people who fought for freedom and this Constitution and law is paramount.

'No one can be allowed to mess with it. Judiciary has the right to decide the punishment of the criminal. This right cannot be given to any government, any leader or any person who violates the law,' the Congress chief said.

'Those who advocate the law of the gun and mobocracy only destroy the Constitution. Whoever interferes with our justice system for political purpose to intimidate and threaten someone in the society, that person is also liable for punishment along with the criminal,' Kharge said.

There are courts to ensure that any criminal gets the harshest punishment, he said, adding that 'playing with law and order only gives birth to anarchy'.

Ahmad, 60, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.

In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the rule of law as laid down in our country's Constitution is paramount.

'Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land. Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy,' Ramesh said.

'Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them,' he said.

It should be our collective endeavour to ensure that the judicial system and rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit, Ramesh said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is All India Congress Committee in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, also tweeted the Congress' view on the matter.

Without naming anyone, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted out what was effectively the Hindi version of the party statement.

Ahmed and Ashraf, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm.

The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed in Prayagraj just hours before the shooting.

Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Video footage showed a man thrusting a gun at Ahmad's head as he talked to reporters and the former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP collapsing.

The footage also showed the three assailants firing at the brothers even after they had fallen.

The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu has slapped a legal notice on state Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Annamalai over his graft allegations against the party, its president and Chief Minister M K Stalin, and demanded an apology and damages to the tune of Rs 500 crore.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu president Kuppusamy Annamalai. Photograph: ANI Photo

The 10-page notice issued by DMK organisation secretary R S Bharathi said Annamalai's allegations named 'DMK Files' and targeted at Stalin and other party leaders were "false, baseless, defamatory, imaginary and scandalous." The notice dated April 15 was issued by senior advocate and DMK Rajya Sabha MP, P Wilson, "under instructions" from Bharathi.

Referring to Annamalai's "Rs 200 crore" graft charge against Stalin, the notice said "the DMK president has not received a single paisa as illegal gratification from any person throughout his 56 years of public life."

Besides demanding an unconditional, public apology from Annamalai on behalf of Stalin, Bharathi wanted "offending" videos containing the allegations removed from the social media and a website.

It also called upon the BJP leader to "pay damages to the tune of Rs 500,00,00,000 (five hundred crore rupees only) to our client (Bharathi), which our client intends to pay over to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's relief fund."

These should be done within 48 hours of "receipt of this notice, failing which our client will be constrained to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you and your properties, holding you personally liable for all costs and consequences arising therefrom," it said.

Bharthi told Annamalai that as he and his party were unable to make a mark electorally in Tamil Nadu, "you have been making constant attempts to defame, scandalise and tarnish the reputation of the DMK President, and other leaders and members of the DMK party."

"You have been constantly making vile, defamatory and scandalous statements against our party president with a mala fide intention," he charged.

The allegations, made on Friday, "have the effect of defaming the party and its president and therefore our client, in his capacity as the organisation Secretary is constrained to issue the present legal notice to you in respect of the defamatory allegations made against DMK party and its president alone," it added.

It also rubbished many other allegations, including on an addendum made regarding a bid related to the execution of Chennai Metro Rail Phase I project.

Bharathi stated not a "shred of evidence or any cogent evidence for these per se false, baseless, concocted, fabricated, mischievous, irrational, and motivated allegations" were shared by Annamalai, a former IPS officer.

"Our client categorically denies that any such amounts were paid to the hon'ble DMK president (Stalin) and further calls upon you to show the basis on which such allegations have been made. The DMK president has not received a single paisa as illegal gratification from any person throughout his 56 years of public life," he insisted.

Annamalai made such allegations with the intention of tarnishing the CM's reputation and defaming him, Bharathi added.

Bharathi told Annamalai that he has a duty in law to have material basis or cogent evidence to make such allegations that tarnish the reputation and character of the DMK and its leader.

"In the present case, you have offered no basis for your allegations and therefore, you have not met the legal threshold for verification. In such a situation, you are liable to be prosecuted in law for defamation."

"You are therefore liable to pay compensation for damages suffered by the party and the party president to their good name and impeccable reputation. The damages are tentatively valued at Rs 200 crore for the reputation of the party president and Rs 300 crore for the reputation of the party," he added.
An Indian national died in Khartoum after sustaining bullet injuries in the violence-hit Sudanese capital city.

IMAGE: Smoke rises over the city as army and paramilitaries clash in power struggle, in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 15, 2023. Photograph: @lostshmi/Instagram via Reuters

The Indian embassy in Khartoum said the deceased, Albert Augestine, was working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan.

Condoling the death of the Indian national, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the situation in Khartoum remains one of 'great concern' and that India will continue to monitor the developments in that country.

'It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries,' the Indian mission tweeted.

'The embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements,' it said.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said he was "deeply grieved" over the death of the Indian national.

'Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family,' he said on Twitter.

'The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments,' he added.

Explosions and clashes were reported in various areas in Khartoum in the backdrop of escalating tension between a paramilitary force and Sudan's Army.

On Saturday, the Indian embassy advised Indian nationals in Sudan to take utmost precautions and stay indoors after Khartoum witnessed large-scale violence.

According to the official data, the number of Indians in Sudan is around 4,000 including, 1,200 who have settled down in the country decades ago.

Sudan's military captured power in a coup in October 2021 and it has been running the country through a sovereign council since then.

There has been a dispute between the Army and the para-military over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government.
A child whose brothers are priests and a boy who ran away from home -- this is how neighbours and families remember the men caught on tape Saturday as they pumped bullets into politician-gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

IMAGE: Forensic team at the spot where gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead while they were being taken for a medical checkup, in Prayagraj, on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

According to the first information report (FIR), the three shooters told police that they killed the Ahmad brothers to make a name for themselves in the world of crime.

The assailants, Lavlesh Tiwari, 22, of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny, 23, of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya, 18, of Kasganj, were arrested soon after the dramatic shootout outside the Prayagraj hospital where policemen were escorting the brothers for a medical check-up.

Tiwari was injured in the cross-fire, which also hurt a policeman.

The assailants posed as TV crew and fired at almost point-blank range.

Police described Hamirpur's Sunny as a 'history-sheeter' who had 14 cases registered against him. These include murder, attempt to murder, robbery, narcotics smuggling.

Sunny's brother Pintu said he has no idea how he got into crime.

"My brother used to do nothing, and roam here and there. He has some cases registered against him, but I don't know the details," he told reporters on Sunday.

"We were three brothers, out of which one has died earlier. I don't know how Sunny got into crime. He ran away from home many years ago. I have no clue about what happened yesterday," he said.

A neighbour said Sunny has not been living in the area for about 10 years.

"He was a resident of Kurara, and was normal when he was young. He went to jail after a brawl, after which his mentality changed and he entered the world of crime. After a few incidents, he left Kurara. He was in Hamirpur jail for about a year," he said.

Kurara SHO Pavan Kumar Patel told PTI that the first case against Sunny was registered in 2016 and the most recent before the Prayagraj shootout in 2019.

In Banda, a local resident, who did not want to be named, told media persons that Lavlesh Tiwari's family was unlike the rogue son.

"His family has been our neighbour. The family is simple. Two of his brothers are priests while one is still studying. Lavlesh has been into crime and has been to jail several times. He has also gone to jail in an eve-teasing case earlier," he said.

"He had ambitions to earn a big name in the world of crime," the neighbour claimed.

Tiwari already faces cases of selling illicit liquor, manhandling, eve teasing, and charges under the IT Act in Banda, police said.

In Kasganj, the neighbours of Arun Maurya expressed shock over the incident.

The shooter's parents are dead. Two of his brothers are in the scrap business in Delhi, they told reporters.

They also claimed that no one in the village knew what Maurya did and where he lived. He too appeared to have left the village about a decade ago.

Police are still probing whether he was involved in any crime earlier.

After the shootout, police charged the three men for murder and attempt to murder, as well as under the Arms Act. At least two firearms were recovered from the site of the shooting.

According to the FIR, the accused told police they wanted to make a name for themselves and establish their identity by eliminating Atiq Ahmad's gang.

They said they couldn't make their escape because of the swift police action, according to the FIR.

"Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan," one of the accused is quoted as saying in the FIR.

Police said the three assailants had joined the group of reporters who were trying to get sound bites from the two gangsters. The men suddenly dropped their camera and whipped out the guns, they said.
Alabama Birthday Party Mass Shooting Results in Four Deaths and Numerous Injuries (Photo : OpenStreetMap)

A birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, turned tragic when a mass shooting claimed the lives of four individuals and left numerous others injured. State officials reported that the incident occurred at around 10:34 p.m. on Saturday.



Sgt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed the connection to a birthday party, stating, "There were four lives tragically lost in this incident, and there's been a multitude of injuries." However, he declined to elaborate further, citing the active investigation.



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Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan L. Floyd addressed the tragedy on Sunday, saying, "What we've dealt with is something that no community should have to endure." He also urged the public not to let this event define their perception of Dadeville and its residents.



Located about 45 miles northeast of Montgomery, Dadeville is a small community with a population of approximately 3,000. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed her condolences to the town, declaring, "This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians." She emphasized that violent crime has no place in Alabama and that her office is closely monitoring the situation as law enforcement provides updates.



The mass shooting in Alabama occurred on the same day as another shooting in Louisville, Kentucky. In that incident, shots were fired into a crowd at a park, resulting in two deaths and four injuries.



According to the Gun Violence Archive, the United States has experienced at least 162 mass shootings in the first 15 weeks of 2023. This equates to a daily average of more than 1.5 mass shootings so far this year.


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was questioned for nearly nine hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday in the excise policy case, amid protests by his party as the Aam Aadmi Party chief claimed that the allegations of scam were false and the agency was acting at the Bharatiya Janata Party's behest.

IMAGE: AAP leaders including Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha are detained during a protest in support of Delhi Chief Minister and party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, near CBI office, in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

"I was asked around 56 questions. I answered them all ...as I said earlier we have nothing to hide. The alleged liquor scam is false, fabricated and motivated by dirty politics... We will die but not give up honesty," Kejriwal told reporters after leaving the CBI headquarters at around 8.30 pm.

The agency had summoned Kejriwal on Friday last seeking his appearance as a witness before the investigation team.

In a video message this morning, the Aam Aadmi Party chief, who received solidarity messages from several opposition leaders after being summoned by the agency, claimed that the BJP might have ordered the CBI to arrest him.

The BJP, which has alleged that Kejriwal was the 'kingpin', said it was not the time for rhetoric but accountability and demanded his resignation.

Officials said the CBI asked the chief minister about the policy formulation process, especially the 'untraceable' file, which was earlier slated to be put before the Council of Ministers.

They said the file containing opinions of the expert committee and public and legal opinions on it was not kept before the council and remains untraceable.

Kejriwal was also asked if he was involved in the formulation of the policy before it was approved, they said.

It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was later scrapped.

Kejriwal visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat this morning and was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and some cabinet colleagues to the CBI office.

While he was being questioned, several senior AAP leaders were 'detained' by the Delhi Police during a sit-in at Archbishop Road against his summoning.

IMAGE: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others stage a protest in support of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, outside CBI office, in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The detainees included Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi and Kailash Gahlot, AAP spokesperson Adil Ahmad Khan, AAP general secretary Pankaj Gupta and some ministers in the Punjab government.

'The Delhi Police has arrested us for sitting peacefully and is taking us to some unknown place... what kind of dictatorship is this?' Chadha tweeted.

'BJP suffers from chronic Kejriwal-phobia,' he alleged.

The leaders were released in the evening, officials said.

About 1,350 people, including AAP leaders, who were detained have been released, the police said.

Mann, who also joined the sit-in, had left the spot before the AAP leaders' detention.

"Around 1,500 people have been detained or arrested by police across Delhi for staging protests. Thirty-two Delhi MLAs and 70 councillors have been arrested in the city and 20 Punjab AAP MLAs have been arrested at Delhi border," AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed at a press conference.

Rai also chaired an 'emergency meeting' of its office-bearers to decide the party's next course of action.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi, Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, the party's national secretary Pankaj Gupta and leader Jasmine Shah.

The AAP chief was taken to the first-floor office of the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, which is probing the matter, after arriving at the heavily fortified agency headquarters at around 11 pm.

Sources said Kejriwal was questioned for nearly nine hours. He was offered a lunch break and he chose not to go outside the CBI office.

Senior officials of the agency remained present in the office on Sunday to keep an eye on the development, a normal course whenever a VIP comes to the agency, the sources said.

The agency also quizzed Kejriwal on the statements of other accused, where they have indicated the manner in which policy was allegedly influenced to favour some liquor businessmen and the South liquor lobby.

In addition, the officials said the agency sought to know his role in formulating the excise policy and his knowledge about the alleged influence being cast by the traders and South lobby members.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26 after nearly eight hours of questioning in the case with officials saying his answers were not satisfactory. He quit as deputy chief minister of Delhi on February 28.

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives to appear before the CBI office for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

"I have been summoned by CBI today and I will give all the answers with honesty. These people are very powerful. They can send anyone to jail, it does not matter if that person has committed any crime or not," Kejriwal said in his five-minute video message on Twitter before heading to the CBI office.

"Since yesterday, all of their leaders are screaming at top of their voices that Kejriwal will be arrested and I think BJP has instructed CBI also that Kejriwal should be arrested. If BJP has given an order, then who is CBI? CBI is going to arrest me," he said.

BJP leaders and workers held a protest at Raj Ghat demanding Kejriwal's resignation.

"When Kejriwal gets trapped, he remembers Mahatma Gandhi, although he has ordered for removing Gandhi's portrait from offices of his government," Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva charged.

Asked about the CBI action, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the investigation agency wants to find out: "Who is the kingpin of the Delhi liquor scam? Did Manish Sisodia solely make this excise policy on his own, or someone else is also involved in this?"

Patra also posed some questions to Kejriwal at the press conference in Bhubaneswar.

"The Delhi liquor policy was passed by the cabinet on your instructions at your residence and time and again you have claimed this Delhi excise policy will bring huge benefits to the State's treasury, but instead a loss of Rs 3,000 crore was incurred and you had to withdraw the excise policy," he said.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party used activist Anna Hazare to capture power in the name of corruption.

Several AAP leaders, including Punjab ministers and MLAs, alleged they were stopped from entering Delhi.

The ruling party in Punjab claimed that ministers Bram Shanker Jimpa, Balbir Singh and Harjot Singh Bains, and MLAs Dinesh Chadha and Kuljit Randhawa were among those stopped at the Singhu border.

As AAP workers held protests against the summoning of Chief Minister Kejriwal, traffic snarls were reported in many parts of the national capital.

Protests were reported from other states also.

AAP workers tried to gherao the CBI office in Jaipur but the police thwarted their attempt.

Later, the party workers blocked the Tonk Road at the Narayan Singh Circle and raised slogans against the central government.

Security was stepped up at the CBI headquarters with the Delhi Police putting in place four rings of barricading.

Over 1,000 security personnel, including from paramilitary forces, were deployed outside the CBI headquarters and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) had also been imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place, they said.

Security had also been tightened outside the office of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Rouse Avenue, the officials said.
The 'Maharashtra Bhushan' award event in Navi Mumbai on Sunday turned tragic with the death of at least 11 people apparently due to sunstroke as the function, attended by lakhs, was held in an open ground.

IMAGE: Lakhs of people attended the grand function held on a sprawling 306-acre ground in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

The function held in Kharghar area in Raigad district neighbouring Mumbai was attended by Union home minister Amit Shah who conferred the award on spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari.

A police official said a couple of patients are on ventilator support at hospitals in Navi Mumbai and Panvel city and their condition is being monitored.

"At least 11 deaths apparently due to sunstroke have been confirmed," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a release on Sunday night.

The police official said some patients were discharged after recovery, while some remain admitted in hospitals and are under observation.

Before the CMO release, Shinde had told reporters outside a hospital in Navi Mumbai that at least 50 people were admitted there out of which 24 are still hospitalised while the rest have been discharged after primary treatment. He termed the deaths "very unfortunate".

The nearest weather station to the spot of the event recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

Shinde said the kin of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.

"Medical treatment of the people under treatment due to sunstroke will be free. The state will pay from its coffers for their treatment," he said.

Lakhs of people had come for the event.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to shift patients to specialised hospitals if they needed additional treatment.

Replying to a question, Shinde said he would not comment on political allegations of the Opposition and his priority is to ensure that the affected people get proper treatment.

He said a Deputy Municipal Commissioner-rank official of the Panvel Municipal Corporation has been deputed to coordinate with relatives of patients and medical teams and to give timely updates.

"Lakhs of people had come for the event and it went well. It is painful to see some of them suffer. It is a very unfortunate situation which is very painful for me," he said.

Dharmadhikari has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps as well as de-addiction work in tribal areas.

The 306-acre ground, where the function was held, was packed with people and equipped with audio/video facilities for followers of Shree Sadasya (Dharmadhikari's organisation) to witness the function.

Amit Shah conferred the award to Dharmadhikari and presented him a shawl, a citation and memento and a cheque of Rs 25 lakh, besides a 10-feet garland of roses.

Chief Minister Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Kapil Patil among MLAs, MLCs, and ministers were present on the occasion.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi by bringing up the Adani 'corruption' issue in Karnataka's Kolar district and reiterated that he was not scared of the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves to supporters during a public meeting 'Jai Bharat', in Kolar on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

It was in Kolar in 2019, during Lok Sabha election campaigning, that he made a remark on the Modi surname for which he was convicted of criminal defamation and stripped of his Parliament membership last month.

In his first visit to Karnataka after assembly polls were announced on March 29, Gandhi emphasised on the Adani issue to target the prime minister and sought to know Modi's 'relation' with businessman Gautam Adani.

"I was disqualified from Parliament. They (central government) think that they will scare me by removing me and threatening me. I am not the one to get scared," Gandhi told the crowd at the event called 'Jai Bharat'.

"Till the time I get the reply, I will keep asking this question. You disqualify me, jail me or do whatever you want, I am not going to get scared," he added.

Alleging that there was no investigation happening against Adani Group's firms that operate in the defence infrastructure, Gandhi charged that the chairman of the beleaguered conglomerate has appointed a Chinese man in his 'shell company'.

"Adani is a symbol of corruption," Gandhi said.

"I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi: what is your relation with Adani who is being given airports in India? Rules are changed for him to award him contract. Why are the rules being changed?" Gandhi wondered.

The former Congress president said Adani Group has no expertise to run airports, which is a prerequisite for operating them but yet they were handed over to the business group.

"Those who owned airports were implicated by the central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and then these airports were given to Adani," the Congress leader said.

In Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen with his counterpart and Gautam Adani and a senior State Bank of India officer were seen next to them, he alleged, adding that the very next day, the SBI granted a loan to Adani.

In Sri Lanka, Gandhi claimed, the chairman of the airport authority there stated that the President of the island nation told him that Modi had asked officials to help out Adani.

"The prime minister goes to Bangladesh and the contract goes to Adani. The PM goes to Israel and Adani gets cement and airport contracts," Gandhi alleged.

Besides, the Congress leader added that he has already raised the issue of Rs 20,000 crore belonging to Adani's 'shell companies' and wanted to know whose money it was.

Upon raising these questions, the ruling party did not allow Parliament to function, Gandhi said.

Gandhi also said his party would be voted to power in the coming assembly elections in Karnataka, and the new government would formally approve its poll promises in the first cabinet meeting itself.

The poll 'guarantees' announced by the party are: 'Gruha Jyothi' offering 200 units of free electricity every month to all, 'Gruha Lakshmi' giving Rs 2,000 per month to every woman head of the family, 'Anna Bhagya' offering 10 kg rice to each member of a BPL family every month and 'Yuva Nidhi' where Rs 3,000 will per month be given to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 per month to diploma holders for two years.

"These schemes will be implemented on the first day in the first cabinet meeting itself," Gandhi said during the 'Jai Bharat' rally.

He asked the Congress leaders in Karnataka to send across a message all over the country that 'if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give thousands of crores to Adani, we can give money to the poor and women'.

"If you wholeheartedly help Adani, we (Congress) will wholeheartedly help poor, unemployed youth and women. You (PM Modi) do your work, we will do our work," Gandhi said.

He also attacked the Basavaraj Bommai government in Karnataka over corruption issues, including allegations by contractors and private schools that they were forced to pay '40 per cent commission' and charges of 'corruption' in the recruitment of sub-inspectors.

Gandhi alleged that the contractors' association had written a letter on the issue of '40 per cent commission' to the prime minister but he remained silent on it, which was a 'confession' that there indeed was corruption.
With Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf being shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj on Saturday, three of the family's four members named in the Umesh Pal murder case have been killed.

IMAGE: Police and mediapersons at the site where mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azim alias Ashraf were shot dead, in Prayagraj on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Ten people were named in the first information report (FIR) registered at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj on February 25, a day after Umesh Pal was killed.

Atiq Ahmad's son Asad was also named as a shooter alongside six others described as shooters.

Apart from Ahmad and Ashraf, four others named in the FIR -- Asad, Arbaaz, Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman, and Ghulam -- have also been killed.

Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen and three other alleged shooters are absconding.

In the FIR registered after the murder of Umesh Pal on February 24, who was a key witness in the 2005 MLA Raju Pal murder case in which Atiq Ahmad was also an accused, police lodged an FIR against at the Dhoomanganj Police Station of Prayagraj.

Of the seven people seen in a CCTV footage that captured the Umesh Pal killing, Arbaaz, who allegedly drove the SUV carrying the attackers, was killed in an encounter on February 27.

Shooter Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman was killed in an encounter in Prayagraj in March 6.

Asad Ahmed and Ghulam were killed in another encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force on April 13 in Jhansi.

The remaining three shooters -- Guddu Muslim, Sabir and Armaan -- are absconding. Shaista Parveen is also on the run.

Atiq Ahmad, a former SP legislator, had earlier expressed apprehension that he could be killed by the Uttar Pradesh Police while being brought to Prayagraj from the Ahmedabad prison, where he was lodged in connection with another case.

When he was being taken to the city for Thursday's court appearance, he made a similar remark.

"I am totally reduced to dust, but please don't trouble the women and children of my family now," the 60-year-old told reporters from inside a police van.

After the Umesh Pal murder, Akhilesh Yadav had flagged the law and order issue in the state assembly.

In the heated debate, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had accused the Samajwadi Party of sheltering gangsters like Atiq Ahmad and said the government will ground the mafias to dust ('mittee me mila denge').

The bodies of Atiq Ahmad and is brother Ashraf's body will be buried in their native village, officials said.
Two weeks before gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad was shot dead while under police escort in Prayagraj, the Supreme Court had dismissed his plea seeking protection during his custody with the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Umesh Pal murder case.

IMAGE: Police personnel at the incident site where Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead, in Prayagraj on Saturday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Ahmad, 60, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college for a checkup.

On March 28, the apex court had dismissed Ahmad's plea for protection and observed that the Uttar Pradesh state machinery would take care of his protection in case of a threat to his life.

When Atiq's plea had come up for hearing before the top court, a bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi granted him liberty to approach the Allahabad high court for protection after he had claimed that his life was under threat while being in the custody of the Uttar Pradesh Police.

'Since he is in judicial custody, the Uttar Pradesh state machinery will take care of his protection in case of threat to his life,' the court had said, refusing to record the former Samajwadi Party MP's counsel's vehement requests that his life is under threat.

'It is not a case where this court is going to interfere. Liberty granted to move appropriate application before the high court. Whatever is the process prescribed under law will be followed,' the bench had said.

Atiq had sought protection claiming that he and his family have been falsely 'roped in' as accused in the Umesh Pal murder case in Prayagraj.

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 killing of then Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal, and his two security guards were killed in a shooting on February 24.

In his plea, Ahmad, who was earlier lodged at the Ahmedabad central jail in Gujarat pursuant to the apex court's direction, had referred to the statement made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the floor of the assembly to 'completely ruin and destroy' him and claimed there is a 'genuine and perceptible threat' to his and his family members' lives.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A shower is possible early. Clear to partly cloudy. Low 34F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A shower is possible early. Clear to partly cloudy. Low 34F. Winds light and variable.
Cash App Founder Bob Lee's Tragic Death Shocks Tech Community (Photo : Youtube/Screenshot)

Tech consultant Nima Momeni, 38, has been charged with the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee after allegedly planning the attack and stabbing him over a dispute involving Momeni's sister. Prosecutors released the details in a court document on Friday.



The motion to deny Momeni bail marks the first official account of what may have led to Lee's stabbing in a deserted part of downtown San Francisco in the early hours of April 4. Momeni was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court on Friday but has yet to enter a plea. His arraignment is scheduled for April 25.



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The judge agreed to hold Momeni in jail without bail during Friday's brief hearing. If found guilty, he could face 26 years to life in prison, according to District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' office.



Momeni, who wore an orange sweatshirt and pants in court, only spoke to confirm that he waived his right to a speedy trial. His family members attended the hearing, including his younger sister Khazar Elyassnia and her husband, Dino Elyassnia, a well-known San Francisco plastic surgeon.



Attorney Robert Canny represented Momeni in court and told reporters after the hearing, "The facts of what occurred, or didn't occur, will come out over time."



The motion to detain Momeni relies on surveillance footage and the testimony of a friend who was with Lee the day before his death. The document indicates that Lee, Khazar Elyassnia, and the friend were drinking together at someone else's apartment. Later, the friend and Lee went to Lee's hotel room without Khazar Elyassnia, where a conversation took place in which Momeni questioned Lee about his sister's possible drug use or inappropriate behavior.



According to prosecutors, Momeni drove Lee to a dark, secluded location, attacked him with a kitchen knife, and stabbed him three times, including in the heart. He then left Lee to die and fled the scene. Police found a 4-inch-blade knife at the site.



The death of Lee, who created the widely used mobile payment service Cash App, has shocked the tech industry. Lee had recently moved to Miami with his father and was in San Francisco for business when he was found with stab wounds. He later died at a hospital.


A mom accused of killing her two youngest children and a romantic rival described some people as possessed or zombies, four of whom were later killed or shot at, the woman's former friend told jurors.

Melanie Gibb testified Thursday in the Idaho trial of Lori Vallow Daybell , telling jurors that the two became friends at a church event in 2018 but that Vallow Daybell's spiritual beliefs soon veered away from what they had been taught at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Prosecutors say Vallow Daybell and her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, used those religious beliefs to justify the deaths of anyone who stood in the way of their romantic relationship. Both are charged with murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges in the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, who was last seen a few days before her 17th birthday. They face the same charges in connection with the death of Daybell's late wife, Tammy Daybell.

Both have pleaded not guilty. Chad Daybell is expected to stand trial several months from now, but prosecutors began presenting their case against Vallow Daybell on Monday.

Gibb told jurors that Vallow Daybell claimed some people were light and others were dark, meaning they had been possessed by evil spirits. Gibb said people Vallow Daybell labeled as dark included her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot and killed by Vallow Daybell's brother in July 2019; her two youngest children, who were missing for roughly eight months before their bodies were found buried in Chad Daybell's yard in 2020; and Brandon Boudreax, who was shot at by an unknown assailant shortly after he divorced Vallow Daybell's niece in 2019.

Gibb's testimony was the first time jurors heard about the death of Vallow Daybell's fourth husband. The couple was estranged when Charles Vallow was shot and killed outside his Phoenix, Arizona-area home by Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox. Cox claimed the shooting was self-defense and was never charged in connection with the death. He later died of what was determined to be natural causes in December 2019.

Authorities in Arizona, however, have indicted Vallow Daybell with conspiring to kill Charles Vallow with Cox's help. The Idaho prosecutors also say Cox had a hand in the eastern Idaho deaths, conspiring with Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell to kill the kids and Daybell's previous wife.

Vallow Daybell has not yet entered a plea in the Arizona case.

JJ had autism, and once Charles Vallow was dead, Vallow Daybell had a hard time taking care of him and having enough time with Chad Daybell, Gibb said. Vallow Daybell and the two kids moved to Rexburg, Idaho, after Charles Vallow's death  closer to the town where Chad Daybell lived with his family  and that's when Vallow Daybell began claiming JJ was possessed, Gibb said.

She said he would say things like, I love Satan and climb up on the cabinets and refrigerator, Gibb said.

Tylee wasn't home at the time, and Gibbs said Vallow Daybell claimed to have sent the teen to live in a college dorm with some friends. Both children were last seen alive in September 2019, prosecutors said.

Meanwhile, Chad Daybell's then-wife, Tammy Daybell, died in October 2019. Her death was originally reported as natural causes, but prosecutors became suspicious after Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell married just two weeks later. Prosecutors said Tammy Daybell's body was exhumed and that an autopsy showed she died from asphyxiation.

Gibb told jurors that Chad Daybell called her in November of 2019, warning her not to answer her phone if Rexburg police called because Vallow Daybell had told investigators JJ was visiting Gibb in Arizona.

Gibb confronted Vallow Daybell about the boy's whereabouts in a recorded phone call a month later. Prosecutors played the recording for the jury.

Your salvation is in trouble, Gibb tells Vallow Daybell in the call. I believe you have been deceived by Satan. He has tricked you. Tammy dies, and then your husband died, and then hes missing. It doesnt sound like Gods plan to me. In my gut, it feels weird.

You know me, Mel, Lori Vallow replies. This doesnt sound like you. This sounds like youre being influenced by somebody dark.
Comments spark backlash as Beijing tries to lift flagging birth rate with various perks

Children take part in a drawing and painting class at a public area near the Forbidden City in Beijing on April 5, 2023.

Have more children  it's your patriotic duty. They are like durable consumer goods that you pay off over the long haul, but bring far more benefits.

That was the message from a prominent Chinese economist at a government-backed think tank, and the most recent effort by the Communist Partys campaign to boost the countrys flagging birth rate that includes a slew of economic perks for couples  long limited to just one child  to have more children.

"Durable consumer goods pay off in the long run, so it's wrong for young people not to have children  their value exceeds that of the other goods you buy," said Chen Wenling, chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Chens comments sparked an online outcry. Some said that people in China are all regarded as "consumables," rather than human beings. Others said those who decide not to have children are smart.

"Today's society has driven young people to the point of desperation," commented one social media user. "I want a place to live, but I can't afford one. I don't have time for fun, and I can't afford to raise a child  this comment from this expert is so arrogant!"

Others were more cynical.

"People may be consumer goods in other countries, but here, we're either inferior, hostages or ***holes," commented @psychotic_relapse from Shandong on Weibo.

"It's poor thinking to treat children as private property," wrote @Gusu_Bridge from Jiangsu, while @Guangzhou_old_dog said those in power should quit making "tedious and arrogant" comments. "They should come up with some policies and test them out to see if they work in practice," the user wrote.

"Back in the 1950s, they wanted people to have more kids, then it was family planning in the 1980s, and now we're back to encouraging people to have more kids again," wrote @My_heart_is_still_4325 from Shandong.

"But the reality is that it's not easy to secure housing, medical care, employment or education," the user wrote, while @plants_vs_zombies_fan wrote: "Having a child in China is the worst investment."

Cant find jobs

Chen's comments come at a time when youth unemployment is running at around 20% in China, with around 10 million graduates about to enter the labor market to compete with those who are already unemployed.

A current affairs commentator who gave only the surname Chen agreed.

"Most people don't have the money to find a partner right now, because all of that requires money for food, transportation and going out," Chen said. "Most young people are demotivated by that."

Job seekers visit a booth at a job fair in Beijing, Feb. 16, 2023. Credit: Reuters

"It's not that they don't want a partner; the economic pressures are just too huge, and far worse than before," he said.

Li Jiabao, who moved from mainland China to live in democratic Taiwan, said there is a huge amount of disillusionment with government policy from the same age group that Beijing is counting on to raise more children.

"After three years of violent enforcement of the zero-COVID policy in China, young people see this government as extremely bureaucratic and careless of human life," Li said. "I think this is the main reason why young people are so disgusted with this expert."

One-child policy

In 2016, China abandoned its 35-year one-child policy, which penalized parents with more than one child, amid concerns about its birth rate, raising the limit to two. In 2021, that was further loosened to three  and now there are no limits on the number of children a couple can have.

Authorities have recognized they need to offer incentives to couples to have more children amid the economic pressures of modern China.

"After three years of violent enforcement of the zero-COVID policy in China, young people see this government as extremely bureaucratic and careless of human life," says Li Jiabao, a mainland Chinese dissident who moved to Taiwan. Credit: RFA





A plan announced in August 2022 offers "support policies in finance, tax, housing, employment, education and other fields to create a fertility-friendly society and encourage families to have more children, promising community nursery services, better infant and child care services at local level, flexible working and family-friendly workplaces, and safeguarding the labor and employment rights of parents.

But rights activists said discrimination in the workplace still presents major obstacles to equality for Chinese women, despite protections enshrined in the country's law.

Chinese women still face major barriers to finding work in the graduate labor market and fear getting pregnant if they have a job, out of concern their employer will fire them.

And young people in China are increasingly ruling marriage out of their plans for the future, with marriage registrations falling for several years in a row.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
As chief of defense, retired General Jarmo Lindberg was the Finnish Defense Forces' highest-ranking officer from 2014 to 2019. A career fighter pilot who ascended through the air force ranks, he was elected to the Finnish parliament this month, representing the center-right opposition National Coalition Party, which won the largest number of seats. He has also worked as an adviser and lobbyist.

RFE/RL's Georgian Service spoke with Lindberg about the evolution of Finland's relationship with NATO, Finns' volte-face on membership once Russian troops were pouring over Ukraine's border, and the current war's effect on NATO's new northern flank.

RFE/RL: Finland's a NATO member now. How does that change the security paradigm with respect to Russia?

Jarmo Lindberg: It has a stabilizing effect. The biggest change in Europe, obviously, was Russia's attack on Ukraine and the ongoing war in Europe. Finland joining NATO means that Finland will have the Article 5 security guarantees from a large alliance. That's the most important factor and the big change here.

It remains to be seen what kind of differences there might be in the relationship between Finland and Russia. Obviously, there has already been a big change from the prewar situation and relationship. Because Finland has been with the EU with all 10 rounds of [Russia] sanctions, and Finnish industry has pretty much left Russia. So, the business is over, and relations have changed dramatically already....

The war and the Russian attack on February 24, [2022], created a big change, because within a week the numbers in Finland of those who were pro-NATO membership and those who were against [membership] changed places, so that the majority of Finns were pro-NATO membership.

RFE/RL: What do you expect them to do now? What about the "military and political consequences" of NATO membership that Russia has been threatening?

Lindberg: Yes, you're right, they have mentioned several times throughout this process and also recently that they will strengthen the northwestern corner of Russia, maybe form a new army corps, a new headquarters in the area, [although] that remains to be seen.

The current situation is such that, from the army garrisons and army brigades, they deployed two battalions [garrisoned next to Finland] to Ukraine, and they have seen heavy fighting and heavy losses. So, the Russian Army capability is at the moment smaller to the east of the Finnish border. And Russia is preoccupied in Ukraine for the foreseeable future, because nobody knows when the war is going to end.

Then there has been discussion about information warfare, cyberattacks, and so on, and also that remains to be seen. You might say that information warfare is already ongoing with the statements that [Russia is making], so that is nothing new.

So far, there have been no dramatic cyberactions. After formal accession to NATO, would there be any changes to what we have been seeing already? Hard to say. In a way, [at that point] the signing process [didn't] change anything.

RFE/RL: We are speaking right after the latest elections, which saw the change of the ruling party in Finland. Does it spell any change in foreign policy?

Lindberg: I actually also got elected to the parliament [in national elections on April 2]. I'm now a member of the winning National Coalition Party.There will be changes to Finnish policy, but those were laid out already during the previous government, because it was the previous government that made the decision [to join NATO], based on polls and the realization that the majority of Finns now support NATO membership....The next government will have to form a policy toward Russia with Finland now a full member of NATO.

The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here.

RFE/RL: Now that Finland has become a NATO member, should we expect an increase in military assistance to Ukraine?

Lindberg: The new government hasn't been formed yet, but it's easy to say that it will be pro-NATO, because 80 percent of Finns are now pro-NATO membership. And when the [parliamentary] vote was taken on the law to participate in NATO, it was almost unanimous; all the parties supported Finnish NATO membership.

It's hard to say [on increased military assistance] because I have had no view intothe 14 rounds of assistance that we've already given Ukraine. There's only the numbers. It is now up to 960 million euros ($1.1 billion) [in contributions], and I think the previous government stated that it is not the end of it. So, it will continue.

With the next round, it will probably go over 1 billion euros, and it will keep on going. And it has been a situation where it has been a negotiation with Ukraine [regarding] what they need and what is available here in Finland -- so what Finland has so far given to Ukraine has [provided] meaningful military help.So, when the process has already been done 14 times, it will continue like that.

RFE/RL: As you're a former fighter pilot, I would like to ask you how essential would Western fighter jets be for a Ukrainian victory, and will they be getting them?

Lindberg: It's hard for me to speculate on if they'll get them sooner or later. That's a decision of individual Western nations. So far, as we all know, no such decision has been made by the United States or European countries. And the latest was the help from Poland and Slovakia with the MiG-29s, which makes perfect sense because the Ukrainians have had them already. So that is the fastest way to give them technology that they already know how to use and [for which] they have the spare parts, the logistics system.

For any new type of jets, it will take a while to train the pilots and even a larger crew of maintenance people; then to get the spare parts to the country; and then [to build] the maintenance and logistics chains in country while they are waging war.

You know, I'm a MiG pilot; I flew Soviet-made MiGs. And then I was trained by the United States Navy in California to fly F-18 Hornet jets. I was the commander of the first Finnish Hornet squadron. So, I should know, because I have done it myself. And I know that it takes a while, and there are no shortcuts. You can speed it up a bit, but then there are realistic limitations on how long the whole process will take.

Even if the decision is made now, it will not help the war this spring or this summer or not even this year, because it's such a complicated combination. Yes, it's an added capability, depending on what kind of capabilities are given to Ukraine. Of course, it is beneficial for fighting a war.

Having been involved in planning many military capabilities here in Finland, there is no one silver bullet. You can say, "OK, tanks are what is going to win the war." But when [the front line] is some 750 kilometers [long] and you get a battalion or two of tanks, every planner realizes that it's a long front, and you need additional capabilities, and you need the capability to launch joint operations to reclaim the lost areas. Yes, they are added capabilities, but in an all-out war, it's hard to say that you could have one single capability that would win you the war. It [needs to be] a combination.

RFE/RL: I understand your reservations about the time that it would require and also logistical difficulties. And yet Ukrainian pilots who have been trained already in the West are showing very rapid progress, and nobody really knows how long this war will last. With that in mind, is it conceivable that, for example, Finland could donate its soon-to-be-phased-out Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine?

Lindberg: There's been a lot of discussion regarding that in Finland. I'm not in a position to say whether Finland is going to give them [to Ukraine] or not.... What I've said in the media is that the planned lifecycle for the Hornets is 30 years, and they have been pretty much used to the end of their lifecycle. And the spare-part inventory is declining with the jets. Also, from a technical perspective, the replacement timeline [is that] the first new fighter jets will come to Finland in 2026.

When the new jets start to arrive, the used Hornets, one by one, will start to go down at the end of their lifecycle. The replacement timeline for the Hornets is some five years -- so after 2025 all the way up to 2030. It will take several years to replace the Hornets. And it will take some years in Finland to get the operational readiness -- having enough new fighter jets so that they can say that "OK, we have an operational fighting capability with the replacement jets."

Anyway, it will take years, and then it's up to the air force and the defense leadership to say, "OK, when we're getting new jets, when are we ready to start to draw down the current capability of the F-18s?"

RFE/RL: Finland's defense forces are already interoperable with NATO, but still, should we expect any new bases and such? Should we expect growing numbers of the professional standing army?

Lindberg: Finland has been doing the interoperability preparations for NATO for decades...so there are [just] some interoperability procedures that need to be done with the command-and-control systems with NATO. But that's not a big deal.

[As far as defense capabilities go, don't expect] very dramatic changes. The Finnish reserve force is already 280,000 [people]. It is larger than all the other Nordic nations combined. We have the largest field artillery in Europe along with Poland. We have long-range precision-guided munitions for all the services: army, navy, air force. We already have the main battle tanks -- the Leopard main battle tanks -- and the armored capabilities in country.... Plus, the new F-35 fighter jets. So, for [our] defense capabilities, there are no dramatic changes needed.

We can keep our general conscription here; we don't have to change that. Also, the structure is there: The percentage of defense procurement and the defense budget from the GNP [gross national product] is already over the NATO 2 percent requirement. And also, the material procurement part that needs to be over 20 percent, we are already easily over that. So, thedefense [funding] here in Finland is already over the NATO requirements.

If we're talking about bases, then first we need to have discussions about what kind of a NATO profile Finland has -- and those discussions are ongoing. Then afterward, when the profile is figured out together with NATO, then there can be smaller details, additional discussions. NATO is now very busy closer to Ukraine, having deployed a lot of forces closer to Ukraine, so probably this is not the first thing for NATO to do -- to have a base here up north -- because the more acute need is down south in Central Europe.

RFE/RL: What does Finland's NATO membership mean for Ukraine's NATO hopes and, from a wider perspective, for other countries that also have NATO aspirations -- for example, Georgia? Can Kyiv and Tbilisi count on Helsinki's support in that regard?

Lindberg: I think that the most pressing need is for Sweden [to join NATO], because Finland and Sweden had parallel accession processes and now Sweden wasn't ratified by Turkey and Hungary. So, it would be important forSweden, hopefully, [to get in] before the Vilnius NATO summit in July. Then I think Ukraine and Georgia [should be considered].

I'm not a specialist in the processand the timingwith those nations. It's more up to the NATO leadership to analyze and have the additional negotiations about the readiness of nations and the NATO requirements for membership....

Being in NATO, we have to play by NATO rules. So, whatever the NATO process is for a new nation, that has to [be gone] through and [has to be] the same thing as we had. If it's all [gone] through and the nation is ready in the NATO leadership's view, then it comes to the ratification process, and each nation, when their time comes, will ratify it or they will have -- as we saw with Turkey or Hungary -- they may have specific things. I don't have a crystal ball or the knowledge to give you a specific answer.

RFE/RL: Finland was well-defended even before becoming a NATO member. Do you have any textbook advice for similarly small countries within Russia's neighborhood that don't enjoy being under the NATO umbrella?

Lindberg: For Finland, being a neighboring country of Russia, after the Cold War ended, some other nations viewed us as being a bit conservative -- having general conscription and large reserve forces and territorial defense -- when a lot of [other] nations started to focus on crisis-management operations.

You know, with our history, and having fought during our history with Russia previously and during World War II, we kept up the combination of having the large reserve, general conscription, and when some other nations were giving up their weapons, selling their weapons, we were there buying the surplus weapons at a cheaper price because we wanted to keep up our traditional defenses.

But on top of the traditional capabilities, we were already buying the high-end, long-range, precision-guided weapons: the missiles for the air force, the rockets for the army, and the missiles for the navy.

The combination that Ukraine is looking for in this war that we are now watching -- having sufficient forces, having the armor capabilities, having the tanks, having the missiles, the long-range capabilities, having the modern fighter jets and air defense -- we have them all. So now people are saying that the defense planning in Finland has been correct for the war that we are now watching [in Ukraine].

This would be my advice to any nation: You need to plan in advance, and you need to have the capabilities in-country to defend your country, whether you are a member of an alliance or not. And you're not freeriding an alliance; you have to be able to defend your own area and even help others, if needed, if you think that within the alliance somebody else is going to help you. It's vice versa, and it doesn't work [if] you don't have the capabilities in your own country and you join the alliance and you say, "OK, somebody come and help us, because we didn't do our homework."

RFE/RL: How does one combine being the "happiest country in the world" with being ready to go to war against a nuclear power any day of the week?

Lindberg: Well, that's been a discussion here in Finland: Why is it the sixth year in a row that we are the "happiest country in the world" [according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's World Happiness Report]? I don't know. I think the Finns are very pragmatic, straightforward people. You can trust a Finn and the word of a Finn. And it's very straightforward here in Finland.

I would give the example of Russia attacking Ukraine and, within a week, the Finnish population figured out that we have to be [in] NATO and, very quickly, the political leadership followed with a very fast process to apply for NATO membership. I would say that's very pragmatic. When Finns realize that OK, something is not working, we just [think we] need to go and fix it. That's the Finnish way of thinking.

RFE/RL: During your tenure, what were contingency plans in terms of conflict with Russia?

Lindberg: If there's one topic that I'd mention, it's that when Russia invaded Crimea in the spring of 2014 and I became the chief of defense in August 2014, throughout Europe and also within NATO, there was a realization: Are we ready enough? Because that was a very fast [Russian] special-forces operation. And in the defense [departments] of different nations, people were analyzing whether if something like that were to happen in their area, would they be fast enough to react to that kind of operation.

Also here in Finland, one of my first public statements [when I became chief of defense in 2014] was that we need to improve our readiness so that we are more agile if something happens. Obviously the specific contingency planning and operational planning, that is classified, and the details cannot be given out. But...it's easy to say, "OK, there's an example for you for contingency planning" when you see that something in the real world happens. And then when you see that in the neighborhood and also [regarding] your capabilities, there may be some deficiencies -- then you need to go and fix them.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
In an attempt to boost Iran's flagging population growth, the government approved a controversial law in 2021 that further tightened restrictions on medical abortions and banned the free distribution of contraceptives.

Now, officials have expressed alarm about the number of illegal abortions being carried out in the country, suggesting government restrictions have pushed more women to terminate unwanted pregnancies outside the public health-care system.

Women who seek an abortion in Iran often rely on the black market to obtain abortion pills that can be counterfeit or expired and ineffective. They also use underground abortion services by doctors and midwives that sometimes operate in unhygienic conditions.

Government officials have said that each year between 300,000 to 600,000 abortions, most of them illegal, are performed in the country.

A midwife in Tehran, who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said illegal abortions appear to have increased "significantly." The midwife says health workers now estimate that there could be as many as 1 million abortions each year.

"We used to provide people with free contraceptives that would help prevent unwanted pregnancies," the midwife said, adding that poorer Iranians were the most affected. "Now, women from poorer [backgrounds] are forced to seek unsafe abortions by using pills they buy on the black market that could lead to health complications and put their lives at risk."

The midwife warns that the authorities appear to be determined to boost the country's birthrate "at any cost," a move that "will only lead to an increase in unsafe abortions."

'Disastrous' Figures

Soleiman Heidari, a Health Ministry official, said on April 18 that up to 80 percent of abortions in Iran were performed illegally. He did not say if the number of illegal abortions was increasing but added that some estimates, if accurate, were "disastrous."

Earlier in the week, Iran's ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi said the number of abortions in the country was "worrying," without giving figures. He also called for "violators" to be punished.

Officials have said that medical staff found guilty of carrying out illegal abortions will face a ban on practicing medicine. Tehran Governor Mohsen Mansuri last year called for the authorities to crack down on centers that help women terminate their unwanted pregnancies.

Health Ministry spokesman Pedram Pakayin said on April 19 that the ministry was taking steps to deal with "intentional abortions," including collecting abortion pills from the market.

Dropping Birthrate

Mansoureh Shojaee, a prominent women's rights activist and researcher, told RFE/RL that the law restricting medical abortions was a violation of women's right to maintain autonomy over their bodies.

"The issue of bodily rights and autonomy has been highlighted by the protest movement," she said, referring to the nationwide antiestablishment demonstrations that erupted after the September death of a young woman soon after she was arrested for violating the hijab law. The main slogan of the protesters was "Women, life, and freedom."

"These rights include the hijab but also issues dealing with fertility, including the right to prevent pregnancy," Shojaee said. "Women should be able to decide if they want to become pregnant, if they want children, and the number of children they want."

Shojaee adds that the state's restrictions on medical abortions and contraceptives have put the life of Iranian women at risk.

Previously, abortions could be legally performed during the first four months of pregnancy if three doctors agreed that a pregnancy threatened a woman's life, or the fetus had severe physical or mental disabilities that could produce extreme hardship for the mother.

But under the "rejuvenation of the population and support of the family" law passed in November 2021, abortion cases are now be decided by a panel that includes a judge and two medical professionals.

Rights groups and health experts warn that the law restricts women's access to medical abortions, leads to unwanted pregnancies and the birth of children with congenital defects, and increases the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

In recent years, a growing number of Iranian women have chosen to have fewer or no children -- mainly due to economic woes, changing gender norms, the growth of girls' education, and family planning programs.

That trend has seen Iran's population growth rate drop from more than 4 percent in the 1980s to 1.29 percent in 2020, according to the World Bank, a development that has alarmed Iran's clerical establishment.
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.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy said the ruling was "an attempt to silence dissent and to make an example of those with the courage to offer an alternative to the policies of the Russian government."

In a statement, Tracy called the sentence "another terrible sign of the repression that has taken hold in Russia."

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-Murza's conviction to be contrary to Russias international obligations on human rights, including the right to a fair trial."

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement later on April 17 slamming Britain's response and calling it "direct interference in the internal affairs of Russia."

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 policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.

The Washington-based nonprofit organization Freedom House also condemned the sentence against Kara-Murza, calling it a "deplorable act of cruelty to its already staggering ledger of human rights abuses."

Kara-Murza has dedicated his life to combating corruption and repression in Russia, Freedom House said, adding that now he has been imprisoned for the supposed "treason" of speaking out against President Vladimir Putin's "brutal and unprovoked war of conquest."

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 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.
Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange that resulted in the return of 130 Ukrainian prisoners, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram on April 16.

He did not say how many Russians were released in what he called a "great Easter exchange."

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.

Earlier in the week, 106 Russian prisoners were swapped for 100 Ukrainians, the two governments reported.

Despite the Easter holiday, fighting continued to rage in eastern Ukraine, with Ukraine's military reporting dozens of attacks over the past 24 hours.

Zelenskiy congratulated Orthodox Christian Ukrainians on the occasion of Easter, noting that after 417 days of war with Russia, the country retains an "unshakeable faith" in victory.

"We are not only waiting and asking, but we are winning and creating this victory ourselves," Zelenskiy said in a video address on April 16. "With all our strength, we fight for our land and ask for the help of heavenly forces."

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service at Moscows Cathedral of Christ the Savior with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, both of whom have been outspoken supporters of Russias February 2022 massive invasion of Ukraine.

Putin praised the Russian Orthodox Church for its "active commitment to mercy and charity in the face of serious challenges" in a statement posted by the Kremlin.

He added that Easter "gives hope to believers, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to reaffirm high moral ideals and values in society."

Putin, 70, is the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, including the mass deportation of Ukrainian children.

During the service Patriarch Kirill described the Russian invasion and the war, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions of people displaced, as "sad events that may be described as an internal feud that are now taking place on our historic Russian land."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian and Russian services
A Russian missile strike on a museum in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupyansk killed at least one person and wounded 10 others, an attack that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as "barbaric," as heavy fighting for the control of Bakhmut intensified over the past day, the military reported.

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.

Oleh Synehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, told RFE/RL that the April 25 strike on the Kupyansk city center involved S-300-type missiles, one of which hit the Museum of Local History.

Synehubov said rescue work continues, with officials saying at least one more person may be under the rubble.

"The terrorist country is doing everything to destroy us completely. Our history, our culture, our people. Killing Ukrainians with absolutely barbaric methods," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram, adding, "We must and will respond!"

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said Russian forces unleashed more waves of assaults on Bakhmut over the past day, but neither side managed to make critical advances in the monthslong battle for the city in the eastern region of Donetsk.

"Fierce battles are going on for the city of Bakhmut," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in its daily report on April 25, adding that Moscow's main push on the battlefield remained focused on the Bakhmut-Avdiyivka-Maryinka front line.

Russian forces launched 62 air strikes and six missile strikes against Ukrainian military positions and civilian objectives, the General Staff said in its report.

IN PHOTOS: As heavy fighting for control of the shattered city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine continues unabated, one Ukrainian unit explains how it is struggling to hold off Moscow's forces.

Ukrainian defenders also repelled 43 Russian attacks on Bakhmut and Maryinka, the report said.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar, meanwhile, described the ongoing fighting in Bakhmut as a "continuous dynamic process."

Malyar said on Telegram on April 25: "We can lose positions in battle today, and regain them the next day; that is why the military prefers to talk about the result after the operation is over."

Malyar's comments came a day after Ukrainian commanders denied a Russian claim that mercenaries from the Wagner Group almost completely controlled the city.

In Washington, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby warned that Russian forces can step up their offensive actions once the weather begins to get warmer.

"We know that in the spring, when the weather improves -- and it is already starting to improve -- we can expect that the Russians will want to go on the offensive in some areas. We don't know exactly where and how they will do it, but we want to be sure that Ukrainians are able to defend themselves better against it," Kirby told Voice of America on April 24.

At the same time, Kirby added, if Ukrainian forces decide to conduct their own counteroffensive operations, they must have the appropriate capabilities.

Military experts have reported -- and Ukrainian leaders have hinted -- that a major spring counteroffensive by Ukraine is in the works.

Russian state news agency RIA said on April 25 that Moscow has begun using its new T-14 Armata battle tanks in the war, firing on Ukrainian positions but not yet participating in a "direct assault."



The tank has an unmanned turret that a crew controls remotely from "an isolated armored capsule located in the front of the hull," the report said.



But, according to British military intelligence, Russian forces have complained about the poor condition of the first of the tanks to arrive.



"Eleven years in development, the program has been dogged with delays, reduction in planned fleet size, and reports of manufacturing problems," the British intelligence report said.



Off the battlefield, the International Working Group on Russian Sanctions, a pro-Ukraine group of scholars, called on Western nations to impose stricter sanctions on Moscow.



The scholars called for a reduction on the price cap on Russian oil to $30 a barrel from $60; a total embargo on Russian steel, iron, and diamonds; and an easing of regulations to seize Russian assets abroad.



The group consists of some 40 scholars -- including Michael McFaul of Stanford University and a former U.S. ambassador to Russia.

With reporting by AP and Reuters
Bao Ngoc becomes Ambassador of Earth Day in Vietnam

Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Miss Intercontinental 2022, has been named as an Ambassador of Earth Day 2023 in Vietnam.











Bao Ngoc becomes Ambassador of Earth Day in Vietnam



She called on Vietnamese people to eat healthier, use recycled materials, and stop polluting rivers and lakes.



In the nation the Earth Day campaign will run with the theme of Invest in Our Planet and will be implemented on April 14, featuring many practical activities for the environment.



Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 for the purpose of raising awareness and mobilising people to act to protect the value of the natural environment globally.



Earth Day was first proposed in the United States back in 1970. In 2009, the event was then recognised by the UN and launched globally, attracting hundreds of millions of participants every year.
Lindsey Hartman, a survivor of the July 4th parade shooting, at home in Highland Park on April 16, 2023, before traveling to Washington for a gun legislation march. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Lindsey Hartman is ready now. A survivor of the Highland Park parade massacre, its taken nine months to overcome her fears and step outside to support a cause that is at the heart of her survival.

Hartman joins more than 1,000 others, including about 200 moms from the Chicago area, who will march Monday afternoon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to demand an end to assault weapons.

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When you think your child is going to be murdered in front of your face, it changes who you are, Hartman told the Tribune. Its not normal. Weve allowed it to become normal in our country. Its insane.

Hartman was not able to leave her home for a long time after the attack, when she and her husband threw themselves on top of their then 4-year-old daughter as parade-goers standing next to them were shot. Bodies and blood were scattered before their eyes.

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This is not about me  its so much bigger than me, Hartman said. This is a public health crisis. I cannot sit back  its too important for my fears to stop me from doing what I want to do.

Kitty Brandtner at her Winnetka home on July 9, 2022. Brandtner is the founder of the nonprofit advocacy group March Fourth and organized the event SOS (Save Our Students) to take place in Washington D.C. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The event, named SOS, Save Our Students, was organized by the nonprofit advocacy group March Fourth, founded by Winnetkas Kitty Brandtner.

Its a singular mission to federally ban assault weapons  an SOS to Congress, said Brandtner, who said this years march is double the size of last years.

Weve been pushing for this legislation for the past nine months, she said. We will scream at the top of our lungs and demand change.

For Hartman, the march has been a long time coming. Since the massacre, she has been actively volunteering, making calls to lawmakers and donating, but she had higher hopes.

I dont feel safe most places, Hartman said. Your brain becomes very altered after a horrific experience like this.

Days and weeks and months have gone by  I keep pushing myself. Ive always wanted to be standing alongside these larger groups and have my voice heard, demanding our legislators to listen, she said. But now I feel I have built up some strength.

Hartmans daughter, Scarlett, was dancing, having the time of her life as gunfire from an assault rifle rang out at the parade.

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My husband and I locked eyes. He was already in motion to grab her, I just looked at him and said: Protect her. Do whatever you have to do. Dont worry about me. Just go, " Hartman said. I knew if he turned around it would slow him down. Her survival was the only thing that mattered.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 123 Pictures of the seven people killed during the Fourth of July parade shooting are displayed at a memorial in Port Clinton Square on July 11, 2022, in Highland Park. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Kelly Zelmanski, an Elmhurst mom and graphic designer for the cause, said the journey will be cathartic for her. Im marching because theres a lot at play  and voting has been the extent of my efforts, to support ending gun violence.

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Her two children, ages 2 and 4, will stay home with her husband while she makes it a day trip. Im feeling compelled to go march because Im feeling kind of helpless.

Just showing up is a visible way to urge Congress to make changes, Zelmanski said.

The group, donning bright T-shirts and holding signage, will step off just before noon and walk about a mile. Though the major demographic happens to be mothers, there will be men, 20-somethings and students attending.

I think its just aggravated and impacted Americans who are sick of living this way, Brandtner said. Children being murdered in their schools, and America is just turning the page.

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According to March Fourth, American children have been traumatized by 107 school shootings and 155 mass shootings so far in 2023. This number has sharply increased in recent years, and according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, 2018 and 2019 saw 119 school shootings each, and 2021 and 2022 witnessed 250 and 303, respectively.

I cant sit back and not stand up for change and say nothing, Hartman said. Nobody should have to experience what we experienced and so many have in the last nine months.

rsobol@chicagotribune.com
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Iowa States Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Rachel Mummey)

Former President Donald Trump has garnered over $34 million in campaign funds for his potential 2024 presidential bid since the beginning of 2023, thanks in part to a surge in donations following the announcement of criminal charges against him in New York. His fundraising sum after the March 30 indictment was nearly equal to what he amassed in the previous three months.



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Trump's upcoming Federal Election Commission filing, due Saturday, will disclose that he raised over $18.8 million between his primary campaign account and a joint fundraising account during the first quarter of the year, according to the campaign.



Out of the total funds collected between January 1 and March 31, $4 million was raised after Trump's indictment on March 30 by a Manhattan grand jury in connection with a hush money case from the 2016 election.



Politico was the first to report the fundraising figures.



Following the news of his indictment, Trump began soliciting funds for his campaign, amassing $15.4 million between the announcement of the charges and Saturday's fundraising report deadline.



Facing several other criminal investigations, Trump has attempted to rally his supporters by portraying these cases as politically motivated. He has labeled the New York charges as "election interference," while also suggesting they may boost his support.



In the early stages of the 2024 presidential race, Trump has maintained a strong presence within the GOP field. However, many high-dollar GOP donors have sought to direct their support elsewhere. Prior to his indictment, Trump's campaign fundraising had not reached the substantial amounts he previously raised as president.



A few candidates have officially entered the race, including Trump's former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, ex-Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. More candidates, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are anticipated to join the race by the next fundraising report deadline in mid-July.


KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for "effective security guarantees for Ukraine" immediately, even as rescue work continues following a Russian air strike in the Donetsk region city of Slovyansk that left at least 11 civilians dead.

In his nightly video address on April 15, Zelenskiy said he had held a 90-minute phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron during which the two leaders affirmed "those principles that unite our entire anti-war coalition," including that Russia must withdraw from all Ukrainian territory, that all points of the UN Charter must be enforced, and that "none of Russia's violations of international law can be ignored."

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.

"It is upon such principles that security and peace will be restored in international relations," Zelenskiy said.

He urged NATO leaders to extend "effective security guarantees for Ukraine" ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, "even before we join the alliance." Ukraine in September asked NATO to consider it for an accelerated membership path.

Speaking at a Black Sea regional security conference in Bucharest on April 15, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov called on the international community to seize "the strategic initiative and be ready to act quickly and preemptively" in the face of security threats.

Such an approach, he said, "will be the best sobering factor for any aggressor." He also called for a "system of guarantees" that he said could curb "the desire of the Russian Federation to solve things by force."

In his video address, Zelenskiy said over 50 buildings had been damaged or destroyed in the Slovyansk air strike on April 14 and that "there are still bodies" under the rubble. One of the victims was an "boy born in 2021," he said. At least 23 people were reportedly injured in the attack.

"None of those who are guilty of this aggression can be forgiven or forgotten," he concluded.

WATCH: Both Slovyansk and neighboring Kramatorsk are facing intensified attacks by Russian invading forces, currently bogged down in nearby Bakhmut, which they have tried to seize for months, taking heavy casualties but advancing slowly.

The Ukrainian military on April 16 reported more than 60 Russian attacks along the contested front around the Donetsk region city of Bakhmut, which has seen the most intense fighting of the war over the past several months.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wagner units had seized two additional city blocks in northwest and southeastern Bakhmut. The report could not immediately be verified.

The claims come as Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin-connected businessman who controls Wagner, said that a long conflict in Ukraine could lead to the dissolution of Russia.

In a statement on Telegram, Prigozhin urged Moscow to declare its goals in Ukraine "achieved" and bring an end to the fighting there. Prigozhin wrote that "many of those who yesterday supported the special operation today either have doubts or are categorically opposed to what is happening."

The Ukrainian General Staff, in its daily briefing, reported there also were attacks in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya areas.

The military administration in the Zaporizhzhya region reported a "massive attack" overnight that damaged a church in the settlement of Komyshuvakha. The extent of the damage and number of possible casualties was being determined, administration head Yuriy Malashko wrote on Telegram.
Ex-Planned Parenthood Executive Dies by Suicide Following Mishandled Child Porn Raid in Connecticut (Photo : Instagram/@timyergeau)

Tim Yergeau, a former Connecticut Planned Parenthood executive, died by suicide on Tuesday, just days after police bungled a raid intended to arrest him on child pornography charges. The raid mistakenly targeted his New Haven neighbor's apartment.



Yergeau, 36, was the former director of strategic communications at the Southern New England branch of Planned Parenthood. His death was confirmed by New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson to the New Haven Registrar. "The person who died was definitely the suspect in a child pornography investigation and the person who committed suicide," Jacobson stated.



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On April 14, the Special Victims Unit investigating the child pornography case mistakenly broke down the door of Yergeau's neighbor and handcuffed her before realizing they had targeted the wrong apartment. "They obviously hit the wrong door," Jacobson told the New Haven Registrar.



New Haven police's internal affairs investigators are now examining how the raid was mishandled. "Unfortunately, a mistake was made," Jacobson admitted. "We feel for the woman and we're going to do everything we can to make it right."



While Jacobson didn't explicitly confirm that Yergeau was the child pornography suspect, both his neighbor and the state Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner confirmed that Yergeau died by suicide on Tuesday morning.



Following his departure from Planned Parenthood, Yergeau began working as marketing and communications director at Long Wharf Theatre in August 2022. "We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn the developments of the last 24 hours," a theater spokesperson told the New Haven Registrar, adding that it would be inappropriate to comment further.



Until police confirm that no other suspects were involved, they will not release the search warrant application or provide information about what was found in Yergeau's apartment due to two ongoing investigations.



The state of Connecticut also has the option to withhold the warrant.



Stacey Wezenter, Yergeau's neighbor and the victim of the botched raid, expressed her trauma to the New Haven Registrar, questioning the consequences if she or her child had been armed when police entered her apartment.


Susan Nowicke shows off Chance, a green iguana at her new EcoVivarium living museum, which recently opened in Escondido. The museum is designed to teach children about reptile and bug species and their habitats.

Behind the painted windows of the EcoVivarium in downtown Escondido, a living museum of lizards, dragons, turtles, snakes, chameleons, frogs and tarantulas has opened for business.

The 1,800-square-foot educational center at 163 S. Juniper St. is now hosting walk-though visitors and school groups for up-close, hands-on encounters with creatures like Lemony Snicket, a 6-year-old red-tailed albino boa constrictor, and Hank, a 17-pound Argentine black and white tegu lizard.

The museum is the dream project of Escondido resident Susan Nowicke, the longtime volunteer president of the San Diego Herpetological Society. All but few of the museums 200 animals were rescued from owners who surrendered, lost interest, abandoned, abused or couldnt afford to feed their former pets. Nowicke adopted the creatures and, with a small army of volunteers, has spent at least 100 hours hand-training each of the animals to become animal ambassadors.

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The scaly inhabitants of EcoVivarium offer children a tactile interaction thats rare at public museums. Even the San Diego Zoo keeps most of the inhabitants of its Reptile House behind glass. Nowicke said she hopes the experience teaches visitors to better appreciate these unusual, misunderstood and, in many cases, quite affectionate animals.

Siblings Delila and Benjamin Estrada touch a black and white Argentine tegu on a visit to the new EcoVivarium living museum in Escondido. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Nowicke said her passion for reptiles and amphibians began when she started catching slow-moving bufo toads in her native Chicago.

I wasnt afraid of them. I thought they were interesting and my parents were great about it, she said. When I got a little older, Id catch nightcrawler worms and dump a bucket of them on the kitchen table ... Then when we moved to Texas and I found a tarantula crawling on my bedroom window screen, I realized I was braver than my two brothers, who were afraid to go near it.

Although trained as an accountant, Nowicke quit work to home school her seven children, who are now grown. One of her children has special needs and Nowicke found that her daughter was more receptive to learning about science, literature and other subjects if the lessons involved a tactile experience with a rescued reptile.

Thats how EcoVivarium was born. In 2009, Nowicke created the nonprofit to take rescued creatures into public schools for educational animal encounters. The money raised from the classroom visits helped feed and house her growing menagerie. After years of requests to open a storefront for families and school groups, she leased the storefront on Juniper last year. Asbestos under the flooring, inadequate electrical capacity, permit issues and construction dragged out the project for 18 months. It finally opened on Oct. 29. The museum is still very much a work in progress, but Nowicke said theres been a steady flow of foot traffic since the day the doors opened.

Bearded dragons are part of several on display at the new EcoVivarium living museum, which recently opened in Escondido. The museum is designed to teach children about reptile and bug species and their habitats. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Its not cheap to feed, bathe and clean up after 200 animals (just a few dozen are on exhibit each day, with the selection rotating constantly). The monthly food bill is $1,400 a month, plus rent, insurance, electricity and water. To reduce expenses, Nowicke came up with creative ideas to build and staff the museum.

Carpet Club donated $60,000 in linoleum flooring. Volunteer Mike Reed, an Escondido arborist, built all of the oversize glass-front wood exhibit cases, made with windows recycled from an old housing project. She signed up a middle-school class to design and build the light fixtures that will illuminate and heat each case. And local grade-schoolers are shaping and painting foam panels  donated by a Hollywood scenery design company  to decorate the interiors of each case.

Children can sign up to be junior docents, leading tours and helping with animal care. Among those interested in the job is 10-year-old Benjamin Estrada of Escondido. Gently cradling Sugar, a 9-year-old desert iguana, he said he finds reptiles amazing. His family has visited numerous times since the museum opened and Benjamin said he wishes he could come every day.

The cases are displayed along a snakelike path, with each cases representing creatures from different habitats, including the desert, grassland, tropical forest, mangrove swamp and more.

For now, they cases are decorated with wood shavings, potted and plastic plants and a few branches for the creatures to crawl on. Eventually each case will have its own biome, with live insects, rocks, soil and rooted plants. There are now 27 animal cases, plus 10 more coming by December for large snakes and spiders.

One of the bigger cases, which will hold crocodiles and other large reptiles, has a tunnel underneath that children can crawl through to pop their heads up inside a glass dome at the center.

The center hosts school groups, walk-in visitors and birthday parties. The most popular activity is touching and holding the animals. Earlier this month, the Estrada family watched in awe as Mac, an 8-foot Salvator water monitor lizard, walked around the museum on a dog leash. Mac was starving when Nowicke adopted him six years ago. The owner had lost his job, his wife and his home and finally gave up the beloved pet before leaving town.

Macs story is similar to many of the EcoVivarium inhabitants. Nowicke said many people buy reptiles when theyre cute little babies, never realizing how large theyll grow, how expensive theyll become to feed, how much training they need to avoid aggressive behavior, and how long theyll live. Most live about 25 years, but Ninja, a 1-year-old African sulcata tortoise who inhabits a pyramid-shaped enclosure, can live 80 years and grow to 250 pounds.

Many of the rescues arrived malnourished and some have been abused, like a boa constrictor who was shot 13 times and left for dead. The boa survived but still has a bullet lodged near his heart. Nowicke said animals like these have a special place in her heart and in her hands-on programs with small children.

The ones weve brought back from the brink of death have a special connection to the people who saved them, she said. Theyre so grateful and loving because theyve been given a second chance.

EcoVivarium is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (closed on Thanksgiving). School tours take place on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets are $8 for children ages 17 and under and $10 for adults. Call (760) 975-9690 or visit ecovivarium.org or the museums EcoVivarium Facebook page.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
While researching the case of a San Diego sailing couple brutally murdered on Palmyra Island in 1974, retired L.A. deputy public defender Tom Bucy, made a surprising discovery.

A law school student in Hawaii had written an article about handling a bag containing the skull of one of the victims in the spring of 2009 during a classroom lecture by an FBI agent.

Bucy was amazed that the remains of slain sailor Eleanor Muff Graham remained unclaimed in FBI storage so long after the trial instead of receiving a proper burial, and he vowed to do something about it.

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Graham and her husband, Malcolm Mac Graham, had disappeared on Aug. 29, 1974, after sailing about 970 miles south from Hawaii to the Palmyra atoll. The home port for their sailboat, the Sea Wind, was a marina on Shelter Island, and they were well known in the San Diego sailing community.

Shortly after the Grahams disappearance, an ex-convict and his girlfriend were arrested for stealing the Sea Wind, but they werent charged with murder until a traveling sailor stumbled across Muffs remains on the Palmyra beach in 1981. Her broken and bleached bones were spilling out of a half-buried metal chest that apparently had washed ashore.

Her husbands body, presumed to have been dumped at sea, has never been found.

The ex-con, Buck Duane Walker, and his girlfriend, Stephanie Stearns, had arrived at Palmyra in their shabby, poorly stocked boat while the Grahams were anchored there.

Walker was tried first, convicted and sentenced to life in prison for Muffs murder, thanks, in part, to the testimony of a fellow inmate to whom hed made a jailhouse confession. Suffering from terminal cancer, he was paroled in 2007 and has since died.

While Walker was represented by a public defender, Stearns, from a well-to-do family, was defended by high-profile attorney Vincent Bugliosi, Charles Mansons prosecutor. She was acquitted.

The trials were big news nationally and, especially, in San Diego.

Muff Graham, formerly Eleanor LaVerne Eddington, had grown up here.Her mother, Rose King, and sister, Peggy Faulkner, of San Diego, were quoted in media coverage of the murders. Bugliosis book identified an older sister, Dorothy Young, of La Mesa.

As Bucy, a graduate of San Diegos Cal Western School of Law, did research for his own book on the high-profile murder and what he believes to be Stephanie Stearns role in it, he hardly expected to discover that the Hawaii FBI still had custody of Muffs remains 28 years after Stearns acquittal.

I would really like to see her bones interred in San Diego, said Bucy, who is endeavoring to create a fund to bring them here for a proper burial. This was the Grahams home port and several of Muffs family are interred in this area.

He plans to contact sailors up and down the West Coast in hopes of generating interest in the idea. The couple had no children, and he has been searching for close relatives.

Bucy, who now lives in Canada, earlier had tracked down Macs sister, Mary, who was once married to the late hydroplane boat racer Bill Muncey, of La Mesa. She had moved to Seattle, and since has died.

Her son, Dorian Graham Muncey, 58, Macs nephew, said he was shocked to learn his aunts bones were being passed around in a law class. Were concerned that Muff needs to be taken care of in a dignified manner, he said, and supports Bucys proposal.

Bucy contacted FBI officials in Honolulu, informed them of his plan, and they agreed not to dispose of the bones until he can interest sailors or others to take up a collection for the transfer. He has already approached the San Diego Yacht Club, which declined to get involved.

Bucy hopes this months publication of his e-book, Final Argument, will renew interest in the case. In it, he rebuts some of the trial analyses put forth in Bugliosis 1991 book, And the Sea Will Tell, later the subject of a TV miniseries. In several instances, transcripts of the trial reveal testimony that differs from that recited in Bugliosis book, Bucy contends.

Muff was a wonderful gal, he says. She had a terrible premonition that she would die a horrible death. That premonition, which she had shared with others before her voyage, turned out to be terribly true.
Actor Jonathan Majors Arrested on Assault Charges, Maintains Innocence (Photo : ColliderVideo/Wikimedia Commons /CC-BY 3.0 )

"Creed III" and "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania" star Jonathan Majors was arrested in New York on Saturday on strangulation, assault, and harassment charges. Authorities claim he was involved in a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman. However, Majors' attorney argues that the actor is "entirely innocent" and has evidence to prove it.



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The NYPD responded to a 911 call at around 11 a.m. Saturday in an apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. A spokesperson for the NYPD stated, "The victim informed police she was assaulted. Officers placed the 33-year-old male into custody without incident. The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition."



A representative for Majors denied the actor's involvement in any wrongdoing, stating, "He has done nothing wrong. We look forward to clearing his name and clearing this up." On Sunday, Majors' attorney, Priya Chaudhry, provided more details, asserting that Majors was "provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows" and suggesting that the incident was the result of the woman experiencing "an emotional crisis."



According to Chaudhry, evidence supporting Majors' innocence includes "video footage from the vehicle where this episode took place, witness testimony from the driver and others who both saw and heard the episode, and most importantly, two written statements from the woman recanting these allegations." The NYPD has not yet responded to requests for additional comment based on Chaudhry's claims.



Majors was arraigned Sunday on a complaint involving misdemeanor charges for assault and aggravated harassment, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. He was released on his own recognizance Saturday night with a limited order of protection and is scheduled to appear in court on May 8.



In light of these allegations, the U.S. Army has suspended its TV ad campaign featuring Majors, aimed at younger audiences. The Army Enterprise Marketing Office stated that while Majors is presumed innocent until proven guilty, "prudence dictates that we pull our ads until the investigation into these allegations is complete."



Majors has quickly become one of Hollywood's fastest-rising stars, with roles in "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," "Da 5 Bloods," "The Harder They Fall," and "Devotion." He also stars in the recent Sundance Film Festival entry "Magazine Dreams," slated for release in December by Searchlight Pictures.


The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that Mohamad El-Gharawi, the assistant administrative attache at the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum, was killed on Monday.
Male bees display a remarkable passion for collecting scents: they deposit scents from various sources in special pockets on their hind legs, thus composing their own fragrance. This behaviour has been known since the 1960s. The reason why they do it has been the subject of much speculation just as long. Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of California at Davis and the University of Florida at Fort Lauderdale, have finally solved the mystery. The bee fragrance serves as a sex attractant and increases the reproductive success of the males, as the team found out after three years of experiments in flight cages. The group headed by PhD student Jonas Henske and Dr. Thomas Eltz from the Bochum Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity describes their findings in the journal Current Biology, published online on 12 April 2023.

There's been a lot of theorising about the purpose of the fragrance: some have suggested that it could be an attractant or a wedding gift for the females, or that the scent is used to communicate with rivals. In a previous paper, the group around Thomas Eltz had already shown that the male bees transport the fragrance out of the pockets on their hind legs during the courtship ritual. "What we didn't know, however, was who was supposed to receive this signal," says Eltz. "The females? Or rival males?"

The researchers pursued this question in the current project. For three years, they studied orchid bees in an experiment in Florida. In a 15 by 15 by 4 metre cage, they had two male bees each compete for a female -- one with fragrance and one without. They then tracked whether the female mated and, if so, with which male.

Mating activities difficult to observe

"The mating of orchid bees is very rarely observed in the wild, and even in experiments it's been almost impossible to get them to mate," as Thomas Eltz describes the challenge. This is why the Bochum-based researchers and their US colleagues tried to offer the bees optimal conditions; for example, they used a particularly large cage and provided the animals with the perfect pollen plants.

For the experiment, the researchers first lured male bees to artificial scent sources, which the bees then used to create a fragrance. The scientists extracted this fragrance from the pockets on the hind legs using a microcapillary and subsequently transferred it to one of the bees that they tested in the experiment. Here, two males, which had been kept under identical conditions, competed for the favour of females.

Typical courtship behaviour with varying degrees of success

The males -- with or without fragrance -- displayed typical courtship behaviour. Mating occurred with 27 females, which each mated with a single mate. Male bees that had been equipped with fragrance were involved in 26 of these cases. In one case, a male reproduced that belonged to the control group, which should have been fragrance-free; however, the researchers found hints that this individual had also acquired a scent mixture -- fragrance theft does occasionally occur.

In order to be able to prove beyond doubt which males had mated, Jonas Henske carried out paternity analyses. He compared the genetic make-up of the brood with that of the male bees.

"It's become clear that the fragrance is an attractant for females and triggers mating behaviour in them," as Thomas Eltz sums up the findings. "Our results also prove that the fragrance is probably not used as a status signal among males. Indeed, a male was not more likely to defend his courtship site when he was in possession of fragrance."

About orchid bees

There are about 250 known species of euglossine bees that are important pollinators in the tropics of Central and South America. Many orchid species rely on male euglossine bees for pollination, which is why these insects are commonly known as orchid bees. These orchids produce specific flower scents as a reward, which are collected by the male bees. There are five different genera of orchid bees, and they can vary greatly in size and appearance. The male bees collect the scents with tufts of hair on their front legs, which they wring out into the pockets on their hind legs.
An international team of astronomers announced the first exoplanet discovered through a combined approach of direct imaging and precision measurements of a star's motion on the sky. This new method promises to improve the efficiency of exoplanet searches, paving the way for the discovery of an Earth twin.

To discover exoplanets, planets which orbit stars other than the Sun, by imaging astronomers have up until now used "blind surveys": stars are selected for imaging consider factors such as age and distance but are otherwise unbiased. However, blind surveys find planets very infrequently. Knowing where to look would help increase detection rates.

An international research team led by Subaru Telescope, the University of Tokyo, the University of Texas-San Antonio, and the Astrobiology Center of Japan, searched for hints of unknown planets in the data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission and its predecessor, Hipparcos. The team identified a star, HIP 99770 located 133 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, whose motion suggests that an unseen planet is gravitationally pulling on it. Direct imaging observations with the Subaru Telescope detected the planet, HIP 99770 b.

The newly discovered planet is 14-16 times more massive than Jupiter. Its orbit is just over 3 times further from its star than Jupiter is from the Sun. The planet is 10 times hotter than Jupiter, with signs of water and carbon monoxide in its atmosphere.

A decade from now, astronomers hope to image a potentially-habitable planet with a size and temperature like the Earth using observatories like the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Compared with HIP 99770 b, this Earth twin will be smaller and closer to its star, traits that will make it harder to detect. But with precise motion measurements, researchers will know where to look in this game of planetary hide and seek.
When it comes to height, our fate is sealed along with our growth plates -- cartilage near the ends of bones that hardens as a child develops. Research publishing April 14 in the journal Cell Genomics shows that cells in these plates determine the length and shape of our bones and can hint at our stature. The study identified potential "height genes" and found that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may strongly influence adult height.

"The study is really understanding the genetics of skeleton," says senior author Nora Renthal of Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University. As a pediatric endocrinologist who cares for children with skeletal diseases, she is interested in understanding how bones grow. "Height is a good starting point to understand the relationship between genes, growth plates, and skeletal growth because we can measure the height of every human being."

To pinpoint height-associated genes, the team screened 600 million mouse cartilage cells to identify genes that, when deleted, can alter cell growth and maturation. These types of cellular changes in the growth plate are known to lead to variations in human height. The search turned up 145 genes mostly linked to skeletal disorders and are crucial for growth plate maturation and bone formation.

The team then compared the discovered genes with data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human height. GWAS allows researchers to survey the entire human genome to identify hotspots where "height genes" are located in our DNA. But these regions can contain multiple genes, making it hard for researchers to track down and study an individual target.

"That's kind of like looking for your friend's house, but you only know the zip code," says Renthal. "It's difficult."

The comparison revealed that genes affecting cartilage cells overlap with hotspots from human height GWAS, precisely locating genes in our DNA that likely play a role in determining our stature. Renthal and her team also discovered that many of the GWAS suggested height genes led to early maturation in cartilage cells. These findings suggest that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may influence height more.

Renthal notes that studies in mouse cells may not fully translate to humans, and GWAS are observational studies that cannot fully illustrate the cause and effects of height. But her study provides a novel method to bridge the two methods and provide new insights into human genetics.

Next, the team plans to use the method to understand hormones' effect on cartilage cells. They will also look into some of the 145 genes that have no known connection to skeletal growth. The investigation may reveal new genes and pathways that play a role in the bones.

"I see patients with skeletal dysplasia, where there isn't any treatment because genetics made their bones grow this way," says Renthal. "It's my hope that the more we can understand about the biology of the growth plate, the more we would be able to intervene at earlier times in growing skeletons and the life of a kid."
Long obscured in the shadows of history, the world's first nomadic empire -- the Xiongnu -- is at last coming into view thanks to painstaking archaeological excavations and new ancient DNA evidence. Arising on the Mongolian steppe 1,500 years before the Mongols, the Xiongnu empire grew to be one of Iron Age Asia's most powerful political forces -- ultimately stretching its reach and influence from Egypt to Rome to Imperial China. Economically grounded in animal husbandry and dairying, the Xiongnu were famously nomadic, building their empire on the backs of horses. Their proficiency at mounted warfare made them swift and formidable foes, and their legendary conflicts with Imperial China ultimately led to the construction of the Great Wall.

However, unlike their neighbors, the Xiongnu never developed a writing system, and consequently historical records about the Xiongnu have been almost entirely written and passed down by their rivals and enemies. Such accounts, largely recorded by Han Dynasty chroniclers, provide little useful information on the origins of the Xiongnu, their political rise, or their social organization. Although recent archaeogenetics studies have now traced the origins of the Xiongnu as a political entity to a sudden migration and mixing of disparate nomadic groups in northern Mongolia ca. 200 BCE, such findings have raised more questions than answers.

To better understand the inner workings of the seemingly enigmatic Xiongnu empire, an international team of researchers at the Max Planck Institutes for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) and Geoanthropology (MPI-GEO), Seoul National University, the University of Michigan, and Harvard University conducted an in-depth genetic investigation of two imperial elite Xiongnu cemeteries along the western frontier of the empire: an aristocratic elite cemetery at Takhiltyn Khotgor and a local elite cemetery at Shombuuzyn Belchir.

"We knew that the Xiongnu had a high degree of genetic diversity, but due to a lack of community-scale genomic data it remained unclear whether this diversity emerged from a heterogeneous patchwork of locally homogenous communities or whether local communities were themselves genetically diverse," explains Juhyeon Lee, first author of the study and PhD student at Seoul National University. "We wanted to know how such genetic diversity was structured at different social and political scales, as well as in relation to power, wealth, and gender."

The rise of a multiethnic empire

Researchers found that individuals within the two cemeteries exhibited extremely high genetic diversity, to a degree comparable with that found across the Xiongnu Empire as a whole. In fact, high genetic diversity and heterogeneity was present at all levels -- across the empire, within individual communities, and even within individual families -- confirming the characterization of the Xiongnu Empire as a multiethnic empire. However, much of this diversity was stratified by status. The lowest status individuals (interred as satellite burials of the elites, likely reflecting a servant status) exhibited the highest genetic diversity and heterogeneity, suggesting that these individuals originated from far-flung parts of the Xiongnu Empire or beyond. In contrast, local and aristocratic elites buried in wood-plank coffins within square tombs and stone ring graves exhibited lower overall genetic diversity and harbored higher proportions of eastern Eurasian ancestries, suggesting that elite status and power was concentrated among specific genetic subsets of the broader Xiongnu population. Nevertheless, even elite families appear to have used marriage to cement ties to newly incorporated groups, especially at Shombuuzyn Belchir.

"We now have a better idea of how the Xiongnu expanded their empire by incorporating disparate groups and leveraging marriage and kinship into empire building," says senior author Dr. Choongwon Jeong, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Seoul National University.

Powerful women in Xiongnu society

A second major finding was that high status Xiongnu burials and elite grave goods were disproportionately associated with women, corroborating textual and archaeological evidence that Xiongnu women played especially prominent political roles in the expansion and integration of new territories along the empire's frontier. At the aristocratic elite cemetery of Takhiltyn Khotgor, researchers found that the elite monumental tombs had been built for women, with each prominent woman flanked by a host of commoner males buried in simple graves. The women were interred in elaborate coffins with the golden sun and moon emblems of Xiongnu imperial power and one tomb even contained a team of six horses and a partial chariot. At the nearby local elite cemetery of Shombuuzyn Belchir, women likewise occupied the wealthiest and most elaborate graves, with grave goods consisting of wooden coffins, golden emblems and gilded objects, glass and faience beads, Chinese mirrors, a bronze cauldron, silk clothing, wooden carts, and more than a dozen livestock, as well as three objects conventionally associated with male horse-mounted warriors: a Chinese lacquer cup, a gilded iron belt clasp, and horse tack. Such objects and their symbolism convey the great political power of the women.

"Women held great power as agents of the Xiongnu imperial state along the frontier, often holding exclusive noble ranks, maintaining Xiongnu traditions, and engaging in both steppe power politics and the so-called Silk Road networks of exchange," says Dr. Bryan Miller, project archaeologist and Assistant Professor of Central Asian Art & Archaeology at the University of Michigan.

Children in Xiongnu society

Genetic analysis also provided rare insights into the social roles of children in Xiongnu society. "Children received differential mortuary treatment depending upon age and sex, giving clues to the ages at which gender and status were ascribed in Xiongnu society," says senior author Dr. Christina Warinner, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University and Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Researchers found, for example, that although adolescent Xiongnu boys as young as 11-12 years old were buried with a bow and arrows, in a manner resembling that of adult males, younger boys were not. This suggests that the gendered social roles of hunter and warrior were not ascribed to boys until late childhood or early adolescence.

The legacy of the Xiongnu today

Although the Xiongnu empire ultimately disintegrated in the late 1st century CE, the findings of the study point to the enduring social and cultural legacy of the Xiongnu. "Our results confirm the long-standing nomadic tradition of elite princesses playing critical roles in the political and economic life of the empires, especially in periphery regions -- a tradition that began with the Xiongnu and continued more than a thousand years later under the Mongol Empire," says Dr. Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan, project archaeologist and Mongolian Archaeology Project: Surveying the Steppes (MAPSS) project coordinator at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology. "While history has at times dismissed nomadic empires as fragile and short, their strong traditions have never been broken."
An informed Egyptian source revealed to Al Qahera News TV Station the behind the scene details in the evacuation and airlifting home of Egyptian soldiers who were in Sudan on a training mission at the time of the start of the fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF earlier this week.
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Plumbing the mucky bottoms of lakes, rivers and San Francisco Bay for dead bodies is highly technical, sometimes gruesome work. But a small cohort of East Bay forensic scuba divers has created a new nonprofit to do just that.

The organization, called California Recovery Divers, formed earlier this year and launched its website this month. It offers a lifeline to distressed families whose loved ones have drowned and cant be found.

Its such an obscure situation for families to find themselves in that they dont really know where to go for help, said Kevin Haugh, a 51-year-old tax attorney in Oakland who founded the group.

Haugh, a former scuba instructor, has racked up experience in this macabre field as a volunteer with the Alameda County Sheriffs Office Dive Team, an all-volunteer crew of underwater search-and-recovery experts who assist authorities in hunting for sunken corpses, discarded guns and other objects of interest in missing persons cases and criminal investigations. The team has been around since the mid-20th century and is regarded as a cutting-edge leader in this specialized practice. It was involved in the massive but unsuccessful search for murder victim Laci Peterson in San Francisco Bay in 2003 and has participated in dozens of searches since.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Haughs nonprofit is not affiliated with the county team.

The level of need for aquatic body recovery across Northern California is difficult to ascertain, but cases emerge every year and make headlines. A spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office said the county dive team fields assignments about once a month  more frequently in the summer months.

Dozens of county dive teams exist around the state  including ones staffed by sworn deputies in Marin and Santa Clara counties  to aid in underwater searches. But they don't always find what they're looking for. Thats where Haugh believes his organization can help  in especially challenging drowning cases when agencies have exhausted their resources to no avail.

The idea to establish the nonprofit followed a particularly emotional case in 2017 when the beloved proprietor of the Tomales Bay Oyster Co. drowned in Tomales Bay. After local authorities ended their search without success, the mans body was found floating on the water by friends who had continued scouring the bay in boats and kayaks. One of them was Dave McMurdie, the former chief of the Alameda County Dive Team who is now a co-founder of California Recovery Divers.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

It was an eye-opener for me, said McMurdie, who estimates that he has assisted on 30 to 35 successful body recoveries. It gave me a deeper understanding that, when resources go dry, theres not necessarily a lot of backup out there.

We have this critical mass of knowledge and we feel a duty to share and help out.

The new nonprofit is composed of six people  Haugh and McMurdie, plus a retired general contractor, an attorney, a U.S. military member and a technology product designer  all of whom have volunteered with the Alameda County team.

Apart from providing emotional relief to distressed families, a recovered body allows people to procure a death certificate and handle the affairs of a deceased relative. Without one, families can find themselves in limbo: Under California law, a disappeared person cant be considered dead until seven years has elapsed.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

If we have an opportunity to help grieving families as a charitable act, wed all feel good about doing it, Haugh said.

The work is intense.

Depending on the body of water, searchers may be able to run sonar scans in hopes of identifying target objects to investigate underwater. But then a diver has to go down and start feeling around in that foreign space  often with near-zero visibility, or in the dark, in places riddled with hazards. Recovery divers have sliced their wetsuits on rusty razor wire, become entangled in tree roots, wandered into underwater culverts, and brushed into all manner of stray junk. A diver descends while tethered to a rope tender on the surface, and the two communicate through tugs on the line.

Haughs group joins a handful of niche outfits that perform aquatic search-and-recovery around the Western U.S. Some are nonprofit organizations that rely on donations; others are for-profit companies that charge flat rates.

A Wisconsin nonprofit called Bruces Legacy has conducted several successful body recoveries in Lake Tahoe, including one from 1,565 feet of depth. Last fall, an Oregon company called Adventures With Purpose retrieved the body of 16-year-old Kiely Rodni at a reservoir near Truckee  a search that had stumped authorities for weeks.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

In its first few months, California Recovery Divers has completed three successful operations in the greater Bay Area.

In January, Haughs crew recovered the remains of a 32-year-old angler who drowned weeks earlier during a fishing trip on San Pablo Bay. In February, the group found the body of a 39-year-old kayaker who drowned in Tomales Bay. Then last month, the group assisted Monterey Countys dive team in finding and recovering the body of a 7-year-old boy in Moss Landing Harbor.

They were very proficient, said Mike Darlington, commander of the Monterey County Sheriffs Office Dive Team. What we couldnt do in three days, they did in about five hours in one morning.

In each case, Haughs group proactively offered its services pro bono to local authorities or the family of the missing person. In the future, Haugh hopes to raise a high enough profile that families will seek out his group directly.

The endeavor is funded partially through donations  it has received about $8,000 so far from several individuals  but Haugh would like to secure grant funding to stabilize his groups finances. Its not yet clear what the groups annual budget will be because it is so new.

Wed like to operate as discreetly as possible, Haugh said. Our team isnt people trying to promote themselves. We just want to bring closure to families.
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The main sail of the fiberglass J/24 keelboat coursing through bay waters just off Treasure Island flitted in the wind with a nervousness that told 2016 Olympics mariner Caleb Paine what was coming next.

He pointed to dark choppy waters ahead, called for his novice passengers to scurry over to the windward side and began counting down: Five, four, three, two  .

With a snap, the sail filled like a massive lung, shooting the vessel forward, past a fleet of kayakers and cormorants ducking their heads below the surface. His passengers cheered.

Nothing beats being on the water, Paine called out.

San Francisco Bay is a roughly 500-square-mile ecosystem, a thoroughfare for commuter ferries and marine life where fresh water coming down from the Sierra and Pacific Ocean saltwater mix and swirl.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

The bay can appear like a playground for the wealthy to landlubbers gazing out at those tipsy faraway white triangles sailing past Alcatraz Island.

But for 24 years, the Treasure Island Sailing Center has tried to shake that image and get more people onto the water. Through school and summer programs, the nonprofit brings roughly 3,000 children onto boats to learn this watery world is theirs, too.

I was spellbound, said Neerja Sundar, 29, marveling at the sea-level view of San Franciscos stunning skyline as she paddled a kayak.

Saturday, the center hosted its annual open house, giving people free tours on sailboats or kayaks. Hundreds lined up by noon. Coast Guardsmen fitted children with free giveaway flotation vests. Sailing center volunteers zipped adults in loaner vests.

Volunteer Neha Bazaj  a sustainability nonprofit worker from Oakland who races a small dinghy called a Vanguard on weeknights  held a clipboard and a large stuffed unicorn left behind by a 3-year-old out on the water with her family for the first time. Bazaj, 34, caught the sailing bug while a student at UCLA, and on Saturday explained the difference between fleet racing and team racing  one involves messing with other boats by taking advantage of wind patterns and other maneuvers, she said with a wink.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Toddler Bahia climbed out of a boat and up the plank to reclaim her unicorn. Her mother, Giza Anarbaeva, gasped at their fantastic sail, something she said they would not have done without this free experience.

The event was meant to bring people from throughout the Bay Area to a place they may not be able to go otherwise, said Doug Paine, the centers executive director. The organization focuses on children from low-income communities for its school programs and offers scholarships during the summer.

The centers teachers train children in critical water safety skills, like what to do when a sailboat capsizes. They also offer science lessons alongside basic sailing skills. Paine said the organization aims to imbue children with a sense that the world might be bigger with more opportunities than they thought before setting sail. And maybe a few, hopefully, will become lifelong mariners.

Malik Brown, 48, a mentor through nonprofit Friends of the Children, brought 11-year-old Jing Teng and his grandfather out on the water Saturday. Teng marveled at the vessels below-deck quarters that looked like a home. His grandfather, who introduced himself as Mr. Lui, said he used to sail decades ago on rivers where he grew up in China.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

We talked about (polluting) emissions and how this is a way to get around that doesnt use gasoline, Brown said.

El Cerrito third-grader Logan Toomey, 8, was excited to sail because he loves the Disney movie Moana. His grandmother, Connie Farris, hadnt sailed in more than 10 years and missed being out on the water.

Stonly Blue, 38, stared out at the water holding his 15-month-old son, Sire. Blue had promised his wife he wouldnt take their toddler on a boat  not just yet  but couldnt resist the desire to come observe from the dock. So the pair set out Saturday morning, hopping on two buses to get from their San Francisco apartment to Treasure Island.

Im hoping hell say the word boat,  he said.
Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership.

Read more about our transparency and ethics policies
Considering that her ascent to San Francisco district attorney is inextricably tied to similar personalities pushing a similarly contorted public safety narrative, Brooke Jenkins is right to call out the raft of reckless commentary that has surrounded the tragic killing of Bob Lee.

While I appreciate that The Chronicle has put out content that sheds light on the vast chasm between actual crime rates in the city and public perception, it is worth noting that the publication has played a role in establishing that warped perception.

The Chronicle immediately went out of its way to share Elon Musk's words, for example, giving an extra breath of life to the false assumptions that this was a crime committed by an unhoused person and that progressive policies were to blame. Musks was just one of many hysterical and inaccurate opinions that The Chronicle elevated at the expense of its journalistic credibility.

The problems this city faces are real enough without sensationalizing them beyond recognition. I hope that the good people at The Chronicle reflect on how the tenor of their public safety reporting has contributed to the public becoming misinformed, which has made it that much harder for us all to find common ground for progress to be built on.

Colin Cotter, San Francisco

Just say no to drug sites

It is mind-boggling to read articles about the doom loop scenario for San Franciscos economy followed by opinion columns in The Chronicle arguing in favor of supervised drug consumption sites.

Drugs bring chaos, full stop. If we allow the sanctioned use of drugs in San Francisco, we will invite more drug users, more chaos and a lower standard of living. The doom loop will not be theoretical, it will be a reality.

Tim Dilley, San Francisco

Embracing the future

As a trans woman of color who recently moved to San Francisco from North Carolina, I am writing to express my joy at recently turning 30.

Reaching this age is a significant milestone for many transgender people, given the debunked 35-year life expectancy myth. However, I am now living my best life in a vibrant and welcoming city that has given me a sense of belonging I havent felt before.

San Franciscos LGBTQ community has welcomed me with open arms, and I have made close friends and allies. Turning 30 in the city has brought me a sense of joy and pride, and I am inspired by the resilience and strength of my community. I am grateful for the progress made in recent years to improve the lives of trans people, but there is still much work to be done.

Looking toward the future, I am hopeful and excited about what lies ahead. As I continue to navigate my womanhood, I will continue to fight for a world where everyone can live free from discrimination and prejudice.

Serena Sonoma, San Francisco
Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon decide the fate of Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of killing my father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, in 1968. Gov. Newsom has stated he reveres my father and will consider the wishes of my family members. My family, however, is divided; I and two of my nine surviving siblings feel strongly that Sirhans release best reflects my fathers legacy.

After more than 50 years in prison, the states own psychiatrists and the parole board deem that Sirhan poses no threat to society. During a three-hour meeting with him in 2018, I was impressed with the genuineness of Sirhans remorse for his role in my fathers shooting, even though he has always claimed to have no memory of those moments. Sirhan wept, clenched my hands and asked for forgiveness from me, from my siblings and from my mother for his part in the tragedy. At 77, he seems gentle, humble, kindhearted, frail and harmless.

My father had a pious Catholics belief in redemption, forgiveness and justice. His favorite quote, from Aeschylus, urged that we should tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of the world. By upholding the parole boards decision to release Sirhan, Newsom has the opportunity to demonstrate the humanity, compassion and idealism of our justice system to which my father devoted his life.

I also hope that the governor will consider the overwhelming evidence that Sirhan is not my fathers killer.

For many years, I accepted the orthodoxy that Sirhan was responsible. After all, dozens of eyewitnesses in the Ambassador Hotel pantry saw him fire his gun from just a few feet in front of my father. But in 2016, my fathers close friend, Paul Schrade, persuaded me to read Los Angeles County coroner Thomas Noguchis autopsy report and to listen to audio recordings and review other evidence indicating that Sirhan could not have been the murderer.

Sirhan fired only two shots directly at my dad. One of them struck Schrade in the head. The other likely lodged in a door jamb behind my father. Five men then tackled and pinned Sirhan to a steam table and diverted his gun away from my father. From beneath that dogpile, Sirhan squeezed off six more shots, emptying his chamber as five of the six shots hit bystanders. This accounts for seven of the eight rounds in Sirhans gun. The only audio recording of the shooting, however, suggests that at least 13 shots may have been fired. The Los Angeles Police Department had the audiotape at the time of Sirhans trial, but illegally concealed it from his lawyers and the public for 20 years. Meanwhile, according to Tim Tate and Brad Johnsons 2018 book The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, FBI agents found several additional bullet holes in the pantry, further indicating more than eight shots were fired.

According to the autopsy, all four shots that struck my father (one shot passed harmlessly through his suit) were fired from behind at a steep upward angle toward the ceiling. All shots were from within a few inches, with two leaving gun powder residue in the wounds, suggesting that the assassin was standing close behind my father, shielding his weapon with his body while all attention focused on Sirhan.

Mortally wounded, my father turned and tore off the clip-on tie of a recently hired security guard named Thane Eugene Cesar, who had clutched my fathers elbow from behind and steered him toward the steam table where Sirhan was waiting.

Records of the case demonstrate that Los Angeles police investigators bullied and badgered eyewitnesses to change their statements regarding the number of shots and to silence those who say they saw Cesar draw and shoot his gun and those who reported conspirators dashing from the scene. Police also inexplicably and illegally destroyed thousands of pieces of evidence, including 2,410 photographs of the crime scene before and after the shooting as well as the door frames and ceiling tiles in the pantry with vital bullet evidence, while Sirhans case was still on appeal.

Sirhans anemic defense team never challenged prosecutorial inconsistencies; his attorney was facing criminal charges for illegal conduct on behalf of mob boss Johnny Roselli, who played a key role in the CIAs Castro assassination program. Sirhans trial was thus akin to a sentencing hearing. This attorney bullied Sirhan into conceding guilt at the outset and actively blocked the inclusion of ballistics and other evidence that might have proven him innocent.

For these reasons, I have called for a new investigation into the case.

I believe Cesar killed my father. He was in the exact position to fire the shots as described in the autopsy. Three witnesses saw him draw his gun  which he later admitted  and one said she saw him fire it. The Los Angeles police never bothered to examine the gun. Cesar, who was moonlighting that night from his high-security clearance job at the Lockheed plant, acknowledged a loathing for the Kennedys and their race-mixing sympathizers. In her 2018 book, A Lie Too Big to Fail, researcher Lisa Pease claims that Cesar described himself as a CIA contract agent.

Bedeviled by questions about his involvement in my fathers murder, Cesar fled to the Philippines. I was in negotiations with him in 2018, before reports of his death in September 2019. After first agreeing to meet with me, he gradually escalated his price to $25,000 for the privilege of interviewing him.

The pain that we all feel from my fathers death should not prevent us from pursuit of the truth. I firmly believe the idea that Sirhan murdered my dad is a fiction that is impeding justice. If Newsom overrules Sirhans parole, he will become just one more California official who claims to love my father but persists in denying him justice.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the third son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. He is an environmental and public health attorney.
Politics

spotlight

homelessness

Pandemic shelters hailed, could reshape approach to homelessness

Craig Lee/The Examiner Sophanna Kong became homeless because of the pandemic. San Franciscos Shelter in Place program allows him to live at the Hotel Diva permanent supportive housing. Craig Lee/The Examiner Sophanna Kong, in the lobby of the Hotel Diva at 440 Geary Street, permanent supportive housing by Episcopal Community Services as seen on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Craig Lee/The Examiner Hotel Diva now a permanent supportive housing by Episcopal Community Services at 440 Geary Street in San Francisco as seen on Friday, April 14, 2023. Craig Lee/The Examiner The Ansonia Hotel, a former youth hostel turned into a homeless shelter at 711 Post Street in San Francisco as seen on Friday, April 14, 2023.

After about two weeks of hotel stays, Sophanna Kongs savings had run dry.

He was out of work and out of money, with nowhere to sleep but on the street after losing his job at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

I actually dont know how to be homeless, so it was a weird situation. ... I just walked around everywhere looking for the resources I could, Kong said.

One night, with nothing more than a blanket to his name, Kong attempted to take shelter from the rain  but was moved along by a security guard.

I was just trying to sleep anywhere that felt safe, Kong said.

He eventually connected with The Citys Department of Public Health, which within two weeks helped place him in a new shelter-in-place hotel at the Hotel Diva in Union Square.

Kong was one of the more than 3,300 people who were taken in via San Franciscos Shelter in Place hotel program, which began shortly after the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and came to a close at the end of 2022.

To those who ran it, the program demonstrated governments ability, with a robust budget, to implement a fast and robust response to the deeply entrenched issue of homelessness in San Francisco.

And to some advocates, it shows The City can  and should  rapidly expand the number of shelter beds it has to offer to the unsheltered homeless.

The programs value will play a role in the age-old debate over how San Francisco should respond to homelessness, which is reemerging as The City begins budget negotiations and embarks on a new five-year plan to address homelessness.

Rescue SF, an organization that advocates for solutions to homelessness in San Francisco, argues that The City should treat homelessness with the same urgency it would a natural disaster.

And while it wasnt perfect, Rescue SF co-founder Mark Nagel believes the SIP Hotel Program has proven The City can do just that.

The tragic experience of the pandemic and The Citys really urgent response shows that the city can quickly move large numbers of people off the streets when they have some place to go. Thats the key, Nagel said.

Rescue SF isnt alone in pushing for more shelter.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman introduced a resolution this week that would call on Mayor London Breed to fund an additional 2,000 shelter beds in her upcoming budget proposal.

The Citys own homelessness agency is also eyeing more shelter, albeit at a smaller scale. The five-year plan to address homelessness it unveiled on Friday called for 1,075 new shelter beds.

That proposal is, in part, based on what was learned during the operation of the SIP Hotel Program.

Those lessons have really informed our modeling and the action areas were really putting a lot of emphasis on in the plan, an agency spokesperson said about how the SIP Hotel Program influenced the new five-year plan.

filling a desperate need

The concept of The Citys Shelter In Place Hotel Program was simple. The virus had quickly decimated travel and tourism, leaving hotels empty. Meanwhile, The City was in desperate need of a place to safely shelter people experiencing homelessness in individual rooms, preventing the rapid spread of the virus.

Starting in April 2020, The City leveraged funding from Californias Project Roomkey  launched by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March 2020 to help cities to open non-congregate shelter options during the pandemic  to secure hotel rooms and offer them as shelter to people experiencing homelessness. The program rapidly expanded to more than 20 sites, amounting to an unprecedented expansion of The Citys shelter network.

At its peak, The City and nonprofits it contracted with oversaw more than 2,288 rooms across 25 sites. In total, a little more than half of those adults left the program and into a more stable situation, such as permanent housing, than what they had before they entered the hotel.

The City poured more than $200 million into sheltering people in hotels and other temporary sites over a two-year period, a mammoth investment that was ultimately rewarded with more than 1,600 people obtaining permanent housing.

San Franciscos Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing kept detailed data tracking those served, and the numbers tell the story of how the program played out.

For those living in the hotels in 2020 and later, the work to place people in permanent or stable housing proved enormously successful.

In November 2020, California began a concerted effort to ensure people  many of whom had previously been unsheltered  were not kicked out onto the street when the program inevitably wound down.

Just under 800 people in the program were ineligible for housing placement, according to HSH, either because they didnt meet the programs qualification criteria or because they left their hotel prior to The Citys work to place SIP hotel guests in housing started in November 2020.

The program, and in particular the scale of the program, HSH officials say, was one reason why The City saw a substantial drop in the most recent count of its unsheltered homeless population, from 5,180 in 2019 to 4,397 in 2022 (though it remained above the 2017 level).

The programs success rate waned in the final months of 2022 as The City faced an end-of-year deadline, forcing the HSH to rapidly exit people from SIP Hotels. As the program wound down, and the rate of moves increased, the programs clients more rarely ended up in housing. But HSH is still working with some of those who didnt get placed in housing, a spokesperson told The Examiner.

In December 2022, the final month of the program, after getting to a better than 70% success rate placing people into housing throughout the rest of 2022, only half of the people being served by the program ended up in housing. They were instead offered temporary shelter and remain in the housing location process, according to HSH, which has promised to track their progress through this June.

HSH spokesperson Emily Cohen attributes this decline in success as a natural consequence of the those that remained as the hotels had closed. If they were still at the hotel by that point, there was a good chance the person staying at the hotel had already declined an offer of housing or faced some other barrier to obtaining housing, she said.

Taken as a whole, the SIP Hotel Program had a success rate that Cohen claims is very good compared to the average of 20% of all people experiencing homelessness who are, in normal circumstances, prioritized for and placed into permanent housing.

Lessons Learned

For the officials leading The Citys homelessness response, the SIP Hotel Program demonstrated the allure of non-congregate shelter. Unlike the stereotypical image of a shelter as a vast, open space filled with rows of beds, noncongregate shelters offer guests their own private space, like in a hotel room or tiny cabin.

We just really learned a lot about the durability and stabilizing impact of non-congregate shelter, Cohen said.

The same trends were seen where hotels were converted to shelter across the state through Californias Roomkey program.

Statewide, the Roomkey program proved effective at not only providing safe shelter for those who were already staying in congregate shelters, but also at enticing people off the street to come inside. About half of the people who entered the SIP hotel program were previously living unsheltered, according to city data, while others were staying in shelters that had to rapidly reduce capacity in order to allow social distancing between guests.

Researchers evaluating the program found Roomkey proved that people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are more likely to accept an offer of shelter if its for a private room instead of a bed in a congregate space.

Many of those taken in through Roomkey were among those with the most severe health challenges and highest needs, according to the Abt Associates study released in 2022. The challenges posed by this population were significant.

Aware of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, SIP hotels offered varying degrees of medical services on site, such as health screenings and wellness checks.

The result? Fewer visits to hospital emergency rooms by people experiencing homelessness, according to a study released last year by researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley.

Our research highlights how a program for people experiencing homelessness, which was implemented quickly and out of necessity, had an impact beyond its primary goal of COVID mitigation, Dr. Maria Raven, UCSF Chief of Emergency Medicine, in a statement accompanying the study.

Such progress didnt come cheap, as the SIP hotels were eye-openingly expensive.

The City estimates that they cost about $225 per night per room, not counting the costs The City incurred trying to rehouse people as the program wound down. (The City stopped accepting new residents at SIP hotels in June 2021). Over two years, the SIP Hotel Program budget amounted to $213.5 million.

But theres broad agreement that using hotels for shelter does not need to be so costly.

HSH is aiming for an average cost of about $170 per room, per night as it pursues other semi- and non-congregate programs outside of those hotels that use a long-term lease model, Cohen explained.

Nagel agrees that noncongregate can be cost effective. Without the pressure of the pandemic  which forced city officials to negotiate lease terms under duress in an effort to offer people a COVID safe space  The City can negotiate long-term master leases with hotel owners.

The Ansonia Hotel at 711 Post St., which since last year has been a shelter operated by Urban Alchemy and paid for by The City, has winnowed costs down to $30,371 annually per bed, well short of what The City paid for SIP Hotels.

Rescue SF says it has reached out to hotel owners and already identified 1,000 hotel rooms that could be leased in the next year and has asked Mayor London Breed funding in the upcoming budget to pay for it. Its also seeking funding for 1,000 leased apartments for permanent housing, which Nagel said would ensure flow through the shelter system, ensuring people move on.

What 711 Post shows is that theres another way to do this when youre not under the gun during the pandemic, Nagel said.

Nagel is urging The City not to focus solely on purchasing buildings, which can require such extensive capital improvements, but leasing them as a fast and immediate way to get people sheltered or housed.

San Francisco cant handle more of this, Nagel said. Get people off the streets now and get them well and do what you have to do.

The SIP Hotel Program was not run without incident, and the hotels were not left immaculate. The City has settled several lawsuits stemming from allegations that the hotels were significantly damaged during their use as SIP hotels. For example, the owners of Hotel Union Square filed a $5.6 million claim for damages against The City in 2021, with negotiations ending in a proposed $5.3 million settlement

Some died during their use of the program. According the HSH data, 162 of the program recipients, or about 5%, died.

Another 130 were exited from the program because of their behavior, with HSH citing a safety concern, the agencys data shows, and another 25 ended up in jail, prison or a juvenile detention facility.

And 468 program recipients, or almost one in every seven, left by client choice or bed abandonment.

To those pushing The City to expand non congregate shelter, this data demonstrates that mitigating unsheltered homelessness is a daunting task, yet the problem can be meaningfully ameliorated with significant investment of state, local and federal resources.

Episcopal Community Services, a nonprofit provider that is the largest recipient of city contracts for homeless services, operated eight SIP Hotels, including the Hotel Diva. At least 488 SIP Hotel guests moved into permanent housing, Episcopal Community Services told The Examiner.

With state funds through Californias follow-up to Roomkey, dubbed Homekey, Episcopal Community Services was able to buy Hotel Diva outright and convert it into permanent supportive housing  one of several COVID-19 shelter and housing investments that will outlast the pandemic in San Francisco.

When floor-by-floor renovations are complete, Hotel Diva will have dozens of units serving formerly homeless people  including Kong, who says he likes it there and has no plans to move.
NEW YORK (AP)  Hedda Kleinfeld Schachter, a bridal industry pioneer and Holocaust survivor who decided over a half century ago that brides deserved better than cookie-cutter dresses, has died in Manhattan. She was 99.

Word of her March 29 death has spread steadily, drawing her praise and reflecting her decades-long impact on an industry that once offered few options for would-be brides before she expanded the possibilities, attracting women to her Brooklyn business from across the world.

Women's Wear Daily published quotes from a 1985 interview when she said: You are creating a heroine on a stage. The bride is on display, she has to be put together beautifully, and we have to edit and guide the customer, and be able to picture her under the chandelier or in a church."

A posting about the death on the website of the Bridal Council, a non-profit organization of industry powerbrokers, contained comments from Barbara Tober, former editor-in-chief at Brides magazine. She said Schachter brought new life, new designs, new elegance and certainly prosperity to the world of bridal.

She added: We are all better off because Hedda led the charge when we most needed a role model."

Born in Vienna, Austria, the woman known more commonly as Miss Hedda and other family members escaped the Holocaust by fleeing to Cuba. A year later, they moved to Brooklyn, where her father opened a store that initially specialized in furs but would later become I. Kleinfeld & Son.

And a year after that, she was married to Jacob Schachter, who died in 2008.

By the late 1960s, Schachter began importing wedding dresses from Europe and sales quickly accelerated, leading the business to become primarily wedding gowns within a decade.

By the 1990s, it was selling thousands of dresses a year after Schachter worked to transform the industry by encouraging designers with other specializations to put their creativity to work on wedding dresses and by searching the world for new trends and designs.

Also in the 1990s, the company changed ownership several times while continuing to capitalize on the Kleinfeld name. That reputation helped it to become the setting in 2007 for the reality show Say Yes to the Dress. The store had moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan only two years earlier.

The New York Times quoted Schachter's son, Robert, as saying that her death resulted from an intestinal blockage.
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PLAINS, Ga. (AP)  Jimmy Carter already had drawn months of media scrutiny as a devout Southern Baptist running for president. Then the 1976 Democratic nominee brought up sex and sin as he explained his religious faith to Playboy magazine.

Carter was not misquoted. But he was certainly misunderstood, as his thoughts in the wide-ranging interview were reduced in the popular imagination to utterances about lust and adultery.

Nearly a half-century later, as the 98-year-old Carter receives hospice care in the same south-Georgia home where he once spoke with Playboy journalists, interviewer Robert Scheer still believes Carter was treated unfairly. He recalls the former president as a real and serious figure whose intent was smothered by the intensity of a campaign's closing stretch.

Jimmy Carter was a thoughtful guy, Scheer, now 87, told The Associated Press. But that got lost here. Ive never seen a story like it. It was worldwide. ... It just never went away.

Political disaster ensued. Rosalynn Carter was suddenly being asked whether she trusted her husband. The fallout, in Carters words, nearly cost me the election.

Carter spent five-plus hours with Playboy across several months  more time with you than with Time, Newsweek and all the others combined, the nominee told Scheer and Playboy editor Barry Golson.

The resulting Q&A spanned 12,000 words, and Scheer added thousands more in an accompanying story. Carter discussed military and foreign policy, racism and civil rights, political journalism and his reputation as a vague candidate.

They werent interested in sensationalized stuff, Scheer said of Playboy.

Hugh Hefner's iconic publication reached an estimated 20 million-plus readers each month with its pictorials of nude women. But the magazine chronicled American culture as well, with its branded Playboy Interview featuring such power players as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, Malcom X and leading newsman Walter Cronkite.

Carter, unafraid of nuance, proved he belonged among them, Scheer said.

The nominee's most-remembered comments came at the end of their final session. Standing outside Carter's front door, Golson pressed Carter on whether his piety would make him a rigid, unbending president unable to represent all Americans.

The Baptist deacon responded with an 823-word soliloquy on human imperfection, pride and Gods forgiveness. He said he believed in absolute and total separation of church and state and explained his faith as rooted in humility, not judgment of others.

Quoting Matthew 5:27-28, Carter explained that Jesus Christ considered an offending thought equivalent to consummated adultery, and by that standard, he was in no position to judge a man who shacks up and screws lots of women, because he had looked on many women with lust and, thus, committed adultery many times in my heart.

Scheer called it a sensible statement, reflecting Carters Baptist tradition: He was saying, look, Im not going to be some fanatic. ... Im not this perfect guy.

Playboy realized Carter provided explosive material  and not just about sex. Citing President Lyndon Johnson's handling of Vietnam, Carter included the last Democratic president alongside disgraced Republican Richard Nixon as guilty of lying, cheating and distorting the truth.

The magazine decided to send the full Q&A text to about 1,000 media outlets in late September, ahead of the usual October publication date for the November edition.

The idea, Scheer explained, was to allow time for fair coverage rather than drop bombshells days before the election.

Headline writers, satirists and late-night television pounced anyway, labeling it Carters lust in my heart interview. Saturday Night Live, then a fledgling NBC sketch comedy show, had a field day. One political cartoonist depicted Carter lusting after the Statue of Liberty.

He lamented to NPR in 1993 that the Playboy interview morphed into the No. 1 story of the entire 1976 campaign.

I was explaining Jesus Sermon on the Mount, Carter wrote wistfully in a 2015 memoir.

As a candidate, Carter's faith had endeared him to many fellow white evangelicals and cultural conservatives. That made him a difficult foil for Republicans, who wanted to cast Democrats as out-of-step with most of America. The flip side, Scheer noted, was the many young voters and urban liberals  key Democratic constituencies  who wondered if he was this Southern square.

Hamilton Jordan (Carter's campaign manager) had always called Carter's faith the weirdo factor, said media historian Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor who has written extensively on Carter. Talking to Playboy was their way to prove he wasnt some kind of prude.

Scheer, who was with Carter as part of his traveling press corps, said Playboy's early text release sparked a frenzy.

Reporters were scrambling, asking me, Bob, what is this? he recalled.

Traveling press focused initially on Carter's criticism of Johnson, who had died in 1973. It was a juicy detail because Carter was headed Texas to campaign with Johnson's widow.

Carter initially told reporters he was taken out of context. Scheer ran back to the plane to get the tapes, and effectively caught the nominee violating his pledge never to make a misleading statement.

Lady Bird Johnson skipped Carter's Texas events, Scheer said. Carter apologized to her by telephone.

When his commentary on adultery ballooned, Carter insisted the exchange had been off-the-record, throwaway banter as Scheer and Golson prepared to leave.

He was still wearing the mic! Scheer told AP.

The way the story morphed ended up making Carter seem like a creep, Roessner said.

Rosalynn Carter fashioned a pat response: Jimmy talks too much, but at least people know hes honest and doesnt mind answering questions. And, no, she never worried about his fidelity.

The only lust I worried about was that of the press, she wrote in 1984, recounting how her discipline finally cracked when a reporter asked whether she ever committed adultery.

If I had, she replied, I wouldnt tell you.

Ford, who had been gaining on Carter but still trailed badly, leveraged the story. The Republican president was an Episcopalian, soft-spoken about religion, but he invited leading evangelical pastors to the White House the day after the interviews release, including the Rev. W.S. Criswell of Dallas First Baptist Church.

Criswell later declared from his pulpit that he had asked Ford: Mr. President, if Playboy magazine were to ask you for an interview, what would you do? Fords reply, according to Criswell: I was asked by Playboy magazine for an interview  and I declined with an emphatic No!

Thousands of his parishioners roared.

The Rev. Billy Graham, the nations top evangelist, and the Rev. Jerry Falwell, the rising leader of the so-called Religious Right, also blitzed Carter. National media, including The AP, highlighted criticism from Christian pastors from around the country.

Roessner, the daughter of a Protestant pastor, said Carter's Playboy comments were clumsy, but if anyone should have understood the context ... it should have been the ministers.

She recalled Carters resentment during a 2014 interview she conducted with him. Decades of global humanitarian work had by that time afforded the former president a profile above politics, yet almost 40 years later, it was clearly something he held on to, she said. He was still incredibly frustrated by what he felt was unfair coverage and response.

The 1976 campaign was the first after Nixon's resignation, driven by reporting from The Washington Post, and many journalists were demonstrating a new level of distrust of politicians, especially one Scheer described as wearing his religion on his sleeve.

Those same news organizations largely ignored what the soon-to-be president said about them, Roessner noted.

The traveling press have zero interest in any issue unless its a matter of making a mistake, Carter told Playboy. Theres nobody in the back of this plane who would ask an issue question unless he thought he could trick me into some crazy statement.

Scheer, at least, asked plenty of policy questions, and, looking back, he pointed to Carters narrow victory just weeks later.

Whatever they said, I think it did exactly what they wanted to accomplish, Scheer said. That doesnt mean they werent nervous.
The first phase of talks between Ethiopia's government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) began in Tanzania on Tuesday, a spokesman for the rebel group told AFP.
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DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP)  Alabama law enforcement officers Sunday were imploring people to come forward with information about a shooting that killed four people and injured 28 others during a teenager's birthday party.

Among those killed was a high school senior who planned to play college football and was celebrating his sister's 16th birthday. The shooting erupted Saturday night at a dance studio in downtown Dadeville.

During two news conferences Sunday, Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency did not take questions. He did not say if a suspect was in custody or if investigators knew about any motivation. He did not provide the names of those killed.

Weve got to have information from the community, Burkett said during a Sunday evening news conference.

Philstavious Phil Dowdell, a Dadeville High School senior who had committed to Jacksonville State University, was celebrating at his sister Alexis' party before he was shot to death, his grandmother Annette Allen told the Montgomery Advertiser.

He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face, Allen told the newspaper, calling it a million-dollar smile.

Dowdells mother was among those hurt in the shooting.

Everybodys grieving, Allen said.

Burkett said the shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. "There were four lives tragically lost in this incident," he said.

The shootings rocked the city of 3,200 residents, which is about 57 miles (92 kilometers) northeast of Montgomery, Alabama.

Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told WBMA-TV that the party was stopped briefly when attendees heard someone had a gun. He said people with guns were asked to leave, but no one left. Cooper said when the shooting began some time later, some people took shelter under a table where he was standing, and others ran out.

Pastor Jason Whetstone, who leads the Christian Faith Fellowship, said the granddaughter of one of his church members was shot in the foot and underwent surgery Sunday.

All of our hearts are hurting right now. Were just trying to pull together to find strength and comfort, Whetstone said before an interfaith vigil in the parking lot of First Baptist Church.

We are a loving community, he said. Were pulling together in every aspect to comfort each and every one of these children, the teachers, all of the community.

Dadevilles compact downtown is centered around a courthouse square with one- and two-story brick buildings. The towns busiest commercial district is a few blocks north of the square, off a bustling four-lane highway that runs between Birmingham and Auburn. Dadeville is close to Lake Martin, a popular recreational area.

Investigators on Sunday continued filing in and out of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, denoted by a banner hanging on the outside of a one-story brick building just off the square. At least five bullet holes were visible in the studio's front windows. Less than a block away, the American and Alabama flags were lowered to half staff outside the Tallapoosa County Courthouse.

Dadeville Mayor Frank Goodman said he was in bed asleep when a council member called him just before 11 p.m. Saturday. He said he went to Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, where some of the people who had been shot were taken.

It was chaotic, Goodman said. There were people running around. They were crying and screaming. There were police cars everywhere, there were ambulances everywhere. People were trying to find out about their loved ones. That was a scene, where we never had anything like this happen in our city before.

Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, said most of the victims are teenagers. Dowdell was within weeks of graduation and faced a bright future, Hayes told The Associated Press.

He was a strong competitor on the field," Hayes said. You didnt want to try to tackle him or get tackled by him. But when he came off the field, he was one of the nicest young men that you could ever meet, very respectful and well-respected by his peers.

Antojuan Woody, from the neighboring town of Camp Hill, was a senior and fellow wide receiver with Dowdell on a Dadeville Tigers football team that went undefeated before losing in the second round of the playoffs last year. He said he and Dowdell had been best friends for all of their lives.

It hurts, Woody said as a steady stream of friends and teammates walked over to hug him during Sunday's prayer vigil. Its unreal. I cant believe it.

Woody said he and Dowdell had a special relationship on the football field. Us being friends forever like that, our chemistry was spot on. We always celebrated together on the field," he said.

He described the victims as great people who didnt deserve what happened to them.

Hayes, the pastor, said worried families swarmed the local hospital Saturday night trying to find the condition of their children. He said serious crime is rare in Dadeville, and the small city is sad, traumatized, in shock."

Jacksonville State football coach Rich Rodriguez said in a statement Sunday: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Philstavious Dowdell and the other victims of the senseless tragedy last night. He was a great young man with a bright future.

Dowdell also recently won medals at a high school track meet at Troy University.

Counseling will be available for students at Tallapoosa County schools Monday, said the school district superintendent, Raymond C. Porter.

This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said on social media.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting, the White House said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support.

What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, or to the park? Biden said in a statement Sunday. Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising  not declining. This is outrageous and unacceptable.

Biden called on Congress to require safe storage of firearms, require background checks for all gun sales, eliminate gun manufacturers immunity from liability, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The mayor said Dowdell was a great young man." He also said he is concerned about those wounded and psychologically traumatized by the shooting.

We are praying for them, Goodman said. "We ask God, if its his will, to bring them back to their parents safe, so they can mend.

Goodman said guns and violence are not a frequent presence in Dadeville. He said trying to control guns would prove as futile as trying to control illegal drugs.

Dadeville High School had 485 students in grades 6-12 in 2022, according to Alabama state data. It serves Dadeville and nearby parts of Tallapoosa County. Like the rest of Dadeville, its tucked away just out of view off a busy highway that runs from Birmingham to Auburn.

Dadeville Highs head football coach Roger McDonald said he would try his best to support grieving students.

Theres not a playbook for something like this, he said. So the best youve got to do is just love on your kids, let them all know how much you care about them, be there for them.

McDonald said Dowdell had something special.

He was a leader, and as far as his ability, an electrifying player, the coach said.

Michael Taylor, an assistant coach, said he met Dowdell when the boy was 9 and coached him in youth football. Taylor said the team was invited to Atlanta to play in the stadium used by the NFLs Atlanta Falcons.

He did some amazing things there, and he never stopped doing them since then, he said. He was the No. 1 athlete in the school.

Taylor said he last heard from Dowdell on Friday, when Dowdell was seeking video of his athletic exploits. Taylor said he drove to the shooting scene Saturday night from his home in nearby Camp Hill.

Man, I couldnt get close, Taylor said. So once I found out whats going on, I really I just had to leave because it was going to be all night.

Taylor said he returned Sunday to see Dowdell's body carried out from the dance studio. He said hes not sure what he will tell other athletes Monday.

The first thing weve got to do is weve got to pray our way out of this," Taylor said Sunday. "There aint no other way. And then I can tell you, theyre all real close like family at the high school.

This is at least the second time in recent years that multiple people were shot in Dadeville. Five people were wounded in July 2016 during a shooting at an American Legion hall, and a man was later charged with five counts of attempted murder, news outlets reported. ___

The story has been updated to correct the spelling of Dowdells last name in one instance.

___

Chandler reported from Huntsville, Alabama.
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RICHMOND, Ind. (AP)  Authorities in eastern Indiana lifted a dayslong evacuation order late Sunday afternoon for an area near a plastics fire after they said it was determined air quality and other environmental concerns related to the fire were deemed safe.

Wayne County Emergency Management lifted the order for people within a half-mile (1 kilometer) radius of the fire scene after consulting with state, federal and local health officials, Matthew Cain, agency director, said at a news conference.

Testing of air debris would continue, he and Mayor Dave Snow said. At least 1,500 people live in the evacuation zone, though it is not known how many residents actually obeyed the call to evacuate after the fire began Tuesday afternoon.

I feel very confident that people will be safe when they move back to their homes, said Dr. David Jetmore, the Wayne County Health Department's health officer.

Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown said crews will remain at the 14-acre (5-hectare) former factory site to extinguish flareups. It was declared under control Thursday night when the last flames were extinguished.

He previously said fire officials will meet Monday morning to decide what their next steps will be at the site, where tons of recycled plastic stored for resale caught fire. The site is in Richmond, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Indianapolis, near the Ohio border.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said hydrogen cyanide and benzene were detected at the fire site. EPA contractors collected fire debris over the weekend that landed near schools or in parks and private yards. At least one sample has tested positive for asbestos, which can harm lungs.

The fire's cause was not known. But it quickly became an inferno, destroying six run-down buildings holding recycled plastic and creating clouds of smoke so high and dark they cast a sprawling shadow over the city of 35,000 people.

The man operating the storage site was under a 2020 court order to clean up the site, which had no utilities and had been declared a serious fire hazard by inspectors. Richmond officials said they had barred him from accepting more plastics while he was working to get rid of the vast holdings.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  An unidentified suspect fired a gun into a crowd of hundreds in a Kentucky park, leaving two people dead and four wounded Saturday night, police said.

Police were called around 9 p.m. to Chickasaw Park in Louisville, authorities said.

Hundreds of people were in the park at the time of the shooting, when someone started shooting into the crowd, hitting at least six people, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said.

There were no suspects in custody immediately after the shooting and police asked anyone with information to contact investigators.

As of right now we have no witnesses, Humphrey said.

This has been an unspeakable week of tragedy for our city, Mayor Craig Greenberg said at the scene Saturday night, referring to a shooting on Monday in which a gunman killed five Louisville bank employees while livestreaming the attack on Instagram.

On Monday, we lost five of our fellow citizens to a horrific act of workplace gun violence, Greenberg said. And now, five days later, we're at another scene of a reckless act of gun violence.

Police have not publicly identified the deceased other than to say they were both adult males. The four wounded included one adult female and three adult males, according to an email from police spokesperson Alicia Smiley. As of Sunday morning, one of the injured had been released from the hospital. One person who was admitted in critical condition was listed as critical but stable on Sunday.

Police were not aware of any special event taking place at the park on Saturday night, and Smiley said the crowd was not unusual considering the nice weather.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP)  A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of using a baseball bat to smash stained glass windows at a Southern California church over the weekend, police said.

Rev. Paul Capetz, the senior pastor at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach, said police called him before dawn Saturday to report the vandalism.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Alan Poole, Cornell University

(THE CONVERSATION) A hundred years ago, a person wandering the back roads of coastal New England might have come across an odd sight: at the edge of a farmyard, cheek by jowl with pigs and chickens and cows, a tall pole topped with a massive stick nest. And standing guard in the nest, a large brown-backed, white-headed wild bird of prey  an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).

Farmers in this region knew that nesting Ospreys were vigilant watchdogs, quick to chase chicken-hawks and other predators away. But as fish eaters, Ospreys were no threat to farm animals. And they were trusting enough to live comfortably near humans. So farmers lured them by building them places to nest  generally, an old wagon wheel atop a bare pole, mimicking the dead trees in which Ospreys had nested for millennia.

Although these clever farmers didnt know it, they were pioneering methods that would help to bring Ospreys back from the edge of extinction decades later. As I recount in my new book, Ospreys: The Revival of a Global Raptor, these birds have made a spectacular recovery from chemical pollution, guns and traps, thanks to many dedicated conservationists and an amazing ability to thrive in close quarters with humans.

Gone in the blink of an eye

Up to 1950, Ospreys were one of the most widespread and abundant hawks in North America. Few rivers, lakes or ocean shorelines lacked a nesting pair. In certain favorable spots, such as islands along the Atlantic coast, wooded swamps in Florida and western states, and shallow-water lagoons bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Baja California, hundreds of nests were often clustered together in just one or two square miles.

But the bottom dropped out after World War II. Insecticides developed for military use  particularly DDT  flooded onto the civilian market to control farm and forest pests and mosquitoes in towns and villages. These chemicals accumulated in food chains, so Ospreys received large doses from the fish they consumed. In their bodies, DDT thinned their eggshells, causing a disastrous drop in the number of eggs that produced live chicks. In addition, other insecticides poisoned nestling and adult Ospreys.

By the mid-1960s, the number of Ospreys breeding along the Atlantic coast between New York City and Boston had fallen by 90 percent. And, as I document in my book, most other populations in the United States and Canada had declined by half to two-thirds.

This was the era of Silent Spring, biologist Rachel Carsons blockbuster expose, which sounded one of the first alarms about the hidden environmental costs of pesticides.

Ospreys played a lead role in this drama. Their well-documented crash provided concrete data for court cases brought to block indiscriminate spraying. Sanity prevailed: The most lethal and persistent insecticides were banned by the 1970s, giving Ospreys and other birds, including the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, a respite in the nick of time.

A seismic shift in nesting sites

But restoring robust numbers of Ospreys to regions where most or all of the breeders were gone required more than just curbing the flow of environmental contaminants. Nest sites were increasingly scarce along shorelines as development consumed old pastoral landscapes. With fewer safe places to raise young, Osprey recovery prospects appeared dim, no matter how clean the environment or how abundant local fish populations were.

But concerned naturalists took a cue from those old farmyard nest poles and began to erect new poles in the 1970s and 80s, especially along the broad ribbon of salt marshes hugging the Atlantic seaboard. Ospreys adapted remarkably, zeroing in to nest on these poles, as well as on a kaleidoscope of other artificial sites springing up along U.S. coasts and rivers: power and lighting structures, channel markers and buoys, and more recently, even megatowers supporting cellphone and other electronic communications equipment. Other nesting birds of prey make occasional use of such sites, but Ospreys have been the champion colonizers.

No one could have predicted such a dramatic shift a generation ago, or what a boost it would give to Osprey numbers. Within just a few miles of where I live along the Massachusetts coast, over 200 Ospreys now nest each year, lured in by abundant nest poles weve built on wide-open marshes. Fewer than 20 Ospreys were found here in the 1960s.

This is not an isolated phenomenon. Thousands of pole nests now dot the coastal landscape from Maine to Florida  testimony to persistent work by hundreds of dedicated people. In Florida, at least 1,000 pairs of Ospreys have made cell towers their nesting homes. Along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, nearly 20,000 Ospreys now arrive to nest each spring  the largest concentration of breeding pairs in the world. Two-thirds of them nest on buoys and channel markers maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, who have become de facto Osprey guardians.

A global resurgence

These new nests have powered quick growth in numbers, with more Ospreys in the United States and Canada today than ever before. Many are colonizing new areas.

And this revival extends well beyond the Americas. Ospreys have a global reach, from Scotland to Japan and from the Mediterranean to Australia. Particularly in Europe, where most Ospreys were eliminated by guns and traps rather than by insecticides, we are seeing extraordinary recoveries.

Traveling to Europe in the summer of 2016 to research my book, I discovered flourishing new osprey populations. Artificial nest sites  supports built mostly in trees to stabilize existing nests and encourage new ones  were plentiful and packed with young ospreys ready to fledge. In Germany, shallow wire baskets secured atop enormous power pylons provided foundations for hundreds of new nests that had taken hold in areas long-abandoned by Ospreys.

Some researchers complain that providing these birds with nest sites is making them prisoners of platforms  creating artificial populations where none were meant to be. But rampant coastal development, plus industrial farming and forestry in surrounding regions, have badly degraded the landscapes in which Ospreys once thrived. To have robust numbers of this species back again is a reward for all who value wild animals, and a reminder of how nature can rebound if we address the key threats.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/ospreys-recovery-from-pollution-and-shooting-is-a-global-conservation-success-story-111907.


What happened in one judges courtroom in Texas could have drastic effects for the United States entire drug approval process, experts warn.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryks ruling that suspended the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations approval of the medication abortion drug mifepristone was an unprecedented one, the first time a court has bypassed the federal system set up to determine what drugs should be allowed on the market.

Regardless of whether the ruling  or a part of it  is ultimately allowed to stand, legal scholars, scientists and drugmakers are concerned that the decision could start a trend of drugs being targeted in courts, creating a chilling effect on drug development in the US and hurting patients in the process.

Vaccines, including the COVID-19 shots, antidepressants and psychotropic medicines, could be at risk, some said.

Well, one does not want to be Chicken Little, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Jane Henney said Wednesday, but I cant imagine that it wouldnt have implications for other products.

The approval process will be at risk, and its not just an approval process that patients rely on and providers rely on, its one that has been considered the gold standard, really, for the world, said Henney, who was the head of the FDA when mifepristone was approved.

Since the dawn of the 20th century, the FDA has had the sole authority in the United States to regulate drugs. In 1906, the federal government created the agency to enforce the Pure Food and Drug Act, which was instituted to ensure that medicine, food and cosmetics were safe.

Over the years, that authority became more defined.

After elixir of sulfanilamide, a drug used to treat streptococcal infections, killed 107 people in 1937, Congress created the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Signed into law in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it required manufacturers to conduct pharmacological studies to prove that their drugs were safe before they could be sold or advertised. In 1962, drug manufacturers were also required to prove to the FDA that their products were effective.

Modern drug approval in the U.S. is a careful and conscientious process. Before any drug goes to market, there are countless hours of research, the work and expertise of multiple scientists, and several layers of oversight for approval.

Until now, the courts have been deferential to the FDAs process and have never overturned an FDA decision on the grounds that the agency misjudged the science, said William Schultz, a former deputy commissioner at the FDA and former general counsel for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Any FDA drug approval involves hundreds of judgments by the agency. And if a court feels free just to kind of take a fresh look at each of those, theres a chance that a court will find one of those FDA judgments wrong, Schultz said in an online discussion Monday about the impact of the Texas courts ruling that was hosted by Protect Our Care, an organization that advocates for equitable and affordable health care.

An assault on science

Hundreds of well-known biotech and pharmaceutical company leaders, concerned about the effects of Kacsmaryks ruling on other drug approvals, signed an open letter Monday in support of the FDAs authority to approve and regulate safe, effective medicines for every American.

The letter also advocated a reversal of the mifepristone decision from a judge with no scientific training, saying it set a precedent for diminishing FDAs authority over drug approvals, and in so doing, creates uncertainty for the entire biopharma industry.

In a separate statement, the biotech industry group BIOs interim president and CEO, Rachel King, emphasized the dangerous precedent the decision sets.

The preliminary ruling by a federal judge in Texas is an assault on science and the FDAs long-standing role as the authority to make decisions on the safety and efficacy of medicines. For a court to invalidate the approval of a drug that was reviewed and approved more than two decades ago is without precedent. As legal scholars have noted, the courts do not have the medical expertise to make these types of scientific determinations, King said.

The main lobbying group for the pharmaceutical industry, PhRMA, criticized Kacsmaryks ruling as undermining the regulatory process.

PhRMA has serious concerns with any court substituting its opinion for the FDAs expert approval decision-making, said James C. Stansel, the associations executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Stansel added that such a decision could have a chilling effect on the research and development ecosystem.

The pharmacutical sector is a huge part of the American economy. Of the worlds 25 largest phamacutical companies, 10 are based in the US, and most of the others have a large base of operations in the country.

Often, the US market is the first to get access to new drugs, but that could change if lawsuits undermine the regulatory integrity of the FDA process, said Susan Lee, partner in the law firm Goodwins Life Sciences group and Life Sciences Regulatory & Compliance practice, who works with companies to get drugs approved by the FDA.

If there do tend to be more lawsuits like this, I wonder if there might be a little bit of a tendency to not always look at the US as the first market, Lee said. Some manufacturers may say wed rather go to Europe, where were not going to be sued on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. 

Lee also wonders whether manufacturers will abandon efforts to develop drugs that could be considered unappealing to some, such as those that help womens health or work to prevent HIV.

I think there are just certain sectors that are already kind of thinking about whether they might also have a target on their back. Ive definitely heard that discussed, Lee said.

What could be next?

The groups at the heart of the Texas case have not disclosed any further plans regarding lawsuits over medications, but experts say they are already hearing concern.

Ive already been getting questions from lawmakers and other people about could the COVID vaccine be next? or other things that may have stigma around it, said Dr. Kristyn Brandi, an ob/gyn and abortion provider in New Jersey and a spokesperson for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The Covid-19 vaccines have been thoroughly tested and found to be safe and effective, but theyre the subject of conspiracy theories and misunderstanding about how mRNA vaccines were tested. Beliefs that the vaccines were tested on recently harvested aborted fetal cells made some people decidedly anti-vaccine.

Dr. Lynn R. Goldman, professor and dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, is also concerned that mRNA vaccines could be targeted soon.

There might be people who disagree with some of the technologies that are used by vaccine makers, like the mRNA vaccines, but feeling uncomfortable about a technology is not the same thing as identifying that there is risk, she said in the Protect Our Care conversation.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community may also be vulnerable, experts say, as activists could target puberty blockers or hormones used in gender-affirming therapy.

I dont like to do slippery slope, but Im also very worried about things like gender-affirming care, since theres already been so many laws about that recently in other states, Brandi said.

There is political pressure against other vaccines, antidepressants and psychotropic medicines, among others, former FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg and former Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein wrote in an editorial published Thursday in the journal Science.

If judges begin to dictate the terms of medication access, then others will seek to use ideology and influence to advance their agendas, they warn.

A serious moment for doctors and patients

Goldman said that any legal decision that could undermine the FDA drug approval process would ultimately hurt the doctors who prescribe them and the people who use them.

Doctors dont have time to vet all the studies used to prove that a drug is safe and effective, so they rely on the FDA for this work, she said. Court interference could confuse this process.

I think that this is, for doctors, an incredibly serious moment, because up to now, we have been able to trust that an approval by the FDA is a science-based decision and that we can say that if the FDA has approved a drug, that it is safe for us to use, Goldman said.

A lack of confidence in the drug approval process will ultimately hurt people far beyond the most recent decision, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach says.

Confidence that the FDA can do its work is essential for clinicians and patients who depend on it in its decision-making for matters of life and death, Dach said.
Theyre floating tentacled creatures no larger than a teacup  and theyre washing up by the thousands along the California coastline.

Increasing numbers of Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported all the way from San Diego to Point Arena, tinting beaches blue as gusts of wind blow their gelatinous bodies ashore. The unusual Pokemon-like species is a cousin of the jellyfish but cannot swim, instead using stiff, transparent fins or sails to move along the surface of the water, where they feed on plankton and larvae. Typically, they can be found dozens of miles offshore, drifting along the open ocean, but particularly blustery conditions can propel them a bit too far, leaving them stranded along the sand.

They are completely at the mercy of the wind and the currents, said Jennifer Stock, an education and outreach coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. Its not uncommon for them to wash ashore, but its variable, what causes them to wash up en masse annually. Usually, it happens during the springtime months because this is a time of year when winds shift in the upwelling season.

Joe Soule

Joe Soule, a real estate agent living in Point Reyes, was going for an afternoon walk along North Beach on April 2 when he encountered thousands of the tiny creatures smothering the shoreline, each of them measuring no more than a quarter to a half of an inch in diameter. It wasnt the first time he had seen them in the Bay Area  about 20 years ago, he caught a glimpse of them offshore while whale watching out by the Point Reyes Lighthouse, and said there were so many they resembled an oil slick on the water.

This was the world record for me, he said. Ive never seen this many before. Theyre absolutely fascinating and an engineered marvel.

Over the last month, other by-the-wind sailors have been spotted throughout the Bay Area near Abbotts Lagoon in Inverness, at Sea Ranch in Sonoma County, along Lawsons Landing on Tomales Bay and at Three Rocks Beach in Half Moon Bay, according to observations reported on iNaturalist.

Each by-the-wind sailor is actually a colony of polyps, or soft-bodied organisms that use stinging tentacles to immobilize and capture their prey, explained Christina Piotrowski, senior collections manager of invertebrate zoology at the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists believe their blue pigmentation helps them camouflage with the water while protecting them from the suns intense UV rays, but they lose this color when they wash ashore and dry up, taking on a flimsy cellophane-like appearance.

The sails that give them their names are flexible but strong, helping to stabilize them on the water since they cannot right themselves once overturned during high winds and churning swells, Piotrowski said. Each sail can be oriented to the left or right, with most by-the-wind sailors being lefties. Some scientists speculate the orientation of each sail is supposed to protect the animal from stranding depending on which hemisphere they live in, but the reason for this is still a bit of a mystery.

Jan Roletto/NOAA/Point Blue

While by-the-wind sailors can be cool to look at, experts say its best to simply leave them alone if you encounter them. Their stings are virtually harmless to humans and pets but can cause some irritation to the skin.

And if you see them wash up on a beach near you, dont be alarmed. Steven Haddock, a marine biologist for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who runs Jellywatch, a website dedicated to tracking sightings of jellyfish and related species, said the number of by-the-wind sailors that wash ashore can be very high, reaching the trillions. Its not at all out of the ordinary, he said  its just the nature of their complex life cycle.

Like other hydrozoan species, by-the-wind sailors alternate between an asexual free-floating stage and a sexual stage during which they bud off tiny medusae  clone babies, as Piotrowski calls them  that attach themselves to the surface of the water and hang upside down.

Sage Tezak/NOAA/Point Blue

One floating raft  what we see washing up on the beach  can produce thousands of tiny medusae, which allows them to survive even after the seemingly catastrophic wash-ups onto beaches, Haddock said. Because their potential range spans the entire open ocean, they have the potential for very high populations, which we typically witness only after the winds blow them too far in one direction.

Haddock noted its unlikely that recent storms resulted in their presence and that the natural, periodic phenomenon has more to do with prevailing winds. Stock added that other factors along the California coastline can influence how many of the creatures wash ashore, including the orientation and terrain of the beaches and how they interact with the currents.

Peter Pyle/NOAA/SWFSC

After the by-the-wind sailors wash up, they dont tend to stick around for long. A couple of days after Soules walk in Point Reyes, he returned to North Beach to see if they were still there.

They completely disappeared, Soule said. In with the tide, out with the tide.
The Middlesex County Historical Society will add a letter written by George Washington and two watches to its historic collection on Monday, according to a release from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, which has housed the objects for over a century.

The first president of the United States wrote the now-framed letter to Middletown resident Captain William Van Deusen on Sept. 1, 1782. According to David Field's "Centennial Address," his son, William Van Deusen, graduated Yale University in 1801 and studied law in Middletown and Litchfield. He was appointed captain by the General Government and commanded the fort at New London before his death in 1833.
By Janis Mara

Bay City News

A 21-gun salute rang out and planes roared over the Presidio in a ceremony Saturday commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

Organized by the Bay Area-based Bataan Legacy Historical Society, the event was held in remembrance of the infamous World War II massacre in the Philippines. The Bataan Death March was a horrific 63-mile trek Japanese soldiers forced upon 78,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war in the aftermath of the Battle of Bataan.

This year's commemoration, held at the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio, was attended by Filipino and American descendants of the soldiers who fought in World War II in the Philippines at the Battle of Bataan.

Cecilia Gaerlan of the historical society organized the event. Her father, Luis, survived the Death March and lived until he was 94. He died in 2014.

Representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard took part in the event, along with others including San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, sheriff's deputies, police officers and firefighters from across the Bay Area.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta attended the event. Bonta's mother was a survivor of a massacre of civilians in Los Banos in February 1945 in the Philippines during World War II.

The American Legion Riders Chapter 105 rendered a 21-gun salute and the San Francisco Sheriff's Air Squadron did a flyover as part of the ceremony. A private nonprofit, Memorial Squadron, did a flyover at the end of the event.

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Copyright  2023 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said Russia was trying to erase Ukraine's history and culture after a strike on a museum killed one employee and wounded 10.
By Hilda Scheib

Bay City News

"Come From Away," the multi-award-winning musical and Tony Award nominee based on events during 9/11, is set in the small Newfoundland town of Gander--itself a major character in the play--where 38 international flights were diverted when United States airspaces were closed following world-shaking attacks on New York's World Trade Center, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

The play, which is based on interviews with townspeople and passengers, was wildly popular on Broadway for years, helping New York audiences temper the effects of unspeakable tragedy with a vision of the Canadians' heart-warming generosity, empathy and community building with their international visitors--in short, humanity at its best.

After a five-year run, the Broadway production closed in October 2022. Now, the show's North American tour (directed by Christopher Ashley, who won a Tony) returns to San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre (it opened locally in 2019), bringing husband-and-wife team David Hein and Irene Sankoff's musical to new audiences.

The cast of 12 is generally excellent, shifting in and out of dual roles as Gander citizens with predictable everyday lives and distinctive Newfoundland accents to arriving airplane passengers who are stunned, frightened and suspicious.

The set, too, undergoes frequent rearrangement. Chairs positioned for a low-key labor dispute between the Gander mayor and school bus drivers morph into rows of airplane seats carrying international passengers, puzzled by their emergency landing and still in the dark about the terrorist attacks.

Some characters stand out. There's Beverley (Marika Aubrey), the pilot of a stranded American Airlines flight. "Me and the Sky," the number detailing the realization of her career aspirations, provides an uplifting antidote to the horror associated with airplanes on 9/11.

At other times, the show focuses on a budding romance between an English oil executive Nick (James Kall) and a Dallas divorcee Diane (Christine Toy Johnson), or a mother (Danielle K. Thomas) frantically trying to contact her New York firefighter son. Their vignettes and moving songs personalize the story's larger themes.

However, five years following its 2017 Broadway opening, the show's celebration of small-town virtues isn't particularly refreshing, and its inspirational moments are somewhat contrived. The relief that the gay couple, both named Kevin, feels learning that townsfolk accept them into their bar is far too expected an outcome. And the internal strength of the Muslim chef faced with indignities suggests a false note.

At the end, the long dramatic and musical conclusion, while underscoring the resilience of the human spirit, also feels a tad too pat and sentimental.

Yet "Come From Away" still accomplishes much that it undertakes and evokes tears from those who remember the pivotal events of the time well, albeit with the distance time brings that sets it apart from the here-and-now.

"Come From Away" continues through April 23 at the Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco. Tickets are $55-$137 at (888) 746-1799 or broadwaysf.com.

Copyright  2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

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By Bay City News

Elected officials and dignitaries celebrated the opening of 22 miles of express toll lanes -- with variable pricing in both directions -- on U.S. Highway 101 through San Mateo County on Saturday.

The lanes are regulated from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays by dynamic pricing, meaning toll rates will be adjusted based on traffic use. The cost to access the lanes will be displayed on overhead electronic signs.

The tolls are meant to encourage carpooling or transit use as well as to cut travel times and reduce highway congestion. The project cost $581 million.

San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies are asking the public's help in tracking down a man who spat on a parked car, punched and kicked the car and displayed a firearm in the garage of a Safeway grocery in Millbrae on Friday.

The car's driver said he didn't know the man who stood in front of the car, lifted his shirt and displayed a black handgun in his waistband.

The man spit on the car window, punched the windshield and kicked the car, the driver told police.

A 21-gun salute rang out and planes roared over the Presidio of San Francisco in a ceremony Saturday commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

Organized by the Bay Area-based Bataan Legacy Historical Society, the event was held in remembrance of the infamous World War II massacre in the Philippines. The Bataan Death March was a horrific 63-mile trek Japanese soldiers forced upon 78,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war in the aftermath of the Battle of Bataan.

This year's commemoration, held at the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio, was attended by Filipino and American descendants of the soldiers who fought in World War II in the Philippines at the Battle of Bataan.

Oakland police are asking the public for help finding a man who has been missing for four years.

Michael Shaw was last seen in May 2019 with a family member at Oakland International Airport, police said. It was reported that Shaw was heading to Georgia.

Shaw is described as a bald Black man, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance he weighed 170 pounds, according to police.

Watsonville police are investigating a fatal shooting Saturday and said they will close Main Street at Rodriguez Street for several hours on Sunday. The public was asked to avoid the area.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of Rodriguez about 6:04 p.m, They found a person who had been shot at least once. The victim subsequently died at a hospital.

Oakland police asked Saturday for the public's help in investigating a sexual assault and burglary that occurred earlier this month.

Police are looking for a man who entered a house in the 100 block of Monte Cresta Avenue through an unlocked window about 3 a.m. April 12 and sexually assaulted the sleeping victim.

The man was described as Black, in his 20s, 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighing about 150 pounds. He had a muscular build, medium complexion, short black hair and a black goatee, police said.

The man wore glasses and a white sweatshirt and had a tattoo, "Fear no Evil," across his upper back, police said.

The National Weather Service forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area for Sunday calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s.

Sunday night will see increasing clouds with lows in the 40s.

Copyright  2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2023 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  At least 40 members of Burkina Faso's security forces were killed by gunmen in the northern part of the country, and dozens of others were injured, authorities said Sunday.

Six soldiers and 34 volunteer fighters, civilians who assist the military, were killed near the town of Ouahigouya on Saturday afternoon, northern region secretary-general Kouilga Albert Zongo said in a statement. The 33 wounded were hospitalized in stable condition, he said.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Squint a little as you take in the scene, or just close your eyes and listen to the voice, and 2023 stumbles back into another era. Another Memphis.

You cant expel hope! the young man cries in his powerful voice, his message aimed at the Tennessee state legislators who had expelled him and another Black lawmaker a week earlier. You cant expel justice! You cant expel our voice.

Justin Pearson wears a dark suit in the county meeting room, a carefully knotted blue tie and glasses that bring Malcolm X to mind. He speaks in the rolling cadence of generations of Black preachers.

He ends by quoting a Bible verse beloved by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., vowing to fight until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Then he turns to his cheering supporters and thrusts his fist into the air.

The two Black Democratic legislators ousted by the overwhelmingly white, Republican-controlled state Legislature  then reinstated by local officials days later  have only a few months experience in political office.

But in barely two weeks, Pearson, 28, and Justin Jones, 27, have gone from neophyte politicians to national prominence, heralded as living echoes of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, when leaders like King and John Lewis organized protests across the American South.

Two young Black men were forced from office, Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday at a convention in New York City of the civil rights group the National Action Network, calling the expulsions an attempt to silence the voice of the people.

But those expulsions, she added, simply set off more protests.

Now, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are back in their seats! Harris said to cheers.

The two men  now widely known simply as the Justins  are executing tactics modeled after people theyve admired, said Noelle Trent, an official at Memphis National Civil Rights Museum, located on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated in 1968 while supporting a sanitation workers strike. They have actually studied the (Civil Rights) Movement.

That movement strikes powerful chords in this part of America.

The energy is there because both Memphis and Nashville are deeply rooted in the civil rights protest tradition, said the Rev. Andre E. Johnson, a civil rights activist, senior pastor at Memphis Gifts of Life Ministries and a professor of communications who has studied Black oratory and rhetoric.

Pearson and Jones both came to the state Legislature steeped in activism.

Jones, who was born in Oakland, California, and raised in the East Bay area, moved to Nashville to attend Fisk University and is studying for a master's degree in theology at Vanderbilt University, according to campaign material. One set of grandparents were Black Chicagoans, and his other grandparents immigrated from the Philippines.

His life has taken him from protest to protest: leading a campaign against the bust prominently displayed at the state Capitol of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, which GOP leaders refused to remove; blocking Nashville traffic after the election of former President Donald Trump; and spending more than 60 days at the Capitol plaza in 2020 to protest police violence after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. As a student, he worked to expand health care and repeal voter ID laws.

The protests have also led to a handful of clashes with authorities, from the time he threw a cup of liquid at the former House speaker during the bust protests to when he stood on a police cruiser during demonstrations after Floyds killing. A campaign website says he has been arrested more than a dozen times for nonviolent protest.

He has no regrets about the protest that got him expelled, when he, Pearson and a white colleague, 60-year-old legislator Gloria Johnson, walked to the speakers podium while the Legislature was in session and led chants calling for gun control.

The protest unfolded in the aftermath of a shooting at a Nashville Christian school where six people, including three young students, were slain. While the protest also angered some Democrats  video captured some older Black, Democratic legislators berating the trio at the podium  the symbolism of expelling the two Black lawmakers while sparing their white colleague shifted the attention from guns to race.

But with only days left in the session, Jones, who was elected in 2022 and represents part of Nashville, said his focus was still on gun control legislation.

This is about saving Tennessee, saving our nation, saving the future for our children, he said in a brief interview Thursday at the Capitol.

He sees himself in the young protesters who flooded the capital to call for gun control, even though he calls himself an elder now in the movement.

Pearson grew up in Memphis and went to high school in the same district he was elected to represent after longtime state Rep. Barbara Cooper, a Black Democrat, died in office. The sprawling district sits on the Mississippi River, winding along neighborhoods, forests and wetlands of south Memphis, through parts of downtown and then north into a series of semi-rural communities.

One of five children  his mother is a teacher and his father is a minister and pastor  Pearson has said his family struggled financially as he was growing up.

His activism reaches back at least to high school, when he complained to the school board about a lack of textbooks. Later, he attended Bowdoin College in Maine, where he was class president and recipient of the Presidents Award, given for exceptional personal achievements and uncommon contributions to the college.

He returned to Memphis and helped lead the fight against a planned oil pipeline that would have run through wetlands and under poor, predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city's south. The project was canceled in 2021.

Pearson won his legislative seat in a special election in late January.

Im very proud of him, said Kevin Webb, a teacher and band director at Mitchell High School who knew Pearson when he was a student there. Hes standing up for what he believes is right.

Sometimes doing the right thing isnt always going to look good, Webb continued. Thats how life is.

Pearson and Jones' sudden rise to prominence also raises powerful questions about Americas continuing need for a civil rights movement.

The two men's return to office is not resurrecting democracy, said the Rev. Earle Fisher, a Memphis civil rights activist and senior pastor of Gifts of Abyssinian Baptist Church.

There's a difference between getting our lick back, and actually winning the fight, he said.

The fight is far from over.

___

Kreusi reported from Nashville and Sullivan reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison in New York and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville contributed to this report.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during a critical point in our nations history as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.

Saturdays nationwide rallies were sparked by the U.S. Supreme Courts actions the day before, when the high court intervened to delay rule changes that would have limited the way the abortion drug mifepristone could be used and dispensed. The limits were paused while the court reviews the case more thoroughly.

Harris made a surprise stop in Los Angeles at one of the rallies, where she called the latest upheaval over abortion rights a further incursion by conservatives into myriad fundamental rights many Americans thought they had.

And so this is a moment that history will show required each of us  based on our collective love of our country  to stand up, and fight for, and protect our ideals. Thats what this moment is, she said Saturday, speaking to several hundred demonstrators from the steps of City Hall. When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America.

Some of the protesters voiced their anger at the steps of the nation's high court, which took Friday's action at the request of the federal Justice Department. The agency asked the high court to lift restrictions on mifepristone imposed by an appellate court in Texas earlier in the week. The decision by the appellate court reduced the window of time when the drug could be used and prevented the drug from being dispensed by mail.

Critics of the Texas and appellate court decisions, including pharmaceutical companies, viewed the courts actions as a dangerous intrusion into the authority of the FDA, which regulates how medications are sold and used in the United States.

Demonstrators in New York City stood behind a sign with a four-letter expletive directed at Texas, where a federal judge set off the latest salvo in the battle over abortion. They held signs urging the government to defend medication abortions.

But the crowd was modest, attracting a little more than 100 people outside the picturesque public library along Fifth Avenue.

Still, the demonstrators attracted looks from passersby along the busy thoroughfare, some briefly joining the group to lend their voices.

It can be hard to get people out, because people are being bombarded with all kinds of assaults on their bodies and people are tired and poor, said Viva Ruiz, who said she helped organize the rally.

The news cycle is so fast that when one thing happens something terrible happens the next day. So its hard to sustain the momentum or the energy for people to be on the streets, Ruiz said.

With few exceptions, many of the rallies  organized under the banner of a group calling itself Bigger than Roe  were held in smaller cities.

Since last year's reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the right to an abortion, more than a dozen states have effectively outlawed abortion, while additional states have moved to further tighten abortion laws.

On Thursday, the GOP-dominated Florida Legislature moved to became the latest state to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Restrictions on the delivery and use of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to end a pregnancy, would be a further blow to abortion rights advocates. The other drug, misoprostol, can be used on its own, but doing so is less effective than using both drugs in combination.

When mifepristone was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications.

If the appeals courts action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed.

States that support abortion rights, including California and New York, have begun stockpiling misoprostol to assure their states have adequate supplies. Washington state is among those stockpiling a supply of mifepristone or its generic form. And Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health buy additional quantities of mifepristone.

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used mifepristone as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

__________

Calvan reported from New York.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  At least 10 people died when the bus they were traveling in left the road and rolled several times in southern Kenya, police said Sunday.

The passengers were on their way back to the coastal city of Mombasa after attending a funeral in the Mwatate area, Taita Taveta County, on Saturday evening.
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GOKCEADA, Turkey (AP)  The ecumenical patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, based in Istanbul, fulfilled a 10-year promise to mark Easter on the Turkish island of Gokceada where he was born.

In candle-lit masses held over three days, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over services that brought together Orthodox Christian believers from the Aegean island and abroad.

About 200 visitors and locals attended the services. Many of them were returning Greeks whose families lived on the island in the past but had since left. Others had also traveled from abroad while a few lived on the island.

Chants and hymns reverberated and two golden candles were lit at the Cathedral of St. George where the midnight Easter Mass was held. Fireworks accompanied the patriarchs sermon. Sundays final ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Dormition of Virgin Mary in the morning.

The Good Friday service was at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, which was also attended by Greeces Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

The 83-year-old Bartholomew I, who is considered first among equals in Orthodox patriarchy, was born in Gokceada, known as Imvros in Greek. His family home in Zeytinlikoy sits among olive trees on a green hill overlooking the islands downtown.

I always feel pain when I am away from the island. This is a place that I visit with tears in my eyes that stirs and also calms my soul and fills me with emotion, Bartholomew I told worshippers during the church service on Sunday.

On the last Easter he held on the island in 2013, the patriarch promised to return in 10 years if his health allowed and so he did.

Its been 69 years since I left the seminary here after completing my studies ... We left our sweet homeland, the church bells, the humble chapels, the familiar pathways and the familiar faces. But the (island) was never out of my thoughts and out of my heart. It will be there till I die," the patriarch added.

Another stop of the visitors tour was a coffee shop that previously houses the patriarchs fathers barbershop. A memorial with pictures of Bartholomew I and portraits of his father was kept there along with the barbers chair.

The island, which was home to ethnic Greeks historically, was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for nearly five centuries. Greek forces took control of the island in 1912 and it was used as a base by Allied forces during World War I campaigns against the Ottomans. Following the Turkish war of independence, the island became part of the nascent Turkish Republic with the 1923 peace treaty of Lausanne and is the countrys largest island.

The numbers of ethnic Greeks living on the island have dwindled over the decades, first with population exchanges after Lausanne and later amid ethnic and political tensions between Turkey and Greece, like the war in Cyprus. Several hundred ethnic Greeks currently live on the island.

About 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating Easter on Sunday, a week later than other Christians.

___

Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul, and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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SAPPORO, Japan (AP)  Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations vowed Sunday to work to hasten the shift toward cleaner, renewable energy, but set no timetable for phasing out coal-fired power plants as they wrapped up two days of talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.

The officials issued a 36-page communique laying out their commitments ahead of a G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

Japan won endorsements from fellow G-7 countries for its own national strategy emphasizing so-called clean coal, hydrogen and nuclear energy to help ensure its energy security.

Recognizing the current global energy crisis and economic disruptions, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 at the latest, the communique says.

We call on and will work with other countries to end new unabated coal-fired power generation projects globally as soon as possible to accelerate the clean energy transition in a just manner, the document says.

The leaders reiterated the need to urgently reduce carbon emissions and achieve a predominantly decarbonized power sector by 2035. They also stressed the importance of ensuring supplies of critical minerals, used in many high-tech products, are stable and conform to high social and environmental standards.

I believe that we were able to demonstrate to the international community that our commitment to climate change and environmental issues is unwavering, even in the context of the situation in Ukraine, Akihiro Nishimura, Japans environment minister, said after the talks ended.

The stipulation that countries rely on predominantly clean energy by 2035 leaves room for continuation of fossil-fuel fired power. But the ministers agreed to prioritize steps toward phasing out unabated coal power generation  plants that do not employ mechanisms to capture emissions and prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere.

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said the meetings were really constructive.

"I think the unity for the goal that was expressed of phasing out unabated fossil fuels is a very important statement, Kerry said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The call to action comes as China and other developing countries step up demands for more help in phasing out fossil fuels and stabilizing energy prices and supplies amid disruptions from Russia's war on Ukraine.

The issue of setting a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants is a longstanding sticking point. Japan relies on coal for nearly one-third of its power generation and is also promoting the use of so-called clean coal, using technology to capture carbon emissions, to produce hydrogen  which produces only water when used as fuel.

The G-7 nations account for 40% of the worlds economic activity and a quarter of global carbon emissions. Their actions are critical, but so is their support for less wealthy nations often suffering the worst effects of climate change while having the fewest resources for mitigating such impacts.

Emissions in advanced economies are falling, though historically they have been higher  the United States alone accounts for about a quarter of historic global carbon emissions  while emerging markets and developing economies now account for more than two-thirds of global carbon emissions.

The communique highlighted the need to cut carbon emission by around 43% by 2030, and 60% by 2035, relative to the 2019 level. It also reaffirmed the G-7 commitment to ending fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.

The president-designate for the next United Nations climate talks, the COP28, who was also attending the talks in Sapporo, issued a statement urging G-7 nations to increase financial support for developing countries' transitions to clean energy.

We must make a fairer deal for the Global South, said Sultan Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates Not enough is getting to the people and places that need it most.

He said developed countries must follow through on a $100 billion pledge they made at the 2009 COP15 meeting. The next talks are to be held in Dubai in late November.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who met in Beijing on Friday, issued a joint statement expressing concern that such funding "continues to fall short of the commitment of $100 billion per year.

Bhupender Yadav, India's environment minister, urged G-7 countries to hasten their emissions reductions to allow space for developing countries to grow their economies. That is "the best defense against the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, he said in a tweet.

The document crafted in Sapporo included significant amounts of nuance to allow for differences between the G-7 energy strategies, climate advocates said.

They put out bold language on the urgency of addressing the climate crisis but the real test is what are they saying to the rest of the world about their commitments to scale up ambitions, Alden Meyer, a senior associate at E3G, a climate change think tank, said in a Twitter spaces session just after the communique was released.

But while other G-7 countries prevented Japan from expanding loopholes to allow wider use of fossil fuels, the commitments fall short of the clarion call to action that was needed, Meyer said.

The Sapporo talks also yielded pledges to cooperate on wise and equitable environmental energy, water, farm and marine policies. The ministers committed to ending plastic pollution, aiming to take new plastic pollution to zero by 2040.

While the G-7 energy and environment ministers were wrapping up their meetings in Sapporo, farther south in the mountain city of Karuizawa G-7 foreign ministers were grappling with other shared concerns including regional security and the war in Ukraine.

The war, which Kerry called insane and tragic, has complicated the switch to renewable energy by disrupting trade in oil and gas and pushing prices sharply higher, but phasing out carbon emissions can and must continue.

I think energy security is being exaggerated in some cases, Kerry said, pointing to Germany's progress in embracing renewable energy and even phasing out its nuclear power plants.
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ROME (AP)  Pope Francis on Sunday publicly defended St. John Paul II, condemning as offensive and baseless insinuations that recently surfaced about the late pontiff.

In remarks to tourists and pilgrims in St. Peters Square, Francis said he was aiming to interpret the feelings of the faithful worldwide by expressing gratitude to the Polish pontiffs memory.

Days earlier, the Vatican's media apparatus had described as slanderous an audiotape from a purported Roman mobster who insinuated that John Paul would go out looking for underage girls to molest.

The tape was played on an Italian TV program by Pietro Orlandi, brother of Emanuela Orlandi, the teenage daughter of a Vatican employee who lived at the Vatican. The disappearance of the 15-year-old in 1983 is an enduring mystery that has spawned countless theories and so far fruitless investigations in the decades since.

Francis noted that in Sunday's crowd in the square were pilgrims and other faithful in town to pray at a sanctuary for divine mercy, a quality John Paul stressed often in his papacy, which spanned from 1978 to 2005.

Confident of interpreting the sentiment of all the faithful of the entire world, I direct a grateful thought to the memory of St. John Paul II, in these days the object of offensive and baseless insinuations," Francis said, his voice turning stern and his words drawing applause.

Last week, Pietro Orlandi met for hours with Vatican prosecutors who earlier this year reopened the investigation into his sister's disappearance. Italy's Parliament has also begun a commission of inquest into the case.

Emanuela vanished on June 22, 1983, after leaving her familys Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson in Rome. Her father was a lay employee of the Holy See.

Among the theories about what happened to her have been ones linking the disappearance to the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt against John Paul in 1981 in St. Peter's Square or to the international financial scandal over the Vatican bank. Still other theories envision a role played by Romes criminal underworld.

The recent four-part Netflix documentary Vatican Girl explored those possible scenarios and provided new testimony from a friend who said Emanuela had told her a week before she disappeared that a high-ranking Vatican cleric had made sexual advances toward her.

Her brother has long insisted the Vatican knows more than it has said. The Vatican prosecutor in charge of the probe says the pontiff has given him free rein to try to find the truth.

While at the Vatican last week, Pietro Orlandi provided Vatican prosecutors with an audiotape from a purported Roman mobster insinuating that John Paul would go out looking for underage girls to molest. The Vaticans editorial director in a scathing editorial noted the insinuation lacked any evidence, clues, testimonies or corroboration.

Writing in the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Andrea Tornielli said no one deserves to be vilified in this way, without even a shred of a clue, on the basis of the rumors of some unknown figure in the criminal underworld or some sleazy anonymous comment produced on live TV.

John Pauls longtime secretary, Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, also criticized the insinuations as unreal, false and laughable if they werent tragic and even criminal.

Pietro Orlandis lawyer, Laura Sgro, has insisted her client wasnt accusing anyone.
BEIRUT (AP)  Islamic State militants have killed 26 people who were foraging for wild truffles in Syria's Hama region, opposition and state media reported Sunday.

Amid the economic devastation of Syrias yearslong war, foraging for truffles can help people earn money, as the seasonal delicacy fetches a high price.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition media group based in Britain, said civilians and military personnel were among the victims of the armed attack in the eastern outskirts of the city of Hama, 115 miles (186 kilometers) north of the capital Damascus.

State news agency SANA said that the attack was carried out by members of the Islamic State group.

Despite their defeat in Syria in March 2019, the militant groups sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks both in Syria and Iraq where they once held territories and declared a caliphate.

Since the truffle hunters work in large groups in remote areas, IS militants have repeatedly preyed on them, emerging from the desert to abduct them, kill some and ransom others for money.

In February, IS sleeper cells attacked workers collecting truffles near the central town of Sukhna, killing at least 53 people, mostly workers but also some Syrian government security forces.

Earlier this month, six people were killed by a land mine planted by the Islamic State group in the southern Deir Ez-Zor province also while foraging for truffles, according to state-run news agency SANA.
Air strikes and artillery exchanges rocked the Sudanese capital Saturday as paramilitaries and the regular army traded attacks on each other's bases, days after the army warned the country was at a "dangerous" turning point.

23:59 Sudan doctors say 26 people have been killed and 103 wounded in day of fighting.

23:20 UN Secretary-General spoke to Lt. General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and to RSF Leader Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, calling for an immediate stop to the violence and a return to dialogue. He also spoke to Egypt President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki on how to de-escalate the situation, the UN Spokesperson announced.

23:00 Egypt and Saudi Arabia have jointly called for an emergency meeting of permanent representatives at the Arab League to discuss the ongoing crisis in Sudan on Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced Saturday evening.

22:50 Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Saturday evening on Sudanese sides to prioritise the language of dialogue and national consensus, and to uphold the supreme interests of the brotherly Sudanese people.

22:45 Sudans Doctors Syndicate told Reuters 25 people were killed, and 183 other injured since the start of the clashes earlier today.

22:00 The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has urged for an end to the ongoing hostilities in Sudan and has condemned the outbreak of violence. The UN has released a statement calling upon all parties involved in the crisis to "immediately cease hostilities, restore calm, and initiate a dialogue."

21:15 Fierce clashes between the Armed forces and the RSF resumed in the evening around the headquarters of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces in the capital Khartoum.

Meanwhile, a senior RSF commander, speaking outside the headquarters of the general command headquarters in the evening, claimed in statements to Sky News Arabia that his soldiers have entered into the building.

The same commander also claimed that the RSF now controls 90 percent of military areas in the country.

20:15 The Saudi TV network Al-Arabiya reported a situation of calm and waiting in the north of the country after clashes between the Armed Forces and paramilitaries earlier in the day.

Traffic returned on the streets of Omdurman on the opposite side of the Nile from Khartoum on Saturday evening, according to Al-Arabiya.

20:00 In a three-way conference call today, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the tense situation in Sudan, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday evening.

The three top diplomats stressed the importance of ending military escalation and the return to the framework agreement in a way that guarantees the safety and stability of Sudan and its people, SPA reported.

19:15 The Egyptian Armed Forces has urged on Saturday evening for "the safeguarding of the safety and security of Egyptian troops who were in Sudan to conduct joint training with their Sudanese counterparts."

19:00 The Chairman of the African Union Commission has issued a plea to the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to immediately cease the destruction of the country and the intimidation of its citizens. The African Union is calling for an end to the violence and for both sides to come to the negotiating table.

The Chairman has also called on the international community to pressure the parties to stop the fighting and engage in dialogue. The African Union is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sudan and the impact the conflict is having on the civilian population.

18:40 Power outage in the capital Khartoum as sounds of heavy gunfire being exchanged are heard, Al-Arabiya reports.

18:00 RSF announce closure of roads leading toward South Khartoum while photos of paramilitaries seizing control of West Darfur airport are reported to be circulated.

17:40 The Egyptian embassy in Khartoum has urged expatriates in Sudan to exercise maximum caution by staying away from the areas of ongoing fighting and refrain from unnecessary movements until the situation stabilises.

17:10 Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was ousted in 2021, warned of a possible regional conflict if the fighting escalates. He urged the leaders of the military and the RSF to immediately cease hostilities. Shooting must stop immediately, he said in a video message posted on his Twitter account.

  .   pic.twitter.com/7aeESeaa9s  Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) April 15, 2023

16:50 A Sudanese doctors group said at least three people were killed and dozens more injured during the clashes.

16:30 Sudan's paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo vowed Saturday that his fighters will keep on fighting until "all army bases are captured."

"We will not stop fighting until we capture all the army bases and the honourable members of the armed forces join us," Daglo told Al Jazeera.

Fighting has raged since early Saturday between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces led by Daglo.

16:05 The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced that they have taken control of the airbase in Jabal Awliya, a region located southwest of the capital city of Khartoum. The airbase is significant as it is home to Sudan's Air Force Academy and has been used as a strategic location for military operations in the past.

16:00 Russia's foreign ministry on Saturday called for "urgent steps" to end violent clashes in Sudan between the army and paramilitary groups that left at least three civilians dead.

"The dramatic events taking place in Sudan are causing serious concern in Moscow. We call on the parties of the conflict to show political will and restraint and take urgent steps towards a ceasefire," the ministry said in a statement.

15:30 Violent clashes in Sudan between the army and paramilitary groups must end "immediately," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday.

The top US diplomat said he was "deeply concerned" about the reports of fighting. He said US embassy staff in the capital Khartoum are all "currently accounted for."

"We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations or troop mobilizations and continue talks to resolve outstanding issues," he tweeted from Hanoi, Vietnam, where he is passing through on his way to a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting in Japan.

Deeply concerned about reports of escalating violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. We are in touch with the Embassy team in Khartoum - all are currently accounted for. We urge all actors to stop the violence immediately and avoid further escalations  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 15, 2023

15:25 The Sudanese Armed Forces reported that they still control all bases and airports in the country, denying that the Rapid Support Forces have taken control of Merowe Airport in the north, describing the claim as "psychological warfare."

15:20 The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced that they have taken control of the Radio and Television building in Khartoum.

15:15 Head of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan confirmed on Saturday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had initiated the current fighting in the country's capital city, Khartoum, and other states. Al-Burhan stated that the RSF sought to take control of army bases, assassinate individuals and occupy vital areas.

Speaking to Saudi pan-Arab news channel Al Arabiya/Al Hadath, Al-Burhan emphasised that the armed forces are capable of defeating the rebels.

"The army has sufficient forces and the will to defeat the rebels," Al-Burhan said.

The armed forces have no choice but to confront the RSF's ambitions for power, he said, adding that the military is conducting their operations with patience to prevent human losses.





14: 55 The Sudanese army says that the Rapid Support Forces are heavily deployed at the television headquarters.

14: 50 The Sudanese army confirmed that it has "complete control" over the General Command headquarters of the armed forces.

14: 45 Three Sudanese civilians were killed Saturday as fighting raged between the regular army and paramilitaries in Khartoum and other cities, the doctors' union said.

In a statement on Facebook, the medics said "two people were killed in Khartoum airport" and another person was killed in El Obeid, in North Kordofan state, south of the capital

It added that at least nine other people were wounded in the clashes, including an army officer in Khartoum's sister city of Omdurman.





14:30 Flydubai and Air Arabia have announced the suspension of their flights to Sudan following the recent unrest in the country caused by clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

A spokesperson for Flydubai stated that the airline has cancelled its flights between Dubai and Khartoum from April 15 to April 17 due to the current situation in Sudan. The airline will continue to closely monitor the situation and apologize for any inconvenience caused to passengers as a result of the travel schedule changes.

Meanwhile, Air Arabia has announced the cancellation of all its flights to Sudan until further notice.





14:20 Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul-Gheit, has expressed worry and shock at the ongoing military operations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and other areas.

Abul-Gheit condemned the fighting, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Abul-Gheit emphasised that the warring factions have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of Sudanese civilians in conflict zones and throughout the country. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to de-escalate the situation. Abul-Gheit also said that the Arab League's Secretariat is prepared to intervene with the parties to achieve this objective.

The secretary-general's statement follows international organisations and governments around the world expressing concern over the situation in Sudan and calling for an end to the violence.

14:00 The UN envoy in Sudan calls for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the people.

13:45 Sudanese Armed Forces battle rebels in Khartoum, press statement says.

The General Command of the Armed Forces issued a press statement on Saturday, saying that government forces are currently battling rebel groups in the capital, Khartoum.

According to the statement, the rebel forces are conspiring against the state and national sovereignty, and have been engaging in acts of aggression against Sudan. In response, the armed forces have been fighting for the "right and national dignity" of the country, with soldiers shedding "precious blood" in the process.

The statement also suggests that the conflict is centered around strategic locations in Khartoum, including the presidential palace, the General Command, and the headquarters of the president of the Sovereignty Council. The rebel forces are said to be deploying their forces from bases scattered throughout the capital in attempts to control these sites.

"Our forces are currently confronting the enemy, and their nefarious efforts will fail and be shattered by the determination, will and courage of your sons in the armed forces," the statement reads.

The press statement did not provide further details about the nature of the conflict or the identities of the rebel groups involved. It did, however, express condolences to the families of "righteous martyrs" who had already died in the fighting, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The situation in Khartoum remains tense, with reports of gunfire and explosions being heard throughout the city.

The government has not yet issued any further statements or updates regarding the conflict.

13:25 Commercial aircraft trying to land at Khartoum International Airport began turning around to head back to their originating airport. Flights from Saudi Arabia turned back after nearly landing at the airport, flight tracking data showed Saturday.

13:00 The US ambassador in Sudan says the scalation of tensions within the military component to direct fighting is extremely dangerous. I urgently call on senior military leaders to stop the fighting. he added.

WHAT HAPPENED

Sustained firing broke out in the Sudanese capital Saturday amid simmering tensions between the military and the country's powerful paramilitary forces.

The sounds of heavy firing could be heard in a number of areas, including central Khartoum and the neighbourhood of Bahri.

In a series of statements, the Rapid Support Forces militia accused the army of attacking its forces at one of its bases in south Khartoum and claimed they had seized the city's airport and completely controlled Khartoums Republican Palace, the seat of the countrys presidency. The group also said it seized an airport and airbase in the northern city of Marawi, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) northwest of Khartoum. The Associated Press was unable to verify those claims.

In a separate statement Saturday, the Sudanese Army said the fighting broke out after RSF troops tried to attack its forces in the southern part of the capital. In a later statement, the military declared the RSF a rebel force, describing the paramilitarys statements as lies.





The clashes came as tensions between the military and the RSF have escalated in recent months, forcing a delay in the signing of an internationally backed deal with political parties to revive the countrys democratic transition.

Commercial aircraft trying to land at Khartoum International Airport began turning around to head back to their originating airport. Flights from Saudi Arabia turned back after nearly landing at Khartoum International Airport, flight tracking data showed Saturday.

Tensions between the army and the paramilitary stem from a disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, should be integrated into the military and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudans unsigned transition agreement.





However, the army-RSF rivalry dates back to the rule of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019. Under the former president, the paramilitary force grew out of former militias known as the janjaweed that carried out a brutal crackdown in Sudans Darfur region during the decades of conflict there.

In a rare televised speech Thursday, a top army general warned of potential clashes with paramilitary forces, accusing it of deploying forces in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan without the armys consent. The RSF defended the presence of its forces in an earlier statement.





The RSF recently deployed troops near the northern Sudanese town of Merowe. Also, videos circulating on social media Thursday show what appear to be RSF-armed vehicles being transported into Khartoum, farther to the south.

The U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, wrote online that he was currently sheltering in place with the Embassy team, as Sudanese throughout Khartoum and elsewhere are doing.

Escalation of tensions within the military component to direct fighting is extremely dangerous, Godfrey wrote. I urgently call on senior military leaders to stop the fighting.

In Saturday's statement, the RSF said it was contacted by three former rebel leaders who hold government positions in an apparent bid to de-escalate the conflict.

Sudan has been married in turmoil since October 2021 Western-backed, power-sharing administration and dashed Sudanese aspirations for democratic rule after three decades of autocracy and repression under Islamist ruler Omar al-Bashir.



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JERUSALEM (AP)  Iran's exiled crown prince is scheduled to come to Israel this week on a visit that reflects the warm ties his father once had with Israel and the current state of hostility between Israel and the Islamic Republic.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah to rule Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said Sunday that he will be delivering a message of friendship from the Iranian people.

He is set to participate in Israel's annual Holocaust memorial ceremony on Monday night, said Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, who will host him. He is also set to visit a desalination plant, see the Western Wall and meet representatives of the local Bahai community and Israeli Jews of Iranian descent, she said.

Gamliel praised the brave decision by Pahlavi to make what she said would be his first visit to Israel. The crown prince symbolizes a leadership different from that of the ayatollah regime, and leads values of peace and tolerance, in contrast to the extremists who rule Iran, she said.

Pahlavi left Iran at age 17 for military flight school in the U.S., just before his cancer-stricken father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi abandoned the throne for exile. The revolution followed, with the creation of the Islamic Republic, the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the sweeping away of the last vestiges of the American-backed monarchy.

Pahlavi, who still resides in the U.S., has called for a peaceful revolution that would replace clerical rule with a parliamentary monarchy, enshrine human rights and modernize its state-run economy.

Whether he can galvanize support for a return to power is unknown. His father ruled lavishly and repressively and benefitted from a CIA-supported coup in 1953. The late shah also had close diplomatic and military ties with Israel.

That ended in 1979, when the Iranian revolutions leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, declared Israel an enemy of Islam and cut all ties. Today, the countries are arch-enemies. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing the country's calls for Israel's destruction, its support of hostile militant groups on Israel's borders and its nuclear program. Iran denies accusations by Israel and its western allies that it is pursuing a nuclear bomb.

I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people. The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations, Pahlavi said on Twitter.
Harmful.

The word describes the organized movement thats sprung up in opposition to the legislative efforts of the pro-homes advocacy organizations that work to address Connecticuts housing crisis.

This negative opposition force, reflecting an anti-growth mindset, is founded upon being against  anti  state housing initiatives, but presents itself in pro language. It self-defines as pro-homes, which means promotion of single-family homeownership and protection of local zoning from state interference and mandates. To preserve community character and keep taxes down these anti-advocates seek to minimize density of development, constrain population growth, limit infrastructure capacity, and avoid increased student population.

Considering Connecticuts housing needs, this myopic anti-advocacy that emanates from the states wealthiest Fairfield County towns does us a disservice.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, theres a shortage of 89,013 rental units affordable to extremely low-income renters in Connecticut, with other estimates that between 86,000 and 135,000 new housing units are required to meet the need. This housing shortage drives up housing costs with dire consequences for families and individuals of low and moderate income. More than half of Connecticut renters are cost burdened, which means more than 30 percent of their income is spent keeping a roof over their heads. Data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition indicates that 68 percent of extremely low-income households in Connecticut are severely cost burdened.

Cost burdened families, especially lower income households, live with the ever-present possibility of eviction and homelessness. They also live with food anxiety and must constantly make difficult spending choices that often preclude adequate health care. Moreover, the over-priced housing thats available to them is often dilapidated and unsafe, with serious code violations.

Many speakers at the state legislatures Feb. 28 Housing Committee public hearing spoke to bills that addressed the human consequences of this housing insecurity, the increase in evictions and homelessness, tenants rights, and stronger measures to correct code violations. Given this backdrop of testimony, it was disconcerting to hear the arguments of the anti-advocates coming from places of wealth.

Maria Weingarten of New Canaan, a leading anti-advocate, spoke against HB 6633, which proposes a housing needs assessment and municipal fair share plans to increase affordable housing supply. The subtext of her message is that towns have no fair share responsibility.

Despite anti-advocacy, the bill was voted out of committee.

Anti-advocacy elitism was highlighted during the March 15 Planning and Development public hearing where anti-advocates were out in force, their sights set on HB 6890, the Work, Live, Ride legislative proposal that encourages concentrated development around train stations and bus lines. Unlike the fair share bill, HB 6890 has no mandates, only incentives to opt-in as a transit-oriented community.

When asked during the hearing why she advocated so passionately, Weingarten, an anti-advocate, invoked single-family homeownership as the American dream, and voiced concern about attempts to change the look and feel of our 169 towns.

She neglected to say that 90.6 percent of Connecticuts land is zoned for single-family housing, while only 2 percent of the land allows for as of right housing of four or more units.

Former state legislator Kimberly Fiorello, who represented parts of Greenwich and Stamford, expressed similar concerns about destruction of our charming New England towns and stressed the role of single-family homeownership in building lives.

These statements were jarring given that average single-family homes in Greenwich and New Canaan sell for multi-millions of dollars and will always be unattainable for most people. Many who spoke in favor of HB 6890 felt single-family home ownership was out of their reach anywhere in Connecticut. Many young speakers dreamed of an affordable rental that would allow them to stay in Connecticut.

Despite the anti-advocacy, HB 6890 was voted out of committee.

Connecticuts exodus of young people and lack of diverse types of housing affordable at a variety of income levels harms the states economy, as does the anti-growth mindset reflected in the anti-advocacy arguments, something the legislatures Democratic leadership realizes.

Several housing bills, voted out of committee, await floor action. Hopefully, when the legislative sausage making is done, new housing legislation will take Connecticut beyond the harmful status quo advocated by anti-advocates in wealthy communities where property values rise with housing scarcity.
Ahead of a tantalizing Warriors-Kings Game 1 matchup Saturday night, ESPNs Michael Wilbon brought a curious name into the mix: disgraced former Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson.

On an interminable ABC pregame show  the game tipped off about half an hour after scheduled  Wilbon praised Johnson for his role in keeping the Kings in Sacramento.

Its true that Johnson, who was the mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016, made using public funds to keep the Kings in the city a major plank of his administration. But he is in no way a praiseworthy public figure. Several women have said that Johnson sexually assaulted them as teenagers. In 2015, Deadspin published a video of a then-16-year-old being interviewed by police and giving a detailed account of sexual abuse by Johnson. (The alleged abuse occurred in Phoenix in 1995, when Johnson was an All-Star guard with the Suns. The woman, Mandi Koba, has been steadfast about her account. In 2016, two more women said Johnson sexually abused them when they were 18-year-old students at his charter school.

The flood of reports eventually forced ESPN to bury its 30 for 30 documentary on Johnson and the efforts to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

None of that stopped Wilbon from effusively praising Johnson on national television Saturday.

Theres no big game in Sacramento tonight, theres no game in Sacramento, without the efforts of Kevin Johnson, Wilbon said. (Stephen A. Smith got in on the act too, chiming in with a No question,  who by the way, I just saw.) He saved that franchise for that city. They would have been in Seattle. They were gone. I texted him that earlier today: Theres no game in Sacramento tonight without his efforts, going back to when he was mayor. There appear to be no constraints on the pleasure that Wilbon gets out of name-dropping.

Only Jalen Rose had the good sense to realize that perhaps a panel discussion on the glorious achievements of Johnson was not a great idea. He abruptly pivoted the conversation to how young players might handle their first major playoff game.
The Nation's Weather for Monday, April 17, 2023

_____

NATIONAL SUMMARY

As this weekend's storm system pushes into the Northeast, a

sharp cooldown is expected in the region tomorrow, along

with periods of rain. In the Midwest, accumulating snow is

expected across much of Wisconsin and northern Michigan,

some of which can accumulate over 6 inches. Across the rest

of Michigan, as well as along the Interstate 80 corridor in

the Midwest, rain may change to snow for a time, though

accumulation is unlikely. In the Pacific Northwest, steady

rain will move onshore from Northern California northward,

with a bit of snow in the Cascades, as a new storm system

approaches. In the Southwest states and Rockies, dry

conditions are expected. Tranquil weather will also

extend to the Plains and Southeast, aside from perhaps a

shower or thunderstorm in South Florida.

SPECIAL WEATHER

No new information for this time period.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

No new information for this time period.

DAILY EXTREMES

National High Sunday 95 at Plant City, FL

National Low Sunday 1 at Gould, CO

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX

659 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN TRINITY...

NORTHWESTERN SAN JACINTO...SOUTHWESTERN POLK AND EAST CENTRAL WALKER

COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 700 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However hail is

still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for

Walker and San Jacinto Counties.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

Southeastern Hardin County in southeastern Texas...

Northwestern Orange County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 659 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bevil Oaks,

or 7 miles northwest of Beaumont, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Beaumont, Lumberton, Bevil Oaks, Pine Forest and Lakeview.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 856 and

847.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON...

SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN...NORTHWESTERN ORANGE AND SOUTH CENTRAL JASPER

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However small

hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this

thunderstorm. Please refer to the new severe thunderstorm warning.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTY...

At 659 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near La Grange to Muldoon, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near...

Schulenburg around 735 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include Floy,

Swiss Alp, Freyburg, Plum, Dubina, Ammannsville, High Hill, Engle and

O'Quinn.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern San Jacinto County in southeastern Texas...

Northern Liberty County in southeastern Texas...

Southwestern Polk County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 703 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Coldspring,

or 12 miles southwest of Livingston, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Shepherd, Coldspring, Goodrich, Lake Livingston State Park,

southern West Livingston and Romayor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors

immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember,

if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by

lightning.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern San Jacinto County in southeastern Texas...

Central Liberty County in southeastern Texas...

Southern Polk County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 801 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles north of

Hardin, or 11 miles southwest of Thicket, moving southeast at 15

mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Northeastern Liberty, Ames, Hardin, Kenefick, Dayton Lakes,

Tarkington Prairie, Moss Hill, Romayor and Rye.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT

FOR NORTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTY...

At 802 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ebenezer,

moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Jasper, Harrisburg and Sam Rayburn Dam.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Southeastern Hardin County in southeastern Texas...

North Central Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

Northwestern Orange County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 215 AM CDT Sunday.

* At 804 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or

expected to begin shortly over southern Hardin County, northern

Jefferson County, and northwest Orange County. 2 to 4 inches of

rain has already fallen in this area, with an additional 2 inches

possible.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Beaumont, Lumberton, Sour Lake, Bevil Oaks, Rose City and Lakeview.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX

812 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN SAN JACINTO...NORTH CENTRAL LIBERTY AND SOUTH

CENTRAL POLK COUNTIES...

At 812 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Shepherd, or 12

miles north of Cleveland, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Shepherd and Goodrich.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN ATASCOSA COUNTY...

At 813 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Christine,

moving southeast at 20 mph.

This severe storm will be near...

Christine around 820 PM CDT.

Campbellton around 845 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include

Coughran, McCoy and Peggy.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Polk

County through 845 PM CDT...

At 814 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, or 7 miles east of Livingston, moving

east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Alabama-Coushatta Reservation and Segno.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

LAT...LON 3049 9463 3049 9468 3062 9493 3079 9485

3074 9459 3062 9457

TIME...MOT...LOC 0114Z 291DEG 14KT 3068 9481

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central Newton County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 815 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Newton, and

is nearly stationary.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Newton, Stringtown and Jamestown.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Hardin

At 816 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong

thunderstorms near Saratoga, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

Sour Lake, Saratoga, Thicket and Batson.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3043 9471 3044 9453 3030 9439 3011 9441

3011 9459 3023 9464

TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 309DEG 17KT 3033 9458

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX

941 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern

Chambers, south central Liberty and east central Harris Counties

through 1015 PM CDT...

At 941 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Crosby, or over Barrett, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...

Baytown, Highlands, Channelview, Barrett, Crosby, Mont Belvieu, Old

River-Winfree, Cove, Sheldon and San Jacinto State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

LAT...LON 2981 9516 2998 9505 2989 9476 2967 9494

TIME...MOT...LOC 0241Z 301DEG 14KT 2989 9506

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

SABINE SAN AUGUSTINE

...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...

* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE...Angelina River Near Lufkin.

* WHEN...Until further notice.

* IMPACTS...At 162.0 feet, Minor lowland to diminish and end on the

lower Angelina River.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 9:15 PM CDT Saturday the stage was 162.4 feet.

- Recent Activity...The maximum stage in the 24 hours ending at

9:15 PM CDT Saturday was 162.4 feet.

- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 162.4

feet just after midnight tonight.

- Flood stage is 161.0 feet.

- Flood History...No available flood history.

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Lake Charles LA

637 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT

FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON...SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN...NORTHWESTERN

ORANGE AND SOUTH CENTRAL JASPER COUNTIES...

At 637 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Bevil Oaks, or

near Lumberton, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Beaumont, Lumberton, Silsbee, Sour Lake, Bevil Oaks, Rose City, Pine

Forest, Lakeview and Weiss Bluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Nueces,

central Jim Wells and northwestern Kleberg Counties through 715 PM

CDT...

At 639 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Bishop, or near Driscoll, moving south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Kingsville, Driscoll, Bishop and Kingsville Naval Air Station.

This includes US Highway 77 between mile markers 676 and 694.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 2772 9797 2774 9773 2746 9771 2747 9801

TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 002DEG 9KT 2764 9786

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

North central Montgomery County in southeastern Texas...

Southwestern San Jacinto County in southeastern Texas...

Southeastern Walker County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 640 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over New Waverly,

or 8 miles north of Willis, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Cut And Shoot, New Waverly and Evergreen.

The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a

Southwestern Fayette County in south central Texas...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 640 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southeast

of Smithville, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Muldoon around 700 PM CDT.

Schulenburg around 730 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Floy,

Swiss Alp, Freyburg, Plum, Dubina, Ammannsville, High Hill, Engle,

O'Quinn and West Point.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson speaks with members of the news media after meeting with Mayor Lori Lightfoot at City Hall on April 6, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In her April 10 column, Brandon Johnson will join other Black mayors as GOP targets, Laura Washington seeks to front-run expected criticism of Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, identifying conservatives and Republicans.

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The Chicago Republican Party has stressed the pursuit of both prosperity and better education as long-term remedies for our many civic ills. Johnson has proposed thus far a progressive program including implementation of his vision of social justice. Without a vibrant economy, however, his ideological goals will never occur while the pursuit of them will drive this city further into the terrible maelstrom of decline by misrule that is currently our fate. As other cities under progressive policies such as San Francisco; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle can now sadly attest, such policies far more likely to result in social disintegration, not an urban utopia. Prosperity and education remain the better goals.

Republicans in Chicago will not make Johnson a whipping boy as Washington predicts in her racially charged column. But legitimate, reasoned and constructive criticism of policies of a government, along with the offering of alternative policies for consideration, is a natural right of any human being. If Johnson pursues the course he has so far charted, he can expect criticism and even protests from many groups that disagree in seeking a better life for all the citizens of Chicago, one of whom will be the Republicans who live here.

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 Steve Boulton, chairman, Chicago Republican Party

Letters on Trump, Johnson

Letter writer John R. Madera Sr. is correct about holding Donald Trump accountable (Hold Trump accountable, April 13). Trump took an oath and spat on it and more than 200 years of tradition, of a peaceful transfer of power. Trump encouraged his armed followers to go to the Capitol, putting the Capitol Police, lawmakers and staff in imminent danger. He spoke no objection when a gallows was erected for Mike Pence, and neither has he expressed any remorse for those injured or killed on Jan. 6. I will finally be happy when the order of arrest is given for the crime of high treason.

Kelly Kleiman (Retiming Chicagos municipal elections, April 13) is also correct. Stop making Brandon Johnson a progressive media darling. Had more Chicagoans voted, the outcome may have been quite different. Johnson has yet to prove anything, and some of his tax ideas are shortsighted and misguided. Let him take office and prove his worth. For now, Im not particularly optimistic at his becoming mayor.

 Judy Arkes, Chicago

Slowing down climate change

News articles in the April 6 edition (Managing the Mississippi and Drinking only whats carried home) highlight how climate change contributes to conditions that cause loss of life and property, human suffering and economic costs from coping with a changing environment.

Regions in the South and Midwest have been battered by a string of tornadoes this spring, which have killed more than 60 people. While the role of climate change in tornadoes may not be fully understood, scientists report that the tornado season appears to be lengthening and, in the future, tornadoes are more likely to occur in more populated areas.

Drought conditions last year caused the water level in the Mississippi River to drop, which resulted in a slowdown in shipping traffic that affected supply chains and cost the national economy $20 billion.

Another story reports on the misery suffered by residents in Indias coastal areas where rising sea levels have made the ground water too salty to drink or use for bathing. It is good news that India, the worlds third highest emitter of carbon dioxide, is working to transition to clean energy. However, this will take time. Meanwhile, the country is already bracing for another year of extreme heat waves.

Advertisement

While fossil fuel companies keep putting harmful emissions into the planets atmosphere, people around the world will continue to suffer the effects of air pollution, extreme weather events, lack of clean water and supply shortages caused by climate change. We urgently need policy solutions to reduce carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future that benefits people across the U.S. and the globe.

An important tool in the fight against climate change is a policy that puts a price on carbon. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called carbon pricing the most powerful and efficient strategy to reduce emissions. A carbon fee, combined with a dividend to American households, is a way to make corporate polluters pay for the damage they cause to the environment and give people a cushion against higher energy costs.

Concerned Americans should urge their representatives to support a price on carbon.

 Sheila Brown, Evanston

Fund war but not SNAP?

The U.S. House is seeking ways to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to people in need. House members find no trouble appropriating billions of dollars for war, but, for example, they state that reimplementing the enhanced child tax credit is a no-go, Out of money.

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SNAP is one of the strongest tools our nation has to combat hunger. Our elected leaders should be strengthening SNAP benefits and protecting the program against attacks, not doing the opposite. Our families are counting on our members of Congress to protect SNAP!

SNAP provides economic benefits for our country: Every SNAP dollar generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity.

Readers should contact their members of Congress about increasing SNAP benefits and also expanding who can receive the benefits. War is not the only thing to finance. Feed all in need. Also, implement the child tax credit in enhanced form.

 Janice Gintzler, Crestwood

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Ahram Online talks to experts on reasons that led to outbreak of fighting in Sudan between the Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and what to expect.

Tensions between the two sides simmered after the RSF deployed its forces to the key city of of Marawi in the north of the country on Wednesday.

Marawi is home to a civilian airport, a military air base and one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the country.

The city of a quarter million is also a tourist centre as it is the capital of the ancient Nubian civilization with its famous temples and pyramids.

The Armed Forces described the RSF move as "illegal" and deployed its own forces in Marawi.

Amid statements and counter statements from the two warring sides, military deployments spread to the city of El-Obeid, which is the capital of Western Sudan, and to El-Fasher in the far west of the country, which the largest city in the Darfur region.

The two sides also deployed forces also in the White Nile region, which is the centre of sugar and rice production, as well as in the capital of Khartoum.

The situation in Khartoum will determine the outcome of the conflict, according to former Sudanese General Amin Majzoub.

In the capital, clashes took place around the headquarters of the General Command of the Armed Forces and around the Presidential Palace.

There were also clashes around the historic Radio and Television complex in Omdurman which led to the interruption of transmission for several hours.

Fighting was also reported around the residencies of the two opposed military commanders  the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan and the commander of the RSF Mohamed Hassan Hamedti" Dagalo.

The two sides currently claim control over the situation.

On the one hand, the RSF Rapid Support Forces claimed control of the airbase and civilian airport in Marawi; the military hospital and the civilian airport in El-Fasher; and Khartoum Airport and the headquarters of the Armed Forces in the centre of the capital.

On the other hand, the Armed Forces announced in a statement that it still controls "all their bases and airfields," describing the RSF's control claims as "psychological warfare."

"The army in Sudan has more capabilities than the RSF. It has military bases and military schools," says Amin Majzoub.

"The RSF are an "alien force" to the capital," Majzoub added.

He continues, "the RSF began to be present in Khartoum in the last years of Al-Bashir's era. However, the size of RSF forces in the capital was much small compared to the the dominating presence of the Armed Forces army in the city."

The RSF are mainly composed of elements from the Janjaweed militia accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region.

Khaled Mahmoud, a researcher specialising in Sudanese issues, says, "Marawi and Atbara in northern Sudan are important for controlling all goods, weapons and fuel coming from the countrys main port of Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

"It seems that Hemedti fears that supplies from abroad will reach the army, which would resolve the battle," says Mahmoud.

"France and Russia could help the Sudanese army because they fear the rapid support of forces hostile to the two countries in the African Sahel and Libya," according to Mahmoud.

On the other hand, Arab countries are concerned about the deepening of the conflict in Sudan and that is why no Arab country will provide support to any side.

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WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Tyler County in southeastern Texas...

Northeastern Jasper County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 815 PM CDT.

* At 728 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ebenezer,

moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Jasper, Ebenezer, Harrisburg and Sam Rayburn Dam.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Northwestern Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

Southeastern Hardin County in southeastern Texas...

West central Orange County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 728 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bevil Oaks,

or 7 miles northwest of Beaumont, and is nearly stationary.

Beaumont, Lumberton, Sour Lake, Bevil Oaks, Pine Forest and

Lakeview.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 856 and

849.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

Northwestern Colorado County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 728 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Fayetteville to near Flatonia, moving south at

25 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

Weimar.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON...

SOUTHEASTERN HARDIN AND NORTHWESTERN ORANGE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT

730 PM CDT...

A new severe thunderstorm warning has been issued. Please refer to

the new warning.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT

FOR NORTHERN NEWTON COUNTY...

At 730 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Newton, moving

east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Newton, Stringtown and Jamestown.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a

Northeastern DeWitt County in south central Texas...

Northeastern Gonzales County in south central Texas...

Southeastern Fayette County in south central Texas...

Lavaca County in south central Texas...

* At 730 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Fayetteville to near Flatonia to near Gonzales,

moving southeast at 20 mph.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...

Moulton around 740 PM CDT.

Hallettsville around 815 PM CDT.

Hochheim around 820 PM CDT.

Yoakum and Ezzell around 830 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include

Komensky, Worthing, Swiss Alp, Henkhaus, Edgar, Dubina, Terryville,

Engle, Dilworth and Ammannsville.

Southeastern San Jacinto County in southeastern Texas...

North central Liberty County in southeastern Texas...

Southern Polk County in southeastern Texas...

* At 730 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles west of

Votaw, or 12 miles west of Thicket, moving east at 25 mph.

Romayor and Rye.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Vernon Parish in west central Louisiana...

Northeastern Newton County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 842 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles north of

Mayflower, or 10 miles west of Toledo Bend Dam, moving east at 30

mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Leesville, Anacoco, Toledo Bend Dam and Hornbeck.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

This storm is producing large hail. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy

structure and stay away from windows!

If on or near Toldo Bend Lake, get away from the water and move

indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to

15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you

are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter

now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN ATASCOSA COUNTY...

At 842 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Campbellton,

moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

southeastern Atascosa County.

The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi has issued a

Northwestern Live Oak County in south central Texas...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 843 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Campbellton,

moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

Esseville and Whitsett.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 37 between mile markers 71 and 83.

US Highway 281 near mile marker 618.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

WATCH 141 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TEXAS THIS CANCELS 2 COUNTIES

IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

FAYETTE GONZALES

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF GONZALES AND LA GRANGE.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 141 REMAINS VALID UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT

TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES

DEWITT KARNES LAVACA

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF CUERO, HALLETTSVILLE,

AND KARNES CITY.

The National Weather Service has cancelled Severe Thunderstorm

Watch 141 for the following areas

In Texas this cancels 6 counties

In southeast Texas

Grimes Houston Madison

Trinity Walker Washington

This includes the cities of Brenham, Crockett, Groveton,

Huntsville, Madisonville, Navasota, and Trinity.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 141 remains valid until midnight CDT

tonight for the following areas

In Texas this watch includes 15 counties

In south central Texas

Jackson

Austin Brazoria Chambers

Colorado Fort Bend Galveston

Harris Liberty Matagorda

Montgomery Polk San Jacinto

Waller Wharton

This includes the cities of Alvin, Anahuac, Angleton, Bay City,

Bellville, Brookshire, Cleveland, Clute, Coldspring, Columbus,

Conroe, Corrigan, Dayton, Dickinson, Eagle Lake, Edna, El Campo,

First Colony, Freeport, Friendswood, Galveston, Ganado,

Hempstead, Houston, Lake Jackson, League City, Liberty,

Livingston, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Mont Belvieu,

Old River-Winfree, Palacios, Pearland, Pecan Grove, Prairie View,

Rosenberg, Sealy, Shepherd, Stowell, Sugar Land, Texas City,

The Woodlands, Waller, Weimar, Wharton, and Winnie.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Lake Charles LA

922 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Jefferson

County through 945 PM CDT...

At 922 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

La Belle, or near Hamshire, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Port Arthur, Hamshire, China, Fannett, La Belle, Winnie and Sea Rim

State Park.

This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 841 and

832.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

southeastern Texas.

LAT...LON 2989 9436 2989 9444 2998 9444 3005 9433

2968 9391 2967 9405 2956 9435

TIME...MOT...LOC 0222Z 312DEG 14KT 2984 9421

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 141 REMAINS VALID UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT

TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN LOUISIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 PARISHES

IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

BEAUREGARD CALCASIEU CAMERON

IN WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA

VERNON

IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES

IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS

HARDIN JASPER JEFFERSON

NEWTON ORANGE TYLER

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BEAUMONT, BLEAKWOOD, BRIDGE CITY,

BUNA, BUNDICK LAKE, BURKEVILLE, CALL, DE RIDDER, FARRSVILLE,

FIELDS, FORT POLK, FRED, GIST, HACKBERRY, HILLISTER,

HOLLY SPRINGS, IVANHOE, JAMESTOWN, JASPER, JOHNSON BAYOU,

KIRBYVILLE, LAKE CHARLES, LEESVILLE, LUMBERTON, MAGNOLIA SPRINGS,

MT. UNION, NEWTON, ORANGE, ORETTA, PICKERING, SABINE PASS,

SEA RIM STATE PARK, SILSBEE, SLAGLE, SPURGER, SULPHUR,

TOWN BLUFF, VIDOR, WARREN, WIERGATE, AND WOODVILLE.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ARANSAS AUSTIN BEE

BRAZORIA CALHOUN CHAMBERS

COLORADO DEWITT FORT BEND

GALVESTON GOLIAD HARDIN

HARRIS JACKSON JASPER

JEFFERSON KARNES LAVACA

LIBERTY MATAGORDA MONTGOMERY

NEWTON ORANGE POLK

REFUGIO SAN JACINTO TYLER

VICTORIA WALLER WHARTON

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central

Victoria and northeastern Goliad Counties through 1000 PM CDT...

At 924 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm east

of Meyersville, or 12 miles south of Cuero, moving southeast at 25

mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

Victoria, Victoria Riverside Park, Schroeder, Saxet Lakes, Ander,

Mission Valley, Weser and Downtown Victoria.

This includes the following highways...

US Highway 183 between mile markers 628 and 630.

US Highway 77 between mile markers 580 and 584.

US Highway 87 near mile marker 812.

south Texas.

LAT...LON 2879 9699 2869 9736 2892 9739 2891 9738

2889 9735 2890 9734 2888 9733 2887 9732

2888 9731 2887 9731 2887 9730 2897 9716

TIME...MOT...LOC 0224Z 323DEG 23KT 2892 9726

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana...

Central Sabine County in eastern Texas...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 743 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Milam, or 25

miles northwest of Toledo Bend Dam, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Milam, Hemphill, Florien, Fisher, Negreet, Mount Carmel and

Columbus.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2023 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, April 15, 2023

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Shreveport LA

832 PM CDT Sat Apr 15 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern

Angelina County through 900 PM CDT...

At 831 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7

miles north of Rockland, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Zavalla and Dolan.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for

eastern Texas.

LAT...LON 3107 9453 3122 9442 3110 9414 3103 9447

TIME...MOT...LOC 0131Z 302DEG 15KT 3111 9441

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Lavaca

County through 930 PM CDT...

At 834 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Ezzell, or 13 miles east of Yoakum, moving southeast at 25 mph.

Hallettsville, Speaks, Ezzell, Koerth and Hope.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for

south central Texas.

LAT...LON 2906 9694 2907 9695 2926 9712 2927 9712

2941 9694 2927 9665

TIME...MOT...LOC 0134Z 320DEG 24KT 2924 9694

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL NEWTON COUNTY WILL

EXPIRE AT 845 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However heavy rain

is still possible with this thunderstorm.

southeastern Texas.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Liberty

County through 900 PM CDT...

At 835 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Kenefick, or near Dayton, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

Liberty, Dayton, Ames, Daisetta, Hardin, Kenefick, Devers, Dayton

Lakes and Moss Hill.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement

agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service

office in League City.

LAT...LON 2989 9475 3019 9507 3032 9481 3023 9464

3011 9460 3011 9447

TIME...MOT...LOC 0135Z 291DEG 15KT 3011 9489

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

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WESTPORT  Arogya Holistic Healing has brought Chinese medicine to the Westport community since 1997.

And its founder Wei Bertram has known former Westport resident Martha Stewart for just about as long.

"She's got an incredible energy," Bertram said about Stewart.

In the early 2000s, Bertram starred in an episode of "Martha Stewart Living." Now, more than 20 years later, she's in an episode of Stewart's "Martha Cooks," called "Martha Throws a Tea Party" on Roku, which released alongside Season Two on April 3.

Starting off the episode, Stewart calls Arogya her "favorite tea shop," which Bertram now co-owns with her husband, Gregor.

Bertram explained that she grew up in Shanghai, China, saying tea and good health is part of their culture, which she brought to Westport.

She said Stewart became a regular at the business and a friend when she lived in Westport.

Before Stewart opened the now closed Martha Stewart Cafe in New York in 2015, she and Bertram came together to carefully select a few teas from Arogya to be featured at her eatery.

Now, Stewart owns The Bedford in Las Vegas, in which Bertram's shop still supplies tea.

Bertram said in December 2022, members of Stewart's team contacted her to be in an episode. She said she already had a relationship with Stewart's team, as many of them still live in Westport.

Stewart's niece, Sophie Slater, also used to work for Arogya and is featured cooking with Stewart in the episode, too, where they used Argoya teas in their recipes.

They filmed in January, which Bertram said took multiple hours.

Stewart has her own breakfast tea with Arogya called "Martha's Blend," which is available at the store and online. Other teas like matcha and chai from the episode are available, too.

Bertram said it is part of Chinese tradition to not waste anything. She said she will often use tea in her recipes, like matcha in chicken soup.

"It not only enhances the flavor, but has health benefits  all different kinds of superfoods," Bertram said.

Bertram said traditional, Chinese ways of cooking have become trendy, like cooking with ginseng and mushroom powder.

In preparation for the episode, Bertram said they went through rounds of choosing which teas to feature and teach the viewer how to prepare.

White tea, which is in the episode, Bertram said, is one many don't know about, though it is rich in antioxidants and good for skin.

Other than drinking tea for enjoyment, Bertram said there are many benefits to it, including helping with energy and hydration.

She said with the stress people have, it is important to "just slow down, have a sip of tea and take a deep breath."

Bertram also said preparing tea is "a mini ceremony, adding to your everyday life."

Arogya promotes healthy lifestyles, particularly with preventative wellness, which is what Chinese holistic medicine is about, Bertram said.

She said often, people will take medication when they do not feel well or do quick fixes, rather than taking preventative measures.

Bertram suggests adding "one habit to replace another," like tea.

The episode from this year and the early 2000s are similar, Bertram said, as they both focus on tea.

"It's so great to have more people learning about what we do," she said.
Banks were the standout gainers on the index after solid first-quarter results from JPMorgan and Citigroup, with Standard Chartered, Barclays and HSBC all up.

Standard Chartered was also boosted after Jefferies lifted its price target on the buy rated stock to 1,000p from 950p, as it said the share price pullback since March "seems harsh in context of favourable operating trends".

It noted that the shares are broadly flat year-to-date, having fallen 22% from the 52-week high reached on 6 March, taking the stock back to the levels which prevailed before news that First Abu Dhabi (FAB) acknowledged a possible offer for the bank. Jefferies said the pullback offers an opportunity for either scaling existing positions or new money.

Notably, it forecasts that StanCharts return on tangible equity can improve by 400 basis points to 11% in 2024 as revenue grows and said it expects the company will generate positive operating leverage and extend share buybacks by a further $3bn.

Insurers were on the back foot, with Admiral, Hiscox and Beazley all lower.

Elsewhere, National Grid fell after it said in an update that its performance for the financial year just ended was in line with expectations, and that the government's introduction of 'full expensing' tax relief for capital expenditure from 1 April 2023, to 31 March 2026 was expected to impact underlying earnings in the 2024 to 2026 fiscal periods.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The State University of New York (SUNY) is dropping its SAT and ACT requirements for college admissions.

The SUNY board of trustees unanimously dropped the standardized testing exam requirement for applications to undergraduate programs at its 64 schools throughout the state. SUNY temporarily suspended the requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for admissions from 2020 through 2023.

The measure is now extended indefinitely, according to a memorandum released last week.

It is recommended that the current authorization for campuses to suspend the undergraduate admissions requirement to submit SAT and ACT scores be continued prospectively, with flexibility maintained for campuses (students may still submit standardized test scores if available), said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. in a memorandum. Maintaining a test-optional policy is consistent with national trends at peer institutions.

The chancellor pointed to research that found colleges in New York and across the country are largely maintaining their test-optional policies and/or implementing them permanently. Additionally, fewer high school students are taking the SAT exam. During the period that SAT and ACTs were optional at SUNY, the retention rate gap between test takers and non-test takers has stayed the same or even shrunk, said King, Jr.

Students applying for a SUNY school can decide whether to include scores for admission consideration at each college to which they apply. SUNY can consider scores along with other materials in an application file, though SUNY colleges can holistically evaluate your application without considering them.

In some instances, test scores may still be required. Admission to select programs, consideration for some merit scholarships, and NCAA eligibility for Division I student-athletes may require test scores, according to SUNY.

Each SUNY campus will continue its longstanding commitment to a holistic review of student applications that includes grades, program of study, academic achievements, non-academic achievements, and other activities that allow for the evaluation of the potential success of a candidate for admission, stated King, Jr. in the memorandum.

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EDITORS NOTE

This story is part of an ongoing journalistic initiative to rally the community and the country around a critical, but endangered, historical site: Sandy Ground, the nations oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendants of its pioneers. Launched during Black History Month, the work will shine a spotlight on the sites rich past and urgent needs as its historians seek to pass the torch of preservation to a new generation.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nestled amid public schools and rows of homes built at the turn of the 21st century in Rossville, there are remnants of the nations oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement. Keyonna Ford, who has lived on Staten Island for two decades, was stunned to hear about Sandy Ground  a community with nearly 200 years of history  only recently.

Ford began learning about Sandy Ground in 2019 when her mother and Julie Moody Lewis, president of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, who are old friends, reconnected.

While the conversation between myself and Ms. Julie was brief at the time, it had genuinely taken me aback to learn that the oldest [continuously] inhabited free Black settlement at a national scale, and its library and museum, was right here on Staten Island, Ford told the Advance/SILive.com. The more that was shared with me, the more I wondered why it had taken so long to hear about this?

Ford, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology and has researched other historic settlements in New York City, found herself especially interested in Sandy Ground.

My intrigue was thoroughly piqued [about Sandy Ground] as I spent the last semesters of my college education cataloguing information on the Seneca Village Project [the 2011 excavation itself, as well as landowning and rental documentation of the settlements residents] and reading up on ethnographic case studies of Environmental Racism in marginalized Black communities in the modern age, so it felt something like a coming together of my studies and interests at the time, Ford recalled.

Upon exploring the Sandy Ground area, Ford felt a connection and was reminded of other historic Black sites.

- Various quilts, art, and photographs of Sandy Ground on display at the Richmond County Courthouse on Feb. 21, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance/Luke Pete

There really is a particular sort of atmosphere that surrounds Sandy Ground as a whole. I dont know how to fully describe it, but its a similar energy to when I visited the African Burial Ground and its Visitor Center in Lower Manhattan. The differences between the two are obvious as Sandy Ground is still an inhabited settlement, but they both fall into that category of prolific locations African-American legacy that [are] not only here in our very backyards, but have gone mostly unmentioned if you dont have the know-how on them, she said.

Passionate about preserving Sandy Grounds history and driving more awareness of it, Ford volunteered with its historical society and is now a member of their board.

I personally just want to do my part in allowing others of all ages to learn about Sandy Ground, and not have to go years without knowing of its continued existence, she said.

Ford emphasized the need for awareness, particularly at a local level.

I can only imagine what little awareness people living on the North Shore have of Sandy Ground if theyve never had any reason to go over to that side of the Island, and thats only at the borough-centric level. It goes without saying that parts of New York City tend to view Staten Island as this obscure, faraway place to reach despite only being a ferry ride away... So the preservation of Sandy Grounds history would be key in further expanding the reach within the community as a whole. Its local history, its Staten Island history, and therefore it should be offered the acknowledgement seen with similar institutions and areas on the Island that we are all far more familiar with by name and general understanding, she said.

Julie Moody Lewis points to the spot where Capt. John Jackson ran the Blazing Star Ferry in the 1800s -- believed to be one of the vehicles that transported people on the Staten Island link of the Underground Railroad. (Frank Johns/Staten Island Advance)Staff-Shot

Again, I personally didnt hear about Sandy Ground until 2019 and this has been a shared sentiment among those I have spoken with about it, Ford added. Why was it that I knew more about Snug Harbor and Historic Richmondtown, but not Sandy Ground?

As the newest and youngest board member, Ford, 28, is bringing a fresh perspective and tech savvy skills to the Sandy Ground Historical Societys ongoing effort of preserving and promoting the communitys history. She is currently working on revitalizing the societys social media accounts.

In terms of her vision for driving awareness about Sandy Ground, Ford said:

More than anything, I hope that there comes a time when the name, Sandy Ground, is a familiar one among the general population of Staten Island and New York City. The commissioning of the ferry boat, as well as the inclusion of Sandy Ground in the curriculum as announced by the NYC [Department] of Education are those first steps in the right direction. Its really all about keeping Sandy Ground in mind and acknowledging not only that it existed, but still exists and continues to do so through the set mission of gathering, preserving and teaching. Those are the methods by which I hope Sandy Grounds stories can continue to be shared and its very exciting to think about the growth that could come from this. Its all about those baby steps.

Members of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, Advance Editor Tracey Porpora and the board of the South Shore Rotary Club pose for a picture at their weekly meeting at the Old Bermuda Inn in Huguenot on Thursday, March 23, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon

REBUILDING SANDY GROUND

The Sandy Ground Historical Society is in the process of a full revitalization of its board, museum and reach.

Since the Advance/SILive.com launched its initiative shining a spotlight on Sandy Ground, there has been an outpouring of support for the society as they rebuild. However, there is a long way to go.

The Sandy Ground Historical Society Museum is currently in disrepair  riddled with mold and water damage and in need of a new roof and plumbing.

Over the last several years and through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Moody Lewis took a five-year leave of absence from the board, and during that time, the organizations 501(c)(3) non-profit status lapsed. Without their non-profit status, the organization is without funding.

The board is also looking for a new executive director to lead in this process. The current executive director, Sylvia Moody DAlessandro, who is in her mid-80s, will be stepping down.

If you are interested in getting involved with the rebuilding of Sandy Ground, email sandygroundhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

MORE ON SANDY GROUND:

Who will step up in fight to save our nations oldest free Black settlement?

Were losing an American treasure, right here on Staten Island | From the editor

The soul of Sandy Ground: Rossville AME Zion Church has been the hub of the historic community for almost 2 centuries

My hope is to help it get back on track: Sandy Ground descendant joins fight to save endangered historic site

Ravages of time, development, and great fire of 63 have left Sandy Ground hanging by a thread | Then & Now

Of course: Firm with historic ties to Sandy Ground will fix its plumbing issues

Rebuilding Sandy Ground: A summer reunion sparked the drive to revitalize

Sandy Ground: Images show current state of endangered NYC historical treasure

Teaching about Sandy Ground: NYC schools will integrate historic site into Black studies curriculum

While Sandy Ground museum remains in disrepair, quilts, art from the oldest free Black settlement are now on display

The Great Fire of 1963 was disastrous for Sandy Ground; the ensuing blows continued the devastation

Sandy Ground descendant recalls gatherings with great food, a lot of laughs and a million hugs

Rotary club pledges its support to help historic Staten Island community in need

Siblings warmly recall Sandy Grounds 1950s golden age  the historic communitys heyday

It will always be my home; Former Sandy Ground resident recalls growing up in the historic community.

Having never heard of Sandy Ground, she is now fighting to preserve the historic communitys rich history

FOLLOW GIAVANNI ALVES ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Saturday on Sudanese sides to prioritise the language of dialogue and national consensus, and to uphold the supreme interests of the brotherly Sudanese people.

This came during a phone call between President El-Sisi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss recent developments in Sudan, according to a statement released by the spokesman of the Egyptian Presidency Ahmed Fahmy, on Saturday evening.

During the call, El-Sisi stressed to Guterres that Egypt is deeply concerned over the ongoing clashes in Sudan, warning of their dangerous repercussions on stability in the country.

Sudan is passing through a critical historical moment, which necessitates the exercise of the utmost degree of wisdom and restraint, El-Sisi told the UN secretary-general.

For his part, Guterres stressed his keenness on communicating with the Egyptian president in light of the pivotal role of Egypt in safeguarding security and stability in the region, especially in supporting the transitional phase in Sudan.

The UN secretary-general said he calls on all Sudanese sides to cease all hostilities in order to restore calm and start dialogue to resolve the current crisis.

Guterres warned that the escalation in fighting would have catastrophic consequences on and civilians and exasperate an already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, according to Fahmy.

Earlier in the day, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement calling on all sides in Sudan to exercise maximum restraint and to put an end to the armed conflict to preserve the lives of the Sudanese people and their resources.

Since the early hours of Saturday morning, fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have raged in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country with reports of tens killed or injured.

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Ridgway, 53, used his position at the Brisbane office of Shaw and Partners as a middleman in a global investment scheme to lure unsophisticated investors to buy shares in unlisted companies with the expectation that they would soon be listed and deliver a windfall. Years later, the companies havent been listed.

I dont want to think of myself as a crook but some of my actions in recent times have been terribly unlawful. Im ashamed and sorry, he tells an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes.

When his two lives collided in February last year, triggered by his sacking from the prestigious Sydney-based finance house Shaw and Partners, he packed a bag, jumped in his black Porsche with Ridgy number plates, and left his family high and dry. No explanation, just a pile of unpaid bills, shattered trust and broken hearts.

And there was the other Ridgway, who was secretive, duplicitous, unethical and ruthless. That Ridgway forged signatures, lied effortlessly, cheated and conned.

For years, Kris Ridgway lived a double life. There was the charismatic, fast-talking financial adviser whose family loved him, clients trusted and friends envied.

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has been investigating Ridgway, and the scheme, for more than a year but has done little, despite evidence of unethical conduct and breaches of the law.

It is part of a year-long media investigation into a global investment scheme - supposedly backed by billions of dollars in assets - that is still in play and has embroiled potentially thousands of investors from Australia, the United States, Britain, New Zealand, China and the Middle East.

Ridgways confession  a bid for redemption  is gobsmacking. Ive decided to speak out now because I believe its the right thing to do, he says. I need to be honest and open with everybody about whats happened.

I have no self-respect or no self-worth, he says. I struggle to look at myself in the mirror.

The investments are based in opaque tax havens, making it virtually impossible to trace the relationship between the different entities and, ultimately, the underlying assets.

Ridgway isnt the only financial adviser selling the dodgy products. This investigation uncovered a number of other Australian financial advisers still practising but who used their trusted positions to convince clients to buy the same dubious investments.

Ridgway exploited his position as a senior financial adviser at Shaw and Partners to deceive investors into believing the shares were endorsed and backed by Shaw, which made them easier to sell. But he sold them off the books, circumventing compliance systems, and pocketed a hefty secret commission, which is illegal.

David Sutton is a director of companies that are yet to be listed.

Investors are now trying to pick up the pieces of trust broken, savings lost, marriages destroyed and retirement plans ruined.

As the corporate regulators investigations drag on, investors are losing patience after putting their money into products that they cannot sell and which have not been demonstrated to have any real value.

It has also been investigating one of the schemes key associates, Australian David Sutton, who sits on at least one of the investment company boards. Sutton has been on ASICs radar for years.

The only people some shareholders have contact with are their adviser and two others, Sutton and British-based Andrew Turner. They claim not to work directly for the parent entities, which include the Marshall Islands-based Trinus Impact Capital, the British Virgin Islands-based Steppes Alternative Asset Management and ASAF Critical Metals.

Company documents and shareholder updates are signed by an entity and not an individual, with no details provided of company directors or the leadership.

Behind the glossy brochures and dense financial spreadsheets these companies  which are supposed to be backed by billions of dollars in assets  have no evidence of a central office; the investments are minority holdings in private companies domiciled in tax shelters; and the accounts are unaudited.

Years later, the companies still have not been listed. The excuses are many, and frequent company name changes, restructurings and share transfers between entities add confusion to an already complex structure.

Investors were told that the shares in asset-management companies were about to be listed on exchanges such as Australia, the Cayman Islands, Frankfurt, London and Luxembourg, and by getting in early, theyd make a fortune.

Turner says he has worked with Sutton on different projects since 2014.

Now, Ridgway concurs. It looks 100 per cent a sham, he says, stressing that when he started selling the products, he did not hold that belief.

Its a global organisation that theyve set up in order to mislead investors, Helberg says. Not only investors, but the external auditors as well.

Six months later he became concerned about the existence, value and ownership of the assets. When he asked Turner and Sutton for certain details, he says he was stonewalled. He left, still owed $250,000 in unpaid salary.

Someone who worked on the inside is Stephen Helberg, a trained auditor of 40 years who had held senior roles at corporate giants including Rio Tinto, Orica, and Ernst & Young. He joined one of the entities in 2016 after being targeted by Sutton and Turner.

Sutton is a director of the unlisted Australian-registered company ALT Financial Group, which is part of Steppes, and under his McFaddens Securities business promotes the scheme and does the administration, while Turner is a consultant to them all, answering questions and sending the financials.

I was not a founder of any of the companies mentioned, and the only renumeration (sic) that I have received for services provided from any of the companies mentioned was in shares of the companies, he writes in an email.

As far as I am aware [shares] were all sold to sophisticated investors who were fully aware of the risks involved in purchasing shares at a deep discount to net asset value. Unfortunately, due to COVID and the subsequent financial markets turmoil of the past 18 months the market for IPOs has dried up with London recording its worst market for IPOs for 14 years.

The investors should be fully aware that any public offering is subject to market conditions.

Investors, Turner says, can sell their shares on a secondary placing market.

Sutton says: My legal advice is not to speak to the media.

David Sutton near his home in Sydney.

When the penny dropped

Ridgway says he became concerned in 2020 when the shares had still not been listed, despite plans for that to occur years earlier. He figured he had too much to lose by speaking up. At that point, youre kind of in too deep  you hang out for the next bit of information because youre almost like an alcoholic or a drug addict, you know? he says. You just got to get that next bit of information and put the story together and then its all going to be fine. You stick your head in the sand and eventually it doesnt work any more.

He was paid 17 per cent in secret commissions via one of Suttons companies, pocketing at least $1.6 million, which he used to fund an extravagant lifestyle that included overseas family holidays, private school fees and suits befitting a senior adviser at a top-tier wealth management company.

I figured, Well bugger it, Im going to do something for myself, and it was a wrong decision to make, Ridgway says of the commissions.

Every time he signed an annual declaration form at Shaw and Partners, he lied about the kickbacks he was taking.

He brought clients to the Shaw and Partners office, where he would also host one of the schemes masterminds. It was there Ridgway and Turner met clients such as Darren Walker, who blew hundreds of thousands of dollars on the products.

The victims unite

Darren Walker met Andrew Turner in Ridgways offices. Credit:Paul Harris

I met Andrew Turner in the Shaws offices in Brisbane, twice, Walker says.

And sometimes Id go there to see Kris and I could hear him talking about Steppes [one of the products] out the back with other clients who were doing hundreds of thousands of dollars in terms of transfers.

Clients were beguiled by Ridgways charm and perfect life, and he encouraged them to dream big. Promised their investments would deliver many times their original value and had the backing of Shaw and Partners, they fell for it.

For Leith Reynolds, the betrayal still stings.

Leith Reynolds felt betrayed by a friend. Credit:Paul Harris

Betrayal of a friendship, she begins. Obviously the loss of hope is a close second there  For me, it was a lot of money. But the betrayal is very difficult to process.

Instead of enjoying retirement, Reynolds has to work as a courier to help pay the bills.

Her friendship with Ridgway dates back more than 30 years. Ridgway was a friend of her late husband Mark, who gave the future adviser an entry into the finance world. He reappeared when Mark was on life support after a brain aneurysm. Ridgway was a pall-bearer at the funeral.

Kris Ridgway, right, was a pall-bearer at Mark Reynolds funeral.

Now, Reynolds thinks the friendship was motivated by greed. Its horrible to think he was grooming me from then, she says. But he wouldve been aware that I would have some sort of insurance payout, Im sure.

It wasnt like wed met at a hotel somewhere over a beer, and hed said, Hey, Ive got a good deal here. No, I was in the office of a huge national company, a respected company. He was a senior adviser  If you cant trust a senior adviser in a national company to help you with your finances, who can you? And clearly, I needed help.

It was 2016 and Reynolds says he emphasised, again and again, what I want for you, Leith, is to have your own house again, your own apartment, your own space.

She invested the last $20,000 from her late husbands life insurance payout in shares that were about to be listed on an overseas exchange. If she got in early, she would make a fortune.

Days later, Ridgway asked for more.

He rang me and he said: Are you sure you havent got any more money? This is just such a good deal, she recalls. He told me hed invested his whole inheritance in it and he convinced me to transfer about $20,000 out of my super fund as well. Being a stay-at-home mum, I wasnt exactly flush with money.

Like everyone else, Reynolds was strung along with the line that the shares were about to be listed, which would enable her to cash in at a huge premium.

She accepted the delays  and there were many  in the belief her investment was safe and was growing.

Wed get the reports of what the shares were now worth, she says. Which is what kept us all there, probably, kept us all quiet.

At its peak, her wealth was said to be $1.5 million.

Jason Hermann blew the whistle to Shaw and Partners when Ridgway did not sell his shares. Credit:Paul Harris

Jason Hermann, a father of two young children, lost his home, along with savings of more than $200,000, and is riddled with debt thanks to Ridgway.

Weve still got half-a-million dollars of bad debt that Im servicing, Hermann says. Were going backwards, thousands of dollars a month. The emotion, the stress, ripped our family apart.

Like Reynolds, Hermann believed the spin. I have a statement of advice from Shaws from that period that suggested the shares were north of $2 million, he says.

He bought a house on the back of the shares and Ridgways promises that if they had not been listed when settlement was due, he would organise a bridging loan from Shaw and Partners. It didnt list, he says. Well, here we are now in 2023. It still hasnt listed.

And Ridgway couldnt organise a loan through Shaws so went onto the grey market and found one for 12 per cent interest for six months. He did not tell Hermann he was paid a commission for organising the loan.

Struggling to repay the loan, Hermann sold the house and is still in debt. We had to cut it loose, he says.

Ridgway was sacked in February 2022 when Shaw and Partners learnt he had been pushing clients into products including Steppes, ALT Financial Group, Trinus and ASAF Capital, which it had not authorised nor recommended, in breach of company compliance.

The revelations blindsided his colleagues, who had worked with him for almost a decade.

Shaw and Partners immediately reported him to ASIC in 2022.

ASIC did take action against Ridgway, banning him for life as an adviser after he failed to disclose the commission payments. But it came more than a year after the Herald and The Age first exposed his misconduct, announcing it after a 60 Minutes promotion for this story aired.

ASIC says: This matter is complex and multi-jurisdictional, involving companies and conduct across multiple countries. Our investigation into David Sutton, as well as companies associated with Sutton and Ridgway, continues.

Almost two years ago, ASIC received a report by accounting giant PwC, which was appointed by the Supreme Court of Victoria as a special-purpose liquidator to find the assets. PwC had spent a year trying to track down the assets of one of the companies in the empire, Aus Streaming Limited, but could not locate them.

It found a deliberate opaqueness in the structure, management and business activities of what appears to be a large group of interconnected organisations registered in a number of jurisdictions spanning the globe.

It expressed significant reservations as to the value attributed to Aus Streamings Investments in the Investment Companies and found no evidence to substantiate the underlying business and/or assets. The report went on to say the valuations do not appear to be based on any independently verifiable information and therefore appear to be pure speculation.

The report says: Andrew Turner was central to all aspects of the companys business and we consider Mr Turner is likely a director and potential claims may exist against the directors (including Mr Turner).

A lifestyle lost in an instant

Kerrilyn Ridgway, whose husband Kris walked out when his family questioned him on his sacking from Shaw and Partners. Credit:Paul Harris

Ridgways sacking brought an end to more than his wheeling and dealing in the business world. It exposed a deeper betrayal. His wife Kerrilyn says she had no idea he was living a double life.

There was obviously two distinct sides to him, she says.

Kerrilyn found out he was sacked three days after the fact.

Hed been acting weird all morning and I kind of felt like something was off, Kerrilyn says. And then the text came up on my phone and I recognised the name as the CEO of his company [Earl Evans, from Shaw and Partners] and we were just blown away, completely blindsided.

We were all shaking and crying and my eldest daughter was very upset and she said, What have you done? What have you done? He just said, Oh, they dont understand my business model. I just remember him just turning and walking out, and that was it.

Left without any money for seven months, the rest of the family sold furniture, clothes and lived on food vouchers from her daughters school. We just did what we could to survive in the early months, Kerrilyn recalls. And in about September, he started helping out with money but it wasnt reaching the table because theres just so many debts. Theres massive interest repayments on credit cards and car loan repayments, and things that Ive tried to pay in the time that he was gone. We just really struggled.

Shaw and Partners paid the rent to help the family.

The betrayal was far worse than the family ever imagined. Ridgway had embroiled his wife in his web of lies for years.

When she trawled through old emails, she found one that mortified her. Dated September 2013, about the time Ridgway had been suspended from trading at his then workplace Bell Potter, it pleaded with Bell Potter for money to help pay for treatment for her breast cancer. Yet she never had breast cancer and she didnt write the email.

Kris and Kerrilyn Ridgway on their wedding day.

I have recently been diagnosed with a large tumour in my chest and require urgent medical tests, the email says. Last months suspension and non-retainer payment have left us in a position of extreme financial hardship  I need the pay issues sorted out as a matter of urgency so that I can have the required medical tests and surgery.

Days later, Ridgway reiterated the plea in an email of his own.

But Ridgway now confirms he hijacked his wifes email and made up the cancer. I made some really stupid decisions, he says. But, you know, Id been under a bit of stress to make sure that my family was, you know, fed and watered.

He made other poor decisions. Kerrilyn says as she pored through their accounts after he left in 2022, she found forged signatures on financial statements, going back years.

There were hundreds of signatures that werent mine, Kerrilyn says. There had been 15 years of him signing things and using my name for things that I was completely unaware of. I couldnt understand why because this is my husband. I trusted him. I thought we lived a pretty open and honest life, and I dont understand why he felt the need to do that.

Ridgway confirms he forged her signature, knowing it was illegal. The sad thing is that if Id put those documents in front of Kerrilyn, she wouldve signed them, but I was too up myself and arrogant and lazy to be bothered to take documents home and get them signed and send them back. So I just did it, he says.

In December 2020, after Ridgway became suspicious of the investments, he sold thousands of shares to a Shaw client at $1.15 each. The shares were in his wifes name but he transferred them to a company called Vindication Nominees and signatures in her name appear on the document. They are not my signature, Kerrilyn says.

Ridgway agrees. She owned the shares and I sold them without her knowledge. I just told her I was selling some shares. I didnt tell her that they were coming from our investment company or her name or whatever. I made the decision to sell them out of her name from a tax point of view, but I didnt discuss it with her. I just went and did it, he says.

He also put her on company boards without her knowledge or consent.

The companies that I set up were legitimate investment companies. I just couldnt be bothered going home and explaining it to her and telling her to sign it. So I just did it, and its wrong, he says.

One of the companies in which he installed her as a director was KKR Holdings, which appears on a loan agreement with Ridgy Enterprises, and includes her signature, which was not hers. Another is a deed of assignment of debt and release, which includes her signature and her mothers signature as a witness. Ridgway confirms he forged them both.

Earlier this year, Ridgway sent Kerrilyn a series of text messages asking her to lie if the regulator queried her on the forged signatures.

In one text, he tells her: You dont have to lie you just gotta say I dont know and be vague and confuse them. You are a smart girl.

In another text, sent on February 22 this year, Ridgway tells her: Just remember I have looked after you and protected the kids all my life. Now I need your help to protect me from my evil boss and the shit he has stirred up.

Ridgway says he asked her because he was afraid.

Fear of the regulator finding out who I really was, and its come back to bite me 10 times, he says. I never should have put my wife in that position. Shes a good, honest, loving, trusting person and Ive let her down because of this situation Ive created. And I need to be honest and open and say I should never have put her in that position at all.

Shortly after the scandal became public, ASIC spent three hours interviewing Ridgway but took nine months to send him a transcript of the interview to review.

Since the interview with ASIC on April 14, 2022, Ridgway has transferred at least 10 parcels of the same unauthorised investment products he was secretly selling to clients during his eight-year stint at Shaw and Partners.

In a statement, Shaw and Partners say: Without our knowledge or approval, Mr Ridgway introduced parties to investments that now appear to be fraudulent. He deliberately circumvented all internal processes, systems and procedures to deceive us and his clients. This was all done outside of Shaw and he worked with external parties to facilitate his disgraceful activities.

It is our hope that the regulators and other authorities use the full force of their powers and quickly to hold those ultimately responsible to account and bring this all to an end with justice being served.

Ridgway on holidays in Rome.

Ridgway says hes truly sorry for what hes done. But most of all he is sorry for himself.

In a follow-up interview with this investigation on March 26 this year  three weeks after the initial interview  he wants to make it clear he is no longer living, as he puts it, the life of Riley.

Everybodys pointing the finger at me, he says. But I want everyone to know that Ive been gypped as much as anybody else. Im the biggest victim here because Ive lost absolutely everything  Ive got to start from scratch at 53 again in a new industry with no family, no friends, no support, no ability to go back to what Ive done for the last 25 years, so Ive lost a lot.

Unlike his 90 or so clients, who were told by Shaw and Partners in March they will receive a share of an estimated $10 million in remediation, Ridgway wants it known he isnt eligible.

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Most of all, hes worried about the consequences of his action. I may end up being charged with fraud and I may end up going to jail over this, he says.

Im terrified. Im terrified  Ive tried to raise money for charity. Ive tried to be a good person, a supportive person in my life. And through my own stupid actions and greed and arrogance, the last two or three years, I may end up being the exact opposite of what Ive tried to do in my life and have criminal charges and go to jail. Im horrified and Im ashamed. And I brought shame to my family and my friends and my employer. And Im sorry.

- with Latika Bourke

Tomorrow: Inside the global scheme and how it all came undone.
Australias media companies will stay on controversial social media app TikTok to attract the younger audiences they need, despite federal and state governments holding such significant security fears about the app that they banned employees from using it at work.

Some of the countrys most well-known publications and broadcasters have spent the past two years cultivating millions of young followers who engage with news stories through videos on the Chinese-owned app.

Social media app TikTok is causing concern in many Western democracies because of its Chinese ownership. Credit: Michaela Pollock

Paul Whittaker, chief executive of News Corps cable TV broadcaster Sky News, last week announced plans to stop using TikTok amid national security fears, but other media organisations say they have no immediate intentions to restrict professional use of the application or use of the service on company devices. TikTok Australias general manager of operations, Lee Hunter, is urging media companies not to be influenced by far-fetched hypotheticals.

Nine Entertainment, which owns broadcasting, streaming and publishing assets including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, said there was currently no policy to limit TikToks use. These mastheads run professional accounts on the platform, such as @thesydneymorningherald, which has 96,200 followers and 5.5 million likes and @theageaustralia, with 63,200 followers and 2.4 million likes. An account for Nines popular television show Married at First Sight (@mafs) has 242,700 followers and 3.6 million likes.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When thousands of long-haul aircraft across the globe were grounded at the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, airlines were faced with the question of where to store them. At 73 metres long, 24 metres high and with a take-off weight of up to 560 tonnes, the Airbus A380 is the largest and heaviest passenger aircraft in the world and responsible for a significant chunk of international flying. Aircraft of this size require lots of space and arid conditions, making the worlds deserts the opportune (and arguably the only) place to keep them. Qantas was criticised for slipping standards after flights resumed following the end of COVID-19 restrictions. Aircraft boneyards have stored retired and damaged planes since the end of the Second World War and are vital to keeping the industry afloat, but the COVID-19 pandemic was the first time the worlds deserts were tested by so many simultaneously. This month, the last Qantas Airbus A380 embarked on its long voyage home after close to 1000 days in Victorville boneyard within Californias Mojave Desert. Qantas was Australias only long-haul carrier during the pandemic and although its planes may be close to back in action, the airline does not expect its international flying to return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2024. Loading This is partly because of the complexity of returning an aircraft of such magnitude to service. Reviving an A380 requires 4500 hours of manpower, where its 22 wheels, 16 brakes and internal furnishings are replaced. Tasks including replacing all oxygen cylinders, fire extinguishers and inflatable slides have derailed the process for some airlines by months, due to the ongoing global supply shortage of crucial parts.

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For Qantas engineers, reviving an A380 meant two months of work per aircraft in the sweltering Mojave Desert. Some lucky engineers were tasked with whacking the wheels of each plane to rid them of rattlesnakes or other unsuspecting foes. The airlines executive manager of engineering, Scott McConnell, said 100 of his engineers found themselves working through extreme weather  ranging from snow and icy cold storms to unforgiving heat. The only constant was the dust that enveloped everything. A Qantas A380 in one of Victorvilles storage hangars. The entire aircraft is wrapped to protect it from moisture, dust and insects. Every opening, panel and crack is taped up  and thats just the outside. Theres plastic covering everything from the carpets to the seats inside. And theres desiccant everywhere. Picture unwrapping a new shoe, except bigger, McConnell said. Loading Before the aircraft can be inspected, it needs to be unwrapped, a process that takes considerable time. The plane isnt even on the rack yet. Then theres a whole series of tests we need to perform from things like fluids to the actual nitrogen and oxygen systems. We store the fuel in the wings to eliminate the water and condensation that would accrue otherwise, McConnell said.

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Qantas chief Alan Joyce didnt mince words about the gruelling nature of this task last October when quizzed about why the airline was taking so long to return to pre-pandemic capacity. They jack the aircraft up in the middle of the desert where all of its gear is tested, meaning aircrafts engines are running around in the desert for months to make sure that its functioning. All that work is just to get out of the desert to Los Angeles or to another maintenance facility, Joyce said. The planes then went through about 1000 additional hours of maintenance testing before returning to service. When global lockdowns eased, cash-strapped airlines were faced with millions of people whod been deprived of travel for the better part of two years and werent prepared to tolerate further delays. Instead, travellers were met with industry-wide staff shortages, confused border control, COVID testing and vaccination requirements, high airfares and supply chain shortages that prevented aircraft from returning to service. Planes in Californias Mojave Desert. Credit:Getty Images Some airlines weathered this storm better than others. Qantas was heavily criticised in 2022 for slipping standards as it failed to juggle the demands of premium-paying customers. Much of the anger was directed at Joyce, who responded with public apologies and promises of improved performance on behalf of the carrier he has led for the past 15 years. Qantas stored 12 of its A380s in Victorville. There are now seven servicing the airlines London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong routes, with another three expected to return next year following the completion of an extensive maintenance check and cabin reconfiguration process. The remaining two jumbos were left in Victorville to be broken up into parts.

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Returning existing aircraft to service is not the end of Qantas fleet challenges. Although magnificent, Qantas fleet of A380s are ageing and the airline is yet to announce a plan to replace them. The carriers management have been heavily criticised by some current and former executives, as well as broader industry experts, for downgrading the importance of average fleet age, a metric used by airlines to help determine when to invest in new aircraft. The carriers average fleet age now sits at its oldest ever  15.4 years. Qantas will receive about 80 aircraft over the next four years to replace some of its domestic and international fleet. So far, its signed for a dozen A350-1000s. These are expected to service the long-awaited Project Sunrise routes, which will involve direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York. Loading Despite a higher average fleet age than many of its long-haul competitors, Qantas expects to spend $US5 billion ($7.4 billion) over the next four years on fleet investment. UBS research analysts recently downgraded Qantas stock, estimating the carrier would need to invest $12 billion over this period in order to replace expired aircraft and meet its deliveries, as first reported by The Australian. A380s are not very fuel efficient. This is a hurdle for carriers such as Qantas or Emirates that choose to continue to rely on them while striving to meet their emissions-reduction goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. This is part of the reason Qantas has invested heavily in kick-starting Australias sustainable aviation fuel industry.

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Welcome to Quick Q  Monday Medias weekly series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the media landscape.

Each week, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age ask figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer questions about their lives, careers, hobbies and news habits.

This weeks conversation is with comedian, podcaster and television presenter, Wil Anderson.

Wil Anderson is currently touring his new show Wiluminate around the country. Credit: Edwina Pickles

How did you get your big break?

Good News Week.
Winter is coming, which means itll soon be time for the Vinnies CEO sleepout, or the one night of the year when Australias people of wealth and influence cosplay as homeless. For charity, of course.

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Leading the way for the June event is Premier Chris Minns, a man who could probably just end homelessness in Sydney without going through the charade of sleeping in a tent at White Bay.

It isnt Minns first rodeo, but it is for former premier Gladys Berejiklian. The Optus executive  whos rarely seen in public these days pending the much-delayed outcome of an ICAC investigation  is set to make her sleepout debut. No doubt, the influence of her partner Angry Arthur Moses helped  its sleepout number eight for the prominent Sydney silk.

The line-up of 280 NSW-based sleepers features more random dudes in middle management than actual CEOs, but a few names caught our eye.
Next month, Anthony Albanese welcomes the President of the United States Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida for the first leaders-level meeting of the Quad hosted by Australia.

He will also attend the G7 meeting in Hiroshima to which Australia has been invited  along with fellow ad hoc members India and South Korea. Albanese has also been invited to the critical NATO summit on Ukraine in July; it would be a serious mistake not to attend.

Those international engagements, together with last months announcement on the AUKUS acquisition program and the coming release of the Defence Strategic Review, all focus attention on the challenging strategic position which Australia now faces as the democracies come to terms with the belligerence of the worlds two great authoritarian states, Russia and China.

Some Western politicians and commentators refer to the current strategic situation as a new Cold War. Yet the comparison is too glib, and in many important ways inaccurate.
A man has been charged after he allegedly assaulted another man in Sydneys west on Saturday night.

Police were called to Queen Street in Auburn at about 11pm after reports a 38-year-old man had been assaulted by two men.

He was treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before he was taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition, a NSW Police spokesperson said.

A crime scene was established, and investigations commenced into circumstances surrounding the incident.
Credit: iStock The US's attractions for solo travellers are similar to those of Ireland. Of course, you have the approachability of an English-speaking country, if that's a language you're familiar with. You also have an instantly recognisable country, given the frequency with which we see the US depicted on our TV and movie screens. And then there's the incredible friendliness of Americans, particularly towards Australians. Yes, this is a troubled country in some ways, and there are no shortage of bad news stories coming out of the States  however, on the ground, you are more than likely to be bowled over by the kindness of strangers. Thailand Credit: iStock

If your idea of a good time on your solo travels is meeting plenty of like-minded souls in social environments, then Thailand is the place for you. This is a backpacker-friendly country with plenty of hideaways, both coastal and rural, in which to kick back for a week or so and meet fellow travellers from around the world. Were talking the legendary likes of Koh Pha-Ngan, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and even Kanchanaburi. Solo travellers will unfortunately have a few would-be scammers to fend off in touristy areas of Bangkok and Phuket, but mostly this country is safe and welcoming. Uruguay Credit: iStock Uruguay is the little country that could, particularly for solo travellers who want to experience South America in an environment that feels safe and predictable. Uruguay ticks all the boxes, with a high degree of stability, not to mention attractions both on the coast and out in the pampas, as well as a cracking food scene.

The capital, Montevideo, is a city on the up, an approachable, friendly place with a great nightlife scene, and plenty of affordable accommodation options for those on their own. Indonesia Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Obviously, we're talking about Bali here. There are other parts of Indonesia that will be perfect for those with experience and an adventurous spirit  try Sumatra, Lombok, or Flores Island  but for most, Bali will make the most sense as a jumping-off point for solo enjoyment. You can stick with the crowds in Bali around Seminyak and Ubud, or choose to strike out to the quieter likes of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Either way, you'll have a ball.

Japan Credit: iStock There are very few downsides to solo travel in Japan. To begin with, this is one of the safest destinations on the planet, where you will very rarely need to concern yourself with personal safety, even as you move about on your own. Japan is also very easy to navigate, with a sprawling public transport network, and no one will ever bat an eyelid at you if you choose to dine out alone. You will also meet plenty of people in Japan  just go to an izakaya (a casual Japanese bar) and order a beer, and new friends will appear. The only thing to be aware of is that accommodation here can be expensive, and you will need to stick to hostels or budget "business hotels" to make this work.

Canada Credit: iStock If Canadians aren't the friendliest people on the planet, they're certainly close. This is a nation of overwhelmingly polite citizens, a country that is by and large safe and enjoyable for those travelling solo. Take the usual precautions, and you are very likely to have an incident-free and enjoyable stay here. And what a stay it will be, ranging from the free-wheeling joy of Montreal to the beauty of British Columbia, the Arctic encounters of Manitoba, and the maritime history of the east coast. Australians tend to love Canada, and with good reason. Iceland
At least 20 Palestinians were arrested by the Israeli occupation forces in late Saturday and Sunday early morning in raids in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank provinces of Bethlehem and Qalqilia, according to local and Palestinian security sources.

In Silwan, a neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem, Israeli occupation police arrested three Palestinian children after raiding and searching their family home. The children were identified as Musa, Fo'ad, and Omar Jibril.

at least, three more Palestinians were also arrested by the occupation forces in the neighborhood of Al-Tour, while an additional six were arrested in Jerusalem's Old City during raids into their homes.

The Israeli occupation army also stormed the village of Husan in the West Bank province of Bethlehem, where they arrested six Palestinians after raiding and searching their homes. In the nearby village of Tuqu, in Bethlehem, another Palestinian was arrested by the Israeli forces during his presence for worship at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, according to witnesses and local sources.

Meanwhile, the occupation army stormed the village of Husan, in the West Bank province of Bethlehem, where they arrested six Palestinians after raiding and searching their homes.

In Qalqilia province, north of the West Bank, at least one Palestinian was reported to have been arrested by the Israeli occupation army during a raid into the town of Azzun.

Almost on a daily basis, Israeli occupation forces carry out raids targeting populated Palestinian communities for arrests or searches. The practice, mostly carried out at nighttime, has become a routine under Israeli military regime.

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London: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinas defence minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijings strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.

The meeting comes as Ukrainian forces are finding a growing number of components from China in Russian weapons used in Ukraine, a senior adviser in President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office told Reuters, as Western supplies are squeezed by sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping toast during their dinner at The Palace of the Facets in the Moscow Kremlin, Russia in March. Credit: AP

In the weapons recovered from the battlefield we continue to find different electronics, said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, who advises the presidents chief of staff on sanctions policy.

The trend is now that there is less Western-made components but more  not hard (to) guess which country  made components. Of course, China, he said via a video call last week.
Rupert Murdoch claims never to have watched Succession, despite allegedly putting a clause about the hit TV show in his divorce agreement with Jerry Hall.

The fictional saga about the internecine struggles of a powerful US media dynasty is loosely based on the billionaire media mogul. However, the real-life Murdoch appears to have lined up his own succession plans in a more orderly fashion: son Lachlan is already the head of Fox Corporation and ready to take the reins.

Rupert Murdoch could give evidence in the case as soon as this week. Credit: AP

Now, though, an existential threat has emerged in the form of a multibillion-dollar legal battle.

Fox is facing two defamation claims brought by the manufacturers of voting machines, which claim the network knowingly spread lies about the 2020 US presidential election being stolen from Donald Trump.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, April 14, 2023, the Council of Ministers (CoM) met with the President and representatives of the Unions representing the Justice workers in an extraordinary meeting to address and decide on the requests made by the Justice labor unions. Although it was agreed between parties that additional time was needed for the CoM to review the relevant information as presented by the NAPB union during the meeting and continue the meeting within one week, this did not materialize in calling off the go-slow actions of the Police Force. Following this meeting with the unions, the CoM, in an urgent session on Saturday morning, April 15, took subsequent decisions on the pending matters. These included the arrangement for payment under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement of 2019/2020 and the overtime for law enforcement personnel.

Payment under MOU arrangement

The request to receive the remaining 50% payment under the MOU arrangement was considered and thoroughly discussed. The first payment under the MOU arrangement was executed in 2020, however, without the deduction of taxes, social premiums, and pension contributions but with the understanding that said obligations would be paid from the remaining 50%. The following will now be applied to the 50% remaining payment estimated at NAf 2.3 million under the MOU arrangement (covering the retroactive period 2010-2019):

- A payment of 25% of this remaining estimated amount will be made available to the eligible justice workers, as an acknowledged advance payment of a total of 75%, pending the conclusion of calculations and reconciliation per eligible justice worker.

- 25% of the NAf estimated 2.3 million will be reserved to be able to cover the tax and social premium obligations and pension contributions on the basis of payments received under this MOU arrangement.

- Eligible justice workers will be required to make an acknowledgment in writing confirming acceptance of this advance payment on the basis of the actual calculations to be completed and reconciled, as a condition to receive payment as approved.

Overtime

The CoM has also taken a decision to enact an intermediary overtime regulation until the Legal Position Regulation for the law enforcement personnel of Sint Maarten (Besluit Rechtspositie Korps Politie Sint Maarten) accepted by the Unions on behalf of their membership takes effect, retroactively to July 1, 2020. Pending this, the CoM has decided on the following approach for compensation for overtime.

Overtime worked by officers up to scale 9 will be compensated at 150% or 200% depending on the day (off day/rest day or holiday); a different regulation for officers above scale 9 will be applicable consisting of time back, and if not possible, compensation at a 100% rate. The further formalization of this decision is pending taking into consideration the pertinent proposal to be submitted by the Chief of Police to the Minister of Justice. The formalized approach will be effective as of today's date (April 15, 2023) until the date of enactment of the Legal Position Regulation for the law enforcement personnel of Sint Maarten.

The Minister of Justice was quoted saying, I take this time to thank the Council of Ministers, the CoM Secretariat, and my team for their participation and dedicated collaboration in yesterdays extraordinary meeting, as well as in todays urgent meeting to discuss these matters and identify opportunities to make payments possible. As Minister of Justice, I pledge to continue working towards the completion of the calculations required and the placement process in the interest of the Justice workers and the continued safety and security of all persons within the country.
G7 pledges to quit fossil fuels faster, but no new deadline



Sapporo, Japan, April 16 (AFP) Apr 16, 2023



The G7 pledged on Sunday to quit fossil fuels faster and urged other countries to follow suit, but failed to agree to any new deadlines on ending polluting power sources like coal.

The language reflects the depth of disagreements among the allies on the balance between climate action and energy security, with host Japan leading a pushback against the most ambitious proposals discussed.

After two days of talks in the northern city of Sapporo, the bloc's climate and environment ministers vowed to "accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest... and call on others to join us in taking the same action".

But they offered no new deadlines beyond last year's G7 pledge to largely end fossil fuel use in their electricity sectors by 2035.

France's energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said the "phase-out" wording was nonetheless a "strong step forward" ahead of the G20 and COP28 summits.

Britain and France had put forward a new goal of ending "unabated" coal power -- which does not take steps to offset emissions -- in G7 electricity systems this decade.

But with global energy supplies still squeezed by the war in Ukraine, the target faced pushback from other members, including bloc president Japan and the United States.

"I would obviously have liked to have been able to make a commitment to phase out coal by 2030," Pannier-Runacher told AFP.

But "it is one issue on which we can still make progress in forthcoming discussions, particularly at COP28", the UN climate conference to be held in Dubai this November.



- Call to reduce 'gas demand' -



The Group of Seven industrialised nations, which also includes Germany, Italy, Canada and the EU, all target net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner after signing the Paris Agreement to cap warming at well under 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally 1.5C.

The ministers had been under pressure to announce bold steps after a major UN climate report warned last month that 1.5C increases would be seen in about a decade without "rapid and far-reaching" action.

But campaigners expressed fears ahead of the talks that Japan, supported by Germany and others, could lead backsliding on pledges such as ending new overseas fossil fuel financing.

G7 leaders said last year that the "exceptional circumstances" of Russia's war in Ukraine made gas investments "appropriate as a temporary response".

Sunday's statement contains similar language, but also sets multiple parameters around such investments and highlights the "primary need" for "gas demand reduction".

Still, climate campaigners warned the ambiguity sends the wrong message.

"The science is crystal clear that leaving the door open to investments in new gas or (liquefied natural gas) leaves the G7 off track for 1.5C," said Laurie van der Burg of Oil Change International.

Japan's energy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura nonetheless characterised the communique as "ambitious" and praised the G7 for "recognising diverse paths towards carbon neutrality" during the energy crisis.



- Hydrogen controversy -



Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told AFP he was pleased with the statement.

"It combines our current energy security concerns and it also provides a road map on how we deal with the climate crisis," he said, adding that Japan had played a "responsible and constructive" role.

The bloc however stopped short of endorsing Japan's strategy of burning hydrogen and ammonia alongside fossil fuels to reduce emissions -- which activists say only serves to extend the lifespan of polluting plants.

Its statement simply notes that "some countries are exploring" the potential of hydrogen fuels, adding that this should be "aligned with a 1.5C pathway".

Attempts to commit to halving emissions from vehicles in the G7 by 2035 also floundered, but the group did pledge for the first time to end new plastic pollution by 2040.

The statement also urges a peak in global greenhouse emissions by 2025 at the latest.

Experts say this language is aimed at the world's largest carbon emitter, China, which is targeting a peak in its emissions by 2030.
Intense fighting gripped Sudan's capital on Saturday, 18 months after a military coup that derailed a democratic transition and brought further upheaval to the east African country.

Army and paramilitary leaders have been at loggerheads over integrating forces, part of a drawn-out process to install civilian-led rule following the 2019 ouster of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

AFP looks at key developments since the October 2021 coup:

Oct. 25, 2021: Coup

On October 25, 2021, the army arrests civilian members of a power-sharing transitional council installed after the military's ouster of Bashir in April 2019 following a popular uprising.

Those arrested include Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

A state of emergency is declared and security forces kill seven protesters and wound dozens in the violence.

The United States and the World Bank suspend vital aid to Sudan.

Nov. 11: New ruling council

The African Union suspends Sudan.

The United Nations and the United States call on Sudan's military rulers to restore a civilian-led government.

On November 11, Sudan's de facto leader since Bashir's overthrow, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, forms a new ruling council.

Burhan leads the council. The main bloc demanding a transfer to civilian rule is excluded.

Nov. 21: PM returns

On November 21, Burhan agrees to restore the transition to civilian rule, with elections slated for July 2023.

Hamdok is reinstated as premier. Several civilian leaders are released.

Protests continue and are harshly repressed.

Jan. 2, 2022: PM quits

As the death toll from the protests mounts, Hamdok resigns on January 2, 2022.

UN-brokered negotiations, boycotted by the main civilian groups, start in early June but are quickly broken off.

July 4: Military to step aside

On July 4, Burhan says the army will quit the talks in order to allow civilian groups form a government.

The main civilian bloc says it suspects a ruse.

The World Bank earmarks $100 million in aid for Sudan.

Dec. 5: Preliminary deal

Sudan's military, paramilitary and most civilian leaders sign an interim deal on December 5 aimed at restoring the civilian transition within two years.

Protesters take to the streets, complaining the accord ignores demands for justice for the more than 120 pro-democracy demonstrators killed since Burhan's coup.

Jan. 2023: Negotiations

Military and civilian leaders meet in early January 2023 to discuss key contentious issues such as transitional justice, accountability and security reforms, including the integration of the feared paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.

Apr. 13: 'Dangerous' tensions

Tensions emerge between the army and RSF over the proposed integration.

Burhan's deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the RSF, says the 2021 coup was a "mistake" that has invigorated remnants of Bashir's regime, remarks seen as referring to Burhan.

The planned signing of a final deal on democratic transition is twice postponed.

On April 13, the army warns Sudan is at a "dangerous... turning point".

Apr. 15: Fighting in Khartoum

On April 15, explosions and gunfire rock the capital Khartoum, with the paramilitaries and army exchanging accusations of attacking each other's bases.

The RSF says it controls Khartoum airport and the presidential palace, claims denied by the army. Sudan's air force targets RSF bases.

Civilian leaders call for an immediate ceasefire, as well as the African Union, United Nations and others.

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These last two episodes included the first Fathers Day celebration for Gary, the return of Delilah, and flashbacks with Jon. Im still not very pleased with this final season as I feel that its dragging with nothing really happening and a lot of repetitiveness and theyre setting us up for something big to drop at the very end, but well see.

- Gary has a dream about his dad involving real events from the night after the incident with Peter and Maggie is convinced his dad is trying to send him a sign. Gary is trying to navigate the day as his first one without his dad, so Maggie calls Danny to help cheer him up. The two go out to breakfast and end up running into Christopher Lloyd, further proving Maggies point about Javier sending Gary a message aswas a part of his earlier dream.Maggie and Gary have their first outing with baby Javier and its to a cancer support group where the couple first met. Gary bonds with another male who has breast cancer while Maggie brings hope to a woman who has suffered setbacks in getting pregnant due to her chemotherapy treatments.- The two ladies are in the midst of wedding planning with Katherine taking the lead on the seating charts. Greta goes shopping with Katherines mom at her request and was given strict instructions on not to accept any money from her. But once theyre done shopping, Joo Hee presents Greta with a check for $5,000 to put towards the wedding. Katherine initially tries to give it back, but ultimately accepts the check after her mom says Greta has made her daughter the happiest shes ever seen.- Rome and Walter tour assisted living facilities and when they come across the perfect fit, Walter tanks his chances of getting accepted. Just when Rome is out of hope, his student, Maddox, shows up with his dad and as a sign of thanks for everything Rome did for his son, Clark pulls some strings and gets Walter a spot in the best home. Rome starts to feel guilty again as the move-in was on Fathers Day, so he goes back to pick up his dad, but to his surprise, Walter has reunited with old friends and is enjoying his new home.While on summer break, Rome helps Regina in the food truck and and stumbles across her laptop on a website for the city council. Regina sees it as just a pipedream, but Rome pushes her to run and gets her the first 9 signatures (from the friend group) that she needs and she agrees to do it.- Yes, theyre officially a thing now and I love it! Sophie starts out with helping Tyrell move home from college for the summer and their road trip includes a lot of flirting and opening up about their dads. While stopping at a hotel for an overnight stay, the two move from friends to more and Sophie insists on keeping their relationship a secret. Eddie starts to catch on when Tyrell shows up with only one sock on. Sophie admits that shes worried what will happen in the future if they break up because she doesnt want to lose her close relationship with Regina, but Eddie helps her move past that thought. Tyrell and Sophie officially announce their relationship to Rome and Regina and that shes going to Haiti with him over the summer to visit his mom.- Charlies short visit home turns into something unexpected as she ends up in the hospital with swelling behind her ear, requiring immediate surgery. Eddie agrees to do the surgery while Delilah is still on a plane on her way back to Boston. Of course this angers Delilah once she finally arrives and the two erupt into an argument in the hospital waiting room. The surgery is successful and Delilah apologizes to Eddie after she learns how important the surgery was to prevent further complications. While Delilah tries to convince Eddie that there is more than a friendship between him and Nicole, I feel that the show is trying to push these two back together and Im honestly not sure how I feel about that. Eddie deserves a redemption arc with all of the work hes been putting in and I just dont think a relationship with Delilah does him any favors.Delilah and the kids are preparing to say goodbye to their family home as it has sold. She has flashbacks to earlier times with Jon when they first bought the house to her continually pushing to move to France. I felt these trips down memory lane painted Jon in a bad light, but I digress. As Sophie and Danny receive invitations to Katherine and Gretas wedding, Delilah is hurt that she also didnt receive one. It later turns out that Theo never sent her invitation as hes still upset about what she did to his family by having an affair with his dad and running away to France with his sister. The two have a conversation and Theo agrees to allow Delilah to come to the wedding, even though its not really his choice, but his mothers. At the very end of the episode, Delilah hints that shes lonely in France being away from everyone, so I wonder if shell be moving back to Boston?A dynamic that I feel has been severely missing in this last season is the entire friend group, so I was pleased to see them all come together for one last pizza night in the Dixon family home. Hopefully this is a sign of more get-togethers to come because their friendship is the entire reason behind this show and what made me fall in love with it.
A district attorney has ruled that Massachusetts State Police were justified in the fatal shooting of a Connecticut man outside the MGM Springfield casino in February.

No criminal charges will be filed against the troopers involved in the shooting, Gregory Santos and Thomas Cusack, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced in his final report on the incident.

The entirety of the amassed, uncontroverted evidence all stand clearly in agreement that the use of force by Troopers Santos and Cusack was an unavoidable last resort, Gulluni wrote.

The February killing of Hartford resident William Tisdol, 48, drew significant attention, in part because he previously called for increased police transparency after his 15-year-old son was shot and injured by New Britain officers in 2017. Dondi Morrell, who was married to Tisdol for 29 years, said her husband had been working in a Connecticut warehouse at the time of his death.

Warning: The content of this video may be disturbing to some viewers

Members of the Massachusetts State Polices Gaming Enforcement Unit and the Springfield Police Department responded to the MGM Springfield at 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 25 after receiving a report about a confrontation inside the casino, according to the Hampden District Attorney's Office. During a dispute at a gaming table, Tisdol had allegedly informed another man that he was in possession of a firearm and threatened to shoot him, the office said.

Security staff reported that Tisdol left the casino via the Main Street exit at 2:29 a.m., heading south toward the intersection of Main and Union streets, the district attorney's office said. When approached by officers on Union Street, Tisdol fled, repeatedly disregarding orders to show his hands, the office said.

Warning: The content of this video may be disturbing to some viewers

During the chase, Springfield Police Officer Matthew Truex tackled Tisdol at one point, but was unable to apprehend him, the district attorney's office said.

Cusack then warned that he was prepared to deploy his stun gun, the district attorney's office said. Turning toward the trooper, firearm in hand, Tisdol fired several shots directly at Cusack, the district attorney's office said. Cusack and Santos then returned fire, the office said.

Footage from the officers' bodyworn camera shows police talking to a witness on the casino floor before they exit the building onto city streets.

After a few minutes, they see Tisdol and attempt to question him, but he runs away, after which he is tackled by Truex and runs away again.

About 10 seconds later, Tisdol appears to turn toward the pursuing officers, and the sound of several gunshots can be heard as police shoot at Tisdol. What appear to be muzzle flashes can be seen from where Tisdol is standing on a sidewalk before he falls to the ground.

One fatal bullet struck Tisdol in the chest, the state medical examiners office determined during an autopsy the following day, according to the district attorney's office. He was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center at 3:08 a.m., the office said.

Mr. Tisdols actions dictated the course of events and the reasonable and necessary use of lethal force by the troopers. There is clear and copious evidence that Mr. Tisdol accessed, pointed, and fired his gun at troopers, Gulluni said in a statement.

In the report, Gulluni also praised the troopers conduct, calling it proof of exemplary training and extraordinary competence.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected in Baghdad on Monday on his first visit to Iraq since Russia invaded his country, the foreign ministry said.

Kuleba is due to hold talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein as well as Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

They will discuss "bolstering bilateral ties, as well as regional and international" issues, said the statement quoting foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf.

Kuleba's visit comes less than a week after Sudani received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

At the time, Zelensky said he was "keen to develop relations with Iraq in all fields" describing it as "a pivotal and influential country", according to a statement from Sudani's office.

Iraq maintains good economic ties with both Kiev and Moscow, and has adopted a neutral stance since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In February this year, the Iraqi foreign minister reiterated Baghdad's support for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, during a visit to Baghdad by his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Iraq has hosted a raft of foreign officials in recent months and witnessed intense diplomatic activity, including several rounds of reconciliation talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In March, the regional heavyweights made a surprise announcement saying they had agreed to restore diplomatic ties in a deal brokered by China.

Riyadh cut ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic republic in 2016 following the Saudi execution of revered Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

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STAMFORD  Westhill High students Anna Edward and Lulu Robotti, who call themselves BFF's (Beekeepers For the Future), recently spent time with students at the Hart Magnet School, teaching them about how bees live and work in a hive and how important they are for the ecosystem.

The Westhill High School Bee Club, which has about 20 members, keeps three operating hives at the school.
A bill being considered in the state legislature would prevent anyone who engages in insurrection or rebellion from holding office in the state.

While proponents believe it to be a common sense measure, opponents call it an effort to disenfranchise Republicans.

The first section of the bill would render permanently ineligible anyone who has ever taken an oath of office and then engages in insurrection or rebellion against the United States or gives aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States from being elected or appointed to any state or municipal office.

The proposed bills second section requires no oath of office but does specify that a conviction on charges of seditious conspiracy, insurrection or rebellion against the United States or "a felony in relation to any such act would render a resident ineligible from holding office.

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, who initially proposed the legislation, said it wasnt too long ago that such a bill would seem crazy.

On January 5 of 2021, nobody would have thought a need for this type of legislation would exist. It would seem crazy to even introduce because it'd be so far-fetched, he said. On January 6, it became much less far-fetched because you have people who were literally trying to overthrow our government, our system of democracy.

When asked if the measure would hold up against constitutional scrutiny, Stamfords Rep. Matt Blumenthal, who co-chairs the legislatures Government Administration and Elections Committee, said it was actually lifted from the U.S. Constitution.

That section of the bill was really just an importation of the 14th Amendment's third section, he said.

But state GOP Chairman Ben Proto argued that the first section of the measure doesn't even require that you be convicted. It says participate, although I'm not sure who gets to decide whether or not something was an insurrection.

The bill might apply to at least a few Connecticut residents. Derbys Gino DiGiovanni admitted to entering the U.S. Capitol that day and later won an election for alderman. Hes currently running for mayor. DiGiovanni has not been charged and did not respond to a request for comment.

Ridgefield resident Patrick McCaughey III has been convicted of three counts of aiding or abetting or assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers, including one involving a dangerous weapon, among other charges. Prosecutors recommended the longest sentence yet related to Jan. 6, a total of 15 years and eight months. He was sentenced Friday to more than seven years behind bars.

Proto said nobody has yet been convicted of sedition or insurrection in connection with the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

If there's been no determination that January 6 was an insurrection, how does someone fall under that provision? Doesn't there have to be some finding by some judicial authority that there was, in fact, an insurrection that you engaged in? Because that's what it says, engaged in an insurrection, he said. Not convicted of engaging in insurrection, not convicted of treason, not convicted of sedition, not convicted of rebellion. Just engaging in something somebody believes was an insurrection.

It's a poorly written bill, he said.

Quinnipiac law professor William V. Dunlap said there is a clear line between insurrection and political discourse. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has limits.

The line between speech and action has always been an issue, and a standard defense is that I was just exercising speech, Dunlap said. But it is clear that incitement to commit a crime is not protected by the First Amendment, and committing the crime itself is obviously not protected by the First Amendment. Insurrection requires more than just telling somebody that this government deserves to be overthrown.

Rebellions in history

While Duff said the genesis of the bill came from the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  We hope that that day never ever happens again, he said  it is an issue that has arisen more than once.

After the U.S. Civil War, there was a large contingent of legislators who wanted to enforce the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1868, only a few years after the war ended. In addition to granting citizenship to formerly enslaved people, the amendment prohibited individuals who had engaged in rebellion or insurrection from running for office.

It was on that basis that New Mexico judge Francis Mathew last year disqualified a county commissioner, Couy Griffin, from holding office after he was convicted of a misdemeanor for entering Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, though he never entered the building.

But the 14th Amendment, on which Connecticuts proposed bill is based, was overridden when a majority of Congress passed the Amnesty Act of 1872.

That act said that, save for a few important exceptions, All political disabilities imposed by the third section of the 14th article of amendments of the Constitution of the United States are hereby removed from all persons whomsoever. It allowed former secessionists to run for and hold office despite the 14th Amendment.

Dunlap said the goal was to let former secessionists become part of the system again. Otherwise, they might have remained in active opposition.

Before the Civil War, a man named Thomas Wilson Dorr led an armed rebellion in Rhode Island, in an attempt to force the state to change electoral processes. It worked, though Dorr himself was ultimately convicted of treason in 1844 and was sentenced to solitary confinement and hard labor for life.

Dorr was released a year later after a public outcry and regained his civil rights in 1851.

Running just for the Hell of it

Joe Visconti of West Hartford was also on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, though unlike Griffin he has not been charged. He also decided to remain outside and not enter the building itself.

You could get caught up very easily, anyone could, in mob mentality, he said. That was not the formal entrance to the building.

Visconti has run for and held office several times: I was elected as a town councilor in West Hartford in 2007. I ran against John Larson in '08; I was a GOP candidate. I ran for governor on my own name.

The big question, Visconti said, is define insurrection. Define rebellion.

Visconti said hes held and attended rallies several times at both the state and U.S. Capitol. Some  including those held by what he called lefty groups  can get pretty rowdy, he said.

If a riot breaks out, thats what exactly occurred at the U.S. Capitol, he said. Theyve been calling it insurrection. So Id be hard-pressed to figure out what the word insurrection means in that bill, and rebellion. What does rebellion mean?

Blumenthal said ultimately a judge would decide what constitutes an insurrection, as Mathew did in New Mexico. It would be decided on a case-by-case basis.

The character of the event would matter to interpreting what the individual actually did and their intent, and whether they were intending to overthrow the United States government, he said. The bottom line is, just being present at an event would not, in nearly all cases, be enough in itself.

Visconti has played with the idea of running for office again and said that should this bill pass, it would be an encouragement to do so.

I would run just for the hell of it on that law, he said.

Political ramifications

Connecticut is not the only state considering such legislation  similar measures have been proposed in New York, among other states  and Quinnipiac University professor of politics Scott McLean said it could be an issue that hurts Republicans at the polls.

I think it sets up election year issues that Republicans do not want to have to defend, he said. When you look at public opinion and how some of these cases are being upheld in court, and we're seeing even people in the Trump administration being called to testify, including former Vice President Pence, this is the kind of response to January 6 that could give Republicans some trouble in elections at the state, local and even maybe federal level.

There are, McLean said, many consequences that are unanticipated by taking a stance of letting bygones be bygones in a situation like this.

The problem is that it's bound to be partisan, he said. But I think it's a partisan issue that Democrats are comfortable in and having. I'm not sure that Republicans are going to be so comfortable with it as this moves along in time.

Proto agreed that the bill is partisan, calling it further evidence of the Democrats attempting to use their power to silence people they don't like and they don't agree with them.

It goes against pretty much everything that the Democrats have been talking about in regards to opening up voting and participation in government, he said.

Though he said I can't ever see some of the red states ever passing something like this," McLean said he hopes the parties can find some kind of common ground.

It just seems common sense to me that people who have been convicted of attempting insurrection against the U.S. government should not be entrusted with positions of authority within that very government, he said.
B rits could be set for a spring scorcher as temperatures hit 18C in parts of the country on Monday.

The weather is set to become drier and milder in the next few days as high pressure is expected to dominate.

Temperatures could soar to 18C in Leeds  as hot as Spanish holiday favourite Ibiza.

Forecasters have also predicted long sunny spells in London with the mercury rising to 17C.

The sunshine is expected to continue on Tuesday  but clouds could later start to build with possible showers on Wednesday and Thursday.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon told The Sun: Things are due to settle down for many areas.

The theme for next week is itll be mostly dry with temperatures above average and locally well above average in some spots.

After whats been an unsettled spell, it will finally feel like we are getting into the later part of spring, towards more of a summery regime.

The temperatures will feel quite pleasant.

Tonight is expected to be a dry evening with scattered cloud and clear spells, especially further eastwards.

Forecasters warn that patchy mist and fog is possible in the early hours, with minimum overnight temperatures of 3C expected.
N urses could strike until Christmas if they cannot reach a deal with the Government, a union leader has warned.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) leader Pat Cullen called for the Government to improve its pay offer to avoid further strikes but assured patients that nurses will come off picket lines to deal with emergencies.

The RCN announced on Friday that its members will walk out for 48 hours from 8pm on April 30 after rejecting the Governments pay offer.

NHS nurses in emergency departments, intensive care and cancer wards will take industrial action for the first time.

When asked if the union will stop strike action, Ms Cullen told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg On Sunday programme: No, our nurses will absolutely not do that.

We have strike action for the end of this month and the beginning of May.

Then we will move immediately to ballot our members.

If that ballot is successful it will mean further strike action right up until Christmas.

It feels like a really ugly situation to say we are going to have strikes now until Christmas

The union leader added that nurses saw a one-off Covid bonus offered by the Government as a bribe.

NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery told the programme it is not sustainable for the NHS to continue managing strike action.

She said: Its really clear to me that its not sustainable going forward for the NHS to manage strike action.

It feels like a really ugly situation to say we are going to have strikes now until Christmas.

We really desperately need the Government to come to the table alongside the unions coming to the table to sort this out.

In an opinion piece for The Sun, Health Secretary Steve Barclay warned that fresh nurses strikes would have a deeply concerning impact on emergency services and cancer care.

The Health Secretary called on the RCN to accept the Governments pay offer so the NHS can get back to focusing on patients.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr Barclay tweeted a copy of a letter he had sent to Ms Cullen which urged the union to reconsider further industrial action and said he would welcome a meeting to discuss avoiding strikes.

In the letter, Mr Barclay said the most recent pay offer was a fair and reasonable settlement, adding: The decision to refuse at this stage any exemptions for even the most urgent and life-threatening treatment during this action will, I fear, put patients at risk.

On Friday, Unisons NHS members accepted the NHS pay offer of a 5% pay rise this year and a cash payment for last year.

However, 54% of RCN members voted to reject the deal.

The turnout among RCN members employed on NHS Agenda for Change contracts in England was 61%.

The RCN announcement came as around 47,000 junior doctors finished their 96-hour strike in a separate dispute over pay at 7am on Saturday.

Im deeply worried about the risk of escalation of the nature of their dispute, to remove whats known as the derogations, the measures they put in place to protect those areas of care

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting appealed to the RCN to continue to protect emergency lifesaving care if it strikes again.

The Labour politician told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: Im deeply worried about the risk of escalation of the nature of their dispute, to remove whats known as the derogations, the measures they put in place to protect those areas of care.

Tory Party chairman Greg Hands said more strikes by nurses would clearly have an impact as he declined to criticise them for deciding not to provide cover for emergencies.

Mr Hands told Sky News: I think the public are very concerned, understandably, and we will do everything that we can, and Im sure the management of the NHS will do everything that it can to make sure that the impact of the strike is kept under control.

But I wouldnt be being truthful if I didnt say it will have an impact. Nurses going on strike will clearly have an impact.
H arry and Meghans celebrity status is starting to wilt and their popularity is on the decline in the United States, Hollywood insiders say.

The Palace ended months of speculation this week by confirming that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Kings coronation on May 6.

However, his wife Meghan and the couple's two children will remain at their home in California.

It will be the first time Harry has been with his family since his tell-all memoir and six-part docu-series stunned the royals.

A Netflix insider told the Mail on Sunday that there was a palpable sigh of relief after Harrys attendance was confirmed.

Harry is going back for all the right reasons but there was a palpable sigh of relief among those of us involved in the business because Brand Sussex relies on Harry being seen with his family, the source said.

At the end of the day it is all about proximity to the King.

A senior executive at Walt Disney Studios added: They are at a turning point because they've done the Netflix series and Harry's done his book. You could argue the bloom is starting to fade from the rose. What is their currency? Their main selling point is their link to the Royal Family.

Harry has to be there [at the Coronation]. In America, this is all part of the narrative. Harry has to go back and he's either embraced, which is wonderful, or he's not  which will keep the narrative going.

The story has to keep evolving because that is what builds the brand and brings the offers in.

They said there is a danger that the pair are becoming irrelevant.

Americans care about the Royal Family. We've always been fascinated by the Royals. Harry is Diana's son, nothing will ever change that.

But the American public needs to see he's still part of the family because his family and their drama is what we're interested in, he said.

The coronation will mark the first time Prince Harry has been seen in public with his family since his explosive memoir, Spare, was published at the start of this year.

In the book, Harry criticised Charles's parenting, said the King was jealous of Meghan and the Princess of Wales. He also accused William of physically attacking him and branded Camilla dangerous.

Harry and Meghan were asked earlier this year to vacate their UK home, Frogmore Cottage, in a move sanctioned by the King.

It is unclear what the arrangements will be for Harry's security while he is in London.

Meghan will not be the first wife of a close royal to miss a coronation.

Wallis Simpson, the wife of Edward VIII, who abdicated to become the Duke of Windsor, missed the 1936 coronation of her husband's successor, King George VI.

It was deemed inappropriate for a former king to be present at the new monarch's crowning, so the couple were not invited the event.
C amilla has been left hurt after Prince Harry called her a villain in his controversial memoir Spare, a close friend of the Queen Consort has said.

In the book, Harry, 38, said he and his brother William begged Charles not to marry Camilla amid fears she would be a wicked stepmother.

He also branded her dangerous" and accused her of sacrificing him on her own personal PR altar".

In the book, the Duke of Sussex accused Camilla of leaking negative stories about him to the press in a bid to boost her own reputation.

Lady Lansdowne, 68, who is godmother to Camillas daughter Laura Lopes, said the Queen Consort was upset by the comments.

She told The Sunday Times: Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts.

But she doesnt let it get to her.

Her philosophy is always, Dont make a thing of it and it will settle down  least said, soonest mended.

Harry and Camilla are set to come face to face for the first time since the book was released at the Kings coronation next month.

The Duke of Sussex will travel alone to the event while his wife Meghan stays in California with their children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 1.

Relations between Harry, his father and Prince William were said to be at an all-time low following the publication of Spare and a series of publicity interviews in which he attacked the royals earlier this year.

In the book, Harry criticised Charless parenting, said the King was jealous of Meghan and the Princess of Wales and also accused William of physically attacking him.

In a later interview, Harry said he had left some stories about the King and William out of the book. He said: It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.
F our people have been killed and multiple people injured during a shooting in Alabama on Saturday night, police said.

WRBL-TV reported the shooting occurred at a dance studio in Dadeville during a possible birthday party.

The station showed images of crime scene tape around the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio and neighbouring buildings and a heavy police presence.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the shooting happened at about 10.30pm. There was no initial confirmation about what led to the shooting and it was not immediately known if a suspect was in custody.

This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement posted on social media.

Dadeville is about 57 miles northeast of Montgomery, Alabama. The town has a population of around 3,000.

There have been 163 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the independent group Gun Violence Archive. It is the equivalent of 1.5 times mass shootings every day so far this year.

The group defines a mass shooting as an incident in which more than four people are killed, excluding the shooter.

It comes just hours after two people were killed when a gunman opened fire in a park in Louisville, Kentucky.

It followed a separate incident in the city days earlier in which a bank employee shot dead five colleagues and wounded nine other people at his workplace.

On March 27, three 9-year-olds and three staff members were killed at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, by a former student.
Arab League member states are currently holding an emergency meeting at the level of permanent representatives to discuss Sudan's ongoing armed conflict, at request from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The meeting comes as fighting in the Sudanese capital raged into the early hours of Sunday after a day of deadly battles between the Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that left at least 56 civilians dead and nearly 600 wounded.

During the meeting, Sudan's Ambassador to the Arab League Sadiq Omar Abdallah accused the RSF of initiating the fighting "at 9am yesterday at the General Command of the Army," despite a scheduled meeting with President Burhan on the same day.

The Sudanese diplomat confirmed that "the army was able to inflict severe losses on the rebels."

He further explained that the Sudanese army had engaged with and were driving out the RSF in the capital city around the Radio and Television Building, the Republican Palace and Khartoum airport.

The ambassador noted that the paramilitary forces relied on the element of surprise, but the Sudanese Armed Forces remained vigilant.

However, he emphasised that "this is an internal Sudanese matter" and asked the Arab League to issue a statement in support of Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian representative to the Arab League and current meeting chair, Mohamed Mustafa Orfy, called on all Sudanese parties to "immediately cease fire", stressing the crucial importance of maintaining the safety and security of the Egyptian community in Sudan.

He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to supporting Sudan's stability and security, and urged for collective efforts to de-escalate the situation.

The meeting is discussing ways to defuse the current crisis and work to restore stability to Sudan as soon as possible, according to a statement by Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki appealed to the two parties were issued through the media in order to reach the two sides for comment.

In earlier statement on Saturday, Egypt's foreign ministry called on all Sudanese parties to exercise maximum restraint to protect the lives and capabilities of the brotherly Sudanese people, and uphold the supreme interests of their homeland.

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F ighting in Sudan has killed at least 59 civilians including three UN workers.

Sudans army appeared to gain the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with rival paramilitary forces after blasting its bases with air strikes.

The fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudans transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.

It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust veteran Islamist autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019 and was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military as part of a transition towards civilian rule.

Burhan and Hemedti agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause from 4pm to 7pm local time on Sunday proposed by the United Nations.

A Reuters witness in central Khartoum said firing appeared initially to have subsided, but shortly afterwards reported heavy bombardments. Gunfire could still be heard and plumes of smoke seen in the background of live broadcasts from the Sudanese capital.

Doctors unions had said earlier it was difficult for medics and the sick to get to and from hospitals and called on the army and RSF to provide safe passage.

The United States, China, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the U.N. Security Council, European Union and African Union have appealed for an quick end to the hostilities that threaten to worsen instability in an already volatile wider region.

Efforts by neighbours and regional bodies to end the violence intensified on Sunday. That included an offer by Egypt and South Sudan to mediate between the fighting parties, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

The eruption of fighting over the weekend followed rising tensions over the RSFs integration into the military. Discord over the timetable for that has delayed the signing of an internationally-backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy after a 2021 military coup.

Witnesses and residents told Reuters that the army had carried out air strikes on RSF barracks and bases, including in Omdurman across the Nile river from the capital Khartoum, and managed to destroy most of their facilities.

They said the army had also wrested back control over much of Khartoums presidential palace from the RSF after both sides claimed to control it and other key installations in Khartoum, where heavy artillery and gun battles raged into Sunday.

RSF members remained inside Khartoum international airport besieged by the army but it was holding back from striking them to avoid wreaking major damage, witnesses said.

The hour of victory is near, the army said in a statement on Sunday. We pray for mercy for the innocent lives taken by this reckless adventure taken by the rebel Rapid Support militia ... We will have good news for our patient and proud people soon, God willing.

But a major problem, witnesses and residents said, was posed by thousands of heavily armed RSF members deployed inside neighbourhoods of Khartoum and other cities, with no authority able to control them.

Were scared, we havent slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking. Were worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father, Huda, a young resident in southern Khartoum told Reuters.

Theres so much false information and everyone is lying. We dont know when this will end, how it will end, she added.

Tagreed Abdin, an architect in Khartoum, said the power was out and people were trying to conserve phone batteries. We can hear air strikes, shelling, and gunfire, she said.

Sudans MTN telecommunications company blocked internet services on the orders of the government telecommunications regulator, two company officials told Reuters.

State television cut its transmission on Sunday afternoon, Reuters reporters in Khartoum and several cities outside the country said. It was not clear what caused the outage.

The U.N. World Food Programme said it had temporarily halted all operations in hunger-stricken areas of Sudan after three Sudanese employees were killed during fighting in North Darfur and a WFP plane was hit during a gun battle at Khartoum airport.

I ... am extremely appalled by reports of projectiles hitting U.N. and other humanitarian premises, as well as reports of looting of U.N. and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur, Volker Perthes, U.N. special envoy for Sudan and head of its country mission, said in a statement.

A protracted confrontation could plunge Sudan into widespread conflict as it struggles with economic breakdown and tribal violence, derailing efforts to move towards elections.

Energy-rich powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition away from toppled strongman Bashirs rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and improve stability in the region.

They have also pursued investments in sectors including agriculture, where Sudan holds vast potential, and ports on Sudans Red Sea coast.

Several groups of people reported being stranded by fighting near the presidential palace and military headquarters in Khartoum.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported at least 56 civilians had been killed and 595 people including combatants had been wounded since the fighting erupted.

Scores of military personnel were killed, the doctors committee said, without giving a specific number due to a lack of first-hand information from hospitals.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdul had separate phone calls with Burhan and Hemedti and called for an end to military escalation, Saudi state media said on Sunday. The minister affirmed Riyadhs call for calm.

In a speech to an Arab League meeting on the crisis on Sunday, Sudan said the Sudanese should be allowed to reach a settlement internally without foreign interference.

In an emergency session, the African Unions Peace and Security Council also said it strongly rejected any external interference that could complicate the situation in Sudan.

The armed forces said it would not negotiate with the RSF unless the force dissolved. The army told soldiers seconded to the RSF to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks if they obey.

RSF leader Hemedti, deputy head of state, called military chief Burhan a criminal and a liar.
J anice Dickinson has been forced to quit Im A Celebrity after suffering a head injury on set, according to reports.

The former supermodel, 68, was rushed to hospital after tripping over a cable while filming in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

A source told The Sun: It was terrifying. Everyone was woken by a sickening thud. A few of the campmates ran towards the noise and found Janice face down. She seemed to be semi-conscious on the ground.

Blood was gushing from her head and she was covered in dirt and dust. A crowd formed and one of the campmates had to ask everyone to stand back to give her space to breathe.

The injuries were severe enough that she had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. The on-set medics are very good but this needed her going to a fully equipped hospital.

There were fears that she had suffered a cracked skull but she was later given the all-clear by doctors.

The pre-recorded show  titled Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here All Stars  is set to screen on ITV from April 24.

It will be hosted by regulars Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly. Celebrities taking part include Helen Flanagan, Carol Vorderman, Shaun Ryder and Amir Khan.

ITV has been contacted for comment.
ASM Global, the management company responsible for upkeep of Canada Games Park spoke before Thorold City Council last week regarding operations and projections in the year ahead, which had some councillors concerned about utilization rates at the facility.

Thorold, one of three partners responsible for upkeep of Canada Games Park, is concerned residents are being impacted by several factors including their ability to enjoy the facility.

User groups are looking for times at the facility, which are coming up short, said Coun. Henry DAngela.

We have under-utilization rates and then I have user groups contacting me directly that arent getting sufficient ice time or sufficient usage, he said.

DAngela said it is worrisome when it comes to taxpayers looking to use the facility being met with few options.

Each of the partners involved have allotted times throughout the day and week they can use even when it is the odd times most groups might not want, said ASM Global general manager Jeff Dixon.

If youre speaking specifically about ice time usage, Thorold has certain dedicated times allotted to them and theyre working within their time slots, he said.

If they cannot fill the time slot because its a late hour or an odd early morning time or just a random time, then that would be the under-utilized space the municipality or partner would still have to pay for.

DAngela said he would be interested in seeing a list for potential times, as it is not always about making money, rather about serving the community and their needs.

Its not always about getting as much maximum dollars, its a matter of utilizing it for some purpose, he said.

If we know were not utilizing 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, yet were paying for it. We need to know that so we can get user groups or whoever wants it, if its public skate or if its senior skate, then we can put them in there and were paying for each time anyway, so at least someones benefiting from it.

Dixon said non-primetime slots tend to be vacant, like other community facilities that host sporting and public events.

If you come in during the day that there is unused space, it would be like any arena throughout the community when primarily people are working, but during prime times we are maximizing, he said.

Dixon said generally from 5 p.m. onwards is when the most timeslots are utilized, and people have a hard time booking slots, otherwise, they are hoping to open off-peak slots and advertise them for community use.

Were also looking at drop-in sessions for things like shooting hoops, but trying to determine, if its a small fee to drop-in, do you get a membership card, is it open to the community? Whatever it is we are researching that, he said.

DAnglea brought up concerns regarding pricing associated with unused times and utilization rates to determine the overall cost to the facility if timeslots are not used.

From my standpoint, I havent seen any financial numbers and no idea about utilization rates, I see nothing, he said.

All I see is a cheque requisition for $20,000 for unused ice, so it doesnt give me that warm fuzzy feeling.

DAngela added he needs a little more communication and data to show how this makes sense.

Dixon said through a consultation process with the Region, Thorold, Brock University and St. Catharines everything is vetted, and pricing is approved.

Committee is back and forth with our director of finance goes through and then that is presented to the management committee and the management committee approves it and we operate to that budget.

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Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, led the Easter Mass on Holy Saturday at the Great Hall of the St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the Abbasiya district of Cairo.

The Easter Mass was attended by a large group of worshippers as well as senior bishops, priests and deacons.

On Friday, also at the Abbasiya Cathedral, Pope Tawadros II led the Good Friday Mass, which was attended by hundreds of worshippers as well as senior bishops and priests.

Palm Sunday, which fell on 9 April this year, marked the first day of Holy Week.

The Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, which is Easter Eve.

After attending the Easter Mass, Copts celebrate ending a 55-day fast referring to the festivities as the Big Eid.

The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Easter according to the Coptic calendar, which is also known as the Alexandrian calendar.

The church sets the date of Easter according to the actual equinox and astronomical full moon observed along the meridian of Jerusalem - where the Crucifixion and Resurrection took place.

In contrast, Western churches fix the date of the spring equinox to 21 March and bases its calculations on tables created by the church, rather than the actual astronomical full moon.

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For Tim Hicks, its a 10-year anniversary that was 30 years in the making.

This summer, the Niagara Falls country star will celebrate a decade since his debut album Throw Down was released. But before that debut, there was the Tim Hicks playing in local bands, gigging in bars and paying plenty of dues.

I was 18 years playing full time before I ever got a record deal, says Hicks. I started playing bars when I was 14 or 15 years old around Niagara, playing underage. I grew a goatee so they would let me in!

Released Aug. 27, 2013, Throw Down set the template for Hicks and was nominated for Country Album of the Year at the 2014 Juno Awards. It not only featured his first hits Get By and Hell Raisin Good Time, it contained what would become his cheeky anthem  the ode to Canadian brew, Stronger Beer.

Its hardly Hicks best song, but its the one no concert can go without.

I went through a phase where I just didnt even like it, he says. What happens as an artist is, youre always looking forward. Whatever you did most recently is what you love because thats what you poured your heart and soul into.

I wrote Stronger Beer as a joke for my manager in 2012. It was never supposed to come out, it was never supposed to be a song, it just took on a life of its own. But Im at a point now where I really appreciate having a song like that in my back pocket.

Up and coming artists will play me something and theyll say, Do you think this could be my Stronger Beer?

To mark the albums 10th anniversary, Hicks will release a special edition pressed on yellow vinyl in conjunction with Record Store Day on April 22. There will also be a remastered deluxe version on digital with a new full-band recording of Stronger Beer  the version you hear in concert.

Since that debut, Hicks has been nominated for five Juno Awards, won multiple Canadian Canadian Music Association awards and started his own family.

On the Canadian country music chart, he has 18 Top 10 singles.

This summer will see him perform at several festivals including Boots & Hearts, Country Rocks the Farm and Dauphins Country Fest.

Were going to bring back some of the old songs in the set this summer when were out playing the circuit, so theres quite a bit going on.

Hicks  whose Wikipedia page still lists him as being from St. Catharines even though hes from Niagara Falls  says the past decade has been a ride he doesnt want to get off of soon.

It would be easy to sort of rest on your laurels, he says. But Im not done. I just want to keep the train going as long as I can.

For Hicks, theres always new ground to conquer. Hes heading to the UK this summer to prove himself all over again.

Starting over again in a market like that is actually a lot of fun at this point. It lends itself to the nostalgia of looking back when we played bars, first starting out.

Though hell never stop making new music, Hicks relishes the thought of building a legacy like Blue Rodeo or the Tragically Hip.

Uniquely Canadian, they could go out on tour every year, people are interested, they could put out a record or not and it doesnt matter. Thats all I ever wanted to do. If I could get one-tenth of that, that would be a win for me.

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Fort Erie Fire Department firefighters battled a blaze at a multi-unit residential building on Jarvis Street Saturday.

Firefighters were called to 212-214 Jarvis St., west of Central Avenue, just after 1 p.m. and found smoke coming from the building.

It took just more than an hour for firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

Niagara Emergency Medical Services and Niagara Regional Police were also on scene.

There were no details on the cause or a damage figure from the fire.

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We have witnessed a recent surge in business transitions toward employee ownership in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Canada is attempting to join this phenomenon with the introduction of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in the recently released 2023 federal budget. This should be great news as employee ownership can lead to greater household wealth for workers, greater job security, more stable local economies and healthier work environments.

Unfortunately for Canadians, the blueprint outlined in the recent budget lacks key incentives that have underpinned the success of employee ownership in both the U.S. and U.K.

As consultations are soon to begin on the Canadian governments proposed EOT legislation, wed like to offer some advice. Weve been directly involved in policy choices that have led to hundreds of new employee-owned businesses in both our countries and we think theres more Canada can learn from both the challenges and successes weve experienced.

Last September, a group of nearly 50 academics, practitioners and government officials from eight nations, including Canada, gathered at Oxford University to discuss the U.K.s Employee Ownership Trust model and the ever-evolving American Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) model.

In the discussions, it became clear that to achieve meaningful growth in employee ownership, there are certain essential policy ingredients.

First, an owner needs to know the option to sell to employees even exists  and it needs to be attractive to them in comparison to a sale to a third party, like a competitor or a private equity firm. In both the U.S. and the U.K., it was the introduction capital-gains tax incentives that was the catalyst for the growth of employee ownership.

The tax benefit legitimizes what for most in the business community is an unknown business model, and forces advisers to mention employee ownership trusts when a client asks about succession options or risk dereliction of their professional duty. The increased capital gains reserve period proposed in the Canadian Budget, while helpful in some circumstances, wont have this effect

A tax incentive also levels the playing field with other possibly more lucrative options involving sales to third parties.

The second essential ingredient for a successful policy is availability of financing. In an EOT, benefits are available to all employees, and they dont pay for the company out of their pockets. Thats why theyve been so meaningful for low-wage workers in the U.S. and the U.K. This outcome is only possible because EOTs are funded by debt.

Banks in the U.S. regularly finance employee ownership, but additional debt is almost always required from the owner themselves. In the U.K. most sales of businesses to EOTs are financed entirely by the owner. In both countries, selling to an EOT means deferring proceeds over several years.

Weve learned that owner-financing comes with the added benefit of continuing their engagement in the business after the sale, ensuring the transition to employee ownership goes smoothly. A capital-gains tax incentive is again important here, as it will compensate business owners for the cost and risk of accepting deferred payment.

Of secondary importance, Canada should consider incentives for banks to enter the market, such as loan guarantees or a reduction in the tax rate on interest paid by EOT-owned companies. The U.S. successfully implemented the latter approach in the early days of the ESOPs existence.

Finally, for a successful EOT policy, there needs to be regulatory clarity and government guidance from transaction through to the post-transaction enterprise. Regulatory clarity and simplicity have been instrumental in the growth of employee ownership in the U.K., but remains the major obstacle to faster employee ownership growth in the U.S

The U.S. Congress is finally intervening and has directed the regulator to issue guidelines  nearly 50 years after the passage of the law creating ESOPs. The EOT structure proposed in Canadas budget appears simple but raises many practical questions about how EOTs are to be implemented. We encourage detailed supporting guidance prior to its in-force date.

Canada has a unique opportunity to learn from the U.K. and the U.S. and create a transformative EOT model.

As it stands, the governments proposal appears to ignore clear evidence of what has worked in our countries. With legislation still months from being introduced, there is time and opportunity to change course and get things right from the outset.

The outcomes for employees and communities are worth the effort.

Graeme Nuttall OBE is a partner in the European law firm Fieldfisher and author of the U.K.s landmark Nuttall Review of Employee Ownership. James Bonham is president and CEO of The ESOP Association and president of the Employee Ownership Foundation, organizations which advocate for employee ownership globally.

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In Romania, Laurentiu David Cobzaru was called the tigan or the untouchable.

Other kids in his neighbourhood werent allowed to play with him and his siblings. In school, he and other Roma children were made to sit at the back of the class because of their dark skin.

And that label as an outcast, Zigeuner in German, would follow him even after he moved from Bucharest to Berlin, where he found himself the target of the neo-Nazis yet again.

I was called a gypsy and was beaten and pushed down by others my whole life, says Cobzaru, who arrived in Toronto in November for asylum with his wife, Claudia, and daughter, Eva, after he was attacked by four skinheads in Berlin on his way home after work.

While Canada is a beacon of hope for many Roma seeking protection, equality and a better future, the 39-year-old man says few people understand why he and his people come all the way for asylum from Europe where biases and discrimination against his people still run deep.

And Cobzaru can sympathize with the desperation of Florin Iordache and his wife, Cristina Monalisa Zenaida Iordache, who drowned with their two infants trying to cross into the U.S. by boat near Akwesasne, Que., after learning of their imminent deportation from Canada to Romania.

Cobzaru could see himself in their shoes.

My heart is broken with all the Romani people who are coming here from all over Europe trying to find a society where they are accepted, said Cobzaru. We are coming to Canada because we want to break the chain of discrimination. We dont want our children to suffer like we did.

Historically called gypsies, a derogatory label, Roma have endured centuries of discriminatory treatment and slavery in Europe. With a population of 10 to 12 million, its the largest minority group in the continent and within the European Union.

Back in 2005, a non-binding pan-European initiative called The Decade of Roma Inclusion was launched to address the discrimination they faced and improve the life of the worlds most populous marginalized community so they could share equal opportunities as others.

In 2020, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues sounded the alarm over the surge of intimidation and aggression directed at Roma and urged states to do more to prevent hate crimes and incitement to violence against the group so they can live without fear and stigmatization.

Last year, in passing a resolution to urgently address the conditions of Roma people, the European Parliament said deep-rooted structural and institutional anti-Gypsyism continues to exist at all levels of EU society, whether its in their access to employment, housing, education, health care, protection or public services.

It referred to surveys that found only one in four Roma age 16 or older was employed; 80 per cent of Roma lived below their countrys at-risk-of-poverty threshold; every third Roma lived in housing without tap water and one in 10 without electricity; every third Roma child had family going hungry at least once a month; and almost half of Roma of the usual school age did not attend.

In many places, said the report, Roma students were segregated in schools; disproportionate numbers of them were also often placed in special schools for children with intellectual disabilities.

Poverty and lack of access to basic services has a considerable impact on childrens physical, mental and emotional development, and increases their chances of lagging behind in all aspects of their adult life, it noted.

Amid the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, anti-Roma racism was reported by Ukrainian Roma, who face discrimination in trying to access protection and humanitarian aid.

Faced with blatant discrimination and adversity, Cobzaru said many young Roma are discouraged and made to give up, because they know they dont get rewarded for their hard work and wont get the same opportunities.

In grade school, Cobzaru said, his teachers would give him lower grades even though he had the same answers in tests and assignments as non-Roma classmates. Whenever there was an issue between him and others, he was always the one who got punished, he said.

He was one year short of completing an early childhood education program when he decided to quit, because he couldnt put up with hostile instructors who would be watching him over his shoulder during exams, looking for cheating behaviour.

But his mother, who cant read or write, recognized the importance of education and encouraged him to return to school. He ultimately earned a bachelors degree in Romani language and later a masters degree in counselling, a rare feat among his peers.

My mother always prayed on her knees for us to achieve our goals. I got my strength from her, said Cobzaru, who worked in Berlin as a teacher and social worker for newcomers from eastern Europe.

Gina Csanyi-Robah, co-founder of the Canadian Romani Alliance, said little has improved for the Roma and factors still very much exist to drive them out of Europe.

I still see the same sad headlines around segregation in schools, the fight for compensation by victims of forced sterilization, police brutality and the lack of accountability for deaths of Roma, said Csanyi-Robah, whose family came to Canada from Hungary, after the crushing of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution; they worked in tobacco farms in Hamilton.

The human rights are on paper, but they are not in action.

Although Roma can blend in more easily in Canadas multicultural fabric, she said they have continued to face entrenched systemic biases especially from more established Canadians.

Back in 1997, the Star reported that Czech Roma refugee claimants staying at a Kingston Road motel in Toronto were confronted by protesters waving swastikas and placards scrawled with Canada Is Not A Trash Can and Honk If You Hate Gypsies.

Under Stephen Harpers Conservative government, visa requirements were imposed on Eastern European countries amid a surge of Roma refugees arriving here. In response to protest by the EU, those conditions were lifted but replaced by new rules to restrict access to asylum, which advocates said were meant to target Roma refugees on grounds that their claims were bogus.

The Canadian courts later ruled against the new regime, but Csanyi-Robah said Canada then introduced other air travel measures to keep potential Roma refugees from boarding planes. The number of Roma asylum claims declined.

I feel like the Canadian government has an ongoing campaign of discriminating against the Roma community. They seem to lack knowledge about the situations that Roma have faced historically in Europe and are still facing right now, she said.

According to the Immigration and Refugee Board, claims from Roma-refugee producing countries  Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia  fluctuated with travel requirement changes in Canada.

The claims from these countries surged to 2,150 in 2018, the year after Ottawa lifted visa requirement against Romania, but it dropped by half to 1,054 right before the pandemic in 2019. Last year, it was down to 919, with more than half of the claimants being Romanians.

Prof. Sean Rehaag of Osgoode Hall Law School said acceptance rates for Roma seeking asylum have risen over the years, which he attributed to the improved quality of legal representation and recognition among refugee judges of the level of persecution and inadequate state protection Roma claimants face. In the past five years, he said, success rates have hovered around 70 per cent.

What critics have failed to recognize is that mobility rights within the EU are tied to employment, Rehaag said: Roma face systemic barriers in accessing quality education and hence the labour market, let alone the fact that residents in one EU country cant make an asylum claim in another member state.

Overall, the discrimination and mistreatment seems to be continuing, said Rehaag, director of York Universitys Centre for Refugee Studies. If anything, in some countries, its a doubling down on the kind of racist rhetoric coming out of the far-right countries.

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The private company behind the planned spa and wellness centre at Ontario Place is considering opening space on the upper levels for public access, according to a spokesperson at Saturdays standing-room-only consultation on the project.

That idea was one that came up in our discussions with city planning staff. Were not quite ready to commit to it yet but its certainty an idea that were looking at, said Simon Bredin, senior manager of communications and public engagement at Therme Canada, in an interview during the event.

The affordability and access of one of Torontos most beloved landmarks was the subject of hot debate at the consultation attended by about 150 people at the Beanfield Centre at Exhibition Place.

The provinces controversial redevelopment plan for Ontario Place includes a 65,000-square-metre private spa and wellness centre by Therme, an Austrian company, and a revamped Budweiser Stage that will be run by Live Nation.

On Thursday, Premier Doug Ford hinted that moves are also afoot to also bring the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place. But when it comes to the Science Centre, that came on the table probably a year ago and I personally think its a great idea, he said.

At Saturdays consultation, officials from Infrastructure Ontario, the city and others involved in the project  who at times were booed by the audience  also spoke about improvements that will be made to public areas at Ontario Place, including a new beach and pedestrian trails. They stressed that access to the shoreline, more than two thirds of the site, will be free.

I get it, the public gets the edges, the crust of the bread, and the sandwich goes to private companies, said local artist Erella Ganon, to a round of applause, at a question-and-answer session.

I think my biggest concern, really, is that the for-profit companies get the best part of it, she added afterwards.

They can make as much profit as they want in those zones and the rest of us are faced with the scraps. She also noted that concerts at Ontario Place are now very expensive, and out of reach for many people.

At one point someone in the Q and A asked for a show of hands from those who are excited about the giant spa being on our waterfront. About a dozen hands went up.

Ganon suggested an affordable family day or other ways to make sure that ordinary people can enjoy the Therme facilities, where Bredin said adult day passes will start at $40. He said its something that they will absolutely consider.

We want this to be an enjoyable public experience, Bredin said, adding the company will contribute about a hundred million dollars, to public space upgrades around the sites west island.

The company has not bought the land but has a multi-year lease, with the province, Bredin added. He declined to comment on the length of the lease. The facility will include activities like mineral baths, saunas, watersides, and a wave pool.

The province also plans an underground parking garage with an estimated cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

A recent report from City of Toronto staff highlighted a number of serious concerns with the Ontario Place plan, including the proposed removal of more than 800 trees and the height of the spa.

The project has already become a hot topic among the many contenders vying to be Torontos next mayor. Olivia Chow, who is considering a run, as well as candidate Josh Matlow were both in attendance. Matlow tweeted Friday that he proposes the federal government step in to protect the land from the province.

Coun. Ausma Malik, representing Spadina-Fort York, said at the consultation that Ontario Place has been treasured for generations.

It should be thoughtfully preserved and improved for the future, while meeting climate goals, she said. We have got to get it right.

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KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP)  The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signaling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least 41 civilians were killed Sunday, bringing the two-day death toll to 97, the Sudan Doctors Syndicate said Monday. Hundreds of people have been wounded since fighting started Saturday, the group said. In addition, dozens of fighters are believed to have been killed, according to the group.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudans short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy for Sudan, said that both Burhan and Dagalo agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause in fighting in the late afternoon Sunday, but violence continued to engulf the capital.

As night fell, residents reported heavy explosions and continued gunfire, as well as airstrikes pounding RSF targets. The clashes come as most Sudanese are preparing to celebrate the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally fast from sunrise to sunset.

Fighting raged around the militarys headquarters throughout the day. Heavy explosions and gunfire around the clock, said Amany Sayed, a 38-year-old Khartoum resident. The battles here (in the capital) never stopped.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was also reported around Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said clashes with RSF fighters began earlier in the day around military headquarters.

They are shooting against each other in the streets, said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. Its an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

Satellite images analyzed by the AP showed columns of black smoke covering the sky over the capitals airport. The images by Maxar Technologies showed two large planes on fire, and four others damaged. Airlines have suspended flights to the Sudanese capital.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldnt be independently verified.

Both sides signaled that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhans military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a rebellious militia. Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Khalid Omar, a spokesman for the pro-democracy block that negotiated with the generals in recent months, warned that the conflict could lead to war and the countrys collapse.

In a series of tweets Sunday, Omar called on pro-democracy groups to set aside their disputes to find a way to end the crisis immediately.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting. Members of the U.N. Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

The African Unions top council called Sunday for an immediate cease-fire without conditions. It also asked the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat to immediately travel to Sudan to engage the parties towards a cease-fire.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Farhan bin Faisal spoke by phone with Sudans rival generals and urged them to stop all kinds of military escalation, Saudi state TV reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early Sunday.

On Sunday, the World Food Program said it temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in clashes the previous day and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged.

We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed, said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. About 16 million people, or one-third of Sudans population, require humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the citys airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centered around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudans unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the militarys headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters. Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for those responsible for the death of civilians, including three employees with the U.N. food agency, to be held accountable, according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

The U.N. Security Council will discuss the crisis in Sudan on Monday, said Fedor Strzhizhovskiy, the spokesman for the U.N. mission of Russia, which holds the councils presidency this month.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo.

___

Associated Press writer Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed.

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ALGIERS (AP)  Syrias chief diplomat has started a visit to Algeria and Tunisia as part of efforts to revive diplomatic relationships in the Arab world, more than a decade after his country was globally isolated amid President Bashar Assads brutal crackdown on mass protests against his rule.

Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad was welcomed on Saturday in the lounge of Algiers airport by his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf.

In remarks broadcast by Algerian public television. Mikdad insisted that relations between the two brotherly countries exist and will continue to exist  beyond the vicissitudes of the situation.

My visit will be an opportunity for discussions between the two countries on the latest developments in the region. We need to strengthen this bilateral relationship, he added.

Algeria is one of the few Arab countries that did not cut off relations with Syria during the civil war that followed the 2011 uprising.

Mikdad notably praised Algerias help after the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake that killed tens of thousands in Syria and neighboring Turkey.

He was also bearing a message from Assad to his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Algerian official APS news agency reported.

The visit comes after Mikdads visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that led both countries to announce they were moving toward reopening embassies and resuming flights for the first time in more than a decade.

Syria was widely shunned by Arab governments over Assads brutal crackdown on protesters in 2011. The breakdown in relations culminated in Syria being ousted from the Arab League.

However, in recent years, as Assad consolidated control over most of the country, Syrias neighbors have begun to take steps toward rapprochement.

A group of regional leaders who met in Saudi Arabia promised Saturday to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict, but stopped short of endorsing its return to the Arab League. The meeting included top diplomats from the Arab Gulf countries as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

Mikdad also made a recent trip to Egypt in a step toward normalizing ties.

He is scheduled to head to Tunisia on Monday, where he is to reopen Syria's embassy.

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced earlier this month that he had directed the countrys foreign ministry to appoint a new ambassador to Syria. His move was reciprocated by the Syrian government, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Irans exiled crown prince is scheduled to come to Israel this week on a visit that reflects the warm ties his father once had with Israel and the current state of hostility between Israel and the Islamic Republic.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah to rule Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said Sunday that he will be delivering a message of friendship from the Iranian people.

He is set to participate in Israels annual Holocaust memorial ceremony on Monday night, said Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, who will host him. He is also set to visit a desalination plant, see the Western Wall and meet representatives of the local Bahai community and Israeli Jews of Iranian descent, she said.

Gamliel praised the brave decision by Pahlavi to make what she said would be his first visit to Israel. The crown prince symbolizes a leadership different from that of the ayatollah regime, and leads values of peace and tolerance, in contrast to the extremists who rule Iran, she said.

Pahlavi left Iran at age 17 for military flight school in the U.S., just before his cancer-stricken father Mohammad Reza Pahlavi abandoned the throne for exile. The revolution followed, with the creation of the Islamic Republic, the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the sweeping away of the last vestiges of the American-backed monarchy.

Pahlavi, who still resides in the U.S., has called for a peaceful revolution that would replace clerical rule with a parliamentary monarchy, enshrine human rights and modernize its state-run economy.

Whether he can galvanize support for a return to power is unknown. His father ruled lavishly and repressively and benefitted from a CIA-supported coup in 1953. The late shah also had close diplomatic and military ties with Israel.

That ended in 1979, when the Iranian revolutions leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, declared Israel an enemy of Islam and cut all ties. Today, the countries are arch-enemies. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing the countrys calls for Israels destruction, its support of hostile militant groups on Israels borders and its nuclear program. Iran denies accusations by Israel and its western allies that it is pursuing a nuclear bomb.

I want the people of Israel to know that the Islamic Republic does not represent the Iranian people. The ancient bond between our people can be rekindled for the benefit of both nations, Pahlavi said on Twitter.

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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.

Egypt urges the involved parties to immediately stop military operations to spare the blood of the brotherly Sudanese people, the statement added.

The statement also emphasised the need to protect the lives of Egyptian expatriates in Sudan (including the facilities and properties of the Egyptian official missions).

The foreign ministry affirmed that it was imperative that no external party attempt to exploit Sudans current situation by carrying out actions that further exacerbate the conflict or undermine the countrys territorial integrity.

Fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country since the early hours of Saturday morning. At least five civilians were killed and 78 wounded Sunday, bringing the two-day toll to 61 dead and more than 670 wounded.

Egypt is currently holding consultations with the concerned parties both inside and outside Sudan to defuse the current crises, the ministry added.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and South Sudan President Salva Kiir stated in a phone call on Sunday that they were willing to mediate between the Sudanese parties amidst ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF.

Furthermore, the Arab League held an emergency meeting on Sunday at the level of permanent representatives at the behest of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

EgyptAir suspended on Saturday all flights to and from Khartoum for a period of 72 hours, while the Egyptian Embassy in Sudan called for Egyptian expatriates to exercise maximum caution.

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EXPANDING

Citra Fitness & Movement added outdoor fitness classes.

Anders CPAs + Advisors, added 10,000 square feet of office space in Chesterfield.

HELPING OUT

Doe Run donated $6,000 to support STEM learning in four southeast Missouri school districts.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

WILsquare Capitals portfolio company Outerbox, LLC, acquired substantially all the assets of Trinity Insight, LLC.

HITS Corporation acquired Imagex  a woman-owned information technology business based in Reston, Virginia.

MILESTONE

Drury Hotels, a family-owned and operated hospitality group for 50 years, opened the first Drury Inn in Sikeston in April 1973.

OPENING

QuikTrip near the intersection of North and South Road and Olive Boulevard:

7579 Olive Blvd., University City

PARTNERSHIPS

St. Louis City SC and American Family Insurance formed a multi-year partnership.

Luebbering Insurance Agency joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance.

PROJECTS

The St. Clair County Transit District, in conjunction with Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis, and Metro Transit, approved the design for the Transit Stop Transformation Project at the 5th& Missouri Transit Center in East St. Louis.
Over the weekend, a Google employee wrote what has been described as a 10-page "manifesto against diversity." Boiling down 10 pages into a short column, and then commenting on it, is impossible.

But, the long and the short of his opinion seems to be that women are underrepresented in tech because of psychological differences between women and men, not because of bias, and women are underrepresented in the top tiers of leadership because of their own preferences, not discrimination. Ultimately, he believes that "diversity" initiatives should focus more on ideological diversity, and less on immutable characteristics like race and gender.

Cue the outrage and applause machines -- depending on which political tribe you belong to. Of course, the outrage machine is calling for him to be tracked down and fired. I take the opposite view, but not because I agree with him. In fact, I mostly disagree with him, though I think he makes some good arguments -- but that is beside the point. I categorically oppose the notion that if you have an opinion that deviates too far from that which is considered to be "politically correct," then the appropriate punishment is that you should lose your job -- and preferably not be hired anywhere else, either.

Some are tempted to call this a "First Amendment" issue. Let me be clear, it is not. The government is not involved, and thus this is not a violation of anyone's constitutional rights. But, one of the pillars that holds up our First Amendment is the "marketplace of ideas" theory -- that ideas should compete in the free market, and that through wide-open and robust debate, we will advance.

In ideology-driven authoritarian regimes, locking someone out of the labor market because you don't like their ideas is a common approach. Behind the Iron Curtain, for instance, if you weren't sufficiently Marxist, it didn't necessarily mean a trip to the gulag. You would just find that you were out of a job. Of course, the blowback against this Google employee is not top-down authoritarianism or orthodoxy enforced by the state. No, in America when you violate the PC code of conduct, a small cadre of people will dust off the outrage machine -- and millions of people will fuel it.

The result of such a lynch-mob mentality fueled by intolerance for different points of view is twofold. First, it winnows out those who might disagree, making the cone of tolerance and ideological pluralism ever-more narrow. Second, it drives holders of minority viewpoints or people with differing ideas underground, and causes them to seek out and communicate only those who agree with them -- which can push them to radicalization.

These results destroy our marketplace of ideas -- replacing it with a melee of venom.

Today, that melee is largely a left-spinning gyre -- but let us not forget that the right does this, too. During the Red Scare and the McCarthy era, for example. Or, even during the Bush years, when being anti-war meant being anti-American. Or, even recently when Trump supporters considered a particular production of a Shakespeare play to be too (supposedly) offensive.

With respect to the substance of the manifesto, I see it as almost irrelevant. To me, if you read it and are completely outraged or uniformly in favor, then you are part of the problem. If you can read anyone's opinion, spread out over 10 pages, and find nothing with which you agree, then you're almost certainly not thinking. Similarly, if you can read this guy's entire memo and find yourself blindly nodding, then you probably aren't using your brain either.

But, if we are to boil down his view, it is this: that we do need diversity but it should be focused on diversity of thought, not simply diversity that looks good to some in a group photo. In that regard, I agree with him. Meanwhile, I find the claim dubious that women are somehow genetically predisposed away from engineering. But I agree that it isn't sexism that dissuades them from it, but more likely simply preferences they may have.

Nevertheless, I think that it is completely valid for a company to believe that adding more gender and ethnic diversity to its pool of talent is better business. And if that's the case, then in the marketplace they should be able to make that decision. I just also happen to think that the company that looks for diversity of intellectual thought is, in the end, going to be the company that has greater success.

I will not call for someone to be fired because he disagrees with me on a social issue -- and I implore you to join me in taking that position. Join me in the marketplace of ideas.

Because the alternative is increasing nastiness, and increasing division, and increasing radicalization on both sides of the debate. The grownups are shopping in the marketplace of ideas. Where are you shopping?
ST. LOUIS  Clouds filled the sky on the morning of April 16, 1858. The Missouri Democrat newspaper described the weather as "almost tearful, as if in sympathy."

The Chamber of Commerce had resolved that all businesses be closed. Stores and shops were draped in black bunting and American flags. But the streets were alive with crowds of residents, all seeking a glimpse of four plumed black horses pulling a hearse, followed by a procession that took 45 minutes to pass.

The wake and funeral of Thomas Hart Benton, for three decades a U.S. senator from Missouri, was a major three-day event. Some estimates said one-fourth of the city's 160,000 people turned out for the funeral.

Benton, born in North Carolina, had moved here in 1815 at age 33. A lawyer, he quickly made friends with the powerful Chouteau family. Two years later, he shot and killed rival lawyer Charles Lucas in a duel on old Bloody Island, in the Mississippi River across from the city. He became a newspaper editor and shouted in print for statehood. In 1820, the budding state assembly chose him and David Barton as Missouri's first U.S. senators.

Benton was a strong promoter of westward expansion and a railroad to the Pacific Ocean. His distrust of Eastern bankers earned him the nickname Old Bullion. He was a dedicated Unionist, despite his slaveholding origins, and his attacks on the rising secessionist fervor of Sen. John Calhoun of South Carolina cost Benton his seat in 1850, back when the Legislature anointed senators.

But many Missourians still revered their populist lion and mourned his death April 10 in Washington. The train carrying his body arrived on April 14. Benton was laid out the next day in the spacious Mercantile Library Hall, Locust Street and Broadway, where thousands passed the casket into the next morning.

At 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, a procession marched five blocks south to Second Presbyterian Church, Fifth and Walnut streets, where the Rev. Mr. Cowan preached for two hours. As the procession re-formed, "roofs, balconies, windows, awnings and trees were burdened with spectators," the Democrat reported.

Following the hearse were city leaders, bands, social organizations, Army units from Jefferson Barracks and numerous military marching societies, including the St. Louis Grays, Washington Guards and Turners' Riflemen. (Their members would turn on each other in three years, when Benton's hopeless search for a middle ground on slavery exploded in the Civil War.)

At Ninth and North Market streets, a North Missouri Railroad train shuttled mourners to Bellefontaine Cemetery. Benton was buried next to his wife, Elizabeth. Ten years later, a statue in his memory was erected in Lafayette Park.

Read more stories from Tim O'Neil's Look Back series.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

ST. LOUIS  Elad Gross won an important victory for public transparency on Friday morning.

The attorney was in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer for a hearing on his open records lawsuit against St. Louis. Gross got the citys Sunshine Law coordinator to admit a startling fact.

The coordinator is Joseph Sims, a paralegal who works for the city counselor, Sheena Hamilton. She was appointed to her position by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. When it comes to the Sunshine Law, the connections matter. If youve ever filed a request for public documents in St. Louis, you likely received a letter signed by Sims saying a version of this:

The Custodian of Records has again advised that additional time is necessary to locate and identify any records responsive to your request 

Gross has received dozens of such letters. Many of them were related to the 11 Sunshine Law requests he filed in September and October 2021, seeking information about jail conditions in the city. Ive received many of those letters too, as have most reporters in town and many lawyers and citizens who sought public information.

Heres the thing about that sentence explaining a delay in producing records: In many cases, it is a lie  a sentence in a templated letter that is sent to people seeking public information, under a law that requires them to be told when the information will be available. The letters are sent by an employee of the city counselors office. The date for such delays is often pulled out of thin air.

In questioning Sims on the witness stand, Gross pointed to notes of conversations between Sims and various custodians of records, the city employees responsible for producing documents sought by the public. Under the Sunshine Law, government bodies have to appoint employees to handle records requests.

Theres no details from the custodian in notes explaining she needs more time, Gross noted, reading from documents the city produced as evidence.

So how, Gross asked, did Sims determine there has to be a delay and what that future date is?

As the coordinator, I made that decision, Sims said.

This is the dangerous game of circular logic the city is playing to keep documents from the public. Hamilton, the city counselor, argues that Gross cant sue Sims (or Hamilton, or the mayor) because they arent the custodians of record. But the way the city is managing its records, Sims is the only person who is allowed to communicate with the public. And he is making decisions  sometimes without consulting the custodian of records  on delays.

There is no doubt the Jones administration has struggled with the Sunshine Law, specifically the delays and the failures of some departments to produce documents. Chief among those has been the Division of Corrections, under the leadership of Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah. It is one of two departments from which Gross sought records.

Earlier this year, the head of the Civilian Oversight Board, which oversees the jail, complained that board members couldnt get records they needed. Clemons-Abdullah emailed another city employee to explain her intent to make sure such reports werent available for public inspection:

The daily reports will include the City Counselor Office to ensure the information that is being shared is at the best interest of the City and not sunshine-able as it will be attorney-client privilege, she wrote.

That email isnt a part of Grosss lawsuit (not yet, anyway). But it could well have been the ammunition he fired when he was on the stand Friday, being questioned by a city lawyer about why he didnt trust that the city would produce the records he asked for if he paid the required fees.

I have lots of reasons why I dont trust the city to produce records, Gross said. The city on multiple occasions did not fulfill Missouri Sunshine Law.

Thats true in Gross case. And its true in many other cases, including the ongoing lawsuit over the previous mayoral administrations practice of hiding records related to the failed airport privatization. Gross is seeking an order forcing the city to follow the Sunshine Law, as well as penalties for the alleged violations.

If a government entity keeps (violating the law), there have to be consequences, Gross argued.

Hes right, of course. The question for the judge, and perhaps eventually a jury, is who pays the price for government failure?
In one of the most pleasantly bizarre bipartisan pairings, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has joined forces with hardline conservative Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy supporting the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle increasingly recognize the threat to the survival of local independent journalism posed by social media platforms that are dipping into local publications content but keeping the advertising revenues all to themselves.

The internet long ago began luring news consumers away from standard news organizations, primarily print subscribers, forcing those entities to rely more and more on advertising revenues for their survival. But then the advertising started drifting away to major social media platforms, adding an additional budget squeeze that has pushed thousands of local journalism outlets to the brink of collapse.

The result has been drastically pared newsroom staffing over the years. Its been no secret that the Post-Dispatch is among those news organizations caught in the pinch. For all the complaints about news media bias, lawmakers in Washington recognize that strong local journalism constitutes a pillar of democracy. When news organizations have to close or pare back their coverage, the risk grows that corrupt practices in government and business will go undetected and unreported. Public meetings in which important government decisions are made might go uncovered. Legislatures can pass bills detrimental to the public good or designed to serve special interests, but if no one is there to cover it, members of the public are left in the dark.

Local papers  are the heart and soul of journalism, and they break the news that millions of Americans rely on every day, Kennedy said in a statement. However, tech giants like Facebook and Google are hammering local publications by keeping them from making a profit on Big Tech platforms  and its killing local journalism.

It matters hugely that someone with the strong conservative credentials of Kennedy is willing to step up in defense of the news media. Others include Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

The bill would allow news organizations with fewer than 1,500 total employees to bargain collectively to force more equitable revenue sharing with the big social media companies. Without collective bargaining permission from Congress, those organizations could be subject to prosecution under federal antitrust laws.

The same bill, with 90 cosponsors in the House and Senate, was on the verge of passage in Congress last year when Facebook threatened harsh retaliation. Congress these days seems far more inclined to stand up against Big Tech, and the industrys own budgetary pinch has prompted massive layoffs, making the industry seem politically less formidable than before.

Any member of the public who wants to preserve journalistic checks and balances should urge members of Congress to stand up to Big Tech and pass the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act.
Trump belongs in jail, but the N.Y. prosecution is nonsense

Although Id like to see former President Donald Trump spend the rest of his life behind bars, I want it to be done legally in a fair trial. That said, his recent arrest and arraignment in a New York criminal court was one of the biggest shams in our system of jurisprudence.

No doubt Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wants to make a name for himself. I dont believe he has evidence to substantiate his charges. I can only hope the presiding judge sees what I see as the worthlessness of the evidence and dismisses the charges against Trump. Our criminal justice system is by far the fairest and most just in the world and should always and unequivocally follow the letter of the law.

Gene Carton  Clayton

Mitchells courage was crucial to the Good Friday Agreement

Regarding Bill Clintons op-ed Why has peace endured in Northern Ireland? Hope and history rhymed. (April 10): Its unfortunate Clintons self-congratulatory piece about the Good Friday Agreement fails even to mention the name of the U. S. special envoy primarily responsible for getting the two intransigent parties to the table and to a signed agreement: Former U. S. Senator George Mitchell of Maine.

Mitchells father, a janitor, was an orphaned Irish immigrant adopted by a Lebanese-American family in Waterville, Maine. His mother, a textile worker, was an immigrant from Lebanon. His connection to Ireland through his father motivated Mitchell to take on the daunting task of bringing to a conclusion the troubles between Northern Irelands Catholic and Protestant communities that began in 1922 with the treaty that concluded the Irish War of Independence.

In creating both the Irish Free State and the British statelet of Northern Ireland, this ill-fated compromise satisfied no one. Its immediate aftermath was the horrific Irish Civil War between treaty and anti-treaty supporters that went on until 1924. Mitchells personal courage, persistence and political brilliance in untangling what had been a toxic web for over 70 years needs to be acknowledged and celebrated today.

Charles Fanning  Webster Groves

Pro-life should include protecting kids from gun violence

Why are we standing by listening to the radio or watching TV when our young innocent children are being slaughtered like cattle in a packing house, and while their classmates have those images imprinted on their brains forever?

How can we rally in the streets of cities and towns all over America for unborn children but do nothing for our children that we see every day in classrooms, on buses, at parks and playgrounds and shopping centers? Dont our living, breathing children matter?

If we can rally in the streets for our unborn and cause the U.S. Supreme Court to act, why cant we as Christians cause our senators and representatives and all elected officials be made to listen to the will of the people and not the National Rifle Association?

P.C. Nofles  Ferguson

Public transit is crucial to the future of this region

Public transit is essential to the recovery and growth of our communities in St. Louis. We can see the impact of public transit in the central corridors  areas like the Central West End and Midtown are booming with the help of MetroLink  and the Cortex Station has been and will continue to be a critical development tool in that area and has the support of the biggest employers in the city, like Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University and St. Louis University. But not everybody is participating in that success.

Transit has the unique ability to successfully cross boundaries like the city limits, the river, and more. For the region to capitalize on the benefits of transit, we can no longer view it in silos like city versus county. The future of transit is really rooted in a regional approach.

Kimberly Cella  St. Louis

Does Messengers culture-war imagery include guns?

Regarding Tony Messengers column The culture wars come to Bud Light: Cry me a river (of beer). (April 12): Messenger states, I dont care if there is a picture of Bob Dylan, Matt Dillon or Dylan Carlson on a can of Bud Light. My loyalty is to taste and, to a certain extent, region. He adds: I like beer. Straight beer. Gay beer. Country beer. City beer.

Im curious if Messenger would write the same type of column if Anheuser-Busch were to put out a beer can with an image of an AR-15 rifle. Somehow I dont think so.

Eric Schult  St. Peters

Like it or not, fertilized eggs are by definition unborn humans

Regarding the Ruth Marcus op-ed Ideologues in robes making abysmal decisions (April 15): Marcus objects to the term unborn human as used by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk. Marcus refers to the term as not appropriate, inflammatory and loaded.

I disagree. A human being provides the sperm, and a human being provides the egg. When the two unite, the resulting entity is certainly a human being  an unborn human as the judge put it. How can it be otherwise?

Carol Hodes  St. Louis Hills

Read letters online at STLToday.com
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Volastra Therapeutics, a clinical-stage cancer biotechnology company focused on exploiting chromosomal instability (CIN), today released preclinical data from the companys portfolio of KIF18A inhibitors at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Volastras KIF18A portfolio consists of two clinical-stage highly differentiated, novel, first-in-class KIF18A inhibitors: recently in-licensed sovilnesib (formally AMG650) and internally-developed VLS-1488. Each will have poster presentations at the meeting.

We are proud to have side-by-side posters on our two groundbreaking KIF18A inhibitors at AACR, said Charles Hugh-Jones, M.D., FRCP, Chief Executive Officer at Volastra. KIF18A is an exciting and novel target in oncology, and we see huge potential benefits for patients with our two drugs, each having distinct molecular properties.

Sovilnesib findings, presented in a poster entitled Discovery and preclinical characterization of AMG650, a first-in-class inhibitor of kinesin KIF18A motor protein with potent activity against chromosomally unstable cancers (#516), demonstrate robust anti-cancer activity with evidence of durable tumor regressions in a subset of human ovarian and breast tumor models at well-tolerated doses. Also promising is in vivo combination data, which show enhanced anti-cancer activity of sovilnesib combined with PARP inhibitor olaparib as compared to olaparib alone.

Findings for one of Volastras internally-developed KIF18A inhibitors are shown in a second poster, entitled Targeting chromosomally unstable tumors with a selective KIF18A inhibitor (#517). In this, in vivo data shows substantial, dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth in multiple tumor models. Notably, KIF18A inhibition alters mitotic progression in chromosomally unstable cells but does not impact growth of chromosomally stable or normal cell types, differentiating it from other clinical anti-mitotic agents.

Volastra will advance clinical development of both sovilnesib and the Volastra-developed KIF18A inhibitor VLS-1488 in 2023.

About Volastra Therapeutics

Volastra Therapeutics is a New York-based clinical-stage drug discovery company pioneering novel approaches to treating cancer by exploiting a unique tumor vulnerability known as chromosomal instability (CIN). Founded by Lewis Cantley, Ph.D., Samuel Bakhoum, M.D., Ph.D., and Olivier Elemento, Ph.D., Volastra is rapidly developing and implementing new methods to exploit this vulnerability. Leveraging its proprietary CINtech platform, the company is advancing a novel synthetic lethal and immune-activating pipeline through both discovery and clinical stages to support future patients with cancer. For more information, please visit volastratx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230416005019/en/

Media

Lisa Raffensperger

[email protected]

Source: Volastra Therapeutics
DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TrustPoint, an aerospace startup providing next-generation GNSS products and services, today announced the launch of its first satellite. The satellite, named "Its About Time, will allow TrustPoint to mature and demonstrate core technologies as they progress towards delivering GPS-independent global time and positioning services.

This launch marks a pivotal moment for aerospace innovation, said Patrick Shannon, CEO of TrustPoint. TrustPoints new platform is the first commercially-funded, purpose-built PNT microsatellite. With this mission, we are expediting the impact of commercial technologies and innovation cycles on the world of timing and navigation, arguably one of the most far reaching and critical satellite services today.

Maverick Space Systems, a leading launch services provider and rideshare aggregator, supported the launch of Its About Time on SpaceXs Transporter-7 Mission out of Vandenberg Space Force base in California late Friday evening. This first mission will focus on testing, calibration and optimization of TrustPoints pioneering microsat-compatible GNSS payload technology. After an initial commissioning period, TrustPoint will take control of the satellite and operate it through a series of tests and demonstrations.

TrustPoint has shown that NewSpace strategies enable rapid execution for even the most critical space capabilities, said Chris DeMay, TrustPoint COO. The team delivered a spacecraft in eight months, an incredible feat achieved during a challenging economic climate, at the peak of the silicon shortage. This is a key milestone as we scale our production, constellation, and capability.

In just a few years, TrustPoints constellation will deliver secure high precision time and positioning services at a fraction of the cost of comparable offerings. This capability will help fortify existing critical applications and enable the proliferation of nascent use cases in autonomous navigation, national security and smart infrastructure.

About TrustPoint, Inc.

TrustPoint is developing next-generation fully commercial GNSS services, to achieve the performance, security, and availability required for autonomous navigation, vital infrastructure management, and augmented reality.

Learn more at www.trustpointgps.com and follow TrustPoint on social media.

Twitter - @TrustPointGPS

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustpointgps/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230411005984/en/

Burcu Erkmen

[email protected]

Source: TrustPoint, Inc.
TORONTO, April 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thousands of people ascended the CN Towers 1,776 steps today as WWFs CN Tower Climb for Nature made its highly anticipated return. Tomorrow, thousands more will take on the challenge to help raise over $1 million for wildlife conservation.

Footage and photos from todays event and interview clips with WWF-Canada president and CEO Megan Leslie, and WWF-Canada board member Melissa Grelo, are available here.

Anyone wishing to take part tomorrow can register at wwf.ca/cntower.

WHERE: CN Tower

WHO:

Megan Leslie, WWF-Canada president and CEO.

Shaun Stephens-Whale, a competitive tower runner back to beat his own record-setting 9 minutes and 54.9 second climb.

Blake Moynes, a Bachelorette alum and conservationist from Hamilton, Ontario

alum and conservationist from Hamilton, Ontario Large corporate teams from Nissan Canada, Aviva Canada, TD Insurance, Proctor & Gamble Canada, BGIS, and more.

Thousands more climbers (see some inspiring climber stories here).

WHEN: Sunday, April 16

5:30 a.m.: Media desk opens at the base of CN Tower.

6  6:30 a.m.: Elite Climbers (competitive climbers) will vie for the fastest time up the CN Tower.

Climbers will be available for interviews at the top of the tower or at the MTCC, North Building, Hall C, at 8 a.m. when we announce the fastest climbers.



7  10 a.m.: Individual climbers start up the tower.

8:30  9:30 a.m. Blake Moynes and his team will climb the CN Tower.

Blake is available for interviews before the climb in the MTCC at the Platinum Panda longue, as well as at the finish line.



9 a.m.: Megan Leslie climbs the CN Tower.

Megan is available for interviews before and after the climb; photo-ops entering stairwell and at finish line.



10 a.m.: Last climber enters the tower.

11 a.m.: Last of the climbers should have cleared the tower.

Please note that all media will be required to sign security waiver forms to ascend the CN Tower by elevator. Forms will be available at the media desk in the base of the tower.

We will do our best to accommodate interviews. For a photo-op or interview with a specific climber, please contact WWF-Canada to arrange in advance. About WWF-Canadas CN Tower Climb for NatureWWF-Canadas most significant fundraising event, the CN Tower Climb for Nature raises more than $1 million to protect habitats and species across Canada and around the world. For more information, visit wwf.ca/cntower About World Wildlife Fund CanadaWWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca.

Attachments

Emily Vandermeer WWF-Canada 5196161556 [email protected]

Source: WWF-Canada
NEW YORK , April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The combination of an experimental mRNA vaccine with an immunotherapy reduced the likelihood of melanoma recurring or causing death by 44% when compared to immunotherapy alone, a new clinical trial shows.

Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center, the randomized phase 2b trial involved men and women who had surgery to remove melanoma from lymph nodes or other organs and were at high risk of the disease returning in sites distant from the original cancer.

Among 107 study subjects who were injected with both the experimental vaccine, called mRNA-4157/V940, and the immunotherapy pembrolizumab, the cancer returned in 24 subjects (22.4%) within two years of follow-up, compared with 20 out of 50 (40%) who received only pembrolizumab.

"Our phase 2b study shows that a neoantigen mRNA vaccine, when used in combination with pembrolizumab, resulted in prolonged time without recurrence or death compared with pembrolizumab alone," said study senior investigator Jeffrey Weber , MD, PhD, the deputy director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center.

The phase 2b trial results are to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research on April 16 in Orlando, Fla.

While randomized phase 3 trials test whether a treatment is superior to current standard therapies, phase 2 trials like the current study provide preliminary reassurance that one treatment is likely to be better than another, and lead to larger studies to confirm those results. Phase 3 trials of the combination of the mRNA-4157/V940 vaccine with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone are already planned at NYU Langone and a number of other medical centers globally, said Weber, the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Study results so far led the United States Food and Drug Administration in February to grant Breakthrough Therapy Designation to mRNA-4157/V940 in combination with pembrolizumab, a designation designed to speed government reviews of trial results.

The current results highlight the role of immune system T cells capable of attacking viruses as well as cancers. To spare normal cells, this system uses "checkpoint" molecules on T cell surfaces to "turn off" their attack against viruses when they clear the infection. The body may recognize tumors as abnormal, but cancer cells hijack checkpoints to turn off, evade and avoid immune responses. Immunotherapies like pembrolizumab seek to block checkpoints, making cancer cells more "visible" and vulnerable again to immune cells.

Immunotherapies have become the mainstay for treating melanoma, although they do not work for all patients because melanoma cells, known for their ability to evade the immune system, can become resistant to immunotherapy. For this reason, researchers have looked at adding vaccines. While most vaccines used today are designed to prevent infections, they can also be tailored to target proteins involved in cancer.

Like the COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-4157/V940 is based on messenger RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA that provides instructions to cells for making proteins. mRNA cancer vaccines are designed to teach the body's immune system to recognize cancer cells as different from normal cells. In designing a vaccine against melanoma, researchers attempted to trigger an immune response to specific abnormal proteins, called "neoantigens," made by cancer cells.

Because the study volunteers all had their tumors removed, researchers were able to analyze their cells for neoantigens that were specific to each melanoma and create a "personalized" vaccine for each patient. As a result, T cells were produced specific to the neoantigen proteins encoded by the mRNA. Those T cells could then attack any melanoma cells trying to grow or spread.

Scientists involved in the study say that the personalized mRNA-4157/V940 vaccine took about six to eight weeks to develop for each patient and could recognize as many as 34 neoantigens. Severe side effects were similar between the two arms of the study, they said, with fatigue being the most common side effect specific to the vaccine reported by patients.

The study was funded by Moderna Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. , and Merck of Rahway, NJ . mRNA-4157/V940 is being jointly developed and commercialized by Moderna and Merck. Merck is the manufacturer of pembrolizumab. About 1.3 million Americans are currently diagnosed with some form of melanoma.

Weber consults for and has received less than $10,000 per annum from Merck, Genentech, Astra Zeneca, GSK, Novartis, Nektar, Celldex, Incyte, Biond, Moderna, ImCheck, Sellas, Evaxion, Pfizer, Regeneron, and EMD Serono; has received $10-25,000 from BMS for membership on Advisory Boards; he holds equity in Biond, Evaxion, OncoC4, and Instil Bio; and is on scientific advisory boards for CytoMx, Incyte, ImCheck, Biond, Sellas, Instil Bio, OncoC4, and Neximmune, for which he is remunerated between $10,000-$50,000 dollars . He is not a member of any speaker's bureau; NYU received research support from BMS, Merck, GSK, Moderna, Pfizer, Novartis, and Astra Zeneca; Weber is one of the co-authors on two patents filed by Moffitt Cancer Center and one patent filed by Biodesix and receives less than $6,000 yearly in royalties. These relationships are being managed in accordance with the policies and practices of NYU Langone Health.

Besides Weber, other study co-investigators are Adnan Khattak , at Hollywood Private Hospitals in Nedlands, Australia ; Matteo Carlino , at Westmead Hospital in Westmead, Australia ; Tarek Meniawy, at Saint John of God Subiaco Hospital in Subiaco , Australia ; George Ansstas, at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. ; Teresa Medina , at University of Colorado in Aurora; Matthew Taylor , at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute in Portland, Ore. ; Kevin Kim , at California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in Oakland ; Meredith McKean , at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, Tenn. ; Georgina Long , at Melanoma Institute Australia in Wollstonecraft, Australia ; Ryan Sullivan , at Mass General Brigham in Boston ; Mark Faries , at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in Los Angeles ; Thuy Tran , at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn. ; Charles Cowey , at Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas ; Andrew Pecora , at the John Thuerer Cancer Center in Hackensack, NJ ; Jennifer Segar , at the University of Arizona in Tucson ; Victoria Atkinson , at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba, Australia ; Geoffrey Gibney , at Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, DC ; Jason Luke , at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania ; Sajeve Thomas, at Orlando Health in Florida ; Elizabeth Buckbinder , at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston ; Peijie Hou , Lili Zhu , Michelle Brown , Praveen Aanur, and Robert Meehan , at Moderna Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. ; and Tal Zaks , at OrbiMed in New York City .

Note: This presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research on Sunday, April 16, 2023 , at 11 a.m. EDT in Orlando, Fla. , is titled "A personalized cancer vaccine, mRNA-4157, combined with pembrolizumab in patients with resected high-risk melanoma: Efficacy and safety results from the randomized, open-label Phase 2b mRNA-4157-P201/Keynote-942 trial."

VIDEO OF RESEARCHER AND PATIENT COMMENTARY IS AVAILABLE AT:

https://bcove.video/3mxxASq

Media Inquiries:

Greg Williams

212-404-3500

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SOURCE NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health
At least 34 defence volunteers and six soldiers died in a suspected jihadist attack in insurgency-hit northern Burkina Faso, the regional governorate said on Sunday.

A detachment of soldiers and the civilian volunteers "was the target of an attack by unidentified armed men on Saturday ... at about 4:00 pm," near Aorema village, the Ouahigouya governorate said in a statement.

The provisional death toll was 34 auxiliaries from the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP) and six soldiers, the statement said, adding that 33 more people were wounded and in a "stable condition" in the regional capital Ouahigouya's university hospital.

A security source confirmed the death toll and said "several dozen terrorists had been neutralised", meaning killed, during a "riposte" launched after the attack.

Another security source said the detachment that came under assault was deployed to maintain security at Ouahigouya's aerodrome.

"Violent clashes took place yesterday evening ... for nearly two hours," a villager who witnessed the fighting told AFP, asking not to be named.

"Several air strikes had targeted suspected positions held by the jihadists," on Friday, the villager added.

Burkina Faso's military junta had declared Thursday a "general mobilisation" to give the state "all necessary means" to combat a string of bloody attacks blamed on jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

- State of emergency -

Details of the plan were not disclosed, though a security source told AFP it would include "a state of emergency for the affected territories".

Authorities also issued an "advisory" that gives the president "the right to requisition people, goods and services and the right to restrain certain civil liberties", according to another security source.

On Tuesday, the defence minister called for current and retired military personnel to hand in unused uniforms to help outfit army soldiers.

Last week, 44 civilians were reported killed by "armed terrorist groups" in two villages in the northeast, near the Niger border.

It was one of the deadliest attacks against civilians since Captain Ibrahim Traore came to power last September, after 51 soldiers were killed in February at Deou, in the far north.

The government had already announced the same month a plan to recruit 5,000 more soldiers to battle the insurgency that has gripped one of the world's poorest countries since 2015.

Traore, Burkina's transitional president, has declared a goal of recapturing the 40 percent of the country's territory which is controlled by jihadists.

The violence has left more than 10,000 people dead, according to non-governmental aid groups, and displaced two million people from their homes.

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Global technology brand, OPPO, announces the availability of its highly anticipated Find N2 Flip in the UAE

The Find N2 Flip combines a revolutionary vertical cover screen  the largest of its kind, with a long-lasting, fast-charging battery and a host of flagship experiences

Marking the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones at large, the Find N2 Flip redefines boundaries with industry-leading features

The Find N2 Flip is available to purchase from select Sharaf DG stores across the UAE

DUBAI, UAE , April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand, OPPO, announced the launch of the Find N2 Flip in the UAE . Combining the largest cover screen of its kind with day-long battery life and SUPERVOOC flash charging, the Find N2 Flip takes foldables from the sidelines to the forefront in a compact, sleek, and remarkable way.

The new OPPO Find N2 Flip puts an industry-leading cover screen into palms and pockets, challenging what users come to expect from small form-factor foldables. Despite its light weight and pocketable size, the Find N2 Flip's vertical cover screen turns OPPO's debut flip phone into an incredible photography tool. The tall cover screen also features powerful widgets that help users stay on top of their notifications, and it's big enough to showcase meaningful information, so there's no need to open your flip phone constantly.

Empowered by world-class hardware, a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ power, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds, the Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for OPPO and flip phones as a whole.

Ivan Wu , General Manager of OPPO GCC said, "Every aspect of the Find N2 Flip reflects OPPO's mission to enrich real-world experiences. We combined industry-leading engineering and innovation with intuitive design principles. So Find N2 Flip's design is burdenless  each component moving in harmony, as it marries a powerful cover screen with a compromise-free package, elevated by subtle, rich flourishes."

Redefining the Cover Screen

Measuring 3.26 inches, the Find N2 Flip's cover screen is the largest of any flip phone currently available. Its vertical orientation is also game-changing, allowing the cover screen to display as many as six notifications in one view  that's industry-leading for a flip phone. Quickly reply to messages in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more  all without picking up or opening the phone. And with less need to engage fully, you can regain control over your digital balance while staying connected.

Balancing its useful features with fun, playful moments, the Find N2 Flip's cover screen is also home to one of five interactive pets. Users can choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster, or rabbit, and have company whenever fired up. From playful to laugh-out-loud, users can set a GIF as their cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop. In addition to Bitmoji and OMOJI stickers, the AOD also displays the time, date, power status, and notifications.

Rather than create a loud, attention-grabbing aesthetic for the Find N2 Flip's design, OPPO dialed down the visual volume, so the phone's style acts as a backdrop upon which the cover screen shines. With polished aluminium sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, the Find N2 Flip is available in two colours: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.

Weighing just 191g and measuring 7.45mm when open, the Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it feels like it truly belongs in your hand, whether open or closed. The smartphone's immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is picture perfect, with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

The Best Flip Phone Camera

The Find N2 Flip's flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens  a strong foundation for incredible imaging. See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives users the clearest selfie previews available. And when taking a photo or video of someone else, fire up Dual Preview so they can see how they look.

Unlock even more creativity with FlexForm Mode, made possible by the New Generation Flexion Hinge, as the Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45 and 110 for waist-level dynamic angles, and evocative 4K time-lapse video.

FlexForm Mode also turns the flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture  perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.

Co-developed with the iconic camera manufacturer Hasselblad, the Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colours, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame. Much more than just a photography champion, the Find N2 Flip's in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light.

Tested to over 400,000 folds

Much of what makes the Find N2 Flip incredible is made possible by its New Generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust, folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease.

The hinge's miniaturized design is made up of fewer components than the original Flexion Hinge, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The New Generation Flexion Hinge is also more compact than ever, creating more space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.

Just as with the Find N and Find N2, there is no hinge gap when you close the Find N2 Flip, so it keeps dust out, and OPPO appointed TUV Rhineland to test its durability independently. The phone is certified to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature, and it's also tested up to 100,000 times at 50C and 95 per cent humidity, and at -20C.

OPPO also iterated its New Generation Flexion Hinge to guide the screen into the gentlest folding angle possible, creating a water drop shaped fold that results in a significantly shallower, narrower crease than other flip phones when unfolded. In addition to being incredibly subtle to the eye, it also feels virtually imperceptible to the touch for an uncompromised, flat-screen experience.

The Longest Lasting and Fastest Charging Flip Phone

The Find N2 Flip crams a massive 4,300mAh battery into its compact body. This is the biggest battery in any flip phone by a huge margin.

In fact, according to OPPO's tests, the Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge  critical in popularizing the category on the whole.

OPPO also includes the fastest charging of any flip phone on the Find N2 Flip  44W SUPERVOOC, taking the battery from nearly empty to 50 per cent in just 23 minutes, and up to 100 per cent in less than an hour.

Additionally, OPPO worked closely with MediaTek to create an optimized version of its flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset for the Find N2 Flip, resulting in one more hour of video calling, two more hours of social media and five hours of music streaming.

All-Around Experience, In A Snap

The Find N2 Flip breaks through barriers with the largest cover screen on any flip phone. With it, world-class selfies and flagship photography experiences are made possible.

Robust enough for over a decade of folding, and with all-day power and fast charging, durability and battery anxiety will be little more than a memory as the Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones at large.

Market Availability

The OPPO Find N2 Flip is exclusively available to purchase from Sharaf DG stores in Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall , and City Centre Deira, and is priced at AED 3,999.

As part of OPPO's long-standing partnership with Google, UAE customers who purchase and activate the Find N2 Flip by July will be entitled to a complimentary 6-month Google One and 3-month YouTube Premium subscription, giving UAE Find N2 Flip users the opportunity to enjoy massive 100GB of cloud storage and uninterrupted YouTube videos and music. Terms and conditions apply.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global technology brand since 2004, dedicated to providing products that seamlessly combines art and innovative technology.

OPPO is on a mission to building a multiple-access smart device ecosystem for the era of intelligent connectivity. The smartphone devices have simply been a gateway for OPPO to deliver a diverse portfolio of smart and frontier technologies in hardware, software and system. In 2019, OPPO launched a $7 Billion US Dollar three -year investment plan in R&D to develop core technologies furthering design through technology.

OPPO is firmly pursuing the creation of the best technology products and technological artistry for global users. Based on the brand elements of leading, young and beautiful, OPPO dedicates to the mission of letting the extraordinary users enjoy the beauty of technology.

For the last 10 years, OPPO has focused on manufacturing smartphones with camera capabilities that are second to none. OPPO launched the first mobile phone, the Smile Phone, in 2008, which marked the launch of the brand's epic journey in exploring and pioneering extraordinary technology. Over the years, OPPO has built a tradition of being number one, which became a reality through inventing the world's first rotating camera smartphone way back in 2013, launching the world's then thinnest smartphone in 2014, being the first to introduce 5X Zoom 'Periscope' camera technology and developing the first 5G commercial smartphone in Europe .

Today, OPPO was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally. OPPO brings the aesthetics of technology of global consumers through the ColorOS system Experience, and Internet service like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+.

OPPO's business covers 60 countries operated by more than 40,000 dedicated employees, with over six research institutes and five R&D centers across the world, from San Francisco to Shenzhen . OPPO also opened an International Design Centre headquartered in London , driving cutting edge technology that will shape the future not only for smartphones but for intelligent connectivity.

About OPPO MEA

OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015 after setting up its regional office in Egypt . Following the immense success of the brand's sales centre in Cairo in the first year, OPPO accelerated its expansion plan across the MEA region and inaugurated its country operations in the UAE in 2019. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 14 markets across the region, including Egypt , Algeria , Tunisia , Morocco , Bahrain , Saudi Arabia , UAE , Oman , Kuwait , Qatar , Kenya , Nigeria , South Africa and the Levant.

To empower its presence in the region in line with its product localisation strategy, OPPO further invested in MENA and set up its very own factory in Algeria in 2017, thus, becoming the first Chinese brand to build a manufacturing premises in North Africa . Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service.

Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region.

A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns.

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SOURCE OPPO
TAIPEI , April 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The SAE Taipei Section of Taiwan is sending a delegation, led by Jerry Wang , the 29th chairman and also Chairman of domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), to the U.S. for participating in the 2023 World Congress Experience (WCX), as well as promote ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared)-related partnerships, business opportunities, and information exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. .

The delegation includes many ranking officials of Taiwanese government, as well leading automakers, research institutes, among others. It is scheduled to arrive Detroit on April 16th , and visit some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, such as GM Proving Ground , Optimal Group, Autoneum, the Mcity, ACM, and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR).

Taiwan - U.S. exchanges on vehicles and EV industry have received significant attention from the government, and the Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC) framework, launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan and the U.S. Department of Commerce in the end of 2021, has been facilitating more progresses in related fields. In 2022, for example, the MOEA played a pivotal role in the establishment of Optimal Intelligent Mobility Co., Ltd., a joint venture between ARTC and U.S. -based OPTIMAL Group, to promote Taiwan's cutting-edge intelligent-driving technology on the global stage.

Chairman Wang points out that Taiwan's vehicle- and EV-related systems have been a very important part of the global supply chain. The output of Taiwan's auto-electronics reached about US$1.2 billion in 2022, and is estimated to exceed US$2 billion by 2025. EVs are becoming the mainstream of the global car market, he stresses, and Taiwan has a complete EV industry supply chain that has accumulated international supply experience and outstanding ICT back-forces. Plus with the competitive advantage in system integration and intelligence, he adds, Taiwan can help international automakers rapidly develop intelligent EVs in the most efficient way.

This is the first post-COVID delegation visit by SAE Taipei Section to the U.S. , and Wang hopes to promote partnerships between the two countries' automotive industry, while deepen mutual understanding and technology exchanges.

The SAE Taipei Section of Taiwan is sending a delegation to the U.S. , led by Jerry Wang , the 29th chairman and also Chairman of domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC). This trip will communicate with the U.S. vehicle industry on the latest industry trends, technological development and other issues, and promote Taiwan - U.S. industrial cooperation.

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340,000 UPS Teamsters Fight for Better Pay, More Full-time Jobs, Safety

ORANGE, Calif. , April 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien , UPS Teamsters, and local leaders from throughout Southern California rallied at Teamsters Local 952 in Orange, Calif. , on April 15 , as the union gears up for negotiations on a new contract protecting more than 340,000 package delivery drivers and warehouse logistics workers nationwide.

"There are 12 weeks from Monday until the expiration of the contract. We've stated our intentions. Teamsters will not be working beyond the expiration date of that contract unless there is a new contract that our members deserve, endorse, embrace, and vote on. We are prepared to work seven days a week to get it done," O'Brien said. "This company has made record profits because of the hard work of Teamsters and now it's time for UPS to reward the people who make this company a success."

The Teamsters national negotiating committee will meet with UPS on Monday, April 17 , in Washington, DC , to address supplemental negotiations. On April 12 , the International Brotherhood of Teamsters demanded UPS stop delaying and resolve supplemental negotiations prior to the start of national negotiations.

The Teamsters' UPS contract is the largest private sector collective bargaining agreement in North America . The current five-year agreement expires July 31, 2023 .

"UPS told our members they were heroes during the pandemic, that they were essential. The time for talk is over. The time is now for UPS to put pen to paper, negotiate a contract, sign it, and reward our members for the record profits they've made for this company," said Eric Jimenez , Secretary-Treasurer of Local 952.

"UPS got record profits from the pandemic off your backs. This is your fight and you're going to get what you deserve," said Victor Mineros , Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 in Los Angeles .

"UPS made $13 billion last year. They gave $5 billion of that to line the pockets of top executives and shareholders in stock buybacks. Every UPS Teamster deserves to share in the profits they created," said Rep. Katie Porter (D-47th).

The Teamsters are fighting to win a strong contract at UPS that seeks to guarantee better pay for all workers, eliminate the two-tier wage 22.4 job classification, increase the number of full-time jobs, improve job security, end excessive overtime, address safety and health concerns around heat illness, and provide stronger protections against company harassment.

At the rally, UPS Teamster rank-and-file members shared what it's like to work at UPS and called on UPS to deliver on the contract that they deserve.

"One of the biggest issues facing UPS part-time workers is the need for a living wage. We are here to send a message to UPS that your corporate greed must stop now," said Thomas Katakowski , a part-time UPS package handler and member of Local 952. "UPS loves calling us heroes. It's time they treat and pay us like the heroes they say we are."

"UPS feeder drivers move three billion packages a year. UPS has made billions in profits. Now they have the audacity to sit across from us at the bargaining table and question if we deserve a piece. We not only deserve a piece, but we demand our fair share," said Ruben Tiscareno Jr., a 30-year Local 396 member and UPS feeder driver.

Among a long list of speakers and supporters at the rally were Teamsters Western Region Vice Presidents Lindsay Dougherty , Peter Finn , and Chris Griswold , California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher , President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Yvonne Wheeler, and Executive Director of the Orange County Labor Federation Gloria Alvarado .

Negotiations come just months after UPS reported record profits, including revenue exceeding $100 billion for the first time and pay of $19 million for UPS CEO Carol Tome .

UPS Teamsters represented at 176 Teamster local unions across the country are united in the fight for a more secure future.

To watch the full rally in Orange , go to ibt.io/UPSApril15Rally.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the United States , Canada , and Puerto Rico . Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Teamsters.

Contact:

Kara Deniz , (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
A staff member attends to visitors at an oven retailer at the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China April 16, 2023. REUTERS/Ellen Zhang

By Ellen Zhang and David Kirton

GUANGZHOU (Reuters) -Chinese exporters exhibiting their products at the country's largest trade fair said the weak global economy was hurting their businesses, with many freezing investments and some cutting labour costs in response.

The subdued mood at the Canton Fair in the southern city of Guangzhou suggests China's unexpected jump in exports in March may have reflected exporters catching up with orders delayed last year by COVID curbs rather than renewed economic strength.

The first major trade event since China abruptly dropped COVID restrictions and re-opened its borders comes as sharply higher borrowing costs in the United States and Europe hit demand for Chinese-made goods.

Kris Lin, a representative from Christmas light producer Taizhou Hangjie Lamps, said this year's orders so far are down 30% from last year.

"The difficulties last year came from logistics and production disruptions but the local government helped solve the problems. That's an internal issue. Now we have external problems. We can't solve those," Lin said.

"This year will be the hardest for us," he said, with higher electricity costs caused by the war in Ukraine reducing demand for his decorations even further.

Lin said the company cannot afford to sell at lower prices, but it may look to reduce labour costs. The firm relies on contract workers who get released in September to October after the delivery of Christmas orders.

"If orders are weak this year, I will set my workers free earlier."

Huang Qinqin, sales director at Zhong Shan Shi Limaton Electronics, a producer of exhaust fans, has similar thoughts on cutting costs after orders halved in the first quarter.

"In our factory, workers come to work when there are orders," Huang said. This used to mean working overtime even on weekends, but it is more common this year for workers to take weekends off, she said.

A producer of shaving devices from the eastern city of Ningbo, who asked to remain anonymous to unveil future plans, said the firm had already laid off workers and will lower prices in coming months if orders don't improve.

The worsening outlook for workers in the manufacturing industries will raise concerns among policymakers, who target 12 million new jobs across China this year, up from last year's goal of 11 million.

Dozens of Chinese suppliers told Reuters they did not intend to spend much on improving production lines this year given the weak demand.

"We have no plan to increase investment," said Luna Hou, sales representative at Topgrill, which makes outdoor grills and has cut prices by 5% to lure buyers.

Vicky Chen, foreign trade manager at socket producer Qinjia Electric, said she did not expect a big sales boost at the fair, which runs until May 5.

"The whole global economy is fairing poorly at the moment, and the fair won't change that."

(Ellen Zhang David Kirton; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Tom Hogue)
FILE PHOTO: An advertisement of 5G network by U Mobile carrier is displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 26, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

(This April 16 story has been corrected to say "setbacks", not "delays", in paragraph 2)

By Rozanna Latiff and Yantoultra Ngui

KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Malaysia plans to introduce a second 5G network from next year, four sources told Reuters, in the latest policy shake-up aimed at dismantling monopolies and promoting competition by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's six-month-old administration.

Malaysia's 5G roll-out by state agency Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) has seen repeated setbacks because of industry concerns over pricing and transparency, as well as worries that a single government-run network would result in a nationalised monopoly.

Since taking office in November last year, Anwar has ordered reviews of billions of dollars in government projects as he looks to strengthen governance and minimise wasteful spending. He has also vowed to boost competition to ensure better services for the public.

Anwar's government is now planning to introduce a second 5G network from January 2024 to challenge DNB's lock on the market, four sources familiar with discussions told Reuters, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The communications and digital ministry told Reuters no decision has yet been made on 5G.

"The matter is still under review," Ahmad Firdaus Mohd, press secretary to the communications minister, said in a text message, without elaborating.

A recommendation by major carriers for a second 5G provider was rejected by the previous government in March last year. DNB deployed its network in late 2021 with the participation of two telecommunications firms on a trial basis.

After months of protracted talks, all but one of the country's five mobile operators agreed in October to use DNB's network, opening 5G services to more customers.

The roll-out came under scrutiny again, however, after Anwar took office in November and announced a review of the 5G plan, saying it had not been formulated transparently by the previous administration. DNB denied that claim.

The plan for a second network will be contingent on DNB and mobile operators ensuring that 5G network coverage reaches the government's target of 80% of the country's populated areas by the end of this year, the sources said.

A proposal on the plan is expected to be submitted to the cabinet on Wednesday, two of the sources said.

Four Malaysian telco firms - Maxis Bhd, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and YTL Communications - did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

DNB and a fifth firm, CelcomDigi, declined to comment. CelcomDigi directed further queries to the government.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Friday he hoped to raise 5G matters in cabinet this week, media reported. Fahmi also said last week 5G network coverage had reached 55% in populated areas.

DNB has said a single network would reduce costs, improve efficiency and accelerate the building of infrastructure.

It was not clear how the proposal for a second 5G network would affect DNB's existing agreements with its development partner Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson, and other mobile operators.

Three carriers - CelcomDigi, Telekom and YTL - agreed last year to take up a collective 65% stake in the agency, with the government holding the remaining 35%.

Two major mobile operators - Maxis and U Mobile - declined to take up equity in DNB, Reuters reported.

U Mobile later joined other telco firms in signing up to access DNB's 5G network. Maxis has said it will wait until the government review of DNB is completed.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur and Yantoultra Ngui in Singapore; Editing by Tom Hogue)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Four Turkish soldiers were wounded in artillery and rocket attacks by Kurdish militants on bases in northern Syria, prompting a counter attack, Ankara said on Sunday.

Turkey's defence ministry said the attacks were carried out by the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which spearheads the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and also the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey and Western nations deem a terrorist group.

Turkey has carried out several cross-border military incursions into northern Syria in recent years and has dozens of bases there.

The four soldiers were sent to hospital, the ministry said. "Ample response is given to the terrorists with strong attacks on targets," it added.

Earlier on Sunday Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said "we could never be safe while there is an armed terrorist organisation" in the north of Syria and Iraq.

"Hopefully in the upcoming term we will increasingly continue our efforts in this direction," he added in a speech in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa, referring to elections set for May 14.

(Reporting by Azra Ceylan; Writing by Jonathan Spicer)
FILE PHOTO: Nancy Faeser, German Ministry of interior, attends the news conference following the refugee summit at the German ministry of interior in Berlin, Germany, February 16, 2023. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Interior Ministry is examining all Chinese components that are already installed in the country's 5G network, Minister Nancy Faeser was quoted as saying on Sunday, as Berlin re-evaluates its relationship with top trade partner China.

"We have to protect our communication networks," Faeser told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that the examination's three priorities were identifying risks, averting dangers and avoiding dependencies.

"This is especially true for our critical infrastructure," she said.

Germany has been considering banning certain components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in its telecoms networks, a government source told Reuters last month, in a potentially significant move to address security concerns.

The German government has been wary of expressly singling out Huawei but there are concerns that such companies' close links to Beijing's security services mean that embedding them in the mobile networks of the future could give Chinese spies and even saboteurs access to essential infrastructure.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
WARSAW (Reuters) -Unilateral action on trade by European Union member states is unacceptable, the bloc's executive said on Sunday, after Poland and Hungary announced bans on grain and other food imports from Ukraine to protect their local agricultural sectors.

After Russia's invasion blocked some Black Sea ports, large quantities of Ukrainian grain, which is cheaper than that produced in the European Union, ended up staying in Central European states due to logistical bottlenecks, hitting prices and sales for local farmers.

The issue has created a political problem for Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party in an election year as it has angered people in rural areas where support for PiS is usually high.

"We are aware of Poland and Hungary's announcements regarding the ban on imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine," a spokesperson for the European Commission said in an emailed statement.

"In this context, it is important to underline that trade policy is of EU exclusive competence and, therefore, unilateral actions are not acceptable."

"In such challenging times, it is crucial to coordinate and align all decisions within the EU," the statement added.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told state-run news agency PAP the government was in constant contact with the European Commission about the issue, and that the ban was possible due to a security clause.

Poland and Hungary have been embroiled in long-running conflicts with Brussels over issues including judicial independence, media freedoms and LGBT rights, and both have had funds withheld due to concerns over the rule of law.

Ukraine's farm minister Mykola Solsky talked to Hungarian counterpart Istvan Nagy on Sunday and underlined that unilateral decisions were unacceptable, the Ukrainian farm ministry said in a statement. The two agreed to talk again soon, it said.

The ministry said on Saturday that the Polish ban contradicted existing bilateral agreements on exports, and called for talks to settle the issue.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev said the country was also considering a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, local agency BTA reported on Sunday.

TRANSIT

The Polish ban, which came into effect on Saturday evening, will also apply to the transit of these products through the country, the development and technology minister said on Sunday.

"The ban is full, including the ban on transit through Poland," Waldemar Buda wrote on Twitter, adding that talks would be held with Ukraine to create a system that ensures goods only pass through Poland and do not end up on the local market.

State-run Ukrinform news agency said Ukrainian and Polish ministers are due to meet on Monday in Poland and the transit arrangement would be the focus of the talks.

Poland's Agriculture Minister Robert Telus was quoted as saying on Sunday that the ban was necessary to "open the eyes of the EU to the fact that further decisions are needed that will allow products from Ukraine to go deep into Europe, and not stay in Poland."

The ban is due to last until June 30, the finance ministry said.

Ukraine normally exports most of its agricultural goods, especially grain, via its Black Sea ports, unblocked in July in line with an agreement between Ukraine, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations.

That accord is scheduled to expire on May 18 and Moscow indicated last week that it may not be extended unless the West removes obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertiliser.

Around 3 million tonnes of grain left Ukraine every month via the Black Sea grain corridor while only up to 200,000 tonnes are moving to European ports through Polish territory, according to the Ukrainian ministry.

Solsky said at the weekend that 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes of various agricultural products cross the Polish border every month, including grain, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, meat and other products.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish in Warsaw, Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Jan Strupczewski in Brussels and David Ljunggren in Ottawa;Editing by Sharon Singleton, Hugh Lawson, Philippa Fletcher)
JAKARTA (Reuters) -Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region claimed on Sunday to have killed nine army personnel the day before, after Jakarta did not respond to a request for negotiations, while the military said one soldier died during the attack on Saturday.

Indonesian military spokesperson Julius Widjojono said on Sunday other soldiers were dispersed to several sites in the search for captured Susi Air pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, and they were having communication difficulties due to bad weather.

"As of 2:03 p.m. local time (0503 GMT) the information we have is one died. We have not received any other information because it is difficult to reach the area, especially with the uncertain weather," Julius said when asked about the higher casualty numbers.

Julius said the military will intensify the operation to rescue Mehrtens as they have identified the pilot's location.

Erratic weather has made the effort challenging, he said.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) abducted the New Zealand pilot in February. The group initially demanded Jakarta recognise the area's independence but told Reuters this month they were prepared to drop that demand and seek dialogue.

"We asked the Indonesian and New Zealand governments to free the hostages through peaceful negotiations," rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a recorded message on Sunday.

"But the Indonesian military and police attacked civilians on March 23. Because of that the TPNPB troops said they would take revenge and it had already started," Sambom said, adding that fighting was continuing on Sunday.

A military spokesperson in Papua, Herman Taryaman, denied the allegation of a March attack on civilians, saying the security forces were protecting civilians who were chased away by the rebels.

A low-level battle for independence from Indonesia has been going on for decades in the remote and resource-rich Papua region, with the conflict intensifying significantly in recent years, analysts say.

The conflict began after a controversial 1969 vote supervised by the United Nations saw the former Dutch territory brought under Indonesian control.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto, Gayatri Suroyo and Bernadette Christina; Writing by Bernadette Christina; Editing by William Mallard and Tom Hogue)
FILE PHOTO: Smoke is seen in this drone footage of Bakhmut amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on April 15, 2023. Adam Tactic Group/Handout via REUTERS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

(Reuters) - Russia said on Sunday that Wagner mercenary units supported by airborne troops had captured two more city blocks in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, target of a major offensive by Moscow.

Wagner has spearheaded Russia's attempt to take Bakhmut since last summer in what has been the longest and deadliest battle of the war for both sides.

Russia's defence ministry said Wagner assault squads had taken two blocks in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Bakhmut, which has largely been destroyed in the fighting.

Russian army paratroop units were supporting Wagner by holding back Ukrainian forces on the flanks, it added.

Reuters could not independently verify Russia's claim, which Kyiv did not directly address.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern military command, said Wagner troops were acting as a battering ram and attacking dozens of times a day.

"The enemy continued to attack our positions with satanic zeal," he told the Ukrainian parliament's television channel.

Britain said in an intelligence update on Friday that Ukrainian troops had been forced to withdraw from some territory in the city in the face of a renewed Russian assault.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by David Goodman, David Ljunggren and Sandra Maler)
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea fired warning shots toward a North Korean vessel that crossed the maritime border, South Korea's military said on Sunday, a day after the incident that further raised tension over the North's missile tests.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it fired warning shots and broadcast warnings to expel a North Korean patrol boat that breached the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto sea boundary, around 11 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Saturday.

"Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemy's movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL violations by North Korean patrol boats," the JCS said in a statement on Sunday.

During the operations, a South Korean patrol ship came into "minor contact" with a nearby Chinese fishing vessel due to bad visibility, resulting in no safety issues but slight injuries among the South Korean crew, the JCS said.

The North's incursion came as tension flared over the North's stepped up military activities in recent weeks, including Friday's test of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say would facilitate missile launches with little warning.

Since the 1990s, Pyongyang has disputed the NLL - drawn up at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War - arguing it should lie far to the south.

In October the two Koreas traded warning shots in the western waters, accusing each other of breaching the sea border in an area where confrontations have often occurred.

Pyongyang threatened military action as South Korea and U.S. forces have been carrying out their annual springtime exercises since March, calling them a rehearsal for nuclear war.

South Korea's air force said on Sunday it would stage combined drills with the U.S. Air Force and Marines from Monday until April 28.

The exercises would mobilise 110 aircraft, including South Korea's F-35 and F-15 fighters and American F-16 jets and KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers, as well as 1,400 troops from both sides, it said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week ordered strengthening war deterrence in a "more practical and offensive" manner to counter what the isolated country called moves of aggression by the United States and South Korea.

Seoul and Washington say their drills are defensive and aimed at deterring the North.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and William Mallard)
For decades, a relatively few, huge U.S. satellites have patrolled from orbit to detect threats such as ballistic missiles. While still critical, American defense marked a shift in March when the first 10 of hundreds of planned military satellites launched from California.

As experts from around the world converge on Colorado Springs for the Space Symposium this week, managing and protecting tens of thousands of smaller, cheaper satellites, both military and commercial, projected to go into space is set to be major topic.

In the coming years, the large numbers of new satellites also means Colorado Springs companies will have plenty of work as demand for operators, ground infrastructure and support services grow.

Colorado Springs represents an epicenter of satellite operations, said Frank Backes, a senior vice president for Kratos Space Federal based in town. Kratos provides ground infrastructure, such as antennas, for satellites globally.

The U.S. is shifting its space strategy to detect ballistic and hypersonic missiles among other threats as China and Russia ramp up their capabilities in space. For example, China launched a missile in 2021 that maneuvered late in flight as a hypersonic guide vehicle, showing an ability to move around radar, said Space Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, deputy chief of space operations, for operations, cyber and nuclear. She described the Chinese as launching just as much into orbit as the U.S. and pushing past us in some cases in capability, during a recent event hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

China and Russia have also both blown up satellites with missiles, demonstrating the threat they could pose to satellites that provide critical infrastructure, such as communications, navigation and imagery.

The Space Force wants to deter anti-satellites missiles by sending up hundreds of satellites so that an individual satellite would not provide an attractive target.

It will cost more to shoot down a single satellite than it will to build and launch that single satellite, said Derek Tournear, the director of the Space Development Agency, at the Mitchell Institute event.

The Space Development Agency, a civilian group within Space Force, is in charge of the new proliferated military satellite constellations of smaller, cheaper units. One type of satellite the agency is launching costs about $15 million, he said.

In contrast, a traditional military satellite launched last year was one of two in a $1.86 billion contract and weighed 5,000 pounds.

The satellite was the last addition to a constellation of satellites, known as the Space-Based Infrared System, operated by Buckley Space Force Base guardians, who are charged with detecting missile launches, space liftoffs and nuclear detonations.

Maj. Matt Garcia, the operations officer for the launch and test team for the satellite, was working at Buckley the day of the launch on Aug. 4 and spoke with the team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida about the readiness of the ground infrastructure to talk to the satellite. He was also involved with the months of testing run from Buckley.

It was just such a thrill personally, said Garcia, an Air Force officer. It is still very much a human story and a human endeavor.

While the work went smoothly, it still took daily miracles, such as rewriting the schedule for launch after another unrelated mission saw changes in its timeline, he said.

The satellite was transferred into regular operations in March and currently the 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base is using it to detect threats such as the ballistic missiles launched by Iran three years ago, Garcia said. The satellite was designed to last 12 years, but will likely last longer, he said.

The satellite was launched to geosynchronous orbit, 22,236 miles above the Earth. At that orbit, only three satellites are needed to see almost the whole planet, Backes said.

The new cheaper satellites will go up to 1,200 miles or less, known as the low-earth orbit, and the military will need many, many more of them to replicate the work of satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

However, they can be developed much more quickly compared to the large traditional satellites.

The first Space-Based Infrared System satellite was launched in 2011 and that long timeline gives other nations an opportunity to develop threats, Backes said. Now thats changing.

We are absolutely showing we have the ability to shorten our timelines and respond fairly quickly, Backes said.

The new satellites the Space Development Agency just launched went from order to orbit in 27 months, Tournear said.

The 10 satellites that went up in March will be joined by an additional 18 and that set will demonstrate the new operational concepts, Tournear said.

In about 18 months, the agency plans to start launching another 150 satellites that will do, in part, missile warning and missile tracking. They will be ready for Space Force operations in 2025, he said.

The agency plans to launch hundreds of satellites and go out to contract regularly with companies to give more businesses the opportunity to build units.

Of the 10 satellites in the first launch, York Space Systems, a Denver company, made eight. Last year the company announced it would build another 42 satellites as part of a $382 million contract.

Tournear expects to keep the prices on satellites fixed and rely on the industry to provide additional capabilities, similar to the iterative improvements in cell phones.

The satellites will be run from new Space Operations Centers staffed by contractors at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, Jonathan Withington and agency spokesman said in an email. The centers will answer to Space Operations Command, with headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base.

In addition to expanding the military network, the Space Development Agency wants to tighten the working relationship between its satellites and commercial satellites, Tournear said.

Commercial satellites already provide constant services to the military, such as supplying imagery; however, that has become a point of conflict in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

If the U.S. classified satellites as critical infrastructure, in the same way, it classifies the power grid as critical infrastructure, the military would be obligated to respond to such attacks. But right now its a gray area, Backes said.

He expects one of the main conversations at Space Symposium to focus on managing satellites used both by business and for defense.

(c)2023 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

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ABUJA, Nigeria  Gunmen have attacked a village in northwest Nigeria and killed at least 33 people, a local official said Sunday.

More than 35 houses were destroyed in the violence in Runji, which is in the state of Kaduna, said Francis Zimbo, chairman of the Zangon Kataf area where the massacre took place. Zimbo provided the number of fatalities, but state authorities wouldn't comment on the number of people killed.

"Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area," said Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner of security.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killings. However, gangs of bandits have been accused of being responsible for attacks in the region, which includes the kidnapping for ransom and killing of civilians. Earlier this month, gunmen kidnapped 10 students about a half-hour drive by car from where Saturday's attack occurred.

Nigeria's government is still struggling to quell the violence in the country's northwest despite a reduction in attacks last year as security forces ramped up military operations targeting the gunmen's hideouts.
This story has been corrected

WAKAYAMA, Japan  The fishermen who tackled the man suspected of the second attack on a Japanese political leader in less than a year were surprised by the lack of security for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Fisherman Tsutomu Konishi was watching Kishida at a campaign event at this fishing port when an object flew overhead and landed near the prime minister, Konishi said. A security officer covered the object with a bulletproof briefcase, Konishi said. The fishermen swarmed the attacker.

I never thought a crime like this would happen in my hometown, which is a rather small fishing area, Konishi, 41, said Sunday as he sipped a can of coffee at the port of Saikazaki. Im still shocked and stunned."

The prime minister was unhurt but like many others in Japan, Konishi was mulling Sunday what the country should do to better protect public figures.

At a time when Japans serving prime minister was visiting, perhaps we may have needed a metal detector, Konishi said.

Masaki Nishide, a 55-year-old fisherman from Saikazaki, said most of the people at Saturdays event were residents and supporters of the local candidate. He said the young man carrying the silver-gray backpack stood out.

People here all dress like me, and nobody carries a backpack; it was only him, Nishide said, wearing a sweatsuit and red rubber boots. If I were in charge of security, I would have asked for a bag check.

After the failed attack on the prime minister, one of the fishermen grabbed the suspect's neck from behind, another pushed his head down, and Konishi latched onto his leg. They were holding the man as police officers pulled him to the ground.

The chaotic scene was reminiscent of the assassination nine months ago of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which prompted police to tighten their protective measures after an investigation found holes in Abes security. Abe, one of Japans most influential and divisive politicians, was killed with a homemade gun during a campaign speech.

Suspect Tetsuya Yamagami has been charged with murder and several other crimes, including violating gun-control laws.

Authorities have said Yamagami told investigators he killed Abe because of the former prime ministers apparent links to a religious group that Yamagami hated. In statements and in social media postings attributed to him, Yamagami said his mother's donations to the Unification Church bankrupted his family and ruined his life.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan, and with its strict gun control laws, the country has only a handful of gun-related crimes annually. Most of the cases are gang-related, though in recent years there has been growing concern about homemade guns and explosives. There also have been some high-profile cases of random knifing on subways and arson attacks.

Groups of several officers have guarded serving prime ministers. Fewer officers have been watching Cabinet ministers and former leaders.

Compared with the U.S. elections, audience at political campaigns in Japan are often allowed to be quite close to dignitaries. At the campaign event for Kishida the front-row audience was within touching distance.

Only one person, a police official, was hurt, his arm cut by fragments of the device, which didn't fully explode. Police arrested 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura on suspicion of throwing an explosive in a metal tube at Kishida.

Police sent a special counter-explosives team to the suspect's home in Hyogo prefecture to search for evidence of bomb-making. There are nationwide local elections this month. and Japan is hosting a series of Group of Seven meetings leading up to the May 19-21 leaders' summit in Hiroshima. Diplomats arrived Sunday for the G-7 foreign ministers' meeting in Karuizawa.

Isao Itabashi, a public safety expert, said on NHK TV that the attack raised questions about how election campaigns are being handled. Guarding top politicians in campaigns is logistically hard, and balancing tight security with a free election is also difficult, he said.

Kiyotaka Hamada, 70, a senior member of the local fishing association, said he felt something hit his shoulder just as he heard the bang and was running from the scene. Police took his jacket to see if he'd been hit by a fragment of the explosive.

I just want to ask the suspect why he had to come here to make trouble," he said.

For Hamada and other fishermen, there's worry also about the expected loss of income from the days they cannot work while the port facilities are closed for the investigation.

We put so much effort throughout the village to welcome the prime minister here on his first ever visit, Hamada said. Now we cannot even go out to sea.
KARUIZAWA, Japan  Top diplomats from Europe and North America were arriving Sunday in this hot spring resort town to discuss the world's most intractable crises, including ways to end Russia's war in Ukraine, confront China's aggression toward Taiwan and lure North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

They will dive right in, with a private working dinner Sunday spotlighting China and North Korea. But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers' talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about U.S. intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Japan is eager to use a smoothly run G-7, which includes a host of gatherings on climate, finance and other issues ahead of a leaders' summit next month in Hiroshima, to pursue a stronger unified front against what Tokyo and other democracies see as Russian, Chinese and North Korean aggression.

Amid widespread skepticism that the United Nations, which is often paralyzed by the oversized power on the Security Council of Russia and China, can do anything about these issues, many will be watching to see what, if anything, G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union might do.

Security is tight in Karuizawa, but Japan has been forced to address safety concerns after a young man threw an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the eve of the diplomats' arrivals. Kishida was uninjured Saturday and continued campaigning, but the attack is an unwanted development for Tokyo amid a lingering security debate over the assassination nine months ago of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"Starting with the summit, we have to make every effort to ensure security and safety ... (as) dignitaries from all over the world gather," Kishida told reporters Sunday.

The three-day talks will also see the first real test of the Biden administration's assertion that there has been minimal damage from the disclosure of highly classified documents related to the war in Ukraine and U.S. views of its allies and partners.

Before traveling to Japan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday from Hanoi that he had heard no concerns from allies, but the revelations will loom over the G-7 meeting, the first major international diplomatic conference since the documents were discovered online and made public.

On the diplomatic front, the talks, which end Tuesday, will be dominated by worries over the Russian leader's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons as his forces struggle in Ukraine, China's increasing belligerence toward Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, and North Korea's record-setting run of illicit weapons tests.

Some observers expect that Japan and other nations might use the G-7 to announce an increase in aid to Ukraine.

"As Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been shaking the foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point," Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said ahead of the meeting. "I will lead discussions as chair of the meeting and show the G-7's strong determination to absolutely reject attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russia's threat of nuclear weapons or their use, while defending the rules-based international order."

Though diplomats from Beijing won't be present in Japan, China's rapid military rise will also play a large part in discussions.

China recently sent planes and ships to conduct a simulated encirclement of Taiwan, and has seen in recent years a rapid jump in its nuclear warheads, a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and increased comments from its leader, Xi Jinping, painting a scenario of impending confrontation.

Japan, in response partly to China's rise, has made a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, as it works to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.

Diplomats will also be looking to find ways to restart diplomacy aimed at pressuring a hostile North Korea to return to disarmament negotiations. Since last year, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that showed the potential of reaching the U.S. mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.

___

AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and diplomatic writer Matthew Lee in Hanoi contributed to this story.
SEOUL, South Korea  South Korea's military says it fired warning shots to repel a North Korean patrol vessel that temporarily crossed the countries' disputed western sea boundary while chasing a Chinese fishing boat.

The North Korean patrol boat crossed the so-called Northern Limit Line at around 11 a.m. Saturday while pursuing the Chinese boat in waters near South Korea's Baekryeong island but immediately retreated after a South Korean naval vessel fired warning shots, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

While there were no exchanges of fire between the North and South Korean vessels, the South Korean high-speed vessel collided with the Chinese boat as it responded to the intrusion amid poor visibility, causing bruises and other minor injuries to some of the South Korean sailors.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean military activities while preparing for various possibilities of provocations.

South Korea's navy has often fired warning shots to repel North Korean vessels crossing the countries' poorly marked sea border, but there also have been some deadly clashes over the years. South Korea blamed North Korea for an attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors in 2010, but the North has denied responsibility.

Saturday's intrusion came amid heightened tensions in the region as the pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises aimed at countering the North Korean threat have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct another large-scale joint exercise from next week involving some 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets. Seoul's Defense Ministry said the aerial drills, which will be begin Monday and continue through April 28, are aimed at sharpening combined operational abilities and demonstrating the allies' joint defense posture in the face of North Korean threats.

North Korea last week staged one of its most provocative military displays in years by test-launching what it described as a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which if perfected could potentially give the North a more powerful and harder-to-detect weapon targeting the mainland United States.

South Korean officials also say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for more than a week, which raises concerns about potential kinetic provocations as communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals' sea borders.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries conducted their biggest field exercises in years last month and separately held joint naval and air force drills involving a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable U.S. bombers. The exercises prompted fierce protests from the North, which describes those drills as invasion rehearsals while continuously using them as a pretext to push forward its own weapons development.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired more than 100 missiles into the sea, including three different types of ICBMs and various shorter-range missiles it describes as battlefield nuclear weapons, as it tries to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea.

South Korea has patrolled waters around the Northern Limit Line for decades after it was drawn up by the U.N. command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea does not recognize the line and insists upon a boundary that encroaches deeply into waters currently controlled by the South.
KYIV, Ukraine  More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released as part of a major Easter exchange with Russia, a top official said Sunday, as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a second time since Moscow unleashed its full-scale war more than a year ago.

While celebrations were subdued because of security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services, Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesus' resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory.

Dozens of families had special reasons to rejoice, as presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow were on their way back home following a "big Easter prisoner exchange."

Yermak said in a Telegram post on Sunday that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city which has for months been the focus of Russia's grinding offensive.

"The lives of our people are the highest value for us," Yermak said, adding that Kyiv's goal was to bring back all remaining POWs.

There was no immediate information on how many Russian prisoners were released, but the press service of the founder of the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-affiliated paramilitary force whose fighters are prominent in eastern Ukraine, also released a video Sunday showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being readied for an exchange.

In his Easter address released on Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the holiday as marking "the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life," and he stressed what he said was Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian aggression.

"Belief in victory unites all of us always, and especially today. At Easter, which from time immemorial has been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope and great unity. We are one big family  Ukrainians. We have one big home  Ukraine. We have one big goal  victory for all," Zelenskyy said.

In central Kyiv, people gathered in the courtyard of the landmark St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery on Sunday morning to have their Easter eggs and baskets of food blessed by a priest. A curfew had prevented most from attending the traditional all-night service there hours earlier, with many tuning into a live stream instead.

Ukrainian churches are usually crowded on Orthodox Easter Sunday. But this year, the wide courtyard was barely half full, and the line of people waiting for the priest to sprinkle holy water on their adorned baskets was moving briskly.

For a second year in a row, the war interrupted holiday routines. Ukraine's main security service this week issued a statement urging residents not to linger in churches on Sunday, in order to avoid crowding and minimize security risks.

Alla Voronina, one of the people who came to St. Michael's with baskets containing Easter cakes and multi-colored eggs, said that the restrictions were "very hard" on residents' morale.

"You constantly recall how it used to be before the war," she told The Associated Press. She said that she and her family would nevertheless follow the security recommendations and go straight home after receiving the blessing.

Another worshipper, Tetiana Voloshyna, said she was praying for Ukrainian troops "who defend us and make it possible for us to have this holiday." She added she had come to the monastery with her "personal pain and personal requests to God for victory, peace and life."

Russians also observed Easter, including President Vladimir Putin. He attended midnight services in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral that were led by Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, who has firmly supported the war.

In a statement, Putin commended Kirill for "tireless, selfless work aimed at preserving enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, the upbringing and education of the youth."

Kirill has repeatedly spoken out in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a video message broadcast on Russian state television late Saturday, before the start of the Easter service in Moscow, Kirill lamented "grave events taking place on our Russian historical land" in reference to the war, echoing the Kremlin's claim that an independent Ukraine is essentially a fiction.

Despite the shared Orthodox holiday, Russian shelling and missile attacks continued to sow destruction in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian regional officials. Officials in the country's south and east said that churches had not been spared. The governor of the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhii Lysak, said Russian forces stationed at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant shelled a church in a nearby town, wounding two civilians.

"The Russians have once again confirmed that they hold nothing sacred," Lysak said in his post.

Earlier on Sunday, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia province reported that Russian shelling overnight hit an Orthodox church in the town of Komyshuvakha. Photos showed local residents rescuing icons from the church, its gutted frame visible in the background.

At least four civilians were killed and eight others were wounded on Saturday and overnight, Ukrainian officials reported on Sunday morning. The national emergencies service said the death toll in a Friday attack on the city of Sloviansk rose to 13 as more bodies were found in the rubble of an apartment building.

Across the front line, in Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine's industrial east, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Donetsk region claimed that a Ukrainian strike killed one civilian and wounded six others in the province's namesake capital. Denis Pushilin wrote in a Telegram post that shelling hit the center of the city, near its Holy Transfiguration cathedral.

The Russian defense ministry on Sunday announced that assault units from the Wagner group have captured two neighborhoods in the embattled city of Bakhmut. Bakhmut, a former mining hub now largely reduced to ruins, has been a key target of Russia's monthslong grinding campaign in eastern Ukraine.
MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin met with China's defense minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijing's strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.

Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Gen. Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow.

China has refused to criticize Russia's military actions in Ukraine and blames the United States and NATO for provoking Moscow. But China's foreign minister said last week that China wouldn't be helping Russia with weapons, as the U.S. and other Western allies have feared.

Officially, China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict. However, Xi's trip emphasized how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline during the Ukraine conflict.

In comments opening the meeting, Putin praised the general development of Russia-China relations.

"We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchanging information that is useful to us, cooperating in the field of military-technical cooperation, conducting joint exercises, moreover, in different theaters: in the Far East region, and in Europe, and at sea, and on land and in the air," he said, according to the Kremlin.

Li said that the countries' relations "outperform the military-political unions of the Cold War era. They rest on the principles of nonalignment, and are very stable."
SANAA, Yemen  Yemen's warring sides on Sunday wrapped up a major exchange of prisoners linked to the country's long-running conflict, according to the International Committee for the Red Cross.

The three-day operation, which started Friday, was the most significant prisoner exchange in Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition and their rivals, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, released more than 1,000 detainees in October 2020.

The U.N.-brokered deal involved the release of over 700 detained Houthis, and more than 180 other prisoners, including Saudi and Sudanese troops fighting with the Saudi-led coalition.

The Red Cross said it "worked tirelessly to reunite about 900 former detainees with their families," describing the prisoner exchange as a "positive step toward peace and reconciliation in Yemen."

Yemen was plunged into devastating conflict when the Iranian-backed Houthis descended from their northern stronghold in 2014, seizing the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forcing the government into exile.

A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government. The conflict has turned in recent years into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

The prisoner exchange deal involved the release of top military officials held by the Houthis since the start of the war. Those released included Maj. Gen. Mahmoud al-Subaihi, who was the defense minister when the war erupted; Nasser Mansour Hadi, the brother of former Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi; and relatives of Yemen's former ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Houthis on Saturday freed Saudi and Sudanese troops whom the rebels detained while fighting on the side of the Saudi-led coalition.

The rebels also freed four Yemeni journalists who were detained and sentenced to death in recent years by a Houthi-controlled court in a trial described by Amnesty International as "grossly unfair."

The prisoner exchange came as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia said they have made progress in their negotiations to revive an expired cease-fire and embark on talks to settle the conflict.

The Houthis said both sides would continue their talks after the approaching holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, later in April.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Sen. Lindsey Graham questioned why a low-ranking Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking secret intelligence had access to the information and demanded people lose their jobs over the security failure.

I am stunned that somebody at that level could have so much access, Graham, R-Ky., said on ABCs This Week on Sunday. Some people need to be fired over this.

The U.S. charged 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, who holds a rank equivalent to an army private first class, with a massive disclosure of government secrets, an embarrassment that prompted President Joe Biden to clamp down on the spread of classified material.

Graham, a retired colonel who served in the Air Force Reserve and who has been a hawkish voice within the Republican Party, said the intelligence leak was a major failure and criticized conservative figures such as Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Fox News host Tucker Carlson who have praised Teixeira as an anti-war conservative.

There is no justification for this, he said. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.

Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, said the investigation also should include an examination of military personnel supervising Teixeira and facilities where he worked.

The other question is the leadership on the ground, Mace said. Its clear that no one was watching as Teixeira copied classified documents and took them home, she said on Fox News Sunday.

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The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Gov. Kim Reynolds that seeks to require her office to respond to public record requests.

The court in a unanimous decision rejected Reynolds argument that her office wasnt obligated to respond in a timely matter to record requests and that she could avoid the states open records law by simply ignoring the requests. The Supreme Court ordered that the case be returned to the district court where it would be decided on its merits.

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The governors office wanted a rule that it and its agencies can ignore public records requests without any consequences, said Thomas Story, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which represented three media organizations. Instead, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that nobody is above the law.

In a statement, Reynolds blamed any delays on a busy staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and said her office now is responding to records requests.

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While we disagree that this lawsuit should continue, my office has eliminated the backlog of open records requests and is committed to upholding our responsibility to respond to any new requests in a timely manner, Reynolds said in a statement.

The case stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by the three media organizations and their reporters who claimed the governor had violated Iowas open records law by ignoring requests for government records. The reporters had emailed the governors office with eight different open-record requests between April 2020 and April 2021 and renewed each request at least once but didnt receive any response until filing a lawsuit in December 2021.

The media organization are the liberal-leaning Bleeding Heartland blog, Iowa Capital Dispatch and Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit that focuses on open government issues.

After the lawsuit, the governors office released the records within 18 days, although some were heavily redacted.

State lawyers asked a district court judge to dismiss the case, noting the governors office had ultimately responded to the requests and released public records. After the judge denied the request, the governor appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

In seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, state lawyers argued the complaint was moot because the governors office had released the redacted records. The media organization argued the governors offices lack of any response to record requests until after a lawsuit was filed represented a violation of the open records law, but state lawyers claimed the governor wasnt obligated to respond within a specified time period and that it would be inappropriate for the Supreme Court to issue requirements for the Executive Branch.

The state also argued that by not responding to open records requests, the governors office wasnt actually refusing to respond to those requests.

In rejecting that argument, the courts decision included several dictionary definitions of the word, refuse.

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We conclude that a defendant may refuse either by (1) stating that it wont produce records, or (2) showing that it wont produce records, the decision said. And we believe that this second kind of refusal  an implied or silent refusal  can be shown through an unreasonable delay in producing records.

Although the media organizations case still must try their case in district court, Story said the Iowa Supreme Courts ruling set an important precedent for open records regulations.

They not only reaffirmed prior precedent but the court provided additional guidance moving forward as to how state agencies must comply with these record requests and that guidance is very favorable to making open records requests and advances the cause of transparency in government, Story said.
Yemeni rebels and government forces freed scores of prisoners Sunday on the last of a three day exchange of nearly 900 detainees, boosting hopes of ending their protracted civil war.

Planes carrying detainees took off at the same time from the Huthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the government-controlled northern city of Marib, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

"The first flight from Marib and the first flight from Sanaa have left," ICRC media adviser Jessica Moussan told AFP.

"Forty eight former detainees were on board the Marib-Sanaa flight, and 42 on the Sanaa-Marib flight."

Three other flights during the day were to complete the deal reached in Switzerland last month to exchange 181 government forces for 706 rebels.

Four journalists sentenced to death by the Iranian-backed Huthis are part of the exchange, said government negotiator Majed Fadail.

Rebel political chief, Mahdi al-Mashat, said the next round of talks with Saudi Arabia, which leads the military coalition against the Huthis, would start after the Eid al-Fitr holiday expected on April 21, Yemen's Saba news agency reported.

The last talks ended hours before 318 prisoners were transported on four flights on Friday between government-controlled Aden and Sanaa, reuniting detainees with their families.

On Saturday, 357 detainees took flights between the Saudi city of Abha and Sanaa. Saudis were among the prisoners freed.

It is not known how many prisoners each side still has.

The Huthis seized Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Saudi-led intervention the following year. Hundreds of thousands have died in the conflict which triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

A UN-brokered ceasefire that started in April 2022 has sharply reduced casualties. The truce expired in October, but fighting has largely remained on hold.

Marib governorate, an oil-rich region, saw some of the most bitter fighting in the last two years. The city of Marib is the last northern bastion of the government, which is now based in the southern city of Aden.

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VALLEJO, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  Filipino World War II veterans were given the ultimate honor for their service on Saturday: The congressional gold medal.

The service featured 18 congressional gold medals given out at the Joseph Room of Vallejos JFK Library.

When Pearl Harbor and Manila were attacked in December of 1941, these soldiers were brought into direct combat as the United States officially entered World War II. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, U.S. and Filipino Soldiers fought together in battles across the Philippines, including Bataan, Corregidor, Luzon, Leyte, and Southern Philippines.

During the Battle of Corregidor, American forces ultimately surrendered to the Japanese. These soldiers were taken as prisoners of war and were forced to endure the infamous Bataan Death March. Between 60,000-80,000 Filipinos and Americans marched approximately 65 miles through the jungles to confinement camps throughout the Philippines. They were deprived of food, water and medical attention, and many were killed on the spot if they stopped to rest. During the march, approximately 10,000 men died. Of these men, 1,000 were American and 9,000 were Filipino.

The bravery, heroism and dedication of the Filipino veterans played an integral part in leading Allied powers to victory in the Pacific. After the war, President Truman signed laws, such as the Rescission Act of 1946, that stripped away promises of benefits and citizenship for Filipino veterans.

During Saturdays ceremony speeches were given by Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell, U.S. Army Reserve Brig. General Steven McClaughlin and U.S. Rep. John Garemendi.

Garamendi said it was a privilege to be at the event.

I noticed something when the Filipino and U.S. national anthems were sung, Garamendi said. I looked out into the crowd and I saw in your faces the love for your home country. And then once again when the U.S. anthem was sung I saw once again in your faces, nods, lip reading the same things and same pride. Today is very special because we recognize the special relationship between the Filipino and United States communities. Its a very special binding between nations.

Were very blessed to have in Vallejo a large Filipino community that plays an extraordinary role, Garamendi continued. There is a special reason why were here today and thats to recognize the blood spilled and the lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941. You have to remember that attack wasnt just on the United States, but on the Philippines. And they didnt hesitate. They didnt wait on an act of Congress or a Declaration of War. They were immediately in action. So today is a day of great pride.

The Filipino veterans honored with Congressional Gold Medals were:

 Petronio Ado

 Marciano Canaya

 Jacinto Cutaran

 Luis Gamboa

 Alfredo Nasaire

 Luis Pasion

 Numeriano Armas

 Apolonio Cruz

 Alex Fabros

 Julian Gonzales

 Deogracias Nunez

 Federico Rosales

 Marcelino Canaya

 Leoncio Cruz

 Teotimo Gabac

 Larry Hidalgo

 Jose Pasion

 Tiburico Sobremonte

(c)2023 Times-Herald (Vallejo, Calif.)

Visit at www.timesheraldonline.com
Ramadan or Fasting is the month which is almost observed in all Abrahamic religions, with a little difference of calendar. For the Muslim world the holy month seems more cheerful, especially the acts of charity and sense of patience. On the other hands it is a reason to keep many old traditions alive, like the drum beating at Sehar, presenting perfumes at prayers, exchange of delicious food from door to door and hanging the colorful lanterns at doors and streets.

This month has a lot of attractions, for me it is maybe difficult to find which one is more important yet Ive found one, the Trust (). Just a couple of day Saleh Khan (a young Afghan refugee) contacted me regarding some of our TV reports about the Refugee camps, he invited me to come same day as they had a Quran reciting gathering for the departed souls.

This is not my first time visiting this refugee or asylum seekers camps in F6 Sector of the capital city. I had reported two or three times before regarding the general issues yet this time it was going to be special. As I arrived, Dr M. Umer Haristani received us with his friends. I never met a doctor before living in such a condition yet for his people he must be a blessing. So people of all ages were gathering there, from kids to ninety years old fellows to join the mass Quran reciting circle. The mats were laid down in the center of camps, few people were helping the job while I saw big number of women as well joining the recitation. The camera team was doing their job while I gotta chance for a chit chat with Saleh Khan and other guys.More than a hundred families of asylum seekers are sheltered here in the camps. As I was informed earlier that mostly people are professionals, before the fall of Kabul in Aug 2021 they had good jobs and their children had good education but everything changed later and there was no other way to leave the homeland like other asylum seekers.

The poetic face of Mr. Ahmed Khalid is known to me almost for a year when I first time came around, he is the head of Culture & Education committee of this camp site. I asked him about the day and night routines now in the month of Ramadan:

We are living here under the vast sky of Allah, camps are at the very bank of a crowded road, we are aware of surviving the weather conditions with nothing to facilitate. Look here are new born as well as people over 90 years, the sun is getting hot day by day and we prepare our Sehri without any electricity, this is not easy.

He added with a smile, yet it is not the end, we are hopeful of the good days, this is not my 1st Ramadan here, we survived the cold freezing winter, we faced the rains flooding this sloppy ground, we will win the burning sun because we have strong faith of Trust (  ) in Allah, He will not leave us alone. We are thankful to Pakistan and our brotherly nation that we have this place with a calm of life security of our children.

For me it was actually difficult to say something like bravo man you are strong enough to survive in all these circumstances or I should be sad that what a worse situation they have been through.

This was 1st time I came across a girl name Hava (), always the name is known since we were kids as human history starts with it. She is a young talented girl and actually so motivated for her people, the best part is now she can speak Urdu well.

I am here with my family and friends, I know we have left the best part of life behind, we have left the dreams behind but we are not gonna lose it. We are facing a lot of difficulties, we have to fetch the water from a faraway mosque, children have no schools, no medication, locals help us somehow it is not the life we all deserve.

I asked her that whats now specially in Ramadan, she smiled, look around, having all these troubles bring us closer to each other, problem of one is a problem for all, we sort it out together, now in Ramadan we women prepare the mass Iftar for all, we put our efforts together, each woman has a duty to perform like our men do. Time is difficult yet the feeling of living together and sharing our meal with our brothers and sisters gives a comfort to my heart. We are not losing the patience, we are not losing the nerves and courage, it will be over one day.

Little Ramin is another famous character around, he is a jack of all trades. He sang a poem for his country in Persian which teared all the eyes around. He always wish for a good school, healthy life and home comfort like he watches the local kids around I hope one day he will find what he is looking for.

A little girl recites the last verses of the Holy Quran, she raises her little hands for Fatiha (), and the time of Iftar is close now. My boys have done with footages so we were invited in a camp for Iftar. We packed up after being served with delicious Kabuli Pulao.

This is just about a couple of hours, this is just about couple of pages I write but still I am thinking that how it feels to be in asylum, to be in exile or to be a refugee.

(The writer is the Special Correspondent of SUCH Tv and an expert of Central Asian affairs. He can be reached on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
He took a lot of money from us and we had hard times because of him

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

A heartless fraudster who conned flat hunters into handing over deposits for a property he didnt own, should have been jailed  one of his victims has said.

Sneaky Anthony Dunne (63) was given a suspended sentence after he admitted conning five immigrants into handing over hundreds of euros each to rent a property on Gardiner Street in Dublins city centre.

After giving his victims receipts and keys to the property, Dunne scarpered.

Anthony Dunne defrauded five victims   Collins Courts

The desperate accommodation seekers only realised theyd been scammed when they moved in and the propertys real owner alerted gardai.

He should have been sent to jail  definitely, victim Hugo Campos told the Sunday World.

He took a lot of money from us and we had hard times because of him.

One of the people he scammed handed over all the money he had in the world. I remember talking to him in front of the house and he said: I only have a tenner left to my name.

The property in Gardiner Street, Dublin

Detailing how he and his friends were lured in by callous fraudster Dunne, Hugo said all the victims were immigrants and living in over-crowded accommodation when they saw his ad.

I was 23 and I had been in Ireland only three months at the time, the Brazilian native said.

I was living in a house with 22 people and I was paying 500 to share a room with three other guys.

Then one of the girls found the advert from this guy saying he was renting out a whole house and she asked if we were interested in moving.

And, of course, sure, we were.

Hugo Campos suffered hard times due to scam

This guy was asking 350 (each) for a twin room, so two of us would pay 700 for a room and there would only be two people sharing.

We went and met with the guy and he showed us the house. And we were so happy.

We paid the guy and he gave us the receipts and the keys and told us we could move in.

Hugo said, when he moved in the following Thursday, he got the first inkling that something might not have been right.

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

There was no electricity in some of the rooms and there was some old appliances in the kitchen that shouldnt have still been there, he recalled.

But I was like, okay, no major problems and I slept in the house that night.

Hugo said he went to work the following morning optimistic his accommodation problems were at an end.

But it was an optimism that proved misplaced.

My friends came to me and said: Oh man, weve been scammed.

I went back and it was true.

All my luggage had been put outside the house and the guards were there and they told me wed been the victims of a scam.

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

The house-owner said someone must have broken into the house and changed the lock and then given us the keys for the new lock.

But the house wasnt his house and she knew nothing about it.

Hugo said Dunne played his part in the scam to perfection.

He signed the receipts and he gave us his name. There were no red flags.

Hugo said he heard no more about the scam until a couple of weeks ago when he was contacted by officers to let him know Dunne was due before the courts.

They said they were going to try to get our money back from the guy by getting him to pay some compensation.

I didnt know until you rang that the court case had happened.

Appearing before Dublin District Court in March, Dunne pleaded guilty to deception, inducing several victims to pay a combined 2,200 on dates between April 24 and 28, 2018.

The interior of the property in Gardiner Street

Garda Philip Collins said Dunne had created a false Facebook account to advertise rooms for rent and a number of victims paid cash deposits of between 300 to 1,000 to secure accommodation.

When they realised there was no accommodation to rent they tried to contact the accused but got no response.

He had never been in a position to house the victims but had falsely advertised the property and made no attempt to return their money.

Dunne said he was not the perpetrator of the ruse but acted as an intermediary, his solicitor said.

He handed the money to someone else and did not profit from it.

Judge Smyth asked the officer if this was the case. Gda Collins said he did not accept that Dunne was an intermediary.

From my investigation, he was the instigator of it, he said.

The accused might have contested the case had the DPP not directed it could only be dealt with in the District Court on a guilty plea, the defence said.

Dunne was on social welfare but had got the money together by doing odd jobs to pay compensation.

Handing down an eight-month suspended sentence, Judge Bryan Smyth said it was a serious offence and a distasteful thing to do.

Asked if there was any warning he would give to other flat-hunters, and especially immigrants who are commonly targeted by fraudsters, Hugo said: All I can say is be careful. Its so easy to get scammed because people are desperate and they want to believe its true.
Dean Johnson (21) sustained fatal gunshot wounds in an attack by two assailants at Harelawn Green, Clondalkin

An innocent man shot dead in a case of mistaken identity was believed to have been killed by a Kinahan-linked west Dublin gang.

An inquest heard this week how Dean Johnson (21) sustained fatal gunshot wounds in an attack by two assailants at Harelawn Green, Clondalkin.

The shocking gun attack took place a short distance from his home shortly after midnight on August 24, 2013.

Garda technical teams preserve a crime scene after Dean Johnson died

A gang led by associates of Kinahan money launderer Jason Carroll are believed to have carried out the killing after mistaking innocent Dean for notorious gunman James Nellie Walsh who had swapped jackets with Dean shortly before the attack.

Gardai arrested 10 people in relation to the callous murder including gang boss Peadar Keating but none have faced any charges, despite two files being sent to the DPP.

Detective Inspector Brian Hanley told a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that the investigation into Deans death remained open and he expressed hope that there would be further investigative opportunities.

Nellie Walsh

Det Insp Hanley said gardai had already followed 530 separate lines of inquiry in the case with 400 witness statements having been taken to date.

The gunman mistook him for Walsh, who had swapped jackets with Dean shortly before.

Walsh had been drinking in Finches pub shortly before the shooting and spotted rival criminals who spent the night smiling at him.

It is believed some of them may have made phone calls to alert others that Walsh was there and what he was wearing so he could be picked out by a waiting hitman afterwards.

However, Walsh, who knew he was a target, swapped jackets with innocent Dean after leaving the pub and that is what is believed to have led to Dean being shot in a case of mistaken identity.

Peadar Keating

The prime suspects in carrying out the murder are associates of Carroll who was shot dead in a revenge attack days after Deans murder.

Nellie Walsh is believed to have been behind Carrolls murder but has never been charged in relation to it.

Several members of Carrolls gang are now locked up for their involvement in the Kinahan-Hutch feud.

They include Peadar Keating who is currently serving an 11-year sentence in relation to a plot to murder Hutch associate James Mago Gately.

His associate David Blinky Duffy, who is serving five years over the Mago plot, also came under suspicion as someone who may have provided logistical support in Deans murder but once again never faced any charges in relation to the hit.

The gang behind Deans murder are prime suspects in carrying out two murders in 2017 linked to the same feud.

John Gibson, who was in a relationship with Walshs sister, was shot dead outside Eddie Rockets in Citywest, Dublin, in 2017 - days before his pal Darragh Nugent was shot dead.

While Keating remains behind bars, his gang are also believed to have been behind a number of recent attempts on Nellie Walshs life including an incident last October when a gunman armed with an Uzi submachine gun opened fire on him in Tallaght and another where a gunman opened fire at him in Carlow.

Jason Carroll

At the inquest this week DI Hanley told coroner, Clare Keane, that none of the potential witnesses were available to give evidence in person, despite having been served with summonses to attend the inquest.

However, Dr Keane decided to proceed with the hearing after consulting with the victims family on the basis that it could hear details of written depositions of eyewitnesses.

The victims mother, Betty, who attended the inquest with her husband, Larry, and two of their sons, Andrew and Mark, said she understood that one of the people with her son on the night had swapped their coat in the pub before leaving the premises.

The inquest heard Dean was rushed by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital but was pronounced dead at 1.01am on August 24, 2013.

The victims older brother, Andrew Johnson, gave evidence of identifying his brothers body in the mortuary at Tallaght University Hospital two days later.

The coroner observed that the open nature of the Garda investigation into his death might offer his family some hope.

He suffered a violent death undeserved by anybody for any reason, Dr Keane added.
All eyes will be on The Monk and state witness Jonathan Dowdall

Gerry Hutch is a unique figure in the Irish underworld in more ways than one and when he stands to face judgment today, he will attract more interest than ever in the Special Criminal Court with its hair-raising conviction rate.

Its not just the celebrity status of the man in the dock or the high-profile nature of the murder he is accused of committing, the most dramatic in the history of organised crime, but its what happens next.

If Hutch is found guilty by the court, he will undoubtedly appeal

Should he be found not guilty, The Monk will be told he is a free man and that he can walk from the courts.

In the background, investigations are continuing to link him to corruption of a garda  and a description of the Hutch Organised Crime Group given to his trial would suggest that he is a leader of a gang which could see him charged with directing a criminal group.

If he is found guilty, he will undoubtedly appeal  and point to what felt at times like flimsy evidence against him.

Jonathan Dowdall and Gerry Hutch

The Special Criminal Court is a unique and dangerous place for an accused person. Some years its conviction rates can top 90pc but with no jury it deals with facts and hard evidence and where tapestries of circumstantial evidence are often expertly woven into clear-cut cases.

The odds are against The Monk if we were to go by statistics alone  but it has to be remembered that a large percentage of criminals plead guilty at the court, mainly due to the overwhelming evidence that there is against them.

The Regency Hotel

The Regency trial is not so simple  and despite the testimony of state witness Jonathan Dowdall, bugged recordings and CCTV presented by the State, there never felt like a clear moment that The Monk was guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

While some debate is sure to focus on the court, what should really be of more concern is how and why Dowdall became a state witness and what evidence was there without him.

The Monks defence team, headed by Brendan Grehan SC, teased from officers and from Dowdall the details of his acceptance as a witness and the way murder charges against him were dropped, but a full analysis of the situation is vital.

The cost of placing himself, his father Patrick and his entire family onto the Witness Protection Programme versus the value of his evidence will have to be accessed.

If The Monk is found guilty and the court accepts Dowdalls evidence, he will clearly be used again should charges be brought against others he has named.

We should ask how and why Dowdall became a state witness and what evidence was there without him

But if the judges find that he is a liar and a criminal who cannot be trusted, the taxpayer will still bear the enormous cost of his extraordinary metamorphosis from friend to foe of The Monk.

It was the Director of Public Prosecutions and not An Garda Siochana who accepted Dowdall as a witness in the trial, despite once believing there was enough evidence to place him in the dock for murder and being aware of his history of kidnap and torture.

As Grehan pointed out, this was after he had been given the book of evidence against him detailing what the States case was  and allowing him an opportunity to create a narrative and explanations for tricky conversations which he had led in a car journey to Northern Ireland, in particular about bombs and murder.

The spectre of Dowdall hung over the trial from the beginning. His appearance as witness garnered the most interest of all and now the fallout from decisions made behind the scenes to allow him to get away with a murder charge will need to be dissected and weighed up.

Of course, the State will give one standard answer to any questions asked; it will be a matter of state security. But should we accept such a blanket refusal to discuss witnesses? Or should we demand more transparency?

What has also been very much brought into focus at the trial is the operations of An Garda Siochana and its secretive Crime and Security Branch, responsible for, among many things, protected witnesses.

Throughout the trial, it became clear the team investigating the Regency Hotel attack and the murder of David Byrne were kept in the dark about relevant evidence being gathered by those who are dubbed spooks by fellow officers.

While Ireland has no separate intelligence division like Britains MI5 or MI6, an elite grouping has clearly emerged within the force with apparent carte blanche authority to shadow investigating teams  without sharing their knowledge.

In recent years, the same division chose to place evidence from the EncroChat phone hack, resulting in hundreds of convictions around Europe, the UK and Northern Ireland, into its intelligence drawers rather than sharing it out with the Gardas Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau or local units which could have acted upon it.

At one point during the Regency trial, a now-retired senior officer from Crime and Security said he had destroyed evidence relating to a tracking device because he didnt think it would be relevant to a court  despite the active Regency investigation. The manner in which his testimony was delivered raised the eyebrows of lead judge Justice Tara Burns.

The judges have been poring over the evidence in a far more technical way than any jury could

On another occasion, a representative from the same division had to be ordered to court to clarify the position of Jonathan Dowdall, who the court was told, was still being assessed for suitability to the Witness Protection Programme, despite giving evidence.

While the Special Criminal Courts conviction rate is undoubtedly high, the court is transparent and releases detailed judgments explaining why it has accepted or rejected evidence put before it.

Three female judges, Justice Burns, Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone, have sat over the Regency trial and since closing statements last January they have been painstakingly putting together their judgments on the three accused  The Monk, as well as Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both of whom have denied operating as getaway drivers on the day of the attack.

After months of evidence that straddled Christmas and New Year, the judges have been poring over the evidence in a far more technical way than any jury could.

They will have gone back over the sensational evidence of Dowdall, the neighbour who broke the code of silence and turned witness against The Monk.

They will have re-read the transcripts of the tapes recorded on their way North to ask dissident republicans for help with peace talks with Daniel Kinahan, during which they chatted about bombs, detonators, and the yokes the State says were the AK47s used at the hotel.

They will have gone back over the grainy footage taken on February 5, 2016, the day the guns were seized in the car of convicted terrorist Shane Rowan.

And slowly they will have pieced together a document which will decide the fate of The Monk and the strength of the garda case against him.

If I had a euro for the number of times Ive been asked what I think will happen, I could be kicking back in the Caribbean  but instead I will take my place with others to await this most important judgment.

It will guide the future direction of investigations around the Regency Hotel and declare Dowdall a state witness or a liar.
This event will not deter me

Alliance election candidate Michael Long has said he won't let street bullies prevent him from canvassing.

The east Belfast candidate - husband of party leader and former Justice Minister Naomi - was verbally and physically assaulted while electioneering on Carncaver Road in his Council Ward.

Two men approached him, verbally abused him and told him to leave the area. When

Councillor Long tried to move on, his path was blocked and he was attacked.

Lisnasharragh Councillor said the incident would not deter him and he would be back on the hunt within the hour.

In my 22 years as the elected representative for this area, I have never faced such levels of intimidation. As a local councillor, I work for everyone in my community, and this attempt to prevent me from engaging with voters is a clear assault on the democratic process.

I hate having to leave the street but I was back at the doors close by within an hour and I will continue to reach out to people across Lisnasharragh in every street and area as I have done throughout my time as Councillor.

"This event will not deter me.

The incident has been reported to the PSNI and I would like to thank them for their support.

"These thugs will not stop us from representing every part of our community and we will continue to fight for a future together.

Last year a People Before Profit councillor was attacked, threatened and ill-treated by three men in East Belfast.

Hannah Kenny said she was deeply shaken by the incident, in which one of the men grabbed her by the throat and told her in detail what he would do to her if she returned to the area.

SDLP canidate Paul Doherty was also accosted in the Shankill area while canvassing for last May's Assembly elections.

Elsie Trainor, an SDLP candidate in South Belfast said she was assaulted after chasing two youths who were stealing her election posters.

She said she was hit on the head, pushed against a fence and subjected to sectarian abuse. The youths also attempted to snatch her mobile phone as she filmed them, she alleged.

The incident happened on Monday evening in the Ormeau Park area after she chased the two youths who were using a ladder to remove her election posters on Ravenhill Road.

The latest incident involving Cllr Long has raised fears of a tense election campaign.
A lot of the others have either been released, have signed-off the landing or have been moved to other prisons

Gerry The Monk Hutch has become increasingly isolated on Wheatfield Prisons 3G landing following the departure of a number of trusted fellow prisoners and his betrayal by former gang member Jonathan Dowdall.

Sources have told the Sunday World that Hutch does not speak to prison officers other than to say please and thank you or make official requests, and that he is hardly ever seen conversing with other inmates.

Theres very few left on the landing with Gerry now, a source told the Sunday World.

A lot of the others have either been released, have signed-off the landing or have been moved to other prisons.

Jonathan Dowdall

You read these things saying he has told other inmates this or that but he talks to no-one. He got burnt once (by Dowdall). He trusts no-one after that.

Among the inmates to have signed-off the landing is Glenn Kavanagh.

Kavanagh, of Upper Oriel St. Dublin 1, is doing 10 years after he pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm at Woodbine Park Post Office, in Blackrock, on January 19, 2016.

The 47-year-old held a Makarov pistol to a customers head and then leapt over the counter before he was tackled to the ground by a passing ESB repairman, his 2019 sentencing hearing heard.

Despite firing eight shots during the raid, the court heard he had no memory of carrying out the raid as he was out of control on drugs at the time.

Kavanagh was on the landing with Del Boy and Ross (Hutchs relatives) and the rest of them before Gerry was extradited back and ever arrived here, the source said. But after Dowdall turned on Gerry, he signed himself off and is now on East Division, working as a cleaner.

Keith Hall

Whether Gerry asked him to move off or whether he wanted to disassociate himself from the whole thing, no-one really knows.

Another inmate, a convicted killer who was on 3G as he is a blood relative of the Hutches, moved to Loughan House in March.

We are not naming this individual as he was convicted of an involuntary manslaughter and has no other alignment with the Hutches other than blood.

All thats really left of the old Hutch crowd now is Keith Hall and Ross (Hutch), the source continued. And Ross wouldnt be up to much.

He got a few slaps in the prison a couple of weeks back. He doesnt command much respect, even among his own faction.

Ross, who has 75 previous convictions for assault, possession of a shotgun, firearms and knives, criminal damage, violent disorder and robberies, was sentenced to 10 years in prison late last month..

The 31-year-old had pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to his ex-girlfriends partner on August 22, 2021, by slashing the mans face with a knife and to assault causing harm to a different ex-girlfriend.

Keith Hall, meanwhile, is one of the longest-serving inmates who is on 3G.

He was allowed to move onto the landing by the Hutches after he survived several vicious attacks in revenge for his involvement in the murder of Melanie McCarthy McNamara.

Hall is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence over the killing of the teenager as she sat in a car with two of her friends on February 8, 2012.

Hall was not directly involved in the shooting but assisted to a significant extent in events both prior to and subsequent to the shooting.

On the evening of the shooting, he agreed with others to throw a rock at a particular house in Tallaght to entice people out to facilitate their shooting, and later he helped dispose of the gun used in her murder.

Notwithstanding the departures from the landing, our source said it was the betrayal by once-trusted confidante Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick that appears to have affected Gerry the most.

Ross Hutch

Hes very quiet since that happened, the source said.

Not that he was ever overly talkative with the staff.

But the whole dynamic around Gerry and the Hutches changed after that. It was a massive thing in the jail when Dowdall did what he did.

Everyone was talking about it because everyone assumed Dowdall was going to take the fall.

Hed organised the hotel, he had the connections up north.

But then he threw Gerry and the whole gang under the bus to save his own skin.

Mind you, Dowdall was always going to look after himself.

He wasnt able for prison - neither him nor his father.

He was an absolute whinger, always in with the doctor and nurses and threatening everyone with solicitors letters.

He had a real superiority complex and you could see he never thought of himself as a criminal.

He was an utter narcissist.

Asked about the talk in the prison ahead of tomorrows verdict, the source said: Its 50/50  thats what people are saying.

Just the same really as people are saying outside.

It was not the strongest case but people have been convicted on less.

And then there have been cases where people walked, even though everyone thought they were guilty.

But you wouldnt get any sense from Gerry what he is thinking. Hes saying absolutely nothing.
Gerry Hutch set up for a new life in Spain if hes found not guilty of murder tomorrow with 12 million in investments

Gerry The Monk Hutch will find out tomorrow if he has been found guilty of the Regency Hotel murder

Gerry the Monk Hutch has identified this humble Lanzarote lock-up as the base for a new life in Spain  if he is found not guilty of the gangland murder of David Byrne tomorrow.

The 60-year-old, who is reputed to own properties worth 12 million across the European Union, Eastern Europe and the UK, has listed 11 Calle Timple in Las Tias Palmas, Lanzarote as the headquarters for his Spanish real estate company.

He declared the new address with the Registro Mercantil Central, Spains company office, while locked up in Wheatfield Prison awaiting trial for the Regency Hotel murder of Byrne.

Although Hutch has registered the property as the companys headquarters, a source spoken to by this newspaper said she is sceptical that Hutch ever intends on being physically present there.

Spanish company records are readily accessible so this would be the equivalent of putting your name and address in the telephone book, she said.

Two men seen fleeing the Regency Hotel murder

In saying that, the fact he changed the company address while in custody is interesting insofar as it shows he hasnt given up on all hope of resuming his life in Spain.

It shows a belief at some level that he is going to beat the charge.

When the three judge Special Criminal Court hands down its verdict tomorrow, it will mark a sliding doors moment for career criminal Hutch.

If convicted, he faces the bleak prospect of living out his life in near isolation on Wheatfield Prisons 3G protection landing.

If cleared, he will regain his freedom to enjoy the fruits from a criminal career that he has zealously and, to a large extent, successfully guarded from the Criminal Assets Bureau.

These fruits include his Clontarf house, believed to be worth almost 1m; an extensive Turkish property portfolio in Izmir and Kusadasi valued at 2 million; a number of residential developments in Bulgaria and Hungary and property in London valued at 2.5 million.

Gardai allege Hutch built this empire on the profits of the Marino Mart robbery and the Brinks Allied raids  a charge Hutch has always denied.

He instead maintains he made his fortune from compensation claims and subsequently invested funds in the housing market.

I done a lot of business in property, he told RTEs Crime Correspondent Paul Reynolds in his only televised interview.

It was a good time and thats where I made me money.

It was to property that Hutch turned again when he fled to Lanzarote following the murder of David Byrne in February of 2016.

He listed the primary function of the business, which effectively saw him register to operate as a sole trader, as management of real estate on a fee or contract basis.

The business allowed Hutch to obtain a tax ID  which also serves as a Spanish VAT number  granting him the status of legitimate businessman in the region.

Hutch used this status when fighting extradition to Ireland to face the murder charge.

He told the extradition hearing that he was not hiding from the authorities while living in Spain and was even paying taxes in his own name.

He also asked the Spanish extradition court that he be allowed to serve out any sentence handed down in Spain, as he has residency status and pays his taxes there.

Should The Monk avoid conviction tomorrow, he faces one further threat to his freedom  an ongoing investigation into allegations he directed the activities of the Hutch Organised Crime Gang.

Hutch was taken from his cell by specialist gardai from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) on September 28 and quizzed for more than 12 hours in connection with this probe.

The offence, similar to murder, carries with it the possibility of a life sentence.

After Hutch was released by the NBCI and returned to prison, gardai confirmed that a file was being prepared for the DPP.

Shamed ex-garda John Spud Murphy, who is serving six years for possession of cannabis at his home, was also arrested as part of this probe.

Gardai are probing Murphys links to Hutch to determine if confidential information was passed on to the gang.

It is not known whether gardai will be in a position to charge Hutch with this offence in the event he is cleared of David Byrnes murder tomorrow.
Phillys brother John died in 2012 after a long battle with drug addiction.

Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon opened up about his brothers death following a decade-long struggle with heroin addiction at the Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use this weekend.

The former sportsman, whose brother John died in 2012 after a long battle with drug addiction, has since become a strong anti-drugs advocate.

McMahon was appointed to the Citizens Assemblys advisory support group last month to examine the issues surrounding drug use alongside HSE boss Paul Reid and 99 randomly selected members of the public.

The 35-year-old told the assembly in Malahide, Co Dublin that his family discovered the link between his brothers addiction issues and his mental health struggles years later.

He said that the family were educated to be ashamed about drug use and mental illness.

It wasnt until John was in his late 20s, that we discovered [he] had schizophrenia, he said.

"So for a long time, based off our education as a family, and the wider social education was based off it being incriminating to take drugs. We were educated to be ashamed, to be embarrassed and that stigmatisation was crucial in all of that education.

He added that Johns addiction would have been treated as a mental health issue had they known about his diagnosis earlier.

And we would have definitely, I think, you know, we would have, we would have dealt with it a little bit differently.

In a recorded message, Leo Varadkar said that drug deaths are affecting far too many families in Ireland.

Far too many families have lost loved ones due to an overdose, the Taoiseach said.

"Far too many communities have been living in fear of those who supply drugs in towns and villages across our country. So, we need to find better ways to deal with the problems arising from the use of illegal drugs.

The aim of the Citizens Assembly on Drugs Use is to examine legislative, policy and operational changes the State could make to significantly reduce the harmful impacts of illicit drugs on individuals, families, communities and wider society.

Mr Reid described the advisory group as an experienced and diverse group of people to support the important work of the assembly.

The advisory support group has a key role in supporting the Citizens Assembly in developing a comprehensive work programme, in line with the assemblys terms of reference, he said.

It will examine issues such as the legalisation of certain drugs and the provision of safe injecting centres.
He backed womens rights event as pro-trans counter protest took place

Posie Parker  real name Kellie-Jay Keen  appeared at the rally at The Big Fish on Sunday.

Ms Keen is frequently referred to as a womens rights activist by supporters, and an anti-transgender campaigner by detractors. In the past, Ms Keen labelled the idea of a transgender woman being a real woman as preposterous, drawing significant backlash.

At the rally was the group founded by Ms Keen, Standing for Women, while the counter rally featured a number of LGBTQ groups.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan   PA

One attendee was Mr Linehan, who faced a backlash in 2020 following controversial tweets made about trans-people, which led to a subsequent ban from Twitter. He told the Belfast Telegraph that he was there to support Ms Keen, after the activist had juice thrown on her during a similar event in New Zealand.

Mr Linehan said: I think, now that Posie has such a big profile since some of the recent attacks on her, it just felt like it was a particularly important one to come to.

I thought that maybe if I came over, it might make the feeling a little bit different, because I bring a bit of the Father Ted stuff with me. It might draw a bit more attention  more people here who can actually listen to these women.

Mr Linehan alleged that counter protesters have no idea what these women believe and that they have just been told what they believe by various bad actors. They need to speak to the women and see what they are saying, he added.

Kellie-Jay Keen aka Posie Parker pictured during the Let Women Speak rally in Belfast (Pacemaker)

One participant, who wished to remain anonymous, believed that womens rights coincided with trans rights. The LGBTQ activist said: The fallacy that trans people are dangerous in some way  there is no factual basis to that at all.

There is not a clash of womens rights and trans rights, you find that womens rights and trans rights are the same struggle. Another said: The trans rights issue is the thin end of the wedge of a general rise in far-right reactionary problems.

If we dont stand up for trans-people and non-binary people today, its going to get a lot worse.

Karen Sugrue said: I think our role as adults is to make the world safer for the generation coming up behind us, in whatever way they want to present ourselves. Trans lives, trans rights  they are all linked together for rights for women.

Those who supported Ms Keen and members of Standing for Women said they were there to support the rights of women. One supporter, who travelled from the Republic of Ireland, was Estelle Birdy.

She said: I am here to support the Northern Irish women because they always support us. Sisters across the divide has always been the way in Ireland.

Hilary Rowell said: Its about letting women speak. I thought womens rights had been fought for and won by generations before mine.

"Some of the rights  the right to have a mortgage, the right to have a bank account in your name, the right to divorce (for women)  are less than 50 years old. We are on the precipice of all those rights being taken away and being up for grabs again. Its outrageous.

Police were in attendance to separate both groups to avoid conflict. The rallies passed without incident and no arrests were made, the PSNI said.
The trade exchange between Egypt and the UAE increased by 6.5 percent to $4.6 billion during the first 11 months of 2022, compared to $4.3 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to the Middle East News Agency (MEAN).

Egyptian exports to the UAE jumped 14.4 percent year-on-year to $1.8 billion in the 11 months that ended in November 2022.

Meanwhile, Egypt's imports from the Gulf country reached $2.8 billion in the first 11 months of 2022, up from $2.7 billion in the same period of 2021.

It is worth noting that Egypt's trade balance deficit recorded $2.48 billion in January 2023, a 47 percent drop from the $4.68 billion figure recorded in the same month in 2022. This is largely due to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, which leads to decreased imports.

The Emirati investments in Egypt soared by 300.8 percent to $5.7 billion during the fiscal year (FY) 2021/2022, compared to $1.4 billion in FY 2020/2021.

Moreover, the remittances from Egyptian expatriates working in the UAE amounted to $3.5 billion in FY 2020/2021, up from $3.4 billion in FY 2019/2020.

On Wednesday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport as the Emirati leader starts an official visit to Egypt.

Last year, the two countries celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations under the slogan Egypt and the UAE: One Heart."

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Construction on island infills and kerbing for the roundabouts along Maunganui Road commences this week.

This kerbing will take place from Wednesday April 19 to Friday April 21. Traffic travelling on Maunganui Road will be unaffected, however, the entries onto Maunganui Road from Sutherland Road, Puriri Street and Matai Street will be closed while these works are underway.

To enable safe works on kerb extensions at pedestrian crossings, some carparking may be closed on Maunganui Road.

Speed has been a long-standing concern on Maunganui Road which impacts on the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

Safety improvements and road upgrades made last year aim to create a calmer, more predictable environment, significantly boosting safety for everyone who travels through the area.

To finish safety improvements in the area, work continues in April.

Work is planned at the following locations on or near Maunganui Road:

Progress on Matai Street. Photo: Supplied.

Golf Road to Tui Street: the work in front of Mount Maunganui College is progressing well. Trees have been installed this week.

Hinau Street to Sutherland Avenue: work will continue in this section over the next few weeks.

The team continue to work on remaining splitter islands at Matai Street, Puriri Street and Sutherland Avenue, as well as final pram crossings and remaining paths.

Artist's impression of a roundabout on Maunganui Road. Image: Supplied.

Other work scheduled for this section includes:

Replacement of the temporary painted roundabout at Hinau Street intersection with a permanent dome

Planting of trees and greenery

Lifting the shared path around at the corner of Puriri Street/Sutherland Avenue roundabout.

Tui Street to Hull Road: the team are currently drafting plans for this section of Maunganui Road. Local business owners and the local community will be contacted for input and feedback as the draft plans are developed in the coming months.

For more information visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/maunganui or email any questions you may have to MRsafetyimprovements@tauranga.govt.nz.
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Saudi Arabia has put a second four-percent chunk of shares of the Aramco oil giant, worth tens of billions of dollars, under the control of the country's sovereign wealth fund, state media said Sunday.

The move, part of a campaign to open up the oil-rich kingdom's economy, follows a transfer last year of four percent of Aramco shares, estimated at the time to be worth $80 billion.

Authorities did not give a value for the latest shares, which have been moved from the world's biggest oil exporter to Sanabil Investments, a firm controlled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Saudi Press Agency said.

The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, billed the move as part of a push "to boost and diversify the national economy and expand investment opportunities", according to the report.

The shares of the mostly state-owned oil giant moved last year went directly to the PIF, one of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds with more than $620 billion in assets.

Prince Mohammed said the latest transfer will "solidify PIF's strong financial position".

He also stressed that the state "will remain Saudi Aramco's largest shareholder following the transfer, with total ownership of (90.18 percent) of the company's shares," the report said.

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Pulaski, N.Y.  A swimmer was swept down the Salmon River in Oswego County Saturday after jumping in the water, troopers said.

The 28-year-old man was stranded in the middle of the river around 4:52 p.m. near the Black Hole Fishing Access at 48 Riverview Dr. in the village of Pulaski, said Trooper Jack Keller, a state police spokesman.

The man was trapped on a log damn when troopers and firefighters arrived at the river, said Tom Newton, a spokesperson for the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office.

The rivers current was too strong, so the Onondaga County Sheriffs Offices police helicopter, Air1, was called to help with the rescue, Keller said.

Air 1 could not rescue the man from the ground, Newton said. The helicopter hovered a foot over the water and a deputy, secured by a harness, pulled the man from the damn, he said.

Newton said deputies secured the man onto the landing skids of Air 1 before he was safely lifted into the cockpit.

The man was taken to a field near a local elementary school and declined medical treatment, Newton said.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.
Join NY Cannabis Insider on April 20 in Victor, NY, for an industry meetup. Details and tickets here.

Jeffrey Hoffman is a New York City-based attorney who hosts Ask Me Anything about Cannabis Legalization in New York each week on LinkedIn. Hoffman and NY Cannabis Insider have partnered to bring those sessions into print in a Q&A format.

Hoffmans practice focuses on cannabis industry clients, including licensees in the adult-use market, practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He has a particular interest in social and economic equity cannabis license applicants, and he also informs and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged from their record. He can be reached at info@420jurist.com.

The following AMA from March 12 has been edited for length and clarity. Hoffmans next AMA is on April 19 at 4:20 p.m.

Is it medical marijuana that is legal or is it marijuana in general?

It depends on what state youre in. We like to talk about New York. In New York, for medicinal cannabis, you have to get a card through a doctor or various other types of practitioners.

Then you can go into a medical dispensary and buy medical cannabis here in the state of New York. Its less expensive than adult-use cannabis, so thats the primary reason why folks may wanna still do that. Obviously, if medical cannabis costs more than just standard adult use, I dont know why anyone would do that.

That is the case for now. Theres a bill in the legislature that would allow all health insurance providers in New York to cover medical marijuana. I would like to see that strengthened a bit.

Its been a while since I looked at the most recent revision - ideally they will actually require the publicly funded insurance to cover it. So I would imagine all of the medical cannabis folks would immediately go on to those plans if it would cover their medical cannabis.

So thats whats going on right now in New York as far as medical, which has been legal for several years. This is typically what happens in most states  medical is their initial law, which is still very restrictive. It is limited to things such as cancer, other wasting diseases, and other very serious medical conditions.

Typically, theres either one or two step downs from this. The first step down is to broaden the conditions that are allowed. And then the final step down, which is where we are here in New York, is where you say any medical condition where the medical practitioner believes cannabis would be beneficial.

So thats the medical side. What has happened more recently is the adult-use side. That was legalized by the legislature March 31, 2021. The sitting governor at the time did not appoint the Cannabis Control Board for the remainder of his shortened term.

He was eventually forced from office. Now, Governor Hochul appointed the Cannabis Control Board, so hallelujah. And thank you to her for that. The Cannabis Control Board then got going, in late fall of 2021. They then finally gave CAURD licenses for the first retail.

With temporary delivery licenses only being permitted for 12 months, what happens when the permanent retail locations open?

Its not clear exactly how thats gonna work out. I would bet it changes between now and when all that happens. All dispensaries  not just the CAURD folks which are getting out in the wild now, but it looks like all dispensaries  will be able to both do delivery and have onsite consumption.

Itll be up to the licensee to decide if they wanna have those additional capabilities. There was a very informative email that was sent out. I posted it on LinkedIn a couple weeks back. That email went out right before they started giving out the licenses in November, and that gave very clear guidance that dispensary licensees will be able to do delivery and onsite consumption.

It looks like in the regs, itll be the same as the delivery licensees in that youll be able to have 25 FTEs, full-time equivalents, depending on how many hours an FTE is. If its 40 hours, thats 1000 hours, if its 30 hours, its 750. Well just have to see which way they wanna go with that.

Thatll be the maximum number of hours per week that the dispensary licensee themselves will be able to offer delivery services. If you need overflow delivery or more delivery, that is what the delivery licensees are for.

We spoke about this a week ago when they gave out the licenses, and I really think you gotta do something more for those delivery licensee folks, right? Its an equity license. Its one of the three licenses that are specifically to be promoted to equity folks. If you look at New York City, the traditional legacy market here is people growing it and people are delivering it or selling it in the open air.

So legacy in New York City is delivery. I just think that youre crippling the delivery licenses - only letting them basically be Uber Eats for the dispensaries is a really bad idea. If you wanna get those folks that are in legacy selling, give them a delivery license and a 500 square-foot storage space that they can have for their own inventory. I just think thats the way to go.

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to break into the cannabis industry?

You need to start going to every single cannabis event close to you. And if you dont live close to them, you need to look at the calendar and figure out where theres places where there are going to be a bunch of events over a small amount of time.

So like next week here in New York, theres gonna be a lot of events for 4/20 and then more as we get later here in April and then into June. Theres gonna be some pretty big cannabis trade shows, particularly here in New York City. And theres gonna be lots and lots of events and parties.

Thats why people do happy hour. Thats why people take clients out, right? Thats how you build a relationship. So you gotta do that. And I know COVID really kind of got us out of the habit of doing that.

And virtual is okay, but not great, right? I mean, its really all about meeting people, right?

Can dispensaries have a cannabis leaf in logo and can said logo be displayed outside of the store?

I think the marketing and advertising regs are draconian. Im not a fan of that. I think we gotta do it a little bit differently and we have to allow these things.

The cannabis leaf  its too draconian. Its the culture. Part of this whole thing is that we enforced so much against the plant and against the culture, and this is just kind of extending one additional piece of it. The idea that youre limiting the culture ... why should you be able to do that?

Theyre not gonna let you use certain words. You wont even be able to say, come buy the best sticky buds in the city.

What are your thoughts on delivery companies being subject to 280E?

If youre plant touching at all, I dont see how 280E wouldnt apply to you.

How are you celebrating 4/20?

Theres an interesting event called the New York Cannabis Freedom Event in Brooklyn. The ticket that I have is for the 19th and the 20th, but most people that Ive talked to are only going on the 20th.

Theres also a CAURD event that I am going to, but they kind of overlap problematically. Im definitely going to that though.

So thats what Im doing on 4/20.

Will the updated regulations coming out be the regulations for the non-CAURD applicants?

Well, technically, I think it will also be the CAURD regulations. I think thats what OCM is kind of intending anyway. I mean, there will be some things specific to CAURD folks where they cant sell the license for four years.

But most of what youve seen thats applicable to the CAURD folks is guidance, not regulation. And I do think that the regs will apply. When we get there, the regs will trump guidance.

For the regulatory review period, remember the 60 days that we already did that ended on February 13th  that was the public comment period. The 45 days after OCM tells us what their changes are is not another public comment period. Its called the revised rule-making period. So my bet is what actually happens here is that on May 11th at the OCM meeting, where they give out most, if not all, the remaining CAURD license, I think what theyre going to say is, Heres our preview of what we think is gonna be our final regs. Were not publishing in the state register yet. Were gonna let everybody say their piece. Maybe well tweak it a bit more, based on everybody saying their piece. And then well release it in the state register. Then we count 45 days and then the application opens a week or two or three after that.

What is the state of cannabis lounge regs for New York?

We know we need them, and the OCM didnt give them to us. Theyre really focused on the seven they did give us regs for, and they could release the first lounge or onsite regs, and delivery, perhaps here at the meeting in May.

For those two licenses, I know why they waited. Those two are gonna just be tricky, particularly onsite consumption.

Does New York have or is it going to have a caregiver programming to grow for patients?

I believe they already do. Go to the OCM website and check it. You can do home grown medical cannabis now.

The clock is ticking on adult-use home grow. Dec. 29, 2022, was the date of the first sale of adult-use cannabis in the state of New York. The clock is ticking for OCM to give us the regs. All they really need to do is take the medical regs, strike the word medical, change it to adult-use, and those are the regs.

So, Mr. Bernabe, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Sheridan, what are you guys doing? Lets get some homegrown regs for me. Im gonna do it anyway, but lets make it legal, right?

Any update on the MSO/RO lawsuit?

It looks like the first hearing has been set for sometime in mid-June. The good news is hopefully the OCM is gonna give out all the other CAURD licenses at the May meeting. That part of the lawsuit will be more or less moot at that point - its much tougher to take back a license thats been granted than to stop someone from giving out licenses.

We saw this with the Variscite lawsuit. Initially, they stopped licenses from being given out in the five enjoined regions - it wouldve been much tougher for that judge to say, Those licenses that have already been given out, lets pull those back.

It is very, very tough to do that. So, OCM, lets give out the rest of those licenses here in May.

How is the illegal market affecting the emerging legal market?

It is crushing it. We dont have that many licensed dispensaries open yet. And the ones that are open are doing quite well. But that will change as more legal stores open. If theres going to be more licensed stores, theyre gonna be closer to more illicit stores.

Theres a lot of noise about what the states gonna want to do about the unlicensed ones. We could have a tax holiday until the end of 2024 and that would really, really help. Governor Hochul and the legislature just need to appropriate money for the cannabis industry for that, period.

Lets pass a law. If you have a certificate of occupancy in the State of New York, by law, we can inspect your premises for illegal cannabis. Its very easy for the legislature to pass that law. And we go after the landlords.

If I was running for mayor, my platform would be to close down all the illicit stores and turn them into affordable housing in New York City.

Is the CAURD program funded?

They got the state appropriated $50 million. Theyve spent a lot of it. They do not have the other $150 million. When I was up in Albany a week and a half ago, I was telling legislators that they needed to go ahead and appropriate the money. Do not try to wait on private funding. Its not coming.

What will the legalities of pop-up events be since we are entering that season?

As long as you are somewhere where the people could otherwise smoke a cigarette, and as long as you are not selling to them, you could consume. But as far as having a popup where there are vendors selling cannabis, that is illegal.

We do want farmers markets eventually, and I do think the OCM is thinking about them, but nothing yet.

What are some of the biggest changes you anticipate or would like to see in the revised regs?

Dont make the micro. Make it optional.

And again, Im not saying that the micro people are not able to. Its not that they arent capable. But especially here in New York City, your grow has to be in the same county as everything else you do.

If you are in Harlem and you wanna have your retail place for your micro in Harlem, you must grow your cannabis in New York County, or Manhattan, which is the most expensive real estate in the United States. So why would we want equity minority business owners, if theyre gonna be challenged enough in opening and running their businesses, to have to grow?

These people that have never cultivated  they already have businesses doing tinctures and doing edibles, as well as other things.

Thats the problem. They would have to grow here in New York City. So youre gonna take people who already have a cannabis business, but have never grown. Youre now gonna make them grow and spend all that money on real estate and everything else.

So thats number one.

Number two is that the fees  application fees and licensing fees for the three licenses that are specifically to be promoted to social and economic equity applicants. It says this in the law, there are three of them, the nursery, delivery, and micro that are to be specifically promoted to equity applicants. The fees for those three licenses should be waived.

The third thing is that the delivery licensees can hold their own inventory - have a warehouse that they can have their own product in. You can limit it. You can say you cant be 5,000 square feet like a dispensary. It can be 500 square feet, maybe even 250 square feet. But give the delivery people a small space where they can have their own inventory and they can deliver from that inventory. If you dont, you just destroy the value of that license.

Give women tips on how to get into the license game

Number one  you will be able to apply as an equity applicant. Theres all kinds of benefits. There are people that are not gonna qualify as equity applicants, and they are going to want to partner with people that do. So that is a phenomenal way for you to get into the market and for you to get capital.

But you have to be strong, because youre the 51% owner and you get to tell whoever brought the money to the table that its your company, right? You want to be friendly with them and you want to take input from them. But regardless of how much capital they bring to the table, its yours. Youre the 51% licensee.

So I think thats an outstanding way for a woman entrepreneur to get into the cannabis industry, right? New York State is giving you beneficial treatment for licensing. You should take advantage of it. You still need capability, you still need financing, youre gonna need all of these types of things. But the state has very specifically said, we want to encourage women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses to apply for these cannabis licenses. Theyre very clear about it. So I encourage you to do that if you think that is your route.

If you think thats not your route and you wanna become an ancillary service provider, you gotta do what I said before. You gotta be on the scene with these businesses you want as customers. The key is, you gotta figure out what your expertise is.
SUNY Upstate Medical University and its public hospital are powerful economic and social engines for our community, where devoted and skilled people perform miracles every day. So we expect more from its leaders than a pattern of hiding embarrassing or uncomfortable facts from the public.

Staff writer Tim Knauss story about SUNY Upstates efforts to conceal how much it paid to get out of a failed real estate deal is another example of official stonewalling on matters of intense public interest and public expense (SUNY Upstate didnt want you to know this: What it paid Cor Development to get back state land, April 11, 2023).

Were out of patience with the top leadership of an institution that takes public subsidies but wont submit to public scrutiny. Were tired of all the excuses many highly paid officials made over the years to avoid accountability for poor decisions and to hide their mistakes. And were outraged by managements contempt for the letter and the spirit of the state Freedom of Information Law, which states:

The peoples right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society. Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality.

SUNY Upstate officials tried mightily to cloak what it cost to buy back eight acres of city land on which the Kennedy Square housing complex stood.

In 2012, university officials entered into a joint venture with a private developer, Cor Development, to create a $300 million office, retail and housing complex on the site. Upstate created a nonprofit subsidiary, Upstate Properties Development, to work around some of the rules that can constrict how public property is used. When the project collapsed, UPD tried to dissolve the joint venture. Cor sued. The parties reached an out-of-court settlement last year.

Knauss twice asked how much Upstate paid Cor to reacquire the land that once belonged to the state alone. Upstate officials refused to answer, so Knauss filed a Freedom of Information request. Upstate denied the FOIL and denied it again on appeal. They claimed the settlement involved trade secrets and would substantially harm UPDs competitive position in relation to existing and future transactions.

That wasnt true. It wasnt a trade secret. In fact, it wasnt a secret at all. UPD had disclosed the $2.3 million purchase price to bondholders as part of a routine regulatory filing that was already in the public domain.

This is part of a pattern of secrecy at the top levels of SUNY Upstate.

After SUNY Upstate Hospital announced its plan to merge with Crouse Hospital last year, reporter James T. Mulder used FOIL to request the application filed with the state Health Department to justify the transaction. SUNY Upstate eventually provided the document  but with 260 of its 408 pages completely blacked out. In an appeal, Syracuse.com argued that the public had a right to see the redacted portions due to the significant consequences a merger would have on the Syracuse healthcare market. A merged hospital would control 71% of it.

The blacked-out pages had to do with Crouses finances. When Mulder requested the same document from the state Health Department through FOIL, it provided an unredacted copy showing all the Crouse financial information that SUNY Upstate had blacked out. Mulder also had to resort to FOIL to find out that Upstate spent nearly $10 million on outside experts advising it on the aborted merger with Crouse.

In yet another instance, in 2016 SUNY Upstate used a nondisclosure agreement with former CEO Dr. John McCabe to hide details of a $660,500 hush payment to make McCabe disappear when a new leader wanted to install her own team. Upstate would not reveal how many hours or days McCabe worked to earn his rich pay.

There is nothing preventing SUNY Upstate  or any other government agency, for that matter  from simply handing over records when journalists or members of the public ask for them. Government records should be presumed to be public unless they fall into the narrow exceptions spelled out in the law  exceptions that are routinely abused.

SUNY Upstate managements culture of reflexive secrecy is antithetical to the organizations public mission. We call on leadership to change the culture to one that values transparency and accountability  and then lives up to those values.

About Syracuse.com editorials

Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte, Katrina Tulloch and Marie Morelli.

To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines.

If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com
Four people are dead and as many as 20 reportedly injured following a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, Saturday night, according to multiple reports.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that at 11:45 p.m. Saturday special agents launched an investigation at the request of the Dadeville police chief.
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Several global manufacturers are building factories and expanding in Egypt, injecting millions of dollars in the market, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba stated during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer OPPO is planning to invest $20 million in building a new factory in Egypt to produce 4.5 million smartphones annually and create 650 jobs, Heiba said.

He added that home appliances company Haier is planning to implement a new project in Egypt worth $135 million, while Turkish appliance and consumer electronics brand Beko has established a subsidiary in Egypt to build a factory in the 10th of Ramadan City on 114,000 square metres worth $100 million.

Furthermore, Heiba unveiled that the South Korean electronics manufacturer LG Corporation is set to expand in Egypt with a new refrigerator factory worth $200 million.

The Egyptian government is taking various measures to create a better environment for investors, including launching initiatives to facilitate bureaucratic procedures, including the golden licenses.

A golden license gives comprehensive approval of the setup, operations, and management of a project, including building licenses and the allocation of the necessary real estate.

Last week, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued decree No. 141 of 2023 to establish the Supreme Council For Investment.

The council will be presided over by the president. Members of the council include the prime minister, minister of defense and military production, governor of the central bank of Egypt, minister of justice, minister of planning and economic development, and minister of international cooperation.

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SgtRepeat BHPian

Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 40 Thanked: 111 Times

Re: The Credit Card Thread



IMO, there are three main apps for this CRED

CheQ

PostPe

CRED used to be the most popular app for credit card bill payments. Its rewards have however been severely devaluated now. When you pay a credit card bill over 1000, you get to avail cashback once a day over three days. In my experience, you can get around 15-20 as cashback after you avail cashback everyday for three days. The catch here is that not all of us will remember to open the app everyday for three days and avail the cashback. Another catch is that the cashback can only be used through the CRED app to make bill payments.



Pros of CRED: Credit card repayments are done almost instantaneously.

The app serves as a great way to keep track of your credit card bills and their due dates. Cons of CRED: CRED coins are almost useless and can only be used to avail cashback.

The cashback received is very less as compared to what it used to be.

UI has become very confusing.

CheQ is the new player in the market. They offer 1% of the credit card bill amount paid as CheQ chips, which can be redeemed for vouchers or credited to your bank account as cash. The catch here is that one CheQ chip is equivalent to 1 or 0.5 for voucher redemption depending on the brand of the voucher you choose to redeem. If you choose to redeem the CheQ chips as cash to your bank account, one CheQ chip is equivalent to 0.25.



Pros of CheQ: Cashback is very good. If you pay a credit card bill of 1 lakh, you get 1000 CheQ chips. This can be used to buy a 500 Amazon voucher or a 1000 Myntra voucher among various other brands.

Credit card repayments are almost as fast as CRED. Cons of CheQ: There is a possibility of the cashback being devaluated soon. Vouchers of Big Basket have already been removed from the app, since it was probably being redeemed the most.

Credit card repayments can sometimes be slower than CRED. Speed varies from instantaneous to one business day.

PostPe has been around for the last year or so and gives 0.4% of the credit card bill paid as cashback. You can use this cashback to pay bills through the PostPe app.



Pros of PostPe: Cashback is decent. You can get 400 as cashback for paying a bill of 1 lakh. Cons of PostPe: UI isn't very user friendly

Credit card repayment speed varies from instantaneous to four business days

Disclaimer: This is purely based on my personal experience with these apps and isn't indicative of a general experience. Use your own discretion to pay credit card bills through any of these apps. While we all know about the cashback we get from each credit card, we now have ways to get cashback for repaying the credit card bills as well.IMO, there are three main apps for thisCRED used to be the most popular app for credit card bill payments. Its rewards have however been severely devaluated now. When you pay a credit card bill over 1000, you get to avail cashback once a day over three days. In my experience, you can get around 15-20 as cashback after you avail cashback everyday for three days. The catch here is that not all of us will remember to open the app everyday for three days and avail the cashback. Another catch is that the cashback can only be used through the CRED app to make bill payments.Pros of CRED:Cons of CRED:CheQ is the new player in the market. They offer 1% of the credit card bill amount paid as CheQ chips, which can be redeemed for vouchers or credited to your bank account as cash. The catch here is that one CheQ chip is equivalent to 1 or 0.5 for voucher redemption depending on the brand of the voucher you choose to redeem. If you choose to redeem the CheQ chips as cash to your bank account, one CheQ chip is equivalent to 0.25.Pros of CheQ:Cons of CheQ:PostPe has been around for the last year or so and gives 0.4% of the credit card bill paid as cashback. You can use this cashback to pay bills through the PostPe app.Pros of PostPe:Cons of PostPe:Disclaimer: This is purely based on my personal experience with these apps and isn't indicative of a general experience. Use your own discretion to pay credit card bills through any of these apps.
Forward-looking: The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, nicknamed Juice, early Friday morning. The spacecraft will travel to Jupiter to study the gas giant and three of its Galilean moons on its way to orbit Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede. Scientists expect the probe to reach its initial Jovian destination sometime in 2031.

Juice was launched from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on Friday morning. The probe, designed to orbit Jupiter's water-rich moon Ganymede, took off from the spaceport aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket at 9:14 am local time. The journey will take approximately eight years, which includes several passes of Earth and one of Venus, each providing a gravity assist to sling the craft to its next heading at the proper speed.

Eventually, the craft will orbit Jupiter and conduct flybys on three of the planet's icy moons: Europa, Callisto, and the planet's largest moon, Ganymede. The spacecraft will spend almost four years gathering data about the Jupiter system and its moons before establishing an orbit around Ganymede, where it will remain indefinitely. Once Juice reaches Ganymede, it will officially become the first craft to orbit another planet's moon.

The agency released an interactive Juice Launch Kit detailing the mission's objective, the Juice probe, and the Ariane 5 rocket. The explorer will conduct multiple flybys of Jupiter's icy moons, orbiting as close as 120 miles (200km) from Jupiter's furthest moon, Callisto. The probe will log 21 flybys of Callisto, 12 of Ganymede, and two of Europa. The limited number of Europa trips is primarily due to the planned presence of another probe already studying the moon, NASA's Europa Clipper.

Juice's overarching objective is to gather information to help researchers understand five mysteries of the Jupiter system:

Why is Ganymede so unique?

What are ocean worlds like?

How has Jupiter's complex environment shaped its moons, and vice versa?

What is a typical gas giant planet like  how did it form, and how does it work?

Could there be  or ever have been  life in the Jupiter system?

Despite the launch's activity and excitement, one attendee stole Juice's spotlight. Viewers were delighted to spot a furry, seemingly oblivious sloth during ESA's live launch coverage. The slow-moving animal quickly became a favorite on ESA's Twitter feed, where the agency confirmed that the sloth was near another building at the facility and was in no danger whatsoever.

The ESA hopes that data from the probe will expand its understanding of Jupiter's atmosphere and the planet's surrounding system. According to an earlier statement, the agency expects that "by studying it, we can learn more about how the solar system and exoplanetary systems work, how planets form, and how life can emerge under different conditions."
The Egyptian government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff had fruitful discussions in preparation for the first review mission of Egypt's reform program which is supported by the IMFs Extended Fund Facility (EFF), IMF Mission Chief for Egypt Ivanna Vladkova Hollar stated on Sunday

The discussions took place on the margins of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC.

Hollar added that the discussions addressed a number of issues related to the implementation of the programme as well as the outlook for the Egyptian economy.

The discussions, she said, leading up to the start of the first review mission will continue virtually.

The World Bank Groups and the IMFs spring meetings concluded on Sunday.

A delegation of Egyptian officials that included both the ministers of finance and international cooperation as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt attended the meetings to discuss the first review of the $3 billion loan deal with the IMFs officials.

The review was planned to be conducted on 15 March, but the IMF officials stated to Ahram Online that the review has not been conducted as of yet.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Ahram Online that the IMF still requires the Egyptian government to take more measures to level the field with the private sector, adding that the review will be conducted before the end of the current FY2022/2023.

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"Screenings do not reveal all problems": RUDN University professor on the maximum reproductive age and late childbirth

Disappearance of Chloe in Seine-et-Marne: how did the investigators find the young woman?

Rospotrebnadzor: in patients with measles in the first days, the face becomes puffy and the eyelids swell

Guide for passing the dungeon Tower of Babil in the Endwalker update in Final Fantasy 14

This is how Jenkin's won the Champions Burger in Madrid: 1,800 hamburgers in one day, a fridge truck and the "dream" of opening in the capital

Where to eat the best asparagus and artichokes in Madrid

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WhatsApp finally activates the option to use several phones with the same account

The best coca in Mallorca is made in this family business in Valldemossa

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Astronomers solve the mystery of quasars, the most powerful objects in the Universe 60 years later

Approaching the guide dog Kaoru: Focus on becoming a comrade-in-arms who "walks side by side" with the owner-China News Network video

These cultural relics remain what they look like today The thousand-year-old canal flows with a new legend

May Day passenger flow out of Beijing will usher in a peak this Saturday The total number of passengers entering and leaving Beijing during the May Day holiday is expected to exceed the same period in 2019

Expert: There is no evidence that secondary infection is more harmful to the body

Guangxi residents are dressed in brilliant costumes, "Sticking" and "National Chao" on the same stage - China News Network video

Peeping purpose Destruction of the attic wall of the apartment or arrest of 43-year-old suspect Saitama

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Beijing CDC issued a health reminder for the May Day holiday: masks should be worn in these situations or scenarios

Hugo Lloris is "my model": the international Espoirs Lucas Chevalier talks about his rise at Losc

Eslov won the first semi-final: "Thank you for the show, Truls"

They apologized for falling with a hexagon. Tottenham players pay their fans for tickets for Newcastle match

Taty Castellanos eats Militao and enters, with four goals, in the history of Madrid

On character: "Ak Bars" missed first, but defeated CSKA in the fifth match of the final series of the Gagarin Cup

Formula 1: the leaders change the format of the sprint weekend to ensure more spectacle

Football: the former goalkeeper of the Blues Hugo Lloris leaves after 5 goals conceded in 45 minutes

Monaco, damaged by Maccabi Tel Aviv, already back to the wall in the quarterfinals of the Euroleague

Guoyu is all about competing in the Asian Championships: men's singles face a tough battle, women's doubles mixed doubles are looking forward to defending their titles

From a candidate for the treble to threatened with a zero season. 7 games with Tuchel spark crises at Bayern Munich

From traveling with his father in Guangdong to carrying the banner of the Chinese team, Si Jiahui entered the quarterfinals of the World Snooker Championship

"Preferential mortgage interest rates according to the number of children" Child-rearing support from a financial perspective

Actively stabilize the overall situation of employment and firmly hold the basic market - employment observation for the first quarter of 2023

The new 20,000 homes of Sanchez still have the land "in the identification phase"

Barcelona, at the head of the rental drama: 51% drop in supply and the highest price in Spain

"The price war is not tragic enough"! Executives of well-known car companies: After April, they will welcome the price war of new cars, and the competition will be fiercer in the future

Demystifying the "family office": the super-rich come with trillions of "new money" to feed innovation

The stock price has doubled, the performance has lost money, and these leading AI shareholders are going to cash out billions

The most popular fraudulent scheme on the road was the sharp braking of the car in front

The Dutch government unveils the "rectification" plan for the Groningen gas field, promising more than 30 billion euros in compensation over 220 years

Why Lula does not want to take a stand against Putin

Bernt is cared for at the end of life: "I don't want to be dried by just anyone"

Municipal commissioner Andreas Persson (S) on the criticism: "We must solve the situations that arise"

Sweden raised the issue of introducing visa-free travel to the EU for Armenia against the backdrop of its "desire to sever ties with Russia."

In Conakry, a hundred fishermen treated for burns whose cause remains to be determined

A US fund declares Spain in "technical default" and asks for the reimbursement of government bonds for 910 million

No, Los Serrano are not back: this will be 'the reunion' for the 20 years of the mythical series

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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission had been evaluating evidence of unethical conduct and breaches of the law by corporate cowboy Kristofer (Kris) Ridgway for more than a year without an outcome.

The regulator sat on its hands until a promotion for an investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes into the Brisbane businessmans dealings was broadcast last Wednesday night. The following morning ASIC issued a press release announcing Ridgway had been permanently banned from having any involvement in financial services. The timing would be comical if not so cynical.

Brisbane businessman Kris Ridgway has been banned from involvement in financial services. Credit: Louise Kennerley

ASICs investigations have a glacial slowness and, faced with potentially embarrassing media exposure, Australias corporate regulator may have wanted to appear ahead of the game. But the reality is that ASIC is a watchdog few fear.

Ridgway used his position at the Brisbane office of finance house Shaw and Partners as a middleman in a global investment scheme to lure unsophisticated investors to buy shares in unlisted companies with the expectation that they would soon be listed and deliver a windfall. Years later, the companies remain unlisted and investors have not received a cent. Our investigation uncovered other Australian financial advisers using their trusted positions to convince clients to buy the same dubious investments right under ASICs nose.
The trailer for Netflix's upcoming historical documentary series, Queen Cleopatra, has sparked controversy among many Egyptians who believe it promotes "false Afrocentric ideas."

The trailer drew controversy after it was released online on Wednesday.

Many commentators have called on the leading streaming platform to cancel the show and some have launched an official petitions and are collecting signatures opposing.

Local news websites have quoted Egyptologists who insist that Cleopatra was Greek, including former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, who described the documentary's ideas as "falsifying facts."

The topic is still trending on social media, with angry commentators, including actors like Nabil El-Halfawy and Somaya El-Khashab, as well as other well-known influencers and celebrities.

The four-episode documentary, which is scheduled to premiere on 10 May, is produced by Jada Pinkett Smith and features black actress Adele James as Cleopatra.

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First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 18, 1973



Bomb blows up in cathedral

A powerful bomb exploded in St Marys Roman Catholic Cathedral during evening Mass yesterday.

The bomb splintered about 10 heavy wooden pews, severely damaged about six confessionals and cracked stained glass windows at the southern end of the cathedral.

Search and rescue squad member examines debris on floor after bomb exploded in at St. Marys Cathedral, Sydney on April 17, 1973. Credit: Adrian Greer Short

Father W. Dougherty, who was hearing a womans confession at the back of the cathedral, was showered with glass splinters.
Winter is coming, which means itll soon be time for the Vinnies CEO sleepout, the one night of the year when Australias people of wealth and influence cosplay as homeless.

Now, while its early days yet for an event that happens in June, were loath to admit Sydneys effort  which includes smaller events in Newcastle and Wollongong  is kicking the bum off of Melbournes.

Vinnies hopes to raise about $2.8 million for its homelessness programs. Credit: Joe Benke

As of Sunday, 280 leaders  mostly from the business world but with the charitable and community sector well-represented too  had registered for the event in which Vinnies hopes to raise about $2.8 million for its homelessness programs.

But just 61 had signed up so far to sleep out at Port Melbournes Timber Yard on June 22 with a fundraising goal of $1.2 million.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has again been embroiled in controversy after footage emerged of her yelling and swearing at a group of men outside a strip club in Melbournes inner north after a night out.

In the mobile phone footage aired by 7News, Thorpe can be seen berating men assembled on the pavement outside Maxines Gentlemans Club in Brunswick at 3am on Sunday.

Senator Lidia Thorpe confronts the group of men who traded barbs with her outside a strip club on Sunday. Credit: 7News

During the fracas, the senator points to each of the men and launches into a tirade laden with profanities, with the men responding in kind.

Thorpe had been inside the venue celebrating a 50th birthday before the altercation.
The states corruption watchdog has launched a major investigation into Liberal Party operatives and alleged impropriety at Hills Shire Council, triggering a raid on the home of former premier Dominic Perrottets brother and forcing the government to halt plans for an inquiry.

A spokesman for Premier Chris Minns on Sunday said further probes following an upper house inquiry that plagued the former Coalition government would be discontinued following a formal appeal from the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Charles, Dominic and Jean-Claude Perrottet.

At the request of ICAC, the government will not be proceeding with a public inquiry into the Hills Shire Council at this stage as it may impact on an investigation being conducted by the commission, he said.

The parliamentary inquiry last month sparked a dramatic statewide manhunt for multiple uncooperative witnesses, embroiling the former premiers family and derailing the final weeks of his failed re-election campaign.
Several home builders in Victoria have been failing to take out the necessary insurance before taking deposits, exposing customers to thousands of dollars in potential losses.

The Age has confirmed several examples of builders being fined for insurance breaches and obtained contracts showing a major home builder delayed taking out insurance on two occasions.

Protesters called for support from the Victorian government on the steps of parliament on Sunday. Credit: Wayne Taylor

At least five builders have been fined by the Victorian Building Authority for serious breaches of insurance requirements and other failures since 2021. One of the builders was also suspended for three months and two were stripped of their registration.

The Age has obtained a Metricon contract for a residential construction that shows domestic building insurance was not provided for four months, leaving the customer exposed during that period. A second Metricon contract shows insurance was taken out three weeks later.
London: Jason George was sitting in a pub in Holborn, in central London, enjoying an after-work pint when a woman approached him and held a piece of paper over the table with a plea for money scribbled on it.

Soon after politely declining her request, the Tasmanian, who moved to the UK in November 2021, noticed both his work and personal mobile iPhones, which had been on the table, had vanished along with the woman.

A thief steals a mobile phone from a man walking down a London street. Credit: City of London Police

This is par for the course in modern London, where new Metropolitan Police data has revealed that a phone is reported stolen every six minutes. The latest figures, obtained by the BBC last week, showed 91,000 reports of phone theft last year  an average of 248 a day.

Late last year Stephanie Dale, who left Sydney for Britain in July, was left shaken when her phone was plucked from her hands by a cyclist while she waited for a bus in Herne Hill, south London. Just last week Daniel Harness, a merchant banker who moved to London in January, was texting a friend after jumping off the Tube when his phone was taken from his hands near Old Street Station. Lauren Fishers phone was stolen from her bag by a stranger while she sat, 39 weeks pregnant, outside a pub at London Bridge.
Burkett said the shooting occurred about 10:30 pm Saturday. There were four lives tragically lost in this incident, he said. The shootings rocked the city of 3200 residents, which is about 92 kilometres northeast of Montgomery, Alabama. Phil Dowdell was shot dead at his sisters 16th birthday. Credit: Facebook Keenan Cooper, the DJ at the party, told WBMA-TV that the party was stopped briefly when attendees heard someone had a gun. He said people with guns were asked to leave, but no one left. Cooper said when the shooting began some time later, some people took shelter under a table where he was standing, and others ran out. Pastor Jason Whetstone, who leads the Christian Faith Fellowship, said the granddaughter of one of his church members was shot in the foot and underwent surgery Sunday.

All of our hearts are hurting right now. Were just trying to pull together to find strength and comfort, Whetstone said before an interfaith vigil in the parking lot of First Baptist Church. We are a loving community, he said. Were pulling together in every aspect to comfort each and every one of these children, the teachers, all of the community. Several people were killed during a shooting at a birthday party Saturday night. Credit: AP Dadevilles compact downtown is centred around a courthouse square with one- and two-story brick buildings. The towns busiest commercial district is a few blocks north of the square, off a bustling four-lane highway that runs between Birmingham and Auburn. Dadeville is close to Lake Martin, a popular recreational area. Investigators on Sunday continued filing in and out of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, denoted by a banner hanging on the outside of a one-story brick building just off the square. At least five bullet holes were visible in the studios front windows. Less than a block away, the American and Alabama flags were lowered to half staff outside the Tallapoosa County Courthouse.

Dadeville Mayor Frank Goodman said he was in bed asleep when a council member called him just before 11 pm Saturday. He said he went to Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville, where some of the people who had been shot were taken. It was chaotic, Goodman said. There were people running around. They were crying and screaming. There were police cars everywhere, there were ambulances everywhere. People were trying to find out about their loved ones. That was a scene, where we never had anything like this happen in our city before. Loading Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, said most of the victims are teenagers. Dowdell was within weeks of graduation and faced a bright future, Hayes told The Associated Press. He was a strong competitor on the field, Hayes said. You didnt want to try to tackle him or get tackled by him. But when he came off the field, he was one of the nicest young men that you could ever meet, very respectful and well-respected by his peers.

Antojuan Woody, from the neighbouring town of Camp Hill, was a senior and fellow wide receiver with Dowdell on a Dadeville Tigers football team that went undefeated before losing in the second round of the playoffs last year. He said he and Dowdell had been best friends for all of their lives. It hurts, Woody said as a steady stream of friends and teammates walked over to hug him during Sundays prayer vigil. Its unreal. I cant believe it. Woody said he and Dowdell had a special relationship on the football field. Us being friends forever like that, our chemistry was spot on. We always celebrated together on the field, he said. He described the victims as great people who didnt deserve what happened to them. Hayes, the pastor, said worried families swarmed the local hospital Saturday night trying to find the condition of their children. He said serious crime is rare in Dadeville, and the small city is sad, traumatised, in shock.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting, the White House said, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support. What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theatre, or to the park? Biden said in a statement Sunday. Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising  not declining. This is outrageous and unacceptable. Biden called on Congress to require safe storage of firearms, require background checks for all gun sales, eliminate gun manufacturers immunity from liability, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The mayor said Dowdell was a great young man. He also said he is concerned about those wounded and psychologically traumatised by the shooting. We are praying for them, Goodman said. We ask God, if its his will, to bring them back to their parents safe, so they can mend.
Washington: The Justice Department has announced charges against more than two dozen members of Mexicos powerful Sinaloa cartel, including sons of notorious drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in a sprawling fentanyl-trafficking investigation.

The three Guzman sons charged  Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar and Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar  are known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, and have earned a reputation as the more violent and aggressive faction of the cartel.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. Credit: AP

Of the three, only Guzman Lopez is in custody, in Mexico.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, standing alongside Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, unveiled the indictments in three districts aimed at hitting the cartels global network.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Cloudy with showers. Thunder possible. Low 33F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Thunder possible. Low 33F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
University students are raising awareness about the importance of learning first-aid skills in saving lives through their recently launched Forsa Tania (second chance) initiative.

One member of the group, Abdulrahman Hassan, told Ahram Online about the positive reaction they got at a recent event.

We saw the enthusiasm of youth firsthand and how children and teens were keen to learn more about different first-aid techniques like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, and even try them hands-on, a proud Abdulrahman said.

The campaign, which started on 25 February, aims to eliminate any misconceptions people may have regarding first-aid.

Forsa Tania has distributed brochures and shot videos with experts from the Egyptian Ambulance Authority. They even held an in-person session on various first-aid techniques at the El-Nile Sporting Club.

The group mainly focuses on distributing easy-to-digest information online, Abdulrahman added.





The group first took to Facebook and Instagram to share information on what to do and what not to do when faced with a variety of situations that require first-aid, all under the slogan: One second matters a lifetime.

People without the proper knowledge who decide to help can make the situation worse," Abdulrahman said.

The group of 16 members is working on presenting this campaign as their graduation project at the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo Unviersity.





When asked about what distinguishes their initiative with similar efforts by other specialised entities, Abdulrahman said that their aim is to show people the importance of this issue and give them enough basic skills so that they consider learning more from the specialised entities.

The group has recently received sponsorships from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority.

Such sponsorships help us in organising events, accessing information from experts and giving us the required credibility for people to trust our content, he added.

Our future plan is to continue working to educate the public more about first-aid, collaborate more with the official authorities to bring more events where people can learn and practice first aid and offer a variety of different content on our platforms," he concluded.

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Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 49F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Evening rain followed by a mix of rain and snow overnight. Low around 35F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 60%.
The 2023 EarthX conference will take place in Dallas, Texas, from April 20 to April 23.

EarthX is the worlds largest green gathering, with more than 100,000 people visiting the free Expo, which spreads across much of the 277 acres of the massive Fair Park complex. Included within the Expo grounds are 18 stages, each of which hosts dozens of speakers and panels and hundreds of exhibits showcasing the latest products and services in the sustainability space.

The event has a reputation for convening diverse viewpoints and opinions and bringing people together to tackle important issues facing our planet.
Billionaire Republican Donor Says Hes Now Reluctant to Back DeSantis 2024 Bid

A top Republican donor said he is withholding support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis due to his stance on abortion and other social issues.

Earlier this year, billionaire businessman Thomas Peterffy told the Financial Times he was aiming to support DeSantis and was looking forward to backing a 2024 presidential bid. But in a Saturday interview with the publication, Peterffy stated: I am more reluctant to back him. We are waiting to see who among the primary candidates is most likely to be able to win the general, and then put all of our firepower behind them.

I have put myself on hold, Peterffy, the founder and chairman of Interactive Brokers, told the publication. Because of his stance on abortion and book banning  myself, and a bunch of friends, are holding our powder dry.

Peterffy was apparently referring to DeSantis having recently signed a six-week abortion ban into law last week. His reference to book banning is less clear, although he is seemingly using a left-wing talking point to refer to a measure that the governor signed that barred pornographic materials that DeSantis and state Republicans have said are not appropriate for public schools and children.

In a news release issued earlier this year, DeSantis said the book ban narrative is false. Exposing the book ban hoax is important because it reveals that some are attempting to use our schools for indoctrination, the release said. In Florida, pornographic and inappropriate materials that have been snuck into our classrooms and libraries to sexualize our students violate our state education standards. Florida is the education state and that means providing students with a quality education free from sexualization and harmful materials that are not age appropriate.

Democrats in Florida have said that the law is tantamount to censorship and compared it to book burning. Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon said earlier this year that the bill is part of the governors culture war efforts that will help him in a possible 2024 presidential bid.

The governors actions today and his words just illustrate his political ambitions. He cares more about rallying a base of people who will support him in a future presidential bid than he does about making sure Floridians have access to housing, have access to quality health care, she said. The bill he signed today is going to cause more stress and strain on school systems.

Also in the Financial Times interview, Peterffy said he still supports the governor in his approach to business in Florida, including how he has dealt with Disney. The multinational corporation, which operates Disney World in Central Florida, publicly opposed the Parental Rights in Education legislation, which prompted the governor to take aim at Disney Worlds Reedy Creek Improvement District by signing a bill that would grant the state control over the sprawling district.

I think its insane that a company would take a stand on gender issues, he said.

Peterffy, 78, who is one of the most wealthy individuals in Florida, with an estimated net worth of more than $26 billion, has donated to a number of Republicans. In 2022, he gave $7.7 million to GOP campaigns and aligned PACs, according to data published by OpenSecrets. Now, billionaire Citadel founder Ken Griffin is the wealthiest person in Florida, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, polls have shown that DeSantis appears to be slipping in a possible 2024 Republican primary matchup between him and Trump after the former president was arraigned in Manhattan earlier this month. Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly targeted the Florida governor, saying hes disloyal after he backed him during the Florida gubernatorial race in 2018.

Following Trumps indictment, Peterffy said he no longer believed that DeSantis could take on the 45th president. DeSantis seems to have lost some momentum, he noted.

While its still not clear if DeSantis is aiming to run for president, recent moves suggest that he is strongly exploring the possibility, including speeches hes given in New Hampshire and in other states.

Meanwhile, Trump announced last November that he would be seeking a third term in office. Other notable Republican challengers who have said they are running include former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

The Epoch Times has contacted DeSantiss team for comment.
Canada, South Korea Launch Talks on Defence, Security Intelligence Sharing

Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, left, shakes hands with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin prior to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea Saturday, April 15, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Kim Min-Hee/Pool Photo via AP)

Canada and South Korea have launched talks aimed at sharing defence and security information as the two countries work to counter increasing threats from Russia and China.

The agreement to develop an intelligence-sharing pact, called the General Security of Information Agreement, capped Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolys second official visit to the East Asian country.

Joly says building on shared priorities with South Korea is part of Canadas developing Indo-Pacific strategy.

She says South Korea is a strong and trusted partner with whom Canada continues to deepen and strengthen its co-operation.

In October, Joly announced plans for a similar information-sharing accord with Japan.

At the time, she said the exchange of intelligence would help Canada better counter threats at home while working with partners to create greater stability in the region.
Canadian Authorities on Alert After US Recall of Strawberries Due to Risk of Hepatitis A

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries and several other brands following an outbreak of hepatitis A virus. (Courtesy of U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

There are currently no active recalls of strawberries in Canada, but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said it is in close contact with American authorities following news that the popular berry has been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak in the United States.

The U.S. recall, updated on April 11 at the time of this writing, applies to specific lots of Kirkland brand organic frozen whole strawberries, sold in four-pound bags by Costco in Los Angeles, Hawaii, and in two Costco business centre locations in San Diego.

The recall was first announced by manufacturer California Splendor, Inc., and posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a public service on March 16, with consumers advised to not consume the fruit and to return it to Costco for a full refund.

The announcement said at the time that Hepatitis A has not been detected in the strawberries but that the company has stopped the production and distribution of the affected product as it and the FDA continue investigations into the cause of the problem.

The April 11 update, posted by the FDA, said the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working with state and local partners to investigate an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections after seven people became ill and two individuals were hospitalized after eating the berries.

According to the update, the strawberries originated from certain farms in Baja California, Mexico, and the strain of hepatitis A identified as is genetically identical to the strain that caused an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in 2022 in Canada and the United States.

Some other U.S.-based stores have also pulled strawberries originating from that region in Mexico, but these are not brand names typically sold in Canada.

Past Outbreak

A CFIA spokesperson told Global News on April 14 that the agency is aware of the outbreak in the United States and is working with U.S. authorities to confirm if any affected products are sold in Canada.

If an affected product is identified, the agency will work with industry to recall the product as soon as possible, the spokesperson said.

The CFIA, responsible for food safety investigations and recalls in Canada, said it is monitoring the situation.

In 2022, Canadian and American authorities investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Alberta and Saskatchewan. At the time, imported FreshKampo brand fresh organic strawberries, sold by co-op stories, were identified as the likely culprit, as many of those who became sick said they had eaten these strawberries prior to becoming ill.

Ten individuals became ill between early and mid-April 2022, aged 10 to 75 years of age. Four ended in hospital. There were no recall warnings associated with that outbreak.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Infections are most commonly spread by eating food or drinking water that contains the virus, according to Health Canada.

Symptoms include fever, dark urine, loss of appetite, fatigue (tiredness), nausea and vomiting, Stomach cramps or abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), the department said.

It noted that these symptoms, which usually last less than two months, may be mild and last just one or two weeks, or severe and last up to nine months, adding that symptoms typically appear 14 to 28 days later but may occur up to 50 days later.
Under the title "Sharm-ing deals: The best Egypt summer holiday deals," the British newspaper The Sun said that Egypt is a distinctive tourist destination to spend summer vacation in, as it is home to a number of the ancient wonders of the world.

The Sun mentioned the countrys many archaeological sites, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, as well as its many activities, such as horseback and camel riding, hot air ballooning and safari trips.

Visiting markets, as well as enjoying the many stunning beaches for relaxation and water sports, are also activities that The Sun highlighted. Egypt is well known for its many distinguished hotels and tourist resorts like those located in cities on the Red Sea coast like Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada.

Diving into the beauty of Ancient Egypt

The American website Urban Matter described travelling to Egypt as a trip of a lifetime in an article titled "Discover the Wonders of Ancient Egypt: A Journey to the Great Pyramids of Giza."

The website emphasised the overall wonderful atmosphere of Egypt, the countrys rich history and culture, as well as the many experiences that can be enjoyed during a visit to Cairo's markets and ancient temples.

For archaeology and history lovers, the American website Nation World News highlighted the significance of the Valley of the Kings as one of the most important archaeological tombs that reflects Egypt's rich history.

The report pointed out that this ancient burial site, located on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, is a unique and stunning place that has attracted tourists for centuries.

The website encouraged tourists to visit the tomb of King Tutankhamun, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Temple of Ramses III and the Colossi of Memnon.

As for beach and leisure tourism, the American website Business Wire referred to Egypt as A Beach Paradise All Year Round, touting its warm sun and clear waters.

The website also invited tourists to visit cities such as Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El-Sheikh and Luxor.

A sector on the rise

Egypt  which relies on the tourism sector as a key source for hard currency  has recently eased tourist visa requirements from China, Iran, India, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Israel as part of efforts to boost tourism in the country.

The country's tourism sector was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of visitors dropping from 13.1 million in 2019 to 3.7 million in 2020.

However, the tourism sector began to recover in the last two years  with the number of tourists climbing up to eight million in 2021 and, again, to 11.7 million in 2022.

The government has said it expects 15 million tourists to visit Egypt in 2023 and plans are in the work to expand hotel capacity to receive 2530 million by 2028.
In this special episode, we sat down with Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, founder of global nonprofit Ideas Beyond Borders, on what Chinas growing presence in the Middle East means, not just for the United States but the world.

Al Mutar had his own journey to America: 20 years ago, he witnessed U.S. tanks roll down the streets of Baghdad when he was 12. A few weeks later, Saddams statue toppled. Al Mutar survived the Iraq civil war, the tragic murder of his older brother, and multiple kidnapping attempts before becoming a refugee in the United States in 2013. Hes since worked to counter extremism and misinformation on a global scale for several decades.

Al Mutar noted, One of the main things that Im scared about China is the selling of surveillance technology to countries around the Middle East. So we might be waking up in a near future where it will become very difficult to communicate ideas to people in the Middle East, because of the fact that Chinese censorship tools are very advanced. And many autocrats in the region love them.

As for what happened to the U.S.-led international order, he said: The U.S. needs to kind of discover what it really wants. I mean, Ive been in conversation with people from different administrations over the question of the Middle East. And really, the idea is that the U.S., generally now, its moving towards isolationism. So the argument right now is that if its not really affecting us directly, why do we bother? We have already lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I think that this is really a battle of fighting for the soul of America, he added.

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Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Detained in Beijing While Traveling to Meet EU Delegation

Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan were detained Thursday in Beijing when they were en route to meet a delegation from the European Union.

Yu is one of the most courageous rights lawyers in China active in defending the rights of dissidents and ethnic and religious groups. He won the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in 2018 and the Martin Ennals Award in 2021 for his achievements.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited China from April 1315. She told reporters that she expressed her concerns that the scope for civil society engagement in China is continuing to shrink and human rights are being curtailed after she met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Lin Xin (a pseudonym name for safety), a friend of the family, told The Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on April 15 that he learned about the arrest from Yus son, who is a middle school student.

Lin said that it is most urgent for the couple to meet their lawyers. Yus teenage son currently has no one to take care of him.

Chen Jiangang, a Chinese human rights lawyer now living in the United States, posted on Twitter on April 15 that police formerly notified Yus son at 1 p.m. on April 15 that Yu and his wife have both been detained for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, a common charge under article 293 of Chinas Criminal Law that the regime uses to target critics.

Yus wife Xu Yan told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times at 4:30 p.m. on April 13 that both of them were being taken by several police to the Bajiao police station in Shijingshan District in the west of Beijing.

We are not allowed to go to the embassy [to meet the EU delegation], she told The Epoch Times.

The Epoch Times called Xu Yans mobile phone multiple times on April 14, which replied that the number you dialed is not available. 

According to Xus post on Twitter at 6:13 p.m., April 13, she and her husband were forced into a car, and the driver, the man in the front passenger seat, and several men in plain clothes were police.

[The police] want to take Lawyer Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan to the Bajiao police station. The main reason is that [we] are going to the embassy [to meet the EU Delegation]. Please show your concern, Xu wrote in her Twitter post.

Xu Yan, the wife of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, making a video for her husbands birthday in front of the Xuzhou City Detention Centre, on Oct. 30, 2019. Yus birthday on Nov. 11, 2019, will mark his 680 days under detention in Xuzhou. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

The Epoch Times reached out to the Bajiao police station on April 14. A woman who claimed to be a police officer at the station and who refused to give her name said to The Epoch Times that both Yu and Xu were in the Bajiao police station. She refused to respond to questions about why the couple had been detained and when they would be released.

More human rights lawyers in Beijing were placed under house arrest on April 14.

Wang Yu and her husband Bao Longjun are both human rights lawyers. According to a video clip of Wang, several plainclothes police were outside their home on April 14, prohibiting them from going out.

Wang asked for their names and reasonable and legal reasons for doing this.

Dont you also want to live in a normal society? It is us [that are under house arrest] today, but it could be you and your family tomorrow, Wang is heard talking to the men outside her apartment.

Wangs elderly mother-in-law was frightened.

Human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang and his wife Li Wenzu could not leave their home on April 14, either. The surveillance camera on his door was covered with plaster by plainclothes police. Several men were stationed in the corridor outside their residence, prohibiting them from going outside.

Human rights lawyer Li Heping was blocked from going out to walk his dog at 6:30 a.m. on April 14. He was not allowed to leave his residence on that day.

The CCP Is Afraid: Chinese Human Rights Lawyer

The Chinese authorities prevented human rights lawyers from meeting with foreign diplomats because they wanted to hide their human rights abuses.

Missing Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhishengs wife Geng He (R2) joined by Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Scott Busby (R1), founder and president of ChinaAid, Bob Fu (L1), and President and CEO of Victims Of Communism Memorial Foundation, Andrew Brandberg (L2) on September 20 at the Victims of Communism Museum in Washington D.C. (Li Chen/Epoch Times)

The communist regime is afraid that the international communities [will] come to see its ugly behavior and the bad human rights situation, Wu Shaoping, a Chinese human rights lawyer now living in the United States, told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on April 15.

These lawyers who are suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are the backbone of China, Wu said. They are brave enough to resist the CCP and dare to speak out against injustice. These are the people that Chinese society truly needs.

These human rights lawyers are defenders of human rights. When their own rights have been so blatantly trampled upon, it can be imagined what the situation is for other individuals who do not have the direct attention of diplomats and who are not lawyers themselves, he added.

Yu was sentenced to four years imprisonment in 2018 and was released in March 2022. Yu and these human rights lawyers whose freedom has been taken away by the CCP are among hundreds of human rights lawyers who are victims of the communist regimes 709 crackdown. Gao Zhisheng, one of the lawyers suppressed in the crackdown, has been missing for over five years.

The EU Delegation to China posted a tweet on April 14 that @yuwensheng9 and @xuyan709 detained by [Chinese] authorities on their way to EU Delegation. It added that it demand[s] their immediate, unconditional release.

Hong Ning contributed to this report.
Despite Cabinets Deficit Reduction Promises, Canadas Federal Debt-to-GDP Ratio Will Increase: Budget Officer

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland rises during question period in Ottawa on Jan. 30, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Canadas federal debt-to-GDP ratio will grow and remain above its 202223 level for two years before gradually declining over the medium term, according to an assessment by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), despite the federal governments earlier promises of deficit reduction.

Budget 2023 projected that the ratio would rise from 42.4 percent in 202223 to 43.5 percent and then 43.2 percent respectively for the next two years, before starting to fall below the 202223 level, and that it would decline to 39.9 percent in 202728.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland had said on April 7, 2022, upon the release of Budget 2022, that the federal government was absolutely determined that our debt-to-GDP ratio must continue to decline.

This is our fiscal anchor, a line we shall not cross, and that will ensure our finances remain sustainable for so long as it remains unbreached, she said.

We will review and reduce government spending, because that is the responsible thing to do, she said, reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

In a report released on April 13, the PBO also criticized the lack of transparency provided in Budget 2023 concerning $798 million in net new, previously unannounced measures over fiscal years 202223 to 202728.

This lack of transparency presents challenges for parliamentarians and the public in scrutinizing the governments spending plans, said the report, Budget 2023: Issues for Parliamentarians.

PBO Yves Giroux said in the report, In absolute terms, this represents over $12 billion in either revenue or spending decisions for which there are no specific details.

He said it also impacts reconciling previous allocated budget amounts.

This was the first time since Budget 2021 that the Government revised down its outlook for the budgetary balance prior to including new measures. Following this downward revision, the Government announced $69.7 billion in new spending that was partially financed by $14.0 billion in revenue raising measures and by $12.8 billion in spending restraint measures, said Giroux in an April 13 news release announcing release of his report.

Giroux added that Budget 2023 does not provide an assessment of program effectiveness that the Government launched in last years budget under its comprehensive Strategic Policy Review.

He said the new budget also does not identify opportunities to save and reallocate resources to adapt government programs and operations to a new post-pandemic reality.

Targets

Parliament has not balanced a budget since 2007. In Girouxs testimony at the Senate national finance committee in 2020, he said cabinet must control spending by setting targets.

We have to have targets, he testified. The absence of a fiscal anchor can be equated with uncertainty, he said, adding that there is no clear path forward for the governments finances. Thats a big question mark.

Giroux suggested that if the government implemented targets, it would provide a sense of direction, a sense of cohesion that would let taxpayers anticipate future federal policies.

Regardless of whether it be a balanced budget come hell or high water, as we had in the late 1990s, or a declining debt-to-GDP ratio, or a certain level of growth in expenditures, but something that can anchor expectations, he said.

Giroux questioned the governments priorities. Where is the government headed in a very general sense? Are we headed for very tight fiscal discipline, or are we headed for mild discipline, or are we headed for no discipline at all? he said at the time.

Senators also expressed alarm in 2020 at the dramatic increase in the federal debt, which according to Public Accounts sits now at more than $1.1 trillion.

At the time, Quebec Senator Eric Forest said, We need to have a point of reference because the debtfor Canadians and for senators alsois becoming humongous.
The sunken city of Pavlopetri is the stuff of myths. Just a dozen feet beneath the sea off the coast of Laconia, Greece, her ruins were thought to have originated from the Mycenaean period, but today are thought to be far olderpreceding even the Bronze Age.

Predating even Greek philosopher Plato, who told of the lost city of Atlantiss sinking beneath the wine-dark sea, Pavlopetri, some have suggested, could have been what Plato meant.

Reports of a lost city surfaced in 1904 when geologist Fokion Negri announced the discovery of Pavlopetri in between southern Laconias Pounta coast and the island of Elafonisosjust a stones throw from the beach.

Aerial view of the sunken city of Pavlopetri in between Pounta beach and Elafonisos island, Greece. (Aerial-motion/Shutterstock)

The sunken ruins were rediscovered in 1967 by oceanographer Nicholas Flemming of the University of Southampton, who returned in 1968 and conducted an extensive six-week survey. Using just measuring tapes and snorkelsthe technology of the daythey mapped an area 980 by 490 feet (150 by 350 meters) using a grid system and identified 15 distinct buildings along with courtyards, 5 streets, and tombs. The ruins also yielded artifacts, such as obsidian and chert blades, pottery, and a bone figurine. All of which lay 9 to 12 feet (3 to 4 meters) below the surface.

Forty years later, in 2009, scientists returned. Using new, highly sophisticated sonar mapping equipment developed by the military and oil prospectors, they conducted a survey that would chart Pavlopetri digitally, in three dimensions, using sound. These means enabled them to map an additional 30,000 square feet (9,000 square meters) of new buildings.

By 2011, technology had made further leaps that allowed the University of Nottinghams Jon Henderson, alongside the Hellenic Centre for Maritime Research, to embark on a 5-year survey that would build a digital, photorealistic visual model of the city in three dimensions and allow them to explore the ruins through their computer screens.

An underwater view of Pavlopetri. (Courtesy of the University of Nottingham)

A diver examines the ruins of Pavlopetri during a 21st-century expedition. (Courtesy of the University of Nottingham)

Detail of the ruins during an expedition that took place four decades after it was first mapped. (Courtesy of the University of Nottingham)

We managed to work alongside CGI movie professionals, these are people who normally work on films like Star Wars, Henderson told the University of Nottingham shortly after the expedition. The reason the new technique is so good is because its photorealistic, people can look at it right away and go, Oh wow, thats a submerged city!

The team used a technique known as stereo photogrammetry to collect optical information, which would then overlay the acoustical three-dimensional data cloud that had been collected, thus producing an impressive photorealistic picture. As a base-level tool, they employed total stations equipped with lasersused in surveying for city planning and building highwaysto create a vector prism and pin down their position to within 2 inches (5 centimeters). All this allowed them to check the accuracy of their 3D construction.

They would also draw new historical conclusions about the city of Pavlopetri from their research. The buildings themselves had already been dated back to the Mycenaean Period, around 1650 to 1180 B.C., however, newly discovered artifacts from the site pinned the city down to a much earlier era. They were surprised to discover among the ruins pottery fragments from as early as 2800 B.C., with some citing evidence as far back as 3500 B.C., making it some 5,000 years old. Those artifacts, from as early as the Bronze and Chalcolithic Ages, include cups and vessels of not just Mycenaean origin, but also Minoan, which lends credence to the possibility that Pavlopetris inhabitants once traded with the Minoans of Crete.

Seaside view of the worlds oldest submerged city, Pavlopetri, in Laconia, Greece. (Pit Stock/Shutterstock)

Their survey revealed new structures within Pavlopetri including a large rectangular building lining a previously hidden street, stone-lined graves, as well as a pithos buriala pottery structure used in preserving human remains before inhumation or cremation. Future exploration could, conceivably, also yield organic material such as rope, baskets, and even food, Henderson stated, as the anaerobic undersea environment slows deterioration.

As for what caused the citys sinking, scientists can only speculate. Some theorize that tectonic activitya series of earthquakeswas what ended Pavlopetri, causing it to sink beneath the waves. By certain estimates, that could have happened between 1000 and 375 B.C.

Today, Pavlopetri is considered the oldest sunken city in the worldthat we know of. Its heritage predates not only Plato, but also celebrated Greek poet Homer and his legendary heroes, yet it continues to conjure mystery and myth like few places on Earth.

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Donald Trump Jr. Calls for End to Bud Light Boycott Despite Colossal Screw-Up

L: Donald Trump Jr. speaks during a Republican National Committee Victory Rally at Dalton Regional Airport in Dalton, Ga., on Jan. 4, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) R: Bud Light beer cans sit on a table at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 19, 2019. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Amid nationwide backlash over Bud Lights decision to partner with a transgender activist, Donald Trump Jr. has called for an end to the boycott, arguing it isnt worth destroying one of Americas most iconic companies over the beer brewers bizarre ad campaign.

During his Triggered with Donald Trump Jr. podcast Thursday, the eldest son of former President Donald Trump said people are angry, and justifiably so, due to the company using transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign.

Weve all seen the backlash that Budweiser is facing over the trans-marketing scheme; the internet melted down, Trump Jr. said. So  what on earth are they doing with a trans-TikToker in a bathtubits bizarre. Is this a one-off colossal screw-up, or is it something bigger?

The 45-year-old said the companys decision to partner with Mulvaney, a biological male, could be the act of one rogue  lunatic in a marketing department filled with leftist staffers rather than the decision of senior executives.

Trump Jr. discussed this claim by addressing recent reports, citing anonymous sources, that claimed company executives were kept in the dark about the Mulvaney sponsorship deal.

The younger Trump also said hes calling for an end to the boycott after researching the history of the businesss political donations and lobbying efforts, explaining further that he found the St. Louis-based beer brewer helped Republicans more than Democrats.

Last cycle, their employees and their PAC gave about 60 percent to Republicans and 40 percent to Democrats. Thats literally almost unheard of in corporate America, where its really easy to go woke, where they do so constantly, where theres a consequence to actually being a conservative. So 60/40 to the conservative side is kind of a big deal, Trump Jr. said.

Im not going to blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke, he added. The company itself doesnt participate in the same leftist nonsense as the other big conglomerates.

However, if the beer company would decide to make a move like that again, then its on them, Trump Jr. said.

So, theyve been put on notice. Im leaving them alone. I think you should probably do the same; if they do it againtheyve been warned, he continued.

Brand Damage

The companys decision to partner with the transgender individual alienated loyal Bud Light drinkers and saw shares of the company crash by almost 5 percent since the start of April. In less than two weeks, at least $6.65 billion of Anheuser-Buschs market capitalization had been wiped out.

On Friday, Anheuser-Busch InBev CEO Brendan Whitworth issued the first public statement since the controversy started brewing, saying the company never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people.

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth during a meeting with Anheuser-Busch InBev in New York on June 7, 2022. (Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images)

Whitworth did not specifically mention Mulvaney, Bud Light, or transgender issues. He also did not address reports of boycotts or distributors being worried about low sales.

I care deeply about this country, this company, our brands and our partners. I spend much of my time traveling across America, listening to and learning from our customers, distributors and others, his statement said. Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation.

Previously, Anheuser-Busch issued a statement to news outlets and defended its move to hire Mulvaney, who also has reported deals with Nike and other brands.

Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics, a spokesperson said earlier this month in response to the backlash.

Industry analysts with the Beer Business Daily wrote that the intense opposition to Mulvaney promoting the beer has been alarming to Anheuser-Busch distributors, which placed fewer orders after the partnership sparked outrage from conservatives who argued the company is pushing gender propaganda.'

Some analysts and investors, meanwhile, said that the damage likely wont sink Anheuser-Busch, but the damage has been done to the Bud Light brand.

I simply dont understand why they hired the person who was doing the marketing, Oxygen Financial CEO Ted Jenkin told Fox News Thursday. I mean, if your target customer is Kid Rock, and then all of a sudden you decide to go to RuPaul, that just doesnt make any sense at all.

Several country singers recently suggested that customers boycott the brand over the campaign, with Rock posting a video of himself shooting up cans of the beer for target practice.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Former President Donald Trump has been accused of 34 felony counts for misusing campaign funds as hush money for an alleged affair.

The Federal Elections Commission rejected the case, but it was picked up by the District Attorney of Manhattan, a Democrat who campaigned on a promise to arrest Trump.

Its a first in U.S. historycriminal charges against a former president. Critics call it a dangerous precedent and unequal treatment, since Hillary Clinton was found guilty of an almost identical campaign finance violationand faced a small fine, not jail time. Meanwhile, supporters of the move say that its a sign of a healthy democracy, that nobody is above the law.

Are these trumped-up charges or due process? How is the high-level drama seen by Americas friends and foes? Does it impact Americas standing in the world, or is it just politics as usual? And does it signal something about the state of leadership in general? Is the legal system becoming weaponized in the free world? Is lady justice still blind?

Journalists Claude Porsella, Rebekah Koffler, and Pierre Chiartano join us to discuss the cases possible fallout.
Europes Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor Kicks Off in Finland

The turbine hall of the nuclear power plant Olkiluoto 3 'OL3' under construction in Eurajoki, south-western Finland, on March 23, 2011. (Lehtikuva, Antti Aimo-Koivisto/AP Photo)

HELSINKIFinlands much-delayed and costly new nuclear reactor, Europes most powerful by production capacity, has completed a test phase lasting more than a year and started regular output, boosting the Nordic countrys electricity self-sufficiency significantly.

The Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which has 1,600-megawatt capacity, was connected into the Finnish national power grid in March 2022 and kicked off regular production on Sunday. Operator Teollisuuden Voima, or TVO, wrote on Twitter that Olkiluoto 3 is now ready after a delay of 14 years from the original plan.

The production of Olkiluoto 3 stabilizes the price of electricity and plays an important role in the Finnish green transition, TVO President and CEO Jarmo Tanhua said in a statement. The company added that the electricity production volume of Europes largest nuclear power plant unit is a significant addition to clean, domestic production.

Construction of Olkiluoto 3 began in 2005 and was due to be completed four years later. However, the project was plagued by several technological problems that led to lawsuits. The last time a new nuclear reactor was commissioned in Finland was more than four decades ago.

The Olkiluoto 3 is Western Europes first new reactor in more than 15 years. It is the first new-generation EPR, or European Pressurized Reactor, plant to have gone online in Europe. It was developed in a joint venture between Frances Areva and Germanys Siemens.

Primarily because of safety concerns, nuclear power remains a controversial issue in Europe. The launch of the Finnish reactor coincides with Germanys move to shut down its last remaining three nuclear plants on Saturday.

Experts have put Olkiluoto 3s final price tag at around 11 billion euros ($12 billion)almost three times what was initially estimated. Finland now has five nuclear reactors in two power plants located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Combined, they cover more than 40 percent of the nations electricity demand.

The conservative National Coalition Party, or NCP, which won Finlands April 2 general election, wants to increase the share of energy that the country of 5.5 million gets from nuclear power still further.

NCP leader Petteri Orpo, Finlands likely new prime minister, said during the election campaign that the new Cabinet should make nuclear power the cornerstone of the governments energy policy.

National Coalition Party (NCP) chair Petteri Orpo (L) and NCP parliamentary group leader Kai Mykkanen attend a meeting of Finnish parliamentary groups in Helsinki, Finland, on April 14, 2023. (Heikki SAukkomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
R | 1h 27m | Comedy, Action, Thriller | April 4, 2023

Written by and starring Scott Caan, son of the great James Caan who played Sonny in The Godfather, One Day as a Lion is a fun, laconic, low-budget ensemble crime comedy wherein everything is highly subject to multiple attacks of Murphys Law. Caan wrote a nice part for himself. This is Caans fourth produced screenplay.

Jackie (Scott Caan) making a call to his employer to report the fact that his intended target has ridden into town on a horse instead of driving a car, in the crime comedy One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

Jackie Powers (Caan) is an ex-boxer desperately in need of money. Hes been given the goon job of debt collecting (or, failing that, killing the debtor) from a curmudgeonly, stubborn old cowboy named Walter Boggs (J.K. Simmons), who owes 100 grand to local crime boss Pauly Russo (Frank Grillo). If Jackie whacks Walter, Pauly will pay for the attorney Jackie needs to help get his 15-year-old son, Billy (Dash Melrose), out of juvenile detention.

So Boggs rides into town on a horse. (This all takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma.) This confuses Jackie, sitting in his black 1970 GTO, waiting for just such an occasion, but who wasnt expecting this mode of transportation from Boggs. Jackie becomes quite rattled. He cries and sniffles a bit in his car due to the immense stress. Then he rousts himself, slaps a huge Yosemite Sam-style fake moustache on his face to conceal his identity, and strides into the roadside diner where Boggs is having coffee.

Exceedingly well-disguised ex-boxer Jackie (Scott Caan) is ready to attempt some debt collection, in One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

Things do not go as planned. Jackie botches the job, accidentally shoots the cook in the head, lets Boggs get away, and then decides to kidnap Lola, the sullen, snide waitress who has just surreptitiously spit in the rude Mr. Boggss coffee (Marianne Rendon).

But Jackies not talented at kidnapping either, and eventually confesses to Lola that hes doing all this bad stuff because he needs money to hire a lawyer.

The fashionably dressed cowboy Walter Boggs (J.K. Simmons), in One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

A Plan!

Lolas quite resourceful. After her initial eye-rolling disdain for Jackies ineptness recedes, and she recognizes him for the golden-hearted, hapless buffoon that he is, she suggests that they pose as an engaged couple.

(L-R) Valerie Brisky (Virginia Madsen), Lola Brisky (Marianne Rendon), and Jackie (Scott Caan) discuss marriage plans, in One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

This way, they can possibly convince Lolas cantankerous, wealthy mom, Valerie (Virginia Madsen), whos been dubbed The Black Widow because shes outlived four husbands, that theyre getting married, and per a particular stipulation in moms will, they might be able to get their hands on Lolas inheritance early.

And then theyd be able to afford both a lawyer for Jackie and Lolas dream to get back to Costa Rica and reopen her acting school. Yes, you read that right: an acting school in Costa Rica. But Mr. Murphy, exemplar of the Law of Chaos, is hanging around 



Screenplay

This farce has its characters working at cross-purposes across the board. Mobster Pauly is not happy with henchman Dom (George Carroll) for putting stupid Jackie on the job. Dom, who came up in the juvenile detention system with Jackie, is not happy with Jackie for Jackies raging ineptitude, but also because Dom has been messing around with Jackies ex, Taylor (Taryn Manning).

Dom (George Carroll, L) and Pauly Russo (Frank Grillo) discuss their debt-collection options, in One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

The plot, while twisty, is not all that intriguing. Its really more the fun the actors have with their roles, along with slightly outlandish costume choiceslike J.K. Simmons as a thoroughly unflappable rancher dressed shamelessly like a Manhattan West Village-style Halloween parade cowboy (but who takes it very seriously) and, as mentioned, rides his trusty steed to the local diner to get a cup of coffee.

Then theres Madsen as the perennially peevish mother in her hospital bed in full makeup with a headful of 1950s-style curlers in her hair. And Rendon as the grumpy, disgusted rich girl working for tips in a greasy spoon, with a classic Gen Z understanding of what it means to be gainfully employed.

Grillo is fairly funny as the former Brooklyn mob wiseguy, whos semi-retired to Tulsa and feels himself becoming ineffectual when faced with a highly determined cowpoke.

(L-R) Walter Boggs (J.K. Simmons) and Pauly Russo (Frank Grillo), in One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

Caan, a former Hollywood brat, seems to now have finally come into his own and is at long last escaping his fathers long shadow. Hes delightful as the clueless loser with the shockingly dedicated sense of responsibility for his son, who also surprises with occasional flashes of great wisdom and insight, as well as a hilarious ability to charm, schmooze, and manipulate people into doing his bidding while not being fully cognizant of the fact that thats what hes up to.

Jackie (Scott Caan) looking to retain a hilariously seedy lawyer, in the crime comedy One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

Caan has definitely earned his place at the table; this is not his fathers showbiz. Back when Caan the elder was acting, all you had to do was wait for a phone call from your agent. Those days are long gone; now you have to write, produce, and often direct the vehicle that allows you to do some acting. Caan the younger is good at this. Hope to see more soon.

You can see One Day as a Lion on Apple TV, YouTube, or Vudu.



Movie poster for the comedy-action-thriller One Day as a Lion. (Lionsgate)

One Day as a Lion

Director: John Swab

Starring: Scott Caan, J.K. Simmons, Frank Grillo, Marianne Rendon, Virginia Madsen, Taryn Manning, George Carroll, Dash Melrose

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes

Release Date: April 4, 2023 (limited theater release)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Flood Risk Remains for Northern Territory After Cyclone Ilsa Dissipates

A supplied image shows damage to the Pardoo Roadhouse and Tavern in Pardoo, Western Australia, April 14, 2023. (AAP Image/Supplied by DFES)

Northern Territory outback communities have been warned of possible flooding, damaging winds and heavy rain from remnants of ex-cyclone Ilsa.

A severe weather warning is in place for residents in southern parts of the territory as the risk of further damage persists.

Ilsa damaged properties in Western Australias (WA) northwest after crossing the coast overnight on Thursday as a category four cyclone before weakening as the weather system moved inland.

The Bureau of Meteorology said while no tropical low systems were active there was still a chance of flooding.

The warnings come as WA authorities begin to assess damage in several remote communities.

Federal and state governments have also made emergency payments available to residents affected by destructive winds and heavy rainfall.

This cyclone has impacted on many extremely remote communities and  it may take some time to fully understand the full extent of the impact, Acting Emergency Management Minister Andrew Giles said in a joint statement with WA counterpart Sue Ellery.

Crews are surveying damage in remote parts of WA with homesteads and station properties in the northwest hit particularly hard.
High-Capacity Magazine Supplier Sued in FedEx Shooting

A body is taken from the scene where multiple people were shot at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis, on April 16, 2021. (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

The son of a man killed in a 2021 shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility filed a federal lawsuit Thursday with two of the survivors against the distributor of the 60-round magazine used by the gunman, alleging the use of reckless marketing tactics targeting young men at risk for violent behavior.

The lawsuitfiled almost exactly two years after the shooting that killed eight peoplealleges that American Tactical Inc. failed to take steps to help prevent dangerous people from obtaining the high-capacity magazine, which allow shooters to fire dozens of rounds without having to reload.

Instead, the lawsuit says the company specifically targeted its products to a consumer base filled with impulsive young men who feel they need to harm others in order to prove their strength and who have militaristic delusions of fighting in a war or a video game. It points to action-movie-style marketing videos that were posted on American Tacticals YouTube page featuring men firing round after round in tactical vestssimilar to one worn by the FedEx facility shooter.

American Tactical, Inc. is well aware that these magazines are instruments of mass killing and have no problem marketing them directly to people with horrific intentions, said Gurinder Singh Bains. whose father, Jaswinder Singh, died in the shooting.

This isnt a hypothetical. My father is gone because they didnt care they were enabling mass shooters. They have to be held accountable not just for my fathers sake but everyone who may still suffer what my family and I have been forced to go through, he said in an emailed statement.

The complaint also names as defendants the president of American Tactical, the companys marketing director, as well as Schmeisser GmbHthe German manufacturer of the high-capacity magazineand 365 Plus, the global distributor.

A person who answered the phone for American Tactical said the company had no immediate comment. Email seeking comment was sent to Schmeisser GmbH and 365 Plus.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York, where a law passed in 2021 opened the door to civil cases brought against the gun industry by classifying the illegal marketing and sale of firearms as a public nuisance.

The firearms industry has said that manufacturers arent at fault when people misuse their products, drawing a comparison to other products, like cars, that can also be used to hurt people.

Gunmakers are typically immune from lawsuits over crimes committed with their products under federal law, but survivors and families are increasingly seeking to hold the industry accountable by following in the footsteps of families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. They won a $73 million settlement from gunmaker Remington over marketing practices.

Last year, survivors of the shooting at a suburban Chicago Independence Day parade and family members of those killed filed 11 lawsuits against the manufacturer of the rifle used in the attack, accusing gun-maker Smith & Wesson of illegally targeting its ads at young men at risk of committing mass violence. And in November, the mother of a girl killed in the Uvalde, Texas school mass shooting similarly sued the maker of the rifle the gunman used to fire more than 100 rounds.

In addition to Jaswinder Singhs son, other plaintiffs include two people who survived the shooting. Harpreet Singh was standing in line to pick up his paycheck when he was shot in the head. Lakhwinder Kaur was going to help a coworker who was slumped over when a bullet lacerated her arm, according to the lawsuit.

The 19-year-old gunman, Brandon Scott Hole, began firing randomly at people in the parking lot of the FedEx facility on April 15, 2021, killing four, before entering the building, killing four more people and then turning the gun on himself.

The lawsuit says the shooter needed the high-capacity magazine to accomplish his mission to kill and terrorize as many people as possible. He was emboldened by knowing he had the ability to fire 60 rounds continuously without the need to pause to reload, the complaint says.

The lawsuit says American Tactical was obligated to take measures to minimize the risk that dangerous people like the shooter could obtain the product. Instead, anyoneregardless of age, criminal history, or mental health historycan buy high-capacity magazines like the one used by Hole directly from American Tacticals website, the complaint says.

Gun manufacturers and distributors know that high capacity magazines are favored by mass shooters due to their ability to kill as many people as possible, therefore American Tactical should have enacted reasonable safeguards to prevent such magazines from falling into the hands of those who should not have them, said Kris Brown, president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which helped bring the lawsuit.

They failed to do so, and these families are paying that price, she added in her statement.

FedEx, which is not a party in the lawsuit, said Thursday in a statement that April 15 will always be a somber day of reflection for our company as we continue to mourn our team members lost in the tragedy.

Providing a safe and secure work environment for our team members at all times remains our top priority, the company continued.
Luciano Monosilio poses for a photo in Follie, his new restaurant in the Gran Melia Villa Agrippina hotel, in Rome, Italy. Alberto Blasetti

Luciano Monosilio  nicknamed The King of Carbonara  has made the ancient dish one of the emblems of his kitchen. While he is one of the most popular chefs in the world of contemporary Roman gastronomy, his penchant for tradition is unparalleled.

In the old days, residents of the mountain towns of Abruzzo  a sparsely populated region of southern Italy  used to fill their pots with spaghetti, pecorino cheese, eggs, pork and black pepper. For these humble people  many of whom made their living by manufacturing charcoal  these ingredients were easy to purchase and preserve, to better withstand the long working days and the cold winters.

Monosilio knows how to reinterpret the classics. Hes managed to cross Italys regional borders and bring his carbonara  on which a Michelin star shines  from popular gastronomy to haute cuisine circles.

More information The Italian grandmas going viral with the art of making pasta

I cook in Rome  I couldnt not make such a traditional dish. But my carbonara isnt a traditional carbonara it is mine, period, he laughs.

The King defends his innovation of a dish that is so traditional, popular and deeply-rooted. Its not easy to alter such a symbolic meal.

It has evolved a lot over time, the producers are getting better and better. A great chef once said that a menu of 10 dishes without pasta is just a menu of 10 starters.

Monosilio rejects criticism from purists  something that every cook who experiments with a dish so characteristic of Italian culture has to face.

Its like when you see a great painting and someone says: I could do that better. Yes, but you havent done it, he jokes.

The chef confesses to being a pasta madman.

Pasta is the mamma of all Italians. We are born eating pasta. An Italian eats pasta at least once or twice a week. Were born with that culture. He enthusiastically tells EL PAIS that he soon plans to open a 5,000-square-foot pasta factory.

I dedicate so much of my time to pasta because its a foundation. For us, its part of everyday life.

Monosilio defines his kitchen as a kitchen of instinct  he moves on impulse. He is a pupil of the great Fulvio Pierangelini  who won two Michelin stars  and Mauro Uliassi, a chef known for his fish-based recipes, who won three. He also spent a season working for the famous Enrico Crippa (three Michelin stars) and in Cape Town, South Africa, where he now has his own pasta bar.

When he looks back at all his apprenticeships, Monosilio recalls the innocence and clumsiness that marks a beginner.

In 2009  when I entered Uliassis restaurant  there was none of the technology that exists today. The phones didnt have internet. When I started to work, I didnt know who Mauro Uliassi was or what he looked like. There was another cook there also named Mauro for three days, I thought he was Uliassi! It was actually Mauro Paolini, another renowned chef who forged his career with the seafood master.

Luciano Monosilios pasta alla carbonara.

The culmination of Luciano Monosilios career came when he won a Michelin star alongside chef Alessandro Pipero in 2012, when he was only 27-years-old. That same year, Monosilio was named an Emerging Chef by Gambero Rosso, an influential Italian publication focused on gastronomy and wine.

The Michelin star has been an advantage it gave me the chance to do other things, to be able to stop what I was doing. When they gave it to me, I said that I would stop working for others, but it came too soon, and I had to continue working. But it still helped me a lot in my career.

In 2018, he decided to take a break from haute cuisine and start his own restaurant, located in the heart of Rome, the eternal city. He would focus on his favorite ingredient  pasta  and make it from scratch in the basement.

Five years later, after international success, he has embarked on another adventure, returning to his signature cuisine as the head chef at Follie, the new restaurant at the Gran Melia Villa Agrippina hotel. Nestled in the summit of Gianicolo, its housed in the villa that once belonged to the mother of Emperor Nero.

For the menu, he explains, he has chosen some of the historical dishes of his career, to remember his beginnings. There is smoked lamb with raspberries and oyster sauce; beef with lettuce and black truffle; a pizza margherita, which is actually ravioli filled with tomato sauce although it has the flavor of classic pizza. More daring, yet traditional dishes include raw goose meat with apples, or raspberry vinegar and lamb offal, prepared by Monosilio in a laborious process: the lamb is kept in brine for five days, followed by a 12-hour-long drying process.

The first menu was born with the idea of returning to an old path that had been abandoned, he confesses. The mission is to express the local culture through food.

He points out that hes managed to free himself from the stress of his early years in the kitchen.

I want to do things well with more calm, with a serenity that allows me to create, grow

With this new project, he feels free to experiment with vegetables, fish and fermentations, along with a wide variety of local and seasonal products.

A selection of dishes from the menu at Follie, Monosilios restaurant in the Gran Melia Villa Agrippina hotel, in Rome, Italy. Alberto Blasetti

From childhood, Monosilio always knew that, when he grew up, he wanted to be a cook: I will do the best I can, he told himself.

Throughout his career, he hasnt been inspired by anyone  he goes it alone.

Ive had points of reference, with the great chefs with whom Ive worked. They taught me something and have given me direction but I dont imitate anyone. I dont want to be like them. I am always Luciano and I will always do what I like.

He pauses for a moment. What is good for me, is maybe not good for others. You can never become someone else  you must always be yourself.

When its time to start the day, Luciano Monosilio chooses tradition over innovation. He likes to start the day with a porchetta sandwich  a typical Italian dish consisting of boneless pork, roasted in the oven and seasoned with various herbs. When he mentions it, he waves his hand in that classic gesture that Italians make to express that a meal is delicious.

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Although Horace Mann grew up poor and without a solid means of education, he went on to become a pioneer that would change the way Americans received education for centuries to come. In fact, Mann was a lawyer, politician, and educator who had many beliefs and ideals that were well ahead of his time.

His career as a lawyer and politician would eventually lead him to his legacy as a public education reformer. Even today, Mann is known as the father of American education because many of the principles he implemented as the Massachusetts Secretary of the Board of Education in the 19th century are still used across the country in public schools. Mann also created the first school to train teachers, which all other U.S. states quickly replicated.

Throughout his life, Mann was a devoted Christian and belonged to the Unitarian Church, which guided many of his beliefs about politics and public education. He was also a strong abolitionist who believed in equal rights for everyone, including women.

Out of all of his accomplishments, Mann was most well known for the ideals he brought to the education system at a time when the country needed a strong, centralized means of educating the youth. No one did more than he to establish in the minds of the American people the conception that education should be universal, non-sectarian, free, and that its aims should be social efficiency, civic virtue, and character, rather than mere learning or the advancement of sectarian ends, professor of education Ellwood P. Cubberley wrote in 1919.

Self-Educated Lawyer

Mann was born on May 4, 1796 in Franklin, Massachusetts to a poverty-stricken farming family. His father passed away when Mann was only 13 years old.

For most of his childhood, he lived a life of hardship and received little education from poor, untrained teachers. Between the ages of 10 and 20, Mann only attended school for six weeks a year at the most.

Horace Mann, circa 1840, is called the father of American public education. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

However, Mann educated himself by spending most of his time studying at the Franklin Public Library, which was the countrys first public library. At the age of 20, Mann enrolled in Brown University as a sophomore and graduated after three years as class valedictorian. During his college years, Mann also learned Latin and Greek from Samuel Barrett, who would eventually become well known as a Unitarian minister.

After Mann graduated college, he got a job at Brown University as a Latin and Greek tutor and a librarian. While he was working at the university, Mann began studying law in Wrentham, Massachusetts and at Litchfield Law School. In 1823, Mann was admitted to the bar and he opened his law practice in Dedham, Massachusetts.

In 1827, Manns political career kicked off when he was elected to the Massachusetts legislature. During his tenure as a state representative, he took great interest in reforming public education, public charities, and laws to suppress alcohol and lotteries. As a state lawmaker, he was credited for helping establish the countrys first asylum for mentally ill people in Worcester and served as the chairman of the asylums board of trustees in 1833.

After Mann relocated to Boston, he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1835 and he was the president of the Senate in 1836 and 1837. While he was in the Senate, he focused on infrastructure and funded the construction of canals and railroads.

Mann believed that all American kids deserved an education, and that having an educated population was vital for a democracy to survive. A teacher writes on the blackboard to teach her young pupils how to spell, 1930. (FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

First Secretary of Education

While Mann was a member of the state senate, the legislators voted to create a board of education for Massachusetts to aid with the education reform movement. In 1837, Mann was appointed as the secretary of the new board of education, making him the first person in the country to ever hold a similar role.

More than anything, the states new board of education needed someone who could lead with strong moral character. Mann took his new position seriously and, after he was appointed secretary, withdrew from politics and all other business engagements.

When he first started his new job, Mann traveled to every school in the state of Massachusetts, which at the time had the countrys longest running public education system. Mann physically examined the grounds of each school to get a better idea of what was needed across the state.

Mann believed that all American kids deserved an education that was paid for by the public, and that having an educated population was vital for a democracy to survive. During his 11-year tenure as secretary of education, Mann held teachers conventions and traveled the country to deliver lectures about his new ideas related to the common school movement.

In 1838, Mann founded and edited a bi-weekly publication entitled The Common School Journal, which he used to talk about the public education system and its current problems. The journal was focused on the following six main principles for public education: (1) the public should no longer remain ignorant; (2) that such education should be paid for, controlled, and sustained by an interested public; (3) that this education will be best provided in schools that embrace children from a variety of backgrounds; (4) that this education must be non-sectarian; (5) that this education must be taught by the spirit, methods, and discipline of a free society; and (6) that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers, as stated in The Common School Journal)

In 1843, Mann took a trip to Europe to study the school systems utilized overseas. While there, he spent a lot of time observing the schools in what was then Prussia. After his trip, he wanted to create a universal schooling system for Massachusetts similar to what was in Prussia, educating all classes of students in the same school to give the less fortunate an opportunity to advance on the social scale.

Mann believed that schools should not only teach reading writing, and arithmetic, but help to build their students character as well. Mann wanted schools to help instill values like promptness in attendance, obedience to authority, and time organization skills to help better prepare them for the workforce.

Mann also believed that schools should be non-sectarian and not cater to a single sect of the Christian religion. Instead, he desired that schools teach all-around Christian morals and the Bible be used as the basis for moral education.

Horace Mann wanted schools to teach all-around Christian morals A teacher watches over a class of schoolboys, circa 1925. (FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Even though many of his beliefs would end up being utilized in the public education system, Manns views saw their fair share of backlash from different groups of people. Some parents felt that schools should stick with basic curriculum and leave the moral teaching to the families. Some religious institutions did not like the idea that the public schools would become non-sectarian.

Mann was also known for establishing the countrys first normal schools, which were institutions designed specifically to train teachers. Mann focused primarily on training women in his normal schools as a way to help them enter the workforce.

Despite some of his views being unpopular, states across the country started adopting some of the principles of Manns common school system. Every other state in the country also ended up adopting some form of Manns normal schools to train teachers.

Fight to End Slavery

In 1848, Mann was elected to the U.S. Congress to fill a seat left vacant due to the death of John Quincy Adams, and he resigned as Secretary of Education. His first speech in Congress had to do with taking steps to end slavery.

I think the country is to experience serious times. Interference with slavery will excite civil commotion in the South. But it is best to interfere. Now is the time to see whether the Union is a rope of sand or a band of steel, Mann wrote in a letter shortly after being elected to Congress. I really think if we insist upon passing the Wilmot proviso for the territories that the southa part of themwill rebel; but I would pass it, rebellion or not. I consider no evil so great as the extension of slavery.

Mann served in Congress until March 1853. In 1852, Mann was nominated to be the governor of Massachusetts by the Free Soil Party, but he lost the election.

Horace Mann was the first president of Antioch College. (Clifton res/CC BY-SA 3.0)

That same year, Mann was appointed president of the newly established Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, a job he would hold for the remainder of his life. During the colleges graduation in 1859, Mann spoke to the students and said, Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. Mann collapsed shortly after his commencement speech, and passed away that summer of typhoid fever.
Jim Jordan 100 Percent Behind Trump for 2024

On the sidelines of the annual conference of the National Rifle Association, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) signaled unequivocal support for former President Donald Trump.

Im 100 percent for President Trump, he said in an interview with Fox News in Indianapolis on April 14.

No one has demonstrated that they will do what they said and get things done like he did. And he did it with everyone in that town against him. And thats what I still respect about President Trump, and Im for him all the way.

Jordan said of the other candidates: I like all of them. Im friends with them. I just talked to Vice President Pence, great guy. Governor DeSantis, a great guy, when we formed the Freedom Caucus, there were nine of us, he was one of the nine.

But Jordan still maintained he was 100 percent for Trump, and said that out of the other presidential candidates in attendance at the NRA conference, Trump would best protect Americans Second Amendment rights.

Why I support President Trump so strong is because youve got to have people who respect the Second Amendment, respect the First [Amendment], and respect the Constitution, Jordan said.

I always tell folks, the Second Amendments right next to the first for a reasonits darn important. And we need to understand that, and not let the left continue to chip away because ultimately they want to get rid of it, he added.

You cant meet [the Democrats] in the middle because we just fundamentally disagree. Our Constitution fundamentally disagrees with where they want to go. And again, I think people with common sense and logic understand that these tragedies are terrible, Jordan said, referring to recent mass shootings in Kentucky and Tennessee.

We wish they never happened. But the answer is not to take firearms away from law-abiding American citizens.

Trump, who was president for a term after winning in 2016, is running for a second term in 2024.

Jordan has been a strong supporter of Trump. In recent weeks, the congressman has slammed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.s indictment against Trump as election interference. Trump on April 4 pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony charges in the indictment.

By April 6, Jordan subpoenaed a former Bragg deputyManhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantzwho had pushed for the indictment against Trump. In response, Bragg sued Jordan on April 11, alleging a campaign to intimidate, and sought for a restraining order, which was rejected from being entered into court records on the same day. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 19.

This article has been further edited for clarity.
Lake Superiors Largest Private Island to Be Sold to Nature Conservancy of Canada

The Boreal Wildlands project located near Hearst, Ont. is shown in a handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO-Nature Conservancy of Canada)

One of Canadas most prominent conservation groups has reached a deal to buy the largest privately owned island in Lake Superior, a move that will protect it from development.

Batchawana Island, located 45 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is set to be acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for $7.2 million once the organization raises an outstanding $1.2 million for the purchase.

The impact of conserving Lake Superiors largest privately owned island cannot be understated, Kaitlin Richardson, the Nature Conservancys northern Ontario program director, wrote in a statement.

The communities of plants and animals that rely on Batchawana Island are unique and precious, the statement reads. I cant wait for the day when we can say they get to stay that way forever.

The roughly 2,100-hectare island is home to several significant animal and tree species and has been owned by American investor Joe Acheson for the last 20 years.

Acheson owns several parcels of land in Ontarios Algoma District and listed Batchawana Island for sale in February 2022, the Nature Conservancy said.

Rob Cormier, the president of Sault Ste. Marie natural resource surveying company R&B Cormier Inc. that has worked with the islands American owner since 2012, said Acheson had for years intended to establish an exclusive sport fishing, hunting and Olympic training club funded by logging. But local opposition to a mainland barge dock and some necessary permits got in the way of that plan.

Michigan logging companies interested in bringing the islands lumber to their markets were deterred by the same complications, Cormier said, noting Batchawana is home to valuable sugar maple, yellow birch, white and black spruce and northern white cedar.

Richardson said the Nature Conservancy competed with cottage developers and logging operations for the island but eventually won out.

The non-profit needs to buy properties at fair market value, which can be challenging when property prices are inflated, she said.

When housing markets are hot, its harder for the NCC to compete because there are so many offers flying around and people have a lot of expendable income, she said. The economic downturn in the U.S. may have made the islands return on investment less attractive to other possible buyers, she added.

The islands 27 kilometres of shoreline includes features ranging from sand beaches to cobblestone and rock cliffs and provides habitats for 36 provincially significant birds, Richardson said.

The island is also home to forests teeming with moose, wolves and bears, as well as wetlands with potential to store carbon thats equivalent to the energy used by 500,000 homes, the Nature Conservancy said.

The island is within the ancestral land of the Batchewana First Nation, who the conservancy kept informed on the status of their island bid throughout the past year, Richardson added.

Contributions to the conservancys purchase effort came from major private donors, foundation partners, government grants and the community at large, Richardson said, adding shes confident the organization will be able to raise the outstanding funds required by May 9 to secure the deal.

The purchase, she said, will mark a significant achievement.

Well be talking about it for years. And we wont have to talk about it as the one that got away, she said. Were really excited.
Man Gets 25 to Life for Kidnap-Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif.A 42-year-old man was sentenced April 14 to 25 years to life in prison for kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl in Santa Ana 24 years ago.

Jose Andres Plascencia was convicted Feb. 2 of kidnapping to commit a sex crime and five counts of rape, all felonies.

Co-defendant Ismael Salgado, 43, is awaiting trial.

Jurors deliberated for about a day before convicting Plascencia.

Deputy District Attorney Kristin Bracic said in her opening statement the case comes down to one thingopportunity.

The two men were in a car on Feb. 3, 1999, when they spotted the victim and her 13-year-old friend leaving Jerome Center in Santa Ana and tried to coax them in for a ride, Bracic said. The girls went to the community center to walk around about 5:30 p.m. and were leaving about 7 p.m., Bracic said.

The guys started heckling them, Bracic said. The girls ignored them at first.

The two men got out of the car and continued trying to coax them into the vehicle, Bracic said.

They say, Lets at least give you a ride,  Bracic said.

The 11-year-old was reluctant because of her mothers rule against accepting rides from strangers, Bracic said. But her friend agreed and encouraged the other girl to get in, Bracic said.

Salgado, who was 19 at the time, was driving and Plascencia got in the backseat, with the 11-year-old in the front passenger seat, Bracic said.

The men quickly grew flirty, putting their arm around them, Bracic said.

The 13-year-old asked to get out, and did, and tried to get her friend to get out of the car as well, Bracic said.

But the victim testified that she was going to get out and the man pulled me back in by her hair. The two men drove off with the alleged victim, Bracic said.

We went to a gasoline station after that, the victim testified. I just heard the driver and passenger say they were going to rape me.

The 13-year-old girl wasnt sure what just happened so she walked to a friends house and they consulted with his mother, who went over to the 11-year-olds house to see if she got home safely, Bracic said. When they realized the girl had not made it home, they called the police, the prosecutor said.

Officers who responded to the call soon realized it was related to a call about an 11-year-old girl who showed up at her aunts home, Bracic said.

The two men went to a gas station near Raitt Street and Edinger Avenue, Bracic said. As the driver got out to pay, Plascencia held his hand over the 11-year-olds mouth, Bracic said.

They drove to a dark, abandoned lot across the street where Salgado first raped the girl while Plascencia held her down, Bracic alleged. Then they traded places, the prosecutor added.

They slap her, they bite her, Bracic said. Shes bruised, injured and they decide theyre not done.

The two drove to another dark, abandoned lot by Valley High School, where they continued to rape her, Bracic said.

The victim recognized at one point she was near her aunts house, so she asked if she could be let go there and she walked to her aunts residence, Bracic said.

She was emotionally traumatized, she could barely speak, when officers arrived, Bracic said.

The girl was taken in for a medical exam the next day and a nurse gathered evidence. The girl was so badly bruised she was too swollen for some exams, so she had to return the next day, Bracic said.

The evidence collected was consistent with a brutal sexual assault, Bracic said.

Police tracked down surveillance video from the gas station but investigators could not identify the suspects, Bracic said.

In 2016, the case was revived when officers received a DNA hit with Salgado, Bracic said.

Police narrowed down other friends of Salgados from 1999 and focused on Plascencia, Bracic said. Investigators were able to get a DNA match with Plascencia, she said.

Plascencias attorney, Sharon Marshall, said her client drank and did drugs to an extreme degree at the time because it served to soothe his reality of abuse, abandonment, and homelessness.

The defense attorney told jurors, You will hear evidence of a total and complete blackout during the night with the girl.
Shooting at Birthday Party in Alabama Leaves 4 Dead, 28 Injured

Authorities work on the scene of a shooting in Dadeville, Ala., on April 15, 2023. (Elizabeth White/WRBL via AP)

Police in Alabama on April 16 were investigating a shooting that left four people dead and 28 others injured at a gathering in Dadeville, about 57 miles northeast of Montgomery.

The shooting happened at a dance studio birthday party on April 15 around 10:30 p.m. local time.

There were four lives tragically lost in this incident, Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said during a news conference on April 16.

During two news conferences Sunday, Burkett did not take questions. He did not say if a suspect was in custody or if investigators knew about any motivation.

Pastor Ben Hayes, who serves as the chaplain for the Dadeville Police Department and for the local high school football team, said most of the victims are teenagers because the shooting occurred at a birthday party for a 16-year-old.

One of the young men that was killed was one of our star athletes and just a great guy, he said. So I knew many of these students. Dadeville is a small town and this is going to affect everybody in this area.

Investigators on Sunday continued filing in and out of the Mahogany Masterpiece dance studio, denoted by a banner hanging on the outside of a one-story brick building just off the square. Less than a block away, the American and Alabama flags were lowered to half staff outside the Tallapoosa County Courthouse.

This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement posted on social media.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, the White House said, adding that it was closely monitoring the situation and had been in touch with local officials and law enforcement to offer support.

The same night, in Louisville, Kentucky, two people died and four others were injured after shots were fired into a crowd of hundreds of people gathered at Chickasaw Park.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a shooting on the campus of Lincoln University in Chester County on the same night prompted the university to lock down. Two people were injured and were taken to an area hospital for treatment, while the suspect was still at large as of early on April 16.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Netherlands to Allow Euthanasia for Terminally Ill Children

Dutch Public Health, Welfare and Sport minister Ernst Kuipers speaks during a debate on acute care in the House of Representatives in The Hague, on Nov. 9, 2022. (Phil Nijhuis/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

The Netherlands has said it will broaden its euthanasia regulations to allow doctors the ability to end the lives of terminally ill children between 1 and 12 years old.

The rule change is an adjustment of an existing protocol and doesnt require parliamentary approval.

The decision comes after years of requests from some Dutch doctors to lower the age minimum of 12 for euthanasia, as well as debate within the cabinet.

The end of life for this [age] group is the only reasonable alternative to the childs unbearable and hopeless suffering, according to the Dutch government.

This is a very complex subject that deals with harrowing situations that you would not wish on anyone, Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said.

I am pleased that after intensive consultation with all parties involved, we have come to a solution with which we can help these terminally ill children, their parents, and also their practitioners.

The new regulations would apply to terminally ill children who are in unbearable pain from their disease and for whom palliative care cant bring relief. According to the Dutch Health Ministry, this would apply to a small group of about five to 10 children a year.

If the child cant provide consent, euthanasia can still happen with parental permission, in consultation with a doctor, Health Ministry spokesman Axel Dees told AFP.

The World Medical Association in 1987 issued a declaration on euthanasia that was reaffirmed in 2005.

Euthanasia, that is the act of deliberately ending the life of a patient, even at the patients own request or at the request of close relatives, is unethical, it reads. This does not prevent the physician from respecting the desire of a patient to allow the natural process of death to follow its course in the terminal phase of sickness.

Many people remain opposed to euthanasia due to the ethical or religious belief that euthanasia is a violation of the sanctity of life, that life is inherently valuable and should not be intentionally endedeven in suffering. Some have expressed concern that euthanasia could result in a desensitization to the value of human life.

Some have stated that euthanasia in actual practice only gives doctors greater power and a license to kill.

Once the power to kill is bestowed on physicians, the inherent nature of the doctor/patient relationship is adversely affected. A patient can no longer be sure what role the doctor will playhealer or killer, according to the Patients Rights Council, an advocacy group in the United States.

With regard to euthanasia in children, concerns expressed by doctors and activists over the years include that making it legal for children could set a dangerous precedent that could result in further abuse or exploitation.

There are also concerns about childrens ability to make informed decisions about their own lives, and whether they may be susceptible to coercion or pressure from parents or their doctors.

2nd Country to Allow Euthanasia for Young Children

In 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia. Belgium followed later in the same year.

The latest changes in the Netherlands arent unprecedentedin 2014, Belgium became the first country to pass legislation to allow euthanasia for young children, with their consent.

Euthanasia is currently subject to strict criteria in the Netherlands. The procedure is allowed in infants younger than 12 months and children older than 12 yearsalthough they must obtain parental consent if they are under 16. Those between 16 and 18 must still involve parents in their decision.

In the Netherlands, all cases of euthanasia must be reported to medical review boards.

Doctors who carry out euthanasia are required to be convinced that the patient who requested assisted dying did so voluntarily, that their suffering is unbearable, and that it has no chance of improvement.

Read More Euthanasia Without Brakes

In 2022, only one instance of euthanasia for a minor between 12 and 16 years old was reported in the Netherlands, figures from regional euthanasia review boards show.

Altogether, according to government figures, more than 8,720 people or 5.1 percent of total deaths were via euthanasia in the Netherlands in 2022a majority (57.8 percent) of whom reportedly were suffering from incurable cancer. This was an increase of 13.7 percent from the reported 7,666 euthanasia deaths in 2021.

Since euthanasia was first made legal, the number of euthanasia deaths in the Netherlands has increased nearly fivefold (480.44 percent). In 2003, 1,815 deaths by euthanasia were recorded.

Melanie Sun and Reuters contributed to this report.
New Liberal Supreme Court Majority Could Mean Big Changes in Wisconsin

News Analysis

Seldom has the election for a single state supreme court justice had the power to change so many things at the state leveland potentially the national levelas this months race in Wisconsin.

That truth wasnt lost on liberal, conservative, and special interest groups across the country, whose contributions had made the duel between progressive-leaning Janet Protasiewicz and conservative-leaning Daniel Kelly the most expensive state supreme court election in U.S. history.

Why Wisconsin?

The win by Protasiewicz gives liberals a 4-to-3 majority on the states highest court.

This advantage, coupled with the veto power vested in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, is seen by liberals as a way to safeguard their influence and even forward their agenda.

Republicans fought hard to ensure that a retiring conservative justice would be replaced by another conservative to maintain their edge. The Republican Party has a super-majority in the state senate and control of the state house.

Protesters gather outside Supreme Court in a rally against the June 24 decision that repealed the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, in Washington on June 25, 2022. (Nathan Worcester/The Epoch Times)

After a record voter turnout for a spring election not associated with a presidential primary, Protasiewicz, whom observers believe benefited from the abortion issue, defeated Kelly by 11 points.

Protasiewiczs victory made her the likely deciding vote in a lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, to do away with an 1849 abortion law that lay dormant on the books until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

The revived law criminalizes the performing of an abortion except to save the life of the mother.

National Implications

The new progressive majority on the states high court could also help determine the winner of the 2024 presidential election by voting to thwart any effort to overturn the results in the case of a disputed contest.

Trump forces lost a case in 2020 when they asked the state supreme court to nullify the outcome of that election because of a number of alleged illegalities.

In a 43 ruling, the justices rejected the request.

Conservative-leaning Justice Brian Hagedorn joined three progressive-leaning justices in the decision that kept the states 10 electoral votes in Joe Bidens column.

Official results show that in 2020 Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by 21,000 votes, an outcome that many Wisconsin Republicans regard as illegitimate.

It was Wisconsins 10 electoral votes that put Republican candidate Donald Trump over the 270 needed to win in 2016.

The new Wisconsin Supreme Court, with its first progressive majority in 15 years, may also be asked to decide cases involving proposed rules for how the 2024 presidential election will be conducted.

Big Changes on Horizon

The apportioned boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts could also be subject to challenge before the Supreme Court.

And voter ID laws and stricter absentee ballot handling procedures passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature could potentially be declared unconstitutional if challenged in front of the new court.

It was by a 43 vote that the use of unattended ballot drop boxes was declared illegala decision that could now be reversed by the courts new progressive-leaning majority.

On the economic front, Wisconsins Right to Work law and Act 10the statute that prohibits general municipal employees from engaging in collective bargaining and lifted the prevailing wage requirement on public works projectscould be undone.

Kelly made a campaign issue of Protasiewiczs record of what he said were her soft on crime decisions while she served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.

Judge Janet Protasiewicz onstage during the live taping of Pod Save America, hosted by WisDems at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, Wis., on March 18, 2023. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images for WisDems)

Conservatives worry that Protasiewiczs liberal philosophy may jeopardize any toughening of the states criminal statutes while strengthening gun control on law-abiding citizens.

The states environmentalists are hopeful that the new progressive justice will favor stronger regulations to protect the environment.

Out-of-State Money

By the time the final campaign finance reports are filed in July, the supreme court candidates own committees and special interest groups are expected to report spending nearly $50 million on the April 4 election and the February primary.

That figure dwarfs the previous spending record for a supreme court election in Wisconsin: $10 million, set in 2020.

Nationally, the previous record was $15 million set by Illinois in 2004.

Preliminary reports show that Protasiewiczs candidate committee outspent Kellys 6-to-1.

Most of the contributions came from outside Wisconsin, state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, a Republican said.

Democrats Worry About the Law Later

Brandtjen, a leader in the states election reform movement, told The Epoch Times that nearly two weeks after the election, she and her fellow Republicans are still licking [their] wounds.

She said that, in their determination to win by any means necessary, Wisconsin Democrats are continuing to do things that skirt right up to the edge of illegality, if not beyond.

Do things first and worry about the law later is their way of campaigning, Brandtjen said.

Their attitude is, Catch me if you can, and when you do, it will be too late.

A recent case in point highlighted by Brandtjen is the giving of hundreds of dollars of gift cards to so-called digital mobilizers in an effort to boost turnout among low-propensity Democrat voters.

The gift cards were given out by a left-leaning nonprofit group through a specially created political action committee set up to promote progressive causes and candidates.

They started the day after the February primary, she said. Who paid for the gift cards?

This looks like a clear violation of Wisconsin state law. I hope the Republican Party will take this to court.

Wisconsin Assemblywoman Janel Brandtjen. (Courtesy of Janel Brandtjen)

Elections Have Consequences

Brandtjen told The Epoch Times that shes worried that the new liberal majority on the state supreme court will be used by the Democrats to undo every good thing thats been done for the people of Wisconsin over the last 10 years.

This whipsaw effect harms the stability of government, she said.

When did the Democrats decide not to follow policies that, not too many years ago, were generally agreed upon by both parties? Brandtjen asked. Things like safe communities, good education in winning schools, low taxes, and a healthy business environment.
Peter Menzies: Extortion, Dependency, and Media Welfare: The Liberals Bill C-18

Commentary

Twenty years ago, the newspaper I worked for turned an easy $50 million-plus a year in profit. Less than three months ago, its building was sold and remnants of its once-bustling newsroom work from their homes. Its owners increasingly depend on federal government assistance, the latest version of which, the Online News Act (Bill C-18), is now under review in the Senate.

The news lobby has no apparent qualms that this bill will create a media industry dependent upon the good graces of the two most imposing powers in the lives of citizens these days: Big Tech and Big Government. They claim, unconvincingly, that Facebook and Google have been stealing their journalism and must pay themthrough C-18hundreds of millions in annual compensation.

So how did we get from those proudly profitable and ruggedly independent days to an industry begging the government for corporate welfare? Prior to the worldwide web, 30-40 percent of major dailies revenue came from classified advertising. Before Kijiji, societys cavalcade of births, deaths, marriages, and engagements passed through those pages, along with Help Wanted ads, plumbing, carpentry, and other services.

Thanks to upstart online entities such as Craigslist and Kijiji, that money was the first to disappear. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, by offering online ads for a pittancesometimes nothing at allCraigslist saved American consumers $5 billion in just its first seven years. Which means it cost newspapers the same amount, with proportional impacts in Canada.

Newspapers had no response. Nor did they when car dealers, real estate agents, grocery stores, and others discovered they could sell directly to customers through their websites. Concurrently, Google and others developed search engines that assumed the role of matchmaker between buyers and sellers and then along came Facebook where people could announce their OMG I said Yes! engagements, the births of their children, and the deaths of their parents.

The business effects were devastating. The relentless culling of jobs began in the first decade of the century following the acquisition by Canwest Global Communications Corp. of most of the nations big newspapers. After Canwests collapse and the creation of Postmedia Network Canada Corp., the efficiencies became even more pronounced. The overall headcount of newspaper employees in Canada is difficult to determine but between 2014 and 2020, employment at just four locals of UNIFOR (Canadas largest private-sector union, which includes media workers) dropped by 45 percent.

The more eyeballs moved online, the more advertising followed and the more jobs disappeared in newsrooms. Almost 500 Canadian newspapers (many of them weeklies) have died. On the bright side, more than 200 online news platforms have started up. But they lack lobbyists, which means it is the aging dailies that remain the focus of the political class.

To the entrepreneurial class, this is madness. Jen Gerson of The Line calls the tottering dailies little more than a zombie in nuns drag. But as it turns out, zombie drag queens have plenty of pull on Parliament Hill. Representatives of legacy news organizations successfully lobbied Ottawa for $119 million annually through a labour tax credit. They then scored $10 million a yearnow doubled to $20 millionfor something called the Local Journalism Initiative. Some critics warned theyd soon be back for more.

More, as it turned out, was already in the works in Australia. There, Rupert Murdoch accused Facebook/Meta and Google/Alphabet of stealing his products and the Australian government responded with legislation imposing a News Media Bargaining Code forcing the web giants to pay up. Facebook responded by banning links to news stories.

After a week-long kerfuffle, the government amended its legislation and Meta/Facebook began making private commercial deals with news providers. Last year, Facebook expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes and hinted at not renewing its deals. And while many Australian news organizations assert that more journalism jobs have indeed been created, just two months ago Murdochs News Corp. announced it would cut 1,250 positions.

The Canadian governments enthusiasm for implementing something similar remains undiminished. So much so that, after newspapers did all the legwork, broadcasters waded in to influence the structure of Bill C-18. As a result, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, they will take home $249 million of the $329 million he estimates C-18 will generate annually for news providers from the web giants. The two largest beneficiaries will likely be the CBC and Bell Media, leaving a mere $80 million for legacy newspapers bleeding millions.

In February, Google began a widely publicized assessment of what the impact might be if it de-indexed Canadian news websites. The touch was relatively light, using its options through a series of experiments that denied 4 percent of its search engine users access to Canadian news results.

And then last month, to the news lobbys dismay, Facebook announced it would stop (to use the publishers terminology) stealing and will no longer permit links to news stories once Bill C-18 passes. At this pointand with numerous non-partisan experts declaring C-18 an utter disasterit appears that the best this chaotic legislation can offer is palliative care for geriatric organizations incapable of adapting to change.

The original extended version of this article recently appeared in the C2C Journal.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
In persecution, survival is an act of hope and faith

R | 2 h 17 min | Drama, Biopic | 2008

Every day of freedom is like an act of faith. Our revenge is to live.

Those lines, uttered by the lead character in Edward Zwicks film, capture its essence.

A professor of sociology and Holocaust survivor-scholar from Connecticut, Nechama Tec, once wrote a book that sets male heroism apart from, and above, macho bravado. Based on a true story, the book redefines heroes as those who avoid wanton violence, who wont shy away from self-defense, but who would rather save lives than take them.

Tuvia (Daniel Craig) shelter dozens of Jewish refugees during World War II. (MovieStillsDB)

Zwicks film, based on Tecs book, is about Jews who hunt in a wilderness for the truth about themselves as a people, and find the resolve to preserve their traditions, even on the run.

In 1941, as Nazi death-squads comb conquered territories, only a few Jews survive. With their parents thus murdered, the Polish-Jewish Bielski brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), Asael (Jamie Bell) and Aron (George Mackay), hide in the Naliboki forest. Before they know it, theyre sheltering dozens of Jewish refugees who, likewise, seek cover.

The brothers raid farms on the forest fringe for food and supplies and, as word spreads, eventually lead 1,200 civilians (women, infants, children, men and old folk) through forests, under Nazi attack and Russian counterattack. Tens of thousands of their descendants are alive today because those refugees didnt succumb to despair but stayed the course.

Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Tuvia (Daniel Craig) are brothers who endure the savage winter, the rain, snow, starvation, disease, darkness, and fatigue to escape the Nazis. (MovieStillsDB)

Screenwriters Zwick and Clayton Frohman liken this journey to the biblical Exodus, a sea of refugees trudging through a forest rather than a desert. Sometimes that lush, green forest cloaks them gently, like a protective god. At other times it seems uncaring, as loved ones die before their eyes. Crossing a treacherous swamp, not unlike a forbidding Red Sea, an exhausted refugee jokes, Whats nextSinai?! Despite suffocating danger, they laugh.

Its tempting to be distracted by Zwicks combat or action sequences, but on scrutiny, his film is less about Jew rebels fighting alongside Russians or against Nazis. Its about them fighting everything else: the savage winter, the rain, snow, starvation, disease, darkness, and fatigue. Often, forced to share already meager soup rations, theyre fighting each other.

Far from hagiography, the film shows the brothers as human; they are as flawed as their followers, but surviving in hiding, for as long as two years, through faith, togetherness, commonsense and grit. Just as in Exodus, the followers here show their leader, Tuvia, just enough gratitude to mask their grumbling.

Tuvia and Zus sport contrasting styles of leadership, one bent on rescue, the other on retribution. But theyre peasants, not soldiers. Thrust as heroes into a story that isnt of their making, they force themselves to imagine a life beyond their deadly present, a future in which they neednt flee or hide any longer.

Fiery Asael (Jamie Bell) escapes from the Nazis with his brothers. (MovieStillsDB)

Quiet Heroism

Dont look for historical accuracy or stirring speeches. Instead watch for quiet heroism in action, day after day, week after week.

Schreibers brilliant as the boyishly bitter Zus, raging against all manner of fates, whether its a symbolic pillar of fire by day or a pillar of cloud by night; if only they were Nazis he could simply gun down!

Craig, playing against type as Tuvia, is not quite a stammering Moses, but hes almost as often at a loss for words, unsure of himself. Bell is a fiery Asael, caught between regard for Zuss bravado and reverence for Tuvias courage. The stunning Alexa Davalos plays Tuvias love.

Zwick portrays the fragile group milking normalcy from chaos, making new friends or arguing with old ones, then scurrying from Nazis whove been smuggled into camp by informants. In interviews, Zwick has explained, Im not interested in supermen. Im interested in ordinary men. And these refugees are ordinary: carpenters, craftsmen, artisans, laborers, teachers, nurses, rabbis.

Zwick has said hes in awe of these people with nothing, who marry their sweethearts and live fully, who find the staying power to build a hospital, a school, a tannery, all out in the wild, all amid adversity.

Hes in awe of people who cling to their decency and humanity when everything and everyone (the weather, the forest, the Nazis, the Russians, even their own) conspire to strip them of it. As a cornered but defiant Tuvia pants, We may be hunted like animals, but we will not become animals.

Defiance

Director: Edward Zwick

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes

Release Date: Dec. 31, 2008

Rated: 4 stars out of 5
Reality Hits Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power Now in Favor: Experts

Aerial view of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant which sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., on March 17, 2011. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

With renewable energy sources failing to deliver enough power to supply demand, evolving political narratives have altered plans for nuclear power plants in California and beyond.

Reality happened, Jacopo Buongiorno, director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems and professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told The Epoch Times. The renewable energy sources that some were expecting to replace nuclear power failed to reliably supply enough power.

While Germanya forerunner in the global movement to cut carbon emissionsbids farewell to nuclear energy April 15 after decades of debate, California and other countries equally eager to reach their climate goals are taking an opposite approach, extending and expanding their reliance on this carbon-free energy source.

Although Germanys shutdown of its three remaining nuclear plants was declared a victory by the anti-nuclear community, recent data released by the German Federal Statistical Office shows that the country has been using more coalconsidered by climate activists as the dirtiest among fossil fuels because of its high carbon compositionto generate electricity after it turned off the first three plants in 2021, seemingly going against its goal to phase out coal by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Steam rises from the cooling towers of the Grafenrheinfeld nuclear power plant at night near Grafenrheinfeld, Germany, on June 11, 2015. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The European Union relies on nuclear power to supply approximately 25 percent of its energy, according to the World Nuclear Association. Several European nations are embracing nuclear power, with 170 reactors in operation across 18 countries, according to the European Nuclear Society. France leads the pack with 56 nuclear reactors powering its grid, with Russias 37 placing second.

More units are currently being built, with 11 under construction across six nations in the region, including France and Finland.

California in Dilemma

California, armed with the most aggressive climate initiatives in the United States, is also caught in the dilemma.

Its lone nuclear energy plant at Diablo Canyon near San Luis Obispo has been central to the debate about whether the Golden State can afford to move away from nuclear energy while trying to cut emissions.

After years of promises that renewables, primarily solar and wind, would replace traditional power supplies, statistics for 2022 from the California Energy Commission show that these technologies have not produced enough energy to reliably power the grid.

California is regarded as a pioneer in nuclear energy, being the first state to adopt the technology and harness its potential to power cities in 1957. Much has changed since then, with plants opening throughout the next decades, only to be shut down as political whims ebbed and flowed.

Unfortunately, California is not a friendly state regarding nuclear power, Jasmina Vujic, director of the nuclear science and security consortium and professor of nuclear engineering at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant was barely saved from shut down.

Gov. Gavin Newsom ran his 2016 campaign with the promise of closing Diablo Canyon.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference in Universal City, Calif., on June 15, 2021. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Responsible for 8 percent of the states electricity production, it was threatened with closure after the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved in 2018 to shut it down when its federal license expires in 2025.

But Newsom moved from recommending closure to being an advocate for its survival, following the passage of President Joe Bidens 2022 $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated $6 billion to bail out nuclear power plants and prevent closures.

The governor said in April 2022 that Diablos operatorPacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) should pursue the federal funding and noted the agency would be missing an opportunity if it failed to secure assistance to keep it operational.

Newsoms abrupt change of course offers a chance for nuclear power to continue in California.

The licensing process was reignited in 2022 with PG&Es application for renewal.

Proponents of Diablo Canyon additionally say it could be a source of low-cost desalination for California, providing much-needed water to agricultural users and municipalities.

While a series of projects were developed in California, the state placed a moratorium on licensing and construction of nuclear power projects in 1976 with the passage of the Warren-Alquist Act.

Today, only Diablo Canyon remains operational in California, and is responsible for 8.5 percent of the states energy production, according to the California Energy Commission.

Should California Keep Its Last Nuclear Plant?



Some experts suggest that the best course of action is to renew the federal license, as the plant is a consistent source of energy for the grid.

A staff analysis conducted by the energy commission recommending extending the operation of Diablo Canyon through 2030 was approved in February.

The determination is based on data showing California risks energy supply shortfalls during extreme weather events, Lindsay Buckley, a commission spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement April 7.

Buongiorno, the MIT professor, agreed.

Extending the Diablo Canyon license is a positive thing for California, for the reliability of its grid and its cost of energy, he told The Epoch Times.

Californias nuclear power is also imported from neighboring states including Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada. In total, more than 9,000 gigawatt hourseach enough to power approximately 750,000 homesare imported, with the majority coming from the Southwest, as reported by the states energy commission.

There are 92 nuclear reactors operating in 54 power plants in 28 states, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a statistical agency of the Department of Energy, supplying approximately 20 percent of the countrys energy.

Other states, according to nuclear energy experts and university professors, avoided the political headwinds for nuclear development that stymied Californias program.

The Southeast region of the country contains a disproportionate number of reactors, and the area remains a hotbed for new development efforts, as evidenced by the number of power plants in operation and licensing activities under consideration.

Opportunities From New Technologies

New technologies are offering opportunities for military and civilian applications, according to experts, and there could be revolutionary new products on the market in the next few years.

Very small reactorsnuclear batterieswith special missions are being developed in coordination with the U.S. Army, Buongiorno said. These are easier to construct, factory built, transportable, and could be online as early as 2026.

These batteries would be used to power remote operating stations and provide heat and power for a variety of applications where traditional power sources are unavailable.

While the U.S. leads the world in new, portable nuclear reactor technology like the batteries MIT is studying, other countries are utilizing nuclear power capabilities. Approximately 440 nuclear reactors are in operation around the globe, supplying nearly 10 percent of the worlds energy.

Other nations are superior to the United States in terms of research, development, and export of nuclear technologies, but the country maintains a competitive advantage with portable reactors, according to Buongiorno.

China is incredibly capable with nuclear energy, and they are frankly ahead of us in technology development, with the notable exception of nuclear batteries, he said.

Over the past decades, China and Russia have exported technology to and assisted nuclear development efforts in countries including India, Bangladesh, and Turkey. These relationships have implications for U.S. foreign policy objectives, according to political analysts.

Some say opportunities exist for the industry if the United States can capitalize on exports.

Its in the best interest of the U.S. to enter the nuclear technology export trade, Buongiorno said.

Recognizing the complexity of the nuclear dilemma, U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill in 2021 aiming to reestablish United States global leadership in nuclear energy, revitalize domestic nuclear energy supply chain infrastructure, support the licensing of advanced nuclear technologies, and improve the regulation of nuclear energy.

Hearings were held in February 2022, with no updates in the last year.
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after meeting the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on April 6, 2023.

In the weeks since Chinese leader Xi Jinping won a third five-year term as president, setting him on course to remain in power for life, leaders and diplomats from around the world have beaten a path to his door. None more so than those from Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron made a high-profile state visit to Beijing last week accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, just days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the northeast port city of Tianjin on Thursday, following a visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, would have been in China this week, too, but he tested positive for Covid-19.

For the 27-nation trading bloc, the reasons to head to China are clear.

As an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi could play a pivotal role in helping to end the war in Ukraine. The conflict has dragged on for over a year, driven up energy prices and inflicted more damage on economies struggling to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Europeans want Xis help. They want him to talk to Ukraines president as well as Russias, but they dont see him as the key mediator. Chinas proposed peace plan for Ukraine is mostly a list of its previously known positions and is unacceptable, EU officials say.

The EU also fears that Xi might supply weapons to Russia. Theyve been particularly disturbed by Putins plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. That announcement came just days after Xi and Putin met to cement their no-limits friendship.

Baerbock said the war is top of my agenda. Praising Beijing for easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said that its influence vis-a-vis Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and for our relationship with China.

At the same time, the EU is deeply concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. China launched war games just after Macron left. But unlike the U.S., with its military and strategic interest in Taiwan, the Europeans mostly see the island in economic and pro-democracy terms.

So the visits are meant to reassure Xi of respect for Beijings control over all of Chinese territory and to urge calm. They also highlight the challenge the U.S. faces as it tries to build a coalition of countries to ramp up pressure on Beijing over its expansionist policies.

The key is that we have every interest, both in Europe and in China, to maintain the status quo, a senior EU official said Wednesday, briefing reporters on plans for Borrells sensitive trip on condition that he not be named. It has worked well for all sides for decades.

Beyond the geopolitics lies business. The EU and China did more than 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion) worth of trade every day last year, and the Europeans dont want to endanger that. However, the EUs trade deficit has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to level the business playing field.

Its also desperate to limit its imports of critical resources from China, like rare earth minerals or hi-tech components, after painfully weaning itself off its biggest, and most unreliable, gas supplier, Russia.

Its a fine line to walk, and China is adept at divide-and-conquer politics.

Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has often used its economic heft to pry France, Germany and other allies away from the U.S. on issues ranging from military security and trade to human rights and Taiwan.

Beijing has called repeatedly for a multipolar world, a reference to Chinese frustration with U.S. dominance of global affairs and the ruling Communist Partys ambition to see the country become an international leader.

There has been a serious deviation in U.S. understanding and positioning about China, treating China as the primary opponent and the biggest geopolitical challenge, the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, told reporters last month.

China-Europe relations are not targeted, dependent, or subject to third parties, he said.

Macrons visit appeared to illustrate that Qins view isnt just wishful thinking. As tensions rise between Beijing and Washington, the French leader said, it is important for Europe to retain its strategic autonomy.

Being a friend doesnt mean that you have to be a vassal, Macron said Wednesday, repeating a remark from his trip that alarmed some European partners. Just because were allies, it doesnt mean (that) we no longer have the right to think for ourselves.

Such comments could strain ties with the U.S. and have also exposed divisions within the EU.

Without mentioning Macron, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some in Europe were too slow to heed the wake-up call on China.

You could see this over the past couple of weeks as some European leaders went to Beijing, Morawiecki said, adding: I do not quite understand the idea of strategic autonomy, if it means de-facto shooting into our own knee.

For its part, the White House has sought to downplay Macrons talk of Europe as an independent pole in a multipolar world.

It thinks European skepticism toward Beijing is growing. U.S. officials note a recent Dutch decision to restrict Chinas access to advanced computer chip components or Scholz publicly prodding Xi not to deliver weapons to Russia.

Despite the differences of national emphasis, the EUs strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019  that the Asian giant is a partner, a competitor and systemic rival. The aim of the recent visits fit that mold: to secure Xis commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly and reduce Europes reliance on China for critical resources.

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LONDON, U.K.Paula Wan, a retired hairdresser, traveled from Leicestershire to London to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Eventim Apollo on April 15.

Its absolutely fantastic, said Ms. Wan. I love everything, you know, from the costumes, and I appreciate the effort thats gone into it for all the dance  [It was] a combination of enjoying the art and [the] knowledge about the Chinese culture. Its almost like you lose yourself just for a little bit of time and just enjoy watching 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 and to give its audiences a glimpse of pre-communist China.

Ive been wanting to come and watch Shen Yun for about two years, said Ms. Wan. I love Chinese history and culture.

Although Ms. Wan has lived in the UK since she was a child, her mother and brother are still in Hong Kong. Ms. Wan praised Shen Yuns mission, and expressed her concerns about the lack of freedom of speech in China.

I think its fantastic, Ms. Wan said of Shen Yuns mission. I think its very brave because we all need to know suffering. For many traditions, many nationalities and  China, were still suffering.

Im very glad I dont have a young family in Hong Kong at the moment because of the [lack of] freedom of speech, Ms. Wan added.

Shen Yuns program includes story-based dances, some of which are set in modern-day China and depicts the Chinese regimes persecution of followers of Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice that teaches the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Ms. Wan said that she had known about Falun Dafa prior to seeing the performance, and had seen news about Falun Dafa practitioners campaigning for freedom of speech.

Theres somebody who has a strong moral belief, to better the world and to make society better, and there are people out there trying to suppress this kind of belief, said Ms. Wan.

During the performance, the audience learns that Shen Yun cannot perform in China. Ms. Wan said that she would love for Shen Yun to perform in China, and that she would love to watch the performance there.

I think the Chinese people would love this, she said. We all want the truth, dont we? We all want to practice gratitude and were here to look after each other, to make everybody much better.

Ms. Wan said that she also enjoyed the spiritual elements of Shen Yuns performance, which come from the spiritual teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism that make up the foundation of traditional Chinese culture.

I think its fantastic, said Ms. Wan. Im watching and I thought  its like losing yourself in a fairy tale. For times when we have a little bit of difficulty, things like this give us hope and we can just enjoy something that gives us a different dimension.

It is fantastic how they wrote and put this together.

Reporting by Chloe Hsiao and Wandi Zhu.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
RAPID CITY, S.D.Independent journalist Shad Olson, who had written books and political commentaries, enjoyed Shen Yuns evening performance at The Monument on April 15.

This was Mr. Olsons third time seeing Shen Yun, and he thought the show came at a particularly poignant moment in world events.

Were at a crossroadsnot just in China but here in the United States as well, he said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.

For 5,000 thousand years, Chinese people believed that their culture was a gift from the divine. However, after the communist partys violent takeover, the nations civilization and moral beliefs were completely destroyed.

For their efforts in reviving traditional culture and speaking out about human rights issues in modern-day China, Shen Yun performers are continuously harassed and threatened by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Olson was touched by the story dance depicting the communist partys persecution of Falun Gonga peaceful meditation upholding the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

The message of the suffering of Falun Gong and the tyranny of the Beijing regime over the nation are particularly striking at a moment when the United States is having itself infiltrated, he expressed.

In the Democratic Party, communist ideology is taking hold. Many of our younger generations believe that communism is the answer for world peace and for prosperity and equality.

Young people today are deliberately deprived of an education on the truth and carnage of communismnot just in China, but North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Soviet Union.

For Mr. Olson, Shen Yuns message is aspirational for the elevation of the human race in terms of their ability to transcend the very, very ugly and the struggles that we find ourselves [in] on earth.

One of the vignettes in Shen Yuns performance showed peoples fixation with their phones and being overcome and addicted to digital devices. These factors in the world separate us from our true nature, our spiritual self. This leads to frustration, then to jealousy and violence, Mr. Olson said.

Shen Yun presented a universal message of hope, faith, and peace for all of the human race. He believed returning to the simplicity and the truth of that central messageis our only hope for humanity.

Referring to the spirituality depicted in Shen Yun, Mr. Olson said we all need spiritual renewal and rebirth. That is the only way to transcend the strife and chaos and anger and violence of this present realm.

We need to focus on the simplicity, joy, and goodness of what it means to be a human being, he said.

There is a spark of divinity in the soul of every human being that was placed here by our Creator. Only by hearing his voice again and returning to the humility, simplicity, and the gentleness of spirit [can there be] hope for humanity.

Reporting by Nancy Ma and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Prabha Ravi, founder and artistic director of Natraj dance school, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the St. James Theatre, in Wellington, on April 15, 2023. (NTD)

WELLINGTON, New ZealandThe male dance was very boisterous and very energetic and the female dance was very graceful and very elegant, said Prabha Ravi, the creative director and founder of the Natraj School of Dance. It was the Indian classical dance schools 25th Anniversary.

It was just stunning and beautiful, Ms. Ravi said.

Ms. Ravi was attending the evening show of the premier New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, at the St. James Theatre, on April 15.

Shen Yun is reviving five millennia of authentic Chinese dance and musicas well as a culture that was almost eradicated under communism.

The classical dances [portray] the tradition of Chinese culture. she said.

As a dancer, Ms. Ravi understood the importance of the correct combination of props, costumes, movements, including the synchronization and formation of the dancers.

The props were just fantastic it shows the tradition. And the way the culture is depicted through the props  was something unique to classical dance, she said.

The stories were amazing. I really, really, loved the way the story was depicted, and the fighting scenes were just amazing, the way the Emperor came  there were emotions, there was storytelling, there was movement, there was energy in there. It was easy to follow and, also, it was just colourful and vibrant, Ms. Ravi said.

Shen Yuns story-based dances also depict classical Chinese heroes. These stories are based on moral values and ancient virtues that have been passed down the generations.

The opening scene, [From Heaven to Save All], was very impressive said Ms. Ravi.

Higher beings [were] coming down [from heaven]  it brings that class to the whole [presentation]. It sets the scene for what you are  expecting to see for the rest of the night. The show for me was the storytelling, she said.

Shen Yun translates into the beauty of divine beings dancing.

Chinas ancient traditions were based on spiritual values and goodness, and cherished the beauty of artistic creations such as dance, theater and music.

I think it is definitely hugely beneficial [to see Shen Yun] because it  talks about how karma works and, also, how you need to be grounded and founded to the Lord  That is always humbling when you have superbeings and you know that you are being watched and looked after and it is going to come back to you  all the good things you are going to do  what goes around comes around, Ms. Ravi said.

It is quite significant. I am from Indian culture as well. So, we believe in karma and we believe in divinity as well and in supreme beings, so we could see a lot of synergy in the beliefs system, in the faith we have got, she said.

Ms. Ravi praised the stunning orchestra, a unique blend of traditional Chinese instruments and classical Western instruments.

Everything was so well done  perfect movements and the singing. It was beautiful, she said.

Ms. Ravi was also enthralled by the traditional two-stringed violin, the erhu.

You can see that ancient music coming through in that string instrument  it was just really, really, cool, she said.

Ms. Ravi was also in praise for Shen Yuns artistic director.

High five, absolute high-five. I have been an artist director as well and I know how hard it is to even put  a small show together. Something of this scale is just too enormous and so much amount of planning goes into it. I know the challenges that the artistic director must have gone through to get these artists to understand what he or she is trying to do, she said.

She encouraged Shen Yuns performers to continue educating the world as their message was very important.

I would say the message is that the art form is rich  keep going with the art form and also the overall message of divinity needs to be well understood and very simple, said Ms. Ravi.

It is just too good to be missed. That would be my message, said Ms. Ravi.

Reporting by NTD Television and Diane Rowe.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Sudan Military Rivals Battle for Control; Dozens Killed

Smoke rises in Omdurman, near Halfaya Bridge, during clashes between the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army as seen from Khartoum North, Sudan, on April 15, 2023. (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

KHARTOUM, SudanSudans army launched air strikes on a rival paramilitary forces base near the capital in a bid to reassert control over the chaotic country on April 16 after a power struggle erupted into clashes that killed 56 civilians and dozens of fighters.

The fighting that broke out on April 15 between army units loyal to Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, is the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019.

At the end of a day of heavy fighting, the army struck a base belonging in the city of Omdurman, which adjoins the capital Khartoum, witnesses said late on April 15.

Both the military and the RSF claimed they had control of Sudans airport and other key installations in Khartoum, where fighting raged overnight.

The RSF and the military have been competing for power as political factions negotiate forming a transitional government after a 2021 military coup.

In the early hours of April 16, residents reported hearing gunfire and explosions from heavy artillery through the night. Al Arabiya television broadcast footage showing thick plumes of smoke rising over some districts in Khartoum.

Sudans MTN telecommunications company has blocked internet services in the country on the orders of the government telecommunications regulator, two officials from the company told Reuters on April 16.

Were scared, we havent slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking. Were worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father, Huda, a young resident in southern Khartoum told Reuters.

Theres so much false information and everyone is lying. We dont know when this will end, how it will end, she added.

Tagreed Abdin, an architect living in Khartoum, said the power was out and people were trying to conserve phone batteries. We can hear air strikes, shelling, and gunfire, she said.

Doctors unions said it was difficult for medics and the sick to get to and from hospitals and called on the army and RSF to provide safe passage.

Several groups reported being trapped near the presidential palace and military headquarters.

Some 250 students and 25 teachers were trapped in a school less than a kilometer from the presidential palace all day on April 15 and overnight with no food, a teacher told Reuters. About 50 students who hadnt been reached by their families remained there, he said.

One small child was shot in the chest after entering the school courtyard but survived, a doctor said.

Social media videos showed military jets flying low over the city, at least one appearing to fire a missile.

The fighting followed rising tensions over the RSFs integration into the military. The disagreement over the timetable for that has delayed the signing of an internationally backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy.

The clashes coincided with the Muslim holiday of Ramadan when residents fast from dawn to sunset. A protracted confrontation could plunge Sudan into widespread conflict as it struggles with economic breakdown and tribal violence, derailing efforts to move toward elections.

Smoke rises in Omdurman near Halfaya Bridge, during clashes between the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army as seen from Khartoum North, Sudan, on April 15, 2023. (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

Army Says Victory Is Near

The army said in a statement on April 16 that the hour of victory is near.

We pray for mercy for the innocent lives taken by this reckless adventure taken by the rebel Rapid Support militia  We will have good news for our patient and proud people soon, God willing, the statement said.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported at least 56 civilians had been killed and 595 people, including combatants, had been wounded since the fighting erupted. Around half of the civilians who were killed died in provinces outside Khartoum, it said.

Scores of military personnel were also killed, the doctors committee said, without giving a specific number due to a lack of first-hand information from hospitals where those casualties were taken.

Early April 15 the RSF claimed to have seized the presidential palace, army chiefs residence, state television station and airports in Khartoum, the northern city of Merowe, El Fasher, and West Darfur state. The army rejected those assertions.

Late April 15, the Sudanese air force told people to stay indoors while it conducted what it called an aerial survey of RSF activity, and the government ordered businesses, schools, banks, and government offices to close on April 16.

International powersthe United States, China, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, European Union, and African Unionappealed for an immediate end to the hostilities.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on April 15 he had consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and that they had agreed it was essential for the involved parties in Sudan to immediately end hostilities without any preconditions.

After a phone call, the Saudi, U.S., and UAE foreign ministers called for a return to the framework agreement on the transition to democracy, the Saudi state news agency reported.

The armed forces said it would not negotiate with the RSF unless the force dissolved. The army told soldiers seconded to the RSF to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks if they obey.

RSF leader Hemedti called military chief Burhan a criminal and a liar.

By Khalid Abdelaziz & Nafisa Eltahir
Transgender Teacher on Removed After Allegedly Threatening to Shoot Students

A transgender teacher at a Florida middle school was allowed to remain on campus for several weeks after allegedly making disturbing comments about shooting students and having bad thoughts.

In a statement released on April 14, the Florida Department of Education responded to the situation regarding student safety at Fox Chapel Middle School in Hernando County, saying the teacher, Ashlee Renczkowski, has been removed from the school.

The department noted that the removal happened only after state officials raised their concerns with Hernando County School District Superintendent John Stratton Wednesday evening.

According to an incident report obtained by parental rights group Moms for Liberty, a school resource officer temporarily assigned to Fox Chapel Middle School was notified by Assistant Principal Kerry Thornton and Guidance Counselor Kimberly Walby on March 24 regarding Renczkowski making concerning statements about self-harm and possibly shooting students.

Please see the Florida Department of Educations statement below on a school safety situation in Hernando County. pic.twitter.com/gBwNpcf4H6  Florida Department of Education (@EducationFL) April 14, 2023

Thornton was alerted to the situation after visiting Renczkowskis classroom and asking the teacher how the day was going, according to the report.

Not good, Im having bad thoughts, Renczkowski responded.

The report also noted that Renczkowski is a biological male and is currently in the transformation stage of becoming a woman. In 2021, he abandoned his birth name, Alexander, and started using the name Ashlee Belle.

Thornton then contacted Walby to tell the guidance counselor that Renczkowski was on his way to her office to talk. During the conversation, Renczkowski expressed having suicidal thoughts and a desire to shoot some students due to them not performing to their ability. The teacher also admitted to owning three firearms, which police have since removed from his home.

However, after Renczkowski made the comments, the teacher immediately went on to say that he would never harm a student and also stated that he does not want to inflict self-harm, according to the report.

Renczkowski, whose wife, Fawn, also works at the middle school, also talked about being upset after learning about a social media post where people allegedly talked negatively about the couples sexual orientation and lifestyle.

The teacher also mentioned becoming triggered at times by students in the fourth-period class not performing to their abilities and not trying to pass their class, explaining further that he does not want to see them fail.

Threat Assessment

On March 27, Renczkowski was appointed to undergo therapy with the school districts mental health coordinator, Sandra Hurst, who conducted a threat assessment and determined that the teacher did not meet the criteria of the Baker Act, under which police may take a person into custody and subject them to psychiatric examination if there is a likelihood that the person will harm themselves or others.

The investigation concluded that the comments were made out of frustration, noting that Renczkowski did not intend to inflict harm on himself or anyone else. It did not, however, divulge exactly what was said and only stated that the teacher did not meet Baker Act criteria.

In a press release (pdf) on Wednesday, the Hernando County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) confirmed it was notified about the incident, but the investigation revealed that no criminal offense(s) occurred; therefore, no arrest(s) could be made.

Further, deputies found that the individual did not, at that moment, meet the required criteria for involuntary commitment under the Baker Act, the release reads. In an abundance of caution, the HCSO petitioned the court for a temporary Risk Protection Order (RPO). The order was granted immediately. The individual cooperated with law enforcement and immediately turned over all firearms.

In a public statement issued on Thursday, the same day state officials announced the teacher is no longer at the school, Stratton also said Renczkowski has been removed from all student contact, noting that hes fully cooperating with the investigation.

The school district will continue to investigate the incident and require further involvement by mental health experts, Stratton said. As part of our investigation, we will take a hard look at all the actions that were taken on that day, and in the days following the incident, and determine if any steps were missed.

The school district has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and resources toward implementing outstanding school safety protocols, he added. As part of our safety practice, conclusions drawn from this incident may lead to consideration of additional safeguards.

Parents Respond

Since the community learned about the potential threat, multiple concerned parents have spoken out, stressing that they believe the teacher should have never been allowed to remain at the school.

Anybody that makes a comment like that should not be working in a school, Mike Martini, a parent of a Fox Chapel student, told FOX13. If a student made that comment there would be charges pressed. The child would be expelled.

Aramis Rosario, a parent of another student attending the school told the network: I was told that the teacher had stated they were going to shoot the kids and they were going to then kill themselves.

My heart dropped the moment that I heard that it was confirmed that there [were] actual weapons inside of the household, he added.

From NTD News
Trump 2024 Fundraising Soars Nearly $19 Million First Quarter After Indictment

Former President Donald J. Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 14, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Former President Donald Trump raised about $18.8 million in fundraising in the first three months of this year, with much of the money coming in after his indictment and arraignment in Manhattan, according to his campaign.

Trumps campaign provided the three-month figure to Fox News and added that $15.4 million of the total were collected in the two weeks after March 30, the day that Trump was indicted by a grand jury convened by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

According to the outlet, Trump was raising about $170,000 daily from Jan. 1 to March 30.

However, that daily figure jumped to $4 million in the 24 hours after Trumps indictment. And three days after the indictment, Trumps campaign raised a total of $7 million.

On April 4, Trump was charged with 34 accounts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and stated that Bragg has no case against him.

With the witch hunts heating up like never before, please make a contribution to stand with me in the fight to SAVE AMERICA, said one of his fundraising emails sent earlier this month.

$18.8 million was raised through his campaign, Donald J. Trump for President 2024, and his joint fundraising committee, Trump Save America, according to the outlet.

According to filings with the Federal Trade Commission (FEC) on April 15, nearly $14.5 million went to his campaign in the first three months. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign spent about $3.5 million in the first quarter and had roughly $13.9 million in cash on hand as of March 31.

Trump announced his third bid for the White House in November last year. Since then, three other Republicans have announced their 2024 bidsformer South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Haleys campaign has said that the former governor raised more than $11 million in the six weeks since she launched her presidential bid on Feb. 15. She ended the first quarter with a war chest of $7.8 million.

Ramaswamy raised nearly $1.2 million in the first quarter and had about $9.4 million in cash at the end of the quarter, according to his FEC filings.

Polls

A new Iowa caucus poll (pdf), conducted by Victory Insights polling 400 likely 2024 GOP caucus participants, found Trump in the lead with 54 percent of support, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a distant second with 24.2 percent.

Haley finished third with 14.4 support, followed by Hutchinson with 3.8 percent and Ramaswamy with 2.6 percent.

In a head-to-head matchup between Trump and DeSantis, the former president still came up on top with 59.3 percent of support, while the governor picked up 40.7 percent of support.

These results show that Trump is the clear frontrunner in Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses, while DeSantis leads the second tier of candidates, the poll says. Trumps lead is far outside the polls margin of error, and simulations give Trump a 100% chance of victory if the caucuses were held today.

The poll, conducted between April 10 and April 13, also found that 85 percent of those polled believed the indictment against Trump was politically motivated.

Many believe Trumps indictment and subsequent arrest have resulted in his recent bump in the polls, the poll says.

Trump held an over 20-point lead over DeSantis in a poll (pdf) of 987 likely GOP primary voters in Georgia, according to the University of Georgias School of Public & International Affairs Survey Research Center.

The poll, conducted between April 2 and April 12, found Trump with 50.7 percent of support, followed by DeSantis with 28.9 percent, and Haley with 4 percent.
UK Nurses Strikes Could Continue Till Christmas, Union Leader Warns

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) chief executive Pat Cullen joins RCN members on the picket line outside University College Hospital, London, on Jan. 19, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Nurses could strike until Christmas if they cannot reach a deal with the UK government, a union leader has warned.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced on Friday that its members in the National Health Service (NHS) in England are set to strike again for 48 hours over the May bank holiday.

The announcement came as around 47,000 junior doctors finished their 96-hour strike in a separate dispute over pay at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

When asked if the union will stop strike action, RCN leader Pat Cullen told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg On Sunday programme: No, our nurses will absolutely not do that. We have strike action for the end of this month and the beginning of May.

Then we will move immediately to ballot our members. If that ballot is successful it will mean further strike action right up until Christmas.

Pay Deal Rejected

The fresh threat issued by the union leader comes after RCN members voted to reject the governments new pay offer.

The pay deal that the government offered to health unions in March includes a 5 percent pay increase for this year (2023/24), a one-off payment for last year that equals 2 percent of ones salary, and a one-off NHS backlog bonus.

All five health unions, including the RCN, backed the offer and recommended their members accept it.

The Unison union said on Friday that just over half of its members (53 percent) voted on the offer, with 74 percent of them (112,458) voting yes.

But the RCN said 54 percent of its members who voted opted to reject the deal, with a 61 percent turnout rate.

The RCN said its members in 130 NHS trusts across England are now set to walk out between 8 p.m. on April 30 and 8 p.m. on May 2.

Nursing staff in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care, and some other services, who were exempt from previous strikes, will join the picket line for the first time.

Deeply Concerning

NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said it is not sustainable for the NHS to continue managing strike action.

The organisations deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery told the BBC on Sunday: Its really clear to me that its not sustainable going forward for the NHS to manage strike action.

It feels like a really ugly situation to say we are going to have strikes now until Christmas.

We really desperately need the government to come to the table alongside the unions coming to the table to sort this out.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay warned that fresh nurses strikes would have a deeply concerning impact on emergency services and cancer care.

In an opinion piece for The Sun, he called on the RCN to accept the governments pay offer so the NHS can get back to focusing on patients.

On Sunday afternoon, Barclay posted on Twitter a copy of a letter he had sent to Cullen, which urged the union to reconsider further industrial action and said he would welcome a meeting to discuss avoiding strikes.

In the letter, Barclay said the most recent pay offer was a fair and reasonable settlement, adding: The decision to refuse at this stage any exemptions for even the most urgent and life-threatening treatment during this action will, I fear, put patients at risk.

Wake-Up Call

Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting appealed to the RCN to continue to protect emergency lifesaving care if it strikes again.

He told Sky News: Im deeply worried about the risk of escalation of the nature of their dispute, to remove whats known as the derogations, the measures they put in place to protect those areas of care.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: The warning of rolling strikes between now and Christmas must act as a wake-up call.

Conservative ministers need to urgently get round the negotiating table and find a solution instead of sitting on the sidelines.

Patients should not have to pay the price for this Conservative governments failure through yet more cancelled operations and delays to treatment.

Coordinated Strikes?

There are also fears that nurses and doctors may go on strike at the same time.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has urged the government to engage in talks over junior doctors demands for pay restoration to 2008 levels. Ministers have claimed that would amount to a 35 percent pay rise.

Cullen said on Sunday that there are no plans in place to co-ordinate strikes with doctors but did not rule out taking action at the same time as junior doctors.

The RCN leader told the BBC: We have no plans in place to co-ordinate strikes but if the Government continues to allow doctors and nurses to spend their time on picket lines and not in their places of work, in their hospitals and communities then of course the impact of those strikes whether co-ordinated or not will be felt by our patients.

Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said that any strike coordination between nurses and junior doctors would be a significant escalation.

Its very difficult to see how either of those things wouldnt endanger patient safety and dignity, he told Sky News.

Lily Zhou and PA Media contributed to this report.
US, Japan, South Korea Meet to Discuss Holding Periodic Missile Defense Drills

A test launch of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-18 at an undisclosed location in this still image of a photo used in a video released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 14, 2023. (KCNA via Reuters TV)

The United States, Japan, and South Korea convened a meeting in Washington on Friday about security on the Korean peninsula and discussed the regularization of defense exercises to respond to and deter North Koreas nuclear and missile threats, according to a joint statement.

Representatives from the three countries at the meeting, called the 13th Defense Trilateral Talks, discussed how to deepen cooperation against the North Korean threat, urged the North to stop all destabilizing activities, and called for it to return to negotiations.

The three countries reaffirmed that a DPRK nuclear test, if conducted, would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community, the statement said, using North Koreas official name.

It follows North Koreas announcement on Friday that it had tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, a development set to radically promote its forces, which experts said would facilitate missile launches with little warning.

South Koreas military said it fired warning shots on Saturday to repel a North Korean patrol vessel that temporarily crossed the countries disputed western sea boundary while chasing a Chinese fishing boat.

The North Korean patrol boat crossed the so-called Northern Limit Line at around 11 a.m. while pursuing the Chinese boat in waters near South Koreas Baekryeong island but immediately retreated after a South Korean naval vessel fired warning shots, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

South Korean Navys patrol ships search for survivors from a sunken South Korean navy ship near South Koreas Baekryeong island, on March 29, 2010. (Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo)

The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct another large-scale joint exercise next week involving some 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets. Seouls Defense Ministry said the aerial drills, which will begin Monday and continue through April 28, are aimed at sharpening combined operational abilities and demonstrating the allies joint defense posture in the face of a North Korean threat.

Missile sirens gave a jolt to residents in Japans northern island of Hokkaido Thursday morning.

People were told to seek immediate shelter after North Korea fired what appeared to be a new model of a ballistic missile.

The rare missile alert caused a lockup in train schedules, but the evacuation warning was later lifted after the missile was confirmed to have fallen outside Japanese territory.

Japan is holding the G7 meeting this week, and top diplomats from Europe and North America were arriving Sunday in the country to discuss, among other topics, ways to end Russias war in Ukraine, how to confront Chinas aggression toward Taiwan, and how to draw North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C), accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (R), holds up his boarding card as he is greeted by Japans Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (L), as he boards a train at Tokyo Station in Tokyo on April 16, 2023, to travel to Karuizawa, Japan for a G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting. (Andrew Harnik, Pool/AP Photo)

But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about U.S. intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
When we judge others merit by their fashion, rank, or wealth, rather than by their morality, we become vulgar. Morality and purity of heart prove our worth, not status or fashion.

In his short story, Going to the Springs, T. S. Arthur shows that morality is far superior to rank, riches, and fashions. He shows that, when some of the Ludlow women value fashion, rank, and wealth above anything else, they lose everything that is worth having.

The Ludlow familyMr. and Mrs. Ludlow, and their daughters Emily, Adeline, and Florenceis a wealthy merchant family whose summer tradition is to visit Saratoga Springs, New York. However, Emily announces to her Uncle Joseph that they will not visit Saratoga this summer, since the springs have become so unpleasant, with an increasing number of vulgar people. Emily, Adeline, and Mrs. Ludlow wish to go to London instead; it is, of course, far more fashionable.

Puzzled, Uncle Joseph asks what Emily means by vulgar people. She responds: Why, I mean merchants, shopkeepers, and tradesmen, with their wives and daughters, all mixed up together, into a kind of hodge-podge.

However, their father disappoints them by stating that they will not be able to make any summer trip at all this year. His business has suffered, and so they cannot afford a trip.

Unhidden Shame

In a fit of anger and embarrassment, the Ludlow women shut their windows and doors and hide in the back of the house. They do not want anyone to know that they are not traveling and hope to escape the terrible penalty of losing caste for not conforming to an indispensable rule of high life. Only vulgar people do not travel for summer.

While hiding their imagined shame, a very respectable young friend, Mr. Armand (who admires Emily) visits. Hearing that the Ludlow women are alone for the summer, he desires to give them company.

When Mr. Armand arrives, he rings the bell for a quarter of an hour, but no one answers the door. Such a fashionable friend must not know that they cannot afford to travel.

When Mr. Armand understands why the Ludlow women, specifically Emily, did not answer the door, he realizes that Emily is a slave to fashion and observances and that such an outlook indicates a weakness of mind. Not admiring such vulgar manners and morals, he leaves for better company.

In this story, Arthur shows us that, when we constantly pursue trends, rank, and wealth, we lose that purity of heart that truly measures ones worth. As G.K. Chesterton says: The vulgar man is always the most distinguished, for the very desire to be distinguished is vulgar.

When we rate the vulgarities of others, we degrade ourselves to a vulgarity that pushes true friends away. When our morals and manners are vulgar, everything else about ourselves loses its beauty and importance. Only through purity of heart can we truly become beautiful.

Rather than judging others by wealth, status, or fashion, we must look to their morality. A pure heart, good manners, and strong morality are of the highest fashion and make us richer and raise us higher than ever before.
13 killed after bus falls into gorge on old Mumbai-Pune highway





MUMBAI :

THIRTEEN persons, including five minors, were killed and 29 injured after a bus carrying young male and female members of a traditional DholTasha-Zaanj music troupe fell into a gorge on the old Mumbai-Pune highway in Raigad district of Maharashtra in the early hours of Saturday, police said. The private bus with 42 persons on board was going from Pune to Mumbai when it plunged into the 300- feet deep gorge in the Bor Ghat mountain pass section, better known as Khandala Ghat, between 4.15 and 4.30 am, said a senior police official. The accident took place near Khopoli, 70 km from Mumbai. The deceased included a 12- year-old boy. Among injured, at least six are minors. Most of the music troupe members were in their twenties or teens. The group, which played traditional instruments of Dhol, Tasha and Zaanj, was returning to Mumbai after taking part in an event in Pimpri Chinchwad township near Pune city

Expressing grief over the incident,Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs five lakh to the kin of each deceased. Union Home Minister Amit Shahexpressedgriefoverthe accident. He also spoke to CM Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modiand President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief overthe tragedy. Pained by the mishap in Raigad, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones, thePMOquotedModiassaying in a tweet. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fundwillbegiventothenext of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured, the @PMO India quoted Modi as stating in another tweet. The bus was carrying 42 membersofBajiPrabhuZanj Pathak based in Mumbais Goregaon.Theywerereturning to Goregaon after taking part in an event in Pimpri ChinchwadareainPunedistrict.The bus, which had left the venue around 1 am on Saturday, fell into the gorge on the highway near Shingroba temple after its driverlostcontrol,thepolice official said, adding that 13 ofthem died in the incident, which left 29 others injured. Thedeceasedincludedthe bus driver, Hariratan Yadav (40). On learning about the incident, a team of the local police, volunteers of Yashwanti Hikers from Khopoliandsomepersonnel ofIRBcompanyrushedtothe spot and launched a rescue operation, the police said.

The injured were admitted to three hospitals -- the Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM)HospitalatKamothe in Navi Mumbai, a governmenthospitalinKhopoliand a private facility there, officials said.The deceased and the injured were from Goregaon and Sion in Mumbai and Virar in neighbouring Palghar district, Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP) Somnath Gharge said. In a tweet in Hindi, Union minister Shah said, TheroadaccidentinRaigad, Maharashtra is very sad. Talked to Chief Minister @mieknathshinde and Deputy Chief Minister @Dev_Fadnavis in this regard. The local administration is engaged in relief work. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery. CM Shinde visited the MGM Hospital in Navi Mumbai to enquire about the health of the injured. He also visited theaccidentsitelater.Ofthe injured persons, the condition of five is critical. I have instructedthedoctorstoprovide the best possible treatment to save their lives, he said. Deepak Sawant, who lost his 18-year-old daughter Jui in the accident, said he had spoken to her when she reached Pune for the event. While leaving for Pune, Juitoldmeshe will call mewhenshereachesthecity, which she did. That was my last conversation with my daughter, saidadistraught Sawant, who is employed as a security guard. Jui had just appeared for her Class 11 examination, he said.
Jack Teixeira, in shorts and a T-shirt, is arrested at his home by the FBI on Thursday, April 13, in Dighton, Massachusetts.

According to veterans of international secret services, there are only four reasons that motivate a person to steal intelligence data and pass it on to others: greed, blackmail, the pursuit of justice, and ego: the desire to win glory and impress others.

This last motive is the only one that seems to fit the case of Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old recruit for the Massachusetts Air National Guardsman who is accused of having leaked dozens  if not hundreds  of sensitive military documents. The leak  which may be the most serious since WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables in 2010  has caused friction between the United States and some of its allies, and the Pentagon is still trying to assess the scope of the damage. According to Teixeiras online followers, the 21-year-old leaked the Pentagon documents because he wanted to keep the group informed, and to impress them, and in this way, win them over.

Teixeiras acquaintances describe him as a quiet and relatively lonely boy, who was religious, passionate about military history and had an easier time making friends through video games and internet forums than in the classroom.

In the photos published of him, Teixeira appears as a slight, young man, still coming out of adolescence, who is proud in his uniform. They are very different images to the footage broadcast on TV last Thursday, when FBI agents in bulletproof vests surrounded his familys home and arrested him.

An undated picture shows Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the U.S. Air National Guard. SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE (via REUTERS)

Since he was in high school in Dighton, a town of just 8,000 inhabitants in southwestern Massachusetts, Teixeira knew he wanted to be a soldier, preferably in the National Guard, according to his classmates. In an interview with The Boston Globe, classmate John Powell described him as a quiet kid, who was a history buff, especially when it came to wars. Powell added that Teixeira was also picked on a lot. He just kept to himself; he would do his own thing. But it still happened, regardless. And I feel like he handled it well, he said.

Teixeiras interest in the military and firearms ran in his family. His stepfather was a member of the National Guard, and worked in the same unit  the 102nd Intelligence Wing  where the young man ended up being stationed. While his mother had worked with veteran-orientated nonprofit organizations before she opened a flower shop.

Teixeira finished high school in 2020, and almost immediately, joined the National Guard, where his was a cyber transport systems specialist. In other words, he was essentially an IT specialist in charge of ensuring that military communications, including cabling, were working as they should.

In order to fulfill this task, he would have had been authorized to access information considered top secret. The FBI argues that thanks to this role, Teixeira was able to obtain data that was theoretically reserved only for high command and higher levels of administration, such as reports to the Chiefs of Staff, maps with the positions of Ukrainian troops and details about the extent to which U.S. intelligence had succeeded in infiltrating the Russian military.

Meanwhile, Teixeira spent his spare time playing video games. He joined a social media channel to discuss tactics, where he met people with similar interests to his. Then, he opened a private channel on Discord  a platform popular among gamers  to talk about firearms, military history, wars in general and specifically the war in Ukraine; and to share jokes and memes.

The group was called Thug Shaker Central and was could only be accessed it invitation. Most members were aged between 20 and 30, and the vast majority were young men with the same hobbies as Teixeira. Some of the young users considered Teixeira  who was known by his online nickname O.G. which may stand for Original Gangster  as a kind of father figure and role model.

Everyone respected O.G, Vahki, a 17-year-old recent high school graduate, told the New York Times. He was the man, the myth. And he was the legend. Everyone respected this guy.

In the preliminary hearing on Friday, the FBI said Teixeira began to share confidential Pentagon documents with Thug Shaker Central in December. According to the affidavit, Teixeira initially transcribed the documents in his possession, but the following month, he began taking the documents home, photographing them and sharing the images with the Discord group. According to the FBI, who spoke with one of the chats members last Monday, Teixeira took the material home because he had become concerned that he may be discovered making the transcriptions of text in the workplace. Other members of the group told U.S. media that Teixeira felt that his followers were no longer paying enough attention to him.

The young soldier had made the members of the group swear that the information he provided would not leave the group. One member told The Washington Post that it was just about keeping kids informed about real-world issues.

In other serious leaks, the person who released the secret information had a moral reason for doing so: Chelsea Manning turned over nearly 700,000 confidential documents to WikiLeaks in protest of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; while Edward Snowden leaked classified information from the National Security Agency to warn the public about global surveillance programs. Teixeira, according to his friends, was not motivated by any kind of idealism, nor was he intending to harm the country. He loved America but simply didnt feel confident in its future, the Post source said.

The Washington Post added that Teixeira also reportedly recorded himself making anti-Semitic and racist slurs before opening fire on a target.

The situation took a turn for the worst in February, when one of the Discord group members copied several of the documents that Teixeira had shared and posted them in public groups on other social networks, where they began to attract more attention. Last week, the U.S. media published the first stories about the leaked files.

According to the FBI, as the attention grew, Teixeira looked up classified information on April 6 to determine to what extent investigators knew about the source of the leak. He also held a video call with members of the Discord group. According to the Globe, which quotes one of the participants, Teixeira told them: Im sorry, guys, I prayed every single day that this wouldnt happen. I prayed, and I prayed, and now its only up to God what happens next.

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3 killed in fighting between Sudan Army, paramilitary





KHARTOUM :

The Rapid Support Forces militia claimed that they seized the citys airport and completely controlled Khartoums Republican Palace, the seat of the countrys Presidency

A SUDANESE doctors group said at least three people were killedanddozensmoreinjured inclashesthatstartedSaturday between the countrys Army and powerful paramilitary. The fighting comes after months of escalating tensions betweenthegeneralsandyears of political unrest after an October 2021 military coup. In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Committee said two civilianswerekilledatthecountrys airport and another man was shot to death in the State of North Kordofan. The statement did not specify how the two people had died atthe airport,whichwas a flashpointin therecentviolence,withthetwo forces battling to control it.

Thegroupaddedthatdozens more were injured around the country, with some in unstable condition. The clashes began on Saturday morning, with both sides blaming the otherforinitiatingtheviolence. Fierce clashes erupted on SaturdayinthecapitalandelsewhereintheAfricannation,raising fears of a wider conflict in the chaos-stricken country. In Khartoum, the sound of heavy firing could be heard in a number of areas, including the city center and the neighborhood of Bahri.

Ina seriesof statements, the Rapid Support Forces militia accused the army of attacking its forces at one of its bases in southKhartoum.Theyclaimed they seized the citys airport and completely controlled KhartoumsRepublicanPalace, the seat of the countrys presidency. The group also said it seized an airport and air base inthenorthern city ofMerowe some 350 kilometers (215 miles)northwestofKhartoum.
Death sentence toPalatkar for killing fivemembers of his family





Special Correspondent :

AFTER convicting Vivek Palatkar for killing five members of his family, including his son, in Nandanvan area a fortnight ago, Additional Sessions Judge R S Pavaskar awarded capital punishment to him in a jam-packed courtroom, on Saturday. The judgement comes after hearing the arguments of Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Abhay Jikar, assisted by Adv Mohammad Ateeque, justifying that the case falls in the category of rarest of the rare for death penalty. Earlier, the court had given the opportunity to the defence to present the mitigating circumstances and pray for a lesser penalty. Vivek Gulab Palatkar (35), a resident of Navargaon village in Mauda tehsil, was arrested by the police from Ludhiana, Punjab after almost 15 days of the brutal killings. Palatkar had massacred BJP activist and his brother-in-law Kamlakar Motiram Pawankar (52), Kamlakars mother Meerabai (72), his own sister Archana (45), her daughter Vedanti (15) and his own son Krishna (4), in Pawankars house at Plot No. 26, Aaradhana Nagar, on June 11, 2018. The case was investigated by the then Police Inspector of Nandanvan Police Station Mukund Salunke while APP Jikar represented the State in the court. It may be mentioned that Palatkar had come to Pawankars house for an overnight halt. Kamlakar, Archana, Vedanti and Krishna were sleeping in the bedroom while Vivek was sleeping in the living room. Kamlakars daughter Mitali (5) and Viveks daughter Vaishnavi were also sleeping in the living room with Mirabai.

He committed the crime between 1 am and 3 am. He entered the bedroom when the victims were in deep slumber. He attacked them with sharp and heavy objects. Their heads were smashed three to four times. After hearing screams from the bedroom, Mirabai went to the bedroom to see what was happening. As Mirabai attempted to raise an alarm, Vivek hit her with a sharp object on her head. Her body was found lying in a pool of blood near the refrigerator in the kitchen. After committing the crime, the accused fled the spot by jumping the compound wall. Earlier, Palatkar was convicted by the Sessions Court for murdering his wife. He was acquitted by High Court in 2017. Kamlakar, whom Palatkar killed, had actually helped him with the case and also tried to rehabilitate him after his release from jail. Kamlakar had spent lakhs of rupees for the case to get Palatkar released and was also looking after his children when he was in jail. Palatkar had quit as security guard at a hotel in Sitabuldi area and wanted to start farming at his native place at Nuwargaon near Airoli in Nagpur rural. Kamlakar was demanding Rs five lakh from Palatkar towards the lawyers fees and expenses borne by him after he was arrested and jailed. Palatkar tried to mortgage his ancestral land in Airoli but could get a loan. He was angry with Kamlakar for transferring two acre land to his step-sister. Palatkars another sister had taken away substantial property from him earlier. Kamlakar had helped Palatkar get a job and helped him rent a house on Amravati road. However, Palatkar committed the heinous crime killing five members of the family, including his son.
FUKUSHIMA WASTEWATER





BY ROBERT RICHMOND :

Japan plans to dump treated, radioactively contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific but it could be used in other ways instead.

The worlds oceans are shared among all, providing over 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe, and a diversity of resources of economic, ecological and cultural value for present and future generations. Releasing radioactive contaminated water into the Pacific is an irreversible action with transboundary and transgenerational implications. As such, it should not be unilaterally undertaken by any country.

J APAN plans to dump treated, radioactively contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific but it could be used in other ways instead. When the earthquake and resulting tsunami hit Fukushima, Japan in 2011, it killed thousands and caused severe damage to a nuclear power plant, which required a constant flow of cooling water to prevent further catastrophe. Over the past 12 years, more than 1.3 million tonnes of radionuclide-contaminated water have been retained on-site. The Fukushima plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), with the approval of the Japanese Government and backing from the International Atomic Energy Agency, plans to begin releasing this water into the Pacific Ocean this year. But compelling data-backed reasons to examine alternative approaches to ocean dumping over the next 40-plus years have not been adequately explored. The apparent rush to treat, dilute and dump should be postponed until further due diligence can be performed, and alternative approaches seriously considered.

During a visit to the Fukushima site in February 2023, it was apparent that large amounts of concrete will need to be used to expand the seawall, stabilise large amounts of contaminated soil and fortify the ice barrier presently in place to reduce groundwater flow into the damaged reactors. Using the treated cooling water onsite to mix concrete that can be used to expand the seawall should be given more consideration if the water is truly safe, as it removes the issue of ocean release and would substantially reduce the volume of stored cooling water.

The present situation arose from a classic type II statistical error: accepting a false hypothesis (of safety of the nuclear power plant sitting, with inadequate safety measures). A more detailed set of analyses that includes problematic scenarios can help prevent another calamity. Claims of total safety are not supported by the available information. The worlds oceans are shared among all, providing over 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe, and a diversity of resources of economic, ecological and cultural value for present and future generations. Within the Pacific Islands in particular, the ocean is viewed as connecting, rather than separating, widely distributed populations. Releasing radioactive contaminated water into the Pacific is an irreversible action with transboundary and transgenerational implications. As such, it should not be unilaterally undertaken by any country. The Pacific Islands Forum has had the foresight to ask the relevant questions on how this activity could affect the lives and livelihoods of their peoples now and into the future. It has drawn on a panel of five independent experts to provide it with the critical information it needs to perform its due diligence. No one is questioning the integrity of Japanese or International Atomic Energy Agency scientists, but the belief that our oceans capacity to receive limitless quantities of pollutants without detrimental effects is demonstrably false. For example, tuna and other large ocean fish contain enough mercury from landbased sources to require people, especially pregnant women and young children, to limit their consumption. Tuna have also been found to transport radionuclides from Fukushima across the Pacific to California. Phytoplankton, microscopic organisms that float free in the ocean, can capture and accumulate a variety of radioactive elements found in the Fukushima cooling water, including tritium and carbon14. Phytoplankton is the base for all marine food webs.

When they are eaten, the contaminants would not be broken down, but stay in the cells of organisms, accumulating in a variety of invertebrates, fish, marine mammals and humans. Marine sediments can also be a repository for radionuclides, and provide a means of transfer to bottom-feeding organisms. The justification for dumping is primarily based on the chemistry of radionuclides and the modelling of concentrations and ocean circulation. But the assumptions that underpin this modelling may not be correct. It also largely ignores the biological uptake and accumulation in marine organisms and the associated concern of transfer to people eating affected seafood. Many of the 62-plus radionuclides present in the Fukushima water have long periods over which they can cause harmful effects, called half-lives, of decades to millennia. For example, cesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years, and carbon-14, more than 5,700 years. Issues like this really do matter, as once radioactive materials enter the human body, including those that release relatively low-energy radiation (beta particles), they can cause damage and increase the risk of cancers, damage to cells, to the central nervous system and other health problems. The Fukushima nuclear disaster is not the first such event, and undoubtedly wont be the last. The challenge of cleaning-up, treating and containing contaminated cooling water is also an opportunity to find and implement safer and more sensible options and setting a better precedent to deal with future catastrophes.

The Pacific region and its people have already suffered from the devastation causedby United States, Britishand French nuclear testingprogrammes. Documented problems haveled to international agreementsto curtail such testing. In this case, the members of the Pacific Islands Forum arekey stakeholders that are finding a unified voice against theplanned dumping of radionuclides and other pollutants intothe ocean that surrounds theirhomes and holds their childrens futures. The worlds oceans are introuble and experiencingmounting stress from humaninduced impacts tied to global climate change, overfishingand pollution, with consequential cumulative effects onliving resources and the people who depend on them. Pollution, particularly fromland-based sources, is one ofthe greatest threats to oceanresource sustainability andassociated elements of humanhealth. Instead of dumping thiswater now, a more deliberativeand prudent approach wouldadhere to the precautionaryprinciple  that if we are not sure no harm will be caused, then we should not proceed. Respect for the health of ourshared ocean and the wellbeing of the people of Japanand the Pacific region requiressound scientific practices, amore careful consideration of the alternative more data, deliberation, and a more comprehensive Radiological Environmental Impact Assessment. It is hoped thecommitment made during therecent meetings in Japan topursue further open discussions and informationexchanges among the PacificIsland Forum expert panel andJapanese and IAEA scientistswill result in a consensus onthe best way forward, and provide the best available scienceto guide decision makers intheir critical deliberations. (PTI/AP/360 info)
ON THE BRINK





DELHI Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Mr. Arvind Kejriwal is on the brink of his political career, after having been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to interrogate him on the infamous Delhi excise scandal. Two of his ministerial colleagues -- Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodiya and Minister Satyendar Jain are already in prison in the same case, and are facing serious charges. Mr. Kejriwal will be the third in the line to be quizzed by the investigators. The travesty is that the AAP which rode to power on the plank of honesty and transparency now finds its top bosses in the dock on suspicion on those very counts. The investigators are said to have collected unassailable evidence of fraud and favouritism against at least Manish Sisodiya and Satyendar Jain. It is suspected that the name of Mr. Arvind Kejriwal figures on several pages in the documents collected or prepared by the CBI -- seconded by sound proofs of Mr. Kejriwals involvement in the excise scandal. The Aam Aadmi Party, of course, has refuted all the charges as fictitious and malicious and has accused the CBI of playing into the hands of the Central Government headed by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. It has claimed that the Centre was penalising Mr. Kejriwal because he named Prime Minister Mr. Modi as having invested in the Adani enterprises on the sly. The AAP has said that this charge by Mr. Kejriwal on the floor of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has prompted the Centre to summon the Delhi Chief Minister. On its part, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), too, has rubbished the charge of political vendetta and has asked several counter questions to Mr. Kejriwal go answer. The crux of those questions is clear. If the AAP Government claimed that the new liquor policy of Delhi Government was flawless, why was it cancelled subsequently? To such questions, Mr. Kejriwal or the AAP seem to have no proper answers to offer.

This has put the AAP chief in a tight situation. No matter the advertising hype created by the AAP on the performance of Delhi Government, several serious allegations have surfaced in the past some years about financial bunglings and frauds and favouritism of the Kejriwal Government. Most of its claims of good performance, too, have been challenged by people. One of the tallest claims was about the great way the Kejriwal Government handled its school education system. Subsequent evidence has surfaced on several counts proving that the claim about having taken the school education system, to a higher and newer level are hollow. Similar is the story of the Delhi Governments handling of the public health system. On that count, too, serious charges of non-performance on account of corruption have surfaced in the past few years -- with no effective answers from the Kejriwal Government. As Mr. Kejriwal faces the CBI interrogation, he will be actually fighting with his back to the wall, expecting to turn the tables in his favour. Yet, most political observers feel strongly that the AAP founder is going to find it extremely tough to respond to the pointed questions not just by the investigators but also by the common public on several counts in general and the fraudulent excise policy in particular. It is obvious, Mr. Kejriwals political career has got pushed into a tight spot emerging from which may be very hard.

 The worlds oceans are shared among all, providing over 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe, and a diversity of resources of economic, ecological and cultural value for present and future generations. Releasing radioactive contaminated water into the Pacific is an irreversible action with transboundary and transgenerational implications. As such, it should not be unilaterally undertaken by any country.

GOOD FEELING

T HE feeling is truly delicious that Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar had a ride on a Made In India train in Mozambique. In the years to come, such news will be read every now and then as India will expand its manufacturing footprint under the Atmanirbhar Bharat concept and share its success with the world. Now also, many India-made weapons, aircraft, ships, industrial machines and services are being used in different countries of the world in ever-increasing numbers. The quality of this feeling is difficult to be captured in words. Of course, it is not only now that industry is spreading beyond Indian shores. For decades on end, pioneering industrial enterprises were sharing with the world their products and services of high quality. But it is only now that all those are getting prominence in public consideration, thanks to the Governments special and specific efforts to let the common people know the actual worth of their country and its prowess. What the early pioneers of Indian industry did those many decades ago , however, is not know in much detail to the Indian public.

Nevertheless, those people made heroic efforts to promote and project the Indian industrial prowess within their limited means. Even when other advanced countries were dominating the global industrial scene, many Indian enterprises were marked for their excellence and their proficiency -- in spite of the fact that they were hampered by the closed and mixed economy weighed down by Licence and Permit Raj, plus screw-driver technology that thrived on imported kits. Seen from this angle, the efforts of the early captains of Indian industry need to be appreciated wholeheartedly. However, what is happening now is an icing on the cake -- much needed for long. It is safe now to predict in the next few decades, Indian industry will be among the leaders in the world and every Indian will feel proud and happy about being an integral part of a great story being scripted.
Rs 16,000 crore from CRF forRoBs in Maharashtra: Gadkari





 By Chandana Roy :

YOU are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter. - Swami Vivekanand

Swami Vivekanand mainly called upon the youths to rise, but he has been an inspiration to not just the youth, but for everyone. If people just look within, connect with their own spirit first, find their own divinity, they will be blessed with the spirituality and divinity they seek, said Swami Brahmasthananda, the 80-year-old spiritual head of Ramkrishna Math, Nagpur. In conversation with The Hitavada, Swami ji said, People suffer because they have become more materialistic, and have lost connect with their spirit. Enjoyment and materialism is not the aim of human life. The purpose in life should be to do good, to be good. One should think what they can do for their family, society, city, nation, he added. Selfishness creates pain and leads to greed, jealousy and eventually other vices. One should always aim to help others and be kind.

This is the only way, youth can help themselves and the nation, he advised. Swami Brahmasthananda joined Ramkrishna Math at Nagpur in 1971 and he was ordained into Sanyas in 1982. He worked in different capacities in Nagpur, Hyderabad and other places. He has been the President of Ramkrishna Math, Nagpur since 1996. Quoting Swami Vivekanand, he said, An atheist is he who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that an atheist is he who did not believe in God. The new religion says that an atheist is he who does not believe in himself. The history of the world is the history ofafew men who had faith in themselves. That faith calls out the divinity within. You can do anything. Swami Brahmasthananda said, Even misguided youths are transformed when they find a spiritual guide who can help them connect with their own divine self. Their thought, behaviour, work, attitude changes, and they are able to uplift themselves and the society. There are several examples of men who have worked for the nation after being inspired by Swami Vivekanand. When Swamiji met Jamsetji Tata on a ship in 1893, he asked him to work for the nation, and it transpired a positive change. Todays youth will be able to understand spirituality if they imbibe these thoughts from their parents, in their school.

Todays youth has forgotten our spiritual leaders, our Sants, and Mahatmas. They spend 25 years of their lives to complete their education and build careers. They dont have time for spirituality, to seek the Truth. They are more inspired by filmdom and the latest trends on their mobile. They are influenced by fake and hollow things, and have no connect with their own spirit. Only when they are curious, truthful, unselfish will they find their divinity, he said. Swami Vivekanand always had faith in the youth. He said, My faith is in the younger generation, the modern generation. They will work out the whole problem, like Lions. The universal religion is one of humanity, sacrifice. It is not for one community, caste, but it is for all humans. The whole universe is filled with Chaitanya, the pure consciousness -- We do not realise this. Whatever we see around us are just physical objects, but in every heart, the atma (the divine) resides, and this atma is part of the parmatma (God). We are beautiful beings of light and we are here to help each other, concluded Swami Brahmasthananda with angelic smile.
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WATERBURY  Four men are facing federal narcotics charges for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine across the city, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut.

Gawayne Fisher, 47, of Waterbury; Terry Collins, 51, of Bristol; David Hing, 57, of Waterbury; and Derrick Pruden, 53, of Waterbury; were arrested on Thursday following a nine-month drug trafficking investigation, the office said in a press release.

Prosecutors allege Fisher received heroin and fentanyl from Collins as well as narcotics from other suppliers. He then distributed the narcotics to various drug sellers, including Hing and Pruden.

The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that Fisher used a West Main Street apartment to store narcotics and Collins used a Yale Street residence as a heroin mill to process and package drugs for distribution, officials said.

On Thursday, officials with the DEA, FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Waterbury, Naugatuck, Bristol and East Haven police departments raided both locations. They recovered a total of 16 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms of fentanyl, an estimated 200,000 individual glassine bags containing a substance that field tested positive as fentanyl, drug processing equipment and $150,000 in cash.

As fentanyl addiction continues to cause so much misery in our state and around the country, we are determined to interrupt the flow of this deadly drug, seize drug proceeds, and prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law, said U.S. Attorney Avery.

It is alleged that these defendants flooded the Waterbury area with fentanyl and other drugs, and yesterdays seizures represent one of the largest we have seen in Connecticut to date, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a statement. I thank the DEA, Waterbury Police and our many partner law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation for their tireless efforts in taking these drugs off the street. Their work is saving lives.

Officials said Fisher, Collins Hing and Pruden all appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Garcia in New Haven after their arrests. Fisher, Hing and Pruder were ordered detained, but Collins was released on a $100,000 bond.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo hailed the arrests as the culmination of a successful multi-agency investigation.

Our partnership with the DEA and the U.S. Attorneys Office continues to thwart drug trafficking in Waterbury, Spagnolo said. We look forward to continuing this important work with our federal partners to remove these drugs, and those involved in distributing it, from our community.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com; Twitter @RichChumney.
NORWALK  Police are investigating a shooting in South Norwalk that left one person injured late Friday night.

Officers responded around 11:50 p.m. to the area of 30 Day St. after 911 dispatchers received multiple calls reporting the sound of gunfire, according to Norwalk Deputy Police Chief Terrence Blake.

Shortly after police arrived at the scene, dispatchers were notified that a man suffering from a gunshot wound had arrived at Norwalk Hospital, Blake said.

No arrests have been reported in connection with the shooting. Blake said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com; Twitter @RichChumney.
Scott Marion/The Intelligencer

BLOOMINGTON  The black vulture population has increased in Illinois in recent years, particularly in the southern portion of the state. These birds often prey on young livestock, causing injury and sometimes death, creating major financial losses for some livestock farmers.



Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) has renewed the statewide depredation permit for black vultures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). IFB continues to work with USDA Wildlife Services to issue federal sub-permits to livestock farmers who are experiencing issues with black vultures on their land.

According to a press release, IFB will also continue to work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to secure the necessary state permits for farmers seeking approval.



In an effort to streamline the process and reduce application costs, Illinois Farm Bureau will hold the federal depredation permit for livestock farmers facing problems resulting from black vultures, said IFB President Richard Guebert. This process will also help farmers quickly receive a state permit from IDNR. We are hopeful that this effort will help reduce conflict between the black vulture population and livestock production.
CARLINVILLE  A Shipman man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with a fatal October 2020 crash in Macoupin County.

On Friday, Macoupin County State's Attorney Jordan Garrison announced that Erik T. Cheek, 42, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for the Oct. 3, 2020, traffic crash that resulted in the death of Darryl Allen, 72, of Plainview.

Cheek entered a guilty plea to one count of failure to report an accident involving a death, a Class1 felony, before Judge Joshua A. Meyer, who approved and handed down the sentence.

On Oct. 3, 2020, Allen and his wife, Debbie, were driving on Shipman Road in rural Macoupin County when Cheek's F-150 truck crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision.

Deputies arrived at the scene of the crash to find the Allens still in their vehicle and the F-150 unoccupied.

Witnesses described a white male matching Cheek's description fleeing from the truck after the crash. An investigation showed the truck was a vehicle commonly driven by Cheek and that his cell phone was in it.

Cheek was found walking along railroad tracks about five miles away from the scene of the accident.

The Allens were transported for medical attention. Darryl Allen died Oct. 15, 2020, due to complications from the crash.

Born in Alton, Allen was an artist, blacksmith and horseshoe pitcher who was shot in the neck while serving with the 101 Airborne Division Screaming Eagles during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge (Expert Rifle) for his service.

"Mr. Allen was a great man." Garrison said. "He was a father. a brother. and a war hero who did not deserve to have his life ended by a cowardly act."

"I thank Sheriff (Shawn) Kahl and the Macoupin County Sheriffs Office, including Det. Lt. Ryan Dixon, Deputy Todd Page, Deputy Jacob Zimmer and former Sgt. Larry Rayburn, for their efforts in tracking down Mr. Cheek and bringing him to justice," Garrison said.
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Senate has passed two bills that would work to further decriminalize cannabis use in the state.

The bills  Senate Bill 125 and Senate Bill 1886  would prevent an individuals vehicle from being searched solely based on the smell of cannabis and would allow some individuals on probation to consume cannabis or alcohol.

When Illinois legalized cannabis in 2020, it also made individuals previously charged with minor cannabis offenses eligible to have their records expunged. At the end of 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced 492,129 cannabis-related convictions had been expunged and 9,219 people with low-level cannabis convictions had been pardoned.

It was incredibly important as we were looking to legalize this product that has clearly demonized so many communities, Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, said of the legalization law at a Tuesday news conference.

Both bills will still need approval in the House and a signature from the governor to become law.

SB 125 would ensure that the smell of burnt or raw cannabis in a motor vehicle cannot alone be probable cause for an individuals vehicle to be searched.

People  especially people of color  are unnecessarily pulled over far too often, Sen. Rachel Ventura, a Democrat from Joliet and lead sponsor on the bill, said of the legislation during floor debate. The odor of cannabis alone shouldnt be one of those reasons (for their car to be searched). Cannabis is legal in Illinois and its a pungent scent that can stick to clothes for extended periods of time.

An amendment to the bill created an age exemption, specifying that individuals under the age of 21 are still eligible to have their vehicle searched solely based on odor.

After that provision was added, the ACLU of Illinois shifted from supporting the bill to having a neutral stance on it.

We do have concerns that the amendment to the bill creates a workaround, or a loophole, that could have the effect of incentivizing police to target youth for unnecessary traffic stops or vehicle searches, Atticus Ballesteros, an attorney with ACLU of Illinois, said in an interview.

Ballesteros added that ACLU of Illinois originally supported the bill because there are many reasons why a vehicle may smell of cannabis.

And to us, that applies irrespective of age, Ballesteros said.

The measure passed 33-20 in the Senate and awaits action in the House.

SB 1886 would bar courts from preventing individuals from using cannabis or alcohol if theyre on probation, conditional discharge or supervision.

The bill has several exemptions, though, including if the person is sentenced to a crime that involved the presence of an intoxicating compound in the persons body.

Courts would also still be allowed to impose substance use restrictions if the person is under the age of 21 or if they are participating in problem-solving court, a system of courts designed to help people with mental health and substance abuse problems.

The measure passed with a 34-21 vote and will head to the House.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield on Tuesday.
In 2006, Melania Trump had just given birth to Barron, her son with Donald Trump, when her husband  who at that point was just a real estate mogul and TV personality  crossed paths with Stephanie Clifford, the porn star known as Stormy Daniels. This was 10 years before Trump won the 2016 presidential election  a victory that came shortly after Stormy Daniels was paid hush money to keep quiet about the alleged affair, in a case which has led to the first ever indictment of a U.S. president. Since the indictment, Melania Trump has become the elephant in the room. While the 52-year-old has always been considered reserved, she has dropped out of sight in the heat of the scandal  a word that may define her husband, but is the antithesis of the former models character.

On April 4, when Trump, 76, gave a speech from his Florida home Mar-a-Lago after being arraigned in New York, Melania Trump was not by his side. Nor was his daughter Ivanka Trump. And the former U.S. president did not mention his wife in the acknowledgements. Melania did follow him to New York for the arraignment, but she flew down hours after Trump had already left. Her absence is notable because up until now she used to go to Trumps rallies and had also been seen at a handful of public appearances, such as the funeral of her husbands ex-wife Ivana Trump, and the wedding of her daughter-in-law Tiffany Trump.

There has been little other trace of Melania, who has traditionally been tight-lipped with the press. Since leaving the White House, the former first lady has only given one interview, which took place in May 2022 with Fox News, a network close to her husband. Nor has she been very active on social media, despite having two Twitter profiles  a personal one and one from her office. But in the wake of the Stormy Daniels case, there has been a groundswell of public interest, which is perhaps why Melania Trump retweeted this message from her office last Tuesday: News organizations have made assumptions about the former First Ladys stance on subjects that are personal, professional, and political over the past few weeks. In these articles, unnamed sources are cited to bolster the authors claims.

It continued: We ask readers to exercise caution and good judgment when determining whether or not stories concerning the former First Lady are accurate, particularly when they fail to cite Mrs. Trump as a source of information. Faced with the latest Trump scandal, Melania has opted for hermetic silence.

A lot is likely to be happening at Mar-a-Lago, where Melania and Donald Trump have been living since leaving the White House. In addition to the Stormy Daniels case, the former president is also under federal investigation for keeping classified documents at his Florida home, as well as other criminal and civil probes. On March 30  just hours after the grand jury convened by the Manhattan district attorney voted to indict her husband  Melania Trump was hosting a dinner at the Mar-a-Lago estate. Donning a red dress, the former first lady was seen smiling and talking to guests at the event  an image Trump supporter and conservative media personality Gina Loudon was quick to share.

But other sources say the real drama is happening behind closed doors, although they are only able to provide vague details about what is already known: Melania is focused on 17-year-old Barrons education and the wellbeing of her parents, who also live in Palm Beach.

Not much can be gleaned from Melania Trumps social media accounts, which have never been very active. In the past few weeks, she has posted messages to celebrate Easter, encourage the use of technology among young people and mark International Womens Day. We are reminded that all women have unique gifts to share with the world, and we must lift each other up to achieve our collective goals and dreams, she tweeted. Just three posts in a month, and not one which alludes to the Stormy Daniels scandal, which has been hanging over her since it came to light in 2018.

What has been like for Melania and little Barron to live in the shadow of a man who has boasted of objectifying women? There is surely enough there for a very long novel, but the former first lady has stayed mute. In the age of overexposure, her silence has been deafening. The public instead has had to latch on to well-known moments, such as when the Slovenia-born model refused to hold Trumps hand. What else might happen if Trump, who is running in the Republican presidential primaries, is re-elected in 2024? Will the couple still be together by then? It was predicted that the two would break up when Trump left the White House, but this has not happened, at least not officially.

Donald and Melania Trump, at Ivana Trump's funeral in New York on July 20, 2022. James Devaney (GC Images)

While Gina Louden gushed about Melania and Donald Trumps happiness, there are other versions of the couples life in Mar-a-Lago. People magazine spoke to a source who said the former first lady is angry and doesnt want to hear any mention of the Stormy Daniels case. They added that Melania Trump has a limited group of friends and has little social life outside of family. Melanias friends are her family members, the source told People. Barron has always been a first priority in [Melanias] life. Of course she is worried and concerned about the legal issues but she has not done anything more to protect Barron now than she ever did.

Melania is leading her own life, and still feels happy being at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by people who love her and who never talk about reality, or bad things about her husband, another source added.

In addition to Stormy Daniels, Trump is also accused of paying hush money to a Playboy model named Karen McDougal to keep quiet about an alleged affair and to a Trump Tower doorman after he claimed the former president had a child out of wedlock. The three payments  $130,000 to Daniels, $150,000 to McDougal and $30,000 to the doorman  are listed in the 34 counts of falsifying business records that Trump has been charged with. Meanwhile, Melania is trying to keep a low profile as her husband faces renewed scandal over allegations, first filed in 2019, that he raped a well-known columnist in the mid-1990s.

Melania Trumps smile is perhaps harder to decipher than the Mona Lisas. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked about this on the same day the indictment broke. For the first time in seven years, Melania is smiling at Mar-a-Lago, he said on the show. Other news outlets, however, have a different view of the situation. Melania Trump is strong. She is focused on her family and supports her husband, as she always has, one source told The Daily Mail.

Melania Trump, for her part, is staying as silent  an attitude captured in the NFT portraits for sale on her website. For $150, customers can own a design of Melania Trumps inscrutable smile.

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EDWARDSVILLE  An Alton man was sentenced to 58 years in prison for the fatal 2020 shooting of a Madison man.

Charlton K. Merchant, 30, was sentenced Friday in a hearing before Circuit Judge Kyle Napp.

Merchant was found guilty of first-degree murder in the Oct. 11, 2020, shooting death of Terence J. Hicks in Alton during a dispute.

Merchant received a 55-year sentence for first-degree murder and another three-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a weapon. He will be required to serve the sentences consecutively, or back-to-back.

Police officers on patrol in the downtown area heard the gunshot and arrived almost immediately, finding Hicks.

Merchant claimed that he fired in self-defense at Hicks, who was 34 and a resident of Madison.

At Fridays sentencing hearing, Assistant States Attorney Mary Pat Carl asked Napp to consider that Merchant had been bragging on social media about having a gun and posting photographs of the weapon.

She also noted that he had been to prison before, for a sexual assault in 2008.

This crime was senseless, Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine said. It caused much sorrow and grief for the family of T.J. Hicks, and it alarmed our community.

"Hopefully, this sentence brings a measure of closure for the family, and gives citizens confidence that the justice system in Madison County is dedicated to keeping our neighborhoods and our downtown areas safe.

In announcing the sentence, Napp said she found it tragic that Merchant grew up in the Department of Corrections and will probably die in the Department of Corrections.

Haine commended the work of Carl, Assistant States Attorney Phillip Voss and Alton Police Department.

The meticulous and thorough work of police and prosecutors proved that this perpetrator had no reason to shoot T.J. Hicks, Haine said.
EDWARDSVILLE  On Jan. 3, 2022, Brandon A. Reames was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles (auto theft or possession of a stolen auto) and theft over $300.

It was the first felony charge filed in 2022 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Approximately 362 days later, Adam C. Orscheln was charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest.

It was the last case filed in 2022.

Reames case was combined with three other outstanding felony cases from 2021, and the last note in his file was a continuance granted March 6.

Orscheln was found guilty of the aggravated battery charge Jan. 13, 2023, and was sentenced to 18 months probation. The other charge was dropped.

In between, a total of 3,261 cases were filed, and 4,451 were prosecuted.

The States Attorneys Office released its annual report April 10, highlighting the record-breaking number of cases prosecuted, as well as a significant reduction in vehicle thefts in the county at a time when that particular crime appears to be skyrocketing.

It is an honor to serve as states attorney, and work with so many incredible professionals every day, Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine said in a written statement. These are public servants, dedicated to fighting for victims and supporting the rule of law.

"Im grateful that the Madison County Board, and the citizens of Madison County, view public safety a top priority, and support the efforts of this office. My pledge is that the States Attorneys Office will continue to work hard to earn their confidence and support as we fight for a safer community for everyone in the years ahead, Haine said.

Progress shown

Haine also said authorities are making inroads into the backlog of cases that developed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019 the States Attorneys Office prosecuted 4,066 cases. In 2020 that number was reduced to 2,354. It increased to 4,320 in 2021.

At the end of 2021 there were 5,694 open felony cases because of the near complete shutdown of the court system during the COVID pandemic. At the end of 2022 the number of cases was 4,749, a decrease of almost 1,000.

Were very proud of that, Haine said. The last two years each one has set a new record in cases prosecuted.

However, he noted that they havent gotten there yet.

He noted that the court system was basically shut down for about a year, then slowly ramped up. Another factor in the backlog was that as part of the pandemic response, the speedy trial standards were not applied, pushing some cases farther back.

Were very quickly working ourselves out of this hole, he said.

Drugs involved, fleeing spikes

According to the state's attorney, methamphetamine- and drug-related crimes account for one-quarter of felony cases in Madison County.

Of the more than 3,200 cases filed in 2022, 560, or approximately one-in-six, is methamphetamine related.

Others include 317 for possession of a controlled substance, 200 theft over $300, 165 vehicle theft, 163 theft under $300, 136 burglary, 125 aggravated fleeing police, 111 felon possessing weapons and 109 aggravated domestic battery.

Haine noted a troubling increase in the number of aggravated fleeing cases, which has been in the top 10 of felony charges for the past three years.

Thats a big problem, because it puts everybody in danger, he said, noting one case that involved a police officers death because of a fleeing suspect.

Caleb L. Campbell, of Florissant, Missouri, was found guilty in December of first-degree murder in the death of Brooklyn police officer Brian Pierce Jr. in August 2021. In January he was sentenced to life in prison.

Campbell was found guilty of fatally striking Pierce on the McKinley Bridge while fleeing from police. According to evidence presented at the trial, Campbell was driving a Dodge Charger at speeds up to 98 miles per hour and attempting to elude police when he struck Pierce, who was standing on the bridge after deploying a spike strip across the roadway.

During the trial, a Venice police officer testified that one-third of their traffic stops result in suspects attempting to flee.

I do think the fleeing is fleeing in one particular direction, Haine said, referring to Missouri. I do believe that has an impact. One positive is that criminals dont want to be prosecuted in Madison County.

Related to that, Haine said the Cross-Rivers Task Force, created in 2021 because of large numbers of criminals coming from Missouri, committing crimes and then going back across the river, is having an impact.

Were continuing to work hard and be proactive, he said. I think were sending a message that these kinds of criminal activities are going to face stiff resistance.

In addition to the task force, he said the increased use of License Plate Reader cameras is making a difference.

Over the past few years there have been approximately 140 stationary LPR cameras put up in Madison County, and the sheriffs department is asking for a mobile LPR for use one of its vehicles.

Haine said that vehicle and officer would be attached to the Cross-River Task Force.

Lawsuits filed against state

The report also highlighted three separate lawsuits filed by the Madison County States Attorneys Office, or joined by that office, against the state.

The suits involved the SAFE-T Act, a months-long backlog of county jail inmates awaiting transfer to state facilities after being declared unfit to stand trial, and the alleged political gerrymandering of Madison Countys judiciary into geographic sub-circuits.

Regarding the ongoing suit against the SAFE-T Act, which is now before the Illinois Supreme Court, Haines was one of a number of states attorneys offices to file suit against the law, which the report said would upend the criminal justice system.

The biggest issue is the elimination of cash bail, according to Haine.

The case bail system has long been utilized to keep dangerous defendants off the streets and to ensure they show up for trial, the report stated. Eliminating cash bail will pose a threat to the public and to the victims of crime, and inevitably will result in delays in the prosecution of cases.

Despite the lawsuit, Haine said the office has been expending considerable time and resources to prepare for implementation of the act.

The office also filed suit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker over a chronic, months-long backlog of prisoner transfers from the county jail to the Illinois Department of Human Services after a person has been declared unfit to stand trial.

Since then that backlog has eased considerably, Haine reported.

His office also sued in response to the creation of judicial subcircuits in Madison County.

The suit ultimately failed after a request for the Illinois Supreme Court to review Madison Countys legal challenge to the legislation was denied in November.

Despite that, Haine said he was honored by the chance to challenge this law, and that the county fought the good fight in the lawsuit.

Ironically, although the creation of the subcircuits in Madison County was seen by many as a way of giving preferential treatment to Democratic candidates, Republicans swept three judicial races in November 2022.

Also in 2022, the offices Civil Division announced the county would receive an estimated $3.7 million as its share of a settlement against opioid distributors, to be paid through 2038. The money will be used to support opioid remediation programs.

Public involvement encouraged

Haine noted he appreciates citizen support for law enforcement and works for his office to be fair and aggressive.

If you see anything, report issues to the police, he said. Were just trying to let the citizens know what their hard-earned tax dollars are going for.

A copy of the report is available on the Madison County website, https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/, under States Attorneys Office press releases.
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Linkedin Dio Suhenda and Nur Janti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 16, 2023

At least one soldier was killed in the Papuan Highlands on Saturday during a clash with a rebel group holding a New Zealand national hostage, as the Indonesian Military (TNI) promised to thoroughly evaluate its rescue mission for the abducted pilot amid rising tensions in the region.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, TNI spokesperson Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono said First Pvt. Miftahul Arifin had died during a shootout on Saturday with the rebel group in Nduga regencys Mugi-Mam area. Miftahul was part of a group of soldiers scouring the remote, hilly area for the abducted pilot when gunmen opened fire.

According to Julius, Miftahul was shot after he fell into a 15-meter ravine, as other soldiers, who were trying to evacuate Miftahul, were reportedly stuck in the field and bombarded with bullets.

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Linkedin Dio Suhenda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, April 16, 2023

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Sunday named Bandung Mayor Yana Mulyana and two officials of the city administration as suspects in a bribery case centering on a botched procurement of the internet infrastructure for Bandung's smart city project.

Yana was arrested on Friday at his official residence in Bandung, West Java, while Bandung Transportation Agency head Dadang Darmawan and secretary Khairul Rijal were arrested in different locations that day.

KPK deputy chairman Nurul Ghufron told a press conference in the early hours on Sunday that Yana and his men were allegedly accepting bribes from executives of two private companies which provided internet services and CCTV cameras for the smart city program in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

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Linkedin Divya Karyza (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, April 15 2023

Indonesia is to receive a grant worth US$649 million from the United States to fund infrastructure development and small business projects across the country.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded negotiations to launch a $698 million fund, with $649 million coming from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and $49 million from Indonesia, to support the development of climate-conscious transportation infrastructure in five provinces and increase access to financing for women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

With this investment, we will have worked together on projects worth, in total, over $1 billion. The compact signed today will focus on sustainability and scalability, improving the countrys resilience against climate change and other external shocks while creating more opportunities for business owners to access the market capital, said Yellen, who is the vice chair of MCCs board of directors.

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Linkedin Deni Ghifari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 17 2023

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Indonesias economy, as they contribute more than 60 percent to the countrys GDP and employ well over 90 percent of the workforce.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic was so disruptive that many MSMEs needed to take extreme measures to pull through 2020 and 2021, including spending a notable amount of capital to secure the supplies necessary to cater to renewed demand as the market rebounded in 2022.

PT Intifood Sejahtera CEO Aditya Rumanda spoke to The Jakarta Posts Deni Ghifari on Friday about the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business, plans to start exporting and the challenge of getting into modern retail distribution channels.

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Linkedin Yerica Lai (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, April 17 2023

The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said its decision about whom it would forge an electoral alliance with would be made after the party matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri named its presidential candidate, a move analysts said would likely lead to the creation of another bloc.

The remark was made by PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto amid a plan by other major pro-government parties to build a grand coalition for the 2024 presidential election.

Any cooperation between PDI-P and other political parties will be carried out after the announcement of the presidential candidate by Megawati at the right moment, Hasto told The Jakarta Post on Saturday night.

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Abrdn Japan Equity Fund Inc (NYSE:JEQ  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a drop of 97.7% from the March 15th total of 4,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 19,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Abrdn Japan Equity Fund Trading Down 0.9 %

Abrdn Japan Equity Fund stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $5.43. The stock had a trading volume of 9,433 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,119. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $5.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5.43. Abrdn Japan Equity Fund has a twelve month low of $4.92 and a twelve month high of $6.70.

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Abrdn Japan Equity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 21st were paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Abrdn Japan Equity Fund

About Abrdn Japan Equity Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in Abrdn Japan Equity Fund in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $59,000. LPL Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Abrdn Japan Equity Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $85,000. Atlas Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Abrdn Japan Equity Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $177,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Abrdn Japan Equity Fund by 238.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 43,968 shares of the companys stock worth $220,000 after buying an additional 30,981 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Abrdn Japan Equity Fund by 17.0% in the 3rd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 100,172 shares of the companys stock worth $503,000 after buying an additional 14,533 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.89% of the companys stock.

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Abrdn Japan Equity Fund Inc is a close ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Japan. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It employs quantitative analysis to build its portfolio.

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British American Tobacco p.l.c. (OTCMKTS:BTAFF  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 151,400 shares, an increase of 448.6% from the March 15th total of 27,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 6,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 22.6 days.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

OTCMKTS BTAFF traded up $0.92 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $36.32. 4,817 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,306. The company has a 50 day moving average of $36.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.24. British American Tobacco has a 52-week low of $34.75 and a 52-week high of $45.65.

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About British American Tobacco

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British American Tobacco plc is a holding company, which engages in the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products. Its brands include Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, and Pall Mall. It operates through the following geographical segments: United States, Asia-Pacific and Middle East (APME), Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa (AMSSA), and Europe and North Africa (ENA).

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F.N.B. Co. (NYSE:FNB  Get Rating)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of F.N.B. in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, April 11th. Zacks Research analyst S. Shah now forecasts that the bank will post earnings per share of $0.39 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.38. The consensus estimate for F.N.B.s current full-year earnings is $1.61 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for F.N.B.s Q1 2024 earnings at $0.40 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.40 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $1.57 EPS.

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Several other research analysts have also issued reports on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on F.N.B. in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on F.N.B. from $16.00 to $14.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Raymond James decreased their price target on F.N.B. from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Stephens assumed coverage on F.N.B. in a report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an overweight rating and a $15.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, F.N.B. has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.83.

F.N.B. Stock Down 2.3 %

Shares of FNB opened at $11.25 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.30 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.88. F.N.B. has a 52 week low of $10.48 and a 52 week high of $14.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $12.91 and a 200-day moving average of $13.20.

F.N.B. (NYSE:FNB  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 24th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by $0.02. F.N.B. had a return on equity of 9.28% and a net margin of 27.30%. The firm had revenue of $488.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $396.26 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.30 EPS.

F.N.B. Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.27%. F.N.B.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.67%.

Insider Buying and Selling at F.N.B.

In other F.N.B. news, insider Gary L. Guerrieri sold 5,000 shares of F.N.B. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.61, for a total transaction of $73,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 89,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,304,921.37. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Gary L. Guerrieri sold 5,000 shares of F.N.B. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.61, for a total value of $73,050.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 89,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,304,921.37. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director William B. Campbell purchased 1,900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $13.49 per share, for a total transaction of $25,631.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 127,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,721,580.31. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On F.N.B.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FNB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in F.N.B. by 27.0% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,171,990 shares of the banks stock valued at $14,592,000 after acquiring an additional 248,892 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of F.N.B. by 49.7% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 151,346 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,884,000 after purchasing an additional 50,271 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its position in F.N.B. by 10.7% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 15,696 shares of the banks stock worth $195,000 after acquiring an additional 1,515 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in F.N.B. by 37.1% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 27,259 shares of the banks stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 7,373 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in F.N.B. by 3.9% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 47,930 shares of the banks stock worth $614,000 after acquiring an additional 1,783 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.07% of the companys stock.

About F.N.B.

(Get Rating)

F.N.B. Corp. is a financial holding company. It engages in the provision of financial services to consumers, corporations, governments, and small to medium-sized businesses. The firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, and Other. The Community Banking segment includes commercial and consumer banking services.

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By Junko Horiuchi, KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 17:32 | Feature, All, Japan, World, G7

As ministerial talks gear up ahead of the Group of Seven summit in May, Japan's ability to lead the discussions -- at least on the issue of climate change -- is facing doubts, as the resource-poor nation continues with fossil fuel use in ways critics say go against the global trend of transitioning to renewable energy.

After chairing the two-day meeting through Sunday on climate and energy issues in the northern city of Sapporo, Environment Minister Akihiro Nishimura claimed the talks were a success, saying that by laying out specific steps to address climate change, "We can demonstrate our strong determination that the G-7 will take the lead in global efforts."

But just as was the case at last year's G-7 talks hosted by Germany, Japan, which aims to use coal for most of the 2030s at least, was once again a factor behind the failure of the group to set a deadline for phasing out power plants fired by the polluting energy source.

In a communique released after the talks, the G-7 ministers retained language from last year's summit statement about the group's commitment to achieving a "fully or predominantly" decarbonized power sector by 2035, although some countries other than Japan have called for removing the word "predominantly."

"Japan's decarbonization policy is not aligned with global standards. It needs to introduce more renewable energy and at a higher speed," said Shigeo Kato, co-representative of the Japan Climate Initiative, a network of companies, local governments and nongovernmental organizations seeking more ambitious climate action.

"To that end, our country needs to aim for a quick exit from fossil fuels" including natural gas and oil, Kato said, stressing that the gap between Japan and the world in decarbonization efforts is expanding.

Japan, the world's fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gas, depended on coal for 31 percent of its electricity in fiscal 2021 and estimates the figure will be around 19 percent in fiscal 2030. Renewables accounted for 20 percent, and are expected to expand to around 36 to 38 percent by fiscal 2030.

As of 2021, four G-7 countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany and Italy -- had already derived more of their electricity from renewable energy sources than Japan's 2030 target calls for. France was generating more than 90 percent of its electricity from nuclear power and renewables in that year, according to the JCI.

Britain, Canada, Germany and the United States, the world's second largest emitter which President Joe Biden brought back to the Paris climate accord, are aiming for a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035, it said.

Facing the urgent need to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, the European Union has decided to lift its target for renewables to 45 percent of total energy consumption by 2030 from the previous goal of 40 percent.

Japan had previously been looking to Russia as part of its efforts to diversify its energy suppliers, but in the wake of the Ukraine war, it drew up in February this year a basic policy for green transformation that features the use of renewable energy and nuclear power.

But the so-called GX policy has been criticized by environmental experts for focusing too much on seeking investments in decarbonization technologies that are still at the testing stage, while also in some cases lacking clarity on the timing for implementation.

The Japanese government, meanwhile, aims to introduce carbon pricing, but the imposition of levies on importers of oil and natural gas would only formally start in fiscal 2028 and emissions trading from fiscal 2026 at the earliest, a schedule that experts say is too slow.

As the world strives to achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels under the Paris Agreement, Japan is among the many countries that have vowed to attain net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has also pledged to slash emissions by 46 percent in 2030 compared to 2013 levels.

But the GX policy has not laid out fresh numerical emission-cutting targets between 2030 and 2050, even as experts call for urgent efforts to curb global warming this decade.

Takejiro Sueyoshi, co-representative of JCI, said Japan is "at a crossroads" in terms of whether it can drastically expand the use of renewable energies, warning that Japanese companies would not be able to attract investments and would lose their international competitiveness if their commitments to renewables are insufficient.

"Already some have faced demands to increase the uptake of renewable energies to join new businesses or investments," Sueyoshi said.

For example, Apple Inc.'s clean energy drive in recent years has been pushing more Japanese companies to commit to 100 percent use of renewable energy in manufacturing items supplied to the tech giant.

Experts have also been wary that Japan continues to attach weight to the use of thermal power with fossil fuels on the grounds that there are measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as by burning hydrogen and its derivative ammonia with gas and coal at the plants.

Hydrogen is touted as a next-generation energy source which produces only water as an emission when used as fuel.

Japan's industry ministry says co-firing of ammonia and hydrogen with coal and gas is "more realistic" than the early phasing out of coal-fired power and replacing it with renewable energy, citing the lack of sufficient land space to install solar panels among other challenges.

But there are also doubts whether the burning of ammonia can be called a clean energy source. A 2022 report by research firm BloombergNEF said it can lead to emissions of other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, noting that its global warming potential is 273 times larger than that of CO2 on a 100-year timescale.

The G-7 ministers said in the communique on Sunday that hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia, could be "effective emission reduction tools to advance decarbonization across sectors and industries," but called for the need to avoid producing other pollutants when using it as a fuel, which may require further technological innovation.

"Retrofitting coal plants to burn ammonia is too expensive, especially with a high co-firing ratio. Japan would be better served accelerating the deployment of renewable energy to decarbonize its power sector," said Isshu Kikuma, Japan analyst at the firm and lead author of the report.

Another controversial issue in Japan's efforts to slash emissions is its reliance on nuclear power at a time when many people remain concerned about the use of the energy source following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster, triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami.

But Kanna Mitsuta, an environmental group member, said, "Nuclear power should not be pursued as a solution to climate change when considering the risks associated with it such as malfunctions, accidents and nuclear waste that needs to be stored for an extremely long time."

"Globally the cost of nuclear power generation continues to rise as additional safety measures are required to restart reactors as well as for maintenance and decommissioning," she said.

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G-7 fails to set date to end coal power, vows fossil fuel phase-out
Chorus Aviation (TSE:CHR  Get Rating) had its price objective lowered by CIBC from C$4.75 to C$4.50 in a report issued on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Scotiabank cut shares of Chorus Aviation from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and increased their price objective for the company from C$4.00 to C$4.40 in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. National Bankshares lowered their price objective on shares of Chorus Aviation from C$4.80 to C$4.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price objective on shares of Chorus Aviation from C$4.00 to C$3.25 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Cormark lowered their price objective on shares of Chorus Aviation from C$4.75 to C$4.25 in a research note on Friday, February 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chorus Aviation currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$4.41.

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Chorus Aviation Stock Performance

Shares of CHR opened at C$3.07 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$3.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$3.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 160.06. The company has a market capitalization of C$615.07 million, a PE ratio of 25.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 2.20. Chorus Aviation has a 52-week low of C$2.24 and a 52-week high of C$4.24.

About Chorus Aviation

Chorus Aviation ( TSE:CHR Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 15th. The company reported C$0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.11. The business had revenue of C$439.76 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$409.16 million. Chorus Aviation had a net margin of 3.06% and a return on equity of 5.30%. Equities research analysts predict that Chorus Aviation will post 0.4313725 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Chorus Aviation Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various aviation support services in the United States and Canada. The company operates through two segments, Regional Aviation Services and Regional Aircraft Leasing. The Regional Aviation Services segment includes all three sectors of the regional aviation, such as contract flying, including ACMI and charter operations; aircraft leasing; and maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as part sales and technical services.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating) by 0.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 475,045 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,108 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and accounts for 0.7% of State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Eli Lilly and were worth $173,790,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LLY. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Eli Lilly and by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,588,317 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,471,432,000 after buying an additional 996,990 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Eli Lilly and by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 33,582,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,858,892,000 after buying an additional 168,444 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Eli Lilly and by 21.6% in the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 24,839,322 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,048,338,000 after buying an additional 4,412,664 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Eli Lilly and by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,869,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,108,044,000 after buying an additional 83,299 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in Eli Lilly and by 54.8% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,311,713 shares of the companys stock valued at $948,375,000 after buying an additional 1,172,504 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.13% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.82, for a total value of $67,164,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,748,810 shares in the company, valued at $34,505,105,374.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.82, for a total value of $67,164,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,748,810 shares in the company, valued at $34,505,105,374.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Anne E. White sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.47, for a total value of $866,175.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 57,926 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,069,621.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 689,703 shares of company stock worth $237,930,004 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of LLY traded down $0.42 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $374.73. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,287,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,989,849. The firm has a market cap of $356.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.36. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $276.83 and a 1-year high of $384.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The company has a 50 day moving average of $336.53 and a two-hundred day moving average of $347.37.

Eli Lilly and (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $7.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.39 billion. Eli Lilly and had a return on equity of 73.61% and a net margin of 21.88%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.49 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Societe Generale lowered shares of Eli Lilly and from a hold rating to a sell rating and set a $278.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, February 15th. Guggenheim cut their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and from $370.00 to $360.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $382.84.

Eli Lilly and Profile

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Eli Lilly & Co engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of pharmaceutical products. The firms products consist of diabetes, oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and other products and therapies. The company was founded by Eli Lilly in May 1876 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating).

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Scotiabank upgraded shares of Realty Income (NYSE:O  Get Rating) from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have $69.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $72.25 to $71.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Realty Income from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Raymond James cut shares of Realty Income from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 9th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Realty Income from $69.00 to $66.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 9th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Realty Income in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. They set a neutral rating and a $72.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Realty Income has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.60.

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Realty Income Price Performance

O opened at $60.77 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $63.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 1.85. Realty Income has a 52 week low of $55.50 and a 52 week high of $75.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.14 billion, a PE ratio of 42.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.80.

Realty Income Dividend Announcement

Realty Income ( NYSE:O Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by ($0.62). Realty Income had a return on equity of 3.14% and a net margin of 26.00%. The business had revenue of $888.65 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $840.57 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.94 EPS. Realty Incomes revenue was up 29.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Realty Income will post 4.09 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a apr 23 dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 1st will be given a $0.255 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 28th. This represents a yield of 4.9%. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio is currently 215.49%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Realty Income

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Realty Income by 33.7% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,505 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,767,000 after buying an additional 6,433 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in Realty Income by 1.9% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 18,695 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,296,000 after buying an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Realty Income in the first quarter valued at $592,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Realty Income by 8.2% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 115,733 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $8,020,000 after purchasing an additional 8,803 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Realty Income by 5.6% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,334 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 1,671 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.56% of the companys stock.

Realty Income Company Profile

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Realty Income Corp. is a real estate company, which engages in generating dependable monthly cash dividends from a consistent and predictable level of cash flow from operations. The company was founded by William E. Clark, Jr. and Evelyn Joan Clark in 1969 and is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

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SAF-Holland SE (OTCMKTS:SFHLF  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 26,200 shares, a growth of 1,537.5% from the March 15th total of 1,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently  days.

SAF-Holland Stock Performance

OTCMKTS SFHLF remained flat at C$10.50 during trading on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$10.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$9.80. SAF-Holland has a 1 year low of C$6.28 and a 1 year high of C$10.86.

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About SAF-Holland

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SAF-HOLLAND SE engages in the manufacture and supply of systems and components for commercial, public, and recreational vehicles. It operates through the following segments: EMEA, Americas, and APAC/China. The EMEA segment includes manufacture and sale of axles and suspension systems for trailers and semi-trailers as well as fifth wheels for heavy trucks.

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China Construction Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CICHY  Get Rating) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 13,900 shares, a drop of 68.0% from the March 15th total of 43,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 129,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

China Construction Bank Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS CICHY traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $13.27. 18,534 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 50,905. China Construction Bank has a fifty-two week low of $10.31 and a fifty-two week high of $15.09. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.23.

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China Construction Bank Company Profile

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China Construction Bank Corporation provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, Treasury Business, and Others segments. The company accepts various deposits, such as foreign currency, all in one accounts, RMB, corporate term and notification, and corporate demand deposits, as well corporate deposits by agreement.

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Victoria Gold Corp. (OTCMKTS:VITFF  Get Rating) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 156,800 shares, a decline of 28.4% from the March 15th total of 219,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 76,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Victoria Gold Stock Down 4.5 %

OTCMKTS VITFF opened at $7.88 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $6.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.19. Victoria Gold has a fifty-two week low of $4.77 and a fifty-two week high of $11.84.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on VITFF. CIBC lifted their target price on Victoria Gold from C$10.00 to C$10.50 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Victoria Gold in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, HC Wainwright decreased their target price on shares of Victoria Gold from C$22.00 to C$21.00 in a research report on Friday, February 24th.

Victoria Gold Company Profile

Victoria Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, evaluation, and development of mineral properties. It project portfolio includes the Eagle Gold, Dublin Gulch, Eagle Extension, and Canalask. The company was founded on September 21, 1981 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) in a research note released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on PM. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. UBS Group raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $106.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. Jefferies Financial Group raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $86.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Societe Generale assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. They issued a sell rating and a $90.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $95.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.36.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM opened at $99.48 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $154.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.12, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $98.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.01. Philip Morris International has a 12 month low of $82.85 and a 12 month high of $109.81.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 9th. The company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.54 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.24% and a net margin of 11.22%. The firms revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.35 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International will post 6.31 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 23rd were paid a dividend of $1.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 22nd. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.11%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 87.44%.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In other news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total transaction of $786,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,588,020.35. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total transaction of $786,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,588,020.35. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 80,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $8,028,000.00. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 1,007,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at $101,057,266.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 117,064 shares of company stock valued at $11,738,763 over the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Philip Morris International

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Prentice Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 14.7% in the 1st quarter. Prentice Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,921 shares of the companys stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. Asset Management Corp IL ADV lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 17.8% in the 1st quarter. Asset Management Corp IL ADV now owns 8,946 shares of the companys stock worth $870,000 after acquiring an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 388,278 shares of the companys stock worth $37,760,000 after acquiring an additional 45,633 shares in the last quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services now owns 6,938 shares of the companys stock worth $675,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 58,476 shares of the companys stock worth $5,687,000 after acquiring an additional 3,283 shares in the last quarter. 75.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Philip Morris International

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Philip Morris International, Inc is a holding company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine-containing products. Its products include cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: European Union, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australia, and Americas.

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TFI International Inc. (NYSE:TFII  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 767,300 shares, a decline of 24.8% from the March 15th total of 1,020,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 232,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.3 days. Currently, 1.0% of the companys stock are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TFI International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of TFI International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $90,000. Distillate Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TFI International in the third quarter valued at $215,000. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of TFI International by 94.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 3,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $315,000 after buying an additional 1,600 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE raised its holdings in shares of TFI International by 1,700.8% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,376 shares of the companys stock valued at $466,000 after buying an additional 4,133 shares during the period. Finally, First Hawaiian Bank boosted its holdings in TFI International by 66.9% during the 4th quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 6,085 shares of the companys stock valued at $610,000 after acquiring an additional 2,440 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.31% of the companys stock.

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TFI International Trading Up 1.6 %

TFII stock traded up $1.89 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $117.50. 130,059 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 182,463. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $120.28 and a 200-day moving average of $108.23. TFI International has a 52-week low of $71.63 and a 52-week high of $128.93.

TFI International Announces Dividend

TFI International ( NYSE:TFII Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 6th. The company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.07 billion. TFI International had a return on equity of 30.98% and a net margin of 9.34%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.57 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that TFI International will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st will be given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 30th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. TFI Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.50%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Cowen increased their price target on shares of TFI International from $125.00 to $148.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on TFI International from $109.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on TFI International from $122.00 to $129.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of TFI International from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, TD Securities boosted their target price on shares of TFI International from C$175.00 to C$185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $143.60.

TFI International Company Profile

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TFI International, Inc engages in the provision of freight transportation and logistics services. It operates through the following segments: Package and Courier, Less-Than-Truckload, Truckload, and Logistics. The Package and Courier segment consists of pickup, transport, and delivery of items across North America.

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his leadership position and role as the African Union Anti-Corruption Champion to widely publish your asset declaration form as you conclude your term of office in May 2023 and to leave a legacy of transparency.

SERAP also urged him to encourage Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo ; Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and high-ranking officials of the next administration to also promptly publish their assets to date.

According to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], all public officers are to declare their assets immediately after taking office; at the end of every four years; and at the end of his/her term of office

In the open letter dated 15 April 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging other public officials and officials of the next administration to do so would enable Nigerians to scrutinize the assets and worth of public officials before taking office and at the end of their term of office.

SERAP said, Those who voluntarily seek or occupy public offices and are catered for by the public have certain fiduciary duties to be open, transparent, and accountable to Nigerians regarding the details of their asset declaration forms.

According to SERAP, Because asset declaration forms are public documents, public officials cannot claim that publishing their assets would violate their privacy rights. There is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of information on the assets of public officers who clearly are trustees of Nigerias wealth and resources.

The letter, read in part: SERAP urges you to emulate the good example of former President Umaru Musa YarAdua who consistently published his asset declaration forms as president and governor of Katsina State.

He also planned legislative reform to make it mandatory for all public officers to declare their assets publicly. He believed that publishing his assets would put pressure on other public officers to do so.

Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging other public officials and the officials of the next administration to do so would also send a powerful message of your commitment to uphold the countrys constitutional guarantees and international obligations.

It would also show that you are ready to do what is needed to leave a legacy of transparency and accountability.

Apart from encouraging other officials and the officials of the next administration to publish their asset declaration forms, publishing your asset declaration form widely would also address allegations that many officials tend to make false declarations in order to cover up assets illegally acquired in corruption or abuse of office.

Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; the Freedom of Information Act; the UN Convention against Corruption; African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption ; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to Nigeria is a state party. 

According to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], all public officers are to declare their assets.

Paragraph 11(1)(a)(b) of the Fifth Schedule provides that every public officer shall immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his/her term of office, submit to the CCB a written declaration of all his/her properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his/her unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.

Section 15(1) of the CCB and Tribunal Act also requires all public officers to declare their assets.

Article 7(1) of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and Articles 7(4) and 8(5) of the UN Convention against Corruption also contain similar provisions and requirements for public officials to declare their assets before, during, and after serving in public office.

 The Nigerian Constitution and the anticorruption and human rights treaties show the significant role that asset declaration by public officials plays in promoting transparency, accountability and preventing and combating corruption in the public service.

Section 109 of the Evidence Act defines a public document to include documents forming the acts or records of the acts of public officers. Asset declaration forms kept with the Code of Conduct Bureau therefore qualify as public documents under section 109.

 Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution makes provision for the fundamental right to information. Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantee access to information.

 We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in taking steps to publish your asset declaration form and to encourage others to do so. 

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

16/4/2023

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact: +234816053720 2
By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 23:59 | All, World, G7, Japan

The Group of Seven foreign ministers on Sunday agreed that unity between the major industrialized nations will be key in dealing with geopolitical issues in the Indo-Pacific, as China grows increasingly assertive in the region and North Korea continues to advance its missile and nuclear weapons programs.

The top diplomats took a bullet train from Tokyo to the resort town of Karuizawa in central Japan to attend the three-day meeting, where police officers were on high alert a day after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was the apparent target of an attack involving an explosive device during his visit to western Japan.

Beginning with a working dinner, representatives from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, agreed that maintaining unity will be "extremely important" in addressing the various challenges in the Indo-Pacific, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

While acknowledging the importance of building a "constructive and stable" relationship with China, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his counterparts agreed that they are opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, it said.

As the holder of the rotating G-7 presidency this year, Japan would like the group to showcase the importance of a "free and open international order based on the rule of law," Hayashi was quoted as saying at the outset of the talks.

The meeting took place amid French President Emmanuel Macron facing criticism from some in the United States and Europe after he called for European "strategic autonomy" on the issue of Taiwan, a source of tension between Washington and Beijing.

Macron's remarks, which cautioned against being drawn into a Taiwan crisis, published on April 9 by media in France and elsewhere following his trip to China, came amid growing concern over China putting increasing pressure on the island. Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province to be united with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Tensions over the self-ruled democratic island have also been fueled by a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California earlier this month, with China carrying out military drills in response.

With the consternation caused by Macron's comments possibly in mind, the G-7 foreign ministers meeting in Karuizawa reaffirmed the importance of "peace and stability" across the Taiwan Strait, saying that doing so ensures the "safety and prosperity of international society," according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Ahead of the meeting, Hayashi held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, as the two countries are responsible for holding the G-7 chair for this year and next year, respectively. They reaffirmed the group's unity over Russia's war on Ukraine.

During the three-day meeting, the G-7 diplomats will also discuss stepping up collaboration with developing countries in the Global South, many of which have remained neutral over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as food security and climate change, according to Japanese government officials.

An outcome document is expected to be released on the final day.

The Karuizawa meeting is the second in a series of in-person G-7 ministerial meetings being held in Japan in the run-up to the summit in May in Hiroshima. Another meeting bringing together G-7 environment and energy ministers ended on Sunday in the northern city of Sapporo in Hokkaido.

Earlier on Sunday, Kishida vowed to ensure that the series of G-7 meetings will be conducted safely.

At the Karuizawa meeting, discussions to advance nuclear disarmament will also take place as momentum recedes in the wake of Russia's nuclear threats amid the Ukraine war and the threat posed by North Korea.

Kishida, who represents a constituency in Hiroshima that was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in the final days of World War II, hopes to pitch his signature vision of a world without nuclear weapons during the G-7 summit from May 19 to 21.

Hayashi is also planning to hold other bilateral meetings on the fringes of the G-7 foreign ministerial discussions, including with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to government sources.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has canceled his trip to Japan after testing positive for the coronavirus and was replaced by Enrique Mora, deputy secretary general for political affairs of the European External Action Service, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
History deals with facts, not opinions or what we would have loved to be the facts. I took the pains to read the citation or profile bio written by Astha Rajvanshi, the TIME magazine staff writer for Tinubu's inclusion in the 'leaders' category of the 100 most influential people for this year determined by the journal. There was no falsehood in it. Anyone who has knowledge of the struggle that restored democracy to Nigeria on 29 May 1999 knows that Tinubu's heroic role cannot be denied. He put his life on the line, and if not for divine providence, Abacha's men would have given him the treatment the likes of Pa Alfred Rewane got. Unfortunately, the insignificance of history in our educational system and the current political drama blinds many Nigerians, especially those who were not born in those days of military rule, to the truth. Perhaps they can begin their education by reading 'Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune: The Abacha and Obasanjo Years' by the respected historian, Max Siollun.

Tinubu's influence since 1999 in Nigeria's political evolution is a fact. You may not like it, but it is there and he remains a big factor in our politics.

Be that as it may, the presidential elections in which he, Atiku and Peter Obi emerged front runners, leaves a sore taste in the mouth. All parties claim victory, and vitriol has taken over national discourse since February 25. But does it justify the massive barrage of attacks on Astha by aggrieved Nigerians, especially supporters of Peter Obi? Some of the trash sent to the lady makes me wonder. Small wonder she has locked her Twitter account, yet the 'Obidients' have not relented, putting out stuff that I will not repeat here for decency's sake. I guess it is time to say it the way it is.

First, to clear the air. I have always opposed Tinubu's presidential bid and I am unconvinced that he won the February 25 elections. Let the courts decide since the matter is now a subject for judicial decision. I also recognize and admire Peter Obi's emergence as the Third Force we need. Having lived in Anambra when he was governor and seen how he legally wrestled his mandate from the political Establishment, I was impressed by his galvanizing the youths who have been disappointed by the misfits our democracy have thrown up as leaders. It is a fact that the 'Obidients' movement is an idea whose time has come.

But that does not justify being wrongheaded. Did Astha pen falsehood? No. Then TIME magazine, as influential as it is, does not determine the political processes of sovereign states like Nigeria. And just in case you do not know, this its 100 most influential people project has been around for close to twenty years. Way back, when I was still an undergraduate over twenty years ago (yes, I am that old), the magazine even looked at people who influenced the ending 20th century as the world welcomed the 21st century. The likes of Hitler, Pol Pot and Osama Bin Laden made the cut. These are not the flavour of the month for millions of people, but they did not go ballistic on TIME and their writers.

I fear that Nigerians are repeating history. Back in 2011 and 2015 we so lionized the incumbent president that most of us were ready to gag the mouths of anyone with contrary views, tear them apart and rubbish their reputations. Sorry to say, that is not democracy. More like Trumpism. Is there cogent proof that Astha followed unwholesome practices in writing what she did or that TIME was compromised? What facts have the 'Obidients' brought forward to counter that article? As a writer I condemn any unreasonable gag of freedom of expression and that is what is happening here. It will not put Peter Obi, my candidate, in good light before the free world. If you must speak out against any bid by the BAT camp to censure Chimamanda Adichie for her letter to Biden on the elections then you must stand against assaulting a journalist whose only crime was doing her job as she saw fit. It was not even a critique of Obi. For those who care to, you may look up Astha's article titled ' The Controversy Surrounding Nigeria's Presidential Election Explained,' published on March 1 and available on time.com.

Finally, as long as Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, every Nigerian will retain the right to interpret her political processes and evolution as he or she deems fit subject to the democratic laws of the country. Neither the Obidients nor the BATS nor the Atikulateds or any other group has sole ownership of this beautiful piece of estate called Nigeria.

Henry Chukwuemeka Onyema is a historian, teacher and author. He lives in Lagos. Email: [email protected]
Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have called for a systemic reform of the global financial architecture to enhance access to development financing for vulnerable countries.

The ministers agreed for India to be the chair and Nigeria to be the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture

Their collective call for reform came at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting in Washington D.C. on 14 April 2023.

At the inaugural Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group Meeting held on the margins of the 2023 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, finance ministers discussed national fiscal policies, measures for financial sustainability, eligibility criteria for development finance and potential reforms required for a more equitable financial architecture.

In their call, ministers stressed that any reforms must increase funding and consider the realities of vulnerability when allocating support to help vulnerable countries invest in resilience and achieve sustainable development.

In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC said:

Our world faces overlapping, interlinked and accelerating economic, security and environmental challenges. They entwine and accelerate to amplify existing inequalities, threatening stability, resilience and development prospects.

The need for ambitious, systemic change has never been greater. As the Commonwealth family, representing one-third of humanity, we are joining forces to call for reform of the global financial system to deliver an architecture that is multi-dimensional, fit-for-purpose and adaptive to emerging and existing challenges, with a view to building long-term resilience and achieving sustainable development.

She continued: To create meaningful change, the global financial system must take into account the realities of vulnerability when allocating support to developing countries.

In this regard, Secretary-General Scotland highlighted that the Commonwealths Universal Vulnerability Index provides a solid basis to better target support for those who need it the most.

Delivering a keynote address at the working group meeting, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon Mia Mottley, said:

One sure thing is that the status quo is not working for us. The continued discriminatory treatment between the global north and the global south really cannot continue, especially in a poly-crisis  The time is now for action and to ensure that the global financial system is fit for purpose.

The working group meeting also gave ministers an opportunity to focus on the urgent need to influence the global financial architecture, which is still underpinned by fiscal rules and conditions deemed unfit to meet the needs of the current global economic landscape and overlapping challenges.

Eligibility criteria for accessing concessional finance are based on sole metrics of gross national income (GNI) per capita, which mostly disregards national vulnerabilities. However, recent overlapping crises have exposed and provided evidence of countries susceptibility to external shocks. The traditional rules and governing conditions for access to international development finance are no longer relevant in this era of interlocked and overlapping crises.

The Commonwealth Secretariat paper entitled Fiscal Policy Options for Resilient and Sustainable Development considers the multi-dimensional vulnerabilities and socio-economic development challenges faced by countries and recommends several fiscal and policy reforms to facilitate more resilient and sustainable development outcomes.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director of the Commonwealth Secretariats Economic, Youth and Sustainable Development Directorate, said:

Collaboration among Commonwealth countries [through this group] would enable knowledge exchange, and facilitate data sharing, research and toolkits, including use of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices to monitor and accelerate progress on sustainable investing toward enabling an environmentally responsible economy and society, together with protecting our planet.

The ministers agreed for India to be the chair and Nigeria to be the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.
Northumberland County is raising awareness and a flag to highlight the importance of safe digging practices.

The county recently raised the Dig Safe flag on the community flagpole at county headquarters in Cobourg in recognition of Dig Safe Month.

April is Dig Safe Month across Canada, which is aimed at raising awareness of proper practices to improve personal safety and reduce damage to underground infrastructure.

As the weather warms up and outdoor projects kickoff, Northumberland County is reminding residents and contractors to call or click Ontario One Call before they dig to check for water and sewer connections, gas lines, telephone, electricity, internet, and TV cable wires in the area before breaking ground on any landscaping, construction, or other projects that require digging.

Dig Safe Month serves as a reminder of everyone's responsibility to put safety first and protect the well-being of our community, said Northumberland County Warden Mandy Martin.

It is estimated that every year in excess of $1 billion in damage to underground infrastructure is done across Canada due to unsafe digging practices. With a quick call or click, we can prevent such damage and the resulting loss of essential services, and protect our families, neighbours, and coworkers from injury, health, and safety risks.

The Dig Safe flag will fly on the countys community flagpole from April 13 to 20.

To contact Ontario One Call, dial 1-800-400-2255 or visit the website.

For more information about how to dig safe, visit the Dig Safe website.

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Come next January, the University of Niagara Falls wants to erase all the doubts.

Thats when the long-discussed and equally long-doubted school in downtown Niagara Falls plans to start its first two programs, Master of Data Analytics and Master of Management.

The two programs were announced as part of the universitys community social event Saturday at WeinLokal in Niagara Falls (the former Hoops restaurant).

The two programs in January will be followed by two more in the fall of 2024: Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications, and Bachelor of Business Administration.

The universitys website went active Saturday.

The school is backed by private company Global University Systems (GUS), which operates 40 institutions worldwide, including six in Canada.

All of it, hopes GUS chief executive officer Cyndi McLeod, gives local residents confidence that the university will indeed be a reality.

Were here  weve already hired people, she said. Were here actually recruiting for staff and faculty.

The four-hour drop-in  followed by a similar event in Toronto Sunday at the Fairmont Royal York  was the first chance for the public to meet members of the university team and get detailed plans about its curriculum.

It was also a job fair of sorts, with the school seeking administrative and academic positions.

McLeod said the school aims to be a full campus within five to seven years, catering to 8,000 domestic and international students.

Plans on how the school will be implemented in downtown Niagara Falls are still not finalized.

Were still negotiating with space in downtown Niagara Falls, she said. Were in exploration of where we will have a campus, student accommodations, were still working on that.

But our commitment to the city is that we will be part of the downtown revitalization plan. The plan is that the university will be in the heart of the downtown.

The Niagara Falls campus will also offer a bio-medical program to align with the future South Niagara Hospital.

Many of the other programs are developed around the digital economy, said McLeod. Everything that weve done, that weve created, has been around the vision of the region and the vision around the growth of the province of Ontario.

Enrolment for the January courses begins in the fall.

When operating at full capacity, she said the university will employ between 700 to 800 full-time staff.

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Koren Smoke, an Indigenous artist from Alderville First Nation, recently started painting a new mural in the lobby of the YMCA in Peterborough.

The piece depicts a massive painted turtle in the centre of the wall, with smaller herons, fish, and a canoe in the stream surrounding it.

Smoke said its inspired in part by the Indigenous creation story, whereby the Earth is called Turtle Island, and party by Peterboroughs Ojibwa name Nogojiwanong, which means place at the end of the rapids.

She was painting it Friday with apprentice Jessica St-Onge, an Indigenous artist who also lives at Alderville.

Painting a mural is a huge undertaking, St-Onge said.

Theres a lot of technique here  and a lot to learn, she said. Korens pretty much the best mentor you could ask for.

The Balsillie Family YMCA opened at 123 Aylmer Street in 2007.

Its Employment Services office  off the lobby, across form the mural  is managed by Cayley Rice.

On Friday Rice said Employment Services found some funding in its budget to commission a mural.

They had a specific vision in mind: a piece by an Indigenous artist.

We wanted to have a visual representation of the YMCAs commitment to reconciliation, Rice said. Its going one step further than a land acknowledgment in your emails.

As the idea was under discussion, Rice heard about Smoke from a colleague; right away Smoke was contacted and agreed to do the work.

Smoke, 34, grew up in Alderville First Nation. She sews, beads, paints and does tattoos.

Since 2011 shes owned Painted Turtle Studios where she creates her work, including tattoos.

Smoke is also a speaker and educator, offering workshops for elementary and high school students focused on Indigenous studies, art and entrepreneurship.

Theres no shortage of work for her, she says, and shes willing to do it all: Im one of those Aunties who will give back to the community.

On Friday Smoke wore a ribbon skirt of her own creation, as she painted at the Y.

Several people stopped on their way into the building to say hello or to compliment her work.

Its not even done and Im already getting such a positive response, she said.

Smoke said she plans to work on it for about four or five more days, and then she expects the mural will be complete.

I just hope it inspires people, said St-Onge.

Smoke had confidence in the work: I think it already has.

For more, see https://paintedturtlestudios.com/

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The Kawartha Stamp Club invites everyone to KAPEX 2023, their 66th annual stamp show and exhibition on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St. W., the only regional stamp show for the Peterborough area. Everyone is welcome to this free all ages event.

There will be stamp dealers from around Ontario, Canada Post, raffles, draw prizes, table auctions, club books, juried stamp exhibits, collection evaluations and a special edition Show Cover (souvenir envelope) to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, says Rick Stankeiwicz, publicity chair.

On hold during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show returned last year.

There will be a free gift for every child who attends and lots of free parking available. For more information contact www.rpsc.org/chapters/kawartha.

Grace United Church

Grace United Church, 581 Howden Ave., will be hosting a roast beef dinner with dessert on Saturday, April 22, at 5 p.m. for one sitting. Call 705-933-8682 for tickets. There will be a spaghetti dinner on April 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., then on the last Friday of each month after that, at a cost of $10 at the door.

The church will be hosting an Elvis in Concert on Sunday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m., featuring his greatest hits plus gospel songs. Tickets are $25 and are available at the office, 705-742-5846 or by emailing at administrator@graceunited.ca

Kawartha Potters

The Kawartha Potters Guild will be hosting their spring show and sale at 993 Talwood Dr. on Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Member potters will be showcasing a wide selection of their works, which would make the perfect gift for upcoming occasions, such as Mothers Day, graduation, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or for your favourite teacher, says Lillian Forester, past chair.

For more information, visit kawarthapottersguild.com.

Welcome to Boomtown

The Welcome to Boomtown exhibition is on now at the Peterborough Museum and Archives, 300 Hunter St. E., presenting what life was like in the area from 1860 through 1900, with a focus on the nearby Indigenous communities who experienced growth, hardship, and change.

Students from Fleming Colleges Museum Management and Curatorship program have worked with artifacts and archival materials from the museums collection to reimagine the museums long-term exhibition, telling previously untold stories and providing new opportunities for visitors to interact with the exhibition. Admission is by donation.

Canadian Canoe Museum

Thanks to a $1.775 million donation from former CFL player and businessperson Stuart Lang and his wife, Kim, the Canadian Canoe Museum can construct a community-oriented waterfront campus at their new location at 2077 Ashburnham Dr., to include a Gathering Circle, a Canoe House, an accessible boardwalk, two seasonal canoe docks, and an adaptive canoe and a kayak launch.

This will enhance the museum experience with outdoor activities both on and off the water and will act as a multi-purpose outdoor classroom for learners of all ages, according to Carolyn Hyslop, executive director.

"We are incredibly grateful for the passion, vision, and generosity of the Langs. Stu has taken great pride in helping craft an active waterfront that can complement the museum, with many of the ideas for the Lakefront Campus coming from Stu himself.

This gift, confirmed in the fall of 2022, has grown to the transformative gift it is today because of the Langs commitment to excellence and elevating the CCM to a national level," says Hyslop.

For further information, visit www. canoemuseum.ca.

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Canadas largest French-language university outside of Quebec has launched a process to review the schools connection to a British military figure involved in the deportation of Acadians.

The Universite de Monctons board of governors said on Saturday it will appoint two officials to consider a community request for a name change.

The review will examine the political, social, historical, reputational, legal and economic aspects of changing the schools name, the board said.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition earlier this year to sever the schools ties to Robert Monckton, a British officer who played an active role in the imprisonment and expulsion of Acadians.

Our university is listening to its communities, the schools president and vice-chancellor Denis Prudhomme said in a statement. We do so in a transparent manner and with respect for our institutional values.

The university was founded in 1963 and took the name of the city of Moncton, the largest one in the province and the location of one of the schools three campuses.

Moncton is home to many of Canadas Acadians, a population that suffered when thousands were forcibly deported from the Maritimes in the 18th century. Many died of disease or starvation.

People calling for the university to change its name include current and former politicians, lawyers and artists.

Denise Frenette, vice-chairwoman of the schools board, said a decision as critical as whether or not to change the name of the university requires a rigorous process.

That is why board members need more information and evidence to make an informed decision, she said in a statement. We will leave it to the officials to carry out their mandate with all the independence required.

The decision to review the universitys connection to Robert Monckton comes amid an ongoing national reckoning with troubling parts of Canadas past and how we commemorate historical figures with ties to racism, sexism or slavery.

In neighbouring Nova Scotia, several communities have removed the name Cornwallis from municipal property. A statue of the British military officer Edward Cornwallis was also removed from a park in downtown Halifax.

Cornwallis, The provinces former governor, issued a scalping proclamation in 1749 that offered a bounty to anyone who killed Mikmaq men, women or children.

If a name change is approved, the Universite de Moncton would not be the first post-secondary institution in Canada to go that route.

The former Ryerson University  now Toronto Metropolitan University  used to be named after Egerton Ryerson, who helped create the countrys residential school system.

Other countries have undergone a similar rethinking of who and what to memorialize and how.

The United States is continuing to grapple with its Confederate legacy while tributes to slave traders and colonialists have been removed across the United Kingdom.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2023.

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KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 20:29 | All, Japan

Eleven men were injured on Sunday morning after a large, four-wheeled, wooden shrine-shaped "Danjiri" festival float overturned in Sakai in Japan's western prefecture of Osaka, according to the municipal fire department.

The 11 men, whose ages range from their teens to their 40s, were taken to hospital and were all conscious after the incident, with six of them suffering serious injuries, including fractures, the department said. Osaka police said they are investigating in detail what caused the accident.

The Danjiri float, which was being pulled by a large number of people, lost its balance when it made a right turn at an intersection at speed. The left side of its roof collided with a road sign, causing the float to topple due to the recoil.

The scene was temporarily chaotic, with scenes of screaming spectators, locals said.

Takashi Kubo, who was aboard the object and in charge of controlling it, said the accident occurred immediately after it departed from a nearby Shinto shrine. On Sunday, the float was showcased after it was repaired.

"The speed may have been too fast" and the float was "pulled by too many people," Kubo said.
Phuket Opinion: Stymied by a new idea

PHUKET: The debate over whether the floating party barge Yona Beach Club should be approved or not continues, but what cannot be debated is how unfairly the operator of the party barge has been treated by being led on a merry dance by officials.

opiniontourismmarineSafety

By The Phuket News

Sunday 16 April 2023, 09:00AM

Photo: THAI-MECC 3

The operators of the vessel have presented a novel idea to officials, who are bamboozled in what to do simply because no specific laws exist to guide them. As there are no precedents, they just dont know whether to say yes or no.

The vessel has now been inspected three times and the operators still have not been given a clear answer on how they should proceed, or whether to proceed at all.

The Phuket News stands by the use of the word raid in describing the third inspection conducted earlier this month. The Phuket News was later told that it was a pre-arranged inspection by multiple departments. Thats fine. But what the officials involved did was piggyback an actual investigation into what had been done on the barge, seemingly in the hope of discovering a malfeasance that they could use as an excuse to shut the operation down.

If that is not true, we greatly look forward to an explanation from officials as to why kitchen staff were questioned about legal workers when the inspection was allegedly to determine structural integrity, effectiveness of waste management systems and passenger safety.

The officials were sniffing for something illegal, but found nothing, as alluded to in the Bangkok Post version of the story, noting that the raid followed the Governor being informed that the party barge intended to operate without first gaining full permission.

On that note, what Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3 (THAI-MECC 3)  the agency initially set up to combat human trafficking in Phukets commercial fishing fleet  is doing involved in inspecting the Yona Beach Club is anyones guess. After how the now-infamous Seasteading incident was handled by the Navy in 2019, perhaps they should be left out of this entanglement.

When no one knows what is legal and what is not, as with the Seasteading incident, the powers that be ten to just send in the Navy to make sure that local officials are not held accountable for any decisions made or any action taken  though it would be a great stretch of the imagination to brand the party barge a threat to national security.

While the pretense continues, Phuket Marine Office and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) officials have now inspected the vessel three times  and still have not delivered an answer of yes or no  or again what even more must be done in the hope of the vessel being given permission to operate.

Yona Beach Club has now been told twice to make changes/upgrades/improvements to the vessel, and they have complied, hence leading to the third inspection. At this stage it would be reasonable to presume that officials have set down guidelines that, if met, would lead to the barge being approved. Yet that is still not the case. This is what is unfair in how officials are treating the floating beach club operator. Its not a date. This is about laws and regulations. People either meet them and are approved, or theyre not.

Phuket officials have been presented an exceptional idea that they have no idea how to process simply because of the two classic reasons Thai bureaucracy repeatedly fails: 1) the officials have not been taught what to do when presented with original ideas; and 2) the officials are fearful of making a decision that other people might not like, namely their superiors. Hence, they have no clue what to do, or are just frozen with fright.

There are obvious, serious and genuine concerns for safety and environmental concerns, especially regarding alcohol being served on board. About this there is no doubt, but Phuket officials are not alone in this.

A similar venture being launched near Cannes, in the Cote dAzur region in Southeastern France, is facing similar resistance by local officials. That floating beach club aims to carry 350 guests, whereas Yona Beach Club is aiming for 500 pax, yet the local mayor over there is to appeal directly to the relevant ministry to intervene in the approval granted to the vessel on the basis of personal safety and environmental concerns.

Deciding whether or not to approve the Yona Beach Club requires official to either review, and possibly overhaul, a wide range laws and regulations regarding marine vessels, or to create an entirely new class of vessel altogether, which might be the easier option. Or they could ban them outright.

There are many issues, and many options, for officials to consider. First and foremost is deciding whether the party barge is a boat or a floating restaurant. Safety is certainly another, as well as how to regulate or limit the alcohol served on board, and how that will affect any laws regarding alcohol consumption on any boats in operation in the province, either commercially or privately.

The simple solution would be to create an entirely new class of permit. That way local officials can set down a set of requirements that if not met operation can be denied. They can also limit the number of such vessels which may be in operation in Phuket, and in which areas. Of note, this is where designating Phuket as a special administrative region shines. Phuket can have rules that specifically relate to operations in Phuket without having any effect elsewhere in the country. Other major tourist beach destinations such as Pattaya can decide for themselves whether they want to approve such vessels.

In the meantime, the ongoing saga for Yona Beach Club continues, situation that could have been avoided from the start. The answer from the get-go should have been all stop for now. Not leading the Yona Beach Club operator to keep spending money when meeting the requirements that officials keep rolling out to delay the project provides no certainty that the new tourist attraction will eventually be approved.
Phuket Water Festival making a splash

PHUKET: Narong Woonciew, Governor of Phuket, officially inaugurated the Phuket Water Festival 2023 Water Festival...Thai Way yesterday (Apr 15) to welcome in the Thai New Year while promoting the province as a desirable tourists destination.

cultureenvironmentpollutiontourism

By The Phuket News

Sunday 16 April 2023, 12:01PM

The ceremony was held at the Standard Chartered building intersection in Phuket Town at 7pm yesterday, the 8th anniversary of the event which sees main sponsor Thai Beverage Public Company Limited align with a network of alliances in both the public and private sectors and local communities to increase local and international tourism by promoting Thai culture to the rest of the world.

Additionally it is an opportunity to further promote Phuket as a viable candidate to host the 2028 Specialised Expo, officials said.

The festival is being staged today and this evening in Phuket Town, where tourists can marvel at the beautiful local architecture, share photos with the world to help promote the province as a tourist destination and enjoy shopping the unique handicrafts and products from local shops and pop-up stalls.

A siginifcant focus is being made on environmental sustainability and the use of recycled plastics to create an array of goods ad products that can be purchased at the event.

This includes the results of a project by students from Ban Mai Khao School who organised an environmental conservation activity titled Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Creative Waste where recyclyed plastic products have been turned into goods which can be purchased. Similar goods created by inmates from Phuket prison are also available at selected stalls.

The event started last night and runs through today, with similar festivities taking place around the country simultaneously, including in Bangkok. Further details can be accessed via the Water Festival Thailand Facebook page.
Security stepped up after attacks in South

SONGKHLA: Authorities have tightened security in Hat Yai and Sadao districts of Songkhla following a series of bomb and shooting attacks along rail routes in the three southernmost provinces.

violence

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 16 April 2023, 09:41AM

Bullet holes are seen on a glass wall at one of six locations, including a special operations unit office, that were attacked in the deep South on Friday night (Apr 14). Photo: Abdullah Benjakat

The attacks took place almost simultaneously at six locations in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat around 8pm on Friday (Apr 14). No casualties were reported in any of the incidents, reports the Bangkok Post.

The incidents come during the final week of the holy month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to end on Thursday evening. They unfolded as follows:

A bomb exploded on a bridge over a railway track in tambon Sateng Nok in Muang district of Yala.

Another attack occurred at an outpost of a special operations unit in Rueso district of Narathiwat. This prompted an exchange of gunfire between security forces and the gunmen.

Two men on a motorcycle opened fire on a special operations unit outpost at Wat Chang railway station in tambon Thung Phla of Khok Pho district of Pattani.

Assailants opened fire on police officers at the Khok Pho railway station in Khok Pho.

A pipe bomb was thrown into a paramilitary ranger outpost in tambon Yata in Raman district of Yala.

Another shooting took place in tambon Chuap in Cho Airong district of Narathiwat, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire with a special police operations unit based at the Cho Airong railway station.

Concerned that the unrest could affect tourist areas in nearby Songkhla, security agencies in the province have intensified protocols to ensure safety, particularly in economic and tourist zones in Sadao and Hat Yai districts, a source said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Col Thanitpon Hongvilai, commander of the 5th infantry regiment and its Thep Satri special task force, inspected the border near Malaysia, while teams of soldiers, police and administrative officials set up checkpoints on Kanchanavanich Road, which connects Sadao and Hat Yai districts.

Army and border police forces responsible for the Thai-Malaysia border area have also been deployed to suppress any illegal entry via natural channels.

Police and officials will also patrol along rail routes from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, a border town in Sadao district of Songkhla, to ensure safety before resuming train operations, said a source.
Three injuries, no deaths on Day 5 of Seven Days campaign

PHUKET: Phuket officials reportedjust three road accidents resulting in three people injured during Day 5 of the Seven Days of Danger road and water safety campaign yesterday (Apr 15).

Safetytransportdeathaccidents

By The Phuket News

Sunday 16 April 2023, 09:57AM

Image: PR Phuket

The official report for the 24-hour period came from the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) and was released on the Public Relations Phuket Facebook page this morning (Apr 16).

The three people injured comprised one male and two females, the report said. No fatalities were reported.

This brought the tally for the Seven Days of Danger campaign, which began on Tuesday (Apr 11), to 37 accidents resulting in 39 people injured and two deaths, according to the report.

Of the action taken by police against traffic law offenders, the top three infractions were, respectively, driving without a drivers licence, not wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike and drunk driving.

The most common driving behaviours that led to accidents were drunk drinking, speeding and cutting across other vehicles, the report said.

The Seven Days campaign for the Songkran Thai new Year holidays will continue until midnight tomorrow (Apr 17).
TORONTO  Police say a 38-year-old Kitchener man is dead after an afternoon shooting Saturday.

Toronto Police Services responded to the Clearview Heights and Trethewey Drive area around 4:52 p.m. after receiving a call about a shooting.

Police found the victim, identified as Tola Paul, in an apartment building, and responding officers and paramedics provided life-saving measures. He was then transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

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WATERLOO  Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Police said the victim was sexually assaulted around 9 p.m. March 16 at The Turret.

The investigation is ongoing by the police Special Victims Unit.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777.

To provide anonymous information, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.

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A bombshell of a resignation Standing against lies

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It is loaded with meaning and many may have read between the lines leaving many squirming in their armchair in discomfort. On April 13, Heirok Assembly Constituency MLA from the BJP and former IPS officer Th Radheshyam came close to the understanding of the line, resigning with a bang. The MLA did not just resign as an Advisor to Chief Minister N Biren but also thundered the line, Lets stop telling lies, lets speak only the truth. The MLA went on to qualify this line with his observation, Of late there had been much talks on saving the territory of Manipur.. There is also an Act which prohibits sale of land to outsiders and conversion of agricultural land for commercial space. Notwithstanding the Act, people have seen large swathes of agricultural land being transformed for commercial purpose...As the elected representatives too are involved in purchase/sale of lands and transformation of agricultural lands, they (elected representatives) have no right to preach about the Act to the people. This is a powerful statement coming from an MLA, a person who was inducted in the Council of Ministers in the early part of the first innings of the BJP led Government in Manipur and that this line has come from him, says so many things. As stated in the opening sentence of this commentary, many must have started reading between the lines of what the BJP MLA has said. That Radheshyam tagged the video clip to Hamara app, NaMo app, Narendra Modi, JP Nadda, BJP India, BJP for India, BJP Manipur, Information Department BJP Manipur, BJP Outer Parliamentary Constituency, BJP Thoubal district, BJYM Heirok Mandal and BJP Heirok Mandal, has made the developments within the BJP all that more interesting and to some crucial. More than enough indication that there is more to the resignation that just quitting a responsibility that has been entrusted on him. Equally interesting too would be to see if it will end with the resignation of Th Radheshyam as an Advisor to the Chief Minister or whether it can be taken to mean something significant, such as the first seed of discontent being planted against the leadership. Early days yet, but the video footage of the former Advisor to the Chief Minister may be taken as something more than just a video shot of a person giving vent to his disappointments.

The very line, Lets stop telling lies, lets speak only the truth, from the BJP MLA also comes uncomfortably close to the understanding of the people being fed lies and more lies and view this against his little elaboration, We have seen volumes of lies being spoken very impressively. People know and see these lies. If we continue to speak such lies on public platforms and through social media, we are ashamed of being politicians, and it should become clearer. The key word here is lies, which may be understood as propaganda based on false premises. As a man who has been elected to the Assembly for the second time on the trot (2017 and 2022), Th Radheshyam may be well placed to say and upload what he believes is ailing the State and correspondingly afflicting the people. Not likely that the State Government would respond to the stand of the Heirok AC MLA, for Radheshyam did not go directly against anybody and this is where the earlier observation that many would have started reading between the lines gains credence. Dropping a sort of a bombshell, and it would be interesting to see if the Opposition Congress will pounce on what has been left unsaid but which can be understood, in the coming days. As stated earlier, these are early days, but the fact that an MLA, that too from the BJP to boot, has decided to quit from his post as Advisor to the Chief Minister, has only made things more interesting and that too just as the BJP led Government has completed its first year in office of the second edition of the BJP led Government in Manipur. The key word here is lies and this is what has added that much more colour and interest to the resignation.
Azad Hind Fauz and the INA Headquarters, Moirang

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Mairembam Prithviraj Singh

Contd from prev issue

Fifty to sixty persons were involved in the delivery of the food materials. In the first instant, three tons of rice along with another one and a half tons of grains, vegetables, dry fish, etc. were provided. Providing rations for thousands of the Indo-Japanese forces for a period of three months during a situation of war was no mean task, it reveals the involvement, encouragement, and participation of the public of Moirang and Manipur to the Freedom Movement of India. Thirteen other members of the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha namely (1) Th. Angou (2) P. Tomal (3) S. Ibohal (4) I. Tombi (5) L. Bijoy (6) Kanhai (7) M. Jatra (8) W. Gyaneshwor (9) M. Amuba (10) L. Irabat (11) Kh. Jugeshwor (12) O. Keinya Devi, and (13) M. Randhoni Devi, also secretly came over to Moirang to join the INA and support the arriving Indo-Japanese forces. Apart from providing rations the locals also provided much-needed information and intelligence about the enemy camps to Col. Shaukat Ali on a daily basis.

From the INA HQ at Moirang, the INA and Japanese forces mobilised to attack the British position i.e. the 17 th British Column at Bishnupur but could not proceed as it was well manned, equipped, and supplied; moreover, they occupied a better position. On another side, America intensified its attack on Japan and compelled it to reserve all its air force and resources to defend the motherland. Thus, the Indo-Japanese forces on their expedition to Imphal were left high and dry without any supplies or air support.

The heavy monsoons which had arrived a month early made transportation and mobilisation almost next to impossible; many of the Indo-Japanese forces also died of malnutrition and diseases like malaria due to the shortage of medicine and supplies.

Still, the combined forces of the 1/214 regiment, 1/215 regiment, and the disintegrated part of the 33rd Division converged at Maibam Lotpaching (Red Hill) and prepared to attack Imphal. They constructed Pimples, Foxhole and Gunner Boxes around the entire region of Red Hill. Then they blocked the supply lines to the 17th Columns of British at Bishnupur. Meanwhile, Field Marshall Slim of the British Army found the right time to utilize the whole reserves of the Allied Force. All the while, he had been increasing the reinforcement day by day by airlifting via the Koirengei Airfield and formed a Composite Force called Woodforce to sweep away the stiff resistance offered by the Indo-Japanese Forces at Maibam Lotpaching (Red Hill). Woodforce was a combination of a group of the 17th Column at Bishnupur and a large number of fighters from the Imphal side with heavy artilleriesthe powerful Bofor field guns and Lee Tanks. On the other side the Indo-Japanese forces, except for their stiff courage, had very limited stock. Despite the shortage of bullets, arms, and ammunition, they kept on fighting with their hands and bayonets with war cries and still proceeded forward. The Allied Forces could not control this onslaught of courageous Indo-Japanese fighters.

Finally, Royal Airforce planes had to be used to gun down and bomb the Indo-Japanese side to completely wipe out the route. This was the bloodiest battle called the Battle of Imphal which lasted from 24th May to 30th May 1944. The casualty of the Indo-Japanese regiment was so incredibly high that at least 2000 men were killed from the aerial bombing at this battle.

Ultimately the Japanese army realized the eventuality of defeat due to the imminent heavy casualty, monsoon, and the impossible chance of another fresh operation with the depleted army strength. Then, General Mutaguchi, the Commander of the whole Operation gave orders to all his fighting troops operating in Manipur to retreat towards Rangoon on or before 25th July 1944.

Consequently, the surrounding areas of headquarters of Moirang were declared an enemy zone by the British. The 17 members of Mahasabha who had joined the INA were listed as traitors and a shoot at sight order was issued against them by the British Political Agent in Manipur. The four members from Moirang namely K. Gopal Singh, L. Sanaba Singh, H. Nilamani Singh, and M. Koireng Singh had to leave Moirang from their hide-outs on the night of 20th July 1944 and proceed with a perilous journey on foot to re-join with the INA at Rangoon. The aged K. Gopal Singh, who was also the father-in-inlaw of M. Koireng Singh expired due to illness before reaching Rangoon. Rangoon was retaken by the British in May 1945 and the three freedom fighters from Moirang were eventually captured by the British and imprisoned at Rangoon Central Jail. On 18th August 1945 official Japanese radio made the controversial announcement of the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra from third-degree burns after his overloaded plane crashed in a Japanese-occupied air base at Taihoku, Formosa (now Taiwan).

In his biography, Netaji rightly said, In the mortal world, everything perishes and will perish, but ideas, ideals, and dreams do not. One individual may die for an idea - but the idea will after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. That is how the wheels of evolution move on and the ideas, the dreams of one generation are bequeathed to the next.

The courage of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose inspired all the Indians after his death. His followers as POWs became the heroes of the Nation. When the Red Fort trial started, the British Government felt the heat of the rising sentiment of the whole country. In January 1946, a massive strike was imposed by officers and pilots of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). By February, the ships of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) also joined the mutiny. Civilians in Mumbai joined the strikes as well. This was a clear sign of mass mutiny against the British Government, resulting in the final dialogue of independence.

Owing to the prevailing situation, all POWs of INA had to be released. The three persons of Moirang namely M. Koireng Singh, H. Nillamani Singh, and L. Sanaba Singh were also released from their imprisonment at Rangoon.

The Sacred Moirang Kangla where the first flag declaring the liberation of India was hoisted on 14th April 1944 is a constant reminder of the courage and ideals of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indo-Japanese forces and will remain a hallowed place of pilgrimage for all Indians and Japanese, forever. The INA Martyrs' Memorial Complex stands in pride here as a testimony to the courage and sacrifices of the Indo-Japanese forces. To this day, the valley of Manipur remains sanctified by the blood and tears of the brave soldiers of the INA and Japan, who had fought and given up their lives to bring freedom to the country.

Until 2020 the only Advanced Headquarters of the INA on Indian soil, located at Moirang Konjengbam Leikai, from where some of the most important movements in the The Freedom Struggle of India took shape and transformed into action, did not receive due recognition, if not completely forgotten. For seventy long years i.e. from 1944 to 2020 the original structure of the Advanced Headquarters of the INA which belonged to the Late Shri Hemam Thambal Singh had been protected and preserved by his sons and descendants without much of any support.

Honble Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh, in 2020 took the initiative to protect the historic monument that is the INA Headquarters and develop the compound into a befitting Complex to honour the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and to preserve the narrative of Manipur's contribution to India's Struggle for Freedom. The Government of Manipur then acquired 1.6193 acres from 31 residents to set up the Complex and allotted alternative land to the affected residents.

Now, the INA Headquarters compound has been developed into a beautiful complex with the INA Headquarters in its heart. A replica of the granite monument of the INA's memorial in Singapore before its demolition by the British Indian Army in 1945, has been erected at the compound with the motto of the INA i.e. ITEFAQ (Unity) ITMAD (Faith) and KURBANI (Sacrifice) inscribed.

In fulfilment of the BJP Governments commitment to the freedom fighters of the Nation, the INA Headquarters Complex was remotely inaugurated and dedicated to the public by the Honble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 4th January 2022. A 165-foot-tall tri-colour flag which is the tallest in North-East India was newly erected in the Complex and was unfurled by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on 6th January 2023 in a grand function.

The Advanced INA Headquarters, Moirang is a tourist destination for all freedom-loving citizens of the world. May it forever remind all the Indians of the courage and sacrifices of the Indo-Japanese forces and their supporters, and inspire everybody toward a selfless and strong sovereign Nation. Jai Hind !
Fruit based integrated farming system for sustainable income

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MD Singh, N Devachandra Singh & Mutum DinamaniContd from last SaturdaySCOPE OF INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMIntegrated Farming System enterprises includes fruits, vegetable, fish, livestock, poultry, tree crops, spices, plantation crops, beehives etc. Combination of one or more enterprises with cropping when correctly chosen, planned and executed, gives greater earning or bonus than a single enterprise specially for small and margin farmers. In the hilly areas of Manipur diverse climatic conditions are found and in such situation tremendous scope for integration of horticultural crops especially in fruit crops. Several crop combinations involving cereals, Horticultural crops, forest trees, fodder trees etc. may be practiced in agro-forestry, agro-horti, horti-silvi, agro-silvi-pastoral and horti-silvi pastoral systems. A fruit based Integrated Farming System will also reduce more in Jhuming or shifting cultivation.IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRATED FORMING SYSTEMIntegrated Farming System has a good impact for the development of mankind in general and farmers in particular both in material and social terms. Thus the prospects and importance of Integrated Farming System in India are very bright future. In India, many farmers are not self sufficient. As involvement of many enterprises of commodities in Integrated Farming System there is substantial and continuous generation of knowledge and return. Thus, it can make the farmers self sufficient, Integrated Farming System has also a great potential in reducing higher levels of income and it adequately addressed to these poor farmer, there is possibility of meeting their aspiration for higher income. Land fragmentation is the problem for farmers. Integrated Farming System will address such problem by giving more opportunity for production activities of different components to these fragmented lands.Integrated Farming System can improve the welfare of women by contributing more for household securities. It provides better utilization and distribution of labour all the year round by engaging in such components like mushroom cultivation, bee keeping, sericulture etc. which are very suitable for womenfolk thus increasing the household financial security.A unique opportunity for maintaining and extending bio-diversity is offered by the Integrated Farming System. The emphasis in such system is on optimizing resource utilization rather than maximization of individual elements in the system. Plants and animals of high generic potentials and specialize outputs are required in Integrated Farming System. In this way, they are conserved, protected and utilized.The Integrated Farming System has a great scope in addressing the large scale environmental pollution because of heavy use of external inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, emission of gases like methane and irregular disposal of agricultural by-products. It maintains the sustainability of the system by reducing dependence of external inputs like agro-chemicals and utilizing the agro-wastes which will otherwise pollute the environment.CONCLUSIONThere are lots of opportunities for the development of Integrated Farming System in either foothills or in any plain areas. The integrated approach of fruit based farming associating with different components like vegetables, spices, plantation crops, paddy, livestock including poultry, piggery, duckry etc. would be more meaningful to utilize all the available farm spaces so as to boost up the livelihood of the farmers.The writers are from CAU, Imphal, Manipur. For further details contact: - Public Relations & Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email: [email protected]
Guests from across the run of shows included Phil Collins, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Steve Ferrone and many others. Warner Music noted that the orchestral concert is the most unique of the collection. For those performances, Claptons nine-piece band was joined by the National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by legendary composer Michael Kamen.  The biggest highlight from the orchestral concert  and possibly the entire boxed set  is the previously unreleased 30-minute epic, Concerto for Guitar. Kamen composed the piece especially for Clapton, which made its live debut at Albert Hall.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 22:31 | All, Japan

Two people found on Sunday following a deep-sea dive in search of a Japanese Self-Defense Forces helicopter have been confirmed dead, the Ground Self-Defense Force said, in the first official announcement of deaths resulting from the incident since the chopper lost contact in early April.

Earlier in the day, the GSDF said five bodies and part of the UH-60JA helicopter, which went missing with 10 personnel aboard off the southern prefecture of Okinawa, have been located.

The SDF are still working to recover the three other bodies that remain underwater as quickly as possible. A damaged part of the chopper has also been located and is expected to be retrieved by a private salvaging company.

The five bodies were found around 8:30 a.m. by divers on the ocean floor at a depth of about 106 meters. The search will continue for the other five personnel that remain missing.

The helicopter is believed to have gone down after it disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from a base on Miyako Island on April 6.

The discovery came following a deep-sea search made through saturation diving, a technique that allows divers to work at great depths for long periods.

Attempts to deploy the technique were halted Friday due to equipment flaws and paused again Saturday against a backdrop of bad weather.

Those aboard the helicopter included Lt. Gen. Yuichi Sakamoto, the 55-year-old commander of the GSDF's 8th Division based in Kumamoto Prefecture. Sakamoto assumed his position in March.

The bodies were discovered 6 kilometers north of Irabu Island, which is connected by a bridge to Miyako. The crash is believed to be an aviation accident although the exact cause remains unknown.

Neither of the two air traffic control centers in the area received a distress signal from the helicopter's emergency locator transmitter designed to automatically activate on impact.

The helicopter underwent a special inspection in late March after 50 flying hours and was taken for a one-hour flight to check its safety but no abnormalities were found at the time, according to the GSDF.

Related coverage:

Deep-sea search for missing SDF chopper paused again amid bad weather

Body reportedly seen in waters following GSDF chopper disappearance

Japan SDF chopper with 10 members aboard goes missing near Okinawa
There was no talk of regrets on Friday evening from the cast and creative team of The Porter, which had just won a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards mere weeks after word came that the show would not get a second season.

I dont really talk too much about the hurdles or the doors that close. Im not about that, Arnold Pinnock, who co-created the landmark series about Black Canadian railway porters, told a roomful of media after the award presentations. Im not about to talk about being a victim. We got it done. And look at us today. You know, Im really, really proud of that.

CBCs The Porter, set mainly in 1920s Montreal, featured an almost all-Black cast and creative team telling the story of a largely unknown piece of Black Canadian history: the creation of the first Black labour union in North America by Canadian railway porters. It dominated Fridays Comedic and Dramatic Arts Awards so thoroughly that TallBoyz comedian Guled Abdi joked the ceremony should be called the Porter Screen Awards.

No other TV series has won that many CSAs in a single night or for a single season.

Besides Best Drama Series, The Porter took Best Director for Charles Officer, Best Writing for Marsha Greene and Best Guest Performance for American actor Alfre Woodard, plus prizes for production design, picture editing, photography, original music, original song, costume design, hair and makeup.

It was kept from a sweep by CTV medical drama Transplant, which won Best Sound, Best Casting and Best Lead Performer for star Hamza Haq, and Globals Departure, for which Christopher Plummer received a posthumous Best Supporting Performer prize.

Porter cast member Mouna Traore called the wins for the series validating. I think that the show, the talent, the importance is undeniable.

We got to showcase what talented people we have in our Canadian Black community, Pinnock added. And each and every one of these people could be the lead on any show. And I think if we can showcase that  weve done our job because, you know, the power of the show doesnt stop just because the show is over.

That power is on display on CBC Gem, where anyone who cares to do so canappreciate the richness of what Pinnock and his team wrought. But its also worth noting that a high quality Canadian drama didnt get a second season because its producers couldnt afford to make it without a foreign partner.

The show was a co-production of CBC and the American BET Plus streaming network. Despite the ongoing support of CBC, production company Sphere Media was unable to find a partner for Season 2 when BET pulled out because, as executive producer Jennifer Kawaja told The Canadian Press in February, there was a lack of interest in the Canadian point of view.

On Friday, Kawaja told journalists in the media room that its important to keep reminding everyone in this country, but the power brokers of this country, the people who decide where the money goes, that we need to be able to finance our own stories  We need not to have to go to the U.S. or England or Europe  because Black stories, Indigenous stories, white stories, political stories, union stories, Canadian stories, we cant afford to make them. Thats a problem.

A plea for more money was also issued by Indigenous actor, director and producer Jennifer Podemski who, after accepting the Academy Board of Directors Tribute Award, issued a call to action to everyone watching, to increase permanent funding from the federal government for the Indigenous Screen Office.

The office said last week its very future is at risk after the government failed to include such funding in its recent budget. Podemski said that office has transformed the industry for Indigenous creators like her.

So clearly there is still work to be done to ensure diverse Canadian stories get produced, but at least some of those stories were rewarded during Canadian Screen Week.

The night before The Porter scooped up its 12 awards, the movie Brother also set a record and dominated the Cinematic Arts Awards. The film adaptation of David Chariandys novel about two Jamaican-Canadian brothers growing up in Scarborough won Best Motion Picture and 11 other prizes.

And on Friday, the biggest TV comedy winner was Sort Of, which stars queer, South Asian, trans-feminine actor Bilal Baig as a gender-fluid South Asian millennial.

It took seven prizes, including Best Comedy Series, Best Lead Performer for Baig, and Best Writing for Baig and production partner Fab Filippo. Last year, Baig didnt even submit their name for a performance award since the categories were still divided by gender.

Baig said theyve heard from transgender and non-binary friends about conversations being unlocked with their parents, or people who didnt kind of totally understand them before, starting to feel a kind of sensitivity toward the way trans and non-binary people live their lives.

And I think thats pretty powerful because I think (with Sort Of) we were always just trying to be like, Hey, lets just watch this person live and breathe and exist, and the world probably wont end if we do that.

At least Sort Of, unlike The Porter, will be back. A third season is in the works since, luckily, HBO Max in the States is still on board with the show, which just got nominated for a second Peabody Award.

And that wasnt the only good news for fans of diverse Canadian TV on Friday.

Little Bird, the series Podemski co-created about one Indigenous womans experience of being removed from her home during the Sixties Scoop, will come to Crave soon, she said.

The show won the audience award last month at the Series Mania festival in France, which was a testament to the fact that this does resonate deeply with audiences even outside of Canada, said Podemski.

As far as Pinnock is concerned, theres still a wealth of Canadian stories to be told and not just African-Canadian ones.

Other people, he said, can look at (The Porter) and go, Wow, thats amazing. I want to do that. I can do that  So I hope we inspire people to go after their dreams and tell their stories.

Debra Yeo is a deputy editor and a contributor to the Stars Culture section. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @realityeo

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One of Canadas most prominent conservation groups has reached a deal to buy the largest privately owned island in Lake Superior, a move that will protect it from development.

Batchawana Island, located 45 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is set to be acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for $7.2 million once the organization raises an outstanding $1.2 million for the purchase.

The impact of conserving Lake Superiors largest privately owned island cannot be understated, Kaitlin Richardson, the Nature Conservancys northern Ontario program director, wrote in a statement.

The communities of plants and animals that rely on Batchawana Island are unique and precious, the statement reads. I cant wait for the day when we can say they get to stay that way forever.

The roughly 2,100-hectare island is home to several significant animal and tree species and has been owned by American investor Joe Acheson for the last 20 years.

Acheson owns several parcels of land in Ontarios Algoma District and listed Batchawana Island for sale in February 2022, the Nature Conservancy said.

Rob Cormier, the president of Sault Ste. Marie natural resource surveying company R&B Cormier Inc. that has worked with the islands American owner since 2012, said Acheson had for years intended to establish an exclusive sport fishing, hunting and Olympic training club funded by logging. But local opposition to a mainland barge dock and some necessary permits got in the way of that plan.

Michigan logging companies interested in bringing the islands lumber to their markets were deterred by the same complications, Cormier said, noting Batchawana is home to valuable sugar maple, yellow birch, white and black spruce and northern white cedar.

Richardson said the Nature Conservancy competed with cottage developers and logging operations for the island but eventually won out.

The non-profit needs to buy properties at fair market value, which can be challenging when property prices are inflated, she said.

When housing markets are hot, its harder for the NCC to compete because there are so many offers flying around and people have a lot of expendable income, she said. The economic downturn in the U.S. may have made the islands return on investment less attractive to other possible buyers, she added.

The islands 27 kilometres of shoreline includes features ranging from sand beaches to cobblestone and rock cliffs and provides habitats for 36 provincially significant birds, Richardson said.

The island is also home to forests teeming with moose, wolves and bears, as well as wetlands with potential to store carbon thats equivalent to the energy used by 500,000 homes, the Nature Conservancy said.

The island is within the ancestral land of the Batchewana First Nation, who the conservancy kept informed on the status of their island bid throughout the past year, Richardson added.

Contributions to the conservancys purchase effort came from major private donors, foundation partners, government grants and the community at large, Richardson said, adding shes confident the organization will be able to raise the outstanding funds required by May 9 to secure the deal.

The purchase, she said, will mark a significant achievement.

Well be talking about it for years. And we wont have to talk about it as the one that got away, she said. Were really excited.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2023



This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

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Joshua Idlout has never had tuberculosis, but the disease has cast a long shadow over much of his life.

As a six or seven-year-old Inuk boy passing through Resolute Bay, the second northernmost community in Canada, Idlout says he would experience taunts and beatings from other children; he never understood why the other kids singled him out for abuse.

It wasnt until after I was told the whole story, that these were actually my half siblings that used to be told to beat me up, to hurt me, Idlout said during a testimony at the Qikiqtani Truth Commission, which scrutinized the impact of government policies forced upon Inuit people from 1950 to 1975.

Idlouts experience speaks to the prevalence and impact of tuberculosis (TB) in the North. Its a disease that doesnt feature prominently in the Canadian consciousness, but is linked to some of the darkest chapters in this countrys history.

And while its been nearly eradicated among non-Indigenous people born in Canada, it continues to cause public health crises in Indigenous communities.

As a teenager, Idlout learned that his biological mother was forced to put him up for adoption when her husband returned home from being treated for TB and discovered she was pregnant. The man didnt want his mother to give birth to him, and though she did, her husband resented Idlouts existence and instructed his half-siblings to bully him.

Idlout was raised by his father, who was an RCMP officer, and never formed a relationship with his biological mother. He said finding out about his true bloodline through whispers in the community was something he struggled with for many years.

To date I still have feelings of anger and hopelessness and sometimes I still cant find the underlying reason for that, Idlout told the commission in 2008.

This hardship that was undertaken by our parents when they were removed and relocated to another community  we the children felt that impact.

TB left a mark on both sides of Idlouts family; his adopted mother, in Iqaluit, was also relocated to Hamilton for TB treatment.

The legacy of TB in Canada is about loss of life, but also health discrimination, historical trauma and distrust in the health-care system that persists among many Inuit people today.

Canadas failure to eradicate the ancient disease among its most vulnerable populations is directly linked to its neglect of Inuit communities in the North, according to health experts and Inuit leaders.

I dont understand when an Inuit crisis is an actual crisis for Canada or the Canadian government, said Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), an organization that represents Inuit nationwide.

It really doesnt make a lot of sense to me. It certainly seems very personal; it does not seem to be based on any kind of statistical information or health equity.

TB is a disease that is caused by bacteria that spreads through airborne droplets. It mainly affects the lungs and comes in two forms: latent or sleeping TB, which is when the bacteria is inactive in the body and doesnt cause symptoms, and active TB, which is contagious.

Typically, the bacteria go dormant in a mature body with a well-functioning immune system. Children, especially those under five, are at greater risk of being unable to effectively fight off the disease. It causes intense fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats and can lead to chest pain and a severe, sometimes bloody cough.

TB has been called a social disease with medical consequences because its primary drivers are related to social and economic inequities  the rates of TB in the North are connected to poverty, inadequate and overcrowded housing, food insecurity and barriers to accessing health care, such as remoteness but also insufficient infrastructure.

In Nunavut, the largest territory in the Arctic, more than half of residents live in social housing, which is often overcrowded  its not uncommon for 20 people to live in a four-bedroom home. Housing can be so crowded that residents need to sleep in shifts.

Food security is a major concern because the cost of groceries is on average twice as high as in the South. Poor nutrition can be a cause for reactivation of latent TB.

About 60 per cent of residents over 15 in Nunavut smoke, which increases the risk of respiratory tract infections and TB complications, compared to the Canadian average of about 15 per cent.

Overall, the life expectancy among Inuit is 10 years lower than the Canadian average. The health disparities faced by Inuit stand out not only in Canada, but across the globe  Inuit in Canada experience among the highest rates of lung cancer and suicide in the world.

Our rates are just categorically different than most other Canadian populations, Obed said.

And I think Canadians expect that if theres a specific part of a population that suffers to a greater degree from a particular health outcome, that there will be additional investments  to ensure that there is equity, he added. For Inuit, that equation doesnt exist.

At the time of Confederation, TB was the leading cause of death in Canada. It tore through the Indian residential school system, often due to neglect of sanitation and ventilation in overcrowded dormitories.

These days, the overall rate of TB in Canada is low, but some communities in the Arctic and places such as northern Winnipeg have recorded some of the highest rates of TB in the world. In 2018, it was reported that Inuit suffer from TB at a rate close to 300 times higher than non-Indigenous Canadians born in Canada, although the numbers have since fallen.

A genetic study published by McGill University in 2015 found that TB arrived in the Arctic around 1919 and that Inuit had no prior contact with the disease prior to the establishment of trading posts.

In the 1950s, when Idlout was born, TB was rampant in the Arctic  at that time, its estimated that about one in three of all Inuit were infected with the disease and one in seven were in sanatoriums in the South for treatment.

Those treatments often lasted for years. Families were torn apart, couples were separated and children were taken and placed into treatment facilities separate from their parents  sometimes thousands of kilometres apart. Many also experienced culture shock because Inuktitut was spoken by few or no one at all.

Sometimes, families would never be informed that their relatives died during treatment, and their loved ones would get buried in unmarked graves.

In 2019, the government launched Nanilavut, Inuktitut for Lets find them, an initiative to help Inuit repatriate the remains of their lost loved ones who perished during TB treatment.

Idlout said hes grateful his mother did make it home, but the forced relocation put a strain on the family, as well as on her connection to their culture and traditional way of life.

Her recovery was kind of hard, shed been institutionalized for about three years so it was kind of difficult for her to adjust back to being an Inuk, Idlout said.

How my father had to adjust, I dont know. He didnt know how she was coming back or when she was coming back because they werent really informed on these things.

Idlout only met his biological mother on one occasion for about three or four hours.

She didnt show any emotion, he recalled. It must have been hard for her ... I can still feel the hurt she felt.

On her death bed, Idlout received a call from her and she said she wanted to see him in her last moments. But he couldnt make it because of flight issues.

I never got to say goodbye to her. But she did call for me, so from that, I knew she loved me, Idlout said.

The forced separation of families, and the subsequent loss of language and culture, is part of the painful legacy of TB in Canada  which the federal government apologized for in 2019.

Theres a history of colonial human rights violations that underpin the association with this illness. And that still is something that we cant discount today, Obed said.

This is something that should be a part of a national conversation, he added. It certainly has not been in relation to things such as clean drinking water on reserves.

In his apology, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the governments approach from the 1940s to 60s was colonial and misguided.

While Canada was busy adopting the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it was treating people throughout Inuit Nunangat as inferior, identifying Inuit with numbers instead of names  While the government was hard at work creating universal health-care, it was forcing Inuit into settlements where disease and infection ran rampant, he said.

He added that while the government responded decisively to TB in the South, its approach to TB in the North wasnt to show compassion or care, but to separate families and ignore peoples rights.

Despite the strong words, Inuit leaders like Obed say the government is moving too slowly on the issue, especially in light of a 2018 joint commitment the federal government made with ITK to halve rates of TB in the Arctic by 2025 and eliminate it completely by 2030.

In the most recent federal budget, the government pledged $16.2 million over three years to reduce rates of TB in Inuit communities. The modest investment only represents roughly one quarter of the amount ITK identified for the next phase of TB elimination and does not meet the joint commitment, the organization said in a press release.

Were a long ways away from the elimination goals and targets that we had pledged to work on with the federal government, Obed said.

The effects of TB continue to be felt in the North today. Last month, Pond Inlet, a small Inuit hamlet of about 1,500 on Baffin Island, declared an outbreak after five cases were identified.

Idlout, now a hamlet councillor and deputy mayor of Pond Inlet, said its frustrating the disease continues to impact people in his community.

If Canada feels that its OK to live with an outbreak like TB and doesnt take it seriously, they can do what they did back in the 50s and 60s  institutionalizing and hospitalizing people and taking families away from family members, he said.

Great strides have been made in how TB is treated in the Arctic since it reached epidemic levels in the 1940s and 50s  treatment is far more accessible in urban centres, but there are still challenges in accessing health care in remote areas, especially during winter.

Other developments include a rapid TB test that has been in use since 2012, contract tracing for all cases of infectious TB, and TB screening for school-aged children.

The introduction of digital x-rays, versus plain film x-rays that had to be sent to radiologists in Southern Canada for analysis, has reduced X-ray turnaround time for TB detection from two to three weeks to a matter of days. And in 2017, Nunavut hired its first full-time TB nurse educator.

Globally, there are new promising treatments that could reduce the standard treatment regimen from six months to eight weeks, but there are still barriers in getting the required drugs to Canada.

Despite these advancements, the fact that TB had been mostly eradicated among the Canadian-born population, but still rages in some Inuit communities, shows that Canada is failing to meet its responsibilities to Inuit, leaders say.

Ultimately we are Canadians, Obed said. And as Canadians, we expect a level of equity that just hasnt been a shared expectation from the rest of Canada towards Inuit.

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Some prominent Toronto mayoral candidates, including city councils current housing and planning chair, are holding campaign events aimed at raising money from developers.

Mayoral candidates asking deep-pocketed homebuilders for campaign donations is not new. However, political observers say large-scale events hosted for municipal candidates by developers  common in provincial politics  have until now been a rarity.

Torontos new mayor will deal with developers on a host of issues, including changing zoning rules to increase density in neighbourhoods to help alleviate the housing crisis and the citys response to Bill 23, a move by the Premier Doug Ford government to reduce or freeze the fees that cities charge developers.

Coun. Brad Bradford, the housing chair, is appearing Monday evening at a dinner hosted by Al Libfeld, co-founder and president of Pickering-based Tribute Communities, which has multiple condominium projects in Toronto.

Brad is running for Mayor of Toronto, and Im supporting him because I believe he has the energy, skill and determination we need to move the city forward, Libfeld states in an emailed invitation to the event, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute on University Avenue, obtained by the Star.

Invitees are told that, for donations ranging from $1,100 to $2,500, theyll have a chance to asked Bradford about his vision for solving problems that need fixing in Toronto, and learn how they can support his campaign for the June 26 byelection.

An aide to Libfeld said he was unavailable for comment on Friday.

The Stars questions to Bradford  who as a councillor and housing chair regularly has a say in council decisions on development projects  were answered by Stephanie Smyth, his campaign spokesperson.

Bradford is the only candidate for mayor who knows how to deliver affordable housing for Torontonians, she wrote in an email, noting that he was an urban planner for the city before being elected to city council in 2018.

Brad has met and will continue to meet with everyone who has ideas for building more affordable homes, whether when knocking on doors, at community meetings, or campaign events, such as fundraisers , Smyth wrote.

The development community is an important stakeholder among many others that Brad has engaged. Brad sets a high ethical standard for all his work as a councillor and now as a mayoral candidate. He abides carefully by all applicable rules, including all guidance from the Integrity Commissioner.

Ana Bailao, a former city councillor and city housing advocate who briefly worked for developer Dream Unlimited before resigning to run in the race to replace John Tory as mayor, is having a developer-focused fundraiser on May 10.

An invitation to share cocktails at Acqua Dolce Supper Club at Exhibition Place, obtained by the Star, states the minimum donation is $1,000 and the maximum is $2,500, a portion of which is rebated by the city under election donation rules.

The event will be hosted by Fred Dominelli, a former city councillor and wealthy landowner, and Matt Young, chief executive of Republic Developments which, according to its website, has seven condo projects ongoing in Toronto.

The Star was not able to reach Dominelli or Young on Friday.

The Stars questions to Bailao were answered by her campaign spokesperson Taylor Deasley, who wrote: We are seeking support, including for fundraising, from all individuals.

Mark Saunders, the former police chief also running for mayor, held a fundraiser last Wednesday at Posticino restaurant on the Queensway in Etobicoke.

While not a developer-only event, some people from the industry attended including Tony Miele, a development consultant and chair of the Ontario Progressive Conservative partys fundraising arm.

I have no comment, Im sorry. Im a volunteer, Miele said when reached by phone.

Asked about the event and if the Saunders campaign will hold fundraisers directly targeting developers, campaign spokesperson Laryssa Waler Hetmanczuk told the Star in an email: Mark is running to be Mayor because hes tired of city hall insiders prioritizing pet projects 

The City of Toronto has stringent election fundraising parameters and reporting requirements and our campaign is following all the rules in place. Individuals who support our campaign are doing so because they agree that without safe communities we cant have prosperous communities.

Two other prominent mayoral candidates, Coun. Josh Matlow and Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter, said they will not hold developer-focused events.

Our campaign isnt going out of our way to court donations from developers, nor do we expect developers will go out of their way to support our campaign, Matlow wrote in a statement.

Ive already announced that I will have the City build affordable housing at cost by cutting out developer profits and launch a comprehensive new Tenant Support Program that cracks down on bad landlords.

Hunter said in an email: There may be some larger donations and some might come from individuals who are developers and, while they will be accepted, I do not have a specific strategy of soliciting multiple donations from developers.

In a 2021 report, housing advocacy group ACORN said 34 per cent of campaign contributions in Torontos 2018 civic election came from people with ties to the development industry, and many important decisions on the right to housing are being influenced by these donors, to the detriment of regular people.

Alejandra Ruiz Vargas, an ACORN organizer, said Friday that mayoral candidates holding developer-focused events is totally concerning. The worry is how much influence developers have on council members, we believe we can already see it in how they vote on things like affordable housing.

Dave Wilkes, chair of BILD, a developers lobby group, said in an email: Subject to the applicable laws, rules, limits and regulations, it is every voters democratic right to make donations to support candidates of their choosing. How candidates choose to raise funds to support their campaign is their decision.

David Rider is the Stars City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering city hall and municipal politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider

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Enjoy Sundays last blast of warmth and sunshine as summery weather prepares to descend back into a spring chill with possible snow flurries in the GTA.

Environment Canada is predicting a high of 23 C on Sunday  cooler near Lake Ontario, with a high of 17 C  and plenty of sunshine. Rain is expected to move in overnight with a 40 per cent chance of showers and winds gusting to 60 km/h Sunday evening, and then a 30 per cent chance of precipitation on Monday.

Environment Canada metrologist Shem Willie said the temperature drop will be due to a cold front moving into the GTA.

We expect about 10 to 15 millimetres of rainfall and the slight risk of thunderstorms. It should not last very long, said Willie.

No significant rain accumulation is expected on Monday, according to Willie. The high on Monday is expected to be 6 C while the low is forecasted to be 2 C.

There is a 40 per cent chance of rain or snow on Monday evening and again on Tuesday with an expected high temperature of just 5 C and a low of -1 C.

As for the potential for snow flurries, it depends on the temperature, said Willie. It can be flurries or it can be light rain, but with no significant accumulation whether it be rain or snow.

Wednesday will see a return to pleasant and seasonal spring weather, with a forecast for sunny skies and a high of 11 C.

Sunshine is expected to continue into Thursday with temperatures climbing to a high of 12 C. Rain is forecast to return Thursday night, with a 30 per cent chance of showers. The low for Thursday is expected to be 8 C.

Environment Canada is forecasting more rain for Friday, and a high of 13 C.

Despite the stretch of possible flurries and rain forecast for the GTA, areas north of the city are feeling the effects of much heavier downpours.

In Huntsville, some parts of the town are flooded and include the closure of Old North Road.

The town is also warning residents that its downtown core is seeing high water levels. Huntsville has setup a sandbag filling station for residents living in low-lying areas.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has issued a flood warning for the Muskoka region as the warm weather cause the snow and ice to melt.

Edward Djan is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @EdwardDjan1

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A 69-year-old woman is dead after a hit-and-run collision Sunday morning in Etobicoke.

Toronto police said they were called to the area of Bloor Street West and Aberfoyle Crescent just before 8:30 a.m. Sunday for the incident.

A red Toyota Prius made between 2012 and 2014 was travelling eastbound on Bloor Street West when it struck the pedestrian, according to police. The driver fled the scene after the collision.

The woman was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died.

Police said the suspect vehicle has damage to its passenger side, including a missing side view mirror.

Anyone in the area between 8:10 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. and with footage of the incident is being urged to contact Toronto polices Traffic Services division.

Information can be provided by calling police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.222tips.com.

Edward Djan is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @EdwardDjan1

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One man was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after a stabbing in Toronto on Sunday.

Police say the stabbing happened at around 3:30 a.m. in the area of Kingston and Galloway roads. Emergency crews found a man with a life-threatening stab wound. He was taken to hospital via emergency run.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 416-808-2222.

Ana Pereira is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @anabpereiraa

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Plan your trip before youre in your car: The Ministry of Transportation has scheduled 16 closures in York Region on April 16, 2023 for roadwork on Highway 400, Highway 404 and Highway 427.

Highway 400 northbound at Aurora Road: two alternating lanes closed until April 17 at 7 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound at Langstaff Road: one right lane closed from April 16 at 10 p.m. until April 28 at 5 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Highway 7 and Bass Pro Mills Drive: two left lanes closed from April 16 at 11 p.m. until April 28 at 7 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between King Road and Aurora Road: two alternating lanes closed from April 16 at 7 p.m. until April 22 at 10 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Langstaff Road and Bass Pro Mills Drive: one right lane closed from April 16 at 11 p.m. until April 28 at 6 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Langstaff Road and Rutherford: one right lane closed from April 16 at 11 p.m. until April 28 at 7 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Langstaff Road and Rutherford: two left lanes closed until April 21 at 7 a.m.

Highway 400 northbound between Rutherford and Major Mackenzie Drive: one right lane closed until April 21 at 7 a.m.

Highway 400 southbound at Aurora Road: two alternating lanes closed until April 17 at 5 a.m.

Highway 400 southbound between Aurora Road and King Road: two alternating lanes closed from April 16 at 8 p.m. until April 22 at 5 a.m.

Highway 404 northbound between Aurora Road and Woodbine Avenue: one alternating lane closed from April 16 at 8 p.m. until April 22 at 6 a.m.

Highway 404 northbound between Stouffville Road and St. Johns Road: one left lane closed from April 16 at 8 p.m. until April 21 at 7 a.m.

Highway 404 southbound between St. Johns Road and Stouffville Road: one left lane closed from April 16 at 8 p.m. until April 21 at 5 a.m.

Highway 404 southbound between Woodbine Avenue and Aurora Road: one alternating lane closed from April 16 at 7 p.m. until April 22 at 5 a.m.

Highway 427 northbound between Highway 7 and Major Mackenzie Drive: two alternating lanes closed from April 16 at 9 p.m. until April 21 at 5:30 a.m.

Highway 427 southbound between Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 7: one alternating lane closed from April 16 at 9 p.m. until April 21 at 5:30 a.m.

Have further to travel? Highway closures for planned roadwork outside York Region

About this story

This story was automatically generated using open data from Ontario 511. These closures are scheduled for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance of provincial highways around Markham, Vaughan, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Aurora and King. The disruptions may be intermittent or ongoing and can change due to weather, emergencies and other factors.

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DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  At least 40 members of Burkina Fasos security forces were killed by gunmen in the northern part of the country, and dozens of others were injured, authorities said Sunday.

Six soldiers and 34 volunteer fighters, civilians who assist the military, were killed near the town of Ouahigouya on Saturday afternoon, northern region secretary-general Kouilga Albert Zongo said in a statement. The 33 wounded were hospitalized in stable condition, he said.

The attack comes amid surging violence in the conflict-ridden country that is linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Thousands have been killed and around 2 million people have been displaced. Earlier this month, at least 44 people were killed by Islamic extremists in multiple attacks in the north.

The violence has divided a once peaceful nation and fueled frustration that led to two coups last year. The new junta leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has promised to secure the country. But attacks are intensifying and spreading as jihadis blockade villages, preventing hundreds of thousands of people from moving freely.

Analysts say that pressure is mounting on the junta as attacks continue.

Their fan base and Burkinabe people are going to start questioning the regimes ability to effectively address security issues and stop these large-scale attacks, said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.

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MEXICO CITY (AP)  A band of gunmen invaded a resort where dozens of vacationers were spending the weekend in central Mexico and opened fire, killing six adults and a 7-year-old, authorities said.

Officials in the Cortazar municipality in Guanajuato state said in a statement that an eighth person was seriously wounded in the midafternoon attack at the La Palma resort. The statement did not speculate on a possible motive.

After the shooting, the attackers destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing, officials said. Three women, three men and the child died.

A video posted on social media shows several people in swimsuits running about crying, screaming and hugging their children.

Mexican soldiers and police aided by a helicopter were searching for the attackers.

Guanajuato, an agricultural and industrial hub, has been Mexicos most violent state for years. The Jalisco New Generation drug cartel has been fighting with local criminal groups, including the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, which is apparently backed by the Sinaloa cartel.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Flights out of northern Taiwan were delayed Sunday after China launched a rocket carrying a satellite that dropped debris into waters north of the capital Taipei.

While the satellite launch had no obvious military purpose, it comes after China held large-scale military drills in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens transit visit to the United States earlier this month, during which she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

Tensions remain high and China sent warplanes flying toward Taiwan more than 200 times last weekend, while its navy ships circled the self-ruled island it claims as Chinese territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

Taiwans Defense Ministry issued a statement on public media, saying it had monitored the 9:36 a.m. launch from the Jiuquan base in northwestern China. While some rocket parts had landed within Taiwans air defense identification zone, they posed no threat to our nations territory, the statement said.

China had declared a 27-minute halt to flights over a section of the East China Sea, considerably shorter than the no-fly period over parts of three days it had originally announced. Taiwan said it strongly protested the notice and was able to get China to reduce the flight ban time to the brief period on Sunday morning.

Still, the flight ban caused disruptions for travelers headed to Japan from Taipeis Songshan Airport.

Lee Yang-ming, a 54-year-old working in the medical industry, said he had lost an afternoon of sightseeing in Tokyo after his departure time was put back by two hours.

We had our schedule all planned, Lee said. Thats ruined one day of our visit.

Recent Chinese exercises around Taiwan have been seen as a display of its ability not only to attack the island, but to cut off air and sea transit routes in the area that is among the most vital to trade and travel in the world.

That has brought strong condemnations from the U.S., Taiwans chief ally, and warnings from other nations of the calamitous effect a Taiwan Strait conflict would have on the entire world.

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NYSSA, Ore. (AP)  Authorities were looking for a man they believe shot and killed an eastern Oregon reserve police officer.

Nyssa officer Joseph Johnson, 43, died Saturday night after a man he had pursued in a car shot at him. The man fled and Johnson was dead when sheriffs officers and medical workers arrived, The Oregonian reported.

Johnson had been responding to reports the man was making threats and damaging property, the Malheur County District Attorneys office said in a statement Sunday.

Nyssa, population 3,200, is near the Idaho state line about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Boise, Idaho.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at public institutions to be flown at half-mast until sundown Monday in honor of Johnson.

This is an absolute tragedy, she said in a statement. Officer Johnsons service and dedication to his community and our state will not be forgotten.

Johnson is survived by a wife and two children.

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SEATTLE (AP)  A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people ran aground near Bainbridge Island west of Seattle on Saturday but there were no reports of injuries or contamination, authorities said.

The Walla Walla ran aground in Rich Passage around 4:30 p.m. as it was traveling from the city of Bremerton to Seattle, according to Washington State Ferries, a division of the state Department of Transportation.

Initial indications are the vessel suffered a generator failure, but investigators were still looking into what happened, the agency said.

Passenger Haley Socha told The Seattle Times that the ferrys lights went out about 20 minutes into the voyage and the engines stopped. The lights came back on after a minute and there was an alarm and an announcement saying the vessel had no propulsion and warning people to brace for impact.

People helped one another as they donned life vests, Socha said.

Everybodys been really nice and good to each other, Socha told the Times.

There were 596 passengers and 15 crew members aboard, according to ferries spokesperson Diane Rhodes. A tug boat and the Coast Guard were on the scene.

Vessel engineers believe tide will be at the right height to safely tow the boat at midnight. We apologize to passengers. Their safety is our first priority, Washington State Ferries said via Twitter.

Passengers were initially kept onboard. One passenger suffered a medical emergency unrelated to the grounding and necessitated an evacuation, the agency said.

Around 8 p.m., Kitsap Transit began taking others off the boat, ferry officials said. The transit agency deployed two passenger-only vessels, the Commander and the Waterman, with respective capacities of 250 and 150 passengers, requiring multiple trips to the Walla Walla. Around 8:30, Kitsap Transit reported the Commander had delivered the first load of people to the slip at Bremerton.

Were working on a plan for the vehicles onboard so passengers can retrieve them tomorrow, Washington State Ferries said.

A photo taken by a Coast Guard officer showed the Walla Walla near the shore as people looked at it from the beach and snapped pictures. A tug was positioned at one end of the ferry with an apparent Coast Guard boat nearby.

No pollution or hull damage detected at this time, the state Department of Ecology reported. Ecology responders on the way to the scene.

The Seattle-Bremerton route was out of service until further notice, the Department of Transportation said on its website.

The website lists the Walla Walla as a four-engine, jumbo class ferry with a maximum capacity of 2,000 passengers and 188 vehicles. It is 440 feet (134 meters) in length with a draft of 18 feet (5.4 meters).

The Walla Walla was constructed in 1973 in Seattle and rebuilt in 2003, according to the site.

___

Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed.

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What begins as a whisper will rise to a shout. What starts as a tepid suggestion will graduate into an alluring exhortation.

Wait for it, because here it comes: Democrats across the United States will call for comedian and TV personality Jon Stewart to run for their partys nomination in 2024.

Dont believe me? Its started already.

Last month, a tweet about his prospective candidacy amassed a million views in only one day. Even well-known disc jockey Howard Stern is joining the chorus. A couple of weeks ago, he used his platform to urge Stewart to run, claiming that he owes it to his country.

Appeals for the former Daily Show host to run for office are nothing new. Theyve arisen before. Each time, he has summarily shut them down.

So a reality check. I take Stewart at his word.

That said, I am sure calls for him to run will grow far stronger as the campaign draws closer. Crucially, these calls represent a clear, urgent message: Democratic voters want, no make that need, a fighter in 2024.

Why a fighter? Two reasons.

First, in politics, when you are most discontent, you turn to your best fighter, your rhetorical gunslinger. And conservative courts have given American progressives plenty of reason to be raging mad.

Earlier this month, a Texas judge ruled in favour of a Christian advocacy group that asked the court to reverse the FDAs approval of mifepristone, a pill (taken in concert with other medications) that induces abortions. At the time of writing, its a move that sets the stage for the pill to be banned nationwide.

Moreover, last week Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that would ban most abortions after six weeks in Florida. This is not Margaret Atwoods imagined Gilead, but a real one. Justifiably, alarm bells are ringing. The outrage is rising.

These are but two examples. There are plenty of others. But the larger point is one that the Trump phenomenon illustrated all too well in 2016: When voters are angry, they go with the candidate who channels that anger best.

For American moderates and progressives, that individual, bar none, is Jon Stewart. With an impressive legacy spanning over two decades, Stewart has relentlessly laid waste to media figures and politicians on the American right, skilfully calling out their hypocrisies with passion and humour.

Secondly, Democrats will have to confront the reality that their presidential candidate, whoever it is, will likely need to face off against, believe it, Donald Trump on the debate stage.

It wont be ideal if that candidate needs the assistance of an oxygen mask to reach the podium. It might be even more disastrous if, in response to Trumps jabs, all he can manage is Cmon man!

While Trump can nickname him Sleazeball Stew, the fact remains that Stewart possesses tenacity that Trump has never before faced on the debate stage, enabling Democrats to  at last  fight fire with fire. He is for moderates, what Tucker Carlson is to MAGA supporters, if Carlson was a scrappy New Yorker ready to rage against the machine with a razor-sharp intellect and rapier-like wit.

So while it remains highly doubtful that Stewart will run in 2024, heres the wider, more significant, picture. By packing courts across the land with right-wing lunatics, the Republican Party may well have dug its own grave heading into 2024.

Thats why many think Joe Biden has it in the bag. I see things slightly differently. While I agree Democrats are in the pole position, the painful truth, but one that nonetheless must be heard, is that a geriatric candidate could seriously jeopardize that advantage.

What Biden ought to do is the responsible thing: pass the torch to the next generation.

The answer might not be Jon Stewart. But if the calls for him to run grow any louder, it could prove to be the wise choice.

Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt

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Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainvilles recent edict to ban prayer spaces in Quebec schools, once again demonstrates the Islamophobic posturing of Quebec political elites.

They are creating problems where they dont exist and using Muslim civil rights and liberties as a punching bag to score political points with an increasingly Islamophobic Quebecois voter base.

Growing up in Montreal, I was fortunate to attend a public high school that accommodated Muslim students with a dedicated prayer room.

Having a prayer space in my school allowed me to develop pride in my identity as a Canadian Muslim. It instilled a strong sense of discipline within me and helped me develop a moral framework with stable principles to live by.

It wouldnt be a stretch to say that having a prayer space in school fundamentally impacted my life in a positive way.

The values fostered within me in those formative adolescent years eventually guided me to the teaching profession where I was a high school teacher in the Quebec public school system for nine years.

Throughout this period, I worked with the schools faculty and staff to provide a prayer space for Muslim students.

This small classroom space was utilized by Muslim students to observe ritual prayers. Beyond this, it was a safe space to preserve their Muslim beliefs and identities in a society that was increasingly closing its doors on them.

It was in this space that a young Muslim girl was able to tell a Muslim colleague how she was harassed by a fellow student and had her hijab pulled off. It was in this space that young men, who were constantly taunted and harassed by students because of their religious identity, could feel comfortable in their own skin.

Prayer spaces have existed in public schools across Montreal since the 1990s. Im living proof of this.

Its no surprise that the Minister of Education for the ruling Coalition Avenir Quebec party was oblivious to this as this issue has never raised any serious concerns or public outcries.

That is until Drainvilles veil of ignorance was lifted.

Anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia is a troubling reality in Canada.

According to statistics released at the Islamophobia Summit on July 22, 2021, by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, Canada has had the highest number of deaths of Muslims compared to all other G-7 nations over the past five years because of targeted hate-attacks caused by Islamophobia.

Most of these deaths came at the hands of Quebecois white nationalist Alexandre Bissonnette, who engaged in a mass shooting at a Quebec City mosque in 2017 killing six Muslim men and injuring 19 others.

According to a recent Angus Reid poll, 39 per cent of Canadians have negative perceptions towards Muslims and Islam. In Quebec, more than 50 per cent of the population hold anti-Muslim views.

Islamophobia is an ugly reality in Canada, particularly in Quebec. The visceral response from Quebec politicians at the hiring of Amira Elghawabi, Canadas first Special Representative to combat Islamophobia, who dared to imply systemic forms of anti-Muslim bias exist in Quebec, is a clear indication of this.

The need for spaces where racialized and vulnerable students can feel safe, develop a sense of pride in who they are, and express their cultural and religious identities is needed now more than ever to preserve their mental and physical well-being.

This need for safe spaces cannot be fulfilled by praying in their heads as Drainville callously and ignorantly suggests.

Naved Bakali is an assistant professor of Anti-Racism Education at the University of Windsor.

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For champions of our publicly-funded, universal health care system, the Supreme Court of Canada delivered welcome news.

But in the murky, paint-by-number world of Canadian health care delivery in 2023, the cheering should be faint, if not muted.

The top court declined to hear an appeal of lower British Columbia court rulings which prevented a Vancouver surgeon charging patients for services if they wished to circumvent wait lists. Dr. Brian Day had fought for the right for more than 13 years and the end of the court process left him baffled and frustrated.

The courts decision to not hear an appeal (as per convention, it released no reasons) upheld decisions by the B.C. Supreme Court and B.C. Court of Appeal backing the provincial Medicare Protection Act which prevents physicians from billing the public system for services if they are also providing private care.

Day, an orthopedic surgeon and CEO of the Cambie Surgery Centre, accused the court of ignoring the rights of Canadians who suffered such outcomes as permanent paralysis and death as they waited for care and justice. Thats not hyperbole.

The end of the legal challenge will not put a dent in waitlists across the country, make finding a doctor easier or bring burned-out nurses back into the health care system. It will not slow the proliferation of private clinics across the country, including in Doug Fords Ontario. Ford has already introduced legislation which loosens the leash on the director overseeing private clinics while simultaneously loosening rules on clinic inspections.

The Supreme Courts washing of its hands of this challenge will not bring consistency to provincial rules regarding the private-public mix and it will do nothing about the two-tier system already in place, in which patients can use private employer-funded health care to receive treatment. It wont even stop out-of-province patients for paying for private care in Days surgery centre. The ruling only applies to B.C. residents. Almost 20 years ago the top court ruled that Quebecs limits on private health care violated the provinces Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, adding to the patchwork nature of Canadian health care.

Still, the end of the Day battle should have a chilling effect across the country for politicians who eye stealth or back-door means of introducing more private, for-profit health care, or are looking to skate around rules governing the practice of offering patient-pay upgrades at the private clinics.

Ottawa has also warned it will claw back funding from provinces if they continue to allow private clinics to charge patients directly for virtual health care. Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told his provincial and territorial counterparts that online or telehealth services are medically necessary and covered by the Canada Health Act.

There has been evidence of residents paying out of pocket to access diagnostic services that should be accessible at no cost, he said. This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

RELATED STORIES Politics Doctor says health wait times now permanent after high court rejects challenge

The B.C. courts were not being asked to pronounce on the state of Canadian health care. They were responding to Days contention that the law infringed on the Charter right to life, liberty and security of the person. The courts essentially ruled that the rights of those who had the wherewithal to pay for services did not supersede the rights of those who depended on the publicly-funded system.

The B.C. Appeal Court did acknowledge the provincial act deprived some patients of the right to security of person and the right to life. But it said the foundations of our health system cannot be held hostage to those suffering negative consequences. One of the judges wrote the B.C. law was upheld at the cost of real hardship and suffering to those being failed by the public system.

Thats why the judicial validation of our system is met with the sound of one hand clapping. In principle, it should be the best. In practice, court rulings or not, it is in need of serious reform.

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When will our Premier Doug Ford do something about our ridiculous insurance rates here in Ontario?

Did he not promise to lower them when he was pleading for our votes? The entire system needs to be revamped. Why is Ford allowing these companies to profit on the backs of seniors who are retired and have limited income?

Why is my insurance not dependent on my driving record? Why am I paying for accidents not affecting me? The cost of insurance for two cars in London, Ont., is $1,600, while here in Thornhill it is $1,600 for one car, $2,400 if youre 30 years old with a clean record and very little miles travelled.

When will the premier put a stop to this?

Debbie Schopp, Thornhill

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That Europe is not speaking in the same voice on the Taiwan issue is becoming increasingly clear. In sharp contrast to the rhetoric deployed by French President Emmanuel Macron after his recent visit to China, German Foreign

Minister Annalena Baerbock has made it clear that a conflict in the Taiwan Straits would send shock waves across the world, and would have global consequences. Last week, Mr Macron had asked aloud if Europeans ought to have an interest in speeding things up in Taiwan, saying the worse of things would be to think that we Europeans must be followers on this subject and adapt ourselves to an American rhythm and Chinese overreaction.

These remarks had caused anger in some European capitals and in Washington DC, because they suggested a crack in the Western alliance on both the Russia-China axis and the role that the United States sees for Europe in the Indo-Pacific. Even as Ms Baerbock made these placatory noises on a visit to Beijing where she met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and described the prospect of a war in the Taiwan Straits as horrific, the European Commissions foreign policy chief who was supposed to accompany her but bailed out after testing positive for Covid-19 seemed to be making his own attempt to balance things out. In a speech published on Friday, Mr Josep Borrell said the EC was committed to its one-China policy, while adding that any attempt to change the status quo in Taiwan by force would be unacceptable. China has meanwhile iterated its stance on Taiwan, and Mr Qin accused Western governments of supporting those he termed separatists.

The problem for Western Europe remains the deep economic ties between its member countries and China. This to a considerable extent determines the position its members will take on Taiwan, even though they are partners with America in Nato. Straddling both stools as they do, neither France nor Germany are in a position to decouple these ties and Ms Baerbock was at pains to emphasise that such a step was not in her countrys interest.

As most Europeans are wont to do, Ms Baerbock sought to link economic activity with human rights, saying that companies that gained advantages from rights violations disturbed a level playing field. But when she told Mr Qin that human rights are increasingly being curtailed in China, she received a stinging rebuke from her host, who was quick to point out the last thing China needs is to be lectured by the West.

Overall, though, China must be watching with some amusement the calisthenics employed by European leaders as they seek to strike a balance between Beijing and Washington, especially on Taiwan. Seemingly divergent views, such as those offered by Mr Macron and Ms Baerbock, must be music to the Asian giants ears.
High drama has unfolded in the Rajasthan Congress this week. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot are at loggerheads again. The power tussle between the two started in 2018, first over party tickets and later over the chief ministers position.

Gehlot wants to keep his job, and Pilot wants to grab it immediately. In a catch-22 situation, Congress is still dithering on whether to face the electorate with Gehlot as the Chief Minister or the rebel Pilot instead. Congress and BJP have been alternating in Government, and now it is the turn of the BJP to win the elections.

Congress desperately needs to retain the big state in the Assembly polls later this year. Pilot had rebelled twice. In 2020, he led a revolt with the tacit support of the BJP with 20 of his legislators; the one-month-long political crisis ended after the Congress high command promised to look into the issues raised by him.

The second time was in September 2022, when the Gehlot camp consisting of 90 MLAs submitted resignation letters to prevent Pilot from succeeding Gehlot. This was when Gehlot was offered the party chiefs position. Since he wanted to be both chief minister and party president and this was not possible, he rejected the party post.

Once again, the High command intervened and quietened the warring factions. But Pilot thinks it is now or never as time is running out. If Pilot misses the boat, his next shot would be in 2028.

Last week, he announced a dharna and accused the Gehlot government of failing to act against the excise mafia, illegal mining, land encroachment, or the Lalit Modi affidavit case. He complained that Gehlot had been reluctant to act against the predecessor Vasundhara Raje-led Government. Incidentally, Raje (BJP) quietly helped Gehlot to win the confidence vote in 2020. Pilot is young, charismatic, ambitious, articulate, and sophisticated. He is also close to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

However, he is a rebel, impatient, and ambitious. There is speculation that Pilot is ready to form a new outfit. Gehlot is 71, and wants to ask the electorate for one last chance. If disturbed now, he will break the party like last year. The options before Congress are few.

One is to counsel patience to Pilot. He has chosen corruption as an issue this time. But when Rahul Gandhi is spearheading the attack on corruption, how can it stop Pilot? Moreover, with few young leaders left, Pilots departure could hurt Congress before the polls. Alienating Gehlot also will have repercussions. He has shown many times that he is a man in control. It will be an acid test for the sixmonth-old Congress chief Mallikharjun Kharge amid the Karnataka Assembly polls. In March 2023, he was toying with the idea of making Pilot the state party chief, which would have soothed him but upset Gehlot.

But some say Kharge is waiting for the Karnataka elections to conclude. With pretty good chances of winning the state, he could deal with both leaders from a position of strength. One option is to convince Gehlot to step down for the sake of the party. Gehlot has been the chief minister twice earlier and is an experienced leader from the OBC community.

On the minus side, he is an aging leader, lacks charisma, and indulges in factionalism. He also faces anti-incumbency. Ultimately, it will depend on the partys high command to find an acceptable formula for both warring groups. But this is easier said than done. Annoying either leader would result in a setback. Congress leadership has little time to dither.

The first and foremost step is to quieten the warring camps. The Congress has roped in veteran Kamal Nath to mediate between the two sides. Secondly, the High Command should act swiftly. Keeping the crisis unaddressed will result in further chaos. It might also affect the partys chances in Karnataka. Thirdly, Kharge should ensure Rajasthan is not messed up as they did in Punjab by backing the wrong horse last year and losing the state.

Fourthly, Gehlot may listen to Sonia Gandhi but she has already stepped back. Rahul Gandhi could persuade Pilot, but what would be his formula? Moving Pilot to Delhi to give organisational responsibilities was one of the options, but Pilot would not be satisfied. Kamal Nath has reportedly offered Pilot a meaty role in the AICC secretariat, a member of the Congress Working Committee, and a vital role in the screening committee for the upcoming Rajasthan elections.

Congress needs to tread carefully, as any misstep would mean losing Rajasthan. It will need all its mediating skills to resolve the issue at a time when it needs to win and not lose.
The blue car stolen from Delhi in last January and used by the assailants in murder of coal mafia Rajesh Jha had travelled to Rampurhat in Birbhum, a couple of days ahead of the dreaded Shaktigarh incident here on 1 April, the investigating officials of East Burdwan police came to know.

The car had travelled through Katwa town towards Rampurhat and weve seized a subscription invoice of a local temple between the distance, said one senior official with the East Burdwan police today. The receipt invoice printed in blue ink in Bengali was issued by a local Kali temple at Sekhpur village in Rampurhat.

From Shaktigarh to Rampurhat is a 3.30 hours travel time. The police suspects, either the mastermind behind the dons murder had hired some local gunman from Birbhum or the gangsters had procured bombs from Birbhum, which, however is quite easily available there.

Besides 12 live cartridges, one bomb also was seized from inside the blue car and defused by the police on the day of murder incident of don Rajesh Jha. One official said: Aman Singh, one Uttar Pradeshbased gangster heads a notorious herd of miscreants that uses bombs besides guns during his operations.

The recovery of a bomb from the car made us believe about his possible involvement in Jhas murder. Also, we suspect that one newcomer wearing a yellow shirt might have been assigned to shower bullets on Jha as the video grab revealed that his gun was locked during action at one point and it also slipped down from his hand, once.

Besides, inquiring about Singh, a possible mastermind, the police, yesterday filed a petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court in Burdwan to help procurement of the CCTV footages from the Hazaribagh Central Jail to ascertain about Singhs visitors, before or after the Shaktigarh shootout incident.

Two Special Investigation Team members meanwhile had interrogated Singh primarily on last Monday, but Aman remained unperturbed, sources said.

Some officials also said that inside the Hazaribagh jail, Aman was enjoying a lavish life despite strict prohibitions.

Asked why an under trial lodged in jail custody is under scanner, one official said: Weve got tip-off that Aman had demanded rangdari extortion from Raju and the slain don possibly had denied to continue paying after one installment. Weve not focused just on any particular person, weve concentrated on three  four possible suspects, Kamanashis Sen, SP, East Burdwan, meanwhile said.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 20:39 | All, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday denounced an attack the previous day in which an explosive device was thrown at him just before he was supposed to make a stump speech in the western Japan city of Wakayama.

"A violent act taking place during elections, the bedrock of democracy, can never be tolerated," Kishida told reporters at his official residence, a day after a man cast the cylindrical object that exploded and let out white smoke near the premier.

Kishida also called for stepped-up security measures during campaigning for lower and upper house by-elections slated for next Sunday ahead of the Group of Seven summit that Japan will host in Hiroshima in May.

The attack on Kishida came less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot last July during a stump speech in the city of Nara before the House of Councillors election, an incident that led the National Police Agency to bolster its VIP security.

Kishida, who was due to make a speech at a fishing port in Wakayama, was unhurt after the man threw the cylindrical-shaped explosive device at around 11:25 a.m. Saturday from among a crowd of about 200 people, sending them fleeing in panic.

The man was about 10 meters away from Kishida when he threw the object, police said. A local police officer sustained a minor injury following the explosion.

Ryuji Kimura, a 24-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture, was arrested at the scene. He has refused to answer police questions in the absence of a lawyer.

Kimura was subdued by a 54-year-old man immediately after the device was thrown. The local fisherman told Kyodo News on Sunday that he jumped on Kimura "instinctively" as the suspect was "still doing something with his hands" after casting the object.

On Sunday, police searched Kimura's home for around eight hours. Investigative sources said the suspect brought two objects with him believed to be explosive devices, including the one used in the attack, which seems to have been a handmade pipe bomb.

The police seized metal pipes and tools, as well as powdery substances that could be gunpowder, the sources said, adding that Kimura may have used such items to make the explosive device. The motive behind the incident remains unknown.

Last year, Abe was assassinated by Tetsuya Yamagami, a former member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, using a homemade weapon, despite Japan being a country that has some of the world's strictest gun laws.

Kimura, meanwhile, was found to have brought a knife with him tucked inside his backpack, with the blade's length measuring about 13 centimeters, the sources said, causing the police to suspect he may have intended to carry out his attack differently depending on the situation.

The police plan to send him to prosecutors on Monday.

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Japan PM Kishida unhurt after explosion during campaigning
Tightening its grip on vulnerable units, the state fire and emergency services department is gearing up to crack the whip on entities without proper fire fighting arrangements.

The department is considering issuing warnings to commercial spaces that are vulnerable and have inadequate fire fighting arrangements. The decision comes after a survey conducted jointly by the state fire and emergency services department, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the city police and CESC.

The departments together are said to have conducted the survey at 799 places in the city. After the survey some vulnerable pockets have been identified like Burrabazar, Tilajala Tangra and so on, informed the state fire and emergency services department minister, Sujit Bose. We will issue warnings to these people and then issue notices. We will also give recommendations to them regarding the steps that need to be taken, added the minister addressing the press during the inauguration of an exhibition on fire safety organized by the department.

The exhibition titled, Awareness in Fire Safety for Growth of National Infrastructure (AGNI), is being held at Academy of Fine Arts. The week-long exhibition kicked-off on Friday is to be continued till 20 April.

Firefighting equipment from the country and various corners of the world are on display at the seven-day event held by the fire department. From pearl driven chain saw to cut wooden logs brought from Brazil to demolition hammer from Japan and pneumatic bag from Germany, are some of crucial and latest additions to the equipment for firefighting arrangements by the department.

Pneumatic oil pressure generators from the Netherlands to battery operated rescue equipment with cutters and spreaders from Italy are some of the advanced tools and machines on exhibition at the venue. As reiterated by Mr Bose, two drones are also to be added in the firefighting system of the department soon.
The state government is considering a proposal to bring forward summer vacations in schools from 18 April in view of the ongoing heat wave in West Bengal. Earlier, the state government had declared summer vacation in schools from 2 May. It has not yet been decided when the schools will reopen.

Alipore Meteorological Office has issued a heat wave alert from 12-16 April. In Kolkata, the temperature reached 41 degree Celsius today. In some south Bengal districts it has reached anything between 42 degree Celsius and 44 degree Celsius. The discomfort factor is going up.

In East and West Burdwan, classes in government schools are being held in the morning. The Met office has predicted that there would not be any rain before 22 April.

The Meteorological office in its advisory has requested the elderly and minors not to go out in the scorching heat between 10am and 5pm. People should consume more water and cover their heads when going out or use an umbrella.

People have been asked to get in touch with doctors if they have cramps or breathing difficulty. People have been asked not to eat cut fruits that are sold on the streets and kept uncovered.
Fearing that Central Bureau of Investigation may arrest Arvind Kejriwal as the questioning is underway at the CBI headquarters in the national capital, Aam Aadmi Party Delhi convenor Gopal Rai has called a meeting at the party office at 5 pm, sources said on Sunday.

The office bearers, district president, national secretaries and other leaders of the party have been asked to join the meeting. This comes as Arvind Kejriwals questioning in the Delhi Excise policy case is underway at the CBI headquarters.

Earlier, AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others were detained by the Delhi Police for protesting near the CBI office in the national capital on Sunday.

The detained AAP leaders were heard chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwals fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail, Raghav Chadha said.

The AAP is protesting against the questioning of CM Kejriwal by the CBI in the Excise policy case.

Ahead of his appearance before the central investigative agency in connection with the excise policy case, Kejriwal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on Sunday.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and other top leaders of the party.

Before heading to the CBI office, Kejriwal said that the central agency will arrest him if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions.

Earlier today, Raghav Chadha called Kejriwal Lord Krishna and called Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as Kansa.

Kansa knew that Lord Shri Krishna would finish him and, hence, made every effort and hatched many conspiracies to inflict harm on Shri Krishna. He could not even harm a hair on his head. Similarly, today the BJP knows that the AAP will bring their downfall, Chadha said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with the alleged excise policy scam case.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, other top Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers held a protest outside the central probe agencys headquarters to show their solidarity with the AAP national convenor.

Kejriwal appeared before the CBI officials at 11:05 am. His questioning was being held at the agencys headquarters here by a team of senior CBI officials. This was the first time that Kejriwal was being grilled by the agency.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, Delhi Ministers and AAP MPs to the CBI office.

I will answer all the questions. BJP leaders are talking about it (my arrest). The CBI is controlled by the BJP, Kejriwal told reporters outside the CBI office.

The AAP leaders held the protest to show their solidarity with Kejriwal who was being grilled by the team of senior CBI officials in connection with the case.

AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others were detained by the Delhi Police for protesting near the CBI office in the National Capital.

The detained AAP leaders were heard chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwals fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail, Raghav Chadha said.

The Punjab Chief Minister and other top AAP leaders had sat on the protest outside the CBI office in the National Capital against Kejriwals questioning by the probe agency in the liquor policy case.

AAP top brass Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and others joined the protest outside the CBI office. Delhi Minister Atishi attacked the BJP-led Centre claiming it was scared of the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of the growing popularity of Arvind Kejriwal. This is the reason why the leaders of AAP are being put in jail. This is the reason Arvind Kejriwal has been called for questioning by the CBI. They say that it is a scam of thousands of crores but till now they have not been able to prove that even a single rupee was embezzled. The entire country is with Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi told a news agency.

Earlier on Sunday, several AAP workers were detained by Delhi Police in Kashmiri Gate area.

Ahead of appearing before the CBI, the Delhi Chief Minister paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, Rajghat, in the National Capital.

The AAP national convenor attacked the Centre, saying that some anti-national forces do not want India to develop.

Some anti-national forces do not want India to develop. I want to tell these forces that the country will continue to progress, Kejriwal told reporters before leaving his residence.

Ahead of his appearance before the CBI, Kejriwal also held a high-level meeting with top leaders of the AAP at his residence on Sunday morning.

Several Delhi ministers, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Raj Kumar Anand, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain, were present at the meeting. The Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Assembly speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan also attended the meeting. AAP MPs Raghav Chadha, ND Gupta and Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also present

at the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting was called to discuss the next course of action after Kejriwals questioning by the CBI on Sunday.

The Delhi CM alleged that the central agency will arrest him if the BJP government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions.

He further said, You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax Department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt, then there is no one in this world who is honest.

In a major development in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam case, the CBI on April 14 had summoned Kejriwal for questioning in the case on April 16 at the Central probe agencys headquarters here at 11 am.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a key aide of Kejriwal, is in jail over alleged irregularities in the excise case.

Sisodia was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.

The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authoritys approval.

The beneficiaries diverted illegal gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their account books to evade detection, the probe agencies said.
Border Security Force troops have intercepted a Pakistani drone near the Dhanoe Kalan in Punjabs Amritsar district and recovered packets of narcotics, an official statement said on Sunday.

The incident took place on April 15 at around 8.22 pm when the BSF troops heard the buzzing sound of a suspected flying object (drone) entering from Pakistan into Indian territory. During initial search of the area, BSF troops recovered 01 big bag containing 3 packets of narcotics suspected to be heroin (gross wt  appx 3 kg), from the wheat field. One iron ring with hook and 04 luminous strips were also found attached with the consignment, the statement said.

Yet another attempt of Pak smugglers to smuggle the contraband items was foiled by vigilant BSF troops, it added.

Earlier on Thursday, Security forces tracked and shot down a drone after it crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in the Beri Pattan area in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri.

On the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, a suspicious movement of aerial objects was reported on LoC in Rajouris Beri Pattan area after which a cordon and search operation was launched and movement of a drone was tracked, a statement by Defence Public Relation Officer said.

Five loaded AK magazines, some cash and a sealed packet were recovered from the drone, added the PRO.

BSF is mandated to guard the 3,323 km India-Pakistan International Border.

On March 28, BSF shot down a Pakistani drone in Amritsar soon after it entered Indian territory carrying a consignment of contraband items, the paramilitary force said.

The drone was shot down in the Amritsar when the BSF troops heard the buzzing sound of the flying object. It was recovered the next day morning during a search operation conducted by the border guarding force. The drone entered Indian territory from Pakistan and it was detected in the area of Border Outpost Rajatal in the Amritsar Sector, said the BSF.

Earlier in February, the BSF troops also recovered six big packets of heroin weighing 6.275 kg, contained inside a bag in a wheat field of Toor village in the Amritsar district.
A CBI team reached Pulivendula early this morning and arrested Bhaskar Reddy from his residence. He was then brought to Hyderabad and produced before the CBI judge.

Prior to that he was taken to Osmania hospital for his medical check up. The probe agency is likely to seek Bhaskar Reddys custody tomorrow by filing a petition in the CBI court at Nampally.

YS Vivekananda Reddy, a former MP, had been found dead in his home at Pulivendula, the ancestral place of the family with stab wounds in March 2019, just before the Lok Sabha elections.

Dissatisfied with the investigations by the Andhra Pradesh police under her cousin YS Jagan Mohan Reddy the daughter of Vivekananda Reddy approached court. The Supreme Court handed over the case to the CBI last year. The murder victim was the younger brother of YS Rajasekhar Reddy, the father of the current chief minister.

According to the CBI, Avinash Reddy and Bhaskar Reddy plotted the murder of Vivekanand Reddy since he was opposed to giving the ticket for Kadapa seat to Avinash Reddy who had won the same seat in 2014. He wanted the seat to go to either YS Sharmila or YS Vijayamma, the Chief Ministers sister and mother, respectively.

Although Bhaskar Reddy was the cousin of Vivekananda Reddy, there was plenty of bad blood between them over dominating the politics in Kadapa. In 2017, Vivekananda Reddy was defeated in the MLC elections in Kadapa as YSRCP candidate allegedly because of the father-son duo who were unhappy because they wanted the ticket to go to the candidate of their choice.

However, Avinash Reddy alleged that the CBI was not considering the information given by them. He blamed Vivekananda Reddys son-in-law for the murder and alleged that stamp papers went missing from the house when the murder took place.

Following the arrest, Avinash Reddys followers took out a protest rally at Pulivendula wearing black badges and shops downed their shutters.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday deployed one Mi-17 helicopter to fight raging forest fires in the Madukkarai forest range of the Coimbatore Forest Division.

Information was received at HQ Southern Air Command about a forest fire in the Madukkarai Range of Coimbatore Forest Division. At first light on April 16, the Mi-17 V5 helicopter of AF Stn Sulur was pressed into Bambi Bucket operations for dousing the fire, IAF said. Meanwhile, the IAF chopper lifted the water in a bucket to douse fire in Nande Gounden Padur forest in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore. The operation is underway, IAF said.

On Saturday a recce was conducted at the affected areas by a chopper from the Sular Air Force station and frontline staff were deployed at the reserve forest to put out the fire, a district forest officer said.

On April 11, the fire was detected in the Madukkarai forest range of the Coimbatore Forest Division after which several efforts are made to douse the fire.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran on Sunday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and sought his intervention to repatriate the mortal remains of an Indian national in Sudan who had died after being hit by a stray bullet.

The Kannur MP sought the Union Ministers intervention to repatriate the mortal remains of the slain Indian national who is a resident of his Parliamentary constituency. Dear Dr Jaishankar, I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency regarding one of my constituent, Albert Augustine, permanent resident of Alavelil, Kakkadavu, Nellippara, Alakode in Kannur. He was working with the DAL group in Khartoum, Sudan when he tragically lost his life in the violent conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and rival para-military group. Yesterday evening, he was struck by a stray bullet and passed away, K Sudhakaran letter read.

This incident has left his family devastated and in a state of shock. Alberts wife and children are waiting for his mortal remains to be deported to their homeland of Kannur. As their representative, I am reaching out to you for urgent intervention in this matter to repatriate Alberts mortal remains as soon as possible, he said.

I urge you to take swift action in this regard and provide all necessary assistance to Alberts family in their time of grief, the letter read further.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on expressed grief over the death of Albert Augustine.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments.

Sharing details about the deceased Indian national, Indian Embassy in Sudan tweeted,  It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. The embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.
The Maharashtra Congress on Sunday said it will hold state-wide protests on Monday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the revelations made by former Governor Satya Pal Malik.

State Congress President Nana Patole said the protests will be under the banner of Shame on Modi, Shame on you for not commenting on Maliks statements that reek of a conspiracy behind the 2019 Pulwama terror strike that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans.

Why was Malik asked to keep quiet about the matter Why did the PM, Home Minister hide the truth from the people, and what is the government suppressing about such a big incident that shocked the nation, Patole demanded.

He reiterated the questions raised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies on Friday on Maliks contention that aircraft were not allowed to transport the CRPF forces convoys that could have averted the huge tragedy.

Patole asked what was the origins of the 300-kg RDX used in that blast, why did the government deliberately ignore intel warnings and Maliks claims that the Pulwama strike was due to the governments failure, yet he was told to keep mum.

The Modi government has not given answers to many questions in the past including this which has made the authorities sleepless All attempts by the BJP to divert nations attention from Maliks statement will not work and the people will demand replies, Patole declared.

He said that thousands of Congress leaders and activists all over the state will hold demonstrations outside Collectorates with banners and placards of Shame on Modi, Shame on you and demand replies from the BJP government.
Delegates from eight democratic countries, presently visiting India on an exposure trip to learn about parliamentary governance system, on Saturday hailed the countrys democratic ethos which stood as an example before the world.

India is not only the oldest, but the greatest of democracies in the world and it is about freedom, tolerance and equality of gender, Mr. Miguel Costa Matos, MP from Portugal, said while participating in a seminar on Democracy and Governance organised at Siksha O Anusandhan (SOA).

The visit of the delegates has been organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) and Gen Next Democracy Network as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration to mark Indias 75 years of independence to enable them to get a comprehensive overview of Indias democratic traditions, cultural heritage and developmental initiatives.

Mr. Matos hailed Indias focus on the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam saying it meant one earth, one family and one future. The need today is to fight climate change, like one family and face the future together, he said adding the pandemic had brought the countries closer.

Justice Anil Kumar Choudhury, Judge of the High Court of Jharkhand, who was the chief speaker, described India as the oldest and biggest democracy in the world while pointing out that the democratic system in India prevailed since the medieval times.

The concept of democracy and welfare state was prevalent even during the Indus Valley Civilisation. Excavation at ancient Harappan sites has shown that the panchayat system was 5000 years old, he said adding the stone carvings of Thanjavur in Tamil nadu also pointed to the existence of panchayat system in the ancient days.

Referring to the Kalinga War of 261 BC, which is said to have been fought close to Bhubaneswar city, Justice Choudhury said Kalinga had collective leadership at that time when Mauryan Emperor Ashoka invaded the empire.

The right to vote has been conferred equally on both genders in India while women in Europe had to struggle to win the right to exercise their franchise, he said.

The delegation comprised26 members from Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Guyana ,Mongolia, Portugal and South Africa comprising lawmakers, businessmen, journalists, scholars, activists and youth leaders.

Those who addressed the seminar besides Mr. Matos included Mr. Domagoj Hajdukovic (Croatia), Mr. Tomas Roggeman (Belgium), Mr. Giuseppe Ricardo Meneghetti Riesgo (Brazil), Ms. Alexandra Valentinova Korcheva (Bulgaria), Mr. Ganesh Adjtya Mahipaul and Mr. Suresh Singh(both Guyana) and Mr. Pervin Vedan (South Africa).

Some of the delegates described democracy as the most suitable method of governance while expressing concern over the emergence of authoritarian regimes.

Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, who welcomed the delegates, said the university had celebrated its silver jubilee last year and it presently had more than200 foreign students from different countries. We are aiming to have 1000 foreign students from various countries, he said adding SOA was now globally known.

Prof. Amit Banerjee, Pro Chancellor of SOA, was present while the universitys Dean(Students Welfare), Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das conducted the program. Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma, Director, University Outreach Program, proposed the vote of thanks.
By Junko Horiuchi, KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 21:22 | All, World, G7

Group of Seven environment and energy ministers vowed to accelerate the phase-out of natural gas and other fossil fuels to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 but failed to set a clear deadline for ending coal power use after their two-day talks that ended Sunday.

Japan, which presided over the meeting in the northern city of Sapporo, has been reluctant to agree to a specific time frame for ending the resource-poor country's use of coal given its likely need to rely on the energy source for at least most of the 2030s, despite a push by Britain and Canada to end the practice.

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a press conference that his country will work hard to phase out so-called unabated fossil fuels, which includes gas, oil and coal, in the power sector for the first time, after the G-7 agreed on aiming to do so.

Unabated is used to describe fossil fuels when a plant has not invested in pollution control technologies, such as carbon capture and storage.

The inclusion of natural gas within the phase-out goals adds pressure on Japan, which plans to rely on the energy source for around 20 percent of its electricity generation in fiscal 2030, alongside coal for roughly 19 percent and crude oil for around 2 percent.

"We confirmed we will achieve carbon neutrality while recognizing that the path to reaching that target will vary depending on each country's circumstances and energy situations," Nishimura said, suggesting that the country maintains support from its G-7 peers on the use of fossil fuels for now.

The ministers reiterated their countries' commitment to "fully or predominantly" decarbonizing the power sector by 2035 in a joint communique issued after their meeting.

The ministers also said in the communique they will seek to collectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from G-7 vehicle stock by at least 50 percent by 2035 or earlier, compared with emissions levels in 2000, as a halfway point to achieving net zero.

Japan was cautious about setting specific numerical targets regarding increasing zero-emission vehicles or electric vehicles in terms of market volume given the competitiveness of the country's major automakers in gasoline-electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles.

The gathering marked the first of a series of in-person ministerial meetings in the lead-up to the summit in May in Hiroshima, focusing on ways to reach the G-7 members' target of realizing carbon neutrality by 2050 through a reduction in fossil fuel reliance and the expanded use of renewable energy sources.

The G-7 reiterated the importance of "significantly increasing the pace and scale of deployment of renewable energy" as part of efforts to enhance energy security through diversifying energy supply, citing the collective efforts made to increase offshore wind capacity of 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar power to more than 1 terawatts by 2030.

Energy security has been a key agenda for G-7 ministers, who represent the member states of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a major fossil fuel exporter.

The Ukraine crisis caused prices of oil and gas to soar and pushed some importers to shift to coal and natural gas, slowing efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The G-7 also noted the use of hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia in the power sector as a potential solution to working towards zero-emission thermal power generation, a method Japan has been promoting.

Japan plans to make hydrogen a widely used source of energy, as it only emits water when combusted. It will be used not only to power vehicles and homes but also to reduce CO2 emissions from thermal plants by mixing it with coal and gas.

The meeting took place amid a U.N. climate panel pressing for rapid climate action, saying in a March report that for global temperature rises to be kept to 1.5 C compared with pre-industrial levels -- the target under the Paris Agreement -- the world needs to halve CO2 emissions by 2030 from 2019 levels and cut them by 65 percent by 2035.

In the communique, the G-7 highlighted their "increased urgency" to reduce emissions in light of the latest findings in a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The G-7 also touched on responses to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, saying they "support" the U.N. nuclear watchdog's review to ensure Japan's plan of discharging treated radioactive water into the sea that had been the building up in the crippled complex is safe.

The plan has faced opposition from the domestic fishery industry, as well as neighboring countries, including China. The ministers called for the disaster cleanup process to be conducted in "an open and transparent manner, in close communication with the international community."

The G-7 ministers also affirmed a plan to ensure a transparent and sustainable supply of critical minerals, including lithium and cobalt, the supply of which is dependent on certain countries, such as China.

Amid growing concerns over marine waste, the G-7 members said they would work toward "the ambition" of reducing additional plastic pollution to zero by 2040, moving forward a target agreed by the broader Group of 20 framework in 2019 by 10 years.

Gist of communique for G-7 ministerial meeting on environment, energy

The G-7:

-- vows to accelerate the phaseout of unmitigated fossil fuels to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

-- reaffirms its commitment to fully or predominantly decarbonize the power sector by 2035.

-- will seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from G-7 vehicle stock by at least 50 percent by 2035 or earlier using emissions levels in 2000 as a comparison point.

-- will work toward reducing additional plastic pollution to zero by 2040.

-- did not come up with a clear deadline for ending coal power use.

Related coverage:

G-7 ministers meet with energy security, decarbonization in focus
Tamil Nadu Police have beefed up security across the state as the RSS will be conducting route marches at 45 places of the state. The route marches will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and there will be speeches at each concluding point.

It is to be noted that the RSS had requested to hold a route march in October 2022 but the Tamil Nadu Police denied permission stating that there could be skirmishes. The police cited the banning of Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) by the Central government in September 2022 and said that if the RSS route march was held, there could be attacks against it some parts of the state and banned it.

The RSS approached a single bench of the Madras High court which granted permission to conduct the marches at only three places  Cuddalore, Permabalur and Kallakurichi areas. The marches were held on November 6, 2022 and no untoward incident happened.

The RSS later approached the division bench of the Madras High court which granted permission to conduct route marches across the state, setting aside the single bench order. The state government then challenged the division bench order in the Supreme Court, but the apex court dismissed the appeal and upheld verdict of the Madras High Court division bench.

Tamil Nadu DGP, C. Sylendrababu, granted permission for the RSS to conduct route marches at 45 places across the state on the basis of the Supreme Court order.

In all areas of the state where the route marches are to be held, police have beefed up security.

Police have also directed the RSS not to wield stick or danda (generally in RSS route march, the cadres carry the danda) during the route march and also not to shout provocative slogans or speeches during or after the march. It has also directed the RSS to make its own primary health care arrangements including ambulance services.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returned to Karnatakas Kolar since his controversial 2019 speech which ultimately led to his disqualification as an MP last month and slammed the BJP-led Centre for not providing due represenatation to the OBCs in government jobs.

Pointing to the indifference being meted out to the OBCs which are present in larger number but their representation in government jobs were less, he said, Reservation for SC/STs should be proportional to their population. (The Union government) should lift 50 per cent cap in reservation, he added. In a reply to BJPs allegations that he insulted the OBC community with Modi surname remark, the Congress leader said that the representation of OBC, and Dalits in the central government is not in line with their population.

There are only 7 per cent of people in the governments secretaries coming from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities, Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also demanded that the Union government release the caste census report commissioned by his party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2011.

Only seven per cent of secretaries in central government offices are from OBC and SC/ST communities. Modiji, you talk about (the welfare of) OBCs. Let us know what their share is in the population. If you dont do this, it is an insult to OBC communities, he said.

It is pertinent to mention that Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modis surname by a court in Gujarats Surat. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

The case was filed against Gandhi by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?

Rahul Gandhi launched a series of attacks against the Centre on Sunday and annouced a slew of poll promises of Congress in the State.

If the Congress party is voted to power in Karnataka, then we will provide 200 units of free electricity to every family, Rs 2000 every month to women, a total of 10 Kg rice per month to every family, Rs 3000 to every graduate till two years and Rs 1500 monthly to diploma holders, Rahul Gandhi said.

If you [PM Modi] can give thousands of crores of rupees to Adani, then we can give the money to poor, women, and youths. You helped Adani wholeheartedly, and we will wholeheartedly help the people of the state, he said. Aap Apna Kaam Karo, Hum Apna Kaam Karenge (You do your work and we will do ours), he said while urging people to vote for Congress.

He further sharpened his attacks on the ruling BJP in the State and alleged that the party took 40 per cent commission.

Alleging that the BJP government in Karnataka is immersed in corruption, he said, When I tabled these issues and the Adani matter in the Parliament and questioned PM Modi, my mic was switched off.

Later I asked who owns the Rs 20,000 crore in Adani shell companies? It is benami. Who owns it, he said, adding that in response to that for the first time in history, the government did not allow the Parliament to function.

He said until he gets an answer to his questions, he will not stop asking.

Disqualify me, put me in jail, do anything, doesnt matter, Gandhi added.

The former MP from Wayanad was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail by Surat court of Chief Judicial Magistrate H H Varma on March 23 in a defamation case over his Modi surname remark in 2019 in Kolar, wherein he, in a dig at PM Modi, said, How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?.

Following his conviction, Rahul was disqualified as an MP on March 24, as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA stands to be disqualified automatically if convicted and sentenced to 2 years or more.

Karnataka is slated to go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.

With less than a month to go for Karnataka Assembly polls, the Congress on Saturday released its third list of 43 candidates.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah was not named from the Kolar constituency, with the grand old party, instead, fielding Kothur G Manjunath.

The Congress declared 124 candidates in its first list and another 42 in the second list for the State Assembly elections.
Varanasi City will hold its first three-day G20 meeting of the Agriculture Working Group from Monday.

In a three-day event from April 17-19, representatives from the 20 leading countries of the world and delegates from other partner countries will participate in the meeting of the agriculture Working group. To ensure a grand organisation of the G20 events, the Uttar Pradesh government-led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made complete arrangements. A message will be given in the three-day event, to promote nutritious foods, food security and environment-friendly farming to keep the whole world healthy, according to an official statement.

With the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India is hosting the G20 this year. There will be a total of 6 G20 meetings in Varanasi. The first of these meetings is starting on April 17. For this, on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the entire city has been decorated beautifully. Along with this, tight security arrangements have been made. The main meeting of the G20 will be held at Hotel Taj. After this, there will also be a program of Kashi tour for the guests, which mainly includes boating programs in Sarnath, Ganga, the abode of Lord Buddha.

In addition, G20 delegates will also participate in the world-famous Ganga Aarti at Kashi. Guests from all over the world will also see the skills of the traditional handicraftsmen of Kashi.

On the first day of the meeting at Varanasi, the opening of MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists) 2023, Sustainable Agrifood System for Healthy People and Planet. And the first session will be held on the topic of Food Security and Nutrition, the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation. In the second session will be held on the topic of Resilient Agri-Food Systems. And in the evening, the delegates will take a cruise to see Ganga Aarti.

On the second day of the meeting, a third session on the topic of Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Agri Value Chain will be organised. The fourth Session will be held on the topic of Public Private Partnership in Agriculture R and D, Perspective from Developed and Developing Countries. A discussion of the MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists) 2023 communique will be held, and only G20 members will participate. Statement by Incoming Presidency Brazil Statement by G20 MACS Chair, India.

The guests will proceed to Sarnath in the evening. And visit the museum and light and attend a sound show. Dinner will be held and a cultural program will be organised at Buddha Theme Park.

On the last day of the three-day event at Varanasi, a discussion and finalization of the MACS (Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists) 2023 communique.

The representative of 20 leading countries of the world and delegates from other partner countries will visit the Trade Facilitation (TFC) Center at Bada Lalpur in the afternoon.
Ranitidine is used to treat and prevent gastric ulcers. A recent study evaluated the records of 12,680 ranitidine users and 12,680 other H2RA (ranitidine-like medicines) users retrospectively. The study was conducted in South Korea on the alleged link between the use of ranitidine and cancer, which has concluded the debate on the alleged link between the use of ranitidine and the risk of cancer. The publication of

the study in the prestigious journal Nature further authenticates the findings of the study. N-nitroso dimethylamine (NDMA) is a probable human carcinogen, based on laboratory studies, its effects on humans rely on observational studies. Following the detection of unacceptable levels of NDMA impurities in many ranitidine products in 2019, measures were taken to withdraw ranitidine from the market. Speaking about the research and negating the risk of the association of cancer with the use of ranitidine, one of the lead researchers, Ju-Young Shin, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea and his colleagues stated: We found no association between ranitidine with potential NDMA impurities and risk of major individual malignancies and overall cancer. The debate on ranitidine and its association has been going on for three years; however, the bug (molecule) has been in the market for over 4 decades. And I am the one who has been doing this for almost 40 years. All of us have used it over the years for treating our patients for indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux, said Dr Subhash C Jain, former Senior Preventive Cardiologist at G B Pant Hospital, MAMC, Delhi.

In my practice, I havent come across a single patient so far resulting in cancer while using. The latest retrospective study published in Nature provides substantial evidence that it is safe to use in aforesaid indications, added Dr Jain.

Ranitidine has been in existence for over four decades and has been on the WHO list of essential medicines for several years. It is commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and ZollingerEllison syndrome. Large and small pharmaceuticals manufacture it.

The South Korean retrospective study published in nature has further affirmed the findings of previous studies concluding no association between ranitidine and cancer, said Dr Manoj Kumar, Senior Director & Unit Head  Cath Lab, Cardiac Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi.

The molecule has a history of 43 years and is safe to use as per available scientific evidence. I use Ranitidine as co-prescription with dual antiplatelet therapy for my cardiac patient along with various GI indications, added Dr Kumar.

The recent study provided no evidence of the association of NDMA impurities in ranitidine products with cancer risk, which further substantiates the US district court findings in which the Florida court dismissed almost 2,500 lawsuits alleging links between heartburn medication Zantac (Ranitidine) and cancer.
Originally tasked with only five test flights to prove its pioneering technology, NASAs Ingenuity Helicopter has completed its 50th flight on Mars, exceeding all expectations, the US space agency said.

The first rotorcraft ever to make powered flight beyond Earth reached the half-century mark on April 13, travelling over 322.2 metres in 145.7 seconds.

The helicopter also achieved a new altitude record of 18 metres before alighting near the 800-metre-wide Belva Crater.

The previous records were 23.3 kmph and 16 m, respectively achieved on its 49th flight on the Red Planet.

Ingenuity landed on the Red Planet in February 2021 attached to the belly of NASAs Mars Perseverance rover and will soon mark the two-year anniversary of its first flight, which took place on April 19, 2021.

Built with many off-the-shelf components, such as smartphone processors and cameras, Ingenuity is now 23 Earth months and 45 flights beyond its expected lifetime. The rotorcraft has flown for over 89 minutes and more than 11.6 km.

When we first flew, we thought we would be incredibly lucky to eke out five flights, said Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity team lead at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at California, US.

We have exceeded our expected cumulative flight time since our technology demonstration wrapped by 1,250 per cent and expected distance flown by 2,214 per cent.

However, surpassing expectations comes at a cost  some helicopter components have shown signs of wear.

We have come so far, and we want to go farther, Tzanetos said.

But we have known since the very beginning our time at Mars was limited, and every operational day is a blessing. Whether Ingenuitys mission ends tomorrow, next week, or months from now is something no one can predict at present. What I can predict is that when it does, well have one heck of a party.

In the coming days, the mini chopper will face more challenging terrain. Ingenuity will also fly at a greater frequency in the coming days because the helicopter needs to remain within electronic earshot of the rover. With its AutoNav capability, Perseverance can travel hundreds of metres each day.

Ingenuity relies on Perseverance to act as a communications relay between it and mission controllers, said Anderson. If the rover gets too far ahead or disappears behind a hill, we could lose communications.

Perseverance is currently headed to Mount Julian, which will provide a panoramic view into nearby Belva Crater.
Police in Japan have been carrying out a search at the home of a man who threw up an apparent pipe bomb prior to the speech by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NHK World-Japan reported.

Police have urged residents in the neighbourhood to stay away as explosives were used in the incident on Saturday. The police have arrested Kimura Ryuji on the spot on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business. Kimura Ryuji is a 24-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture, as per the news report. The suspect has reportedly said that he will only submit to questioning in the presence of his lawyers. Japanese PM Fumio Kishida was visiting a fishing port in Wakayama Prefecture to support a candidate vying for a seat in an upcoming Lower House by-election.

A cylindrical object was thrown into the crowd just as Kishida was about to begin his speech. After the incident, the Japanese PM was quickly escorted from the spot and was unharmed, NHK World-Japan reported.

According to authorities, one police officer suffered minor injuries. An investigative source revealed that one cylindrical object was connected with what is believed to be a wire, NHK World-Japan reported.

According to investigators, two such objects were found at the site  one exploded while the suspect had other when he was subdued. As per the news report, investigators have been analysing the structure of the explosive devices, suspecting that the devices could have been iron pipe bombs.

In a speech broadcast on Japans public broadcaster NHK following the attack the prime minister said police were investigating the explosion and apologized for causing concern, adding that we are fighting an important election for our country.

Video footage released by NHK shows members of the public fleeing and a man being arrested following the incident. The footage showed multiple men believed to be police officers, holding the suspect on the ground, CNN reported.

Other pictures showed a silver cylinder that appeared to have been thrown in Kishidas direction. As per the CNN report, another eyewitness also reported seeing a silver cylinder, saying it was thrown and then shone a bit before a big sound was heard.
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KYODO NEWS - Apr 16, 2023 - 20:20 | All, Japan

A woman has died and a man has been left seriously injured after a large tree landed on a tent they were sleeping in at a campsite west of Tokyo on early Sunday, police said.

A local fire department received a report at around 3:20 a.m. saying that a man and a woman were trapped under a tree that had fallen in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture.

According to police, the two, believed to be a married couple, were taken to hospital but Marina Nakamura, a 29-year-old woman, was confirmed dead about two hours later.

The 31-year-old man was badly hurt and sustained serious injuries, including rib fractures, the police said, adding that the tree was about 18 meters tall with a circumference of around 70 centimeters.
Madison County State's Attorney

EDWARDSVILLE  An Alton man was sentenced to 58 years in prison for the fatal 2020 shooting of a Madison man in Alton.

Charlton K. Merchant, 30, of Alton, was previously found guilty of first-degree murder in the Oct. 11, 2020 shooting death of Terence J. Hicks in Alton during a dispute. On Friday Circuit Judge Kyle Napp gave Merchant a 55-year sentence for first-degree murder and a three-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a weapon. He must serve the sentences consecutively, or back-to-back.
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ROXANA  Mike Wever has a mission: to reduce or stop debris that he and other area residents allege is coming from trucks bringing garbage to the Roxana Landfill.

The Madison County resident said transfer trucks come from Missouri via Interstate 270 then take Illinois 255 north to the Madison Street exit, which becomes Old Alton-Edwardsville Road.

At Bender Road, trucks turn right toward the landfill operated by Republic Services of Edwardsville. They pass through parts of four county board districts: 14, 15, 16 and 21. The landfill itself lies within county board District 17.

In January, Wever created a Facebook group called Roxana Landfill Local Issues. The group currently has at least 98 other members.

His original concerns were odor, litter, dust and mud, bird droppings and truck traffic.

They got sloppy on things outside of their fence, Wever said.

In response to resident complaints, Republic Services issued a statement Thursday afternoon stating the company cannot control other haulers or their trucks, which may lose debris on the way to the landfill.

"At Republic Services, we work diligently to ensure that our operations maintain compliance in order to protect human health and the environment," the statement from Republic Services read.

To address the ongoing issue of trash and debris along the roads that trucks take to the landfill, an emergency appropriation for $200,000 was approved by the Madison County Board's Building & Zoning Committee.

If approved by the Finance Committee and full Madison County Board, the money will be spent for cleanup and enforcement on I-270 and Illinois 143.

While the landfill site is technically in Roxana, the countys Building and Zoning Department has been dealing with the issue. Upon approval, the funds will come from the countys landfill tipping fees.

The county board is set to next meet at 5 p.m. April 19. Its agenda is not yet on the county website.

Illinois' busiest landfill

According to the 2021 Illinois Landfill Capacity Report, Roxana Landfill, Inc. of Roxana ranked first in the state in disposal volume with 4,886,108 cubic yards taken in for the year and a 15-year life expectancy.

The post-compaction disposal volume is 2,443,054 cubic yards and the five-year average disposal volume is 2,336,906 cubic yards. The landfill's remaining capacity was more than 34 million cubic yards.

Wever said on Feb. 6, at a Roxana Village Board meeting, the Roxana Sanitary Landfill Liaison Committee members were introduced, with David Mahanay and Kathy Wever to join as local residents. Jason Belt and Carrie Ward represent Republic Services, while Ken Hoxsey and Marty Reynolds represent Roxana.

Earlier that day, Mike Wever posted on Facebook that he drove on Bender Road near the landfill the day before and saw tufts of things in the road. Upon closer examination, they appeared to be bits of plastic, fiberglass insulation and other unidentifiable substances, he said.

In addition, some of these substances were adhered to the road with a black, oily substance, according to Mike Wever. The next day, he reported that Republic partially cleaned the area.

Cord Stanley, general manager for the landfill, joined the Facebook group Feb. 11. That day, Mike Wever reported smelling a moderate odor. Mahanay agreed with Mike Wever on Feb. 12 that there was a partial cleanup.

From the Roxana Siting Application of September 2008, under landfill safety standards, it says that all trucks will sweep open top boxes, tail gates and bumpers before leaving the working area to prevent materials from falling off outside the gate and causing a nuisance or unsafe condition.

Beginning Feb. 16, a Republic Services crew was observed cleaning litter on Illinois 143 and Bender, local residents said.

History of opposition

Originally called the Barton Landfill when proposed in 1967, the site was opposed by nearby farmers who feared potential property devaluation and health problems. Petitions were circulated by neighbors to oppose the project.

Dan Barton, who owned a trucking service in south Roxana, planned the landfill operation. On the Facebook page that Wever started, Cay Ursprung posted on Feb. 23 that the landfills construction meant that two families, the Willaredts and the Gersteneckers, left their homesteads.

Wever corroborated this information on Feb. 24  Ursprung, Barton and Willaredt were neighbors when Barton planned the landfill. More thatn 185 other landowners objected to the landfill.

In the late 1980s the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) debated three possible final alignments for Interstate 255. The eastern alignment would have put the roadway up on the bluff and required extensive grading work. The western route would have displaced more people, while the middle route was said to carve up the best horseradish land in the nation.

This activity laid the foundation for a pre-annexation agreement in August 1989 among Willaredt, the landfill and Roxana. In it, Roxana annexed across Madison Avenue and almost halfway to Edwardsville to include all landfill property, Wever said.

Willaredt sold his property to the landfill, to the state for Interstate 255, then had all of the remaining farmland zoned industrial or commercial, along with water and sewer lines put across his land by the village.

This made Roxana the hosting authority, and it receives $1.6 million in annual landfill fees, free trash service and other benefits.

Committee, county reps weigh in

The first meeting between the Roxana Landfill Liaison Committee and the village was March 31.

At the meeting with Roxana officials were Jason Belt, landfill general manager; Carrie Ward, landfill community liaison; Marty Reynolds, Roxana mayor; Ken Huxsey, Roxana street commissioner; and community representatives Kathy Wever and Mahaney.

The group acknowledges Republic has made progress but said more should be done. The trucks netting or tarps work better but more debris should be removed, they say, and the roadside drainage systems should be cleaned out to mitigate ponding and roadside flooding during heavy rains.

There is no way to understand if these improvements are having an impact until the litter is cleaned up, enforcement is established and time passes for re-evaluation, Wever said in a Facebook post Feb. 27.

On Feb. 28, Madison Countys building and zoning administrator emailed The Intelligencer.

Yes, were are aware of Mr. Wevers group, however, we are not able to speak as to any of the specific information they provided, said Chris Doucleff. What I can say is that Madison County is actively working on a plan to find a solution to address the concerns of Mr. Weaver [sic] and others who are frustrated by the trash and debris along the highways, roads and in residents yards who live near the landfill.

We understand trash is more than just an eyesore. It has real, negative impact on both the environment and the communities within Madison County," Doucleff added. "We encourage and appreciate the concerns the public brings to the County on this issue.

"We are not only working with Roxana Landfill, but also the waste haulers, to include MBI Trucking, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, IEPA, the Village of Roxana, City of Wood River, Madison County Sheriffs Department and other county representatives to find a solution.

A lot of garbage

On March 2, Wever posted he examined five years (2017-2021) of Illinois Landfill Capacity reports. Roxanas landfill took in 4.9 million cubic yards of waste in 2021, the most of nine Illinois landfills. Roxanas landfill is part of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)s Region 6.

Also that day, Fort Russell Highway Department employees cleaned Bender Road and searched for manholes to help Republic Services when they clean grates and gutters.

Group member Chris Layloff posted on March 2 that he saw IDOT employees collecting rubbish in the Interstate 270 median between Illinois 203 and 111 that day.

On March 7, Mahanay posted a photo of contractors with Badger cleaning out drains and culverts on Bender Road. He said he believed that this is work for which Republic Services contracted.

A permanent solution to the tracking of debris seems to be the obvious next step," Mahanay said.

Kim Biggs, public information officer with the IEPA, said state officials are looking at whether Republic Services has violated any regulations.

"The landfill has been referred to the attorney's general office (AGO) for enforcement related to alleged violations of state law observed. Questions regarding the status of that matter would be best addressed by the AGO," she said. "The agency does not monitor alleged violations of local ordinances. Questions regarding local issues would be best handled by the local health department."

After weeks of attempts to contact Republic Services, its Relations contacted The Intelligencer on Thursday afternoon after the Friday newspaper had gone to press.

"This facility also serves several third-party customers who directly haul their material here for disposal," they said of the Roxana site. Republic Services has measures in place to ensure that loads from our vehicles are secure but we cannot enforce those same standards with third-party customers on public roadways."

Issue before the county board

The landfill was discussed at the March 15 Madison County Board meeting when three of the five public speakers addressed the issue. Board members discussed it at the end of the regular meeting before going into executive session.

Citizens look at disgusting trash every day they travel Madison County roadways, said Mahanay, who had spoken on the issue during the regular December board meeting. Since December, he said a grassroots effort has emerged because of litter and odor problems.

The community has taken action, he said. Citizens have picked up trash along the roadways leading to the landfill.

While the results are notable, he said it is not the solution to the problem and the county must address it.

Doucleff was at the meeting. He has said the first priority is to clean up existing trash, then determine exactly what and where the biggest problems are.

Russ Wheat, another speaker, was sharply critical of the county board. He suggested a number of actions, including dealing with the permits of trucks hauling the trash.

Start putting the squeeze on those permits and they cant drive the trucks, he said. There are lot of things that could be done, but I dont feel its getting done. Do a better job.

Board member Mike Babcock, R-Bethalto, said the issue was complicated and the county wanted to address it, "but we are limited at some level.

We are all in agreement that the trash needs to be picked up, he said.

Board member Terry Eaker, R-Bethalto, who has brought the issue up at numerous committee meetings, said the board has been addressing the issue.

IDOT has had crews out between Route 3 and 203, and theyve done a very good job, he said, adding that board member Michael Turner, R-Granite City, was one of those workers.

Trash isn't just Republic's problem

After a light rain on Mach 22, residue from transport trucks left a trail of glass and other material on Bender Road, local residents allege.

On April 3, Mahaney told The Intelligencer that he does not want to appear to be demonizing Republic Services over the issue, but he wants to see more work accomplished.

Its not just the landfill hauler contributing to the litter; its also not just about mom and dad throwing a McDonalds wrapper out of the car window, he said.

He said there has been an increase in odor at the landfill. He lives about 1.2 miles north of the landfill and said the odor has become so bad, that on certain days he cannot sit outside with his wife when there is a strong south wind. He said their experience isn't comparable to those who live along Route 143 and Edwardsville-Old Alton Road.

He said a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request revealed Collinsville has transported what he calls sewer sludge to the landfill. That is allowed, according to the IEPA.

"The landfills permit does not prohibit it from receiving sludges such as from publicly owned treatment works," noted the IEPA's Biggs. "In response to odor complaints, the landfill has been reviewing the sludges it receives and its sludge management practices, has visited facilities sending it sludges and has even rejected sludges with odor issues.

"There is no law prohibiting the interstate shipment or disposal of waste," she added.

Republic Services told The Intelligencer, "When municipal waste water treatment facilities process the water that comes from your home they remove biosolids which are commonly referred to as 'sludge.' In compliance with state and federal guidelines, we have the ability to accept this treated material as outlined in our operating permit."

The site also can take in waste from out of state. Many trucks bringing trash to the landfill originate in Missouri.

"Roxana Landfill is a regional hub that supports both the Missouri and Illinois markets and in our industry it is common for waste to travel between states," the company statement noted.

Hoping for improvement

Mahaney said progress on improving the landfill has been equivalent to the speed of a glacier.

Willingness to work toward resolutions was expressed at the March 31 forum. The committee agreed to meet monthly for at least the next two to three months, then quarterly after that.

If things do not change, Mahaney said the ultimate goal is to prompt law enforcement to write citations.

The group plans another meeting with Roxana at the end of April. In the meantime, frustration over the situation remains for nearby residents like Mahaney.

Republic isnt being a very good neighbor at this time," he said.

Alton Telegraph staff writer Scott Cousins contributed to this story.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin met with China's defense minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijing's strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.

Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Gen. Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow.

China has refused to criticize Russias military actions in Ukraine and blames the United States and NATO for provoking Moscow. But Chinas foreign minister said last week that China wouldn't be helping Russia with weapons, as the U.S. and other Western allies have feared.

Officially, China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict. However, Xi's trip emphasized how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline during the Ukraine conflict.

In comments opening the meeting, Putin praised the general development of Russia-China relations.

We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchanging information that is useful to us, cooperating in the field of military-technical cooperation, conducting joint exercises, moreover, in different theaters: in the Far East region, and in Europe, and at sea, and on land and in the air, he said, according to the Kremlin.

Li said that the countries' relations outperform the military-political unions of the Cold War era. They rest on the principles of nonalignment, and are very stable.
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SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Hundreds of detainees from Yemens conflict were released Saturday as part of a major prisoner exchange that began a day earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

The deal, brokered by the United Nations last month, has been the most significant exchange of prisoners in Years. It comes amid concerted efforts diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the long-running war in Yemen.

It involves the release of more than 800 prisoners from all sides of the war that began in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Yemens capital, Sanaa, overthrowing the internationally recognized government. The government fled to the south and then into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi takeover prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene months later, and the conflict turned into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the United States long involved on the periphery, providing intelligence assistance to the kingdom. However, international criticism over Saudi airstrikes killing civilians saw the U.S. pull back its support.

The implementation of the three-day prisoner exchange started Friday with the release of 318 former detainees from all sides, including Maj. Gen. Mahmoud al-Subaihi, who was the defense minister when the war erupted, and Nasser Mansour Hadi, the brother of former Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

The ICRC said all parties released a total of 357 war detainees on Saturday. Houthi prisoners were transported from Saudi Arabia and other government-held cities in Yemen to the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, it said.

Among those released were some two dozen Saudi and Sudanese troops from the Saudi-led coalition. The rebels also released relatives of late strongman leader of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to the deal.

Saleh had fought with the Houthis in the early years of the war, before changing sides, prompting the rebels to kill him in December 2017. Tariq Saleh, a nephew of the late president, is now leader of a powerful force in Yemens western coast area.

The prisoner exchange came as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia on Friday wrapped up an intensive round of negotiations in Sanaa to revive an expired cease-fire and embark on talks to settle the conflict, according to the Houthis. Both sides would meet again for further talks, the rebels said.

The Saudi-Houthi negotiations, brokered by Oman, have gained momentum following a deal last month between Saudi Arabi and Iran to restore their diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift. Iran is the Houthis main foreign backer.

The conflict in Yemen has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo.
It is the loveliest feeling in the world when you realise two extraordinary individuals you have known for years are right up there in the global culinary world, which has finally recognised the enormous potential of Indias rich, diverse cuisines thanks to their efforts at the iconic brandIndian Accentwhich is all set to conquer Mumbai palates after winning top international awards and wowing New York.

Take deep bows, Rohit Khattar and chef Manish Mehrotra. Rohit comes with admirable academic credentials and easily qualifies for the big 10 of the food and beverages industry in India, with his impressive portfolio of 30 restaurants, two hotels and Indias most comprehensive performing arts and convention centre (India Habitat Centre). It is solely Rohits vision, commitment, passion and hunger to excel in his industry that has won him global recognition, with Indian Accent being the only restaurant from India to make it to the worlds 50 best restaurants list.

Manish Mehrotra and Rohit Khattar

I take both these supremely talented food wizards a little bit for granted, having known them well before they became legit international celebs. While Manish is credited for reinterpreting nostalgic Indian dishesnotably, his unbelievably light and airy Daulat Ki Chaat dessert, which is said to have originated in Afghanistan before travelling to the royal courts of Indiahe started his career at my favourite neighbourhood restaurant (Thai Pavilion) with another old friend and legendary chef, Ananda Solomon. It was only after the Delhi launch of Indian Accent (2009), that Manish rose to prominence. It took two years for Dilliwalas to get used to Manishs entirely inventive approach to old favourites, but the twists were tantalisinglike the blue cheese naan! Word of mouth about the brilliant chef soon had gourmet diners flockingand talking! He is now the culinary director and corporate chef overseeing Rohits food empire.

I was fortunate to be invited by Rohit to attend a pop-up in Mumbai recently, and was not sure I would meet either of them. But, hello! Chef was right there, ensuring every dish coming out of the kitchen at Jolies (the glam private club established by the young Aryaman Birla), was presented impeccably. I greeted him with squeals of delight while congratulating the team for the big win.

When Rohit launched Chor Bizzarre in London (1990), it created a sensation for its eccentric decor and authentic Kashmiri food. I was invited to conduct a creative writing workshop sometime around then, and to our amusement we discovered not too many desis wanted to pay for a writing workshop, and the Brits were happy with their own writers, thank you! We laughed and bravely carried on, keeping ourselves amused with Mumbai/Delhi stories and eating the most delicious khaana. Rohits lovely wife, Rashmi (who designs all his projects) and their two children kept us company, as we chilled out enjoying London in the spring. Little did I know then just how fast Rohit would scale up his projects and make such a huge success out of all of them. With his passion for jazz, theatre and more, Rohit is a visionary with an eclectic world view and the hard-nosed business sense to see the most challenging hospitality enterprises through.

Mumbaikars are hungrily waiting for him to launch Indian Accent at BKC, with executive chef Shantanu Mehrotra helming the restaurant. Perhaps, Rohit will get to spend more time in Mumbai once that happens. And we can hang together as we once did in London. Waiting impatiently to savour Manishs signature masterpiecethe Daulat Ki Chaatin Aamchi Mumbai. Go on get your bibs on, Mumbaikars.
Retired high court judge Arvind Kumar Tripathi will head the three-member judicial commission formed by Uttar Pradesh government to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj. The committee has been asked to submit its report in two months.

Retired judge Brijesh Kumar Soni and former DGP Subesh Kumar Singh are the other two members of the probe panel which was formed under Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in full view of camera crews on Saturday night. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels.

All the three accused have been arrested and identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj.

An FIR has been registered against them under sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC as well as other sections under the Arms Act.

"As per mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for medical examination. According to preliminary information, three persons posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Commissioner of Police Ramit Sharma said.

Atiq was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 and also the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in Raju's murder, in February this year.

Atiq was killed just hours after the last rites of his son, who was killed in an encounter with police on April 13.
The three men arrested for shooting dead gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother wanted to become popular, stated the FIR.

The three shooters were identified as Lavlesh Tiwari (22) of Banda, Mohit alias Sunny (23) of Hamirpur and Arun Maurya (18) of Kasganj. An FIR had been registered against them under the IPC sections 302 and 307.

According to police, Lavlesh has sustained injuries during cross firing and was undergoing treatment at medical college hospital.

The arms used for shooting was also recovered from the spot by the police.

Reportedly, the accused told police that they wanted to make their name and identity in the state by eliminating the gang and they will definitely get benefit in the future.

"Since the time we got to know about the police custody of Atiq and Ashraf, we were planning to murder them. So we posed as journalists and when we got the right opportunity, we pulled the trigger and implemented the plan," one of the accused told police, reported PTI.





The two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a checkup.



SOPs for journalists

In the wake of the assailants posing as journalists and approached Atiq Ahmad and his brother while being taken for their medicals, the Centre has decided to prepare a standard operating procedures for safety and security of journalists.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will prepare a standard operating procedures for the safety and security of journalists.

Opposition reacts



West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expresses her shock on the incident. A total collapse of the law and order in Uttar Pradesh, she said.

"I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that criminals are now taking the law into their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence," Banerjee tweeted.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that criminals must be given the harshest punishment but under the law of the land. No one can be allowed to mess with it. Judiciary has the right to decide the punishment of the criminal. This right cannot be given to any government, any leader or any person who violates the law," the Congress chief in a series of tweets in Hindi.





(With PTI inputs)
Prisoners released during a prisoner exchange exit a plane at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

ADEN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government.

High-profile figures, including Nasser Mansour Hadi, the brother of former Yemeni president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, and Mahmoud Al Subeihi, the country's former defense minister, are among those being freed.

After the planes touched down at Aden's airport, the families of the released detainees shed tears of joy and greeted their loved one with flowers.

More flights are planned for Saturday and Sunday to carry the remaining prisoners between cities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the ICRC said.

The exchange of prisoners is regarded as a crucial confidence-building gesture aimed at building trust between the warring factions and preparing the ground for upcoming peace talks. The move has raised hopes for a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict that has plagued Yemen for over eight years and caused immense sufferings to its citizens.

Yemen has been embroiled in a protracted war since the Houthi militia, backed by Iran, took control of several northern cities and ousted the Saudi-backed Yemeni government from the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering number of casualties and has pushed Yemen to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. 

A plane carrying prisoners released during a prisoner exchange lands at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

People wait as a plane carrying prisoners released during a prisoner exchange lands at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A plane carrying prisoners released during a prisoner exchange lands at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A father hugs his son, who is released during a prisoner exchange, at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Prisoners released during a prisoner exchange walks on the tarmac at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 14, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country.

About 320 detainees were released on Friday, including 70 Yemeni government prisoners who were sent from Sanaa to Aden onboard two flights, and 250 Houthi captives on flights from Aden to Sanaa, according to Yahya Kazman, chief of the negotiation committee from the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A Yemeni man hugs his brother, who is released during a prisoner exchange, at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 15, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Yemeni people hug their family members, who are released during a prisoner exchange, at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 15, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A plane carrying released prisoners lands at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 15, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A welcoming ceremony is held to welcome released prisoners at the Sanaa airport in Sanaa, Yemen, April 15, 2023. Yemen's warring parties began a three-day exchange of more than 880 prisoners on Friday, marking a significant step toward peace in the warn-torn Arab country. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered a high-level probe into the murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj.

"The chief minister has constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmad and Ashraf," Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said.

The chief minister has also instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state. "CM has also appealed to people not to pay any attention to rumours. Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours," the official statement from Chief Minister's Office said.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to maintain law and order, they said.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police sources said more details in this regard will be disclosed later.

The UP Police have also conducted a flag march in Lucknow's Husainabad, Mathura and Ayodhya regions. A company of Rapid Action Force has also been deployed in the Prayagraj to maintain high security.

Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey told ANI," We are keeping vigil. After looking at the sensitivity of the situation in the district we are on alert. We are talking to the public to maintain peace".

There are also reports that the internet is down in the area.

Opposition reacts

The Opposition leaders have questioned the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and sought the dissolution of the Yogi government after the murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf while in police custody in Prayagraj.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and criminals are unfazed. "Crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and the criminals are unfazed. When someone can be shot dead amidst a police cordon, then what about the safety of the general public? An atmosphere of fear is being created among the public due to this and it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," he tweeted.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary asked if 'jungle raj' prevails in the state. "Nobody is sympathising with Atiq Ahmad because a criminal should be punished. But anyone who will see this video will question if we are a democracy. Every criminal has the right to be heard in court and be convicted there. But you can see they were killed in police custody in the open," he said.

He further said, "The chief minister should answer what kind of law and order he has established in the state. Is this not jungle raj and a ground to call for emergency rule in UP?"

In a tweet, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said, "Two murders in UP: 1) Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf 2) Rule of law."

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP from Amroha Danish Ali said the "cold-blooded" murder of Ahmad and his brother is the "height of anarchy" in Uttar Pradesh.

"This can't happen without a go-ahead from the top. In any other democracy the state government must have been dismissed for such a heinous crime against the rule of law," he said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also said the law and order failed in the state. "Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law and order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder," AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted.
The three assailants who gunned down gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf in Prayagraj on Saturday night approached the duo posing as journalists.

The three men, whose identity has not been revealed yet, had been carrying a video camera and microphone. The shooting happened in full view of the media. The horrifying footage, doing rounds on social media, showed a man pulling the trigger on Atiq Ahmed as he talks to reporters. The former Samajwadi Party MP is seen collapsing as the assailants then fire at his brother.

The three men have been arrested in this connection. Police said further details will be shared later.

Atiq and Ashraf were in handcuffs when the incident happened. The duo were being taken for a medical check-up by police personnel to a medical college here.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said.

He added that the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Ahmad and Ashraf.

The murders come just hours after the last rites of Ahmad's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed in his native village.

Police constable Man Singh was injured in the incident as a bullet hit his arm and a journalist was also hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting. The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.

However, moments before their killing, Atiq and Ashraf were talking to the media. When asked his response on not being able to attend son Asad''s funeral, Atiq said: "Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go)." These were his last words.

"Main baat ye hai ki Guddu Muslim.... (the thing is that Guddu Muslim...) were Ashraf's last words.

Both Atiq and Ashraf were the key accused in the murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal.

Umesh and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence here on February 24.

Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Ahmad, Ashraf, Ahmad's wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others.

A police team from Uttar Pradesh brought Ahmad, who was lodged in the high-security Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, to Prayagraj on March 26 to produce him in a court in the 2006 Umesh Pal kidnapping case.

On March 28, the court sentenced Ahmad and two others to life imprisonment in the kidnapping case.

In 2006, Ahmad and his aides abducted Umesh Pal and forced him to give a statement in court in their favour. Umesh Pal had got a complaint registered in this regard.

The Supreme Court had in April 2019 directed that Ahmad be shifted to a high-security jail in Gujarat after he was accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and assault of Lucknow-based real-estate businessman Mohit Jaiswal while in jail.

Ahmad was named in more than 100 criminal cases, including the Umesh Pal murder case, police said.

Ahmad moved the Supreme Court for protection, claiming that he and his family have been falsely implicated in the Umesh Pal murder case and he may be killed in a fake encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

He had also told media persons that there were plans to murder him while in police custody.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who announced his resignation from the BJP on Saturday, said he doesn't know why the party denied him a ticket for the Assembly elections.

The MLA lashed out against the party and said there was a conspiracy against him. "I am the senior member of the party, I am denied a ticket and I dont know what are the reasons for it. I do not want any ministry. I will work as MLA to serve my constituency. I dont even know what is the reason behind not giving me a ticket," Shettar told ANI.

"There is a conspiracy against me, I will tell everything after resigning," he added.

The 67-year-old leader said late on Saturday here he would also resign from the state assembly. He also vowed to contest in the elections but refused to clarify whether he would stand as an independent or join the Congress.

"I want to contest an MLA election. Party told me that they will communicate with high command but now the situation has been delayed. Tomorrow I will meet the speaker and submit my resignation from the MLA post," he said.

Shettar said he will decide on how to fight the elections on Monday. "Tomorrow I will decide on how I will fight elections whether independent or not time will tell. I have explained everything to the high command. They should at least explain if there is a survey about me or any report which pertains to their decision," he told ANI on Sunday.

The six-time MLA made the announcement soon after he met with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Dharmendra Pradhan. The trio reached his house on Saturday night after he rebelled against the BJP's decision to not field him from the Hubli-Dharwad central constituency.

Meanwhile, Congress has reportedly kept aside a special seat for Shettar. Congress senior leader Siddaramaiah had earlier said that he would welcome Shettar if he joins the party.

"BJP has not treated senior leaders right, Siddaramaiah said while asking where BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa were now.

The Congress leader said the party would benefit from former BJP leader Laxman Savadi's entry. "We will give responsibility to Savadi for campaigning as per his wishes," he said.
Denied ticket to contest the Karnataka polls, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar tendered his resignation as MLA on Sunday. Coming down heavily on Shettar, former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that the people of Karnataka will not forgive him.

"We made him (Shettar) the chief minister of Karnataka and the BJP state president. The statements given by him have made us unhappy. People knew about Jagadish Shettar only because of BJP. I want to ask Jagadish Shettar why is he joining Congress. If he comes back to BJP, we will welcome him," said Yediyurappa, while addressing the media.

"Dharmendra Pradhan had offered Jagadish Shattar, a ministerial position in the cabinet. We had offered a ticket to Jagadish Shattar's family. But he did not respond to it," Yediyurappa was quoted by ANI .

Recently, former Karnataka deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi had quit BJP and has joined Congress on being denied the ticket. Savadi will contest from the Athani constituency in the upcoming polls in May 10.

"BJP is a national party. BJP has given a good position to me, Jagadish Shettar, Laxman Savadi and others. Laxman Savadi was made a minister. When he lost the election, we made him an MLC. We gave him many opportunities in the party," Yediyurappa said.

"I want to ask Laxman Savadi followers, what wrong did we do to him? Why did he join the Congress," he added.

Shettar submitted his resignation to the Assembly speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district.

I wanted only the MLA seat from Hubali-Dharwad-Central...I had contributed to the growth of the party in the state, said Shettar after resigning as Sirsi MLA.

However, Shettar is yet to announce whether he will contest the elections independently or will join another party.

Senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad said his party would welcome Shettar in case he wishes to join it.
All 17 members of the police team providing security to Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf have been suspended in the aftermath of their murder on Saturday night. In addition, to prevent any trouble in the state, Section 144 has been imposed across all districts.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that the brothers were killed for they would have spilled the beans about their connections to politicians, builders and industrialists. He is believed to have told the police about the numerous shell companies through which the ill gotten wealth of many politicians and bureaucrats has been funnelled into real estate.

On April 16, Ahmed's son Asad was killed in a police encounter. The father had said that he had no knowledge of his son's activities and also that his son could not even hold a pistol. Ahmed's wife, Shaista, is absconding.

Ahmed had some 102 criminal cases listed against his name. He committed his first murder when he was 17.

Shooters identified

Three shooters- Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya have been nabbed for the murder that took place when the brothers were being taken for medical examination. The three have told the police that they would not have regretted being killed during the incident.

Lavlesh is a resident of Banda and his family has denied any connections with him. Maurya, from Kasganj, is wanted in the killing of a railway policeman for the last six years. Sunny is a resident of Hamirpur and has 17 criminal cases against him.

Such was Ahmed's clout- and perhaps misplaced confidence, that post his son's murder, he had said that he would seek revenge and show what he was made of.

The debate over the murders in police custody has already started to gain strength with many saying that perhaps it is time to shut down the courts in Uttar Pradesh.

A three member judicial commission has been announced by the state's chief minister to probe the murders.
An Indian national working in Sudan has succumbed to stray bullet injuries that he suffered in the clashes that broke out between the Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

"It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries. Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements," tweeted Indian Embassy in Sudan.

Press Release



It has been reported that Mr Albert Augestine, an Indian National working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries.



Embassy is in touch with family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.  India in Sudan (@EoI_Khartoum) April 16, 2023

A fight has broke out between the army and paramilitary forces across Sundan on Saturday. The clashes have left many including the Indians reeling under panic and fear. People were asked to stay indoors by the state officials. Indian Embassy in Sudan tweeted an advisory asking Indian citizens to stay indoors.

Meanwhile, External Affair Minister (EAM) S. Jaishakar tweeted that Deeply grieved to learn about the death of an Indian national in Khartoum. The Embassy is making all efforts to extend fullest assistance to the family. The situation in Khartoum remains one of great concern. We will continue to monitor developments.

A number of SOS messages have been posted online by Indians, who are stuck in hotel rooms across the capital city Khartoum.

The fighting continued overnight in the capital, Khartoum, were gunfires were dodged as the rival forces battled over the presidential palace.

According to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, 56 civilians and 595 others were injured in clashes. According to the official data, the number of Indians in Sudan is around 4,000 including, 1,200 who have settled down in the country decades ago.

The US, UK and the EU has intervened and asked to end the fight.
A day after the fight broke out between Sudan's military and a government paramilitary force, a total of 56 civilians were killed and several injured in the clashes across Sudan.

According to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, 595 others were wounded in the clashes.

On Saturday, the clashes that erupted between the army and paramilitary forces gripped panic and fear in the communities. The fighting continued overnight in the capital, Khartoum, were gunfires were dodged as the rival forces battled over the presidential palace.

Both the army and its opponents, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), claimed control of the airport and other key sites in Khartoum.

Gunshots were heard by eyewitnesses in Red Sea city of Port Sudan. Heavy artillery was heard in Omdurman, which adjoins Khartoum, and nearby Bahri in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Since the coup in 2021, generals have been running Sudan.

The fighting that erupt between the army units loyal to the de facto leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Sudan's deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo also known as Hemedti, reported BBC.

Gen Dagalo said that his troops would keep fighting until all army bases were captured.

Panic gripped

The clashes have left many including the Indians reeling under panic and fear. People were asked to stay indoors by the state officials. Indian Embassy in Sudan tweeted an advisory asking Indian citizens to stay indoors.

According to media reports, there was no electricity in Khartoum with the ongoing battle.

The US, UK and the EU has intervened and asked the authorities to stop the fighting. Even the Russian embassy was concerned with the escalation of the violence.

The RSF on Saturday had claimed that at least three airports, the army's chief residence, and the presidential palace was under its control. However it was denied by Gen Burhan. RSF also said that one of its camps in south of Khartoum was attacked as well.
Separatist gunmen attacked Indonesian army troops who were deployed to rescue a New Zealand pilot taken hostage by the rebels in Indonesia's restive Papua province, leaving at least six dead and about 30 missing, officials said on Sunday.

Initial information from army reports said there were about 36 soldiers at a post in the hilly district of Nduga, when attackers from the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, opened fire on Saturday.

At least six died and 21 others fled into the jungle, according to the military reports seen by journalists. A military spokesman confirmed only one dead. Nine soldiers were reportedly being held by the rebels.

Papua military spokesperson Col. Herman Taryaman said the soldiers were part of a group that was searching for Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand pilot for the Indonesian aviation company Susi Air who was abducted by the rebels in February. He said authorities were searching for about 30 soldiers.

It's still unknown exactly how many Indonesian army troops died and were injured, Taryaman said. We are still searching, but heavy rain, foggy weather and a lack of communication have hampered our search and evacuation efforts, he said.

First Admiral Julius Widjojono, the spokesperson for the Indonesian National Armed Forces, or TNI, told a news conference in the capital, Jakarta, that the search operation will be carried out with maximum force.

He said the rebels confronted troops when they tried to comb an area close to the position of the pilot and his abductors. The rebels shot a soldier who fell into a 15-metre (49-foot) deep ravine, and launched a second attack while troops were getting his body out, Widjojono said. He confirmed only one fatality so far.

Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a statement that the group's fighters carried out the attack in revenge for the killing of two rebels in a shootout with Indonesian security forces last month. He said at least nine members of Indonesia's elite army force were killed in Saturday's attack.

Sambom urged Indonesia's government to stop its military operations in Papua. He also said his group had offered to negotiate with both the Indonesian and New Zealand governments for the pilot they took hostage, but said they had not received a response.

Indonesia's government must stop its security operation in Papua and be willing to negotiate with our leaders under the mediation of a neutral third party from a United Nations agency, Sambom said.

Widjojono said the military operations in Papua were launched with a view to avoid a large number of casualties. TNI has never stepped back even once in maintaining our territorial sovereignty, Widjojono said. And this is being implemented consistently in Papua.

The rebels in February stormed a single-engine plane shortly after it landed on a small runway in Paro in remote Nduga district and abducted its pilot. The plane initially was scheduled to pick up 15 construction workers who had been building a health centre after separatist rebels threatened to kill them.

Saturday's fighting is the latest in a series of violent incidents in recent years in Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia. Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are common.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after an UN-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham. Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua. Rebel attacks have spiked in the past year, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed.
United Nations' food agency on Sunday said they are temporarily suspending its operations in Sudan following the death of three of its employees in the ongoing clash between Sudanese Army and paramilitary force RSF. The agency said two other employees also suffered injuries.

In a statement, the executive director of the programme Cindy McCain said, Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFPs critical work.

McCain said an aircraft managed by the agency at Khartoum International Airport got significantly damaged in gunfire exchange between the forces on Saturday. We are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan. WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed, she said in a statement.

According to reports, three staff of WFP got killed in the violence in Kabkabiya, North Darfur. At least 56 civilians got killed and several got injured in the clashes across Sudan. According to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, 595 were wounded in the clashes. On Saturday, clashes erupted between the army and paramilitary forces and several Embassies including that of India and the UK advised their citizens to stay indoors.
The infrastructure of happiness is built on welfare ideals, what the Americans derisively call socialist or nanny states. The focus is on citizens wellbeing. In Finland, as in the other Nordic countries, the infrastructure includes democratic governance, well-functioning public services, human rights and free basic necessities. Free education and health care, income security and pensions are guaranteed to everyone, says Finnish diplomat Teemu Tanner. The five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) are in the top seven happiest countries in the world. The unhappiest people live in shattered nationsSierra Leone, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The infrastructure of happiness is anchored in civic virtues like honesty and equality. Says writer Merete Mazzarella, Equality helps in societal happiness. When you see enormous difference in wealth, when you cant make it no matter how hard you work, how can you be happy? Equality is not a sentiment. It is law. Says teacher Katriina Apajalahti, We have no poor, a few rich and no filthy-rich. No Bezos and no beggars, but a support framework for all citizens.

A girl examines human anatomy. In Nordic schools, cooperation, not competition, is the ideal | Shutterstock

An American who loses her job must scramble to find a new one. A Norwegian gets a monthly dole of Rs3 lakh for two years, giving her time to find a new job. A not so well-off Indian breadwinner who gets cancer must sell his property. A Finn gets free treatment. Upon graduation, a British student has a degree, and debt. A Dane graduates with free, high-quality education and a secure job. Wellbeing depends on security replacing stress. Says cultural influencer Gunvor Kronman, We are taken care of, we dont feel abandoned. Happiness is ephemeral, wellbeing is structural. Says Jeffrey D. Sachs, coauthor of the World Happiness Report, In Nordic countries, people trust the government and the government delivers.

Hobbies and leisure are also part of the infrastructure of happiness. Studies show downtime is not time wasted. It refreshes, improving and not decreasing productivity. Nordic people work the least. In Norway, offices close at 3pm in the summer, enabling citizens to hike in the mountains or swim in the fjord; in winter people can ski. In Japan, India and the US, working late is a badge of honour. For Nordics, it is a sign of inefficiency. They get five weeks of paid vacation, while 23 per cent of Americans do not get paid vacation and those who do mostly get two weeks. Says Laurie Santos, Yale professor and author of The Science of Well-Being: Science shows having a little bit more time makes us happy.

That happiness comes from this holistic infrastructure is proven by the Nordic countries topping not just the happiness rankings but various wellbeing metrics. The Nordic social democracies are the worlds most stable, prosperous, least corrupt, well-governed countries with high salaries and standard of living, longest paternity and maternity leaves, high employment rates, strong political, civic and press freedom. Accountability is high, with prime ministers savaged for what would be considered minor misdemeanours in most countries. Gender equality, social justice, work-life balance and human development scores are also the highest in the world. Says social scientist Roosa Tikkanen, The governments social spending is high so the citizens quality of life is good.

Low crime rates mean high public safety and open societies. State buildings are not guarded. The new public library in Helsinki is the same height as the parliament building across the road. Tour guide Heidi Johansson said visiting Israelis were shocked, wondering how parliamentarians could be protected from snipers. Opposite the Helsinki presidential palace is a spa. Americans were amazed, saying, If we got this close to the White House we would be shot. An American anthropologist was stunned to see glass-encased emergency hammers in trainsCant a crazy guy take this and kill other people?

Trust is another civic virtue that binds Nordic societies. Citizens trust each other and the authorities. Says filmmaker Iiris Harma, Trust is an important part of our success. Welfare societies create trust. In Nordic schools, cooperation, not competition, is the ideal. Politicians take public transport and mingle with people in the streets, forests and parks. Trust and high taxes go together. Says Apajalahti, We pay our taxes happily because we get lifelong benefits in return. I can be sure I will get support when I need.

People are willing to pay high taxes also because there is accountability and no corruption. Says Tanner: Surveys show 96 per cent of Finns believe paying taxes is an important civic duty and that taxes are important for maintaining Finlands welfare state. Like all Nordics, Finland has a high track record of honesty. Says Apajalahti, Honesty is in our Lutheran mothers milk. People forget laptops and mobiles in cafes, but are confident of finding them later. Mazzarella explains, It is an old tradition. You dont take what is not yours. When Swedens longest serving Prime Minister Tage Erlander died in 1981, his widow, Aina, went to his office to return pencils he had taken while he served.
People attend a Madison dance performance at Angkor Archeological Park complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on April 15, 2023. Cambodia on Saturday broke its own Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance involving 4,999 participants, a Guinness World Record adjudicator announced.

The participants performed the five-minute Madison dance at the famed Angkor Archeological Park complex in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap City to celebrate the traditional Khmer New Year, which kicked off on Friday for three days. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Saturday broke its own Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance involving 4,999 participants, a Guinness World Record adjudicator announced.

The participants performed the five-minute Madison dance at the famed Angkor Archeological Park complex in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap City to celebrate the traditional Khmer New Year, which kicked off on Friday for three days.

Cambodia's Union of Youth Federations organized the dance, led by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's youngest son Hun Many.

Guinness World Record official adjudicator Tomomi Sekioka said she had concluded going over all the evidence and was amazed by the incredible teamwork and seriousness of people participating.

"I can now confirm that with 4,999 participants, the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia has achieved a new Guinness World Record title. Congratulations!" she declared the result.

Sekioka said Cambodia set a new Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance, beating its previous record of 2,015 participants in 2015.

Speaking at the event, many said it was another pride for Cambodia after the Southeast Asian nation on Tuesday broke a Guinness World Record for the largest display of 3,917,805 origami hearts, beating the previous record held by Britain.

"It again reflects our spirit of love, unity and solidarity for the pride of our nation," he said.

The Madison dance is quite popular in the kingdom during Khmer New Year celebrations and wedding receptions. 

Participants perform Madison dance at Angkor Archeological Park complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on April 15, 2023. Cambodia on Saturday broke its own Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance involving 4,999 participants, a Guinness World Record adjudicator announced.

The participants performed the five-minute Madison dance at the famed Angkor Archeological Park complex in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap City to celebrate the traditional Khmer New Year, which kicked off on Friday for three days. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)

Participants perform Madison dance at Angkor Archeological Park complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on April 15, 2023. Cambodia on Saturday broke its own Guinness World Record for the largest Madison dance involving 4,999 participants, a Guinness World Record adjudicator announced.

The participants performed the five-minute Madison dance at the famed Angkor Archeological Park complex in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap City to celebrate the traditional Khmer New Year, which kicked off on Friday for three days. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)
What is striking from the Happiness Index is the consistent success of the Nordic countries. The five Nordic countriesFinland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Icelandare all in the top seven of the world. In fact, ever since the World Happiness Report was first published a decade ago, the Nordic countries have always been in the top 10. So, when searching for an explanation for Finlands success, I would focus on examining what the Nordic countries have done right compared with other countries.

We should take the happiness indices as seriously as we take metrics like GDP.

The real reasons for the Nordics high rankings are more boring. It is the high-quality institutions that explain the high rankings. The institutions that are watchdogs of democracy, corruption, press freedom and so on simply work. Combine this with the welfare policies for which the Nordic countries are famous. When facing various challenges in life, the people can count on the institutions for help. Not perfect, but better than almost anywhere else in the world. When happiness is defined as a quiet satisfaction with ones life conditions, then Finland, along with the other Nordic countries, might very well be the best place to live in.

But Finnish people might have one asset regarding happiness: our tendency to downplay our own happiness and the norm against too much public display of joy. This might actually make Finns happier. This is because social comparisons seem to play a significant role in peoples life satisfaction. If everybody else is doing better than you, it is hard to be satisfied with your life conditions, no matter how good they objectively are.

This is why researchers are worried about social media. Here people are constantly exposed to idealised versions of other peoples lives. We know this makes people more unhappy, especially youngsters who spend more time on social media. By not displaying, let alone exaggerating, their own happiness, Finns might help each other to make more realistic comparisons, which benefits everybodys happiness.

When it comes to institutions, it is not about making people happy. It is about removing sources of unhappiness. Well-functioning institutions and welfare services can remove many sources of unhappiness from peoples lives. So citizen happiness should be a serious political goal. For too long, policy-makers have focused on economic metrics when assessing success and progress, which, of course, is an important factor in removing poverty. Politicians and policy-makers should remember the ultimate goal of politics, articulated by Adam Smith in 1759: All constitutions of government are valued only in proportion as they tend to promote the happiness of those who live under them.

Right now, the happiness ranking is too often treated as a fun trivialityreported in lifestyle rather than politics section in newspapers. Instead, we should take the happiness indices as seriously as we take metrics like GDP. Rise of citizen happiness should be celebrated, while a drop in average happiness should be treated as a national crisis, meriting serious attention.

So, the ultimate secret to Finnish happiness is simple but perhaps hard to put in practicemake institutions accountable to the citizens at large, not serve just a narrow elite within it.

Martela is a Finnish philosopher.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) A three-day Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under India's G20 presidency will kick-start on Monday in Varanasi and will discuss on sustainable agriculture and food systems for healthy people and planet.

Agriculture research and development, including food security and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, digital agriculture, public private partnership etc., will be deliberated in the meeting being organised by the Union agriculture ministry.

The 'Millets And Other Ancient GRains International ReSearcH Initiative (MAHARISHI)' is also proposed for deliberations as a G20 initiative during India's presidency, an official statement said.

The MAHARISHI aims at advancing research collaborations and generating awareness about millets and other ancient grains during the International Year of Millets 2023 and after, it said.

The theme of the meeting is "Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and the Planet.'

The inaugural session will be graced by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, and Civil Aviation, General (Retd) V K Singh.

On the second day, the discussion on MACS Communique will start post-lunch and the same will conclude on the third day.

About 80 foreign delegates from G20 member states, including the USA, China, Russia and European Union, will attend the meeting, the statement said.

Invited guest countries (Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, Vietnam) and international bodies such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organization, are scheduled to participate.

International Solar Alliance, CDR and Asian Development Bank will also be participating as special invitees in the three-day meeting.

Senior officials from the ministry of agriculture and other ministries including the ministry of external affairs are also attending the meeting.

The government has made arrangements to give a taste of the unique experience of India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage to the foreign delegates arriving at Varanasi. The traditional welcome has been arranged at the airport.

The district administration has also made elaborate arrangements for the delegates to facilitate their convenient movement in the city. Adequate arrangements for their security and safety at the meeting venue hotels of their stay have also been made.

The delegates would be taken on a cruise ride to witness the scintillating view of Ganga Aarti on April 17. Thereafter, a welcome dinner and cultural programme is organised at Taj Ganges.

The delegates will be taken to Sarnath on April 18. They will be given a guided tour of ASI Museum and Buddha Stupa and also witness the light and sound show. Subsequently, the cultural performance and gala dinner for delegates is arranged at the serene surroundings of the Buddha Theme Park.

The delegates will visit Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) on April 19 and have a glimpse of the textile history of the city along with live demonstrations of the local artisans making their products.

A small exhibition of leading institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Department is organised at TFC. The delegates will be served with freshly-cooked millet dishes at the venue. Thereafter, farewell dinner and cultural performances are organised at the Hotel Taj Ganges.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) Actor Gautam Gulati says he is set to feature in a film produced by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's eponymous banner.

The "Bigg Boss 8" winner, who will next be seen as a gang leader in "MTV Roadies - Karm Ya Kaand", said the untitled project was supposed to be directed by Satish Kaushik. Kaushik died on March 9 at the age of 66.

According to Gulati, the shooting of the film is currently on hold. It will mark his reunion with Salman Khan Films (SKF) after the 2021 action thriller "Radhe".

"For now, I am doing 'MTV Roadies' and my next project is with Salman Khan Films. Satish Kaushik ji was going to direct the film. But it's unfortunate that he passed away. Let's see, the movie is on hold for now. We will begin shooting after 'Roadies'," Gulati told PTI.

The 35-year-old actor also recalled discussing his look for the film with Kaushik days before his demise.

"Life is short. Everyone should just appreciate what they have at present... He was sitting fine, eating salad and he was looking all good and fine..." Gulati added.

Kaushik, also known for directing films such as "Tere Naam", "Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai", and "Kaagaz", would have turned 67 on April 13.

In "MTV Roadies - Karm Ya Kaand", hosted by Sonu Sood, Gulati will appear alongside Prince Narula and Rhea Chakraborty as gang leaders. The 19th season of the popular reality series is currently in the audition stage.
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Pakistans Religious Affairs Minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor was killed in a road accident when his car was hit by another vehicle in the national capital, police said.

The ministers car was hit by a Hilux Revo while he was travelling from Mariott towards the Secretariat Chowk on Saturday, the Islamabad Police said in a statement.

The minister was rushed to the Polyclinic Hospital where he was declared dead.

Five persons present in the vehicle involved in the accident have been taken into custody and a probe is launched, it said.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police Akbar Nasir Khan told the media that the minister was driving his car alone when he collided with the other vehicle.

He died on the spot from the head injury he suffered, Khan said.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Shakoor was a senior member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) of Maulana Fazlur Rehman whose party is part of the ruling coalition.

JUI-F has said that the funeral prayer of the minister will be offered at the Tajbi Khel area of Lakki Marwat district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condoled his death and praised the late minister for his contributions to society as a practical scholar, ideological political activist, and a good human being.

President Dr Arif Alvi also expressed his deep sorrow over the ministers death and paid tribute to his services for interfaith harmony in the country.

"The grief is not just for his family but for me and the entire party," JUI-F's media cell quoted party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as saying.

Shakoor hit the headlines some months ago when a woman officer accused the minister of refusing to endorse her appointment as director general of the Hajj affairs due to her gender. However, the minister rejected the allegations.
Khartoum (Sudan), Apr 16 (AP) Sudan's military and a powerful paramilitary force battled fiercely Saturday in the capital and other areas, dealing a new blow to hopes for a transition to democracy and raising fears of a wider conflict. Doctors' groups reported at least 27 dead and 180 wounded, with the toll expected to rise.

The clashes capped months of heightened tensions between the military and its partner-turned-rival, the Rapid Support Forces group.

Those tensions had delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its short-lived transition to democracy, which was derailed by an October 2021 military coup.

Chaotic scenes unfolded in the capital of Khartoum, where fighters firing from truck-mounted machine guns battled in densely populated neighbourhoods.

Fire and explosions are everywhere, said Amal Mohamed, a doctor in a public hospital in Omdurman. We haven't seen such battles in Khartoum before, said resident Abdel-Hamid Mustafa.

By the end of the day, the military issued a statement ruling out out negotiations with the RSF, instead calling for the dismantling of what it called a rebellious militia.

The head of the paramilitary group, in turn, branded the armed forces chief a criminal. The tough language signalled that the conflict between the former allies, who jointly orchestrated the 2021 coup, was likely to continue.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting. Top diplomats, including the US Secretary of State, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  also called for a cease-fire and for both parties to return to negotiations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early on Sunday.

The fighting comes after months of escalating tensions between the commander of Sudan's miltitary, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the head of the RSF, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

It also followed years of political unrest since the 2021 coup.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process.

The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

The fighting erupted early on Saturday. The two sides traded blame over who started and also made rival claims over who controlled strategic installations around the capital.

By late Saturday, at least 27 people had been killed across Sudan and more than 180 wounded. The Sudan Doctor's Syndicate said at least six of the deaths were reported in the capital Khartoum and its sister city Omdurman and another eight near Nyala, the capital city of the South Darfur province in the southwest.

The syndicate said the casualty toll was likely higher, with many believed to be still uncounted in western Darfur region and the northern town of Merowe.

The military said in a statement late Saturday that its troops had seized all RSF bases in Omdurman, while residents reported heavy airstrikes on paramilitary positions in and around the capital that continued into the night.

After nightfall, sounds of gunfire and explosions were still heard in several parts of Khartoum, they said.

One of the flashpoints was Khartoum International Airport. There was no formal announcement that the airport was closed, but major airlines suspended their flights.

Saudi Arabia's national airline said one of its aircraft was involved in what it called an accident. Video showed the plane on fire on the tarmac. Another plane also appeared to have caught fire.

Flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 identified it as a Boeing 737 for SkyUp, a Kyiv, Ukraine-based airline. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The doctors' group said two civilians were killed at the airport.

Burhan, the armed forces chief, told the Qatar-based satellite news network Al Jazeera, that the day began with RSF troops harassing the military south of Khartoum, triggering the clashes. He said RSF fighters entered Khartoum airport and set fire to some planes.

He said all strategic facilities including the military's headquarters and the Republican palace, the seat of Sudan's presidency, are under his forces' control. He threatened to deploy more troops to Khartoum.

Dagalo accused Burhan of starting the battle by surrounding RSF troops. This criminal, he forced this battle upon us, he said.

Dagalo told Al Jazeera that he believed the fighting would be over in the next few days."

The RSF alleged that its forces controlled strategic locations in Khartoum and the northern city of Merowe some 350 kilometres (215 miles) northwest of the capital. The military dismissed the claims as lies.

The clashes also took place in other areas across the country including the Northern province, the conflict-ravaged Darfur region, and the strategic coastal city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was ousted in the 2021 coup, warned of a possible regional conflict if the fighting escalates. Shooting must stop immediately, he said in a video appeal to both sides posted on his Twitter account.

Cameron Hudson, a senior associate with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank and a former US diplomat, said the fighting could become wider and prolonged, calling on the United States to form a coalition of regional countries to pressure the leaders of the military and RSF to de-escalate.

Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan, and the Saudi ambassador in Sudan, Ali Bin Hassan Jaffar, were in contact with Dagalo and Burhan to try to end the violence, said a UN official who asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Chad announced that it is closing its land borders with Sudan. (AP) FZH
Brussels, Apr 16 (AP) In the weeks since Chinese leader Xi Jinping won a third five-year term as president, setting him on course to remain in power for life, leaders and diplomats from around the world have beaten a path to his door. None more so than those from Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron made a high-profile state visit to Beijing last week accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, just days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the northeast port city of Tianjin on Thursday, following a visit by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, would have been in China this week, too, but he tested positive for COVID-19.

For the 27-nation trading bloc, the reasons to head to China are clear.

As an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi could play a pivotal role in helping to end the war in Ukraine. The conflict has dragged on for over a year, driven up energy prices and inflicted more damage on economies struggling to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Europeans want Xi's help. They want him to talk to Ukraine's president as well as Russia's, but they don't see him as the key mediator. China's proposed peace plan for Ukraine is mostly a list of its previously known positions and is unacceptable, EU officials say.

The EU also fears that Xi might supply weapons to Russia. They've been particularly disturbed by Putin's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. That announcement came just days after Xi and Putin met to cement their no-limits friendship.

Baerbock said the war is top of my agenda. Praising Beijing for easing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she said that its influence vis a vis Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and for our relationship with China.

At the same time, the EU is deeply concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. China launched war games just after Macron left. But unlike the US, with its military and strategic interest in Taiwan, the Europeans mostly see the island in economic and pro-democracy terms.

So the visits are meant to reassure Xi of respect for Beijing's control over all of Chinese territory and to urge calm. They also highlight the challenge the US faces as it tries to build a coalition of countries to ramp up pressure on Beijing over its expansionist policies.

The key is that we have every interest, both in Europe and in China, to maintain the status quo, a senior EU official said on Wednesday, briefing reporters on plans for Borrell's sensitive trip on condition that he not be named. It has worked well for all sides for decades.

Beyond the geopolitics lies business. The EU and China did more than 2.3 billion euros' (USD 2.5 billion) worth of trade every day last year, and the Europeans don't want to endanger that. However, the EU's trade deficit has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to level the business playing field.

It's also desperate to limit its imports of critical resources from China, like rare earth minerals or hi-tech components, after painfully weaning itself off its biggest, and most unreliable, gas supplier, Russia.

It's a fine line to walk, and China is adept at divide-and-conquer politics.

Over the past two decades, the Chinese government has often used its economic heft to pry France, Germany and other allies away from the US on issues ranging from military security and trade to human rights and Taiwan.

Beijing has called repeatedly for a multi-polar world, a reference to Chinese frustration with US dominance of global affairs and the ruling Communist Party's ambition to see the country become an international leader.

There has been a serious deviation in US understanding and positioning about China, treating China as the primary opponent and the biggest geopolitical challenge, the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, told reporters last month.

China-Europe relations are not targeted, dependent, or subject to third parties, he said.

Macron's visit appeared to illustrate that Qin's view isn't just wishful thinking. As tensions rise between Beijing and Washington, the French leader said, it is important for Europe to retain its strategic autonomy.

Being a friend doesn't mean that you have to be a vassal, Macron said Wednesday, repeating a remark from his trip that alarmed some European partners. Just because we're allies, it doesn't mean (that) we no longer have the right to think for ourselves.

Such comments could strain ties with the US and have also exposed divisions within the EU.

Without mentioning Macron, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that some in Europe were too slow to heed the wake-up call on China.

You could see this over the past couple of weeks as some European leaders went to Beijing, Morawiecki said, adding: I do not quite understand the idea of strategic autonomy, if it means de-facto shooting into our own knee.

For its part, the White House has sought to downplay Macron's talk of Europe as an independent pole in a multi-polar world.

It thinks European scepticism toward Beijing is growing. US officials note a recent Dutch decision to restrict China's access to advanced computer chip components or Scholz publicly prodding Xi not to deliver weapons to Russia.

Despite the differences of national emphasis, the EU's strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019  that the Asian giant is "a partner, a competitor and systemic rival." The aim of the recent visits fit that mold: to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources. (AP) PY

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Khartoum (Sudan), Apr 16 (AP) The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day on

Sunday, signalling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

A doctors' group said at least 56 civilians were killed and that it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces.

The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said close to 600 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes capped months of heightened tensions between the military and its partner-turned-rival, the Rapid Support Forces group.

Those tensions had delayed a deal with political parties to get the country back to its short-lived transition to democracy, which was derailed by an October 2021 military coup.

Heavy fighting raged early on Sunday morning in the capital of Khartoum and the adjoining city of Omdurman.

There were fierce clashes around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters, said Tahani Abass, a prominent rights advocate.

The battles have not stopped, she said from her family home close to the military headquarters. They are shooting against each other in the streets. It's an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

Military jets also pounded RSF bases across the capital.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn't be independently verified.

Both sides signaled late Saturday that they were unwilling to negotiate.

The military, headed by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a rebellious militia. The head of the RSF, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiations. Dagalo called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the US Secretary of State, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Members of the UN Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early Sunday.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict. (AP) FZH
Washington, Apr 16 (PTI) India, the current G-20 president, is ready to share its strengths and successes with the world, its envoy here has said, asserting that the India-US partnership will not only benefit the two countries, but its rewards will be reaped around the globe.

India assumed the year-long presidency of the G-20 in December last year and aims to host a leaders summit in New Delhi in early September.

The G-20 is an important forum of the worlds 20 major developed and developing economies.

As the current president of the G-20, we are ready to share our strengths and successes with the world -- from vaccines and skills to digital public good as well as what we learn from others, Indias Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said on Saturday while addressing a packed gathering of eminent Indian-Americans at the India House here.

Sandhu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden's believe that democracies will deliver.

Our cooperation today touches every conceivable domain. Our cooperation today touches every conceivable domain; we are working closely under Quad, I2U2 and IPEF. Our diaspora has given more wings to our dreams and more winds to our sails. Ultimately, it is people of both countries that drive the India-US partnership. Your success is our success. The success of the India-US partnership will not only be in the interest of India and the US, but also the global good, he said.

In January, India and the US announced partnerships in the fields of space, defence, semiconductors and next-generation technologies.

The bilateral agreement is another example of the US bolstering ties in strategic areas with New Delhi, while isolating China.

Addressing the gathering, Sandhu said: The nature nudges us to celebrate togetherness what I will call is use of harmony, a true reflection of the diversity of India. Today we bring together different religions, cultures, and geographies.

He made these comments on a day when Navreh was being celebrated in Kashmir, Vaisakhi in Punjab and north India, Vishu in Kerala, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Bihu in Assam, Poila Boisakh in West Bengal, Mahavir Jayanti, Easter, Ramadan, Eid and the Jewish festival of Passover.

India is a beautiful garland of diverse colours. We love and enjoy each of these festivals in the spirit of spring, he said.

Ambassador Sandhu also paid glowing tributes to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution on his 132nd birth anniversary.

Dr Ambedkar studied in Columbia University here in the US, which played an important role in shaping his thoughts and vision. We know people, three small words with which the Indian and American Constitution start to reflect the story of liberty, freedom, non-violence, and rule of law, that we both nourish and cherish as nations, Sandhu said.

Sandhu said, 75 years ago, when independent India was born, we were a nation, fighting for our own survival. We had to depend on others, even for our basic needs, such as food. Neither history, nor geography, gave us comfort."

Today, India is the fifth largest economy globally; worlds second largest agricultural producer; home to the third largest tech ecosystem in the world, creating a unicorn almost every week; running the worlds largest renewable energy expansion programme; largest financial inclusion programme; the largest producer of generic drugs globally and the worlds largest producer of movies, he added.

The event was attended by Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Kurt Campbell, the Indo Pacific Coordinator of US National Security Council, General Atomics Chief Executive Vivek Lall, White House drug czar Dr Rahul Gupta and other eminent Indian-Americans.
Khartoum (Sudan), Apr 16 (AP) The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day on Sunday, signalling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armoured vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged on Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country.

The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least 56 civilians were reported killed, including three employees of the UN food agency. The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. It said close to 600 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group.

The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for an orderly transition to democracy. However, growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters.

A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early on Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.

The battles have not stopped, said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. They are shooting against each other in the streets. It's an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn't be independently verified.

Both sides signalled late on Saturday that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhan's military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labelled a rebellious militia. Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the US Secretary of State, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Members of the UN Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early on Sunday.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was following with worry the events unfolding in Sudan. I am close to the Sudanese people already so tried, and I invite prayers so that arms are laid down and dialogue prevails, to resume together the path of peace and harmony,'' the pontiff said in remarks Sunday to the public in St. Peter's Square.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

In the province of North Darfur, three Sudanese employees of the World Food Programme were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya, said Volker Perthes, the UN envoy to Sudan.

He said UN and other humanitarian premises were attacked and looted in several locations in Darfur.

These recurring acts of violence disrupt the delivery of life-saving assistance and must end, he said. He urged all sides to ensure the safety and security of UN and all humanitarian personnel and respect the integrity of premises and assets.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since on Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the city's airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centered around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s.

The country has borders with six African nations and a strategic coastline on the Red Sea. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

The clashes will increase hardship in Sudan, where the UN says some 16 million people  or one-third of the population  already depend on humanitarian assistance. (AP) PY

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Khartoum, Apr 16 (AP) The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signalling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armoured vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged on Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least 56 civilians were reported killed, including three Sudanese employees of the UN food agency. The Sudan Doctors' Syndicate said it believed there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces. It said close to 600 people were wounded, including civilians and fighters.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group.

The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.

The battles have not stopped, said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. They are shooting against each other in the streets. It's an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn't be independently verified.

Both sides signalled that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhan's military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labelled a rebellious militia. Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the US Secretary of State, the UN secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting.

Members of the UN Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early on Sunday.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was following with worry the events unfolding in Sudan. I am close to the Sudanese people ... and I invite prayers so that arms are laid down and dialogue prevails, to resume together the path of peace and harmony," the pontiff said in remarks on Sunday to the public in St. Peter's Square.

The World Food Programme said it temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in the clashes and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged.

We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed, said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. About 16 million people, or one-third of Sudan's population, require humanitarian assistance, according to the UN.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since on Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the city's airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centred around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters.

Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s.

The country has borders with six African nations and a strategic coastline on the Red Sea. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011. (AP) PY

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* The 133rd Canton Fair has kicked off in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, following the third China International Consumer Products Expo in the southern island province of Hainan.



* With the full resumption of on-site activities, an increasing number of offline exhibitions are expected to boost economic recovery.

* Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.

GUANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Facing the challenges of a post-pandemic global landscape, a burgeoning number of offline exhibitions in China are expected to play a vital role in driving the revitalization and growth of both the domestic and global economies.

With the full resumption of on-site activities, the 133rd China Import and Export Fair has kicked off in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, following the third China International Consumer Products Expo in the southern island province of Hainan.

The long-standing event, also dubbed the Canton Fair, will run until May 5 and welcome purchasers from over 220 countries and regions, covering markets in Europe, the United States, and emerging markets along the Belt and Road.

Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.

People visit the 133rd session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

RECONNECTING FRIENDS WITH NEW ATTRACTIONS

The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, a regular attendee of the Canton Fair, has brought over 200 participants to this year's event in the hope of seeking more opportunities for cooperation.

"In the eyes of Malaysian entrepreneurs, the Canton Fair represents a gathering of China's finest businesses and highest-quality products, offering unparalleled resources and commercial opportunities that cannot be matched by other exhibitions," said Loo Kok Seong, head of the chamber.

This year's offline exhibition venues, spanning 1.5 million square meters, will host close to 70,000 booths for about 35,000 exhibitors.

The export section will accommodate around 5,700 firms with leading brands or technologies, and the import section will present 508 companies from 40 countries and regions, such as the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Spain, said Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen at a press conference.

The event provides opportunities for companies worldwide to create secure, reliable and efficient supply chains with Chinese partners, Wang said.

Taurus Group, a Spanish manufacturer of small appliances for the kitchen, home and personal care, has attended the Canton Fair over the past 20 years.

This photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows trade booths at the Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances exhibition section of the 133rd session of China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

"The physical fair is still the one that we prefer because we can have direct communication with Chinese companies, see and touch the products, and make the right purchase with higher efficiency and gain better effects," said Joan Basagana, president of the company.

While expanding its exhibition space, this year's Canton Fair has also added new sections on smart manufacturing, new-energy and intelligent connected vehicles, maternal and infant products, and the "silver-haired" economy. These additions attracted 9,000 first-time attendees, featuring a number of leading players in the manufacturing sector.

RESILIENT RECOVERY

"We are excited to showcase our latest customizable robot, capable of lifting nearly 100 tonnes of cargo, at the Canton Fair," said You Jianwen, marketing director of a robotics and automation company in Guangdong.

You added that the company is accelerating its overseas expansion, including setting up a new factory in Detroit and launching new products at the world's leading industrial trade fair Hannover Messe in Germany. The company's total revenue is projected to exceed 600 million yuan (about 87.5 million U.S. dollars) this year.

Li Xinhua, vice chairman of Guangdong Triangle Electrical Appliances Holdings Ltd., said the factories are working at full steam to meet the varied demand of global markets, especially in Southeast Asian countries and countries along the Belt and Road.

The resilience, vitality, and transformation of foreign trade rely on thriving industrial economies, said Bai Ming, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.

Buyers learn about China's new energy vehicle products at the New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicles exhibition section of the 133rd session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

The innovative upgrades in the industry can also be seen in the exhibited companies, changes in exhibits, and new product releases at the Canton Fair, Bai added.

According to official data released on Thursday, China's total goods imports and exports expanded 4.8 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2023, reversing a decline of 0.8 percent in the first two months of the year.

"The steady growth laid a foundation for promoting stability and improving the quality of foreign trade throughout the year," said Lyu Daliang, an official with the General Administration of Customs.

China will follow the trend of consumption upgrading and actively expand imports, boost industrial transformation and upgrading, promote the coordinated development of trade in goods and services, support innovation in the business patterns of foreign trade, and amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources, said Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng while addressing the opening ceremony of the Canton Fair.

(Video reporters: Huo Siying, Huang Guobao, Li Jiale and Ouyang Jianjia; video editors: Hong Ling, Luo Hui, Liu Xiaorui and Zhou Yang) 
Karuizawa (Japan), Apr 16 (AP) Top diplomats from Europe and North America were arriving on Sunday in this hot spring resort town to discuss the world's most intractable crises, including ways to end Russia's war in Ukraine, confront China's aggression toward Taiwan and lure North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

They will dive right in, with a private working dinner Sunday spotlighting China and North Korea. But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers' talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about US intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Japan is eager to use a smoothly run G-7, which includes a host of gatherings on climate, finance and other issues ahead of a leaders' summit next month in Hiroshima, to pursue a stronger unified front against what Tokyo and other democracies see as Russian, Chinese and North Korean aggression.

Amid widespread skepticism that the United Nations, which is often paralysed by the oversized power on the Security Council of Russia and China, can do anything about these issues, many will be watching to see what, if anything, G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union might do.

Security is tight in Karuizawa, but Japan has been forced to address safety concerns after a young man threw an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the eve of the diplomats' arrivals.

Kishida was uninjured Saturday and continued campaigning, but the attack is an unwanted development for Tokyo amid a lingering security debate over the assassination nine months ago of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Starting with the summit, we have to make every effort to ensure security and safety ... (as) dignitaries from all over the world gather, Kishida told reporters on Sunday.

The three-day talks will also see the first real test of the Biden administration's assertion that there has been minimal damage from the disclosure of highly classified documents related to the war in Ukraine and US views of its allies and partners.

Before traveling to Japan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday from Hanoi that he had heard no concerns from allies, but the revelations will loom over the G-7 meeting, the first major international diplomatic conference since the documents were discovered online and made public.

On the diplomatic front, the talks, which end Tuesday, will be dominated by worries over the Russian leader's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons as his forces struggle in Ukraine, China's increasing belligerence toward Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, and North Korea's record-setting run of illicit weapons tests.

Some observers expect that Japan and other nations might use the G-7 to announce an increase in aid to Ukraine.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been shaking the foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said ahead of the meeting.

I will lead discussions as chair of the meeting and show the G-7's strong determination to absolutely reject attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russia's threat of nuclear weapons or their use, while defending the rules-based international order.

Though diplomats from Beijing won't be present in Japan, China's rapid military rise will also play a large part in discussions.

China recently sent planes and ships to conduct a simulated encirclement of Taiwan, and has seen in recent years a rapid jump in its nuclear warheads, a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and increased comments from its leader, Xi Jinping, painting a scenario of impending confrontation.

Japan, in response partly to China's rise, has made a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, as it works to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.

Diplomats will also be looking to find ways to restart diplomacy aimed at pressuring a hostile North Korea to return to disarmament negotiations.

Since last year, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that showed the potential of reaching the US mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan. (AP) FZH
The Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary group battled for control of the chaos-stricken nation for a second day Sunday, signalling they were unwilling to end hostilities despite mounting diplomatic pressure to cease fire.

Heavy fighting involving armoured vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged Sunday in the capital of Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.

At least five civilians were killed and 78 wounded Sunday, bringing the two-day toll to 61 dead and more than 670 wounded, said the Sudan Doctors' Syndicate. The group said it believes there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces.

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy.

In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for such a transition, but growing tensions between Burhan and Dagalo eventually delayed a deal with political parties.

Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan, announced that both Burhan and Dagalo agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause in fighting on Sunday.

An hour after the pause was meant to have started in the late afternoon, regular exchanges of guns and heavy weapons firing could still be heard in parts of central Khartoum, even intensifying in some areas. The clashes come as most Sudanese are preparing to celebrate the major holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally fast from sunrise to sunset.

Residents in the capital said fighting raged around the Sudanese military's headquarters shortly before sunset. Heavy explosions and gunfire around the clock, said Amany Sayed, a 38-year-old Khartoum resident. The battles here (in the capital) never stopped.

In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.

The battles have not stopped, said prominent rights advocate Tahani Abass who lives near the military headquarters. They are shooting against each other in the streets. It's an all-out war in residential areas.

Abass said her family spent the night huddling on the ground floor of their home. No one was able to sleep and the kids were crying and screaming with every explosion, she said. Sounds of gunfire were heard while she was speaking to The Associated Press.

The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn't be independently verified.

Both sides signaled that they were unwilling to negotiate.

Burhan's military called for dismantling the RSF, which it labeled a rebellious militia. Dagalo told the satellite news network Al Arabyia that he ruled out negotiation and called on Burhan to surrender.

Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure appeared to be mounting.

Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission urged the sides to stop fighting. Members of the U.N. Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.

The African Union's top council convened Sunday at its headquarters in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa to discuss the conflict in Sudan.

The AU's Peace and Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire by the two parties without conditions. It also asked the AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat to immediately travel to Sudan to engage the parties towards a cease-fire.

Arab states with stakes in Sudan  Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  made similar appeals. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Farhan bin Faisal spoke by phone with Sudan's rival generals and urged them to stop all kinds of military escalation, Saudi state TV reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he consulted with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition, he said in a statement early Sunday.

On Sunday, the World Food Program said it temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in clashes the previous day and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged.

We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed, said Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. About 16 million people, or one-third of Sudan's population, require humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.

The rival forces were fighting in several locations across Sudan, including the western Darfur region where tens of thousands of people live in camps for displaced people after years of genocidal civil war.

The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.

Dozens of people were also killed and wounded since Saturday at a camp for displaced people in North Darfur, said Adam Regal, a spokesman for a Darfur charity.

In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, the two sides fought for control of the city's airport, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media.

The official said fighting also spread to the eastern region, including the provinces of Kassala and al-Qadarif on the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. He said battles centered around RSF and army bases.

The recent tensions stem from disagreement over how the RSF, headed by Dagalo, should be integrated into the armed forces and what authority should oversee the process. The merger is a key condition of Sudan's unsigned transition agreement with political groups.

Pro-democracy activists have blamed Burhan and Dagalo for abuses against protesters across the county over the past four years, including the deadly break-up of a protest camp outside the military's headquarters in Khartoum in June 2019 that killed over 120 protesters. Many groups have repeatedly called for holding them accountable. The RSF has long been accused of atrocities linked to the Darfur conflict.

Sudan, a country at the crossroads of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, is known for its history of military coups and civil conflicts since it gained independence in 1950s.

The country has borders with six African nations and a strategic coastline on the Red Sea. A decade-old civil conflict resulted in the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

The U.N. Security Council will discuss Sudan on Monday, said Fedor Strzhizhovskiy, the spokesman for the U.N. mission of Russia, which holds the council's presidency this month. (AP)

NSA
Nagpur, Apr 15 (PTI) Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Manmohan Vaidya on Saturday said India always had spiritual democracy and it is this identity which is known as Hindutva in the world.

He also said unlike in Pakistan, "so-called" minorities in India have many equal rights, which is "Hinduness of the Indian constitution".

Speaking on the topic 'Sanatan Bharat" in a programme organised by Hindu Dharm Sankriti Mandir here, Vaidya said the meaning of the word "rashtra" should be understood correctly as Bharat is neither nationalist nor Rashtrawadi but is "Rashtriya".

"India always had spiritual democracy and it is the identity of India which has got the name Hindutva in the entire world. It is wrong to call it Hinduism in English but it should be called Hinduness," he added.

Vaidya said religion should not be regarded as "Dharma" because Dharma is entirely different and everyone has the freedom to choose "upasana" (forms of worship).

"In Bharat, religion is as personal as one's toothbrush," he said quoting Hindutva ideologue Dattopant Thengdi.

Vaidya said India and Pakistan were one stock and the Constitutions of both countries were prepared at the same time.

"However, minorities in Pakistan do not have equal rights in their Constitution. But, in Indian Constitution, the so-called minorities have many equal rights and this is the Hinduness of our Constitution", he added.

Vaidya said India is not nationalist but it is Rashtriya.

"We are not nationalist, we are not rashtrawadi but we are 'Rashtriya'. In the Indian context, (the meaning of) rashtra is different while (the meaning of) nation in the West is different. In India, samaj (society) is rashtra. Hence rashtra is a society that needs to be connected and become Rashtriya", he added.

Vaidya said nationalism in Europe has the baggage of Hitler and Mussolini.

He said caste and casteism are two different things.

"Casteism is absolutely wrong and it does not have any basis shastras (scriptures). Casteism should be eradicated from society. When every person is part of God and all are one, then why (classifications of) high caste, low caste, and untouchables etc"? he asked.
Prayagraj (UP), Apr 15 (PTI) Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were killed when unidentified assailants opened fire at them near a medical college here on Saturday night.

PTI correspondents saw police taking away the bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmad and Ashraf from the spot.

Both of them had been brought here for a court hearing in connection with the 2005 Umesh Pal murder case.

Ahmad's son and an accomplice were killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13.

Further details are awaited.
Pune, Apr 16 (PTI) Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday remembered late Pune MP Girish Bapat as a politician who maintained friendly relations with everyone, including leaders from rival parties, and said he did not harbour any grudge against anyone.







He was speaking at the condolence meet to pay tributes to Bapat, who passed away on March 29 in Pune at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness. Bapat, who belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had represented the Kasba Peth Assembly constituency in Pune city for five terms before becoming MP in 2019.







Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Union minister Ramdas Athavale, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javdekar and Chandrakant Patil, state minister Uday Samant and other leaders were also present at the condolence meet.















Gadkari said, "Girish Bapat was a strong pillar of Pune and had incredible confidence. We met each other during the Emergency. He cared for everyone and never harboured any grudge against anyone. He never believed in caste and religion. He always loved to cook and invited me for dinner many times."







"Bapat worked hard for the party in difficult times. Apart from Pune, he worked in several other districts. He was a free leader and always available to common people. He maintained a very good relationship with leaders from rival parties," the Minister for Road Transport and Highways said.



Bapat had asked me to solve the traffic problem at Chandani Chowk in Pune, he added.



NCP supremo Pawar said, "There was an age gap between me and Bapat. Though he belonged to a different ideology, I always observed what Bapat was doing. He always wanted everybody to work and solve civic problems. He worked for the last element in the society. Bapat used to come at my place for some work to discuss multiple issues regarding Pune."
Bhopal/Bhind, Apr 16 (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday attacked Congress leader Govind Singh for reportedly claiming the ruling party was glorifying kings and queens no on had heard of, including some who committed atrocities on Dalits and the downtrodden, and mentioning the renaming of Bhopal's Habibganj railway station after Rani Kamlapati.

Singh, the leader of opposition in the Assembly, while speaking at a rally in Lahar in Bhind district on Saturday, also attacked Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's ancestors claiming they killed Dalits for looting treasures of the British.

Attacking the ruling BJP at the rally, Singh said, "They want to bring back the rule of kings and emperors. They renamed the railway station of Bhopal (Habibganj) after (tribal queen) Rani Kamalapati. They are finding out those who were never heard of and glorifying them. The king and queens who continuously tortured the poor and downtrodden."

Singh claimed the royal house of Scindias had killed 11 'Bhadorias' (part of the Thakur community) and three Dalits for looting the treasure of the British in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

Hitting back, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Congress leaders only know about the Nehru-Gandhi family. For them, nobody is great beyond this family. Rani Kamalapati was the last Hindu ruler of Bhopal. She sacrificed her life when she felt Dost Mohammed Khan would win by deceit."

"I am proud BJP governments have glorified revolutionaries and great personalities. Sonia Gandhi (former Congress president) should give an answer on this insult (by Singh) of tribals and women," the CM further said.

Bhopal's Habibganj station was renamed as Rani Kamalapati station at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

MP BJP chief VD Sharma also condemned the Congress leader for his remarks.
Kolkata, Apr 16 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed her shock at what she termed as collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state.

The chief minister was reacting to the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad at Prayagraj in U.P by gunmen while they were being escorted by a strong police posse for medical examination.

Banerjee claimed that criminals are now taking the law into their own hands, unfazed by the presence of police and media and termed it as a "shameful" act.

"I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that criminals are now taking the law into their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence," Banerjee tweeted.

While the CPI(M) and Congress's Bengal unit came out with similar statements, the BJP attacked the chief minister asking her to look into her government's own records.

WBPCC President Adhir Choudhury, termed the shooting as a "cold-blooded murder".

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier in the day said in a tweet there are courts to ensure that criminals get the harshest punishment but "playing with law and order only gives birth to anarchy".

In a statement, CPI(M) similarly said the killing of the duo, while in police custody and in front of the media, shows that Uttar Pradesh has become a completely "lawless state".

"The manner in which two men were murdered in the presence of heavy police escort points towards official connivance. This must be seen in the background of the repeated spate of encounter killings which are nothing but extra judicial murders," the party said.

Countering Banerjee, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said "TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee should hold the mirror to herself and introspect about the track record of the ruling party and administration in protecting lives of those who criticise their regime".

"Rather than turning to UP, let Mamata Banerjee explain why 55 BJP activists had been killed by TMC miscreants in past two years after she (Mamata Banerjee) returned to power, Bhattacharya claimed.

About the U.P incident, he said the BJP government there has already taken steps to address the situation and the assailants have been apprehended.

The two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by men posing as journalists in the middle of an impromptu media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a check-up.

Police patrolling was intensified on Sunday in Prayagraj's Chakiya area where gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad's house is located even as the Uttar Pradesh police tightened security across the state.
Motihari/Patna, Apr 16 (PTI) As the death toll in a suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district rose to 22 on Sunday, the opposition BJP alleged that the incident was a "mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government".

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, accused the state administration of "protecting liquor mafias who are associated with the ruling JD(U) and the RJD".

The party will approach the National Human Rights Commission and other such central bodies to conduct a "probe into the hooch tragedy", former state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal said.

Twenty-two people in Turkauliya, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur villages of Motihari have so far died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor, the East Champaran district police said in a statement.

At least twenty-nine others are battling for their lives at Sadar and different hospitals in the district. Condition of four patients is reported to be critical," it said.

A team of BJP leaders visited some of the villages in the district where the suspected hooch tragedy was reported on Saturday.

I, along with my party leaders, visited Sugauli and Paharpur in Motihari. These are the villages where the maximum deaths took place. We found that the number of persons who died due to consumption of liquor was being suppressed by the district administration.

"At some places, cases were not registered by the police as post-mortem examinations could not be conducted. It's a state-sponsored mass murder by the Nitish Kumar government," Sinha claimed.

He also alleged that the state government and its officials are "busy in minimising the gravity of the tragedy".

"What is even more disturbing is that the district authorities are not making efforts to properly record and report active incidents of death due to consumption of liquor. The Nitish Kumar government is protecting liquor mafias who are associated with JD(U) and RJD," Sinha said.

JD(U) and RJD leaders could not be contacted for comments.

The police, however, claimed to have arrested 80 people from East Champaran district of dry Bihar, following the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari.

The district administration suspended 11 police personnel, including a sub-inspector and an assistant sub-inspector, who were posted as in-charge of anti-liquor task force at Areraj and Sadar sub-divisions of Motihari respectively, on the charge of dereliction of duties, according to the statement.

Nine 'chowkidars' posted at different villages of Motihari were among the suspended policemen, it said.

Disciplinary actions have been taken against these police personnel for alleged dereliction of duties, a senior official of the district police said.

Jaiswal also alleged that the Motihari incident was "simply a mass murder by the state government".

"We have come to know that the affected families tried to avoid informing the police that their loved ones died due to consumption of spurious liquor. This was due to perceived fear of legal consequences for reporting the matter to the authorities," he told reporters in Patna.

The Bihar government imposed a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol on April 5, 2016.

Reacting to the suspected hooch tragedy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Saturday said: I have been maintaining that liquor is bad and shouldn't be consumed. I have asked officials to take strict action against those who violate prohibition laws.

Jaiswal also claimed that most of the deceased in Motihari belong to Scheduled Caste and OBCs.

"We will approach the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for a thorough probe. The NHRC that investigated the hooch tragedy in Saran in December 2022, had concluded that the state government tried to hide figures," the BJP leader claimed.

Many people died in the Saran hooch tragedy in December last year.

The commission, in its report, had dismissed claims of the state government that 42 people had died due to consumption of illicit liquor on December 13-16 last year and said at least 77 lives were lost, while blaming the state authorities for suppressing toll.

The Nitish Kumar dispensation also came under severe criticism from its own ally CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation for the alleged police "inaction" into the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari.

"Strict action must be taken against concerned station house officers (SHOs) of the police stations in whose jurisdiction the suspected hooch deaths took place. They should be held responsible for the sale and purchase of illicit liquor in their respective areas," the Left party said in a statement issued in Patna.

The party also demanded compensation for the family members of the victims, who died in the incident.

The ruling grand alliance in Bihar comprises seven parties - Kumar's JD (U), RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, CPI(M) and HAM, which together have more than 160 MLAs in the 243-strong assembly.

The East Champaran district police have so far registered five cases in the suspected hooch tragedy in Motihari and are investigating the matter, the statement said.

Twenty people, involved in the illegal trade of liquor have been arrested in Turkauliya, Harsiddhi, Sugauli and Paharpur of Motihari, according to the police statement.

Sixty more people were also apprehended for being "involved in the illegal trade of liquor in the district", it said.

The district police have also seized huge quantities of spurious liquor and other related chemicals following searches at more than 600 places in different parts of Motihari in the last 24 hours.

Police recovered 370 litres of country-made liquor, 50 litres of spirit and 1,150 litres of other chemicals used in the manufacturing of spurious liquor," the statement added.

Notably, incidents of smuggling of liquor continue to be reported from the state, notwithstanding the ongoing drive against bootleggers.
Shimla, Apr 16 (PTI) The spurt in number of suicides witnessed in the immediate wake of the COVID pandemic due to job loss, poor health, and uncertainty about future, has relented a little, declining by 14 per cent from 889 in 2021 to 758 in 2022.

A total of 2,502 persons committed suicide in the past three years between 2020 and 2022 with a majority of them men at 1,710 and the rest 792 women.

As per the data procured from the police department, 709 persons committed suicide in 2019 with the number rising to 855 and 889 in 2020 and 2021 respectively during the peak COVID 19 pandemic.

According to police, the maximum number of people who committed suicide were labourers (28 per cent) followed by housewives (24 per cent), students (11 per cent), private employees (10 per cent), businessmen and government employees (4 per cent each), farmers (three per cent), and others (16 per cent).

The suicide cases were attributed to marriage related issue, financial issues, drug addiction, sickness, unemployment, unsuccessful love affairs, and other family problems.

"We had brought the suicide cases under radar and started a Register Number 27 to keep a record of suicide cases and analyse the reasons behind such extreme steps and started interventions through health and social justice department to take remedial measures which has yielded results," DGP Sanjay Kundu told PTI.

Age profiling of victims revealed that students and those in early marriage life, in the age bracket of 18-35, in addition to those with troubled marriage and hectic professional life, aged 35-50, were more vulnerable to kill themselves.

Former Himachal Pradesh State Mental Health Authority (HPSMHA) CEO and mental health expert Dr Sanjay Pathak, who retired on March 31 this year, attributed the tapering of suicide cases to fading of COVID trauma and attendant depression.

The survey conducted by HPSMHA to assess psychological impact during the pandemic in 2021 had revealed that 42.92 per cent of the people were worried about their future and family, 40.46 per cent were stressed due to the financial loss, 50 per cent felt anxious and depressed by reading and watching content regarding pandemic.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) NGO Association for Democratic Reforms has moved the Supreme Court against Arun Goel's appointment as Election Commissioner claiming it is arbitrary, and violative of institutional integrity and independence of the poll body.

The NGO has sought the constitution of a "neutral and independent committee" for the appointment of members of the Election Commission.

The plea alleged that the Union government and the ECI have through their acts of "omissions and commission" participated in a carefully orchestrated "selection procedure" for their own benefits.

"The writ petition is being filed in public interest challenging the appointment of Sh. Arun Goel as Election Commissioner vide notification dated November 19, 2022, on the ground that the appointment is arbitrary and violative of institutional integrity and independence of Election Commission Of India...," the plea said.

The top court on March 2 had ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and ECs will be done by the President on the recommendation of a committee, comprising the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI, to maintain the "purity of election".

The apex court had said it was mystified as to how bureaucrat Arun Goel applied for voluntary retirement on November 18 last year if he was not aware about the proposal to appoint him as an Election Commissioner.

The top court noted that a vacancy in the post of Election Commissioner arose upon the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from May 15, 2022.

The apex court said the appointment to the post of Election Commissioner was made apparently on the basis that there was no hindrance to the making of the appointment as there was no specific law.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice K M Joseph took note of the submission by the Centre that approval was sought on November 18, 2022 for the appointment of one Election Commissioner and on the very same day, drawing upon the database of IAS officers, serving and retired, in the position of Secretary to the Government of India, it was accessed.

"On the same day, i.e., on November 18, 2022, a note was seen put-up, wherein the Law Minister had suggested the panel of four names for the consideration of the Prime Minister and the President...

"The appointee, it was noted, was to superannuate in the month of December, 2022 and had taken voluntary retirement, was found to be the youngest of the four members of the panel...Not coming as a surprise, on the same day, his appointment as Election Commissioner was also notified. We are a little mystified as to how the officer had applied for voluntary retirement on November 18, 2022, if he was not in the know about the proposal to appoint him," the top court said.

The apex court said an appointee to the post of Election Commissioner or Chief Election Commissioner should have a period of six years as laid down in law as it would enable the officer to have enough time to gear himself to the needs of the office and assert his independence.
BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- How much rainfall will typhoons bring this year? Chinese scientists will be able to answer such questions more accurately in future thanks to the launch on Sunday of the Fengyun-3G (FY-3G), a satellite dedicated to measuring precipitation on Earth.

With a lifespan of six years, FY-3G is the country's first satellite allowing scientists to monitor the Earth's precipitation from space, one of only three such satellites in the world. It was developed by an institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and its ground system will be built and operated by the China Meteorological Administration.

The 20th member of the Fengyun series, the FY-3G will highlight the strength of China's low-orbit meteorological satellite constellation and significantly improve the early warning capability for global rainstorms, said Chen Zhenlin, head of the central meteorological observatory.

In the past, precipitation data was obtained mainly by ground-based rain gauges and radar. However, equipment shortages and uneven distribution made it difficult to acquire large-scale and high-precision information.

Ground devices have blind spots, but satellites in space can rectify this deficiency, making data available for places where ground-based measurements are sparse, said Zhang Peng, deputy director of the National Satellite Meteorological Center.

To increase the accuracy of precipitation monitoring and early warning, scientists have also mounted dual-frequency precipitation measurement radar on FY-3G, which will enable the satellite to accurately observe drizzle, even at an altitude of 407 km.

Qian Bin, the chief designer of the FY-3G, said the satellite adopts a low-inclination orbit, with an inclination of 50 degrees. It will provide precipitation data mainly within the range of 50 degrees north latitude to 50 degrees south latitude.

In the next six months, FY-3G will undergo in-orbit tests and meet the challenges of meteorological disasters such as rainstorms and typhoons in the upcoming flood season, according to the meteorological administration.

China currently has a total of eight Fengyun meteorological satellites in orbit, providing data products and services to 126 countries and regions. 
Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Apr 16 (PTI) A court here on Sunday sent a close aide of radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to three-day police remand.

Joga Singh, who was arrested by police for allegedly providing shelter and other assistance to Amritpal Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, was produced before a court on Sunday.

A resident of Ludhiana and in-charge of a "dera" in Pilibhit, Joga Singh was nabbed from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib after he crossed over to Punjab from Haryana, police had said.

He was apprehended in a joint operation by the Amritsar Police (Rural) and the Hoshiarpur Police.

Joga Singh had been in direct contact with Amritpal Singh, police had said. It was Joga Singh who brought Amritpal and his other aide Papalpreet back to Punjab.

Amritpal and Papalpreet fled Punjab following a police crackdown on March 18. They returned to the state on March 28. Papalpreet has already been arrested.

Police launched a major crackdown last month against Amritpal and the members of his "Waris Punjab De" outfit.

The Khalistan sympathiser escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18 by switching vehicles and changing appearances.

Amritpal and his associates have been booked in several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
Chennai, Apr 16 (PTI) Days after a Supreme Court green flag, the RSS on Sunday took out route marches at 45 locations across Tamil Nadu and the events passed off peacefully amid security, police said.

Union Minister of State L Murugan was among those who participated at the meets held in different parts of the state including Chennai, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet.

Police security was posted at the routes where the RSS volunteers, dressed in their trademark white rolled up sleeves and khaki trousers, took out the march.

The route marches passed off peacefully, police said.

On April 11, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras High Court orders allowing RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) to hold marches in the State and dismissed the appeals of the Tamil Nadu government.

Meanwhile, the RSS said the route march is a part of its regular training.

"Well-trained Swayamsevaks (volunteers) are members of the organisation. They range from daily wage earners, students to well-placed professionals, factory, office workers. Swayamsevaks working with their various other organisations also take part," the organisation said in a statement.

"Sangh route march is a public exhibition of exemplary discipline by normal citizens and the organisation's training abilities. RSS conducts its route march to instil confidence amongst the general public that Hindu society can walk together in an organised, disciplined and punctual manner," it added.
Bengaluru, Apr 16 (PTI) In the backdrop of the Nandini vs Amul battle, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday bought a Nandini ice cream and termed the brand "Karnataka's pride."

He also termed Nandini, the flagship brand of Karnataka Milk Federation, the "best."



The Congress leader's move came in the wake of the state party leaders throwing their weight behind the homegrown dairy brand, amidst fears of its takeover by Gujarat's Amul.

On a two-day visit to the poll-bound Karnataka, Gandhi bought the ice cream at a Nandini store here while flanked by Congress state president D K Shivakumar and party general secretary K C Venugopal.



Gandhi later posted his photo on Twitter with a caption, "Karnatakas Pride - NANDINI is the best!"



The row involving the two unions started recently, after Amul announced it would supply its milk varieties in Bengaluru.



The opposition Congress and the JD(S) said the BJP wanted to 'kill' Nandini by allowing Amul in Karnataka.



They also expressed fears that a scarcity of Nandini products would be created to make way for Amul to take over.



The Basavaraj Bommai led BJP government, however, denied the charge saying that there was no threat to Nandini from Amul.
Bengaluru, Apr 16 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said there is a strong undercurrent in favour of Congress in poll-bound Karnataka but pressed on his leaders to ensure that the party wins at least 150 seats so that the next government is not "stolen" by a corrupt BJP.

He also reminded everyone that people in the party have a duty to defend the idea of India from the RSS and BJP amid hatred, violence and attacks on the country's institutions.

The Congress leader arrived in Karnataka on a two-day event to take part in a series of events in Kolar, Bengaluru and Bidar before flying back to Delhi.

"Most of us are aware of what the BJP is doing to the nation in terms of hatred and violence, the attack on institutions. These are the things that are visible to everybody," Gandhi said after inaugurating Indira Gandhi Bhavan.

Dwelling on his party's prospects in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly election, he said: "We are facing an election now in Karnataka and I am quite happy to see that there is a very strong undercurrent in favour of the Congress and I am confident that the party is going to win the election."

The Congress leader expressed happiness that there was "certain amount of unity" among party leaders in the state. "I am happy to see also that there is a certain amount of unity among all our leaders, unity of purpose and unity of action. I saw all the leaders of Karnataka during the Bharat Jodo Yatra," he added.

Winning elections in a close manner will not work in Karnataka, Gandhi said urging his leaders to win at least 150 seats of the total 224 in the Assembly.

"We have to win the election with 150 seats because the BJP is a corrupt organisation. The BJP has a huge amount of money that they have stolen from the people of Karnataka and they will attempt to steal the next government as well," he underlined.

The Congress leader said he was confident that if Congress campaigned in a united manner and stood together, then the party will win the election hands down.

"The essence of our country, the nature of our country is being attacked and it is our duty as Congress people, as people who have helped build the modern idea of India, as the institution, the organisation that has helped build the modern idea of India to defend it from RSS and the BJP."

Lashing out at the Basavaraj Bommai-led dispensation, the former Congress president said everybody knew the state government in Karnataka is one of the most corrupt in the country.

"The tag '40 per cent Sarkar' has stuck. Everybody understands that the BJP in Karnataka is a symbol of corruption," Gandhi said pointing out that the people of Karnataka are keen to teach a lesson to the '40 per cent Sarkar'.

Stating that the BJP government has "gone beyond being corrupt", Gandhi underscored that no matter what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said or did, it was very clear to the people of Karnataka that the BJP wasted its time.

"They have stolen five years of theirs because this government did not belong to them. This was a non-BJP government that was elected and this was a government that has been stolen," the Congress leader said.

Congress has made corruption as a poll plank alleging that the ministers demand 40 per cent commission on public works from contractors.

Appealing to the Congress workers to work hard in this election, he said a message should be conveyed that the party is coming to power with a serious purpose to deliver things to the people of Karnataka.

In the outgoing 224-member Assembly, the BJP currently has 119 seats, followed by the Congress with 75 and the JD (S) with 28 seats. Two seats are vacant.

While polling for the Assembly election will take place on May 10, the results would be declared on May 13.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) A 20-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death in front of Loknayak Bhawan in Delhi's Tughlak Road area, police said on Sunday.

Akash, who was standing in front of the building, was stabbed by an unidentified person around 8 pm, a senior police officer said.

He was stabbed on the upper right side of the abdomen, he said.

A video purporting to show police personnel lifting the unconscious victim, who is bleeding profusely, is available with PTI.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said, "The motive is unclear though it looks like personal enmity. The man was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where he was declared brought dead."

A case of murder has been registered and efforts are being made to nab the suspect, he said.

The police are also looking for CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity of the crime scene to identify the suspect and establish the sequence of events.
Nagpur, Apr 16 (PTI) A 40-year-old man was killed by the paramour of his wife and two others for objecting to her illicit relationship in Nagpur district of Mahharashtra, police said on Sunday.

Police arrested the accused trio within three hours of the incident on Saturday.

The murder conspiracy was hatched by the accused woman who roped in her paramour and his two friends, an official said.

The victim was thrashed and strangled by three men in Dhapewada area.

A case of murder and other sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered by the police.
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) A juvenile who fled from an observation home here in February was nabbed from Bihar while he was trying to cross the Indo-Nepal border, police said on Sunday.

The juvenile was first apprehended in 2022 after he and his associates allegedly stabbed a 77-year-old builder, at whose house he worked, and decamped with cash and jewellery, they said.

The juvenile was lodged at an observation home in Majnu Ka Tila area but managed to escape with another inmate on February 28, according to police.

The two boys broke the net outside their rooms and scaled the walls of the observation home. While the juvenile involved in the builder murder case moved towards his hometown Madhubani in Bihar, the other boy went to northeast Delhi, the police said.

The second boy was apprehended again when he attacked a man with a knife in Welcome area. He also revealed that the juvenile apprehended in the builder murder case had gone to Bihar, they added.

"A tip-off was received that the boy was trying to cross the Indo-Nepal border and had left Madhubani. Teams were sent. He was about to cross the border when he was apprehended by our team," said Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Singh Yadav.

The juvenile has been sent back to the observational home, he said.
Leading Republicans are struggling to navigate the politics of abortion as they concede  publicly and privately  that the GOPs anti-abortion policies are unpopular with the very voters they need to win the presidency




Meidan (Mordechai) Baruch-Keller, zl, 16, who was hospitalized last week after suffering serious lung damage due to vaping passed away on Shabbos morning.

A statement from Schneider Hospital said: It is with great sadness that we update you on the death of the 16-year-old boy who was treated in the cardiac intensive care unit at the Schneider Center and connected to an ECMO machine due to the collapse of his lungs. Initial details indicate that the boy died after apparently disconnecting himself from the ECMO for unknown reasons.

The details of the case were reported to the Health Ministry, are being examined at this time and will be investigated in the coming days.

According to a Ynet report, the Health Ministry will investigate if the death was caused by a lack of vigilance on the part of the medical staff as ECMO patients are supposed to be supervised at all times. The report added that as of four years ago, patients connected to ECMO machines were almost always fully sedated. Prior to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, and even more so during the pandemic, patients were attached to ECMOs without being fully sedated as it eases the arduous process of being weaned from the machine. However, patients connected to ECMO machines while conscious are supposed to receive a proper amount of sedatives in order to ensure they dont become agitated and should be monitored at all times.

The report speculated that as the boys death occurred in the middle of the night, its possible that a lack of adequate staff members contributed to the tragic outcome.

The niftars father, Yariv Keller, told Ynet that his son definitely didnt disconnect himself from the machine.

I had to leave the room for a minute so I called to the nurse to watch him, he said. Two minutes later, I heard shouting and they were doing CPR on him.

I saw that the hospital put out a statement that he disconnected himself. If anyone saw him disconnect the tube, they should let us know. Its a tube connected to an artery in the neck and a wrong move can loosen it, he said, adding that Meidan was in good spirits and was looking forward to a trip to Eilat with his family when he was released from the hospital.

He called on parents to ensure that their children dont use electronic cigarettes, saying that there have been dozens of cases of lung collapse due to vaping in the US.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
DAMASCUS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Islamic State (IS) militants gunned down 32 truffle hunters in Syria's central Hama province on Sunday, according to a report from the pro-government al-Watan online newspaper.

The victims were collecting truffles in the Doizin area, located in a desert region to the east of Salamiyeh city in the countryside of Hama.

The bodies of 26 of the slain workers have been taken to the hospital, the report said.

The attack is the latest of a string of IS attacks against Syrian truffle hunters in desert regions. In February, 53 civilians were killed by IS militants while collecting truffles in the central province of Homs.

Despite the grave danger posed by IS, many Syrians, who are grappling with poverty after enduring 12 years of conflict, are risking their lives in pursuit of the expensive mushrooms and the lucrative profit they bring. 




As a new election season begins, the Republican Party is struggling to navigate the politics of abortion.

Allies for leading presidential candidates concede that their hardline anti-abortion policies may be popular with the conservatives who decide primary elections, but they could ultimately alienate the broader set of voters they need to win the presidency.

The conflict is unfolding across America this week, but nowhere more than Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law one of the nations toughest abortion bans late Thursday. If the courts ultimately allow the new measure to take effect, it will soon be illegal for Florida women to obtain an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which is before most realize theyre pregnant.

Even before he signed the law, DeSantis team was eager to highlight his willingness to fight for, and enact, aggressive abortion restrictions. The Florida governors position stands in sharp contrast, they say, with some Republican White House hopefuls  most notably former President Donald Trump  who are downplaying their support for anti-abortion policies for fear they may ultimately alienate women or other swing voters in the 2024 general election.

Unlike Trump, Gov. DeSantis doesnt back down from defending the lives of innocent unborn babies, said Erin Perrine, a spokesperson for DeSantis super PAC, when asked about Floridas six-week ban.

DeSantis latest policy victory in the nations third most populous state offers a new window into the Republican Partys sustained political challenges on the explosive social issue. In recent days alone, Republican leaders across Iowa, New Hampshire and Washington have struggled to answer nagging questions about their opposition to the controversial medical procedure as GOP-controlled state legislatures rush to enact a wave of new abortion restrictions.

Recent electoral results suggest that voters arent pleased.

Republicans have suffered painful losses in recent weeks and months across Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada and even deep-red Kansas in elections that focused, at least in part, on abortion. Last week in Wisconsin, an anti-abortion candidate for the state Supreme Court was trounced by 11 points in a state President Joe Biden carried by less than 1 point.

Any conversation about banning abortion or limiting it nationwide is an electoral disaster for the Republicans, said New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican who describes himself as pro-choice but also signed a law banning abortions in the state after 24 weeks.

The Republican Party has an inability to move off this issue in a way that doesnt scare the heck out the average voter, the independent voter, the younger generation of voters, Sununu continued. These guys keep pushing themselves deeper and deeper into an ultra-right base that really does not define the bulk of the Republican Party.

Privately, at least, strategists involved with Republican presidential campaigns concede that the GOP is on the wrong side of the debate as it currently stands. While popular with Republican primary voters, public polling consistently shows that the broader collection of voters who decide general elections believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

There are no easy answers as leading Republicans like DeSantis and even Trump, who appointed the Supreme Court justices responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade last June, face tremendous political pressure from the left and the right.

Anti-abortion activists have been particularly vocal in warning Republican presidential candidates that the partys base will not tolerate any weakness on abortion given that GOP leaders have been vowing for decades to ban abortion rights if given the chance.

Before this week, Kristan Hawkins, the president of the anti-abortion group, Students for Life of America, was unwilling to describe DeSantis as a leader in the abortion fight.

This is his opportunity to show himself as a leader on this issue. Thats whats exciting about this moment, Hawkins said of DeSantis six-week ban. He has done a lot, but we really needed to see action at the legislative level. I think this heartbeat law fully cements his pro-life street cred.

Katie Daniel, of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, described Floridas new law as a huge step forward. But she said it was only the beginning of what anti-abortion activists expect from leading 2024 candidates, including their ultimate support for a national abortion ban.

The issue of abortion is not going away, Daniel said. Its not about saying you passed the law, check the box, youre done.

Such pressure ensures that the issue will remain central to the 2024 campaign as Republican presidential prospects begin to fan out across America to court primary voters. At the very same time, an escalating court battle over access to an FDA-approved abortion pill is forcing GOP leaders to answer more questions.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, long a vocal abortion opponent, condemned the abortion pill during an interview this week with Newsmax while vowing to champion the right to life.

Were going to continue to champion the interests of women born and unborn and pushing back against the abortion pill, Pence declared.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley told Iowa voters this week that abortion is a personal issue that should be left to the states, although she left open the possibility of a federal ban without getting into specifics.

And in New Hampshire, just a day after launching a presidential exploratory committee, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott outlined his support for a federal law that would ban abortions nationwide after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

We should certainly always side with a culture that preserves and appreciates and respects life, Scott told reporters. How do we do that? I certainly think that the 20-week threshold is not a question in my mind at all.

He tried repeatedly to refocus the conversation on Democrats radical position on the issue because they generally oppose any abortion restrictions whatsoever.

Sununu, the New Hampshire governor, said he counts Scott as a friend, but was surprised that he would openly discuss his support for a federal abortion ban in New Hampshire, a state long known for supporting abortion rights.

Of all places to talk about a federal ban of abortion, New Hampshire aint it, Sununu said in an interview. Hes a good candidate and does a great job in the Senate. But know your audience here, man.

Republican officials in Washington are still looking for answers as well.

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel declined to comment for this article. Her team pointed to a 7-month-old memo from her office suggesting that Republicans should highlight Democratic officials opposition to abortion restrictions of any kind, which the memo described as an extreme stance.

After the GOPs midterm disappointment last fall, however, Republicans are increasingly concerned that such messaging isnt enough to help blunt the Democrats advantage  especially as Republicans in key states continue to enact strict abortion restrictions.

Republican strategist Alice Stewart said Republicans must find a way to keep the focus on the failings of the Biden administration, the economy, crime and education in the 2024 campaign.

Abortion poses a challenge for Republicans. Theres no denying it, said Stewart, who initially cheered the Supreme Courts Roe reversal. Politically, it has become problematic.

Campaigning in Iowa this week, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, tried to sidestep questions about his support for aggressive abortion restrictions. Before leaving office earlier in the year, he signed into law a measure banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy; the law had an exception for the life of the mother, but not for rape or incest.

Hutchinson said that voters are more concerned with national defense, curbing domestic federal spending and accelerating U.S. energy production than abortion.

I dont see that as an issue thats going to hurt us long-term, Hutchinson said, referring to strict abortion bans. He stopped short of saying whether he would sign a federal six- or 15-week ban were it to come to his desk as president. Ive always signed pro-life bills that have come to me, but obviously I would want to look at the bill.

And even in DeSantis Florida, there are signs that the ambitious Republican governor is approaching the issue with some level of caution.

Almost exactly a year ago, a smiling DeSantis signed a new 15-week abortion ban into law during a raucous public ceremony flanked by Republican lawmakers with dozens of cheering supporters in the audience.

This week, he signed the 6-week ban into law in private. His office issued a press release shortly before midnight to mark the achievement.

And he ignored the landmark achievement altogether on Friday when delivering a speech to the religious conservative Liberty University. He did the same Friday night in New Hampshire as he cast himself and Florida as leading the nation on a slew of major issues, but did not mention abortion or the law he had signed the night before.

Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Florida GOP, dismissed any political concerns by pointing to DeSantis overwhelming reelection last fall.

I think its very difficult for anyone to say the governor executing a conservative agenda is going to hurt him, Ziegler said.

(AP)




The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified documents had set his sights on joining the military from an early age. But more recently he had expressed disillusionment about having enlisted.

Jack Teixeira, 21, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston with unauthorized removal and retention of classified and national defense information  a breach that has caused an international uproar and exposed explicit U.S. assessments on the war in Ukraine and other closely held secrets. A magistrate judge ordered Teixeira held until a detention hearing next week.

Teixeira grew up in Dighton, a rural community south of Boston that is dotted with single-family homes interspersed with small farms. His mothers home sits down a long driveway in heavy woods. A florist, she sometimes puts out a flower cart by the side of the road, selling bouquets on the honor system.

Two of his classmates told The Boston Globe that Teixeira revered the military and showed an early interest in joining. He was especially focused on the history of war and weapons.

From a young age, I remember he would have a book on, I believe, U.S. military aircrafts, armaments, like a real big textbook, John Powell told the Globe.

Though Powell remembered Teixeira being bullied in middle school, he told the newspaper that the young man was an optimist and sweetheart, with an especially close relationship with his stepdad, an Air Force veteran.

High school classmate Kailani Reis told the newspaper Teixeira was super quiet and gave off loner vibes, while another classmate, Sarah Arnold, told AP she remembered him as being quiet and keeping to himself.

Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019, according to military records. He graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School the following year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the school to close and go virtual.

It was during the pandemic that Teixeira developed a close relationship with other members of a chat room on the social media platform Discord, where members of the group have said the leaks showed up. The chat app is used by video gamers and others to connect online.

A member of the Discord chat group spoke to AP about the conversations, but declined to give his name, citing concerns for his personal safety. The group, called Thug Shaker Central, drew people who talked about their favorite types of guns and shared memes and jokes, some of them racist and anti-Semitic, the person told the AP.

The group also included a running discussion about Russias invasion of Ukraine. For months, a member nicknamed the O.G. posted reams of classified material, said the Discord member who confirmed that O.G. was Teixeira.

Teixeira liked to chat about guns, was an observant Christian and would often pray with group members, the fellow member said. In recent months, Teixeira had become disillusioned about the U.S. military and had begun to express regret (about) joining, the person said. He even said hed kick my ass if I thought about joining.

Teixeira also worried the federal government had become too powerful, according to the Discord user.

The chat group member said he wasnt sure why Teixeira enlisted, but believed he needed money for college. He added that O.G. was skilled at making memes.

He was good at his craft. He was good with, you know, Photoshop, the group member told AP, adding that Teixeira was never a very, super serious guy, usually was all like laughs and giggles.

Teixeira was recently promoted to Airman 1st Class and assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, where his job was listed as a cyber transport systems journeyman.

Despite his relatively low rank, the technology position would have given Teixeira responsibility for maintaining computer networks with access to classified information. Teixeira began active duty in October 2021, serving full time at the base, which is located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Members of the Discord group described Teixeira as someone looking to show off, rather than being motivated by a desire to inform the public about U.S. military operations or to influence American policy.

Without any evidence, some prominent people on the right have begun hailing Teixeira as someone who aimed to expose the Biden administration and prevent further U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine.

On Twitter, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, using the wrong first name, posted that Teixeira was white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.

The Discord member told AP he did not believe Teixeira leaked documents to undermine the U.S. government or for an ideological reason.

If I had to give a gauge on it, it would be more or less just some nerds wanting to glance over some stuff and compare and contrast and kind of have a little joke about it, he said, adding that, At the end of the day, I mean were just trying to have a fun time.

(AP)




The death toll from Russian missile strikes on eastern Ukraines city of Sloviansk rose to 11 Saturday as rescue crews tried to reach people trapped in the rubble of an apartment building, Ukrainian authorities said.

Ukraines air force said the country would soon have weapons with which to try to prevent attacks like the one on Friday. The delivery of the Patriot air defense system promised by the U.S. was expected in Ukraine sometime after Easter, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said.

The primarily Orthodox Christian country is preparing to observe Easter on Sunday. Speaking Saturday on Ukrainian state TV, Ihnat declined to give a precise timeline for the arrival of the defensive missile system but said the public would know as soon as the first Russian aircraft is shot down.

A group of 65 Ukrainian soldiers completed their training last month at Fort Sill, a U.S. Army post in Oklahoma, and returned to Europe to learn more about using the defensive missile system to track and shoot down enemy aircraft.

Officials said at the time that the Ukrainians would then go back to their country with a Patriot missile battery, which typically includes six mobile launchers, a mobile radar, a power generator and an engagement control center.

Germany and the Netherlands also have pledged to provide a Patriot system each to Ukraine. In addition, a SAMP/T anti-missile system pledged by France and Italy should enter Ukraine in the near future, Ihnat said this week.

The Ukrainian military is looking to beef up its ability to intercept missiles as it prepares for an expected spring counter-offensive to retake Russian-occupied areas of the country. Although more than a year of fighting has depleted weapons supplies on both sides, Russian forces have intensified their 8 1/2-month campaign to seize the city of Bakhmut, the focus of the wars longest battle so far.

Bakhmut and Sloviansk are located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) apart in eastern Ukraines Donetsk province.

Rescue teams in Sloviansk recovered the bodies of two people from under the rubble of a house hit in Fridays missile strikes, according to the State Emergency Service. They also searched Saturday for five people who remained in the wreckage of the apartment building, as well as the residents of three units who were reported missing, Vadym Liakh, the head of the local government, said.

Separately, a 48-year-old woman and her 28-year-old daughter died Saturday after Russian forces shelled a neighborhood of the city of Kherson, the regional administration said on Telegram. The southern port city was occupied by Russian forces in the early months of the war, but Ukrainian forces regained control of it in November, one of the most notable battlefield defeats for Moscow.

A new law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that allows military offices to send draft notices electronically instead of delivering them in person is part of Russias preparation for a protracted war in Ukraine, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in a Saturday morning assessment.

According to British intelligence, a unified registry of individuals eligible for military service will be digitally linked to other government services, allowing Russian authorities to punish draft-dodgers by automatically limiting employment rights and restricting foreign travel.

Since the law does not come into force until later in the year, the U.K. Defense Ministry said the e-notices do not automatically point to a major new wave of enforced mobilization but rather form part of a longer-term approach to provide personnel as Russia anticipates a lengthy conflict in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, 52,000 young Russian men already have received draft orders as part of the countrys regular spring call-up, and 21,000 of them qualified for military service, Col. Andrey Biryukov, who is in charge of mobilization, said Saturday.

Biryukov addressed concerns that the new electronic conscription law presaged a broader mobilization of reservists, like one Putin ordered in September.

Id like to stress that all army deferrals for citizens will still be valid. And e-draft orders will not be mailed in bulk, Biryukov said.

(AP)




The construction of barbed-wired fence along Finlands long border with Russia  primarily meant to curb illegal migration  has broken ground near the southeastern town of Imatra less than two weeks after the Nordic country joined NATO as the 31st member of the military alliance.

The Finnish Border Guard on Friday showcased the building of the initial three kilometer (1.8 mile) stretch of the fence to be erected in Pelkola near a crossing point off Imatra, a quiet lakeside town of some 25,000 people.

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland, on Friday. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Finlands 1,340 kilometer (832 mile) border with Russia is the longest of any European Union member.

Construction of the border fence is an initiative by the border guard that was approved by Prime Minister Sanna Marins government amid wide political support last year. The main purpose of the three-meter (10-foot) high steel fence with a barbed-wire extension on top is to prevent illegal immigration from Russia and give reaction time to authorities, Finnish border officials say.

The construction site of the Finland-Russia eastern border barrier fence near Pelkola near a crossing point off Imatra, a quiet lakeside town of some 25,000 people.

In 2015-2016, Moscow attempted to influence Finland by organizing large numbers of asylum-seekers to northern Finnish crossing points in the Arctic Lapland region. Russian authorities were seen deliberately ushering thousands of asylum-seekers  mostly from Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East nations  to those border crossing points.

The move was seen as a show of muscle by Moscow. The issue was settled when Finnish President Sauli Niinisto held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The flow of migrants stopped shortly thereafter.

This is a scenario that Finland  a nation 5.5 million people that officially became a NATO member on April 4  wants to prevent from repeating itself.

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

The construction site of the Finland-Russia eastern border barrier fence near Pelkola crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

Border officials are quick to acknowledge, however, that it was Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year  the main reason for Finlands quick push to join NATO after decades of military nonalignment  that prompted construction of the border fence.

Border barrier fence was no kind of political topic before the war (in Ukraine). And actually, it wasnt a kind of plan of the Finnish border guard, Brig. Gen. Jari Tolppanen, head of the technical division at the Finnish Border Guard, told The Associated Press. All changed after the attack (of Russia against Ukraine).

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland, right, and Russia, near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

The pilot section of the fence is scheduled to be completed by this summer, while the barrier will eventually be extended to a maximum of 200 kilometers (124 miles). It will cover areas  in bits and pieces of separate length  mainly in southeastern Finland near the main border crossing points with Russia but it will also have sections up in the Arctic north in Lapland.

In this new situation, we must have much more credible and much more independent border control, Tolppanen said. We need to strengthen our resources. And the fence is necessary in order to manage, for example, large-scale illegal immigration.

Imatra is located a mere seven kilometers (4.4 miles) off the Russian industrial town of Svetogorsk in the Karelia region and is a few hours drive away from Russias second city of St. Petersburg. The town has a long history in dealing with Russians  tourists, day-trippers and permanent residents alike.

Here in Imatra, were not so afraid about Russians because the border has always been there and it has never been open like between European countries, said Antero Lattu, vice chairman of Imatra City Council. He stressed that locals arent afraid of Russians but were happy because of that fence.

A border barrier fence between Finland, left, and Russia is seen in a forest near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

A view of Russian border crossing point Svetogorsk from Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

A Russian border guard officer checks a car at Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Erkki Jouhki, who works as a town planner, agreed but also stressed Finlands military capabilities. NATO membership gives Finland a strong back but we have a very strong army. its very well (armed)  its a very modern army here because of Russia.

A Russian border guard officer walks at Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

The border fence project is estimated to cost a total of 380 million euros ($422 million) and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

Finlands long eastern frontier runs mainly through thick forests. In some places the Finnish-Russian border is marked only by wooden posts with low fences meant to stop stray cattle.

Road signs Russian Federation, left, and Russia are seen at the Russian border crossing point Svetogorsk from Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

An excavator works at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland, left, and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Finlands border guards stay at construction site of the border barrier fence between Finland and Russia near Pelkola border crossing point in Imatra, south-eastern Finland. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)




The digital media conglomerate Starboard said Friday it purchased the conservative social media site Parler and will temporarily take down the app as it undergoes a strategic assessment.

The deal came months after another acquisition agreement with rapper Kanye West, legally known as Ye, collapsed in November.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by either company. Parler said the deal was concluded on April 7.

Parler caters to right-wing, far right and libertarian voices and fashions itself as a platform with fewer rules in support of free speech. It was briefly booted off the internet in 2021 due to its connections to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. And its user base remains small.

Starboard, formerly known as Olympic Media, was founded in 2018 and owns other conservative-leaning news sites. In a news release, Parler called it the perfect home for its brand and loyal users.

The team at Parler has built an exceptional audience and we look forward to integrating that audience across all of our existing platforms. Starboard CEO Ryan Coyne said in a statement.

Parler also said its CEO George Farmer will step down from his role. He will be replaced by Igor Shalkevich, the companys chief development officer.

(AP)




Belarusian air force crews have completed their training for using tactical nuclear weapons as part of Russias plan to deploy the weapons to its ally Belarus amid the fighting in neighboring Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

The ministry released a video in which a Belarusian pilot said that the training course in Russia had given the crews of the Belarusian air forces Su-25 ground attack jets the necessary skills for using the weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared last month that Moscow planned to put some of its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. It was another attempt by the Kremlin leader to dangle the nuclear threat to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.

Russia has a union agreement with Belarus that envisions close political, economic and military ties. Russian troops used Belarusian territory to roll into Ukraine from the north in February 2022 and have maintained a presence in Belarus.

The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus would put them closer to potential targets in Ukraine and NATO members in Eastern and Central Europe. Belarus shares a 1,250-kilometer (778-mile) border with NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Such weapons are intended to destroy enemy troops on the battlefield. They have a relatively short range and much less power compared with nuclear warheads fitted to long-range strategic missiles, which are capable of obliterating whole cities.

Putin said that construction of storage facilities for tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1. Russia also has helped modernize Belarusian warplanes to adapt them to carrying nuclear weapons and provided the country with Iskander short-range missiles that could be fitted with a nuclear warhead.

Putin has emphasized that Russia would retain control over any nuclear weapons deployed to Belarus, just as the U.S. controls its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its NATO allies.

The authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has suggested that some of Russias strategic nuclear weapons might also be deployed to Belarus along with part of Moscows tactical nuclear arsenal.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin again mentioned the possibility Friday, saying it could be the next step, if the West continued what he described as its hostile course.

We will respond to force only with force. Otherwise, they dont get it in the West, Khrenin said. We are already preparing the sites that we have.

Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine had Soviet nuclear weapons stationed in their territory but handed them over to Russia after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

(AP)




Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday he will not enter the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

In an interview with Fox News, the devoted ally and defender of Donald Trump opted out of a contest that would have put him into competition with his former commander in chief.

The time is not right for me and my family, Pompeo said in a statement later posted to Twitter. At each stage of my public service  as a soldier, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and then as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and as your Secretary of State  Ive been blessed to have the opportunity to advance America in a way that fit the time and the moment. This is not that time or that moment for me to seek elected office again.

Pompeo seemed to leave the door open on a future run.

To those of you this announcement disappoints, my apologies, Pompeo said. And to those of you this thrilled, know that Im 59 years old. There remain many more opportunities for which the timing might be more fitting as presidential leadership becomes even more necessary.

Pompeo would have been the second former Trump Cabinet member to enter the race to challenge the former president for the 2024 GOP nomination, joining former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who announced her campaign in February. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considering entering the race and has stepped up his travel and activity in early-voting primary and caucus states.

In addition, biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have also announced campaigns. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has launched a presidential exploratory committee as he considers his own bid.

President Joe Biden has indicated he will seek reelection, tamping down any major challenges for the Democratic nomination.

Where Haley and Pence have openly expressed differences with Trump, Pompeo has had no public split with Trump and hasnt been rebuked by the former president, as many of his would-be rivals have. Pompeo recently referred to Trump as a great boss.

The former congressman graduated at the top of his class from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 before spending five years on active duty, deployed for a time as a cavalry officer commanding tank movements along the border between NATO-backed Western Europe and Soviet-occupied Eastern Europe.

The retired Army captain is a Harvard-educated lawyer who practiced law in Washington and founded two Wichita businesses  an aerospace firm and later a petroleum equipment manufacturer  before entering politics.

Pompeo  a witty and sometimes gruff politician  easily won four consecutive terms in the U.S. House representing southern Kansas. He sat on the House Intelligence Committee as well as the select committee investigating the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

Pompeo counts as among his proudest moments the 2020 Abraham Accords, declarations of support for peaceful relations among Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. He also points to the imposition of tariffs on China, direct talks with North Korea and the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement as pillars of Trumps America First theme he helped erect.

The 2018 withdrawal from the Iran deal and imposition of crippling sanctions have prompted death threats against Pompeo, who remains under 24-hour security protection provided by the State Department.

(AP)




Former Vice President Mike Pence ramped up his criticism of fellow Republicans at a GOP donor summit Friday night, trying to paint his would-be rivals as straying from party principles as he inches closer to an expected presidential run.

Speaking at a Republican National Committee donor summit in Nashville, Pence planned to criticize former President Donald Trump and others who have questioned the war in Ukraine and oppose entitlement reform and further curbs on abortion rights. He argued the party will be better served by candidates who espouse more traditional GOP views, according to excerpts shared by aides ahead of his remarks.

Its becoming clearer every day that the upcoming Republican primaries will not just be a contest of candidates but a conflict of visions, Pence was expected to tell donors. One vision grounded in traditional Republican principles, and another vision driven by the promise of winning at the expense of our highest ideals.

He said the partys route to victory rests on a well-worn path it has traveled for the better part of half a century, including support for strong national defense, limited government and traditional social values.

We will win if we run boldly as Republicans, he was expected to add. We will lose if we run away from that proven American agenda.

Pence is widely expected to launch a campaign for the White House in the coming weeks that will put him in direct competition with his former boss, who is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

Pence, who was a loyal lieutenant to Trump in the White House, has spent the years since he left office distancing himself from the former president. That has included criticizing Trumps actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trumps supporters violently stormed the Capitol building as Pence was presiding over the certification of President Joe Bidens win. Trump was furious with Pence for refusing to go along with his unconstitutional scheme to overturn the results, and the two have been at odds ever since.

In his speech at the retreat, Pence continued to tacitly criticize Trump as well as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely candidate, saying the party must resist the politics of personality and the lure of populism unmoored to timeless conservative values.

If 2022 taught us anything, its that candidates that were focused on the challenges facing American families did well. But candidates focused on the past, on litigating the last election, did not do well, he was expected to add. Elections are always about the future. To win in 2024, the Republican Party must be the party of the future.

The comments came hours after both men spoke at the National Rifle Associations annual convention in Pences home state of Indiana, where Pence was greeted with a smattering of boos from the crowd. It was a reflection of lingering animosity from Trumps loyal base, which continues to harbor resentments over Pences handling of the 2020 election.

Trump, who will address the donor summit in Nashville Saturday, took a dig at Pence from the NRA stage, telling the crowd he hoped theyd given the former vice president a warm introduction. Still, he called Pence a nice and good man.

Pence, in his remarks, was expected to continued to criticize those in his party who have questioned U.S. support for Ukraine after Russias invasion. Joe Biden wants to cut defense spending. But for some reason, so do some prominent Republicans, he was expected to say.

DeSantis last month walked back his characterization of the war as a territorial dispute following criticism from a number of fellow Republicans who expressed concern about the potential 2024 presidential candidates dismissive description of the conflict.

Pence was also expected to call out Trump for opposing reforms to Social Security and Medicare, such as increasing the age of qualification  once a standard GOP talking point.

Sadly, our former president has echoed Bidens pledge not to touch Social Security. I think we owe my three granddaughters better, he will say.

He was also expected to criticize those in his party who are shying away from further restrictions on abortion rights following a series of GOP losses.

On the heels of the biggest pro-life victory in history, too many Republicans want to run away from the cause that has animated our party for half a century, he will say, according to the excerpts.

Trump has warned that the party risks fallout from tight abortion restrictions, while DeSantis late Thursday signed a 6-week ban into law.

(AP)




A man who used a stolen riot shield to crush a police officer in a doorframe during the U.S. Capitol insurrection was sentenced on Friday to more than seven years in prison for his role in one of the most violent episodes of the Jan. 6 attack.

Federal prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 15 years and eight months for Patrick McCaughey III, which would have been the longest sentence for a Capitol riot case by more than five years.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced McCaughey to seven years and six months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. The judge described McCaughey, 25, as a poster child of all that was dangerous and appalling about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

Your actions are some of the most egregious crimes that were committed on that dark day, the judge told McCaughey.

McCaughey, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, expressed shame for joining the mob of then-President Donald Trumps supporters who violated the Capitol.

Im sorry that I conducted myself less like a citizen and more like an animal that day, he said.

McCaugheys 90-month sentence matches the second longest prison sentence so far for a Capitol riot defendant. Its the same length as the sentence that another judge handed down to Albuquerque Cosper Head, a Tennessee man who dragged Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone into a crowd of rioters.

Also on Friday, a Finksburg, Maryland, man pleaded guilty to assaulting an Associated Press photographer and police officers in separate attacks outside the Capitol on Jan. 6. Rodney Milstreed is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20. Chief Judge James Boasberg told Milstreed, 56, that the estimated sentencing guidelines for his case recommend a term of imprisonment ranging from five years and three months to six years and six months.

The judge in McCaugheys case convicted him of nine counts, including felony assault charges, after hearing trial testimony without a jury in September.

Nine people, including McCaughey, were charged together with joining one of the most brutal clashes at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Police and rioters were fighting for control of a tunnel entrance on the Lower West Terrace when MPD Officer Daniel Hodges came face to face with McCaughey, who used a stolen riot shield to pin Hodges to a metal doorframe.

Go home! McCaughey shouted at the officer.

Hodges, who testified at McCaugheys trial and spoke at his sentencing hearing, said he thinks about the horrors of Jan. 6 every day.

I do not foresee that changing anytime soon, he told the judge, describing McCaughey as a foot soldier who was at the vanguard of the assault.

Hodges screamed out for help when another rioter grabbed the officers baton and struck him in the face with it.

It was only then, over two minutes after the assault began, that McCaughey relented and pulled Officer Hodgess face shield down over his eyes, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall wrote in a court filing.

Hodges managed to retreat inside the Capitol building and was taken to a hospital. McCaughey struck a second officer with the shield before another officer sprayed him with a chemical irritant, backing him away.

It is not an exaggeration to state the actions of these officers in thwarting the mob at the Lower West Terrace entrance potentially saved the lives of others, including members of Congress, Paschall wrote.

The judge convicted McCaughey of obstructing an official proceeding, the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Bidens presidential election victory over Trump.

Earlier this year, the judge sentenced four of McCaugheys co-defendants to terms of imprisonment ranging from 14 months to five years. Paschall argued that McCaugheys conduct was more egregious and protracted than the others.

A probation officers calculation of the sentencing guidelines for McCaughey recommend a prison term ranging from nine years to 11 years and three months.

McCaugheys attorneys requested a sentence of one year behind bars. They said McCaugheys reprehensible actions were motivated by his misunderstanding about the 2020 presidential election. Trump, the Republican incumbent, falsely claimed that Democrats stole the election from him.

There remain many grifters out there who remain free to continue propagating the great lie that Trump won the election, Donald Trump being among the most prominent. Mr. McCaughey is not one of these individuals; he knows he was wrong, his lawyers wrote.

McCaughey, a carpenter employed by his fathers construction company, drove about 300 miles (480 kilometers) from his Connecticut home to Washington, D.C., to attend Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. After listening to speeches, McCaughey went to the Capitol and joined other rioters in confronting police officers guarding the West Plaza.

When the rioters broke through the police line, McCaughey climbed up the steps inside construction scaffolding and took a selfie atop the structure. Minutes later, he joined the mob in a coordinated heave-ho push against officers guarding the Lower West Terrace tunnel entrance.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the deadly Jan. 6 riot. Over 600 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials decided by a jury or a judge. Over 450 of them have been sentenced, with more than half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.

The 10-year prison sentence was for retired New York City police officer Thomas Webster, who was convicted by a jury of assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer with a metal flagpole.

Asked for his reaction to McCaugheys sentence, Officer Hodges said it depends on what happens when his assailant is released from prison.

Well see if hes a changed man, Hodges said outside the courtroom.

(AP)




International rating agency Moodys downgraded Israels credit outlook from positive to stable on Friday but left Israels credit rating unchanged at A1.

The change of outlook to stable from positive reflects a deterioration of Israels governance, as illustrated by the recent events around the governments proposal for overhauling the countrys judiciary, Moodys stated. While mass protests have led the government to pause the legislation and seek dialogue with the opposition, the manner in which the government has attempted to implement a wide-ranging reform without seeking broad consensus points to a weakening of institutional strength and policy predictability.

The government has reiterated its intention to change how judges are selected. This means that the risk of further political and social tensions within the country remains. On the upside, if a solution is reached without deepening these tensions, the positive economic and fiscal trends that Moodys had previously identified remain. All in all, the recent events offset the positive developments that had led Moodys to assign a positive outlook in April 2022, which related to strong economic and fiscal performance and the implementation of structural reforms by the previous government.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich responded to the announcement by stating that Israels economy is stable and strong and bezrat Hashem will remain so. The analysts of the Moodys rating agency correctly recognize the strength of the Israeli economy in all indicators and our responsible economic leadership in the wise management of public spending and the promotion of reforms that encourage growth.

The concern raised by Moodys analysts about the public controversy and its effect on Israels political and economic stability is natural for those who arent aware of the strength of Israeli society. As those who believe in the strength of Israeli society, its unity and its ability to overcome disputes and crises, as we have done many times in the past, we are convinced that bezrat Hasehm, this will be the case this time as well. The State of Israel is a strong democracy and as a result, the citizens of Israel hold fiery discussions on issues that are a source of contention within Israeli society  which is a sign of the strength of Israeli democracy.

By their nature, intense political disputes lead to protests and can create temporary uncertainty. These are risks that are taken into account and hedged within the economic assessments of the State of Israel. There will be no damage to Israeli democracy and the Israeli economy. We will continue to lead a responsible economic, security and social policy and do everything for a stable, growing and thriving Israeli economy.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A man receives acupuncture treatment at an open house hosted by the Confucius Classroom in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, April 15, 2023. The Confucius Classroom in Brazzaville, held an open house on Saturday ahead of the UN Chinese Language Day on April 20, to celebrate the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

The event was set to popularize and promote traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, cupping therapy and Chinese massage. Five doctors of the 29th Chinese medical mission working at the Sino-Congolese Friendship Hospital in Brazzaville were invited for volunteer medical consultations. (Photo by Guy-Gervais Kitina/Xinhua)

BRAZZAVILLE, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Classroom in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, held an open house Saturday ahead of the UN Chinese Language Day on April 20, to celebrate the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

The event was set to popularize and promote traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, cupping therapy and Chinese massage. Five doctors of the 29th Chinese medical mission working at the Sino-Congolese Friendship Hospital in Brazzaville were invited for volunteer medical consultations.

"It's the first time I've undergone an acupuncture session and I found it very interesting. I had pain in my joints and after this session, I feel very relieved," said Elo Gertrude, a patient who promised to encourage her relatives to use traditional Chinese medicine.

Zhang Dejie, a member of the Chinese medical mission, said he was happy to see Congolese people, especially young people, taking an interest in Chinese medicine. "This is the first time that we are organizing such sessions and hope that more sessions could be held in other cities," he said.

The event also featured games and presentations of Chinese martial art, culinary culture and Chinese characters. Wang Yulan, the director of the Confucius Classroom, was delighted with the success of this first organization which, according to her, is certainly not the last.

"As more and more Congolese friends are getting to understand the Chinese language and culture, we, the Chinese and Congolese are also getting closer to know each other. That is the charm of language and culture," she said.

Confucius Classrooms are an extension of the Confucius Institute program. Whereas Confucius Institutes are university-based, Confucius Classrooms are partnerships with local schools and education centers with the goal of strengthening the Chinese language and culture programs at the school and in the local area. 

A Chinese doctor demonstrates Chinese massage therapy at an open house hosted by the Confucius Classroom in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, April 15, 2023. The Confucius Classroom in Brazzaville, held an open house on Saturday ahead of the UN Chinese Language Day on April 20, to celebrate the Chinese language and Chinese culture.

The event was set to popularize and promote traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, cupping therapy and Chinese massage. Five doctors of the 29th Chinese medical mission working at the Sino-Congolese Friendship Hospital in Brazzaville were invited for volunteer medical consultations. (Photo by Guy-Gervais Kitina/Xinhua)




Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu traveled to Efrat on Sunday to be menachem avel the Dee family for the loss of the mother of the family Lucy, hyd and the daughters Maya and Rina, hyd, who were shot by terrorists on Chol Hamoed Pesach.

Netanyahu heard from the father of the family, Rabbi Leo Dee, about the story of their aliyah to Israel. Rabbi Dee said that he knows that if his late wife had been asked about it, she would have said that she had no regrets about moving to Israel.

Netanyahu responded that unfortunately the Land of Israel is acquired with suffering. Now your wife and daughters will live inside you.

The youngest daughter, Tali, asked Netanyahu how he dealt with the loss of his brother Yoni in 1976.

Netanyahu replied that at first he thought life was over and when he was told during the shiva that there is life after bereavement he refused to believe it. But they were right and he later realized that it is possible to live alongside loss.

He added: The pain you feel now will remain for the rest of your life, but it will not be of such intensity.

Netanyahu was accompanied on the visit by his chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, his military secretary Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




A 44-year-old Chareidi woman was crushed to death on Sunday morning in a parking lot in Ashdod.

According to passersby, the woman got out of her car and for unknown reasons, her car continued to move downward and crushed her against the wall of the parking lot.

Firefighters were called to the scene and immediately began a rescue operation as the womans condition was critical. They successfully extricated her from the scene and transferred her to paramedics but unfortunately, they were forced to declare her death at the scene.

She was later identified as Rebbetzin Galit Dabush, ah, a mother of 12 children and the wife of HaRav Amir Dabush, a maggid shiur. She was known as a woman of tzidkus and a baalas chessed.

Daniel Bokovza, head of the Ashdod Hatzalah branch, said: When we arrived at the scene, we encountered a pedestrian who was suffering from multiple systemic injuries and was unconscious. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident due to the nature of the severe injuries she suffered.

Israel Police opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
To millions, the Austin Allegro typifies the miseries of 1970s Britain: unreliable, uncomfortable and ugly.

Stand by, though, for some rose-tinted nostalgia as the rust-bucket standard-bearer for an epoch of terrible nationalised industries, mass strikes and stagflation is about to turn 50.

Celebrations will begin next Sunday at a rally at the Mini Plant in Oxford. There will be an Allegro Fun Day in Longbridge, Birmingham, in May, and then a formal golden anniversary party at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Some turnaround for the much-derided British Leyland jalopy, voted 'Britain's worst ever car' from a dismal era when competition was fierce.

Remember the Morris Marina? The Talbot Sunbeam?

Style King: Allegro designer Harris Mann (pictured)

The Equipe pictured next to a model

To fans of the Allegro  and there are, perhaps unbelievably, many the breakdown-prone family runaround is to be celebrated for more than its revolutionary if pointless square steering wheel.

Take, for example, the Rev Colin Clarke. He has owned nearly 50 of the cars, and now has three to his name.

Read more: Motors that turn 40 this year and begin to qualify for classic car benefits

Mr Clarke, 63, whose parish in Birmingham includes Longbridge, where the Allegro was made, explained: 'They made 650,000. It was not as much a flop as people say. It is part of people's lives.

The Allegros bring back memories for people. The best thing is when someone sees the car and says, 'Can I stick my head through the window and have a sniff?' Then they say, 'I remember being taken to school in this.'

'They feel the colours are more evocative. People like them because they were bright orange or green. They had more interesting colours back then.'

Harris Mann was the guilty man. He was chief car stylist at British Leyland in the 1970s and was charged with coming up with a saloon to give the European upstarts a run for their money. The original model, launched in 1973, cost 974. The more well-to-do could splash out 1,367 on the Austin Allegro Sport Special  unfortunately known as the SS. Then came the Vanden Plas, a supposedly luxury version, fitted with a ludicrous front grille, walnut dashboard  and even a picnic table. It cost 1,950. And was still an Allegro.

None of this has put off Richard Gooch, 44, a carer based in Cornwall. Quite the opposite. Mr Gooch's fascination with the Allegro was sparked more than 30 years ago when he worked in a garage as a teenager. Since then, he has spent an eye-watering 50,000 on buying and restoring Allegros.

He currently owns seven (there are only thought to be 300 left), and his pride and joy is a convertible damask-red 1300 Super model. He is, he says, used to the mockery.

Rev Colin Clarke (pictured) has owned nearly 50 of the cars and now has three to his name.

Mr Gooch told The Mail on Sunday: 'When I worked in the garage, I used to get some stick. I was told it was a ''grandads' car''. I don't care. I just love an underdog.'

Tom Morley, 40, from Chelmsford, bought his 1976 1100 Deluxe in 2005 for 700. He calls it Gladys and they have had some fine times: it won best car out of 600 at a show in Essex in 2018.

Mr Morley said: 'I grew up with a family having British Leyland cars, so I suppose it was just inevitable that I would own one. It has got so much character, and when you drive it, it makes you smile.

'When I first got the car 18 years ago, it had a reputation for being rubbish. But now at shows I can be parked next to Bentleys and people will want to look at the Allegro. People can relate to it.

'Lots of people might want a Ferrari, but they can never have one. But a lot of people could own an Allegro.

'In the 18 years I have owned the car and taken it to shows, it has been so reliable. I wouldn't want to drive anything else.'

So why, we asked Mr Clarke, has the Allegro risen, after half a century of being misunderstood? He said: 'Jesus often spoke to the less powerful, marginalised and overlooked in society.

'He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on the way to the Cross. Maybe, just maybe, He would have approved of the Austin Allegro, for long the despised underdog of the car world.'
Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) is scheduled to be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Monday, April 17th. Analysts expect Charles Schwab to post earnings of $0.94 per share for the quarter.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.55 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.60% and a return on equity of 24.94%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.86 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Charles Schwab to post $4 EPS for the current fiscal year and $5 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Charles Schwab Stock Down 1.4 %

Shares of SCHW stock opened at $50.77 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $90.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.51, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.88. Charles Schwab has a one year low of $45.00 and a one year high of $86.63. The companys fifty day moving average price is $65.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $73.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.38 and a quick ratio of 0.38.

Charles Schwab Increases Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 10th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. This is an increase from Charles Schwabs previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 9th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.57%.

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, March 10th. They set a buy rating and a $97.00 target price for the company. Finally, William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $76.21.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $53.47 per share, with a total value of $267,350.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,984 shares in the company, valued at $533,844.48. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown acquired 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $533,844.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, President Richard A. Wurster acquired 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $54.39 per share, with a total value of $108,780.00. Following the acquisition, the president now directly owns 101,391 shares in the company, valued at $5,514,656.49. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders bought 81,000 shares of company stock valued at $4,706,960 and sold 728,106 shares valued at $58,067,403. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Charles Schwab

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,853,005,000 after acquiring an additional 8,563,389 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $1,325,555,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 10.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 13,495,161 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $969,896,000 after acquiring an additional 1,322,868 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,839,676 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $576,654,000 after acquiring an additional 173,073 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 91,051.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,365,193 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $446,706,000 after acquiring an additional 5,359,307 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.49% of the companys stock.

About Charles Schwab

(Get Rating)

The Charles Schwab Corp. is a savings and loan holding company, which engages in the provision of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. It operates through the Investor Services and Advisor Services segments. The Investor Services segment includes retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors, and retirement plan services, as well as other corporate brokerage services, to businesses and their employees.

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Shares of Just Group plc (LON:JUST  Get Rating) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the seven ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 125 ($1.55).

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an overweight rating on shares of Just Group in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Numis Securities reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 170 ($2.11) price target on shares of Just Group in a research report on Monday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Just Group from GBX 100 ($1.24) to GBX 115 ($1.42) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a GBX 135 ($1.67) price target on shares of Just Group in a report on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 90 ($1.11) price target on shares of Just Group in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th.

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Insider Activity at Just Group

In other Just Group news, insider David Richardson sold 985,885 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 92 ($1.14), for a total value of 907,014.20 ($1,123,237.40). In related news, insider Andy Parsons sold 619,998 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 84 ($1.04), for a total transaction of 520,798.32 ($644,951.48). Also, insider David Richardson sold 985,885 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 92 ($1.14), for a total transaction of 907,014.20 ($1,123,237.40). 1.76% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Just Group Price Performance

Just Group Increases Dividend

Shares of LON:JUST opened at GBX 89.60 ($1.11) on Thursday. Just Group has a 12-month low of GBX 53.20 ($0.66) and a 12-month high of GBX 96.45 ($1.19). The company has a quick ratio of 4.87, a current ratio of 4.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 105.06. The company has a market cap of 931.84 million, a P/E ratio of -373.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.64. The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 85.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 77.17.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 13th will be paid a dividend of GBX 1.23 ($0.02) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. This represents a yield of 1.5%. This is a boost from Just Groups previous dividend of $0.50. Just Groups payout ratio is currently -833.33%.

About Just Group

(Get Rating)

Just Group plc provides various financial services in the retirement income market in the United Kingdom. It offers de-risking solutions, guaranteed income for life, secure lifetime income, care plans, lifetime mortgages, and protection products. The company also provides professional services, including regulated financial advice and guidance services; and a range of business services, such as consultancy and software development, and outsourced customer service delivery and marketing services.

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Shares of Shaw Communications Inc. (NYSE:SJR  Get Rating) (TSE:SJR.B) have been given an average recommendation of Hold by the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SJR. Scotiabank lowered shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 13th. Desjardins lowered shares of Shaw Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 13th. National Bank Financial lowered shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Shaw Communications in a research note on Wednesday. They set a sell rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Shaw Communications from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd.

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Shaw Communications Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE SJR opened at $30.18 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $14.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.47 and a beta of 0.52. Shaw Communications has a 52-week low of $23.64 and a 52-week high of $31.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.68. The companys 50 day moving average price is $29.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $27.73.

Shaw Communications Increases Dividend

Shaw Communications ( NYSE:SJR Get Rating ) (TSE:SJR.B) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 12th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. Shaw Communications had a return on equity of 11.70% and a net margin of 13.57%. Equities analysts forecast that Shaw Communications will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were paid a $0.074 dividend. This is a positive change from Shaw Communicationss previous monthly dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.94%. Shaw Communicationss dividend payout ratio is presently 76.32%.

Institutional Trading of Shaw Communications

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Shaw Communications by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 2nd quarter worth about $44,000. Power Corp of Canada purchased a new position in shares of Shaw Communications in the 1st quarter worth about $54,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Shaw Communications by 69.7% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,427 shares of the companys stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 997 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.44% of the companys stock.

About Shaw Communications

(Get Rating)

Shaw Communications, Inc engages in the provision of cable telecommunications and satellite video services. The company was founded by James Robert Shaw on December 9, 1966 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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SM Energy (NYSE:SM  Get Rating)  Research analysts at KeyCorp decreased their Q1 2023 EPS estimates for SM Energy in a research note issued on Wednesday, April 12th. KeyCorp analyst T. Rezvan now anticipates that the energy company will post earnings per share of $0.96 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.16. The consensus estimate for SM Energys current full-year earnings is $5.64 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for SM Energys Q3 2024 earnings at $1.53 EPS.

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Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of SM Energy in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of SM Energy from $45.00 to $38.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 31st. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of SM Energy in a report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of SM Energy from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $55.00 to $46.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, SM Energy currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $41.09.

SM Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SM opened at $30.94 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $29.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.68. SM Energy has a 52 week low of $24.66 and a 52 week high of $54.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 4.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

SM Energy (NYSE:SM  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.08. SM Energy had a net margin of 33.11% and a return on equity of 34.40%. The company had revenue of $671.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $614.72 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. SM Energys revenue was down 21.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

SM Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 5th. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 20th. SM Energys payout ratio is 6.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Herbert S. Vogel acquired 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $31.35 per share, with a total value of $31,350.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 402,063 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,604,675.05. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 3,000 shares of company stock worth $86,460. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On SM Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in SM Energy by 41.0% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,075 shares of the energy companys stock worth $314,000 after buying an additional 2,348 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its position in SM Energy by 28.4% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 20,390 shares of the energy companys stock worth $794,000 after buying an additional 4,513 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in SM Energy by 55.1% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 63,571 shares of the energy companys stock worth $2,476,000 after buying an additional 22,582 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in SM Energy by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 110,627 shares of the energy companys stock worth $4,431,000 after buying an additional 2,680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. purchased a new stake in SM Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,226,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.45% of the companys stock.

About SM Energy

(Get Rating)

SM Energy Co is an independent energy company, which engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Denver, CO.

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Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC  Get Rating)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2023 earnings per share estimates for Northrop Grumman in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 13th. Zacks Research analyst A. Dutta now forecasts that the aerospace company will earn $5.19 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $5.18. The consensus estimate for Northrop Grummans current full-year earnings is $22.04 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Northrop Grummans Q1 2025 earnings at $8.50 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $27.40 EPS.

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Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 26th. The aerospace company reported $7.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.57 by $0.93. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 28.29% and a net margin of 13.38%. The company had revenue of $10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $6.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Northrop Grumman Price Performance

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Cowen downgraded Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $500.00 to $478.00 in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $544.00 to $488.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Wolfe Research downgraded Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $626.00 to $601.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $615.00 to $535.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $508.13.

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock opened at $472.57 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $462.89 and a 200 day moving average of $491.67. Northrop Grumman has a 12 month low of $430.93 and a 12 month high of $556.27. The firm has a market cap of $71.85 billion, a PE ratio of 15.00, a PEG ratio of 6.22 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 24th. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.46%. Northrop Grummans payout ratio is currently 21.96%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Sheila C. Cheston sold 2,547 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.81, for a total transaction of $1,191,512.07. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 24,249 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,343,924.69. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 2,810 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.58, for a total transaction of $1,313,899.80. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 16,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,593,499.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Sheila C. Cheston sold 2,547 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $467.81, for a total value of $1,191,512.07. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 24,249 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,343,924.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 10,534 shares of company stock worth $4,934,622 in the last ninety days. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Northrop Grumman

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. King Luther Capital Management Corp boosted its position in Northrop Grumman by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 1,428 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $672,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 768 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $361,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,911 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $899,000 after buying an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Alphastar Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Northrop Grumman by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Alphastar Capital Management LLC now owns 4,249 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,999,000 after buying an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 19.6% in the third quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 128 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.32% of the companys stock.

About Northrop Grumman

(Get Rating)

Northrop Grumman Corp. engages in the provision of advanced aircraft systems. It operates through the following segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. The Aeronautics Systems segment is involved in the design, development, production, integration, sustainment, and modernization of advanced aircraft systems for the U.S.

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New Found Gold (NYSE:NFGC  Get Rating) and Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV  Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, valuation, earnings, risk and analyst recommendations.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

22.1% of New Found Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for New Found Gold and Franco-Nevada, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score New Found Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00 Franco-Nevada 1 2 4 0 2.43

Earnings & Valuation

New Found Gold currently has a consensus price target of $10.00, suggesting a potential upside of 90.11%. Franco-Nevada has a consensus price target of $166.43, suggesting a potential upside of 6.56%. Given New Found Golds stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe New Found Gold is more favorable than Franco-Nevada.

This table compares New Found Gold and Franco-Nevadas gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio New Found Gold N/A N/A -$69.22 million ($0.41) -12.83 Franco-Nevada $1.32 billion 22.78 $700.60 million $3.65 42.79

Franco-Nevada has higher revenue and earnings than New Found Gold. New Found Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Franco-Nevada, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares New Found Gold and Franco-Nevadas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets New Found Gold N/A -107.72% -85.38% Franco-Nevada 53.25% 11.12% 10.78%

Risk & Volatility

New Found Gold has a beta of 1.44, suggesting that its share price is 44% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Franco-Nevada has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Franco-Nevada beats New Found Gold on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About New Found Gold

(Get Rating)

New Found Gold Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. The company primarily explores for gold deposit. It holds 100% interests in the Queensway project that includes 86 mineral licenses and 6,041 claims covering an area of 151,030 hectares of land located near Gander, Newfoundland; and the Lucky Strike project comprising 11,684 hectares located in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The company was formerly known as Palisade Resources Corp. and changed its name to New Found Gold Corp. in June 2017. New Found Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About Franco-Nevada

(Get Rating)

Franco-Nevada Corp. engages in the management of gold-focused royalties and streams portfolio. It provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to many of the risks of operating companies. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV  Get Rating) and New Found Gold (NYSE:NFGC  Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and risk.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

66.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.1% of New Found Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Franco-Nevada shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Franco-Nevada and New Found Golds top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Franco-Nevada $1.32 billion 22.78 $700.60 million $3.65 42.79 New Found Gold N/A N/A -$69.22 million ($0.41) -12.83

Profitability

Franco-Nevada has higher revenue and earnings than New Found Gold. New Found Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Franco-Nevada, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Franco-Nevada and New Found Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Franco-Nevada 53.25% 11.12% 10.78% New Found Gold N/A -107.72% -85.38%

Risk and Volatility

Franco-Nevada has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, New Found Gold has a beta of 1.44, suggesting that its stock price is 44% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Franco-Nevada and New Found Gold, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Franco-Nevada 1 2 4 0 2.43 New Found Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00

Franco-Nevada presently has a consensus price target of $166.43, suggesting a potential upside of 6.56%. New Found Gold has a consensus price target of $10.00, suggesting a potential upside of 90.11%. Given New Found Golds stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe New Found Gold is more favorable than Franco-Nevada.

Summary

Franco-Nevada beats New Found Gold on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Franco-Nevada

(Get Rating)

Franco-Nevada Corp. engages in the management of gold-focused royalties and streams portfolio. It provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to many of the risks of operating companies. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About New Found Gold

(Get Rating)

New Found Gold Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. The company primarily explores for gold deposit. It holds 100% interests in the Queensway project that includes 86 mineral licenses and 6,041 claims covering an area of 151,030 hectares of land located near Gander, Newfoundland; and the Lucky Strike project comprising 11,684 hectares located in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The company was formerly known as Palisade Resources Corp. and changed its name to New Found Gold Corp. in June 2017. New Found Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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BAGHDAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Two individuals were killed and two others sustained injuries in drone attacks on villages in Sulaimaniyah province, located in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to a statement by the provincial governor on Sunday.

Haval Abubakir, the governor of Sulaimaniyah province, said that the attacks took place on Saturday evening when an unidentified drone targeted three villages near the border with Iran in Sulaimaniyah province.

Abubakir said that preliminary investigations indicated two fatalities and two injuries, without providing further details about the incident.

However, an anonymous Kurdish security source told Xinhua that the strikes were aimed at the positions of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the villages.

The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union. 
Indonesia Energy (NYSE:INDO  Get Rating) and Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Rating) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Indonesia Energy and Canadian Natural Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Indonesia Energy N/A N/A N/A Canadian Natural Resources 22.20% 33.18% 16.51%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Indonesia Energy and Canadian Natural Resources top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Indonesia Energy $3.73 million 12.77 -$6.05 million N/A N/A Canadian Natural Resources $38.10 billion 1.79 $8.41 billion $7.34 8.45

Analyst Ratings

Canadian Natural Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Indonesia Energy.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Indonesia Energy and Canadian Natural Resources, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Indonesia Energy 0 0 1 0 3.00 Canadian Natural Resources 0 3 5 0 2.63

Indonesia Energy presently has a consensus target price of $15.00, indicating a potential upside of 192.97%. Canadian Natural Resources has a consensus target price of $94.11, indicating a potential upside of 51.77%. Given Indonesia Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Indonesia Energy is more favorable than Canadian Natural Resources.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

1.6% of Indonesia Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.9% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 71.6% of Indonesia Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.0% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Indonesia Energy has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Canadian Natural Resources has a beta of 1.56, suggesting that its stock price is 56% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Canadian Natural Resources beats Indonesia Energy on 8 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Indonesia Energy

(Get Rating)

Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Indonesia. It holds interests in the Kruh Block, a producing block covering an area of 258 square kilometers with net crude oil proved reserves of 1.52 million barrels located to the northwest of Pendopo, Pali, South Sumatra; and the Citarum Block, an exploration block covering an area of 3,924.67 square kilometers located onshore in West Java. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited is a subsidiary of Maderic Holding Limited.

About Canadian Natural Resources

(Get Rating)

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is an oil and natural gas production company, which engages in the exploration, development, marketing, and production of crude oil and natural gas. It operates through the following segments: Oil Sands Mining & Upgrading, Midstream & Refining, and Exploration & Production. The Oil Sands Mining & Upgrading segment produces synthetic crude oil through bitumen mining and upgrading operations. The Midstream & Refining segment focuses on maintaining pipeline operations and investment. The Exploration & Production segment consists of operations in North America, largely in Western Canada, the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea, and Cote dIvoire and South Africa in Africa. The company was founded on November 7, 1973 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Get Rating) and Southwestern Energy (NYSE:SWN  Get Rating) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, dividends and risk.

Profitability

This table compares Barnwell Industries and Southwestern Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barnwell Industries 18.07% 30.37% 15.37% Southwestern Energy 12.32% 87.78% 11.51%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Barnwell Industries and Southwestern Energys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barnwell Industries $28.55 million 0.96 $5.51 million $0.56 4.91 Southwestern Energy $15.00 billion 0.38 $1.85 billion $1.68 3.07

Volatility and Risk

Southwestern Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Barnwell Industries. Southwestern Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Barnwell Industries, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Barnwell Industries has a beta of 0.38, meaning that its stock price is 62% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Southwestern Energy has a beta of 1.31, meaning that its stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

9.4% of Barnwell Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.3% of Southwestern Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 16.3% of Barnwell Industries shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Southwestern Energy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings for Barnwell Industries and Southwestern Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barnwell Industries 0 0 0 0 N/A Southwestern Energy 1 9 7 0 2.35

Southwestern Energy has a consensus price target of $8.26, suggesting a potential upside of 60.17%. Given Southwestern Energys higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Southwestern Energy is more favorable than Barnwell Industries.

Summary

Southwestern Energy beats Barnwell Industries on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Barnwell Industries

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Barnwell Industries, Inc. engages in the oil and natural gas exploration, land investment, and contract drilling services. It operates through the following segments: Oil & Natural Gas, Land Investment, and Contract Drilling. The Oil & Natural Gas segment engages in the exploration, development, production and sale of oil and natural gas in Canada. The Land Investment segment invests in land interest in Hawaii. The Contract Drilling segment provides well drilling services and water pumping system installation and repairs in Hawaii. The company was founded by Morton H. Kinzler in 1956 and is headquartered in Honolulu, HI.

About Southwestern Energy

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Southwestern Energy Co. is a holding company, which engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It operates through the Exploration and Production (E&P), and Marketing segments. The E&P segment includes operations in northeast Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and southwest Pennsylvania, The Marketing segment deals in the marketing and transportation of natural gas, oil and NGLs primarily produced in E&P. The company was founded on July 2, 1929 and is headquartered in Spring, TX.

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Global Business Travel Group (NYSE:GBTG  Get Rating) is one of 35 public companies in the Transportation services industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Global Business Travel Group to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, risk and institutional ownership.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

15.9% of Global Business Travel Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.2% of shares of all Transportation services companies are owned by institutional investors. 12.9% of Global Business Travel Group shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 19.8% of shares of all Transportation services companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Global Business Travel Group and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Global Business Travel Group 0 2 4 0 2.67 Global Business Travel Group Competitors 101 899 1773 31 2.62

Valuation and Earnings

Global Business Travel Group currently has a consensus target price of $8.68, suggesting a potential upside of 29.99%. As a group, Transportation services companies have a potential upside of 7.20%. Given Global Business Travel Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Global Business Travel Group is more favorable than its rivals.

This table compares Global Business Travel Group and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Global Business Travel Group $1.85 billion -$25.00 million -10.95 Global Business Travel Group Competitors $3.77 billion $226.95 million 4.08

Global Business Travel Groups rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Global Business Travel Group. Global Business Travel Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Global Business Travel Group has a beta of 0.28, suggesting that its share price is 72% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Global Business Travel Groups rivals have a beta of 2.06, suggesting that their average share price is 106% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Global Business Travel Group and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Global Business Travel Group N/A -2.83% -0.87% Global Business Travel Group Competitors -3,276.52% 3.63% -4.03%

Summary

Global Business Travel Group rivals beat Global Business Travel Group on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

About Global Business Travel Group

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Global Business Travel Group, Inc. provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States of America and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. It manages travel, expenses, and meetings and events for companies. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Rating) by 3.0% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 122,884 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 3,751 shares during the quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Ford Motor were worth $1,430,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in Ford Motor by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 283,841 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $3,179,000 after purchasing an additional 4,823 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of Ford Motor by 52.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 40,461 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 13,850 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Co grew its position in shares of Ford Motor by 695.8% during the 3rd quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 3,183 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 2,783 shares during the period. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. grew its position in shares of Ford Motor by 11.4% during the 3rd quarter. Resources Investment Advisors LLC. now owns 96,193 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,077,000 after buying an additional 9,822 shares during the period. Finally, Versor Investments LP grew its position in shares of Ford Motor by 1,125.3% during the 3rd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 280,586 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $3,143,000 after buying an additional 257,686 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.68% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

F has been the subject of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Ford Motor from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Ford Motor from a hold rating to a sell rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $13.00 to $11.00 in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Ford Motor from $14.00 to $12.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. cut shares of Ford Motor from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Finally, Tudor Pickering cut shares of Ford Motor from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $15.22.

Insider Transactions at Ford Motor

Ford Motor Trading Up 0.5 %

In other news, insider Ashwani Kumar Galhotra sold 24,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.01, for a total value of $323,298.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 511,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,655,981.05. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, CEO James D. Farley, Jr. sold 79,921 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.86, for a total transaction of $1,027,784.06. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,638,667 shares in the company, valued at $21,073,257.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, insider Ashwani Kumar Galhotra sold 24,850 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.01, for a total transaction of $323,298.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 511,605 shares in the company, valued at $6,655,981.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 134,592 shares of company stock valued at $1,740,843 over the last 90 days. 0.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of F opened at $12.52 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. Ford Motor has a twelve month low of $10.61 and a twelve month high of $16.68. The firms 50 day moving average price is $12.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.65.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The auto manufacturer reported $0.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.09). Ford Motor had a negative net margin of 1.25% and a positive return on equity of 17.45%. The company had revenue of $41.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.73 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.26 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Ford Motor will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Ford Motor Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 26th will be given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.79%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 25th. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio is presently -117.65%.

Ford Motor Profile

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Ford Motor Co engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of automobiles. It operates through the following segments: Ford Blue, Ford Model E, and Ford Pro, Ford Next, and Ford Credit. The Ford Blue, Ford Model E, and Ford Pro segment includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories, together with the associated costs to develop, manufacture, distribute, and service the vehicles, parts, and accessories.

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Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BKKLY  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Friday, April 14th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, April 21st will be given a dividend of 0.3404 per share on Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th. This is an increase from Bangkok Bank Publics previous dividend of $0.16.

Bangkok Bank Public Stock Down 2.1 %

Shares of OTCMKTS BKKLY opened at $23.38 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $23.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.59. Bangkok Bank Public has a one year low of $17.17 and a one year high of $24.86.

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About Bangkok Bank Public

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Bangkok Bank Public Co Ltd. engages in the provision of commercial banking services. It operates through the following business segments: Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others. The Domestic Banking segment provides loans, deposits, trade finance, remittances and payments, electronic services, credit cards, debit cards, and related other financial services.

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Balentine LLC decreased its position in shares of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT  Get Rating) by 3.6% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 7,236 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 270 shares during the quarter. Balentine LLCs holdings in Textron were worth $512,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. James Investment Research Inc. acquired a new stake in Textron during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its holdings in Textron by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 600 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Textron during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in Textron during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Textron during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Institutional investors own 84.69% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on TXT. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Textron in a report on Thursday, April 6th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Textron from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.67.

Insider Buying and Selling

Textron Price Performance

In related news, CEO Scott C. Donnelly sold 222,319 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.35, for a total transaction of $16,307,098.65. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 683,136 shares in the company, valued at $50,108,025.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . In related news, CFO Frank T. Connor sold 63,361 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.35, for a total transaction of $4,647,529.35. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 151,455 shares in the company, valued at $11,109,224.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Scott C. Donnelly sold 222,319 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.35, for a total transaction of $16,307,098.65. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 683,136 shares in the company, valued at $50,108,025.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE TXT opened at $68.59 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Textron Inc. has a 12-month low of $57.11 and a 12-month high of $76.11. The company has a market capitalization of $13.97 billion, a PE ratio of 17.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.48. The firms 50 day moving average is $70.99 and its 200-day moving average is $69.35.

Textron (NYSE:TXT  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.06. Textron had a net margin of 6.69% and a return on equity of 12.50%. The company had revenue of $3.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.60 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.94 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Textron Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Textron Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 9th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.12%. Textrons payout ratio is 2.00%.

Textron Company Profile

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Textron, Inc is a multi-industry company, which leverages a global network of aircraft, defense, industrial, and finance businesses to provide customers innovative solutions and services. The company operates its business through the following segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial, and Textron eAviation.

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Vermilion Energy (NYSE:VET  Get Rating) (TSE:VET) is scheduled to post its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th.

Vermilion Energy Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE VET opened at $13.47 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a PE ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 2.21. Vermilion Energy has a 1 year low of $11.93 and a 1 year high of $30.17. The businesss 50-day moving average is $13.41 and its 200 day moving average is $17.03.

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Vermilion Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 31st will be issued a $0.073 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 30th. This is a positive change from Vermilion Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.29 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.17%. Vermilion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.82%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vermilion Energy

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Vermilion Energy by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,485,446 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $117,498,000 after acquiring an additional 284,248 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Vermilion Energy by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,219,701 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $46,658,000 after acquiring an additional 65,689 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in Vermilion Energy by 145.8% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,945,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $34,446,000 after acquiring an additional 1,154,150 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in Vermilion Energy by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 863,135 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $18,152,000 after acquiring an additional 133,749 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Vermilion Energy by 92.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 706,616 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $14,850,000 after acquiring an additional 340,151 shares during the last quarter. 27.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Several brokerages have commented on VET. StockNews.com lowered shares of Vermilion Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Vermilion Energy from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Desjardins lowered their target price on shares of Vermilion Energy from C$38.00 to C$35.00 in a report on Monday, January 9th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Vermilion Energy from C$32.00 to C$29.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Finally, CIBC lowered their target price on shares of Vermilion Energy from C$36.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.44.

Vermilion Energy Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Vermilion Energy, Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. It operates through the following geographical segments: Canada, United States of America, France, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and Corporate. The company was founded by Lorenzo Donadeo and Claudio A.

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Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Rating) is scheduled to release its earnings data before the market opens on Monday, April 17th. Analysts expect Lockheed Martin to post earnings of $6.13 per share for the quarter. Lockheed Martin has set its FY23 guidance at ~$26.60-26.90 EPS and its FY 2023 guidance at $26.60-$26.90 EPS.Persons that are interested in participating in the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $7.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.41 by $0.38. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 68.01% and a net margin of 8.69%. The business had revenue of $18.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $7.47 EPS. Lockheed Martins revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect Lockheed Martin to post $27 EPS for the current fiscal year and $28 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Lockheed Martin Price Performance

NYSE LMT opened at $487.99 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $478.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $467.13. Lockheed Martin has a 52-week low of $373.67 and a 52-week high of $498.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market cap of $124.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.48, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.67.

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 1st were paid a dividend of $3.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.46%. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is currently 55.27%.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on LMT shares. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $513.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday. Credit Suisse Group raised shares of Lockheed Martin from an underperform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $427.00 to $510.00 in a research note on Monday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $417.00 to $422.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $542.00 to $532.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, Vertical Research downgraded Lockheed Martin from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $491.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, January 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $490.43.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lockheed Martin

In other Lockheed Martin news, Director John Donovan purchased 556 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 25th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $451.20 per share, with a total value of $250,867.20. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,324 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,048,588.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Lockheed Martin news, EVP Timothy S. Cahill sold 2,534 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $479.44, for a total transaction of $1,214,900.96. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,014,942.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director John Donovan acquired 556 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $451.20 per share, for a total transaction of $250,867.20. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,324 shares in the company, valued at $1,048,588.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth $41,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 1st quarter worth $86,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 73.5% during the 2nd quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 229 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, E Fund Management Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 4th quarter worth $221,000. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

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Lockheed Martin Corp. is a global security and aerospace company, which engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services. It operates through the following business segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS), and Space.

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National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Rating) is set to issue its quarterly earnings data after the market closes on Monday, April 17th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.00 per share for the quarter. Parties that are interested in participating in the companys conference call can do so using this link.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $110.66 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $108.16 million. National Bank had a net margin of 20.25% and a return on equity of 10.92%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 49.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.75 EPS. On average, analysts expect National Bank to post $4 EPS for the current fiscal year and $4 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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National Bank Stock Performance

Shares of NBHC stock opened at $32.40 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.93. The company has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.66 and a beta of 0.93. The companys 50 day moving average price is $37.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.92. National Bank has a 52 week low of $31.30 and a 52 week high of $50.00.

National Bank Announces Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Bank

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.09%. National Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.25%.

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in shares of National Bank by 145.4% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,698 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 1,006 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in shares of National Bank by 2,677.4% in the first quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,722 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 1,660 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of National Bank in the second quarter valued at $241,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of National Bank in the second quarter valued at $300,000. Finally, UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of National Bank by 3,016.7% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 8,384 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $310,000 after buying an additional 8,115 shares in the last quarter. 78.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on NBHC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of National Bank from $49.00 to $40.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of National Bank in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a sell rating on the stock.

About National Bank

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National Bank Holdings Corp. is a bank holding company. The firm engages in the provision of banking products to both commercial and consumer clients. It operates under the following brand names: Bank Midwest in Kansas and Missouri, Community Banks of Colorado in Colorado, and Hillcrest Bank in Texas, Utah and New Mexico.

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Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 19.1% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,920 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 1,110 shares during the period. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $498,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter worth approximately $332,000. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,082 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after acquiring an additional 57,444 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth about $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares during the last quarter. 75.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on BMY. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 3rd. Atlantic Securities boosted their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, March 6th. They set a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $79.69.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.3 %

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total transaction of $17,916,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,625,163.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Giovanni Caforio sold 240,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.65, for a total transaction of $17,916,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 236,104 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,625,163.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 11,183 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.69, for a total value of $835,258.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,721,081.67. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

NYSE BMY opened at $70.45 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $148.18 billion, a PE ratio of 23.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.45. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $65.28 and a 52 week high of $81.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $69.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.78.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.11. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.60% and a net margin of 13.71%. The business had revenue of $11.41 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.83 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.24%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 77.29%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

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Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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SHANGHAI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China's index of export container transport declined in the week ending on April 14, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange.

The average China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) went down 1.1 percent to 942.14 from the previous week, according to the exchange.

The sub-index for the South Africa service led the decrease with a week-on-week drop of 6.2 percent.

Bucking the trend, the sub-reading for the South America service rose 8.1 percent from a week earlier.

The CCFI tracks spot and contractual freight rates from Chinese container ports for 12 shipping routes across the globe, based on data from 22 international carriers.

The index was set at 1,000 on Jan. 1, 1998. 
Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IVW  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 8,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $493,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 19.0% in the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 184,517 shares of the companys stock worth $14,339,000 after acquiring an additional 29,518 shares in the last quarter. United Bank lifted its stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 7.3% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 54,579 shares of the companys stock worth $4,169,000 after purchasing an additional 3,690 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 4.0% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 245,020 shares of the companys stock worth $18,714,000 after purchasing an additional 9,526 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.5% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 113,156 shares of the companys stock worth $8,643,000 after purchasing an additional 573 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 13.1% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 702,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,652,000 after purchasing an additional 81,527 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:IVW opened at $64.55 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $62.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.79. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $55.30 and a 1-year high of $73.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.15 and a beta of 1.05.

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Growth Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market.

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Smart Employee Benefits Inc. (CVE:SEB  Get Rating)s stock price crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$0.30 and traded as low as C$0.30. Smart Employee Benefits shares last traded at C$0.30, with a volume of 11,100 shares traded.

Smart Employee Benefits Trading Up 1.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,180.39, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$0.30 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.23. The firm has a market capitalization of C$52.63 million, a PE ratio of -6.00 and a beta of 1.66.

Smart Employee Benefits Company Profile

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Smart Employee Benefits Inc, a technology company, provides business process automation and software solutions, and professional services in Canada and internationally. It operates through Benefits and Technology segments. The Benefits segment offers software solutions, services, and products that focuses on managing group benefit and wellness plans for corporate and government clients.

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Cwm LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT  Get Rating) by 3.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 422,987 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 15,119 shares during the quarter. Cwm LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF were worth $13,701,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 66.7% during the 3rd quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. now owns 1,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the period. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 82.6% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 1,536 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 695 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 62.5% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 756 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $86,000.

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iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $36.15 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.22 billion, a PE ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 0.87. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $27.02 and a twelve month high of $36.44. The firms 50-day moving average price is $34.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $32.82.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics.

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Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Raytheon Technologies Co. (NYSE:RTX  Get Rating) by 14.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,707 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 729 shares during the period. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Raytheon Technologies were worth $576,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GoalVest Advisory LLC grew its position in Raytheon Technologies by 219.8% during the 4th quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 291 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Raytheon Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. James Investment Research Inc. purchased a new position in Raytheon Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Raytheon Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Raytheon Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. 78.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Raytheon Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of RTX opened at $101.68 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $98.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.35. The stock has a market cap of $148.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.05, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.99. Raytheon Technologies Co. has a 12-month low of $80.27 and a 12-month high of $108.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

Raytheon Technologies Announces Dividend

Raytheon Technologies ( NYSE:RTX Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 24th. The company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.03. Raytheon Technologies had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 7.75%. The firm had revenue of $18.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.08 EPS. Raytheon Technologiess revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Raytheon Technologies Co. will post 5.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 24th were paid a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 23rd. Raytheon Technologiess payout ratio is 62.86%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on RTX. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $119.00 to $115.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $104.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $107.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Raytheon Technologies from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $117.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $96.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.62.

Insider Buying and Selling at Raytheon Technologies

In other news, VP Amy L. Johnson sold 3,622 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.55, for a total value of $356,948.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 4,061 shares of the companys stock, valued at $400,211.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.11% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Raytheon Technologies Company Profile

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Raytheon Technologies Corp. is an aerospace and defense company, which engages in the provision of aerospace and defense systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers. It operates through the following segments: Collins Aerospace Systems (Collins), Pratt and Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS), and Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD).

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Wolverine Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Tekla Life Sciences Investors (NYSE:HQL  Get Rating) by 25.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 270,538 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 55,266 shares during the quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLCs holdings in Tekla Life Sciences Investors were worth $3,844,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 2.8% during the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 37,158 shares of the companys stock worth $508,000 after acquiring an additional 1,008 shares in the last quarter. Eudaimonia Partners LLC boosted its stake in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 12.6% during the third quarter. Eudaimonia Partners LLC now owns 13,242 shares of the companys stock worth $181,000 after acquiring an additional 1,477 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. boosted its stake in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 4.7% during the second quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 41,890 shares of the companys stock worth $596,000 after acquiring an additional 1,865 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 15.3% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,930 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 1,982 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV boosted its stake in Tekla Life Sciences Investors by 18.8% during the third quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 13,900 shares of the companys stock worth $190,000 after acquiring an additional 2,200 shares in the last quarter. 15.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Tekla Life Sciences Investors Stock Down 0.8 %

Tekla Life Sciences Investors stock opened at $14.03 on Friday. Tekla Life Sciences Investors has a 1-year low of $13.03 and a 1-year high of $17.12. The firms fifty day moving average price is $14.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.36.

Tekla Life Sciences Investors Increases Dividend

Tekla Life Sciences Investors Company Profile

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 27th were paid a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.41%. This is a positive change from Tekla Life Sciences Investorss previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 24th.

(Get Rating)

Tekla Life Sciences Investors operates as a closed-end investment fund, which engages in the investment in the life sciences industry. It invests in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, managed healthcare, medical equipment, hospitals and healthcare information technology and services. The company was founded on February 20, 1992 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

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Trust Co. of Virginia VA trimmed its position in shares of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:QLTA  Get Rating) by 94.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 11,052 shares of the companys stock after selling 183,669 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Virginia VAs holdings in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF were worth $512,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $42,000. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Private Trust Co. NA acquired a new position in shares of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $80,000. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF by 33.3% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $151,000 after buying an additional 783 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Resource Council acquired a new stake in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $220,000.

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iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA QLTA opened at $47.76 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $47.20 and a 200 day moving average of $46.74. iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF has a one year low of $43.84 and a one year high of $50.16.

iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of dollar-denominated fixed-rate corporate bonds rated AAA-A issued by US and non-US corporations with maturities of at least one year.

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SlateStone Wealth LLC decreased its holdings in U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating) by 12.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 8,915 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,281 shares during the period. SlateStone Wealth LLCs holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $389,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of USB. Mather Group LLC. lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 20.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 26,579 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,072,000 after purchasing an additional 4,487 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 9.4% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 145,471 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,344,000 after purchasing an additional 12,524 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 142.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 18,239 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $735,000 after purchasing an additional 10,728 shares during the period. Mutual Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 146.1% in the 4th quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 61,885 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,699,000 after purchasing an additional 36,735 shares during the period. Finally, IFG Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 36.3% in the 3rd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 71,853 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,897,000 after purchasing an additional 19,144 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.83% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $68.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $55.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $52.50 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Robert W. Baird raised U.S. Bancorp from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $52.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $57.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Friday, March 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, U.S. Bancorp currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $51.74.

U.S. Bancorp Stock Performance

Shares of USB opened at $34.97 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $41.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $43.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.93. U.S. Bancorp has a 52 week low of $32.72 and a 52 week high of $53.88.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $6.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.61 billion. U.S. Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.13% and a net margin of 21.26%. U.S. Bancorps quarterly revenue was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.07 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

U.S. Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 31st will be issued a $0.48 dividend. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.49%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 30th. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 51.75%.

U.S. Bancorp Profile

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U.S. Bancorp operates as a bank holding company, which offers financial services including lending and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and trust and investment management. The firm also offers mortgage, refinance, auto, boat and RV loans, credit lines, credit card services, merchant, bank, checking and savings accounts, debit cards, online and mobile banking, ATM processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage and leasing services.

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AustralianSuper Pty Ltd increased its position in shares of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE:RHI  Get Rating) by 21.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 299,662 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 53,427 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd owned approximately 0.28% of Robert Half International worth $22,052,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. One Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Robert Half International by 3.9% during the third quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,391 shares of the business services providers stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. increased its holdings in Robert Half International by 7.6% in the third quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. now owns 2,008 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $154,000 after buying an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in Robert Half International by 48.5% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 438 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its holdings in Robert Half International by 2.1% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 7,342 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $561,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its holdings in Robert Half International by 4.0% in the third quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 3,927 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $300,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. 94.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 3,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.54, for a total transaction of $278,346.24. Following the sale, the director now owns 10,828 shares in the company, valued at $872,087.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 3,456 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.54, for a total value of $278,346.24. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,828 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $872,087.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Robert W. Glass sold 12,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.94, for a total transaction of $1,011,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 217,049 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,567,946.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Robert Half International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE RHI opened at $75.32 on Friday. Robert Half International Inc. has a 1 year low of $65.40 and a 1 year high of $118.41. The firms 50 day moving average price is $78.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $77.59. The firm has a market cap of $8.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.32.

Robert Half International (NYSE:RHI  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 26th. The business services provider reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.01. Robert Half International had a net margin of 9.09% and a return on equity of 44.01%. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.51 earnings per share. Robert Half Internationals revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Robert Half International Inc. will post 4.72 EPS for the current year.

Robert Half International declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, February 9th that allows the company to repurchase 10,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the business services provider to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Robert Half International Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.55%. This is a positive change from Robert Half Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. Robert Half Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Robert Half International in a report on Thursday, January 5th. They issued an underperform rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Robert Half International from $79.00 to $78.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 30th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Robert Half International in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Robert Half International from $76.00 to $75.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $77.44.

Robert Half International Profile

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Robert Half International, Inc engages in the provision of staffing and risk consulting services. It operates through the following business segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. The Temporary and Consultant Staffing segment offers staffing in the accounting and finance, administrative and office, information technology, legal, advertising, marketing, and web design fields.

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Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 133,239 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,877 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. accounts for about 0.7% of Kestra Private Wealth Services LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $14,783,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2,671.4% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 5,099,334 shares of the companys stock worth $418,400,000 after purchasing an additional 4,915,334 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 256.3% during the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 4,882,173 shares of the companys stock worth $400,582,000 after purchasing an additional 3,511,900 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 224,134,448 shares of the companys stock worth $19,302,459,000 after purchasing an additional 3,081,402 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $243,240,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 254.9% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 2,647,130 shares of the companys stock worth $227,971,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901,328 shares in the last quarter. 72.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.00, for a total value of $535,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,900 shares in the company, valued at $3,734,300. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, insider Sanat Chattopadhyay sold 134,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.07, for a total value of $15,425,708.85. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Steven Mizell sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.00, for a total transaction of $535,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,900 shares in the company, valued at $3,734,300. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 150,306 shares of company stock worth $17,162,278. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Down 0.2 %

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on MRK shares. Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $108.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Citigroup upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $105.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Mizuho restated a buy rating and issued a $130.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $120.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.65.

MRK opened at $115.31 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market cap of $292.62 billion, a PE ratio of 20.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a fifty day moving average of $108.28 and a 200-day moving average of $105.37. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $83.05 and a twelve month high of $116.17.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $13.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.66 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 24.49% and a return on equity of 43.47%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.80 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.88 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were issued a $0.73 dividend. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is 51.14%.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

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Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) by 5.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 154,943 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,650 shares during the quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $7,939,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 528.9% during the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 12,401,164 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $542,675,000 after acquiring an additional 10,429,412 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 59,828,849 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,097,341,000 after purchasing an additional 6,972,650 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter valued at about $311,238,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 493,584,761 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $21,599,270,000 after purchasing an additional 5,139,634 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 108.3% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 7,909,665 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $409,483,000 after purchasing an additional 4,112,528 shares during the last quarter. 67.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Pfizer Inc bought 1,811,594 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.76 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,999.44. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 5,952,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,428,245.88. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Pfizer Trading Down 0.7 %

Several research firms have weighed in on PFE. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Pfizer from $55.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. SVB Leerink cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $49.00 to $48.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Berenberg Bank set a $40.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, February 7th. Bank of America cut shares of Pfizer from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $60.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.80.

PFE opened at $41.19 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $41.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.37. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $39.23 and a one year high of $54.93. The stock has a market cap of $232.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.64.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.11. Pfizer had a return on equity of 42.03% and a net margin of 31.27%. The company had revenue of $24.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.40 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.08 EPS. Pfizers quarterly revenue was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.3 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Company Profile

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Pfizer Inc is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. It engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The firm works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases.

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Nestle's executive vice president said that his company is quite confident in the Chinese market as its potential is huge.





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Pinnacle Associates Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 793,776 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 4,635 shares during the period. Pfizer comprises approximately 0.9% of Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $40,673,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 493,584,761 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $21,599,270,000 after buying an additional 5,139,634 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 13.2% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 59,828,849 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,097,341,000 after buying an additional 6,972,650 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 56,659,179 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,479,407,000 after buying an additional 317,858 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 2.5% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 41,242,414 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,804,896,000 after purchasing an additional 1,009,399 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 4.4% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 36,467,989 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,595,840,000 after purchasing an additional 1,529,779 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.62% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

PFE has been the subject of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a $45.00 price target on Pfizer in a report on Monday, February 27th. Barclays lowered their price target on Pfizer from $44.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, February 1st. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $51.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Pfizer in a report on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $43.00 price target for the company. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $49.80.

Pfizer Stock Down 0.7 %

Pfizer stock opened at $41.19 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $41.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.37. The firm has a market cap of $232.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $39.23 and a twelve month high of $54.93.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $24.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.40 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 42.03% and a net margin of 31.27%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.08 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Pfizer

In other Pfizer news, major shareholder Pfizer Inc purchased 1,811,594 shares of Pfizer stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.76 per share, with a total value of $4,999,999.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,952,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,428,245.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Pfizer Inc is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. It engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The firm works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases.

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New Mexico Educational Retirement Board cut its position in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) by 4.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 51,987 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,300 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in Southern were worth $3,712,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of SO. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Southern by 6.2% in the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,002,360 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,284,352,000 after buying an additional 3,653,841 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Southern by 1.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 94,652,372 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,436,360,000 after buying an additional 1,391,612 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Southern by 2.1% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,068,549 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,424,661,000 after buying an additional 1,313,036 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Southern by 57.3% in the third quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,062,100 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $208,223,000 after buying an additional 1,115,989 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new position in Southern in the third quarter worth about $65,112,000. 61.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Southern

In other Southern news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 852 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.31, for a total transaction of $57,348.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,484,791.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 852 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.31, for a total value of $57,348.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,484,791.29. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total transaction of $359,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 146,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,516,356.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,134 shares of company stock valued at $502,179 over the last 90 days. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Southern Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SO opened at $71.94 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The Southern Company has a 12-month low of $58.85 and a 12-month high of $80.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.02 and a beta of 0.51. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $67.35 and a 200 day moving average of $67.54.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. Southern had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 11.73%. The business had revenue of $7.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.83 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.36 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th. Southerns dividend payout ratio is currently 82.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on SO shares. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 12th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Southern from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Southern from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Southern from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Southern currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $71.64.

About Southern

(Get Rating)

The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity. It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power and Southern Company Gas. The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.

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New Mexico Educational Retirement Board decreased its holdings in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Get Rating) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 11,263 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 1,000 shares during the quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $2,673,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Roundview Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 8,065 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,013,000 after buying an additional 607 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 189.1% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 10,409 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,598,000 after buying an additional 6,808 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 26.5% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 118,763 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,956,000 after buying an additional 24,884 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 1st quarter valued at $1,231,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 11,387 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,842,000 after buying an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.03% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO John G. Morikis acquired 2,207 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 27th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $226.70 per share, for a total transaction of $500,326.90. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 231,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at $52,445,684.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Sherwin-Williams news, SVP Bryan J. Young sold 2,750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.76, for a total value of $607,090.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 7,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,756,145.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO John G. Morikis acquired 2,207 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $226.70 per share, with a total value of $500,326.90. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 231,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,445,684.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Sherwin-Williams Stock Performance

SHW has been the subject of a number of research reports. Mizuho lowered their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $267.00 to $255.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $300.00 to $275.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 27th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $283.00 to $231.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 27th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $230.00 to $220.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $260.00 to $235.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $253.39.

Shares of Sherwin-Williams stock opened at $225.65 on Friday. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a fifty-two week low of $195.24 and a fifty-two week high of $285.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.07. The companys 50 day moving average price is $223.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $229.62.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 26th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.84 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.26 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 9.12% and a return on equity of 90.04%. Sherwin-Williamss revenue was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.34 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 8.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.605 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 24th. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.07%. This is a positive change from Sherwin-Williamss previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio is currently 31.35%.

About Sherwin-Williams

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The Sherwin-Williams Co engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paint and coatings. It operates through the following segments: America Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coating Group. The America Group segment manages the exclusive outlets for Sherwin-Williams branded paints, stains, supplies, equipment, and floor coverings.

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Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new position in Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 17,057 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $198,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Castleview Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 27.9% in the 4th quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 49,500 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $576,000 after acquiring an additional 10,787 shares during the last quarter. Barber Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Barber Financial Group Inc. now owns 24,536 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $285,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487 shares during the last quarter. Walker Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. Walker Asset Management LLC now owns 19,873 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $231,000 after acquiring an additional 1,758 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 1,631,452 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $18,974,000 after acquiring an additional 21,523 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vahanian & Associates Financial Planning Inc. bought a new stake in Ford Motor during the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. Institutional investors own 49.68% of the companys stock.

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Ford Motor Stock Performance

Shares of Ford Motor stock opened at $12.52 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $12.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. Ford Motor has a 52-week low of $10.61 and a 52-week high of $16.68.

Ford Motor Dividend Announcement

Ford Motor ( NYSE:F Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 2nd. The auto manufacturer reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $41.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $40.73 billion. Ford Motor had a positive return on equity of 17.45% and a negative net margin of 1.25%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.26 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Ford Motor will post 1.5 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 26th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.79%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 25th. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -117.65%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO James D. Farley, Jr. sold 79,921 shares of Ford Motor stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.86, for a total value of $1,027,784.06. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,638,667 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,073,257.62. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Ford Motor news, CFO John T. Lawler sold 29,821 shares of Ford Motor stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.07, for a total transaction of $389,760.47. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 443,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,798,936.81. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO James D. Farley, Jr. sold 79,921 shares of Ford Motor stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.86, for a total transaction of $1,027,784.06. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,638,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,073,257.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 134,592 shares of company stock worth $1,740,843 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Benchmark decreased their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Ford Motor from $14.00 to $12.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 27th. Tudor Pickering lowered shares of Ford Motor from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Ford Motor from a hold rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $13.00 to $11.00 in a report on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Ford Motor in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. They set an equal weight rating and a $13.00 price objective for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ford Motor presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $15.22.

About Ford Motor

(Get Rating)

Ford Motor Co engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of automobiles. It operates through the following segments: Ford Blue, Ford Model E, and Ford Pro, Ford Next, and Ford Credit. The Ford Blue, Ford Model E, and Ford Pro segment includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories, together with the associated costs to develop, manufacture, distribute, and service the vehicles, parts, and accessories.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its position in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Get Rating) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 55,545 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 949 shares during the period. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $1,825,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 7.9% during the 4th quarter. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC now owns 9,575 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $315,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 21.7% during the 3rd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 9,585 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 1,708 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 51.4% during the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 74,255 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,440,000 after purchasing an additional 25,215 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.47% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI raised Delta Air Lines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $40.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Bank of America lowered their price target on Delta Air Lines from $43.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Friday. Argus raised Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $39.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Delta Air Lines from $44.00 to $48.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $49.64.

Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DAL opened at $33.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.14, a current ratio of 0.50 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $36.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.89. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a one year low of $27.20 and a one year high of $46.27. The firm has a market cap of $21.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.19 and a beta of 1.25.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 13th. The transportation company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.04). Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 2.61% and a return on equity of 45.69%. The firm had revenue of $12.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($1.23) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 36.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 5.45 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines

In related news, Director Francis S. Blake bought 12,880 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 18th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $496,910.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 93,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,618,611.10. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Francis S. Blake bought 12,880 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 18th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $496,910.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 93,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,618,611.10. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP William C. Carroll sold 5,481 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.01, for a total value of $219,294.81. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,720 shares of the companys stock, valued at $348,887.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 43,980 shares of company stock valued at $1,696,902 in the last ninety days. 0.84% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Delta Air Lines, Inc engages in the provision of scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. It operates through the Airline and Refinery segments. The Airline segment provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. The Refinery segment provides jet fuel to the airline segment.

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Trust Co. of Virginia VA decreased its position in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Rating) by 19.8% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 2,505 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 618 shares during the quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VAs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $296,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $268,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. First National Trust Co increased its stake in ConocoPhillips by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 3,345 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $342,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Denver Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 3.2% during the third quarter. Denver Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,548 shares of the energy producers stock worth $261,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Patten Group Inc. boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 0.8% during the third quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 11,025 shares of the energy producers stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BBR Partners LLC grew its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 2.4% in the third quarter. BBR Partners LLC now owns 3,559 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.76% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director R A. Walker bought 4,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $103.00 per share, for a total transaction of $494,400.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 27,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,842,800. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

ConocoPhillips Trading Down 0.5 %

COP stock opened at $108.50 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a market cap of $131.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.48, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $104.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $114.76. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $78.30 and a 52 week high of $138.49.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 2nd. The energy producer reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.72 by ($0.01). ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 35.30% and a net margin of 22.74%. The firm had revenue of $19.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.27 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 20.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 10.32 EPS for the current year.

ConocoPhillips Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 29th were given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 28th. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on COP shares. Societe Generale upgraded shares of ConocoPhillips from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $105.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $150.00 to $143.00 in a report on Friday, March 10th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips from $145.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Capital One Financial lowered ConocoPhillips from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $102.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Friday, February 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded ConocoPhillips from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, ConocoPhillips currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $137.45.

ConocoPhillips Company Profile

(Get Rating)

ConocoPhillips engages in the exploration, production, transportation and marketing of crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas on a worldwide basis. It operates through the following geographical segments: Alaska, Lower 48, Canada, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia Pacific, and Other International.

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New Mexico Educational Retirement Board cut its position in General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Get Rating) by 8.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,312 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,500 shares during the quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in General Mills were worth $2,374,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in General Mills by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,625,506 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,955,030,000 after acquiring an additional 360,830 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of General Mills by 0.7% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,852,150 shares of the companys stock valued at $734,907,000 after purchasing an additional 75,902 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of General Mills by 4.3% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,173,166 shares of the companys stock valued at $396,315,000 after purchasing an additional 211,645 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of General Mills by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 4,431,688 shares of the companys stock worth $300,114,000 after buying an additional 131,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of General Mills by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 2,443,215 shares of the companys stock worth $187,175,000 after buying an additional 50,690 shares during the period. 74.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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General Mills Stock Performance

NYSE GIS opened at $86.56 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $81.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $81.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. General Mills, Inc. has a 1 year low of $64.94 and a 1 year high of $88.34.

General Mills Dividend Announcement

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 23rd. The company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.06. General Mills had a return on equity of 24.51% and a net margin of 14.04%. The firm had revenue of $5.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.84 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that General Mills, Inc. will post 4.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 10th will be issued a $0.54 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 6th. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. General Millss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.65%.

Insider Transactions at General Mills

In other news, insider Bethany C. Quam sold 21,734 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.86, for a total value of $1,866,081.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 47,560 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,083,501.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Bethany C. Quam sold 21,734 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.86, for a total transaction of $1,866,081.24. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 47,560 shares in the company, valued at $4,083,501.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jonathon Nudi sold 8,030 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.33, for a total value of $685,199.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 83,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,086,571.17. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on GIS shares. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of General Mills from $75.00 to $80.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on General Mills from $88.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com upgraded General Mills from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on General Mills from $84.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of General Mills from $81.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $84.76.

General Mills Company Profile

(Get Rating)

General Mills, Inc engages in the manufacture and marketing of branded consumer foods sold through retail stores. The firm operates through the following segments: North America Retail, Europe & Australia, Convenience Stores & Foodservice, Pet, and Asia & Latin America. The North America Retail segment includes grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar and discount chains and e-commerce grocery providers.

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Oxbow Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC  Get Rating) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 600 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $327,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NOC. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Northrop Grumman by 65.9% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,142,005 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,007,854,000 after buying an additional 851,071 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 1,197.9% in the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 812,239 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $382,012,000 after purchasing an additional 749,660 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 336.0% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 415,698 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $195,511,000 after purchasing an additional 320,346 shares in the last quarter. PointState Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman during the third quarter valued at approximately $81,813,000. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 16,363.8% in the 4th quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA now owns 151,302 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $82,552,000 after purchasing an additional 150,383 shares in the last quarter. 84.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Northrop Grumman from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $440.00 to $375.00 in a research report on Friday, January 13th. Cowen lowered Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $478.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Friday, January 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $465.00 to $400.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $500.00 to $490.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 6th. Finally, Wolfe Research cut shares of Northrop Grumman from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, January 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $508.13.

Northrop Grumman Stock Down 0.3 %

NOC stock opened at $472.57 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $462.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $491.67. The company has a market cap of $71.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.00, a P/E/G ratio of 6.24 and a beta of 0.51. Northrop Grumman Co. has a fifty-two week low of $430.93 and a fifty-two week high of $556.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.08.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 26th. The aerospace company reported $7.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.57 by $0.93. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 13.38% and a return on equity of 28.29%. The company had revenue of $10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 22.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 27th were paid a $1.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 24th. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.96%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 2,810 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.58, for a total value of $1,313,899.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 16,240 shares in the company, valued at $7,593,499.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP David T. Perry sold 3,999 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $469.65, for a total transaction of $1,878,130.35. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 8,717 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,093,939.05. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 2,810 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $467.58, for a total transaction of $1,313,899.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 16,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,593,499.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 10,534 shares of company stock valued at $4,934,622. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Northrop Grumman Corp. engages in the provision of advanced aircraft systems. It operates through the following segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems. The Aeronautics Systems segment is involved in the design, development, production, integration, sustainment, and modernization of advanced aircraft systems for the U.S.

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Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) by 2.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 702 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 19 shares during the quarter. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $387,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 394.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,110,504 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $563,237,000 after buying an additional 886,075 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $433,169,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 3rd quarter valued at $209,946,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 32,166,910 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $16,314,735,000 after purchasing an additional 406,844 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Veritas Asset Management LLP raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 47.3% in the third quarter. Veritas Asset Management LLP now owns 1,067,408 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $541,379,000 after buying an additional 342,924 shares in the last quarter. 85.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total value of $584,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,655,579.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.49, for a total transaction of $4,083,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 66,655 shares in the company, valued at $36,292,980.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jim P. Manzi sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $584.56, for a total transaction of $584,560.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 14,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,655,579.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 30,100 shares of company stock worth $16,966,971 in the last quarter. 0.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Down 0.4 %

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut Thermo Fisher Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, March 26th. SVB Leerink boosted their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $620.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $690.00 to $711.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Citigroup upped their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $650.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $610.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $640.45.

Shares of NYSE:TMO opened at $588.84 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $561.36 and its 200 day moving average is $548.52. The company has a market cap of $227.12 billion, a PE ratio of 33.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.15. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $475.77 and a 1 year high of $611.06.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 1st. The medical research company reported $5.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.19 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $11.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.41 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 21.42% and a net margin of 15.47%. The firms revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.54 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.72 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 15th were given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.24%. This is a positive change from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 7.94%.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Get Rating)

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc engages in the provision of analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences Solutions, Analytical Instruments, Specialty Diagnostics, and Laboratory Products and Services.

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Lee Danner & Bass Inc. decreased its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 9,104 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 145 shares during the period. Lee Danner & Bass Inc.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $761,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Align Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in NextEra Energy by 142.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 463 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Bellwether Advisors LLC purchased a new position in NextEra Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Retirement Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in NextEra Energy during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.17% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on NEE. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $89.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 26th. Guggenheim lowered their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $102.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 26th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $97.00 to $94.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. StockNews.com raised shares of NextEra Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $101.00 to $98.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 30th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, NextEra Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $91.58.

NextEra Energy Price Performance

NextEra Energy stock opened at $78.02 on Friday. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $67.22 and a 1 year high of $91.35. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $75.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.98. The company has a market cap of $157.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.33, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.51.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.01. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 19.79% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The company had revenue of $6.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.41 earnings per share. NextEra Energys revenue for the quarter was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.12 earnings per share for the current year.

NextEra Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.4675 per share. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 27th. NextEra Energys payout ratio is currently 89.47%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other NextEra Energy news, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. acquired 13,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $75.44 per share, for a total transaction of $995,808.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 129,230 shares in the company, valued at $9,749,111.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Terrell Kirk Crews II bought 2,672 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $74.87 per share, for a total transaction of $200,052.64. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 33,170 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,483,437.90. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Armando Pimentel, Jr. purchased 13,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $75.44 per share, for a total transaction of $995,808.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 129,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,749,111.20. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 18,872 shares of company stock worth $1,417,721 over the last ninety days. 0.38% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

NextEra Energy Company Profile

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NextEra Energy, Inc engages in the provision of renewable energy. It operates through the following segments: FPL and NEER. The FPL segment involves the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Florida. The NEER segment produces electricity from clean and renewable sources, including wind and solar.

Further Reading

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This photo taken on April 4, 2023 shows a wine cellar in Krsko, Slovenia. Jure Grubar has lived with his father in their family vineyard since he was a toddler. Now a professional wine maker, he was appointed chief executive of the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in 2019 and is responsible for the production of around 1.4 million liters of wine per year. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

By Marja Vogric

KRSKO, Slovenia, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Jure Grubar has lived with his father in their family vineyard since he was a toddler. Now a professional wine maker, he was appointed chief executive of the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in 2019 and is responsible for the production of around 1.4 million liters of wine per year.

KK is the biggest producer of Cvicek, a unique wine with a protected trademark that can only be made in the region of Dolenjska in southeastern Slovenia.

"Cvicek is a traditional wine from the region that people drank when they were thirsty or needed strength for work. It is made from a combination of red and white grapes and has a light red color," Grubar, 39, told Xinhua in an interview.

Cvicek has a maximum 10 percent alcohol content so it does not burden the body with alcohol or sugar as much as most other wines, thus Grubar believes that Cvicek will gain more popularity in the coming years.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cellar had already sold wine to Chinese restaurants. Now the cellar aims to significantly increase the sales to China in the coming years. "We have the equipment that allows us to double our production quickly if needed," Grubar said.

To this end, the cellar has been cooperating with researchers at Ljubljana University's School of Economics and Business, who study the China market and propose sales strategies.

Currently, the cellar exports only a fraction of its production, but Grubar said they plan to increase output by about 20 percent within five years, mostly by boosting exports around the world, especially to China.

KK is a cooperative business, which was established almost a hundred year ago and is now owned by about 300 local farmers. Although the cellar cultivates its own vineyards, it buys most of its grapes from local farmers, which means that about 200 families or some 800 people harvest the grapes for the cellar each autumn.

Though western Slovenia suffered its largest ever forest fire during the extremely hot and dry summer of 2022, the vineyards in the country's hilly southeastern region prospered thanks to more sun and less rain.

"Most vineyards in our region are on hills, often on a very steep terrain, so making wine here is not easy. However, the local soil and climate enable us to produce fresh and fruity wines with a unique taste," Grubar said.

The region, which borders on Croatia, charms visitors with countless green hills covered by forests, vineyards and orchards. The cellar is located next to a state-owned medieval castle. Parts of the cellar, built in 1770, were purposely made for storing wine. The castle's name, Srajbarski Turn (literally Srajbar's Tower), was also an inspiration for Turn, the trademark name of the cellar's wine.

The cellar offers a broad range of wines, including white, pink and sparkling wines, as well as rare late harvest wines. Many of the cellar's products have received international awards, including a silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 for the 2019 Modra Frankinja (Blaufrankisch) red wine. 

Jure Grubar, CEO of Klet Krsko Wine Cellar, speaks in an interview with Xinhua at the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in Krsko, Slovenia, on April 4, 2023. Jure Grubar has lived with his father in their family vineyard since he was a toddler. Now a professional wine maker, he was appointed chief executive of the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in 2019 and is responsible for the production of around 1.4 million liters of wine per year.(Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Jure Grubar, CEO of Klet Krsko Wine Cellar, poses for a photo beside wine barrels at the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in Krsko, Slovenia, on April 4, 2023. Jure Grubar has lived with his father in their family vineyard since he was a toddler. Now a professional wine maker, he was appointed chief executive of the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in 2019 and is responsible for the production of around 1.4 million liters of wine per year. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)
Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IVW  Get Rating) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,296 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $76,000.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Manhattan Co. lifted its stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.5% in the first quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 37,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,828,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.3% during the third quarter. Family Firm Inc. now owns 56,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,254,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Southern Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.7% during the third quarter. Southern Capital Advisors LLC now owns 24,906 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,441,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the period. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 5.1% during the third quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC now owns 3,842 shares of the companys stock valued at $222,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. Finally, Investment Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.4% during the third quarter. Investment Advisory Group LLC now owns 50,549 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,924,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the period.

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iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSEARCA:IVW opened at $64.55 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $62.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.79. The firm has a market cap of $30.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.15 and a beta of 1.05. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $55.30 and a 52-week high of $73.96.

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Profile

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Growth Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market.

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Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd. lessened its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) by 51.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,270 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,430 shares during the period. Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $230,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the third quarter worth $25,000. Winch Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 294 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. 75.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total value of $786,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 87,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,588,020.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Werner Barth sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.35, for a total value of $786,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 87,321 shares in the company, valued at $8,588,020.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Andre Calantzopoulos sold 80,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $8,028,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,007,048 shares in the company, valued at $101,057,266.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 117,064 shares of company stock valued at $11,738,763 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Several brokerages have commented on PM. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $109.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday. They set a buy rating on the stock. Societe Generale assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, January 23rd. They issued a sell rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $86.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $95.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.36.

Shares of PM opened at $99.48 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.85 and a 1-year high of $109.81. The stock has a market cap of $154.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $98.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.01.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 9th. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.10. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 127.24% and a net margin of 11.22%. The company had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.54 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.35 earnings per share. Philip Morris Internationals revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd were issued a $1.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 22nd. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.11%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 87.44%.

About Philip Morris International

(Get Rating)

Philip Morris International, Inc is a holding company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine-containing products. Its products include cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: European Union, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australia, and Americas.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Rating).

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A second excavation was launched on Saturday at a neolithic site in east China's Jiangsu Province, three decades after the first one, which unearthed more than 4,000 items.

The Sanxingcun relic site in the Jintan District of Changzhou City, covering about 350,000 square meters, dates back to between 6,500 and 5,500 years ago, according to Li Moran, deputy researcher with the Institute of Archaeology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who is in charge of the excavation at the venue.

He said 800 square meters, including the dwelling areas and burial sites, will be excavated this time. The work is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

The first excavation was conducted between 1993 and 1998, when, in an area of more than 500 square meters, archaeologists unearthed over 1,200 human remains in 1,000-plus tombs, including more than 200 complete skulls. A study by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences along with the Jintan District about the DNA of the bones is underway.

Archaeologists have also recovered a large number of jade articles, stoneware, pottery, and bone objects, as well as carbonized rice.

Li Moran noted that considering the size of the Sanxingcun relic site, its large population, differences in the number and grade of burial objects, and the layout of the site comprising separate living, handicraft production, and burial areas, society at that time had started to become complex, which may be in a period of transition toward inequality.

"The second excavation could help us learn more about the settlement layout of the site, and we are expected to have a panoramic restoration of the life of people in the period," said Li.
JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a joint statement on Saturday evening, asserting that the country's economy remains "solid," despite Moody's recent downgrade of Israel's credit outlook.

Moody's lowered Israel's economic outlook from positive to stable on Friday, citing concerns over the "deterioration of Israel's governance" amid ongoing upheaval over the government's controversial judicial reforms.

In the statement posted on Smotrich's Twitter account, Netanyahu and Smotrich stated the current instability as "temporary."

"The concern that Moody's analysts raise about the public controversy and its effect on Israel's political and economic stability is natural for those who do not know the strength of Israeli society," the statement continued.

The judicial reforms have faced widespread public criticism, and the country's stock exchange has declined since their introduction. Leading Israeli economists and entrepreneurs have warned that these reforms could harm the Israeli economy and deter foreign investment.

A recent survey conducted by Israeli NGO Start-Up Nation Central revealed that many hi-tech companies were already encountering difficulties in raising funds, and some Israeli firms have announced plans to withdraw capital from Israel in response to the government's moves.

Last month, Netanyahu announced a pause in the legislation in response to widespread public criticism. Negotiations between the government and the opposition are taking place in an attempt to find a compromise.

Also on Saturday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Twitter that the move of Moody's is proof that the judicial reforms "endangers the livelihood of every Israeli citizen."

"They should announce that they are stopping the legislative madness and are going to take care of the economy," he added. 
Once considered a fleeting fad, cryptocurrency has teetered toward becoming a more mainstream financial medium in recent years, causing an increasing number of U.S. banks to explore the decentralized system. But reaping its rewards means embracing an industry rife with volatility and risk  causing smaller, local banks to steer clear of the venture altogether.

As of January, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported that it was aware of 136 insured banks that were involved in ongoing or planned cryptocurrency-related activities, such as allowing bank customers to buy and sell cryptocurrency assets through arrangements with third parties or providing deposit services and lending to crypto asset exchanges. Banks can also sponsor debit cards that offer crypto asset rewards.

For those who have yet to be initiated into the multifaceted world of cryptocurrency, its defined broadly as a digital, encrypted medium of exchange that differs from traditional forms of currency in that its value is not managed or maintained by a central authority. Most cryptocurrencies, including the two most popular, Bitcoin and Ethereum, are built on blockchain technology and are categorized as being pseudo-anonymous, meaning transactions cant be easily traced back to a users real-world identity.

Larger institutions can afford to run the risks of engaging with cryptocurrency, which has soared in popularity since it was first introduced in 2009. JPMorgan Chase, for example, debuted its own digital currency, JPM Coin, in 2020 and employs one of the largest crypto teams in the banking sector to help enable instant transfer and clearing of multi-bank, multi-currency assets on a permissioned distributed ledger, according to its website.

Not all big banks have been as quick to jump on board. Bank of America doesnt directly support the purchase of cryptocurrencies through its online banking platform, although customers can still buy crypto assets by connecting their accounts to a regulated exchange platform.

Theres obviously a lot of inherent risk with the way those markets are and how volatile they can be and with it not being accepted on a federal level to use as a payment necessarily, depending on what youre doing, its something that many of the larger financial institutions have no interest in adopting, said Dana Martincic, business solutions advisor at Bank of America in Albany. It kind of goes against banking; I think crypto, in reality, is people trying to circumvent banks most of the time theyre using it.

Most local banks like Trustco, Capital Bank, Pioneer Bank, Keybank and M&T Bank dont offer any crypto-related services and instead, rely primarily on the more stable practices of accepting savings account deposits and writing home mortgages.

Its likely that the recent turmoil in the financial sector only further solidified their disinterest in entering the space. Last November, cryptocurrency exchange FTX filed for bankruptcy when it ran out of money after the equivalent of a bank run. The crash rattled the already unstable crypto market, causing billions of dollars in loss. There were 11 banks that had been doing business with FTX and may have been involved in alleged wire transfer fraud, according to a February report from the Office of the Inspector General.

The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a joint statement in January advising U.S. banks on the risks of dealing with cryptocurrencies and the importance of preventing crypto-related risks that cannot be mitigated or controlled from migrating into the banking system.

The events of the past year have been marked by significant volatility and the exposure of vulnerabilities in the crypto-asset sector. These events highlight a number of key risks associated with crypto-assets and crypto-asset sector participants that banking organizations should be aware of, the statement reads, citing fraud and scams among crypto-asset sector participants, legal uncertainties related to custody practices, redemptions and ownership rights and inaccurate or misleading representations and disclosures by crypto-asset companies.

Days after the failure of California-based Silicon Valley Bank, which sent shock waves through the economy, New York City-based Signature Bank was seized by the state Department of Financial Services to prevent a subsequent bank run. DFS Superintendent Adrienne Harris said while cryptocurrency wasnt Signatures main business  the bank didnt have its own crypto coins, but it offered a platform for crypto trading  the knowledge that it was involved with the medium caused enough withdrawals by nervous customers to get the bank on the state regulators radar. Some say the regulatory takeover sends a strong message to other banks to stay away from crypto assets or risk facing the same fate.

But others, especially fintech professionals and crypto investors, say smaller banks opting out of crypto are missing out on lucrative opportunities for growth.

One thing they should consider is that these risks could be mitigated by ensuring some of these digital assets or crypto or financial products have proper regulations and protections for consumers, said Nancy Min, founder of ecoLONG, an Albany-based startup that created a marketplace for renewable energy trading built on blockchain technology. The way that I see blockchain technology, digital assets and cryptocurrencies, they hold a lot of potential as a decentralized technology that uses this consensus mechanism to accomplish a democratic process and because of this technology and process, it allows us to build trust in an untrusted environment.

Min rebuffs the claim that cryptocurrencies as a whole threaten the safety of the banking industry and instead, she encourages banks to consider offering central bank digital currencies, a form of government-issued currency that isnt backed by a physical commodity like dollars. I think thats where theres a lot of value for banks and a lot of value for consumers, she said, adding that smaller banks have an even greater opportunity for innovation in fintech than larger institutions.

As one of the first states to regulate virtual currency businesses that deal in cryptocurrencies online, the future of New Yorks crypto industry remains unclear. In November, Gov. Kathy Hochul approved a moratorium on whats known as proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining, a measure that will be in effect for the next two years as state officials study the environmental impacts related to the process and determine whether fossil fuel-based plants will be allowed to be brought back online and used to help power the intense computer processing needed to create the blockchains that cryptocurrency is made of.
Tucked under the main staircase at Albany Barn are artist-decorated chair desks covered in graffiti carvings, religious iconography and a monster molded from wads of chewed gum. Unadorned ones sit on each floor of the adjacent Academy Lofts, and photos of rubble-filled classrooms straight out of a post-apocalyptic, dystopian television show decorate some of the hallways. These scholastic adornments pay homage to the past life of a building almost demolished.

Ten years ago, the Albany Barn broke ground at the derelict St. Josephs Academy on Second Street for its new home. Today, the Barn continues to support artists and the Arbor Hill neighborhood through programming and affordable housing with an eye toward extending its mission across the Capital Region.

Background

Albany Barn began as Rock2Rebuild, a grassroots production company co-founded by Jeff Mirel in the wake of the tsunami that hit South Asia in 2004. Rock2Rebuild organized local artists and arts organizations to present a fundraising concert for tsunami victims. Seeing the impact uniting local artists and the community could have, Mirel wanted to continue the energy, and thus emerged the Albany Barn.

That name was taken from the concept of a barn raising, Mirel said. For me that was what that first Rock2Rebuild concert was it was always that concept of the creative community coming together, and bringing the greater community together, to do good.

The feedback from artists was overwhelmingly positive, said KP Holler, the former executive director of the Albany Barn who was with the organization from its inception and the current executive director for the Sanctuary for Independent Media. They wanted to continue this kind of creative, community-driven work, but pursuing a full-time artistic career was challenging when they were taking on other jobs to deal with market rate rent for studio, rehearsal and residential space. Albany Barn needed a roof.

Lori Van Buren/Times Union

Finding a home

A live/work space for creatives wasnt a new concept, though it was new to Albany. Mirel found inspiration from AS220 in Providence, R.I., a non-profit community arts organization providing affordable live/work, studio, exhibit and performance spaces for artists. Armed with a vision, the Barn began to tour spaces.

While the Barn team was scoping out warehouses, the Albany Housing Authority was looking for an adaptive reuse of St. Josephs Academy. The former school-turned-community-center sat derelict, and the Housing Authority wanted to transform the building, but in a way that connected with the neighborhood.

It was this really important community space in the Arbor Hill neighborhood, a place where people remembered going to school, using it as a community center, learning to box, Holler said. It had all these really great stories and memories, and people really cared to save it.

A board members connection with both organizations led to a partnership, and, on April 10, 2013, the Albany Barn and Academy Lofts officially broke ground at St. Josephs Academy.

In some ways the building found us, Mirel said.

Lori Van Buren/Times Union

Raising the Barn

In 2014, the space officially opened with 22 live/work one-bedroom and studio apartments; offices; a stage and a flexible audience that could become a gallery or event space; and work-only studio spaces designed with consulting help from Artspace, a non-profit real estate developer for the arts, and community input.

Tons of work was done when we opened to ask people what they wanted, but its always changing,said Casey Polomaine on a tour in late March, who took over as executive director following Hollers exit in January 2022. You just kind of have to be ready to adapt. Weve turned rooms that were meant to be closets into private studios.

All apartments and the 13 studios are filled, Polomaine said, with the waiting list for the apartments  which existed from the start  currently at 150 applicants. Albany Barns goal is to be a stop on an artists journey and that the support through affordable housing and studio space, professional development and paid job opportunities propels them to the next phase of their careers, said Polomaine, who started with the Barn as a theater artist in 2014, through there is no limit on how many times an artist can renew their lease.

To renew, tenants must confirm their economic status meets the requirements for low-income housing and meet one-on-one with Polomaine to discuss their artistic ventures, progress and goals and community engagement. Proof of income was always a part of the renewal process, Holler said, but proof of being an artist was something the Barn developed after a few years of operation. While the Barn doesnt judge the quality of an artists portfolio or limit their creative exploration to whatever they pitched during their panel interview, the organization wants to make sure artists remain a priority.

Everyone needs affordable housing, Holler said. But not everyone needs affordable housing in an arts incubator model.

Each apartment includes a full kitchen, bathroom, large windows, loft and an open floor plan that artists transform to meet their needs. For Jordan Taylor Hill, a drummer and dancer, that meant minimal furniture to maximize room for movement and his vast collection of drums. For painter Megan Ruch and her cat Sherman, it meant walls lined with her vibrant, poolside paintings; desks piled with watercolor supplies; her favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quote scrawled on the chalkboard, another remnant of the apartments school days; and an open door to hear her neighbors creating.

Im inspired every day just from the space, just from waking up and being here, Ruch said.

Here are your picks for the Best of the Capital Region 2023 We tallied the votes from this years Best of the Capital Region contest in 100 categories.

Both Hill and Ruch have lived at Academy Lofts since its opening. Potential tenants need to complete a two-prong application. The first step is to confirm household size and income per affordable housing criteria. Once financial need is determined and the applicant has moved into the top 10 on the waitlist, applicants engage in a panel interview to discuss artistic and community engagement goals. Anyone can apply who meets the income requirements  a limit of $27,200 for a one-person household and $31,100 for a two-person household  but artists are given priority.

We really look at: Do you want to grow as an artist? Do you want to make art your career? Do you have ideas and goals and a drive to make yourself better, and make the creative economy better and make this community better? Polomaine said.

Artists who do not meet the income requirements but still want workspace at the Barn can apply for one of the 13 studios which also has a wait list, albeit much smaller than the apartments because of greater turnover, Polomaine said. Some studios are swathed in tapestries woven from sweaters, wedding gowns and uniforms. Others are splattered with paint with stacks of canvases encroaching on any available work surface, including the floor. Rental rates for these spaces are about $1.50 per square foot with extra tacked on for premium studios, including those with windows.

The Albany Housing Authority partnership, grants, donors and revenue from rentals and programming helps the non-profit to keep rent low, Polomaine said. This allows artists to focus on their careers. Ruch, for example, has been able to expand into new mediums, bring her whimsical watercolor animal greeting cards to more stores in the region and build out her arts education programming for kids and adults. Hill recently returned from a sabbatical to Conakry, Guinea where he studied traditional African drumming and dance with masters, which hes bringing into the community programs he runs out of the Barn.

Its about building community and connecting with other artists or folks in the area who want to be a part of the culture, Hill said of his weekly drumming and dance classes.I think learning about traditional music is a great way the inner city kids  Black and brown kids  to know there are other options for them if they have an interest in music.

John Carl D'Annibale

Rebounding and expanding

The Albany Barn is all about its place in the neighborhood, but its also growing beyond its initial Arbor Hill footprint. It partnered with Albany Center Gallery and the Albany Parking Authority to develop Capital Walls, which funds public art across the Capital Region. This September, the Albany Barns sister space the Electric City Barn on Craig Street in Schenectady will turn five. The makerspace features co-working spaces, a metalshop, a wood-working workshop and various studio spaces, but no apartments, though Polomaine said the idea was considered when the team was planning the makerspace.

While the pandemic stalled the Electric Barns momentum, both Barns have stabilized. The staff changed soon after  Mirel and Holler stepped down from the board and executive directorship in 2021 and 2022 respectively  and the current team, consisting of four full-time and one part-time employees plus volunteers, are working to bridge the two locations and connect artists to the resources that best service their needs, whether its the fiber shop at the Electric City Barn or a private studio rental in Albany.

When someone enters our orbit, well make time to figure out what their priorities are, Polomaine said.
ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration paid nearly $2 million to private consulting firms over the past two years for help in preparing her State of the State addresses  annual speeches that are required by law and through the years have become massive undertakings that take months to prepare, including producing a booklet highlighting the governors policy and fiscal priorities.

The expenditures took place through one of myriad consulting contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars that were approved by the state during Hochuls administration and also under the administration of former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Although some of the contracts predate the coronavirus pandemic, the states use of private consultants ballooned during public health emergency when public bidding was cast aside as many of the fiscal guardrails were lowered.

Many of those contracts, which were tied to project management work related to COVID-19, are the subject of an investigation by the state inspector generals office. The investigation includes a recent request by the governor for the inspector general to examine consulting contracts handled by a former acting budget director and high-ranking official with the Office of Information Technology Services  a referral that could also result in scrutiny of the contracts that Hochuls administration used to help with her speeches and State of the State addresses.

Its not unusual for governors to use outside speechwriters to help produce major addresses, but the amount of money spent by Hochuls administration for private consultants to help prepare her first two State of the State addresses appears to be unprecedented. But much of that work is related to the firms' work in helping coordinate the Division of Budgets analysis of state operations and the fiscal implications of new initiatives.

The State of the State expenditures are itemized in records and contracts released Friday by the state comptrollers office in response to two Freedom of Information Law requests filed by the Times Union. The documents were also released to the New York Times.

The records indicate most of the funds for the State of the State preparations were paid to The Boston Consulting Group, Inc., and Deloitte Consulting through a $19 million contract with the Division of Budget that was approved in August 2019  during the Cuomo administration. But the services tied to that contract, and a second consulting contract, have been expanded through the years and now top $250 million and include performing the type of work that had previously been done by state employees.

The contract approved in 2019 is supposed to run through August 2024 and was awarded to Boston Consulting Group after it submitted a proposal along with several other firms. The terms of the work included transforming or reengineering government business models and operations designing and evaluating state strategy and policy (and) redesigning public sector organizational and operational models.

At the time that contract was approved, Cuomo's administration was using the firm to study the potential consolidation of multiple state agencies. After the coronavirus struck, Cuomo's enlisted the consulting firms to do tens of millions of dollars in pandemic-related work, including building out the Excelsior Pass, a digital vaccination credentialing app. More recently, Micah Lasher, the director of policy for Hochul's administration since November 2021, has tapped those firms to assist with the State of the State address, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Deloitte Consulting, which has netted other contracts worth tens of millions of dollars with the state, was pulled into the work with Boston Consulting Group; both firms have aided the Hochul administration in preparing her executive budget proposals and State of the State addresses.

The Times Union reported last month that state workers and outside vendors had raised concerns about government contracts handled by former acting Budget Director Sandra L. Beattie and Rajiv Rao, the now-former deputy chief information officer for technology and chief technology officer at the Office of Information Technology Services.

In response to questions last month about whether Hochul had any concerns regarding the work of Beattie or Rao, who had a close working relationship and partnered on major projects, a spokeswoman for the governor said they had referred the matter to the inspector generals office.

Rao resigned on March 24, several weeks after taking a voluntary leave of absence  a change in his job status that occurred a day after Beattie was forced from her position. Neither Rao nor Beattie have been accused of wrongdoing.

People who work for companies that do business with the state have privately expressed concerns about the number of multi-million-dollar contracts that New York has awarded to Deloitte Consulting, where Beattie had worked for a period of roughly two years more than a decade ago. There also have been internal questions about the number and type of consulting contracts awarded during the pandemic.

There have been a high number of outside consulting contracts that had been secured by the Division of Budget or other state offices during Beattie's tenure. Beattie had previously served as deputy budget director under Robert Mujica, who was appointed to the position in 2015 by Cuomo. Mujica left the office last fall to take a position as head of Puerto Ricos Financial Management and Oversight Board.

David Fuscus, a spokesman for Beattie, said she worked for Deloitte roughly 16 years ago and that theres no one from the companys Albany team that she knew back then.

Sandra has a sterling reputation. She had nothing to do with the $2 million in speechwriting contracts, Fuscus said. The events since she left office represent the underbelly of politics. Sandra has a sterling reputation which shadowy figures are trying to tarnish by feeding nonsense into the Albany rumor mills. Everybody knows that Sandra is a straight shooter, a fiscal hawk and her record at Budget is unblemished.

It remains unclear whether the inspector generals office will examine the contract with Boston Consulting Group and Deloitte Consulting that has been expanded to include the work on the governors annual addresses.

We are eager for the Office of the Inspector General to complete its investigation into these matters, much of which predate our administration, said Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for Hochul. Neither Deloitte nor (Boston Consulting Group) were involved in giving policy advice or making policy decisions.

Officials with the governors office have noted that Lasher, Hochuls director of policy, did not begin working for the administration until Nov. 17, 2021, less than 50 days before the governors first State of the State address in January 2022. Hochuls office also was working on a short timeframe preparing for that address after she unexpectedly ascended into the role of governor after Cuomo resigned in August 2021 following the release of an attorney generals report that concluded he engaged in inappropriate conduct with multiple women.

The private consultants' State of the State work included cataloguing hundreds of proposals from state agencies and coordinating the review of those matters by policy experts within the administration. The firms also would conduct research on the success of similar proposals in other states or by prior administrations.

Deloitte Consulting was paid more than $1 million last year for State of the State project management, according to an invoice filed in March 2022. Boston Consulting Group was paid $838,008 for State of the State support for work related to the governors addresses in 2022 and this year.

Payments also were made last year to Eric Jaffe for $22,500 to help write the 2022 State of the State address and another $30,000 to Fenway Strategies, which also helped write the speech. This year, $25,000 was paid to Gotham Ghostwriters, a Manhattan firm that provides speechwriting and was hired to help write the 2023 State of the State.

Fuscus, who is Beatties spokesman, said the requests by the Hochul administration to enlist private consultants to help with the State of the State had nothing to do with Beattie.

Micah Lasher wanted to hire the consultants and worked directly with budgets procurement department to identify a number of firms, Fuscus said. Lasher is the person who selected the firms, Sandra wasnt involved at any level.

Melissa DeRosa, who had been secretary to Cuomo, said it may be unprecedented for a governor  whose massive staffs include individuals with speechwriting abilities or a deep knowledge of policy initiatives, fiscal restraints and government operations  to pay for outside help on a State of the State address.

Developing a State of the State is one of the core functions of a governors office  its their vision for New York, DeRosa said. Farming it out on taxpayer dime is the ultimate abdication of responsibility.

The State of the State expenditures were itemized in contracts and payment records that the Times Union had initially requested in January. But on March 8, the state comptrollers office informed the newspaper that after a diligent search, OSC has no records relating to your request.

After the Times Union filed a second request for the records, officials with the comptrollers office informed the Times Union that their earlier response had been made in error, and that the documents should have been turned over in response to the newspapers first request.

Beatties tenure ended as the final stages of budget negotiations were ramping up and less than a week after Hochuls office announced that Robert L. Megna, who had been the state budget director for Cuomo and his predecessor, Gov. David A. Paterson, would return to that role.

The budget director oversees the states fiscal policies, executes annual state budgets and also manages New Yorks debt portfolio.

Staff writer Joshua Solomon contributed to this report.
Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora (2nd L), British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (3rd L), German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (4th L), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (5th L), Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (5th R), Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly (4th R), French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna (3rd R), Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani (2nd R) and two Japanese local officials (1st L, 1st R) pose for a group photo during a welcome ceremony at the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

KARUIZAWA, Japan, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc.

The top diplomats, including Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are expected to discuss issues such as the Ukraine crisis and nuclear disarmament over the next two days.

On Sunday, Hayashi and his G7 counterparts took the one-hour shinkansen train ride from Tokyo to Karuizawa, whose arrival was accompanied by protests in the train station area, with people holding banners like "Objection to G7," calling the role of the club of the rich countries into question.

The talks in Karuizawa, which run until Tuesday, are meant to prepare for setting the agenda for the G7 leaders' summit to be held in Hiroshima in May. 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (L), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C), and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi are pictured during a welcome ceremony at the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A protester holding a placard is pictured near the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Protesters holding banners and placards are pictured near the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Protesters holding placards are pictured near the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A protester holding a placard is pictured near the Karuizawa station of shinkansen train in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on April 16, 2023. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers gathered Sunday in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, as people took part in demonstrations to protest against the bloc. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
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As we noted earlier this week . . . Tonight U.S. Rep Mark Alford and his Missouri GOP colleagues will host a controversial political leader.

Accordingly . . . Just sent this afternoon . . . In fairness, we wanted to post a note from the other side on this meetup . . .

Here's how Jackson County Democrats are calling it in their fundraising note . . .



(Rep.) Marjorie Taylor Greene in Jackson County today

Just weeks after attempting to censure one of their own State House members over a vote to enshrine same-sex marriage in the Missouri Constitution, the Jackson County Republican Committee is at it again.



This time, they are hosting one of the most incendiary members of Congress, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, as their special guest at their annual event. Check out what the Star Editorial Board had to say about it on Thursday:



The Jackson County GOP thinks that putting its stamp of approval on a conspiracy theory-loving firebrand who hugs up on QAnon reflects who its voters are. That they believe her illogical, hurtful rhetoric is what they want their party to sound like. That they want a woman who claimed rich Jewish financiers arranged for space lasers to start California forest fires to be the face of their party.



If this is who the Jackson County GOP thinks represents their values, it serves as a reminder - we must continue the relentless effort to defeat them at the ballot box, in June and next year.



Rep. Greene helped the Jackson County GOP sell out their dinner, with tickets costing up to $5,000. Can you help us fight back with a one-time donation today to show them that their featured guest doesnt represent the values of Jackson County?

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You decide . . .


A few of our helpful readers noted this earlier in the day and there was a bit of confusion about the separate instances of gunfire.



As of right now . . . We're counting this as 2023 Homicide #51 so far this year.

Here is the first report with more detail and news coverage follow-up as well . . .



37th and Prospect



This morning just after 10:30 am. Officers were dispatched to 37th and Prospect on a reported sound of gun shots. While enroute the call was upgraded to a shooting.



Officers arrived on scene and observed an adult male laying on the ground unresponsive. Suffering from apparent gun shot wounds.



EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased, the second adult male victim who was shot with non life threatening injuries was transported to an area hospital.



Contributing factors to the shooting are unknown at this time.



There is no suspect information or anyone in custody at this time.



Detectives and Crime Scene personnel are on scene and canvassing the area for potential witnesses and evidence.



If anyone saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact the Homicide Unit directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.



There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline that result in an arrest.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.



While on scene at 37th and Prospect a volley of gunshots went off in the area of 35th and Brooklyn.



An unknown vehicle fled the scene immediately following the gun shots.



It is not known at this time if this was related or not.

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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

One dead, one injured in shooting near 37th and Prospect KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a shooting Saturday morning that left one dead and another injured. Officers responded to a shooting call at 37th and Prospect around 10:41 a.m. and found an adult male laying on the ground unresponsive.

1 dead, 1 injured in shooting near 37th Street, Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One man died and another was injured in a shooting Saturday morning in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department officers responded to a shooting at 37th Street and Prospect Avenue, just two blocks away from where five people were shot in a homicide Friday night.

Developing . . .
Right now the legacy of angel Adriana inspires our peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Waves Of Amazing Local Images

This Kansas City photographer has captured the beauty of every fountain in the 'City of Fountains' Last summer, photographer Roy Inman was standing in front of a fountain at a roundabout near West 129th Street and Glenfield Road in Leawood, Kansas. The sky was a deep, sapphire blue and a full moon was rising. Pools of water glowed emerald green.

Royal Service To Kansas City

Royals partner with dentist to offer free services for students KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals have partnered with with TeamSmile and SunLife/DentaQuest to help bring awareness to the importance of dental hygiene. They are offering free services to more than 200 students from the Independence School District. Students will receive free exams through the program sponsored by SunLife/DentaQuest.

Artsy End Of An Era

Creative-Coldsnow will shutter Westport, Overland Park stores - Kansas City Business Journal Creative-Coldsnow Artist Materials and Framing has been a cornerstone for metro-area artists since the 1940s. But after twin blows of the pandemic and an unexpected terminal illness, the store will close its doors. Creative-Coldsnow originates from Keith Coldsnow, who opened Coldsnow-Morris Art Supply on Broadway in 1946 with colleague Max Morris.

Newspaper Turns Tenant Advocate

I wanted out of my roach-infested KC apartment. What I learned about renters' options I decided to move out of my apartment the day I woke up and found a nickel-sized cockroach crawling next to my toothbrush. For almost eight months, I had been living in the newly renovated, 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom unit near Linwood Avenue and Main Street in midtown.

Home Team Already Fading

Sean Murphy wrecks Royals in 9-3 Braves win Braves catcher Sean Murphy had a day, smacking two doubles and a home run, driving in four runs in a 9-3 Braves win on a cold, wet Saturday evening. Lefty Kris Bubic lasted five innings, but was not as effective as his last time out, giving up 10 hits and five runs, with some reduced velocity.

Angel Returns In All Her Glory

Victoria's Secret Angels then & now - as expert reveals why Adriana Lima is back VICTORIA'S Secret's partnership with Adriana Lima could prop up its shaky position in the underwear market, a fashion photographer has claimed. And he thinks the Brazilian model's latest perfume collab with the lingerie giant means other ex-Angels may follow suit.

White House Approval Fades

Biden's poll numbers look grim as he preps for reelection bid According to FiveThirtyEight , Biden's average approval rating stands at 43 percent, about 9 points lower than his 52 percent disapproval rating. That's only 1 point higher than Trump's FiveThirtyEight approval rating on April 15, 2019, at the same point in his one-term presidency.

MAGA Momentum Rises

Trump turns from past to future at RNC donor retreat Declaring that the "old Republican Party is gone, and it is never coming back," Trump in Nashville urged Republican donors to help put him back in the White House through electoral strategies he once decried, like robust mail-in voting and ballot harvesting.

Fight Over Life Persists

Across the country, abortion rights advocates rally in support of abortion pill access Abortion rights supporters around the country and in the nation's capital are holding rallies Saturday and Sunday against the decision by a Texas judge to reverse the FDA's approval of a key abortion drug. Portions of U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's nationwide injunction blocking mifepristone's approval would have gone into effect on Saturday had the Supreme Court not stayed the decision Friday afternoon.

South Of Border Chaos Worsens

Gunmen kill 7, including a child, at resort swimming pool in Mexico At least seven people were killed, including a 7-year-old child, when a group of gunmen stormed a resort teeming with vacationers in central Mexico on Saturday. An eighth person was seriously injured in the mid-afternoon shooting - which took the lives of three women, three men and a child - near the pool at the La Palma resort in Cortazar, a small town south of the city of Guanajuato.

African Military Battle Emerges

Sudan fighting: The military rivalry behind the clashes in Khartoum The fighting is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the military leadership.

Defending Saint Against Slander

Pope Francis Calls 'Insinuations' Against John Paul II Unfounded VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday rejected as offensive and unfounded what he called insinuations by the brother of a Vatican schoolgirl who went missing 40 years ago about his predecessor as pontiff, Saint John Paul II. Emanuela Orlandi, the daughter of a Vatican usher, failed to return home on June 22, 1983 following a music lesson in Rome.

Bubba Resolves Baller Past

Former Royal Bubba Starling finds peace after finding his way through anguishing career All of a sudden, Bubba Starling is 30 years old. "I'm old, man," he said, smiling. "Starting to get some gray hair." But aging is the last thing you'd think of if you ran into Starling.

Katie Calls Sunday

Windy and cold Sunday morning Hide Transcript Show Transcript WINDY. I HOPE THEY'RE ABLE TO GET THE EVENT OFF. I KNOW THEY PUT SO MUCH WORK INTO PUTTING THAT ON, BUT I DO NEED TO JUST GIVE YOU THE FACTS AND THAT THERE IS A WIND ADVISORY TODAY FROM NOON UNTIL SEVEN.

Willie Nelson - Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
More to the point . . . Things are, CLEARLY, getting rougher on local streets and there's not much (if any) political will to change the current trend.



Even worse . . . Nicer weather on Sunday risks even more bloodshed.



Thankfully, we're encouraged that at least KMBC seems concerned about the implications.

Here's their worthwhile report . . .



"Kansas City police are continuing to investigate after three deadly shootings in the metro in less than 24 hours."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

'When one dies, the community starts dying,' Violent 24 hours in Kansas City emphasizes push for change Kansas City police are continuing to investigate after three deadly shootings in the metro in less than 24 hours.Five people, including a child, were shot Friday night at 35th and Prospect. One of them died at the hospital.Hours later, in Westport, police found a man shot to death near 40th and Washington.

Community Leader Speaks Out Against Homicides in KCMO Kansas City, Missouri, saw three homicides between Friday night and Saturday morning. Three people died as a result of the crimes and others were injured. Two of the homicides occurred on Prospect Avenue, just a couple of blocks apart. KCTV5 talked to KC Mothers In Charge founder, Rosilyn Temple, who lost her son to a homicide more than a decade ago.

Developing . . .
Unlikely . . .

But we found this round-up that attempts to present the issue fairly and wanted to share it.

Take a look . . .



At stake is more than $300 million a year in tax relief to residents and the loss of that same amount to pay for state services.



Democrats and some economists argue setting the same income tax rate for nearly everybody lifts much of the burden off wealthier Kansans and threatens the states ability to pay for schools, prisons and other government services. They contend such a radical change to the states tax code poses a special risk when the possibility of a national recession looms so large.



All Kansans earning more than $6,000 annually would see their income taxed at 5.15%. Thats projected to carve out more than $330 million a year from state revenues.



Republicans and conservative advocacy groups contend the single rate makes the tax code fair for all Kansans.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Governor to decide on flat tax in Kansas Longstanding debates over state income taxes - whether the rich should pay steeper rates, or whether fairness comes with a flat rate - could sink a plan Kansas lawmakers sent to the governor. At stake is more than $300 million a year in tax relief to residents and the loss of that same amount to pay for state services.

You decide . . .
Want to plan a low-carbon weekend getaway from Toronto  no car needed? Hop on the train to visit this beautiful Ontario city
BEHIND THE CRIMES: How looking at a pair of eyeglasses helped police focus on a murderer
Samson, a 25-year-old grizzly bear, was honoured by Toronto Zoo staff and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers after he was humanely euthanized on Monday. - Ken Ardill/Toronto Zoo
"This is a very attractive market to continue to invest in," said Maggie Chan, managing director of Sephora Greater China.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Ahead of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein group) meeting, the team of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine visited four countries in 10 days to conduct negotiations on the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

"Ahead of the Ramstein group meeting, which will be a milestone because this format of the anti-Kremlin coalition turns one year old, we had a very intensive period in terms of international contacts. In 10 days, our team visited Athens, Nicosia, Madrid, and Bucharest. We had fruitful meetings with my colleagues  Minister of Defense of Greece Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of Defense of Cyprus Michalis Georgallas, Minister of Defense of Spain Margarita Robles, Minister of Defense of Romania Angel Tilvar and their teams," Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov posted on Facebook.

The purpose of the meetings is weapons and other forms of support that strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the minister noted.

Reznikov emphasized that during the visits, the Ministry of Defense team meets with leaders of government agencies, manufacturers, and the media to gain as wide a circle of support as possible. "Our priorities are known: protecting the sky, creating an armored fist, ensuring ammunition," he added.

According to the defense minister, the team is working on different tracks. Ukraine is interested in both Soviet-style platforms and, especially, missiles and rounds, because these weapons immediately end up on the battlefield, as well as Western-made systems that provide qualitative advantages.

"We attract help, agree on production, work out training programs for our soldiers. Such visits and meetings at the political level are very useful because they not only help to maintain a high overall pace but also contribute to the quick resolution of many practical issues which would take weeks in remote mode," Reznikov emphasized.

According to him, time is crucial to Ukraine because it means the saved lives of Ukrainian defenders and the protection of cities.

As reported, the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be held at the U.S. Air Force Base "Ramstein" (Germany) on April 21.
The Russian military has fired heavy artillery at a temple in Nikopol, injuring two people.

Serhii Lysak, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said this in a post on the Telegram messaging app, according to Ukrinform.

"The Russians have once again confirmed that there is nothing sacred for them. They hit a temple in Nikopol with heavy artillery. Two people were injured. A 57-year-old man is receiving outpatient treatment, while a 38-year-old woman was hospitalized," the post said.

In addition to the temple, five residential buildings, two cars, and several power lines were damaged in the city. Four outbuildings were damaged and one more was ruined.

The consequences of the shelling are being clarified.
Following Poland, Hungary has imposed a temporary ban on grain and oilseed imports from Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by DW, referring to the Hungarian government, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The government is committed to representing the interests of the Hungarian farming community, which is why, in the absence of meaningful European Union measures, it is temporarily prohibiting the import of grain and oilseeds, as well as a number of other agricultural products, to Hungary from Ukraine, Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said.

In his words, Ukrainian agricultural producers use methods that are prohibited in the EU, which allows them to avoid unnecessary costs and export to the European market a large amount of poultry meat, eggs and honey in addition to grain and oilseed crops. As a result, Central European farmers are deprived of the opportunity to sell their own products.

According to Hungarys Agriculture Ministry, the ban will remain in effect until June 30, 2023. By then, Budapest expects the EU to revise the temporary abolition of customs duties on Ukrainian products and ensure fair market conditions for European agriculture.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife receive flowers presented by children from the Shanghai Children's Palace of the China Welfare Institute and pose for a photo with them upon arrival in Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2023.

Ever since China and Brazil established diplomatic ties 49 years ago, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges and solid political mutual trust.

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- "I've gotten a job, bought a sofa and a refrigerator with the money I earned, plastered the exteriors of my house with cement, have access to the Internet at home, and learned how to make business contacts, purchase and market online. All my dreams have come true," Marlene Araujo Dias told Xinhua.

Living in a forested village in the northern Brazilian state of Tocantins named Malhadinha, Araujo Dias is one of the many locals feeling their lives have changed since the launch of a Chinese-built fruit processing plant in August 2021. The change, which Araujo Dias described as "turning plain water into red wine," epitomizes close cooperation between the two countries oceans away.

The latest state visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to China, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks, has mapped out an even brighter future for bilateral ties, where the two biggest developing countries and emerging markets in the Eastern and Western hemispheres work together to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples, and play a more important and positive role for peace, stability and prosperity in their regions and around the world.





"FRIENDSHIP IS LIKE A BOTTLE OF WINE"

"Friendship is like a bottle of wine, the older, the better." This Brazilian proverb quoted by Xi during his visit to Brazil in 2014 was repeated by Lula on Thursday when he praised the relationship between the two countries as "extraordinary" in China.

Ever since China and Brazil established diplomatic ties 49 years ago, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges and solid political mutual trust. In 1993, Brazil became the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China, and in 2012 that partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic one. From 2006 to 2022, the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee held six meetings, pushing for continuous fruits in all-round bilateral practical cooperation.

Agricultural products, minerals and petroleum have been pillars in the economic cooperation between China and Brazil. Investment from China in infrastructure and projects for the public good has benefited Brazilians. Moreover, the opening of a new cargo air route linking the southern Chinese metropolis Shenzhen to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, earlier in April is expected to further stimulate e-commerce trade between the two countries.

High-level interactions have become more frequent in recent years, too. In July 2014, Xi went to Brazil to attend the sixth BRICS summit, and met with leaders from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. In November 2019, he travelled to Brazil again to attend the 11th BRICS summit. Lula, an old friend of the Chinese people who has visited China multiple times, chose China as his first destination outside the Americas after taking over the Brazilian presidency early this year.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits an exhibition hall on the latest development in digital technology and digital economy at the Shanghai Research Center of Huawei in Shanghai, east China, April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Feng)

Stressing that China always sees its relationship with Brazil as a high priority on its diplomatic agenda, Xi said Friday that "China welcomes more high-quality products from Brazil into its market. China will actively explore greater synergy between its Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's reindustrialization strategy."

The two countries have also jointly played an important role in today's turbulent world, communicating and coordinating closely within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, BRICS and the Group of 20.

Facing global changes of a magnitude unseen in a century, China and Brazil are resolved to practice true multilateralism, advocate the common values of humanity, work for a more just and equitable international governance system, truly safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international justice and equity, and build a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said Friday.

Lula said Brazil stands ready to work with China to contribute to developing countries' efforts to shake off unfair rules and realize a fairer and more balanced development.





"NEW RECORD IN TRADE"

Moored at the Port of Acu in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Chinese supertanker YUAN PENG YANG quietly awaits its departure for Asia once it is fully loaded with containers of Brazilian crude oil.

Vinicius Patel, director of the Port Administration, told Xinhua that exporting crude oil and iron ore to China has been one of the core businesses of the port since its operation in 2014.

"We signed new contracts with Chinese companies last year. Our exports to China have hit a new record," Patel said.

The buzz of the port is a stellar example of the booming trade between China and Brazil. "When I first visited Beijing, few analysts imagined that the Sino-Brazilian partnership would acquire the relevance it has today. Since then, our trade has multiplied 16-fold and China has become Brazil's main trading partner," Lula said in a written interview with Xinhua shortly before departing for his state visit to China.

"The value of our exports to China is greater than the sum of our exports to the United States and the European Union," he said, "China is a great engine for the Brazilian agro-industry."

China has been Brazil's biggest trade partner for 14 consecutive years, and Brazil is the first Latin American country to hit a trading volume of over 100 billion U.S. dollars with China.

A container ship docks at Rio de Janeiro Port in Brazil, March 20, 2023. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua)

In 2022, two-way trade stood at 171.35 billion dollars. China imported 54.4 million tons of soybeans and 1.11 million tons of frozen beef from Brazil, taking up 59.72 percent and 41 percent of their total import amount, respectively, showed data from China's General Administration of Customs.

On Feb. 7, the People's Bank of China signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Central Bank of Brazil to establish RMB clearing arrangements in Brazil, a move experts say will improve bilateral trade efficiency and defuse external risks to provide an effective safeguard mechanism for trade between the two countries.

After the talks between Xi and Lula on Friday, the two presidents witnessed the signing of various bilateral cooperation documents on trade and investment, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, information and communications, poverty reduction, quarantine, space and others.

Gustavo Biscassi, head of External Affairs of Brazil's mining giant Vale, told Xinhua that for his company, which has been exporting products to China for the last 50 years, "China is not only our largest market, but also a critical supplier for the mining, infrastructure and logistics equipment and services."

"We are looking forward to continuing our close cooperation with China in the next 50 years," he said.





"WHEN CULTURES COME TOGETHER"

On Jan. 19, red lanterns, Chinese paper-cuts and lion dances decorated the ancient Brazilian city of Recife. Hundreds of Brazilians gathered at the city's Marco Zero Square on this very day, not only to mark the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, but also to celebrate the inclusion of the Chinese New Year into Recife's official calendar.

"Our historical heritage, with the reception of the light show of China, is as if the two cultures are united ... and talk a little to the world that brotherhood between peoples is possible. And that, how beautiful it is when cultures come together!" said City Councilor Cida Pedrosa.

"The relationship between peoples is extremely important, because what makes a culture flow and (stay) alive is when one culture meets another culture," she said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the new president of the New Development Bank (NDB), Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian President, at the bank's headquarters in Pudong, Shanghai, east China, April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Feng)

On Sept. 19, 2022, Recife okayed a decree proposed by Pedrosa to establish the Chinese New Year as an official holiday in the city. In early February this year, the city of Foz do Iguacu in southern Brazil also decided to make the Chinese New Year celebration an annual event.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have been flourishing over the years, for example, in sports, medicine and the arts. Fourteen Confucius Institutes have been established in Brazil, the most among Latin American countries, and Brazil has set up a national festival to celebrate every August the arrival of Chinese immigrants to Brazil.

In February 2021, the first Chinese school in Brazil opened in Rio de Janeiro. Two years later, the two countries launched virtual courses for teaching Chinese language and culture to beginners.



China and Brazil need to capitalize on the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year to carry out more people-to-people exchanges, and cultivate stronger public support for Sino-Brazilian friendship, Xi said Friday.

Similarly, Lula said he has full confidence that Brazil-China relations will embrace a brighter future. 
Following the example of Poland and Hungary, Bulgaria considers imposing a ban on the import of Ukrainian-produced grain.

The relevant statement was made by Radio Bulgaria, referring to Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Bulgarian interests must be protected. Moreover, now that two countries have already acted in this way, if we do not react, the accumulations [of grain  Ed.] on Bulgarian territory could become even bigger, Gechev said.

According to Gechev, a few days ago he spoke to counterparts from six countries on the issue. In fact, Sofia asked Brussels to respond to this problem back in September 2022.

Gechev mentioned that, on Tuesday, there will be communication with the president, who is directly involved in this situation.

A reminder that the European Commission considers the unilateral trade decisions, which were made by Poland and Hungary to ban the import of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products, unacceptable.
The Netherlands is allocating EUR 100 million to Ukraine through the World Bank in guarantees to finance the country's agriculture.

That's according to Welingelichte Kringen, Ukrinform reports.

"The Netherlands is investing 100 million euros through the World Bank in guarantees for financing agricultural companies in Ukraine and, for example, in generators to help the country through the coming winter," the report reads.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher made this commitment at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington.

According to the minister, this is the first concrete implementation in the field of recovery support of the EUR 2.5 billion that the Netherlands promised Ukraine earlier this year. The emphasis with that large amount was on military support, but Schreinemacher says that other support options are also being considered.

"EUR 40 million is specifically intended for agricultural companies so that they can buy grain this season or replace agricultural equipment that has broken," she said.

The remaining amount of the 100 million euros is intended not only for the purchase of generators, but also for repairing roads.

The minister said the Netherlands would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
A court in Iran has sentenced ten Iranian military personnel to prison due to their involvement in the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet over Tehran in 2020.

That's according to Mizan Online, Ukrinform reports.

The service members were found guilty of the disaster that killed 176 people.

According to the report, a commander was sentenced to 13 years in prison, while nine other members of the armed forces received terms of one to three years.

In total, 20 court hearings have already been held in this case, in which 117 plaintiffs filed their lawsuits, 55 of the plaintiffs spoke and read out their complaints, and 20 lawyers represented the plaintiffs.

On January 8, 2020, the Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were 176 people on board  nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). All of them died.

On January 11, 2020, Iran admitted that its military had accidentally shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accepted full responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian airliner.

On January 5, 2021, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine had received a draft technical report from Iran on the circumstances of the plane crash.

In early 2022, Iran officially refused to continue negotiations on the investigation into the consequences of the disaster. Tehran told Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and Britain that it was refusing to negotiate over the UIA plane crash.

In a joint statement on December 29, 2022, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine called on Iran to agree to arbitration of the dispute related to the downing of flight PS752.

Photo: AA
South Korea and Germany agreed to work together on diplomatic and economic measures to support Ukraine.

Foreign Minister of South Korea Park Jin and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock made a relevant statement at a press conference, Yonhap reports.

The top diplomats of South Korea and Germany held their strategic dialogue in Seoul on Saturday, where cooperation in supporting Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders was high on the agenda.

"The two sides expressed concerns about the deterioration of the humanitarian and economic situations in Ukraine, and shared the understanding that international solidarity and support is more important than at any other time," Park said.

He added that the two countries agreed to work together on diplomatic and economic measures in support of Ukraine.

Asked to comment on the issue of providing weapons to Ukraine, Park reiterated Seoul's position that it is providing humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country in cooperation with the international community.

Baerbock "highly" assessed Seoul's clear position against Russia's invasion.

Photo: Yonhap
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will pay a visit to Iraq on Monday, April 17.

According to Ukrinform, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said this in a post on his Facebook page.

"The Ukrainian foreign minister's trip to the Middle East continues the strategy of opening new horizons in the world and creating new opportunities for the Ukrainian state, business and citizens," he said.

In Baghdad, Kuleba is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein.

The parties will discuss the development of the political dialogue, the increase in trade and interaction within international organizations.

Early this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani discussed the intensification of interstate cooperation and Ukraine's peace formula.
Exhibited bottles of wine are seen at Ljubljana Wine Route tasting event in central Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Nov. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Matic Stojs)

The Klet Krsko Wine Cellar aims to significantly increase the sales to China in the coming years.



KRSKO, Slovenia, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Jure Grubar has lived with his father in their family vineyard since he was a toddler. Now a professional wine maker, he was appointed chief executive of the Klet Krsko (KK) Wine Cellar in 2019 and is responsible for the production of around 1.4 million liters of wine per year.

KK is the biggest producer of Cvicek, a unique wine with a protected trademark that can only be made in the region of Dolenjska in southeastern Slovenia.

"Cvicek is a traditional wine from the region that people drank when they were thirsty or needed strength for work. It is made from a combination of red and white grapes and has a light red color," Grubar, 39, told Xinhua in an interview.

Cvicek has a maximum 10 percent alcohol content so it does not burden the body with alcohol or sugar as much as most other wines, thus Grubar believes that Cvicek will gain more popularity in the coming years.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cellar had already sold wine to Chinese restaurants. Now the cellar aims to significantly increase the sales to China in the coming years. "We have the equipment that allows us to double our production quickly if needed," Grubar said.

To this end, the cellar has been cooperating with researchers at Ljubljana University's School of Economics and Business, who study the China market and propose sales strategies.

Currently, the cellar exports only a fraction of its production, but Grubar said they plan to increase output by about 20 percent within five years, mostly by boosting exports around the world, especially to China.

KK is a cooperative business, which was established almost a hundred year ago and is now owned by about 300 local farmers. Although the cellar cultivates its own vineyards, it buys most of its grapes from local farmers, which means that about 200 families or some 800 people harvest the grapes for the cellar each autumn.

Though western Slovenia suffered its largest ever forest fire during the extremely hot and dry summer of 2022, the vineyards in the country's hilly southeastern region prospered thanks to more sun and less rain.

A woman introduces different sorts of wine to a visitor at Ljubljana Wine Route tasting event in central Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Nov. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Matic Stojs)

"Most vineyards in our region are on hills, often on a very steep terrain, so making wine here is not easy. However, the local soil and climate enable us to produce fresh and fruity wines with a unique taste," Grubar said.

The region, which borders on Croatia, charms visitors with countless green hills covered by forests, vineyards and orchards. The cellar is located next to a state-owned medieval castle. Parts of the cellar, built in 1770, were purposely made for storing wine. The castle's name, Srajbarski Turn (literally Srajbar's Tower), was also an inspiration for Turn, the trademark name of the cellar's wine.

A man introduces different sorts of wine to visitors at Ljubljana Wine Route tasting event in central Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Nov. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Matic Stojs)

The cellar offers a broad range of wines, including white, pink and sparkling wines, as well as rare late harvest wines. Many of the cellar's products have received international awards, including a silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 for the 2019 Modra Frankinja (Blaufrankisch) red wine. 
CAIRO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) held on Sunday an emergency meeting in Cairo where representatives of Arab states discussed the ongoing military clashes in Sudan.

In a statement following the meeting, the AL council at the level of permanent representatives stressed the necessity of "immediate ceasefire of all armed clashes to protect the civilians and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sudan."

The Arab delegates urged the Sudanese parties to return to the peaceful path to resolve the crisis, warning against the dangers of violent escalation.

The meeting, called for by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, came a day after clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following days of tension over the RSF's integration into the army.

During the meeting, Sudan's representative at the league Al-Sadiq Omar Abdullah said it was the RSF that initiated the fighting Saturday morning, referring to them as "rebels."

He added that the Sudanese army struck back and foiled the RSF attacks and was in control of the situation.

Abdullah called on Arab states to mediate for a calm and peaceful settlement in Sudan "away from international interventions."

For his part, Obaida El-Dandarawy, the official in charge of the AL affairs at Egypt's Foreign Ministry, said that "Egypt confirms and reiterates its genuine commitment to supporting the stability and territorial integrity of Sudan."

The AL members also stressed their readiness to make all efforts to assist Sudan to end the current crisis sustainably.

At least 56 civilians were killed and hundreds of people were wounded in the fighting since Saturday, according to Sudanese medics. 
BAGHDAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that its intelligence agency had arrested four militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) in the northern province of Nineveh, including a "dangerous leader."

The militants were found to have engaged in terrorist operations against security forces, according to a statement by the ministry.

No further details were provided regarding the timing of the arrests or the names of the militants. However, one of the arrested individuals was identified as a leader of IS who had been active in Diyala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh provinces, the statement added.

In recent months, Iraqi security forces have been conducting operations against extremist militants to counter their intensified activities. Despite the defeat of IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to pose a threat, carrying out guerilla attacks in urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, targeting security forces and civilians. 
Drip Irrigation System Increases Citrus Production in Nangarhar

Mohammad Iqbal a farmer in Gushta district seems pleased and leading us towards his citrus orchard equipped with drip irrigation system and supported with integrated pest management trainings and tools by UNODC Alternative Development program in 2020. He says, it was barren land four years back and now it is covered with colorful citrus blossoms which gives not only fruit but beauty to our village too.

Nangarhar, the evergreen province in eastern region has been famous in its semi-tropical climate and conducive soil for growing citrus orchards. Citrus produced in Nangarhar is famous all over the country especially sweet orange. Citrus growers predominately small growers use traditional orchard management techniques to manage their farms. Decades of war coupled with several consecutive droughts affected farmers agriculture production due to lack of access to sufficient irrigation water. Increase in temperature and changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods pose serious challenges for farmers and threaten their food security and livelihoods. It makes it harder to grow crops, raise animals in the same ways that have been done in the past e.g., flood irrigation does not work anymore due to water inefficiency. Many farmers switched to poppy cultivation during the past two decades and Nangahar remained one of the high opium-poppy producing province in eastern region of Afghanistan.

In 2020, UNODC Alternative Development program initiated a project aiming to improve water efficiency, promulgate licit crop cultivation in Nangarhar province. The project was implemented in four districts and concentrated on rehabilitation of citrus orchards for 500 citrus growers who also were engaged in poppy cultivation. As part of the project, each farmer was provided with solar power systems, drip irrigation materials, training and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) kits in order to cope with the negative effect climate change.

Mohammad Iqbal had no access to irrigation water and his land was barren and without use. He was supported by the AD program through establishment of 2 hectares of lemon orchard equipped with drip irrigation system. The orchard started fruiting in its 4th year and he harvested 115.5 tons of lemon in 2022 which was worth approximately AFN 3,300,000 (US$ 37,930). Seeing Iqbals orchard, several farmers motivated to follow Iqbals path and establish citrus orchard and equip it with drip irrigation system. In Behsood district a farmer had established 70 hectares of citrus orchard equipped with drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation system is an efficient way of irrigation specifically in the prevalent drought in the country and saves up to 70% of water. A farmers orchard in Behsud district with the size of 1.5 hectare having 770 lemon and sweet orange trees was possible to be irrigated with 2 inch pipe using the drip irrigation system with minimal labor force only by switching the button of drip irrigation pump, which would not have been possible to irrigate with flood irrigation or furrow irrigation methods. Mohammad Iqbal says, a well-managed citrus orchard gives approximately five times more income compared to the wheat, maize and vegetable.

Photo 1: Iqbals orchard is currently in flowering stage, and it is expected that there will be a bumper harvest this year, the farmer is well connectedwith the citrus experts and input suppliers for timely inputs and disease control.
UNODC Conducts Training on Drug Prevention and Treatment for Civil Societies in Shiraz

Many countries face the problem of drug use and subsequent complications of its use intertwined with developmental and economic problems, hindering them to achieve sustainable development. In order to tackle this obstacle, governments are inclined towards the support provided by the Civil Societies (CSOs) and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The problem of drugs is vast, deep, complex and multifaceted, and no government can control it without the help of civil societies. The important role NGOs play is due to their proximity and presence in the society in guiding and organizing the peoples power to curb the problem of drug use. These organizations are increasingly active in the implementation of programs and global policies to curb the substance problem. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has always been emphasizing on the importance of improving the role of civil society organizations in dealing with the global problem of drugs. NGOs and CSOs develop and implement programs in various fields of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reduction of substance abuse in various countries. Many governments have described the role of these organizations in reducing the demand for substances and harm reduction as very important and valuable. For more than two decades, non-governmental organizations, CSOs, volunteer forces and community-based organizations have entered the field of drug demand and harm reduction in Iran. In recent years, strategic planning centered on a community-oriented approach and promoting the role of public participation has been the most important approach in Iran.

Given the important role of national CSOs and NGOs active in the field of drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Iran in cooperation with the Public Participation and Civil Society Organization Department of the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) organized the Training on drug prevention and treatment among children and their families for CSOs on 2123 February in Shiraz. Mr. Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country Representative, addressed the representatives of various NGOs and CSOs in the meeting by highlighting the significance of drug demand reduction activities mounting directed towards reducing illicit drug demand. He referred to the importance of drug use prevention and treatment not only among children but also among family members affected by drug use.

Highlighting the positive measures taken in the past decades and the required further steps, Mr. Fedulov stated that relevant authorities should give higher emphasis to the involvement of non-governmental organizations in drug demand reduction and HIV related issues and consider this contribution as crucial for the achievement of commendable results in the country. Referring to the role and mandate of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), he stated that UNODC considers community empowerment and the involvement of the civil society and the NGOs in the areas related to drug demand reduction and HIV prevention and care as a key element in drug control.

This training was designed in a way that it used the capacities of the national trainers in the area of drug demand reduction, treatment and psychosocial interventions. National trainers covered a range of topics from overview on the problem of drugs, theory of prevention and health promotion, treatment of drug use disorders among children and youth, motivational interventions for parents with drug use disorders, psychosocial interventions in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug use disorders, with special emphasis on women and families, to vocational training and employment in the rehabilitation of drug use. Each session provided a platform for NGOs to share their experiences and challenges in each area and brainstorm possible solutions.

The European Union generously funded the implementation of this activity in Shiraz.
Guayaquil, Ecuador, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2023 ) :At least 12 inmates were killed in clashes that broke out in a prison in the Ecuadoran port of Guayaquil, the prosecutor's office said Saturday, the latest deadly violence to rock the city's penitentiary system.

The dozen inmate deaths occurred after a bloody confrontation erupted Friday -- part of a spate of brutality that began when six detainees were found hanged in the same prison and three female guards were killed earlier in the week.

Ecuadoran prisons are the scene of recurrent massacres between prisoners, against a backdrop of rivalry between criminal groups fighting for control of lucrative drug trafficking.

"An investigation has been opened to identify those responsible for the death of 12 inmates from the Litoral Penitentiary," which is also known as Guayas 1, the prosecutor's office said, adding that the bodies had bullet wounds.

The country's main port on the Pacific coast, Guayaquil has in recent years become the epicenter of drug trafficking in Ecuador, located between Colombia and Peru -- the world's main cocaine producers.

Since February 2021, eight massacres have been recorded in these prisons, with more than 400 prisoners killed, most of them dismembered and burned.

After the six hanged inmates were found on Wednesday, three female guards were shot dead Thursday by hired killers at a restaurant outside the prison complex.

On Friday, AFP correspondents could hear gunfire from within the prison and were able to record aerial images in which five bodies could be seen lying on the ground.

- 'Worst moment' - "We do not deny the reality and the fact that we are in the worst moment of violence in the country," Ecuadorian Defense Minister Juan Zapata said on Friday, when the clashes began.

Overnight Friday to Saturday, the police and the army regained control of the prison, which houses around 6,800 inmates and is part of a large prison complex.

Drug traffickers use prisons as centers of operation, leading to deadly clashes at regular intervals.

In September, some 120 prisoners were killed in the Guayas 1 penitentiary during the deadliest massacre in the history of the country and one of the bloodiest in Latin America.

Drug-related violence is endemic in Ecuador. On Tuesday, around 30 armed men opened fire in the small fishing port of Esmeraldas, in the north of the country, near the Colombian border, killing nine people.

The assailants arrived by boat and car and, without a word, started shooting.

"What happened in Esmeraldas were not acts of common crime, they were terrorist acts," said Zapata.

Faced with the onslaught of violence, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency on March 3 in three provinces, including Guayaquil and Esmeraldas.

According to the first census of the country's prisons carried out in 2022, Ecuador has about 31,000 prisoners in 36 prisons with a capacity of 30,000 people.
Khartoum, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2023 ) :Fighting in Sudan raged for a second day Sunday in battles between rival generals in control since their 2021 coup, leaving at least 56 civilians dead, hundreds wounded and sparking international alarm.

Deafening explosions and intense gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

Violence erupted early Saturday morning after weeks of deepening tensions between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the large and heavily-armed paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with each accusing the other of starting the fight.

Both sides claim they control key sites, with state television broadcasting patriotic songs without commentary.

Daglo's RSF say they have seized the presidential palace, Khartoum airport and other strategic sites, but the army insist they are in charge, with the air force late Saturday urging people to stay indoors as it continued air strikes targeting RSF bases.

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy smoke billowing from a building near the army headquarters in Khartoum, with the military saying a building had "caught fire" amid the clashes but that it had been contained.

Created in 2013, the RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militia that then-president Omar al-Bashir unleashed against non-Arab ethnic minorities in the western Darfur region a decade earlier, drawing accusations of war crimes.

The RSF's planned integration into the regular army was a key element of talks to finalise a deal that would return the country to civilian rule and end the political-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021 coup.

"The total number of deaths among civilians reached 56," said the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors, adding there were also "tens of deaths" among security forces, as well as around 600 wounded Medics on social media have continued to call for help, pleading for safe corridors for ambulances and a ceasefire to treat the victims, warning the streets were too dangerous to bring many casualties to hospitals.

On Sunday, the stench of gunpowder wafted through Khartoum's streets, deserted except by soldiers as frightened civilians sheltered inside their homes.

"We had a very difficult night, and we couldn't sleep well because of the sound of the explosions and gunfire," said Ahmed Seif, who lives in east Khartoum with his family of five.

He said he fears his building was hit by gunfire, but said it was still too dangerous to go outside to check.

"The situation is very worrying and it doesn't seem like it will calm anytime soon," he added.

Bakry, 24, who works in marketing, said Khartoum residents had "never seen anything like" this unrest, with the power out across swathes of the city.

"People were terrified and running back home," said Bakry, who gave only a first name.

Fighting has also erupted outside Khartoum, including in the troubled western Darfur region.

In the eastern border state of Kassala, army fired artillery at a paramilitary camp, witness Hussein Saleh said.

- International worry - UN chief Antonio Guterres called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities", while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the fighting "threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians".

Similar appeals came from the African Union, Britain, the European Union, Russia, Iran and China.

The Arab League, following a request by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is to meet Sunday to discuss the situation.

But the two generals appear in no mood for talks. In an interview with UAE-based Sky news Arabia, Daglo, also known as Hemeti, said, "Burhan the criminal must surrender." The army declared Daglo a "wanted criminal" and the RSF a "rebel militia", saying there "will be no negotiations or talks until the dissolution" of the group.

The latest violence, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, came after more than 120 civilians had already been killed in a crackdown on regular pro-democracy demonstrations over the past 18 months.

The October 2021 coup triggered international aid cuts and sparked near-weekly protests, adding to the deepening troubles of one of the world's poorest countries.

Burhan, a career soldier from northern Sudan who rose through the ranks under the three-decade rule of now jailed Islamist general Bashir, has said the coup was "necessary" to include more factions into politics.

Daglo later called the coup a "mistake" that failed to bring about change and reinvigorated remnants of Bashir's regime ousted by the army in 2019 following mass protests.

bur/pjm/hkb
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JINAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2023 ) :The 40th Weifang International Kite Festival, which kicked off Saturday in Weifang in east China's Shandong Province has drawn kite fanciers from China and beyond.

The coruscating festival, featuring an array of kites in various shapes and sizes ranging from a gigantic trilobite to a 50-carriage high-speed train, has become one of the most iconic international events held in China since the country initiated reform and opening up in the late 1970s.

According to the organizers, more than 600 kite enthusiasts from 59 countries and regions are attending this year's festival, including many from overseas who missed the annual event over the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Weifang is very famous among kite lovers around the world," said Stanislav Kolbintsev from Russia, who was seen with a giant bird-shaped kite. Amazed by China's long history of kite flying and the huge public enthusiasm for the sport, he said he hopes to visit more Chinese cities to fly kites.

"I've loved flying kites since I was a child. Flying kites has many good meanings in India," said Arindam Adhikary, an Indian expat. He was one of the dozens of foreign students from Weifang Medical University who attended the event as spectators.

The main activities of the festival, which include competitions for kite making, flying and fighting, are scheduled over the weekend.

The first Weifang International Kite Festival was held in 1984. The festival has since grown in scale and international influence together with China's continuous opening up.

Known as the "capital of kites," Weifang has a long history of kite making, with some records suggesting the first wooden kite was invented there during the Spring and Autumn period more than 2,000 years ago.

The city boasts a thriving kite industry, employing more than 80,000 people in its 600-plus companies involved in the manufacture and sale of kites.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) China's military and technical cooperation with Russia is developing well and is contributing to global security, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.

"Cooperation between Russia and China in military and technical areas has been developing very well recently. It makes a great contribution to security, (both) global and regional," Li said.

The Chinese minister said that Beijing stands ready to continue cooperating with Russia for global prosperity.

"We are standing shoulder to shoulder and working to improve the well-being of our peoples. Considering that economic recovery is very slow, and the world is very turbulent, there is a great need for peace, peaceful relations between countries .

.. Cooperation (with Russia) is developing at all levels, and we will continue this cooperation for the development and prosperity of the world," the minister said.

Li, who was appointed China's defense minister in March, told Putin that he picked Russia for his first foreign visit to "emphasize the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations."

He added that Moscow and Beijing enjoy robust relations that surpass the Cold War-era alliances and are not directed against third countries. Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping "are bound by friendship and everyone in China knows this," the Chinese minister noted.
KHARTOUM (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the center of Khartoum has picked up in intensity after the conflicting sides agreed to open safe humanitarian routes for a few hours on Sunday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Earlier in the day, the Sudanese Armed Forces gave its consent to the United Nations' proposal to open humanitarian corridors for three hours starting 4 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT). Later in the day, the RSF released a statement agreeing to open humanitarian corridors for four hours, which is by one hour more than pledged by Sudan's army.

The Sputnik correspondent said the hostilities escalated in the center of the Sudanese capital, with most fighting taking place around the building of the country's armed forces command.

Clashes between the Sudanese regular army and the RSF broke out on Saturday, with the epicenter in Khartoum. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. The RSF claimed control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and the airports in Khartoum and Merowe. The national army denied the presidential palace's takeover. Late on Saturday, Sudanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan issued a decree to dissolve the RSF.

Armed clashes continued into Sunday. The United Nation's World food Programme (WFP) has announced the suspension of operations in Sudan after the death of three of its employees in violence and critical damage inflicted on one of its planes.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) A massive fire in a five-story residential building in Dubai's Old Town resulted in 16 people killed and nine others injured, the Khaleej Times newspaper reported on Sunday, citing the Dubai Civil Defense.

The fire broke out Saturday on the fourth floor of a building in the Al Ras neighborhood, home to Dubai's oldest market and many of its workers and traders, the report said.

A spokesperson for the Dubai Civil Defense said preliminary investigations showed that the fire was caused by a failure to comply with building safety requirements.

An investigation into the incident is underway.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Orthodox Christians and Russian citizens on Easter, saying the holiday gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to establish high moral ideals and values in society.

Putin attended the midnight Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

"The wonderful and much-loved Easter holiday fills believers' hearts with hope, inspires kind thoughts and good deeds, and serves to promote highly moral ideals and values in society. On this spring holiday, with a feeling of deep satisfaction, I would like to emphasise the constructive and truly selfless efforts by the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations, aimed at preserving our immense historical and cultural heritage, resolve major social issues, enhance the institution of the family, educate the younger generation, and harmonise interfaith and interethnic relations," Putin said in a telegram published by the Kremlin.

The president added that the church has always shared joys and hardships with people.

This year, Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on April 16.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be touring Latin American countries next week for top-level talks on multipolarity and economic cooperation, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

"From April 17-21 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a visit to some countries of Latin America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba," the statement said.

Lavrov will meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of the countries on his itinerary with the view to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships covering the economy and trade, political and humanitarian cooperation, education and culture, the ministry said.

"We are planning to focus the negotiations on strengthening the international legal grounds of the modern world founded on the UN Charter," the statement added.

Russia considers Latin America a "friendly region and also one of the centers where the multipolar world is shaping up." Moscow is determined to "maintain dynamic dialogue and develop constructive cooperation that is not subjected to any dictates from the outside," the ministry said.
This photo taken on July 16, 2022 shows fossilized footprints found in the yard of a restaurant in Leshan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xing Lida/China University of Geosciences via Xinhua)

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have confirmed that the fossilized footprints found in a restaurant in southwest China were left by long-necked dinosaurs that lived on Earth around 100 million years ago.

The unprecedented discovery was made last year by a Chinese diner and soon captured headlines all over the world due to the unusual location. Now, an international team of paleontologists have had their findings published in the latest edition of the journal Cretaceous Research, after they used a 3D scanner to analyse these "restaurant tracks."

They confirmed that the tracks, ranging from 50 cm to 60 cm in length, were probably left by sauropods measuring eight meters to 10 meters long.

With small heads, long necks and tails, sauropods are believed to be the largest animals known to have ever lived on land. However, this monstrous creature took very short steps, with a traveling speed of 2 km per hour, according to the study.

The reconstruction image shows the dinosaur species sauropod. (Xing Lida/China University of Geosciences via Xinhua)

On July 10, 2022, a patron named Ou Hongtao at a restaurant in the city of Leshan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, noticed some special dents on the ground in the yard. Having a great interest in paleontology, he speculated that the marks were probably dinosaur footprints and contacted Xing Lida, associate professor with the China University of Geosciences and also a well-known dinosaur expert.

Six days later, Xing led a team of researchers and carried out an investigation at the site, which is just 5 km from the Giant Buddha of Leshan, the world's largest stone Buddha statue.

The 'dents' had been spotted in the 1950s, but at that time the house's owners had covered them to smooth the ground. The new owners turned it into a dining room three years ago, and the dents were exposed again, said Xing, lead author of the study.

But still nothing was thought to be unusual, until the day in 2022 when an observant diner pointed out that these dents might be something more than simply holes in the ground.

"The footprints went unnoticed for so long, but once you know what they are, it's hard to unsee them," said Anthony Romilio, a University of Queensland researcher and part of the international team.

"The region has no skeletal record of dinosaurs, so these fossil tracks provide valuable information about the dinosaurs that walked in the area," Romilio noted.

The Australian researcher also highlighted the importance of everyday people making valuable scientific discoveries in a media release.

"For some lucky people discoveries can come from unlikely places - even while you're having a bite to eat." 
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) At least six people were injured as a result of Ukrainian troops' shelling of central Donetsk, carried out on Orthodox Easter night, Denis Pushilin, the acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), said.

Ukrainian troops shelled the city of Donetsk four times overnight, targeting the city's Voroshylovskyi, Kirovskyi and Kyivskyi districts, according to the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes (JCCC).

A Sputnik correspondent reported that some of the rockets landed near the Svyato-Preobrazhenskyy cathedral in central Donetsk, where the Orthodox Easter service was taking place (Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter this year on April 16).

One woman died in her car near the cathedral.

"Toward the morning on Easter night, when the parishioners were at the service, the enemy attacked the center of Donetsk, in the area of the Preobrazhenskyy cathedral. At the moment, we know of one dead and six injured," Pushilin said on Telegram on Sunday.

He added that the Ukrainian shelling resulted in a fire at a local kindergarten. An indoor farmers' market, stores and a pharmacy sustained damage.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2023) The United States is in talks with its allies on the ways to overcome legal hurdles to use Russian assets seized abroad for rebuilding Ukraine, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

"That's a responsibility that I think the global community expects Russia to bear. This is something we're discussing with our partners, but there are legal constraints on what we can do with frozen Russian assets," Yellen told CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria.

She added that Washington had already started transferring the assets seized from Russian individuals to Ukraine, but the same cannot yet be done with Russia's state-owned assets.

Western countries have frozen Russia's foreign Currency reserves, halted international payments from Russian banks and disconnected them from the SWIFT system as part of sanctions against Moscow after it launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The European Union alone froze assets of Russian organizations and individuals worth 21.5 billion Euros, according to European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
As a new election season begins, the Republican Party is struggling to navigate the politics of abortion.

Allies for leading presidential candidates concede that their hardline anti-abortion policies may be popular with the conservatives who decide primary elections, but they could ultimately alienate the broader set of voters they need to win the presidency.

The conflict is unfolding across the United States this week, but nowhere more than in Florida, where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law one of the nation's toughest abortion bans on Thursday. If the courts ultimately allow the new measure to take effect, it will soon be illegal for Florida women to obtain an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which is before most realize they're pregnant.

Even before he signed the law, DeSantis' team was eager to highlight his willingness to fight for, and enact, aggressive abortion restrictions. The Florida governor's position stands in sharp contrast, they say, with some Republican White House hopefuls  most notably former President Donald Trump  who are downplaying their support for anti-abortion policies for fear they may ultimately alienate women or other swing voters in the 2024 general election.

"Unlike Trump, Governor DeSantis doesn't back down from defending the lives of innocent unborn babies," said Erin Perrine, a spokesperson for DeSantis' super political action committee, when asked about Florida's six-week ban.

'An electoral disaster'

DeSantis' latest policy victory in the nation's third-most populous state offers a new window into the Republican Party's sustained political challenges on the explosive social issue. In recent days alone, Republican leaders across Iowa, New Hampshire and Washington have struggled to answer nagging questions about their opposition to the controversial medical procedure as Republican-controlled state legislatures rush to enact a wave of new abortion restrictions.

Republicans have suffered painful losses in recent weeks and months across Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada and even deep-red Kansas in elections that focused, at least in part, on abortion. Last week in Wisconsin, an anti-abortion candidate for the state Supreme Court was trounced by 11 points in a state President Joe Biden carried by less than 1 point.

"Any conversation about banning abortion or limiting it nationwide is an electoral disaster for the Republicans," said New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican who describes himself as "pro-choice" but also signed a law banning abortions in the state after 24 weeks.

Privately, at least, strategists involved with Republican presidential campaigns concede that the Republican Party is on the wrong side of the debate as it currently stands. While popular with Republican primary voters, public polling consistently shows that the broader collection of voters who decide general elections believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Anti-abortion activists have been particularly vocal in warning Republican presidential candidates that the party's base will not tolerate any weakness on abortion given that Republican leaders have been vowing for decades to ban abortion rights if given the chance.

Praise for DeSantis

Before this week, Kristan Hawkins, the president of the anti-abortion group, Students for Life of America, was unwilling to describe DeSantis as a leader in the abortion fight.

"This is his opportunity to show himself as a leader on this issue. That's what's exciting about this moment," Hawkins said of DeSantis' six-week ban. "He has done a lot, but we really needed to see action at the legislative level. I think this 'heartbeat law' fully cements his pro-life street cred."

Such pressure ensures that the issue will remain central to the 2024 campaign as Republican presidential prospects begin to fan out across America to court primary voters. At the very same time, an escalating court battle over access to an FDA-approved abortion pill is forcing Republican leaders to answer more questions.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, long a vocal abortion opponent, condemned the abortion pill during an interview this week with Newsmax while vowing to "champion the right to life."

"We're going to continue to champion the interests of women born and unborn and pushing back against the abortion pill," Pence declared.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley told Iowa voters this week that abortion is "a personal issue" that should be left to the states, although she left open the possibility of a federal ban without getting into specifics.

And in New Hampshire, just a day after launching a presidential exploratory committee, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott outlined his support for a federal law that would ban abortions nationwide after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

He tried repeatedly to refocus the conversation on Democrats' "radical position" on the issue because they generally oppose any abortion restrictions whatsoever.

Sununu, the New Hampshire governor, said he counts Scott as a friend, but was surprised that he would openly discuss his support for a federal abortion ban in New Hampshire, a state long known for supporting abortion rights.

"Of all places to talk about a federal ban of abortion, New Hampshire ain't it," Sununu said. "He's a good candidate and does a great job in the Senate. But know your audience here, man."

Republican officials in Washington are still looking for answers as well.

Republican strategist Alice Stewart said Republicans must find a way to keep the focus on the failings of the Biden administration, the economy, crime and education in the 2024 campaign.

"Abortion poses a challenge for Republicans. There's no denying it," said Stewart, who initially cheered the Supreme Court's Roe reversal. "Politically, it has become problematic."
At least 12 inmates were killed in clashes that broke out in a prison in the Ecuadoran port of Guayaquil, the prosecutor's office said Saturday, the latest deadly violence to rock the city's penitentiary system.

The dozen inmate deaths occurred after a bloody confrontation erupted Friday, part of a spate of brutality that began when six detainees were found hanged in the same prison and three female guards were killed earlier in the week.

Ecuadoran prisons are the scene of recurrent massacres between prisoners, against a backdrop of rivalry between criminal groups fighting for control of lucrative drug trafficking.

"An investigation has been opened to identify those responsible for the death of 12 inmates from the Litoral Penitentiary," which is also known as Guayas 1, the prosecutor's office said, adding that the bodies had bullet wounds.

The country's main port on the Pacific coast, Guayaquil has in recent years become the epicenter of drug trafficking in Ecuador, located between Colombia and Peru, the world's main cocaine producers.

Since February 2021, eight massacres have been recorded in the country's prisons, with more than 400 inmates killed, most of them dismembered and burned.

After the six hanged inmates were found Wednesday, three female guards were shot dead Thursday by hired killers at a restaurant outside the prison complex.

On Friday, AFP correspondents could hear gunfire from within the prison and were able to record aerial images in which five bodies could be seen lying on the ground.

"We do not deny the reality and the fact that we are in the worst moment of violence in the country," Ecuadorian Defense Minister Juan Zapata said Friday, when the clashes began.

Overnight Friday to Saturday, the police and the army regained control of the prison, which houses around 6,800 inmates and is part of a large prison complex.

Drug traffickers use prisons as centers of operation, leading to deadly clashes at regular intervals.

In September, about 120 prisoners were killed in the Guayas 1 penitentiary during the deadliest massacre in the history of the country and one of the bloodiest in Latin America.

Drug-related violence is endemic in Ecuador. On Tuesday, around 30 armed men opened fire in the small fishing port of Esmeraldas, in the north of the country, near the Colombian border, killing nine people.

The assailants arrived by boat and car and, without a word, started shooting.

"What happened in Esmeraldas were not acts of common crime, they were terrorist acts," Zapata said.

Faced with the onslaught of violence, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency on March 3 in three provinces, including Guayaquil and Esmeraldas.

According to the first census of the country's prisons carried out in 2022, Ecuador has about 31,000 prisoners in 36 prisons with a capacity of 30,000 people.
Finlands much-delayed and costly new nuclear reactor, Europe's most powerful by production capacity, has completed a test phase lasting over a year and started regular output, boosting the Nordic countrys electricity self-sufficiency significantly.

The Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which has 1,600-megawatt capacity, was connected into the Finnish national power grid in March 2022 and kicked off regular production Sunday. Operator Teollisuuden Voima, or TVO, tweeted that Olkiluoto 3 is now ready after a delay of 14 years from the original plan.

It will help Finland to achieve its carbon neutrality targets and increase energy security at a time when European countries have cut oil, gas and other power supplies from Russia, Finlands neighbor.

The production of Olkiluoto 3 stabilizes the price of electricity and plays an important role in the Finnish green transition, said TVO President and CEO Jarmo Tanhua in a statement. The company added that the electricity production volume of Europes largest nuclear power plant unit is a significant addition to clean, domestic production.

Construction of Olkiluoto 3 began in 2005 and was to be completed four years later. However, the project was plagued by several technological problems that led to lawsuits. The last time a new nuclear reactor was commissioned in Finland was over 40 years ago.

The Olkiluoto 3 is western Europes first new reactor in more than 15 years. It is the first new-generation EPR, or European Pressurized Reactor, plant to have gone online in Europe. It was developed in a joint venture between Frances Areva and Germanys Siemens.

Primarily due to safety concerns, nuclear power remains a controversial issue in Europe. The launch of the Finnish reactor coincides with Germanys move to shut down its last remaining three nuclear plants Saturday.

Experts have put Olkiluoto 3s final price tag at some 11 billion euros ($12 billion)  almost three times what was initially estimated. Finland now has five nuclear reactors in two power plants located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Combined, they cover more than 40% of the nation's electricity demand.

The conservative National Coalition Party, or NCP, which won Finlands April 2 general election, wants to increase the share of energy that the country of 5.5 million gets from nuclear power still further.

NCP leader Petteri Orpo, Finlands likely new prime minister, said during the election campaign that the new Cabinet should make nuclear power the cornerstone of the governments energy policy.
Starting Monday in a courtroom in Delaware, Fox News executives and stars will have to answer for their role in spreading doubt about the 2020 presidential election and creating the gaping wound that remains in America's democracy.

Jurors hearing the $1.6 billion lawsuit filed against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems must answer a specific question: Did Fox defame the voting machine company by airing bogus stories alleging that the election was rigged against then-President Donald Trump, even as many at the network privately doubted the false claims being pushed by Trump and his allies?

Yet the broader context looms large. The trial will test press freedom and the reputation of conservatives' favorite news source. It will also illuminate the flow of misinformation that helped spark the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and continues to fuel Trump's hopes to regain power in 2024.

Fox News stars Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity and founder Rupert Murdoch are among the people expected to testify over the next few weeks.

Barring a last-minute settlement, opening statements are scheduled for Monday.

This is Christmas Eve for defamation scholars, said RonNell Andersen Jones, a University of Utah law professor.

If the trial were a sporting event, Fox News would be taking the field on a losing streak, with key players injured and having just alienated the referee. Pretrial court rulings and embarrassing revelations about its biggest names have Fox on its heels.

Court papers released over the past two months show Fox executives, producers and personalities privately disbelieved Trump's claims of a fraudulent election. But Dominion says Fox News was afraid of alienating its audience with the truth, particularly after many viewers were angered by the network's decision to declare Democrat Joe Biden the winner in Arizona on election night in November 2020.

Some rulings by the presiding judge, Eric Davis, have eased Dominion's path. In a summary judgment, Davis said it was CRYSTAL clear that fraud allegations against the company were false. That means trial time won't have to be spent disproving them at a time when millions of Republicans continue to doubt the 2020 results.

Davis said it also is clear that Dominion's reputation was damaged, but it will be up a jury to decide whether Fox acted with actual malice  the legal standard  and, if so, what that's worth financially.

Fox witnesses will likely testify that they thought the allegations against Dominion were newsworthy, but Davis made it clear that's not a defense against defamation  and he will make sure the jury knows that.

New York law protects news outlets from defamation for expressions of opinion. But Davis methodically went through 20 different times on Fox when allegations against Dominion were discussed, ruling that all of them were fully or partly considered statements of fact, and fair game for a potential libel finding.

A lawsuit is a little bit like hitting a home run, said Cary Coglianese, law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You have to go through all of the bases to get there." The judge's rulings "basically give Dominion a spot at third base, and all they have to do is come home to win it.

Both Fox and Dominion are incorporated in Delaware, though Fox News is headquartered in New York and Dominion is based in Denver.

Fox angered Davis this past week when the judge said the network's lawyers delayed producing evidence and were not forthcoming in revealing Murdoch's role at Fox News.

It's not clear whether that will affect the trial. But it's generally not wise to have a judge wonder at the outset of a trial whether your side is telling the truth, particularly when truth is the central point of the case, Jones said.

The suit essentially comes down to whether Dominion can prove Fox acted with actual malice by putting something on the air knowing that it knew was false or acting with a reckless disregard for whether it was true.

Dominion can point to many examples where Fox figures didn't believe the charges being made by Trump allies such as Sidney Powell and Rudolph Giuliani. But Fox says many of those disbelievers were not in a position to decide when to air those allegations.

We think its essential for them to connect those dots, Fox lawyer Erin Murphy said.

The jury will determine whether a powerful figure like Murdoch  who testified in a deposition that he didn't believe the election-fraud charges  had the influence to keep the accusations off the air.

Credibility is always important in any trial in any case. But its going to be really important in this case, said Jane Kirtley, director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and the Law at the University of Minnesota.

Kirtley is concerned that the suit may eventually advance to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could use it as a pretext to weaken the actual malice standard that was set in a 1964 decision in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. That, she feels, would be disastrous for journalists.

Dominion's lawsuit is being closely watched by another voting-technology company with a separate but similar case against Fox News. Florida-based Smartmatic has looked to some rulings and evidence in the Dominion case to try to enhance its own $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit in New York. The Smartmatic case isnt yet ready for trial but has survived Fox News effort to get it tossed out.

Many experts are surprised Fox and Dominion have not reached an out-of-court settlement, though they can at any time. There's presumably a wide financial gulf. In court papers, Fox contends the $1.6 billion damages claim is a wild overestimate.

Dominion's motivation may also be to inflict maximum embarrassment on Fox with the peek into the network's internal communications following the election. Text messages from January 2021 revealed Carlson telling a friend that he passionately hated Trump and couldn't wait to move on.

Dominion may also seek an apology.

How Fox viewers are reacting is an open question. Fox has placed a near-total ban on discussing the lawsuit on its TV network or website.

The real potential danger is if Fox viewers get the sense that theyve been lied to. Theres a real downside there," said Charlie Sykes, founder of the Bulwark website and an MSNBC contributor.

There's little indication that the case has changed Fox's editorial direction or cut into its viewership. Fox has embraced Trump once again in recent weeks following the former president's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, and Carlson presented an alternate history of Capitol riot, based on tapes given to him by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Just because Fox hasn't discussed the Dominion lawsuit on the air doesn't mean its fans are unaware of it, said Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the conservative watchdog Media Research Center.

There's a certain amount of tribal reaction to this, Graham said. When all of the other networks are thrilling to revealing text messages and emails, they see this as the latest attempt by the liberal media to undermine Fox News. There's going to be a rally-around-Rupert effect.

The trial is expected to last into late May.
Dozens of schools in several provinces of Iran have been targeted by gas and chemical attacks that began in November, but now two officials in President Ebrahim Raisi's government are asserting the spate of school poisonings was "the mischief of the students."

"The few cases of poisoning that occurred in [the] girls' schools were very limited. The mischief of some students was to close the classes," Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi, deputy minister of the Interior Ministry, said Saturday.

"In the statements of the Ministry of Interior regarding the recent events in some schools, everything has been explained, and with the beginning of the school year, all the schools are active, and all the students are studying," he added.

However, VOA's Persian service observed credible reports of incidents in 14 cities on April 14. Those reports, which VOA cannot independently verify because it is barred from reporting in Iran, came from the cities of Amol, Borujerd, Ganaveh, Isfahan, Kamyaran, Karaj, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Oshnavieh, Shahin Shahr, Tabriz, Tehran, Urmia and Zanjan.

In mid-March, Iran state media said more than 1,200 Iranian girls from at least 60 schools had become ill since last November in what may have been chemical or biological attacks. Human Rights activists in Iran had put the number at more than 7,000 students.

On March 7, Mirahmadi said on state television that "a number of people have been arrested in five provinces," according to The Guardian newspaper, though he did not provide details on those detained. On March 15, Iranian police reported the arrests of 110 suspects.

Another senior member of the government, Health Minister Bahram Einollahi, insisted there was no "solid evidence" to show that students were poisoned.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, Einollahi called the poisoning of female students in Iran "disgusting" but went on to say that in more than 90 of the cases documented "no type of poisoning can be seen."

Einollahi emphasized, "A scientific committee consisting of the best professors in the country has investigated the issue and announced that the victims of serial poisonings were more stressed and some of them were related to 'mischief.'"

The scientific committee of the Health Ministry confirmed in an earlier report that some of the students were poisoned with a stimulant substance that is "mainly inhaled."

Saeed Karimi, deputy medical director of the Health Ministry, said in March: "This case has several parts; some of the students were exposed to an irritating substance that is mainly inhaled. This section is part of the collection of children who were sent to the emergency room."

The parliament has also confirmed the occurrence of poisonings, and Mohammed Hassan Asefari, a key lawmaker and member of the "fact-finding committee" of the parliament, told the semiofficial ISNA news agency in March that as many as 5,000 students have complained of being sickened in 230 schools across 25 provinces.

Over the past five months, female students were poisoned at hundreds of schools. Critics contend Iranian authorities have not taken any effective measures to deal with the perpetrators of these attacks.

The Islamic Republic authorities have blamed foreign interference, a collection of nefarious people, and internal factors for the poisonings.

Some of the information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
New developments:

Ukraine says more than 100 prisoners of war were freed in a major Orthodox Easter exchange with Russia Sunday. Its the second time Orthodox Ukrainians are marking the holiday since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion.

Russian shelling overnight hit an Orthodox church in Zaporizhzhia province despite the holiday. At least four civilians were killed, and eight others were injured.

Russia President Vladimir Putin marked the Orthodox Easter holiday attending a midnight service Saturday, crossing himself several times, even as Russian troops continued shelling Ukraine.

British military analysts say Moscow is bringing back a senior general that was dismissed in January. His return could signal a larger role for Russias air borne forces.



Ukraine and Russia said Sunday they carried out a new prisoner exchange on the Sunday of Orthodox Easter, with Kyiv saying 130 of its military personnel had returned home.

Watch related video by Arash Arabasadi:

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine's president, said the returning prisoners of war included soldiers, sailors, border guards and others, but it was not known how many Russian captives Ukraine released. Despite the ongoing war, now in its 14th month, the two countries have exchanged prisoners several times, usually roughly in equal numbers.

In a video on Telegram, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group fighting alongside Moscows troops, was seen ordering a soldier to prepare the Ukrainian captives to leave Russian-controlled territory "by lunchtime" Sunday. The POWs were shown walking along a road and boarding trucks.

Yermak said in a Telegram post that the latest group of released Ukrainians included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city where Russian and Ukrainian forces have for months engaged in fierce fighting.



"The lives of our people are the highest value for us," Yermak said, adding that Kyiv's goal was to bring back all remaining POWs, although he did not disclose any head count of the remaining military personnel held by Russia.

Orthodox Easter celebrations in Ukraine were muted, with curfews barring the faithful from customary all-night services, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus in the Christian faith.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Easter services Saturday in Moscows Christ the Savior Cathedral. He crossed himself several times during the midnight service, known as the Divine Liturgy. When Patriarch Kirill announced, "Christ has risen," Putin, along with other members of the congregation, replied, "Truly he is risen."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his Easter address released Sunday, described the holiday as marking "the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life," and he stressed what he said was Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian aggression.

"Belief in victory unites all of us always, and especially today, Zelenskyy said. At Easter, which from time immemorial has been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope and great unity. We are one big family  Ukrainians. We have one big home  Ukraine. We have one big goal  victory for all."

Despite the holiday, fighting raged on, with officials in the country's south and east saying that churches had not been spared. The head of the local military administration in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia province said Russian shelling overnight hit an Orthodox church in the town of Komyshuvakha. Photos showed residents rescuing icons from the church, its gutted frame visible in the background.

Ukrainian officials said at least four civilians were killed and eight others were wounded Saturday and overnight. In the Russian-occupied territory in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Donetsk region claimed that a Ukrainian strike killed one civilian and wounded six others in the province's namesake capital.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
DUBAI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A residential building in Dubai's Al Ras area of Deira was engulfed by a massive fire on Saturday, killing 16 people and injuring nine others, according to authorities.

A statement released by the Government of Dubai Media Office attributed the cause of the blaze to a lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements, saying that the authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to provide a detailed report on the incident.

Firefighters responded to the scene quickly and evacuated the building. The fire was believed to have erupted on the fourth floor, said the statement.

Eyewitnesses reported significant smoke emanating from the building. A shop worker recalled hearing a loud bang, and a few people attempted to rescue the tenants but were impeded by dense smoke.

Al Ras is a heavily populated area known for its popular markets.

The Dubai Civil Defense expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and emphasized the importance of abiding by security and safety requirements. 
Suspected Islamic State group fighters killed at least 26 people Sunday in Syria, a war monitor said, the latest in a spate of attacks targeting people foraging for desert truffles.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "civilians and at least 10 pro-regime fighters" were among "the 26 people killed in an attack by Islamic State fighters while they were collecting truffles in the desert east of (the central city of) Hama".

Separately on Sunday, suspected IS jihadists killed four shepherds in the eastern Syrian region of Deir Ezzor, said the Observatory that relies on a wide network of sources on the ground.

The jihadists, who carried automatic rifles and rode motorbikes, also stole the sheep before fleeing, the monitor added.

Syria's desert truffles fetch high prices in a country battered by 12 years of war and a crushing economic crisis.

Between February and April each year, hundreds of impoverished Syrians search for truffles in the vast Syrian desert, or Badia  a known hideout for jihadists that is also littered with landmines.

Since February, more than 200 people  most of them civilians  have been killed in IS attacks targeting truffle hunters or by landmines left by the extremists, according to the Observatory.

In March 2019, IS lost their last scraps of territory in Syria following a military campaign backed by a US-led coalition but jihadist remnants continue to hide in the desert and launch deadly attacks.

The Syrian desert is renowned for producing some of the best quality truffles in the world.

The prized fungus can sell for up to $25 per kilogram depending on size and grade  in a country where the average monthly wage is around $18.
At least 10 people were killed by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria's northeastern Yobe state, police said Saturday, the latest attack in a region where security forces are battling a long-running insurgency.

The Boko Haram insurgency, which erupted in northeast Nigeria in 2009, has killed more than 350,000 people and forced at least 2 million to flee their homes, international aid groups say.

Yobe state police spokesperson Dungus Abdulkarim said the latest incident occurred in Buni Gari Gujba local government area Friday, when a group of villagers searching for a missing villager were ambushed by Boko Haram militants.

"Ten bodies were recovered in all. The security operatives have been dispatched to the area now to face the insurgents who from time to time frequent that particular area," Abdulkarim told Reuters by phone.

Boko Haram has split over time, with an active offshoot called Islamic State West Africa Province, an affiliate of Islamic State, also claiming responsibility for several attacks in the West African country.
Pakistan has decided to send its ambassador back to Afghanistan this week, more than four months after he was pulled out because of a failed attempt on his life in Kabul by the Islamic State group, multiple official sources told VOA Sunday.



The decision stemmed from an overnight telephone call between Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.



The ambassador is due to arrive in Kabul before the Eid-ul-Fitar festival, a Pakistani government official said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to interact with media.



The official refused to share more details, saying diplomatic movements require secrecy for security reasons. The three-day Eid festivities marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan are expected to begin in Afghanistan this weekend.



Both sides have released brief statements confirming the Saturday contact between the two officials but neither mentioned the planned return of Pakistani Charge d'affaires Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamanit to the Afghan capital.



Muttaqi discussed "a range of important bilateral political, economic, trade and transit issues" with the Pakistani counterpart, the Taliban-led Afghan foreign ministry said Sunday. "Both sides also agreed to improve diplomatic relations," the statement said without elaborating.



Zardari's office in Islamabad said that "issues of mutual interest" came under discussion between the two leaders but provided no further details. "The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, the statement said.

Nizamani was on a routine walk inside the sprawling embassy compound in Kabul on December 2 when shooters opened fire on him from a nearby multistory building. He escaped unhurt, but his Pakistani security guard was hit in the legs by bullets. Pakistan immediately evacuated the chief diplomat and demanded the Taliban enhance the security of its embassy.





The Islamic State group, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the shooting, saying its regional affiliate, known as Islamic State Khorasan, assaulted "the apostate Pakistani ambassador and his guards."



The incident strained otherwise friendly ties between the Taliban administration and Pakistan.

Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan share a nearly 2,600-kilometer border. Bilateral trade ties have increased since the Taliban reclaimed control of Afghanistan in August 2021 as the United States-led NATO troops withdrew after 20 years of the Afghan war.



Islamabad and the world at large do not formally recognize the Taliban government, citing human rights concerns, particularly restrictions placed on Afghan women's access to work and education.



The Taliban have banned female higher education and teenage girls are barred from attending schools beyond the sixth grade. They have banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations and nongovernmental aid organizations and ordered most women government employees to stay home.



Sunday's Taliban statement said Zardari assured Muttaqi that Pakistan, in the coming days, would release the remaining Afghan migrants jailed for not possessing valid travel documents. It gave no further details.



Pakistani authorities have, in recent months, released and repatriated more than 2,000 Afghan inmates, including women and children.



Nearly 300,000 people arrived in Pakistan after the Taliban takeover 20 months ago, fleeing worsening economic and humanitarian conditions in strife-torn, impoverished Afghanistan. Many left the country fearing Taliban reprisals for their association with U.S. and Western troops.



Pakistani officials estimate that only about 100,000 asylum seekers entered the country on valid visas. They have joined several million Afghans living in Pakistan as refugees and economic migrants after having fled decades of Afghan conflicts and poverty.



Several countries, including Pakistan, China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran, have kept their embassies in Kabul open after the Taliban seized power 20 months ago. But the United States and other Western nations moved their diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan to Qatar to help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the more than 28 million, two-thirds of the countrys population, in need of it.
Pope Francis on Sunday publicly defended St. John Paul II, condemning as offensive and baseless insinuations that recently surfaced about the late pontiff.

In remarks to tourists and pilgrims in St. Peters Square, Francis said he was aiming to interpret the feelings of the faithful worldwide by expressing gratitude to the Polish pontiffs memory.

Days earlier, the Vatican's media apparatus had described as slanderous an audiotape from a purported Roman mobster who insinuated that John Paul would go out looking for underage girls to molest.

The tape was played on an Italian TV program by Pietro Orlandi, brother of Emanuela Orlandi, the teenage daughter of a Vatican employee who lived at the Vatican. The disappearance of the 15-year-old in 1983 is an enduring mystery that has spawned countless theories and so far fruitless investigations in the decades since.

Francis noted that in Sunday's crowd in the square were pilgrims and other faithful in town to pray at a sanctuary for divine mercy, a quality John Paul stressed often in his papacy, which spanned from 1978 to 2005.

Confident of interpreting the sentiment of all the faithful of the entire world, I direct a grateful thought to the memory of St. John Paul II, in these days the object of offensive and baseless insinuations," Francis said, his voice turning stern and his words drawing applause.

Last week, Pietro Orlandi met for hours with Vatican prosecutors who earlier this year reopened the investigation into his sister's disappearance. Italy's Parliament has also begun a commission of inquest into the case.

Emanuela vanished on June 22, 1983, after leaving her familys Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson in Rome. Her father was a lay employee of the Holy See.

Among the theories about what happened to her have been ones linking the disappearance to the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt against John Paul in 1981 in St. Peter's Square or to the international financial scandal over the Vatican bank. Still other theories envision a role played by Romes criminal underworld.

The recent four-part Netflix documentary Vatican Girl explored those possible scenarios and provided new testimony from a friend who said Emanuela had told her a week before she disappeared that a high-ranking Vatican cleric had made sexual advances toward her.

Her brother has long insisted the Vatican knows more than it has said. The Vatican prosecutor in charge of the probe says the pontiff has given him free rein to try to find the truth.

While at the Vatican last week, Pietro Orlandi provided Vatican prosecutors with an audiotape from a purported Roman mobster insinuating that John Paul would go out looking for underage girls to molest. The Vaticans editorial director in a scathing editorial noted the insinuation lacked any evidence, clues, testimonies or corroboration.

Writing in the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Andrea Tornielli said no one deserves to be vilified in this way, without even a shred of a clue, on the basis of the rumors of some unknown figure in the criminal underworld or some sleazy anonymous comment produced on live TV.

John Pauls longtime secretary, Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, also criticized the insinuations as unreal, false and laughable if they werent tragic and even criminal.

Pietro Orlandis lawyer, Laura Sgro, has insisted her client wasnt accusing anyone.
New developments:

Eleven people were killed and 21 were injured in Russian airstrikes in the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk. Rescue crews are trying to reach victims trapped in the rubble of an apartment building.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a law making it easier to mobilize Russians into the military, even as one of his allies says its time to end military operations in Ukraine.

Americas top diplomat says Russia is not granting U.S. officials access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a news conference in Hanoi, that we need consular access now.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Saturday that he had a long conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, and they discussed the Ukrainian peace formula that Zelenskyy described as being, absolutely realistic and quite concrete. The two leaders also discussed, according to Zelenskyy, their participation in the Vilnius NATO summit this summer.

The British Defense Ministry said in its daily intelligence update Sunday on the Russian invasion of Ukraine that it is highly likely that General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky, commander of Russias corps of airborne troops, the VDV, has returned to a major role in Ukraine, after being dismissed in January 2023.

The ministry described Teplinsky as likely one of the few senior Russian generals widely respected by the rank-and-file and that his recent turbulent career suggests intense tensions between factions within the Russian General Staff about Russias military approach in Ukraine.

His return means he will highly likely promote the VDVs traditional role as an elite force, according to the intelligence update, and it is unlikely that his role will be limited to VDV units.

In recent days, the intelligence report said, the VDV have resumed a key mission in the battle for Bakhmut, and likely undertaken novel integration with TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launchers in the Kremina sector.

Bakhmut, the main target of Russias offensive in the east and the scene of months of grinding warfare, is experiencing some of its bloodiest fighting, Ukraine's military said Saturday.

"Bloody battles unprecedented in recent decades are taking place in the middle of the city's urban area," Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern military command, said of the eastern Ukrainian city that was once home to 70,000 people.

"Our soldiers are doing everything in bloody and fierce battles to grind down [the enemy's] combat capability and break its morale. Every day, in every corner of this city, they are successfully doing so," he told the 1+1 television channel.

His comments came as the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that the Wagner mercenary group now controlled two more areas on the northern and southern outskirts of the city. Reuters could not independently confirm the report.

Wagners reported gains Saturday came one day after the groups founder said Russia has should end its special military operation against its neighbor.

Russia has achieved the results it wanted and has eradicated most of active male population of Ukraine and intimidated the rest, Yevgeny Prigozhin posted Friday on Telegram, omitting any of Ukraines victories over Russia.

Death toll rising in Sloviansk

The death toll from a Russian airstrike Friday rose to at least 11 people, with 21 wounded in the eastern Ukrainian city of, northwest of Bakhmut.

In his nightly video address Saturday, Zelenskyy said that the rescue operation continues in Sloviansk and Donbas after Friday's Russian missile strike.

It is reported that under the rubble of buildings, there are still bodies of the dead, unfortunately, he said. Among them, he said, is a 2-year-old boy. Fifty residential buildings, of which more than 30 are apartment buildings, were damaged or destroyed, he said.

None of those who are guilty of this aggression can be forgiven and forgotten, he added.

Gershkovich prisoner swap

Russia has not allowed access of U.S. officials to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich since he was detained last month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday.

We continue to call for his immediate release, Blinken told reporters during a news conference in Hanoi. We need consular access now, The Washington Post reported.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Russia could consider a prisoner exchange for the jailed reporter once a Russian court reaches a verdict on espionage charges against him, a senior Russian official said.

Poland curbs imports

Poland's government said Saturday it would temporarily stop grain and other food imports from Ukraine to stem the rising anger of Polish farmers, who say they cannot compete with the lower-priced Ukrainian grain on the market.

Ruling party leader Jarosaw Kaczynski said at a party convention in eastern Poland that while Poland supports Ukraine, it is forced to act to protect its farmers who are facing a moment of crisis.

Today, the government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of food, to Poland, Kaczynski said. The government announced its import ban on agricultural products such as sugar, eggs, meat, dairy and vegetables would last until June 30.

Farmers in neighboring countries also have complained they are losing money because of Ukrainian grain flooding into their countries, causing prices to fall.

Orthodox Easter

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Easter services Saturday in Moscows Christ the Savior Cathedral.

He crossed himself several times during the midnight service, known as the Divine Liturgy. When Patriarch Kirill announced, "Christ has risen," Putin, along with other members of the congregation, replied, "Truly he is risen."

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned two days of fighting between Sudans military and a paramilitary force that has killed dozens of people, including three U.N. workers for the World Food Program.

Guterres "strongly condemns the deaths and injuries of civilians, including the death of three staff members of the World Food Program in North Darfur, with a further two seriously injured," the U.N. chief's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement, adding: "Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay."

The statement said, United Nations and other humanitarian premises have also been hit by projectiles and looted in several locations in Darfur.

The pro-democracy Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported at least 56 civilians had been killed, as well as tens of deaths among security forces, according to Agence France-Presse. The three U.N. workers raised the death toll to 59.

The group said more than 600 people, including combatants, had been wounded since the fighting erupted on Saturday.

Guterres reiterated a call for an immediate cease-fire between the warring groups, the U.N. statement said.

On Saturday, fighting erupted between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of the council, Reuters reported.

The U.N. had announced a three-hour cease-fire late Sunday afternoon between the two groups, yet residents told media that heavy explosions and continued gunfire, as well as airstrikes pounding RSF targets, could be heard Sunday night.

Earlier Sunday, heavy gunfire could be heard downtown around Sudans military headquarters and the presidential palace.

Both the military and the RSF have claimed control of these strategic locations.

The World Food Program says it has suspended operations in the country after three WFP employees were killed in the violence that erupted on Saturday.

The head of the Sudanese journalists syndicate, Abdulmuniem Abu Idris, told VOA via a messaging application that about 12 journalists, including four females, have been stranded in the Sudanese Kuwaiti business center since Saturday morning.

Abu Idris had earlier appealed to the warring parties to create a safe corridor for them to go to their families.

I am calling on the two parties to create a safe passage for all the civilians inside the conflict areas, especially the journalists who have been stuck since yesterday, he said.

The Sudanese-Kuwaiti business center is located east of the presidential palace along the River Nile. It is a working office space for many media outlets.

Abu Idris says described the area as a serious confrontation zone between the military and the RSF.

He says those journalists and other civilians would be in need of basic items to survive.

They dont have food; they are not in a safe area because they are inside the area of the exchange fires. And we are calling on the Red Crescent to intervene and rescue the civilians and those journalists, he said.

Reports say recent tensions between the army and the RSF stem from disagreements with how the RSF should be integrated in the army and who should oversee that process. Its part of an effort to restore the country to civilian rule and end a political crisis sparked by a military coup in October 2021.

The African Unions Peace and Security Council held an extraordinary meeting Sunday in Nairobi to discuss the situation in Sudan. Participants appealed to the Sudanese military RSF leaders to de-escalate confrontation and restore stability.

Arab League countries also condemned the fighting in Sudan, calling for calm.

Egypt and South Sudan announced in a joint statement their intention to mediate between Sudans warring parties.

Some information for this article came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The head of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said on Saturday that his forces were ready to cooperate with Egypt to ease the return of Egyptian troops who had handed themselves over to the group in the northern Sudanese town of Merowe.

Two Egyptian security sources said Egyptian officials were able to contact the leader of the Egyptian unit to confirm they were safe.

After clashes erupted across Sudan between the RSF and the army, the RSF shared a video they said showed Egyptian troops who had surrendered to them in Merowe, about halfway between the Sudanese capital Khartoum and the border with Egypt.

Egypt's military said Egyptian forces were in Sudan to conduct exercises with their Sudanese counterparts, and that it was coordinating with Sudanese authorities to guarantee their safety.

The video showed several men dressed in army fatigues crouched on the ground and speaking to members of the RSF, Sudan's main paramilitary group, in an Egyptian Arabic dialect.

RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo told Sky News Arabia TV that the Egyptian soldiers were safe, that the RSF had provided them with food and water, and was ready to facilitate their return.

Egypt has long been wary of political change in Sudan. It strongly supports Sudan's army and has recently promoted negotiations with pro-army political parties, in parallel to a plan for a transition toward elections.

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received a call from United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, during which el-Sissi expressed his concern for events in Sudan and called for dialogue, according to a statement from the presidency.

Sameh Shoukry, Egypt's foreign minister, received a call from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to coordinate on events in Sudan, the foreign ministry said. Shoukry discussed Egypt's efforts to stop the violence, which Borrell said the EU supported, the statement said.
Ongoing clashes between Sudans military and a powerful paramilitary group have left thousands of residents stranded in their homes in the capital, Khartoum, including many Syrian nationals.

The fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted Saturday and continued Sunday, after months of tensions between the once-partnered sides. According to the countrys doctors syndicate, at least 56 people have been killed and nearly 600 others wounded as a result of clashes in the capital Khartoum and other areas.

Among those stranded in Khartoum are hundreds of Syrian nationals, many of whom have been living there since the beginning of Syrias conflict in 2011.

There are dozens of Kurdish families from Syria who are stuck in their homes in Khartoum, said Ahmed Kute, a Syrian Kurdish man who lives in the Sudanese capital.

Kute told VOA that the closure of the citys airport, one of the main flashpoints, has made it difficult for the Syrian community in Khartoum to leave Sudan.

More than 90,000 Syrian refugees live in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan, according to United Nations figures from 2021. Many other Syrians also have been residing in Sudan, although no official statistics are available.

Arif Mohammed, another Syrian man from the town of Kobani who now lives in Khartoum, said 20 members of his family are currently stranded in the capital because of the violence.

People are really afraid that this fighting will continue for a while, and they will have no place to go, he told VOA. The airport is closed, and the Egyptian border is about 1,000 kilometers [621 miles] away.

Despite an agreement reached Sunday between the two warring sides to open temporary humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave Khartoum, observers said thousands of residents were not able to leave.

Civilians are still stuck in many parts of Khartoum where the fighting is taking place, said Amal al-Hassan, editor-in-chief of the Khartoum-based news site Al Taghyeer.

Hassan, who lives in the city of Omdurman, near Khartoum, said fierce clashes erupted in her area as well.

The intensification of fighting in Khartoum and other cities increases the chance of more residents, including refugees, getting caught in the crossfire, she told VOA in a phone interview as the sounds of artillery and gunshots were heard in the background.

World leaders and U.N. officials are calling on the fighting sides to end the violence and begin a process of dialogue.



This story originated in VOAs Kurdish service.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected in Baghdad on Monday on his first visit to Iraq since Russia invaded his country, the foreign ministry said.

Kuleba is due to hold talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein as well as Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

They will discuss "bolstering bilateral ties, as well as regional and international" issues, said the statement quoting foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf.

Kuleba's visit comes less than a week after Sudani received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the time, Zelenskyy said he was "keen to develop relations with Iraq in all fields" describing it as "a pivotal and influential country," according to a statement from Sudani's office.

Iraq maintains good economic ties with both Kyiv and Moscow and has adopted a neutral stance since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In February this year, the Iraqi foreign minister reiterated Baghdad's support for a cease-fire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, during a visit to Baghdad by his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

Iraq has hosted a raft of foreign officials in recent months and witnessed intense diplomatic activity, including several rounds of reconciliation talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In March, the regional heavyweights made a surprise announcement saying they had agreed to restore diplomatic ties in a deal brokered by China.

\Riyadh cut ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic republic in 2016 following the Saudi execution of revered Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
In the wake of Friday's deadly Russian missile strikes, Ukraine's air force said the country would soon have weapons with which to try to prevent such attacks: a Patriot air defense system.

The delivery of the Patriot is expected in Ukraine sometime after Easter, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said. The primarily Orthodox Christian country observes Easter on Sunday.

Speaking Saturday on Ukrainian state TV, Ihnat declined to give a precise timeline for the arrival of the defensive missile system but said the public would know "as soon as the first Russian aircraft is shot down."

A group of 65 Ukrainian soldiers completed their training last month at Fort Sill, a U.S. Army post in Oklahoma, and returned to Europe to learn more about using the defensive missile system to track and shoot down enemy aircraft.

Officials said at the time that the Ukrainians would then go back to their country with a Patriot missile battery, which typically includes six mobile launchers, a mobile radar, a power generator and an engagement control center.

Germany and the Netherlands also have pledged to provide a Patriot system each to Ukraine. In addition, a SAMP/T anti-missile system pledged by France and Italy "should enter Ukraine in the near future," Ihnat said this week.

The Ukrainian military is looking to beef up its ability to intercept missiles as it prepares for an expected spring counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied areas of the country.
KHARTOUM, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The deadly conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum has killed at least 56 people and wounded more than 590, raising international concerns about further escalation.

Commander of the Sudanese Army Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Saturday issued a decision dissolving the RSF.

"The army commander also decided to end the assignment of army officers in the rebel Rapid Support Forces," the Sudanese General Intelligence Service (GIS) said in a statement on Saturday.

Al-Burhan is also the chairman of the ruling sovereignty council of the African country

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Sudanese Army announced the security situation in Khartoum was stable despite reports of continued clashes.

RISING CASUALTIES

The deadly fighting between the army and the RSF raged into the early hours of Sunday.

The Sudanese Doctors' Committee said early Sunday that at least 56 people had been killed and more than 595 wounded, noting that more casualties were still uncounted.

The independent Sudan Tribune website quoted Mustafa Suleiman, a paramedic working at El Fasher Teaching Hospital, as saying that "three bodies arrived at the hospital."

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of South Darfur State government Bashir Mursal Hasaballah said in a statement that six people were killed, and 16 others wounded during clashes between the army and the RSF in the state's capital city of Nyala.

The Preliminary Committee of the Medical Association said in a field report on Saturday that "two people were killed at Khartoum Airport and one in El-Obeid, North Kordofan state."

Video clips and photos on social media showed that hospitals in Khartoum were crowded with injured members of the Sudanese Army and the RSF.

The Sudanese Doctors' Committee urgently appealed to the medical staff to go to hospitals as there were a great number of critical cases.

Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday announced suspension of flights at Khartoum International Airport after clashes erupted inside the airport, damaging two planes, one of which belongs to Saudi Airlines and the other the United Nations.

FESTERING TENSION

The Sudanese capital on Saturday woke up to the sounds of heavy gunfire, which were soon confirmed as an outbreak of clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF.

The two sides have been slapping accusations against each other for initiating the conflict.

In a telephone interview with the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV channel, Al-Burhan said the RSF "attacked our headquarters," adding he was taken by surprise when the RSF attacked his house at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT).

For his part, the RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo told the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV channel that "the Army is the one who attacked us".

The RSF also announced that it has taken control of the presidential palace, a strategic guesthouse inside the army's headquarters, and the Khartoum International Airport, in addition to a number of strategic sites.

However, in an official statement, the Sudanese Army General Command denied that the RSF seized control of any of the above sites.

Video clips posted on social media showed that the Sudanese Army targeted the headquarters of the RSF through warplanes, while Dagalo denied that the headquarters of his forces were destroyed by the Sudanese Army.

The military conflict is a culmination of the festering tension between the two military forces.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese Army and the RSF, especially over the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between the military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022.

The tension has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the army considered illegal.

WIDESPREAD CONCERNS

The raging conflict in Sudan has triggered widespread concerns.

On Saturday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes called for immediate cessation of fighting in the country.

"Perthes has reached out to both parties asking them for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people and to spare the country from further violence," UNITAMS said in a statement.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, on Saturday called on Sudanese warring parties to resolve differences through dialogue.

"These reports of fighting will not only cause setbacks but will also cause serious instability and insecurity to Sudan and the region at large," said a statement from the IGAD.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also expressed on Saturday its great concern over the ongoing clashes in neighboring Sudan, calling on all Sudanese parties to exercise utmost restraint. 
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Sunday marked the second wartime celebration of Orthodox Easter in Ukraine. Russian forces and the paramilitary Wagner Group freed 130 Ukrainian prisoners of war, while one of Ukraines top military commanders marked the holiday by visiting front-line troops. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has more.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris made an appearance at an abortion rights rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, one of a number of such rallies held around the country following recent court rulings limiting access to abortion.

When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America, Harris told the crowd.

On Friday, the Supreme Court temporarily kept in place federal rules for use of the abortion drug mifepristone, after lower court rulings sought to restrict the use of the drug, which women have been using for years.

The justices are being asked to only focus on what parts of an April 7 ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, as modified by an appellate ruling Wednesday, can be in force while the case continues. The order expires late Wednesday.

The Biden administration and New York-based Danco Laboratories, the maker of the pill, asked the justices to intervene.

Last year, the justices reversed Roe v. Wade, opening the door for some states to ban abortions.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press.
Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com.

Growing Number of Migrants from China Arriving at US-Mexico Border

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 4,366 migrants from China encountered Border Patrol officials after crossing the southern border without authorization from October 2022 to February 2023. That compares with the 421 migrants who were encountered during the same period in 2021 and 2022. VOA Mandarin Services Tracy Wen Liu and VOAs immigration reporter Aline Barros have the story.

UN Warns of Spike in Migrants Crossing the Darien Gap

Two United Nations agencies said Thursday that more than 100,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey through the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia this year trying to reach the United States. The U.N. refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration said in a joint statement that the spike in numbers is a worrying increase. VOA News reports.

US, Panama and Colombia Aim to Stop Darien Gap Migration

The United States, Panama and Colombia announced Tuesday that they will launch a 60-day campaign aimed at halting illegal migration through the treacherous Darien Gap, where the flow of migrants has multiplied this year. Details on how the governments will try to curb the flow of migrants that reached nearly 90,000 in just the first three months of this year through the dense, lawless jungle were not provided in the joint statement. The Associated Press reports.

US to Test Faster Asylum Screenings for Migrants Crossing Border Illegally

The Biden administration this week was to begin testing faster asylum screenings for migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, the Department of Homeland Security said on April 8, part of preparations for the end of COVID-19 border restrictions in May. Reuters reports.

Head of Mexicos Immigration Agency Under Criminal Investigation

The office of Mexicos attorney general says it has launched a criminal investigation into the head of the countrys immigration agency in connection with last months deadly fire at an immigrant detention facility. A statement released late Tuesday night said National Immigration Institute chief Francisco Garduno failed to take steps to prevent the fire at the agencys facility in the city of Ciudad Juarez that killed 40 migrants on March 27. VOA News reports.

US, Cuba to Hold Fresh Round of Migration Talks This Week

The United States and Cuba will hold another round of migration talks Wednesday, officials said, as the Biden administration braces for the end of COVID-era border restrictions that have blocked Cubans in recent months from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. Reuters reports.

Biden Seeks Expanded Health Insurance Access for DACA Participants

The Biden administration is seeking to allow immigrants illegally brought to the United States as children greater access to health insurance through federal programs, the White House said on Thursday. The proposal would allow participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to access health insurance under Medicaid and Affordable Care Act exchanges, it said. Reuters reports.

VOA Day in Photos

Migrants are identified by Italian authorities as they disembark from a ship in the Sicilian port of Catania.

Immigration around the world

First Quarter Was Deadly for Migrants in Mediterranean, UN Says

The first three months of 2023 were the deadliest first quarter in six years for migrants crossing the central Mediterranean Sea in smugglers' boats, the U.N. migration agency reported Wednesday, citing delays by nations in initiating rescues as a contributing factor. The Associated Press reports.

VOA60 Africa - Tunisia: Police destroy makeshift migrant camp outside U.N. human rights office

Asylum-seekers sift through the remains of a makeshift camp outside the U.N. human rights office in Tunis after police destroyed it Tuesday. Sub-Saharan migrants have been targeted since February, when President Kais Saied blamed them for the nations crimes.

VOA60 Africa - Mediterranean: Boat with 400 migrants in distress

German humanitarian organization Sea-Watch said its reconnaissance aircraft, Sea Bird 2, on Sunday filmed a boat in distress in the central Mediterranean with hundreds of people on board and the group has seen at least 19 boats in distress in recent days.

News Brief

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updates its policy on how to handle documents for persons eligible for and recipients of victim-based immigration relief, specifically Violence Against Women Act self-petitioners as well as those who are seeking or currently hold T or U nonimmigrant status (protected persons).
KHARTOUM, SUDAN  The United Nations says Sudans military and a paramilitary force have agreed to a three-hour humanitarian pause in fighting that has killed at least 56 people and injured hundreds since Saturday.

A U.N. statement said both the military and the Rapid Support Forces group accepted the terms of the proposed pause in clashes.

Earlier Sunday, heavy gunfire could be heard downtown around Sudans military headquarters and the presidential palace.

Both the military and the RSF have claimed control of these strategic locations.

The World Food Program says it has suspended operations in the country after three WFP employees were killed in the violence that erupted on Saturday.

Hundreds of people have been caught up in the downtown area since Saturday, including some 250 students at the Saint Daniel Comboni Catholic school in Khartoum.

The head of the Sudanese journalists syndicate, Abdulmuniem Abu Idris, told VOA via a messaging application that about 12 journalists, including four females, have been stranded in the Sudanese Kuwaiti business center since Saturday morning.

Abu Idris had earlier appealed to the warring parties to create a safe corridor for them to go to their families.

I am calling on the two parties to create a safe passage for all the civilians inside the conflict areas, especially the journalists who have been stuck since yesterday, he said.

The SudaneseKuwaiti business center is located east of the presidential palace along the River Nile. It is a working office space for many media outlets.

Abu Idris says described the area as a serious confrontation zone between the military and the RSF.

He says those journalists and other civilians would be in need of basic items to survive.

They dont have food; they are not in a safe area because they are inside the area of the exchange fires. And we are calling on the Red Crescent to intervene and rescue the civilians and those journalists, he said.

SEE ALSO:

The U.N. Security Council has called on the warring parties to stop fighting and engage in a dialogue to reach an amicable solution.

Reports say recent tensions between the army and the RSF stem from disagreements with how the RSF should be integrated in the army and who should oversee that process. Its part of an effort to restore the country to civilian rule and end a political crisis sparked by a military coup in October 2021.

SEE ALSO:

The African Unions Peace and Security Council held an extraordinary meeting Sunday in Nairobi to discuss the situation in Sudan. Participants appealed to the Sudanese military RSF leaders to de-escalate confrontation and restore stability.

Arab League countries also condemned the fighting in Sudan, calling for calm.

Egypt and South Sudan announced in a joint statement their intention to mediate between Sudans warring parties.
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People visit the 133rd session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Facing the challenges of a post-pandemic global landscape, a burgeoning number of offline exhibitions in China are expected to play a vital role in driving the revitalization and growth of both the domestic and global economies.



With the full resumption of on-site activities, the 133rd China Import and Export Fair has kicked off in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, following the third China International Consumer Products Expo in the southern island province of Hainan.

The long-standing event, also dubbed the Canton Fair, will run until May 5 and welcome purchasers from over 220 countries and regions, covering markets in Europe, the United States, and emerging markets along the Belt and Road.

Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.

Reconnecting friends with new attractions

The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, a regular attendee of the Canton Fair, has brought over 200 participants to this year's event in the hope of seeking more opportunities for cooperation.

"In the eyes of Malaysian entrepreneurs, the Canton Fair represents a gathering of China's finest businesses and highest-quality products, offering unparalleled resources and commercial opportunities that cannot be matched by other exhibitions," said Loo Kok Seong, head of the chamber.

This photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows trade booths at the Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances exhibition section of the 133rd session of China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This year's offline exhibition venues, spanning 1.5 million square meters, will host close to 70,000 booths for about 35,000 exhibitors.



The export section will accommodate around 5,700 firms with leading brands or technologies, and the import section will present 508 companies from 40 countries and regions, such as the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, and Spain, said Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen at a press conference.

The event provides opportunities for companies worldwide to create secure, reliable and efficient supply chains with Chinese partners, Wang said.

Taurus Group, a Spanish manufacturer of small appliances for the kitchen, home and personal care, has attended the Canton Fair over the past 20 years.

"The physical fair is still the one that we prefer because we can have direct communication with Chinese companies, see and touch the products, and make the right purchase with higher efficiency and gain better effects," said Joan Basagana, president of the company.

While expanding its exhibition space, this year's Canton Fair has also added new sections on smart manufacturing, new-energy and intelligent connected vehicles, maternal and infant products, and the "silver-haired" economy. These additions attracted 9,000 first-time attendees, featuring a number of leading players in the manufacturing sector.

Resilient recovery

"We are excited to showcase our latest customizable robot, capable of lifting nearly 100 tonnes of cargo, at the Canton Fair," said You Jianwen, marketing director of a robotics and automation company in Guangdong.

You added that the company is accelerating its overseas expansion, including setting up a new factory in Detroit and launching new products at the world's leading industrial trade fair Hannover Messe in Germany. The company's total revenue is projected to exceed 600 million yuan (about 87.5 million U.S. dollars) this year.

Li Xinhua, vice chairman of Guangdong Triangle Electrical Appliances Holdings Ltd., said the factories are working at full steam to meet the varied demand of global markets, especially in Southeast Asian countries and countries along the Belt and Road.

The resilience, vitality, and transformation of foreign trade rely on thriving industrial economies, said Bai Ming, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.

The innovative upgrades in the industry can also be seen in the exhibited companies, changes in exhibits, and new product releases at the Canton Fair, Bai added.

Buyers learn about China's new energy vehicle products at the New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicles exhibition section of the 133rd session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

According to official data released on Thursday, China's total goods imports and exports expanded 4.8 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2023, reversing a decline of 0.8 percent in the first two months of the year.



"The steady growth laid a foundation for promoting stability and improving the quality of foreign trade throughout the year," said Lyu Daliang, an official with the General Administration of Customs.

China will follow the trend of consumption upgrading and actively expand imports, boost industrial transformation and upgrading, promote the coordinated development of trade in goods and services, support innovation in the business patterns of foreign trade, and amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources, said Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng while addressing the opening ceremony of the Canton Fair.
ROME, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The head of the Rome-based United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said Sunday that the organization would temporarily halt its humanitarian activities in Sudan, a day after three employees were killed in the country.

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said she was "appalled and heartbroken" by the deaths, which took place in the Kabkabiya district of the North Darfur state in Sudan.

In a statement, McCain confirmed reports that the workers were killed "while carrying out their lifesaving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis." She also said two other WFP workers were injured in the same attack.

The deceased workers were all Sudan nationals, according to media reports.

In a separate incident that also took place on Saturday, an aircraft belonging to WFP's Humanitarian Air Service was seriously damaged at Khartoum International Airport, WFP said.

"Any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable and I demand immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain," McCain said. "Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP's critical work."

McCain said that WFP would temporarily halt all its activities in Sudan while reviewing the security situation in the war-torn country.

"WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people who are facing dire food insecurity," McCain said. "But we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed."

Violent clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and other cities, where the two sides traded accusations of initiating the conflict.

Sudan's Central Doctors' Committee said that at least 56 civilians had been killed while 595 more have been injured, among them soldiers who are in critical condition.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting between the two forces, said his spokesman, and called on the two sides to immediately cease hostilities. 
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PARIS  Frances Constitutional Council on Friday approved an unpopular plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 in a victory for President Emmanuel Macron after months of mass protests that have damaged his leadership. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The decision dismayed or enraged critics of the pension plan. Hundreds of union activists and others gathered peacefully in Paris Friday evening before some groups broke off in marches toward the historic Bastille plaza and beyond, setting fires to garbage bins and scooters as police fired tear gas or pushed them back.

Unions and Macrons political opponents vowed to maintain pressure on the government to withdraw the bill, and activists threatened scattered new protests Saturday.

Macrons office said he would enact the law in coming days, and he has said he wants it implemented by the end of the year. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Fridays decision marks the end of the institutional and democratic path of this reform, adding that there was no victor in what has turned into a nationwide standoff and Frances worst social unrest in years.

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The council rejected some measures in the pension bill, but the higher age was central to Macrons plan and the target of protesters anger. The government argued that the reform is needed to keep the pension system afloat as the population ages; opponents proposed raising taxes on the wealthy or employers instead, and said the changes threaten a hard-won social safety net.

In a separate but related decision, the council rejected a request by left-wing lawmakers to allow for a possible referendum on enshrining 62 as the maximum official retirement age. The council will rule on a second, similar request, next month.

Carl Pfeiffer, a 62-year-old retiree protesting outside City Hall, warned that the Constitutional Councils decision wont spell the end of tensions.

The council members are irresponsible, because the anger that will come right after in the country, its their fault, he said.

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Bartender Lena Cayo, 22, said she was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.

We are protesting for so many weeks and the government didnt hear us, she said. Workers who have gone on strike or protested the legislation since January are fighting for their rights, but nothing changes.

As tensions mounted hours before the decision, Macron invited labor unions to meet with him on Tuesday no matter what the Constitutional Council decision was, his office said. The unions rejected Macrons invitation, noting that he had refused their previous offers of a meeting, and called for mass new protests on May 1, international workers rights day.

Unions have been the organizers of 12 nationwide protests since January and have a critical role in trying to tamp down excessive reactions by protesters. Violence by pockets of ultra-left radicals have marked the otherwise peaceful nationwide marches.

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The plan to increase the retirement age was meant to be Macrons showcase measure in his second term.

The council decision caps months of tumultuous debates in parliament and fervor in the streets.

Spontaneous demonstrations were held around France ahead of the nine-member councils ruling. Opponents of the pension reform blockaded entry points into some cities, including Rouen in the west and Marseille in the south, slowing or stopping traffic.

The prime minister was interrupted while visiting a supermarket outside Paris by a group of people chanting, We dont want it, referring to the way she skirted the vote by lawmakers to advance the pension reform.

The governments decision to get around a parliamentary vote in March by using special constitutional powers heightened the fury of the measures opponents, as well as their determination. Another group awaited Borne in the parking lot.

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Union leaders have said the Constitutional Councils decisions would be respected, but have vowed to continue protests in an attempt to get Macron to withdraw the measure.

The leader of the moderate CFDT, Laurent Berger, warned that there will be repercussions.

Holding out hope to upend the decision, unions and some protesters recalled parallels with a contested 2006 measure about work contracts for youth that sent students, joined by unions, into the streets. That legislation had been pushed through parliament without a vote and given the green light by the Constitutional Council  only to be later scrapped to bring calm to the country.

Far-right lawmaker Marine Le Pen denounced the pension reform as brutal and unjust. In a statement, she said that once the reform is put into practice it will mark the definitive rupture between the French people and Emmanuel Macron.

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Polls have consistently shown that the majority of French citizens are opposed to working two more years before being able to reap pension benefits. The legislation also requires people to work 43 years to receive a full pension, among other changes to the system.

___

Jade le Deley and Jeffrey Schaeffer in Paris contributed.

___

Follow APs coverage of the French government at https://apnews.com/hub/france-government

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BEIRUT  After meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syrias political fate, a group of regional leaders promised Saturday to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict, but stopped short of endorsing its return to the Arab League. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The meeting, which included top diplomats from the Arab Gulf countries as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, was convened days after Syrias foreign minister visited Saudi Arabia for the first time since the kingdom cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012.

Syria and Saudi Arabia said Thursday they were moving toward reopening embassies and resuming flights between the two countries for the first time in more than a decade.

Syria was widely shunned by Arab governments over Syrian President Bashar Assads brutal crackdown on protesters in a 2011 uprising that descended into civil war. The breakdown in relations culminated with Syria being ousted from the Arab League.

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However, in recent years, as Assad consolidated control over most of the country, Syrias neighbors have begun to take steps toward rapprochement. The overtures picked up pace since the massive Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and the Chinese-brokered reestablishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict.

Saudi Arabia is hosting the next Arab League summit in May, when Syrias membership is widely expected to be on the table. Some members, mainly Qatar, have opposed Damascus return to the organization.

Qatar did not appear to have changed its stance after the meetings convened in Jeddah late Friday.

A statement issued by the Saudi foreign ministry Saturday said the ministers had stressed that a political solution is the only solution to the Syrian crisis, and the importance of having an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the crisis. They agreed to set up the necessary mechanisms to do so and hold intensifying consultations among Arab countries to ensure the success of these efforts.

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The ministers also condemned recent Israeli police raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalems Old City and emphasized the centrality and priority of the Palestinian cause, and condemned illegal Israeli practices that undermine the two-state solution with an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem based on pre-1967 borders, the statement said.

Also on Thursday, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad arrived in Algeria on an official visit to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and coordinating positions between the two countries in the Arab and international arenas, Syrian state media reported. Algeria is one of the few Arab countries that did not cut off relations with Syria during the conflict.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Dangling from the cable of a giant white crane, a six-tonne steel panel moves slowly through the air. For passengers on the passing Geelong-to-Melbourne V/Line train, its an imposing view as the hefty load looms high above the dirt between Corio station and the Geelong oil refinery, where three cylindrical mega-structures are being rapidly built. Inching higher by the week, soon they will stand nearly 10 storeys tall. For Dale Cooper, the sight is even more remarkable. As head of Viva Energys 65-year-old refinery, witnessing an investment of this size taking shape  the development of new strategic storage tanks to hold an extra 90 million litres of diesel, about a week of Victorian demand  marks an extraordinary turnaround for a plant that had been on the cusp of closure less than three years ago. There were challenging times for the refining sector globally, and this part of the business was loss-making, Cooper recalls. Loading When COVID-19 hit, lockdowns forced people indoors and kept cars parked in driveways and planes grounded. It wiped out demand for petrol, diesel and jet fuel at a speed and on a scale never seen before. Australias relatively small and old oil refineries  plants that process barrels of crude oil into usable fuel products  were already struggling to compete with much bigger, more efficient refineries in Asia, and in 2020-21, they were finally pushed to breaking point. Two refineries  ExxonMobils in Melbourne and BPs in Perth  were forced to close. Today, just two remain. Viva Energy has maintained a commitment to refining here in Geelong, says Cooper. That has allowed us to really demonstrate the energy security part of our strategy, of which the strategic storage project is a key part.

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The importance of energy security  access to secure and affordable energy sources  has shot to attention in a big way lately. With the shock of the pandemic exposing the fragility of supply chains, Russias invasion of Ukraine pushing petrol pump prices above $2.30 a litre, and deepening risks of wider geopolitical instability, countries everywhere are asking themselves, Are we doing enough to protect against the threat of future energy disruptions? For Australia, on certain metrics, the answer is an unequivocal no. As a member of the International Energy Agency, Australia is meant to hold 90 days of liquid fuel stocks, but the last time we did was in 2012. Today we hold 59 days worth. Dale Cooper, Viva Energys general manager of refining. The closures of ExxonMobils refinery in Melbourne and BPs Kwinana plant in Perth have slashed Australias onshore production capacity further still and left us all the more reliant on fuel imports, which account for about 90 per cent of our needs. As for any meaningful moves to reduce dependence on volatile foreign fossil fuel markets by driving the switch to electric vehicles, Australias uptake of battery-powered cars is among the slowest in the developed world, and only recently has it begun to gather speed. In light of the worsening risks, energy security has returned to the list of Australian political priorities. In 2021, the federal government struck an emergency package to rescue Vivas Geelong refinery and Ampols Lytton plant in Brisbane, including a 1.8-a-litre payment for locally made fuel on the condition that they committed to staying open until at least 2027. It also included grants of as much as $125 million to upgrade their refineries to meet new fuel sulphur limits. Then in November last year, the Albanese government implemented new rules lifting Australias minimum stock levels for traditional transport fuels to protect motorists and businesses from future market turmoil.

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The new obligations require refineries and major importers of refined fuel to hold baseline stocks of 24 days of petrol, 20 days of diesel and 24 days of jet fuel from July this year, increasing from 2024. Loading Energy security has taken centre stage again, which means measures to assure fuel supply are ever more important, says Roberto Aguilera, an energy economist at Curtin University. Still, such interventions will translate to just a slight overall boost to Australias ability to satisfy its own energy requirements  and opinions differ over how much this is actually needed. The new stockholding requirements only translate to a short period of added self-sufficiency, and the need to retain onshore refining is debatable. Australias refineries process some crude oil from the Bass Strait, but most has to be shipped from elsewhere in the world anyway, so why not import all fuels? To some extent, says Aguilera, the moves are probably more political than anything else  to provide peace of mind to the public and to safeguard hundreds of blue-collar refining jobs that would otherwise be lost. Energy security has taken centre stage again, which means measures to assure fuel supply are ever more important. Roberto Aguilera, energy economist Overall I dont think Australia is at a major risk of fuel supply disruptions because we are close to the Asian refining hubs which have been reliable suppliers, he says. For Australia, there are other measures to be taken to ensure our fuel needs are met  for example, the continuous cultivation of relationships with our partners abroad, including in important refining countries like Singapore.

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Others, however, insist nothing should be taken for granted and every bit helps. For its part, Viva says having additional storage capacity will be important and make Australia more resilient to the threat of disruptions, especially when it comes to diesel  the transport fuel deemed the least-discretionary because of its use in defence, emergency services, agriculture and mining. The three new diesel tanks under construction at Geelong would alone hold about a weeks supply of diesel for Victoria if there were none being produced. Says Cooper: Think of it like a big shock-absorber  any sort of weather delays or plant reliability issues or big fluctuations in market requirements, then youve got that capability to respond in a more timely manner. When 2024 gets here and weve got those tanks available to us, it will make the overall supply chain more reliable. Beyond fuel security, keeping Australias last two refineries open has proved financially beneficial for their owners, Ampol and Viva, which did not end up needing government subsidies last year because their margins did not fall below an agreed level. An artists impression of what the new storage tanks at the Geelong oil refinery will look like when complete. After barely being able to eke out a return when fuel demand collapsed in 2020 and battered profitability across the sector, the fortunes of local refineries have taken a dramatic turn as embargoes on Russian oil products have sent international fuel prices and profit margins soaring. Viva Energys Geelong refining margin  the difference between the cost of crude oil and the value of the fuel products its turned into  was halved to just $US2.70 a barrel in 2020, but this year hovers around $US17. Adam Martin, an oil and gas analyst with E&P Financial, believes refining could surprise to the upside over the medium term as an under-investment in new refineries collides with an accelerating recovery in global mobility.

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If you dont know who Dr Glaucomflecken is, youre probably going to be confused as to why 900 people attended a talk by the American eye doctor in Adelaide earlier this month. If you do know who he is, you might be wondering why the crowd wasnt at least twice the size.

Dr Glaucomflecken is the pseudonym of Dr Will Flanary, an ophthalmologist who works in Portland, Oregon. In between performing surgery and seeing patients, however, he makes videos. Lots of videos.

Dr Will Flanary speaks at an event by the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases in Adelaide in April 2023. Credit: Andrew Beveridge

In them, Flanary takes the world of medicine and applies a comedic warped lens, poking fun at himself and at the tropes of other specialties, while also laying bare the realities of working in medicine. He plays almost every role himself, with the occasional cameo from his wife, Kristin.

Shes a huge supporter of me, spending weekends and nights wearing these funny costumes and doing these strange things and recording around the house, says Flanary. Im very lucky.
Danny Estrin is a musician best known for being the lead singer of Voyager. The 41-year-old opens up about his early musical beginnings, marrying his best friend, and being surrounded by feminine energy.

My maternal grandmother, or Oma, smoked vast amounts of cigarettes in her small kitchen.

I was born in Germany and lived in Hamburg until 1992. My parents [mother, Gunda, and father, Yuri] and I migrated to Western Australia when I was 11. Oma died at the age of 73.

I never wanted a house with a picket fence, a cat or children. My wife proposed to me. I was like, What has happened to my rock-star lifestyle? Credit: Michael Dann

My earliest memory of my paternal babushka was of her bringing me a piano on the train from the Soviet Union, where she lived with my grandfather. They disassembled it, then put it back together at my home. She came from a family of factory workers and homemakers and worked as a schoolteacher. She was an elegant woman who always carried herself well. Even when she couldnt articulate herself after she had a stroke later in life, there was still an air about her and sophistication I always admired. She died in her late 80s.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Duttons two-day sojourn in Alice Springs last week was not known to many in the Northern Territory towns Indigenous community.

A number of the Indigenous residents I spoke to said they had only learnt about the Liberal leaders visit via images posted to social media showing him boarding the flight when he departed. Their immediate responses to the Coalition leaders visit included sceptical eye-rolls and remarks such as here we go again.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (right) with Coalition senator Jacinta Price in Alice Springs last week. Credit: ABC News

Crime in Alice Springs is real, particularly violent alcohol-fuelled youth crime. Locals say they have been living through it for the past decade or more. Many of them have pointed out that this trouble was going on well before the Albanese government came to power last May. But Duttons repeated allegations about rampant sexual abuse in the regions Aboriginal communities are less conclusive.

Locals working in relevant community health and social services, voices that would be abreast of daily and weekly notifications of child abuse in the region, say there has been no escalation in investigations of sexual abuse or exploitation.
These past few months have felt like a reckoning for the politics of 2016, the angry populism that fuelled the victory of Donald Trump, Britains exit from the European Union, and all the norm-busting that followed.

Americas 45th president has become the first current or former US head of state to be criminally indicted. In Westminster, Boris Johnson, the face of the Brexit campaign, was interrogated by a parliamentary committee over claims that he lied to the House of Commons about the Partygate scandal. Today, the Fox News defamation trial is due to start in Delaware, rival drama for the final season of Succession.

Illustration by Jim Pavlidis Credit:

US President Joe Bidens trip to Belfast, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, was a reminder of the fragility of Northern Irelands peace, and how the border complications caused by Brexit have placed it under such duress.

The run-up to the Easter break witnessed mammoth traffic jams outside Dover, as the continental holiday getaway was slowed to a crawl by the passport checks that have now become such a chore for Brits.
CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Middle East expressed concerns on Saturday over the ongoing conflicts between Sudan's army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and called for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of differences through dialogue.

The fight erupted on Saturday morning in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities. At least three civilians have been killed, according to the Sudan Doctors' Committee. The RSF announced that they have taken control of key locations, including Khartoum Airport and the Merowe military base in northern Sudan.

The latest armed conflict in Sudan has raised concerns among Middle Eastern countries, including those in the Arab League, prompting them to condemn the ongoing armed conflicts and call for de-escalation.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry conveyed deep concern about the violence in Sudan and called on Sudan's military and political leaders to prioritize dialogue, restraint, and wisdom, and unite to complete the consensus that has been achieved, including the framework agreement.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also urged Sudan's conflicting parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through dialogue. In a statement, the UAE Embassy in Khartoum expressed deep concern and reaffirmed the importance of de-escalation and finding a peaceful solution through dialogue. It also emphasized the need to support the political process in Sudan and achieve national consensus for the formation of a government.

Qatar, Libya and Jordan also joined in urging Sudan's conflicting parties to immediately stop fighting and resolve their differences through dialogue.

Also on Saturday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Saturday expressed his shock and condemnation of the armed fighting, especially during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

The secretary-general also stressed the responsibility of the warring parties to preserve the security and safety of Sudanese civilians in the fighting areas and throughout the country, adding that the Arab League General Secretariat is ready to intervene with the warring parties to end the fight.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Armed Forces called for the maintenance of security and safety for Egyptian forces training in Sudan. In a statement, the Egyptian army's spokesman noted that joint Egyptian forces are present in Sudan for training purposes and are closely following the events. Coordination is underway with the concerned authorities to ensure the security of the Egyptian forces.

Iran also expressed concern about the developments and tensions in Sudan, inviting the conflicting sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Major disagreements have recently emerged between the Sudanese army, led by Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by al-Burhan's deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, especially over the RSF's integration into the army, as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between the military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022. 
Unfair practices used by large businesses to stymie their opponents or mislead customers would be effectively outlawed while digital platforms such as Meta and Alphabet could face their own specific laws to foster competitive forces under tough new pro-competition laws.

The Albanese government is considering importing laws into Australia in a bid to lift the pace of economic growth and deliver financial benefits to emerging businesses and consumers.

Competition Minister Andrew Leigh wants businesses to follow the lead of Australias sports stars and be dynamic and competitive on the world stage. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Since 2017, there have been demands for the introduction of unfair trading practice laws because of concerns that current rules banning unconscionable conduct have proven too difficult to enforce.

Several high-profile cases in which authorities have failed to prove unconscionable conduct at both the High Court and Federal Court level have added to the calls for change.
Chaos engulfed Sudan on Saturday as forces led by two rival generals engaged in ferocious battles for the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the country, with both sides fighting for control of the presidential palace, the main airport and other key sites.

The eruption of violence dashed hopes that military leaders would cede power to a democratic government led by civilians. It comes four years after Sudan seized the worlds attention when protests toppled the countrys authoritarian leader, President Omar al-Bashir, offering hope to similar movements in Africa and the Arab world.

Smoke is seen rising from a neighbourhood in Khartoum, Sudan on Satuday. Credit: AP

Why Sudan is important

Africas third-largest country by area, Sudan, with more than 45 million people, sits at a strategic spot just south of Egypt in Africas northeast.
Dancers perform Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance, during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sultan Al-Ghuri complex in Cairo, Egypt, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, many Egyptians go out with family or friends in the evening for a good time after fasting from dawn to sunset. A show featuring Egyptian folk dance Tanoura is surely among their destinations.

On Wednesday night, an open-air Tanoura dance staged in historic downtown Cairo carried local and foreign audiences away, as dancers' spinning off their skirt-like colorful outfits turned the stage into a spectacular of ever-changing kaleidoscopes.

The show started with a Sufi music performance with minstrel chanting, then a solo Tanoura dancer joined the stage and kept whirling for almost 20 minutes nonstop.

"The performance is breathtaking and the atmosphere is very joyful. It is my first time to attend this show but surely will not be the last," said Marwa Siam, one of the audience.

"It makes it a special Ramadan night for me. And it is also great to preserve such a kind of elegant traditional art," she told Xinhua.

Dancers perform Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance, during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sultan Al-Ghuri complex in Cairo, Egypt, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Egpyt's Tanoura dance carries the meaning of the Sufi tradition of whirling meditation when a dervish spins his body in repetitive circles. The word Tanoura, which means skirt in Arabic, refers to the detachable colorful skirt-like piece worn by the dancer.

"It is a Sufi, spiritual dance and a kind of art that comes from the heart," said Mostafa Moftah, who performed the solo dance. "A Tanoura dancer must be filled with purity and love to be able to perform well and touch the audience," said the artist.

As the most impressive part of the show, three men danced to the traditional Upper Egyptian music for a long while, spinning around with arms in the air, making fascinating circles of mixed colors.

The show was held at an arts center located inside historic five-century-old Wikalat Al-Ghuri, a caravansary complex built by Mamluk Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghuri, and under deem but changing stage lighting, which added magnificence to the show.

"The dervish dance is unbelievable. It is amazing how the artist dances and whirls for 50 minutes or an hour without getting dizzy," said Desiree Boyneburg, an Austrian tourist, adding the vibe was "really festive and lively."

"What impressed me the most was the choreography of the dancers. And the music was really, wow, very nice," Jens Aerts, a Belgian tourist, told Xinhua.

Dancers perform Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance, during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sultan Al-Ghuri complex in Cairo, Egypt, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

The show was performed by the Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe operating under the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) of the Ministry of Culture, which also runs the arts center.

Hany Aboul-Hassan, head of the CDF, who attended the show, said that the cultural fund is concerned with reviving Egyptian heritage, through both restoring historic buildings and presenting traditional folk art.

"The idea behind the CDF's restoration of historic buildings, like Al-Ghuri's Complex, is not only to rescue the building but also to turn it into a popular and frequently visited arts center," Aboul-Hassan added.

"Ramadan for the Ministry of Culture and the CDF is a month full of various cultural and artistic activities, including Tanoura dance, whose body language and colors captivate people of all nationalities," he told Xinhua.

Dancers perform Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance, during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sultan Al-Ghuri complex in Cairo, Egypt, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Dancers perform Tanoura, a traditional Egyptian folk dance, during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sultan Al-Ghuri complex in Cairo, Egypt, on April 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
BISMILLAH KHAN

Shehnai player

Ustad Bismillah Khan - the legendary maestro who transformed the Shehnai (a type of wind instrument) from an instrument only used in marriage ceremonies to an honoured position in the classical pantheon - exemplified a performer who believed musicians are supposed to be heard and not seen.

Born as the second son to parents Paigambar Khan and Mitthan on March 21, 1916, Khan was christened as Qamaruddin initially, before his grandfather uttered Bismillah after looking at the newborn. He was born into a family of court musicians in the princely state of Dumraon in Bihar, Bismillah's father was a court musician employed in the Dumrao palace by the Raja of Bhojpur. His great grandfather Hussain Baksh and his grandfather, Rasool Bux Khan were the Shehnai-nawaz of the Bhojpur King's court.

At the age of three when his mother took him to his maternal uncle's house in Banaras, Bismillah was fascinated watching his uncle practice the shehnai. The little child's reaction astonished his uncle who predicted that the boy would one day become a great player of the instrument. Later, Bismillah Khan was trained and apprenticed by this uncle, the late Ali Bux 'Vilayatu', a Shehnai player attached to Varanasi's Vishwanath Temple. He also appeared as his uncle's accompanist at several music conferences in the1930s till his uncles death in 1940. At the age of 14 (1930), Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference. This was his first opportunity to reproduce the composition of 'bandash' and his skill was greatly appreciated. Bismillah familiarized himself with various forms of music of UP, such as Thumri, Chaiti, Kajri, Sawani etc. Later he studied Khayal music and mastered a large number of ragas. He brought the shehnai to the center stage of Indian music with his concert at the Calcutta All India Music Conference in 1937.

With the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938 came Bismillah's big break. He soon became an often-heard Shehnai player on radio. His greatest moment came, when India gained Independence on August 15,1947 and he became the first Indian to greet the nation with his Shehnai. He played to an audience, which included Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who later gave his famous 'Tryst with Destiny' speech. The maestro again came into the limelight when he performed Raga Kafi from Red Fort on Indias first Republic Day ceremony. There upon, the plaintive strains of his Shehnai used to mark the Republic Day celebrations for generations of Indians. His first trip abroad was to Afghanistan where King Zahir Shah was so taken in by his performance that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs. He also performed in Europe, Iran, Iraq, Canada, West Africa, USA, USSR, Japan, Hong Kong and almost every capital city of the world.

Khan has been conferred with innumerable awards, including coveted awards by the Government of India, which include 'Bharat Ratna' in 2001, second 'Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award' in 1994, 'Padma Vibhushan' in 1980, 'Padma Bhushan' in 1968 and 'Padmashri' in 1961. He has also been awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Tansen Award of the Madhya Pradesh government. Bismillah Khan acquired honorary doctorates from the Banaras Hindu University and the Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan. Bismillah Khan is also the first Indian who was invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Center Hall in the USA.

He has acted in one Hindi film, 'Jalsaghar', a movie by Satyajit Ray. He also worked with Lata Mangeshkar's rendering of the title song "Mere sur aur tere geet" for the film 'Goonj Uthi Shehani', and for the song 'Ye Jo Des Hai Tera' in a Hindi movie Swades (2004). He has recorded duets with Vilayat Khan on the sitar, Prof. V.G. Jog on the violin as well as with N.Rajam, an exceptional violinist trained in Hindustani music by Omkar Nath Thakur, and Shahid Parvez a young sitarist of uncommon sensitivity.

A pious Shia Muslim and also a devotee of Mother Saraswati, Khan was one of the finest musicians in post-independent Indian Classical music and one of the best examples of Hindu Muslim unity in India. He was often seen playing at various temples and on the banks of the holy river Ganges in the northern Indian city of Varanasi, his home town.

Khan who led a simple, unostentatious life in the manner of a Sufi carried the honorific of an 'ustad' (guru)- never owned a car, and liked to travel around Varanasi in a bicycle rickshaw. The great maestro who introduced 'Shehnai' to a global audience died of heart failure at the age of 90 on August 21, 2006. He is survived by five sons, three daughters and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Pelham Coun. Diana Huson plans to bring a motion Thursday that would remove regional councillors from their seats if they egregiously violated workplace harassment and violence policies.

The province would have to amend the Municipal Act before the change would come into effect; however, in passing the motion, regional council would join a growing number of Ontario municipalities, including St. Catharines, pushing Queens Park to move on a former private members bill, the Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act.

Husons motion, and the act, would also bar offenders from running in the next election to fill the seat.

If someone sexually harasses an employee in the workplace, they can be fired, but not if its an elected official, which doesnt make any sense to me, Huson said. The idea here is about fairness and equality regarding who is accountable to rules that every workplace is required to have.

It is about creating an environment where you feel safe going to work, which everyone should have.

The Region has an integrity commissioner who investigates complaints against councillors for violating councils code of conduct, but the most severe penalty is 90 days without pay. The commissioner can also recommend sanctions such as loss of committee seats and request an apology.

Husons motion would require the integrity commissioner to seek a judicial review of the recommendation to vacate the seat to make sure it is in order.

Theres been a lot of attention brought to the fact that there isnt a mechanism to remove a councillor acting poorly  and thats probably a very diplomatic way of saying it, Huson said. Theres been a number of these incidents across Ontario.

In 2022, Ottawas integrity commissioner recommended sanctions and pay suspensions for Coun. Rick Chiarelli after multiple incidents of sexual harassment and bullying of young female staff members working in his office.

According to the integrity commissioner  who found the complainants credible, honest and open  Chiarelli encouraged one to wear revealing clothing and asked her whether she was willing to go braless.

In another incident investigated by the integrity commissioner, Chiarelli asked another complainant if she was willing to go braless at nightclubs to recruit young men for his campaign while a third complainant said he asked her if she would consider stripping and said, You have the body for it.

In Brampton, a woman filed a lawsuit against the city and Coun. Gurpreet Dhillon in 2020, accusing him of assaulting her in a hotel room in Turkey while they were on an economic development mission.

The lawsuits statement of claim said the woman had a cellphone recording of her saying no 74 times while he allegedly forcibly confined and sexually brutalized her after manipulating the situation to get himself alone with the plaintiff.

Dhillon denied the allegations. The Brampton Guardian reported the lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount and a nondisclosure agreement.

In 2022, a City of Barrie employee filed a lawsuit accusing Coun. Mike McCann of harassment, battery and sexual assault in three separate episodes in 2019. McCanns statement of defence denied the allegations. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

The final incident occurred at an after-party for a work-related Christmas function at a downtown Barrie pub, according to the statement of claim.

The womans colleagues stepped in and tried to redirect McCann toward discussions about work, but he became increasingly agitated before stomping off, according to the statement of claim.

The city, for its part, responded to the employees complaint with a third-party investigation by external legal and human resources firms.

The investigation resulted in McCann being ordered to take workplace harassment and violence training and a direction that he only deal with city employees through the appropriate manager.

McCann then ran for mayor, finishing fourth.

Huson said its clear elected officials should be subject to the same rules as employees.

Councillors should be accountable to those policies by virtue of their position, Huson said. Its a fair and reasonable expectation in dealing with some of these situations that an employee would lose their job. If youre a councillor, you should be subject to the same penalties.

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WASHINGTON - The progressive side of Canadas fossil-fuel energy debate is pushing back against the prospect of relying on natural gas as a path to a carbon-free future.

High prices and a spike in demand, largely the result of Russias war in Ukraine, are giving momentum to the idea that liquified natural gas could replace coal-fuelled power around the world.

But critics call it a short-sighted and counterproductive notion that ignores economic and practical realities both in Canada and around the globe.

Nichole Dusyk, a senior policy adviser with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, says renewable energy sources like wind and solar are growing more viable every day.

Dusyk says renewables have the added advantage of not being global commodities subject to the whims of market forces.

Its no secret Canada cant properly export its natural gas riches, she adds  and even if it could fix its capacity challenges, it would be too late to meet current demand.

High prices are clouding peoples judgment about the long-term economic prospects of natural gas, Dusyk said in an interview.

The global outlook for natural gas is going down, not going up.

The idea of using natural gas as an interim solution to the challenge of meeting present-day demand for energy while reducing carbon emissions has been gaining traction in recent months.

Japan, host of a global climate summit over the weekend, has come under criticism for a proposed strategy that depends heavily on LNG, ammonia and other fossil-fuel derivatives as a means of lowering emissions.

G7 environment and climate ministers meeting in Sapporo reportedly pushed back on Japanese efforts to include LNG-friendly language in a draft statement, including calls for further investment amid growing demand.

And a recent report released by the Future of Business Centre at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce proposed ramping up Canadas export capacity of LNG and advancing it as an alternative to coal-fired energy around the globe.

Were at a very strange place right now, said Dusyk, noting that global condemnation of Russia  long an essential source of energy for Europe  has created a compelling but short-term spike in gas prices.

Europe is looking aggressively around the world for alternatives, but it is not looking for LNG in the long term.

Dusyks own research has concluded there is a fundamental mismatch between Canadas capacity crunch and the immediate needs of Europe and other countries once dependent on Russia.

The institute has projected that the European Union could be completely free of its dependence on Russian gas as early as 2025, far too early for Canada to solve its capacity challenges.

Canada may have natural-gas reserves in abundance, but it lacks the infrastructure capacity to export it overseas, she said. Liquification also demands a lot of clean electricity to keep emissions low, she added  power that would otherwise be available for other applications, like charging electric vehicles.

You can lower the emissions but by its very nature it is energy-intensive.

At the same time, the discussions around LNG risk taking the focus off developing sustainable, renewable infrastructure systems that are growing more feasible.

The cost of renewables, whether its batteries, wind or solar, has dipped massively ... in many markets, renewable energy is cheapest, Dusyk said.

The Chamber of Commerce report released earlier this month suggested that the infrastructure needed to export Canadian LNG could eventually be converted into a system for delivering hydrogen, another prominent alternative to fossil fuels.

But Dusyk said she has yet to see any analysis that would suggest such conversions would be feasible.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2023.

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KHARTOUM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The armed conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues into the night on Saturday in the capital Khartoum, sparking concerns for a wider conflict in the country.

The initial gunfire near an RSF base south of Khartoum in the morning quickly spread to other areas in the capital, including the Sudanese Army General Command and Khartoum International Airport.

Fighting continued into the night as residents said they still heard the sounds of gunfire and explosions in different parts of Khartoum, including around the military's headquarters and other bases.

The latest conflict capped the days of escalating tensions between the two main military forces in Sudan, which has been grappling with a political crisis since October 2021.

The two sides traded accusations of initiating the conflict. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Army, accused the RSF of attacking sovereign headquarters in Khartoum, including his own residence in the Army General Command.

In a telephone interview with the Qatari Al-Jazeera TV channel, Al-Burhan stated that "the Rapid Support Forces are the ones who attacked our headquarters," adding he was taken by surprise when the RSF attacked his house at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT).

In response, RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo told Al-Jazeera that the army is the one who started the attack. The RSF also announced that it had taken control of the presidential palace, a strategic guesthouse within the army's headquarters, and the Khartoum International Airport in the capital.

The RSF also claimed to have seized control of Merowe and El-Obeid airports, as well as other strategic sites in the states, according to a statement released earlier on Saturday.

However, the Sudanese army denied that the RSF had taken control of any sovereign sites, stating that "all sites are under the control of the armed forces. The Rapid Support Forces use psychological warfare based on misinformation."

Videos posted on social media showed the Sudanese army targeting the headquarters of the RSF in Khartoum with warplanes, but Dagalo denied that the headquarters of his forces had been destroyed by the Sudanese army.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of flights at Khartoum International Airport after clashes broke out inside the airport, damaging two planes, one belonging to Saudi Airlines and the other to the United Nations.

While no official statistics were released on the number of casualties or injuries during the violent clashes, the Sudan Doctors' Committee stated that at least three civilians were killed, adding there was a significant number of casualties that had not yet been counted.

Media reports indicated that at least 12 people were killed during the conflict.

The committee called on the Sudanese army and the RSF to cease fire and provide safe passages for transporting the injured to hospitals.

Various countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Iran have issued statements urging Sudan's conflicting parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and protect civilians. The Egyptian Armed Forces have also called for the safety of their forces training in Sudan.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has called for an immediate halt to the armed clashes, expressing shock and condemnation, and stressing the responsibility of the warring parties to protect the security and safety of Sudanese civilians.

The tension between the two military forces has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the army considered illegal.

Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese army and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022. 
SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. - The RCMP say a regimental funeral will be held later this week for one of its Alberta-based officers who died in a crash while heading to help another officer.

The funeral for Const. Harvinder Dhami, a member of the Strathcona County detachment east of Edmonton, will be held Thursday morning at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, Alta., and will be preceded by a procession from Bethel Lutheran Church.

Dhami, who was affectionately known as Harvey, died early on April 10 while driving to help other officers with a noise complaint.

The Mounties previously said Dhamis vehicle hit a large concrete barrier on a road northeast of Sherwood Park.

While police had said they would give more details on the crash investigation at a news conference Sunday, Cpl. Troy Savinkoff and Sgt. Deanna Fontaine told reporters the investigation remains ongoing and that police wouldnt speak to it yet.

Detachment Supt. Dale Kendall said at the news conference that Dhami responded to an urgent request for backup to assist a fellow officer who was attempting to make two arrests.

Const. Dhami upheld his oath to protect and to serve to the very last moments of his life, said Kendall.

Dhami, who was 32, is survived by his wife, mother and two siblings.

Savinkoff said Dhamis family will be present for the funeral but has requested privacy.

This is an event where we expect quite a large turnout from officers from various departments, he said, but didnt have an immediate estimate on how many people are expected.

Millennium Place will be closed to all but invited family members, friends and first responders, but RCMP say the public are welcome to line the funeral procession route. They say a live feed of the procession and funeral service will be provided on the Alberta RCMP YouTube channel.

Strathcona County says it will open its community centre for the public to view the funeral via the livestream.

Kendall said Dhamis family put community service first, noting it guided the career choices of his closest family members. His sister works in mental health services, Kendall said, while his brother and cousin work with the Peel Regional Police and the Vancouver Police Department respectively.

She said Dhami served meals to elderly members of the Punjabi community in Brampton, Ont., and served with Meals on Wheels for three years.

His dedication to helping others was a foundational piece of his character, Kendall said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2023.

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KARUIZAWA, Japan (AP)  Top diplomats from Europe and North America were arriving Sunday in this hot spring resort town to discuss the worlds most intractable crises, including ways to end Russias war in Ukraine, confront Chinas aggression toward Taiwan and lure North Korea back to nuclear disarmament talks.

They will dive right in, with a private working dinner Sunday spotlighting China and North Korea. But even before the Group of Seven foreign ministers talks began, outside events threatened to overshadow the diplomacy, including questions about U.S. intelligence leaks that cast doubt over crucial alliances, and security worries after someone threw an explosive device at the Japanese leader during a campaign event.

Japan is eager to use a smoothly run G-7, which includes a host of gatherings on climate, finance and other issues ahead of a leaders summit next month in Hiroshima, to pursue a stronger unified front against what Tokyo and other democracies see as Russian, Chinese and North Korean aggression.

Amid widespread skepticism that the United Nations, which is often paralyzed by the oversized power on the Security Council of Russia and China, can do anything about these issues, many will be watching to see what, if anything, G-7 ministers from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and the European Union might do.

Security is tight in Karuizawa, but Japan has been forced to address safety concerns after a young man threw an explosive device toward Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the eve of the diplomats arrivals. Kishida was uninjured Saturday and continued campaigning, but the attack is an unwanted development for Tokyo amid a lingering security debate over the assassination nine months ago of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Starting with the summit, we have to make every effort to ensure security and safety ... (as) dignitaries from all over the world gather, Kishida told reporters Sunday.

The three-day talks will also see the first real test of the Biden administrations assertion that there has been minimal damage from the disclosure of highly classified documents related to the war in Ukraine and U.S. views of its allies and partners.

Before traveling to Japan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday from Hanoi that he had heard no concerns from allies, but the revelations will loom over the G-7 meeting, the first major international diplomatic conference since the documents were discovered online and made public.

On the diplomatic front, the talks, which end Tuesday, will be dominated by worries over the Russian leader's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons as his forces struggle in Ukraine, China's increasing belligerence toward Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, and North Korea's record-setting run of illicit weapons tests.

Some observers expect that Japan and other nations might use the G-7 to announce an increase in aid to Ukraine.

As Russias invasion of Ukraine has been shaking the foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said ahead of the meeting. I will lead discussions as chair of the meeting and show the G-7s strong determination to absolutely reject attempts to change the status quo by force, and Russias threat of nuclear weapons or their use, while defending the rules-based international order.

Though diplomats from Beijing wont be present in Japan, Chinas rapid military rise will also play a large part in discussions.

China recently sent planes and ships to conduct a simulated encirclement of Taiwan, and has seen in recent years a rapid jump in its nuclear warheads, a tougher line on its claim to the South China Sea and increased comments from its leader, Xi Jinping, painting a scenario of impending confrontation.

Japan, in response partly to Chinas rise, has made a major break from its self-defense-only post-World War II principles, as it works to acquire preemptive strike capabilities and cruise missiles to counter growing threats.

Diplomats will also be looking to find ways to restart diplomacy aimed at pressuring a hostile North Korea to return to disarmament negotiations. Since last year, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that showed the potential of reaching the U.S. mainland and a variety of other shorter-range weapons that threaten South Korea and Japan.

___

AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and diplomatic writer Matthew Lee in Hanoi contributed to this story.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Squint a little as you take in the scene, or just close your eyes and listen to the voice, and 2023 stumbles back into another era. Another Memphis.

You cant expel hope! the young man cries in his powerful voice, his message aimed at the Tennessee state legislators who had expelled him and another Black lawmaker a week earlier. You cant expel justice! You cant expel our voice.

Justin Pearson wears a dark suit in the county meeting room, a carefully knotted blue tie and glasses that bring Malcolm X to mind. He speaks in the rolling cadence of generations of Black preachers.

He ends by quoting a Bible verse beloved by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., vowing to fight until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Then he turns to his cheering supporters and thrusts his fist into the air.

The two Black Democratic legislators ousted by the overwhelmingly white, Republican-controlled state Legislature  then reinstated by local officials days later  have only a few months experience in political office.

But in barely two weeks, Pearson, 28, and Justin Jones, 27, have gone from neophyte politicians to national prominence, heralded as living echoes of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, when leaders like King and John Lewis organized protests across the American South.

Two young Black men were forced from office, Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday at a convention in New York City of the civil rights group the National Action Network, calling the expulsions an attempt to silence the voice of the people.

But those expulsions, she added, simply set off more protests.

Now, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are back in their seats! Harris said to cheers.

The two men  now widely known simply as the Justins  are executing tactics modeled after people theyve admired, said Noelle Trent, an official at Memphis National Civil Rights Museum, located on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated in 1968 while supporting a sanitation workers strike. They have actually studied the (Civil Rights) Movement.

That movement strikes powerful chords in this part of America.

The energy is there because both Memphis and Nashville are deeply rooted in the civil rights protest tradition, said the Rev. Andre E. Johnson, a civil rights activist, senior pastor at Memphis Gifts of Life Ministries and a professor of communications who has studied Black oratory and rhetoric.

Pearson and Jones both came to the state Legislature steeped in activism.

Jones, who was born in Oakland, California, and raised in the East Bay area, moved to Nashville to attend Fisk University and is studying for a masters degree in theology at Vanderbilt University, according to campaign material. One set of grandparents were Black Chicagoans, and his other grandparents immigrated from the Philippines.

His life has taken him from protest to protest: leading a campaign against the bust prominently displayed at the state Capitol of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, which GOP leaders refused to remove; blocking Nashville traffic after the election of former President Donald Trump; and spending more than 60 days at the Capitol plaza in 2020 to protest police violence after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. As a student, he worked to expand health care and repeal voter ID laws.

The protests have also led to a handful of clashes with authorities, from the time he threw a cup of liquid at the former House speaker during the bust protests to when he stood on a police cruiser during demonstrations after Floyds killing. A campaign website says he has been arrested more than a dozen times for nonviolent protest.

He has no regrets about the protest that got him expelled, when he, Pearson and a white colleague, 60-year-old legislator Gloria Johnson, walked to the speakers podium while the Legislature was in session and led chants calling for gun control.

The protest unfolded in the aftermath of a shooting at a Nashville Christian school where six people, including three young students, were slain. While the protest also angered some Democrats  video captured some older Black, Democratic legislators berating the trio at the podium  the symbolism of expelling the two Black lawmakers while sparing their white colleague shifted the attention from guns to race.

But with only days left in the session, Jones, who was elected in 2022 and represents part of Nashville, said his focus was still on gun control legislation.

This is about saving Tennessee, saving our nation, saving the future for our children, he said in a brief interview Thursday at the Capitol.

He sees himself in the young protesters who flooded the capital to call for gun control, even though he calls himself an elder now in the movement.

Pearson grew up in Memphis and went to high school in the same district he was elected to represent after longtime state Rep. Barbara Cooper, a Black Democrat, died in office. The sprawling district sits on the Mississippi River, winding along neighborhoods, forests and wetlands of south Memphis, through parts of downtown and then north into a series of semi-rural communities.

One of five children  his mother is a teacher and his father is a minister and pastor  Pearson has said his family struggled financially as he was growing up.

His activism reaches back at least to high school, when he complained to the school board about a lack of textbooks. Later, he attended Bowdoin College in Maine, where he was class president and recipient of the Presidents Award, given for exceptional personal achievements and uncommon contributions to the college.

He returned to Memphis and helped lead the fight against a planned oil pipeline that would have run through wetlands and under poor, predominantly Black neighborhoods in the citys south. The project was canceled in 2021.

Pearson won his legislative seat in a special election in late January.

Im very proud of him, said Kevin Webb, a teacher and band director at Mitchell High School who knew Pearson when he was a student there. Hes standing up for what he believes is right.

Sometimes doing the right thing isnt always going to look good, Webb continued. Thats how life is.

Pearson and Jones sudden rise to prominence also raises powerful questions about Americas continuing need for a civil rights movement.

The two mens return to office is not resurrecting democracy, said the Rev. Earle Fisher, a Memphis civil rights activist and senior pastor of Gifts of Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Theres a difference between getting our lick back, and actually winning the fight, he said.

The fight is far from over.

___

Kreusi reported from Nashville and Sullivan reported from Minneapolis. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison in New York and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville contributed to this report.

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OTTAWA - Military police say dangerous driving was a factor in what led a vehicle carrying four Royal Military College students plunging into the water near their campus in Kingston, Ont.

Officer cadets Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honciu, Broden Murphy and Andres Salek all drowned last April, weeks before they were poised to graduate.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service had previously ruled out foul play before providing another update in a statement today.

The CFNIS did not say who was driving the vehicle, which drove off the road and into the water at Point Frederick peninsula, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, on April 29, 2022.

Military police spokesman James Bresolin referred questions about who was driving the vehicle at the time to Ontarios chief coroners office.

Department of National Defence spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande says the military has launched a review to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2023.

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OTTAWA - Environment and energy ministers from G7 countries wrapped two days of talks in northern Japan on Sunday without acting on Canadas push to set a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants.

In their 36-page communique after the meeting in Sapporo, the ministers restated their commitment to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, and promised to work with other countries to end new coal-fired power projects that dont take steps to mitigate emissions.

We call on and will work with other countries to end new unabated coal-fired power generation projects globally as soon as possible to accelerate the clean energy transition in a just manner, the document says.

Canadas Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told the Japanese public broadcaster last week that he hoped to see strong language in the final statement about the phaseout of coal.

The leaders instead reaffirmed they need to achieve a predominantly decarbonized power sector by 2035.

In a statement posted to Twitter Sunday, Guilbeault said he still welcomed the shared commitment between G7 countries to accelerate coal phaseout, but also called for greater urgency.

For Canada, phasing out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 has never been so urgent, the statement reads.

Science is clear, countries, in particular G7, must do more and on a faster timeline to address climate change and keep the Paris Agreement temperature goal in reach.

In the 2015 Paris accord, 196 countries, including Canada, agreed to set national targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions en route to preventing the planet from warming up more than two degrees Celsius on average compared with pre-industrial levels.

Guilbeault has advocated for consensus on phasing out coal by 2030, as Canada has promised to do, but G7 environment ministers have struggled to find common ground on the issue as countries like Japan continue to rely on coal-powered electricity.

Japan advocated instead for its own natural strategy that includes the use of what the country calls clean coal, where the emissions are captured.

A report released earlier this month by the Global Energy Monitor  a group that tracks global energy projects  found G7 countries account for 15 per cent of the worlds operating coal capacity.

Last year the global capacity to burn coal for power grew, though that was mainly because so many new plants opened in China that it offset efforts to shut them down in other parts of the world, the report said.

The truth is, coal is the number one low hanging fruit that needs to be replaced sooner than later, said Andrew Weaver, a climate-change policy researcher and professor at the University of Victoria.

Weaver, who formerly led British Columbias Green Party, criticized the G7 for failing to deliver strict timelines to phase out coal-powered electricity and instead pointed to its 2050 net-zero pledge.

Not a single person at that table will be able to be held accountable for not making that target, because its way beyond their political lifetimes, which is why its utterly meaningless, he said.

While no global deadlines have been set, Debora VanNijnatten, a political scientist at Wilfred Laurier University, said individual countries have committed to their own domestic timelines to phase out coal.

I think more important is watching what is happening in individual countries as they battle serious constraints, VanNijnatten said Sunday.

The Sapporo talks also yielded pledges to co-operate on wise and equitable environmental energy, water, farm and marine policies.

I believe that we were able to demonstrate to the international community that our commitment to climate change and environmental issues is unwavering, even in the context of the situation in Ukraine, Akihiro Nishimura, Japans environment minister, said after the talks ended.

The ministers also committed to ending plastic pollution, aiming to take new plastic pollution to zero by 2040 as part of their priorities ahead of the G7 leaders summit in Hiroshima in May.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2023.

 With files from The Associated Press

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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.
Several cars on a freight train derailed and caught fire early Saturday in rural Maine, officials and the train operator said. Three workers were hurt, but their injuries were said not to be life-threatening.

The Maine Forest Service said in a statement that three locomotive engines and six cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring went off the track at about 8:30 a.m. in Sandwich Academy Grant Township in Somerset County.

They derailed into a wooded area and started a small forest fire, which emergency responders contained and were monitoring, the service said. The three railroad employees were taken to the hospital.

Preliminary assessment pointed to a buildup of melting ice and debris that washed out part of the railroad track as a possible cause of the accident, the Forest Service added.

Some hazardous materials were on board the train, the agency said, but officials on the scene assessed that they were not at risk of leaking or catching fire.

C. Doniele Carlson, the director of communications for Canadian Pacific Kansas City, also confirmed the derailment about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Jackman and said the hazardous elements of the train's cargo were not involved in the fire.

Our emergency response teams and hazardous materials experts have responded and continue to conduct a full assessment of the situation, Carlson said in a statement. There are no evacuations and no threat to public safety.

The fire and rescue department in nearby Rockwood posted a photo of the derailment on its Facebook page and advised residents to stay away from the area. The image showed multiple derailed cars and a small fire, with black smoke wafting across snowy forestland.

A merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern was announced Friday. The rail line bills itself as the first and only single-line railway connecting Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

The derailment is the latest one to hit the rail industry. Federal regulators and members of Congress are urging railroads to do more to prevent derailments after recent fiery wrecks involving hazardous chemicals in Ohio and Minnesota prompted evacuations.

Rockwood, about 90 miles (140 kilometers) northwest of Bangor, is a village in Somerset County with about 300 residents. Located on the western side of Moosehead Lake, one of the states largest freshwater bodies, its a destination for salmon and trout fishing on both the lake and the Moose River.

Casey reported from Boston. Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen contributed from Anchorage, Alaska.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Sunshine mixing with clouds and rather cool again. High 58F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 37F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to review a zoning change that would clear the way for 240 apartments on the Southside.

Serfass Development of North Whitehall Township has proposed demolishing the industrial building at 119 Technology Drive, just to the east of the Philip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge, and putting up a six-story apartment building. The four-acre site is near the Lehigh River, and just to the west side of the bridge is Riverport, a condominium complex.

The land is zoned for Industrial Redevelopment, a zone the city put in place for former Bethlehem Steel Corp. land, but times have changed and the Southside has become a popular place to live, with hundreds of apartments going up or in the permit process. Serfass is asking for the zoning to be changed to Central Business, which allows for apartments.

The proposal is "one of the largest redevelopments in Bethlehem history," according to a Serfass document.

The current tenant at 119 Technology Drive is IQE Plc, a U.K-based maker of semiconductor wafers that will close by 2024. The building was listed for sale at $6.95 million. IQE's building and nitrogen tanks are visible to pedestrians on Fahy Bridge, with what's left of Bethlehem Steel in the background.

The Bethlehem Planning Commission has recommended the zoning change and Darlene Heller, director of planning and zoning, recommended the change.

Bethlehem Steel poured its "last cast" in its namesake city in 1995, 28 years ago.

"The real estate market is much different than it was more than 30 years ago (when Steel was in decline)" a memo from Heller says. "At the time, there was very little demand for additional housing in the downtown areas."

Now, housing that is within walking distance of stores and restaurants is sought after, and developers are responding with vertical plans throughout the Southside.

At earlier meetings, Riverport residents have complained about the increase in traffic from more apartments, and about "transient" residents who rent instead of owning. The 119 Technology Drive location is just off Second Street and near the busy intersections of Third and New streets and Fourth and New streets.

City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at Town Hall, 10 E. Church St. The meeting is open to the public and is available on a livestream.
MOGADISHU, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said Sunday it has kicked off a five-day training to equip its personnel with skills and knowledge to respond to their mental health and psychological needs while serving with the mission.

The training on mental health and psychosocial support in peace support operations brought together the military and police officers who are exposed to violence, death, and destruction.

"As military and police personnel, exposure to trauma may not be avoidable in a stressful operational environment such as Somalia," Mohammed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Souef who opened the meeting outlined the risks and mental health challenges faced by personnel in peacekeeping missions. "We are exposed to violence, death, and destruction, which can negatively affect our mental well-being and lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."

During the training, ATMIS personnel will learn about how violent conflict affects mental health, families, communities and the impact of trauma and post-traumatic stress on peacekeepers and the mission, and how to manage stress while serving in the mission.

The training was organized by the United Nations in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC).

Emmanuel Gyadu, the Course Director at the KAIPTC noted that personnel serving in African Union peace support operations such as ATMIS are often exposed to traumatic events that affect their mental health.

"This mission is one of the toughest across the globe. The negative impact, mentally, socially and psychologically on the citizenry and the participants in this operation cannot be overemphasized. It is for this reason that the center has deemed it necessary to bring this course to the doorstep of the mission," Gyadu said.

Souef said soldiers who have been exposed to stress and trauma on the battlefield are more likely to develop mental health challenges upon returning home, yet they lack the financial ability to get medical assistance.

He noted that whereas pre-deployment training prepares soldiers for the physical and mental rigors of serving in the mission, post-deployment psycho-social support after serving in the mission will help address the troops' mental health needs.

Souef said there is a need for the African Union to formulate guidelines that will ensure the setting up of structures within African Union-led peace support operations like ATMIS to provide post-deployment psycho-social support and treatment services to the military and police personnel. 
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during a critical point in our nations history as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.

Saturdays nationwide rallies were sparked by the U.S. Supreme Courts actions the day before, when the high court intervened to delay rule changes that would have limited the way the abortion drug mifepristone could be used and dispensed. The limits were paused while the court reviews the case more thoroughly.

Harris made a surprise stop in Los Angeles at one of the rallies, where she called the latest upheaval over abortion rights a further incursion by conservatives into myriad fundamental rights many Americans thought they had.

And so this is a moment that history will show required each of us  based on our collective love of our country  to stand up, and fight for, and protect our ideals. Thats what this moment is, she said Saturday, speaking to several hundred demonstrators from the steps of City Hall. When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America.

Some of the protesters voiced their anger at the steps of the nation's high court, which took Friday's action at the request of the federal Justice Department. The agency asked the high court to lift restrictions on mifepristone imposed by an appellate court in Texas earlier in the week. The decision by the appellate court reduced the window of time when the drug could be used and prevented the drug from being dispensed by mail.

Critics of the Texas and appellate court decisions, including pharmaceutical companies, viewed the courts actions as a dangerous intrusion into the authority of the FDA, which regulates how medications are sold and used in the United States.

Demonstrators in New York City stood behind a sign with a four-letter expletive directed at Texas, where a federal judge set off the latest salvo in the battle over abortion. They held signs urging the government to defend medication abortions.

But the crowd was modest, attracting a little more than 100 people outside the picturesque public library along Fifth Avenue.

Still, the demonstrators attracted looks from passersby along the busy thoroughfare, some briefly joining the group to lend their voices.

It can be hard to get people out, because people are being bombarded with all kinds of assaults on their bodies and people are tired and poor, said Viva Ruiz, who said she helped organize the rally.

The news cycle is so fast that when one thing happens something terrible happens the next day. So its hard to sustain the momentum or the energy for people to be on the streets, Ruiz said.

With few exceptions, many of the rallies  organized under the banner of a group calling itself Bigger than Roe  were held in smaller cities.

Since last year's reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the right to an abortion, more than a dozen states have effectively outlawed abortion, while additional states have moved to further tighten abortion laws.

On Thursday, the GOP-dominated Florida Legislature moved to became the latest state to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Restrictions on the delivery and use of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to end a pregnancy, would be a further blow to abortion rights advocates. The other drug, misoprostol, can be used on its own, but doing so is less effective than using both drugs in combination.

When mifepristone was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications.

If the appeals courts action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed.

States that support abortion rights, including California and New York, have begun stockpiling misoprostol to assure their states have adequate supplies. Washington state is among those stockpiling a supply of mifepristone or its generic form. And Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health buy additional quantities of mifepristone.

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. had used mifepristone as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women, or less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

Calvan reported from New York.
NEW YORK (AP)  The first image of a black hole captured four years ago revealed a fuzzy, fiery doughnut-shaped object. Now, researchers have used artificial intelligence to give that cosmic beauty shot a touch-up.

The updated picture, published Thursday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, keeps the original shape, but with a skinnier ring and a sharper resolution.

The image released in 2019 gave a peek at the enormous black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy, 53 million light-years from Earth. A light-year is 5.8 trillion miles. It was made using data gathered by a network of radio telescopes around the world, showing swirling light and gas.

But even with many telescopes working together, gaps remained in the data. In the latest study, scientists relied on the same data and used machine learning to fill in the missing pieces.

The resulting picture looks similar to the original, but with a thinner "doughnut" and a darker center, researchers said.

"For me, it feels like we're really seeing it for the first time," said lead author Lia Medeiros, an astrophysicist at the Institute for Advanced Study in New Jersey.

Medeiros said the team plans to use machine learning on other images of celestial objects, including possibly the black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

___
China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CIADY  Get Rating) saw a significant drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a drop of 50.0% from the March 15th total of 1,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 15,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

China Mengniu Dairy Trading Down 0.0 %

Shares of OTCMKTS CIADY traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $42.32. 7,336 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,649. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $44.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.20. China Mengniu Dairy has a 12 month low of $31.92 and a 12 month high of $55.50.

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China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile

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Further Reading

China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, an investment holding company, produces and distributes dairy products in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Liquid Milk Products, Ice Cream Products, Milk Powder Products, and Others. The Liquid Milk Products segment produces and distributes ultra-high temperature milk, milk beverages, fresh milk, and yogurt.

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B2Gold (TSE:BTO  Get Rating) (NYSE:BTG) had its price objective hoisted by Scotiabank from C$7.50 to C$8.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports.

BTO has been the topic of several other reports. TD Securities restated a buy rating and set a C$8.50 price target on shares of B2Gold in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of B2Gold from C$7.50 to C$7.00 in a report on Thursday, January 19th. National Bankshares decreased their price objective on shares of B2Gold from C$6.75 to C$6.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform overweight rating on shares of B2Gold in a report on Tuesday, February 14th. Finally, Cormark decreased their price objective on shares of B2Gold from C$7.00 to C$6.75 in a report on Friday, January 20th.

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B2Gold Trading Down 1.0 %

B2Gold stock opened at C$5.72 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$4.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$4.82. The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 4.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. B2Gold has a 12 month low of C$3.84 and a 12 month high of C$6.39. The stock has a market cap of C$6.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.33, a P/E/G ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 0.99.

B2Gold Cuts Dividend

Insiders Place Their Bets

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 8th were given a dividend of $0.053 per share. This represents a $0.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 7th. B2Golds dividend payout ratio is 66.67%.

In other news, Senior Officer Randall Chatwin sold 14,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$4.91, for a total transaction of C$68,740.00. Company insiders own 1.09% of the companys stock.

About B2Gold

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B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer with three operating mines in Mali, the Philippines, and Namibia. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 25% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp.

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HONG KONG, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At a factory about 45 minutes of drive away from the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, tens of thousands of workers are busy on the production line, churning out over 200,000 hats each day for export to destinations around the globe.

Founded by Hong Kong entrepreneur Pauline Ngan Po-ling, this plant is named Unimas Sportswear Limited, a Bangladesh-based plant of Mainland Headwear Holdings Limited, one of the world's largest headwear producers.

The company started up in 1992 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, a pilot city for China's reform and opening up policy. In 2000, it was listed in Hong Kong, where Ngan was born. She established the Bangladeshi factory in 2013 in light of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Keen to grasp the opportunities to expand overseas presented by the BRI for labor-intensive manufacturers, she decided to relocate the factory's main production line to Bangladesh, which is a major global textile processing and exporting country with abundant young and skilled labor.

Back then, the poverty-stricken village formerly known as Bagbari had almost impassable roads for vehicles during the long monsoon season when people had to turn to ox carts. Vast stretches of land were left barren, where wolves roamed at night with howls echoing through the air.

"Power outages occurred 20 to 30 times a day, and 90 percent of our employees were even unable to write their own names," Ngan said in an interview with Xinhua. "It's a long journey for us to have come this far."

Ngan and her team started developing the area by drilling wells, building roads, and establishing a stable power supply. For two years straight, they worked tirelessly to build a modern production base in the barren wilderness.

What started as a small factory with a hundred employees has now grown into a modern facility with thousands of workers. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company's net profit maintained an annual growth rate of 50 percent. Next month, Mainland Headwear's fourth-phase factory in Bangladesh will be fully operational, with a total floor area of over 90,000 square meters.

"The rapid development of the company is due to the benefits of the BRI," Ngan said.

Bangladesh has been an important participant in the BRI since 2016, and China has invested in and constructed a series of major projects in areas such as infrastructure and energy in the South Asian country.

Infrastructure cooperation has accelerated, as roads, bridges, and power stations have mushroomed. Last year, the Chinese-built Padma Bridge opened to traffic, which Ngan said could benefit one-fifth of the country's 170 million population.

"Where roads are built, wealth builds up," Ngan said that over a hundred containers are shipped from the factory to the port every month, and the travel time has been reduced from 17 hours to just four and a half hours, thanks to significantly improved infrastructure.

The village has also undergone a dramatic transformation. From a population of less than 400, it has grown into a prosperous town with nearly 40,000 residents.

Due to its good working environment and high salaries, Unimas Sportswear has become a go-to employer in the area. Ngan has established a poverty-alleviation fund for the construction of local markets and orphanages, adding to the firm's popularity and local people's well-being.

On holidays, Ngan would put on the traditional Bangladeshi costume and celebrate with locals. For 10 years, the company has been giving out lucky bags to its employees regularly. The bags contain rice, flour, sugar and oil, as well as soap, which is considered a "premium product" by the locals.

"Bangladesh holds a special place in my heart as my third homeland, and its people are my fellow folks," she said.

In 2017, the Bangladeshi authorities officially named the booming village after the company.

Ngan's story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the opportunities presented by the BRI. By investing in a poverty-stricken village in Bangladesh, she not only transformed the lives of the locals but also created a successful business that has become an integral part of the global supply chain.

In September of this year, Ngan said she will be invited to share her entrepreneurial experiences with university students in Hong Kong. She has also prepared 20 to 30 places for Hong Kong students to intern at the factory in Bangladesh.

"The BRI provides greater space for entrepreneurship, and Hong Kong youth should heed and seize the new opportunities," she said. 
Bank of America restated their buy rating on shares of Wizz Air (LON:WIZZ  Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 3,600 ($44.58) target price on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on WIZZ. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a GBX 3,150 ($39.01) target price on Wizz Air in a research report on Tuesday, January 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of Wizz Air in a report on Thursday, February 2nd. Finally, Barclays set a GBX 2,450 ($30.34) target price on shares of Wizz Air in a report on Friday, March 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wizz Air has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 3,495 ($43.28).

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Wizz Air Stock Up 1.3 %

LON:WIZZ opened at GBX 2,671 ($33.08) on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,502.39, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.98. The firm has a market cap of 2.76 billion and a P/E ratio of -353.31. Wizz Air has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,320 ($16.35) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 3,314 ($41.04). The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 2,739.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 2,333.34.

About Wizz Air

Wizz Air Holdings Plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides passenger air transportation services on scheduled short-haul and medium-haul point-to-point routes in Europe and the Middle East. As of June 08, 2022, it operated a fleet of 154 aircraft that offered services for approximately 1000 routes from 194 airports in 51 countries.

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Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF  Get Rating) (NYSE:SLF) had its price objective trimmed by Barclays from C$76.00 to C$75.00 in a research note published on Thursday, The Fly reports.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on SLF. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$76.00 to C$78.00 in a research note on Friday, February 10th. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$68.00 to C$71.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Evercore upped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$73.00 to C$76.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. CSFB upped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$74.00 to C$75.00 in a research note on Friday, February 10th. Finally, CIBC cut shares of Sun Life Financial from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the company from C$71.00 to C$73.00 in a research note on Friday, February 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$73.08.

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Sun Life Financial Price Performance

TSE SLF opened at C$64.11 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 8.22, a quick ratio of 84,866.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.33. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$64.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$62.53. The company has a market cap of C$37.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.97. Sun Life Financial has a 1 year low of C$52.97 and a 1 year high of C$69.35.

Sun Life Financial Announces Dividend

Sun Life Financial ( TSE:SLF Get Rating ) (NYSE:SLF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 8th. The financial services provider reported C$1.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.55 by C$0.14. The business had revenue of C$12.30 billion during the quarter. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 13.42% and a return on equity of 11.09%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Sun Life Financial will post 6.3763875 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 1st were paid a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 28th. Sun Life Financials dividend payout ratio is 55.28%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Kevin Strain sold 47,958 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$68.39, for a total value of C$3,279,847.62. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

About Sun Life Financial

(Get Rating)

Sun Life Financial Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, wealth, and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate clients worldwide. It offers term and permanent life, as well as personal health, dental, critical illness, long-term care, and disability insurance products. The company also provides reinsurance products; investment counselling and portfolio management services; mutual funds and segregated funds; trust and banking services; real estate property brokerage and appraisal services; and merchant banking services.

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AstraZeneca (LON:AZN  Get Rating)s stock had its overweight rating reiterated by investment analysts at Barclays in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, April 12th, MarketBeat.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on AZN. Jefferies Financial Group set a 108 ($134.88) price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Thursday, February 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a GBX 6,950 ($86.80) price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, February 9th. Credit Suisse Group set a 118 ($147.37) price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Friday, February 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating and issued a 130 ($162.36) price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, UBS Group set a 119 ($148.62) price target on AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, March 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of 118.86 ($148.45).

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AstraZeneca Price Performance

LON AZN traded up GBX 130 ($1.62) during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching 122.94 ($153.54). 1,471,681 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,948,765. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 84.02, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of 112.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of 110.16. AstraZeneca has a 1 year low of GBX 9,399 ($117.38) and a 1 year high of 123.92 ($154.76). The company has a market cap of 190.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7,155.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.17.

AstraZeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases.

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HSBC upgraded shares of Barratt Developments (OTCMKTS:BTDPY  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Thursday, The Fly reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on BTDPY. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Barratt Developments from GBX 509 ($6.30) to GBX 570 ($7.06) in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Barratt Developments from GBX 380 ($4.71) to GBX 400 ($4.95) in a report on Thursday, January 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Barratt Developments from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Barratt Developments from GBX 388 ($4.80) to GBX 461 ($5.71) in a report on Tuesday, January 31st. Finally, Peel Hunt lowered shares of Barratt Developments to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $473.25.

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Barratt Developments Price Performance

BTDPY stock opened at $12.17 on Thursday. Barratt Developments has a 52 week low of $7.00 and a 52 week high of $15.91. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.16.

Barratt Developments Cuts Dividend

About Barratt Developments

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 11th will be given a dividend of $0.2169 per share. This represents a yield of 7.05%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 10th.

(Get Rating)

Barratt Developments Plc engages in the development of residential and non-residential properties mainly in the United Kingdom. It offers services in land, design, construction, and sales and marketing. The company was founded by Lawrence Arthur Barratt in 1958 and is headquartered in Coalville, the United Kingdom.

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BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSM  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 22,100 shares, a growth of 281.0% from the March 15th total of 5,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 117,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE:DSM traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $5.89. 55,524 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 129,374. BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund has a twelve month low of $5.24 and a twelve month high of $6.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $5.81 and a 200 day moving average of $5.77.

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BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 17th will be issued a $0.022 dividend. This represents a $0.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.48%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 14th.

Institutional Trading of BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund

About BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DSM. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund by 1.2% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 180,775 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,278,000 after acquiring an additional 2,159 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 120,454 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $724,000 after purchasing an additional 2,239 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC lifted its stake in BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 86,512 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $490,000 after purchasing an additional 2,755 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund by 2.6% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 108,132 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $650,000 after purchasing an additional 2,770 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund by 2.5% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 156,822 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $888,000 after buying an additional 3,880 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 18.51% of the companys stock.

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BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc operates as closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

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Fiverr International Ltd. (NYSE:FVRR  Get Rating) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the nine research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.00.

FVRR has been the topic of a number of research reports. BTIG Research began coverage on Fiverr International in a report on Monday, April 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Fiverr International from $33.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Fiverr International from $50.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 6th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their target price on Fiverr International from $40.00 to $50.00 in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, JMP Securities increased their price target on Fiverr International from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd.

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Fiverr International Stock Down 0.0 %

FVRR stock opened at $35.79 on Friday. Fiverr International has a 52 week low of $26.16 and a 52 week high of $65.04. The company has a quick ratio of 3.17, a current ratio of 3.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.34 billion, a P/E ratio of -18.54 and a beta of 1.73.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fiverr International

Fiverr International ( NYSE:FVRR Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 22nd. The company reported ($0.19) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.23) by $0.04. Fiverr International had a negative return on equity of 30.27% and a negative net margin of 21.19%. The company had revenue of $83.13 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $82.98 million. Equities analysts forecast that Fiverr International will post -0.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Fiverr International by 30.6% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 378 shares during the last quarter. Hudock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Fiverr International by 1,856.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hudock Inc. now owns 2,739 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 2,599 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in shares of Fiverr International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $118,000. State of Tennessee Treasury Department acquired a new stake in Fiverr International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in Fiverr International by 26,693.8% in the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 4,287 shares of the companys stock valued at $131,000 after purchasing an additional 4,271 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.70% of the companys stock.

Fiverr International Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Fiverr International Ltd. develops an e-commerce platform that allows people to buy and sell digital services. It operates through the following geographical segments: U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World and Israel. The firm offers digital marketing, graphics and design, video and animation, writing and translation, and music and audio.

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Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Get Rating) (TSE:CNR) had its price target cut by Barclays from $127.00 to $126.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the transportation companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on CNI. Atb Cap Markets reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Canadian National Railway in a research report on Tuesday, December 20th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $137.00 to $134.00 in a report on Monday, March 27th. National Bank Financial upped their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$173.00 to C$175.00 in a report on Friday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$185.00 to C$180.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 25th. Finally, CIBC reduced their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$181.00 to C$175.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian National Railway currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $141.94.

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Canadian National Railway Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CNI opened at $122.38 on Wednesday. Canadian National Railway has a one year low of $103.79 and a one year high of $131.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.84. The companys fifty day moving average is $117.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.43, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.90.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

Canadian National Railway ( NYSE:CNI Get Rating ) (TSE:CNR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 24th. The transportation company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.01). Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 23.30% and a net margin of 29.87%. The business had revenue of $3.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.33 billion. Analysts forecast that Canadian National Railway will post 5.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.5906 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 9th. This is an increase from Canadian National Railways previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Canadian National Railways dividend payout ratio is 40.11%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian National Railway

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CNI. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Canadian National Railway during the 4th quarter worth approximately $727,713,000. National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in Canadian National Railway by 180.5% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,977,754 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $709,550,000 after purchasing an additional 3,846,281 shares in the last quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Canadian National Railway during the 4th quarter worth approximately $164,830,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in Canadian National Railway by 166.7% during the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,772,695 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $199,375,000 after purchasing an additional 1,108,104 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian National Railway in the third quarter valued at approximately $109,368,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.96% of the companys stock.

Canadian National Railway Company Profile

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Canadian National Railway Co engages in rail and related transportation business. Its services include rail, intermodal, trucking, supply chain services, business development and maps and network. Its offers their services in automotive, coal, fertilizer, food and beverages, forest products, dimensional loads, grain, metals and minerals and petroleum and chemicals industries.

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China Vanke Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHVKF  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 453,400 shares, a decline of 52.1% from the March 15th total of 945,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4,534.0 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut China Vanke from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th.

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China Vanke Price Performance

Shares of CHVKF remained flat at $1.62 during mid-day trading on Friday. China Vanke has a one year low of $1.62 and a one year high of $2.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1.94.

About China Vanke

China Vanke Co, Ltd. engages in the development and sale of properties. It operates through the Property Development and Property Management segments. The Property Development segment refers to the sale and development of residential properties. The Property Management segment offers management and other related services to purchasers and tenants of the companys developed residential properties and shopping arcades as well as those developed by external property developers.

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Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 63,980,000 shares, an increase of 256.4% from the March 15th total of 17,950,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 45,720,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Credit Suisse Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CS. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 155.4% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 12,232,988 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,188,000 after buying an additional 7,442,369 shares during the last quarter. Shah Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $20,064,000. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 113.6% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 9,602,987 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,193,000 after buying an additional 5,106,960 shares during the last quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 43,788.6% in the 3rd quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC now owns 5,092,833 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $19,964,000 after buying an additional 5,081,229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,705,000. 11.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on CS shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Credit Suisse Group in a report on Friday, January 27th. They issued an equal weight rating on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on Credit Suisse Group from CHF 4 to CHF 2.90 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada started coverage on Credit Suisse Group in a report on Monday, December 19th. They set a sector perform rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Credit Suisse Group in a report on Friday, January 13th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lowered Credit Suisse Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 16th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $5.14.

Credit Suisse Group Stock Up 1.1 %

CS traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $0.96. 24,391,529 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 63,783,008. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.47, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.18. The company has a market cap of $2.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.34 and a beta of 1.26. Credit Suisse Group has a one year low of $0.82 and a one year high of $7.74.

Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 9th. The financial services provider reported ($0.28) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.22) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.30 billion. Credit Suisse Group had a negative return on equity of 3.99% and a negative net margin of 33.10%. As a group, analysts expect that Credit Suisse Group will post -0.67 EPS for the current year.

Credit Suisse Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a  dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.0547 per share. This is a positive change from Credit Suisse Groups previous  dividend of $0.05. This represents a yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 10th.

Credit Suisse Group Company Profile

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Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund (NYSE:ETO  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 27,900 shares, an increase of 426.4% from the March 15th total of 5,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 40,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of ETO stock traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $22.37. 41,886 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 41,072. Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund has a fifty-two week low of $19.57 and a fifty-two week high of $29.35. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $21.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.76.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Monday, April 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.1374 per share. This is a positive change from Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.14. This represents a $1.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 21st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund

About Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its holdings in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund by 123.8% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 15,400 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $322,000 after purchasing an additional 8,520 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 51,979 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,088,000 after purchasing an additional 4,895 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 178,696 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,742,000 after purchasing an additional 22,406 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 36,453 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $763,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the last quarter.

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Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. It invests in public equity markets across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It primarily invests in dividend paying value stocks of companies.

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NEW DELHI, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed and 28 others injured, some of them critically, after a tractor trolley they were aboard fell off a bridge in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, police said.

The accident took place in Birsinghpur village in Shahjahanpur district, about 213 km northwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, the victims were going to fetch water from Garra river for a religious gathering.

Police said that rescuers rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the distress call. The injured have been taken to the nearest hospitals. 
Erste Group Bank AG (OTCMKTS:EBKDY  Get Rating) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 700 shares, a decrease of 90.0% from the March 15th total of 7,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 225,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Erste Group Bank Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:EBKDY traded up $0.41 on Friday, reaching $17.74. The stock had a trading volume of 17,911 shares, compared to its average volume of 83,953. The company has a 50-day moving average of $17.83 and a 200 day moving average of $15.94. Erste Group Bank has a 12-month low of $10.57 and a 12-month high of $19.92.

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Erste Group Bank Company Profile

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Erste Group Bank AG engages in the provision of banking and financial services. The firm operates through the following segments: Retail, Corporates, Group Markets, Asset/Liability Management & Local Corporate Center, Savings Banks, and Group Corporate Center. The Retail segment comprises the business with private individuals, micros, and free professionals within the responsibility of account managers in the retail network.

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Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL  Get Rating) had its target price reduced by Piper Sandler from $44.00 to $43.00 in a research note released on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on HRL. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Hormel Foods from $45.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Argus downgraded shares of Hormel Foods from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Hormel Foods from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Hormel Foods in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Hormel Foods from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $38.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.14.

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Hormel Foods Stock Performance

Shares of HRL opened at $39.26 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 2.33. Hormel Foods has a twelve month low of $37.78 and a twelve month high of $55.11. The firms 50 day moving average price is $41.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $44.64. The firm has a market cap of $21.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.93, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 0.17.

Hormel Foods Dividend Announcement

Hormel Foods ( NYSE:HRL Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. Hormel Foods had a net margin of 7.90% and a return on equity of 13.10%. Hormel Foodss revenue for the quarter was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.44 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Hormel Foods will post 1.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 17th will be given a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 14th. Hormel Foodss payout ratio is currently 61.45%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hormel Foods news, Director Elsa A. Murano sold 6,000 shares of Hormel Foods stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.50, for a total transaction of $243,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 102,698 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,159,269. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Becerra Jose Luis Prado sold 5,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.01, for a total transaction of $202,852.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,410 shares in the company, valued at $718,174.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Elsa A. Murano sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.50, for a total value of $243,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 102,698 shares in the company, valued at $4,159,269. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hormel Foods

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HRL. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Hormel Foods by 10.1% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 13,823 shares of the companys stock valued at $712,000 after buying an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 4.0% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 37,906 shares of the companys stock worth $1,954,000 after buying an additional 1,468 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 37,751 shares of the companys stock worth $1,946,000 after buying an additional 2,339 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 7.3% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 8,977 shares of the companys stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Hormel Foods by 0.4% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,030,288 shares of the companys stock worth $104,640,000 after buying an additional 8,636 shares in the last quarter. 39.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hormel Foods Company Profile

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Hormel Foods Corp. engages in the production of meat and food products. It operates through the following segments: Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, and International and Other. The Grocery Products segment focuses on the processing, marketing, and sale of shelf-stable food products sold in the retail market.

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Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Rating) had its price objective upped by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $55.00 to $56.00 in a research note released on Wednesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the industrial products companys stock.

IR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $52.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 19th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 22nd. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $58.80.

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Ingersoll Rand Price Performance

IR opened at $55.70 on Wednesday. Ingersoll Rand has a one year low of $39.28 and a one year high of $60.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 2.37 and a quick ratio of 1.76. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $56.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.64 and a beta of 1.42.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 21st. The industrial products company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.13. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 9.99%. The business had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. Ingersoll Rands revenue was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand will post 2.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 1st were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 28th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.14%. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is 5.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $1,500,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,856 shares in the company, valued at $6,171,360. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ingersoll Rand

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dakota Wealth Management increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 28.6% in the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 118,673 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,904,000 after buying an additional 26,377 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 22.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 41,621 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,422,000 after buying an additional 7,581 shares during the last quarter. Lion Street Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Ingersoll Rand in the 1st quarter valued at $284,000. National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 28,607 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,664,000 after buying an additional 3,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 88.7% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 13,451 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $783,000 after buying an additional 6,322 shares during the last quarter. 99.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Ingersoll Rand

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Ingersoll Rand, Inc provides a broad range of mission critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle and medical technologies, providing services and solutions to increase industrial productivity and efficiency. It operates through the following segments: Industrial Technologies and Services, Precision and Science Technologies, High Pressure Solutions, and Specialty Vehicle Technologies.

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Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC  Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Morgan Stanley from $30.00 to $29.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an underweight rating on the asset managers stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on MC. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Moelis & Company from $38.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Moelis & Company from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 9th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Moelis & Company in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $37.86.

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Moelis & Company Stock Performance

MC opened at $41.58 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $41.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.43. Moelis & Company has a one year low of $33.12 and a one year high of $50.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.34 and a beta of 1.44.

Moelis & Company Announces Dividend

Moelis & Company ( NYSE:MC Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 8th. The asset manager reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.04). Moelis & Company had a return on equity of 37.77% and a net margin of 15.26%. The firm had revenue of $207.18 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $211.34 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.42 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 51.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Moelis & Company will post 1.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.77%. Moelis & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 111.63%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Kenneth Moelis sold 73,976 shares of Moelis & Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.18, for a total transaction of $3,416,211.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 104,769 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,838,232.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Christopher Callesano sold 1,155 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.92, for a total transaction of $54,192.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kenneth Moelis sold 73,976 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.18, for a total value of $3,416,211.68. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 104,769 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,838,232.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 370,067 shares of company stock worth $16,395,758 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 7.97% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Moelis & Company

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MC. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its position in Moelis & Company by 12.7% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 13,269 shares of the asset managers stock worth $438,000 after purchasing an additional 1,498 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in Moelis & Company by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 556,181 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $26,113,000 after buying an additional 17,074 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its position in Moelis & Company by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 7,401 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $348,000 after buying an additional 620 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Moelis & Company by 95.5% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 7,478 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $351,000 after buying an additional 3,653 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its position in Moelis & Company by 15.0% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,366 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $299,000 after buying an additional 828 shares during the last quarter. 90.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Moelis & Company

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Moelis & Co operates as a holding company. It engages in the provision of financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a client base including corporations, governments, sovereign wealth funds and financial sponsors. The firm focuses on clients including large public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and governments.

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Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc. (NYSE:IIF  Get Rating) saw a large drop in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,700 shares, a drop of 59.1% from the March 15th total of 11,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 36,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund Price Performance

IIF stock traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $19.63. The company had a trading volume of 19,664 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,404. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.59. Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund has a fifty-two week low of $18.91 and a fifty-two week high of $25.79.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of IIF. Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 93.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 57,057 shares of the companys stock worth $1,158,000 after acquiring an additional 27,615 shares in the last quarter. Almitas Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 129.5% during the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 92,137 shares of the companys stock worth $1,870,000 after acquiring an additional 51,991 shares in the last quarter. CSS LLC IL raised its position in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 117.3% during the 4th quarter. CSS LLC IL now owns 65,746 shares of the companys stock worth $1,335,000 after acquiring an additional 35,484 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $887,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund by 336.8% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 53,436 shares of the companys stock worth $1,085,000 after acquiring an additional 41,202 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.75% of the companys stock.

About Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund

Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc The fund is co-managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company. It invests in the public equity markets of India. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Paradox Interactive AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:PRXXF  Get Rating) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,400 shares, a growth of 966.7% from the March 15th total of 600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 64.0 days.

Paradox Interactive AB (publ) Price Performance

PRXXF stock traded up $3.99 during trading on Friday, reaching $26.03. 150 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 268. Paradox Interactive AB has a 12 month low of $14.52 and a 12 month high of $26.03. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $21.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.64.

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Paradox Interactive AB (publ) Company Profile

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Paradox Interactive AB (publ) develops and publishes games and brands for PC, mobile, and console platforms primarily in North and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region. The company's game portfolio comprises various franchises and brands, including Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, Cities: Skylines, Surviving Mars, Prison Architect, Magicka, Age of Wonders, Victoria, and the World of Darkness.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Park Aerospace (NYSE:PKE  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Thursday.

Park Aerospace Stock Performance

PKE stock opened at $13.17 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $269.60 million, a P/E ratio of 33.77 and a beta of 0.55. Park Aerospace has a one year low of $10.08 and a one year high of $16.92. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $14.19 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.07.

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Park Aerospace Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a None dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 3rd will be issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 31st. Park Aerospaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 128.21%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Park Aerospace

About Park Aerospace

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Park Aerospace by 277.2% in the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,139 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,572 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new position in shares of Park Aerospace in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Park Aerospace by 1,310.9% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,372 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 3,133 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Park Aerospace by 542.8% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,709 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 3,132 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Park Aerospace by 535.1% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,834 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 5,758 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.35% of the companys stock.

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Park Aerospace Corp. engages in the provision of solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials. Its products are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircraft, military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, business jets, general aviation aircraft, and rotary wing aircraft.

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PNGAY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 83,400 shares, a decline of 67.2% from the March 15th total of 254,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 293,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Stock Performance

PNGAY stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $13.16. 74,681 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 134,480. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $13.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.62. Ping An Insurance has a one year low of $7.80 and a one year high of $16.76.

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Company Profile

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Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. provides financial products and services for insurance, banking, asset management, and fintech and healthtech businesses in the People's Republic of China. The company's Life and Health Insurance segment offers term, whole-life, endowment, annuity, investment-linked, universal life, and health care and medical insurance to individual and corporate customers.

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Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Rating) had its target price cut by Barclays from $104.00 to $88.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the financial services providers stock.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on PRU. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Prudential Financial from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $114.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $112.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Prudential Financial in a research report on Thursday, February 9th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Prudential Financial presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $101.58.

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Prudential Financial Stock Performance

PRU opened at $85.58 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 0.07 and a quick ratio of 0.07. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $90.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.24. Prudential Financial has a 1 year low of $75.37 and a 1 year high of $122.54. The stock has a market cap of $31.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -21.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.38.

Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.57 by ($0.15). Prudential Financial had a positive return on equity of 13.31% and a negative net margin of 2.33%. The company had revenue of $12.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.18 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial will post 12.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Financial declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, February 7th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 21st were given a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 17th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.84%. This is a boost from Prudential Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is presently -126.90%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total value of $409,299.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,214,307.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 4,126 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.20, for a total value of $409,299.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,214,307.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 11,405 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.95, for a total transaction of $1,151,334.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,241,685. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 695.0% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 318 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the period. Finally, Exos TFP Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.33% of the companys stock.

Prudential Financial Company Profile

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Prudential Financial, Inc engages in the provision of insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both individual and institutional customers. It operates through the following segments: PGIM, U.S. Businesses, International Businesses, Closed Block, and Corporate and Others.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Rating)  Jefferies Financial Group increased their Q2 2023 earnings estimates for Wells Fargo & Company in a report issued on Tuesday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group analyst K. Usdin now forecasts that the financial services provider will post earnings of $0.98 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.97. Jefferies Financial Group currently has a Hold rating and a $46.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Wells Fargo & Companys current full-year earnings is $4.66 per share. Jefferies Financial Group also issued estimates for Wells Fargo & Companys Q1 2024 earnings at $0.87 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $0.89 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.91 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.93 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $3.60 EPS.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.91% and a return on equity of 9.28%. The business had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.88 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 0.1 %

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on WFC. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $60.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Friday, January 6th. Piper Sandler downgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.91.

Shares of NYSE:WFC opened at $39.64 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $35.25 and a 12 month high of $49.49. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $42.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $43.48. The company has a market cap of $149.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.62, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.12.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wells Fargo & Company

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Kistler Tiffany Companies LLC now owns 4,062 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $163,000 after buying an additional 220 shares during the last quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC now owns 20,673 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $854,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Lincoln National Corp grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 41,097 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,697,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA now owns 6,395 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $264,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 62,426 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,511,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. 72.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 34,698 shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.27, for a total value of $1,605,476.46. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $906,429.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 3rd were issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 2nd. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.03%. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 38.22%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

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Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage products and services, and consumer and commercial finance. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management.

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HELSINKI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- After over a decade's delay, the huge Finnish nuclear power plant Olkiluoto3 (OL3) went into commercial production on Sunday, making Finland almost self-sufficient in electricity supply.

According to the plant operator Teollisuuden Voima Oyj(TVO), OL3 is currently the largest in Europe and the third largest globally in terms of electricity production volume. With an output of 1600 Megawatt (MW) electricity, the new reactor will supply 14 percent of Finland's electricity demand.

TVO said that the entry of OL3 plant makes Finland almost self-sufficient in electricity supply. Combining the Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 plant units, almost a third of country's electricity is produced on the Olkiluoto island on Finnish west coast.

Jarmo Tenhua, chief executive officer of TVO, said that the facility would run at full capacity until scheduled maintenance in March 2024.

Originally planned to be operational in 2009, the OL3 was based on technology delivered by the French Areva and German Siemens.

The delay was one of the reasons for the major shortage of Finnish power production in recent years, professor Peter Lund of the Finnish Aalto University said when talking to the Finnish news agency STT.

Before the energy crisis of 2021, Finland routinely imported 20 percent of its electricity from abroad. The deficiency of domestic production emerged in the 2010s as Finland closed major coal-powered power plants.

Professor Lund said the launch of OL3 could somewhat reduce the price of electricity for consumers. 
Roth Mkm initiated coverage on shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Get Rating) in a research note published on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $74.00 price target on the casino operators stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Citigroup raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $73.50 to $76.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $56.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 26th. Argus raised Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $68.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, January 27th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. They set a hold rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $64.93.

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Las Vegas Sands Price Performance

Shares of LVS opened at $58.25 on Wednesday. Las Vegas Sands has a 12-month low of $28.88 and a 12-month high of $60.99. The businesss fifty day moving average is $56.69 and its 200 day moving average is $49.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.81. The stock has a market cap of $44.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.27, a P/E/G ratio of 15.90 and a beta of 1.16.

Institutional Trading of Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The casino operator reported ($0.19) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by ($0.10). Las Vegas Sands had a negative return on equity of 22.49% and a net margin of 44.57%. The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.18 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.22) earnings per share. Las Vegas Sandss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Las Vegas Sands will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. First Republic Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 218.2% during the 3rd quarter. First Republic Investment Management Inc. now owns 76,324 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $2,864,000 after acquiring an additional 52,338 shares during the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank lifted its position in Las Vegas Sands by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 87,554 shares of the casino operators stock worth $3,285,000 after buying an additional 1,264 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Las Vegas Sands in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $334,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in Las Vegas Sands by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,385 shares of the casino operators stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its position in Las Vegas Sands by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 38,470 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,849,000 after buying an additional 293 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 39.75% of the companys stock.

Las Vegas Sands Company Profile

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Las Vegas Sands Corp. engages in the development of destination properties. The firm operates through the Macao and Singapore geographical segments. The Macao segment handles the operations of The Venetian Macao, The Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Macao, and Sands Macao.

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Paramount Resources (OTCMKTS:PRMRF  Get Rating) had its target price lifted by Scotiabank from C$32.00 to C$33.00 in a research note released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports.

Separately, National Bank Financial decreased their price target on Paramount Resources from C$40.00 to C$37.50 in a research report on Wednesday, January 11th.

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Paramount Resources Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of PRMRF opened at $24.82 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $22.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.64. Paramount Resources has a twelve month low of $16.21 and a twelve month high of $32.53. The stock has a market cap of $3.55 billion, a PE ratio of 20.68 and a beta of 2.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Paramount Resources Increases Dividend

Paramount Resources Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th will be given a $0.0924 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 4.73%. This is a boost from Paramount Resourcess previous dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 13th. Paramount Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 91.67%.

(Get Rating)

Paramount Resources Ltd. explores and develops both conventional and unconventional petroleum and natural gas resources. It operates through the following regions: Grande Prairie Region, Kaybob Region and Central Alberta and Other Region. The company was founded by Clayton H. Riddell on February 14, 1978 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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Shore Capital reiterated their buy rating on shares of iomart Group (LON:IOM  Get Rating) in a research note published on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

iomart Group Stock Up 5.4 %

LON:IOM opened at GBX 128 ($1.59) on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of 141.34 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,600.00 and a beta of 0.47. iomart Group has a twelve month low of GBX 109 ($1.35) and a twelve month high of GBX 200 ($2.48). The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 123.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 126.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 54.97.

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iomart Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 5th were issued a GBX 1.94 ($0.02) dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 5th. This represents a yield of 1.73%. iomart Groups payout ratio is currently 7,500.00%.

iomart Group Company Profile

iomart Group plc provides managed cloud services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in two segments, Cloud Services and Easyspace. The company offers a range of shared hosting and domain registration services to micro and SME companies, as well as managed cloud computing facilities and services.

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Commerzbank AG (OTCMKTS:CRZBY  Get Rating) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 37,200 shares, an increase of 190.6% from the March 15th total of 12,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 138,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Commerzbank Stock Up 4.4 %

Shares of Commerzbank stock traded up $0.48 during trading on Friday, reaching $11.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 52,458 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,646. Commerzbank has a 12-month low of $5.70 and a 12-month high of $12.75. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $11.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.56.

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Commerzbank Company Profile

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Further Reading

Commerzbank AG engages in the provision of commercial banking services. It operates through the following business segments: Private and Small-Businesses Customers, Corporate Clients, and Others & Consolidation. The Private and Small-Businesses Customers segment is comprised of the universal bank services for private and small-business customers, online securities transactions, and asset management.

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PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (NYSE:PAGS  Get Rating) saw a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,930,000 shares, an increase of 100.8% from the March 15th total of 3,950,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.4 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PagSeguro Digital

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PAGS. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in PagSeguro Digital by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,809 shares of the companys stock valued at $436,000 after purchasing an additional 1,748 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 90.8% in the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 83,002 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,664,000 after buying an additional 39,497 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 23,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $478,000 after buying an additional 3,695 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 269,645 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,403,000 after buying an additional 1,884 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 146,147 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,930,000 after buying an additional 9,497 shares during the last quarter. 52.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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PagSeguro Digital Price Performance

Shares of PAGS traded up $0.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $9.25. The company had a trading volume of 3,956,824 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,295,163. PagSeguro Digital has a twelve month low of $7.51 and a twelve month high of $19.49. The companys 50-day moving average is $8.60 and its 200-day moving average is $10.23. The company has a market capitalization of $3.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.61.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PagSeguro Digital ( NYSE:PAGS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 2nd. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.02. PagSeguro Digital had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 9.81%. The business had revenue of $752.91 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $759.47 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that PagSeguro Digital will post 0.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on PAGS shares. Credit Suisse Group downgraded PagSeguro Digital from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $11.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, January 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on PagSeguro Digital from $20.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on PagSeguro Digital from $15.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on PagSeguro Digital from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on PagSeguro Digital from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.54.

About PagSeguro Digital

(Get Rating)

PagSeguro Digital Ltd. is engaged in the provision of financial technology solutions focused on consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, small companies and medium-sized companies in Brazil. Its business model covers the following pillars: Multiple digital payment solutions; In-person payments via POS devices that sell to merchants; Free digital accounts; Issuer of prepaid cards to clients for spending or withdrawing account balances, and Operating as an acquirer.

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD  Get Rating) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 34,000 shares, an increase of 185.7% from the March 15th total of 11,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 196,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 47,747 shares of the companys stock worth $433,000 after purchasing an additional 5,366 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,010,414 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,063,000 after acquiring an additional 105,561 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 40,825 shares of the companys stock valued at $372,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 130.3% during the 3rd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 37,762 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,000 after acquiring an additional 21,362 shares during the period. Finally, Camelot Portfolios LLC lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC now owns 91,373 shares of the companys stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 7,740 shares during the period. 33.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:EMD traded down $0.08 on Friday, hitting $8.90. The company had a trading volume of 81,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 192,784. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $8.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.83. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a 1 year low of $7.40 and a 1 year high of $10.33.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 21st will be given a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 20th. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.44%.

(Get Rating)

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc is an open ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe.

Further Reading

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Train derails and causes forest fire in Rockwood, Maine but officials say no hazardous materials involved
NEW YORK, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and at least 20 more injured in a shooting on Saturday night in the small Alabama town of Dadeville, the United States, local TV stations reported on Sunday.

The shooting occurred at around 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday (GMT 0330 on Sunday), TV station WRBL cited the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency release as saying.

Local reports said that the shooting occurred at a dance studio during what seemed to be a teenager's birthday party.

The cause of the shooting was unknown, as well as whether any suspects had been taken into custody. 
On Saturday, fighting broke out across Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, and other cities between rival factions of Sudans armed forces.

The fighting comes after months of rising tensions spiralled into an all-out battle for control of the country. Paramilitaries from the Rapid Support Force (RSF)headed by warlord Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy leader of the ruling Sovereign Council, and believed to have 100,000 fighterssaid they had taken control of the presidential palace, the state television station, Khartoum airport where two Saudi jets were hit, and other key buildings and infrastructure. The military, headed by army chief, leader of the Sovereign Council and de facto ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, denied the claims.

Smoke is seen rising from a neighborhood in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. Fierce clashes between Sudans military and the countrys powerful paramilitary erupted in the capital and elsewhere in the African nation after weeks of escalating tensions between the two forces. The fighting raised fears of a wider conflict in the chaos-stricken nation. [AP Photo/Marwan Ali]

Armed clashes were reported across the country, including at the Port Sudan on the Red Sea, West Darfur, Meroe and the southern provinces, with both sides claiming control of key installations, and accusing each other of staging a coup. There are fears of a broader civil war, embroiling neighbouring countries amid reports of Egyptian forces fighting alongside the Sudanese army in Meroe, where Cairo has a base housing fighter jets used in joint drills in 2020.

The air force told people to stay indoors while airstrikes were launched on an RSF base in Khartoums twin city of Omdurman, with the Sudanese army saying the airport and other bases remained under its full control. With fighting taking place in residential areas where the two sides have offices and bases, at least 56 people have been reported killed and 600 more injured, including civilians and combatants. On Sunday, a working day, the authorities declared a holiday in Khartoum state, closing schools, banks and government offices.

Both leaders rose to prominence during the war in Darfur, in western Sudan, where 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million displaced in fighting from 2003 to 2008. Al-Burhan was an army chief, while Dagalo (widely known as Hemedti), led the notorious Janjaweed militias responsible for the worst atrocities of the conflict.

Al-Burhan is backed by Egypts brutal dictator, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and layers close to the military that have long controlled Sudans sprawling military-industrial complex. He is reportedly supportive of the US and the European powers in the US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Dagalo, who has become enormously rich based on Darfurs gold, is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Controlling the export of gold, he has close relations with Russia whose Wagner mercenaries operate in Sudan and neighbouring Central African Republic.

The eruption of hostilities prompted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres, the Saudi and UAE foreign ministers, Russia, China, the Arab League and African Union to appeal for calm, testifying to the multiple, competing interests in the conflict-ridden country. On Sunday afternoon, with al-Burhans forces apparently gaining the upper hand in Khartoum, both sides agreed to the UNs proposal for a three-hour humanitarian pause.

The long-expected power struggle threatens to destabilise not just Sudan but much of the Horn of Africa region, which is beset with myriad conflicts amid drought and famine and is the arena of a battle for influence involving the Gulf powers, the US, the European Union and Russia.

Sudans military has close relations with Russia, which is trying to establish a base at Port Sudan, on the Red Sea; selling much of its gold that accounts for 40 percent of the countrys exports to Russia via the UAE; abstaining on the UN resolution condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and infuriating the Biden administration. Washington is determined to sever Sudans relationship with Iran, Russia and China, close Port Sudan to the Russian navy, and strengthen its regional anti-Iran alliance to which Sudan had signed up earlier this year.

The European powers are anxious to avoid any instability in Sudan, strategically located in the Horn of Africa alongside the Red Sea and the entrance to the Suez Canal, that might disrupt oil supplies or generate a new wave of refugees. It takes place as Ethiopia, Africas second-most populous country and the Horns powerhouse, having reached an agreement to end a two-year-long civil war with Tigrayan rebels, faces mass unrest in Amhara province over plans to integrate its regional armed force into the national army. The Amhara forces played a key role in defeating the Tigrayans, with whom it has territorial disputes.

The violence at the weekend erupted after weeks of mounting tensions, increased army deployment and security measures and jockeying for public and international support over the planned integration of the RSFalong with former rebel militias involved in insurgencies in various parts of the countryinto the Sudanese army. This was a key demand of al-Burhans faction in the negotiations due to be concluded this month, returning the country to civilian rule and ending the political and economic turmoil that has engulfed the country since December 2018. Dagalo had called for the elimination of the Islamist powerbrokers from the al-Bashir era and civilian control of the military.

In April 2019, following months of mass protests against the Muslim Brotherhood-backed military dictatorship of President Omar al-Bashir that had the support of Qatar and Turkey, military chief al-Burhanwith the support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabiamounted a pre-emptive coup, overthrowing al-Bashir. His aim was to prevent the overthrow of the entire state apparatus and the expropriation of their substantial financial and corporate institutions that control much of the Sudanese economy.

In the months that followed, and despite a massacre by the military of more than 1,000 unarmed protesters, the leaders of the protest movementthe Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), an umbrella group of 22 bourgeois and petty-bourgeois groups, including the professional trade unions and the Sudanese Communist Partyheld out the prospect of negotiating a return to civilian rule with the military. Given Sudans long history since independence from Britain in 1956 of coups and military rule, such a treacherous path could only provide a cover for the military to carry out the economic measures needed to remove the US sanctions that had crippled the country and access international loans.

In the event, the government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a British-trained economist and former member of the Sudanese Communist Party, as head of a transitional technocratic government, with the real power held by al-Burhans Sovereign Council, lasted little more than a couple of years.

When free market and political reforms, including the abolition of fuel subsidies, the privatisation of hundreds of state companies and the crackdown on corruption and the looting of state revenues by companies linked to al-Bashir and the military, threatened the militarys substantial commercial, political and diplomatic interests, al-Burhan sacked Hamdok and his technocratic government and resumed military rule in October 2021. He stacked the governing and state-owned bodies with generals, Islamists and other reliable allies of the al-Bashir regime and stepped-up repression, clamping down on the resurgent protest movement. Undaunted, the main opposition parties agreed another treacherous and unpopular deal with the military that reinstated Hamdok, which fell apart weeks later, leaving al-Burhan in power.

Since then, Burhan and Hemedti have had increasingly fractious relations, amid a crackdown on the ongoing social protests that have led to the deaths of more than 120 civilians. Some 15 million of Sudans 46 million people face acute food insecurity due to escalating food and fuel prices, the economic crisis precipitated by the secession of oil-rich South Sudan in 2011, political instability, conflicts and the displacement of some 3 million people, poor harvests and floods.

The FFC has supported Dagalo, whom they view as a counter to the Islamists, and in December signed a renewed framework agreement for a return to civilian rule, although local resistance committees opposed the deal. This agreement has little to say about the dismantling of the former regime, the Juba Peace Agreement with the various rebel movements that has failed to resolve the conflicts, and the crisis in Sudans resource-rich eastwhich is home to diamond and gold minesas well as the vital Port Sudan, where armed groups have taken control of the countrys ports and are demanding more autonomy.

The claim that any civilian government, stitched together by such forces, would be capable of resolving the enormous social and economic problems confronting Sudanese workers and rural masses is a dangerous trap. The aim of these middle-class forces, liberal layers and their fake left supporters is to block a social revolution, as the history of the Middle East and Africa has shown.

The only way to combat the offensive of the military and the machinations of the imperialist and regional powers and to establish a democratic regime in Sudan is through a struggle led by the working class, on a revolutionary socialist perspective. This must be directed at taking power, expropriating the regimes ill-gotten wealth in the context of a broad international struggle of the working class against capitalism and for the building of socialism. This requires the construction of a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International in Sudan, as well as sections in Egypt and all the countries of North Africa and the Middle East.
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- A fire occurred at a chemical plant in the southeastern U.S. state of Georgia on Saturday morning and was extinguished later with no injuries reported, local authorities said.

Photos posted on Twitter show billows of dark smoke rising into the sky at the scene of the fire.

Located in Brunswick, Georgia, the Pinova plant manufactures rosin and polyterpene resin, according to the company's official website.

The fire started in the morning and was contained at around 10 a.m. local time (1400 GMT) but then it reignited at around 3 p.m.(1900 GMT), the Glynn County Board of Commissioners said on Facebook.

Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson declared a state of emergency and a shelter-in-place order for the whole city of Brunswick at 6 p.m. (2200 GMT) Saturday, according to a declaration issued by the city.

The latest update by the Glynn County Board of Commissioners was issued at 10:08 p.m. (0208 GMT Sunday) and said the fire was put out, and shelter-in-place and evacuation orders for residents living near the facility were lifted.

There have been no injuries reported so far, the board said. It was yet unclear how the fire started or what was burning. 
People visit the third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, on April 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), with an increased scale and rising global influence compared to the previous versions, has underscored China's commitment to expanding high-standard opening up as the global economy is struggling to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 and other uncertainties.



On the theme of "Share Open Opportunities, Co-create a Better Life," the expo covers an area of 120,000 square meters, up 20% from last year, with more than 3,300 brands from 65 countries and regions showcased, helping overseas brands tap into the huge Chinese market while providing more exposure for domestic products.

The event epitomizes China's endeavor to promote high-standard opening up, as the country has pledged to leverage the strengths of its enormous market, attract global resources and production factors, and amplify the interplay between domestic and international markets and resources.

Thanks to China's efforts to develop the Hainan Free Trade Port with a portfolio of favorable policies, including zero tariffs and easing market and foreign investment access, dozens of multinational corporate participants in the previous Hainan expos have become investors in the island.

Earlier this year, U.S. beauty titan Estee Lauder inaugurated its China travel retail headquarters in Hainan. The company, with high confidence in the Chinese market and a keen awareness of the importance of Hainan's offshore duty-free market, is looking forward to establishing higher quality cooperation in duty-free shopping, medical care and talent training, and to introducing new and quality products to more consumers, said Fabrizio Freda, CEO of Estee Lauder.

Furthermore, the fair is helping foster an open mindset and promote mutual understanding through dialogue and exchange among global brands. This is of special significance at a time when some countries are turning inward and resorting to protectionism amid economic headwinds.

The expo presents "an amazing opportunity" to "illustrate and tell the story of the amazing beauty of our brands," said Stefania Lazzaroni, general manager of the Italian foundation of luxury brands Altagamma that led 75 high-end brands such as fashion house Gucci and luxury vehicle manufacturer Lamborghini to Hainan.

It is an excellent occasion for Altagamma and its members to strengthen ties with Chinese investors, and showcase their brand image and culture, she told Xinhua.

The expo booths teeming with exhibitors and eager buyers are not simply signs of accelerated economic recovery and growth, but also a testament to the magnet of China's vast market boasting a population of over 1.4 billion and a middle-income group of more than 400 million. This stable demand from the world's largest consumer base serves as a crucial pillar for the global economy.

Between January and February, China's retail sales of consumer goods climbed 3.5% year on year, official data showed. Other key indicators also suggested a broad recovery of the economy, including value-added industrial output in the first two months expanding 2.4% year on year, and the manufacturing purchasing managers' index jumping to 52.6 in January -- the highest since 2012.

The robust rebound is poised to reinvigorate world economic growth. Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have projected that China's economy will grow over 5% in 2023. In addition, a recent Goldman Sachs report estimated that the full recovery of China's domestic demand could raise global GDP by around 1% through the end of 2023.

In the view of World Bank Group President David Malpass, China's economic rebound is an "additive" needed for a year like 2023 when global growth is expected to be weak, and that reflects the "explicit efforts to have a faster opening process for China and to have the supply chains begin to come back together as they feed into global supplies."

China's commitment to further opening up as well as to the sound development of globalization is the clear message the rest of the world gets from the expo, which lights up a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of free trade, win-win cooperation and multilateralism, thereby injecting fresh momentum and confidence into the recovery and prosperity of the global economy.
MANAGUA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Saturday that Nicaragua expects to gain strength and experience from Chinese-style modernization.

Ortega made the remarks when he and Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo jointly met with visiting Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) in Managua.

The Nicaraguan president noted that the experience of Chinese-style modernization has greatly encouraged developing countries, including Nicaragua, to independently explore their development paths.

Luo expressed the expectations to strengthen practical cooperation between China and Nicaragua in infrastructure, energy, education, and other fields, and carry out more "small but beautiful" projects that benefit the people.

The CIDCA head held working talks with Laureano Ortega Murillo, advisor to the Nicaraguan president, on Friday afternoon, signing cooperation agreements on subsidized affordable housing, power stations and other projects. 
President Joe Biden's office released the following statement on Sunday afternoon:

"This morning, our nation is once again grieving for at least four Americans tragically killed at a teens birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama as well as two others killed last night in a crowded public park in Louisville. Jill and I are praying for their families, and for the many others injured and fighting for their lives in the wake of this weekends gun violence. "What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear? When parents have to worry every time their kids walk out the door to school, to the movie theater, or to the park? "Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising  not declining. "This is outrageous and unacceptable. Americans agree and want lawmakers to act on commonsense gun safety reforms. Instead, this past week Americans saw national Republican elected leaders stand alongside the NRA in a race to the bottom on dangerous laws that further erode gun safety. Our communities need and deserve better. "I commend Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for signing an Executive Order to expand background checks and calling on the Tennessee statehouse to pass a red flag law. I hope more Republican officials will follow suit and take action. "I stand ready, as I always have been, to work across the aisle in good faith on federal legislation that will save lives. It is within Congress power to require safe storage of firearms, require background checks for all gun sales, eliminate gun manufacturers immunity from liability, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines  and this should happen without delay."

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Biden released statement after mass shooting in Dadeville kills 4
Reflecting over the past six months, I find myself both thankful and optimistic about the future. On September 28, 2022, my community was hit by Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the South Florida region. This storm brought fear and devastation  but it also brought our community together in unforeseen ways.

Benjamin Feliciano

In my community in east Fort Myers, the storm surge was expected to be eight feet high, yet for many of my neighbors, the evacuation alert was a second thought, later filling many with regret. The sound of the wind screaming like a freight train, watching vegetation being pulled from its roots like it was harvest time, only emphasized how priceless the relationships we have with others are and how temporary life on this earth can be.

The aftermath of the storm left thousands without power, countless houses completely decimated, families displaced, communities turned into ghost towns and billions of dollars in damage. The forces of nature may have destroyed physical spaces but we are Florida strong and our community began to rise up and rebuild.

I have lived in the Fort Myers community for 40 years. The son of an immigrant father who became a local pastor, I was tasked to lead my church through the first response to our parishioners and community. Together, neighbors from all different backgrounds, with a heart of service, ripped out drywall, provided gas for generators, served hundreds of lunches and partnered with amazing outside organizations like Urban Strategies, Mission Talk, World Vision and Convoy of Hope to bring supplies to families in need. At times, it felt hopeless as our hearts were purged of the things we could not save and thoughts of loved ones we hoped to see again, but this one thing was and is true: The hope for a better tomorrow remained.

As Floridians, we are facing a new storm ahead  not a storm of nature but a man-made one. It is Senate Bill 1718, sponsored by State Senator Blaise Ingoglia, which would make life hard in myriad ways for undocumented immigrants. This bill is more of a political show pony than an example of effective public policy that will keep our communities safe and flourishing. As a pastor whose congregation has numerous immigrants, I know that it would create barriers to how we support and care for our immigrant neighbors.

Story continues

One part of the bill criminalizes anyone who transports or houses someone who is undocumented. Because we in the Latino Church live our values of service by providing shelter and support to people in need, including immigrants, this proposal would restrict our ability to follow the tenets of our faith through the call to help others. However, it would not simply impact churches like ours but schools, businesses and the entire transportation industry, including public transit.

This bill also would tear at the fabric of our community, much of which has recently been rebuilt through neighbors immigrants and U.S. citizens  working side by side. As neighbors, we must stop this bill. It seeks to criminalize immigrants who are helping to rebuild our communities, unjustly victimizing them for political theater.

The hope for a better tomorrow is a shared human value. I am not suggesting lawlessness, but I am asking for an opportunity to work together not only on the rebuilding of our physical community but our social one too. The Holy Scriptures direct us to love [our] neighbor as ourselves. This has deep implications for how we choose to live our lives. I believe we need to see one another not as a political pawns but as members of a Floridian community that works together for a brighter, shared future.

I call on Florida State Senate President Kathleen Passidimo, our communitys state senator, to be the voice of reason and wisdom at the highest levels. I am asking that she renew her commitment to helping us create a community that recognizes the contributions of everyone, no matter their political party, race, or culture. We need a leader whose heart is set on revitalizing our state in ways that honors God and our neighbors.

Benjamin Feliciano is pastor at Rosa de Saron Church in Fort Myers.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bill would victimize immigrants for political theater
Robbie Bennett, executive director of the Development Authority of Columbia County, stands next to an information display on the organization's website about redevelopment powers the county was seeking, in this photo from 2018.

The head of Columbia Countys development authority is leaving the post to lead a nonprofit dedicated to fostering a diverse, thriving economy in communities around Savannah River Site.

Robbie Bennett spent his last day Friday as executive director of the Development Authority of Columbia County and has accepted the position of president and CEO of the SRS Community Reuse Organization, based in Aiken County.

Hell be replacing Rick McLeod, who is now the founder and principal of Atomic Advice, a consultancy offering guidance in strategic planning and project management.

Bennett is the immediate past chairman of SRSCROs board of directors, which governs the nonprofit.

"It has an economic development mission, in that its to support capacity-building regionally and to promote economic development through that capacity-building, he said.

In the beginning: New director is no stranger to Masters Week

Special delivery: Amazon center in Columbia County opens officially

Bennett held posts at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Greenwood (S.C.) Partnership Alliance and the Augusta Economic Development Authority before becoming the DACCs executive director in 2013.

During his DACC tenure, he supported economic development teams that brought manufacturing to Columbia County, and jobs to the Augusta area, through companies such as Amazon, Club Car, John Deere and Georgia Iron Works.

But hes especially proud of his role in helping establish the countys White Oak Business Park near Appling, now anchored by Amazon and Club Car facilities.

Its exciting, as we went through a period where we didnt have product, we didnt have opportunity. And while we had great population growth and small business and retail were growing through the rooftops, we needed quality jobs as well, Bennett said. Being able to support our existing industries, to be able to support new, growing opportunities, has been such a blessing.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Development executive leaves Columbia County to lead SRS nonprofit
by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The third China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan presents a great opportunity for the Caribbean nation, a senior Cuban official has said.

"Cuba showcases high-quality products including honey, rums, coffee and sea products, among other commodities, which is an effective way to increase our exports to China," Deborah Rivas, Cuba's deputy minister of foreign trade and investment, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, she said, is in keeping with the dual circulation strategy implemented by the Chinese government to boost consumption and continue to open China to the world.

As part of this purpose, Cuba is determined to contribute to building a China-Cuba community with a shared future, which was highlighted by leaders of the two countries during Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez's visit to China at the end of last year, she said.

Rivas said that the event provides Cuba with the opportunity to promote Cuba's foreign investment portfolio comprising more than 700 projects.

In this regard, she said, "it is crucial for Cuba to receive Chinese investment, which can help the country implement different prioritized programs within the framework of Cuba's 2030 National Economic and Social Development Plan approved by the government."

All Chinese companies linked to strategic sectors for government management such as science, technology, and innovation, have a huge potential to participate in the development of Cuba, said Rivas.

She said that it is fundamental for the island nation to attract Chinese investment with technology transfer for the production and assembling of transport equipment, solar heaters, and biosensors, and that the fields of renewable energy, construction, transport, agriculture, retail trade and tourism constitute paramount priorities for Cuban authorities.

Currently, China has more than a dozen investment projects in Cuba, particularly in the food industry, transport, agriculture, construction, energy, and tourism, she said.

"Chinese investors are interested in businesses associated with the development of the sugar industry, renewable energy, biotechnology, wholesale market and retail trade as well as biotechnology, telecommunications, and shrimp farming, just to mention some examples," she added.

Rivas perceived China as a strategic partner for Cuba since it has been one of the main clients for Cuban exports. Cuba sells nickel, zinc, lead, sugar, sea products, rums, tobacco and coffee to China.

Cuba imports from China mostly machinery, transportation means, electric equipment, chemical products, textile, synthetic fiber, and tools, she said. "There is no area of the Cuban economy where Chinese products, technologies, and services are not represented."

"The cooperation with China is diverse," she said, highlighting that biotechnology, energy and industry are of the essence.

Rivas noted that Cuba's participation in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative covers the entirety of bilateral cooperation sectors, along with actions and projects of mutual interest. 
With one of their recent pre-draft meetings, the Detroit Lions spent some time getting to know the man who set the NCAA record for sacks in a single season.

The Lions had a pre-draft visit with EDGE Caleb Murphy from Ferris State. The D-II standout bagged a college-record 25.5 sacks in 2022 for the national champion Bulldogs. Murphy acknowledged the meeting in an interview with Justin Melo from The Draft Network.

A 6-foot-3, 254-pound stand-up rusher, Murphy lit up D-II with 60 plays behind the line of scrimmage over the last two seasons. He also met with the Lions at the Shrine Bowl, where he held his own in team drills.

Having seen Murphy in person for both Ferris State and archrival Grand Valley State  he transferred three years ago to play with his younger brother  he reminds me of a bigger version of Detroits James Houston. While not as fast off the blocks, Murphy has the same speed-to-power type of game and is an exceptional finisher of pressures and run plays. Murphy projects as a 7th-round pick or a priority free agent.

Follow all of your favorite Michigan teams at Lions Wire, Wolverines Wire and Spartans Wire!

Story originally appeared on Lions Wire
A sunny day in Paris in May can be rare, but the Eiffel Tower shines in blue skies on May 17, 2017. Paris was listed as the worlds most powerful city by the World Travel & Tourism Council. | Sarah Gambles, Deseret News

You may have a favorite city you like to visit, but according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the city of love is the worlds most powerful city for tourism.

What makes Paris the most powerful tourist city?

How did the research determine Paris as the top ranking city? It analysed key indicators such as Travel & Tourisms contribution to GDP, employment and traveller spend, per the report.

Its not just spend that is suggesting Paris as a top tourist destination. The French city also made the tops of U.S. News & World Reports travel rankings, which are based on analysis of expert and user opinions.

However, that ranking listed South Island, New Zealand, as No. 1 and Paris as No. 2.

It suggests visiting the beloved Musee dOrsay, shop the biggest designers on the Champs Elysees or hit the boutiques in Le Marais, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or even plan a day trip to Versailles Palace.

What other cities does the Travel & Tourisms ranking mention?

The council did predict Paris will eventually drop to third place if trends continue in Beijing and Shanghai. Travel & Tourism predicts the Chinese cities will overtake the top two spots by 2032.

The list also takes into account museum tickets, spend on hotel rooms and investment that local and national government and business put into the cities, CNN reported.

Three cities in the U.S. made the list  Orlando, Las Vegas and New York City.

Red telephone booths are iconic London staples. This one remains on Great George Street in London, England, as of June 9, 2018. | Sarah Gambles, Deseret News

What were the top 10 most powerful cities in 2022?

Heres the top 10 cities based on Direct Travel & Tourism GDP in real terms for 2022.

Paris, France. Beijing, China. Orlando, Florida. Shanghai, China. Las Vegas, Nevada. New York City, New York. Tokyo, Japan. Mexico City, Mexico. London, England. Guangzhou, China.

The evening view near the Central Business District is seen in Beijing, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts Beijing will be the worlds most powerful tourist city by 2032. | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press

The World Travel & Tourism Councils top 10 city predictions for 2032

Heres the top 10 cities based on Predicted Direct Travel & Tourism GDP in real terms for 2032.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Space may be the final frontier, but it is also a frontier bursting with unexplored planets, galaxies and stretches of distance that are almost incomprehensible.

For one Purdue team, they took on a small piece of space by studying Mars in a Mars Desert Research Station expedition.

The Journal & Courier recently sat down with the members of Crew 272 and a participant in Purdue Mission Control to talk about their experiences in the two-week expedition to the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, which simulates human exploration on Mars.

The crew

A group shot of Crew 272 at the MDRS facility.

A total of 11 designated roles are assigned to crew members of these expeditions, created by the Mars Society and in partnership with Purdue University. A total of five crews from Purdue have visited the Mars-like analog facility in Hanksville, UT.

The 11 roles of the crew are: commander; executive officer; health and safety officer; crew engineer; GreenHab officer; crew scientist; crew geologist; crew biologist; crew astronomer; crew journalist and crew artist.

The following are some of members of Crew 272 who participated in the MDRS expedition from Jan. 1-13 this year.

Kshitij Mall, commander of the crew and a post-doctorate associate at Purdue

Cesare Guariniello, advisor of the crew and research scientist at Purdue

Kenneth Pritchard, crew journalist and graduate research assistant at Purdue

Mason Kuhn, crew engineer and senior undergraduate student in mechanical engineering at Purdue

Eshaana Aurora, MDRS volunteer/Purdue Mission Control with a focus in 3D printing, senior in mechanical engineering and planetary sciences in undergraduate studies and representative of student organization SEARCH

Adriana Brown, crew geologist and teaching assistant with Purdue's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Additional members of the crew who could not speak to the Journal & Courier include Arly Black, Madelyn Whitaker and Megan Rush.

What was day-to-day life like?

Mall: "We conduct research together. There is a home there which we called (the) habitat. And it has certain amounts of facilities like observatories to do the study of astronomy. And then we have the green houses where we grow plants and study space agriculture and agriculture on Earth...So there are all these additional facilities and people stay in the hab usually. And then we live like how the future astronauts on Mars would live."

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Brown: "Every morning we woke up and we had a meal rotation...We also had scheduled in some light exercise each morning. And then after breakfast and exercise, we would do the EVA briefing. And so that's where me or whoever else is going would kind of map out the route we were taking that day, any extra safety measures we needed, the main objectives of each EVA, because they would vary."

EVAs, or extra vehicular activities, were daily missions the crew would take outside of their habitat enclosure to the outdoor environment of "Mars." Research or search and rescue EVAs were typical. For these missions, half of the team would venture out in specialized protective suits while the other half stayed in the habitat.

Brown: "For example, for on EVA for my research, was studying to rock record to look at ancient environments. So there were specific indicators I was looking for in the rock record. I kind of briefed the team on that before we set out into the field."

Pritchard: "Others would just stay in the habitat and work on our reports. So every day we also made different reports depending on our roles. I was the journalist so I wrote up kind of a sensationalized summary of our day. Adriana worked on an EVA report based on the geology research that she had been conducting. Mason worked on engineering reports...and everybody would submit these reports to Mission Support so at the end of the day we had a communication window...We had a communication window with the on-site support."

Purdue Mission Control's participation

From 7-9 p.m. each day, the crew had a window of opportunity to talk to the Mission Control back on "Earth." Weather updates, reports on the day and more were typically discussed during these windows.

Aurora: "Basically we wanted to try and maximize as much as we could take out of an MDRS experience and go beyond just the seven crew members. And so, what we did was pair up people who wanted to volunteer and people who wanted to get their hands on some kinds of research...and we paired them up with the seven crew members. And some of the projects that we did was 3D printing...Basically to summarize what we did as not being part of the crew but being a helpful hand was PMC (or) Purdue Mission Control. There would be messages sent out by the person who was heading mission control and each different sub-crew that was working with each crew member would send some kind of (information to the crew) and that would pretty much all more than just seven people to work on this analogue mission."

Why join the crew?

Guariniello: "I had a very precise reason in this case for this crew. Kshitij was nice enough to ask me to advise and help a little bit because I had multiple experiences there (at MDRS). For my first five participations, the reason to me (for participating) is I love space. Last year, I unfortunately failed the European Space Agency Astronaut selection, I'm from Italy. I got top 400 out of 23,000...I want to prove myself and see, can I actually spend some time in a confined environment with people and survive."

Mall: "Purdue and Cesare and others who eventually selected me (as crew commander) had been kind enough to have a person of color to be commander. This was the first time that happened. So that is something new and last time I went, I went as executive officer, which is second to the commander...So when I wanted to go that was in my mind like 'What new am I going to offer to the team and how will I be useful.'"

Kuhn: "It was so unique and that paired with having a passion for research and space in general is just like the perfect opportunity. I would say one additional thing for me specifically, the timeline of my college education, how it lined up, I was unable to go on a study abroad trip...because of COVID, and so this was like the last opportunity to go somewhere for something semi-related to school."

Aurora: "Even though I wasn't part of the crew, I did apply to be a part of MDRS , but I didn't get to be a part of the seven members that went. Despite that, what I experienced was surely amazing...Just having access to all these kinds of people who share the same passion was an experience in itself. What goes on back stage, just being a part of that has made me appreciate exactly what people do and what it is like to be an astronaut."

What did you learn?

Adriana Brown conduction geological field work.

Guariniello: "In my case, I learned a lot. Professionally, I'm doing also geology research there and I've been crew geologist, commander, executive officer and health and safety officer. So I really learned how to be in different roles and do different things."

Mall: "Because I am going a second time, I knew a few of the things. But since I had to be leading and commanding, I needed to know all the systems and everything (better). Also, I needed to actually get some of these certifications such as flying (a) drone...I actually learned how to lead better. In my team, everyone was from another country, so there was that different cultural aspect."

Brown: "I definitely grew a lot from that experience. Throughout Purdue, I've taken a lot of classes about geology and the things I'd be doing, but it's very different when you're out there in a remote location doing them. For me it was a really great exercise in building from the ground up (with research)."

Pritchard: "I've been writing for a few semesters and doing research all about the challenges of deep space habitats and how we can overcome them. But actually experiencing some of those challenges first hand is a whole different story. And I think it added a lot to what I'm writing about for my Master's thesis."

Kuhn: "One of the biggest things I learned about analogues in general is how important those relationships are. It affects your productivity level, your sanity and if things aren't going right with your coworker/friends, it makes it a whole lot harder."

Did this experience help you with your future goals?

Madelyn Whitaker gives a thumbs up in the habitat facility on the MDRS expedition.

Mall: "In the future, I want to be in the Human Spaceflight Programme of India and work on the Martian missions of India...I want to be involved in those where I actually...can help bring something together for the world. So this project helped me there."

Brown: "I can say this probably got me into grad school. It was brought up in every single interview...(It) made me a much stronger candidate for these programs. And then having done it, now I feel much more prepared for walking into a program where I'm going to be doing field work and I need to organize it and I'm going to be working with different people from different fields of study. It's been really, really useful."

Kuhn: "I like to think that it definitely helped me secure (my) job. That helped with that future endeavor. After being at MDRS, my interests are much more skewed towards space industry now, rather than the automotive industry. And so...I can't imagine it would be harmful in anyway to do a two week long analogue mission. It'll be very helpful and a great resume item."

What was the hardest part of the expedition?

Pritchard: "The food wasn't great overall. The personal space was pretty limited. I think one of the hardest parts was just going back to school and all the regular obligations of life on Earth and all kinds of different school work and different things...It's a lot more complicated on Earth"

Kuhn: "The main one was learning so many new things all at once and being able to excel in all those areas. I've never emptied a septic tank before and I did that eight times over 14 days...Measuring the charge level on the suits. If I do that incorrectly and somebody's suit dies while we're out in the field then that's technically a space death...It was stressful to excel at so many things all at once."

Would you do it again?

The answer to this questions was an overall resounding yes, with Guariniello, Mall and Brown having active plans to do the MDRS expedition again later this year.

To learn more about MDRS, visit Mall's YouTube channel that has videos about the crew's recent experiences or read more on mdrs.marssociety.org. If you are interested in participating on an MDRS crew, visit Purdue's website about applying online.

Mall noted his and the crew's thanks to the expedition's 12 sponsors, which include the Purdue School of Aeronautics & Astronautics, the Honors College and more. Mall stated that without the sponsors, "I think we wouldn't have made it."

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Members of simulated Mars expedition crew 272 spoke with the Journal & Courier
The victim's girlfriend, who was driving, was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries

GoFundMe

A 21-year-old father of a 4-month-old baby girl was killed after a loose tire fell from a trailer truck on a Texas highway and crashed into his windshield Thursday night.

Family members identified the deceased as Clayton Vaughn, telling ABC 13 that the man's girlfriend, who was driving, was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

According to deputies from the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, an 18-wheeler with a landscaping trailer was heading east on the Katy Freeway when the tire flew off, per ABC 13.

After the Harris County District Attorney's Office examines the evidence of the incident, the truck driver, if identified, could face charges for failure to stop and render aid.

Related:'Stanky Legg' Rapper Oh Boy Prince Struck in Face by 18-Wheeler Brake Pad While Driving on a Texas Highway

Witness Randrell Alexander told the news outlet that the truck was nondescript with no license plate. She said the tire rolled into the HOV lane and hit a white F-150 pickup truck before bouncing over the barrier and striking Vaughn's SUV.

"It went straight into the windshield like 'Boom!' I saw it. I saw glass and I saw the hood pop up and the car started spinning," Alexander told ABC 13.

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"I'm not here to place judgment. Things happen, but obviously, negligence of some sort played a role in this," Vaughn's uncle, Evan Richard, told ABC 13. "He was a passenger in a vehicle struck by an oncoming tire. What are the chances of something like this happening?"

He continued, "(You should) know, you are endangering lives around you, and I can't bring him back. But I can get the message out that you can do better. The city can do better."

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Related:Wisconsin Mom Dies in Car Crash Hours After Attending Husband's Funeral: 'She Is with Him'

Richard added of his nephew, "He was a big old teddy bear. He was a young 21-year-old trying to find himself in this hectic world. He just went to church Sunday."

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the victim's aunt, Priscilla Stansell, in support of her sister, Vaughn's mother, and her nephew's daughter.

"Hi, my name is Priscilla Stansell, and I am raising money on behalf of my nephew Clayton, who lost his life last night suddenly and very tragically in a car accident," the page states. "My sister Rebecca does not have the money to cover the costs of the funeral services, so my hope in raising money is that this will alleviate some of the stress she is feeling."

Continuing: "I also would like for some of the money to be set aside for Clayton's beautiful 4-month-old daughter that he leaves behind. I do not want her to ever have to worry about a thing in this life without her daddy."

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Read the original article on People.
I decided to move out of my apartment the day I woke up and found a nickel-sized cockroach crawling next to my toothbrush.

For almost eight months, I had been living in the newly renovated, 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom unit near Linwood Avenue and Main Street in midtown. I had known about the cockroaches since my second week there, first spotting a little critter in the bathroom, then one in the bedroom big enough to pay rent. I tried working on the problem with the property management company, OneCity KC but nothing seemed to work.

This latest unwanted visitor being the last straw, I decided it was time to break my lease with four months left. But I soon learned it is not easy  or simple. For me, it was just the start of a long, sometimes difficult process in which I had to navigate the clauses in my lease, negotiate with the landlord and learn about everything from city ordinances, rental assistance programs and state law.

Along the way, I sought help and advice from housing advocates and city inspectors before finally making a decision about how much I was willing to pay to get out and move into an apartment where I could be more comfortable.

As The Star has reported, renters across the Kansas City area are experiencing their own housing troubles. Some went days without heat, others without water. Tenants in an apartment complex east of Arrowhead Stadium were dealing with roaches, mold, sewage and major leaks and are now suing their landlord.

To help others who may consider breaking a lease on a rental home, I am sharing my personal experience along with additional research and reporting on what to expect and how to get help. All reporting was conducted after my own situation was fully resolved, so what I learned as a journalist did not change how things worked out for me.

To break or not to break a lease

A lease is a type of contract, and it typically includes the tenants agreement to pay rent for a given period of time.

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According to Ann OConnell, an attorney and writer at NOLO, an online legal encyclopedia specializing in landlord-tenant and real estate law, a tenant in Missouri can break a rental agreement under a few circumstances:

If a person is starting active military duty

If the rental unit is unsafe or violates Missouri health or safety codes

If the landlord is harassing the tenant or violating the tenants privacy rights

Even if a tenant meets one of those criteria, they may need to go through court to officially assert that right.

Research has shown me that Missouri is really pretty tough on tenants when it comes to getting out of a lease, OConnell said.

In my case, it would cost me.

Breaking a lease often comes with consequences such as a penalty fee owed by the tenant or a requirement to find a new, qualified tenant.

Those terms are typically spelled out by the landlord in the lease agreement.

My lease with OneCity KC would require me to pay $2,000 in fees plus my security deposit to break it. OneCity KC is a property management company that manages properties across the metro, including downtown, midtown, the River Market and Shawnee.

It was a hefty price tag to move out. I thought I could negotiate further to get them to reduce the fee even more, considering the pest problem in the apartment.

After some negotiation, they agreed to reduce the fee to around $1,000.

Stressed by pests

Roaches can pose a health risk, and like any pest, its important to get them under control.

The first maintenance man who came by my apartment insisted that the bugs in my unit were harmless waterbugs. I learned by comparing my photos to Google search results that they were actually oriental cockroaches.

Oriental cockroaches can trigger allergies, carry pathogens like E. Coli and in some cases they bite, according to Orkin, a national pest control company.

I insisted that the management company spray my unit at least once a month.

Management claimed that it sprayed the apartment building monthly but only sprayed individual units as needed. My neighbors informed me that this had not been happening routinely since OneCity KC took over the property in 2021.

I only received one notification of a routine spray in my time living there. Otherwise, it was my maintenance requests that prompted them to come through a few more times, some with follow up visits.

In an email, OneCity KC said they sent out a pest expert to my unit seven times in total and claimed that they didnt find any evidence of pests during any of the visits.

All our pest control and extermination are completed by a third-party professional pest control company hired to inspect and do a preventive service quarterly. In your case we hired them out 5 additional times, in each case they stated they could not find an issue which was noted by them, a OneCity KC spokesperson said in an email.

In my time living there, OneCity KC had provided me with roach traps when I told them about the bugs, and I had emailed management photos of the roaches I caught in those traps.

The right to a warrant of habitability

After deciding that I wanted to find a new apartment, I reached out for help.

When I reached out to KC Tenants, a local renters rights group, I received an automated text message with links to the citys Tenants Right to Counsel program, The Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom, Legal Aid of Western Missouri and the Self-Help Law Clinic.

Someone from the organization also followed up with a phone call, and I got to chat through my options, which included signing up for the KC Tenants Union or getting help organizing the tenants in my own building. I chose not to organize with my neighbors, but tenants across Kansas City have found success by banding together to get their landlord to make changes.

The Heartland Center directed me to their Tenant Problem Solver portal, which is an online resource to help tenants sort through problems with landlords.

The problem solver was my first line of defense. After I provided some basic information about myself, like my name, address and contact information, the Tenant Problem Solver asked what type of problem I was having with my landlord and then directed me to a PDF on the Warrant of Habitability.

The warrant of habitability is implied in all rental agreements in Missouri and Kansas, even if it isnt spelled out in writing. It means state law protects renters from any hazards that could contribute to illness or impact a renters ability to live safely in the unit.

Its the premise that a group of Kansas City tenants are suing their landlord over.

Missouri does recognize the implied warranty of habitability, OConnell told me. What that means is that in a lease or rental agreement, even if it doesnt state that the landlord has the responsibility to provide a pest-free, say, rental, its still implied in the contract that they have to do it.

Pests, like bed bugs, for instance, or rodents, things like that. Those are violations of the warranty of habitability, she said.

Tenants who believe their unit is not habitable should talk to their landlord about what options there are to remedy the situation.

If that fails, those tenants can reach out to a lawyer or to the citys inspection program, Healthy Homes.

I decided to try having a city inspection, hoping that would convince my landlord to let me out of my lease for free.

When to consider a city inspection

When the city inspector came to my apartment, she started taking pictures before she even got inside.

Oh yeah this doesnt look right, my inspector said.

The cobwebs forming around the entrances light fixture were a signal to how well-kept the building was, she said.

Once inside, I pointed her to the cockroach traps in my kitchen. I explained that my management company was working with me to spray the apartment, but the roaches seemed to be getting worse.

After seeing the traps, the inspector confirmed that the roaches were a health hazard. She also asked a few questions including whether any new tenants had moved in and if there were any other kinds of pests in the apartment.

The whole inspection lasted about 15 minutes.

The Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program was established by city ordinance in 2018 and is housed in the health department.

It sets minimum standards for rental properties, ensuring that renters have basic utilities and facilities, proper ventilation and heating, safety from fire and good sanitary maintenance. Healthy Homes can send an inspector to your home to check for any violations and can let your landlord know what repairs need to be made.

The program is a complaint-based program, said Naser Jouhari, the deputy director of the Kansas City Health Department. So we have to receive a complaint from a tenant or a landlord on a property for us to investigate and inspect. We want to make sure that everyone is in a healthy and safe, livable space.

In cases where the safety problem is life-threatening, Healthy Homes can help to relocate a tenant.

In those cases, the program can require the landlord to relocate the tenant to another location, either another apartment or a hotel, until the violation is fixed. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant will need to be relocated at cost of the landlord. The landlord will also not be able to rent the property without any corrective action.

In cases that are hazardous but not life-threatening, the program will work as a mediator of sorts between landlords and tenants.

Deciding to negotiate

In my case, the city inspector said she could request that my landlord spray the apartment again.

If I chose to escalate my case with Healthy Homes, my inspector would have sent a note to my property manager requesting them to spray the unit and include pictures of the roach traps.

The property manager would have five days to spray the unit up to three to five times.

Even though that could be helpful, I was afraid the landlord would retaliate against me  possibly by reconsidering their choice to reduce my lease-breaking fee.

The inspector suggested that I reach out to a tenant advocate provided by the city.

The city technically prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for making a complaint, participating in a tenants association or bargaining collectively.

In the end, I chose not to pursue that option, and the inspector didnt contact my landlord.

If someone is dealing with a severe housing problem and cannot get their landlord to cooperate, seeking out a lawyer might be something to consider.

When to get legal help

Organizations like the Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom and Legal Aid of Western Missouri can provide legal assistance to people who are having problems with their apartment or would like to break their lease.

For example, while living at Citadel Apartments, near 61st Street and The Paseo, Kansas City resident Khatib Williams was dealing with a bad cockroach infestation before he sought out legal help from The Heartland Center.

Williams won a settlement on the basis that the infestation violated his warrant of habitability.

He was able to go to trial and win, said Gina Chiala, executive director of the Heartland Center and the attorney who also assisted Williams on his case.

He was able to assert that defense and win his case and actually walk away with damages.

The Heartland Center is working on developing a new program called Safe Homes for All to help tenants proactively negotiate corrective action plans with landlords when there are health violations, instead of letting cases escalate to evictions.

The program is currently helping tenants at Stonegate Meadows Apartments, who have dealt with a range of issues including roaches, mold and leaks and are now suing their landlord over the apartments habitability.
BIGGEST WINNER

Zhilei Zhang

The formula is simple: If you take down a hot fighter, you generally take his place as the man to watch. Thats the good fortune of Zhang, who used a wicked straight left to upset previously unbeaten top contender Joe Joyce by a sixth-round knockout Saturday night in London. The 6-foot-6 southpaw from China couldnt miss the left if he tried. He rattled his sturdy opponent several times and quickly closed his right eye with the formidable shot, which forced officials to stop the fight. Just like that Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) bounced back from his disputed loss to Filip Hrgovich last August and claimed the breakthrough victory that had eluded him since he turned pro in 2014, which is why he was so elated afterward. Hes suddenly a leading candidate to face one of the heavyweight titleholders, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. That should be an attractive option for the champions, who had been considering Joyce as an opponent after talks to face one another broke down. Could Zhang beat either of them? Well, we didnt think he was going to take down Joyce. The 2008 Olympic silver medalist has ability, including a left hand from hell. Hes physically imposing, 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds for the fight on Saturday. And he couldnt be more confident. Its not unthinkable that the next heavyweight champion will come from China.

BIGGEST LOSER

Joe Joyce

"It's disappointing, I expected to win like I normally do" "I will be back" Joe Joyce reflects on a tough defeat#FightNight | #JoyceZhang |  BT Sport 1 pic.twitter.com/jNVxPOzeMU  Boxing on BT Sport  (@BTSportBoxing) April 15, 2023

Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) is a capable boxer but he has been successful primarily because of his physical attributes, unusual strength, heavy hands and a sturdy chin. Where did he fall short on Saturday? He had neither the instincts nor the speed and reflexes to avoid Zhangs left hand, which the underdog landed at will. As a result, Joyce suffered his first defeat and seemed to have his limitations exposed. He was competitive in Rounds 3 through 5, to be fair. He arguably outworked Zhang during that stretch. And he was still firing back at the time the fight was stopped. However, none of that mattered in light of Zhangs left hand, which was destined to end the fight one way or another. A befuddled Joyce acknowledged that he couldnt get out of the way of Zhangs signature punch and seemed to blame the winners southpaw stance. That raises some questions. Isnt that precisely what Joyce worked on during his training camp with respected trainer Ismael Salas? Was Zhangs left just quicker and better than he expected? Is Joyce just not good enough to cope with such a formidable weapon? Or, as some have suggested, did Joyce commit the cardinal sin of taking victory for granted? The 37-year-old Londoner has a lot of work to do if he hopes to climb back into title contention. I wont be surprised if it doesnt happen.

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BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES

Fury and Usyk

Joyce could exercise a rematch clause in the contract he and Zhang signed but that doesnt seem likely. The loser suggested afterward that it would be smarter for him to take an interim fight before facing his conqueror a second time, which would give him an opportunity to work on deficiencies. That seems to open the door for Zhang to pursue a title shot. And he obviously has a preference between the two beltholders: Tyson Fury in China, he said after his victory on Saturday. That prospect probably will be attractive to Fury, who doesnt have many good options beyond Usyk. Only a showdown with Anthony Joshua would make for a bigger event than Zhang after what we witnessed on Saturday. And Zhang has already kicked off the trash talk. He implied that Joyce was on his feet at the end of the fight because of his unusually strong chin, an attribute he believes Fury doesnt have. Tyson Fury doesnt have that chin. He will go down, Zhang said. Of course, he omitted the fact that Fury is one of the most skillful heavyweights of his generation, which could make Zhangs life miserable if they were to meet in the ring. That doesnt matter now, though. Zhang has earned the opportunity to fight for a title. He and his handlers will pull out all stops to make it happen.

RABBIT PUNCHES

The Zhang-Joyce scoring had some people in an uproar. I had Zhang leading 48-47 after five rounds, three rounds to two. Two judges reportedly had the same score while the third had Joyce leading 48-47. I understand the outrage in light of the damage caused by Zhangs left hand but I dont think the third judges scoring is worthy of an investigation, as some have proposed. Joyce ate one left after another but, again, he was the busier fighter for much of the fight. Of course, Zhang, who believed he was cheated against Hrgovich, made sure the judges didnt decide the winner this time.  Usyk might be the last guy Joyce should fight. The Ukrainian also is a southpaw and is both quicker and better than Zhang. How many left hands do you think Usyk would land against Joyce?  Mikaela Mayer (18-1, 5 KOs) looked comfortable in her debut at 135 pounds, easily outpointing late replacement Lucy Wildheart (10-2, 4 KOs) on the Zhang-Joyce card. She controlled the action both from the outside and inside, where she got the better of almost every exchange. The 32-year-old American, a former 130-pound titleholder, is now targeting undisputed 135-pound champion Katie Taylor. How would she fare in that fight? Mayer might be too easy to hit. She has a good offensive game. I would focus on her head movement and defense in general in camp leading up to a meeting with Taylor.

Related

Photos: Zhilei Zhang's shocking sixth-round stoppage of Joe Joyce Zhilei Zhang closes Joe Joyce's eye, scores stunning sixth-round knockout Mikaela Mayer easily outpoints Lucy Wildheart in debut at 135 pounds

Story originally appeared on Boxing Junkie
A new player at heavyweight has arrived.

Zhilei Zhang, a southpaw from China, used a punishing left hand to close the right eye of Joe Joyce and force the ring doctor to stop the scheduled 12-round fight in Round 6 at Copper Box Arena in London, giving Zhang the biggest victory of his career.

The previously unbeaten Joyce was on the cusp of his first title shot. Thats gone for now. And Zhang, a fringe contender going into the fight, is now a legitimate opponent for anyone.

Today belongs to me, Zhang said through a translator in the ring. It belongs to everyone who showed up, it belongs to every Chinese who showed up.

Joe Joyces swollen eye resulted in his first defeat. James Chance / Getty Images

The key to Zhangs success wasnt complicated: The 6-foot-6, 280-pounder couldnt miss his straight left from beginning to end, which rattled Joyce several times and began to cause swelling on his eye after only a few rounds.

Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) landed 78 of 140 power shots (56%), according to CompuBox. And almost all of them were left hands.

Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) was never out of the fight. The Londoner, also 6-foot-6, began to outwork Zhang beginning the third round. He arguably won Rounds 3 through 5.

However, he admitted afterward that he couldnt avoid Zhangs left. As a result, the ring doctor was summoned to the apron to examine the eye between Rounds 5 and 6 then again midway through the final round because it appeared that it was almost completely closed.

The doctor whispered something into the ear of referee Howard Foster, who then stopped the fight. The official time of the stoppage was 1:23 of the sixth round.

Joyce seemed to be dumbfounded during his post-fight interview.

He was in a strong position to face either of the heavyweight titleholders, countryman Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine, in his next fight. Now he must go back to the gym and begin the rebuilding process, which presumably will include work on his defense.

Story continues

He hits hard, Joyce said. And he has an awkward style because hes a southpaw, and a powerful southpaw at that. I just kept getting hit with his left hand. Im disappointed. I apologize to all my fans and supporters.

 Ill be back. My journey isnt over. This might be a hurdle I tripped over but Ill be back.

Meanwhile, Zhang made history.

The 2008 Olympic silver medalist, who is based in New Jersey, gave a strong performance in a losing cause against contender Filip Hrgovic last August, which pumped life into his career and earned him a shot at Joyce.

Then, on Saturday, he turned in the performance of his life to take Joyces WBO interim belt. That made him the first Chinese heavyweight to hold a world title of any kind. And he did it at 39 years old.

Now he can target Fury and Usyk.

Im 39 years old but Im disciplined, he said. I train hard. The next step, Im going for the title.

Related

Mikaela Mayer easily outpoints Lucy Wildheart in debut at 135 pounds

Story originally appeared on Boxing Junkie
A dead body was found burning in a Florida field on Saturday, in what authorities described as a "jarring" homicide crime scene.

A person who drove past the scene called 911 shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday to report "what appeared to be a mannequin on fire" in an open field behind a residential area in Ruskin, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

PHOTO: Authorities respond to a homicide crime scene in Ruskin, Florida, April 15, 2023. (WFTS)

Responding firefighters extinguished the flames and determined it was not a mannequin but the body of a dead person, the sheriff's office said.

The victim had upper body trauma and could not be identified "due to the severity of the burns," the sheriff's office said.

PHOTO: Authorities respond to a homicide crime scene in Ruskin, Florida, April 15, 2023. (WFTS)

It is unclear if the person was male or female, sheriff's office spokesperson Fentress Fountain told ABC Tampa affiliate WFTS.

MORE: Mississippi man who went missing found with head severed, attorney says

"This is a jarring scene," Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "At this time, our deputies are doing everything they can to determine what happened to this person."

Authorities said they believe the homicide is an isolated incident and the case remains under investigation.

'Jarring': Dead body found burning in Florida field, authorities say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Courtesy of Paramount

This is a preview of our pop culture newsletter The Daily Beasts Obsessed, written by editor Kevin Fallon. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox each week, sign up for it here.

This week:

We Should All Be Watching Drew

You know when Drew Barrymore sits crossed-legged, things are about to get serious.

Videos keep going viral of Barrymore sitting with her guests, and talking about the most intense issues a person could talk about.

That is not, for the record, how daytime TV works. I dont want to shock anyone who is still operating under delusions, but celebrities publicists usually prep their clients with a fun anecdoteoften something wild happened while on vacation in the Bahamas!and the host knows to prompt for that story.

The hosts dont usually sit criss-cross-apple-sauce and stare deeply into your soul.

Interviews conducted by Barrymore keep being shared because of how aggressively they dont subscribe to that usual model.

This week, it was Barrymore connecting on a real level that, I dont think, most journalists have done, with Brooke Shields. The two were discussing their uncomfortable relationship to the #MeToo movement, as actresses who were sexualized so young. It was a beautiful conversation, and proof that no one is doing interviews like Barrymore: to be able to, in a short segment on daytime TV, connect in a way that is so filled with empathy and curiosity. It just doesnt happen! Well, it does. Drew does it. But it shouldnt work this well.

Theres another recent clip that went viralsaying that is gross, like its a 22-year-old singing a song and is silly. In reality, these conversations are gorgeous and informative.

It was Barrymore interviewing Melanie Lynskey, whom shes known for decades after starring together in Ever After, and her husband, Jason Ritter. Jason spoke about his sobriety, which was incredibly touching. And while the conversation wasnt centered around her, it was impossible not to watch Barrymore, and the way in which she offered the space for that conversation to happen.

Story continues

To do what shes doing in these drive-by celebrity interactions is outrageous. Maybe because she has this reputation, stars go into her interviews feeling more vulnerable and more comfortable. But at a time when the curse of daytime television is that it feels so produced, the spontaneity and realness of these conversations are providing a value in celebrity news that no one else isor, frankly, could.

She also gave Kathryn Hahn a lap dance to celebrate shaving her legs.

Shes Doing the Thing

Ariana DeBose hosted shows before she went viral. She did the thing before it was cool. Specifically, she was a Tony Awards hostand a great one. She used the opportunity to sit on Andrew Garfields lap and cradle his face. Relatable!

Shes been announced as the Tony host again this year, after her bizarre rap in a musical number for the BAFTAs became a memeAngela Bassett did the thingand the news set off a new round of jokes. Specifically, about which theater star might do the thing at this years Tonys, and which, like Jamie Lee Curtis, is all of us.

Here are some of my favorite posts. (Apparently, Annaleigh Ashford is doing the thing):

Twitter

Twitter

Twitter

Jake Gyllenhaal Is Hot While Eating Wings

This week, I learned just how many people have an exact fetish for Jake Gyllenhaal eating chicken wings. I dont judge. Like Jamie Lee, you are all of us.

That said, Gyllenhaals appearance on Hot Ones, the show where celebrities discuss their careers while eating spicy chicken wings, seemed to unlock a ferality like Ive rarely seen. I get it. But also, are you all OK?

Twitter

Twitter

The Biggest Interview of the Week

Here is Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandlers reaction to a very tall boy.

Twitter

I cant stop watching this clip. (Watch it here.)

What to watch this week

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Or at least let it inspire you to go coat shopping. (Now on Prime Video)

The Last Thing He Told Me: If theres a Jennifer Garner star vehicle, were watching. (Now on Apple TV+)

Barry: My god, this final season is so good. Book therapy for right after you watch. (Sunday on HBO)

What to skip this week:

Renfield: It turns out that Nicolas Cage as a vampire is only so entertaining. (Now in theater)

Mafia Mamma: Toni Collette deserves better. (Now in theaters)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Final Season Deserves Your Attention

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.
Mecklenburg County Democrats cheered in excitement Sunday as party leaders vowed to win back N.C. Rep. Tricia Cothams seat after she switched to the Republican party.

Sundays rally  led by Charlottes U.S. Reps. Alma Adams and Jeff Jackson and the chair of the N.C. Democratic Party Anderson Clayton  marks the Democratic Partys full-fledged fight to reclaim House District 112, representing east Mecklenburg County, including Mint Hill.

This signifies our commitment to work even harder on behalf of these people, whose values we share, whose values we fight for, and whose representative told them very clearly, so did she, until she decided to deceive all of us, Jackson said. Because you are all here; they have not been abandoned.

More than 150 people showed up, some wearing Democrat T-shirts and stickers reading Cotham Lied, at Mecklenburg County Democratic Party headquarters on East W.T. Harris Blvd. in east Charlotte. Six days ago, Cotham officially joined the Republican Party.

Just three months after being elected, her defection gives North Carolina Republicans a supermajority in the House, guaranteeing the GOP a veto-proof majority over Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on hot-button issues like gun control and abortion.

It seems uncontroversial to say thats the wrong thing to do. If you can no longer be a member of a certain political party, thats fine, but that doesnt give you license to deceive all of your constituents. I think thats the issue, Jackson told The Charlotte Observer.

Cotham, 44, said she left the Democratic Party due to an inhospitable environment for independently-minded lawmakers. She said the party, which her family has been a major part of for decades, had become unrecognizable. Cotham was elected to the North Carolina House four times from 2008 to 2014. She was re-elected in 2022.

People trusted Cotham and looked to her for her leadership, DonnaMarie Woodson, president of Democratic Women Mecklenburg County, said. People are hurt, outraged, and just fed up, she said.

Story continues

Time to resign

Mecklenburg Democrats feel betrayed and have been demanding Cotham resign.

Toni Mingo, a Democrat from the University area and precinct 204 chairwoman, said Cotham should resign because its the right thing to do. She said Cotham switching parties after being elected betrayed her supporters who put her in office. And it affects me as well.

Jackson said hes known Cotham for 10 years and supported her campaign. He called her decision deeply unfortunate, not for me, but for her constituents. I dont think she has addressed her constituents as they deserve regarding this.

Everything on the line

Anderson Clayton, the Chairperson of the North Carolina Democratic Party, speaks to the crowd during a rally at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party office on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The rally was to denounce the decision of Rep. Tricia Cotham to make a surprise switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP in the States House of Representatives. The rally was also the start line for volunteers to sign up to canvas neighborhoods.

Democrat leaders said everything is on the line, from reproductive rights to voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and education issues.

Were gonna go out, and were gonna knock on doors. Were going to get active and let folks know that Democrats arent backing down in 2024, state Democratic chair Clayton said at the rallys start.

Democrats are moving forward, they said Sunday.

Weve got to pledge to work harder. ...A setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback, Adams said. Weve got to regain our power. ... So lets stand together, Democrats, unity is our strength, and our strength is our power. And power is what makes the difference in the lives in communities.

Uniting after betrayal

US Rep. Alma Adams smiles for a photo with attendees after a rally at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party office on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The rally was to denounce the decision of Rep. Tricia Cotham to make a surprise switch from the Democratic Party to the GOP in the States House of Representatives. The rally was also the start line for volunteers to sign up to canvas neighborhoods.

Sundays rally launches a rebound, Democratic leaders said.

There is a strategy; there is a way for us to overcome and no longer feel this is a space of despair even though many of us feel betrayed, said Yolanda Holmes, who ran against Cotham in the primary. I believe this situation has left us without a voice in the North Carolina General Assembly, but our voices will be heard, and we will be represented.

Cothams flip is just an obstacle, Democrats said.

I am distressed at Cothams deception yet motivated to help Democrats be more successful in promoting and electing real Democrats, said Jeff Weiss, a Mint Hill resident, about why he came out for todays event.

Not the Democratic Party I grew up in. Pat Cotham talks about daughters GOP switch

A betrayal: NC Democrats, White House blast Cothams decision to leave party, join GOP

GOP say when they knew of Cotham switch  and why everyone shouldve seen it coming

From abortion to school choice, areas to watch now that NC GOP has regained supermajority
Berlin: On Saturday, Germany shut down its final three nuclear reactors, abandoning atomic power in the process of transitioning away from fossil fuels and dealing with an energy crisis brought on by the conflict in Ukraine.

Germany put an early end to its nuclear era while many Western nations increased their investments in nuclear energy to cut back on emissions.

It's "the end of an era," the RWE energy company declared in a statement shortly after midnight, confirming that the three reactors had been cut off from the power grid.

Since 2002, the largest economy in Europe has sought to phase out nuclear energy, but former chancellor Angela Merkel accelerated the process in 2011 following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Also Read: 'Don't watch pornographic videos in train', Railway advises passengers

The decision to leave was well received in a nation where there was a strong anti-nuclear movement, stoked by lingering concerns over a Cold War conflict and nuclear disasters like Chernobyl in the Ukraine.

"The risks of nuclear power are ultimately unmanageable," declared Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, who this week visited the tragic Japanese plant in preparation for the G7 summit there.

In several German cities, anti-nuclear protesters took to the streets to mark the closures. The anti-nuclear movement's driving force, Greenpeace, hosted a celebration at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. A risky, wasteful, and expensive technology is coming to an end, according to Green MP Juergen Trittin.

Activists killed a model dinosaur in front of the Brandenburg Gate as a political statement.

Germany's nuclear exit was originally scheduled for the end of 2022, but it was postponed as Russian gas supplies were running low.

In order to fill any potential gaps left by gas, Germany, the EU's largest emitter, also turned on some of its idled coal-fueled plants.

Demands for a postponement of the nuclear phase-out have grown domestically as a result of the difficult energy situation.

Also Read: 'If you remain hungry, I will introduce you to Jesus Christ..', 4 succumbed to the words of the priest

In light of potential shortages and high prices, Germany had to "expand the supply of energy and not restrict it any further," according to Peter Adrian, president of the German Chamber of Commerce.

The abandonment of nuclear power, according to Friedrich Merz, head of the opposition CDU party, was brought on by a "almost fanatical bias."

The conservative daily FAZ, meanwhile, titled its Saturday edition "Thanks, nuclear energy," while outlining the advantages it claimed nuclear energy had brought the nation over time.

Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, criticised the decision in October and called it "a mistake." Other observers have expressed similar annoyance over Germany's insistence on abandoning nuclear power while increasing its coal use.

As anticipated, before midnight, the electricity network was cut off to the Emsland facility in the northwest, the Neckarwestheim facility in the southwest, and the Isar 2 reactor in the southeast of the nation.

According to Guido Knott, CEO of Preussen Electra, which runs Iser 2, the shutdown of the reactor will be "a very touching moment". Only 6% of Germany's energy in 2016 came from the remaining three plants, compared to 30.8% from all nuclear plants in 1997.

Economy Minister Robert Habeck rejected the notion of an extension and said before scheduled decommissioning the Funke group would begin dismantling the reactors "sooner or later".

Habcek announced that the government had the energy situation "under control", adding that gas reserves had topped out and allowing imports of liquefied natural gas to fill the gap left by Russian supplies. The infrastructure was put in place.

The minister is instead working to have Germany produce 80% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has requested the installation of "four to five wind turbines a day" over the following few years in order to achieve this goal; however, only 551 wind turbines were actually installed in 2017.

Also Read: The 2024 Cayenne has been hinted at by Porsche for international markets

However, the current pace of advancement in renewable energy may be too slow for Germany to achieve its climate protection objectives. Germany has not "pushed ahead enough with the expansion of renewables in the last 10 years," according to Simon Mueller of the Agora Energiewende think tank, despite plans to abandon nuclear power.

Mueller claims that Germany must now "pull out all the stops" in order to build enough onshore wind capacity.
Headshot of Sonia Darmei Lopes

When Sonia Darmei Lopes graduated from Florida State University in 1981, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and struggled finding inspiration on the big screen as a Latino woman.

There was nobody when I was starting out, Lopes said this week in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. There were no women of color.

Now, the Clearwater, Florida, native co-stars in the Bob Ross-inspired comedy film, Paint, with famous actor Owen Wilson, which opens nationwide on Friday.

Its exciting and hopefully it will be as popular as I think it is, an energetic Lopes said. It would kind of help launch my career.

More: Owen Wilson gets all Vermont-y - and just a bit unhinged - in new movie 'Paint'

Wilson, whose credits include Starsky and Hutch, Zoolander, Wonder, and Wedding Crashers, plays the character Carl Nargle, who hosts a Vermont public television stations fictional paint instruction series.

Painter Bob Ross, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, and raised in Orlando, hosted The Joy of Painting on PBS from 1983 to 1994 and was well known for his landscape paintings, often created in real time, and his endearing gift for instruction. He died of lymphoma in 1995 in New Smyrna Beach.

Lopes is cast as Mary, Nargles mentee and biggest fan, a role she is most proud of for herself and other Latino women hoping to break through in film.

Lopes says her character was not initially cast to be played by a Latino, but after her audition in summer 2021, first time screenwriter and director Brit McAdams told Lopes he couldnt imagine anyone else in the role.

Women of color are not given that opportunity, Lopes said of her casting as the quirky and comedic character. Its hard because people dont think youre funny. Youre probably the last to be seen for this role if youre a Latino woman.

Lopes said she was thrilled to be working with Wilson and co-star, Ciara Renee, while filming in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Story continues

Owen Wilson stars in "Paint," a film about a fictional artist who hosts a show on a Vermont public-television station.

Owen [Wilson] was so generous because he would do improv with me, Lopes said of the Academy Award nominated stars signature talent. As an actor, its so great to have another actor be generous with you.

Who is Sonia Darmei Lopes?

Lopes got her start performing throughout Florida at the age of 9 with Faith Ann's Jr. Rockettes and The DeParis Ballet and Spanish Dance Company.

She attended FSU from 1978 to 1981 and recalls living with her best friend in Cash Hall on North Woodward Avenue. After graduation, she eventually moved to Los Angeles, seeking a career in acting while hosting a talk show, The Fairer Sex, at a local television station.

Lopes was first cast in an episode of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns" in 1985.

Her other credits include supporting roles in films including The Christmas Lottery, Stay Awake, Deadly Spa, and Extreme Justice. Shes also appeared in numerous commercials, including one for SingleCare, where she is bantering with actor Martin Short.

Owen Wilson stars in "Paint," a film about a fictional artist who hosts a show on a Vermont public-television station.

In addition to Paint," Lopes is also cast with Gainesville, Florida, native Chrissy Metz in Stay Awake, an indie drama film written and directed by Jamie Sisley, that addresses opioid addiction. The feature is currently playing at the annual Florida Film Festival in Orlando until Friday, April 21.

Lopes plays a drug addict at a support meeting and says despite the limited role, it speaks to her versatility.

Its completely opposite, Lopes said of the role in Stay Awake in comparison to Paints, Mary. But Ive always loved doing drama and heavy, meaty roles.

Where 'Paint' is showing in Tallahassee

Release: Friday, April 7, 2023

Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Rated: PG-13

Theaters available: CMX Fallschase, AMC Tallahassee 20

Contact Democrat writer Alaijah Brown at ABrown1@gannett.com and on Twitter at @BrownAlaijah.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU grad co-stars with Owen Wilson in Bob Ross-inspired movie Paint
Seldom has a visit of the leader of a small democracy provoked the degree of apprehension and anxiety that resulted from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wens trip to the United States.

China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan on Saturday in retaliation for her meeting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with the Chinese military announcing a three-day combat readiness patrol.

Technically, Tsai's trip was not a visit at all but stopovers in New York and Los Angeles while en route to shore up ties between Taiwan and two of the remaining countries that recognize the island democracy as a legitimate government. Beyond affirmations of mutual support between Taiwan and Guatemala and Belize, the stopovers symbolized Americas commitment to stand behind Taiwan.

Communist 'one China' policy holds claims on democratic Taiwan

Beijing, which under its "one China" policy considers Taiwan a part of the People's Republic of China despite Taiwan maintaining its own democratic system of government since the two split after a 1949 civil war, threatened dire consequences.

As if to underscore the message, the Chinese military flew combat jets over the Taiwan Strait as she left Taipei, with Beijing threatening to resolutely hit back if Tsai met with McCarthy.

Meanwhile, Tsais political rival and immediate predecessor as president, the more China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou, chose this moment to visit the mainland. Ma's trip was not an official tour but a chance to see his ancestral village and build goodwill between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. He was accompanied by an entourage of 30 that included students, presumably because they could serve as the peacemakers of the next generation.

Threat of invasion from China: Watching bombs drop on Ukraine stirs feelings of dread for Taiwan

Elon Musk's ties to China raise security concerns: Pentagon's reliance on him grows despite his behavior

Story continues

Ma heaped lavish praise on the mainlands achievements, declaring some of them even undreamed of. In anathema to the view of not only Tsais party but also that of the overwhelming majority of Taiwans citizens, he declared that Taiwan is a part of China.

President Tsai, a quiet personality with a core of steel, had expressed a desire for her visit to America be kept low-key, and so it was. In New York, she was greeted by a noisy but peaceful crowd of supporters waving Taiwanese flags and an equally noisy but peaceful group of detractors waving flags of communist China, with the two groups kept apart by vigilant New York police.

Supporters holding American and Taiwanese flags cheer as Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, arrives at her hotel in New York City on March 29.

A banquet held in her honor by the conservative Hudson Institute on March 30 had a closed guest list, with the invitations reading only that the dinner would be in honor of an important guest. No reporters were allowed.

Tsai also met separately with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and had breakfast with Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

But Beijing took particular exception to Tsai's meeting with McCarthy this month.

While campaigning for his ultimately successful bid for House speaker, he said he wanted to visit Taiwan as his predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, had done. But apparently at the request of the Taiwanese government, the California Republican amended this to a meeting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles.

After the Taiwanese president's closed meeting with more than a dozen bipartisan members of Congress, McCarthy told a news conference that the U.S.-Taiwan bond "is stronger than at any time or point in my life, and that he expected ties to continue to expand.

ouse Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., welcomes Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for a bipartisan meeting April 5 in Simi Valley.

The meeting is only the latest to tighten tensions in U.S.-China relations. Beijing suspended or canceled official military dialogues and cooperation channels after Pelosi visited Taiwan last August. In February, Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed an imminent trip to China because, as Biden administration officials said, a Chinese surveillance balloon drifting over America was a "clear violation" of sovereignty and international law.

Is Pelosi's visit to Taiwan risky?: Yes, but she can deliver strong messages to China

It's bigger than a surveillance balloon: Chinese spying in US includes research labs and universities

Tsai has arrived safely back in Taipei, having demonstrated her determination not to allow Beijing to isolate her country diplomatically as well as a reaffirmation of bipartisan support from Washington. But the drama is not over.

According to Chinas Global Times: The final outcome will undoubtedly be that every provocation by Washington will be met with the Chinese side's resolute countermeasures, and every act of 'Taiwan independence' by Tsai ... will result in tighter constraints on them.

June Teufel Dreyer, a senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, is a political science professor at the University of Miami.

The opening round came on the same day of Tsai's meeting with McCarthy: Chinas maritime safety administration announced Wednesday that it had begun on-site inspections of cargo ships and construction vessels in the Taiwan Strait  which is legally international waters but which Beijing refuses to recognize as such. Taiwan has said that it will not comply. It has notified shipping operators that if they encounter such requests, they should refuse and immediately notify Taiwans coast guard for assistance.

Chinas military declared that it is ready to fight after completing three days of large-scale combat exercises around Taiwan that simulated sealing off the island. But there has not been a reaction from the U.S. House speaker.

The implications for peace in the Taiwan Strait and beyond are ominous. How will Tsais new allies in Washington react now?

June Teufel Dreyer, a senior fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, is a political science professor at the University of Miami.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: China sends warships after House Speaker McCarthy meets Taiwan leader
In Northern California's Cuyama Valley, there's a growing community of hoteliers, winemakers, and artisans.

Jessica Sample Wildflowers at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, near central Californias Carrizo Plain.

I must have been about 10 years old when I first glimpsed the Cuyama Valley. My family and I were driving home from my aunts place in northern California when, about two hours north of Los Angeles, my father spontaneously decided to turn off the main highway. What I most vividly recall, almost three decades later, was realizing that I was suddenly somewhere quite different from anywhere Id ever been.



There were windswept plains, beautiful and desolate, flanked by two mountain ranges  one deeply creased and barren, the other scrubby and oaky, golden and green. Very occasionally, we saw signs of human habitation along the two-lane road. It was as though we had stepped not merely back in time but outside of it.



I have returned to this empty-seeming place over the years, most often to pitch a tent on the Carrizo Plain  one of the last remaining ancient grasslands in the United States. Carrizo is one valley over from Cuyama, and both are famous for the explosion of spring wildflowers that, after a rainy winter, can turn into glorious super-blooms, like some giddy god took a paintbrush to the land.

Flowers are the big draw here, although theyre fleeting, lasting only a few weeks in the spring. Rough camping on the plain can be a tough sell. Usually, when I drove out, I went alone.



Jessica Sample The pool at Cuyama Buckhorn, a recently revamped 1950s motel.

Even when I was away from the place, I kept checking in on it, via message boards and wildflower hotlines. This was likely why my Instagram algorithm showed me the Cuyama Buckhorn, a recently updated motel in the town of New Cuyama. It looked charming, desert-chic, and much cozier than camping  the kind of place I might bring my wife and two young kids. So I did.



Cuyama Buckhorn opened in 1952, with a design by George Vernon Russell, the architect behind the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas and other classic mid-century buildings. Today the Buckhorns motor court has been transformed into an oasis dotted with olive trees, lounge chairs, and fire pits where, come nightfall, guests roast smores and sip mezcal. My family and I arrived before check-in time, so we had lunch at the Buckhorns restaurant. A few guys from a Caltrans road crew sat at the counter, wolfing down burgers; a vinyl booth was filled with sunburned, binocular-toting retirees. An obscure Townes Van Zandt track wafted through the speakers. The place felt shiny and new, but also well-loved.



Story continues

Jessica Sample From left: A guest room at Cuyama Buckhorn; the smokehouse platter at the hotel's restaurant.

Our room was peppered with local character: an old cowboy hat, a well-worn trail guidebook. That evening  and every evening  we sat on the patio outside our room and watched the light play across the sweep of the plain. Over the next few days, we gave in to the charms of the high desert valley as they unfolded at their natural pace  slowly and deliberately. We meandered up rough roads that disappeared into the hills and led to hidden, wildflower-filled washes, oak woodlands, and secret creeks.



But the greatest asset of the place was soon revealed: the folks who call Cuyama home. Jeff Vance and Ferial Sadeghian, the architect-designers and business partners who own the Buckhorn, discovered this six years ago, soon after they bought the motel. Vance, who grew up in Los Angeles, fell hard for the region in his youth, and returned to it often. Then he met the Iran-born Sadeghian, who dreamed of opening a hotel akin to the little chef-owned properties she had once visited in Provence. One day, out for a drive, they saw that the boarded-up Buckhorn was for sale.



A few weeks after theyd bought the property there was a gathering for farmers and ranchers at the Blue Sky Center, a rural-development nonprofit down the street. There, Vance and Sadeghian met the vintners of the wine theyd soon be selling, the farmers of the produce theyd feature on their menu, the ranchers whose beef theyd buy.



Were all up here together, Vance told me one night at the Buckhorn bar. If somebody has a problem, its everyones problem. Sadeghian jumped in. I was driving up here one day and realized, if something goes wrong, I would rather get stuck here than anywhere. There are just so many people around I could call on to help.



Jessica Sample From left: Em Johnson and Jack Forinash, directors of the Blue Sky Center, a community-development organization in the Cuyama Valley; cacti on the grounds of the center.

Much of the credit for this communal feeling goes to the Blue Sky Center, which occupies several large buildings erected by the Richfield Oil Corporation in the early 1950s. Richfield became ARCO, and in the 1970s, ARCO left, along with most of the regions jobs. Still, Cuyama held on, primarily through agriculture. (Its said the baby carrot was invented here in 1984.) But betting on crops is perilous in a place where rainfall averages just eight inches a year  which is where Blue Sky comes in. Its goal is to both support the community and expand it, pulling in creative entrepreneurs and tourists alike. It even hosts paying guests in a covered wagon and similar-looking huts.



One afternoon, I toured a group of former Richfield buildings with Jack Forinash, Blue Skys executive director. The buildings are now filled with artisans workshops: High Desert Print Co., a screen-printing and design outfit; Warrior Wagons, which restores classic woody cars; and Cuyama Beverage Co., a mead maker. All of these, Forinash suggested, were living, breathing business cards for the community. The labels of those mead bottles, for instance, make hidden Cuyama more visible when the drink is sold in boutiques in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara.



Plenty in Cuyama is still off the beaten path, though. Another afternoon we drove to a hilltop vineyard called Condors Hope. When Steve Gliessman and Robbie Jaffe first planted vines in 1995, the California condor  the largest bird in North America  was close to extinction and an aggressive captive-breeding program was under way. Starting in 1992, some of the birds had been reintroduced into a nearby national forest, and the couple would see them flying overhead.



Jessica Sample A tasting at Condors Hope, with the vineyards Zinfandel (left) and Pedro Ximenez.

Gliessman and Jaffe are agroecologists. The idea is in the title: fold ecology into agriculture, let the characteristics of the land inform what you plant and how you treat it, and you create a system that is no longer working against nature but within it. What this means practically is quite radical. No, we dont irrigate, Gliessman told me as we strolled among his vines, which were gigantic, like gnarled old candelabras. The hardy plants lose fewer grapes than most during prolonged droughts and winter freezes. The grapes are smaller, Gliessman explained. The skins are thicker. The wine tastes better, too.



Gliessman looked out over his vineyard toward a magnificent valley oak  easily hundreds of years old  where a pair of bluebirds were nesting and where my wife was now resting with our baby son. I like to think that Robbie and I are old vines, he said. I thought about the condors, and how, these days, they number in the hundreds in the wild. I knew exactly what he meant.

A version of this story first appeared in the April 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Desert Bloom."



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
A child trying out a gun during the National Rifle Association's annual convention. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US, surpassing car crashes and cancer.

The NRA held its annual meeting in Indianapolis, "free for all NRA members and their families!"

Photos from the meeting showed children as young as 6 years old handling deactivated weapons.

Editor's note, April 19, 2023: An earlier version of this story featured three photos (slide Nos. 1, 2, and 4) from Reuters that were removed from the outlet's database postpublication following a parent's request. Those photos have been replaced.

Correction: April 19, 2023  An earlier version of this story included a photo caption that misidentified the type of gun featured. The photo shows a 14-year-old holding a handgun, not a machine gun.

The NRA held its annual meeting in Indiana this weekend.

A 14-year-old from Illinois holding a gun at the National Rifle Association's annual convention. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Families were welcome at the 2023 annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, which began April 14 in Indianapolis.

"Make plans now to join fellow Second Amendment patriots for a freedom-filled weekend for the entire family!" the NRA website said.

NRA policies require the guns to be "rendered incapable of being fired."

A 14-year-old from Oklahoma with a handgun. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

All firearms at the exhibit had to be "deactivated by removal of the firing pin or other alteration so that they are rendered incapable of being fired," according to the NRA's Firearms & Product Display Regulations.

Once deactivated, the guns were "banded through the trigger guard" for display, the policy said.

Photos of children handling firearms circulated on social media, prompting backlash.

A 6-year-old from Indiana trying out a gun during the NRA's annual convention. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Photos of children handling firearms made the rounds on social media, prompting an outcry from gun-control advocates.

"Eddie Eagle must be sitting on a nest somewhere because he was nowhere to be found this weekend at the NRA's annual meeting, where young children were handling weapons," Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, told Insider, referring to the NRA's gun-safety mascot.

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She added: "Responsible gun owners and parents would not allow a child to put their finger on a firearm's trigger while pointing it at other people  even if they're props."

Watts said the NRA was seeking to push "gun extremism" onto the next generation.

A young attendee trying out a gun. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Firearms became the leading cause of death for US children and teens in 2020, surpassing car crashes and sitting far above other causes such as cancer.

"It's more clear than ever that the NRA's goal was never to teach children about responsible gun handling but to market guns and gun extremism to a new generation," Watts told Insider.

The NRA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the exhibit or Watt's comments on Sunday.

The conference came on the heels of mass shootings across the nation.

A 6-year-old trying out a handgun with his grandfather. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

The annual conference came on the heels of mass shootings in Nashville, Tennessee, and in Louisville, Kentucky. Between the two massacres, 11 people died.

Top Republican speakers at the NRA conference, meanwhile, cited scripture and lauded the Second Amendment.

"This is not a gun problem," former President Donald J. Trump said in his speech at the meeting, according to The New York Times.

"Stop trampling on the God-given rights of the American people every time tragedy happens," former Vice President Mike Pence said in his speech, per the Times.

The NRA's leader said politicians should fear what NRA "can do to their political careers."

A 10-year-old from Indiana at the NRA convention. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Wayne LaPierre, the longtime leader of the NRA, remained steadfast in his organization's mission, as protesters gathered outside the convention hall.

"Gun-hating politicians should never go to bed unafraid of what this association and all of our millions of members can do to their political careers," LaPierre said, eliciting cheers from the hall, the Times reported.

Demonstrators outside the meeting read off the names of about 1,600 children who were killed by guns in the past year, according to WFYI radio.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The SI Swimsuit model was featured in the magazine eight separate years.

Jessica White was photographed by Rennio Maifredi in Grenada. Rennio Maifredi/Sports Illustrated

Jessica White made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2003 and was featured a total of 12 times over eight separate years. She modeled for three body painting features, in 2004, 05 and 09. The former Victorias Secret models most recent photo shoot was in 2011 with photographer Raphael Mazzucco in the Philippines.

She recently shared a throwback of the amazing 2009 photos from Grenada with her 256,000 Instagram followers, and tagged artist Joanne Gair, who covered the model in carefully painted gorgeous mosaic tiles.

This is the most intricate suit that ive ever worn the now 38-year-old said at the time of the shoot with photographer Rennio Maifredi in Grenada. Its a mosaic from ancient Rome, Italy. The gold is kind of bringing out my skin tone. It looks really nice and moody. It was worth it. It took a really long time but its beautiful.

Jessica White was photographed by Rennio Maifredi in Grenada. Rennio Maifredi/Sports Illustrated

View the behind the scenes photos and full gallery.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Montana has become the first US state to give final passage to a bill banning the social media app TikTok from operating in the state.

SB 419 passed by a vote of 54 to 43. It would ban the app from being used on personal devices.

A TikTok spokesperson said that the bill's constitutionality "will be decided by the courts."

The app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has come under intense scrutiny over worries it could hand over data to the Chinese government.

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A body was found floating in a pond during a childrens fishing event, Washington police said.

The body, which may belong to a missing person, was spotted at Reflection Pond during the Kids Fish In at Sarg Hubbard Park on Saturday, April 15, the Yakima Police Department said on Twitter.

Yakima police did not immediately return McClatchy News request for comment.

More than 100 parents and children evacuated the area when a volunteer with the event pulled the mans body from the water, Yakima Herald-Republic reported.

The event was canceled for the day but was set to reopen in the evening, Yakima Greenway, which hosted the event, said in a Facebook post.

The pond was stocked with more than 5,000 trout, according to the nonprofit.

The man pulled from the pond appeared to be in his 30s, Deputy Coroner Marshall Slight told YakTriNews.

Yvette Inzunza, a spokesperson for the police department, told the outlet the man matches the description of a person reported missing days ago after last being seen several weeks prior.

Yakima is about 140 miles southeast of Seattle.

Angler finds womans body under a frozen pond in Rhode Island, officials say

Dog swimming alone leads to discovery of owners body in pond, New Hampshire cops say

Georgia teen found dead with gunshot wounds in South Carolina retention pond, cops say
Growing up in Miami, Vince Rives knew he wanted to stay local, because hes close to his Cuban family. Raised between his parents house in Kendall and his grandparents abode in Westchester, Rives, 29, recalled a happy childhood.

Weekends were spent in the backyard by the pool with his two siblings, cousin, grandparents and parents eating barbecue and his fathers famous black beans.

Three years ago, Rives thought about leaving his familys new home in Coral Terrace for a place of his own. After marrying in December 2020, he and his wife moved in with his parents, so they could save money for a down payment to buy a three-bedroom townhouse.

As a multimedia producer in the communications department at Florida International University, he makes $60,000 a year. Together, he and his wife, Maria, earn $120,000 and a little extra from working side gigs. They looked in Westchester, Kendall, Homestead, and Doral, their favorite area, for a $350,000 home.

Three years later, the couple is still searching  eventually hoping to become first-time homeowners. Many other aspiring buyers in Miami-Dade are in the same boat as the Rives, unable to pay what it typically costs to buy their first home in a pricey housing market.

Indeed, the number of purchases made by first-time homebuyers countywide declined in 2022 from the prior year, according to anecdotal information from real estate experts at Florida International University and the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade. They blame escalating mortgage interest rates and median home sales prices well north of $500,000 for blocking many people from attaining homeownership.

Although local data wasnt available, the share of first-time buyers among total U.S. home purchases in 2022 fell to a record low of 26%, according to the National Association of Realtors. That was down from 34% last year, a peak of 50% in 2010, and the lowest mark since 1981, when the Realtors group started compiling the annual data.

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Miami-Dade has priced out first-time homebuyers long before the pandemic emerged in March 2020. Foreign transplants and low wages made it more difficult to buy. The pandemic exacerbated tight housing conditions with the arrival of deep-pocketed buyers from across the country, particularly New York City, Boston and Chicago.

Weve been going through this for three years, Vince Rives said of losing out to buyers who offer more than the asking prices. ... I cant imagine how much crazier its going to get. Its difficult. I would always say Miami is the American dream. People left their country to have a better life for their family [here]. At the moment, its unattainable.

Housing inventory remains slim, although theres a greater supply on the market than a year ago. Miami-Dade had 9,880 homes, including condos, houses and townhouses, for sale in March. Thats up from 6,594 listings year ago, but far fewer than the 23,363 homes on the market in March 2019, the year before the pandemic, according to Multiple Listing Service data and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realtys real estate agent Scott Shuffield. That means first-time buyers have fewer homes to pick from in a competitive housing market.

Interest rates present another challenge. As of Thursday, Freddie Mac reported an average 6.27% fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage, considerably more than the 5% average a year ago. Midpoint prices have fallen in Miami-Dade from the peaks reached last year  $579,000 for single-family houses in June and $415,000 for condominiums in May. Still, they remain high, standing at $555,000 for houses and $390,000 for condos.

For first-time buyers, the silver lining is many Miami-Dade lenders offer those qualified down payment assistance programs to land their first homes, real estate experts said. And so far this year, the countys sizzling housing market has begun to cool.

If they are able to afford a home, they have more negotiation power than they might have had a year ago, said Eli Beracha, real estate professor and director of FIUs Tibor and Sheila Hollo School of Real Estate. Listings are sitting longer on the market. Buyers are able to negotiate the price a little bit more.

From aspiring to buying

For the past 15 years, Santiago Rodriguez was a renter in South Florida. At 14, he moved with his mom from Bogota, Colombia. She came for better work opportunities. The diversity of Miami kept him here.

As an adult, it is one of the cities that has a mix of cultures like New York, but its a new city with more opportunities, Rodriguez said. And the sun is shining most of the time.

Hes rented in Midtown Miami and, more recently, in Mid-Beach. Everything changed a year ago. As a real estate agent for Douglas Elliman and the founder of the real estate investment and property management firm Stayplus, Rodriguez thought investing in the real estate market would be wise. Thats when he decided to start saving to buy a home, putting 30% of his income into savings and investing through the financial service application Robinhood Markets.

After a six-month home search starting in January 2022, a deal landed in his lap. One of his clients who rented her condo decided to sell. She offered it to Rodriguez for the same price she paid for it three years ago.

He jumped at the offer, buying the 1,000-square-foot condo, with a bedroom and den on the 40th floor of the Paraiso Bay Views condominium in Edgewater, for $433,000. Rodriguez and his wife, Alice Teodoro, will move in this summer.

It was amazing. The closing date was on my birthday, he said. The lesson he learned that helped him land his first home? Sharing his homebuying plans. Its good to tell everyone that youre looking, because you never know who they might know that might be selling.

Newlyweds Santiago Rodriguez and Alice Teodoro in a lounge at the Paraiso Bay Views in Edgewater, where he bought a one-bedroom condo.

Financial checklist

Before starting their home search, real estate experts said striving first-time owners should reduce credit card debt, save six months of income and make sure they have a credit score of at least 660.

Since it usually takes years to save for a down payment on a home, it might come as no surprise that the median age of a first-time homebuyer in Miami-Dade was 32 and in Broward 33 as of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey. Nationally, last year the typical first-time buyer was 36, the oldest since the U.S. Realtors group began tracking such data over 40 years ago.

For those ready to become homeowners, experts say start by choosing a real estate agent. Berkshire Hathaways Shuffield said an agent will recommend a lender known for providing residential mortgages to those desiring to buy their initial homes. The lender will prepare the underwriting documents, lock in a mortgage rate and recommend down payment assistance programs.

In Shuffields experience, his area first-time buyer clients typically spend between $300,000 and $600,000 on a condo or townhouse, or $550,000 and $850,000 on a house. He said they often find the best deals on condos in Kendall and Dadeland and on houses in Westchester and West Miami.

Once a buyer finds an appealing home, Shuffield said move quickly with an offer, within 24 hours. The seller will consider the offer and, if choosing it, sign a contract and send it to the buyer. The buyer has 30 days, the first week of which should include a home inspection. The buyer can renegotiate the price if an inspector identifies much-needed upgrades. A buyer who gets cold feet also has the right to cancel a deal within that time.

In any market, its scary as the first-time homebuyer. Its your largest investment, Shuffield said. In some ways, its like getting married. It can be scary at first, but its the excitement that gets you through it.

Government help

The United States was primarily a nation of renters until the 1920s, said Paul George, HistoryMiamiMuseums resident historian. The Roaring Twenties changed priorities. Banks and mortgage companies stepped into lend to aspiring homeowners. The federal government started helping decades later during World War II.

After funding construction of public housing, Franklin D. Roosevelts administration turned to housing assistance for veterans in 1944 with the start of the G.I. Bill. It came on the heels of the public criticizing the governments lack of benefits for veterans after World War I. The rest, as they say, is history as federal, county and local homebuyer programs began.

Dan Suarez, 30, who served three years in the U.S. Navy, plans to lean on Veterans United for a mortgage with a zero down payment. After his military stint, Suarez used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He graduated last summer with a degree in accounting. He landed a job with Miami-Dade County as an accountant, earning $46,000 a year. The thought of staying in Orlando appealed to him, but growing up between Kendall and Homestead, he was drawn back home to his family in Miami. He now lives at home with his parents, while he saves for a one-bedroom condo in or near the urban core.

He started hunting for a home in January with a $176,000 budget, the maximum allowed by Veterans United based on his credit score.

He hopes to score a home before the summer, when hell begin graduate studies in accounting. If he doesnt achieve his goal, Suarez said, he plans to rent his own place. He wants a fresh start.

It is so expensive. Should I pay $2,000 and HOA for a place I dont care for or should I pay $2,000 for a place that I care for? Suarez said. I need my own space. Im 30 living with my parents.

The Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade, a government agency that provides assistance with down payment and closing costs to first-time homebuyers, helps households of up to two people that make a combined income of $97,500 and households of three people or more that together earn $112,125. It also has a home purchase price limit of $382,194 for a condo, townhouse or house. In addition to mortgage lending, the agency provides $15,000 towards a down payment to qualified first-time buyers.

The lending rules and income limitations are set by the federal government, said Housing Finance Authority chief financial officer Adela Garcia.

Some first-time buyers turn to their families for assistance. FIU history professor Keyao Pan landed his first home, a two-bedroom townhouse for about $300,000 in the Fontainebleau area, minutes from FIUs main campus  thanks to his family.

Last year, Pan decided he would wrap a yearlong post doctorate fellowship at Harvard University and then move to Miami to accept a job at FIU. He intended to lean on his family for help with the down payment. After searching two months for a home, he and his family decided to make cash offers. Thats what helped him buy the place he moved into in August.

Is anyone happy in this market, Pan said. The market doesnt have a lot of niches that people need right now, like affordable housing. Miami seems to be in a paradox, where it is pushing people away. When the density isnt there, people have to commute and live relatively far away from where they work in order to cut costs. If there is more reasonable planning, there might be better density and that might drive down prices, too.

This is a south view of the Miami skyline from the rooftop pool area at Paraiso Bay Views condo building in Miamis Edgewater neighborhood. Santiago Rodriguez and his wife Alicia Teodoro bought a one-bedroom home there.

Resources for first-time buyers

Experts recommend:

 Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade

 Florida Housing Finance Corporation

 Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust
Vice President Harris has found herself at the center of multiple key policy pushes and national debates in recent weeks, giving her a significant platform as she and President Biden ready a reelection campaign.

Harris became the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit Africa when she traveled to the continent late last month. Last week, she made a quickly arranged trip to Nashville after two Black Democrats were expelled from the state legislature for engaging in gun violence protests.

And Harris has again found herself as the administrations leading voice on protecting reproductive rights in the face of a judges ruling against a popular abortion drug and a Florida ban on the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy.

Ive been thrilled to see her in the spotlight on these two issues in particular over the past couple of weeks here. And it makes sense as were really starting to focus on the reelection campaign here, said David Thomas, a Democratic strategist who was an aide to then-Vice President Al Gore.

These are two issues, guns and abortion, that are really such stark contrasts between Democrats and Republicans, and the fact shes out there being really active on these outside of Washington, D.C., is exactly where she should be, Thomas added.

The vice president stepped into the foreign policy spotlight late last month when she traveled to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia as part of a week-long trip to Africa. Harriss presence was intended to reiterate the Biden administrations commitment to the continent, and it was backed up by billions of dollars in government and private sector investments in bolstering economic opportunities for women and efforts to adapt to the changing climate.

The trip also took on a personal tone for Harris, who is the first African American woman to serve as vice president. After touring an old slave trading post in Ghana, she delivered somber remarks about the need to remember history and learn from it.

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Upon returning to the U.S., Harris quickly found herself at the center of a major national news story when she flew to Nashville with little notice to meet with the Tennessee Three, a trio of state lawmakers who were targeted for expulsion because of protests over gun violence on the state House floor following a school shooting.

Former government officials were particularly impressed with how rapidly the trip came together, as Harris was on the ground speaking with lawmakers in Tennessee within 24 hours of the expulsion votes.

This week, Harris has reprised her role as the White Houses leading voice on the issue of reproductive rights, with key developments over access to abortion playing out in the courts and statehouses.

A federal judge invalidated the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approval of mifepristone, a popular abortion medication, in a decision the Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary stay on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate, signed into law a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, though many women do not yet know they are pregnant by that point. Advocates have expressed concern that the Florida law will drastically limit abortion access across the South.

Harris on Wednesday hosted a meeting of the White Houses task force on reproductive health care to discuss ways to protect patient privacy. On Saturday, she appeared at a Los Angeles rally in support of reproductive rights.

On Tuesday, she will travel to Nevada for an event with actress Rosario Dawson and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve to discuss how the fight for abortion access impacts young Americans.

Let us clearly understand the moment we are in: a moment in which our hard-won freedoms are under attack, Harris told a crowd of supporters Friday at the National Action Networks convention.

A spokesperson for Harris stressed that the vice president has been active in addressing gun violence and abortion access throughout the Biden administration, noting her response to a shooting in Highland Park, Ill., and her visit to Buffalo, N.Y., after a shooting at a grocery store.

The recent stretch in the spotlight has been notable for Harris, who frequently attracts scrutiny from Republicans, particularly over her role as the White Houses point person on addressing migration from Central America.

Conservatives have repeatedly zeroed in on the influx of migrants at the southern border, placing the blame on Harris and questioning whether shes qualified for the job.

Among Democrats, Harriss performance has at times sparked speculation about whether Biden should consider picking a different running mate for 2024  or if Democrats would unite behind Harris should Biden opt not to run for a second term. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) made waves in January when she was asked if Harris should remain Bidens running mate and said shed defer to Biden.

A March 21 survey from Monmouth University found Harris with a 36 percent approval rating, 5 percentage points lower than Bidens in the same poll. The vice presidents approval rating in that poll among Democrats was 76 percent, 10 percentage points lower than Bidens with the same group.

Biden and his team have repeatedly voiced public support for Harris, and some Democratic strategists and Harris allies believe the vice president has shown she can be a valuable asset when she is outside of Washington, discussing issues such as gun violence and abortion, which have proven to be key drivers of turnout for the party.

Rev. Al Sharpton, a leading civil rights activist, welcomed Harris on Friday as a keynote speaker at the National Action Networks convention in New York, hailing her as a symbolically and substantively important politician and comparing the vice president to the Biblical figure Esther.

She was built for this. She was born for this. She was raised for this. She can take every shot you shoot, because shes been through shots worse than this, Sharpton said. Shes tough enough, shes strong enough.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Students at Stonewall Elementary in Lexington, Ky., work on an assignment to figure out which writing sample was created by the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT, which can generate everything from essays and haikus to term papers in a matter of seconds.

Artificial intelligence inventions like ChatGPT and humans have a lot to learn about each other. That irony captures the contradictory eruptions of interest, hype and concern about ChatGPT, a bot (short for robot) created and released by OpenAI only last November.

ChatGPT uses technology somewhat inscrutably known as the generative pretrained transformer. Most simply, think of it as a digital tool for writing prose. It is roughly comparable to using tools like a calculator for doing math, an online search engine for research or word processing to ease composition, formatting and revision of the text.

At its current stage, the experimental writing bot predicts and suggests language ideally for short responses to prompts submitted by users. ChatGPT operates by predicting upon request what the user wants to write, not unlike the way spell check and word processing function by anticipating desired spellings and words. We've all experienced how that can be useful and annoying at times, even embarrassing.

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A bot is a software application programmed to perform tasks independently and to simulate human activity by interacting with other computer systems and people without guidance. Bots are designed to perform tasks more quickly, reliably and accurately than humans can, especially for jobs that are routine, repetitive and vast. These AI applications only appear to engage in human thought; they are not actually thinking (at least not yet).

Businesspeople, professionals and educators who learn how to make good use of new advanced networked computer tools like ChatGPT, while managing risks and mitigating potential misuse, will have a competitive advantage over those who ignore, outright reject or fight the inevitable widespread adoption of relentlessly advancing technologies.

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Easier said than done, as academics are known to be slow adaptors. This goes back to Ancient Greece when Socrates opposed students using paper and ink and has continued since then up to our own time. For reasons familiar to Socrates, many teachers and schools already banned the use of ChatGPT (over concerns about cheating, interference with teaching or learning and fostering bad study habits).

Baby boomers remember when the now routine student use of calculators was suspect and the digital natives of Gen Z still find many classrooms where teachers prohibit laptops.

Lawyers and law schools are also notoriously late adaptors, perhaps more so than any other learned profession, often for understandable and even commendable reasons. Those schooled in law give credence to weighing evidence before deciding. We value the probative value of the give-and-take argument, which also takes time to develop. We are comfortable with precedent and established practices; plus, we understand that change can be disruptive, have unintended unforeseen consequences and be unfair, especially for those who are unable to adapt or who relied on the status quo.

In law schools and other academic settings, keeping up with a world where paradoxically the only constant is continuously accelerating change, can be encumbered by outdated conventional wisdom and regulatory constraints, market realities and the unending repeating annual cycle of the academic calendar. That is, educators, do not have the luxury of putting their schools in drydock to scrape off barnacles and retrofit the institution.

Instead, innovation and experimentation necessarily can only be attempted while operationally underway and involves navigating through complex internal governance, legal requirements and the fiercely competitive, highly transparent, academic ecosystem that is acutely sensitive to unexpected external shocks which frequently occur.

Even so, despite the challenges we should push ourselves continuously to consider prudent change and to pursue creative solutions to the age-old challenge of making the best use of new technology in business and at every level of education. For example, consider the classic worry that innovations like ChatGPT promote cheating by students.

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Why not seize the opportunity to focus conversations on campuses about the importance of personal responsibility for intellectual integrity and understanding that academic fraud is both wrong and self-destructive, because cheaters are depriving themselves of getting more out of their education? Besides students and teachers will quickly learn that there are many ways to tell when writing comes from a bot.

Then too, surely teachers can incorporate ChatGPT-type applications into lessons about how to write better than bots. After all, there are unprogrammable elements of the human condition that are not done justice by algorithms. Flesh-and-blood writers in the end are irreplaceable because of humanitys artful penchant for understanding, wisdom, judgment, purpose, abstraction, creativity, poetry, metaphor, unpredictability, love, friendship, compassion, empathy, joy, inspiration, dedication, sacrifice, surprise, terror, sadness, grief, physical and mental pain, laziness, complacency, negligence, stubbornness, irrationality, deceit, meanness, bias, hatred, deviance, antisocial behavior, illness and death, as well as faith, hope and charity.

Our desires for relationships, liberty, privacy and safety also make every one of us  due to all our luminous foibles  more like Captain Kirk than Mr. Spock or IBMs Watson.

Technology-driven change  hopefully for the better  is inevitable. Yet while we should be open to all the exciting things new inventions can do to improve every aspect of our lives, there are no easy answers about how and when to adopt new technology. ChatGPT is imperfect and was released while still under development.

It is prone to repetition and irrelevant content can lead to unintended plagiarism given how it relies on and uses massive databases of published material. Its also not yet particularly useful for many workplace communications involving teamwork, evaluations and nuanced personal conversations.

To be or not to be early adaptors and improvers of ChatGPT  that is a classic question.

Allard

Nicholas Allard, founding dean, Jacksonville University College of Law

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Academics face a conundrum in adopting new technology like ChatGPT
Hungary halts Ukrainian agricultural imports 16 April, 11:37 AM Hungary will not import Ukrainian grain (Photo:REUTERS/Stringer)

Hungary has temporarily banned the import of grains, oilseeds, and some other agricultural products from Ukraine, Hungarian news outlet 24.hu reported on April 15, citing Hungarian agricultural minister Istvan Nagy.

The government is committed to representing the interests of the Hungarian farming community, which is why, in the absence of meaningful EU measures, like Poland, it temporarily prohibits the import of grain and oilseeds originating from or coming from Ukraine, as well as several other agricultural products into Hungary, Nagy said.

Video of day

On April 15, the Polish government banned the import of Ukrainian grain and a large range of other products into the country.

The restrictions will remain in place until June 30, 2023, which is sufficient time for the EU to take significant and long-term measures to find a solution.

The Ukrainian government has said that this decision violates previous agreements between the two countries.

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How has buyer outlook for homes changed since the pandemic?

"Relatively affordable areas stand shoulder to shoulder with more expensive, glamorous neighborhoods," concludes an analysis of the most-viewed neighborhoods in the U.S. on Zillow, a leading real estate search engine.

One of those neighborhoods was in Kentucky, according to the analysis by HouseFresh, a team that reviews indoor air quality products. The Chevy Chase-Ashland Park neighborhood in Lexington made the top 20 list of areas that attracted the attention of potential homebuyers, HouseFresh said.

Chevy Chase-Ashland Park ranked No. 16 nationwide with 16,952 daily views. It fell behind neighborhoods in some of the country's largest cities, like New York, Phoenix and Dallas, where the U.S.'s most sought-after neighborhood of Northeast Dallas received more than 36,000 daily page views.

'This is enough': 2 dead, 4 injured in shooting at Chickasaw Park

The rest of the top five:

Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles

Camelback East in Phoenix

La Jolla in San Diego

Upper East Side in New York City

Louisville's top-ranked neighborhood was Jeffersontown with 10,294 views. Other top contenders were Pleasure Ridge Park at 7,188, Okolona at 6,398 and Fern Creek at 5,739 views.

HouseFresh also analyzed data for the top 20 neighborhoods that homebuyers are least interested in. Kentucky didn't land on this list, but the neighborhood of Wanamaker in nearby Indianapolis, about two hours north of Louisville, was second with 28 daily page views.

The least-viewed neighborhood in the country was the Warehouse District in Durham, North Carolina, at 12 views. HouseFresh suggests it's because there are few properties for sale and that local buyers are attracted to areas slightly outside the trendy neighborhood.

Weird things left in homes: A suit of armor, pigs & risque photos

The study by HouseFresh suggests that potential homebuyers have been doing more window shopping than closing on deals, evidenced by sales that dropped by 19% between August 2021 and 2022, according to a Financial Times article cited in the study. At the same time, monthly mortgages have risen up to 59%, and sellers have "flooded the market," leaving prices to settle while there is a rise in supply over demand.

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"Buyers could be about to stop browsing and start spending," the study said.

HouseFresh gathered information about the country's 100 largest cities from Wikipedia and then collected property listings for each of them, focusing on houses, townhomes, apartments and condos. They extracted information like the number of days a property was listed and its number of page views. The team then took the page views per day for each listing and calculated the average number of daily views on each property in all neighborhoods, excluding ones that didn't have at least 10 listings.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: One of U.S.'s most popular neighborhoods is in Kentucky, analysis says
The ongoing fallout from the leak of classified documents from the Pentagon and the legal battle over a widely used abortion pill will likely dominate this weeks Sunday shows circuit.

The Justice Department and Pentagon launched investigations last week following the revelation that about 100 classified records were leaked online on websites like Discord and Twitter, possibly as early as January. The documents detailed information about the war between Ukraine and Russia and U.S. spying operations.

The information included expectations that Ukraine would run out of munitions for its Soviet-era air defense systems soon, doubts about the success of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring and concerns that Taiwan would not be able to effectively defend itself from a Chinese air assault.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News Neil Cavuto earlier this week that the leaks were very damaging to the United States and its allies, specifically with it giving a roadmap to the countrys strategy in Russia.

The leaked documents do not appear to include information about specific battle plans but do include analyses of the military situation.

McCaul, who will appear on Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures, said he is worried that the documents reveal could further motivate those who have argued against continuing to send large amounts of funding to support Ukraine against Russias invasion. He said backing Ukraine is the main deterrent to prevent China from moving in to try to take Taiwan.

What this leak does is it undermines the confidence there, and it undermines this administration and what they are doing in this conflict in Ukraine, he said.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who will appear on CBS Face the Nation, might also address the documents leak as he traveled to Ukraine earlier this week along with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and country music artist Brad Paisley, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Kelly pledged to keep working with his colleagues in Congress to get Ukraine the weapons and support they need to win the war.

Manchins office said the senators discussed military readiness, accountability for foreign assistance and how to rebuild parts of Ukraine with Zelensky.

Congressional Democrats have remained almost completely united in maintaining support for Ukraine, while some Republicans, like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Matt Gaetz (Fla.), have raised questions about the amount of aid being sent.

As for the leaks themselves, multiple officials, including Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), said in the days after the federal government began its investigation that the leaks could amount to espionage.

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with violating the Espionage Act and another law that prohibits the unauthorized removal of classified documents. Officials believe Teixeira posted the documents on a Discord group called Thug Shaker Central.

Turner told CBS News that the documents showed the extent to which the U.S. and Ukraine are aware of what actions Russia is taking.

We dont know what else might be coming or what else they have access to, Turner said. Thats why its so important to find the source and to close down this source.

Turner will appear on Face the Nation.

The debate over the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approval of mifepristone, one of two abortion pills approved in the U.S., also will likely be discussed during the Sunday shows.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryks ruling last week that the FDA improperly rushed the approval process for the pill more than 20 years ago shined a national spotlight on abortion pills, which is the most commonly used method for abortions in the country.

The federal government appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which allowed the pill to remain on the market but with certain restrictions on changes that the FDA recently made to make accessing the pill easier.

The Biden administration then asked the Supreme Court to step in to remove the restrictions. The court briefly paused the appeals court ruling in an emergency order on Friday, ordering the status quo to remain in place until at least Wednesday while it reviews the administrations request for a stay on the appeals court ruling.

The response to Kacsmaryks ruling from Democrats was swift and highly critical, arguing that he is revoking access to a drug that has been proven to be safe and effective.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in comments reacting to the decision along with other New York Democratic officials that reproductive rights have been intensely under attack since Roe v. Wade was overturned last June.

She argued that the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe, denied women the right to privacy.

This Texas decision goes the next step, further defining what the denial of right to privacy looks like, she said. It means no right to privacy in the mail.

Gillibrand, who will appear on CNNs State of the Union and Fox News Sunday, warned that the ruling could have implications of allowing the government to read someones mail and do whatever they want with someones personal information.

This decision is not going to stop here, she said. The next type of medicine they will deny, why wouldnt they deny your reproductive care for birth control?

The Biden administration, Democrats and abortion rights advocates have argued that the ruling could undermine the FDAs ability to approve other medications.

Almost all congressional Democrats filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on Friday to urge it to prevent the restrictions on mifepristone.

The perils of this unwarranted judicial intervention into science-based determinations can hardly be overstated, they said.

Republicans have been largely silent in the days following Kacsmaryks ruling, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), former President Trump and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) not addressing it.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has also remained mostly quiet on the issue despite having proposed a national 15-week abortion ban in September in the aftermath of Roes overturn.

Graham, who will appear on ABCs This Week, said on Fox News Sunday earlier this week that he believes in common-sense restrictions on abortion, which he said is where the country is at too. He said the Republican Party needs to have reasonable positions on abortion or it could cost the party elections.

Some lawmakers have also called on the FDA to ignore the opinion from Kacsmaryk and continue to distribute the pill. They include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina.

Mace, who will appear on Fox News Sunday, has been open about favoring abortion rights and pushing back against extreme views on abortion. She said most of the country is somewhere in the middle on abortion.

I think that that 90 percent would be OK with listening to the FDA rather than a judge who used an old law that was determined unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, she said.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows:

ABCs This Week  Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.)

NBCs Meet the Press  Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.); Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

CBS Face the Nation  Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio); former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R); Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank

CNNs State of the Union  Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.); Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.)

Fox News Sunday  Gillibrand; Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)

Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures  Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.); Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas); former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson; Michael Milken, chairman of the Milken Institute

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
How much longer will America slide toward the abyss? We have one political party, the Democratic Party, for all its faults, that is at least rational and sane. You very well may disagree with their political stances on various policies, but that is a far cry from where we are with the other party. The Republican Party is no longer a political party. It has become a full-fledged cult. Reminiscent of Jim Jones, Shoko Asahara or David Koresh, Donald J. Trump is now the focal point of the Republican cult.

Under no circumstances are you to question the cult leader's deity. Questioning Trump equates to instant vilification ranging from name-calling to death threats. We cannot lose the fact that we are talking about a man who once was president of the United States.

The absurdity of the cult has permeated every facet of American politics. From the federal level to local levels, America is now infested with leaders who still believe the 2020 election was stolen, they still believe that a secret cabal of Democrats are killing kids and drinking their blood, and that Jan. 6 was not a coup attempt. Jan. 6 to the cult is now celebrated. Their cult leader had convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists record a song so he can now play it at his cult rallies. We even have Republicans visiting these traitors in jail as if they are heroes. This is disgusting and dangerous.

The choice America faces as 2024 rolls ever closer could not be starker. Do we want a functioning democracy, or do we want a malignant narcissist back in the office for what will be a term of vengeance and mayhem? Do we want an American president who openly swoons over Putin, Xi and Kim Jong Il, while insulting our allies and openly calling for an exit to NATO?

There is no real distention within the cult. If anything, the cult is coalescing tighter at Trump's feet, the nation be damned. Those who have tried to speak logic to the mass of sycophants are scorned as RHINOs. Anyone not in the cult is fair game for violence. A party that once stood proudly with law enforcement now has the blood of law enforcement on its hands. Nonetheless, they dont care. If Trump wants it, they will deliver. He has become their Messiah.

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It doesnt matter what crimes Trump has been indicted on, or what crimes he may be indicted on in the future. This only feeds into their warped narrative that the deep state is out to get him, and come hell or high water, that cannot happen. He is above the law.

What is comical is the cult has an entire channel dedicated to Trump: FOX News. But under their veil of absurdity, it is out there for all to see exactly what the talking heads at FOX think of Trump. They knew the election wasn't stolen, they knew they were peddling lies, and for all the deference they paid Trump on air, behind the scenes they couldnt stand him. This, however, is not a learned moment for the mass of sycophants. Oh no, instead, they ignore the narrative, or turn to other outlets more than willing to pander to the intellectually stunted.

America cannot tolerate this crisis any longer. The choice is as simple as it is stark. We either protect Americas democracy or we hand the keys back over to a sociopathic man who has no guiding principles except feeding his insatiable appetite for praise and adoration. His narcissistic supply is being fed by the mindless mass of Trumpers.

With Trump's cult, we are way past political differences. We are at a tipping point. Is America willing to allow this cult to metastasize further? If so, it will be an America none of us recognize. If not, get vocal, get involved, and vote this cancer out of every office in America before it's too late.

 Todd Leva is a resident of Zeeland.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: With Trump's cult, we are way past political differences
Former Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute John Heubusch, left, receives Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, flanked by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, second from right, and David Trulio, President and CEO of Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, as she arrives at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on April 5 in Simi Valley, Calif.
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Why the West doesn't supply Ukraine with everything it needs, explained by Reznikov 16 April, 03:19 PM Oleksii Reznikov (Photo:REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis)

The West doesn't provide Ukraine with all of the supplies it needs because it has long been guided by a rule to avoid provoking Russia, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview with Spanish outlet La Razon on April 16.

This trend reached its nadir in 2008, when former German chancellor Angela Merkel convinced Europe and the U.S. to reject Ukraine and Georgia's track to NATO, Reznikov stated.

"The West has long lived in the dogma of not provoking Russia, he said.

It became a tangible reality in 2008, during the NATO summit in Bucharest.

Video of day

The possibility of NATO accession for Ukraine and Georgia back then was very real, as the U.S. and majority of European countries supported this move, the minister said.

"It was the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, that opposed [Ukraines accession] and convinced the others, he added.

Germany and France blocked a Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and Georgia at a NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008. Merkel and then French President Nicolas Sarkozy took this step out of fears of escalation with Russia, the defense minister explained.

Then came the occupation of some areas in Georgia, the Salisbury Poisonings, explosions in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, the occupation of Crimea in 2014, and the Russian military invasion into Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, he said.

"The second mistake (of the West) was to believe that if there was a military confrontation, a small Soviet army would face a much larger one and be defeated, he concluded.

Well, we are not a Soviet country with a Soviet army.

The head of the German parliaments defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, said on March 3 that Merkel shares responsibility for Russia's war against Ukraine because of decisions she took while in office.

Merkel claimed she still considers her decision to reject Ukraine from NATO the right one, even after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Flights out of northern Taiwan were delayed Sunday after China launched a rocket carrying a satellite that dropped debris into waters north of Taipei's capital. While the satellite launch had no obvious military purpose, it comes after China held large-scale military drills in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's transit visit to the United States earlier this month, during which she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

Tensions remain high, and China sent warplanes flying toward Taiwan more than 200 times last weekend while its navy ships circled the self-ruled island it claims as Chinese territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

Also read: Delhi-Bound Lufthansa Flight Returns To Frankfurt Due To Technical Glitch

Taiwan's Defense Ministry issued a statement on public media, saying it had monitored the 9:36 a.m. Launch from the Jiuquan base in northwestern China. While some rocket parts had landed within Taiwan's air defense identification zone, they posed no threat to "our nation's territory," the statement said.

China had declared a 27-minute halt to flights over a section of the East China Sea, considerably shorter than the no-fly period over parts of three days it had originally announced. Taiwan said it strongly protested the notice and was able to get China to reduce the flight ban time to the brief period on Sunday morning.

Still, the flight ban caused disruptions for travellers headed to Japan from Taipei's Songshan Airport. Lee Yang-ming, a 54-year-old working in the medical industry, said he had lost an afternoon of sightseeing in Tokyo after his departure time was put back by two hours.

"We had our schedule all planned," Lee said. "That's ruined one day of our visit." Recent Chinese exercises around Taiwan have been seen as a display of its ability to attack the island and cut off air and sea transit routes in the area that is among the most vital to trade and travel in the world.

That has brought strong condemnations from the U.S., Taiwan's chief ally, and warnings from other nations of the calamitous effect a Taiwan Strait conflict would have on the entire world.
After being airborne for nearly two hours, a Delhi-bound Lufthansa flight is returning to Frankfurt due to a hydraulic system issue, according to a passenger. The flight LH-0760 from Frankfurt to Delhi is being operated by a Boeing 747-400 aircraft. A PTI correspondent who is on the flight said that after being airborne for around two hours, the captain announced that the aircraft is being taken back to Frankfurt to take care of the hydraulic system.

The flight, which was to take off at 1.40 pm, was delayed and took off at around 2.20 pm (local time) from Frankfurt.

Also read: Sudan: Saudia A330, Other Planes Damaged At Khartoum Airport Amid Heavy Firing - Watch Video

Earlier in the day, a Delhi-Bagdogra IndiGo flight had to return to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport because of a technical problem. As per a statement from the airline, flight 6E 6282 returned to Delhi as a precautionary measure.

"The pilot noticed a technical issue and requested a turn back. The aircraft landed safely and is undergoing necessary inspection. An alternate aircraft was provided for the passengers to be flown to Bagdogra," IndiGo said in a statement.

Before that, a Saudia Airlines cargo flight made an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport on the same day after its windshield cracked mid-air, reports ANI. The aircraft landed safely at the Kolkata Airport at 12:02 pm. Before the landing, the airport had made all the necessary arrangements. A full emergency was withdrawn after the flight landed, according to airport officials.
New Delhi: Tigerteeh, whose real name is Touseef Panchbhaya, is a young and talented individual of Indian origin who has been making significant contributions and bringing pride to India while residing in the USA. Here are some ways in which Tigerteeh has been making India proud in the USA:

Tigerteeh has successfully established and managed multiple businesses in the USA. As an entrepreneur, he has been able to create employment opportunities, contribute to the economy, and represent the entrepreneurial spirit of India in the international business landscape.

Touseef has been actively involved in the field of technology and innovation, particularly in the realm of social media and content creation. He has built a substantial following on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram by creating engaging and entertaining content, showcasing his creativity and technological skills.

Tigerteeh has been actively involved in philanthropic activities, giving back to the community and supporting charitable causes. He has used his platform and resources to raise awareness and funds for various social causes, including supporting education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts in India and other parts of the world.

He has been proudly representing the rich cultural heritage of India in the USA. Through his content and interactions with his audience, he has been promoting Indian traditions, customs, and values, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and building bridges between communities.
New Delhi: Samsung Electronics's management and its workers have agreed to an average 4.1 percent pay raise for the year, while effectively freezing raises for its board members due to poor performance amid a worsening chip glut and a global slowdown. The pay raise is lower than the 9 percent wage hike of the previous year, which was the highest in a decade, and lower than the initial demand from the workers.





The world's largest memory chip and smartphone maker reached an agreement with representatives of its employees over wages and other labour policies, including extending shortened working hours for pregnant employees. ( Also Read: Amazon, Google CEOs 'Hint' At More Layoffs Amid Economic Meltdown The announcement was said to be made internally earlier in the day, according to the sources, reports Yonhap News Agency. Both parties hammered out the compromise, taking into consideration the external headwinds that caused the quarterly profit to plunge nearly 96 percent in the first quarter. ( Also Read: This AI-Based Smartphone App May Help You Quit Smoking The management decided to apply last year's pay policy for board members, effectively putting off its initial plan to raise the pay ceiling for board members by 17 percent.Separately, Samsung's unionised workers, which accounted for around 4 percent of the total 110,000 workers, have engaged in wage negotiations with the management since late last year.The two parties have so far held 10 rounds of negotiations but could not iron out differences.Last week, Samsung said it has cut memory production in the short term, as its quarterly profit plunged significantly (likely 96 percent) amid the chip downturn, in a sharp departure from its previous position that it would not artificially reduce output.The world's largest memory chip and smartphone maker estimated its January-March operating profit at 600 billion won ($454.9 million), sharply down from 14.12 trillion won a year ago.Samsung blamed sluggish demand for tech devices, coupled with customers' inventory adjustment, for the poor performance.
New Delhi: Ahead of his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the excise policy case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday reiterated that if he was 'corrupt' then no one in the world was 'honest'. Releasing a video statement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were demanding his arrest and that if the party had 'ordered' the probe agency to arrest him, it cannot refuse to do so. Kejriwal on Sunday appeared before the CBI for questioning in the excise policy scam case.

Hours before his questioning, Arvind Kejriwal attacked the BJP and said that in 30 years of its rule in Gujarat, the condition of not a single school could be improved, while the AAP government in Delhi turned around the government schools.

A temporary classroom had to be set up when the prime minister (Narendra Modi) visited a school in Gujarat, he alleged.

"You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to... If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest," Arvind Kejriwal said.

In the video, the Delhi CM said that the BJP has the 'ego' of power and that they 'threaten everybody'.

"Since yesterday, all of their leaders are screaming at top of their voices that Kejriwal will be arrested and I think BJP has instructed CBI also that Kejriwal should be arrested. If BJP has given an order, then who is CBI? CBI is going to arrest me," he said.

Kejriwal lives for the country and will die for the country, if you call me 100 times for the CBI and ED, I will go 100 times, he said.

                     pic.twitter.com/xLBloVKg7o  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 16, 2023

Meanwhile, Kejriwal arrived in his car at the heavily fortified CBI headquarters, where the Delhi Police has put in place four rings of barricading to prevent any possible protests by the Aam Admi Party leaders and supporters.

The CBI has kept Sunday for questioning as the neighbourhood, which consists of complexes having government offices, remains closed, thus causing the least inconvenience to the officials coming here.

After his arrival at the agency headquarters at 11:10 AM, he was taken to the first floor office of the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, which is probing the matter. Senior officials of the agency remained present in the office on Sunday to keep an eye on the development, a normal course whenever a VIP comes to the agency.

According to officials, the CBI may ask Arvind Kejriwal about the Delhi excise policy formulation process, especially regarding the 'untraceable' file which was earlier slated to be put before the Delhi Council of Ministers.

Officials said the CBI may also quiz the AAP leader on the statements of other accused where they have indicated the manner in which policy was allegedly influenced to favour some liquor businessmen and the 'South liquor lobby'.

In addition, the agency may also seek his role in the formulation of the excise policy and his knowledge about the alleged influence being cast by the traders and 'South lobby' members, the officials said.

He may also be asked if he was involved in the formulation of the policy before it was given approval, they said.

Kejriwal is being summoned as a witness and is not an accused in the excise policy case in which his former deputy Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26.

It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The policy was later scrapped.

Earlier on Saturday, Kejriwal said that the AAP has emerged as a ray of hope for the country and claimed that is the reason why efforts are being made to trample it. In his first reaction after being served a notice by the CBI to appear before it on Sunday, he said he will be present before the probe agency.

Addressing a press conference, he said that no other party has been targeted in the last 75 years as the AAP. He also alleged that the agencies were torturing people to extract false confessions.

I have received summons from CBI. I will certainly honour it. My press conference on the same. https://t.co/JwFtwb5Kfq April 15, 2023

Kejriwal said he will sue the CBI and ED officials for alleged perjury and filing false affidavits in courts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday appealed to the people of Karnataka to ensure victory of his party in 150 seats, out of total 224, to ensure that the BJP does not break its government. Addressing a mega "Jai Bharat" rally here, he stated that he is happy that the Congress unit is fighting unitedly. "The party is all set to get a full majority. One thing you remember... The BJP, with full force, will attempt to break the government with the 40 per cent money taken from the people. "They will try to break your own government from the money stolen from you. The Congress should come to power with 150 seats. No chance should be given to the BJP," he said.

Asserting that the Congress is going to come to power in Karnataka, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help top businessmen "and our government will help the poor, farmers, labourers and small industrialists".

"The BJP will open banks doors to industrialists. Our government will open the banks doors to small shop owners, small businessmen, poor and labourers," he assured. "In few days, the Congress government will take charge in Karnataka. The question is what it will do after coming to power? What will it deliver to youth, women, and the poor?

"After the elections in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, the CMs asked me what they have to do. I told them to deliver the assurances given to the people in the elections at the first cabinet meeting. It should not take one or two years," Gandhi said. He said that the promises made in Karnataka - of providing 200 units of free electricity under Bhagya Jyothi scheme, Rs 2,000 allowance for woman heads of family under Gruhalakshmi scheme, 10 kgs of free rice for every member BPL family under Anna Bhagya scheme and Rs 3,000 allowance for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders should be fulfilled in the first cabinet meeting, he added.

He urged that the message should be given to PM Modi and people of the country that, if thousands of crores could be given to Adani and other businessmen, the Congress government can very well give it to the poor, women, and youth. He claimed that whenever he questioned the relationship of PM Modi with the Adanis, he was targeted.

"I want to talk directly. They (BJP) want to scare me with disqualification, threatening. I will not fear. I will question the shell company and who the Rs 20,000 crore funds in it belongs to. Until I get the answer, I won`t stop. Let them disqualify or put me into jail, It won`t make any difference," Gandhi asserted.

Alleging that the whole infrastructure of the country has been handed over to Adanis, and thousands of crores come into his company all of a sudden, he claimed: "In Adani`s shell company, a Chinese director is there. No investigation is done. How can a Chinese director sit there? No one is questioning. When a question is raised they divert the topic and brand me as anti-OBC."

"Let`s talk about OBCs. The power has to be distributed according to the population. Only 7 per cent of Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis are secretaries. Is the SC/ST quota of reservation equivalent to their population?" Gandhi asked. He challenged PM Modi to make the caste basis census report done during the UPA government in 2012 public. "Let the Dalits, OBCs and Adivasi know what their population is," he said.

Gandhi also demanded that the reservation cap at 50 per cent should be removed. If PM Modi does not release the caste census data, it is an insult to the backward classes, he added.
Ukrainian SkyUp aircraft reportedly damaged in Sudan, crew evacuated 16 April, 02:25 PM Air plus news showed at least two planes burning at Khartoum airport (Photo:  ir plus news/Twitter)

One of two planes belonging to the Ukrainian airline SkyUp was reportedly damaged at Sudans Khartoum International Airport amid an attempted military coup on April 15, according to media reports.

Air Plus News, a French-language news outlet, shared a video showing at least two planes on fire at Khartoum Airport. According to reports, one of the planes belongs to SkyUp, while the other is a plane from Saudi Arabia whose passengers had been evacuated.

SkyUp in turn reported that the damaged aircrafts emergency locator beacon had been activated, and its condition could not be assessed at present. Thirty-six SkyUp employees currently in the country are in a relatively safe place, and communication with them has been established.

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Spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Oleh Nikolenko told the New Voice that the head of the Ukrainian Honorary Consulate in Sudan was taking care of the crew members.

The MFA also refuted reports that Ukrainian hostages had bene taken in that country, and recommended that Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Sudan amid the deteriorating security situation. Those who are there now should stay at home and not visit areas near airports, military bases, and the government quarter.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt are keeping the safety of Ukrainian citizens in Sudan under the radar," Nikolenko said.

In early 2023, the airlines planes were operating flights from Sudan to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Sudan is currently in the midst of an attempted military coup. On April 15, after several days of tension in Khartoum, clashes broke out between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The latter claimed to have taken control of the presidential palace, the army commanders residence, and the international airport in the capital. Witnesses reported the presence of armored vehicles on the streets and fighter jets in the sky, while medics reported civilian casualties.

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New Delhi: Actor Anupam Kher hosted a special musical night called 'Satish Kaushik Night' in remembrance of his late friend Satish Kaushik on his 67th birth anniversary. The evening was attended by Satishs friends, admirers and family members. His daughter Vanshika also read out a poem for him which made everyone emotional.

However, one particular moment in the event saw Anil Kapoor breaking down at the mention of his dear friend and the video of the same has gone viral on the internet. In the video, Anupam Kher narrates his last conversation with Satish Kaushik on stage, during which he also asks Anil Kapoor to stand up and join him. Anil gets up from his, however, midway, he breaks down into tears and says that he cannot join him on stage. Seeing his cry like this, Anupam Kher also becomes very emotional and says, Come, Anil. Heroes always cry and friends cry. Come. However, Anupam Kher too, could not control his tears after that and broke down as he said, Anil tu pagal hai. Main theek thaak jaa raha tha. (You are mad Anil. I was going alright.)

Watch the video here

Poem read by Satish Kaushik's daughter Vanshika

Satish Kaushik passed away just a day after Holi celebrations in Gurugram. Anil Kapoor was not in India at the time of Satish Kaushiks death. The actor, famous for his role as Calendar in Anil Kapoors Mr India left everyone in shock with his sudden demise, especially his close ones. He passed away on March 9 in Gurugram after suffering from heart attack.

Satish 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`.
Mumbai: Deepika Padukone flooded her Instagram feed on Saturday with pictures from her latest trip to Bhutan. The series of photos started with a solo picture of Deepika, in which, the Piku actor can be seen sitting on a rock in the woods. The actor was dressed in a black athleisure outfit, suggesting that she went for hiking.

Later on, she went on sharing breathtaking pictures of the scenic Bhutan, covering sky, forest, religious places, rivers, bridges and what not! The last frame of the series shows Deepika posing with a few kids. Apart from this, Deepika also shared glimpses of the mouth-watering delicacies she had on her trip.

Probably the actor went for solo travel as her husband Ranveer Singh or any other family member is not seen with her in any frame. Earlier few pictures and videos from her trip went viral. On Instagram, the official page of YourCafe Restaurant shared pictures of the actor with the staff. In the photos, Deepika wore a white outfit and dark sunglasses. "Thank you so much for your visit to Neyphug Heritage, Your Cafe, Bhutan. It's been a great pleasure to serve you and your family! Such a down-to-earth soul," the team captioned the post. Deepika used the same caption for all the pictures. It`s called "#landofthethunderdragon." In another picture from her hiking to Tiger`s Nest in Taktsang, Paro, Deepika posed with a woman trainer.

See the pics shared by Deepika Padukone from her mesmerizing trip to Bhutan

Meanwhile, on the work front, she has already started the shoot of `Fighter`. In this movie, she will be seen opposite Hrithik Roshan for the first time. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, `Fighter` also stars Akshay Oberoi, Karan Singh Grover and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles and is all set to hit the theatres on January 25, 2024.She also has Project K with Prabhas and megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Fans will also see her in The Intern remake with Big B.
Washington: US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an 'unbelievable, visionary' and the most popular world leader with the commitment and desire to move India forward as a global power. Raimondo who was in India last month, recounted her recent interactions with Prime Minister Modi, during an event hosted by the Indian Embassy here on Saturday.

"I had an incredible opportunity to spend more than an hour and a half with Prime Minister Modi. He is the most popular world leader for a reason. He is unbelievable, visionary and his level of commitment to the people of India is just indescribable and deep and passionate and real and authentic. And his desire to lift people out of poverty and move India forward as a global power is real and it is happening," Raimondo said amid thunderous applause from the audience.

"The best part of the meeting for me was this. Anyone who knows Prime Minister Modi, all of you knows, he is a tech guy and he is deep into the details. So, I found myself at his home at 7.30 on a Friday night, talking about the details of radio access networks and artificial intelligence. It was just amazing," she said.

What was the best part of the meeting of the US Secretary of Commerce with PM Modi?



Watch it! pic.twitter.com/6dYqfgdvWn  BJP (@BJP4India) April 16, 2023

Raimondo was in India last month for the India-US Commercial Dialogue and India-US CEO Forum meeting.

She led a high-powered business delegation to India.

On Friday, I met with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi. We discussed the strength of the U.S.-India relationship and the deep partnership between our two countries in technology and innovation.https://t.co/LpODqOXLSp pic.twitter.com/nAy7efEwM0  Secretary Gina Raimondo (@SecRaimondo) March 14, 2023

"In the years to come, there will be two ecosystems of technology. One consistent with our democratic values and another not. I said to him, the United States and India need to lead the world together in this technology ecosystem. Without missing a beat, after he travelled all week, he said to me, well, Secretary AI doesn't stand for artificial intelligence. He said, "AI is America-India technology," she said.

Raimondo, 51, said that going forward, India and the US would lead the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

"We're entering into a new era of even deeper collaboration and partnership between the United States and India. I use that word partnership deliberately, young partnership equal partners working together," she said.

Raimondo acknowledged that the best of India was at display during her visit, in terms of culture, tradition and celebrations.

"When I was in India, I met with women, and by the way, amazing female weavers and artisans. I met with some of your unicorn entrepreneurs. I met with investors. I met with the biggest CEOs. India has arrived, India has more than arrived. This is a fact. And now what we need to do is deepen the relationship between the United States and India," she said.

"Because what we share, as minister (Nirmala) Sitharaman said, democracy is messy. Our democracy is diverse, messy, and imperfect, as is yours but we value diversity, we value education, we value human rights, we value equality," she added.

Meanwhile, pictures and video clips of Raimondo playing Holi at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence have gone viral on social media, as it reflects the strong relationship between the US and India.
New Delhi: Fearing that Central Bureau of Investigation may arrest Arvind Kejriwal as the questioning is underway at the CBI headquarters in the national capital, Aam Aadmi Party Delhi convenor Gopal Rai has called a meeting at the party office at 5 pm, sources said on Sunday.

The office bearers, district president, national secretaries and other leaders of the party have been asked to join the meeting. This comes as Arvind Kejriwal`s questioning in the Delhi Excise policy case is underway at the CBI headquarters.

Earlier, AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others were detained by the Delhi Police for protesting near the CBI office in the national capital on Sunday.

The detained AAP leaders were heard chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi."BJP suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwal`s fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail," Raghav Chadha said.

The AAP is protesting against the questioning of CM Kejriwal by the CBI in the Excise policy case.Ahead of his appearance before the central investigative agency in connection with the excise policy case, Kejriwal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on Sunday.

Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and other top leaders of the party.Before heading to the CBI office, Kejriwal said that the central agency will arrest him if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given the orders.

In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."Earlier today, Raghav Chadha called Kejriwal "Lord Krishna" and called Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as "Kansa".

"Kansa knew that Lord Shri Krishna would finish him and, hence, made every effort and hatched many conspiracies to inflict harm on Shri Krishna. He could not even harm a hair on his head. Similarly, today the BJP knows that the AAP will bring their downfall," Chadha said.
Goalpara: A man was arrested from a passenger bus, incoming from Meghalaya, carrying a huge cache of explosives in Assam`s Goalpara, police said on Sunday. The Goalpara district Police in a joint operation with a team from Krishnai police station in Assam also recovered detonators from the bus.

"We have arrested a person in connection with this. Police recovered 1162 numbers of gelatin and 998 detonators from the bus. The bus was coming from Meghalaya," Goalpara ASP, Rituraj Doley said.

According to police, based on secret information, a police team of Goalpara district and Krishnai police station conducted an operation and intercepted a passenger bus at Krishnai area. Further investigation into the incident is underway.

#WATCH |Assam: In a joint operation with a team from Krishnai PS, Goalpara district police arrested two people and recovered a huge cache of explosives and gelatin detonators from a passenger bus.



"We have arrested a person in connection with this. Police recovered 1162 numbers pic.twitter.com/805jObR8xG  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2023

In a similar incident, Border Security Force intercepted an Assam-bound civil bus and seized a huge quantity of Burmese Betel nuts worth Rs 12 lakh from the Umkiang area of Meghalaya`s East Jaintia Hills, an official statement said on April 10.

Four persons were apprehended including the driver and co-driver in connection with the incident after failing to produce valid documents. The incident took place on April 9 in which the 172 Battalion of the BSF Meghalaya seized the Betel nuts, acting on a specific input.

"The apprehended persons revealed that they were coming from Tripura and consignment was being taken to ISBT Guwahati," the statement said.
New Delhi: Days after son Asad's encounter, gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by men posing as journalists while police personnel were escorting them for a medical checkup in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Saturday. Atiq and Ashraf, were both in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews around 10 pm. The last rites of Atiq Ahmed's son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed in Prayagraj just hours before the shooting.

Briefing reporters about Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf's killings, Prayagraj's Police Commissioner said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from the jailed brothers.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmed and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Ramit Sharma said.

Ahmed, a former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP, and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with this year's Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

Umesh Pal, who was a key witness in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal in 2005, was shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence in Prayagraj on February 24.

Based on a complaint lodged by his wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Atiq Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf.

Atiq's wife Shaista Parveen, his two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others were also booked.

Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Killed On Camera At Point Blank Range

Video footage showed a man thrusting a gun at Atiq Ahmed's head as he talks to reporters. The footage also showed the three shooters firing at the brothers even after they had fallen.

In the incident, Police constable Man Singh was also injured as a bullet hit his arm, while a journalist was hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting.

The bullet-riddled bodies of Ahmed and Ashraf were taken away from the spot as tension gripped the area after the sensational killings.

3-Member Judicial Commission To Probe Killing Of Atiq Ahmed

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered a high-level probe into the sensational killings of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh to maintain law and order, they said.

"The chief minister has constituted a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Ahmed and Ashraf," Special DG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said.

After the Prayagraj incident, the chief minister convened a high-level meeting in Lucknow and ordered the probe, Kumar said.

"Prohibitory orders have been issued in all districts of the state," Director Information Shishir said.

Opposition Attacks Yogi Adityanath Govt After Atiq Ahmed Shot Dead

Opposition leaders questioned the law and order in Uttar Pradesh and demanded that the Yogi Adityanath government be dismissed after Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said that crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and criminals are unfazed.

Reacting to the incident, Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi, "Crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh and the criminals are unfazed. When someone can be shot dead amidst a police cordon, then what about the safety of the general public? An atmosphere of fear is being created among the public due to this and it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere."

                                              ,             Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 15, 2023

BSP MP from Amroha Danish Ali said the "cold-blooded" murder of Ahmed and his brother is the "height of anarchy" in Uttar Pradesh.

"This can't happen without a go-ahead from the top. In any other democracy the state government must have been dismissed for such a heinous crime against the rule of law," he said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary asked if 'jungle raj' prevails in the state.

"Nobody is sympathising with Atiq Ahmed because a criminal should be punished. But anyone who will see this video will question if we are a democracy. Every criminal has the right to be heard in court and be convicted there. But you can see they were killed in police custody in the open," he said.

He further said that Yogi Adityanath should answer what kind of law and order he has established in the state.

"Is this not jungle raj and a ground to call for emergency rule in UP?", Chaudhary said.

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said that the killings of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed was a 'perfect example' of Yogi Adityanath's big failure on law and order in Uttar Pradesh.

He also said that those celebrating encounter-raj are equally 'responsible for this murder'.

In a society where murderers are celebrated, whats the use of a criminal justice system? April 15, 2023

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The family of the assailants who reportedly killed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed said that they were jobless and drug addict. Speaking to reporters on Sunday after the sensational killings of Atiq and his brother Ashraf in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, one of the shooters' brother said that there are cases registered against him, while another assailant's father said that they don't know anything about him.

"There are cases registered against my brother. He did not do anything for a living. I was not aware that my brother is involved in the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf," news agency ANI quoted the brother of one of the shooters as saying.

#WATCH | Hamirpur, UP | There are cases registered against my brother. He did not do anything for a living. I was not aware that my brother is involved in the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf: Pintu Singh, brother of Sunny Singh, one of the shooters who killed Atiq pic.twitter.com/b8ReZZr1Nt  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2023

Another shooter's father also spoke to reporters and said that his son is a drug addict.

"We saw the incident on TV. We are not aware of his actions nor do we have anything to do with this. He never lived here and neither was he involved in our family affairs. He did not tell us anything," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

He added they have not been on talking terms with him for years.

"He doesn`t work. He was a drug addict," he said.

He also revealed that his son was arrested earlier for slapping a girl.

#WATCH | UP: ...We have no information about how he reached there and we didn't mean anything to him...He is a drug addict...We don't know anything about him...: Yagya Tiwari, father of shooter Lovelesh Tiwari who shot gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf pic.twitter.com/ClmtzkKL9k  ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2023

As per reports, the three assailants, who killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, belong to three different districts in Uttar Pradesh. They reportedly came to Prayagraj 48 hours before the incident and were staying at a hotel.

Atiq, a former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in Prayagraj. The jailed brothers were being taken by police to a medical college for a checkup.

Briefing reporters about the incident, Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, Ramit Sharma said the three assailants, who were arrested immediately after the incident, had joined the group of media persons who were trying to get sound bites from Atiq and Ashraf.

"In accordance with a mandatory legal requirement, Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were brought to the hospital for a medical examination. According to preliminary information, three men posing as journalists approached them and opened fire. Ahmad and Ashraf were killed in the attack. The attackers have been held and are being questioned," Sharma said.

Police constable Man Singh was injured in the incident as a bullet hit his arm, the officer said, adding that a journalist was also hurt after he fell during the commotion that followed the shooting.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member judicial commission to probe the killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) have also been issued in all districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Atiq and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody.

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence in Prayagraj on February 24.

Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Ahmad, Ashraf, Ahmad's wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others.
Opposition political parties and leaders have questioned the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh after the murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed (60) and his brother Ashraf. Atiq and Ashraf was shot dead by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night. The incident took place when police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. The brothers were in handcuffs when they were killed around 10 pm. The incident was caught on live camera. The visuals soon went viral and were widely circulated on social media platforms and television channels.

The opposition parties even demanded that the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh should be dismissed. BSP MP from Amroha Danish Ali termed the murder as 'cold-blooded' killings. "Cold blooded murder of Ateeq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf is the height of anarchy in UP! This cant happen without a go ahead from the top. In any other democracy the state Govt must have been dismissed for such a heinous crime against the rule of law," said Ali. He said that the constitutional judicial system has been flouted in front of the media and people kept watching the spectacle. "This incredible event has happened under a big conspiracy. In any other democracy, such a heinous crime against the rule of law would have resulted in the dismissal of the state government, but this is not possible in today's 'New India'," he said.

     !

Cold blooded murder of Ateeq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf is the height of anarchy in UP! This cant happen without a go ahead from the top. In any other democracy the state Govt must have been dismissed for such a heinous crime against the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/G2gqPS85xd  Kunwar Danish Ali (@KDanishAli) April 15, 2023

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed by firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

                                              ,             Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 15, 2023

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary asked if 'jungle raj' prevails in the state. "Nobody is sympathising with Atiq Ahmad because a criminal should be punished. But anyone who will see this video will question if we are a democracy. Every criminal has the right to be heard in court and be convicted there. But you can see they were killed in police custody in the open," said Chaudhary.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi alleged a big conspiracy. "This shows the law & order situation of UP. This looks like a big conspiracy. There must be thorough probe and judicial inquiry into this. The Uttar Pradesh CM must resign," said Alvi. In a tweet, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said, "Two murders in UP: 1) Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf 2) Rule of law."

Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury reacted sharply saying that jungle raj is going on in Uttar Pradesh under the UP Chief Minister`s Yogi Adityanath BJP-led government. "Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi Government in UP. It's USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics and patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators and punish them stringently," Sitaram Yechury took to Twitter and said, Sitaram Yechury.

Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP.

Its USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics & patronising criminals.

Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators & punish them stringently.https://t.co/jesSAgTuMA  Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 15, 2023

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi said that the murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed is a perfect example of the failure of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. "Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law and order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder...In a society where murderers are heroes, what is the function of the court and justice system in that society?" Owaisi tweeted.

Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogis big failure of law & order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder. April 15, 2023

Trinamool Congress MLA Babul Supriyo demanded a CBI probe into the matter. "No one can take law in their own hands, not even HM Amit Shah or CM Yogi adityanath -even if it's against the Mafia. Law of the land exists. This is Talibani 'Raj' and Prima Facie this is pre-planned murder & Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi must order CBI enquiry of this incident," said Supriyo in a tweet.

Ahmad and his brother were brought to Prayagraj for a court hearing in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case and were remanded in police custody. Umesh Pal, a key witness in the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his Dhoomanganj residence here on February 24. Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal's wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Ahmad, Ashraf, Ahmad's wife Shaista Parveen, two sons, aides Guddu Muslim and Ghulam, and nine others.
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Kolar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returned to Karnataka`s Kolar since his controversial 2019 speech which ultimately led to his disqualification as an MP last month and slammed the BJP-led Centre for not providing due represenatation to the OBCs in government jobs.

Pointing to the indifference being meted out to the OBCs which are present in larger number but their representation in government jobs were less, he said, "Reservation for SC/STs should be proportional to their population. (The Union government) should lift 50 per cent cap in reservation," he added.

In a reply to BJP`s allegations that he insulted the OBC community with Modi surname remark, the Congress leader said that the representation of OBC, and Dalits in the central government is not in line with their population. "There are only 7 per cent of people in the government`s secretaries coming from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities," Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also demanded that the Union government release the caste census report commissioned by his party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2011.

"Only seven per cent of secretaries in central government offices are from OBC and SC/ST communities. Modiji, you talk about (the welfare of) OBCs. Let us know what their share is in the population. If you don`t do this, it is an insult to OBC communities," he said.

It is pertinent to mention that Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s surname by a court in Gujarat`s Surat.

However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.The case was filed against Gandhi by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying

"How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?" Rahul Gandhi launched a series of attacks against the Centre on Sunday and annouced a slew of poll promises of Congress in the State.

"If the Congress party is voted to power in Karnataka, then we will provide 200 units of free electricity to every family, Rs 2000 every month to women, a total of 10 Kg rice per month to every family, Rs 3000 to every graduate till two years and Rs 1500 monthly to diploma holders," Rahul Gandhi said.

"If you [PM Modi] can give thousands of crores of rupees to Adani, then we can give the money to poor, women, and youths. You helped Adani wholeheartedly, and we will wholeheartedly help the people of the state," he said.

"Aap Apna Kaam Karo, Hum Apna Kaam Karenge (You do your work and we will do ours)," he said while urging people to vote for Congress.He further sharpened his attacks on the ruling BJP in the State and alleged that the party took 40 per cent commission.

Alleging that the BJP government in Karnataka is "immersed in corruption", he said, "When I tabled these issues and the Adani matter in the Parliament and questioned PM Modi, my mic was switched off." "...Later I asked who owns the Rs 20,000 crore in Adani shell companies? It is `benami`. Who owns it," he said, adding that in response to that for the first time in history, the government did not allow the Parliament to function.

He said until he gets an answer to his questions, he will not stop asking. "Disqualify me, put me in jail, do anything, doesn`t matter," Gandhi added.

The former MP from Wayanad was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail by Surat court of Chief Judicial Magistrate H H Varma on March 23 in a defamation case over his `Modi surname` remark in 2019 in Kolar, wherein he, in a dig at PM Modi, said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?".

Following his conviction, Rahul was disqualified as an MP on March 24, as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA stands to be disqualified automatically if convicted and sentenced to 2 years or more.Karnataka is slated to go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.

With less than a month to go for Karnataka Assembly polls, the Congress on Saturday released its third list of 43 candidates. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah was not named from the Kolar constituency, with the grand old party, instead, fielding Kothur G Manjunath. The Congress declared 124 candidates in its first list and another 42 in the second list for the State Assembly elections.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, in an apparent reference to religious conversions, said on Sunday that missionaries take advantage of the situations wherein people feel that the society is not with them. He was addressing an event here, where he dedicated to the people the samadhi of Govindnath Maharaj. "We don't see our own people. We don't go to them and ask them. But some missionary from thousands of miles away comes and lives there, eats their food, speaks their language and then converts them," Bhagwat said.

Over the course of 100 years, people came to India to change everything, he said. They have been working here for centuries but failed to gain anything as our roots remained strong thanks to the efforts of our ancestors, Bhagwat said. "Efforts are made to uproot them. So, the society should understand that deceit. We have to strengthen the faith," he said. Deceptive people raise some questions about religion to waver the faith, he said, adding, "Our society never faced such people earlier so people get sceptical...We have to remove this weakness."

Mohan Bhagwat said, "Even after this, our society doesn't waver. But people change when they lose faith and feel that the society is not with them." The RSS chief said that an entire village in Madhya Pradesh became "sanatani" 150 years after they locals got converted to Christianity as they got help from Kalyan Ashram (an RSS-backed voluntary organisation). "We don't need to go abroad to spread our faith as 'sanatan dharma' doesn't believe in such practices. We need to remove the deviation and distortion of the Bharatiya traditions and faith here (in India) and strengthen the roots of our 'dharma'," he said.

Bhagwat also addressed a Dharma Sabha and visited Gurdwara Badi Sangat to pay obeisance. After visiting the gurdwara, he said that Guru Granth Sahib is a source of inspiration for the Hindus. On Monday, Bhagwat is scheduled to inaugurate the office building of Dr Hedgewar Memorial Committee at Saraswati Nagar and also address the Sangh volunteers in Burhanpur.
Mumbai: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said right across the spectrum there is a 'serious undermining' of every autonomous institution and it seems the government has only the "loyalty" criterion before appointing individuals to head them. In an interaction at Press Club here on 'The need for an independent media as a vital link for democracy', Tharoor said intimidation of the press was a legitimate issue, and if he has a voice in the party manifesto, he would certainly suggest that this should be made an issue and the party would stand for guaranteeing the freedom of press and non-interference.

The MP from Kerala also said before the 2019 elections, he had warned that a victory for the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) would result in an attempt to create a 'Hindu Pakistan'.

He said in the first few months after the BJP government stormed to power in 2019, he 'wasn't far off' from his prediction as the government brought legislation on triple talaq and the abolition of special provisions of Article 370.

In many ways it was COVID-19 that saved the country as the entire legislative momentum was stalled by the urgent need to tackle the pandemic, he added.

"Right across the spectrum, there seems to be a very serious undermining of the strength of every institution. The government seems to have only the loyalty test before it when it's appointing people to head any autonomous institution,' Tharoor said.

Referring to the Election Commission, he said there was a time when governments seem to respect the autonomy of autonomous institutions by appointing individuals known for their independence and integrity and cited examples of former Chief Election Commissioners TN Seshan and JM Lyndoh.

Calling the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha member worrying after his conviction last month by a Surat court in a criminal defamation case, Tharoor said many of the judiciary's decisions "appeared to be compromised", though not at every level.

He also said the legislature has been reduced to either a 'notice board' for the government or a 'rubber stamp'.
New Delhi: Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra shared a picture of herself `Sunday Binge` in which she could be seen gorging on curly fries. Taking to Instagram, Shilpa treated fans with a new picture of herself and the dish.

In the picture, the actor is seen wearing a beachy dress that she paired with blue shirt. And how can she forget a hat for this look. Sharing the picture, she wrote, "Straight talk, curly fries. #SundayBinge #SunDay #CurlyFries #foodie."The `Life in a Metro` actor is often seen savouring such lip-smacking snacks on her cheat days during weekends.

Shilpa, who is very active on her social media accounts, updates her fans regularly about her activities through her posts on Instagram.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor is gearing up for her pan-India film `KD-The Devil`.Directed by Prem, `KD-The Devil`, the Pan-India multilingual is set to release in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi.

She will be seen essaying the role of Satyavati. `KD - The Devil` also stars Sanjay Dutt and Dhruva Sarja. Shilpa was last seen in an action comedy film `Nikamma` alongside Abhimanyu Dasani and Shirley Setia. The actor is a part of Rohit`s OTT debut `Indian Police Force`, which also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi. The series will stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime.
The Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala on Sunday urged the Union Railway Ministry to extend the route of the proposed Vande Bharat Express in the state upto Mangalore station in Karnataka so that people of Kerala's northernmost district of Kasaragod can also benefit from it. In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the State Assembly V D Satheesan has sought route extension to ensure "overall high-speed railway connectivity in the state".

Satheesan said that as per media reports, the existing route of the proposed Vande Bharat Express was from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, leaving out the northernmost district of Kasaragod.

"Please note that Kasargod forms part of the existing railway system in the state and could have been seamlessly incorporated into the existing route of the Vande Bharat Express without much pain. Leaving out the northern district of Kasaragod is considered a grave injustice to the people of Kasaragod," the LoP said.

Satheesan also pointed out that Kasaragod was a district in Kerala that had limited railway access and much more was needed to be done to bring it up to par with other districts in the state.

"Extending the Vande Bharat express to Mangalore station will improve overall connectivity between the state's southern and northernmost regions and be of great help to the people of Kasargod," he said.

As the tracks in the state have many curves, which would impede the Vande Bharat Express from running at its maximum speed, he urged the Union Railway Minister to prevail upon the authorities to take necessary steps to correct "high-impact curves".
Audi

Are you looking to save money on a new car that you won't have to worry about for years to come? Consider buying newish instead. If you're willing to get a 2021 model year vehicle, you'll find many dependable, practical rides that should drive you well into the next decade.

Read: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity Bill

More: How to Build A Financial Plan From Zero

See the 2021 vehicles that are known for reliability -- and many now sold with significant discounts now that they're a couple of years old.

Toyota

1. Toyota Prius

The average 2021 Toyota Prius is rarely in the shop and when it is, it's unlikely to be for something serious. It earned a solid 4-out-of-5-stars RepairPal reliability rating and boasts a low $408 average annual ownership cost. Plus, it made the top of the list for Consumer Reports reliability ranking. It also costs much less now than when it was brand new. The average 2021 Prius starting price is $22,998 compared to its original MSRP of $24,525, according to Edmunds.

Take Our Poll: Are You Concerned About the Safety of Your Money in Your Bank Accounts?

Lexus

2. Lexus NX

Lexus is known for luxury, but the 2021 NX model has long lasting endurance that will look good and get you where you need to go in 2033. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 model an overall rating of 5-out-of-5-stars, as well as J.D. Power awarding the 2021 model 80 out of 100 for reliability and quality. The 2021 Lexus NX is now starting at an average price of $38,685, with MSRP ranging anywhere $37,610-$45,460, as listed on Edmunds.

Mitchell Hubble / Mazda

3. Mazda CX-5

Ranked as one of the 10 best compact cars of 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2028 by Car and Driver, the Mazda CX-5 also boasts a 4.5-star reliability rating on RepairPal. That's because it's in the shop less frequently than average vehicles overall and is much less likely to need major repairs. With an average starting price now around $26,595-compared to the base price of $38,680- you'll see the savings for yourself for years to come.

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Toyota

4. Toyota Highlander

If you're in the market for a midsize SUV that won't conk out on you, consider the Toyota Highlander. With an excellent 4-out-of-5-star reliability rating, it comes with an average annual repair cost of $489, lower than the $573 average cost for similar vehicles in its class. The average purchase price for a 2021 model now starts at $30,688, compared to an original MSRP of $35,085.

Reconsider: 5 Expensive Renovations Homeowners Always Regret

Wes Allison / Honda

5. Honda HR-V

The HR-V might be one of the last of its kind-the smallest class in Honda's North American car roster-after the discontinuation of the Fit hatchback in 2020. But make no mistake: it has all the bells and whistles you'll need for years to come, backed up by J.D. Power's ranking of 76 out of 100 for reliability and quality. The starting price for this 2021 Honda averages out in its class at $21,220. Even at the highest trim, the HR-V retails for around $26,020, a significant discount from the base price of $29,585.

Jay K. McNally / Hyundai

6. Hyundai Kona

If taking home Car and Driver's Editors' Choice award wasn't enough of an accolade, the 2021 Hyundai Kona scored 5/5 for reliability from Consumer Reports. J.D. Power also ranked the Kona-along with other Hyundai Motor Group vehicles-as the Highest in Initial Quality for the least amount of repairs required in the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. With an average starting price for a 2021 Kona currently listed around $21,685, you'll find significant savings miles down the road from the base price of $28,545.

Toyota

7. Toyota Yaris

With a low average annual maintenance cost of $333, the Yaris is more than $100 cheaper than the average subcompact for yearly unexpected repairs. It's also hundreds cheaper than the average car in general. Plus, the 2021 model was named Car Of The Year by Top Gear when it debuted. You can get into a 2021 Toyota Yaris for just under $25,000 these days. The car also earned a nearly perfect 4.5-out-of-5-star reliability rating on RepairPal.

Avoid: 5 Kitchen Appliances That Just Aren't Worth the Money

Audi

8. Audi A5

Buying a convertible might not seem like it would be the smartest choice when it comes to longevity, but the 2021 Audi A5 has proven its track record for roadworthy endurance. RepairPal has calculated the average annual repair cost to be a little under $800, with the most common problem being an air filter replacement that is $91 max. While the starting price for the 2021 A5 is $45,045, Edmunds reports that used models are being sold for under $40K. But if you're not into paying that much money...

Audi

9. Audi A4

...then Audi's A4 sedan model from 2021 might be more your speed, without sacrificing any of the luxury feeling in the process. The base price for the A4 is $41,945, but Car and Driver suggests a fair starting price point to be $40,145. Engine Patrol reports that the A4, if properly taken care of, can keep running for up to an average of 200,000 miles-or sometimes, 250,000 miles, if extra attention is paid. That balances out to roughly 13 years of reliable service before requiring any fixes that might be deemed costly.

Buick

10. Buick Encore

When it debuted in 2021, it was the only car from an American manufacturer to secure a spot on Consumer Reports' top-10 list. The Encore is one of seven Buick subcompact SUVs with an average of $466 in annual repair and maintenance costs, beating out other similar models by only needing one repair every decade, according to MotorBiscuit. With a price tag starting at $24,395, you'll find plenty of reasons to hit the road, not your wallet, for years to come in an Encore.

More From GOBankingRates

Jake Arky contributed to the reporting of this article.

Photos are for illustrative purposes only. As a result, some of the images may not reflect the specific year or trim listed in this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These 2-Year-Old Cars Will Last You Another Decade
AI bot illustration

If you are stuck for an opening question the next time you are playing around with your favourite chatbot, there is an obvious one to open with. How many artificial intelligence systems are there now on the market?

The list is growing with every day that passes.

Last week, Amazon joined the fray, with the launch of its Bedrock service, joining offerings from Google, Microsoft and, of course, OpenAI with its ground-breaking ChatGPT, the programme that started the whole global craze.

The list is growing all the time.

These AI systems that can write essays, compose poems, design code, or put together websites. They are an amazing and impressive technology. But they are also about to turn into a bloodbath for investors.

There is no obvious revenue stream, competition is about to get brutal and the costs of running them are about to spiral out of control.

It will be very hard to persuade more than a handful of people to upgrade to paid-for versions of the software and Alexa, Amazons rival voice-operated chat system, didnt make any money.

Right now, it doesnt look as if the AI-driven chatbots will do any better.

There is no getting away from the hype around AI systems.

The success of ChatGPT has the entire technology industry worried about its future, and every major company is quickly launching its own rival.

On Friday, Amazon, always the most ruthlessly competitive of all the major tech giants, joined the fray with the launch of Bedrock, a suite of software services that will allow companies to customise their own AI chatbot.

It is entering an increasingly crowded field.

Late last month, Google started trials of its Bard system in the UK and the US.

Microsoft is letting people join the waitlist for its ChatGPT-backed Bing system and has made a $10bn investment in OpenAI, which created the pioneering ChatGPT.

In China, Alibaba and Baidu have both launched AI systems, which will tell you what a wonderful job the ruling Communist party is doing of steering the nation towards peace and prosperity if you feel like asking.

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Plenty more systems will no doubt be on the way soon.

At this rate, it cant be long before President Macron announces a few billion in funding for an EU-sponsored chatbot, answering every question in French and adding a few criticisms of Brexit to every answer.

The race is hotting up.

The plurality of choice is great for consumers, of course. Very soon we will be able to ask intelligent, polite and well-informed AI assistants to perform all sorts of useful administrative and research tasks.

The technology will transform productivity for white-collar workers (Hey, can I have two ideas for a business section column please, complete with relevant stats?) and allow many of us to work both more efficiently and more effectively.

Much like the web and smartphones, very soon we may find it hard to imagine how we ever functioned without the technology.

Baidu co-founder and CEO Robin Li speaks at the unveiling of Baidus AI chatbot Ernie Bot at an event in Beijing - MICHAEL ZHANG/AFP via Getty Images

The trouble is, it will also be a bloodbath for investors.

There are four big problems. First, there is no very obvious revenue stream.

Unlike search or most social media, on a chatbot there is no very obvious place to put an advert, and it is not clear that anyone will ever be able to design the kind of precision marketing that made both Google and Facebook such formidable money making machines.

If you interrupt an answer to bring a brief message from a sponsor then it will just be an annoying distraction, and if you distort the results to suit an advertiser then the whole product becomes completely pointless.

Like podcasting, the audiences might be huge but the revenues tiny (for all the hype, the podcasting industry still only has about $20 billion of global revenues).

Next, the competition is already brutal and will only get worse.

We are seeing fresh launches with almost every week that passes, and there will soon be a lot more as all the venture capital firms start backing new companies aiming to muscle into the space.

Even worse, one company may walk away with the whole market, as Google did with search, or Facebook did with social media.

If you arent the big winner, you will be left with a tiny market share.

Thirdly, it will be very hard to persuade people to upgrade to paid from free versions.

ChatGPT already has a premium version, and others will be along soon, but there is not much evidence yet that people are willing to pay for the service.

They will take a lot of persuading. As Elon Musk has discovered at Twitter, people are reluctant to pay for something they used to get for free.

Finally, the server costs will be horrendous. AI systems demand vast quantities of computing power.

The more they are used, the more it will all cost.

There are already reports that ChatGPT is costing $100,000 a day to run. Once systems get bigger that sum will rise by ten or a hundred-fold. It is a heck of a lot of money.

Amazons Alexa and other smart speakers launched by Apple and Google were impressive gadgets.

They could answer questions fluently and confidently, much like this new wave of smart chatbots. But these speakers didnt make any money.

Recent job cuts at Amazon have fallen heavily on the team behind Alexa

Right now, investors are getting very excited about the potential for AI chatbots.

A company just has to hint at launching one, or find a clever way of integrating them, and their share price immediately jumps.

People are assuming that anyone who gets in early enough will make a fortune.

Sure, it is certainly an amazing technology. But that doesn't mean it will ever be able to make anyone any money. In reality, they could very quickly turn into a bloodbath for investors - and a tonne of money will be lost in the process.
One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you choose individual stocks with prowess, you can make superior returns. For example, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:BMW) shareholders have seen the share price rise 100% over three years, well in excess of the market return (16%, not including dividends). On the other hand, the returns haven't been quite so good recently, with shareholders up just 46% , including dividends .

On the back of a solid 7-day performance, let's check what role the company's fundamentals have played in driving long term shareholder returns.

View our latest analysis for Bayerische Motoren Werke

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Bayerische Motoren Werke was able to grow its EPS at 56% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. This EPS growth is higher than the 26% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems investors have become more cautious about the company, over time. We'd venture the lowish P/E ratio of 3.72 also reflects the negative sentiment around the stock.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We know that Bayerische Motoren Werke has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Bayerische Motoren Werke, it has a TSR of 132% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Bayerische Motoren Werke shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 46% over the last year. That's including the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 8%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Bayerische Motoren Werke better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Bayerische Motoren Werke (of which 1 is a bit unpleasant!) you should know about.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Porsche cars are displayed at the third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, on April 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Global luxury carmakers attending the third China International Consumer Products Expo have set their sights on the world's largest new energy vehicle (NEV) market.



Volkswagen brought its luxury brands, including Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini, to the expo held in Haikou, the capital of south China's Hainan Province, from Monday to Saturday.

Porsche showed its purely electric car model Taycan 4s, and Bentley exhibited a plug-in hybrid. Meanwhile, Britain's Lotus showcased a fully electric SUV.

China's NEV market has seen booming development over the past few years, luring more carmakers to vie for a piece of the market.

China's NEV sales nearly doubled to 6.89 million units last year, accounting for over a quarter of the total automobile sales in the world's largest auto market, said Xu Xingfeng, an official with China's Ministry of Commerce, at the expo.

Young customers particularly love the all-electric models, said Sheng Tantzscher, vice president and chief financial officer of Porsche China.

Over 50 percent of Porsche's new vehicle sales worldwide are expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrids by 2025, and that figure would reach more than 80 percent by 2030, she said.

More and more Bentley customers are choosing to buy hybrid cars due to the green and low-carbon consumption trend, even as most are not worried about gasoline costs, said an exhibition staff worker with Bentley.

Oliver Blume, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, told Xinhua that the German automaker is pushing forward its electrification strategy and has made a good start.

Blume said Volkswagen hopes to leverage its experience to produce more high-quality new energy vehicles and further achieve good sales in the Chinese market.

Mirko Bordiga, managing director of Maserati China, said that Maserati has confidence in the Chinese NEV market and will soon launch new fully electric models in the forthcoming Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.

By 2025, all Maserati models will have electric versions. By 2030, the entire Maserati range will be electricity-powered only, said Bordiga, adding that Hainan's planned ban on oil-fueled vehicles is a revolutionary response to the burgeoning trend toward electric vehicles.

Hainan has announced a plan to phase out the sales of traditional oil-fueled vehicles throughout the province by 2030.
Multiple insiders secured a larger position in Envictus International Holdings Limited (SGX:BQD) shares over the last 12 months. This is reassuring as this suggests that insiders have increased optimism about the company's prospects.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

See our latest analysis for Envictus International Holdings

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Envictus International Holdings

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by the insider, Kian Low Check, for S$5.9m worth of shares, at about S$0.20 per share. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. It's of some comfort that this sale was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is S$0.18. So it may not tell us anything about how insiders feel about the current share price.

Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 58.39m shares worth S$11m. But they sold 56.68m shares for S$10m. Overall, Envictus International Holdings insiders were net buyers during the last year. Their average price was about S$0.18. This is nice to see since it implies that insiders might see value around current prices. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Envictus International Holdings Insiders Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen significantly more insider buying, than insider selling, at Envictus International Holdings. Insiders spent S$10m on shares. But insider Kian Low Check sold shares worth S$10.0m. The buying outweighs the selling, which suggests that insiders may believe the company will do well in the future.

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Insider Ownership

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Envictus International Holdings insiders own 75% of the company, currently worth about S$40m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders.

So What Do The Envictus International Holdings Insider Transactions Indicate?

It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Envictus International Holdings. Looks promising! So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. For example, Envictus International Holdings has 4 warning signs (and 2 which are a bit unpleasant) we think you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

The projected fair value for Hoe Leong is S$0.0021 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With S$0.002 share price, Hoe Leong appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Peers of Hoe Leong are currently trading on average at a 70% premium

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Hoe Leong Corporation Ltd. (SGX:H20) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Hoe Leong

The Model

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 begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$2.33m S$2.35m S$2.37m S$2.40m S$2.44m S$2.48m S$2.52m S$2.57m S$2.61m S$2.66m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 0.10% Est @ 0.65% Est @ 1.03% Est @ 1.30% Est @ 1.49% Est @ 1.62% Est @ 1.71% Est @ 1.78% Est @ 1.82% Est @ 1.86% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 9.1% S$2.1 S$2.0 S$1.8 S$1.7 S$1.6 S$1.5 S$1.4 S$1.3 S$1.2 S$1.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$16m

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We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. 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 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.1%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$2.7m (1 + 1.9%)  (9.1% 1.9%) = S$38m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$38m ( 1 + 9.1%)10= S$16m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is S$32m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of S$0.002, the company appears about fair value at a 5.0% 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. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Hoe Leong 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 9.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.202. 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 Hoe Leong

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine H20's earnings prospects.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for H20.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Hoe Leong, there are three additional aspects you should further examine:

Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Hoe Leong (including 1 which is potentially serious) . 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! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

The projected fair value for Primoris Services is US$31.50 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Primoris Services' US$25.27 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is similar to Primoris Services' analyst price target of US$31.67

How far off is Primoris Services Corporation (NYSE:PRIM) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you 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.

Check out our latest analysis for Primoris Services

The Calculation

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. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$66.8m US$95.2m US$117.2m US$136.9m US$153.8m US$168.1m US$180.1m US$190.2m US$198.9m US$206.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x3 Est @ 23.13% Est @ 16.81% Est @ 12.39% Est @ 9.29% Est @ 7.13% Est @ 5.61% Est @ 4.55% Est @ 3.80% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 11% US$60.3 US$77.5 US$86.0 US$90.7 US$91.9 US$90.6 US$87.6 US$83.5 US$78.7 US$73.7

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$821m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$206m (1 + 2.1%)  (11% 2.1%) = US$2.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$2.4b ( 1 + 11%)10= US$857m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$1.7b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$25.3, the company appears about fair value at a 20% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

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 Primoris Services 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 1.477. 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 Primoris Services

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Construction industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Construction market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the American market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Primoris Services, we've compiled three further factors you should assess:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for Primoris Services you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored. Future Earnings: How does PRIM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Even though Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) stock gained 6.0% last week, insiders who sold US$3.3m worth of stock over the past year are probably better off. Selling at an average price of US$239, which is higher than the current price might have been the right call as holding on to stock would have meant their investment would be worth less now than it was at the time of sale.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

Check out our latest analysis for Cummins

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Cummins

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Senior Vice President, Livingston Satterthwaite, sold US$1.0m worth of shares at a price of US$230 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to take some cash off the table, even slightly below the current price of US$234. When an insider sells below the current price, it suggests that they considered that lower price to be fair. That makes us wonder what they think of the (higher) recent valuation. While insider selling is not a positive sign, we can't be sure if it does mean insiders think the shares are fully valued, so it's only a weak sign. It is worth noting that this sale was only 6.6% of Livingston Satterthwaite's holding.

Cummins insiders didn't buy any shares over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insiders At Cummins Have Sold Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider selling at Cummins. Specifically, Independent Director Georgia Nelson ditched US$985k worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. Overall this makes us a bit cautious, but it's not the be all and end all.

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Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Cummins insiders own about US$148m worth of shares (which is 0.4% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Cummins Insider Transactions Indicate?

An insider hasn't bought Cummins stock in the last three months, but there was some selling. Looking to the last twelve months, our data doesn't show any insider buying. On the plus side, Cummins makes money, and is growing profits. It is good to see high insider ownership, but the insider selling leaves us cautious. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To assist with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Cummins.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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EXCLUSIVE: CVS Health's "gender transition guidelines" for employees requires workers to address people by their preferred pronouns and names and that they may use whichever restroom or locker room they wish regardless of whether the individual identifies as transgender.

In the guidelines obtained exclusively by FOX Business, employees are told they may be entitled to a medical leave of absence "under the Family and Medical Leave Act, state law, and/or CVS Health policy." Transitioning employees are asked to tell their immediate leaders about their transition so the company "can provide support and to make your transition as smooth as possible."

"You may also wish to have appropriate medical care to support your transition, including treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and/or gender confirmation surgery," the guide states.

"During and after the transition has occurred, CVS Health encourages you to continue to partner with your Leader and your Advice & Counsel representative, and to immediately report any issues that you might have with your employment, your work environment, and/or your Leader, co-workers, clients, and customers," it continues.

US SPENDING $5 BILLION TO INCREASE NEW COVID VACCINES' SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT

In a section titled, "Guidelines for Supporting a Colleague who is Transitioning," the guide encourages employees to be an ally by asking colleagues to let them know if they say or do anything that makes them uncomfortable. It also urges employees to not make assumptions about a person's gender.

READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP

It says employees should become an ally to make a positive impact on a co-worker's life, become an inclusive leader, champion and celebrate all aspects of diversity and to show compliance with the CVS Health Equal Employment, Affirmative Action, AntiDiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation Policy.

CVS Health's Employment, Affirmative Action, AntiDiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation Policy says the company is "committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and takes affirmative action to recruit, hire, employ, develop, compensate, promote and advance in employment based on an individuals job-related qualifications, abilities, and job performance." It also states that the company prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, military status, disability and other personal characteristics.

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The document also asks transgender employees to include their preferred pronouns in their email signatures, introduce their preferred pronouns in meeting introductions and to tell colleague's that they "wont tolerate even subtle forms of discrimination or harassment in the workplace."

After a transgender employee makes their preferred pronouns and name known, co-workers are instructed not to refer to them by other pronouns or their previous name.

Employees are told to refer to transgender colleagues by their preferred pronouns and names.

"People use different terms to refer to themselves, but some terms are universally considered disrespectful and violate CVSs policy against discrimination and harassment," the guide states. "Terms like transgender, trans-male/trans-female, non-binary or male or female should be used."

The guidelines' section on bathroom access says company policy allows all employees to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity, adding that all workers "should determine the most appropriate for themselves."

CVS Health has provided additional bathroom options where possible and required that include single-occupancy, gender-neutral facilities and multiple-occupant, gender-neutral restroom facilities with lockable single-occupant stalls, according to the document.

"Any colleague, customer, or patienttransgender or otherwise--may choose to use the restroom and/or locker room that is appropriate to the gender they identify with," the guide reads.

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CVS Health employees may use the bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

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Employees may also dress in accordance with their gender identity.

The document also provides definitions of terms, including "transgender," "cisgender," "gender dysphoria," "non-binary," "gender non-conforming," "gender identity" and "ally." The guide states that "transgender people" is acceptable to use but "transgenders" and "transgendered" is considered derogatory.

The document further notes that transgender employees have "the right to be who they are without unnecessary disclosure of medical information or gender history."

CVS Health did not respond to a request for comment from FOX Business.
When close to half the companies in Switzerland have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") above 20x, you may consider EPIC Suisse AG (VTX:EPIC) as an attractive investment with its 11.7x P/E ratio. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the reduced P/E.

Recent times haven't been advantageous for EPIC Suisse as its earnings have been falling quicker than most other companies. The P/E is probably low because investors think this poor earnings performance isn't going to improve at all. If you still like the company, you'd want its earnings trajectory to turn around before making any decisions. If not, then existing shareholders will probably struggle to get excited about the future direction of the share price.

See our latest analysis for EPIC Suisse

If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report on EPIC Suisse.

How Is EPIC Suisse's Growth Trending?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as low as EPIC Suisse's is when the company's growth is on track to lag the market.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 41% decrease to the company's bottom line. The last three years don't look nice either as the company has shrunk EPS by 33% in aggregate. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing earnings over that time.

Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to slump, contracting by 34% during the coming year according to the one analyst following the company. That's not great when the rest of the market is expected to grow by 11%.

With this information, we are not surprised that EPIC Suisse is trading at a P/E lower than the market. However, shrinking earnings are unlikely to lead to a stable P/E over the longer term. There's potential for the P/E to fall to even lower levels if the company doesn't improve its profitability.

The Bottom Line On EPIC Suisse's P/E

We'd say the price-to-earnings ratio's power isn't primarily as a valuation instrument but rather to gauge current investor sentiment and future expectations.

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We've established that EPIC Suisse maintains its low P/E on the weakness of its forecast for sliding earnings, as expected. Right now shareholders are accepting the low P/E as they concede future earnings probably won't provide any pleasant surprises. Unless these conditions improve, they will continue to form a barrier for the share price around these levels.

And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for EPIC Suisse (of which 1 makes us a bit uncomfortable!) you should know about.

If you're unsure about the strength of EPIC Suisse's business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Stock exchanges and asset managers have squared off ahead of European Union negotiations this week over how much information investors should be given to find the best deals on Europe's fragmented stock markets.

The European Parliament and EU states begin negotiations on Tuesday on finalising reform of the bloc's securities rules, known as MiFID, aimed at making its capital market more efficient now that if faces competition from a post-Brexit London.

It includes mandatory contributions from trading platforms to a "consolidated tape" or record of share prices, a longstanding feature of U.S. markets. Proceeds from selling the tape would be shared among the contributors.

In initial positions, parliament has backed a tape that provides prices of completed share trades in real-time - currently many investors only get delayed prices - and an in-depth view of pre-trade prices on offer.

EU states have also backed a tape with completed share trades in real-time, but with less comprehensive pre-trade data.

Exchanges, which earn money from market data, say parliament is going beyond transparency to give investors a trading tool.

"The inclusion of real-time pre-trade data, as per the European Parliament proposal... would only further distort EU market structure," the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE) said in a statement last week.

But the Association of Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), whose members include global banks and asset managers, said on Monday that an "ambitious real-time pre-trade" tape would help reverse the worrying trend of European stock markets being "markedly less dynamic" than their U.S. peers.

The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) also backs parliament's position, saying liquidity in European stock markets has contracted by 25% since 2013 compared with a 23% rise on U.S. markets, with a number of factors contributing to this.

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"One of these is undoubtedly the absence of a consolidated equities tape without which a complex and fragmented EU27 market is put at a competitive disadvantage globally when marketing to international investors," EFAMA said.

The negotiations will also seek to iron out disagreement over whether brokers should be banned from receiving commission for sending stock orders to a specific platform.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- Dianne Feinstein, who has been absent from the US Senate for weeks due to illness, needs to make a decision soon about her fate if she doesnt recover enough to return for key votes in the closely-divided chamber, Senator Amy Klobuchar said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

We are going to need her vote on the Senate floor eventually, Klobuchar said Sunday on ABCs This Week. Specifically, the Minnesota Democrat cited the debt-ceiling crisis.

If this goes on month after month after month, then shes going to have to make a decision with her family and her friends about what her future holds because this isnt just about California, its also about the nation, she said.

Feinstein, 89, whos not seeking reelection in 2024, was hospitalized earlier this year with shingles, according to her office. Her absence has concerned fellow Democrats, including Representative Ro Khanna of California, who called for her to resign and said it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties.

With Democrats holding only a 51-49 Senate majority, Vice President Kamala Harris was twice called in for tie-breaking votes while both Feinstein and Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat suffering from depression following a stroke last year, were away.

Feinstein decided last week to step off the Senate Judiciary Committee, asking Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to allow another caucus member to serve while shes out. Her absence has eliminated the Democrats 11-10 majority on the panel and slowed consideration of judicial nominees.

Klobuchar said Feinstein did the right thing, to step off the committee in the short-term.

I think what we need to do is take her at her word, she said. Right now she says shes going to return. Lets make sure that happens. And it sure better happen before the debt-ceiling vote.

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The debt ceilings so-called X-date is expected to be reached around mid-August, and a US debt default would send shock waves through the world economy. A plan to suspend the debt ceiling for a year is set to be unveiled this week by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Read More: Californias Feinstein Faces Calls to Resign by Fellow Democrats

Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, told NBCs Meet the Press shes glad Feinstein stepped off the Judiciary Committee. Resigning, however, should be her choice.

Its up to Dianne Feinstein and her family to decide whether she wants to keep on serving. And shes had a remarkable record, Baldwin said.

Feinstein isnt the only senator to be out in recent weeks. Republican leader Mitch McConnell said hell return to the Senate on Monday, his first appearance in the Capitol since he suffered a concussion and broken rib in a fall last month at a fundraiser in Washington.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand dismissed calls for Feinsteins resignation, telling CNNs State of the Union that weve had so many senators who have had illnesses.

They all deserve a chance to get better and come back to work, she said.

Calling Feinstein a mentor, role model and extraordinary senator, Gillibrand also voiced confidence in her return.

Dianne will get better, she will come back to work.

Three members of the California delegation, Democrats Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee have already announced they will seek Feinsteins seat in 2024.

--With assistance from Ian Fisher.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) saw a decent share price growth in the teens level on the NYSE over the last few months. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stocks share price. However, could the stock still be trading at a relatively cheap price? Lets take a look at Ford Motors outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists.

View our latest analysis for Ford Motor

What Is Ford Motor Worth?

Good news, investors! Ford Motor is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is $17.25, but it is currently trading at US$12.52 on the share market, meaning that there is still an opportunity to buy now. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because Ford Motors beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the company's shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.

What does the future of Ford Motor look like?

Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. However, with a relatively muted revenue growth of 1.0% expected over the next couple of years, growth doesnt seem like a key driver for a buy decision for Ford Motor, at least in the short term.

What This Means For You

Are you a shareholder? Even though growth is relatively muted, since F is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to increase your holdings in the stock. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation.

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Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on F for a while, now might be the time to make a leap. Its future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy F. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed buy.

If you'd like to know more about Ford Motor as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Ford Motor you should know about.

If you are no longer interested in Ford Motor, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

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
Montana recently became the first state to pass a bill banning TikTok. It is unclear if the governor will sign it into law. Rafael Henrique/Getty Images

Montana on Friday became the first state in the US to approve a bill banning the social media app TikTok.

A growing number of countries are partially or totally banning the app over security concerns.

The US is threatening TikTok's Chinese parent company with a ban if it doesn't sell to another company.

A growing number of countries are placing partial or total bans on TikTok amid data security concerns, citing fears that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could be forced into giving user data to the Chinese government, or be pressured into amplifying or suppressing certain topics based on China's interests.

The US recently threatened the app with a potential nationwide ban if its Chinese owners don't sell their ownership stake, but TikTok has said forcing a change in ownership would not address national security concerns. Montana lawmakers on Friday approved a bill that would ban the app from being downloaded in the state, and potentially fine companies like Google, Apple, and TikTok itself if it remains available on an app store.

"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," a TikTok spokesperson previously told Insider. "The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing."

Here's a running list of countries with a partial or total ban on TikTok:

United States

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Covid-19 on March 30, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

President Joe Biden's administration has supported bills introduced in Congress that would give the president greater authority to ban apps like TikTok.

This week, Montana became the first state where lawmakers approved a bill banning the app. The state's Senate approved it in March, and on Friday, it passed the Montana House of Representatives by a vote of 54-43. TikTok already has pledged to challenge it if it's enacted into law, and has called the bill "censorship" and a violation of the First Amendment.

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Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has not said whether he will sign the bill into law, but did ban the app on government-issued devices last year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A bill that would forbid the app on all government-issued devices passed the Senate in December, and over two dozen US states including Ohio and New Jersey have banned it on state government devices. Several universities also prohibited TikTok from being used on campus wireless networks.

Former President Donald Trump threatened to ban the app several times, but that was never upheld by courts, and the executive orders against TikTok and other apps were revoked by Biden in the early months of his presidency.

Australia

James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Australia has become the latest country to ban TikTok from federal government devices. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the ban will take effect "as soon as practicable" and that exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

With the addition of Australia, all of countries in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance  the US, Canada, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia  have taken action against TikTok.

The larger ban follows several department-specific bans that were enacted earlier this year, as the departments of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as well as the departments of Defence, and Home Affairs banned the app, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

France

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images

France recently announced a ban on "recreational applications" like TikTok from being installed on government devices, citing security concerns.

"Indeed, recreational applications do not have the levels of cybersecurity and protection of sufficient data to be deployed on administrative equipment," a translation of the statement reads.

The French Minister for Transformation and Public Administration, Stanislas Guerini, told The Associated Press the ban includes more than just TikTok, and extends to other social media including Twitter and Instagram, as well as video games like Candy Crush and dating apps.

The ban will have exceptions upon request if a government employee needs to use one of the apps for professional reasons, like Guerini himself announcing the decision on Twitter.

The Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Karl Hendon/Getty Images

The Dutch government said in a recent statement that government employees are "immediately advised against" having apps like TikTok on work devices.

While TikTok is not directly named, the statement said there is an increased risk of espionage when using apps from countries that have an "offensive cyber program against the Netherlands and/or Dutch interests."

"Recent parliamentary questions and international developments have led us to make a careful assessment that goes further than advising against one application," Minister for Digitalization Alexandra van Huffelen said.

The government said it is working toward a system where only pre-approved apps can be installed on government devices.

New Zealand

New Zealand, whose flag is pictured here, announced a ban of TikTok on government devices. Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images

New Zealand officials have prohibited TikTok from being installed on government phones, according to The Associated Press. However, New Zealand's ban is smaller in scope than those introduced by other countries, as it will only affect about 500 devices, per the AP.

The app will be removed from all devices connected to the parliamentary wireless network, and officials said they made the decision based on advice from the country's cybersecurity experts.

"This decision has been made based on our own experts' analysis and following discussion with our colleagues across government and internationally," Parliamentary Service Chief Executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said, according to the AP. "Based on this information, the service has determined that the risks are not acceptable in the current New Zealand parliamentary environment."

India

The iconic Taj Mahal Pawan Sharma/AFP via Getty Images

India had a ban in place for years, originally introduced in 2020, and made permanent in January 2021, Insider previously reported.

The ban came after a dispute between India and China led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in June 2020 in the Himalayas, the Post reported. India placed bans on dozens of Chinese-owned apps, including TikTok, in the weeks following the incident.

Forbes estimated at the time that the ban could cost TikTok about $6 billion if it permanently lost access to India's population. Analysts have told Insider's Grace Kay that a US ban would likely have the same effects it did in India, and competitors like Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube would see boosts in usage.

United Kingdom

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London. Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images

The British government also announced a government device ban on TikTok, citing the vulnerability of sensitive government data amid a wider review of apps.

"The security of sensitive government information must come first, so today we are banning this app on government devices," said Oliver Dowden, a senior cabinet minister. "The use of other data-extracting apps will be kept under review."

The ban came just weeks after representatives from the social media company met with European officials as part of an initiative nicknamed "Project Clover" to address the data security fears. TikTok said it is building data centers in Ireland and Norway to allow data from an estimated 150 million users in the region is stored locally, Insider previously reported.

Insider also reported on similar efforts by TikTok to ease concerns among the cybersecurity community as it recruited and hired security experts to handle its data.

Canada

Alberto Pezzali/Associated Press

Canada joined the group banning the app on government devices late last month, as the Canadian government said a review found it presented an "unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security," according to The Washington Post.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters at the time that Canada did not yet know if this would be just the first, or the last step the country would take against TikTok, Reuters reported.

Canada's Treasury Board said in a statement that the ban only impacts government devices, but it encouraged citizens to be aware of the government's security concerns before using social media and other apps on their own devices.

Taiwan

The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Taiwan. SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan introduced a government device ban in December, and has been considering a larger ban on the app amid tensions with China over its stated independence, according to local reports cited by The Washington Post.

Officials in Taiwan have questioned the effectiveness of an outright national ban, as users could use technology like a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, commonly used to get around geographic restrictions and hide online activity, the Taipei Times reported.

European Union

Flags of the European Union. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

With multiple EU bodies citing security concerns, the EU banned TikTok from being installed on staff phones last month.

TikTok's director of public policy and government relations told Reuters at the time that it was not consulted about the EU's concern or a potential ban, and said it felt there was a "lack of due process" in the decision.

Some EU member states including Belgium and Denmark also banned the app from government phones, the Washington Post reported.

Afghanistan

Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Taliban announced an outright ban on the app, along with multiplayer video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, commonly referred to as PUBG, last year to "prevent the younger generation from being misled," according to the BBC.

Wired reported last month that several TikTok creators and influencers in the country saw their views dip, but then rise again after people began using VPNs and other measures to circumvent the ban.

Indonesia and Pakistan (rescinded bans)

Jakarta, Indonesia. Getty Images

Indonesia and Pakistan each banned TikTok for a small period before concerns were addressed, the Post reported.

Indonesia banned the app in July 2018 over potential "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy," but revoked the ban after just six days when the company agreed to censor some content, according to Reuters.

Pakistan has introduced multiple temporary bans over content the government deemed inappropriate. However, it did the same with Wikipedia for alleged "blasphemous" content. Some of those bans have lasted only a few hours, according to the Post.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo taken on June 29, 2020 shows a billboard about the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Central area in Hong Kong, south China. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday held a string of activities to mark the annual National Security Education Day under the theme of "National Security, Foundation of Stability and Prosperity".



April 15 this year marks the third National Security Education Day in Hong Kong. The opening ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, where people from all walks of life gathered to kick off such activities organized by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, attended the ceremony. He said that in the cause of safeguarding national security, Hong Kong will further implement the national security law in Hong Kong to ensure a safe and stable environment in Hong Kong and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Disciplined services departments of the HKSAR government jointly held a flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Police College. Members of youth groups also participated in it to show the younger generation's patriotism and love for Hong Kong, as well as their awareness and responsibility in safeguarding national security.

The Security Bureau of the HKSAR government launched the Safeguarding National Security Cup and the Disciplined Forces National Security Education Promotion Competition for the first time. Some of the disciplinary forces arranged open days to give the public a better understanding of their work related to national security.

Many teenagers said that by participating in games, they have a deep understanding that national security is related to all aspects of their daily life.

"I realize that network security can protect our privacy and social security can make us live and work in peace," said Hung Ching-ying, a primary school student.

School education is important in promoting national security education. The HKSAR government will distribute 60,000 copies of picture books to all primary schools.

The "2023 Let's Join Hands in Safeguarding National Security" program for primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong will last for the whole school year.

A community roving exhibition on national security education which covered a wide range of topics, including the holistic approach to national security, the latest progress in implementing the national security law in Hong Kong, and strengthening of security foundation, was launched on Saturday and will last until the end of June.

Meanwhile, local civic groups also actively promote national security education. A summit forum on patriotic education was held by the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers on Saturday, and the importance of safeguarding national security was highlighted.
The now defunct prototype advanced gas-cooled reactor at Sellafield - Chris Watt

The remnants of Britains worst nuclear accident are slowly being scrubbed from the Cumbrian skyline.

The Windscale Piles nuclear reactors were built near Seascale in 1947 to make weapons-grade plutonium for nuclear bombs as Cold War tensions emerged.

But a fire at the reactors on October 10, 1957, spewed radioactive contamination across northern Europe and ended their work.

Their twin 400-foot, cigar-like chimneys are still being dismantled bit-by-bit, with one no longer in sight and the other now two-thirds of its original height.

Theres a machine that eats its way down, cutting out a section at a time, says Liam Martin, a technician at the site, which is now known as Sellafield.

Martin is part of the 100-strong team trying to tackle another complex part of the Windscale Piles toxic legacy: what to do about the large quantities of radioactive waste still left at the site.

Irradiated cladding from the nuclear fuel rods used at Windscale was dumped for years into a 95-foot long, 32-foot wide concrete silo hundreds of metres away.

Radioactive waste from Calder Hall and Chapelcross nuclear electricity stations was also later tipped inside, until the 1960s when it was sealed up.

For decades, the thick concrete vault has successfully contained the deadly materials.

However, with the building now decades old, the silo has been deemed an unacceptable risk by nuclear safety regulators.

They are concerned about the risk of another fire like the one that struck in the 1950s, which could result in a large release of radioactivity given the volatile material inside. The disaster almost 70 years ago caused an estimated 200 cancers in Britain, half of them fatal.

Martin and his colleagues have been tasked with safely extracting and moving the roughly 3,200 cubic metres of radioactive waste.

Phil OHagan, retrievals team leader looking at equipment to move waste

Doing so is a delicate task: they must keep the oxygen levels around the materials artificially suppressed to prevent the gas acting as a fuel for possible self-combustion.

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The clean-up job would terrify many, but Martin is sanguine.

When you've done it for ten years, you get used to it. Its a day job, its second nature.

After years of preparation, the clean up team is finally scheduled to start getting the first waste out within weeks.

It could take until 2035 to finish the job. Time is not on their side.

I think in the state its in at the moment, its quite stable, says Martin Taylor, a former policeman who is now head of operations at Sellafield.

But it is an ageing facility. The sooner we can get the waste out, the better.

Preparations to begin work at Sellafield comes against a backdrop of renewed interest in nuclear across the West.

Russias weaponisation of gas supplies and the global push to cut carbon emissions have boosted the appeal of nuclear power over the last 18 months.

Sellafield, however, is a glimpse into the industrys murkier side.

The silo containing the Windscale fuel cladding is one of four legacy waste sites at Sellafield, encased in ageing infrastructure and from an era of poorer record-keeping and more haphazard waste management.

Not far from the silo, for example, is the 100m Pile Fuel Storage Pond, built in the 1940s to cool and store spent fuel from Windscale. It is now a dangerous, algae-coated, radioactive sludge.

Silo being built in 1950s to store radioactive waste

Specialist divers were sent in last month to help with the clean up, the first time a human has dared go into the pond since 1958.

There are risks in cleaning up Sellafield, but also risks in leaving it alone: the site's thousands of workers face a constant balancing act between trying to deal with the past and not disturbing it too much.

We have a legacy of more than 50 years of civil and defence nuclear activity in the UK, says Professor Neil Hyatt, chief scientific adviser at the Government's Nuclear Waste Services.

And some of the waste was not looked after to the highest standards that we have today. We are where we are. Weve got to get to a better way forward.

Radioactive waste from current nuclear power plants is dealt with from the outset in a more structured way, either encased in cement or turned into glass blocks before being sealed in containers.

Modern reactors are being built to minimise nuclear waste and make dealing with it less complex, while new reactor technologies are being developed all the time.

Yet that does not tackle the long-term challenge of what to do with waste, which goes far beyond the lifespans of engineers alive today.

Todays nuclear waste has taken less than 100 years to create, but will need to be stored for hundreds or thousands of years, kept safe through events no one can predict.

There has been a lot of technical innovation, such as the use of robotics and innovative waste treatment, says Professor Claire Corkhill at the University of Sheffield, a member of the Governments Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Kayleigh Sullivan, retrievals operator, in the room radioactive waste will be stored in nine-foot steel boxes under sealed conditions - Chris Watt

But given that waste will be radioactive for hundreds or thousands of years, it would be much better if we put it in a place where future events can have less of an impact on their safety.

The Governments current plan is to bury waste hundreds of metres deep underground, far away from human activity.

A so-called Geological Disposal Facility could cost up to 53bn to build and take up to 140 years to fill with about 750,000m3 of waste.

A search for a suitable site where the community is happy is ongoing. Sites around Cumbria are possibilities, although nothing is yet decided.

Those working out where it could be located need to take a very long-term view.

We need to understand the frequency of earthquakes, the existing faults and their behaviour, says Professor Hyatt.

The last ice age, for example  Cumbria is still rebounding: as the ice has retreated, the land is rising very slightly, and that has an influence on the way the water in the ground moves.

At Sellafield, workers have a more immediate focus.

During a visit last Wednesday, the team were running tests on the remote-controlled equipment needed to start extracting the radioactive waste from the silo.

Under sealed conditions, a crane with a teddy-grabber-style claw at the end will poke into the silo through a specially drilled window and pick up batches of nuclear waste.

CCTV images showing radioactive waste from the Windscale Piles - Chris Watt

The debris will be moved into special nine-foot steel boxes before being bolted and swabbed down by a giant Kuka robot.

The boxes will then be moved to a new secure storage site at Sellafield, until the underground site is developed.

The process has been tested extensively at a mock-up facility in Rosyth, Scotland. CCTV images show the mangled chunks of debris inside.

Oxygen levels will be controlled using argon gas as a suppressant.



Ultimately, the team cant be sure exactly how it will go until they get going. Will the waste be easy to pick-up, or clumpy and fall apart? This is just one of the questions that can only be answered in the doing.

Weve simulated it as best we can, but we just dont know how it is going to react, says Phil OHagan, retrievals team leader.

Despite the unknowns, he and his team are keen to get it started.

It will be a massive moment, says Martin.

Ive been here for five years now and we feel like weve been waiting to do it for probably two of those years now.

Workers here are keen to leave a positive legacy for future generations.

Getting it done will be fantastic, says Taylor.
The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. On the other hand, if you find a high quality business to buy (at the right price) you can more than double your money! For example, the Salutica Berhad (KLSE:SALUTE) share price has soared 176% in the last 1 year. Most would be very happy with that, especially in just one year! Better yet, the 327% gain over the last thirty days has shareholders excited. Also impressive, the stock is up 104% over three years, making long term shareholders happy, too.

The past week has proven to be lucrative for Salutica Berhad investors, so let's see if fundamentals drove the company's one-year performance.

Check out our latest analysis for Salutica Berhad

Because Salutica Berhad made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size.

Salutica Berhad actually shrunk its revenue over the last year, with a reduction of 39%. So we would not have expected the share price to rise 176%. This is a good example of how buyers can push up prices even before the fundamental metrics show much growth. It's quite likely the revenue fall was already priced in, anyway.

You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Salutica Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Salutica Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 176% over one year. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 15% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Salutica Berhad .

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If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Cushman & Wakefield's estimated fair value is US$14.11 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Cushman & Wakefield is estimated to be 33% undervalued based on current share price of US$9.51

Our fair value estimate is 14% lower than Cushman & Wakefield's analyst price target of US$16.50

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Cushman & Wakefield

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$338.0m US$422.0m US$402.0m US$445.0m US$499.0m US$523.8m US$545.2m US$564.2m US$581.5m US$597.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 4.96% Est @ 4.10% Est @ 3.49% Est @ 3.06% Est @ 2.76% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 16% US$291 US$314 US$257 US$246 US$237 US$215 US$193 US$172 US$153 US$135

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$2.2b

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After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 16%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$598m (1 + 2.1%)  (16% 2.1%) = US$4.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$4.4b ( 1 + 16%)10= US$991m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$3.2b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$9.5, the company appears quite undervalued at a 33% 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

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Cushman & Wakefield 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 16%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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 Cushman & Wakefield

Strength

No major strengths identified for CWK.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Cushman & Wakefield, we've compiled three further elements you should look at:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Cushman & Wakefield (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CWK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE 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
When an emergency strikes, many Americans plan to raid their retirement savings.

Thats the takeaway from a recent private Voya survey of 1,005 Americans. More than 2 in 5 (43%) said they considered their retirement funds as their only form of emergency savings. Black respondents, mothers, and those with lower incomes were more likely to depend on those funds for emergencies.

The results underscore the ongoing need to help more Americans prepare for an unexpected event that requires a quick influx of cash.

Savings rates go down and hardship withdrawals and loans go up, Tom Armstrong, vice president of customer analytics and insight and head of Voyas Behavioral Finance Institute for Innovation, told Yahoo Finance.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Its not uncommon for folks to dip into their retirement account. Almost 2 in 5 have, according to a survey conducted in 2021 by TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies, including 29% who have taken out a loan and 27% who have taken an early and/or hardship withdrawal.

Some 401(k)s allow workers to take a hardship distribution to pay for emergencies like medical expenses. Depending on the reason for the withdrawal, some workers may have to pay a 10% tax if theyre younger than 59 . A 401(k) loan, on the other hand, must be repaid to the employees account plus interest on a set repayment schedule. If the loan is not paid back on schedule, it may be considered a distribution, subject to tax and penalties.

According to our own retirement plan participant data at Voya, employees without adequate emergency savings are 13 times more likely to take a hardship withdrawal from their retirement plan, Armstrong said.

Respondents with household incomes under $50,000, women with children at home, and Black workers were more likely to say they only had retirement savings to turn to in extreme financial circumstances, Armstrong said.

Its not surprising that African-Americans and women use retirement savings for emergency savings, Kia McCallister-Young, director of the nonprofit America Saves, told Yahoo Finance. With the gender wage disparity, it makes complete sense.

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In 2022, white women made 83% as much as white men. Black men earned 76% as much as white men. Black women only earned 70% as much as white men.

McCallister-Young said that since many minority women often support other relatives, its doubly hard to save for an emergency when we have to take care of our grandparents. She also noted that even if people have short-term needs, there are still long-term ramifications of early hardship withdrawals. Not only do workers have less savings overall for their long-term security, theres also the accompanying taxes on the withdrawal that must be paid off within three years.

That could be surprising, McCallister-Young said.

Legislation may help people save more for emergencies

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Armstrong said many workers could turn to other resources for their emergencies, rather than their retirement savings. Many employers are stepping in to provide these options.

As individuals continue to focus on building savings and improving their overall financial wellbeing, many are seeking support from their employer. As a result, more and more employers today are offering holistic financial wellness solutions to support their employee base, inclusive of things like: [health savings accounts] to offset the burden of medical costs, student loan debt support, and tools for building emergency savings, Armstrong said.

The reality is, though, that we often find many individuals dont recognize how many great resources are available to them  and many without cost  directly from their employer, Armstrong added.

The recent passage of the SECURE 2.0 Act could also help people save for emergencies without sacrificing their retirement goals.

Starting in 2024, employers can enable workers to use a special emergency savings account as part of their retirement account. This account is capped at $2,500 and workers are allowed to take a withdrawal at least once a month. The first four withdrawals arent subject to fees. Employers can even match contributions to these accounts.

Another provision taking effect in 2024 allows workers to take one penalty-free withdrawal from their retirement account  up to $1,000 per year  for unforeseeable or immediate financial needs related to an emergency. The withdrawal, though, must be repaid within three years.

The good news is the passing of SECURE 2.0 has also brought support for emergency savings, which we see having a significant impact for individuals and their savings needs, Armstrong said.

Ella Vincent is the personal finance reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @bookgirlchicago.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strength of Israels democracy after Moodys lowered the countrys credit outlook because of a planned judicial overhaul that has spurred mass protests.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Netanyahu, who said Saturday that the dispute wont harm the Israeli economy, expressed confidence that a compromise could be reached over the plan that has increasingly divided the country since the government proposed it in January.

Israel is a vibrant democracy, has been a vibrant democracy and will remain a vibrant democracy, Netanyahu said in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. The one whos most committed to that is me.

Moodys Investors Service lowered Israels credit outlook to stable from positive on Friday, saying the governments planned changes to the legal system point to a deterioration of Israels governance.

On Sunday, Israel Securities Authority Chair Anat Guetta, ending her term after more than five years, said the rating action was a warning sign that Israels economy does not provide local and foreign investors with the sense of security that characterized it until now.

Netanyahus comments on US television echoed a joint statement he issued with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that described the lively discourse as a sign of democratic strength.

By their very nature, intense political disputes lead to protest and can create temporary uncertainty; these are risks that are taken into account and hedged within the economic assessments of the State of Israel, they said in the statement released Saturday.

There will be no damage to Israeli democracy and the Israeli economy, according to the statement.

Story continues

Faced with protests, Netanyahus far-right government has put a hold on the plan, which would curtail the power of the Supreme Court to choose new judges and cancel laws approved by parliament.

Why Israel Is Bitterly Split by a Judiciary Overhaul: QuickTake

Netanyahu acknowledged on NBC that Israel is a divided country right now. But he said was confident that a compromise with the opposition could be found on the proposed judicial overhaul.

I think theres a basis of agreement, he said. Its obviously highly politicized.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today announces successful preclinical development of radiolabelled olaratumab, an antibody licensed from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). Telix has demonstrated proof-of-concept (PoC) of using olaratumab to selectively deliver both diagnostic and therapeutic radiation to tumours as a radiopharmaceutical moiety and has produced a candidate for clinical translation. Telix will now progress to first-in-human clinical studies based on these highly encouraging results.

(PRNewsfoto/Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited)

In April 2022, Telix secured the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise radiolabelled forms of olaratumab for the diagnosis and treatment of human cancers.[1] Olaratumab was originally developed as a naked (non-radiolabelled) monoclonal antibody targeting Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha (PDGFR), a target expressed in multiple tumour types. Olaratumab has a well-established clinical safety profile, a favourable toxicology dataset and advanced manufacturing package in relation to Lilly's development program, which Telix expects to be able to leverage for future development as a radiopharmaceutical drug product.

Telix's initial development PoC has focused on a rare type of cancer known as Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS). External beam radiation is a key part of the standard of care for STS, which may therefore be a suitable clinical target for novel radionuclide therapy, particularly for alpha-emitting radionuclides. The ability of olaratumab to target PDGFR in the STS tumour microenvironment makes it a highly novel and high-potential radiopharmaceutical candidate.

Telix has now completed its preclinical evaluation, with results sufficiently encouraging to advance development toward initial human clinical trials, in line with planned R&D expenditure for 2023/24. The agent has been assigned formal candidate status in Telix's development pipeline (to be denoted as TLX300-CDx/TLX300 for the diagnostic/patient selection tool and therapeutic, respectively). Specifically, these studies have shown that olaratumab can be bioconjugated with multiple chelators (including Telix's proprietary DFO-squaramide chelator), radiolabelled with zirconium-89 (89Zr) for imaging by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and used to demonstrate specific delivery of radiation to STS cancer cells to show proof of concept in xenograft tumour mouse models. Furthermore, olaratumab radiolabelled with therapeutic radionuclide payloads has demonstrated in vivo efficacy with significant reduction in tumour volumes in relevant disease models, even after administration of a single dose. The Company is preparing to publish preliminary findings.

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Telix Chief Scientist, Dr Michael Wheatcroft stated, "Building on Telix's proven track record in acquiring and developing novel radiopharmaceutical assets, it is extremely pleasing to demonstrate the adaptation of this traditional biologic agent for future potential use as a targeted radiopharmaceutical. TLX300 will initially be evaluated in a first-in-human clinical study that is designed to inform both the potential efficacy (dosimetry) and safety profile of this research candidate as a therapeutic, demonstrating the development advantage of a theranostic approach."

About Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS)

Soft tissue sarcoma is a complex disease that encompasses a diverse group of relatively rare cancers, with more than 50 histological subtypes. In the United States (U.S.), it is estimated that 13,040 new cases and 5,150 deaths were caused by STS in 2019, representing 0.75% of overall cancer incidence and 0.84% of overall cancer mortality.[2] In Europe, nearly 23,600 new STS cases rose annually, and the crude incidence rate was 4.7 per 100,000.[3] Approximately 39,900 new STS cases occurred nationwide in China in 2019, accounting for 1.05% of overall cancer incidence.[4] The crude incidence rate was 2.91/100,000 and generally increased with age. Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma includes surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. For patients with advanced, unresectable, or metastatic disease, treatment typically involves chemotherapy with single agents (e.g., doxorubicin) or anthracycline-based combination regimens. However, the prognosis for these patients remains poor, with treated patients with metastatic disease having a median overall survival of around 1218 months.[5]

About olaratumab

Olaratumab (previously marketed under the brand name, Lartruvo) was originally developed as a monoclonal antibody targeting PDGFR. Olaratumab was granted "Accelerated Approval" in the U.S. and "Conditional Approval" in the EU based on Phase II trial data which showed a 1-year survival benefit in patients with STS, when given in combination with standard chemotherapy. Olaratumab was voluntarily withdrawn from the market by Lilly following the failure of the Phase III ANNOUNCE clinical trial, in which olaratumab did not improve survival for patients.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.

Telix's lead product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),[6] and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),[7] and by Health Canada.[8] Telix is also progressing a marketing authorisation application for this investigational candidate in the United Kingdom.[9]

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

Email: kyahn.williamson@telixpharma.com

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Disclosure Committee on behalf of the Board.

Legal Notices

This announcement is not intended as promotion or advertising directed to any healthcare professional or other audience in any country worldwide (including Australia, United States and the United Kingdom). This announcement may include forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Except as required by applicable laws or regulations, Telix does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. Readers should read this announcement together with our material risks, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX and on our website.

2023 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals and Illuccix name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates (all rights reserved).

[1] Telix ASX disclosure 11 April 2022. [2] American Cancer Society 2020. [3] RARECARE Project 2013. [4] Yang et al. Cancer Biol Med. 2019. [5] In et al. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2017. [6] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021. [7] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021. [8] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022. [9] Telix ASX disclosure 3 April 2023.

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SOURCE Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
Sir Stuart Lipton - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

Home workers are reluctant to return to offices because they dont want to work in factory farm offices that are out of date, one of the Citys best known developers has said.

Sir Stuart Lipton, who developed Broadgate Circle in the City of London, said poor quality offices were to blame for workers reluctance to return full time.

The City grandee also launched a broadside against the Governments net zero targets for buildings and decried the state of Oxford Street, saying parts of the famed shopping boulevard had become a slumsville.

Sir Stuart told The Telegraph: You find people in offices sitting four feet away from their colleagues. This is how you find animals  in small pens. I call that factory farming.

Animals, in our general view, should be free range. But we dont think of people as being free range.

The 80-year-old property mogul has led some of Britains biggest office developments, including construction of the second-tallest building in London, 22 Bishopsgate, and the 32-acre Broadgate Circle estate, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

Sir Stuart said: We all need activity and amenity in our buildings. Buildings that lack this, I call them workhouses. And there are many buildings that are workhouses.

When I was a kid you would at least have six foot desks and there was much more space. Now its much less. People are talking about carbon, green issues, well-being and lifestyle, and were sitting in little pockets.

Broadgate Circle estate - Heathcliff O'Malley

His comments come as major employers are still struggling to get staff to return to the office full time after years of working from home during the pandemic. Wall Street bank JP Morgan last week threatened to punish staff who continue to refuse to come in.

A recent LinkedIn survey found more than a third of workers across Britain said that they would quit their job if their employer demanded that they return to the office full time.

Sir Stuart blamed the unattractiveness of many British offices for the struggle to get workers to return.

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In my book were an outdated industry, building outdated buildings with outdated technology and we know things have got to change, he said. People can talk to their cars and their phones, why not their buildings?

Sir Stuart has been constructing buildings in London since the 1970s and has been responsible for over 20m sq ft of development in the capital.

He co-founded the company Stanhope, where he worked on Broadgate and the 1.8m sq ft Chiswick Park campus in West London, and now runs Lipton Rogers Development, which was behind 22 Bishopsgate and other projects such as the Central St Giles office cluster where Google has offices.

He chaired the Governments Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment from 1999 to 2004.

Many developers are now upgrading properties in order to comply with government net zero rules that force offices to meet minimum environmental standards. Buildings must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of at least C by 2030 in order to be lettable to businesses.

The 62-storey 22 Bishopsgate tower in London, which is one of Sir Stuarts most recent developments, has an EPC rating of A.

Everything is controlled by computers, and I know that it saves huge amounts of energy, he said. If your building doesnt have that, then your building is out of date.

However, Sir Stuart said EPC rules were faddish and suggested developers may be reluctant to invest in the necessary upgrades given the Governments track record of policy about-turns.

An EPC has become like owning the latest piece of fashion. If it wasnt the latest piece of fashion, you wouldnt buy it and you as a retailer would die.

On the one hand the Government says we should reduce carbon, but on the other hand it does nothing. The question is, will they give up on EPCs? Because they give everything else up.

The veteran developer added that the targets would also force historic buildings to be demolished, given it is uneconomical in some cases for properties to be brought up to modern standards.

He said: Were going to see a lot of buildings come down. The EPC change is going to drive the need for new buildings. With most existing offices, you will only be left with the skeleton of the building.

Efforts to demolish and rebuild, rather than retrofit, have been controversial.

Marks & Spencer is embroiled in a row with Michael Gove over the retailers plans to demolish its Oxford Street store and build a greener, modern building in its place.

Mr Gove called in the plans over concerns that knocking down the 90-year-old building would damage the historic character of the area. Environmentalists have also argued that demolition would contribute to emissions by releasing so-called embodied carbon.

Sir Stuart backed M&S in the planning row. He said: What would you rather have? A successful High Street with great architecture, or keep old buildings that have nothing to do with the regeneration of the street?

M&S wants to demolish its Marble Arch store and modernise it - Pilbrow and Partners

East Oxford Street is like slumsville. Wheres the civilization, the sculptures, the trees? Where do the boys meet the girls? Its a terrible street that has the opportunity to add a dazzling piece of architecture that would help the street.

All the Government does is get in the way.

Sir Stuart said the Governments involvement in development is often unhelpful, arguing the state is too conservative in its approach to construction.

HS2 is a microcosm of everything else that goes on - its on its fifth redesign. Why did the Government need to get involved? They should have just told the developers what they want and off you go.

He criticised the planning system more generally, saying current rules encouraged the development of identikit buildings.

In the built environment we build the same buildings, in the same towns, he said. But the system encourages this.

If you know youll be given consent for a building in a certain way, why would you bother doing it differently?

He added: Were a great country. But we lack imagination.

His criticism of the Governments planning policies adds to a mounting backlash against Michael Gove from the construction sector. Mr Gove was criticised for branding property developers a cartel last year and his crackdown on holiday landlords last week has also sparked anger.

Simon Clarke, Mr Goves predecessor as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, branded the crackdown on landlords anti-business in an interview with the Times last week.
(Bloomberg) -- Peruvian authorities said they spotted a new oil spill near a Repsol SA-operated refinery during a routine inspection, according to a statement.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Perus environmental authority OEFA said the oil spill at the port of La Pampilla refinery affected a 300 square meter area. It was discovered on April 15 at the multi buoy terminal 2, which is regularly inspected after a major oil spill affected the area last year.

Repsol had been required to immediately and with urgency report on the causes and measures taken to minimize the impact of the event, environmental officials said.

In a later statement, Repsol said the spill was a migratory stain with the appearance of burnt fishing and motor oil that wasnt related to the 2022 spill or with the La Pampilla refinery. The multi buoy has been idle since January last year and is free from hydrocarbons. Clean up procedures have started.

Madrid-based Repsol spilled over 10,000 barrels of oil into the Pacific Ocean in January 2022, the largest ever in Peru. The Spanish energy giant operates the La Pampilla refinery, in El Callao province, the Andean nations largest that accounts for just over 50% of the countrys refining capacity.

The government imposed fines worth about $5.75 million on Repsol over the 2022 accident.

(Adds Repsol statement that says spill isnt related to refinery)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2023 / Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-based precious metals trading agency, has recently announced its support of Besra Gold Inc.'s non-binding funding and offtake term sheet. The agreement, valued at US$300 million, aims to bring the 3 million ounce Bau Gold project in Sarawak, Malaysia into production. As part of the deal, the syndicate will provide $300 million in funding for plant construction and infrastructure.

Quantum Metal Malaysia, Sunday, April 16, 2023, Press release picture

Besra and Quantum Metal Exchange have formed a strategic partnership, with Quantum Metal Exchange providing financial and logistical support for the project. The partnership was formed following extensive due diligence undertaken by Besra, which highlighted the significant potential of the Bau Gold project.

"We are excited to work with Besra Gold on this project, which has the potential to become one of the largest gold mines in Southeast Asia. This partnership is aligned with our company's mission to support the development of the mining sector in Malaysia and the region," said Dato Lim Khong Soon , the founder of Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd.

The Bau Gold project, located in Sarawak State, East Malaysia, boasts an estimated mineral resource totaling around 3Moz of gold. The plant intends to produce about two hundred thousand tons yearly over a fifteen-year operational life. The project has recently been approved and funded, signaling a bright future for the team and investors alike.

Besra Gold is committed to advanced mining practices and has taken various initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. The company has also established strong relationships with local communities and government stakeholders and is committed to creating lasting benefits for all.

Quantum Metal Exchange is a metal trading platform used worldwide that provides investors with access to trade physical metals like Gold and Silver. The platform allows for the easy purchase and sale of physical metals in a secure and transparent manner, with transactions executed through a network of approved dealers. The company is dedicated to advancing the understanding and adoption of physical metals as a vital component of investment portfolios.

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About Quantum Metal

Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd, established in 2012, is a Malaysian-based company specializing in the supply and trading of precious metal and gold products. With a focus on digital platforms, the company offers technology development, banking system solutions, and precious metal trading to local partners. As a subsidiary of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc. (QMEI) in New York, Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd shares the vision of establishing a legitimate global Precious Metal Exchange and is committed to promoting precious metals as a tool for unlocking the full potential of wealth. The company has played a significant role in connecting local banks with international bullion suppliers, ensuring secure and accessible precious metal markets for its customers.

Media Contact Details

Company Name: Quantum Metal Malaysia

Website: https://www.quantummetal.com.my/

Email: info@quantummetal.com

Phone number: +60 4 - 2260755

SOURCE: Quantum Metal Malaysia









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NYC offices are still only 45% full, costing $12.4 billion annually in lost spending  here are 3 stocks that benefit from flexible work policies

Disclaimer: We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. All links marked with an asterisk ( * ) are paid links.

The trend of working remotely has really accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the economy has already reopened, not all workers have returned to the office.

More than half of workers in 10 major cities (including New York and Los Angeles) went to the office last week; the first time the rate crossed 50% since the start of the pandemic.

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Austin had the highest level of in-office staff, with 68%. Meanwhile San Jose, California (which includes Silicon Valley) was the lowest, with 41%. Remote work is now the way of life for 28% of U.S. workers, while 18% of workers are participating in hybrid work.

This trend is fueling growth at companies that provide the necessary tools for people to work remotely. Heres a look at three of them. Wall Street also sees upside in this trio.

Zoom Video Communications

When meetings and classes moved online due to the pandemic, business at Zoom Video Communications (ZM) flourished.

But as the economy reopened, there have been concerns about the growth potential of this video communications company. It didnt help the case that sentiment towards tech stocks in general wasnt exactly bullish in 2022.

Over the past 12 months, Zoom shares have fallen 40%.

And that could give contrarian investors something to think about. Zoom had approximately 213,300 enterprise customers as of Feb. 27, 2023, up 12% year-over-year.

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If the hybrid work environment is here to stay, it would be good news for Zoom.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Rishi Jaluria has an outperform rating on Zoom and a price target of $95  roughly 25% above the current levels.

DocuSign

DocuSign (DOCU) is a company known for its eSignature solution that allows different parties to securely sign agreements without having to be in the same room.

Its remote business offerings have naturally come in handy over the pandemic-stricken years.

Read more: UBS says 61% of millionaire collectors allocate up to 30% of their overall portfolio to this exclusive asset class

On Jan. 31, 2020, it had 589,000 customers. By Oct. 31, 2022, it had 1.32 million customers worldwide.

Despite expanding its customer base, the company hasnt been a market darling. Shares have tumbled by almost 50% over the past year.

Jefferies analyst Brent Thill has a buy rating on DocuSign and a price target of $70  about 20% higher than where the stock sits today.

Box

Box (BOX) is a cloud-based content management, collaboration and file sharing service company.

Unlike the other two names on this list, Box is not as beaten-down as the other picks. Shares have only dropped 12% over the past 12 months.

Business is booming. In fiscal Q3, Boxs revenue grew 12% year over year to $250.0 million. Excluding the impact from exchange rate fluctuations, top line growth would have been 17%.

The company is also returning cash to investors through buybacks. In fiscal Q3, Box spent approximately $29 million repurchasing 1.1 million of its shares.

Morgan Stanley analyst Josh Baer sees better days ahead for Box. Baer has a buy rating on the company and a price target of $39, implying a potential upside of over 40%.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Prime Minister hosts US Secretary of State

Vietnam considers the United States one of its leading important partners and wishes to promote the comprehensive partnership with the US on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institution, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a reception for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15.



The PM affirmed that Vietnam is consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, active international integration; and being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community. Vietnam does not choose a side, but chooses justice and fairness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gives a reception for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15 (Photo: VNA)





At the reception, Chinh welcomed Blinken's current visit, saying this trip, along with contacts and exchanges between the two countries in the past time, especially the very successful high-level phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden on March 29, is vivid evidence for the development of the two countries' relations. The PM took the occasion to extend his wishes and regards to President Biden and other US leaders.



To further deepen and develop the bilateral relations, Chinh suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels. He proposed the US help Vietnam to promote cooperation in overcoming war aftermath, and continue to support cooperation between the two countries in important fields such as trade - investment, science - technology, education - training, defence - security as well as in such new areas as digital economy, green transition, circular economy, innovation, climate change response and infrastructure development.



The PM emphasised that the two sides need to continue efforts in promoting harmonious and sustainable trade exchange, suggesting that the US restrict the imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties and other unnecessary measures on Vietnam's exports, especially agricultural products and furniture, which directly affect people's employment and livelihoods.



He called on the US to create favourable conditions for the community of 2.2 million Vietnamese living in the US to continue integrating into, complying with the hosts law, contributing to the development of the two countries' relations.



For his part, Blinken expressed his pleasure to return to Vietnam after more than six years and conveyed wishes and regards of President Biden to high-ranking Vietnamese leaders. He affirmed that the US attaches importance to the relations with Vietnam on the principle of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and supports a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam.



The US diplomat agreed that there is still ample room for cooperation between two sides and it is necessary to continue boosting the bilateral ties on the principles agreed by their high-ranking leaders. He also committed to continuing to fostering the Vietnam-US relations.



At the reception, the two sides reviewed outstanding achievements in their relations, saying that the Vietnam-US relationship has made steps of comprehensive, increasingly stable, substantive and in-depth development, bringing about practical benefits to both countries as well as contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.



The Vietnamese PM sincerely thanked the US for donating COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam and the US diplomat thanked Vietnam for providing medical equipment and supplies to the US in response to the pandemic.



The two sides expressed their delight at the fact that the two countries had reached an agreement on upgrading the headquarters of the diplomatic and consular missions of the two sides. The PM congratulated the US side on the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of the new US Embassy campus in Hanoi.



The two sides shared their views on regional and international issues of shared concern. PM Chinh welcomed the US to continue to play an active role, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean as well as in the world. He suggested the US continue cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-US Partnership, ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, climate change response and UN peacekeeping operations.



The US diplomat affirmed that the US will continue to strengthen ties with the region, support the central role of ASEAN, and look forward to further increasing cooperation and support for Mekong sub-region countries in responding to non-traditional security challenges.
People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 40th Weifang International Kite Festival, which kicked off Saturday in Weifang in east China's Shandong Province has drawn kite fanciers from China and beyond.



The coruscating festival, featuring an array of kites in various shapes and sizes ranging from a gigantic trilobite to a 50-carriage high-speed train, has become one of the most iconic international events held in China since the country initiated reform and opening up in the late 1970s.

According to the organizers, more than 600 kite enthusiasts from 59 countries and regions are attending this year's festival, including many from overseas who missed the annual event over the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Weifang is very famous among kite lovers around the world," said Stanislav Kolbintsev from Russia, who was seen with a giant bird-shaped kite. Amazed by China's long history of kite flying and the huge public enthusiasm for the sport, he said he hopes to visit more Chinese cities to fly kites.

"I've loved flying kites since I was a child. Flying kites has many good meanings in India," said Arindam Adhikary, an Indian expat. He was one of the dozens of foreign students from Weifang Medical University who attended the event as spectators.

The main activities of the festival, which include competitions for kite making, flying and fighting, are scheduled over the weekend.

The first Weifang International Kite Festival was held in 1984. The festival has since grown in scale and international influence together with China's continuous opening up.

Known as the "capital of kites," Weifang has a long history of kite making, with some records suggesting the first wooden kite was invented there during the Spring and Autumn period more than 2,000 years ago.

The city boasts a thriving kite industry, employing more than 80,000 people in its 600-plus companies involved in the manufacture and sale of kites.
TAIPEI, April 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The SAE Taipei Section of Taiwan is sending a delegation, led by Jerry Wang, the 29th chairman and also Chairman of domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), to the U.S. for participating in the 2023 World Congress Experience (WCX), as well as promote ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared)-related partnerships, business opportunities, and information exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S..

The SAE Taipei Section of Taiwan is sending a delegation to the U.S., led by Jerry Wang, the 29th chairman and also Chairman of domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC). This trip will communicate with the U.S. vehicle industry on the latest industry trends, technological development and other issues, and promote Taiwan-U.S. industrial cooperation.

The delegation includes many ranking officials of Taiwanese government, as well leading automakers, research institutes, among others. It is scheduled to arrive Detroit on April 16th, and visit some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, such as GM Proving Ground, Optimal Group, Autoneum, the Mcity, ACM, and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR).

Taiwan-U.S. exchanges on vehicles and EV industry have received significant attention from the government, and the Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC) framework, launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan and the U.S. Department of Commerce in the end of 2021, has been facilitating more progresses in related fields. In 2022, for example, the MOEA played a pivotal role in the establishment of Optimal Intelligent Mobility Co., Ltd., a joint venture between ARTC and U.S.-based OPTIMAL Group, to promote Taiwan's cutting-edge intelligent-driving technology on the global stage.

Chairman Wang points out that Taiwan's vehicle- and EV-related systems have been a very important part of the global supply chain. The output of Taiwan's auto-electronics reached about US$1.2 billion in 2022, and is estimated to exceed US$2 billion by 2025. EVs are becoming the mainstream of the global car market, he stresses, and Taiwan has a complete EV industry supply chain that has accumulated international supply experience and outstanding ICT back-forces. Plus with the competitive advantage in system integration and intelligence, he adds, Taiwan can help international automakers rapidly develop intelligent EVs in the most efficient way.

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This is the first post-COVID delegation visit by SAE Taipei Section to the U.S., and Wang hopes to promote partnerships between the two countries' automotive industry, while deepen mutual understanding and technology exchanges.

The SAE Taipei Section of Taiwan is sending a delegation to the U.S., led by Jerry Wang, the 29th chairman and also Chairman of domestic Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC). This trip will communicate with the U.S. vehicle industry on the latest industry trends, technological development and other issues, and promote Taiwan-U.S. industrial cooperation.

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SOURCE Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), Taiwan
Generally speaking long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply don't succeed. For example the Mynews Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MYNEWS) share price dropped 66% over five years. That's an unpleasant experience for long term holders. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 28% in the last year. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 29% in the last three months. We note that the company has reported results fairly recently; and the market is hardly delighted. You can check out the latest numbers in our company report.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

See our latest analysis for Mynews Holdings Berhad

Because Mynews Holdings Berhad made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size.

Over five years, Mynews Holdings Berhad grew its revenue at 7.6% per year. That's a fairly respectable growth rate. The share price, meanwhile, has fallen 11% compounded, over five years. That suggests the market is disappointed with the current growth rate. That could lead to an opportunity if the company is going to become profitable sooner rather than later.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

This free interactive report on Mynews Holdings Berhad's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

A Different Perspective

While the broader market lost about 3.1% in the twelve months, Mynews Holdings Berhad shareholders did even worse, losing 28%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 11% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Mynews Holdings Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here.

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But note: Mynews Holdings Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Silver Lake Resources fair value estimate is AU$2.41

Silver Lake Resources is estimated to be 45% undervalued based on current share price of AU$1.33

Analyst price target for SLR is AU$1.83 which is 24% below our fair value estimate

How far off is Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX:SLR) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Silver Lake Resources

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To 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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$51.5m AU$209.5m AU$190.0m AU$179.1m AU$173.0m AU$169.9m AU$168.7m AU$168.9m AU$170.0m AU$171.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -5.71% Est @ -3.42% Est @ -1.81% Est @ -0.69% Est @ 0.10% Est @ 0.65% Est @ 1.03% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.5% AU$47.5 AU$178 AU$149 AU$129 AU$115 AU$104 AU$95.2 AU$87.8 AU$81.5 AU$75.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$1.1b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.9%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$172m (1 + 1.9%)  (8.5% 1.9%) = AU$2.7b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$2.7b ( 1 + 8.5%)10= AU$1.2b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is AU$2.2b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$1.3, the company appears quite good value at a 45% 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. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Silver Lake Resources 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 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.109. 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 Silver Lake Resources

Strength

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian 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:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Silver Lake Resources, we've put together three pertinent items you should explore:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Silver Lake Resources we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does SLR'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 ASX 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.

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smart car

Elon Musk, Teslas chief executive, is not someone who keeps much of his life a mystery.

The entrepreneur shares his innermost thoughts with the world on Twitter, the social media platform he bought last year, on everything from politics to his family and his night-time routine.

But even the tech billionaire has secrets. And his own car is sharing them with the world.

Some time in 2020, a group of Tesla employees stumbled upon and shared videos of a unique white Lotus Esprit sitting quietly in Mr Musks garage.

The footage caused a stir online.

The vehicle, which features unique fins instead of wheels and is better known as James Bonds whip in 1977s The Spy Who Loved Me, was a Hollywood star and had not been seen in public for nearly a decade.

But it turns out its not only Wet Nellie, as the car-cum-submarine is named, that Teslas staff were able to see.

Submersible Lotus vehicle nicknamed "Wet Nellie" that featured in the 1977 James Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me" - Sotheby's/Handout via REUTERS

Mr Musk is one of potentially thousands of Tesla owners who were unwittingly filmed by their cars over a period of years, according to a Reuters investigation, including one man unwittingly captured in the nude as he went to fetch something from his parked car.

As the world wakes up to exactly what a Teslas onboard cameras can capture and beam back to their makers, a wider fear has arisen: is your car spying on you?

Systems such as telematics black boxes that record a vehicles location and how it is driven are commonplace today. Complaints about how that data is fed back to Big Brother seem old-fashioned.

Yet those concerns are becoming more acute.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the best-selling cars of 2023 so far are all models fitted with the very latest in onboard infotainment and remote diagnostics technology.

From Teslas Model Y to the humble Mini, around two million of these data-gathering cars have been registered in the UK over the past five years.

McKinsey estimates that by 2030, 95pc of new cars will have automatic data connection features built into them.

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Companies such as SiriusXM, Harman International, Bosch, IBM and even US telecoms network Verizon are all offering products and services for the increasingly lucrative vehicle telematics data market.

Its a complete mess, with car companies and Google scrapping over that information and who owns the customers data, says Ken Tindell, chief technical officer of Canis Automotive Labs , an automotive data security company.

Research from Fortune Business Insights predicts the telematics market alone will be worth $213bn (170bn) by 2029, which easily explains why so many companies are scrambling to collect and process connected car data.

The pressing question is not so much is your car spying on you?, but for which bidder?, however.

Data generated by your car is valuable because it not only reveals what you and your motor are up to, but it can also be used to build products and services that drivers can be induced to buy.

This week Ford launched its Mustang Mach-Es BlueCruise system in the UK. For 17.99 a month, a camera monitors the driver to ensure they are paying attention to the road while computers do the hard work of staying in-lane on motorways.

Ford says it is committed to protecting customer privacy, ensuring transparency, and obtaining appropriate consent in the collection and use of all customer data, adding that speed and location data is collected from connected vehicles using BlueCruise.

An onboard cellular modem (in effect a miniature mobile phone) beams your data back to Ford and its third party service providers.

Ken Munro, boss of cyber security company Pen Test Partners, a business that specialises in finding and fixing problems with internet-connected systems, says that manufacturers use this type of information for product improvement.

That data is incredibly valuable, and I think insurance companies would love to have access, he adds.

Data generated by a cars onboard sensors  ranging from its speed to whether the airbag has been triggered  is typically beamed from the car to a Vehicle Data Hub (VDH), an internet service operated by a tech company.

IBM is one such company, and on its website explains what it does with the information it sucks up from your car.

When data is received by the VDH from connected vehicles, the data is normalised and then integrated with asset information, such as vehicle or driver data, says IBM.

From the VDH, the vehicle data is then dispatched to other components, such as Context Mapping and Driver Behavior.

Suggested examples of products that can be built from this data include geofencing a car, which means programming a piece of software to send an alert if the vehicles GPS location moves outside a particular location.

Another is using IBMs Most Probable Path & Destination Prediction feature, which lets car fleet managers predict a particular vehicles future route and its probable destination.

If this sounds a bit Orwellian, you are probably not alone in wondering how this type of information might lead to something undesirable happening.

Munro relates stories about what his company found while probing one carmakers computer networks, at its request.

The manufacturer brought in a third party telematics provider, and that telematics provider hadnt segregated the clients, says Munro, explaining that a simple computer security slip-up by the telematics provider meant that not only could his team view data from every other car from that manufacturer but we could also see other, third party, brands on that same platform.

Peek behind the digital curtains of one car and suddenly you can see tens of thousands of other vehicles. Munro declines to name names, saying the research was carried out under a strict non-disclosure agreement.

I've been impressed by the way the auto industry responded, he says. So for new vehicle platforms the architectures are thought about from a logical perspective, and a lot of security assurance work is done.

Cyber security researchers have hacked into connected cars, with the most infamous incident being in 2015 when a Jeep containing a reporter was remotely stopped on a US highway in a proof-of-concept trial.

Data harvested by your connected car can also be fed to the police.

Rachael Medhurst, a senior lecturer in digital forensics at the University of South Wales, says data stored by cars and VDH providers can be useful for crash investigators.

While investigating a hit-and-run incident, Medhurst says investigators found the car involved had been recording its precise GPS location, meaning they could place it, that car, at that place, at that time.

During that time they could see that [people in the car] were actually playing with the infotainment system, and that there were buttons being pressed, she adds.

Such systems  which include radios and satnavs  can be paired with mobile phones, which can provide a rich seam of data for police to dig into, says Medhurst.

Meanwhile the automotive industry is cagey about the extent to which data harvested from Britons cars is sliced, diced and sold on.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, says: The UK automotive industry takes privacy and data protection extremely seriously and customer consent underpins all personal data processing.

Manufacturers will only handle relevant personal data and retain it for only as long as it is necessary.

Personal data, including apps and infotainment-paired mobile phones, can be removed from cars according to individual manufacturer instructions, giving motorists control of their data privacy.

Ultimately the question is one of trust.

The industry wants drivers to think of their cars as trusted companions who know where youre going and look out for you.

Others might wonder whos truly riding the steed  or who's quietly interrogating it after youve safely parked up at home.
Investors head into a busy week as earnings season continues with tech and bank companies on the docket. Additionally, Apple is set to make a big splash in India.

The stock market notched weekly gains, led by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted smaller increases.

FOX Business takes a look at what will likely be the biggest market moving events in the coming days.

FORMER HOME DEPOT CEO ISSUES GRIM WARNING OVER US BANKRUPTCIES: ITS DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING IVE SEEN

Charles Schwab will host its highly anticipated investor day on Monday. The firm was one of the hardest hit amid the banking turmoil last month. Schwab was able to take in $53 billion in new core client assets in March, the second-highest result for that month in its history as the dust settled.

Additionally, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will speak on the economy and government spending at the New York Stock Exchange Monday morning.

READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP

In earnings, M&T Bank and State Street will report before the bell with JB Hunt Transport Services reporting after markets close.

In economic data news, the NY Fed manufacturing index will be released at 8:30 a.m., followed by the National Association of Homebuilders index at 10 a.m.

In corporate news, ride-hailing company Lyft has a new CEO, David Risher, who officially begins his new role with the task of taking on Uber.

It's Tax Day  the final day to file your returns.

Signet Jewelers will hold its investor day at the New York Stock Exchange, providing stakeholders with updates on the company's financial performance and strategic direction.

Elon Musk will be interviewed at the POSSIBLE conference in Miami, where he will discuss Twitter 2.0 and its role in the advertising industry.

Elon Musk in San Francisco on Jan. 24, 2023.

JAMIE DIMON ADVISES AGAINST USING TERM 'CREDIT CRUNCH'

Apple will open its first retail store in Mumbai, India, with CEO Tim Cook expected to attend. A second store in New Delhi will be open later in the week. The tech giant is pushing into the country that may have growth opportunities similar to China.

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In earnings, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, and Lockheed Martin, report before markets open.

Interactive Brokers Group, Netflix, Omnicom Group and United Airlines will release after the bell.

In economic news, data on building permits and housing starts will be released, providing insight into the state of the U.S. housing market. In China, first quarter GDP is set to be released on Tuesday, giving investors and economists insight into the world's second-largest economy.

Lastly, Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, will testify at a House Financial Services hearing on oversight. The hearing is expected to address the SEC's regulatory priorities and recent market volatility. He may also be pressed on cryptocurrency regulation. Bitcoin has recovered this year, topping the $30,000 level.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams is scheduled to speak before the Money Marketeers of New York University at 7 p.m.

John Williams, chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, speaks at an event in New York, Nov. 6, 2019. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri/File)

Before the market opens, Abbott Labs, Ally Financial, Citizens Financial Group, Morgan Stanley and US Bancorp will report earnings.

After the bell earnings will include Discover Financial, Equifax, IBM and Tesla.

Lots of Fed speak on Thursday with the Federal Reserve's Cleveland President Loretta Mester, Atlanta President Raphael Bostic and Philadelphia President Patrick Harker all set to deliver separate speeches, which may provide clues into future rate hikes as well as the state of the U.S. economy.

As for earnings, Alaska Air Group, American Express, Blackstone and Philip Morris are among those reporting in the morning.

While, CSX, Knight-Swift Transportation, and PPG Industries are among those reporting after the bell.

In terms of economic data, the day will see the release of a number of indicators, including initial jobless claims, Philly Fed business index, existing home sales, and the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators.

Crypto exchange Coinbase has until today to respond to a Wells notice issued by the SEC that outlines potential charges related to the crypto exchange's planned lending product.

CRYPTO INVESTORS FACE DELAYS IN WITHDRAWING FUNDS AFTER ETHEREUM UPGRADE

In earnings news, Freeport-McMoRan, HCA Healthcare, Procter & Gamble and Regions Financial will report.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP

On the economic data front, S&P Global will release its manufacturing and services PMI flash readings for April at 9:45 a.m. These figures are closely watched as indicators of the health of the U.S. economy, with readings above 50 indicating expansion and those below indicating contraction.

Jessica MacKenzie contributed to this story.
what is a debit card

A debit card is a physical payment card that is used to electronically access the money you have in your bank account to make purchases or transfer money. Debit cards can be used at point-of-sale terminals or online to transfer money from your checking account to the company or to the person youre transferring money to. Unlike a credit card, your debit card will immediately transfer money from your active checking account and cannot typically be used to make a purchase if your bank account doesnt have the required available funds. Here is what you need to know about your debit card. Consider working with a financial advisor as you manage budgeting and spending.

How Debit Cards Work

A debit card is a form of payment that enables you to make easy and secure payments online or through a payment terminal by transferring money directly from your bank account. Unlike other payment cards, you arent pulling money from a credit line and instead are only using the money you already have in a checking account.

A debit card can be used to withdraw cash from your bank account as well as make purchases through the use of the card at an ATM. Your debit card will work at ATMs, payment terminals or through payment platforms like Square or Google Pay. You can also use the card to transfer money via platforms like Venmo or Cash App.

Most banks will provide you with a debit card once you meet their qualifications for opening a bank account. You can elect not to receive a debit card, but if you have made an initial deposit then the bank is likely to automatically issue your own card.

Types of Debit Cards

Not all debit cards work the same way, as some arent tied directly to your entire checking account. Here are the most popular types of debit cards and how they work.

ATM Cards: An ATM card is something that used to be more popular than it is today. It is used to access your bank account at an ATM machine but isnt used to make regular purchases.

Prepaid Debit Cards: A prepaid debit card can be tied to the bank account of your choice but it isnt issued by the bank that houses your account. They can be used to make purchases just like a regular debit card but are pre-loaded with money, which is the full amount you can use when making purchases. You have to reload the card when it runs out of money.

Regular Debit Cards: These cards are the ones described above that access the available funds in your bank account at ATMs or through making purchases.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cards: If you qualify for certain benefits with your state then you will be issued an EBT card to make purchases of specific items, such as groceries.

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Debit Card Fees

what is a debit card

Bank accounts have fees, and debit cards are no extension. The fees you pay can vary depending on what bank you use and how you use your debit card. Youll want to pay close attention to the details of your account and the documentation that comes with your debit card so you know what you might be charged for. Here are some of the typical fees you may encounter when using your debit card.

Out-of-Network Fees: This occurs when the ATM youre using isnt within the network of your bank. The fee could be anywhere from $1 to $10 or more (especially at casinos). Based on general research, the typical out-of-network fee is around $3 to $5 per instance.

Monthly Fees: Some banks charge a monthly fee to use your bank account and all of its features, including your debit card usage.

Foreign Transaction Fees: If you make purchases or withdrawals outside of the U.S. using your debit card then you could incur a foreign transaction fee. The fee is typically charged as a small percentage of your transaction.

Overdraft Fees: If you use your debit card to make a purchase that goes over your available balance then the bank may charge you an overdraft fee, often around the $30 to $40 mark.

Debit Card Replacement Fees: If you lose your debit card then you may incur a small charge to get it replaced. Some banks will replace your card for free the first time it needs to be replaced.

While not a fee, it should be noted that you can be charged an account hold when making some purchases with your debit card. This could lower your available balance in your checking account for a period of time.

If youre ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Pros and Cons of Using a Debit Card

Debit cards have both pros and cons when youre using them for everyday purchases. For one, there are no annual fees when using a debit card and youll never be charged interest on the money you spend. Its an affordable way to make purchases and you wont have to worry about repaying anything later.

Convenience is also a major benefit of using debit cards. In todays digital age, debit cards can be used nearly everywhere. From making online purchases at your local grocery store or even paying your entrance fee at a high school sporting event. Debit cards are a universally accepted form of payment, making it easy for you to use as you need.

These cards arent without their cons, though. For instance, you may be charged a fee to use your debit card depending on your transaction. Using a debit card frequently can also lead to overspending. Thats because it can be pretty easy to spend beyond your budget when transactions are happening directly on the spot.

Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards

Debit cards differ from credit cards in a few different ways. This is mainly evident in the structure of what funds are being used. A debit card pulls from the money youve already made available for the transaction. On the flip side, a credit card uses a line of credit that youre borrowing from. With a credit card, you can pay back the amount over time but will be charged interest.

Credit card debt can accumulate and be difficult to pay off for some because of the interest that adds on every month. Debit cards are only using money that is already yours. In turn, you dont have to borrow the funds from the bank. You also wont be charged interest for using a debit card considering the money is withdrawn immediately.

What to Do If Your Debit Card Is Lost or Stolen

If your debit card is lost or stolen then its in your best interest to notify your bank immediately. Many banks will provide a banking app that you can use to lock or report your card as stolen. This will help avoid purchases being made by whoever has your debit cards information in-hand. Most banks will deactivate your card and send you a new one after you notify them.

If this happens to you, its important to go through your recent transactions thoroughly. Make certain no money was stolen out of your account via purchases or ATM withdrawals. Any money that was taken out of your bank account is often replaced. However, this can depend on how early you notify the bank.

You may only incur up to $50 of theft if you make a timely report on your stolen card. Some banks may even waive that for you. You often have two days to report the lost or stolen card. If you fail to do so, then you could incur up to $500 of liability by losing that amount of money that was taken.

Bottom Line

what is a debit card

A debit card is a convenient banking tool used to make purchases anywhere credit cards are accepted. It can be an easy way to buy groceries or transfer money to others through the right platform. However, its important to keep track of your spending so that you stick to your budget. Additionally, make sure all transactions occurring with your card were actually made by you.

Banking Tips

When managing your money, you may want to create a financial plan for the future. A financial advisor can help you with this. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Some people may prefer to build a budget on their own. To start the process, try SmartAssets budget calculator.

Photo credit: iStock.com/Drazen_, iStock.com/PeopleImages, iStock.com/PeopleImages

The post What Is a Debit Card? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.
Some The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) shareholders are probably rather concerned to see the share price fall 39% over the last three months. But at least the stock is up over the last three years. However, it's unlikely many shareholders are elated with the share price gain of 42% over that time, given the rising market.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for Charles Schwab

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During three years of share price growth, Charles Schwab achieved compound earnings per share growth of 11% per year. We note that the 12% yearly (average) share price gain isn't too far from the EPS growth rate. Coincidence? Probably not. That suggests that the market sentiment around the company hasn't changed much over that time. Rather, the share price has approximately tracked EPS growth.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Charles Schwab, it has a TSR of 48% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

We regret to report that Charles Schwab shareholders are down 38% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 6.7%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 0.3% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Charles Schwab better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Charles Schwab that you should be aware of before investing here.

Charles Schwab is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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It might seem bad, but the worst that can happen when you buy a stock (without leverage) is that its share price goes to zero. But in contrast you can make much more than 100% if the company does well. For instance the Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC) share price is 111% higher than it was three years ago. How nice for those who held the stock! Meanwhile the share price is 7.5% higher than it was a week ago.

Since it's been a strong week for Brunswick shareholders, let's have a look at trend of the longer term fundamentals.

View our latest analysis for Brunswick

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During three years of share price growth, Brunswick achieved compound earnings per share growth of 199% per year. The average annual share price increase of 28% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. This cautious sentiment is reflected in its (fairly low) P/E ratio of 8.57.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We know that Brunswick has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Brunswick the TSR over the last 3 years was 121%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Brunswick shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 10% over one year. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 8% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Brunswick that you should be aware of before investing here.

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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trump-nra-2023-rs-1800 - Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump said that if re-elected, he would use the government to investigate and potentially halt transgender health care during a National Rifle Association (NRA) speech on Friday.

Upon my inauguration, I will direct the FDA to convene an independent outside panel to investigate whether transgender hormone treatments and ideology increase the risk of extreme depression, aggression and even violence, said Trump to the crowd gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

More from Rolling Stone

I think most of us already know the answer, he added. Trump then said he would direct an investigation of whether genetically engineered cannabis is causing psychotic breaks.

The former president also accused Democrats of pushing the transgender cult on children. Earlier in his speech, he called school shootings a spiritual problem and not a gun problem. He also proposed a tax credit for arming teachers.

Donald Trump says as president he would direct the FDA to have an outside panel investigate whether transgender hormone treatments and ideology increase the risk of violence, and to determine if genetically engineered cannabis is causing psychotic breaks. pic.twitter.com/5JNZadQ3TV  The Recount (@therecount) April 14, 2023

Trump decries "the transgender cult" at the NRA forum pic.twitter.com/azAmzNvIYN  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 14, 2023

Trumps speech comes just four days after a gunman killed five people in a Louisville, Kentucky, bank, and two weeks after a shooter killed six people, including three children, at a school in Nashville. After learning that the Nashville shooter was transgender, Trump and his allies have pivoted to attacking medical care for transgender individuals, as well as treatment options for those with mental health struggles. Last month, Fox News host Tucker Carlson baselessly claimed that the trans movement is targeting Christians.

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Republicans have not only rebuffed calls for Congress to pass meaningful gun control legislation, theyve argued the shootings necessitate more guns so that the good guys can defend themselves and others against shooters. Nevertheless, guns are banned from the NRA convention on Friday.

Trumps appearance on Friday marks the seventh time he has addressed the NRA. The former presidents speech last year also came in the immediate wake of a mass shooting, when the convention was held in Houston just days after a shooter killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. Trump spent his time on stage bashing Democrats for pushing for gun control, before closing with a little dance.

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Click here to read the full article.
Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But every investor is virtually certain to have both over-performing and under-performing stocks. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in WashTec AG (ETR:WSU), since the last five years saw the share price fall 48%.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

View our latest analysis for WashTec

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During the five years over which the share price declined, WashTec's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 6.5% each year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 12% annual reduction in the share price. This implies that the market is more cautious about the business these days.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. This free interactive report on WashTec's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for WashTec the TSR over the last 5 years was -38%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

While the broader market lost about 3.1% in the twelve months, WashTec shareholders did even worse, losing 11% (even including dividends). However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 7% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Even so, be aware that WashTec is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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 Flash

Editor's note: Initiated in September 1992, China's manned space program follows a three-step development strategy. It includes sending astronauts into space and ensuring their safe return, launching a space lab and making breakthroughs in extravehicular activities and space rendezvous, and assembling and operating a permanently manned space station.

As of 2017, China had completed all tasks outlined in the first two phases of its space program. With space lab modules Mengtian and Wentian launched and the Shenzhou-15 spaceship currently in orbit, the country is expediting its efforts to provide a solution for larger-scale space applications, including man-tending operations on a long-term basis.

April 12 marks the 13th International Day of Human Space Flight. As we celebrate the event, one that is designed to reaffirm space tech's contribution to sustainable development goals, China.org.cn reviews key milestones in China's manned space program over the past three decades.

#Shenzhou-1 spaceship

The Shenzhou-1 spaceship, atop a new type of Long March carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Nov. 20, 1999. [Photo/VCG]

The unmanned spaceship Shenzhou-1 was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Nov. 20, 1999, marking the maiden flight of China's manned space program.



The spaceship tested the performance and reliability of the carrier rocket. It also verified the spaceships key technologies and system settings, as well as the coordination of the entire spaceship launch system, communication with ground control, and systems controlling the spaceships return to earth. The launch laid the key foundation for the implementation of future crewed space programs.
Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Noble Helium (ASX:NHE) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway.

See our latest analysis for Noble Helium

How Long Is Noble Helium's Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. When Noble Helium last reported its balance sheet in December 2022, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$6.2m. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$10m over the trailing twelve months. Therefore, from December 2022 it had roughly 7 months of cash runway. To be frank, this kind of short runway puts us on edge, as it indicates the company must reduce its cash burn significantly, or else raise cash imminently. However, if we extrapolate the company's recent cash burn trend, then it would have a longer cash run way. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years.

How Is Noble Helium's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

While Noble Helium did record statutory revenue of AU$10k over the last year, it didn't have any revenue from operations. To us, that makes it a pre-revenue company, so we'll look to its cash burn trajectory as an assessment of its cash burn situation. Its cash burn positively exploded in the last year, up 1,279%. With that kind of spending growth its cash runway will shorten quickly, as it simultaneously uses its cash while increasing the burn rate. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Noble Helium due to its lack of significant operating revenues. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

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How Easily Can Noble Helium Raise Cash?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Noble Helium shareholders should already be thinking about how easy it might be for it to raise further cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Noble Helium's cash burn of AU$10m is about 20% of its AU$51m market capitalisation. That's not insignificant, and if the company had to sell enough shares to fund another year's growth at the current share price, you'd likely witness fairly costly dilution.

How Risky Is Noble Helium's Cash Burn Situation?

Noble Helium is not in a great position when it comes to its cash burn situation. Although we can understand if some shareholders find its cash burn relative to its market cap acceptable, we can't ignore the fact that we consider its increasing cash burn to be downright troublesome. After considering the data discussed in this article, we don't have a lot of confidence that its cash burn rate is prudent, as it seems like it might need more cash soon. Taking a deeper dive, we've spotted 6 warning signs for Noble Helium you should be aware of, and 2 of them are a bit concerning.

If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The Singer-Songwriter will Take the Stage at Texas Motor Speedway this October

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, April 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Excitement continues to build around Gordy's Hwy 30 Music Fest's second location at Texas Motor Speedway scheduled for this fall and now, the event has confirmed that Zach Bryan is joining its highly anticipated lineup. The country singer-songwriter will perform on Friday, October 20 in what is anticipated to bring in an attendance of 30,000 to 60,000 fans each day throughout the four-day weekend.

Zach Bryan will perform on Friday, October 20 at Gordy's Hwy 30 Music Fest at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

Categorized by fans as "The People's Festival," the original Hwy 30 began as a school fundraiser in 2009 in small-town Idaho. While it has continued to grow, the event has always put its attendees first, even as it now boasts concertgoers from every state as well as overseas. Bryan himself also is a rigid supporter of his fans, recently standing up for them against Ticketmaster after complaints of a lack of available passes to his concerts alongside inflated prices. In addition to Bryan, Hwy 30 recently announced legendary artist Cody Jinks as its Texas headliner along with Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kat Hasty, and the Lowdown Drifters, with more names on the way.

"We are thrilled with our continued momentum of securing artists for the Texas location of Hwy 30 and are especially elated to have Zach Bryan on board," said festival founder Gordy Schroeder. "Like us, Zach is a champion of the 'little guys' and recognizes the importance of his fans and goes great lengths to give everyone the fair opportunity to experience great music."

Gordy's Hwy 30 Music Fest will take place Oct. 19-22 in Fort Worth. Meanwhile, the original festival at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Filer, Idaho is arriving June 21-24. Both events will also have designated days to honor special groups throughout the long weekend. Among these honorees include breast cancer survivors, through help from the organization Tough Enough to Wear Pink, which promotes early detection of the disease. Limited tickets for the Idaho event remain and can be purchased at www.hwy30musicfest.com. To purchase tickets for Hwy 30 in Texas, visit www.hwy30tx.com.

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About Gordy's Hwy 30 Music Fest

Gordy's Hwy 30 Music Fest is a four-day music event that takes place each June at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Filer, Idaho. Originally created by locals Gordy and Megan Schroeder as a school fundraiser in 2009, the family-friendly fest now attracts tens of thousands and showcases a collection of country, Americana, rock, and red dirt artists. For the very first time, the event will be held in a second location at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas in October 2023. For more information on either music series, visit www.hwy30tx.com (Texas) or www.hwy30musicfest.com (Idaho).

Media Contact:

Kristen Skladd

586-222-2423

kristen@andersoncollaborative.com

Cision

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SOURCE Hwy 30 Music Fest
Martin Luther King may not have had the opportunity to finish his work.

But on the anniversary of his death, Fredericksburgs downtown churches recognized two local leaders whose local work has continued to pursue his dream of a community that benefits all people.

Marceline Catlett and Jeanne Anderson received the Drum Major for Justice award at Micah Ecumenical Ministries second annual vigil of remembrance for King on April 4. King was shot on this date 55 years ago on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Catlett, who serves as Fredericksburgs superintendent of city schools, has worked for equality in education for more than 40 years. As a child she was among the first groups of students to integrate city schools, and she is Fredericksburgs first African American superintendent. Catlett has maintained a significant role in community initiatives, such as Smart Beginnings, Mary Washington Healthcare, UMWs community Advisory Committee on Diversity, NAACP, Fredericksburg Area Youth Development Foundation, Sunshine Ballpark, the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Washington Area and the American Red Cross

Anderson is minister in Missions at Fredericksburg Baptist Church, but she has spent a lifetime befriending Jesus through friendship with those who are often forgotten. As a teacher she took interest in the homelives of her students, seeking ways to address the social concerns that were getting in the way of their success. On staff at Fredericksburg Baptist, she pushed the congregation to make use of its space as connection points for those of wealth and comfortable means to form relationships with those who lacked basic comforts, such as food and housing. Her prophetic spirit often led not just Fredericksburg Baptist to prophetic expressions of the Gospel, but it planted seeds for other churches to coalesce around deep love of neighbor. Among her many visions was the collaboration of downtown churches that is now called Micah Ministries.

Catlett also received a portrait of herself, painted by Chuck Fromer. Anderson received a clay pot, as symbol of one who has let the potter shape and mold her into a good Christian witness for the community.

At the service, held at Shiloh Old Site, church pastor the Rev. Aaron Dobynes reiterated that the life of Martin Luther King cant be kept in a box, nor should we allow our own to be subdued in the face of injustice. Anderson and Catlett, he said, are examples of people who have seen spaces in our community that can be improved upon and worked to make Fredericksburg a better place.

In offering the sermon, the Rev. Larry Haun spoke of the reality that God created humanity and did not discriminate in saying that all people were, not just good, but very good.

Weve been pretty wrong-headed to think that we will all be together in heaven but not here on earth, Haun said. We have a responsibility to work alongside people of this world to make all people free.
A man who killed his mother in 2021 during a dispute over a house rule was ordered Friday to serve 34 years in prison.

Elijah Dement Smith, 22, was convicted in January of second-degree murder and a firearms charge. Judge William Glover sentenced him to a total of 44 years with 10 years suspended.

According to evidence presented by prosecutors Crystal Montague-Holland and Holli Wood, Smith shot and killed Latoya Acree early Sept. 18, 2021, outside their home in the 6100 block of Pondoley Drive in Spotsylvania County.

Acree had confronted her son about him bringing a woman into her home, something she had forbidden in the past, according to testimony.

Smith shot through his rolled up passengers window and hit his mother in the chest before fleeing. Acree was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith was tracked down and arrested a short time later at a motel in the Four Mile Fork area. The gun that killed Acree and a bullet casing that was tied to the bullet that went into her chest were recovered in the car.

Defense attorney John Spencer never disputed that Smith was the killer, but he argued at trial that he should have been convicted of manslaughter instead of murder.

One year of Smiths active sentence stemmed from an assault and battery conviction that resulted from an earlier incident involving a younger brother.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board is set to start hosting public meetings across the state to provide details of the fiscal 20242029 Six-Year Improvement Program, which allocates money for road projects.

The Fredericksburg area has 62 projects on the draft list for the SYIP program.

The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is expected to finalize its list at its policy committee Monday. The meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., will be held at 406 Princess Anne St.

The statewide meetings start later this month, but a pair of area meetings will be held in early May.

The Culpeper District meeting is slated for May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Culpeper District auditorium, at 1601 Orange Road.

The Fredericksburg District meeting is scheduled for May 8, also at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Germanna Community College Workforce and Technology Center at 10000 Germanna Point Drive in Spotsylvania County.

The meetings give residents a chance to see detailed plans in their area, hear from state transportation officials and make comments.

Nice Bridge bike system

Bicyclists will get a chance to see the bike system on the new Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge later this month.

The Maryland Transportation Authority will host an open house to release details for the bike system on the new span, built to replace the old bridge over the Potomac River between King George County and Maryland. The new span opened in October.

The open house will be held April 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nice/Middleton Bridge Automotive Shop, at 13040 Crain Highway, in Newburg, Maryland.

The open house will also give attendees a chance to add comments about bike access to the bridge, according to a news release from MDTA.

The transportation authority said it has invested more than $2 million to accommodate lane sharing for bicyclists. The system includes warning signs, push-button flashing warning beacons, along with bicycle-friendly modular expansion joints that were used instead of finger joints, which are typically used on MDTA bridges.

Bicyclists will be able to use the right lane in each direction, with riders able to activate the flashing warning beacons before riding onto the bridge.

More information can be found at nicemiddletonbridge.com, where comments also can be sent.

Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436
Sixteen years ago today, a Virginia Tech student shot and killed 32 fellow students, faculty and staff members in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. The tragedy traumatized Virginia Tech community members and exposed enormous vulnerabilities on college campuses. The Virginia Tech massacre also proved a wellspring of reform, strengthening threat assessment efforts across the state and distinguishing Virginias violence prevention system as a national model.

Like many Virginians, I was personally affected by the Virginia Tech shootings. That day, my father-in-law, a beloved professor and dean, was working in his office on the third floor of Techs engineering building, Norris Hall, where the shooter headed after killing two students in a residence hall. About 11 a.m., a university-wide email stated that shootings with multiple victims had occurred in that building. We repeatedly called my father-in-law, with no response, waiting anxiously into the afternoon. Finally, he connected with his wife, telling her that a SWAT team had ushered him and his colleagues out of Norris Hall.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency and three days later called for a comprehensive review of the tragedy. He asked a panel to conduct an independent, thorough, and objective incident review of the tragedy at Virginia Tech and to make recommendations regarding improvements that can be made in the commonwealths laws, policies, procedures, systems, and institutions.

In August 2007, the Virginia Tech Review Panel released a 147-page report that listed findings in several areas, including law enforcement, emergency operations, communication with campus and families, gun policies and behavioral health.

The report provided a timeline of events and a detailed biography of the shooter, from his childhood to the moment he killed himself in Norris Hall. It described how during his time at Virginia Tech, his disturbing behavior and creative writings drew the attention of officials and faculty in various offices and departments.

Virginia Tech faculty and staff members obviously cared deeply about their students and their campus. Many people interviewed, however, mistakenly believed that privacy laws prevented them from sharing information with one another.

One of the Review Panels key conclusions about the shooters personal history was the following: No one knew all the information and no one connected all the dots.

A year later, the General Assembly passed legislation mandating violence prevention and threat assessment on college campuses, identifying officials best positioned to know and share important information about potential threats.

The state offered free campus threat assessment trainings through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, which continue today. In 2013, Virginia became the nations first state to require all public-school divisions to create and support violence prevention processes.

Last November, after the shootings at the University of Virginia left three student-athletes dead, campus threat assessment once again attracted statewide attention, gaining bipartisanship support for mandating that teams have access to criminal and health records and disclose concerning information to police.

Under the direction of these laws, my colleagues and I reorganized into teams across our fields of expertise: counseling services, residence life, student affairs, academic affairs, law enforcement, human resources and legal services.

Today, we meet regularly to evaluate potential threats across the spectrum: violent writings, aberrant behavior, messages posted on campus, troubling outbursts toward classmates or professors. When a student concern proves particularly pressing, we often contact the parents, recognizing that they know their child best and are typically eager to help. Campus threat assessment teams evaluate possible threats from employees and community members as well.

Does threat assessment actually prevent violence? Yes.

Research on both planned and executed mass shootings shows that most individuals aiming to do harm communicate their intentions through social media, creative writings and conversations with friends and family members. The intent essentially leaks out before any action is taken, and its in sharing this leakage where we might intervene. In my experience, even in the absence of potential violence, threat assessment often highlights behavioral problems affecting a students experience and community.

As we engage in this work, memories of April 16, 2007, are rarely far from our minds. Of course, some recommendations from the 2007 Review Panel remain unrealized, such as improving the states mental health care system.

Recent legislative agendas have recognized this particular challenge, and in late 2022, the Youngkin administration proposed the three-year plan, Right Help, Right Now, to transform the behavioral health care system. It could be the latest reform to help us build upon the valuable work of threat assessment teams in caring for our students.

Whether supporting student health or intervening when someone intends to cause harm, threat assessment strengthens our mission to produce graduates ready and equipped for post-university lives and careers. And our campuses are better for it.
ELKO, Nev.  Anger, devastation and concern for her patients washed over Dr. Bridget Martinez as she learned that her residency training program in rural northeastern Nevada would be shuttered.

The doctor in training remembered telling one of her patients that, come July of this year, she would no longer be her physician. Martinez had been treating the patient for months at a local health care center for a variety of physical and psychiatric health issues.

She was like, I dont know what Im going to do, Martinez said. It almost set her back, I would say, to square one. Thats so distressing to a patient.

Martinez and three other resident physicians make up more than a third of the family practice providers at a health clinic in Elko, a city of about 20,000 people in the largely rural 500-mile stretch between Reno, Nevada, and Salt Lake City. Another patient cried and said she was unsure who her provider would be once Martinez returned to Reno to finish training.

Established in 2017, the rural family medicine training program in Elko is shutting down for a variety of reasons, including financial struggles, lack of a united support system and a historical lack of health care investment in the area. Experts say systemic factors are common barriers to establishing and sustaining training programs for doctors throughout rural America.

More than 100 million people, or nearly one-third of the nation, have trouble accessing primary care, according to a recent study published by the National Association of Community Health Centers. This number has nearly doubled since 2014. The pandemic worsened provider shortages nationwide, but the problem is more acute in rural areas, which have long struggled to recruit and retain doctors and other medical professionals. Researchers say the relative lack of providers is one reason people living in rural areas experience worse health outcomes than people who live in urban areas.

Experts say expanding the number of medical residency training programs in rural areas is key to filling gaps in care because many doctors  including more than half of family medicine physicians  settle within 100 miles of where they train. And while the number of training programs has increased in rural areas during the past few years, research shows 98% of residencies nationwide are in urban areas.

Members of Congress have introduced several bills to address the health provider shortage, but they have not yet advanced.

Meanwhile, rural medical training programs need more state and federal investment to grow and remain sustainable, said Dr. Emily Hawes, associate professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine and deputy director with the federal Rural Residency Planning and Development Program.

There have been positive milestones, she said, including provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 that created more flexibility in funding and accreditation for rural hospitals that want to establish residency programs.

Congress also created the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program, which Hawes helps lead. The initiative funded its first cohort in 2019. Since then, the programs parent agency, the Health Resources and Services Administration, has given more than $43 million to 58 organizations in 32 states to launch rural medical residency programs. As of last fall, the recipients had created 32 accredited training programs in family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry and general surgery, and received approval for more than 400 new residency positions in rural areas.

But its not enough, Hawes said.

For starters, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services dont reimburse rural hospitals for medical residency programs at the same rate they do urban hospitals, despite rural hospitals facing similar or higher costs. Rural hospitals lower patient volumes and higher rates of underinsured or uninsured patients affect how much the government pays to fund graduate medical education, or GME.

Hawes and other doctors argued in a research paper that rural hospitals participating in resident physician training should be paid the full cost of hosting residents, which amounts to at least $160,000 each annually.

The challenge of paying residents salaries proved to be part of the problem for the program in Elko.

Officials at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital decided, when they launched their residency program six years ago, not to use CMS funds to pay salaries and instead to pay those costs out-of-pocket. That amounted to about $500,000 a year, said Dr. Daniel Spogen, a professor in the Family and Community Medicine Department at the University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine and director of the medical residency training program in Elko.

In retrospect, Spogen said, he wishes he and other faculty had pushed the hospital to pursue CMS funding, because it would have given the program a stronger financial foundation.

In a February press release, hospital officials said the decision to close the medical training program was difficult but necessary, because of rising costs and increased requirements.

In the end, the community and residents suffer the consequences, Spogen said.

Hawes said rural communities and their resident physicians often benefit mutually: Residents experience a more diverse and involved training than they would in a larger hospital, because having fewer residents and doctors means they can take on bigger tasks. Martinez recalled treating a gunshot wound in the emergency room, something she said she probably would not have gotten to do in a Reno hospital.

Closing any rural medical residency program ends a key opportunity to locate physicians in the areas where theyre most needed, said Hawes. Martinez and her husband, who is also finishing his medical training, had planned to stay in Elko. While thats not off the table, she said, theyre keeping their options open now.

8 statistics that explain the rural doctor shortage 8 statistics that explain the rural doctor shortage Nearly 4 in 5 rural U.S. communities are short on medical staff There are fewer health care providers per capita in nonmetropolitan areas 1 in 4 rural teensand 1 in 5 rural adultsdon't have a primary care doctor who they see regularly Compared to metropolitan areas, there are more than twice as many rural counties in health professional shortage areas Medical practices in the most rural locations treat four times as many Medicare patients as metropolitan practices 142 rural hospitals have closed since 2010 1 in 5 medical schools ran a formal rural program in 2019 Hundreds of millions of dollars are going toward mitigation efforts and solutions for this shortage
The annual Space Symposium, the largest gathering of commercial, military and governmental figures in space technology in the world, returns to Colorado Springs this week as more and more nations and companies look to the stars  and as NASA prepares for a long-awaited return to the moon.

The six-day event at The Broadmoor is expected to draw 14,000 attendees from more than 40 countries. The attendance total is up from 10,000 last year and will be enough to fill 30 hotels. Visit Colorado Springs estimates the symposium will generate more than $16 million in economic impact from filling hotel rooms, restaurants and other tourist venues.

This years symposium also will have 230 exhibits spread across 110,000 square feet of exhibition space. Lockheed Martin and Kratos also will have outdoor exhibits featuring their Mobile User Objective System and a special space Hummer, respectively.

This year (the symposium) is going to be bigger than any of the others. It is the greatest space show on earth  a hell of way to go out, said Tom Zelibor, who will be presiding at his last such event before retiring as Space Foundation CEO June 30.

The symposium's agenda, featuring more than 260 speakers, will include:

 Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall

 Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Space Force chief of operations

 Gen. James Dickinson, commander of U.S. Space Command

 Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro

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 Jong-Shinn Wu, director general of the Taiwan Space Agency, who will be part of panel discussion of emerging space nations at a time of growing political and military tensions with China.

This years symposium will again feature half-day tracks, or extended programs, on space law, space science, space classified, game-changers, workforce and "new-generation leaders," all held at the nearby Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

The foundation also will hold another free Family Symposium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at its Space Discovery Center, 4425 Arrowswest Drive, focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics and featuring a panel of former astronauts.

Key to the symposium's popularity are the opportunities it offers to create relationships that lead to new space ventures.

This is an opportunity where you can get the world space community  government, civil, commercial, military and research (organizations) from every continent but Antarctica  together for one week in one location. It allows these people to meet, partner, share and build relationships that take everything they do to the next level, said Rich Cooper, a foundation spokesman. That deal-making happens not only on the exhibit hall floor but continues at dozens of receptions, parties and other events during the symposium spread throughout the resort's 2,500-acre campus.

Dan Tenney, vice president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, said the company participates in the symposium because it not only reinforces our investment in the space industry, but also our dedication to the Colorado community  especially since the event takes place in our own backyard. We look forward to showcasing our innovative products and talented workforce at the Space Symposium this year, and are eager to help enable robust solutions for our customers.

The symposium requires the efforts of all 110 foundation employees, an army of sponsors and exhibitors and 300 volunteers, who help with guest support and check-in, speaker and VIP support and security  and include a person who wears an astronaut costume for the entire event and is in high demand for photos with attendees.
An annual event by the Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary  a luncheon with friends, a spring fashion show and themed baskets in a silent auction  is always a relaxing time.

The latest was March 18, a chilly but sunny Saturday at picturesque The Pinery at the Hill that drew 200 people, including several men who had volunteered to help out and Salvation Army officers.

SAWA volunteers modeled spring fashions from Macys during the show. They included Marilyn Anderson, Lilian Gonzalez, Kitty Johnson, Elise Martinez, Cassie Honchell, JoAnne Rowley and Mary Starzeki.

The March show and shopping was extra special with part of the $25,000 raised designated for decor and toys for the new family shelter, The R.J. Montgomery Family Hope Center, that is close to completion. For years that shelter regularly served 220 people of all ages and gender who are homeless and this program has been moved. Newly renovated Family Hope Center will accept about 30 families who live together in family units and receive case management as they work toward housing stability.

The fundraiser was one of the regular planned activities when the auxiliary raises thousands of dollars supporting the nonprofits programs serving families and veterans. The Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary supports programs through philanthropic efforts and volunteerism. The fashion show committee was Pat Collins, Billie Sue Gonzalez, Debbie Greier, Sue Jaynes, Julia McCollum, Gigi Nichols, Gloria Eastman and Peggy Tegtmeyer.

We are incredibly grateful for the work and support of our womens auxiliary members, said Capt. Betzy Hanson, the programs El Paso County coordinator. She said, These ladies put their heart and soul into their fundraising events.

They will be busy with a membership roundup barbecue in August, a December holiday tea, the Salvation Armys Colorado Kitchen and a Back-to-School Shopping Spree. For information: 719-636-1891.
For decades, a relatively few, huge U.S. satellites have patrolled from orbit to detect threats such as ballistic missiles. While still critical, American defense marked a shift in March when the first 10 of hundreds of planned military satellites launched from California.

As experts from around the world converge on Colorado Springs for the Space Symposium this coming week, managing and protecting tens of thousands of smaller, cheaper satellites, both military and commercial, projected to go into space is set to be major topic.

In the coming years, the large numbers of new satellites also means Colorado Springs companies will have plenty of work as demand for operators, ground infrastructure and support services grow.

"Colorado Springs represents an epicenter of satellite operations," said Frank Backes, a senior vice president for Kratos Space Federal based in town. Kratos provides ground infrastructure, such as antennas, for satellites globally.

The U.S. is shifting its space strategy to detect ballistic and hypersonic missiles among other threats as China and Russia ramp up their capabilities in space. For example, China launched a missile in 2021 that maneuvered late in flight as a hypersonic guide vehicle, showing an ability to move around radar, said Space Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, deputy chief of space operations, for operations, cyber and nuclear. She described the Chinese as launching just as much into orbit as the U.S. and "pushing past us" in some cases in capability, during a recent event hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

China and Russia have also both blown up satellites with missiles, demonstrating the threat they could pose to satellites that provide critical infrastructure, such as communications, navigation and imagery.

The Space Force wants to deter anti-satellites missiles by sending up hundreds of satellites so that an individual satellite would not provide an attractive target.

"It will cost more to shoot down a single satellite than it will to build and launch that single satellite," said Derek Tournear, the director of the Space Development Agency, at the Mitchell Institute event.

The Space Development Agency, a civilian group within Space Force, is in charge of the new proliferated military satellite constellations of smaller, cheaper units. One type of satellite the agency is launching costs about $15 million, he said.

In contrast, a traditional military satellite launched last year was one of two in a $1.86 billion contract and weighed 5,000 pounds.

The satellite was the last addition to a constellation of satellites, known as the Space-Based Infrared System, operated by Buckley Space Force Base guardians, who are charged with detecting missile launches, space liftoffs and nuclear detonations.

Maj. Matt Garcia, the operations officer for the launch and test team for the satellite, was working at Buckley the day of the launch on Aug. 4 and spoke with the team at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida about the readiness of the ground infrastructure to talk to the satellite. He was also involved with the months of testing run from Buckley.

It was just such a thrill personally, said Garcia, an Air Force officer. It is still very much a human story and a human endeavor.

While the work went smoothly, it still took daily miracles, such as rewriting the schedule for launch after another unrelated mission saw changes in its timeline, he said.

The satellite was transferred into regular operations in March and currently the 2nd Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base is using it to detect threats such as the ballistic missiles launched by Iran three years ago, Garcia said. The satellite was designed to last 12 years, but will likely last longer, he said.

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The satellite was launched to geosynchronous orbit, 22,236 miles above the Earth. At that orbit, only three satellites are needed to see almost the whole planet, Backes said.

The new cheaper satellites will go up to 1,200 miles or less, known as the low-earth orbit, and the military will need many, many more of them to replicate the work of satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

However, they can be developed much more quickly compared to the large traditional satellites.

The first Space-Based Infrared System satellite was launched in 2011 and that long timeline gives other nations an opportunity to develop threats, Backes said. Now that's changing.

"We are absolutely showing we have the ability to shorten our timelines and respond fairly quickly," Backes said.

The new satellites the Space Development Agency just launched went from order to orbit in 27 months, Tournear said.

The 10 satellites that went up in March will be joined by an additional 18 and that set will demonstrate the new operational concepts, Tournear said.

In about 18 months, the agency plans to start launching another 150 satellites that will do, in part, missile warning and missile tracking. They will be ready for Space Force operations in 2025, he said.

The agency plans to launch hundreds of satellites and go out to contract regularly with companies to give more businesses the opportunity to build units.

Of the 10 satellites in the first launch, York Space Systems, a Denver company, made eight. Last year the company announced it would build another 42 satellites as part of a $382 million contract.

Tournear expects to keep the prices on satellites fixed and rely on the industry to provide additional capabilities, similar to the iterative improvements in cell phones.

The satellites will be run from new Space Operations Centers staffed by contractors at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, Jonathan Withington and agency spokesman said in an email. The centers will answer to Space Operations Command, with headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base.

In addition to expanding the military network, the Space Development Agency wants to tighten the working relationship between its satellites and commercial satellites, Tournear said.

Commercial satellites already provide constant services to the military, such as supplying imagery; however, that has become a point of conflict in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

If the U.S. classified satellites as critical infrastructure, in the same way, it classifies the power grid as critical infrastructure, the military would be obligated to respond to such attacks. But right now its a gray area, Backes said.

He expects one of the main conversations at Space Symposium to focus on managing satellites used both by business and for defense.
 Flash

Visiting U.S. President Joe Biden said he will run for the presidency again, the Irish national radio and television broadcaster RTE reported on Saturday.

Before departing from Ireland at midnight Friday, Biden told reporters that he has made up his mind to run for a second term and will make a formal campaign announcement soon.

Biden arrived in Dublin for a three-day official visit on Wednesday. During his visit, Biden met with his Irish counterpart Michael D. Higgins and held talks with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, who lost to Biden in the 2020 election but has refused to concede, announced his bid in November for presidency in the 2024 election.
One woman was taken to the hospital early Saturday morning after she was hit by a stray bullet in a suspected drive-by shooting at an apartment complex in southeast Colorado Springs, according to Colorado Springs Department spokesperson Robert Tornabene.

Police received calls of shots fired just after 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning on Carmel Drive, near Circle Drive and Monterey Road.

Officials said an estimated 20-25 shots were fired in the incident. According to Tornabene, the woman, who lived in the neighborhood, was hit by a stray bullet and sent to a nearby hospital.

Tornabene said the woman has no criminal affiliation and has no connection to the incident.

The woman's condition was not provided. No suspect information has been released.
Catholic leaders said they are "mourning" the enactment of three more abortion laws in Colorado, arguing they remove women's choice and violate the First Amendment rights of Coloradans who want to support women in carrying a pregnancy through.

The Catholic leaders also accused Colorado's Democratic policymakers of preferring abortion over "life-affirming" care.

Gov. Jared Polis signed the three measures yesterday, a year after Democrats enacted legislation to enshrine abortion rights in Colorado statutes.

Senate Bill 188 inoculates patients and providers of abortion and gender-affirming care  services that includes social, psychological or medical interventions, such as hormone therapy and surgical procedures. Senate Bill 189 expands health insurance coverage for abortion, sterilization and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Finally, Senate Bill 190 prohibits what supporters call "deceptive" advertising and the use of abortion "reversal" pills in crisis pregnancy centers.

"When pro-abortion lawmakers in the General Assembly tell Coloradans they prioritize abortion over life-affirming reproductive healthcare decisions, our hearts ache for those women who consequently lost their right to change their mind and those children who will not be allowed to live," the Archdiocese of Denver and the Colorado Catholic Conference said in statement.

"This new group of bills even includes a measure that forces all Coloradans to pay for abortion through their insurance premiums. This is not freedom, its immoral coercion," the bishops added.

The bill's supporters said the measures reinforce individuals' ability to make their own health care decisions.

"Today is really about freedom. Standing up to protect freedoms that are under attack, sadly, in many other states," Polis said in signing the measures. "That's not the Colorado way. We believe in the ability of individuals to make their own decisions. That's a really important value that we share in our state. These bills further that value."

"In Colorado, we've got your back," added Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who sponsored one of the bills. "Let the passage of these three bills, as they are being signed into law today, stand as a testament to folks in this state and across the country that Colorado is a beacon of care. That we will support you."

The two sides clashed in framing the measures, highlighting different provisions to hold up or criticize.

To supporters, SB 188 is the proper response to fears that other states would seek the medical records of their residents who undergo an abortion in Colorado in order to prosecute them. Polis earlier issued an executive order, saying Colorado would decline "requests for the arrest, surrender, or extradition of any person charged with a criminal violation of a law of another state" for assisting a woman in getting an abortion.

The bill effectively codifies that executive order, prohibiting Colorado from providing information or using government resources to aid an out-of-state investigation or proceeding that seeks to impose civil or criminal liability  or professional sanctions  against a person or entity for engaging in abortion.

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The new law also applies to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.

To the Catholic bishops, the measure violates the First Amendment rights of medical professionals and medical centers or hospitals that do not provide abortion-related services or gender-affirming care, in addition to "(restricting) legal action against Colorado from states with pro-life laws."

To supporters, SB 189 is another step in ensuring access to abortion. The bill requires health insurance carriers that serve employers with more than 100 employees to cover abortion, sterilization and treatment of HIV and other STDs without deductibles, copays or coinsurance. For the small group and individual market, health insurance coverage depends on how it would affect premiums.

To the bishops, the measure circumvents Colorado's constitutional prohibition against public funding for abortion by requiring insurance providers to cover its full cost. The bishops also lamented that it increases access to contraception and abortion referrals to minors and removes parental notification requirements.

To supporters, SB 190 ensures that Coloradans aren't tricked into going to pregnancy centers by prohibiting the latter from advertising abortions, emergency contraceptives or referrals they dont, in fact, provide. The bill classifies these acts as "deceptive" advertising.

The measure also bans the practice of using "abortion reversal pills" to try to stop a medication-based abortion  unless the Colorado's medical, pharmacy and nursing boards conclude the practice is generally accepted and thereby expressly permit it by prescribing regulations by October of this year.

The studies on "abortion reversal" are not conclusive, and the chances of Colorado's medical boards finding it to be a generally accepted standard of practice by this October are practically nil.

To the bishops, the governor and lawmakers foreclosed an avenue for women to save their child's life if they changed their mind after taking the first of two abortion pills.

"Babies who have been born to mothers who have taken progesterone during pregnancy are healthy and strong," the bishops said in a separate letter to Catholics. "Colorado is the first state to eliminate this choice of life for women."

During the bill signing ceremony, Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of SB 189, said Colorado voters already made their voices loud and clear  they support pro-abortion rights measures.

"We support access to the full range of reproductive care. We all value this. It's health care," Cutter said.

The bishops countered that Polis and Democratic legislators just told Coloradans they "prioritize abortion over life-affirming reproductive healthcare decisions for women, at the expense of the mothers health and, even more grave, at the cost of countless childrens lives."
The North Creek fire, which has burned approximately 43 acres and is at 10% containment, appears to have been caused by human activity, officials said Sunday.

A campfire, apparently set by a hunter, is believed to be the primary cause of the blaze, and a person of interest has been identified, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The investigation is ongoing, officials said.

We would like to use this opportunity to remind everyone that many of our day to day actions can have the potential to cause a wildfire, the Forest Service said in a statement. The weather in many areas of southern Colorado continues to be dry and warm and there have been a number of wildfires in the past few weeks along the Front Range and in Southern Colorado.

Authorities cautioned campers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to think their actions through and avoid any activity that might set off a wildfire.

Always ensure that you dispose of any heat source properly, trailer chains are not dragging and campfires are built safely and extinguished completely, officials said. Remember, we are all responsible for our own actions and we all have the opportunity to prevent wildfires.

Mandatory evacuations for the Red Mountain Youth Camp and surrounding areas in Beulah were lifted on Saturday and downgraded to pre-evacuation status.
BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -China launched a weather satellite on Sunday as civilian flights altered their routes to avoid a Chinese-imposed no-fly zone to the north of Taiwan which Beijing put in place because of the possibility of falling rocket debris.

Taiwan's transport ministry said Beijing had initially notified Taipei it would impose a no-fly zone from Sunday to Tuesday but later said that period had been reduced to 27 minutes on Sunday morning after Taiwan protested.

The no-fly announcement rattled regional nerves as it followed shortly after China staged new war games around Taiwan, which Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China's main contractor for its space programme, said the weather satellite Fengyun 3G had successfully launched from the northwestern province of Gansu at 9:36 a.m. (0136 GMT).

The satellite then entered its set orbit, the contractor said, describing the launch as a "complete success". The Fengyun 3G is a low-earth orbit satellite designed to track rainfall.

It did not say what the flight path of the Long March 4B rocket carrying the satellite was, but the time coincides with China's previous announcement about the no-fly zone.

China has said it is inaccurate to call it a no-fly zone, though Taiwan has issued a notice to airmen, or NOTAM, that uses the wording "airspace blocked due to aerospace flight activity".

Taiwan's defence ministry said some debris from the rocket launch had fallen into the "warning zone" off the island's northern coast, but it did not affect Taiwan's territorial safety.

Flights to and from Taiwan and China, Taiwan and South Korea and Taiwan and Japan were amongst those detouring around the zone on Sunday morning, according to routes tracked on Flightradar24.

Normal flight paths resumed shortly after 10 a.m. (0200 GMT).

The zone is in an area over the East China Sea slightly northeast of Taiwan that routinely sees heavy civilian flight traffic.

Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration said in a one-hour period starting from 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) 33 flights had to alter their routes, adding an extra five to 10 minutes of flying time.

China has denounced what it has called hype around China's space activities and an attempt to escalate confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) raised concerns about potential 2024 primary foe Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-NY) calls to ignore a Texas judge's abortion pill ruling.

Without explicitly ruling out pleas to ignore the ruling, Gillibrand alluded to the potential ramifications of dismissing the ruling and laid out a "last-ditch" strategy to safeguard abortion rights.

NANCY MACE URGES BIDEN TO IGNORE RULING TO SUSPEND ABORTION PILL'S FDA APPROVAL

"It's hard to ignore the rule of law, and we have a court system and an appeals system for a reason. So I think the Biden administration is correct in actually fighting this at the Supreme Court," she told CNN's State of the Union.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk from Texas moved to halt the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to induce an abortion. The pill has been approved for roughly 23 years.

"It's an outrage. And so we will fight in every respect we can. We will file lawsuits, we will continue to appeal this kind of decision. We will also continue to fight state by state to codify Roe in state law," Gillibrand added. "And we have had many ballot initiatives, even in red places like Kansas and Montana, where we have been successful."

Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) urged President Joe Biden to simply ignore the ruling.

"The interesting thing when it comes to a ruling is that it relies on enforcement," Ocasio-Cortez previously told CNN. "And it is up to the Biden administration to enforce, to choose whether or not to enforce a ruling."

A ruling out of Washington contradicted the Texas decision soon after, telling the FDA not to alter the drug's availability.

Then on Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito stayed the Texas ruling, teeing up a high court review this week. Should the high court not rule in favor of abortion rights, Gillibrand believes progressives can go state by state.

"Whether we win or not in the Supreme Court doesn't mean that's our last effort. We will go state by state to guarantee reproductive freedom. But I think the national conversation we have to have is this right to privacy," she said.

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Gillibrand is up for reelection in 2024. Ocasio-Cortez has been speculated as a potential primary challenger against her, though the progressive firebrand has not declared a bid.

Both chambers of Congress are set to reconvene this week following a two-week hiatus.

Original Location: Gillibrand warns against AOC's calls to ignore Texas abortion pill ruling

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Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who has been embroiled in an intra-party dispute over his call for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) resignation, said over the weekend that Democrats have expressed support for his move in private.

Feinstein, who at 89 is the Senate's oldest member, has been absent from the chamber since being diagnosed with shingles in February. Democrats only control the chamber by a 51-49 margin, meaning that one absence gives Republicans an opportunity to block President Joe Biden's nominees and legislative efforts.

TOM COTTON TELLS GOP NOT TO HELP DEMOCRATS REPLACE FEINSTEIN ON JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

After years of criticisms from inside her party that she was no longer up to the job, Feinstein said in February she wouldn't seek reelection in 2024, though she vowed to serve out the remaining 20 months of her term.

Tensions over Feinstein's absence boiled over as it became clear this week that she would not return at the conclusion of Senate recess on Monday, with two House Democrats, including one from her home state, calling for her resignation. The lawmakers, Khanna and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), said Tuesday in separate statements that while the longtime California lawmaker deserved praise for her storied political career, her health problems were affecting her ability to fulfill her duties.

Feinstein offered a compromise amid pressure over her absence on Wednesday, saying she would ask to be replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee until her return. The panel has been paralyzed as a result of Feinstein's absence, which leaves Democrats without the necessary votes to advance Biden's judicial nominees.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he would ask the Senate next week to allow another Democrat to serve on the panel, but the move will require Republican support, and it is unclear if the GOP will comply.

Asked how Democrats have responded to his decision to go public with what many in the party had already said anonymously to major news outlets in recent years, Khanna said he had received largely positive feedback from fellow lawmakers.

"Quite a few people have said in private, [have] texted [me] saying they agree with that," the House Democrat said on MSNBC on Saturday.

"I think many colleagues are hoping she will come to the conclusion on her own [to resign]," he added. "They have a lot of respect for her, they don't want to push her in a corner, but they're hoping that she will make this decision to have dignity in ending a distinguished career."

Most Democrats have either remained silent or defended Feinstein in the wake of the renewed dispute over her capacity to do her job. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) both appeared to imply that sexism and political motivations were involved in the push to oust the veteran senator.

The two seemed to be referencing the absence of Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Khanna's endorsement of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) in the Democratic primary to fill Feinstein's seat in 2024. Lee is polling behind Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Katie Porter (D-CA), but she is believed to be Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D-CA) front-runner to replace Feinstein were the senator to resign early. If Newsom were to appoint Lee, she would have the benefit of incumbency in her primary race and likely see a boost in the polls.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), meanwhile, said she was taking a wait-and-see approach and would give Feinstein a month or so before reassessing the matter.

Original Location: Khanna says Democrats are privately praising his Feinstein resignation call

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) defended his trip to Saudi Arabia by explaining how the country has made changes in recent years for the better.

Graham says that since his previous comments, where he denounced the country and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Saudi Arabia has made significant progress.

GRAHAM STICKS WITH TRUMP, HIS ONETIME NEMESIS, AS SOUTH CAROLINIANS ENTER 2024 RACE

"I have been talking with the Biden administration about working with Saudi Arabia to build on the reforms they're doing in their country and to build on the Abraham Accords. If you get nothing else out of this interview, things in Saudi Arabia are changing very quickly for the better. I see a chance to normalize the relationship between United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel that would be transformative for the region," Graham said on ABC's This Week.

Graham also said he made the trip to the middle east to thank the country for a deal with U.S.-based airplane manufacturer Boeing to purchase planes for their new airline as opposed to purchasing planes from the European-based Airbus.

"Saudi Arabia purchased $36 billion worth of 787 Boeing jets made in Charleston, South Carolina. They picked the Boeing 787 over the Airbus. I came over here to say thanks to Saudi Arabia. They are thinking about buying more jets," Graham said.

The South Carolina Republican also outlined how the "transformative" change the crown prince has outlined offers an opportunity for the U.S. to work for security in the middle east.

"I also came over here to caution them about getting too cozy with China and Iran. But Vision 2030 of the crown prince is real. Women can drive for the first time in modern Saudi history. Women can go out to dinner without a male escort. His vision for the country economically is transformative. A trillion dollars is going to be spent to modernize Saudi Arabia. I'd like to be part of that transition," Graham said.

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"What I saw in Saudi Arabia was a game changer for me, but I want to build on the progress, but have an honest candid relationship. There are things that need to change in Saudi Arabia, but the ability to work with Saudi Arabia is at an all-time high. If we can normalize relationships with Saudi Arabia, and then with Israel, build upon the Abraham accords, it would be the biggest change in my lifetime regarding mid-east security and America's security," Graham said.

Graham was a vocal critic of the crown prince for several years in the aftermath of the Khashoggi killing, even going as far as saying that he intended to "sanction the hell" out of the country and calling for the crown prince to be removed as a leader for the country.

Original Location: Lindsey Graham defends trip to Saudi Arabia after previously condemning crown prince

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Legendary actor Morgan Freeman opened up about his view on race relations in a rare interview in which he reiterated his dislike of Black History Month and tore into the term "African American," calling them both an "insult."

"Two things I can say publicly that I do not like. Black History Month is an insult. You're going to relegate my history to a month?" he said in an interview for the Sunday Times.

CENSUS MIGHT ASK IF BLACK RESIDENTS WERE DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES: REPORT

"Also, African American' is an insult. I don't subscribe to that title," the actor said. "I do not know how these things get such a grip, but everyone uses African American.'"

Actor Morgan Freeman attends the world premiere of "Going in Style" at the SVA Theatre on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Morgan added, "What does it really mean? Most Black people in this part of the world are mongrels. And you say Africa as if it's a country when it's a continent, like Europe."

In 2005, Freeman had explained to a 60 Minutes host that he opposed the celebration of Black History Month because "Black history is American history."

"Stop talking about it ... I am going to stop calling you a white man, and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man," Freeman said to host Mike Wallace.

The 85-year-old actor was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1937 during segregation. He described in the interview that he knew he wanted to be an actor at the age of 13 but only made it big in Hollywood at the age of 52. Freeman also acknowledges that America has changed for the better with the lifting of the Hays Code, the censorship list for films.

"When I was growing up, there was no me' in the movies," Morgan said. "If there was a black man in a movie, he was funny. Until Sidney Poitier came and gave young people like me the idea that, OK, yes, I can do that.'"

The actor remarked that in 1987, he played a pimp called "Fast Black" but never played that type of character again for fear of being typecast.

"Generationally, though, I do think we're moving ahead in leaps and bounds," he said regarding societal changes and seeing his acting friend Denzel Washington thrive in Hollywood.

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The Sunday Times reporter asked Freeman about Washington, who once said, "I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it's not all of who I am, nor is it the basis from which I answer every question."

"Yes, exactly. I'm in total agreement. You can't define me that way," Freeman said.

Original Location: Morgan Freeman says Black History Month and term African-American are insults

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By David Ljunggren

(Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu in Moscow on Sunday and both men hailed military cooperation between the two nations, which have declared a "no limits" partnership.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Putin in Moscow last month.

Russia and China have moved to further strengthen their economic, political and military ties since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Footage of the meeting showed Putin shaking hands with Li and then sitting down at a table. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was also present.

"We are working actively through our military departments, regularly exchange useful information, work together in the field of military-technical cooperation, and hold joint exercises," Putin said.

The exercises, he added, had been held in the Far East as well as Europe and involved ground, naval and air forces.

"Undoubtedly, this is another crucial area that strengthens the extremely trusting, strategic nature of our relations," Putin said.

Ukrainian forces are finding a growing number of components from China in Russian weapons used in Ukraine, a senior official in Kyiv said on Friday. China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia.

NATO and the United States say they have seen no signs yet that Beijing is supplying arms to Moscow.

The visit was the first Li has made to another country since he was appointed last month.

"In recent times cooperation between Russia and China in the military and military-technical spheres has been developing very well," he told Putin, saying this helped boost regional security. Li's comments were translated by the Kremlin.

Beijing had announced Li's visit to Moscow last week, saying he would meet defence officials, but made no mention of a meeting with Putin.

Li has been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Sandra Maler)
 Flash

A young woman in a traditional Hungarian folklore dress greets Chinese tourists at the Budapest airport in Budapest, Hungary, on March 26, 2023. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

After three years of job switchings, Slovenian tour guide Luka is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first group of tourists from China as now the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has improved a lot.



As one of the few registered Chinese-English tour guides in Slovenia, Luka is warming up his spoken Chinese, as droves of tourists from China are expected to arrive for the summer holidays.

In 2019, 13 million Chinese tourists landed in the European Union (EU) member states, according to a report by the Brussels-based European Travel Commission (ETC).

This number has plunged since the pandemic, till the reopening of European countries and the relaxation of China's outbound travel restrictions.

At the beginning of this year, China resumed its outbound travel business. Currently, China allows group tours to 60 countries.

In late March, Hungary welcomed its first group of Chinese tourists after three pandemic years. The 22 Chinese visitors, who arrived in the country for a nine-day stay there, were greeted by Hungarian government officials at the Budapest Airport.

"This is my third visit to Hungary," said Lou Zhiyuan, 60, who flew in from China's Guangzhou city and had just retired. She signed up for the tour group immediately when the possibility opened up. She last visited Hungary eight years ago.

European tourism was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to recover speedily with the return of Chinese tourists.

Chinese tourists made 22.2 million overnight stays in the EU in 2019. Due to the pandemic, this number fell to 3 million in 2020 and declined further to 1.6 million in 2021, according to the EU's statistical office Eurostat.

Before the pandemic, Croatia welcomed more than 300,000 visitors from China per year. "We will do everything in our power to facilitate the arrival and stay of Chinese tourists in Croatia," Kristjan Stanicic, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, told Xinhua.

Direct flights between Athens and Shanghai were also launched in December 2022, after the direct flights between Athens and Beijing commenced in 2017.

"We are a Chinese-ready airport," said Ioanna Papadopoulou, director of communication and marketing at Athens International Airport (AIA), where virtual assistants help Chinese tourists with information in their own language. They can also use familiar methods of payment which they use back home at AIA's duty-free shops.

According to the ETC, Chinese tourists are still rare in France, although it was the most popular destination for them outside Asia before the pandemic.

In 2019, more than 2.4 million Chinese visited France, and Chinese tourists spent around 180 euros (199.7 U.S. dollars) per day there, the ETC said.

"We have seen a significant increase in the number of our Chinese customers," Ms. Wang, owner of the New Shanghai restaurant near the Palace of Versailles southwest of Paris, told Xinhua.

Not far away, the line of tourists waiting for entering the Palace stretches for nearly 100 meters, but only a few of them are Asian, mostly from Japan and South Korea.

"After three years of pandemic life, Chinese travel agencies have lost contact with Europe's hotels and car rental agencies. In the short term, it is difficult to return to the preferential prices we could offer them before the pandemic," Liu Yuan, a tour guide operator in France, told Xinhua.

But for Luka, at least he could count on the returning Chinese tourists for a much more stable job.
By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's army appeared to gain the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with rival paramilitary forces, pounding their bases with air strikes, said witnesses.

At least 97 civilians had been killed and 365 injured since the fighting in Sudan started, said one doctor's group.

The fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.

It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust veteran Islamist autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019 and was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military as part of a transition towards civilian rule.

Burhan and Hemedti agreed a three-hour pause in fighting from 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT to 1700 GMT) to allow humanitarian evacuations proposed by the United Nations, the U.N. mission in Sudan said, but the deal was widely ignored after a brief period of relative calm.

As night fell residents reported the boom of artillery and roar of warplanes in the Kafouri district of Bahri, which has an RSF base, across the Nile river from the capital Khartoum.

Eyewitnesses told Reuters the army was renewing air strikes on RSF bases in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city across the Nile, and the Kafouri and Sharg El-Nil districts of adjacent Bahri, putting RSF fighters to flight.

The United States, China, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the U.N. Security Council, European Union and African Union have appealed for a quick end to the hostilities that threaten to worsen instability in an already volatile wider region.

Efforts by neighbours and regional bodies to end the violence intensified on Sunday. Egypt offered to mediate, and regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development plans to send the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile Sudanese groups in conflict, Kenyan President William Ruto's office said on Twitter.

The eruption of fighting over the weekend followed rising tensions over the RSF's integration into the military. Discord over the timetable for that has delayed the signing of an internationally-backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy after a 2021 military coup.

CLASHES IN KHARTOUM

A statement by the army said there were ongoing clashes in the vicinity of military headquarters in central Khartoum, and said that RSF soldiers were stationing snipers on buildings, but that they were "monitored and being dealt with."

Earlier on Sunday, witnesses and residents told Reuters that the army had carried out air strikes on RSF barracks and bases in the Khartoum region and managed to destroy most of the paramilitaries' facilities.

They said the army had also wrested back control over much of Khartoum's presidential palace from the RSF after both sides claimed to control it and other key installations in Khartoum, where heavy artillery and gun battles raged into Sunday.

RSF members remained inside Khartoum international airport besieged by the army but it was holding back from striking them to avoid wreaking major damage, witnesses said.

But a major problem, witnesses and residents said, was posed by thousands of heavily armed RSF members deployed inside neighbourhoods of Khartoum and other cities, with no authority able to control them.

"We're scared, we haven't slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking. We're worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father," Huda, a young resident in southern Khartoum told Reuters.

"There's so much false information and everyone is lying. We don't know when this will end, how it will end," she added.

A protracted confrontation could plunge Sudan into widespread conflict as it struggles with economic breakdown and tribal violence, derailing efforts to move towards elections.

Energy-rich powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition away from toppled strongman Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and improve stability in the region.

They have also pursued investments in sectors including agriculture, where Sudan holds vast potential, and ports on Sudan's Red Sea coast.

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

The Sudanese Doctors' Union said in a statement that at least 97 civilians had been killed and 365 injured.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors earlier reported at least 56 civilians had been killed and 595 people including combatants had been wounded since the fighting erupted.

Scores of military personnel were killed, the doctors' committee said, without giving a specific number due to a lack of first-hand information from hospitals.

The U.N. World Food Programme said it had temporarily halted all operations in hunger-stricken areas of Sudan after three Sudanese employees were killed during fighting in North Darfur and a WFP plane was hit during a gun battle at Khartoum airport.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killings and called for accountability.

"Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay," Guterres said on Twitter. "Humanitarian workers are #NotATarget."

Volker Perthes, U.N. special envoy for Sudan and head of its country mission, said in a statement he was appalled by reports of shelling and looting impacting U.N. and other humanitarian facilities.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Al-Saud had separate phone calls with Burhan and Hemedti and called for an end to military escalation, Saudi state media said on Sunday. The minister affirmed Riyadh's call for calm.

In a speech to an Arab League meeting on the crisis on Sunday, Sudan said the Sudanese should be allowed to reach a settlement internally without foreign interference.

The armed forces said it would not negotiate with the RSF unless the force dissolved. The army told soldiers seconded to the RSF to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks if they obey.

RSF leader Hemedti, deputy head of state, called military chief Burhan a "criminal" and a "liar".

State television cut its transmission on Sunday afternoon, a move employees said was meant to prevent propaganda broadcasts by the RSF after its forces entered the main state broadcaster building in Omdurman and started to air pro-RSF programming.

(Additional reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Kartoum, Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Angelo Amante in Rome and Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy, Mark Heinrich and Phil Stewart; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Frances Kerry, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Diane Craft and Michael Perry)
A criminal smuggling organization recruited a Texas man through Craigslist to transport migrants from Mexico into the United States, authorities who arrested him said this week.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said officers arrested Nathaniel Chavez, 42, as he drove a black Volkswagen Passat through Val Verde County with four Mexican immigrants toward Austin, Texas, one of whom was a minor. Chavez, who authorities say is from Spring, Texas, was charged with two counts of smuggling persons for financial benefit and one count of smuggling of a minor.

TEXAS INVESTIGATING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CAMPSITE FOUND 30 MILES NORTH OF MEXICO BORDER

Asked by police what he was doing, the suspect said he found the driving job on Craigslist, the online classifieds domain. Chavez's expected compensation for the alleged smuggling operation was not immediately clear.

"Transportation gig available, payout same day and cash on delivery," the Craigslist ad, posted on the Houston area site, read. The classified was brief, noting that "all you need is a vehicle" for the task at hand, and that "all vehicle types" were "wanted."

"They're being recruited off social media  whether it be Facebook, TikTok, Instagram  and they're promised big money for very little work," Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe told NewsNation of the new method for finding smugglers.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As migrants continue to flood the U.S.-Mexico border, more Americans are being recruited to smuggle them into the country. Chavez's arrest comes as border states struggle to respond to the crisis, and the legislative and executive branches remain unable to break the partisan bottleneck that has prevented any progress on major political issues, including immigration reform.

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told House and Senate lawmakers on a Congressional delegation to the border and port of entry earlier this month that the border crisis was directly connected to rising crime in his community.

Original Location: Texas man hired through Craigslist arrested for smuggling migrants

Washington Examiner Videos
Not since Coca-Cola changed its formula to New Coke have we seen a marketing blunder the size of Anheuser-Buschs hiring of a transgender woman, social media influencer to frolic, bra on, in his bubble bath, sipping Bud Light.

The people who are upset with Budweiser because of this are themselves not overwhelmingly angry at, threatened by, or hateful of transgender people. Those who say otherwise are lying or ignorant.

The Bud boycotters are angry at the intolerance from the trans movement against them.

Please take as much time as you need to roll your eyes. We know, the trans movement cant be intolerant. Weve been lectured.

The Bud boycotters are angry about the coerced speech and the forced lying they must do to avoid being shamed and banished from their communities. They are upset about being fired from their jobs, kicked out of colleges and labeled haters for speaking the simple truth.

Dylan Mulvaney was a stage actor until COVID put him out of work. So, he decided to publicly transition into a woman gathering some 10 million online followers in the process, making him a marketing darling. Corporations, trying to reach younger, woke audiences made him wealthy.

On TikTok he celebrated his growing days of womanhood. He sang songs on how we must embrace the bulge! That means embracing the male genital bulge a trans woman has protruding from his bikini bottom or tight skirt. He celebrated his plastic surgery to make his face look feminine, but no surgery to remove his bulge.

To tempt the younguns to start drinking their product, Anheuser-Busch paid Mulvaney to glam up their Bud Light, even though he was never really a beer drinker.

Attention Big Tobacco! If you want Hollywood, the media and progressives to finally defend and praise you, advertise your addictive drug to youngsters with a transgender influencer!

Those reacting negatively to these ads see Mulvaney as just another symbol of the coercion of speech and denial of science they are forced to parrot to survive in todays trans-Bizarro World.

They see their children forced to lie in school, calling obvious boys she. They go to work, and theyre forced to take inclusivity seminars where they must lie and call women men. Otherwise, they lose their jobs and cant feed their families.

They dont give a hoot that any man thinks hes a woman. Theyre angry that they are forced to lie.

They, and I, see it this way: If we took X-rays of Mulvaneys reproductive organs along with DNA samples showing his chromosomes and sent that, and no other data, to 1,000 different medical scientists, all 1,000 experts would all say the data came from a male.

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If in 1,000 years they dug up Mulvaneys remains, without any other information those future scientists will conclude the bones were from a man.

There is no scientific examination, no genetic assessment, no pee-on-a-stick test that can prove someones mentally identified sex. Mind reading isnt a science.

If someone says they have cancer, but they actually dont, it doesnt mean they have cancer. And to force everyone around them to refer to them as if they do have cancer is to force everyone else to lie.

Yet somehow those who call he a he are labeled haters, and fired from work  all for simply speaking truth. Dont they deserve respect too?

Those who refuse to call a singular person by the plural they are tossed out of school.

I love many trans people. I hate the trans movement because of its hateful intolerance.

I dont care that Buds hired a man who thinks hes a woman to pitch their brew. I support any man who thinks he is a she. Thats what freedom is all about, doing things I find objectionable.

All I ask for is the same respect in return. Respect my right to speak without coercion. Tolerance must be a two-way street.

If those who claim to seek tolerance for the trans community simply had tolerance for those of us who believe in science and believe in free speech, none of this would be an issue.

And for those who look at Dylan Mulvaney and roll their eyes, as I do, lets be careful to remember he has every right to think hes a woman because respect is a two-way street.

But lets stop being afraid to speak truth to power.

And who are the science deniers now?

Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
The men and women in uniform who bravely patrol and protect Colorados communities can count on backup from dedicated animals  dogs and horses  who serve valiantly in their own right. And like law officers themselves, dogs in the many K-9 units in state and local law enforcement agencies across the state, as well as horses in those agencies mounted patrols, can come in harms way.

It happened earlier this year, when Graffit, a 10-year old German Shepherd and valued K-9 member of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office since 2015, was killed in the line of duty. On Feb. 13, Graffit was called in to help Golden police apprehend a suspect in a vehicle reported stolen at the Colorado School of Mines campus. The suspect fled when he was approached by authorities; he allegedly pointed a gun at a Golden police officer and shot and killed Graffit during the chase.

After the suspect was arrested, he faced charges including aggravated cruelty to animals  a class 6 felony, the lowest level  which can mean up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. But Colorado law doesn't take into account if an animal is a police dog or horse, specially trained to assist in police duties. As Colorado Politics reported last week, thats about to change.

Lawmakers have introduced House Bill 23-1286 in the legislature to step up the penalties for cruelty to police and other public-service animals. Under the bill, a first-time charge of aggravated cruelty would change to a class 5 felony if police animals are tortured, mutilated or killed. That results in up to three years in state prison and as much as $100,000 in fines.

The bipartisan bill warrants the General Assemblys support. One of its sponsors, state Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, spent eight years training police dogs for patrol and suspect apprehension when he was a sheriffs deputy in Larimer County.

The use of dogs in U.S. police work took hold in earnest in the 1970s; the use of horses in law enforcement, of course, has a much longer history.

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Police dogs like Graffit are more than loyal companions to cops or goodwill ambassadors for law enforcement. They are highly trained specialists whose assistance is vital in some routine police procedures. Their keen senses, and their speed, agility and fearlessness, aid in search and apprehension of suspects. They also are extremely useful in detecting explosives as well as illegal drugs. They are given years of extensive training by experts in dog behavior and police work.

The Denver Police Museums website notes the selection process for a police dog also includes finding the right character traits and physical attributes to match the right animal to its intended role. For example, patrol dogs must be able to apprehend a criminal suspect on command whereas a drug detection dog is trained to do its work discreetly so as not to alert a suspect.

Enhancing their protection under the law isnt only the right thing to do; its a safeguard for a valuable law-enforcement asset that isnt easy to replace.

It is gratifying to see this legislature affirm its support for the police work performed by animals. Perhaps it is a hopeful sign of renewed respect for law enforcement in general among our states lawmakers.

We all love the animals who are like members of the family in our own households. All the more reason to love, revere and support those animals that serve us all so faithfully in law enforcement.
Affordable housing options

Many of you have a daughter, elderly parents, a nurse, Lyft driver, or server at a favorite restaurant among your circle of family and friends who cannot afford to rent, let alone buy, a home in Colorado Springs.

At the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee hearing last week, an array of city planners, elected officials, and affordable housing advocates across the state expressed staunch support for SB 23-213. I support an amended version of the bill. Local elected leaders have resisted changes to our residential zoning code that would allow more affordable housing that is less expensive to build and maintain, in R-1 zones, which comprise eighty-three percent of our existing residential land.

The opposition to the bill reminds me of 1950s and 1960s civil rights era, when local school boards, cities, and states refused to uphold the rights of people of color to attend the same schools, buy homes in the same neighborhoods, and vote in elections, as their white counterparts.

Housing was a particular concern as red lining prevented people of color from buying homes in most attractive and affordable neighborhoods. Not all the above cases were in the South. Colorado Springs in the 1940s and 1950s embraced this practice. It took the Supreme Court, Congress and the president to right those wrongs.

The point is that when local governments fail to address systemic problems that harm many and protect the few, as is the case of single-family zoning and land use, the state government has a shared responsibility to step in to help solve the growing problem. What SB 23-213 does, in part, is to right this limitation on R-1 land use and allow ADUs, duplexes and fourplexes on R-1 zoned land. The first version of our ReTool effort suggested this change, but the Colorado Springs City Council, bowing to the pressure of neighborhood associations and other interests, removed this recommendation.

I support this bill as a tool to begin our journey toward expanded opportunities for lower cost housing for all our residents, regardless of the color of their skin, their income, or how they pray.

Elizabeth Lindquist

Colorado Springs

There are better solutions

This is in response to Jane Broeckelmans comment in the Viewpoint of April 13. I can understand your daughters fear for safety in her elementary school, but there are better solutions than your suggestion of good gun owners giving up their guns to police stations for a tax deduction, which I dont think actually happens.

Additionally, I seriously doubt that any such weapons would be shipped to Ukraine! Since gun free zones like schools and churches have endured far too many mass shootings, it makes more sense for places like that to have armed guards patrolling the premises. Bad people with intentions of shooting innocent victims are far less likely to choose an armed facility. Think about it: How many mass shootings have occurred in government buildings where there are armed guards present?

Why is the intense security for the White House, Congress and courthouses so much better than our schools, churches, banks and other places of gathering? We need to deter the shooters by having armed guards as a deterrent, just as the upper echelon receives!

Carol Piano

Colorado Springs

Where is your common sense?

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Why is it so hard for so-called educated people find it so difficult to make a decision?

All of the talk about asking students what their preferred pronoun is amazes me.

These are people who are interacting with children every day. Each person grows in their own time and in their own way.

You would think that people in education would know this.

No one should be asked what their preferred pronoun is. Let it alone. It is none of anyones business. When a student is ready and comfortable they will tell their friends and teachers. No student should be put on the spot and open to judgment and embarrassment.

No policy has to be made and the endless meetings on this subject is a waste of time.

Where is your common sense? Quit trying to make yourself look good, and start caring about the children.

Pam Devereux

Colorado Springs

Data can be tailored

Medical abortion has been challenged by political and religious influences. Longstanding FDA approvals based on scientific assessments have been attacked. The only scientific facts that there are no scientific facts. Everything harbors a degree of uncertainty. Data can be tailored selectively to support different interpretations. Politicians and jurists are unable to discriminate among them. They ignore the science, founding decisions upon politics, religion and biases. How long will we tolerate the partisan exploitation of scientific uncertainty?

In 1967, Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz, a marvelous engineer and scientist, presidential adviser, and giant of technical industry, proposed a scientific court intended to enable nonscientists to make informed decisions that incorporate scientific value systems. In the science court procedure, advocates for the scientific facts at issue will present the factual bases for their positions before scientifically trained judges who have no involvement in the field in question as well as in the presence of expert adversaries.

The Scientific Court could mitigate the legal subterfuge of dueling exerts and political manipulation of matters that jurists and juries could not understand.

The proposal garnered presidential support. There were successful implementations. It might have prevented the abortion pill controversy. Lawyers, politicians, and jurists criticized the idea. It would have denied them many tools of the polemical trade. The concept died because of  politics and religion. Surprise, surprise.

David Finkleman

Colorado Springs
On November 7, 2000, Coloradans approved Amendment 20, which legalized the use of marijuana. In 2012, recreational use of marijuana in Colorado was approved. Colorado has been at the forefront of the effort to legalize the use of cannabis in the U.S.; however, one has to ask: Have we become a better state because of this?

Marijuana legalization has led to an era of industrialized THC, which is not for the faint of heart, especially families. State-sanctioned marijuana products are more dangerous and more accessible than ever before. Vapes and edibles can provide a powerful, potent chemical assault on the brain, resulting in addiction and psychosis.

When Coloradans voted on medical marijuana in 2000 the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in the plant was 5% and concentrates were not available. Now we have genetically modified plants with an average of 20% THC and chemically created concentrates with an average of 69% THC, some up above 90% THC. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that gets you high.

Any time you make a drug more potent, it becomes more addictive. We have seen this with the opioid epidemic as well as with both alcohol and nicotine. Addictive drugs used regularly often result in the development of tolerance, where the amount that used to work no longer works, and the person must take more and more to achieve the same chemical effect.

Despite the widespread belief that some cannabinoids may have pain-relieving properties, the proof has not happened when translating over to the use of dispensary cannabis. Even the National Academy of Sciences publication noted that the products that may be helpful for pain are either not available in the United States or are synthetic cannabinoids, which are not available in dispensaries. Also, the pain conditions studied were less common, such as cancer and neuropathic pain.

A new health pandemic

Cannabis hyperemesis (CHS), an illness of recurrent forceful/painful vomiting, has become an increasingly frequent diagnosis in emergency rooms in Colorado. CHS is associated with the use of cannabis products (most commonly seen with THC but can be seen with CBD and other marijuana plant chemicals).

CHS leads to a cascade of problems including (but not limited to) dehydration, gastritis, electrolyte abnormalities, and starvation  which can be profound and require ICU admissions, etc. The seriousness of this new health pandemic cannot be emphasized enough, as patient evaluations typically include bloodwork, medications, intravenous fluids, CT scans, upper GI endoscopies and ultimately, hospitalization.

Interestingly, there are many recent articles about the use of cannabis products to help with pain in hospice patients that have led to the development of CHS symptoms (including nabilone).

CHS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that most other illnesses and causes need to be ruled out. Many patients will not disclose a history of cannabis use and many dont believe that their symptoms are being caused by cannabis.

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Drug-related deaths

In addition, there is plenty of data to demonstrate that legalization of marijuana for either medical or recreational use has had no impact on improving our drug overdose deaths, and actually may be contributing to it. In Colorado, nearly 80% of medical marijuana recommendations are for severe pain, and 22% are for use as an opioid substitute (numbers are more than 100% due to multiple diagnoses recommended for patients). As of 2022, opioid, fentanyl and other drug-related deaths broke records again.

Furthermore, several international pain societies do not endorse the use of marijuana for pain, simply because the scientific evidence is not strong enough and studies are poorly designed and fraught with flaws. The International Association for the Study of Pain, the Pain Faculty of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists, the European Pain Federation, the United Kingdom National Institute of Health Care and Excellence, and the British Pain Society are the organizations listed. Stanford University demonstrated that states that have approved the use of medical marijuana actually had a nearly 23% higher incidence of opioid overdose deaths. States with either recreational or medical marijuana actually have higher fentanyl-related deaths.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has done a good job at monitoring drug overdose deaths since 2000. Not only have opioid overdoses skyrocketed, other drug-related deaths have increased, including those related to methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Every Brain Matters  a nonprofit organization committed to conveying the correlation between marijuana use and brain health  has science-based educational articles, pamphlets, infographics, and charts on their websites front page. They provide simple explanations for educators, teens, and parents. This knowledge empowers families to make good decisions so they dont second-guess themselves or allow others to manipulate them. Their latest video, This Much THC is Not Medicinal, will be featured by its producer, Heidi Anderson Swan, in Washington, D.C., on April 20, the marijuana holiday, at the SAM Summit Conference. This video exposes how much THC an 18- to 20-year-old can purchase through Colorados medical marijuana program and how House Bill 21-1317 improved these regulations.

What Coloradans need to ask themselves is: Since the legalization of marijuana/cannabis, has the quality of life and public health improved?

In a time when the quality of ones mental health has become paramount, are we as a collective moving in the right direction? And if not, what must be done?

While the answers to these questions might be sobering, we must understand that with certain freedoms come consequences, and dealing with the truth helps us as a collective understand what we must do to bring about positive change.

Ken Finn is co-vice president of the International Academy on the Science and Impacts of Cannabis. Aubree Adams, Karen Randall, M.D., and Libby Stuyt, M.D. contributed to the writing of this column.
Acute staffing shortages at the two state-run mental health hospitals that have left nearly half the nursing positions vacant mean more individuals than ever are languishing in jails cells in Colorado while they wait for court-ordered mental health treatment to restore them to competency so they can stand trial.

As of Thursday, 449 individuals incarcerated in jails in the state were in need of restoration treatment. The wait list reached an all-time high last month, despite state officials promising three years ago that nobody should have to wait in jail for more than 28 days for mental health restoration if theyve been deemed incompetent for trial.

Court records show that at the end of February one individual had been waiting for 434 days for such court-ordered services. Among those with issues so acute that the lack of treatment posed a threat to themselves or others, the average wait for restoration services was 76 days that month. The state pledged three years ago that those with such acute problems deemed incompetent for trial would receive restoration treatment within a week.

The diminished care caused by the state's inability to promptly treat mentally ill criminal defendants has been linked to suicides and incidents of crime and violence in Colorado jails.

The hardest part of my job is the calls I get from parents, who are like, Help. What do we do? How do we solve this, said Leora Joseph, hired last July as the director of the states Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, which is trying to reverse the growing wait times.

The reality is we are having human beings with severe illness, and theyre not being cared for in the way we all think is best, said Joseph, who added that half of those on the waitlist are homeless. Thats heartbreaking.

She said the COVID pandemic caused the waitlist to balloon. The pandemic exacerbated staff turnover at the two state-run mental health hospitals at the same time those facilities were forced to temporarily halt the admission of new patients, she said. Now that admission restrictions have been lifted, staffing still hasn't rebounded, Joseph said.

As a result of the ongoing backlog, Colorado has had to pay $29.7 million in fines because it has failed to meet the terms of a consent decree state officials signed to resolve a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of jail inmates with untreated psychosis and other mental health disorders.

Colorado officials and legislators tried to fix the problem by authorizing the spending of more than $250 million, most of which was funded by federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act. The promised solutions included the renting of new private psychiatric hospital beds, the creation of a new group home for the mentally ill and money to improve the clinical workforce and address shortages in psychiatric nurses.

But the $61 million that went to the new Office of Behavioral Health Administration to bolster clinical staffing still hasnt fixed shortages at the states two state-run hospitals for the mentally ill in Pueblo and Fort Logan.

Much of that money went for grants for improving the workforce of community providers, repaying loans for behavioral health care providers, expanding peer support programs and other initiatives.

Meanwhile, the state was only able to hire a total of four nurses to inpatient positions at the state hospitals last year. The slow pace of hiring occurred even though the state human services department, which oversees the hospitals, has spent $4.7 million on recruitment, retention and referral bonuses for high-need positions, including vacancies at the hospitals. As a result, roughly 100 beds remain empty.

Colorados inpatient capacity has been insufficient for decades and may indeed be at its worst point in modern history given that approximately 100 beds are sitting empty due to staffing shortages and other restrictions, according to a February report from Neil Gowensmith and Daniel Murrie, who were appointed by a federal judge to monitor Colorados compliance with the consent decree.

Without adequate staffing, units will remain closed, the waitlist will continue to increase, and noncompliance will worsen, their report stressed.

Their report said that while state hospital beds sit empty, acutely ill people remain in jails for months, living in cells soiled with urine or feces, neglecting hygiene, not eating, and so on. Others, languish with acute symptoms of inadequately managed psychosis, they added.

Some inmates waiting for restoration services have been attacked by other inmates or picked up new criminal charges, according to their report. Earlier reports from them documented suicides among inmates waiting for restoration services.

Those who killed themselves include Michael Pyle, 42, who hanged himself on May 27, 2021 while incarcerated at the Adams County Jail. He had been waiting for five months for a bed to open up at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo so he could receive treatment for mental illness.

The state now is offering nurses $14,000 signing bonuses as an incentive to join the workforce at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo and the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Fort Logan. Currently, about half of the nursing positions at the state-run hospital in Pueblo are vacant and about 42% of those positions are vacant at in Fort Logan.

Among the staff that are working at the state hospitals, roughly 40% come from temporary nurse staffing agencies, which charge the state a premium to provide staffing. The state pays $120 an hour for contract nursing positions.

We have to pay a ton, just to keep things operational, said Joseph.

In the last month she celebrated the small victory of seeing three full-time nurses hired for state hospital positions, nearly the same amount hired all of last year.

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To ease the burden on the two state hospitals, Josephs office also last year received $60 million of the federal aid to contract for nearly 100 new private psychiatric beds spread across several providers.

But one of those providers  the Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health in Larimer County  has been plagued with complaints and incidents throughout the duration of its contract with the state. The state paid $6 million to last year for 18 civil commitment psychiatric beds.

Federal regulators cited the facility for deficient treatment of a patient who was receiving detox services from alcohol and ended up dying. Regulators also found the facility improperly handled a sexual assault allegation. Officials with Johnstown Heights did not return telephone messages seeking comment.

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in November declared an immediate jeopardy existed at Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health for failure to assess detoxing patients pursuant to facility protocol, policy and national guidelines.

A detoxing patient at Johnstown Heights in November did not receive appropriate care, treatment and monitoring, significantly declined and subsequently died with transfer to another hospital, according to a confidential December memo from an official with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The memo, which The Gazette obtained through a Colorado Open Records Act request, was sent to Kim Bimestefer, the states top Medicaid official; several officials in the Colorado Department of Human Services and Morgan Medlock, the states new behavioral health commissioner. The memo was forwarded to Joseph.

A police report stated that an autopsy determined the death was accidental and found that the patient died of complications of mixed drug interactions of therapeutic medications. The autopsy also cited additional health issues as contributing factors to the death.

The memo states that the information about the death should not be shared with the media because federal regulators likely would give the facility time to correct problems to avoid being cut off from continuing to receive patients on Medicaid.

It wasnt the first time that federal regulators found problems at Johnstown Heights while the facility was receiving millions of dollars from the state to help fix the states woeful deficiency in inpatient psychiatric bed space, according to the state memo.

Earlier, in August 2022, federal regulators at CMS cited Johnstown Heights for another, earlier, immediate jeopardy after the facility failed to ensure patients received care in a safe setting after allegations of sexual abuse occurred.

A patient in July 2022 had called police alleging Johnstown Heights staff had done nothing to protect her after she alleged another patient had sexually assaulted her. Instead, regulators found that the staff moved the male patient accused of sexual assault closer to his accusers room. The facility also failed to document the sexual assault allegation despite state regulations requiring the reporting of such incidents, according to the state memo.

The memo said the state is requiring Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health to hire a quality improvement specialist consultant and the facility would have to show three months of improved performance. The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment both have launched ongoing investigations into services provided by Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health.

The state issued a no-bid contract in January 2022 to pay $2.9 million to Johnstown Heights to handle inpatient, civil commitment psychiatric care for half a year that normally would go to the state-run hospitals.

The state extended the contract in July 2022, issuing another no-bid $3.1 million contract to the facility to continue providing 18 psychiatric beds the state could use through the rest of 2022. That state extended the contract days before the botched handling of the allegations of sexual assault that prompted federal regulators to cite the facility as posing an immediate jeopardy to patients there.

Officials in Josephs office were considering renewing the contract with Johnstown Heights for an additional year in December after Laura Ferguson, a program manager in the states new Behavioral Health Administration, reported in an email that she had recently investigated the facility and did not find any violations of rule.

But Jagruti Shah, deputy director with the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health in the states Human Services Department, said in an email that her office had backed away from renewing the state contract again after her office independently reviewed the facilitys operations.

It was apparent to us based on our informal site visit for our contract, this facility is not equipped to offer services for long term patients, she said in the email to Ferguson.

She added in the email that the facility seemed to need assistance in how to follow state law regarding involuntary commitment procedures and forced administration of medications, which both require a court order for ongoing treatment.

The patients the state had been sending to Johnstown Heights were redirected back to the state hospitals, Shah said in her email. That move means there will be even less bed space in the state hospitals to address the growing wait list of jailed inmates awaiting restoration services in county jail cells.

Despite the problems at the private provider in Johnstown, Joseph said she wants to contract for even more private bed space from other providers and says she thinks the problems in Johnstown were an anomaly.

We do quality control, Joseph said. My staff goes and visits with each of these hospitals thats trying to contract with us. We do some due diligence here.

She added that her office stays in regular contact with the staff at the private hospitals. Recently, one of the private providers demanded she remove a restoration client because he was being sexually active.

The sexually active guy is actually an example of us constantly being in touch with people, right? she said. Were constantly talking. Were constantly in communication because we take this so seriously.
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China calls on the two parties to the conflict in Sudan to end fighting as soon as possible and prevent the escalation of tensions, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

A spokesperson made the remarks in response to a query on fierce armed clashes erupted on April 15 local time between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

China is closely following the latest developments of the situation in Sudan, the spokesperson said.

China hopes parties in Sudan will increase dialogue and jointly move forward the political transition process, said the spokesperson.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said it was time for the United States to stop participating in Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, supplying the latter. In his opinion, this conflict is of interest only to the heads of two states  Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.

The words of the odious leader are reported by CNN. He is convinced that it is high time to transfer the military confrontation to the plane of diplomatic negotiations, and for these purposes he is looking for allies who are able to realize this idea.

I have a theory that I have already defended with French President Emmanuel Macron, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and with US President Biden, and yesterday we discussed this in detail with Xi Jinping. It is necessary to create a group of countries that want to find a way to reconcile, says . yes Silva.

He noted that he was trying to convey to the head of the White House in Washington that the United States needs to change its rhetoric and talk about peace. The Brazilian head holds the same opinion about the European Union.

Recall that at the end of last year, Silva stressed that Brazil was not going to supply ammunition for Leopard battle tanks. At the same time, she is ready to act as an intermediary in the negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

As GLOBAL HAPPENINGS reported, this is not the first time that the Brazilian leader has been noted for his seditious dictum on the situation that is taking place in Ukraine. He stated that for the sake of peace in the world our country should cede Russia to the Crimean peninsula, which would allegedly put an end to the world war.
The eastern wild turkey is Americas most challenging gamebird. Famed for their legendary wariness, turkeys have managed to survive while sharing the same habitats with foxes, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and even the deadliest predators of them all  human hunters.

The wild turkey can stage a surprise appearance at the drop of a hat and then vanish back into the shrubbery just as quickly. During an average year, less than one in four Iowa turkey hunters will be successful in tagging a gobbler  and thats one of the highest success rates in the nation. Its little wonder why this woodland monarch is commonly referred to as the Timber Ghost.

Like most of Iowas 50,000 turkey hunters, Ive had my share of bizarre encounters and have heard firsthand accounts of many more. Among my favorites is a story that was told to me during the 1970s by Lake Mills outdoorsman, Russ Keltner. Although modern-day turkey hunting was still new to most Iowans, the sport was enjoying rapid gains in popularity. One of Keltners outdoor friends decided to give the new season a whirl and planned an outing for southern Iowas Stephens State Forest.

Lapsing into a somewhat nostalgic state of mind, the hunter decided to make his first outing a traditional event by blowing the dust off his Grandads old double barreled 12-gauge shotgun. And although the ancient piece was in excellent condition, it was equipped with original Damascus twist steel barrels which made the weapon unsafe to use with modern smokeless powder cartridges. The safety problem was quickly solved by reloading some original brass shell casings with less potent charges of old-fashioned black powder.

When time for the big hunt finally arrived, the hunter set up in a gooseberry studded cow pasture where he had previously seen birds. Anticipation was high and the hopeful nimrod was in position well before first light. At the approach of dawn, the hunt proceeded in textbook fashion when a lone tom began sounding off from his nighttime roost. The hunter answered with a couple of simple hen yelps. The turkey flew down and immediately began marching in his direction. The thick gooseberries obscured the view, but the hunter could track the toms approach by the sound of his frequent gobbling.

Following some anxiety-filled minutes  the huge gobbler finally emerged from the dense tangle of woodland understory. Standing at attention with head and neck fully extended, the majestic Long Beard was a sight to behold. It was the first wild turkey the crouched hunter had actually been close to and, by now, the guy was shaking like a leaf.

Slowly taking aim, he centered the barrels on the middle of the gobblers neck and pulled the trigger. The old shotgun roared to life and the turkey instantly disappeared behind an all-encompassing cloud of white smoke. And then the unthinkable. Before the smoke could clear, the apparently unscathed gobbler came flying out of that white cloud, winging directly past the astonished hunter. Instinctively reacting to the situation, the hunter swung on the bird, fired the shotguns second barrel, and was elated to see the retreating tom fall dead from the air.

Leaping to his feet, the exuberant hunter rushed to claim his prize. Arriving at the downed bird, the hunter was startled by a loud commotion to his rear. Turning around, he was stunned by what he saw. Across the clearing at the edge of the gooseberries, a huge gobbler was laying on the ground, thrashing his last.

What had happened became painfully evident. The hunters first shot had been true, downing the intended gobbler on the spot. But unbeknown to the hunter, the turkey was not alone. He had been accompanied by a silent sidekick. When the old shotgun roared, the second  previously undetected -- tom had decided it was time to vacate the premises.

Whether the act was unintentional or not, the needless loss of a single gobbler seemed devastating. To put the situation into perspective, Iowa turkey numbers during the 1970s were but a glimmer of the statewide populations enjoyed today. Many 70s-era turkey hunters dreamed of bagging a single gobbler in their entire lifetimes. To illegally shoot a wild turkey was serious business. But after hearing the hunters guilt-ridden confession and visiting the scene for himself, the local game warden had mercy -- chalking up the ordeal as an unfortunate, but honest, mistake.

An equally incredible turkey tale took place near Osage where the story was related to me by Mitchell County Conservation Officer, Al Romeg. In sharp contrast to the previous account, this event involved a seasoned outdoorsman who had several years of turkey hunting experience.

After locating a gobbling tom in a timbered stretch of the Cedar River floodplain, the hunter had struck up a lively conversation with the bird which eventually culminated in the turkeys demise. After attaching his tag to the deceased turkeys leg, the hunter took a seat on a nearby stump.

While still savoring his success, the hunter was horrified to see the dead turkey stagger to its feet. After stumbling about for a couple of seconds, the bird quickly became fully alert. Much to his chagrin, the hunter had leaned his now unloaded shotgun against a nearby deadfall. While he was in the process of sprinting to regain and reload that weapon, the turkey took wing and disappeared over the treetops.

What had happened? The most logical explanation was that the hunter had made a poor shot and that a single pellet had likely grazed the gobblers skull. Instantly knocking the bird unconscious, the grazed turkey had indeed appeared to be dead.

After listening to the disheartened hunters tale of woe, Romeg took pity and gave the hunter a second chance  but only with the stipulation that if he managed to bag another bird, he would make sure the turkey was really dead before placing the second [substitute salvage] tag on its leg.

Romeg told me about the incident a few days after it occurred.

The funny thing about this is that there is a possibility that someone out there could still shoot that gobbler, Al noted. If that happens, it will probably be the first time in history that a turkey hunter will have bagged a spring gobbler that was already wearing a tag, he laughed. Should that actually occur, wouldnt it be fun to see the look on that hunters face?
When Tiny Sandford began acting, the movies were silent. Tracy Tolzmann hopes to give Sandford a voice.

Tolzmann is a member of the Block-Heads, a Minnesota group of Laurel and Hardy aficionados, and he hopes one day to honor Sandford with a ceremony and a movie showing.

Sandford, who was born in Osage in 1894, has 150 credits which include The Little Rascals and four Charlie Chaplin films. He also worked with the Three Stooges, Buster Keaton and Ginger Rogers.

I really would like to do a Salute to Tiny Sandford presentation in Osage sometime in the not-too-distant future, Tolzmann said.

Another of Tolzmanns goals is to find a resting place for Tiny. After Tiny died of cancer, his remains were never claimed or scattered. His ashes are currently in the crematorys unmarked vaults, and a man named Bob Satterfield is working to ensure Sandfords cremains are placed in their own private niche with a marker in the chapel. Satterfield has a GoFundMe page for donations.

After being involved with markers and headstones for 14 actors over the years, this is my most ambitious and costly undertaking yet, Satterfield said. Ive had my eye on this project for decades and I now have a chance of making this a reality.

Tiny

Sandford was an imposing figure. At 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 300 pounds, the burly character actor entered the movie industry in 1910 with Mack Sennett Studios. There is currently no information about how Sandford moved from Osage to Hollywood. His early life is a mystery, but his career is well-documented, at least on film.

He was a big guy, but he had small roles, Tolzmann said. Im a big guy myself, and I naturally gravitate toward larger characters.

As a teenager, Sandford joined a prominent stage group.

Movies were in their infancy then, Tolzmann said, as the first feature film debuted in 1906. By the time Sandford was 22 years old, he was working with Charlie Chaplin in small roles in Chaplins shorts. Before it became MGM, Sandford appeared in Metro Pictures films, as well as in Universal Studios movies.

He broke into film in 1919 as Goliath in the Metro feature After His Own Heart.

In 1925, he had settled into Hal Roach Studios, the medium for Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals," when Sandford appeared in one of their shorts. In 1926, he starred in his first Laurel and Hardy film.

If they needed a cop or a tough warehouse worker or some sort of a thug that was a burly guy, they used Tiny, Tolzmann said. Hes memorable when you see him. You dont miss him.

Tolzmann first became interested in Sandford because he played major supporting roles in Laurel and Hardy films. Of the 106 movies Laurel and Hardy made, Sandford was in 24.

Because of his size, Sandford was often cast as an authority figure.

I always thought he was a great character, Tolzmann said of Sandford. There is something about Laurel and Hardy movies in general that are endearing. A lot of these films are 90 years old, and yet they still stand up to modern audiences.

Block-Heads

Tolzmanns group, the Block-Heads, does an annual program in the Twin Cities, and inevitably Tiny is part of the production. It is 35 mm, in the oldest theater in town. Of five films they are showing this year, Sandford stars in two of them.

The 250-member Block-Heads just celebrated their 57th anniversary. Tolzmann started with them when he was 17 years old. He has been Grand Sheik since 1979, and tout himself an expert on Sandford.

Ive been running this fine mess for quite a few years, Tolzmann said. We have a lot of fun enjoying these films.

According to Tolzmann, there is not much information out there on Sandford. Tolzmann has to fill in the gaps.

He doesnt have a big bio on Wikipedia, Tolzmann said, adding that he has no idea whether Tiny has any relatives left in Iowa.

In the 1980s, a Laurel and Hardy book came out with spotlight features on supporting characters. Tolzmann saw that Sandford was born not too far away in Osage, and that was when Tolzmann became interested in his career.

According to Tolzmann, many silent movies have been lost because the film used a nitrate base. Some of Sandfords work is gone forever. Fortunately only one of the Laurel and Hardy films is missing.

Dentist

One of Sandfords distinguishing characteristics was his poor dental hygiene. Sandford was afraid of dentists and doctors. Because of this, he had a speech impediment that prevented him from starring in more prominent speaking roles.

In the movie Way out West, Sandford was supposed to play the sheriff, but it did not work out, and another actor was cast in his place.

He couldnt really do dialogue because he was kind of unintelligible because of his missing teeth, Tolzmann said. In a lot of Laurel and Hardy movies he doesnt make a sound. Hes just a mute character, but hes a prominent character.

One of Tolzmanns favorite Laurel and Hardy films is Busy Bodies. The titular pair work in a saw mill where Sandford is supervisor, and at the end of the movie, their Model-T Ford is cut in half by a giant band saw.

In one scene, Sandford points to a "no smoking" sign and orders a worker to put out a cigar, before using his girth to pick him up by his neck and the seat of his pants.

Later, he gets drenched in shellac in another scene of physical comedy.

Tiny was never too nasty, but he was nasty enough for a comedy, anyway, Tolzmann said.

In the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times, Sandford is working on an assembly line. He is befuddled by Chaplins character, who aims an oil can at Sandford, spraying everyone in the face, before Chaplin is escorted away in a padded wagon after this nervous breakdown.

Osage

Born in Osage, fans of Sandford hope to secure his final resting place in Los Angeles.

Tolzmann has contributed to the fund for the inurnment of Sandford, which his friend Satterfield is undertaking.

According to Satterfield, the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles was established in 1903 and has serviced many Hollywood notables over the years. The ashes of the famous and not-so-famous were placed in vaults and were never claimed, scattered or moved to a private niche.

We now have a chance to make this happen for a favorite of Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin fans, Satterfield said. Stanley Tiny Sandfords ashes will be removed from the vault and placed in the chapel area with his very own private niche and marker. This is long overdue and I am proud to spearhead this project.

I am certain fans of Tiny and classic movies in general will step up and provide the final curtain for this much-beloved performer after many decades of being in a vault and unmarked.

Sandford went out with a bang, appearing in Charlie Chaplins iconic, satirical The Great Dictator. It was 1940, and it was Chaplins first film with dialogue, a warning about Hitler and a call for all men to stand up against Fascism.

Tiny did not retire as a movie star, however, working in the construction business once his screen career was finished. He died at the Motion Picture Country Home.

This would not be Tolzmanns first time honoring an Iowa man who was a part of the Laurel and Hardy movies. Film score composer Leroy Shield was raised in Belle Plaine. Tolzmann spoke at a salute to Shield, and he would like to see something similar happen for Sandford in Osage.

If I could find a place in Osage that would be willing to accommodate a crowd, I think itd be really fun to stage something on his behalf, Tolzmann said. Im ready to do whatever it takes.
Ciros Italian Family Restaurant manager Pat Pensa held nine completed job applications in his hands behind the register at the eatery Thursday.

Not one of those applicants returned his calls asking them to come in for a job interview.

He has had to close the restaurant an extra day every week due to a worker shortage. Instead of shutting its doors only on Sundays, Ciros began closing on Mondays, as well, nearly two months ago.

The struggle to hire food servers has been a problem for a while.

We still cant find people to work, Pensa said. We call, they show up and say they dont want to work.

One employee he hired was trained for five minutes before saying she wanted to leave. Pensa has six or seven servers but needs about 10 or 11, he said.

But Hoi Kong, an owner at Tokyo Grill, has had better luck keeping positions filled lately. In late 2021, he had far fewer applications than before and found himself lowering standards to attract employees.

With the health guidelines that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic lifted, Kong hasnt had to cope with a shortage of workers.

Back then, if one person got sick, workers exposed to that employee had to quarantine even if they werent sick, Kong said. That resulted in employees being out of work for two weeks.

Now if theres no symptoms, they dont have to go home, he said.

Danville Community College and other community agencies in the Danville-Pittsylvania County region hosted a community job fair in November to help address the worker shortage and provide opportunities for people looking for employment.

Danville City Councilman Barry Mayo is a recruiter with DCCs TARE, CAPE and SCALE-UP programs. Those programs focus on training Danville and Pittsylvania County residents for employment, job preparation and short-term career studies. He has also served as a youth mentor.

To bring in more applicants, companies have revamped their hiring policies to waive felony offenses or other charges as an automatic disqualification from employment, Mayo said.

The demand of getting people back to work has changed so that the policies they normally carried changed, Mayo said.

As for restaurants, Mayo said they are cutting hours of operation due to the shortage of help.

Citizens have not gone back to work, he said. Its not just Danville, its nationwide.

Local manufacturers including Essel Propack, Buitoni and Morgan Olson have faced challenges hiring employees, Mayo said.

In the public sector, Danville Public Schools faced a shortage of teachers, with dozens open at various times.

In June 2021, Danville had more teaching positions open than ever, but many of were newly created positions in its virtual academy. Another reason for more open positions in Danville  88 licensed positions were listed online at one point  was to reduce class sizes. Those extra teachers were added through federal coronavirus relief aid, Danville Public Schools spokesperson Lanie Davis said at the time.

Less than a year ago in July, the school system was looking to fill dozens of positions.

But this year, we started the school year 98% staffed for administrator and teacher positions, Davis said.

The number of vacant positions in the school division changes from day to day, she said.

However, we work quickly to fill any positions that are open by keeping a close eye on applications that come in and starting the interview process as soon as possible, Davis said. In addition, early commitment notifications and hiring are occurring for the 2023-24 school year.

The school systems human resources office hires new employees almost daily through a variety of recruitment efforts, Davis said. They include face-to-face and virtual job fairs, local career fairs, retention stipends and incentives to return retirees to the classroom, mentoring programs and working with Averett University to place inters and hire recent graduates.

Danville Public Schools has a total of about 1,100 employees.

Mark Jones, superintendent with Pittsylvania County Schools, said resignations and retirements effective for the end of this school year were taken to the school board in February  a month earlier than usual.

This allowed staff to get a head start on filling positions for 2023-24, Jones said.

Recruitment efforts have included attending teacher job fairs at colleges and universities and hosting a Pittsylvania County Schools job fair in March, Jones said.

Staff also attended a job fair hosted by Danville Community College in the fall and plan to attend another one later in April, Jones said. This job fair provides more access to support staff.

Jones said the school system, which has about 1,500 employees, was still early in the hiring season.

We are confident that we will fill positions, Jones said.

Danvilles city government continues to have trouble finding workers for certain municipal jobs.

Some positions are difficult to fill such as CDL [commercial drivers license] holders, experienced equipment operators, corrections and professional positions such as engineers, said city of Danville spokesman Arnold Hendrix. Hiring has remained steady for most entry-level positions.

The city, on average, carries about 90-100 job vacancies at any given time and has 944 full-time and 127 part-time employees, Hendrix said.

The applications received and the hiring for the city fluctuate from year to year, but as a whole has remained steady with no significant for the past several years, he said.

City government is constantly looking at compensation and benefits to make sure that its a competitive employer, he said.
Kathy Ramsey announced her candidacy for the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors for Banister District in a statement to the Register & Bee.

Ramsey is a lifelong resident of the Banister District. After 31 years as an educator in the countys elementary and secondary schools, she retired in 2011.

The impacts of learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic motivated her to return to the classroom last year to tutor county students, she said in her statement.

In addition to her time spent in education, Ramsey has held leadership roles directing services for senior citizens, coordinating tutorial programs, coordinating S.T.E.M. workshops and guiding/facilitating short and long-term programs and activities for various organizations.

I understand the responsibilities of a governing body that has as its mission to make policy decisions and evaluate the budget and financial information that is in the best interests of its citizens, Ramsey wrote in her statement. I am a committed, mature, approachable team-player who will employ the critical thinking skills needed to propel our county forward.

Her statement said that while challenges may lie ahead, those challenges do not exceed the extraordinary opportunities that exist for the county.

In an ever-changing national, often volatile economy, I am committed to providing a professional, visionary, objective, collaborative, thoughtful approach to decision-making that enables our small businesses, individual residents, and those who work in our county to thrive and prosper, she concluded.
A federal judge has cut by nearly half a jurys award of $523,327 to a family whose land atop Bent Mountain was taken for a natural gas pipeline, despite their adamant efforts to stop it.

In a written opinion Friday, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon cited a glaring issue during a trial last year: the use of different appraisals that were combined to determine the value of the property.

Mountain Valley Pipeline used the law of eminent domain to condemn the land in 2018, saying there was a public need for the natural gas that would flow through the massive pipeline.

Last March, a jury was asked to decide how much the company should pay to Frank Terry, who has a circa-1890 farmhouse on more than 500 acres that he jointly owns with his brother and sister, John Coles Terry and Elizabeth Terry Reynolds.

After a weeklong trial presented conflicting views from three appraisers, the jury awarded most of the $570,000 sought by the Terrys.

But the correct amount, Dillon ruled Friday, was $261,033.

The Terry family has fiercely opposed the pipeline, which they say will destroy the natural attributes of rural, mountaintop land that has been in their family for seven generations.

When tree cutting reached Bent Mountain in the spring of 2018, Cole Terrys wife and daughter, Theresa Red Terry and Theresa Minor Terry, spent more than a month camped in tree stands in effort to stop the work. And in the summer of 2021, opponents squared off with construction crews that began blasting bedrock to dig trenches for the pipes route.

Construction of the $6.6 billion project is currently stalled, caught up in a jungle of legal challenges unrelated to the eminent domain process.

In asking that the jurys verdict be reduced or thrown out, lawyers for Mountain Valley argued that the judge has a duty to enter judgment as a matter of law when the verdict is not supported by the evidence.

The Terrys called two appraisers as expert witnesses. One put the value of the land at $1.9 million, based on its potential use as a commercial wind farm. The second testified that running a pipeline through the property would reduce its value by 30%  but based his calculation on the lands best use as being a personal residence, not a wind farm.

Ultimately, the glaring issue with combining the opinions of different appraisers in this case is that [one] valued the property based on a completely different highest and best use than did the other two, Dillon wrote.

Joe Sherman, a Norfolk attorney who represented the Terrys, offered the following comment Friday:

Common sense of eight jurors is surer justice than any attempt to give logical application to rules of evidence, he wrote in an email. An honest and intelligent jury considered all the facts admitted to evidence and, after a correct instruction of the law, decided the case.

Re-casting artificial rules of evidence to exclude matters which men and women consider in their everyday affairs impairs, rather than helps, a just result in cases about the valuation of property where evidence of value is a matter of opinion, the email stated.

Dillon gave Mountain Valley the choice of accepting the new amount of $261,033 or trying the case again to a different jury.

A company spokesperson said Friday that it has chosen the former. We appreciate the Courts comprehensive review and are pleased with the final decision, Natalie Cox said.

Plans call for the buried pipeline to pump 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day from Appalachian drilling sites to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the county. The 303-mile route runs from northern West Virginia, through the New River and Roanoke valleys, and connects with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line.

Nearly a decade ago, Mountain Valley began to approach landowners in the path of its plans. About 85% of the property owners agreed to sell easements to their land, the company says.

Those who did not  including the owners of about 300 parcels in Southwest Virginia  were sued by Mountain Valley, which had the authority of eminent domain on its side.

The Natural Gas Act bestows the power, usually reserved for government projects such as roads and bridges, to private companies when there is a determination of public necessity, which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made in 2017.

Mountain Valley was granted immediate possession of the land in early 2018, with the understanding that just compensation to the landowners would be decided later.

Most of the cases have since been settled, either by agreement or after a judges ruling on evidentiary issues forced a resolution. Only one other case in Southwest Virginia has been decided by a jury.

In 2021, a jury awarded $430,000 to a Bent Mountain couple who described how their dream home  a slice of heaven they spent years nurturing  had been forever changed by the pipeline.
Tyler wuz here.

Here: a water tower in Waxhaw, one adorned with graffiti that briefly garnered the attention of thousands earlier this week.

A Young Mr. Tyler, an 18-year old high school student, turned himself in after the Waxhaw Police Department took to Facebook, sharing photos of the vandalism along with what little information authorities said  tongue in cheek  they knew about the suspect.

The suspects name was likely Tyler, WPD wrote, and hes not afraid of heights. He apparently loves someone with the initial A and should consider himself blessed for not falling off the tower, the police department wrote.

Tyler, the truth may set you free, but only if it comes from you, Chief Gregg Collins wrote in the post. If we get it from someone else first, not so much. Come on down to the PD and explain your artistic influences.

In the days following the weekend incident, the post  originating from a small town in Union County, about 40 minutes southeast of Charlotte  had been shared more than 2,000 times and had more than 3,000 reactions and 1,000 comments.

I know who it was it was Eric Donna Fez Hyde and Jackie and Kelso, one user commented, referencing hit TV series That 70s Show. Those dumbasses.

Collins chose humor, instead of sternness, to give people a reason to share the post, he said. By Wednesday it reached as far as California.

Ive found in 30 years of police work that people who really get in trouble get into it because theyve made mistake after mistake after mistake. As teenagers weve all made mistakes, the father of four 20-something daughters said, but just try to make one mistake at a time.

Climbing on top of the tower was Tylers first mistake, which was already dangerous considering the lack of net or cushions below. His second mistake was vandalizing property that wasnt his, Collins said, and that cost him a court date.

WPD updated the post Tuesday, sharing Tyler admitted to his misdeeds and was charged by citation before police allowed him to go home.

Thank you for all the shares getting this post out there, to help solve this, WPD wrote. Case closed.
GREENSBORO  The Eastern Music Festival (EMF), Greensboros nationally recognized classical music festival and summer educational program, announces the release of the 2023 season.

The 2023 season brings 5-weeks of daily free and paid programming to the Triad by EMFs world-renowned faculty artists, young artists, and featured soloists at Guilford Colleges Dana Auditorium, apart from one special performance in Boone, North Carolina at Appalachian State University. The 2023 season will feature:

Signature Performances: Showcasing EMFs distinguished faculty artists, young artists, and friends of EMF Thursday, June 29: Faculty and fellows perform an evening dedicated to Mozart($33/ticket)

Friday, June 30: Orchestral Celebration, featuring the Eastern Festival Orchestra and both EMF Young Artist Orchestras showcasing Tchaikovsky(pay what you can)

Wednesday, July 5: Euphonium-Tuba Institute showcase featuring performances by esteemed faculty members Demondrae Thurman, euphonium and Aaron Tindall, tuba, the EMF Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble, and the North Carolina Brass Band led by Dr. Brian Meixner($33/ticket)

Wednesday, July 12: Pianist Santiago Rodriguez in recital playing Rachmaninoff($48/ticket)

Wednesday, July 19: Percussion Explorations featuring the EMF percussion faculty John Shaw, Matt Decker, Eric Schweikert, joined by EMF Percussion Coordinator Cat Cole and faculty artist Anna Kate Mackle, harp($33/ticket)

Wednesday, July 19: Yours is My Heart Alone in collaboration with Greensboro Opera featuring Greensboro Opera artists performing favorites by Gilbert & Sullivan, Franz Lehar, Jacques Offenbach and more($48/ticket) 6pm & 8pm at Temple Emanuel

Sunday, July 23: EMF String Fellows Recital($13/ticket)

Monday, July 24: Overtures by the Eastern Festival Orchestra led by the Festivals Conducting Scholars(pay what you can)

Wednesday, July 26: Classical Guitar Summit featuring performances by faculty members Kami Rowan, Badi Assad, and Jason Vieaux, and EMF Young Artists held at Temple Emanuel in Greensboro($33/ticket)

Tuesdays: Chamber music with the Eastern Chamber Players featuring classic pieces and new works by living composers($33/ticket)

Thursdays and Fridays: EMF Young Artists Orchestras featuring solos by faculty artists Aaron Tindall, tuba (July 6), Jake Fridkis, flute (July 7), and Gabriel Beavers, bassoon (July 20)($13/ticket)

Saturdays: The Joseph M. Bryan, Jr. Festival Orchestra Series: Eastern Festival Orchestra led by maestro Gerard Schwarz featuring faculty member William Wolfram, piano (July 1), guest artist Gil Shaham, violin, and 2022 Rosen-Schaffel winner Winfred Felton, bassoon (July 8), guest artist Helene Grimaud, piano, and faculty members Jeff Multer, violin, Julian Schwarz, cello (July 22), concluding with guest artist Awadagin Pratt, piano (July 29)($48/ticket)

Events open to the public also include student chamber and piano recitals, master classes, Musically Speaking pre-concert conversations with Greg Carroll and Peter Perret, Open House (July 23, 1-6pm), and more!(FREE)

Season tickets are on sale now through Triad Stage and individual tickets will go on sale Monday, May 1, 2023. Full season details will be available online beginning May 1, 2023, at easternmusicfestival.org.

About Eastern Music Festival

For six decades, Eastern Music Festival (EMF), a nationally recognized classical music festival and summer educational program, is produced each summer on the campus of Guilford College and other venues in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area. EMF is distinguished by its accomplished faculty, exhilarating repertoire, and world-renowned visiting artists under the artistic direction of Gerard Schwarz. A powerful teaching institution, EMF provides encouragement and guidance to hundreds of young musicians from across the country and around the globe as they take their first steps towards careers in the performing arts. EMFs five-week 62ndseason is June 24  July 29, 2023. For more information, visit easternmusicfestival.org. Follow EMF on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
REIDSVILLE  Veteran fundraiser, 94-year-old Elnora Neal, has brought in the highest sum for the American Cancer Societys 2022 Tri-County campaign.

Neal exceeded her record high, garnering $17,310 for the cause and was recently honored by the American Cancer Society for her steadfast work at her home church, Browns Chapel Missionary Baptist.

The Tri-County area includes Rockingham, Alamance and Caswell counties.

During the ceremony, Reidsville Mayor Donald Gorham presented Neal a plaque saluting her efforts, as well as a certificate of appreciation from Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

Her granddaughter Rachelle Neal read a tribute written by Neals family, thanking her for the work she has done for the cancer research non-profit.

Richard Averette, executive director of the Central and Eastern North Carolina Area of the American Cancer Society, attended the ceremony.

And Danielle Sowell, senior development manager of the Central and Eastern North Carolina Area of the American Cancer Society presented Neal with a plaque which features a photograph of Neal and proclaims her top fundraiser for the region. The plaque will be displayed at the church and at the Rockingham County Hospice Home in Wentworth.

Neal, who has drummed up donations for the past 18 years by mailing letters, making phone calls, visiting homes and baking cakes to sell, said she never imagined she would have such a role in raising money to aid in developing treatment and a cure for cancer.

But the work is personal for Neal, she said. Cancer has stricken many of her family members over the years. And her love for family and the community have given her the desire to push harder each year in her fundraising, she said.

Now Neal says she is gearing up for the 2023 campaign, noting people are very kind and generous if you just take the time to talk with them and explain to them what youre trying to do and why this work is so important to our future.
Contrary to its name, monkeypox is not usually spread by monkeys; it was given the moniker after it was first isolated from a monkey colony in 1958. The virus is typically spread by small rodents such as dormice, rats, and tree and rope squirrels. Scientists still haven't pinned down which species is the natural reservoir for the disease, though some kind of rodent seems likely.

In 1970, the first case of monkeypox in humans was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To this day, the DRC and other Central and West African countries, including Nigeria, see the vast majority of monkeypox outbreaks. Cases usually crop up in heavily forested, rural areas. "These are populations that are routinely hunting wild animals or have close contact with wild animals in the forest," McCollum says.

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Once a human contracts monkeypox, they can pass it to other humans via respiratory droplets or contact with skin lesions. It is much less contagious than COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses when spread through the air, but it can linger on surfaces. Typically, close family members or caregivers of people with monkeypox are at the highest risk of becoming infected. Animal-to-human transmission also can occur when someone is bitten or scratched by an infected animal or if they eat infected bush meat.

So how likely is monkeypox to become a pandemic? In short, it's not likely, but we should continue to be cautious.

Like the patient in Massachusetts, seven of the eight confirmed cases in the U.K. had not traveled to Africa, and had no contact with the one patient who was known to have traveled to Nigeria, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. That suggests they caught the virus in England. The UKHSA also said more than half of the cases in London are in gay or bisexual men. It is urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service immediately.

"This [outbreak] is rare and unusual," Dr. Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, said in a statement Monday, May 16. "UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact."

"Many of these global reports of monkeypox cases are occurring within sexual networks," Inger Damon, M.D., Ph.D., said in a statement. Damon is the director of the CDC's division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology and a poxvirus expert with more than 20 years' experience. "However, health care providers should be alert to any rash that has features typical of monkeypox. We're asking the public to contact their health care provider if they have a new rash and are concerned about monkeypox."
Helenas Frequent Users of System Engagement project helps people who are unhoused or unstably housed who often use the emergency room or other forms of crisis care at a disproportionate amount, but the past couple of years, the cost of housing in and around Helena has been a barrier that's difficult to overcome.

With the change in the rental market, unprecedented rent increases .. the shortage in rentals, its been a real challenge, said Michael ONeil, executive director of Helena Housing Authority. The service systems were so stressed in recent years and continue to be stressed, so theres been a lot of deterioration in support systems.

"We were leaping in at a key moment in the middle of a pandemic to try and pull those systems back together again. (FUSE) is such a great contribution to the community.

Frequent Users of System Engagement (FUSE) is from the Housing is Healthcare project, which is grant funded by the Montana Healthcare Foundation, which funds this project in several large cities across Montana.

In Helena, the FUSE project partners are St. Peters Health, Helena Housing Authority, United Way, Good Samaritan Ministries and Carroll Colleges master's of social work program. These partners meet biweekly but are in contact several times a week with emails and phone calls.

The goals of FUSE are to increase housing and retention, decrease inappropriate utilization of the emergency room and other crisis systems such as jail, increase the use of primary care, improve chronic disease management and to advocate for appropriate care.

Kayla Morris, St. Peters Health supervisor of community-based services, highlighted that many unsheltered people have significant health concerns and that chronic disease outcomes are shaped by social determinants of health, unmet needs and generational trauma.

Our hope is to get them the right care at the right place, at the right time, Morris said.

The grant work for FUSE in Helena began in 2019, and the project was officially kicked off in September 2021 because COVID-19 postponed it about a year. By April 2022, community health workers were hired and started to see patients that June. Since the program officially started, 15 people have been directly housed, had evictions prevented or have gone into hotel programs, thanks to FUSE.

Theyre individuals who without services wouldnt be housed and without housing, wouldnt be in services, Morris said. Unfortunately in Helena, we dont have any immediately available dedicated permanent supportive housing units, relying instead upon permanent supportive housing vouchers to rent available apartments from landlords in the community. This is obviously a real challenge with our current housing emergency.

St. Peters community health workers work with FUSE clients for months at a time to get them connected to the services they need. A FUSE client usually has a lot of needs, so the health workers take on low case loads in order to adequately serve people.

Colette Murley, a community health worker, noted how some of the people she helps require surgery, but they can't get it if there's nowhere they can be discharged to.

Surgeries get scheduled, canceled, scheduled again and canceled again because theres no place to send unsheltered individuals, so thats a big struggle, too  finding them somewhere to go after surgeries and getting them through till theyre safe to be back on the streets, Murley said. Weve put people up in hotels whove gotten out of hospitals.

Murley said that sometimes for the FUSE clients, just having someone to call helps.

I find that a lot  I had a bunch of (people) who were continually going to the ER, but now instead of just running there first, theyll call me, Murley said.

Community health worker Ryan Lehman said he recently helped one of his FUSE clients sign a lease and got food and furniture for him.

I was running around trying to get him situated so he has food for the weekend and a bed to sleep on and a plate and a cup to eat and drink off because he had literally nothing, Lehman said.

Morris highlighted how helpful Good Samaritan Thrift Store is as a partner because their donations often go to people actually in need, and many are supported through their assistance ministry programs. The FUSE project also works closely with Good Samaritan outreach coordinators and the staff at Our Place, a peer-run support program.

Sometimes when we get referrals, we might not have a phone number or an address. We might not have a description  its just you got to go find this person, and we know they hang out downtown, so you go and start asking, said Theresa Ortega, who has been with Good Samaritan Ministries for 17 years. Its not our world to have addresses  its you find out which corner theyll be on.

While Ortega discussed the need for more facilities to use for stabilization. beds, ONeil highlighted that there is a state of the art crisis facility house in the Journey Home, in Helena, that closed on Jan. 10, 2020, due to funding and staffing issues.

There are times Ive been down at Our Place, and Ive had someone thats just lost it, Ortega said. Does she need to go to jail? No. She needs a place to stabilize, to be where theres going to be compassion and people talking to her.

Building lasting relationships between FUSE clients and community health workers is a key part of the program.

These (community health workers) have the relationships and know how it works, ONeil said. These folks that we work with a lot of their lives have been in and out of foster care or (had) people leaving, so it hurts their outcomes if we say, Im going to be there for you, and then theres a turnover.

Morris said most of FUSE's funding to pay for positions comes from grants and private donors.

Hopefully, organizations and city and county governments understand the savings and that these positions are incredibly sustainable, Morris said. Its about reallocating that money for better usage. Lets take the money were not spending on jail nights, service calls and emergency visits and reallocate that to things that actually help people with successful outcomes.

A big part of the program is the symbiotic relationship between housing and the connection to services such as routine health care  not one without the other.

(Helena Housing Authority) serves a lot of folks with high health needs and chronic health conditions, so without the connection to services, some of those folks will fall out of housing, ONeil said. They need support to get into housing, and they need support to stay and be successful in housing and community living.

On the health care side, Morris said, theyve seen an average of $4,800 in cost savings annually per individual being helped by FUSE. Since starting last June, theres been an overall 55% reduction in use of the emergency room, urgent cares, ambulances and the crisis response team from FUSE clients.

She also said theres been an overall justice system decrease of 82% for FUSE clients, meaning fewer Helena Police Department calls for service, Lewis and Clark County Detention Center bookings and total days spent incarcerated at the detention center.

Morris is worried about emerging health hurdles from the Department of Public Health and Human Services doing Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids eligibility redeterminations on April 1.

People are going to lose their Medicaid, which means theyre going to lose all their behavioral health services, said Morris. Services like FUSE and Good Sam's arent Medicaid billable, but theyre going to lose their mental health services, and were not mental health services. Thats going to have a significant impact on people currently experiencing homelessness or (who) are not stably housed.

On top of Medicaid redeterminations, the Montana Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) program stopped accepting applications March 24 due to running out of funds. According to MERAs website, the program helped 13,291 Montanans at a total cost of $121.7 million.

Theres going to be a flood of individuals back on the streets, Morris said as the MERA program goes away.

Jeff Buscher, community impact coordinator at United Way, said, With MERA funds expiring and affordable housing options still very sparse, its likely well see more tents and individuals sleeping out downtown and in the parks around our community this year.

Morris said people coming in from out of state and buying houses in cash just to rent them out at unaffordable prices or make them Airbnbs or VRBOs has absolutely contributed to the housing problem. She noted that while it harms people, it also has a large effect on families looking for affordable housing.

(Airbnb and VRBO) are a very disruptive thing, ONeil said. ... Its disruptive to a neighborhood. Its kind of a weird thing that we let happen, and its slipped in the back door. A lot of the real estate listings now even advertise to that Oh this would make a perfect (Airbnb or VRBO), which drives up the price for sale.

A story from the Washington Post from April 2022 listed Lewis and Clark County as fifth-highest in rent increases in the nation. The rent increased 36.5% to an average rent of $1,263 in Lewis and Clark County. Counties like Gallatin and Missoula increased 18.6% and 18.9% in comparison. Lewis and Clark County didnt have the highest rent in Montana, but it definitely had the highest percentage increase.

Carroll College sophomore Nick Anderson, whos majoring in math and minoring in data science, has been working with United Way to update the 2018 Tri-County Housing Needs Assessment information. Anderson highlighted a recent statistic that stuck out to him  people who are 35 and under are renting twice as often as theyre owning houses as of 2021.

ONeil with current market conditions, dedicated permanent supportive housing units are more needed than ever. HHA is working to add such units as part of its redevelopment efforts to add to its current voucher programs and public housing offerings. Another option is using a block lease to rent a number of units together.

The focus on this is cost savings because were at a time and place where we have to justify things by cost savings, and thats a positive message, but the real positive is the difference it makes in life outcomes, ONeil said. Peoples basic health improves. When people are properly supported in stable, affordable homes, they are much more successful in community living, no longer needing expensive emergency community services.

FUSE is still in its pilot phase, but everyone who has been a part of the Helena project is hoping it will make it long=term.

ONeil stated that one of the questions at the Legislature this year is If were not going to fund housing this year, then when?

Can (the crisis situation) get worse? Yes, and it will, ONeil said. The cost of doing nothing is not nothing. The cost of doing nothing is in fact quite high in the cost of peoples lives and not using limited community resources effectively. FUSE shows we can do better working together as a community to create effective housing and service solutions.
DECATUR  Joseph A. Brown, who cycled around Decatur armed with a flare gun modified to fire shotgun shells and attacked a cop when he was caught, has been sent to prison for 14 years.

Brown had been due to face a jury trial April 10 but suddenly changed his mind and took a plea deal negotiated by Chief Public Defender Michelle Sanders.

Brown, 31, of Decatur, had appeared in Macon County Circuit Court April 4 and pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a weapon and the aggravated battery of a peace officer.

Judge Jeffrey Geisler had sentenced him to 14 years on the weapons charge and an additional six years for attacking an officer, but ordered the terms to be served concurrently. The judge dismissed a further charge accusing Brown of being an armed habitual criminal.

A sworn affidavit from the Decatur Police Department said patrol officers had encountered Brown around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 13, after responding to a call from a frightened cashier in the Hucks convenience store at 204 N. 22nd St.

Officer Nicholas Stankiewicz, who signed the affidavit, said the cashier had become alarmed after watching Brown cruising around the business on his bicycle while armed with the gun.

Stankiewicz said the defendant was still orbiting the lot when police arrived, but soon took off after ignoring commands to stop. He later abandoned the bike but was chased down on foot, and was accused of kicking an officer in the knee while being walked back to a squad car after being handcuffed.

Police later examined the flare gun Brown was armed with. Inside the barrel of the flare gun was a converted barrel with a live .410 shotgun shell, said Stankiewicz.

Brown also had on his person a brown leather holster that was attached to his belt, and it appeared to fit the (flare) gun.

Brown was quoted as telling police he had run from them because he was on parole and knew he would be in trouble if caught with any kind of weapon. Court records show he has multiple convictions for burglary and had been sentenced to six years in prison in September 2020 after pleading guilty to another burglary charge.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods
CHICAGO - Police fatally shot a man who turned to them while holding a gun during a foot chase Saturday morning on the West Side.

The shooting happened in the 3800 block of West Flournoy Street shortly after 10:15 a.m.

During an afternoon news conference, Chicago Police Deputy Chief Rahman Muhammad said Harrison District officers were patrolling the area, involved in an escalation mission following a gang killing that occurred nearby a week ago, when they saw several people.

One of these individuals was seen leaning into a vehicle, officers exited their vehicle and approached and the individual then fled on foot through a gangway, Muhammad said.

As police gave chase that man turned toward the officer, brandished a handgun, and an officer shot him, Muhammad said.

Officers immediately called for EMS and began rendering aid but the unidentified man shot died at Mount Sinai Hospital, officials said.

Officers were trying to ensure that a gang conflict did not escalate, when the shooting, which he called a tragic incident, happened, said Muhammad.

An officer was also transported to an area hospital for observation and a gun was recovered on-scene.

Fire officials said one person was initially taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, but had no information immediately available on the persons age or gender.

The shooting is being investigated by COPA with the full cooperation of the police department and the officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for the next 30 days, Muhammad said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability asked anyone with information on the shooting to contact their office at 312-746-3609.

Photos: Tornado collapses northern Illinois theater roof
NAPERVILLE  Three men accused of stealing $6,000 in jewelry after allegedly posing as water utility workers to get inside a Naperville couple's home were arrested after trying to pawn some of the pilfered items, officials said.

Police said the victims, both in their 70s, were seated in their vehicle outside their home on Waxwing Avenue about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday when a man wearing a yellow safety vest, later identified as Lawrence Miller, 29, of Arlington Heights, approached them about a problem with their water that he was there to fix.

Miller initially asked the man to take him to his kitchen so he could inspect the water, and then to accompany him outside to look at the utility boxes at the rear of the house, a news release from the police and the DuPage County Sheriff's Office said.

While they were gone, two other men  identified as Sam Mason, 26, of Arlington Heights, and Christopher Nicholas, 36, of Chicago  allegedly went inside the residence and stole the jewelry, the report said. Miller was in contact with his alleged accomplices via a two-way radio.

Naperville investigators learned the identity of the three suspects, and took them into custody later the same day when they went to a Schaumburg pawn shop to sell jewelry, some of which was identified as belonging to the couple, the report said.

All three have been charged with residential burglary, a class 1 felony. Miller and Nicholas were also charged with misdemeanor attempt possession of burglary tools, the release said.

On Thursday, DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin set Miller's bail at $1 million, Mason's at $500,000 and Nicholas' at $100,000.

"I want to caution homeowners throughout DuPage County to be on alert for this type of ruse, particularly as the weather gets nicer," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. "Oftentimes, as alleged in this case, the perpetrators will tell the victim they are there in the interest of the victim, thereby reducing the victim's suspicions.

"If you are approached by someone claiming to be from a utility company or service provider and have not received prior notification of their visit, trust your instincts. Whatever you do, do not let them into your home. Ask them where they are from and call the utility company or service provider for verification."

Miller and Mason are next scheduled to be in court on May 9. Nicholas' next court day is May 11.

Photos: Tornado collapses northern Illinois theater roof
CHICAGO  Just days after President Joe Biden selected Chicago to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, his administration said Friday that Illinois first lady M.K Pritzker has been appointed to serve on the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.

Gov. J.B. Pritzkers wife is joining 17 other members on a committee whose honorary chair is first lady Jill Biden.

The Committee is charged with establishing policies relating to the museum function of the White House, its staterooms, and collections, the White House said in a statement. It also works to make recommendations on acquisitions for the permanent collection of the White House and provides advice on changes to principal rooms on the ground floor, state floor, and the historic guest suites on the residence floor of the White House Executive Residence.

Gov. Pritzker posted his support on Twitter.

No one better I can think of to be appointed to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House than my wife, MK! he wrote.

The White House said one of the reasons for her appointment was her work restoring the once crumbling Illinois Governors Mansion in Springfield. The restoration process has been documented in a forthcoming book written by M.K. Pritzker that not only celebrates the updating of the Italianate  Greek Revival Illinois Governors Mansion in Springfield but also tells the story of the houses evolution since 1855, according to a White House news release.

Gov. Pritzker, billionaire heir to the Hyatt fortune, is widely seen as having designs on becoming a resident of the White House as president, speculation fueled by his trips last year to the key election year states of New Hampshire and Florida.

M.K. Pritzker tends to stay out of the limelight, but her husband has long heaped praise on her work on the Springfield mansion.

My wife really has fallen in love with the house there, and with the history of the Hayes House, and shes working hard to restore not just the home but also the history so people can see it and experience it, Pritzker said in 2019.

The Pritzkers have spent six figures of their own money on the renovation.

Other members of the White House committee include Ellen Susman, who was a member of President Obamas Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center, and Leslie Greene Bowman, President Emerita of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Monticello.

Gov. Pritzkers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
Dont feel dismayed if you have no idea whats going on at our southern border.

Since I began covering it two decades ago, the notion of illegal immigration has always been confusing, and its gotten even more muddled in recent years.

Lawmakers playing partisan politics want to confuse you. Democrats and Republicans regularly warned of a border crisis during the Donald Trump administration, though for different reasons. Trump used the bully pulpit to amplify the shrill cry. His core campaign call to build the wall! withered in the hot desert sun once he became president. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon faces charges of running a We Build the Wall crowdfunding scam to enrich himself and associates.

Democrats, for their part, accused Trump of putting kids in cages, even though President Joe Biden is now using the same holding facilities.

Just two months ago, George W. Bush consigliere Karl Rove was preaching to the conservative choir when he bemoaned the record number of desperate people crossing the border.

At a Feb. 7 hearing by the House Oversight Committee, emboldened Republicans, flexing their new majority muscle, mixed apocryphal hyperbole and statistical stew to hype the border crisis to hysterical levels.

Committee chairman James Comer of Kentucky mused: It sounds like the cartels are taking advantage of historically high flow of illegal immigration to overwhelm border patrol agents resources, place migrants in peril, and undermine border security by introducing deadly narcotics, criminals and terrorists into our country.

Never mind that the number of border-crossers designated as possible terror threats by U.S. Customs and Border Protection peaked in 2019 under President Trump  and tumbled to less than one-quarter of that number last year under President Biden. Never mind that study after study has shown that the crime rate among undocumented workers is considerably less than the rate among U.S. citizens.

During President Barack Obamas eight years in office, Republicans regularly accused him of being soft on illegal immigration and causing a border crisis, even as he deported twice as many undocumented visitors as his predecessor, George W. Bush, during the same number of years. His record earned him the moniker deporter in chief and angered Hispanic advocacy groups that had supported him.

Even our most reputable news outlets contribute to the confusion. For example, an October 2021 New York Times article carried the headline Illegal Border Crossings Soar to Record High, but the first sentence read: Migrants were encountered 1.7 million times in the last 12 months, the highest number of illegal crossings recorded since at least 1960.

This unfortunate juxtaposition conflated the total number of all border breaches with the much smaller number of undocumented immigrants apprehended by Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement officers, many of whom wanted to be caught and classified as political refugees from violence at home. The number of runaways  those who elude capture  is much higher.

The 11 million or 12 million figures, often reported as the number of undocumented workers in the United States, is just a guess. No one knows, partly because the businesses that employ illegal aliens help to shield them because of their willingness to do manual jobs for low wages.

High-tech companies also protect the thousands of skilled newcomers, many from India, who overstay their special visas and then melt into the general population. Immigration advocates put their number at almost half of all undocumented workers. Theyve been a major boon in Silicon Valley and other cutting-edge hubs.

The notion of a border crisis is almost as old as our nation. What it really means is ethnic prejudice and fear of foreigners.

There was a border crisis in the 1840s when the Irish flooded into the country in huge numbers. Yet they would come to dominate politics in Boston, New York and other cities while seeing one of their own elected president in 1960.

There was a border crisis in the 1850s when waves of Chinese immigrants arrived, drawn by the California gold rush and fleeing economic turmoil at home. Yet they almost singlehandedly built the first Transcontinental Railroad and opened popular businesses.

There was a border crisis in the early 1900s when millions of Jews came to escape persecutions in Eastern Europe. Yet they would come to dominate fields from filmmaking to academia.

There was a border crisis in the 1940s when Japanese immigrants were rounded up and held in internment camps during World War II. Yet today, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Suburu employ tens of thousands of Americans at factories in eight states.

There was a border crisis after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks when FBI agents began to question Muslim immigrants elsewhere. Yet Arab Americans today head major universities.

The original border crisis started long before Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence. The British immigrants who arrived in the early 1600s went on to found a great nation after slaughtering the Native Americans who preceded them, a tragic tale of conquest that illustrates the morally murky precept, famously repurposed by Winston Churchill, History is written by the victors.
Suppose that over a month or two, prices doubled. Would that be a crisis? Would it be a crisis if the number of people out of work doubled? Or the number of drug overdoses doubled, or car crashes or burglaries?

So how is it that a doubling  and more  of illegal immigration isnt a crisis?

Even after two years of unprecedented levels of border-jumping, the Biden administrations point man on immigration, the not-yet-impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, mulishly refuses to use the word crisis to describe the massive jump in illegal immigration that started immediately after the presidents inauguration in January 2021.

Of course theres a border crisis.

The number of Border Patrol arrests on the Mexican border ran at 70,000 monthly at the end of the Donald Trump administration. That more than doubled to 170,000 in March 2021 because the new president canceled most of Trumps border-control policies  and the numbers have stayed high ever since.

President Barack Obamas Homeland Security secretary, Jeh Johnson, has said that 1,000 border arrests in a single day overwhelms the system and constitutes a crisis. Thats almost quaint when you consider that this past February, agents arrested nearly 5,000 daily. And when Title 42  a COVID-related measure that allows Border Patrol to expel border crossers without a hearing  ends in May, the numbers could double or even triple.

Of course theres a border crisis.

Its not just a crisis for the Border Patrol. For instance, the hospital in the border town of Yuma, Arizona, is on the brink of financial collapse because of the cost of uncompensated care to migrants it is required to provide.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is proposing to cut services to New Yorkers because hes had to spend more than $800 million on border crossers whove made their way to the Big Apple.

A Democratic city councilman in New York complained: Where is it written that we have to take care of migrants indefinitely and that the taxpayers are on the hook to care for non-citizens?

Sure sounds like a crisis to me, though the only solution offered by big city politicians is to slosh more state and federal money their way rather than stopping illegal border jumpers in the first place.

And then theres the fentanyl crisis, an outgrowth of the border crisis. While most seizures of the poison happen at legal border crossings, known as ports of entry, we have no idea how much more of this drug is coming across between the ports of entry, but its a lot. Precisely because the Border Patrol is overwhelmed by illegal immigrants responding to Bidens de facto invitation to come, no one is watching whole stretches of the border. Cartels no doubt use large groups of illegal immigrants as a diversion, ensuring they can import their venom undisturbed.

The Trump administration faced a similar, if smaller, border crisis in early 2019 but didnt lie about it. With the end of the so-called family separation policy, smugglers learned that any border jumper bringing a kid with him was virtually guaranteed to be let go. So the number of family units soared. The DHS responded quickly and decisively, most notably with the "Remain in Mexico" policy, and the crisis ended.

In contrast, the Biden administration actually caused the current crisis. And to the extent it acknowledges a challenge," it identifies the problem merely as one of disorder and chaos. In other words, the number of undocumented people isnt the problem, just the messy way theyre getting into the country.

Thats why the administration has created various unlawful programs to admit foreigners with no right to come here through ports of entry: So they wont be counted in the arrest statistics. Or they just fly them directly into the interior of the country, bypassing the border altogether.

Over two years, Biden has released an estimated 2 million illegal immigrants into the country, few of whom will ever leave, effectively creating his own lawless immigration system. That means the border crisis is creating not only a spending and fentanyl crisis, but also a brewing constitutional crisis.

Of course theres a border crisis.
For now, a controversial proposal to build multi-family dwellings with 14 units in Emory, Virginia, has disappeared.

This past week, the Washington County Board of Supervisors was set to hear all about it. But the developer, Ed Fuqua, withdrew his request for a special exception permit.

Given the housing shortage, you might have thought this would have worked out well.

But it faced opposition from folks living along Arbor Street, where the apartments were slated to be built. Two buildings were proposed to be set on 0.86-acre along Arbor Street in the village district of Emory.

Yet many of the village people cried, No.

Nearby residents complained at a March 27 meeting of the Washington County Planning Commission that the apartments would attract college students who would be messy and throw loud parties.

Some complained that narrow Arbor Street could not handle the extra traffic.

Some complained that the project would reduce property values.

Fuqua, a developer from Abingdon, spoke at the March 27 meeting.

When I look at a price of property, I try to determine the use, Fuqua said.

Fuqua had wanted to build a convenience store at the property. Under current zoning, a general store of less than 4,000 square feet on the property could be allowed, said Stephen Richardson, the countys zoning administrator.

Yet Fuqua said he wanted to build an apartment house off Arbor Street due to the lack of housing in the area.

I think it would be very beneficial, Fuqua said. Renters in this area are at such a disadvantage. There is no housing here.

Fuqua has developed other properties in Abingdon and Glade Spring in Washington County.

Still, a petition signed by several people against the project was presented to the planning commission by Richardson.

The Washington County Planning Commission turned down the request to allow the special exception. Planning Commission member Dulcie Mumpower said she had concerns about the project fitting into the neighborhood.

Its on hold for a year at least: Even if the developer wants to move forward, under a certain rule, the Board of Supervisors will not hear about it again for 12 months.
Irelands president has led tributes to Mark Sheehan of Irish rock band The Script after the guitarist's death at age 46. The band said Sheehan died in a hospital on Friday after a brief illness. In a statement, The Script called him a much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend. Formed in Dublin in 2001, The Script topped U.K. and Irish charts with its self-titled debut album in 2008. It included the hits We Cry, Breakeven and The Man Who Cant Be Moved. The bands pop-inflected rock sound made it one of Irelands biggest bands in the 2010s. Irish President Michael D. Higgins praised the bands originality and excellence.
Three of the City of Hickorys four public cemeteries do not have plots available, said funeral directors Dirk Thompson and Allen Mitchell Jr.

The fourth city cemetery, Southside Cemetery, has fewer than 12 plots, which are only being sold as needed, Mitchell said.

The majority of Thompsons clients are Black, he said. Southside serves mainly the African American community, and we were wondering (what will happen), once Southside is full, said Thompson who owns Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary. What are citizens going to do about purchasing cemetery space? (Private cemeteries) cost three times the amount that the city charges for a grave. People in our community just cant afford that, and I think the City of Hickory has an obligation to its citizens to provide a public cemetery space.

Thompson and Mitchells funeral homes together provide approximately 100 funerals per year in the Black community, Thompson said. With fewer than 12 plots remaining, Thompson said, Southside Cemetery will be full within the year.

For clarity, there are a number of empty plots in the citys cemeteries. Many were sold as family plots and belong to people who wish to be buried there. The number of unsold plots is dwindling and can only be sold as needed now due to limited space, said Mitchell, who owns Allen Mitchell Funeral Home.

The city owns and maintains Oakwood, Southside, Ridgeview and Fairview cemeteries.

City of Hickory Communications Specialist Sarah Killian confirmed there are no plots available at Oakwood, Ridgeview or Fairview cemeteries, but added, We currently have around 50 niches for sale, and the ability to add at least 100 more.

A niche refers to a columbarium where cremated remains are stored in an urn or other container.

Mitchell said he voiced his concerns to Hickory City Council in the past and asked how they planned to address the situation. Mitchell said the city told him they would get back to him.

And its not throwing shade at the city, but this is information that needs to be put out, Mitchell said. People need to know (how the city will address this).

Killian said, (The city is) currently doing a feasibility analysis in Southside Cemetery to determine if and where we can expand there, and how many new plots could be added. She added: (There are) no plans for a new City-owned cemetery. But there is a possibility we may build new columbarium niches in existing cemeteries. We have also explored working with local faith-based organizations that are interested in owning and operating a new cemetery and have discussed what role we would play in that.

Mitchell said his concern is for the citizens of Hickory. Funeral homes will adjust to change, he said, but citizens may have to adjust to far higher grave costs if public cemetery space runs out.

Another issue Mitchell raised is that his funeral home has had several burials where a spouse wished to buy the plot beside their significant other but was unable to do so due to lack of space.

Killian confirmed there are no plots left that are side-by-side and that couples who wish to have plots beside one another would have to go to a private or church cemetery.

All races are buried in Southside Cemetery, Killian said. Publicly-owned cemeteries are subsidized by taxpayer dollars. They are extremely labor intensive to maintain. The more they expand, the more taxpayers will pay to maintain them. When they are full, the cost of maintenance does not go away. North Carolina General Statutes do not mandate local governments operate cemeteries. There are private sector cemetery options in Hickory. They are more expensive because they are for profit.
I have two interviews scheduled but no ones story to share this week, making it the perfect time to offer up some humor Ive been saving for quite a long time.

A few years ago, I wrote a bloopers column, joking about how the wording of a statement, a misspelling, or the lack of correct punctuation can send a completely wrong message. The best examples are what some call the church ladies bloopers. Others refer to them as church bulletin bloopers. Whatever their name, they never fail to stir up laughter.

Back in 2020 when all of us were isolating and in need of an extra helping of mirth, Rick Moser emailed me a list titled Church Ladies with Typewriters in Barbados. Im not sure how these funnies became connected to Barbados, but the hilarity remained. Here are a few examples:

Ladies, dont forget the rummage sale. Its a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

For those of you who have children and dont know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and the deterioration of some older ones.

Around the same time that Rick emailed, I heard from Pat Rivera, whod found a blooper in an obituary: He had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off your back.

Also in 2020  soon after the bloopers story, Margie Dickey emailed, the subject line reading Gotcha. Boy was I red-faced to discover Id blundered in my own story about blunders. She pointed out that Id used the word peak when peek was in order. I have no excuse but I endeavor never again to peak under carpets.

Finally that year, Bruce Blackburn wrote to say he and his cousins used to think their Grandmother Blackburn was confused when she referred to her recipes as receipts. Then Bruce checked a dictionary. He wrote, Another definition for the word receipt is recipe. For those of you who love trivia, theres a good article about recipe and receipt at merriam-webster.com. Titled When a Recipe Was a Receipt, the Word History lesson explains that both words derive from recipere, a Latin verb meaning to receive or take and that Emily Post herself thought receipt was fashionable while recipe sounded commercial.

A year or so later, I wrote another column about funny writing sightings, prompting Richard Storie to contact me and say hed seen the following insurance agencys sign in Valdese: Low Life Insurance Available.

Eileen Hill also saw a sign that tickled her. A restaurant advertised EARN REWARDS HIRING DISHWASHERS.

Mary Ellen Snodgrass noticed the following description on an e-commerce companys website: This Mens Wool Coat is made of 90% cotton, 10% polyester.

So now lets come forward to 2022 and something called Nextdoor. Its a social networking service whereby neighbors connect with neighbors, who might not be in your exact locale, but the people whose posts you read are folks who arent too far away. I am not a social media fan and had never participated on any platform until a friend said she got a lot out of Nextdoor, that it was a great place to buy and sell, find a plumber, post that your cat was missing or locate someone to mow your lawn.

So, I researched Nextdoor and found that its all over the world and that the people behind it really hope participants dont use it to rant and rave about politics, etc. Its purpose is to create real-world connections to neighbors, businesses, and public services.

Well, there have been a few ranters among those in my community and thereabouts. Fortunately, thus far, the posts mostly have been about lost or found pets, warnings about creepy sorts hanging around neighborhoods, men and women looking for packages that were supposed to be on their doorsteps but were not, and so on. Generally, people have been friendly, welcoming, and helpful in their comments. And, sometimes, without meaning to be, theyve been funny.

Ill begin with my favorite: Anyone missing a pair of pet ducks in Newton? So, a pair of quackers decided there had to be a better pond than the lackluster watery hole they were living in, took off either on webbed feet or by air, and were spotted by this poster before they could make it to the fishpond of their dreams.

Next, if anyone needs a cleaning, text ... Who doesnt need a good cleaning every now and then?

Continuing, theres a person out there whose lawn seriously needs to be weed eated. I did some checking, and there are those who are OK with weed eated. One writer suggested that the weeds arent eaten exactly; theyre wacked, so we should just say weedwack and weedwacked or, as another site offered, weedwhack and weedwhacked. Theres also string trimmer, which Popular Mechanics prefers, so I might say I string trimmed my yard, and finally, theres the Whipper Snipper, which leads to Whipper Snipped. Im leaning toward Whipper Snipped.

The response to the following Nextdoor post is priceless:

Post: Is anyone willing to trade yardwork for a small trailer?

Response: Do you need the small trailer or do you need the yardwork?

In another head-scratching-inducing post, a person reported that a man and woman knocked on her door and asked for someone who allegedly owed them money. The poster described the man as 5x5. SpongeBob SquarePants maybe?

Ill leave you with the brilliant response a mother had after reading this post: Children will follow your example more than your advice.

Response: My daughter has seen me clean the house and wash clothes on more than one occasion. Still, nothing.

Theres humor everywhere. Next time you run across some, please share it with me.
The story of Lemuria begins with a British zoologist named Philip Sclater who wrote an essay in 1864 called "The Mammals of Madagascar." In it, Sclater wondered how Madagascar, an island off the eastern coast of Africa, could be home to dozens of species of lemurs  small, cat-like primates  while the entire continents of Africa and India had what Sclater believed to be only a few species of lemurs. (In fact, Africa and India had no true lemurs at all, but Sclater grouped some other big-eyed primates as lemurs, including loris and galagos.)

This was long before plate tectonics and "continental drift" were household words  plate tectonics didn't gain traction until the 1920s  so Sclater's best guess was that lemurs originated on Madagascar and migrated to Africa and India over a vast land bridge the size of a "great continent."

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"I should propose the name Lemuria!" wrote Sclater, naming the hypothetical continent after his furry friends.

During the Victorian Era, land bridges were "popping up everywhere," says Sumathi Ramaswamy, a history professor at Duke University and author of "The Lost Land of Lemuria: Fabulous Geographies, Catastrophic Histories." "Geologists, geographers and biologists were trying to account for similarities in rock formations, and similarities in all manner of flora and fauna [around the world], by arguing that there used to be these kinds of land bridges or sunken continents."
This is Peter Hitchens's Mail on Sunday Column

Who decided to send British troops to Ukraine? What are they doing there? What would happen were they to be killed by Russian forces, or captured by them? And what was a British surveillance plane, capable of carrying 30 people, doing over the Black Sea last September, when a bungling Russian pilot almost shot it down, only failing because his missile was a dud? What would have happened if the missile had worked, and many British servicemen and women had died?

Nobody will answer these questions when I ask them. Once upon a time, we had a proper Parliament in which brave, indomitable MPs such as the late Tam Dalyell would pursue such matters. Perhaps, even now, some young man or woman is getting ready to step into Tam Dalyells shoes. I do hope so.

We can be pretty sure that the leaked documents revealing these facts are accurate, given the ferocious reaction of the US authorities to their publication. By the way, you may be sure that the Kremlin will have known about all this for many months. The cloud of secrecy around such matters is (as so often) there to keep the British and American publics in ignorance, not to keep hostile powers in the dark.

Meanwhile, as far as I know this country is not at war with Russia. If we did enter such a war, as a NATO member, we would instantly widen the current conflict to cover the whole of Europe. Can you begin to imagine what that would involve? How would the people of this country gain by such events? Is anybody thinking about what we are doing? First of all, what interest does the United Kingdom have in continuing and sustaining this war?

A powerful faction in Washington DC, with supporters in the West Wing of the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and the CIA, have long wanted a proxy war with Russia. They believe passionately that Russia must never be allowed to rise again. This faction, whose founding document is known as The Wolfowitz Doctrine, have been hard at work since 1992, when the New York Times leaked their plans. They are almost exactly the same people who created the Iraq war out of nothing, who got the West into the Afghanistan quagmire - and who backed Islamist fanatics in Syria who were the sort of people they would have arrested in Chicago.

They have an unparalleled record of fanatical stupidity, and everywhere they intervene ends up in corpse-strewn ruins, with everyone who can get out fleeing from the fire and screams  towards Europe and the Channel coast. If every dollar these zealots have spent on war had been spent instead on building prosperous free countries in places such as Russia, the world would be a startlingly better place. That, fundamentally, is Americas problem. If nobody in the USA will stand up to them, they will get their repeated stupid wars and the rest of us will have to watch, weep and receive the fleeing multitudes.

But we do not have to take part. Why are we in this? How does Britain benefit from war between Russia and Ukraine? How, for that matter, has poor Ukraine benefited from it, its cities wrecked, its economy half-dead, untold numbers of its young men gone to graveyards? Why should any British soldiers be there at all? If Parliament does not debate this, then we are not a democracy. And if any critical voices are drowned out with slander and abuse, then we are not a free country.

*********

The pathetic delusion that there is a special relationship between this country and the USA has surely run its course. If they bury it, I will travel many miles to dance on its grave. If Rishi Sunak now has a Love Actually moment, and tells the USA exactly where to put its star-spangled banner, he will win the next election hands down.

The only thing that is special about it is how servile it is on our side. Nobody in Washington DC has ever heard ofi t. President Bidens insulting little day-trip to Belfast, set beside his vote-grabbing tour of Ireland, tells anybody who wishes to know that he couldnt care a fig for us.

His forerunners sometimes tried to hide their contempt. But Joe Biden has never done so. Fascinatingly, while he whizzed through Belfast in his armoured limousine, the car flew Old Glory and the Presidential Standard. There was no sign of the Union Jack, though he was on British territory. But the moment the car was in the Republic, the Presidential Standard was (quite properly) replaced by the Irish Tricolour, the normal gesture of friendship to the Presidents hosts. I promise you that protocol chiefs think very hard about such things, and their decisions go all the way up. This was a calculated snub.

I have to say here, as it is true, that I love America and Americans and hugely enjoyed the two years I spent in beautiful Bethesda, Maryland, where my neighbours were marvellously kind and hospitable. Thanks to that, I know that the USA is a foreign country whose interests are sharply different from ours. I might add that its national anthem is an enjoyably anti-British poem.

Even the alleged love affair between Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill is a myth. The USA stripped us of every penny we had before beginning lend lease. When Churchill turned up in a battleship, HMS Prince of Wales, to meet FDR at Placentia Bay in Newfoundland, US Navy warships intercepted him to tell him to come back later - as FDR was still asleep. So our greatest Prime Minister had to steam round the North Atlantic in circles for 90 minutes while the President of the USA, comfortably asleep aboard the cruiser USS Augusta, woke slowly from his slumbers. The meeting which followed was also pretty grim, with FDR giving nothing away, while pretty much forcing Churchill to abandon the British Empire and its customs union. It has been gilded since, as the Atlantic Carter a great act of friendship, but at the time the British side at the talks were gravely disappointed. The USA, quite reasonably, was using us for its purposes  as it has done ever since. We may have to put up with it, but we dont have to simper and grovel while we do so.

*****

If theyre going to have a female James Bond (and why not, honestly?), it ought to be the brilliant Lucy Boynton, the marvellously intelligent star of ITVs latest Agatha Christie drama, Why Didnt they Ask Evans? I still dont know why they didnt ask Evans, or much care, but this was absolutely the way to do nostalgic period detective drama, so unlike the boring, heavy-handed, purse-lipped BBC attempts at Christie over the past few years. And will anyone dare to make dramas of the detective stories of the genius Josephine Tey, a thousand times better than Christie but (alas for the BBC) severely conservative in tone? Id love to see The Franchise Affair and Brat Farrar done really well. But I dont suppose it will happen.
The reason for the bans announced by Poland and Hungary is that, due to logistical problems, a large amount of Ukrainian grain remained in the European Union, which is cheaper than locally produced grain, which depressed prices and put local farmers in a difficult situation.

We are aware of the announcements by Poland and Hungary about the ban on the import of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine, the spokesperson said in an e-mail statement. In this context, it is important to emphasize that trade policy falls under the exclusive competence of the EU, therefore unilateral steps are not acceptable.

In such challenging times, it is essential to coordinate all decisions within the EU  added the announcement

The Polish ban, which came into effect on Saturday night, also applies to the transit of the mentioned products through the country, the Minister of Development and Technology announced on Sunday. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food Affairs of Ukraine stated on Saturday that the Polish ban contradicts bilateral trade agreements, and called for negotiations to settle the issue. According to the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, it is Ukrainian and Polish ministers will meet in Poland on Mondaywhere the transit agreement will be the main focus of the discussions.

Ukraine exports most of its agricultural products, especially grain, through its Black Sea ports, which Russia unblocked in July under a deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations. According to the Ukrainian ministry, about 3 million tons of grain leave Ukraine every month through the Black Sea grain corridor, while European ports a maximum of 200,000 tons passes through Polish territory. According to the statements of the Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture, Mykola Solsky, every month 500-700 thousand tons of different agricultural products cross the Polish borderincluding grain, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, meat and other products.

Cover image source: Getty Images
A witness to the attacks told local authorities that the gunmen arrived at the swimming pool around 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday and opened fire, then damaged a business premises, security cameras and a monitor before leaving, CNN wrote.

Videos posted on social media show people in swimsuits screaming and hugging their children.

The Mexican army and security forces have launched a search for the gunmen behind the attack in the city of Cortazar in the state of Guanajuato.

When local security forces arrived at the scene, they found dead bodies, including a child younger than seven years old, as well as bullet casings, the municipality said in a statement. In addition to the seven dead, one person was seriously injured and taken to hospital. So far, no arrests have been made and authorities say they are still investigating a motive.

Dangerous place

Guanajuato is a major agricultural and industrial center and the production site of many of the worlds leading automobile manufacturers. At the same time, incidents of violence are rife, and in recent years the area has also been affected by brutal turf wars between rival drug gangs.

The state is attractive to drug cartels for the same reason it is to car manufacturers: the road and rail network leads directly to the American border. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been battling gang violence since taking office in late 2018, according to Reuters.

Although the number of murders has decreased somewhat recently, Lopez Obradors term in office will be the bloodiest cycle in recent history.
CARS24 is deepening its investment in the Australian market with the launch of Australia's largest hi-tech Mega Refurbishment Lab (MRL). The MRL, a $5 million investment, will create up to 150 jobs in the automotive industry and provide end-to-end car refurbishments for CARS24 customers nationwide, guaranteeing quality, safety, and overall peace of mind at an affordable price.

The lab will be located on a five-acre site in Victorias Laverton and is the second facility established by CARS24 for the Australian market. At full scale, it will refurbish up to 1,200 cars to a like-new standard, all of which will have passed a 300-point inspection. By controlling the entire process at the new MRL, CARS24 customers can be certain of guaranteed quality and a stress-free buying experience.

CARS24 invests no less than $2,000 in each car to maintain strict mechanical standards and improve its appearance while keeping prices as competitive as possible, making it different from average car dealers who invest around $500 in refurbishing a car before sale with a 30% profit margin. The MRL is a crucial part of CARS24's business model that prioritises providing value to consumers by making buying a used car as worthwhile and frictionless as possible.

CARS24 Australia CEO Olya Rudenko says, "The MRL concept fosters trust in our brand by ensuring high-quality cars, which are a non-negotiable part of our offering. Convenience is also vital, which is why we offer seven-day test drives delivered to your door, free of charge. If the car isn't right for you, you can return it, no questions asked. This convenience, combined with the experience factor, makes for an exceptional customer experience."
Q: Im trying to get my documents ready for getting my REAL ID and was told I have two more years before I have to have it. Is that true?  M.P.

Answer: Yes, it is true. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has changed the enforcement date of the REAL ID from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. The legislation approving the REAL ID was signed by President George W. Bush on May 11, 2005.

According to an Associated Press story earlier this month, the department said that the aftereffects of the COVID pandemic were to blame for this delay. Many people are getting the REAL ID as they renew their drivers license. Because of delays at license renewal offices, DHS said that people have not been able to get the ID.

Here are the requirements for getting a REAL ID:

The REAL ID came about after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Congress approved The REAL ID Act in May 2005. Its purpose is to set minimum standards for drivers licenses and IDs issued by states. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security drew up the requirements for the REAL ID.

A REAL ID will be required to get into U.S. government buildings or military installations and to board an airplane.

On May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration will begin enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints. Federal agencies will begin requiring REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs for admission to a variety of federal facilities, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

Having a REAL ID is voluntary. However, you will have to have additional documentation, other than your state-issued drivers license or ID card, to enter those places.

To get a REAL ID, you will need to go to an N.C. DMV office in person with a number of documents, including:

One document to prove your age and identity. That can include a certified birth certificate issued by a government agency, a valid U.S. passport or a valid drivers license from a state that complies with REAL ID requirements.

One document with your current legal name and Social Security number. That can include a Social Security card, 1099 or W-2 tax forms, a pay stub with your SSN on it, or proof that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.

Two documents that prove North Carolina residency. Those can include any document issued by the state of North Carolina, a county, city, or the federal government; a preprinted bank statement or financial statement; a pay stub; or a receipt for personal or real estate property taxes paid to a North Carolina county, city or town.

You can also use a utility or cable bill, mortgage statement, property or income tax statement, N.C. vehicle registration card or title, N.C. voter card, N.C. vehicle insurance policy, N.C. school records or a letter from a homeless shelter.

If your name has changed and does not match the name on your certified birth certificate, passport or other identifying information, you must provide a proof of name change. That can include certified marriage or divorce records or a certified document from the courts or register of deeds.

DMV also will accept an original international marriage license or a certified copy of an international marriage license (with a raised seal or ink stamp with initials of individual certifying the document) accompanied by a name change affidavit.
In 2013, I wrote 1963: The Year of Hope and Hostility. I argued that Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner Eugene Bull Connor, with his police dogs and fire hoses, became an unwitting ally to the civil rights effort in Birmingham. I felt similar witnessing the Tennessee state legislature expel two African American members, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, from its body.

Leading a protest from the House floor using a bullhorn days after a gunman killed six people, including three children, in a Nashville school could be cause for some action such as a censure. Expelling Jones and Pearson was absurd.

Expelling lawmakers is a rare move. It is usually reserved for gross misconduct, dereliction of office, or committing criminal malfeasances such as sexual impropriety and bribes. What made the expulsions even more controversial, Republicans voted to expel two Black representatives but not the third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson, a white woman who was also brought up for dishonoring the chamber.

Why did the actions of Jones and Pearson warrant expulsion? What did they do that was so egregious that robbing the roughly 140,000 they collectively represent of their democratic voices was the appropriate response? How are the actions of the Tennessee legislature not down the street from poll taxes, grandfather clauses and requiring Black voters to know the exact number of bubbles in a jar of soap?

Machiavelli warns in The Prince that once one goes to the limits of ones power, one no longer has that power because one can never go there again. Might this be the case with the Tennessee legislature?

No amount of nuance can change the fact there is a trail of breadcrumbs that lead from the Nashville statehouse to the dark days of the American narrative when disenfranchising people of color was the norm.

Jones and Pearson will return to the legislative body on an interim basis to fill their original seats. In addition to the needless taxpayer expense for a special election, as interim elected officials, will Jones and Pearson be granted committee assignments? If not, the remnants of the original absurdity linger, for they will be denied rights afforded every other member of the legislature, reducing their return to merely putting lipstick on the pig of disenfranchisement  a stark violation of the nations civic virtue.

Civic virtue represents the characteristics important for the success of society  the underpinning of being a citizen. In the United States liberty and equality, per the Declaration of Independence, are the pillars of civic virtue. The Constitution, therefore, reflects the nations attempt to codify civic virtue.

The expulsion of Jones and Pearson is the byproduct, in my view of white rage. A derivative of white supremacy, white rage is the response to maintain the status quo no matter how far afield in the present moment one may be from the nations civic virtue.

In spite of its inflammatory moniker, white rage does not necessarily equate to violence. It can appear in other forms.

Lynchings, church bombings, police dogs, fire hoses, and the Ku Klux Klan are violent tools of white rage, but voter suppression in its myriad forms and bank redlining, in addition to the expulsion of members of the legislative body, are examples of its genteel sibling.

Not only did the Tennessee legislature prove Machiavellis analysis correct, but they also demonstrate what can happen when one is led by reactionary arrogance. Protected by the echo chamber of their supermajority, they were unable to consider the unintended consequences. The robust confidence displayed by expelling Jones and Pearson does not mask this as an act of weakness.

Just as footage of Bull Connors infamous police dogs and water hoses were carried around the world, so too was this undemocratic behavior. Fair or unfair, this episode became emblematic of American democracy. Was it not less than a month ago that the Biden administration was holding its second annual Democracy Summit?

The irony is palpable. The administration extolled the virtues of democracy, largely to countries of color, while duly elected representatives of color in America are summarily expelled from office. The Tennessee legislature unwittingly follows the legacy of Bull Connor, et al., by adding their names to the inglorious list as an international embarrassment. Just because you can doesnt mean you should.
The peculiar institution of gun worship in the United States rages on, unabated by one heartrending tragedy after another.

And so does the National Rifle Association, whose annual convention will go on as scheduled Friday in Indianapolis, come hell or high water.

Just as it went on in Houston last year, in the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Never mind the most recent mass shootings in Nashville and Louisville. Presidential hopefuls will show up in force anyway to bend knees to the gospel of more guns and fewer rules. If anyone does otherwise, stop the presses. It will be front-page news.

As for the gun violence epidemic, they may mention mental health, arming teachers and hardening schools, but little if anything about the tools of destruction that make it easy to kill so many so quickly in the first place.

As some Americans seem determined to whisk us back in time to Dodge City, circa 1878, sometimes it feels as if nothing could force an overdue reckoning with reality.

Could more facts be helpful?

Sue Sturgis of the Institute for Southern Studies last week provided a good primer with some numbers worth considering:

In Tennessee, where six people were shot to death at The Covenant School on March 27, an average of 1,385 people are fatally shot each year.

The Nashville shooter was able to fire 152 rounds of ammunition from an AR-15-style rifle, a 9 mm Kel-Tec SUB2000 pistol caliber carbine and a 9 mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 2.0 handgun before being killed by police.

One day after the shooting, the Tennessee Senate scheduled a hearing for a bill that would expand the states permitless-carry law to 18- and 19-year-olds and to all firearms, including semiautomatic rifles.

Two days after the Nashville shooting North Carolina lawmakers overrode the governors veto of a law repealing the states handgun-permit requirement.

Also two days after the shooting, the Tennessee Senate judiciary chair announced that no new gun bills would be considered this session. This included a bill that would have required secure storage of guns in cars and on boats.

Three days after the shooting, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis staged an event at an 80,000-square-foot Georgia gun store, where he said little about gun violence but did address the looming threat of wokeness.

Seven days after the shooting DeSantis signed a law that allows citizens to carry concealed firearms without training or a permit.

Ten days after the shooting Arkansas lawmakers passed a bill ending concealed-handgun permits.

As of April 3, the majority of states (26) now allow the carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit.

In the first 100 days of this year, there had been 155 mass shootings in the U.S. (According to the National Gun Violence Archive, the number of children killed in those incidents, age 11 and younger, is 75; the number of teens ages 12 to 17, 428.

Of the last 25 mass shootings, 12 have been in South.

Black adults in the U.S. are twice as likely to have a family member shot and killed than white adults.

Among the 21 states that have looser gun laws than Tennessees, six are in the South (Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas and Mississippi).

The NRA and the gun lobby have invested $28.4 million in political spending over the last 10 years, with most of it going to Republicans. (During the 2020 election, the NRAs political action committee spent more than $25,000 in North Carolina, according to the state Board of Elections, including the maximum amount allowed, $5,400, to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger).

That said, there still are glimmers of hope.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, signed an executive order last week that strengthened background checks. Lee, whose wife lost a friend in the Nashville shooting, also called for more action by the legislature.

To see him change his views on it  frankly, I do have hope that perhaps were reaching a tipping point, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, who is unaffiliated, told The New York Times last week. People have just had enough.While it seems unrealistic to expect gun-rights advocates to change their minds, common ground on safety, training, storage and red-flag laws seems possible.

Even among the somber numbers in Sturgis litany of mostly troubling signs are these two:

The percentage of Americans who are dissatisfied with current U.S. gun laws: 63, according to Gallup  the highest in 23 years. A majority of Americans continue to support stricter laws covering the sale of firearms, the Gallup report concluded, though by a slim margin Republicans favor things as they are.

And, one week after The Covenant School shooting, the number of Nashville-area students who walked out of class, marched to the state Capitol and demanded change: more than 1,000.

More Americans than not want an end to this madness. When will the Republican Party listen?
The 155th Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard has been selected to house a training flight simulator at the Guard base in Lincoln.

The USAF KC-135 Operational Flight Training device will provide significant training opportunities, Col. John Williams said.

"The full motion KC-135 simulator provides incredibly realistic training experiences to pilots in nearly every imaginable condition," said Williams, commander of the 155th Air Refueling Wing.

The simulator is capable of recreating realistic missions while providing training for any emergency situation pilots may face while in an aircraft. Electrical problems, engine failure and loss of pressurization are just a few.

The last time Williams used it, the technician running the simulator asked where he wanted to fly, and he chose Lincoln.

"The visuals were fantastic, all the buildings you see on our base were represented," Williams said. "It felt like I was back in Lincoln."

Convenience is another benefit of the new simulator.

Currently, there are four of these devices, spread among 18 wings. If Williams wanted to use one of these simulators today, he would have to fly to Milwaukee.

Williams said he makes the trip twice a year, traveling two days and using the simulator for two days each time. With a simulator in Lincoln, the opportunities seem endless.

"Having it here, I will be able to get in that device every day that I want to," Williams said.

Plus, his newest aviators can jump in "The Box," as they call it, whenever they're having trouble.

"They can do that 365 days instead of waiting for those one or two opportunities a year."

One of the strong selling points for a simulator coming to Lincoln was centrality. Two other bases, the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, and the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, Kansas, will both be within a three-hour drive of the simulator.

The simulator is ready, but a final decision on what building it will reside hasn't been made. Williams said the Air Guard could use a reconditioned building that was formerly considered for a simulator in the past.

Since the simulator is also considered a new mission, they could use military construction money to build a new facility for it as well.

The simulator will also create up to eight jobs locally, with government contractors needed to run the simulator and perform maintenance.

"We have an outstanding campus here. This is really going to make our outstanding facilities that much better," he said.

Photos: Offutt runway opens after 18-month reconstruction
A motorist who died near Valparaiso after crashing into a cow and careening off the roadway and striking a tree has been identified as a Lincoln man, Saunders County Sheriff's Office announced in a press release Saturday.

Terel Johnson, 48, crashed into the cow sometime before 5:15 a.m. Friday, while driving north on Nebraska 79 between County Roads E and F, about 3 miles north of Valparaiso, Sheriff Chris Lichtenberg said in a news release.

His 2006 Buick Rendezvous left the roadway and then crashed into a tree.

A passerby called authorities at 5:14 a.m. Johnson, who was alone in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lichtenberg asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the sheriff's office at 402-443-1000.

It's unclear if the cow survived the collision.

Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers
Judy Anderson calls herself a late bloomer -- someone who arrived late to the community theater party but has no intention of leaving until she's shown the door.

Conversely, Anderson, who recently retired from full-time work as an editor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln communications department after 38 years, has no intention of giving up the stage anytime soon.

"Music is my creative release," said the septuagenarian who is a grandmother to five and great-grandmother to three.

She'll sing two songs, including the title song, in the local production of "The World Goes Round," which opens Thursday and runs through May 7 at the TADA Theatre, 701 P St.

"The World Goes Round" is a celebration of the songbook of John Kander and Fred Ebb, something that took a while to resonate with Anderson when she did the same show at the Brownville Village Theatre in 2002.

"I was like, 'Whos Kander and Ebb and why should I care?'" she remembered. "And then someone told me they did those little shows called 'Chicago' and "Cabaret' and 'New York, New York.'

"I was like, 'oh those guys.'"

Two decades later, Anderson has developed a deep appreciation for the legendary songwriters.

"I love their music. It is so singable. Its so enjoyable to listen to. Its got a lot of feeling you can put into it, a lot of comedy. Its just amazing music and I love doing it."

Ebb has died, but Kander, now 96, is currently teaming with Lin-Manuel Miranda on a remake of "New York, New York," a much anticipated production that has landed Kander on the late-night television circuit.

For Anderson, community theater was something she discovered 25 years ago when one of her sisters told her she had tried out for a show in Chicago.

"That's how I got into it," she said. "It was jealousy. When I found out that my younger sister was doing musical theater. ... We all sang as children. I just tried to keep up. They were all better than me. I tried to play alto to their sopranos."

Since making her debut in 1998, she has been in a number of productions from Omaha to Beatrice to Lincoln.

Coincidence or not, she found herself playing the part of nuns in more than a handful of productions -- a typecast she never intended, but there's no denying she fits the role with her matronly wisdom.

Call it a hard habit to break.

"I've played Mother Superior in so many different shows," she said. "There have been a lot of nunsense shows, 'The Sound of Music' and 'Sister Act' a couple of times. I guess I am kind of known for being a nun."

And to others, she is known for simply having the voice of an angel.

"She is one of the actresses I have directed the longest in my career," said Bob Rook, TADA's artistic director. "She has a great body of work."

When she wasn't singing, Anderson quietly went about editing many of the publications and media releases written by UNL's communications department.

In addition, a little known fact is that it was Anderson who puts together the university's commencement programs three times each year, a job she continues to do on a free-lance basis in her retirement.

It still falls to her because it takes someone with great organizational skills and an eye for the sometimes tedious nature of editing.

Consider that in the next week, the registrar's office will dump the names of 4,000 graduates on her lap. She get them formatted correctly by name, hometown and academic major and then shell begin pasting them into what will become the program that will be widely distributed throughout the May 19 commencement ceremony.

Once the names are pasted into the program, that's when the editing kicks in. Each graduate is checked and double-checked to make sure all the information is correct.

When that's complete, she'll add in the scholarships and distinctions some of the graduates have earned.

"Ive been doing it for 25 or 30 years, so it goes pretty smoothly now," she said.

That attention to detail is needed in most professions and pastimes -- the stage included -- but it is the antithesis of the creativity you might associate with anything as art-driven as musical theater.

It makes Anderson and her journey to the theater something of a head-scratcher.

"I am basically one of those performers thats an introvert," she said. "Its a whole different persona on stage. This is my outlet."

Photos: The cast of 'The Addams Family' prepares to perform at Pinewood Bowl Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13 Addams Family at Pinewood Bowl, 7.13
LOS ANGELES  Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday urged Americans to take action during "a critical point in our nation's history" as thousands of protesters demonstrated across the country against new limits to abortion rights making their way through the courts.

Saturday's nationwide rallies were sparked by the U.S. Supreme Court's actions the day before, when the high court intervened to delay rule changes that would have limited the way the abortion drug mifepristone could be used and dispensed. The limits were paused while the court reviews the case more thoroughly.

Harris made a surprise stop in Los Angeles at one of the rallies, where she called the latest upheaval over abortion rights a further incursion by conservatives into myriad "fundamental rights" many Americans thought they had.

"And so this is a moment that history will show required each of us  based on our collective love of our country  to stand up, and fight for, and protect our ideals. That's what this moment is," she said Saturday, speaking to several hundred demonstrators from the steps of City Hall. "When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America."

Some protesters voiced their anger at the steps of the nation's high court, which took Friday's action at the request of the federal Justice Department. The agency asked the high court to lift restrictions on mifepristone imposed by an appellate court in Texas earlier in the week. The decision by the appellate court reduced the window of time when the drug could be used and prevented the drug from being dispensed by mail.

Critics of the Texas and appellate court decisions, including pharmaceutical companies, viewed the courts' actions as a dangerous intrusion into the authority of the FDA, which regulates how medications are sold and used in the United States.

Demonstrators in New York City stood behind a sign with a four-letter expletive directed at Texas, where a federal judge set off the latest salvo in the battle over abortion. They also held signs urging the government to defend medication abortions.

But the crowd was modest, attracting a little more than 100 people outside the picturesque public library along Fifth Avenue.

Still, they attracted looks from passersby along the busy thoroughfare, some briefly joining the group to lend their voices.

"It can be hard to get people out, because people are being bombarded with all kinds of assaults on their bodies and people are tired and poor," said Viva Ruiz, who said she helped organize the rally.

"The news cycle is so fast that when one thing happens something terrible happens the next day. So it's hard to sustain the momentum or the energy for people to be on the streets," Ruiz said.

With few exceptions, many of the rallies  organized under the banner of a group calling itself "Bigger than Roe"  were held in smaller cities.

Since last year's reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized the right to an abortion, more than a dozen states effectively outlawed abortion, while others moved to further tighten abortion laws.

Restrictions on the delivery and use of mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen to end a pregnancy, would be a further blow to abortion rights advocates. The other drug, misoprostol, can be used on its own, but doing so is less effective than using both drugs in combination.

When mifepristone was initially approved, the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug, misoprostol, and the third to address any complications.

If the appeals court's action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed.

States that support abortion rights, including California and New York, began stockpiling misoprostol to assure their states have adequate supplies. Washington state is among those stockpiling a supply of mifepristone or its generic form. And Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the administration is dedicating $1 million to help providers contracted with the Department of Public Health buy additional quantities of mifepristone.

More than 5.6 million women in the U.S. used mifepristone as of June 2022, according to the FDA. In that period, the agency received 4,200 reports of complications in women  less than one-tenth of 1% of women who took the drug.

Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries The evolution of abortion in America Pre-1850: Abortions in early America are commonplace Mid-1800s: Birth of the American Medical Association shifts abortion oversight from midwives to doctors; abortion is criminalized 1960s: 'Back-alley butchers,' birth control, and protests 1970s: Roe v. Wade protects women's right to abortion; politics shift 1980s-2000s: Legal challenges to Roe v. Wade introduce restrictions 2020s: Roe v. Wade is overturned; Postal Service allowed to mail abortion medication
Several years of below-average precipitation and an increased demand for irrigation to maintain crop yields have reduced groundwater levels across most of Nebraska, according to a recent report by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers.

About three-fourths of the states 4,787 observation wells experienced a decline in groundwater levels from spring 2021 to spring 2022, according to the report from the UNL School of Natural Resources Conservation and Survey Division.

Aaron Young, a survey geologist with the natural resources school, said groundwater levels can fluctuate fairly significantly depending on precipitation amounts and how much pumping irrigators have to do.

The less precipitation we get, the less water is available to recharge the aquifer (and) the more water we need to pull out to irrigate crops, he said.

In a really wet year like 2019, by contrast, groundwater levels typically rebound, he said.

Precipitation has been short in the state for the past two reporting periods. Some 96% of weather reporting stations in Nebraska had below-average precipitation during the 2020-21 reporting period and 68% reported levels below the 30-year average during the 2021-22 time frame.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week designated 55 of the states 93 counties as primary natural disaster areas because of the ongoing drought, making farmers and ranchers eligible for federal assistance, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. An additional 27 counties were designated because of their proximity to the original 55 counties.

Drought conditions have eased somewhat in Nebraska since the start of the year, but 98% of the state remains in some level of drought, with more than three-fourths in severe drought or worse. Nearly one-third are in extreme drought or worse.

Young said the groundwater declines could cause problems for agricultural producers in the short-term. The combination of below-average precipitation and the need for increased pumping resulted in some significant declines in groundwater levels last year  more than 10 feet in some areas.

He noted, however, that the universitys annual groundwater reports dont paint a full picture of groundwater supplies in Nebraska.

In the long-term, Young said hes not overly concerned about recent declines because Nebraska has a lot of groundwater.

Nebraska is one of eight states that share the High Plains Aquifer, covering about one-third of it. But that one-third accounts for about 70% of the aquifers water volume. The state has a lot more water to draw from than areas like western Kansas and northern Texas, where depletion has been severe.

Many western Kansas farmers, according to a High Plains Public Radio report, have voluntarily cut back on how much they irrigate their crops. Others have been forced to adapt as their wells have run dry.

In Nebraska, changes in groundwater levels since irrigation began have varied greatly, ranging from increases of more than 120 feet to declines of about 130 feet. For most of the state, the net change in groundwater levels since before development began has been less than 20 feet.

Parts of Chase, Perkins, Dundy and Box Butte counties in southwest Nebraska have experienced significant and sustained declines in groundwater levels, according to the report. Irrigation wells are particularly dense in those counties, annual precipitation is low and there is little or no surface water to recharge groundwater.

But the recent declines could have an impact on irrigators in the near-term. Most natural resources districts have management systems in place that trigger lower pumping allocations if declines reach pre-determined levels, Young said. The NRDs will be making those decisions in the coming weeks.

The hope is that more rain in the coming weeks and months, combined with some of this winters snow, will prevent some of those allocation triggers from going into effect, he said.

But the researchers are seeing additional declines in groundwater levels in eastern Nebraska this spring as they gather data for next years report.

If we have another year of drought, this could be a significant issue come this time next year, he said.

Managers of the Lower Big Blue NRD in southeast Nebraska will watch groundwater levels particularly closely this spring. The NRDs board in December placed a 180-day moratorium on drilling new high-capacity wells, the type typically used for irrigation.

Tyler Weishahn, the NRDs assistant manager, said officials sought to use a stay during the off-season to limit development. The NRD issued a similar stay and revised its rules, including its well-permitting process, in 2013 after the drought year of 2012.

While the NRD has just under 2,500 active irrigation wells, on the low-end of the scale, it also has a spottier aquifer. Managers are in the process of taking spring readings from monitoring wells. The board will review them and determine next steps. The moratorium otherwise runs out June 6.

Photos: Platte River mostly dry near Columbus, Nebraska
Some Nebraskans with Parkinson's disease will be able to receive speech therapy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha at no-cost thanks to a grant from a Texas nonprofit.

UNO and 15 other universities around the country are receiving a grant from Parkinson Voice Project, a Texas clinic that helps people with Parkinson's disease regain and retain their speech and ability to swallow.

UNO's Speech-Language Clinic will receive more than $280,000 in training, services, supplies and equipment over five years. It will be Nebraska's only Speak Out Therapy and Research Center.

Speak Out is a speech therapy protocol that can minimize the risk of life-threatening swallowing complications, according to Samantha Elandary, founder and CEO of Parkinson Voice Project.

According to UNO, Speak Out consists of 12 individual speech therapy sessions between a client and UNO student clinician, who work together on a series of speech, voice and cognitive exercises. Clients then move to the Loud Crowd, a weekly small group program to help maintain the strength of their voices.

Elandary said people often associate Parkinson's disease with tremors or slow movements, but 90% of people with the disease struggle with speech and swallowing.

"If left untreated, these patients could live the last five to 10 years of their lives unable to speak and communicate with their families and their friends," Elandary said.

The muscles that are used for speaking are also used for chewing food and swallowing safely, she said.

Our main goal is to give hope for every person in Nebraska who has or will receive a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease that at UNO, they will have access to this Speak Out training," said Lucia Scheffel, a special education and communications disorders assistant professor at UNO. "We are building a support system to help those patients with Parkinsons disease to regain and maintain their speech skills.

Scheffel also serves as the clinical lead for the Speak Out Therapy and Research Center at UNO.

The clinic at UNO will specialize in online treatment and provide that therapy to Nebraskans diagnosed with Parkinson's or a related movement disorder at no cost. The hope is to see at least 20 patients per semester, Scheffel said.

Graduate students in UNO's program will receive the training and have the opportunity to see at least one patient with Parkinson's disease, Scheffel said.

Midwestern states, like Nebraska, have a high prevalence of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition, perhaps because of agricultural pesticides.

Specifically, agricultural areas have the highest rates of Parkinson's disease in Nebraska, Scheffel said. Reaching patients in those parts of the state can be difficult, but by offering the speech therapy online, Scheffel said she hopes the geographical barriers can be eliminated.

Elandary said the pandemic prompted Parkinson Voice Project to move its services online and found that patients actually did better when receiving services that way.

"Many barriers that previously prevented patients from receiving speech treatment were immediately eliminated," she said. "Patients who were homebound, lived in rural areas, or had transportation challenges could now receive treatment."

More information about the UNO Speech-Language Clinic can found online or by calling 402-554-2201.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2023
From the beginning politics has always been a contact sport with competing interests attempting to achieve power over each other. A friend recently said to me he has never seen it so bad as it is today.

The friend appears to be in his 50s, so he missed the divisions caused by the Vietnam War, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., the racial riots of the 60s and 70s and he may have not studied divisions that led to the Civil War.

Those of us longing for a more civil approach than todays political warfare should watch a speech given by Ronald Reagan at a dinner at Boston College honoring then-Speaker of the House Thomas Tip ONeill. It was March 17, 1986, St. Patricks Day.

Reagan invoked his and ONeills Irish ancestry, but he did more than that. Reagan spoke of a man he respected and even admired in spite of their political differences. As has been frequently noted, they often worked out those differences over drinks at the White House.

Reagan began his remarks as usual with a joke: Ive always known that Tip was behind me, even if it was only at the State of the Union Address. As I made each proposal, I could hear Tip whispering to (Vice President) George Bush no way, forget it, fat chance. (loud laughter and applause)

There is a kindness in Reagan on display at the event, even when he was kidding and especially when he kidded ONeill.

Reagan used self-deprecating humor about his age as he did to great success in his 1984 debate with Walter Mondale: (Tip) said since it was March 17 it was only fitting that someone drop by who had actually known St. Patrick.

Noting the two had been kidding each other for some time, Reagan said he hoped that would continue for years to come. Then he said something unheard of in todays political discourse: A little kidding is after all a sign of affection, the sort of thing that friends do to each other. And, Mr. Speaker, Im grateful you have permitted me in the past, and I hope in the future, that singular honor, the honor of calling you my friend.

Can anyone hear Donald Trump or any other candidate for or in public office saying things like that in 2023?

Reagan went on to make an important point that seems to have been lost between then and now: I think the fact of our friendship is testimony to the political system were part of and the country we live in, a country that permits two not so shy and not so retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues, rather than have it out on each other, or their countrymen.

Reagan said he saluted ONeill for his years of dedication and devotion to the country. He said he had been a vital and forceful part of Americas political tradition, a tradition that he has truly enriched.

If you are a Republican, you might read these words, watch the entire address and think thats all well and good, but have you ever heard a modern Democrat say anything comparable about a Republican, except perhaps at their funeral?

Thats not the point. Kindness and praise for ones political opponent can affect others, especially voters. As Abraham Lincoln said about the South: We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

Is anyone listening?
It must be more than a little embarrassing for a Supreme Court justice to lament that he took some bad legal advice.

But the embarrassment will be worth it for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas if it helps him to get out from under the bigger embarrassments reported by the investigative news service ProPublica.

Im referring to his failure to report more than two decades and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of luxury trips around the world on the sort of superyacht and private jets lifestyle that I usually associate with the Roy family on HBOs Succession.

The largesse came courtesy of Harlan Crow, a Dallas billionaire and longtime friend of Thomas and his wife. The core of the controversy is not so much that Justice Thomas received the gifts but that he did not disclose receiving them.

For example, Thomas did disclose a 2015 gift from Crow  a bronze bust of abolitionist Frederick Douglass valued at $6,484, ProPublicas report said. But his reports dont mention the vacations and other travel on Crows plane.

On April 7, more than 24 hours after ProPublicas report, Thomas responded in a statement that he and his wife, Virginia Ginni Thomas, were among the dearest friends of Harlan and Kathy Crow, and, as friends do, had joined the Crows on family trips for more than 25 years.

He also pleaded innocent to any suspicions that he was trying to slip past ethics rules. Since his early days on the court, Thomas statement said, he was advised by colleagues and others in the judiciary that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable.

Well, that may sound lovely, as far as the Thomases and Crows are concerned but, in todays fashionable parlance, its not a good look.

In that vein, ProPublica couldnt help but compare Thomas luxurious vacationing among the rich and famous with the modest RV park reglar-guy version he describes in a documentary financed partly by Crow.

I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. Theres something normal to me about it, ProPublica quoted Thomas as saying. I come from regular stock, and I prefer that  I prefer being around that.

Well, I dont think anyone should begrudge Thomas enjoyment of an old friends generosity, as long as he discloses it. That way, in keeping with our nations democratic principles of governance and accountability, we all get a chance to be the judge,

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said his panel will act based on the ProPublica report, although he did not specify what steps they would take.

We probably have a clue in another bill, the Supreme Court Ethics Act, that was introduced earlier this year to close what Durbin called the inexcusable Supreme Court loophole in federal judicial ethics rules.

The highest court in the land shouldnt have the lowest ethical standards, Durbin said.

He makes a good point. In fact, a federal statute already governs gifts to judges. But, perhaps because it was produced by arguing lawyers, its wording is open to interpretation and the justices have questioned whether it can be constitutionally applied to them.

To end that confusion and clarify the value of ethical conduct, the proposed Supreme Court Ethics Act calls for a code of conduct for the Supreme Court and a mechanism for the public to report potentially unethical conduct by justices.

Judges below the Supreme Court are instructed to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Thats an excellent standard that should be fundamental to all of the Supreme Courts business.

None of the justices should feel insulted or inconvenienced by the need to protect their own integrity  on which rests the rule of law itself.

Despite his reputation for abundant silence on the bench, Justice Thomas has spoken wisely and at length in other forums about the importance of honesty, integrity and the danger of victimhood mentalities and entitlement attitudes.

Whether his failure to file all of his disclosure statements resulted from bad legal advice or not, he is hardly the only person who needs to have a code of ethics to help end that confusion.

The public needs it too. The demands of self-government call on all citizens to appreciate sound standards of ethical conduct  and then do our best to live by them.
One younger City Council candidate told editorial board members that he is often in meetings and forums where baby boomers and Generation Xers expound on what members of Generation Z are thinking about social and political issues and why they choose where to live and work.

And, not surprisingly, most of the time, he said, those olds dont really know what young people are thinking and often are folding what they believe about the 25-and-under generation into their own political agendas.

Thats precisely the case in the Nebraska Legislature this session, where Sen. LouAnn Linehan and other proponents have cited the necessity of cutting income tax rates in order to keep and attract young people to the state.

In fact, taxes are, at best, a primary factor for about 10% of the young people who leave Nebraska, a number derived from a survey conducted by the University of Nebraska at Omahas Center for Public Affairs Research.

The centers director, Josie Schafer, drawing on a U.S. Census and Labor Bureau survey, says a new job or job transfer is the overwhelming response" to why young people leave the state.

That would imply that job creation and economic development, not tax rate cuts, should be the states priorities to stop the brain drain, both from Nebraska as a whole and from rural areas of the state where young people leave for college and never return after getting the degrees that will be needed for some 65% of jobs by 2030.

The UNO survey of 500 young Nebraskans who have left the state found 47% ranked the values or culture of a new community as a very important factor in their decisions about where to live.

The culture wars dominating the Legislature and framed largely by Republican-led bills, will, inadvertently, undo any good tax cuts might yield in terms of keeping young people in Nebraska.

National surveys indicate that those under 25 overwhelming support abortion rights, oppose the anti-trans efforts and want to ban assault weapons and enact sensible gun control measures, like universal background checks and red flag laws.

The Legislature is now considering an abortion ban and bills that restrict care for transgender youth and allow permitless concealed carry of firearms, the opposite of gun control.

By its June adjournment, the Legislature may not have approved any of those bills that have consumed debate for the bulk of the session.

But simply by bringing them up and making them the focus of attention, many lawmakers are both pushing young people out of the state and making Nebraska less attractive to those who might be considering moving here.
1873: Snowdrifts up to 30 feet high blocked railroads and weighed down telegraph lines in one of the worst spring storms ever to engulf Nebraska. At least six deaths were directly attributed to the storm.

1883: Lincolns first sidewalk, a boardwalk, was torn up for repairs.

Don Cameron received a carload of oranges for sale in Lincoln, the first California produce to arrive in the city.

1893: A violent windstorm with gusts up to 72 mph whipped across the state. Trains traveling into the storm sometimes ran out of coal and water fighting for headway.

Western Normal College celebrated the first anniversary of its groundbreaking.

1903: A tornado near Chester reportedly carried a woman 300 yards before setting her down.

Omaha businessmen organized against union labor and issued a declaration on their position.

1913: After deliberating for a day, the city canvassing board decided to recount the primary vote.

1923: Nebraska cattle industry and Board of Agriculture spokesmen labeled Gov. Charles Bryan as ignorant or a falsifier for vetoing a $50,000 restoration to bovine tuberculosis eradication funds.

1933: The Rev. B.F. Wyland of First-Plymouth Congregational Church and the Rev. Ray E. Hunt of First Christian Church attacked a bill legalizing 3.2 beer in Nebraska.

1943: Red Cross emergency flood relief headquarters in Omaha provided war-rationed fuel to the Omaha Boat Club as it prepared to evacuate families endangered by the Missouri River.

1953: Winds up to 90 mph blew over Nebraska. In Lincoln, gusts reached 75 mph, blowing out store windows and grounding an airliner at Municipal Airport.

1963: Lt. Ronald C. Babcock of North Loup and Machinist Mate 2nd Class Richard J. Carkoski of Grand Island were on board the USS Thresher, lost in the Atlantic. The nuclear-powered Navy submarine dived off the coast east of Boston with 129 men aboard and did not surface.

1973: Gov. Jim Exon told the Legislature that if it would pass his operational budget proposals and no other budgetary bills, the state sales and income taxes could be sharply reduced. Lawmakers passed the budget 33-15.

1983: A Paramount Pictures film crew arrived in Lincoln to begin filming the movie Terms of Endearment.

The Lincoln Mall, which stretches along J Street from the County-City Building to the Capitol, was dedicated. The ceremony also honored Lincoln landscape architect Larry Enersen.

1993: First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Lincoln. She gave a speech at the Lied Center for Performing Arts about the growing need for better health care.

2003: Kawasaki's new $64 million contract to build 28 rail cars for Boston's Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority meant more production activity at the company's Lincoln plant. The contract, as announced by Kawasaki, called for assembly work on the double-decker cars to begin in January.
STURTEVANT  The couple only had 17 boxes when they arrived in South America.

Those boxes contained all of the belongings of Matt Geiger and his wife. When they landed in the Lima, Peru, airport in the middle of the night, they were unsure how to transport their possessions to a mountain town hundreds of miles north in a country where they did not speak the language.

It was an inauspicious beginning, but eventually they and their possessions reached the destination, and Geiger started his new life teaching in Peru.

That was the beginning of a journey that ended last year after Geiger spent nearly a decade teaching in Latin America.

Geiger, who is now the principal at Schulte Elementary, enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. He called those nine years a rich, rich, amazing experience.

Those experiences broadened Geigers cultural horizons, and he is trying to share them with students.

Thats definitely part of what I try to bring to our school, is to open kids eyes to that part of the world and that culture, Geiger said.

It is not Geigers first time working at Schulte, 8515 Westminster Drive. He taught there for a few years in the 1990s, but it was a circuitous route to return.

Time in Latin America

Geiger and his wife have always loved to travel. They often went on trips outside the U.S. and eventually decided to move and work abroad.

Learning about the different cultures, putting myself in positions where Im not comfortable  I enjoy that, Geiger said. The vulnerability of it all is exciting.

That vulnerability included not knowing any Spanish before going to Peru, but Geiger learned the language over time. He is proficient but not fluent and sometimes converses in Spanish with Schulte staff and students to stay sharp.

Their time abroad started in 2013. Geiger was principal of a K-12 school in the Andes Mountains of Peru, and many students were children of miners who worked nearby at one of the worlds largest mines.

After two years in Peru, Geiger took a job in the Galapagos Islands leading a K-12 school. The remote islands are part of Ecuador but are more than 500 miles west of the country.

The island they lived on had stunning natural beauty, but Geiger said it was not particularly enjoyable because of the stifling heat and lack of modern amenities like air conditioning and high-speed internet.

The island was not my cup of tea, Geiger said. It would be really nice to vacation there for two weeks, but two years was too long.

After two years in the Galapagos, they spent a year in Mexico City, where Geiger was principal at an elementary school.

The couple returned to Wisconsin for eight months to deal with family issues, then moved to Honduras in fall 2019 when Geiger took an assistant superintendent job at a school for middle-schoolers and high-schoolers.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in spring 2020, Geiger was in a government-enforced lockdown. He said Honduras had very few ventilators, so precautions were much stricter.

All of us were petrified of ending up in a hospital with no ventilator and dying, Geiger said.

There was about a year and a half of virtual schooling because of the pandemic, which was just as awful there as it was for anybody here (in the U.S.), Geiger said.

Besides the challenges caused by the pandemic, Geiger and his wife lived in four countries because it was so fun, he said. We were learning so much. I never intended to stay in Latin America, but Im really glad I did because I was really fully able to take in the cultures, see the differences in culture of the different countries in Latin America and see the similarities. We absolutely loved it.

The experiences were largely positive, though occasionally treacherous.

According to Geiger, he and a group of people were hiking in a mountain in Peru and did not realize they were on private land. When the group reached the top of the peak, landowners and armed vigilante guards met them, so the group quickly retreated.

That scared the hell out of us, Geiger said.

Returning home

After nearly three years in Honduras, Geiger, who grew up in Milwaukee, returned to southeast Wisconsin last summer when his mother started having health challenges.

Geiger ended up at Schulte after a fortuitous conversation with Doug Clum around Christmas 2021. Clum and Geiger have been friends for over 20 years, starting in the late 1990s when they worked together at Starbuck Middle School.

Geiger was back in the U.S. for the holidays, and during dinner, someone mentioned the Schulte opening. Clum saw Geigers eyes light up when he heard that.

Im glad hes back, and so is Schulte, said Clum, who is now the Racine Unified fine arts coordinator.

Geiger previously worked at Racine Unified for 15 years in the 1990s and 2000s. He taught special education at Mitchell and Schulte schools, then was assistant principal at Starbuck and principal at West Ridge Elementary.

He thought the transition back to American education would be relatively seamless, but it has been tougher than anticipated.

Coming back was a super welcoming experience, but a lot of things have changed, Geiger said. I got used to serving a different population (abroad), and now I have to get used to serving a different population yet again. All of that has been a learning curve, and a fairly steep learning curve, steeper than I thought it was going to be.

Geiger is working to incorporate project-based learning, which was often taught in other countries, at Schulte. Through his international connections, he may also set up pen pals or E-sports competitions between students at RUSD and other countries.

Photos of Geigers time in Latin America are displayed in his office, and he is trying to share his cultural understanding at Schulte, where 24.2% of students in 2021-22 were Latino.

What Im trying to do is bring our Hispanic population a sense of, You belong here. I was in your community and you welcomed me with open arms, Geiger said. I really feel like we need to welcome our Hispanic population with open arms, because they have a beautiful culture that I dont think the typical American is really aware of.

Geiger had numerous experiences and learned about many cultures, yet Clum said his commitment to education remains the same. Clum called Geiger an intelligent, logical thinker who cares about students.

Hes an excellent principal, and he always has been, Clum said.

Future plans

Geiger intends to live in southeast Wisconsin until retiring. He and his wife then plan to live abroad most of the year but have a base in Milwaukee, where they will likely reside during summers.

He wants to return to Mexico City, which was his favorite place to live, and venture to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Travel is something thats in my blood, Geiger said. I just love going and experiencing new things, new languages, new cultures and foods and people and art.

The start of the journey at the Lima airport was uncertain, but Geiger embraced the unknown, learned a lot and has brought back that knowledge to Racine Unified.

Gallery: Soccer's most memorable World Cup moments
April is Arab American Heritage Month.

On April 30, 2019, at the request of Arab American organizations, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell issued a congressional resolution proclaiming Arab American Heritage Month. Syrian-born entrepreneur and advocate Pierre Subeh, the proclamations author, successfully lobbied the U.S. government to recognize Arab Americans. On April 1, 2021, the proclamation was officially published by the U.S. State Department.

Celebrating Middle Eastern heritage matters, countering post-9/11 anti-Arab sentiments and promoting inclusion within the American mosaic.

Since 9/11, there has been a mixed message to Arab and Muslim Americans, offering discerned and sympathetic portrayals of Arab Americans, but also fear and mistrust. Portrayals identify with victims of Arab-world sexism and nurture social cohesion against perceived enemies. However, increased hate crimes, travel bans, vandalism and violence at mosques and community centers, workplace discrimination and bias incidents dramatically increased, up 1,600 percent from 2000 to 2001.

Arab American Heritage Month calls for Arab/Muslim representation to promote racial and ethnic equity; it also calls for a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the complex incorporation of Arab Americans into the American narrative.

Arab Americans have diverse origins, coming from 22 West Asian and North African countries, diverse in language, religion, and physical attributes. From the 1880s-1920s many poor, working-class Lebanese and Syrians landed on these shores. According to the Arab American Institute, about 65% of Arab Americans are Christian, overall comprising 1-2% of the U.S. population. Between one-quarter and one-third identify as Muslim, an increased share since 1970.

Lighter-skinned Middle Eastern immigrants have integrated more quickly than those who are darker-skinned. Some self-identified white Arabs/Muslims distance themselves from Arab American, a stigmatizing term implying racial difference. A legal ruling in 1944 defined persons of Middle East/North Africa (MENA) ancestry White by law. The U.S. census defines White as persons having origins in the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

People of MENA descent who identify as white are excluded from the mainstream due to perceived religious differences, non-Anglo names, and Arabic language, labeled identities as new immigrants with uncertain loyalty to this country. Designated legal whiteness fuels identity crises for younger MENA generations. Arab Americans also challenge conceptions of whiteness.

Historically, in the U.S., White refers to White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs). Across ethnic, educational, and class boundaries, Arab Americans are regarded as less American, as outsiders. MENA persons are legally considered White but are culturally defined more by ethnicity and national origins than legal or racial categories. Moreover, Arab Americans face challenges to acceptance and equal treatment as targets of exclusion and discrimination.

Given post-9/11 fears about public safety, racial profiling and daily microaggressions jeopardize their civil rights. The 14th Amendment guarantees equal legal protection. Social realities of unequal treatment contradict this vision.

Langston Hughes poem about dreams delayed being dreams denied applies to Arab American experience as strangers in a strange land, not fully accepted. W.E.B. Dubois noted dual consciousness felt by designated outsiders, seeing themselves through the lenses of the established classes. Arab Americans have one foot in, one out, of the U.S. mainstream.

To counter demeaning and fearful stereotypes, lets cultivate nuanced knowledge of Arab American heritage.

The well-known collection of Middle Eastern folk tales One Thousand and One Nights or The Arabian Nights was compiled during the Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th centuries). These didactic stories were collected over many centuries by authors, translators, and scholars across Asia and North Africa. What holds these diverse and seemingly disjointed cultures together in one coherent book is a threading and self-generating framing  stories within stories, constant shifting between narrators and protagonists, between listeners and storytellers.

The Arabic narrative frame still guides us as we zoom into diversity and unity within and outside MENA.
1. Yes. Police officers should be the only ones armed in the council chambers. Period.

2. Yes. Such a ban is allowed by state law, and the city council should consider it .

3. No. The possibility of violence is always present, but disarming everyone isnt the answer.

4. No. Its unwise to change the city ordinance based on one unfortunate incident.

5. Unsure. Some steps must be taken, but its hard to say if a gun ban is necessary.

Vote

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First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Jang Young-jin / Korea Times file

By Lee Kyung-min



Korea will send a delegation to Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, the trade ministry said Sunday.



The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the delegation, led by First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin, will visit the three countries from Monday to Friday.



The group will hold a business roundtable in Hungary and Poland, to expand investment and trade. They will discuss developments in European Union (EU) trade policies and business activities of Korean firms. In Slovakia, a luncheon meeting with local companies as well as a tour of a local manufacturing plant is scheduled.



The ministry said the three countries are a gateway for Korean companies seeking business expansion in the EU market.



Trade between Korea and Hungary hit a record high of $6.96 billion (9.09 trillion won) in 2022. That between Korea and Poland also came to a record high of $89.5 billion in 2022.



More than 70 Korean firms are operating in Slovakia, including Kia Motors and Samsung Electronics. Kia's manufacturing plant in Slovakia will begin producing electric vehicles (EVs) for the European market in 2025.



Jang will meet with Hungarian Vice Foreign Minister Levente Magyar and Economy and Development Minister Marton Nagy Tuesday (local time).



The high-level policymakers will discuss challenges and developments of joint investment and trade conditions and outline efforts for successful cooperation in the areas of industrial technologies and joint research and development (R&D) opportunities.



The meeting with the vice foreign minister will entail the signing of the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) between the two countries.



Hungary is the third country to sign the TIPF with Korea after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Dominican Republic.



The Korea-Hungary agreement involves supply chain stabilization, green drive cooperation, industrial, trade and energy policy cooperation.



The delegation will visit Poland from Wednesday to Thursday. Jang will meet with the country's Vice Foreign Minister Arkadjusz Mularczyk and Minister of Economy and Development Waldemar Buda.



On Friday, Jang will meet with Slovakia's Economy Minister Karel Herman and Vice Foreign Minister Ingrid Brockova to discuss EU trade issues as well as cooperation in the areas of automotive, steel, hydrogen and nuclear energy.



Jang will have interviews with Hungary's TV 2, Polsat TV of Poland and Hospodarske Noviny of Slovakia.


The owners of Carbon Cannabis and Stacks Family Farms, both in the former LaCrosse Footwear complex at 1501 St. Andrew St., have started Sensi Co., which will launch its new THC-infused Sensi High Seltzer at the 4/20 on Front Street event from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the South Hall Ballroom on the second floor of the La Crosse Center.

Carbon Cannabis produces and sells CBD and THC products crafted from organically grown hemp. Stacks Family Farms has an organic indoor hemp growing facility and also sells edibles and smokable hemp flower.

In the past few years, some beverage companies have begun producing THC-infused seltzers for customers who might prefer getting a buzz from those rather than from alcohol.

Sensis 12-ounce cans of flavored seltzers will have 2.5 milligrams of THC derived from hemp, said Matt Boshcka, one of the owners of Carbon Cannabis. Its a low dose of THC that produces slight euphoric effects with a quick onset of action, he said.

Were starting with two flavors, mango and cherry, Boshcka said of the first two Sensi seltzers. But we have several different exciting flavors that will come later. Plans are for Sensi to expand into other kinds of beverages as well.

Carbon Cannabis will produce the distillate that Karben4 Brewing in Madison, Wis., uses to make the seltzer in cans for Sensi.

Sensi plans to initially distribute its seltzer to bars, restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and dispensaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and to expand to other retail outlets.

Its seltzers will debut at the 4/20 on Front Street event that Carbon Cannabis and Stacks Family Farms have been organizing. It will feature a number of cannabis-friendly vendors, as well as live music, comedy, bingo and raffle. Tickets are $5, with 80 cents of that going to local veterans organizations.

For more information about Sensi Co., visit https://sipsensi.com/ or its Facebook page. For more information about Thursdays event, visit its Facebook page.

Saturday, April 22, will be the last day for the Cool Beans Coffee Shop at 1221 La Crosse St., at the corner with West Avenue.

The road construction on La Crosse Street and rising input costs have made the last year or so very challenging for us, owners Steve and Laurie Miller said last week in announcing the coffee shops upcoming closing on its Facebook page.

Cool Beans opened in December 2016. For more information, visit the coffee shops Facebook page.

Erin Bossman has opened Authentic Digs Boutique at its new location at 111 N. Fourth St., just south of The Rivoli Theatre in downtown La Crosse.

The boutiques grand opening was on March 24, and Bossman said she plans to hold a second celebration in the near future. Her boutique previously was on the second floor of the Powell Place building at 200 Main St., where it opened last October.

I started with a Poshmark account and then grew into wanting to start a business in the area that allowed women to be able to shop for trendy clothing at a price that wouldnt break their bank account, Bossman said.

We offer all of todays trending clothing, accessories, perfume, makeup and lingerie, she said. We range in sizes from XXS to 3XL. We offer something for everyone. Her boutique is open from Wednesday through Saturday and soon will be opening on Tuesdays for the summer, she said.

Bossman said her husband, Scott, has been the greatest supporter of her dream to have such a business. For more information, call 608-519-2600 or visit www.authenticdigs.com or Facebook or Instagram.

Doctor of Chiropractic Joseph Kelbel and his wife, Zizi Kelbel, will open Kelbel Health on Tuesday in Suite 107 at 1285 Rudy St. in Onalaska. Zizi will be the office manager.

Joseph Kelbel describes the business as a state-of-the-art neurologically-based health center. We are neuropathy and spine specialists that focus on neuropathy reversal and spinal conditions, he said.

Kelbel is board-certified in neuropathy by the American College of Physical Medicine. He received his doctor of chiropractic degree from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. And he has a bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with two areas of specialization  biology and exercise, and sport science.

The new health center is open by appointment only Monday through Saturday.

It is offering complimentary seminars for the public on how to reverse neuropathy, with lunch provided. For more information, call 608-394-2500 or visit www.kelbelhealth.com or Facebook.

Places of the past: 30 La Crosse area restaurants you'll never eat at again (part two) Edwardo's Embers Restaurant Cheddar 'n Ale Mai-Tai Supper Club Winchell's Donut House Taco Bell 1976: New Villa Mr. D's Donuts 1975: Bodega Lunch Club McDonald's Taco John's Taco Village Ponderosa Steak House Shakey's Pizza Fireside Restaurant 1972: Hoffman House Restaurant 1972: Louie Bantle's Restaurant Royale Pie Shop Chicago Beef & Etc. 1971: Kewpee Lunch Bridgeman's Ice Cream 1965: Dog House Restaurant Swiss Chateau Henry's Drive-In 1954: Triangle Cafe 1952: Harmony Cafe South Avenue Cafeteria The Penguin Drive-In TGI Fridays Fat Porcupine Burger Fusion
Jennifer Anderegg, senior director of enrollment services at Chippewa Valley Technical College, has earned the Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers.

Anderegg is among an elite group of only 63 individuals internationally to earn this endorsement. Anderegg is receiving the SEM Endorsement Badge through Credly, and her name will soon appear in the national registry.

AACRAOs Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement Program provides a professional development program and career advancement track for in-service enrollment professionals.

Anderegg is the first person from Wisconsin to receive this endorsement. The endorsement signifies that Anderegg has developed skills in the field of strategic enrollment management to meet the current and future challenges in the industry. Proficiencies in a variety of aspects of enrollment management have been achieved.

Anderegg has more than 20 years of experience in the field of education, with 15 years of that time spent in higher education as an academic and student affairs professional.

Throughout her career, Anderegg has been committed to improving student outcomes and experiences through collaboration with students, faculty, staff and administrators. In addition to her current role, she has served as an instructor, transition specialist, Title III grant director and dean of academic services, allowing her to facilitate and lead comprehensive strategic enrollment initiatives.

Her extensive experience in higher education has equipped her with the skills and knowledge needed to develop and lead initiatives aimed at enhancing student success.
Concerns about population density and potential flooding were too much as the La Crosse Common Council denied a petition to rezone a property on Rose street for a 12-unit multi-family residential building Thursday.

Four resolutions for rezoning came before the La Crosse Common Council at the meeting. In addition to the denial, the council approved two zoning changes and deferred another for 30 days.

The two approvals made Thursday transferred properties to the Residence District to allow for the construction of twin homes on King Street and a duplex on 13th Street.

The request to rezone a property on Rose Street was denied with eight votes in favor of the denial and five votes opposed.

Some residents and business owners located near the property spoke in opposition to the apartment building, raising concerns about increased traffic, parked cars and flood water runoff at committee meetings last week.

The developers plan included 14 parking spots for the building.

Councilmember Scott Neumeister, who voted to deny the request, was concerned the project is large for the size of the lot, especially since the property would be in a flood plain.

Council members Andrea Richmond, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Chris Kahlow, Chris Woodard and Doug Happel also voted against the request.

This is absolutely too large of a project to have in a residential neighborhood, Richmond said. And, since when do we not listen to the neighborhood?

In a cover letter to the city when petitioning for the rezone, the developer stated that extending the land at one foot or more above the base flood elevation for 15 feet in all directions is not possible with the lot size.

The City of La Crosse Flood Fringe Zoning Ordinance requires 15 feet of land one foot above the base flood elevation extending in all directions for a structure in the flood fringe.

The 15-foot rule is a city ordinance, and is not a federal requirement.

Council members Jenasea Hameister, Mac Kiel, Mackenzie Mindel, Jennifer Trost and Mark Neumann supported the rezone.

We need all types of housing in all parts of the neighborhood, Trost said. I am making my statements in favor of the people who would be able to move here if there are places for them to live, because I want La Crosse to be a welcoming city for all types of families and all types of housing needs.

At the Judiciary and Administration meeting last week, the developer, Kevin Stanton of Northside Properties, said all 12 units would be one-bedroom apartments with an estimated price point of about $850 per unit.

The council also took action on another rezoning petition to allow for the construction of a duplex on Ward Street. The council decided to defer making a decision on the petition for 30 days in order to address some neighborhood questions.

The property is currently zoned for single family homes, which makes up the majority of the neighborhood.

Neighbors wrote to the city council in opposition to the rezone for duplex, citing fears that two families on one property could lead to more traffic, crime and noise.

Half of my district is made up of people who rent. I am not sympathetic to arguments that link crime, drugs and waste to someones housing situation, Trost said. So instead of making negative statements about people who rent, we might talk about barriers to homeownership.

Happel, who represents the district for the proposed project, said he agrees with Trost and made the motion for a 30-day deferral.

Happel hopes the deferral will give the developer, who also lives in the district, and the city time to resolve questions from neighbors.
All through her childhood and her teen years, Stacy Mitby kept her trauma a secret, terrified to tell even those she trusted about the abuse she was enduring.

It was some 16 years after the first violation, and three from the last, that Mitby confided in her mother, the first step in breaking free from the shame and guilt her abuser had inflicted on her.

Now 58, Mitby has over the past three decades worked to help other victims feel safe opening up, knowing abuse thrives in silence.

"People cannot keep it to themselves," said Mitby. "You have to let it out, because the more people that know what's going on, the sooner we can hopefully end it."

With April marking Child Abuse Prevention Month, Mitby is sharing her story and supporting the Family & Children's Center, where she received life-changing counseling and support as a young adult and went on to work for several years before continuing her advocacy in other ways.

"The Family & Children's Center not only had an impact on me, it had an impact on my kids," Mitby said. "Without the help I got there, I wouldn't be the mom I was and the mom I am."

The prevalence of abuse

Like many forms of abuse, child maltreatment happens far more frequently than most are aware. The CDC reported at least one in seven youth faced abuse in 2020, with the actual number likely far larger. According to Childprotect.org, for every instance of reported child abuse, two go unreported. And in 2020, 1,750 children died nationwide as a result of abuse or neglect.

On a state level, the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Report confirmed in 2021 Child Protective Services received more than 74,000 reports of child maltreatment, with 4,736 cases substantiated and 26 resulting in death.

In La Crosse County in 2021, there were 409 reports to child protective services, with 24 substantiated cases of neglect, five of physical abuse and 14 of sexual abuse. There were no confirmed deaths.

"Child abuse and exploitation is one of the most detrimental tragedies in our existence. It is rampant in our country, in our world, and we all need to be aware of it and we all need to talk about it," said Mitby. "You can't push it under the rug. It has to be talked about."

Statewide, nearly 90% of the perpetrators of child abuse are primary caregivers to the victim, with men the main offenders in sexual and physical maltreatment cases and women culpable in most cases of neglect.

Child Protective Services in 2021 removed 2,508 Wisconsin youth from their homes, a 22% decrease from 2019. The drop can in part be attributed to efforts by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families "to reorient the child welfare system to a new purpose: strengthening all Wisconsin families to raise their children."

Programs are in place to support this mission, including legal advocacy, mentoring of parents, and providing access to the resources and support needed to keep youth safely in their own homes.

However, reunification is not always safe or successful. A 2016 report from the Department of Health and Human Services, which followed child maltreatment investigations for three years, found 24.6% of youth who were returned to their home were re-reported to Child Protective services with an allegation of abuse by a family member.

"Learn the signs. Know the signs. Because the signs aren't the same for everyone," Mitby said. "Behaviors are communication. So when a behavior changes, that should be a big red flag  like, what's going on?"

Changes in disposition could be attributed to many things, from depression to bullying to stress, but it is best to step in.

"If you question it, get some help," Mitby said. "You can be the support, you can be the nurturer, the caregiver, the rock for your child. But go to the experts. That's what they do and they're good at it."

A personal trauma

Mitby's earliest memory of being sexually abused was at age 3, during a monthly visit to the home of her biological father. Mitby's parents had divorced when she was very young, and while she had a safe and loving home with her mother and stepfather, she was continuously abused by her birth father through the age of 16. It was a heavy secret to carry, but Mitby felt she was to blame.

Mitby wasn't planning to tell her mom and stepfather -- who she considers her dad -- what had happened to her, but around the age of 19 she was chatting with her parents around the kitchen table when her mother made a quip about moms not getting enough appreciation from their kids.

Mitby broke down in tears and retrieved from her room a poem she had written, which described her mom as her saving grace.

"She read the poem and started crying. And she's like, 'What the hell is going on?'" Mitby recalled. "And I just poured it all out."

Her parents took action, and the next day Mitby was seen by therapist Wanda Schafer at the La Crosse location of the Family & Children's Center, a nonprofit that provides domestic and child abuse services, family support services, housing and residential programs, juvenile services, respite services, mental health support and more.

"Wanda is the most amazing soul I've ever met. And if we could clone that woman, I think we could end child abuse in itself," Mitby said. "Before I worked with her my life was not going where it should be. I was making bad choices. I was doing things that at the time I didn't realize were from the trauma that I had endured as a child."

Schafer, now retired, and the other therapists at the Family & Children's Center use trauma-informed, evidence-based practices, and Mitby started individual sessions on a biweekly basis, slowly opening up.

"She immediately built that rapport, and I felt at ease," Mitby said. "She gave me the tools to do the work that I needed and (I felt) her compassion and sensitivity."

Mitby also participated in group sessions with other abuse survivors, some of whom she is still close to today.

"It's not just the counseling, but it's the environment we were in. We felt safe. We felt heard, and it made us want to help other people," Mitby said.

Mitby worked with Schafer for years, and during a session was able to "confront" her biological father, now deceased, about the sexual abuse.

"He didn't own up to anything. But you know what? I had the inner strength from what I'd been through, from who I worked with and through that counseling to know, 'This was him, not me,'" Mitby said. "Because for years I had I blamed myself, like I did something wrong."

Even after her regular sessions ceased, Mitby could count on Schafer to make time for her, and credits the therapist with saving her life.

"If something popped up that brought back the trauma, I would schedule an appointment and I could have that base -- I hear her voice or see her face and then I'm OK," Mitby said.

Helping fellow survivors

Mitby was in the midst of her own treatment for her trauma when she felt the calling to help others.

"Once I said to Wanda in therapy, 'You know what? I'm going to work here one day.' And she actually is the one that encouraged me to go to college," Mitby said.

Mitby earned a degree in psychology and was hired by the Family & Children's Center in 2003 to lead and supervise case management for the organization's two youth residential group homes. While she is often asked if talking about her past or working with others who have been abused is triggering, Mitby said, "This is part of who I am. One of the things that I've learned throughout the years is finding grace in our past.

"I think of all the lives that I've been able to touch because of that," continued Mitby. "Had I not been abused, I would not have went to counseling, I would not have met Wanda. Was (the abuse) horrible? Absolutely. But look how much it has filled my life with good. I was given the skills to forgive it. It was my past. I don't live there anymore. What can I do to take that experience and benefit society as a whole?"

Mitby worked for the Family & Children's Center through 2008, and still receives occasional messages from the teens she worked with.

"It just warms my heart and I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it," Mitby said. "Family & Children's Center was the best thing that ever happened to me and it saved their lives, too, in my opinion."

"Stacy is a passionate person, and it clearly shows in the work she has pursued and the clients she served at FCC," said Rich Petro, the organization's director of human resources. "We are truly grateful for the time and talent she provided to help people who have been impacted by trauma, abuse and mental health challenges. In the past year, our agency supported over 5,500 children, families or individuals, and we can only do that when we have dedicated staff like Stacy."

Mitby, a mom of three, went on to earn a master's degree and worked in social and human services for a government agency. After decades in the field, in 2021 she opened the Waste Not Thrift Store at 2115 Ward Ave. with her son, Ryan.

Through the end of the month, half of all sales on child related items at Waste Not Thrift Store will be donated to Family & Children's Center programs for youth victims and their non-offending caregivers. In 2022, the organization provided services and support for 639 individuals during child protection investigations.

"We are so grateful," Director of Advancement Marketing Ellen Hongerholt said of the contribution.

In La Crosse, Steppin Stones provides a safe and comfortable environment for interviews regarding possible abuse and neglect, with staff helping the children feel at ease to reduce stress and trauma related to the investigative process.

Matty's Place provides the same service at the Family & Children's Center in Winona. The program was established by Winona County prosecutors, police, social services and the National Child Protection Training Center, with support from the Matty Eappen Foundation.

"Having a place like Stepping Stones and Mattys Place is so important to help children, victims and their caregivers during times when things are extremely painful and scary," said program coordinator Danielle Swedberg. "We are able to provide the support to help them get through and make this difficult situation easier for them."

Thirty days is not enough to highlight child abuse prevention, Mitby said. "But at least for this one month, it keeps it in our in our forefront. It may not be your own children, but pay attention. Be a loving, caring, supportive adult."

Family & Children's Center plans child abuse prevention events in April One in four girls and one in 13 boys will be victims of child abuse.
In February 2022, the American Bar Association passed a resolution urging the United States Supreme Court to adopt ethics rules similar to the ones that apply to all other federal judges. The resolution was passed in the wake of an investigation by the Wall Street Journal finding that between 2010 and 2018, 131 federal judges had failed to comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct by ruling in cases where they had financial conflicts of interest.

Then last week, a report came out in ProPublica revealing the many expensive trips Justice Clarence Thomas took over the past two decades, all undisclosed and all paid for by major Republican donor Harlan Crow. It is yet another blow to a key government institution at a time when more Americans than ever believe justices opinions are overly influenced by political agendas.

Sen. Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pledged to hold hearings on the need to restore confidence in the Supreme Courts ethical standards. In a letter to Chief Justice Roberts, Durbin wrote: And if the Court does not resolve this issue on its own, the Committee will consider legislation to resolve it.

But such legislation, if proposed, is unlikely to go anywhere. Last spring the House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill that would have required the court to adopt an ethics policy, but the House failed to vote on it.

Chief Justice John Roberts has acknowledged the importance of ethics for public trust and dedicated his 2011 and 2021 Year-End Reports to the issue. Yet in those reports, he maintained that the rules governing the conduct of federal judges do not strictly apply to Supreme Court justices and that the judiciarys power to manage its internal affairs insulates courts from inappropriate political influence.

Over the years Ive been asked to review the ethics rules of many types of organizations, from government agencies, to nonprofit charitable organizations, to professional associations. While the rules differ somewhat from one organization to another depending on their mission and membership, one thing they all have in common is a set of provisions intended to eliminate conflicts of interest.

There are good reasons for this. Every organization that serves the public in some way requires trust to do its work well. The more essential an organization is to the health of society, the greater its need to ensure public trust.

To see how that need gets expressed in ethics rules, take a look at Canon 2(b) of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges:

A judge should not allow family, social, political, financial, or other relationships to influence judicial conduct or judgment. A judge should neither lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others nor convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge.

This is usually taken to mean that judges should recuse themselves in cases where they or their family members have a financial interest in the outcome of the case. Money is one kind of highly visible personal interest that has a history of influencing peoples judgement. However, money may also be used indirectly to advance other kinds of personal interest.

In the wake of nearly any scandal involving the receipt of gifts by a public official, there is a fierce denial that the gift had any influence on the recipients decision-making. We saw it a few days ago when Harlan Crow issued a statement saying, We have never sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue.

But there are many types of influence, and not all of them are direct. The problem with judges accepting gifts like expensive vacations is not so much the monetary value of the gifts as the fact that such gifts facilitate access, and access suggests the possibility of favoritism, which in itself undermines public confidence in the judges impartiality. The friendship that develops through that access may also subtly influence a judges perception by shaping the context within which they make decisions.

At some level, Justice Thomas knows this. It is why he said, I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. Theres something normal to me about it. Thomas was suggesting that part of the background knowledge he takes with him into chambers is an awareness of how ordinary Americans live.

Ethics rules are not a substitute for character. They do not ensure that people who are governed by the rules will be properly motivated, but they do provide some assurance that the most egregious behavior will be curbed. Most importantly, they serve as a statement of the high standards to which professionals publicly agree to hold themselves accountable.

Chief Justice Roberts has stated that the Judicial Code of Conduct provides guidance to the Supreme Court justices, but he denies that they are bound by its rules. He refers to the Code of Conduct as a starting point and suggests that the justices, in virtue of their unique status, may also consult a wide variety of other authorities to resolve specific ethical issues.

But all of that misses the point. Are the justices not answerable to one another? Can they not mutually agree to public standards of conduct to which they will hold themselves accountable? To say they are guided by many different standards is to imply they are answerable to none.

Why cant our justices see the harm they are doing to themselves and to an institution they have promised to serve by refusing to pledge themselves to clearly stated standards of ethical conduct?
A small yet worthy idea to address gun violence in Wisconsin seems to have bipartisan support, which is encouraging.

But so much more must be done to protect the public from senseless shootings, including universal background checks and strict limits on weapons of war.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers appear to agree on the need for suicide prevention measures at gun stores and ranges. The governor included $150,000 in his state budget proposal to train staff at firearm retailers and ranges to recognize when someone might be contemplating suicide. The money also could pay for related literature at gun shops and precautionary, voluntary firearm storage.

Two lawmakers  Sen. Jesse James, R-Altoona, and Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers  have introduced the same proposal as a standalone bill. So this looks like it can pass, which is good. Paying closer attention to people with guns who might have harmful thoughts could save lives and maybe even prevent a mass shooting. Credit James and Sortwell for seeking this small measure of progress.

Yet the epidemic of gun violence across America  including last weeks killing of two police officers near the northwestern Wisconsin village of Cameron  demands much bigger and broader action from the Republican-run Legislature.

Gun rights advocates claim, Guns dont kill people. People kill people. But mass shooters using military-style weapons kill more people, on average, than other mass shooters. So the gun can be the difference in how many die.

Moreover, the absence of a gun can prevent violence. The gun homicide rate in the U.S. is 26 times higher than in other wealthy nations with stricter laws, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.

After so many massacres at schools, theaters and stores, a significant legislative response is needed, which Evers and other Democrats have strongly favored.

Wisconsin, for example, should require consistent background checks on all gun purchases and transfers. That way, if a dangerous person isnt supposed to have a deadly weapon, a potential sale can be canceled. While licensed dealers must run a check before a purchase, many online and in-person sellers are exempt.

Thats how a man was able to purchase a semiautomatic handgun to fatally shoot three women at a Brookfield spa in 2012. A background check would have stopped the sale because of the mans lengthy restraining order.

The GOP-controlled Legislature also should adopt a red flag law allowing judges to temporarily disarm people with strong evidence of imminent danger. At the national level, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act encourages states to adopt red flag protections.

GOP representatives should bring back a 48-hour waiting period for gun purchases, which could have prevented a young man in Madison from buying a gun in 2016 and, the very next day, shooting a 24-year-old grocery store worker from Stoughton.

Wisconsins GOP should hold parents responsible for loose guns when children use them to kill or maim people. The 15-year-old who killed his principal at Weston High School in rural Cazenovia in 2006 got his guns from his fathers home.

The legal age for buying a firearm should be raised from 18 to 21, given how many young people cause mass shootings. Florida did just that  and more  following the 2018 school massacre in Parkland.

Wisconsin should strictly limit  if not ban  the sale of military-style weapons to civilians, such as assault rifles and exploding ammunition. An AR-15, which was designed for war, isnt necessary to hunt deer or protect your family. Similarly, reasonable limits should be set on high-capacity magazines.

Some Republicans are finally stepping up to help Democrats protect the public from chronic gun violence. But James and Sortwells baby steps, though welcome, are far from real solutions.
If youre a high school student living in the Winona Area Public Schools district, opportunity is knocking this spring. Through the new College Opportunity Program, every eligible student graduating from a Winona area high school will have access to a college education at Minnesota State College Southeast.

The program will cover the cost of tuition and fees for two years of college  up to 70 credits  and will provide a $500 stipend for books, supplies and tools each year. That can be worth as much as $14,000 per student.

Pam Zimmerman, director of financial aid at MSC Southeast, said people are grateful for the opportunity. Everyone has a lot of questions  but the main one is, is this for real? It sounds like its too good to be true!

Yes, its true, but there are some conditions. To qualify, students must reside in the Winona Area Public Schools district. Students can graduate from any Winona school, including Cotter, Hope Lutheran, Riverway, Winona Area Learning Center, Winona Senior High School, or a homeschool program.

We tried to keep the program simple so we can serve the greatest range of students, said Minnesota State College Southeast President Marsha Danielson. Winona now joins a small handful of communities across the state that are able to provide tuition-free community college for its high school students.

As director of admissions and enrollment, Tammy Vondrasek has been in higher education for 23 years. Much of her work experience is in financial aid, but she said the College Opportunity Program is something new and exciting.

Students and their families are very excited and cannot believe this is a true opportunity. It is a huge financial relief for families, Vondrasek said.

Winona Senior High School junior Benna Wells is already considering her options for next year at Southeast.

When I heard about the College Opportunity Program, I thought it seemed like a logical decision to go get my general education courses done for free, she said. I dont know what I want to do yet for a college major, so Ill get started taking my classes and then most likely transfer to a four year.

Her mother, Betsy Wells, also immediately thought of the transfer opportunities. I had known that Benna could take transfer credits, and I know that there are four-year schools that she is interested in that Southeast transfers credits into.

Chris Cook, an admissions representative at the college, said there has been a large uptick in applications for this fall from students who will be eligible for the College Opportunity Program.

Im keeping track of about 80 students so far who are at different stages of the application process, he said. Some are students who wouldnt have gone to school otherwise, who wouldnt have had the financial resources.

Part of the enrollment process is filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The FAFSA allows us to know if a student is eligible for federal or state grants, which is money they can qualify for but do not need to repay, said Pam Zimmerman. People might be intimidated by the FAFSA but its gotten a lot simpler and easier to fill it out.

Minnesota State College Southeast is offering extra services to help students take advantage of the College Opportunity Program. This spring and summer, look for open houses and in-person FAFSA completion events.

The College Opportunity Program is funded through 2026, so students graduating in 2023 and 2024 will be eligible for two years of college. Students who graduate in 2025 will be eligible for one year of college.

We are so grateful for the investors who have made the first three years of the program possible: Benchmark, Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter, Fastenal Company, Gundersen Health, Miller Ingenuity, RTP Company, The Watkins Company and Winona Health, Danielson said. If the program proves successful, it may be extended further into the future.

I would love to have anyone interested in learning more about the College Opportunity Program to come visit us on campus. The admissions staff would enjoy meeting you and helping you each step of the way, said Tammy Vondrasek. If you cannot come to campus, check out our website and reach out to us via email. We are here for you!

To learn more about the College Opportunity Program, go to www.southeastmn.edu/opportunity or contact admissions representative Chris Cook at Christopher.Cook@southeastmn.edu or 507-453-2410.
GQ Hairstyling & Tanning will close its doors after 50 years of business in Winona at the end of May.

Peter Freese, who initially joined the business in 1976 as a hairstylist and has owned GQ since 1980, will retire.

Freese said the decision to close the business instead of selling it was an easy one.

After running the business for 47 years, its kind of nice to walk away from it with that legacy. The only way to do that is to just shut down, Freese said. I wouldnt want to see someone come in and run it to the ground.

Along with Freese, office manager Lisa Boerst, who joined GQ in 1979, will retire when the salon closes its doors May 28. Hair stylist Bailey Bundy will open her own salon in Winona in June.

Its been the most fun 22 years of my life, said office manager Sue Danielson. Im sad but Im happy for Peter.

Following the trends and evolution of hairstyling and tanning has always been essential to running the business, Freese said. He reflected on the long male haircuts that were in style when he first started in the 70s and how they have gotten shorter and shorter over the years.

Additionally, GQ grew from having seven tanning beds at its West Gate location to having 27 tanning beds and six hairstyling rooms at its Winona Mall location  where the salon has been located since 2001.

Its a large operation, Freese said. But in todays world, nobodys building the big salons anymore. But boy, I tell you  for 20, 30 years, he who had the most tanning beds won.

In addition to hairstyling and tanning, GQ also has nail tech and body wrap therapy.

Freese and Danielson said the focus of the business always was on the customer.

With any salon, its word of mouth and trying to retain your customers. Ive got quite a few customers that have been with me almost the whole 47 years, Freese said. I give my thanks to the many stylists and receptionists that help GQ along the way and, especially, all our great customers.

GQ stands for Gentlemens Quarters, the nickname originating with a St. Marys student who referenced the salon as GQ while calling for a taxi in the mid-1980s, during a time when the businesss female clientele was growing.

Freese said after the salons last day, all of the equipment will be auctioned off. He said he looks forward to familiarizing himself with retirement then doing some traveling.

Ive always loved cutting hair. You dont do something for 47 years that you dont like, Freese said. The staff I have now, we will stay in contact. But Im going to miss my customers, its definitely bittersweet.
Winona advocacy groups will host several community events in the upcoming weeks to raise awareness about sexual assault and child abuse as well as resources available for survivors.

Its just a matter of making it a topic thats easier to talk about, bringing awareness to the community that sexual assault does happen in Winona, said Danielle Swedberg, coordinator of community services with Family & Childrens Center. We want to make that more known so its easier for victims to be able to talk about it, its easier to be able to get resources and help.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The Advocacy Center of Winona provided over 7,500 services in 2022 to survivors of sexual assault.

When we talk about the number of individuals who are affected in our community, and the amount of services that we provide, we know that it is very prevalent. We also know that not everybody is coming to the Advocacy Center, so the actual rate of sexual assault in our community is a lot higher, said Advocacy Center of Winona Director Crystal Hegge.

The number of sexual assaults reported or prosecuted may not reflect the real number of occurrences, but support programs exist outside of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

Sometimes going to police right away isnt comfortable or isnt the preference for victims  so where on campus, where in the community can they seek services for that? Swedberg said.

Advocacy Center of Winona will host an event at 5 p.m. Monday, April 17, at Island City Brewing Co. to raise awareness about sexual assault.

Family and Childrens Center is also hosting two free public events explaining the signs and symptoms of child abuse  one at 5 p.m. April 19 at the La Crosse Family & Childrens Center and another at 5 p.m. April 25 at the Winona center.

Thats an important piece that were trying to talk about with these signs and symptoms, we want more people to report it, said Karrie Hahn, Minnesota director of programs. Its better to err on the side of safety and for nothing to come out of it, to protect that child.

In Winona and La Crosse combined, the Family & Childrens Center responded to 639 requests for services regarding child abuse cases in 2022.

The Family & Childrens Center and Winona State University will hold a child abuse awareness walk starting at 4 p.m. April 25 near Phelps Hall in Winona.

Both organizations participate in the Winona County Sexual Assault Interagency Council, a team hosted by the County Attorneys Office consisting of representatives from service organizations, medical institutions, law enforcement and universities.

The interagency council is holding a sexual assault awareness walk starting April 30 at the Hiawatha Valley Marine Shelter.

In 2022, the group updated the Winona County Adult Sexual Assault Response Protocol, a series of general guidelines for organizations, hospitals and government agencies to create a more victim-centered approach to sexual assault crimes.

Advocacy Center of Winona, dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual assault and violence, offers a 24/7 crisis line and other direct support services including emergency and relocation shelters, legal advocacy, support groups, accompaniment to meetings with medical staff and law enforcement, and Title IX services for university students.

Were trained to walk through all of the options and allow somebody to have the empowerment to make that decision on what happens next, Hegge said.

The organization also organized an educational program for youth on identifying toxic relationships, consent and boundaries.

Family & Childrens Center offers programs aimed at the safety of family, children and adults, including programs aimed at domestic and child abuse prevention and intervention, support for new parents facing additional pressure, transitional housing.


VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents.

Today we are talking about Martin Van Buren. He was sworn in as the eighth president of the United States in 1837.

Van Buren had already been working for the White House for several years. He had been the secretary of state for President Andrew Jackson, and later his vice president.

Jackson asked his party, the Democrats, to nominate Van Buren as their presidential candidate in the 1836 election.

They agreed, and Van Buren won that election easily. But he did not win the next election. Or the next. Or the next.

Presidency

In his inaugural speech in 1837, Van Buren noted that he was the first U.S. president to be born after the American Revolution.

He was also the first president who was not from a British family. His ancestors were Dutch.

He remains the only president  so far  who did not speak English as his first language.

In his inaugural speech, Van Buren predicted better times for Americans.

But several days later, an economic crisis struck. The situation put the country in a depression that lasted for the rest of Van Burens term. It was one reason the presidents opponents called him Martin Van Ruin.

The depression was not Van Burens only problem. He also faced a dispute with Britain related to the border between the U.S. and Canada. The conflict nearly turned into war.

Historian Joel Silbey says most experts do not think Van Buren was a strong president.

However, Silbey notes, Van Buren left an important legacy that still operates today: He created the modern U.S. political system.

Early life

Van Burens political education began early.

His father was a farmer and operated a hotel at a small town in New York State. Lawmakers sometimes visited the hotel. By listening to them, the future president learned about politics.

Eventually, Van Buren studied in a law office and became a lawyer. In the first years of his career, he defended farmers who were fighting large plantation owners for their land. As a result, he developed a reputation for helping the common man.

Van Buren became a local official, and then a senator and governor of New York.

When he was 24, he married a young woman he had grown up with. But she died of tuberculosis after 12 years, leaving him with four sons.

Historian Joel Silbey says although Van Buren did not remarry, he was known as quite charming among the ladies.

Political animal

Van Buren had a gift for politics  that is, developing relationships and forming alliances.

Historian Joel Silbey says most people who knew Van Buren liked him. He seemed warm and friendly. He tried to keep his work-related life and social activities separate. It was not unusual to see him exchange handshakes, smiles and jokes with men who were his political enemies.

His ability to make friends became a powerful tool. Before Van Buren, even lawmakers from the same political party operated independently. They had their own beliefs, their own supporters, and their own allies. Van Buren brought them together.

First he identified people who followed the ideas of Thomas Jefferson: support for independent farmers and states rights. The group had become known as the Democratic Party (although it was in many ways different from the Democratic Party of today).

Van Buren organized meetings for Democrats to talk about their political beliefs. He persuaded them to support the same policies  at that time, the policies of Andrew Jackson.

Sometimes, Van Buren helped people who supported Jacksons policies. He gave them government jobs.

Van Buren also used a series of meetings to choose one presidential candidate for the party. If this process seems clear-cut, it was not at the time. During the election of 1824, for example, a single party had four separate candidates for president, one for each part of the country.

Van Burens system eventually gave rise to the national conventions that major U.S. parties use today to nominate their candidates.

Model campaigner

Van Buren also helped create the modern political campaign. In the 1820s, he saw that many state constitutions were lifting some of their voting restrictions. As a result, states were giving more white males the right to vote. (Women and most African-American men were still largely prohibited from voting.)

Historian Joel Silbey says Van Buren wanted to bring these new voters into the Democratic Party. He decided to improve on the methods that other, smaller groups had used: campaign events, speeches, and organized efforts to bring people to vote on Election Day.

Silbey explains that these efforts to persuade and energize voters were new to national politics. Now they are some of the major features of political campaigns.

Live by the sword, die by the sword

In the election of 1840, Van Buren sought a second term as president. This time his opponents used Van Burens political techniques against him.

Silbey says the new opposition party, called the Whigs, used popular speeches and events to portray Van Buren as a failed president.

Crowds shouted, Mattie Van is a used-up man! In other words, he no longer had any power or effect in government.

Critics also made fun of Van Burens fine-looking, even fussy clothes. They portrayed him as a rich, elite candidate. They compared him unfavorably to their candidate, a military hero named William Henry Harrison.

Yet it was Van Buren who had come from a poor family, and Harrison from a wealthy one.

Even so, Van Buren lost the election of 1840.

Four years later, Van Buren again sought the presidency. This time, even Andrew Jackson did not support him. Instead, Jackson backed a man who supported the seizure of Texas and expanding slavery: James Polk.

But Van Buren did not permit those defeats to stop his political career. He ran again in the presidential election of 1848.

This time, Van Buren withdrew from the Democratic Party he had helped build. He ran instead as the candidate of a new, anti-slavery party, called the Free Soilers.

But even Van Burens political skills could not persuade voters. He did not win a single state.

After losing this final presidential election, Van Buren finally retired. He spent time with his children and grandchildren, traveled, and wrote about his life.

At 79 he died of heart failure.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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Quiz - Martin Van Buren: Just OK Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

inaugural - adj. happening as part of an official ceremony or celebration when a newly elected official begins an important job

reputation - n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something

charming - adj. very pleasing or appealing

ladies - n. women, usually of high social position

clear-cut - adj. obvious

features - n. important parts

portray - v. to describe someone in a particular way

fussy - adj. to fancy or complicated
In the Caucasus Mountains nation of Georgia, dumpling-eating is a serious activity.

"I'm not Georgian, but the first rule I learnt when I came to Georgia was how to eat khinkali," says Sergei Shirinsky. He says he is now a dumpling expert.

Georgian khinkali is a national symbol and source of pride. It is usually filled with a mix of raw ground beef and pork, as well as herbs and spices. It is then boiled and served hot.

Khinkali is also the reason behind many mealtime debates.

"You should know that it's eaten with hands only. That's the first rule," Shirinsky says.

Usually, eaters hold a single khinkali by its base. Its base is a collection of dough brought together during the folding process to bring the dumpling together. Then, eaters bite into the soft underside, being sure to eat any juices in the process.

The second rule is no condiments - things added to give food a stronger taste.

"If you add something other than pepper you can go to prison in Georgia," Shirinsky jokes.

The exact beginnings of the dumpling in Georgia are unclear. But khinkali has been prepared in towns and villages across the country for centuries. Different areas of the country still argue over who invented it and who makes it best.

Modern versions include a variety of different stuffing choices like Georgian sulguni cheese, mushrooms and potatoes.

Khinkali-making has also become popular among the millions of tourists that visit the country every year.

In the capital Tbilisi, retired doctor Irina Djandieri offers cooking classes in her living room.

"It's fun, it's fascinating and in the end it is very tasty," she says.

"Every week we have a khinkali day in our family... It's a great excuse to gather with friends and relatives," says Christine Mamasakhlisi. She is a dance teacher from Tbilisi.

"Everything revolves around khinkali here, she says. This is not just a dish, its an integral part of Georgian culture and identity."

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by Reuters.

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Words in This Story

pride  n. a feeling of happiness that you get when you or someone you know does something good, difficult, etc.

raw  adj. not cooked

condiment  n. something that is added to food to give it more flavor

tourist  n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure

fascinating  adj. very interesting or appealing

integral  adj. very important and necessary
Sitting in a restaurant in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, 20-year-old Nastya took slow, deep breaths to calm herself. Her neighborhood had just been bombed again, as the war with Russia continues.

She had visited a local psychiatric hospital that morning to get mental health care. That hospital itself had been hit by a missile last September.

After todays shelling, I could no longer cope with anxiety, the feeling of constant danger, the speech therapy student said. Nastya would only identify herself with her given name when she sought mental health care. There is traditional prejudice against people with mental health problems in some areas of Ukraine.

Experts say there are hundreds of thousands of people like Nastya in Ukraine. And they say, as the war continues so will the rise in the number of people seeking mental health care.

In December, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported about countries that have experienced conflict in the past ten years. It said that one in five people in those countries will experience a mental health problem. The report says an estimated 9.6 million people in Ukraine could be affected.

Russias invasion in February 2022 forced millions of people to flee their homes. Others took shelter underground for months to try to protect themselves from shelling.

For Nastya, as for so many, the war changed everything overnight. You woke up with the feeling that you are just surrounded by horrors, anxieties, surrounded by constant air raid sirens, flying planes, helicopters, she said. Youre simply in a closed circle which is not filled with the happy times of before, but with great fear.

Increasing demand for treatment

The need for mental health treatment has greatly increased across Ukraine, health professionals say, even as they deal with the effects of war on their own lives.

The demand is huge, said psychotherapist Pavlo Horbenko. Since 2014, Horbenko has been treating people affected by war at a health center in Ukraines capital, Kyiv. In 2014, Russia seized control of Crimea and set up Russian-allied states in eastern Ukraine.

He noted a large increase in patients seeking treatment for sexual violence, loss of loved ones, and suicidal thoughts. Previously, it was one or two requests a week, and now there can be 10 a day.

He added that the need for mental health treatment increases after a war. Sometimes the signs of mental health problems appear as calm and order begin to return to life in a former war zone.

Horbenko said Ukraine needs more mental health care specialists.

Health care workers also affected

Lebanese psychiatrist Maya Bizri recently visited Ukraine as part of a program run by the medical aid organization MedGlobal. She came to train doctors and nurses to notice mental health issues in both health care workers and patients.

If you want a health care system that is resilient, you have to take care of your own people, Bizri said.

Dr. Ludmyla Sevastianova is the psychiatric hospital director in Kramatorsk, in Ukraines eastern Donbas area.

The war affects us just as much as it affects patients, she said. We are also worried about our families, our relatives and friends. But we are doing our medical duty, we are helping.

Sevastianova, a psychiatrist, has made it her mission to save the hospital in order to keep people working, to save the hospital so it can provide care to patients. This is the goal and it helps.

However, she knows the war will have long-term effects.

Things do not pass without a trace. I cut my hand, a scar remains. So it is with our psyche, Sevastianova said.

Im Jill Robbins. And Im Andrew Smith.

Elena Becatoros wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

anxiety -n. a feeling of worry or nervousness

constant -adj. continuous, without stopping

therapy -n. treatment for a physical or mental health problem

siren -n. a loud alarm used to warn of danger or urgent needs

psychiatrist -n. a doctor who specializes in mental health

resilient -adj. not easily weakened or damaged

trace -n. a mark or sign left by the passage of some person or thing

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Recent research suggests that there has been a big drop in enrollment in community colleges.

Two-year community colleges fill the gap between high schools and four-year colleges.

Some students take community college classes to get job training. Others go to community colleges to take lower-cost classes before moving to a four-year university. Community colleges can cost thousands of dollars less than four-year schools.

But some students say credits for classes at community colleges do not always transfer to four-year colleges, and some employers say workers from community colleges are not always ready for jobs. At the same time, there are many jobs for people without a college education, which makes people believe they do not need college.

Since 2010, the number of students at U.S. community colleges has dropped by 37 percent, or about 2.6 million students. Those numbers come from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, a non-profit group.

That is a surprise to many people because, during the same period, the cost of higher education in the U.S. went up sharply. Many private four-year colleges can cost over $40,000 per year. Community colleges cost, on average, less than $4,000 per year. Some are even free of cost.

Getting lost

Students say they are dropping out of community colleges because they lack support.

Enrique Camara of Washington state was a good student in high school. He wanted to take audio engineering classes. But when he got to Shoreline Community College, he said it felt like he was in a weird maze. He felt lost.

He said he had trouble getting help with things like choosing the correct classes and getting financial aid.

Camara said he had to run from office to office to find out what to do. After two school terms, Camara left Shoreline and he now works at a restaurant and plays music in two bands.

Camara is not the only student who had problems.

Megan Parish is 26. She lives in the southern state of Arkansas. She has been taking community college classes since 2016. She said she often has trouble getting information from administrators and advisers. Sometimes it took 30 days to get an answer from a person in the financial aid office.

Twenty-year-old Oryanan Lewis is in a program for medical assistants at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Alabama. She has had problems finishing her schoolwork because of a chronic sickness.

Because she missed many classes, she was put on academic probation. That meant she was in danger of failing school.

She said she only got attention from people who worked at the college when they realized she might leave.

I feel like they should talk to their students more, Lewis said. Because a person can have a whole lot going on. That means they might have problems others do not know about.

A reckoning

Supporters of community colleges say they are supposed to help the students who need the most support. But there is not enough money to help everyone.

In 2020, the Center for American Progress, a non-profit group, said community colleges get $8,800 less government money per student than four-year colleges. But experts like Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School say the lack of money is only an excuse made by schools that are poorly run.

Davis Jenkins is a researcher at the Community College Research Center, part of Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. He calls the current situation a reckoning.

He said the drop in students attending community colleges would look even worse if it were not for high school students. Some high school students take part in programs that enroll them in community college classes.

Many students at community colleges start school aiming to move on to a four-year college. But research suggests the number of students able to do that is decreasing.

The two-year schools have the worst completion rates of any kind of university or college. About half the students leave school within the first year. Only about 40 percent finish their two-year school term within six years.

Many of the students who attend community colleges are minorities. Half of all Hispanic students and 40 percent of all Black students in higher education are at community colleges. If they are having trouble finishing a two-year program, that means they are not moving on to four-year colleges or finishing the job training programs.

Observers say this is a problem for the U.S. economy. For years, community colleges have trained people to work as nurses, assistants to dentists, auto repair technicians, machine operators and many other jobs. If students do not complete two-year programs to become qualified for jobs, businesses will have trouble finding skilled workers.

Its not impossible

A recent study by the Harvard Business School showed not all employers are happy with community college graduates. Only 62 percent of employers thought community college graduates were ready to work.

In addition, all colleges are having trouble keeping young people in recent years. That is because there are many jobs available right now that pay well and do not require a college education. This hurts community colleges more than four-year colleges.

In Michigan, the number of students going to community colleges dropped three times faster than those going to four-year colleges. That information comes from the states Center for Educational Performance and Information. It covers the period from 2018 to 2021.

Even with all the problems, some community colleges do very well. Joseph Fuller, the professor at Harvard Business School, studies management.

He said concerns about community colleges lacking enough money are legitimate.

But a number of community colleges do extraordinarily well, Fuller said. So, its not impossible.

Im Jill Robbins. And Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press and the Hechinger Report.

Editor's Note: Next week: Two community colleges in Alabama work to solve the problem.

Quiz - Some Students Ask What is the Point of Community College Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

enrollment n. the process by which students are accepted and attend school

gap n. a space that exists between two things

transfer v. to move something from one place to another

weird adj. strange

maze n. a system of connected passages that is meant to be hard to understand and in which people can easily get lost

chronic adj. something without end; a condition that goes on for a long time

reckoning n. a time when someone is judged for their past actions

legitimate adj. fair or reasonable

extraordinarily adv. at a very high level

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American researchers suggest in a new study that humans will need to create very Earth-like conditions to survive for long periods in space.

The study comes as the American space agency NASA prepares to return astronauts to the moon with its Artemis program. NASA recently announced its next crew of astronauts who will take part in a test mission to fly around the moon. In the more distant future, NASA plans to launch missions to Mars.

The study was recently published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. It describes conditions that would likely be needed to support long-term human life in space or on other planets. The study was carried out by a team from Cornell University in New York state and the Norfolk Institute in Virginia.

The study centered on issues such as dealing with gravity and oxygen in space, collecting water, developing agriculture and getting rid of waste in space.

One of the researchers was Morgan Irons, a doctoral student at Cornell. She cooperated with other scientists to explore important physical needs humans would require during future space travel.

She said in a statement that life in space would require a natural ecosystem to support humans and their necessary equipment. Without these kinds of systems, the mission fails, Irons added.

Another co-writer of the study was Lee Irons. He is Morgans father and heads the Norfolk Institute, a group that seeks to work toward the resiliency of humans on Earth and in space.

Lee Irons said one of the biggest problems for humans in space will be issues related to gravity. Humans experience lower levels of gravity in space. He noted that a lack of gravity can change the fluid pressure in living things. This can lead to health problems for humans living in space.

An example of gravity imbalance would be the negative effect on the eyesight of humans in Earth orbit, Lee Irons said. This would be a problem in space because an individual would not have the weight necessary to keep the same fluid pressure the body was used to on Earth.

The researchers said they first had to study the long-term physical needs of humans  both on Earth and in space. They are proposing that space mission planners seek to find ways to recreate the same evolutionary, ecological, networks that make Earth successful.

Morgan Irons said billions of dollars could be wasted on setting up a space settlement only to see it fail. Because even with all other systems in place, you need gravity.

She added, There is just no other place in space where there is 1G of gravity; that just doesnt exist anywhere else in our solar system. Thats one of the first problems we must solve. 1g is another term for what scientists call normal gravity, or the gravity that exists on the Earths surface. It can be measured as the rate of speed at which an object travels when falling to the ground, NASA explains.

The team says oxygen is another important consideration. The researchers say space agencies would need to build high-technology main and backup oxygen systems to support long-term human life in space. But what if they fail?

One suggestion from the study is to deploy living things to produce oxygen. Think of the hundreds of thousands of species of plants that make oxygen," Lee Irons said. He added that that kind of system would be needed to support long-term missions in space and on planets.

The other main requirement would be a huge amount of energy from the sun, the study suggests. The researchers noted that as astronauts travel farther from the sun, they will be able to collect less and less solar energy.

Youll need a lot of energy, Lee Irons said. Otherwise powering the ecological system of an outpost will be like trying to run your car on a cell phone battery.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Cornell University and Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

Quiz - Study: Humans Need to Create Earth-like Conditions to Survive in Space Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

mission  n. a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task

resiliency n. the ability to become healthy and strong after a setback or something bad happens

negative  n. not expecting good outcomes

evolution  n. the theory that changes in plants and animals happen because of natural processes over long periods of time

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

outpost  n. a small place that is far from large towns or cities, often where a government or company is represented

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The United States, Panama and Colombia have announced a new campaign designed to reduce traffic on a big illegal migration route.

The effort is to center on an area known as the Darien Gap, a jungle area in Colombia and Panama.

Representatives from the three countries announced plans for the two-month campaign after high-level talks. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently met with the foreign ministers of Panama and Colombia in Panama to discuss the issue.

The representatives released a joint statement. They said their campaign aims to end the illegal movement of people and goods through the area. The effort is also meant to open additional pathways for people to lawfully migrate.

Official migration data from Panama shows there were nearly 90,000 illegal crossings through the Darien Gap in the first three months of 2023. Most of the migrants came from Venezuela, Haiti and Ecuador. That is more than six times the number recorded during the same period last year.

Officials from the three countries also promised to carry out a plan to reduce poverty. They said they would create jobs in border communities.

A high-level official in the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden recently told The Associated Press that U.S. forces will assist Colombian and Panamanian efforts. They will help stop smugglers operating in the Darien Gap.

Last year, a record number of migrants used the Darien route. The number reached nearly 250,000. Venezuelans represented much of the increase. That group made up about 60 percent of the migrants crossing the area last year.

In October, the Biden administration decided to use a pandemic-related rule, found in the part of U.S. law called Title 42, to prevent Venezuelans from requesting asylum at the U.S. border. Instead, the U.S. government said it would accept up to 24,000 Venezuelans at U.S. airports who had already sought and been pre-approved through an online government program. Earlier this year, that program began including Nicaraguans, Haitians and Cubans.

But the Title 42 rule is set to end next month. So, the U.S. wants to block illegal migration at the Darien Gap.

The Darien Gap is among the most dangerous parts of the long path to reach the U.S. border from South America. Migrants and international human rights groups have denounced sexual attacks, robberies and killings in the jungle area. In addition, there are natural dangers, including poisonous snakes and fast-running rivers.

The Panamanian government and nongovernmental groups transport migrants across Panama to near its border with Costa Rica by bus. From there, the migrants continue their trip northward.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

route  n. the roads and paths that are followed to get from one place to another

jungle  n. an area of land, usually in tropical countries, where dense trees and plants grow close together

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Michael Pendleton says Walmart told him his photos weren't clear enough to prove they actually depicted one of the retailing behemoth's house-label TVs.

There was some irony in that for the 67-year-old Pendleton, of Boscobel, who said the picture on the 50-inch Onn TV he purchased from the Richland Center Walmart in February 2022 wasn't clear enough six months later for him to watch the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers, and the "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" reruns he enjoys.

Pendleton contacted SOS in mid-March to say the picture on the TV he'd paid $298 for was only showing up at the very top and the very bottom of the screen, leaving a big black hole in the middle.

Luckily, the unit came with a yearlong warranty, and he'd also shelled out an additional $50 for a four-year extended warranty. Not so luckily, his efforts to activate them were proving unsuccessful.

Pendleton said he'd gone to the store in August when the TV's screen went out, and the store gave him a copy of his receipt and directed him to send in photos of the front and rear of the TV, with the rear showing the model number.

That's what he did, he said, but Walmart told him the photos weren't clear enough.

Pendleton waited until after the four-year warranty went into effect in February and, assuming Walmart still had the allegedly blurry photos of the TV, contacted SOS for its help.

SOS filled out Walmart's online media-contact form on March 20 and emailed its senior vice president and global treasurer, Dan Binder, on April 3, and heard nothing in return.

But on April 5, Pendleton said that a couple days after he'd spoken to SOS on March 20, "Ethan" from Walmart called him and provided a phone number to re-send his photos of the malfunctioning TV. That he did, he said, and this time, they werent so picky about those photos either.

A couple of days after that, Pendleton said, Walmart's warranty company called and they were ready to proceed with the claim," and a paper check for $298 arrived in his mailbox on April 3. Walmart also sent him a $50 gift card to compensate him for the cost of the extended warranty, he said.

SOS sought to verify this happy result on April 5 with another message sent through the company's online media-contact form, another email to Binder, messages to the company via Twitter and Facebook, and a call to the company's media line, which directs reporters back to the company's website.

The persistence paid off later that afternoon, when Walmart senior manager of media relations Robert Arrieta emailed to say: "Our customer care team worked with this customer and the warranty company. The warranty company wrote Mr. Pendleton a check that covered his cost the last week of March."

There remains one comparatively small glitch, however: Pendleton said that when he tried to activate the $50 gift card at the Richland Center Walmart, staff there told him it had no value.

SOS will pursue the rest of Pendleton's refund in the coming weeks.

Send us an SOS Since September 2007, SOS has helped save Wisconsin State Journal readers more than $220,186.75 and solved hundreds of problems. You can send an SOS using any of these methods: Email: sos@madison.com

Online form: http://go.madison.com/sendSOS

Phone: 608-252-6198

Mail: SOS, Wisconsin State Journal, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708
A more than eight-hour standoff in a downtown Belleville bar that began early Saturday ended when a woman surrendered, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

There were no reported injuries, but the Sheriffs Office said the woman fired several shots that forced the evacuation of five apartments above the Dam Bar & Grill, at 3 E. Main St., across the street from Library Park and a half block from Village Hall.

But the incident, according to the Sheriffs Office, didnt start at the bar, which is known for its Friday night fish fry and build-your-own burgers on Monday.

Instead, police say the woman broke into the bar after a domestic altercation at another location. Police were called to the bar just before 2 a.m., and while the woman was inside she fired several shots. Deputies, the Sheriffs Offices Tactical Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team and Belleville police, along with the Madison Police Departments armored rescue vehicle, remained on the scene until about 10:20 a.m., when the women surrendered and was taken into custody.

The teams communicated with her throughout the night and made several attempts to make physical contact with her, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The bar remained closed Saturday, according to its Facebook page. The name of the woman and where the incident began had not yet been released.
Fave 5: Education reporter Olivia Herken shares her favorites stories from 2022

Being back at the Wisconsin State Journal and in Madison has been a joy for me so far. And though I've only been back for a few months, that time has been filled with important stories in K-12 education.

From a busy school referendum cycle to fired principals, here are my top five stories from the year.
JERUSALEM  Orthodox Christians thronged the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on Saturday to celebrate the ceremony of the "Holy Fire," an ancient ritual that sparked tensions this year with the Israeli police.

In the annual ceremony observed for over a millennium, a flame taken from Jesus' tomb is used to light the candles of fervent believers in Orthodox communities near and far. The devout believe the origin of the flame is a miracle and shrouded in mystery.

On Saturday, after hours of frantic anticipation, a priest reached inside the dim tomb and ignited his candle. Each neighbor passed the light to another and, little by little, the darkened church was irradiated by tiny patches of light that eventually illuminated the whole building.

Bells rang out. "Christ is risen!" the multilingual worshippers shouted. "He is risen indeed!"

Many trying to get to the church  built on the site where Christian tradition holds that Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected  were thrilled to mark the rite of the Orthodox Easter week in Jerusalem. But for the second consecutive year, Israel's strict limits on event capacity dimmed some of the exuberance.

"It is sad for me that I cannot get to the church, where my heart, my faith, wants me to be," said 44-year-old Jelena Novakovic from Montenegro, who, like thousands of others, was trapped behind metal barricades that sealed off alleys leading to the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem's walled Old City.

In some cases, the pushing and shoving escalated into violence. Footage showed Israeli police dragging and beating several worshippers, thrusting a Coptic priest against the stone wall and tackling one woman to the ground. At least one older man was whisked, bleeding, into an ambulance.

Israel capped the ritual to just 1,800 people. Israeli police say they must be strict because they're responsible for maintaining public safety. In 1834, a stampede at the event claimed hundreds of lives. Two years ago, a crush at a packed Jewish holy site in the country's north killed 45 people. Authorities say they're determined to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Jerusalem's minority Christians  mired in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and caught between Jews and Muslims  fear Israel is using the extra security measures to alter their status in the Old City, providing access to Jews while limiting the number of Christian worshippers.

The Greek Orthodox patriarchate has lambasted the restrictions as a hindrance of religious freedom and called on all worshippers to flood the church despite Israeli warnings.

As early as 8 a.m., Israeli police were turning back most worshippers from the gates of the Old City  including tourists who flew from Europe and Palestinian Christians who traveled from across the occupied West Bank  directing them to an overflow area with a livestream.

Angry pilgrims and clergy jostled to get through while police struggled to hold them back, allowing only a trickle of ticketed visitors and local residents inside. Over 2,000 police officers swarmed the stone ramparts.

Ana Dumitrel, a Romanian pilgrim, said she came to pay tribute to her late mother, whose experience witnessing the holy fire in 1987 long inspired her.

"I wanted to tell my family, my children, that I was here as my mom was," she said, straining over the crowds to assess whether she had a chance.

After the ceremony, Palestinian Christians carried the fire through the streets and lit the tapers of the worshippers waiting outside. Chartered planes will ferry the flickering lanterns to Russia, Greece and beyond with great fanfare.

Friction over the Orthodox Easter ritual has been fueled in part by a rare convergence of holidays in Jerusalem's bustling Old City. A few hundred meters away from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Muslims fasting for the 24th day of the holy month of Ramadan gathered for midday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, where an Israeli police raid earlier this month ignited Muslim outrage around the world. Earlier this past week, tens of thousands of Jews flocked to the Western Wall during the Passover holiday.

In the limestone passageways of the Old City on Saturday, Christians pushed back by police were trying to cope with their disappointment. Cristina Maria, 35, who traveled from Romania, said there was some consolation in the thought that the flame was symbolic, anyway.

"It's the light of Christ," she said, standing between an ice cream parlor and a dumpster in the Old City. "We can see it from here, there, anywhere."

Photos: Israel steps up Jerusalem home demolitions
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is awarding nearly $300 million to help repair or replace more than a dozen bridges across the country, closing out a three-week tour to highlight the benefits of infrastructure investments in local communities.

Events in four states on Thursday marked the end of the beginning phase of an increasingly expansive White House effort to remind voters of his President Joe Biden's accomplishments heading into his expected 2024 reelection race.

During the administration's Investing in America tour, Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other officials held more than 50 events across 25 states at projects benefiting from the landmark infrastructure, climate and high-tech manufacturing laws passed during the Democratic president's first two years in office.

There will be much more talk to come about Biden's record.

This is the focus of the next year-plus, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, who got the job in February with a mandate to oversee implementation of the massive laws, told The Associated Press. The priority is implementation, execution and communicating with the American people how this is making peoples lives better.

On Thursday, Harris attended an event awarding $72 million to rebuild a major bridge carrying I-395 from Virginia into Washington. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in upstate New York to announce $21 million to rehabilitate the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt announced $51.2 million to replace six bridges in rural South Carolina, and White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu celebrated $15.1 million to help replace six bridges leading into Madison, Wisconsin.

We think about things like the Golden Gate Bridge, Harris said, standing in front of the simple concrete span into the nation's capital, but bridges like the one crossing the Potomac River are just as important.

Zients said the officials' travel is part of the White House emphasis on telling the story of Biden's record, adding that the best way to tell the story is to go where things are happening.

While such stories are generally overshadowed on a national scale by other developments, the White House believes the officials visits and the milestones they mark will resonate with the communities that benefit from them. As projects go from the drawing board to shovels in the ground to ribbon-cuttings, Zients said, the administration is planning to be there to celebrate each step, local community by local community.

The sales pitch to Americans comes as the prospects for new legislation of similar impact are minimal. Republicans with no desire to help Biden now control the House, and Congress appears headed for a summer of discord over raising the nation's debt limit and keeping the government open.

Zients said one aim of the White House push was to draw a contrast with congressional Republicans, many of whom have voted against key pieces of Biden's legislative record. It's a strategy Biden deployed effectively in the 2022 midterms, when Democrats saw a better-than-expected outcome.

When people understand the choices they face, President Bidens vision and approach and his results speak for themselves  and we win, Zients said.
MOBILE, Ala.  The legacy of

George Wallace lives on. The Alabama governor was best known for skillfully pandering to the racial animosity harbored by so many white voters  not only in the South, but also, as his presidential campaigns showed, throughout the nation. Wallace was especially savvy about exploiting white fear of Black crime, claiming he would restore "law and order."

After decades of using subtle but racially charged code words, the Republican Party has embraced the Wallace playbook explicitly. Donald Trump showed GOP politicians they could abandon dog whistles for a foghorn, leaving no doubt about whether they meant to widen the racial divide.

widen the racial divide. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas is recklessly following the Wallace playbook with his decision to pardon Army Sgt. Daniel Perry, convicted of murder earlier this month for the shooting death of Black Lives Matter protester Garrett Foster in Austin. Though Foster was white, he was subject to the same seething rage that consumes many whites who want to portray all BLM protesters as thugs, looters or "antifa," no matter how peaceful they are. (Foster may have incited more anger in some white critics than Black protesters because they may have seen him as a race traitor.)

According to testimony at the trial, Perry, who was working as a rideshare driver, turned into the crowd of protesters on the night of the shooting, July 25, 2020. Foster was legally carrying an assault-style rifle across his chest and approached Perry's car.

Perry shot Foster from inside his car, claiming self-defense, insisting that Foster had raised the rifle to fire. But the prosecution introduced evidence showing Perry's deep-seated animosity toward BLM protesters. Among his text messages and social media comments were the following: "I might have to kill a few people on my way to work, they are rioting outside my apartment complex," and "I might go to Dallas to shoot looters."

The jury also heard testimony from a friend of Perry's who had tried to persuade him not to murder a protester and claim self-defense. "Shooting after creating an event where you have to shoot, is not a good shoot," the friend told Perry in a social media message.

The jury took that evidence into consideration as they deliberated. "It was the messages that gave us his state of mind and what he was thinking regarding the protest," one juror told The New York Times.

That wasn't good enough for the governor. He leapt into action even though the appeals process for Perry had barely begun. He tweeted, "Texas has one of the strongest 'Stand Your Ground' laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney."

Abbott's abrogation of a jury verdict stands in dramatic contrast to his practice with pardons. He has been quite stingy with his clemency power in the past, using it for a few people convicted of minor crimes, according to The Dallas Morning News. In 2021, for example, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended 75 requests for clemency, but the governor pardoned only eight Texans.

But Abbott couldn't resist pressure from ultraconservatives, including Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, a George Wallace acolyte. Carlson tweeted, "Apparently the state of Texas no longer recognizes the right of self-defense," and on his highly rated show, he insisted that Abbott pardon Perry. Perry's defenders also include the notorious Kyle Rittenhouse, who has made a lucrative living from speaking to right-wing groups about killing two unarmed BLM protesters in Wisconsin and getting away with it, claiming self-defense.

If you see a pattern here, you're right. It's a pattern that stretches back to the late 19th century, when white vigilantes killed Black freedmen (and -women) with impunity. In the 1960s, bigots got away with murdering white allies of civil rights activists, such as Episcopal priest Jonathan Daniels.

While the criminal justice system has made great strides toward equal justice for all in recent decades, Abbott and his cronies clearly want to turn back the clock. Jury verdicts, apparently, won't stand in their way.

Tucker won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2007: cynthia@ cynthiatucker.com.
Community event for suicide awareness and resilience

All You Need Is Hope is a free community event being held on Monday at Canyon Ridge High School, beginning at 7 p.m.

The event features two speakers, Ryan Stream and Jared Scott, for a one-hour program designed to engage, inform, and help people build communities of purpose and positivity.

Murtaugh School District seeks Reality Town volunteers

The Murtaugh School District is holding a Reality Town event for eighth and ninth graders.

Reality Town is a simulation where students are given a career and a paycheck and must budget monthly expenses for themselves and their Reality Town family.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Kim Draves at kim.draves@murtaugh.k12.id.us or by phone at 208-432-5451

Reality Town will take place from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, at the Hulse Gym.

O'Leary Quiz Bowl Team tops regionals

The O'Leary Middle School Quiz Bowl Team won the Regional Middle School Science Bowl competition in Idaho Falls on March 10. Up next, the O'Leary team will head to Washington, D.C., to compete at the national level later this month.

The Grim Reaper was stalking TFHS hallways on Wednesday. Here's why. The Every 15 Minutes program challenges the way high schoolers think about think about drinking, drugs, driving, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions.

Castleford history class checks out vintage music, recipes

Mrs. Loman's sophomore U.S. History students at Castleford High School enjoyed cookies made by one of their classmates, using a recipe out of a Great Depression cookbook.

To make the experience more immersive, they enjoyed their cookies while listening to the music of the 1930s and 1940s from vinyl records brought in by another classmate.

Chess club memberships

The Chess Club at Robert Stuart Middle School will be able to provide its players with new memberships to a national organization. Math teacher Peter Clark applied for a grant from the U.S. Chess Trust. The club was awarded 16 vouchers for U.S. Chess memberships, plus additional chess equipment.

Twin Falls 2023-24 kindergarten registration underway

The district has begun kindergarten registration for the upcoming school year. In order to have a correct number of staff, they would like to know how many kids will be in class. Parents are asked to register their children soon.

If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023, an online registration form can be completed on the district's website.

"In order to make sure we have the right number of teachers assigned at the right schools, we need to know where kindergarten students will be attending school in the fall," the district said in a post to their Facebook page.

 Times-News
TWIN FALLS  Gov. Brad Little tallied up the gains made for education as he looked back on the first 100 days of his second term while visiting the College of Southern Idaho this week.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke joined Little for the visit, and both had high praise for the Magic Valley, and for CSI.

As I looked back 100 days, I was very pleased with the progress we made on the priorities that I set out and handed over to the legislative branch, Little said while visiting with veterinary tech students, CSI educators and administrators, and reporters.

Once he handed over those priorities, Little said the Legislature approved 99% of them during a session that concluded earlier this month.

The states actions, Bedke said, would make a meaningful difference to Magic Valley residents, along with the rest of the state.

Were taking that economic prosperity, lowering taxes, and investing back in things that will move the needle in Idaho, Bedke said.

Heres what happened:

Launch Program

A big highlight out of the session was passage of the Idaho Launch program, which will provide up to $8,000 to every graduating Idaho high school student who is going on to post-high school education or career training for in-demand jobs.

The program, which begins next year, did have a bumpy time moving through the Legislature, though, and Little said he could see why some considered the bill to be controversial.

It really turns what weve done for education upside-down, Little said. This opens up a whole new career pathway for kids who dont want to go on to a traditional bachelors degree.

FISHER: CSI is your community college, and were proud to serve you COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO: We are proud of what we do, and we look forward to sharing our story with you throughout Community College Month, writes President Dean Fisher.

Little said the state has always chipped in on education expenses for people studying to be lawyers or doctors or accountants, but that career and technical education had been overlooked.

A committee hearing on the bill turned contentious, where its critics said the bill smacked of socialism and cronyism. The senate passed the bill, and then attached a trailer bill to it that lowered the price tag to 80% of tuition, up to $8,000, and restricted eligible uses for the money to tuition alone.

Our Launch, I think its going to be transformative, Little said. As we get it up and get it going, theres going to be such a much higher percent of our students that graduate from Idaho high schools, theyre going to have a fruitful rewarding career where they can raise their families here in Idaho, and plan comfortably for retirement.

K-12 funding

Little said education has had three years of increased funding, carrying over work that had begun in prior sessions. The Legislature worked out what to do with the $330 million for K-12 education, and $80 million for in-demand careers, which had been approved during the extraordinary session of September 2022.

This year, raises for teachers were approved, and raises for classified employees were added as well.

When he entered the government, Little said starting teacher pay was around $30,000.

We were one of the lowest 10 states in the nation, said Little, noting that Idaho will now be among the top 10 states.

Which is really important in Idaho because Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon and Washington all pay more, and if we want kids to go into the teaching profession, they need to know that theyre going to get compensated, he said.

Gov. Little talks grants for grads at TFHS Gov. Brad Little paid a visit to a high school career and technical class on Wednesday to answer questions about the proposed Idaho Launch program.

The appropriations passed this year also gave school districts more discretionary money to deal with local issues that vary from region to region.

So if theres a specific issue in Filer thats different from Kimberly, it can be addressed by the local school board, Little said. Schools are different, students are different, communities are different.

Property tax relief

We delivered on property tax relief, just like we have the last three years, Little said. If youre an Idaho taxpayer, you have gotten more tax relief per person than any of the other 50 states  and this is a continuation of that.

Little asked for $120 million in ongoing tax relief, using sales and income tax to lower property taxes. The Legislature had a robust debate, and ended up agreeing to $117 million in ongoing, plus bonus money if there is a surplus.

Infrastructure

The Legislature continued to build on investments in infrastructure from last year, allocating funding for roads, water, sewer and broadband.

But, like with Launch, the path to funding was complicated. Little vetoed House Bill 292, which would have reduced the transportation infrastructure funding mechanism approved last year, calling it a hodgepodge of policy. The Legislature voted to override Littles veto, making the bill law.

To address some of Littles concerns, however, House Bill 376 restored transportation funding, and the governor signed it.

During his Friday visit to CSI, Little championed the investment to transportation safety, bridge repairs, and large projects such as widening Interstate 84 between Twin Falls and Jerome, and the Burley-Heyburn I-84 interchange.

PHOTOS: Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI Gov. Brad Litle and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke stop by CSI
Conservatives are often criticized by liberals as being closed-minded, and not interested in listening to the lefts honest concerns about issues like systemic racism, climate change and the growing economic disparity between the uber-rich and the struggling poor.

But lost in all the lefts finger-pointing is the inconvenient truth that those on Team Blue can be just as closed-minded.

During the course of a school year, many college campuses invite notable speakers to come and address their students. These speakers may occasionally be considered controversial, but, from the universities perspective, thats the point. Traditionally, one of the many missions of a good university was to expose students to a wide range of thought, so that students can weigh and assess the value of different points of view and thereby form informed opinions based on both understanding and empathy.

Ill wait for a moment for your laughter to subside.

These days, when speakers are invited by universities to address students, the act is seen as, first, an endorsement of the university of the speakers views, and, second, an effort to indoctrinate the student body to the speakers point of view.

If the speaker is perceived as a liberal, conservative students will complain loudly about such blatantly attempted mind-control. Their complaints are likely to be covered by the allegedly left-leaning news media, and the complaining students are portrayed as close-minded, judgmental, and intolerant of the free speech the Bill of Rights was written to foster.

All of which leaves those on the left shaking their heads at what the right-winged troglodytes are up to now.

So when the same thing happens to a conservative speaker at a decidedly liberal campus, it makes news.

Last month, the Honorable Stuart Kyle Duncan was invited to speak to the Stanford University Law School. Stanford is located on the fringe of Silicon Valley, just outside of San Francisco. Duncan is a federal appeals court judge appointed by then-President Donald Trump.

SAUNDERS: Stanford law school is doomed SAUNDERS: Institutions of learning are supposed to turn out informed, capable graduates. Yet a cream law school apparently is intent on training future lawyers to shout, not think.

For the record, the Stanford Law School website promotes the view that collaboration and the open exchange of ideas are essential to life and learning. But in practice, not so much.

Duncans presentation to Stanfords law school was a disaster.

From the beginning, the judge was heckled and subjected to the shouting protests of the law students in the audience. In a reference to his personal legal stand against unfettered access to abortion services, one of the hecklers shouted, We hope your daughters get raped!

Others reportedly shouted, You scum, Youre not welcome here, and We hate you!

Back and forth it went for about 30 minutes. Finally, Duncan abandoned the podium, but not before referring to these cream-of-the-crop Stanford law students as appalling idiots, and hypocrites,  an opinion he repeated in a scathing piece for the Wall Street Journal.

I think there are a few points worth making in the wake of this fiasco, which has already prompted celebratory finger-pointing by right-leaning commentators who are happily wringing their hands at the public display of such neanderthal behavior by the young leftist elites who have set their own cause back by behaving just as ignorantly as the occasionally noisy rabble babble we hear from the right.

To both sides, Id like to offer a few modest thoughts.

It is no great victory to be able to point your finger and say See? They think theyre so high and mighty  but theyre really no better than we are.

Wrong behavior by one side does not justify wrong behavior by the other side. Your sins are not absolved by theirs.

Its also worth remembering that the actions of the radically intolerant of either side do not represent the view of that sides majority. Whichever side of the divide you inhabit, it would be wrong to look at the provocative actions of the other sides fringe and draw the conclusion that everyone on the other side supports such disruptive incivility.

Sure, were all divided, but were not that divided.

Please ignore the clowns. Look instead for the steady majority. And, sure, bring along some bricks if youd like  not for throwing, but for bridge-building.
The College of Southern Idaho rose from humble beginnings.

The initial academic classes were held at Twin Falls High School in September 1965, just a few months after James L. Taylor was hired as the first president, while the earliest group of college administrators set up shop inside the old hospital annex building on West Addison.

There were dozens of students then. There are about 10,000 of them now.

Yet, even without a campus of its own  that didnt come until 1968, with the Fine Arts Building the first to stand  the Magic Valleys only institution of higher education was quick to carve out a mission statement that hasnt much changed in the 55 years since: To provide quality educational, social, cultural, economic, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

Heres what has changed, though: The needs of the eight-county region  particularly with the expansion of the agriculture and dairy industries, the emergence of food processing operations that now employ thousands of our friends and neighbors, and the arrival of big business such as Chobani and Clif Bar.

Its not just the needs that are diverse. So are the demographics, yet another changing factor that has tested the colleges nimbleness.

Largely drawn to Twin Falls and the surrounding area by the prospect of steady employment in the fields, on the farms and in the processing plants, Hispanics make up an increasing percentage of our population, from 8.9% in 2000, to 13.8% in 2010, to 17.8% in 2021, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

OUR VIEW: What the Times-News Editorial Board has said in 2023 The voice of Twin Falls and the Magic Valley: Here's what the Times-News Editorial Board has said in 2023.

That number is considerably higher in some pockets, particularly in and around Jerome and Hailey, where school districts report Hispanic youngsters comprise somewhere near half of the student population.

Those children will soon seek to embark on their own journeys in higher education, and thats where CSI comes in.

Its impossible to know in those founding days how many Hispanic students attended the college  or even how many Spanish-speaking folks lived in the Magic Valley since the Census didnt begin tracking with such detail until 1980  but CSI now counts 25% of its student population as Hispanic.

Thats why, in 2021, CSI was the first Idaho school to become a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, one of fewer than 600 in the United States, according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

What does that mean? The designation, bestowed only on colleges or universities where at least a quarter of the full-time equivalent student body is Hispanic, according to the HACU, allows schools to apply for more federal grants, often in the millions, to better serve students.

More programs. More resources. More bilingual faculty and staff.

It was a multi-decade journey to HSI status for the college, with CSI first becoming aware of the rising need to serve Hispanic students in the mid-2000s before putting it on the front burner in 2014, Jeff Fox, the schools former president, told us this week.

CSIs groundwork included outreach into churches, clinics, schools and in-home visits, he told us, plus on-campus initiatives to break down language barriers.

Gone are the days when a Spanish-speaking student might stir panic in the admissions office or elsewhere on campus.

What are they saying?

Is there anybody who speaks Spanish?

What do we do?

The HSI mission also spurred the college to prioritize its new Jerome Center, a modern 20,000-square-foot complex to be built at 3rd and North Lincoln avenues that will increase availability and opportunity for education in a growing Hispanic community, Laird Stone, chair of the CSI Board of Trustees, told us.

Its Stones hope, too, that trustees will meet more regularly in Jerome once the center is complete, opening the colleges decision-making processes to a new audience.

Were not perfect  but were really on our way, CSI Trustee Jan Mittleider told us. One notable sign of progress, she said: The schools last two elected student body presidents have been Hispanic.

FISHER: CSI is your community college, and were proud to serve you COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO: We are proud of what we do, and we look forward to sharing our story with you throughout Community College Month, writes President Dean Fisher.

Standing on the CSI campus on Friday while touting the first 100 days of his second term, Idaho Gov. Brad Little put it into words.

Theyre just doing their job, Little said during a news conference inside the colleges Veterinary Technology Building, where he spoke to reporters, students, faculty, staff and even a few bleating goats. Thats the population, lets serve the population.  Their mission, and the people of this community elect the trustees, and youve got a long history of incredible, dedicated trustees with CSI, theyve gotta say, Heres the population, heres the industry. How do we bring them together to where our students are gonna have the best opportunity.

Thats not so simple at a four-year institution, which might wear the tattoo of a major law or medical school, Little said, but its achievable if youre agile on your feet, like a community college should be.

Well said, governor.

For decades, CSI has helped fit together the puzzle pieces of the Magic Valley  from improving access to higher education, to delivering that education at an affordable cost, to training tomorrows workforce, to building social and cultural connections. This is simply the latest example of why were so incredibly fortunate to have the college in our backyard.

During this Community College Month, let us all take a moment to celebrate CSI. Our part of the world, undoubtedly, wouldnt the same without it.
Hanoi  The United States and Vietnam said Saturday they hoped to upgrade diplomatic ties, days after a flare-up in tensions with China over Taiwan.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, passing through Hanoi on his way to a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Japan, met Vietnamese leaders on Saturday to pave the way for a potential diplomatic upgrade to a strategic partnership.

The two countries have increasingly close trade links, while both share concern over Chinas growing strength in the region.

We think this is an auspicious time to elevate our existing partnership, Blinken told reporters.

Weve had for the last 10 years this comprehensive partnership that has created an incredibly strong foundation of cooperation across many different areas. As a result, we think this is a good moment to go even further.

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He said that their teams would be working on this in the weeks and months ahead, adding that they were also finalising the transfer of a third US Coast Guard cutter to Vietnam, to bolster Vietnams capacity to contribute to maritime peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Analysts say Hanoi may be more reluctant to elevate relations, wary of upsetting Beijing despite rival claims in the South China Sea. Their neighbour to the north is also a key economic partner.

Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh indicated that Hanoi had given the go-ahead for elevating our bilateral ties to a new height.

The visit follows a call last month between US President Joe Biden and the head of Vietnams ruling Communist party, Nguyen Phu Trong.

China completed military drills around Taiwan on Monday in its latest show of force against the self-governing island. The drills were staged as retaliation against Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meeting lawmakers in the United States.

Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held rare joint talks with their Philippine counterparts in Washington a day later following a deal for US forces to use a growing number of bases in the Philippines, including one near Taiwan.

The visit to Vietnam is Blinkens first as secretary of state. He also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new eight-storey US embassy in Hanoi.

This groundbreaking  and the new embassy that well build  represents another significant step toward strengthening a vital partnership between our countries and between our people, Blinken said.

The trip comes after the US called for the immediate release of Vietnamese journalist Nguyen Lan Thang, who was sentenced to six years in jail earlier this week for spreading anti-state propaganda.

Vietnam has strict curbs on freedom of expression and the government moves swiftly to stamp out dissent and arrest critics, while independent media is banned.

Blinken said he continued to underscore how future progress on human rights is essential to unleashing the full potential of the Vietnamese people.

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Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel is hoping that the national government would receive bigger cash dividends from the Land Bank of the Philippines after its planned merger with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Theres no question that the business combination will create a larger Land Bank with a greater capacity to generate new earnings, he said.

The new earnings, coupled with operating cost savings, will enable Land Bank to pay additional cash dividends on a regular basis to the national treasury in the years ahead, he added.

Land Bank last declared and remitted to the treasury P8.5 billion in special cash dividends in June 2022, after posting a net income of P21.7 billion in 2021. The bank recently reported a net income of P30.1 billion in 2022.

This augurs well for the governments efforts to boost non-tax receipts that are badly needed to support social development programs, Pimentel said.

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Earlier, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the merger of the two state-owned banks, with Land Bank as the surviving entity, is projected to yield P5.3 billion in annual operating cost savings, or no less than P20 billion in the next four years.

Both Land Bank and DBP are covered by Republic Act No. 7656, which requires government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCCs) to declare as dividends and remit to the treasury at least 50 percent of their annual net profits.

The law also empowers Malacanang to adjust the dividend rate higher or lower for any or all covered GOCCs, in the interest of the national economy and the general welfare.

During the Duterte administration, Land Banks dividend rate was reduced to zero percent for 2016, 10 percent for 2017, and then to zero percent again for 2018 and 2019.

The dividend rate adjustments, combined with fresh equity infusions from the government, enabled Land Bank to build up its capital reserves and provide low-interest loans to vulnerable sectors at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Land Bank is the official depository of government funds, which account for 67 percent, or P1.9 trillion, of the banks total deposits.

The bank also has the social mandate to spur countryside development and extend credit to small farmers and fisherfolk and agrarian reform beneficiaries.

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Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is proposing a partnership among the Philippines, the United States of America, and India in building a digital public infrastructure in the country.

He attended the Digital Public Infrastructure lecture on Saturday at the International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington D.C. where he had a brief chat with Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of Indian multinational information technology company Infosys.

I think it is very important for the Philippines, India, and the US to lead in this digital public infrastructure initiative because nations have much to gain from this, he said.

DIGITAL PACT. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (right) and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (left), and later with Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani (right), shake hands and exchange pleasanties during their meeting at the Digital Public Infrastructure lecture on Saturday (Philippine time) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington D.C. as part of the World Bank (WB)-IMF Spring Meetings. Ryan Ponce Pacpaco

The event was part of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings.

Romualdez said to build public digital platforms is very much aligned with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to speed up the countrys digital transformation.

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This is the reason why the House of Representatives has passed the E-Governance/E-Government Bill, which seeks to shift the entire bureaucracy to the digital space for faster and transparent delivery of services, and for better engagement with the public, he said.

Digitalization will definitely prove to be the panacea to the economic problems left behind by COVID-19, he added.

Digital public infrastructure is defined as infrastructure that allows people to engage in public and civic life in digital space. It is funded mostly by the government and taxpayers. It is not profit-oriented, unlike privately owned digital platforms that rake in billions mostly from advertising.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Felipe Medalla, and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan attended the World Bank-International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings, and generated positive and encouraging remarks from businessmen, WB, IMF and bank officials on the countrys strong economy.

The four members of President Marcos economic team had briefedIMF and World Bank officials and potential American investors on the state of the countrys economy.

Romualdez said during the event, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva extended her best wishes to the Philippines and its strong economy.

She is very, very delighted with our attendance and presence during the Spring Meeting of the IMF here in Washington D.C. We look forward to further interaction with the IMF, World Bank, and other leading financial institutions, Speaker Romualdez said.

In a meeting with the Presidents economic team, the Speaker assured them that your House of Representatives is very much supportive of the Presidents Agenda for Prosperity and 8-point socioeconomic program.

We would like to congratulate them for a job well done in presenting the state of our economy to US investors, he said.

In his remarks before prospective investors and IMF and WB officials, Diokno said the 2022-2028 Medium Term Fiscal Framework, which Congress passed shortly after it convened in July last year, serves as a compass to steer the economy closely along the patch of fiscal sustainability and economic growth.

The targets and measures under this framework are firmly supported not only by the President but also by both houses of Congress, he said.

He cited economic liberalization measures Congress recently approved to attract more foreign investments, such as the amended Public Service Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Retail Trade Liberalization Act.

Last year, Diokno said the economy posted a 46-year record-high growth rate of 7.6 percent.

This was higher than our full-year target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent and exceeded forecasts of local private sector analysts and international financial institutions, placing the Philippines among the best-performing economies in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

He said the growth target this year is 6 percent to 7 percent.

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National Security Council: PH not interfering via EDCA sites; defense, OFWs top concerns

BIG HARDWARE. A huge US Navy ship and airplane are seen inside the Global Industrial Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales to be used in the joint US-Philippines Balikatan exercises until April 28. Manny Palmero

Philippine bases will not be used as a staging point for American troops if war breaks out over Taiwan, the government said late Saturday.

The Philippines has no intention of interfering in the Taiwan issue and will not allow itself to be used by other countries to interfere, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson and Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.

National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Ano has made our position clear that the increased security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is meant to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enable it to protect and defend the territory of the Philippines and is not meant to contain or counter any nation in the region or to interfere in another nations affairs, he added.

The statement was issued in response to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, who said at a recent forum that the United States was using the Philippines and taking advantage of the situation in the Taiwan Strait to expand its military presence in the region.

But Malaya said the country is only concerned in modernizing and improving the defense capability of the AFP.

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The Philippines is primarily concerned about improving its defense capability, modernizing our equipment and assets, and developing our infrastructure. These are the primary reasons why we are increasing our security cooperation with the United States under the 72-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between our two countries, Malaya said.

Malaya also chided the Chinese ambassador for making what some saw as a veiled threat against the overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.

We observe the One China Policy and subscribe to the ASEAN principle of non-interference in approaching regional issues. Our primordial concern in Taiwan is the safety and well-being of the more than 150,000 Filipinos living and working on the island and we take grave exception to any effort by guests in our country to use this to fear-monger and intimidate us, Malaya said.

Malaya said Ano met the Chinese envoy earlier last week and assured him that the additional Philippine bases in which US troops are allowed under the Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) were not meant for offensive operations in the region or for interference in Taiwan.

He assured the Chinese ambassador that the Philippines is for the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and for the continued stability of the region, Malaya said.

Ano also denied that the US had dictated which bases would be made accessible under the EDCA.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Sunday said the Palace should expel the Chinese ambassador for threatening Filipinos and the country.

He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner, Hontiveros said.

He, along with his countrys ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave, she added.

Hontiveros fired back at Huang, who had said the Philippines should deny US troops access to its bases if it were truly concerned about the safety of 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan.

These are truly disgraceful statements from Ambassador Huang Xillian.

How dare he threaten us, d Hontiveros said.

Our OFWs in Taiwan will continue to work where they work. End of story, she also said.

We will never let Beijing decide on the future of Filipino families.

Their destiny is not in Chinas hands, she said.

She also said the Philippines will never interfere with the issue of Taiwanese independence.

That is exclusively for the people of Taiwan to tackle, she said.

We, in the Philippines, respect the right of the Taiwanese people toself-determination, and this right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China, Hontiveros said.

If China has issues with the US, she said China shouldnt drag the Philippines into their fight.

She pointed out it is China who has been stoking tensions in the region, claiming territories that arent hers.

It is China who continues to bully, harass, and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess, she added.

On Saturday, Naval Forces West (NFW) announced that joint Philippines and US forces on April 14 successfully conducted the amphibious raid exercise of this years Balikatan in Palawan.

NFW chief Commodore Alan M. Javier said the exercise was done at the beachhead of Barangay Samarinana in Brookes Point, Palawan.

Amphibious raids are usually performed against the enemy. It is accomplished by employing a special force into an area that is controlled by enemy forces. Amphibious raids are commonly quick and swift leaving minimal footprints on the ground, Javier said.

The successful conduct of the amphibious raid in the Balikatan 38-23 reinforces the Philippine Navys commitment in ensuring national sovereignty, security, and stability, he said.

This years Balikatan started April 11 and is set to end on April 28.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army said it successfully executed the Javelin anti-tank weapon system live-fire exercise with the US Army and US Marines forces as part of the introductory activities of the Balikatan 38-23 at Range 2, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 13.

The US Army, US Marines, and PA troops fired five missiles which are facilitated by the anti-tank trainers during the simulation of the combat scenario, a part of the 38th iteration of Balikatan, Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Saturday.

The PA soldiers applied the skills they learned through lectures and simulation exercises The Army troops showed their tactical skills, accuracy, and confidence in using the Javelin weapon, which could be one of the integral armaments of the PAs future arsenal, he added.

PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., who witnessed the exercise with United States Army Pacific commander Gen. Charles A. Flynn, applauded the smooth execution of the exercise.

By sustaining the build-up and expansion of our areas of collaboration, we can achieve our shared goal of maintaining peace and security in the region, he added.

Brawner also stressed that the exercise allowed the PA troops to deal with the real-time experience and to observe how the weapon works and reacts in the environment, particularly in an actual warfare setting.

What you see here with Balikatan and Salaknib is an expression of us trying to commit to enabling and assisting the Philippine military (in) being able to protect their national sovereignty and protect the territorial integrity of the Philippines, Flynn said.

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Hundreds of abortion rights activists protested in Washington on Saturday after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas aimed at curtailing nationwide access to a widespread abortion drug.

The protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court building, chanting Judges are not doctors, and Keep abortion legal.

The country has been plunged into a complex legal battle after access to the abortion pill was cut by the Texas judge, before the Supreme Court weighed in at the last minute to temporarily maintain access, leaving its future in question.

When does it stop? said Carol Bouchard, a 61-year-old former lawyer who said she was really angry to see access to the abortion pill threatened almost a year after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that had guaranteed women access to the procedure for almost half a century.

That decision led to a ban on abortion in more than a dozen US states.

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On Saturday afternoon, Brittany House, a resident of Washington, took to the stage and talked about the abortion she had in 2012, when she was just out of university.

Abortion gave me freedom, she said, noting that at age 21, she wouldnt have been able to support my child.

Many septuagenarians were also marching in front of the Supreme Court, outraged to see restrictions piling up in the country, fifty years after having fought for the right to an abortion.

An abortion saved my life, said Barbara Kraft, who had an abortion in the late 1970s after serious complications during her pregnancy.

I feel so strongly that women have to have the right to make that decision for themselves, she said.

Illustrating the tensions that run through American society, the rally was briefly interrupted by a small group of anti-abortion protesters proclaiming over a megaphone that abortion is murder.

Pro-abortion rights protests were also held in Los Angeles and New York.

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As a kid growing up in western North Carolina in the 1970s, Six Flags over Georgia and Disney World were distant dreams, places visited only by a very few lucky classmates who returned with thrilling tales of The Great American Scream Machine or a Polaroid of the family shaking the oversized mitt of the worlds most famous mouse.

The rest of us, we had Carowinds, a little more scaled down, a little more blue collar but only a two-hour activity bus ride away.

The park, located on the North Carolina-South Carolina line, turns 50 this year.

It opened when I was 8 years old and I remember the surrounding hoopla in the pages of the newspaper, which we bought daily from the machine outside the Wee Mart convenience store because the carrier wouldnt deliver to the end of our gravel road.

There must have been a complaint form filed somewhere that said mean dogs and mean young uns.

By the second or third year the park was open, a trip to Carowinds was undoubtedly the highlight any school year if your class was lucky enough to go or the subject of a what I did on my summer vacation essay when school resumed in the fall:

Me, my brother, my momma, my daddy, Uncle Phil and Aunt Lucy went to Carowinds in July.

I stood in two states at the same time and threw a penny in the wishing well and wished it wasnt so danged hot. I think the wishing well is broken.

We stood in line for an hour-and-half to ride Thunder Road. It is a big roller coaster. My brother ate two hot dogs and cotton candy while we stood in line. Then we got on Thunder Road.

One thing I learned on the trip is dont eat two hot dogs and cotton candy while standing in line for Thunder Road. They had to close it down for 20 minutes and bring in a hose.

A good time was had by all. The end.

The parks amphitheater, the Palladium, played host to plenty of touring rock acts in the 70s and 80s, most notably for me, Jimmy Buffett.

I discovered Buffett between my sixth- and seventh-grade year thanks to a bootleg double 8-track of the live album You Had to Be There.

This guy, I told my friends, sings about drunken bears, the ocean and cheeseburgers. Weve got to go see him.

And we did, finding a slightly older friend with a car and a learners permit to drive us. The car broke down on the way back, but my grandma, who had moved to Charlotte after Grandpa Charlie died, took us in and fed us while my uncle fixed the car.

We made it home and we made it back to Buffett every year until he outgrew the Palladium.

Around 20 years ago, I took my kid to Carowinds because I believe every 6-year-old child should have the opportunity to stand in line, bake in the blistering sun and listen to his or her father talk about how much better it was in the old days.

Six Flags and Disney? They still got nothing on this place, kid.

She claims I tricked her into riding a rip-roaring rapids water plunge by saying it was just a lazy river ride. I can neither confirm nor deny.

So, in 50 years, Carowinds has been a part of different stages of my life, from kid to dad and all that happened in between.

Maybe this year, feeling nostalgic, I will go back and pay tribute by standing in line, baking in the blistering sun and tossing a penny in the old wishing well if it hasnt been replaced by a virtual bitcoin wishing machine.

Or, better yet, I can sit back, reminisce and keep that next visit as a distant dream.
I grew up in a factory town where the manufacturing of sweatshirts and wood furniture abounded.

There was truth to the rumor at the time that a person dissatisfied with their current employment situation could quit work that morning and be back at work for a different employer that afternoon.

I was a reporter in the same town that covered a Washington politician who visited us with comforting words about new free trade agreements that would have little to no effect on us.

Thats when I grasped the true understanding of why politicians are generally held in contempt of the public-at-large.

Our factories closed and crumbled under the weight of common greed among stockholders and businessmen who had discovered they could put many more people on a production line for far less money in a foreign country than a single American working here at home.

I have been supportive, but always concerned, about businesses built on the strength of government handouts and grant money, and a popular business model that does little other than pass money around without much to show for it.

If it puts people to work and allows them to provide, then more power to them, but I worry how long these businesses can continue without a lasting foundation.

To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement when I read a Wall Street Journal article over the weekend titled America is back in the factory business. The first sentence of the story stated that in the last year few things were produced at a more furious pace than factories themselves.

I bustled through the article to find out what has changed and learned that COVID was a primary instigator in this promising turnaround.

Pandemic-driven shortages and delays have caused manufacturers to rethink their far-flung supply chains, said Chris Snyder, an industrial analyst for UBS. Among the changes close to home include toy maker Lego, who makes most of its product in Mexico and is building a plant near Richmond.

Bicycle maker Kent International had been producing its product in China and now they do it in Manning, South Carolina.

And Black and Decker is bringing back its operations from China and Mexico to its new plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, the article stated.

With technology today, the low-wage worker in cheaper countries is being replaced with the no-wage robot under the supervision of an American with decent pay and benefits here at home.

Then there is the economy and speed of distribution.

When free trade agreements were in vogue, the cost of transportation was cheap. Once the supply chain was rolling, it didnt matter much to the bottom line where the finished product was shipped from or where it was going.

Those times have changed.

In 1928 the cost of a first class postage stamp was two cents; by 1958 it had doubled to four cents; in 1971 it doubled again to eight cents; in 1981 it was 20 cents and by 2007 it was 41 cents.

The cost of a postage stamp has risen 16 times since 2007 and as of Jan. 22 this year, it costs 63 cents to send a letter.

The cost of sending socks, shirts and end tables across the ocean has increased as well, and businesses have learned the American public has no patience for anything anymore. They want it now.

The closer the manufacturing plant is to the point of sale, the cheaper it is to ship, the sooner it gets to the customer and the more control the company has in meeting the demand with the supply.

Perhaps, more than anything today, we should be concerned about our countrys massive trade imbalance with China. Although Virginias $6.5 billion import industry pales in comparison with California at $130 billion, both states claim China as the top country where products come from, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics put Chinas trade surplus with the U.S. at over $40 billion per month. Such a rapid transfer of wealth should be concerning to us all.
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

A major UK study has discovered that the disturbed sleep patterns in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was likely to be a driver of breathlessness.

The study of patients in 38 institutions across the UK was led by University of Manchester and Leicester, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Copenhagen, April 15-18) and published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

The team discovered that 62% of participants who had been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 had sleep disruption, which was likely to persist for at least 12 months, and highlight for the first time the association between two post-COVID condition symptoms: breathlessness and sleep disruption.

On average, participants who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 slept for over an hour longer, but their sleep patterns were less regular (19% decrease on the sleep regularity scale), than matched participants who were hospitalized due to any cause.

The study researchers also found that participants with sleep disturbance were more likely to have anxiety and muscle weakness, common post-COVID-19 condition symptoms.

Statistical analysis identified that sleep disruption was likely to drive breathlessness directly, but that reduced muscle function and increased anxiety, both recognized causes of breathlessness, could partially mediate the association between sleep disturbance and breathlessness.

The study authors speculate that targeting sleep disruption by reducing anxiety and improving muscle strength in these patients could alleviate breathlessness, but further investigation is needed.

The study used extensive data from the hospitals taking part in the PHOSP-COVID study between March 2020 and October 2021. PHOSP-COVID is a consortium from across the UK, researching long-term health outcomes for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Sleep quality was assessed using subjective measures that were self-reported by 638 patients to researchers. It was also measured objectively in another 729 patients, who wore devices similar to smart watches that measured night-time activity levels.

Both measures consistently revealed a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance in people who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with matched controls from the UK Biobank who had been hospitalized for any cause. The impact on sleep from hospitalization due to COVID-19 was irrespective of critical care admission.

One of the authors Dr. John Blaikley, a clinical scientist from The University of Manchester and respiratory doctor said, "This study has discovered that sleep disturbance could be an important driver of post-COVID-19 breathlessnessor dyspneabecause of its associations with reduced muscle function and anxiety."

"If this is the case, then interventions targeting poor sleep quality might be used to manage symptoms and convalescence following COVID-19 hospitalization, potentially improving patient outcomes."

First author and mathematician Mr. Callum Jackson from The University of Manchester said, "Understanding the causes of breathlessness is complex since it can arise from conditions that affect the respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, and mental health systems."

"These same systems are also affected by sleep disturbance, another symptom that has been frequently reported after COVID-19."

"Our findings suggest that sleep disturbance is a common problem after hospitalization for COVID-19 and is associated with breathlessness."

"We also show this is likely to persist for at least 12 months as subjective sleep quality did not change between 5 and 12 month follow-up visits."

Professor Chris Brightling from the University of Leicester said, "The strengths of our study include its size, multicentre nature, and the use of different complementary assessment measures to evaluate sleep disturbance. Consistent clinical associations were also observed across each evaluation method."

"Future research should now assess whether interventions targeting sleep disturbance can improve not only sleep quality but also breathlessness through reducing anxiety and improving muscle strength."

More information: Effects of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea and impaired lung function following hospital admission due to COVID-19 in the UK: a prospective multicentre cohort study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2023). doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00124-8 , www.thelancet.com/journals/lan  (23)00124-8/fulltext W Cameron McGuire et al, Sleep disturbances, dyspnoea, and anxiety in long COVID, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00138-8 , www.thelancet.com/journals/lan  (23)00138-8/fulltext Journal information: Lancet Respiratory Medicine
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

An international consensus statement on the safest and most effective way to implant a pacing system that mimics the heart's normal function is published today in EP Europace, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The document is being launched at the EHRA Conduction System Pacing (CSP) Summit and will be discussed during EHRA 2023, a scientific congress of the ESC.

"It is estimated that 1.4 million patients worldwide will receive a pacemaker in 2023," said first author Professor Haran Burri of the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. "Approximately half of those patients could potentially benefit from conduction system pacing, which connects to the body's own electrical cables and is therefore more physiological than conventional methods."

Pacemakers are used to regulate the heart rate in people whose heart beats too slowly, mainly because of a block in the electrical connection between the upper (atria) and lower (ventricles) levels of the heart (called atrioventricular block). Professor Burri said, "Standard pacing electrically activates a single point in the ventricle, rather than the whole heart simultaneously, leading to uncoordinated contraction in different areas of the heart. In around one-fifth of patients this can damage the heart and lead to heart failure. Conduction system pacing places leads directly along different sites of the heart's intrinsic conduction system, leading to simultaneous contraction across the heart."

Conduction system pacing may also benefit patients with heart failure whose left ventricle is weak and not pumping properly due to an electrical disorder (called left bundle branch block), making it contract out of sync with the right ventricle. The current treatment is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), which delivers biventricular pacing to coordinate contractions, but it does not work in all patients and requires a more complex system than a conventional pacemaker.

Conduction system pacing was mentioned as a new method in the 2021 ESC pacing guidelines but it was acknowledged that randomized trial evidence is needed. Use of the technique is growing, with thousands of procedures performed worldwide to date. An EHRA survey of European physicians published last year reported that the main reason for not adopting the method was lack of training. "Until now, there was no consensus on how to carry out this procedure and check that it had been done correctly," said Professor Burri. "This document provides a standardized approach agreed by worldwide experts which should optimize success rates and avoid complications. The guidance will be useful for physicians learning the method and those wishing to improve their technique. The increase in expertise will also enable large, high-quality randomized trials to be conducted."

The paper describes the implantation technique for two types of pacing: His bundle pacing and left bundle branch area pacing, which are named according to the target site of the heart's conduction system. Professor Burri said, "With His bundle pacing, a simple test can be done to check that the electrical connection has been achieved. Left bundle branch area pacing requires more detailed checks and the paper outlines what physicians should aim for and what good pacing looks like."

Advice is given on how to achieve successful lead implantation, and how to avoid and deal with complications. The document is accompanied by 30 figures with detailed illustrations, 11 videos, an Executive Summary published as a separate paper, and a Key Messages App, all of which are openly accessible and provided at no cost to the worldwide medical community.

Professor Burri said, "Conduction system pacing is entering mainstream clinical practice and, based on limited data, the therapy has a promising future. It is crucial that physicians adopt a standardized approach to ensure that it is delivered safely and effectively. Today's consensus paper is set to become the reference on how to perform this procedure."

The international consensus statement was developed by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the ESC, and endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS) and Latin-American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS).

More information: Haran Burri, EHRA clinical consensus statement on conduction system pacing implantation. Endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS) and Latin-American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS)., (2023). DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad043 Haran Burri et al, EHRA clinical consensus statement on conduction system pacing implantation: endorsed by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS), and Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), EP Europace (2023). DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad043
Whether you need some new apparel, a snack for the road or a caffeinated beverage to get through the day, Robertson Creative Creations is a family-owned Terry business that provides all three to locals and visitors alike in a historic building in downtown Terry.

Randy and Shari Robertson, along with their daughter Franque and son and daughter-in-law Brady and Lizzy, opened their one-stop shop on the corner of Spring Street and Logan Avenue in October of 2019.

The space in which they currently operate has served Terry and Prairie County in a number of different ways since it was built in 1912, including as a studio for Wood-N-Woven, another locally owned business; Sassy One Clothing, a womens clothing boutique and hair salon; and drug stores, to name a few.

Lizzy noted Robertson Creative Creations was originally Sharis brain child, adding she has taken on various business ventures over time.

Ive owned a business pretty much since we moved here, Shari said, noting she owned a hair salon, as well as crafted handmade products for various vendor shows over the years. I just got tired of that, so to say.

Another contributing factor leading the Robertsons to open their downtown shop was former owner of the space Glenda Ueland.

She really wanted something to be here on the corner, Shari said.

The family business consists of custom clothing, a coffee shop, snack bar and displays from many local craft vendors.

They display handcrafted items from people throughout the entire Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota region.

Were not essentially a Made in Montana (exhibitor), but all of our renters ... (are within) about a 300 square mile range, Brady said.

The Robertsons occasionally set up shop at the Prairie County Fair and other special events that occur throughout the year, providing their coffee shop drinks to the community.

The Robertsons said they especially appreciate that local residents patronize the local businesses before going out of town to find something they want or need.

Between all of us, we wanted to offer something in Prairie County that wasnt here; that didnt exist, Shari said. We want to keep people home shopping and we want to give them that unique gift that they can find (in Terry) ... What I like is people come here first to check to see if we have it before going out of town.

Randy also makes every effort to encourage visitors to stay in the area and explore the Yellowstone River, different battlefields or Terry Badlands prior to continuing their trip.

(Visitors) will stop in to get a coffee and (Randy) tells them about all of the battlefields that are dotted throughout the area, Brady said.

The Robertsons believe one of their greatest challenges as a small family business was remaining open and profitable throughout, and following, the COVID-19 pandemic, something they know not everyone was able to accomplish at the time. An additional challenge the family has faced in its four years being open is determining the best hours of operation for the community without burning themselves out.

Its hard when youre a small, family-based (and) owned, Shari said. We havent reached that plateau where we feel we could successfully hire a person to fill those gaps.

Although faced with challenges in operating a business in Terry, the Robertson family is proud of the work they have done over the last four years and are thankful to the other businesses in town and members of the community who continually lift them up.

I believe all of us in town try to promote everybody because we actually have a lot that we have to offer between all of us, Shari noted.

I think were lucky to be in a community that is very supportive of small businesses, Lizzy said.

Robertson Creative Creations is located at 118 Logan Avenue and open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hours and location of operation may change depending on special events.

For more information about the business, what it offers and where the Robertsons will set up during special events, call (406) 853-0307 or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
The Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster in Lakeside is scheduled to open May 25, according to its website, even though the developers dont have the permit to operate yet.

Jessica and Torsten Wedel of Stevensville have been steadily building the alpine slide since securing a temporary approach permit from the Montana Department of Transportation in July 2022. Theyre waiting on MDT to approve a permanent approach permit, which would allow them to engage in commercial activity on their property along U.S. 93. In the meantime, they appear to be going ahead with plans to launch the controversial coaster.

If they operate in violation of their permit, MDT would take appropriate action, warned Valerie Wilson with MDT.

The state agency plans to review parts of the project during the Montana Transportation Commissions regular meeting on April 20 in Helena, but Wilson said some components of their application remain uncompleted. She pointed out the commission meeting is not an evaluation of the permit itself, but rather the commission will look at highway system modifications that might be included with the coaster project. Therefore, she explained, the meeting does not need to take place in Lakeside, where the project is based.

In Lakeside, meanwhile, neighbors of the coaster are upset about both the location of the meeting and the speed with which the project seems to be taking off.

One of our key concerns is the accelerated timeline and the lack of participation and partnership with MDT, the (Flathead County) commissioners and the developers on transparency on what their actual plans are, said Derek Young, a community organizer in Lakeside.  Something is being pushed through by people who dont want it to be stopped.

Young, along with many other Lakeside community members, takes issue with a number of potential impacts from the coaster opening as a business. Hes concerned about safety, environmental effects, noise and light pollution and the impact on the residential area in general. A similar slate of issues plagued the Wedels original plan to build the coaster in Rollins, where their plans ultimately fell through thanks in part to efforts by the Upper West Shore Alliance organization.

Now, the Stevensville couple has moved north, to a spot along U.S. 93 that many in the UWSA group find dangerous. The lack of a left-turn option off of U.S. 93 into the Wedels property is perhaps Youngs top concern.

Its a dangerous corridor, he pointed out, adding the current roadway configuration is very scary.

The prospect of the coaster has so aggravated the Lakeside community that Young and many of his neighbors are working on reviving the Lakeside City Council, which disbanded in 2016. At the time, Young explained, the council didnt feel like its recommendations were being heard by the county commissioners in Kalispell. But the introduction of the Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster into the small community has spurred a renewed interest in taking control at the local level. At particular issue is the question of zoning, the lack of which has allowed for commercial developments like the coaster to spring up in residential neighborhoods.

Conversations about the Lakeside City Council have been ongoing for about three months, but the targeted opening date of the contentious Lakeside coaster is barely more than a month away.

Young and Wilson both urged interested community members to submit comments to MDT and participate in the April 20 meeting, either in Helena or via Zoom.

The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. at 2701 Prospect Ave in Helena. For the Zoom link, email lryan@mt.gov.
Missoula Public Library is thrilled to partner with Missoula Family YMCA to offer free yoga at the library. Focus on basic yoga postures, alignment principles and breathing techniques that help balance, strengthen and stretch the body. This class is recommended for those wishing to strengthen the foundation of their practice, or who simply want an ongoing practice in harmony with their level of strength, balance and flexibility. Join us on April 16 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four for this program. Space is limited to 25 participants. This class is first come, first served. Participants must sign in on the day of the class; class sign up list will be posted by 12:30 p.m. outside of Cooper Room A on Level Four. Participants must sign a liability waiver prior to class by downloading and printing it or by signing a provided copy before class begins. Download the waiver (PDF) here https://tinyurl.com/2994wjww. Participants are welcome to bring their own yoga mats or use mats that are provided. For more information email Sarah at svelk@missoulapubliclibrary.org.

Genealogy at Missoula Public Library: 'Homestead Records - How & Why to Order'

Interested in genealogy and your family history? On April 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in Cooper Room A on the Level Four of the library, learn the basics of public land homestead records, how to order them from the National Archives, and what valuable genealogical information they contain.

Old Growth Celebration: An evening with author Rick Bass

On April 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Cooper Room on Level Four of the library, join local author Rick Bass for a discussion of his work involving the Yaak Valley, the U.S. Forest Service's Black Ram Project, and old and mature forests in general.

Frenchtown Library: World Cinema

Come to the Frenchtown High School Auditorium for an evening of world cinema. On April 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. the library will be showing, Guie'dani's Navel directed by Xavi Sala. This film will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles. The Frenchtown Library is located at Frenchtown High School on 17620 Frontage Road.

Missoula Public Library Democracy Project

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Brought to you by Humanities Montana and the Missoula Public Library, the Democracy Project is a teen-led civic engagement project. Join us on April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Art Box on Level Two of the library for civic action, pizza, and like-minded companionship. Contact Linette for more information: linette@missoulapubliclibrary.org or 406-541-8876.

Missoula Public Librarys 3rd Wednesday Book Group

On April 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four of the library, join in on a discussion of "Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early America" by Amy Belding Brown. This lively book discussion group is facilitated by a librarian. New members are always welcome. Please email Pam at pamc@missoulapubliclibrary.org for more information.

You're an Engineer

Kids can build and create structures with oversized Building Blocks and our Rig-a-ma-Jig at Missoula Public Library. Enjoy your own free building time or join in our building challenges. This program is held on April 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library.

All Under One Roof Earth Day Celebration

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Missoula Public Library, spectrUM Discovery Area, Families First Learning Lab, UM Living Lab and MCAT invite you to participate in a day full of activities and fun. Get involved and learn all about how you can help the Earth with All Under One Roof activities for the whole family. Enjoy a special Missoula Public Library Earth Day Story Time and activity from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Art Box on Level Two, build something special using recyclables with UM Living Labs Think Twice: Recycle and Reuse program from 12 to 2 p.m. in the UM Living Lab on Level One, enjoy refreshments, animation for kids, and a video history of Missoula with MCAT during their Earth Day 33rd Anniversary Party from 12 to 4 p.m. on Level One, decorate recycled pots and plant flowers in honor of Earth Day with Families First Learning Lab from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Families First Learning Lab Classroom on Level Two or outside weather permitting, and enjoy a Biology and Earth Day experiment with spectrUM Discovery Area from 2-6 p.m. on Level Two.

Missoula Public Library MakerSpace: 'The Nature of Currency: A DIY Metalcasting Workshop'

In this two-part workshop, middle school-aged students will explore the underlying history of how we create coins and other currency for exchange. Students will laser engrave their own sketches into wood, which they will use as a mold to create a one-sided coin with pewter. On April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the MakerSpace on Level One, SPARK! Arts Teaching Artist Jesse Blumenthal will guide participants through the processes and facilitate the conversation around labor in relation to currency. Registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/makerspacemetalcastingworkshop.
As members of opposing parties in the Montana House of Representatives, we represent different communities and sometimes disagree passionately. But weve been proud to find common ground to provide urgently needed legal protections for tens of thousands of Montanans who live in mobile home parks.

Mobile home park residents are among the most hard-hit by the housing crisis. They invested substantial sums to buy their homes (which are known as mobile but are often difficult or impossible to move). A disproportionately large number are senior citizens and struggling on fixed incomes. Now, Montanas mobile home parks are being bought by out-of-state private equity firms which are putting profits over the decent treatment of our fellow Montanans. Across the state  and in both of our communities  residents report rent spikes, lack of basic park maintenance, and surprise eviction notices that threaten them with homelessness. Residents priced out of their homes or facing deteriorating park conditions have few options, particularly since the availability of lots for mobile homes has declined in recent years.

The power imbalance between park owners and residents is dramatic and unlike those in other housing sectors. One leading park investor candidly likened owning a park to running a restaurant with customers chained to their booths. Under these circumstances, free market principles break down. We believe its the Legislatures job to enact reasonable statutes that ensure the fair treatment of all Montanans.

Our House Bill 889, which passed the state House of Representatives on a solid bipartisan vote (57-42) was heard in the Senate Business and Labor Committee on April 12. If it passes committee and two votes in the full Senate, the House will need to agree to amendments before the bill goes to the Governors desk for his signature. The bill would enact protections for mobile home park residents that have been law for decades in many other states, including:

 Requiring residents to have the option of a year-long lease. Currently, the law governing mobile home parks mandates month-to-month leases.

 Mandating 60-days notice before changing lease terms or increasing rent.

 Requiring a 30-day turnaround for landlords to approve or deny the buyer of a manufactured home. Currently, there is no timeline, so landlords can delay until a deal falls through.

 Prohibiting landlords from substantially changing park rules from lease terms and requiring 60 days notice of a new rule before penalizing residents for violations.

 Doubling the time required to notify residents of land-use changes.

 Protecting resident organizations from interference by park owners.

 Protecting residents from retaliation for testifying before governing bodies or forming an association.

Were confident that this legislation does not place an undue burden on park owners (Rep. Nikolakakos owns multiple mobile home parks himself), but rather strikes a fair balance between the property rights of mobile home owners and landlords.

Amid the toxic divisiveness that marks todays politics, we hope that Montanans of all political stripes will join to make their voices heard in support of good policy for them and their neighbors.
Less than a week after their highly publicized expulsion from the Tennessee General Assembly, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson have been reappointed to their seats in the state House of Representatives.

But their ouster  which sparked widespread debate and roiled the nations tenuous political climate  made some wonder whether other legislatures might follow suit.

Could states like North Carolina use similar disciplinary tools to evict elected officials who challenge the majority party?

What happened in Tennessee?

On March 30, Jones, Pearson and Rep. Gloria Johnson, all Democrats, interrupted House debate to lead protesters in calling for stricter gun control laws. Three days had passed since a shooter killed six people, including three children, at The Covenant School in Nashville.

The Democrats demonstration violated procedural rules, but the Republican majoritys response still came as a shock. For just the third time since the Civil War, Tennessees House expelled members from its ranks. Jones and Pearson, who are Black, were kicked out. Johnson, who is white, survived a vote to remove her.

The last time a Tennessee House member had been expelled was in 2016 when then-Rep. Jeremy Durham faced allegations of improper sexual contact with nearly two dozen women while in office. He was cast out in a 70-2 vote.

In 1980, Rep. Robert Fisher was convicted of soliciting a $1,000 bribe to sway legislation. The House voted 92-1 to expel him.

In both cases, Durham and Fisher faced allegations of serious ethical and criminal malfeasance, and they were removed with large bipartisan support. The votes to remove Jones and Pearson fell largely along party lines and drew criticism from across the country.

Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have decried the states move, accusing House Republicans of racism and abusing their power. Republicans have pushed back, comparing Jones, Pearson and Johnson to Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

Has North Carolina had expulsions?

Most state legislatures, including North Carolinas, have the authority to expel members. But the voting thresholds are high, and such drastic measures are typically reserved for cases of severe misconduct.

Story continues

There have been at least 14 people kicked out of the North Carolina legislature since 1757, according to The News & Observers archives.

The most recent was Wilmington Democrat Thomas Wright, who was removed from his post in 2008 following an overwhelming 109-5 House vote over accusations of campaign finance law violations.

Wright was charged with mishandling nearly $350,000, most of which he pocketed, according to investigators. The State Elections Board eventually found him guilty, leaving then-House Speaker Joe Hackney to strip Wright of his committee chair privileges.

The Legislative Ethics Committee then took on the matter, but it would take a year for legislators to reach an accord and recommend Wrights expulsion.

The chamber eventually wrote new legislation during an extra 2008 session on recusal matters. In handling Wrights case, a House resolution was passed to allow expulsion of sitting members by a two-thirds majority vote.

We in the House performed a sad duty today, said Hackney, an Orange County Democrat, following the recusal vote. But I want to say that I think it was a duty  a duty to protect the House, protect the institution, to make it clear that the kind of conduct that the committee found to be true renders one unfit to be a member of the House.

But the validity of that 2008 resolution expired in the same year, according to the bill text. So what would happen if the legislature looked to expel someone now?

Can North Carolina still expel sitting members?

In Tennessee, legislators passed resolutions stating that lawmakers did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives, during their March 30 protest. Republican lawmakers used language from Tennessees constitution that empowers the House to set its own rules and punish members for disorderly behavior.

In the same way, North Carolina law affords legislators wide-ranging powers.

State law authorizes the Legislative Ethics Committee to investigate allegations of misconduct. If the committee finds a legislator guilty, it can refer the case to the attorney general or the legislators chamber for further review and action.

However, the General Assembly can still take action even if the committee finds no evidence of wrongdoing.

Any action or lack of action by the Committee under this section shall not limit the right of each house of the General Assembly to discipline or to expel its members, state law says.

The criteria for expulsion is vague, and its unclear what specific misconduct violations could initiate the process. The states constitution details that each house shall be judge of the qualifications and elections of its own members.

State lawmakers have been dismissed for a variety of misconduct allegations since the mid-1700s, such as embezzlement, fraud, brandishing a gun during a fight, and more. But no law mandates such a bar for expulsion.

Heidi Perez-Moreno is a freelancer with NC Insider, The News & Observers state government news service.
The author at the airport gate in London with her backpack. Sama Ansari Pour

Earlier this month I traveled on a Ryanair flight from London to Riga, Latvia, for a five-day trip.

I didn't want to pay extra for luggage so I decided to bring a backpack, which was more than enough.

I pre-planned my outfits, wore my bulkiest item while traveling, and limited my toiletries.

I recently flew with Ryanair from London to Riga, Latvia, an Eastern European country bordering Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, and Estonia.

I traveled with Ryanair (L) to Latvia, where I only brought a backpack that I filled halfway (R). Sama Ansari Pour.

Ryanair, a budget airline that flies to cities across Europe, charges passengers up to 60, or around $75, if they travel with a checked-in suitcase. Since I was only going to Latvia for five days, I thought it was unnecessary.

So I settled on bringing just a backpack  but barely filled half of it. I brought a few clothes, my phone charger, a battery pack, and limited toiletries.

I brought two dresses, one pair of jeans, a skirt, and a sweater. The two dresses made separate outfits, and I made two more outfits by pairing the sweater with either a skirt or a pair of jeans.

I folded one black dress, a skirt, and one gold dress into my backpack. I wore my jeans and sweater while traveling. Sama Ansari Pour.

The weather app said the average temperature would be 59F during my visit in early April, so I focused on packing spring clothes which also took up less space in my bag.

Since I packed my clothes strategically, I was able to combine them into several different looks during my trip.

My four outfits. I wore jeans and a sweater when traveling back to London Sama Ansari Pour.

I kept accessorizing simple by only bringing one pair of small gold hoop earrings, which would suit every outfit.

I brought one pair of pajamas, but they barely took up any room. And since I stayed at a hotel, I didn't have to pack a towel which was helpful.

I wore my bulkiest outfit on my travel day.

My travel-day outfit. Sama Ansari Pour

My big white sweater takes up a lot of space, so I wore it while I was traveling. It wasn't the comfiest experience as I was super warm, but I'm glad I did it to make room in my backpack nonetheless.

I only brought one pair of shoes, which I wore the whole time. I'm also glad I didn't go in the summer, as packing an extra pair of sandals would've taken up more room.

Story continues

I kept toiletries and liquids to a minimum.

I brought moisturizer, makeup remover, blush, concealer, deodorant, mascara, eyebrow products, eyeliner, highlighter, and contact lenses. Sama Ansari Pour

I washed my hair the morning of my travel day to avoid taking shampoo on my trip.

As a makeup lover, I found packing a little tough and had to make sacrifices. I opted for more powder products since liquids are limited with a carry-on, and had to leave my favorite setting spray at home as it was too big.

I still brought a few liquid products, but chose older products that I wouldn't be upset about throwing away in case I overpacked and had to leave some behind.

One mistake I made was relying on everything going exactly as planned and not packing for hypothetical scenarios.

My bag just about fitted under the seat on my Ryanair flight. Sama Ansari Pour.

If I had spilled coffee on my jeans or my skirt ripped, I would have had nothing else to wear. I'm lucky that the trip went well, but I would've been in a sticky situation if something like that happened.

It was also a little inconvenient wearing my sweater for three days. Even though I recycled my outfits, I walked over 20,000 steps a day in warm weather so in hindsight, I wish I'd brought an extra top.

Overall, I think I packed well for my five-day trip even though I traveled light, but next time I'll bring some extras.

The author outside Riga Central Market in Latvia. Sama Ansari Pour.

Pre-planning my outfits, wearing my bulkiest item while traveling, and limiting my toiletries meant I didn't even fill up my backpack.

But in the future, I'll always make sure I bring a spare outfit, just in case.

Read the original article on Insider
MARION  Early Saturday morning, a group of suspects stole three vehicles and $80,000 worth of keyless remotes from the Marion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership.

The crime fits the pattern of other thefts across the region during the first few months of 2023.

Later Saturday morning, employees of the dealership were busy covering up with plywood the part of the main building where the suspects broke in. General Manager Phil Moore told The McDowell News that someone broke into the building at around 2:30-3 a.m. Saturday.

The suspects stole around $80,000 worth of keyless remotes and key storage from the showroom. They also took three vehicles from the dealerships lot: A pre-owned gray Dodge Charger Scat Pack, a pre-owned black Ram TRX truck and a new white Chrysler 300 four-door sedan.

Together, the three autos and the keyless remotes are worth around $300,000, according to the dealerships website.

Moore told The McDowell News the thefts were caught on camera and that video is now in possession of the Marion Police Department.

Similar thefts have occurred this year at other car dealerships in Asheville, Morganton, Hickory, Mooresville and Charlotte for cars valued at more than $1 million. Moore said he believes that the suspects who were caught on camera breaking into the Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Morganton are the same ones who did it to his dealership.

Moore said hes not heard of the autos stolen at the other dealerships being recovered yet.

These guys have a carrier close by, he told The McDowell News. My guess is that they are on a shipping container headed overseas.

As for the keyless remotes, Moore and his staff believe the suspects will come back and try to use them on the other autos in the lot and try to steal more.

The other incidents:

In March, someone stole $150,000 worth of cars from a Morganton dealership, including a Cadillac Escalade that was worth $100,000 alone, The News Herald reported.

Covered in black from head-to-toe, it took the thieves less than 10 minutes to complete the crime on a Monday morning, surveillance video from Morganton Honda showed.

Also in March, six high performance cars were stolen from the Mountain Mitsubishi dealership in Hickory.

Three Dodge Challengers, a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette, a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and a 2022 Cadillac Blackwing were stolen, Mountain Mitsubishi Owner Brian Vonderheide said. The estimated cost of all the cars is more than $450,000.

Thieves targeted an Asheville BMW dealership in mid-February, taking off with seven cars stolen straight out of the lot, according to a report from WLOS.

In late February, a Charlotte dealership was targeted when thieves stole four vehicles  three BMWs and a Maserati  from Adams Auto Group. That heist saw $310,000 worth of vehicles stolen from the dealership, according to a report from WSOC-TV.

WSOC-TV also reported five Corvettes were stolen from a Randy Marion dealership in Mooresville.
Adventure Bound Books will be hosting a special event with author Marjorie Hudson today from 5:30-7 p.m. to promote the release of her book, Indigo Field.

Marjorie Hudson graduated with a degree in Journalism and Womens Studies and moved to North Carolina to work as a freelance writer interviewing nature photographers. She began writing fiction after working as copyediting chief for Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, and her first story won a statewide award. She went on to earn an MFA from Warren Wilson College and is the author of two published books about the South, including Indigo Field, which was just released in March 2023.

Indigo Field follows the story of a grieving colonel from an upscale retirement community and an elderly black woman grieving the murder of her niece. An abandoned field, holding three centuries of crimes, is the centerpiece of the story as these two characters have a surprise encounter. Hudson lays out the boundaries of a field that contains the soul of the South and leads us to a day of reckoning as the story progresses.

Adventure Bound Books will have copies of Indigo Field that may be purchased during the event or online at adventureboundbooks.com.
VALDESE  Gina Walker-Bailey is a well-known conservative presence in Burke County, a Republican stronghold in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. She is the chairwoman of the Burke County Republican Women, the second vice chair for the Burke County GOP, and helped create the Foothills Conservative Network, a local organization that sells T-shirts with American flag iconography and phrases such as Just a Regular Mom Trying to Raise Conservatives printed on them.

While she recovered from surgery on a broken arm, Walker-Bailey would spend her free time substitute teaching in Burke County Public Schools, where her two youngest children were enrolled. During her time in the classroom, she remembers seeing multicolored LGBTQ+ pride flags pinned to classroom walls and lesson plans on police brutality against Black Americans. When I grew up, I didnt know what my teacher even liked for dinner. I didnt know what she liked to watch on HBO, if she had cable even. I didnt know if she liked President Reagan, I didnt know if she liked Barack Obama, she said.

Walker-Bailey is the poster child of one side of the debate on racism education in public schools. She represents a small but vocal faction of parents and politicians who fear that curriculums that overly focus on race will only contribute to more division. On the other hand, some educators worry that children who do not learn about racism and oppression are doomed to repeat those same cycles.

In a speech given at a county school board meeting in June 2021, Walker-Bailey expressed concern about a Scholastic News magazine that covered the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests that was assigned as required reading in a middle school in Burke County. I am very disappointed that the Burke County school system has not been proactive and advanced in putting a stop or a parameter around our children when it comes to critical race theory, she said.

Critical race theory is a term that has been used in conservative circles and in popular culture to describe a high-level field of study that teaches that racism and oppression of people of color is systemic, institutional, and embedded into the legal and political frameworks of the United States. Both the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Burke County Public Schools contend that critical race theory is not required in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study at any grade level, and as such is not officially taught in any public school classroom in North Carolina.

Critical race theory is not taught in the K-12 setting. It is a high-level law course that is taught in graduate and postgraduate studies, said Tamika Walker Kelly, who is the president of the North Carolina Association of Educators. What we do teach, and what we aim to teach in our K-12 settings, is an honest and accurate education history for our students to understand themselves and the world and their communities around them. So many of the things we try to teach in order to be culturally responsive and historically accurate for our students have lately, over the past few years, been conflated into critical race theory.

Walker Kelly has not taught full-time since assuming her role as president in 2020, but she previously worked as an elementary school music specialist in Cumberland County. Her goal as an educator is to develop students into engaged citizens who are involved in their local communities. Equipping our students with the knowledge that allows them to interact in ways that continue to help our communities and our state and our nation be better to each other, ultimately, you know, makes the whole world better, Walker Kelly said.

In a music classroom like Walker Kellys, that looks like listening to music pieces performed by artists of diverse backgrounds and exploring the contexts in which songs were written. When teaching her fifth grade students about the famous folk song This Land Is Your Land, Walker Kelly made sure to include that the song was written as a form of protest during the Great Depression. Thinking about, okay, so does that change how you think about the song now, now that you know that its not just a song that celebrates the different lands but talks about something completely different? she said. When students are able to talk about that song when they leave my classroom, then they know that that song has a story. It doesnt just exist in isolation.

North Carolina does require public school students to learn about the general topics of race and racism in social studies classes. Race and racism are located within the social studies standard course of study but there is no one place or grade or course where it is specifically addressed. Instead, these concepts continue to build in depth and complexity as age-appropriate, said Blair Rhoades, the communications director for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, in a statement to UNC Media Hub. Individual educators are given the discretion to decide how exactly those concepts are implemented and taught in the classroom.

Even though critical race theory may not be an official topic in the state educational standards, Walker-Bailey fears that some teachers will toe the line and use the classroom as a tool for political indoctrination. It has infiltrated every part of our classrooms, Walker-Bailey said. A majority of that is going to come in your college courses, however, its in your classroom books, its in your libraries as young as elementary school.

Ultimately, Walker-Bailey fears that race and racism-related education in her childrens schools will contribute to an atmosphere of division in her household. She takes issue with curriculums that focus on institutional racism and teach that bias against another race often forms outside childrens own conscious awareness.

Walker-Bailey and her children are white, but her husband and her childrens stepfather is Black. I live in a bicultural, biracial household, in a household where I do not need my son or my daughter to come home and tell me how they are oppressing their father, or how my husband needs to look at his son and say that you know what, you dont like me because of the color of your skin, Walker-Bailey said during her speech at the June 2021 school board meeting. Less than two years later, she disenrolled her youngest daughter, Addison, from Valdese Elementary School over growing concern with the racism education there.

The Republican-led North Carolina House of Representatives has introduced several bills that aim to restrict race and racism-related education in public K-12 schools in the state. The most recent, House Bill 187, was filed in March by Republican Reps. John Torbett, Hugh Blackwell, David Willis, and Diane Wheatley, and prevents teachers from requiring students to affirm that certain individuals are oppressed on the basis of race or sex, among other similar tenets of racism education. The bill is similar in content and language to House Bill 324, which was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in 2021.

Walker Kelly, along with 4,200 educators across the country, signed a pledge vowing to continue to teach race-related topics in her classroom even if the state legislature were to successfully pass a bill outlawing those sorts of discussions in public schools. Students want to know about the world they live in and the people around them, and it is my responsibility as an educator to facilitate learning for students, she said. And so helping students ask questions about the world around them, to help them find information, and also to build those positive relationships between the students, the parents, and the school, that is my goal as an educator, and so that is one of the things that I will continue to do, pledge or no pledge.

As House Bill 187 works its way through the North Carolina General Assembly, lawmakers will have to make decisions on how far educators can go when examining political and cultural issues in public school classrooms. For Walker-Bailey, politics have little place in the classroom, but for Walker Kelly, these discussions are of the utmost importance. Their viewpoints echo a larger debate on school standards and curriculum not just in Burke County or in North Carolina, but across the United States.
A bill designed to curb reckless and dangerous bounty-hunting tactics in Montana has advanced to the state Senate and backers say its likely to pass in the coming days.

It passed the House on an 83-17 vote in late January, was endorsed by the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs on Thursday and the full Senate is expected to vote on it soon. Its sponsor in that chamber is Butte Democrat Ryan Lynch.

A few changes have been made so if approved by the Senate, the bill must return to the House for another vote. But its biggest proponent, Montana Auditor and Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing, is confident it will win final approval and be signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte.

Downing, a Republican, proposed the legislation in response to a botched bounty hunt in Butte that turned fatal and other violent incidents.

The bill would require all bail recovery agents to be trained and licensed and in most circumstances, notify police of planned apprehensions. They would have to be 21 or older, could not be convicted felons and must be instructed on procedures for detaining people, their civil rights, the use of force and civil liability, among other things.

Numerous bondsmen have opposed the bill, saying its restrictive and based on the misdeeds of a few bad actors.

They have sought changes and especially want a provision requiring bail agents to charge and collect at least 10-percent of cash bonds upfront. They say it would eliminate payment plans and defendant debts that can lead to confrontations.

The provision is included in another bill the bond industry backed that also passed the House. It is sponsored by Republican Rep. Steve Gunderson of Libby, whose family was in the bail bond industry for 35 years.

The main tool for a bad actor or a bad bondsman is to put a defendant on a payment plan and keep their hooks in them by threatening jail throughout their court process, Gunderson said during a Senate Business and Labor Committee hearing on that bill.

That bill was tabled by the committee last week, likely killing it, and the 10-percent bail provision was not added to Downings bill. He opposed its inclusion.

Frank Cote, government affairs director in the Auditors Office, said bondsman typically charge defendants 10 percent up front, but requiring them to do that would be unique in the insurance industry or any industry.

And adding such a requirement to Downings bill would muddy the waters of its other provisions, Cote said.

Downing and the bills House sponsor, Republican Rep. Bill Mercer of Billings, say there have been several reckless bounty hunts in recent years that put innocent people in danger.

The Butte incident was even worse, they say, and Mercer has called it the tipping point that led to legislation this year.

Prosecutors say on Dec. 19, 2021, bondsman Jay Hubber and another man, Nicholas Jaeger, barged into William Harris house in Butte looking for a bail-jumper. There were several other people in the house, too.

Hubber tased the bail jumper and as they wrestled, Jaeger grabbed Hubbers pistol and fatally shot Harris, prosecutors say.

They charged Hubber and Jaeger  a convicted felon  with deliberate homicide and aggravated burglary. Both men have pleaded not guilty and are taking their cases to trial, with Hubbers set for May 1.

Proponents say bail bondsmen play an important role in Montanas criminal justice system but some basic regulations are needed.

When youre talking about fugitive recovery, its as close as you can think of (to) a process in which civilians have the ability to exercise arrest authority, so the question is, what sort of balance should we have? Mercer told the Senate committee.
Vanessa Romero smiled while putting a cork in a common misconception.

I am not a wine snob, she said. I am a wine geek.

Her credentials for the latter seem supported by the record.

Romero, 39, grew up in small towns in Idaho and graduated from the University of Wyoming. She played volleyball in college and professional beach volleyball later.

The inner wine geek manifested when Romero traveled to Alicante, Spain, for a study abroad program. She learned that for her host family and other Spaniards, wine wasnt seen as a ticket to intoxication.

It was part of their gathering, part of their history, their culture and their economy, Romero said.

She visited wineries in the region and focused her senior thesis on a Spanish winery.

After graduation, Romero moved to Argentina and became intimately involved with wineries there.

Initially, I moved down and was teaching English as a second language to the local Argentines and working for a travel company targeted at Americans traveling to Argentina, she said.

One thing begat another because of demand among Americans for trips to wine country in Argentina.

She worked as a vineyard hand in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

For 15 years, she worked abroad and on the East Coast for international wine importers and the wineries they represented.

She received certifications or diplomas from the Wine & Spirits Educational Trust and the Court of Sommeliers.

The vetting process wasnt Parris Island, but it wasnt a picnic either.

Yet her international travel and the hobnobbing with sophisticated wine and cuisine experts failed to still the small-town yearnings.

I was working with all these top sommeliers and winemakers and chefs all around the globe, Romero said. But, ultimately, every year, multiple times a year, I came back to small town Idaho to hang out with my family and my friends and people who had no idea what I was doing.

In Washington, D.C., she met Joe Romero, now 38, another Idaho native. Both wanted to raise children in a small mountain community in the West. As a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist, Joe received a host of job offers. The couple ultimately picked Anaconda, swayed in part by witnessing the restoration work that yielded the Smelter City Brewing and a renovated Donivans Restaurant.

That gave us confidence that there was revitalization and a bright economic outlook for Anaconda, Romero said.

They moved to Anaconda in March 2017.

The community here is what weve fallen in love with, she said. Its really wonderful.

The couple has three young children.

Romero had no illusions in 2017 of owning and operating a brick-and-mortar wine shop in the Smelter City, a place where some folks had likely never felt compelled to let a bottle of wine breathe and never contemplated a Pinot Noirs bouquet.

Nobody would look at Anaconda from the outside and think there was a wine culture here, she said. So, its happened very progressively.

It didnt take long for Romero to realize a thirst existed in the region both for exceptional wine and for knowledge that could enhance the experience of enjoying a glass.

I told my husband, I am going to start a wine club in Anaconda, and I dont know if there are five households that are interested or 500, she said.

Romero was motivated then by a personal desire for access to good wine.

That is 100 percent how it started, she said.

Romero soon recognized a strong demand for good wine and believed that demand would help support a brick-and-mortar store.

The Romeros purchased a dilapidated building constructed in 1884 at 114 Main St. and spent a year rehabilitating the structure.

In December, they opened the Bighorn Bottle Shop & Wine Bar. The store features exposed brick, racks of wine bottles, shelves of craft beer, a wine bar and more.

Romero and her staff host wine classes, tasting events and food and wine pairings.

A customer can walk in, perch at the bar and try a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or other wines. Or a glass of craft beer.

Prices for a bottle of wine range from $12 to $212, Romero said.

The Bighorn hosts wine flights  events that offer a variety of wines to try.

Part-time workers help staff the store so Romero can join her husband in parenting their three children.

And how has business been since December?

Its been awesome, Romero said. Were really focused on sharing exciting things with people.
The Federal Railroad Administration is expected to release a short list of passenger rail lines recommended for restoration in July, and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is "all hands on deck," according to authority chairman and Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier, to ensure a southern Montana line is on it.

The authority, which Strohmaier referred to as a subdivision of state government, requested an annual contribution of $4,000 and a letter of support from the city of Helena in an email addressed to the Helena mayor and city commission Thursday.

The letter, signed by Strohmaier, states the authority has assembled a "vibrant rural-urban coalition including 20 Montana counties and many cities, towns, Tribes, and businesses working together to restore passenger rail service across southern Montana.

"We thank these communities for becoming Municipal Partners of the Authority and hope you can join in your support for the coming year," the letter states. "We would welcome Helena to make an annual $4,000 contribution along with a letter of endorsement in support of restoring passenger rail across southern Montana."

In an interview Friday, Strohmaier said the excitement over the potential for additional passenger rail service along the former North Coast Hiawatha Amtrak line in Montana is growing not only locally, but nationally. The line would enhance passenger rail service now offered across northern Montana by Amtrak's Empire Builder.

The authority was asked to help craft the criteria the Federal Railroad Administration is using to make its list of lines recommended for restoration, Strohmaier said.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021 sets aside $102 billion in total rail funding, including hundreds of millions in line restoration funds.

Strohmaier said the Federal Rail Administration is expected to release a short list of lines it will recommend for some of that funding, and by November, it will release a final list.

"We've created a reputation for ourselves as one of the most forward-thinking and active rail authorities in the country," Strohmaier said, which has opened the door to greater consideration from and collaboration with the Federal Rail Administration.

"This did not happen on its own," he said. "We would never have gotten this far without these Montana communities working together."

One of the authority's suggestions of community support was incorporated into the feds' criteria for recommendation, another reason for the ask of Helena.

However, the city of Helena and Lewis and Clark County have proved tough sledding for the authority.

For years, the county has balked at an outright commitment. A resolution entering Lewis and Clark County into the authority has been tabled multiple times.

The county previously authorized two separate allocations of $10,000 to the authority to support its work.

"I'm trying to get to 'yes,'" then-County Commissioner Jim McCormick said during an April 2021 meeting. "My concern is getting Lewis and Clark County taxpayers hooked into this thing, and that (the rail authority) is forthright, saying, 'There are no expenses. There's nothing there.' But the resolution doesn't read that way."

In response to the authority's latest ask of Helena, City Commissioner Sean Logan said in an email Thursday that "while the exploration of the restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha Route has merit, there are significant operational and capital costs that are not known at this point, and it is unknown whether or not Helena would get any service from this restoration."

Strohmaier said the sentiments of some local officials are filled with common misconceptions.

"Local communities are not paying for the operations of Amtrak trains in this country," he said, noting Havre property taxes are not funding the Empire Builder Amtrak line across the Hi-Line.

"Yes, (Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority) is a taxing jurisdiction, but we are not seeking tax dollars at the time," he said. "If we wanted to fund administrative costs by way of a tax levy, that would have to go to a vote in each member county. But that's not how we're funding our operations right now."

Strohmaier said the authority operates on about a $100,000 annual budget, which covers the cost of administrators, insurance, travel, software licenses, etc., through contributions from member counties and municipal partners "just to keep the lights on."

"There's this perception that we will buy trains and make large infrastructure investments, but that's not the case," he said.

And as for an assurance of service local officials like Logan and County Commissioner Tom Rolfe have called for, Strohmaier said, "Until we get the train line recommended for restoration, there's zero assurance."

That recommendation opens the door to potentially millions in federal funding, "and that's what's so important about this moment in history," he said.

He pointed to Butte-Silver Bow County, which has joined the authority without such assurances.

"There is not going to be a station in every county along the route, but every county will be a lot closer to passenger rail service," he said.

Strohmaier said the existing rail line through Helena is the "most likely" and a "lighter lift" compared to the long-decommissioned line through Butte-Silver Bow over Homestake Pass, but that the hope is for twice-daily passenger service that could mean a stop in both Helena and Butte.

Still Logan is prepared to wait for word from the federal government.

"The Federal Railroad Administration is near completion of a study that will recommend the routes for restoration and the costs for operation and capital improvements that will be necessary for those routes," he said. "Until those recommendations are made, I would not urge the Lewis and Clark County Board of County Commissioners to join the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority."

No other member of the Helena City Commission responded to the request for comment.
Workers in the office spend 25% more time in career-development activities than their remote counterparts, according to new data from a team of economists who have analyzed working from home since the pandemic began.

Those who came into work devoted about 40 more minutes a week to mentoring others, nearly 25 more in formal training and about 15 additional minutes each week doing professional development and learning activities, according to WFH Research, a group that includes Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom.

The figures, based on surveys of more than 2,400 U.S. adults who are able to work from home, lend quantitative support to CEOs such as JPMorgan Chase & Co.s Jamie Dimon and Morgan Stanleys James Gorman, who have said that workers  particularly younger staff  need to be on-site more often than not to learn and develop alongside more experienced colleagues.

Wall Street banks have been in the vanguard of corporate campaigns to get workers back to offices more often, but those efforts have clashed with workers demands for flexibility in what is still a tight labor market. This has resulted in an ever-changing morass of hybrid arrangements.

Nearly half of employees who can work from home have a hybrid arrangement, while just over a third are fully on-site and 20% are fully remote, data from WFH Research show. The new figures support the shift to hybrid work schedules, as workers need a few days each week to mentor and be mentored, said Jose Maria Barrero, a member of the research group from Mexicos ITAM business school.

While bosses are banging the drum on the value of in-person mentoring and professional development, theyve had little to support their arguments beyond vague references to the power of so-called watercooler moments when workers spontaneously connect to share ideas and advice. Now they have the WFH data, along with two new research papers: One, The Power of Proximity, argues that working in the same building has an outsized effect on workers on-the-job training. That effect is even more significant for younger workers, according to the paper, from economists Natalia Emanuel of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Emma Harrington of the University of Iowa and Harvard Universitys Amanda Pallais.

Older workers not coming back to the office may depress younger workers skill accumulation, wrote the economists, who studied more than 1,000 software engineers between August 2019 and December 2020. This may be particularly important as young workers learn the most on the job, benefit the most from proximity, and are much more likely to quit when proximity is lost.

The second paper, from Harvard Business Schools Zoe Cullen and Richard Perez-Truglia of the University of California at Berkeley, found that when employees have more face-to-face interactions with their managers, they are promoted at a higher rate. Employees social interactions with their managers can be advantageous for their careers, the authors wrote, and this phenomenon could explain a third of the gender gap in promotions at the large financial firm they studied.
CHICAGO  The first openly gay person to lead the American Medical Association takes the reins at a fractious time for U.S. health care.

Transgender patients and those seeking abortion care face restrictions in many places. The medical judgment of physicians is being overridden by state laws. Disinformation is rampant. And the nation isnt finished with COVID-19.

In the two decades since Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld first got involved with the AMA as a young medical resident, the nations largest physicians group has tried to shed its image as a conservative self-interested trade association. While physician pocketbook issues remain a big focus, the AMA is also a powerful lobbying force for a range of public health issues.

Two years ago, the AMA won widespread praise for announcing a plan to dismantle structural racism within its ranks and the U.S. medical establishment. It has adopted policies that stress health equity and inclusiveness  moves that inspired critics to accuse it of wokeness."

At 44, Ehrenfeld will be among the AMA's youngest presidents when he begins his one-year term on June 13. An anesthesiologist, Navy combat veteran and father of two young children, he spoke recently to The Associated Press about his background and new job.

The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Why is your being part of the LGBTQ community a big deal at this moment, and how will it inform your role as AMA president?

A: I didnt run as a gay man. Thats not my platform, but its a part of my identity. And people know that.

Representation and visibility is so important. I cant tell you the number of emails, letters, phone calls, text messages that I got when I was elected into this role from people around the world that saw this as an important moment, an important recognition of what inclusivity and equality can be to help advance health equity for everyone.

Q: How will your experience as part of the LGBTQ community inform and influence your new role?

A: Ive experienced the health care system as a gay person, as a gay parent, as in many ways wonderful positive experiences and other ways, some deeply harmful experiences. And I know that we can do better as a nation. We can do better as a system that can lift up health. And I expect that therell be opportunities to shine a light on that during my year as president.

Q: What are examples of those experiences?

A: Theres so many times where our health care system just does not accommodate people who arent in the majority. As a gay parent and a gay dad, I cant tell you how many forms I filled out where theres a place for the mom and a place for the dad. Its a small thing. But its a signal that were different and maybe were not welcome or accepted.

When you have those small, subtle irritations that add up day after day after day, whether youre an LGBT person or from a minority group, that causes stress. These friction points  are so pronounced for so many who are in underserved communities, so many in the LGBT community, and particularly for transgender individuals. And I know we can do better.

Ive been fortunate to have two beautiful boys brought into this world with the support of an incredible group of physicians. But there were definitely lots of moments along the way where it was clear that we were a little bit different than everybody else in a way that didnt need to be.

Q: This seems like an unprecedented time for political interference in medicine.

A: Im deeply concerned about government intrusion into decision-making for patients. The Supreme Court ruling around abortion has had profound implications for reproductive rights. And fundamentally, patients have a right to access evidence-based health care services. That includes comprehensive reproductive health care. It includes care for transgender people.

States that ban abortion, that ban health care for transgender youth are placing the government right into the patient-physician relationship. And we know that this leads to devastating health consequences and can jeopardize lives. The AMA continues to speak out against these kinds of actions.

Q: What power does the AMA really have to protect those rights?

A: I dont think were powerless at all. The AMA was deeply involved in helping the Biden administration put out guidance to help physicians and patients understand that you dont have to disclose private medical information to third parties. And well continue to call for things like unrestricted access to (the abortion drug) mifepristone.

Q: Will addressing the nations mental health crisis be part of your role?

A: We need Congress to take action. There have been 15 years now of repeated failures by health care companies to comply with what was a landmark law in 2008 around mental health parity and substance use disorder.

That law passed by Congress has never been enforced. Those violations continue to be more serious than they were a decade ago.

It affects patients with autism. It affects patients with eating disorders, substance use disorders. It delays care. Its harming patients.

And we are likely causing deaths to happen that are avoidable. We know that there are federal actions that could be taken to help with this, including enabling patients to recover losses associated with an improper denial of care.

The other aspect around mental health access that is really important is permanently expanding access to telehealth.

Best and worst states for health care Best and worst states for health care The 10 states with the best health care The 10 states with the lowest rank for health care Additional findings: Outcome, cost and access data rankings Depending on state, Americans' cost for care can vary significantly Methodology
The Napa Valley Register community calendar includes events submitted by our readers. To list your event in the community calendar, fill out the online form at napavalleyregister.com/forms/nvrcalendar. For more details, email Online editor Samie Hartley at shartley@napanews.com.

Sunday, April 16

'Carmina Burana'

2:30 p.m. Sing Napa Valley presents a concert featuring Carl Orffs "Carmina Burana" at Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First St., Napa. Sing Napa Valley will be joined by the Napa High School Chamber Choir directed by Duncan Cooper. Tickets at $30. Info, singnapavalley.org; 707-255-4662; info@singnapavalley.org.

Wednesday, April 19

'Taking Action on Local Climate Priorities'

5:30-7 p.m. League of Women Voters of Napa County & Napa Climate NOW! host Taking Action on Local Climate Priorities at the Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa. Learn about important climate-related projects that are being implemented by grassroots efforts. Free admission.

Thursday, April 20

Napa Valley Genealogical Society

1 p.m. Napa Valley Genealogical Society hosts the free virtual presentation Creating a Family History Book. Genealogist Harry Stover will share his process of creating a family history book. To register, visit napagensoc.org and select "Creating a Family History Book" under Upcoming Events. Info, info@napagensoc.org; 707-252-2252.

Saturday, April 22

Shred event

9 a.m.-noon. Safely dispose of unwanted documents. Elizabeth Olcott & Associates - KW Advisors and Judy Bickell - CrossCountry Mortgage hosts a free shredding event at Keller Williams Realty Office, 951 California Blvd., Napa. Info, https://fb.me/e/3AAnJbkcG; admin@bkconapa.com.

Family Biking Workshop

9-11 a.m. Napa County Bicycle Coalition and McPherson Family Resource Center hosts a free, bilingual family biking workshop at McPherson Elementary School, 670 Yajome St., Napa, to teach children ages 5-12 and their parents/caregivers the skills they need to ride bikes safely and confidently. Space is limited. Student does not have to attend McPherson to participate. Sign up at bit.ly/mcphersonFBW. Info, csainato@napabike.org.

Sunday, April 23

Community Cleanup

9-11:30 a.m. Napa County Resource Conservation District hosts Earth Day community cleanups throughout Napa. For a list of cleanup sites, visit naparcd.org/events/earthday2023.

Earth Day Napa

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County hosts an Earth Day festival at the Napa Oxbow Commons,1268 McKinstry St., Napa. Enjoy interactive booths, live music, dance performances, crafts, games, and more! Learn about green products and services, and find out how to get involved locally to make a difference for the Earth. Free admission. Info, earthdaynapacoordinator@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 25

Making Memories Last

6 p.m. Napa County Library and Napa Valley Genealogical Society team up to host a virtual meeting that introduces community members to the Napa County Library's Memory Lab. In honor of Preservation Week, take a tour through a variety of different resources to digitize and protect family treasures and collections. Experts from the Napa County Library's Memory Lab and the Napa Valley Genealogical Society will walk guests through how to best preserve family memories in different formats, followed by a Q&A. Free admission. Info, makingmemorieslast.eventbrite.com; 707-254-4235.

Friday, April 28

World Affairs Napa Valley

6 p.m. World Affairs Napa Valley hosts "EARTH DAY - Climate, Ecology & Adaptation" at Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St., Yountville. The event includes a presentation by wine expert Brian Freedman (best-selling author of "Crushed") on climate, wine and agriculture around the world. He will be joined by a panel of ecology-minded Napa Valley growers. There will also be a silent auction. Tickets are $40-$45. Info, worldaffairs.org/events/event/2267; 707-738-4500; napavalley@worldaffairs.org.

Saturday, April 29

Bilingual Family Biking Workshop

9-11 a.m. Napa County Bicycle Coalition hosts a bilingual family biking workshop at Shearer Elementary School, 1590 Elm St., Napa, to teach children ages 5-12 and their parents/caregivers the skills they need to ride bikes safely and confidently. Space is limited. Sign up at bit.ly/shearerfbw. Student does not have to attend Shearer to participate. Info, csainato@napabike.org.

Arts & Crafts Fair

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friends Of New Tech (FONT) Board hosts the New Tech High's Spring Arts & Crafts Fair at 920 Yount St., Napa. Guests will find handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry, clothing and more. Free admission. Info, kimssweetkarma@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 30

Spring Concert

4 p.m. Saint Helena Community Band Spring Concert is held at the St. Helena High School Performing Arts Center, 1401 Grayson Ave., St Helena. Free admission. Open seating. Info, SaintHelenaBand.org; 707-963-3391.

Sunday, May 7

Bikefest

9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Napa County Bicycle Coalition hosts Bikefest at South Napa Century Center, 155 Gasser Drive, Napa. Bikefest brings together bike enthusiasts from across the Bay Area for a day of celebrating life on two wheels. The event includes a bike swap meet, bands, group rides, a bike rodeo and decorating station, and more. Free admission. Info, napabike.org/bikefest; 707-258-6318; info@napabike.org.

Saturday, May 13

Anniversary celebration

4-6 p.m. Hearts And Hands Preschool, 1504 Myrtle St., Calistoga, hosts its 20th anniversary celebration. Festivities include wine and light bites, a silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $50. Info, heartsandhandskids.com; 707-495-5305; millie.jane.pease@gmail.com.
Canada is deeply concerned about Azerbaijan's establishment of checkpoint in Lachin corridor

Relocation of 28 patients from Artsakh canceled because of Azerbaijans deployment of checkpoint

General Singh Rana: India and Iran are working to expand military cooperation

NATO Secretary General calls on Georgia to redouble reform efforts

Entry of humanitarian goods from Armenia to Artsakh has been somewhat restored

Rasmussen: There must be political and economic consequences for Azerbaijan

State minister: Humanitarian goods, fuel imports to Karabakh completely disrupted

Foreign Minister of Iceland: Free movement through the Lachin corridor must be restored

Biden and Harris have started raising campaign donations

Thomas de Waal: There will be new conflict between Karabakh and Azerbaijan

digiPOS digital terminal from Ardshinbank: cash register in your smartphone

Marukyan: US, France, Russia, EU ready to guarantee implementation of peace treaty to be signed with Azerbaijan?

Israel ambassador expresses solidarity with Armenian people

Aliyev promises Europe more Azerbaijani natural gas

Azerbaijanis put You are entering the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan road sign near Hakari bridge

Armenia economic activity index up 12.2% in first quarter

Bob Menendez: It's time to halt security assistance to Baku

Explanation made regarding Armenia v. Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan v. Armenia court cases

Armenia opposition MP: Russia is taking steps on the spot, Azerbaijan internal troops are also there

Pelosi: Last year our delegation had solemn honor to visit Armenian Genocide Memorial

Armenia flag hoisted over Italys Reggio Calabria city hall

Biden to run in 2024 US presidential race

Karabakh MP: Negotiations to reopen Hakari bridge are in progress with Azerbaijan

CoE Commissioner for Human Rights says she tried to visit Karabakh but could not

Schiff: International observers should have been sent to Karabakh, Lachin corridor years ago

US Congress members re-introduce Armenian Genocide Education Act to House of Representatives

Adam Schiff: There should be sanctions on Azerbaijan

Armenias Pashinyan to Israels Netanyahu: Our relations have positive prerequisites for moving to new qualitative level

Chaarat Gold company discontinues talks for Lydian Armenia purchase

American Armenians march, with huge Karabakh flag, to Turkey embassy in Washington

Adam Schiff: I've never been more concerned, frankly, that there may be another major outbreak of war

Germany Bundestag human rights committee head: New Azerbaijani checkpoint contradicts international law

Loucas Fourlas visits border regions of Armenias Syunik province

Adam Schiff submits to US Congress draft resolution recognizing Karabakh independence

France FM to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan, to discuss situation in Lachin corridor

Newspaper: Pashinyan-Putin telephone conversation result being awaited

Karabakh ombudsman: Azerbaijan takes blatantly brazen step that directly contradicts tripartite statement

Kamala Harris on Armenian Genocide: Let us never forget, let us rededicate ourselves to speaking out against hate

Bruno Retailleau: Azerbaijani checkpoint installation on Hakari bridge could be beginning of new large-scale operation

Canada FM issues message on Armenian Genocide 108th anniversary

The struggle for international recognition of this horrific crime continues. President of Cyprus

U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE: The United States is deeply concerned about Azerbaijan's actions

Valerie Boyer: Turkey has started a new war of aggression in Armenia and Artsakh

The Second President of Armenia visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex with his wife and son

Azerbaijan's decision to set up checkpoints in the Lachin corridor contradicts EUs call to reduce tensions

Russian Defense Ministry noted Azerbaijan's unilateral and uncoordinated actions

Foreign Minister of Artsakh Meets with Head of the Republicans Group of the French Senate

France commemorates 108th Anniversary of 1915 Armenian Genocide: Macron

Commemoration ceremony was held in Amsterdam near the monument dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide

PACE Rapporteur wants to visit Lachin corridor

Trudeau on Armenian Genocide Memorial Day: Canada will continue to promote peace and justice

Greece PM on Armenian Genocide: We are against any act that incites discrimination, violence against humanity

European People's Party on Armenian Genocide: We urge Turkey to acknowledge reality of past

Italy MP: International organizations access to Karabakh for humanitarian aid should be facilitated

PACE pays tribute to Armenian Genocide victims with minute of silence (VIDEO)

Representation at ECtHR: Armenia will apply to International Court of Justice regarding Lachin checkpoint matter

Yeghishe Kirakosyan: Armenia will apply to International Court of Justice regarding Lachin checkpoint issue

Levon Aronian: Message of remembering and demanding must be directed towards ourselves

Biden: We renew our pledge to never forget Armenian Genocide

Armenian Genocide commemoration event held in Istanbul

Russia ambassador, embassy military attache lay flowers at Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS)

Peskov on setting up Azerbaijani checkpoint at Lachin corridor: Situation not easy, requires extra effort

Greece president: We honor Armenian Genocide victims memory

Russia calls on Armenia, Azerbaijan to immediately return to existing agreements

Armenian Genocide victims honored at PACE chamber courtyard (PHOTOS)

Bruno Retailleau on Armenian Genocide victims: They are our victims also

Artsakh MFA: Armenian people are again facing threat of new Genocide

France senator: We should help Armenia arm itself

Karabakh president: Today more than ever we need to turn words into action

Greece FM: Preserving Armenian Genocide victims memory is minimum duty of all humanity

Sotk gold mine of Armenia inactive for 10th day due to periodic Azerbaijani shooting

Colorado declares April 24, 2023 as Armenian Genocide remembrance day

Ambassador: France stands with Armenia to commemorate victims of 1915 Genocide (PHOTOS)

Karekin II: Azerbaijan's goal is to de-Armenianize, take over Karabakh

US Congressman Adam Schiff to introduce bill recognizing Karabakh independence, sovereignty

Karabakh MFA: Any proposal to discuss Azerbaijans illegal demands is tantamount to condoning its genocidal policy

Karabakh president pays tribute to Armenian Genocide victims

Catholicos visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Armenia ex-President Sarkissian: We must be able to move forward without retreating from our identity, history

Armenia army General Staff chief: We are doing positional improvement work at Tegh village

Nathalie Loiseau: No one should approach risk of new violence against Armenians lightly 108 years after Genocide

Armenia MFA: Armenians in Karabakh are facing danger of genocide, ethnic cleansing even today

Netherlands ambassador expresses support to Armenians in the words of great poet Hovhannes Tumanyan (VIDEO)

Georgia Armenians hold torchlight procession in Tbilisi

PM Pashinyan, other state officials visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS)

Kristina Kvien: No US sanctions against Azerbaijan at the moment

MFA: France condemns setting up of Azerbaijani checkpoint at Lachin corridor, demands to reopen corridor

Karekin II: Fight for just cause of Armenians, contribute to prevention of genocidal acts and crimes

Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan: Bloody scimitar which has now become Bayraktar hangs over our people again

Armenia PM: This is best moment to think about past, present, future

Armenian Genocide Memorial entrance closed

108 years later: It is Armenian Genocide victims commemoration day

State minister: People of Karabakh have right to demand from players to make clear assessments, take steps

US 'deeply concerned' by Azerbaijan's checkpoint in Lachin corridor

Edmon Marukyan: Peaceful Armenians of Artsakh taken hostage by Azerbaijan

Kanaani: Iran's military program is solely defensive

Ministry of Defense of Armenia: The Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan has spread disinformation

Erdogan: Putin to take part in fuel delivering ceremony to Akkuyu

Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh makes a statement

Kosovo Serbs boycott local elections
22:33

Days after a Supreme Court green flag, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Sunday took out route marches at 45 locations across Tamil Nadu and the events passed off peacefully amid security, police said.





Union Minister of State L Murugan was among those who participated at the meets held in different parts of the state including Chennai, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet.





Police security was posted at the routes where the RSS volunteers, dressed in their trademark white rolled up sleeves and khaki trousers, took out the march.





The route marches passed off peacefully, police said.





On April 11, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras high court orders allowing RSS to hold marches in the State and dismissed the appeals of the Tamil Nadu government.





Meanwhile, the RSS said the route march is a part of its regular training.







'Well-trained Swayamsevaks (volunteers) are members of the organisation. They range from daily wage earners, students to well-placed professionals, factory, office workers. Swayamsevaks working with their various other organisations also take part,' the organisation said in a statement.





'Sangh route march is a public exhibition of exemplary discipline by normal citizens and the organisation's training abilities. RSS conducts its route march to instil confidence amongst the general public that Hindu society can walk together in an organised, disciplined and punctual manner,' it added. -- PTI
Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Saturday participated in a program organised on the occasion of the 76th Himachal Day at the Ridge Maidan in the capital Shimla. On the occasion, Education Minister hoisted the tricolour and inspected the parade. The cultural programs were also presented by the students of various schools. Along with this, people were also made aware of the hazardous effects of drug consumption through street plays by the students. Addressing the gathering at the occasion, Rohit Thakur, the Education Minister said, "Himachal came into existence on this day and Himachal Day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in the entire state." "From coming into existence till now, many new dimensions have been established in the development of Himachal Pradesh and in the coming times also Himachal will be on the path of development," he added. Talking about the celebration at Kaza of Lahaul-Spiti, Thakur said, "The state-level Himachal Day program is being celebrated in Kaza of Lahaul-Spiti, the most remote area of the state, where the Chief Minister himself has participated." He said, "Congress government believes in the development of Himachal Pradesh. The state is on the path of continuous development ever since it came into existence. Where earlier there used to be nearly 200 educational institutions in the state, now their number has increased to more than 15000." Highlighting the increased number of colleges in the state, Education Minister said, "The number of colleges has also increased a lot and in the coming times also the priority of the government will be to fulfil the basic needs of the state." "Efforts are being made to promote tourism with the construction of tunnels in the state and the Chief Minister has announced to make Kangra the tourism capital, apart from this, work is also being done on building a heliport with the rapid progress of the four-line project of roads in the state," he added. Hitting out at Bharatiya Janata Party, Thakur said, "CM Sukhu is moving forward with new thinking, although the state has been drowned in debt by the previous government. BJP, which used to sing the tune of the double engine, has left a debt of 75 thousand crores and liabilities of 11 thousand crores in the state." "Despite this, the government's effort will be to make the state self-reliant and bring it out of the cycle of debt and the government will work on increasing the sources of income, he added. Thakur said, "Himachal has emerged as an ideal state, in which Dr Yashwant Parmar and Indira Gandhi also played a major role. The development journey of Himachal was long and full of difficulties because it is a hilly state, but today Himachal is considered an ideal state. The standards of development in areas like education, health, roads, tourism, agriculture and horticulture show in which direction we are moving forward." Further talking about the priorities of the state government, Thakur said, "The priority of the present government would be that every area of the state should be developed with the help of technology so that it would be successful in making the economy of the state prosperous." "The present government is committed towards development in every area of the state", he added. On being asked about the Shimla Municipal Corporation Elections, Thakur said, "The Congress party will finalize all candidates for polls by tomorrow and the party will win elections of the oldest Municipal corporation of the country." On this occasion, martyr soldier Kulbhushan Manta (from Kupvi district Shimla) who was martyred while serving the Indian Army in 2022 was also honoured. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mohan Lal Brakta, MLA Shimla Urban Harish Janartha, former MLA Harbhajan Singh Bhajji, and Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Atiq and his brother were shot when they were taken for a medical test to Colvin hospital. Both died on the spot. According to reports, Atiq was shot in the head from point-blank range when mediapersons were talking to him.

Both the brothers were handcuffed when the incident took place. One of the shooters has been arrested by the UP Police.

The incident took place on the day Atiq's son Asad was laid to rest in Prayagraj after being shot dead in an encounter in Jhansi on Thursday.

--IANS amita/arm

( 129 Words)

2023-04-15-23:08:02 (IANS)
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that it is the responsibility of the people of Goa to take tourism area beyond 'Sun-Sand-Sea' concept, for which government can help in creating the infrastructure. Sawant was speaking during 'cashe festival' organised by Forest Development Corporation, which he announced will be an annual event. "I am sure even the tourists visiting the state will attend this two-day festival. This will help to promote cashew products of Goa," he added. "Earlier the tourism concept was only 'Sun-Sand-Sea', now we have to take this concept beyond it. Only government can't do it, people of the state will have to take responsibility for it. We can create infrastructure in remote areas, however the tourism activities will have to be created by PPP model," Sawant said. The Chief Minister added that there is a need to encourage making of the Kunbi saree and shawl and make its promotion to increase sales. The 'Kunbi' saree, a traditional dressing style of 'Kunbi' tribe, existed even before Portuguese captured Goa. Kunbi saree got a lease of life when eminent Goan fashion designer late Wendell Rodricks promoted it on the fashion ramp. Sawant said that artisans and handicraft of Goa should be promoted in the tourism area. --IANS sbk/khz/ ( 219 Words) 2023-04-15-23:16:03 (IANS)
According to officials, security measures will also be heightened outside the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office located near Rouse Avenue Court.

To prevent any trouble from AAP workers or supporters, an adequate number of barricades will be set up on the surrounding streets.

"We have put in place a comprehensive security arrangement, and as he is a Chief Minister, there will undoubtedly be tight security for his safety," said a senior police officer.

The official further stated that over 1,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, will be deployed outside the CBI headquarters to ensure that no unpleasant incidents occur.

"Section 144 CrPC to be imposed in the area," said DCP (South) Chandan Chaudhary.

The CBI has summoned Kejriwal to its office at 11 a.m. to appear before the investigation team as a witness in the excise policy case, according to a notice issued by the CBI.

It has been announced that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and all Delhi Cabinet Ministers will accompany Kejriwal to the CBI office.

Kejriwal has been summoned by the CBI for the first time in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 case, which allegedly caused losses to the Delhi government and benefitted a group of liquor traders.

Kejriwal's name was mentioned in the second chargesheet filed before a Special ED Court on January 6 by the Enforcement Directorate.

--IANS ssh/pgh

( 288 Words)

2023-04-15-23:20:05 (IANS)
In a shocking incident, gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj on Saturday night, in the presence of the police and the media. Atiq and his brother were shot when they were taken for a medical test to Colvin hospital. Both died on the spot. According to reports, Atiq was shot in the head from point-blank range when mediapersons were talking to him. Both the brothers were handcuffed when the incident took place. The incident took place on the day Atiq's son Asad was laid to rest in Prayagraj after being shot dead in an encounter in Jhansi on Thursday. According to reports, three youths, two of whom have been arrested, had joined a group of journalists who were talking to Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf when the two came out of the hospital. Even before Atiq could complete his answer, one of the assailants pointed a pistol at Atiq's head and shot him while the other two then opened fire at the brother. After the brothers slumped to the ground, the assailants raised their hands and surrendered. --IANS amita/arm ( 200 Words) 2023-04-15-23:28:02 (IANS)
Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that shooters who killed mafia turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on Saturday night were posing as Journalists at the spot of the incident. "Shooters were posing as journalists. As Atiq reached for a check-up, they were surrounded by other journalists and got close to Atiq and his brother. One was having a camera and was posing as a cameraman. While one was roaming with a mike where it was written NCR News. Third was assisting both," police sources said. "As Atiq reached the hospital, reporters started questioning them after 2 lines, one guy fired on his head from very close and Atiq fell down. Another two guys also threw the camera and mike and started firing," sources mentioned. Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical in Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. In the aftermath of the incident Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts. In this regard UP Police have mentioned that a total of three arrests have been made. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also appealed to the public to avoid paying attention to the rumours. "He also directed the police officials to remain vigilant and maintain law and order in the state," UP Chief minister's office statement said. UP Government on Sunday also imposed Section 144 in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Shortly after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this (alleged encounter killings), an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. (ANI)
"Assam Rifles apprehended two active NSCN (IM) cadres from general area New Camp, Mokokchung District, Nagaland on April 14 2023," the press release said.

"Based on confirmed input regarding the movement of active cadres of NSCN (IM) astride Mokokchung - Mariani Road, threatening local civilians were carrying out extortion activities, an operation was launched and Mobile Vehicle Check Post was established to apprehend these cadres," it added.

A team of Assam Rifles apprehended the two cadres of NCSN (IM) named Self Styled Sergeant Major Imkongtiba and Self-Styled Sergeant Major Phamching along with two weapons and live ammunition were apprehended, officials informed.

"The team intercepted a Maruti Alto Vehicle registration number AS 01 X 6465 and on being challenged the occupants fled towards the ungraveled track and entered into a wooden temporary hut. The location was surrounded and a thorough search of the wooden house was done, two cadres of NCSN (IM) namely Self Styled Sergeant Major Imkongtiba and Self Styled Sergeant Major Phamching alongwith two weapons and live ammunition were apprehended," it mentioned.

Officials further mentioned that the two cadres and the belongings recovered from them have been handed over to the district police state and further investigation is underway.

"The apprehended NSCN (IM) cadres alongwith recovered war-like stores have been handed over to Mokokchung Police Station-I, Mokokchung District for further investigations," it said. (ANI)
After gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Police imposed section 144 across the state and beefed up security. ays after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. As many as three people were arrested, informed police after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Saturday. "Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said. In this regard, Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts, in the aftermath of Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed being shot dead in Prayagraj, officials informed. UP CM Yogi Adityanath also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident. CM Yogi immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. Chief Minister also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," the officials said. A forensic team reached the spot to inspect the spot of the incident. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a late-night meeting instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed Police officers to be on alert, ensure peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," according to the Chief Minister office's statement. The meeting at Chief Minister's residence was attended by UP Home Secretary Sanjay Prasad, UP Police Director General of Police (DGP) RK Vishwakarma and other senior officials. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also appealed to the public to avoid paying attention to rumours about the incident. "CM has also appealed to people not to pay any attention to rumours. Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours," the official statement mentioned. UP Police officials conducted flag march and patrolling in various districts of the state. UP state minister and BJP leader Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that when crime reaches its peak some decisions come directly from nature. "When crime reaches its peak some decisions come directly from nature. This is the call of nature and there should be no comment on it," he said. Various political leaders from the opposition reacted sharply to the incident. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi said that the murders of mafia turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed is a perfect example of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's big failure on law and order in Uttar Pradesh. "Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law and order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder," Owaisi tweeted. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav in the aftermath of the incident said that crime has reached its peak in Uttar Pradesh. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this (alleged encounter killings), an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. Sitaram Yechury also took to Twitter and said, "Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. It's USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics and patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators and punish them stringently". Congress leader Rashid Alvi asked for the UP Chief Minister's resignation. "This shows the law and order situation of UP. This looks like a big conspiracy. There must be thorough probe & judicial inquiry into this and UP CM must resign," he said. The advocate of Atiq Ahmed, Vijay Mishra mentioned that police officials immediately caught shooters who fired at Atiq. "Police were taking them for medical check-ups. Gunshots were heard when we entered the hospital. Police immediately caught shooters at the spot," he said. Moments before their killing, both criminals, who were accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, were speaking to the media while being taken for a medical and their murder was captured on camera. "Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go)" were Atiq Ahmed's last words, when asked what did he have to say on not being taken to his son Asad's funeral. (ANI)
After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj in full media glare on Saturday night, the father of one of the assailants on Sunday said his son was jobless and a drug addict. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Yagya Tiwari (father of Lovelesh, one of the arrested shooters) said, "He is my son. We saw the incident on TV. We are not aware of the actions of Lovelesh nor do we have anything to do with this. He never lived here and neither was he involved in our family affairs. He did not tell us anything. He came here five to six days ago. We have not been on talking terms with him for years. There is already a case registered against him. He was jailed in that case." "He doesn't work. He was a drug addict. We have four children. We have nothing to say about this," Yagya Tiwari added. Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, Pintu Singh (brother of shooter Sunny Singh) said, "He used to wander around and did no work. We live separately and dont know how he became a criminal. We have no idea about the incident." Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the mafia-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Atiq was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005 and also in the subsequent killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP's leader's murder, in February this year. All three assailants were arrested, informed police after Atiq and his brother were shot dead. "Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said earlier. UP CM Yogi Adityanath also ordered the setting up of a three-member judicial commission to probe the incident. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the Prayagraj incident. He chaired a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. The CM also ordered the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," an officer said. A forensic team also reached the scene of the incident and collected samples. Moments before their killing, the slain gangster siblings, who were accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, were speaking to the media while being taken for a medical and their murder was captured on camera. "Nahi le gaye to nahi gaye (they did not take us, so we did not go)" were Atiq Ahmed's last words, when asked what did he have to say on not being taken to his son Asad's burial. (ANI)
Delhi Police detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers protesting at Kashmiri Gate on Sunday in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before he is to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Delhi excise policy. The AAP workers raised slogans in support of the Delhi chief minister. There has been a heavy deployment of forces in the national capital in view of AAP's protest. CM Kejriwal held a high-level meeting with top leaders of the AAP on Sunday ahead of appearing before the central agency in the Delhi excise policy case. The meeting was held at Kejriwal's residence. Several Delhi ministers, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot, Rajkumar Anand, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain, were present in the meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan and Punjab Assembly speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan also attended the meeting. AAP MPs Raghav Chadha, ND Gupta and Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also present at the meeting in Kejriwal's residence. According to sources, the meeting was called to discuss the next course of action after Kejriwal's questioning by CBI on Sunday. Kejriwal on Sunday said that the central agency will arrest him if the BJP government has given the orders. In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions." He further said, "You (BJP) say that I am corrupt. I was a Commissioner in the Income Tax department, I could have earned crores if I wanted to. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest." Kejriwal will appear before the CBI on Sunday for questioning in connection with the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the Union Territory government. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would accompany Kejriwal to the CBI office on Sunday morning. During his visit to the CBI office, Kejriwal's cabinet colleagues and all the MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will also accompany him to the CBI office. In a major development in the Delhi excise policy case, the CBI summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in connection with the liquor policy case on Sunday.According to sources, Aam Aadmi Party will stage a protest in the national capital during the questioning of party chief Kejriwal at the CBI office on Sunday. "If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest," Delhi Chief Minister said on Saturday, a day after CBI summoned him for questioning in connection with the excise policy case. Addressing a press conference, he said, "Tomorrow, they (CBI) have called me and I will definitely go. If Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt then there is no one in this world who is honest... If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions."Later, taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said appropriate cases will be filed against Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate officials for "perjury and producing false evidence in courts. "We will file appropriate cases against CBI and ED officials for perjury and producing false evidence in courts," he tweeted. Kejriwal also claimed that he knew he would be next in line to be summoned by the CBI since the day he spoke against corruption in the Delhi assembly. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a key aide of Kejriwal, is in jail over alleged irregularities in the excise case. Sisodia was arrested by ED and CBI in the ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy in Delhi.The CBI arrested Sisodia on February 26. Later on March 9, the ED arrested him, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail. The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their account books to evade detection, the probe agencies said. (ANI)
Congress MP and the party's general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Sunday said criminals should be given the harshest punishment but it should be as per the law of the land. His remark comes a day after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj in full media glare on Saturday night. In an official statement, the Congress MP said, "The rule of law as laid down in our country's Constitution is paramount. Criminals should be given the harshest punishment, but it should be under the law of the land." "Subverting or violating the rule of law and judicial process for any political purpose is dangerous for our democracy. Whoever does this, or gives protection to those who do such acts, should also be held responsible and the law should be strictly enforced on them," the statement quoted Ramesh as saying further. "It should be our collective endeavour to ensure that the judicial system and the rule of law is at all times honoured in letter and spirit," it further stated. Meanwhile, hitting out at the BJP government over the brazen killing of the ganglord-turned-politician and his brother, Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Sunday said the saffron party has turned India into a "mafia republic". "BJP has turned India into a mafia republic. I will say it here, I will say it abroad, I will say it everywhere because this is the truth. Two men in custody shot dead in front of a zillion policemen and cameras -- this is the death of the rule of law," the TMC leader said in a tweet. The three assailants, who surrendered and were arrested after shooting Atiq and his brother Ashraf dead, will be presented before the magistrate today. All three attackers were apprehended at the scene after they voluntarily turned themselves in. They have been kept in the custody of the police and questioned. As per the law, any criminal caught in this manner has to be presented before the remand magistrate within 24 hours. The Uttar Pradesh Police imposed Section 144 across the state in the wake of the incident and security was beefed up at key public installations and areas deemed sensitive. Atiq Ahmed was accused in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal in 2005, as well as in the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the BSP leader's murder, in February this year. UP CM Yogi Adityanath also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member judicial commission. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident. He immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. He also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member judicial commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," the officials said. Chief Minister Adityanath, in a late-night meeting, instructed state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed the police to be on alert, ensure that peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," read a statement by the Chief Ministe's Office. (ANI)
"Border Security Force troops deployed at the border heard the buzzing sound of a suspected flying object (drone) entering from Pakistan into Indian territory near the village Dhanoe Kalan, Amritsar on April 15 at 8:22 pm," the BSF said in a statement.

"As per the laid down drills, troops immediately reacted to intercept the drone by firing," the BSF further said.

"During the initial area search, BSF troops recovered 1 big bag containing 3 packets of narcotics suspected to be Heroin (Gross wt - appx 3 kg), from the wheat field. One iron ring with a hook and 4 luminous strips were also found attached to the consignment," the border personnel added in their statement.

In a similar incident, the Border Security Force (BSF) had shot down an intruding drone near the India-Pakistan border on Saturday.

The drone was spotted at Bachiwind village near the international border at 3.21 am on Saturday.

BSF troops recovered three packets of heroin weighing around 3.2 kg.

"On April 15, 2023, at 3.21 am, BSF troops deployed on the border fired on an intruding drone. On initial search, a bag of 3 packets (with blinkers) (wt- appx 3.2 Kg) heroin was recovered from a farming field near vill-Bachiwind, Distt- Amritsar. Search under progress," tweeted BSF Punjab Frontier. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also arrived at the award ceremony.

Shah reached Mumbai on Saturday evening where he will hold a key meeting with senior party leaders.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, Tourism minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, along with other party MPs and MLAs, welcomed Shah at the Mumbai airport on Saturday.

The Home Minister was in Rajasthan earlier on Saturday where he addressed a public meeting.

According to sources, Shah will hold a meeting with BJP leaders of the state unit and discussions will centre around the party's strategy for the upcoming elections. The meeting will take place at Sahyadri State Guest House. There will also be discussions about Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, other civic polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sources said.

Shah is also likely to hold a meeting with CM Shinde to discuss a strategy around the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the functioning of the state government. (ANI)
The Opposition BJP on Sunday staged an "unemployment" march against the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS government in the Hanumakonda district of Telangana on Sunday. Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay led the march along with many other prominent party leaders. A large number of people gathered for the march. Addressing the gathering, Sanjay said, "The chief minister was mistaken in his belief that putting me in jail would bring our movement against his government to a stop. I was arrested from here in connection with the 10th exam paper leak incident. However, it was only a ploy to divert people's attention from the TSPSC paper leak, which put the futures of about 30 lakh youth in peril. We believe in the judiciary." "Should we tolerate KCR's fake drama? He said that 1,91,000 posts are vacant and that he will give 1 job per house and an unemployment allowance till the jobs are given. Should we tolerate such fakery? The BJP will not tolerate it. We will fight it. We do not have any other selfish goals," Sanjay said. "The chief minister should come clean on why he is objecting to an inquiry by a sitting judge. Sack your son immediately and push him out. You had sacked a Dalit deputy CM earlier, you pushed out Etela Rajender for no fault of his. You had removed many MLAs from power and from your party. But you won't remove your daughter who did liquor business (K Kavitha was questioned in connection with the Delhi liquor scam case). This TSPSC is your son's ministry. Your son made many mistakes and you are trying to protect him," Sanjay said. "Is it a case of one justice to the KCR family and another for other MLAs and ministers?" questioned Sanjay He said his party's only priority is the future of 30 lakh youth, adding that about 3 lakh youth appeared for the TSPSC exam. "The chief minister and his family have destroyed their bright futures. About 30 lakh youth have registered for employment. Around Rs 1,60,000 were to be given as allowance but the same hasn't been done. How did the TSPSC paper leak? For the TPSC paper leak, it was Bandi Sanjay to blame. If notifications are not given, then again, it is Bandi Sanjay to blame. Even in the wake of the 10th paper leak incident, they conveniently shifted the blame to Bandi Sanjay. KCR should come clean on what he is doing?" Sanjay announced that his party will hold the next leg of the unemployment march at Palamuru on April 21. The Telangana BJP chief was arrested by police from his Karimnagar residence late on April 4 in the exam paper leak case. He was granted bail by a magistrate court on April 6. The court allowed bail on the condition of Rs 20,000 surety from a magistrate's court in Warangal. (ANI)
After gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead in Prayagraj, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule on Sunday called the incident "horrifying" for children and women. "We ask children to watch tv and news channel to increase their general knowledge, but the way crime (Atiq Ahmed's killing) was shown live on national television was 'horrifying' for children and women," NCP MP Sule said. "It is very worrying whatever has happened, I am concerned about this. Whatever has happened the inquiry will be done," she added. Days after Atiq Ahmed's son Asad was killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, the gangster-turned-politician and his brother, Ashraf Ahmed, were killed on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. UP Police so far has arrested a total of 3 shooters in this incident. In the aftermath of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a late-night meeting instructed the state police officers to be on high alert and ensure law and order are maintained across the state. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath has instructed Police officers to be on alert, ensure peace, law and order are maintained in the state and the public doesn't face any trouble," according to the Chief Minister office's statement. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. "CM Yogi immediately called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. Chief Minister also gave instructions for the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter," officials said. Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts, in the aftermath of Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed was shot dead in Prayagraj, officials informed. Shortly after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this (alleged encounter killings), an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. (ANI)
After BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar resigned from his membership in the state assembly, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said if Shettar comes back to BJP, the party would welcome him. Addressing mediapersons here, Yediyurappa said, "BJP is a national party. BJP has given a good position to me, Jagadish Shettar, Laxman Savadi and others. Laxman Savadi was made a minister. When he lost the election, we made him an MLC. We gave him many opportunities in the party. I want to ask Laxman Savadi followers, what wrong did we do to him? Why did he join the Congress?" A former Karnataka deputy chief minister, Laxman Savadi quit the BJP and was fielded from the Athani Assembly constituency by the Congress. Savadi's exit ahead of the polls is seen to be a major blow to the ruling BJP He joined the Congress party, after being denied a ticket by the BJP. Further invoking to Jagadish Shettar, Yediyurappa said, "We made him (Jagadish Shettar) the chief minister of Karnataka and the BJP state president. The statements given by him have made us unhappy. People knew about Jagadish Shettar only because of BJP. I want to ask Jagadish Shettar why is he joining Congress. If he comes back to BJP, we will welcome him." He said People from Karnataka will not forgive Shettar. "Dharmendra Pradhan had offered Jagadish Shatter, a ministerial position in the cabinet. We had offered a ticket to Jagadish Shatter's family. But he did not respond to it," he said. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar tendered his resignation as an MLA to Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, at Sirsi on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, Shettar said some Karnataka BJP leaders were mishandling the party in the State. "I am going to tender my resignation as an MLA and I will also resign from the primary membership of the party. Later I will decide the next course of action, whether I have to fight independently or with a party. The ill-treatment and humiliation by the senior leaders of the party have hurt me a lot. My decision (to resign from BJP) is final. Some state leaders are mishandling the BJP system in Karnataka," Shettar told ANI. On whether he will be joining the Congress, the former Karnataka chief minister said, "I have not decided yet." Shettar, a six-time MLA from the constituency was reportedly advised by the party to stand down and not seek a fresh term as MLA from the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment, following which his followers expressed their anguish against the party's high command. On Saturday, after announcing his resignation, Jagadish Shettar also mentioned that there is a conspiracy against him, which is why he was denied a ticket. "There is a conspiracy against me, will tell everything after resigning," Shettar told ANI. After being left out from the BJP's candidate lists, Shettar had earlier issued an ultimatum to the party, saying he will consider his future political course if denied a ticket from his preferred segment. The 224-seat Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 10, and the votes will be counted on May 13. (ANI)
After former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar resigned as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said Shettar's move has pained him. The resignation of former CM and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar has pained and disturbed him, said the CM. Speaking to reporters here, Bommai said Shetter has been a senior and important leader of this region. The party had taken several decisions on several occasions. Bommai said Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Jagadish Shettar personally on Saturday. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to bring changes in this static politics. Former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa announced his retirement from electoral politics. The BJP president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised a big position at the central level to Shettar. The name of Shettar was on the list of the district-level core committee but the denial of the ticket was the decision of the high command. The time has come to bring the changes." Bommai said former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is a role model as he tendered his resignation even while he was in the chief minister's post. "He (Yediyurappa ) taught them ideal to everyone. The BJP is trying to take every community along with it," Bommao said. Bommai said BJP has given the maximum number of ministerships to the Lingayat community. He said the opportunity must be given from one generation to another due to which Shettar had been denied the ticket. "I am not going to answer all the questions raised by Shettar. It is an attempt to make a new development. Shettar's resignation from the party will impact the BJP but damage control exercise will be made to minimize the impact," Bommai added. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar tendered his resignation as an MLA to Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, at Sirsi on Sunday. Shettar, who resigned as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA on Sunday, said he was yet to decide whether he would join the Congress. On being asked whether he will be joining Congress, the former Karnataka chief minister said, "I have not decided yet." Earlier, on Sunday, Shettar said some Karnataka BJP leaders were mishandling the party in the State. "I am going to tender my resignation as an MLA and will also resign from the primary membership of the party. Later, I will decide my next course of action, whether I have to fight independently or with a party. The ill-treatment and humiliation by the senior leaders of the party have hurt me a lot. My decision (to resign from BJP) is final. Some state leaders are mishandling the BJP system in Karnataka," Shettar told ANI. Shettar, a six-time MLA from the constituency, was reportedly advised by the party to stand down and not seek a fresh term as MLA from the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment, following which his followers expressed their anguish against the party's high command. On Saturday after announcing his resignation Jagadish Shettar also mentioned that there is a conspiracy against him, which is why he was denied a ticket. "There is a conspiracy against me, will tell everything after resigning," Shettar told ANI.After being left out from the BJP's candidate lists, Shettar had issued an ultimatum to the party, saying he will consider his future political course if denied a ticket from his preferred segment. Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said if Shettar comes back to BJP, the party would welcome him. Yediyurappa said, "We made him (Jagadish Shettar) the chief minister of Karnataka and the BJP state president. The statements given by him have made us unhappy. People knew about Jagadish Shettar only because of BJP. I want to ask Jagadish Shettar why is he joining Congress. If he comes back to BJP, we will welcome him." He said People from Karnataka will not forgive Shettar. "Dharmendra Pradhan had offered Jagadish Shatter, a ministerial position in the cabinet. We had offered a ticket to Jagadish Shatter's family. But he did not respond," he said. The 224-seat Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 10, and the votes will be counted on May 13. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, who reached Etawah on Sunday, held UP CM' Yogi Adityanath's "Mitti mein mila denge (will ground them to dust)" claim as being responsible for the killing of slain ganglord-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, claiming that his statement sent out a message that nothing will happen to those who takes out Atiq Ahmed. "A tragic (Umesh Pal murder) incident had happened earlier in Prayagraj, after which the chief minister gave a statement that "he would turn mafias into dust". So, this was an order from the CM which sent across a clear message to the killers. Atiq filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying he feared being killed in police custody and that's how his end came." Yadav claimed that "many, who are close to the chief minister, are in contract with the state's land mafia." Meanwhile, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Sunday demanded that the Supreme Court take cognizance of the brazen killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on Saturday while being taken for a medical in Prayagraj. "Supreme Court should take cognizance of the whole matter and pass an order to investigate it," he said. Questioning the prevailing law and order situation in UP, Kamal Nath said, "Today these murders are happening openly in broad daylight. What does this tell us about the law-and-order situation in UP? What happened in the largest state is unfortunate." The Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday, too, voiced concerns over the incident, saying that UP was in the grip of 'jungle raj' under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Sitaram Yechury took to Twitter to say, "Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. It's USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics and patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators and punish them stringently". (ANI)
The Jharkhand High Court has issued a bailable arrest warrant against the Transport Secretary (name withheld), Government of Jharkhand, for an 'outrageous defiance' of the repeated orders issued by the court in a contempt case. "The Ranchi senior superintendent of police has been directed to personally execute the bailable warrant of arrest and produce the secretary before the court on April 17 at 1:15 PM," read the High Court order. "However, in view of the conduct of the Secretary of the Department of Transport, Government of Jharkhand which is sort of an outrageous defiance of the direction issued by this Court, the request made by the learned State counsel is declined,' it added. In the case, the transport secretary is the contemnor who did not comply with the court's order despite repeated directions. "However the contemnor has failed to comply with the direction of the court. Left with no other option, issue bailable warrant of arrest against the contemnor, who is holding the post of the secretary of the department of the Transport, Government of Jharkhand," read the order. It may be mentioned that the warrant was issued on April 13. The case is regarding the appointment of the motor vehicle inspectors pending for over two decades. (ANI)
Bandi Sanjay, the chief of the BJP's Telangana unit, who staged a protest march on Saturday against K Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS government alleging "unemployment" in the state said they will not be afraid even if cases are registered against them. Speaking to ANI, Bandi Sanjay said, "We will not be afraid even if cases are registered against us. We will keep on fighting". Bandi said that in the TSPSC paper leak, an inquiry should be conducted by a sitting high court judge and the minister KTR (KCR's son) should be sacked and a compensation of Rs 1 lakh should be given to unemployed youths. Bandi Sanjay led the march flanked by many other prominent party leaders. A large number of people gathered for the march on Saturday. The march kicked off from the Kakatiya University campus and culminated at the foot of the Ambedkar statue on Saturday. A sizeable police contingent were deployed on the route for the march -- Kakatiya University to the Ambedkar Centre -- ahead of the protest. Earlier, BJP spokesperson NV Subhash alleged that Telangana State Public Service Commission papers had been leaked by people close to state minister KT Rama Rao and his father and CM, K Chandrashekar Rao, claiming that 30 lakh aspirants are still seeking jobs in the state. "Their dreams have been shattered. We have approached the court and demanded immediate action taken against Rao. A sitting high court judge should be assigned to investigate the scam. Students who appeared for the exam should be compensated," the BJP leader said. The next leg of his march will be from Mehboobnagar on April 21 followed by Khammam, for which the dates are still being finalised, said Subhash. "I will be holding 10 rallies across the state which will conclude with a mega rally in Hyderabad," Bandi Sanjay told ANI earlier. The Telangana BJP chief was arrested by police from his Karimnagar residence late on April 4 in the paper leak case. He was granted bail by a magistrate court on April 6. The court allowed bail on the condition of Rs 20,000 surety from a magistrate's court in Warangal. (ANI)
Lashing out at the Congress party, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said that the grand old party did not organise Baba Saheb Ambedkar Mahakumbh and did not build Baba Saheb's memorial, but all these were done under the BJP government. Addressing the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Mahakumbh organized at Mela Ground, Gwalior, he said that the Congress party only focused on dynastic politics. "Congress did not organize Baba Saheb Ambedkar Mahakumbh, did not build Baba Saheb's memorial. You made everything for a family, whereas BJP built Baba Saheb's memorial and organised Kumbh," said Chouhan. He said that Baba Saheb gave us the constitution, and the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running the government on those same lines of the constitution. The Madhya Pradesh CM said that the government will now pay the fees for children of those families whose income limit is up to 8 lakhs. "Now the government will pay the fees for the children of families whose income limit is up to 8 lakhs. Till now the government pays the fees of the children of families with an income of 6 lakhs," he said. He said that better arrangement of hostels is being done under Kaya Kalp Yojana. "Now cleaning of manholes in urban bodies will be done by machines. The government will pay the room rent for the scheduled caste students taking rooms for studies. Better arrangement of hostels is being done under Kaya Kalp Yojana. Welfare boards of different sub-castes will be formed under all scheduled castes, added Chouhan. Earlier on April 14, the CM announced to include five important places 'Panchatirth' related to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar under the "Mukya Mantri Tirth Darshan Yojana'' The 'Panchatirth' include the birthplace of Ambedkar in Mhow, his education land in London, ground of initiation in Nagpur, his Mahaparinirvana land in Delhi and Chaitanya Bhumi in Mumbai will be covered under "Mukya Mantri Tirth Darshan Yojana''. "It is the good fortune of Madhya Pradesh that we have decided to include these Panchatirth under the Chief Minister Tirth Darshan Yojana. The five places which are related to the life of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and London is one of them, are being combined under the pilgrimage scheme," Chouhan said. "I am proud to say that we got the opportunity to build Baba Saheb's memorial in Mhow, Indore. We built the memorial but there was no Dharamshala or place for the visitors to stay. Now, I am happy to inform you that we have received the Army's NOC for the land required for the construction of Dharamshala for people to Mhow. Three and a half acres of land will be given to the Dr. Baba Saheb Memorial Committee on lease and all other requirements, including stay, will be fulfilled," Chouhan said. (ANI)
As the Aam Aadmi Party leaders were detained for protesting outside the CBI office in the national capital, party leader Jasmine Shah on Sunday asked if the "central government has converted Delhi to North Korea" which is governed by a dictatorship. This comes after AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj who were protesting outside the CBI office earlier today against CM Arvind Kejriwal's questioning by CBI were detained and brought to Najafgarh police station in Delhi. AAP also held a protest in Punjab's Amritsar earlier today against the CBI questioning of Kejriwal in the Delhi excise case. Addressing a press conference here, Shah said, "Kejriwal did not try to duck the summons. He will cooperate in the future also. But does that mean that you will not allow a common man to protest? Have you made Delhi a North Korea? It is a matter of shame. The country is watching that democracy is being strangulated." The AAP leader further alleged that the right to protest in the country is "dead". "The right to protest is a sacred right in any democracy. Police was deployed outside the residences of MLAs and said that they would not let them get outside. They picked them up who came outside their residences. Delhi Police detained all the leaders who were protesting silently and waiting for Arvind Kejriwal to come out. The police took them to an unidentified place. The right to protest is dead," he alleged. Earlier, fearing that Central Bureau of Investigation may arrest Arvind Kejriwal as the questioning is underway at the CBI headquarters in the national capital, AAP Delhi convenor Gopal Rai convened a meeting at the party office. The office bearers, district president, national secretaries and other leaders of the party were asked to join the meeting. Earlier, AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh and others were detained by the Delhi Police for protesting near the CBI office in the national capital on Sunday. The detained AAP leaders were heard chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "BJP suffers from Kejriwal phobia. It is because of Kejriwal's fear that the BJP has come down to such an act. It is a cowardly act. We are not scared of jail," Raghav Chadha said. The AAP is protesting against the questioning of CM Kejriwal by the CBI in the Excise policy case. Ahead of his appearance before the central investigative agency in connection with the excise policy case, Kejriwal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital on Sunday. Kejriwal was accompanied by his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Maan, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and other top leaders of the party. Before heading to the CBI office, Kejriwal said that the central agency will arrest him if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given the orders. In a video message released on Sunday morning, Kejriwal said, "They (CBI) have called me today and I will definitely go. They are very powerful, they can send anyone to jail. If BJP has ordered CBI to arrest me, then CBI will obviously follow their instructions." Earlier today, Raghav Chadha called Kejriwal "Lord Krishna" and called Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as "Kansa". "Kansa knew that Lord Shri Krishna would finish him and, hence, made every effort and hatched many conspiracies to inflict harm on Shri Krishna. He could not even harm a hair on his head. Similarly, today the BJP knows that the AAP will bring their downfall," Chadha said. (ANI)
UNITED NATIONS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces, said his spokesman.

"The secretary-general calls on the leaders of the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm and initiate a dialogue to resolve the current crisis," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Guterres called on UN member states in the region to support efforts to restore order and return to the path of transition in Sudan, it added.

In notes to correspondents, Dujarric said Guterres spoke to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on how to de-escalate the situation.

In a separate call, Guterres spoke with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Guterres will continue his efforts, including by speaking to Sudanese Armed Forces commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as soon as possible, said the spokesman.

Major disagreements have recently emerged between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, especially over the RSF's integration into the army.

Clashes erupted on Saturday morning between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces in many parts of the capital Khartoum and other areas outside the capital. 
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will be celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week from April 17 to 21 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) 2.0 in the run-up to the National Panchayati Raj Day, said an official release. According to the release, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conceptualized a series of Thematic Conferences for the National Panchayat Awards Week on the theme "Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav" to celebrate this monumental occasion in the right spirit and in line with the AKAM 2.0 directives of adopting a "whole-of-society" and "whole-of-government" approach as well as enhancing the outreach of AKAM 2.0 to touch the lives of every Indian." At the conference, representatives of high-performing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will not only receive their coveted Awards but will also deliberate and discuss their achievements in the presence of other stakeholders that can set examples for others to follow. Informing about the National Panchayat Awards week, the release said, "The five-day National Panchayat Awards Week will commence with organizing the 'National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony' in New Delhi on Monday." "The President of India has accorded her consent to inaugurate the 'National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony' on 17th April 2023 to flag off the National Panchayat Awards Week, confer the National Panchayat Awards and address the august gathering on this occasion," added the release. The National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony is expected to witness the participation of more than 1,500 delegates from across the country. Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil and Union Minister of State for Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste, Sunil Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and other Senior Officers of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will also be present on the occasion. (ANI)
Hours after resigning as MLA, former Karnataka Chief Minister and disgruntled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jagdish Shettar on Sunday said that he was offered a Rajya Sabha membership by the party's high command, which he turned down. He said that he would tender his resignation from the party's primary membership in Bengaluru before announcing his next political move. "I will tender my resignation from BJP's primary membership in Bengaluru and announce my next political decision," Shettar told reporters here. Shettar tendered his resignation as an MLA to Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, at Sirsi on Sunday, a decision which was "painful" for CM Bommai. On being asked whether he will be joining Congress, the former Karnataka chief minister said, "I have not decided yet." Earlier, on Sunday, Shettar said some Karnataka BJP leaders were mishandling the party in the State. "I am going to tender my resignation as an MLA and will also resign from the primary membership of the party. Later, I will decide my next course of action, whether I have to fight independently or with a party. The ill-treatment and humiliation by the senior leaders of the party have hurt me a lot. My decision (to resign from BJP) is final. Some state leaders are mishandling the BJP system in Karnataka," Shettar told ANI. Shettar, a six-time MLA from the constituency, was reportedly advised by the party to step down and not seek a fresh term as MLA from the Hubli-Dharwad Central segment, following which his followers expressed their anguish against the party's high command. On Saturday after announcing his resignation Jagadish Shettar also mentioned that there is a conspiracy against him, which is why he was denied a ticket. "There is a conspiracy against me, will tell everything after resigning," Shettar told ANI. After being left out from the BJP's candidate lists, Shettar had issued an ultimatum to the party, saying he will consider his future political course if denied a ticket from his preferred segment. Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said if Shettar comes back to BJP, the party would welcome him. Yediyurappa said, "We made him (Jagadish Shettar) the chief minister of Karnataka and the BJP state president. The statements given by him have made us unhappy. People knew about Jagadish Shettar only because of BJP. I want to ask Jagadish Shettar why is he joining Congress. If he comes back to BJP, we will welcome him." He said people from Karnataka will not forgive Shettar. "Dharmendra Pradhan had offered Jagadish Shatter a ministerial position in the cabinet. We had offered a ticket to Jagadish Shettar's family. But he did not respond," he said. The 224-seat Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 10, and the votes will be counted on May 13. (ANI)
Delhi police has arrested an accused who had shot his live-in partner's mother in central Delhi's DBG Road on April 8 . The accused was absconding after commiting the crime. The accused had shot the mother of his live-in partner when she intervened in the couple's fight over a petty issue, police said. According to police, on April 8 at about 6 PM, an information was received at DBG Road police station regarding a firing incident at Dhobi Wali Gali, Gaushala Road, Siddhi Pura, Delhi. The police team reached the spot immediately and found the lady (40) having bullet injury on her shoulder. She was shifted to a hospital. After preliminary enquiry, a case U/s 307 IPC & 25/27 Arms Act was registered at DBG Road police station and investigation was taken up aginst the accused person. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the case, a dedicated team of Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) was roped in along with the team of DBG Road police station and tasked to nab the culprit. The initial probe revealed that name of alleged person is Alok and he was living in live-in relationship with the daughter of injured lady. On the fateful day there was a dispute between Alok and his partner over a petty issue. The injured lady had come to settle the issue between them, but Alok got annoyed with that, had a heated argument and in a fit of anger fired bullet that caused bullet injury to the lady. Further probe revealed that Alok who was a desperate criminal and repeat offender, hence to evade his arrest, he was not using any mode of communication other than Instagram. Technical surveillance was mounted and after concerted efforts team of AATS/Central was able to obtain his new Insta ID through his close friends. Team further worked on technical points and tracked location of accused person in an OYO Hotel in the area of Rithala, Delhi. Taking all precaution, team conducted raid at that place and nabbed him from hotel room. Further during search of the room, a sophisticated country made pistol (used in crime) along with 05 rounds was recovered. During interrogation he confessed of his commission of the crime and disclosed that he had a fight with his girlfriend and when mother of his partner came to settle the issue, he had heated exchange of words with her and in anger he pulled out the illegal gun, he was carrying and shot at her, the bullet hit her in shoulder after which Alok fled from the spot. He had been staying in different OYOs hotels since then and changing locations continuously. He further revealed that he was on parole in Case U/s 307/34 & 25/27 Arms Act police station Aman Vihar, Delhi and was about to surrender in jail, but couldn't make it due to non-availability of his advocate, police said. (ANI)
Bodies of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were handed over to their family members on Sunday. Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad were shot dead by men posing as press persons on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Earlier on Saturday, hours after the murder of the duo, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the Prayagraj incident and ordered the formation of a three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) in the matter. Atiq Ahmad was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. In the aftermath of the incident Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all the districts. All three assailants were arrested, informed police after Atiq and his brother were shot dead. "Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said earlier. Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that shooters who killed Atiq and Ashraf were posing as journalists at the spot of the incident. Shortly after mafia-turned-politician and his brother were shot dead, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this, an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that people have immense respect and devotion for Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari or Appasaheb, a social worker and such respect and devotion can be achieved only through sacrifice, dedication and service. Amit Shah presented the "Maharashtra Bhushan" award for the year 2022 to Dr Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at Raigarh, Maharashtra today. On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and many other dignitaries were present. "People have immense respect and devotion for Appasaheb, a social worker who did social service in public life without aspiring for any fame. Such respect and devotion can be achieved only through sacrifice, dedication and service done by Appasaheb. People's love, trust and respect for Appasaheb is a tribute to his work and value, and the teachings of Nanasaheb. Like Appasaheb, instead of following the people, one should act in such a way that people follow him," he said. He said that it is rarely seen in history that the culture of social service remains in the same family for three generations. First Nanasaheb, then Appasaheb and now Sachin Bhau and his brothers are carrying forward this tradition of social service. He said that by giving him the Maharashtra Bhushan Award the Maharashtra government has not only honoured Appasaheb but has also inspired crores of people to live life like him. "This land of Raigad in Maharashtra is the holy land of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This land has continued three traditions in the country. First- the tradition of valor and sacrifice for the nation, was started by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rising from the land of Maharashtra across the country, great freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Chapekar brothers and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak laid down their lives for Swaraj and respect," said Shah. "Second - in the field of 'Bhakti' great people from Saint Samarth Ramdas and Saint Tukaram to Saint Namdev have always shown the way to this country. Third- The tradition of social consciousness, which started in Maharashtra itself. Social reformers like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitri Bai Phule, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and forerunners of many social movements are the gift of the great land of Maharashtra. In this tradition, Nanasaheb and Appasaheb have done a huge work of awakening this social consciousness and taking it forward," he added. He said that it is very difficult to implement the spirit of "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya" mentioned in our Upanishads and that under this spirit, a person has to live a large part of his social life by his actions, not for himself, but for society and others. "The lessons given through speech are short-lived and forgotten with time but the lessons given through one's action are eternal. Appasaheb has taught lakhs and crores of people to work for society and others besides themselves. When the country was in great need, Appasaheb brought together lakhs of people who lived for other people on the basis of the mantra of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. It is because of these works that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured Appasaheb with the Padma Award," he said. Shah said that the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' was instituted in 1995 and since then many people who have contributed to the social life of Maharashtra and the country have been awarded. "Starting from Purushottam Laxman Deshpande, Swar Kokila Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Scientist Vijay Bhatkar, Raghunath Mashelkar, Jayant Narlikar, Anil Kakodkar, Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, well-known artists Sulochana ji and Nanasaheb have been awarded Maharashtra Bhushan," said Shah. He said now Appasaheb from Nanasaheb's family has got the award. This is the first time that the Maharashtra Bhushan Award has been given to the same family for the second time. Shah said that Appasaheb guided society through his actions with the slogan "Let's March On''. He worked for the improvement of children, distribution of free educational material, tree plantation, cleanliness, blood donation, unique process of collecting waste during festivals, cleaning of wells, women empowerment, the welfare of tribals, drug-free society, eradication of superstition and illiteracy and has set many examples in these areas. Amit Shah prayed for Appasaheb's long life and wished lakhs of his followers to continue working in society for many years as per Appasaheb's directions. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh reported 56 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the tally of active cases to 1,869, the state health department informed through a bulletin on Sunday. One death was reported in the past 24 hours while 260 people recovered in the same period, it said. Earlier on Thursday, amid the increasing COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, the state government decided to make wearing masks mandatory in hospitals. The health department at the state Cabinet meeting gave a presentation of the Covid preparedness in the state. The Cabinet has also appealed to the people not to panic as the virus is mild. Cabinet Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said, "Today cabinet has made it mandatory to wear masks in the hospitals so that there is nothing to panic about, the situation is normal in the state, and everything is under control." Meanwhile, the country recorded 10,093 new cases of coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, as per the daily health bulletin released by the Union Health Ministry released on Sunday. According to the Health Ministry, India's active caseload currently stands at 57,542 which is 0.13 per cent of the total cases. (ANI)
Three people, accused of posing as pressmen and spraying bullets on the gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother, have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days, District Government Counsel (DGC) criminal Gulam Chandra Agrahari said on Sunday. He said that the court has decided April 29 as the date for further hearing. "Today all the three accused were produced before the Remand Magistrate. The three accused have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the court. Now the date of April 29 has been fixed," Gulam Chandra Agrahari told ANI. The three shooters who shot down the former MP and his brother were identified as Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari. Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly point-blank range. Internet was suspended thereafter in Prayagraj. However, it has been restored in some parts of the district. After the killing of the gangsters in police custody, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting last night and ordered a judicial probe into the incident. Three-member judicial enquiry committee pertaining to the murder of Atiq Ahmed, his brother, will give a report to the UP government in two months. The committee will be headed by Retired Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi of Allahabad HC, including retired IPC officer Subesh Kumar Singh and Retired District Judge Brijesh Kumar Soni. Security was heightened in the city after Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj yesterday. Section 144 of CrPC was imposed in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. "The situation is normal in all districts. Police are on alert," Praveen Kumar, IG Ayodhya range said. Atiq Ahmed was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. All three assailants were arrested, informed police after Atiq and his brother were shot dead. "Three people have been arrested and they are being questioned. A journalist was also injured as he fell down and a constable sustained a bullet injury," Prayagraj Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma said earlier. Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday said that shooters who killed Atiq and Ashraf were posing as Journalists at the spot of the incident. Shortly after mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said crime has reached its peak in the state and the morale of the "criminals" has grown by leaps and bounds. "Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. When someone can be killed openly despite being surrounded by a security cordon, one can imagine the state of the general public. Due to this, an ambience of fear is being created among the public. It seems that some people are deliberately creating such an ambience," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar on Sunday said that through a common digital framework, India aims to create and curate Digital Public Goods. Addressing the Digital Health Summit 2023 in Goa, she said, "Through a common digital framework, India aims to create and curate Digital Public Goods, enhance access to these tools by nations across the world and promote standards for interoperability, data privacy, and data security." The event was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and cobranded with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The theme of the event was 'Building One Health Together - Improving Health Equity', with the objective of bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and global healthcare experts and thought leaders to deliberate upon key issues confronting the digital health space. Speaking on the occasion, Dr, Pawar thanked the participants and said that this event aligns with India's G20 Health Working Group agenda on Digital Health Innovations and solutions to aid Universal Health Coverage and improve healthcare service delivery towards One Earth, One Family, One Future. Highlighting the importance of digital health innovations, she mentioned that digital innovations are powering game changers in exponential medicine, including 3D printing, point-of-care diagnostics, robots, bioinformatics, and genomics, and is emerging as an enabler and equaliser. "In addition to adoption, she emphasised that "citizen-centric" digital health systems with equitable access to high-quality treatments must remain the aim," she said. Talking about various initiatives taken by the Government of India such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission(ABDM), e-Sanjeevani Teleconsultation service, Ayushman Bharat-Prandhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) as well as CoWIN and their role in strengthening creation of a digital health ecosystem in the country, Dr Pawar said, "These initiatives will help us in achieving the goal of improving health service accessibility and equity across the country." She emphasized that it is high time that healthcare service delivery to the public is re-aligned to incorporate the use of new technology. She said, "Emerging technologies like AI, the Internet of things (IoT), Blockchain, 3-D printing in medical device manufacturing, etc. can help create a more holistic health ecosystem that improves health outcomes." "A global approach is often more effective and India under its G-20 Presidency has already prioritized digital health as one of its three health objectives, seeking global consensus on a global digital framework", she further added. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant highlighted that health tech is the most significant aspect of the fourth Industrial Revolution and taking pre-emptive steps remains the key. He said, "Goa is building one of best public health infrastructures in India and was first to launch universal healthcare insurance for the people in the form of Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY)." While highlighting the quick implementation of digital services in the state, he said that Goa has been the 2nd fastest adopter of digital services in the country and has been giving enormous support to promote startup systems providing patient-centric care with help of health tech. He further added that policy deliberations and required regulation in this area will pave the way for more public-private partnerships to attract more investments in health tech. Dr Vinod Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog succinctly remarked that India is taking proactive steps by having already created a framework, fabric, platform and highway. He said that the government is working with stakeholders on the validation of digital health devices including wearable devices, and AI equipment in health systems in appropriate settings, and thus, the creation of appropriate standards where technologies can be tested. He also urged the private sector to come forward with the right thinking, ideas, vision and indeed solutions to use for various products and possibilities. Finally, he emphasized the importance of developing the capacity to process and create valuable insights from the digital data that is being created every day. The Session saw other enriching discussions on key areas like 'Leveraging and compiling Health Data towards realising the Vision of 'Health for All'; Innovating in Digital Health as well as Driving Investments in the future of Digital Health. (ANI)
Former Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday said that an unknown 'suspicious character' was noticed on his terrace of the Patiala residence. Sidhu tweeted, "Today on the terrace of my residence an unknown suspicious character wrapped in a grey blanket was noticed around 7:00 PM. The moment my servant went out and raised the alarm and called for help, he immediately ran and escaped." Navjot Singh Sidhu also informed that he has spoken to the DGP of Punjab and further stated that this security lapse will not deter him from raising his voice for Punjab. Sidhu wrote, "Have spoken to DGPPunjabPolice and the SSP Patiala has also been informed." "This security lapse will not deter me from raising my voice for Punjab", he added. Earlier in the day Sidhu took to social media tweeting a photograph of him meeting with Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and called the meeting "Aligning with positive forces." Sukhpal is an MLA from Bholath in Kapurthala of Punjab and Chairman of All India Kisan Congress. Sharing a photo with Khaira, Sidhu wrote in a tweet, "Aligning with positive forces who fight righteously for Punjab & walk the path of truth. The fight is on against a corrupt system depleting Punjab of its resources & facilitating the age-old mafia." Sidhu was sentenced to one year of imprisonment by the Supreme Court in May last year in the 1988 case of road rage in which he allegedly thrashed one Gurnam Singh, who later died in hospital. Soon after walking out of the jail on April 1 this year, Sidhu said that democracy is in chains and that there is a conspiracy to bring the President's Rule in Punjab. (ANI)
In a landmark achievement in the field of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) of microchips and manufacturing, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Saurabh Bhagat, on Sunday inaugurated the VLSI Himalayan Chapter of Northern India in IIT, Jammu, according to an official release. Bhagat informed that this new chapter of the VLSI Himalayan Chapter would provide an opportunity for IIT Jammu to be the fulcrum in research on VLSI, being used extensively in all computing and control devices like mobiles, cameras, automobiles, drones etc. "The Northern Chapter shall cater to all universities, R and D institutions, IITs, NITs and IISc of states like Jammu and Kashmir, Leh, Himachal Pradesh and others to engage in the research and joint programmes," added the release. Commissioner Secretary apprised that Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the top performer among all the UTs and the North-Eastern States in the ranking of States on 'Support to Start-Up Ecosystems.' He revealed that states and Union Territories have been classified into five categories including best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders and emerging start-up ecosystems. "Jammu and Kashmir, which has been clubbed with UTs and the North-Eastern states including those having less than one crore population, has emerged as a top performer while Meghalaya as the best performer", Bhagat added. Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir government released a thorough start-up policy in 2018 with the goal of supporting and nurturing the establishment of at least 500 new start-ups in J-K over the course of the following ten years, the release said. In the past few years, 84 start-ups have been established in J-K. The rankings are based on the initiatives taken up to develop a start-up ecosystem for promoting budding entrepreneurs. The exercise is aimed at supporting states and Union Territories (UTs) in developing their start-up ecosystem and learning from each other's best practices. States and UTs in the aspiring leaders' category included Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Puducherry and Nagaland. According to the ranking, the emerging start-up ecosystems category included Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Mizoram and Ladakh. They were evaluated across seven reform areas consisting of 26 action points, ranging from institutional support, fostering innovation, access to market, incubation and funding support. Saurabh Bhagat divulged that Jammu and Kashmir's administration is working to encourage start-ups and foster innovation thereby creating job opportunities in abundance besides raising the economic graph of the Union Territory. "Endeavoring to accomplish this stupendous task, the J-K government is focusing on sectors such as food processing, agriculture, renewable energy, handicrafts and handloom by vigorously promoting start-ups in these vital sectors", Bhagat added. Terming start-ups as game changers towards economic growth, Commissioner Secretary said, "The government is determined to provide incubation and seed funding support to brilliant ideas and solutions. Our aim is to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and start-ups in Jammu and Kashmir and the synergies between industrial and academic establishments which will encourage and empower young innovators and boost private investment in start-ups". The release said, "In this direction, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the J-K Science, Technology and Innovation Council, a scientific organization under the aegis of the Science and Technology Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu." "Both organizations will identify the cutting-edge technology for the development of incubation and innovation ecosystem in various institutes of Jammu and Kashmir bridging the research and academic gap in technical institutes of JandK, setting up of capacity development centre on ESDM and VLSI at IIT, Jammu besides working on Robotics Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other areas of mutual interest and largely which are relevant to the well being of people of J-K," added the release. On the occasion, Professor Dr Manoj Gaur, Director, IIT, Professor Laxmidhar Behara, Director, IIT Mandi, Chitra Hariharan, Strategy Head, Intel, Dr Satya Gupta, President, VLSI Society of India, Rajeev Khashu, Director (Government Affairs), Texas Instrument, Bangalore, Nishit Gupta, Director, Meity, GoI, senior faculty members of IIT Jammu, delegates from other Universities and students of various schools were also present, the release said. (ANI)
The United States recently held the so-called second "Summit for Democracy," which was said to be an "ideological" meeting by U.S. media. At the summit, the U.S. government once again acted to split the world into two camps of what it defined as "democracies and non-democracies." However, the U.S., claiming supremacy over others and following hegemony to serve the interests of none other than itself, has nothing to do with democracy. What it does is to provoke bloc confrontation. There is no democratic system that can claim to be superior to others. No country is qualified to act as the judge of democracy. All peoples should and are able to independently develop a path of democracy with the characteristics of their own country, thus contributing their wisdom and strength to enriching the diversity of democracy. Democracy means "rule by the people" or "sovereignty of the people." It is not abstract, but a concrete phenomenon that is constantly evolving. There is no fixed model of democracy. Every form of democracy is the result of the development of human political civilization under certain historical conditions. There are more than 200 countries and regions, and over 2,500 ethnic groups in the world. Different histories, national conditions, ethnic groups and customs give birth to different civilizations. Such diversity and differences have decided that there are no identical political systems in the world, and neither is there a political model that fits all. Each country's political system is unique based on different national conditions. A country's political system is chosen by its people and is the result of a long-term process of evolution and improvement on the basis of its history, cultural traditions, and economic and social development. History and reality have shown time and again that copying other countries' political systems and democratic models will not work. More importantly, it will even lead to social unrest, national division, deaths and the overthrow of regimes, and ruin the future and destiny of the country. Many non-Western countries developed their democratic systems based on the basic principle of democracy and their national conditions, thus achieving sound governance. From a historical perspective, the development of democracy in the U.S. was a step forward. However, over the years, its democracy has become alienated and degenerated, and it has increasingly deviated from the essence of democracy and its original design. The halo of its self-proclaimed "global beacon of democracy" has long lost its luster. The U.S. today is troubled with messy and chaotic practices of democracy, and the nature of money politics and oligarchy is constantly exposed. According to OpenSecrets statistics, the total cost of the 2022 state and federal midterm elections was nearly $17 billion, the highest in history, exceeding the annual GDP of over 70 countries in 2021. Democracy is meant to be used to solve problems faced by the people. However, the governance capability of American democracy has been on a constant decline. Politicians run on slogans and empty promises, but never make good on their promises. Most ordinary voters are mobilized only in voting, and then they are neglected and cannot have any real influence on political decisions. Their voices and appeals for democracy are even considered a "noise." This has led to a growing disillusionment with American democracy. Americans' pride in their democracy has dropped sharply, from 90% in 2002 to 54% in 2022, according to a joint Washington Post-University of Maryland survey. A Pew Center poll said 65 percent of Americans believe that the American democratic system needs major reforms, while 57 percent of respondents believe the U.S. is no longer a model of democracy. Democracy is the right of the people in every country, rather than the prerogative of a few nations. Assessing the myriad political systems in the world against a single yardstick and examining diverse political structures in monochrome are in themselves undemocratic. Launching so-called "democratic transition" in other countries is to trample on the spirit of democracy. More and more countries have realized today that to find a development path that suits themselves, they must stay alert to the dangerous act of the export of U.S. democracy. Without regard to huge differences in the level of economic development and in the historical and cultural backgrounds of countries around the world, the U.S. seeks to impose its own political system and values on other nations, which has placed many countries and regions in turbulences, conflicts and wars. As suggested by a foreign media outlet, democracy has long become a weapon of massive destruction for the U.S. to attack countries with different views. The current U.S. administration has ignored lessons of history, the chaos of American democracy and the rejection of the overwhelming majority of countries to being kidnapped by the hypocritical "concept of democracy" of the U.S. It has kept fabricating and selling the trumped-up narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism." Such practices of advancing its own geostrategy under the disguise of "democracy" are destined to be abandoned by the times. President of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass called the "Summit for Democracy" a "bad idea," saying American democracy is hardly a model for others. Democracy is a common value of humanity. Countries should respect the cultural diversity of civilizations, carry forward the common value of humanity, sincerely support all efforts to independently explore a path to democracy, and enhance mutual learning on democracy based on mutual respect and equality, so as to push for the continuous development of democracy and build a world where all countries appreciate the culture and values of others as do to their own.
TOKYO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Germany's environment minister on Sunday slammed the expression that Japan's release of treated nuclear-tainted water into the ocean was "welcomed" as the Group of Seven (G7) ministers' meeting concluded in Sapporo, local media reported.

Steffi Lemke, Germany's Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, made the remarks when attending a press conference after the two-day G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment, which was also attended by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.

At the press conference jointly held by Japan, Germany, and Italy, Nishimura said that the steady decommissioning progress including the release of treated water into the ocean "will be welcomed," Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported.

The Japanese government in January announced its controversial plan to release radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the country's northeast into the Pacific Ocean will start to be carried out "in the spring or summer."

"I respect the efforts made by TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company, operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant) and the Japanese government after the nuclear accident, but we cannot welcome the release of the treated water," Lemke was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

According to the newspaper, Nishimura told the media after the press conference that he "made a little mistake" by "including everything in the 'welcome'."

The joint communique issued after the meeting noted the G7 nations welcome the steady progress of decommissioning work at the site and Japan's transparent efforts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based on scientific evidence.

"We support the IAEA's independent review to ensure that the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water will be conducted consistent with IAEA safety standards and international law and that it will not cause any harm to humans and the environment, which is essential for the decommissioning of the site and the reconstruction of Fukushima," said the communique.

The joint statement failed the Japanese government's earlier expectations for G7 nations' endorsement of its latest wastewater discharge plan with restrained expressions, according to the newspaper.

Struck by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.

The plant has been generating a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are now being stored in about 1,000 storage tanks. 
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accomplished Sardar Patel's unfinished task in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking as chief guest at the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" celebration here, Jitendra Singh said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a pivotal role in the integration of more than 560 princely states to constitute the post-independence Indian Union. "Unfortunately, Patel was not allowed to handle Jammu and Kashmir because the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru thought that he knew J-K better. Later, Nehru also declared a unilateral ceasefire and thus prevented Indian forces from retrieving back the present 'Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir'(PoJK) from the Pak intruders," he said. The Minister further said that had Sardar Patel been given a free hand, the history of the Indian subcontinent would have been different. PoJK would not have been there, the whole of JK would have been a part of India and this issue would not have lingered on for so many decades. "The anomaly of Article 370 and 35A, said Dr Jitendra Singh, persisted for more than 70 years and the nation had to wait for Prime Minister Modi to come and do the course correction. Therein lies the significance of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' and it is a providential coincidence that the vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' was declared by Prime Minister Modi on October 31, 2015 which happened to be the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel," he said. Dr Jitendra Singh said that in J-K, in the garb of Article 370, those who were votaries of the Article were actually misusing it to sustain themselves in power. "Otherwise, what was the political logic of holding back social reforms like the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 etc. if not to appease certain sections of society for vote bank," he asked. Talking about the North East of India, Jitendra Singh said that before 2014, North East used to show up in the news for all the wrong reasons mainly encounters, Dharnas, road blockades, poor rail and road connectivity and violence. But all that has dramatically changed. "In the last 9 years, Prime Minister Modi has visited the North East more than 60 times which may be more than the total number of visits made by all the previous PMs put together. He added that earlier governments took North East for granted but today the region is a model of 'Vikas' for the rest of the country," he said. The Minister further added that Prime Minister Modi has won the trust of the people of North East by ensuring all-round development in the region. "Now the youth of North East are in high demand throughout the country for their skill and are excelling in different fields. Business houses are looking upto North East as an attractive destination for investment. For example, a small Northeastern state like Mizoram with a population of hardly 10 lakh has set up Indian's subcontinent's first-of-its-kind specialised "Citrus Food Park" with Israel's collaboration which has been hailed as a "Centre of Excellence"," he added. Singh concluded by saying that the new political culture brought in by PM Modi coupled with the tremendous pace of development has broken the mental and physical barriers and united the country as 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. (ANI)
Mocking the claims made by Yogi Adityanath regarding the law and order situation, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had made claims about the elimination of criminals from the state but conspiracy has been hatched sitting in jail to kill people. Talking to the media on the sideline of a programme in Raipur, Baghel targeted UP CM Yogi Adityanath over the murder of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed (without taking the name) and said, "How is it possible to shoot in a police cordon? Goons are roaming freely in Uttar Pradesh, all claims are false, there is no such thing as law and order in Uttar Pradesh." He said that the claims made by Yogi Adityanath are completely false and law and order did not exist there. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead by men posing as journalists on Saturday while being taken for a medical examination in Prayagraj. Both the gangsters collapsed on the spot after they were shot at nearly point-blank range. The bodies of the gangster-turned-politician and his brother were brought to Kasari Masari burial ground in Prayagraj for burial. Minor sons of gangster Atiq Ahmed were brought to the burial ground from a juvenile home. Atiq Ahmad was accused in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case and also in the Umesh Pal murder case which happened in February this year. Commenting on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being summoned by CBI, Baghel questioned why ED/IT did not probe the VYAPAM scam that took place in Madhya Pradesh. "Moreover, the central agencies not serving notice to Adani and the voice of those raising questions in this connection are being suppressed," he said. Earlier in the day, the Central Bureau of Investigation recorded Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's statement in connection with the Excise policy case on Sunday and said that it will be verified and collated with the "available evidence". Kejriwal appeared at the CBI office in the national capital today where he was questioned for nearly nine hours. According to a statement by the CBI, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was issued a notice under section 160 Cr.P.C for his examination in this case on 16.04.2023 and answering various questions related to the case. He joined the investigation today and his statement has been recorded u/s. 161 Cr.P.C. "The statement will be verified and collated with the available evidence," the statement said.CBI had registered a case against the then Deputy Chief Minister and Minister In-charge of Excise, GNCT of Delhi and 14 others for an investigation into the allegations of irregularities in framing and implementation of the Excise Policy for the year 2021-22 and extending post tender benefits to private persons. After investigation, one charge sheet was filed by CBI on 25.11.2022 against the CEO of a Mumbai-based firm and 6 other accused persons. Further investigation into the case is underway. (ANI)
The recovery of packets, suspected to be Heroin, was made in Bahupur Afgana village.

"On April 16, during evening hours, BSF received information of a suspected packet in a farming field close to the deployment area and after a quick reaction could recover two packets of narcotics suspected to be heroin in the area near Bahupur Afgana village of Gurdaspur district," BSF said in a statement.

"The Gross weight of the recovered packets is 2.1 Kg. The packets were tied in a single piece of cloth. A hook along with nylon rope and a luminous strip was also found attached to the consignment," the statement added.

Earlier in March, BSF recovered a cache of arms allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone along the international border in Punjab.

In a statement, BSF said, "On March 24, BSF troops deployed along the Indo-Pakistan border in the area of Metla in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab detected a drone infiltrating into Indian territory from Pakistan side, and subsequently fired upon the rogue drone."

Earlier on March 10, the BSF shot down a Pakistani drone near the international border in Punjab's Gurdaspur district which was used from across the border to supply arms and ammunition.

The hexacopter drone was shot down and recovered along with contraband items by the BSF troops from the area near Metla village in the Gurdaspur district.

One AK series rifle, two magazines and 40 rounds of live cartridges were also recovered from a farming field in depth area near Nabi Nagar village in Gurdaspur. (ANI)
The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased.

"Deceased's families will be given Rs 5 lakhs while we are ensuring proper treatment for those admitted," Shinde said.

The Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony was also attended by Union home minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis.

Shah distributed the awards at the ceremony. (ANI)
The wife of a Keralite, who was killed during the exchange of firing between paramilitary forces and the Sudanese Army in Khartoum, has appealed to the Indian government to extend help to retrieve the body from the flat where they were living. Speaking to reporters over telephone from Khartoum, Saibella on Sunday said that the ambulance that had come to take the body of her husband, Albert Augustine, was not allowed to remove his body as fighting was continuing in that area Saibella, who was on a holiday to join her husband in Khartoum, said that she was now staying in the basement of the flat building along with the neighbours and her daughter who is in the Class 6, and had not consumed food for the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan said that the government was taking steps to bring the body of Augustine back to India and efforts are on to rescue his family. Augustine, an ex-serviceman, had joined as a private company in Khartoum as a security officer seven months ago and was shot dead on Saturday night when a stray bullet hit during fighting between paramilitary forces and the army in the Sudanese capital. --IANS aal/vd ( 221 Words) 2023-04-16-19:44:03 (IANS)
"With the approval of the AICC ln-Charge to Himachal Pradesh the following persons have been selected as Congress Candidates for ensuing elections to the Municipal Corporation Shimla 2023," the press release said.

The names of 10 candidates have been announced in the third list.

"Jitender Chaudhary Bharari ward, Kanta Suyal from Kaithu ward, Anita Sharma from Majhiyat ward, Kiran Sharma from Kachighatti ward, Roop Chand from Phagli ward, Sushma Kuthiala from Rambazar ward, Atul Gautam from Jakhu ward, Mamta Chandel from Sanjauli Chowk ward, Vishakha Modi from Lower Dhali ward and Ram Rattan Verma from Kangana Dhar ward," it mentioned.

A total of 26 candidates have now been announced from a total of 34 wards in Shimla Municipal Corporation, the party said.

The Shimla Municipal Elections are to be held on May 2 and results will be out on May 4. Currently, the number of municipal wards in Shimla stands at 34. While the previous BJP government had delimited Shimla municipal wards and increased the same from 34 to 41. However, after coming into power the present Congress government has reversed the decision and has abolished seven new municipal wards of the city. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised a big post to former CM Jagadish Shettar in Delhi said Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai after Shettar tendered his resignation as MLA on Sunday. "Jagadish Shettar has been a senior and an important leader in this region. JP Nadda and Union Home Minister had promised a big post in Delhi to Shettar. Everything would have been fine if the former CM had continued," Basavaraj Bommai told media in Hubballi. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar tendered his resignation as an MLA to Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, at Sirsi on Sunday. Shettar, who resigned as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA on Sunday, said he was yet to decide whether he would join the Congress. On being asked whether he will be joining Congress, the former Karnataka chief minister said, "I have not decided yet." Earlier, on Sunday, Shettar said some Karnataka BJP leaders were mishandling the party in the State. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and CM Basavraj Bommai met Shettar at his Hubballi residence. They offered him that his family members could contest the election and would be given other important positions, but he refused. According to BJP sources, after Pradhan and CM's visit, BJP top brass also called Shettar and offered him the post of governor or central minister, but he refused to take the offers. He said that he only wants to work as MLA for his constituency, and has no desire for any big post. "Now, I have decided to resign from the party. I will not take back my decision even if they decide to give me the ticket", Jagdish was quoted as telling a top BJP source. (ANI)
"Assam Rifles in an operation apprehended two active OGWs of NSCN K(YA) in Khanu village, Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh on April 16," the press release said.

Assam Rifles mentioned that based on the specific inputs a search operation was carried out in the area.

"Based on specific inputs, a joint operation with Arunachal Police was launched. The column cordoned the area and carried out a thorough search of the area that led to the apprehension of two OGWs of NSCN K(YA)," it mentioned.

Further investigation is underway in this matter, officials informed.

Earlier on Friday Assam Rifles had apprehended two cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) IM cadres in Nagaland.

"Based on confirmed input regarding the movement of active cadres of NSCN (IM) astride Mokokchung - Mariani Road, threatening local civilians were carrying out extortion activities, an operation was launched and Mobile Vehicle Check Post was established to apprehend these cadres," the official statement said. (ANI)
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that Hindutva is about nationalism and sacrificing life for the country. While addressing a public rally in Nagpur, Uddhav Thackeray said, "On one hand they read Hanuman Chalisa and on other hand, they go to mosques & listen Qawali, is this their Hindutva? They go and have 'Mann ki Baat in Urdu in UP, is this their Hindutva? Our Hindutva is about sacrificing life for the country". "Every time I am accused that I went with Congress and left Hindutva, is there no Hindu in Congress? There (RSS-BJP) Hindutva is 'Gaumutradhari Hindutva," he added. He further mentioned that Hindutva is about nationalism. "They recently sprinkled cow urine at the place in Sambhajinagar where we conducted our public meeting. They should have drunk some cow urine, they would have become wiser, our Hindutva is about nationalism," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray further stated that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde went to Ayodhya for a darshan while farmers in the state were suffering due to hailstorms and unseasonal rains. "There was hailstorm and unseasonal rains in the state due to which farmers are in despair but the CM of the state went for darshan (to Ayodhya)," he said. Earlier BJP Mumbai President and MLA Ashish Shelar had questioned that what was the role of Uddhav Thackeray in the Ram Janambhoomi movement. "Bal Thackeray had made a significant contribution to the Ram Janambhoomi movement but what was the contribution of Uddhav Thackeray to this movement?" Shelar asked. "I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray what was his contribution to the Babri Masjid demolition. The Bharatiya Janata Party believes that the demolition of the Babri structure was a spontaneous reaction of Karsevak Hindus. This was the demand for 500 years and all the saints of Hindu society were associated with it," he told ANI. (ANI)
The incident took place on Friday night after the kids discovered the unexploded gadget and started playing with it. In contrast, according to the story, the device detonated, killing a child instantly and critically hurting another.

One child was killed and another was hurt in a mine explosion in Kandahar's Mianshin district, according to Haji Zaid, speaking on behalf of the Taliban-run provincial government on Saturday, Khaama Press reported.

A similar event that left one youngster dead and another hurt happened in the province last Sunday.

On the other hand, two toddlers were killed in a different event that happened in the Nahoor area of the Ghazni province in eastern Afghanistan, reported the Afghan news agency.

Two youngsters were killed last week when unexploded bombs exploded in the Wardak province of Afghanistan's Sayedabad area.

Unexploded bombs from earlier conflicts have started to appear more frequently across the nation, killing and injuring men, women, and even kids.

According to Khaama Press, due to the detonation of unexploded bombs left over from the forty-year civil war, Afghanistan is allegedly still one of the countries in the world with the highest concentration of mines, killing dozens of people each month, including children. (ANI)
HARARE, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people died on Sunday morning when the bus they were traveling in crashed just outside Chivhu town, about 140 km south of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, police said.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports a fatal road traffic accident in which a Harare-bound Timboom bus which had 40 passengers crashed at the 5 km peg along Chivhu-Murambinda Road on April 16, 2023, at 6:30 a.m.

"Twelve people, including the driver, died. Police details are still attending to the accident. More details will be released in due course," the police said on their Twitter handle.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing many fatal road traffic accidents of late, with at least 30 people having died during the just-ended Easter holiday. 
Germany is bringing an early end to its nuclear age as many Western countries are increasing their investments in atomic energy to lower their emissions.

Berlin finally made good on its promise to permanently abandon nuclear power after Japan's Fukushima accident in 2011 terrified the entire globe by sending radiation gushing into the air.

Apparently, the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow disrupted the energy markets, delaying Germany's nuclear exit until this year

However, due to Germany's decision to stop importing Russian fossil fuels as a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the full wind-down was postponed from last year to this year. Prices skyrocketed and there were concerns about global energy shortages, but now Germany is optimistic about the petrol supply and the rise of renewable energy sources, reported Al Jazeera.

Due to residual concerns about a Cold War battle and nuclear tragedies like Chernobyl in Ukraine, the decision to leave was well received in a nation with a strong anti-nuclear movement.

The anti-nuclear movement's driving force, Greenpeace, hosted a gala to honour the occasion near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. "Finally, nuclear energy belongs to history! Let's make this April 15 a day to remember," the organisation said, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
After a Russian missile attack on a residential neighbourhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, rescuers retrieved additional dead bodies from the debris on Saturday. A 2-year-old boy had been rescued from a building on Friday but then died in an ambulance, the officials said.

Quoting the governor of the Donetsk region Pavlo Kyrylenko, Al Jazeera reported that seven Russian S-300 missiles had been fired at Sloviansk, west of the city Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest fighting on the Ukrainian front line.

The assault happened following Russian President Vladimir Putin's Friday signature on a bill that will make it simpler to enlist civilians in the military and prevent them from fleeing the country if called up, reported Al Jazeera.

A draftee would be prohibited from travelling internationally under the law, which Putin signed on Friday, and would need to report to an enlisting office after receiving electronic call-up papers.Last year, after Putin declared a mobilisation to support the soldiers in Ukraine, tens of thousands of men left Russia.

Moscow claimed it was attempting to seize more districts of the devastated Bakhmut when it launched the attack on Sloviansk, whose population have left in large numbers since Russia's invasion, according to Al Jazeera.

The Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24 has taken numerous lives and the war continues to escalate between the two nations even now. (ANI)
In an effort to support its farmers, who claim they are losing a lot of money as a result of an oversupply of Ukrainian grain on the market, the Polish government announced it will temporarily forbid grain and other food imports from Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera. The administration declared that the import restrictions would be in place until June 30. Imports of sugar, eggs, meat, milk, other dairy products, fruits, and vegetables are also prohibited by the legislation. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling party in Poland, claimed that despite Poland's support for Ukraine, it was compelled to take action to defend its farmers as the Polish countryside is currently experiencing a "period of crisis." "Today, the government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of food, to Poland," Al Jazeera quoted Kaczynski as saying at a party convention in eastern Poland on Saturday. However, the Ukrainian side expressed regret over the decision of the Poland government and said that it is the Ukrainian farmers who are under a massive crisis. "Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, but we emphasise that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most difficult situation", it said. The ministry suggested that the two nations reach a fresh, amicable arrangement in the upcoming days. Farmers in nearby nations have also expressed concern over Ukrainian grain flooding their nations, causing a surplus that has down prices and forced them to suffer significant losses. Russia's conflict with Ukraine is to blame for the current scenario. The European Union removed tariffs on Ukrainian grain to ease its transportation to Africa and the Middle East after Moscow blocked conventional export sea routes. The Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24 has taken numerous lives and the war continues to escalate between the two nations even now. The biggest land conflict in Europe since the Second World War has displaced millions leaving Ukrainian cities, towns and villages in ruins and disrupting the global economy. (ANI)
French President Emmanuel Macron, despite severe protests across the country, has signed a pension bill into law to raise the country's retirement age by two years, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday. The key retirement-age legislation was accepted by France's Constitutional Council on Friday, which came after months of opposition to the change, which the administration rammed through parliament without a final vote. Key reform provisions, such as raising the retirement age to 64 and lengthening the number of years of employment necessary for a full pension, were approved by the nine-member Constitutional Council, which found that the legislation complied with French law. The fight to put the bill into effect ended up being the biggest domestic obstacle of Macron's second term because of both the overwhelming public resistance to the revisions and his own declining personal popularity, Al Jazeera reported. A specific contract for older workers as well as requiring large corporations to disclose the number of persons over 55 they employ were two of the nine minor ideas that were turned down in the discussion, according to Al Jazeera. Earlier, the reforms were passed by parliament on March 16 after the government used a mechanism to bypass a vote by MPs, inflaming nationwide protests. They were considered adopted by parliament when the government survived two no-confidence motions on March 20. But the reforms can only come into law once they are validated by the Constitutional Council, which has the power to strike out some or even all of the legislation if deemed out of step with the constitution, reported France24. Before the verdict, protesters opposed President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular plan to raise the retirement age to 64 marched in cities and villages throughout France. The citizens of France have been a part of the months-long protest movement against the pension reform that has sent social tensions spiralling in France and Macron and his government refuse to give way. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who recently visited Mozambique has said that he was very "warmly received" by the African country. In a podcast posted on his Twitter handle on Sunday, Jaishankar spoke at length about his visit to the African nation as he recalled his 'Made in India' train ride which he took in Maputo alongside the Mozambican Transport Minister, recently. "I completed a visit to Mozambique and it was a visit which I was very warmly received. I had a meeting with President Nyusi. I co-chaired a joint commission with my counterpart, Minister Veronica Mocamo. I met the ministers of Transport and the Minister of Health and called on the speaker of the National Assembly," Jaishankar said. Talking about engagements during his Mozambique visit, the External Affairs Minister said he also went to a pharmaceutical company owned by a prominent member of the Indian community where really cutting-edge technology had been used for fillings and formulations and really localizing. "I addressed the Indian community and the Friends of India at a gathering and offered prayers at the Shiva Temple in Maputo, as well as the century-old Salamanca Temple that is dedicated to Sri Ramachandraji. Now, this visit came personally for me after a period of seven years," Jaishankar stated in his podcast while taking to Twitter on Sunday. Emphasising on his train ride in the podcast, the minister said the train was efficient and was responsive really to the requirements of the local commuter. "My travel on a Made in India train, which was efficient, which was responsive really to the requirements of the local commuter, which for the Mozambique side was affordable and accessible, I think was a very good demonstration really of the fit which our two countries have in terms of this partnership," he added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Mozambique from April 10 - 15, 2023. He also made a brief stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 13 April 2023. EAM visited Uganda from April 10 -12, 2023. In Kampala, EAM called on President Yoweri Museveni and had comprehensive discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Minister of Uganda, General Jeje Odongo covering a wide range of issues. EAM also interacted with the Indian community of Uganda and addressed the Indian Business Forum, which was attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Mwebesa Francis. EAM visited Mozambique from April 13 - 15, 2023. This was the first visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to Mozambique since 2010. During the visit, he called on President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Co-chaired the 5th Joint Commission Meeting with his counterpart the Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo Dlhovo, met the Minister of Transport and Communications and the Minister of Health of the Government of Mozambique. The meetings covered a wide array of subjects including bilateral, regional and international issues. Issues related to cooperation in multilateral fora, including the UN were also discussed. He also virtually inaugurated a bridge located on River Buzi, which forms a part of the 132 km long road being constructed under a Government of India LoC. EAM accompanied by the Mozambican Minister of Health visited a pharmaceutical manufacturing company built with a transfer of technology from India for the fill and finish of vaccines and for the manufacture of a variety of medicines. EAM also had an interaction with the vibrant Indian community living in Maputo. During the visit, he also offered prayers at the Shiva Temple in Maputo and the 110-year-old Rama temple in Salamanga, located about 80 kms away from the capital. (ANI)
At least two Pakistani police officers were killed and four injured after people, whom the officials called "dacoits", opened fire at under-construction checkposts in the Punjab province, Dawn reported. As per the Kashmore-Kandhkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Ali Sammo, new police checkups were being set up when the "dacoits" opened fire at police on Saturday. Sammo also stated that following the attack, police officials Sabir Ali and Ahad Ali Domki were killed while four others, including Bakhshapur Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Muhammad Mehr, were injured. The injured were taken to a hospital in Rahim Yar Khan while the deceased officials' bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Kashmore, the SSP added. He further said that following the incident, a large police contingent of police from the entire district was dispatched to the Kutcha area, where an exchange of fire between police and dacoits was underway, reported Dawn. Meanwhile on the same day, in the Zarmilan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan District, eight people, whom the official termed as "terrorists" were killed in an exchange for fire with the security people. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media affairs wing stated that two security officials were also killed in the incident. According to ISPR, two soldiers, a 25-year-old Lance Naik Shoaib Ali, a resident of Parachinar in Kurram district, and 22-year-old Sepoy Rafi Ullah, a resident of Lakki Marwat district were reportedly killed. Terrorists who "remain actively committed in terrorist activities against security personnel and the slaughter of innocent individuals" had their guns and ammo seized, the ISPR said in its release, as per Dawn. Security personnel killed three terrorists on Tuesday during an IBO in the Loesum area of KP's Bajaur district, whilst on Monday they killed three terrorists during an IBO in KP's Bannu district, Dawn reported. The law and order situation in the nation has gotten worse over the past few months as terrorist organisations carry out assaults virtually unchecked across the nation. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a proscribed militant organisation, has escalated its attacks since negotiations with them ended in November of last year, focusing primarily on the KP police and regions bordering Afghanistan. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi, on Sunday visited Nikola Tesla Technical Museum and Zagreb City Museum in Croatia. Taking to her official Twitter handle, Lekhi said she got a sense of the "rich scientific and historical heritage" of Croatia through her visit to Museum. Sharing details regarding her visit to Museum, Meenakashi Lekhi tweeted, "Visited Nikola Tesla & Zagreb City Museum and got an impression of the rich scientific & historical heritage of Croatia. Nikola Tesla, indeed a person of global importance, given what he left behind for humanity, was also influenced by Indian philosophy." Earlier, Lekhi arrived at the Zagreb airport in Croatia. In a tweet, she stated that she received a "warm welcome" upon arrival in Croatia. She noted that she looked forward to meeting Croatian dignitaries and exchanging views on issues of mutual interest. Lekhi tweeted, "Received a warm welcome upon arrival in Croatia at the Zagreb airport. @MVEP_hr Look forward to meeting the Croatian dignitaries and exchanging views on areas of mutual interest and interacting with the Indian diaspora." During her visit, Lekhi will hold discussions with Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman, Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen and State Secretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs said in the press release. She will meet a cross-section of the Indian community and friends of India and attend a special Yoga session. She will also interact with the faculty of the University of Zagreb, which has exchange programmes with various Indian universities. After her visit to Croatia, Lekhi will travel to Slovenia. In Slovenia, Lekhi will call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and meet the Deputy Foreign Minister, according to MEA press release. She will also interact with the Indian community and participate in an AKAM event at the University of Ljubljana. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the press release noted, "India has close and friendly ties with Croatia and Slovenia. The visit will further reinforce the momentum in India's relations with these countries." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader and is a visionary, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said adding that his commitment to the people of India is "indescribable". Addressing the Reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Raimondo said, "I had an incredible opportunity to spend more than an hour and a half with Prime Minister Modi, who is I don't need to tell anyone here who he is. He is the most popular world leader for a reason. He is an unbelievable visionary. And his level of commitment to the people of India is just indescribable and deep and passionate and real and authentic." "And his desire to lift people out of poverty and move India forward as a global power is real and it is happening. But the best part of the meeting for me was this, anyone who knows Prime Minister Modi, all of you, knows he is a tech guy and he is deep into the details. So I found myself at his home at 7:30 on a Friday night, talking about the details of radio access networks and artificial intelligence. And it was just amazing," she added. At the reception, other than Raimondo, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ambassador Sandhu and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs in the National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, were also present. Recalling her last meeting, Raimondo said that while conversing with PM Modi, she told him that there will be two ecosystems of technology, one consistent with our democratic values and another not and India and the US needs to lead the world together in this technology ecosystem. Quoting PM Modi, Raimondo said he replied that AI doesn't stand for artificial intelligence but for America, India, technology, and ecosystem. Earlier, in March, PM Modi met with Raimondo, who was in India from March 7-10, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday. During her visit to India, Raimondo met Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and held delegation-level talks on Friday. A Commercial Dialogue was held and several Memorandums of Understanding were signed between India and the US. During the joint statement, the US Secretary of Commerce said both India and the US have recognised that they have to be a quality supplier and consumer of goods and services. India and the US signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership, re-launched with a strategic outlook with a focus on supply chain resiliency and diversification and new emerging areas, after a gap of three years. The last India-US Commercial Dialogue was held in February 2019. Since then, due to the pandemic and other factors it could not be held. (ANI)
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed on Sunday to keep world leaders safe during Group of Seven (G7) meetings in Japan, CNN reported. Kishida's statement comes a day after a man threw what appeared to be a "smoke bomb" at him during a campaign speech in Wakayama. "Japan as a whole must strive to provide maximum security during the dates of the summit (in Hiroshima next month) and other gatherings of dignitaries from around the world," Kishida said on Sunday, reported CNN. His remarks came as G7 Foreign Ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Sunday began three days of talks in the Karuizawa region of Nagano prefecture. On Saturday, a small explosive device was thrown at the venue where Kishida was about to make a speech to showcase support for the ruling party's candidate in a by-election in Wakayama. Kishida was evacuated unhurt from the venue in Wakayama. The attack has caused shockwaves in Japan and drawn comparisons with the assassination of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in July last year, as per the news report. He was shot in July last year during a campaign speech in the Nara region of Japan. Campaigning has started for Japan's nationwide local elections. Speaking to reporters from his official residence in Tokyo, Kishida vowed that the attack will not affect the democratic process in Japan. He said, "Violent acts taking place during elections, which are the basis of democracy, can never be tolerated." "What is important is to carry through this election to the end. It is important for our country and for our democracy that the voice of the voters is clearly expressed through the election," Kishida said, as per the CNN report. A man had been arrested after throwing "what appeared to be a smoke bomb," CNN reported citing Kyodo News. Meanwhile, police in Japan have been carrying out a search at the home of a man who threw an apparent pipe bomb prior to the speech by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NHK World-Japan reported. Police urged residents in the neighbourhood to stay away as explosives were used in the incident on Saturday. The police have arrested Kimura Ryuji on the spot on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business. Kimura Ryuji is a 24-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture, as per the news report. The suspect reportedly said that he will only submit to questioning in the presence of his lawyers. An investigative source revealed that one cylindrical object was connected with what is believed to be a wire, NHK World-Japan reported. According to investigators, two such objects were found at the site - one exploded while the suspect had other when he was subdued. As per the news report, investigators have been analysing the structure of the explosive devices, suspecting that the devices could have been iron pipe bombs. (ANI)
Former Pakistan's Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday said he and his party would defeat the 'Zardari mafia' in Sindh polls, ARY News reported. Expressing his views with PTI Sindh leader Khurram Sher Zaman, Imran Khan exuded confidence in winning the upcoming Sindh polls stating, "We will defeat the 'Zardari mafia' with the strength of the vote." Khan called on Zaman in Lahore to discuss the political situation including the arrest of party leaders and workers in Sindh. He also said, "Zardari group has made people of Sindh hostage." Khurram Sher Zaman presented the progress report of the party's MPAs in Sindh to Imran Khan. The meeting also discussed the expected Sindh visit of Imran Khan. The former prime minister noted that the majority of rights violations have been reported in Sindh, reported ARY News. Earlier, Imran Khan asserted that he would form the next government in Sindh, reiterating his demand for 'immediate and transparent' elections. Meanwhile, the PTI Chief has decided to write to Pakistan President Arif Alvi over the 90-day constitutional term of the Punjab caretaker government, ARY News reported. PTI senior vice-president Fawad Chaudhry will write a letter to Alvi regarding the tenure of the Punjab interim government headed by Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, as per the ARY News report. The letter stated that the 90-day constitutional term of the Punjab caretaker government will end on April 22. However, the caretaker setup has not been able to complete its objective during the term. In the letter, Fawad Chaudhry urged Pakistan President Arif Alvi to send the letter as a reference to the Supreme Court. Furthermore, PTI will request a court order Fawad Chaudhry requested President Arif Alvi to send the letter as a reference to the Supreme Court, as per the ARY News report. PTI will also request a court order to clarify the process of ending the interim government, as per the news report. He said that PTI will seek legal action against the interim government for their failure to conduct elections. He further said that PTI will propose a clear plan to streamline administrative affairs in Punjab. (ANI)
CAIRO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir called for an "immediate ceasefire" in neighboring Sudan during a phone talk on Sunday.

Stressing the seriousness of the ongoing military clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the two leaders expressed their readiness to mediate for making peace between the fighting parties in Sudan, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi and Kiir warned the Sudanese parties that "escalation of violence will only lead to more deterioration of the situation, which could spiral out of control," according to the statement.

"Solidifying security and stability is the key guarantor for completing the trajectory of political transition and realizing construction and development in Sudan," the two leaders emphasized.

Clashes erupted in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities Saturday morning, after days of tension over the RSF's integration into the army.

At least 56 civilians were killed in the fighting and hundreds of people were wounded, according to Sudanese medics. 
As many as six policemen were killed after a car and a truck collided with each other on the Quetta-Karachi national highway in the Wadh area, reported Dawn. According to Khuzdar SSP Fahad Khoso, the personnel, on Saturday night, were on their way to Quetta. A truck coming from the opposite side hit the car, killing all six men on the spot and some persons sustained injuries. "The police personnel were coming home for Eid after attending a course at police training college," Dawn quoted SSP Khoso saying. He further stated that efforts were underway to retrieve the bodies from the car wreckage, reported Dawn. Meanwhile, on the same day, two Pakistani police officers were killed and four injured after people, whom the officials called "dacoits", opened fire at under-construction checkposts in the Punjab province, Dawn reported. As per the Kashmore-Kandhkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Ali Sammo, new police checkups were being set up when the "dacoits" opened fire at police on Saturday. Sammo also stated that following the attack, police officials Sabir Ali and Ahad Ali Domki were killed while four others, including Bakhshapur Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Muhammad Mehr, were injured. The injured were taken to a hospital in Rahim Yar Khan while the deceased officials' bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Kashmore, the SSP added. He further said that following the incident, a large police contingent of police from the entire district was dispatched to the Kutcha area, where an exchange of fire between police and dacoits was underway, reported Dawn. In a similar incident, in the Zarmilan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's South Waziristan District, eight people, whom the official termed as "terrorists" were killed in an exchange for fire with the security people. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media affairs wing stated that two security officials were also killed in the incident. According to ISPR, two soldiers, a 25-year-old Lance Naik Shoaib Ali, a resident of Parachinar in Kurram district, and 22-year-old Sepoy Rafi Ullah, a resident of Lakki Marwat district were reportedly killed. Terrorists who "remain actively committed in terrorist activities against security personnel and the slaughter of innocent individuals" had their guns and ammo seized, the ISPR said in its release, as per Dawn. (ANI)
One person was confirmed dead as multiple people sustained bullet injuries following a mass shooting during a birthday party in the southern US state of Alabama on Saturday night, according to reports. According to reports, the shooting happened at the Mohagany Masterpiece dance studio near East Green Street and North Broadnax Street in Dadeville, Ala, the New York Post wrote quoting The Alexander City Outlook. The Tallapoosa County Coroner confirmed people died in the shooting but did not specify how many were killed, the New York Post reported. More than 20 people were shot and transported to local hospitals in unknown conditions, local outlet WRBL reported citing law enforcement sources. Police have not revealed any information regarding a suspect as of early Sunday (Local Time). Multiple law enforcement agencies have assisted the Dadeville Police Department, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office. Dadeville is part of Tallapoosa County and is located roughly 60 miles outside the state's capital building in Montgomery The shooting occurred during a birthday party in Dadeville and more than 20 people were shot and transported to local hospitals. According to the US Census Bureau, the town has a little over 3,000 residents. The tragedy comes hours after Louisville experienced its third mass shooting in the last week. Two people were killed and four others injured Saturday night after shots were fired into a crowd of hundreds gathered in a Louisville park, just five miles from where the Old National Bank shooting occurred six days earlier. The Louisville park shooting broke out at 9 pm on Saturday (Local Time) in Chickasaw Park, Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) assistant chief Lt. Paul Humphrey said. "Hundreds" of people were in the city's western park when the bullets were fired. Two people were killed at the park and four others, including one in critical condition, were rushed to the hospital, police said. Police do not know how many shooters were involved and have not released any information regarding suspects. The mass shooting is the third for the city this week. On Monday, Old National Bank employee Connor Sturgeon killed five of his coworkers during a senseless rampage at his workplace. Two people were killed and another was hospitalized after a 4:30 am Saturday shooting in the Old Louisville neighbourhood, police said. (ANI)
"From April 17 to 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The Russian foreign minister will have a rich program, which will include meetings with these countries' leaders and talks with the foreign ministers," it said.

According to the ministry, the key goal of Lavrov's tour is to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries in the political, trade-and-economic, educational, humanitarian, cultural, and other spheres, TASS reported.

"The talks are planned to focus on issues of strengthening the legal framework of the present-day world, which is based on the United Nations Charter," the ministry said, TASS reported.

"Latin America is a friendly region, one of the centres of the formation of a multipolar world and Russian plans to maintain a dynamic dialogue with it, develop constructive cooperation free from any dictation from the outside," the ministry added. (ANI)
Police on Sunday booked a man for claiming to be a "messenger of god" in Gujrat, Pakistan's Punjab province, reported Dawn. As per police sources, the man entered the village mosque with a knife in his hand and shouted that he was a "messenger of god". When some locals present in the mosque admonished him over uttering the words, the suspect attacked one of them with the knife, leaving him injured, reported Dawn. A team of Sara-i-Alamgir Sadar police reached the mosque after the locals called them and arrested the 30-year-old suspect on blasphemy charges and making an attempt on the life of another man at a mosque at Puraan village in Gujrat. Sources say a case has been lodged against the suspect under sections 295-C and 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code, on the complaint of the injured man, reported Dawn. Sources in the suspect's family, however, said he had been suffering from mental health issues and still receiving treatment. Earlier on Saturday, police registered a case of blasphemy against a Faisalabad-based woman, Dawn reported. The case was registered under sections 295 A, B and C and 298-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, on the complaint of a private person. According to the complainant, the suspect posted a post laced with blasphemous content. Around a week ago, the Lahore High Court Bar Association released an extremely concerning notification, underlining the need for a witchhunt against supposed blasphemers in Pakistan, The Nation reported. The notification of the Lahore High Court Bar Association showcased how little progress Pakistan has made as a country with regard to "weaponising" blasphemy. Further, according to the news report, Pakistan has learnt nothing from the mistakes committed as a country which has led to international humiliation and condemnation of violent and intolerant mindset. The notification revealed that there are 4,00,000 blasphemers in Pakistan who have allegedly shared blasphemous texts or memes on social media, The Nation stated, citing reports. According to the notification, only 119 people have been arrested and 11 death sentences have been awarded. The Lahore High Court Bar Association has called for a widespread crackdown on alleged blasphemers. Keeping in view how blasphemy has been weaponised time and again, this seems to be another call to cater to the insecurity and intolerance Pakistan possesses as a society, the report stated, adding that celebrities and clerics on TV were calling for blood and spewing extremist rhetoric, in a "blatant attempt" at putting people's lives in danger. The news report called it imperative for Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to take measures in this regard, according to The Nation report. The issue is less about religion and more about catering to religious rights and diverting the attention of people from the real issues. Further, as per the news report, there has been an increasing push in recent weeks to "centre extremist groups". Earlier, in March, an anti-terrorism court of Pakistan convicted a man on the charge of committing blasphemy and other religion-related offences on social media and sentenced him to death, Dawn reported. A fine of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 1.2 million fine was imposed on the convict. (ANI)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday interacted with Sikh Diaspora at the "Celebrating Togetherness" event at India House in Washington. Sitharaman interacted with them and extended Baisakhi greetings. "Members of Sikh diaspora from all across the joined in #CelebratingTogetherness event at India House. FM @nsitharaman interacted with them and extended Baisakhi greetings. Highlighted the initiatives by the Govt for the community," Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in a tweet. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated and interacted with various groups. Earlier, the Finance Minister paid tribute to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. She was also joined by Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. 'Joined Nirmala Sitharaman in paying tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Recalled his contribution towards drafting "We the people" Constitution of India and connect with the US," Sandhu tweeted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and United States Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo also stopped by a stall that showcased various handicrafts and textiles under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. "FM @nsitharaman and @SecRaimondo stopped by at a unique stall to showcase various handicrafts and textiles under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme," Taranjit Singh Sandhu wrote on Twitter. While attending the "Celebrating Togetherness" event, she also interacted with a group of young students and faculty members from local Universities at India House. And she also paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. "Building the future, one step at a time! FM @nsitharaman interacted with a group of young students and faculty members from local Universities at India House. Knowledge partnership continues to grow from strength to strength. FM also paid tributes to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule," Sandhu informed via Twitter. Sitharaman also met a group of Tamil diaspora and complimented their success in various fields and updated them on the multiple steps the Government of India is taking. "Puthandu Vazthukal! At India House, FM @nsitharaman met a vibrant group of Tamil diaspora members. Complimented their success in various fields and updated the various steps the Government of India is taking," Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu informed on Twitter. Earlier today, speaking at a reception at India House, which was hosted by Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Sitharaman said, "We are together and building strong foundations for a strong, peaceful and harmonious global community." The Finance minister, who arrived in the US on April 9, participated in the Development Committee Meeting during the World Bank-IMF's Spring Meeting, a panel discussion on 'Empowering Women as Entrepreneurs and Leaders' and hosted the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG). (ANI)
At least 56 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured in the clashes that erupted between Sudan's military and the country's main paramilitary force as fierce fighting across Sudan entered the second day following months of tensions, CNN reported. Eyewitnesses in the capital city of Khartoum told CNN that fighting intensified after Sunday morning prayers, with loud noises and explosions heard throughout the night. There have also been reports of battles hundreds of miles away in the eastern city of Port Sudan CNN reported that at least 56 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured in the clashes, according to the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors. Sudan's paramilitary chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo claims to have seized most of Khartoum's official sites after clashes erupted between his armed group and the country's military on Saturday. "The Rapid Support Forces control more than 90 per cent of strategic sites in Khartoum," Dagalo said in an interview with Sky News Arabia, referring to his group. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country's military leader disputed Dagalo's claims and said the military has maintained control over government sites. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, described Burhan as a "criminal," accusing him of instigating fighting on Saturday, CNN reported. Dagalo's rise to power began when he was a leader of Sudan's notorious Janjaweed forces, implicated in human rights violations in the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s. His group also killed at least 118 people in pro-democracy protests in June 2019 after troops opened fire at a peaceful sit-in. He and Burhan were pivotal in the 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir but have since become locked in a power struggle, with tensions over the RSF's integration into the army. Armed clashes were reported throughout Khartoum on Saturday, including the presidential palace and the capital's army headquarters. Among those killed was an Indian national working in Sudan, who died after being hit by a stray bullet on Saturday. India and other countries have urged its citizens to take shelter. Sudan's army accused the Rapid Support Forces of "traitorous plotting" against the country and has demanded its dissolution. There will be "no negotiation or dialogue before dissolving Hemedti's rebel militia," the Sudanese army said in a statement. It also issued a wanted poster for Dagalo, calling him a "fugitive criminal." The General Command of the Sudanese Army issued a statement calling on civilians to stay indoors as warplanes will be conducting sweeps looking for Rapid Support Forces. "The Sudanese Air Force will conduct a complete sweep of the rebel Rapid Support militia's presence. The Air Force calling on all citizens to stay inside their houses and not to go out," the statement said. Khartoum's State Security Committee declared a public holiday in the capital "in order to preserve the lives of citizens and their property." There have been widespread international calls for calm, with the US and UN calling for an end to the fighting. The African Union urged "the political and military parties to find a fair political solution to the crisis." The military has been in charge of Sudan since a coup in 2021, with Burhan and Dagalo at the helm. The 2021 coup ended a power-sharing arrangement, following the 2019 ouster of long-term former President Omar al-Bashir. Sources in Sudan's civilian movement and Sudanese military sources told CNN the main points of contention included the timeline for the merger of the forces, the status given to RSF officers in the future hierarchy, and whether RSF forces should be under the command of the army chief, rather than Sudan's commander-in-chief, who is currently Burhan. The hostilities, sources told CNN, are the culmination of what both parties view as an existential fight for dominance, one with Burhan, they said, seeking support from Sudan's former Islamist rulers, resurrecting the spectre of days many Sudanese fought to leave behind. (ANI)
China has "advised" the Philippines to oppose Taiwan's independence instead of offering the US access to its military facilities near the Taiwan strait, reported Manila-based publication Daily Tribune. China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday said Manila should stand against the firm sovereignty claim of self-ruled, democratic Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory awaiting reunification. Huang stressed this in his keynote speech at the 8th Manila Forum, which was co-presented by the Embassy of China in Manila and the Association for Philippines-China Understanding. He also said that rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to military bases near the Taiwan Strait Philippines should care "genuinely about the 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (in Taiwan)," reported Daily Tribune. This comes after Beijing ramped up its political and military pressure on Taiwan following last week's meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. While China commends the Philippines for adhering to the one-China principle, he explained that Taiwan's issue is "entirely China's internal affair, as is the Mindanao issue to the Philippines." "You will never allow any third party to meddle with resolving rebel issues in Mindanao. Likewise, it should not be hard to understand why the announcement of the four additional EDCA sites has caused widespread and grave concern among Chinese people," he said. The envoy reiterated that the US intends to use the additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites to push for its own interests and agenda "at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large." Last week, Malacanang, the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the Philippines identified the locations of the four additional EDCA sites, to where American forces will have access, reported Daily Tribune. Signed in 2014, the EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and allows them to build facilities, and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited. The five existing EDCA locations are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City. The new EDCA sites designated by the two sides are in Balabac Island in Palawan and in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela which are both near Taiwan and Benham Rise. The last three are in the northern portion of Luzon, closer to Taiwan. Huang said the new EDCA sites were "obviously" chosen by the United States to "interfere in the situation across the Taiwan Strait to serve its geopolitical goals, and advance its anti-China agenda at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large." Asked for comment on Huang's remarks, the US Embassy said, "EDCA sites will support combined training exercises and interoperability between US and Philippine forces to ensure that we're even better prepared for future crises." "EDCA is a key component of the US-Philippine alliance, and is not about any other third country," the US Embassy said. (ANI)
An official of Pakistan's Spinwam police station has said that masked gunmen on April 14 attacked, and killed Malik Adil Wazir in Spinwam when he was going home after Friday prayers, Radio Mashaal reported. Spinwam Tehsil is a subdivision located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan district. Malik Adil Wazir, according to police officials and local people, was injured in the attack, but the militants came after him and bombed him. No one has claimed responsibility for his murder. A case has been registered against the unknown militants by the police. The police is investigating the incident. Malik Adil Wazir was a social activist of Spinwam and used to take an active part in public and political meetings. According to Radio Mashaal, this is the 12th targeted attack in North Waziristan since the beginning of 2023. In 2022, there were 47 such incidents. Tribal districts and especially North Waziristan have been targeted for years, the attacks continue. Casualties from violence have soared in Pakistan, at least 854 people were killed or wounded in terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations in the first quarter of this year, Dawn reported. According to the report prepared by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, the number of deaths was 358 and that of injuries was 496, which resulted from as many as 219 terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations during the January-March period. Notably, this number was half of what was witnessed during the entire of 2022. Most deaths -- 245 (or 68 per cent) -- were reported from KP, followed by Balochistan's 64 (18 pc), and then in Sindh, Punjab and Islamabad, reported Dawn. As per the report, the month of January 2023 was the most fatal for security forces in a decade, following a similar trend from the previous year, which ended with the decade's deadliest Dec for them. With a death toll of 111, January recorded the second-highest number of fatalities of security personnel in a single month, second only to July 2014 with 118 fatalities, reported Dawn. (ANI)
Akmal Ameer, a former commander of the Afghan Special Forces, and his seven companions were killed during a clash with the Taliban in southern Salang, Parwan province.

AFF is an anti-Taliban militant group operating in Afghanistan.

According to the Taliban-led Defense Ministry of Afghanistan, Akmal Ameer and his seven companions were killed during an operation on April 10, but the Front did not confirm the report then.

The statement also added that numerous weapons and ammunition were seized during the raid, including a rocket rifle, two RPGs, four Ak-47 and night camera vision, Khaama Press reported.

Ameer was a leading Afghanistan national defence force member during the former republic administration. After the fall of Kabul in August 2021, he went to Panjshir and joined the resistance front, but when the Taliban entered Panjshir the same month, he went to Iran.

According to sources within the Freedom Front, Ameer returned from Iran two months ago and was heading up the military affairs for the Front.

A statement released by the Front said the Taliban has taken the bodies of Ameer and his comrades to the Parwan Hospital. The statement added that the bodies were disrespected "by the Taliban."

The Taliban released several photos on Sunday showing that Ameer was shot in the mouth. (ANI)
Shelton police responded to three shootings Saturday night, ultimately finding one person dead, one who was critically injured and another person with shooting-related injuries.

Five people have been taken into custody, according to Shelton police.

The shooting began at 8 p.m. Police were dispatched to East Fir and Otter streets, which are near downtown, where they found two victims: one dead and another critically injured.

About three hours later they were dispatched to another shooting in the 200 block of East B Street, also near downtown, but no injuries were reported at that location.

Then, at around 11:35 p.m., police were dispatched again to a third shooting in the 1000 block of Ellinor Avenue, which overlooks Oakland Bay, where they found a person with shooting-related injuries.

The Mason County Sheriffs Office and Washington State Patrol assisted Shelton police Saturday night.

No other details about the shootings were released Sunday.
COLOMBO, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy said on Sunday that it busted a drug smuggling ring during a raid on Saturday and arrested three people with 62 kg of Kerala cannabis.

The suspects were traveling in an Indian dhow in the Sri Lankan waters west of the Delft Island in northern Jaffna, the navy said in a statement.

The cannabis was stored in two sacks which contained 23 packages, with an estimated street value of over 20 million rupees (63,000 U.S. dollars), according to the navy.

The suspects, the drugs and the Indian dhow were handed over to the local police, the navy said.

The navy conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island to prevent the influx of drugs into the country. 
Robert De Niro in The Irishman, Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained and Ian McKellen in Lord of the Rings (Netflix/Sony/New Line Cinema)

Its rare that a film ever truly deserves to be called perfect.

While the term is bandied around a lot in the world of cinema, how many films actually manage to last two hours without a single questionable beat?

Not too many.

Even great films sometimes have a scene that fails to ring completely true, or a sub-plot that lets your attention drift a little.

From Star Wars: A New Hope to Martin Scorseses The Irishman, there are plenty of stellar films that could have almost been derailed by one bum note.

See below for The Independents list of 11 bad scenes that came close to jeopardising otherwise brilliant movies.

You can also click here to read The Independents list of 23 secretly fantastic performances in otherwise bad films.

10 Cloverfield Lane

For the vast majority of its runtime, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a taut, compelling psychological thriller, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a young woman trapped in an underground bunker with John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr. While shes told that the world above has been decimated by an alien attack, we never know if Goodmans sinister bunker-dweller is telling the truth. Until the ending, that is, when the film suddenly morphs into a full-blown disaster movie. Its a good watch nonetheless, but one that is nearly derailed by the needlessly literal ending.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 10 Cloverfield Lane' (Paramount Pictures)

American Sniper

OK, the problems with American Sniper go deeper than just one duff scene. But for all its questionable politics, Clint Eastwoods hit 2014 war drama was a slick, well-made film  with one shockingly amateurish moment. The scene, in which Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller talk while holding a transparently, unmistakably fake baby, was ridiculed and memed widely when the film was released.

Django Unchained

Django Unchained is a film with some truly remarkable performances. Theres Christoph Waltzs bounty hunter-dentist (a role which won him a second Oscar), Leonardo DiCaprios loathsome Calvin Candy, and, at the centre of it all, a seldom-better Jamie Foxx. But theres one clear black sheep among the cast: Quentin Tarantino himself, who plays an Australian slavetrader. The director is awful  so awful, in fact, that if he were on screen for more than his brief appearance, the whole movie would have been thrown into jeopardy.

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Jurassic Park III

While it was obviously never going to be a patch on the original, Jurassic Park III was a thoroughly enjoyable dinosaur romp that puts all three Jurassic World movies to shame. Except, do you remember the scene with the talking velociraptor? It turned out to be a dream sequence, of course, but the brief moment of dino-loquaciousness was so goofy you couldnt help but be taken out of the experience.

Tea Leoni and William H Macy in Jurassic Park III' (Universal)

Kingsman: The Secret Service

There was something about Kingsman that really struck a chord with viewers; its bombastic, farfetched spin on the spy genre seemed to evoke a bygone era of James Bond. The film throughout leaned heavily into comedy, but the very final scene  which features a crude joke about anal sex  left many with a sour taste in their mouths.

Licorice Pizza

The latest film from There Will Be Blood maestro Paul Thomas Anderson proved rather divisive; to some, it was a work of pure genius, to others an uncomfortable endorsement of an inappropriate relationship. There was one thing pretty much everyone agreed on, however. A scene featuring John Michael Higgins as a white restauranteur speaking in a grotesquely caricatured Japanese accent to his wife  intended as a lighthearted anti-racist satire  landed like a lead balloon, and put some viewers off the film entirely.

Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza' (Universal)

Let the Right One In

Scandinavian coming-of-age horror Let the Right One In featured some pretty impressive visual effects in many of its scenes  with one glaring exception. A sequence in which Virginia (Ika Nord) is attacked by a room full of cats is rendered with such wobbly CGI that the whole thing comes across as an absurd, tacky comedy. Thankfully, it doesnt detract from the rest of the film, which endures as an eerie delight.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Return of the King was an undeniably great epic, filled with memorable set pieces and moments of real fantasy awe. The last half hour, however? Im not so sure. The films schmaltzy epilogue was five times too long and dramatically inert  the scene with Frodo lying in bed, greeting his comrades one by one, is enough to have even the most loyal Tolkien-head checking their wristwatch.

Star Wars

The 1997 Special Edition re-release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, quickly became infamous among the franchises long-term fans thanks to one scene in particular. With just one small editing change, George Lucas made it so Han Solo (Harrison Ford) no longer shot the scurrilous alien Greedo before he could shoot him first. In that moment, a supposedly key piece of character-building was lost. The controversial scene would kick off an argument that raged among Star Wars fans for decades.

Greedo and Han Solo prepare to shoot one another in Star Wars: A New Hope (Disney/Lucasfilm)

The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolans follow-up to the widely adored superhero thriller The Dark Knight was markedly less well-recieved than its predecessor, and for good reason. But for the majority of its runtime, The Dark Knight is still a compelling, spectacle-fuelled romp. The character of Talia al Ghul (Marion Cotillard), however, sadly never quite came together, and her limp, head-rolling death scene provoked more laughs than gasps.

The Irishman

Martin Scorseses 2018 gangster elegy was a slow-burn masterpiece, reuniting the director with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, and marking his first collaboration with Al Pacino. The actors were digitally de-aged for much of the film, to portray their characters at various stages of their life. It worked, more or less  but one scene, in which an ostensibly youthful De Niro beats up the man who pushed his daughter, was too much for the digital effects to bear. Theres no disguising the fact that De Niro moves, and fights, like a man in his mid-70s. In a film filled with great, affecting moments, this one was awkward to watch.

This article was originally published in October 2022
Another 130 Ukrainian defenders returned from Russian captivity

He said the exchange took place over the past few days in several stages.

Read also: Kremlin refused Muslim POW exchange on Ramadan, Ukraine says

According to the coordination headquarters overseeing prisoners of war, a total of 92 servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 20 members of territorial defense forces, 11 National Guard soldiers, three border guards, and two representatives each from the Naval Forces and the State Special Transport Service have returned home.

All of the released defenders were privates or sergeants. The majority had served in the Bakhmut and Soledar areas, as well as in Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, and Luhansk oblasts while defending Ukraine.

Of the 130 released defenders, 48 had been considered missing in action, according to the coordination headquarters.

Read also: Russia does not allow international organizations to participate in prisoner exchanges

The oldest released defender was 58 years old, while the youngest was only 21.

Notably, two brothers who fought in the Bakhmut area were also released from captivity.

The previous prisoner exchange was held on April 10, during which 100 Ukrainian defenders were returned home from Russian captivity.

All of them will be able to celebrate Easter, the coordination headquarters said.

Together with the whole country, we welcome the rescued defenders back to their homeland and will not stop our efforts to release all Ukrainian captives.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Two fathers who got in what police say was a road-rage fight in Florida last fall exchanged gunfire and ended up shooting each other's daughters.

Now, one of them is facing attempted murder charges while the other won't have to spend another day in court over the skirmish.

William Hale, 36, of Douglas, Georgia, and Frank Allison, 44, of Callahan, Florida, were both driving home with their families on Oct. 8 after spending time in Jacksonville in northeastern Florida.

Both men have different stories about how the confrontation started but both agree that it was fueled by road rage, that they were brake-checking each other, driving too fast and that Allison's wife flipped off the Hales, according to police records obtained by USA TODAY.

William Hale is pictured in a mug shot the day he was arrested in connected with the road rage fight.

At some point, Allison, his family members, and an independent witness told police that Hale became the aggressor, trying to run Allison off the road, chasing him down, and throwing a water bottle into his driver's side window.

That's when Allison grabbed his gun and fired, hitting Hale's 5-year-old daughter in the lower leg. Allison later told police he was aiming at the lower rear truck bed.

"After he shot, my daughter is screaming," Hale told police. "It was an instant reaction."

So Hale grabbed his own gun from his center console and emptied the Glock 43, firing seven to eight rounds at Allison's car, Hale told police.

One of the bullets hit Allison's 14-year-old daughter in the back.

"It hurts!" Allison's' daughter yelled on body camera footage of the incident.

"I dont want to die," Hale's 5-year-old can be heard saying on a 911 call, according to WJXT-TV.

Both girls were treated for their injuries later at local hospitals and survived.

Frank Allison is pictured in a mug shot after he was arrested in connected to the road rage fight.

Who gets charged?

At the time of the melee, police arrested both men on attempted murder charges, saying they "intentionally committed an act" that could have killed the girls.

"The act was imminently dangerous and demonstrated a depraved mind without regard for human life," police wrote.

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That was October. Now, Hale is the only man facing charges.

The Nassau County State's Attorney's Office charged him on March 30 with three counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of maliciously throwing a deadly missile.

That last charge stems from Hale allegedly throwing a water bottle into Allison's car.

Allison told police that though the water bottle did not hurt him or cause him to lose control of the vehicle, it "stunned me so bad I grabbed my pistol," and that he fired at Hale's car to "get out of the whole situation."

Allison is protected from being charged himself under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law, according to the Nassau County State's Attorney's Office.

"Florida courts have held that the throwing of a water bottle or similar object could form the basis of a forcible felony," according to a disposition statement written by Assistant State Attorney Christopher Roth Huband on March 31.

"The water bottle had liquid in it, and (Hale) threw it with malicious intent, clearly intending for it to enter the Allisons vehicle and possibly strike one of the occupants," Huband wrote. "As such, the water bottle would qualify as a deadly missile."

This screenshot shows some of the conclusions by the Nassau County State's Attorney's Office about why Frank Allison shouldn't be charged.

Huband goes on to say that Hale's "aggressive driving pattern and the throwing of a water bottle placed the Allisons in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm and constitute the commission of forcible felonies."

"William Hales actions  both independently and collectively  justify Frank Allisons use of deadly force against William Hale," Huband wrote.

It's unclear whether Hale has obtained an attorney.

'Two stupid grown men'

Back in October, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper told WJXT-TV in Jacksonville that there very nearly were "two dead kids because of two stupid grown men."

"What is scarier than one crazy driver with a gun, than two crazy drivers with a gun?" Leeper said. "Thankfully, no one was killed in this incident, but it could have easily turned out that way because two people were acting stupid and let their tempers get the best of them."

He said drivers who find themselves in a similar situation should have the wherewithal to stand down.

"Someone who's driving aggressively around you, let him go," Leeper said. "Slow down. Go the other direction. Get the vehicle description if you can and call police."

More coverage from USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 dads exchanged gunfire in Florida road rage fight; daughters shot
Two people were killed and four others were wounded after gunfire erupted at Chickasaw Park in Louisville on Saturday night, authorities said. The deadly incident came less than one week after five people were killed and eight were injured in another mass shooting at a downtown bank in the same city.

Saturday's attack happened at around 9 p.m. local time, when at least one shooter opened fire into a crowd of hundreds gathered at the park, the Louisville Police Department confirmed in a statement to CBS News. In addition to the victims who sustained fatal injuries, four other people were wounded in the shooting and subsequently transferred to University Hospital for treatment.

Louisville police said identifying information about the hospitalized individuals and their conditions were "not readily available" when they shared their most recent update several hours after shooting. One person was said to be hospitalized in critical condition, CBS affiliate WLKY reported.

Authorities have opened a probe into the shooting at Chickasaw Park and are investigating the attack as a homicide, according to the Louisville Police Department. They have not yet identified a suspect in connection with the incident or any potential motive, and said later on Saturday night that it was unclear whether the shooting was carried out by one or multiple people.

"The department's Homicide Unit has taken over the investigation which remains active and ongoing at this time," Louisville police wrote in the statement. "Authorities are still in the infancy stages of the investigation and have yet to determine a suspect(s) or motive."

Louisville Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphreys spoke at a news conference after two people were killed and another four were injured in a shooting at the city's Chickasaw Park on Saturday night. / Credit: WLKY

Although reports indicated that Chickasaw Park was packed with hundreds of people at the time of the shooting, according to the statement, Louisville Deputy Police Chief Paul Humphreys said there were no witnesses to the attack during a news conference held at the scene. Authorities have asked anyone with information about the incident to report what they know to the Louisville Police Department.

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Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said "this has been an unspeakable week of tragedy for out city" at the news conference Saturday night.

"It wasn't just Monday's shooting, wasn't just today's shooting. There were several other shootings in between. We lost more lives in between Monday's mass shooting and tonight's," Greenberg said. "Please, put your weapons down. There are so many ways to resolve disputes, to talk to one another. Gun violence is not the solution to anything."

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Two men are dead and four others are injured after a shooting in Louisvilles Chickasaw Park on Saturday night, according to Louisville Metro Police.

LMPD were called to the west-end park 9 p.m. Saturday where they found six people shot, two of whom were dead when police arrived, Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told Louisville outlet WDRB. Police are still searching for a suspect.

Four others who were shot were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital. One of the victims was in critical condition as of Saturday night, according to WAVE.

The surviving victims include an adult woman as well as three other adult men.

As of Sunday, one of the survivors was released from the hospital, while the other victim who was initially admitted as critical, is now listed as critical but stable.

As of Monday afternoon, three patients remained in the hospital, all in fair condition, according to UofL Health. One of those patients had been upgraded from critical condition.

Humphrey said many people were in the park at the time the shooting.

As of right now, we have no witnesses to this incident, Humphrey said. We do know that hundreds of people were in the park at the time of this shooting ... when someone started shooting into the crowd, hitting at least six people.

The fatal shooting comes just five days after a mass shooting at the Old National Bank, which left five dead and injured several others including a rookie LMPD officer, Nickolas Wilt. The gunman was also killed by police.

This has been an unspeakable week of tragedy for our city, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. On Monday, we lost five of our fellow citizens to a horrific act of workplace gun violence. Five days later, were at another scene of a reckless act.

Humphrey told media outlet WHAS11 the gun violence was frustrating.

I know Monday was a very high-profile event, but for LMPD, for EMS, for fire, for University hospital, for this community  this is every night, Humphrey said. This is not OK. This has to change. We can talk about the politics of guns, we can talk about mental health issues, we can talk about the breakdown of the family  it is all of it.

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The deputy police chief said the community needs to be committed to short term and long term solutions to end gun violence.

This is both gun control issues, access to gun issues, multiple guns. This is mental health. This is people who have mental health issues need to be treated and have access to treatment, Humphrey said. This is families who need to recognize the people in their families are going through things that theyre struggling with, and they need to take care of it.

We all need to be there to take care of this problem. There is no one solution to this problem.

Kentucky officials speak out after second shooting tragedy

Governor Andy Beshear took to Twitter and called Saturdays fatal shooting another senseless act of violence.

This has been a week of tragedy and my heart breaks for those affected, he wrote. We must do better and lead with love, compassion and humanity to bring change.

Mayor Greenberg said it was not just these two incidents which had happened over the weekend. He said there have been other shootings in between, resulting in more lives lost.

It is imperative that we take immediate and collaborative action to address the underlying causes of gun violence, such as poverty, inequality, and mental health, while also implementing meaningful gun safety legislation to protect our communities.

Congressman Morgan McGarvey also expressed grief and heartbreak as the community dealt with another act of gun violence.

Representative Keturah Herron, who represents Louisville, said there must be the same amount of outrage and support for the Chickasaw community and those impacted.

A public health approach must be the priority to curb gun violence, she wrote in a tweet.

It's been a heavy week in Louisville.

Monday a mass shooting killed five people. Since then seven others have died from gun violence.



At the end of the Chickasaw shooting presser tonight I asked LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey what was on his heart. This is what he had to pic.twitter.com/b3bfjjkFpp  Alyssa Newton (@AlyssaKNewton) April 16, 2023

#Update LMPD says 6 people were shot in Chickasaw park tonight.



2 are dead, 4 rushed to the hospitalone is in critical condition. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/ACoZizfE0Z  Jailen Leavell (@nextleavell) April 16, 2023

Another senseless act of violence took the lives of two people and injured five others in Louisville's Chickasaw Park. This has been a week of tragedy and my heart breaks for all those affected. We must do better and lead with love, compassion and humanity to bring change. ^AB  Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) April 16, 2023

Our grief is ripped open by new heartbreak as our community deals with another horrific act of gun violence in a week. Im devastated.



We thank our first responders and everyone who acted quickly to save lives last night in Chickasaw Park.  Rep. Morgan McGarvey (@RepMcGarvey) April 16, 2023

Another mass shooting in Louisville last night. There is so much to unpack. There must be the same amount of outrage and support for the Chickasaw community and those impacted. A public health approach must be the priority to curb gun violence. https://t.co/eS1erZVoB2  Rep. Keturah Herron (@KeturahHerron) April 16, 2023

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
Crews are searching for two missing college students who went for a swim at an Indiana lake but never resurfaced, state officials say.

Indiana University students Siddhant Shah, 19, and Aryan Vaidya, 20, were visiting Monroe Lake with a group of friends when they disappeared on April 15, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a news release.

The group was boating on a pontoon but put down an anchor to go swimming.

When both men did not resurface, friends tried to help but were unsuccessful, the release said.

Rescuers started searching the lake using sonar and scuba divers, but were forced to pause operations at nightfall, officials said. The search resumed April 16.

Indiana University Student Services assisted with transporting the group back to campus and providing counselling services, officials said.

Monroe Lake, roughly 64 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis, is the largest man-made body of water in Indiana, according to the nearby City of Bloomington. The lake is 10,750 acres and 35-40 feet deep.

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A man has been charged after two people were shot Sunday afternoon at an Uptown Charlotte park, police said.

This is video from our @madisonlcarter showing some of the chaos moments after the shooting, with some people running from the park. Officers on the scene running through the park, more arriving as well. pic.twitter.com/cxGuFdwyrJ  Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveonTV) April 16, 2023

Channel 9 received several calls and messages from witnesses who said they heard around six gunshots fired around 4 p.m. in the area of Romare Bearden Park, which is on Church Street at Third Street.

ALSO READ: CMPD: 3 shot after fight breaks out at LabCity in east Charlotte

In video sent to Channel 9, the shooting appeared to happen in the upper portion of Romare Bearden Park, in the section closest to Latta Arcade.

Two people were shot around 4 p.m. on April 16, 2023 at an Uptown Charlotte park, MEDIC said.

MEDIC said two people had been shot and were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses told Channel 9 that first responders made it to the scene within 60 seconds. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Maj. Torri Tellis told Counts officers working another scene were the ones who responded to the shooting, along with additional officers.

They immediately gave aid to them and addressed the issues, and got in turn information that directed them towards a suspect and we were able to take someone in custody, Tellis said.

On Monday, police confirmed the suspects identity. Kashif Simmons, 37, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflict serious injury, and discharging a firearm in city limits, CMPD said.

Investigators believe the victims knew the suspect and were able to point him out. Officers were able arrest him based on their descriptions and arent looking for anyone else, Tellis told Counts.

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The people that were sitting next to me just ran

Video shows what unfolded after the shooting, as people ran away from the park while officers ran through it.

MEDIC said two people had been shot and were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries on April 16, 2023. Witnesses told Channel 9 that first responders made it to the scene within 60 seconds.

Caroline Haygood was sitting outside Rhino Deli when she heard gunfire.

ALSO READ: 1 hurt in north Charlotte shooting, paramedics say

I was sitting outside. I heard it and I thought it was a tire at first that blew out or something, and then the people that were sitting next to me just ran, Haygood said. And I was going run with them because I dont know what to do, but then I just went back inside to the deli and the people that owned it closed it -- like locked it and stuff -- and said get inside, get inside.

The shooting happened minutes after the Charlotte Knights game ended across the street at Truist Field. The Charlotte SHOUT! festival was also in Uptown on Sunday.

Stadium officials kept people at the baseball game inside until they could be sure the coast was clear.

Restaurants and bars in the area also went into lockdown.

We were just at a bar we were hanging out, then like everyone starts running into the bar and they lock us inside the bar, Phoniex McGee told Channel 9. So we obviously, like have a child. Are we OK? Is everything OK? Do we need to go in the kitchen and hide out?

More witnesses told Channel 9 a quinceanera photo shoot was happening in the park as the shots were fired.

Police said there were no active threats to the community.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 hurt in north Charlotte shooting, paramedics say)
Officers responded to POJ's Bar near 47th Avenue and Indian School Road and found two men with gunshot wounds, who were later hospitalized.

A bar shooting in west Phoenix early Saturday left four people injured, according to Phoenix police.

Officers went to POJ's Bar near 47th Avenue and Indian School Road just after midnight where they found two men with gunshot wounds. One of the injured men was a security guard, police said.

Both of them were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. Two more men, who also had gunshot wounds, also later arrived at a hospital. Police said they were investigating their involvement.

All four men were expected to survive, according to police. Authorities did not identify any suspects or victims.

Police said early information indicated that multiple groups of people at the bar were asked to leave for an unknown reason. Once outside the establishment, the shooting broke out in the parking lot, police said.

Police said as of Saturday evening, they didn't know how many people were involved or how many fired weapons. Details about what led to the shooting also remained unknown.

The investigation was ongoing, police said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 4 men shot, injured at POJ's Bar in west Phoenix
A 63-year-old Oklahoma man is behind bars after admitting to the possession of thousands of images of child pornography.

Billy Hatch, a resident of Enid, Oklahoma, was charged with aggravated possession of child pornography this week after police say they found 2,000 child porn files on his devices, Fox 25 Oklahoma reported .

Police allege that Hatch downloaded a file that is known to the states Internet Crimes Against Children Unit which allowed them to obtain a warrant to search his home.

When police contacted Hatch, they say he was not surprised to see them.

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Billy Hatch, 63, is charged with aggravated possession of child pornography.

"Detectives seized two laptops and over one hundred storage devices, including thumb and flash drives," Cass Rains, the Enid Police Departments Public Information Officer, said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

As of Friday night, Hatch was in the Garfield County Jail without bond.

PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL TRACK COACH ALLEGEDLY HAD SEX WITH STUDENT FOR YEAR: COPS

Police say they are investigating the situation as part of a larger child pornography ring but have not made any other arrests.

Police in Enid say it is the biggest child porn case they have ever seen.

"We are proud of the work that Det. Wilson does for the department," Rains said. "We do this to protect children in Enid and children everywhere."


MONTROSE, Mo.  It took Samantha Lesmeisters family four months to find a medical professional who could see that she was struggling with something more than her Down syndrome.

The young woman, known as Sammee, had become unusually sad and lethargic after falling in the shower and hitting her head. She lost her limited ability to speak, stopped laughing, and no longer wanted to leave the house.

General-practice doctors and a neurologist said such mental deterioration was typical for a person with Down syndrome entering adulthood, recalled her mother, Marilyn Lesmeister. They said nothing could be done.

The family didnt buy it.

Marilyn researched online and learned the University of Kansas Health System has a special medical clinic for adults with Down syndrome. Most other Down syndrome programs nationwide focus on children, even though many people with the condition now live into middle age and often develop health problems typically associated with seniors. And most of the clinics that focus on adults are in urban areas, making access difficult for many rural patients.

The clinic Marilyn found is in Kansas City, Kansas, 80 miles northwest of the familys cattle farm in central Missouri. She made an appointment for her daughter and drove up.

Samantha Sammee Lesmeister (Christopher Smith for KFF Health News)

The programs leader, nurse practitioner Moya Peterson, carefully examined Sammee Lesmeister and ordered more tests.

She reassured me that, Mom, youre right. Somethings wrong with your daughter, Marilyn Lesmeister said.

With the help of a second neurologist, Peterson determined Sammee Lesmeister had suffered a traumatic brain injury when she hit her head. Since that diagnosis about nine years ago, she has regained much of her strength and spirit with the help of therapy and steady support.

Sammee, 26, can again speak a few words, including hi, bye, and love you. She smiles and laughs. She likes to go out into her rural community, where she helps choose meals at restaurants, attends horse-riding sessions at a stable, and folds linens at a nursing home.

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Without Petersons insight and encouragement, the family likely would have given up on Sammees recovery. She probably would have continued to wither within herself, her mother said. I think she would have been a stay-at-home person and a recluse.

"A whole different ballgame"

The Lesmeisters wish Petersons program wasnt such a rarity. A directory published by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation lists just 15 medical programs nationwide that are housed outside of childrens hospitals and that accept Down syndrome patients who are 30 or older.

The United States had about three times as many adults with the condition by 2016 as it did in 1970. Thats mainly because children born with it are no longer denied lifesaving care, including surgeries to correct birth defects.

Adults with Down syndrome often develop chronic health problems, such as severe sleep apnea, digestive disorders, thyroid conditions, and obesity. Many develop Alzheimers disease in middle age. Researchers suspect this is related to extra copies of genes that cause overproduction of proteins, which build up in the brain.

Taking care of kids is a whole different ballgame from taking care of adults, said Peterson, the University of Kansas nurse practitioner.

Sammee Lesmeister is an example of the trend toward longer life spans. If shed been born two generations ago, she probably would have died in childhood.

Samantha Sammee Lesmeister (Christopher Smith for KFF Health News)

She had a hole in a wall of her heart, as do about half of babies with Down syndrome. Surgeons can repair those dangerous defects, but in the past, doctors advised most families to forgo the operations, or said the children didnt qualify. Many people with Down syndrome also were denied care for serious breathing issues, digestive problems, or other chronic conditions. People with disabilities were often institutionalized. Many were sterilized without their consent.

Such mistreatment eased from the 1960s into the 1980s, as people with disabilities stood up for their rights, medical ethics progressed, and courts declared it illegal to withhold care. Those landmark rulings sealed the deal: Children with Down syndrome have the right to the same lifesaving treatment that any other child would deserve, said Brian Skotko, a Harvard University medical geneticist who leads Massachusetts General Hospitals Down Syndrome Program.

The median life expectancy for a baby born in the U.S. with Down syndrome jumped from about 4 years in 1950 to 58 years in the 2010s, according to a recent report from Skotko and other researchers. In 1950, fewer than 50,000 Americans were living with Down syndrome. By 2017, that number topped 217,000, including tens of thousands of people in middle age or beyond.

The population is expected to continue growing, the report says. A few thousand pregnant women a year now choose abortions after learning theyre carrying fetuses with Down syndrome. But those reductions are offset by the increasing number of women becoming pregnant in their late 30s or 40s, when they are more likely to give birth to a baby with Down syndrome.

Skotko said the medical system has not kept up with the extraordinary increase in the number of adults with Down syndrome. Many medical students learn about the condition only while training to treat pediatric patients, he said.

Few patients can travel to specialized clinics like Skotkos program in Boston. To help those who cant, he founded an online service, Down Syndrome Clinic to You, which helps families and medical practitioners understand the complications and possible treatments.

"If they say it hurts, I listen"

Charlotte Woodward, who has Down syndrome, is a prominent advocate for improved care. She counts herself among the tens of thousands of adults with the condition who likely would have died years ago without proper treatment. Woodward, 33, of Fairfax, Virginia, had four heart surgeries as a child and then a heart transplant in her 20s.

Woodward, who is an education program associate for the National Down Syndrome Society, has campaigned to end discrimination against people with disabilities who need organ transplants.

She said her primary care doctor is excellent. But she has felt treated like a child by other health care providers, who have spoken to her parents instead of to her during appointments.

She said many general-practice doctors seem to have little knowledge about adults with Down syndrome. Thats something that should change, she said. It shouldnt just be pediatricians that are aware of these things.

Woodward said adults with the condition should not be expected to seek care at programs housed in childrens hospitals. She said the country should set up more specialized clinics and finance more research into health problems that affect people with disabilities as they age. This is really an issue of civil rights, she said.

Advocates and clinicians say its crucial for health care providers to communicate as much as possible with patients who have disabilities. That can lead to long appointments, said Brian Chicoine, a family practice physician who leads the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Advocate Aurora Health in Park Ridge, Illinois, near Chicago.

Its very important to us that we include the individuals with Down syndrome in their care, he said. If youre doing that, you have to take your time. You have to explain things. You have to let them process. You have to let them answer. All of that takes more time.

Time costs money, which Peterson believes is why many hospital systems dont set up specialized clinics like the ones she and Chicoine run.

Petersons methodical approach was evident as she saw new patients on a recent afternoon at her Kansas City clinic. She often spends an hour on each initial appointment, speaking directly to patients and giving them a chance to share their thoughts, even if their vocabularies are limited.

Her patients that day included Christopher Yeo, 44, who lives 100 miles away in the small town of Hartford, Kansas. Yeo had become unable to swallow solid food, and hed lost 45 pounds over about 1 years. He complained to his mother, Mandi Nance, that something tickled in his chest.

Nurse practitioner Moya Peterson with Christopher Yeo. (Tony Leys for KFF Health News)

During his exam, he lifted his shirt for Peterson, revealing the scar where hed had heart surgery as a baby. He grimaced, pointed to his chest, and repeatedly said the word gas.

Peterson looked Yeo in the eye as she asked him and his mother about his discomfort.

The nurse practitioner takes seriously any such complaints from her patients. If they say it hurts, I listen, she said. Theyre not going to tell you about it until it hurts bad.

Yeos mother had taken him to a cardiologist and other specialists, but none had determined what was wrong.

Peterson asked numerous questions. When does Yeos discomfort seem to crop up? Could it be related to what he eats? How is his sleep? What are his stools like?

After his appointment, Peterson referred Yeo to a cardiologist who specializes in adults with congenital heart problems. She ordered a swallowing test, in which Yeo would drink a special liquid that appears on scans as it goes down. And she recommended a test for Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that interferes with digestion and is common in people with Down syndrome. No one had previously told Nance about the risk.

Nance, who is a registered nurse, said afterward that she has no idea what the future holds for their family. But she was struck by the patience and attention Peterson and other clinic staff members gave to her son. Such treatment is rare, she said. I feel like its a godsend. I do, she said. I feel like its an answered prayer.

"Like a person, and not a condition"

Peterson serves as the primary care provider for some of her patients with Down syndrome. But for many others, especially those who live far away, she is someone to consult when complications arise. Thats how the Lesmeisters use her clinic.

Mom Marilyn is optimistic Sammee can live a fulfilling life in their community for years to come. Some people have said I need to put her in a home. And Im like, What do you mean? And they say, You know  a home, she said. Im like, Shes in a home. Our home.

Sammees sister, who lives in Texas, has agreed to take her in when their parents become too old to care for her.

Marilyns voice cracked with emotion as she expressed her gratitude for the help they have received and her hopes for Sammees future.

I just want her to be taken care of and loved like I love her, she said. I want her to be taken care of like a person, and not a condition.

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand acknowledged the importance and strength of the bilateral relations with China on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni made the remarks at the sixth Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival 2023 in Auckland.

"Our relationship with China is incredibly important," said Sepuloni.

Sepuloni reflected on the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta's recent visit to China, during which the minister was welcomed with hospitality and constructive discussions, and her faith in an even more strengthened relationship moving forward.

Over recent years, New Zealand has encountered challenging times, such as the pandemic and severe weather events. However, New Zealand's economy stayed relatively afloat, and bilateral trade with China stayed strong, said Sepuloni.

"We value our Chinese businesses that are here. We value what you contribute to New Zealand, and long may that continue. Long may our relationship with China be strong," addressed the deputy prime minister.

Wang Xiaolong, Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, addressed the event first by acknowledging the long history of engagement and profound friendship between the two peoples.

"It is notable that the Chinese diaspora have made their share of contribution to the economic and social development here in New Zealand and promoting the people-to-people exchanges and trade and economic cooperation between our two countries," Wang said.

Wang hailed New Zealand's efforts in building a harmonious multi-racial and multi-cultural society, adding that similarly, China is also a big family composed of 56 ethnic groups. Internationally, China promotes world peace and common prosperity by way of advocating inclusiveness and co-existence of various civilizations and exchanges and mutual learning between them, Wang said.

As for the relationship between China and New Zealand, the mutually respectful and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries, despite occasional noise, has gained in strength over the years thanks to efforts on both sides, Wang said.

This year marks the sixth Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival hosted by the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, which is constantly promoting multicultural New Zealand and bilateral relations between China and New Zealand.

Steven Wong, the chairman of the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, said in the opening speech that New Zealand is a multicultural society that the New Zealand Chinese also call their second hometown.

"As overseas Chinese living in New Zealand, we shoulder the responsibility to promote social harmony and bilateral relations as we are part of the big multicultural family," he said.

Guests of the day included members of parliament from the governing Labour Party and opposition National Party, Auckland city councilors, local board members and community leaders.

Chinese cultural performances, such as Chinese martial arts or Wushu, adorned the festival with the rest of the performers from diverse Asian, African and South American backgrounds showcasing their ethnic dances, music and instrument at the festival. 
DIGHTON, Mass.  The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified documents had set his sights on joining the military from an early age. But more recently he had expressed disillusionment about having enlisted.

Jack Teixeira, 21, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston with unauthorized removal and retention of classified and national defense information  a breach that has caused an international uproar and exposed explicit U.S. assessments on the war in Ukraine and other closely held secrets. A magistrate judge ordered Teixeira held until a detention hearing next week.

Teixeira grew up in Dighton, a rural community south of Boston that is dotted with single-family homes interspersed with small farms. His mothers home sits down a long driveway in heavy woods. A florist, she sometimes puts out a flower cart by the side of the road, selling bouquets on the honor system.

The criminal complaint against Jack Teixeira is photographed Friday, April 14, 2023. The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman appeared in court on Friday in Boston, accused in the leak of highly classified military documents. (Jon Elswick/AP)

Two of his classmates told The Boston Globe that Teixeira revered the military and showed an early interest in joining. He was especially focused on the history of war and weapons.

From a young age, I remember he would have a book on, I believe, U.S. military aircrafts, armaments, like a real big textbook, John Powell told the Globe.

Though Powell remembered Teixeira being bullied in middle school, he told the newspaper that the young man was an optimist and sweetheart, with an especially close relationship with his stepdad, an Air Force veteran.

High school classmate Kailani Reis told the newspaper Teixeira was super quiet and gave off loner vibes, while another classmate, Sarah Arnold, told AP she remembered him as being quiet and keeping to himself.

Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019, according to military records. He graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School the following year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the school to close and go virtual.

It was during the pandemic that Teixeira developed a close relationship with other members of a chat room on the social media platform Discord, where members of the group have said the leaks showed up. The chat app is used by video gamers and others to connect online.

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Discord: What is it and how are service members and veterans using it?

A member of the Discord chat group spoke to AP about the conversations, but declined to give his name, citing concerns for his personal safety. The group, called Thug Shaker Central, drew people who talked about their favorite types of guns and shared memes and jokes, some of them racist and anti-Semitic, the person told the AP.

The group also included a running discussion about Russias invasion of Ukraine. For months, a member nicknamed the O.G. posted reams of classified material, said the Discord member who confirmed that O.G. was Teixeira.

Teixeira liked to chat about guns, was an observant Christian and would often pray with group members, the fellow member said. In recent months, Teixeira had become disillusioned about the U.S. military and had begun to express regret (about) joining, the person said. He even said hed kick my ass if I thought about joining.

Teixeira also worried the federal government had become too powerful, according to the Discord user.

The chat group member said he wasnt sure why Teixeira enlisted, but believed he needed money for college. He added that O.G. was skilled at making memes.

He was good at his craft. He was good with, you know, Photoshop, the group member told AP, adding that Teixeira was never a very, super serious guy, usually was all like laughs and giggles.

Teixeira was recently promoted to Airman 1st Class and assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base, where his job was listed as a cyber transport systems journeyman.

Despite his relatively low rank, the technology position would have given Teixeira responsibility for maintaining computer networks with access to classified information. Teixeira began active duty in October 2021, serving full time at the base, which is located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Members of the Discord group described Teixeira as someone looking to show off, rather than being motivated by a desire to inform the public about U.S. military operations or to influence American policy.

Without any evidence, some prominent people on the right have begun hailing Teixeira as someone who aimed to expose the Biden administration and prevent further U.S. involvement in the war in Ukraine.

On Twitter, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, using the wrong first name, posted that Teixeira was white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime.

The Discord member told AP he did not believe Teixeira leaked documents to undermine the U.S. government or for an ideological reason.

If I had to give a gauge on it, it would be more or less just some nerds wanting to glance over some stuff and compare and contrast and kind of have a little joke about it, he said, adding that, At the end of the day, I mean were just trying to have a fun time.

Merchant reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jennifer McDermott in Dighton, Massachusetts, Ali Swenson in Seattle and Alan Suderman, Michael Bieseker and Richard Lardner in Washington contributed to this report.
Dadeville, Alabama police units block off the streets surrounding a dance studio where a mass shooting took place, leaving four dead and at least 16 others wounded (screengrab/AL.com)

Four people were killed and at least 16 others were wounded in Dadeville, Alabama, over the weekend after a Sweet 16 birthday party turned violent.

The party took place Saturday night at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio, witnesses told WRBL. Gunfire erupted at the party around 10:30pm.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed that four people died in the mass shooting, according to AL.com. No further information on their identities or the details of the shooting were provided. No arrests were announced, and no further information on the whereabouts of the shooter were provided.

Numerous families have reportedly gathered to wait outside area hospitals where their loved ones are presumably being treated.

This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians, state governor Kay Ivey tweeted. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.

The incident follows a shooting in a park in Louisville, Kentucky on the same day, in which two people were killed and four injured.
Alan Moskin, a World War II infantry soldier who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and spent decades educating people on the Nazi Holocaust and his experiences, has died. The Nanuet attorney was 96.

Moskin entered the barbed-wired gates in Austria on May 4, 1945, at age 18 to witness bodies sprawled across the grounds and starving prisoners who had been tortured and confined to Gunskirchen, a subcamp of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Moskin served as a sergeant with Gen. George Patton's Third Army's 71st Division during World War II.

Moskin said in interviews that he saw men and women weighing as little as 60 pounds and piles of bodies.

Liberating death camp: Alan Moskin recalls liberating a concentration camp 75 years ago in a Holocaust video

Alan Moskin: Rockland veteran featured in Discovery Channel documentary 'Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses'

Yom HaShoah: Rockland to hold Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemoration on Monday, April 17

Alan Moskin educates a generation

Moskin shared the memories with The Journal News, other media, and during educational seminars on the Holocaust over the years. He spoke about what he saw to thousands of people, including students, at seminars and events on the Holocaust. He became a fixture at the Rockland Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education.

"I'd seen dead bodies when we fought the Nazis," Moskin said in one video on the Holocaust and liberation of camps. "I was not immune to death. But to enter a concentration camp and see skeletal-like bodies of the people so emaciated. It defies description. It's something you never forget.

"If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it," Moskin said. "It was so horrific. The stench is the first thing that hits you... The smell is an overpowering stench. The stench gets into your nostrils, into your brain."

Alan Moskin speaks at the Yom HaShoah commemoration at the Rockland County courthouse May 2, 2019.

Moskin offered generations a soldier's personal view of the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany and its allies across Europe from the 1930s to the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. His experiences - and those of other liberators - bore witness to the memories of murder, torture, and human degradation told by countless survivors.

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His death on Saturday came during Yom HaShoah, amid internationally planned Holocaust remembrance memorial ceremonies, including those in the United States, Rockland, and Israel. He spoke at many Yom HaShoah remembrances.

"The death of our beloved Alan Moskin during Yom HaShoah was bashert (meant to be)," said Paul Adler, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rockland Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance & Education.

"Alan was the epitome of that Greatest Generation of men and women of the World War II era that saved the world from Nazi tyranny," Adler said. "Alans service to his country and community continued with his passionate practice of law. Alan then became a community Holocaust educator teaching tens of thousands of students about his experiences as a soldier-liberator during WW II."

Moskin said in interviews that he locked away the memories of the death camp for 50 years, refusing to discuss what he witnessed. He said he suffered from "shell shock." When he returned from war, he said he would only tell people he "fought with (General George) Patton and did my job."

"I was scared if I talked about it, it would bring back those terrible nightmares," he said.

Holocaust education: NYS report finds that schools are doing fine, despite rise in antisemitism (for subscribers)

Alan Moskin in "Liberation Heroes: Last Eyewitnesses."

Rockland Holocaust Center came calling

Word got out among Rockland veterans about Moskin's experience as a liberator and reached the ears of officials at the Holocaust Center, then attached to Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley. The center is now at Rockland Community College.

He recalled his initial reaction to the Holocaust Center officials was to hang up the telephone.

But center officials persisted until he agreed to speak in 1995 at the community room in the Nanuet Mall. His talk became liberating and only his death stopped him from talking about the Holocaust and preaching against inhumanity and for people to stay vigilant.

He joined Holocaust survivors who make up the Rockland center's speaker's bureau. He spoke at local schools and community events to keep the memories of the Nazi genocide of six million Jews and five million other people alive and accurate.

"When I start speaking it was like a catharsis, a purging of all the poison," Moskin said in interviews. "It was good for me. Many survivors don't talk about it, even to their own family and children."

Adler recalled traveling to Poland with his adolescent children, Moskin, students, and survivors. They toured the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, located near the industrial city of Auschwitz. The Nazis murdered millions in the gas chambers of the extermination camp. People were brought by train cattle cars from labor camps across Europe.

Moskin captured the attention of the students with his commentary and war recollections.

"It was always about the survivors and their remembrance," Adler said. "Alan added the role of the liberator and the military entering the concentration camps. The kids just flocked to him."

The Rockland Holocaust Center issued the following statement:

"It is with a broken heart and deep sadness that The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education announces the passing of our HERO, Alan Moskin.

"Though Alan was nearing his 97th birthday in May, we are shocked and saddened by his death. Alan was a larger-than-life hero but also a close friend with whom we shared so many happy memories."

The center's statement also cited Moskin's "incredible service as an educator who spoke to thousands upon thousands of students across the globe in the course of his work to educate the world on the horrors of the Holocaust - with the aim of making sure it never happens again."

The center's statement concludes with: "May Alan's memory be for a blessing."

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

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

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Alan Moskin, WWII vet who liberated Nazi concentration camp, dies at 96
Alec Baldwin is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the parents and sister of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, saying that they were distant from Hutchins before her death and have no viable cause of action.

The actor said in court documents filed Thursday that Olga Solovey, Anatolii Androsovych, and Svetlana Zemko filed the suit to obtain compensation from Hutchins October 2021 death on a movie set just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The loss of a daughter and sister is undoubtedly painful in any circumstance. Yet Plaintiffswho had been distanced from Halyna physically, financially, and emotionally for years before her deathhave no viable cause of action against Defendants, the documents state. This action is especially misguided.

Hutchins parents and sister filed their suit in February. It names Baldwin, Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, assistant director David Halls, and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. as defendants.

Hutchins, 42, was shot and killed on Oct. 21, 2021 during filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch. Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced. Halls was charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon and agreed to plead no contest, Carmack-Altwies said.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Last year, the actor was sued by Hutchins husband, Matthew Hutchins, their son and estate, alleging that reckless behavior and cost-cutting led to Hutchins death. Baldwin and Matthew Hutchins reached a settlement in October 2022.

Baldwin said in his court filing on Thursday that he believed the settlement should have been the end of the matter.

But it is not, the document states referencing the new lawsuit. The Court should dismiss Plaintiffs Complaint with prejudice.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 9.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Jack Texeria Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

On Thursday afternoon, federal officials arrested 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, at his home in Dighton, Mass, charging him on Friday with having collected and disseminated a large batch of national security information and classified materials. The leak, which consisted largely of documents relating to Ukraine's ongoing defense against Russia's invasion, has prompted a major Pentagon and State Department scramble to address the fallout from the sudden airing of various national security secrets, while (once again) raising questions about how the United States keeps  and grants access to  its classified materials.

While Teixeira himself is hardly the first member of the amorphous national security "blob" to allegedly leak government secrets, the particulars of his actions  allegedly releasing the documents on a private Discord server occupied largely by teenage gamers  have placed this latest breach in a unique position; absent any statement of motivating ideology to explain his alleged actions so far, Teixeira has become a blank slate for pundits and politicians alike, upon which they have begun projecting their own spin on just who he is, and why he did what he's been accused of doing.

Is he a possible foreign asset?

Before Teixeira was identified and arrested, theories swirled that the massive breach of U.S. military and diplomatic secrets was in some way the work of a foreign government, with a Kremlin spokesperson telling The New York Times that "We all know that there is in fact an inclination to always blame Russia for everything, and to attribute everything to Russia."

Speaking with Reuters a week before Teixeira's arrest, three separate U.S. officials also pointed to "Russia or pro-Russia elements" as "likely" to be behind the leaks, noting that Russian casualty counts in the documents seemed to have been lowered  at least at some point during their dissemination  according to their "informal" assessments. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, also initially identified the leak as having Russian origins, telling Reuters in a separate interview that "these are just standard elements of operational games by Russian intelligence. And nothing more. Russia is looking for any ways to seize back the initiative. To try to influence the scenarios for Ukraine's counteroffensive plans."

Story continues

Is he a patriotic hero?

In an interview the day before his arrest, one of his off-line friends described Teixeira to The Washington Post as "patriotic, a devout Catholic and a libertarian with an interest in guns and doubts about America's future."

"He loved America but simply didn't feel confident in its future," the friend claimed. "At the end of the day he would side with this country over any other."

The narrative that Teixeira was acting out of some sense of patriotic duty, or at least with a measure of right-wing-infused incredulity about the country's trajectory, has taken hold among certain conservative circles who have lauded the leak for revealing "the truth," as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote on Twitter shortly after he was identified as a suspect.

In part, Teixeira's alleged leaks have dovetailed with a pre-existing MAGA Republican hostility to the Ukraine-Russian war in general, prompting figures like Greene and Donald Trump Jr. to capitalize on the political fallout for the White House from the documents' release as reason to laud the leaker himself as a fundamentally anti-Biden figure.

During his eponymous program the night of Teixeira's arrest, Fox News host Tucker Carlson also framed the accused leaker in a positive, or at least justified, light, saying "the news media are celebrating the capture of the kid who told Americans what's actually happening in Ukraine. They are treating him like Osama Bin Laden, maybe even worse actually, because, unlike Al Qaeda, apparently, this kid is a racist."

Far-right actor-turned-MAGA-celebrity Randy Quaid also hailed Teixeira as an "American hero" and a "whistleblower," seemingly placing him on the level of more overtly ideologically motivated national security leakers like Chelsea Manning and Daniel Ellsberg.

As Vice News reported on Friday, that sentiment has seeped into far-right message boards across the internet, where "among the numerous threads dedicated to his arrested were ones titled: 'Fucking Legend,' 'May God Watch Over Him,' and 'American Hero Busted for Telling the Truth.'"

Is he a 'right-wing-chud poster'?

"I would definitely not call him a whistleblower. I would not call OG a whistleblower in the slightest," one member of the Discord channel where Teixeira allegedly shared his leaks told the Washington Post, using the internet handle he'd used in the group. Instead, the Post said, "the classified documents were intended only to benefit his online family" and shouldn't be compared to those leaked by Ellsberg or Edward Snowden.

"OG didn't leak for patriotism, principle, or even money," longtime national security reporter Spencer Ackerman wrote in his Forever Wars newsletter shortly before Teixeira's arrest. Instead, he allegedly "leaked for that most ineffable thing, something nonmaterial but nevertheless hyper-real in the logic of the poster, and particularly the right-wing-chud poster: clout."

Noting that Teixeira's purported internet presence was typical of a certain style of perpetually online right-wing follower, Ackerman concludes that we will likely see more of this type of leak in the future.

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Codeword: April 15, 2023
Ana de Armas hosted "Saturday Night Live." Javi Julio/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ana de Armas hosted the most recent episode of "Saturday Night Live."

De Armas said Robert De Niro visited her father while visiting Cuba.

She said her father was "hysterical" after the interaction.

Ana de Armas revealed that she learned about Robert De Niro's softer side after he paid her father a surprise visit in Cuba.

De Armas shared details about the wholesome moment during her opening monologue on "Saturday Night Live." She previously worked with De Niro while filming her first American movie, "Hands of Stone." The movie chronicles the life of Panamanian former professional boxer Roberto Duran. De Niro plays Duran's trainer, Ray Arcel, while de Armas portrays Duran's wife, Felicidad Iglesias.

"One day on set he told me, 'I may be going to Cuba soon. If I do, I'll say hello to your family,'" de Armas said. "He even asked me for the phone number."

The actor admitted that she "completely forgot" about the exchange until she later got a phone call from her father.

"Then, one day, out of the blue, I get a phone call from my dad  he's hysterical," de Armas said. "I'm like, 'Dad, what's wrong?' and he goes, 'Robert De Niro just came to visit me at work.'"

De Armas told the "SNL" audience that De Niro's surprise visit was "such a kind gesture."

"I've been so fortunate to work with so many supportive actors," she added.

Robert De Niro and Ana de Armas attend the "Hands Of Stone" Photocall during the 69th annual Cannes Film in May 2016. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

In the same monologue, de Armas said she's about to become a US citizen.

"This has been a magical year. Not only [was] I nominated for an Oscar, but in three weeks, I'm going to officially become an American citizen," she said. "I am proud to become a citizen because when I moved here, everyone was so welcoming."

De Armas' star rose in 2022 when she starred in Netflix's "Blonde," a film examining the rise and fall of Marilyn Monroe. That December, she called the role a "big risk" during a conversation with fellow actor Eddie Redmayne on Variety's "Actors on Actors" series.

"And it was a big risk, because I knew, 'Oh, my gosh, if I don't get this one right, this is over.' I'll be raising cows and chickens in the countryside. I'll be doing something else. I will never work again," she told Redmayne.

Read the original article on Insider
Ana de Armas talked about learning English when she moved to the US during her Saturday Night Livehosting debut on Saturday (15 April).

Starting her monologue, the Cuban star of Blonde and Bond film No Time to Die greeted the audience in Spanish, before opening up about her experience coming to the United States.

I speak English, de Armas said, But I didnt when I first got to the US. I was born in Cuba. I came to America when I was 26, and I learned English the way everyone who comes to this country does: by watching Friends.

She joked: Who would have thought that the best English tutor would be Chandler Bing?

De Armas then did an impression of the fan-favorite sitcom character, saying: I mean look at me now  could I be any better at English?

The Academy Award nominee also told a story about how Robert de Niro, who she met on her first American film Hands of Stone, had paid a surprise visit to de Armass father when he visited Cuba. She said her father was hysterical when he called her to tell her what had happened.

That was such a kind gesture, and I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful actors, de Armas said. My dad was so proud of me, and he would be proud to see me today standing on this stage. I feel very lucky to be here.

Ana de Armas monologue! pic.twitter.com/Tr6L76Mw1s  Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) April 16, 2023

De Armass new film Ghosted, which she stars in alongside Chris Evans, will be released on Apple TV+ on 21 April.

She is also set to appear with Keanu Reeves in Ballerina, the next film in the John Wick movie series. Thats expected to arrive in 2024.
Five years ago, Andrew Gillum was one of the brightest stars in Florida politics.

The then-Tallahassee mayor had a national profile. He won the 2018 Democratic nomination for Florida governor. And he nearly defeated Ron DeSantis, losing by fewer than 34,000 votes, or 0.41 percentage points.

Then came the fall.

In 2020, he was found by police in a South Beach hotel room in the company of a man who appeared to have overdosed on drugs.

And last year, he was indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of lying to FBI agents and defrauding campaign mega donors and organizations that believed they were donating to legitimate political causes.

Gillum, 43, and his political adviser and mentor, Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, 54, are facing a three-week trial in federal court in Tallahassee that starts Monday.

The jury trial should provide an unusual glimpse into a federal political corruption investigation, featuring potentially hours of secret recordings involving Gillum and his brother, Marcus, and testimony from undercover FBI agents.

Gillum has denied the allegations against him. But the federal corruption probe that led to charges against Gillum has already led to convictions against another former Tallahassee mayor and a local developer.

This is our chance to show Andrews innocence, and were looking forward to it, said his attorney, David O. Markus of Miami, this week.

Former Tallahassee mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum leaves the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, after a hearing. Gillum was indicted on federal fraud charges.

What is Gillum accused of?

The government accuses Gillum of soliciting political contributions under false pretenses, routing the money through Lettman-Hicks communications company, and then distributing the money to Gillum.

The day after he lost the 2018 election, for example, Gillum emailed his campaign staff and said he was assigning Lettman-Hicks to oversee the campaign budgets.

The campaign then transferred $60,000 to Lettman-Hicks communications company, called P&P Communications, for expenses relating to get-out-the-vote efforts, federal prosecutors allege. P&P Communications then made four $5,000 transfers, called bonuses, to Gillums personal account.

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The indictment alleges that nearly $57,000 in campaign and other contributions was illegally steered into Gillums personal account.

Gillum is also charged with lying to FBI agents.

During the FBIs sprawling public corruption investigation in Tallahassee, undercover agents posing as developers paid for parts of a 2016 trip Gillum and his brother took to New York City. The indictment alleges agents paid for his room at the Millennium Hilton hotel, his food and drink, a boat ride around New York Harbor and a ticket to the hit Broadway show Hamilton.

When Gillum voluntarily sat down with FBI agents in 2017, he denied ever receiving gifts from the supposed developers.

In an unusual move, a federal grand jury on Tuesday issued an updated indictment against Gillum and Lettman-Hicks. The indictment dropped two counts of wire fraud.

In court on Thursday, Markus said it was outrageous that the updated indictment was issued less than a week before trial was set to start.

We had our reasons for doing that, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Milligan replied.

Ultimately, neither Gillum nor Lettman-Hicks asked for the trial to be delayed because of the new indictment.

What kind of punishment is he facing?

Gillum is facing years in federal prison.

The 17 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, although if hes convicted, the sentences are likely to be carried out concurrently, not consecutively.

The count of making false statements to the FBI carries a maximum of five years in prison.

How has Gillum responded?

He has pleaded not guilty and accused the investigation of being political.

Theres been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee, he said after he was indicted. They found nothing then, and I have full confidence that my legal team will prove my innocence now.

He has denied knowing anything about what Lettman-Hicks was doing with the campaign accounts.

In 2017, he told reporters that his brother, Marcus, gave him the ticket to Hamilton.

During a procedural hearing on Thursday, Gillum greeted and shook hands with the two reporters in court. He took an active role in the proceeding, reviewing documents and evidence.

Afterward, he hugged and thanked his mother, who was watching from the gallery.

Who is his co-defendant?

Lettman-Hicks was Gillums friend and mentor during his political rise, which followed his childhood growing up in Miamis Richmond Heights. Gillum is a godparent to her child.

From 2001 to 2009, she was an executive vice president for the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama named her to the Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

She ran for a seat on the Florida House of Representatives last year, until she ended her campaign following the federal indictment.

She has also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Who is the judge overseeing the case?

U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor, who was chosen for the federal bench by former President Donald Trump in 2018 is presiding.

Under former Attorney General Pam Bondi, Winsor served as Floridas solicitor general, overseeing the states appeals in civil and criminal cases.

Winsor has rejected several of Gillums requests in the case, including a request last year that the case be dismissed on political grounds. Winsor wrote that Gillums lawyers provided no evidence of discrimination, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Gillum and Lettman-Hicks also asked to be tried separately, but Winsor wrote that their charges were too linked to separate the cases.
(Getty Images)

Andrey Rublev made the most of Holger Runes nerves to win a see-saw Monte Carlo final 5-7 6-2 7-5 on Sunday, as the Russians talent was finally rewarded with a Masters title.

The fifth seed stayed composed when it mattered to eventually run down his 19-year-old opponent and claim the most prestigious title of his career.

Rublev, 25, was 4-1 down in the decider but ground his way back into the contest to prevail on his second match point with an ace at a sun-drenched Monte Carlo Country Club.

It was Rublevs third attempt in a Masters final after failing at the final hurdle here in Monte Carlo and in Cincinnati in 2021.

I dont know what to say, Im just happy, I struggled so much to get this title, said Rublev.

Rune, who burst into the limelight at last years French Open when he reached the quarter-finals, needed nearly three hours to beat Italian Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Rublev also needed three sets to beat American Taylor Fritz, and fatigue was a factor in Sundays showdown.

Rune, the youngest Monte Carlo finalist after Rafael Nadal in 2005, opened a 4-2 lead in the first set on his second opportunity to break, only for an unforced forehand error to allow Rublev to break right back.

The Russian, however, bowed under pressure in the seventh game as he sent a forehand long to lose his second service game and give Rune the opening set.

After an early exchange of breaks, Rune netted a routine shot to drop serve again before Rublev held for 4-2 in the second set.

The Russian then broke to love and levelled the contest on serve as Rune seemed to lose his composure.

The Dane, however, found gravity-defying angles to break first in the decider, moving 3-0, and 4-1 ahead.

But Rublev did not surrender and after breaking in the seventh game, he broke Runes serve again as the Dane received a warning for angrily sending the ball into the crowd in the 11th game.

Reuters
Editors note: This article first appeared in The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief, its daily newsletter.

This story contains graphic descriptions of violence.

Daniel Perry, whom Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to pardon for the murder of an Austin protester, often made racist comments and regularly made clear his desire to kill protesters in the months leading up to Garrett Fosters death, according to social media posts and texts contained in newly unsealed court documents.

On May 29, 2020, days after George Floyds murder by a Minneapolis police officer prompted nationwide protests, Perry sent a text message saying, I might go to Dallas to shoot looters.

Two days later, according to the records, Perry said in a Facebook message that when he is in Dallas, no protestors go near me or my car.

Can you catch me a negro daddy, the other man replied.

That is what I am hoping, Perry said.

In June, Perry sent text messages from an unknown area detailing bars closing and the blacks  gathering up in a group I think something is about to happen.

I wonder if they will let my cut the ears off of people whos decided to commit suicide by me, he added.

The court records, released Thursday, contain evidence pulled from Perrys phone records and social media accounts. Prosecutors had filed the sealed 82-page document in March, but much of it was not brought before jurors. Information depicting a defendants character is often not allowed to be introduced while a jury weighs guilt versus innocence, but becomes relevant in a sentencing hearing.

The U.S. Army sergeant also sent racist and anti-Muslim messages before and after Floyds death. In April 2020, he sent a meme, which included a photo of a woman holding her childs head under water in the bath, with the text, WHEN YOUR DAUGHTERS FIRST CRUSH IS A LITTLE NEGRO BOY, according to the states filing.

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A year earlier, he messaged someone on Facebook looking for weekend work for active duty military.

To bad we cant get paid for hunting Muslims in Europe, he said.

Perrys defense attorney Clint Broden declined to comment on the newly released court documents.

Perry, who is white, was convicted last week in Travis County in the shooting death of Foster in July 2020. Perry drove his car into a group of protesters, including Foster, a white Air Force veteran. Foster was carrying an AK-47, a legal act in Texas. Perrys attorneys said at trial Foster raised his rifle, prompting Perry to shoot Foster five times through his car window with his handgun. Witnesses said Foster did not raise his rifle.

The case has become the center of a political firestorm, entrenched in the dangerously divisive rhetoric that often pits police supporters against racial justice advocates. Conservative politicians have rallied to Perrys side, saying the act was purely self-defense in the face of dangerous protests. Theyve faulted the progressive prosecutor for pursuing the case.

Less than a day after the conviction, Abbott took the unprecedented step of declaring his intent to pardon Perry for the murder, requesting the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles hand him the legally required recommendation as soon as possible.

Texas governor seeks to pardon Army sergeant convicted of murder

Texas has one of the strongest Stand Your Ground laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney, Abbotts Twitter post said, referring to Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza. I look forward to approving the Boards pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk.

When asked if the newly revealed evidence affected the governors decision for a pardon recommendation, Abbott spokesperson Renae Eze said all pertinent information is for the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider, as this is part of the review process required by the Texas Constitution.

Perry has not yet been sentenced. He faces between five years or life in prison  unless the parole board and Abbott intervene. The trial court judge will impose his sentence, not a jury, according to Broden.

On Friday, Garza reiterated that his office continues to maintain that the Board of Pardons and Paroles should consider the entirety of the trial record prior to issuing a final recommendation to the governor.

This case is not yet concluded, he said. There is going to be even more additional evidence that the judge will hear at sentencing. Were not even done with this yet.

Disclosure: Facebook has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
SYDNEY, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The state government of Western Australia (WA) announced on Sunday that a new investment of 13.1 million Australian dollars (about 8.8 million U.S. dollars) would be utilized to attract students from overseas and further diversify the state's economy.

The new package includes student support and destination marketing programs, while the latest funding will also bring the state's total spending on international education over four years to 75.4 million Australian dollars (about 50.6 million U.S. dollars).

According to the WA government, Premier Mark McGowan revealed the decision to the public ahead of departing for a trade mission to China, which will focus on mutually beneficial exchanges in multiple fields, including international education.

"The potential of the Chinese market for WA's international education sector and economy is significant and we need to ensure our state is well positioned among its competitors," said McGowan.

"I look forward to sharing what sets Western Australia apart as a study destination, including our sector's strong signs of recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

Data from the WA government showed that China continues to be the state's second-largest market for international students, accounting for 12 percent of the state's total international student enrollment in 2022.

Besides, the state's international student visa arrivals were 9 percent higher in January this year than they were in January 2019.

"As Western Australia is on track with the recovery of international student enrolments, the state government is focusing on delivering student support, while sustainably growing the student pipeline," said David Templeman, WA's minister for international education.

"It is important we provide international students arriving in our state with a safe and welcoming environment for them to flourish in," the minister noted. 
Dr Talia Cohen Solal, left, is using AI to help her and her team find the best antidepressants for patients

Dr Talia Cohen Solal sits down at a microscope to look closely at human brain cells grown in a petri dish.

"The brain is very subtle, complex and beautiful," she says.

A neuroscientist, Dr Cohen Solal is the co-founder and chief executive of Israeli health-tech firm Genetika+.

Established in 2018, the company says its technology can best match antidepressants to patients, to avoid unwanted side effects, and make sure that the prescribed drug works as well as possible.

"We can characterise the right medication for each patient the first time," adds Dr Cohen Solal.

Genetika+ does this by combining the latest in stem cell technology - the growing of specific human cells - with artificial intelligence (AI) software.

From a patient's blood sample its technicians can generate brain cells. These are then exposed to several antidepressants, and recorded for cellular changes called "biomarkers".

This information, taken with a patient's medical history and genetic data, is then processed by an AI system to determine the best drug for a doctor to prescribe and the dosage.

Although the technology is currently still in the development stage, Tel Aviv-based Genetika+ intends to launch commercially next year.

The global pharmaceutical sector had revenues of $1.4 trillion in 2021

An example of how AI is increasingly being used in the pharmaceutical sector, the company has secured funding from the European Union's European Research Council and European Innovation Council. Genetika+ is also working with pharmaceutical firms to develop new precision drugs.

The company hopes its work will be in strong demand in the future. There are more than 280 million people globally who suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization.

And while taking antidepressants certainly won't be the correct treatment for all, it has long been estimated that almost two thirds of initial prescriptions for depression or anxiety may not work properly.

"We are in the right time to be able to marry the latest computer technology and biological technology advances," says Dr Cohen Solal.

Story continues

Dr Heba Sailem says that the potential for AI to transform the global pharmaceutical industry, which generated revenues of $1.4 trillion (1.1tn) in 2021, is huge.

A senior lecturer of biomedical AI and data science at King's College London, she says that AI has so far helped with everything "from identifying a potential target gene for treating a certain disease, and discovering a new drug, to improving patient treatment by predicting the best treatment strategy, discovering biomarkers for personalised patient treatment, or even prevention of the disease through early detection of signs for its occurrence".

New Tech Economy

New Tech Economy is a series exploring how technological innovation is set to shape the new emerging economic landscape.

Yet fellow AI expert Calum Chace says that the take-up of AI across the pharmaceutical sector remains "a slow process".

"Pharma companies are huge, and any significant change in the way they do research and development will affect many people in different divisions," says Mr Chace, who is the author of a number of books about AI.

"Getting all these people to agree to a dramatically new way of doing things is hard, partly because senior people got to where they are by doing things the old way.

"They are familiar with that, and they trust it. And they may fear becoming less valuable to the firm if what they know how to do suddenly becomes less valued."

However, Dr Sailem emphasises that the pharmaceutical sector shouldn't be tempted to race ahead with AI, and should employ strict measures before relying on its predictions.

"An AI model can learn the right answer for the wrong reasons, and it is the researchers' and developers' responsibility to ensure that various measures are employed to avoid biases, especially when trained on patients' data," she says.

Hong Kong-based Insilico Medicine is using AI to accelerate drug discovery.

"Our AI platform is capable of identifying existing drugs that can be re-purposed, designing new drugs for known disease targets, or finding brand new targets and designing brand new molecules," says co-founder and chief executive Alex Zhavoronkov.

Alex Zhavoronkov says that using AI is helping his firm to develop new drugs more quickly than would otherwise be the case

Its most developed drug, a treatment for a lung condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is now being clinically trialled.

Mr Zhavoronkov says it typically takes four years for a new drug to get to that stage, but that thanks to AI, Insilico Medicine achieved it "in under 18 months, for a fraction of the cost".

He adds that the firm has another 31 drugs in various stages of development.

Back in Israel, Dr Cohen Solal says AI can help "solve the mystery" of which drugs work.
The studio is in Castleton, Ontario. Sheree Rasmussen

Sheree Rasmussen repurposed an artist's studio that her late partner built into a tiny home rental.

She wanted to honor his life by letting others enjoy the space while making money on Airbnb.



The 70-year-old now earns about $2,200 a month renting out the bright red tower that's 18 feet high.

Two years after Sheree Rasmussen's partner passed away, she decided to repurpose an artist studio he'd built into a tiny home to rent out on Airbnb.

The 70-year-old textile artist wanted to honor Clive Russell's life and work by sharing the Red Tower with others, so she turned it into a rental property in 2018.

The couple purchased 30 acres of rural land in a small town called Castleton in Ontario, Canada, about 15 years ago, and Russell built the studio for them to work in.

"When Clive passed away I pondered over what to do with it because it is such a unique building," Rasmussen told Insider. "I thought 'why not rent it out?' because it would be a beautiful way for me to share his work and land."

Rasmussen said it mainly appeals to young people from Toronto, which is about two hours away, who want to spend a few nights seeing the stars, building a campfire, and enjoying nature.

Now she rents it out for about C$150 ($112) a night.

"The winters are very long and the landscape can be very bleak in Ontario, so the idea was to install a bright red sculpture to bring some color to it," Sheree Rasmussen said.

Sheree Rasmussen

The couple decided to make it 18 feet high and 100 square feet of floor space, as buildings less than 108 square feet in Ontario don't require a permit.

Sheree Rasmussen

There's a sleeping area in the loft of the tower, which offers 360-degree views and room for a few chairs.

Sheree Rasmussen

It took about a month for Russell and a friend to build the red tower. They first constructed a metal frame.

Sheree Rasmussen

Rasmussen earns about C$3,000 ($2,250) a month renting it out and does the cleaning and maintenance herself.

Sheree Rasmussen

In recent years Rasmussen added a large deck where guests can lounge, a screening room, an outdoor shower, and an outhouse.

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Sheree Rasmussen

There's electricity, heat, and water. Rasmussen converted a hot tub into a plunge pool because it gets very warm in the summer, and also added a fire pit.

Sheree Rasmussen

The building itself is quite minimalist with a red exterior made from metal sheets. The interior features cedar wood.

Sheree Rasmussen

"During Covid, it was a godsend for people because there were so few places you could go and get away during lockdown and it's isolated and in nature," Rasmussen said.

Sheree Rasmussen

The property is surrounded by woods and art installations, including a metal "forest."

Sheree Rasmussen

Rasmussen says couples mostly book the tiny home for one or two nights, with most coming between May and October.

Sheree Rasmussen

The shower may be outdoors but has hot water.

Sheree Rasmussen

"What I love about renting out the tiny home on Airbnb is having so many young couples enjoy it and I've seen some people get engaged here," she said. "The property pays for me to be able to spend time with my daughter and granddaughter, who live in France."

Sheree Rasmussen

Read the original article on Business Insider
Atiq Ahmed (right) and his brother Ashraf taking questions from journalists moments before their death

It was all over in less than a minute.

Footage from Saturday night shows mafia don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed getting out from the back of a police jeep near a hospital in the city of Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad.

A heavyset man, Ahmed, a former MP and convicted criminal, is helped down by a policeman and his brother Ashraf. The brothers are being led by a chain attached to their handcuffs.

As they start walking, surrounded by a ring of police constables, local TV reporters besiege them - among them are gunmen pretending to be journalists.

A second later, a gun is pulled close to his head, his white turban detaches from his head as he collapses to the ground. A moment later, his brother is also shot.

Two gunmen and another man immediately surrender to the police.

The Uttar Pradesh state government has ordered an investigation, but Saturday evening's daring murder has unleashed a torrent of criticism from major local and national politicians who say it shows law and order has broken down there.

Lawyer and politician Kapil Sibal said there had been "two murders" in Uttar Pradesh - "one, of Atiq and brother Ashraf and two, of Rule of Law".

Vikram Singh, former director general of Uttar Pradesh's state police, told the BBC that Ahmad's murder was unacceptable. "Death in custody is bad enough, murder is worse," he said.

A forensic team examined the spot where the Ahmed brothers were killed

To say Ahmed was a controversial man is an understatement.

The 60-year-old was born in a poor family in Prayagraj and was a school dropout, but over the years he amassed huge wealth, enjoyed political patronage and power and came to wield immense influence in the city of his birth and beyond.

Starting in 1989, he was elected five times as a legislator to the state assembly from the city, and was also elected to the parliament from Phulpur constituency in 2004.

Mr Singh describes him as a sort of "Robin Hood, a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde type of character" who "spent lavishly to help poor people - paying for weddings, giving them money during Eid festivals, and helping poor women buy school uniforms and books for their children".

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But this persona unravelled as Ahmed was accused of kidnappings, murders, extortion and land grabs.

More than 100 cases were registered against him and he was said to be involved in as many more "but the victims were too afraid to lodge complaints", he added.

Over two decades Ahmed had spells in prison but but he maintained his sway over Uttar Pradesh's underworld and ensured his men were protected.

But after the regional Samajwadi Party severed ties with him and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state that Ahmed's influence began to wane.

He was arrested for assault in 2017 and was later moved to a prison in the western state of Gujarat.

The most recent action against him started in February when footage emerged that showed a group of men killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party. The Ahmed brothers had been accused of involvement in Pal's murder.

The February murder caught on video set in motion a chain of events that has left Ahmed and several members of his family and supporters dead, his wife on the run with a bounty on her head, two of his sons in jail and the remaining two sons who are minors in government protection homes.

Ahmed was brought to Prayagraj to face charges in the case after India's Supreme Court last month declined to hear his petition alleging that there was a threat to his life from the police. His brother was also brought to the city from a prison in another district in the state.

On Thursday, his 19-year-old son Asad and an aide were killed by the police in a so-called encounter - with accusations flying that they were shot dead in a planned execution.

Many parts of Prayagraj were a ghost town on Sunday morning. The main bazaars in the old city - usually buzzing with activity at this time of the year as Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid - were deserted.

Police vans and officers are deployed on almost every street. Internet services are down in most parts. And locals are reluctant to talk to the media or say anything about the murders.

A 40-year-old Muslim man, who didn't want to be named, told the BBC that people were shocked.

"How can somebody be killed in front of the media and the police? He was a convicted criminal I agree, but that doesn't mean he can be shot like that. What about the rule of law?" he asked.

"Many of us are wondering if he was killed because he was a Muslim. I don't know if that's true, but this incident has terrified the city. We deserve better."

Mahant Raju Das, head of Hanumangadhi temple in the town of Ayodhya, however, said that such incidents should not be looked at through a sectarian lens.

"Criminals do not have religion or caste. I appeal to all politicians to not look at crime through a Hindu-Muslim lens," he said, adding that "it is a regrettable incident and raises questions on law and order situation in the state".

"There are still so many mafias in the state. But they should not be killed like this, they should be kept in jail so they should realise their sins."

Additional reporting by Ankit Srinivas from Prayagraj

BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features.
A former Indian politician convicted of kidnapping has been shot dead live on TV along with his brother.

Atiq Ahmed, who was under police escort, was talking to reporters when a gun was pulled close to his head in Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad.

After the shots were fired on Saturday night, three men who had been posing as journalists quickly surrendered and were taken into custody.

Ahmed's teenage son was shot dead by police days earlier.

Dozens of cases, including kidnapping, murder and extortion, were registered against Atiq Ahmed over the past two decades. A local court sentenced him and two others to life in jail in March this year in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed had previously claimed there was a threat to his own life from the police.

Video showed Ahmed and his brother, Ashraf, both in handcuffs, speaking to journalists on the way to a medical check-up at a hospital seconds before they were both shot.

In the footage, shared widely on social media and TV channels, Ahmed is asked whether he attended his son's funeral.

His last words to camera are: "They did not take us, so we did not go."

The three suspected assailants had arrived at the site on motorcycles, the police said. A policeman and a journalist were also injured at the scene.

Following Saturday night's incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial probe into the killings and banned large gatherings in the districts of Uttar Pradesh state to ensure peace.

Experts have raised questions on how a man could be killed in front of the media and the police. BBC Hindi correspondent Anant Zanane reported from Prayagraj that the city was in a lockdown-like situation.

Who was Atiq Ahmed?

He had a long stint both in politics and with the criminal world. He was first accused in a murder case in 1979. In the next 10 years, he emerged as a person who had strong influence in the western part of Allahabad city.

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He won his first election as an independent candidate and became a state lawmaker in 1989. He went on to win the seat for two consecutive terms and his fourth win came as a lawmaker from the regional Samajwadi party (SP).

In 2004, he won a seat in the federal election as an SP candidate and became an MP. Meanwhile, cases continued to be filed against him in Allahabad and other parts of the state.

Ahmed contested a few more elections in the next decade but lost all of them. In 2019, India's top court ordered that he should be moved to a jail in Gujarat state after it emerged that he planned attacks on a businessman from a prison in Uttar Pradesh where he was being held awaiting trial in another case.

He was brought back to Prayagraj in March from Gujarat to appear in a local court as it announced his sentencing in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed was also brought to the city to be questioned in other cases. His brother Ashraf, who was in a jail in Bareilly district, was also brought to the city to be questioned.

They were both being questioned in the February murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Raju Pal had defeated Ashraf in the 2004 assembly elections in Atiq Ahmed's political stronghold.

Umesh Pal was killed in February this year when several people fired at him.

Atiq Ahmed's teenage son Asad and few others were named as the main suspects in the Umesh Pal murder case. Asad and another man were killed by police earlier this week in what was described as a shootout.

'Crime has reached its peak in UP'

Last month India's Supreme Court declined to hear Ahmed's petition in which he alleged there was a threat to his life from the police.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by the Hindu-nationalist BJP, and opposition parties criticised the killings as a security lapse.

"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high," Akhilesh Yadav, chief the opposition Samajwadi Party, tweeted in Hindi.

"When someone can be killed in firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," he added.

More than 180 people facing various charges have been killed by police in the state in the past six years.

Rights activists accuse the police of carrying out extra-judicial killings, which the state's government denies.

The police usually calls them "encounters" - many say these are really staged confrontations which almost invariably end with dead criminals and unscathed police.

Encounters carried out by police are - at least in part - a response to India's grindingly slow and dysfunctional criminal justice system.

BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features.
Suspected Islamic State group fighters killed at least 36 truffle hunters and five shepherds in Syria on Sunday, a monitor said, in the latest attacks by jihadists in the war-ravaged country.

Rami Abdel Rahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP the jihadist group "killed 36 people on Sunday while they were collecting truffles in the desert east of (the central city) Hama".

He said 17 of the dead were pro-regime fighters.

The official Syrian news agency SANA reported the deaths of at least 26 people.

The Observatory, which has a wide network of sources on the ground in Syria, said jihadists riding motorbikes also attacked a group of shepherds in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, killing five and seizing their livestock.

Two other shepherds were kidnapped, the war monitor said.

SANA also reported five dead in the attack, and said the jihadists opened fire on the animals, killing 250 sheep.

Also in Deir Ezzor, the decomposed bodies of two civilians thought to have been truffle hunters killed days earlier by jihadists were recovered, the Observatory said.

Since February, more than 240 people have been killed in IS attacks targeting truffle hunters or by landmines left by the extremists, according to the Observatory.

The victims included 15 people foraging for truffles who had their throats slit by IS last month.

In February, IS fighters on motorcycles opened fire on truffle hunters and killed at least 68 people, the Observatory said at the time.

Syria's desert truffles fetch high prices in a state battered by 12 years of war and a crushing economic crisis.

However, the authorities frequently warn against the high-risk practice of gathering them.

Between February and April each year, hundreds of impoverished Syrians still search for truffles in the vast Syrian desert, or Badia -- a known hideout for jihadists that is also littered with landmines.

- Jihadist remnants -

Syrian truffles are less fragrant than truffles found in France and Italy, and can only be found during the rainy season.

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The prized fungus can sell for up to $25 per kilo (2.2 pounds) depending on size and grade -- in a country where the average monthly wage is around $18.

In March 2019, IS lost its last scraps of territory in Syria following a military campaign backed by a US-led coalition, but jihadist remnants continue to hide in the desert and launch deadly attacks.

They have used such hideouts to ambush civilians, Kurdish-led forces, Syrian government troops and pro-Iranian fighters, while also mounting attacks in neighbouring Iraq.

Syria's war has claimed the lives of around half a million people and displaced millions since it erupted in March 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Remnants of explosives laid by all sides in the conflict are now claiming more lives in Syria than anywhere else in the world, says the United Nations.

Since 2015, landmines and other explosive remnants have on average killed or injured five people every day, according to UN data.

bur-jos/srm/it
About 50 climate activists have been arrested in the Australian state of New South Wales after protesters climbed on a train carrying coal and began shovelling its cargo out of the wagons.

The train was stopped near Newcastle, a major coal export terminal.

Protest group Rising Tide said it was demanding the cancellation of all new coal projects.

Australia is the world's largest coal exporter, and climate change is a hugely divisive issue there.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

The group posted an image on Twitter showing protesters on and around the halted train.

"We have halted coal into the world's biggest coal port, demanding the ALP [ruling Australian Labor Party] heed UN warnings and immediately cancel all new coal projects," it said in the tweet.

Rising Tide said in a statement that 20 of the group had climbed onto the train to unload the coal with shovels, while another 30 provided support.

Police said 47 activists were charged with "rail corridor offences" and released after being issued with court attendance notices.

However, two were charged with malicious damage and one with assaulting a security guard.

Newcastle is described as the world's largest coal export terminal and the largest bulk shipping port on Australia's east coast.

Australia's Labor government has pledged to cut the country's carbon emissions by 43% by 2030, but it has not ruled out new fossil fuel projects.

It sees a carbon emissions trading scheme known as the "safeguard mechanism" as its main means to reach its target.
Authorities are seeking help in locating two missing men from Medford.

The Middlesex County District Attorneys Office said Friday that Pavel Vekshin, 28, and Kiryl Schukin, 37 were last seen March 30.

The two men are from Medford and were reported missing by friends and coworkers on Sunday, April 9.

Officers believe that the mens phones are off but police were able to locate the vehicle of the missing me

Anyone with information is asked to contact Massachusetts State Police at (781) 897-6600 or the Medford Police Department at (781) 391-6767.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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

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Carolina squat truck drivers are in a showdown with local and state officials.

Drivers of the vehicles - modified to ride low to the ground in the back and high in the front - say they want to preserve the rides culture, which has been in the Myrtle Beach area for years.

Police officials, however, want the modified rides banned, saying they pose a danger to public safety.

Their fate may rest with the South Carolina legislators, who are considering doing away with the trucks for good.

What inspired the Carolina squat?

Drivers of whats known as Carolina squat trucks or squatted trucks can be seen coasting along Myrtle Beachs main drag.

Often their trucks are filled with friends, and music is blasting as they interact with people they pass on the crowded sidewalks of Ocean Boulevard.

The Carolina squat is a trendy alteration usually found on a pickup or SUV that lifts the front of the vehicle and lowers the rear.

While Myrtle Beach has been a popular destination for squat truck drivers hoping to show off their rides, it is not clear how squat trucks made their way to the beach town.

Drivers of squat trucks cruise along Ocean Boulevard of Myrtle Beach Saturday night. The trucks are under fire by police and state legislators for safety reasons. April 15, 2023

The California lean, which supposedly comes from Baja Racing, could be the reason for it. Baja Racing is a Mexican off-road motorsport race held on the Baja California Peninsula.

Those trucks, referred to as trophy trucks, use suspension systems and usually sit taller in the front and shorter in the rear.

Hot Cars, an online news source for the auto industry, claims the modified trucks became popular after drivers started sharing photos of their squat trucks on Instagram.

There are dozens of pages and groups dedicated to squat trucks on the photo-sharing app and Facebook. It has even become popular on TikTok, which has several profiles that keep up with with squat trucks.

Local mechanic wants trucks banned

T&R Truck and Auto Repair owner Ron Tacquard refuses service to anyone hoping to get the modification because theyre a danger to drivers and those around them, he said.

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First and foremost, its unsafe, Tacquard said. You cant get the headlights to go right. They blind people, and you cant see over the hood. You cant tell your distances.

Tacquard, whose shop is in the Myrtle Beach area, said he wouldnt even let his daughters ride in them because of how unsafe they are. He agrees with officials that they should be off the roads.

You also have to look at it from a safety standpoint of whats best for your community around you, the local business owner said. If youre going to have something like that, use it for off-road purposes only.

Most of the drivers he sees are young, he said, and dont have enough experience to be driving like that.

As a mechanic, Tacquard also understands the wear and tear that this sort of modification can have on the vehicles engine and transmission.

He said the lift on the front side of the truck forces oil to the back of the truck, causing the oil and water pumps to work harder.

Its basically like taking a brand new vehicle, and doing no maintenance on it and expecting it to hold up with all the pressures that you put on it, Tacquard said. Theyve engineered these vehicles to run a certain way.

Who sits behind the wheel

Brett Michaels, a popular local TikTok user known for his posts about squat trucks, said he wanted to get a low-riding truck because theyre different from everything else on the road.

The 20-year-old grew up loving trucks because his grandad did, too. Michaels watched his grandfather build them, and hes been driving them since he was 17.

The squat trucks, he said, are a part of Myrtle Beach culture. It started in Aynor, but then those drivers brought them to the beach, and thats when it took off, according to Michaels.

The truck community seems to be large in the Myrtle Beach area, and Michaels participates in events when he can.

We do have occasional meets, and the squatted community is fun. We all get together and have a chance to show off what weve built, said Michaels, who used to watch trucks drive by on the speedway near his childhood home in Myrtle Beach.

Michaels, who says he attends Coastal Carolina University, has had three squat trucks and has spent roughly $15,000 toward modifying them. If theyre banned, Michaels said he would just get an airbag suspension on his truck, which allows drivers to adjust the height of their truck at any time with a compressor.

Myrtle Beach is home to many squat truck drivers, but they may be forced to take their rides elsewhere if a state ban goes into effect. Brett Michaels, 20, is a popular TikTok creator known for his posts about squat trucks. He said he doesnt want the Carolina squat to be outlawed.

He has over 762,000 followers on TikTok, and he isnt worried a ban would affect his social media presence.

Michaels said he understands the concern by opponents when it comes to the trucks that are outrageously lifted and squatted, but when its something that we feel is reasonable, thats where the problem arises for me.

Lifted truck driver shares similar concerns about police

Rex Poplin, who is friends and roommates with Michaels, drives a pickup truck. But his doesnt squat; its lifted.

I dont think I could ever drive them because (of) the attention they bring to themselves alone, he said.

He would hate to worry about getting tickets and being hated on by being in the community, the 23-year-old said.

Because his truck is lifted, he is mindful of how high it sits because he has been stopped by the police for his music and the tint of his windows.

Poplin has many friends who drive the low-hanging trucks and is part of the truck community in the Myrtle Beach area.

He thinks if the bill is passed, squat truck drivers will resort to using airbags and has friends who have already made the switch.

SC legislators move forward with bill

In February, state senators voted 39-2 on a measure restricting a vehicles back-to-front height difference to 4 inches  with fines of between $100 and $300 for violators. Chronic offenders could even have their license revoked.

It was sent to the House, but no action was taken on the bill. However, an identical version of that bill made it through the House on April 5 with a vote of 106-0. It is now awaiting action in the Senate.

There was an effort to ban the squat vehicles last year, but the bill was derailed at the last minute and never reached Gov. Henry McMasters desk.

If the bill to ban the modification is adopted in South Carolina, it will join two other southern states, North Carolina and Virginia, with similar bans.

North Carolina banned squat trucks in 2021, and Virginia followed in 2022.

But even before the legislative ban, it appears that some police departments are cracking down on the squat trucks by enforcing laws already on the books.

In late March, according to a viral TikTok video, Myrtle Beach police officers targeted squat truck drivers during Myrtle Beach Truck Week.

In the video, it appears that trucks were towed, and drivers were arrested and cited for road violations, although it isnt clear which ones specifically.

Michaels posted the video, which has received more than a million views.

Some city police officials are concerned about the drivers ability to see, and how the tilted position of the vehicle could result in maximum damage and injury, if wrecked.

Myrtle Beach leaders have been pushing hard for the ban after a pedestrian was killed in the summer of 2021 after being struck by a Carolina Squat  an incident Myrtle Beach police discussed with lawmakers in 2022 while testifying in favor of the ban.

Drivers of squat trucks say police tend to target them because they stand out, and they usually get questioned about their rides alterations.
A new Bellingham law criminalizing drug use in public, the death of 15-year-old girl last month, and the arrest last week of three people for murder in the death of a 5-year-old girl illustrate the scope and humanity of the nationwide fentanyl epidemic thats grown exponentially in recent years.

Total overdose deaths in Whatcom County increased to 89 in 2022, up from 50 in 2021, according to the Whatcom County Medical Examiners Office.

A little more than half those overdose deaths were linked to fentanyl, records show.

Accurate overdose and overdose death figures for 2023 were not immediately unavailable, but Bellingham firefighters are treating patients for suspected overdoses at the rate of 2.5 a day this year, Mayor Seth Fleetwood told the City Council last week.

As recently as 2019  one year before the pandemic  there were 17 total deaths by overdose in Whatcom County, with four linked to fentanyl, according to data from the medical examiner.

Were in a crisis that has grown really, really fast, Fleetwood told the City Council as they were discussing the issue during a Tuesday, April 11, committee meeting.

At the City Council meeting later that night, the parents and sister of the 15-year-old girl who overdosed March 8 implored officials to consider fentanyl a public health crisis.

(Emily) died alone in a tent, in depravity, said her mother, Julia Menke.

I think we need to address children. Teenagers, by nature, are experimental, inquisitive, incredibly impulsive. And they think theyre immortal. They want go out and have fun, they want to party but theyre dealing with a whole new deadly drug, Menke said.

In recent weeks:

 Emily, 15, died of a suspected fentanyl overdose.

 A 5-year-old girl died of a fentanyl overdose and three people are facing murder charges.

 Arne Hanna Aquatic Center was closed for a day after a man died of an apparent overdose.

 Bellingham City Council, at Fleetwoods urging, passed a law making public drug use a misdemeanor subject to arrest, in the same way that using alcohol or marijuana in public is a civil infraction. The measure takes effect Tuesday, April 25.

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Deadly drug

A total of 71,238 people died across the U.S. of fentanyl overdoses in 2021, up from 51,834 in 2020, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fentanyl, which was nearly unheard of five years ago, has now become the street drug of choice because its cheap, easy to get, and easy to use.

Its a synthetic opioid, a prescription painkiller thats about 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the FDA.

It comes in pills that can be taken orally or smoked, and doesnt need to be injected like heroin, according to the National Library of Medicine.

But its euphoric high also suppresses the respiratory drive and users can simply stop breathing.

In a screen grab from a televised hearing at Bellingham City Hall on Monday, March 13, Bellingham Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev, left, and Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig answer City Council members questions about Mayor Seth Fleetwoods plan to criminalize public drug use and create a therapeutic court to help addicts.

Therapeutic court

Fleetwood, working with Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev and others in the legal system, hopes to create a therapeutic court that can help drug users, especially those living on the street, get free of addiction, find work and a place to live.

Community courts generally take an individual and trauma-informed approach rather than the traditional punitive approach typically seen in the criminal justice system, Lev said in a statement at the citys website.

Community courts use a collaborative, problem-solving approach to crime. They provide practical, targeted solutions working to find housing services, education, employment, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, behavioral health services, veterans services and other social connections.

Addressing the crisis

Officials at the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services are also seeing an alarming rise in overdoses.

Data reported statewide to public health officials show a rise in emergency room visits related to drug overdoses by Whatcom County residents, said Marie Duckworth, a Health Department spokeswoman.

Data collected from Whatcom County residents at all medical facilities in the state shows that In the last five months:

 Overdose-related emergency visits for any drug have increased by 60%.

 Emergency room visits for overdoses have doubled.

 Fentanyl-identified emergency visits have nearly tripled.

Erika Lautenbach, director of the county Health and Community Services Department, told The Bellingham Herald that her agency has a multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use and overdoses that includes prevention efforts, education and treatment.

We recognize that this is both a national emergency and a local crisis, Lautenbach said in an email.

In a screengrab from video, Erika Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services, addresses a Bellingham City Council committee on Monday, April 11.

Our strategies start with primary prevention services, which include partnerships with school and community-based organizations that deliver evidence-based programs to prevent substance use among youth. The department also works with a number of prevention coalitions to promote risk reduction strategies. This includes efforts such as promoting safe medication storage, proper disposal, and asking parents and caregivers to talk with youth about the risks and harms of substance use, Lautenbach said.

Health Department workers also train people to recognize when someone may have overdosed, and their Harm Reduction Program provides free Narcan, an easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse an overdose.

In 2018, they gave away 487 Narcan kits, Duckworth said.

Last year, that number was 1,195.

This year so far, theyve distributed 816 kits of two doses each, she said.

In addition, the Health Department offers help to those who want to fight addiction, Lautenbach said.

Our Response Systems programs also work with people who are familiar faces of emergency services to voluntarily get them connected with supports that can include treatment for substance use, along with other wrap-around care that they might need like housing, mental health, and other basic needs, she told The Herald.

We know that when someones basic needs are being met they are more likely to become stable and avoid relapse, Lautenbach said.

Do you know the signs of an opioid overdose? Heres how to help, where to find resources
With increased restrictions on abortion in the state looming, the number of baby boxes, where newborns can be surrendered anonymously without repercussions for the mother, is growing.

The newest one, the 131st in Indiana, is at Monroe Fire Protection District's Station 25 on North Old Ind. 37 in Bloomington. It was blessed and dedicated during a ceremony on Thursday.

Indiana's 2017 Safe Haven law allows the anonymous surrender of an infant 30 days old or younger without threat of prosecution against the mother. The law says infants can be left at fire departments, hospitals and emergency medical stations.

If there are so signs of abuse or neglect, the person surrendering the baby doesn't have to provide any information. If a baby box is used, they might never be seen.

The Safe Haven Baby Box initiative was launched by a woman who was abandoned as an infant and later worked as a firefighter. The boxes facilitate the safe surrender of an infant. Most are at fire stations, which are staffed every day, around the clock.

Christina Hale and her 2-year-old daughter, Rylynn Wyatt, attended a baby box dedication ceremony at the Monroe Fire Protection District station on North Old Ind. 37 in December 2022. Hale's mother initiated fundraising for the project in 2020.

The first baby box in Indiana was installed in the town of Woodburn, near Fort Wayne, in 2016. Since then, 21 babies have been left in the boxes, which are now in seven states.

It's a temperature-controlled box with two doors, one on the outside of the building and another accessible from inside. Silent alarms that notify first responders are triggered when the outside door is opened, when the baby is placed inside and when the door is closed and locks automatically.

Firefighters retrieve the baby, which is transported to a hospital for medical evaluation. After that, the Department of Child Services takes custody of the child and arranges for adoption.

Jodie Lane started raising money in 2020 to help fund a Safe Haven Baby Box Drop Off in Monroe County. It was dedicated in a blessing ceremony in December 2022.

Monroe County resident Jodie Lane started collecting money on Facebook in 2020, hoping to raise $15,000 to fund a local baby box. It was slow going until the fire department's non-profit volunteer organization donated $11,000 to the cause, which sealed the arrangement.

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Lane was at the blessing and dedication with her daughter and granddaughter, proud that her efforts helped bring about this option for women in difficult circumstances. "It's a really a wonderful thing to see," she said.

Battalion Chief Jason Allen said the location, just north of Bloomington and right off Interstate 69, makes the fire station an ideal spot for a baby box. He said it will be tested twice a month to make sure it's in good working order. They have baby supplies at the ready.

This is the only baby box in Monroe County. There was one at the City of Bloomington's downtown fire station at Fourth and Lincoln streets, but it was decommissioned in the summer of 2021 when flooding moved the station to a temporary site blocks away. The baby box is still there on the Lincoln Street side of the building, locked and with a sign saying it's in a testing phase and can't be used.

This baby box at Bloomington's former downtown fire station on Fourth Street is no longer open.

There are several other Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the area: at the Owen County EMS station in Spencer, the downtown Martinsville fire department and the Bedford Fire Department on H Street.

For a list of all locations, go to https://shbb.org/locations.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Volunteers raise $15,000 for baby box at a Monroe County fire station
LOS ANGELES, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Republican-led House of the U.S. state of Montana Friday approved a bill banning TikTok in the state, triggering nationwide opposition arguing that it infringes on citizens' rights to free expression and access to information.

According to the bill, entities such as Apple and Google's app stores and TikTok itself would be prohibited from allowing residents in Montana to download TikTok.

Entities that violate the ban will face penalties of up to 10,000 U.S. dollars per day, read the bill, without specifying how the state would enforce or monitor the ban.

The prohibition will take effect from January 2024 if enacted.

However, a representative from the tech group TechNet said it would be impossible to enforce the law as Apple and Google app stores are unable to geofence apps on a state-by-state basis.

A previous version of the bill had required Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block connections to TikTok in Montana, a task that ISP representatives said was not feasible.

Soon after Friday's vote, TikTok condemned the bill on both logistical and First Amendment grounds.

"The bill's champions have admitted that they have no feasible plan for operationalizing this attempt to censor American voices and that the bill's constitutionality will be decided by the courts," TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement on Twitter.

"We will continue to fight for TikTok users and creators in Montana whose livelihoods and First Amendment rights are threatened by this egregious government overreach," she said in the statement.

In an open letter sent to the Montana House of Representatives, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Montana, and half a dozen free speech and civil liberties organizations pointed out that passing the legislation would flout the First Amendment and trample on Montanans' constitutional right to freedom of speech.

The ACLU called the move a violation of free speech rights that "would set an alarming precedent for excessive government control over how Montanans use the Internet."

"The government cannot impose a total ban on a communications platform like TikTok unless it is necessary to prevent extremely serious, immediate harm to national security. But there's no public evidence of harm that would meet the high bar set by the U.S. and Montana Constitutions," said the ACLU.

Riana Pfefferkorn, a research scholar at the Stanford Internet Observatory, said the jurisprudence of the First Amendment was clear on this case.

"It's clearly unconstitutional," she told the U.S. monthly Wired, as Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen "admitted the purpose was to keep people from both saying and hearing legal speech."

Moreover, civil rights advocates noted that Montana's bid against TikTok was just the latest example showing that the U.S. authority tried to cite so-called "national security" as an excuse to violate people's legal rights.

"Government has long appealed to 'national security interests' to justify intrusions on protected First Amendment activity," said Ari Cohn, free speech counsel at TechFreedom, a non-profit, non-partisan technology think tank based in Washington, D.C.. 
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said he had discussed with China and the United Arab Emirates joint mediation in resolving Russia's war in Ukraine and called for the formation of a "political G20" to end the war.

Source: Da Silva, in a comment to journalists in Abu Dhabi, at the end of his visit to China and the UAE, reports France24 with reference to AFP

Details: The Brazilian president, who has faced accusations of being too friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, also said that the war was allegedly caused by "decisions made by the two countries".

Quote: "President Putin is not taking any initiatives to stop the war. Ukraine's Zelenskyy is not taking any initiatives to stop the war... Europe and the US continue to contribute to the continuation of the war. Therefore, they must sit down at the negotiating table and say: Its enough.."

More details: Da Silva has said that he had spoken with UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping about creating a group of intermediary countries modelled on the G20, a group of developed countries with large economies.

"The G20 was created to help the [global  ed.] economy, which was in crisis. Now it is important to create another G20 to end this war and establish peace. This is my intention and I think we will be very successful. Yesterday, I spoke with the Sheikh about the war. I talked about the war with Xi Jinping. And I think that we are meeting people who prefer to talk about peace rather than war. So I think we will be successful," the Brazilian president said.

He has also said that he had already discussed his initiative with US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders of some South American countries.

Background:

On 6 April, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proposed that Ukraine cede the Crimean peninsula to Russia to put an end to the war.

In response to that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that Ukraine does not trade its territories.

On 15 April, da Silva said that the United States should "stop encouraging" the war in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday again proposed establishing a group of countries not involved with the Russia-Ukraine war to broker peace, saying he had discussed the matter with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping earlier this week.

"I think we need to sit on a table and say, 'that's enough, let's start talking' because war never brought and will never bring any benefit to humanity," said Lula, who has been critical of the United States and the European Union for their role in the conflict.

The Brazilian president told reporters in Abu Dhabi, where he finished a trip to Asia, that he was trying to gather a group of leaders that "prefer to talk about peace rather than war."

He cited Xi and the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both of whom he met this week.

Lula had previously said the group should gather countries not "encouraging" war, adding that nations that are supplying weapons should be convinced to stop doing so.

The United States and the European Union have been providing Ukraine with weapons and other support since Russia invaded the neighboring country more than a year ago. Germany earlier this year reportedly asked Brazil to supply arms as well, but Lula refused.

Lula repeated that the decision to start war was "made by two countries," appearing to also place some blame on Ukraine, and added that ending it will be harder as more nations would need to be persuaded.

"We are trying to form a group of countries that have no kind of involvement with the war to talk to Russia and Ukraine, but also the U.S. and EU, to convince people that peace is the best way to establish a process of conversation," Lula said.

Lula had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier this year. On Monday, his administration will host Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Brasilia.

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo and Eduardo Simoes in Sao Paulo; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
When the United States became independent in 1776, Texas was far from the scene. However, one of the key figures of that era, Benjamin Franklin, still had an impact on Texas and its own independence decades later. Richard Bache, Jr., Franklins grandson, fought in the Texas Revolution, served in the Texas navy, and served in the first sessions of the Texas State Senate.

Richard Bache, Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1784. His father, Richard Bache, Sr., was the second postmaster general of the United States, following Benjamin Franklin in the position and serving in the midst of the American Revolution from 1776 to 1782. He had married Franklins only daughter, Sarah, several years earlier and had eight children with her.

As a child, Bache had gotten to know his famous grandfather, who died in Philadelphia in 1790. His brothers and cousins achieved varying degrees of fame and success as engineers and publishers, following in their famous grandfathers footsteps in one way or another. In 1798, he watched his older brother, Benjamin Franklin Bache, run afoul of the notorious Alien and Sedition Acts when his newspaper, the Aurora, printed articles critical of President John Adams. Unfortunately, he died before the case went to trial.

Bache attended Philadelphia schools and eventually enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1812 just before the War of 1812 erupted. Once this new war with Great Britain erupted, he organized a volunteer artillery unit. The Philadelphia-based Franklin Flying Artillery earned acclaim during the war, with Bache serving as captain. He also briefly served in the navy.

After the war ended, he served as postmaster of Philadelphia, serving from 1815 to 1828. It was this same position that his grandfather occupied from 1737 to 1753, making Bache part of the third generation in his family to serve as a postal executive.

Because of his familys reputation, Bache maintained close connections with politicians across Pennsylvania. In 1805, he married Sophia Dallas, the daughter of United States Attorney Alexander Dallas. Alexander Dallas rose to become Secretary of the Treasury under President James Madison in 1814, while his son George, the namesake for the present-day City of Dallas, became vice-president under President James K. Polk in 1845. The Baches marriage produced nine children.

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In 1832, Bache fled to Texas under a cloud of suspicion, leaving his family behind. The reasons were never clear. Some biographers suggested he fled debt collectors while others point to whispers of accusations that embezzlement had occurred at the Philadelphia post office during his tenure as postmaster. However, no charges of any illegal activity were ever filed.

He settled in the Brazoria area near modern-day Houston. When the Texas Revolution reached Southeast Texas in spring 1836, Bache joined the Louisiana Independent Volunteers to continue the fight. He was part of the San Jacinto campaign in April 1836 when Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was captured in the aftermath. Gen. Sam Houston made him part of the group of soldiers guarding Santa Anna.

Under the administration of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar, the Texas navy was re-established. In 1838, Bache served as chief clerk for the new navy. With the purchase of the steamship Zavala, Bache dusted off his experience from the United States Navy and served Texas on the high seas on the new vessel.

In 1842, he moved to Galveston to serve as commissioner of the navy yard and as customs collector. Shortly afterward, he was elected a justice of the peace, a small-claims court judge, for Galveston County.

By 1845, the question of annexation to the United States again emerged. Many people in the United States and Texas alike were excited about the prospect of the merger. Bache was selected as a delegate to the Annexation Convention. However, Bache was in the minority and voted against annexation; but his reasons were more personal than political. As his grandfather had a falling out with his own parents and his own son throughout his life, Bache periodically would find himself at odds with members of his own family. After his brother-in-law, George Dallas, became vice-president, Bache soured on the idea of annexation because he did not want to give him a political victory.

Nevertheless, Bache was a delegate at the state constitutional convention and helped craft the first state constitution in 1845. He was also elected to the first session of the new Texas State Senate, representing the Galveston area. He continued to serve in the senate until his sudden death three years later.

His children went on to lead impressive lives of their own. His eldest son, Alexander Bache, was a noted scientist and led what later became known as the U. S. Geodetic Survey. Three of his daughters married men who had considerable achievements. One son-in-law became a congressman while another became Secretary of the Treasury while a third, Gen. William Emory was a noted surveyor along the border between Mexico and the United States.

Bache died in Austin in 1848 at age 64.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bridges: Ben Franklin impacted Texas through Richard Bache, Jr.
Bulgaria's acting Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev said on April 16 that Bulgaria would consider a ban on grain imports from Ukraine following a similar decision by two other EU countries, Poland and Hungary.

According to him, the step is supposed to protect Bulgaria's interests, especially when such a restriction has already been introduced by two other states.

Gechev added that there will be too much grain in the country unless we take appropriate action.

On April 15, the Polish government temporarily banned grain and other food imports from Ukraine until June 30 to protect local farmers.

Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy said on April 16 that Hungary had also banned the import of grain from Ukraine, as well as a number of other Ukrainian agricultural products.

However, Arianna Podesta, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, said on April 16 that such decisions made by countries independently from the EU are unacceptable.

We ask the relevant authorities of both countries to provide additional information to be able to evaluate these measures, Podesta said.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year and Russia's control of the Black Sea, Ukraine has been forced to start exporting overland through neighboring countries.


Tobi Jackson

Website: TobiforSchools.com

Email: tobi.jackson@fortworthsparc.org

Age: 62

Occupation:Executive Director Fort Worth SPARC

Education: M.S. The University of North Texas, B.A. The University of Texas at Arlington

Have you run for elected office before?

Yes, FWISD Board Trustee District 2, current office is FWISD Board President

Please list highlights of your civic involvement.

Boards:



2022 - current Art Of Living Vice President



2021 - current President FWISD Board of Trustees



2021 - current Shaken Baby Alliance Advisory Council



2021 - current UnBound Board of Advisors



2018 - current Medical City Board



2018 - current EVERY TEXAN Board



2015 - current Tarrant County Facilities Finance Board 2006-2010 City of FW Park Board

The 400: Fort Worths Most Influential People - 2018- 2023

Volunteer experience listed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobi-jackson-78a5707/details/volunteering-experiences/

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Tobi Jackson, Cam Sadler and Ryan Catala on the January 17, 2023 Campaign Finance Report

What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)?

For the first time in decades, the FWISD board has a majority of first term trustees. While this provides a fresh perspective, the balance of my tenure as a trustee with three decades experience in business, as a classroom educator, administrator and two terms as board president delivers extreme value to our students, employees, parents, taxpayers and our board. FWISD hired a new superintendent, is in the midst of a major reorganization, closing out our $748M bond of 2017 and embarking upon the single largest bond in the history of FWISD at $1.2B, now more than ever: experience matters.

What are the biggest issues in this race?

Building parental and community engagement to deliver exceptional student achievement and opportunity for every student regardless of zip code and circumstance.

Our priority must be to strengthen our financial position to deliver a balanced budget for taxpayers and stakeholders.

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The 2021 bond contains $1.2B to reconstruct all middle schools and build 4 brand new elementary schools. These reconstructed and new schools will deliver state of the art learning academies for our students, educators and community of today and future generations. Adequate oversight of these significant construction projects to ensure they are delivered on time and under budget, is paramount.

Pat Carlson

Website: PatCarlsonforFWISD.com

Email: pat-carlson@sbcglobal.net

Age: 74

Occupation: Business owner

Education: Two years of college & 40 years of hands on learning

Have you run for elected office before?

TCGOP Chair and Texas State Representative

Please list highlights of your civic involvement.

Volunteer at Euless Crisis Pregnancy Ctr.



20 yr volunteer lobbyist during Tx legislative sessions on issues for TX families



Advisory Council of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary



Board of Trinity River Authority

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

N/A

What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)?

I want to put as much money into the classroom instead of departments like the Racial Equity Department now costing $2 million dollars.

What are the biggest issues in this race?

Transparency and responsiveness to parents concerns; raising the expectations of student learning outcomes; Curriculum such as the SHAC sex education now being reviewed
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Netflix

The Cardcaptor Sakura anime premiered more than 25 years ago this month, and my insides are turning to dust just thinking about it. Based on the beloved manga by artist collective CLAMP and animated by the well-known studio Madhouse (Death Note, Monster), the TV adaptation debuted in Japan on April 7, 1998. It would go on to be dubbed into English, then renamed Cardcaptors in the West.

Cardcaptors became integral to my after-school routine in the early 2000s. Racing home, Id dump myself in front of the TV to watch each new episode. Then, once finished, Id rewind the VHS on which Id harangued my mother to tape every episode and watch it again (this time to catch the 10 minutes Id missed while walking home). That tape is long gone, but a quarter-century after its release, Cardcaptor Sakura remains belovedby me and by other fans; not so much by my motherfor its enduring portrayal of youth and, more pointedly, its revelatory queerness unlike anything on TV at the time, all wrapped in a kid-friendly monster of the week package.

The series follows Sakura, a fourth-grader who lives with her widowed father and teenage brother, Toya. One evening after school, Sakura accidentally releases the seal on a book containing the magical Clow Cards, which house fantastical spirits that suddenly disperse across the city. With the help of the books pudding-loving guardian, Keroberos, and her best friend Tomoyo (more on that later), Sakura sets out to catch and return the Clow Cards to the book, in an arc spanning 70 episodes and two feature films.

Only 70 episodes and two short movies isnt a long run by 1990s mainstream anime standards. Yet Cardcaptor Sakura grew with its pre-teen audience in small, relatable increments. In the face of the perpetual agelessness of Ash Ketchum, Cardcaptor Sakura offered a sense of momentum across its series-long narrative. Most meaningfully, its story offered a more grown-up alternative to anime available to Western kids at the time.

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Though it tapped into pointedly 90s trends, including copious rollerbladeswhich 10-year-old me thought were wicked-cool, though never cool enough to actually tryCardcaptor Sakura never felt cynical. Its earnest tone was helped by Sakura not fulfilling the usual Magical Girl role, commonly held by characters like Sailor Moon. She doesnt fight evil. Rather, she eases restless spirits in a way that mirrors her own feelings of being a preteen: that of being suddenly too young and too old.

With Suzume, the Newest Great Anime Heroine Has Arrived

I didnt want Sakura to be a Super Elementary-School Girl, Nanase Ohkawa, a member of CLAMP, said in an interview published in CLAMP No Kiseki in 2004. She cant do everything; she struggles with math, and she does well with physical exercises. Everything she cooks is fairly simple, like okonomiyaki and pancakes, which might be the most a normal fourth-grader is capable of.

This sense of authentic storytelling is aided by Madhouses track record of realistically proportioned artwork, which positioned Cardcaptor Sakura at odds with other contemporary anime. Removed from the hyper aesthetic of similar-genre shows like Sailor Moon, the anime became remarkably familiar to modern viewers. Sakura may have battled magical beings at night, but during the day, life revolved around homework, baking cakes, doing chores, hanging out with friends, and navigating first loves.

Those relationships form the core of Cardcaptor Sakuras lasting appeal, whether its Sakuras obsession with Yukito, her brothers best friend and later boyfriend, or how sensitively the show handles Tomoyos unrequited romantic interest in Sakura. The shows realistic grounding helps drive home its lessons on the openness of love in all its formslessons that stay with you even two decades after first seeing them.

LGBTQ+ themes were by no means unusual in anime at the time, but Cardcaptor Sakura infused its whole being with the idea that love is love. Importantly, it did so while also making the transition to a less permissive Western media.

In a Comic Book Resources piece from 2020, Anthony Gramuglia asserts how pivotal a non-heteronormative approach to love was to the shows central message. That love exists regardless of all other factors, he writes. The series teaches its target audience of young girls that love knows no bounds.

Through its narratives of fluid sexuality, exploration of gender, and the employ of transgender, bisexual, and agender characters, Cardcaptor Sakura was likely the first introduction many of us young viewers had to non-stereotypical, sympathetic LGBTQ+ characters. For me, the shows open queerness feels especially important in retrospect; I grew up in a bigoted household, and embracing Cardcaptor Sakura was my first step toward shedding everything I ever subconsciously learned from my family.

The Very Queer, 25-Year Legacy of Pokemon Antiheroes Team Rocket

In an interview in the 2001 Card Captor Sakura Memorial Book, Ohkawa spoke of the series diverse, accepting approach to sexuality. I wanted a story with a protagonist who had an open mind towards different family structures, different kinds of love, and different perspectives from society, she said.

Thats not exactly emblematic of 90s Western TVwhich is probably why that open-minded version of Sakura was only seen in Japan. When adapting the show for Western audiences, networks tried to water down its portrayal of the complexity of love. Episodes were edited, reordered, and some werent even shown outside of Japanall to remove allusions to LGBTQ+ themes and align it with other sanitized imports, like Pokemon and Digimon.

The networks couldnt get all of those references out, though. So ingrained were themes of queer love that they managed to break through the multiple layers of censorship in the English-language dub, to maintain the Western Cardcaptors as one of the queerest shows on TV at the time. After all, you can change the script, but the animation remains the same.

Toya giving Yukito his magic remains a remarkably tender moment between two male-coded characters in the dub, even in 2023. SyaoranSakuras classmate and crushmay not have been openly attracted to Yukito as he is in the Japanese original, but he still blushed every time Yukito was near him. And as much as the dub tried to paint Tomoyo and Sakura as Very Good Friends, it was clear, even in English, that Tomoyo harbored strong romantic feelings for Sakura.

I still picked up on the queerness, writes Shamus Kelly in Den of Geek, reflecting upon the series in 2020. Not directly, mind you. I was 9 years old and still hadnt had my first crush yet. [But] because of Toya and Yukito, I was able to figure out my sexuality in a safe way. I wasnt afraid of the slow realization that I liked women and men; I knew it was okay because Cardcaptor Sakura showed it was okay.

Netflix

Cardcaptor Sakura was just that: a welcoming, safe place. And while Sakura and Syaoran ultimately ending up together might seem to undermine the impact of the shows queerness, Ohkawa was keen on fans not seeing it that way.

I am glad that the readers are happy that Sakura and Syaoran got together, but that anyone would think its because they make [an obvious] couple its a little disconcerting, she said in the Card Captor Sakura Memorial Book. Sakura didnt choose Syaoran because hes a boy close to her in age. If Syaoran had been a girl, if they had been far apart in age, as long as he was still Syaoran, I think Sakura would have fallen in love with him. Itd sadden me if you thought theyre a good couple because theyre [heterosexual].

This claim isnt made in performative hindsight, like, say, making Dumbledore gay years after the fact with no textual reference. That Sakura could have ended up with Syaoran regardless of who he was, and that any character could do much the same in their own relationships, was fundamental to the show and to Sakuras charactersomething even censorship couldnt mask.

The Voice of Ash Ketchum Says a Tearful Goodbye to Pokemon

Still, Cardcaptor Sakura remained a risk, even in the more permissive landscape of 90s Japanese anime.

I wondered how the series would be received, since it ran in Nakayoshi [a long-running manga magazine aimed at young girls], but it was received better than I expected, Ohkawa said in 2001, before later adding, There may be people who think that elementary school children are incapable of that much maturity, but there are many children who are that wise, and suffer for it.

For all its popularity, Cardcaptor Sakura wasnt a seminal show in the grand scheme of the medium; it didnt reignite interest in the waning Magical Girl genre, nor did it shake up anime. But it was different. It never assumed incompetence on the part of its young audience. It never claimed that we werent ready for its lessons. It told us things were changing, and thats okayits all okay. Everything will be okay.

Now, with the 25-year-old show streaming on Netflix (in the US, at least) with a more faithful (and gayer) dub, Cardcaptor Sakura can give a newer generation the sense that yes, everything will be okay.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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While levels of COVID-19 are low across the majority of the state, the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a spike in one Eastern Kentucky county.

Kentucky added 1,337 new COVID-19 cases over the course of the last reporting week, between April 6 and 13. Thats fewer than the roughly 1,500 cases reported the week before. At that time, zero Kentucky counties reported elevated community levels of COVID-19.

COVID-19 community levels, updated each Thursday by the CDC, are based on weekly totals of new infections and hospital admissions, along with weekly averages of COVID-occupied hospital beds.

Kentucky also saw slightly fewer virus-related deaths, with the CDC reporting Thursday a total of 55 new deaths in the past week. Thats a dip from the 57 deaths the state saw the week before. Kentucky has an overall COVID-19 death toll of more than 18,000.

Heres the latest on where Kentucky stands with the coronavirus pandemic, including where vulnerable populations should consider masking in public, per CDC guidance.

COVID cases in Kentucky: What the latest CDC data tell us

As of April 13, Letcher County in Eastern Kentucky had jumped from a low to a high COVID-19 community level.

The latest COVID-19 community levels from the CDC, as of April 13, 2023.

At that level, the CDC urges reinstating mask-wearing for individuals indoors in public, regardless of the persons vaccination status and to consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities.

The latest data from the CDC shows that Bath and Montgomery counties have moved out of medium community levels of COVID-19 into low.

In March, the state began reporting COVID data through an interactive dashboard which does not include some previously reported metrics. State officials announced earlier this year they would cease some reporting measures ahead of the end of the national public health emergency in May.

COVID-19 in Lexington

Fayette County remains at a low community level of COVID-19. It reports a case rate of 29.09 cases per 100,000 people and 94 total active cases.

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Between April 1 and 7  the most recent data available from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department  the public health agency reported 148 new COVID-19 cases compared to 120 cases and one death the prior week. No new deaths were reported between April 1 and 7.

The CDC says those who have not received a vaccine since before September 2022 should get boosted. To find a free shot near you, visit vaccines.gov.
This article was provided by HappyValley Industry, an Affinity Connection-run website that highlights local tech companies. Read more and sign up for the newsletter at happyvalleyindustry.com.

Erica Unruhs circuitous route to becoming Centre Countys first female distiller could be described as a happy (Valley) accident.

Unruh was born and raised in Northern California where her family enjoyed homebrewing. It was a hobby that appealed to her, and when she became an adult, she began trying her hand at it too. When her family later planned to open a distillery in Wyoming using the grains they were growing, Unruh decided to join them there, after learning more about the craft.

She enrolled in a course at Moonshine University in Kentucky. The course was an overview of the distillation process and understanding different kinds of grains and how to make different products, Unruh said, adding that the family kept a test still at their Wyoming distillery where Unruh could experiment and use her creativity. That paid off in the form of a bronze medal at the American Craft Spirits Awards for her Pine Bluffs Distillery Rock Ranch Vodka. I compare distilling to cooking, which I enjoy also. I like taking simple grains and turning them into these amazing products like bourbon, whisky and vodka, she said. But Unruh shifted gears when a Penn State recruiter called her with a job opportunity.

A supervisor from a previous job in California recommended me for a position at the university, Unrush said. She worked in the department of campus recreation for two years when she heard that Barrel 21 at 2255 N. Atherton St. needed a distiller. This was in September 2021 and their distiller was going to Boalsburg to be a brewer there, she said, adding that she sorely missed distilling. For me, it was perfect timing, she said.

Working at Barrel 21 has been a blast, Unruh said. They are very supportive of my ideas and allow me creative control, she said. This creative control has led to interesting spirits like pickle vodka, which pairs well with Bloody Marys, and jalapeno vodka, which lends a nice kick to Moscow Mules. And recently, Barrel 21 released an agave spirit. I am not aware of any distillers in Pennsylvania who are doing that, she said.

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If theres one challenge that a woman faces in a male-dominated industry, its mostly that of perception, Unruh said. I could be in the tasting room attached to our distillery sharing the details of how various spirits are made and a male walks in and the next thing you know, they are asking if hes the distiller, Unruh said. The mistaken identity may be a thing of the past after she appears on the Discovery Channel.

Appearing on Moonshiners: Master Distiller

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry does have its benefits, however.

When Unruh first got a Facebook message from Moonshiners saying that the show was looking for female recruiters, she thought it was spam. But curiosity got the best of her and she began researching and discovered that the message was, in fact, legit. She wrote back and agreed to a phone interview, which was followed by a Zoom audition and finally an opportunity to appear on a spiced rum episode to demonstrate her ability in front of a panel of judges.

It was an incredible, albeit challenging, experience to be put on the spot in front of the judges and a ton of cameras and compete against actual moonshiners, Unruh said, adding that the contestants were used to building their own stills and running them in smaller quantities, whereas Unruh is used to working with 500 gallons at a time.

To complete the moonshine aspect, Unruh and the contestants mashed outside in the woods. That was definitely unique compared to what Im used to and appealed to my naturally competitive side, especially when it came to the limited amount of time we had to complete the tasks, knowing that one person was going to be eliminated at each challenge, she said. Unruh wasnt given a specific run date for the episode but was told it would air in April or May.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience was something that Unruh said she will savor for years to come, and the fact that shes making a name for herself in Happy Valley is just icing on the cake. I love this area, from the people, to the landscape that is similar to Northern California. Its family-friendly and we love hiking and being outside. My 4-year-old daughter, Josephine, loves it here too. Plus, my husband works as a brewer at New Trail, so were both working in the beverage industry in jobs we love, she said.
NORFOLK, Va. - Ensign Caroline Thiel, a native of Chillicothe, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Ensign Caroline Thiel, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Thiel joined the Navy one and a half years ago. Today, Thiel serves aboard USS Mesa Verde.

I joined because my dad was in the Navy, so I always heard him talk about it, said Thiel. I learned about Westpoint and figured there had to be a Navy equivalent, so I went to the United States Naval Academy and now Im here.

Growing up in Chillicothe, Thiel attended Unoto High School and graduated in 2017.

Skills and values similar to those found in Chillicothe are similar to those required to succeed in the military.

My hometown taught me compassion towards other people, said Thiel. Compassion goes a long way in the Navy, especially being a Division Officer. I put people first and I am considerate of their lives inside and outside of the Navy.

These lessons have helped Thiel while serving aboard USS Mesa Verde.

USS Mesa Verde is an amphibious transport dock. According to Navy officials, these types of warships embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.

Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.

As a member of the Navy, Thiel is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

The Navy plays a huge role in national defense, said Thiel. Power projection is the purpose of our deployments. We let the world know we are a power at sea, on land and in the air.

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

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"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."

Thiel and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

My proudest Navy accomplishment is being the Junior Officer of the Deck for general quarters, said Thiel. I am glad my leadership trusts me enough to be on the bridge helping to drive the ship.

As Thiel and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

Being in the Navy means serving my country, making my family proud and helping protect the people of America, said Thiel.

Thiel is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

I would like to thank my parents, Stacy and Daniel, for supporting me every step of the way, added Thiel. I would also like to thank my husband, Aaron Conway, for his constant love and support. He is a Marine, and dual military relationships are never easy, but he supports me through everything.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe native serves aboard Navy warship in Norfolk
BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -China launched a weather satellite on Sunday as civilian flights altered their routes to avoid a Chinese-imposed no-fly zone to the north of Taiwan which Beijing put in place because of the possibility of falling rocket debris.

Taiwan's transport ministry said Beijing had initially notified Taipei it would impose a no-fly zone from Sunday to Tuesday but later said that period had been reduced to 27 minutes on Sunday morning after Taiwan protested.

The no-fly announcement rattled regional nerves as it followed shortly after China staged new war games around Taiwan, which Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China's main contractor for its space programme, said the weather satellite Fengyun 3G had successfully launched from the northwestern province of Gansu at 9:36 a.m. (0136 GMT).

The satellite then entered its set orbit, the contractor said, describing the launch as a "complete success". The Fengyun 3G is a low-earth orbit satellite designed to track rainfall.

It did not say what the flight path of the Long March 4B rocket carrying the satellite was, but the time coincides with China's previous announcement about the no-fly zone.

China has said it is inaccurate to call it a no-fly zone, though Taiwan has issued a notice to airmen, or NOTAM, that uses the wording "airspace blocked due to aerospace flight activity".

Taiwan's defence ministry said some debris from the rocket launch had fallen into the "warning zone" off the island's northern coast, but it did not affect Taiwan's territorial safety.

Flights to and from Taiwan and China, Taiwan and South Korea and Taiwan and Japan were amongst those detouring around the zone on Sunday morning, according to routes tracked on Flightradar24.

Normal flight paths resumed shortly after 10 a.m. (0200 GMT).

The zone is in an area over the East China Sea slightly northeast of Taiwan that routinely sees heavy civilian flight traffic.

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Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration said in a one-hour period starting from 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) 33 flights had to alter their routes, adding an extra five to 10 minutes of flying time.

China has denounced what it has called hype around China's space activities and an attempt to escalate confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  Kris Aquino has shared to her supporters that she will take a new treatment plan next week, something she hopes to endure with the help of her "excellent team of doctors."

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Kris listed her doctors in the United States and said she was grateful for their "excellence and real compassion."

"I have many limitations when it comes to medicine & treatments because of my allergies and/or adverse reactions YET they both found treatments that given time can help me get my health back," she said.

Her social media post included a video where she was seen taking a series of tests and her doctors explaining her current health situation.

The 52-year-old television host and actress is in the US since June last year to undergo treatment for her auto-immune diseases.

"My last numbers were alarming because maraming bumagsak na sana steady lang at 'yung mga nanahimik (like my ANA titer) nagparamdam ulit," she wrote.

[Translation: My last numbers were alarming because many dropped that should have been steady and those that kept quiet (like my ANA titer) are resurfacing.]

"Pinaalala sa 'kin na 'yung 4 diagnosed autoimmune ko, pwedeng maging 5 or 6 [I was reminded that my four autoimmune diseases could turn to five or six], and my major organs like my heart & lungs can suffer permanent damage," she added.

Kris said she is getting a new treatment next week along with her biological injectable and is praying that she can endure the health procedures.

She called her friends, family, and supporters as her rainbow, and thanked them for giving her hope and courage to "keep the faith and trust God's merciful love."

The Queen of All Media said her supporters deserved a health update but asked them to give her, as a gift, her "private life" during her "journey of healing."

As a reaction to her post, Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste sent a hug, a yellow heart, and pray emojis.

Although Kris said Leviste has been a blessing to her, she told Batanguenos she will not bother the politician anymore so that he could focus on his constituents.

Leviste, whom the socialite called her "best male friend" after being teased with dating rumors, visited the celebrity and her sons in the US on New Year's Day. He also spent time with Kris on her birthday, which coincided with Valentine's Day.
China declared it was "ready to fight at all times" after concluding an unprecedented, three-day-long war games in the waters around Taiwan in retaliation against the Taiwanese president's visit to the US.

Although a full-scale invasion is unlikely, experts suggest that Taipei at best would be able to deter Chinas military might, till its allies responded.

The Chinese military began the combat readiness patrol" around the self-governed island on Saturday following president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with House speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

Beijing simulated a complete attack on the island from missile bombardment to sealing off the island by blocking sea and air traffic. The war games not only serve as intimidation, but also as an opportunity for the Chinese troops to practice locking the island in case of an actual attack.

Beijing had reacted in a similar manner to former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in 2022.

The military harassment has only grown since then with China flying record numbers of aircraft into Taiwan's airspace.

The communist government claims Taipei is obliged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations.

The drills have been condemned by Japan and the US  one of Taiwan's strongest allies.

China has the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with over two million active soldiers and 510,000 in reserve.

Taiwan, in comparison, has 169,000-strong active military personnel and is currently backed by some 1.66 million civilian warriors, according to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Both the mainland and the self-governed island have substantially increased their defence budget this year amid escalating tensions between the Asian countries.

China in March announced defence spending at $225bn, a 7.2 per cent rise and the quickest rate of increase since 2019. Then-premier Li Keqiang warned that "external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating".

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"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board," he said as he presented the government's annual work report.

The Taiwanese administration also beefed up the defence budget this year to $19bn, a nearly 15 per cent increase from last year. The allocations were made for enhancements to air and naval combat systems to counter China's incursions.

During the latest combat exercises, China focused on "anti-access and area denial", a Taiwanese government official told Financial Times, referring to a strategy of blocking US forces from entering and operating in airspace and waters close to China.

There were a lot of simulated attacks on aerial and sea targets, focused on keeping forces out that would be arriving from outside the island chain.

China has a massive fleet of 86 naval ships and 59 submarines, whereas, Taiwan operates 26 naval ships and just four submarines.

In terms of airpower as well, China outnumbers Taiwan with over 2,921 warplanes, including the J-20s. Taipei is reported to have 744 aircraft in its arsenal.

Taiwan has 650 tanks to defend against China's 4,800 tanks. In terms of self-propelled artillery, China's fleet consists of 9,550 compared to Taiwan's 2,093.

Meanwhile, Taiwan said it has launched an annual large-scale drill on Thursday jointly with its disaster services and defence ministry. Last year, the government revamped the disaster-preparedness drills to include more wartime scenarios.

This year, the administration said, that trend would continue with war preparedness, which will comprise 70 per cent of the drills contents.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said the various investigations into former President Trump make a hypothetical GOP presidential primary win uncertain.

No, I dont think that the field [is] starting to look like Trump, Christie said on ABCs This Week. In fact, you know, when youre indicted in one place, and youre facing investigations [in] two others, it makes you at least an uncertain winner. But again, hes the former president. So of course hes going to be the frontrunner. He has the best name ID in the race, of anybody else running, but you already have four other candidates now who are announced in.

Trump earlier this month became the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal charges and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. A 2024 candidate to retake the White House, hes fundraised off the Manhattan prosecutors probe he has branded a witch hunt.

At the same time, Trump is also under scrutiny from two special counsel inquiries and another district attorney probe in Georgia.

Trump, who declared his 2024 bid back in November shortly after the midterms, has since been joined in the Republican primary ring by his former ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R).

Other top Republicans, including Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) are also widely considered potential contenders.

Christie has not announced his plans regarding a possible 2024 White House run.

This is not going to be a 2016 field, the former governor said on Sunday, adding that there are going to be six to eight candidates that are going to be running.

Itll be a normal-type sized field. But certainly its not going to be a field that Donald Trump has cleared, he said.

Hutchinson and Haley are substantial people who are going to have something to say, Christie added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A conservative, Christian college has tripled its enrollment in the last decade by establishing a "new model for higher education" that makes college affordable to all socioeconomic classes, the university president told Fox News.

"When families hear that there's an affordable private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, it's very attractive to come and visit," Grand Canyon University president Brian Mueller said. "Core competency, we think, is to understand where the economy is going, where the jobs are going to be, how people can build great careers and how they can do it without taking on large amounts of debt."

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

Grand Canyon University, a private Christian college in Phoenix, Arizona, founded in 1949, has grown from 7,602 on-campus students in 2012 to 25,350 in 2022, according to a university spokesperson. Online enrollment also doubled in the last decade.

"Every class is another record-breaking class in terms of numbers," Mueller said. "In the next 10 years or less it will grow somewhere around 50,000 students. We have acquired the land and have the building process in place to do that."

HOMESCHOOLERS FLOCK TO THIS SMALL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THAT COUNTERS IVY LEAGUE'S CULTURE

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In 2008, Mueller joined GCU as their president when the college had only around 1,000 students. Since then, GCU has invested billions into the campus and grown its academic programs from 100 to 300 for on-campus and online students as students flooded in, the university president said. Mueller attributed some of the university's growth to the college building up the campus in a disadvantaged neighborhood, freezing tuition costs and offering generous scholarships.

GCU enrollment triples in the last decade as the campus grows in West Phoenix.

"We were in a neighborhood that was very, very challenged from a crime perspective, from a poverty perspective," Mueller said. "But we thought we could use this to create a new model for higher education, one that would make it affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans."

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GCU, which is located in West Phoenix, offers free tutoring to local K-12 students and provides a full-tuition scholarship program to local high school students that is meant to encourage more low-income, first generation students to go to their college.

The university also launched several local businesses that generate jobs for students and residents.

"When you're able to do that, you're able to fulfill the real goal and objective of higher education, which is to lift all boats," Mueller said.

"Higher education should be a great democratizing force in our country," Mueller told Fox News.

NEW POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF AMERICANS NOW THINK COLLEGE DEGREES ARE NOT WORTH THE COST: WAKE UP CALL

Lower tuition costs have driven student debt down, creating "an environment where socioeconomically we're extremely diverse," Mueller said.

The average GCU student paid $9,200 in tuition before scholarships this past year and about $8,897 for room and board on campus, a university spokesperson told Fox News. In 2022, the college offered $180 million in scholarships. Costs are kept low by employing a small staff to serve both in person and online students.

The numbers run counter to other private universities across the country. Average tuition for private institutions increase 4% in 2022-2023 to $39,723, according to an annual U.S. News and World Report survey.

HOW A SMALL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE IN NEW YORK IS TRYING TO PULL ITSELF FROM THE BRINK FINANCIAL RUIN

"We haven't raised tuition for 10 years," Mueller said. "And the average student graduates with less debt than the average state university student."

The average debt level for GCU graduates was $21,557, according to a university spokesperson. In comparison, the debt of college graduates at private institutions averaged $31,820 in 2021, according to a U.S. News and World Report survey of 1,047 colleges.

GCU offers cheaper tuition costs and fees as Ivy League institution's hover around $80,000.

The university president says he expects GCU to double in size in the next decade.

"We thought in the past small and elite won the day in higher ed," Mueller said. "The future is going to be very large, very scalable [and] very flexible being able to educate people across the lifespan."

To watch Mueller's full interview, click here.
At the Rome headquarters of the United Nations' World Food Programme (or WFP), Cindy McCain may still be learning her way around the building, but as the agency's new executive director she needs no introduction to the mission and potential of the agency she now runs, nor one of her biggest responsibilities: raising money. "I've only been on the job 24 hours, but I know I'll spend a good portion of my time fundraising, and making sure we have the means to do what we need to do," she said.

WFP is comprised of more than 20,000 people working in 123 countries, with the ambitious, and increasingly challenging, goal of ending world hunger. But WFP tells us currently they have a quarter of the funds they need  a $17-billion gap  which is causing cutbacks.

In this March 2022 file photo, Ambassador Cindy McCain visits World Food Programme (WFP) operations in Kenya. Beginning this month McCain is serving as executive director of the WFP, at a time the world is facing an unparalleled food crisis. / Credit:  USA Mission to the UN in Rome

Doane asked, "What prepares you for those sorts of decisions, to decide who can eat, who can't eat?"

"I don't know yet, because I haven't had to make a decision like that," McCain replied. "I know that's coming."

WFP delivered food assistance to 158 million people last year, but says nearly 350 million people need it. It's an "unprecedented food crisis," they say, worsened by COVID, supply chains, cost, and conflict. Ukraine once produced about half of the WFP's wheat supply.

The United States is WFP's biggest donor, contributing more than $7 billion last year. China, by comparison, is #44 on the donor list, giving just about $12 million.

Doane asked, "Will you go after China to donate more?"

WFP executive director Cindy McCain. / Credit: CBS News

McCain replied, "I don't know if 'go after' is the right word, but I certainly will be engaged with China, as well as the Middle East, and some other parts of South America as well." She also aims to raise corporate funding.

McCain has dedicated much of her life to humanitarian work, and over the last year-and-a-half has been traveling with WFP in her role as the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. agencies in Rome.

Doane said, "You've been critical of Russia in the past in your role as ambassador."

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"As ambassador, yes."

"Now, you work for the United Nations, which includes all countries. Russia is on the Security Council. Do you regret what you said?"

"No, I was representing the United States of America," she replied. "And, as you know, WFP is nonpolitical. Our goal is to feed people."

"Is that tough, to shed your political side?"

"Well, you know, everybody's got their own personal views. So, I won't say that it's tough to shed it. I keep it in its right silo over here."

McCain has not kept her political views siloed in the past, nor did her husband, John McCain, the longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona and Republican presidential nominee. She was outspoken when she endorsed President Biden in 2020 over former President Trump. But reflecting her new role, she avoided commenting on Trump's recent arraignment. "You know, it's the justice system at work; I don't know what else to say," she noted.

"This is a more diplomatic Cindy McCain than we've heard in the past?"

"My kids get a kick out of it!" she laughed.

A lifelong Republican, she's also good friends with the Bidens, who introduced her to John McCain.

Doane asked, "Is there any advice or counsel that your late husband, Senator McCain, gave you?"

"A lot," she replied.

"Is something that still sticks with you today, something that you think about?"

"Do the right thing," McCain said. "He was always about doing the right thing."

"How much have you thought about him in taking on this role?"

"All the time. He's with me at every moment."

"What do you think about?"

"What he would say, what he would think of all this. I know exactly what he would say and what he would think of it. And also, I think he'd be proud, at least I hope he would."

"I can see the emotion in your eyes," Doane said.

"We miss him," McCain replied.

At WFP headquarters, there's a map of flashing lights marking places where food is scarce. It's an insurmountable "to-do" list.

Executive director Cindy McCain shows correspondent Seth Doane a map of countries in desperate need of food. / Credit: CBS News

Doane asked, "What made you decide to do this? This is a challenging job. It's potentially thankless. People will still be hungry. Why not stay home and worry about less challenging things?"

"Well, that's what my kids were asking me before I left," she laughed.

"You don't need the work."

"No," she said, "but I want the work."

It's work  and fundraising  to give food and hope to the world's hungriest.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The United Nations has condemned the killing of three World Food Programme employees in Sudan on Saturday, April 15.

WFP executive director Cindy McCain released a statement on Sunday which read in part: "I am appalled and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday 15 April in violence in Kabkabiya, North Darfur while carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis. Two WFP employees were also injured in the same incident. We have informed the families of these dedicated team members and stand with them and our entire WFP family at this time of catastrophe. ...

"While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan. WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed."



For more info:

United Nations World Food Programme



Story produced by Anna Matranga and Mary Lou Teel. Editor: Lauren Barnello.

Christine Lagarde says U.S. default on debt not possible ahead of approaching deadline

Rep. Mike Turner says there's "damage that's been done" in Pentagon leak

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says states have to "band together" to protect abortion rights
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has claimed on financial disclosure documents that his family received hundreds of thousands in income from a now-defunct real estate firm, according to a new report from the Washington Post.

The Post reports that Thomas said the income came from Ginger, Ltd., Partnership, a real estate firm launched by his wife, Virginia Ginni Thomas, and her family, that was shut down in 2006.

A new firm was opened under the name Ginger Holdings, LLC, according to the report, but Thomas continued to claim income from the unused firm. The Post notes that the discrepancy could be a mere error, but it comes as Thomas faces scrutiny for his finances as he serves on the nations highest court.

A ProPublica report earlier this month said a Republican mega-donor paid for Thomas to take part in various luxury vacations over two decades, which the justice did not disclose. A subsequent report found that Thomas also didnt disclose a 2014 real estate deal hed made with the same Texas billionaire, Harlan Crow.

The revelations sparked outrage, and Thomas said after the report that he was advised that he did not need to disclose the trips  and hasnt yet commented on the real estate deal.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called for Thomas to be impeached over the findings, and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have urged Chief Justice John Roberts to investigate Thomass reported conduct. An ethics watchdog nonprofit organization filed a civil and criminal complaint against the justice.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washing your clothes at 30C rather than higher temperatures could save around 40% of your energy each year, says the Energy Saving Trust

More than two thirds of people feel "very or somewhat worried" about climate change, according to the latest UK census.

But for those on a budget, climate-friendly choices can be harder to afford.

The average upfront cost of buying an electric car is about 10,000 more than buying a petrol car, according to price comparison service Uswitch.

Dr Michelle Deininger, from Cardiff University, said growing costs could be a barrier to living sustainably.

"When you're on zero-hours contracts or surviving on benefits, it can often feel like you don't have much agency over the choices you make or the things you buy," the humanities lecturer said.

So how can you make affordable green choices?

Reduce your food waste

Around 1.3 billion tonnes of food gets wasted each year, flowing into landfill and producing methane which contributes to the climate crisis.

Meal planning can be an affordable way to tackle this.

Postgraduate student Rubie Barker, 22, said she plans her meals for the week.

"It makes sure I am making the most of the food I buy, but it also keeps costs down," the Cardiff University student said.

"We're on limited budgets in a time when everything is getting more expensive. We have to prioritise cost over anything else right now."

A range of food waste apps also exist to allow households and businesses to give away surplus food, either for free or at a reduced cost.

Buy second hand

Darwin Alford, a young entrepreneur and content creator, said charity shops and online marketplaces were another affordable way to make a difference.

The 22-year-old, from Grangetown in Cardiff, has built an audience of 14,700 TikTok followers by teaching people how to live more sustainably.

"I grew up on a low income. Something that I talk a lot about on TikTok is learning how to un-strip guilt and not overly consume," Ms Alford said.

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"You can shop more intentionally by listing what you specifically need so you're not tempted to over consume," she added.

"Make each item you buy last. Repair it when it's broken."

Miss Alford said second-hand fashion apps can also make a great alternative to charity shops.

"The beauty of Vinted, Depop and eBay is that you can shop intentionally. It's more accessible for people who can't get to charity shops, and provides more size options," she said.

Keep it cool

Research by Which UK found washing your laundry on a 40C cotton wash four times a week emitted the same amount of CO2 as driving 230 miles (370 kilometres).

Washing your clothes at a lower temperature can reduce environmental damage whilst also saving you money, the consumer body said.

But how low can you go? According to the Energy Saving Trust, 30C is the ideal temperature.

Washing your clothes at 30C rather than higher temperatures could save about 40% of your energy each year and modern washing powders and detergents are just as effective at this temperature, the Energy Saving Trust said.

The Welsh government said it was working to build a "greener" Wales by "supporting a number of ways we can lead healthier and greener lives while living on a budget."

"Everyone can be a part of tackling climate change," it said.
This Monday, The Georgia Aquarium, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be releasing between 8-11 sea turtles (mix of loggerhead and kemps ridley sea turtles) that have been rehabilitated.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

These turtles arrived at the Georgia Aquarium in November 2022 from Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. These sea turtles were rescued off the coast of New England after they were found suffering from cold-stunning  a condition in which sea turtles become weak and inactive from exposure to extreme cold temperatures.

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2-3 of the patients are undergoing further evaluation by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center veterinarian and may stay on Jekyll Island longer for further care and future release.

The release is happening at 10:00 a.m.

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A Columbus police cruiser

Columbus police continue to investigate a shooting on the city's South Side on Saturday when a homeowner shot and killed a man police described as a trespasser.

Police were called at 6:01 p.m. Saturday on the report of a trespasser in the 600 block of East Whittier Street in the Southern Orchards neighborhood. Before officers arrived, there was another call that a homeowner shot the reported trespasser.

The victim's name is being withheld before he is identified by the Franklin County Coroner's Office and next of kin are told. Police describe the person who was killed as a white man between the ages of 50 and 70. The homeowner has not been charged and is not being named for now.

Three neighborhood residents whom The Dispatch talked to on Sunday morning did not want to give their names for the story. One said the shooting was surprising and shocking. A man who said his family has lived in that part of town for years said he feels comfortable in his neighborhood. "It's happening everywhere," he said of the shooting.

The police homicide unit is investigating. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Columbus police homicide at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

mferench@disaptch.com

@MarkFerenchik

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Police investigate fatal shooting man described as trespasser
Karem Yepez and Alfredo Zapata celebrate the renaming of a Miami street to Alvaro Uribe Way. (Brittny Mejia / Los Angeles Times)

When I heard about Florida's plan to crack down on immigrants who lack legal status, I immediately thought of California's Proposition 187.

The Florida bill, SB 1718, is a grab bag of punitive proposals, requiring hospitals, law enforcement and others to report the immigrants and criminalizing anyone who helps them.

It would even repeal state laws allowing college students who grew up in Florida but arent U.S. citizens to pay in-state tuition and to practice law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican eyeing a run for president, is publicly supporting the bill, arguing that "illegal aliens" are destroying the Sunshine State. Its expected to easily pass the Florida Legislature and become law as early as this summer, if it doesnt get tied up in the courts.

Sound familiar, Californians?

That's because this bigoted brouhaha is the latest grandchild of Proposition 187.

The 1994 ballot initiative also sought to make life miserable for immigrants here illegally by denying them access to public education, social services and healthcare, and forcing government workers to turn them in.

Supporters said the move was necessary to save California; opponents called it racist. Voters approved the measure by a wide margin, but it never became law  a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional, and the state didn't appeal.

The whole ordeal had a famously unintended result: It transformed California from a swing state into the deep-blue monolith it is today.

Young Latinos, many of whom staged school walkouts or joined boisterous rallies, registered to vote Democrat and fill elected offices from school boards to the state Legislature to the U.S. Senate  what's up, Alex Padilla! The Republican Party, which enthusiastically backed Proposition 187, was cast into the political wilderness and is now as relevant in statewide elections as the Bull Moose Party.

Democrats across the U.S. have recited this history like an incantation every time GOP officials push xenophobic policies in states where Latinos are emerging as a political force.

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Maria Campos listens to speakers during a 2019 rally for immigrant rights in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Theyll point to 2006, when a congressional bill against illegal immigration sparked the largest protests since the Vietnam War and a record Latino turnout in the 2008 presidential election. Or 2010 in Arizona, where SB 1070 and the draconian policies of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio spurred Latinos to support President Biden 10 years later, helping him win the state.

That's why my knee-jerk reaction was that SB 1718 would be DeSantis downfall and a turning point for Florida politics. No way would Latinos in a state with a Spanish name that is home to refugees who came with next to nothing and found the American dream, and where Miami stands as a capital of Latin America, would allow the Republican-dominated Legislature to pass it.

But oh, wait. Its Florida.

Progressive Latinos in California and beyond have long stereotyped Florida Latinos as crazy conservative cousins whose politics seem to get redder with each election cycle.

Cuban Americans remain a Republican bulwark. But newer immigrant groups  Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Colombians, Brazilians  have also drifted toward the GOP because of a general belief that Democrats are too soft on leftist leaders in their countries of birth.

Donald Trump tapped into their anti-communist fears and increased his share of the Florida Latino vote from 35% in 2016 to 46% in 2020, which made national headlines. DeSantis, meanwhile, won 58% of Florida's Latino vote in his 2022 reelection, improving on the 44% in his 2018 victory.

Democrats? Their cries of racism and their disinformation campaigns went nowhere, and they offered Florida Latinos little else.

Stoking this rightward turn are Cuban American politicians, who have so embraced the GOP's culture wars that Florida International University political science professor Eduardo Gamarra told me that theyve become the new Anita Bryants. That's the former citrus industry spokeswoman who made national headlines in 1978 for leading a repeal of a Miami-Dade County law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

I called Gamarra, an expert on Latino politics in Florida, because I wanted to know if he thought the Proposition 187 effect might happen there.

Could it be possible that in the next cycle ... that Latinos will turn out in reaction to the bills? he said. Maybe. But if they come out, how are they going to come out?"

Gamarra is working on a survey that asks Florida Latinos how they feel about illegal immigration, which has increased in the state in recent years.

Last year, DeSantis authorized over a million dollars in state funds to fly 48 Venezuelan migrants from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard in a move he freely admitted was a political stunt.

I know just from interviews and conversations with people that there is this view that this is the new Mariel, he said, referencing the 1980 boatlift of over 125,000 Cubans, who were dismissed as criminals by U.S. media and even Cuban Americans.

The way in which [these new immigrants] are being portrayed, Gamarra continued, is that 'Theyre not like us, theyre coming illegally, theyre chusma [riffraff], theyre like the marielitos.' Theyre saying, Yes, we need to have order.

Multiple surveys have shown that younger Latinos are more progressive than their parents, and the professor sees that with his students on issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights.

But in Florida, "when you go and do the polling and do the crosstabs by age, you see that when [its an election], theyre not voting, and when they do, they vote Republican.

Gamarra does see the state as an outlier when it comes to Latino politics. But Geraldo Cadava, a Northwestern University history professor who studies the issue nationwide, told me that SB 1718 could very well serve as a warning  to Democrats.

There is a truth to the idea that Latinos care about immigration, he said. But it's not the issue it once was ... DeSantis knows that an immigration crackdown is politically popular within the [Republican] party right now, so he's doing this in Florida to boost himself nationally.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses a crowd in 2022 before signing the so-called stop woke bill in Hialeah Gardens. (Daniel A. Varela / Associated Press)

Cadava noted that Trump made gains among Latinos nationwide in 2020, despite campaigning on building a border wall, describing Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and bringing drugs, and bringing crime" and calling El Salvador a shithole country.

He also pointed out that Democrats are reaping diminishing returns by trotting out the parable of Proposition 187 without delivering results, citing a 2021 Equis Research study that found 51% of Latinos who voted in the last presidential election supported Trump's push to limit refugees from entering the U.S., and 49% liked his plan to reduce legal immigration.

Part of the frustration with Democrats and Latinos is that Democrats keep making promises that they don't follow through on immigration, Cadava said. Latinos have heard from Democrats on immigration so much, they're like, OK, we know how you feel about immigration so much, but what else do you have?

The Proposition 187 effect doesn't transfer to other places as easily as Democrats and Latino activists may think, Cadava said.

Part of what was going on in California in 1994 was that Mexican Americans were thinking about their relationship with Mexican immigrants," he said. "In California, there's a long history of transnationalism and solidarity with migration" that is lacking in states with recent increases in Latino population that are passing anti-immigrant statutes.

That's what makes SB 1718 so dangerous. If it passes with little pushback, conservatives can point to it as proof that anti-immigrant politics play well among Latinos. The days where Democrats could dangle Proposition 187's legacy over Republicans, like the sword of Damocles, would be done.

And then what, Dems?

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON  Comprehensive immigration legislation is going nowhere in a divided government. Same with gun control, despite a spate of horrific mass shootings this spring.

With little moving on Capitol Hill this year, Democrats and Republicans both agree there is a window of opportunity to pass new regulations in an area where lawmakers havent had much success before: the tech industry.

Theres a big bipartisan push in both chambers to crack down on TikTok over concerns the Chinese government could use the app to obtain the personal data of millions of Americans. With the rise of deep fakes, voice phishing scams and powerful chatbots like Chat GPT, lawmakers have been brainstorming ways to regulate emerging artificial intelligence tools that have quickly arrived on the scene.

Lawmakers want to start with protecting children and teenagers from the harmful effects of social media, an issue that has broad bipartisan backing and should be an easier lift for Congress  if there is such a thing. If Republicans and Democrats can agree on legislative language and get a bill signed into law, members say it could be a building block for passing more tech bills related to privacy, data and antitrust issues.

We should have a standard in this country to have the FTC empowered to protect the well-being of minors under 18, and to be able to regulate any social media for addictive algorithms or any features that arent conducive to the mental health and well-being of young people, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who represents Silicon Valley, said in an interview.

Ive talked to Republicans who agree with that. Ive talked to Democrats who agree with that. The president has called for this, he said. It seems to me if theres going to be some regulation, this is a good place to start. This is the low-hanging fruit.

The focus on protecting children online follows a high-profile congressional hearing in 2021 on secret Facebook documents that were leaked to The Wall Street Journal by a whistleblower. Those included internal Facebook studies showing that nearly one-third of teenage girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse and that 14% of boys in the U.S. said Instagram made them feel worse about themselves. One of the Facebook presentations found that among the 6% of U.S. teen users who reported having suicidal thoughts tracked these thoughts to Instagram.

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One possible avenue for Congress is the Kids Online Safety Act, authored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., which would require social media platforms to give children and their parents more tools and safeguards to prevent harm to minors health and well-being.

For example, the bill requires social media companies to provide options to protect minors' information, shut off addictive features and opt out of having algorithms give recommendations. Apps would be forced to turn on the strongest safety settings for children by default. The bill would also give parents an option to report content that is harmful to their kids. And it puts the onus on platforms to prevent or mitigate any content promoting things like self-harm, suicide, eating disorders or sexual exploitation.

After a series of hearings on the harmful effects of social media, the Blumenthal-Blackburn bill unanimously passed in the Senate Commerce Committee last year, but it wasnt included in the massive year-end spending package and never received a floor vote. A new version of the bill will be introduced soon, Blumenthal said.

Children are suffering and dying because we have no common sense guardrails or tools to protect them, Blumenthal said in an interview. Kids are sort of the sweet spot on this issue, and theres a clear bipartisan consensus.

A related bipartisan bill by Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, would bar tech companies from collecting the personal information and data of young teenagers without their consent.

Go big or go small

Rep. Kat Cammack questions TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing (Alex Brandon / AP file)

Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, however, want to go bigger. Last year, they passed the American Data Privacy and Protection Act through committee on an unusually lopsided 53-2 vote, but that legislation did not get a full floor vote either.

This year, they plan to unveil a sweeping online privacy and security bill that builds on that legislation to include greater protections for minors and to create a national standard for how tech companies collect, process and distribute the data of Americans of all ages.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, said shes been speaking about privacy legislation with her Senate counterparts, including Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell of Washington, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, the top Republican on that committee.

Im encouraged. Theres a growing recognition as to the need, McMorris Rodgers told reporters.

But California Democrats have criticized a broader privacy bill that they say would undermine tougher state privacy laws like the one they have in the Golden State.

In an interview in his office, Cruz acknowledged that passing a narrower bill that focused on minors was much more likely than comprehensive legislation.

I think privacy writ large is incredibly important. I dont know that we will get a broad privacy bill passed this Congress; there are still some differences between the parties, Cruz said. Im quite optimistic that, at a minimum, we will pass meaningful protections for childrens online privacy.

Blumenthal agreed that doing a comprehensive bill "is just more difficult."

But kids online safety? Shame on all of us if we fail to protect children.  There is a critical, a huge historic window of opportunity that we need to seize now. And we will disappoint a lot of Americans if we fail," he said.

Clock ticking on TikTok

As tensions with Beijing ramp up, Democrats and Republicans have turned up the heat on the viral video app TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who chairs the Intelligence Committee, and Minority Whip John Thune, of South Dakota, are steadily building support for their Restrict Act, which would give the Commerce Department the power to regulate  or possibly ban  tech products from adversaries, including China, Russia and Iran.

Supporters of TikTok hold signs during a rally to defend the app at the Capitol (Jose Luis Magana / AP file)

Their bill, which does not specifically name TikTok, now has 25 co-sponsors  nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats  and is backed by President Joe Biden.

McMorris Rodgers said the House is aiming for a narrower, more targeted approach following last months blockbuster hearing, where Energy and Commerce members grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew for five hours over national security and personal privacy concerns.

The chair said she didnt have a timeline for when a House bill on TikTok would be released. But lawmakers in both parties are growing increasingly concerned that the popular app could be used by the Chinese Communist Party to spy on TikToks 150 million American users or to control the content they see.

Blumenthal, a former Connecticut attorney general, recently signed on to the Warner-Thune bill. He believes Congress will pass something to rein in TikTok, despite the social media giants massive lobbying effort and campaign against a ban. Never underestimate the power of tech to derail a needed effort," he said.

'The Age of AI'

Another fast-moving technology setting off alarm bells on the Hill is artificial intelligence. After China proposed new regulations for the AI industry, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York this week said hes circulated a framework for rules to help the U.S. stay competitive with Beijing on the regulatory front and rein in potentially damaging AI tools.

The ChatGPT chat screen on a smartphone. ( Gabby Jones / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While generative AI tools have gained huge popularity  OpenAIs ChatGPT chatbot has attracted more than 100 million monthly users in mere months  some are being used for more nefarious purposes. Deepfake software has made it easier for people to make and sell nonconsensual sexually explicit material featuring the images of celebrities and other women. Theres also a fear that deepfakes could be used by foreign governments or other entities to interfere in future U.S. elections. And sophisticated scammers are now using voice cloning software to trick unsuspecting victims to send money to people they believe are family members in distress.

The age of AI is here, and here to stay, Schumer said in a statement. I look forward to working across the aisle, across the industry and across the country and beyond to shape this proposal and refine legislation to make sure AI delivers on its promise to create a better world.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., who earned a computer science degree from Stanford, told NBC News hes planning to roll out legislation soon that would create a bipartisan commission to make recommendations to Congress about what types of AI should be regulated and how lawmakers could do it.

Theres nothing partisan about artificial intelligence, said Lieu, a member of the House Democratic leadership team.

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, another member of the Commerce committee, agrees there is space and the will to pass new tech regulations before the next election.

I think what causes us to have some more optimism is that its not polarized in obvious ways around political party. And thats where the deal space lies, the senator said in an interview. The net neutrality fight and the section 230 fight were turned into partisan battles. But tech policy ought not to be that way and the Commerce Committee traditionally has worked in a bipartisan manner."

So I will say Im more hopeful than I have been in the past several years."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(CNN)  YouTube superstar MrBeast has spoken out against transphobic comments directed at his friend and collaborator Chris Tyson.

Tyson, one of MrBeast's long-time collaborators who often appears in the creator's widely popular videos, has documented their experience with hormone replacement therapy, one form of gender-affirming medical care, on social media. Tyson uses all pronouns according to their verified Twitter account and has said they will discuss their identity more in the future. CNN has chosen to use they/them pronouns to describe Tyson throughout this article for consistency.

On Thursday, MrBeast responded on Twitter to a screenshot of a YouTube video about Tyson's gender identity and personal life. The video, entitled "Why Chris Will Soon Be A Nightmare for MrBeast," suggested that Tyson's shifting gender presentation might distract from or damage MrBeast's content.

"Yeah, this is getting absurd," wrote the creator, who has 145 million subscribers on YouTube, in response to the screenshot.

"Chris isn't my 'nightmare,'" he went on. He wrote that Tyson is "my f**ken friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to piss me off."

Tyson has used social media to speak about the importance of their medical transition. "Informed consent HRT saved my and many others' lives," they wrote on their personal account on April 5th. "The hurdles gnc people have to jump through to get life-saving gender-affirming healthcare in a 1st world country is wild to me. Just let people make informed decisions about their own bodies." "GNC" is an acronym often used for "gender non-conforming."

MrBeast voiced his support at the time, replying "Gotchu" with heart emojis to Tyson's tweet.

The comments come as Republican legislators have pushed to restrict gender-affirming medical care, including hormone replacement therapy, across the country. Earlier this month, Indiana and Idaho each enacted bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. At least 417 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the United States from the start of the year to April 3  a new record, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "All this transphobia is starting to piss me off. YouTuber MrBeast slams transphobic comments against collaborator"
Members of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians who were targeted for disenrollment earlier this year were kickedout of the tribe in March  and now a new group of more than 60 members is facing the same fate, according to an attorney representing the majority of the impacted tribal members.

Attorney David Dehnert told The Bee the disenrollments and the new pending disenrollments are in violation of the tribes constitution and several other tribal laws. Dehnert represents about 39 of the 49 who received notices in mid-March saying their names would be removed from the tribes membership roll. Dehnert is from Southern California, and he typically represents tribes, but said he believed the tribes actions were so egregious that he decided to change spots in this case to litigate the tribe.

The tribe, he said, has now selected another group of around 62 members who will be part of another wave of disenrollments. He represents about 36 of them. According to a copy of one of the notices, the affected members disenrollment hearing is April 22.

Dehnert said theres no accountability, no judicial review, and no checks and balances at all with the actions of the Chukchansi Tribal Council.

Its deplorable what they are doing to their own people. They should be taking care of their people, he said.

At stake is a piece of the profits from the tribes sprawling Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on Highway 41 north of Fresno. According to an online estimate, the casino in 2022 had revenue of $43.7 million.

Affected members who spoke with The Bee in January said the disenrollments are being driven by greed and designed to significantly swell the monetary benefits for some tribal families. Another 60 to 70 members were disenrolled last year.

Chukchansi Tribal Council members and chairwoman Janet K. Bill didnt respond to a request for comment. Diane Vitols, attorney general for the tribe, didnt respond to multiple requests for comment.

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Dehnert said hes been told by members of the tribe, whom he wouldnt name in order to not jeopardize their positions, that the National Indian Gaming Commission is auditing Chukchansi.

Calls from The Bee to NIGCs regional office went unanswered.

The information that I received was that the audit was directly related to the disenrollments that occurred last month...and then the pending...disenrollments, he said.

Mary Parker, a spokeswoman with the national NIGC office in Washington, D.C., wouldnt confirm or deny an audit of Chukchansi and wouldnt answer specific questions related to an audit.

As a matter of course, NIGC routinely conducts audits and assistance visits to tribal gaming operations, she said in an email. NIGC has nothing specific to provide with respect to the Chukchansi tribe.

Members of the new group targeted for disenrollment were told the tribe found evidence that their ancestor, Jack Roan, through which they claimed eligibility, was not of Chukchansi Indian blood as required by the tribes constitution, according to one of the notices. The tribe, according to the notice, claims Roan was of Pohoneechee Indian blood. Pohoneechee is a Miwok band in California. According to news reports, Roan received one of the original Chukchansi allotments of land from the federal government.

The notice further says the tribes enrollment committees records show the affected member had been previously disenrolled from Chukchansi on the same basis in 2011.

Dehnert said at one point in the past, the tribe had disenrolled Roans lineal descendants, but they were able to prove he was Chukchansi, and the tribe later reenrolled those individuals.

The tribe is now disenrolling some of his descendants again.

Dehnert said some members of the tribes enrollment committee and tribal council believe the tribe should consist of only 46 members. Enrollment in the tribe in the fall of 2021 was at around 1,719, and that was prior to last years and this years disenrollments.

Urging the NIGC to take action

Late last month, Dehnert urged the NIGC to take action and intervene in the tribes actions.

In a March 28 letter, addressed to NIGC Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, he says the disenrollments coincide with the tribes violation of NIGC and Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations. In addition, he says, the disenrollments are in violation of the tribes per capita ordinance, its gaming ordinance and revenue allocation plan.

Dehnert says his clients also had their per capita payments suspended without due process and in violation of their equal protection rights under the tribes constitution. Per capita payments are monthly checks from the tribes casino profits.

Without any checks or balances in place, and with the Tribes Enrollment Committee, Per Capita Board and Tribal Council acting in concert as investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury, the Tribe is engaged in systematic illegal per capita terminations and disenrollments that will continue, and is continuing, unabated, Dehnert wrote in his letter. This conduct is nothing short of corrupt political favoritism.

Dehnert has also filed a complaint on behalf of his clients who were disenrolled in March. Since Chuckhansi doesnt have a court, he filed the complaint at the Intertribal Court of Southern California, and its tied to his clients suspension and termination of their per capita payments.

He represents the majority of those disenrolled in March.

According to a copy of the complaint, Dehnert argues that the Chukchansi enrollment committee and the tribal council lack merit and their actions are in conflict with their own tribes constitution.

New wave of disenrollments

Chukchansi has targeted about 62 more members for disenrollment, and Dehnert is representing about 36 of them, though the number could change, he said.

He said he would like to see his disenrolled clients be reenrolled and be recognized as members of the tribe, and the same would go for his clients currently facing disenrollment.

I dont necessarily have to consider them as two separate groups because the tribe is doing the same thing to both groups, he said. Theyre just doing it in a slightly different way, but the goal is to disenroll them, cut them out of the tribe, using a pretext of some type of fabricated violation or lack of eligibility to be a member of the tribe.

If he cant get his clients immediately reenrolled, he said, his next best hope is to have a neutral and partial court review his clients disenrollment cases, and make a decision.

Every member has the right to due process of law, and they have the right to equal protection under the law, and what is occurring right now is a clear violation, he said.
Messenger RNA vaccines aren't just for COVID anymore.

The vaccine technology America learned about during the pandemic was originally aimed at cancer, but its use against infectious diseases took off in the pandemic. Now a new study suggests specially designed mRNA shots can help prevent recurrences of melanoma, a dreaded skin cancer.

The study, presented Sunday at a research conference, showed that after nearly two years, patients who received a personalized mRNA vaccine made by Moderna and Merck were 44% more likely to be alive and avoid new tumors than those who received only the standard of care.

If the results hold up in a larger, longer study planned to start later this year, it will mark a dramatic turnaround for cancer vaccines, which have been tested and failed for decades.

"It's probably the first real data that suggests that this personalized approach to vaccination may be worth exploring further," said Dr. Ryan Sullivan, an oncologist at Mass General Cancer Center, who was a co-author on the study.

Instead of using a vaccine to try to prevent or shrink a tumor, the new mRNA vaccines are aimed at reducing the chances of a high-risk cancer recurring.

"This represents a big shift in how we're using cancer vaccines," said Dr. Robert Vonderheide, who was not involved in the study but is the program committee chair of the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting, where the study was presented.

The pandemic proved that mRNA vaccines, already in development for cancer, could be used safely and developed quickly, said Vonderheide, who also directs the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Benefits seen in melanoma, a cancer known to be controlled by the immune system, are likely to hold up in other cancers that are affected by the immune system, he and several other experts said. The next one to be tested will be non-small-cell lung cancer, which kills about 100,000 Americans a year.

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But it made sense to try first in melanoma.

"No cancer is as immunotherapy sensitive as melanoma is," said Dr. Rodabe Amaria, a melanoma oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who was not involved in the study. "You have to prove it in melanoma before you try it in other cancers."

Graphic explainer: How mRNA vaccines work

How would an mRNA cancer vaccine work?

These vaccines are designed to prevent cancer recurrences, not an initial run-in with the disease.

After surgical removal of a tumor or a separate biopsy, scientists send a sample of tissue and blood for genetic sequencing, looking for proteins that are unique to the cancer and not present in healthy tissue.

The mRNA vaccine is then designed to target 34 of these distinctive proteins, getting the immune system to recognize them and hopefully kill the cells that make them without damaging healthy tissue.

Because there are so many possible neoantigens, resulting from a patient's own genetics and the evolution of their tumor cells, the vaccine must be bespoke, designed specifically for each person.

Researchers aren't sure how many neoantigens to target or which are likely to offer the most benefit, "so we cram in as many potential neoantigens as possible," said Dr. Eliav Barr, chief medical officer of Merck, which supported the trial.

Each vaccine takes about eight weeks to manufacture and is based on tumor cells removed during surgery. While the patient waits for their personalized vaccine, they start taking the drug pembrolizumab (brand name Keytruda), made by Merck, which unleashes the immune system to attack cancer.

Moderna employees manufacture personalized cancer vaccines at the company's facility in Norwood, Massachusetts

Pembrolizumab is given as a 30-minute infusion every three weeks for a year. Patients receive two or three doses of pembrolizumab and then, when their vaccine is ready, they get nine doses along with their next nine infusions, before completing pembrolizumab.

According to findings released Sunday by the researchers, but not yet peer reviewed, among 107 volunteers who received both the experimental vaccine and pembrolizumab, the cancer returned in 24 (22%) within two years. There were 20 recurrences (40%) among the 50 people who received only pembrolizumab.

(Keytruda sells for a list price of $185,000 a year, although most people will not pay the list price, according to Merck. It's too soon to know how much companies will charge for mRNA vaccines.)

Melanoma is diagnosed in about 100,000 Americans per year. If caught early, nearly everyone survives for at least five years, but only one-third of patients whose cancer has spread widely survive that long.

"Pembro" already dramatically decreased recurrences, but the new study showed a 44% extra benefit with the addition of the mRNA vaccine, called mRNA-4157/V940.

"We're already reaping those benefits (from pembro), and now, in such a short period of time to have an additional therapeutic agent that builds on that progress is a very exciting thing," Amaria said.

Side effects of mRNA vaccine for cancer

The addition of the mRNA vaccine did not seem to add substantially to the side effects already seen with pembrolizumab.

Pembro often affects the endocrine system, Amaria said, causing diabetes and potentially permanent thyroid problems. Other common side effects include exhaustion, muscle pain, rash, diarrhea, fever, cough, decreased appetite, itching, shortness of breath, constipation and nausea.

As more patients live longer with melanoma, these side effects are becoming more noticeable, Amaria said. "In some patients, the benefit goes hand-in-hand with the toxicity," so side effects may be a sign the treatment is working.

"In some patients, we're fundamentally changing their quality of life," she said, but "most people do have normal lives, recovered from side effects."

The mRNA suite at Pfizer's Andover, MA facility. This is where the mRNA is manufactured in a cell free system using the DNA template from Chesterfield, MO.

What is mRNA?

Messenger RNA carries instructions from a cell's DNA code to the cellular machinery that manufactures proteins, telling it what to make. Delivered as a vaccine, the short-lived mRNA turns cells into factories that produce desired proteins.

With COVID, mRNA vaccines produce the spike protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, training the immune system to recognize and wipe out viral cells.

In the case of these cancer vaccines, the mRNA triggers the body to produce the 34 neoantigens, training the immune system to recognize and target them.

In cancers that have spread beyond an initial tumor, surgeons can't remove all the cancerous cells. In people with Stage 2 melanoma or above, this dangerous spread has already begun and the risk of recurrence after surgery is very high.

The vaccine should help prevent these dangerous recurrences, Barr said.

The mRNA vaccine can't be used to prevent disease, as it is with COVID, because the neoantigens don't exist until the tumor does, Barr said. But it appears to work well when designed to target a specific person's cancer and hopefully providing long-term memory, so even future cancer cells will be killed.

In this Dec. 11, 2017 photo provided by Anna Carlstrand, her husband, Richard, receives the first of 20 Keytruda infusions at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Carlstrand, 76, of Long Key, Florida, underwent the immunotherapy treatment for mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, and is now in remission.

BioNTech, the German company that helped develop the other mRNA vaccine against COVID, is also working on cancer vaccines, including against ovarian and lung cancer, as are several other companies.

It's not really clear why an mRNA vaccine would be effective against cancer when so many other approaches have failed, several experts said. The technology may simply spur more reaction from tumors, Sullivan said.

More: A German scientist was focused on cancer, then came COVID. It was her 'duty' to help develop a vaccine.

What happens next?

The new study, launched in 2018, was relatively small and only lasted a few years, so Merck hopes to start a large, Phase 3 trial later this year. It will be open to people with Stage 2 or Stage 3 melanoma.

Amaria said she and her colleagues at MD Anderson are considering participating. Patients often come to her asking for an mRNA vaccine against their cancer, she said.

Dr. Jeffrey Weber, who led the new study and is the deputy director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, said he's optimistic about the future of mRNA vaccines against cancer.

"It's got a ways to go, but I do believe that these results will hold up over time," he said.

Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: mRNA melanoma cancer vaccine from Merck-Moderna shows promise
Idahos approval last month of a new law adding the firing squad as an execution method for death row inmates could one day play a role in the case of Moscow homicides suspect Bryan Kohberger.

In December, police arrested Kohberger, 28, for allegedly killing four University of Idaho students in November. He remains in custody in Latah County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing in June on four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary.

First-degree murder is the only charge that qualifies a defendant for the death penalty in Idaho, which is one of 24 U.S. states that maintain active capital punishment. After Gov. Brad Little last month signed a new law, Idaho will become the fifth state to permit executions by firing squad when it takes effect July 1.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson still has not said whether he will seek the death penalty against Kohberger, a former Washington State University graduate student, if he is convicted. Per state law, prosecutors have 60 days from when a defendant enters a plea to tell the court whether they will ask a jury to consider a death sentence.

Defendants in Idaho felony cases dont enter a plea until a district court arraignment. Thats the immediate step after a preliminary hearing when a magistrate judge  Judge Megan Marshall in Kohbergers case  decides if there is probable cause to elevate the case to district court for a possible trial.

But the collection of charges against Kohberger is extremely rare, if not unprecedented, in Idaho. No other defendant has faced four counts of first-degree murder in one case in recent state history, according to a poll of longtime law enforcement and legal officials and analysis by the Idaho Statesman.

I feel really confident it will be a capital case, Jessica Bublitz, a Boise criminal defense attorney, told the Statesman by phone. The commonsense-based reason everyone feels it should be capital murder are the aggravated circumstances. I think this qualifies as especially heinous, atrocious or cruel  the way and the manner they were killed.

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The victims in the case were U of I seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, each 21, junior Xana Kernodle, 20, and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. All four were stabbed to death at an off-campus rental home shortly after 4 a.m. on Nov. 13 in what police later acknowledged in a search warrant application was an especially bloody crime scene.

First-degree murder convictions in Idaho require that a jury unanimously determine the presence of at least one so-called aggravating circumstance to sentence a defendant to death. Those include a defendant having committed more than one murder, likely being a continued threat to society, having exhibited utter disregard for human life, or committing a murder that was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.

The uncommon nature of the Moscow student homicides  in the city of about 26,000 residents, as well as across Idaho  make direct comparisons difficult for area attorneys. But several cases in the state where an individual defendant was sentenced to death for multiple murders offer insight into whether Kohberger may eventually face the death penalty.

Idahos death penalty history

Two of the eight prisoners currently sentenced to death in Idaho have been convicted of four murders. But some of those murders were outside of Idaho, and some didnt factor into their death penalty sentence.

Today, Thomas Creech and Gerald Pizzuto are the longest-serving inmates on the states death row, where theyve both evaded the death penalty for decades. Each was initially convicted of a double-murder in Idaho.

Creech, 72, was subsequently convicted of a prior murder in Oregon and also pleaded guilty to killing a fellow inmate while incarcerated in Idaho, for which he received his death sentence. Pizzuto, 67, after his Idaho conviction and death sentence, was convicted of two murders in Washington.

Joseph Duncan, who pleaded guilty to the 2005 killing of four members of a Coeur dAlene family, may be the closest example to the case against Kohberger. He received three life sentences for three first-degree murders in Idaho, and later was sentenced to death in a separate federal case for murdering a 9-year-old boy who also was a member of the family.

Duncan also later pleaded guilty to killing a 10-year-old boy in Southern California and confessed to murdering two sisters, ages 11 and 9, in Seattle, but was never charged. Duncan was diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer and died in federal prison in March 2021 at age 58.

The federal capital case against Duncan remains the only one in Idaho state history, Josh Hurwit, the U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, confirmed to the Statesman. He declined to comment on the Kohberger case or say whether his office would consider getting involved.

We do not confirm or deny whether we have an investigation into specific cases, Hurwit said by phone.

A handful of other Idaho inmates have been convicted of three murders. Among them are Robin Row, Adam Dees and Paul Rhoades.

Row, 65, the only woman on Idaho death row, was convicted of murdering her husband and two children in a fire at their Ada County home in 1992. Two of her prior children also died under suspicious circumstances in other states, but she was never charged in either case.

Dees, 30, agreed to plead guilty to the first-degree murder of three members of a Boise-area family during a 2015 robbery. In exchange, he avoided the death penalty and was sentenced to three life sentences without the chance of parole.

Rhoades was convicted of three 1987 murders, in Blackfoot and Idaho Falls. He also was suspected in Utah and Wyoming in four other homicides, but never charged. Idaho executed Rhoades by lethal injection in November 2011 at age 54.

In addition, Chad Daybell faces three first-degree murder charges in his forthcoming trial out of Rexburg. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces the death penalty. His wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, faces two first-degree murder charges in her separate case, which is ongoing in Boise, but does not face the death penalty after the judge pulled the potential sentence as part of her expedited trial.

Lethal injection is the first choice

Until House Bill 186, the new firing squad law, goes into effect this summer, lethal injection is Idahos only permitted method of execution. Bill sponsors, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador who helped draft the legislation, sought to provide the state with another method after officials were unable to carry out Pizzutos scheduled execution in December.

Prison officials have said theyve been unable to obtain the drugs needed to perform a lethal injection. In recent years, efforts by anti-death penalty groups to convince drug manufacturers and pharmacies to avoid selling the chemicals to state prisons have been effective, Idaho Deputy Attorney General LaMont Anderson said in public testimony last month during a Senate hearing on the firing squad bill.

In effect, Idaho no longer had the ability to enforce death sentences, said Anderson, who heads the offices capital litigation unit. The bills sponsors, Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, and Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, argued the same in building support for the state relaunching firing squad executions. The method previously existed in Idaho as a backup from 1982 to 2009, but the state never executed an inmate by firing squad.

Idaho currently does have a capital punishment law, and we effectively cannot carry that out because we cannot obtain the drugs, Ricks said during the March hearing, identifying the states eight-member death row. And currently Idaho has a couple of real high-visibility murder cases that you might know pending in Moscow and Rexburg that could be affected by this eventually, too.

The new law dictates that the director of the state prison system must decide within five days of the issuance of a death warrant whether the inmate will be executed by lethal injection, or firing squad if the required drugs are unavailable. Lethal injection remains Idahos preferred method, Skaug told the Statesman in an interview.

Lethal injection is the first choice, he said, acknowledging a firing squad may never be necessary. That could happen, but I believe it will occur  more likely than not. I believe its going to happen.

The Idaho Department of Correction is in the midst of establishing the states policies for executing an inmate by firing squad, department spokesperson Jeff Ray told the Statesman by email. Those then will need to be approved by the state prison systems three-member board.

The department also plans to spend an estimated $750,000 to remodel a cell block at the Idaho Maximum Security Institute, where death row inmates are held, so firing squad executions can take place. There is no planned completion date for that construction, Ray said.

We do not have a timeline, he said. In the weeks to come, we will be consulting with other states, reviewing their procedures and developing a protocol that assures the process is carried out with respect, dignity and professionalism.

Kohbergers preliminary hearing is scheduled to start in Latah County District Court on June 26.
American analysts explained that the upcoming counteroffensive by Ukraine could be very difficult, given Russia's readiness and lack of air superiority.

Source: Financial Times

Quote: "On one side will be around 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers, bolstered by western battle tanks.

They will face more than 140,000 enemy troops along a 950km frontline. Separating the two forces will be a deadly obstacle course of mines, earthworks and tank-stopping bollards set by the Russians.

The day is soon approaching when Ukraine will attempt to breach Russia's frontline fortificationsSuccess or failure will shape the battlefield and determine the strength of Kyivs hand in any eventual negotiations with Moscow to resolve the conflict."

Details: However, analysts and military officials warn that the fighting promises to be complicated.

First, breakthrough operations are highly complex, requiring the simultaneous work of all military units  from artillery and tanks to intelligence gathering and engineers.

Added to the difficulties is the lack of air superiority among Ukrainians. The last time Western tanks met Soviet T-72s in Iraq was in 2003, but the US-led coalition had an overwhelming air advantage.

The Ukrainians, the newspaper writes, also lack decisive air cover to stop attacks by Russian fighters that can attack Western equipment.

"The classic approach in a land offensive is to break out into the enemy rear, in one area or several, and deliver a concentrated blow against the enemys centre of gravity. Successful examples without air superiority are rare," says Ben Barry, former British armoured infantry battalion commander.

The media notes that the attack's exact location remains a secret that is carefully guarded. Still, one of the strategically important areas for Russia is Melitopol, located near the Azov Sea.

But the Russian army, aware of the risk, has already prepared jagged lines of defence in this region.

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According to military analysts, Russian defence usually consists of a minefield followed by lines of pyramid-shaped concrete pillars called dragon teeth to slow the movement of mechanised parts. Behind them is another minefield, after another 400m  a line of trenches and dugouts, and after 500m  an anti-tank ditch.

According to Barry, first, you need to clear the mine strip to pass tanks and equipment, then destroy the dragon teeth, possibly with tanks equipped with ploughs, and at the end pass the ditches using special equipment to create bridges.

The most challenging thing is synchronising the actions of different units and the Ukrainian army. However, analysts say it was able to conduct small-scale manoeuvres and has limited experience in combined-arms operations of this scale.

In addition, Ukrainian troops, write FT, lost a significant part of their most experienced soldiers, allegedly losing up to 120,000 people.

Quote: "Yet Ukraine's army has been underestimated before, such as when it defied western military assessments last year and pushed back Russian forces from around the capital and then the northeastern city of Kharkiv. Russia has also lost almost twice as many men since the full-scale invasion, according to western assessments. Moreover, Ukrainian troops are better equipped and trained than their foes."

More details: Former British Army officer Glen Grant is confident that if the Ukrainian offensive is brutal and fast, the front would be shaken, the Russians would flee, and defensive structures would become unnecessary.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
During the first few episodes of Love Is Blind Season Four, viewers were introduced to 30 contestants who were hoping to find love on the popular Netflix reality series. Although fans only saw five couples get engaged in the pods, it turns out there were four more cast members who thought they found their soulmates.

Netflix revealed on its Tudum site that Season Four cast members Jimmy Forde and Wendi Kong, and Josh JP Schultz and Ava Van Jenson also got engaged, but their stories were not featured on the show.

While the rest of the couples traveled to Mexico for a romantic couples trip, Jimmy, Wendi, JP and Ava returned to Seattle and both couples eventually called it quits.

The four of them opened up to Tudum about why their engagements were short-lived in an article published April 14.

TODAY.com has reached out to Netflix for comment.

JP and Ava

JP and Ava got engaged in the pods during Season Four of

Ava, a 32-year-old communication specialist, told Tudum she felt double the pressure and double the excitement coming onto the show because her first marriage ended in divorce.

This time around, I couldnt pick someone that felt safe and just checked all the boxes because thats what I did with my previous marriage and that didnt work out, she explained.

She fell for JP because he was fun, emotionally in tune and communicative in the pods.

JP, a 30-year-old plant operations director, originally connected with Chelsea Griffin and Micah Lussier, who eventually accepted proposals from Kwame Appiah and Paul Peden, respectively. But, despite his deep relationships with the two women, JP gravitated toward Ava.

He told Tudum he was attracted to Avas resiliency and how shes overcome so much in life and is still very successful. So, he decided to pop the question, and she agreed to marry him.

While Ava described the two as being affectionate and enamored with each other when they met face-to-face for the first time, JP recalled feeling differently in the moment.

He said he was taken aback and that their meeting was emotional and heavy.

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The two were not selected to participate in the rest of the experiment like the other couples.

Ava explained that their relationship immediately changed when they left the pods and headed home.

I saw him at the airport and he was a completely different person, she told the Netflix site.

They didnt make it back to Seattle before they broke up.

As we were boarding the plane, I felt my phone vibrate and it pinged a bit and I looked down and he sent me a text basically ending the engagement, Ava said.

She added that she was shocked and humiliated by his sudden change of heart.

After realizing that their Love Is Blind experience would not be the same as the other couples, JP said he thought continuing to get married on this timeline was not the best decision for them.

In a statement on Instagram, JP confirmed he ended his engagement by texting Ava on the plane ride home.

"I did not want her sitting on the plane calling and texting her family that we were still engaged when I knew, inside, I needed some time," he said in a post to his Instagram story April 16.

"I'm far from perfect, I've put a lot of work into me and I'm still growing every day," he added.

Looking back at her time on the show, Ava told Tudum she is taking away growth and self-development.

I learned what I want, what I dont want, and what I deserve, she explained. I didnt deserve any of that. I know Ill find love again, but its just going to take time.

JP shared a similar mindset and said he discovered what hes worth following his stint on reality television.

Jimmy and Wendi

JP and Wendi from Season Four of

The other couple who got engaged off camera was Jimmy, a 29-year-old technical product manager, and Wendi, a 28-year-old aerospace engineer, according to Tudum.

Wendi initially thought the expedited dating experiment had worked for her.

As she dated Jimmy in the pods, she started to appreciate his adventurous side and explorative nature.

He was also very emotionally comforting, she told Tudum. I revealed things that probably wouldve taken months and months and months of consistently dating one person in the real world to reveal.

Jimmy remembered seeing Wendi in person as probably one of the happiest moments in his life. But, their relationship was not strong enough to last outside of the shows bubble.

Thats where it started going back down to Earth and everything started to unravel a bit, he said.

Without the cameras following them, they continued to date for about three months before they ended their relationship.

Wendi said being with Jimmy revealed to me aspects I didnt need to know I needed in a partner.

Despite their differences, they told Tudum that they have remained friends with some of the stars from Season Four.

Jimmy said he is neighbors with Kwame, and Wendi revealed she got really close to Paul in Seattle.

Why are some engagements not shown on screen?

This is not the first time that the Netflix series has not depicted some of the relationship in episodes. Tudum confirmed that Seasons One and Two included additional engagements that were never aired.

In a recent interview with People, Love Is Blind creator and executive producer Chris Coelen spoke about why some proposals do not make it into the final cut.

We may choose to follow some people for some part of the process and then not tell their story, or we may choose to follow certain people only through their reveal. It really just depends on the circumstances, he explained.

Coelen said the show prioritizes the most genuine, most authentic stories that we can.

He denied that camera time is given to the couples producers assume will cause the most drama.

Its actually not that. That is what you would think... but I think what makes good TV is authenticity, he said.

The creator pointed out the cast members are aware that not all of them are guaranteed to be major parts of each season. He also noted that none of the couples who had their time on the show cut short have tied the knot.

The thing I will say is we have never stopped following a couple who has gone on to get married. Almost a hundred percent of the couples that we have chosen to stop following have broken up relatively quickly. And if not, some of them fairly immediately, to be honest, he said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Three feet away from flower and smiley face stickers, Nerf darts and jellybeans, investigators found white fentanyl powder on the garage floor of the home where a 5-year-old Ferndale girl died after consuming the deadly synthetic opioid in early March.

Three people, including both parents, have been charged in the girls death.

Prosecuting attorneys charged Melissa Ann Welch, 35, of Ferndale, Cody Curtis Craig, 32, of Bellingham and Michael Wayne Doane, 33, of Ferndale with one count each of first-degree murder Friday, April 7, in Whatcom County Superior Court for the March 8 death of 5-year-old Olivia R. Doane.

Each of the murder charges includes the aggravating factor that Welch, Craig and Doane knew or should have known that the child was particularly vulnerable, the court records show.

There are three ways to charge first-degree murder in Washington state. One way is under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life, in which a person engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death to any person, and ultimately causes the persons death. This is what prosecutors used to charge Welch, Craig and Doane.

Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richey said Friday, April 14, he expects additional charges to be filed.

Ferndale police and the Whatcom County Medical Examiners Office had been investigating the childs death since early March. The Bellingham Herald has reached out to the medical examiners office regarding the cause and manner of the girls death.

A preliminary report from the medical examiners office stated there were no signs of medical conditions or disease that caused the girls death. Autopsy toxicology results from a blood sample taken from the girl showed a very high level of fentanyl was in the childs system, which was found to be the cause of the childs death, the court records state.

Welch and Doane are the childs parents, and Craig is Welchs boyfriend, according to court records.

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While Welch, Craig and Doane were all charged April 7 and warrants were put out for their arrests the same day, all three were not arrested until Thursday, April 13, The Herald previously reported. Each of their cases, charging documents and arrest warrants were sealed in court April 7, in order to prevent a threat to public safety and cooperating individuals, and the premature end to an ongoing investigation, court records show.

Their cases and records were unsealed once arrests were made.

When asked Friday why there was a week-long delay between when charges were filed and arrests were made, city of Ferndale spokesperson Riley Sweeney said he had no comment at this time.

This is heartbreaking, Sweeney said in a telephone call. This is the worst-case scenario for any conversation about fentanyl in our community. I hope its a wake-up call for people who may be in those situations to make better choices.

Cody Craig, right, appears by video Thursday, April 13, in Whatcom County Superior Court in Bellingham. With him is attorney Richard Larson, a public defender with the Whatcom County Public Defenders Office. Craig, Michael Doane and Melissa Welch were booked into the Whatcom County Jail earlier Thursday on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the death of the 5-year-old daughter of Doane and Welch. The child died March 8 due to a very high and fatal amount of fentanyl in her bloodstream, according to police in Ferndale. Craigs first appearance is set for Monday, April 17.

First appearances

Bail was set at $1 million for both Welch and Doane at their first appearances in court Thursday afternoon.

As of Friday evening, both Welch and Doane remained incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail.

Their arraignments have been set for Friday, April 21.

Craigs first appearance was rescheduled for the second time to Monday, April 17, because an attorney had still not been found for Craig by 3 p.m. Friday.

If an attorney still cannot be found by Monday afternoon, there will be a special hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Because Doane, Welch and Craig are all co-defendants and because the Whatcom County Public Defenders Office is representing Doane, the cases for Welch and Craig have to be handled by attorneys outside the public defenders office.

Because Craig has not had an attorney provided to him and his case is in limbo, he will remain in custody in the Whatcom County Jail until at least Monday afternoon.

Whatcom County public defense attorney Timothy Arnold, who appeared during Craigs hearing Friday to provide information to the court, said he hoped the matter would be resolved Monday. He said a request for an outside attorney for Craig was sent Thursday.

They have had some time to get somebody from not our office to help Mr. Craig. Hes currently being held against his will essentially unable to answer the court in any coded fashion, Arnold said.

Craigs next court hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday.

Childs death

At 9:17 a.m. on March 8, Ferndale police responded to the 2300 block of Douglas Road for a death investigation of a 5-year-old female, according to court records.

Ferndale police were told Welch called 911 and reported that her daughter was dead.

When Ferndale police arrived at the Douglas Road home in early March, they found the 5-year-old girl lying in her bed in her bedroom. Fire department personnel arrived and confirmed the child was dead, the records state.

Due to foam in the childs mouth, police suspected a possible drug overdose or poisoning, court records show.

Welch, Craig, and Doane were all at the Douglas Road home when police arrived and found the child. Doanes girlfriend and Welchs 8-year-old daughter were also present.

Welch and Doane had previously been in a relationship and still both reside at the Douglas Road home. The 5-year-old was their biological daughter, the court records state.

Welch and Doane told police their daughter was happy and healthy the evening of March 7 and went to bed around 8 p.m. that night. Security camera footage from March 7 confirmed the girl was happy and healthy as described, leading police to believe the child consumed fentanyl sometime during the night, the records show.

When investigators searched the residence, they found drug paraphernalia, including a butane lighter and foils, and suspected narcotics in multiple locations around the home in areas commonly occupied by Welch, Doane and Craig.

The paraphernalia and drugs found in the home tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone, according to court records. The foils, which are used in the consumption of fentanyl, as well as items that tested positive for fentanyl, were found in areas accessible to both the 5-year-old and 8-year-old, court records state.

Fentanyl powder was also found on the floor of the garage next to childrens toys and candy.

Ferndale police suspected drugs were being consumed inside the residence by Welch, Doane and Craig while the 5-year-old girl was there, which ultimately resulted in her death, the records state.

Days after the childs death, Welch and Craig were seen selling narcotics. Investigators contacted one of the people Welch and Craig sold drugs to, and the person then conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from Welch and Craig, court records show.

Craig is connected to an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to court records.

Ferndale police and Child Protective Services relocated the 8-year-old sibling, who is now with family members, The Herald previously reported.
On this day in history, April 16, 1889, future Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin  full name Charles Spencer Chaplin  is born in London, England.

Chaplin would go on to become one of the most financially successful stars of early Hollywood, according to History.com.

At the tender age of five, he was introduced to the stage as the son of London music hall entertainers.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, APRIL 15, 1865, PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN PASSES AWAY

As a young child, he was watching a show in which his own mother, known by the stage name Lily Harley, was starring  "when her voice cracked," as History.com relates.

"He was quickly shuffled onto the stage to finish the act" for her, the site also says.

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His father passed when he was very young and his mother wound up having "a nervous breakdown."

That's when Chaplin, along with his older half-brother, Sydney, took to the streets of London. The boys earned pennies for their dancing and were eventually sent to an orphanage.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, APRIL 5, 1908, ACTRESS BETTE DAVIS BORN IN MASSACHUSETTS: STRONG-WILLED WOMAN

They joined the Eight Lancashire Lads, a childrens dance troupe, says the History Channel.

Young Charlie Chaplin quickly attracted attention as an outstanding tap dancer, according to the site CharlieChaplin.com.

At age 12 or so he had his first chance to act in a legitimate stage show  and appeared as "Billy" the page boy in different productions of "Sherlock Holmes," that same site says in an overview of the actor's life.

After that, he began his career as a comedian in vaudeville  eventually traveling to the U.S. in 1910 as a featured player with the Fred Karno Company.

The "bowler hat, out-turned feet, mustache and walking cane" soon became his trademark.

Charlie Chaplin sits wrapped in a blanket in the snow as The Lone Prospector in his 1925 film, "The Gold Rush."

He appeared in "Making a Living," playing a villain who wore a monocle.

"It wasnt long before he also worked on the other side of the camera, helping direct his 12th film and directing his 13th, Caught in the Rain, on his own," History.com notes.

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Chaplin would go on to perfect and refine the character Charlie the Tramp  signing on in 1915 with the Essanay company for $1,250 a week, plus a $10,000 bonus  "quite a jump," notes History.com, from what he was paid earlier by the Keystone company.

FROM KATHERINE HEPBURN TO SHIRLEY TEMPLE: A LOOK BACK AT OLD HOLLYWOOD OSCARS AND LITTLE-KNOWN TRIVIA

Fast-forward  and in 1918, he signed a contract with First National for $1 million for eight films, History.com reports.

He was known as "a masterful silent film actor and pantomimist who could elicit both laughter and tears from his audiences."

No surprise, then, that he reportedly resisted the arrival of sound in movies. "City Lights" in 1931 was his first film to feature sound  and he only used music in it.

He composed the entire score for it, according to CharlieChaplin.com.

Up-close shot of Charles Chaplin (1889-1977), without mustache. He achieved huge success with the character of "the tramp," a humorous and pathetic character that became world-famous.

His first true sound picture was 1940s "The Great Dictator," in which he mocked fascism, says History.com.

Chaplin is also known for founding United Artists Corporation  with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and director D.W. Griffith  in 1919.

OSCARS QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT THE ACADEMY AWARDS?

He wound up living in the United States for more than 40 years but reportedly never became a U.S. citizen.

Chaplin was accused of communist ties, which he denied, says History.com. But in 1952, immigration officials prevented Chaplin and his wife "from reentering the United States after a foreign tour."

The couple settled in Switzerland with their eight children.

In 1972, Chaplin returned to America to accept a special Academy Award for "the incalculable effect he has had on making motion pictures the art for and of this century."

Charlie Chaplin is shown in 1970, then in his early 80s. He was knighted in 1975.

A few years ago, actress and icon Sophia Loren  in a reflection of her decades-long career in Hollywood for the Actors/Directors/Screenwriters issue of The Wrap's awards magazine  observed a photo of herself from 1967s "The Countess from Hong Kong," also known as Charlie Chaplins last film.

"I was so nervous working with him," Loren told the outlet of Chaplin.

"Hes such a master. But on the first day on the set, I realized he was just as nervous. If you care and love something, you get nervous. Im suspicious of people who dont ever get nervous."

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Chaplin was knighted in 1975.

He passed away at age 88 on Christmas day in 1977.

He was survived by eight children from his marriage with Oona ONeill and one son from his short marriage to Lita Grey.
The total death toll of Russia's April 14 missile attack on the city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast has reached 15, Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on April 16. Another 24 civilians were injured.

According to him, the rescue operation at the site of the Russian missile attack, which hit a five-story residential building, has been completed.

Overall, the Russian army launched 8 surface-to-air missiles at Sloviansk at 4 p.m. local time on April 14.

Among the killed civilians was a two-year old boy.

According to General Staff Deputy Chief Oleksii Hromov, Russia has fired at least 8,000 long-range anti-aircraft missiles at Ukraine during its full-scale invasion.

On April 10, the UN reported that, since Feb. 24, 2022, at least 8,490 civilians had been killed and more than 14,240 injured due to Russia's war against Ukraine.

However, the number may be much higher, since there are no reports on killed civilians in Russian-occupied territories, including in the city of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast.
By Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The standoff over raising the U.S. federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling illustrates the stakes of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's lengthy absence from Washington, fellow Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Sunday.

Feinstein, 89, faced calls from some fellow Democrats last week to resign her seat after being sidelined since early March by a bout of shingles. On Wednesday she said she would temporarily step down from her spot on the Judiciary Committee while she recovers.

"We are going to need her vote on the Senate floor eventually. We have things like the debt ceiling coming up," Klobuchar said in an interview on ABC's "This Week" program.

Congress has been locked in a standoff over the debt ceiling since January, with the Republicans who control the House of Representatives saying they will vote to raise it only in exchange for federal spending cuts. President Joe Biden's Democrats insist on a "clean" debt ceiling bill unaccompanied by cuts.

Democrats control the Senate by a narrow 51-49 margin, making every vote critical.

Feinstein said on Wednesday that she will continue to work from her San Francisco home, which will prevent her from voting in the Senate, where she has not cast a vote since mid-February.

"I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it's safe for me to travel," Feinstein said.

Senate Majority Leader Schumer will ask the Senate this week to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve on the Judiciary Committee.

Klobuchar, a Senate Judiciary Committee member, said the trail-blazing California lawmaker had "made the right decision" to step aside until she is able to resume work, but the closely divided Senate could not cope with her absence indefinitely.

"If this goes on month after month after month, then she's going to have to make a decision with her family and her friends about what her future holds, because this isn't just about California. It's also about the nation," Klobuchar said.

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Feinstein on Wednesday faced the first public calls for her resignation from fellow Democrats.

Representative Ro Khanna of California, who last week urged Feinstein to step down, said she was no longer able to do the job in an appearance on "Fox News Sunday."

"I have a lot of respect for Senator Feinstein, but she's missed 75% of votes this year. She hasn't been showing up," Khanna said. "She has no return date."

Also appearing on "Fox News Sunday," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand defended Feinstein, saying she should be allowed to make up her own mind when or whether she will retire before her term ends after the 2024 elections.

"It's her right. She's been voted by her state to be senator for six years. She has the right in my opinion to decide when she steps down," Gillibrand said. "Dianne will get better. She will come back to work."

A representative for Feinstein could not be immediately reached for comment.

Feinstein is one of three senators who recently have been out for medical reasons. Mitch McConnell, 81, the Senate's top Republican, was treated for a concussion after falling at a dinner in Washington. Democratic Senator John Fetterman was hospitalized for depression earlier this year while recuperating from a stroke.

McConnell and Fetterman are expected to return to work on Monday.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson, Hannah Lang and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Scott Malone and Chizu Nomiyama)
On Sunday, Ukrainian Defence Forces shot down four Russian drones and struck areas of concentration of personnel, storage points, air defence systems, and the occupiers' control post.

Source: Summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "During the day, the Air Force of the Defense Forces made five strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel and the anti-aircraft missile complex of the occupiers. Our defenders shot down four enemy UAVs (two Orlan-10 type, one reconnaissance Eleron, and one Lancet kamikaze drone).

Over the course of the last day, units of Rocket Forces and Artillery hit a control post, an anti-aircraft missile complex, where the enemy's manpower, weapons, and military equipment were concentrated, a fuel and lubricating materials storage point, and two storage points of the enemy's ammunition."

Details: Over the past day, Russians launched 25 missile strikes from the S-300 air defence system on the peaceful cities of Zaporizhzhia, Komyshuvakha in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Snihurivka in Mykolaiv Oblast; as well as 28 air strikes. They carried out four attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and the civilian infrastructure of populated areas.

There are dead and injured civilians; apartment and private residential buildings, civilian educational institutions, hospitals, churches, and other civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged.

The occupiers suffer considerable losses but do not give up their plans to occupy Ukrainian territory. They focus their primary efforts on conducting offensive actions on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka fronts. They are actively using operational-tactical and army aircraft in specified areas. Bakhmut and Marinka remain at the epicentre of hostilities. During the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled more than 45 Russian attacks on the indicated areas of the front.

On the Volyn, Polissia, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, no signs of formation of Russian offensive groups were detected. A thorough check of the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus continues. There are still some units of the territorial forces of the Russian Armed Forces which remain in Belarus. Several Russian units are stationed in the border areas of Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.

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During the day, the occupiers shelled the settlements of Svesa, Buniakyne, Iskryskivshchyna, Shpyl, Volfyne, Yunakivka, and Basivka in Sumy Oblast, as well as Veterynarne, Neskuchne, Vovchansk, Bochkove, Mala Vovcha and Zemlianka in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Kupyansk front, the occupiers shelled the settlements of Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, and Kindrashivka in Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Lyman front, the invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive actions north of Hryhorivka and near Spirne. Stelmakhivka, Nevske, Bilohorivka of Luhansk Oblast, and Ivanivka and Spirne of Donetsk Oblast were hit by artillery fire.

On the Bakhmut front, the Russians continued to conduct offensive actions. The battles for the city of Bakhmut do not stop. The invaders carried out attacks on the settlements of Khromove and Ivanivske without success. Vasiukivka, Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Novodmytrivka, and Pivnichne of Donetsk Oblast were affected by shelling.

On the Avdiivka front, the occupiers carried out offensive actions in the areas of Novokalynove, Sieverne, Vodiane, and Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast without success. They fired on more than 15 settlements near the contact line. These are, in particular, Novokalynove, Avdiiivka, Vodiane, Pervomaiske, and Netailove of Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled numerous invader attacks near the town of Marinka. At the same time, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka of Donetsk Oblast came under fire.

The Russians have not carried out offensive operations on the Shakhtarsk front today. They shelled the settlements of Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Velyka Novosilka and Vremivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The occupiers continue to conduct defensive operations on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts. During the day, they shelled populated areas. Among them are Vremivka, Novopil of Donetsk Oblast; Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Bilohiria, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka and Kamianske of Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Dudchany, Beryslav, Vesele, Burhunka, Bilozerka, Dniprovske of Kherson Oblast, as well as the city of Kherson.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  More than 26,000 families, or 96,000 individuals, were affected by Tropical Depression Amang, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday.

The NDRRMC said 303 families, or 1,088 individuals, in the towns of General Luna, Gumaca, and Lopez in Quezon were the new addition to the list of families affected by Amang.

In Bicol region, 25,762 families, or 95,337 residents, were affected by the first tropical cyclone that entered the country. More than 12,000 individuals are still in evacuation centers in the region, the agency reported.

Food packs worth over 290,000 have been distributed to families in the Bicol region, the agency added.

On Friday, the Department of Agriculture said agricultural damage breached 50.84 million as Amang ruined 1,330 hectares of crop areas in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Amang, which weakened to a remnant low on Thursday, mostly destroyed agri-infrastructure, followed by the corn and rice sectors.

The DA said it already distributed assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
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It brightens and fades fine lines.

Ulta/ InStyle

When over 90,000 dermatologists recommend a single skincare brand, its bound to be for good reason. Such is the case with La Roche-Posay, a French brand thats been churning out skincare solutions since 1975, and still remains impressively popular decades later. In fact, it was the fastest growing skincare brand of 2022, according to data from Neilsen  a testament to its hardworking products and timelessness.

Among its most well-known products is the Pure Vitamin C Face Serum, which brightens hyperpigmentation, fades fine lines, and plumps skin both instantly and over time. You can shop the dermatologist-approved, anti-aging solution for $38 at Amazon, where it boasts nearly 7,000 five-star ratings. Formulated with pure vitamin C at a potent concentration of 10, it acts fast to visibly improve the skins overall tone and texture for a luminous, youthful-looking complexion. The serum is an excellent anti-ager for all skin types, including sensitive and oily.

Ulta

Shop now: $38$44; amazon.com and laroche-posay.com

As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elaine Kung previously told InStyle, La Roche-Posays serum contains ascorbic acid, a potent form of the vitamin. In addition to a skin brightener, vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant. Ergo, it can mitigate accelerated skin aging by thwarting free-radicals in the environment. Dr. Kung also pointed to the formulas other ingredients like adenosine and peptides that are helpful for skin brightening and anti-aging. Together, they promote collagen production and prevention of wrinkles.

La Roche Posays serum contains a blend of additional youth-promoting ingredients that further bolster the effects of ascorbic acid and adenosine. Namely, hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule that floods skin with hydration, thereby plumping fine lines and lessening their appearance almost instantly. Moreover, HA can help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by creating a barrier that retains water in the skin," dermatologist Dr. Lian Mack shared with InStyle in an earlier interview.

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Furthermore, the formula contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid and dermatologist go-to for mitigating excess oil production. In quelling pore-clogging debris, the ingredient can lessen the appearance of large, overactive pores. As cosmetic chemist Dr. Shuting Hu previously told InStyle, "the acid part of the molecule can break down and loosen the desmosome (the proteins that hold cells together) making it easier for the product to exfoliate and cleanse any impurities that are clogging the pores. Though salicylic acid is often recommended for oily, acne-prone skin, the formulas inclusion of neurosensine dipeptide  an excellent skin-soother and a signature for the brand  mitigates sensitivity risk.

One Amazon shopper in their 50s says they, along with their middle-age partner, use La Roche-Posays vitamin C: This serum reduces wrinkles and fine lines over time, they conclude, adding, It's very gentle on the skin, and does not cause any irritation. Another 52-year-old shopper says the serum made their previously dull skin brighter and their brown spots appear lighter. A final 65+ reviewer from the brands site, says theyre so, so satisfied with the product in light of their fresher-looking, smooth skin, and fadeddiscoloration.

If youre interested in trying a vitamin C serum thats not only recommended by droves of dermatologists, but also beloved by shoppers with mature skin, shop La Roche-Posays Pure Vitamin C Face Serum for $38 at Amazon.

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Read the original article on InStyle.
By Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fundraising group supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's potential run for U.S. president on Sunday launched its first attacks on leading rival Donald Trump, questioning the former president's allegiance to his fellow Republicans.

"Trump should fight Democrats, not lie about Governor DeSantis," the ad stated. "What happened to Donald Trump?"

Former president Trump launched a bid for the 2024 Republican nomination in November and polls show he is leading the field of declared and as-yet undeclared candidates. DeSantis, who is expected to launch a run, is in second position in polls.

Never Back Down, the Super PAC backing DeSantis, released the ad titled "Fight Democrats, not Republicans" online and on "Fox News Sunday."

The ad begins with a reference to Trump's legal troubles in New York.

"Donald Trump has been attacked by a Democrat prosecutor in New York. So why is he spending millions attacking the Republican governor of Florida?"

Trump pleaded not guilty in Manhattan on April 4 to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. He was questioned on Thursday in a separate $250 million business fraud lawsuit brought by the state's attorney general.

Make American Great Again, the major Super PAC aligned with Trump, has already attacked DeSantis in ads.

Its latest release on Friday referenced a Daily Beast report that DeSantis ate chocolate pudding with his fingers while on a flight from Tallahassee to Washington in 2019.

"DeSantis has his dirty fingers all over senior entitlements, like cutting Medicare, slashing Social Security, even raising our retirement age," the ad said. "Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off our money."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in early April showed 48% of Republicans saying they want Trump to be their party's presidential nominee in 2024, with 19% supporting DeSantis. (This story has been refiled to correct a typographical error in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Scott Malone and Chizu Nomiyama)
(Bloomberg) -- A political group aligned with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched video attack ads against Donald Trump, striking back at the former president for scathing criticism of DeSantis and ratcheting up hostilities between the rivals for the Republican presidential nomination.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis group, blasted Trump as a gun grabber saying he cut and run like a coward in statements Trump made in 2019 after a series of mass shootings in which he backed red flag laws, which allow authorities to take guns from people judged to be a threat to harm themselves or others.

@NRA members he'd have their back.But when #2A rights came under attack, Trump abandoned us and sided with liberal Democrats in support of gun control. https://t.co/vvc5QAgR42 pic.twitter.com/MEvwVETiXG

 Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) April 14, 2023

Another ad that the group launched Sunday accused Trump of stealing pages from the Biden-Pelosi Playbook in his repeated criticism of DeSantis for working on behalf of massive cuts to Social Security and Medicare. As a congressman, DeSantis voted for nonbinding legislation to raise the qualifying age for both programs to 70.

The ad barrage suggests a more aggressive response from the DeSantis team to Trumps withering criticism of their candidate. While Trump is a declared candidate to recapture the White House in 2024, DeSantis hasnt announced a presidential bid.

Make America Great Again, a Trump-aligned group, has been amplifying the former presidents criticism of DeSantiss prior votes on Social Security in advertisements for more than two weeks. The latest, referencing an anecdote reported in the Daily Beast in which DeSantis scooped chocolate pudding with three fingers, says the Florida governor has his dirty fingers all over senior entitlements.

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Republican support for a DeSantis presidential run has been declining in polls as Trump repeatedly denigrates the Florida governor and House Republicans publicly rally around the former president in the face of a criminal indictment by a Manhattan grand jury.

Trumps lead over DeSantis in the RealClearPolitics average of polls has widened to more than 28 percentage points from as close as 13 points in January.

The DeSantis-aligned groups online ad criticizing Trumps stances on firearms was released as Republican presidential hopefuls courted gun enthusiasts at a National Rifle Association convention in Indianapolis.

The group unveiled the ad responding to Trumps attacks on DeSantiss Social Security record on Fox News Sunday.

Never Back Down, which also released a gauzy ad celebrating DeSantiss political values, has reserved $3.5 million worth of television air time, split between national cable channels and local buys in early presidential nominating states including Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, according to AdImpact.

--With assistance from Bill Allison and Laura Davison.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The National Rifle Association Holds Annual Convention in Indianapolis - Credit: Getty Images

After a pro-Donald Trump super PAC released an ad depicting a Ron DeSantis lookalike eating pudding with his fingers, a super PAC supporting Floridas Republican governor put out an ad of its own, asking why the former president is being so mean to him.

Donald Trump is being attacked by a Democrat prosecutor in New York. So why is he spending millions attacking the Republican governor of Florida? the ad released Sunday by pro-DeSantis group Never Back Down asked, referring to the Southern District of New Yorks indictment of Trump on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments. The ad, entitled Fight Democrats, Not Republicans, first aired on Fox News Sunday this weekend.

More from Rolling Stone

The TV spot accused Trump of stealing pages from the Biden-Pelosi playbook and attacked him for claiming DeSantis would cut Social Security benefits. Trump should fight Democrats, not lie about Governor Ron DeSantis, the ad said. What happened to Donald Trump?

While the video released Sunday is Never Back Downs first televised ad, its not the groups first video attacking Trump. On Friday, right before the former president addressed the National Rifle Associations (NRA) annual meeting, the group released an ad calling Trump a gun grabber and featuring footage of Trump advocating for gun control measures.

Trump promised @NRA members he'd have their back.



But when #2A rights came under attack, Trump abandoned us and sided with liberal Democrats in support of gun control. https://t.co/vvc5QAgR42 pic.twitter.com/MEvwVETiXG  Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) April 14, 2023

Trump cut and run like a coward. Trump the gun grabber doesnt deserve a second chance, the narrator intoned in the video.

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While the former president has already launched his 2024 campaign, and the pro-Trump MAGA PAC has been running attack ads against DeSantis for weeks, the Florida Republican has not yet formally announced his intent to run. But with ads like these attacking Trump, its pretty clear DeSantis is gunning for the White House.

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
A super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) attacked former President Trump in its first TV ad for his aggression toward the governor ahead of what is expected to be a 2024 White House bid by DeSantis.

Donald Trump is being attacked by a Democrat prosecutor in New York, the narrator in the ad released Sunday said. So why is he spending millions attacking the Republican governor of Florida? Trumps stealing pages from the Biden-Pelosi playbook.

The ad blasts Trump for his offensive against DeSantiss stance on Social Security. In 2013, DeSantis, who at the time was a member of the U.S. House, voted for a resolution that called for the age to qualify for Medicare and Social Security to be raised to 70. Since then, DeSantis has said that Republicans should not touch the programs when it comes to negotiations over spending cuts in Washington, D.C.

The super Pac then turned the attack back around on Trump, playing a clip of the former president in an interview from the World Economic Forum in which he said entitlements would be on his plate for spending cuts at some point.

At some point they will be, Trump said in 2020. At the right time, we will take a look at that.

The ad finishes by saying that Trump should fight Democrats and not attack DeSantis, asking: What happened to Donald Trump?

The two Republicans relationship has soured with both seemingly destined for a showdown on the campaign trail for the GOPs nomination in 2024. Trump has already started his campaign, and DeSantis is expected to in the next couple of months.

While surveys show Trump as the frontrunner for the nomination next year, it also shows DeSantis as his main rival, with the governor polling above other Republicans who have launched 2024 campaigns.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine's Defence Minister, has said that the Ukrainian delegation was unsure whether it would return home from a trip to Minsk for talks with Russia at the beginning of the war.

Source: Reznikov in an interview with the Spanish news agency La Razon

Details: Reznikov called it the worst day and the most challenging decision to be part of the Ukrainian delegation that went to Belarus in the first days of the war.

He noted that the purpose of the talks was to create humanitarian corridors, which helped save tens of thousands of lives.

Quote from Reznikov: "It was challenging to say yes to the president when he asked me [to be a part of the delegation], as I felt a deep hatred [for Russians  ed.]. And as a negotiator, I know this is an emotion that is not useful.

It was terrible to shake hands with the enemy.

There were four meetings, including three in Belarus and one in Turkiye.

I can tell you that in the first three, we did not feel safe at all and even doubted that we would come back home."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
It was no secret who was buried at Camden. Beneath pine straw and feet of soil were the bodies of men and boys. They had died by gun and bayonet, cannon and swords.

They were some of Americas first soldiers who, riddled with illness and eating nothing more than green corn and molasses, marched all night only to be cut down by British forces rampaging their way north from Charleston on the morning of Aug. 16, 1780 in the bloody Battle of Camden.

Suffering 900 casualties, the Americans fled in defeat. According to legend, some didnt stop until they reached North Carolina. Their abandoned dead were thrown into communal graves, arms and legs intertwined, to lie in anonymity.

For more than two centuries, they did not rest peacefully. Wild hogs rooted through the shallow graves. The land was farmed and logged. Tractors drove over the graves, compressing dirt and clay and crushing bone that lay sometimes just inches below the surface.

For at least four decades, the site was known to private collectors who dug beneath the sand and clay to scoop up musket balls and prized buttons, ignoring the bones of the war dead.

But on Saturday, April 22, nearly 243 years after that bloody day, 14 of those soldiers will again be laid to rest following a three-day ceremony. Their discovery and secret excavation was the product of years of collaboration between the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) and the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust.

I hesitate to use superlatives, said Doug Bostick, CEO of the South Carolina Battlefield Trust, which overseas the Camden battleground, but (its) arguably the most significant Revolutionary War archaeological discovery in many decades.

While its not the only recent significant discovery in Revolutionary War history in August 2022, just months before the Camden discovery was announced, a dozen Hessian mercenaries who fought for the British were unearthed at the Red Banks in New Jersey  but it is the largest recent discovery of war dead who fought on the American side.

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During the pandemic lockdowns, Jim Legg and Steven Smith from the SCIAA decided to follow up on persistent rumors from private collectors about the location of graves at Camden. Armed with metal detectors, they swept the battlefield every day until they got a reading. Digging down into the earth, Legg described finding a couple of buttons stamped with USA, issued to patriot soldiers.

Under the buttons, he found a femur. Expanding outward from the site, they began to find more bodies.

As we got to a critical mass of six bodies, we thought, we need to do something with these people, because we need to protect them, and keep their graves from being desecrated, Bostick said.

A team was soon assembled, including anthropologists and archaeologists from SCIAA, the University of South Carolina, the Richland County Coroners Office and the state Department of Natural Resources.

They worked under the proverbial cover of night  the battlefield was closed, ostensibly for renovations, while the dig was conducted to hide the site from looters.

Archaeologists prepare a burial excavation unit at Camden for removal of remains.

As the group troweled, sifted and brushed away dirt, accompanied by a horde of volunteers, the six bodies became 14, spread across seven different graves. Among them were Continentals from Maryland and Delaware patriot militias, a member of a North Carolina loyalist militia and a towering Scottish highlander, believed to be a British shock troop from the feared 71st Regiment of Foot.

It was exciting and a bit terrifying in the sense that we had a limited time and a limited number of people to work on the project and a limited amount of money, said Smith of SCIAA.

By November, the excavation was complete. As each of the bodies was removed, a prayer was said, the box transporting them was draped with the flag of their nation, and toasts were offered  rum for the Americans, whiskey for the highlander.

The carefully cataloged remains were packed up and sent to the Richland County Coroners Office, where forensic anthropologists began the painstaking process of collecting data from the bones before preparing them for reinterment.

In the past archeologists have excavated human burials and not put them back, Smith said. Our intent from the start was to rebury them. We never would have just dug them up for research purposes.

Dr. Atwell prepares to lift a tibia and fibula from the soil at the Camden excavation site.

The men, British and American alike, will be reburied with full British and American military honors Saturday following a three-day ceremony in Columbia and Camden, which will include a procession in U.S. Army Humvees through downtown Columba, past the State House and to Fort Jackson, a performance by the 282nd U.S. Army Band from Fort Jackson, and flyovers by a fighter squadron from Shaw Air Force Base and Apache helicopters from the South Carolina National Guard before the men are laid to rest in handmade coffins.

Asked why it was so important to go to such lengths to honor the ancient dead, Bostick turned even further back in history.

The life of the dead is placed on the memories of the living, said Bostick, quoting the Roman statesman Cicero. It is incumbent upon us, particularly now, when things are so divisive in the United States, to reconnect with our founding story.

Telling their stories

In a lab not far from Two Notch Road in Columbia, a team of anthropologists from the Richland County Coroners Office has become instrumental to telling that story.

Trained in using techniques of skeletal analysis to identify the deceased and solve homicides, the team has been called in to work some of the most challenging death cases around the state, including the 2019 murder of 5-year-old Naveah Adams of Sumter, whose body was thrown in a landfill.

Were involved in recovering and identifying remains on a day-to-day basis, said Dr. Bill Stevens, head of the Richland County Coroners Anthropology Department, which analyzed the skeletons.

Dr. Bill Stevens arranges the vertebrae of a soldier at the Richland County Coroners Office.

But with the 14 soldiers in their care, the anthropology team, which includes Dr. Madeline Atwell, a USC-trained biological anthropologist, and Rachel Baker, a deputy coroner, has also been challenged to answer not just how the soldiers died, but how they lived.

Theres an opportunity here to advance the scholarship about what we know about people that fought in the American Revolution, Bostick said.

Analysis of the skeletons has already shown that several of the dead soldiers were teenagers. One was found with a musket ball in his spine. But answering questions like the exact cause of death for every individual remains elusive  much of what could have been known from the remains has been lost to time and many of the skeletons were damaged by animals, the elements and careless farmers following their hasty burial.

Arriving at the point of analyzing 14 fragmented, heavily decomposed skeletons was an organizational feat that began at burial sites.

You dont just dig down and take this button out, or this musket ball, because it means something to us in relation to a bone or a body part, Stevens said.

As the bodies were uncovered, photos and diagrams were made of the graves. Connective tissue was long gone so the most fragile bones were removed in blocks of soil, others were extracted individually and wrapped in foil and meticulously labeled and diagrammed.

Cleaning the bones for analysis is a slow, painstaking process. Working reverently, the team removed packed soil and fine webs of roots with brushes and tools resembling small scalpels carved from wood. The occasional spray of water is used to help compress the dirt, almost indistinguishable from bone, making it easier to scrape away.

On one afternoon in December, the team, assisted by John Fisher, an archaeologist from USC, was working gently on what appeared, to the untrained eye, to be a block of dirt when suddenly a thick slab fell away, exposing a remarkably preserved half of a skull. There were soft gasps as the anthropology team gathered around, examining the quality of the teeth and looking for signs of trauma that could offer clues as to how the individual died.

These are the first straight lines weve seen in the skull, Stevens said, pointing at barely perceptible grooves. We know historically that these guys carried sabers and swords. Its possibly our first sign of someone getting struck with a sword.

Once the bones are cleaned, Atwell and Stevens laid out the skeletons to take measurements to help identify key characteristics like age, sex and race. The team also used X-rays to reveal Harris lines, thin bands of denser bone that can indicate juvenile malnutrition, disease or trauma.

Teeth have been extracted for DNA and isotopic analysis, which could offer a picture of the soldiers health and ancestry. Historians and genealogical researchers are also working to learn about the units the soldiers served in and, along with the DNA, Bostick hopes that they may be able to find descendants of the deceased.

The goal of the Battleground Trust is to bring this information together with artifacts recovered from the graves and the wealth of historical information about the Revolutionary War, from weapons and diseases to society and camp life, will flesh out the human portrait of the soldiers who served in the war.

Its easy sometimes to write about these things in a dispassionate way, Bostick said, But theres no way you can be removed from the reality of what youre talking about, when youve stood over the body of soldiers in a grave that were just hurriedly buried and are six inches down.

Honoring those who gave all

Certain themes keep coming up around the Camden project: Honor, sacrifice, duty, respect, privilege.

The opportunity for scholarship to advance our understanding and scholarship of the Revolutionary War is only a piece of Bosticks mission at the Battleground Trust.

To have the opportunity to respectfully lay these 14 bodies to rest the way they should have been in 1780 is just a mission and a great privilege, Bostick said.

Outside of the pomp and circumstance of the Humvees, helicopters and fighter jets, the goal was to craft a funeral ceremony that would have been recognizable to the men who had been denied their burial rites.

The funeral will be conducted as a joint Anglican-Presbyterian service. The burial rites in the Anglican church havent changed since the 1500s, said the Rev. William Owens Jr., from the St. Mary Magdelene Anglican Church in Camden, who will perform the service alongside the Rev. Josie Holler from Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Kingstree.

They also have prayer books written in the original Elizabethan English, meaning the service would be recognizable to the soldiers, according to Owens.

Whether they were patriots or British soldiers is irrelevant to us. They deserve a decent burial, Owens said.

By early April, the analysis on the remains was complete and the anthropologists at the coroners office prepared the soldiers for their reinterment.

Each soldier was placed in a coffin, specially built by Camden woodworker Philip Hultgren, who used long leaf pine wood salvaged from a 124-year-old former hardware store in downtown Camden. Examining the rings in the wood, Hultgren said he estimated that the trees began growing in the 1690s, almost a hundred years before the battle of Camden.

Its possible that the soldiers passed under or sat beneath these trees, Hultgren said.

He hand planed the wood to remove all traces of machine marks and assembled the coffins using traditional, hand wrought iron nails. He then polished the wood with boiled linseed oil to give the coffins a warm luster.

I wanted it to look like it was done with loving hands, Hultgren said. My thinking was, what would a family member have done for their loved ones final internment?

The soldiers will be transported from the coroners office to Camden by Humvees supplied by Fort Jackson. From there, they will lie in repose in the historic Kershaw Cornwallis House, near the battlefield.

On Saturday, they will be transported by horse drawn caissons, accompanied by an honor guard and the 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson, before being reinterred in vaults, six feet below the ground where they were originally discarded.

How can you begin to repay the sacrifice of these men and boys? Hultgren asked. You give what you can knowing that what you can give is inadequate.

The schedule of events

Thursday, April 20: The 14 soldiers will be moved from Columbia to Camden on U.S. Army Humvees. The procession will move through Columbias downtown, arriving at the State Capitol at noon. Next, the procession will travel to Fort Jackson and then to the Kershaw Cornwallis House in Camden, where the soldiers will lie in repose from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Friday, April 21: The soldiers lie in repose from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Kershaw Cornwallis House in Camden.

Saturday, April 22: Funeral cortege from Historic Camden to Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Funeral service, 11 a.m. until noon. Burial honors ceremony, 3 p.m.

Source: scbattlegroundtrust.org
A man plays a round of "Call of Duty 4" in the computer area of the U.S. Army Experience center at the Franklin Mills mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 2009. Tim Shaffer/Reuters

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old airman, was accused of leaking US intelligence documents on Discord.

The US military uses Discord to recruit young people who are enthusiastic about video games.

SOCOM previously had to warn servicemembers about posting sensitive information on the app.

Members of a private Discord server where hundreds of US intelligence documents concerning the war in Ukraine were shared said the suspected leaker wanted to show off rather than fulfill some public duty, according to The Associated Press.

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old junior-ranking US National Guard airman, was arrested on Thursday in connection to the leak of classified Pentagon documents. The Washington Post reported the documents were posted on a private Discord community or "server" named Thug Shaker Central, a group of 20 to 30 people of mostly young men and teenagers, according to The New York Times.

According to the Post, the name Thug Shaker Central is a racist allusion and was created as a space for members to share their love of video games, guns, and racist memes.

Some Republicans  most prominently Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene  have hailed Teixeira as a national hero, but members of Thug Shaker Central said otherwise.

A former member of Thug Shaker Central anonymously told the Post that Teixeira shared the documents to attain clout amongst his online community, where he was known as "O.G."

"If I had to give a gauge on it, it would be more or less just some nerds wanting to glance over some stuff and compare and contrast and kind of have a little joke about it," an unidentified Discord server member also told the AP. "At the end of the day, I mean we're just trying to have a fun time." It's unclear if the AP spoke to the same individual as the Post.

Discord has proliferated to about 150 million monthly active users since it was founded in 2015, according to Statista, a data analytics site. The platform is a particular favorite among young gamers who use Discord servers to share gameplay clips or stream themselves playing popular video games like Valorant, Minecraft, Fortnite, or Apex Legends, a battle royale shooter game.

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The attraction of gamers has made Discord a crucial tool for the US military and its broader campaign to focus recruiting efforts on online communities and video games. For example, a US Army server dedicated to its esports team, first reported on by the Post, has more than 17,000 users.

"As the esports industry continues to grow exponentially, nearly every branch of the military now has an official service-sanctioned gaming program," a 2022 news release from the Defense Department said. "For some of these service members, that means it's actually their job to play video games."

However, the reliance on digital platforms means the US military also has to be wary of dealing with an increasingly online population, especially on apps such as Discord, where users may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics because the servers can be set private.

In March, the US Special Operations Command had to warn service members in a guide not to "post anything in Discord that you wouldn't want seen by the general public."

"It may be a private server, but conversations and photos/videos can be captured by screenshot or recorded and leaked," the guide, which was first reported on and shared by the Post, said.

The guide also warns not to establish connections with users or servers "you do not know or trust."

Dan Meyer, an attorney with more than two decades of experience in federal employment and national security law, told the AP that social media and video games have long been a national security concern.

"The social media world and gaming sites in particular have been identified as a counterintelligence concern for about a decade," he told the AP, noting how foreign intelligence agents could hide their identities behind online avatars to connect with, for example, young service members gaming at the Norfolk Naval Base recreation center.

A spokesperson for Discord and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump Jr. recently urged conservatives to end their boycott of Bud Light and its parent company Anheuser-Busch over the brands collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

So heres the deal. Anheuser-Busch totally sh** the bed with this Dylan Mulvaney thing. Im not, though, for destroying an American, an iconic company for something like this, he said on his podcast, Triggered, on Thursday.

When I actually look into it, Im not gonna blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell, Trump added.

He defended Anheuser-Busch, saying it has historically donated more to conservative politicians than left-leaning politicians.

We looked into the political giving and lobbying history of Anheuser-Busch and guess what? They actually support Republicans, he said.

Last cycle their employees and their PAC gave about 60 percent to Republicans and 40 percent to Democrats, Trump added. Thats literally almost unheard of in corporate America, where its really easy to go woke, where they do so constantly, where theres a consequence to actually being a conservative. So 60/40 to the conservative side is kind of a big deal.

He concluded in saying that the company doesnt participate in the same leftist nonsense as the other big conglomerates.

The backlash began when Mulvaney posted a video from a bathtub, surrounded by cans of the beer. The brand had sent Mulvaney a personalized Bud Light can to mark the celebration of the influencers first anniversary of beginning the transition from male to female. Anheuser-Busch initially defended it as just another brand deal.

Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics. From time to time we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public, an AB spokesperson told Fox News at the time.

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Many consumers were further disappointed upon the discovery that Bud Lights marketing vice president, Alissa Heinerscheid, had made comments claiming she was tasked with reinventing Bud Light to move away from its fratty roots and out of touch humor.

Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth finally responded to the growing backlash in a statement on Friday, more than one week into the controversy, that seemingly failed to please either side of the ongoing debate.

We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer, Whitworth said. My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another.

He added, As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage.

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A street takeover in Compton early Sunday was followed by a large mob breaking through the door of a gas station. (KTLA)

An estimated 100 people broke into a Compton gas station after a street takeover early Sunday morning, smashing open a door and grabbing merchandise off the shelves, authorities said.

A mob of people flooded into the Arco gas station about 2:30 a.m. near Alondra Boulevard and Central Avenue, according to authorities and videos posted on local TV news stations and social media.

At least three street takeovers occurred overnight in the Compton area, including one at the intersection where the break-in occurred, said Sgt. Clarence Williams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Video footage shows a man in a black mask and hood using an object to smash through glass and open a door into the station. Then dozens of people  some wearing masks and others not  push into the store.

People can be seen grabbing snacks, drinks and other items in a chaotic frenzy. One person caught on video grabs multiple packs of condoms while smiling.

Williams said he had never seen a flash-mob-type break-in "to that level."

By the time law enforcement arrived, the crowd was gone, according to Williams.

No arrests were made and no one in the video has been identified, he said.

Williams said street takeovers occur most weekends in the area. A large one was reported overnight near Long Beach Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, in addition to the one near the gas station.

Tire marks from cars doing doughnuts scarred the intersection near the Arco, along with other damage, according to KTLA-5.

"They're just about every weekend," Williams said. "We're doing our best we can to try to assist the citizens in dealing with this issue."





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16)  The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against 49 personnel of the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG), including its former chief PBGen. Narciso Domingo.

Andoon yung [There are] specific charges against them for every participation that they have done in this operation, PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said in a press briefing on Sunday.

Cruz earlier said that Domingo and Region 4A head PCol. Julian Olonan were among those found to have criminal and administrative liability following the controversial anti-drug operation in Manila that yielded 990 kilograms of shabu.

READ: Ex-PDEG director, 48 other personnel to face charges over shabu haul and 'cover-up'

The CIDG said the PDEG officials have violated Sections 21, 27 and 92 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165), as well as Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, for providing false testimony and perjury.

The agency also plans to file administrative cases for grave neglect of duty, incompetence to perform duties of a police officer, grave dishonesty for concealment of truth, and misfeasance.

The CIDG should continue the conduct of case build-up to further strengthen the criminal cases that will be filed, Cruz said.

Cruz said "most" of the 49 PNP personnel were already relieved from duty.

Higher accountability

Contrary to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos statement, Domingo on Tuesday said there was no attempt to cover up irregularities in last years shabu haul.

READ: 2 PDEG officials to file leave over 6.7-B shabu haul 'cover-up'

But Cruz stressed that Domingo is accountable as he holds the highest position in the PDEG.

The higher the rank, the higher the accountability. You are the commander, you should know whats happening with your men, he said.
Smoke billows as fighting continues in Sudan. AFP via Getty Images

Fighting intensified in Sudan over the weekend, leaving the North African country rocked by violence as the army warred with a paramilitary group attempting to seize control of the government.

As of Saturday evening, at least 56 people have died and nearly 600 have been injured, according to a translated tweet from the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

The skirmish was concentrated in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, where the Sudanese Army faced a second day of fighting against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group attempting a coup d'etat. The RSF's military leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, told Sky News Arabia that his forces "control more than 90 percent of strategic sites in Khartoum." This included reports that the RSF had taken over the presidential palace and the main airport in Khartoum, per The Guardian.

However, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Army, disputed the claims of the RSF, per CNN, saying the army still controlled most government sites. However, Dagalo told Al Jazeera that al-Burhan was to blame, and claimed that the Sudanese Army, not the RSF, had instigated the fighting.

Both sides had pledged just days ago that they were ready to diffuse longstanding tensions, but violence erupted nevertheless, and Dagalo said that he would keep fighting until all of Sudan's military sites were under RSF control.

Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok released a video condemning the violence. "I demand al-Burhan, the army commanders, and the RSF leaders to stop the bullets immediately and for the voice of reason to rule," he said.

Hamdok had ruled Sudan under a power-sharing agreement after the previous leader, Omar al-Bashir, was ousted in 2019. However, Hamdok himself was ousted in 2021 during a coup led by al-Burhan and Dagalo, who at the time were working together.

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MeeMoo's search and pursuit on Wednesday lasted seven hours, ABC News reported. Getty Images

A Tennessee emu named MeeMoo escaped his 7-foot enclosure Wednesday by hopping over it.

The police chased the speedy bird for 20 miles before cornering him.

After his return home, MeeMoo escaped his reinforced enclosure the very next day.

A police chase in a small Tennessee town ensued Wednesday after a mischievous emu named MeeMoo escaped his enclosure, according to multiple reports.

The emu's owner, Harry McKinney of Harriman, Tennessee, told ABC News that the bird hopped over a seven-foot-tall enclosure and ran through the neighborhood. McKinney initially did not know where the bird had gone and enlisted the help of social media.

After MeeMoo was spotted by neighbors, the Harriman Police Department stepped in to pursue the bird, which they said ran away from them at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, McKinney told WATE.

Harriman residents like Steve McDaniel captured the chase on video.

Police were eventually able to corner MeeMoo and McKinney managed to coax the bird back to him. McKinney told ABC News that the search and pursuit lasted seven hours and spanned 20 miles but MeeMoo is now home with his partner, another emu named MeeMee, and their soon-to-be hatched eggs.

Following the ordeal, McKinney reinforced the fence but said in a Facebook post the next day that MeeMoo managed to escape again. Luckily, he came back home in an hour, McKinney wrote.

The Harriman Police Department and McKinney did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
A Waterford man, 26, was killed and three young boys were injured in what the California Highway Patrol said it believes was a DUI crash Friday night north of Waterford.

The crash was about 9:45 p.m. on Ellenwood Road north of the Oakdale-Waterford Highway, according to a CHP news release.

The investigation found that the driver of a Ford Mustang was southbound on Ellenwood when he failed to properly negotiate a curve in the road and let the Ford travel onto the east shoulder, where it hit a tree.

The driver and an 8-year-old boy were ejected from the car. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and the boy was airlifted to the UC Davis Medical center in Sacramento for treatment of major injuries.

Two other boys, ages 6 and 8, were taken by ambulance to the same medical center as a precaution, the news release says. All the boys are from Waterford. The Mustang caught fire after the boys got out of it, according to the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District.

The CHP says the driver and the badly hurt boy apparently were not wearing their seat belts and that alcohol was a factor in this collision.

This was the fourth fatal crash in Stanislaus County since Wednesday. The first was Wednesday night when a dirt bike rider died and his passenger was hurt in a crash with a pickup north of Oakdale.

Early Thursday, a man died in a wrong-way-driving collision on Highway 132 west of Modesto.

And a Turlock man was killed shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday when he lost control of his car in the Westley area.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

Its just a civil case, no felonies for undermining democracy, but the trial centered on former Elle magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll suing Donald Trump for battery is scheduled to begin on April 25. The charge of battery includes any unwanted assault or touching.

The trial should be a doozy with head-turning implications for how women view Trumps renewed bid for the presidency and the Republican Party in the lead up to the 2024 election.

Women voters are the cornerstone of any successful presidential campaign, and Trump has survived multiple crises that no other politician could survive, notably the Access Hollywood tape that surfaced the month before the 2016 election where he was heard boasting that his celebrity meant he could do whatever to women, including grab em by the pussy.

Trump Lawyers in E. Jean Carroll Case Argue Grab em by the Pussy Isnt a Pattern

Elizabeth Jean Carroll claims Trump assaulted and raped her three decades ago, and she was able to file her lawsuit charging him with battery late last year after New York passed an Adult Survivors Act that allows civil claims to be made years after an alleged attack. Her encounter with Trump occurred in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s when Trump asked her help in picking out a gift, which led them to the lingerie department.

After some joking about who would try on what, she alleges he followed her into the dressing room and forced himself on her.

Trump has repeatedly denied her claim, writing on Truth Social as recently as last year, It is a Hoax and a lie, just like all the other Hoaxes that have been played on me for the past seven years. And, while I am not supposed to say it, I will. This woman is not my type!

Carroll is expected to take the stand and testify, and it will be the first time we see a woman victim of rape of her generation speak out publicly in a high-profile trial against a presidential candidate. Carroll is almost 80 years old, and the assault happened almost 30 years ago.

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Justice delayed is often justice denied, but Carroll is getting her day in court in a more favorable environment than she might have gotten at the time of the alleged assault.

The MeToo movement made women very aware of the courage it takes to speak out because of the power dynamic, and this is an older woman that older women can relate to, says Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who specializes in female voting patterns. Older non-college white women are the key swing vote, and this is a case they can look at and say, I know exactly how that happened, and it is clearly wrong.

Trump was a celebrity in New York at that time, his picture often in the newspaper, and Carroll was a writer whose gonzo journalism was praised by The New York Times as feminisms answer to Hunter S. Thompson. She revealed the details of her encounter with Trump in her 2019 book, What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal, which she modeled after the 18th-century satirist Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal.

When the excerpt about Trump appeared in New York magazine, Trump called Carroll a liar and uttered the first of his not my type denials. Carroll sued for defamation, a case that the presiding New York Judge Lewis Kaplan has put on hold while the battery case proceeds after refusing Carrolls request to join the two together.

In the sworn deposition he gave last year, Trump was asked if he recognized a woman in a photograph. Yeah, thats Marla, he said, Thats my wife. His attorney corrected him. It was E. Jean Carroll and not his ex-wife Marla Maples.

Judge Kaplan earlier ruled that the jury could view the Access Hollywood tape, and other women who have spoken out about Trumps unwanted advances over the years could also take the stand.

Anything that keeps Trumps character failings in the public eye is good for Democrats. This is a motivator, says Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution. People have to be remindedwomen have to be remindedwhy they dislike this guy. If youre a businesswoman, you might like the Republican Party, but you dont like this!

Carrolls case is unlikely to change anything dramatically, but in a country as divided as we are, small shifts in any direction can be meaningful. Its one more brick in the load, says Jack Pitney, Professor of Politics at Claremont McKenna College. By itself, its not going to decide any elections. But its just part of an overall pattern that is very unacceptable to a large portion of the electorate.

Republican pollster Whit Ayres says the Carroll case could have the unintended effect of undermining more serious charges likely to follow out of Georgia and the Department of Justice.

It plays into Donald Trumps hands, he says, by allowing Trumps allies to argue that Democrats will stop at absolutely nothing to get Trump including dredging up long-ago accusations that have nothing to do with the problems the American people face.

Women made up their minds when they first heard him (on the Access Hollywood tape), says Ayres. This will reinforce strongly existing attitudes, not change anybodys mind.

After what weve watched Trump say, do, and get away with for the last eight years, any pronouncements of whats next for Trump should be made with appropriate humility. Bill Galston, a senior fellow in the governance studies program at Brookings, recalls his confidence early on that any candidate who steps on a land mine every day cant survive as a politician. But Trump survived, boasting that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose a single vote.

Ask me if E. Jean Carroll will change any minds in the primary, my answer is no way, says Galston. But the general election is a different matter with a Republican field led by Trump and hampered by extreme views on abortion. The stuff thats going on, starting with abortion and running through Trump, is guaranteeing a lot of women, including suburban women, are going to come out in 2024.

Now that Trump is a private citizen, Carroll gets her day in court. And when she takes the stand, she will speak for a lot of women of her generation, and the generations that follow. Their voices will be heard with their ballots.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Eugene Water and Electric Board is planning to replace the 80-year-old College Hill Reservoir in the next few years.

Two new earthquake-proof drinking water storage tanks are set to replace the aging College Hill Reservoir, with construction starting as soon as 2024, according to the Eugene Water and Electric Board.

College Hill Reservoir serves all homes and businesses in Eugene, but it is nearing the end of its life. The 80-year-old reservoir fails to meet current seismic standards and is unlikely to survive a major earthquake, which could result in the city losing critical supplies of safe drinking water in the event of a disaster, EWEB said.

"The water that we all enjoy here in Eugene and rely on, it's safe, it's reliable, it's clean and tasty, but that water is impossible without the infrastructure that delivers it," Jen Connors, EWEB's communications and marketing supervisor, said.

Eugene Water and Electric Board is planning to replace the 80-year-old College Hill Reservoir as soon as 2024.

Two smaller tanks will replace the reservoir. Each will store 7.5 million gallons of water, and they will be built to withstand a major earthquake. Smaller tanks are part of an EWEB strategy to diversify Eugene's storage system and enhance resiliency, water quality and operations, EWEB said.

While the current College Hill Reservoir serves as a popular place for community recreation, access to the top of the new reservoirs will be limited in order to secure drinking water, EWEB said.

Why is the replacement happening now?

The decision to begin the construction of the new storage tanks at College Hill came down to a few reasons, Connors said.

The Oregon Health Authority is requiring EWEB to decommission the College Hill Reservoir by the end of 2023 due to leaky roof joints, which present potential water risks, Connors said.

In 2020, EWEB informed College Hill neighbors of eventual plans to take the reservoir out of service and evaluated a demolition and construction schedule, EWEB said.

In order to decommission College Hill Reservoir, EWEB needed another storage facility to replace the 15 million gallons of water the reservoir holds.

In 2021, EWEB began constructing a new storage facility project at East 40th Avenue. Those new tanks are set to be finished by the end of this year and will replace the water that is lost when College Hill is taken out of service, Connors said.

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Another main factor contributing to the project's timeline is the reservoir in Santa Clara. There is a network of tanks referred to as "base level" storage, EWEB said. The current network includes College Hill, a 20-million-gallon tank on Hawkins Lane and a 20-million-gallon tank in Santa Clara.

Like College Hill, the reservoir in Santa Clara is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced sooner than had been previously thought. Connors said it made the most sense to begin construction at College Hill next, so both storage facilities would not be under construction at the same time.

What does the decommissioning process look like?

EWEB will drain the water out of the College Hill Reservoir by the end of this year and then begin demolishing the concrete structure, Connors said. EWEB is still figuring out a demolition and construction timeline, but work could start as early as 2024.

Connors said it would likely take two and a half to three years to build the new water storage tank and get it connected to the rest of the system.

How much will this cost?

EWEB's capital plan for the College Hill water storage project includes just over $24 million, Connors said.

Funding for the project will include a combination of rate increases, reserve spending and debt, which will include borrowing or bonds, said EWEB communications specialist Aaron Orlowski. Ultimately, the cost to replace the reservoir is paid by EWEB customers through rates, he said.

EWEB will refine the costs over the next few months as it develops preliminary engineering plans and project schedules, Connors said.

How will this impact the community?

In terms of accessing water, Connors said customers won't be impacted by the project even while construction is happening. People can use their showers, turn on their sprinklers and have water like they always do.

The main impact will be on adjacent neighbors who witness the demolition and reconstruction of the new reservoir, Connors said. Taking a 15-million-gallon reservoir out of service, removing it and building new storage tanks is a major construction process, and it will take place in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

People who use the College Hill Reservoir for recreation will also be affected by construction, Connors said. The 2.5-acre top is a popular spot for walking, biking and other recreational activities.

Modern-day best practice is to secure drinking water storage and not have recreation on top of the tanks, Connors said. Once the new tanks are built, they will be fenced off so members of the public can't get on top of them, she said.

EWEB said it anticipates the public will continue to have access to the top of the reservoir at least through 2023.

After construction is finished, there will still be other areas on the College Hill property open to the public, Connors said. EWEB plans to start a public engagement process to ask neighbors and community members how they use the space and how they'd like to use it in the future.

EWEB said it has also begun working with the State Historic Preservation Office and a consultant to appropriately honor the reservoir's historic features and its role in the community since the 1930s.

"It's going to be a big change for the neighborhood and investment on behalf of our community, but a necessary investment that will serve generations to come," Connors said.

Makenzie Elliott covers breaking news and public safety for The Register-Guard. Reach her at MElliott@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter at @makenzielliott.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Earthquake-proof storage tanks to replace College Hill Reservoir
On 16 April, Ukrainians celebrate Easter, and the servicemen adhere to national traditions even on the front line.

Ukrainska Pravda.Life collected Easter photos shared by our defenders on social media.

The National Guard posted a video of Easter celebration among the military. Some of them will be able to visit their relatives on this day.

"I'm going home, they let me go. And I will celebrate with my family. First we go to church in the morning, we sanctify Easter cakes, water, and eggs. Then we gather with friends, go to nature, and have a barbecue. Such are the traditions," says one of the national guardsmen.

Another fighter said that on this day he prays for victory. And the most valuable greeting for him is help from volunteers and tasty goodies.

"This Easter I was lucky that the commander gave me a day off. I will go to church with my wife, we will sanctify an Easter cake. And I will spend the holiday with my family, " he added.

National guardsmen also shared such a photo from the service:

"Easter on the positions of the National Guard! That's how our dog listens to prayer during the sanctification of Easter cakes by the chaplain," wrote the National Guard of Ukraine.

Soldiers of the 107th brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces sanctified Easter baskets on the front line.

Photo: 107th brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces

"Our courageous warriors, even in war, do not forget about religious traditions. On the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ, the defenders from Bukovyna who hold the defence on the border with Russia, held the sanctification of Easter cakes and Easter eggs," the post on social media reads.

The rite of sanctification was conducted by one of the fighters of the 107th brigade, Ivan Royik, a priest in his pre-war life, who in the first days of the invasion enlisted in the ranks of the Territorial Defence to protect Ukraine from the Russian aggressor.

The rapid response brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Rubizh [Border  ed.] also shared photos of its servicemen celebrating Easter.

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"Our soldiers are keeping the defence on the frontline without days off, but a little Easter atmosphere got to them. Easter cakes, Easter eggs and words of support are not just traditions, it is a symbol of the unity of Ukrainians, those who are at the front and in the rear.

The main thing for our army is the victory of good over evil! We cannot stand by and watch evil come and wield it in our home," the servicemen say.

Photo: Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Rubizh

The servicemen could get a taste of traditional Easter cake

Photo: Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Rubizh

Photojournalist and military officer Yevhenii Hapich also posted photos of an Easter cake from the frontline:

An Easter basket was also collected by the 12th Army Aviation Brigade named after General-cornet Viktor Pavlenko.

Inscriptions: "Happy Easter," "And there will be a son and there will be a mother!", "And there will be people on Earth" (quote form Taras Shevchenko's poem)

"Congratulations to all on this holiday! Light conquered darkness and brought faith in the future! Our Easter basket gifts us warmth," the fighters wrote.

The 114th Territorial Defence Brigade of Kyiv Oblast reminded that history repeats itself and shared Easter photos of Ukrainian rebels of the twentieth century.

The 114th Territorial Defence Brigade, 2023

The first photo shows the soldiers of the Territorial Defence, while the others depict Ukrainian rebels of 1946 and 1950.

Photo: Yavoriv Archive No. 162

Volunteer Victoria Khamaza also shared a touching video of a fighter listening to Easter greetings in a trench.

    Instagram ,    (@vk_hamyza)

"East. Here, the most insignificant things bring tears to your eyes. A paratrooper is listening to the Easter greeting of the president against the background of shelling. It's painful to see when these titans [soldiers  ed.] cry," she wrote on Instagram.

The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted the following photos:

Photo: The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainians were also congratulated on the holiday by the Zakarpattia military near Bakhmut:

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Police lights flash in the darkness.

On Friday, Phoenix Police released an edited video of an April 1 shooting in which a man was killed by police after they believed he tried to break into an apartment in north Phoenix.

The critical incident briefing video has excerpts from the 911 call police received as well as edited body camera footage from three out of the four officers who responded.

According to Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Philip Krynsky, officers initially responded to a fight call just after 7 p.m. at an apartment complex near 14th Street and Bell Road.

Krynsky said officers found a man in his late 70s who wanted to get belongings from an apartment that wasn't his, but he agreed to leave after no one answered the door.

Just before 8:30 p.m., a woman at the same address called the police saying she was hiding in her bathroom from a man with a gun who had broken her bedroom window, Krynsky said.

Phone call fragments in the video show the woman telling the 911 operator that she knew the man's name and that he suffered from "bipolar schizophrenia."

Officers went back to the location and found the same man from the first call in the property's parking lot, police said.

Body camera footage showed police commanding the man to put his hands up and step out to the middle of the parking lot where there were no cars.

Officers then pointed their guns and pepper ball launchers at the man and commanded him to lie on the ground.

The man then pulled out an object from his waist. The object cannot be clearly identified in the video.

"Don't! Don't!" an officer yelled while another shot pepper balls at the man. According to police, pepper ball launchers are tools that confuse and cause pain to the target.

Police commanded the man to drop the gun multiple times and continued to shoot pepper balls.

"Drop it! Now!," an officer yelled. The man pointed the object up and answered "No, I'm not!"

The man then fired the gun into the air, and two officers began shooting at the man.

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The man fell and police commanded him not to move. Police body camera footage did not show what happened after.

Krynsky said officers took the gun away from him and gave the man first aid treatment until firefighters arrived, but they pronounced the man dead at the scene, police said.

Phoenix police said the officers involved had been at the police department for 13, six and two years.

Neither police officers nor other people were injured during the shooting.

Police said the shooting was under an internal investigation that will be reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bodycam footage shows shooting of man killed by Phoenix police
The Dolores Huerta apartments, a 40-unit permanent supportive housing complex, along the 5200 block of South Figueroa Street on Oct. 10, 2022, in Los Angeles. The studio apartments have a living space, bathroom and kitchen in the 320-square-foot units. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Last week, city and county officials from across the state rallied in Sacramento to demand $3 billion in annual state funding to ease homelessness and build affordable housing. At the same time, the League of California Cities, a lobbying association that represents cities, and some local governments are trying to block bills that would make it easier to build more housing, including affordable housing.

Thats some nerve. Pouring money into homelessness efforts without also making it much faster and cheaper to build housing, especially affordable homes, is a fools errand.

The homelessness crisis in California is a direct result of the high cost of housing , and thats a result of cities and counties failing for decades to permit enough homes to keep up with demand. The shortage has driven up housing costs for everyone, but the lack of cheap housing makes life particularly precarious for people with low income or struggling with mental health, drug addiction or other challenges; if they lose their housing, it can be extremely difficult to find another home they can afford.

The efforts to ease the homelessness crisis are stymied by the limited pool of cheap rentals and regulated affordable housing (units built with public money or under state laws that speed up permitting or let developers build bigger projects in exchange for more affordable units). Many cities and counties are working hard to get people off the streets and into shelters, hotels, tiny homes and other temporary arrangements, but too often people get stuck in interim housing because there arent enough affordable apartments or units in supportive housing developments to move them into.

California needs to build a lot more housing, for all income levels. But the high cost of development, lengthy approval processes and political uncertainties remain big barriers. Thats why its frustrating to see some cities  though certainly not all  and organizations like the League of California Cities ask for more state funding while fighting efforts to reduce those obstacles and create more opportunities for residential development.

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The league has opposed or failed to support some of the most important housing reforms passed by the state since 2017, including laws making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), removing barriers to build homeless housing, streamlining affordable and mixed-income developments, encouraging developers to turn moribund commercial properties into residential projects, and requiring cities to plan and zone for more housing.

League officials argue that those laws often require cities to dedicate staff time and funding to implementing state laws, which makes it harder for them to create local policies to address housing and homelessness. They're right to a degree. Many cities lack the personnel or expertise to keep up with the changes required, according to a recent analysis. They also say state laws havent been effective because housing prices continue to rise and homelessness hasnt been solved  which, of course, ignores the fact that regulatory changes and the corresponding market response take time.

Californias housing crisis was decades in the making and it will take years to ease it. But new laws are beginning to have an effect. Since 2017 theres been a building boom of more than 20,000 accessory dwelling units that are often less expensive housing for students, young couples and seniors. Developers have proposed 18,000 units, with three-quarters of them affordable, using Senate Bill 35, a law that prohibits cities from rejecting or shrinking projects that comply with local zoning; the law shaves months or years off the usual approval timeline. Despite the proven success, the league and some cities oppose making SB 35 permanent and expanding its reach.

Local governments are right about the need for ongoing, guaranteed funding for cities and counties to address homelessness. As long as funding fluctuates year to year  and could disappear altogether  officials will be hesitant to commit to long-term investments in homelessness services and affordable housing development. But perhaps city and county officials would find a more receptive audience in Sacramento if they stopped fighting housing laws and started embracing housing development.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
File: An IndiGo Airline passenger aircraft prepares to take-off from the Anna International Airport on the occasion of the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller, in Chennai on 20 October 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

A full emergency was declared at the Indira Gandhi International Aiport in Delhi after a plane with 230 passengers onboard suffered a technical failure on Saturday.

An IndiGo fight, bound for Bagdogra in West Bengal, was scheduled to land around 4.10pm but was forced to make an emergency landing at the Delhi airport.

The airline said in a statement that the IndiGo flight 6E 6282 from Delhi to Bagdogra returned to Delhi as a precaution.

The pilot noticed a technical issue and requested a turnback. The aircraft landed safely and is undergoing necessary inspection, the statement said.

An alternate aircraft was provided for the passengers to be flown to Bagdogra, it added.

Hindustan Times reported that the emergency at the Delhi airport was later withdrawn.

Earlier on Saturday, a Saudia Airlines cargo flight made an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport after its windshield developed a crack mid-air.

According to ANI, the aircraft landed safely at the Kolkata Airport at 12.02 pm.

Earlier this month, India Today reported that authorities at Delhi airport declared a full emergency on 1 April after a flight suffered a bird hit after take-off.

A Dubai-bound FedEx aircraft suffered a bird hit soon after take-off, following which the Delhi airport authorities declared a full emergency.

In a similar incident, a Varanasi-bound IndiGo flight made an emergency landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after it developed a technical glitch.
Emily Williamson started the Society for the Protection of Birds, which later became known as the RSPB, in 1889

A plaque honouring the "inspirational" founder of the RSPB charity has been unveiled in her birthplace.

Emily Williamson set up the group in 1889 to campaign against the slaughter of birds, whose feathers were used to make hats.

The fashion craze was driving some species towards extinction.

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said she hoped the plaque in Lancaster would inspire "a new generation, willing to protect nature and revive our world".

The plaque was unveiled in Lancaster, where Emily Williamson was born

Appalled by the slaughter of birds, Mrs Williamson invited a group of women to her home in Didsbury, on the outskirts of Manchester, to discuss how to put a stop to the plumage trade.

The then-34-year-old asked those who had assembled to sign a pledge to "Wear No Feathers", a request which would have proved very unpopular at the time.

But it was from that meeting that the Society for the Protection of Birds, later known as the RSPB, would bloom and would see her pledge become law 30 years later.

On 1 July 1921, the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act was passed, banning the import of exotic feathers and saving many species from extinction.

The fashion craze was driving some species, such as egrets and great-crested grebes, towards extinction.

The RSPB, which is now the UK's largest conservation charity, said its founder "had not been celebrated by history" and her contribution had been "left out of the conservation narrative".

Ms Speight said she was "delighted" they could "take a moment to reflect on the history of our incredible organisation and the inspirational women who started it all".

"I hope that as well as honouring Emily, this plaque inspires a new generation, willing to protect nature and revive our world," she added.

Prof Melissa Bateson says her link to Emily Williamson was "an extraordinary coincidence"

The unveiling took place on the day before Mrs Williamson's birthday by her great, great-niece Prof Melissa Bateson.

She said she and her late scientist father Prof Patrick Bateson were unaware they were related to Mrs Williamson until an author informed them about their connection.

She described it as "an extraordinary coincidence", adding that she had "loved birds since I was a small child".

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"As a woman involved in the scientific study of birds, I feel a very strong connection with Emily and am hugely proud of what she managed to achieve and the legacy she has left."

A statue of Mrs Williamson is due to be unveiled at Fletcher Moss Park later this year.

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Tagbilaran City, Bohol (CNN Philippines, April 16)  Bohol's top official said the local goverment is banning all pork products from Cebu from entering the province as a protection against African swine fever (ASF).

Governor Aris Aumentado said in an interview that even imported pork meat with certification that it came from ASF-free countries will not be allowed to enter Bohol if it passes through Cebu Island.

The Cebu International Port is one of the biggest gateways for imported meat, supplying many provinces in the Visayas region.

Aumentado admitted that there were a lot of complaints from restaurants and meat processing establishments who rely on imported meat. He said these business establishments were advised to have their imported meat pass through other areas such as Cagayan De Oro City instead of Cebu.

RELATED: Bohol imposes border control after reported ASF cases in Cebu

Aumentado said the measure aims to protect the province's P8-billion hog industry. He also said Bohol is the only remaining province in Central Visayas that is still ASF-free.

At the Tagbilaran City sea port, specially trained K-9 units were deployed to sniff out pork from the luggage and cargo of arriving passengers.

Random manual inspection of the luggage of passengers is conducted in all ports in Bohol.

RELATED: New Cebu ordinance to penalize gov't agencies implementing policies without consulting local officials
Colin Jost and Michael Che took several swipes at current president Joe Biden and former commander-in-chief Donald Trump during Saturday Night Lives Weekend Update segment.

Trump has alleged that police cried when he was booked in New York City following his indictment.

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Why is everyone in Donald Trumps stories always crying? Jost asked before a montage of clips with Trump claiming there were people crying in his presence.

Jost continued, Youre bragging that when people see you they just burst into tears? It never sounds like excited crying like when teenagers see BTS. It sounds more like scared crying like when hostages see Jigsaw.

Michael Che said that Biden was trying to downplay the leaks of classified U.S. documents because when youre over 80 a couple of leaks is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Later on in the show, Che mentioned that Biden traveled to Ireland and was called the most Irish president since Kennedy.

In fact, Biden had so much Irish blood that he doesnt need a drink to slur his words, Che quipped.

Molly Kearney would join the Weekend Update co-hosts in the segment and be introduced as SNLs first non-binary cast member. Kearney dropped in from the ceiling to talk about trans rights after several anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in several U.S. states.

Listen to them Michael, restricting health care for kids. For some reason, theres something about the word trans that makes people forget the word kids, Kearney said. If you dont care about trans kids lives, that means you dont friggin care about kids lives.

As Kearney was lifted again they directed words to the kids adding, Whats happening kids is wrong and you dont need to be scared. Our job is to protect you and your job is to focus on being a kid.

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Watch the SNL Weekend Update segment above and Kearneys segment below.

Its Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/3mBZ6jTYDg  Saturday Night Live  SNL (@nbcsnl) April 16, 2023

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After Hungary and Poland banned the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, the European Commission said that trade policy belongs to the exclusive competence of the EU and unilateral actions of states are unacceptable.

Source: This was stated by European Commission spokesman Arianna Podesta in a comment to Polish news agency PAP, reports European Pravda.

Podesta stressed that the European Commission is aware of the ban on the import of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine announced by Poland and Hungary.

Quote: "We ask the relevant authorities of both countries to provide additional information to be able to evaluate these measures," Podesta said.

She added that "in this context, it should be emphasised that trade policy belongs to the exclusive competence of the EU, and therefore unilateral actions are unacceptable."

"In such difficult times, it is extremely important to coordinate and approve all decisions in the EU," the representative of the European Commission added.

In addition, Ursula von der Leyen, Head of the European Commission, spoke with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki about the ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products to Poland, RMF 24 reports.

On Saturday, 15 April, the Hungarian government announced a temporary ban on imports of grains and oilseeds from Ukraine after a similar move by Poland amid rising prices.

Prior to this, the Polish government decided to ban the import of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine until 30 June in order to protect the Polish agricultural sector.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
RICHMOND, Ind. (AP)  Authorities in eastern Indiana lifted a dayslong evacuation order late Sunday afternoon for an area near a plastics fire after they said it was determined air quality and other environmental concerns related to the fire were deemed safe.

Wayne County Emergency Management lifted the order for people within a half-mile (1 kilometer) radius of the fire scene after consulting with state, federal and local health officials, Matthew Cain, agency director, said at a news conference.

Testing of air debris would continue, he and Mayor Dave Snow said. At least 1,500 people live in the evacuation zone, though it is not known how many residents actually obeyed the call to evacuate after the fire began Tuesday afternoon.

I feel very confident that people will be safe when they move back to their homes, said Dr. David Jetmore, the Wayne County Health Department's health officer.

Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown said crews will remain at the 14-acre (5-hectare) former factory site to extinguish flareups. It was declared under control Thursday night when the last flames were extinguished.

He previously said fire officials will meet Monday morning to decide what their next steps will be at the site, where tons of recycled plastic stored for resale caught fire. The site is in Richmond, about 70 miles (115 kilometers) east of Indianapolis, near the Ohio border.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said hydrogen cyanide and benzene were detected at the fire site. EPA contractors collected fire debris over the weekend that landed near schools or in parks and private yards. At least one sample has tested positive for asbestos, which can harm lungs.

The fire's cause was not known. But it quickly became an inferno, destroying six run-down buildings holding recycled plastic and creating clouds of smoke so high and dark they cast a sprawling shadow over the city of 35,000 people.

The man operating the storage site was under a 2020 court order to clean up the site, which had no utilities and had been declared a serious fire hazard by inspectors. Richmond officials said they had barred him from accepting more plastics while he was working to get rid of the vast holdings.
Here's everything frequent fliers should know about the Oneworld Alliance, including member airlines, benefits, and more.

Ingrid Barrentine/Alaska Airlines/Courtesy of oneworld Management Company

In the late 1990s, airlines began to form partnerships to share resources for the benefit of both travelers and carriers. If youve traveled by air recently, you may have noticed signs, special check-in lines, or ads touting airline memberships in Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. These alliances have successfully expanded opportunities for travelers by offering more flight options, simplifying the booking process, and probably most appealing  making it possible to earn miles on all partner carriers. Heres what you need to know about the second airline partnership ever created  Oneworld Alliance.

Damon Coulter/Getty Images

What to Know About the Oneworld Alliance

The Oneworld Alliance was launched in 1999 by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. The alliance now includes 13 member airlines and Oneworld Connect partner Fiji Airways. (A Oneworld Connect partner is a non-alliance airline that shares certain services and benefits with the Oneworld Alliance.) Member airlines operate over 11,000 flights daily, serving more than 900 destinations. American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest member airline, accounting for about 6,700 of Oneworlds daily flights.

This range of destinations makes it more convenient for travelers to connect to cities worldwide, and with Oneworlds Round the World fares, multi-destination travel is easier than ever. There are three different kinds of these multi-city fares: the Oneworld Explorer, which focuses on continent-based travel; the Global Explorer, which focuses on distance-based travel; and the Circle Pacific, which can hit multiple continents that border the Pacific Ocean.

Oneworld Member Airlines

Members of Oneworld Alliance include: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, Fiji Airways (Oneworld Connect member), and Oman Air (set to join the alliance in 2024).

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Courtesy of OneWorld

Benefits for Oneworld Members

Alliances like Oneworld make trip planning easier by providing details about flights on all of their partner airlines in one convenient search. This gives travelers a broad selection of different flight options so they can select the fare, class of service, departure times, connections, and airports best for them. For example, a traveler looking to fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo will find several flight options on multiple airlines. American Airlines has two nonstop flights from LAX to Haneda International Airport, while Japan Airlines has one nonstop flight to Haneda International Airport and one to Narita International Airport. Several connecting flights are also available, including one departing from Ontario International Airport, located 40 miles east of Los Angeles, which is more convenient for many travelers.

Travelers can join one of the member airlines frequent flier programs to accrue points on flights with any Oneworld member and redeem those points for an award ticket on member airlines (subject to availability).

DANIEL SLIM/Getty Images

Travelers can reach elite status through their loyalty program of choice and enjoy benefits based on the three Oneworld tiers: Ruby (entry-level), Sapphire (mid-level), and Emerald (top-level status). These Oneworld tiers correspond to the individual member airlines' status levels. For example, when you reach gold status in American Airlines AAdvantage, you also receive the perks that come with the Oneworld Ruby tier.

Benefits increase with each level. Ruby privileges include priority boarding, priority standby, and access to preferred seating. Sapphire-level travelers have access to first and business-class lounges, first-class priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and other benefits. Access to up to 620 airport lounges around the world varies by tier level.

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Millie Bobby Brown's breakout role was on "Stranger Things" in 2016. Jason LaVeris/GettyImages; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Millie Bobby Brown grew up in the public eye, and had her breakout "Stranger Things" role at age 12.

She recently got engaged to her boyfriend of over a year, Jake Bongiovi, the son of Jon Bon Jovi.

The actor has spoken about the effect of public scrutiny, particularly as a young woman.

Brown said that she almost didn't audition for "Stranger Things" because she was told she was "too mature" to be a child actor.

Millie Bobby Brown at the "Stranger Things" premiere in California on July 11, 2016. Jason LaVeris/GettyImages

Brown told Allure in a September 2022 cover story that a "powerful casting director" nearly dissuaded her from pursuing acting any further.

"I always knew that I was mature and I couldn't really help that," Brown said.

"It was so hurtful," she continued. "I got really down about that. My parents told me, 'Just do this one last audition on tape and then you can go outside and play with your friends again.'"

Brown, of course, was eventually cast as Eleven in "Stranger Things," which was her breakout role.

Brown said that she's had to deal with tabloids who "twist" the things that she says.

Millie Bobby Brown at the "Stranger Things" season three premiere on June 28, 2019. Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Stringer/Getty Images

Brown told Harper's Bazaar UK in 2019 that she had to mitigate tabloids who "take things that you've said and twist it into an entirely different form" on a "daily" basis.

"But at the end of the day, I say if I'm doing my best, it's all I can give you, and if you can't take it then that's your problem," she told the publication.

At age 16, Brown spoke out about being sexualized in the media.

Millie Bobby Brown at the SAG Awards on January 19, 2020. Jon Kopaloff/Stringer/Getty Images

In an Instagram post on her 16th birthday, Brown spoke about her experience being sexualized as a child in the spotlight.

"The last few years haven't been easy, I'll admit that. There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me," the actor wrote on Instagram in 2020.

"I feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next," she wrote. "Our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grown and succeed."

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Brown said that while she was "confident" as a child, her anxiety increased during her teenage years.

Millie Bobby Brown during an interview on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on October 27, 2022. Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

Brown told Miley Cyrus on her Instagram talk show "Bright Minded" in March 2020 that her anxiety had increased as she grew older.

"When I was like 10 and I was in the industry, I was very like, very confident and like, really didn't care about anything and what people would say about me. And then recently, maybe since I turned 15, about two years ago, I just started having really bad panic attacks, like really bad anxiety, and I just struggled with it really bad."

Brown said that as she grew older, people had "a lot more to say" about her, both good and bad.

Brown said she had grown "thicker skin" when it came to bullying over the years.

Millie Bobby Brown said that people who cyberbully might be "going through something." Raymond Hall/Getty Images

Brown told Glamour UK that she had dealt with cyberbullying over the course of her life, but had become less sensitive to it.

"I can deal with it. I think maybe I've grown thicker skin and I just realised it's OK, they might be going through something, they might be really upset or hurting," she said.

Brown said that she keeps "most things private" in her life after growing up in the public eye, and that public criticism affects her anxiety.

Brown said that working on "Enola Holmes" helped her to prioritize herself.

Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes in "Enola Holmes 2." Alex Bailey/Netflix

Brown told Vogue UK that growing up in the public eye had been a challenge  but working on "Enola Holmes," which she starred in and also produced, helped change her view.

"As I'm working and doing what I love, I'm still finding myself, so having lots of people watch and criticize that can be overwhelming," Brown said. "But this experience changed my perspective. It helped me to not be afraid. This film gave me the strength to say: 'I'm putting myself first in every situation.'"

Brown spoke about people watching her "grow up" in the public eye in 2021.

Millie Bobby Brown at the "Enola Holmes 2" premiere on October 27, 2022. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Brown told MTV News that when she first became famous, she was more "carefree" when it came to her budding fame. As she grew older, she "struggled more with the fame aspect" and anxiety.

"I am a young girl and you know, I'm only 17, but at the end of the day I'm learning to be a woman. I'm learning to be a young woman," Brown said. "Being a young girl, people watch you grow up right? And they almost become invested in your growth, and your journey. But they aren't ready to accept the fact that you're growing up, right?"

Brown said that some of her style choices, like crop tops or heels, would prompt outsized reactions from people saying that she's acting older than her age.

"I have 50 million people like my parents and they're like, 'No,'" Brown said. "And my parents are like, 'Yay! Thank god you're 17.'"

Brown said in 2022 that it was "overwhelming" navigating typical concerns for an 18-year-old while in the "public eye."

Millie Bobby Brown during an interview on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on May 13, 2022. Todd Owyoung/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

The actor appeared on "The Guilty Feminist" podcast in April 2022, several months after her 18th birthday.

"I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with, navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships, and it's all of those things," she said on the podcast.

"Being liked and trying to fit in, it's all a lot, and you're trying to [know] yourself while doing that. The only difference is obviously I'm doing that in the public eye," she continued.

"It can be really overwhelming," she said. "I have definitely been dealing with that more in the last couple weeks of turning 18."

Brown said on the podcast that she believed her Hollywood experience was "a good representation of what's going on in the world and how young girls are sexualized."

Brown said that she was "publicly humiliated" by a situation involving a TikToker in 2021.

Millie Bobby Brown at the "Stranger Things" season 4 premiere on May 14, 2022, in New York City. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

In July 2021, TikToker Hunter Ecimovic said that he "groomed" Brown, alluding to rumors that the two had been in a relationship, Insider previously reported. A year later, Brown told Allure that she had been in an "unhealthy situation" with Ecimovic in 2020, until she walked away in January 2021.

"It was a year of healing," Brown told Allure. "When you get publicly humiliated this way, I felt so out of control and powerless. Walking away and knowing that I'm worth everything and this person didn't take anything from me, it felt very empowering."

Brown joked that it gave her "anxiety" to think about being nominated for an Emmy in her early teens.

Millie Bobby Brown poses in the winners room during the EE British Academy Film Awards 2022 at Royal Albert Hall on March 13, 2022 in London, England. Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images

In November 2022, Brown participated in Wired's signature autocomplete interview segment. During the video, she responded to the search suggestion "millie bobby brown emmy."

"Ooh, well, this is I don't really know much about what this really means, but I definitely was nominated twice, at the ripe age of 12 and 14, I think?" Brown said. She was 13 years old when first nominated for an Emmy for her performance in "Stranger Things."

"Alrighty. That gives me anxiety," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dermatologists are warning that popular nail gel polishes are causing an increase in the number of people developing life-changing allergies that could prevent them from having certain operations.

Experts say that chemicals in nail gel polishes, which are methacrylates, can seep into the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of such a reaction include nails becoming loosened from the nail bed and the skin around the nails developing a severe rash.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Friday morning (14 April), Dr Deirdre Buckley, a consultant dermatologist from Bath, said: [Symptoms] can range from the nails loosening to falling off, it can include a severe rash on the face, the neck, the upper chest.

People can have trouble breathing or asthma can be worsened. Even worse, they can become sensitive to acrylates in other things, which can have implications in dentistry or if theyre diabetic or for orthopaedic surgery, and its a life-long sensitisation, she added.

Methacrylate is often used as a bone cement for knee and hip implants, as well as in dental prosthesis and dentures.

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has today reiterated its warning regarding allergic reactions linked to artificial nails after a number of high-profile reports. It first issued a warning about these products in 2018, following reports of a steep rise in cases of allergic skin reactions linked to (meth)acrylate chemicals in these products.

The BAD now has concerns the closure of nail salons during the pandemic could be leading more people to switch to at-home kits. Dr Buckley, who is with the BAD, said: Its likely that lockdowns during the pandemic contributed to an increase in people using at-home artificial nail kits. The BAD said these at-home kits can be riskier because of the lack of experience the public has with these products.

A person shows the allergic reaction on their fingers after using an at-home gel polish manicure kit (Reddit/SnowPatrol161)

Dr Buckley went on to explain how sensitation to nail methacrylates can have potential medical and dental implications, because the same or very similar methacrylates are used in white dental fillings, enamel tooth coatings, orthopaedic bone cement, diabetic glucose sensors and insulin pumps. This can have serious consequences for future medical care, she said, yet many are unaware of the potential dangers.

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The BAD first issued a warning about nail gel polishes in 2018 and said they were causing an epidemic of contact allergies.

The concerns were based on a study that found that 2.4 per cent of people tested had an allergy to at least one type of methacrylate chemical. The allergy overwhelmingly affected women, it said.

Gel nails which are derived from methacrylates, are applied over a persons natural nails and must be cured under an ultraviolet (UV) lamp. Meanwhile, acrylic nails are a a paste applied over the natural nails and left to harden with exposure to air.

(Getty Images)

Gel polish is a premixed product and a hybrid of gel and nail varnish and must be hardened under a UV lamp.

The BAD raised concerns about all three methods and warned that the sensitisation occurs when the uncured product comes into contact with any part of the skin. It can occur in both professional and at-home settings.

Beauticians are also at risk of developing the allergy as protective gloves may not offer enough protection and the methacrylates could pass through the gloves.

Dr Buckley said people must be aware of the risks associated with artificial nail products. She advised nail technicians, who are especially at risk, to wear nitrile gloves when applying the products, changing them every thirty minutes with a no-touch technique.

She went on to urge at-home users to read the instructions, to always use the recommended UV lamp for curing, and to not use the same lamp with other polishes purchased separately. Its very important that you avoid direct skin contact with the nail product whilst it is curing, she added.
As the days get longer, parents suddenly have more hours to fill with their kids during school vacation week.

Theres no shortage of family-friendly options to fill school vacation week at Patriots Place.

Local author Shawn Peters read to families from his popular book The Unforgettable Logan Foster at Dean College Saturday. Families can return to Dean College on Monday, April 17 for a new exhibit from the Roger Williams Park Zoo - Dinosaurs Among Us. Kids and families will be able to meet and greet life-sized dinosaurs.

Shifting from dinosaurs to even more fearsome creatures - ex-boyfriends- the Mix 104.1 Street Team and Fangirl Fantast are putting on a Taylor Swift extravaganza. Swifties are invited to dress as their favorite Taylor Era for party with all her best hits and a chance to win a pair of Taylor Swift tickets to her sold-out show at Gillette Stadium.

On April 19, children can take line dancing lessons at the Six String Grill to learn how to do-si-do and grapevine. The first session will take place from 1-2 p.m before a second session from 2-3 p.m. Space is limited so get in line to get in line.

On April 20, youre invited to join the family Madrigal for story time, a dance party and a meet-and-greet with Maribel, the star of the hit Disney film Encanto. Guests can register here.

Later that night, Bass Pro Shops Cruise Nights will return for the summer season. The free car show will be held at Bass Pro every other Thursday from April to October.

To cap off the week, the Mass Audobon will run a special Earth Day program at the Nature Trail and Ocean Spray Bog behind Bass Pro Shops. Instructors will lead guests on a nature walk into Foxboros boggy wetland.

Several events will also be held at the Patriots Hall of Fame.

A full schedule of events can be found at www.patriot-place.com/school-break/

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Teresa Tolbirt, a special education paraprofessional in Springfield Public Schools, spoke to the school board Tuesday about how changes to the pay frequency for hourly employees will impact her family.

When it was Teresa Tolbirt's turn to address the Springfield school board Tuesday, she wheeled her daughter to the space between the podium and board members.

The single foster and adoptive mother of three children with disabilities explained her daughter  who has cerebral palsy, autism and a seizure disorder  is why she accepted a job as a special education paraprofessional four years ago.

Her daughter is also why she may resign if the district goes through with a plan to change the way 1,100 hourly employees, like herself, are paid.

The district is doing away with "annualized" pay, which allows hourly employees hired to work nine or 10 months to spread their pay out, in fairly even amounts, over a 12-month period.

Starting with the 2023-24 year, the checks issued to those employees will only reflect the hours they work each month, which fluctuates based on the school calendar. The support staff affected by the change have said they may have to seek full-time employment elsewhere or part-time work during school breaks and the summer.

Tolbirt said she took the job to spend more time with her children but the pay change will result in having less time with them.

"She has serious and life-threatening medical conditions. I want to spend every vacation, break, snow day and summer with her that I can. If she is home, I want to be home with her," Tolbirt said. "I receive disability checks on my adopted twins. The checks are calculated on my monthly income, not my annual income. This pay schedule change would put me over the monthly limit to receive their checks."

She added: "This is why working for the district and having my annualized pay is so important to me."

The Springfield school board listened Tuesday as six employees talked about how the loss of annualized pay will affect them, their coworkers and students.

For months, hourly employees have addressed the school board and pleaded with the administration to abandon the change or, at the least, give existing employees the option of keeping "annualized" pay.

They worry that receiving higher paychecks for nine or 10 months  and potentially no pay in the other months  may change their eligibility for food stamps, disability benefits or other federal programs they rely upon to make ends meet.

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They worry that without regular paychecks coming in for several months, it will be harder to secure loans or apply for housing.

Hourly employees, nearly all of whom are represented by the Springfield National Education Association, said they predicted the loss of "annualized" pay will result in more resignations of support staff at a time when the district is struggling to fill those jobs.

'We want to try and help them'

The Tuesday meeting marked the start of a new term for the school board, which has new leadership and a new member, retired teacher and principal Judy Brunner.

With the change set to start just months from now, five hourly employees and one teacher pleaded with the board and administration to take action.

John Mulford, deputy superintendent of operations, said the district will continue to meet individually with workers who will be affected by the change. However, neither he nor any other administrator has spoken publicly about the possibility of reversing course.

John Mulford

Mulford said Cara Stassel, executive director of business services, has been working with employees to find solutions that address their specific concerns. "The door remains open."

"Every situation is unique and different and she will be reaching out to any of our speakers tonight that she has not already met with to try to talk about their situation," he said. "The last thing we want is for anybody to have harm to them or their family so we want to try to help them resolve that."

Board vice president Scott Crise thanked Mulford for that update. Later in the meeting, board member Kelly Byrne noted that the board has heard from a lot of employees about this issue.

Mulford has said hourly employees have sought this change in the past and it was recently requested by school bus drivers. He said annualized pay, once considered a perk, is not seen as a benefit by a growing number of applicants as well as existing employees.

More: How soon will SPS break ground on $220M bond projects? A draft plan released

He has said employees will not lose pay with the change and will have the option of diverting part of their monthly paycheck into a savings account. He has also said hourly employees who want to earn additional pay can apply to work during the summer program called Explore.

The switch will start as the district transitions to a new payroll system, but staff who only work during a school year, August through May, will not miss a paycheck until summer 2024.

'We feel like we are being dismissed'

The first speaker was Allison "Alli" Coltrin, a paraprofessional in a special needs classroom, who said she has heard from many hourly workers who will go elsewhere if the pay set-up changes.

"You may feel it is not your place to address staffing issues but how will you feel when special needs students are served by unqualified substitutes, substitutes who are not trained to work with autistic students or physically and mentally disabled students," she said.

"Unqualified and untrained subs in these classrooms is not putting our students first."

LaTina Coombs, a paraprofessional in Springfield Public Schools, spoke to the school board Tuesday.

LaTina Coombs, a paraprofessional for nearly 10 years, said the ability to split her pay over 12 months gave her time with family when school was not in session.

"The annualized pay was such a blessing to be with my family and now taking it away it is going to be a burden," she said, her voice cracking. "Just please allow us to have the option to stay with annualized pay. That is what I loved about working here and I used to tell everybody 'Go to work at Springfield Public Schools because it's the best' and now I'm not so sure."

Stacy Smith is a 22-year employee of the district, working as an elementary paraprofessional until she took a job as a behavior technician five years ago.

"I began working for SPS when my own children were in school. Employment with the district allowed for me to be home whenever my children were out of school. This was a benefit that allowed me to avoid paying childcare and spend valuable time with my son and daughter," she said.

Smith said she supports changes made by the new administration, including raising pay for the lowest-paid hourly workers.

"That is why this sudden announcement of ending the annualized pay was so surprising," she said.

More: Support staff tell SPS they feel 'slighted' by loss of year-round paychecks

She said the change will be negative for employees who, because of the nature of their job, are occasionally "hit, kicked, bitten and even spit and urinated on."

"These are the individuals who now be on the receiving end of even more unfortunate district choices," she said. "In addition to low wages, many now have to decide whether they can remain in a job that will make it difficult for them to get a loan, sign a lease and for some even retain the benefits they need to support their families."

Smith said there has been a shortage of paraprofessionals since the start of the pandemic and resignations related to the change will not help.

"While some plan to stick it out to see if they can make it work, others are already giving notice that they will not be returning next year," said Smith, noting 43 positions have been posted since plans for the change were announced.

If the shortage increases, she said the "classrooms with the most need can expect an even larger deficit of talent and care." She said there are not enough substitutes to fill the gap.

Jarrett Middle School teacher Tessa Bogowith, who works with students who have special needs and need intensive support, said she cannot do the job without help from paraprofessionals.

"With this change, I will lose all three of my paras ... which will adversely affect my students. These are not the only paraprofessionals I know that will be leaving, either," she said. "This is going to create a mass exit."

Barbara Dershimer, an hourly employee in Springfield Public Schools, spoke to the school board Tuesday.

Barbara Dershimer, a paraprofessional who works with students who have special needs, said she remains baffled by the decision to end annualized pay.

"We have told you how this will impact our lives," she said. "We feel like we are being dismissed. Emails have been ignored except for one board member who emailed back. Emails have now been blocked. We feel we are under-valued and under-appreciated, not by our schools but by administration."

Dershimer said the board and school officials need to think about how this change will affect students who rely on support from paraprofessionals in the classroom.

"I am here pleading to the board and to the administration to listen to our voices. Show us you are hearing us and show us that you care about the work that we do and our impact on these students' lives," she said. "You have been told repeatedly that this is hurting us. What will it take to make that clear? Inaction does not mean that you are not responsible for the consequences of this decision."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Hourly employees petition SPS board to keep annualized pay next year
A US Navy A-1H Skyraider over the Western Pacific in 1966. US Navy

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was designed for the US Navy in the final years of World War II.

The A-1, a piston-engine propeller plane, held its own even as the US embraced jet-powered aircraft.

When the A-1 left US service in the 1970s, about 30 variants had been used for different missions.

On August 5, 1964, US Navy aircraft kicked off US air operations in the Vietnam War, launching from the carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Constellation to strike North Vietnamese targets.

The Navy attack formations were composed of two aircraft: the jet-powered Douglas A-4 Skyhawk that had entered service eight years earlier, and the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, a piston-engine propeller plane. Originally intended for service in World War II, the A-1 first flew as the Allies closed in on Nazi Germany but didn't enter service until 1946.

Even as the world's major militaries embraced jets, the Skyraider held its own. It continued fighting well into the 1970s and has gone down as one of the best attack aircraft of all time.

Development

The Douglas XBT2D-1 Skyraider prototype in 1946 or 1947. NASA

Work on what would become the A-1 Skyraider started in 1942, when the Douglas Aircraft Company was competing to build a replacement for the Navy's venerable Grumman TBF Avenger and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver torpedo and dive-bombers.

The Navy wanted a single-seat carrier aircraft that could travel farther and carry more ordnance for use against the Japanese. Douglas' initial entry, the BTD Destroyer, suffered after design requirements changed during its development and was a clear loser compared to its competitors, like the Martin AM-1 Mauler.

At a meeting with Navy officials in 1944, Douglas' chief engineer, Ed Heinemann, was allowed to cancel the original design and present a new one. That night, he and two other Douglas engineers created the blueprints for the new plane in a hotel room. Their design was approved the next day on the condition that the first test flight would occur no more than nine months later.

A US Marine Corps Douglas AD-5 Skyraider in the 1950s. US Navy

On March 18, 1945  just one day past the deadline  the aircraft, called the XBT2D at the time, made its first flight. It was an instant success despite the quick development time and outperformed all of its competitors.

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Powered by a single Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engine, the same model used on the B-29 Superfortress, the XBT2D could fly 300 mph and had a ceiling of over 24,000 feet. It was armed with four 20mm cannons and had 15 hardpoints able to carry 8,000 pounds of bombs  more than a B-17 bomber.

On May 5, the Navy announced its plan to purchase 548 aircraft, but by then the war was ending. Germany surrendered on May 7, and only three aircraft were delivered before Japan surrendered on August 15.

The Skyraider

An A-1 Skyraider drops 500-pound bombs on a Viet Cong position in December 1964. AP Photo/Horst Faas

With the Navy starting to invest in jet-powered aircraft, the massive wartime order for the XBT2D was canceled. The plane continued to impress Navy pilots, though, and in 1947, the Navy ordered 239 planes  now designated "AD Skyraider"  in three variants.

The decision was wise, for the Skyraider proved to be an excellent ground-attack aircraft just a few years later in the Korean War. Navy and Marine Skyraiders were tasked with attacking train stations, bridges, dams, and power stations as part of the Navy's efforts to blockade North Korea.

Flying from carriers off the Korean coast, Skyraiders were able to stay on station for hours at a time, deliver 8,000 pounds of bombs with precision, and withstand a massive amount of fire thanks to their armor plating. They also provided invaluable support for ground operations.

A US Navy A-1H Skyraider aboard the USS Ranger in 1966. US Navy

Skyraiders performed so well that the Navy bought more, including new variants for a wider set of missions. In 1962, the Skyraider was redesignated "A-1." The US Air Force and its South Vietnamese counterpart also began operating the plane that year.

In addition to conventional bombing missions, the Skyraider took a role in counterinsurgency operations, where it excelled because of its long loitering time, massive payload, and its ability to operate in nearly all weather conditions, and to withstand heavy anti-aircraft fire.

Navy Skyraider pilots even managed to down MiG-17 fighter jets on two occasions. The first, on June 20, 1965, came during a rescue combat air patrol in North Vietnam and was the first air-to-air gun victory of the war. The second came on October 9, 1966, during a similar mission.

US Air Force pilots quickly became fond of the Skyraider. Their variant, the twin-seat A-1E, provided essential air cover in search-and-rescue missions for downed pilots. By the end of the war, Air Force Skyraiders conducted more than 90,000 combat sorties, including more than 1,000 a month during the peak of the fighting.

Legacy

A-1H Skyraiders escort a US Air Force HC-130P as it refuels an HH-53C helicopter over Southeast Asia in September 1970. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Andy Sarakon

By the time production ceased in 1957, 3,180 Skyraiders had been built and delivered. During the Korean War, 128 Skyraiders were lost to enemy action and other causes. In Vietnam, 266 Skyraiders  65 Navy and 201 Air Force  were lost.

The Navy continued to fly the Skyraider until 1968, when it began retiring the plane and replacing it with the A-6 Intruder. The last Air Force Skyraider mission was on November 7, 1972, and all of the service's remaining Skyraiders were transferred to the South Vietnamese air force in 1973.

Other air forces continued using the Skyraider until the 1980s.

A US Navy A-1H Skyraider being readied for a mission on the USS Midway in October 1965. US Navy

When the aircraft left US service, about 30 Skyraider variants had been used for missions including anti-submarine warfare, night-fighting, rescue escort, electronic warfare, and medical transportation.

Skyraiders were even designated as delivery systems for the Navy's stockpile of air-dropped nuclear bombs for a time. Other ordnance was less lethal but still notable: In 1965, a Skyraider took off from the USS Midway with a broken toilet that it dropped over South Vietnam, purportedly marking the 6 millionth pound of ordnance dropped.

A flying anachronism, Skyraiders earned one of the best reputations any combat aircraft could have. Jet pilots weren't above teasing their propeller-bound colleagues, but if a "Sandy" pilot, as Air Force Skyraider fliers were known, walked into a bar, "he would have a hard time paying for a drink," according to the pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A seafood restaurant caught fire Saturday morning in Calabash, just a few miles over the South Carolina border.

There was smoke and flames coming from the roof of Ellas of Calabash before noon, according to the Calabash Fire Department in North Carolina.

The fire seems to have started in the kitchen area, but the cause is not immediately clear, an official said in a Facebook post.

No one was injured, according to the post. The fire is under investigation.

Firefighters attempted to fight the blaze inside the restaurant, but flames pushed them back outside. They were still putting out hot spots around 4:30 p.m.

River Road, where the restaurant is located, is open to traffic as of 7 p.m., according to a fire official.

The Calabash Fire Department was joined by nearby departments, including Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle.
(CNN)  The universe is filled with so many wonders that it's easy to lose sight of the celestial treasures in our own cosmic backyard.

The James Webb Space Telescope recently shared a stunning new image of Cassiopeia A, the colorful glowing remains of an exploded star that first appeared in our skies 340 years ago.

The Ingenuity helicopter just completed a record-breaking 50th flight on Mars, nearly two years after becoming the first chopper to soar on another planet.

And Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, and three of its moons will receive a visit from a new spacecraft in the not-so-distant future.

These moons could contain hidden oceans beneath their icy crusts  and they might be the best bet for finding life outside of Earth.

Other worlds

The European Space Agency's Juice, or Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, mission launched Friday on an eight-year journey to the gas giant.

Once there, Juice will spend 3 years orbiting Jupiter and three of its icy moons: Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. Juice will be able to determine whether the worlds contain oceans underneath their ice shells and whether those bodies of water could be habitable.

Juice will also use its suite of 10 instruments to unravel some of the greatest mysteries still surrounding Jupiter, such as how the gas giant formed and the ways its hostile environment affects its moons.

We are family

The face of an Egyptian man who lived 35,000 years ago has been revealed, thanks to digital imaging.

Archaeologists first discovered his remains in 1980 in Egypt's Nile Valley, and an analysis identified him as a man of African ancestry between 17 and 29 years old.

A team of Brazilian experts conducted facial approximation using his skull, piecing together what his features looked like in life.

The man had a stronger jaw than those of modern humans, but he otherwise looks like someone we might encounter today.

Fantastic creatures

When an Asian elephant named Pang Pha arrived at the Berlin Zoo as a baby in 1987, she was fed bananas.

But unlike other elephants that pick up bananas and eat them as is, peel and all, Pang Pha enjoyed snacking on bananas that her caretakers peeled for her. Then, she learned how to peel the fruit herself using her trunk.

The elephant is the focus of a new study about how the massive animal controls and uses her trunk, which contains a dense network of muscles, enabling the appendage to serve as both a nose and upper lip and perform delicate tasks.

When scientists came to watch Pang Pha, she only peeled certain bananas  and she has a clever way of freeing the fruit from the peel.

Back to the future

Sci-fi films have a way of foreshadowing or inspiring science breakthroughs that are just a few steps away from becoming reality.

The 1997 movie "Gattaca," which depicts a society obsessed with genetic perfection, was released about 15 years before CRISPR-Cas9 made its debut as a tool used to make precise edits to human DNA.

Meanwhile, movies like "Her" and "M3GAN" show what can happen when humans become a little too closely connected with artificial intelligence.

Which movies match the scientific and technological strides we've made, and which ones are still firmly planted in the fictional realm? See what experts had to say about the sci-fi films that got it right as well as the ones that don't.

Once upon a planet

Two fossils found in an ancient lake bed belong to a previously unknown bat species  and they were so tiny, each specimen could fit in the palm of a person's hand.

The 52 million-year-old skeletons are the most ancient bat fossils documented by scientists, and they are so remarkably intact that the specimens still include teeth.

Typically, bat skeletons don't preserve well because they're small, light and fragile, and that makes it difficult to trace their history.

Scientists think the discovery could help fill a gap in the mysterious evolutionary history of the winged creatures.

Curiosities

We bet these stories will also pique your interest:

 A fireball created a sonic boom last week as it blazed across the sky and landed near the US-Canada border. A museum in Maine is offering $25,000 to anyone who finds the space rock.

 Traces of plant substances that cause delirium were found in 3,000-year-old strands of human hair, suggesting that Bronze Age people used psychoactive drugs.

 A paper airplane designed by Boeing engineers just broke a world distance record.

 Astronomers shared a sharper, "skinny" doughnut version of the first photo captured of a supermassive black hole, originally taken in 2019.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "New mission launches to explore three icy moons that could support life."
Flames and black smoke erupted skyward early Sunday as an apparently empty building caught fire in Fresnos Tower District.

The structure caught fire shortly before 9 a.m. on East Olive Avenue near North Calaveras Street. Arriving firefighters quickly called for more help and declared it a two-alarm fire. Pacific Gas & Electric workers were also called in to ensure that gas lines were cut to the building as flames engulfed the building, which appeared to be a total loss,

Battalion Chief Keola Park said firefighters have been to the building several times in the past in response of fire reports there. He said it is possible that the structure was frequented by homeless occupants in the past. Because of the intensity of the fire, Park said the decision was made not to endanger firefighters by attempting to enter the building.
WAKAYAMA, Japan (AP)  The fishermen who tackled the man suspected of the second attack on a Japanese political leader in less than a year were surprised by the lack of security for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Fisherman Tsutomu Konishi was watching Kishida at a campaign event at this fishing port when an object flew overhead and landed near the prime minister, Konishi said. A security officer covered the object with a bulletproof briefcase, Konishi said. The fishermen swarmed the attacker.

I never thought a crime like this would happen in my hometown, which is a rather small fishing area, Konishi, 41, said Sunday as he sipped a can of coffee at the port of Saikazaki. Im still shocked and stunned."

The prime minister was unhurt but like many others in Japan, Konishi was mulling Sunday what the country should do to better protect public figures.

At a time when Japans serving prime minister was visiting, perhaps we may have needed a metal detector, Konishi said.

Masaki Nishide, a 55-year-old fisherman from Saikazaki, said most of the people at Saturdays event were residents and supporters of the local candidate. He said the young man carrying the silver-gray backpack stood out.

People here all dress like me, and nobody carries a backpack; it was only him, Nishide said, wearing a sweatsuit and red rubber boots. If I were in charge of security, I would have asked for a bag check.

After the failed attack on the prime minister, one of the fishermen grabbed the suspect's neck from behind, another pushed his head down, and Konishi latched onto his leg. They were holding the man as police officers pulled him to the ground.

The chaotic scene was reminiscent of the assassination nine months ago of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which prompted police to tighten their protective measures after an investigation found holes in Abes security. Abe, one of Japans most influential and divisive politicians, was killed with a homemade gun during a campaign speech.

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Suspect Tetsuya Yamagami has been charged with murder and several other crimes, including violating gun-control laws.

Authorities have said Yamagami told investigators he killed Abe because of the former prime ministers apparent links to a religious group that Yamagami hated. In statements and in social media postings attributed to him, Yamagami said his mother's donations to the Unification Church bankrupted his family and ruined his life.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan, and with its strict gun control laws, the country has only a handful of gun-related crimes annually. Most of the cases are gang-related, though in recent years there has been growing concern about homemade guns and explosives. There also have been some high-profile cases of random knifing on subways and arson attacks.

Groups of several officers have guarded serving prime ministers. Fewer officers have been watching Cabinet ministers and former leaders.

Compared with the U.S. elections, audience at political campaigns in Japan are often allowed to be quite close to dignitaries. At the campaign event for Kishida the front-row audience was within touching distance.

Only one person, a police official, was hurt, his arm cut by fragments of the device, which didn't fully explode. Police arrested 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura on suspicion of throwing an explosive in a metal tube at Kishida.

Police sent a special counter-explosives team to the suspect's home in Hyogo prefecture to search for evidence of bomb-making. There are nationwide local elections this month. and Japan is hosting a series of Group of Seven meetings leading up to the May 19-21 leaders' summit in Hiroshima. Diplomats arrived Sunday for the G-7 foreign ministers' meeting in Karuizawa.

Isao Itabashi, a public safety expert, said on NHK TV that the attack raised questions about how election campaigns are being handled. Guarding top politicians in campaigns is logistically hard, and balancing tight security with a free election is also difficult, he said.

Kiyotaka Hamada, 70, a senior member of the local fishing association, said he felt something hit his shoulder just as he heard the bang and was running from the scene. Police took his jacket to see if he'd been hit by a fragment of the explosive.

I just want to ask the suspect why he had to come here to make trouble," he said.

For Hamada and other fishermen, there's worry also about the expected loss of income from the days they cannot work while the port facilities are closed for the investigation.

We put so much effort throughout the village to welcome the prime minister here on his first ever visit, Hamada said. Now we cannot even go out to sea.

___

This story corrects the suspect's surname in the 15th paragraph to Kimura, not Nakamura.

___

Find more AP coverage of the Asia-Pacific region at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Fishermen in Gunjur, The Gambia

Investment from China welcomed by The Gambia's government is causing upset for a fishing community who say a Chinese-owned fishmeal factory is disrupting life on their shores.

"I have been working here for 32 years," says Buba Cary, a fisherman from Gunjur speaking in Mandinka through a translator. "It only brings suffering for us," he says, gesturing to the white building.

"Before the factory came here there was a lot of fish in the sea. If you want fish [now] you need to cross the border to Senegal or Guinea-Bissau."

Kelepha Camara, who comes to this shore to buy fish and sell it up country, agrees, arguing that it has pushed up the cost of fish for locals: "This factory is not supporting us."

Fishermen say the factory has upset the market as it buys in bulk and pays lower prices than other buyers

These men are talking about a facility run by Golden Lead in the coastal village of Gunjur, which is around 45km (28 miles) south of the capital, Banjul.

In total The Gambia now has three of these factories - the other two, run by different firms, are about 10km north and south of Gunjur, where fish oil and fishmeal are produced and exported to China, Europe and beyond.

For many years the fishmeal industry has raised questions about sustainability. It uses vast quantities of fish, such as sardinella and bonga, which make up at least half of The Gambia's total protein intake.

The Dutch non-governmental organisation Changing Markets Foundation found that the biggest of these fishmeal factories accounted for 40% of Gambia's entire fish catch for a year.

The Gambia has fostered a close relationship with China in recent years. Under the controversial leadership of ex-President Yahya Jammeh the first Chinese fish factory to open was in Gunjur, after it was granted a 99-year lease in 2015 soon after The Gambia broke ties with Taiwan.

This is despite the fact that Gambian law prohibits foreign nationals leasing land for more than 26 years, according to the political watchdog Watch Gambia.

Not long after Mr Jammeh reluctantly left power in 2017 and went into exile after 22 years at the helm - an era exposed by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission for its widespread human rights abuses and corruption - his successor met with his Chinese counterpart to reiterate their friendship.

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That year China cancelled $12m ($10m) of Gambian debt and invested a further $28.7m in agriculture and fisheries.

Wildlife reserve polluted

Yet the local community in Gunjur was already unhappy about how things were going with Golden Lead.

On 22 May 2017 - nearly a year after the fishmeal factory opened - the lagoon in the Bolong Fenyo, a nearby wildlife reserve, filled with dead fish and turned a deep red.

The next month, the National Environment Agency filed a case against Golden Lead at a magistrates' court, alleging wastewater from the factory had caused the damage.

Golden Lead pays $5 for a basket of fish - below the market rate

But operations were speedily resumed after an out-of-court settlement of $25,000 was reached.

Aside from the pollution issue, the company was brought up in another court case.

Last month, Bamba Banja, a former top civil servant in the fisheries ministry, was found guilty of corruption for receiving at least five payments of $1,600 between 2018 and 2020 from Golden Lead. He denied he had taken the money to free vessels detained for being involved in illicit fishing, but was jailed for two years and ordered to pay a fine.

Some in the community in Gunjur are still worried about standards over waste pollution and various fishermen and factory workers told the BBC in December 2022 that they had experienced skin problems after entering the sea near the factory. But there is no definitive evidence that these ailments are the fault of the factory.

For most in Gunjur it is the lack of fish that angers them - they say stocks are being overfished.

Golden Lead secures six-month contracts with mostly Senegalese fishermen who use powerful boats. Local fishermen using pirogues are unable to compete.

The factory buys in bulk, paying $5 a basket - three times less than it fetches at local markets. Some fishermen agree to this as it is a guaranteed sale, but it means less fish is available to locals and Gambians who do sell to Golden Lead are making less money.

The sheer volume of fish needed for processing can be witnessed when the catch is brought in.

As the boats arrive for the factory, scores of men run up and down the beach with the heavy 50kg (110lb) baskets on their heads - each paid $0.50 a trip.

The knock-on effect is that fish is becoming more scarce in the local market - and increasingly expensive.

Locals say overfishing has affected trade

Gunjur residents also complain that Golden Lead has broken commitments made to the fishing community.

"They promised to build a road from the village to the beach and they promised to build a fish market for the community. They promised 600 jobs here in the community," Dembo Darboe, the chief of Gunjur village, known as an "alkalo", told me.

None of this has happened, though he says the village does receive a monthly payment of around $815.

"Compared to what they have this is nothing," the chief said.

"We can show our dislike. But the power is in the hands of the government."

According to a worker at the factory, who requested anonymity, only 40 Gambians are employed at Gunjur's Golden Lead plant, where conditions are poor and the pay unsatisfactory at about $60 a month, paid in cash.

"They deduct money from my salary for income tax and social security. I don't even have a social security account or number," he said.

Quota system planned

Current Fishery Minister Omar Gibba has dismissed these criticisms, telling the BBC the factory attracts foreign investment, provides much-needed work for local Gambians and the dumping of harmful waste had long stopped.

Environmentalists says the consequences of overfishing could be serious within five years

"Golden Lead has found a market where they can export the waste in liquid form. To where, I don't know."

For instance, the minister, added: "The law doesn't say 80% [of the workforce] must be Gambian. In any investment there has to be pros and cons. It makes society interesting."

He also sought to allay fears about overfishing, saying there was no scientific evidence to back this.

Yet environmental journalist Mustapha Manneh points to a UN report from 2019 that found sardinella and bonga were being overexploited in the waters off Gambia - and believes there could be serious consequences in five years' time: "The amount they are extracting every day is seriously going to affect our biodiversity. There could be food insecurity."

Mr Gibba was unable to say how much fish Golden Lead was currently taking from Gambian waters, but said plans were in hand for a new quota system.

The minister also said that while the extraction of juvenile fish was an issue, there were regulations in place to deal with that.

One of the leading anti-fishmeal factory activists is microbiologist Ahmed Manjang, who is part of a group of environmentalists who have taken Golden Lead to court. Their civil lawsuit cites damages worth $250,000 to the environment. But Mr Manjang is angered that the case has been repeatedly adjourned since July 2017.

"I believe the Chinese have compromised our legal system," he said. The Gambian authorities have not responded to a request to comment on this allegation.

Not long ago, Mr Manjang added, he and five other activists involved in the case were offered cash bribes at the factory, which they rejected: "Stuffed envelopes. That's how they operate."

Before that a Gambian had phoned him up and offered him about $4,000, allegedly on behalf of the Chinese firm, to stop his campaigning.

To get a response to such allegations, I visited the well-guarded factory in Gunjur, which is famously difficult to gain entry or speak to any of the Chinese owners.

Golden Lead says it operates according to the government's guidelines

Peter Zhu, a senior employer, briefly told the BBC: "We are controlled by the government, everything we do is correct."

When quizzed directly about fish stocks, he replied: "I don't know about this. We are not fishermen, we are a business. What is the situation in the sea? I don't know."

Further attempts to contact the company about other allegations, such as bribery, have failed.

Mr Manjang says there are signs that Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia may club together in the future to put in place joint efforts to protect their fish stocks.

Yet young Gambian activist Buba Janneh, who works with Greenpeace Africa, feels less positive - though he maintains a battle to get Golden Lead's 99-year lease nullified is legally viable.

The future will be "very dark" for The Gambia, he says, if the lease still remains in place by the time he dies.

Tom Ford is a freelance journalist travelling in West Africa
Julio Fuentes

Now more than ever, Florida businesses need educated, skilled workers to supplement our workforce. Recent findings show that there are just 50 available workers in our state for every 100 open jobs  shortages are severe, and lawmakers must do everything they can to remedy this growing challenge.

The solution can be found in our young people, as they are the future of our states economic and workforce vitality. This is especially true for Floridas undocumented immigrants, particularly Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. They are a group that has proven themselves to have a distinct passion for success and a strong desire to receive a quality college education  but unfortunately, their ability to achieve those things is under threat.

It is anticipated that there could be legislation in Florida that would limit access to in-state tuition for our undocumented immigrants. This creates a massive barrier for the 40,000 Florida undocumented immigrants enrolled in our higher education systems, as the prohibitive cost of out-of-state tuition can be too much of a financial burden for them to bear. Unfortunately, when students cannot afford to get a college education, we are all losing out on their future workforce and economic contributions in a big way.

Stifling the ambitions of young undocumented immigrants in our state is short-sighted and will have negative implications on Floridas ability to retain a skilled workforce in the future. These immigrants want to achieve greatness while also helping all of us to achieve greatness in America, and our lawmakers must not allow yet another hurdle to stand in the way of our economic success in Florida. Tuition equity is the solution, and lawmakers must not eliminate it.

Young undocumented immigrants in Florida have been living, working, and contributing to our state for most of their lives  particularly the DACA population in our state who have lived here for an average of 20 years. They have been vital to our communities, constantly supplying us with cultural and fiscal contributions.

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By remaining in Florida, these individuals are also paying millions in taxes and supporting our entire economic infrastructure through their hard work and patronage of our businesses. Immigrants in our state generate an estimated $138 billion in total spending power and pay $40 billion in taxes each year. Without them, our state would not be as prosperous as it is today.

The doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, construction workers, and scientists of tomorrow exist in this aspiring and motivated population. By diminishing their opportunity to achieve an education and join our workforce, Floridas Legislature would be halting their potential and setting our workforce and economy up for failure.

There is a reason that lawmakers in Florida on both sides of the aisle have enabled tuition equity for Dreamers for the past nine years. The 2014 policy signed by former Florida Governor and current Senator Rick Scott has allowed thousands of young immigrants the chance to make Florida better, and it should remain in place. According to Senator Scott, its a bill he would sign again today.

I encourage Floridas lawmakers to consider the economic implications that come with proposed anti-immigrant policies this legislative session, and I hope to see limits on in-state tuition access for undocumented immigrants remain off the table.

Julio Fuentes is the president of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida benefits when Dreamers have access to tuition equity
A bill regarding automotive windshield replacement practices designed to curb excess litigation and protect consumers passed it final committee and will now head to the floor for a final vote.

The bill, sponsored by State Senator Linda Stewart (D - Orlando) makes multiple changes to the process of windshield replacement. The bill would prohibit a replacement service provider from offering an incentive to a customer for using their business and would also prohibit consumers from entering an assignment of a post-loss benefits contract for the replacement and calibration of the windshield.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

I am happy that this bill has been voted on favorably and look forward to seeing it on the floor. This policy has long been in the works and is a major priority of mine. Its taken 5 years to get it this far, and I believe we have crafted an excellent product that will put an immediate stop to inappropriate business practices that drive up premiums, said Stewart. Over the last decade, weve seen litigation over glass repairs rise over 4000%. We are now a step closer to helping combat the ever-increasing auto insurance rates and providing relief to consumers.

Read: Front moves in on Sunday, brings chance for severe storms

The bill also addresses statutes to reflect new driver assistance technologies embedded in windshields and adopted an amendment to combat a practice known as steering.

Replacements of windshields will now also need to receive recalibration or notice to vehicle owners from the service provider that a recalibration is necessary for all systems in their car to work properly.

Read: Florida agencies collaborate to allow coastal construction during turtle nesting season

The bill gets our windshield replacement policies up to date with the current times and further ensures consumer protections through notice of the need for recalibration. Through these new requirements for replacements, the removal of AOBs, and the recently adopted amendment to prohibit steering, I believe we have developed a comprehensive package that will greatly benefit consumers and ultimately lead to rate relief, Stewart added.

Read: Florida House approves tax breaks for businesses and consumers

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A Florida woman turned the tables on her armed ex-boyfriend who showed up to her home on Easter Sunday and shot him dead with her own gun, according to authorities.

The Levy County Sheriffs Office received a call around 3 p.m. Easter of a person shot at a duplex in the town of Bronson, authorities said. Officials arrived at the scene and found James Young, Jr., 40, dead on the floor inside the apartment.

Investigators say Young had "a prior domestic relationship" with the unidentified woman living in the home, and traveled to the duplex armed with a gun to "confront" the woman.

GUN-TOTING FLORIDA DAD RUSHES TO DAUGHTER'S APARTMENT, TURNS TABLES ON HER ABUSIVE EX: POLICE

An attendee holds a Glock 9mm pistol during the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, on May 28, 2022.

The suspect and woman began to "struggle" after Young arrived, according to the sheriffs office, but the woman was able to retrieve her own firearm.

PHILADELPHIA CONCEALED GUN HOLDER ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE, FATALLY SHOOTING ATTACKER AT CEMETERY: DA

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The woman was able to fire off one shot that struck Young on the chest and killed him. The woman fled to a neighbors home for assistance following the incident.

No one has been charged in the case, according to the sheriffs office.

FOILED: FIVE TIMES ARMED CITIZENS FOUGHT BACK AGAINST ATTACKERS IN 2022

Authorities said the investigation was ongoing and only in its early stages, as of last week. Authorities are calling on members of the public to come forward with any information they may have on the case.

The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

The incident comes on the heels of an armed Florida dad in Gainesville rushing to his daughters apartment last month after the womans ex-boyfriend allegedly "physically assaulted her," according to police.

The suspect returned to the womans apartment following the reported assault, and was met by the father, who fatally shot him once in the chest.
Dearborn Library virtually hosts cookbook author Alex Prud'homme

Dinner with President author author virtual event coming up at Dearborn Public Library.

The Dearborn Public Library is hosting a virtual event at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday with author Alex Prud'homme on Zoom. Prud'homme newest cookbook is "Dinner with the President: Food, Politics and a History of Breaking Bread at the Whitehouse" (Penguin Random House, $35.) In the book, Prud'homme, reveals the tastes of 26 American presidents, how meals were prepared, by whom and how those choices affected food policy around the world.

Author Alex Prud'homme will appear virtually via Zoom at Dearborn Public Library.

The event will be broadcast in the Henry Ford Centennial Library Auditorium, 16301 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Attendees will also have the option of watching on personal devices. Prud'homme, who co-authored Julia Child's memoir "My Life in France," is the grandnephew of the late Paul Child, husband of the late revered icon of the culinary world. To register for the event, go to dearbornlibrary.org or call 313-943-2330.

Freep Film Fest documentary dinner and movie tickets

Barbecue glazed lamb chops will be served at Frame's Coldwater Kitchen dinner and a movie event.

Tickets are still available for two special screenings of the Free Press documentary film "Coldwater Kitchen at Frame in Hazel Park. Seatings are available on April 28 and April 30 for the dinner and viewing experience. The documentary is based on the culinary training program at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan, following chef Jimmy Lee Hill and three of his students.

Coldwater Kitchen Michigan premieres as the opening night film at the 10th annual Freep Film Festival.

A four-course meal is prepared to feature chef Hills quinoa salad with collards and lime-yogurt dressing, Thai scallops with sweet potato mash, Asian barbecue lamb chops with rice, and a Black Magic cake for dessert.

On hand to discuss the film will be the documentary co-directors, Mark Kurlyandchik, Frames Editorial Director and former Free Press restaurant critic and Free Press Executive Video Producer Brian Kaufman.

Guests have the option of viewing the film first and then dinner or beginning with dinner and then the film. Tickets at framehazelpark.com are $85 per person, plus fees and tax. Wine and cocktail pairings are available. Frame, 23839 John R Rd., Hazel Park.

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A few quick bites .....

Zana in Birmingham has started burger Sunday's.

Burger Sundays: Zana in downtown Birmingham has launched "Burger Sundays." From 4-8 p.m. on Sundays, the menu includes two burger options. The One Night Stand burger ($30) is a half-pound brisket short-rib patty topped with slab bacon, Raclette cheese, mushrooms, fried shallots and bourbon mustard on a Challah bun. Zana's Smashburger ($20) is a brisket short-rib with onions, monster sauce, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles on an onion bun. You can add an additional patty and bacon for an upcharge. The Smashburger is also on Zana's happy hour menu served 4-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For info: zanabham.com.

Pizza Cat: Another metro Detroit location has opened at 30915 Ann Arbor Trail in Westland. It's the third metro Detroit Pizza Cat. Now in its soft opening phase, a grand opening will take place on April 20. During the grand opening, Pizza Cat will offer small cheese and pepperoni pizzas for $4.20 until 4:20 p.m. that day. Pizza Cat is known for its weird pizzas with different toppings like pizza with Flaming Hot Cheetos as an ingredient and those topped with pickles or the makings of a Reuben sandwich. You can also expect plenty of other toppings, including traditional ones like pepperoni and sausage, chicken and brisket. Pizza Cat is also known for pizzas with edge-to-edge cheese, sauce and ingredients, gluten-free and keto pizzas and chicken wings.

Fresh Thyme Market launches e-commerce

A new e-commerce shopping service launched at Fresh Thyme Market in Michigan, including Canton, Farmington and Troy. The Midwest-based grocer is offering a new, easier pickup option designed with savings in mind when shopping online. Fresh Thyme Market Pickup customers, according to a new release, will have more access to the market's fresh food and natural and organic foods at in-store prices online. Orders can also be canceled or edited until the selection happens. The service is available at Michigan stores. Pickup orders under $35 have a $4.95 fee. The fee for orders over $35 is $1.95, according to freshthyme.com.

"We are proud to be able to bring our great in-store shopping experience to life, online, said Liz Zolcak, president of Fresh Thyme Market, in a news release. With our new appealing and convenient e-comm experience, we can provide more shoppers with savings without sacrificing quality or freshness."

For Fresh Thyme Market Pickup information, go to freshthyme.com. The markets also offer delivery through Instacart.

Fresh Thyme Market is billed as a local, community-focused grocer. They have 71 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Food, film and books celebrated in metro Detroit events
LUCKNOW, India (AP)  A former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges was shot dead along with his brother in a dramatic attack that was caught live on TV in northern India, officials said Sunday.

Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were under police escort on their way to a medical checkup at a hospital on Saturday night when three men posing as journalists targeted the two brothers from close range in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh state.

The men quickly surrendered to the police after the shooting, with at least one of them chanting Jai Shri Ram, or Hail Lord Ram, a slogan that has become a battle cry for Hindu nationalists in their campaign against Muslims.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by Indias ruling Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party since 2017. Since then, over 180 people facing criminal charges in India's most populous state have been killed in so-called police encounters that rights groups say are often extrajudicial killings.

Following Saturday's shooting, authorities imposed a ban on the assembly of more than four people across the state and also cut internet access on mobile phones in Prayagraj city. The government also ordered a judicial probe headed by a retired judge.

Police officer Ramit Sharma said the three assailants came on motorcycles posing as journalists.

They managed to reach close to Atiq and his brother on the pretext of recording a byte and fired at them from close range. Both sustained bullet injuries on the head, he said. It all happened in seconds.

Multiple videos of Saturdays shooting went viral on social media. It was initially broadcast live on local TV channels as the brothers spoke to media while being taken to the hospital.

The footage shows someone pulling a gun close to Atiq Ahmads head. As he collapses, his brother is also shot. The video shows assailants repeatedly firing at the two men after both fell on the ground.

Atiq Ahmad, 60, was jailed in 2019 after he was convicted of kidnapping a lawyer, Umesh Pal, who had testified against him as as a witness in the killing of a lawmaker in 2005. In February, Pal was also killed.

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On Thursday, Atiq Ahmads teenage son and another man, both of whom were blamed for Pals death, were killed by police in what was described as a shootout.

Two weeks earlier, Atiq Ahmad had petitioned the Indian Supreme Court for protection, saying there was an open, direct and immediate threat to his life from state functionaries of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports. But the court declined to intervene and instead asked his lawyer to approach the local state court.

Atiq Ahmad was a state lawmaker four times and was also elected to Indias Parliament in 2004 from Uttar Pradeshs Phulpur constituency, once represented by Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

He faced more than 100 criminal cases and was among the first politicians from Uttar Pradesh to be prosecuted under the stringent Gangster Act in the late 1980s. He also cultivated a Robin Hood image among mostly Muslim constituents and used to financially help many poor families.

But he was also criticized for leveraging his political clout to develop a syndicate that was an active player in the real estate market amid allegations of forced capture of properties and other crimes.

Opposition parties criticized the killings as a security lapse and accused the government of ruling by fear.
By Saurabh Sharma

LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) -A former lawmaker in India's parliament, convicted of kidnapping, was shot dead along with his brother while police were escorting them for a medical check-up in a slaying caught on live television on Saturday.

The dramatic footage of the men being killed was shared across broadcast channels and social media. A gunman is seen reaching over the shoulders of police to point a pistol at the temple of the former lawmaker, Atiq Ahmed, whose turban is blown off as the gun discharges.

His brother, Ashraf Ahmed, was shot a split second later.

In other footage, filmed by Reuters partner ANI, one gunman is seen firing repeatedly at brother's bodies as they lay on the ground.

The two victims died within minutes, while police quickly detained three men suspected of carrying out the slaying.

Media reports say the assailants had been posing as journalists. One surrendered immediately after the shooting, while officers subdued the other two suspects.

They had been among a throng of journalists that had gathered as the two brothers, allegedly kingpins in a local criminal organisation, were being brought, handcuffed from a hospital Prayagraj city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening.

After carrying out the slaying, the suspected gunmen shouted Hindu religious chants.

One policeman was wounded during the attack.

Fearing the possibility of violent unrest in the wake of the killings, the Uttar Pradesh government barred gatherings of more than four people across the entire state.

"The state government imposed restrictive orders after the killings of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed who were members of a large mafia involved in land grabbing and in murder cases," said a senior police official.

"We don't want any form of protest to gain momentum," the official said on conditions of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak with the press.

The state government, controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, has ordered a judicial probe into the killings.

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Last week police shot dead Atiq Ahmed's son in Jhansi city. He had been wanted in connection to a murder case that was being investigated as part of a wider crackdown into a land mafia operating in Uttar Pradesh.

Police in Uttar Pradesh have killed more than 180 suspected criminals during encounters over past six years.

The head of the opposition Samajwadi Party, said the slaying of his ex-party member while in police custody demonstrated the failure of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to bring law and order to Uttar Pradesh.

"When someone can be killed in firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public," Samajwadi's Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet.

Before losing an election in 2014, Ahmed had been a lawmaker with Samajwadi, and later the regional Apna Dal party.

(Additional reporting by Rupam Jain; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Four Ukrainian civilians were killed in Russian attacks on 15 April.

Source: Military Media Center, a media platform for Ukraine's defence and security forces

Details: Sixteen more civilians have been injured in the Russian strikes.

Ukraines Ministry of Defence has stated that Russian troops hit the territory of eight of the countrys oblasts over the past 24 hours.

A total of 97 settlements have been attacked with various types of weapons (mortars, tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, UAVs, and tactical aircraft), and 60 infrastructure facilities were confirmed to have been damaged.

Background: Russian forces hit the city of Kherson on 15 April, killing two women, a mother and her daughter.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
(CNN)  The US Coast Guard is assisting Mexican navy crews in the search for three American sailors, last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlan, Mexico, according to a Coast Guard news release.

Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross are all "experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families. They were aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailing vessel, when they left the Mexican city of Mazatlan en route to San Diego, the Coast Guard said.

"The sailors planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 for provisions and to report in before continuing on to San Diego," the news release said.

"However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report in of their location."

Rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, but there have been no sightings of the vessel, the news release said.

"Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel," the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard officials urge anyone with information on the sailors or the sailing vessel to call the Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.

Weather 'not optimal' for that type of trip

Cmdr. Greg Higgins, search mission coordinator for the US Coast Guard, said the weather was less than ideal when the trio set out.

"When they began their voyage we know that the conditions were not optimal for that type of trip, though certainly, there were sailing vessels out there during that time. Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage," Higgins told CNN's Fredricka Whitfield Saturday.

"It's a long trip for even in good conditions, from Mazatlan to Cabo. That's two days, and certainly on to San Diego, which was their eventual destination. And since then it has improved marginally," he added.

Higgins said he hopes to gather information from witnesses who might have seen the sailors who went missing.

"The Mexican Navy, now based in La Paz, Mexico, has the lead for search efforts, so there are numerous Mexican naval search and rescue assets that are working the case," Higgins said. "For our portion, to support the excellent partnership that we have with Mexico and the Mexican Navy.

"We've conducted search planning, so we're using computer search tools to identify where the vessel may be based on environmental conditions, winds, and currents, where it may have drifted if they became distressed, as well as Coast Guard aircraft, searching with the permission of Mexico, and Coast Guard cutters searching as well," Higgins said.

Missing Americans are 'experienced sailors,' families say

The three Americans "are all experienced sailors," according to a joint statement from their families.

"Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold captains licenses with the US Coast Guard," according to the statement.

Ocean Bound, described as "a sturdy older vessel," departed Mazatlan on April 4 at about 9:30 a.m. local time. It headed "across the Sea of Cortez, a short stop had been planned in Cabo San Lucas and then to sail up the coast of Baja to San Diego," the statement said. When they didn't check in by the weekend, the Coast Guard was notified.

"Cell phone pings on 4/4/2023 show off the coast of Mazatlan as calls to marinas in Cabo San Lucas," according to the families.

Their families presume they were trying to make slip reservations at the marina. But, because all the calls made were so short, it's believed the attempts to reach someone were unsuccessful, said the statement. That calls are the last known contact with the Ocean Bound.

According to family, the Coast Guard "has a current 'travel projection' if Ocean Bound simply lost radio contact and continued her journey to San Diego at just North or South of Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortugas) on the Baja Peninsula and is focused on searching there, in addition to long aircraft sweeps along the Baja Peninsula."

The parameters are reassessed each night to redefine the search the next day, according to the statement.

"The sailing community has hundreds of additional vessels looking for our family members," said the joint statement.

The families thanked the Mexican Navy and US Coast Guard for their search and rescue operations.

"They have communicated all of their efforts with kindness and compassion more than once a day," said the statement.

This was first published on CNN.com, "US, Mexican officials search for 3 American sailors last heard from 11 days ago."
At least four people were killed and more than 20 others injured, mostly teens, in a Saturday night shooting at a birthday party in Alabama, officials said, in the latest spasm of American gun mass violence.

Local news reports said the shooting occurred at a Sweet 16 party at a dance studio in Dadeville, a small town northeast of the state capital Montgomery.

"There were four lives tragically lost in this incident, and there's been a multitude of injuries," Sergeant Jeremy Burkett, a spokesman for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), told reporters Sunday.

He specified later that 28 people had been wounded, some of them critically, and urged residents to come forward with any information they might have related to the attack. But Burkett provided no further details on how the shooting unfolded or why.

Annette Allen told the Montgomery Advertiser that her grandson Phil Dowdell was among those who died: he had been celebrating his sister Alexis's 16th birthday when gunfire ripped through the party.

"He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face," Allen said of her grandson, a high school senior and football player due to graduate within weeks.

"Everybody's grieving," Allen said of the small community of some 3,000 residents.

President Joe Biden, who was briefed on the shooting, said the nation was again grieving over young Americans killed in gun violence.

"What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear?" Biden, who has long sought tighter gun safety measures, asked in a statement.

"Guns are the leading killer of children in America, and the numbers are rising -- not declining," he added. "This is outrageous and unacceptable."

The nearby Lake Martin Community Hospital received 15 individual gun-shot wound patients, mostly victims in their teens, Heidi Smith, marketing director for the rural health facility's operator IvyCreek Healthcare, told AFP.

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Six of the patients were discharged and nine have been transferred to facilities with higher levels of care. Of those, five were in critical condition, Smith said.

"It's been terrible," she said.

More than 12 hours after the tragedy, neither Burkett nor other law enforcement officials provided any details on who may have perpetrated the shooting and why, or whether a suspect has been detained.

"We can't share anything further at this time," the sergeant said, adding only that "it was tied to a birthday party."

Dadeville Chief of Police Jonathan Floyd called the town "a tight-knit community full of wonderful people."

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said its State Bureau of Investigations has launched a probe together with Dadeville police and federal agencies including the FBI.

Television station WRBL of nearby Columbus, Georgia reported heavy police activity overnight and crime scene tape around a building in Dadeville, where it said white sheets could be seen covering parts of the floor.

- 'Heartbreaking' -

State leaders took to Twitter Sunday offering prayers and decrying violence but they did not provide details on what happened.

"This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians," Governor Kay Ivey posted. "Violent crime has NO place in our state."

The United States, a country of around 330 million people, is awash with some 400 million guns, and deadly mass shootings are a regular occurrence.

The latest deaths came on the 16th anniversary of the deadliest US school shooting on record, in which 32 people were killed at Virginia Tech in 2007.

Separately, police confirmed two people were killed and four others wounded in a shooting late Saturday at a crowded park in Louisville, Kentucky, the same city where a bank employee slaughtered five people at his workplace last Monday.

There have been 163 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The non-profit group defines a mass shooting as having a minimum of four victims shot, either injured or killed, excluding any shooter.

Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms.

The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings.

mlm/sw/dw
Four people were killed and at least 16 others were wounded in Dadeville, Alabama, over the weekend after a "Sweet-16" birthday party turned violent.

The party took place Saturday night at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio, witnesses told WRBL.

Gunfire erupted at the party around 10:30pm, injuring more than 20 people. Witnesses told the news broadcaster that most of the more than 20 victims are teens, though that information has not been confirmed by law enforcement.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed that four people died in the mass shooting, according to AL.com. No further information on their identities or the details of the shooting were provided. No arrests were announced, and no further information on the whereabouts of the shooter were provided.

Numerous families have reportedly gathered to wait outside area hospitals where their loved ones are presumably being treated.

Little information has come out officially about the shooting in the hours since it happened. A grisly photo  showing six people lying on the ground inside the dance studio next to the words "praying for Dadeville"  has emerged after the shooting, according to the broadcaster. First responders said they were aware of the shooting, and a group of social media users are trying to get the image removed.

Ben Haynes, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Dadeville, said he spent the night with the families of the victims, according to ABC News.

Family members of the victims reportedly told Mr Haynes that an argument inside the party sparked the shooting, and that there were more than 50 people at the party when the violence broke out.

The situation is under active investigation the by the ALEA's State Bureau of Investigations, the Dadeville Police Department, and the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office.

Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged the shooting on social media.

This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians, she wrote. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge.

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Dadeville's mayor, Jimmy Goodman, said that the residents were "in shock" and that they were "doing our best to cope with it."

"We're just trying to make do," he told the news outlet.

The mass shooting is the latest in a violent spring across the US South. In late March, a woman shot and six people at a private school in Nashville, including three 9-year-old children. A few weeks later a mass shooter in Louisville, Kentucky, killed six people and injured nine others at his workplace.
WILMINGTON, Del.  On Monday, a judge in Delaware Superior Court is expected to swear in the jury in a defamation trial that has little precedent in American law. Fox News, one of the most powerful and profitable media companies, will defend itself against extensive evidence suggesting it told its audience a story of conspiracy and fraud in the 2020 election it knew wasnt true.

The jury will be asked to weigh lofty questions about the limits of the First Amendment and to consider imposing a huge financial penalty against Fox. Some of the most influential names in conservative media  Rupert Murdoch, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson  are expected to be called to testify. But there is another fundamental question the case raises: Will there be a price to pay for profiting from the spread of misinformation?

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Few people have been held legally accountable for their roles in trying to delegitimize President Joe Bidens victory. Sidney Powell, a lawyer who was one of the biggest purveyors of conspiracy theories about Dominion Voting Systems, the company suing Fox for $1.6 billion, avoided disbarment in Texas after a judge dismissed a complaint against her in February.

Jenna Ellis, an attorney who worked with Powell and the Trump campaign, received a reprimand last month instead of losing her license with the Colorado bar. Donald Trump, whose false insistence that he was cheated of victory incited a violent mob on Jan. 6, 2021, is running for president a third time and remains the clear front-runner for the Republican nomination.

Political misinformation has become so pervasive in part because, there is little the government can do to stop it.

Lying to American voters is not actually actionable, said Andrew Weissmann, the former general counsel of the FBI who was a senior member of the special counsel team under Robert Mueller that looked into Trumps 2016 campaign.

Its a quirk of American law that most lies  even ones that destabilize the nation, told by people with enormous power and reach  cant be prosecuted. Charges can be brought only in limited circumstances, such as if a business executive lies to shareholders or an individual lies to the FBI. Politicians can be charged if they lie about a campaign contribution, which is the essence of the criminal case against Trump by the Manhattan district attorneys office.

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In the Fox News case, the trial is going forward because the law allows companies like Dominion, and people, to seek damages if they can prove their reputations were harmed by lies.

The legal bar that a company like Dominion must meet to prove defamation is known as actual malice. And it is extremely difficult to prove because of the Supreme Courts 1964 decision in New York Times Company v. Sullivan, which held that public officials can claim defamation only if they can prove that the defendants either knew that they were making a false statement or were reckless in deciding to publish the defamatory statement.

There are all sorts of times you can lie with impunity, but here theres an actual victim, Weissmann added. Its only because of the serendipity that they actually attacked a company.

Usually, there is great deference among media lawyers and First Amendment scholars toward the defendants in a libel case. They argue that the law is supposed to provide the media with breathing room to make mistakes, even serious ones, as long as they are not intentional.

But many legal scholars have said that they believed there was ample evidence to support Dominions case, in which they argue they were intentionally harmed by the lies broadcast by Fox, and that they would not only be surprised but disappointed if a jury didnt find Fox liable for defamation.

If this case goes the wrong way, said John Culhane, professor of law at Delaware Law School at Widener University, its clear from my perspective that would be a terrible mistake because this is about as strong as a case youre going to get on defamation. Culhane added that a Fox victory would only make it harder to rein in the kind of misinformation thats rampant in pro-Trump media.

I think it would embolden them even further, he said.

This case has proved to be extraordinary on many levels, not only for its potential to deliver the kind of judgment that has so far eluded prosecutors like Weissmann, who have spent years pursuing Trump and his supporters who they believe bent the American democratic system to a breaking point.

Even if this didnt involve Donald Trump and Fox and the insurrection, this is a unique libel trial, full stop, said David Logan, a professor of law at Roger Williams School of Law and an expert on defamation. Theres never been one like this before.

It is extremely rare for defamation cases to reach a jury. Logan said his research shows a steady decline over the years, with an average of 27 per year in the 1980s but only three in 2017.

Some experts like Logan believe the cases significance could grow beyond its relevance to the current disinformation-plagued political climate. They see an opportunity for the Supreme Court to eventually take the case as a vehicle to revisit libel law and the actual malice standard. The justices have not done that since a 1989 case involving a losing candidate for municipal office in Ohio who successfully sued a newspaper after it published a false story about him a week before the election. The court said that a public figure cannot recover damages unless there was clear and convincing proof of actual malice.

The actual malice standard has been vital for individual journalists and media outlets who make mistakes  as long as they are honest mistakes. But some scholars like Logan  as well as two conservative Supreme Court justices, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas  have argued that actual malice should be reconsidered as too high a standard. Thomas specifically cited as a reason the proliferation of falsehoods.

The nature of this privilege goes to the heart of our democracy, particularly in this case, said Logan, whose paper arguing that the courts have made it too difficult for victims of libel to win relief was cited in a dissent by Gorsuch in 2021.

Fox lawyers are already preparing for an appeal  a sign they are under no illusion that beating Dominions case will be easy. At several recent hearings in front of Judge Eric M. Davis, Fox has been represented by Erin Murphy, an appellate lawyer with experience arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

Dominion also apparently considers the possibility of an appeal quite realistic. It had an appellate attorney of its own, Rodney A. Smolla, arguing on its behalf when questions of Foxs First Amendment defense arose last month  the kind of constitutional questions that federal appellate courts will entertain.

The belief that the Supreme Court could eventually hear the Fox-Dominion case is shared by the general counsel of Fox Corp., Viet Dinh. Dinh, who is likely to be called as a witness by Dominion during the trial, has told colleagues privately that he believes Foxs odds at the Supreme Court would be good, certainly better than in front of a Delaware jury, according to people who know his thinking.

The evidence against Fox includes copious amounts of text messages and emails showing that producers, hosts and executives belittled the claims being made on air of hacked voting machines and conspiracy, details that Dominion has said prove the network defamed it.

But Fox lawyers and its public relations department have been making the case that its broadcasts were protected under the First Amendment because they encompassed the kind of coverage and commentary that media outlets have a right to do on official events of intense public interest.

A free-flowing, robust American discourse depends on First Amendment protections for the press news gathering and reporting, a network spokesperson said in a written statement. The statement added that Fox viewers expected the kind of commentary that aired on the network after the election just as they expect hyperbole, speculation and opinion from a newspapers op-ed section.

Davis has overruled Fox on some of its First Amendment claims, limiting its ability to argue certain points at trial, such as its contention that it did not endorse any false statements by the president and his allies but merely repeated them as it would any newsworthy statement.

A spokesperson for Dominion expressed confidence, saying: In the coming weeks, we will prove Fox spread lies causing enormous damage to Dominion. We look forward to trial.

Inside Fox, from the corporate offices in Los Angeles to the news channels Manhattan headquarters, there is little optimism about the case. Several current and former employees said privately that few people at the company would be surprised to see a jury return a judgment against Fox.

Davis has expressed considerable skepticism toward Fox in the courtroom. He issued a sanction against Fox last week when Dominion disclosed that the company had not revealed details about Murdochs involvement in Fox News affairs, ruling that Dominion had a right to conduct further depositions at Foxs expense.

But he does not have the final say. Twelve men and women from Delaware will ultimately decide the case. And defamation suits so rarely prevail, its also reasonable to consider the possibility that Fox does win  and what a 2024 election looks like with an emboldened pro-Trump media.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Maine earlier on Saturday, but the materials are reportedly not causing any threat to public safety, officials said.

Rockwood Fire & Rescue, which provides services for the small town in central Maine, said in a post on its Facebook page that the train derailment occurred with hazardous materials onboard and caused a fire. They also told those nearby to stay clear of the area.

The fire department later posted a photo of the derailment, showing a fire breaking out on multiple cars of the train.

But a spokesperson for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited told CBS News that no evacuations were ordered and no threat to public safety existed. They said a fire started on three locomotives and train cars that were carrying lumber, but the cars carrying the hazardous materials were not affected.

The spokesperson told the outlet that the derailment happened at around 8:30 a.m. because of a track washout, which happens after heavy rain washes away the roadway under the train track. They said it happened in a rural wooded area.

The Hill has reached out to the fire department and the train company for additional comment.

CBS reported that the site where the derailment occurred is near Moosehead Lake, one of the largest freshwater bodies in Maine.

The derailment comes amid heightened attention to similar incidents throughout the country in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, at the start of February.

That derailment allowed hazardous materials to leak into the environment and forced thousands of residents to evacuate for days. Residents reported symptoms like trouble breathing and rashes even after officials said they could safely return.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the veteran leader of the far right in France, is "doing well" in hospital following a mild heart attack, his daughter Marine Le Pen said Sunday.

"He is doing well and I thank all those who have enquired after his health," said Le Pen, who lost out to Emmanuel Macron in the past two French presidential elections.

"I have yet to see him and will do so shortly (but) he is doing well and that is the main thing," she said.

She added that her father, hospitalised Saturday, would require some check-ups, being just a few months' shy of his 95th birthday.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, who ran for president five times, sent shock waves through France in 2002 when he beat out the Socialist prime minister to make it to the run-off vote against president Jacques Chirac.

He was hospitalised near Paris on Saturday after suffering heart trouble, the Le Point news magazine said in a report confirmed later by Le Pen's longtime advisor Lorrain de Saint Affrique.

He has suffered several episodes of ill health in recent years, most recently in February last year, when he was hospitalised after suffering a "minor" stroke.

The former paratrooper was the co-founder of the National Front -- later renamed the National Rally by his daughter Marine -- and spent decades slamming immigration.

While his political fortunes fluctuated sharply over more than half a century -- his unabashed racism leading to him being dubbed the "Devil of the Republic" -- he once boasted that the rise of the far right around Europe showed his ideas had gone mainstream.

His daughter later tried to clean up the image of the party and kicked him out in 2015 over remarks he made that the Holocaust was merely a "detail" of history.

The party has since made significant inroads in both European and French politics.

Marine Le Pen obtained a far-right record 23.15 percent of the vote in 2022 presidential elections, as the party won 89 seats in parliament, becoming the country's main opposition party.

pab-reb/pvh/fb/cw/js
SAPPORO, Japan (AP)  Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations vowed Sunday to work to hasten the shift toward cleaner, renewable energy, but set no timetable for phasing out coal-fired power plants as they wrapped up two days of talks in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.

The officials issued a 36-page communique laying out their commitments ahead of a G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

Japan won endorsements from fellow G-7 countries for its own national strategy emphasizing so-called clean coal, hydrogen and nuclear energy to help ensure its energy security.

Recognizing the current global energy crisis and economic disruptions, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 at the latest, the communique says.

We call on and will work with other countries to end new unabated coal-fired power generation projects globally as soon as possible to accelerate the clean energy transition in a just manner, the document says.

The leaders reiterated the need to urgently reduce carbon emissions and achieve a predominantly decarbonized power sector by 2035. They also stressed the importance of ensuring supplies of critical minerals, used in many high-tech products, are stable and conform to high social and environmental standards.

I believe that we were able to demonstrate to the international community that our commitment to climate change and environmental issues is unwavering, even in the context of the situation in Ukraine, Akihiro Nishimura, Japans environment minister, said after the talks ended.

The stipulation that countries rely on predominantly clean energy by 2035 leaves room for continuation of fossil-fuel fired power. But the ministers agreed to prioritize steps toward phasing out unabated coal power generation  plants that do not employ mechanisms to capture emissions and prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere.

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U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said the meetings were really constructive.

"I think the unity for the goal that was expressed of phasing out unabated fossil fuels is a very important statement, Kerry said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The call to action comes as China and other developing countries step up demands for more help in phasing out fossil fuels and stabilizing energy prices and supplies amid disruptions from Russia's war on Ukraine.

The issue of setting a timeline for phasing out coal-fired power plants is a longstanding sticking point. Japan relies on coal for nearly one-third of its power generation and is also promoting the use of so-called clean coal, using technology to capture carbon emissions, to produce hydrogen  which produces only water when used as fuel.

The G-7 nations account for 40% of the worlds economic activity and a quarter of global carbon emissions. Their actions are critical, but so is their support for less wealthy nations often suffering the worst effects of climate change while having the fewest resources for mitigating such impacts.

Emissions in advanced economies are falling, though historically they have been higher  the United States alone accounts for about a quarter of historic global carbon emissions  while emerging markets and developing economies now account for more than two-thirds of global carbon emissions.

The communique highlighted the need to cut carbon emission by around 43% by 2030, and 60% by 2035, relative to the 2019 level. It also reaffirmed the G-7 commitment to ending fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.

The president-designate for the next United Nations climate talks, the COP28, who was also attending the talks in Sapporo, issued a statement urging G-7 nations to increase financial support for developing countries' transitions to clean energy.

We must make a fairer deal for the Global South, said Sultan Al Jaber of the United Arab Emirates Not enough is getting to the people and places that need it most.

He said developed countries must follow through on a $100 billion pledge they made at the 2009 COP15 meeting. The next talks are to be held in Dubai in late November.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who met in Beijing on Friday, issued a joint statement expressing concern that such funding "continues to fall short of the commitment of $100 billion per year.

Bhupender Yadav, India's environment minister, urged G-7 countries to hasten their emissions reductions to allow space for developing countries to grow their economies. That is "the best defense against the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, he said in a tweet.

The document crafted in Sapporo included significant amounts of nuance to allow for differences between the G-7 energy strategies, climate advocates said.

They put out bold language on the urgency of addressing the climate crisis but the real test is what are they saying to the rest of the world about their commitments to scale up ambitions, Alden Meyer, a senior associate at E3G, a climate change think tank, said in a Twitter spaces session just after the communique was released.

But while other G-7 countries prevented Japan from expanding loopholes to allow wider use of fossil fuels, the commitments fall short of the clarion call to action that was needed, Meyer said.

The Sapporo talks also yielded pledges to cooperate on wise and equitable environmental energy, water, farm and marine policies. The ministers committed to ending plastic pollution, aiming to take new plastic pollution to zero by 2040.

While the G-7 energy and environment ministers were wrapping up their meetings in Sapporo, farther south in the mountain city of Karuizawa G-7 foreign ministers were grappling with other shared concerns including regional security and the war in Ukraine.

The war, which Kerry called insane and tragic, has complicated the switch to renewable energy by disrupting trade in oil and gas and pushing prices sharply higher, but phasing out carbon emissions can and must continue.

I think energy security is being exaggerated in some cases, Kerry said, pointing to Germany's progress in embracing renewable energy and even phasing out its nuclear power plants.
Some of the worlds largest and most advanced economies committed to a quicker transition to clean and renewable energy on Sunday, but stopped short of vowing to phase out coal by a 2030 deadline.

At a meeting for the Group of Seven nations, which includes the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada and the European Union, committed to accelerating the transition to clean energy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, in a 36-page communique, according to the Associated Press.

Recognizing the current global energy crisis and economic disruptions, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 at the latest, the communique said.

While the countries committed to the net-zero goal by 2050 and said they would accelerate efforts to reach the landmark, there was no commitment to phase out coal by the end of the decade and left open the possibility that countries could continue to use fossil fuels as they continue toward predominantly decarbonized power sector(s) by 2035.

But the countries did agree that even as the door to the use of fossil fuels was left open, efforts must be made to avoid unabated fossil fuel generation, which means power plants must make an effort to capture emissions and keep them from reaching the environment.

The commitments came after two days of meetings in Japan. John Kerry, the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, told the Associated Press that he thought the talks were constructive.

I think the unity for the goal that was expressed of phasing out unabated fossil fuels is a very important statement, Kerry said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The meetings in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo come about a month before a scheduled meeting of the group again in May in Hiroshima.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Humeyra Pamuk and Sakura Murakami

KARUIZAWA, Japan (Reuters) -The relationship between China and Europe will be determined by Beijing's behaviour, including what happens with Taiwan, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Sunday.

The comments from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, in a remote address at the start of the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Japan, highlighted two of the themes that have come into focus ahead of the three-day gathering: the need for a united approach to China and concerns about Taiwan.

China is front and centre as the foreign ministers of the world's advanced democracies meet in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa. The only Asian member of the grouping, Japan has deepening worries about neighbour China's growing might in the region and is particularly focused on the possibility of military action against Taiwan.

"Anything that happens in Taiwan Strait will mean a lot to us," Borrell said, stressing the need to engage with China and keep communications open.

He described China as a "partner, competitor and systemic rival" and said that which of those three relations the EU would lean towards "will be determined by China's behaviour."

The foreign ministers opened the ministerial meetings with a working dinner held Sunday evening where they discussed the Indo-Pacific. The conversation gravitated towards China, a foreign ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

"Japan's foreign minister said that relations with China require a frank and open engagement, to which the other foreign ministers agreed," he said, adding that the G7 ministers had agreed to seek a peaceful resolution regarding the political status of Taiwan.

Beijing views Taiwan as Chinese territory and has not renounced the use of force to take the democratically governed island. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says only the island's people can decide their future.

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Recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron have highlighted potential differences between Europe and the United States on China. In interviews after he visited China this month, Macron cautioned against being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan driven by an "American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction".

That prompted a backlash, and on Friday European foreign policy officials urged Beijing not to use force over Taiwan, taking a tough stance.

"There is collective concern about a number of the actions that China is taking," the U.S. official told reporters on the plane to Japan from Vietnam, declining to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information.

In Vietnam, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Both sides expressed a desire to deepen their ties, as Washington seeks to solidify alliances to counter China.

'COMMON AND CONCERTED'

There would likely be a discussion on how the members could continue to take a "common and concerted approach," to China, the official said.

Recent G7 statements have included calls for candid and constructive engagement with Beijing while recognising that "individually all the G7 members have deep economic relationships" with the world's second-largest economy, the official said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sought to underscore the unity among G7 members.

"As democracies, we are successful in systemic competition with autocratic forces when our partners and friends around the world have confidence in us. We must avoid that our unity is misunderstood by others as separation or that new rifts are opened," she said in a statement before her trip to Japan.

Taiwan would also be a subject of discussion, the senior U.S. official said but declined to comment on any specific new language.

For host nation Japan the crisis in Ukraine has heightened concern about the potential for Chinese military intervention in nearby Taiwan.

"For Japan, the G7 is a platform in which it can say that security issues aren't just about the Ukraine war," said Yoichiro Sato, an international relations professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

"To put China on the agenda is not just important for Japan, but also the United States," he said.

In a statement, Britain's Foreign Office said G7 ministers would discuss how international support can be used most strategically to help Ukraine forces continue their progress on the battlefield and "secure a lasting peace".

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Sakura Murakami; Additional reporting by William James in London and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by William Mallard)
Georgia firefighters contained a massive fire at a resin plant which forced an evacuation order to be issued for some surrounding areas.

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners said in a Facebook post at 6:21 p.m. that an evacuation order has been issued for the area within a  mile radius of the Pinova plant in Brunswick, Georgia. At 8:30, the board of commissioners said that the fire has been contained and no injuries are being reported

According to the board of commissioners, the Jacksonville Fire Department has arrived for support.

There was a fire at the plant on Saturday morning that was deemed contained at 9:55 a.m., but according to officials, it reignited by 3:10 p.m. Before an evacuation order was issued, officials originally established a shelter in place order.

FORMER ATLANTA COUNCILMAN SENTENCED FOR LYING ON BANK LOAN APPLICATION

The Pivonaresin plantpla plant in Brunswick, Georgia engulfed in flames on Friday, April 15th. Photo captured via Mavic Air 2 drone camera.

Fire at Georgia plant erupts in phone video

County officials in Georgia are issuing an evacuation order for the area around a resin plant after a massive fire broke out on Saturday afternoon.

According to FOX 30, residents who live within a mile radius of the plant are being asked to stay inside and avoid any activities outside that aren't necessary.

The board of commissioners also said in a Facebook post that there will be air drops of water onto the fire throughout the evening.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The Pivona plant in Brunswick, Georgia engulfed in flames on Friday, April 15th. Photo captured via Mavic Air 2 drone camera.

The Pivona plant in Brunswick, Georgia engulfed in flames on Friday, April 15th. Photo captured via Mavic Air 2 drone camera.

There was a fire at the plant on Saturday morning that was deemed contained at 9:55 a.m., but according to officials, it reignited by 3:10 p.m. Before an evacuation order was issued, officials originally established a shelter in place order.

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners said in a Facebook post at 6:21 p.m. that an evacuation order has been issued for the area within a  mile radius of the Pinova plant in Brunswick, Georgia.

According to FOX 30, residents who live within a mile radius of the plant are being asked to stay inside and avoid any activities outside that aren't necessary.
Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin dismissed calls for 89-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) to resign amid her recent health issues that have left her absent from the Senate for weeks.

Both lawmakers suggested it is Feinsteins right to decide when to retire, even as she has missed several weeks of work after being diagnosed with shingles. Representative Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) has urged Feinstein to step down, saying she can no longer fulfill her duties.

Shes a team player, and shes an extraordinary member of the Senate, Gillibrand said during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. Its her right. Shes been voted by her state to be senator for six years. She has the right, in my opinion, to decide when she steps down.

Her legacy and her depth of experience is valuable. And we have had so many senators who have had illnesses, whether its [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnells illnesses, or senators who have had strokes. These are issues that  were human, the New York Democrat said.

We believe that a senator should be able to make their own judgments about when theyre retiring and when theyre not. And they all deserve a chance to get better and come back to work. Dianne will get better. She will come back to work, Gillibrand added.

Meanwhile, Baldwin said its up to Feinstein and her family to make the decision. The Wisconsin Democrat said she was pleased that Feinstein asked Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer to ask the Senate to allow another Democratic senator to temporarily fill her role as Judiciary Committee chair. Feinsteins absence has paralyzed the committee, leaving Democrats unable to advance judicial nominees to a vote by the full chamber without her vote. It is unclear if the Senate will name a temporary replacement for Feinstein, as doing so would require support from Republicans.

I think that is really an important, a responsible thing to do during her absence, because we have President Bidens nominees waiting for hearings and votes and we want to keep that moving. But I wish her well and hope she returns to the Senate very soon, Baldwin said during an appearance on Meet the Press.

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Meanwhile, Khanna on Sunday doubled down on his calls for Feinstein to resign and suggested California governor Gavin Newsom should appoint a caretaker replacement for Feinstein. The 89-year-old senator said earlier this year that she would not seek reelection in 2024 after serving more than 30 years in the Senate, setting off a race for her seat.

Governor Newsom can appoint a caretaker, he doesnt have to appoint someone in the current race, Khanna said on Fox News Sunday. I would support the governor doing that. This has nothing to do with the current race, because a caretaker would solve that.

This has to do with someone whos just not showing up, Khanna said. I said out loud what people have been saying in private.

More from National Review
(CNN)  At least 25 people were killed and 183 others injured in ongoing clashes across Sudan, the Sudanese Central Medical Committee told CNN on Saturday.

Sudan's paramilitary chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo claims to have seized most of Khartoum's official sites after clashes erupted between his armed group and the country's military on Saturday.

"The Rapid Support Forces control more than 90 percent of strategic sites in Khartoum," Dagalo said in an interview with Sky News Arabia, referring to his paramilitary group.

The country's military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disputed Dagalo's claims and said the military has maintained control over government sites.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dagalo  also known as Hemedti  described Burhan as a "criminal," accusing him of instigating fighting on Saturday, which led to three civilian deaths and dozens wounded.

Armed clashes were reported throughout Khartoum, including the presidential palace and the capital's army headquarters. Medical sources at a hospital in central Khartoum told CNN Saturday afternoon the hospital has received dozens of wounded civilians and military personnel in the last several hours.

Sudan's military said the Rapid Support Forces infiltrated Khartoum airport and burned civilian aircraft.

"To our honorable people, the rebellious forces are continuing with their cycles of traitorous plotting and attacks against our country and its national sovereignty. Since this morning, your Armed Forces sons have been fighting with their lives for our nation's rights and dignity," the Official Spokesman of the Armed Forces said in a statement.

Dagalo's meteoric rise to power began when he was a leader of Sudan's notorious Janjaweed forces, implicated in human rights violations in the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s. His group also killed at least 118 people in pro-democracy protests in June 2019 after troops opened fire at a peaceful sit-in.

'Traitorous plotting'

Sudan's army accused the Rapid Support Forces of "traitorous plotting" against the country, and has demanded its dissolution.

There will be "no negotiation or dialogue before dissolving Hemedti's rebel militia," the Sudanese army said in a statement. It also issued a wanted poster for Dagalo, calling him a "fugitive criminal."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the leaders of the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to "immediately cease hostilities."

The African Union also issued a statement urging "the political and military parties to find a fair political solution to the crisis."

The General Command of the Sudanese Army issued a statement calling on civilians to stay indoors as warplanes will be conducting sweeps looking for Rapid Support Forces.

"The Sudanese Air Force will conduct a complete sweep of the rebel Rapid Support militia's presence. The Air Force calling on all citizens to stay inside their houses and not to go out," the statement said.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the "fragile" situation comes amid negotiations over a civilian-led transition to restore civilian rule in the country.

"The major parties in Khartoum, some weeks ago reached a very important framework agreement on how to proceed with a transition to civilian government. And there's been real progress in trying to move that forward," Blinken said during a news conference in Vietnam.

"It's a fragile situation. There are other actors that may be pushing against that progress. But this is a real opportunity to finally carry forward the civilian-led transition and one that we and other countries are trying to bolster," the US top diplomat added.

Khartoum's State Security Committee late Saturday declared a public holiday in the capital "in order to preserve lives of citizens and their property."

The military has been in charge of Sudan since a coup in 2021, with Burhan and Dagalo at the helm. The 2021 coup ended a power-sharing arrangement, following the 2019 ouster of long-term former President Omar al-Bashir.

A CNN investigation also uncovered another link between the two men: their involvement in Russia's exploitation of Sudan's gold resources to fund its Ukraine war, with Dagalo's forces also being key recipients of Russian training and weaponry.

But recent talks have led to cracks in the alliance between the two military leaders. The negotiations have sought to integrate the Rapid Support Forces into the country's military, as part of the effort to transition to civilian rule.

Sources in Sudan's civilian movement and Sudanese military sources told CNN the main points of contention included the timeline for the merger of the forces, the status given to RSF officers in the future hierarchy, and whether RSF forces should be under the command of the army chief  rather than Sudan's commander-in-chief  who is currently Burhan.

The hostilities, sources told CNN, are the culmination of what both parties view as an existential fight for dominance, one with Burhan, they said, seeking support from Sudan's former Islamist rulers, resurrecting the specter of days many Sudanese fought to leave behind.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "At least 25 killed, 183 injured in ongoing clashes across Sudan as paramilitary group claims control of presidential palace."
Five Pittsburgh Public Schools seniors will be getting some financial help for college thanks to a new scholarship honoring the late Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris.

At a fundraising gala Saturday night, supporters of The Pittsburgh Promise gathered for a night of celebration. Its something they hold every three or four years.

The purpose of this one, and by the way we planned this one two years ago, the purpose of this one was to honor our founding chairman, Franco Harris, said Saleem Ghubril, executive director of the Pittsburgh Promise. And, he made it this close.

Harris passed away in December, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

It was his work off the field, specifically with school students, that lead the Pittsburgh Promise to honor him.

Darn it, I wanted him here in the flesh, Ghubril said. I wanted him embracing. I wanted him here to hear us honor him and honor them.

Being honored wasnt something Harris really wanted. But, Ghubril said Harris eventually signed off on it, because as his wife, Dana, said, it helped the kids.

It was never about him, Dana Harris said. It was what could he do to make life better for others.

To make life better for some Pittsburgh high school students, The Pittsburgh Promise launched The Franco and Dana Harris Scholars Fund.

Five Pittsburgh Public School seniors were named as the inaugural recipients.

Each of those students will get $5,000 each year, or $20,000 for the duration of a four-year program.

That money came from memorial contributions that people gave after Francos passing, Ghubril said. Some gave $5, some gave $10, some gave $1,000.

In total, the fund raised $110,000 for this years class.

Harris said shes thrilled to see these students getting this financial aid in her late husbands honor.

It gives you hope. It gives you hope for the future, Harris said. I always say, look at what a scholarship did for Franco, and look at what Franco did for the city. Thats what I hope for all these kids. I hope they have the opportunity to open the doors that come with education and come with giving to your community.

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Their son, Doc, hopes to see the fund continue to grow, so it can help more students every year.

I think its going to be a generational impact across this area, Harris said.

The Pittsburgh Promise is raising money for the Harris Scholar fund. So far, they have enough money for three more seniors to receive money next year.

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Facing renewed competition from Microsoft and OpenAI, Google is reportedly racing to build an all-new AI-powered search engine. According to The New York Times, the company is in the early stages of creating a search service that will attempt to anticipate what you want from it in hopes of offering a far more personalized experience. The project has no clear timetable. However, knowing that Google is also developing a suite of new AI features for its existing search engine under the codename Magi.

Among the features Google is developing is a chatbot that can answer software engineering questions and generate code snippets. The company has also experimented with a feature that would allow people to search for music through a chatbot conversation. According to The Times, the company has assigned more than 160 employees to the redesign.

Other new additions in various stages of development include a Chrome feature dubbed "Searchalong." It would allow a chatbot to scan the webpage youre reading to offer contextual information. For example, if you were looking for a place to stay on Airbnb, you could ask the chatbot to tell you what to see and do near your planned accommodations. GIFI and Tivoli Tutor, another pair of experimental features, would allow users to prompt Google Image Search to generate images and converse with a chatbot to learn a new language. Its worth noting many of these are features that Google has either demoed in the past or exist on other platforms like Duolingo. For instance, image generation is already available in Slides.

Google reportedly plans to announce Magi next month before introducing additional new features sometime in the fall. That timing suggests the project will make an appearance at I/O 2023. The company plans to offer Magis features to one million people in the US before expanding availability to 30 million users by the end of the year.

Weve been bringing AI to Google Search for years to not only dramatically improve the quality of our results, but also introduce entirely new ways to search, such as Lens and multisearch, a Google spokesperson told Engadget when asked about the report. Weve done so in a responsible and helpful way that maintains the high bar we set for delivering quality information. Not every brainstorm deck or product idea leads to a launch, but as weve said before, were excited about bringing new AI-powered features to Search, and will share more details soon.

Underscoring the importance of Magi for Google, Samsung reportedly told the company last month it was considering making Bing the default search on its devices. The declaration reportedly sent Google into a panic. The companys search agreement with Samsung is worth approximately $3 billion annually. This year, its lucrative search agreement with Apple, the subject of frequent antitrust scrutiny, is also up for renewal.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes praise for the 21-year-old Air National Guardsman who was arrested last week for leaking classified military documents was one of the most irresponsible statements she could make.

If youre a member of the military intelligence community and you disagree with American policy and you think youre going to be okay when it comes to leaking classified information, youre going to go to jail, Graham said on ABCs This Week. Its one of the most irresponsible statements she could make.

Hours after the arrest of Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira on Thursday, Greene tweeted: Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar, Greene said on Twitter on Thursday. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more.

The leaked documents, some of which U.S. officials have indicated are doctored, showed NATO intelligence about the war in Ukraine, including death tolls and the training of Ukrainian troops. A subset of Republicans who had already soured on U.S. support of the war have used the documents as an argument against the amount of American involvement in the conflict.

Graham offered a scorching rebuke of such criticisms, saying it would destroy Americas ability to defend itself.

What theyre suggesting will destroy Americas ability to defend itself, Graham said. That its OK to release classified information based on your political views. That the ends justify the means. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.

Graham has been a staunch supporter of the Ukrainian government in its fight against Russia, and has pressed the Biden administration and other lawmakers to allow for even more American support of Ukraine, even as some of his colleagues have started to question U.S. involvement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A California father gifted his son a 13th birthday present that will benefit his family for years to come: an opportunity to build generational wealth.

Faheem Muhammad, a Los Angeles based security director and real estate investment company co-founder, gave his eldest child 40 acres of land in San Diego County as a rite of passage.

In the Black community, there was a promise of 40 acres and a mule, and I thought it would be a good play on that, Muhammad told USA TODAY.

He referred to U.S. General William T. Sherman's Special Field Orders No. 15 announced in 1865 near the end of the Civil War.

Faheem Ra'id Muhammad, 13, stands with his father, Faheem Muhammad, on part of the 40 acres of land he received for his birthday on March 16, 2023.

The orders, which were later overturned by President Andrew Johnson, would have allowed newly freed families to receive 40-acre plots out of 400,000 acres and to lease a mule from the U.S. Army, according to the Georgia Historical Society.

Muhammad, who bought his first property in 2015 in his childhood L.A. neighborhood, gifted his son a portion of 198 acres of land he and his business partners purchased in 2021.

A PERSONAL MESSAGE: MLB player Manny Machado sees a viral video of a young fan. Watch what he does next.

Faheem Ra'id Muhammad found out about the surprise via social media, he said.

We went hiking for my birthday, we just had fun, Faheem said.

When he returned home, he saw an Instagram post revealing his dads gift. I texted and called him trying to figure out what's going on, what's happening, and that's how I found out the whole 40 acres thing, he said.

Teaching the values of land ownership

After the Civil War and by 1910, farmland ownership of Black Americans peaked as they rapidly bought over 16 million acres, according to the American Bar Association.

That percentage dwindled over the 20th century, and by 1999, Black people owned 7.8 million acres of land worth over $14 billion at the time, a United States Department of Agriculture report showed.

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH: It's not safe to be pregnant and Black in America: 'People arent receiving the care they deserve'

Story continues

As a child, Muhammad Sr. says watching his entrepreneur mother endure tough times while still maintaining her status as her own boss, and eventually buying her first home, influenced his interest in real estate investment.

He wants to instill similar values in his own children.

The 40 acres of land gifted to Faheem Ra'id Muhammad, 13, by his father, Faheem Muhammad, lies along the border of the U.S. and Mexico in Boulevard, San Diego County, California.

We see this land as an opportunity that we can pass down to our children, he said. We can grow a legacy, we can create generational wealth, where it outlives us and our lifespan.

'Generational wealth is important'

Obtaining 40 acres at 13 was unexpected, said Faheem Jr., whose birthday is March 16.

It's like, whoa, what am I going do with all this? he said. But as I grow up and he teaches me the importance of owning land, I'll know more about what to do with it.

Hes already got some ideas: All-terrain vehicle camps, cabins and Airbnb properties rank among them.

Whatever he has planned for his land, the teen seems to be keeping his fathers lessons in mind.

If you have land and you pass it on for years and years, and your whole family continues to grow it, then it could become something big, Faheem Jr. said. That's why generational wealth is important to me.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dad gifts son 40 acres on 13th birthday in nod to tradition: Good news
By Daniel Becerril

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Armed men on Saturday killed a child and six others after storming a resort in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, authorities said, in a region increasingly plagued by drug cartel violence.

Footage widely shared on social media showed the aftermath of the attack in a palm-studded resort in the small town of Cortazar, about 65 km (40 miles) south of the Guanajuato city.

It was not clear who was behind the shooting that killed the seven-year-old, three men and three women, Cortazar's local security department said. One person was seriously injured in the La Palma resort.

But in recent years rival drug cartels have been waging brutal battles to control territory and trafficking routes through the state.

Video taken soon after the attack showed shocked adults and children walking past piles of dead bodies near a swimming pool.

"Heavily armed sicarios arrived and this is what happened," said an unidentified man, using a word for hired assassins as he filmed at the resort in a video shared on the internet.

Reuters could not independently verify the contents of the video.

"After the attack, (the attackers) fled, but not before causing damage to the resort store and taking the security cameras and the monitor," Cortazar's security department said in a statement.

(Reporting by Daniel Becerril; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by William Mallard)
I dont blame anyone for losing hope on the homeless problem in Modesto. It seems so long since weve had any good news, while the situation, to anyone with eyes, is not getting better.

So my ears perked when I heard about DignityMoves. The more I looked into it, the more intriguing it became.

DignityMoves is a nonprofit focused on what they call interim supportive housing. Its a step up from traditional emergency shelters but a half-step short of transitional housing meant for people on a path to turning their lives around.

DignityMoves model, in all honesty, looks like tiny homes because theyre individual living spaces instead of the barracks style usually seen in emergency shelters. Giving people their own space with a door that locks gives them a lot more privacy, and a place for pets and possessions.

Some unhoused say theyre turned off by congregate settings, sometimes with bunk beds reminding them of jail. Others dont want to give up the few items they own. Interim housing serves the same just-off-the-streets population in a way thats more palatable, the theory goes.

Homeless residents Gary McNeil, right, and Kevin Walker, left, with Walkers dog Ally at Graceada Park in Modesto on March 29, 2023.

Except its more than just a theory.

DignityMoves has a small pilot project in San Francisco, two in Santa Barbara County and in a couple of weeks will open another in Alameda, the closest so far to Modesto. As each proves its worth, neighboring cities and counties take notice.

Modesto Councilman Nick Bavaro did. Having toured a Santa Barbara site, he arranged a conference call with some of his colleagues. Soon the citys community development team was meeting with Marc Sabin, DignityMoves vice president of partnerships and programs.

In a Thursday phone call, Sabin explained the nonprofits secret sauce: free land, making this partial solution quick and relatively cheap. The idea is to put tiny units on unused space  maybe little-used church parking, or a vacant lot whose kindhearted owner is working through development plans  on a temporary basis, say two or three years. When the time is up, the units are forklifted to a new spot. This should be more acceptable to neighbors because they know its not forever.

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Each interim housing pod comes with bathroom and shower facilities, dining buildings and computer labs. Offices with case managers direct people to life-bettering services such as job training and finding, or addiction treatment.

The real magic, Sabin says, is the instant dignity that interim housing offers to the unhoused. When theyre not stressed about losing their pets, possessions and partners, theyre able to hear what a case manager has to say, to lead them toward stable housing.

Is Modesto serious about this?

The city is looking into it as we speak, Bavaro assured me.

He made headlines earlier this month when The Bees Kevin Valine outlined Bavaros vision for several homeless camping spots around Modesto  again, offering something different from the traditional dorm-style shelter.

Modesto Councilman Chris Riccis December newsletter blast caught my eye with these words: Like you, I am frustrated beyond words at the homeless crisis in our parks and businesses, he wrote, pushing safe camping as a possible solution.

New energy in Modesto

Im enthusiastic about Nicks ideas, Ricci told me on the phone. There is significantly more energy now behind trying innovations on homelessness than there was on the previous council.

The frustrating part is there is not just one thing anyone can do to fix it, he continued. Were going to have to do multiple programs.

Hes right.

For a problem as intractable as homelessness, there is no silver bullet. There is a need for the Modesto Gospel Mission and the Berberian Shelter and safe camping and interim housing and transitional housing, and day centers giving people an alternative to loitering in parks.

Every unit of affordable housing we can add to Modestos inventory eases the incredible pressure on our housing stock. So mother-in-law-quarters, or accessory dwelling units, and the 79-home transit-oriented development proposed on Seventh Street represent needed, affordable relief.

A homeless person makes a stop in Sherwood Park in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

To Modestos south, good for the adults in the room on the Ceres City Council who were able to see past the whining of NIMBYs (not in my backyard!) to recently approve 145 apartments a short walk from Mitchell Road stores. Mayor Javier Lopez and council members Bret Silveira and Rosalinda Vierra had the good sense to do what a previous council four years ago didnt have the guts to.

Farther south, good for the adults in the room on the Turlock City Council who saw past the whining of NIMBYs to approve transitional housing in shipping containers  why not?  on Tuesday. Kudos to Mayor Amy Bublak and Councilwomen Rebecca Monez and Cassandra Abram, whose wisdom overcame two hours of fear in the form of public comment.

Its out there in nowhere land, Bublak said of the location, a city-owned lot in an industrial zone on South Walnut Road  not close to homes or schools, but within walking distance of shops and transit. Its an absolutely secure place. I feel its the perfect spot for a pilot program, to find out whether people want to become a productive member of society or theyre just comfortable being lawless.

Its past time to try all of these measures, and more.

Californias No. 1 problem

Without question, homelessness was the No. 1 topic of discussion over the past few days at the California State Association of Counties legislative conference, where Stanislaus Supervisor Vito Chiesa and Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen presented our approach.

For the last three days, thats all Ive heard is homelessness, Stanislaus Supervisor Mani Grewal said in a phone conversation. It is the statewide issue at the top of everyones mind.

There is not just one idea to get behind. Were going to need a bunch of good ideas, and I say we need to try everything.

As Ricci told me, We need to stop pretending that homeless people are a monolith, and create a menu of solutions.

Those ranting that we need to teach the homeless a lesson by throwing them in jail are not facing reality. The problem does not disappear just because someone has moved them out of sight.

If the solution were easy, it would have been found and implemented long ago. Neither is it simply a matter of throwing money at the problem. Where have billions of dollars spent in the past few years gotten us, if California still has 170,000 homeless?

It does feel, however, like Stanislaus County and some of its cities have mustered more political will to confront homelessness, as illustrated by Modesto exploring the DignityMoves model.

May they keep at it without faltering. All our people  with and without homes  deserve better than weve had.
REUTERS/Toby Melville

Welcome to this weeks edition of Royalist, The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday.

Prince Harry phoned home

Prince Harry spoke to his father, King Charles, before making his decision to come to the coronation, British tabloid the Sun on Sunday has reported. The newspapers report that the pair spoke after the publication of Harrys memoir Spare will be seen as an encouraging sign that bridges may yet be rebuilt between Harry and the family. Although the Sun is very light on detail about the alleged conversation, it cites a source as saying there was a willingness and wanting to mend on both sides.

William Will Accept Harrys Presence at Coronationfor Charles Sake

Harry is understood to have still not spoken to his brother William, who as The Daily Beast has been told, is infuriated by what he sees as his brothers betrayal of him and the institution by revealing family secrets and details of intimate moments in his book.

The Sun said that he ended months of no contact with Charles by holding a conversation about the invitation although words with William have yet to be exchanged.

Camilla hurt by Harrys attacks

Queen Camilla was hurt by Prince Harrys characterization of her as a villain in his memoir, Spare, a friend has revealed.

In the memoir, Harry writes of his stepmother campaigning, at Harrys self-perceived cost, in the British press for acceptance as King Charles partner after Princess Dianas death. I even wanted Camilla to be happy. Maybe shed be less dangerous if she was happy, he writes.

She was the villain. She was the third person in their marriage. She needed to rehabilitate her image, Harry told Anderson Cooper of Camillas position after Diana died.

Asked by Cooper how Camilla was dangerous, Harry replied, Because of the need for her to rehabilitate her image, which made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British press. And there was open willingness on both sides to trade of information. And with a family built on hierarchy, and with her, on the way to being Queen Consort, there was gonna be people or bodies left in the street because of that...

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If you are led to believe, as a member of the family, that being on the front page, having positive headlines, positive stories written about you, is going to improve your reputation or increase the chances of you being accepted as monarch by the British public, then thats what you're gonna do.

Camilla, the Queen consort, holds a Paddington bear visits Barnardo's Nursery in Bow, London, Britain November 24, 2022. Arthur Edwards/Pool via REUTERS

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Camillas close friend the Marchioness of Lansdownean interior designer known professionally as Fiona Shelburnesaid, Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts. But she doesnt let it get to her. Her philosophy is always, Dont make a thing of it and it will settle downleast said, soonest mended.

It was not stamping of feet or gnashing of teeth, it was much more of an eye-roll response, an aide says of Camillas response to Harrys memoir and interviews.

Presumably, Harry and Camilla will soon come face to face at Charles coronation; and it was Camilla, alongside Prince William, who was in Harrys sights in the memoir, and accompanying interviews.

Both Harry and William asked Charles not to marry Camilla, Harry told Cooper. We didn't think it was necessary. We thought that it was gonna cause more harm than good and that if he was now with his person, that surely that's enough. Why go that far when you don't necessarily need to? We wanted him to be happy. And we saw how happy he was with her. So, at the time, it was, OK.

In the memoir Harry says during his first formal introduction to Camilla, they were both calm or bored. Neither of us much fretted about the others opinion. She wasnt my mother, and I wasnt her biggest hurdle. In other words, I wasnt the Heir.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, their first royal engagement as a married couple, in London, May 22, 2018. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via Reuters

Harry writes that he welcomed Charles and Camillas announcement they would marry, even if the ceremony was delayed. Other than feeling sorry for them, I couldnt help but think that some force in the universe (Mummy?) was blocking rather than blessing their union. Maybe the universe delays what it disapproves of?

Still, when the wedding did finally take placewithout Granny, who chose not to attendit was almost cathartic for everyone, even meI did sneak several long peeks at the groom and the bride and each time I thought: Good for you. Though, also: Goodbye. I knew without question that this marriage would take Pa away from us I didnt relish losing a second parent, and I had complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who, I believed, had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar.

But I saw Pas smile and it was hard to argue with that, and harder still to deny the cause: Camilla. I wanted so many things, but I was surprised to discover at their wedding that one of the things I wanted most, still, was for my father to be happy. In a funny way I even wanted Camilla to be happy. Maybe shed be less dangerous if she was happy?

The Sunday Times profile of Camilla features not only Lady Lansdowne, but a number of people who know her mostly speaking in Camillas favor. Lady Lansdowne said the 90s was incredibly tough for Camilla, with public feeling so dead-set against her following the revelations of Charles adultery with her. She was out on her own without any protection. That was where we could helpshe would come and stay with us with the children, Lansdowne said.

I went and got her out of (Camillas then-home) Middlewick one day, there were cameras up against all her windows. But she is resilient, she was brought up with this extraordinary sense of duty where you got on with it, dont whinge, put your best face on and keep going, and it has stood her in very good stead. It was horrible at times, but her sense of humor and knowing she had her girlfriends around her got her through.

Lady Lansdowne is one of Camillas group of close female friends, now named as Queens companions. She tells the Times she never believed in a million years that Camilla would end up queen. She didnt ever assume anything about whether they could even be together. It was never any sort of plan. It would make her laugh just to think of it [then]. It was quite daunting [when they married] but nothing she couldnt cope with. Once they were married she knew what was coming. The extraordinary thing is that she has taken it on now at 75. Its a hell of a thing to be doing when most of us are settling down into retirement.

In 2007, Camilla turned down William and Harrys invitation to a memorial service for their mother, the paper reports. It was the one time we really disagreed, a former aide told the paper. I was thinking like a PR guyWow, they invited her, big moment. But she stepped back and saw it in the bigger frame. Her instinct was not to go, she felt it would be a distraction. She would be part of the focus when it should all have been on the memory of the princess. She was right.

Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort wave as they attend the Maundy Thursday Service at York Minster, in York, Britain, April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Today, Camilla is a commanding presence in the palaces patriarchal environment. You can see it with the rehearsals for the coronationgetting her voice heard has sometimes been challenging, a source close to Camilla told the paper. But she is making sure her voice is heard by going, This is what I think about it, and by talking to the King. He wants to make his wife happy, she has earned that right. She is anxious it should go well and has instincts about ways it might be better tweaked.

Lady Lansdowne said: Shes not going to be pushed about. She wont have a hissy fit, but shell say, No, I want it done this way. Its an incredibly important date for both of them, she needs to know her part.

In the palace Camilla is known as the lady boss, an operator, who, one source reveals, can be steely as f***. She would have made a brilliant 16th-century courtier, because shes canny. The Times says she was instrumental in making sure Charles longtime aide Michael Fawcett was dispatched, after it was revealed he arranged an honor for a billionaire Saudi donor, explicitly in return for donations.

A royal source told the Times Camilla was merciless in her pursuit of Michael out of the door. Another source said this was more about retaining pole position with Charles than loyalty. She is, as far as she is concerned, the only person who should be able to convince him of anything. She became more and more opinionated about how she disliked [Fawcett] and made it plain she didnt want him around.

The Times adds, Several other courtiers in recent years have experienced Camillas deep freeze treatment when she decided their time was up, and by all accounts it is a very icy chill.

Netflix is happy Harrys going to the Coronation

Well, Netflix is happy that Prince Harry is returning to Britain for King Charles coronationdeeming their golden goose by proximity to his family.

Harry is going back for all the right reasons, but there was a palpable sigh of relief among those of us involved in the business because Brand Sussex relies on Harry being seen with his family, a Netflix source told the Mail on Sunday. At the end of the day it is all about proximity to the king.

The paper says Harry will likely fly back to California as soon as possible after the service, so he can get back in time for son Archies birthday celebrations, although a place will be set for him at the post-Coronation lunch.

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City, U.S., December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

Hollywood figures wonder what Harry and Meghan are planning next. A senior executive at Walt Disney Studios told the paper: 'What Harry and Meghan do next is the $64,000 question everyone in Hollywood is asking. They are at a turning point because theyve done the Netflix series and Harry's done his book. You could argue the bloom is starting to fade from the rose. What is their currency? Their main selling point is their link to the Royal Family. Harry has to be there [at the Coronation]. In America, this is all part of the narrative. Harry has to go back and hes either embraced, which is wonderful, or hes notwhich will keep the narrative going. The story has to keep evolving because that is what builds the brand and brings the offers in.

The danger Harry and Meghan face is becoming irrelevant. Americans care about the royal family. We've always been fascinated by the royals. Harry is Dianas son, nothing will ever change that. But the American public needs to see he's still part of the family because his family and their drama is what we're interested in. The paper says Meghan is lined up to make a second series of her Archetypes podcast on Spotify. She is also working on a book.

Subscribe here to get all the latest royal news and gossip with Tom Sykes and Tim Teeman.

Strangers on a train

It seems utterly absurd now, but the big royal story that had the tabloids clutching their pearls in November 1980 was a rumor that virginal Princess Diana, who was then merely engaged to the then-Prince Charles, had snuck aboard the royal train for a pre-nuptial encounter with Charles.

The story was hotly denied at the time by the palace, although the newspaper that reported it, the Sunday Mirror, always refused to publish a correction or a clarification. However, now, a new ITV documentary, The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, a friend of Dianas, James Colthurst has claimed that Diana, thought that the visitor was probably Camilla.

The name of Colthurst will be familiar to students of the Princess Diana story as he was the go-between who carried tapes back-and-forth between Princess Diana and Andrew Morton for his 1992 book, Diana: Her True Story.

Diana said of the incident, per the Telegraph, I was so shocked, I simply couldnt believe it. Ive never been anywhere near the train, let alone in the middle of the night. Even though they rang me up first, they printed it anyway. Afterwards they rang up to apologize, but that doesnt change peoples minds about what they think when they read a story like that.

Singer Katy Perry attends a news conference in Mumbai, India, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Prashant Waydande

Could it be magic?

It wouldnt be a royal event without a cheesy pop concert, and the coronation weekend will indeed conclude with a coronation concert from the grounds of Windsor Castle. There has been some speculation that the organizers have struggled to attract stellar talent to perform at the show, with an early rumor that the Spice Girls were going to perform soon being dismissed.

Now, however, the first big names have been announced, and they include the quintessentially British Take That (minus Robbie Williams), and the not so quintessentially, British Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. The BBC reports that the show will be based on themes of love, respect and optimism. Perry and Richie have both been involved with various Charles charities over the years.

No invite for Fergie

Not invited to the big day, however, is Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, as The Daily Beast reported this week. To be fair, Fergie has given a series of interviews in recent weeks saying she really wouldnt expect an invitation. Still, the Royalist thinks an opportunity for the king to display generosity of spirit has been missedand we would have liked to see her there.

It all depends how you count it

King Charles has a personal wealth of 600 million ($730 million), making him much richer than his late mother, The Sunday Times, compiler of an annual British rich list, has claimed.

Citing a former advisor, The Times said that Charles worked hard to accrue funds after the wipeout of his 17million ($20 million) divorce settlement to Diana, saying, He became prudent, tucking away, some money from the Duchy after that wipeout. Charles is still something of a pauper, however, compared to Britains super rich, and will not even be in the top 250 richest people in the country when the full list is published. The calculation excludes the 15.6 billion ($19 billion) Crown Estate, which is technically owned by the king, but practically owned by the state. Charles gets 25% of its profits.

This week in royal history

Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London.

Unanswered questions

Are relations really unfreezing between Charles and Harryand could William follow? How will Harry be handled at the Coronation? Where will he be seen and welcomeand how long will he stay?

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Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of Chechnya [Federal Subject of Russia], has blamed his soldiers for being captured by Ukraine and did not meet them after the prisoners of war (POW) exchange.

Source: Kadyrov on Telegram

"Five Chechen soldiers have come back to Grozny [capital of Chechnya] from Ukrainian captivity.

The journalists asked my opinion about this. I believe that a Chechen soldier should have no reason to be in captivity.

There may be different excuses, but no matter what, the soldier must prove that he had no other choice. And he has to prove it by returning to the front line.

That is why I did not meet with those who came back. This is a matter of honour not only for the individual soldier but also of the honour of the entire unit, and the whole regiment in which the soldiers serve. Let them prove that they did not avoid combat, were not afraid to meet the enemy and did not seek to lay down their arms and escape bullets.

Of course, captivity is not a crime. I understand it. And we are glad that the soldiers are alive. An hour before they were captured, they communicated by radio and reported running out of ammunition. But every warrior should not just shoot chaotically but think about every shot and save every round. I realise that this is also my fault, that they were not sufficiently prepared for such a situation and did not fully understand that a soldier must plan his ammunition."

Details: Kadyrov says that the soldiers "now have a chance to prove to themselves, their comrades, their commander and the whole country that it was a forced step".

Background: Ukraine and Russia have held a major Easter POW exchange.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A hiker searching for her dog after it fell off a ridge got stranded on the slope of a Hawaii trail, rescuers said.

The woman was trekking the Wiliwilinui Trail in Waialae with her leashed dog, a 45-pound mixed-breed, for about two hours on Saturday, April 15, when it fell, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a news release.

Though the hiker could hear the dog, she could not see it, the department said.

After the hiker called 911 around 10:30 a.m., rescuers said they plotted her geolocation at about two miles from the start of the trail.

An aircrew found her shortly before 11:30 a.m. and dropped a rescuer to her location, the department said.

The rescuer determined the hiker and her dog needed to be rescued because they were off of the trail on the slope of the ridge, according to rescuers.

The department said they inserted additional rescuers to set up a rope rescue system to hoist the hiker and dog back on the trail to safety.

The hiker and dog were not hurt, the fire department said.

The Wiliwilinui Trail is a nearly 5-mile trek with an elevation of 1,617 feet, according to the travel website Uprooted Traveler. While the hike is of moderate difficulty, the trail is almost always slippery and has some steep drop offs.

Waialae is about 6 miles southeast of Honolulu.

Lost hiker calls for help with dying phone battery as night falls, Hawaii rescuers say

Hiker stranded overnight on frigid mountain after she falls, Arizona rescuers say

Teen dies in 25-foot fall while hiking national park with friends, Maine rangers say
One detail that's often omitted from modern founders myths is whether or not said scion of capitalist success actually invented the thing they're famous for inventing. Just like Elon Musk didn't invent electric vehicles so much as be the first to successfully market them to the American public, Thomas Edison's contributions to the advent of electrified lighting too might be overstated. In the excerpt below from his latest book, The Things We Make: The Unknown History of Invention from Cathedrals to Soda Cans, Dr. Bill Hammack, YouTube's "The Engineer Guy," recounts the tale of Hiram Maxim, an irrepressible engineer and inventor whose novel filament production method would have made him a household name  had Edison not reportedly made "a clean steal" of his revolutionary technology.

A rope, a ruler and a string of binary bisecting a vertically stacked title on a white background.

Excerpted from The Things We Make: The Unknown History of Invention from Cathedrals to Soda Cans by Bill Hammack, PhD.  2023 by Bill Hammack, PhD. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

In November 1880, the reading room of the Mercantile Safe Deposit Company, located in the basement of one of the first skyscrapers, glowed with the light of a four-bulb chandelier and six bulbs in fixtures spaced along the walls. An observer characterized this electric light as very much like that of a first-class oil lamp, steadier than gas, and of a yellow, clear pleasant quality  nothing like the ghastly blue of a flickering arc light, nor was there the odor of burning gas; instead, the rooms atmosphere remain[ed] perfectly cool and sweet. His only complaint was that the bulbs flickered slightly with every stroke of the engine that powered the generator. This first commercial installation, a spectacular achievement, featured no bulbs manufactured by Thomas Edison, although he had proudly announced his invention of the light bulb only a few months earlier to great press attention. The bulbs at the Mercantile Company were those of the U.S. Electric Lighting Company, a company driven forward by their irrepressible and energetic engineer, Hiram Maxim. Edison called Maxims bulb a clean steal of his lamp. Yet Maxim had seventeen patents on incandescent lamps, and his company controlled the patents of several other inventors, also contemporary to Edison. Maxim thought of himself as the inventor of the commercial light bulb. Every time I put up a light, he complained, a crowd would gather, everyone asking, Is it Edisons? This so irritated Maxim, who noted that Edison at the time had never made a lamp, that he considering killing on the spot the next person to ask him Is it Edisons?

That the first commercialized light bulbs were not Edisons surprises because we love stories of sole inventors whose spark of inspiration revolutionized the world. They give us narratives that are neat, tidy, and digestible but incomplete. These stories hide the engineering method; they bury the creativity of engineers, smooth over struggles, and sanitize choices that reflect cultural norms. Perhaps no story persists more than Edison and his light bulb, yet Edison was the tail end of a long list of light bulb innovators in a process of invention similar to that of the steam turbine in the next century.

In the forty years before Edisons first successful prototype, at least twenty people presented, patented, and demonstrated incandescent lampsusing electricity to heat a filament until it glowed. The first recorded attempt was in 1838 (almost a decade before Edisons birth) by a Belgian inventor whose bulb used a strip of carbon as a filament. A fair assessment of history would call these men inventors of the light bulb comparable to Edison, especially in a world where Edison, the so-called inventor of the incandescent light bulb, was forty years late to the idea of incandescent lighting. But unlike with Edison, we dont remember the names of these men, because most of their bulbs burned for only a few seconds. They had the necessary but thankless job of creating links in a chain of incremental advances that didnt yet produce an applicable or reproducible solution to the problem of darkness, which so far could only be dispelled with fire, until Edison created one of the links that did, transforming from method into narrative. Although Edison and his bulb end that length of the chain of innovators, his link was no more an exercise or example of the engineering method than those that came before; it only overcame a circumstantial threshold of usefulness.

In 1878, Edison focused the energy of his staff at the bustling Menlo Park Research Laboratory on finding a long-lasting filament for the incandescent light bulb. The staff worked to the rhythms of Edison, the central originating and guiding mind and personality, as one worker noted, describing work there as a strenuous but joyful life for all physically, mentally, and emotionally. Edison set the tone with long work hours into the night. He often napped on the workbenches in Menlo Park and ate sparingly in increments of small snacks he thought were better for digestion, although for his workers, he had brought in, often at midnight, hamper baskets loaded with hot dinners of meat, vegetables, dessert, and coffee. But when Edison stood, stretched, hitched up his waistband, and sauntered away, all knew that dinner was over and work should resume.

In the late 1870s, Edison and his staff produced bulbs that looked much like a modern bulb: a glass envelope fastened to a wooden base covered with copper strips, and, at its center, a thin, long, delicate spiral of platinum. Yet these bulbs failed. Some yielded light as bright as a small bundle of todays Christmas lights for a few hours, but most burned out quickly. As Edison learned, the temperature for the incandescence of platinum wire was near that of its melting pointany fluctuations in the current and the platinum would melt. Edison and his team tested an astonishing array of materials, by some count sixteen hundred types. They tested metals like platinum, iridium, ruthenium, chromium, aluminum, tungsten, molybdenum, palladium, manganese, and titanium; elements that sometimes behaved like metals, including silicon and boron; then a grab bag of materialscork, wax, celluloid, and the hair from his employees beards. After these, his team moved to slivers of wood, broom corn, and paper. Tissue paper covered with lampblack and tar and rolled into a rod glowed astonishingly well and for a good amount of time. Edison refined this idea by carbonizing cotton thread, heating it without oxygen until the length of thread was blackened throughout. From this thread, he formed a long filament. On October 21, 1879, a bulb with a filament of this thread, with all the air removed from the glass enclosure, burned for more than half a day. They were approaching the beginning of the commercial light bulb.

Seven months after that bit of carbonized thread showed promise, they tried a piece of bamboo: a six-inch strip burned for three hours and twenty-four minutes at seventy-one candlepower (about the brightness of a standard sixty-watt bulb today). The best lamp ever yet made, an Edison associate noted, here from vegetable Carbon. From there, Edisons team tested two hundred species of bamboo until they found a variety that was the best for manufacturing carbon filaments, grown near Yawata, Japan, where Edison is still celebrated with a street named Edison-dori, a bust of Edison in the town center, and, near a shrine, a large monument dedicated to Edison. With his specialized bamboo supply and method of manufacturing in place, Edison was ready to light the world, but Hiram Maxim beat him out of the gate.

Maxims bulbs, installed at the Equitable Life Building, out-classed Edisons. They have a rich golden tint, resembling that of a wax taper, said one reporter. Another noted that Maxim has invented a lamp which surpasses, I believe, even Edisons dreams. When comparing the lamps, reporters noted that Edisons had lower brightness than Maxim's, or, when of the same intensity as Maxims, they burned out in only a few hours. By Maxims own estimate, the filaments in his bulbs could last forty days. The dimness and shorter life of Edisons bulbs were the same thing: Edisons bulbs could not tolerate as much current as Maxims, so if run at the same current, Edisons bulbs would burn out quickly, and to make them last longer, Edisons were run at a lower current and thus were dimmer.

That Maxim could achieve this was unbelievable to Edisons staffan outraged member of the Menlo Park staff ranted that it must be apparent to any sane person that Maxims bulb must be but a copy of Edisons. Surely, thought Edisons employees, only a well-oiled machine like that of Menlo Park could produce a light bulb. Inside Menlo Park, glassblowers, machinists, engineers, chemists, and physicists churned out inventions like appliances on an assembly line, while Maxims ham-handed U.S. Electric Lighting Company struggled to find enough resources to survive; employees thought it likely to shut at any minute, and even its own president described it as helpless. Their technical expertise was so low that they could not figure out, as one employee later noted, what size wire would carry a certain number of lamps without overheating, adding that a number of mysterious fires about this time were probably the fruits of our ignorance. Compared with Edisons factory-line Menlo Park model, Maxims method of invention seemed scattershot.

Maxim was the classic American tinkerer, once describing himself as a chronic inventor. Although self-taughtone biographer describes him as semiliterateover his lifetime, he invented an astonishing array of tools and toys. Maxim developed methods to separate metals from their ores, instruments to measure wind velocities, vacuum cleaners, novelty items that produced illusionary effectsa rotating sphere with concave paraboloidal floor, mirrors, and a bicycle track, presumably to create the illusion of riding a bike long distancesgear to prevent the rolling of ships, riveting machines, feed water check valves, steam generators, wheels for railroads and tramways, an inhaler to treat bronchitis, boot and shoe heel protectors, hair curling irons, a method for demagnetizing watches, a type of pneumatic tire, a coffee substitute, a method for extinguishing fires in theaters, and most surprising of all, new advertising methodsa rotating sign that works even in very light airs. And near the end of his life, he invented the worlds first successful machine gun.

Maxims contribution to the light bulb was to improve the manufacture of filaments. Filaments, whether of bamboo or cardboard, as in Maxims case, were converted to carbon by heating at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen until the cellulose in the material broke down, leaving a hard carbon skeleton, but uneven carbonization caused thinner sections to become much hotter when lit with an electrical current and burn out more quickly. Maxims insight was to place a carbonized filament into a hydrocarbon atmosphere, then pass through it an electrical current that heated the filament to a bright red. The thinner and hotter parts of the filament would break down the vaporous hydrocarbon surrounding them and deposit pure carbon on the filament, building up layers of carbon on the thinner parts and resulting in a filament of uniform thickness and greater life span. As Maxim gloated, it is absolutely impossible by mechanical means to make a carbon filament that is of uniform resistance without his patented method, adding that Edison had to use my process or give up the job.

Maxims attitude was prompted by the rivalry that burned between the many engineers competing in a world eager for the magic of electrical lighting, but it also shows us the problem with crediting any individual with the complete invention of any technology. We tend to tell the stories of inventors who, through their unique intellect and drive, produce an equally unique marvel at the climax of a story with a beginning, middle, and end. That is often how this book has told it, out of deference to individual humans need to relate to the stories of other individual humans. But the engineering method is uninterested in this great men historical framework. It cares only about the accumulated knowledge, heuristics, rules of thumb, intuition, and anything else that drives problems in the direction of solutions as fast as possible, the sum of which, even for a single solution, is beyond unthinkable for a lone person to create themselves. This web of information is so vast, incomprehensibly vast, so we make it comprehensible and moving by telling the stories of individual inventors, even if this distorts the unknowable true web of invention.

Maxim is likely unrecognized as an inventor today because he lacked Edisons agile self-promotion and because, in a sense, Edison won and thus told the story of the light bulbs invention. But did Edison invent a light bulb when his company produced a brilliantly glowing but short-lived electric light? Perhaps. When we think of an invented technology, we typically imply technology that not only exists but is reproducible in a way that can fulfill the needs of those whose problem it solves. That is, it can be manufactured or mass-produced. A handful of working light bulbs in the late 1800s is a marvel, but it doesnt light the world. In this sense, the invention of the light bulb was a decades-long process of incremental changes to create a filament that can be manufactured reliably and extended beyond Edison and Maxim alone. To tell only a great man story hides the contributions of others who were essential to a technologys development. We can see that in the evolution of the manufacturing techniques of Maxims light bulbs: he had on staff an artistic draftsman turned engineer whose contributions to reliable manufacturing have long been overlooked.
(CNN)  The US is home to more immigrants than any other country  more than 45 million people, according to the latest Census estimates.

That's 13.6% of the US population, about the same as it was a century ago. But over the years, we've seen significant shifts in where immigrants to the US come from, and where they end up once they get here.

Here's a look at these key immigration trends and how they've changed over time.

For decades one country has topped the list

Mexicans represent the largest group of immigrants living in the United States. That's been true since 1980, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. And the Mexico-US route is the largest migration corridor in the world.

But the total number of Mexican immigrants living in the US has been on the decline for more than a decade.

An estimated 10.7 million Mexican immigrants lived in the US in 2021, roughly 1 million fewer than the number a decade earlier.

Meanwhile, immigration from other countries, including India and China, has been on the rise, according to MPI.

As one expert told CNN last year, the range of reasons why people move to the US from different parts of the world is as varied as the list of countries these immigrants once called home. Some are seeking economic opportunities. Others are fleeing violence, persecution or climate disasters. And others are hoping to reunite with family members who are already here.

According to an analysis of Census data from MPI, the top 10 countries of origin for immigrants in the United States are all in Latin America and Asia.

These statistics include both immigrants who came to the United States legally and those who are living in the country without authorization.

Looking only at the population of undocumented immigrants living in the United States, the list of the top countries of origin shifts slightly. A Department of Homeland Security report in 2021 estimated that the top six countries of origin for undocumented immigrants were Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Honduras and China.

But most immigrants who live in the United States aren't undocumented.

The Pew Research Center's latest estimates indicate about 10.5 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States. That means the vast majority of foreign-born people living in the United States (77%) are here legally.

Rewinding to the 1960s reveals a different picture

Mexico hasn't always topped the list. Back in 1960, for example, the portrait of US immigrants was dramatically different.

At that time, according to the Migration Policy Institute, the largest group of immigrants were Italians, followed by Germans and Canadians.

Why did things change so significantly? For decades a national original quota system passed by Congress in 1924 favored migrants from northern and western Europe and excluded Asians. In 1965, the Immigration and Nationality Act created a new system that prioritized highly skilled immigrants and those who already had family living in the country. That paved the way for millions of non-European immigrants to come to the United States.

"It fundamentally changed the demographics of the country," Pawan Dhingra, a professor of American Studies at Amherst College, told CNN in 2020.

For decades, the immigrant population in the United States had been decreasing. But the new law also sparked a dramatic increase in immigration in the decades that followed, fueled largely by family reunification.

In 1965, 9.6 million immigrants living in the US comprised just 5% of the population, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Now more than 45 million immigrants make up nearly 14% of the country.

While the total number of immigrants has reached a historic high, immigrants made up a greater share of the US population in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Most states have seen their immigrant populations grow

The makeup of who's coming to the United States isn't the only thing that's changed. There have also been notable shifts in where those immigrants end up.

Arriving immigrants often settled in historic immigrant gateways in major metropolitan areas, such as New York City, Chicago and Boston. But for more than a decade, a much broader swath of locations in the United States have become gateways that are home to growing immigrant populations.

Today, California, Texas, Florida, New York and New Jersey are home to the largest numbers of immigrants.

But looking at the total number of immigrants in each state only tells part of the story. Some states have larger numbers of immigrants relative to their total populations. In Hawaii, for example, immigrants make up nearly 19% of the state's population.

A recent study(https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/blueprint-for-opportunity-welcoming-immigrants) by the Bush Institute found that many immigrants eventually move from traditional gateway cities to other areas of the country.

"Immigrants making secondary moves within the United States are disproportionately choosing the same places as native-born people  metros with relatively affordable housing and growth-friendly business and tax policies," the study says. "Once there, they gravitate toward fast-growing suburban counties."

For many years, the majority of immigrants lived in the Northeast and Midwest. But now, according to the Pew Research Center's latest analysis(https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/), about two-thirds of immigrants live in the West and South.

And in recent years, some states have seen their immigrant populations grow at a faster rate.

As the Bush Institute study notes, job opportunities, affordable housing, family connections and immigrant-friendly policies are among the factors that immigrants consider when deciding where to move.

If current trends continue, experts say in the coming years we could see immigrants make up a historically high share of the US population.

But with geopolitical turmoil around the world and ongoing divisive debates over immigration in Washington, it's hard to predict where future groups of immigrants may come from, or how quickly that milestone will be reached.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Where immigrants come from and where they go after reaching the US."
Hollyoaks star Anna Passey has opened up about her newfound hobby and her business, both of which came about thanks to her partner Kyle Pryor.

Passey plays Sienna Blake on Hollyoaks while Pryor appeared as Laurie Shelby on the soap and also starred in Home and Away for four years. But in a new interview with Inside Soap, Passey revealed the real-life soap couple shared interests off-screen.



"I had to get interested in surfing because after our second date, Kyle had a surfboard sent to my house and I thought OK, Im going to have to learn this then! But I really enjoy it," Passey said.

Kate Green - Getty Images

Related: Hollyoaks star Jayden Fox speaks out after Bobby Costello exit

"Its not something I would have picked up on my own, but Ive had a very good teacher. Im nowhere near as good as Kyle, but Im off my beginner board and onto the second one."

Passey also explained that she and Pryor run their own candle-making business, called Kip Candle Company.

"Kyle used to make candles when he lived in Australia as a relaxing activity. And I used to buy a lot of candles," Passey said.

Related: Hollyoaks' Owen Warner fuels co-star romance rumours with proposal joke

"One day I came home and Kyle had made about 20 candles and the house smelled amazing! It took off from there and we ended up with an accidental business, but we love it!"

Passey recently revealed that Sienna could be in for a new love interest, especially with Chris Gordon joining the soap next month, with The Crown star playing a character named Rafe, who will meet Sienna at the Chester races.

Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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Abortion rights demonstrators in Washington, DC. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Expect Democrats to make abortion rights a dominant theme in 2024.

A recent Wisconsin election offered the latest example of the issue winning big with voters.

The Democratic party chair there says it's "vital" that party members convey their position.

You probably won't need to guess what politicians think about abortion when you vote in 2024.

Expect Democrats to make sure of that, especially after a recent Wisconsin election further demonstrated the power of abortion rights at the ballot box.

Janet Protasiewicz, a progressive Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge backed by Democrats, crushed her conservative opponent in a nonpartisan state Supreme Court race by an 11-percentage-point margin after making her personal views supporting abortion rights clear.

The lesson is that, a year after the toppling of Roe v. Wade, "voters are furious about their personal freedoms being ripped away," Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler told Insider, and "every Democratic candidate should convey with crystal clarity that they will stand up for reproductive freedom and for democracy."

Democrats have historically shied away from the topic of abortion, especially in evenly divided states like Wisconsin. But since the April 4 election, Wikler has been telling Democrats across the country to lean into it. It's "vital" that they convey their position  and their opponents' position  up and down the ballot, said Wikler.

"This issue, and the fury that the public felt and still feels about it, moved the margins outside of the realm of normal politics in a 50-50 state," he said.

'Republican control would bring us closer to a nationwide abortion ban'

With polls showing most of the country supports abortion rights, the issue is quickly becoming an electoral nightmare for Republicans. Democrats have seized on the issue and possible Republican presidential contenders seem to be putting themselves on the losing side of it.

Just this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with almost no fanfare, quietly signed legislation banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, prompting a quick rebuke from Democrats.

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The DeSantis bill is "the latest salvo of abortion extremism as 2024 Republican hopefuls work to out-MAGA each other  and remind America that Republican control would bring us closer to a nationwide abortion ban," Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement.

Abortion rights advocates protest outside the White House in July 2022. Jose Luis Magana/File/AP

Roe's reversal had a clear effect on the midterms. In a post-election survey, nearly 4 out of 10 voters said the decision had a major impact on their decision to vote, and of that group 56% voted for Democratic congressional candidates, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Abortion was a key factor in closely watched gubernatorial races in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania and helped shape Senate races in Arizona and Pennsylvania as well.

The stakes for abortion rights were high in April's election in Wisconsin, where a challenge to the state's 1849 ban on nearly all abortions except for women who are dying is making its way through the courts.

Given that a strong showing in 2024 for Republicans could result in a national abortion ban, the lesson from Wisconsin's court race is "very transferable," Wikler said. "There's a very parallel question that voters are going to face nationwide and in Wisconsin in the 2024 presidential race, and House races and Senate races," he said.

A 'dynamite' combination

Ads for Protasiewicz conveyed that her opponent Dan Kelly, who was endorsed by anti-abortion groups, was "too extreme" for Wisconsin. The central piece of evidence, Wikler said, was abortion and the second was democracy. Kelly reportedly advised state GOP officials on a fake electors scheme to overturn the 2020 election results.

When voters were asked after the election what motivated them, "abortion was in first place by a mile." The party's research showed it was the biggest reason why voters cast ballots for Protasiewicz and the biggest issue that led their opposition to Kelly.

"You can link abortion and democracy through the theme of extremism," he said. "And that combination is dynamite."

Wikler has been in close touch with the DNC before and after the election, but since the April 4 victory, he's also increasingly talking with other state party chairs and campaigns across the country.. "I think the whole White House and DNC team have kept a very close eye on what's happening in the Badger State," he said.

Democrats poured money and high-wattage endorsements into the race in Wisconsin, a battleground Democrats can't take for granted in 2024. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris signed fundraising emails for the state party promoting Protasiewicz, and former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton weighed in via Twitter.

Steve Schale, CEO of Unite the Country, a pro-Biden Super PAC, said he wasn't surprised by Protasiewicz's margin of victory, based on abortion discussions in focus groups that he led in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

"Anybody who thinks that choice is not going to be a massive motivating issue for voters in 2024 hasn't been talking to actual voters," Schale told Insider. "I was blown away. It came up early in focus groups, voluntarily, and not just from women."

A Republican position of being pro-life, without exceptions, "impeaches a candidate," making them unacceptable to a majority of voters in most states, said Jeff Timmer, a former Michigan Republican Party executive director who left the party and now advises the Lincoln Project.

The bigger context in the Wisconsin race is that it was an election between someone seen as "normal" versus someone seen as "extreme or radical," he said. "And I think the normal will win that fight," he said.

Dems shift to talking openly about abortion

The Democratic Party has rapidly changed its views on abortion. There are still some in the party, such as Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who claim personal opposition to abortion but their ranks are thinning quickly. The Clinton-era axiom of "safe, legal, and rare" and the Obama doctrine of trying to "reduce the need for abortions" is virtually absent in the post-Roe reality. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won reelection easily in the swing state in part by explicitly campaigning to repeal Michigan's 1931 ban.

Instead, Democrats talk about abortion openly. Seven lawmakers have shared their own personal abortion stories, including Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, and Barbara Lee of California. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who runs his party's campaign arm, has discussed how his ex-wife received an abortion amid worries that pregnancy complications would endanger her life.

"My story is one that's tragically shared by so many Americans," Peters wrote in a tweet. "It's a story of gut-wrenching and complicated decisions  but it's important for folks to understand families face these situations every day."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hungary will not import Ukrainian grain

Read also: Hungarys Orban claims Ukraine economically defunct country, Ukraines MFA reacts

The government is committed to representing the interests of the Hungarian farming community, which is why, in the absence of meaningful EU measures, like Poland, it temporarily prohibits the import of grain and oilseeds originating from or coming from Ukraine, as well as several other agricultural products into Hungary, Nagy said.

On April 15, the Polish government banned the import of Ukrainian grain and a large range of other products into the country.

The restrictions will remain in place until June 30, 2023, which is sufficient time for the EU to take significant and long-term measures to find a solution.

Read also: EU ready to discuss some peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, says Hungarys Orban

The Ukrainian government has said that this decision violates previous agreements between the two countries.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Carl Allen is a fisherman's fisherman. He's been coming to the Bahamas since he was 12  never missed a year  to the small island of Walker's Cay, where he likes to say the bonefish meet the billfish.

But as an adult it wasn't really fish that brought him to this southwest corner of the Bermuda Triangle; it was the legend of a long-lost Spanish galleon. "I am a treasure hunter, I fully admit it," he said.

Treasure hunter Carl Allen. / Credit:  Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration

The Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas was the kind of treasure ship that would have even made the pirate Blackbeard blush. On board: untold riches plundered from the Spanish New World. But on one dark January night in 1656, disaster struck.

"There was some miscommunication, the Maravillas turned, and the other ship turned, and it rammed the Maravillas midship," said Michael Pateman, curator of the Bahamas Maritime Museum in Freeport.

The Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas collided with another ship and sunk in January 1656. / Credit: Allen Exploration

The ship went down in less than an hour.

Ever since, her cursed cargo has brought wealthy treasure hunters flocking to these waters. In 1972 adventurer Robert Marx stunned the maritime world by pulling up artifacts that confirmed basically all the rumors about the Maravillas were true. "Some people claim it's one of the richest Spanish galleons to go down in the New World," said Pateman.

What treasure they found ended up mostly in auctions and private collections the world over. By 1999 the Bahamian government had had enough of treasure leaving its waters, and put a stop to all of it.

But marine archeologists like Jim Sinclair insist the main pile of treasure has yet to be found: "We're probably looking at well over another $100 million still sitting in the sand out here," he said.

Which for Carl Allen was like the siren song of the mermaid. "If we don't do this, Mother Nature gets it, or pirates. And that doesn't do anybody any good," Allen said.

He made his money in plastics (garbage bags, mostly), and in 2016 he sold that multi-million-dollar company in Dallas, and then announced to his wife that he was going fishing  this time, for the Maravillas.

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"So, I immediately bought her a yacht for her birthday," Allen said. "And let me tell you, want to get your wife into yachting? Name it after her!"

Their superyacht is named Gigi. Their son, Thomas, says Mom is indeed pretty happy. "I think she likes it down here better than he does," he laughed. "'Cause you can't get her out of the water. It's amazing."

But the Gigi was just a start. Allen also bought a 183-ft research vessel, and all the support boats to go with it. And to top it all off, he bought his own submersible.

Carl Allen and Lee Cowan visit the site of the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas. / Credit: Allen Exploration

To put it mildly, financially, he's in pretty deep. "Everybody thought it was wrong. So many people called me a fool, a laughingstock," he said. "They're not laughing anymore."

With his wife, Gigi, at his side, Allen Exploration has recovered more than 10,000 artifacts from the Maravillas: Pendants, gold chains, silver bars, crucifixes, all seemingly no worse for the wear.

Just some of the more than 10,000 artifacts that have been rescued from the bottom of the ocean, from the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas. / Credit: CBS News

They don't like to talk about what all this is worth because they have no immediate plans to sell any of it. The Allens funded the construction of that maritime museum; they also run it themselves, because they believe the Maravillas treasure belongs in the Bahamas  and so do they. They're full-time Bahamian residents now.

Walker's Cay was abandoned until 2018, when the Allens bought it and started fixing it up. When Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas, they offered their treasure hunting fleet to deliver relief supplies instead. It was that same year that the Bahamian government lifted the moratorium and granted the Allens exclusive rights to survey some 250 square miles of underwater desert.

To dive with the Allens is to disappear into an underwater scavenger hunt on a long dead reef. It's tedious work  the conditions have to be perfect, and it's not without its dangers. But as Cowan learned, the Allens' passion for the hunt is infectious.

Correspondent Lee Cowan joins in the hunt. / Credit: Allen Exploration

Allen showed Cowan some artifacts that had just been found: "These are nice big, chunky pieces of eight. They'll clean up really nice," he said.

But despite this massive effort, the ever-shifting sands of the Bahamas are still the boss. "You could have the right equipment, which I built; you could have the right people, which I have. And then, Mother Nature says, 'No, not today.' It's gonna be her that'll run me out of this business," Allen said.

But she's not beaten him yet. The pull of the sea is as strong now as it was when he was a boy, and it's anchored the Allens to the Bahamas in all the best of ways.

Allen said, "We love doing it, and we're helping these people at the same time? Where do you sign up for that?"

One of the more than 10,000 artifacts that Carl Allen's team has rescued from the bottom of the Atlantic, from the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas, which sunk in 1656. / Credit: CBS News



For more info:

Allen Exploration (AllenX)walkerscay.comBahamas Maritime Museum, FreeportPhotos and video courtesy of Allen Exploration/Brendan ChavezRichard Marx footage courtesy of Michael Bolton



Story produced by Michelle Kessel. Editor: George Pozderec.



See also:

Christine Lagarde says U.S. default on debt not possible ahead of approaching deadline

Rep. Mike Turner says there's "damage that's been done" in Pentagon leak

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says states have to "band together" to protect abortion rights
As a physician in Idaho, watching the 2023 legislative session was perplexing. Most health care-related bills have focused on restricting instead of improving access to care. These have emerged under the guise of protecting families and cutting unnecessary expenses, however, as a medical professional trained to care for the medical needs of Idaho families, I would argue that most of what we saw will not improve health outcomes.

Dr. Loren Colson

There was one glimmer of hope to the medical community in House Bill 81, which would have kept the Maternal Mortality Review Committee from ending later this year, but it was held in committee without a vote, and, as a result the review committee expired.

The medical community improves outcomes by collecting data, and the review committee was created to do just that, by tracking deaths in Idaho that occur from pregnancy-related complications.

This committee was created in 2019, before the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and its findings have been alarming.

In its first 2020 report, the review committee found that Idaho had a maternal death rate thats almost double the national average. In reviewing the data, likely all these deaths were preventable, meaning that this report will hopefully allow us to learn from our mistakes and do better. While the next report is not currently available, preliminary reports indicate that our rate of maternal deaths continues to rise. If this trend continues, we are headed for catastrophe.

A lack of support for policies that help pregnant women has been exacerbated by continued efforts to criminalize medicine, which put our physician workforce in jeopardy.

What will happen when there are more pregnant people due to the abortion ban and fewer physicians to care for them? It will be more important than ever to review circumstances where the medical system failed and troubleshoot how to prevent the same events from happening again. Yet we will be left without one of our greatest tools to do so by no longer having a Maternal Mortality Review Committee.

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According to the Guttmacher Institute, 49 states have a formal maternal mortality review committee or legal requirement to review pregnancy-related deaths. Idahos review committee cost less than half of what was anticipated, at only $10,000, making it an incredible return on investment. The small appropriation of funds from our tax dollars that go to the committee are well spent. Why was Idaho so quick to let this important work end?

The Maternal Mortality Review Committee is a fundamental institution for protecting the health of Idaho families. Yet the Legislature eliminated the committee, refused to pass a bill that would provide extended health coverage for post-partum women and infants and rejected efforts to provide exceptions in Idahos abortion laws to protect womens health and fertility.

All Idahoans should be asking, why did the Legislature allow the Maternal Mortality Review Committee to expire this year? Why shouldnt preventing pregnancy deaths be nonpartisan? Lets work together to insist on better policies that support pregnant women and families in Idaho.

Dr. Loren Colson is a family medicine physician in Boise, where he practices full spectrum care including hospital medicine and obstetrics. Colson is a fellow of the Physicians for Reproductive Health and serves on the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians Reproductive Health Subcommittee.
Customers at the opening of Swed House in Moscow Saturday. Reuters

Swed House, an Ikea copycat, opened its first store in Moscow Saturday, Reuters reported.

The Belarusian chain is trying to fill a void left when the Swedish retailer pulled out of Russia.

Some customers told Reuters the store had a messy layout and was too small.

Russian consumers have had their options severely curtailed since Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine after most Western retailers abandoned the country.

They're having to put up with some inferior copycat versions of their favorite chains, such as the McDonald's clone that opened last summer, or Stars Coffee  aka Starbucks.

Ikea also halted its operations in Russia in March 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. It said in June it was scaling down its remaining presence and halting the export of its products to the country.

After the flat-pack furniture giant made its move, a chain from neighboring Belarus is now trying to take its place.

However, it seems some customers who went along after Swed House opened its doors in Moscow on Saturday were less than impressed with the attempt to mimic the Swedish chain.

That's despite up to a fifth of its range being genuine Ikea products, Swed House general director Mamedali Kasymov told Reuters.

"Nobody prohibited us from doing this  our own Swed House goods are in big demand as well," he said.

The head of the Union of Shopping Centers, Bulat Shakirov, told Russian news agency TASS that Swed House could open up to 10 stores in Moscow this year.

Customers at the new Swed House store in Moscow. Alexander Reshetnikov/Reuters

Some customers who spoke to Reuters were generally disappointed with the layout and presentation of the store, leaving many longing for the real Ikea.

"Goods must not be just lying on top of each other. Ikea had a certain approach to product placement ... you could lie on beds, test the furniture," one customer, Iohann, told the news agency. "If these guys want to improve, the road ahead is still very long."

Other customers told Reuters the store was too small compared with an Ikea outlet.

Story continues

"We have been missing IKEA a lot lately," said Natalia.

Swed House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
At its best, TikTok is a mechanism for building empathy. (Associated Press )

I am an unlikely convert to TikTok. Now I cant imagine giving it up.

When I first downloaded the app in the middle of the pandemic, I looked at #BookTok accounts to see which titles people recommended. Then I strayed into makeup tutorials for women over 60  just in time for all those new Zoom business calls. I learned about contouring my face to make it shapelier but never mastered the smokey eye.

I had a slight flirtation with #GRWMs, "get ready with me" posts showing young women prepping for their days. And I loved seeing videos about apartments for rent in New York.

My participation was an anomaly. Most TikTok obsessives are 18 to 24 years old. Only 1.7% of the users are my age  above 55.

I was a lurker, though, not a creator, and it never occurred to me to try to make a profit from the site. What I gained instead in the middle of the lockdown was a feeling of connection. The one-to-three-minute videos, set to catchy music, were so compelling I wanted to know more about the creators.

Within a few months, my relationship to TikTok deepened, a development that flabbergasted most of my friends. TikToks algorithm began to send me videos that revealed lives quite foreign from my own. @TheKathyProject showed me a family coping with a sister fading from early onset Alzheimers. I watched her adjust to her new life in a nursing home. @Roseinchina1 showed the life of a Ugandan woman married to a Chinese man in a rural village in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province. The food Rose cooks looks extraordinary. @StuartandFrancis, a gay couple in the U.K., have a son, Rio, born through a surrogate. Another child is on the way.

It was those videos that got me hooked  and showed me how TikTok, often dismissed as just a place for teenagers to post dance videos, could also be a mechanism to build empathy.

One of the most meaningful connections I formed was with @DylanMulvaney, a gay actor who transitioned to female in March 2022. Mulvaney created a series, Days of Girlhood, in which she shared her journey as a woman with all its successes and tribulations. Viewers saw her delight in dressing in feminine clothes and frustration at not being able to shave after a laser hair removal procedure.

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Mulvaney transitioned during an unprecedented period of anti-trans activism. At the end of March, the think tank Movement Advancement Project counted 650 anti-LGBTQ bills making their way through various legislatures. While I know a few trans people, I dont know them well. So normally this would be an issue I followed with concern, but with a sense of detachment. But watching Mulvaney, I realized the fight for trans rights is everyones fight. The loss of one civil right can lead to the loss of more civil rights.

Others are sympathetic to Mulvaneys journey too. In the past year, her account has gone from 1 million to 10 million followers. She has become a potent influencer. President Biden invited her to the White House. She was a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show. Her special at the Rainbow Room in New York City to mark the one-year anniversary of her transition was so popular that the livestream crashed. Naturally, those opposed to LGBTQ rights have attacked and criticized her.

Accounts like Mulvaneys are why the threats to ban TikTok concern me. It would isolate me and other users from different viewpoints. Members of Congress are concerned that China-based ByteDance, which owns TikTok, could be pressured by the Chinese government to turn over the private data of TikToks 150 million active U.S. users. And could feed them misinformation. Its a valid concern.

But how do the risks of TikTok measure up against the risks posed by Meta and Google and other social media sites? Those apps track my movements, know what I browse, and sell that data to personalize the ads I get. In 2014, Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm, illegally harvested data from 50 million Facebook accounts and used them to try to manipulate elections in the U.S. and the U.K.

And Twitter under Elon Musk has stripped away that sites safeguards, leaving users exposed to constant abuse, racial slurs and misinformation. Now the blue check that verified users, me included, is gone.

Congress needs to examine the pitfalls of every social media platform and set up safeguards that protect users from abuses from Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram  not just TikTok.

At its best, TikTok can build empathy. And in our fractured, politically divided world, we need all the understanding we can get.

Lets fix it, not ban it.

Frances Dinkelspiel is an author, journalist and co-founder of the nonprofit news organization Cityside, with sites in Berkeley and Oakland.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A former member of King Charless court has recalled the challenges in coordinating his wedding to Camilla.

The couple, who are set to be officially crowned as King and Queen next month, have known each other since the Seventies.

While known as Prince Charles, the current monarch was married to Princess Diana for 15 years, divorcing in 1996. Meanwhile, Camilla was married to Andrew Parker-Bowles from 1973 to 1995.

Charles and Camilla finally married in April 2005. Ahead of their coronation, some of the couples closest companions have been sharing insights into their journey to this landmark moment.

In a new interview, a former courtier of the King has looked back on the task that Sir Michael Peat, Charless principal private secretary at the time, had in order to achieve a successful wedding for the pair.

He had to align all the planets in a row  the union had to be accepted and supported by the Queen, Downing Street, the Church and the public, the courtier explained to The Times.

Everyone could see the boss was devoted to her and wanted to marry her, and in time all parties came to see it was good for the future of the monarchy.

The courtier went on to note that despite receiving a cold shoulder from public onlookers, due to the nature of Camilla and Charless relationship during his marriage to Princess Diana, Camilla didnt express any upset with how she was received.

Camilla was smart and more interested in and savvy about the media than the prince, he said. But the media environment was still incredibly hostile towards her. I never saw her show frustration or anger about it.

Queen Camilla (Getty Images)

At their wedding in 2005, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a speech that spoke of her happiness at their union, despite having made her disapproval of the relationship clear in the past.

My son is home and dry with the woman he loves, the late monarch said in her toast, which marked a significant change in tone towards the current Queen Consort.

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The Queens speech set the tone going forwards  if the Queen says they are a good match, then everyone else just cracks on, the courtier noted.

Camilla will hold an ivory sceptre at the coronation ceremony next month, despite previous reports that its inclusion would be dropped due to William, Prince of Waless anti-ivory campaign.

Follow along with all the latest royal updates here.
American intelligence officials are concerned that the United States will not be able to identify the early warning signed of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, according to leaked documents.

The documents cite China's increased activity around Taiwan as a major issue for predicting an actual invasion or attack. The reports, obtained by the Washington Post, were prepared as briefing materials for the Joint Chiefs of Staff between February and March, and reference China's heightened aggression toward Taiwan following former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island.

"You need to have a fairly high level of confidence that youre facing use of force and also time to make critical political decisions if youre the United States," Joel Wuthnow, a senior research fellow at National Defense University, told WaPo. "If you have ambiguities or doubts as well as a compressed timeline, it could potentially complicate your ability to mobilize your own forces, which is a huge challenge."

China once again surrounded Taiwan with its forces earlier this month in reaction to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's trip to the U.S., where she met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

FBI ARRESTS MASSACHUSETTS AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMAN JACK TEIXEIRA IN PROBE OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT LEAKS

The documents were part of a trove of intelligence materials leaked online via the social platform Discord. Authorities have arrested 21-year-old Jack Teixeira of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in connection with the incident.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Authorities charged Teixeira on Friday with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and willful retention of classified documents.

Teixeira, wearing handcuffs and a khaki prison jumpsuit, was read the charges shortly after 10 a.m. local time during an appearance in federal court in Boston. He did not enter a plea and was ordered to be held pending a detention hearing set for Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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His father shouted during the hearing, "I love you, Jack!" He responded: "I love you, Dad."

WHO IS JACK TEIXEIRA, THE AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ALLEGEDLY BEHIND LEAKED CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS?

Jack Teixeira, a U.S. Air Force National Guard airman accused of leaking highly classified military intelligence records online, makes his initial appearance before a federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts.

President Biden said Friday that he commends the "rapid action taken by law enforcement to investigate and respond to the recent dissemination of classified U.S. government documents."

"While we are still determining the validity of those documents, I have directed our military and intelligence community to take steps to further secure and limit distribution of sensitive information, and our national security team is closely coordinating with our partners and allies," Biden said in a statement from the White House.

Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.
An Iranian court has sentenced 10 soldiers to prison for downing a Ukrainian airliner in 2020, Iranian news agency Mizan Online reported on April 16.

Ukraine International Airlines' flight PS752 was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020 in Iran while en route to Kyiv, with all 176 people on board being killed.

According to Mizan Online, the commander of the air defense unit who allegedly ordered the strike was sentenced to 13 years in prison, while other nine soldiers were sentenced to up to three years.

The court concluded that the plane was shot down by accident, not on purpose.

The commander's decision to fire the missile that shot down the plane was based on his false belief that the identified target was hostile amid tensions between Iran and the U.S., according to the court.

The court also ordered the convicts to pay $150,000 to the families of each passenger killed in the accident.

Most of the victims of the tragedy were Canadians and Iranians, while 11 of them were Ukrainians.


Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) on Sunday offered a strong rebuke of Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greenes support for Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old intelligence operative with the Massachusetts Air National Guard who was recently arrested for allegedly leaking classified military documents.

The top secret documents included information about the war in Ukraine, among other things. Teixeira has been charged with violating the Espionage Act.

Greene responded to news of Teixeiras arrest on Thursday in a tweet: Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more.

Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more. Ask yourself who is the real enemy? A young low level national guardsmen? Or the  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 13, 2023

Ask yourself who is the real enemy? she added. A young low level national guardsmen [sic]? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers?

Graham called Greenes comments irresponsible.

If youre a member of the military intelligence community and you disagree with American policy and you think youre going to be okay when it comes to leaking classified information, youre going to go to jail, Graham said during an appearance on ABCs This Week.

Its one of the most irresponsible statements she could make, he added.

The leaked documents about the conflict in Ukraine led some Republicans to double down on their calls for the U.S. to pull back its support for Ukraine. Graham dismissed these suggestions.

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What theyre suggesting will destroy Americas ability to defend itself, Graham said. That its OK to release classified information based on your political views. That the ends justify the means. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.

Greene has been a vocal critic of the United States support for Ukraine. In February, she reintroduced legislation to audit the military aid the U.S. has sent Ukraine in the year since Russia first invaded. She told Fox News that the United States continued investment in Ukraine could lead the U.S. into World War III.

She was one of ten Republican lawmakers to co-sponsor legislation by Representative Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) in February to end U.S. aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, the Biden administration announced a $10 billion aid package to support the Ukrainian government in addition to $2 billion in military aid.

More from National Review
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he will not immediately resume controversial efforts to alter his nation's judiciary system.

"I've decided to take a timeout, try to get a balance between the opposing views, and there are strongly opposing views in both sides of our society," he told host Chuck Todd on NBC's "Meet the Press." "And I hope to reach this by consensus."

Netanyahu's efforts to pass legislation designed to limit the independence and authority of his nation's judiciary drew massive protests before he announced in late March that he was temporarily delaying efforts to get the reforms passed. When theres an opportunity to avoid civil war through dialogue, I, as prime minister, am taking a timeout for dialogue, he said then.



Speaking to Todd, Netanyahu said that even though he's not resuming his efforts now, his goal remains the same, limiting judicial overreach and balancing the branches of government.

"We're trying to bring it back into a proper balance," he said.

Opponents of Netanyahu's plan have said the proposed changes would undermine the nation's basic freedoms. Its an attack on the very soul and nature of our democracy, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said last month.



During the "Meet the Press" interview, Netanyahu criticized Todd for how he described his proposed reforms and Israel's current political environment  and also took umbrage at Todd's question linking the judicial plan to Netanyahu's personal legal problems.

"Here's another fib, another lie. It's just not true. My own legal proceedings, which by the way are crumbling, all these charges against me have been crumbling," Netanyahu said, adding: "My case is completely independent from this."

The prime minister also said he still felt close to President Joe Biden ("a great friend of Israel") despite Biden's concerns about the proposed judicial reforms.

"Friends can have disagreements on occasion," Netanyahu said.
The author gives her thoughts on four business class carriers. Taylor Rains/Insider

I have flown on four business class airlines since September.

These include Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Japan's All Nippon Airways, and France's La Compagnie.

One is my favorite thanks to its cocooned privacy, while one had some inconvenient shortfalls.

Over the past year, I have flown in four business class products, including Air New Zealand's Boeing 787 Dreamliner from New York to Auckland 

A Boeing 787 flown by Air New Zealand. Shutterstock

I flew on the world's new 4th longest flight from New York to Auckland and Air New Zealand's business class made the over 17-hour journey easily bearable

 Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 on the world's longest flight from Singapore to New York 

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900. KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock

I flew on the world's longest flight in business class and thought the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless

 La Compagnie's Airbus A321neo on the French-boutique carrier's service from Paris to New Jersey 

The airline flew out of Paris-Orly and to New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I flew on the world's only all-business class airline and it felt more like flying on a private jet across the Atlantic

 and most recently on All Nippon Airways in "The Room" business class seat on the Japanese carrier's Boeing 777-300ER service from New York to Tokyo.

A Boeing 777-300ER flown by All Nippon Airways. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

I flew in business class on Japan's biggest airline for 14 hours and the seat felt more like a hotel room

All of these products were enjoyable for long-haul flights, but they were all very different. Here's how they compare.

The author flew on La Compagnie in February. Taylor Rains/Insider

I'll start with the best out of the four  "The Room" on ANA, Japan's largest airline.

ANA's "The Room" business class seat. Taylor Rains/Insider

I flew the product for 14 hours between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport in March and absolutely loved the privacy.

A Boeing 777-300ER at the boarding gate in Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Taylor Rains/Insider

The couch-like seat came with a full sliding door, which could fully cocoon the space.

A seat on ANA's "The Room" business class seat with its privacy door closed. Taylor Rains/Insider

There was also a button that opened the door halfway.

The door can be closed halfway which leaves part of the privacy screen up. Taylor Rains/Insider

This is the main feature that set "The Room" apart from Singapore's A350 business class seat  everything else was pretty much the same.

Singapore Airlines' A350 business class seat. Sorbis/Shutterstock

I loved the food on both. I had Japanese cuisine on ANA and a Western meal on Singapore with minimal complaints.

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Singapore's dinner (top) versus ANA's dinner (bottom). ANA's Japanese meal definitely has an acquired taste. If you don't like fish, I'd recommend the carrier's western-meal option. Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, both had huge beds complete with thick pillows and blankets.

The author laying flat on Singapore's bed. Taylor Rains/Insider

Each bed was much wider than the skinnier ones seen on carriers like Delta, American, and United, so I had plenty of room to spread out. I could sleep on my side, back, or my stomach comfortably.

ANA's bed was big enough to fit the author, two pillows, her purse, and her water bottle. Taylor Rains/Insider

I also appreciated the plethora of other amenities available, including several storage options 

Singapore's storage versus ANA's storage. Both had cubbies, shelves, and tabletop space. Taylor Rains/Insider

 huge televisions with a handheld remote 

The ANA TV (bottom) was 24 inches  six inches bigger than Singapore's (remote pictured on top). Taylor Rains/Insider

 and plenty of power ports.

Both airlines had a universal-power outlet and USB ports. Taylor Rains/Insider

While Insider paid a media rate for the flights, I would definitely recommend both. I do like ANA's business class better simply for the privacy door, but neither will disappoint.

The closed doors on ANA created a cocoon for travelers. Taylor Rains/Insider

In addition to the two Asian carriers, I also experienced Air New Zealand's business class, and there were a lot of things I liked about the product.

Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the Air New Zealand flight from New York to Auckland. Taylor Rains/Insider

This includes the food 

Air New Zealand's meals: Caviar in top left | lamb and potatoes in top right | cannoli, fruit, and pastry in bottom left | potatoes and bacon in bottom right. Bread with butter and oil was also served, along with wine, beer, and other non-alcoholic drinks. Taylor Rains/Insider

 the comfortable lie-flat bed 

The bed was skinnier than the ones on ANA and Singapore  it is more similar to Delta, United, and American. Taylor Rains/Insider

 and the footrest. I was able to sleep during the flight and I felt rested upon landing in Auckland.

The footrest also doubled as an ottoman for other passengers to sit and chat. Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, I'll give props to Air New Zealand for its on-demand ordering. I could use the TV to request snacks and drinks whenever I wanted and have them delivered to my seat.

A screen displaying the on-demand snack options. Taylor Rains/Insider

While I overall enjoyed the seat, it has its shortfalls compared to ANA and Singapore. For example, the flight attendant had to manually set up the bed for me.

The flight attendant setting up the author's bed. Taylor Rains/Insider

Granted, Singapore's bed has a handle on the back of it rather than a button for lie-flat mode, but it's easier for a passenger to use because it's basically the same as lying a car seat flat.

ANA's bed can be adjusted using buttons. Taylor Rains/Insider

Another issue with the bed is it doesn't have as much privacy. The cabin is configured in a 1x1x1 layout, so the middle section and the right side of the plane can easily see each other across the aisle.

The author's view when she was laying down. Taylor Rains/Insider

The left side, on the other hand, has better privacy. I'd opt for one of these seats if I flew the carrier again.

The angled seats onboard Air New Zealand's business class cabin. Taylor Rains/Insider

But, the angled configuration also means the seats are facing away from the window, so it was really difficult to enjoy the view.

The seats were angled away from the windows. Taylor Rains/Insider

My only other issue was that the television was pretty small, and I had to stow it for takeoff and landing.

The TV is only 12.1 inches, so it is much smaller than the 18-inch screen on Singapore and the 24-inch monitor on ANA. Taylor Rains/Insider

However, it appears the carrier is aware of some of the critiques and has created a new business class to fit onto its Dreamliners.

An Air New Zealand Boeing 787 in Auckland International Airport. Taylor Rains/Insider

Starting in 2024, the new and improved Business Premier seat will address some of the problems with the current product, like installing a bigger TV 

The author sitting in a mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at Air New Zealand's cabin-innovation center, Hangar 22. Taylor Rains/Insider

I tried Air New Zealand's new business class seat coming to its Boeing 787 aircraft on order and I think it's a major upgrade from its current product

 adding a half-sliding panel for more privacy ...

Air New Zealand are also planning to add more storage. Taylor Rains/Insider

 and allowing the bed to convert into lie-flat mode at the touch of a button.

The layout will be 1x2x1, meaning the seats are less angled. Taylor Rains/Insider

The company is also adding a Business Premier Luxe seat that will have a full-sliding door 

The full-sliding door in Air New Zealand's Business Premier Luxe seat. Taylor Rains/Insider

 and space for a second person, who can join during the flight for dining or a business meeting. This is similar to other carriers like JetBlue Airways' Mint Studio and Virgin Atlantic Airways' Retreat Suite.

The Business Premier Luxe seat has space for a second person to join. Taylor Rains/Insider

Virgin Atlantic just flew its first-ever A330-900neo on a brand new route from London to Florida  take a look inside the swanky jet

After testing out the future product myself, I'm looking forward to Air New Zealand's new business class.

The author flew Air New Zealand in business class in September 2022 on the inaugural-nonstop flight from New York to Auckland. Taylor Rains/Insider

Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the Boeing 787 business class flight from New York to Auckland in September.

The fourth business class seat I flew this year was on La Compagnie, a French-boutique carrier that flies Airbus A321neos between Paris, Nice, Milan, and the US.

The Paris and Milan routes operate year-round, but Nice is seasonal. Taylor Rains/Insider

But, La Compagnie is not your average airline. Instead of a mixed cabin, the company has configured its narrow-body aircraft with 76 business class seats 

La Compagnie is the world's only all-business class airline. Taylor Rains/Insider

 making it the world's only all-business class carrier. Other airlines like Qatar Airways and British Airways have tried operating select planes with an all-business configuration, but have since retired them.

La Compagnie's all-business class seating. Taylor Rains/Insider

Overall, I really enjoyed the product, which came with all the bells and whistles of business class, including a huge TV, a lie-flat bed, plenty of space, and charging ports.

Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the La Compagnie flight from Paris to Newark, New Jersey. Taylor Rains/Insider

Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the business class flight from Paris Orly to Newark in February.

I also really enjoyed the food, which is a specialty of La Compagnie. The carrier partners with world-renowned chefs to bring unique meals onboard.

La Compagnie's meals: Cheese and pastry (top left), pastries and pudding (top right), scallop and rice dish (bottom left), and salmon salad (bottom right). Taylor Rains/Insider

Source: La Compagnie

However, my biggest gripe was that because the cabin is in a 2x2 layout, the window seats do not have direct aisle access.

The exit row on a La Compagnie A321neo. Thomas Pallini/Insider

This can be annoying for solo travelers as they'd have to crawl over the stranger sleeping next to them. But, it's not a big deal if I'm traveling with friends or family.

At 5'3", the author had a lot of legroom on the La Compagnie flight. Taylor Rains/Insider

My only other minor issue with La Compagnie was the minimal storage space  one more shelf or cubby would've been perfect.

The nook to the left of the author's lounger was small, but had enough space for a water bottle and the amenity kit. There was also a narrow shelf under the television and a small pocket below the armrest. Taylor Rains/Insider

The French carrier is comparable to Air New Zealand  but the cabins of ANA and Singapore are simply in another league.

A La Compagnie Airbus A321neo. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some people may prefer La Compagnie's style of business class  which is similar to United's Polaris or Delta One  though the lack of direct-aisle access could be a dealbreaker.

Air New Zealand's business class seat versus La Compagnie's business class seat. Taylor Rains/Insider

But, I think the boutique airline's level of comfort, convenience, and delicious food is perfect for the price, with round-trip fares starting around $2,500, but can be higher.

The author was continuously impressed by most airlines' business-class meals, but said that the truffle-topped scallops on La Compagnie was easily one of the best inflight dishes she's ever had. Taylor Rains/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
no trespassing sign on tree

The street that was blocked by the FBI and swarmed by the media a few days ago is quiet now.

But a man and a woman are nailing "No Trespass" signs to the trees on both sides of the driveway, which leads to the house where Jack Teixeira was arrested.

"No comment," says the woman, waving me away.

The 21-year-old air national guardsman was charged on Friday with what is being described as the worst leak of US intelligence in a decade. He is accused of posting classified documents in an online chat group over many months.

It has clearly been a harrowing week for his family.

"It's time to stop bothering them," says a man who jogs past.

The drama of the past few days unfolded in the small town of Dighton in Massachusetts. It is partly rural, a farming and largely working-class community. In Teixeira's neighbourhood, homes are far apart and built into a wooded area.

A few doors down, Ray Simmons is blowing leaves off his lawn. The elderly man had trouble getting home the day of the arrest because of the roadblock. He does not know his young neighbour, but is reserving judgment.

"The leaking, apparently, is obvious, but to what extent you don't know," he tells me. "I'm not going to condemn ahead of time."

He says he is more worried about other news he heard this week, that North Korea had tested an intercontinental ballistic missile possibly capable of targeting the United States.

A few miles away a popular diner is buzzing with the Saturday morning crowd. There is a sign advertising a special breakfast for Patriot's Day on Monday - Massachusetts is one of two states that observe the holiday.

I ask one of the patrons, Gary Best, whether he thinks Teixeira was unpatriotic.

"Oh definitely," he quickly responds, then pauses. "It was bad judgment," he adds, "he's a kid who didn't think about what he was doing, the consequences or what it means to this country."

One woman, who didn't want to be named, called Teixeira a "smart idiot" for using his brains in this way.

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"I don't know what I think of all this, and many others feel the same way," she says. "Everyone is shocked."

Daniel Barone, who's one year older than Teixeira, says his grandmother called him at work "and she was, like, someone from our town just got arrested by the FBI! It's pretty crazy."

"This town is never known for anything," his mother Kim agrees. "If you give people directions they don't know where Dighton is, so for us to make it to national (attention) and now the world is just kind of surprising."

She feels bad for the family, she says. "For a 21-year-old to make that kind of mistake and ruin his whole life is a lot."

Another woman introduces herself as Deacon Sue - she is involved in a local church and comes from a military background.

"My heart aches for him and his family, for the poor choices that he made," she said. "But by the same token he's old enough to know right and wrong. This is for military security, and he put a lot of other people at risk."

Among bikers gathered at a nearby motorcycle dealership, there is not a lot of sympathy for Teixeira - but there is incredulity that someone so junior had top level security clearance.

Mark Allen, a navy vet, dismisses him as a "kid" who wasn't even "full military" as a member of the national guard.

"You've got to be smart enough to know that if it was top secret you don't show off by telling your friends on the internet," he says.

"I think a lot of this online stuff is going to be the demise of the world that we used to know. It's good but it's bad, and I think the bad's been outweighing the good."

Allen says a military court martial would be more appropriate than a trial in a federal civilian court.

Rashad Ellis, another vet, is most concerned about potential harm to "brothers and sisters" in the military.

"You've got to look out for the greater good," he says. "That's what we do it for, God and country. It's hard when you give out information that could potentially hurt our brothers and sisters. The way we look at it, it's all family."
Sarah Barfield wears a mask with the words "My body, my choice" written on it during a rally protesting the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 outside the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee.

The Jacksonville area chapter of the National Organization for Women strongly opposes SB 300, the six-week abortion ban currently being rushed through the Florida Legislature.

A 15-week ban is already overly restrictive and several recent polls show that legal abortion is supported by a majority of Floridians. Abortion is health care and this bill bans the procedure with few exceptions; in the case of rape, the victim must alert law enforcement and get a police report to get an abortion.

Appropriated in the bill is $30 million to what I can only describe as fake clinics, sometimes called crisis pregnancy centers. Instead of comprehensive reproductive health care, these clinics often use phony ads to trick pregnant people into making an appointment. Once inside, people are generally shamed and pressured about their reproductive health decisions, to the point that they miss the deadline for a legal abortion.

A plea for civility: Choice with regulation, life with boundaries

Planned Parenthood doctor: Adolescent incest survivor had to leave Florida for abortion

Letters: As mayoral runoff approaches, candidates' campaign tactics speak volumes

If the goal is to reduce abortions, that $30 million appropriation in the bill should go toward sex-ed classes, contraception and financial aid to families in need.

In addition, this bill requires abortion pills to be given in person by the physician, which isn't necessary and would increase the cost to the patient. Abortion pills are safe and effective. Obstetricians and gynecologists are in short supply in Florida. This bill will make it worse because theyd rather practice in other states where the government isnt interfering with their ability to provide care.

Abortion is an essential part of comprehensive health care. Just like any other medical intervention, it must be available equitably to all people, no matter their race or socioeconomic status. When abortion is legal, it is safe. These oppressive laws will force many people to face the known risks associated with continuing a pregnancy, including potential complications or worsening of existing health conditions, as well as morbidity and mortality associated with childbirth.

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The Jacksonville area chapter of the National Organization for Women, commonly referred to as Jax NOW, fully supports safe and legal abortion, affordable and effective contraception, medication abortion, telemedicine and reproductive health education for all. This is a personal medical decision where politicians (or anyone else) do not belong.

Abortions will never be stopped  they will just no longer be safe.

Dr. Kim Elmore, president, Jax NOW

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida's six-week abortion ban will only stop safe procedures
Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon has shared his thoughts about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, following Prince Harrys confirmation of attendance at King Charles IIIs coronation next month.

The British-born punk musician, also known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, lives just 60 miles away from Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Montecito, California home. After the couple stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, the two relocated their family to Markles home state of California. Since then, theyve shared several bombshell revelations about their time in the royal family  from their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, to their six-part Netflix docuseries, to Harrys memoir, Spare.

In an interview with The Telegraph published on 12 April, Lydon expressed his sympathy with Harry and Meghans decision to leave the United Kingdom. However, he admitted that he doesnt like the noise theyre making since walking away from the royal family.

So messy, Lydon said. If you want to be normal and outside of [the Royal Family], then f*** off. Just f*** off and shut up.

The 67-year-old singer said he can relate to Harry and Meghan because he too had to leave the Sex Pistols in 1978 and briefly disbanded his own group, Public Image Ltd, in 1993. Ive had to make decisions like this in the past. I had to leave the Pistols, I had to break up PiL a couple of times because the situation was unsustainable, he explained. And if that was their dilemma then please go away, alright? And well love you for it. But they wont. And Ive never been one for kiss and tell books.

He added: Theyre very, very spiteful to families and friends.

As for whether hes looking forward to the upcoming coronation of King Charles on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey in London, the controversial artist replied: Bonnie Prince Charlie now being king. Well, hes got his finger in very many pies. He has promised to lay off his more left-wing leanings as king but I doubt that.

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The Sex Pistols singer has often shared his thoughts about the royal family. In 1977, the punk band released their iconic song  God Save The Queen  just before the silver jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Following her death in September 2022, Lydon said it was tasteless and disrespectful of the band to financially benefit from her passing after the track was re-released earlier that year.

John Lydon wishes to distance himself from any Sex Pistols activity which aims to cash in on Queen Elizabeth IIs death, reps for Lydon tweeted at the time. The musicians in the band and their management have approved a number of requests against Johns wishes on the basis of the majority court-ruling agreement.

They continued: John wrote the lyrics to this historical song, and while he has never supported the monarchy, he feels that the family deserves some respect in this difficult time, as would be expected for any other person or family when someone close to them has died.

(Getty Images)

Just four months before her death, the musician maintained his anti-monarchy stance but praised the late Queens sense of dignity ahead of her platinum jubilee. Ive always viewed the royal family as a bunch of German tourists with a Greek thrown in I dont want to pay no more tax to keep that institution alive. But I totally respect [the queen] as a real person, Lydon told Piers Morgan on Talk TV in May 2022. Shes enjoyed that and maintained a sense of dignity. Im always attracted to pageantry.

On 12 April, Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry will attend the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla on 6 May. However, his wife Meghan will stay at home in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6 May, the Palace said in a statement on Wednesday. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The dukes confirmation at the Kings coronation comes after months of speculation over whether he would attend the ceremony. It was previously reported that Harry was seeking an apology from his father, Charles, and his brother, the Prince of Wales, before he made any commitment to the ceremony. Ahead of the publication of his tell-all memoir, Harry said in an interview that the door is always open for reconciliation.

King Charles III will be crowned during a slimmed-down coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6 May.
Water rushes down Big Cottonwood Creek as officials gather at Ledgemere Picnic Area in Big Cottonwood Canyon, for a press conference on Friday, April 14, 2023. The officials encouraged people to stay away from the spring runoff water and use extreme caution with kids and animals when around water. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Even for experienced recreationists, snowmelt this spring could make rivers faster and more treacherous than in previous years.

That's why the message from officials is simple: Stay away from moving bodies of water.

"More-than-normal temperatures and the velocities of the water, with the runoff, are going to create a very dangerous situation," Dustin Dern, assistant chief at Unified Fire Authority, told reporters at a press conference Friday at the Ledgemere Picnic Area in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Dern was joined by officials from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and the Unified Police Department to warn residents of the dangers that could come as Utah's record snowpack turns to flooding. Northern Utah got the first taste of what could be several months of floods this week, after clogged drainage systems in Kaysville and Sugar House caused significant damage to infrastructure.

Gov. Spencer Cox reassured Utahns Thursday that the state is prepared to mitigate damage from floods and said the plan has been working so far.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecasted peak flow of water through Big Cottonwood Creek this spring would narrowly beat the previous high of 925 cubic feet per second set in 1984. The forecast expects flow to peak at 930 cubic feet per second, with a high-end forecast of 1,100 feet and a low-end of 820 feet.

Flood stage for the river is 798 feet per second and the peak flow in an average year is 392 cubic feet per second.

Our latest forecast for peak flow at Big Cottonwood Creek is 930 CFS which would beat the record set in 1984. Because peak river flows are so dependent on spring weather, we issue a range of forecasts. The low-end forecast is 820 CFS and the high-end is 1,100 CFS. #utwx #flood pic.twitter.com/edplGw25ID  Colorado Basin RFC (@nwscbrfc) April 14, 2023

As far as protecting oneself from risk of drowning, Dern said, "The safest thing you can do ... is just stay away. Keep your pets away. Keep your children away. Don't try to walk across slick logs and rocks and all those things."

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Due to the high amount of water in the snowpack this year, Jason Curry, director of the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, said rivers and streams will be moving faster and with more force than in recent years.

"Last year, there were probably some areas that could easily be negotiated by anybody by crossing the stream, wading through or hopping from rock to rock," he said. "And the consequences last year might have been a little bit of getting wet, muddy, and mom and dad yell at you a little bit. But this year it's different. If you slip and fall as you're trying to cross this year, chances are you'll be swept away."

And with all that recent snowmelt running down from the mountains, water temperatures could regularly be in the 30s, Curry said.

Unified Fire Authority Assistant Chief Dustin Dern speaks as officials gather at Ledgemere Picnic Area in Big Cottonwood Canyon for a press conference on Friday, April 14, 2023. The officials encouraged people to stay away from the spring runoff water and use extreme caution with kids and animals when around water. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

"If you go into that water, it's going to be very cold, it's going to take your breath away," he said. "Your extremities are going to go numb and you're going to lose the ability to get out of it."

Because of that, Dern said if a friend or family member does fall into the water, people should call 911 rather than jumping in to try to save them.

"We all love our canyons, and we all want to be outdoors  especially in this long, long winter  and we want to go near the water, but what we're trying to tell our community today is stay away from those swift-moving waters," said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. "The reality is that we have our search and rescue teams ... that are highly trained, but I can tell you, if you fall into this water right now, we are probably going to be not rescuing you but recovering you."

For anyone who does plan to go kayaking or rafting, Curry urged bringing life jackets, helmets and any other piece of personal protective equipment.

"A lifejacket is the No. 1 factor that will keep you safe and keep you from being an unfortunate statistic," he said. "We just want everybody to enjoy the outdoors, enjoy the opportunities that Utah has to offer, but also make it home safe at the end of the day."
A juvenile was taken into police custody on a weapons charge Saturday evening at Kings Island. It was the Mason amusement park's first day of the season.

Update: Juvenile arrested near Kings Island had a handgun and 12 bullets

Original story: A juvenile was taken into police custody Saturday evening at Kings Island on a weapons charge, according to Mason police.

In a news release, police said at 6:22 p.m. they received a call of a "suspicious person" outside the park. After an investigation, a juvenile male was taken into custody on weapons-related charges.

Police declined to comment further Sunday on whether the juvenile was armed with a gun or another weapon. The Enquirer is requesting an incident report and other documents related to the incident.

A Kings Island spokesman said amid the investigation outside the entrance, park officials stopped operations in the Action Zone area of the park as a cautionary measure.

"On Saturday, April 15, at approximately 6:22 p.m., a Kings Island guest reported unusual behavior by another guest outside the park entrance and notified City of Mason police officers who were on site. Officers approached and apprehended the suspect," the release stated. "Out of caution the park temporarily suspended operation in the Action Zone area of the park. There were no safety incidents or injuries related to this arrest."

Saturday marked the first day of Kings Island's 2023 season. The Mason amusement park has been in operation since 1972.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason police: Juvenile taken into custody, accused of having weapons
Police Chief Stacey Graves said Sunday the police department is working to make sure the investigation of the shooting of a Black teenager moves as quickly as it can so the case can be presented to the Clay County prosecutor.

I want everyone to know that I am listening, Graves said at a news conference at Kansas City police headquarters downtown, and I understand the concern we are receiving from the community.

The 16-year-old boy, who family members have identified online as Ralph Yarl, was hospitalized Thursday night after he was shot while trying to pick up his younger twin brothers. Police said he went to the wrong house and was shot at that house. They have not identified the shooter or his race.

Police initially said Ralph was in stable condition but had a life-threatening injury. His current condition has not been released, other than that he is stable.

How do you protect a Black kid? Protesters demand justice in shooting of Ralph Yarl, 16

Graves said Sunday that the homeowner who allegedly shot the teen was taken into custody Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold.

While searching the scene for evidence, detectives found the firearm allegedly used.

Law enforcement released the suspect pending further investigation after consulting with the Clay County Prosecutors Office.

Graves said Missouri law allows a person to be held up to 24 hours for a felony investigation. At that point, the person must be released or arrested and formally charged.

Graves said law enforcement needs a formal victim statement, forensic evidence and other information for a case file to be completed. Because of the teens injuries, Graves said police havent been able to get a victim statement yet.

Ralph Yarl

Information that officials have now does not point to the crime being racially motivated, but Graves said that aspect also remains under investigation.

Investigators will also consider whether or not the suspect was protected within the Stand Your Ground laws, Graves said.

Story continues

Officials would not confirm the number of times the homeowner shot the victim or where his injuries were.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, who attended the news conference, said the police department understands the communitys concern that the shooting could be racially motivated. He said some members of the police department attended Sundays protest in the neighborhood where the shooting took place to listen to community members concerns.

There are a number of folks who are working on this case, he said. This is not something that has been dismissed, marginalized or diminished in any way. This is something that is getting the full attention of the Kansas City Police Department.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump told The Star on Sunday that his Florida-based law firm has been retained by the teens family.

You cant just shoot people without having justification when somebody comes knocking on your door and knocking on your door is not justification. This guy should be charged, Crump said.

Ralph Yarl

Crump has represented the families in several high-profile cases including Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, as well as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

He said the homeowner initially shot the teen in the head and then a second time after the boy fell to the ground.

The family has also retained Lee Merritt, a Texas-based civil rights attorney who has previously represented the family of Cameron Lamb, who was fatally shot by KCPD detective Eric DeValkenaere in 2019.

Crump said the homeowners actions were inexcusable and unjustified.

After he had shot him, you couldve closed your door and called the police. Why did you go out and shoot him a second time? he said. Its outrageous, is what it is. Its outrageous. You just shoot somebody because they knocked on your door.

Crump said based on what he was told by the teens family, the shooter is white.

It is inescapable not to acknowledge the racial dynamics at play, he said.

Ralph was meant to pick up his brothers from a friends house on 115th Terrace. He ended up ringing the doorbell at a home on 115th Street, Faith Spoonmore, the teens aunt, wrote online.

Spoonmore said a man opened the door, saw Ralph and shot him in the head. When Ralph fell to the ground, she said the man shot him again.

Ralph got up and ran from the property, but he had to ask at three different homes before someone helped him. Kansas City police officers said they responded to the area around 10 p.m.

Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally, Spoonmore wrote in a GoFundMe she started to raise money for Ralphs medical bills and other expenses.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's President William Ruto asked the opposition on Sunday to give talks with the government a chance while his main opponent urged his followers to protest again over electoral reforms and the high cost of living.

Thousands participated in three days of protests over two weeks in late March marred by clashes between protesters and police. The protests partly stem from accusations of fraud in August's presidential election in which Ruto narrowly beat Raila Odinga.

On Thursday, Odinga said the opposition would resume protests after the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, to coincide with talks between it and the government.

Ruto's ruling coalition has said the vote was fair, defended its economic record and called for the protests to stop, saying they cast doubt over the opposition's sincerity in participating in the talks.

"Why don't we seek what we leaders want without chaos, no destruction of property, so that we can attend to the citizens' demands, while we discuss what we want?" Ruto said.

Odinga's Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) Alliance and Ruto's Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) alliance disagree about the content of the talks and who should steer them.

Kenya Kwanza wants the talks to involve only lawmakers and discuss only the selection of electoral officials.

Azimio says others should take part and the talks should also review the 2022 elections and discuss measures to address the cost of living.

The talks are due to start on Tuesday, Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said on Saturday.

In late March, Odinga suspended the protests after an appeal from Ruto, but he repeated his call for protests at a rally in Nairobi on Sunday.

"If we don't hear from Ruto next week, when Ramadan ends, we are going back to the streets," he said.

(This story has been refiled to refer to multiple protests in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Additional reporting by Jefferson Kahinju; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) on Sunday rejected claims of a double-standard, saying the absence of Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) varies greatly from that of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who Khanna says should resign from the upper chamber.

Well, only in Washington would [you] get criticized for saying something so obvious, Khanna told Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday. I have a lot of respect for Sen. Feinstein, but shes missed 75 percent of votes this year. She hasnt been showing up and she has no intention. We dont know if shes even going to show up. She has no return date.

In contrast, Sen. Fetterman has said that hes going to show back up on April 17th, Khanna added.

Khanna and Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) both called on Feinstein to step down from her position last week due to her absence in the upper chamber due to her health issues. Feinstein, 89, announced she was hospitalized for shingles last month and has not revealed a timeline for her return to the Senate.

The calls for Feinsteins resignation sparked some criticism among some Democrats who decried the calls for her to step down, pointing to male senators who have also taken leaves of absence.

Ive never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate in that way, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said last week.

Fetterman was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last month after being treated for depression for six weeks, and plans to return to the Senate on Monday. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also took a five-week long absence after suffering a concussion at a private dinner in early March, but plans to also return Monday.

So, its one thing to take medical leave and come back, Khanna said on Sunday. Its another thing where youre just not doing the job.

Khanna doubled down on his calls for the California senators resignation, saying that she needs to show up to do her job.

Story continues

The reality here is theres the sense, well, you need to have a deference to these senators who have served so long, he said. How about a deference to the American people? How about an expectation that if you sign up to do one of these jobs, you show up?

Feinstein asked the Senate to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee amid the calls for her resignation. The senator also announced earlier this year that she will not be seeking reelection.

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

For the first time in history, the British monarchy is officially supporting research looking into its history of involvement in the slave trade and support for slavery. King Charles III announced this decision after a recent story exposed more of the royal familys long ties to slavery, and it comes amidst current accusations of racism in the monarchy.

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of King Charles III after being contacted by The Guardian, the monarchy said it will support research being conducted by the Historic Royal Palaces and Manchester University into the crowns ties to slavery. Specifically, the royal household is supporting this research through access to the royal collection and the royal archives.

Such access explicitly to study records regarding slavery is a new step for the monarchy, which has generally attempted to downplay its sordid past concerning racism and the slave trade.

The move came after The Guardian published a reported detailing the extent to which Charles ancestors, King William III and Queen Mary II, were personally involved in the slave trade during their rule of England in the late 1600s. King William, in particular, is documented to have received significant shares in the Royal African Country, which administered much of the English slave trade. Profits from the royal familys involvement in the slave trade were used to build Kensington Palace, which is still used as one of the royal familys main homes. William III was one of many British monarchs and ancestors of the current royals who were heavily involved in the countrys slave operations.

The announcement from King Charles comes as the British monarchy has come under sustained criticism for its treatment of race in the UK. The death of Queen Elizabeth II last year opened up new scrutiny of the monarchy, as its history of colonialism and oppression became a topic of conversation. There have been widespread accusations and reports of racism coming from the royal family towards Meghan Markle, who married Charles younger son, Prince Harry, in 2018. Buckingham Palace has denied that it was racist towards Markle or that the royal family drove her and Prince Harry, Charles younger son, to relocate to the United States. Harry will reportedly attend his fathers official coronation ceremony, while Markle will stay in the US, a move that many interpret as reflecting continued tensions between her and the royals.

While Charless new willingness to confront his familys racist past will not fix the monarchys image or mend the fractured royal family, it could symbolize a willingness to change. By moving from denial to acknowledgment, the British royal family can start to set a new course for itself when it comes to issues of race, discrimination and oppression.
King Charles's coronation takes place on May 6 in London. Max Mumby/Getty Images

King Charles has a personal fortune worth nearly $750 million, The Sunday Times reported.

Analysis by the London newspaper found he is worth about $285 million more than the late Queen.

A former aide said Charles became scrupulous with his finances after divorcing Princess Diana.

King Charles has a personal fortune of nearly $750 million, eclipsing the net worth of the late Queen by hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a news report.

Analysis by The Sunday Times suggested the King is worth 600 million (about $745 million), while his mother had a personal fortune of about 370 million ($460 million) in the London newspaper's 2022 Rich List that was released before she died last September.

An unnamed former advisor to Charles told the newspaper that Charles became scrupulous with his finances in the wake of his high-profile divorce from Princess Diana in 1996 that cost him 17 million (about $21 million today).

The advisor told The Sunday Times that following his divorce Charles began saving profits from the Duchy of Cornwall, a property empire now controlled by his eldest son, Prince William.

The value of the Duchy of Cornwall rose by $350 million in a decade under Charles's stewardship. It generated 23 million ($28.5 million) in profits last year and 212 million ($263 million) in the decade to 2022. Charles chose to pay income tax on that income.

However, a large chunk of his fortune comes from the 20,000 acre Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which the newspaper estimated is now worth 245 million. The home and its farmland have been owned by the royals for more than 160 years.

An aerial view of the Sandringham estate. David Goddard/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Balmoral castle and its 50,000 acres in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which Prince Albert bought for Queen Victoria in 1852, is thought to be worth 210 million ($260 million).

This year's Rich List will be published in May, yet Charles is unlikely to be placed in the top 250. He is likely to be ahead of David and Victoria Beckham, who were worth 380 million ($472 million) in last year's ranking, and Sir Elton John, who was worth 395 million ($490 million).

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The 2022 Rich List was topped by brothers Sri and Gopi Hinduja, whose net worth soared by more than 11 billion to 28.5 billion ($35.4 billion)  the biggest fortune in the list's 34-year history.

King Charles, whose coronation will be held on May 6, developed a reputation for frugality while he waited decades to rise to the throne. This extended to personal behavior, with the then-Prince of Wales known to always switch off lights when he left a room, according to a BBC documentary reported by Wales Online.

He also has a tendency to wear the same clothes, avoiding excessive spending on new outfits. His frugality could also reflect his environmental consciousness.

As King, Charles is now in control of the Crown Estate, worth about 15.6 billion ($19.4 billion). The profits of the estate go to the UK government's Treasury, with Charles receiving 25% back.

The Crown Estate didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
High-profile tech entrepreneur Bob Lee was stabbed to death outside a luxury apartment building in San Francisco in the early hours of 4 April.

The 43-year-old was found at 2.35am outside a luxury high rise apartment on the 300 block of Main St, near Rincon Hill and the Bay Bridge, with life-threatening stab wounds, the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement.

The tech executive was treated at the scene by first responders before being rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries, police said.

Police arrested fellow tech executive Nima Momeni on 13 April in connection with the killing and he was booked into the San Francisco Sheriffs Jail. The reported arrest has yet to be officially confirmed by the San Francisco Police Department.

Heres what we know so far about the murder.

Attacked a block from Google HQ

The San Francisco Police Department said in a statement that Lee was found with two stab wounds to the chest in Downtown San Francisco between Soma and the Financial District, a block from Googles San Francisco headquarters.

Cash App creator Bob Lee has reportedly been stabbed to death in San Francisco (MobileCoin)

Friend and MMA fighter Jake Shields tweeted that Lee appeared to have been the victim of a random mugging in the good part of the city.

The tweet caught the attention of Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who offered his condolences and called on San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins to take tougher action against violent criminals.

Many people I know have been severely assaulted, Mr Musk tweeted. Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately. Is the city taking stronger action to incarcerate repeat violent offenders Brooke Jenkins?

Elon Musk has been a frequent critic of efforts to reform criminal justice in San Francisco (Associated Press)

Ms Jenkins later tweeted her sincerest condolences to Lees grief-stricken family and friends.

We do not tolerate these horrific acts of violence in San Francisco, she added.

Responding to Mr Musk, she said: No one who commits a violent crime, or whos a repeat offender are receiving overly lenient plea deals.

Story continues

A suspect arrested more than a week after attack

On 13 April it was reported that San Francisco police had arrested fellow tech executive Nima Momeni in connection with the fatal stabbing.

Mr Momeni has been booked into the San Francisco Sheriffs Jail.

This is the first step toward justice, Ms Lee said from her home in Miami, where Bob Lee had moved from Mill Valley, California, last year.

Police in San Francisco arrested Mr Momeni on Thursday.

Mr Momeni, 38, allegedly stabbed the 43-year-old after being involved in an altercation while driving in San Franciscos Rincon Hill area early on 4 April.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott confirmed Mr Momeni had been charged with one count of murder at a press conference on Thursday.

The suspect was arrested without incident at an address in Emeryville, a city in the Bay Area, early on Thursday.

The Mission Local news site was the first to report the arrest and said that the pair were known to each other.

Mr Momeni appeared in court for the first time on Friday after the case sparked a furious debate about public safety in the city.

A crowd of reporters packed into the courtroom as the suspects sister Khazar Momeni, also called Khazar Elyassnia, attended the hearing with her husband, Dr Dino Elyassnia, and three other members of the family, according to Mr Momenis temporary lawyer Robert Canny, The San Francisco Standard reported.

The suspect was wearing an orange sweatshirt and sweatpants as his sister and another woman held up her hands in the shape of a heart as the suspect smiled at them.

Mr Momenis arraignment was initially set to take place on Friday, but it has now been rescheduled for 25 April.

He will be represented for the rest of the proceedings by Mr Cannys sister, Paula Canny, a private lawyer from Burlingame, California who wasnt present on Friday, the paper noted.

The facts of what occurred, or didnt occur, will come out over time, Mr Canny said, stepping in for his vacationing sister.

Mr Momeni didnt speak in court except to say yes, your honour when he was asked if he agreed to decline his right to a quick trial.

The suspect is set to remain in custody without bail. He didnt enter a plea on Friday and he didnt make any comments. His next appearance is set to take place at 9am PT on 25 April.

Booking records from the San Francisco County jail show that Mr Momeni was booked in on a murder charge at 9.19am on Thursday.

The arrest was earlier confirmed by Lees ex-wife Krista, his brother Tim Oliver Lee, and city officials on Thursday.

Onlookers ignored Lees plea for help

Surveillance footage appears to capture Lee approaching a parked car clutching one side of his body and bleeding heavily from stab wounds.

The 43-year-old father of two lifts his shirt to show the driver the extent of his injuries, but rather than help, the motorist speeds off.

Those last tragic moments as he stumbled down Main St in San Franciscos downtown district at 2.30am on Tuesday in search of help were caught on CCTV and viewed by journalists from The San Francisco Standard.

The footage did not capture the stabbing, but shows Lee walking along a deserted sidewalk on Main St with his mobile phone in one hand and holding his side with the other, The Standard reported.

Bob Lee, who founded the Cash App, was stabbed to death in the early hours of Tuesday morning in San Francisco (Twitter / Bob Lee)

The Cash App founder then crosses at the intersection with Harrison St toward where a white Toyota Camry with flashing lights is parked.

The footage reportedly shows Lee lift up his shirt in a plea for help, and then fall to the ground as the driver pulls away.

Lee then gets back to his feet and starts to retrace his steps along Main St in the direction of the Bay Bridge before collapsing again outside the Portside apartment building at 403 Main St.

He could be heard pleading for help on a 911 call made at 2.34am, according to The Standard.

The news site reported that it witnessed staff members cleaning what appeared to be blood from the side of the building on Wednesday.

Father says he lost his best friend

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Lees grieving father Rick Lee described the slain tech mogul as his best friend.

Mr Lee Sr wrote that the pair had lived together in Mill Valley, California, since the death of his wife in 2019, before relocating to Miami in October last year.

Bob would give you the shirt off his back. He would never look down on anyone and adhered to a strict no-judgment philosophy, his father wrote.

Rick Lee wrote that life has been an adventure with two bachelors living together, and the pair had grown close in recent years: Bobby worked harder than anyone and was the smartest person I have ever known. He will be missed by all those that knew him.

Bob Lee pictured at the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 on the day that Square, now known as Block, listed as a public company (Facebook / Bob Lee)

Bob Lees brother Tim wrote in a separate post that he was saddened and disheartened over the senseless slaying.

Lee reportedly separate from his wife Krista in 2019. They have two daughters, Dagny and Scout.

Crazy Bob

Bob Lee was a much-loved member of the San Francisco tech community, where he was affectionately known as Crazy Bob.

After working as an open source code developer in Missouri, where he attended St Louis University, Lee moved to San Francisco in his early 20s in 2004 to work as an engineer at Google, according to the San Francisco Standard. There he led a team that developed the first Android app.

Lee was headhunted by Square, becoming its 13th employee, where he helped launch the Cash App and became the payment firms first chief technology officer in 2011, a Linkedin profile shows.

Bob Lee, known to his friends as Crazy Bob, was knifed to death in central San Francisco early on Tuesday morning (Twitter / Bob Lee)

After leaving Square in 2014, he invested in several tech startups including Clubhouse, Beeper and Faire, and the female-focused social media and networking company Present. He identified as a stay at home dad in an online blog post during this period.

In 2021, Lee joined MobileCoin, a crypto payment firm, as its chief product officer.

Stabbing shakes San Francisco tech community

Lees former boss Jack Dorsey was one of many well-known San Francisco tech entrepreneurs to express their shock and grief at his death.

Its real, Mr Dorsey wrote on his social network Nostr. Getting calls. Heartbreaking. Bob was instrumental to Square and Cash App. STL guy, he wrote, in an apparent reference to Lees hometown of St Louis.

MobileCoin CEO Joshua Goldbard wrote that Lee was an incredible human being.

Bob was so much more than a technologist. Bob was an artist. Everywhere he went Bob breathed love into this world. He had so much deep heartfelt love. Traveling with Bob was like seeing the world for the first time, Mr Goldbard wrote.

As a lifelong Bay Area resident I have more questions than answers tonight. I dont know how to fix whats wrong, but I know something isnt working in our grey city, he added.

Tributes poured in for the slain tech founder from his many friends in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Jack Dorsey at the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, Florida (Marco Bello/AFP via Getty Images)

He was a generous decent human being who didnt deserve to be killed, Bill Barhydt, CEO of Abra, posted on Twitter.

So sad to hear of @crazybobs untimely passing, Figma CEO Dylan Field wrote on Twitter. I first met him in summer 2006  he didnt care that I was only 14 and we talked tech / geeked out about programming. We remained connected over the years and he was an early supporter of Figma. Its so hard to believe he is gone.

Other Silicon Valley executives laid the blame for Lees death on Mayor London Breed and the citys Board of Supervisors.

Congratulations, your policies have claimed another life, wrote Alan Alden, a Palo Alto financier who was friends with Lee.

Venture capitalist Matt Ocko, another friend, wrote on Twitter that Chesa Boudin, & the criminal-loving city council that enabled him & a lawless SF for years, have Bobs literal blood on their hands.

Mr Boudin was Ms Jenkins predecessor as San Francisco district attorney and had become publicly associated with liberal policies on criminal justice.

On the San Francisco Reddit forum, friends and acquaintances of Lee expressed frustration at all the needless violence.

Something seriously needs to change in this city, one wrote.

Crime in San Francisco

San Francisco is often portrayed as a lawless city where drug use and homelessness have fueled a surge in violent crime and robberies.

That narrative led in part to former District Attorney Chesa Boudin being ousted in a recall election in June last year, after he sought to eliminate cash bail and reduce the prison population.

Ms Jenkins took over as District Attorney on a platform of balancing criminal justice reform while making stiffer penalties for violent offenders, and won re-election last November,

Members of the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Teams Encampment Resolution Team speak to with homeless people in San Francisco in 2022 (file) (Associated Press.)

Figures from the San Francisco Police Departments crime reports show the situation is more complicated than often portrayed.

While some violent crime began increasing during the pandemic, rates were still much lower than in previous years.

In 2022, homicide rates remained flat at 55, exactly the same number as the previous year. Homicides hit a 56-year low in the city in 2019, when 41 people were killed in the city.

There have been 12 homicides in the city so far in 2023, preliminary data shows.

Aggravated assault, robbery and rape increased in 2022, but was still much lower than in 2016, 2017 and 2018, according to San Francisco crime statistics.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas military says it fired warning shots to repel a North Korean patrol vessel that temporarily crossed the countries disputed western sea boundary while chasing a Chinese fishing boat.

The North Korean patrol boat crossed the so-called Northern Limit Line at around 11 a.m. Saturday while pursuing the Chinese boat in waters near South Koreas Baekryeong island but immediately retreated after a South Korean naval vessel fired warning shots, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

While there were no exchanges of fire between the North and South Korean vessels, the South Korean high-speed vessel collided with the Chinese boat as it responded to the intrusion amid poor visibility, causing bruises and other minor injuries to some of the South Korean sailors.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean military activities while preparing for various possibilities of provocations.

South Koreas navy has often fired warning shots to repel North Korean vessels crossing the countries poorly marked sea border, but there also have been some deadly clashes over the years. South Korea blamed North Korea for an attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors in 2010, but the North has denied responsibility.

Saturdays intrusion came amid heightened tensions in the region as the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises aimed at countering the North Korean threat have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct another large-scale joint exercise from next week involving some 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets. Seouls Defense Ministry said the aerial drills, which will be begin Monday and continue through April 28, are aimed at sharpening combined operational abilities and demonstrating the allies joint defense posture in the face of North Korean threats.

Story continues

North Korea last week staged one of its most provocative military displays in years by test-launching what it described as a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which if perfected could potentially give the North a more powerful and harder-to-detect weapon targeting the mainland United States.

South Korean officials also say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for more than a week, which raises concerns about potential kinetic provocations as communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals sea borders.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries conducted their biggest field exercises in years last month and separately held joint naval and air force drills involving a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable U.S. bombers. The exercises prompted fierce protests from the North, which describes those drills as invasion rehearsals while continuously using them as a pretext to push forward its own weapons development.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired more than 100 missiles into the sea, including three different types of ICBMs and various shorter-range missiles it describes as battlefield nuclear weapons, as it tries to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea.

South Korea has patrolled waters around the Northern Limit Line for decades after it was drawn up by the U.N. command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea does not recognize the line and insists upon a boundary that encroaches deeply into waters currently controlled by the South.
Christo Ayoub was the kind of person who believed his treasures were stored in Heaven. "His main concern was to just bring light to people that were not aware of God," said his daughter, Carol Sfeir.

But that also meant, according to Sfeir, that here on Earth, in Orange, California, finances were tight when it came time for Christo's funeral. So, she turned to the place so many of us do to try to find a deal.

Burbank asked, "Did anybody in your family initially think that you had lost your mind when you said I found a casket on the Internet, and it's more affordable? Did they think, 'Oh wait, Carol's losing it?'"

"Yeah, a little bit!"

Facing mounting costs, Sfeir learned that she didn't have to buy the casket from the funeral home: "I asked, because the price was so, you know, outrageous. You can only save in so many areas, so you just have to cut corners where you can."

And her search for savings led her to Josh and Liz Siegel's company, Titan Casket. The Siegels are looking to, as they say, "disrupt" the casket industry by changing how people buy them, and what they pay.

Titan says they now sell thousands of caskets a year direct to consumers online. / Credit: CBS News

"There are two large casket manufacturers that control 85% of production, and they only sell to funeral homes," said Josh. "And when a family walks into a funeral home, they're often not shopping around. They don't know what things should cost. Those dynamics over time have meant that there's massive markups on caskets."

The average American funeral costs about $10,000; the average casket more than $2,000.

Titan's caskets average around $1,000. "We see ourselves more as providing a service and an education for people who contact us," said Liz. "We want everybody ultimately to feel like they have had a choice."

Consumers now have a greater choice when purchasing coffins, thanks to Titan Casket's online sales. You can even

And that choice is due to an obscure Federal Trade Commission ruling from 1984, called the "Funeral Rule," which says, basically, that funeral homes must provide customers with a list of prices for their services, and allow them to buy a casket from wherever they choose  including, these days, from Amazon, where Titan co-founder Scott Ginsberg got his start.

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He said, "As technology has changed, this industry hasn't changed in over a hundred years. Why not?"

"Is the real difference, you're just not marking these up as much?" asked Burbank.

"That's correct. We're not marking them up, and we still have a great company, and we're not, you know, taking advantage of the consumer."

Residential deliveries are available. / Credit: CBS News

Titan says they now sell thousands of caskets a year direct to consumers. But even with that success, they may be trying to grow in an industry that is, pardon the pun, dying.

Caitlin Doughty is a mortician and writer who says Americans should really reconsider the funeral. "Cremation right now is the dominant method of disposing of a dead human body in the United States; almost 60 percent of people are cremated, and not all those people need a casket," she said. "And so, when you take away the embalming and you take away the casket, it's kind of like, what is the role of the funeral director?"

Doughty said the sooner we get comfortable talking about death and dying, the better decisions we'll be able to make. "I absolutely think what Titan is doing to offer lower prices is important, because everybody should be able to make really informed choices," she said.

And Carol Sfeir would agree. She said an informed choice (and a little internet clicking) helped her honor her beloved dad. "It was really the only casket that suited him," she said. "So, I believe he would be happy with that."



For more info:

Titan CasketMortician and writer Caitlin DoughtyChristo Ayoub's Remember Your Creator



Story produced by Amol Mhatre. Editor: Remington Korper.

Face the Nation: Grisham, Turner, Lagarde

Christine Lagarde says U.S. default on debt not possible ahead of approaching deadline

Rep. Mike Turner says there's "damage that's been done" in Pentagon leak
Photo provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 15 April 1994 in Pasadena, Ca, shows false-color composite image of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines taken by Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on orbit 78 13 April 1994. IMAGING RADAR / JPL / AFP

The shot-down Chinese spy balloon may have had synthetic aperture radar, the Washington Post reports.

The technology has the ability to observe objects in the dark or through clouds.

SAR is used around the world by organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency.

In February, a high-altitude balloon with surveillance capabilities connected to China flew over the continental US before being shot down over the Atlantic.

At the time, much about the balloon wasn't known publicly, but a new trove of Pentagon documents leaked on Discord show it  and up to four other previously unknown spy balloons like it  could have had a feature known as "synthetic aperture radar" that can see through certain objects, the Washington Post reported.

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old US National Guard airman, was arrested Thursday in connection to the leaks.

US intelligence agencies believed this because the balloon, which officials named Killeen-23 in an apparent reference to 1940s mobster Donald Killeen, was equipped with the ability to generate up to 10,000 watts of solar power  enough to power a typical home  which could support such abilities.

"The amount of solar power generated by the panels on the Chinese stratospheric balloon that NSA named Killeen-23 is excessive for a weather balloon," the document reads.

Synthetic aperture radar is the solution to the problem with real aperture radar, which cannot create high-resolution images without an impractically large antenna. SAR "synthesizes" a large antenna, but the concept is the same  it releases bursts of electromagnetic energy to an object on Earth, and a sensor then records the wavelength of energy it receives back, according to NASA. These sensor readings then allow the radar to create a reconstruction of whatever objects are below the energy beam.

Because SAR isn't taking photos and is instead using electromagnetic data to create a high-resolution image, the technology can "see" in the dark, as well as through clouds, smoke, soil, and rain. It can also help with three-dimensional reconstructions, unlike cameras, which can only capture what is openly visible from above.

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The technology, invented in 1951, is used all over the world by science organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency to observe the earth's topography.

It is also used in war to spy on adversaries. Recently, a Canadian satellite operator helped Ukraine by providing SAR imagery to officials. The imagery allowed Ukrainian officials to monitor Russian troop movements during inclement weather and cloudy days.

The documents also reveal that certain functions of the balloons are still unknown to US intelligence, as certain sensors on the device are labeled as "unidentified" in photos.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Senator Lindsey Graham chastised Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for defending the US Air National Guardsman who leaked sensitive documents that included Ukrainian troop information.

The senator appeared on ABC News and spoke with journalist Jon Karl, who asked the lawmaker about her stance.

"For any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible," Mr Graham replied.

Ms Greene issued a tweet on 13 April defending Jack Teixeira  who she mistakenly called Jake  a US Air National Guardsman who allegedly leaked sensitive documents to members of his private Discord server. Mr Teixeira was not acting in a whistleblower capacity when he leaked the documents, but allegedly hoped to use the documents to impress his teenage friends in the server.

"Jake [Jack] Teixeira is a male, christian, and antiwar," she wrote. "That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime."

She went on to claim that he "told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more."

"Ask yourself who is the real enemy," she wrote. "A young low level national guardsmen? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers?"

Mr Graham said what Ms Greene and other boosters  like Fox News' Tucker Carlson  "are suggesting will destroy America's ability to defend itself."

After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defends alleged Pentagon leaker, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @jonkarl, For any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible." https://t.co/s9epdIQ28t pic.twitter.com/POZRRy6NJs  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 16, 2023

"That it's OK to release classified information based on your political views," he said. "That the ends justify the means. It is not ok. If you're a member of the military intelligence community, and you disagree with American policy, and you think you're going to be ok when it comes to leaking classified information, you're going to go to jail."

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The Senator said it was "one of the most irresponsible statements you could make."

"There is no justification for this," he said.

Ms Greene posted a fake image of Mr Graham to her Twitter account in which the senator appears to be holding a can of Bud Light featuring trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. The original photo shows Mr Graham holding a glass of beer.

There was no text to accompany the photo so the image may not be a direct rebuttal to Mr Grahams rebuke.

The congresswoman also told right-wing commenter Charlie Kirk that she believes there needs to be an opposition party if Republicans wont address the serious problems the nation is facing.

Ms Greene has been a frequent critic of the USs involvement with Ukraines defense against Russias invasion.

Mr Teixeira was arrested earlier this week by federal law enforcement. He was formally charged on Friday for leaking classified documents.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) slammed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Sunday for comments she made last week defending the 21-year-old National Guardsman suspected of leaking classified documents online.

[Jack] Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more, Greene, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, said on Twitter following Teixieras arrest Thursday. "Ask yourself who is the real enemy? A young low level national guardsmen? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers?

Graham denounced Greenes comment, calling it one of the most irresponsible statements you could make.

There are military members serving today from Georgia and other places who are less safe because of what this airman did, Graham said on ABCs This Week. There is no justification for this, and for any member of Congress to suggest it's OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.



Teixiera, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, is accused of uploading dozens of secret documents detailing sensitive intelligence and defense information on the social media website Discord. He was arraigned in a Boston court on Friday, charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of classified national defense information.

The leak is seen as potentially having serious implications for Ukrainians on the battlefield and has frustrated several U.S. allies.

Graham, who was speaking from Israel after wrapping up a trip to Saudi Arabia, said the leak has been very damaging in the region.

There's information about the air defense capability of the Ukraine and everybody in the region [is] really worried because who wants to share information with the United States if you're gonna read about it in the paper or find it on the internet? This has done a lot of damage to us in the region, Graham said.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated the branch of the militia that Jack Teixiera is a member of.
Kenya Moore won Miss USA back in 1993, but shed better watch out, because someone rather close to her may be after that crown.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star shared an adorable photo of herself with her daughter, Brooklyn Doris Daly, and fans are certain the clap-back queen has a pageant winner in the making.

Moore and the 4-year-old wore different shades of pink as their dresses flowed with the wind. The preschooler seemed to have learned a few things about posing from her mother because they mimicked each other as each lady lifted one leg.

Kenya Moore shares a photo of her and her daughter Brooklyn Daly from Easter. (Photo: @kenya/Instagram.)

You are never alone when you walk by faith, Moore captioned the post.

The photo received over 62,000 likes and over 800 comments from fans about the mother-daughter duo. Fellow Housewives Sheree Whitfield, Chanel Ayan, Drew Sidora, and Candiace Dilliard also chimed in, sharing an array of heart-eye emojis. But many focused solely on Kenyas mini-me.

Its her daughter pose for me

Brooklyn is THE MOMENT! Shes in the spotlight! My niece knows shes fabulous and auntie loves that

Awww her little leg up like her momma

So happy Kenya got her happy ending #teamtwirl4ever

Earlier this year, Moore said her daughter meant the world to her while discussing her traumatic childhood background on Foxs new show, Special Forces: Worlds Toughest Test.

I had her very late in life, and I wanted to be the type of mom to my daughter that I never had, Moore voiced.

She looks sooooo much like my grandmother #rhoahttps://t.co/oa91M5zm8x  KENYA MOORE (@KenyaMoore) August 1, 2022

During the fourth episode, the 52-year-old discussed being raised by her grandmother, Doris Grant, after her mother, Patricia Moore, abandoned her.

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Patricia and Moores father, Ronald Grant, had her when they were both very young. This caused Doris to come in and raise Moore as her own.

I wasnt raised by my mom, Moore said in the episode. My mother didnt want to have me, so my grandmother asked if she could have me. But after that my mother just kind of like pretended that she never had a child.



Since her childhood, Patricia and Moore have been estranged for years though they continue working on their relationship. As an act of good faith, Patricia sent her granddaughter a gift for her first birthday.

The reality diva shares her only child with her estranged husband, Marc Daly. The strained couple welcomed their daughter in 2018, one year before they decided to split. Moore filed for divorce in 2021 but it has yet to be finalized.

Fans can prepare to watch Moore and her daughter in the upcoming season of RHOA, which debuts May 7.
Rep. Liz Harris (R-Chandler) answers questions from House Speaker Pro-Tempore Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert) during a House Ethics Committee public hearing regarding an ethics complaint filled against her in Phoenix on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Phoenix.

The Arizona House rose to the occasion on Wednesday, voting to expel Rep. Liz Harris for her role in smearing multiple public officials and private citizens who were accused of accepting bribes from a Mexican drug cartel.

Republicans and Democrats finally found something they could agree upon: Harris had to go.

This, after the House Ethics Committee unanimously concluded that Harris not only knew what her invited speaker was likely to say during a livestreamed February hearing on elections but that the freshman legislator actually took steps to hide the details from House leadership.

Then she lied about it to the ethics panel.

The Committee finds that, prior to the Joint Hearing, Representative Harris knew or was at least aware that (Jacqueline) Breger would present criminal allegations at the Joint Hearing and REJECTS Representative Harris testimony to the contrary, the ethics panel wrote, in one of five findings that she engaged in disorderly behavior.

The far-right voted against Harris' ouster

The committees nine-page report, issued on Tuesday, was enough to put Harris on a fast track out of the Capitol.

Naturally, the bulk of the chamber's far-right contingent had Harris' back, including House Ethics Chairman Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale.

Rep. Alexander Kolodin of Scottsdale was among 13 Republicans who voted against expulsion, saying it set a bad precedent and sent a message that if you rock the boat too much, you will get expelled.

Actually, it set a precedent that if you scheme  without evidence  to publicly accuse dozens of people of crimes then lie about it, perhaps you dont quite meet the ethical standards we should expect of our leaders.

County supervisors will choose her replacement

Previously: Ethics panel delays findings in Harris hearing

Harris' star witness slimed dozens of officials

Harris, a Chandler Republican and one of the Legislatures most energetic election deniers, was allowed to hold an all-day joint legislative hearing in February, during which she could produce witnesses to talk about the many ways in which our elections were supposedly stolen.

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For the last presentation of the day, she invited Breger to testify, wherein the Scottsdale insurance agent proceeded to slime dozens of public officials and private citizens, making preposterous, evidence-free claims that they all accepted bribes from the Sinaloa drug cartel.

About 30 minutes into the 40-minute smear job, Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, objected to the presentation and asked Breger who invited her to testify.

Breger replied that Representative Harris had invited her and then Representative Harris made a gesture moving her hand across her neck and mouthed something to Breger, the report noted.

Im guessing we all know what Harris meant.

Harris knew in advance and lied about it

Unfortunately, for her, theres ample evidence  in text messages, in statements from others  that Harris knew exactly what Breger would say. She even commended Breger after the hearing.

You were brave. I knew they would shut it down, she texted Breger, adding, took them longer than I thought.

The ethics panel found, among other things, that Harris:

Knew or was at least aware that Breger would make criminal allegations during the hearing and lied about it to the panel.

Took steps to avoid compliance with House rules that required advance disclosure of her presentation.

Lied to the ethics panel when she said she was surprised or upset by the testimony.

The Committee does not lightly issue this report but the findings are necessary to protect the integrity of the House, the panel wrote, in finding that Harris behavior was disorderly.

She needed to go for that behavior

You know what was also necessary to protect the integrity of the House?

A Harris-free environment.

Its been clear since that February hearing that Harris needed to go.

Now, about Sen. Wendy Rogers, who chaired that joint elections hearing and allowed Breger to wax on unchallenged for fully 40 minutes ... .

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Liz Harris is expelled from the Arizona House. Cue the applause
Joe Joyce, pictured, lost to Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

Joe Joyce suffered a crushing defeat by Zhilei Zhang after a sixth-round stoppage at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Referee Howard Foster called off the contest with Joyce sustaining significant swelling to his right eye as Chinas Zhang secured the WBO interim heavyweight title.

Londoner Joyce, 37, had been expected to successfully defend his position as WBO interim champion, and maintain his unbeaten record in his 16th bout.

But 39-year-old Zhangs straight left hand did the damage, leaving Joyce on unsteady legs as early as the opening round.

The ringside doctor examined Joyces damaged eye before the start of the sixth, and he was called for a second time during the same round before Foster stopped the fight.

I am disappointed with my performance, said Joyce, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. It was a good fight, but I could have done better.

I have not fought against a southpaw for so long. Credit to him. He is a good fighter and I gave it my all.

But I expected to win. I would like to apologise to all my fans and my supporters. I will be back and my journey is not over.
Corach Rambler with trainer Lucinda Russell (left) and Peter Scudamore (Steve Welsh/PA) (PA Wire)

Randox Grand National winner Corach Rambler returned to a heros welcome at his trainer Lucinda Russells Kinross base on Sunday.

Sent off the 8-1 favourite, the nine-year-old coasted through the Aintree showpiece to beat Vanillier by two and a quarter lengths.

He was partnered by Derek Fox, who suffered an injury scare in the days leading up to the race but returned in time to land a second National with Russell after One For Arthur in 2017.

Only three horses trained in Scotland have ever won the historic contest, and Russell is responsible for two of them.

Scores of people were on hand to welcome Corach Rambler and Apple Away, a Grade One winner on Friday, back to Russells Arlary House Stables, in Milnathort, north of Edinburgh.

Russell said: It is just amazing. We were coming up the M6 last night what Corach does is very important to us because we know him so well and you just wonder whether other people feel the same way.

It was just amazing driving in today, the number of cars and people and the support he has.

I know he was favourite in the race the but it is just lovely, how important he is to the community, not just the racing community.

It is pretty overwhelming I have to say.

Russell admitted she did not see much of the race itself having been overcome with emotion.

I didnt really see very much of it because I was crying so much, she said.

I wasnt sure he was going to be able to lie up with the pace, but Derek managed to bounce him up quite handy,

I wasnt sure he would take to the fences, he hadnt jumped round there before and he jumped the first two or three and I wasnt sure.

But he jumped Bechers Brook and suddenly he was like I love this and you could see his body shape and stuff and after that he just loved it and I thought we had a right chance.

The race itself was delayed by around 15 minutes due to a group of animal rights activists, and Russell feels education is the way forward if the two sides can ever sit around a table.

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I have always said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, said Russell.

I would like them to be a little bit more educated in their opinion.

If they could come and see the horses, understand that we are doing everything that we can. We cant reduce risk to zero, you just cant.

I get that some people dont like racing, that is fine, but I would like them to come and see how well they are looked after.

Any race yard would gladly let people come and see them but I suppose for a lot of the stuff they dont want to be educated, they are quite happy making the decision that it is not their thing.

Russells partner and assistant, eight-times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, rides Corach Rambler every morning and his pride shone through.

I am so pleased now that the world gets this wonderful horse, he said.

There is an immense, smug satisfaction of a job well done

Peter Scudamore

I could use all the words and try and explain what a wonderful horse it is, he has gone and shown it. There is an immense, smug satisfaction of a job well done. I will have a drink, but I dont feel party-ish, its a job well done.

He hit the front sooner than we expected but that is the genius of Derek Fox, he allowed it.

He is a remarkable horse but he is not an elaborate jumper. He is Red Rum-ish in his efficiency. He now goes up to another grade. He has done everything I have asked of him.

He might not run until late autumn. He will spend the summer in the paddock.

As if proof were needed of the reach of the National, Scudamore revealed they had received a congratulatory message from a very famous person.

We have some lovely owners and we had lunch with them one day and they said we have a guest coming and Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad) from Abba turned up, said Scudamore.

She was just the most beautiful person, as a human not just in her beauty itself. Unbelievable, just so kind. I felt really humbled. She was kind enough to ask me about horses and stuff.

We were driving up the motorway yesterday and the phone went ping and it was the owners, shed said tell Scu and Lucinda well done.

After the lunch we had said, who is the most famous person we had ever met and we couldnt come up with anyone more famous  the Queen, well that didnt count I dont think.

That is the Grand National. We live in this bubble of racing that doesnt really step outside but that makes you realise, Frida from Abba  as big as it gets!

Thomas Kendall is one of The Ramblers  the seven-strong syndicate lucky enough to own the winner.

Yesterday was life-changing in terms of that moment when he crossed the finish line, he said.

You never think you are going to have a Grand National winner when you start buying into horses, but here I am with a double Cheltenham winner and a Grand National winner. It is the stuff of dreams really, isnt it?

I am not sure where I go from here because it is probably not going to get better than that. Absolutely amazing.

We have not actually worked it (prize-money) all out, but I definitely know we have nudging over 500,000 between us. So clearly that works out pretty well.

I havent worked out what I am going to do with it, but it is going to be there for the spending  I am not going to save it, put it that way.
Clubcard Prices are part of Tesco's new strategy

Supermarket shoppers have long been on the lookout for yellow stickers placed on cut-price products at the end of the aisle that are approaching their best-before date.

Now the use of the big yellow label has extended to other in-store discounts - specifically lower prices targeted directly at loyalty card holders.

The colour is carefully chosen. It is supposedly warm and welcoming. And these deals, exclusive to loyalty card holders, mark a change in tactics by retailers.

Gone are the days when the Clubcard or Nectar card was used to build up points to redeem for a treat. Now they offer financially-stretched customers lower prices in the hope they do not shop elsewhere.

In return, cardholders give these businesses a deep insight into their spending preferences, and an opportunity to boost their profits.

Retailers are also exploring the potential of loyalty programmes to reward sustainability, and meet their eco targets.

Loyalty schemes have been around for decades

Loyalty points are nothing new. In the 1960s and 1970s, Green Shield Stamps were popular.

Shoppers filled books of stamps to exchange for gifts. Complete eight books and you could claim a new toaster. Fill 155 and a Lambretta scooter was yours.

The Tesco Clubcard took the idea to another level. The supermarket chain first introduced the Clubcard in 1995 and within a year, customers were spending 28% more in its stores.

Now, faced with the prospect of losing customers to the discounters Aldi and Lidl, and in light of the soaring cost of living, there has been a clear shift.

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy, this week announcing annual profits of 1bn, said the business had "fundamentally repositioned" its discounting in recent times, including its Clubcard Prices system. The retailer claims 21 million UK households use a Clubcard.

Woman shopping in supermarket

On Tuesday, its rival Sainsbury's launched Nectar Prices - hundreds of lower-cost products for its 18 million cardholders. Outside of groceries, Boots recently said it was shifting the focus of its Advantage Card to day-to-day discounts on its own-brand products.

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"It costs retailers a lot more to acquire a customer than it does to keep a customer," says consumer insight specialist Kate Hardcastle.

"So they are reminding you that if you are loyal, they are literally treating you differently as a customer. They want a narrative that they are the best and the cheapest."

In response, they hope shoppers with busy lives do not bother to shop around, and fill their baskets in one store as well as making impulse purchases of the products on offer.

Price comparison risk

The pitfall for shoppers is that these loyalty card discounts can make it more difficult to compare prices and work out value for money.

Ms Hardcastle and the consumer association Which? both highlight the difficulty some shoppers have in finding the unit price, rather than just the headline price. For example, what is the cost per 100g of the product, rather than the total price.

Ele Clark, retail editor at Which?, also points out that some of these rewards are unavailable in supermarkets' convenience stores, where those on low incomes and without a car may shop.

There is also the question of digital exclusion. As loyalty programmes migrate from physical cards to apps, then some people may miss out altogether.

Cost of living: Tackling it together

How can I save money on my food shop?

Look at your cupboards so you know what you have already

Head to the reduced section first to see if it has anything you need

Buy things close to their sell-by-date which will be cheaper and use your freezer

Read more tips here

The digital transformation still has a long way to go, according to Ms Hardcastle. The expansion of personalised discounts is one such area.

Retailers, if shoppers give them permission, will not only be able to track the store that shoppers are visiting, but even the aisle they are browsing.

That, and smartphone notifications, mean real-time reminders and rewards will soon be available for shoppers.

Rewards for the planet

The future, and indeed the present, use of loyalty programmes will not be focused entirely on price.

Annich McIntosh, managing editor of Loyalty Magazine, says that brands are using loyalty and membership to address customers' demands for sustainability.

The offers range from cosmetics companies providing refillable bottles, to customers collecting loyalty points that - when a target is hit - means the company cleans a beach.

Schemes in the travel sector may also reward more environmentally-friendly choices, shifting away from frequent flyer points.

Ms McIntosh says companies will also maintain a relationship with a customer after a sale, telling them how the product can eventually be recycled.

"This is about changing people's behaviour and making them feel good about it," she says.

The clear benefit for companies is that they can hit their sustainability goals and boost sales because loyal shoppers will return to the brand when they buy the next item.
A man accused of hiring someone to kill his ex-girlfriend has been arrested.

Channel 2s Matt Johnson has learned that authorities in Harris County, Texas, have captured 41-year-old Stoney Williams, a man accused of hiring 23-year-old Wesley Vickers to kill his ex-girlfriend, 34-year-old Courtney Owens.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Authorities have not provided details regarding the Williams capture.

In early December, Owens was gunned down in cold blood while at work at Royal Court Motors.

TRENDING STORIES:

Vickers was arrested nearly a month later on Jan. 6 and charged with felony murder, malice murder, and aggravated assault.

During a court hearing in January, a detective testified that Williams owned the dealership with Owens and offered Vickers $20,000 to kill her and make it look like a robbery.

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Williams also allegedly offered Vickers $4,800 before Owens murder to send a message by shooting up the house where she was staying at with a friend in Fairburn.

Authorities told Johnson Williams was arrested Friday and will be brought back to Gwinnett County.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A man died Sunday morning after the vehicle he was driving rolled onto its side on Highway 50 and caught on fire.

The crash occurred around 10 a.m. near Rancho Cordova, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Parker Wilbourn said.

The 52-year-old man was the only person in the vehicle, which ran into the metal base of a freeway sign, according to the California Highway Patrol.

He was trapped inside and died at the scene. His name had not been released Sunday afternoon and the crash remained under investigation.
A 22-year-old man was mauled to death by his relatives dogs outside a Minnesota home, police told news outlets.

In the afternoon on April 13, officers with the Brooklyn Center Police Department responded to a reported dog attack in the backyard of a home, police said in a news release.

A neighbor heard the man yelling for help, KARE11 reported.

When officers arrived, they found the victim being attacked by four dogs , police said.

An officer shot one of the dogs with a less-lethal round, causing the dogs to scatter and run back inside the house, according to the release. Officers then performed first aid on the man.

The victim had most of his clothing ripped off and had extensive bites on a majority of his body, police said. The victim was then intubated at the scene and transported to a local area hospital where he was immediately brought to surgery.

Police initially expected the victim to be hospitalized for several weeks. However, he died as a result of his injuries, ABC reported.

The dogs didnt live at the home, but the victim was taking care of them for a family member, the station reported.

All of the dogs were transported to PUPS and are quarantined pending a dangerous dog evaluation process, the police release said.

Brooklyn Center is a suburb of Minneapolis, roughly 10 miles northwest of downtown.

Dog attacking young girl is shot and killed by police, Minnesota cops say

Couple clutches their pets in arms while being attacked by dogs on trail, CO cops say

Man shot after kicking in door to estranged wifes home, Oklahoma police say

Man beating border patrol agent with wooden club is shot to death, officials say
A young man died after he was shot Saturday afternoon near the Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society festival.

It happened around 12:20 p.m. near the intersection of Valentine and Princeton avenues, which is less than a block from the festival, west of Highway 99.

The Fresno County Sheriffs Office said the shooting was not random and that those involved knew each other.

Fresno County Sheriffs public information officer Tony Botti emphasized that the shooting was not related to the festival. Deputies, however, do believe some involved in the shooting may have ended up at the event afterward.

We want to keep the community at ease, Botti said. It had nothing to do with the event. Its not like someone showed up to try to target people there and started shooting for no reason.

This just happen to be in proximity of where some people who didnt like each other got into it and shots were fired.

No arrests had been made Saturday.

Because suspects in the shooting mightve gone into the festival, deputies were trying to control the flow of those leaving the event.

The sheriffs office said the shooting victim was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

Anyone with information the shooting is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriffs Office at 559-600-8208 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

Officers are investigating a potential shooting near Valentine and Princeton avenues in northwest Fresno Saturday. Anthony Galaviz/agalaviz@fresnobee.com

Fresno County deputies found a man in his 20s down on the ground with a gunshot wounds at Valentine and Princeton avenues on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The man later died at the hospital. ANTHONY GALAVIZ/agalaviz@fresnobee.com

Deputies investigate a fatal shooting of a man in his 20s at Valentine and Princeton avenues on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The man later died at the hospital. ANTHONY GALAVIZ/agalaviz@fresnobee.com
Logan Barnhart, circled in yellow, seen in body-camera footage camera from a Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer. Justice Department via AP

Logan Barnhart, a Michigan pipelayer and bodybuilder, was sentenced to 3 years in prison on Friday.

Internet sleuths used facial recognition to uncover his modeling work on romance novel covers.

A reader review of one of the novels said the book got her "hot and bothered."

A Michigan pipelayer who modeled shirtless for the cover of several romance novels, including one in which a woman lusts after her Navy SEAL stepbrother, was sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday for assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6 riot.

Logan James Barnhart, 41, became a man of interest to federal authorities after he was photographed dragging a police officer down a set of stairs at the Capitol building.

In a news release announcing his sentence, the Justice Department wrote that Barnhart "grabbed the neck of the officer's ballistic vest" and proceeded to drag the officer "down the steps in a prone position and into the crowd, where other rioters beat the officer with weapons, including a flagpole and a baton." The officer sustained bruising and abrasion, the DOJ said.

A few minutes later, Barnhart then assaulted a line of officers with the base of a flagpole.

Internet sleuths helped identify Barnhart months before his arrest in August 2021, HuffPost first reported.

An online community called Sedition Hunters used facial recognition technology to find images of Barnhart. In its search, the group discovered photos of him on bodybuilding websites and of his stint modeling for the cover of several adult romance novels.

One of the books is titled "Stepbrother UnSEALed: A Bad Boy Military Romance," which is written by Nicole Snow.

According to Amazon's summary, the book centers on a woman, Delia, who develops a "reckless temptation" for her stepbrother, Chris Cleveland.

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"I almost landed in my stepbrother's bed, and I want it to happen again," the description said. "Chris Cleveland tempts me because he's wrong. Swoon-worthy, all-American Navy SEAL. Bad boy. Manwhore."

Snow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The book has four stars on Amazon. One top review from a verified purchaser of the book wrote that the novel had her "hot and bothered." Another praised Snow for turning the "taboo subject of step siblings" into a "hot story."

Barnhart pled guilty to assaulting officers with a weapon in September. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Barnhart will also have to pay a fine of $3,688 and restitution of $2,000.

During a court appearance, Barnhart told US District Judge Rudolph Contreras that he did not recognize himself in the footage that shows him assaulting an officer, the Associated Press reported.

"The way I was acting seems so foreign to me," Barnhart said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Weapons of war

How many more innocent men, women and children must die because a certain group of people are fixated on having unlimited access to assault weapons? Granted, it is partially a mental health issue. However, those who commit mass murders would have a much more difficult time committing these atrocities without unlimited availability of weapons of war.

Congress is to blame for the continuation of this easy access to assault weapons. One day of congressional action could potentially save thousands of lives. Our votes to oust supposed representatives of the people  could stimulate action.

We are supposedly a country that is envied across the world. Lets start acting like it. Stop the killing of innocent people.

Mel Sage, Garner

Tillis, the NRA

I appreciate the work Sen. Thom Tillis has done to get the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed, but much more can be done. As the father of two students and the husband of a teacher, I worry about my familys safety every day. Along with the BSCA, there must be gun reform  universal background checks, red flag laws, outlawing weapons of war in civilian hands.

As my representative, I expect Tillis to do what he knows is right and help stop the senseless slaughter of our innocent children, teachers and civilians. I do not believe the senator, one of the top 5 recipients of NRA donations, can represent the needs of his constituents while still accepting NRA money. Its an inherent conflict of interest that even the uneducated can understand.

Michael P. Trew, Boone

Sen. Ted Budd

In a letter, I urged Sen. Ted Budd to support an assault weapons ban. He said such a ban is overly broad. Please, senator, propose something that will keep our citizens, particularly our children, safe. Your silence is deafening.

Janice Woychik, Chapel Hill

NC schools, taxes

I was heartened to read the April 11 Opinion piece by CEOs Jim Goodnight and Dale Jenkins lamenting the 5,000 teacher vacancies in N.C. schools. Their opinion that low teacher pay is a primary factor in this shortage makes a lot of sense. But our legislature has made cutting taxes its No. 1 priority. North Carolinians now pay about two-thirds of what we used to pay in state income taxes. As a result, we have thousands of vacancies, not only in our teacher corps but also among school bus drivers. Our state agencies have a vacancy rate of about 25%.

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The legislature has it backwards. It should envision a state with the best public schools in the South, and with the best social services. It should then determine what that would cost and work tirelessly to achieve these lofty goals. It could adjust our taxes accordingly.

I taught high school math for 43 years in North Carolina. I loved almost every minute of it. If my granddaughter were to tell me that she wanted to become a teacher, I would cheer her decision. Then, Id advise her to teach in a different state.

Dennis Cullen, Durham

Party switch

I dont normally read the obituaries, so I missed the announcement that small-government conservatism had died. Laws banning books, establishing curriculum police, telling investors how to invest, telling doctors who to treat and how to treat them  this is not my fathers Republican Party, and the N.C. legislatures agenda clearly shows that.

Now, erstwhile Rep. Tricia Cotham has joined this group of rabid authoritarians, claiming that she doesnt recognize the Democratic Party anymore. I seriously doubt that she ever did. Sickening on multiple levels.

George Stubbs, Durham

Pedestrians

The N&O coverage of increasing pedestrian fatalities in Raleigh reminds me of the decades of abject indifference toward pedestrian safety. It took years of pleading to get pedestrian signals added to a Creedmoor Road intersection near my neighborhood. Whatever the problems between NCDOT and the city in coordinating improvements, citizens rightly hold the city accountable.

But this is merely one side of the coin. The other side is the reluctance of citizens to use the bus system. Too many GoRaleigh stops have no crosswalk at all, much less a signaled crosswalk. Sidewalks are still non-existent along many bus routes, so its no surprise that citizens who dont wish to traipse through mud or risk walking in the street are avoiding GoRaleigh  no matter how much tax money is spent on more frequent service.

Chuck Till, Raleigh

Wake elections

How Wake County voters elect their governing board should be decided by the voters. The current Wake County Commission is a 100% Democratic board, with no one representing Wake Countys Republican voters, who comprise at least one-third of the electorate. A change was clearly warranted, but not by jamming it through without voter input, as happened recently. The result is an inferior change without consideration of alternative options that would have created a truly representative commission.

One simple way to achieve fair representation is through ranked choice voting. That would have ensured fair representation while reducing polarization and campaign rancor and eliminating the need for runoff elections. Wake County voters deserve better.

Lennie Friedman, Raleigh
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly spent more than $65,000 of her campaign funds installing a fence at her home, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Ms Greene's schedule B itemized disbursements show her various campaign expenditures. Included in that list is a $65,257.49 payment to Bartow Fence Company Inc for the installation of an "additional security fence for residence."

The expenditure is not illegal; FEC rules allow candidates to spend campaign funds on personal security. However, the cost of the fence is more than $10,000 more than the median household income in her district, according to RawStory.

HomeAdvisor estimates that a typical homeowner spends between $1,400 and $4,500 on fence installation. Even if a special security fence cost ten times the high-end average amount, it would still be less than Ms Greene spent on her fence.

The Independent has reached out for comment.

Some critics on social media questioned the cost of the installation.

"Doesnt she own a construction company? 65k for fencing seems a little much for a fence or wall around her property. Sounds like just moving campaign funds into her pocket," one user wrote.

There is no evidence Ms Greene pocketed the funds she used for the fence.

Ms Greene and her husband purchased her father's construction company, Taylor Commercial, prior to her election to Congress, according to Yahoo News.

Another user joked about the fence's true purpose.

"Its not working, she is still getting out," they wrote.

It's not working, she is still getting out.  Ken Williams (@kwilliams1103) April 15, 2023

Ms Greene recently became a defender of the publics right to access information  which would include her campaign spending  when she began championing the US Airman who allegedly leaked sensitive US government documents that contained information about Ukranian troop movements.

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The US Airman, Jack Teixeira, 21, was arrested this week for the breach.

The lawmaker defended Mr Teixera  who was not acting as a whistleblower but was instead allegedly trying to gain clout in his Discord server by sharing the sensitive information  and pointed out that he was white, male, Christian and antiwar.

Ms Greene has been critical of the war in Ukraine, frequently complaining that the US is spending too much to help the nation defend itself from Russia's invasion.

The congresswoman is not exactly an anti-conflict ideologue; she has called for the US to deploy its military to Mexico to fight Mexican drug cartels.
Two suspects have been charged with coordinating the shipment of 5,000 fentanyl pills  stamped to resemble OxyContin  from California to Maryland to be illegally sold and distributed.

Quecealla Turner, 22, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Marvin Anthony Bussie, 20, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, were recently indicted by a Charles County grand jury with conspiracy to import a controlled dangerous substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and other related charges.

The investigation began in November 2022 when detectives intercepted a parcel at a private shipping company that was delivered from California and contained 5,000 fentanyl pills. The pills were set to be delivered to a single-family house in Waldorf, the Charles County Sheriff's Office in Maryland said.

WASHINGTON, DC, FUNERAL HOME SOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, 3 WOUNDED; GUNMAN AT LARGE

Marvin Anthony Bussie, 20, was indicted in Charles County in connection to a shipment of 5,000 fentanyl pills from California. He had open warrant for attempting to transport 12,000 fentanyl pills out of an airport in Los Angeles.

Through further investigation, conducted by Charles County Sheriffs detectives assigned to the Sheriffs Office Narcotics Enforcement Section / U.S. Postal Inspection Task Force, along with members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Washington, D.C., Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division, and the U.S. Marshals Office (USMS), the two suspects were identified as allegedly being involved in the shipping and receiving of the pills in the area outside the nation's capital.

Turner was served her indictment, and Bussie was located and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force on April 4 in Largo, the sheriff's office said in a statement Friday. Further, Bussie had an open warrant through the DEA for attempting to transport 12,000 fentanyl pills out of an airport in Los Angeles, California, last year.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On April 5, a judge ordered Bussie to be held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.

MARYLAND SHUTS DOWN DAY CARE CENTER WHERE EMPLOYEE ALLEGEDLY FILMED HERSELF ABUSING CHILDREN

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Charles County, Maryland, detectives intercepted a package of 5,000 fentanyl pills shipped from California. They were to be mailed to a private address.

"Fentanyl is extremely dangerous in the hands of dealers who often disguise what it is. We are committed to dismantling the networks that traffic dangerous narcotics," Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry said in a statement. "We especially want to recognize the partnerships between the assisting law enforcement agencies who helped in the recovery of these dangerous pills. These arrests reflect successful teamwork among local, state and federal agencies."

"Whenever someone uses the U.S. Mail to send anything illegal or potentially dangerous, postal Inspectors will find them and bring them to justice," Damon E. Wood, postal inspector in charge, Washington Division, said.

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry announced charges against two suspects for allegedly coordinating the shipment of 5,000 fentanyl pills from California to Maryland.

"Fentanyl is killing many of our young people. Unfortunately, those taking these pills do not realize the consequences. This case demonstrates the commitment and strength of multiple law enforcement agencies working together to arrest those responsible for these crimes," Johnny L. Hughes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland, added.

The Charles County Sheriffs Office said it is committed to identifying and charging persons involved in the illegal distribution of narcotics. "We must remain vigilant in order to protect our children and loved ones from such dangerous substances," Berry said. Anyone with information about illegal drug distribution may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Massachusetts 2023 Honey Queen, aka Caroline Canterbury of Montague, arrives at the Statehouse Wednesday to attend Agriculture Day, held for the first time since 2019.

BOSTON - There was an appearance by the 2023 Massachusetts Honey Queen, tables laden with agri- and aquaculture produce, speeches and even awards for selected legislators.

For the first time since 2019, Massachusetts farmers were celebrated at the Statehouse on Massachusetts Agriculture Day.

Agriculture Day serves as a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to our hardworking Massachusetts farmers and producers who provide all of us with healthy, fresh, and delicious products and are a key economic driver for our local economies, said Gov. Maura Healey. Our administration looks forward to engaging with our agricultural industry and finding more ways to support their efforts in cultivating a robust and equitable agricultural economy.

It was a day to celebrate and promote the 7,200 local farms spread out over almost half a million acres of the commonwealth, stretching from the Berkshires to the coastal region. The farms produce everything from meats, milk, cheeses, fruits and vegetables to herbs, oysters, fish and honey. And lets not forget the Massachusetts cranberry and its pure maple products.

Most farms small, family-owned

Almost half those farms are concentrated in and around four contiguous counties. Worcester is home to 21% of the states farms, and Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin share another 28% of them.

Farmers are vital to the commonwealths food system, and it is crucial that their voices are heard in the legislative process, said Karen Schwalbe, executive director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. By collaborating with lawmakers and industry stakeholders, we can create policies that support and strengthen agriculture, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Those policies include supporting and promoting the states Buy Local programs, partnerships between school districts and farmers, and the Health Initiatives Program, which reimburses participants, those eligible for SNAP or WIC benefits, for a certain percentage of their grocery budget spent at farmers markets.

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Lawmakers have filed more than a half-dozen bills in support of local agriculture. One bill would fund HIP at $24 million for the coming fiscal year. And the governor included $25 million in her fiscal 2024 budget to fund the Food Insecurity Infrastructure Grant program, a pandemic-era initiative that supports the states small farmers.

Commonwealth farmers contribute close to $500 million to the states economy while facing some of the highest costs, with farmland assessed at an average $10,000 an acre, according to the USDAs Farm Service Agency. The majority of Massachusetts farms, between 80% and 95%, are small, family holdings.

Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, second from left, takes a sample from the aquaculture table at Agriculture Day, held April 12 in the Statehouse for the first time since 2019.

Three state legislators - Sens. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and Anne Gobi, D-Webster, and Rep. Paul Schmidt, D-Westport - were recognized for their support of the viability and sustainability of the states agricultural businesses, receiving ceremonial plaques honoring their efforts. Tarr and Schmidt are themselves farmers.

Tarrs property in Gloucester serves as an animal refuge, and he has successfully legislated for the humane treatment of animals. One of his bills, dubbed The Beagle Bill, requires healthy laboratory animals be offered for adoption. Massachusetts has many life sciences and pharmaceutical laboratories that use beagles for testing.

Among most diverse crops in US

Massachusetts is world-renowned for our variety and diversity in crops and products, which run the gamut from nursery-grown plants and horticultural products to dairy, aquaculture, maple, honey, livestock and a wide array of fruits and vegetables, said Rebecca Tepper, the states secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Our farmers have tended the land for generations, maintaining and nurturing precious open and green spaces, Tepper said. They have been leaders in implementing the latest in renewable and energy-efficient technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, becoming more economically viable and environmentally sustainable, contributing to a greener economy in the commonwealth.

Agriculture Day also serves as an opportunity to empower students, children and their families through education regarding healthy eating, behavioral practices, agriculture, food, and environmental science, according to a release from the office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Students from local FFA and 4-H youth organizations were on hand to assist with the smooth running of the days events.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts farms add $500 million a year to state's economy
The concept of shortening the average week of work has gained popularity in recent years. Getty

A new Massachusetts bill would provide financial incentives for companies with a four-day workweek.

The bill would give tax credits to businesses shifting workers to a shorter week with the same pay.

A UK study last year found a four-day workweek decreased stress and anxiety for nearly 3,000 workers.

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a new law that would offer financial incentives to companies with four-day workweeks, citing more evidence that it increases productivity and morale.

A bill introduced last week by Reps. Dylan Fernandes and Josh Cutler would implement a two-year tax credit program for businesses that transition at least 15 employees to a 32-hour workweek with the same pay, then report on the impact on productivity and morale. It is set to be discussed in committee hearings during this year's legislative session.

"Americans have not had a meaningful reduction in days off since the 40 hour work week was invented nearly a century ago," Fernandes said on Twitter. "There's been huge technology improvements and we've become much more efficient workers but we're still working the same amount of hours or more."

The lawmakers told Boston.com that they want a variety of companies to try the proposal so they can gather data from different industries and outfits of different sizes. An emphasis would be placed on including companies owned by certain groups including women, people of color, and veterans.

They also said tax credits would vary from business to business to optimize the benefits of credits, Boston.com reported.

"In this era of tight labor markets, we need to get creative to keep our economy growing," Cutler said in a statement. "This bill creates new incentives for Massachusetts businesses to explore shifting to a four-day work week which can offer a myriad of benefits, including boosting worker satisfaction and productivity, and reducing absenteeism and commuting time."

Fernandes told CNBC that the pandemic showed that "a life built around working all the time is not a very happy one," and an easy way to improve lives is to give people more leisure time with family and friends.

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Rep. Josh S. Cutler (@joshscutler) April 10, 2023

The concept has gained popularity in recent years and especially after a months-long study, ending in December, involving 3,000 employees in the United Kingdom. Many of the employees said that while it was an adjustment, they ended up sleeping better, and had less stress and anxiety with an extra day off.

Nearly all of the companies in the UK trial, 56 of the 61 involved, said they planned to keep the system in place as they saw employees take fewer sick days and fewer employees quit, Insider previously reported.

A survey conducted earlier this year of nearly 12,000 workers in the UK found that about two-thirds of the workers said they would rather return to the office for a four-day workweek than work a hybrid five-day week.

A similar bill was pulled from consideration in Maryland in March after the bill's sponsor said companies told him assistance from the government on implementing the new schedule would be more helpful than tax credits, according to WYPR. However, Delegate Vaughn Stewart told WYPR he hopes to introduce new legislation regarding the concept next year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Sunday she is worried the U.S. is headed toward a national ban on abortion, as state legislatures and courts move to squeeze abortion access across the country.

It's every social issue that you disagree with, is it stem cell research, is it fertility, drugs, whatever it is, in this context, if we're going to use the federal courts as a way to bar and ban access, we are looking at a national abortion ban and more, Lujan Grisham said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

The Democratic governor recently signed two bills into law protecting abortion providers and guaranteeing access to reproductive and gender-affirming care, just as a judge in neighboring Texas moved to suspend the FDAs approval of mifepristone  one of two drugs used together to cause an abortion.

With the fate of mifepristone now tied up in the courts, a number of states which support access to abortion have moved to stockpile the drug. But states need to do more than build up a cache of the abortion pill, Lujan Grisham said.

We were going to make sure  we already are  that we have access to all of those medications, she told host Margaret Brennan. But if the response is we'll stockpile instead of protecting all access, then we're minimizing the work that we have to do to make sure that women and families are fully protected.

The New Mexico legislation that Lujan Grisham signed puts no restrictions on when during a pregnancy a woman can get an abortion.

These are horrific medical conditions. And again, New Mexico's position, and mine, is that we should not be interfering with a woman's right medical situation and her decision about that life-threatening potential circumstance, Lujan Grisham said. We shouldn't be doing that.
A man from Miami was arrested after an altercation with a Pennsylvania state trooper in Harmar, authorities say.

Court documents say that Jhon Darwyn Canizales Soto, 30, was being investigated by the DEA.

Canizales Soto hit a state trooper who was a part of the DEA team investigating him after a verbal altercation that began alongside Gulf Lab Road on Wednesday. The trooper was knocked into the road.

Police say Conizales Soto then took off, jumped over a guard rail and ran down an embankment.

The trooper pursued Conizales Soto and the two got into a physical altercation. Court documents say Conizales Soto hit the trooper in the head with a closed fist at least three or four times before following commands. At some point he also threw a backpack he was carrying further down the embankment. Police believe the backpack held crucial evidence for the DEA investigation.

Canizales Soto is facing aggravated and simple assault charges. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail.

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A Mississippi man was arrested Friday during a traffic stop after he attempted to hide a gun in a quesadilla from Taco Bell, according to police.

Devin P. Mitchell folded the gun into the quesadilla when police in Picayune stopped him and driver Olivia Neff for a traffic violation, local WLOX reported.

Officers reportedly saw Mitchell stuffing the handgun into a Taco Bell bag, prompting them to conduct a search of the vehicle, where they found the gun hidden in the Mexican meal.

RHODE ISLAND MAN TRIES TO SNEAK ARTFULLY CONCEALED GUN PARTS IN PEANUT BUTTER JARS THROUGH TSA

Mitchell found himself slapped with other charges after police also recovered methamphetamine, liquid heroin, and drug paraphernalia during their search, according to authorities.

PARENTS OF MISSISSIPPI NEWBORN CHARGED WITH MURDER 30 YEARS AFTER BABY FOUND IN DUMPSTER

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Police reportedly grew suspicious when they saw Mitchell stuffing a gun into a Taco Bell bag.

Mitchell was taken into custody and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, possession of weapon by a felon, and possession of paraphernalia.

Police also reportedly found distribution amounts of methamphetamine upon conducting a search of the vehicle.

Neff was charged with disregarding a traffic device but was not taken into custody.
Felipe Dana/AP Photo

When the news broke that a boat with the bodies of more than a dozen African refugees washed up on the shores of Tobago, a few miles away from my home, my family believed it was an ominous sign. It was May 2021, only two years after we had left America to escape the racism that made our lives there unlivable. We settled in Tobago, the sister island of Trinidad, a tiny island in the southernmost Caribbean with white sand and aquamarine oceans.

We are refugees, I declared when the 2020 George Floyd protests gripped the nation and we watched from afar as the country went up in flames.

I knew that we had narrowly escaped something frightening back in the U.S. Mom, a retired nurse, got to our island safe haven a couple months before its borders were shut down. When the pandemic hit, her former co-workers complained there was no PPE and many of them got sick. We breathed a sigh of relief that mom avoided that fate. But when the bodies washed up on Tobagos sandy shores, she worried about what it meant for our future in our new found home. The discovery felt portentous.

Refugees From Other Wars Want to Know Why White Ukrainians Get VIP Treatment

Days ago, the AP News published an investigative piece titled Adrift that told the stories of the men who braved treacherous seas aboard dinghy boats in desperate search of opportunity and a better life, only to meet their demise. I learned they were among thousands who departed Africa for the Canary Islands, by way of the Atlantic. Reports estimate 22,000 survived the trip in 2021.

These menwhose bodies were discovered in Tobagowere among the at least 1,109 who did not. Reading their stories shook me to my core. It revealed that racism was not something that could be escaped with relocation. The systems that perpetuate it are global and are currently threatening us all. While I watched the faces of these young men who tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives, I heard a call to action that I simply can no longer turn away fromone that demands the eradication of systems that perpetuate violence against human beings and our planet.

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In 2021, at least seven boats washed up on the shores of the Caribbean and Brazil, regions where the slave trade trafficked millions of enslaved Africans from their homeland to the Americas. My ancestors were among them. For centuries, they toiled and labored in the fields and homes of their European owners while their free labor generated the wealth that would fuel the rise of capitalism and modern-day economies.

Many of the leading banks in Europe and the Americas, including JP Morgan Chase, Barclays and Wells Fargo all have ties to the slave trade. In the Caribbean, enslaved Africans were used to produce sugar and rum which generated massive profits for white Europeans that was poured back into the development of other capitalist enterprises. The modern shipping industry was bolstered by the massive profits made from slavery, which helped develop ports, warehouses and transportation companies in the West.

Our eras economic boom was made possible because of slave labor. These economic gains laid the bedrock for our modern-day economic systems by fueling the industrial revolution that gave way to mass production, over-consumption and urbanization. The link between this rise of capitalism and the continued destruction of Black bodies and the planet cannot be overstated.

As the slave trade empowered and enriched Europe and Europeans, it decimated Africa, tearing away at the regions social fabric when even skilled laborers and farmers were torn from their homes and sold into bondage in exchange for guns and alcohol, which fueled wars and violent disputes. In the West, it birthed a systemic racial caste system that continues to wreak havoc on Black lives, relegating us to second-class citizenry.

The moment those tiny boats traversed the waters of the Atlantic, its passengers desperate to escape the Africa that was left in the destructive wake of the global slave trade and rise of capitalism, the past and the present converged. I believe we are now living out the ramifications of allowing a system willing to consume human beings and destroy the very ecosystems upon which we all rely, in exchange for wealth and economic growth.

In 2020, climate change escalated into a climate crisis, and by then millions across the globe were reeling from the impact of that shift, including the African men who attempted to escape poverty by sea.

As the APs powerful report reveals, among them was a man named Alassane Sow and another named Bayla Niang. Sows livestock business was decimated by the impact of climate change and his commerce business destroyed by the political and economic instability of his homelanda mainstay in many African nations ever since the rise of global capitalism. Niangs family said he braved the oceans of the Atlantic in search of economic opportunity because of the rampant unemployment that characterizes the economy of his homeland.

A recent study estimates that 85 percent of the worlds population has experienced weather events made worse by the climate crisis. By the end of the century, the climate crisis is expected to cost the US $2 trillion every year and developing nations $1 trillion annually. In the Caribbean, the climate crisis will wipe out $22 billion from the regional economy annually if we do not curb carbon emissions.

The cost of this crisis can also be measured in human life. It is estimated that climate-related disasters like droughts, floods and food shortages have already resulted in the deaths of millions worldwide. The system of capitalism and unfettered economic growth which fuels the climate crisis is decimating the world and literally killing us.

As I stroll the sandy shores of Tobago and marvel at the glistening ocean, I am constantly reminded of the historic significance of this moment and our need to act to finally dismantle the systems that are harming us. I think of my African ancestors, the brutal passage they braved and the grotesque dehumanization and violence they survived so that I could call Tobago my home. I think of those men who washed up on my homelands shores in a desperate search for reprieve from the systems that continue to prey on and disregard human life, while threatening to destroy our planet. I think about my family and my children and the kind of world I want them to inherit.

And I prepare myself to meet this moment. I prepare myself for the fight.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By Julie Steenhuysen and Michael Erman

(Reuters) - An experimental mRNA cancer vaccine developed by Moderna Inc and Merck & Co cut the risk of death or recurrence of the most deadly skin cancer by 44% compared with Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda alone, U.S. researchers reported at a medical meeting on Sunday.

The findings suggest that adding a personalized cancer vaccine based on mRNA technology to Keytruda, which revs up the immune response, could prolong the time patients have without recurrence or death, said Dr. Jeffrey Weber of the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, who presented the findings.

"From a general cancer therapeutic standpoint, this is a potential major breakthrough," Dr. Ryan Sullivan, a melanoma expert at Mass General Cancer who worked on the study, said in a statement.

The results, presented at American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Orlando, Florida, add data details to partial findings released by the companies in December. Additional data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The combination treatment has won U.S. breakthrough therapy and European Medicines Agency PRIME scheme designation, regulatory programs that aim to speed development of innovative treatments.

The Merck/Moderna collaboration is one of several combiningpowerful drugs that unleash the immune system to target cancerswith mRNA vaccine technology. BioNTech SE and Gritstone Bio Inc are working on competing cancer vaccines based on mRNA technology.

The vaccine is custom-built based on an analysis of a patient's tumors after surgical removal. The vaccines are designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack specific mutations in cancer cells.

Merck's Keytruda, which is approved to treat melanoma and many other cancers, belongs to a class of widely used immunotherapies known as checkpoint inhibitors designed to disable the PD-1, or programmed death 1, protein that helps cancer evade the immune system.

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The midstage trial enrolled men and women at high risk of their melanoma returning.

Among 107 study subjects who received both the experimental vaccine, mRNA-4157/V940, and Keytruda, the cancer returned in 24 subjects (22.4%) within two years of follow-up, compared with 20 out of 50 (40%) who received Keytruda alone.

There was little difference in response rates among people whose tumors had a lot of mutations - a typical predictor of immunotherapy response - and those whose tumors did not.

Severe side effects were similar between the two arms of the study, the scientists reported. Fatigue was the most common side effect reported by patients specifically associated with the vaccine.

Merck said the companies are in talks with U.S. regulators about design of a late-stage trial, which is likely needed for approval of the combination regimen.

It could take three or four years before the results of the larger trials are known, Eliav Barr, Merck's head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, said in an interview.

Barr said it took about eight weeks to design a personalized mRNA vaccine for each patient.

In the past, similar experimental cancer vaccines were developed targeting a single tumor mutation, or neoantigen.

Moderna's mRNA technology allowed for the inclusion of as many as 34 neoantigens, which Barr called "astonishing."

Currently, scientists cannot predict which single mutation is important in generating an anti-tumor response. With mRNA technology in combination with Keytruda, "we can create this shotgun approach ... that can create a more potent immune response," Barr said.

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago and Michael Erman in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Morgan Freeman discussed race in a new interview. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)

In a rare new interview with U.K. newspaper the Sunday Times, Oscar winner Morgan Freeman explained why he objects to the term "African-American," and why it's an "insult" to limit the teaching of Black history to just one month.

In the interview, Freeman, 85, was asked about his past comments, in a 2005 interview with CBS's Mike Wallace, about how not talking about race might help end racism.

Two things I can say publicly that I do not like: Black History Month is an insult. Youre going to relegate my history to a month? Freeman responded.

Also African-American is an insult," he added. "I dont subscribe to that title. Black people have had different titles all the way back to the n-word and I do not know how these things get such a grip, but everyone uses African-American. 'What does it really mean?"

He continued, "Most Black people in this part of the world are mongrels. And you say Africa as if its a country when its a continent, like Europe," comparing it to people of European heritage being referred to by a specific country, such as Irish-Americans or Italian-Americans.

When interviewer Jonathan Dean mentioned fellow actor Denzel Washington, and his statement Im very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am, Washington echoed those sentiments.

Yes, exactly. Im in total agreement," Freeman shared. "You cant define me that way. He also noted that he's "so very envious of Denzel's career, because he's doing what I wanted to do."

Freeman, who currently stars with Florence Pugh in A Good Person, went on to discuss how things have changed since he first started acting in the 1960s, rising up from small stage roles to the beloved children's program The Electric Company. He believes the industry has become increasingly inclusive, noting that for a long time roles for Black actors were typically comedic When I was growing up there was no me in the movies," he shared.

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The change is that all people are involved now, Freeman added. Everyone. LGBTQ, Asians, Black, white, interracial marriages, interracial relationships. All represented. You see them all on screen now and that is a huge jump.

The actor also mused on where he might have ended up if he hadn't found success in Hollywood.

People ask, What would you be doing if you didnt make it? I dont know," he said. "Driving a limo? But I would be in community theater. I would be acting. But along with guts it also takes luck. You need courage and serious luck. I credit my career with both.
(Photo/Wiki)

Guest Opinion. One of my most urgent priorities as Chief of the Cherokee Nation has been combatting the opioid epidemic. The opioid industry flooded Cherokee communities with these dangerous drugs. Overdose deaths more than doubled among Cherokee citizens between 2003 and 2014, and the fallout strained many of our tribal services, including clinics and emergency rooms, law enforcement and child welfare.

In 2017, we were the first tribe in the nation to file a lawsuit against the opioid industry, and our $100 million settlement from that lawsuit is now being invested in addiction care. The goal for these funds is to make treatment easily accessible, without judgment or unnecessary barriers, for every Cherokee who needs it.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Thats why I was disturbed to see a new proposed federal regulation that would increase barriers for some of our most vulnerable patients. The proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration would prevent telemedicine doctors from prescribing controlled substances such as buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication for those struggling with opioid addiction. Without an in-person appointment, the proposed rule limits prescriptions of buprenorphine to a single 30-day supply. This change poses a severe risk to our citizens, especially those living in rural areas with limited access to transportation and resources.

Telemedicine, the practice of connecting patients and medical professionals via phone and video calls, has been essential for reaching patients. New flexibilities for telemedicine were allowed during the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, with the emergency declaration expiring, some regulators are now attempting to make telemedicine more restrictive and less convenient.

This makes little sense. Over the past few years, telemedicine has proven to be an extremely valuable and successful way to provide care, especially for behavioral health issues like addiction. It reduces waiting times for an appointment and increases flexibility for patients and providers alike.

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Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

For example, many of our patients newly in recovery have recently found employment. Telemedicine appointments, which can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes, allow them to continue working and receive essential treatment during their breaks. Without this option, patients may be forced to take hours off work, jeopardizing their recovery journey.

Quick and easy access to a buprenorphine prescription is especially important in the early days of recovery. Buprenorphine can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms while blocking the ability for other opioids to cause an effect. But if a patients buprenorphine access is disrupted, they face a very high risk of falling back into addiction with far more dangerous substances.

The DEA's intention to catch over-prescribers by requiring an in-person appointment is misguided, as there is no evidence that a single in-person visit would reduce any misuse of buprenorphine. Unscrupulous over-prescribers will continue to find ways to exploit the system. Meanwhile, this additional hurdle inconveniences everyone.

Access to telemedicine is a lifeline for many Cherokees, and we must protect it to keep up the fight against the opioid crisis. Cherokee Nation is among thousands of voices across health care and addiction recovery communities who are speaking out against this proposed rule. You can join us by writing to your members of Congress and President Biden.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
This article was originally published in Michigan Advance.

A room full of survivors, supporters and listeners, many donning ribbon skirts and orange shirts, filled an MSU auditorium this week in the hopes that by sharing difficult truths, healing can continue.

The boarding school healing and justice panel  titled ginoojimomin apii dibaajimoyang, which translates in Anishinaabemowin to our stories heal  was just as much of a ceremony on Thursday as it was a panel discussion. It encapsulated some of the Native Justice Coalitions work to offer safe spaces for Indian boarding school survivors stories to be heard and for non-Indigenous people to listen.

I tell my story because I know theres many out there who cant, said Linda Cobe, who is Ojibwe/Oneida and a Lac Vieux Desert tribal citizen.  My language was taken from me, my childhood was taken, my culture was taken. But we have the opportunity today to get that all back.

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All three speakers on the panel, including Cobe, attended the Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Harbor Springs, known by many as the most notorious of Michigans five former Indian boarding schools. Differing accounts point to the northern Michigan school closing between the early 1980s to mid-1990s.

The event also featured Sault Ste Marie Band of Chippewa Indians citizen Tom Biron and Ben Hinmon, a descendant of Chief Pontiac who hails from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The panel was cosponsored by the Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Native American Institute, and American Indian and Indigenous Studies at Michigan State University.

Related: Surviving Genocide: Native Boarding School Archives Reveal Defiance, Loss & Love

Five federally funded or operated boarding schools once operated in Michigan, according to a federal report released last year: The Holy Childhood School of Jesus; the Old St. Joseph Orphanage and School in Assinins (or Baraga Chippewa Boarding and Day School) near Baraga in the Upper Peninsula; the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School in Mount Pleasant; the Mackinac Mission School (or Sainte Anne School) on Mackinac Island; and the Catholic Otchippewa Boarding School, or Otchippewa Day and Orphan Boarding, in the U.P.s Schoolcraft County.

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Thousands of Anishinaabe children in Michigan were forcibly removed from their tribal communities to attend that school and others, often many hours away from their tribe and family. In an attempt to assimilate the Indigenous children, their hair was cut, their clothing replaced with more white attire, their given names replaced with English names. They were pressured to exclusively speak English and were punished for speaking their own language.

On top of abuse, starvation, poor living conditions and sometimes death, this treatment of entire generations of Indigenous people resulted  as planned  with a significant blow to Indigenous identity, wisdom, language, customs and culture, survivors said.

It also came with deep intergenerational trauma that Native families and individuals still grapple with today.

We have many children that experienced this horrific process have an inability to connect with who they were as Indian people and a loss of their identity as Native people, said Wenona T. Singel, MSU associate professor of law, associate director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center and a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB).

Bronson Herman of the Native Justice Coalition hosts a panel discussion of Indian boarding school survivors at MSUs Kellogg Auditorium, April 6, 2023. (Laina G. Stebbins)

Singel walked the audience through the historical context of boarding schools amid a slideshow of historic photographs depicting children who had been forced to attend the schools. She emphasized that the schools were part of the federal governments kill the Indian, save the man policy for 150 years that presented a cheaper alternative to killing Native Americans in battle.

These truths are so painful that many cannot share them during their lifetimes, Singel said.

Under U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, there has been an effort since 2021 to reveal the depths of experiences at these institutions, marking the federal governments first formal investigation and documentation of the boarding school system, decades after the last school stopped enrolling Indigenous children.

The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative seeks to compile records and information, make the historical truths widely available, and aid in the healing process for survivors and their families.

Bronson C. Herman of the Native Justice Coalition told the Advance that more of these panels are on the horizon in Michigan, where non-Native people are welcome to attend, listen and share what they have learned with their communities.

Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan Demas for questions: info@michiganadvance.com. Follow Michigan Advance on Facebook and Twitter.
Samantha Geimer (right) with Emmanuelle Seigner, the wife of Roman Polanski

The woman who was drugged and raped by Roman Polanski when she was just 13 has told the film directors wife that she never considered it a big deal.

Interviewed by Emmanuelle Seigner in French magazine Le Point, Samantha Geimer, now 60, said the incident never had lasting effects on her.

I was fine, Im still fine, Ms Geimer said in a wide-ranging interview in which she hit out at the MeToo movement.

The 1977 attack on Ms Geimer was one of the biggest scandals to rock Hollywood in decades.

Polanski, then 43, had invited the teenager to carry out a photoshoot at Jack Nicholsons house for Vogue Magazine, which he was guest editing.

He plied Ms Geimer with champagne and the popular party drug Quaalude, before pouncing on her.

Now 46 years after the attack, Ms Geimer played down its impact on her.

Let me be very clear: what happened with Polanski was never a big problem for me, she said.

I didnt even know it was illegal, that someone could be arrested for it. I was fine, Im still fine. The fact that weve made this a big deal weighs on me terribly.

Samantha Geimer

Roman Polanski surrounded by reporters at the Santa Monica Courthouse in 1977

Following the attack, Polanski was arrested and served only 42 days in jail as a result of a plea deal in which the prosecution dropped charges of rape by use of drugs, perversion, sodomy, lewd act upon a child and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor.

In 1978, the Polish-born Oscar-winning film director fled to France from the US hours before he was due to be sentenced.

Now 89, he remains a fugitive, carefully avoiding countries with which the US has an extradition treaty. Polanski has faced other allegations of sexual assault, which he denies.

Ms Geimer urged the US to drop the charges.

People pretend to act in the name of justice, or because they support me, but its the antithesis of what I want and of all I say that I want, she said.

Everyone should know by now that Roman has served his sentence. Which was long, if you want my opinion. From my side, nobody wanted him to go to jail, but he did and it was enough. He paid his debt to society. There, end of story.

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He did everything that was asked of him until the situation went berserk he had no other choice but to flee. Anyone who thinks that he deserves to be in prison is wrong. It isnt the case today and it wasnt the case yesterday.

Ms Geimer said she only felt she was a victim when she was hounded by the press and had to face numerous court appearances.

If someone had something to say about Roman, about any mistreatment, 1977 would have been a really good year to help me, she added.

Because with my family, we couldnt even leave our house anymore! Everyone was attacking us.

No one came to stand by my side and say: Hey, you know what? I think shes telling the truth because something similar happened to me.

Its not like the story was private, it was in newspapers around the world!

But no, no one, not one of the women who today claim to have had a problem with Roman took the trouble to contact me.

During their conversation, Polanskis wife Ms Seigner said that sexual attitudes were different in the late 1970s.

I remember the time when I was starting to work  I became a model at 14-years-old, she said.

All the girls, the models, slept with the photographers and I was no exception. But sex was something normal, a natural aspect of life. There wasnt all this drama, all this darkness surrounding sex.

Ms Geimer agreed and appeared to hit out at the MeToo movement.

Its sad for women but especially young women.

Imagine reaching adulthood in this era, it seems appalling to me. I dont see whats so feminist about claiming victimhood.

Today, womens pain is valued, and theres a whole industry that exploits suffering. Those who participate in it dont know what theyre stepping into.

Samantha Geimer - AFP

She also hit out at Gloria Allred, the feminist lawyer, who has taken up the cases of women who have complained of sexual assault.

Ms Allred, she said, just diminishes women to exploit their pain, Im sorry but that is no defence.

Responding to Ms Geimer, Ms Allred told The Telegraph: I have represented and continue to represent many victims of child sexual abuse both in civil lawsuits and in criminal cases against powerful men including two who have made allegations to law enforcement against Roman Polanski.

Child sexual abuse is a big problem for all of the victims I represent.

Ms Geimers attack on me will not deter me or my clients. I will continue to advocate that Roman Polanski should be returned to the United States to face sentencing.

He should not be treated as an acclaimed director. Instead, he should be known as a man who is a fugitive from justice, who fled the United States, because he is not willing to face a judge who will sentence him for sexually victimising a child.

Ms Seigner is Polanskis third wife. His first marriage to actress Barbara Kwiatkowska ended in divorce in 1962 after three years. His second wife Sharon Tate was murdered by members of the Charles Manson cult in 1969. He married Ms Seigner after she was chosen to star in Polanskis thriller Frantic.

Roman Polanski and his wife Emmanuelle Seigner at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival - Getty Images Europe

Ms Geimer wrote her own memoir in 2013  The Girl: A life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski. She said during the promotion for the book that her three sons attitude to the case encouraged her to speak out.

Initially, she recalled, she and her family were hounded by the media and described as gold diggers.

Youll notice the culture has shifted so that everything has swung the other way and now its Roman the Monster, she told The Guardian.

Despite being a fugitive from the US and unable to work in Hollywood, Polanskis career continued to flourish.

In 1979 he directed Tess, which was dedicated to the memory of Tate. The film won awards for best picture and best director in France. It also received three Oscars.

Two years later, he directed and co-starred as Mozart in stage productions of Peter Shaffers play Amadeus.

In 1988 he made Frantic, a thriller starring Harrison Ford, where he met Ms Seigner.

His directing career continued in the 1990s with a series of films including Bitter Moon in 1992 and Fearless Vampire Killers in 1997.

The following year he was elected a member of Frances Academie des Beaux-Arts.

In 2002 he directed The Pianist, based on the autobiography of the Polish-Jewish musician Wladyslaw Sziplman. Widely acclaimed, it won awards on both sides of the Atlantic, including an Oscar for Best Picture.

His career continued to flourish with his 2019 film An Officer and a Spy, winning a Cesar Award in France and the Grand Jury prize at the Venice Film Festival. The 2020 Cesar Award sparked a backlash with several actresses walking out.
As California Democrats dispute whether Sen. Dianne Feinsteins (D-Calif.) extended absence from the Senate warrants her resignation, political observers expect that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will keep his distance from what could be a sticky situation politically.

Further complicating these circumstances is that three rival candidates are already competing to take her seat in 2024, and a show of support for any of them from the governor could have significant impacts on his own future prospects.

I dont think Newsom will get anywhere near this and will not weigh in at all, Daniel Schnur, who teaches political communications at several California universities, told The Hill.

The debate stems from Feinsteins months-long absence from the Senate Judiciary Committee as she recuperates from shingles, which has delayed the confirmation of President Bidens judicial appointments.

The impasse led two House Democrats on Wednesday to call for the 89-year-old senators resignation, despite her plans to retire at the end of her term in 2024.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) tweeted that she can no longer fulfill her duties, while Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said that it was a dereliction of duty for her to remain in the Senate.

If Feinstein did resign, it would be up to the governor to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of her term.

Yet such a selection could give the appointee an advantage in the 2024 race  for which Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee have all announced bids.

My hunch is he stays out of it, said Eric Schickler, a political science professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Stressing that its not in the governors interest to voice an opinion on the matter, Schickler said that there already are people doing it, like Ro Khanna.

A Democratic strategist familiar with California politics likewise expressed doubts that Newsom would get involved in the back-and-forth on whether Feinstein should resign.

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Theres enough people calling for her to step down, the strategist told The Hill.

Its tricky for a male politician, the strategist added, noting that it would be dicey for him to want to big foot one of the most respected women in California politics.

Michael Kapp, a Democratic National Committee member from California, predicted that Newsom wont wade into the debate, noting that as someone who has a unique role in this situation, it would be inappropriate for him to say anything.

Immediately after the statements from Khanna and Phillips surfaced on Wednesday, Feinstein asked the Senate to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee until her health improves.

The next morning Khanna described her suggestion as a step but stressed that the process was not that simple. He defended his calls for her to step down later on Thursday afternoon, telling The Hill in an exclusive interview that the senator is simply unable now to fulfill her duties.

Nonetheless, some California Democrats have taken Feinsteins side. Moments before Khanna released his initial statement calling for the senator to step down, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made the argument to reporters that she has never seen a man subject to such demands.

Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) agreed that a double standard exists, while Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said that Feinstein continues to serve honorably and courageously.

If Feinstein does decide to resign, Newsom could find himself in a complicated situation, experts agreed.

That predicament stems from a March 2021 commitment he made in an MSNBC interview to appoint a Black woman to the role if Feinstein retired before the end of her term.

Theres a lot of pressure on Newsom to nominate a woman of color and people will remember that because thats been the expectation, the Democratic strategist told The Hill.

Its not a good look for him nationally if he backs away from that, the strategist added.

Schnur, a Republican-turned-Independent political strategist, echoed these sentiments, stressing that Newsom has put himself in a much more complicated position because of the promise he made last year.

If Newsom does decide to run for president someday, he cant afford to start out that campaign having alienated Black women, backing down from this promise, Schnur said.

Schickler likewise questioned the soundness of breaking a pledge like that, especially if the governor wants to attract progressive and Black voters in a future run for office.

When Newsom first made this promise, Schnur explained, he had two obvious options: Karen Bass, who just recently became the mayor of Los Angeles, and Lee, now a 2024 Senate candidate.

One of Newsoms decisions is whether to give Lee an immense advantage in the Senate race by giving her the incumbency, Schnur said.

Doing so would rattle supporters of Schiff and Porter  both of whom have very powerful allies, Schnur added, noting that Pelosi endorsed Schiff right after his candidacy announcement.

And while the governor may not want to offend either of them, he also may want to avoid insulting Lee, the experts agreed.

The one person you dont want to piss off is Barbara Lee, who would feel very slighted, the Democratic strategist said.

In his Thursday interview with The Hill, Khanna described Lee as a hero of mine, noting that he wants to make sure that African American women have representation.

Another alternative would be for Newsom to nominate a woman of color whos not a candidate, but rather a placeholder, the Democratic strategist said.

Such a placeholder could be a politician but could also be a nonpolitical, low-profile appointee, such as the former head of a state university, according to Schickler.

Youre basically agreeing to go to the Senate for one year, just fill out a term, he said. Some might view you as taking something that should be going to Barbara Lee.

Schickler, however, thinks that Newsom will keep the promise one way or another.

Kapp predicted that Newsom wouldnt nominate Lee for the Senate seat, since Newsoms appointments to statewide vacancies have been elected for the long-term. If theres a vacancy, just from knowing what hes done in the past, Newsom would want to nominate someone who is going to serve multiple terms, he said.

One possible appointee whom Schnur identified as someone who might make sense for Newsom is Rep. Maxine Waters (D), who is already in her 80s.

At this stage of her career, she might decide that being a senator for a short time might be a good way to wrap up, he added.

While it may come to the point where Newsom must nominate someone, Schnur said that for now, the governor probably hopes that Feinstein sticks it out.

If Sen. Feinstein resigns, Gov. Newsom will have a difficult decision to make, added Kapp.

A second Democratic strategist echoed Kapps thoughts.

Hell be in a bit of a bind especially because Lee is running, the strategist said. Itll look like hes tipping the scales in her favor so hell have to be careful about that. He has to try and remain as neutral on this as possible.

Schickler made similar remarks, noting that Newsoms staff members also must be game-planning and running through a list of potential names nonetheless.

I think the governors people would be very happy if Dianne Feinsteins health improved sufficiently for her to return to the Senate, he said.

Hanna Trudo contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The OnlyFans model accused of murdering her boyfriend in Miami is being sued by the boyfriends family, who are from North Texas, according to a lawsuit.

Courtney Clenney, who goes by Courtney Tailor on Instagram and OnlyFans, was arrested in Hawaii and charged with murder in August for stabbing her boyfriend, 27-year-old Christian Obumseli, on April 3, 2022. Clenneys attorney said she was acting in self-defense when the 26-year-old stabbed Obumseli.

Obumselis family is now suing Clenney for wrongful death, claiming in a lawsuit filed in Miami Dade County in Florida that the model acted in a careless and negligent manner leading up to Obumselis death.

Obumselis family lives in Richardson, but Obumseli was living with Clenney in Miami at the time of his death.

The family also names in the lawsuit the owners of the luxury high-rise apartment in which Obumseli was killed and the management company in charge of the property. The family said in the lawsuit they are seeking damages for mental pain, loss of support to his family and expenses of medical care and a funeral.

The Miami Herald reported in August that Clenney originally told authorities shed just thrown a knife at her boyfriend. But evidence showed that wasnt the case, police alleged. Because of the angle of the knife and the depth at which it penetrated his body, police said they were able to determine Clenney had stabbed Obumseli in close proximity.

The Miami Herald reported Clenney had a history of attacking Obumseli with weapons during an increasingly stormy relationship.

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said the two had a violent and toxic two-year relationship, according to the Miami Herald.

Clenney is next scheduled to appear in criminal court in Miami-Dade County on May 9. Shes facing a charge of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
One person was killed and three others were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a Northridge strip mall on Saturday afternoon. (KTLA)

A man who was killed Saturday in a shooting at a Northridge strip mall was painting over gang graffiti on the wall of a business when a suspect with an Uzi type semiautomatic gun opened fire on him and three other people, according to Los Angeles police.

Officers responded to the shooting in the 19100 block of Parthenia Street about 12:30 p.m., according to a police statement. Four men between the ages of 30 and 60 were shot.

The four victims were transported to a nearby hospital, where two of the men underwent surgery, authorities said. A third person was treated and released.

The eldest victim was in his 60s and was pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.

Two of the victims had offered to help a business, Northridge Ice Cream, paint over graffiti on its walls, according to ABC7-TV. The two others were standing nearby. The Times could not reach the owner of Northridge Ice Cream, but a worker confirmed the shooting had happened.

Police said a male driver stopped a white sedan near the victim who died, got out and opened fire with an Uzi type semiautomatic gun. He struck the older man "multiple times in the chest" and shot the other three victims before getting back in the car and driving north.

The gunman remains at large.

Police described the shooter as a tall man in his 30s but have not released a description of the the car or identified a possible motive for the shooting.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Mailen Mejuto isnt sure whether she wants kids in the future. But one thing is for certain: the 28-year-old knows she wouldnt want to raise them in Florida.

Mejuto on Sunday joined thousands of people  some decked out in rainbow flags and others in beach wear  gathered along Ocean Drive in South Beachs scorching heat to watch the annual pride parade.

Sisters Sam, left, and Katrina Vastos from Colorado enjoy the parade with the aid of bubbles.

The South Beach resident didnt have to go far to join the festivities but said shes concerned by whats happening around the country. In Florida, lawmakers want to expand the Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the Dont Say Gay bill, which would bar classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from pre-K to eighth grade instead of kindergarten to third grade.

I think theres more important things like wars in other countries than banning drag, she said. How many shootings have you seen in drag shows... in a mall, or in a school where kids are trying to have an education?

The bills coming out of the legislative session were on the minds of many at this years pride parade. Signs and shirts in the parade  and in the crowd  commented on the perceived attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

Say Gay. Save trans youth. Be bold. Live free. Stay woke. Love all.

READ MORE: We say gay. Bills targeting LGBTQ+ community have some South Florida families worried

Dressed in drag, the parade MC engages participants as they wave to the crowd on Sunday, April 16, 2023, on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.

One of the parades emcees wore a white dress with red text that said: Drag is not a crime. Members of a Coral Gables church congregation dragged a cart with banned books written on the side as others waved a sign that said You are loved. Children, too, marched in the parade, handing out pride swag to the crowd.

A truck flashing a message almost foreshadowed part of what went down on Sunday: Your vote is the greatest form of protest.

As the celebration winded down, paraders with Equality Florida handed out fliers about State Rep. Fabian Basabe, urging the crowd to boo when the official appeared in a red convertible.

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On Sunday, April 16, 2023, companies, municipal, local, and LGBTQ+ organizations parade north on Ocean Drive during the Miami Beach Pride parade in light of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the Florida legislature this year.

Why? Basabe (R-Miami Beach) has voted consistently with Republicans on controversial culture-war bills, sparking several constituent protests.

Drama at Miami Beach Pride.

The crowd is booing and yelling shame Rep. Fabian Basabe. Protesters at the parade have been calling for his resignation.



Hes been blowing kisses from his car. pic.twitter.com/0jLMERxhTd  amanda rosa (@AmandaNicRosa) April 16, 2023

READ MORE: Miami Beach legislator faces scrutiny over votes  and allegation that he slapped aide

Last month, Basabe supported the expansion of the Dont Say Gay bill. On Wednesday, he spoke during a committee hearing in favor of a bill that would bar children from attending drag shows with lewd performances, arguing it is protecting the drag industry from performers who are taking things too far and ruining it for the rest of us.

Fabian Basabe, R-Miami Beach, who ran for the Florida House as a moderate but voted consistently with Republicans on controversial culture-war bills, asks for understanding as the crowd protests.

Michelle Vasco, 40, celebrated pride at the parade with her wife Astrid Garcia, 37, and daughter Dominique Mosley, 22. Vasco said she doesnt understand why politicians are suddenly so focused on the LGBTQ+ community.

[The Legislature] should be worrying about other things that are more important than the LGBT community because we do no harm, the Cutler Bay resident said. All we do is just love.

Attendees Pascale Bertand, 40, left, Elysa Irizarray, 14, center, and Dominique Mosley, 22, right, cheer on the many floats parading down Ocean Drive on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

As a foster mom to two toddlers, Vasco believes that limiting classroom discussions related to sexual orientation and gender identity will only cause harm. She said many children are in foster care because their families kicked them out. Some may even resort to suicide.

Its not like they teach how to be gay, Vasco said. That cant be taught.

Patrons of the Palace show their support for parade participants on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Solanch Dominguez, joined by her girlfriend, said she avoids thinking about the decisions being made in Tallahassee because they upset her  as someone whos part of the community and as a child of a gay father.

This is a free country... so we should be and feel whatever we want to, the 22-year-old Miami resident said. I really do hope that everyone opens their eyes and realizes whats going on.

Couples wave to the crowd during the parade up Ocean Drive on Miami Beach, Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Mailen Mejuto cant bare the thought of raising a child in a Florida with these policies in place. She fears that children with same-sex parents wont be able to talk about their families in school  simply because of their parents sexual orientation.

Its 2023. We should quit the bull****, Mejuto said. There are important things that we have to be worried about.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blasted his fellow Republican lawmaker, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., for defending the 21-year-old Air National Guardsman who is accused of leaking sensitive documents from the Pentagon.

Graham said Sunday on ABCs This Week that Greenes remarks could destroy Americas ability to defend itself.

The way we gather intelligence protects our country, Graham said. There are military members serving today from Georgia and other places who are less safe because of what this airman did.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters about the indictment of former President Donald Trump during a media availability on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Columbia, S.C.

Graham: Marjorie Taylor Greene made one of the most irresponsible statements'

Hours after 21-year-old airman, Jack Teixeira, was arrested by law enforcement Thursday for allegedly leaking military secrets, Greene defended Teixeira, implying the real enemy is the Biden administration.

Jack Teixeira is white, male, christian and antiwar. That makes him an enemy to the Biden regime, Greene tweeted. And he told the truth about troops being on the ground in Ukraine and a lot more. Ask yourself who is the real enemy?

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., before former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate hours after being arraigned in New York City, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla.

A young low level national guardsmen? Or the administration that is waging war in Ukraine, a non-NATO nation, against nuclear Russia without war powers? Greene continued.

Graham called Greenes tweet one of the most irresponsible statements you could make due to the national security implications of the leaks.

The ability for America to gather intelligence from human resources on the ground has been compromised, said Graham.

There is no justification for this. And for any member of Congress to suggest its OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger, Graham continued.

Related: How Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old guard leaked documents from deep inside the Pentagon

Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appears in U.S. District Court in Boston, Friday, April 14, 2023. He is accused in the leak of highly classified military documents as prosecutors unsealed charges and revealed how billing records and interviews with social media comrades helped pinpoint Teixeira.

Former CIA Director Brennan calls Greene unfit to serve

Former CIA Director John Brennan also called out Greene's comments, alleging her defense indicates she is unfit to hold elected office.

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From my perspective, I think Marjorie Taylor Greene has demonstrated time and time again that shes not fit to hold public office with some of her commentary that she has made, even previously, Brennan said Friday on MSNBCs "Deadline: White House."

Brennan also noted that Greene, who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, should not have access to classified information given her statements.

In this file photo taken on May 23, 2017, former CIA Director John Brennan testifies during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing about Russian actions during the 2016 election on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Graham slams Marjorie Taylor Greene's defense of Pentagon leak suspect
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) hasnt been in the Senate since February.

Sick with a shingles infection, she was hospitalized in early March, then returned to her home in San Francisco to recuperate. Feinstein remain[s] committed to the job, she said in a statement Wednesday. But commitment doesnt confirm judges, and Feinsteins absence has stalled President Joe Bidens judicial nominations. Two House Democrats, Reps. Ro Khanna (Calif.) and Dean Phillips (Minn.), have called on Feinstein to resign. (In February, Feinstein said she would leave office when her term ends, in December 2024.)

Their demand was met with swift rebuke from former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who told reporters Wednesday it is not just wrong but sexist to ask Feinstein to step down. Its interesting to me, Pelosi said. I dont know what political agendas are at work that are going after Sen. Feinstein in that way. Ive never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate in that way. To that, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) added an ageism charge, tweeting that while men are honored as they age, when women age or get sick, the men are quick to push them aside.

The Pain of Watching Feinsteins Career Overshadowed by Her Decline

Any discussion of sex and health, aging, or politics should probably begin with the stipulation that, yes, its different for women. But its also different for senators. This is a unique and powerful institution, and its not sexist or ageist to want your senator to be in the Senate. Pelosi is wrong on the facts, butmaybe more important in an era of geriatric lawmakersshes wrong on the principle, too.

Concerns have long been raised about Feinsteins mental acuity, especially her short-term memory. But here its Pelosi who seems to have forgotten recent events, as just weeks ago it was an open question whether another hospitalized Democratic senator, Pennsylvanias John Fetterman, should or would hold onto his seat amid serious health troubles including clinical depression and the aftershocks of a stroke he suffered on the campaign trail last year.

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Though theres ample precedent for age- and health-related resignations from Congress (not to mention the Supreme Court), Fetterman is expected to return to Washington next week after about two months absence. In Senate time, which is a bit like geologic time, his weeks away will be the blink of an eye, Fettermans chief of staff has argued. Many Democratic lawmakers, stuck with a 49-49 Senate while Feinstein and Fetterman are out, would likely beg to differ.

Though in some cases the Democratic majority can proceed as usual, the two-vote loss is already creating headaches on the Senate floor as the chamber takes up privileged resolutions pushed by Republicans via the Congressional Review Act, which require only a simple majority to pass, The Hill reported in March. When youre 51-49, every senator, every day is decisive, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate majority whip, told the paper. This is the reality of life in the Senate.

And life in the Senate is unique. There is only one U.S. Senate, and there can only be 100 U.S. senators. Sometimes proxy voting is possible, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday accepted Feinsteins proposal that another Democratic senator temporarily serve in her place on the Judiciary Committee.

In the big picture, though, you cant just hire a temp in the Senate. Its not like other jobs. The inability of one senatorlet alone twoto fulfill their duties for months on end matters quite a lot. It matters to their party, and it matters to their constituents.

There are only two people representing 39 million residents of California in the Senate, and Feinstein is one of them. Its not wrong to want both in Washington. In fact, its extremely reasonable. Its even reasonable to hold them to a higher standard of attendance than we would people in other, less consequential lines of work.

Acknowledging that reality isnt inhumane. It isnt inconsistent with supporting generous sick leave policies or taking mental health care seriously. On the contrary: If lawmakers are gravely ill, they should be freed of their workload entirely, not perpetually badgered about when theyll be back on the Hill.

Nor need we dismiss the risk in ideas like a maximum age of service or forced resignations tied to health or cognitive testing. Its easy to imagine how over-broad rules could be unfairly applied, including in sexist and ageist ways, or abused to political ends. However, some lesser measure, like a resignation process triggered by a certain number of missed floor votes or days in session, might be worth considering if were going to keep having a gerontocracy.

Yet it shouldnt take a formal rule change for lawmakers to recognize, as Phillips said while pushing Feinstein to resign, when their physical limitations have made it a dereliction of duty to remain in office. Likewise, voters shouldnt feel bad about wanting our senators to be up to the task weve given them.

At 89, Feinstein is already past the life expectancy for a San Franciscan woman of her wealth. Its no surprise that she would want and need to be at home to rest and heal. Admitting her frailty isnt a knock on her or her legacy: Theres no shame in age, illness, or mortality, which come for us all. But it is a shame when elected officials who cant represent their constituents in Washington refuse to pass the baton to someone who can.

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America's major cities are considering taking a cue from New York City in the fight against rat infestations. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed a "rat czar" to help eliminate rodents in the city.

One Boston city official says the Massachusetts city should follow suit and hire a rat slayer of their own.

Boston and Chicago residents also report stories of rats terrorizing their cities.

New York City officially has a rat czar, which is serving as inspiration for other major cities battling their own rodent infestations.

On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced former elementary school teacher Kathleen Corradi as the the city's first-ever rat czar, a newly formed position tasked with battling the rising rodent population. Days later, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn recommended the Massachusetts city hire someone in a similar position ""to hopefully one day eliminate rats in Boston," the Boston Herald reported.

"I have followed the work they're doing closely," Flynn told the Herald, referring to New York City, on Saturday. "But I also know Boston has exceptional staff currently that are doing the job, and they're doing the job well. We just need more resources and to prioritize the importance of working together to deal with this public health emergency in Boston."

Boston residents aren't happy with the increased presence of rodents since 2020, and some report seeing rats the size of "a small dog," according to ABC-affiliate WCVB.

"The biggest one I've seen was probably 10 inches long," one South Boston resident told the local outlet.

Others say the rat problem is costing them thousands of dollars to combat. Another South Boston man told the station that rats ate the transmission harness in his car, which cost him $3,000 to fix.

"I lost my car for two weeks for the craziest reason, and I still have to park my car in my driveway, so who the hell knows if it'll happen again," he said, per WCVB.

Fran Perler, a retired scientist living in the Boston metropolitan area, told local news in March that she'd spent $4,000 to install exclusion barriers to keep rats out as her neighborhood fights against infestation.

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"My 89-year-old neighbor went to their first floor toilet and a rat had come up through the sewer," Perler told Boston 25 News. "It's all over Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, and Newton."

Residents of Chicago have similarly haunting stories involving rodent issues. In 2022, Chicago was named the number one "rattiest" city in the US over both New York City and Boston. In October 2022, there had already been 41,000 rat complaints filed with the city that year, CBS News reported.

"They're as big as my chihuahua," Inez Melendez, a resident of Chicago's West Town neighborhood told CBS. "They're bigger than my chihuahua."

"You can hear them screaming  ee, ee, ee, ee!" Melendez said. "Oh, it's horrible."

Another Chicago family was forced to abandon their home in February 2022, as rats invaded the house located in the west side of the city. Ashunda Harris captured videos of the pests in her kitchen, living room, and bedrooms before leaving the property.

"I'm packing my stuff. I can't live like that, that's not a living situation, rats carry a lot of germs," Harris told Fox 32 Chicago. "They're eating through my foundation now. It started with a demo project next door where they were nesting."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The occupiers are exporting stolen corn from the city of Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and continue the forced passportization in Kherson Oblast.

Source: report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "Russian invaders continue to rob the civilian population of Ukraine, appropriating the grain harvest of Ukrainian civilians. For example, in the city of Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the so-called Russian occupation authorities are trying to export stolen corn by loading it onto barges."

Details: The General Staff has also reported that the Russian occupiers continue to force passportization of the population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

In particular, in the village of Tavriia, Kherson Oblast, the invaders are actively conducting house-to-house visits to check for Russian passports.

"Citizens of Ukraine who have not obtained a Russian passport have been informed that if they do not obtain the documents by 1 June, they will be deported with the confiscation of all personal property," the General Staff said.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, said Oklahoma isn't doing enough to protect women who are victims of domestic violence.

State Rep. Toni Hasenbeck describes Oklahomas relationship with self-defense as a love affair, where gun and property rights blend to form a romanticized image of a man protecting his homestead.

In recent years, Republican lawmakers have propelled that notion by adopting stand your ground laws, increasing the area a person can legally defend as their property, and even allowing motorists to run over protesters if they feel in danger.

Its the big strong man protecting his stuff, its an idyllic thing to think about, we make movies about this stuff, said Hasenbeck, R-Elgin.

But its not the same for women.

Oklahoma courts have convicted multiple women of murder who said they killed in an act of self-defense.

One woman claimed she killed her abuser after he raped and chained her in a basement, another claimed she stabbed a man who had just stabbed her own pregnant belly, and one woman shot her rapist after calling 911 three times in a 40-minute span.

Participants in Mabel Bassett Correctional Center's Guardian Angels Program in McLoud on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, attend the grand opening of a medium-security prison for women's Serelda Cody Dog Training Facility.

Hundreds more claim they committed a crime because they were abused, what some call criminalized survivors, according to a survey and study by the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

Domestic violence can be a challenging defense in an Oklahoma court as prosecutors often work hard to dismiss any evidence of abuse against the woman they have charged with murder.

At sentencing, a womans history of trauma and abuse is often not taken into consideration.

But Hasenbeck wants the state Legislature to alter the criminal justice system for abused women, allowing a history of domestic violence to be discussed at trial and sentencing, while also giving currently incarcerated women a chance to reduce their lengthy sentences.

Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, said her bill to help women who were victims of domestic violence has been opposed by prosecutors.

House Bill 1639 would allow a defendant to present evidence of their abuse when charged with a crime against their intimate partner where self-defense could be raised.

If evidence of domestic abuse is found within a year of the crime, the bill also would allow the court to impart a lower sentence.

Story continues

The bill has been passed by the full House and a Senate committee but was stripped of language helping those currently in prison, a result of the fierce opposition from state prosecutors not eager to let out women they have put behind bars.

But advocates believe the state is ignoring social science and exacerbating a system that has long been stacked against women, which Hasenbeck said shes determined to change.

I've never worked so hard on a bill in my entire life, Hasenbeck said.

I knew I was going to die

Sally Taylor thanks Gov. Kevin Stitt for his help in having her granddaughter released from the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility on Nov. 4, 2019, in Taft.

In 2019, after Oklahoma voters and lawmakers agreed to reduce prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, Gov. Kevin Stitt, just one year into his term, oversaw one of the largest mass commutations in the nations history.

Hundreds of men and women were released from prison, an example of the states effort to reverse a generation of nation-leading incarceration rates.

We are implementing the will of the people. I truly believe that, Stitt said at the time.

More: More Oklahomans are being released from prison. Now what?

But several years later, advocates say the criminal justice reform effort may be stalling, especially when the conversation shifts to violent offenders.

There's not going to be a way that we can tackle our over-incarceration without looking at some of the violent crimes because those people are the ones that are in prison the longest, said Colleen McCarty, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed, which is lobbying in favor of HB 1639.

Colleen McCarty talks with Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III before a Senate judiciary committee on Tuesday.

Last year, the Tulsa-based nonprofit produced a podcast series on the story of April Wilkens, who shot and killed her fiance after he handcuffed and raped her.

Convicted of first-degree murder, Wilkens already has served nearly 25 years of a life sentence.

I knew that I was going to die. I just knew I was going to die, Wilkens said last year about being abused and why she shot her fiance.

The original version of HB 1639 would have allowed women like Wilkens to apply for a sentencing review hearing, where they could present evidence of abuse, potentially leading to an early release.

More: She killed her abuser. An Oklahoma House committee passed a bill that could set her free.

But the retroactive part of the bill was removed before it was advanced by the House after opposition from the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, according to the bill's House and Senate authors.

When I talk to people about a woman being in prison for killing a man who tried to kill her and threatened to kill her children, and did all this terrible stuff to her, I have not had a single person who's not a district attorney, or worked for a district attorney, tell me this (bill) is a bad idea, Hasenbeck said.

The District Attorneys Council declined The Oklahomans interview request, but said it raised concerns about some unintended consequences, Kathryn Brewer, the agencys executive coordinator, wrote in an emailed statement.

Prosecutors have also said not all of the facts are shared in many of the cases promoted by advocates.

Sen. Julie Daniels listens to a question Tuesday at a Senate judiciary committee meeting.

HB 1639 was advanced by a Senate committee on Tuesday and can now be considered by the full Senate. Sen. Julie Daniels, the bills Senate author, said the legislation likely will head back to the House where final language will be determined.

My view is it is going to take a lot longer to come to some conclusion, Daniels, R-Bartlesville, said at Tuesdays committee hearing. I did suggest that maybe the bill just be laid over and worked on over the interim (session) and that may still happen, but the folks that brought the bill want to continue with it (this year).

We cant separate trauma and crime

Colleen McCarty, executive director of Appleseed Oklahoma, is working for a bill to protecting women who kill partners in self-defense.

In 2013, Erica Harrison said she was raped by a family friend so violently that she had to have a hysterectomy. When her attacker returned later the same day, Harrison called the police multiple times, but when she eventually heard sirens, they drove past her apartment.

He continued to come towards me, even though I dont remember, I was told I shot him, Harrison, who was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, recounted to Oklahoma Appleseed.

Like other murder charges against women for killing an attacker, prosecutors said Harrisons story did not align with witness statements and the physical evidence.

But sociologists say law enforcement doesnt focus enough on a womans history of trauma when considering similar cases.

More: Oklahoma House Republicans vote to expand a person's right to self-defense with a firearm

We cant separate these women from the complex trauma of their lives, said David McLeod, the associate director of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has the highest rate of domestic violence in the nation and ranks second in the rate of women killed by men, based on statistics analyzed by the Violence Policy Center.

McLeod said its no coincidence that Oklahoma leads the nation in violence against women, while also having one of the highest female incarceration rates.

When women arent perfect and they arent the perfect victim, they are treated as throw-away people who need to be punished and put back into place as if they were children or property, McLeod said. I know that's harsh to say, but when we look at the data, its really hard to get away from that idea.

Not only is a womans history of trauma often ignored by the legal system, McLeod said, but studies show women are often perceived differently when they defend themselves.

In a 2014 study on self-defense disparities between men and women, Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at the University of Miami, claimed men are often celebrated for meeting violence with violence, while women are questioned.

It is difficult to imagine asking a man why he didnt just leave when an intruder broke into his house and threatened him, so difficult in fact that the question is effectively foreclosed by the castle doctrine, Franks wrote, referring to the legal defense that a person has every right to defend themselves inside their own home.

And yet the question is routinely asked of women who are attacked in their own homes.

Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, the author of House Bill 1693, hopes to add back retroactive language to the proposal before the end of session.

HB 1639 addresses women who have killed in the act of self-defense, but McCarty, with Oklahoma Appleseed, said she hopes it will spark a wider conversation about domestic violence and criminality.

These things are linked, and we have to start seeing that, McCarty said.

Hasenbeck, the Elgin representative, said she didnt seek to get involved in a wider criminal justice reform movement.

But the stories of women behind bars for protecting themselves and their families inspired her to act, especially when domestic violence is so often misunderstood and so prevalent in Oklahoma.

Hasenbeck believes the bill has momentum but acknowledged pushback.

Ive had someone come to my office and say, Are you sure you want to wrap your pretty little head around this?, which really pissed me off, Hasenbeck said.

And so now I feel even more strongly that I have to do this, this is the time to do this.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma bill would protect women charged with murder during attack
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My GoPro captured the northern lights like a dream.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

As a frequent traveler who rarely checks a bag, I'm very selective about what makes its way into my suitcase. On a recent trip to Alaska, only the most useful gear made the cut: waterproof hiking pants, comfortable shoes, and a trusty bag, to start. But looking back, the M.V.P. of my entire trip  the one thing I'd never go back without  was my GoPro Hero11 Black.



I've known how valuable GoPro's action cameras are since 2008, back when I purchased my very first GoPro (the Hero5 Black) for a snorkeling trip. I recall blindly recording myself during the underwater escapades, crossing my fingers that at least half of my face was in frame. While GoPro remains the leader in the action camera space (and was even ranked the best action camera of 2023 by Travel + Leisure editors,) there have been tons of improvements over the past 15 years, including the roll out of the front screen that makes it a versatile, user-friendly camera.

Amazon

To buy: amazon.com, $449 (originally $500)



So when the GoPro Hero11 Black launched last fall, you could say I was excited to try it out for a few reasons. For starters, the latest iteration boasts a taller sensor that gives it an 8:7 aspect ratio, making it easier than ever to crop a conventional 16:9 video as well as vertically for, say, Instagram and TikTok. As someone who enjoys sharing my travels on social media, being able to do the latter was a huge draw. I could also now pull 24.7-megapixel stills from my videos, meaning that I can just focus on recording and extract a high-res photo using GoPros Quik app later on. And to top it all off, the Hero11 has a 10-bit color depth, up from the Hero10s 8-bit. With the ability to capture more than a billion shades of color, the average user will notice more vivid details and less banding, but this significant improvement is huge for professionals, providing more freedom for color correcting.

Story continues

I quickly decided my Alaska trip was the perfect time to take the GoPro Hero11 Black for a spin. While it was the start of spring, it was still frigid and I knew the battery would drain quickly as a result. Thankfully, the Hero11 now comes with the companys longer-lasting Enduro battery, which was previously sold separately. But to make sure I remained charged throughout the day, I also brought along a Volta, a handheld mount that also serves as a battery pack, tripod (albeit a very short one), and remote. If theres one accessory youre going to splurge on, Id highly recommend the Volta given its versatility.

Amazon

To buy: amazon.com, $130



My first adventure kicked off with Alaska Helicopter Tours, where I set out for Knik Glacier just northeast of Anchorage. I started to get back into the groove of using a GoPro after a long hiatus, taking videos from the chopper and recording myself sliding around in an ice cave. But it was here that Anchorage-based painter, filmmaker, and creator Max Romey taught me the ultimate GoPro hack. With a collapsible, near-nine-foot pole in hand, the talented multihyphenate demonstrated how to capture drone-like footage with a GoPro. And thanks to the GoPros HyperSmooth 5.0 stabilization, the video turned out nice and smooth despite light wind and walking on the mountains craggy surface.

Travel + Leisure / Max Romey

The drone-esque glacier moment was a nice preliminary assessment of the cameras stabilization, but it was my time in Fairbanks where I really put it to the test. At Chena Outdoor Collective, I grasped onto my Volta as Alaskan huskies pulled me around in a sled. Upon arriving at Midnight Sun ATV and Snowmobile Tours, I switched my GoPro over to a clamp mount and attached it to one of the snowmachines  as they call it in Alaska  handlebars. No matter how bumpy the ride in either situation, videos and TimeWarps (essentially a timelapse with movement) were both unbelievably smooth.

Travel + Leisure / Christina Liao

But if there was one goal I had for my great Alaskan adventure, it was to see, and capture, the northern lights. I spent one evening at Aurora Pointe in Fairbanks to learn more about the natural phenomenon. As I waited for my guide to announce an aurora sighting, I decided to try the Star Trails feature, one of the Hero11s new night effects. Eliminating hours of post-production editing, this new mode allowed me to shoot a star trail video with the push of a button. The only caveat is that you do need to have a basic understanding of ISO, shutter speed, and white balance when filming after the sun sets, but once you grasp these concepts it really is just as easy as hitting record. (And while I didnt get a chance to try this out during my time in Alaska, theres also the new Light Painting and Vehicle Lights Trails modes, too.)

Travel + Leisure / Christina Liao

My night at Aurora Pointe didnt pan out the way I had hoped, but I lucked out on my last day while on Northern Alaska Tour Companys Aurora Fly Drive Adventure. Following jaw-dropping aerial views of the Last Frontier, the drive from Coldfoot back down to Fairbanks began. Along the way we stopped at the Arctic Circle sign and the Yukon River Camp. Whenever there was a glimpse of the northern lights, the driver would pull over for everyone to snap their photos. But the real fun ensued once we reached the Arctic Circle Trading Post. Immediately upon arrival, the northern lights began to dance. For the first time, I was able to see them with my bare eyes without having to wonder whether they were just clouds. And once I set up my GoPro, toggling between night photo and night lapse mode, the camera revealed how the vibrant green hues were painting the sky.



Travel + Leisure / Christina Liao

By the end of the tour, I was running purely on a northern lightsfueled adrenaline rush. As I made my way to the airport on zero sleep, scrolling through the footage I had captured the last several days, I realized just how attached to my GoPro I had become. Ill continue to use the camera in ways that I have in the past  snorkeling, snowboarding, scenic road trips, sunset timelapses  but I look forward to incorporating it in situations that I had never thought of before, like light painting with friends or recording my nieces dance competitions while simultaneously getting great photos of her in action. And no matter where Im headed to next, Im making space in my backpack for the GoPro Hero11 Black.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $449.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
An Air National Guardsman was arrested and charged Thursday with applying to be a hitman on a parody website, officials say.

Josiah Ernesto Garcia, 21, of Tennessee, came across www.rentahitman.com as he was searching for contract mercenary jobs to support his family, the U.S. attorneys office for Middle Tennessee said in a statement. The website was created in 2005 and to advertise a cybersecurity startup, but when it failed, it would get inquiries for hitman services  so its administrator converted it to a parody site with false testimonials from people who claimed to have used its services, the criminal complaint says.

Garcia applied on the website for work as a hitman in February, submitting identification documents and a resume, as well as "indicating he was an expert marksman," earning him the nickname "Reaper," and was "employed in the Air National Guard since July 2021," according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Garcia continued to follow up on the website for about a month  submitting even more identifying information, including his home address and a head shot  and eventually agreed to kill someone for $5,000 in a conversation with an undercover FBI agent, according to the criminal complaint.

Josiah Ernesto Garcia (Josiah Garcia via Facebook)

"On Wednesday, Garcia met the undercover agent at a park in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and was provided with a target packet of a fictional individual, which included photographs and other information about the individual to be killed, and a down payment of $2,500," the U.S. attorney's office said. "After agreeing to the terms of the murder arrangement, Garcia asked the agent if he needed to provide a photograph of the dead body. Garcia was then arrested by FBI agents, who in a subsequent search of his home, recovered an AR style rifle."

Garcia was charged with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The FBI investigation continues.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An injured Ukrainian soldier is treated in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times)

In the leaked U.S. intelligence documents, Ukraines predicament looks dire.

Missiles for its Soviet-era air defenses are projected to run out by May. Its position in the key city of Bakhmut is catastrophic. Its military has taken losses of more than 120,000 dead and wounded  less than Russias estimated toll, but enormous for a country with less than one-third of Russias population.

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Yet in Kyiv, Ukraines capital, this past week, there was little palpable alarm about the scores of pages of classified documents that have surfaced in one of the most remarkable disclosures of American secrets in the past decade. In fact, some welcomed the leak, hoping that it would emphasize what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been saying for months  that Ukraine urgently needs more ammunition and weapons to expel the Russian forces.

From many points of view, this leak is really useful, and good, even I can say good for Ukraine, said Oleksiy Honcharenko, a member of parliament in the opposition European Solidarity party.

He said that unless Ukraines Western backers rushed to provide more than what he called incremental support, then everything can go to waste, because so much is at stake today.

The Pentagon intelligence updates and briefing slides that have dribbled into public view this month  after being posted on a gaming chat server by a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman, authorities say  have offered new details about the state of the war. But they have not fundamentally altered the overall picture of it, according to Western analysts and policymakers.

They say the new material largely adheres to what they already knew about the war  and wont upend how they are handling it.

This doesnt change our stance, said Nils Schmid, the foreign policy spokesperson in Germanys parliament for the Social Democrats, the party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the countrys three-way coalition. We understand that now is the time to provide armaments to Ukraine.

Story continues

But as Ukraine prepares for a long-anticipated counteroffensive that could usher in a new phase of the nearly 14-month war, the documents are focusing heightened attention on Ukraines challenges, the shortcomings in Western military aid and the uncertainty of what comes next.

Whether Ukraines Western allies are going to be able to deliver what Kyiv needs in this crucial moment is a major open question. European officials say that they are working to speed more artillery shells to Ukraine but are acknowledging that they may not be able to reach the goal of delivering 1 million rounds this year.

We cant produce much more, at least not quickly, said Ulrich Speck, a German foreign policy analyst. Going forward, what can Europe still give? Now its harder, a realization we dont have the ability to get things fast enough.

Some analysts noted that the intelligence does not determine how the war will actually unfold. Ukraines allies vastly underestimated its capabilities in the past, predicting that Russian forces would overrun Kyiv in the opening days of the war. On top of that, the documents gauge conditions more than six weeks ago. Battlefield realities change fast.

But the leaked documents clearly show how heavily the war effort relies on the United States. U.S. intelligence agencies have gotten inside Russias military enough to give real-time warnings to Ukraine on the timing of Moscows airstrikes, and even its specific targets. Several leaked slides show satellite imagery of the aftermath of Ukrainian airstrikes on what are described as U.S.-produced targets in Russian-held territory  new evidence that the United States is providing precise targeting data.

One of the Wests biggest concerns about the leaks has been that Russia would scramble to find and seal off the sources of U.S. intelligence. But in the week since the classified documents were posted widely on Telegram and Twitter, that fear has yet to materialize, two senior U.S. officials said: There is no indication that the Kremlin has taken steps to block the United States from penetrating Russias security and intelligence services.

Nor is there any sign yet that Russian commanders have changed their operations on the ground in Ukraine in response to the disclosures, the two U.S. officials said.

Beyond that, Ukrainian officials, while voicing their displeasure with the leaks, have told U.S. officials that the disclosures will not seriously impact their planned offensive because Russia already knew the broad parameters of Ukrainian vulnerabilities (like its shortages of weapons and ammunition). And the documents did not disclose precisely when, where and how the Ukrainians would carry out their counteroffensive, one senior U.S. official said.

Its hard for me to believe this will dramatically change Ukraines short-term plans for its counteroffensive, said Samuel Charap, a Russia analyst at the Rand Corp. Theres been discussion in open sources about the likely direction being south. Whether it affects the timing, perhaps.

While the documents show that U.S. spy agencies have intercepted Russian military communications, sometimes down to the details of planned Russian attacks, they offer little indication that the United States has been able to eavesdrop on the conversations of Russias leadership.

In the documents seen by The New York Times  which include many but not all of the hundreds of pages posted online  information about President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle appears mainly as hearsay. An entry describing a sensational plot by senior Russian officials to sabotage the invasion is attributed to a Ukrainian lawmaker who received information from an unidentified Russian source with access to Kremlin officials.

The lack of direct information about Putin could reflect the U.S. intelligence communitys challenges in collecting information on a leader who has enveloped himself in an extraordinary cocoon of secrecy. Still, the documents offer only a small window into the breadth of U.S. intelligence collection, leaning on information gleaned from electronic intercepts rather than on the CIAs network of human sources, which the agency guards much more carefully.

In Russia, many supporters of the war have warned that the leaks could be part of a ruse. The new details on the headwinds facing Ukraines military effort  including projections that key stocks of air defense missiles would be fully depleted by early May  are so extensive that some pro-Kremlin commentators have dismissed them as possible Western disinformation meant to get Russia to let its guard down.

We would be happy if this were true, a talk show host on Russian state television, Olga Skabeyeva, quipped in a segment about the leaks last Tuesday.

But the documents also detail the Russian militarys myriad challenges and its devastating losses, offering a behind-the-scenes view into why Western officials believe that the war is likely to drag into next year. Russias slow-moving offensive in eastern Ukraines Donbas region is likely heading toward a stalemate, a Feb. 22 briefing slide predicts, with high Russian combat losses and diminishing munitions stockpiles resulting in a protracted war beyond 2023.

For some, that offers a reminder that the war is far more likely to end in some kind of negotiated settlement than with a decisive military victory for either side.

We know that Ukraine needs to tilt the military balance in its favor to pave the way for negotiations, said Schmid, the German lawmaker.

For the cadre of analysts around the world parsing social media videos and commercial satellite imagery to glean information about the war, the intelligence leaks have provided new data points. But several said they saw nothing that caused them to revise their fundamental views of the war, which also point to a protracted conflict.

One independent Russian military analyst, Ruslan Leviev, said the documents matched his prior conclusions, including his view that Ukraines challenges in mobilizing soldiers and obtaining ammunition meant the upcoming counteroffensive would not be able to deliver a decisive victory.

Rob Lee, a senior fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said he had not seen anything that changed my mind tremendously.

But he warned that the outcome of Ukraines counteroffensive  and the war  rested on factors that even U.S. intelligence agencies were hard-pressed to measure, such as the morale of troops on both sides and how well they would perform.

Theres a lot about this war that we still dont know, or that we cant have certainty about, Lee said. Its war, and you can never have perfect information.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Multiple people were injured in a shooting that broke out outside a Phoenix bar, police say.

The shooting took place just after midnight on Saturday morning in the parking lot outside POJ's Cantina, a sports bar.

Phoenix officers found an injured security guard and another injured man. Both were transported to a hospital in stable condition.

Two other men who were shot showed up to the hospital as authorities were investigating. Both victims had non-life-threatening injuries.

ARIZONA IS SITE OF NEW KIRK CAMERON, SHERIFF MARK LAMB LIBRARY EVENT: FIGHT ON OUR HANDS

Phoenix officers found an injured security guard and another injured man who were both eventually taken to the hospital.

Bargoers at POJ's Cantina were asked to leave in light of the chaos. Police are investigating two of the victims' alleged involvement in the shooting.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"At this time, it is unknown how many people were involved in shooting a weapon," Sgt. Melissa Soliz said in a statement.

ARIZONA SHERIFF MARK LAMB RUNNING FOR US SENATE SEAT HELD BY SINEMA

Two other men who were shot showed up to the hospital as Phoenix authorities were investigating the bar shooting.

"This remains an ongoing investigation. Details about what led up to the shooting is still under investigation," she added.

There are no additional details about the shooting at this time.
Former Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Chairman John Warren carried the American flag behind Dan Bissell to lead the Grand Entry. (Photographs by Levi Rickert for Native News Online)

ALLENDALE, Mich.  The sounds of bells on ankles were heard as dancers prepared for the powwow mixed the arouma of Indian frybread being prepared, as parents assisted put finishing touches on their children's regalia, in the fieldhouse on Saturday. Shortly after 1 p.m. the 22nd Annual Celebrating All Walks of Life Powwow was underway at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale, Michigan, near Grand Rapids, this weekend.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the first time the powwow has been held since 2019 at GVSU.

"It was nice to see the return of the powwow after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. To welcome back and to celebrate with our community is exciting," Lin Bardwell (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), assistant director in GVSUs Office of Multicultural Affairs, said.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Shannon Martin

Shannon Martin (Potawatomi/Ojibwe) served as the emcee. She guided attendees to the powwow etiquitte throughout the powwow.

IMG-2480.jpg

Native News Online's reporter, Neely Bardwell (Odawa), is a fancy shawl dancer.

For Om Mohapatra, an Asain Indian, Saturday's event was his first powwow he ever attended. A student at Lansing Community College, he attended with his girlfriend, who is Odawa.

Being a first generation immigrant raised separated from my culture and values, it was very cool for me to experience my girlfriend's culture, something she is extremely passionate about. I was impressed not only by the dances, but also the crafts that the vendors had to sell. As soon as I walked in, I felt welcome and not out of place whatsoever. Mohapatra said to Native News Online.

Everything was so colorful and it reminded me of cultural events from my own religion and culture," Mohapatra continued.

Story continues

The powwow continues on Sunday at the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse on the Allendale campus. Grand Entry is at 12 noon - EDT.

About the Author: "Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
In a press release issued by Glynn County, it is stated that Brunswick City Fire officials are still on site today as the Georgia State Fire Marshall begins its inspection of the Pinova Plant fire.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Mutual aid departments and agencies were released at 3 a.m. Sunday morning while the Brunswick City Fire remained on scene and will remain for the rest of the day.

Of these multiple agencies, Georgia Forestry also contributed with an airdrop over the plant. Only two injuries were reported during the event, and they were minor burns treated by paramedics onsite.

I am so proud of our First Responder community, said Brunswick City Fire Department Chief Tim White. This was a Mutual Aid operation; we had every resource on hand and available to us. The response was fast, and I cannot say enough about this community.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Reports stated that the wind shifts helped move the smoke plume and keep it from settling in areas occupied by the public. Evacuation and Shelter in Place orders were lifted at 10 p.m. Saturday night and the City of Brunswick State of Emergency was lifted at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

The shelter organized by the American Red Cross at Howard Coffin Park remained operational with around 30 people staying overnight.

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As of right now, the cause of both fires is still under investigation.

Click here to read the full report.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Editor's note: This story describes domestic violence and includes descriptions of violent acts. Readers experiencing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 and reach out to local resource groups for help.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling asked for help.

Over and over again, she called 911.

She told Milwaukee police her ex-boyfriend beat her, ripped her hair out, held her hostage, threw rocks at her house and pulled a gun on her.

She pleaded with dispatchers, officers, his probation agent  anyone  to arrest him. They'd had the authority to do so for months: He had an open felony warrant for fleeing police in a high-speed chase. He could be put in jail without her cooperating or testifying or picking him out of a lineup.

She was afraid he would kill her if she talked to police and shoot any officers who tried to arrest him. She said he had made it clear he would never go back to prison.

Still, Schoeffling walked into a Milwaukee police district station last summer and told an officer her ex-boyfriend had attacked her 30 minutes earlier, while they were in her car with her two young sons.

Ive been here a million times, nothing ever happens, she told the cop. He goes on high speeds, you guys dont catch him. He pulls guns out, you guys dont catch him.

Im really scared, she said in an exchange captured by security cameras.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling

Her ex-boyfriend was finally arrested July 27  one day after Schoeffling was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. She was 31.

He went back to prison but not for a homicide. The state Department of Corrections, which had at least three earlier warnings about allegations against him, decided to revoke the mans extended supervision in an unrelated gun case.

Police officers, prosecutors and probation agents who had contact with Schoeffling over the final 10 months of her life missed the full picture of an escalating series of domestic violence allegations and calls for help, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation has found.

Story continues

The news organization interviewed those closest to Schoeffling, reviewed hundreds of pages of public records, uncovered video of Schoeffling reporting the abuse to police, pushed public officials for answers and asked several experts who work with domestic violence victims to review materials.

The results show how a system that is supposed to protect people like Schoeffling and the wider community failed to arrest or even question the person she repeatedly accused of violence.

The implications could not be more urgent. Forty-one lives were lost in domestic violence-related homicides in Milwaukee County last year  six of them occurring the same month Schoeffling died. Just last month, Milwaukee's police chief called domestic abuse "a root cause of a significant amount of violence in our city."

Schoefflings ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Howell, 29, was charged recently with first-degree reckless homicide in her death. He also faces charges of stalking and felony victim intimidation, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct and battery.

Howell did not enter a plea at his first court appearance. The attorney who represented him then did not return a reporter's calls. A hearing is set for next week for a judge to assign him a public defender. Prior to this case, he had not been charged in any earlier instances of domestic violence reported by Schoeffling. He did not respond to a letter from the Journal Sentinel.

Among the evidence cited in the homicide charging document is video uncovered by the Journal Sentinel. That video  showing Schoeffling walking into a police station and reporting abuse  vividly illustrates the uphill battle domestic abuse victims face when seeking help and accountability for those who hurt them, experts said.

The Milwaukee Police Department opened an internal review after the Journal Sentinel raised questions about how the officer in the video treated Schoeffling.

Antonia Drew Norton, founder of The Asha Project in Milwaukee and a national expert in domestic violence, watched the video and called it disturbing.

They blamed her, she said of the police response.

This woman, she's terrified, she continued. Because if you fail to put him away, he's going to come back and she could be dead.

Which she is.

Honest, loving and caring: Bobbie Lou Schoeffling remembered as devoted mom, sister

An undated photo of Bobbie Lou Schoeffling with her younger sister, Tia.

Tia Schoeffling set the photos down one by one.

Theres Tia and her sister, Bobbie Lou, sitting in a car wearing pink tank tops and sunglasses, both still in elementary school.

Theres Tia and Bobbie Lou on horseback a few years later.

Theres Bobbie Lou posing with a diploma and roses.

Theres Bobbie Lou with her sons  in a sunflower field, in a pool and in a selfie.

She was the most honest, loving and caring person, Tia said. I looked up to her like my mom. She was my older sister, as well as my best friend.

Bobbie Lou was five years older than Tia. The two had August birthdays, separated by three days. They celebrated together every year.

The sisters and their brother were raised by their maternal grandmother in a rural community about 30 miles outside of Milwaukee. Bobbie Lou worked as a certified nursing assistant taking care of elderly people and as a hairstylist.

She had her first child when she was 21. Her second arrived two years later. The pregnancies were unplanned, her sister said, and Bobbie Lou and her family raised the boys.

Bobbie Lou grew tremendously after becoming a mother, Tia said. She is  she was the best mother.  She took that responsibility and she accepted it.

Bobbie Lou had primary custody of her boys throughout her life. Her relationship with the father of her youngest son was abusive. He was convicted of child abuse and domestic violence during their time together, according to court records.

The Milwaukee County Courthouse on March 15 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Bobbie Lou struggled with alcohol and was charged several times with drunken driving or driving with a revoked license. She once told an officer who arrested her that she drank as a coping mechanism. A therapist later wrote to a judge that her alcohol use was not the result of addiction but rather an attempt to deal with trauma.

Her legal problems meant she came under the supervision of the Department of Corrections  an agency she would later turn to for help.

Court files show a woman trying to do what the system said she should. In 2020, Bobbie Lou sent a handwritten letter to a judge in her drunk driving case, worried she was not receiving mailed notices of upcoming hearings and unsure how the new coronavirus pandemic would affect the scheduling.

I just want to be sure I do not miss any court dates, she wrote.

The same year, she started talking to a new guy she had met on Facebook.

His name was Nicholas Howell. Everyone called him by his nickname, Chase.

Sister sees signs of an abusive relationship

Tia was there the first time her sister met Howell after chatting with him online.

He came off nice, Tia said. He came off caring.

Bobbie Lou had gotten to know him during the pandemic. Online, Howell showed off his skills as a rapper and showered her with affection.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling, right, with her sister, Tia.

As the relationship went on, Tia noticed a change in her sister. Bobbie Lou was constantly on her phone, answering Howells calls and texts. He wanted to know where she was and who she was with.

Tia said he often accused her sister of cheating and was jealous. She remembered a time when Howell pulled up unannounced at a gas station where she was with her sister. He wanted to make sure Bobbie Lou was where she said.

She always told me, He doesnt like when Im with you, Tia said. And I always thought that was a red flag, that that was possessive behavior.

Bobbie Lou found an apartment in Milwaukee and Howell moved in with her. After that rental flooded, she moved to a duplex near North 91st Street and West Hampton Avenue. Tia said her sister did not want Howell to join her and even considered not telling him where she was going.

They were having problems then, Tia said. But then something changed. I don't know if he sweet-talked her, but she ended up letting him stay.

Tia also moved in, despite the uneasy relationship she had with Howell. She was in her bedroom one day when she heard shouting and then a large bang, like someone had been shoved into a wall.

She ran to the living room and found everyone kind of scrambled.

Tia pleaded with her sister to end things with Howell and Bobbie Lou tried to do so  at least eight times that Tia remembered.

Howell would leave the house, only to return a few days or weeks later.

She kept going back to him, Tia said. I didnt understand why. I thought maybe she knows something about him. Is there something that I dont know about them? That they have a special bond?

She paused.

Sometimes you fall in love with the wrong person, she said softly.

People stay in abusive relationships for many complicated reasons. They might financially depend on their abuser or share children. Experts say one of the key reasons is safety. It might sound counterintuitive to people who have not experienced abuse. To them, leaving seems safer. For those living with abuse, it often is not.

Domestic violence is about power and control. When a person leaves, an abuser loses both of those things and might take dangerous steps to regain them.

People choose to stay because the alternative could mean homicide, said Jenna Gormal, co-director of prevention and engagement for End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. It can be a very tactical decision.

The isolation Bobbie Lou experienced is common in domestic violence and makes it much harder to leave. Advocates often cite the statistic that on average, it takes seven attempts for someone to leave an abusive relationship permanently.

Complicating the situation was Howells probation status.

He had two prior convictions. The first was for an armed robbery on Milwaukees west side. The second was for illegal gun possession. He was sentenced to three years in prison in that case and was released on extended supervision in late 2019.

If Bobbie Lou called police, Howell could be forced to serve out the rest of his time behind bars. And he had made it clear to her that he had no intention of going back to prison.

He soon came to the attention of police anyway.

The Speedway gas station in Germantown, Wis., where, according to police records, Nicholas Howell was pulled over in the early hours of March 10, 2021, before leading officers on a high-speed chase.

Shortly before 1 a.m. on March 10, 2021, Germantown police pulled him over for driving with a suspended license. He stopped at a gas station and got out of his car. The officer asked a colleague to come with a police dog. The dog started barking, a signal that it may have detected drugs, and Howell sprinted back to his car and took off.

Germantown police chased after Howell, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph before losing sight of the car in Milwaukee.

The Germantown officer notified the Department of Corrections about the chase, and officials issued a warrant for a probation/parole violation.

Washington County prosecutors later charged Howell with fleeing and obstructing an officer.

Police officers and probation agents could have arrested him at any point.

Instead, he remained free for more than a year.

Domestic violence escalates with assaults using a gun

Tia has a clear memory of a night in October 2021.

She was at Bobbie Lous house on Hampton Avenue in Milwaukee.

Howell was there. He didnt want Bobbie Lou to leave. He and Bobbie Lou argued, and he punched her. His shirt inched up and Tia saw a flash of metal.

Crack.

The butt of a 9mm came down on Tias head. Then, Howell turned the barrel to her temple.

Shoot me, then, she remembered saying.

She ran to her sister.

For some reason, he didnt shoot.

Bobbie Lou grabbed for the gun, tussling with Howell, until she broke free and ran to her car with Tia.

Bobbie Lou and Howell had been dating for about a year. His jealousy and possessiveness  the calls and texts at all hours  had been relentless. Her injuries  bruises and cuts along her hands and face  became impossible to hide.

That night, Bobbie Lou decided to call police.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling repeatedly went to law enforcement for help. Here's a timeline of her reports and their response.

She told three Milwaukee officers that Howell had punched her in the head and then hit her sister with a pistol when she tried to defend her.

Bobbie Lou repeated what Howell had screamed at her.

Bitch, Ill kill you.

Shed had problems with him in the past, she said, but hadnt called police, fearing hed get in trouble.

The officers took photos of Bobbie Lous bruises and cut, and the knot on Tias head. Both said they did not need medical treatment for their injuries.

The officers put a temporary alert out for Howell as a suspect in a battery and felony gun investigation. Two officers checked two addresses for Howell but did not find him.

Bobbie Lou said her ex-boyfriend had a gun and threatened to kill her. That meant she would have screened in as higher risk on a lethality assessment, a form police officers use to identify domestic violence cases likely to end in death.

The 11-question assessment asks about threats to kill a victim or her children, attempts to strangle her, jealousy and control, employment status, access to a gun and other red flags.

The form helps officers and others convey to victims like Bobbie Lou the level of danger theyre facing. It also is used to connect victims with domestic violence advocates, who find victims shelter and file restraining orders. The assessments also are reviewed weekly by a team of specialists dedicated to stopping domestic violence homicides.

All police agencies in Milwaukee County have been trained on the form since 2014. The Milwaukee Police Department requires officers to fill it out when responding to a domestic violence call.

But the officers did not use a lethality assessment on Bobbie Lou. And they did not classify this as a domestic violence call at all.

No arrest and no charges in first case

Ten days passed.

A prosecutor called Bobbie Lou to talk about the reports police had sent. For a case to be charged, she would need to cooperate, he said.

Bobbie Lou was scared and frustrated. Howell had not been arrested  and she did not understand why.

She had told police about the beating. Her sister had described it to the Department of Corrections, the agency in charge of monitoring Howell. The departments agents had the power to detain him at any time for suspected violations of his extended supervision.

Yet, he was still free.

On the phone with the prosecutor, Bobbie Lou said she was afraid of what Howell would do if criminal charges were filed when he was not in custody. She had told her sister several times before that Howell said he would rather have a shootout with police than go back to jail.

The prosecutor, William Ackell, asked to call her back along with a victim advocate. The next day, in a second call, she reiterated her fears and made her decision.

She would not cooperate anymore in the case.

She was very clear that she did not intend to participate in a prosecution on that matter, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said.

His office did not file charges.

Looking back, Tia pointed to this moment as a significant one.

Why do you think that a woman is going to call the police the next time something happens after they failed her the first time? she said.

The district attorneys office was concerned about the serious allegations involving a gun, which is why they wanted an advocate to speak with Bobbie Lou, according to Lovern.

Despite that, no one from the office took any additional steps to figure out what was going on. The advocate could have done a lethality screening but did not.

The prosecutor, or police department, could have sent the reports to the countys Domestic Violence High-Risk Team, but did not. The team includes officers, detectives, prosecutors, victim advocates, probation agents and social service providers who discuss how best to intervene to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable. In five years, the team has handled more than 3,100 cases, with only one ending in a homicide.

Howells probation agent, Gerhard Vosswinkel, received a report about the October assault, according to a log he kept. There are no entries after that point describing attempts to contact or find Howell.

It was not the first time Vosswinkel had received a report alleging Howell had abused someone.

Less than two years earlier, before Howell started seeing Bobbie Lou, a different woman called Vosswinkel and said Howell had beaten her daughter. The woman said her daughter was bruised but did not want to go to police and get Howell in trouble.

Vosswinkel questioned Howell, who denied the allegations. The same day, Howells girlfriend contacted the agent and denied Howell had hurt her.

A high-speed chase in Butler when her life was 'in jeopardy'

Bobbie Lou became pregnant with Howells child sometime in the fall of 2021. She stopped drinking.

She worried about Howells response to her pregnancy, and with good reason: Homicide is a leading cause of death in pregnant women in the U.S.

The Kwik Trip at 12501 W. Arden Place in Butler, Wis., where an officer tried to pull over a car driven by Bobbie Lou Schoeffling. Facial recognition software identified Nicholas Howell as her passenger.

Three weeks after Bobbie Lou visited doctors for an ultrasound, she told her sister that shed been involved in a high-speed chase with police  driving while Howell, in the passenger seat, held a gun to her.

According to a report from Butler police, on the night of Jan. 2, 2022, Officer Kyle Knapp noticed a black Mazda with a broken brake light and missing front license plate in the parking lot of a Kwik Trip.

He saw a woman slip into the drivers seat as a man with long dreadlocks got into the passengers seat. The car quickly reversed and left the parking lot.

Knapp tried to pull it over.

At first, the car turned into the parking lot of the nearby Home Depot on North 124th Street as if it was going to stop. But then the driver made a U-turn and sped away.

Knapp chased after it, sirens screaming. The three-mile pursuit lasted only two minutes until Knapp decided it was too dangerous and stopped.

But he wasnt done investigating. He pulled security footage from the Kwik Trip, which showed two children had been with the pair inside the store. He sent an alert to other police agencies with photos of the woman and man.

An officer in New Berlin ran the images through facial recognition software, which identified the woman as Bobbie Lou Schoeffling and the man as Nicholas Howell. Howell's result had a 100% accuracy reading.

Knapp went to Bobbie Lous listed address on Hampton Avenue and, spotting the Mazda parked nearby, knocked on the front door. No one opened it. He towed the car.

Two months later, Knapp tracked down Bobbie Lou.

The Waukesha County Jail in Waukesha, Wis.

She was in the Waukesha County Jail where she had just started a 90-day sentence with work release on a drunk-driving conviction. The case was from a traffic stop the summer before.

She had been sober and pregnant for much of the time since then. She told Knapp shed had a miscarriage a week before she went to jail.

When Knapp questioned her, Bobbie Lou admitted the person in the Kwik Trip photo looked like her but initially denied leading him on a high-speed chase.

Knapp tried to build rapport, saying he thought she had been in a bad situation.

My life was in jeopardy, she said. I had a gun to me ... I wanted to pull over. I dont know if you could tell that. I slowed down, I wanted to.

I did see you slow down, he said.

I had a gun to me and it was either a police officer or I was going to get shot, she continued. Thats what was being screamed at my face and I did not want that to happen, whether it be me, you or someone else get shot.

She told the officer that her passenger stuck a gun under her ribs when she tried to stop at the Home Depot and kept it there for the rest of the chase.

Knapp asked if the passenger was Howell and showed her the Kwik Trip security photos.

No, Bobbie Lou said. She gave a different name.

He asked about the two children in the car. She said they were the mans nephews.

Knapp confirmed with her where the passenger pulled the gun: Home Depot, on the Wauwatosa side of North 124th Street.

The south parking lot of Home Depot at 4100 N. 124th St. in Wauwatosa, Wis.

"So thats when the gun incident happened and that never then went back into Waukesha County," he said, before asking her: For jurisdiction reasons, if we find this guy, like, would you be willing to file a complaint against him?

I mean yeah, if I can identify him," Bobbie Lou replied.

What she had described the man doing was much more serious than fleeing a traffic stop, Knapp said. He said he would talk to the prosecutor and explain the situation. She didnt believe him.

I just dont trust the system anymore, she said.

Knapp sent the case to the Waukesha County district attorneys office for potential charges against Bobbie Lou. He included her account of being held at gunpoint.

Knapp had pulled Howells criminal background after receiving the facial recognition lead. He saw two open warrants, one from Washington County for fleeing and one from the state Department of Corrections for a probation violation.

His reports make no mention of any attempts to find or interview Howell.

Knapp searched several databases for the name Bobbie Lou had given him. He did not find anyone with that name who matched the Kwik Trip photos.

Although Knapp had implied to Bobbie Lou that Tosa police needed to investigate the gun offense, that was not accurate, Butler Police Chief David Wentlandt told the Journal Sentinel.

We have jurisdiction on both sides of the street," he said.

The chief had no record of his department notifying Tosa police of Bobbie Lou's account: that a man had put a gun against a pregnant womans ribs, threatened to shoot her and forced her to flee from police at dangerous speeds with two children in the backseat.

The officer tried to determine who the passenger was but was given inaccurate information, Wentlandt said.

"He ran into a dead end," the chief said.

A bruised lip, a 911 call and a woman 'fed up with him not getting caught'

After she finished her work-release jail sentence, Bobbie Lou continued to live in fear of Howell. She had tried to end things, but he would not let go of the relationship.

She had told police and others that he had threatened her. Stalked her. Beaten her. Held her at gunpoint.

Every time she tried to get help, nothing changed.

Meanwhile, Waukesha prosecutors had charged her with fleeing in the Butler case.

The duplex on Hampton Avenue where Bobbie Lou Schoeffling was living.

One night in June 2022, Tia went over to her sisters house to hang out. The two sisters walked into the hallway where, under the light, Tia noticed her sister had a swollen, bruised lip.

She believed Howell had hurt Bobbie Lou. The second Tia saw Howell inside, she started punching him.

He once again took his gun out and pointed it at me, Tia said. And my sister once again jumped in between us.

Tia ran out to her car and called 911. She said Howell had threatened her with a gun and her sister was in danger.

Before the line went dead, she shared two more pieces of information. Howell was wanted by police and she feared he would kill her for calling 911.

Police called her back 15 minutes later.

Doesnt matter, he is gone now, she said. She declined to share her name or location, saying she no longer needed police.

An officer called her at 11:32 p.m. and left a voicemail.

At 11:39 p.m.  nearly 50 minutes after Tia first called 911  the dispatch records noted that officers checked the residence and heard no movement or distress. The unit appears to be vacant.

Tia told the Journal Sentinel her sister was fed up with him not getting caught.

She had just given up at that point, Tia said.

Police video shows Bobbie Lou saying, 'I'm gonna die. He's gonna kill me.'

A month later, on July 11, Milwaukee police dispatchers got another call from the Hampton Avenue address.

This time, a caller said a friends boyfriend was hitting her. The line was disconnected. Both times police called back, it went to voicemail.

Officers Shaundae McIntosh and Michael Budziszewski headed to the address and found Bobbie Lou and a friend. The two women were outside in the dark. The officers asked what happened and if Bobbie Lou could identify her ex-boyfriend.

I cant tell you guys because he really will come kill me. Ive tried this before, Ive tried this before and Im sorry but like I cant ever," Bobbie Lou told them in a conversation recorded by McIntosh's body camera.

"He always pulls up and just smashes in my windows and just does stuff and I just can't, just can't get rid of him. ... He (is) saying he is gonna have a gun, pull up here and shoot up my house," she said.

The body camera also captured footage of Bobbie Lou's friend hugging her and telling her they were going to fix the situation. Bobbie Lou responded: "No, we're not. I'm gonna die. He's gonna kill me."

A woman told Milwaukee police an ex-boyfriend beat her. Experts say the officer's response was 'disturbing.'

The officers did not file an incident report. That left no detailed written record of what happened and no case to refer to prosecutors. Dispatch records showed the officers closed the call as "advised," which meant they believed there was not enough information to determine a crime was committed.

The friend who was with Bobbie Lou that night told the Journal Sentinel she pointed at Howell's fleeing car as officers arrived, telling them: "That's him, right there."

Bobbie Lou also told the officers her ex-boyfriend had held her at gunpoint during a high-speed chase and had shot into her home, according to her friend, who asked that the Journal Sentinel not publish her name for safety reasons.

She told him there was a bullet hole in the house that night, the friend said.

Asked if Bobbie Lou did not want officers to file a report, her friend replied quickly.

"No, we wanted him caught," she said.

Instead, the officers said to call back if anything else happened, she said.

Bobbie Lou did call 911 again that night.

At 10:45 p.m., she asked officers to come back because Howell was threatening to burn her house down, beat her and damage her car. She said she was leaving her house to stay with a friend.

More than an hour later, two different officers were sent to the Hampton Avenue address. Those officers cleared the call with another "advised" label.

There is no record of officers searching other addresses for Howell that night, even though he already was wanted on two warrants unrelated to domestic violence.

To Bobbie Lou, no one seemed able or willing to catch him.

'They blamed her': How Bobbie Lou was treated by Milwaukee police when she reported further abuse

On July 15, Bobbie Lou's friend again called Milwaukee police, frantic.

A man was beating Bobbie Lou inside a car, in front of children, she said.

Within an hour, Bobbie Lou and her friend walked into Milwaukee Police District 3, a station near the intersection of West Lisbon Avenue and North Avenue. Bobbie Lous two sons, ages 10 and 7, were there, too.

What happened next deeply disturbed those who help domestic violence victims.

Bobbie Lou told the officer her ex-boyfriend was driving recklessly in her car, so she reached over and threw it into park. The car jolted to a stop near a sidewalk. Then he started beating her, she said.

Ive just been trying to break up with him, she told the officer. He shows up at my house all the time. We just called the police on him again the other day.

She provided Howells name, birth date and physical description, adding: Hes very highly, highly dangerous just so you guys know.

An entrance to Milwaukee Police District 3 in Milwaukee, Wis.

She answered the officers questions: No, they do not have children together. Yes, they used to live together on and off.

He like wont leave and he holds me hostage. Like literally, I cant leave my house for days, she said. He takes all my shit, he takes my phone, I can't do shit.

Im just tired, I shouldnt have to live like this, she added.

The officer, Shawn Toms, looked up Howells record. He did not see a report from four days earlier when Bobbie Lou and her friend called 911, because none of the officers filed one.

Toms did see the October 2021 incident when Howell was accused of beating Bobbie Lou and her sister. He noticed no charges had been filed.

Howell had not been arrested in that case. Nor had he been arrested at any point in the year his warrant in the Washington County fleeing case had been open  though Milwaukee police had received three calls about him over that time period.

But Toms began to question Bobbie Lou as though Howell had been arrested, and that she was the reason he was free  appearing to blame her, as one domestic violence expert put it later, for failing to be able to hold him accountable for crimes.

So what do you think is going to happen this time? Toms asked Bobbie Lou.

I dont know, thats what Im saying, its like you guys can never catch him thats why ..., she said, before the officer interrupted her.

Well, if we catch him and then he goes down and you dont show up, he gets released, so thats why Im saying what kind of outcome do you expect today? Toms said. You want me to catch him again, you dont show up, he gets released? You just keep doing this cycle, you know what I mean?

Bobbie Lous friend leaned toward the desk and asked the officer: Are you saying you dont care?

No thats not what Im saying, Toms said, later adding: Im asking whats going to be the difference, or how does this change today, OK? Thats something you gotta think about.

"We can write this all day long," he continued. "You can come back 97 more times but  if  I dont know what to tell you. Well be more than happy to write it up, wed be more than happy to send it down, wed be more than happy to arrest him once again."

Like I said, hes been wanted for more than a year and you guys havent caught him, Bobbie Lou said.

Domestic violence experts who watched the video criticized the officers actions.

His vibration is like: We don't care," said Shawn Muhammad, who served as associate director of The Asha Project until his recent retirement.

It was the polices job to hold Howell accountable, said Drew Norton, the founder of The Asha Project.

But they blamed her, she said.

The Milwaukee Police Department has a 19-page policy on how officers are supposed to investigate domestic violence. It includes an acknowledgment that victims might recant, minimize an abusers action, not appear in court or refuse to testify.

A highlighted section of the Milwaukee Police Department's 19-page policy on how officers are supposed to investigate domestic violence.

The policy stresses that officers shall gather necessary evidence so that, should the matter be prosecuted, every effort has been made to proceed without the participation of the victim.

"We want effective, compassionate responses," said Carmen Pitre, president and chief executive of Sojourner Family Peace Center, which coordinates the county's Domestic Violence High Risk Team.

When systems work, they work well, but when they break down, they need to be held accountable, she said.

If we dont try to do better, were never going to be able to fix whats broken or breaking, Pitre said.

Officer described her as 'uncooperative'; his actions put under review

The officer did file an incident report based on what Bobbie Lou told him.

In the first paragraph, Toms wrote: The complainant appeared uncooperative at first and did not want the report to take too long.

He noted she refused to speak to a hotline counselor and did not consent to releasing her information to local domestic violence advocates who could follow up with services. The security video showed Bobbie telling the officer she already had been in touch with an advocate. Police took 10 photos of her injuries.

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling was described as "uncooperative" by the officer who took her report.

This time, police did conduct a lethality assessment on Bobbie Lou.

She answered yes to 10 of the 11 questions.

After she left the district, Toms can be seen on security video turning to other officers at the front desk to vent about the interaction.

Its our fault because we never do shit about it, Toms said sarcastically, adding: Its all your fault John, everything that bitch went to go through is your fault.

The officers briefly considered calling Bobbie Lou's probation agent to say she was spending time with a felon and was around guns. Although the officers seemed to be joking, if they had called, it could have had serious consequences for Bobbie Lou, including possible jail time or losing custody of her children.

Near the end of the video, Toms described the woman who came to him for help this way:

She was a c--t.

The Journal Sentinel requested an interview in December with Police Chief Jeffrey Norman to discuss the officers actions. In response, the department opened an internal review into the incident and declined to make Norman or another police official available to answer questions, citing that ongoing review.

The department released a statement at that time, which said, in part, it takes community member reports of any and all violence very serious (sic). MPD holds our members to the highest level of integrity.

The review stayed at the district level and did not go to internal affairs. Two sergeants spoke to Toms and reminded him of the department's code of conduct, which calls for officers to treat members of the public and colleagues with dignity, respect, courtesy and professionalism, according to a memo placed in his personnel file.

Toms' conversation with Schoeffling "could be construed as disrespectful," Sgt. Gregory Byers wrote.

Toms said he understood and would not let it happen again, the memo says.

The department declined to make Norman, Toms or any other police representative available for an interview about Schoeffling's prior domestic violence reports. Toms did not respond to requests for an interview.

Prosecutors again decline to file charges in domestic violence case

Three days after Bobbie Lou walked into District 3, the District Attorneys Office decided not to file charges against Howell.

Lovern, the chief deputy district attorney, said a prosecutor and victim advocate had tried to reach Bobbie Lou without success.

We certainly had the strong impression that there was again not a desire to be cooperative with the prosecution of this matter and no charges were ultimately filed, Lovern said.

Because Howell was not arrested at the scene and all information came from Bobbie Lous account, her cooperation was necessary for a criminal case, he said.

Her case also did not get referred to the countys Domestic Violence High Risk Team. Officials have said the team, while successful and adding staff, cannot handle all of the serious domestic violence cases happening in the county.

On the same day the district attorneys office decided not to charge Howell, Bobbie Lou again called Milwaukee police.

Earlier that day, around midnight, she had heard Howell throwing rocks at her window. She believed he had a gun with him.

She yelled at her sons to get on the ground and called 911.

She told the operator what was happening, that Howell had beaten her a few days earlier and that she had seen him with a gun.

Howell was gone when officers arrived. Bobbie Lou said everything began with an altercation a couple hours earlier near a gas station on North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Howell had driven up as she left the gas station, honking his horn and swerving before pulling in front of her and slamming on the brakes. Then he swung open her drivers door, slapped her and violently pulled her hair before grabbing her purse and phone.

As she followed him to get her belongings, he pulled a gun from his waistband, pointed it at her chest and said, Bitch, stop playing with me.

Howell spotted a Milwaukee police wagon and squad driving by and told her to shut up. While he was distracted by the police, she snatched her phone and purse back, jumped in her car and drove home. Howell then called her phone nonstop and showed up at her house throwing rocks, which is when she called 911.

The officers again gave Bobbie Lou the lethality assessment. She answered yes to all 11 questions. Under victim demeanor, police described her as fearful. An officer asked if anything else worried her and wrote down her answer: "He has contact with many people that can follow her and report her whereabouts."

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling twice screened in as high-risk on the lethality assessment, a tool used by law enforcement and others to identify domestic violence cases likely to end in death.

She was screened in as high risk, but declined to speak with an advocate on the domestic violence hotline.

The police noted in their report that Howell was a convicted felon who cannot have a gun and had an active warrant from the Department of Corrections and another warrant from Washington County. He still was wanted for questioning in the earlier domestic violence allegation that Bobbie Lou had made at District 3.

Officers asked Bobbie Lou where Howell might be. She gave an address. Officers checked it twice that night.

They didnt find him.

A last call for help: You need to catch him before he kills me

One of the last times Tia saw her sister alive, she was on the phone.

Bobbie Lou was talking to Howells probation agent, Vosswinkel, the person who was supposed to be supervising him after he got out of prison on his gun case.

She overheard her sister tell him: You need to catch him before he kills me.

The Department of Corrections denied interview requests with Vosswinkel, or anyone else at the agency to answer questions about Howells supervision. Vosswinkel did not respond to interview requests. The department declined to confirm an exchange took place, citing victim privacy.

Vosswinkel knew about the Germantown fleeing case as early as March 2021, according to his case notes obtained by the Journal Sentinel in a public records request.

The notes show he also knew about the October 2021 assault.

And someone called him in mid-July 2022 to report Howell had guns and provided other information that was blacked out by the Department of Corrections, again citing victim privacy.

After that, Vosswinkel updated the existing violation warrant from the fleeing case to say Howell was potentially armed, an agency spokesman told the Journal Sentinel.

A few days later in July, Vosswinkel received a written statement about recent incidents with offender. The Department of Corrections denied a records request for that statement so its not known publicly who sent the statement or what it described. The department said releasing it could interfere with a homicide investigation.

The Journal Sentinel asked the Department of Corrections to detail what efforts, if any, the agent or other staff made to locate and question Howell in the year he was wanted. The news organization asked the agency to provide specific dates and steps taken.

Instead, John Beard, a department spokesman, released a general statement that when the agency "learns of behavior that is potentially illegal or could be in violation of an individuals rules of supervision, the agency shares information with authorities. Once apprehended, DOC performs its own investigation that can lead to a number of responses, including recommending revocation of the clients supervision."

Department of Corrections agents and police could have taken Howell into custody at any point from at least March 2021 onward. They did not.

Only a "very small number" of agents are dedicated to actively going out with police to find those who are wanted, focusing on those highest-risk people wanted for violent crimes, Beard said.

Milwaukee police did refer the rock-throwing and beating to the District Attorneys Office. The Domestic Violence Unit received that case and 146 others for potential charges that week. At the time, the unit had 10 prosecutors, including the team supervisor, to review charging referrals and staff three domestic violence courts.

The case was still awaiting a charging decision when Bobbie Lou was found shot to death.

Mourners received memorial cards at Bobbie Lou Schoeffling's funeral.

A mother trying to protect her sons leaves a legacy

Bobbie Lou sent her sons to stay with her grandmother the last weekend in July.

Her sister believes she knew the danger she faced.

Bobbie Lou started a new job at an office on July 25, a Monday. She was making plans to move and had an appointment to view a house she wanted to buy on Tuesday evening.

She never made it.

On July 26, the same friend who'd gone with Bobbie Lou to District 3 called 911 and asked police to check on Bobbie Lou after she could not reach her. The friend also called Tia, who immediately left work and drove to her sisters house.

Tia was driving when the friend called back to tell her Bobbie Lou was dead. Tia called Howells probation agent and screamed at him.

She has two babies. This isnt right. She begged you to catch him!

In the days after her sisters death, Tia scrolled through her phone and read messages from her sister. Amid the love and jokes between sisters, she saw a record of Bobbie Lous relationship.

What to do if you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship

The day in March when Howell got a car and Bobbie Lou hoped it meant he would leave their duplex more often. Another day in May when he moved out. A message in July when Bobbie Lou said she had made him leave again  this time, she hoped, for good.

Bobbie Lous grandmother requested the pastor presiding over her funeral wear cowboy boots, a nod to the familys rural roots and Bobbie Lous love of horses. When she learned he didnt have any, she lent him a pair.

I think you have to be a brave person to get on a horse, the pastor said in his eulogy.

Bobbie Lou was cremated. After the service, her two brothers carried her remains to a brown horse standing outside the church.

The mourners, including her sons, watched as they placed her ashes on the saddle, tightening the hold before the horse pushed forward.

Tia Schoeffling holds a photo of her sister Bobbie Lou Schoeffling, who was shot and killed in Milwaukee in July 2022. Bobbie had reported her boyfriend to police multiple times for domestic abuse. Her killing is believed to be related to domestic violence.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.

We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org

The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828.

The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural, domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510.

The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526.

Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090.

The Hmong American Womens Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help

Bobbie Lou Schoeffling, 31, was found shot to death in her Milwaukee home July 26, 2022. This story is the result of eight months of reporting since then.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Ashley Luthern first interviewed Schoefflings sister, Tia Schoeffling, on July 29, 2022. Tia Schoeffling described her sister experiencing months of repeated abuse by her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Howell, and attempts to get help from police and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Tia Schoeffling also detailed her own experiences with Howell, including a time when he beat her with a gun and another occasion when she punched him after seeing her sisters injuries. She said she had not been interviewed in depth by Milwaukee police detectives at that time.

Luthern obtained records from the Milwaukee Police Department, Butler Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Wisconsin Department of Justice and from circuit courts in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Jefferson counties. These records included dispatch and incident reports, transcripts of court hearings, notes from the agent in charge of supervising Howell and video of police interviews of Schoeffling where she described being abused. The records corroborated the initial information provided by Tia Schoeffling. Luthern also interviewed five domestic violence experts.

The storys dialogue comes mostly from video interviews obtained through public records requests or transcripts. Quotes that are from someones memory, either recalled in interviews or in police reports, are in italics.

Information about Schoefflings pregnancy came from a video of her interview with a Butler police officer, a police inventory report that listed documents found inside her car and her sister, Tia Schoeffling.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Luthern first requested the file documenting Howells supervision by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections on Aug. 5, 2022. The state Department of Corrections did not provide records until Nov. 9, 2022. Department officials redacted some names and specific allegations made against him. The Journal Sentinel appealed to the department to review and remove some of the redactions; the department denied the request in January. The Department of Corrections also withheld a victim statement within Howell's file, saying it could compromise an ongoing homicide investigation.

In December, Luthern filed an open records request for a copy of a DOC probation/parole violation warrant filed against Howell, which was not included in his supervision file. The warrant was released on March 21.

In January, Luthern requested an interview with the DOC agent in charge of the ex-boyfriends supervision, Gerhard Vosswinkel, his supervisor or any other official. The state Department of Corrections asked for questions in writing. Luthern emailed detailed questions in January and again in March. On March 15, the department responded and provided some information, but did not describe any specific dates or attempts to apprehend Howell while he was wanted on two warrants. The department refused to confirm or respond to questions about Schoeffling reporting abusive behavior by her ex-boyfriend to Department of Corrections agents, citing victim privacy rights and an ongoing investigation. Vosswinkel did not respond to interview requests.

Milwaukee Police Department

In early December, Luthern requested an interview with Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman to ask questions about how the department responded to several domestic violence incidents reported by Schoeffling, including how an officer at District 3 handled a report made by Schoeffling on July 15, 2022, less than two weeks before her death. In response, the Milwaukee Police Department opened an internal review into the officers conduct and denied an interview request with Norman or any other police official, citing the open review.

Luthern followed up with the Milwaukee Police Department on Jan. 31 and asked for an update on the review. The department acknowledged receiving the inquiry on Feb. 2 but did not provide any substantive information.

In March, Luthern again contacted the Milwaukee Police Department to ask about the status of the internal review. She requested to interview Norman or another police official about how the department investigated domestic violence reports made by Schoeffling. She also requested to interview the officer involved in the internal review, Shawn Toms.

On March 13, the department denied the interview requests. At that time, a police spokesman said officers who responded to the assault of Schoeffling and her sister on Oct. 9, 2021, did not classify the incident as domestic violence because it did not meet the states legal definition of that crime. The officers reported Schoeffling had told them she and Howell had never lived together, did not have a child together and had not been married.

The spokesman did not provide any further information about how Milwaukee police investigated any prior reports made by Schoeffling, citing an ongoing criminal investigation into her death. The spokesman also said the internal review into the officer seen on the District 3 video was complete and told Luthern to file an open records request for the results. The department fulfilled the open records request on April 4 and provided a memo placed in Toms' personnel file that was dated Dec. 16, 2022. Luthern attempted to reach Toms through phone, email and certified letter and did not receive a response.

Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office

Luthern contacted the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office soon after Schoefflings death and interviewed Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern on Aug. 3, 2022. Lovern provided information about the decision not to charge Howell in two earlier cases, saying Schoeffling had been uncooperative or nonresponsive when prosecutors and advocates tried to reach her.

After obtaining security footage from District 3 through an open records request, Luthern again contacted the District Attorneys Office and asked Lovern and Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson, who supervises the sensitive crimes unit, for an interview about the footage. The District Attorneys Office was unaware of the footage until the Journal Sentinel brought it to their attention. Lovern and Torbenson declined an interview, saying the video was now part of the homicide investigation.

On March 17, the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office charged Howell with first-degree reckless homicide, stalking, felony victim intimidation and disorderly conduct and battery. The criminal complaint detailed two 911 calls from July 11, 2022, described how responding officers spoke with Schoeffling and quoted from one officers body camera footage.

Luthern went back to Milwaukee police open records to obtain a report about the second 911 call on July 11 that had not been released in response to her earlier request. She confirmed with open records that no related incident reports had been filed by the officers who spoke with Schoeffling on July 11. She sent follow-up questions to the Milwaukee Police Department and a spokesman said officers did not write a report on that date because the caller did not provide information that a new crime occurred on that date.

Howell did not enter a plea at his first court appearance and is expected back in court on April 13. Prior to this case, he had not been charged in any earlier instances of domestic violence reported by Schoeffling. Howell did not respond to a letter from the Journal Sentinel, and his public defender did not return a reporter's call.

Contact Ashley Luthern at ashley.luthern@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aluthern.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bobbie Lou Schoeffling died after reporting domestic abuse many times
Evidence shows that students are being arrested for minor misbehavior. Watchara Phomicinda/MediaNews Group/The Press-Enterprise via Getty Images

In fall 2020, I got an email from the Phoenix Elementary School District #1, a K-8 school district, requesting feedback on whether to continue using school resource officers in seven of the districts 14 elementary schools.

As a researcher who specializes in the policing and development of children and adolescents, I responded by sharing a summary of the research on the subject of police in schools and offering my consultation. The school board president asked me to present research to the board on the effects school resource officers had on overall student well-being, school safety and school climate.

The school board was under pressure to make a decision about a divisive issue with a pending deadline. Parents and teachers were split on the use of school resource officers. Youth were a small but vocal contingent most often against school resource officers.

The school resource officer debate has many sides. This debate comes at a time when communities and police have increasingly strained relations due to police shootings and other negative encounters. It also comes at a time when cities such as Alexandria, Virginia, Washington and Milwaukee are wrestling with whether to have school resource officers or regular police officers on campus.

I believe my experience presenting to the school board in Phoenix offers some important lessons for other communities as they try to figure out if putting police on school premises is an effective way to keep students safe.

A divided community

At the hearing, community members gave emotional testimony. One person said the school resource officer program is a positive bridge between students, the community and our local police force.

A teachers union representative asked the board to take more time to research and allow more time for a parent survey, which had a low response rate due to the short time parents had to complete the survey. She was also concerned that school resource officers would lead to a disproportionate arrest rates for Black and Latino children.

Story continues

A teacher spoke of how a school resource officer pepper-sprayed a crowd of students at her school and the next week handcuffed a sixth grade girl.

Co-workers justified the response by saying we lack the resources and children need to be taught a lesson, the teacher said at the hearing. I was told by the principal that the officer could act in this way in order to protect school property.

The teacher expressed worry that the school district could not hold school resource officers accountable because the officers report to the City of Phoenix.

How can you allow the most violent police force to be in our schools? the teacher asked in reference to the Phoenix police department, which is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for its use of deadly force.

A parent said he had a hard time understanding how the school district could commit itself to Black Lives Matter and fighting racism, then weeks later consider bringing police into its schools.

It isnt wrong, it is betrayal, the parent said.

Balancing these divergent perspectives, the superintendent wanted to make his decision based on what research shows. Timing was also an issue since a grant to fund school resource officers required a response within two weeks.

Here are some highlights based on the research I discussed during my presentation to the school board.

Students are still developing

Juveniles may not understand their rights, which is important whenever they could potentially be taken into police custody.

Many children have also experienced trauma, such as being subjected to or having witnessed violence. These experiences can in turn affect their behavior at school. Trauma is most effectively treated with social and emotional support, which police may not be equipped to provide.

Schools counselors are scarce

Despite increased demand for social and emotional support, schools are often short on staff to provide that support. In some states, the ratio of students to counselors is 1,000-to-1, which is four times the ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association. With less counseling and support, students may be more likely to have negative encounters with police rather than positive ones with counselors. This is especially likely given that mounting evidence shows students are being arrested for minor misbehavior.

Black and Latino youth at greater risk for arrest

A 2018 study of school resource officers found that Black and Latino students and students with disabilities  especially emotional behavioral disorders  were at increased risk for referral to juvenile courts.

Increased police monitoring of young people leads to more school discipline referrals and arrests, typically of Black and Latino youth.

The increased monitoring of at-risk youth usually leads to more Black and Latino children getting arrested. Orlando Police Department/Orlando Sentinel via AP

Difficult decisions

My recommendation was to take more time to consider the issue and the needs of the community. I had concerns that everyone did not have knowledge of the effects of school resource officers on school safety, student well-being and arrest rates.

The superintendent asked me directly what I would do if pressed to make a decision right now. I told the board I thought the potential for harm outweighed the potential for good. Ultimately, the school board voted unanimously not to keep school resource officers in district schools for the next school year.

A national problem

Phoenixs elementary schools were not the only ones in or near the city struggling with whether to have law enforcement on school grounds. In 2020, Phoenix Union High School voted to remove school resource officers from campus. Nearby Tempe Union High School also voted in 2021 to phase out school resource officers by August 2022.

School board decisions about school safety are difficult. Parents, teachers and students are often at odds about what makes a school safe and welcoming. As school communities continue to wrestle with whether to have police on school grounds, I believe the most important thing to consider is not what people believe, but what the evidence shows.

[Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Elizabeth K. Anthony, Arizona State University.

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Elizabeth K. Anthony does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
8:45 p.m. UPDATE: State Police at the scene tell Boston 25 News that the missing woman has been located in a nearby neighborhood.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW:

Local and state police are searching for a woman missing inside Borderland State Park in East Saturday night.

The woman was first reported missing at approximately 7:10 p.m.

Patrols, K9 units and drone teams are currently scouring the large wooded area, Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio told Boston 25 News.

The woman, who MSP hasnt identified but described as elderly, was last seen by family members near the parks visitor entrance.

Easton police and firefighters are assisting the state troopers in the search.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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

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WARSAW (Reuters) -Unilateral action on trade by European Union member states is unacceptable, the bloc's executive said on Sunday, after Poland and Hungary announced bans on grain and other food imports from Ukraine to protect their local agricultural sectors.

After Russia's invasion blocked some Black Sea ports, large quantities of Ukrainian grain, which is cheaper than that produced in the European Union, ended up staying in Central European states due to logistical bottlenecks, hitting prices and sales for local farmers.

The issue has created a political problem for Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party in an election year as it has angered people in rural areas where support for PiS is usually high.

"We are aware of Poland and Hungary's announcements regarding the ban on imports of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine," a spokesperson for the European Commission said in an emailed statement.

"In this context, it is important to underline that trade policy is of EU exclusive competence and, therefore, unilateral actions are not acceptable."

"In such challenging times, it is crucial to coordinate and align all decisions within the EU," the statement added.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller told state-run news agency PAP the government was in constant contact with the European Commission about the issue, and that the ban was possible due to a security clause.

Poland and Hungary have been embroiled in long-running conflicts with Brussels over issues including judicial independence, media freedoms and LGBT rights, and both have had funds withheld due to concerns over the rule of law.

Ukraine's farm minister Mykola Solsky talked to Hungarian counterpart Istvan Nagy on Sunday and underlined that unilateral decisions were unacceptable, the Ukrainian farm ministry said in a statement. The two agreed to talk again soon, it said.

The ministry said on Saturday that the Polish ban contradicted existing bilateral agreements on exports, and called for talks to settle the issue.

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Meanwhile, Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Yavor Gechev said the country was also considering a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, local agency BTA reported on Sunday.

TRANSIT

The Polish ban, which came into effect on Saturday evening, will also apply to the transit of these products through the country, the development and technology minister said on Sunday.

"The ban is full, including the ban on transit through Poland," Waldemar Buda wrote on Twitter, adding that talks would be held with Ukraine to create a system that ensures goods only pass through Poland and do not end up on the local market.

State-run Ukrinform news agency said Ukrainian and Polish ministers are due to meet on Monday in Poland and the transit arrangement would be the focus of the talks.

Poland's Agriculture Minister Robert Telus was quoted as saying on Sunday that the ban was necessary to "open the eyes of the EU to the fact that further decisions are needed that will allow products from Ukraine to go deep into Europe, and not stay in Poland."

The ban is due to last until June 30, the finance ministry said.

Ukraine normally exports most of its agricultural goods, especially grain, via its Black Sea ports, unblocked in July in line with an agreement between Ukraine, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations.

That accord is scheduled to expire on May 18 and Moscow indicated last week that it may not be extended unless the West removes obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertiliser.

Around 3 million tonnes of grain left Ukraine every month via the Black Sea grain corridor while only up to 200,000 tonnes are moving to European ports through Polish territory, according to the Ukrainian ministry.

Solsky said at the weekend that 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes of various agricultural products cross the Polish border every month, including grain, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, meat and other products.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish in Warsaw, Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Jan Strupczewski in Brussels and David Ljunggren in Ottawa;Editing by Sharon Singleton, Hugh Lawson, Philippa Fletcher)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis narrowly leads President Joe Biden in the battleground states of Arizona and Pennsylvania, according to a poll of a hypothetical matchup between the two men in the 2024 presidential race.

The same survey, however, finds Biden leading former President Donald Trump in the two swing states, albeit by tight margins.

The poll, conducted from April 11 through April 13 by GOP firm Public Opinion Strategies and obtained by McClatchyDC, should bolster the argument from many DeSantis supporters that the Florida Republican is more electable than the former president. Trump lost reelection in 2020 and has continued alienating some moderate voters with his ongoing false claims that the race was stolen from him.

Perceptions about the governors general election strength compared to Trump have helped fuel his rise in polls of the GOP 2024 primary, though DeSantis has not yet formally entered the race.

In Pennsylvania, according to the poll, DeSantis leads Biden 45% to 42%, while Trump trails the sitting president 42% to 46%.

The survey found that in Arizona, DeSantis led Biden 48% to 42%. Trump, however, trailed the Democratic leader 44% to 45%.

Public Opinion Strategies polled 500 registered voters in both Arizona and Pennsylvania. The leads in both sets of numbers are within the polls 4.4-percentage-point margin of error.

Trumps underlying numbers in each state are also a potential source of concern for the former president. In Pennsylvania, 56% of voters have an unfavorable view of him, compared to just 40% who have a favorable opinion

In Arizona, 58% of voters have an unfavorable view of him, while just 40% have a favorable view.

A critical mass of the electorate in the battlegrounds appears to have decided they are unlikely to vote for Trump next year: A majority of voters in both states  56% in Pennsylvania and 55% in Arizona  say they arent likely to vote for Trump in a general election.

For DeSantis, just 45% of voters in Pennsylvania and 44% of them in Arizona say they arent too likely to vote for the governor in a general election. In each state, a plurality say they would be willing to vote for him.

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Republicans have engaged in an avid debate over the electability of both politicians, with some Republicans expressing greater concern that DeSantis recent embrace of far-reaching positions on abortion rights and gun control threatens his appeal to many moderate voters. Other GOP candidates, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, have also touted their own ability to win a general election.

Whoever emerges as the GOP nominee will have a major effect on down-ballot races for Senate and the U.S. House.

Public Opinion Strategies found that, after asking respondents in Arizona about a DeSantis-Biden matchup, voters preferred a GOP candidate for Congress over a Democratic candidate by a 47% to 38% margin.

After asking about a Trump-Biden matchup, however, a generic Democratic candidate held the edge over Republicans, 42% to 41%.
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday rejected as offensive and unfounded what he called insinuations by the brother of a Vatican schoolgirl who went missing 40 years ago about one of his predecessors as pontiff, Saint John Paul II.

Emanuela Orlandi, the daughter of a Vatican usher, failed to return home on June 22, 1983 following a music lesson in Rome. She was 15 at the time and lived with her family inside the Vatican. Her disappearance is one of Italy's most enduring mysteries.

The case entered a new chapter on Tuesday when her brother Pietro met with Vatican chief prosecutor Alessandro Diddi, whom Francis has given free rein to get to the bottom of the case.

After speaking to Diddi for more than eight hours, Pietro Orlandi appeared on a television programme where he played part of an audio recording with the voice of a man Orlandi said was part of an organised crime group that Italian media have for decades speculated may have been involved in his sister's disappearance.

The voice of the alleged gangster says that more than 40 year ago, girls were brought into the Vatican to be molested and that Pope John Paul knew about it.

Orlandi then said in his own words on the show: "They tell me Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II's surname) used to go out in the evenings with two Polish monsignors and it certainly was not to bless houses".

The comments caused a storm and were condemned by Vatican officials in the past few days before the pope himself entered the fray at his noon address to about 20,000 people in St. Peter's Square.

"Certain that I am interpreting the sentiments of the faithful from all over the world, I express a grateful thought to the memory of St. John Paul, who in these days has been the object of offensive and unfounded insinuations," Francis said.

The mostly Italian crowd broke into applause.

Diddi summoned Pietro Orlandi's lawyer, Laura Sgro, on Saturday. The Vatican said she invoked attorney-client privileges. Sgro told Reuters on Sunday that John Paul did not come up in her conversation with Diddi, adding in a text message: "I have never questioned the sanctity of John Paul II".

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Orlandi told Reuters on Sunday by telephone that it was "correct that Francis defended John Paul II". Orlandi added that during the television appearance he was "repeating what others had said. I certainly did not see it myself".

The Vatican's editorial director, Andrea Tornielli, earlier condemned Orlandi's comments as a "sleazy" vilification of the pontiff, who led the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005 and was declared a saint in 2014.

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was John Paul's secretary throughout his leadership, called Orlandi's actions "ignoble, unrealistic, laughable if they were not tragic, even criminal".

Over the past four decades tombs have been opened, bones have been exhumed from forgotten grave sites and conspiracy theories have abounded in attempts to determine just what became of Emanuela Orlandi.

The case, which has been the subject of on-and-off investigations in Italy and the Vatican, has drawn fresh worldwide attention following the release late last year of the Netflix series "Vatican Girl".

She would be 55 now.

(This story has been refiled to make clear John Paul II was not Pope Francis' immediate predecessor, in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Jhvephoto / Getty Images

A woman who was seven months pregnant underwent an emergency C-section after a Walgreens employee who suspected her of shoplifting shot her, police said.

Travonsha Ferguson, 24, and her newborn were in critical but stable condition at a hospital as of Thursday, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the baby was not injured by the gunfire. Police are now investigating Mitarius Boyd, 21, the Walgreens team leader who said he followed her out to the stores parking lot and then shot her in self-defense.

According to a statement by police, Boyd said he began recording Ferguson after she and another woman allegedly placed store items into a cart, then into a large over-the-shoulder bag, and went to their car without paying.

Boyd followed the women as they put the allegedly stolen items into their trunk, and one of the women pulled out a can of mace and began spraying it at him, according to police.

Boyd told police he pulled out his semiautomatic pistol and began shooting at the women, in fear that they were carrying a firearm.

The two women left the scene, and Ferguson was dropped off at General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. She was then taken by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Police have seized Boyds gun and cellphone as part of their investigation, and the district attorneys office will review both to determine whether he should face charges.

A spokesperson for Walgreens told BuzzFeed News that Boyd is no longer employed by the company.

The safety of our patients, customers, and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated at our stores, the spokesperson said. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities.

It is unknown whether Boyd has retained an attorney. The police department and the Nashville district attorney did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment.

Since July 2021, Tennessee has allowed many of its citizens to carry a loaded handgun, openly or concealed, without a permit. Since the recent mass shooting at the Covenant School, some residents of Tennessee have been urging legislators to pass tighter gun laws.

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According to advocacy group Everytown, Tennessee has the 10th-highest rate of gun deaths nationwide, with few laws restricting guns. An average of 1,385 gun-related deaths are recorded yearly in the state.

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Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, right, fills sandbags at the Provo public works yard Friday morning. Henderson, Provo City Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and local legislators are calling on Provo residents to get involved in flood mitigation efforts. (Photo: Provo City Council)

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and local legislators gathered Friday to call on Provo residents to get involved in flood mitigation efforts.

"Every community has different needs, different risks," Henderson said from the Provo public works yard. "Please come out and help in these community efforts where your city leaders are calling for extra help."

More than 45,000 sandbags had been filled and several thousand were already put into place as of Friday morning, Kaufusi said. The city's goal is to fill 100,000 bags by May 1.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, right, fills sandbags at the Provo public works yard Friday morning. Henderson, Provo City Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and local legislators are calling on Provo residents to get involved in flood mitigation efforts. | Provo City Council

She said 411 volunteers had spent 1,255 hours filling sandbags as of Thursday. Geneva Rock also donated 2,500 tons of sand, worth $12,000.

"Our volunteer numbers are impressive and prove how quickly a community can come together to make a difference," she said.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order March 16 granting all state employees up to eight hours of paid leave to volunteer for flood mitigation projects.

Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, said he has seen the street outside the public works yard at 568 E. 1325 South in Provo filled with cars as volunteers have gathered to fill sandbags.

"Ultimately, that's what's going to put our city in a position to succeed, so thank you," Clancy said of the volunteers.

Signs outside the Provo public works yard show volunteers where to come fill sandbags on Friday, April 14, 2023. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Provo City Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and local legislators are calling on Provo residents to get involved in flood mitigation efforts. | Gabrielle Shiozawa, KSL.com

Provo resident Denise Smallcanyon was among volunteers filling sandbags at the public works yard on Friday. She said she saw helping with the sandbags as a good chance to serve her fellow Provo residents.

"Even if you could do an hour, it would help," Smallcanyon said. "Don't feel like you need to be here every day. Just a little bit helps."

Personal preparation

Henderson encouraged Provo residents to check flood maps to assess their home risks, and reminded them that houses that aren't on the map can still be affected by flooding.

Areas being monitored for flood prevention include Rock Canyon, Slate Canyon, Little Rock Canyon and houses next to the Provo River, Kaufusi said.

Henderson also advocated buying flood insurance and learning where to get sandbags. She asked residents not to play in floodwaters because of possible debris and bacteria in the water.

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"Understand the risks in your area and follow the advice of your city leaders who are on top of this," Henderson said. "They want, more than anything, to make sure that your homes and your cities are protected."

Henderson said Utah has already exceeded the $5 million allotted for flood prevention and the state will probably need to dip into the Legislature's aptly named rainy day fund. She said her team is looking at a possible emergency declaration but has no current plans to announce one.

Kaufusi also encouraged Provo residents to keep up with announcements on the Provo website and social media channels. She praised the public works department for being ahead of the curve.

"Provo is preparing for the worst but hoping for the best," she said. "We are prepared from A to Z. We have maps, we have plans. We have diversion roads already prepared. We'll just do the best we can."

Residents in Provo prepare for flooding, hoping to fill 100K sandbags by May 1
The King and Duke in 2019 - Samir Hussein

The Duke of Sussex held peace talks with the King ahead of confirming his plans to attend the Coronation, but he has not spoken with Prince William.

A friend of the Sussexes said there had been positive conversations between father and son shortly before Prince Harrys announcement last week.

The development appears to be a significant step towards the reconciliation the Duke desires.

But no such progress has been made with his brother, who is understood to feel deeply betrayed by the many personal family revelations the Duke has made in his memoir, Spare, and in various interviews.

His disclosures included allegations that he was assaulted by the Prince of Wales, and that he had pleaded with his father not to marry his wicked stepmother.

The Duke did not want to miss the Coronation, which will be immensely important for the King. Sources close to the Sussexes insisted that they wanted to keep contact between the two sides private.

It is thought his trip will be a flying visit, with no plans to attend any other royal events over the bank holiday weekend.

The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with the couples two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, continuing a prolonged absence from public events. One of the main reasons for her absence is the desire to celebrate Prince Archies fourth birthday, which falls on the day of the Coronation.

It is understood the Duke spent several weeks agonising over whether to travel to London for his fathers crowning because of the deep rift that has divided the family.

It is about showing up, showing support and being there for his father, one source said. It was a very personal decision, not a PR one.

The Duke is expected to fly in for the service at Westminster Abbey and will not attend the Coronation concert or any other linked events. As a non-working member of the Royal family, he would not be invited to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The Sussexes two children were not formally invited to the Coronation as Palace aides waited to hear whether they would make the trip before factoring them into any plans.

Prince George will be a Page of Honour at the ceremony, and Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are expected to take part in the procession, meaning the monarch will only be flanked by his grandchildren from one side of the family.

Prince Harry will stay at Frogmore Cottage during the bank holiday weekend for what may be the final time after being evicted by his father in a decision by which he and Meghan were said to be disappointed.
Columbia College, a private, non-profit college located in Chicago, faces impending legal action from the family of a student, after his disabled father said he was denied permission to use a campus restroom.

According to a report by Fox 32 Chicago, Jose Palencia was dropping off his son Jose Eusebio-Palencia at the school's campus on April 4, when he needed to use the restroom. Columbia's security, however, allegedly denied the father access to use the restroom after multiple pleas, and as a result, he defecated.

Palencia has survived two strokes which left him with limited mobility of the left side of his body.

The family spoke out to the media regarding the matter, explaining to reporters what had happened, and the humiliation the father had experienced.

YALE STUDENTS SLAM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FOR ATTENDING NYC EVENT WITH CCP OFFICIAL WHO 'DEFENDED' GENOCIDE

Jose Palencia, a disabled father, and his family walk over to the press as they speak out about how Palencia was denied access to Columbia College campus' restroom by security, April 4, 2023.

"Things got complicated as my dad could no longer hold it. My father ended up defecating himself right in front of staff," Palencia's daughter Jennifer Santoyo explained as she held back tears. "Can you imagine how humiliated that my father had felt at that time? That's humiliating! No one should ever have to go through something like that."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The family has decided to file a complaint with the civil rights division of the United States Department of Justice.

Palencia openly shared the embarrassment he felt after the incident took place.

"Like my daughter said, I was extremely upset and very embarrassed, and most of all humiliated," Palencia stated while addressing the situation."I pleaded with them, constantly, to please let me in."

FORMER SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEFT WITH '1% CHANCE OF SURVIVAL' AFTER HAZING INCIDENT: LAWSUIT

Jennifer Santoyo fights back tears as she explains how her father was humiliated after the incident.

He further explained the interaction he had with security.

"They just told me to leave  told me to leave the premises, or I was going to get arrested," he said. "I was slowly walking to the car and I don't know if you guys could imagine, but it was horrible."

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In a prepared statement shared with Fox News Digital, a staff member of the college's media relations department relayed an apology the school had issued.

"Columbia deeply regrets this incident and has apologized to the family privately and would like to take this opportunity to do so publicly. The college is making sure that its contracted security firm is taking steps to ensure its personnel is following college policies  while Columbia does not have public restrooms, members of the Columbia community, including parents, are allowed to use restrooms on campus."

'MOST HATED': WHITE STUDENT SUES HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE FOR $2 MILLION OVER RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Jose Eusebio-Palencia speaks against his school in how they treated his father.

Palencia's daughter addressed the college's response to the situation, claiming it was insufficient.

"They need to apologize to my father," Santoyo said. "They apologized to my brother, not directly to my father."

The son, who is in his third-year of attending the college, also spoke out against the school. Despite the college's issued apology, he told the press, "No, that's not enough! That's not enough!"

"Am I supposed to accept this apology for what they did to my father? I've been coming here for three quiet years, getting dropped off here every day," Palencia's son said. "I'm an honors student here, so why did my father get treated this way regardless of policy?"

Jose Palencia tells press that he was embarrassed and humiliated after he pleaded with security numerous times to use the restroom and was still denied.

The security officers' acts would fall under discrimination against Palencia, and be in conflict with the school policy statement.

"Columbia is committed to maintaining an environment that respects the dignity of all individuals. Accordingly, Columbia will not tolerate harassment or discrimination based on religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other category protected by law by or of its students, faculty, or staff," the statement reads.
This commentary is written by John A. Tures, a professor of political science at LaGrange College.

After yet another school shooting in Tennessee and another workplace massacre in Kentucky, politicians may finally be ready to join the vast majority of Americans, even gun owners, at restricting firearm ownership. Limiting the super-easy access to guns will likely reduce another American scourge: Fentanyl overdoses and deaths.

In a neighborhood near to where my parents live, in a city where my sisters kids went to school, our country has witnessed yet another calamity where teachers and students perished, despite evidence from a 911 call that there were armed staff members at The Covenant School. Then news came of another mass shooting, this time at a Louisville bank, the type of place where Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, said was better protected.

Mourners write messages on memorial crosses at an entry to The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn., on March 28, 2023.

A Florida County sheriff used a press conference about a teen gang spree killing to attack gun laws, saying they dont work. But we havent seen more gun restrictions. If anything, weve seen an explosion of laws that make it easy to purchase a firearm in this country; laws that make it hard to stop someone carrying a gun anywhere; and Supreme Court rulings that make impossible for a state, city or even a school to make any sort of gun restriction possible.

Now some governments are refusing to cooperate with national gun laws enforced by the ATF because they personally believe the ATF is unconstitutional.

A visitor signs one of the crosses dedicated to one of the five victims -- Josh Barrick, Tommy Elliott, Jim Tutt Jr., Juliana Farmer, Deana Eckert -- at the impromptu memorial at the steps of the Old National Bank on Wednesday morning. The five bank employees were killed during mass shooting two days earlier on April 10 by bank employee Connor Sturgeon. Nine others were injured, including a Louisville Metro Police officer in downtown Louisville, Ky. April 12, 2023

Nearly 8,000 kids and teens are shot per year. Weve had 250 school shootings in 2021. In fact, though the United States is not technically a war zone, we ranked second in 2019 for gun-related deaths. The deadliest state for gun deaths isnt California or New York, but Mississippi, which averages 30 firearm deaths per 100,000 residents.

New York City doesnt even make the top-100 cities for violent crime rates but four Tennessee cities are in the top 60. Half of the top 100 cities for violent crime rates are in red states.

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More than 90% of Americans support universal background checks. My research last year shows that red flag laws could save thousands of lives. Congress passed bipartisan legislation incentivizing such red flag laws. Now Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, is supporting such measures in his state. A Fox News guest, a former police officer from Kentucky, agrees we have to talk about guns.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College.

But heres a new reason for restrictions on unsafe gun purchases: it will reduce the fentanyl crisis. Firearms, legally sold in America and then trafficked to Mexico, are wielded by the same gangs Republicans want to bomb South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, accused leading Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois of ignoring the fentanyl crisis to try and solve the gun crisis. With such legislation, Americans can protect schoolchildren, workers and business executives, and solve this drug scourge that also claims thousands of lives.

Just cut off the cartels gun supply by stopping such straw purchases, and theyll have to be like gun-deprived gangs in England where low supply and high demand make firearms rare. Given 74% of NRA members agree with such universal background checks, its a common gun law to shoot for this year in Congress.

Contact Tures at jtures@lagrange.edu or via Twitter @JohnTures2.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Red flag laws and gun background checks could reduce fentanyl deaths
The Verkhovna Rada did not abolish military allowances, Serhii Rakhmanin recalled

He explained that Bill No. 8312 is about from whom and on what grounds the military can confiscate property during martial law, not about returning combat pay.

Read also: Ukraines new IMF deal is important  opinion

Rakhmarin, a member of the Verkhovna Radas Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, explained that his faction did not vote for the bill because "it establishes a rather arbitrary procedure for confiscating property" and could lead to large-scale asset grabbing of entire enterprises.

Rakhmanin explained that Razumkov's amendment proposed to limit the salaries of civil servants, officials, and state employees to 10 times the minimum wage, or UAH 67,000 ($1,813), to free up financial resources to return the UAH 30,000 bonus to the military.

Read also: Ukraines state budget reduced to deficit of $1.9 billion in January, Finance Ministry says

"This amendment was supported by 254 people, including our faction, because we also believe that these additional payments should be returned," he said.

The legislator clarified that it was the Cabinet of Ministers that removed the additional payments from the military, not the Verkhovna Rada.

"It was a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers due to the lack of financial resources," he said.

UAH 2.7 billion ($73 million) per day from the budget goes to financial expenses related to the Defense Forces. Next. If we save on civil servants, it will amount to 2%  this is important. And that's why the resolution that Volodymyr Tsabal introduced, according to him  and I have no reason not to believe him, I'm just repeating his point of view now  is simply to save three weeks for the government, for the Ministry of Finance, and for our donors. ... That is, there is no money in the budget.

The Verkhovna Rada on April 10 adopted an amendment to Bill No. 8312, which would have returned the allowance to Ukraine's defenders by saving on salaries for civil servants. Some parliamentarians said then that the decision would most likely require changes to the budget, and that there would not be enough money to cover even 2% of the planned expenditures. An additional UAH 149 billion ($4 billion) would need to be found to implement the decision, said MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

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Read also: World Bank, IMF assess Ukraines critical expenditures at $11 billion

Funds for additional payments could be taken from the state budget, which recently increased security and defense spending by UAH 518 billion ($14 billion), as well as by limiting salaries for top officials, Dmytro Razumkov, chairman of the Smart Politics parliamentary group, which initiated the amendment, said in a blog post for news outlet Ukrainska Pravda.

A draft resolution was submitted to the Rada on April 11 to block the signing of the law. The author of the draft, MP Volodymyr Tsabal, said that the adopted amendment to reduce officials' salaries would finance only 2% of the required amount of additional payments to the military, and that if the decision was in fact made, it would require changes to the state budget first. He also stressed that limiting salaries violates Ukraine's obligations to foreign donors.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Update: A few hundred people turned out for Sundays protest. Coverage of the event can be found here.

Community members plan to protest Sunday afternoon after a man allegedly shot a Black teen who came to his home by mistake to pick up his siblings.

On social media, many people have questioned why no arrests have been made after a person in the home allegedly shot the 16-year-old high school student, who was hospitalized and was in stable condition with a life-threatening injury.

According to Kansas City police, the teen was told by a parent to pick up his siblings Thursday at a residence on 115th Terrace, but he ended up at a home in the 1100 block of 115th Street by mistake.

Officers arrived to the home around 10 p.m. and found the boy injured. The alleged shooter was brought into a police station to make a statement, but police havent released any other information.

Police have not identified the alleged shooter, their race or a motive in the shooting.

A rally organized by The Peoples Coalition will start at 3 p.m. at 401 NE Cookingham Drive, two blocks from the residence, to protest violence against Black youth.

We wont stand by any longer while racist white vigilantes get away with attempting to lynch and kill our Black children, the organization wrote on social media. Kansas City, we are calling a MASS PROTEST in the neighborhood the shooting took place.

The incident has gained national attention on social media. Shaun King, a writer and activist, said on Instagram that he is working with the family and helped them get pro bono legal representation through civil rights attorneys Lee Merritt and Ben Crump.

This man must be arrested, Merritt tweeted. We are on our way.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a working meeting with Li Shangfu, Minister of Defence and a member of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

Source: Dmitry Peskov, Putins press secretary; video posted on the Kremlins Telegram channel; Kremlin-aligned news outlets TASS and Interfax

Details: During the meeting, Putin said that Chinese leader Xi Jinping's recent visit to Russia was very productive, and that relations between Russia and China are developing well in all areas, including militarily.

Quote from Putin: "Relations between our countries are developing very well in all areas, in economic, social, cultural and educational areas, and between military departments."

More details: Putin noted that Russia and China regularly exchange useful information through their military departments and conduct joint exercises. He said military cooperation between Russia and China is one of the most important areas that is strengthening strategic relations between the two countries.

The Chinese Defence Minister said that cooperation between China and Russia is developing very well and contributes to regional security.

"Recently, cooperation between Russia and China in the military and military-technical fields has been developing very well, and this is making a great contribution to global and regional security," he said.

Li Shangfu stressed that Russia is the first country he has visited since being appointed Defence Minister.

"This is my first foreign visit. I have specifically chosen Russia for this in order to highlight the importance and strategic significance of our bilateral relations," he said.

Background:

On 20-22 March, Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Russia, where he met with Vladimir Putin and signed agreements to continue the strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the same time, Putin and Xi issued a joint statement in which they said that their countries' relations are not a military-political alliance, are not a bloc or of a confrontational nature, and are not directed against third countries.

Afterwards, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had expressed his willingness to talk to Xi Jinping but had not received a reciprocal offer.

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Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti)

With more than 50 civilians and many more military killed already in the power struggle between rival governing factions that erupted in Sudan over the weekend, there is no good side in this battle. But as with so many other conflicts in Africa and the Middle East in recent years, one thing we do know is that Russian troublemakers are not far from the action.

The fighting in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country was triggered by clashes between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese armed forces, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, or Hemedti for short. Burhan and Hemedti staged a coup in 2021, seizing power from the transitional council put in place following the ousting of the Islamist dictator Omar al-Bashir. Hemedti is commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group formed from the Janjaweed militias that helped conduct, under Bashir, the Darfur genocide, which is estimated to have killed hundreds of thousands of people in western Sudan.

Rather unsurprisingly, the RSF has been linked to Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group, which has reportedly helped train and equip them. Wagner is believed to have been brought into Sudan by Bashir to help shore up his faltering regime in 2017, following a meeting with Putin in which Bashir promised to make the country Russias key to Africa. Among his plans was a Red Sea base for the Russian navy at Port Sudan, a Wagner-supported project.

Ever since, Wagner has supplied large quantities of weapons and equipment to Sudan, including military trucks, amphibious vehicles and two transport helicopters. And after the downfall of Bashir, the Russian mercenary group realigned with Burhan and especially Hemedti. It continues to operate the Meroe Gold company, which reportedly exploits Sudans mines and smuggles vast quantities of gold out of the country, supposedly lining Prigozhins pockets and denying much-needed revenue to Sudan. For Putin, this would help efforts to evade Western sanctions, allowing him to fuel his illegal war in Ukraine.

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Now, the cash-rich and heavily-armed RSF could be about to wreak havoc on the North African region. Egypts President el-Sisi sees a stable regime in Khartoum as in his countrys vital interests. He will be looking askance at the capture on Saturday by the RSF of Egyptian troops in Sudan for joint exercises, even if Hemedti has assured their safe return at some point in the future. There will also be serious alarm in Cairo about the potential impact of this power struggle on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, for which Khartoums support is needed to address Egypts fears over water supply through the Nile.

Ultimately, this is such a major strategic issue that, should the conflict spiral out of control, Egypt may feel the need to assert itself more forcefully, as might Ethiopia.

Moreover, Chad, Eritrea and South Sudan could face a deluge of refugees, adding to their own internal struggles, and a power vacuum will enable extremist groups across the region to take advantage of what is happening. It was, after all, in Sudan that Osama bin Laden lived for five years, between 1991 and 1996. Opening up vast swathes of the desert for the next Bin Laden is something that would obviously undermine British and American security, too.

Thus, Vladimir Putin, either by accident or design, has helped to unleash a wave of violence that could have disastrous consequences not just for Sudan and North Africa, but the world. His failed invasion of Ukraine has empowered the Wagner Group, which uses that clout to plunder African nations and stir up trouble. His desperation for money since the West implemented severe sanctions has made Russian state support for such illicit actions a necessity. All this will come at a heavy price.

Indeed, Sudan may be just the first African nation to implode under Russian influence. In the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Libya and Mali, Russian mercenaries have worked to reinforce existing conflicts, prop up despotic regimes, suppress efforts towards democracy, loot natural resources, secure strategic advantage for Moscow and drive out Western influence. The forces unleashed by their efforts will not be easily contained.
Karina Martinez Courtesy of Karina Martinez

Karina Martinez was adopted from Paraguay and raised by Cuban immigrants.

She struggled to reconcile her identities as a queer Latina adoptee.

This is Martinez's story, as told to Kelly Burch.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karina Martinez. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up, my house was Latino through and through. My parents, sister and I spoke Spanish, and gathered around the table for discussions over traditional Cuban meals. Those dinners were how my parents, Cuban immigrants, kept their culture alive for their daughters.

But when you looked deeper, our story didn't fit into a tidy box. I was adopted from Paraguay as a baby. Later, my sister was adopted from Russia. Our home was a melting pot of cultures and origins from around the world.

As I grew up, I realized my story was even more complex. I came out as queer when I was 16. Later, I was diagnosed with ADHD. There were many hyphens in my identity, and I struggled to reconcile them all: Latina, second-generation immigrant, bilingual, queer, and neurodivergent.

I struggled to find my identity as a young adult

When I started my career, I always felt like I had to hit the gas on one part of my identity, and the brakes on another. Early on I went to a Latina professional conference and I struggled deeply with what to wear. My fashion is usually gender neutral, but I thought that would be seen as unprofessional. At the same time I was deeply uncomfortable with the hyper-feminine look that many Latinas embrace.

I didn't realize then that my identities could coincide. I saw lots of social messaging about what I meant to be Latina, or the child or immigrants, or a Spanish speaker. I knew what queer culture looked like and how adult adoptees were processing their origins. But I didn't see any stories that mirrored mine.

I was struggling in the workforce. I had three jobs within a year. Later, I'd find out that was because of undiagnosed ADHD. At 25, I found myself with a resume I knew wouldn't get any attention. So, in an act of desperation, I decided to branch out on my own.

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I wanted to center stories around culture

I figured  or, more accurately, hoped  that there had to be other people like me: brands, products, and entrepreneurs who didn't fit into a specific box. With my background in PR, I thought I couldn't help to tell their stories in a way that was authentic.

I founded The Avana House to do just that. The name is a nod to my parents, who immigrated from Havana. In Spanish, the H is silent. Today, The Avana House is one of the only media companies built and run entirely by women of color.

My mission is to center our client's culture. We don't try to make the products or services we represent more palatable to the general public. Instead, we embrace what makes them different  something I've learned to do in my own life too.

I've realized culture is complicated, but representation is important

Through founding The Avana House, I've realized my own unbecoming and becoming. Five years ago, I would have said I identify primarily as a Latina and, more specifically, Cuban.

Now, I know that cultural identity is very nuanced. I've navigated my different experiences and forged an identity that embraces them all. Today I feel true to all parts of myself.

Culture isn't a monolith. I want to show that to the next generation. Growing up, I didn't see anyone who was like me. I didn't know it was possible to be a queer Latina CEO or work in PR.

Now, it's my responsibility to make sure that other people see themselves represented and know that it's possible for them to step into those roles. Making space personally and within our media landscape for complex, multicultural identities is uncomfortable at times. But I hope that through this process, I can make it better for the next generation.

Read the original article on Insider
CANYON A world-renowned Western artist is the featured guest for the 2023 Garry L. Nall Lecture in Western Studies for West Texas A&M Universitys Center for the Study of the American West.

Artist Theodore Waddell will present Cheatgrass Dreams at 7 p.m. April 20 at the Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St. in Amarillo, in an event co-hosted by the WT Distinguished Lecture Series.

Admission is free.

AMoA will offer a livestream of the event; details will be available at wtamu.edu/csaw. The museum also will display examples of Waddells art.

Waddells work can be found in different collections throughout the world, including his Musselshell Rider bronze sculpture on the AMoA lawn. He has earned a variety of awards, including an honor at the White House in 2004 for his work with the U.S. State Departments Art in Embassies program.

World-renowned Western artist Theodore Waddell will present Cheatgrass Dreams April 20 at the Amarillo Museum of Art, 2200 S. Van Buren St., in an event co-hosted by the WT Distinguished Lecture Series.

To my thinking, Waddells work is a celebration of the American West, especially of its epic landscapes and its pastoral traditionsthat is, cattle ranching in particular, said Dr. Alex Hunt, Vincent/Haley Endowed Professor of Western Studies and CSAW director. But his painting and sculpture is not the typical sort of Western artneither realist in its presentation of region nor romantic in its treatment of cowboys. In short, I wanted him to come to this area because he asks us to have some different ideas about our region and our identity.

A Montana native, Waddell studied art at the Brooklyn Museum Art School and earned a bachelors degree from Eastern Montana College followed by a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture and printmaking from Wayne State University in Detroit. Waddell served on the art faculty at the University of Montana from 1968 to 1976. Soon after retiring from the classroom, Waddell began working in Montana as a rancher and artist, and his current work reflects the influences of these two professions.

My life as a rancher in Montana has provided a distinct choice of subject matter as well as a sense of place, which is very important to me, Waddell said. My paintings are titled by the geographic locations that inspire me and I try to translate the narratives of land, seasons, mortality, grandeur and human/animal interdependence into our own context.

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Monida by Theodore Waddell

In addition to the evening event at AMoA, WT students may attend a Q&A with Waddell at 2:30 p.m. April 20 in the Blackburn Room of Cornette Library on WTs campus in Canyon.

I hope that students will get excited about where they live, that they will reflect on the fact that they live in this awesome, epic land of the American West, and that its a privilege to be here and to celebrate that experience, Hunt said. I hope that, whether they are from the Panhandle or from another continent, that they will be excited about the American West. Thats really what CSAW is all about.

The Garry L. Nall endowed lecture series was created to honor Dr. Nalls exceptional service to WT and his scholastic accomplishments. The lecture series supports CSAWs mission to promote the study of the American West. Each semester, CSAW invites a noted scholar to participate in a community lecture, classroom lecture, a question & answer discussion session, and small group outings with WT students.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Rancher, Western artist featured in WT Distinguished Lecture Series
SOUTH YORKSHIRE, England  A wildlife park in England is celebrating the surprise arrival of rare giant otter triplets.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is now home to nine giant otters, which is the most in a single zoo or wildlife park globally. The new arrivals were born on March 27 and are still under the care of doctors.

WHAT IS IT? WILDLIFE OFFICIALS STUMPED AS MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL CAUGHT ON TEXAS TRAIL CAMERA

"We are overjoyed at welcoming a second litter of giant otters in such a short time," aquatics team leader Kelsie Wood said.

Park officials said the litter is the second to their parents in under 18 months. The walk-through wildlife adventure park also welcomed triplets in February 2022.

"This second litter, which is the third time Alex has given birth, is a testament to our commitment to the conservation of endangered species, and we believe these pups will inspire our visitors to learn more about these incredible animals," Wood said.

COCAINE CAT: ILLEGAL AFRICAN SERVAL TESTS POSITIVE FOR DRUG AFTER BEING RESCUED IN CINCINNATI

Giant otters dont always breed easily, and every birth is significant and valuable for the park's conservation breeding program aimed at the protection of this endangered species, Wood adds.

Giant otters were listed as endangered in 1999, according to wildlife officials at the park, with an estimated number of only 5,000 in the wild. They have been poached for their waterproof fur and meat.

The park is also home to more than 400 animals from more than 70 species, many rare and endangered.
SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Yemens warring sides on Sunday wrapped up a major exchange of prisoners linked to the countrys long-running conflict, according to the International Committee for the Red Cross.

The three-day operation, which started Friday, was the most significant prisoner exchange in Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition and their rivals, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, released more than 1,000 detainees in October 2020.

The U.N.-brokered deal involved the release of over 700 detained Houthis, and more than 180 other prisoners, including Saudi and Sudanese troops fighting with the Saudi-led coalition.

The Red Cross said it worked tirelessly to reunite about 900 former detainees with their families, describing the prisoner exchange as a positive step toward peace and reconciliation in Yemen.

Yemen was plunged into devastating conflict when the Iranian-backed Houthis descended from their northern stronghold in 2014, seizing the capital of Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forcing the government into exile.

A Saudi-led coalition including the United Arab Emirates intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government. The conflict has turned in recent years into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters.

The prisoner exchange deal involved the release of top military officials held by the Houthis since the start of the war. Those released included Maj. Gen. Mahmoud al-Subaihi, who was the defense minister when the war erupted; Nasser Mansour Hadi, the brother of former Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi; and relatives of Yemen's former ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Houthis on Saturday freed Saudi and Sudanese troops whom the rebels detained while fighting on the side of the Saudi-led coalition.

The rebels also freed four Yemeni journalists who were detained and sentenced to death in recent years by a Houthi-controlled court in a trial described by Amnesty International as grossly unfair.

The prisoner exchange came as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia said they have made progress in their negotiations to revive an expired cease-fire and embark on talks to settle the conflict.

The Houthis said both sides would continue their talks after the approaching holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, later in April.
The first time I met a Holocaust survivor was in 1979. I was working in a kitchen cabinet factory in Richmond, British Columbia, and Marija was working there with her son.

One day I noted that she had numbers tattooed on her forearm and I asked about them. Marija was from Croatia and her accent made discussions difficult but she told me that she was interned in a work camp during WWII. Clearly, she was reluctant to discuss that part of her life and I let it go. I didnt want to make her uncomfortable by prodding into those horrific days.

Over 30,000 Croatian Jews, out of a population of 37,000, were slaughtered by the Croatian fascist Ustasa police or were shipped to death camps, principally Auschwitz, between 1941 to 1945.

Marija is one among the thousands of Jews who managed to escape the slaughter. In the mid-1930s there were 9.5 million Jews in Europe. By 1945, two-thirds of them would be dead. Every Jewish family was touched in some way by the horror. In North America, Jews usually had firm family connections with brothers and sisters, cousins, parents and grandparents in the old country who they would never see again.

My childrens Jewish maternal grandparents escaped Poland late in the war and survived only by posing as Polish Catholics and creating new identities for themselves with the help of the underground. They came from large families, as was typical in the mid-twentieth century but by the wars end in 1945, only two cousins survived. All the rest were, in Nazi terms, exterminated.

Several members of my in-laws family were executed by the Russians in the Katyn forest massacres (22,000 shot) in May of 1940. A phrase I often heard around the dinner table: If the Nazis didnt kill us, the Russians did.

If you wonder why the Polish government is such an ardent supporter of Ukraine in the war against Russia, ask a Pole about their Russian treatment during WWII. The Soviets deported 1.2 million Poles for forced labor or resettlement.

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Other communities were targeted

The Holocaust also targeted other communities in Europe. The Nazis goal was to cleanse Germany and its subjugated states of undesirables. While Jews were especially hated and viewed as a threat, other groups were sent to the camps as well.

Many Germans harbored social prejudice toward the Romani people. According to the U.S. Holocaust Museum (USHM) website, from which much of the information below comes, starting in 1929, Roma had to register with the government. In 1933, the asocial and racially inferior Roma fell under the Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Defects and thousands were sent to the death camps. The estimates of the dead Roma range between 250,000 and 500,000.

The euthanasia program was the systematic murder of institutionalized patients with disabilities. The purpose was to eliminate what eugenicists and their supporters considered life unworthy of life: those individuals who, because of severe psychiatric, neurological, or physical disabilities were considered both a genetic and a financial burden on German society and the state according to the USHM. Estimated deaths: 250,000.

Nazis also targeted Jehovahs Witnesses who were unwilling to accept the authority of the German state, and many refused to serve in Germanys army. Estimated deaths: between 1000 and 3000.

The infamous Paragraph 175 of the German Criminal Code banned sexual acts between men but did not apply to sexual acts between women. During the Nazi era, between 5,000 and 15,000 men were sent to concentration camps as homosexual offenders and were required to wear a pink triangle on their camp uniforms. Half to two-thirds of those in the camps never came out again.

According to the USHM, Nazis took great care toward the end of WWII to destroy as many documents as possible about the decimation of innocents. Despite the substantial effort at gathering firsthand accounts from survivors, we can never know the exact extent of the Holocaust.

Holocaust survivor will speak in Atascadero

Sadly, the Nazis were not the only perpetrators of genocides in the 20th century. From 1928 to 1931, Stalin starved millions of Ukrainian farmers under the dream of collectivization. Thirty million died under Mao Tse-tungs Great Leap Forward. The Turks murdered 600,000 to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 to 1917.

And the list goes on today in Syria, Iran and Iraq. Oddly, we have not yet created a worldwide Remembrance Day for these millions of victims of genocides. Perhaps we should.

Yom HaShoah, Israels internationally recognized Holocaust Memorial Day, corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan, April 17-18, on the Hebrew calendar and marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

On Sunday, April 30, at 4 p.m., Paul Wolfe, one of the last survivors, will talk about the Holocaust at Temple Ohr Tzafon, 2605 Traffic Way in Atascadero.

San Luis Obispo resident Gordon Mullin is an occasional contributor to the Tribune.
Renfield actor Nicholas Hoult has been compared to a younger Hugh Grant. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Renfield director Chris McKay has suggested Nicholas Hoult delivers a 'similar charm' to a younger Hugh Grant on screen.

Funnily enough, the pair worked together on Hoult's breakout movie About a Boy over 20 years ago, a fabulous comedy-drama charting the unlikely friendship between rich rogue Will Freeman and impoverished school kid Marcus Brewer.

"I think that was maybe a formative experience  I'm guessing, I don't know," McKay told NME.

Read more: Ralph Fiennes was 'very intimidating' on 'The Menu' set, says Nicholas Hoult (exclusive)

"I'm just assuming because, you know, [Nick was] around somebody like Grant at a really young age and watching him perform at a high level. I think there's something about Hugh Grant's early charm that is similar to what Nick does."

Hugh Grant at last year's Comic-Con International panel for Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Elsewhere, while promoting his new bloodsucking comedy Renfield on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show this week, Hoult decided to dial up legendary co-star Nicolas Cage during a game designed by presenter Greg James.

"It's so early in the morning," said the Dracula actor after answering, leading Hoult to apologise profusely.

This only made Cage chuckle down the line, as he insisted: "That's alright, I was up anyway. I was just surfing some net I was looking at old Studebakers, the old classic American car. I love the shape."

Read more: Nicholas Hoult wishes he had an intimacy coordinator on 'Skins'

A casual conversation about whether or not Cage might purchase one then ensued, with Hoult also sharing his love for Cage's action heist flick Gone in 60 Seconds, which came out in 2000.

I am looking forward to doing something with you again Nick," Cage admitted.

"I had a blast working with you on this."

Renfield is out now in cinemas.

Watch: Renfield's Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult on prosthetics and sequels
A report of a person shot drew a large police presence in Dorchester Saturday night.

A Boston Police Media spokesperson told Boston 25 News investigators officers to the area of Greenbrier Street and Tonawanda Street for a report of a person shot.

Several police cruisers could be seen occupying the area shortly before 10:00 p.m.

Various evidence markers littered the ground.

Boston 25 has reached out to the Boston Police Department regarding the investigation and any potential victims but no information was ready to be shared.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The 2014 real estate deal shines a new light on Thomass decades old relationship with Harlan Crow, a real estate magnate and longtime financier for conservative causes.

Conservative mega-donor Harlan Crow purchased three properties belonging to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his family, in a transaction worth more than $100,000 that Thomas never reported, according to the non-profit investigative journalism organization ProPublica.

The 2014 real estate deal shines a new light on Thomass decades old relationship with Crow, a real estate magnate and longtime financier for conservative causes. That relationship and the material benefits received by Thomas have fueled calls for an official ethics investigation.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, right, and wife Virginia Ginni Thomas arrive for a State Dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

ProPublica previously revealed that Thomas and his wife Ginni were gifted with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of annual vacations and trips by Crow for decades  including international cruises on his mega-yacht, private jet flights and stays at Crows invitation-only resort in the Adirondacks. But the 2014 real estate deal is the first public evidence of a direct financial transaction between the pair.

Citing state tax documents and property deeds, ProPublica reported that one of Crows companies paid $133,363 for the home in Savannah, Georgia where Thomas mother was living, along with two nearby vacant lots that belonged to Thomas family members. Thomas mother remained living in the home, which soon underwent tens of thousands of dollars in renovations.

Federal officials, including Supreme Court justices, are required to disclose the details of most real estate transactions with a value of over $1,000. Thomas would not be required to report the purchase if the property was his or his spouses primary personal residence, but this stipulation does not apply to this purchase, which Thomas did not report.

Both Thomas and Crow have released statements downplaying the significance of the gifts, with Thomas maintaining that he was not required to disclose the trips. Crow responded to the latest disclosure with a statement to ProPublica saying that he approached Thomas about the purchase with an eye on honoring his legacy.

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My intention is to one day create a public museum at the Thomas home dedicated to telling the story of our nations second black Supreme Court Justice, the statement said. Justice Thomass story represents the best of America.

Thomas office did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Report: Thomas sold real estate to donor, didnt report deal appeared first on TheGrio.
Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich speaks to the state GOP's governing body, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. Melinda Deslatte/AP

The Louisiana GOP wants to prohibit the study of racism at state colleges and universities.

A GOP resolution, seen by NOLA.com, claimed the "inglorious aspects" of American history were too divisive.

It comes amid a nationwide GOP effort to scrub race issues from public schools and public life.

Republican officials in Louisiana are proposing a ban on teaching about racism at the state's higher education institutions  the latest move amid a wave of legislation across the country aimed at legislating curriculum in the nation's classrooms.

GOP Party officials in the state want Louisiana lawmakers to prohibit the study of racism at colleges and universities, claiming the "inglorious aspects" of American history are too divisive, according to NOLA.com, which cites a GOP resolution on the matter.

The state GOP leadership also wants to nix diversity, equity, and inclusion departments at colleges and universities, claiming without evidence that such agencies stir political tensions on campuses and have overgenerous budgets, NOLA.com reported. A third of Louisiana residents are Black, according to the US Census Bureau.

A spokesperson for the Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP), which lauds "limited government" and "the rights of the people," did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Sunday.

The Louisiana GOP's effort comes as dozens of states have proposed legislation that would prohibit DEI offices and training, diversity statements, and identity preferences in hiring and admissions. The Republican effort follows attempts to stop the teaching of Critical Race Theory, which is a legal approach taught largely in graduate schools, and policies that address race in general from various aspects of public life.

According to NOLA.com, the GOP resolution argued that "DEI bureaucracies" act as "divisive ideological commissariats," criticizing programs at LSU and the University of Louisiana System. The resolution specifically named a UL system administrator, criticizing her for putting resources towards DEI efforts, NOLA.com reported.

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That drew a response from the University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson, who said the claims in the GOP resolution were "so foreign to the reality at our institutions it defies comment," according to a statement shared with Insider.

"We make no statement on the inner workings and platform development of political parties. That is their business," Henderson said in the statement. "That said, the naming of an invaluable member of my staff is unnecessary and inappropriate."

The outlet reported that the resolution passed by voice vote at the state party's quarterly meeting in Baton Rouge, which was the southern city that had the first bus boycott in 1953 to protest segregation.

The resolution also appeared to fly in the face of statewide efforts to improve access to education. Kim Hunter Reed, the Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education, said the Board of Regents stands by its programming, calling diversity in education a "great asset."

"Programs that support student success and strengthen a sense of belonging on campus and in the wider community are important and impactful, yielding positive results in student completion," Reed said in a statement shared with Insider.

Reed and other state education leaders are currently spearheading an initiative to expand access to higher education with a goal of doubling the number of working adults with postsecondary degrees by 2030, according to The Advocate.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CLAM LAKE, Wisconsin  Testing a black bear for COVID-19 doesnt look much different from doing an at-home rapid test on yourself.

Prepare the testing solution in a tube. Unwrap a swab. Insert into your nose and swirl it around for a few seconds; repeat on the other side. Put the swab into the tube of the testing solution and prepare it for shipment to a United States Department of Agriculture lab in Colorado.

But, of course, theres a big difference: researchers need to get close enough to a wild carnivore to actually take the swab, and keep them calm for the duration of the not-so-pleasant swabbing process.

But that's a challenge researchers undertook this winter in northern Wisconsin, in order to see if the virus may have spread into the black bear population and to get at the wider question of whether wildlife can harbor the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a way that leads to new vaccine-evasive mutations that could skip to humans.

A black bear cub is swabbed for COVID in Clam Lake Wisconsin by a USDA biologist.

Since the outbreak of COVID in humans in 2020, cases have popped up among animals, too.

A few tigers and gorillas in zoos. Some domestic dogs and cats. And in mink farms, the virus spread like wildfire, causing farmers to cull entire populations after the virus was proven to have jumped into at least one employee.

But slowly, cases of COVID have popped up in wild animals, too. White-tailed deer have spread the virus among their populations, as have mule deer.

But scientists are still trying to understand what species might be susceptible and why.

So in early March, a USDA biologist marched into the woods near Clam Lake with a team of researchers aimed at finding bear dens and gathering information about what lay inside. The sows were gently sedated, then pulled from the dens, weighed and given a GPS collar if necessary.

And while the den researchers worked, the bear could be swabbed for COVID by the USDA biologist, and a blood sample taken to test for antibodies, or proof of past infection. The cubs, too, were able to be swabbed, before being gently returned to their den, with their slumbering mother.

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This research is aimed at helping us better understand how COVID is spreading within and across wildlife populations, said Jonathan Heale, a USDA staff wildlife biologist.

Our biggest concern is that the animals will serve as reservoirs for the virus. It can hide out, mutate and reemerge with a new variant. So the work on carnivores is a snapshot of whats going on across the country.

Testing animals for COVID can help researchers learn more

Testing wild animals for COVID is an important way researchers are learning more about how the disease spreads and mutates.

Can it easily spread between members of the population? And if so, are there mutations? And could those mutations be passed to and sustained by humans?

The samples gathered in early March will help scientists understand if there's a risk the virus could mutate and then spread back to humans.

"It's really dynamic. We can expect that there will be mutations that pop up and a lot of them won't be very successful at being transmitted and maintained in populations of animals," Thomas Yuill, a professor emeritus of pathobiological science, forest and wildlife biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"But there's always the risk that one might pop up, that in fact can spread very readily. And if it turns out that in the mutation process, its virus structure is changed enough that use of the vaccines or previous exposure might not cover it. So suddenly, you might have people or animals getting infected more than once."

UW-Stevens Point students Luke Trittelwitz (left) and Tess Bigalke hold black bear cubs March 4 during field work near Clam Lake as part of the UWSP Wisconsin Black Bear Project. The cubs, held temporarily in jackets to keep them warm while the sow was evaluated by researchers, were returned to the den along with the sow.

As for the USDA study on carnivores, the agency has sampled mink, raccoons, red foxes, coyotes and some other smaller meat-eaters. They may also conduct some sampling on wolves in Alaska, Heale said.

The testing should be looked at as a preliminary study, Heale said, just trying to see whats out there and which species even have the biological ability to be infected with the virus that causes COVID.

Were testing the waters, he said. And if we see more COVID than we thought, we have the capability to conduct more samples.

So far the testing of black bears hasnot produced any positive tests or findings of antibodies in their blood, though sampling results from March are not in yet.

The lack of COVID in bears may be due in part to a lack of interaction with humans, unlike deer that are commonly seen in neighborhoods or backyards, Yuill said.

Animals that tend to be very isolated are unlikely to sustain transmission in a population, he said. Because the virus cant find itself from one individual who is infected to the next one.

Outside of wild animals, there have also been some cases of cats and dogs in Wisconsin getting sick.

In Wisconsin, white-tailed deer also under surveillance

So far, 28 states have had cases of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife, according to USDA data. Wisconsin is one of them, with one white-tailed deer testing positive for the virus and having antibodies in the southeastern part of the state.

Wisconsin has received results for 143 deer, said Lindsey Long, a wildlife veterinarian with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

She said samples are being taken to track the spread of the virus in the population.

Variants have been found in deer populations, and we want to know if its persisting, if its circulating still. Are we finding new variants? Long said. Could deer serve as a reservoir for new introductions?

A blood sample is collected from an adult black bear during a March 5 den visit near Clam Lake. The work was part of the UW-Stevens Point Wisconsin Black Bear Project, now in its 45th year.

Long said theyre trying to also figure out how the virus got into deer to begin with.

Research suggests multiple introductions into the population, she said. How are these introductions happening? And what can we do, how can we start mitigation strategies?

The second round of sampling is underway in Wisconsin, on deer harvested by hunters, roadkill and deer that have been removed from areas like airports. More than 523 samples have been collected so far, Long said.

Other states are also looking at deer, and other species as well. And other countries, too.

In Canada, studies have found that white-tailed deer likely contracted SARS-CoV-2 from humans, and are now spreading the disease among themselves. According to the Canadian government, there has been at least one case where transmission from a deer to a human was suspected, but it was isolated.

As far as avoiding spreading or contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus from an animal, following the same guidelines of staying home when sick or wearing a mask apply. Also, make sure youre throwing trash away properly, too, Heale said, and dont feed bears or deer.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Researchers sample bears, cubs for COVID to see how virus spreads
Richmond residents can now return to their homes days after a massive fire, city and county officials announced Sunday.

Mayor Dave Snow said the decision was made by the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency after they reviewed air quality data from around the fire provided to them by the EPA and consulted with federal, state and health officials.

We want the community to know and be reassured we know, understand and recognize this is only one milestone in what is going to be a very long event, Matthew Cain, the director of the Wayne County EMA said.

Cain said the EMA will be transition from a response mode to a recovery in order to get the community to some sort of normalcy.

>> RELATED: Richmond Toxic Fire: Richmond Community Schools announce no classes for Monday

Fire crews will remain on scene on the fire in case there are any flare-ups, Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown said.

Brown advised the public to stay away from the scene and let fire crews continue their work.

David Jetmore, with the Wayne County Health Department, said he has been in contact with the Indiana State Department of Health, the EPA and poison control to determine the health impact of the chemicals found in the air.

Jetmore said all the chemicals have been non-detectable except for benzene, naphthalene and butadiene in small amounts.

This coupled with the fact that rain and wind is moving through the area ensured Jetmore it was safe for people to return home.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Richmond Toxic Fire: EPA searching for, removing debris from schools in both Indiana, Ohio

I feel very confident that people will be safe when they move back to their homes, Jetmore said.

Snow said as residents return home or to their businesses the city will have cleaning kits available as well as guidelines.

Wayne County Health Department Director Christine Stinson urged residents to clean the outside of their homes as well as high-touch surfaces. She also suggested airing out your home if it was full of smoke.

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Further information about debris removal and guidance for cleaning your home can be found on the citys website.

Officials said they will continue to use the website to provide updates on cleanup efforts.

We will continue to follow this story and update as new information becomes available.

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz

Photo by WHIO Staff Xavier Hershovitz




Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) accused the Biden administration on Saturday of downplaying the recent leak of classified intelligence and military documents, saying it is a big deal.

Rubio criticized comments that Biden reportedly made on Thursday saying that the leak contained nothing of great consequence, telling Fox News Brian Kilmeade in an interview that Biden cannot communicate effectively with the world.

Rubio said the leak will require a comprehensive evaluation of how the country classifies documents, how they are compartmented, how people have access to them and how they are secured.

In this case, it was posted online by a 21-year-old guy. It doesnt sound like he was a spy for any country, he said. He was trying to show off to his friends, but you see the damage that its done.

Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was arrested on Thursday and charged the next day with violating the Espionage Act in connection with the leak. Officials believe he posted the documents in a group he was in on Discord, an online messaging app used mainly by gamers and young people.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, said this was a deliberate, criminal act.

The revelations from the documents leak also possibly caused some international relations challenges for the U.S., as the information leaked included an assessment of Ukraine and Russias abilities in their war and spying operations that the U.S. has in several countries, including some allies.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believes U.S. cooperation with allies was not affected by the leak.

This downplaying of the stuff  if its not a big deal, why did the FBI go raid the guys home and arrest him in an armored vehicle? Rubio said. It is a big deal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A member of the Ukrainian White Angels Special Police Team walks looks at the debris of a residential building, destroyed following an air strike in the frontline town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region on April 10, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images

Russia is modifying regular bombs to have guidance systems, a report says.

They are a cheap and effective substitute for expensive guided missiles, which Russia's stock of is low.

Ukraine has been calling for Western fighter jets in order to counter Russia's bombardment.

Russia is modifying simple bombs to equip them with guidance systems, turning them into cheap and effective substitutes for expensive guided missiles.

The regular bombs appear to be being converted to smart ones using UMPK (unified module for gliding and guidance) systems, according to Illia Ponomarenko of the Kyiv Independent.

Ponomarenko wrote that the upgraded guided or gliding bombs pose "an especially serious threat to Ukraine" that can "deliver devastating hits upon Ukrainian lines and the rear front."

This system can be used to equip old Soviet FAB-500-62 gravity bombs, which Russia has an abundant supply of, with a simple satellite guidance system and "wings," according to the outlet.

In March, Russia effectively used the modified bombs to bombard Ukrainian defenses of Avdiivka in Donetsk.

The kit costs less than 2 million roubles, around $24,000, to produce, making it far cheaper than missiles and other weapons purchased from overseas, according to Russian media.

By comparison, a single Kalibr cruise missile, which Russia had been using widely in its invasion of Ukraine, is worth nearly $6.5 million.

The system is similar to the JDAM-ER kits that the US has sent to Ukraine, which converts existing unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.

Although Russia has not admitted to be serially producing the UMPK kits, this would be a convenient alternative to expensive cruise and ballistic missiles, its stock of which is now largely depleted.

These munitions can have an effective range of over 50 kilometers, or around 31 miles, according to Ukrainian air force estimates, the Kyiv Independent said.

Ukraine's air force estimates that up to 20 guided bomb hits are registered daily all along the front line, carried by Russian Su-34 and Sukhoi Su-35 jets and launched from upper altitudes, according to the paper.

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The Sukhoi Su-34 jet fighter-bomber of Russian Air Force. aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In order to combat the Russian bombardment, Ukraine needs to defend against the jets using air defense systems such as the S-300.

The recently leaked Pentagon documents warned that Kyiv's stock of S-300 is depleted and could run out in May.

Several Patriot missile defense systems arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday, sent from Western allies. Ukraine has also been scrambling to find more ammunition for its air-defense weapons, which have been vital to defend against Russias aircraft.

Ukraine has also been calling for its Western allies to send fighter jets to defend against Russia's attacks, as its Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 are outdated and lack modern longer, range air-to-air missiles.

Germany this week approved Poland's request to transfer five MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Occupiers take children from Energodar

According to Energoatom, the evacuation will last until April 20.

Read also: Ukrainian children forcibly abducted and brainwashed by Russia, Ukrainian government reports

"They plan to take children in the Crimea direction with the buses of the nuclear plant, trying to legalize the theft of ZNPP vehicles used to bring people to work," the company said.

Russians have started looting furniture, mattresses and other items from kindergartens, Energoatom added.

Russia is also conducting forced "medical examinations" of children in the occupied areas in order to abduct them to Russia under the pretext of medical treatment," Ukraines National Resistance Center reported.

Read also: Russia abducted over 19,500 Ukrainian children from occupied territories, Reintegration Ministry says

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian children ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova on March 17. They are accused of the illegal abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian invaders have begun to "evacuate" children from schools and kindergartens in the occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to Crimea.

Source: Energoatom, the national nuclear energy company

Details: The report states that information regarding the forced "evacuation" is being spread in local schools and kindergartens. It has started and will last until 20 April.

Quote: "They plan to take the children to the Crimea on station buses, thus allegedly legalising the theft of ZNPP [Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant] transport, which is used by the station staff to get to work.

The orcs [Russian occupiers] have started taking furniture, mattresses and other things from the city's kindergartens."

Background: In October 2022, the Mayor of Melitopol reported that Russians had not returned those children who had been taken from occupied Enerhodar to "summer camps" in Russia and occupied Crimea to their parents. These children have been left in these camps for an "indefinite time period".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Believers of the UOC-MP on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

They began actively using it from the 50s-60s, when the Russian Orthodox Church entered international structures  economic ones, related to the struggle for peace, and global religious organizations, said Yahun.

The opportunity for religious delegations to travel to conferences and seminars was highly valued, because these delegations could include not only clergy but also undercover agents and spies.

Read also: Zelenskyy suspends citizenship of 13 priests of Moscow-controlled Ukrainian Orthodox Church

He added that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, during the time of the Russian Federation, cooperation between the intelligence services and the church continued.

Many young officers (...) found themselves without a job after being discharged from the army, he explained.

The church started to recruit them. They underwent special courses  six months or a year  and could be ordained as priests. This suited the church well because these people had military training, were used to following orders, and did not ask questions  they were ideologically well-versed.

Read also: Become a prayerful Russian monk there  UOC Archbishop on Metropolitan Onufriys Russian citizenship

Yahun added that he knew of one such priest who worked in Kyiv, but in 2014 he left for Russia.

It is not excluded that they have not forgotten their former connections, in particular with the KGB of the USSR, so some of them graduated from border guard schools that were then part of the KGB system, said Yahun.

This system worked quite actively. There was no need to think  you take a priest-officer immediately, you pick up his personal file and say, You continue to serve, Father.

According to him, during the full-scale invasion, law enforcement agencies documented about 60 representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church engaging in activities on behalf of the Russian government.

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Metropolitan Epiphanius of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has said that the structures of the Russian Orthodox Church were involved in the preparation for and implementation of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Epiphanius for Ukrainska Pravda

Quote: "It is a shame to see that the 'Russian world' has made church institutions one of the instruments of its aggression.

The Moscow Patriarchate, headed by Kirill Gundyaev [Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church - ed.], is in slavish obedience to the Kremlin's tyranny and serves as its tool. The structures of the Russian Orthodox Church, and this is not only seen by us but also recognised by independent international experts, were systematically involved in the preparation for and implementation of aggression against Ukraine."

Details: According to Epiphanius, therefore, an integral part of the Ukrainian resistance is the complete severance of all ties of subordination with the Moscow Patriarchate, which still remain with some Orthodox believers in Ukraine.

"Because in words, the religious association that calls itself the UOC [Ukrainian Orthodox Church - ed.] allegedly distances itself from its patriarch and the Russian Church, but in reality, it remains subordinate to them," the Metropolitan notes.

He believes that "only a legislative prohibition for any religious organisations in Ukraine to be subordinate to Russian religious centres can remedy this situation".

Because the Kremlin has turned these centres into its centres of influence, from which Orthodox, Muslim, Protestant and other religious leaders in the Russian Federation assist the aggressor and justify its crimes.

"Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russian hybrid aggression in the spiritual sphere in the same way it defends itself on the battlefield," Epiphanius said.

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Over the past day, the Russians attacked several hromadas [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.] in Sumy Oblast, hitting the Shostka district in the evening and wounding a civilian.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration; Operational Command Pivnich (North)

Quote from Operational Command Pivnich: "At about 22:40 on 15 April, an airstrike, probably a guided bomb, was recorded on a municipal institution in the Shostka district."

"Preliminary reports indicate that a civilian was wounded."

Details: Yesterday, the Russians attacked the territories of the Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka and Yunakivka hromadas.

A total of 158 attacks were recorded from mortars, AGS grenade launchers and artillery. There were also three rocket attacks.

Three unguided rockets were launched from a helicopter from the territory of the Russian Federation at the Yunakivka hromada. There were also three mortar attacks, which damaged a power line in Basivka village.

Russian forces fired 15 shots from an automatic grenade launcher and carried out seven mortar attacks on the Velyka Pysarivka hromada.

The Russians dropped 26 bombs on the Bilopillia hromada and carried out 10 artillery strikes.

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Russian invaders fired on Mykolaiv Oblast on Easter night, killing two teenagers, said Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration.

Source: Kim on Telegram

Quote from Kim: "On the night of 16 April at 02:20, the Snihurivka hromada [an administrative unit designating in this case the town of Snihurivka, and its adjacent territories  ed.] came under enemy missile fire. Preliminary reports indicate that this was from S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

In one of the settlements of the hromada, two eighteen-year-olds were killed as a result of the shelling."

Details: According to the authorities, residential buildings, an educational institution and private business premises have been damaged.

Meanwhile, in the town of Snihurivka, two educational institutions, a hospital, a cultural centre and residential buildings have been damaged as a result of night shelling.

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A Sacramento City Unified School District teacher pleaded to a court offer that includes jail time after a 2022 investigation found that she had harbored a missing teen for 21 months.

In October, the Rancho Cordova Police Department said Holga Castillo Olivares, 61, was charged in the disappearance of 15-year-old Michael Ramirez.

At the time, Olivares was a second-grade teacher at Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired K-8 School on 13th Street in South Land Park, according to authorities and the schools website.

Ramirez ran away from home May 18, 2020, and went to Olivares house, where his girlfriend lived, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office said in a Friday news release. Ramirez returned home March 11, 2022.

During that period, authorities say Olivares continuously lied to law enforcement about the whereabouts of Ramirez.

Olivares was sentenced to 364 days in jail and two years formal probation on charges of felony child taking and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Four years of county jail prison time will be suspended, pending successful completion of probation.
Anyone in the U.K. who has tried to book an NHS medical appointment of late will know just how much of an ordeal it can be, with median waiting times for consultant-led elective care (i.e. pre-planned clinical treatment) currently sitting at around 14.6 weeks in England. This has led to a spike in people turning to the private medical sector, a trend some argue heralds the start of a two-tier healthcare system where those with financial means effectively pay to fast-track their treatment.

In tandem, a floundering public healthcare system has created fertile ground for health tech startups to flourish, addressing everything from staffing shortages to improving radiologists' tech stack.

One such company is Scan.com, a London-based medical imaging startup that connects patients with scanning centers, covering MRI, ultrasound, CT and X-ray. The company today announced it has raised $12 million in a Series A round of funding, as it looks to build on its recent U.S. launch.

Waiting times

The problem, according to Scan.com, is that even if a patient is able to book a doctor's appointment in the first place (a procedure that is becoming increasingly difficult in itself in the U.K.), the subsequent referral process to get an appropriate scan can take several months, after which they may have to wait even longer to receive the results.

Scan.com has partnered with hundreds of scanning centers to enable individuals to access medical imaging services with or without a GP's referral, with user-friendly reports replete with clickable diagrams delivered within a week.

Scan.com report. Image Credits: Scan.com

To use Scan.coms online referral system, users pay up-front to secure their scan, and then they are booked in for a virtual consultation with a clinician within 48 hours.

Prices vary based on a number of factors such as location and the type of scan required, but rough ball-park figures run anywhere from 180 to 395 or more, and includes the consultation, the scan and all the follow-on reports.

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If a scan identifies a serious problem, the patient enters Scan.com's "urgent findings pathway," where a clinical team contacts the patient and their doctor to explain the results and offer guidance on what to do next.

But the ability to bypass a GP (general practitioner) and self-refer for a medical scan surely could lead to all manner of time-wasting endeavors -- what if a patient doesn't actually need a scan?

"Our clinical team offers consultations and guidance to all patients once theyve booked, which is a core part of the service we offer," Scan.com CEO Charlie Bullock explained to TechCrunch. "Their time is included in our scan pricing, which is why we take payment at the point of booking. During the consultation, the clinician can amend the scan type, add or amend body parts, and ensure the scan is both safe and medically justified for the patients needs."

Bullock added that if the clinician determines that there is no justification for the scan, Scan.com refunds the full cost and provides guidance on what the patient should do next. "This happens in around 3% of cases," Bullock said.

But most patients who are at the stage of thinking about scans are likely to have had some medical assessments already that suggest some a scan might be needed to get to the root of their problems, and a large chunk of the target user-base are simply looking to circumvent the lengthy waiting times currently encumbering the NHS.

"Patients may choose to self-refer for imaging for a variety of reasons, but one of the core factors is speed," Bullock said. "Some patients may have already seen a GP, physiotherapist, or other healthcare provider, but have reached a bottleneck in their healthcare pathway due to long waiting times. They may know what scan they need, and in many cases have been informed of the waiting time, and they choose to come to us to access the next steps faster."

Scan.com: Simple referrals

Scan.com: Simple referrals. Image Credits: Scan.com

In truth, there are numerous scenarios that may require a service such as that provided by Scan.com. Some people might have general concerns and want a preventative screening without taking up the time of a primary healthcare provider, and Scan.com offers full-body MRI scans for such cases.

"Family history or lifestyle factors that could lead to disease can be investigated and checked in this way," Bullock said.

Also, more than 10,000 women under the age of 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.K. each year, while the country's national screening program only starts from the age of 50. As such, Scan.com is gearing up to launch early mammogram screenings later this year targeting women under the age of 50 specifically.

"We aim to fill that gap to speed up access to treatment," Bullock added.

The story so far

Scan.com's team of 30. Image Credits: Scan.com

Scan.com was founded some five years ago by clinicians Khalid Latief and Jasper Nissim who had grown exasperated by "inefficiencies" in organizing diagnostics for their patients. Launching initially as a side-project, the duo brought on board CEO Charlie Bullock, COO Oliver Knight and front-end designer Joe Daniels as co-founders in 2019, bootstrapping their way through to 2021 before going full-time and raising some 4.2 million ($5.2 million) in seed funding from investors including Monzo co-founder Tom Blomfield.

Today, Scan.com claims around 30 employees across the U.K. and U.S., having launched its product Stateside two months ago.

"We ramped up to $1 million in annualized revenue in the first five weeks in the U.S. following this launch," Bullock said.

So far, Scan.com has been piloting its service in Georgia, and the company is looking to expand to five more states to "cement ourselves as the leading diagnostic imaging platform in the U.S.," Bullock said. "We also know there is significant opportunity within Europe, but with language barriers and more varied healthcare systems, our focus is the U.S. and U.K. for the time being."

With another $12 million in the bank, Scan.com is well-financed to continue its U.S. expansion and also extend its service offering to include the likes of DEXA scans, echocardiograms and the aforementioned mammograms, while also pursuing enterprise contracts across digital health providers and employee benefit platforms, among other industry organizations.

"Medical imaging covers such a variety of modalities that our focus is to launch as many of these as we can," Bullock said. "Alongside scans, we also want to design pathways to add value for our patients, such as guided injections for pain relief, or adding in-vitro testing and pathology solutions to our preventative screenings to make them more comprehensive."

Scan.com's Series A round was co-led by Oxford Capital, Aviva Ventures, YZR Capital, Triple Point Ventures and Simplyhealth Ventures, with participation from Forefront Venture Partners.
In addition to other weapons, the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is delayed

"There are both subjective and objective difficulties, the MP explained.

Read also: As Ukraine gears up for offensive, Spain delays transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine

The objective ones are that the munitions and weapons need to be transported to Ukraine with maximum security. Unfortunately, subjective ones are not new, nor am the only one to have talked about it. Our partners overestimated their abilities a bit, taking on the relevant obligations.

In addition, the technical conditions of some of the delivered weapons are not appropriate for battlefield use  in particular, the German-made Leopard 2 tanks, Rakhmanin noted.

"They need restoration, they need repairs, which sometimes is routine maintenance, but sometimes, unfortunately, means major repairs, he said.

Read also: MP Kostenko explains timing of Ukraine's counter-offensive

That's why, actually, tanks are not being supplied as quickly as they were supposed to be.

Rakhmanin also mentioned issues with both Soviet-era and modern 155 mm munitions, as their stocks have been depleted worldwide. However, the Ukrainian army extensively needs them for its artillery systems.

"In fact, the efforts of our partners and the efforts of Ukrainian officials are aimed at making these supplies as intensive and rhythmic as possible, he said.

"The situation is getting better in some respects. I think we can talk about it, because it is already being said out loud, including Ukrainian officials and the Western press. The Washington Post mentioned today, for example, that the dates for the delivery of weapons that were planned earlier will unfortunately not be met.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 25 that Ukraine has been unable to being the launch of a counter-offensive, due to the lack of weapons and ammunition.

The Washington Post named weather, slow equipment deliveries, and the leak of Pentagon documents as among the reasons for the delay in the start of Ukraine's counter-offensive.

Story continues

Read also: Military expert explains failure of Russian offensive and why aggressor is losing war of attrition

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

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A woman walks past a poster for the "Assassination Classroom" comic book in Tokyo. Associated Press

Some schools in Florida and Wisconsin banned a manga comic about a monster teacher that encourages its students to assassinate it.

The bans came after conservative parent groups called for the book's removal.

"We don't want students to think it's OK to kill their teachers," Jennifer Pippin of Moms for Liberty told USA Today.

Some schools in Florida and Wisconsin are banning a Japanese sci-fi comic book over concerns that it promotes violence against teachers.

The manga, called "Assassination Classroom," features a large tentacled monster that destroys the moon and threatens to destroy Earth. The monster starts working as a homeroom teacher in a junior high school, where it tells its class that it will give them the opportunity to kill it before it destroys the planet.

The comic was first released in Japan in 2012. It was also turned into television series in 2013 and a live-action film in 2015.

Gifford Middle School in Gifford, Florida was the first to remove the book from its library in March. It removed three volumes, according to Anime News Network. In Wisconsin, the Elmbrook School District also removed the book from its digital library system, the outlet reported.

Moms for Liberty  a conservative group that pushes for the removal of books from classrooms that they deem inappropriate and which has campaigned to get members elected to local school boards  fought for the comic book's removal from Gifford Middle School.

The group also successfully advocated for the removal of a version of Anne Frank's diary that it deemed "sexually explicit" from a high school in Vero Beach, Florida on April 5.

Jennifer Pippin, chair of the Indian River County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said that the group considered the book inappropriate because it features pictures of kids with guns inside a classroom, noting a recent spate of school shootings in the United States.

"We don't want students to think it's OK to kill their teachers," Pippin told USA Today.

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The Elmbrook School District in Wisconsin also removed the book from its digital library after parents complained that it was violent and sexual, Fox News reported.

The Elmbrook School District and School District of Indian River County did not immediately return Insider's request for comment on Sunday.

The Elmbrook School District told Fox News in a statement that it decided to remove the series from its library after "applying our current book acquisition guidelines."

Read the original article on Insider
SAN DIEGO  A search is underway after three Americans who were to set sail for the U.S. from Mazatlan, Mexico, and haven't been seen or heard from in more than 10 days.

Kerry OBrien, Frank OBrien and William Gross reportedly left April 4, and intended to make a provisions stop in Cabo San Lucas, roughly 200 nautical miles across the Sea of Cortez, on April 6 before heading to San Diego, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

"However, there was no record of them arriving in Cabo San Lucas or a report in of their location," the Coast Guard said in a statement Friday.

Gross' daughter, Melissa Spicuzza, said the O'Briens invited her father to sail with them and he jumped at the chance because he loves being on the water, according to NBC San Diego. She said her father lives on a boat on San Diego Bay.

Each missing American, Spicuzza said, has decades of sailing experience, and the O'Briens have Coast Guard captain's licenses, required for voyages with paying passengers.

"I'm just wanting my dad, my dad and the OBriens, to roll back in and say, Whats going on guys?' she told the station.

The Mexican Navy, with the assistance of the #USCG, is searching for three American sailors, last heard from April 4, near Mazatlan, MX. en route to San Diego. Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William Gross were sailing aboard the 44-foot S/V Ocean Bound.https://t.co/0bzFQVsYC3 pic.twitter.com/GCcbGBvkQH  USCGNorCal (@USCGNorCal) April 15, 2023

The Mexican navy was leading the search for the three, and the Coast Guard was helping, the U.S. military branch said.

Searchers have contacted marinas in Baja, Mexico, but no one has reported seeing the trio's boat, a LaFitte model 44 sailing yacht, the Coast Guard said.

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Urgent marine broadcasts via VHF radio have so far turned up no reports of the sailors or the 44-foot vessel, the Ocean Bound, it said.

The model was sold in the 1970s and 1980s by LaFitte Yachts Inc. of Newport Beach. The company said it was conceived by noted yacht designer Robert Perry as "the ultimate cruising yacht hull," according to marketing material from the time.

The National Weather Service reported that seas along the Baja coast Saturday included waves as high as 10 feet.

Anyone with information on the trio's whereabouts or that of the vessel is asked to contact the Coast Guard.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Red Cross on Sunday opened a second shelter in Fort Lauderdale after the first one filled overnight following historic rainfalls and widespread flooding last week, officials said.

The organizations reunification center at Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr., exceeded its capacity of 100 people Saturday night. Now, the nonprofit has opened a second shelter at First Presbyterian Church, 451 Tarpon Terr., the city of Fort Lauderdale said in a news release Sunday.

Both shelters are providing temporary lodging, emotional support, food and personal care items to survivors. The center at Holiday Park is accepting pets in kennels.

Street flooding on Monday afternoon, April 17, 2023, in the Rock Creek subdivision of Cooper City in western Broward County. Thunderstorms dropped more heavy rain on already saturated ground.

READ MORE: Dont rush to the pumps: Port Everglades has ample fuel supply after South Florida floods

For those who need services other than temporary housing, check out these additional resources.

Where are the comfort stations in Fort Lauderdale?

If you have a safe place to sleep but need things like water, food, restrooms, charging stations or showers, there are two comfort stations operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

 Shirley Small Park: 1230 SW 34th Ave.

 Broward County Fleet Service Center: 2515 SW 4th Ave.

And a third station is serving food only:

 New Hope Missionary Baptist Church: 1321 NW 6th St.

Food will no longer be served at the previous location, Provident Park: 1412 NW 6th St.

READ MORE: Barely made it out. Heres how to help victims of South Floridas severe flooding

Crews distributed approximately 800 cases of water Sunday and the Red Cross served hundreds of meals at its comfort stations, the city said in an afternoon news release.

And there is more aid on the way.

Help for businesses and workers

Starting Monday, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Division of Emergency Management will set up a mobile office in Fort Lauderdale at Park and Ride Lot, 216 NW 22nd Ave., to assist businesses and employees affected by last weeks rain bomb.

Staff will be available to assist with services like damage assessment, business planning and job searches.

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The site plans to open Monday at 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Then on Tuesday, the mobile offices hours will be from 9 a.m.  6 p.m..

All businesses impacted by the flooding are encouraged to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey at floridadisaster.biz.

PRESS RELEASE: One-Stop Business Resource Site will open Monday, April 17 at 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., and be open 9 a.m.  6 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 18 to assist local impacted businesses and employees. Info >> https://t.co/NWrUqVykSP@FLSERT @CareerSourceFL @FloridaSBDCN pic.twitter.com/ONxm1bPHNv  Florida DEO (@FLDEO) April 16, 2023

What can residents do if their homes were damaged?

Fort Lauderdale residents with damage to their homes are encouraged to document and report it to the city. If you had 12 or more inches of water inside your home, call the citys 24/7 customer service center at 954-828-8000.

The city is also encouraging homeowners to rely on their flood insurance policies for assistance.

READ MORE: Are you ready if your car or home floods? What to know as South Floridas rainy season begins

Parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including the Fort Lauderdale area, are under a flood advisory until 5:30 p.m. Monday as strong thunderstorms move across the region, according to the National Weather service in Miami.

A new FLOOD ADVISORY has been issued for Miami-Dade and a sliver of SE Broward until 5:30pm where strong thunderstorms continue to dump very heavy rain near Aventura. pic.twitter.com/QVLRjPTSUv  Erika Delgado (@ErikaDelgadoWx) April 17, 2023

How can homeowners prepare for debris removal?

Debris removal trucks were deployed Monday morning in Fort Lauderdale, and they will only operate during daytime hours.

To prepare, the city is encouraging homeowners to follow these guidelines:

 Separate construction and demolition debris from appliances.

 Place debris on the area between the sidewalk and the roadway and away from trees, poles, fire hydrants and storm drains.

 If you dont have a sidewalk, ditch or utility line in front of your house, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.

City of Fort Lauderdales debris removal guidelines.

Other ways you can get help

The city of Fort Lauderdale has created a survey to collect and identify needs and connect neighbors with partner organizations that can assist. To complete the Neighbor Needs Assessment, click here. And if you have concerns about mosquitoes, fill out the Mosquito Service Request Form or call 311.

Help keep mosquitoes from breeding on your property. Dump standing water. Follow these tips: https://t.co/e6ghDgDIwU

To request service from Broward County, call 311 or submit a Mosquito Service Request Form: https://t.co/u330S4w20V pic.twitter.com/JU4nVpokei  City of Fort Lauderdale (@FTLCityNews) April 17, 2023

Miami Herald staff writers David Neal and Grethel Aguila contributed to this report.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib

Sen. Lindsey Graham said he wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Graham recently visited the country and met with MBS.

On Sunday, Graham justified his visit and said a lot has changed since then.

Sen. Lindsey Graham is praising Saudi Arabia during a recent visit despite having once called Saudi Arabia's crown prince "toxic" and refusing to set foot in the country.

ABC 'This Week' host Johnathan Karl on Sunday asked Graham about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia and meeting with the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"I remember how highly critical you were of him after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, "The Washington Post" columnist," Karl said.

In 2018 in the aftermath of Khashoggi's death, Graham said he wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia or visit the country.

"The crown prince is a wrecking ball. I think the behavior before the Khashoggi murder was beyond disturbing. And I cannot see him being a reliable partner to the United States," Graham said then.

On Sunday, Graham said a lot has changed since then.

"Well, a couple things happened. Number one, I've been talking with the Biden administration about working with Saudi Arabia to build on the reforms they're doing in their country and to build on the Abraham Accords," Graham said. "If you get nothing else out of this interview, things in Saudi Arabia are changing very quickly for the better. I see a chance to normalize the relationship between the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel that would be transformative for the region."

He noted that Saudi Arabia bought $36 billion worth of 787 Boeing jets made in Charleston, South Carolina, his home state.

"They picked the Boeing 787 over the Airbus. I came over here to say thanks to Saudi Arabia. They're thinking about buying more jets," Graham said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In the wake of a mass shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville that killed five people and injured eight others, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly said he believes "there is more" that lawmakers can do to address gun violence in the United States beyond last year's Safer Communities Act.

Kelly  a Democrat whose wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, suffered a severe injury in a mass shooting in 2011  discussed the bipartisan legislation on "Face the Nation" Sunday, describing it as "a step in the right direction" while calling for additional change.

"We have some of the most permissive gun laws in the world and we have some of the highest levels of gun violence," Kelly told "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan. "We passed this bipartisan, Safer Communities Act. It is a step in the right direction, but it's only one step and there is more we can do."

Although Kelly said he is "a supporter of the Second Amendment" and owns guns himself, the senator took aim at the processes through which guns are acquired by people across the U.S. and suggested that, as a country, "we make it so easy for irresponsible people and ... criminals to get access to firearms."

Sen. Mark Kelly on

The Safer Communities Act passed in Congress last summer in response to two mass shootings, one at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and one at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, in May. The legislation, which President Biden signed into law in June, focused on reforming gun safety laws and implementing new policies for background checks and mental health support, in addition to providing funding and resources to schools. It was the first gun safety package enacted at the federal level in three decades and considered a landmark piece of legislation.

One aspect of the Safer Communities Act dedicated funding to states for red flag laws, which aim to identify individuals who may pose threats of violence to themselves or others, and block them from purchasing guns. As of this past February, red flag laws were enacted in 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

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In Tennessee, where three young children and three adults were shot and killed in a mass shooting at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville at the end of March, there are no red flag laws. Police said the shooter purchased multiple guns legally and locally prior to the attack, three of which were used to actually carry out the shooting; some have suggested that the attack could have been averted had a red flag law been in place since the shooter's parents had expressed concern about the gun purchases.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during a separate appearance on "Face the Nation" Sunday that he did not think that states should be forced to comply with red flag laws. Instead, he said more should be invested in school counseling and other mental health services to help reduce gun violence.

The governor, who has entered the 2024 presidential race, suggested that "we have to look at actually utilizing the law that's on the books, and it's been there since the 70s, but it was used in a different way. And that is if somebody is a danger to themselves or a risk to others, then they can be committed."

"It has to go before a judge, there has to be a hearing on it," Hutchinson said. "But we are utilizing that and ... we need to change the context of our society to take those steps whenever we identify those mental health problems that pose those kinds of risks."

But Kelly argued that "red flag laws work."

"We have data that shows that in states that have red flag laws, you prevent gun violence. So that's certainly a place to start," Kelly said.

"We've got a mental health crisis in our country. There's more we can do," he continued. "But, you know, listen to the former vice president say that this isn't about firearms, not about guns. I mean, it is, I mean, we just make it way too easy. How about, you know, more background checks. You know, here in the state of Arizona or Texas or many places, you can go to a gun show and get a gun without a background check. That doesn't make sense to most Americans."

Death toll rises in Sudan's third day of political violence

Fox News defamation trial delayed by one day

Heavy fighting in Sudan continues for third day
File. State police officers keep watch at the scene where authorities found the bodies of two of four Americans kidnapped by gunmen, in Matamoros, Mexico, 7 March 2023. - On Saturday, a band of gunmen invaded a resort in central Mexico and shot at the vacationers killing seven (REUTERS)

Seven, including a child, were killed when a band of gunmen opened fire at a resort in central Mexico on Saturday.

The gunmen invaded the La Palma resort and shot the vacationers at the swimming pool, according to reports.

The attack is said to have taken place around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Officials in the Cortazar municipality in Guanajuato state said in a statement that after the shooting, the attackers destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing the spot.

Three women, three men and a seven-year-old child were among the dead. One person was severely injured too, according to reports.

A video posted on social media shows several people running about crying, screaming and hugging their children.

The video, taken by an eye-witness, was also shared on the local news site Debate Noticias and shows the victims collapsed on the floor or on the chairs where they were sitting amid thick clouds of smoke.

Officials said the search for the attackers is ongoing. Police have not revealed any possible motive for the shooting so far.

After the shooting, the attackers destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing, officials said.

Mexico has registered more than 350,000 murders since the government controversially deployed the army to fight drug cartels in 2006, most of them blamed on criminal gangs, AFP reported.

Earlier this month, four bodies were recovered near a beach in Mexicos Cancun in the latest apparent incident of violence against tourists in the resort town.

Officials said three bodies were found in an area along Kukulkan Boulevard, near one of Cancuns beachside hotels. A fourth body was found in the undergrowth on the same lot.

The US State Department issued an alert on 13 March advising potential travellers to be aware of the risk of violent crime, drugs, unregulated alcohol and sexual assault.
File. State police officers keep watch at the scene where authorities found the bodies of two of four Americans kidnapped by gunmen, in Matamoros, Mexico, 7 March 2023. - On Saturday, a band of gunmen invaded a resort in central Mexico and shot at the vacationers killing seven (REUTERS)

Seven, including a child, were killed when a band of gunmen opened fire at a resort in central Mexico on Saturday.

It was reported that the gunmen invaded the La Palma resort and shot the vacationers at the swimming pool.

The reports said that the attack took place around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Officials in the Cortazar municipality in Guanajuato state said in a statement that after the shooting, the attackers destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing the spot.

Three women, three men and a seven-year-old child were among the dead. One person was severely injured too, according to reports.

A video posted on social media shows several people running about crying, screaming and hugging their children.

The video, taken by an eye-witness, was also shared on the local news site Debate Noticias and shows the victims collapsed on the floor or on the chairs where they were sitting amid thick clouds of smoke.

Officials said the search for the attackers is ongoing. Police have not revealed any possible motive for the shooting so far.

After the shooting, the attackers destroyed the spa shop and took the security cameras before fleeing, officials said.

Mexico has registered more than 350,000 murders since the government controversially deployed the army to fight drug cartels in 2006, most of them blamed on criminal gangs, AFP reported.

Earlier this month, four bodies were recovered near a beach in Mexicos Cancun in the latest apparent incident of violence against tourists in the resort town.

Officials said three bodies were found in an area along Kukulkan Boulevard, near one of Cancuns beachside hotels. A fourth body was found in the undergrowth on the same lot.

The US State Department issued an alert on 13 March advising potential travellers to be aware of the risk of violent crime, drugs, unregulated alcohol and sexual assault.
As Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., remains absent from the Senate due to complications from a shingles diagnosis, her Democratic colleague, Rep. Ro Khanna reiterated his calls on her to resign.

She hasnt been showing up, and she has no intention. We dont know if she is even gonna show up. She has no return date, Khanna said on Fox News Sunday.

Khanna compared Feinsteins absence and Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fettermans absence from the Senate. Fetterman voluntarily checked himself into a hospital to receive treatment for clinical depression in February but is now slated to return to the Senate Monday when it returns from a two-week recess.

Its one thing to take medical leave and come back. Its another thing when youre just not doing the job, Khanna said. The reality here is there's this sense, Well you need to have a deference to these senators who have served so long. How about a deference to the American people?

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks at a hearing Oct. 28, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Why is Feinstein's absence important for Senate Democrats?

Feinsteins absence has become a roadblock for President Joe Bidens agenda due to her seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Without Feinstein, several of Bidens judicial nominations cannot advance to the Senate floor to be confirmed without Republican support in the committee.

After calls from some House Democrats, Feinstein said she asked Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to appoint a temporary replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee.

But for Schumer to do that, it would require unanimous support from the Senate  just one Republican senator could block the move. If that happens, 60 votes will be needed to appoint a replacement, meaning 10 GOP senators will have to join Senate Democrats in approving a nominee.

It remains unclear if that will be possible.

Pelosi chimes in on Feinstein: 'Never seen them go after a man who was sick'

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., leaves a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Khanna: Gov. Newsom can appoint a 'caretaker' replacement

Feinstein, 89 and Californias longest serving senator, already announced plans to retire from the Senate after her term ends in 2024. Her retirement plans have kick-started what is expected to be a fierce and bitter Democratic primary race to fill Feinsteins seat.

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If Feinstein were to resign early, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would have to appoint a successor, which could interfere with the primary race. Newsom in 2021 pledged to appoint a Black woman to the Senate if Feinstein were to resign. Critics have pointed out that Khanna co-chairs the Senate campaign of Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.,  the only Black woman who has entered the primary so far.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., (C) talks to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, (R) as they board an elevator at the U.S. Capitol on February 16, 2023 in Washington, DC.

But Khanna on Sunday dismissed the notion that he has an ulterior motive behind his calls on Feinstein to resign, saying Newsom could appoint a caretaker replacement uninvolved with the primary.

Gov. Newsom can appoint a caretaker, he doesn't have to appoint someone in the current race, Khanna said. And I would support the governor doing that. This has nothing to do with the current race, because the caretaker would solve that.

California Senate race: LA Mayor Karen Bass endorses Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Lee filed paperwork Wednesday, Feb. 15, to enter the race for the seat held by long-serving Sen. Dianne Feinstein, adding another Democrat and a nationally recognized Black woman to a growing field that already includes two other members of Congress.

Democratic Senators say it is Feinstein's choice whether to resign

Two of Feinsteins colleagues in the Senate have said it is ultimately Feinsteins decision on whether she should step down before 2024.

Look, its up to Dianne Feinstein and her family to decide whether she wants to keep on serving, and shes had a remarkable record and I respect that, said Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press.

New York Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said that Feinsteins situation is no different from other senators with medical issues.

Were human. And we believe that senators should be able to make their own judgements about when theyre retiring and when theyre not. And they all deserve a chance to get better and come back to work, Gillibrand said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference on the Family and Medical Leave Act at the U.S. Capitol on February 1, 2023 in Washington, DC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CA Democrat Khanna: Newsom can appoint caretaker if Feinstein resigns
Light Bar on Police Car - stock photo Randy Faris / Getty Images

A shooting at a crowded birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama killed at least four people, police said.

The shooting happened Saturday night at a dance studio, blocks away from a police station.

"I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians," Gov. Kay Ivey said.

At least four people were killed and 28 injured during a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama late Saturday night.

During a press conference Sunday afternoon, Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said some of the injuries included people in critical condition.

Burkett did not specify if a suspect was identified or in custody, but he urged the public to reach out to law enforcement if they have any pertinent information regarding the incident.

WRBL, a local CBS News affiliate on the scene, reported that the shooting took place at the Mahogany Masterpiece, a dance studio in Dadeville's town center. The station interviewed witnesses who said it was a Sweet 16 birthday party and that they heard gunfire before the crowd rushed to escape the building.

The dance studio, located at 220 N. Broadnax St., is within walking distance from the Dadeville Police Department.

One of the victims included Philstavious "Phil" Dowdell, a Dadeville High School senior who was siblings with the girl celebrating her 16th birthday at the venue, The Associated Press reported. Dowdell had plans to play football at Jacksonville State University, according to The Montgomery Advertiser.

"This does not represent our community, this does not represent our children," said Raymond Porter, the county's superintendent of schools, who spoke at the press conference alongside police officials.

Dadeville is a small town of just under 3,000 people in Tallapoosa County.

Dadeville Police Chief Jonathan Floyd described the town as a "Tight-knit community."

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement Sunday morning, saying: "I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians."

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Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 16, 2023

"Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge," the tweet said.

Read the original article on Insider
Protesters called for Tourism Regina CEO Tim Reid and Regina Mayor Sandra Masters to resign after the rebrand bungle. Peter Scoular/NHLI/Getty Images

Canadian city Regina attempted to rebrand is tourism agency to "Experience Regina" in March.

Slogans for the campaign included "Show us your Regina" and "The city that rhymes with fun."

The changes sparked backlash accusing the agency of sexualizing the city.

Saskatchewan's capital city is making headlines this week for a bungled attempt to rebrand its tourism agency.

After debuting a rebrand from Tourism Regina to Experience Regina last month, the city's tourism organization pulled its new campaign amid public backlash to slogans some found offensive, Canadian news outlet CBC reported.

The organization issued an apology for the phrases, which included "Show us your Regina" and "The city that rhymes with fun," plays on a running joke about how the city's name rhymes with vagina.

The slogans quickly prompted strong reactions from some who called the phrases "rapey" and "misogynistic."

"Show us your Regina" was featured on the Experience Regina website, but has since been removed, the Toronto Star reported.

On Thursday, the agency announced it would scrap the rebrand altogether and return to its Tourism Regina name, according to CBC. The announcement came after about a dozen protesters gathered inside Regina City Hall to call for Tourism Regina CEO Tim Reid and Mayor Sandra Masters to resign, Fox News reported.

"Many survivors of sexual assault, including me, have been triggered and re-traumatized by this horrid campaign," Bernadette Wagner, a spokesperson for the group said, per Fox News.

In a social media post, Reid apologized that the campaign "fell short of what is expected from our amazing community with some of the slogans that are used." Both Reid and Masters have said they intend to stay in their positions and do not intend to resign.

"The city didn't appreciate it and our community didn't appreciate it and we just were wrong," Reid said in a March interview, according to CBC.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sir Bryn Terfel will perform alongside the Choir of Westminster Abbey

Sir Bryn Terfel will sing a Welsh language song at the coronation of King Charles III.

Buckingham Palace said the performance will be the first in the Welsh language at a coronation.

The Welsh bass-baritone will sing alongside the Choir of Westminster Abbey at the service on 6 May.

They will perform 'Coronation Kyrie', described by its composer Paul Mealor as a "cry from the deep soul of the hills and valleys of Wales".

Mr Mealor, who was born in Denbighshire, said he was "inspired by the great Welsh tunes - Aberystwyth, Cwm Rhondda, Ar Lan Y Mor", adding that his composition was "coloured by the harmonies of these songs".

Another Welsh musician set to perform at the coronation is the royal harpist Alis Huws, from Powys, who will join the orchestra for a new arrangement of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'Tros Y Garreg/Crossing the Stone', which was commissioned by the then Prince of Wales more than two decades ago.

Ms Huws, whose musical studies began at Ysgol Uwchradd Caereinion, Welshpool, is the sixth person to take on the position of royal harpist since the traditional role was revived in 2000.

The coronation orchestra comprises musicians from leading orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera Orchestra.

The King has opted for a shorter, smaller and more diverse ceremony than the previous coronation held for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Outside of London, gun salutes will be sounded from firing stations in 13 locations including Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast at the moment the King is crowned.
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This is how he cooks it perfectly every time.

Meater

My dad is an excellent cook. But if theres one thing hes famous for, its his steak. He doesnt butter-baste, he doesnt marinate, he keeps things simple. They are always the same: New York strip, purchased from Costco, lightly salted and peppered, and thrown on the grill. Served medium-rare, theres something in the simplicity of it: Ive tried to replicate it at home and cant come close.

In order to achieve a perfect medium-rare, my dad would stand by the grill, poking his steaks with an instant-read thermometer every few minutes. But recently, he added a new tool to his technique. Its a Food & Wine Fave, and in my opinion, its the epitome of a dad-gadget: a Bluetooth meat thermometer.

Amazon

To buy: Meater Plus, $100 at amazon.com

The Meater Plus is a little metal probe you can insert into proteins of any kind, and it connects to your phone via an app. In order to start cooking, insert the metal probe into your protein, and select the type youre cooking. You can choose between options like rib-eye, filet mignon, flank, and of course, New York strip, but can also select other proteins like chicken, turkey, and more. Once selected, the app will prompt you to select how well you want it cooked, and tap start.

Once inside on the grill (or in a pan), the Meater will start a countdown, showing you how much longer you have left to cook it. It produces cool visuals, like line graphs of the ambient temperature and internal temperature (a feature my scientist-father loves), and because it has a 165-foot wireless range, my dad can sit in his office, looking at other graphs for work while his steaks cook to perfection.

Best of all, the Meater sends you notifications when its time to take your steak off the heat, and then sets a new timer for how long you should let it rest for. In addition to all of this fancy technology, it's easy to clean by just running under the sink with warm water and soap. And it comes with a wooden holder that is magnetic, perfect for storing on the fridge, and even charges the Meater when its not in use.

Story continues

My dad uses it for everything at this point. From beer-can chicken to lamb chops to Thanksgiving turkey, there is rarely a time he cooks without it. And his food has never tasted better, and according to him, its never been so easy to cook dinner, either.

If you want to level up your steak-game at home, add the Meater Plus to your kitchen today. For just $100 on Amazon, itll make each steak you cook taste like one youd get at a restaurant.

At the time of publishing, the price was $100.



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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Nandipha Magudumana - CEN

Seated on a court bench this week, wearing a dowdy anorak and surgical face mask, Dr Nandipha Magudumana cut a sad, drab figure far from her glamorous media image.

Once lauded as a successful entrepreneur and an inspiring role model for womens empowerment, rubbing shoulders with South Africas celebrities and socialites, the 33-year-old mother of two faces a lengthy jail sentence after being accused of playing a part in a prison break that has captivated the country.

Dr Magudumana was arrested in Tanzania earlier this month alongside Thabo Bester, a convicted killer said to have faked his death in a jail cell fire during an audacious prison escape.

The disclosure of Besters escape and his life on the run has led to accusations of official complicity, incompetence and cover-ups. He is alleged to have left the charred body of an unknown man in his cell to cover his tracks, with officials only publicly acknowledging the escape nearly a year later.

Thabo Bester - AFP

Yet among the cases mysteries, none has attracted more attention than how a glamorous celebrity doctor came to be by his side and now faces charges of helping his escape.

Dr Magudumana is due in court on Monday, where prosecutors have said she faces charges of aiding and abetting the escape, as well as murder, violation of bodies and also fraud.

Her father, Zolile Sekeleni, and Senohe Matsoara, a former G4S prison employee, have both already been charged with murder and aiding the escape. Dr Magudumana has described herself as a small-town girl from South Africas south coast.

She was born in Bizana, a village in the Eastern Cape province, but her family moved to KwaZulu Natal when she was young. Interested in health matters, she began working part time at a pharmacy when she was 15.

In 2013, she married Mkhuseli Magudumana, a paediatrician with a practice in Benoni, a short drive east of Johannesburg.

The couple had two daughters. For months after Besters escape, he and Dr Magudumana, whom police identified as his accomplice, are alleged to have lived in a mansion in a wealthy Johannesburg suburb, driving luxury cars while reportedly running a company that allegedly defrauded businesses out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Dr Magudumana appeared in court on Thursday and her case was adjourned. She is due to appear again on Monday.
For more than a year, Sylvester Zottola, a 71-year-old suspected mobster, survived repeated attacks in which he was beaten, stabbed and had his throat slashed.

He had no idea these were calculated murder attempts planned by one of his sons, Anthony Zottola, Sr., 44, who was hellbent on taking over his familys multi-million dollar real estate empire  and also tried having his brother killed, according to federal prosecutors in New York City.

Anthony Zottolas plot to kill his father succeeded when Sylvester Zottola was shot to death while waiting for a cup of coffee at a McDonalds drive-thru in the Bronx on Oct. 4, 2018, prosecutors said.

About 10 minutes after learning of his fathers death, Anthony Zottola texted his suspected hired co-conspirator saying he was taking his son to his favorite place  McDonalds  for his birthday and wrote lol, court documents show.

Anthony Zottola, of Larchmont, New York, and Himen Ross, 37, of the Bronx, who was convicted of fatally shooting Sylvester Zottola, were sentenced to life in prison plus 112 years on April 14, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York announced in an April 16 news release.

Anthony Zottola was so determined to control the familys lucrative real estate business, that he hired a gang of hit men to murder his father, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement.

For sentencing his father to a violent death, Anthony Zottola and his co-defendant will spend the rest of their lives in prison, Peace added.

Henry E. Mazurek, Anthony Zottolas attorney, told McClatchy News in a statement on April 16 that his client maintains his innocence and blamed Big Sals murder on gang violence.

Anthonys sentencing is another tragic day for the Zottola family, Mazurek said. Another family member is being taken from his loved ones.

Ross defense team declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on April 16.

Before judge Hector Gonzalez issued Anthony Zottolas life sentence in court, his brother Salavatore Zottola spoke to him, according to the New York Times.

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You had everything in life, he told his brother, the Times reported. What you did to Dad, to myself and to this entire family is unimaginable.

A rift emerges in the Zottola family

The case dates to when Anthony Zottola, his wife and children moved to a $1.5 million home in Larchmont, about 10 miles northeast of where they lived in the Zottola family compound in the Bronx in July 2017, according to the governments sentencing memo.

Sylvester Zottola had built homes for his three children, including Anthony and Salvatore Zottola, the memo says. It was his dream for the family to live together in the Bronx, according to prosecutors.

After Anthony Zottola moved without telling his father and brother beforehand, it caused a rift, according to the sentencing memo.

At the time, Sylvester Zottola was in charge of the familys residential real estate portfolio worth tens of millions of dollars, prosecutors said. Anthony Zottola helped manage the business and co-owned a related business, A&S Maintenance, with his brother.

In prior court proceedings, Salvatore Zottola acknowledged his father had connections to an organized crime family in New York City but said he wasnt a wiseguy and denied he was in the Mafia, PIX 11 reported.

The murder-for-hire plot and a series of attacks

Anthony Zottola is accused of hiring Bushawn Shelton, 38, of Brooklyn, to kill his father and Salvatore Zottola, prosecutors said. Shelton is accused of recruiting others, including Ross, to help him.

Shelton awaits sentencing in the case, according to prosecutors. McClatchy News contacted his attorneys for comment on April 16 and didnt immediately receive a response.

In 2017, the series of violent attacks on Sylvester Zottola began, according to the sentencing memo.

As Sylvester Zottola checked his mail in September, 2017, a co-conspirator appeared and repeatedly punched him in the face and body before fleeing, according to prosecutors.

During another attack in November, Sylvester Zottola was in his car when a dark van pulled up and a masked individual got out and pointed a gun at him, the sentencing memo says. Sylvester Zottola escaped by /placing his car in reverse and speeding away to a police precinct to report the attack.

About a month later, three men entered Sylvester Zottolas home, hit him in the head with a gun, repeatedly stabbed him and slashed his throat, prosecutors said. But he survived.

In July 2018, Salvatore Zottola was shot in his head, chest and hand while outside his home, according to prosecutors. He also survived.

Before Sylvester Zottola was killed on Oct. 4, 2018, a tracking device was put on his car, according to prosecutors.

Then, Ross followed Sylvester Zottola to McDonalds and repeatedly shot him, the release said.

Immediately afterward, Ross texted Shelton, who messaged Anthony Zottola about his fathers death and wrote Can we party today or tomorrow?, prosecutors said.

Anthony Zottola promised Shelton he would get his money for helping kill his father, according to prosecutors.

In statements made at sentencing, Anthony Zottola shared how he loves his wife, children, brother and sister but did not show remorse for the murder of his father, according to the New York Times.

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The shooting took place in the drive-thru lane at a McDonald's at 1625 Webster Avenue in the Bronx on October 4, 2018, killing Sylvester Zottola. Nina Cochran/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

A man was sentenced to life in prison for a murder-for-hire scheme to kill his mob-linked father.

Sylvester Zottola was killed in 2018 at a McDonald's drive-thru.

The judge concluded on Friday that Anthony Zottola, Sr.'s motive was centered around greed.

A man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday after he hired a hitman to kill his mafia-linked father at a McDonald's drive-thru in 2018.

Anthony Zottola, Sr. and Himen Ross were both sentenced in the US District Court in Brooklyn on Friday for their roles in a "murder-for-hire" plot, which was part of a scheme to take over a multi-million dollar real-estate business.

Zottola's father, 71-year-old Sylvester Zottola, was killed by Ross at a McDonald's drive-thru while he waited for a cup of coffee, according to a press release from the US Attorney's Office.

"Over the course of more than a year, the elderly victim, Sylvester Zottola, was stalked, beaten, and stabbed, never knowing who orchestrated the attacks," Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said.

"It was his own son, who was so determined to control the family's lucrative real estate business that he hired a gang of hit men to murder his father."

Zottola's father controlled a real-estate empire that was worth tens of millions of dollars at the time of his death, according to authorities.

Zottola helped to manage the business that prosecutors allege was built on illegal gambling proceeds linked to the mafia, per the Associated Press.

Zottola was an associate of the Lucchese and Bonanno crime family in the Bronx and was nicknamed "Sally Daz," prosecutors previously said, per CNN.

A shooting took place in the drive-thru lane at a McDonald's in the Bronx on October 4, 2018, killing mobster Sylvester Zottola. Nina Cochran/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

The Associated Press reported that there were "audible sobs" in the courtroom as Zottola's family spoke to him.

Salvatore Zottola, the defendant's brother, asked: "Why? Dad gave you everything. You had everything in life."

Anthony Zottola Sr. plotted to kill both his brother and father in an attempt to take over the lucrative family business.

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In a failed attempt to have his brother killed in 2018, a gunman shot Salvatore Zottola in the head, chest, and hand outside of his home, prosecutors said.

Anthony Zottola had also arranged a series of violent attacks on his father before his eventual murder, including a day in December 2017 when a gang broke into Sylvester Zottola's home, "struck him on the head with a gun, stabbed him multiple times, and slashed his throat," per the press release.

US District Judge Hector Gonzalez concluded his motive was centered around greed, per the AP. Zottola showed little remorse for "the unimaginable horror he caused his family," Gonzalez said.

Six other men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the plot.

Read the original article on Insider
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The exiled son of the Iranian Shah toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution will visit Israel this week, Israel's government said on Sunday, calling him the "most senior Iranian personality" to ever pay a public visit to Israel.

Israel and Iran enjoyed warmer ties under the U.S-backed Shah, though they have become enemies since.

Israel, in its statement, said the visit by Reza Pahlavi is meant to create "a bridge between Israel and the Iranian people, and expressing joint opposition to the Ayatollah regime."

"A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbours," Pahlavi was quoted as saying in the Israeli statement. "In my opinion, that day is closer than ever."

During his visit Pahlavi will take part in Israel's official Holocaust memorial ceremony.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani was dismissive when asked about the trip at his weekly press conference.

"Neither the person you've mentioned (Reza Pahlavi), the purpose of this trip, nor the place he wants to travel to are worthy of discussion," he said.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Dubai Newsroom; editing by Diane Craft and Hugh Lawson)
Rafael Chinchilla offered U-Hauls to rent from his tire yard. Institute for Justice

Changes to zoning laws forced a South Carolina business owner to lay off three of his five workers.

Simpsonville officials ordered Rafael Chinchilla to stop offering U-Hauls to rent in August 2022.

It followed the city's rezoning decision that meant U-Haul rentals would not be permitted.

A South Carolina business owner laid off three of his five employees after the city changed zoning laws and ordered him to stop offering U-Hauls to rent, according to the Institute for Justice.

Rafael Chinchilla, the owner of Tires 2 Go, a tire retailer in Simpsonville, South Carolina, was told in August 2022 to stop offering U-Haul rentals or face "ruinous fines and jail time."

The city ordered him to stop renting the vehicles and to remove all trucks and trailers within 30 days, or be fined $500 a day and even face a 30-day jail sentence.

The Institute for Justice, a nonprofit, public interest law firm, has written to city officials on Chinchilla's behalf, urging them to reconsider their "illegal attempt to weaponize zoning laws" and force the business owner to cease renting U-Hauls, per a press release.

Chinchilla set up his company in 2011 and has been renting and repairing U-Hauls since then, per the release.

But under South Carolina law, "a property owner has a vested right to continue a nonconforming use in existence when his property is rezoned, barring a factual showing that continuing the use would harm the public health, safety, or welfare."

"The city's actions have crippled my business, hurt my family, and left customers without a place to go rent U-Hauls," Chinchilla said in the press release. "All I want to do is continue running my business the way I have for more than a decade."

The order forced the business owner to lay off three of his five employees as it had "drastically reduced the income from his business," the nonprofit wrote in its letter to the city Friday.

"The illegal and callous nature of the city's order is highlighted by the fact that Mr Chinchilla's tire-service side of his business, the legality of which was never in doubt, has also been severely damaged," the letter continued.

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It added that "his use as a U-Haul rental business was grandfathered in, and the City should not violate South Carolina law to destroy it."

A grandfather clause can be negotiated when changes to a piece of legislation may affect their previous rights, privileges, or practices by having the changes apply to a new activity, according to Cornell Law School.

Seth Young, an attorney for Institute for Justice, said: "Mr Chinchilla's business is safe and legal, and he has harmlessly operated for years. The city cannot pull the rug out from under a hard-working small businessman without a legitimate health or safety reason for doing so."

Jon Derby, a code enforcement worker for Simpsonville, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A law enforcement officer was shot early Sunday morning while in the line of duty, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

The shooting happened at about 3:30 a.m. in Bamberg County, SCDPS spokesperson Heather Biance said.

A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper was shot after initiating a traffic stop on U.S. 78, according to Biance.

Lance Cpl. B.A. Frazier pulled over a vehicle that was driving more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit, Biance said.

Lance Cpl. B.A. Frazier of the South Carolina Highway Patrol was shot in the line of duty.

At some point during the traffic stop, the driver began shooting at Frazier before driving away from the scene, according to Biance. A second trooper heard the drivers vehicle description on a radio call and initiated a pursuit that ended in Orangeburg County when the shooter crashed his vehicle into a house, Biance said.

The trooper was taken to a hospital for medical treatment, Biance said.

Frazier was shot on the right side of his face, but we are told that his injuries are non-life threatening, Biance said in a release. Further information on Fraziers condition was not available.

The trooper was seriously injured, according to Serve & Connect, a nonprofit organization that tried to foster positive change through police-community partnerships.

Frazier has been with Troop 7 of the Highway Patrol since 2018 and currently serves in Post A, which covers Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton counties, according to Biance.

There was no word if anyone else was injured in the shooting, or if the gunman was hurt in the crash.

Information about the shooter, and a motive for the gunfire was not available. There was no word if any arrests have been made, or if there is a search for anyone involved in the shooting.

When announcing that the stretch of U.S. 78, from U.S. 321 to McKenna Lane, was closed because of the investigation, the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office said the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.

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Drivers in that area west of Denmark are asked to use an alternate route.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is leading the investigation into the shooting, according to Biance.

Spokesperson Ryan Alphin confirmed to The State that SLED was requested to investigate the shooting, but said any additional details will be available at a later time.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.
South Dakota governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate Kristi Noem told the crowd at a National Rifle Association event that her nearly two-year-old granddaughter already has a shotgun and a rifle.

I want to reassure you, she said from the stage at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum in Indiana on 14 April.

Ms Noem was among a crowd of 2024 hopefuls and declared candidates addressing the influential firearm lobbying groups conference just days after a gunman killed six people inside a Louisville, Kentucky, bank with an AR-style rifle.

Speakers at the event largely spent their remarks pushing against Democratic demands for urgent gun reform measures, including reviving a federal ban on the kinds of assault weapons used during the attack in Louisville and the mass shooting inside a Nashville school that killed three nine-year-old children and three adult employees.

There have been more than 155 mass shootings and more than 12,000 gun-related deaths in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Ms Noem also signed an executive order in the middle of her remarks, inviting NRA president Wayne LaPierre to join her as she barred state agencies from working with banks that discriminate against firearm-related businesses

The order will protect the God-given right to keep and bear arms from being infringed upon by financial institutions, she said.

(AP)

During her 25-minute speech, she criticised efforts from Democratic lawmakers and President Joe Bidens administration to combat the proliferation of high-powered firearms during the nations gun violence epidemic.

Why do the liberals and Joe Biden want our guns? she said. Because it will make it easier for them to infringe on all our other rights.

She added: What if prosecutors actually did their jobs instead of going on the political attack? What if the laws we had today were actually enforced? What if, when tragedy happens, families gathered together, they bowed their heads and they prayed for wisdom and discernment on how to heal hearts and minds rather than to debate the methods used by those in society who do harm?

Last year, days after a gunman killed 19 children inside an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Ms Noem attended the NRAs Texas event and accused Democratic officials of exploiting the tragedy to pass restrictions on guns.

In response to the Uvalde massacre, members of Congress passed bipartisan legislation signed into law by Presiden Biden to support expanded background checks and the creation of so-called red flag laws. The president has repeatedly called on lawmakers to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.
SEOUL, South Korea  South Koreas military says it fired warning shots to repel a North Korean patrol vessel that temporarily crossed the countries disputed western sea boundary while chasing a Chinese fishing boat.

The North Korean patrol boat crossed the so-called Northern Limit Line at around 11 a.m. Saturday while pursuing the Chinese boat in waters near South Koreas Baekryeong island but immediately retreated after a South Korean naval vessel fired warning shots, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday.

While there were no exchanges of fire between the North and South Korean vessels, the South Korean high-speed vessel collided with the Chinese boat as it responded to the intrusion amid poor visibility, causing bruises and other minor injuries to some of the South Korean sailors.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean military activities while preparing for various possibilities of provocations.

South Koreas navy has often fired warning shots to repel North Korean vessels crossing the countries poorly marked sea border, but there also have been some deadly clashes over the years. South Korea blamed North Korea for an attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors in 2010, but the North has denied responsibility.

Saturdays intrusion came amid heightened tensions in the region as the pace of both North Koreas weapons demonstrations and the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises aimed at countering the North Korean threat have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

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The South Korean and U.S. militaries will conduct another large-scale joint exercise from next week involving some 110 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets. South Koreas Defense Ministry said the aerial drills, which will be begin Monday and continue through April 28, are aimed at sharpening combined operational abilities and demonstrating the allies joint defense posture in the face of North Korean threats.

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North Korea last week staged one of its most provocative military displays in years by test-launching what it described as a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which if perfected could potentially give the North a more powerful and harder-to-detect weapon targeting the mainland United States.

South Korean officials also say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for more than a week, which raises concerns about potential kinetic provocations as communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals sea borders.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries conducted their biggest field exercises in years last month and separately held joint naval and air force drills involving a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable U.S. bombers. The exercises prompted fierce protests from the North, which describes those drills as invasion rehearsals while continuously using them as a pretext to push forward its own weapons development.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired more than 100 missiles into the sea, including three different types of ICBMs and various shorter-range missiles it describes as battlefield nuclear weapons, as it tries to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea.

South Korea has patrolled waters around the Northern Limit Line for decades after it was drawn up by the U.N. command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea does not recognize the line and insists upon a boundary that encroaches deeply into waters controlled by the South.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are expected to host South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and the country's first lady, Kim Keon Hee, for a state visit later this month.

The White House in a statement last month said the visit "celebrates the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-(Republic of Korea) alliance, which is critical to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity for our two countries, the Indo-Pacific, and around the world."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Korea fires warning shots after North Korean boat crosses border
South Korea fired warning shots at a North Korean patrol boat after it temporarily crossed a disputed sea border, the souths military said.

The North Korean vessel crossed over the sea border while pursuing a Chinese fishing boat on Saturday, the military said, adding that the North Korean ship retreated after warning shots were fired.

Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemys movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL (Northern Limit Line) violations by North Korean patrol boats, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement on Sunday.

The disputed sea border between the two countries, the Northern Limit Line, has served as a theater for provocation and naval showdowns in the past. South Korean officials said one of its ships came into minor contact with a Chinese vessel due to poor visibility, but said there were only slight injuries reported.

The tensions around the maritime border comes after North Korean missile tests in recent weeks have raised international concerns. Pyongyang test-fired what it said was a ballistic missile that could eventually be a weapon that would be harder to detect and could reach the mainland of the U.S.

The U.S., South Korea and Japan have also continued joint military exercises that North Korea has labeled a provocation. The U.S. and South Korean militaries are set to conduct exercises that will continue until April 28, including joint exercises featuring 110 warplanes including advanced fighter jets.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MADRID (AP)  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday apologized to the victims of a government-sponsored sexual freedom law passed last October that was aimed at increasing protection for women, but inadvertently allowed hundreds of convicted sex offenders to have their sentences reduced.

The legislation, known as the only yes means yes law, is set to undergo reform this coming week to address the legal loophole, following months of debate in the country and tension between the two left-wing coalition partners in the government  the majority Socialist party and Unidas Podemos, the junior party that sponsored the law.

No lawmaker, even those who voted against this law, is in favor of reducing sentences. Therefore, I apologize to the victims and we will find a solution to these unintended effects, because it is the best way to defend the law itself," Sanchez said in an interview with local media on the sidelines of a campaign event for the upcoming regional elections in Spain on May 28.

According to the latest official data, courts have reduced the sentences of 978 sexual offenders under the sexual freedom law and at least 104 convicts have been granted early release.

The law made verbal consent, or the lack thereof, the key factor in cases of alleged sexual assault. However, it also revised the minimum and maximum prison terms for sexual assault convictions, resulting in judges being able to reduce sentences for rapists and abusers on appeal, by shaving off months or even years from their convictions.
Nuisance calls - WESTEND61

A new post-Brexit law designed to crackdown on nuisance calls and repeated pop-ups could come into force within months.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which will go before the House of Commons on Monday, will increase fines for spam calls from 500,000 to 17.5 million, or up to four per cent of the company's turnover.

The bill will also reduce the number of consent pop-ups people see online which repeatedly ask users to give permission for websites to collect data about their visits.

The law has been touted by ministers as one of Brexits biggest rewards.

The bill will also make it easier and quicker for people to verify their identity online as people will now be able to create certified digital identities that make verification easier.

It also creates the possibility of using personal digital data for research purposes.

Current data laws are murky on how scientists can process personal data, which they say prevents them from completing vital research.

The definition of scientific research in the new Bill is deliberately vague and could include innovative research into new tech developments.

It is hoped the proposals in the new bill will improve the UKs ability to strike deals with other countries, theoretically allowing British businesses to gain billions of pounds of data trade.

Data-driven trade generated 85 per cent of the UKs total service exports and contributed an estimated 259 billion for the economy in 2021.

The law is also set to modernise the structure of the Information Commissioner's Office, including appointing a chair, chief executive and board.

Companies will also no longer need a data protection officer, only a data controller, and will be able to refuse requests from individuals for their own data if the requests are abusive or excessive.

The bill was designed to remove the prescriptive requirements inherited from the European Union's complex General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its one-size-fits all approach.

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Announcing the bill tomorrow, Data Minister Julia Lopez is expected to say: This Bill will maintain the high standards of data protection that British people rightly expect.

But it will also help the people who are using our data to make our lives healthier, safer, and more prosperous.

Thats because weve co-designed it with those people, to ensure that our regulation reflects the way real people live their lives and run their businesses.

Science Innovation and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, previously said: Our system will be easier to understand, easier to comply with, and take advantage of the many opportunities of post-Brexit Britain. No longer will our businesses and citizens have to tangle themselves around the barrier-based European GDPR.

Our new laws release British businesses from unnecessary red tape to unlock new discoveries, drive forward next generation technologies, create jobs and boost our economy.
(Reuters) -Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologised in an interview published on Sunday to victims of sexual abuse over a sexual violence law that included a loophole enabling at least 978 imprisoned offenders to get their sentences reduced or ended early.

The "Only Yes Is Yes" law, which arose partly as a result of public outrage over the so-called Wolf Pack case, centred on consent and was meant to resolve cases where defendants were convicted of the lesser crime of sexual abuse because victims had not resisted out of fear.

But because the new law carries a lower minimum sentence - the result of merging the crimes of sexual abuse and aggression - it has enabled some perpetrators convicted before it took effect to successfully seek reduced sentences or early release.

After the law was passed in October, sentences in 978 cases have been reduced and 104 prisoners have been released early as of March 31, the General Council of the Judiciary - the top body of judges - said last week.

"Some of these releases or reviews are not final, they can still be appealed. But in any case, there has been an undesired effect that we have to resolve," Sanchez said in an interview with El Correo newspaper.

"If we have to apologise to the victims, I apologise to the victims."

The issue has split the three-year-old coalition, with the Socialists keen to reform the law but their ruling partners Unidas Podemos resisting their suggestions.

Combating gender violence had been high on the coalition's agenda since the "Wolf Pack" case, in which five men referring to themselves by that name were jailed for the lesser crime of sexual abuse in 2018 after gang-raping a young woman at the Pamplona bull-running festival in 2016.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
"When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America," Vice President Kamala Harris said to demonstrators in Los Angeles on Saturday. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Vice President Kamala Harris urged demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles to "stand up and fight" for their ideals following recent court rulings over reproductive rights that have divided the country.

"When you attack the rights of women in America, you are attacking America," Harris said at a rally outside City Hall.

Harris' surprise appearance at the event was greeted with shrieks and applause from the crowd. The vice president, who was introduced by Mayor Karen Bass, talked about her recent trips overseas and warned that democracy was at stake at this "critical moment" in U.S. history.

"I fundamentally believe that you can gauge the strength of a democracy based on the strength of women in that democracy," Harris said.

Saturday's rally, which drew a few hundred people, was hastily put together after U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's recent decision to order a hold on the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone after more than two decades.

Margot Pipkin protests Saturday at downtown L.A.'s Pershing Square against the ruling by a federal judge in Texas to override FDA approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The ruling, out of Texas, could effectively halt FDA approval of mifepristone nationwide, including in California and other states where abortion is legal.

The rally was hosted by Womens March Action, the political arm of a foundation that seeks to advance the political power of women.

Harris, who has a home in Los Angeles, was brought to the stage by the mayor, who talked up the vice president's accomplishments and background.

"We have a vice president who is one of us!" Bass said.

Harris, in her brief speech, warned against "those who would dare to attack fundamental rights and, by extension, attack our democracy," "so-called extremist leaders who would dare to silence the voices of the people," and "a United States Supreme Court  the highest court in our land  that took a constitutional right that has been recognized from the people of America."

"We have seen attacks on voting rights, attacks on fundamental rights to love and marry the people that you love, attacks on the ability of people to be themselves and be proud of who they are," she said.

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Other speakers at Saturday's event also urged the crowd to rally in the face of recent decisions by courts and lawmakers.

"We won't go back!" shouted Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

The march began in downtown's Pershing Square and reached City Hall around noon.

Kathleen Schwartz joins Saturday's protest in downtown Los Angeles with her personalized women's rights messages. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Among those in the crowd was Hollywood resident Kathleen Schwartz, who said abortion should be a decision "between the doctor and the woman."

"I feel it's very important to be out here and say no to what's going on in this country," Schwartz said, adding that she was protesting for future generations.

"I'm 67 years old, and I really shouldn't have to be doing this anymore," she said. "But it's important."

Riley Grace, 12, and Evan Smith, 14, came to the rally together. The two are friends and attend the same school.

Evan carried a sign that showed a coat hanger and read Keep your laws off our bodies.

Riley, who lives in Koreatown, came to Saturdays event to be on the right side of history.

I want to be someone who can say, I fought for my rights and made sure that my future is secure and my future is safe, Riley said.

Evan, who happened to be wearing a Kamala Harris T-shirt, texted family members as the vice president spoke:

"I was like, 'Oh my God  she's right here!'"

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Fox News New York City headquarters. The network faces a lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems and the trial will start soon in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Fox News New York City headquarters. The network faces a lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems and the trial will start soon in Wilmington, Delaware.

UPDATE: April 17  Dominions case against Fox News was delayed unexpectedly Sunday evening, reportedly because the media giant was making a renewed push for a settlement agreement.

PREVIOUSLY:

Opening arguments are expected to be heard at a Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse on Monday in Dominion Voting Systems defamation trial against Fox News, which has been accused of telling vacuous lies about the 2020 presidential election and the tech companys role.

At stake is some $1.6 billion, the amount Dominion demands in restitution, along with whatever remains of Foxs dignity. Sworn testimony is expected from Foxs corporate chairman and founder, Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan, various high-ranking executives and on-air talent, including Tucker Carlson, Maria Bartiromo, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro.

In other words, whats at stake is quite a lot.

We already know a good deal about the case thanks to court documents unsealed by Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis. The cache of records illuminated the inner workings of the popular conservative network like never before, laying plain its mission to cinch power for elected Republicans.

Love to hear likely House numbers, Murdoch wrote in an email as it became clear Republicans would take control of the chamber after the 2020 election. Later, he said the network should concentrate on Georgia, where a runoff election would determine control of the Senate, helping any way we can.

The court documents claim fear was rankling Fox News top brass in late 2020. Executives and top talent believed sharks  namely Newsmax and One America News  smelled fresh blood in the water after Foxs election analysts determined that Joe Biden won more votes in the swing state of Arizona on election night 2020. Calling Arizona for Biden was an unpleasant shock to supporters of then-President Donald Trump, including many Fox viewers. Not only were they facing losing the White House, but the news had been delivered to them by a source they could usually expect to advocate for their cause.

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Former President Donald Trump leaves after speaking during the 152nd National Rifle Association (NRA) annual Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 14, 2023. When Fox News called Arizona for Biden in 2020, it was a shock to Trump supporters and Fox viewers.

Former President Donald Trump leaves after speaking during the 152nd National Rifle Association (NRA) annual Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 14, 2023. When Fox News called Arizona for Biden in 2020, it was a shock to Trump supporters and Fox viewers.

Trump was also furious. He urged his supporters to give Fox the cold shoulder. And he kept spreading conspiracy theories about the election, including the idea that Dominion voting machines used in more than half the country were somehow rigged to ensure Biden won.

Emails and text messages between Fox hosts and executives in the days after the Arizona call show how acutely aware they were that some viewers saw it as a betrayal. Carlson noted with irritation that the companys stock price was down. Fox News Network CEO Suzanne Scott wrote in an email to Murdoch about the need to keep the audience who loves and trusts us.

Scott wrote: [W]e need to make sure they know we arent abandoning them and still champions for them.

Behind the scenes, in their private emails and texts to one another, Fox hosts and executives appeared to know that what Trump and allies like Rudy Giuliani and Sydney Powell were saying had no basis in reality.

The numbers showed Biden had carried Arizona, there was no evidence that large numbers of votes had been cast with the names of dead people, and there was no evidence that the voting machines had been rigged. Moreover, the Fox News internal fact-checking division called the brainroom also found no evidence of such fraud.

In one email, Murdoch called Trumps rhetoric bullshit and damaging. After Giuliani gave a disastrous press conference on the conspiracy claims, Murdoch commented, really crazy stuff. Hosts Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Hannity mocked Powell for spreading the claims.

This Dominion shit is going to give me a fucking aneurysm, one Fox producer wrote in a message.

MIND BLOWINGLY NUTS, wrote Fox Corporation SVP Raj Shah, per court documents.

Yet in public, Dominion argues, Fox News amplified the conspiracy theories and invited guests like Powell on air to explain them.

A view of the Fox logo outside the News Corp Building on 6th Ave. on March 21, 2023, in New York City. News Corp the parent company of Fox News has studios in the building. In one email, Murdoch called Trumps 2020 election rhetoric bullshit and damaging.

A view of the Fox logo outside the News Corp Building on 6th Ave. on March 21, 2023, in New York City. News Corp the parent company of Fox News has studios in the building. In one email, Murdoch called Trumps 2020 election rhetoric bullshit and damaging.

In early December, Scott responded angrily when a Fox reporter fact-checked one of Trumps election conspiracy claims on air, telling another executive in an email, This has to stop now.

She added, This is bad for business.

In other communications, court documents say, executives spoke of the need to straddle the issue and said they were wary of piss[ing] off viewers.

Dominion says its lawyers sent Fox employees more than 3,600 emails attempting to correct Foxs reporting on the issue. The company identified 20 specific statements from Fox broadcasts between Nov. 8, 2020, and Jan. 26, 2021, that it says were legally defamatory.

Davis has already said that evidence in the case demonstrates that it is CRYSTAL clear that none of the Statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true.

However strong Dominions case may seem, the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent makes it difficult to prove defamation by a news outlet. The bar is high; Dominion will need to prove actual malice, meaning that Fox either knew what it was airing was wrong or acted in reckless disregard for the truth.

For their part, lawyers for Fox have argued in the Dominion case that the First Amendment protects them and that hosts were simply presenting newsworthy claims made by others  Trump and his allies.

Dominions lawsuit is a political crusade in search of a financial windfall, but the real cost would be cherished First Amendment rights, Fox said in a statement to HuffPost. While Dominion has pushed irrelevant and misleading information to generate headlines, Fox News remains steadfast in protecting the rights of a free press, given a verdict for Dominion and its private equity owners would have grave consequences for the entire journalism profession.

The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

Related...
The Fox News New York City headquarters. The network faces a lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems and the trial will start soon in Wilmington, Delaware. Andrew Kelly via Reuters

Opening arguments are expected to be heard at a Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse on Monday in Dominion Voting Systems defamation trial against Fox News, which has been accused of telling vacuous lies about the 2020 presidential election and the tech companys role.

At stake is some $1.6 billion, the amount Dominion demands in restitution, along with whatever remains of Foxs dignity. Sworn testimony is expected from Foxs corporate chairman and founder, Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan, various high-ranking executives and on-air talent, including Tucker Carlson, Maria Bartiromo, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro.

In other words, whats at stake is quite a lot.

We already know a good deal about the case thanks to court documents unsealed by Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis. The cache of records illuminated the inner workings of the popular conservative network like never before, laying plain its mission to cinch power for elected Republicans.

Love to hear likely House numbers, Murdoch wrote in an email as it became clear Republicans would take control of the chamber after the 2020 election. Later, he said the network should concentrate on Georgia, where a runoff election would determine control of the Senate, helping any way we can.

The court documents claim fear was rankling Fox News top brass in late 2020. Executives and top talent believed sharks  namely Newsmax and One America News  smelled fresh blood in the water after Foxs election analysts determined that Joe Biden won more votes in the swing state of Arizona on election night 2020. Calling Arizona for Biden was an unpleasant shock to supporters of then-President Donald Trump, including many Fox viewers. Not only were they facing losing the White House, but the news had been delivered to them by a source they could usually expect to advocate for their cause.

Former President Donald Trump leaves after speaking during the 152nd National Rifle Association (NRA) annual Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 14, 2023. When Fox News called Arizona for Biden in 2020, it was a shock to Trump supporters and Fox viewers. ALEX WROBLEWSKI via Getty Images

Trump was also furious. He urged his supporters to give Fox the cold shoulder. And he kept spreading conspiracy theories about the election, including the idea that Dominion voting machines used in more than half the country were somehow rigged to ensure Biden won.

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Emails and text messages between Fox hosts and executives in the days after the Arizona call show how acutely aware they were that some viewers saw it as a betrayal. Carlson noted with irritation that the companys stock price was down. Fox News Network CEO Suzanne Scott wrote in an email to Murdoch about the need to keep the audience who loves and trusts us.

Scott wrote: [W]e need to make sure they know we arent abandoning them and still champions for them.

Behind the scenes, in their private emails and texts to one another, Fox hosts and executives appeared to know that what Trump and allies like Rudy Giuliani and Sydney Powell were saying had no basis in reality.

The numbers showed Biden had carried Arizona, there was no evidence that large numbers of votes had been cast with the names of dead people, and there was no evidence that the voting machines had been rigged. Moreover, the Fox News internal fact-checking division called the brainroom also found no evidence of such fraud.

In one email, Murdoch called Trumps rhetoric bullshit and damaging. After Giuliani gave a disastrous press conference on the conspiracy claims, Murdoch commented, really crazy stuff. Hosts Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Hannity mocked Powell for spreading the claims.

This Dominion shit is going to give me a fucking aneurysm, one Fox producer wrote in a message.

MIND BLOWINGLY NUTS, wrote Fox Corporation SVP Raj Shah, per court documents.

Yet in public, Dominion argues, Fox News amplified the conspiracy theories and invited guests like Powell on air to explain them.

A view of the Fox logo outside the News Corp Building on 5th Ave. on March 21, 2023, in New York City. News Corp the parent company of Fox News has studios in the building. In one email, Murdoch called Trumps 2020 election rhetoric bullshit and damaging. Roy Rochlin via Getty Images

In early December, Scott responded angrily when a Fox reporter fact-checked one of Trumps election conspiracy claims on air, telling another executive in an email, This has to stop now.

She added, This is bad for business.

In other communications, court documents say, executives spoke of the need to straddle the issue and said they were wary of piss[ing] off viewers.

Dominion says its lawyers sent Fox employees more than 3,600 emails attempting to correct Foxs reporting on the issue. The company identified 20 specific statements from Fox broadcasts between Nov. 8, 2020, and Jan. 26, 2021, that it says were legally defamatory.

Davis has already said that evidence in the case demonstrates that it is CRYSTAL clear that none of the Statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true.

However strong Dominions case may seem, the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent makes it difficult to prove defamation by a news outlet. The bar is high; Dominion will need to prove actual malice, meaning that Fox either knew what it was airing was wrong or acted in reckless disregard for the truth.

For their part, lawyers for Fox have argued in the Dominion case that the First Amendment protects them and that hosts were simply presenting newsworthy claims made by others  Trump and his allies.

Dominions lawsuit is a political crusade in search of a financial windfall, but the real cost would be cherished First Amendment rights, Fox said in a statement to HuffPost. While Dominion has pushed irrelevant and misleading information to generate headlines, Fox News remains steadfast in protecting the rights of a free press, given a verdict for Dominion and its private equity owners would have grave consequences for the entire journalism profession.

The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

This is a syndicated version of an article originally published on HuffPost.
Fighters of the State Border Service shot down a Russian Shakhed drone, which crossed the border with Ukraine.

Source: State Border Guard Service

Quote: "Erroneous choices of enemy drones: border guards in Kharkiv Oblast shot down a Shakhed.

The enemy drone crossed the border and flew deep into Ukraine. However, its flight did not last long."

Details: It is specified that the border guards turned the UAV into a pile of scrap, shooting it down with automatic weapons.

The State Border Guard Service clarified to Ukrainska Pravda that the drone was shot down on 15 April.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A 47-year-old man has died after a collision with a Danville City Fire Squad vehicle early Sunday morning.

According to Danville police, officers responded to the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street for an injury collision which involved a city fire squad Ford F550 truck and an Aldy moped around 12:30 a.m.

Investigations indicate the fire vehicle was in route to a lift assist call, and was not being operated in emergency response. According to state police, the driver was identified as Kevin Bugg.

The fire vehicle was traveling eastbound and entered the intersection where the moped was traveling northbound when the two collided.

Medical aid was given to the moped operator, who was identified as Chadwick Thomas of Danville. He was transported by Boyle County EMS to Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center where he died.

Kentucky State Police is investigating the incident, and other details will be released from their agency.
The Capella Sydney Hotel in Sydney, Australia opened on March 15, 2023. Paul Oswell

I was in Sydney, Australia, at the same time as the opening of Capella, a five-star hotel.

It impressed me with luxurious rooms, and service I've never experienced when reviewing new hotels.

I paid $500 per night and thought it was such a good stay, I'd pay more to book here again.

I recently found myself in Sydney for a family wedding. And as a professional hotel reviewer, I was happy that my trip happened to coincide with one particular opening.

The author in Sydney. Paul Oswell

In March 2023, I found myself in Sydney, Australia, for a family wedding.

While that alone was the main draw for making the trip, I've also been a full-time travel writer since 1999, and have reviewed hotels for a living for almost 25 years.

So I was very happy to learn that my trip happened to coincide with one particular hotel opening that excited me: Capella Sydney.

I reserved the hotel for two nights, at a rate of $500 per night, which included breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Despite my day job, I booked in as a regular guest so I could experience the hotel as any person would. And after staying here, I not only thought that the hotel was well worth the money, but I would go as far as to say that in nearly 25 years of reviewing hotels, it was one of the best I've ever seen.

The Capella Sydney opened in March 2023 in downtown Sydney, Australia, and was lauded as a major new addition to the city's hotel portfolio.

The Capella Sydney opened on March 15, 2023. Paul Oswell

The Capella Sydney opened on March 15, 2023 in downtown Sydney, Australia. It was widely heralded as a major new hotel opening for the city that followed a $225 million renovation of the former, heritage-listed Department of Education and Agriculture building, first constructed in 1912.

The 192 rooms, suites, and public spaces include four newly-built floors and a striking lobby with modern art. There is also a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and spa.

The hotel is part of the Capella Hotel Group, which has 14 hotels open or scheduled to open, largely in southeast Asia.

I've been fortunate to stay in many outstanding luxury hotels in Sydney  The Langham, The Park Hyatt, and The Establishment were all wonderful  but in my opinion, the Capella stood out to me as a very notable new addition to the city's hotel portfolio.

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Indeed, I was met with impressively high service levels, and an incredible eye for detail. Here's a closer look at why I loved Capella Sydney so much, and would gladly pay more to stay here again.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the hotel's historic facade and attentive staff.

The hotel's building dates to 1912. Paul Oswell

Before I arrived at the hotel, I received an email confirming the booking, and then another as a welcome message asking about special requests, food allergies, or transportation needs.

I thought the historic sandstone building stood out against a backdrop of adjacent modern glass and steel towers in downtown Sydney.

As I entered the lobby, uniformed staff waited at the door to assist with my luggage.

I checked in at 3 p.m. on opening day and felt like I was treated like a VIP from the first moment.

The hotel's lobby. Paul Oswell

One of the first things that I noticed at Capella Sydney was the high number of staff to guest ratio. The staff was seemingly on hand at all times, even though the hotel appeared full. Suited floor and front-of-house managers greeted me, and quickly learned my name. From then on, I was referred to as Mr. Oswell throughout my stay, which I thought was a welcoming touch.

It also made me think that the staff had been very well trained. I've been to hotel openings before and there are usually, and understandably so, lots of things that go wrong or need tweaking over the next several weeks and months. But here, the operations seemed seamless, as if they had been welcoming guests for years.

At check-in, I found out that I had been upgraded to a Skyline Room as a generous opening week gesture. My new room was a level above both the entry-level Deluxe that I booked, and Premier rooms.

I was escorted up to my room on the 8th floor by the front of house manager, Anthony, a service that seemed to be offered to all guests.

My first impression of my guest room were was very positive.

The desk in the room, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. Paul Oswell

My original Deluxe Room rate was, as noted, around $500 per night. I saw on the hotel's website that Skyline Rooms were available for around $775.

The rooms actually all have the same amenities, but with increasing levels of floor space and improved views the more you pay.

My eighth-floor room was unusual in design, in my experience, with a miniature curved hallway with a working area that was separate from the bedroom and bathroom. According to the hotel's website, the entire accommodation was around 540 square feet.

I thought the floor-to-ceiling windows along the curved wall let in a lovely amount of natural light. There was also a desk with a chair, a leather lounge chair, and a small sofa, all in neutral earth tones.

I loved the king-sized bed.

The bedroom. Paul Oswell

My king bed was extremely comfortable and I slept very well both nights.

The linens were from the high-end Italian brand, Frette, and I noticed that the stacked pillows were of all different densities. This was a lovely touch that really made a difference for me in terms of comfort.

Now that I've experienced it, I would genuinely and gladly pay $775 per night for the Skyline Room, and believe that this rate is well worth the money.

I thought the views of downtown Sydney from my room were great, and helped justify the price.

The copper lanterns are a feature of the original building. Paul Oswell

My room overlooked the hotel's gym, pool, and spa building, and had great views of downtown Sydney.

I learned from hotel staff that the roof of the pool and spa maintained some original building features, such as historic copper-lined heritage lanterns.

Skyliner rooms are on higher floors than entry-level rooms, which I thought allowed for a more panoramic view, which is one of the key reasons why it commands $250 extra per night.

The windows seemed soundproofed to me, and the noise of downtown was not audible.

A tablet was used to control various aspects of the room and access guest services.

The author could control the room and access guest services easily from an in-room tablet. Paul Oswell

Much of the room's ambiance, such as the air conditioning, lighting, curtains, and blackout shades were controlled from an in-room tablet.

I was still somewhat jet lagged, and being able to close the curtains and blackout screen at the touch of a button was very helpful.

The tablet also made it easy to request various guest services such as in-room dining orders, spa reservations, or to ask about general hotel information.

While most luxury hotels I've experienced offer this service via a smartphone app, I preferred the tablet as I didn't have to download or install anything onto my phone. And just being able to reach for the tablet from bed and control almost every aspect of the room was a real boon.

I also noticed that the room's free Wi-Fi connection was very fast and reliable for my entire stay.

I thought the robes and slippers provided in my room were especially luxurious.

The author found the robe to comfortable and wore it often. Paul Oswell.

I would go so far as to say that these were the most comfortable robes and slippers I've ever used in a hotel room.

The robe was incredibly soft, with a plush, crushed velvet feel, a material that was also replicated on the slippers. I thought the metallic gray-blue color was striking, and I wore the robe almost the entire time I was in my room.

I was overjoyed to find out that I could take the slippers home with me for free. Sadly, the robes are not for sale at this time.

The bathroom was spacious and modern.

The bathroom had an eggshell tub, walk-in shower, and double vanity. Paul Oswell

Like the room, the bathroom felt spacious to me. I loved the modernist, eggshell-shaped standalone tub, and that it came with scented bath salts for a soothing soak.

There was also a walk-in rain shower with great water pressure that was stocked with luxe Haeckel's bath products, a high-end UK brand.

On the double vanity, I was provided with items such as a hairdryer, cotton balls, a nail file, and shower cap.

Unlike most hotel closets, this one was a walk-in.

The author had plenty of room for suitcases and clothes in the closet. Paul Oswell

The room featured plenty of storage, including a small, walk-in closet with two clothes rails and space for suitcases.

The felt-lined wooden hangers struck me as a a luxe touch to prevent added wear on clothes, and it was very unusual to see these in hotels, in my experience.

I was told by the hotel manager that I could have up to five clothing items pressed, free of charge. I didn't have a suit pressed this time, but I did borrow an iron and steamer.

A sleek minibar was well stocked and included several free items.

The minibar had a variety of glasses and complimentary snacks. Paul Oswell

In the corner of the room was a fridge and minibar. It had shelves full of glassware, including flutes, rock glasses, tumblers, and wine glasses.

I learned from the manager that all non-alcoholic beverages were complimentary, as was a jar of cookies, and water bottles that were reusable. I filled the bottles up and took them on strolls around downtown. I'm used to hotels charging for everything from the minibar, so this was a welcome feature, and saved me spending $7 every time I wanted a bottle of water.

There was also a Nespresso coffee machine, a wine cooler with a few bottles of wine, a variety of sweet and savory snacks, as well as spirits and beers for purchase.

The attention to detail in the room was stunning, with every need anticipated, from shoe shines to a bath pillow.

A shoe horn, spring shoe trees, and slippers. Paul Oswell

While the room itself impressed me, it was the small details that really wowed me.

The pillow varieties, plush slippers, bath salts, and free cookies were just the start.

Shoe trees were also provided to keep my formal shoes in shape, as well as a shoe horn, polishing shoe bag, and clothes brush. It felt like every aspect of grooming and clothing care had been anticipated.

I also loved the rechargeable heated shaving mirror, under bed lighting, a dedicated bag for jewelry in the safe, a bluetooth Bose speaker, and a bath pillow.

While I've seen these individual items in luxury hotels before, I've never seen so many in one place. I thought it was the most comprehensive collection of upscale amenities that I'd perhaps ever experienced in a single hotel room.

I was impressed by my room, but the lobby cafe, Aperture, became a place where I wanted to spend extra time.

The lobby cafe has a living wall and kinetic art. Paul Oswell

Outside of my room, I was looking forward to exploring the hotel's facilities and amenities.

My first stop was Aperture, the lobby cafe. I grabbed a coffee and took some time to appreciate the space.

I noticed an abundance of greenery, including a 21-foot-high green wall with many species of local flora, and a leafy canopy of two weeping fig trees.

Tables were positioned beneath a bespoke kinetic sculpture "Meadow" by Amsterdam-based Studio Drift. I loved seeing the colorful, umbrella-like flowers opening and closing above my head.

I found it to be a bright, comfortable, and stimulating space to read and work, and one that felt classy but not stuffy. The staff were also attentive, refiling water glasses and checking on guests.

Breakfast at Brasserie 1930 was included in my rate, and everything I ate tasted fresh and high quality.

The author tried both the buffet and a la carte menu items. Paul Oswell

Brasserie 1930 is the hotel's signature restaurant, and according to their menu, they serve modern Australian cuisine with locally-sourced meat and seafood.

Sadly, this being the opening week of the hotel, I was unable to secure dinner reservations as they were all booked up. At the time of writing, there seemed to be around a 10-day wait for dinner reservations.

However, I did dine in the restaurant each morning for breakfast, which was included in my rate. I found it to be an elegant, European-style dining room with an unmistakable, high-end brasserie aesthetic.

My breakfast included choices from both the buffet and an a la carte menu, and I tried both. The buffet had fresh fruit, cereals, and pastries, while the menu offered crab meat congee, Tasmanian trout, buckwheat pancakes, and crumpet Eggs Benedict.

The McRae Bar served a tasty menu of cocktails.

The author at the McRae Bar. Paul Oswell

According to the hotel's website, the building's original architect was George McRae, who is now honored through the name of the hotel's cocktail bar, the McRae Bar.

The website refers to the aesthetic as "a modern twist on a Victorian drinking den," I agreed. I noticed glass cabinets with antique books and historic artifacts alongside Art Deco designs that I thought came together to create a classy but unshowy space.

I celebrated my stay with an Eternity cocktail made with coffee liqueur and whisky.

Every evening, guests were invited to the Living Room for complimentary drinks and snacks.

The Living Room serves complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres every day. Paul Oswell

Another place to congregate was the guests-only Living Room. I thought it was a comfortable space with sofas and lounge chairs, and had the feel of a private club or lounge.

Each evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., a special hospitality team in the hotel, self-described as "culturists," presented cocktails, aperitifs, wine, and hors d'oeuvres here, free for guests.

On the evening I attended, the culturists mixed up the same Eternity cocktail I tried at the bar the night before. They shared the story of Arthur Stace, known locally as Mr. Eternity, an anonymous graffiti artist who daubed the word 'eternity' around Sydney for 30 years.

We ate cheese and canapes, and I thought it was a lovely way for the hotel to further welcome guests and allow them to socialize in a beautiful room.

The indoor pool was another highlight for me.

The 65-foot-long pool is housed in the buildings former art gallery. Paul Oswell

One of the hotel's crown jewels, in my opinion, is the indoor heated pool. This is not a rarity in Sydney in my experience, but I thought the pool was larger and more stylish than others I have seen.

Housed in the building's former art gallery, it's a sleek, 65-foot-long pool that sits under a copper-clad roof. I found the pool room to be incredibly quiet and tranquil, lined with loungers.

There's also a smaller heated pool with vibrating massage beds in the pool and various jets to soothe muscles.

In addition to the pool, wellness facilities included a sauna, gym, changing room, and spa, all of which had the feel of a high-end members' country club.

The changing rooms came with a steam room and sauna. Paul Oswell

In the single-sex changing rooms, I found a steam room and sauna, as well as a multi-jetted shower with colored lights.

Polite attendants were on hand to attend to any needs, and the 24-hour gym was flooded with natural light.

The hotel also has an on-site spa, though I was not able to book a treatment due to opening week demand. Next time, I'd love to try one of the moon-inspired spa journeys, or a treatment featuring Indigenous rituals.

I was repeatedly impressed by exceptionally-high service levels.

The author thought the hotel's service was very impressive given that the hotel had just opened. Paul Oswell

In addition to the hotel's luxurious amenities and impressive small details, the thing that stood out to me the most, and has stayed with me since checking out, is the level of service.

I found the staff were incredibly polite and friendly, hitting the sweet spot between formality and familiarity, something that I've often thought is hard to do.

Greeting guests by their name when possible is impressive, as is the fact that this took place over the actual opening days of the hotel.

In my mind, there was no need for a grace period as the property worked out any weak spots. Everyone seemed well trained, enthusiastic, and confidently welcoming guests as if they'd worked there for 10 years, no matter their position or level of seniority.

The rooms, amenities, and service all make this a must-book property in Sydney. It's one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in, and I hope to visit again.

The author was impressed by the hotel's amenities, attention to detail, and professional service. Paul Oswell

If I like a hotel, I usually come away with one or two highlights of the service or amenities that stay with me. However, the Capella Sydney delivered the whole package.

From the historic building to the contemporary design, as well as the wonderful staff, and of course, all of those luxe room details, these elements combined to deliver a comprehensively luxurious hotel stay.

The thoughtfulness was especially striking to me as someone who stays in 50 hotels a year or more. While I typically see individual instances of these amenities in high-end hotels, rarely do I ever see so many in just one property.

I can confidently say that a nightly rate of $775 is more than a fair price for Skyline Rooms, and $500 a night is reasonable rate for the entry-level Deluxe Rooms.

If someone told me that this hotel had been open for six months, or even six years, I would have said that the service was impressive, but to have that professionalism on day one is, in my estimation, incredible.

Read the original article on Insider
Steve Head

Career and Technical Education programs are designed to provide students with hands-on, real-world experiences that help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market. In Lenawee County, we have more than 25 state-approved CTE programs at our LISD Tech Center in addition to a handful of programs being offered at the local level.

More than half of all jobs in Michigan require skills training  more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year college degree. CTE provides opportunities for Lenawee County students to explore careers, gain real-world practical skills and find a career path they are passionate about.

Students who are enrolled in CTE programs are more engaged in their learning  almost 95% of students in Michigan enrolled in a CTE program went on to graduate last year. They also can earn industry credentials and have rewarding careers. High schools, colleges and some universities across Michigan offer CTE programs that are aligned with in-demand, high-wage careers in fields such as business, information technology, health care, hospitality and manufacturing.

CTE programs are also helpful for students who are unsure about what career path they want to pursue. Through CTE programs offered in our county, students can explore a variety of career options and gain valuable, hands-on experience that can help them make informed decisions about their future. Our CTE programs in Lenawee County are driven by data that considers the greatest needs in the job market currently across the county, state and region.

In addition to preparing students for careers, CTE programs also play a critical role in supporting our local economy. By providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce, CTE programs help to build a skilled workforce that is essential for economic growth and stability.

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Lets celebrate our county CTE programs and raise awareness of the role they play in preparing our students for successful careers after high school. Through CTE, students can explore their interests and passions, gain valuable hands-on experience, and develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce.

Steve Head is superintendent of Onsted Community Schools.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Superintendent column: CTE programs help guide students
Tech layoffs were particularly brutal for recruiters. Here's what 3 industry sources say can help you get that new gig. Thomas Barwick

About 333,000 tech workers were laid off in 2022 and 2023, according to data compiled by layoffs.fyi.

We asked three tech recruiters to share their best tips for finding a job.

Look at recruiting for industries outside of tech and don't be sticky about salaries, they said.

About 333,000 tech workers got laid off in 2022 and 2023, according to data compiled by layoffs.fyi.

While there is no concrete data on how many of these were recruitment and HR jobs, some big tech companies  including Meta and Amazon  mentioned that these roles, in particular, would be impacted.

Things started unraveling in late 2022 when tech company after tech company started announcing broad layoffs. Julia Pollock, the chief economist at American hiring platform ZipRecruiter, told the Wall Street Journal that in April 2022, there were over 10,000 job openings for tech recruiters. By October, that number was down to about 2,500.

Insider spoke to two laid-off recruiters and an employer in the recruitment space who shared the strategies they've used while job-hunting and hiring recruiters, respectively.

Here's what they say about how to recruit yourself into a job, in their own words.

Tomas Kelly, ex-recruiting manager, cloud customer experience at Google

Tomas Kelly Tomas Kelly

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Years of experience: over 10 years at Google

Thomas Kelly was laid off from Google's recruitment team in March.

"I felt sad. I've been there for 10 years," he told Insider.

Kelly's wife also works for Google in Zurich, and his immediate reaction was to check whether her role had been impacted too  it was not.

Kelly's top tips for landing yourself a new job:

1. Look at recruiting for industries outside of tech

As the cuts are wider and deeper across the tech sector than previously, you need to look at industries outside of tech, Kelly said. While some companies are still hiring for certain roles, the big companies are not hiring.

2. Build your brand online

LinkedIn is a great avenue to build your brand. When recruiters are looking through these profiles, they're looking to see how active this person is. How are they known within the industry?

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What's great about LinkedIn is that you can look for people in your network who work in a particular company that you want to apply to  this is when you can approach them for potential referrals.

3. Don't worry about the perfect interview answer

During the interview, a lot of people focus on the perfect answers to interview questions  but I say focus on the thought process, and explain how you would solve a problem. A lot of people miss that.

Justin Kok, a tech recruiter laid off from Visa in 2020, is now at Splunk

Justin Kok Justin Kok

Location: Singapore

Years of experience: 8 years. Two stints at Visa  six months and under two years respectively

Kok signed a 12-month contract in December 2019 with financial services firm Visa. But when the pandemic hit, he was made redundant around May, just six months into his time with the company.

One of the first things Kok did after he found out he was laid off was hug his dog. He says he had a supportive partner who was able to keep them afloat when it came to expenses.

He then thought about the next stage in his career and to "not be afraid of taking an ego knock in terms of downgrading a role."

Kok's tips for landing yourself a new job:

1. Structure your CV to show your impact on your past organization

Leverage your network: the colleagues, ex-colleagues, and clients you've had. Make sure you have a very valid story  I just lost my job and I'm unhappy is not very helpful. Structure your CV to show your impact on your past organization.

2. Don't message your recruiter on Instagram

There's a difference between being overly pushy, despite being laid off, and being polite about your job search. Don't badger people and don't find them on their personal email or Instagram.

Jaya Dass, the regional managing director of permanent recruitment at Randstad

Jaya Dass Jaya Dass

Location: Singapore

Years of experience: Almost 15 years at Randstad

Dass says that since the widespread layoffs took place, at least three to four laid-off recruiters have reached out to her every week. "It's one of those instances  they'll take anything just to come out of that situation."

This is in stark contrast to last year: "The market was just so hungry and so short in supply to meet their hiring demands that they took anybody who could recruit, to do technical recruitment."

Dass' tips for finding a new job:

1. Don't aim for jobs that you had no success in hiring for

Don't aim for jobs or industries that you had no run rate, experience, or success in hiring for because you are setting yourself up in the worst way possible to go to an interview. And when those interviews turn you down, you start getting the wrong narrative going in your head, where you tell yourself the markets are really bad. It starts becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

2. Don't be afraid of taking contract positions

It is very common. It's more common than people think. If you're wondering what's going to happen at the end of the contract term, you are looking too far ahead. The market will evolve and change.

3. Covers letters written by ChatGPT are bland

Think further about which potential employers you are aiming for and write to these companies and say that it's always been your dream to work there. That sort of passion cannot be underestimated.

And it cannot be faked  it's not when people are writing blase cover letters. No matter how beautifully written it is by ChatGPT, it's still a bland cover letter. It's got no flavor, it hasn't got anything.

Read the original article on Business Insider
If you havent heard about the Jewish resistance fighters of Vilna during World War II, youre not alone.

Until three years ago, neither had the creators of Vilna: A Resistance Story, a new musical that will run April 22-30 at the Jewish Community Centers White Theatre. Neither had its director.

When I started researching Vilna, I was so shocked by all these incredible stories by the people who lived there, co-creator and composer Kevin Cloud said. And I kind of started looking around, looking for a movie that had been made, or a musical that someone had already done, because its just such a remarkable story. But nobody had really done it.

On the large scale, the story of Vilna has not been told.

Cloud and his wife, Allison, are telling it now as part of a creative team that also includes director David Winitsky from New York and playwright Lisa Kenner Grissom from Los Angeles. Co-produced by the White Theatre and The Culture House, Vilna remains in its developmental stages. This will be the plays debut before live audiences.

Kevin Cloud composed the music and lyrics, and Allison Cloud wrote the early drafts of the book. But as non-Jews, they knew input from Jewish people was vital. That led them to director Winitsky, who connected the dots to book writer Kenner Grissom to complete this coast-to-coast-to-Kansas effort.

The Clouds, who co-wrote a family show called Roar that ran at the Fringe Festival in 2021 and at The Culture House in 2022, had to do some selling to bring Winitsky on board. He is the founder and executive artistic director of the Jewish Plays Project, which focuses on developing contemporary stories.

Winitsky said he had not heard a whiff of the Vilna resistance story.

Kevin reached out to me for the first time three years ago, and I was like, OK, nice person in Kansas. You have fun with that project, Winitsky said. But he really kept after me.

This story technically would not be eligible for our development process because its specifically World War II history. But whats so exciting about this and what makes the partisan stories so intriguing right now (is) the idea of resistance. The idea of principled resistance to an overwhelming enemy feels very resonant to a lot of people right now.

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To be sure, though Vilna is set during World War II and the Holocaust, the story is one of resistance rather than persecution.

The story is similar to the true tale told in the 2008 Daniel Craig/Liev Schreiber movie Defiance, based on the book about Jewish resistance fighters in the Belorussian forest.

The cast of Vilna: A Resistance Story rehearses for its April 22-30 run at the Jewish Community Centers White Theatre.

Few know the Vilna story better than Kenner Grissom. Unlike the Clouds and Winitsky, she not only had heard of the Vilna story but was immersed in it. Kenner Grissom made a trip to the Lithuanian capital (now called Vilnius) in 2019 as part of a fellowship, interviewing a woman who had fought alongside the partisans depicted in the Clouds play. In fact, Kenner Grissom had begun working on a documentary on the woman, Fania Brantsovsky, who will turn 101 next month.

I jumped in having all this background and information and knowledge, and I was already creating from that place, Kenner Grissom said. It was  I use this word because its a Hebrew word, bashert, which means meant to be.

The musical happened only because Kevin Cloud was looking for a new idea after he had completed a previous project at The Culture House. He came across an article headlined A Song So Powerful It Beat the Nazis about what became an anthem in the Jewish ghettos during the Holocaust. It was written in 1943 by Hirsch Glick, a young Jew in the Vilna ghetto.

Researching Vilna proceeded to consume the Clouds.

We learned very quickly that it was this incredibly rich cultured city with artists, poets, writers, and much of the resistance that happened there was creative resistance, Kevin Cloud said. So I just found a great story to be told on stage.

The characters are based on real partisans, led by Vitka Kempner. She was 19 when she started resisting the Nazis, becoming a founding member of the United Partisan Organization. One of her first acts was blowing up a Nazi train, an act that was unheard of among Jews at the time.

Vilnas artists, poets and writers became the core of Kempners fighters.

They all had the same idea in common, which is This thing that is going on right now cant continue, Winitsky said. It just doesnt work. We cant live the way our parents and our grandparents lived, where people just randomly came through and killed us. We cant do that anymore.

The other thing that I think is interesting about this story is they dont, like, win. Its not like this small band of artists beat the Nazis. Thats not the story. What they are committed to is the work ethic, every day getting up and trying to resist and trying to make things better for themselves and other people.

The fighters avoided the concentration camps, but they couldnt prevent the Nazis from massacring 40,000 to 70,000 Jews in the Ponary forest outside Vilna.

It was part of a larger resistance story that hasnt been taught to young Jews, Kenner Grissom said.

We just did not hear stories of resistance and Jews fighting back, she said. And I was so captivated by it, and I felt like we as a culture, the big, broader culture, need to hear these stories, and we as Jews also need to hear these stories. Because we dont know.

Allison Cloud said the story continues to evolve.

Weve learned a lot just from contacting the children and grandchildren of the characters in our show, she said. So, theyve been huge in informing our story, too.

Like the tale itself, Kevin Clouds music is uplifting rather than depressing.

I knew right away there was something special because the songs are so rich, and both emotional and true to the experience, Kenner Grissom said.

What were doing with this musical is a really different Holocaust story, because were focusing on the resistance and this group of writers and artists taking action. There is obviously the tragedy  you cant ignore that  but theres a lot of hope and empowerment and inspiration that comes out of these songs.

Now the hope is to share the story of inspiration well beyond the Kansas City area. The team has planned a trip to New York in the fall to present the musical to producers, investors and other theater people, with the goal of reaching a Broadway stage.

Thats the dream, right? Kevin Cloud said. Thats one of our lifelong dreams, to write something that would make it to New York and make it on Broadway.

Vilna: A Resistance Story

7:30 p.m. April 22, 2 p.m. April 23, 7:30 p.m. April 27-29, 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 30, White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park. ($18). Tickets at thewhitetheatre.com.
Students from the Tri-Rivers Career Center interactive media program spent time learning how to conduct and film interviews for The Industrial Channel with people attending the Marion Campus Job and Internship Fair on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at The Ohio State University at Marion. Terry Cline, far right, owner of media production company Challenge Productions, briefs, from left, Cailea Williams, Kassidy DeSouza, Stefan Long, and James Bessler about their responsibilities for the day.

Connecting young people to the manufacturing industry is the goal of a new regional venture.

The Industrial Channel, an informational and promotional website, is the result of a partnership between Marion-based media production company Challenge Productions and the North Central Ohio Region Industry Manufacturers Workforce Alliance aka Manufacturing Career Connections.

Frank Gibson, intermediary and co-founder of Manufacturing Career Connections (MCC), said The Industrial Channel was developed to serve as the public communications vehicle for MCC. He said MCC serves Marion, Crawford, Delaware, Hardin, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, Union, and Wyandot counties with the goal to convene, educate, and mobilize key stakeholders in the region to promote development of a skilled workforce.

From data we gathered a few years ago, we found that there are more than 500 manufacturers within a 50-mile radius of Marion, Gibson explained. The most interesting thing about that is that the majority of those businesses are small, with about 150 employees or less. The business leaders grasp what were trying to accomplish, which is to advocate for and promote students to seek careers in manufacturing.

So when I go into a county, the main people that we talk with are economic development, chambers of commerce, local government, education leaders, because theyre already connected to the business community. We just want to make sure that manufacturers have a seat at the table and are part of the discussions. Theres networks that are already formed in each county, we just want to connect them on a regional level.

Terry Cline founded Challenge Productions/Aerial Imaging in 2006 and is involved in all aspects of the work, including writing, directing, and producing the content created for clients. He creates long and short form infomercials, website commercials, social media, television and radio commercials, documentaries, industrials, music scores, and music videos.

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After connecting with Gibson and Manufacturing Career Connections five years ago, Cline said he became keenly aware of issues members of the local business community were facing in communicating their message to a larger audience. He said The Industrial Channel is designed to give businesses and educators a central location from which to communicate.

"We're trying to corral all the manufacturers, all the trade schools, in one location so you can get as much actionable information as you need," Cline said. "It's also being used to promote careers in manufacturing. We're trying to communicate to people that manufacturing has changed over the years. We have videos on the website that show Tesla, Amazon, and other clean manufacturers. We have a video that gives the history of manufacturing."

Tri-Rivers Career Center students Stefan Long, Kassidy DeSouza, and Cailea Williams listen to directions as they prepare to conduct interviews for The Industrial Channel with people attending the Marion Campus Job and Internship Fair on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at The Ohio State University at Marion.

Cline has developed a partnership with Tri-Rivers Career Center in which students from the school's interactive media program can gain practical experience by assisting him in creating video content for The Industrial Channel. Four students from Tri-Rivers Career Center volunteered their time on Wednesday to film interviews with people at the Marion Campus Job Fair hosted by The Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College.

The four junior class members  Cailea Williams, Kassidy DeSouza, Stefan Long, and James Bessler  conducted interviews with company representatives, students, and local residents who attended the job fair. They each said the work they're doing with The Industrial Channel is allowing them to put the skills they're learning at Tri-Rivers into practice and expand on those skills.

Williams, a student at River Valley High School, said she hopes to parlay the skills she's learning at Tri-Rivers into a career as an animator.

"In interactive media we do videography, photography, animation, and we're learning about the Adobe apps like Illustrator and Photoshop," Williams said. "I already have two of my certifications for Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop. I hope to work for a big company like DreamWorks or Disney or something like that."

DeSouza, a student at Treca Digital Academy, said her career goal is "to be her own boss" and that the skills she's learning at Tri-Rivers will help her achieve that.

"This is a gateway where you can learn to be your own boss, learn to manage, and do your own freelance work," DeSouza said. "It prepares you for that in a multitude of ways, including getting certifications and learning skills that are invaluable that take people years to learn otherwise. I already have my Adobe Photoshop and Premiere certifications."

Long, a student at The Tomorrow Center in Morrow County, said the interactive media program has allowed him to expand his artistic skills.

"I've always been interested in all sorts of art," Long said. "I've got my certification in Adobe Premiere and I'm looking forward to volunteering and getting more experience and expand on any sort of art and learn what I can do."

Bessler, a homeschool student, said he joined the program because he wanted to learn about the different types of media and careers that are available.

"I was interested in learning more about video production and editing and how to shoot video," Bessler said. "I'm also very interested in graphic design work."

For information about The Industrial Channel, go to its website theindustrialchannel.com.

For information about Manufacturing Career Connections, go to its website www.manufacturingcareerconnections.com.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Students gain hands-on experience through Industrial Channel projects
Getty Images

A former teacher at Donda Academy claims that students were not allowed to learn about the Holocaust.

She said that students were at least two years behind in math and were also not allowed to watch anything made by Disney.

Cecilia Hailey is suing the school for wrongful termination, according to The Daily Beast.

Students were not allowed to learn about the Holocaust at Donda Academy, the secretive school set up by Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, a former teacher has claimed.

Cecilia Hailey, suing the school for wrongful termination, told The Daily Beast that there were strict limitations on what students could learn.

"No African American History Month," Hailey said. "Do not teach the Holocaust course. That was out. Don't even mention that. We wanted to do Asian American History Month in May, and that was not going to be allowed."

Kanye West, now known as Ye, faced backlash last year for making antisemitic comments, including a declaration that he liked Hitler and a tweet that said he was "going death con 3" on Jewish people.

He has also made inflammatory statements about race over the years, including saying that slavery was a "choice" and wearing a "White Lives Matter" shirt at Paris Fashion Week last year.

Hailey claimed there were also restrictions to Donda's curriculum beyond history and race. Students were also not allowed to watch anything made by Disney or Pixar and were not permitted to go see "The Nutcracker," she told The Daily Beast.

She also said she believed that students at the school were at least two years behind in math.

Hailey was hired as a substitute teacher in November of last year and was fired in March, along with her daughter Chekarey Byers, also a teacher there.

The pair are suing the school and claim in the lawsuit that their termination was in retaliation for raising concerns about issues at the school.

Donda Academy did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, which was made outside working hours.

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The lawsuit has made various revelations about the school's chaotic environment. Ye did not let students use chairs or the building's second floor because he is "afraid of stairs" and that students were only fed sushi for lunch.

She previously told Insider in an interview that the children went left hungry due to the sushi-only menu and that when she raised concerns to the principal, she was told, "This is what Ye wants."

Read the original article on Insider
Biscuit brand McVities partners with actress Martine McCutcheon to launch a national campaign to reinstate the declining workplace tradition of taking a daily tea and biscuit break (SWNS)

A poll of 4,000 adults in employment found seven in ten take under 15 minutes of breaks a day (outside their lunch break) and 43 per cent take under 10 minutes.

They blame their lack of downtime on the size of their workload (47 per cent), too many meetings (25 per cent), and receiving a constant stream of emails (23 per cent).

36 per cent dont believe their employers do enough to encourage them to take breaks.

Despite this, 93 per cent believe its an important part of the working day, with 42 per cent feeling more energised after stopping for a short break, and 41 per cent more motivated.

While 38 per cent feel less stressed.

And 76 per cent think their performance would be impaired without time away from their usual nine to five.

Furthermore, 74 per cent believe having a tea break will allow them to get to know their colleagues better.

With 33 per cent stating they dont even know all the names of the people they work with  which is highest amongst 18  24-year-olds (39 per cent).

McVities is rallying to reinstate Britains workplace breaks, supporting the 72 per cent of the UKs 32.8 million employed who would like to see the implementation of a daily 15-minute tea break in their place of work.

To do this, they have launched a modern spin on the classic tea trolley which comes with a PA system and a countdown clock to ensure breaks never get missed again, as well as being stocked with a selection of biscuits to ensure everyones dunking preferences are met.

AslA Ozen Turhan, spokesperson at McVities UK & Ireland said: It is so important we find the time to take breaks during the working day.

Just a short 15-minute break can improve wellbeing and connections with colleagues, which we witnessed among the McVities workers who recently took part in trialling a daily tea and biscuit break.

The survey also found two thirds (66 per cent) enjoy a biscuit with their tea break, while four in 10 find the most enjoyable part of having a bit of time away from their work is the peace and quiet.

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However, 35 per cent think people take less breaks now than when they first started out in the working world, thanks to more demanding jobs (45 per cent) and their time being stretched more thinly than ever before (44 per cent).

Leading the campaign to bring back workplace breaks is Martine McCutcheon, who urges Brits to reinstate their tea and biccy breaks.

The McVities trolley will embark on a tour of the UK, with workers able to win a visit to their office next month accompanied by the Love Actually and Eastenders star.

She said: As someone who loves her tea and biscuit breaks, Im so excited to help reinstate this treasured tradition for the hard-working people of Britain.

Ive had my fair share of long workdays throughout my career and know how important it is to make sure you take the time for a break.

Whether you fancy a cuppa and a biccy for some time to yourself or a quick catch up with colleagues - these moments can turn around a stressful day. So, lets bring back the biscuit break.

Having analysed 26 different industries, the study, carried out via OnePoll, found salespeople are taking the smallest amount of time for tea breaks in a typical working day  at 9 minutes and 47 seconds followed by those in the charity sector at 9 minutes and 52 seconds.

And interestingly, men spend three minutes and 10 seconds longer on breaks throughout the day than female workers - which is more than 13 hours longer a year.

While those in Belfast set aside the longest time for a break from work, Norwich came out as the least generous to themselves.
Hospitals have been shelled in Sudan as fighting between rival armed factions continues for a third day, doctors say.

Patients in the capital, Khartoum, have appealed for safe passage as gun battles rage in the city.

Violence between the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left around 100 people dead, a doctors' union said.

Both sides claimed to control key sites in Khartoum, where residents sheltered from explosions.

The Sudan Doctors' Trade Union says there has been severe damage to al-Shab Teaching Hospital in Khartoum, along with two other hospitals, caused by clashes and "mutual shelling".

It called the attacks a violation of international law.

More than 1,800 civilians and fighters have been injured according to Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan. He also put the death toll at 185 people on Monday, higher than the doctors' union.

The two sides held a brief ceasefire on Sunday to allow the wounded to be evacuated, although it was not clear how strictly they stuck to it.

On Monday, clouds of smoke were visible above Khartoum's main airport, with TV showing images of fires and explosions. Army air strikes targeted RSF bases, some of which are embedded in residential areas.

The fighting is between army units loyal to the de facto leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, a notorious paramilitary force commanded by Sudan's deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.

He said on Monday that the international community must intervene, and branded Gen Burhan "a radical Islamist who is bombing civilians from the air". Gen Burhan has said he is willing to negotiate.

Alarmed neighbours Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti are planning to send their presidents to help mediate in the crisis, however this is not currently possible because the airport is closed.

The US, EU and UK have called for an immediate end to the fighting.

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There has been fierce fighting around the country's seat of power, the Republican Palace. The army says it remains in control of all its bases, including its Khartoum headquarters, where heavy weapons have been used during intense clashes.

The sound of gunfire and explosions has hardly stopped since Saturday morning. One estimate put the number of injured at 1,100.

Beyond the capital, the army says it is in control of eastern parts of the country and the key Red Sea port of Port Sudan. But fighting is continuing in Darfur, where the RSF is strong, and also in Kordofan in the south.

Sudan: The basics

Sudan is in north-east Africa and has a history of instability: It fell under military rule in 2019, when long-time leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled

Since then, two men have been in charge: The head of the army and his deputy, who is also the head of a paramilitary group called the RSF

They disagree on how to restore civilian rule to Sudan: The RSF leader claims to represent marginalised groups against the country's elites but his forces were accused of ethnic cleansing

Sudan state TV is now back on air and broadcasting pro-army songs and anthems, after many hours without transmission.

The internet is still up and running - no doubt because the military wants to make sure their version of events and their propaganda narrative out, suggests BBC Sudan analyst James Copnall.

But electricity is down in many places and water supplies to homes have been cut, leaving terrified residents no choice but to venture onto Khartoum's streets in search of drinking water.

One group of students trapped inside the headquarters of an oil company in Khartoum by heavy fighting told the BBC that they has not had food or water in three days.

Speaking on Monday, one student said the group were trapped "in the middle of a heavy firefight", while another said air force jets were constantly bombing the area and "flying strikes from above".

Sudan is a majority-Muslim country and the fighting has brought an abrupt end to the kind of outdoor socialising that usually happens during Ramadan after the day-time fast is broken.

On Sunday and early Monday, the RSF claimed to occupy sites in Khartoum such as the presidential palace.

But some accounts indicated that the army had regained control of the airport, with the military saying they were dealing with "small pockets of rebels".

The army previously denied that the RSF had seized key sites in the capital, and witnesses in the country told Reuters news agency that the army appeared to be making gains after blasting RSF bases with air strikes.

Residents of Khartoum have spoken of fear and panic, and reported gunfire and explosions.

"We live on a rooftop on the third floor and the airplanes fly really close to the roofs and its terrifying," Duaa Tariq told the BBC. She said she was running out of food and water.

Another Khartoum resident, Kholood Khair, said residents could not be sure of safety anywhere. "All civilians have been urged to stay at home, but that has not kept everyone safe."

The major sticking points between the army and RSF are over the plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and over who would then lead the new force.

A chorus of international voices has called for a permanent end to the violence.

Leading Arab states and the US have also urged a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government, while the African Union has announced that it is sending its top diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire.

Egypt and South Sudan also offered to mediate between the warring factions, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

Death toll estimates have varied.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 97 civilians killed and dozens among security forces dead, as well as 942 people injured.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says more than 83 people have been killed and more than 1,100 people injured across the country since Thursday, when the RSF began mobilising its forces. It does not specify how many civilians have died in the fighting.

Among the dead are three staff members of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has suspended its operations in the country.

In a statement, the WFP said it was "horrified" by the news of the deaths, adding that one of its aircraft had been damaged at Khartoum airport during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday, which it says impacted its ability to provide aid.

Map of key sites in Khartoum

Additional reporting by Robert Plummer and Mattea Bubalo
By Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan's army appeared to gain the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with rival paramilitary forces, pounding their bases with air strikes, said witnesses.

At least 97 civilians had been killed and 365 injured since the fighting in Sudan started, said one doctor's group.

The fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.

It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust veteran Islamist autocrat Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019 and was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military as part of a transition towards civilian rule.

Burhan and Hemedti agreed a three-hour pause in fighting from 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT to 1700 GMT) to allow humanitarian evacuations proposed by the United Nations, the U.N. mission in Sudan said, but the deal was widely ignored after a brief period of relative calm.

As night fell residents reported the boom of artillery and roar of warplanes in the Kafouri district of Bahri, which has an RSF base, across the Nile river from the capital Khartoum.

Eyewitnesses told Reuters the army was renewing air strikes on RSF bases in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city across the Nile, and the Kafouri and Sharg El-Nil districts of adjacent Bahri, putting RSF fighters to flight.

The United States, China, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the U.N. Security Council, European Union and African Union have appealed for a quick end to the hostilities that threaten to worsen instability in an already volatile wider region.

Efforts by neighbours and regional bodies to end the violence intensified on Sunday. Egypt offered to mediate, and regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development plans to send the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile Sudanese groups in conflict, Kenyan President William Ruto's office said on Twitter.

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The eruption of fighting over the weekend followed rising tensions over the RSF's integration into the military. Discord over the timetable for that has delayed the signing of an internationally-backed agreement with political parties on a transition to democracy after a 2021 military coup.

CLASHES IN KHARTOUM

A statement by the army said there were ongoing clashes in the vicinity of military headquarters in central Khartoum, and said that RSF soldiers were stationing snipers on buildings, but that they were "monitored and being dealt with."

Earlier on Sunday, witnesses and residents told Reuters that the army had carried out air strikes on RSF barracks and bases in the Khartoum region and managed to destroy most of the paramilitaries' facilities.

They said the army had also wrested back control over much of Khartoum's presidential palace from the RSF after both sides claimed to control it and other key installations in Khartoum, where heavy artillery and gun battles raged into Sunday.

RSF members remained inside Khartoum international airport besieged by the army but it was holding back from striking them to avoid wreaking major damage, witnesses said.

But a major problem, witnesses and residents said, was posed by thousands of heavily armed RSF members deployed inside neighbourhoods of Khartoum and other cities, with no authority able to control them.

"We're scared, we haven't slept for 24 hours because of the noise and the house shaking. We're worried about running out of water and food, and medicine for my diabetic father," Huda, a young resident in southern Khartoum told Reuters.

"There's so much false information and everyone is lying. We don't know when this will end, how it will end," she added.

A protracted confrontation could plunge Sudan into widespread conflict as it struggles with economic breakdown and tribal violence, derailing efforts to move towards elections.

Energy-rich powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have sought to shape events in Sudan, seeing the transition away from toppled strongman Bashir's rule as a way to roll back Islamist influence and improve stability in the region.

They have also pursued investments in sectors including agriculture, where Sudan holds vast potential, and ports on Sudan's Red Sea coast.

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

The Sudanese Doctors' Union said in a statement that at least 97 civilians had been killed and 365 injured.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors earlier reported at least 56 civilians had been killed and 595 people including combatants had been wounded since the fighting erupted.

Scores of military personnel were killed, the doctors' committee said, without giving a specific number due to a lack of first-hand information from hospitals.

The U.N. World Food Programme said it had temporarily halted all operations in hunger-stricken areas of Sudan after three Sudanese employees were killed during fighting in North Darfur and a WFP plane was hit during a gun battle at Khartoum airport.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killings and called for accountability.

"Those responsible should be brought to justice without delay," Guterres said on Twitter. "Humanitarian workers are #NotATarget."

Volker Perthes, U.N. special envoy for Sudan and head of its country mission, said in a statement he was appalled by reports of shelling and looting impacting U.N. and other humanitarian facilities.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Al-Saud had separate phone calls with Burhan and Hemedti and called for an end to military escalation, Saudi state media said on Sunday. The minister affirmed Riyadh's call for calm.

In a speech to an Arab League meeting on the crisis on Sunday, Sudan said the Sudanese should be allowed to reach a settlement internally without foreign interference.

The armed forces said it would not negotiate with the RSF unless the force dissolved. The army told soldiers seconded to the RSF to report to nearby army units, which could deplete RSF ranks if they obey.

RSF leader Hemedti, deputy head of state, called military chief Burhan a "criminal" and a "liar".

State television cut its transmission on Sunday afternoon, a move employees said was meant to prevent propaganda broadcasts by the RSF after its forces entered the main state broadcaster building in Omdurman and started to air pro-RSF programming.

(Additional reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Kartoum, Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Angelo Amante in Rome and Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Michael Georgy, Mark Heinrich and Phil Stewart; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Frances Kerry, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Diane Craft and Michael Perry)
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Below is a timeline of Sudan's political upheavals in recent years, as the country is convulsed by fighting between the army and the main paramilitary group:

Dec. 19, 2018 - Hundreds protest in the northern city of Atbara against soaring bread prices. Demonstrations spurred by a broader economic crisis quickly spread to Khartoum and other cities. Security services respond with tear gas and gunfire.

April 6, 2019 - Hundreds of thousands of protesters begin a sit-in outside army headquarters in Khartoum. Five days later the army overthrows and detains autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir, ending his three-decade rule. Protesters continue the sit-in, demanding the handover of power to civilians.

June 3, 2019 - Security forces raid the sit-in at the army headquarters. Opposition-linked medics say more than 100 people are killed in the assault.

Aug. 17, 2019 - Civilian groups that backed the uprising sign a deal to share power with the military during a transitional period leading to elections. Later in the month Abdalla Hamdok, an economist and former U.N. official, is appointed to head a government.

Aug. 31, 2020 - Transitional authorities strike a peace agreement with some rebel groups from the restive, western Darfur region and from the southern regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, but two key groups don't accept the deal.

Oct. 23, 2020 - Sudan joins other Arab states in agreeing to take steps to normalise ties with Israel in a U.S.-brokered deal. Less than two months later, the United States removes Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

June 30, 2021 - Sudan wins approval for relief on at least $56 billion in foreign debt after carrying out economic reforms under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund.

Oct. 25, 2021 - Security forces detain Hamdok and several other top civilians in pre-dawn raids, following weeks of bitter recriminations between civilian and military factions and a failed coup attempt. Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announces that the civilian government and other transitional bodies have been dissolved.

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Nov. 21, 2021 - After several mass rallies against the coup and the suspension of most international financial support for Sudan, military leaders and Hamdok announce a deal for his reinstatement as prime minister. Hamdok says he has returned to prevent further bloodshed and protect economic reforms, but resigns less than two months later, as protests continue.

June 16, 2022 - The U.N. World Food Programme says more than a third of Sudan's population is facing acute food insecurity due to factors including economic and political crises, climate shocks and conflict.

Oct. 25, 2022 - Huge crowds take to the streets of Sudan on the first anniversary of the coup, in one of the largest turnouts in a campaign of anti-military demonstrations. In Khartoum, protesters face tear gas and stun grenades, and one civilian is killed in the neighbouring city of Omdurman, the 119th protest death recorded by medics.

Dec. 5, 2022 - Civilian groups sidelined by the coup sign an initial deal with the military to start a new, two-year political transition and appoint a civilian government.

April 5, 2023 - The signing of a final deal for the transition is delayed for a second time amid disputes over whether the army would be placed under civilian oversight and over plans for the integration of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a large paramilitary group, into the armed forces.

April 13, 2023 - Sudan's army says mobilisation by the RSF risks confrontation. Two days later, battles break out between the two forces in Khartoum and other cities. The RSF claims to have taken control of key strategic sites, the army disputes this.

(Writing by Nafisa Eltahir and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Gareth Jones and Frances Kerry)
Not six months after Roe v. Wade was overruled, and only a few weeks after Idahos abortion laws became effective, I was scheduled to teach a course titled Reproductive Rights in the U.S. I have taught constitutional law for many years, but I was nervous about teaching this particular course, covering a controversial topic at a momentous time.

McKay Cunningham

I was wrong to worry. The students quickly calmed anxiety by professionally tackling the controversial topic. They listened to their peers and offered respectful critiques. It also helped that the course turned on the legality of abortion. In other words, we studied the Constitution and Supreme Court cases, rather than moral, religious or sociological perspectives on abortion.

The journey from anxiety to confidence in teaching abortion law inspired the article you are now reading. Despite polarization in public discourse around abortion, perhaps we can just look at the law or just look at the data and make our own informed decisions.

Take a look at the results of a recent survey. Draw whatever conclusions you want. The survey reflects doctors who work in maternal health care and who are leaving Idaho. It was conducted by Dr. Lauren Miller, who practices maternal fetal medicine and leads the Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Health Care. The response rate to the survey was robust and statistically sound.

The survey asks how Idahos abortion laws affect Idahos maternal health care doctors, and specifically whether these laws are causing doctors to leave the state. The survey, in essence, predicts the availability of maternal health care services across Idaho in coming years.

Here are the questions and the answers; make your own judgment.

Are you considering relocating out-of-state in the next year?

Yes: 48

No: 42

Maybe: 27

Are Idahos Restrictive Abortion laws contributing to your consideration of leaving medical practice in Idaho?

Yes: 73

No, other reasons: 2

Other: 0

The survey is not just an academic exercise. Idaho made national news a week ago when a north Idaho hospital reluctantly announced that it will no longer offer pregnancy services, in part, because of Idaho laws that criminalize abortion care. Bonner General Health in Sandpoint will stop offering labor and delivery services in May.

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Heres the quote: The Idaho legislature continues to introduce and pass bills that criminalize physicians for medical care nationally recognized as the standard of care.

Of course, this affects women who want to have children more than those seeking abortions. The number of women seeking medical services for live birth far exceeds the number seeking abortion services, and Idaho already ranks well below average in maternal-fetal medicine respondents. MFMs are the medical professionals that, among other things, facilitate safe childbirth. Idaho currently has 3.7 MFMs per 10,000 births. In neighboring Washington, its 6.4 and in Utah, its 6.5. Accounting for the two Idaho MFMs who recently accepted jobs out of state, Idaho will soon drop to 2.7 MFMs per 10,000 births.

This survey offers no commentary on the morality of abortion. It does, however, demonstrate that Idahos maternal health care doctors are leaving, or soon will.

McKay Cunningham directs on-campus experiential learning at the College of Idaho, where he also teaches reproductive rights and constitutional law. Prior to joining the College of Idaho, Cunningham was a law professor at Concordia Law School and then the University of Idaho.
Kate Kondakova left her hometown of Odesa two weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, but return a few months later. Kate Kondakova

Kate Kondakova left Ukraine two weeks after Russia's unprovoked invasion, and lived in Moldova.

She returned to Ukraine after months of working in other countries, because she felt it was safe.

Kondakova talked to Insider about how the war in Ukraine has changed her and her colleague's lives.

Kate Kondakova didn't want to leave her home in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa after Russia's unprovoked invasion of her country last February, because she said she didn't feel in immediate danger.

On the first day of the Russian invasion, Kondakova told Insider that Odesa was bombed "and it was scary," but after that, it felt quieter compared to other cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson, which underwent major attacks at the start of the war.

"I didn't want to take on this reality," she said.

Eventually, she was encouraged to leave the country by the CEO of her company, 3DLook, which makes technology to allow consumers to virtually try on clothes. Kondakova is the company's vice president of legal and finance.

She chose to relocate to Moldova, the closest bordering country to Odesa, because she had other Ukrainian friends who had moved there. And, if she had to return home, she said driving back to Odesa would be under four hours.

"It was a rather challenging period, as it was hard to establish your life in a foreign country," Kondakova said. "It was hard to accept the new reality, and my everyday life had changed entirely."

'I decided to imagine that it's some kind of journey'

Kondakova said 3DLook was able to support some of its Ukrainian employees with relocation at the beginning of the war, by booking and paying for accommodations and travel in safer regions.

"I decided to imagine that it's some kind of journey because it was a hard and stressful time," Kondakova said of adjusting to living in Moldova.

Kondakova said 3DLook volunteers to collect and send medicine to Ukraine's defenders. Kate Kondakova

She was able to meet some of her colleagues in Barcelona for a four-day work trip, and traveled to see Ukrainian friends who had relocated in Romania and the Czech Republic because of the war.

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At the end of the summer, Kondakova decided to return home to Odesa because "it was quiet," she said. However, some of her Ukrainian friends are still in Moldova and the Czech Republic.

"If it wasn't quiet, I would prefer to stay in Moldova or somewhere else," Kondakova said.

She said she feels stressed for people living in other regions, like Donetsk, who still face Russian bombing. Kondakova and some other 3DLook employees still in Ukraine have volunteered to collect medicine for Ukrainian defenders during the war.

'The office has become a place where we come to talk'

Since she's returned home, Kondakova said she spends most of her days working in her kitchen. She's used to the work-from-home experience due to COVID-19, she said.

Kondakova's home office setup. Kate Kondakova

"On the one hand, there are many advantages here  you don't have to get up early, you and the computer are always together, and it's easier to combine work and home," she said. "On the other hand, you rarely meet people, and it's hard for you to feel the boundaries of the working day, and sometimes it can drag on until night."

Kondakova said she personally likes to work from the office, because it's easier to communicate with her colleagues.

For a few months at the end of 2022, Kondakova said it was difficult to work at home because of blackouts, but the company found its employees an office space with a generator to keep the electricity and internet on.

Gathering together in the office again during that time felt normal, Kondakova said.

"In the mornings, you have the usual life when you're waking up and getting to the office, meeting people, talking with them," she recalled.

Kondakova said the office space that 3DLook has rented for its employees in Odesa has become a place for them keep up with each other. Kate Kondakova

"It was a few months just pretending that we had a common life," she said.

Now, Kondakova said she sees her colleagues less often because they have electricity, access to SpaceX's Starlink internet service, and power banks.

"The office has become a place where we come to talk," she said. "Most of our employees are scattered worldwide, so we have fun online."

Kondakova said she's waiting for the end of the war, and thinks about when she will get to see more of her colleagues and travel again. "But our life has changed completely," she said.

"I realized that despite the country's unstable situation, it is better for me to be at home with my close and beloved people," she said. "Most of all, I enjoy meeting them and walking to the sea. I could not even think such simple things make me happy and help me escape stress."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Llano County Library

(CNN) -- A rural Texas county voted Thursday afternoon to drop discussion for now of possibly defunding the county's library system after a federal judge ordered it to return more than a dozen banned books to library shelves.

By a unanimous vote, the Commissioner's Court in Llano County, Texas, removed an item from their agenda to consider whether to "continue or cease operations of the current physical Llano County Library System pending further guidance from the Federal Courts."

Judge Robert Pitman had ordered the county to make the disputed children's books available on library shelves again, including books regarding sexual identity and racism.

"The library will remain open. We will try this in the courts, not through social media or the news media," Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham said Thursday.

Neither Cunningham nor the commissioners commented in the meeting as to why they decided to drop the defunding discussion, but said they would continue to fight the lawsuit demanding the permanent return of the books. The commissioners and members of the library board have appealed the federal judge's ruling.

In the public comment section of the meeting prior to the vote, 15 residents were allowed to give their opinions about closing the library. Eleven of them were in favor of keeping the library open. Another four said they wanted to temporarily close the library until a wide variety of books were removed from the system -- substantially more than the 17 books at question in the lawsuit.

Reading a prepared statement, Cunningham said the books were taken from the shelves "for reasons unrelated to their content or viewpoints," stating they were selected as part of a normal "weeding" process. The federal judge who issued the order had disputed this claim, noting that current members of the library board had previously called them "pornographic filth" and "CRT and LGBTQ books."

Books ordered to return to shelves included "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson, "They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and "Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen" by Jazz Jennings.

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In April 2022, seven residents sued county officials, claiming their First and 14th Amendment rights were violated when books deemed inappropriate by some people in the community and Republican lawmakers were removed from public libraries or access was restricted.

The defendants argued the books were removed as part of a regular process following the library's existing policies.

Cunningham said the planned discussion of possibly closing the library was motivated by concerns about the cost of litigation.

"A public library simply cannot function if its librarians, county judge, commissioners and even the volunteers who serve out of the goodness of their heart, can be sued every time a library patron disagrees with a librarian's weeding decisions," he said.

Cunningham said the lawsuit has cost the county more than $100,000 and the total library budget is $450,000.

He went on to accuse the media of unfairly covering the case, saying the plaintiffs could still check out the disputed books if they ask for them specifically, although the federal judge noted they were not on library shelves and did not appear in the library's public catalog.

The next hearing is set for April 27 to consider possible sanctions against the defendants for failing to appear for depositions in the case.

The case comes amid ongoing fights across the country to protect access to books in response to a banning boom that has taken shape in the US -- including in K-12 schools, universities and public libraries.

In 2022, the number of attempts to censor library books reached an unparalleled record high since the American Library Association began documenting data about book censorship over 20 years ago, the organization said in March.

It cataloged 1,269 demands to censor library books in 2022 -- nearly double the number of challenges in 2021.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
Thomas ethical transgression





Justice Clarence Thomas has given a pathetic explanation of why he failed to report 20 years of luxury travel provided by Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow. (April 8, 2A, Thomas responds to report on trips paid for by friend) Thomas is a lawyer trained in the interpretation of laws and regulations. He claims people, whom he has not identified, told him he did not have to reveal these extravagant gifts because Crow was a personal friend.

That was a self-serving, if not illegal, interpretation. Thomas should be removed from the Supreme Court.

Douglas Harman, Fort Worth

I dont see whitewashing

After seeing Bud Kennedys articles in the paper for many years, I finally read one, because I know a former curator of the Texas Civil War Museum scheduled to close in December. (April 9, 1C, Texas Civil War Museum set to close, tried to be fair but failed) I pass the museum frequently and never once have I thought it was tainted as a whitewashed attraction that overlooked Black history and the horror of slavery. I look at it as a museum of the war, showing us items and information of an American event.

- Buddy Sample, Fort Worth

Who needs tax breaks most?

Lack of affordable housing is a big problem. Wages have not kept up with the cost of housing, especially for working-class Texans, and particularly those earning the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. These workers pay more than 35% of their income for housing, sacrificing needs such as health care, food and child care. These families are at risk of ending up on the streets; many are living in their cars or with family.

Homeowners are given tax breaks to encourage home ownership. But these workers, who are essential to our society, also deserve a tax break. Some form of a renters tax credit would help these families.

- Richard Gerard Remm, Fort Worth

Tiny minority will pay a price

Gender-affirming care for adults and minors shouldnt be banned. Therapy reviews a plethora of factors to confirm gender dysphoria. Puberty blockers give people extra time to consider decisions. They prevent severe distress, permanent body changes and the need for future surgeries. Receiving hormones requires informed consent and a documented history of gender dysphoria. Surgeries largely arent available until adulthood.

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According to the journal Pediatrics, 51% of female-to-male trans youth have attempted suicide. According to Equality Texas, Republicans in Texas have introduced more than 70 bills targeting LGBTQ people this year alone.

Republicans around the country have made a concerted effort to target a tiny minority. My friends will end up paying the price.

- Brendan Schilling, Coppell

Not choice with public money

I am concerned about Texas Senate Bill 8, the legislation to divert my tax dollars to fund private schools. (March 13, star-telegram.com, Texas families would get $8K in tax dollars to send students to private school in parental rights bill) The state has enough trouble properly funding and monitoring one set of schools, let alone supporting two separate, parallel educational systems.

This could simply be a way to transfer public money to families sending their children to private schools. Those families made a choice based on their perception of the value of a private school and their finances. This transfer of wealth is unfair to me. For example, why should tax dollars be used to purchase school uniforms?

This is not about choice. The state is required to provide public education. I am not being provided a choice about whether to divert my tax dollars to support private schools.

- David Stone, Roanoke

Flimsy case against Trump?

Nicole Russell is dismissive of New Yorks legal case against Donald Trump in her April 7 column, Flimsy Trump charges are bad turning point for politics, justice. (21A) The indictment includes 34 charges of falsifying business records with intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof. That is the lowest level felony in New York, but a felony nonetheless.

If the evidence supports a felony charge, can the charge be called flimsy? There has to be evidence to go to court, right?

Let the jury decide. Thats justice. Its not Trumps infidelity thats at issue  its the campaign finance and document falsification crimes he allegedly committed covering it up. It seems he thought that if his affair came to light before the 2016 election, it would have been a turning point for him politically.

- Graham Donathan, Benbrook
President Joe Biden. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal to halt debt relief for borrowers who say they were defrauded.

The appeal argued that the Higher Education Act couldn't be used to discharge debt related to fraud.

The Higher Education Act has been floated as another way for Biden to pursue his debt-relief plan.

We just got another sign that President Joe Biden's student-loan forgiveness might not be doomed  even if the Supreme Court strikes it down the first time around.

The Supreme Court is already considering whether Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers is legal. It heard oral arguments in the case in February, and it will decide by June whether millions of borrowers will see a reduction to their balances this year.

But that's not the latest legal challenge to a student-debt-relief policy. At the end of March, three schools asked the Supreme Court to halt $6 billion in debt relief for 200,000 student-loan borrowers through a settlement the Education Department agreed to last summer. Under former President Donald Trump, a lawsuit  now known as Sweet v. Cardona  was filed on behalf of borrowers whose borrower-defense claims had been stalled. Borrower-defense claims allow borrowers to file claims if they believe they were defrauded by the school they attended. If approved, their debt would be discharged.

Since the case wasn't resolved under Trump, Biden took it on, and a federal judge signed off on the relief in November. But three of the schools named in the settlement  Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, American National University, and Everglades College  argued in an appeal challenging the settlement that they were not given due process to respond to the claims, and they wanted the Supreme Court to place a stay on the relief as the appeals process plays out.

The Supreme Court rejected their request on Thursday, allowing the relief to move forward. That means that at least five of the justices disagreed with the schools' claim that Biden cannot cancel student debt under the Higher Education Act. That could be significant if the court strikes down Biden's broader relief, as some legal experts and lawmakers think the Higher Education Act could serve as an alternate route for canceling millions of Americans' student debt.

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Biden's broad relief plan used the HEROES Act of 2003 to cancel student debt, which gives the Education secretary the ability to waive or modify student-loan balances in connection with a national emergency, like COVID-19. Critics of the plan argued the broad relief was an overstep of that authority and required congressional approval, while the Education Department maintained it had the authority to use that law to help borrowers recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic.

But the schools in the borrower-defense appeal targeted the Higher Education Act, which allows the Education secretary to approve borrower-defense claims under the provision in the law that provides the secretary the authority to "enforce, pay, compromise, waive, or release any right, title, claim, lien, or demand" related to student loans. The schools said if the Supreme Court strikes down Biden's broad debt relief, "the Secretary could turn around and cancel the same debts under his claimed HEA authority."

The schools said doing so would be illegal  but the Supreme Court didn't see it that way.

How Biden's broad student-debt relief factors in

The three schools argued that the Education Department could not use the Higher Education Act to authorize the student-debt relief in the borrower-defense settlement. They said that such relief cannot be implemented without congressional approval, and that the outcome of Biden's broad debt relief would have a "significant impact" on their lawsuit.

Their schools' logic mirrors arguments made in the two lawsuits  Department of Education v. Brown and Biden v. Nebraska  aiming to block the broader debt relief. In those cases, the Supreme Court is weighing whether the HEROES Act gives Biden the authority to broadly forgive student debt, similar to the schools' question of whether the HEA gives him the authority to broadly settle borrower-defense claims.

This week's move by the court to deny the schools' appeal could signal that the justices would look favorably on Biden's authority under the HEA. That could mean that the Supreme Court would accept broader relief using that law, even if they strike down the current plan based on the HEROES Act.

The White House has previously rejected the idea of a backup plan for the broader relief, saying in January that "we are not deliberating or considering any other kind of alternative approach. We're fully committed to the approach that the Secretary of Education used in this case, and we're confident in our legal authority."

But as Insider previously reported, the Higher Education Act could be another way to get relief to millions of borrowers. In February 2021, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts led a group of Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution calling for Biden to cancel student debt using the HEA. It has support from legal experts at Harvard Law School, as well, who wrote in a memo that the "Secretary has the authority to modify a loan to zero, and exercises this authority even in the absence of any implementing regulations."

The Education Department argued that the borrower-defense case is fundamentally different from the broader loan forgiveness, writing in its response to the Supreme Court that "there is no dispute that the Secretary has statutory authorization to provide discharges and refunds to borrowers who have made borrower-defense claims," and they pushed back on the schools' attempt to connect the broad debt-relief cases with this settlement.

"The cases are entirely distinct," the department wrote. "This case involves a settlement of litigation involving affirmative applications for relief under a statute and existing regulations providing for loan discharge, not a new program instituted by the Department. The settlement provides remedies to a class certified by the district court over the government's objection, not one created by the Department. The settlement rests on statutory authorities separate from those at issue in Nebraska and Brown."

Activists and students protest in front of the Supreme Court during a rally for student-debt cancellation in Washington, DC, on February 28. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

'This case has nothing to do' with the broad debt-relief plan

The student-loan borrowers represented in the settlement filed a response to the Supreme Court, as well, pushing back on the schools' request for a stay on the relief.

"Contrary to the impression left by the stay application, this case has nothing to do with the Biden Administration's broad student-loan cancellation program," they wrote.

"This is instead a sui generis attack by three schools that intervened to object to the settlement of a long-running class action, claiming that it offends their procedural due-process rights and visits reputational harm upon them," they added. "But the schools identify no concrete injury, much less irreparable harm, that is both traceable to the settlement and redressable via the relief they now seek."

As Insider previously reported, the impacted borrowers have been waiting years for relief, and the Education Department has already begun discharging some of their loans under the timelines agreed to in the settlement. A stay would cause "harm to borrowers, the government, and the public," the borrowers' response said.

The Supreme Court's decision to reject the schools' request and allow the relief to move forward could offer a glimpse into how it might rule should the president choose to use the Higher Education Act for broad debt relief in the future. Still, along with the lawsuits against broad debt relief, the payment pause is also being challenged  leaving millions of borrowers in financial limbo.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Lisa Vargas, shown in her Los Angeles home in 2020 next to photographs of her son Anthony Vargas, who was shot and killed by L.A. County sheriff's deputies in August 2018. She spoke at a town hall meeting Saturday in East Los Angeles hosted by the Civilian Oversight Commission. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Family members of people killed by sheriffs deputies criticized the department and demanded change at an emotionally charged town hall meeting Saturday in East Los Angeles.

Hosted by the Civilian Oversight Commission, the meeting was called to give members of the community a chance to tell Los Angeles County officials about the repercussions of so-called gangs  violent groups of inked deputies  that operate with the Sheriffs Department.

To me, theyre punks, said Lisa Vargas, whose son Anthony Vargas was killed by deputies in 2018. Our communities need to raise up and start bringing this issue to the streets.

Several other speakers called for community action, and some questioned whether change was likely or even possible. Others reiterated long-standing complaints about the Sheriffs Department harassment of the families of people slain by deputies.

Still others  including one of Vargas' aunts  drew attention to the fact that Sheriff Robert Luna was not among the county officials who attended.

Wheres Robert? Wheres Robert Luna? said Stephanie Luna. Hes the one whos supposed to be here to adopt these recommendations and hes the chair thats missing in the room  and thats the problem.

The Sheriffs Department has long faced allegations about secretive deputy groups running amok in certain stations and jails, controlling command staff and promoting a culture of violence. A Loyola Marymount University report released in 2021 identified 18 such groups that have existed over the last five decades, including the Executioners at the Compton station, the Reapers at the South L.A. station and the Little Devils at the East L.A. station, which has been a particular hot spot for trouble.

Sadly, the East L.A. station is, to my knowledge, the incubator of deputy gangs  the Devils started here, said commission chair Sean Kennedy.

There have been others, he added, most recently the Banditos.

In one particularly violent 2018 incident, a group of alleged Banditos attacked several new deputies at a party. Two of the targets were knocked unconscious, and the brawl sparked several investigations.

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The East L.A. station is also at the center of a sprawling lawsuit filed in 2019 by eight deputies alleging they were regularly harassed by Banditos members who refused to send backup on dangerous calls and pressured them to quit.

In January, another lawsuit alleged that a new "gang" had begun forming in the East L.A. station.

And last week, deputies at the East LA. station came under scrutiny as Lisa Vargas and her family finally got their day in court.

The Vargas family sued the county in 2019, seven months after two deputies shot Anthony 13 times as he tried to get away from them. The lawsuit blamed the stations gang culture as the moving force behind the killing. But just before the case made it to trial, a federal judge barred any mention of the Banditos or other Sheriffs Department cliques. Closing arguments in the case are expected to begin next week.

Whatever happens in court, Saturdays town hall could be the first of many. In a lengthy report released earlier this year, the Civilian Oversight Commissions special counsel offered more than two dozen recommendations for eradicating deputy "gangs," including firing captains who wont support anti-gang policies, requiring deputies to hide any gang-related tattoos at work, notifying prosecutors whenever a gang-involved deputy is set to testify as a witness in court and holding community meetings  much like the one organized by the oversight commission this weekend.

Unlike his predecessor, Luna has acknowledged the existence of deputy "gangs," and publicly said that he wants to end them. However, he has not yet formally accepted the reports recommendations.

Hes considering those, Kennedy said. We dont have an answer yet, but I expect one soon.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) found several ways to swerve away from talking about Donald Trumpduring a sit-down interview with NBC News Ali Vitali last week. (You can watch a clip of the interview below)

The Republican launched a committee to explore a 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday.

I think that one of the open questions here is you look at the polls, you look at the fact that in this Republican field, President Trump is sort of the man to beat. Why should he not be the nominee of the party again? asked Vitali.

One of the things Im hearing a lot on the Faith in America Tour is that theyre concerned about the most important issues in their lives is whats driving their decisions, replied Scott, who remarked on his written contributions to Trumps 2017 tax code overhaul.

But that was a Trump bill, Vitali responded. I mean, where are you different from him because innately by running youre saying, I think I could be a better president than him.

Actually, I think its very simple, Scott added before bringing up the tax bill again.

Vitali later asked Scott about Trumps praise for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

All what we know is that you look at the new axis of evil, it starts with China and President Xi includes President Putin, and you certainly see the role of Iran as well, replied Scott, who said America needs leadership to push back against an adversary like China.

But Trumps not pushing back on that, Vitali noted.

Well, were talking about what I want to do, and youre talking about what others want to do. So I want to keep talking about what I can control and not what others control, Scott said.

Its not the first time Scott has swerved away from addressing questions head-on.

The Republican found ways to avoid direct answers about a national abortion ban and a 15-week abortion ban during interviews over the past week.

H/T Mediaite

Related...
Check out Diane Gottsman's 2023 tipping guide below!

At the New York City restaurant Dirt Candy, Amanda Cohen and her staff spend their day chopping, rolling and sauteing vegetables. Cohen really likes vegetables: "You get to be so creative and have so much fun with them. We're like pioneers in the vegetable world. And it's fun!"

She's a pioneer in another way, too: there's a no-tipping policy at her restaurant.

Giles asked, "What would you say is the biggest plus about having a no-tip system?"

"There's quite a few, actually," Cohen replied. "One is my guests don't have to do math at the end of the night  they can drink as much as they want and not have to worry! My staff is really happy. They all feel like they're making a fair wage."

And a happy staff stays. "Right now you hear about this revolving door in restaurants, and there's not enough staff? I am overstaffed," Cohen said.

Two things you won't find at Dirt Candy: Meat, and tips. / Credit: CBS News

Restaurateur Danny Meyer started a no-tipping policy in his restaurants in 2015. "It took a lot of explaining, because it's not the typical way that Americans go out to dine," he said. "But in that time, the consumers really got with the program."

Then, COVID hit. Restaurants closed. Jobs were lost. When they opened again, Meyer said, "New Yorkers were literally throwing dollar bills at our servers! We said we don't take tips here. After a week of that, I said to myself, this is insane. How can I say that I'm on the side of our staff and not permit them to benefit from putting themselves on the frontline? And so, we did reinstate tipping."

For now, he says, he has to live with it: "Unfortunately, if you're going to eliminate tipping in your restaurant in this country and you realize that most other restaurants are not doing that, you put yourself at a decided disadvantage when it comes to people shopping menu prices," he said. "I really respect the restaurants that have been able to stick with this. We just couldn't."

But, he added, "If and when this country says we're going to lay down our arms and stop tipping, we'll be at the front of the line!"

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The coronavirus is changing tipping as you know it (Moneywatch)

We've gotten used to tipping at restaurants. But now, it seems, we're being asked to tip everybody, for everything! Do you tip the barista who gives you your coffee? What about the person that hands you a muffin, or a bottle of water at the deli? And then there are gig workers, Uber and Lyft drivers, the people who deliver your food, groceries, and packages.

A tipping option is displayed on a card reader tablet at a business in Glenview, Ill., Jan. 20, 2023. / Credit: Nam Y. Huh/AP

And how much should we tip? And will the person who provided that service actually get it?

Even for etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, it's confusing: "We really do want to do the right thing," she said. "We want to tip, and tip appropriately, but sometimes we just don't know.

"I walked up to the counter, I bought a mug from a diner. They flipped that little tip app around and it says, 'Tip 20%, 25%, 30% ' There is a button that says, 'No tip.' And that kind of feels uncomfortable. But for that quick exchange, that happened in less than six seconds? I give no tip."

2023 tipping guide: Cash, apps, tipping jar - Diane Gottsman's updated tipping standards, including for the dreaded iPad on-screen tipping prompt

Saru Jayaraman, the founder of One Fair Wage, said, "As long as we allow one industry to get away with it, more and more and more industries are going to want that boondoggle."

Jayaraman said giving tips instead of wages began in the South after the Civil War. "We in America uniquely mutated tipping from being an extra bonus on top of a wage to becoming a replacement for wages. That became law in 1938 as part of the New Deal, when everybody got the right to a federal minimum wage for the first time, but tipped workers were excluded."

Sher said her organization's fight is "to just get everybody a full minimum wage, with tips on top. For everybody to be guaranteed a full wage from their employer, like every other worker in every other industry, and let tips be what they were always intended to be."

As for Amanda Cohen, would she ever consider going back to the tip system? "Absolutely not," she said. "I think this restaurant's on the right side of history."



For more info:

Dirt Kitchen vegetarian restaurant, New York CityUnion Square Hospitality GroupOne Fair WageEtiquette expert Diane GottsmanFollow Diane Gottsman on InstagramOur thanks to Clay Restaurant, Harlem



Story produced by Mary Lou Teel. Editor: Joseph Frandino.



See also:

Tipping etiquette: With old norms gone, how do I know when to tip? (Moneywatch)How "tipflation" and "tip creep" are sparking a backlash (Moneywatch)Are tip requests getting out of hand? Many consumers say yes (Moneywatch)

Christine Lagarde says U.S. default on debt not possible ahead of approaching deadline

Rep. Mike Turner says there's "damage that's been done" in Pentagon leak

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says states have to "band together" to protect abortion rights
Galt police said they found mailbox keys and an array of stolen identification, debit and credit cards during a traffic stop earlier this month.

In a Facebook post, the department said an officer pulled over drivers of two vehicles near 1 a.m. on April 8. The city is between Sacramento and Stockton.

One of the cars did not have a rear license plate, police said, and the other was following close behind.

Celestino Ybarra, 31, is accused of having dozens of stolen items, including banking cards, in the vehicle he was driving, the department said.

Randi Quarton, 37, is accused of having card readers, stolen bank cards and several mailbox keys in the other vehicle. Officers located a large quantity of stolen IDs, passports (and) financial statements among other items, according to the post.

Burglary tools and about 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine also were found in her vehicle, police said.

Efforts to reach both by phone were unsuccessful.

Galt police, in the post, said officers had identified at least 200 pieces of stolen mail and more than 160 victims.

Ybarra and Quarton were booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail, the department said, but have since been released.
(Reuters) - A Canadian Pacific freight train derailed and caught fire in Maine on Saturday, causing minor injuries to three rail employees.

"A total of three locomotive engines and six rail cars carrying lumber and electrical wiring derailed into a wooded area, where they caught fire and started a small forest fire," Maine's Forest Department said in a statement to Reuters.

Additional rail cars transporting hazardous materials did not derail, it said, adding that these hazardous materials are "not at risk" of leaking and catching fire.

The derailment happened when the train encountered a "track washout," Canadian Pacific said in a statement. The washout may have been caused by a build-up of melting ice and debris.

Earlier in the day, Rockwood Fire and Rescue posted a photo of the derailment on its Facebook page asking residents to "stay clear."

Rockwood fire department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

(Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Daniel Wallis)
The following is a transcript of an interview with New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that aired on "Face the Nation" on April 16, 2023.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we turn now to New Mexico's Democratic governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. It's good to have you back here in studio.

GOV. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Thank you, Margaret. I'm happy to be here.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So your state is part of a 20 state coalition of Governors, the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, some of the states and have started stockpiling this medication for abortion. When you were here in February, you said that's the wrong focus, the wrong question. Has it changed?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Well. No. For me, it hasn't changed. And we were- we were going to make sure we already are that we have access to all of those medications. But if the response is we'll stockpile instead of protecting all access, then we're minimizing the work that we have to do to make sure that women and families are fully protected. Not that in and of itself, there's a disagreement by state that's making sure that irrespective of the legal decisions, we're going to make sure that medication abortion is available in our state. But I think that we are moving and to Jan's point, it's every social issue that you disagree with, is it stem cell research, is it fertility, drugs, whatever it is, in this context, if we're going to use the federal courts as a way to bar and ban access, we are looking at a national abortion ban and more. And I think states have to band together to do as much as they can in opposition to that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And the states are on the front lines here because there is no federal guarantee. The court kicked it back

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: That's right.

MARGARET BRENNAN: To the chief executives like yourself back in June. So currently in New Mexico, abortion is legal. But you don't actually have a law codifying it. I know you want to write one.

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GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: We do- we do now. So the last time I was here, we didn't. And you were, and thank you, talking about Colorado's work. We now have a law both codifying right to abortion, abortion care and access as well as gender affirming care in the state. So that just got signed by me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What so, nail down for me then how do you define because up till now my understanding is there wasn't a limit on when in pregnancy, a woman could receive an abortion? Have you set any limit on that?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: There are no limits. So for us-

MARGARET BRENNAN: That's very controversial.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: It can be I mean, look, it's the 1% of all abortions. And that's still a sizable number of abortions worldwide-

MARGARET BRENNAN: One percent over 21 weeks of pregnancy.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Correct. However, you know, look, these are women that have named these soon to be born babies. These are horrific medical conditions. And again, New Mexico's position, and mine, is that we should not be interfering with a woman's right medical situation and her decision about that life threatening potential circumstance. We shouldn't be doing that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Explain that. How do you define fetal viability and or that line, you say it's very, very uncommon, but?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: It is, that is not defined, it is left to two physicians make that decision with the patient. That's the issue is that the-

MARGARET BRENNAN: Two physicians.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Two physicians.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And so the fear is that folks could take that to an extreme if someone has an affliction, that isn't life threatening.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, of course,

MARGARET BRENNAN: But they're picking and choosing which children they want to carry to term or not.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: I find that argument not to be nearly as compelling as the arguments that we make that we should be focused on contraceptives and better maternal health care, which means you have better outcomes. It's the wrong side of the argument, and it pushes buttons for people's fears about what's really happening. Late term abortions should occur as rarely as humanly possible. And they should be only for life threatening conditions of the- of the fetus or the mother, and that should be analyzed by that physician. If we start making any access points, which we are all around the country, you end up with triggers and six weeks fewer than six weeks. These are all barriers to women's health care, comprehensive reproductive health care. And New Mexico is going to stand with many other states to make sure that's not the direction we're headed.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So your state has become this haven of sorts for the surrounding states that do heavily restrict abortion like Texas-

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: And Oklahoma

MARGARET BRENNAN: And Oklahoma. So that's I'm sure part of your calculus here in crafting laws you did. But I wanted to come back to something you said both in February and in other remarks. You talked about using federal lands. You talked about talking to the tribes in your state, you've a large tribal population there. You said we're moving towards tribal nations providing access, including abortion. The Hyde Amendment, prevents federal dollars being used for abortion, the White House has not endorsed this-

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: But sovereign land- that sovereign land is a whole different designation-

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you doing this?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: We aren't doing it now. But I think we will. And I think we can.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, a couple of different ways a sovereign nation makes its own decisions. Now, the question that I think you're asking is, would we use Medicaid to actually pay for those services? That is complicated with the Hyde Amendment. So the answer there is no, but we do a ton of state investments. And tribes have their own resources. They're already building behavioral health clinics, they run hospitals, they run primary care clinics, they're already in the business of delivering health care. And at least one of those tribes, the Pueblo in New Mexico, has certainly indicated that they would be more than ready, willing, able, and interested to make sure that access, because women of color, have limited access for a number of reasons all over the country. And these are pueblos, I want to make sure that the- the women and families in their Pueblo or sovereign nation have equal access, irrespective of distances that they might have to travel.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Because last June, Vice President Harris was asked about this. And she said, No, the White House isn't looking at it. Are they looking at it? Or is this just you?

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, I don't think the White House is looking at it. But they have heard loud and clear from a variety of states, including New York, that every federal tool in the toolbox ought to be used to protect and expand access. New Mexico has an opportunity with 23 independent tribes to do that in a little different way. And so the point was, we won't leave any access point right on the table, if it makes sense. And we have willing partners.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to quickly ask you about the water crisis. There's this debate over the Colorado River, which appears to be drying up. It's been drought stricken for like two decades now. Do you need the Biden administration to step in here? Because the states aren't settling this amongst themselves.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: I think we do. And I think having at least $4 billion, which is an incentive. What got- people aren't going to give up water rights and automatically lean in to do conservation. It's hard. And it's full of risk. The Biden administration, rightly so got money available to create incentives so that we're doing better conservation and management. You've got six states working pretty well together, California, big water user, going to be tough. But with good snowpacks, money, incentives and cooperation. We are in the best place ever to do something meaningful about this.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Governor, thank you for your time.

GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: Thank you.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Good to have you back. And we'll be right back.

Another shooting in Louisville caps off "unspeakable week of tragedy"

It will be "very surprising" if Supreme Court blocks abortion pill, Jan Crawford says

Sen. Mark Kelly says "there is more we can do" than 2022 gun safety bill
A 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed on a Metro train in Long Beach on Wednesday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Two men have been arrested in the fatal stabbing this week of a 25-year-old aboard a Metro Blue Line train in Long Beach.

Police on Friday arrested 18-year-old Akili Collins on suspicion of murder and 19-year-old Melake Daniel on suspicion of acting as an accessory after the fact, according to a news release from the Long Beach Police Department.

The motive for the stabbing is under investigation. Police said it may have stemmed from a fight with the victim, Luis Fernando Polita of Los Angeles.

The attack occurred at the 1st Street station about 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday, police said. Passengers on the train alerted the rail operator that a person was injured during a scuffle and needed immediate medical attention.

Polita died en route to a hospital. His was Metros second confirmed homicide in 2023, according to the transit agency.

Police are working to determine if there are other suspects.

During a preliminary investigation, detectives determined three males boarded the train in Long Beach and immediately began assaulting Polita. One attacker pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times.

The attackers fled the train when it came to a stop near 1st Street and Pine Avenue, police said.

The killing is the latest episode of violence to hit the transit system , which has faced rising crime and plummeting ridership since the start of the pandemic.

Earlier this month, two people were stabbed at Metro Red Line stations in separate incidents, police said.

One man was attacked during an apparent argument in a train at the Hollywood/Western station, police said. Officials have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the stabbing.

Another man was stabbed on the Red Line platform at the Westlake/MacArthur Park station. He was taken to a hospital for neck and torso injuries.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two people have been rescued from under the rubble of a five-storey building in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, and the bodies of six more people have been recovered.

Source: Pavel Kyrylenko, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Two people have been rescued and the bodies of six others have been recovered from under the rubble of a five-storey building destroyed by Ruscists in Sloviansk."

Details: Kyrylenko noted that as of 23:00, State Emergency Service rescue workers had already dismantled 96 tonnes of building structures.

The work involved 30 personnel from the State Emergency Service in Donetsk Oblast and seven appliances.

Previously: Two more bodies were retrieved from under the rubble of a five-storey building in Sloviansk on the afternoon of 15 April.

Background:



The Russians struck Sloviansk at around 16:00 on 14 April, firing at least seven missiles at the city.

Damage was done to five apartment buildings, five private houses, a school, a recreation centre, an administrative building, a shop, businesses and 12 cars.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Russian shelling of residential areas of the city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, which caused deaths and injuries.

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

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans will try to agree on a plan to lift the federal $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and cut government spending when Congress returns this week, after being stymied for months by Democratic President Joe Biden's demands they do so without conditions.

House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a Monday speech at the New York Stock Exchange will lay out the conditions Republicans want Democrats to agree to in exchange for movement on the debt ceiling.

He has offered few specific details ahead of the talk, but Republicans have proposed holding annual spending growth to 1% for a decade, reducing regulation and boosting energy production.

Members of McCarthy's sometimes-fractious caucus, who hold a narrow 222-213 majority, have yet to agree on actual legislation. Any proposal Republicans introduce would need to be negotiated with Biden's Democrats, who control the Senate, before it could become law.

The White House, which is leading the Democrats' approach to the debt ceiling, has dismissed the Republican proposals as unrealistic.

Nonpartisan forecasters have warned the federal government could face a historic default this summer if Congress fails to act. A default could cripple the U.S. and world economies and force a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, as occurred in a 2011 standoff over the debt.

But McCarthy's speech, which Republicans say is intended to draw Wall Street's support for negotiations on spending, could spark movement after months of inaction. Biden has insisted that Congress pass a "clean" debt hike without conditions, noting that it did so three times under his predecessor, Republican Donald Trump.

"At this point, I think there's no choice for Republicans and the speaker but to bring forward some type of proposal," Representative Tom Emmer, the No. 3 House Republican, told Reuters.

The prospective legislation, which conservatives hope to pass by the end of April, could lift the borrowing limit until May 2024, according to a source familiar with the matter. That would set the stage for another debt ceiling debate in the closing months of the 2024 presidential campaign.

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But first, Republicans must agree on a proposal that can win the support of at least 218 of their 222 members.

"Getting us all on the same page is a challenge. But it's not impossible and I'm optimistic that we'll get there. This is an issue we've been talking about for some time," said Republican Representative Ben Cline.

Cline, a member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, sits on both the House Budget and Appropriations Committees and is helping to craft a budget plan for the conservative Republican Study Committee, the biggest caucus in Congress.

RISKS

The White House has dismissed the proposals so far.

"Speaker McCarthy is adopting the extreme MAGA House Republican position: threatening our economic recovery, hardworking Americans' retirement, and catastrophic default in order to force devastating cuts," said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates.

House Republicans maintain that their proposals would win enough public support to force Biden and the Democrats into negotiations, just as the party's bill to overturn changes in the Washington, D.C., criminal code passed Congress last month, despite initial Democratic opposition.

Biden and McCarthy met at the White House in February to discuss the standoff, but they have not held further talks as the administration has called on House Republicans to release a budget proposal.

The White House in March unveiled its own budget proposal that it said would cut U.S. deficits by $3 trillion over the next 10 years. But with the House Budget Committee not expected to produce a spending plan anytime soon, the Republican focus has shifted to the debt ceiling plan.

Republican Representative Garret Graves, a top McCarthy adviser who has led debt ceiling talks within the Republican conference, said legislation could follow the outline set in a March 28 McCarthy letter to Biden.

"We're continuing to discuss both strategy and putting a little more meat on the bones or translating the speaker's letter into legislation," Graves said in an interview.

While McCarthy's letter contained few details, Republicans are considering proposal that could reset nondefense discretionary spending to fiscal 2022 levels, hold annual spending at 1% for a decade, reduce regulation, boost energy production and reset the debt ceiling to a ratio of debt to gross domestic product.

'FIVE FAMILIES'

The Republican conference is divided by ideological caucuses known internally as "the five families," a reference to the warring mafia clans of "The Godfather" movies.

The five families, who are expected to take up the plan early next week, run the gamut from members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, who have floated the idea of reaching a deal with Democrats to avoid default, to the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members insist on deep spending cuts and say Biden will be responsible for any default.

Some Republicans also favor the clean debt ceiling increase that Biden has demanded.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)
The UFC handed out more post-fight bonuses than usual after Saturdays card, including a pair of checks for two fighters who hung up their gloves.

After UFC on ESPN 44, seven fighters picked up an extra $50,000 for their performances in Kansas City, Mo. Check out the winners below.

'Performance of the Night': Gillian Robertson

Apr 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Gillian Robertson (red gloves) fights Piera Rodriguez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Gillian Robertson def. Piera Rodriguez via submission (armbar)  Round 2, 4:21

Robertson impressed in her move down to the strawweight divison. Her grappling game remained extremely effective against Rodriguez, as she was able to dominate when the fight hit the ground. In the second, Robertson was in full mount and snatched up Rodriguezs limb to lock in an armbar for the finish worthy of her first Performance of the Night bonus in 14 UFC fights.

'Performance of the Night': Brandon Royval

Apr 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Brandon Royval (red gloves) reacts after fighting Matheus Nicolau (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Royval def. Matheus Nicolau via knockout (punches)  Round 1, 2:09

In what was one of the most anticipated fights for the hardcore fans, Brandon Royval closed the show early in a very impressive performance against Matheus Nicolau. A beautiful knee landed on the jaw to drop Nicolau, and the elbows on the mat that followed from Royval sealed the deal. For his efforts, Royval takes home his second consecutive bonus and his fourth overall in his UFC run.

'Performance of the Night': Edson Barboza

Apr 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Edson Barboza (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Billy Quarantillo (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

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Edson Barboza def. Billy Quarantillo via knockout (knee)  Round 1, 2:37

If there was any question why Barboza is known as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, he proved exactly why in his main card bout against Quarantillo. Just when Quarantillo thought it was safe to change levels for a takedown, Barboza perfectly timed a knee strike up the middle to fold his opponent to the canvas in the first round. Rack up UFC bonus No. 11 for Barboza, who added another incredible highlight to his extensive reel.

'Fight of the Night': Bill Algeo vs. TJ Brown

Apr 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Bill Alged (red gloves) fights TJ Brown (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Algeo def. TJ Brown via submission (rear-naked choke)  Round 2, 1:40

This was an all-action fight for as long as it lasted. Algeo and Brown went toe-to-toe up until Algeo got the fight to the ground and forced Brown to tap out from a deep rear-naked choke. Algeo went on to cut a pro wrestling style promo on Kansas City during his post-fight interview, an all-around performance that earned himself and his opponent an extra $50,000.

Extra $50,000: Zak Cummings, Ed Herman take home retirement bonus

Apr 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Zak Cummings (red gloves) hugs Ed Herman (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Zak Cummings def. Ed Herman via TKO (punches)  Round 3, 4:13

While UFC president Dana White didnt label these bonuses as Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night, Zak Cummings and Ed Herman were granted an extra check by the boss after they both decided to call it a career after their fight. Cummings won the fight in front of his hometown crowd after returning from back surgery, while the longest-tenured fighter on the roster in Herman decided it was time to hang up the gloves.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
(Bloomberg) -- Even as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak braces for a report on whether his second-in-command bullied staff, hes facing new allegations that a former Cabinet minister from his party berated civil servants.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Conservative MP Alok Sharma was difficult, unpredictable and could quickly lose his temper, according to four senior officials who worked with him between 2020 and 2022. Most of the allegations stem from when he led the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the officials said, although some of the behavior continued after he started serving as president of United Nations climate talks.

Sharma would often express his dissatisfaction by insulting staffs work and using profanity, without offering guidance on how to improve its quality, the officials said. Two of them characterized his behavior during the pandemic in 2020 as bullying, saying the then-business secretary would often call junior staff on Microsoft Teams without warning to criticize their work.

All four senior officials requested anonymity to protect their current jobs.

Civil servants raised concerns about Sharmas behavior with their bosses on at least four occasions in 2020, although they stopped short of filing official complaints, according to two of the officials. They said they didnt know whether staffs concerns were relayed to then Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill, or his successor Simon Case, who would normally be appraised of official complaints in their job overseeing the entire civil service.

After this articles initial publication, Sharma, 55, issued the following statement: I have never been made aware of any informal complaints or otherwise from staff. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that there are no records of any informal or formal complaints across government about me. I refute strongly these allegations.

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An official spokesperson said the government has no record of any complaints.

The Conservative government has faced criticism that it has tolerated an abusive work culture during its 13 years in power, with the opposition Labour Party arguing its time for a change in government. Several senior Tory ministers have been forced to resign or come under investigation over allegations of unprofessional behavior in the workplace and Sunak has vowed to uphold integrity, professionalism and accountability in government.

Sunak may be forced to decide the fate of one of his closest allies in the coming weeks, when the results of an investigation into bullying allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab are due. Raab is facing eight formal complaints dating from his posts in three departments, incidents which UK media including the Guardian say involve at least 24 civil servants.

Raab has denied the allegations of bullying and said he behaved professionally at all times.

While Sharmas time as a minister predated Sunaks ascension to the premiers job in October, further allegations of misbehavior by ruling party figures could increase pressure on him to take broader action to correct negative perceptions about the government. The incidents described by people who worked closely with Sharma echo complaints against other Conservative ministers.

Sharma had a career in banking before entering Parliament in 2010 when the Conservatives returned to power after more than a decade in opposition. He became a minister in 2016 and was promoted to the cabinet three years later by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He was made Business Secretary in 2020, a post he held for almost a year before taking charge of preparing the UN climate talks in 2021.

Sharma is among dozens of allies of Johnsons whom the former prime minister has nominated for seats in the House of Lords, media including the Times newspaper have reported. After receiving a knighthood in December, Sharma praised the dedicated civil servants who had contributed to the UKs efforts to slow global climate change during the talks in Glasgow.

Although all four senior officials who discussed Sharmas behavior said he could be volatile, they acknowledged that working in government could be stressful and he was under a lot of pressure. One said he could be warm and friendly and sometimes rewarded officials who had worked late with pizza. The officials said they werent aware of any official probe into the matter.

When Sharmas alleged calls to staffs homes failed to stop, two of the people said that senior officials started coming into the office during lockdown to draw his criticism away from junior staff working from home. On one occasion, a lower-level official called their senior colleague in tears because Sharma had unexpectedly called them to disparage their work, one person said.

All-Caps Emails

In one email sent by Sharma to senior officials during the first lockdown in 2020 and seen by Bloomberg, he detailed a list of thoughts and demands that increased in font size until a final point written in very large, red print.

The criticism grew increasingly demoralizing and caused people to fear submitting their work to him, according to two of the people. One civil servant  who has since left the role  said they resorted to anti-depressants and mental health support to cope with their bosss treatment.

I have worked with hundreds of officials as a government minister and always felt I maintained a good relationship with them, exemplified by seven of my BEIS private office team, those officials working most closely with me, choosing to join my COP private office alongside those I had worked with in previous ministerial roles, said Sharma, whos now a backbench Tory MP representing Reading West.

Still, the allegations pose a potentially wider cultural problem for Sunak to tackle. The FDA union of civil servants has said that one in six officials reported experiencing or witnessing bullying or harassment in government departments in the past year.

The ruling partys handling of past cases has discouraged some from submitting formal complaints, one person said, citing how Johnson dealt with allegations against a close ally. The former prime minister opted not to fire then Home Secretary Priti Patel after an inquiry found she had broken ministerial rules. She had denied bullying.

The political risk for the Tories was laid bare last month when Raab stood in for Sunak at a weekly question session in the House of Commons. In an allusion to the accusations against Raab, Deputy Labour Party Leader Angela Rayner questioned him about the governments new policy to combat antisocial behavior blamed for driving crime on the streets.

The deputy prime minister knows first-hand the misery caused by thugs and their intimidating behavior, lurking with menace, exploding in fits of rage, creating a culture of fear, and maybe even  I do not know  throwing things, Rayner said. So I ask him: under his new antisocial behavior policy, does he think more bullies will be brought to justice?

--With assistance from Kitty Donaldson.

(Updates with comment from Sharma in sixth paragraph.)

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Key developments on April 16:

Russia fires over 50 missiles, bombs at Ukraine as country celebrates Orthodox Easter

130 Ukrainian POWs return home from Russian captivity on Orthodox Easter

Italy-provided howitzers reportedly in use in Ukraine

As Ukraine celebrated Orthodox Easter on April 16, Russian forces fired over 50 missiles and aerial bombs, killing and injuring civilians.

Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv oblasts were struck with 25 S-300 surface-to-air missiles, according to Ukraine's General Staff. Russian forces hit Snihurivka in Mykolaiv Oblast with 10 missiles killing two teenagers.

Russian forces also shelled over 70 settlements in Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Russian troops shelled a church in Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring two civilians.

The majority of Ukraine's population are Orthodox Christians, many of whom attended religious service on April 16.

In his Easter video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said "perhaps the most difficult of the peaks is ahead of us."

"On this day a year ago, we all prayed that Ukraine would endure, today  that Ukraine will win," Zelensky said

Zelensky addresses Ukrainians on Orthodox Easter: Heaven sees our faith and firmness President Volodymyr Zelensky made a video address to Ukrainians on Orthodox Easter, saying Russias all-out war cannot erase us, our values, our traditions, and our holidays. Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

130 Ukrainian POWs return home

One-hundred-thirty Ukrainian POWs returned home from Russian captivity on Orthodox Easter.

Soldiers, navy personnel, transport service employees, border guards, and national guardsmen were among those freed. They were captured during fights in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

Before that, 100 Ukrainians were released in a prisoner exchange on April 10. Nearly half of the released sustained severe injuries, were suffering from illnesses, or had been tortured.

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Thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity, whether in Russia itself or in Russian-occupied territories.

Military death toll

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told the Spanish newspaper La Razon on April 16 that Ukraine's military casualties are "lower than the number of people killed by the earthquake in Turkey."

It is "critically smaller" than Russia's death toll, as Moscow is using its soldiers as "cannon fodder," he said.

The death toll of the powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquakes that hit Turkey on Feb. 6 has risen to 50,500.

Leaked U.S. intelligence files allege that from 15,500 to 17,500 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and from 109,000 to 113,500 were wounded in action, while Russia is believed to have 35,500-43,000 troops killed and 154,000-180,000 wounded, according to Reuters.

Neither the Ukrainian nor the Russian military have provided information on the number of casualties sustained in the war.

Moscow only confirmed around 6,000 of its troops being killed since February 2022, while Ukraine's General Staff reported Russia had lost 182,070 troops.

They crawl forward 24/7: On the zero line with Ukrainian infantry north of Bakhmut Climbing to a firing position through trenches dug into black Ukrainian soil, the relative quiet in the air is only reassuring to an extent. At the most forward point, a Soviet-era recoilless rifle stands watch, dug into a shallow depression in the ground. Bohdan, a company comman Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

On the battlefield

The Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka sectors in eastern Donetsk Oblast remain Russia's top assault priorities on the battlefield, according to Ukraine's General Staff.

Ukraine's forces repelled 45 Russian attacks in the most severe battles for the towns of Bakhmut and Marinka, the military said.

Italian newspaper La Republica reported that American-made M109 self-propelled 155 mm howitzers that Italy delivered to Ukraine are already on the front lines.

Italy intends to deliver 60 M109 howitzers to Ukraine "in the near future," the newspaper reported.

Several Western countries, including the U.S., have delivered M109 howitzers and rounds to Ukraine.


Pope Francis and Russian Ambassador to the Vatican Oleksandr Avdeev

"Mr. Avdeyev already has almost ten years of experience at this position, Yurash said.

Of course, it is the end of his career, he is almost 80. He was Culture Minister in Russia and according to tradition, he was sent somewhere to end his tenure.

Read also: Vatican ready to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, media report

Avdeyev and Pope Francis arrived at the Vatican in 2013 at almost the same time, the diplomat said.

"They are, actually, the same age and theyve been close friends since 2013 when they both appeared at the Vatican, he elaborated.

One of them came there from Argentina, while another from Russia.

Read also: Pope Francis calls war in Ukraine global, says he doesn't believe it will end soon

Yurash noted that Avdeyev "always speaks very abstractly" about the latest events.

The Ukrainian embassy, instead, speaks transparently about the atrocities and murder that Russian soldiers committing on Ukrainian territory.

"Today, for example, we once again reminded them about this atrocity that is now on the table and discussed by everyone  the beheading of a Ukrainian soldier by Russian sadists  we're delivering this information," the ambassador said.

He said many people in the Vatican don't like that attitude because they "would prefer to think about some universalist ideologies, as Mr. Avdeyev does."

Avdeyev once rebuked the Pope "for his famous phrase that it was not the Russians to be blamed for the murder and atrocities in Ukraine, because they are a people of a great humanitarian culture," Yurash shared.

"By the way, this is another myth about extremely powerful Russian culture that Russians allegedly can't be cruel or can't have totalitarian thinking because they were brought up on the best intellectual examples of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, the ambassador to the Vatican said.

That's why the Pope meant that it was not Russians  but Buryats and Chechens (other ethnicities within the Russian empire)  who murdered people. Therefore, Russian Ambassador Avdeyev was forced to officially make demands and claims in this situation. I know that the State Secretariat sent informal letters to Russia explaining this Pope's words.

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Read also: Where does the Pope get his information on Ukraine and Russia?  Ukraines Ambassador to the Vatican

This year the Pope's Easter message was titled in Latin "Urbi et Orbi," which means "to the city and the world. It reads:

"Help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey towards peace, and shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia."

Pope Francis also urged the international community to seek peace and to be united.

He has often called Ukrainians" martyrs, and used words like "aggression" and "violence" when speaking about the Russian army's actions since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On April 7, the Vatican decided to join together statements from Ukrainian and Russian children at the Station of the Cross in Rome. Texts were read on behalf of a Ukrainian teenager from occupied Mariupol who found refuge in Italy, and a Russian whose brother was killed in the war against Ukraine and whose grandfather and father are missing.

Read also: Ukrainian and Russian women carry cross together at Via Crucis in Rome

Oleh Nikolenko, spokesperson for Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called this action an attempt to equalize a victim and its aggressor.

Peace agreements would only be possible after a Ukrainian victory, the punishment all Russian war criminals, their repentance for suffering they've caused, and a request for forgiveness from Ukrainians, Nikolenko reiterated.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 26. (Libkos/AP)

The bizarre torrent of intelligence documents posted on a gamers chat server, allegedly by a 21-year-old National Guard technician, produced headlines last week about a host of revelations including secret Russian military plans and U.S. espionage against allies like Israel and South Korea.

But some of the revelations werent exactly new. U.S. allies learned long ago that our intelligence agencies spy on them, and most reacted to the news with a shrug.

But the damage to American foreign policy, especially the Biden administrations effort to organize international support for Ukraine, is real.

This is embarrassing for anyone whos ever had a security clearance, a former senior official told me. The allies are going to look at this and conclude that they cant trust us with any of their secrets.

The so-called Discord leaks, named for the social media site where the documents appeared, were a windfall for Russias counterintelligence agencies, too.

The Russians can use those documents to make intelligence gathering more difficult for us, said Paul R. Pillar, a 28-year veteran of the CIA. They can use them to narrow down the possibilities of where theyve been compromised.

The documents included detailed assessments of Ukrainian army units, their deployment and the state of their weaponry.

U.S. officials have said most of the documents seem to be genuine, although at least one, a summary of Ukrainian and Russian casualties, has also turned up in a version that appears to have been doctored.

An FBI affidavit unsealed in U.S. District Court in Boston on Friday confirmed that at least one of the documents was genuine and was classified at the top secret level.

But intelligence experts said those disclosures may be less damaging than they look.

The battlefield intelligence has a limited shelf life, said Douglas Lute, a retired Army lieutenant general and former commander of U.S. forces in Kosovo. It changes almost day to day.

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The part thats most damaging is the information about which units are getting the most advanced armor, including Western tanks, Lute said. The Russians can conclude that those are the units they should focus on.

But the Ukrainians can make things harder by changing unit names and assignments, he noted.

A bigger problem, Lute suggested, may be the leaks effect on any countries willing to send aid to Ukraine, but only if they can keep their role secret. After the leaks, those governments are more likely to be risk averse.

One of the documents, for example, listed Serbia alongside the countries that have agreed to supply weapons to Ukraine  a surprise, since Serbia has officially stayed neutral on the war and has tried to maintain friendly relations with Russia.

Serbias defense minister quickly denied that his government has supplied weapons to Ukraine, but added that he couldnt prevent private arms deals.

The biggest impact of the Discord leaks, though, could stem less from their substance than from the striking pessimism they revealed in U.S. intelligence assessments of Ukraines planned spring offensive.

A U.S. intelligence assessment reported by the Washington Post warned that Ukraine suffers from deficiencies in training and munitions and said the offensive was likely to achieve only modest territorial gains, a result well short of Kyivs goals.

Officials have not contested the authenticity of the document.

Another report warned that the war could descend into a long stalemate in 2024.

Some U.S. officials have been privately voicing similar assessments for months, warning that Ukraines official goals for its counteroffensive may be unrealistic. The Ukrainians themselves have clamored publicly about shortages in air defense and artillery.

But those judgments somehow appeared starker on paper, in the spare language of official intelligence reports.

Just when President Biden and his aides were trying to persuade other countries to step up their aid to Ukraine, the Discord documents put an unexpected spotlight on private U.S. doubts that Ukraine can win.

Its not as if nobody realized the Ukrainians face a hell of a challenge, Pillar said. But the fact that its being said in official channels may make it more difficult to sustain the coalition supporting the Kyiv government.

Lute agreed.

This leak accelerates the erosion of Western support for Ukraine, he said.

Polls in the United States and Europe have found that public willingness to send aid to Ukraine is slowly declining. An Associated Press poll in February found that 48% of Americans supported U.S. weapons aid to Ukraine, down from 60% last May.

Governments facing public skepticism will be even less likely to continue contributing money and weapons to Kyiv if the war begins to look like a lost cause.

Ukraines spring offensive was never a sure thing. The Discord leaks, however unlikely their origin, have made the stakes even higher.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Editors Note: This is issue 80 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from April 8-14, 2023. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission.

Ukrainian SOE Weekly is an independent weekly digest based on a compilation of the most important news related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-owned banks in Ukraine. This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union within the project Supporting Ukraine in rebuilding and recovery implemented by the KSE Institute. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the editorial team of the Ukrainian SOE Weekly and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Corporate governance of SOEs

Verkhovna Rada sets a salary cap for civil servants and SOE employees. On April 10, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 8312. Although the purpose of the draft law was to improve the legal regulation of the measures of martial law, the draft law also set a ceiling for salaries of civil servants and SOE employees in wartime.

During its consideration, lawmaker Dmytro Razumkov (Rozumna Polityka parliamentary group) and other MPs introduced an amendment that would return the Hr 30,000 ($820, in additional payments) to the military, civil protection service, and police by capping salaries of civil servants and SOE employees. Parliament supported this amendment with 254 votes (with 226 votes required to pass a law).

The salaries of civil servants and SOE employees were limited to a ceiling of 10 times the minimum wage (effectively, Hr 67,000, or $1,800).

Lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction), first deputy chair of the Radas Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Customs Policy, said that a change in the state budget is required in order to finance these salaries of the military  the reduction in civil servants and SOE employees salaries would compensate for as little as 2% of the amount required to cover these expenses.

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Lawmaker Danylo Hetmantsev (Sluha Narodu faction), chair of the Finance Committee, said that Razumkovs amendment proposes to increase spending on payments to the military without providing an actual source of funding to do so. (Razumkov) envisaged budget expenditures of Hr 154 billion ($4.2 billion), while the reduction of civil servants salaries to Hr 67,000 ($1,800) (will compensate for) as little as Hr 2.5 billion ($68 million) The (remaining) 98%... must be taken from somewhere else, Hetmantsev said.

On April 11, lawmaker Volodymyr Tsabal (Holos faction) proposed a draft parliamentary resolution to cancel its decision to adopt the above law. On his Facebook page, he suggested that Razumkovs amendment was populist, and that funding sources had to be found before such expenditures could be proposed. Among the motivations for opposing the amendment that Tsabal listed, he said that this broke Ukraines commitments to the EU, the IMF, and other international donors on the corporate governance reform of SOEs and other reforms.

According to Zhelezniak, until Tsabals resolution is considered in parliament, the speaker has no right to sign the law.

The International Monetary Fund is studying the amendment adopted by the parliament, Gavin Gray, the IMF mission chief for Ukraine, said.

Member of SOE Weekly team Oleksandr Lysenko called the decision to cap SOE employees salaries a failure both in terms of corporate governance of SOEs and from any other (except populist) point of view. According to him, if such a decision comes into force, many SOE employees who can get a better paid job will do so, and the rest will simply be demotivated. Lysenko also stressed that this decision would have no fiscal effect at all.

Andriy Boytsun, member of the SOE Weekly team, said that Ukraine already had very poor experience with capping SOE managements salaries during the Covid-19 pandemic. He added that the President should veto this law and ask the Rada to adopt a law without setting such a salary cap. Boytsun also urged MPs who publicly advocate good corporate governance of SOEs (such as Oleksiy Movchan) and MPs who said that they were misled by Razumkov (such as Yaroslav Yurchyshyn) to support Tsabals draft resolution. These MPs voted for Razumkovs amendment.

Lysenko and Boytsun wrote an article three years ago, explaining the harmfulness of the decision to set a pay cap for SOE management and supervisory boards during the Covid-19 pandemic: How to save 1.5 hryvnias on supervisory boards and lose 700 hryvnias on SOEs. They said that the arguments in that article are as valid as they were three years ago.

HACC refuses to extend pre-trial investigation into Kobolyevs bonuses, despite NABUs requests. On April 12, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) dismissed the motion of the NABU detective to extend the pre-trial investigation against former Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev.

The court will announce the justification for this ruling on April 17.

According to the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC), NABU justified the need to extend the deadline by saying that the case is still pending, and detectives have not seized certain documents concerning the first part of the bonus and the second part that was secured by a bank guarantee. Kobolyev received the second part of the Stockholm bonus in 2021.

They also sent a request for international legal assistance to interrogate two members of the supervisory board in other countries. They need these interviews to be able to fully and comprehensively investigate all the issues to be clarified in the investigation, AntAC said.

The defence insisted that there were no grounds for extending the investigation, as it had been ongoing since 2018 and witnesses could have been questioned earlier.

Kobolyev commented on the HACCs ruling on his Facebook page. He wrote that NABU detectives sent the request for international legal assistance to interrogate former independent board members only in March 2023  and not to all of them. According to Kobolyev, no explanation was given as to why some were sent the request and others were not.

According to the law firm Miller, which represents Kobolyev in this litigation, the ruling made by the HACC is not subject to appeal, and NABU had three legal options:

to complete the investigation by April 19 and send the case to court (to be considered on the merits) with the evidence available as of now;

suspend the pre-trial investigation while waiting for a response to the request for international legal assistance; or

close the criminal proceedings.

Later Miller added that NABU decided to act contrary to the law. The detectives cannot challenge the courts decision to reject their motion, so they filed the same motion asking the HACC to extend the investigation. In the evening of April 12, NABU served Kobolyev and his lawyers the above motion along with a motion to extend Kobolyevs obligations as a measure of restraint. Miller said that it would inform the HACC about this abuse of rights by NABU.

On April 14, the HACC ruled to leave NABUs new motion without consideration, Millers lawyer Oleksii Nosov wrote on his Facebook page. This ruling may be challenged in the appellate court within five days  however, by that time there will be no time left to extend the pre-trial investigation, Miller added.

Shortly after this ruling, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) said that the pre-trial investigation was completed, and its materials were available to the suspect (Kobolyev) and his defense.

As we reported earlier, on Jan. 19, NABU and SAPO notified Kobolyev that he was suspected of misappropriating (illegally awarding himself) over Hr 229 million ($6.3 million) in 2018, which was part of the bonuses granted to Naftogazs team in May 2018 for the companys historic victory against Russias Gazprom in Stockholms court of arbitration. For an extended background of the Kobolyev case, see SOE Weeklys Issues 71, 72, 73, 77, 78, and 79.

For an analysis of this case from a corporate governance perspective, see series of columns by SOE Weekly team members Andriy Boytsun, Oleksandr Lysenko, and Dmytro Yablonovskyy: Are Kobolyev's bonuses a threat to corporate governance reform? Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Explainer: What we learned from Pentagon leak and why it matters A major U.S. intelligence leak exposed very detailed reports about Ukraine and its war effort. The documents detail the strength of Ukraines counteroffensive buildup, the U.S.s doubt that it will go very far, Ukraines approaching vulnerability to air attacks, the sad state of the Russian Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

NABU says Kobolyev decided on his Stockholm bonus without consulting the supervisory board  new evidence. On April 13, NABU filed a new motion to the HACC to extend the pre-trial investigation into the bonuses of Andriy Kobolyev, former Naftogaz CEO.

NABU said that they found 37 GB of electronic correspondence between people involved in the decision on bonuses paid to the CEO, executive board members, and employees for Naftogazs victory in a Stockholm arbitration against Russias Gazprom.

According to NABU, the new evidence is essential for the criminal proceedings, and the detectives are now reviewing it. Due to the large amount of information, this may take a considerable amount of time.

In the meantime, NABU has published four screenshots of the above correspondence.

One screenshot shows a fragment from the HR directors message to the CEO of Naftogaz (Kobolyev), dated June 14, 2017, in which the HR director shared the methodology for calculating the remuneration of the CEO and executive board members.

The message says that this methodology was in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 859. According to NABU, this confirms that Resolution No. 859 was applicable to Naftogaz, and that the CEO had known that since at least that time.

Resolution No. 859 states that, in SOEs, the CEOs quarterly bonus cannot exceed three monthly base pays, and the annual bonuses cannot exceed 24 monthly base pays.

Another screenshot shows a fragment from the communications directors message to the HR director and corporate secretary, dated June 11, 2018. The message requests more information on how the size of the bonus was justified because it was perceived as controversial by the public and could have a negative impact on the managements reputation and corporate governance reform.

NABU said that this message rejects the statement that the size of the bonus was based on best international practice.

As of today, no information is publicly available as to the rationale for either the total bonus pool for Naftogazs team or the CEOs bonus. SOE Weekly team members have established that Kobolyevs share was almost 50% of the total bonus pool for the 41 employees that received bonuses for the Stockholm arbitration.

A third screenshot shows a fragment from the Communications Directors message to the HR director, corporate secretary, and the CEO, dated May 29, 2018. That message shared a draft press release saying that  according to best international practice  bonuses for those involved in important litigation could be up to five times their annual base pay.

The last part was deleted from the final version of the press release. NABU said that this was done so because it rejected the statement that the CEOs bonuses were in line with international practices: in fact, Kobolyev received a bonus that was 20 times his annual base pay.

A fourth screenshot shows a fragment from the supervisory board chairs message to another two supervisory board members, dated June 29, 2018. In her message, the board chair complains that the supervisory board had not seen nor been able to approve the list of people to receive bonuses before these bonuses were paid, and that this was not a proper process.

NABU concluded that the CEO had not informed the supervisory board about the amounts of bonuses paid to himself and the other Naftogaz employees. As a result, the supervisory board had not known or been able to monitor the final bonus distributions before the payments were made.

The correspondence suggests that the supervisory has taken no action to review or reverse the bonus payments, nonetheless.

No public reaction from Kobolyev was available at the time of this writing.

For an analysis of this case from a corporate governance perspective, see series of columns by SOE Weekly team members Andriy Boytsun, Oleksandr Lysenko, and Dmytro Yablonovskyy: Are Kobolyev's bonuses a threat to corporate governance reform? Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Viral videos show pattern of Russian atrocities throughout the war Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. At least several Ukrainian servicemen have been beheaded by Russian troops, as alleged by two videos shared online this week. The revelation comes as yet another instance of exceptional brutality demonstrated  and filmed  by Russian f Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet

Members of the MGUs supervisory board may have been paid up to $ 4.8 million since the board was established. Two weeks ago (Issue 81), the SOE Weekly pointed out that Main Gas Pipelines of Ukraine (MGU) published only one remuneration disclosure in 2018 to comply with the joint-stock company legislation. It has never published one since.

The SOE Weekly has computed how much MGUs board members have been paid to date, based on all the publicly available data and plausible assumptions.

According to our estimates, the total remuneration of MGUs board members is likely to be around Hr 136 million, from the boards first day on Feb. 28, 2018, to March 31, 2023. (This is around $ 4.8 million according to the National Banks average exchange rate over this period.)

The first supervisory board included six members: four independents (Walter Boltz, Fabrice Noilhan, Jan Chadam, and Karina Luchinkina) and two state representatives (Adomas Audickas and Kostyantyn Marievich). Viktor Pynzenyk joined the board as its seventh member (state representative) on Aug. 28, 2019.

Boltzs powers were terminated on May 29, 2020, when he was dismissed by the Ministry of Finance, the ownership entity of MGU at that time. Noilhan, Chadam, and Luchinkinas board memberships ceased as their contracts expired on June 2, 2021. The powers of Marievich were terminated on Sept. 18, 2019, and the powers of Audickas, on March 1, 2021.

To compute the total remuneration for 2018, we used the actual data as disclosed by MGU in its 2018 board remuneration report. It follows from the report that a state representative was paid 75% of what an independent board member was paid.

The independents received the maxima set for the MGU by the Cabinet of Ministers resolution No. 668 (version effective at that time), namely H 5,062,400 (around $ 186,000 at the time) per year, plus an additional 20% for board chairmanship and another 10% for committee membership.

These maxima had been effective until Resolution No. 668 was changed on March 3, 2020. They have since become opaque, now based on the average salary in the SOEs industry and the SOEs net annual income, rather than specific hryvnia amounts. (For detail, see OECD Review of the Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in Ukraine).

For this reason, it is impossible to establish the exact maxima for the MGUs board from public sources. We made a plausible assumption that the MGUs board remuneration has remained roughly the same as it was in 2018. Based on this assumption, we computed the boards remuneration from Jan. 1, 2019, to March 31, 2023.

Further, based on the supervisory boards 2019 report, we assumed that all members of the above board sat on at least one committee from 2019 until their board powers expired (and therefore received the additional 10% for committee membership).

If the above assumptions are correct, this is how much the members of the first supervisory board received:

Walter Boltz, who chaired the board from April 25, 2018, to May 29, 2020, (and therefore received the additional 20% for board chairmanship), received around Hr 14.52 million over his tenure ($552,000, according to the National Banks average exchange rate over that period);

Fabrice Noilhan, who replaced Boltz as board chair on June 12, 2020, received around Hr 19 million ($710,000);

Jan Chadam, around Hr 18.02 million ($673,000);

Karina Luchinkina, around Hr 18.02 million ($673,000);

Adomas Audickas, around Hr 12.46 million ($467,000);

Kostyantyn Marievich, around Hr 6.40 million ($239,000); and

Viktor Pynzenyk received around Hr 8.75 million ($327,000) until Oct. 5, 2021, when the board was renewed.

The new supervisory board, elected on Oct. 5, 2021, was composed of five members: three independents (Huberte Bettonville, Jan Chadam, and Iryna Marushko) and two state representatives (Viktor Pynzenyk and Tetyana Fedorova).

Assuming that the remuneration for this board remained the same and all board members were on at least one committee, the MGUs second board received the following remuneration from the start date to March 31, 2023:

Huberte Bettonville, who chaired the board from Oct. 6, 2021, to March 20, 2023, Hr 9.57 million ($298,000);

Jan Chadam, who took over as board chair on March 21, 2023, Hr 8.3 million ($258,000);

Iryna Marushko, Hr 8.27 million ($258,000);

Viktor Pynzenyk, Hr 6.2 million ($193,000); and

Tetyana Fedorova, Hr 6.2 million ($193,000).

Over the entire period, the highest paid independent board member was Jan Chadam, with a total of some Hr 26.32 million ($932,000). The highest paid state representative is Viktor Pynzenyk, with a total of about Hr 14.95 million ($521,000) over his tenure, closely followed by Adomas Audickas, with a total of some Hr 12.46 million ($467,000) over a somewhat shorter tenure.

All SOE Weeklys calculations are available for publication or inspection at request.

On March 3, 2022, the MGUs supervisory board announced that it transferred its February 2022 remuneration (a total amount of Hr 2.17 million, or $76,000, meaning an average of around Hr 435,000, or $15,000, per board member, according to the above assumptions) to the defense needs of Ukraine.

The MGU has published a supervisory board report, including committee reporting, in 2019. It has not published any supervisory board reports or board committee reports since 2020. For these reasons, it is difficult to tell what exactly the supervisory board and its committees did from 2020 until now.

In addition, the company has published its annual reports and/or audited annual financial statements in 2017-2019, but it has not published them since.

Can Russia afford to commit to a years-long war? When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an all-out war against Ukraine, U.S. intelligence claimed that Russian forces planned to sweep Kyiv within days. More than 13 months on, Ukraines defenses still stand firm. But Ukrainians are now faced with a different threat  the Kremlin appears to Kyiv IndependentKatie Marie Davies

Suspects accused of stealing Hr 500 million from the UMCC and Odesa Portside Plant put on the wanted list. On April 10, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) placed the following people on the wanted list:

Dmytro Sennychenko, head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU) in 2019-2021.

Andriy Hmyrin, a person close to the head of the SPFU (on detectives tapes, he appears to be the leader of the criminal organization). According to Ekonomichna Pravda (EP), Hmyrin is a key person in Agrogaztrading LLC, a company that supplied gas to Odesa Portside Plant (OPZ). According to EPs 2017 investigation, Agrogaztrading was allegedly connected to former SPFU head Igor Bilous and former head of the presidential administration, Boris Lozhkin.

Mykola Parsentyev, acting CEO of OPZ in 2020-2021.

Oleksandr Horbunenko and Volodymyr Kolot, co-owners of Agrogaztrading.

Artur Somov, acting CEO of UMCC in 2020-2021.

Pavlo Prysyazhnyuk, investment banker. According to Censor.Nets sources, Prysyazhnyuk was Sennychenkos curator from the authorities.

In October 2022, investigative journalists of Ukrainska Pravda (UP) spotted Sennychenko on the French Riviera. According to UP journalists, Sennychenko may be staying in Spain now.

In SOE Weekly (Issue 80), we reported that NABU and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) said that they exposed a criminal group run by Sennychenko. See more about this case in Issue 80.

In Issue 81, we reported that the court imposed a pre-trial restraint on two defendants in this case: Sennychenkos former adviser Yuriy Lypko and former acting EO of OPZ, Mykola Synytsia.

The corporatization of Ukroboronprom has not yet begun: The government resolution is not public yet. As SOE Weekly reported in its Issue 80, the Cabinet of Ministers said that it approved the conversion of the State Concern Ukroboronprom into a joint-stock company called Ukrainian Defence Industry.

The state would own 100% of the new companys shares. The charter of Ukrainian Defense Industry and the regulations governing its supervisory board were also approved, and the companys authorised capital of He 237 million ($6.5 million) has been established through the transfer of assets from Ukroboronprom, the Cabinet had said.

At that time, the Cabinets resolution, the charter, or the board regulations that the Cabinets release referred to were not publicly available (see our Issue 81).

On April 12, 2023, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) also said that the corporatization of Ukroboronprom has not yet begun: Although Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal personally announced the transformation on March 21, the resolution has yet to be published on the governments website.

In a letter seen by NAKO, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers confirmed that the resolution on reforming Ukroboronprom was not publicly available as of April 11, as it was still being drawn up according to regulatory requirements.

Energy

Naftogaz wins a $5 billion arbitration case over Crimean assets against Russia. On April 13, Naftogaz reported that the Hagues Arbitration Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration ordered Russia to pay $5 billion to cover Naftogaz Groups losses in Crimea when Russia illegally seized them in 2014.

Naftogaz said that this refers to its assets used to develop gas fields and other strategically important infrastructure. The court found that compensation should be equal to the fair market value of these assets before expropriation.

According to Naftogaz, arbitration awards can be executed through an enforcement mechanism: If Russia refuses to pay, pursuant to the 1958 New York Convention, Naftogaz has the right to initiate the process of seizing Russias assets in other countries.

In October 2016, Naftogaz and six other companies of Naftogaz Group started arbitration against Russia based on the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments.

Naftogaz requested that Russia should be ordered to pay for seizing the companys strategic investments in Crimea.

Hearings on jurisdiction and liability were held at the Hagues Peace Palace in May 2018. In February 2019, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Naftogaz. The Tribunal confirmed its jurisdiction over the case and recognised that Russia had illegally expropriated Naftogazs investments.

The current (second) stage of the arbitration proceedings was initiated to determine the amount to be compensated for Naftogazs losses, the company reminded. In July 2022, the Hague Court of Appeal confirmed the jurisdiction of the Tribunal in this case.

Ukrtransgaz completes certification under new EU gas storage regulations. On April 7, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) made a final decision to approve Ukrtransgazs certification under new European Union (EU) rules, Naftogaz reported.

According to the release, Ukrtransgaz has become the second gas storage operator in Europe to successfully pass certification and confirm its right to store gas in accordance with the EU and the Energy Communitys updated rules.

Ukrtransgazs certification will allow using Ukrainian gas storage facilities to improve energy security in Europe, as provided for by the EU regulation on gas supply security. This includes storing the gas reserves of foreign customers or countries without their own storage, and gas jointly purchased by countries in the event of a crisis, Naftogaz explained.

The mandatory certification procedure for gas storage operators was introduced in the EU on July 1, 2022. It is meant to keep countries from being blackmailed by Russia for the use of its gas storage facilities. It is also intended to prevent a repeat of the past winters gas shortages, Naftogaz added.

In SOE Weekly (Issue 66), we reported that the Verkhovna Rada passed draft law No. 8158 on Dec. 13, 2022, which laid the groundwork for Ukrtransgazs certification as a gas storage operator compliant with EU regulations.

In Issue 73, we reported that, on Jan. 27, Ukrtransgaz stated that it was ready to be certified as a gas storage operator under European rules and filed a certification request with NEURC.

In Issue 77, we reported that NEURC made a preliminary decision to certify Ukrtransgaz as a gas storage operator under European rules.

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 3  What US intelligence leak reveals about war in Ukraine This Week in Ukraine is a video podcast hosted by the Kyiv Independents reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraines most pressing issues. Episode #3 is dedicated to the massive leak of U.S. military intelligence, and what it re Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina

Infrastructure

NABU amends suspicion for former Minister of Infrastructure, moves to extend pre-trial investigation. On April 12, former Infrastructure Minister Andriy Pyvovarsky, who was charged with abuse of power, wrote that National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detectives handed him a request to extend the pre-trial investigation until May 22, 2023.

Pyvovarsky added that while the investigation is ongoing (since 2016), he has no right to disclose the case files for public inspection.

He said the amended suspicion accused him of causing damage of $43.6 million, up from $36 million.

In SOE Weekly (Issue 76), we reported that on Feb. 22, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) served Pyvovarsky with a notice of suspicion. He is charged with abusing his powers allegedly causing more than $30 million in damage in 2015.

Pyvovarsky served as the Minister of Infrastructure in Arseniy Yatsenyuks government from December 2014 to April 2016. Volodymyr Shulmeister, who had been the First Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and chaired the Ministrys Tariff Council, was also charged in absentia.

According to NABU, in 2015, Pyvovarsky issued an order allowing private companies to charge half the harbour dues at Pivdenny seaport. The water area of this port is state property in the use of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA). Only a state enterprise has the right to charge harbour dues, NABU said.

Pyvovarsky responded that according to the law On Sea Ports of Ukraine, proceeds from tonnage tax are distributed between the user of the ports harbour (in this case, USPA) and the owner of the operational harbour (in this case, private company TIS). He argued that the Ministrys order was therefore not a crime. See SOE Weeklys Issue 76 for more detail.

In SOE Weekly (Issue 77), we reported that Pyvovarsky wrote on his Facebook page that NABU asked the court to set his bail at Hr 20 million ($547,000). Pyvovarsky emphasized that he fully disagreed with the charges and the motion to set bail.

In Issue 80, we reported that Pyvovarsky posted bail of Hr 10 million ($273,000), which the HACCs investigating judge had set for him on March 16 (see Issue 79).

In Issue 82, we reported that the HACC imposed a measure of restraint on Volodymyr Shulmeister, setting his bail at Hr 4 million ($109,000).

Privatization

Verkhovna Rada approves a mechanism for liquidating more than 1,200 non-performing SOEs. On April 11, the Verkhovna Rada passed draft law No. 8205, which sets out how to dissolve non-performing SOEs, the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU) reported.

According to the SPFU, there are more than 1,200 non-performing SOEs in Ukraine that exist only on paper and generate millions in losses for the state. Some Hr 30 million ($820,000) is needed to liquidate them.

The adopted law introduces a mechanism for specialists to be paid 3% to 5% of the revenue from the companies auctions, to avoid drawing money from the state budget. The remaining revenue would be used to pay off the debts or finance the liquidation of enterprises without assets, the SPFU explained.

The SPFU expects that the new mechanism will help it to find and sell assets of non-operating SOEs worth at least Hr 140 million ($3.8 million).
A siren blared at 7 a.m. sharp Monday, right outside of the Duquesne University Police Department.

Thats when 28 police officers and security guards officially walked off the job and onto the picket line.

They say theyll be visible on campus as long as the strike goes on.

On Sunday night, negotiations between Duquesne University and the Teamsters Union Local 249, which represents the officers and guards, failed without a new contract.

Theyve been working without a contract since October, and have had 19 meetings in the last eight months, but no progress has been made.

The union claims the university has not negotiated in good faith.

While wages are on the table, the union says it goes beyond that.

They want to take away our retirement. They wont take concessions in this day and age. They also want to take our healthcare away, so wages are not the sticking point, wages are part, said Keith Frank, union vice president.

Duquesne University released a statement in response to the negotiations at around 11 p.m. Sunday night.

Duquesne University has participated in good faith contract negotiations with the union representing our police officers and security guards since August 2022. We have appreciated their willingness to talk through offers and scenarios during that time. In addition to several tentative agreements reached with the committee that would enhance working conditions, Duquesne also recently presented an offer that included the highest guaranteed wage increases since the 2001-2006 contract. The Universitys total compensation package offered most recently to our police officers and security guards is among the most generous in higher education in our region, and includes other significant compensation and incentives. While the Union has stated an intention to strike, Duquesne remains committed to the negotiating process with commitment to reach a resolution with the union. We respect the nature of the work our officers perform and value very much their professionalism and commitment to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Duquesne University Chief of Police Eric Holmes has robust plans in place to ensure safety and help maintain normal activities on campus, said Gabriel Welsch, executive vice president of marketing and communications.

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According to the union, talks with the university will resume at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Before the strike, we spoke to Tyler Bernier, a sophomore at Duquesne, who said the strike makes him feel uneasy.

Oh, 100%. Especially with everything going on now, Bernier said. And a place like Pittsburgh? Going downtown, theres a lot of danger outside. I want that protection. Id be a little more scared, of course.

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US army soldiers stand near an armoured military vehicle on the outskirts of Rumaylan in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, bordering Turkey, on March 27, 2023. Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

US forces in the Middle East routinely trade fire with Iran-backed militias.

It's part of a years-long cycle of violence involving multiple actors who all know the limits.

Experts told Insider that the risk of escalation is low, but miscalculations can happen and have.

Another round of violence in the Middle East recently bloodied US troops, killed an American, and left local militia fighters dead. This bloodshed is part of a years-long cycle of violence in the region that has killed scores of people and tends to keep everyone involved on edge.

An American contractor was killed and several US troops were injured in late March when a suspected Iranian drone struck a base in Syria. The incident prompted the US to carry out a series of deadly strikes against Iran-backed militias, who then responded by carrying out a few more attacks against coalition bases in Syria.

Several experts told Insider that despite regular exchanges of fire like this, the risk of escalation is relatively low right now because the US and Iran know there's a limit as to how far they can go. Both sides have their own strategic interests, and neither wants to trigger an all-out confrontation. But even still, miscalculation is possible, and these deadly exchanges nearly sent the US and Iran to war just a few years ago.

"The Biden administration is very, very clear in not wanting to escalate or rock the boat," said Dareen Khalifa, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. "And the other side also doesn't want to poke the bear."

The most recent confrontation began on March 23 when a one-way explosive drone hit a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria, killing a US contractor and wounding five service members and an additional contractor. The intelligence community suspected that the drone was Iranian in origin.

In response, two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets carried out airstrikes later that evening against IRGC Quds Force facilities in Syria, killing eight Iran-backed militants. The Quds Force is a branch of the IRGC  or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  which itself is a branch of Iran's military, though it has a tendency to work closely with regional militias.

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Iran-backed militias then retaliated against the strikes by carrying out more attacks the next day against coalition bases in Syria, called the Green Village and Mission Support Site Conoco, wounding several more US troops.

US soldiers take part in an unmanned aerial system exercise at Erbil Air Base in Iraq on April 24, 2020. US Army/Spc. Angel Ruszkiewicz

"We do not seek conflict with Iran, we don't seek escalation with Iran," Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a March 24 briefing. When asked if Iran was responsible for killing the American contractor, he said that because Tehran backs the militant groups, it "has a responsibility to ensure that they are not contributing to insecurity and instability, but clearly they continue to do that."

Attacking the US is 'low-hanging fruit'

The deadly exchanges between the US and Iran-backed militias in late March are nothing new, and sparks of violence between sides are a regular thing that's been happening for years. Since January 21, 2021, when President Joe Biden took office, Tehran's proxies have carried out 83 attacks against US service members in Iraq and Syria, a US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson told Insider this month. "We hold Iran accountable for these attacks," they said.

"In response to a pattern of Iranian and Iran-backed attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria and the continuing threat of future such attacks, the United States has taken, and as necessary, will continue to take military action against the IRGC and its affiliates," Ryder, the Pentagon spokesperson, said on March 30.

The years-long pattern of violence features trends and upticks that span presidential administrations, and sometimes works in a cyclical way. It also involves a shadowy conflict between Israel, a key US ally, and its regional foe Iran.

US troops patrol the countryside of the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province, April 20, 2022. DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Russia, which is currently waging war in Ukraine, controls much of the airspace above Syria. There, it allows neighboring Israel to carry out strikes against Iran-backed assets and target weapons shipments bound for Tehran's proxy groups like Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon. Lacking the capabilities to attack Israel and in an attempt to avoid major escalation, Iran-backed fighters respond by targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria instead.

"The trend has been very clear," said Alex Vatanka, the director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute. "As soon as the Iranian special forces and their proxies showed up in Syria, the Israelis started hitting them. And the Israelis made all sorts of deals to hit the Iranians and get away with it."

Khalifa, the International Crisis Group analyst who works on security and governance in Syria, said it's often the case that when there's an uptick in Israeli attacks against Iranian assets in Syria, for example, this leads to an uptick in Iranian attacks on US positions in the country. She referred to the strategy to attack the US as chasing "low-hanging fruit."

Israel carried out several strikes against positions in Syria last month, including a March 22 airstrike near an airport in Aleppo. The next day, Iran-backed militias attacked US forces near Hasakah, killing the American contractor.

Vehicles drive along al-Firdous square in Baghdad on March 9, 2023 with a prominent billboard showing the slain head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s "Quds Force" Qasem Soleimani (2nd-R) and the Iraqi Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (2nd-L) with a figure wearing green and others looking towards the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem. Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

"Iran always feels that it's easier to retaliate against the US than it is against Israel," said Ali Vaez, the Crisis Group's Iran project director. Retaliation against Israel, he said, "is not something that they are capable of doing, and the US is much more exposed in Iraq and Syria."

'Systematically contained violence'

The complex series of relationships is not the only motivating factor for Iran.

Iran-backed engagements with US forces in Iraq and Syria are also motivated by a desire to inflict discomfort on the small American presence in both countries. From a strategic standpoint on the Iranian side, they see the attacks as a way to signal to the US that they can be a destabilizing force and make life difficult for Washington's troops, Khalifa said.

These tit-for-tat exchanges between the US and Iran have existed for decades, Vatanka said. Both he and Vaez noted that it's a clear Iranian policy to try and gradually push US forces out of the region  a desire of Tehran's that only deepened after the 2020 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, who was the Quds Force commander.

"Iranians understand that getting the US out of Iraq and Syria is a relatively low bar and pretty significant achievement for them," Vaez said.

But there's a limit as to how far each side is willing to go when they confront each other, because nobody wants to get entangled in a full-scale war. Khalifa said that what's happening in Syria, for example, has been "systematically contained" because it's clear to all parties how much they can get away with and generally where the red lines are.

Iranian women walk next to Zolfaghar-Basir and Dezful (R) missiles displayed at Mosallah mosque on the occasion of second anniversary of an Iran missile attack at a US military base in Iraq following the assassination of a former top Iranian commander, in Tehran, on January 7, 2022. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images

Both Iran and the US are "much more aware of their limitations" and lack any "desire to sort of go out for a head-on confrontation," Vatanka said. War would be catastrophic for Iran, and it would be a major distraction for the US as it deals with major powers like China and Russia. "And that's why you have the cautious approach and sort of willingness to sometimes meet each other halfway, or certainly stay away from all-out shooting war, because neither side sees that to be their interests," he noted.

Vatanka said that while heated engagements between the US and Iran-backed militias might see escalation every now and then, unless there's a "political change of heart" in Washington or in Tehran to "take the gloves off, and I don't see any signs of that, then this is more or less what we've seen for years now" in Syria and Iraq.

Although the likelihood of an all-out war between Washington and Tehran seems relatively low at the moment, the exchange of rockets and airstrikes still comes with a risk of grave miscalculation.

Tensions skyrocketed after Soleimani's assassination  which followed a deadly exchange between US and Iran-backed forces  and nearly sent Washington and Tehran to war as the latter lobbed ballistic missiles at US positions in Iraq, injuring dozens of American service members and heated rhetoric intensified. Cooler heads, however, ultimately prevailed, de-escalating the situation.

"Things could go wrong," Khalifa. "At least on the Iranian side, it's not the most precise of strikes. There is room for miscalculation, and there is room for things going off plan." Still, she said, it's quite unlikely that either party would escalate to the point that ignites a full-blown conflict.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump's senior lawyer Evan Corcoran has reportedly recused himself from the ongoing investigation into the former president's alleged mishandling of classified documents found in his Mar-a-Lago residence, per sources.

However, according to a report from The Washington Post, sources reveal that Evan Corcoran is still representing Donald Trump in other legal proceedings, including special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

When courts concluded that Evan Corcoran could not use the attorney-client privilege to withhold information about his interactions with Donald Trump, prosecutors looked into the ex-POTUS taking secret papers to his Mar-a-Lago home after leaving office won a legal battle that permitted them to examine Donald Trump's senior lawyer.

When there is proof that a client utilized the attorney's legal services to promote a crime, prosecutors identified an exception to the rule that attorneys must keep secret what their clients tell them.

DOJ To Focus on Possible Donald Trump Obstruction

The US Department of Justice is concentrating more on potential obstruction by Trump's classified documents probe of the materials seized at his Mar-a-Lago residence and if he took actions to thwart government attempts to obtain all the sensitive data or gave orders to others to do so.

A subpoena issued in May demanding that Donald Trump and his legal team turn over all materials marked with a classified designation was not complied with.

Last week, Smith's team obtained fresh information suggesting possible obstruction by Donald Trump. Smith is now attempting to decide if there is sufficient proof to urge a grand jury to indict him for obstruction of justice.

After being compelled by special counsel Jack Smith's office to testify before the grand jury without the protection of attorney-client privilege and after prosecutors charged Trump with using his lawyer to further a crime, Corcoran's departure was first reported by The Washington Post, was an expected development.

Read Also: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Faced Smoke Bomb Attack

After testifying, Corcoran might continue defending Trump in the document lawsuit.

It is unclear how useful the information gave the grand jury will be to the prosecution. Evan Corcoran provided materials and gave two grand jury depositions.

Donald Trump's Legal Team Dismisses Report

The defense counsel for Evan Corcoran chose not to respond. On Saturday, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Donald Trump campaign, said that the "unnamed sources" do not have any knowledge of the real situation and are promoting "disinformation," CNN reported.

The prosecution wanted to question Evan Corcoran about his direct interactions with Donald Trump concerning a May 2022 subpoena for all Trump classified documents, the subsequent hunt for classified records, and the conversations they had after the Trump Organization received a separate subpoena for surveillance footage of the club, per Kake.

The allegations that Donald Trump purposely handled sensitive materials improperly during and after his administration are at the core of the Trump classified documents inquiry. The Republican leader's storage of sensitive papers at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and concealment of those records from federal agents are among the conduct that prosecutors are looking at.

Donald Trump may face charges of obstructing the administration of justice, according to the Justice Department.

Related Article: Montana Bans TikTok

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Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William Gross were last seen on April 4 near Mazatlan, Mexico. US Coast Guard/ Screenshot

Three Americans sailing from Mexico to California were last seen on April 4, the US Coast Guard said.

Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, and William Gross were sailing from Mexico to California.

They were scheduled to stop for provisions in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 but never arrived.

Officials are searching for three American sailors who disappeared off the coast of Mexico earlier this month.

The sailors, Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, and William Gross were aboard a vessel named "Ocean Bound"  a 44-foot sailboat, according to a statement from the US Coast Guard. The three Americans had departed from Mazatlan in Mexico, intending to sail to San Diego, California.

The US Coast Guard said the group was expected to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6, but there is "no record" of their arrival.

"Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, with negative sightings of the vessel," the statement said. "Urgent marine information broadcasts have been issued over VHF radio requesting all mariners to keep a lookout for the missing persons and vessel."

The US Coast Guard asked the public to call 510-437-3701 with any information related to the missing sailors.

According to the statement, the US Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy are working together to track down the trio.

Their disappearance comes a month after gunmen kidnapped four Americans who had crossed the Texas border into Matamoros, Mexico.

Family members said they had traveled to the area for a cosmetic procedure. Gunmen killed two of them but released the others. The survivors opened up about their experience in an interview with CNN last week, saying that their captors put guns to their heads during the ordeal.

Read the original article on Insider
A Texas Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that public health advocates in the state have identified as one of the most worrisome anti-vaccine bills being considered during this legislative session.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1024, would significantly curb the ability of the state health department, school districts, cities and counties to require or promote vaccines of any kind. Although the bill specifically focuses on the COVID-19 vaccine, the bill also contains provisions that could affect future vaccines that dont exist yet.

This is a very, very bad bill, said Dr. Jason Terk, a Keller pediatrician and chair of the Texas Public Health Coalition.

Rekha Lakshmanan, the director of policy at the Immunization Partnership, said: It was a bad bill in its original form, and it continues to be a bad bill in its substitute form.

The bill was written by Brenham Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who is chair of the Senates Health and Human Services Committee. The proposed legislation is considered an omnibus vaccine and public health bill, and codifies many of the executive orders Gov. Greg Abbott imposed during the pandemic, like prohibitions on cities or school districts establishing mask mandates. But it also gives legislators the power to decide whether to add or remove vaccines from the list of those required to attend school in Texas.

In a statement, Kolkhorst said she filed the bill to continue the conversation in the aftermath of COVID-related vaccine policies that many Texans felt were onerous and overreaching. She added that a colleague said the bill threaded the needle of finding a balance between public health powers and our personal medical decisions.

During testimony on this bill and other vaccine proposals considered by legislators, lawmakers either promoted misinformation themselves or invited witness who spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine experts said.

The bill is part of a larger trend in states across the U.S., in which lawmakers are trying to restrict the authority of administrative agencies like state and local health departments, said Erica White, a research scholar at Arizona State University and a senior attorney at the Network for Public Health Law.

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States are trying to claw back the ability of agencies to be independent and to make their own policy decisions like they normally would, White said.

What Senate Bill 1024 would mean for vaccine policy in Texas

Perhaps the most notable change the bill would enact would be how vaccines are added or removed to the list of vaccinations required to attend school in Texas. That includes standard shots like the vaccines to protect against polio and measles, mumps and rubella.

During testimony, Kolkhorst noted that a recent addition to vaccine requirements was passed in 2009 by lawmakers who directed the Department of State Health Services to require meningitis vaccinations for students attending college in Texas and living on campus. The law was later updated to require meningitis vaccines for all college students, regardless of where they live.

It was an action of the legislature so this is not unprecedented, Kolkhorst said during the March 22 hearing on the bill.

But other changes to vaccine requirements have been instituted by the Department of State Health Services without a vote by lawmakers. The most recent change made to state requirements was an update to make the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine required for all grades from kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2016-2017 school year, according to a spokesman for the state health department. (Previously, those changes had been rolling out year by year.)

And vaccine advocates say completely giving that authority to lawmakers would leave public health decisions to legislators with no background in vaccines or preventive health care.

Youre shifting the primary decision-making authority away from the health care professionals and the public health experts when it comes to setting future immunization requirements, Lakshmanan, an advocate in Texas, said. And youre putting that in the hands of the legislature and policy makers, which is troubling and shortsighted.

In Texas, children who attend school dont have to get vaccinated if they have a medical or conscientious exemption to vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine is not required to attend school in Texas. Kolkhorsts bill explicitly prohibits the COVID vaccine from being added to school vaccine requirements.

Testimony in the State Capitol

Vaccine experts also said the testimony in support of the bill was alarming because of the medical misinformation that was repeated in support of it.

During testimony on March 22, Dr. Robert Malone, a medical doctor licensed to practice in Maryland, was featured as an invited witness, and lawmakers deferred to him an expert on COVID vaccines and other immunization policies.

Malone says he invented mRNA vaccines in his work decades ago. (A co-author of one of Malones papers on RNA told the New York Times that was a totally false claim.) He became prominent during the pandemic, and has appeared on radio and televisions shows, at rallies, and in statehouses campaigning against COVID-19 vaccines.

In a statement, Kolkhorst said Malone was given priority as a witness due to his national prominence and travel schedule, which is commonly given to similarly credentialed witnesses.

In 2021, Malone appeared on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast during which he said people in the U.S. are trapped in mass formation psychosis, in which anyone who questions the narrative on COVID-19 is attacked. During the episode, he said the situation in the United States was comparable to that of Nazi Germany in the 1920s. More than 200 health workers signed an open letter criticizing Malones statements as promoting false and societally harmful assertions.

On his website, Malone prominently features the endorsement of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been spreading incorrect information about vaccines since 2005. Kennedy, the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, first began promoting the widely-discredited idea that childhood vaccines can cause autism, a notion that has been repeatedly proven false. Kennedy was identified as one of the Disinformation Dozen by a research group identifying the top 12 purveyors of false information about COVID-19 vaccines online.

Kennedy praised Malone as the most important prophet for medical freedom, public health, and civil rights, according to Malones website.

Malone did not respond to emails requesting comment. A Star-Telegram reporter called a phone number listed on his website, but did not receive a return call. On his blog, Malone wrote that he was asked to testify by Rebecca Hardy, the policy director of the Keller group Texans for Vaccine Choice, which frequently testifies in Austin.

One active Texas physician testified in support of the bill, and a second physician registered in support as well, according to the minutes from the March 22 hearing. (Malone is licensed to practice in Maryland.) Other people who testified in support include Dr. Richard Fleming, a cardiologist whose Texas medical license expired in 2005, according to the Texas Medical Board. (In 2009, Fleming pleaded guilty to felony charges of health care and mail fraud in Nebraska. Fleming later told the Food and Drug Administration that he was innocent.) One man  Bryan Ardis  identified himself as a doctor who works in Plano, although the Texas Medical Board shows that no one with that name is a licensed doctor in Texas.

Anti-vaccine legislators and their supporters alike testified that the COVID-19 vaccine was poorly researched and that it caused injury and even deaths to people who received the shot or shots. But researchers who study COVID-19 vaccines say the opposite is true: Because so many people around the world have been vaccinated against COVID-19, its actually one of the most researched vaccines in use today.

I dont think any vaccine in the world has been scrutinized as carefully for safety as the COVID vaccines, said Dr. Kawsar Talaat, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Talaat is also the co-director of clinical research at the schools Institute for Vaccine Safety.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said there is no doubt that COVID vaccine is now one of the best studied vaccines we use globally around the world.

As with all vaccines, drugs, and medical treatments, nothing is completely free of risk, Schaffner noted. Even drugs as common as ibuprofen can cause injury to certain people.

But in general, the risk from COVID-19 vaccines are rare, adverse events, he said.

Although the bill has passed out of committee, that doesnt necessarily mean it will become law. Senate Bill 1024 will be would have to be approved by the entire Senate twice before it can be referred to the Texas House.
The bedroom inside the BioHome3D looked like any typical bedroom. Brittany Chang/Insider

In November, the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center 3D-printed a bio-based tiny home.

The modular and prefab one-bedroom house was printed using recyclable pellets.

I toured the unit and was surprised to see it looked like any traditionally built home.

One overcast April afternoon, I traveled from New York to Bangor, Maine to visit one of the quiet college city's newest tiny homes, the BioHome3D.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Hoping on a nearly two-hour flight just to tour a 600-square-foot home may be unreasonable, but this isn't any typical unit.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The home was created by the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC).

Brittany Chang/Insider

And its floor, ceiling, and walls were 3D-printed using durable bio-based recyclable materials.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Much to my surprise, this sustainable home didn't look like a futuristic attempt at housing.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it was cozy, traditional, and a sign that a shift towards 3D printed homebuilding doesn't have to clash with our understanding of what houses should look like.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The last complete 3D-printed home I stayed in was Icon's 2,000-square-foot luxury home, House Zero.

Icon's over 2,000-square-foot House Zero in Austin. Brittany Chang/Insider

When I visited in early 2022, I was astounded by what a 3D printer could accomplish.

Icon's over 2,000-square-foot House Zero in Austin. Brittany Chang/Insider

The home's curved walls  with a layered look and a trendy concrete aesthetic  were one of the most unique architectural features I had ever seen.

Icon's over 2,000-square-foot House Zero in Austin. Brittany Chang/Insider

And it set the bar high for future 3D-printed home viewings. Luckily, the University of Maine's new tiny home didn't let me down.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It was no House Zero: The BioHome3D doesn't serve as a designer show home.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it's a prototype for ASCC, a project that allowed the center to test its proprietary printing material, the printer, and printing techniques.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The home was unveiled in November 2022.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the sensor-lined unit is still undergoing testing to see what should be changed in future printing projects.

Brittany Chang/Insider

As is the printing material: ASCC is now testing the material's ability to be recycled five times over.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Environmentally conscious alternatives don't always have the best reputation for durability (I'm thinking of paper straws that disintegrate before you start drinking).

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Brittany Chang/Insider

But so far, this project has been a success. The home successfully survived Maine's snowy, rainy, frigid, and windy winters.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike House Zero, it isn't lined with concrete walls.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it was printed using pellets made of wood waste and a plastic binder, creating a fully recyclable printing material and subsequently, home.

Brittany Chang/Insider

When a spokesperson for ASCC showed me the pellets, they looked akin to bird food.

Brittany Chang/Insider

ASCC's printer  the world's largest polymer printer  then uses these pellets as ink, creating what could be one of the most environmentally friendly homes I've ever been in.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"Our number one priority is to alleviate the societal problems [like housing and sustainable construction] we are facing right now," Habib Dagher, the founding executive director of the center and principal investigator of this project, told me when I visited.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"There's an opportunity here to harness these biomaterials and help solve these problems," he said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

When I picture a 600-square-foot abode, I think of a "large" New York City apartment.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But when I first walked into BioHome3D, the tiny home felt larger than I expected.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The home had three separate rooms: a bathroom, bedroom, and open-concept living room and kitchen. All three rooms had plenty of windows, opening up the interior.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The bedroom felt surprisingly spacious.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There was plenty of room to maneuver around the bed, storage (including built-in closets), and a desk under the air conditioning unit.

Brittany Chang/Insider

With the right furniture, it looked like a typical trendy California bedroom complete with art on the walls and a faux plant on the dresser.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The walls were also printed at an angle, creating a slanted pattern that curved seamlessly into the ceiling.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It was the first time I had ever seen a 3D-printed ceiling in person. Most companies only print the walls on-site.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But ASCC printed the walls, ceiling, and floor inside its manufacturing site just a stone's throw from this home.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And it was all built in a modular prefab style.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead of printing and moving a full home, ASCC printed four insulated and pre-wired 200-square-foot modules.

Brittany Chang/Insider

These modules were then transported to the final site on a flatbed truck and installed onto a concrete foundation, a half-day task.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And after an electrician connected the home in two hours, the BioHome3D was ready to go in under a day.

Brittany Chang/Insider

However, it's not connected to plumbing, the center told Insider in January.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Looking at the home, it's nearly impossible to tell that it was built in four modules. All of the rooms flowed seamlessly together.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And besides the walls that curved into the ceiling and the unique layered texture, this bedroom looked like any typical room.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Onto the next room. The bathroom had all of the typical amenities finished with modern matte black detailing reminiscent of the farmhouse aesthetic.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The living room and kitchen across the way were similarly finished.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The stainless steel appliances, clean white cabinets with black matte finishes, and open shelves made for a kitchen that looked like ones I've seen inside traditionally built homes.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the attached breakfast bar added some much-needed counter space.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The dining table, TV, and leisure seating area were across from the kitchen and comfortably spaced apart from the rest of the room.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Like the bedroom, the biggest focal point of this space was the large wall that curved into the ceiling.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But unlike the previous room, this layered wall looked more parallel, the result of a different printing technique.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Besides the unique wall, the living room looked average and livable.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Overall, the home wasn't trying to be excessively flashy.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it looked like any typical appropriately furnished home. Nothing was ostentatious.

Brittany Chang/Insider

While it wasn't as showy as Icon's House Zero (there was no designer soap in the BioHome 3D), the University of Maine's ASCC has proved that 3D-printed homes can be just as livable as a traditionally built home.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The texture of the layered walls, the primary indication of the construction tech, was subtle while still being visually enticing.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Unlike other 3D-printed homes with cold concrete walls, the walls and ceiling of this tiny home were a familiar warm wood-toned brown.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It looked more like a stack of ropes. And with help from the natural light, these brown walls didn't feel suffocating and stuffy.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"[It's not] just the engineering of the home but the livability aspects," Dagher said, adding that visitors have "loved" features like the curve of the walls.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"Those kinds of livability and ergonomic aspects of the house are very interesting to us and we now have the tools to do it cost-effectively," he said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The walls weren't perfectly smoothed  I still noticed a few bumps. But it wasn't a cause of concern for me.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This is ASCC's first home, after all. And it won't be its last.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Next year, it'll break ground on an extension of its current manufacturing site.

Brittany Chang/Insider

When complete, its first project will be a planet-friendly neighborhood of nine homes.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And if these future homes look anything like this BioHome3D, future residents can expect a traditional home with a unique backstory and a promising future.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
1:13 p.m. Update:

Volusia County Sheriffs Office said the threat was a hoax after K-9 teams made a sweep of the church.

Officials said detectives would be following up on this incident.

Original report:

Volusia County Sheriffs Office said people should avoid this DeLand area for an active investigation after a bomb threat Sunday.

Deputies are currently investigating the threat at the Lifepoint Church in the 1700 block of West New York Avenue in DeLand.

The church was evacuated after the threat was reported at 10:42 a.m.

The sheriffs office said no other information about the incident was given at this time, but it would provide updates as they become available.

See a map of the scene below:

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Yevgeny Prigozhin. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

The Wagner Group leader criticized Russia's "deep state" in an essay published Friday.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said a Ukraine counter-offensive is likely to succeed as Russia is in "crisis."

But he urged Russians to keep fighting and ignore the elites who want to cut losses, per Sky News.

The Wagner Group's leader warned that Ukraine's planned counter-offensive is likely to succeed after criticizing the "deep state" of Russia in a lengthy essay published on Friday.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian paramilitary unit, said that the country was in a state of "crisis," according to Sky News. Prigozhin also criticized Russian state elites, who, he said, "operate independently of the political leadership of the state and have close ties and their own agenda."

Prigozhin wrote that Ukraine would launch a counteroffensive and would likely break through Russian defenses as the country's military operations have been weakened by the "decadent elite," according to the Telegraph.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, warned that some coverage of Prigozhin's essay has been "miscontextualized," and that much of the nuance in his "idiosyncratic rhetorical and writing style" is lost when translating Russian to English.

Prigozhin, who has been a highly visible figure throughout the course of the Ukraine war, "called on Russia to commit to a decisive fight that will either defeat Ukraine or result in a temporary Russian defeat that will catalyze Russia's nationalist rebirth and set conditions for future victory," the ISW said.

Prigozhin has urged Russians to keep fighting, warning them to ignore elites who want Russia to cut losses in the war, per Sky News.

"If Russia gets to the bottom, then it will push off from there," Prigozhin wrote, adding that it would then "float back up like a huge sea monster, demolishing everything in its path, including the plans of the United States," per the Daily Beast.

A mural depicting mercenaries of Russia's Wagner Group. AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic

Sergey Radchenko, a historian and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, called the letter "delirious and self-contradictory" but "nevertheless very interesting" on Twitter.

Story continues

Prigozhin "calls on Putin to do away with half-measures and ends with a hope for a massive Ukrainian counteroffensive to bring about the final showdown," Radchenko said.

The Wagner Group, which has lost more than 30,000 soldiers in Ukraine, works more closely with the Russian military than Prigozhin portrays, Insider previously reported. The group has been forced to start drawing from its elite fighters due to the "massive losses" it's suffered.

As the fighting rages on, Ukraine's leaders have hinted at their plans for a counter-offensive  although it is not clear exactly when the attack will take place.

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's prime minister, said on Friday that the counter-offensive attack would start in the "near future," per the Telegraph.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Police in Tennessee are investigating a claim from a Walgreens employee that he shot a pregnant woman who is alleged to have been a shoplifter.

In a press release , the Nashville Police Department says that a Walgreens team leader shot a pregnant woman in the parking lot outside the store just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

"The wounded suspected shoplifter, Travonsha Ferguson, 24, is in critical but stable condition at a local hospital," the press release stated.

"Ferguson was seven months pregnant. An emergency C-Section was performed. The child, who was not injured by the gunfire, is also in critical but stable condition."

NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTING SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS HATE CRIME, HAWLEY SAYS

Police say that 21-year-old Mitarius Boyd was told by another employee that two females were stealing merchandise from the store and he then saw the women putting items into a large bag.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Boyd then allegedly followed the women as they left the store without paying for the merchandise and he approached them as they began putting the items in the trunk of car.

ARIZONA MAN ASSAULTS STEPFATHER, WHO FATALLY SHOOTS BACK IN SELF-DEFENSE: SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Skyline view from drone of downtown Nashville, Tennessee

At that point, Boyd claims that one of the women pulled out a can of mace and began spraying him which resulted in him pulling out a semi-automatic pistol and opening fire.

Nashville Police say that Boyd was fearful one of the women was armed and they fled in their car before he went back in the store and called 911.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The woman accompanying Ferguson drove her to a hospital and dropped her off. Police say Ferguson suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.

"Boyd cooperated with detectives," the press release said. "His gun was seized and detectives are in possession of his cell phone. At the completion of the investigation, detectives will staff their findings with the District Attorneys Office for a determination as to whether Boyd will face charges."

A spokesperson for Walgreens told Fox News Digital that Boyd is no longer employed with the company.

"The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated at our stores. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities," the spokesperson said.
A woman who was seven months pregnant was shot by a Walgreens employee in Nashville, Tennessee, this week after he suspected she had stolen cosmetics from the store's pharmacy, police said. Now, she and her newborn baby remain hospitalized after undergoing an emergency C-section.

A Walgreens team leader shot 24-year-old Travonsha Ferguson in the store's parking lot on Wednesday evening after he followed her out of the store when he was tipped off to the alleged shoplifting, Nashville police said in a news statement.

Mitarius Boyd, 21, claims he fired his semi-automatic in self-defense because he said "he was in fear" and didn't know if Ferguson and another woman she was with were armed, police said.

Another employee told Boyd two women were allegedly shoplifting cosmetics from the store, police said. He began recording the women on his cell phone as they placed items in a shopping cart and a large shoulder bag, police said, and he later followed the women to the car in the parking lot as they began to place items into the car's trunk.

As he approached the rear of the car, one of the women pulled out a can of mace and sprayed as Boyd started shooting, according to police.

The other woman took Ferguson, who had multiple gunshot wounds, to the hospital, and then disappeared, police said.

An emergency C-section was performed on the victim, police said, and her baby was not injured by the gunfire. At last report Thursday, both Ferguson and the baby were hospitalized in critical condition, police said.

The Nashville District Attorney will determine whether Boyd will face charges.

Boyd is "no longer employed at Walgreens," the company said in a statement Sunday.

"The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated at our stores," Walgreens said. "We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities."

Story continues

In October 2022, Boyd was charged with disorderly conduct for refusing to leave a Best Buy store after a dispute over a Play Station 5, according to court records. Employees told Boyd the Play Station 5 wasn't in stock, but he refused to leave, court records said. The charge was later dismissed, according to records.

Ferguson has faced past assault, vandalism and trespassing charges, per court records.

Nashville police said Boyd was cooperating with the investigation.

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The incident occurred at a Walgreens store. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A Walgreens employee who shot a suspected shoplifter Wednesday said he acted in self-defense.

Mitarius Boyd, 21, shot Travonsha Ferguson in the store's parking lot after being sprayed with mace.

Boyd said he followed Ferguson and another woman after they allegedly left the store without paying.

A Walgreens employee in East Nashville, Tennessee, said he shot a pregnant woman suspected of shoplifting in self-defense after following her to the parking lot.

Team leader Mitarius Boyd, 21, told police officers that another employee informed him about two women suspected of shoplifting on Wednesday night, according to a police statement.

Boyd said he saw them placing items into a cart and into an over-the-shoulder bag. As he saw the pair leaving the store without paying, he told police he followed them to their car.

As he made his way to the rear side of the vehicle while the women put bags in the trunk, one sprayed him with a can of mace, per the police statement.

Boyd said he then took his semi-automatic pistol and began shooting, saying he was fearful and didn't know if the women were armed. He shot 24-year-old Travonsha Ferguson, who was seven months pregnant.

The women fled in their car and the Walgreens employee went back into the store and called 911. Ferguson was taken by her companion to hospital and was in a critical but stable condition.

Police said doctors had to perform an emergency C-Section and the child, who was uninjured by the gunfire, was also in critical but stable condition.

Police said Boyd was cooperating with the investigation and his gun and cell phone were seized. The District Attorney's Office will determine whether he will face charges.

"The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated at our stores. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities," a Walgreens representative told Insider.

The Nashville DA's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In the end, common sense prevailed.

The school board in the San Luis Obispo County community of Paso Robles  an area well-known for its burgeoning wine industry  approved the purchase of an advanced placement chemistry textbook on a 3-2 vote. That was in spite of opposition from a handful of parents who were upset because the book briefly mentioned the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals.

Just so were clear, the UN isnt espousing radical goals like open borders or an immediate ban on fossil fuels.

Nope, its talking clean air and water, an end to hunger and poverty, quality education for all, gender equality, health care, decent work and economic growth  attributes many developed nations already enjoy but poorer nations do not.

Yet parents felt that had no place in science textbooks.

... Why is it so important or necessary to adopt a curriculum that pushes the United Nations proposed agenda on the children of America? one parent asked the board at its March 14 meeting. We are not governed by the UN, nor did you take an (oath of) allegiance to the UN.

For the Paso school board to approve the textbook over such objections was both a watershed moment and a victory.

November election put moderates in control

A year ago, the book may indeed have been rejected. Conservatives were in full control of the seven-member school board then, and skirmishes in the culture wars were regular occurrences.

The board debated COVID-19 restrictions, critical race theory and LGBTQ+ rights. At one point, it even adopted a resolution opposing any government effort to compel the use of non-gendered language  even though no such effort was on the horizon.

That all changed in November, when voters ousted two far-right candidates, putting moderates in the majority.

The narrow, 3-2 vote on the textbook  only five members were present because theres one vacancy on the board and one member was absent  was a sign that the balance of power has shifted, but the culture war isnt over.

Story continues

Parental control

The dust-up over the chemistry textbook wasnt just about the United Nations; it also involved parental control, which has become a rallying cry for conservative parents across the nation.

The two board members who voted against the adoption said they had not been given adequate time to consider and respond to the objections raised by parents.

Superintendent Curt Dubost said hell ask his staff to revise the textbook approval process to ensure board members have time to review parents comments before making their final decision.

Thats wise. Of course parents should have the opportunity to weigh in and board members should be given ample time to thoughtfully reflect on their comments.

But that doesnt mean the board has to cater to a small-but-vocal minority of parents who scrutinize everything in an effort to ferret out any sign of wokeness.

After all, the vast majority of parents isnt second-guessing every decision made by educators.

That doesnt mean they dont care. It means they trust teachers.

Science doesnt exist in a vacuum

In this case, that trust is well-founded.

The textbook in question  Chemistry: The Central Science AP Edition, (Brown), Pearson, 2020  is not out to indoctrinate students. It mentions UN goals only briefly, in relationship to scientific study.

Keep in mind, too, that this textbook is not targeted at young children; this is a college-level advanced placement course for high-achieving students, typically taken by juniors and seniors  students who will likely be attending college in one or two years.

This is not about a textbook.

Its about extremist parents intent on pushing their far-right views on an entire school district.

Its not the book thats too political; its the parents who believe they know best, and for that reason, should be able to dictate what every child is allowed to learn.

Thats censorship, plain and simple, and it has no place in any California classroom.
Thousands of Christians flocked to Jerusalem's Old City and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday to commemorate the Orthodox Easter ceremonial of the "Holy Fire," an old, enigmatic tradition that has caused security difficulties with the police and authorities.

A flame that was miraculously ignited in the center of the grave of Jesus Christ is used to light the candles of devoted Christians in Greek Orthodox communities all over the world during the yearly Orthodox Easter event, which has been going on for more than a century.

After hours of anxious expectation, a priest lit his light inside the shadowy tomb on Saturday, Apr. 15 - bit by bit, the gloomy cathedral was irradiated by bright patches that gradually lit up the whole structure as one neighbor transmitted the light to the next, according to The Times of Israel.

As the bells chimed, the multilingual worshipers chanted, "Christ is risen!"

Enthusiasm was palpable among the crowds of people flocking to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by Christians to be the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The cathedral, which can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers, was already filled, with many more spilling over into the nearby alleys of the Old City.

However, church leaders were informed for the second year in a row that entry would be severely limited due to safety concerns, according to the BBC.

Police Say They Are Just Doing Their Job

According to Master Sergeant Dean Elsdunne, a police spokesperson, external engineers have informed them about the maximum crowd capacity allowed inside the church. As a result, the police are limiting the number of people in attendance. Churches contest the assertion that Orthodox Easter restrictions were required.

Only 1,800 individuals are allowed to participate in the ceremony in Israel, which is often an experience of being crammed into multilingual, suffocating throngs.

      " ".       ,          -3540     @Adamfaraj14 pic.twitter.com/d1K2fjpy9U   (@GLZRadio) April 15, 2023

Read Also: Bud Light Ends Social Media Silence Amid Backlash

Hundreds of people died there in a stampede in 1834. At the Jewish holy site of Mount Meron, 45 people were crushed and died two years ago. Authorities declare that they are committed to avoiding a repetition of the disaster.

Israeli police allegedly set up checkpoints at the entrance and through the walled Old City on Saturday, making it impossible for thousands of people to get to the church. The churches claim that the limitations are part of ongoing efforts to drive away the local Christian population.

Palestinian Christians Denounce Discrimination

The Orthodox Easter restrictions, according to many Palestinian Christians, are evidence of prejudice towards them.

Ahmad Tibi, an Arab-Israeli member of parliament, points out that the "occupation" affects both Muslims and Christians in East Jerusalem, The Guardian reported. The politician calls for more significant efforts to end the restrictions, violations, and police violence.

In contrast, police representative Dean Elsdunne emphasizes that their top priority is human life, and while they want more people to attend, they must limit the crowds to ensure safety.

The celebration this year also takes place in the wake of violent assaults and riots that occurred in Israel, East Jerusalem, and the occupied West Bank, as well as continuous demonstrations against a contentious government judicial reform.

Hundreds of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv late Saturday to resume protests against the measures that were temporarily paused by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 27 to allow for ongoing dialogue.

Related Article: Putin Signs New Restrictive Military Draft System

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In the end, common sense prevailed.

The Paso Robles school board approved the purchase of an advanced placement chemistry textbook on a 3-2 vote last month  despite opposition from a handful of parents who were upset because the book briefly mentioned the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals.

Just so were clear, the UN isnt espousing radical goals like open borders or an immediate ban on fossil fuels.

Nope, its talking clean air and water, an end to hunger and poverty, quality education for all, gender equality, health care, decent work and economic growth  attributes many developed nations already enjoy but poorer nations do not.

Yet parents felt that had no place in science textbooks.

... Why is it so important or necessary to adopt a curriculum that pushes the United Nations proposed agenda on the children of America? one parent asked the board at its March 14 meeting. We are not governed by the UN, nor did you take an (oath of) allegiance to the UN.

For the Paso school board to approve the textbook over such objections was both a watershed moment and a victory.

November election put moderates in control

A year ago, the book may indeed have been rejected. Conservatives were in full control of the seven-member school board then, and skirmishes in the culture wars were regular occurrences.

The board debated COVID-19 restrictions, critical race theory and LGBTQ+ rights. At one point, it even adopted a resolution opposing any government effort to compel the use of non-gendered language  even though no such effort was on the horizon.

That all changed in November, when voters ousted two far-right candidates, putting moderates in the majority.

The narrow, 3-2 vote on the textbook  only five members were present because theres one vacancy on the board and one member was absent  was a sign that the balance of power has shifted, but the culture war isnt over.

That power struggle also is apparent in the current campaign to fill the vacancy on the board, which will be decided in Tuesdays special election.

Story continues

It pits Kenney Enney  a far-right conservative supported by the county Republican Party  against Angela Hollander. Shes a moderate who has the backing of middle-of-the-road community leaders like former school district trustee Dee Lacy, former county Supervisor Frank Mecham and retired county Superintendent of Schools Julian Crocker.







Parental control

The dust-up over the chemistry textbook wasnt just about the United Nations; it also involved parental control.

The two board members who voted against the adoption  Dorian Baker and Laurene D. McCoy  said they had not been given adequate time to consider and respond to the objections raised by parents.

Superintendent Curt Dubost said hell ask his staff to revise the textbook approval process to ensure board members have time to review parents comments before making their final decision.

Thats wise. Of course parents should have the opportunity to weigh in and board members should be given ample time to thoughtfully reflect on their comments.

But that doesnt mean the board has to cater to a small-but-vocal minority of parents who scrutinize everything in an effort to ferret out any sign of wokeness.

After all, the vast majority of parents isnt second-guessing every decision made by educators.

That doesnt mean they dont care. It means they trust teachers.

Science doesnt exist in a vacuum

In this case, that trust is well-founded.

The textbook in question  Chemistry: The Central Science AP Edition, (Brown), Pearson, 2020  is not out to indoctrinate students. It mentions UN goals only briefly, in relationship to scientific study.

Keep in mind, too, that this textbook is not targeted at young children; this is a college-level advanced placement course for high-achieving students, typically taken by juniors and seniors  students who will likely be attending college in one or two years.

This is not about a textbook.

Its about extremist parents intent on pushing their far-right views on an entire school district.

Its not the book thats too political; its the parents who believe they know best, and for that reason, should be able to dictate what every child is allowed to learn.

It takes a strong school board to stand up to that pressure.

Paso Robles voters stood up for strength and moderation when they voted two far-right trustees out of office in November.

They have an opportunity to do so again in Tuesdays special election.

We strongly urge Paso Robles voters who have not yet cast a ballot to vote for Hollander on or before Tuesday.
Early in the war in Ukraine, President Joe Biden ruled out sending tanks to Ukraine, indicating it could spark a broader war. Now, one year into the conflict, both Germany and the United States are sending our best battle tanks for use by the Ukrainian army as Western military officials predict Russian President Vladimir Putin will launch a new spring offensive against Ukraine.

What changed? Essentially, it is the perception of Russias military. Bidens statement was made at a time when the world still feared and respected Russias armed forces. If this war has done nothing else, it has certainly exposed the Russian military, especially the army, as being out of date in terms of training, communication, equipment, and tactics.

Gary Cosby Jr.

A war that Russia no doubt expected to be over in weeks, if not days, is a year old. The Russian military has experienced embarrassing setbacks across the board on the ground, in the air and at sea. The supposed superpower has been repeatedly humbled by a better trained and more highly motivated Ukrainian army that is increasingly better equipped with NATO-supplied weapons.

One thing the war has clearly shown is that tanks are highly susceptible to anti-armor missiles. Those portable weapons have played havoc with Russian armored formations. Due to the design of the T-72 tank that has been the most universally deployed by the Russians, a hit to the turret area causes a nearly immediate detonation of the ammunition, literally blowing the turret off the tank and killing the crew.

A recent analysis of tank losses by the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicates the Russians have lost about 1,700 tanks, half of their available tank fleet. A slightly more up-to-the-moment analysis suggests that number is closer to 2,000 tanks. Some analysts say the Russians have suffered as many as 2,300 tank losses. Many of these are the T-72 tanks originally developed during the Cold War era. The highly touted T-14 tank has not been deployed and may not be available in sufficient numbers according to Western military analysts who point to Russias propensity to announce the development of new weapons then to either underproduce or not produce them at all.

Story continues

The addition of Western main battle tanks into the mix might be a turning point for the Ukrainians. Since the tank made its first appearance on the battlefield in France during First World War I, these mobile fortresses have formed a critical link in ground combat strategy. As such, they have become primary targets for opposing armies.

The development of anti-armor missile systems has been a revelation on the battlefield in Ukraine. Although the American M1 Abrams and the German Leopard are widely regarded as among the best in the world, they will also be subjected to Russian anti-armor missiles. Not since the heaviest combat in the Persian Gulf when M1 formations faced the Iraqi Republican Guard has the American main battle tank been tested in large-scale direct armored combat.

I was speaking to one of my sons recently who is a cavalry scout in the U.S. Army. He is in a light unit, meaning they do not use the Stryker armored fighting vehicle or the Bradley fighting vehicle used by the heavy cavalry scout units.

More: Culture wars: How shall we then live? | GARY COSBY JR.

My son said he preferred it that way because those impressive heavy fighting vehicles are targets for the enemy. He preferred his chances fighting from the JLTV or the Humvee, light vehicles that can move fast and themselves often mount anti-armor missile systems.

The latest production of the M1 is the M1A2 SEP v3. Thats a whole lot of military acronyms to say that this tank will kick butt and take names; however, anti-armor missile technology creates a legitimate question as to the long-term effectiveness of battlefield armored units in the face of these deadly weapons systems.

Each war brings with it revelations of strengths and weaknesses, new weapons and weapons systems, and innovations in things such as battlefield medical care. World War I brought us the tank. World War II was the debut of aircraft carrier and naval air power. Korea and Vietnam introduced the helicopter and air mobile warfare, as well as air evac for wounded soldiers.

Smart weapons and stealth technology made their battlefield debut in Operation Desert Storm. Drones capable not only of surveillance but also of attacking with missiles appeared in Afghanistan and Iraq in post 9-11 operations.

This war has provided a real-world test for several new missile related technologies. It would appear that the main battle tank, stalwart of the battlefield, might well be close to entering the endangered species list. This begs the question, how will future armies fight and with what will they conduct their warfare?

The increasingly high-tech style of warfare may negate some need for the boots-on-the-ground approach. Speaking as the parent of a soldier, Im all for risking drones over my sons blood, but the war in Ukraine has proved that the soldier is still the most important weapon on the field. The fighting spirit of the Ukrainian army, when combined with high-tech weapons, has proved more than a match for Russia.

Gary Cosby Jr. is the photo editor of The Tuscaloosa News. Readers can email him at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: War in Ukraine exposes weaknesses in Russian military
The Rive Wye, the fourth-longest river in the UK, runs through Wales and England

The head of Welsh Water has defended the company's record on pollution and his six-figure salary.

MPs have been told five of nine Welsh rivers designated as Special Areas of Conservation were failing on phosphorus levels and excessive nutrients.

Peter Perry accepted "to a certain extent" that Wales was not where it should be on water quality.

"We don't get out of bed every day thinking we're happy about pollution, far from it," he said.

"The people in this organisation, and I get a sense in government and regulation, are looking to make things better."

Mr Perry said 41% of rivers in Wales are of good status under the Water Framework Directive, compared with 14% in England.

He also said 80% of coastal bathing waters around Wales met the classification of "excellent" while all are classified as "good".

"There's always room for improvement and that's what our job is to do, but I do think it's worth starting off with the facts," Mr Perry told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement.

"They're actually in some of the best conditions in comparison to other parts of the UK."

He went on to defend his salary of 332,000 in 2022, plus pension contributions and bonus payments.

"My pay is not determined by me, it's not influenced by me.

"I do get the fact that I'm well paid - I'm not going to try and deny that.

"I'm pretty much the lowest paid of my equivalence in England and Wales."

Natural Resources Wales has warned that without drastic action, many rivers could have no salmon left within 20 years.

Mr Perry said Welsh Water was investing just under 80m to reduce phosphate in the River Wye.

"By 2026 all the major phosphate pollution loads from Welsh Water assets will have been dealt with," he said.

But he conceded that "in principle" it was right to say that others could still be pumping phosphates into the Wye.

He added there was not one single sector that is to blame for pollution in rivers.

"It's going to need a multi-sector approach," he added.
The following reflection is the second of six pieces focusing on the importance of university research. This series was initially posted a decade ago. The following, modified modestly here, appeared on November 27, 2012.

Second in a Series on Research

To find excellence in a university, find the intent of the organization. What do the people who work there and the students who study there think the place is about? What do they want it to be? What is important? What is the quality of your intent? An excellent question posed by Thurgood Marshall.

Quality wells up in universities for an array of reasons. The configuration of forces leading to recognition and acclaim are rooted in discovery and new ideas with value. Good leadership, committed faculty and staff and ambitious and demanding students focused on discovery make a university powerful and effective in its research intent.

Competition and national defense brought Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to life in the early 1950s. The University of California intentionally gathered leading physicists to address what was believed to be an issue of national importance  operational thermonuclear weapons in response to the Soviet Union's development of the H-bomb. No matter your views or feelings about nuclear arms, the concentration of expertise at the University of California led to scientific breakthroughs. Edward Teller, a controversial physicist, was in the middle of it all. He was inarguably one of the best in the world, and his intention towards innovative science attracted other leading physicists.

Dr. Walter Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University

A trickledown effect occurs when leading practitioners of any craft are drawn together. A talented group can make a better H-bomb, but the gravity of the group will also help create a better literature program. The reverse is also true. It is about the "quality of your intent." While difficult to explain outside of university circles, there is tension between those who are the best at what they do and those who are merely mediocre, regardless of field or specialization.

Story continues

The sheer force of will creates excellence too. In the U.S., five presidential libraries are associated with universities. Three are in Texas: LBJ Library at UT Austin and a pair of Bush athenaeums, 41s at Texas A&M and 43s at SMU. Michigan hosts the General Ford Library. The latest addition to make this group of five is at Mississippi State University. Announced on May 18, 2012, The Presidential Library of Ulysses S. Grant notably impacts our understanding of the Civil War in America and the role of radical republicanism in the Reconstruction Era that followed.

If rusty on Civil War history, Grant was the leader of the Union forces, and his decisive victory at Vicksburg cut the confederacy in half, leading, in measure, to the downfall of the confederacy. Mississippi State University diligently pursued the Ulysses S. Grant collection from Southern Illinois University, where the renowned Grant scholar, John Y. Simon, nurtured it for nearly half a century. To put a gallon of irony in a teacup, Grant started his campaign to divide the confederacy in Southern Illinois at Cairo, where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet.

Through this exercise of intent, Mississippi State University meaningfully contributes to the study of American history for students. Additionally, the Grant Center attracts new faculty and endowment support because dollars follow the quality of intent, thought and execution.

National need in response to the devastation of the Dust Bowl spawned an effort to combat soil erosion and simultaneously create water conservation. Much of the work was initiated at the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station in Columbia, Missouri. This university led the response to the great tragedy of rural America in the 20th century. Additionally, the work dovetails with contemporary sustainability concepts in the 21st century.

Economic development caused Louisiana State University to create a Sugar Research Station in 1885. State sugar growers were concerned about increasing yields in production. They implored the university to generate new knowledge and insight that would help the economic development of South Louisiana through more effective and productive sugar cane yields. While a more localized issue than the H-bomb or dust bowl, research evolved at Louisiana State University to impact academic excellence through sugar production.

Universities require leadership and guidance to pursue issues of import in response to a diverse range of needs and aspirations. Intent manifests itself in programmatic growth. Seeds of research and scholarly excellence are driven by a passion for better understanding the world around us, giving power to faculty and students' academic life and creating distinction for universities. This distinction attracts the best scholars and students. West Texas A&M University's goal is to become a regional research university, as expressed in WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

Walter V. Wendler is President of West Texas A&M University. His weekly columns, with hyperlinks, are available at https://walterwendler.com/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Wendler commentary: Intent and research at WT
Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi in Dracula Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

It's alive! Or is it? Universal Pictures is once again drawing on its library of classic movie monsters with this weekend's Renfield, a comedic take on the Dracula mythology. It comes after the studio tried, and failed, to launch a whole shared universe based on these characters in 2017 with The Mummy. Since then, Universal has slowed down and approached the characters on more of a film-by-film basis. So six years later, what's the overall status of these iconic characters  from Dracula and Frankenstein to the Wolfman  on the big screen? Beyond Renfield, here are the other Universal projects that could soon be monster-mashing their way into theaters:

'The Last Voyage of the Demeter'

Renfield actually isn't the only Dracula film from Universal debuting in 2023. There's also The Last Voyage of the Demeter, which is based on one specific chapter from the original Bram Stoker novel called "The Captain's Log." The film centers on the crew of a ship called the Demeter, who are stalked by a "merciless presence." In the 1897 novel, Count Dracula boards the ship on his way to England, and the book switches to the captain's log as the crew starts disappearing. Corey Hawkins, Liam Cunningham, Aisling Franciosi, and David Dastmalchian star alongside Javier Botet, who has been cast as Dracula. Andre vredal, who previously helmed the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark movie, directs the film, which is scheduled for release on Aug. 11.

A mysterious monster movie from the directors of 'Scream'

Radio Silence, the team behind the 2022 Scream revival and this year's Scream VI, was reported to be working on a new Universal monster movie in April 2023, and Scream's Melissa Barrera will reportedly star. We don't know much about it yet, but The Hollywood Reporter said the project was "at one point titled Dracula's Daughter" and "centered on a group of kidnappers who abduct a band of young people, one of whom ends up being the titular character. Woe then befalls the kidnappers." It's not clear if this is still the plot of the current version, but Universal said it will be one of its movies that provides a "unique take on legendary monster lore and will represent a fresh, new direction for how to celebrate these classic characters."

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Radio Silence seemed to be referring to this project in a March interview with Dead Meat, where they said they'd be heading to Ireland in "a few weeks" to start working on a Universal film. "It starts out as a crime thriller and it gets hijacked by a monster movie," director Tyler Gillett said, calling the movie a "new way into an old thing."

A 'Wolfman' movie starring Ryan Gosling

Since 2020, Ryan Gosling has been attached to star in a Wolfman reboot, and Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines) was tapped to direct in 2021. Gosling told Collider it's a role he has always wanted to play. "He's just an all-time character," he said. "Just has always been on a bucket list for me." This Wolfman is said to be set in the modern day, as opposed to being another period piece like the 2010 version starring Benicio del Toro, according to Deadline, which also said Gosling pitched the idea himself. Variety compared the project to the Jake Gyllenhaal film Nightcrawler, but "with an obvious supernatural twist."

A sci-fi Western 'Dracula' movie from Chloe Zhao

Nomadland and Eternals director Chloe Zhao was revealed to be working on another new take on Dracula in 2021, which was described as an "original, futuristic, sci-fi Western," per The Hollywood Reporter. "Chloe's singular lens shines a light on stories of the overlooked and misunderstood," Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer said at the time. "We are thrilled to be working with her as she reimagines one of the most iconic outsider characters ever created." Zhao also said she has "always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody." There haven't been many updates since then, though in March 2023, Zhao confirmed it's still happening. "I'm writing the script right now," she told the Reporter.

An original monster movie from Paul Feig

In 2019, Deadline reported that Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) was working on a new monster movie for Universal called Dark Army, which was said to be based on an original idea. "The project will include characters from Universal's classic monster library and original characters created by Feig," Deadline said. "That's the genre that I've been wanting to do forever, just a classic monster movie," he told Collider in 2021. "Not a horror movie, but a classic monster movie in the tradition of the James Whale and Tod Browning movies."

The most recent update came in October 2022, when Feig told The Playlist he's "desperate" to make the film. "I'm such a fan of the old James Whale classic monster movies from Universal," he said. "And this was my ode to that but with new characters. I think the studio felt it might be too expensive. I don't agree. I just have to convince them." He added that he's "not giving up" on the film, but "I probably need to go in and do another draft and try to make it a little cheaper, I guess."

An 'Invisible Woman' movie from Elizabeth Banks

Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man was a big hit in 2020, and even before its release, Elizabeth Banks was reportedly in talks to direct and star in a Universal movie called Invisible Woman. This, though, was said to be "very different" from The Invisible Man with no connection to it, Variety reported. But it's unclear if this will still be made, and Banks told Insider in February 2023, "Nothing is happening with that one right now." There has also been talk of a proper sequel to The Invisible Man, which would presumably bring back Elisabeth Moss as the lead, but there also hasn't been much movement on that lately as far as we know.

A possible 'Frankenstein' movie from James Wan

Also in 2019, The Conjuring director James Wan was reported to be producing a new version of Frankenstein for Universal. A few months later, The Hollywood Reporter said Wan was working with Universal on a monster movie about "a group of teens who discover that a neighbor is building a monster in his basement," though this report never mentioned Frankenstein, so it wasn't clear if these two projects are the same.

Though it's not a Universal movie, it's worth mentioning that Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) is developing his own Frankenstein film for Netflix. Andrew Garfield, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth were reportedly in talks to star in March 2023, and the director shared photos of himself location scouting in April. As far back as 2008, Del Toro noted he's been "dreaming of doing a Frankenstein movie since I was a child."

A new 'Van Helsing' movie from Julius Avery

James Wan was also reportedly developing a new Van Helsing movie about the titular monster hunter in 2020, when Deadline reported Julius Avery (Overlord) would direct. Avery told Fangoria in April 2023 he's "currently writing" the film.

A live-action and animation hybrid called 'Little Monsters'

As of 2020, Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley was working on a "live-action and animation hybrid" film that would "bring Universal's classic monster movie characters to a new generation," The Wrap reported. It was reportedly called Little Monsters, though no, it doesn't have anything to do with Lady Gaga  as far as we know, at least.

A 'tongue-in-cheek thriller' starring Channing Tatum

In November 2020, Deadline reported Channing Tatum would reunite with 21 Jump Street directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller to star in a new Universal monster project, which was described as a "modern-day, tongue-in-cheek thriller inspired by Universal's classic monster legacy." So this sounds like another film in the Renfield mold, but other details, including what monster this project is based on, weren't revealed.

A 'Monster Mash' musical movie

Director Matt Stawski has apparently been working in the lab late various nights on a Universal musical called Monster Mash, which was reported to be in the works in 2020. Not much is known about it, but Stawski told Collider in November 2022 that the script is in development and that he was inspired by watching the classic Universal monster movies and Hammer films "hundreds" of times. "We're really playing with the monsters and making sure that we can sort of subvert everyone's expectations," he said. "And maybe they're going to go into the theater expecting one thing, but we're going to throw a curveball at you." Fingers crossed it's a graveyard smash.

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Codeword: April 15, 2023
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My grandfather died six years ago this September. At the time, I lived in a grungy, musty, dimly lit two-bedroom apartment in the heart of East Lansing, Michigan. It was about 500 square feet on a good day. The lone window in the living room only saw about two hours of sunlight from dawn till duskbefore the sun would rise and fall respectively below the four-story parking garage cosplaying as a makeshift horizonand it made the days feel especially short.

I sat under the 40-watt bulbs on the uncomfortably firm leather couch (so graciously provided by the massive leasing company which nearly monopolized all properties in the small college town), my parents on the phone, telling me my grandpa had died. He had lung cancer and was 85 years old, so it was a long time coming, but his death was one of the first I had dealt with in my adult life. The sudden void a deceased loved one leaves in your life feels like an abyss, a feeling I couldnt consciously graspuntil I could.

This grief was compounded by the unfortunate fact that I experienced his death over the phone, another rite of passage in my life dictated by modern technology. Instead of being present for my family in a time of remembrance and mourning, I was in some ratty apartment in the barren wasteland of mid-Michigan, enveloped in the thick aroma of smoke-stained walls and a growing mound of empty pizza boxes. In my eyeline I could see the FIFA pause screen and a half-eaten Uncrustable on the coffee table not a very picturesque place to grapple with a seminal life moment.

Even if I had spent a significant portion of my life with my grandpa, and harbor nothing but fond memories with him, I felt a vague guilt. Just a few weeks before, I had traveled home during a break and watched one last Detroit Tigers game with him (thankfully he was barely conscious to see the Tigers succumb to the division rival White Sox), which felt like the right thing to do. But I still felt this distance at the time of his death I never reconciled, and this became a norm in years to follow.

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Most deaths Ive experienced since feel the same way. Theres an uncomfortable dissonance between the tangible and real relationships you have with people, and the inhuman and instant nature of the way we learn of death today. Thats why Sunday nights Succession episode, an instant classic in which series anchor and media titan Logan Roy dies abruptly on an airplane, made so much sense.

The Shocking Succession Death Is a Brilliant Game-Changer

In a show powered by incorrigible modernity and late-stage capitalism, and all its harrowing truths, it never made sense for Logans death to be convenient and peaceful. The magnate and his reprehensible family built generational wealth by making this world a crueler, more dystopian place. His ethos was built upon an air of unpredictability and quick business decisions, so it always made sense for his death to follow suit.

From its very first episode, Succession showed the Roy children panicked by the distinct possibility of Logans impending death. He recovers, and Kendall, Shiv and Roman trudge forward in their quests to become the heir. Logans mortality looms over the conscience of every major character in the show as they position themselves for life post-patriarch, but that life usually feels like a distant world. Of course, the show is literally called Succession. In retrospect, Logans death was less of a possibility throughout the show and more of a certainty. It was only ever a matter of when. But the writing was so good that collectively, we seemed to forget as an audience that this show always implied a successor was in store. Logans brute strength, mental toughness and toxic resilience bled through the cracks of the show so strongly we forgot to remember that he was always going to die.

Then, in the third episode of season four, Connors Wedding, Roman answers a phone call from his estranged brother-in-law, Tom Wambsgans. The kids are at their older brothers weddingon a boat set to depart for the Statue of Liberty, where the ceremony will occurin a quiet room. Logan is on a plane, en route to Sweden, missing his oldest sons big day to attempt a money squeeze out of the deal with Lukas Matsson and Swedish tech giant GoJo. Tom, who betrayed his wife Shiv to get closer with Logan, is on board. When the fateful medical emergency first happens, Tom tries to call his estranged bride to no avail, then rings Roman. Likely picking up in hopes of gleaning intel about the GoJo deal, Roman hears Tom say: Your dad is very sick.

Roman Roys world comes crashing down in that instant, soon followed by Kendall and later Shiv, who is pulled into the room to say her goodbyes. Tom explains that Logan is dead over the phone, without saying the word dead, which causes the siblings to struggle to process the news. They may have secretly wished he would die for years, but now that its finally happened, its all too sudden and jarring to handle. Theyre about to watch their oldest sibling jump into a wedding born of convenience instead of love, on the precipice of a massively important moment for the future of their company, Waystar Royco, and their father just dropped dead 35,000 feet up in the sky.

Like everything that happens in both the Roys lives and our own, death almost never comes at a convenient time. There are no certified medical personnel on board, delaying the meeting with GoJo could ruin the deal and the entire family is currently drowning in dysfunction and infighting. Its never said, but its evident thatmuch like my deep gloom inside a budget college apartmentthe Roy kids didnt expect to experience their dads demise miles away, on a boat, departing for Liberty Island to watch their half-brothers sham marriage. This is their version of a grimy undergraduate apartmentit was never supposed to be like this.

Give Sarah Snook an Emmy for That Episode of Succession

It was shocking, moving and an epic hour of television, partially because of the shocking timing of the death so early in the series final season. But it makes sense. This show is draped in familial realism through an unattainably rich veil. Death is jarring and precipitous in real life as well, and its damn sure to be inconvenient. Since the dawn of televisions golden era, theres been an admittedly exciting trend of major heroes (or antiheroes) dying with theatrical or biblical pageantry. Adrianna was driven to her own death by a trusted family member in The Sopranos. Gus Fring, Breaking Bads chicken man and figure of unparalleled evil, met his end at the hands of a bomb in a nursing home which blew off half of his face. The list goes on. But in the context of Succession, and its profound display of the human condition and all its visceral pains, Logans death just seems right. Its a death that is untimely and, most of all, unceremonious.

The only major character death in television history that struck me this way was another one of the all-time greats: Omar Little in The Wire. A man seemingly immortal in gun battles, suddenly snuffed out from a single bullet to the back of the head in a nondescript corner store. The uncomfortable reality of death burrows a bit deeper in your soul when it feels this real.

For all the people Logan physically had in back pocket, in his inner circle and beyond, he died more alone than most of us ever will. Its something he began to realize at the beginning of this season, most notably in the diner scene from episode 1 thats become quite prescient. Logan, in an atypical show of introspection and vulnerability, asks Colin the bodyguard whether he believes in the afterlife, and if there is a purpose to humanity. He ends the dinner by calling Colin his pal, a stark and tragic display of loneliness from the otherwise impenetrable figure.

The Logan Roy death scene is yet another masterclass in showrunning and screenwriting from Jesse Armstrong and the rest of the Succession crew. Time and time again, theyre able to deliver pivotal moments in simultaneously shocking and sobering fashion. Early returns on Connors Wedding put the episode in rarified air, instantly etched in cinema history and pop culture canon. But its not over yetthere are seven episodes left, in which well likely see either a new successor crowned, or the empire crumble for good.

Succession Asks an Impossible Question: How Do You Grieve an Abuser?

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India holds a two-day mock drill in preparedness for Covid-19. The country has recorded its biggest jump in Covid cases in a year (EPA)

A new coronavirus variant is making headlines around the world, causing cases to rise and prompting warnings from scientists that it could soon be the dominant strain.

The Arcturus variant has led to a spike in infections in India, which recorded 11,109 new Covid infections on Friday  the biggest jump in almost a year  and it has now been found in 22 countries, including the UK, Singapore, Australia and the US.

A subvariant of Omicron, the XBB.1.16 strain is being studied by experts, who fear that its spike protein mutations could make it more aggressive. It causes novel symptoms in children, including conjunctivitis.

Virologist Professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick told The Independent that the rise of the new variant in India is a sign that were not yet out of the woods.

We have to keep an eye on it, he said. When a new variant arises you have to find out if its more infectious, more disease-causing, is it more pathogenic?

These kinds of things highlight the importance of genomic surveillance, but a lot of countries, including our own, have let our guard down a bit, and we cant be sure what variants are around and what level of infection theyre causing until we see a significant outbreak.

But to what extent have countries let their guard down? Data analysed by The Independent shows that many have significantly scaled back their testing, vaccination and tracing capabilities, meaning that many would be unprepared if the world were to be hit by another deadly Covid strain.

Testing

Without testing, our understanding of Covid and its transmission is limited. Testing has given policymakers a window into how the virus spreads, and has allowed countries to impose measures to try to limit that spread, such as isolating those infected and tracing their contacts.

If a new deadly variant of Covid were to hit, high levels of testing would allow countries to make more targeted healthcare interventions, as opposed to implementing another costly, large-scale lockdown.

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The latest testing data, as tracked by analysts at Oxford Universitys Our World in Data project, shows that testing levels have plummeted.

In Europe, testing fell from 613 daily tests per 1,000 people at the start of 2022 to negligible levels by July of the same year.

Vaccines

Vaccination has been another key tool in the fight against the coronavirus, giving recipients high levels of immunity even as deadly earlier strains raged in 2021. More than 5 billion people around the world have now received a Covid jab.

However, vaccines do not remain 100 per cent effective for ever. One 2021 study reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that vaccine effectiveness against infection dropped from 91.8 per cent to 75 per cent in the state of New York over the space of just a few months.

Many countries, including the UK, have now stopped widespread vaccinations, and have instead offered booster shots to more targeted groups, such as older people and those who are immunocompromised.

Globally, daily vaccination rates have fallen by a massive 99 per cent since summer 2021 to around 250,000 doses per day. Across the world, thousands of vaccine centres have shut, and vaccine manufacturing has also plummeted. It would take some time to turn these trends around.

The following vaccination statistics come as around 30 per cent of the worlds population  largely in the global South  remains unvaccinated against the disease.

Tracing contacts

Most countries around the world also no longer trace the contacts of those who are infected with Covid, meaning that they are unable to effectively follow and monitor the spread of any new outbreak.

At the end of 2022, the UK, France and Spain no longer carried out contact-tracing, while the US and Canada were only doing so in a few cases.

The UK government shut down the majority of its Covid surveillance programmes in the spring of 2022, even after experts warned that such a move might well be premature.

The government can only hope that the Arcturus variant follows the trend among other recent strains, and is not as deadly as those that emerged at the start of the pandemic  or face a chaotic scramble to halt its spread.
There is no doubt in the mind of the reader or the listener that this is something I want and enjoy, says blogger Girl on the Net (iStock)

For an increasing number of boys, the first conception of the female body arrives via porn. Then how do men grow up? asks Elisabeth Ranft, a promoter of audio erotica. They grow up thinking a womans body can belong to them  that the naked female body is theirs for consumption.

Ranft is part of the team behind Femtasy, one of the leading makers of pornography for your ears  adult content offering an audio alternative to the increasingly violent material normalised on the likes of Pornhub. Apps such as Femtasy, and rivals including Quinn and Dipsea, have become big business in the adult industry, boasting of hundreds of thousands of committed users and landing many of their female creators  Quinns Caroline Spiegel and Dipseas Gina Gutierrez and Faye Keegan  on respective Forbes 30 Under 30 lists.

While most audio erotica companies are led by women, their output isnt strictly for women. The medium caters to all genders and sexualities, as well as a vast array of fantasies. There are romantic comedies with added ooh-ing and ahh-ing, think: You havent seen each other since high school and hes still as handsome as ever! Others are more outlandish, say: Im a devilishly handsome wizard on a quest... now let me show you my wand. Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams even narrates one of them, voicing a randy bookseller named Solstice Starr in the Quinn 10-parter The Misty Door. Theres something for everyone, if all linked by moans and groans.

The make-up of people exploring their sexuality through the medium is ever-increasing, Ranft tells me. She remembers the Femtasy head office in Berlin receiving a letter from a woman in her Seventies who offered her thanks. I just had my first orgasm with you! she wrote.

Women are starting to reclaim pleasure and understand that it is just as much about them and their fantasies as it is about their typically male partners, Ranft explains.

Girl on the Net, an anonymous sex blogger who has been creating erotic content for 12 years, believes audio and literary pornography has an ethical edge over its visual counterparts. When she writes and records stories, she constantly reinforces themes of safety and consent  as well as genuine enthusiasm. There is no doubt in the mind of the reader or the listener that this is something I want and enjoy, she says.

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Theyre trying to get these perfect girls and these big, muscly guys and its so vulgar. In audio porn, they make it a little more romantic

John, an audio porn connoisseur

Ranft adds that Femtasy always aims to educate and promote ethical sex, ethical pleasure and consent through our audios, primarily because so many pornographic companies dont. Studies have linked increased consumption of pornography to a range of negative behaviours, from porn addiction to violent or antagonistic attitudes towards women.

Rebecca, a 23-year-old student from Reading, first sought out audio porn as the visual porn she had grown used to watching didnt feel ethical or positive. You can use your own imagination, she says. And put yourself in those situations based on your own experiences. She adds that she also struggled to lose her inhibitions when consuming visual pornography, instead imagining what the performers might be like off-camera. Sometimes she felt concerned for them. I think even if I know theyre professionals and its not a bad time for [the performer], I dont think its a good time.

Video porn is an extremely patriarchal industry, furthers Ranft. Its men telling women what to do and women obeying, because thats what they think it takes for them to make a career and a name for themselves.

You hear so many horror stories, adds Chris Yamez, an actor who has performed stories for Quinn. But [with Quinn] Im completely autonomous, and they treat us so well. He adds that being a part of the site has also changed his own understanding of sexuality. I realised so much about how, as a man, I would like to experience intimacy versus how Ive been shown to experience intimacy.

Audio erotica platforms have also enabled a model for pornography in which actors and performers are paid fairly, as users pay for subscriptions rather than stream them for free. I think people are becoming more conscious, ethical consumers, says Girl on the Net. The big sites like Dipsea and Quinn have done a brilliant job of helping people to understand that its OK to listen to porn and, in fact, [its] ethical and genuinely good to pay for it.

Former Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams has lent his voice to a Quinn series of erotic audio (Getty)

One of those people is John, an audio porn connoisseur who has been listening from his home in Tennessee for more than 12 years, first stumbling across the medium while browsing the erotic fiction site Literotica. Im a big reader, he tells me, and I find that reading stories or listening is a lot more stimulating than watching videos  [theyre] just so over the top. He says hes always felt alienated by the lack of realism in typical visual pornography. Theyre trying to get these perfect girls and these big, muscly guys and its so vulgar. In audio porn, they make it a little more romantic. I search out the realistic stuff.

He says that hes discussed the failings of mainstream pornography with his 15-year-old son, too, and believes honest conversations will help him in the long run. I told him, Do yourself a favour and dont watch it  youll process sex in a bad way and it will skew what you think it will be like.

Hes hoping itll have an effect. Listening is probably a lot better than watching.
CAIRO (Reuters) - The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) said on Sunday it had temporarily halted all operations in Sudan after three of its employees were killed in clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) a day earlier.

"While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan," WFP executive director Cindy McCain said in a statement.

"WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed."

Three WFP employees were killed and two injured in clashes in Kabkabiya in North Darfur. The WFP did not specify their nationalities.

McCain also said it was difficult for WFP's staff to operate after a U.N. Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was "significantly damaged" at Sudan's Khartoum airport during an exchange of fire on Saturday.

The incident has seriously impacted the organisation's ability to move humanitarian workers and aid in Sudan, she said.

Earlier on Sunday, the United Nations condemned the killing of the WFP employees, saying they died while carrying out their duties.

Volker Perthes, the head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS), which was established in 2020 to support Sudan's democratic transition, said in a statement he was also "appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises, as well as reports of looting of UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur."

A power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF has so far killed 56 civilians and wounded 595 people, including combatants.

The fighting broke out on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust president Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019.

(This story has been corrected to say she said, not he said, in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, writing by Omar Abdelrazek and Hatem Maher; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Raissa Kasolowsky)
Yemeni rebels and government forces freed scores of prisoners Sunday on the last of a three day exchange of nearly 900 detainees, boosting hopes of ending their protracted civil war.

Planes carrying detainees took off at the same time from the Huthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the government-controlled northern city of Marib, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

"The first flight from Marib and the first flight from Sanaa have left," ICRC media adviser Jessica Moussan told AFP.

"Forty eight former detainees were on board the Marib-Sanaa flight, and 42 on the Sanaa-Marib flight."

Three other flights during the day were to complete the deal reached in Switzerland last month to exchange 181 government forces for 706 rebels.

Four journalists sentenced to death by the Iranian-backed Huthis are part of the exchange, said government negotiator Majed Fadail.

Rebel political chief, Mahdi al-Mashat, said the next round of talks with Saudi Arabia, which leads the military coalition against the Huthis, would start after the Eid al-Fitr holiday expected on April 21, Yemen's Saba news agency reported.

The last talks ended hours before 318 prisoners were transported on four flights on Friday between government-controlled Aden and Sanaa, reuniting detainees with their families.

On Saturday, 357 detainees took flights between the Saudi city of Abha and Sanaa. Saudis were among the prisoners freed.

It is not known how many prisoners each side still has.

The Huthis seized Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Saudi-led intervention the following year. Hundreds of thousands have died in the conflict which triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

A UN-brokered ceasefire that started in April 2022 has sharply reduced casualties. The truce expired in October, but fighting has largely remained on hold.

Marib governorate, an oil-rich region, saw some of the most bitter fighting in the last two years. The city of Marib is the last northern bastion of the government, which is now based in the southern city of Aden.

str-bur-mah/tw/pjm
Rideshare drivers and riders in Baltimore are on high alert after another violent incident, as authorities report a Lyft driver was carjacked and attacked Saturday morning in the southern part of the city.

Police stated he picked up a fare in the 100 block of South Payson Street.

Authorities said a group of three men and three women assaulted a Lyft driver by approaching his new blue Toyota Corolla, injuring him, seizing his phone, and escaping in his car, CBS Baltimore reported.

The Lyft driver carjacked fled the attack and sought help from someone to notify the police. Aftermath, the victim had minor arm and hand injuries but declined treatment, per Baltimore police.

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Police detected a wave of rideshare app-related carjackings.

When their Uber ride came, clients were held at gunpoint, abducted, or transported to an ATM, and robbed-sometimes all three.

According to a spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department, they are currently investigating a series of robberies where suspects have been using ride-sharing apps to carjack drivers and subsequently use the same app to pick up victims, whom they either rob through Cash App or take to ATMs.

The spokesperson also revealed that there have been several arrests made and rideshare payment reversals in connection to these incidents.

According to a statement from an Uber spokeswoman provided, the company finds the reported attacks alarming and recommends users "cancel" their trips if they have concerns about their safety, as well as verify their ride details, per the Miami Herald.

Lyft Driver Shoots Carjacker

The news came following an incident where a Philadelphia Lyft driver was armed and carjacked early this month.

An attempted carjacking rear-ended a West Philadelphia Lyft driver. When he got out to check the damage, a shotgun-wielding criminal from the opposite car attacked him, according to Ridester.

The midday armed carjacker almost entered the Lyft driver's car. The shotgun-wielding man was shot in the chest by the Lyft driver.

The carjacking incident happened in West Philadelphia, on the 1100 block of North 40th Street.

According to police, the Lyft driver had a valid gun permit, and the prosecutor declined to charge the driver.

Related Article: Pentagon Leak Suspect Arrested

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Zelensky recorded an Easter video address to Ukrainians on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The video was published on Zelenskyys social media accounts. The full text of the Presidents message is included below.

Dear great people of a great country,

At the end of last winter, Russia brought a full-scale war to our land, along with death, pain, and misery. On the morning of Feb. 24, the sun did not rise. Dawn did not come. On the morning of Feb. 24, a dark night began. And at the same time, our awakening began. Our struggle.

The darkness could not overshadow our spirit, our desire for freedom, our love for our homeland, and our readiness to defend it.

We kept the light within us. We overcame panic, fear, conflicts, and quarrels. We united. Millions of sparks in millions of Ukrainian hearts became one big fire. In this fire, our strength and invincibility were tempered. This fire did not let our hope and faith go out, this fire was seen by the whole world. It rallied around us, stood by our side.

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Then we defeated despair, disbelief, fatigue, and pain. Millions of lights in the eyes of millions of Ukrainians merged into one powerful beam of light. It helped us not to get lost in the darkness, not to stray from the path, and illuminated the way to the right goal.

This is what different generations fought for in different centuries. This is what our defenders of light  the soldiers of Ukraine  sacrificed their lives for during the last nine years and 417 days.

This is what we are fighting against the dark forces for today. This is our dawn. Our rebirth. This is the dawn of independent Ukraine.

Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. Its main symbol is victory: the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life. With unwavering faith in the inevitability of these victories, we celebrate Easter.

A year ago today, we all prayed for Ukraine to hold on. Today, we pray for Ukraine to win. We are not just waiting and asking, but we are achieving and creating this victory ourselves. 417 days. We have already come a long way. Ahead of us is perhaps the hardest summit. We will overcome it. And together we will meet our dawn, when the sun rises over our entire country. This blue and yellow flag will undoubtedly be raised on all of our God-given land, in all the temporarily occupied territories. Our flag will wave on the shores of the Azov Sea and the Siversky Donets, over the Terykony and Ai-Petri. The sun will shine in the south, the sun will shine in the east, the sun will shine in Crimea. The yellow-hot sun in the peaceful blue sky, and this is the light of justice.

Story continues

This is the light of reuniting people and families. Ukrainians. Everyone who is currently on the front lines, and everyone who helps them in the rear. The radiance of victorious smiles and their families. The sparkle of combat orders of heroes who will return. The shine of happy eyes of parents, children, loved ones who are waiting.

This is the light of rebirth. The restoration of what the occupiers destroyed and desecrated. The restoration of our beautiful country, which will become even more beautiful in the future.

Read also: UOCs Metropolitan Epiphany to conduct Easter service at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

This is the light of truth and justice. The triumph of law and justice. The accountability and punishment of all who gave and executed criminal orders. All who killed, tortured, robbed, and will be held accountable in the international tribunal and in the court of God.

The heavens see our faith and steadfastness. The world sees our courage and resilience. The enemy sees our strength and determination. Therefore, Ukraine will see the light of victory.

Our faith unites us all. Always, but especially today. Easter, which has always been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope, and great unity. War could not erase us, our values, our traditions, our holidays, and the most important things they symbolize.

And so, no matter where we celebrate Easter, no matter where each of us is now, we celebrate Easter together.

We are one big family. Ukrainians. We have one big home. Ukraine. We have one big goal. Victory. For everyone.

For those who are no longer with us, who gave their lives for Ukraine. We remember each one and ask God to rest their souls. We believe in everyone who continues to defend their homeland and ask God to protect and preserve them.

With all our might, we fight for our land and ask for the support of heavenly forces. In the hundreds of prayers that our ancestors spoke before battle. They help and protect our warriors today.

Putting on the veil of Christ,

my skin is an iron armor,

my blood is strong and red,

my bone is a steel sword.

Faster than arrows,

sharper than a falcon.

Armor is on me.

The Lord is in me.

So that there will be a tomorrow.

So that there will be a peaceful dawn.

So that there will be victory.

So that there will be Ukraine.

Christ is risen!

Indeed, He is risen!

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Readers may recall that I recently criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkins position on parental involvement in education. He insists parents deserve to have the head seat at the table. (A curmudgeon sounds off, March 26). If, along with me, you are wondering about the wisdom of that policy, you might consider how empowering parents over teachers is working out in Florida.

Im alluding, of course, to the recent dustup over the art curriculum at Tallahassee Classical School  a public charter school ostensibly committed to the study of the liberal arts and sciences. Its board members, however, dont seem to share that commitment. They supported three parents who objected to sixth-graders being exposed to a photo of Michelangelos sculpture of the biblical hero David. Its an anatomically correct depiction of a perfectly proportioned naked young man. Full-frontal nudity presented no problem to the general populace in 16th-century Italy. They recognized Michelangelos David as a Christian humanist masterpiece of Renaissance art, and they intended to display it in a church. People back then were not as prudish as some Floridians today.

The irony is that Tallahassee Classical didnt design its own art curriculum. The school had partnered with Michigans Hillsdale College, which provides grade-appropriate study plans in a number of subjects, including art. With the possible exception of Liberty University, Hillsdale is about as Christian and conservative as a college can get. Yet their art department obviously considers Michelangelos David statue to be suitable for juvenile viewing. Art professors and art students from time immemorial have understood that nudity, in and of itself, does not pornography make. In the words of Shakespeares immortal Hamlet, There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Im compelled to the conclusion that there are some dirty minds in Tallahassee.

I would bet that the parents who complained are members of the Christian right. If so, they should perhaps reflect on this passage from the Book of Genesis: God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female created He them (1:27). And the point that all people are created in Gods image is echoed in the New Testament (James 3:9). It therefore seems to me that viewing the human body as intrinsically obscene and shameful is sacrilegious.

The Tallahassee Classical School controversy traces back to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis push to make parental rights supreme in Florida. On March 25, 2022, he signed into law a bill on Curriculum Transparency, giving parents the right to make decisions about what materials their children are exposed to in school. No matter that the same photo of Michelangelos David had been shown to students at Tallahassee Classical in past years without parental pushback. The school board forced out the principal for failing to notify parents two weeks in advance that a lesson would include nudity. As for Hillsdale College, it has ended its partnership with Tallahassee Classical. Conservatism is one thing; caving in to the force of ignorance is quite another.

Frank Cerabino, a columnist for The Palm Beach Post, on March 29, aptly summed up the situation with acerbic wit. In Florida, where parental rights rule supreme, he lamented, Not just any parent. But the most ignorant, racist, homophobic ones. Let them be the gate keepers for everybody.

Is this what we want in Virginia?
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has condemned the harassment of two National Commissioners it deployed to supervise the conduct of the Governorship election in Adamawa state at the weekend, urging security agencies in the state to arrest perpetrators.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made the condemnation in a statement issued Sunday in Abuja.

He said; The Commission is deeply disturbed by the harassment of our two National Commissioners deployed to the State to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election. We urge the security agencies to provide them with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance.

Meanwhile, in a viral video on Sunday, an alleged INEC commissioner in Adamawa state could be seen in pain with droplets of blood on his chest off a bleeding lip.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams in possession of illicit drugs in Edo.

According to NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi, over 14 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs were recovered from the two on Saturday in Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that drugs recovered from them included cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and swinol.

He also announced the arrest of one Isoyo Iveren-Susan, a 22-year-old HND female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun.

The NDLEA spokesperson said Iveren-Susan was arrested on Saturday opposite 2nd Gate of the institution dealing in illicit drugs.

Babafemi said that 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283grams of cannabis were recovered from her.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of tramadol, Rohypnol, ecstasy (designer drug), and cannabis hidden in winter jackets and bottles of body cream at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the anti-narcotics officers seized the psychoactive substance following the arrest of a passenger, Joshia Sunday, who was travelling on a Qatar Airlines flight via Doha to Oman.

A thorough search of the suspects two black bags led to the discovery of 4.80 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in three winter jackets and various quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, and Ecstasy (designer drug) hidden in bottles of body lotion, Babafemi said.

Babafemi also stated that on the same day, a businessman, Cyril Chidiebere, was arrested for his involvement in the importation of 12 parcels of Loud, a cannabis strain, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America (U.S.A.).
The Historic General Grenville Dodge House stands as a sentinel above the iconic frontier town of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dodge, the well-known Civil War hero, railroad engineer, and philanthropist made a national impact far beyond his appreciated fame. Among his many passions, he was an advocate for economic and political equality for all Americans  including African Americans, but that legacy had a rough start as remembered by friends and family.

One account recalls an edgy 19-year-old Grenville Dodge, a rough-and-tumble military college student, enjoying a dinner of stewed oysters with his schoolmates in Boston, Massachusetts.

Dodge was becoming increasingly irate. Across the dining room a man  a free Black man  could be heard arguing for the abolition of slavery and had further offended Dodge by firmly gazing upon the brass buttons of his college uniform. This activist, whose name is lost to history, was proud and uncompromising in asserting his manhood and citizenship. Violence would soon follow; Dodge would never forget the encounter.

Sternly, Dodge walked over to an adjoining table, with his dinner in hand, and shoved the food in the face of the free black man covering his bosom and back with stewed oysters. The other patrons of the restaurant highly eulogized Dodge for giving [the Black man] so just a punishment for his audacity. Dodge rejoined his schoolmates and calmly ordered more oysters.

Dodges mother, Julia Theresa (Phillips) was mortified, as mothers often are of their college-aged sons behavior. Among her closest kinsman was Wendell Phillips  who, along with his friend, William Lloyd Garrison  were among Americas most prominent voices for the abolition of slavery.

Since before the founding of our Republic, and up to this very day, Americans of all creeds and colors have grappled with the kaleidoscopic legacies of enslavement. And this existential dilemma was not lost on Dodge. As the United States increasingly struggled with the socio, political and economic tendrils of slavery, so too would Dodge. He would, as one biographer said, mature with America and there would be growing pains.

As Dodge passed from youth into manhood, he served as a budding railroad engineer, homesteader, banker, Civil War general, Chief Engineer of the Transcontinental Railroad, engineer of 15 additional railroads in six countries, served in Congress and advised multiple senior statesmen and presidents.

But, at 19, he was arrogant, naive, brash, and always looking, in his words, to pick a muss, a fight, with anyone who crossed him. Ultimately, this chaotic energy would be focused to build a nation from north to south  during the Civil War  and east to west  by virtue of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Dodges empathy and, later, admiration and advocacy for African Americans blossomed from the influence of the women in his life, personal experience and pure practicality. In his twilight years, as brash as ever, he would plead with the President of the United States on behalf of the equality of the Black Race, but his efforts were in vain.

After proven courage in battle, a newly minted General Dodge was stationed near Corinth, Mississippi, the so-called crossroads of the Confederacy. His troops had liberated numerous enslaved Americans and scores more flooded in, seeking Dodges protection. Dodge, by then, having had a number of positive experiences with African Americans  their drive for survival, hard work, and eagerness for liberty  was evolving his views of Black men and women.

He was also practical. He could not spare Union troops to protect these newly freed Americans and felt morally obligated to do so. (Today, one can visit Corinth, Mississippi to view numerous bronze statues of newly freed African Americans surviving under the protection of their own relations.)

So, Dodge gave these desperate Americans what they needed  guns. (Dodges actions took place the same year that the 54th Massachusetts all-black infantry was organized.) Northerners and Southerners alike were disgusted and alarmed. So despised was Dodge by the Confederacy, that its government called for the immediate execution of Dodge if apprehended. The Confederacy proclaimed that any Black soldiers captured would not be treated as prisoners of war. The Federal government relayed that any captured Confederates would be treated likewise. The South relented. Even before the Emancipation Proclamation, the South, thanks to General Dodge, agreed (in principle and sometimes in practice) to treat Black prisoners of war as Americans  no small victory for Dodge.

In 1866, Dodge was elected to Congress. He hated it: The Capitol is an infernal place and I am sick to death of it. (It was his first day.) Dodge would not consider reelection. Despite his distaste for Washington, he made a point to show up to vote for the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution giving the right of Black men to vote.

And vote they did. In response, a few years later, after the Northern post-war program, known as Reconstruction, was prematurely shut down by President Johnson, the South instigated a series of laws and civic organizations collectively known as Jim Crow. These laws, along with the Southern myth of the Noble Lost Cause, saw to the erection of statues celebrating the leaders and generals of the Confederacy while dismantling nearly all civic rights for Southern Black Americans.

Dodge was enraged and, in the coming years, he had the ear of a great man who admired and loved him. Even heroes have heroes and to President Theodore Roosevelt, Dodge was foremost among living Americans. Upon their first meeting the President, vigorously shaking Dodges hand, said: I would rather have had your experience in the Civil War and have seen what you have seen and done than to be President of the United States. That night, Dodge slept in the White House.

Dodge penned the President, asserting that the disenfranchisement of the Southern Negro and segregation were against the instincts of the entire north, and greatly against those of every veteran of the Civil War, because they are a violation of the southern pledge made after the war that none of the results of the war should be changed. Southern racism disgusted Dodge.

Roosevelt was sympathetic, but was deeply worried about Southern backlash. Elections, after all, still had to be won. The hero of the Battle of San Juan Hill was paralyzed. President Roosevelt was stricken between morality and politics. Politics won. In the end, Roosevelt did nothing to enfranchise African Americans. No president of the United States would seriously confront historic and institutionalized racism for over half a century.

Thats not to say Dodge failed in this regard. His efforts in the Union army, especially at Corinth, Mississippi, his vote for the 15th amendment and his personal transformation impacted real people living in his day. In our own day, we continue to live with the legacy of that with which Dodge struggled. His struggle remains our struggle.
The members of a British parliamentary delegation, on a working visit to Morocco, made a trip the Dakhla to get informed about the development dynamics in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.

The members of the delegation, led by chairperson of the UK-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, Heather Wheeler, made field visits to learn more about the potential of the region and the infrastructure it has in various socio-economic sectors.

The delegation members were informed about the various development projects underway in Dakhla as part of the new Development Model for the Southern Provinces launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015, as well as about the role of elected bodies in the management of local affairs.

They were also informed about the investment opportunities and the main productive sectors in the region which range from marine fishing to agriculture, tourism to renewable energy.

The British delegation thus learnt about the major advances made in the region and development programs underway, in addition to the positive impact of the new port under construction that will make this region a gateway to West Africa.

The delegation held a meeting with the president of the Regional Commission of Human Rights of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Maimouna Essayed, during which, the emphasis was placed on the action of this commission on the protection, promotion, and enshrinement of the culture of human rights at the regional level.

In a statement to the press, Wheeler said that this visit provided an opportunity to learn about the progress being made in the region and the aspirations of local officials for its development.

Wheeler said she was also impressed by the level of development in the city of Dakhla and the quality of projects and infrastructure that improve the quality of life of the local population.

In this vein, she welcomed the royal vision to make Dakhla a genuine port platform, noting that the new port of Dakhla-Atlantic will have positive impacts on the social fabric of the city in particular and the region in general.

Earlier in the week, Chairperson of UK-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group conferred in Rabat with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. She underlined during the talks that Morocco is the UKs strategic partner in Africa.

The Conservative MP also commended King Mohammed VIs vision for strengthening stability, democracy and building a strong inclusive economy.

Mrs. Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) is one of the advocates of the Xlinks renewable energy interlink project with Morocco. This $22 bln project is expected to generate 10.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power in Morocco exclusively for the UK market. It aims to deliver 26 terawatt hours per year  enough for more than seven million homes  by 2030.
LINCOLN  For the second consecutive year, The North Platte Telegraph has swept the Nebraska Press Associations top two daily awards for community journalism and claimed the runner-up spot in the NPAs annual sweepstakes contest for daily papers.

Awards in the NPAs 2023 Better Newspaper Contest were announced at the closing evening banquet of the associations 150th anniversary convention Friday and Saturday at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott Hotel.

Saturdays convention luncheon announced The Telegraphs third straight Omaha World-Herald Community Service Award and its second straight World-Herald Service to Agriculture award for dailies.

The 2023 Community Service Award honored the newspapers coverage of last falls successful community campaign for a special half-cent sales tax to expand the North Platte Recreation Complex, renovate Cody Pool and relocate the citys skate park.

A rapid citizen-led petition drive put the proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot after the question failed to win enough City Council support to be referred directly to voters. The sales-tax proposal won nearly 2-to-1 support in the election.

The Telegraph received its Service to Agriculture award for its coverage of then-Gov. Pete Ricketts surprise January 2022 proposal to revive and complete the all-but-forgotten 1894 Perkins County Canal from the South Platte River near Ovid, Colorado, into west central Nebraska.

The newspaper followed the plans evolution throughout 2022, starting with a pair of feature stories in late January and February that uncovered the long-abandoned canals origins, detailed the 1923 conclusion of the South Platte River Compact and examined Nebraskas decision to invoke it to keep its share of South Platte water flowing into the state amid persistent population growth on Colorados Front Range.

Two other west central Nebraska papers won weekly Service to Agriculture awards: the Gothenburg Leader in Division B and Broken Bows Custer County Chief in Division C.

The Telegraph finished behind the Norfolk Daily News in the daily sweepstakes, based on combined individual first-, second- and third-place awards in advertising, photography and digital and news content. The World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star do not compete in the NPA contests.

Newspaper staff members brought home eight individual first-place awards, seven runner-up awards and seven third-place awards.

The West Virginia Press Association judged the main portion of the NPAs Better Newspaper Contest, which covered issues and stories during the 2022 calendar year.

Marcia Hora of Stapleton, owner and publisher of the Stapleton Enterprise, McPherson County News and Thomas County Herald, was named 2023-24 president of the Nebraska Press Advertising Service/OnePress at Saturdays closing convention banquet. Telegraph President Dee Klein became vice president.

Following is a roundup of The Telegraphs awards in individual NPA daily contest categories:

Advertising

First: Staff, signature page; staff, advertising campaign.

Second: Staff, community promotion advertisement; staff, classified section; Jessica Painter, single retail advertising idea-black and white; Megan Duckworth, creative advertising writing.

Third: Megan Duckworth, agricultural advertisement; Mahalia Botts, single classified idea-color.

Photography

First: Tim Johnson, feature photo.

Third: Job Vigil and Todd von Kampen, photo page; Tim Johnson, news photo.

Editorial

First: Joan and Todd von Kampen, editorial page; Joan von Kampen, headline writing; staff, front page.

Second: Todd von Kampen, editorial; Tim Johnson, breaking news; staff, lifestyle page.

Third: Job Vigil, personal column; Tim Johnson, single feature story; staff, general excellence.

Digital

First: Staff, website; staff, best digital advertising idea.
I am not, to say the least, a fan of Ron DeSantis. I was one of the first writers to notice his emerging authoritarian ambitions and unnerving success in discovering illiberal uses of state power to intimidate his enemies. Since that time, he has only grown more authoritarian and dangerous.

The question everybody seems to want to ask about Desantis is Do you think hes worse than Donald Trump? I dont consider that a terribly relevant standard. Im not planning to vote in the Republican primary and, given that both men pose existential dangers to the American political order, by far the most important answer to the choice of Trump versus DeSantis is Neither.

But for whatever reason, people seem interested in the question of who liberal (small-d) democrats should prefer: Trump or DeSantis. And I did briefly opine in 2016, before reversing myself a few weeks later, that they should root for a Trump nomination.

So, what the heck, I will give the people what they want: My current view, subject to change, is that liberals should prefer the Republican nomination go to DeSantis.

One weakness Ive found in most arguments comparing the two candidates is that they examine only a partial aspect of the potential risks they pose. I want to attempt a full accounting of the three main questions: Which candidate would be likelier to win an election if nominated? Which candidate would be more dangerous if elected president? And which candidate would it be preferable for Democrats to defeat?

DeSantis would be easier to beat than Trump

A year ago, I considered DeSantis a more potent nominee than Trump. Now, I think the evidence points the other way.

Trump has well-known liabilities as a general-election nominee that hardly need recapitulating here. But DeSantiss liabilities have grown significantly. He has gone on the record in the past supporting both privatization and benefit cuts for Social Security and Medicare, a position so deeply toxic that even most Republican voters recoil from it. More recently, he signed a ban on abortion after six weeks, a period so restrictive it virtually amounts to a complete ban.

What may be more revealing is DeSantiss navigation of the issue. A more deft politician would have prevailed on his allies in the state legislature to quietly kill the ban, or at least soften it. Instead, he was essentially cornered into signing it. The vulnerabilities the issue presents to him were given away by the fact that he held a private signing ceremony at nearly 11:00 PM, and then declined to bring the subject up the next day when he spoke at Liberty University.

DeSantis is clearly trying to run to Trumps right on social policy, but he is aware that he is creating problems for himself should he win the nomination. Yes, DeSantis would be able to regain some of the orthodox Republican voters repelled by Trumps personal style. But he would forfeit not only some of the Trump cultists whose only connection to Republican politicians is a personal attachment to the 45th president, but also some of the working-class voters Trump attracted by discarding some of his partys unpopular issue baggage.

Trump might  might  be more dangerous as president

Comparing a Trump presidency to a DeSantis presidency takes even more guesswork than comparing the two men as candidates. And here the available evidence strikes me as equivocal.

The most likely scenario, I believe, is that a DeSantis presidency would do more harm. Because DeSantis is smarter and enjoys more unified elite-Republican support than Trump, he would probably have more success advancing his agenda. This agenda includes traditional conservative policy goals  reducing taxes on the rich, cutting spending for the poor, restricting abortion, etc.  and using the state in Nixonian fashion. DeSantis is a National Conservative who is patterning himself after Viktor Orban, a right-wing leader who turned his governing majority into a machine for consolidating power.

When he was president, Trumps efforts to abuse his authority frequently failed because of incompetence or the qualms of his henchmen. DeSantiss illiberal measures are usually legal (with some exceptions) and meet very little intraparty opposition.

The median-case expectation for a DeSantis presidency is, to my mind, worse, than that for a Trump one. However, the tail risks of a Trump presidency loom large. The United States managed to avoid the worst possible outcomes under his administration  war, chaos, martial law  in part because government officials habitually disregarded Trumps directives. As his presidency went on, however, Trump got better at sniffing out the secretly rational or public-minded officials in his midst and replacing them with genuine loyalists.

It is hardly a safe assumption that a second Trump presidency would avoid the most disastrous possible outcomes. And while DeSantis appears intent on driving the United States toward an Orban-like illiberal democracy in which the ruling party slowly strangles the opposition, the slowly part matters. As awful as it may be, democratic backsliding is at least potentially reversible. The worst conceivable outcomes of a second Trump presidency might not be.

It would be better to beat DeSantis than Trump

The previous category presumes the Republican presidential nominee has won. Now I want to imagine a scenario where the Republican has lost. Does it matter? Id argue that it matters a lot, and the country would be much better off defeating DeSantis than Trump.

Defeating Donald Trump in the general election means first winning the vote (which, in both of the two elections in which he has run, required winning the national vote by 3 to 4 percent), then defeating his legal challenges and then probably putting down an insurrection. Even coming out of this process successfully leaves deep civic scars. It is not a good situation to be in.

DeSantis would absolutely engage in Bush v. Gorestyle hardball, perhaps with a Brooks Brother riot or two in the case of a very close election. But he is at least likely to restrict his challenges to legal activities. DeSantis is a young man with a future at stake even if he loses, and he wouldnt burn the country down out of anger (or fear of personal criminal exposure).

Whats more, the candidate you beat matters for the lessons the defeated party is apt to take away. The Republican partys evolution toward authoritarianism is the greatest problem in American politics. Simply trying to keep Republicans out of power can only work for so long. What needs to happen at some point is for Republicans themselves to decide their own extremism and anti-democratic tendencies are an impediment to power rather than a shortcut to obtaining it.

As weve seen, beating Donald Trump again would only go so far in teaching the Republican party any lessons. The Trump base still wants to nominate Trump again. The Republican elite is hoping to nominate a more disciplined authoritarian who will hold together Trumps coalition all the way out to the anti-vaxxers, J6ers, and white nationalists, whom DeSantis is keeping in the tent.

Defeating DeSantis would send a tougher message: The problem isnt just one man but an entire style of politics. Republicans might see a DeSantis loss as a repudiation of the Trumpist style of totalistic partisan culture war, or even of the uncompromising right-wing social and economic agenda. I wouldnt bet on this. It will probably take several defeats for the lesson to sink in. But a DeSantis loss would seem to offer a faster road back to sanity for the GOP.

Needless to say, my analysis of the choice at this early stage may change with the course of events. And I must emphasize again that nobody needs to vote in the Republican primary, and the best option for any liberal, moderate, or believer in democracy is to keep the Republicans away from power until they become sane again. In the meantime, the party has nothing to offer but different kinds of bad choices.
South Korean military officials confirmed on Sunday, April 16, that warning shots had been fired against a North Korean vessel that had breached the maritime boundary on Saturday, adding to the rising tensions caused by Pyongyang's recent missile launches.

Breached Sea Boundaries Prompted Warning Shots

Around 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 15, a North Korean patrol boat reportedly crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime barrier, despite warning shots and radio alerts from the South.

According to The New York Post, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issued a statement on Sunday saying, "Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemy's movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL violations by North Korean patrol boats."

Due to poor visibility, a South Korean patrol ship collided with a nearby Chinese fishing vessel during the operations, resulting in "minor contact" and minor casualties to the South Korean crew, as reported by the JCS.

Read Also: North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch Cause Japan to Issue an Erroneous Warning

Recent Military Activities Raised Further Tensions

Notably, tensions were already high due to the North's increased military actions in recent weeks. This includes testing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, April 14, which analysts believe could be used to fire missiles with little advance notice.

Since the 1990s, Pyongyang has argued that the NLL should be located far further to the south than where it was originally established at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

In October of last year, the two Koreas exchanged warning shots in the western oceans, accusing one other of crossing the maritime boundary.

Since March, when the annual springtime exercises between South Korean and US troops began, Pyongyang has threatened military strikes in response, calling the drills a rehearsal for nuclear war.

Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, has reportedly issued orders to make North Korea's war deterrent "more practical and offensive" in response to what Pyongyang claims are aggressive actions by the US and South Korea.

The US and South Korea claim that their military exercises against North Korea are defensive in nature.

Ties Between the US and South Korea

Saturday's incursion happened as North Korea's weapons were displayed. US-South Korean joint military drills to address the North Korean threat have escalated, too.

AP News reported that next week, 110 airplanes, including F-35 fighter jets, will participate in another large-scale joint exercise between South Korea and the US Seoul's Defense Ministry said the aircraft exercises, which will go through April 28, will improve operating capabilities and demonstrate the allies' united defense against North Korean threats.

Read Also: South Korea Takes Bold Step to Tackle Social Isolation, Offering 'Lonely Young People' Money

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Natural gas prices have continued their relentless slide after the latest inventory data showed the markets continue to be well supplied. Natural gas (Henry Hub) prices have given up early-week gains, with prices currently sitting at $2.00 per MMBtu down from $2.19 per MMBtu on Tuesday. EIA weekly data revealed that gas stocks for the week ended April 7, 2023 clocked in at 1,855 Bcf vs. 1,830 Bcf for the week ended March 31, 2023, good for +25 Bcf injection vs -23 Bcf for the previous week. Gas prices are now down a staggering 56% since the beginning of the year. Unfortunately for the bulls, the short-term outlook remains bleak, with NatGasWeather saying storage surpluses are likely to expand further in the coming weeks due to light demand. Although there are some cool weather systems in the forecast, the latest weather models have trended warmer.

Thankfully, the longer term outlook is likely to be more favorable. Europe has failed to secure enough long-term LNG contracts to offset cut-off Russian gas imports, with Reuters predicting this may prove costly next winter and could sharply tighten the market. The European Union views natural gas as a bridge fuel in the transition to renewable energy, and buyers generally struggle to commit to long-term contracts. This means that Europe might be forced to buy more from the spot markets like it did in 2022, which in turn is likely to push prices up:

"Since the green lobby in Europe has managed to persuade politicians wrongly that hydrogen to a large extent can replace natural gas as an energy carrier by 2030, Europe has become far too reliant on spot and short term purchases of LNG," consultant Morten Frisch told Reuters.

Related: U.S. Drilling Activity Slips Further



Source: Business Insider

Given this backdrop, its hardly surprising that it has become more profitable to short natural gas equities than bet on them: the ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas ETF (KOLD) boasts a juicy year-to-date return of 146%, incomparable to -79% return by the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas ETF (BOIL).

KOLD is an inverse ETF that provides daily -2x exposure to an index that tracks natural gas by holding one second month futures contract at a time while BOIL provides 2x the daily return of an index that measures the price performance of natural gas as reflected through publicly traded natural gas futures contracts.

That said, contrarian investors betting on a gas turnaround will be delighted to know that theres no shortage of natural gas bargains in the space. Here are a few.

EQT Corp.

Market Cap: $11.9B

YTD Returns: 2.9%

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) is the largest natural gas producer in the United States with ~25.0 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil reserves across approximately 2.0 million gross acres.

EQT is not content with just being a lumbering gas giant, but has been expanding via acquisitions: in the third quarter, the company announced a $5.2 billion purchase of natural gas producer THQ Appalachia I LLC as well as associated pipeline assets of XcL Midstream in the biggest M&A deal for the quarter. THQ Appalachia, which is owned by privately held gas producer Tug Hill Operating. EQT said the assets acquired include ~90K core net acres offsetting its existing core leasehold in West Virginia, producing 800M cfe/day and expected to generate free cash flow at average natural gas prices above ~$1.35/MMBtu over the next five years. The company also doubled its buyback program to $2B, and said it is increasing its year-end 2023 debt reduction goal to $4B from $2.5B.

Last year, EQT unveiled a plan centered on producing more liquified natural gas by dramatically increasing natural gas drilling in Appalachia and around the country's shale basins, as well as pipeline and export terminal capacity, which it said would not only boost United States energy security, but also help break the global reliance on coal and on countries like Russia and Iran. Its latest acquisition will, therefore, help the company meet its goal. EQT shares nearly doubled in 2022.

EQT Corporation is expected to report Q4 2022 earnings on 04/26/2023 after the market closes. According to Zacks Investment Research, based on 13 analysts' forecasts, the consensus EPS forecast for the quarter is $1.38. Vs. $0.81 for Q1 2022.

Antero Resources Corp (NYSE:AR)

Market Cap: ~$7B

YTD Returns: -16%

Down 16% year-to-date, and down nearly 30% in the past six months, Antero could be a decent buying opportunity. The stock has underperformed the broader market due to the slide in natural gas prices; however, if the expected increase in demand materializes, this one could turn around quickly. Markets are volatile and fickle these days.

Hedge funds are giving this one a fair amount of attention due to the potential upside given the companys strong financials.

Hedge funds view Antero as having a relatively decent ROE (return on equity), pays no dividend, but reinvests heavily into growth.

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That said, its worth noting that Wells Fargo has recently downgraded Antero from overweight to equal weight, but still gives the stock a nearly 42% upside.

Cheniere Energy Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG)

Market Cap: $37.2B

YTD Returns: 8.73%

While Cheniere is up 8.73% year-to-date, its also shed nearly 11% in the past six months as natural gas prices take investors for a ride. But the long-term picture suggests upside for the Houston-based energy company focused primarily on LNG production, shipping and marketing.

As one of the leading LNG exporters in the world, Cheniere is on solid ground long-term. However, the near-term concern is that the European Unions natural gas storage units are still relatively full after a mild winter.. Some (including Cheniere) are worried that we could see some LNG cargo cancellations this summer as a result. Shortly after that, though, we will see another drive to fill storage ahead of the next winter season.

Be on the lookout for Q1 2023 results, scheduled to be released on May 2. Last earnings season we saw Cheniere bring in $15.78 per share, with revenue of $9.1 billion.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Russias war against Ukraine has diverted observers attention away from its policies in Latin America. While the blockade of the Black Sea and ensuing weaponization of both Russian and Ukrainian exports has triggered significant attention to, in and around great-power rivalries in Africa, nothing of the sort has taken place regarding Latin America. However, this should not lead observers to think that Russia has pulled back or diminished its activities here. Indeed, Russia has continued to enhance its ties with many states on the continentincluding Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuelawhile probing for openings elsewhere throughout Latin America.

Furthermore, Latin American policy apparently enjoys high-level protection in Moscow. According to Igor Sechin, the most likely curator of Russian policy in Latin America, Putin directly and personally supervises everything related to bilateral policy in relations with Cuba (Translatingcuba.com, March 6). And this style of supervision is unlikely to stop with Cuba. Once the war in Ukraine began, Moscow vastly stepped up its already robust and continent-wide information warfare against the United States (Dialogo-americas.com, February 18, 2022; DW, April 13, 2022). Moreover, this information campaign is connected to direct Russian attempts to intervene in the 2022 presidential elections in Colombia, a US ally in the region (Infobae.com, March 28). This approach clearly sought to sway votes for then-candidate Gustavo Petro (Latinoamerica21.com, January 23). At the same time, the Mexican newspaper El Universal has released reports on cyber hacks against Latin American security services that reveal connections between Russia and local criminal actors (El Universal, October 4, 2022). Indeed, Russian radars have shown up on Colombias border with Venezuela (Archdye, February 27, 2022), and Russian forces and contractors have been reported in the area (La Patilla, February 22, 2022). In yet another case, a Russian national connected to the Mexican Special Forces trained and provided weapons for a self-defense force in the southern state of Guerrero.

Meanwhile, disturbing signs are emerging that Latin American dictators are using Russian help and models to consolidate their domestic rule. In Venezuela, the government of Nicolas Maduro has expanded military and intelligence cooperation with Russia, so much so that mercenary forces from the notorious Wagner Group are now being deployed in Venezuela (Riddle Russia, January 9). Furthermore, Maduros regime has also increased signals intelligence and cyber cooperation against the internal opposition, foreign nongovernmental organizations and Colombia. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Foreign Minister Eduardo Gil Pinto, in March 2023, told Lebanese television station Mayadeen that Venezuela cooperates closely with both Russia and Iran (Memri.org, March 2). Most recently, Russian and Venezuelan officials came to an agreement to establish a direct maritime corridor between the two countries as soon as possible to facilitate trade and further deepen relations (Sputnik Mundo, April 7).

In Nicaragua, the Daniel Ortega regime, with Russian assistance, is building a comprehensive dictatorship (Havana Times, February 7). Moscow plays an active role in Managuas cyber intelligence, and Colonel Oleg Surov, who reports directly to the Kremlin, is setting up a cadre of pro-Russian intelligence officers who will be able to operate throughout Latin America and as a domestic police force. Russia has 250 troops in the country, and Nicaragua actively maintains a Glonass telecommunications satellite, thus integrating itself into Moscows cyber network structures (Havana Times, February 7). In addition, the regime now uses Russias SORM (System for Operative Intelligence Activities) network for domestic surveillance (Confidencial, February 16).

Finally, in Cuba, the current regime, permanently afflicted by subpar economic performances imposed by the Castro brothers socialist policies, yet no longer bound to their legacy, has instead opted for the Castros other pillar of their rule: emulation of Russia. Members of the Cuban elite have met with the Russian elite to discuss founding a center to prepare economic changes in Cuba based on the development of private enterprise (Havana Times, January 28). This hardly means that Havana will renounce its political power, quite the opposite. Instead, it will attempt to emulate Putins Russia all the more. Therefore, the creation of a center for economic transformation and Cubas apparent decision to launch economic reforms under Russian auspices will, according to the independent outlet Cuba Siglo 21, result in a Russian mafioso market under Muscovite hegemony.

Thus, Russia is unceasing in its efforts to set Latin America ablaze, by inciting conflict and waging an unrelenting information war to undermine Washingtons friends and position on the continent. In truth, Moscow may carry out moves in the region similar to what occurred in 2008 and 2014 in reaction to US opposition to Russias invasions of Georgia and Crimea. Yet, at the same time, Russias domination of domestic and intelligence developments inside its allies or client statesincluding Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaraguaseems to be growing. Apart from the past record of Russian efforts to expand influence, leverage and strategic presence in Latin America, Moscows current activities reflect the continuing disposition to use all the tools of its tradeeconomic, military, cyber and diplomatic capabilitiesto achieve results and integrate its Latin American policies into the overall new priority of concentrating on the Global South (i.e. Africa, Asia and Latin America) (see EDM, January 6).

Indeed, the Kremlins policies in Latin America demonstrate that the war against Ukraine is only part of a larger and primarily non-kinetic, but no less serious, war against the West. And given recent developments, that war is nowhere near its end.

By the Jamestown Foundation

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While the world is still relying heavily on fossil fuels, and the revenues they bring in, as green energy becomes more widespread, we can expect a new range of high-cost energy projects that could earn countries billions. The global demand for metals and minerals has been on the rise for years and is continuing to climb rapidly too fast, in fact, for mining activities to keep up. As the need for these resources becomes greater as the world undergoes a green transition, the price of minerals, such as lithium, and metals, such as copper and zinc, are expected to soar. And this could be just the incentive that is needed to turn efforts away from fossil fuels to greener alternatives.

Australia, which still relies heavily on coal mining for its economic prosperity and energy security, is beginning to turn its attention to lithium. With extensive mining experience and huge lithium reserves, Australia could play a major role in the green transition and make good money while doing it. Chile and Australia are home to the largest lithium reserves in the world, with 9.2 million metric tonnes and 5.7 million metric tonnes of lithium respectively. And while Chile has the bigger reserves, Australia is already exploiting its mining potential successfully, with a lithium output of around 68,450 metric tonnes in 2022 compared to Chiles 26,000 tonnes output.

Despite the potential for a shift to lithium mining, Australia continues to mine huge amounts of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, every year. Australias coal production increased by around 3.5 percent in 2021 and remained flat in 2022, at 565.1 million metric tonnes. While there is significant pressure to achieve the governments net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 target, by December 2021 there were 37 coal projects at the feasibility stage. With 74,147 million tonnes of black coal and 74,039 Mt of brown coal, its no wonder that Australia wants to continue producing the fossil fuel, particularly as demand for Australian coal exports in Asia remains high. However, there may now be a cleaner and more lucrative alternative for the mining industry  lithium.

Australian lithium exports could be earning as much as sales from thermal coal within the next five years as demand for the white gold increases with the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and other battery technology rises. Meanwhile, the value of fossil fuels is expected to decrease as demand trails off in favour of green alternatives. Recent data from the Australian government suggests that the countrys lithium production could double by 2027-28, with revenues expected to triple. And the value of Australias coal exports is expected to fall by over 70 over the same period.

The price of lithium is expected to reach around $19 billion this year before dropping off as new mines open around the world, balancing out supply and demand. The value of lithium is expected to rise again after this slump as demand continues to climb well into the next decades. With EV sales projected to see tenfold growth between now and 2030, as well as the demand for batteries for electrical devices and renewable energy projects expected to rise sharply, there will be a much greater need for lithium. In addition to lithium, Australia has around 22 percent of the worlds nickel reserves and 21 percent of its cobalt, meaning that a move away from coal does not spell the end for the countrys mining industry or role in the international energy industry.

Australia aims to be producing 116,240 tonnes of lithium a year by 2026, which could make it the worlds biggest producer. Although it will see strong competition from the South American Lithium Triangle development between Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. The three countries together account for approximately 56percent of the worlds lithium supply. Much of the investment in the region comes from China, which has acquired several Argentinian, Chilean, and Bolivia lithium mining operations. China invested around $16 million in mining projects in the Lithium Tringle between 2018 and 2020 and is expected to continue investing in the region.

China controlled around 65 percent of the worlds lithium processing and refining capacity in 2021, a figure that is continuing to grow in line with its investments in new lithium projects. Although it only had access to around 25 percent of the worlds reserves. Joe Lowry, president of consultancy Global Lithium, explained China is vulnerable as it lacks [lithium] resources at home, and has to rely on supply from other countries. This means that countries such as Australia and those in the Lithium Triangle have significant potential to shape their mining operations and position themselves in the global metals and minerals market as the world shifts away from fossil fuels to green alternatives.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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HILGERS GRABEN FURTHER EXPANDS LINCOLN OFFICE, ADDS ATTORNEY HADYN PETTERSEN

Hilgers Graben PLLC welcomes litigation associate Hadyn Pettersen to its Lincoln office, continuing to bolster the reach and talent of the firm's deep roster by adding another highly credentialed attorney with wide-ranging experience in complex litigation matters. With a practice focused on commercial disputes in federal and state courts, Hadyn has represented clients in breach of contract claims, toxic tort suits, restructuring matters, and government-facing investigations.

Prior to joining Hilgers Graben, Hadyn was a litigation associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis. Hadyn is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where he served as the Executive Articles Editor for the Notre Dame Law Review.

"Hadyn's litigation expertise would be an asset to any law firm," said firm owner Heather Hilgers, "but he is an especially ideal match for our model of finding highly-talented lawyers and plugging them into our 'no jerks' culture. Our clients win by having access to the same incredible legal talent offered by Big Law, but at a signficantly lower price point."

About Hilgers Graben PLLC

Hilgers Graben PLLC is an elite nationwide litigation and discovery counsel firm specializing in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation, discovery counsel services, and trademark services. Hilgers Graben uses common-sense business principles to provide high-value legal services while keeping rates sane for clients. The firm has nearly 140 professionals nationwide, including top attorneys it has recruited from elite firms around the country; the firm was named a "Best Law Firm" for 2022 and 2023 by U.S. News and World Report. Its business model and cultural approach have created significant traction in the marketplace; the firm has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America four times, including for 2022.

For more information, please visit www.HilgersGraben.com or info@hilgersgraben.com.
Nebraska Community Foundation promotes Crotty to Director of Advancement

Nebraska Community Foundation is proud to announce the promotion of Janny Crotty to director of advancement.

The director of advancement does fundraising in support of NCF. In close partnership with NCF's president/CEO and chief operating officer, Crotty will lead NCF staff and the board of directors in developing and executing a fund development plan to advance the mission of NCF. Crotty will also help individuals, families and their businesses make major gifts for the benefit of NCF and NCF affiliated funds.

"I am a fierce advocate for the NCF mission because I live it every day," Crotty said. "Sharing the joy I find in this mission with others and inspiring hopefulness for the future is a strength of mine and will undoubtedly be put to good use in the Director of Advancement role."

Crotty joined NCF in 2016 as an affiliated fund development coordinator and was promoted to assistant director of advancement in 2018. She splits her time between her home office in Auburn, Nebraska and NCF's headquarters in Lincoln. Janny graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.A. in Communication Studies and from Syracuse University with an M.A. in Documentary Film and History. Prior to joining the NCF team in 2016, she worked at Peru State College in the School of Education and before that in development at the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving more than 270 communities. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.
In November 2021, doctors at Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates in Omaha got what might be considered a new assistant.

Called GI Genius, the new computer-aided system was designed to help doctors performing colonoscopies identify  in real time  suspicious tissue that might be a polyp, or precancerous lesion in the colon.

The Medtronic device puts a little green box on any spot it thinks might be a polyp, using the same display screen a doctor is watching while navigating the colons twists and turns and searching for suspicious spots.

Finding and removing the lesions is important because it decreases a patients risk of developing colon cancer, said Dr. Jason Cisler, a gastroenterologist and the practices quality chairman. Studies have shown that doctors find more polyps if they have two people looking at the screen.

After adopting the system, the groups already good adenoma detection rate  the rate at which doctors find and remove polyps during screening colonoscopies  went up 10% across the board, putting the practice at more than double the national standard. Every 1% increase in the detection rate, according to one study, decreases patients risk of colon cancer by 3%.

It makes it a more sensitive screening tool, Cisler said. And what were doing is screening. If were able to prevent more colon cancer, thats the rationale where were at today.

The device, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2021, uses a type of artificial intelligence. And its just one of a number of technologies incorporating various forms of artificial intelligence that are already working behind the scenes in Nebraska hospitals and clinics. And with research and development underway around the world, there will be more.

Some are focused on flagging doctors about needed health screenings and identifying hospitalized patients at higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital or developing potentially life-threatening infections. Others monitor patients at risk of falling and analyze the impact of blockages in heart arteries on blood flow.

AI also is being used to take some mundane tasks off the plates of both clerical staff and health care providers, freeing them to do higher-level work.

Some Nebraska Medicine doctors are using a product called Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX, from a company called Nuance, to capture conversations between themselves and patients and create notes in patients charts, said Scott Raymond, the health systems chief information and innovation officer. The physician then reviews and accepts the notes. Some physicians notes now are proving accurate with no need for further human intervention between 80% and 90% of the time.

Its a great use of the technology, he said. Its taking away physician burnout, the burden of documentation ... where (they) feel theyre practicing medicine and not being documentation specialists.

Lincolns Bryan Health plans to go live with the system in early May. We think that will (be) a tremendous win for both our patients and our physicians, said Bridgett Ojeda, that systems chief information officer.

Raymond said Microsoft plans to put the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT behind the next version of the program. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has been making headlines around the world in recent months. Users would have to decide whether to adopt it.

Such technologies are making it a fun time to be in health care information technology, Ojeda said. Technologists have spent the last two decades getting information out of paper files and into electronic systems. Now AI and large language models like ChatGPT are allowing them to begin using that data to benefit patients.

Indeed, the authors of a 2022 report from the National Academy of Medicine on AI in health care said their hope is that AI will be the payback for investments in electronic systems.

They caution, however, that such systems could introduce bias if not carefully trained and create concerns about privacy and security.

Raymond acknowledged that standards and guardrails need to be put around the technology, particularly when it comes to the chatbots.

Ojeda noted that other challenges lie in having enough health care data and engineering experts to put the technology to work in ways that help rather than disrupt. With interest and investment in the sector high, they have to focus on selecting tools that will be sustainable and ultimately benefit patients.

But Dr. Steven Leitch, vice president of clinical informatics with CHI Health, stressed that humans, not machines, still are making the decisions.

What would make it scary is if we dont make the human in charge, he said. And thats not what health care is about. Doctors and nurses make decisions in health care. Its between people. These tools are amendments; theyre only going to be assisting where we allow them to assist.

Raymond, who previously practiced as a pediatric intensive care nurse, said Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are forming a committee to consider how the health system will use chatbot technology in research, education and clinical care.

Its happening in medicine, he said. Its happening slowly and carefully with a lot of thought behind it. I think it will change how we deliver care and it will improve care. Our responsibility is to make sure we use the technology in the right way.

The term artificial intelligence, however, implies that machines are reasoning the way humans do, he said. Theyre not, although theyre good at gathering data, learning from it and starting to glean insights.

In actuality, Leitch said, what most people think of as artificial intelligence really is a broader category that includes a lot of different tools, including machine learning, robotic process automation and the chatbots natural language processing. Even chatbots, however, arent having independent thoughts but rather are running very complex sets of rules.

Cisler said the GI Genius system, also in place at Methodist Endoscopy Center, which is owned by Midwest and Methodist, has been trained on millions of images from colonoscopies and is constantly updated.

But the final word on whether what the system flags actually is a polyp  rather than a bubble or fold in the colon  lies with the doctor, he said.

Such systems, however, also can help sort patients in other ways, and in doing so, make it more likely they get the care they need.

Hastings Family Care in Hastings, Nebraska, part of Mary Lanning Healthcare, recently began using Eyenuks EyeArt technology, a special camera connected to a computer backed by machine learning that allows providers to screen patients with diabetes for diabetic retinopathy, without dilating their eyes.

People who have diabetes are advised to have their eyes checked once a year for the condition, which can cause vision loss and blindness. Early treatment can stop progression.

But Jessica Sutton, clinic manager, said a lot of diabetics dont get the annual exams, often due to a lack of vision insurance, transportation or time to get to an eye doctor. The clinic saw 980 patients with diabetes last year, 45% of whom had not had the exam. Funding for the equipment came through a local donor and a grant UNMC received to improve diabetic care in rural areas.

Dr. Zachary Frey, director of primary care, said he saw three such patients Wednesday morning. One didnt have insurance. The other two hadnt had an eye exam in a while. Having the device allows the clinic staff to catch such patients when theyre already in the office.

Frey said the system essentially provides three results, each of which triggers next steps. If no problem is detected, the patient is cleared until the next year. If the scan shows changes suggesting retinopathy, the patient is referred to an eye doctor for further investigation. If it detects vision-threatening retinopathy, the patient is sent to a retina specialist.

The systems also can be used to keep patients from falling through the cracks in other ways.

Methodist, for instance, has several systems aimed at helping put additional eyes on lung scans.

One searches radiology reports from scans of, say, the abdomen, that incidentally catch part of the lung for key words like nodule. Those get sent to a team that determines whether there might be a problem, and if so, contacts the patients doctor, even those in other health systems, said Dr. Adam Wells, a pulmonologist with Methodist Physicians Clinic and Methodist Hospital.

That incidental nodule program flagged more than 13,000 scans last year, which triggered nearly 1,000 communications with a physician and ongoing follow-up with more than 700 patient scans, he said. Those identified nearly 30 cancers.

The health system also screens patients with a known risk for lung cancer using low-dose CT scans, Wells said. While radiologists read the scans, an AI program reads behind and categorizes any spots it sees. Nearly 20 cancers were identified last year out of more than 2,300 scheduled screening scans.

Cancer is a common focus. Locally, the Omaha-based MRI medical device company Bot Image, founded by entrepreneur Randall Jones, last year received FDA clearance for an AI-driven software system called ProstatID for detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.

But there are others. Leitch said CHI uses robotic process automation, or bots, which use sets of rules to identify patients with upcoming visits and check if theyre due for a test, such as a lung cancer screening.

If so, it places a pending order in the patients electronic medical record. If the doctor and patient decide its not the right time for the test, the provider can remove it. But it takes the burden off the doctor to remember every test a patient might need, particularly on busy days with lots of distractions.

Other systems can be used to help monitor hospitalized patients. Bryan for several years has used a fall-prevention system developed by Lincoln-based Ocuvera, Ojeda said. It uses 3-D cameras and an algorithm to predict patient movement and alert nurses before a fall can occur.

Epic Systems, she said, has developed five different predictive models that monitor hospitalized patients for other risks, including sepsis and hospital readmission, and alert clinicians so they can respond quickly.

Health systems that use Epics health records, including Bryan, CHI and Nebraska Medicine, can then adopt them and build them out for their patient populations, she said.

One of the latest, which CHI has adopted and Bryan is developing, is a model that helps predict when patients will be no-shows for clinic appointments.

If providers can head off missed appointments by, say, Leitch said, providing transportation, they can keep patients healthier.

If we do what the evidence shows us, as we learn more and more, its going to make it easier for us to deliver the care the right way every time, Leitch said.
Zanessa Taylor has undergone two major throat surgeries and has begun months of chemotherapy.

To receive her treatments, the 14-year-old and her mother, Jessica, have to drive six and a half hours to Children Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha from Alliance, Nebraska. They stay at the hospitals Carolyn Scott Rainbow House when needed.

On the way home from Zanessas last treatment, the familys car caught on fire and burned.

The Warriors Missions American Childrens Cancer Benevolence Fund stepped in. Michael Lane, program director, said theyve found a 2007 Lincoln Town Car for the family with bigger back doors and a larger back seat to make the long drives more comfortable for Zanessa.

Lane said Zanessas family was thrilled and thankful.

This family is enduring things that most of us cannot really appreciate, Lane said. So they deserve all the help they can get. It would be so hard for them to do it alone.

The Consumers Cooperative Federal Credit Union in Alliance has set up an account where people can donate to help the family with living expenses and travel expenses.

Volunteers sought for Do Good Days

SHARE Omaha and SHARE Iowa are looking to grow volunteerism during Do Good Days April 19-22.

The two organizations year-round community efforts have been instrumental in helping nonprofits across the region with financial support, fulfilling wish lists and recruiting volunteers.

SHARE Omaha and SHARE Iowas 2023 Do Good Days campaign will focus on rebuilding the volunteer base desperately needed by nonprofits across the midlands. The goal is 500 volunteer sign-ups during the four days to jumpstart a new wave of contagious volunteerism that can continue through the year. Do Good Days falls within National Volunteer Week.

Through an informal survey, we discovered that nonprofit organizations across our area are short an average of 88 volunteer hours each week, Executive Director of SHARE Omaha Teresa Mardesen said. National data shows that each volunteer hour completed is the equivalent of $30 of value to the nonprofit served. This creates a gap of $1.8 million in value across over 700 nonprofits each week that organizations need to complete their mission work.

While SHARE Omaha and SHARE Iowa continue to work with all the organizations served 365 days a year by the searchable platforms to raise money and promote events and wish lists, this year Do Good Days is especially focused on volunteerism. Corporations, civic organizations and small businesses are encouraged to do a group project, promote employee volunteering, hold an office collection drive or promote additional ways to do good during Do Good Days.

Three companies are focused on uplifting community needs during these four days: Lincoln Financial Group as the Do Good Days Champion for Education, Metropolitan Utilities District as the Do Good Days Champion for Housing and Omaha Steaks as the Do Good Days Champion for Hunger. Opportunities to make a difference for education, housing, hunger needs and more are available at shareomaha.org/dogooddays.

Robbins is honored by Lutheran Outdoor Ministries

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries recognized Les Robbins with its Vocation Award at the 10th annual Heart of Camp Gala.

Through his 11 years as volunteer chief financial officer, Robbins has been a part of campaigns for the construction or renovation of more than half of the buildings at Sullivan Hills Camp and Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center.

Robbins said when he started, NLOM had $5 million in net assets and $1.5 million in debt. Today the organization has $15 million in net assets and is debt free.

Its growing, not because of any special sauce or any financial finagling I did, Robbins said. It happened because of the great donor base we have. And just because were debt free, doesnt mean we stop. The best is ahead for camp. Im excited about what the future holds for it.

Whitacre to speak at Red Cloud Opera House

Bruce Whitacre has returned to Nebraska for a book tour for his collection of poems celebrating the pioneer and artistic spirit of his great-grandmother, Jennie Hicks.

He will be reading poetry from his book The Elk in the Glade: The World of Pioneer and Painter Jennie Hicks at a free book talk and signing Monday at 1 p.m. at the Red Cloud Opera House. Copies of his book are also available for purchase from the National Willa Cather Center Bookstore.

Based on personal memories and family oral history, Whitacres debut collection of 16 poems traces the life and legacy of a family matriarch.

United Way celebrates its 100th anniversary

The United Way of the Midlands marked its 100th anniversary last week.

Formed in 1923 when local citizens banded together for a common cause, the organization was designed to pool community resources and invest in critical health and human services nonprofits that directly supported local needs. Originally called The Community Chest, in its earliest days, funds were raised across the community and allocated to 32 nonprofit organizations.

To check out a historic timeline of UWMs century of giving back to the metro community, go to UnitedWayMidlands.org/100YearsImpact.

Today, thanks to partnerships created with local businesses, state and local government, individual donors, nonprofit agencies, volunteers and others  UWM continues to thrive and now supports more than 150 nonprofit programs and direct services across the metro to help our neighbors in need.

As we recognize 100 years of serving the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, we are so grateful for the support and caring spirit that has made this work possible, said Shawna Forsberg, UWM president and CEO. And to say thank you and celebrate a century of building a stronger tomorrow for our community, we hope everyone will join us for the fun community-wide events we have planned throughout the summer.

Information on UWMs 100-year anniversary events can be found at UnitedWayMidlands.org/100yearevents.

Joslyn Castle event will be about artist Kingman

Joslyn Castle is hosting an event on April 26 exploring the life and works of artist Eugene Kingman.

He was the longest-serving director of Joslyn Art Museum, a muralist, a cartographer and a talented painter.

He painted a lot of Nebraska scenery and loved prairie living, even though he was born an East Coaster, Joslyn Castles Kelli Bello said.

The Castle owns the New York Times Mural by Kingman that formerly hung in the downtown library lobby. Its packed and stored in the Joslyn Art Museum archives until a home can be found for it.

We want to find it a permanent home where the public can enjoy it, Bello said.

Historian John Dechant is emceeing the program, and historian Maureen McCann Waldron will be presenting about his life. Several of Kingman works from private collections will be on loan for the evening.

Summer season starts at DeSoto Wildlife Refuge

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge began its summer use season on Saturday.

The auto tour road is open, including portions that were closed during the migration periods. Visitors are able to hike the nature trails, fish, boat, bird watch, and mushroom hunt.

The visitor center remains open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fishing and no-wake boating is now permitted at DeSoto Lake. Mushroom gathering is allowed until Oct. 14.
In the period prior to the Civil War, which began in 1861, there was slavery, Black people were denied of Civil Rights, human rights, voting tights, dignities ... all with supporting legalities. The southern sector of our country were willing to create their own country, to secede from this country in order to maintain these practices.

As this country approached the 1960s, we African Americans again were faced with a country divided. Divided between racism and anti-racism, between womens rights and disregard, between discriminatory and racist housing practices, intentional educational gaps, return of Jim Crow practices as it related to voting rights, equal rights and justice in every aspect of our lives.

African Americans fought for, and received, relief from this history with the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Finally, there appeared to be the willingness that, in spite of political and social divisions, to find room for common ground and progress.

Unfortunately, it is my developed and earned wisdom that our country has returned to the state that we were morally, politically and ideologically in the 1860s and 1960s. Deja vu, all over again.

As this country faces 2023, we are rapidly returning to the former days of the worst America for African Americans, not the good old days, not the glory days, but the bad days. Lynching has been replaced by rogue police killings. The undiagnosed mental health in our country that had generated random acts of violence, has been replaced by undiagnosed mental issues of today, producing the rash of mass shooting events. The need for guns for hunting and wars of the past has been replaced by the undisciplined use of assault weapons to kill each other.

States are threatening to remove themselves from the sensible order of this country, to the nonsensical order of their own hate-filled, divisive assaults on democracy, which is analogous to the pre-Civil War-era and the pre-Civil Rights Movement-era. Deja vu, all over again.

Nationally, we have leaders who look away from insurrection and assault on democracy, as was done with slavery. The ocean of inequities continue for Blacks.

Statewide, we have opposition leaders who continue to invent and create ways to suppress votes as was done during Jim Crow, and we have friendly leaders who are preventing the movement of the most significant legislation in a generation, federal funds to spur the recovery of North and South Omaha. My entire life, I have watched the disinvestment of my community, and over and over we have been either forced or asked to wait. Either way we waited. Deja vu, all over again.

Blacks are faced with fighting all over again for our rights, respect, wealth development for gains made and lost 100 years ago and 50 years ago. No other event could illustrate my point more than the most recent actions of the Tennessee State Legislature, who in one action of expelled two Black senators from their elected posts, demonstrated racism and assaults on democracy, showed disregard for civil rights and human rights, and yet still no action on assault weapons killing people and children in their own state.

I have lived most of my life and the waters have flowed under my bridge, but our youth are just going to the river for a drink and have a thirst for a full life. What they are begging for is the recognition of the adults to understand that their future is in our hands. I agree. We need to save our children. I challenge us all to lay down our divisiveness and focus on doing whatever is necessary to save our children. Dont forget, besides push-back on race and gender, they have climate change, potential nuclear war and unbridled assault weapons to add to their woes.

To my North Omaha community, Black Votes Matter family of educators, my Black Political Summit participants and my friendly collaborators, we must be proactive and serve in this era as leaders and soldiers, in order to stop our deja vu cycle back to Americas dark side. Make a commitment to speak up, stand up and vote our way up!
After years of delays, Finland's Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor, Europe's biggest, resumed normal production early on Sunday, April 16, according to its operator. This now strengthens energy security in a region where Russia has curtailed gas and electricity supplies.

Although OL3 has begun operations, the use of nuclear power in Europe is still divisive owing to safety concerns.

On Saturday, April 15, Germany will shut down its final three reactors, and new nuclear power plants are being planned in Sweden, France, Britain, and others.

New Nuclear Reactor Began Normal Output

Finland's new nuclear reactor, the most powerful in Europe by production capacity, has finished its nearly a year-long testing phase and begun regular production. This greatly increases the Nordic country's electrical self-sufficiency.

Sunday marked the beginning of normal production at the 1,600-megawatt Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which was linked to the Finnish national electricity system in March 2022. After 14 years of planning, operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) tweeted, "Olkiluoto 3 is now ready."

Operator TVO is managed by Finnish utility Fortum and a consortium of energy and industrial enterprises.

In a report by Reuters, TVO has claimed the unit is projected to cover roughly 14% of Finland's power consumption, hence lowering the need for imports from Sweden and Norway.

After moving from testing to normal production on Sunday, (TVO) stated in a statement that the new reactor is projected to produce for at least 60 years.

TVO's Chief Executive Jarmo Tanhua remarked in the announcement, "The production of Olkiluoto 3 stabilizes the price of electricity and plays an important role in the Finnish green transition."

See Also: EU Oil Ban Against Russia Is Detrimental for Energy Market Stability, Experts Claims

Country's Latest Nuclear Reactor Launch Was Almost 40 Years Ago

In 2005, construction on Olkiluoto 3 started, and by 2009, it was supposed to be finished. However, the project was beset by several technical issues that ultimately resulted in legal action. Over 40 years have passed since Finland last started up a brand-new nuclear reactor.

After more than 15 years, western Europe now has a brand new reactor: the Olkiluoto 3. It is the first plant of its kind in Europe and the first of the new generation of European Pressurized Reactors. Areva and Siemens, two European companies, collaborated in its creation.

According to AP News, the use of nuclear power in Europe is still met with skepticism, mostly owing to fears for public health and safety. Germany is closing its final three nuclear power facilities this coming Saturday, coinciding with the commissioning of the Finnish reactor.

The anticipated total cost of OL3 has risen to over 11 billion euros ($12 billion), as per industry experts. Finland today has five nuclear reactors at two Baltic Sea power stations. Together, they provide more than 40% of the US's electrical needs.

Finland's probable future prime minister, Petteri Orpo, head of the National Coalition Party, campaigned on making nuclear power "the cornerstone of the government's energy policy."

See Also: Minnesota: Authorities Keep an Eye on 400,000 Gallons of Radioactive Water Leaked From Nuclear Plant

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By Prof. Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN

INTRODUCTION

I grew up in the village in the sixties  my then rustic but very beautiful village of Iviukwe, near Agenebode, Edo State. With forests, game and nature as our only inseparable partners, I sat down and listened to my unread, but very intelligent and wise parents; and the greying elders, as they piloted the affairs of our community with commendable efficiency and proficiency. They used sundry endearing proverbs and parables to unknot difficult puzzles. Proverbs were always the palm oil with which words were eaten, as Chinua Achebe most admirably put it in his epic, Things Fall Apart).

So, permit me today to employ some proverbs and parables in this discourse, to express myself on a very sore national issue that has caused much ruckus and brouhaha  Interim Government (IG).

Now the questions: Et tu Interim Government? Quo vadis Interim Government? IG has become the tsetse fly that delicately perches on ones scrotum. It must skillfully be killed, lest one ends up breaking his own scrotum. The reason to be wary about IG is simple: when a millipede crawls out of its hole, you may never tell if it will return as a millipede or as a snake. I have therefore decided to discuss this vexed issue today because an elder does not sit idly by and watch a goat deliver on its tether. I owe this duty to Nigerians.

INTERIM GOVERNMENT OR INTERIM NONSENSE?

In the latest manifestation of our seemingly endless fascination with things that are apparently bizarre and absurd, Nigerians have almost, overnight, become animated, besotted and infatuated with the fanciful idea of an IG. Afterall, when the moon shines at night, even the lame becomes hungry for a walk. They see it as a panacea and successor to the incumbent colourless and uneventful administration of President MuhammaduBuhari. That suggestion, first patriotically mooted last year by no less a personage than the iconic legal sage, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, had recently gained traction. Many Nigerians did not then grasp his deep jurisprudential thoughts and genuine concerns about the calamitous destination Nigeria was headed. He saw it as a journey to no destination. I had shared his opinion. (See https: //www. Youtube .com/ watch?v = wmw9OuXxAM0).

THE YUSUF DATTI BABA-AHMED INTERVIEW AS A CATALYST

However, arguably the greatest catalyst for thrusting the debate into the front-burner of current national discourse was the interview granted to Channels Television by the running-mate to Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last presidential election, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. In the interview, he seemed to raise the spectre of the presumed winner of the election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not being sworn in or inaugurated on the 29th day of May, 2023, as constitutionally mandated by section 140 of the 1999 Constitution, upon Buhari completing his second term of 4 years. This suggestion generated such a storm of controversy particularly among the Tinubu handlers who quickly called for the sanction of Channels TV that aired the interview. As expected, they were seamlessly obliged. Channels TV was fined #5m by NBC. This is Nigeria. I can almost always predict events including the questions and answers. Is this not a country where leaders force the led to first show them the limbs of a snake before the led can enjoy the dividends of democracy?

The brick-bats have since then continued unabated, with the proponents of the No-Inauguration agitation seemingly coalescing around the mantra of an Interim Government, to which President Buhari will hand over as a provisional or stop-gap measure. The Buharigovernment demurs. It is this IG which will presumably organize yet another Presidential (or, indeed general) election that will ultimately produce a permanent government. Nigerians have so experienced many oddities that they now appear unshockable. Afterall, when a sparrow gets beaten by a raging storm too many times, a mere drizzle no longer frightens it. But our leaders must realise that when the cripple dances in the village square in the presence of agile youths, the elders become ashamed of themselves. Have we lost our individual and collective sense of shame?

To probably pull out a burning palm kernel from the blazing furnace of fire, Aare Babalola stepped in, and propounded his thesis in April, 2022. It was based on the sound premise then that without such intervention of an IG, the just concluded elections (which were then imminent) will produce, in his words, recycled leaders. His proposal was that the last general elections ought not to have been held at all. Rather, he suggested that they should have been suspended, while an IG should first be put in office for six months, which will then develop a new-look peoples Constitution. That Constitution, according to the sage, should provide for part-time legislators and a non-executive President. In terms of its composition, he suggested, most attractively, that members of the IG should be selected from previous Presidents and Vice-Presidents, Ministers and Governors, as well as members of professional associations. (See 2023: AfeBabalola Proposes Interim Government, Says Nigeria Needs New Constitution: https://thecable.ng;published). The Aares worries have since been vindicated afterall by the farce and national embarrassment which the last discredited presidential election symbolises. Has this great educationist and legal prodigy not been vindicated by subsequent events? I think so. Or, do you not?

ARE INTERIM GOVERNMENTS COUPS IN DISGUISE?

Interim Governments, some have argued, suffer from a serious fundamental defect in the sense that they are wholly unconstitutional and tantamount, in effect, to a coup detat. Proponents of this school of thought liken an interim government to the load the hunch-back man must carry on his back, whether he lies facing down, or sleeps facing up. After all, he who brings a maggot-infested piece of firewood into his home should not complain of visitation by a colony of lizards.

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Some questions naturally agitate the mind here, on the question of an interim government in Nigeria:

Was the idea a mere mooted plan, or was the DSS merely flying a kite so as to test the waters and the mood of the Nation?

Why should Nigerias elite Secret Service cause such national hoopla and frightening alarm without quietly arresting such proponents and charging them to court, if there really were any?

Datti Baba-Ahmeds televised statement that Ahmed Tinubu should not be sworn in 29th May, 2023, was a mere advocacy that did not in any way infract sections 37, 50 and 51 of the Criminal Code, CAP C38, LFN, 2004; nor amount to an attempted coup. In 2015, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo outrightly called for a parallel government if his APC (then in opposition), were denied victory. (See https://youtu.be/NgX_SngwBvY, interview dated January 4, 2015; and https://youtu.be/9oar9H6n1_Q, 2014 interview in Washington DC, USA). APC, through its then Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had also threatened to set up a parallel government (see https://thenationonlineng.net/apc-vows-to-set-up-parallel-govt-if-2015-poll-is-rigged/). RotimiAmaechi, a chieftain of the APC, followed suit in threatening to form a parallel government (see https://www.thecable.ng/rewind-apc-threatened-to-form-parallel-government-if-2015-presidential-poll-was-rigged). The very Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, who held press conferences in the US, urging the US to sanction Peter Obi and DattiBaba-Ahmed for alleged treasonable felony did not only threaten Nigeria in 2015, but actually vowed that the APC would form a parallel government (see https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/171627-apc-vows-form-parallel-government-2015-elections-rigged .html ?tztc=1) if they were rigged out of the 2015 elections. All these threats were made at a time when elections had not even taken place. Yet, heavens did not fall. No one called for their arrests and prosecution. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who believed his second term ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, simply smiled and walked away in the face of opposition stringently threatening his legitimate government. Yet, these party chieftains are now threatening fire and brimstone for such mere suggestions even when they are aware of the historic electoral malfeasance that took place. By the way, did the DSS need to announce a coup publicly without arresting the alleged coup plotters? Aside apparently flying a kite and testing the waters, did the DSS need to publicly pledge its loyalty to a president-elect that has not yet been sworn in, and whose election is still being hotly challenged by his two major co-contestants? Was the whole scenario merely simulated as an artifice and design to give Tinubu an upper hand, and thus hint the petitioners and the Presidential Elections Tribunal not to waste their time in litigating their petition?

What will be the fate of the winners at the various levels of the last elections were an Interim government to be set up? Are they expected to simply accept their fate and wring their hands in despair on the altar of hopelessness and helplessness?

How exactly will such Interim government come into being or function? Will it simply materialize out of thin air? Does it require a legal instrument to birth it? Who will author that legal instrument? NASS? President? In what capacity and on what basis?

Is the idea of an Interim Government even known to, or acceptable within the confines of the 1999 Constitution? Is it envisaged or provided for therein, whether specifically or by necessary implication?

This last question neatly dovetails into the most fundamental question of all  and the greatest obstacle to the erection of such contraption- that is, the provisions of section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution which clearly outlaw the unconstitutional takeover of government in any part of Nigeria in the following words: The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

The implication of this provision is obvious: without a constitutional amendment in accordance with section 9(1)&(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the whole idea of an interim government is itself legally a non sequitur. That process of amending the Constitution is quite cumbersome, tedious and time-consuming, as it requires the buy  in of at least 2/3 majority of the members of the National Assembly as well as a resolution passed by at least 24 (or 2/3) of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. If experience is anything to go by, it will be simply impracticable if its main objective is to create the legal framework for establishing an Interim government. Will those who believe they have won the last election  even if illegally and by brute force  not certainly resist such an amendment? I believe so. Or, do you not?

This leaves the option of a military take-over  GOD FORBID! It is for this reason  and this reason alone -that patriots and lovers of democracy have raised their voices against the suggestion. I hereby humbly add mine. Yes, our experience in democracy since its return 24 years ago has been anything but stellar. I was in the trenches for years to drive the military back to their barracks  CLO, UDD, JACON, etc. I experienced its ugliest side in perspectives too horrific to narrate here. I readily concede that our flawed electoral process, notwithstanding successive legislative interventions in virtually every electoral cycle  has forced the hedgehog out of its burrow. Afterall, a frog does not run in the daytime for nothing. It is either after something or something is after it. The political class has repeatedly failed us. It has refused to get its acts together, notwithstanding that it would be the single biggest loser were democracy to be truncated yet again. However, I firmly believe none of these challenges and shortcomings is enough reason, in my humble opinion, to abandon the Nigerian contraption project, which at any rate, has forever been a work-in-progress.

Any suggestion that the solution to the glaringly evident flaws in the last bastardised elections (which are legion and nauseating), is an unconstitutional structure called an Interim government, would not only subvert the presumed will of the people, but would also replace an admittedly repulsive and compromised system with a raging amoebic monster, so grotesque that its precise form, shape and structure are unknown. Such an idea  if it ever sees the light of day  will, in all likelihood, not only make a bad situation infinitely worse; it might end up consuming all of us. It may open a Pandoras Box, whose contents are presently unimaginable. It is like opening a whitened sepulchre. Know it now that the fowl does sweat, but it is its feathers that prevent us from seeing its sweat. Having an interim government to me, is simply akin to a man who pours palm wine in the ground in the name of preserving it, but ends up getting the spirits drunk.

IG AND THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

To put it bluntly, the idea of an Interim government (even if it was historically expedient 30 years ago during the military dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida), is simply unworkable under the present political dispensation. The situations are quite dissimilar. It is when the termite decides to fly like a bird that it enters into trouble.

This is because the circumstances in which the Ernest Shonekan interim government was installed in 1993 was the June 12, 1993 annulment of the Presidential elections won clearly by Moshood KashimawoOlawale Abiola. The annulment was executed by the Babangida military junta. Such circumstances do not presently exist- unless the proponents of the ING are calling for the replication of the same scenario. Once again, God forbid! At any rate, that IG only lasted for barely 90 days, before it was promptly declared illegal by a Lagos High Court on 10th of November, 1993.According to late Hon. Justice Dalapo Akinsanya, the courageous Judge who declared the Shonekan ING illegal, the erstwhile military ruler, General Babangida, had no legitimate power to sign a Decree post-August 26, 1993, after his exit from power. She held that the Decree by which the Interim National Government was established was void and of no effect. The suit had been filed by the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election Chief M.K.O Abiola, who was not only prevented from governing Nigeria, but was also killed in hazy circumstances in Aso Villa. (See Ernest Shonekan and Interim National Governance in Nigeria; Oladiti Abiodun Kazeemhttps://www.slideshare.net.published on October, 03, 2014 < Accessed on 2nd April, 2023>). See the case of Madzimbamuto v. Lardner-Burke (1969) 1 AC 645.

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The abhorrence of coup detat in Africa has since been formalised. On Monday, the 25th day of April, 2022,the representatives of the African Union (AU) Member States; members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU; AU Organs/ institutions and the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution (RECs/RMs); as well as the representatives of African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); academic, professional bodies; youth and women groups; and other stakeholders, strongly condemned all forms of unconstitutional change of government in Africa, coup pepertrators and manipulation of democratic processes to effect constitutional amendments and urged all interested parties to address political concerns through the available national legal mechanisms to find solutions in a constructive, peaceful and constitutionally accepted manner.

To the extent that the circumstances in which interim governments are viable options, such as the India experience in the build-up to her independence in 1948) do not exist in Nigeria, to that extent must we remind ourselves of the dangers and bitter lessons of history in our previous unpalatable experience with that idea. If an unelected military junta could not sustain that Shonekan experiment, it is hard to see how a civilian government, which has just concluded a most shambolic general election can accomplish it. This government will never agree to hoist an interim government. Doing so will be self-immolatory. It will be tantamount to the story of a beetle  whether it rolls its dung forward or backward  it ends up rolling it into its burrow. An interim government, though called a government, is never a legitimate government. Surely, the alligator is not a crocodile, even though they look alike. The alligator is a mere infantry officer, while the crocodile is a Naval Admiral. It is only the tortoise that knows how best to carry its hard shell.

WHAT IS AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT?

Let us now explore the world of IGs to show us why they are detestable. It is important at this juncture, to define exactly what an IG means. According to the Institute for Integrated Transitions (See htpps://ifit-transitions-9rg; Interim Governments: Lessons and Guidelines, November, 2020<Accessed on 2/4/23),an Interim government is a formally constituted government holding an extra-ordinary mandate to conduct governmental affairs for an extraordinary term lasting until the election of a new government for an ordinary term with an ordinary mandate. The Institute adds that this definition excludes the following:

i Unelected governments established for an interim period without the promise of ordinary elections within a reasonable timeframe; and

ii Elected governments that remain provisionally in place as part of the ordinary process and rules for the transfer of power or the temporary filling of a conventional constitutional vacuum.

Also, Wikipedia.org, regarded an IG as a provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, or a transitional government. It is an emergency governmental authority set up to manage a political transition generally in the cases of a newly formed state or following the collapse of the previous governing administration. Provisional governments are generally appointed, and frequently arise, either during or after civil or foreign wars. Provisional governments maintain power until a new government can be appointed by a regular political process, which is generally an election. They may be involved with defining the legal structure of subsequent regimes, guidelines related to human rights and political freedoms, the structure of the economy, government institutions, and international alignment. Provisional government (See Wikipedia; https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Provisional _ government).

Again, Simplylaw.com in one of its publications on March 30, 2023, had this to give as the meaning of interim government; Therefore, an interim government is an emergency governmental authority set up to manage a political transition, sometimes in the case of a newly formed country or following the collapse of a previous administration. It can be an unelected government established for an interim period or an elected government that remains provisionally in place pending the successful conduct of an election. This can be at the state or federal level. (See Interim Government; What you need to know  Simply Law; https://simplylaw.com.ng/interim-government-what-you-need-to-know/).

We can therefore comfortably surmise that an interim government can only result or manifest in a situation where the norm, convention or legally institutionalized system and/or process fails. Interim governments from the definitions above and from the instances that will be analyzed in this intervention, will and should only be in contemplation where there is an impossibility, or at worst, a near impossibility to continue the norm or the legally provided mode for change of government in a state. Interim government should just be a mechanism to hold the state intact pending the return of a legitimate government.

Viewed from this perspective, it will mean that an interim government should not be in contemplation where the legitimate mode for change of government is still in process, and has not failed or been exhausted; and where there is no situation or state of emergency. This will therefore suggest that any calls or clamoursfor an interim government before the occurrence of any of the following conditions listed below, will have no justification, or be ripe. Such calls may therefore be interpreted to mean a motive to sabotage the lawful and peaceful existence of the state. It may amount to a home rat venturing into the forest to wrestle with a bush rat.

Interim governments must therefore be seen as a mere contingency plan, designed to normalize a bad situation.

FACTORS THAT MAY NECESSITATE INTERIM GOVERNMENTS.

Interim governments do not just spring forth from the blues in normal circumstances. No. The factors and causes would have been there for long  even if dormant and latent. But it is only the ant that hears the whispers of the sand; just as it is only the worm that knows what is buried in the earth. Vigilant Nigerians had seen these signs long ago. Aare Babalola is one of them. I am one of them. My daily write-ups and frequent television appearances wholly attest to this.

The factors which foster the emergence of interim governments include regime collapse, negotiated agreement, special election or international intervention. They may arise at a national or sub national level; and can have a myriad of compositions: national, international or mixed; one party or power-sharing, civilian, military or hybrid. Their mandates range from providing or restoring basic state services, to special tasks such as the preparation of a new Constitution or the introduction of economic reforms. It is in the preparation of a new autochthonous and People-driven Constitution that Babalolas dissertation is situate.

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Examples of such circumstances, as identified by the Institute for Integrated Transitions include an existing regime dealing with crises  such as severe economic problems, a fracture within the ruling elite, or an invigorated opposition which may transform itself into an Interim government to stave off its demise or provide more political space to work towards longer-term recovery or resolution (e.g Spain 1975-1976; Indonesia 1998-1998). Additionally, an international intervention may produce an Interim International Government as a practical means to restart governance after war or dictatorship or a stalled political process (e.g UN Transitional Administration in East Timor 1999-2002). Furthermore, an existing regime and the opposition may reach a peace deal or political settlement, establishing an Interim Government for a specified period (e.g El Salvador 1992-1994; and Nepal 2006-2008).

TYPES OF INTERIM GOVERNMENTS

There is the type of Interim Government where an organized power or force overthrows a sitting government and takes over the leadership of the state. This is different from a coup detat strictu sensu, because in this case, the regime taking over is only doing so to manage power temporarily, promising to hand over power, properly and as the law of the land recognizes. Wikipedia.org referred to this kind of interim government as revolutionary provisional government. An instance of such interim government would be the case in Chad where when the Head of State died, his son took over government, as against the provisions of the law of the land where the power to lead the state was supposed to devolve on the speaker of the National Assembly. However, Mahamat IdrissDeby in a bid to take over power had to, through the Army, dissolve the government and the National Assembly to ensure that the speaker did not become the Head of State. He however promised to hand over power according to provisions of the law after 18 months, thus making his government an interim/provisional government.

There is the second type of interim government, where there is set up, a new regime of leadership. However, the previous regime still retains the true power. This was the case with Nigeria when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, said that he will step aside, not even resign. He did appoint an Interim National Government to usher in a proper government in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria. General Babangida however retained the Secretary of his government to be the Secretary of the Interim government and the actions of the Interim Government were generally seen to be largely dependent on and not against the interest of General Babangida. Wikipedia.org named this type of Interim government, Incumbent Provisional Government.

There is the third type of interim government, where obedience and legitimacy in the state are shared between the incumbent interim regime and a regime trying to take over power. This is the case in Syriawhere the Interim Government is sharing power with external forces from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Qatar. Wikipedia.org referred to this type of Interim government as Power Sharing Provisional Government.

Finally, there is the type of Interim government where the power belongs to and is solely managed by an international body, the international community or an external state. Such was the case with the United States in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War when the Continental Congress, a convention of delegates from 13 British colonies on the east coast of North America served as its interim government until it was replaced in 1789 by the United States Congress. (See https: //en. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ Provisional _ government). Wikipedia.org named this type of interim government as International Provisional Government.

HOW WELL HAS INTERIM GOVERNMENTS WORKED IN OTHER CLIMATES?

As at date, South Sudan, Libya, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Chad in Africa; Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, and Yemen in Asia; and Belarus in Europe, are the countries currently under an interim government regime.

Taking the samples of Afghanistan, Chad and Syria, let us analyse how interim governments have performed.

AFGHANISTAN

Matthew Saul in an article, International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments, (see page 14; International Law and the Legitimacy of Interim Governments by Matthew Saul, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2715703)  pointed out the issues with the interim government of Afghanistan. He stated thus, certainly, the lack of security in Afghanistan has been a major hindrance in the development of a productive public sphere and the government has been keen to justify some of its constraining activity on the security situation. Consider, for instance, the decree that all news agencies refrain from covering incidents of terrorist activities or movements between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on election day, a ban enforced by National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials.  This suggests that it might have been a measure that has been motivated by the government trying to sustain its own authority, by reducing knowledge of events that bring into question the credibility of the election process.

Matthew makes the very disturbing insinuation that interim governments are in an unending struggle to assert and justify their legitimacy. Yes, indeed. Afterall, the fall of a dried leaf is a warning to the green one.

CHAD

As published by Al Jazeera on 20th April, 2021. (See https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/chads-military-announces-new-interim-government-after-deby-death); and on 13th October, 2022; and (https: //www. africanews. Com /2022 /10/13/chad-new-interimprime-minister-vows-freedoms rights/), in Chad, even as it is today, the government which came into force in the guise of an interim regime to hand over to a Republican government after 18 months, counting from April 2021, is still in force till date. Now the question is, who now has the right, authority,and requisite power at this material time to bring this government to book? Should Chadians not regret ever having this interim regime in the first place? Which rat will now bell the cat? That is the question.

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SYRIA

Middleeasteye.net.(Seehttps://www.middleeasteye.net/features/syria-interim-government-waiting) has painted a gloomy picture of the state of Syria under an interim government; just as has Al-monitor.com, they both show a country in serious crisis.

Though the situation in Syria (being a warring country and one with different power blocks exercising real power across divided parts of the country), is to be expected, it is still the case that its Interim Government has not only suffered major oppositions that bring to jeopardy its control of the state, but is also in search of its own legitimacy  the very foundation of a government. A cockroach has never been adjudged innocent in the presence of fowls.

CONCLUSION

The above scenarios have shown that IG is no longer in vogue. But, a final warning for those politriciansmessing up our hard-earned democracy: they must now move swiftly, deliberately, to save this pseudo democracy we are operating and turn it into full-blown democracy. This is because, if a snake chooses to crawl sluggishly like a snail, it will only succeed in making itself food for the hawk.

It will however be unrealistic in the present circumstances to expect politricians (the greatest beneficiaries of the last farcical polls) to commit collective class suicide by acquiescing to that idea. The IG idea will garner little or no traction among this most critical base of those who will lose out. It is not only the political class that will lose out, but also the electorate. As the ENDSARS riots of 2020 clearly showed, Nigerias youths have become increasingly restive, enlightened, and audacious in the fight for their rights. Their righteous indignation is palpable. This once-upon-a-time supposed structureless and amorphous segment of the society has become the rejected stone that has ironically formed the cornerstone of our democracy.

The days of taking the youths for granted by corrupt and unpopular governments are clearly over. An IG which they perceive as antithetical to their interests and aspirations might be the needed signal to spark offanother round of mass protests, in a way and manner that may dovetail into ponderous chaos and anarchy. Who knows where that might lead us to? The way forward is to overhaul our abused electoral jurisprudence and change the warped mind-set of our desperate politricians. The stubborn fly that refuses to hear the voice of its mother usually accompanies the casket into the grave.

The lessons are quite clear to us all. Our elders tell us that if you tell a man a proverb and proceed to interpret it to him, then the dowry paid on his mothers head becomes a waste. A word is enough for the wise. Astitch in time saves nine.
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Direct flights between Israel and Nigeria begins on April 20, Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, said in Abuja on Saturday.

On April 20, we will be starting direct air links between Israel and Nigeria; there will be twice weekly flights from Lagos, Abuja and Tel Aviv with Air Peace Airline.

This would not have been possible without efforts by the current administration. The Ministers of Aviation and that of Foreign Affairs were instrumental in making this to happen.

Now, it is important for us to make it clear that this government made this happen and we have to understand the positive differences these flights will make.

At the moment, if you plan to fly to Israel, you have to go through Ethiopian, Turkish or British airlines and experience 13 hours delays overseas, whereas direct flight is 5 hours and 20 minutes.

The direct flights will do a number of things; especially they will bring our countries closer together, the envoy told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He assured that the Israeli mission in Nigeria would work closely with the Federal Government to deepen diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He explained that Israel with holy land and 3,000 years of history had been playing host to Christian, Muslim and Judaist pilgrims.

He added that business relations between Nigeria and Israel would also improve since Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and Israel is known for thriving businesses.

According to him, the air transportation link will strengthen business opportunities, increase tourism potential and enhance foreign currency flow to Nigeria as well.

There are lots of areas where Israel and Nigeria can work together. I think the most important is in the area of human capital development.

Forty-five per cent of Israels GDP comes from human capital and high tech innovation. It is noteworthy that Israel is a country with no natural resources, but relies on human capital.

In other areas such as agriculture, I believe that together Israel and Nigeria can work together to create millions of jobs.

Another area is in homeland security. We can talk about education, health and high tech.

New programmes will be developed by Nigerian innovators given programme mentorship. Nigeria is a country with potential that I have ever seen, Freeman said.

The envoy described Israel as a country with huge potential and eagerness to share its knowledge and expertise with Nigeria.

We are very eager to learn from Nigeria; I think partnership between our two countries can take both countries to dazzling new heights.

I am confident that the incoming leadership in Nigeria under Sen. Bola Tinubu will improve the lives of Nigerians, Freeman stressed.

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Barring all circumstances, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency, has come out clean, winning the Supplementary election, which have him the integrity at the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly.

247ureports reports that, a former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano, now chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Masud El-Jibrin Doguwa, last Wednesday, predicted that the Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa will still win the Saturday House of Representatives supplementary election in Doguwa /Tudun Wada Federal Constituency.

El-Jubrin told journalists that from all indications, Doguwa will still flaw his closest rival, Air Commodore Salisu Yishau (rtd) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The AUTHORITY recalls that Doguwa was declared winner of the election held on February 25, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cancelled the exercise and rescheduled supplementary election to be held Saturday, April 15, 2023.

According to the Senator who represented Kano South Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber between 1999 and 2003, Doguwa was leading Yishau with over 4000 votes in the first leg of their contest on February 25.

He added that, in the last election, Alhassan was leading his NNPP opponent with 4,900 votes and on Saturday, the re- run election is scheduled to take place in 13 polling units which have only about 7000 persons who had collected their voters cards.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate lacked the capacity, followership and public support to upstage the incumbent at the poll as of today.

Dont forget that Alhassan has been contesting and this is not the first time he is winning this election nor is this the first time that he is contesting in a supplementary election in the constituency.

And this particular re-run election if you should look, you at it well enough will see that Alhassan has a clear advantage over his opponent.

He further stated that: In any election matters in Nigeria, only about 50 percent or less of those who collected their cards actually come out to vote. When you do this mathematics, we expect that the actual voters on that day would be far less than the over 7000 people who collected their PVCs.

That again means that even if all the voters should vote for his opponent, which is not the case, he would still win the elections.

But a very interesting point is that on one on one, Alhassan is stronger than his opponent in the area of the 13 polling units that were cancelled.

These are his strongholds. Majority of the places where he is weak has been concluded and announced. They belong to him and he belongs to them and I am sure that even in the re- run election, they would root for Alhassan.

He further explained that, most of the allegations against the Majority leader in the recent days were triggered by the desperation of his opponents to dislodge him from his seat at all costs.

Those who are close to the Majority House Leader, said he is already planning to gather democrats over who becomes the next Speaker of the Lower Chamber.

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1 day ago Dr. Tlaleng MofokengUNs Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (South Africa)Mofokeng is known for advocating for universal health access, HIV care, youth-friendly services, and family planning.

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1 day ago Jigawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has deposited N2.5 billion with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as part of the states 2023 Hajj fares. Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Umar Labbo, told newsmen in Dutse on Friday that NAHCON allocated 1,225 seats to the state for the 2023 exercise. He said each

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Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on Saturday, emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Sylva polled 52, 061 votes to defeat five other contenders to win the governorship ticket at the partys primary election conducted on Friday and Saturday.

The APC adopted the direct mode electoral system to hold the exercise in the 105 wards and eight local government areas of the state.

A former militant leader, Joshua Macaiver, came second with 2, 078 votes while a former governor-elect, David Lyon, came third with 1,584 votes.

Other candidates, Prof Ongoebi Etebu, Isikima Johnson, and Festus Daumiebi scored 1, 277, 584, and 557 votes, respectively.

The chairman of the APC primary election committee for Bayelsa, Maj- Gen Ahmed Jibrin (retd.), said, With this result, Timipre Sylva, having scored the highest number of votes cast, is hereby declared as the winner.

After declaring the result, the panel went further to conduct an affirmation exercise with five ad-hoc delegates from each of the 105 wards inside the partys secretariat in the state capital to affirm the outcome of the process.

Sylva, who resigned from his ministerial appointment in March, governed the state from 2007 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but did not get a second-term ticket.

Meanwhile, the emergence of Ahmed Ododo as the governorship candidate of the APC in Kogi State has been ratified by a special congress of the party.

The special congress was presided over by the Chairman of the APC primary election committee and Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, and held on Saturday in Lokoja.

This followed Ododos emergence at the partys governorship direct primary held across all the 239 wards of the state.

Announcing the results for ratification, the Secretary of the committee who represented Matawalle, Patrick Obahiagbon, said, After carefully conducted primaries devoid of rancour and with no violence recorded anywhere in the state and having scored 78,704 votes, Alhaji Usman Ododo has been returned as the governorship candidate that will fly the partys flag in the November 11 governorship election in the state.

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Governor Yahaya Bello said the exercise showed that there is no opposition in Kogi State.

We are one big family and we have won everything winnable in the state. We won presidential elections, we won the available three senatorial seats, six out of nine representative members, and 23 out of 25 state assembly members. This is a pass mark by any standard.

Adeyemi, others kick

Meanwhile, six aspirants who participated in the APC primary in Kogi State have rejected the results.

The aspirants urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and the national secretariat of the APC to disregard the results.

The Senator representing Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi, who led the other aspirants at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, maintained that the governorship primary did not hold anywhere in the state.

He said Ododo was announced as the winner even before the commencement of the exercise.

He said, This is the worst malpractice, the unprecedented worst form of rigging in the history of Nigeria. The results of a governorship primary were written by a group of people.

The primary election was not conducted. The people came out because all of us mobilised our members and they trooped out in their thousands but the INEC officials and members of the APC panel from the national secretariat did not come out.

The Chairman of the panel who is the Governor of Zamfara State, Governor Bello Matawale, left abruptly.

By the constitution of the APC, if the panel chairman did not announce the results, the national secretariat is supposed to send another Chairman. It is not the responsibility of the secretary to announce the results.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, this morning maintained the lead in the governorship election after the collation of 10 out of the 20 local government areas where the supplementary election was held Saturday.

Fintiri had polled 421,524 votes in the March 18 governorship election against Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binanis 390,275. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the March 18 election inconclusive and fixed Tuesday for the supplementary poll.

Yesterdays election was held in a total of 69 polling units with 36,935 eligible voters. Results of 10 local government areas so far collated showed that Fintiri polled 4,292 while Binani got 3,128.

Aggregation of the supplementary results with the earlier results polled by the candidates showed that Fintiri is maintaining the lead with a total of 425,816 votes as against Binanis 393,403.

The 10 local government areas where results have been so far declared by INEC are Demsa, Yola South, Yola North, Lamurde, Jada, Ganye, Song, Maiha, Hong and Shelleng.

The aggregate results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas so far collated showed that Fintiri is leading with a margin of 32,413 votes.

Around 1am today, the electoral body said the collation of the results would be concluded by 10am.

INEC had yesterday conducted supplementary elections in 2,660 polling units across 185 local government areas of 24 states.

The supplementary elections include the governorship for Adamawa and Kebbi states, senatorial and House of Representatives and state constituencies elections where they were previously suspended due to some reasons, including violence and situations where the margin between the winner and the first runner-up was less than the votes cancelled.

Collation resumes 11am today in Kebbi

Around 2am, INEC announced that collation of results for Kebbi governorship supplementary election would resume by 11am today.

Our correspondent reports that the collation earlier fixed for 11pm yesterday by the electoral body did not start at 1:08am. Returning officers from the local governments were still being expected.

Cases of vote-buying and ballot box snatching were reported in some polling units during the supplementary election in Kebbi State.

The election, which was conducted for governorship in 142 polling units of 20 local government areas of the state, one senatorial district in Kebbi North, two federal constituencies and eight state assembly constituencies recorded vote-buying from the two major political parties in the elections.

At the few polling units where elections were held in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, namely, Marafa, Ambursa, Kardi, Makera, Gawassu and Maurida/Karyo, cases of vote-buying were reported as party agents were seen distributing clothing and cash to voters, particularly women, to get their votes.

Party agents positioned themselves at obscure areas to distribute the clothing materials to the women at Kardi.

Also, at the Hisbah office polling unit, Marafa ward, Ubandoma/Takalau in old town area of Birnin Kebbi, some male voters told journalists that they were given a bag of fertilizer each and money to vote.

A woman who spoke to our correspondent at the polling unit said she and some of her friends were given wrappers and N7,000 by party agents.

Meanwhile, a yet to be identified man was shot dead by soldiers as he attempted to snatch a ballot box from INEC officials at polling unit 001, Bajida, Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi South. The deceased was said to be a member of the proscribed Yansakai, a local volunteer vigilant group in the Zuru area of the state.

He was said to have intruded into the polling unit claiming to be a security agent and was shot while trying to collect gun from a soldier who was standing guard at the polling unit.

Doguwa wins 5th term, NNPP clinches Fagge

The majority leader in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has been declared winner of the Doguwa and Tudunwada federal constituency.

The Returning Officer, Professor Sani Ibrahim, who announced the result at the just concluded supplementary elections held across eight wards in Tudunwada Local Government, said Doguwa, having scored the highest votes cast of 41,573, is therefore, returned elected.

His closest rival, Yushau Salisu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) polled 34,831 votes.

APC wins senatorial seats in Yobe, Plateau

INEC has declared Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Yobe South senatorial election.

Bomai scored 69,596 votes to defeat his closest rival, Halilu Mazagane of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 68,885 votes.

While declaring the result at the collation centre in the Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, INECs Returning Officer for the election, Dr Abacha Meleni, said that Bomai, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is declared winner and returned elected.

In the same vein, INEC declared Diket Plang of the APC as winner of the Plateau Central senatorial seat.

Declaring the result in Pankshin, the headquarters of the Plateau Central senatorial zone, INECs Returning Officer, Dr Jima Lar, said Plang scored a total of 131,129 votes to emerge winner.

He said Plangs closest challenger, Yohanna Gotom of the PDP came second with 127,022 votes, while Garba Pwul of the Labour Party came third with 36,510 votes.

NNPPs candidate unseats APCs Goro in Fagge

Meanwhile, the candidate of the NNPP, MB Shehu, a lawyer, was declared winner of the Fagge federal constituency, Kano, for the House of Representatives.

Shehu unseated the incumbent House of Representatives member, Aminu Sulaiman Goro of the APC, who is serving his third term.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Professor Ibrahim Tajo Suraj, said Shehu polled 19, 024 votes, followed by the candidate of the Labour Party, Shuaibu Abubakar, who polled 12, 789 votes, while Aminu Sulaiman Goro of the APC came third with 8, 669 votes.

Ogun Speaker wins re-election

INEC has declared the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, winner of the Ifo 1 constituency election.

The Returning Officer for Ifo state constituency 1, Prof Richard Shobayo, while declaring Oluomo as the winner, said he polled 7,546 votes to defeat his rival, Yusuf Ogundele of the PDP, who garnered 6,596.

EFCC arrests 12 in Kano, Katsina over vote-buying

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it arrested 12 persons for alleged vote-buying during Saturdays supplementary polls in Kano and Katsina states.

The Kano zonal commander of the commission, Faruk Dogondaji, told the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview that the suspects were arrested with N1.5 million cash in Kano and Katsina states.

He said 10 suspects were arrested in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State and two in Kankiya of Katsina State.

Dogondaji said the suspects were arrested while attempting to induce eligible voters with cash at some polling units.

He said the 10 suspects were apprehended with N1,357,500 in Doguwa, while the two suspects were arrested with N242,000 in Kankia Local Government Area.

From Kabiru R. Anwar (Yola), Habibu Idris Gimba (Damaturu), Dickson S. Adama (Jos), Ismail Adebayo (Birnin Kebbi) , Titus Eleweke (Awka), Abubakar Auwal (Sokoto), Peter Moses (Abeokuta) & Salim Umar Ibrahim, Aminu Naganye, Zahraddeen Yakubu Shuaibu (Kano)



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A renowned journalist and former Editor of The Source magazine, Afam Ogene of the Labour Party (LP) has won the Ogbaru Federal Constituency supplementary election in Anambra State.

Ogene defeated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to emerge winner on Saturday.

The results were announced Saturday night at Atani, the Headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer (RO), Prof. Kingsley Ubaorji of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

The RO said Ogene of LP polled 10,851 out of the total votes cast.

READ ALSO: Again, NNPP floors APC in Kano

He was followed by the PDP candidate, Chuchu Onyema, who polled 10,619 votes, Arinze Awogu, candidate of Anambra Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, scored 10,155 votes to finish third.

Others contestants, including Mrs. Nkechi Isamade of APC scored 303 votes, Nwachukwu Victor of ADC scored 39 votes, Obunne Celestine of NNPP scored 124 votes while Nwadialor C. of SDP scored 27.

According to the RO, Afam Ogene of the Labour Party, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes cast is declared winner of the election.

Before the supplementary election, the PDP candidate led by over a thousand votes, while APGA came second, followed by LP.

However, when the result was summed up with the previous February 25th election, the Labour Party Candidate came first followed by PDP Candidate, and APGA as second and third.

The contest changed when, before the election, the presidential candidate of LP, Mr Peter Obi went to the riverine area to campaign for Ogene, who had been at the green between 2011 and 2015

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The election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, was declared inconclusive by INEC, after the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
April 16, (THEWILL)  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the people of Adamawa State, Nigerians and the International Community to disregard the purported declaration of the defeated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.

The PDP, in a release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, for making such illegal declaration in criminal usurpation of the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele, while collation was ongoing.

The PDP said, It is even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State.

This reprehensible criminal conduct of the Adamawa State REC confirms the earlier alarms by the PDP, which demanded for his immediate removal from Adamawa State following evidence of his complicity and being compromised by the APC and its candidate to manipulate the election in their favour, notwithstanding the votes by the people of Adamawa State.

Mallam Yunusa Aris action is subversive and calculated to cause crisis in Adamawa State, destabilise our democracy and peaceful co-existence as a nation. We call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately arrest Mallam Yunusa Ari and make him face the full wrath of the law for his conduct.

The PDP said it noted the pronouncement by INEC Headquarters that the action of Mallam Yunusa Ari is null, void and of no effect.

The PDP, therefore, demands that INEC Headquarters should immediately direct the Returning Officer to conclude collation, announce the results from the Polling Units and declare our candidate, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as winner, having scored the majority of lawful votes cast.

From the results already collated across the 69 Polling Units where the supplementary elections were held and which are on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, Governor Fintiri clearly won the election.

Our Party, therefore, demands that INEC should, without further delay, announce the results as already collated from the Polling Units and declare Governor Fintiri as winner. Anything short of this will not be accepted by our Party and the people of Adamawa State.
Seven people, including a 7-year-old girl, were shot and killed at a resort in Guanajuato, Mexico, at around 4:30 PM local time on Saturday, April 15, according to reports.

Tragic Mexico Shooting

Officials in Mexico have said that a group of gunmen stormed the La Palma resort in the Cortazar municipality and opened fire on the guests as they were enjoying themselves in the pool.

A young child, three women, and three men adults were confirmed dead, while another individual was critically injured, according to police. There has been no public announcement of the victims' names.

Tourists, many of them still wearing their bathing suits and towel, watch in disbelief as police arrive at the scene in videos shared on social media. Many more are seen crying and embracing their kids.

One individual who videotaped the incident told Fox News, "Heavily armed sicarios arrived, and this is what happened." Sicarios is a Spanish word for hired killers.

In a report by CNN, the gunmen allegedly destroyed the spa and fled the area after stealing the surveillance cameras.

ABC News said a helicopter was helping the Mexican military and police look for the attackers. Officials from the town of Cortazar in the Mexican state of Guanajuato did not provide any speculation on a probable motive in a statement they issued.

The police have not yet made any arrests.

Also Read: US-Mexico Border: Deadly Fire in Detention Center Prompts Investigation of Migration Chief

Damage Caused by Drug Cartel Violence

Guanajuato is a major agricultural and industrial center in Mexico, but it has also been ravaged by drug cartel violence for years.

According to Fox News, the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel has been at war with other criminal organizations in the region, such as the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, which has the apparent support of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

The shooting at the resort in Guanajuato occurs in the same month as the murder of four men at a hotel in Cancun, also a popular tourist destination, and just before the start of the Easter holiday weekend. On April 4, authorities speculated that drug gang rivalry was to blame for the deaths, naming the head of one such group Hector Flores Aceves, aka "Pantera," or the Panther.

Travel Warning From US State Department

Because of rising gang violence, the US State Department issued a travel warning for spring breakers in March.

The notice urged tourists to "exercise increased caution," particularly at night, while visiting popular Caribbean destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

The advisory also warned of the dangers of utilizing synthetic medications or tampered prescription tablets, which have caused illness and death among US residents traveling abroad.

It was reported that certain Mexican pharmacies provide sedatives and other medications that need prescriptions in the US free of charge, prompting the government to issue the advisory.

Also Read: Spring Break 2023 Warning: Beware When Visiting These Places for Vacation

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THE Kaduna state governor Nasir el-Rufai has condemned terrorists attack on Runji village, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state, where many lives were lost on Saturday night.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the military informed the governor of the attack on Sunday, April 16.

The attackers injured some residents and burnt down an unspecified number of houses in the community.

Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and were still in the general area by the time the statement was issued.

Governor El-Rufai said he was waiting for a detailed report on the attack from the military.

He described the killings as unacceptable and unjustifiable.

The governor condoled the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of the victims souls. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The government promised to update the public on the incident when it received detailed reports from security agencies.

The ICIR reports that Kaduna State has been a killing field under el-Rufai, with attacks by terrorists intensified in the past three years.

On April 13, The ICIR reported how bandits attacked the southern part of the state and killed eight residents.

In several reports, including this and this, The ICIR had published reports on attacks by terrorists on communities in the state.

However, the Nigerian security forces had killed hundreds of the criminals, whose activities continue to threaten the state and its neighbours.




The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress ( APC) candidate, Dr Nasiru Idris, winner of Kebbi State Governorship Election.

The returning officer for the governorship election in the state, Professor Saidu Yusuf, said the APC candidate won the election by polling 409,225 votes against his rival, Aminu Bande of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) who polled 360,940 in the election.

The returning officer, while declaring the APC candidate winner said, I, Saidu Yusuf, returning officer of Kebbi State Governorship Election hereby declared Nasiru Idris of the APC winner of the governorship election having polled a total of 409,225 and having satisfying the requirements of the law.

Recall that the governorship election first held on March 18, but was declared inconclusive by INEC over cases of violence and over-voting.

He said a total of 95,897 were registered for the supplementary election while 40,186 voters were accredited.

The APC received 20,967 in the election while PDP received 17,960 votes.

The total votes received by APC is 409225 while that of the PDP is 360,940. The total number of valid votes is 781478, rejected votes 19082 while total votes cast is 800560, the returning officer said.

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The returning officer added that a total of 39244 was recorded as valid votes, 878 as rejected votes and a total of 40122 was recorded as votes cast in the election.

While speaking to journalists INEC National publicity and voters educations commissioner, Mr Festus Okoye, said the outcome of the supplementary election in Kebbi shows INEC is capable of doing what is right.

He said, We hope to build on this and as well improve on the feat recorded in kebbi State. We are sure the people of kebbi State would be happy with the process that produced their governor elect.

Source: Legit.ng
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the 2023 polls, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the illegal declaration of the All Progressives Candidate, Aisha Dahiru, as winner of the Adamawa gubernatorial elections by Hudu Yunusa, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.

Atiku alleged that there is a game plan of upturning the democratic wishes of the people of Adamawa State.

The former Vice President said this on Sunday through a press release signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.

Recall that the electoral body suspended the collation of results in the supplementary gubernatorial election held on Saturday in the State following non-adherence to election guidelines and process.

Atiku said that the voided election in which Binani was declared winner has become a case study of the shambolic nature of the 2023 elections in general.

It must be put on record that the people of Adamawa State will not allow themselves to cheated three times in a row. It must also be put on record that whatever the consequences of the scheme being scripted, both the INEC and those vested with state powers should be blamed for the consequences of such actions, he said.

Atiku demanded that the Adamawa REC and other parties involved in the voided declaration, which he described as a treasonable act, should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to anti-democratic forces.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, and one Shehu Adams for alleged possession of illicit drugs in Edo State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said 14 kilograms of illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects on Saturday in Agbede, Etsako West local government area of the state.

The substances, according to him, include cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, tramadol, and swinol.

READ ALSO: NDLEA arrests 65-year-old woman for being in possession of drugs worth over N4m

He added that the operatives also arrested a 22-year-old Higher National Diploma (HND) student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun State, Isoyo Iveren-Susan.

The spokesman said Iveren-Susan was arrested on Saturday opposite the institutions 2nd Gate dealing in illicit drugs.

Babafemi revealed that 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283 grams of cannabis were recovered from the suspect.

He said: This is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter (21) and Bright Chibike (23) with 43.4 kilograms of cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state on Friday.

In Katsina State, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Saadu in Katsina metropolis on Sunday, April 9.

Also, one Muhamadu Yusuf was arrested the same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along Kano-Katsina road.
Mr John Fidelis, a Corp member serving in Osun and diagnosed with acute kidney disease has called for help from well to do Nigerians, Daily Trust reports.

Fidelis, who hails from Ogwashiukwu, Delta State, was diagnosed with disease since Sept. 2008 and needed N10. 5 million for treatment.

The corps member with NYSC call-up number/OSU/2019/000089, graduated with Second Class lower from Osun State University in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

According to John, my father, who was a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 1, Osogbo is also down with glaucoma and is currently blind.

The father of the ailing corps member, Obi, who is also blind, told newsmen at the NUJ Correspondents Chapel on Friday in Osogbo that his sons present condition exacerbated the level of sorrow his blindness had caused the family since 2012.

According to him, the loss of sight forced me out of the pulpit as a pastor, and rendered me completely incapacitated in the past seven years.

This is the darkest moment in our family, our problem was compounded with the recent condition of my son, as he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

It was due to his condition that we sought for redeployment from his place of primary assignment in Oyo back to Osogbo.

He has been on dialysis since then at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital.

The hospital has recommended transplant to us, which will cost N10.5m; that is why we are appealing to spirited Nigerians to come to our aid and help my son.

I am indeed helpless since I lost my sight to glaucoma , it has been a serious trauma for me and my family, we need serious help, Fidelis pleaded.
The federal government has refused to confirm the health status of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, after he reportedly tested positive to COVID-19.

The information minister, Lai Mohammed, did not, however, deny that Mr Kyari had tested positive when he was asked by journalists on Tuesday.

We dont mention names in carrying out this responsibility. Its a global practice so you dont expect us to mention any name to you, he told State House correspondents.

Mr Mohammed was part of the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus that inspected Mr Kyaris office within the Presidential Villa on Tuesday,

The task force, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, arrived at the Villa around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mr Mustapha and other members of the task force, comprising ministers and health experts, spent about 10 minutes inspecting the office.

They were approached by journalists on their way out of the office but they declined comments, saying Nigerians should await their usual press briefing.

However, in response to repeated questions on Mr Kyaris coronavirus status, Mr Mohammed passively made his comment.

Kyaris Diagnosis

Thisday newspaper early Tuesday reported that Mr Buhari tested positive to COVID-19.

Since then, the presidency and health officials have chosen to keep mum despite several requests by PREMIUM TIMES on the matter.

Mr Kyari is believed to have been infected when he travelled to Germany between March 7 and 14 on an official function.

He was only confirmed positive on Monday, Thisday reports.

On Tuesday, neither Mr Mohammed nor any of the task force officials denied the report.

After Mr Mohammeds response to the State House reporters, Mr Mustapha advised journalists to imbibe the culture of wearing face masks to protect themselves from the disease.

You people should start wearing face mask please. I can see that you are not taking this thing serious. Wear face masks please. It is not a joke, he said.

Nigeria has recorded 42 cases of COVID-19 including one death.

The disease has caused the death of over 15,000 people globally.
Press Statement

OfficialsUrges NASS to Protect Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned officials of the All

Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to stop using the

deadly COVID-19 pandemic as gateway for corrupt profiteering and looting

of our national treasury.

The party lamented that the financial opacity amidst allegations of

diversion of billions of naira meant for palliatives to vulnerable

citizens is already frustrating the commitment by Nigerians and other

well-meaning groups in the overall effort to combat the spread of the

scourge in our country.

Our party is worried over the activities of certain officials who are

using the COVID-19 pandemic to create and manipulate situations that

circumvent financial documentation and accountability rules and pave way

for the looting of our treasury and borrowed funds, while the people are

left at the mercy of the plague.

This is in addition to anxieties that such officials are hiding under

the demands of COVID-19 pandemic to mop up our international reserves as

well as driving our nation into a frenzied $6.9 billion foreign

borrowing, with no clear-cut terms.

This is amidst allegations of plots by unscrupulous officials to

manipulate the system and create channel for a slush fund that will be

diverted to corrupt APC leaders and the cabal, while mortgaging the

future of our nations generation yet unborn.

Our party fears that there are attempts to hide under COVID-19 to empty

our $3.4 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) saving, thereby

leaving our nation dry.

While it is obvious that the Buhari administration seeks to use the

challenges posed by the coronavirus disease as an excuse for its

mismanagement of the economy, which it had wrecked before the outbreak

of the pandemic, our party firmly rejects the attempt by rogues in

government circles to use the scourge to cash out our treasury and

further destroy our economy.

This is especially as the APC administration is reputed to be a haven of

corrupt individuals, scammers, treasury looters, certificate forgers,

election riggers, blackmailers, purveyor of fake news and violators of

rule of law and court orders.

Our party invites Nigerians to note that, while a handful of Nigerians

have not acknowledged receiving such funds and officials involved have

not been able to account for the disbursement, humongous figures are

already being bandied to have been spent.

The situation is pathetic and shows how low the social investment

system, which the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, had earlier warned as being

riddled with corruption, had degenerated.

The PDP therefore wants the National Assembly to protect the people by

immediately scaling up its oversight activities on the handling of the

COVID-19 social intervention funding.

The legislators must ensure clauses that guarantee transparency and

accountability, particularly in drawing from our treasury as well as in

approving any further foreign loans for the Buhari administration, are

enshrined in Act.

Furthermore, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well

as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences

Commission (ICPC) should set up special squads across the country to

monitor the implementation of the palliatives and bring culprits to

book.

The safety and wellbeing of Nigerians must be paramount at this critical

time.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary




The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person and several others injured in a farmers/herders clash in Iggi Village area of Bininkudu Local Government Area of the state.





The Commissioner of Police, Bala Zama, confirmed this to newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday.





He said the dispute erupted over ownership of Yabaza forest between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers around Iggi village, which former claimed to have owned for over 100 years.





The clash started when the farmers in the area attacked the Fulanis after they have come back from grazing, in retaliation the Fulani also attacked the village.





He said those injured were already taken by the police to hospital for medical attention.





The commissioner said police personnel were deployed to calm the situation and arrest those suspected to have committed the offence.





He commended the efforts of Jigawa State Government and traditional rulers for their commitments to solving the lingering land disputes between farmers and herders in the area.





Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Jigawa, Mr. Saidu Musa Gagarawa said that , it was a reprisal attack after two Fulani were severely beaten by farmers from Dagalma community.





Two Fulani men were found soak in blood after being beaten by the farmers, and that was what prompted some Fulani youths to embark on a reprisal, which resulted to the unfortunate death of one person, he stated.





Mr. Saidu added that the dispute on the grazing land assigned to Fulani for several years has been resolved by the community leaders only for the farmers to rekindle the issue now.
BLOOMINGTON  Three firefighting agencies were called to a garage fire Sunday morning in rural Bloomington.

Tom Willan, chief of the Bloomington Township Fire Protection District, said crews were dispatched at 5:36 a.m. to the fire at 6 Chrisman Lane, just southeast of Bloomington.

He said a truck and an engine with the Bloomington Fire Department were first to arrive on scene, and found a 24-by-24-foot detached garage heavily involved in fire. The chief said flames were showing through the roof.

Willan said the Downs Community Fire Protection District and Heyworth Fire and EMS also assisted with the response.

He said crews established a water supply with portable tanks, and McLean County sheriffs deputies ran traffic control.

No one was hurt, Willan said, and the cause has not been determined. He added the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office is investigating.

The garage was a total loss, he said.

Photos: Bloomington and Normal fire departments fight fire on Bell Street 020822-blm-loc-5bellfire 020822-blm-loc-1bellfire 020822-blm-loc-2bellfire 020822-blm-loc-4bellfire 020822-blm-loc-3bellfire 020822-blm-loc-4bellfire 020822-blm-loc-7bellfire 020822-blm-loc-6bellfire 020822-blm-loc-8bellfire 020822-blm-loc-9bellfire 020822-blm-loc-10bellfire
SECOR  When the Japanese army invaded the city where she led a women's college, setting off weeks of horror that would become known as the Nanjing Massacre, Minnie Vautrin stood her ground.

Vautrin, a Christian missionary born in the Woodford County village of Secor, served as acting president of Ginling College for Women in what was then the Chinese capital. Japanese troops captured the city on Dec. 13, 1937, and began a rampage of torture, murder and rape that lasted for six weeks.

"How many thousands were mown down by guns or bayoneted we shall probably never know," Vautrin later wrote of this time, "for in many cases oil was thrown over their bodies and they were burned  charred bones tell the tale of some of these tragedies."

At least 200,000 civilians were killed by Japanese troops, according to a 1946 international postwar tribunal, though some historians have said the death toll could be as high as 300,000.

As the terror continued, Vautrin opened the doors to the college, sheltering women and girls as she used American flags and proclamations from the American Embassy to convince Japanese soldiers not to interfere with those in the safe zone. She is credited with saving as many as 10,000 lives, for which she has been remembered as "the American Goddess of Mercy."

Last week, she was honored in her hometown of Secor, where the Illinois State Historical Society unveiled a historical marker commemorating her work.

"We honor Madame Vautrin because we really remember and pay tribute to her great character, to her great contribution to the Chinese people and to the cause of peace and love," said Zhao Jian, consul general of China in Chicago, among the attendees at the ceremony in Secor Community Park. "I think both the Chinese and American people, we share commonalities in yearning and loving peace."

'An incredible story'

Born to French immigrants in on Sept. 27, 1886, Vautrin  whose legal first name was Wilhelmina  graduated from both Illinois State Normal University and the University of Illinois. She later earned her master's degree in education at Columbia University in New York City.

She began her missionary work in China in 1912 and remained in the country until 1940, except for several furlough visits home to the United States. Before she was acting president, Vautrin also taught at Ginling College, which was the first school in China to grant bachelor's degrees to women. It still operates as a women's college, and today is part of Nanjing Normal University.

Dedicating her life to China, Vautrin stayed behind when the Japanese army invaded Nanjing and, along with providing shelter to people, she joined other foreigners in organizing the International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone.

The safety zone were marked by Red Cross flags and offered some measure of safety for thousands upon thousands of Chinese civilians fleeing their homes.

"Never shall I forget the faces of the young girls as they streamed in  most of them parting from their fathers or husbands at the gate," she later wrote in correspondence preserved by The Yale Divinity Library and posted online as part of a Columbia University student project. "They had disguised themselves in every possible way  many had cut their hair, most of them had blackened their faces, many were wearing men or boy's clothes or those of old women."

And, she continued, "I shall never forget the faces of the fathers and husbands as they watched their women folk enter the campus. Often times the tears were streaming down their cheeks as they begged us to 'just give them a place to sleep outside.' Women were faced with a terrible dilemma in those days  it might mean that in saving themselves from being raped they were risking the lives of their husbands and sons, who might be taken away and killed."

William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society, said Vautrin used her own money to buy food and supplies for the students, staff and residents who sheltered at the college.

"It's such an incredible story for Illinois, for the United States and for the world, and China too," Furry said. "She took them in and did everything she could to be the person that she promised herself that she would be."

Written accounts describe Vautrin staring down armed Japanese soldiers as she attempted to protect the women and girls under her care. She wrote that her faith helped to support her during this time.

"Religion has become a reality to many of us during these days of terror and destruction," Vautrin wrote. "Jesus becomes a friend who walks by your side as you go forward to meet a group of fierce men whose shining bayonets are marked with fresh stains of blood."

Vautrin returned to the U.S in the spring of 1940. Back in Secor, proud residents of her hometown planned to welcome her with a "Minnie Vautrin Day" celebration  but the event never took place.

Vautrin took her own life on May 14, 1941, at the age of 54. In a story about her death, Pantagraph reporter Virginia Meginnes wrote that the trauma of her experiences in Nanjing had stayed with Vautrin, and she had suffered a "complete nervous breakdown" for which she was hospitalized in Iowa City.

The story quoted her physicians from that time as saying that Vautrin was suffering from depression and needed to give her brain a rest.

"We are keeping her from all outside contacts such as would arose feeling of responsibility for her work or any self-blame for her illness," Meginnes wrote, quoting Vautrin's medical team. "The constant scene that seems to run through her mind is that she brought it on herself because of certain alleged mistakes that she thought she had made."

After her release from the hospital, Vautrin lived for two months in Texas before traveling to Indianapolis, home of the United Christian Missionary headquarters. Vautrin was staying with a friend who was vice president of that organization at the time of her death.

'Engraved in our hearts'

After her death, Vautrin was awarded the Order of the Brilliant Jade by the Chinese government.

"The Chinese people will never forget Madame Vautrin. Her touching deeds and noble character will always be engraved in our hearts," Jian said. "History, if not forgotten, can really serve as a guide for the future."

Nanjing today is a city of more than 8.2 million residents, and Vautrin is remembered there with markers in the Nanjing Memorial Hall and on the Ginling campus.

McLean County Museum of History Librarian Bill Kemp said a historical marker may seem static and old-fashioned, but having these physical markers helps keep the history of these events and individuals alive.

"We can revisit the past in many ways, and these markers not only commemorate military leaders and battlefields and conflicts, but we also want to make sure that these markers commemorate the peacemakers, the social justice warriors and the people who fought for civil rights," Kemp said. "Over time this organization has reconfigured itself to some degree to look for opportunities to support markers in those fields."

Shelley Jacobs, an archivist at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Bethany, West Virginia, drove to Secor for the event and said she first learned about Vautrin when researchers starting coming to the organization to view materials in their collection.

The organization holds missionary records for all of the missionaries who went to China and overseas from the 1850s. Their collection includes Vautrin's diaries and other those of other missionaries who were in China at the time of the massacre, Jacobs said.

"When Minnie came back to the United States, she lived with the guilt of not having been able to save more people, and that was what eventually led to her death," Jacobs said. "She's called the Goddess of Nanjing, and Minnie is very alive and very honored by the Chinese people for the work that she did in saving the Chinese."

Filmmaker Carol Liu, from San Francisco, said she is working on a film about Vautrin and Iris Chang, an American journalist and author of the 1997 book "The Rape of Nanking."

Liu, who was present at the event, said there are many similarities between the two women's life stories: They both grew up in Central Illinois, went to the University of Illinois and were committed to exposing the truth of what happened in Nanjing.

"I dedicate all my work to historical events and stories because I think that when we lose touch with the past, we don't really know who we are today," Liu said. "In the case of the Nanjing Massacre, it's such a controversial, hidden piece of history because people refute that it happened, and it's really important to tell the stories and also honor the people who have been involved in saving people from that horrific massacre."

El Paso-Gridley High School seniors Kayleigh Reed and Madison Schumacher attended Wednesday's ceremony and volunteered to hand out programs after learning about Vautrin's legacy.

They both hope the marker will share Vautrin's story with more people, and show people that there are many untold stories in small towns like Secor.

"We definitely want to spread the word that we're not just a small town," Schumacher said. "We have a lot of history behind us."

The Illinois State Historical Society also made a proclamation declaring April 12 as Wilhelmina "Minnie" Vautrin Day.

"Today, we commemorated a little bit of China here in Secor," Furry said, "because her heart's in China, but Minnie's story is here in Secor."

Over 100 dash colors at Bloomington 'Holi Moli' festival FESTIVAL OF COLORS 040923-blm-loc-2holi.JPG 040923-blm-loc-3holi.JPG 040923-blm-loc-4holi.JPG 040923-blm-loc-5holi.JPG
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has disclosed on legal filings that his family has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental revenue from a company named Ginger Limited Partnership during the last two decades.

However, since 2006, that business has been defunct. It was a Nebraska real estate agency founded in the 1980s by his wife and her family.

Thomas' Family Made Income From a Defunct Company

For over 20 years, Thomas has listed Ginger Limited Partnership as a source of income. However, the report notes that the company was dissolved in 2006 and replaced by another.

The new company, Ginger Holdings, LLC, has a similar name to the previous one, but Thomas does not seem to have any record of it.

CNBC said that Thomas has allegedly been open about his yearly compensation from the previous business. He disclosed in 2021 that his family had a stake in the dissolved company Ginger Limited Partnership valued between $250,000 and $500,000. Between $50,000 to $100,000 was what he said he made that year.

Whether or not the discrepancy can be explained by a simple paperwork mistake raises new questions about the justice's financial dealings. This is especially after a recent ProPublica report revealed that Thomas had accepted lavish trips from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow for over two decades, in apparent violation of a financial disclosure law.

See Also: DOJ Provides 'Gang of Eight' Access to Biden, Trump Classified Documents

More than a simple paperwork mistake?

According to The Washington Post, the nonprofit news organization said that Thomas had failed to disclose his trips on his financial declarations. Thomas is 74 years old and is a conservative associate judge on the court who has served on it since 1991.

According to a subsequent ProPublica article, the judge also omitted the fact that Crow had purchased land from him.

The probe provides fresh evidence for Thomas' opponents, who claim he has a conflict of interest by refusing to recuse himself from cases relating to his wife's political activities in conservative circles, such as her participation in conspiracies to overturn the 2020 election.

On Monday, April 10, the Democratic majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee demanded further information be gathered on Thomas' conduct. In a letter, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin of Illinois and the other 10 Democratic members demanded that Chief Justice John Roberts "immediately open" an investigation into "how such conduct could take place" under his watch.

Within the letter, the committee said that a hearing will be held in the coming days to discuss "the need to restore confidence in the Supreme Court's ethical standards."

See Also: Elon Musk Criticizes NPR's Government Funding Despite SpaceX, Tesla Getting More Government Subsidies

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Most Americans are sane and goodhearted, but society has coarsened in the last 50 years. Criminals who use guns have proliferated to kill our citizens.

The public is not changing to meet these new conditions, and police are rapidly leaving their profession. We have less protection in the increasingly dangerous climate. Now, when seconds count, the police are minutes away.

The public must adjust to defend itself from the increased threat from violent criminals. It can be done. Florida adjusted accordingly by recently passing a law that allows citizens to carry weapons.

Some people are concerned with the risk of countering a gunman while jeopardizing children in crossfire. That risk is minimal compared to the threat of allowing another shooter to kill school children freely and randomly. We must neutralize the criminal.

A higher prevalence of guns diminishes threats. With proper gun training, the brave, heroic citizens who carry guns will reduce the carnage.

The current negative public mindset about guns must be changed to reverse the trend toward more violence. Crime goes down when trained citizens carry guns.

Gun owners are often ridiculed for loving their guns. The correct understanding is that gun owners highly regard their guns in the same way good carpenters regard their tools. Law-abiding gun owners use their guns as constructive, life-enhancing tools.

Note: This writer owns no guns and is not a member of the NRA.

Donald Wilber, Bloomington
10:40 p.m. Update: The last of the strong storms are pushing out of central Illinois now. While scattered showers and weak storms are still expected for the rest of Saturday night, the threat for damaging wind and hail has ended.

10:00 p.m. Update: The severe weather threat has come to an end in the southwestern half of the area, including Charleston-Mattoon and Decatur. Only showers and weak storms remain here.

The line of strong storms continues to push across the northeastern half of central Illinois. Storms are about to peak in Champaign-Urbana. Up to nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph are still occurring in these storms.

9:30 p.m. Update: The line of storms continues to make progress to the east, but the southern part of the line is surging ahead of the northern part. Storms continue around Bloomington-Normal and Decatur and are peaking in the Charleston-Mattoon area now.

Overall storm intensity is decreasing. No severe thunderstorm warnings are currently in effect. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and up to penny size hail are still occurring in spots though along with lots of heavy rain and lightning. Central Illinois residents should continue to remain indoors until this line of storms clears us.

9:00 p.m. Update: The line of storms continues to move to the east. Storms are peaking over Bloomington-Normal now and thunderstorm activity is picking up around the Decatur area. While no severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect in these locations, up to dime size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected.

The strongest storm is currently located over Shelby County. Wind gusts up to 60 mph and nickel size hail are occurring here. This storm is expected to push into the Charleston-Mattoon area around 9:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m. Update: The severe weather threat has begun in central Illinois. The much-anticipated line of thunderstorms is pushing in from the west. Heavy rain and lightning will be common for the next few hours across the area and damaging wind and hail are expected in spots.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are currently in effect in a couple of locations, including Bloomington-Normal. Wind gusts up to 60 mph and up to nickel size hail are associated with these storms.

County with the most severe weather in every state County with the most severe weather in every state Alabama: Lauderdale County Alaska: Juneau Borough and Northern Admiralty Island Arizona: Maricopa County Arkansas: Pulaski County California: San Bernardino County Colorado: El Paso County Connecticut: Litchfield County Delaware: New Castle County Florida: Duval County Georgia: Chatham County Hawaii: Hawaii County Idaho: Bonneville County Illinois: Cook County Indiana: Gibson County Iowa: Polk County Kansas: Sedgwick County Kentucky: Jefferson County Louisiana: Caddo Parish Maine: Aroostook County Maryland: Montgomery County Massachusetts: Middlesex County Michigan: Marquette County Minnesota: Hennepin County Mississippi: Hinds County Missouri: Greene County Montana: Valley County Nebraska: Lincoln County Nevada: Clark County New Hampshire: Grafton County New Jersey: Camden County New Mexico: Eddy County New York: Chautauqua County North Carolina: Wake County North Dakota: Grand Forks County Ohio: Hamilton County Oklahoma: Tulsa County Oregon: Jackson County Pennsylvania: Allegheny County Rhode Island: Providence County South Carolina: Charleston County South Dakota: Pennington County Tennessee: Davidson County Texas: Tarrant County Utah: Tooele County Vermont: Bennington County Virginia: Fairfax County Washington: Spokane County West Virginia: Berkeley County Wisconsin: Dane County Wyoming: Laramie County
NPP National Youth Organizer, Abdul Salam Mustapha has defended the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong over his comments that "it will never happen that we, the NPP, will stand on a platform to hand over power to the NDC".



Mr. Bryan Acheampong also stressed "if the NDC dares to use threats, violence and foolishness in the 2024 election, we will let them know we have the men. We will show them that we have the men".



The Police have been called upon by the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to arrest the Minister over his comments which have been described as "treasonable".



But Mr. Abdul Salam Mustapha says there is nothing wrong with what Hon. Bryan Acheampong said.



He noted that the Minister saying the NPP will not hand over power to the NDC is only suggestive of his eagerness to see the ruling party win the next elections.



Like Bryan Acheampong, the NPP National Youth Organizer emphasized that he will equally "do everything to win the next elections as National Youth Organizer", therefore asking "what is wrong if Bryan Acheampong says the same thing?"







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The former President of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama has tasked the current President H.E Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately begin admitting students into the fully completed New Abirem College of Education constructed by the then NDC government.



The facility which the former President says was completed before the end of his tenure of office has been abandoned and left to galamseyers as their warehouse.



According to him, the New Abirem Technical College of Education was established because there is only one Technical College of Education in Ghana and for that reason, there is a deficit regarding technical trained teachers in the country.



This he said was to augment the training of more technical trainee teachers in the country to breach the gap.



As a result, the former President urged the President to begin admitting students into the college before he leaves office.



He made the disclosure when he met the party delegates at New Abirem in the Eastern region.



Meanwhile, the former President has described the NDC as an "action and no talk party" while the NPP is a "no action talk only party"



This he said is because, despite the numerous resources at the disposal of the NPP government, they have not been able to properly manage the economy well.





Source: Salaamat Kuukua Paintsil/Peacefmonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A deputy finance minister, John Kumah, has said it will take a visionary leader like the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the eight.



He has therefore called on the NPP delegates to vote massively for Dr Bawumia when he officially declares to contest as the 2024 presidential candidate of the party on 4 November 2023.



Of course, its possible, Kumah said in reference to Bawumias new catchphrase ahead of the launch of his campaign.



In these difficult times, we need people who speak to give us hope and one of the voices in this country that speak to give hope is Dr Bawumia. I support that ambition, Jumah Kumah told Accra-based Asaase Radio over the weekend.



He described Bawumia as an inspirational leader who is capable of turning around the fortunes of the country amidst the current economic challenges.



Ghana is currently seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help put the economy back on track following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.



Dr Bawumia is a voice of hope for this country especially in these difficult times.\



You need individuals who understand how to reform the current system and add value to what President Akufo-Addo has started, Kumah added



The Ghana beyond Aid which must result in Africa beyond Aid requires a new level of thinking, innovation and digitalisation, he said.



The vice president has been at the forefront in the current governments digitalisation process including the paperless system at the ports, the Ghana Card, Ghana Post GPS among many others.



We believe in the vision of Dr Bawumia and what he represents for this country because its possible, Kumah added. In every circumstances you need somebody who believes that something new can be done to achieve better results.



Dr Bawumia represents that hope. He is the hope of this country. Hes the hope of the youth and the hope of the Africa beyond aid. Hes the hope of Ghana and its possible, he added.

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.

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The 12 tribes of Israel are introduced in the book of Genesis, home to all of the famous origin stories from the Hebrew Bible (the Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, etc.). One of those stories concerns Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Jacob marries two sisters, Leah and Rachel, and sires children with both women (as well as with two of their servants, Zilpah and Bilhah).

According to Genesis, here are the names of Jacob's sons from oldest to youngest:

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Reuben (with Leah) Simeon (with Leah) Levi (with Leah) Judah (with Leah) Dan (with Bilhah, Rachel's maid) Naphtali (with Bilhah, Rachel's maid) Gad (with Zilpah, Leah's maid) Asher (with Zilpah, Leah's maid) Issachar (with Leah) Zebulun (with Leah) Joseph (with Rachel) Benjamin (with Rachel)

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with God (or an angel) and is blessed with a new name: Israel (meaning "he struggles with God"). From that time forward, the sons of Jacob become the "sons of Israel," and all of Jacob's posterity become known as the "children of Israel" or "Israelites."

But when are the sons of Israel (Jacob) first called the 12 tribes of Israel? In Genesis 49, Jacob has grown old and is about to die, so he gathers all of his sons to give them individual blessings. While Jacob only explicitly blesses Dan to become a "tribe of Israel," after all the blessings are pronounced, the text says, "All these are the twelve tribes of Israel."

To confuse matters, Tobolowsky says there are more than 20 tribal lists in the Hebrew Bible and not all of them are the same. In some, for example, two tribes named after Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, replace the tribe of Joseph (yes, replacing one tribe with others named for the two sons makes 13 tribes). One explanation in the book of Numbers is that God only allotted land in Canaan to 12 of the 13 tribes. The tribe of Levi was set apart as the priestly tribe, and instead of receiving land they received offerings from the other tribes.

In the biblical narrative, the 12 sons and their families have to leave Canaan and settle in Egypt to avoid a famine. Over a 400-year period, the Egyptians enslave them, but eventually, a man named Moses leads their descendants back to Canaan after they fight many battles. The area that was Canaan encompasses the modern state of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon, according to the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

If you continue to follow the chronology of the Hebrew Bible, the identity of the 12 tribes of Israel isn't stable. Some tribes are shuffled around by internal political divides and others are "lost" to outside invasions.
According to the Stanford project, populism is growing across the globe because of the failure of major political parties to address the thorny issues that people face in today's world: immigration, economic inequality and globalism, just to name a few.

But populism, the project finds, can cause more problems than it solves. The problems start with the idea of dividing people into good and bad. From "Global Populisms and Their Challenges," the white paper produced by the Stanford project:

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Populists redefine the people, often by excluding vulnerable ethnic or religious minorities, immigrants and marginalized economic groups. The result is majority rule without minority rights.

Once in power, populist leaders represent "a threat to liberal democracy" as we know it, according to the research, attacking not only the rights of individuals who don't fit into the majority, but the very foundations on which the country lies. That includes "the takeover and taming of courts and oversight institutions, and new laws that limit the freedom of the media and civil society."

We've seen it in the United States, with Trump calling the press the "enemy of the people," criticizing judges, resisting congressional oversight, claiming that elections are "rigged," flouting laws, and claiming that a "deep state" of bureaucratic actors is out to get him to deny the will of the people he represents. It happens with other populist leaders all over the world.

"'The opposition is the enemy of the people. Why would you listen to them? The media is the swamp. Why would you listen to them?'" Grzymala-Busse says. "Everything is fake. Everything is suspect. And no one is to be trusted except the populace."

And that populace, remember, does not include voices of the minorities or anyone who disagrees with the majority.

Populists, according to the report, damage democracies in other sinister, not readily apparent ways, too, by striking down or radically altering what has become accepted over years of building society; things like healthy debate, respect for opponents and civil discourse.

The Populist Leader

It's important to note that populists can come, it's generally agreed, from all parts of the political spectrum. There are leftist populists around the world who combine socialism with their populist message. There are those on the right who push anti-immigration and anti-LBGTQ platforms in their populism.

Perhaps strangely, populist leaders often do not spring from the working-class roots of what is thought of as "the people." Consider: Trump is a self-professed billionaire real estate investor; Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is a longtime congressman and military leader; France's Le Pen is the daughter of a career right-wing politician; the Philippines' Duterte spent decades as a mayor and lawyer; and India's Modi came from humble beginnings, but he has been in politics for more than 40 years.

Whatever their origins, populist leaders are identifiable by their claim to understand "the people," by their us versus them rhetoric, and by their assertions that they, alone, are the answer to the people's problems. They often speak in brash, common, "of-the-people" talk, too, despite their often high-brow educations. They are considered, by many, charismatic.

"There's almost an art to it," Grzymala-Busse says.

That illusion of "telling it like it is" draws in those looking for a change or, as Grzymala-Busse suggests, not wanting to lose their grip on their place in society. But a populist leader's popularity is not forever.

Populists who rise to power, the Stanford project found, often are punished more heavily by voters in trying to hang on to their power, simply because they do not fulfill the promises they made. That's precisely why populist leaders do what they do once they assume power.

By dividing people into good and bad, by chipping away at society's institutions (courts, the media, the legislature), and by weakening norms (healthy debate, fair elections, respect for one another), populists can hang on to power and become all-powerful. "The result," the Stanford authors write, "is a gradual slide into authoritarianism, each step justified by the need to better root out 'disloyal' elements and better serve the 'people' (read: the partisan interests of the incumbents)."

Populism, Grzymala-Busse says, doesn't help the people it purports to serve. In the end, it's just politics.

" " Despite having coronavirus, U.S. President Donald Trump removed his mask upon returning to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Oct. 5, 2020, potentially putting those he serves at risk. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Now That's Interesting Populism, and populist politicians, aren't all bad, Grzymala-Busse says. "I think populism in opposition, populists who don't enter government, play incredibly powerful roles in sort of shaking up the system," she says, "and, above all, in reminding the existing political parties and politicians that they shouldn't be complacent."
" " For the past 40 years, historians have rated the worst president consistently. Fandrade

Anyone who pays attention to American history and politics has probably wondered: Who was the worst president ever? Since 1980, the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) has been trying to come up with a definitive answer by periodically surveying more than 140 presidential scholars, historians and political scientists.

"The scholars must publish in peer-reviewed journals on the presidency or individual presidents, publish popular manuscripts, or teach courses at colleges or universities that focus on the presidency," explains Don Levy, SCRI's director, via email. They rank the best and worst presidents according to 20 separate categories, including party leadership, ability to compromise, foreign policy accomplishments, intelligence and moral authority.

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Over the past 40 years, the same five presidents have held the top spots. In 2022, the best five were:

Franklin Roosevelt Abraham Lincoln George Washington Theodore Roosevelt Thomas Jefferson

The presidents at the bottom have also mostly stayed the same, with one exception. The worst in 2022 (with the worst in the top spot) were:

Andrew Johnson James Buchanan Donald Trump Warren Harding Franklin Pierce

"For the most part, our best presidents directed the country through periods of crisis," says Levy, "while our worst failed to lead our country pursuant to our values and ideals when facing critical tests." For instance, FDR was the highest-ranked president in the 2022 survey, and he demonstrated exceptional crisis management during World War II. He also scored first in the categories of vision/agenda, domestic leadership and foreign policy leadership.
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Stone obelisks stand tall in Aksum, Ethiopia. This city was once the capital of a kingdom spanning northeast Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Credit: Shutterstock / Artist

Pre-colonial African history is alive with tales of civilizations rising and falling and of different cultures intermingling across the continent. We have now shed more light on some of these societies using the science of genetics.

In a study published in Science Advances, my co-authors and I used DNA information from people from the present-day continent to shed light on important civilisations that existed before colonialism. Genetic information from blood samples was extracted by machines. Once the sequence of "letters" in the DNA code had been read, or sequenced, we could use computers to compare genetic differences and similarities between the populations in the study.

One striking result concerned two ethnic groups in the north of present-day Cameroon, in west-central Africa, the Kanuri and Kotoko peoples. We found that these two groups were descended from three ancestral populations.

These ancestral groups most resembled people now living in coastal regions of west Africa as well as in parts of east Africa such as Ethiopia and populations living today in north Africa and the Levant. The populations intermixedhad children togetherroughly 600 years ago. But what caused them to migrate thousands of kilometers across a desert into northern Cameroon?

The Kanem-Bornu empire at its greatest extent. Credit: Tourbillon / Wikipedia Project

We think the answer is the Kanem-Bornu empire, a civilization that existed for over 1,000 yearsbeginning around 700 AD. At its height, the empire spanned what is now northern Cameroon, northern Nigeria, Chad, Niger and southern Libya. It operated vast trade networks across the Sahara and attracted populations from every direction.

This example highlights how our genomes hold information about major events of the past. Merchants traveling along trade routes or the formation of empires from smaller political units can leave footprints in our DNA. Previous work shows that the Roman empire, the Mongol empire, and Silk Road trade probably all left lasting legacies in the genomes of modern-day people across Eurasia.

Hidden in the genome

We analyzed 1,300 newly collected genomes of people from across Africa. They came from 150 ethnic groups within five countries. We collaborated with anthropologists, archaeologists and linguists from Africa and elsewhere. They helped us understand the historical context of these events.

The Kotoko and Kanuri people live in northern Cameroon and Nigeria. The photo shows a landscape in the Mandara mountains, near the border of the two countries. Credit: Scott MacEachern, Author provided

African genome data is underrepresented compared with that from other world regions. This means that lots of genetic diversityor varietyin the DNA of populations is probably being missed by scientists.

Studying genetic diversity has many potential usessuch as understanding risks to health and developing new treatments for disease. Our group was concerned with genetic diversity as a window into the past.

Dating events

We modeled a person's genome as a mixture of segments of DNA inherited from their ancestors. If a person had DNA segments closely matching two groups of peoplefor example, Europeans and west Africansit suggested that this person descended from mixing between those two groups.

Present-day human groups that were formed from a recent mixture of Europeans and west Africans should have long sections of DNA from both populations. Those ancestral DNA segments get shorter as the genetic material of their descendants is shuffled with each new generation.

Mysteries remain about other civilisations not studied in the latest work. These are buildings from Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city in Southern Africa. Credit: evenfh / Shutterstock

This provides a way of dating when mixture events took place. The longer the DNA segments matching, for example, west Africans or Europeans, the more recent the mixture event was.

Peace treaty

Another historical event we found evidence for was the Arab expansion in Africa. This began in the seventh century, when separate Arab armies traveling south along the Levantine coast and north from Medina in today's Saudi Arabia crossed the Sinai desert and conquered Egypt.

In Sudan at this time, the Kingdom of Makuria ruled along the Nile river. Makuria signed a peace treaty with the Egyptian Arabs in the middle of the seventh century that lasted almost 700 years.

The majority of mixing between these two ancestral groups, one closely related to Arabs and the other to Sudanese, dates to after the peace treaty began breaking down. This in turn coincided with the decline and eventual collapse of Makuria itself, which would have allowed Arab groups to continue down the Nile into Sudan.

The kingdom of Makuria at its peak around 960 AD. Credit: Le Gabrie, CC BY-SA

But we also found evidence of earlier migrations into Africa from the Arabian peninsula, which occurred by sea. This intermixing coincided in time with the Kingdom of Aksum, located in northeast Africa and southern Arabia, during the first millennium AD.

Aksum was once considered one of the world's four great powers, alongside contemporary empires in China, Persia and Rome.

The expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples

Genetic studies have also found evidence of a continent-wide migration known as the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples. "Bantu" is a language group, now spoken by around one-quarter of Africans.

There has been debate about whether the Bantu languages spread largely as a transmission of culture, or whether large-scale migration was involved. The latest research shows that the latter explanation is the likeliest. This migration started in a small area of western Cameroon roughly 4,000 years ago, before rapidly spreading south and east. It covered more than 4,000 kilometers in less than 2,000 years.

The throne hall of Old Dongola in Sudan, capital of the Makuria kingdom. Credit: Matyas Rehak / Shutterstock

Map of the Kingdom of Aksum. Credit: Newslea Staff / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

Bantu speakers mixed with local groups, changing patterns of genetic diversity in Africa forever. We showed that migrations not only occurred to the south and east of Cameroon, but also to the west. Why so much movement took place at this time is unknown, but climate change may have played a role.

It's vital that scientists analyze more DNA from genomes of African people. As we do so, it will undoubtedly reveal an intricate picture of the continent's rich past.

More information: Nancy Bird et al, Dense sampling of ethnic groups within African countries reveals fine-scale genetic structure and extensive historical admixture, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2616 Journal information: Science Advances

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Sheep graze on a failed wheat field in norhtern Tunisia's Medjez el-Bab, where a severe drought has taken grip.

Dry-spells known as flash droughts, with a surprisingly rapid onset and often devastating impact, are becoming more frequent as human activity warms the planet, according to a study published Thursday.

Though droughts are generally thought of as long-term phenomena, some can occur quite suddenly, in a matter of weeks, when the conditions are right.

Global warming is a recipe for increasing those special conditions around the world, creating in certain areas a decrease in precipitation and increased evaporation, which dries out the soil more quickly.

For the study, published in the journal Science, researchers analyzed a combination of satellite data and ground moisture readings from a period of over 60 years (1951-2014).

"Both flash and slow droughts are increasing" as global temperatures rise, lead author Xing Yuan told AFP.

But flash droughts are increasing more quickly "especially over Europe, North and East Asia, Sahel and west coast of South America," he said.

The researcher, based out of China's Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), warned that the rapid onset of flash droughts gives humans little time to adapt, such as by diverting water resources or preparing for wildfires.

"The vegetation do not have enough time to adapt either," he added.

Yuan's team used climate modeling to forecast how flash droughts will change under several possible greenhouse gas emission scenarios.

Even if emissions are moderate, flash droughts will continue to become more frequent across practically all regions. Under higher emissions scenarios, the trend would be more drastic.

Yuan also said the data showed a general increase in drought onset speeds, with his team finding a "robust transition at global scale" of slow to flash droughts.

"We believe the reduction in emission can slow down this transition," he told AFP.

The concept of flash drought emerged in the early 21st century, but has received more attention since the summer 2012 drought in the United States, which set in particularly quickly and caused more than $30 billion in economic losses.

A commentary piece by two professors in the Netherlands, also published in Science, said the study's warning "should be taken seriously" as the threat "may be even greater than they suggest."

David Walker of Wageningen University and Anne Van Loon of Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, both of whom were not involved in Yuan's work, underlined that most of the "hot spot regions" determined by the study were particularly low-income areas.

"These regions generally have more vulnerable populations and lower financial resources for coping mechanisms," they said.

The pair also added that current methods for detecting droughts, often month-by-month data analyses, must be updated to "operate on shorter time scales," due to the increase in flash droughts which "may build and trigger outcomes in just weeks."

More information: Xing Yuan, A global transition to flash droughts under climate change, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn6301. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn6301 David W. Walker et al, Droughts are coming on faster, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adh3097. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh3097 Journal information: Science

 2023 AFP
By John & Nisha Whitehead

April 16, 2023: Information Clearing House -- Were not living the American dream.

Were living a financial nightmare.

The U.S. government is funding its existence with a credit card.

The governmentand that includes the current administrationis spending money it doesnt have on programs it cant afford, and we the taxpayers are the ones being forced to foot the bill for the governments fiscal insanity.

According to the number crunchers with the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the government is borrowing roughly $6 billion a day.

As the Editorial Board for the Washington Post warns:

The nation has reached a hazardous moment where what it owes, as a percentage of the total size of the economy, is the highest since World War II. If nothing changes, the United States will soon be in an uncharted scenario that weakens its national security, imperils its ability to invest in the future, unfairly burdens generations to come, and will require cuts to critical programs such as Social Security and Medicare. It is not a future anyone wants.

Lets talk numbers, shall we?

The national debt (the amount the federal government has borrowed over the years and must pay back) is $31 trillion and will grow another $19 trillion by 2033. That translates to roughly $246,000 per taxpayer or $94,000 for every single person in the country.

The bulk of that debt has been amassed over the past two decades, thanks in large part to the fiscal shenanigans of four presidents, 10 sessions of Congress and two wars.

Its estimated that the amount this country owes is now 130% greater than its gross domestic product (all the products and services produced in one year by labor and property supplied by the citizens).

In other words, the government is spending more than it brings in.

The U.S. ranks as the 12th most indebted nation in the world, with much of that debt owed to the Federal Reserve, large investment funds and foreign governments, namely, Japan and China.

Interest payments on the national debt are estimated to top $395 billion this year, which is significantly more than the government spends on veterans benefits and services, and according to Pew Research Center, more than it will spend on elementary and secondary education, disaster relief, agriculture, science and space programs, foreign aid, and natural resources and environmental protection combined.

According to the Committee for a Reasonable Federal Budget, the interest weve paid on this borrowed money is nearly twice what the federal government will spend on transportation infrastructure, over four times as much as it will spend on K-12 education, almost four times what it will spend on housing, and over eight times what it will spend on science, space, and technology.

In ten years, those interest payments will exceed our entire military budget.

This is financial tyranny.

Weve been sold a bill of goods by politicians promising to pay down the national debt, jumpstart the economy, rebuild our infrastructure, secure our borders, ensure our security, and make us all healthy, wealthy and happy.

None of that has come to pass, and yet were still being loaded down with debt not of our own making while the government remains unrepentant, unfazed and undeterred in its wanton spending.

Indeed, the national deficit (the difference between what the government spends and the revenue it takes in) remains at more than $1.5 trillion.

If Americans managed their personal finances the way the government mismanages the nations finances, wed all be in debtors prison by now.

Despite the government propaganda being peddled by the politicians and news media, however, the government isnt spending our tax dollars to make our lives better.

Were being robbed blind so the governmental elite can get richer.

In the eyes of the government, we the people, the voters, the consumers, and the taxpayers are little more than pocketbooks waiting to be picked.

We the people have become the new, permanent underclass in America.

Consider: The government can seize your home and your car (which youve bought and paid for) over nonpayment of taxes. Government agents can freeze and seize your bank accounts and other valuables if they merely suspect wrongdoing. And the IRS insists on getting the first cut of your salary to pay for government programs over which you have no say.

We have no real say in how the government runs, or how our taxpayer funds are used, but were being forced to pay through the nose, anyhow.

We have no real say, but that doesnt prevent the government from fleecing us at every turn and forcing us to pay for endless wars that do more to fund the military industrial complex than protect us, pork barrel projects that produce little to nothing, and a police state that serves only to imprison us within its walls.

If you have no choice, no voice, and no real options when it comes to the governments claims on your property and your money, youre not free.

It wasnt always this way, of course.

Early Americans went to war over the inalienable rights described by philosopher John Locke as the natural rights of life, liberty and property.

It didnt take long, howevera hundred years, in factbefore the American government was laying claim to the citizenrys property by levying taxes to pay for the Civil War. As the New York Times reports, Widespread resistance led to its repeal in 1872.

Determined to claim some of the citizenrys wealth for its own uses, the government reinstituted the income tax in 1894. Charles Pollock challenged the tax as unconstitutional, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor. Pollocks victory was relatively short-lived. Members of Congressunited in their determination to tax the American peoples incomeworked together to adopt a constitutional amendment to overrule the Pollock decision.

On the eve of World War I, in 1913, Congress instituted a permanent income tax by way of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution and the Revenue Act of 1913. Under the Revenue Act, individuals with income exceeding $3,000 could be taxed starting at 1% up to 7% for incomes exceeding $500,000.

Its all gone downhill from there.

Unsurprisingly, the government has used its tax powers to advance its own imperialistic agendas and the courts have repeatedly upheld the governments power to penalize or jail those who refused to pay their taxes.

While were struggling to get by, and making tough decisions about how to spend what little money actually makes it into our pockets after the federal, state and local governments take their share (this doesnt include the stealth taxes imposed through tolls, fines and other fiscal penalties), the government continues to do whatever it likeslevy taxes, rack up debt, spend outrageously and irresponsiblywith little thought for the plight of its citizens.

To top it all off, all of those wars the U.S. is so eager to fight abroad are being waged with borrowed funds. As The Atlantic reports, U.S. leaders are essentially bankrolling the wars with debt, in the form of purchases of U.S. Treasury bonds by U.S.-based entities like pension funds and state and local governments, and by countries like China and Japan.

Of course, were the ones who have to repay that borrowed debt.

For instance, American taxpayers have been forced to shell out more than $5.6 trillion since 9/11 for the military industrial complexs costly, endless so-called war on terrorism. That translates to roughly $23,000 per taxpayer to wage wars abroad, occupy foreign countries, provide financial aid to foreign allies, and fill the pockets of defense contractors and grease the hands of corrupt foreign dignitaries.

Mind you, thats only a portion of what the Pentagon spends on Americas military empire.

The United States also spends more on foreign aid than any other nation, with nearly $300 billion disbursed over a five-year period. More than 150 countries around the world receive U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance, with most of the funds going to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. That price tag keeps growing, too.

As Forbes reports, U.S. foreign aid dwarfs the federal funds spent by 48 out of 50 state governments annually. Only the state governments of California and New York spent more federal funds than what the U.S. sent abroad each year to foreign countries.

Most recently, the U.S. has allocated nearly $115 billion in emergency military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine since the start of the Russia invasion.

As Dwight D. Eisenhower warned in a 1953 speech, this is how the military industrial complex continues to get richer, while the American taxpayer is forced to pay for programs that do little to enhance our lives, ensure our happiness and well-being, or secure our freedoms.

This is no way of life.

Yet its not just the governments endless wars that are bleeding us dry.

Were also being forced to shell out money for surveillance systems to track our movements, money to further militarize our already militarized police, money to allow the government to raid our homes and bank accounts, money to fund schools where our kids learn nothing about freedom and everything about how to comply, and on and on.

There was a time in our history when our forebears said enough is enough and stopped paying their taxes to what they considered an illegitimate government. They stood their ground and refused to support a system that was slowly choking out any attempts at self-governance, and which refused to be held accountable for its crimes against the people. Their resistance sowed the seeds for the revolution that would follow.

Unfortunately, in the 200-plus years since we established our own government, weve let bankers, turncoats and number-crunching bureaucrats muddy the waters and pilfer the accounts to such an extent that were back where we started.

Once again, weve got a despotic regime with an imperial ruler doing as they please.

Once again, weve got a judicial system insisting we have no rights under a government which demands that the people march in lockstep with its dictates.

And once again, weve got to decide whether well keep marching or break stride and make a turn toward freedom.

But what if we didnt just pull out our pocketbooks and pony up to the federal governments outrageous demands for more money?

What if we didnt just dutifully line up to drop our hard-earned dollars into the collection bucket, no questions asked about how it will be spent?

What if, instead of quietly sending in our tax checks, hoping vainly for some meager return, we did a little calculating of our own and started deducting from our taxes those programs that we refuse to support?

As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, if we dont have the right to decide what happens to our hard-earned cash, then we dont have any rights at all.

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.
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:

Global energy supplies are still squeezed by the war in Ukraine.

The G7 pledged on Sunday to quit fossil fuels faster and urged other countries to follow suit, but failed to agree to any new deadlines on ending polluting power sources like coal.

The language reflects the depth of disagreements among the allies on the balance between climate action and energy security, with host Japan leading a pushback against the most ambitious proposals discussed.

After two days of talks in the northern city of Sapporo, the bloc's climate and environment ministers vowed to "accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels so as to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest... and call on others to join us in taking the same action".

But they offered no new timelines beyond last year's G7 pledge to largely end fossil fuel use in their electricity sectors by 2035.

France's energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said the "phase-out" wording was nonetheless a "strong step forward" ahead of the G20 and COP28 summits.

Britain and France had suggested a new goal of ending "unabated" coal powerwhich does not take steps to offset emissionsin G7 power grids this decade.

But with global energy supplies still squeezed by the war in Ukraine, the target faced opposition from other members, including Japan and the United States.

"I would obviously have liked to have been able to make a commitment to phase out coal by 2030," Pannier-Runacher told AFP.

But "it is one issue on which we can still make progress in forthcoming discussions, particularly at COP28", the UN climate conference in Dubai set for November.

Call to reduce 'gas demand'

The Group of Seven industrialized nations, which also includes Germany, Italy, Canada and the EU, pledged to end new plastic pollution by 2040.

Britain, Canada and the EU already belong to an international coalition with the same goal, but this is the first time Japan and the United States have made the 2040 commitment.

Plastic waste has doubled globally in two decades and only nine percent is successfully recycled, the OECD says.

The G7 ministers also urged a peak in global greenhouse emissions by 2025 at the latestlanguage that experts say is aimed at the world's largest carbon emitter, China, which is targeting its own 2030 peak.

Other topics proved more divisive.

Japan has been burning ammonia and hydrogen alongside fossil fuels to reduce emissions.

The ministers had been under pressure to announce bold steps after a major UN climate report warned last month that global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius would be seen in about a decade without "rapid and far-reaching" action.

But campaigners feared backsliding on previous pledges such as ending new overseas fossil fuel financing.

G7 leaders said last year that the "exceptional circumstances" of Russia's war in Ukraine made gas investments "appropriate as a temporary response".

Sunday's statement contains similar language, but also sets multiple parameters around such investments and highlights the "primary need" for "gas demand reduction".

Still, climate campaigners warned the ambiguity sends the wrong message.

"The science is crystal clear that leaving the door open to investments in new gas or (liquefied natural gas) leaves the G7 off track for 1.5C," said Laurie van der Burg of Oil Change International.

Even so, Japan's minister of economy, trade and industry Yasutoshi Nishimura characterized the communique as "ambitious" and praised the G7 for "recognizing diverse paths towards carbon neutrality".

'Somewhat positive'

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told AFP he was pleased with the statement.

It takes "our current energy security concerns" into consideration but also "provides a road map on how we deal with the climate crisis", he said.

The G7 stopped short of endorsing Japan's strategy of burning hydrogen and ammonia alongside fossil fuels to reduce emissionswhich activists say only serves to extend the lifespan of polluting plants.

Its statement simply notes that "some countries are exploring" the potential of hydrogen fuels, adding that this should be "aligned with a 1.5C pathway".

Attempts to commit to halving emissions from vehicles in the G7 by 2035 also floundered.

There is still time for Japan to "demonstrate its leadership in the decarbonised automobile industry" before May's G7 summit in Hiroshima, said Daniel Read of Greenpeace.

Overall, the nations had "made a somewhat positive step... in the right direction", but "failed to set out adequately ambitious action plans to drastically reduce emissions", he added.

 2023 AFP
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Three fossilized bones from Morotopithecus: a vertebra, part of a jaw and a femur. Credit: L. MacLatchy and J. Kingston

Human evolution is tightly connected to the environment and landscape of Africa, where our ancestors first emerged.

According to the traditional scientific narrative, Africa was once a verdant idyll of vast forests stretching from coast to coast. In these lush habitats, around 21 million years ago, the earliest ancestors of apes and humans first evolved traitsincluding upright posturethat distinguished them from their monkey cousins.

But then, the story went, global climates cooled and dried, and forests began to shrink. By about 10 million years ago, grasses and shrubs that were better able to tolerate the increasingly dry conditions started to take over eastern Africa, replacing forests. The earliest hominins, our distant ancestors, ventured out of the forest remnants that had been home onto the grass-covered savanna. The idea was that this new ecosystem pushed a radical change for our lineage: We became bipedal.

For a long time, researchers have linked the expansion of grasslands in Africa to the evolution of numerous human traits, including walking on two legs, using tools and hunting.

Despite the prominence of this theory, mounting evidence from paleontological and paleoclimatological research undermines it. In two recent papers, our multidisciplinary team of Kenyan, Ugandan, European and American scientists concluded that it is time finally to discard this version of the evolutionary story.

A decade ago, we began what, at the time, was a unique experiment in paleoanthropology: Several independent research teams joined together to build a regional perspective on the evolution and diversification of early apes. The project, dubbed REACHE, short for Research on Eastern African Catarrhine and Hominoid Evolution, was based on the premise that conclusions drawn from evidence across many locations would be more powerful than interpretations from individual fossil sites. We wondered whether previous researchers had missed the forest for the trees. Chimpanzees move with an upright posture.

An ape in Uganda 21 million years ago

Based on the lifestyle of apes alive today, scientists have hypothesized that the very first ones evolved in dense forests, where they successfully fed on fruit, thanks to a few key anatomical innovations.

Apes have stable, upright backs. Once the back is vertical, an ape no longer has to walk on the top of small branches like a monkey. Instead, it can grab different branches with its arms and legs, distributing its body mass across multiple supports. Apes can even hang below branches, making them less likely to lose their balance. In this way, they are able to access fruits growing on the edges of tree crowns that otherwise might be available only to smaller species.

But was this scenario true for the earliest apes? A 21 million-year-old site in Moroto, Uganda, became an ideal place to investigate this question. There our REACHE team discovered teeth and other remains belonging to Morotopithecus, the oldest ape for which scientists have found fossils from the cranium, teeth and other parts of the skeleton.

Two bones in particular helped us understand how this species moved. A lower backbone found decades ago and curated by the Uganda National Museum had already been noted for its bony attachments for back muscles, indicating that Morotopithecus had a stiff lower back, good for climbing upright in the trees.

An ape that lived 21 million years ago was used to a habitat that was both grassy and wooded. Credit: Corbin Rainbolt

A discovery of our own confirmed this climbing behavior in a major way. At Moroto we found a fossil ape thigh bone that is short but strong, with a very thick shaft. This kind of bone is characteristic of living apes and helps them climb up and down trees with a vertical torso.

Although both skeletal fossils are consistent with the fruit-eating, forest-dwelling ape hypothesis, we found something astonishing when we discovered an ape lower jaw fragment in the same excavation layer. Its molars were elongated, with well-developed shearing crests running between the cusps. These ridges are ideal for slicing leaves but are unlike the low, round, crushing tooth cusps of committed fruit eaters. If ape skeletal adaptations evolved in forests to aid in fruit exploitation, why would the earliest ape showing these locomotor features instead have teeth like a leaf eater's?

Such inconsistencies between our evidence and the traditional narrative of ape origins led us to question other assumptions: Did Morotopithecus live in a forested habitat at all?

The environment at Moroto

To figure out Morotopithecus' habitat, we studied the chemistry of fossil soilscalled paleosolsand the microscopic remains of plants they contain in order to reconstruct the ancient climate and vegetation at Moroto.

(A) Forested ecosystem traditionally believed to be the habitat of early apes, which ate fruit at the ends of tree branches, compared with (B) new perspective of grassy woodland ecosystem reconstruction, where early apes lived in open habitats and fed on leaves. Credit: MacLatchy et al., Science 380, eabq2835 (2023)

Trees and most shrubs and nontropical grasses are classified as C plants, based on the type of photosynthesis they perform. Tropical grasses, which rely on a different photosynthetic system, are known as C plants. Importantly, C plants and C plants differ in the proportions of the various carbon isotopes they take in. That means carbon isotope ratios preserved in the paleosols can tell us the composition of the ancient vegetation.

We measured three distinct carbon isotope signatures, each providing a different perspective on the plant community: carbon resulting from decomposition of vegetation and soil microbes; carbon resulting from plant waxes; and calcium carbonate nodules formed in soils through evaporation.

Although each proxy gave us slightly different values, they converged on a single remarkable story. Moroto was not a closed forest habitat but rather a relatively open woodland environment. What's more, we found evidence of abundant C plant biomasstropical grasses.

This discovery was a revelation. C grasses lose less water during photosynthesis than C trees and shrubs do. Today, C grasses dominate seasonally dry savanna ecosystems that cover more than half of Africa. But scientists hadn't thought the levels of C biomass we measured at Moroto had evolved in Africa until 10 million years ago. Our data suggests it happened twice as far back in time, 21 million years ago.

Our colleagues Caroline Stromberg, Alice Novello and Rahab Kinyanjui used another line of evidence to corroborate the abundance of C grasses at Moroto. They analyzed phytoliths, tiny silica bodies created by plant cells, preserved in the paleosols. Their results supported an open woodland and wooded grassland environment for this time and place.

Taken together, this evidence dramatically contradicts the traditional view of ape originsthat apes evolved upright torsos to reach fruit in forest canopies. Instead, Morotopithecus, the earliest known ape with upright locomotion, consumed leaves and inhabited an open woodland with grassy areas.

Example of typical grass phytoliths, extracted from paleosol at one of the sites, some of which indicate the presence of C grass. Credit: Alice Novello

A new, regional view of early ape habitats

Through the REACHE project, we applied the same approach to reconstruct habitats at eight other fossil sites in Kenya and Uganda, ranging in age from around 16 million to 21 million years old. After all, Morotopithecus is only one of several apes that lived during this time period.

To our surprise, we discovered that the ecological signal measured at Moroto was not unique. Instead, it was part of a broader pattern in eastern Africa during this time.

Our isotopic proxies at each fossil site contributed two significant revelations. First, vegetation types ranged from closed canopy forests to open wooded grasslands. And second, every site had a mixture of C and C vegetation, with some locations having a high proportion of C grass biomass. Phytoliths from the same paleosols again corroborated that abundant C grasses were present at multiple sites.

The realization that such a variety of environments, especially open habitats with C grasses, was present at the dawn of the apes forces a reassessment not just of the evolution of apes but of humans and other African mammals. Although some studies had suggested such habitat variation was present across Africa, our project was able to confirm it, repeatedly, within the very habitats that early apes and their animal contemporaries occupied.

Paleoenvironments for the nine fossil sites analyzed range from closed canopy forest to more open wooded grassland environments. Inset map shows the geographic location of sites in eastern Africa. Credit: Dan Peppe

Because the timing of the assembly of Africa's grassland habitats underlies many evolutionary hypotheses, our discovery that they existed much earlier than expected calls for a recalibration of those ideas.

Regarding human origins, our study adds to a growing body of evidence that our divergence from apesin anatomy, ecology, behaviorcannot be simply explained by the appearance of grassland habitats. Nevertheless, we cautiously remind ourselves that hominin evolution unfolded over many millions of years. It is almost certain that the vast and majestic grasslands of Africa played an important role in some of the many steps along the path to becoming human.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
TUPPER LAKE  In roughly one year  on April 8, 2024  darkness will cover Tupper Lake. The sun will be blotted out. The temperature will suddenly drop. The wind will pick up. Wildlife will begin acting strangely. And Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory Board President Seth McGowan believes there will be thousands of people here to witness the strange event.

It wont be the apocalypse. It will be a total solar eclipse, the first to directly hit the Adirondack Parks Tri-Lakes in at least a millennium, maybe more.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon lines up precisely between the sun and Earth, casting its shadow created by our star  which is usually reserved for the emptiness of space  directly onto our planet, traveling in a line along the globes surface.

A partial eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017, brought more than 500 people to the ASCOs Tupper Lake observatory and around 1,800 to the Wild Center. Both centers considered this eclipse to be a dry run for the main event on April 8, 2024.

And this time, McGowan said, Tupper Lake is smack-dab in the path of totality, where the totality will last for around three-and-a-half minutes.

It should look like Woodstock up here, McGowan said. Thats why were planning a year in advance. People who dont follow this stuff, they probably dont have a sense of how big this is.

Before humans began to understand their skies with astronomy, ancient civilizations believed these eclipses to be a coming apocalypse  a dragon eating the sun, or the day turning to night. Now, we know that eclipses are not the end of the world, but without careful planning, McGowan said it can feel like it is, as a mass of people descend on the tiny towns here.

The event is a year away, which may seem like a cosmic distance, but he said they have to start prepping in 2023.

People should be planning now, absolutely, McGowan said.

He said people from all over the world are going to be seeking a coveted spot in the 70-mile-wide path of totality. Tupper Lake already has some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, as well as the only astronomy-based organization in Adirondacks.

Everythings lining up, McGowan said, astronomically and terrestrially.

On the edges of the path of totality, this event could just last for a few seconds, he said, and while those areas may attract many spectators, people arent shy about traveling an extra hour or so to get more time in the moons umbra.

He said people planning to come to Tupper Lake should start now.

The whole region will fill up, McGowan said. Nobody has the capacity. Everybody will be booked.

People may rent rooms around the area and travel to Tupper Lake that day, but he cautions, it may take a while. McGowan predicts this event may bring something almost as uncommon as a total eclipse in the Adirondacks  traffic jams.

He envisions people loading cars with high-tech astronomical gear, families gearing up like theyre going camping and people flying in from all over.

McGowan said there are three levels of planning going on for the eclipse. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is starting a regional effort. A Tupper Lake communitywide group of the town, village, schools, Tupper Arts, the Wild Center and the library, led by the ASCO, has been preparing. And individual planning will be starting within every organization in town, he said.

This is a decentralized event organization. It needs to be, McGowan said, because it will be such a big event. He can plan for setting up telescopes and getting people eclipse glasses, but he doesnt know how to control traffic or stock up on toilet paper. Yes, that is really a concern.

McGowan said this eclipse has been known since humans started tracking the paths of the sun and moon. It first became more public knowledge during the 2017 eclipse, which Tupper Lake saw 63% coverage in. McGowan said the ASCO has been planning for the 2024 eclipse for at least a year already.

If you look at what happened across the county in 2017 ... those communities that were in totality, were just inundated with people, he said. I dont think people really had an idea before we started talking about how big this will be. ... People from all over the world come to see (eclipses).

A mystical experience

In 2017, McGowan was one of these celestial seekers. He and his wife traveled down to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, a city of around 30,000 people that was viewed as the epicenter of that eclipse.

An avid amateur astronomer, he had planned this trip a year or two in advance. They dropped their daughter off at college in Lexington and made the three hour drive to Hopkinsville. The city/county of Hopkinsville estimated that around 116,500 people were visiting there that day.

McGowan said every parking lot, every strip mall, every road, every square foot of area was full of vehicles and onlookers craning their necks to the sky. It was so busy, even though they were arriving six hours before the eclipse, they couldnt get close to the field he wanted to set up at. So he found what was essentially the last spot in a Walmart parking lot, parked illegally and set up his camera.

As the eclipse approached, he said it seemed like it wouldnt really get dark. As long as one sliver of the sun is unobscured by the moon, it will be bright. But when the moon moved fully in front of the sun, it just disappears.

It was stirring, I mean, moving, McGowan said. It gets dark and it gets cold. It gets windy. Birds and all sorts of wildlife, things happen.

Things happened among the humans, too.

At first there was a cheer. ... And then it was silent, he said.

Everyone took off their solar glasses and safely viewed the suns corona reaching around the moon during totality.

McGowan said it was eerie and night-ish. They could see stars in the middle of the day. It was summer in the south but he felt a chill  he still wonders, was this the cold or the emotion?

They stood for several minutes, gaining an ethereal sense of our place in the universe.

When the sun appeared again, there was another cheer.

People started hugging each other. It was almost like a religious event, McGowan said. I get chills just talking about it. ... Its a mystical type of experience.

He said having his wife there elevated the experience and recommended everyone find someone they love to share in totality with.

Its the type of thing that youre almost meant to do with somebody, McGowan said.

Once the eclipse was over, the engines started. It was like when a concert or sporting event lets out, he said. The three-hour drive back to Lexington took 11 hours.

It was unbelievable. Gas stations along the highway ran out of gas, fast food joints ran out of food. ... Even the bathrooms, they had no toilet paper in the bathrooms anymore. ... It was just nuts, McGowan said. It was like a post-apocalyptic kind of event.

Understanding the odds

McGowan said the moon passes between the sun and the Earth all the time  but the lining up of the three, to cast the shadow of the moon on the Earth, is rare. The moon and sun are vastly different in size, but the distance between them is just enough to make them look roughly the same size from Earth.

The Adirondacks have seen many annular eclipses over the years, but these are less impressive than total solar eclipses, since the moon is farther away from Earth during these, and is not visually large enough to cast a shadow on Earth, blotting out the sun.

McGowan said all planets that have moons have eclipses of some type.

However, the size-distance ratio makes our moon appear to be the same size as the sun from our perspective on Earth, he wrote in a text to the Enterprise.

According to NASA data, portions of the Adirondacks have been in the path of totality for total solar eclipses at least four times in the past millennium  on Jun. 16, 1806; Sept. 10, 1569; Jan. 21, 1395; and Dec. 10, 1349. The two most recent eclipses were focused on the southernmost or northernmost portions of the Park.

This will be the most direct hit of an eclipse since at least the Middle Ages.

These events are not random, McGowan said. They are predictable, based on very complex equations.

The moon revolves around Earth every 27 days. The Earth rotates on its axis at a 23.5 degree tilt every 24 hours. The Earth and moon together revolve around the sun every 365 days. The moon is around 238,000 miles from the Earth, but the sun is 93 million miles away.

You put all of those factors together and you have an astronomically small window of opportunity for it to land in just the right place at the right time, McGowan said.

He said it is a time for people to get a first-hand sense of the size, scale, distance and heat of the objects orbiting above our heads every day. With it being described as such a monumental experience, but passing so quickly  3.5 minutes is not long  McGowan was asked how viewers can get the most out of the unique opportunity and truly soak it all in.

He said thats part of the ASCOs goal in telling people about the event ahead of time. If people already have knowledge of the odds and coordination it takes for a total solar eclipse, he said theyll understand what is happening and be free to be in the moment.

Hopefully, through our outreach, well provide all of that (knowledge) so that people can sort of let go of that scientific wonder and let that graduate to an almost mystical wonder, McGowan said.

Hes been visiting schools recently, giving perspective to students on the magnitude of the coming event. The ASCO is telling people to come early, stay late, he said. Theyre planning for speakers, solar imaging workshops, music, fireworks and educational events all over town.

The clouds factor

The certainty of the sun, moon and Earths movements is contrasted with the unpredictability of the weather conditions here on the planet. Theres one big question hanging over the whole day  will it be cloudy?

McGowan said its a crap shoot all over the world if skies will be clear when an eclipse happens. The Adirondacks in April are no stranger to gloomy days. And all he can do is hope. In 2017 when he was driving to Hopkinsville on the day of the eclipse, he said it was raining, but the sky cleared in time for the event.

Even if there are clouds, its not necessarily all or nothing, he said. With cloud cover, a total eclipses phenomenon can still be felt  the dark, the cold.

It all depends on the type of clouds, the weather, wind and temperature. Clouds are often high and wispy in the Adirondacks, which is good for eclipses, he said. If this is the case, people would be able to see the shadow of the moon approaching on the clouds.

Viewing the eclipse

Even during a partial eclipse, it is dangerous to look up at the sun. The suns rays overload the retina and can burn the eye leaving long-lasting damage.

The sun is still the sun, McGowan said.

Solar glasses must be worn at all other times to prevent damage to the retina. The ASCO has ordered 50,000 eclipse glasses. McGowan said theyll distribute many of these for free to regional schools.

But a total eclipse brings a unique event  being able to take those glasses off and see the suns corona, its outer atmosphere, which is rarely seen as sunlight usually overwhelms the lighter gaseous atmosphere.

McGowan said the ASCOs roll-off-roof observatory property, the site of a future planned astroscience center, is not big enough for this event. While the public will be filling parks and fields, he said the observatory property will be filled with scientists, photographers and students doing solar imaging and studying the suns corona.

Tourism driver

While eclipses have been traversing the Earth for as long as the sun, moon and planet have been around, tourism, travel and the worlds population are at unprecedented levels.

On Wednesday, ROOST announced its plans for preparing the region  businesses, communities, residents and visitors  for the impending celestial event which is anticipated to bring increased visitation.

The tourism marketing and management organization has created two webpages for the eclipse  one, focused on businesses and preparation at roostadk.com/eclipse2024 and another focused on marketing for solar tourists visiting the area at that time at 2024-eclipse.com. This second site features a countdown clock.

ROOST plans to hold a community meeting over Zoom at 5:30 p.m. May 10 to detail its plans and discuss what a total solar eclipse means for the region  outside of a few minutes of darkness.

A link to advance register for this meeting can be found at the ROOST eclipse business webpage.

ROOST is also developing a business resource toolkit with eclipse-related information and materials for local businesses and community members to have and share.

Beginning these conversations early will allow the Adirondack region to be as prepared as possible for the unprecedented April event, ROOST Director of Marketing Michelle Clement said in a press release. Preparing for an influx of solar eclipse enthusiasts is important, especially during what is typically one of the quieter times of year in our communities.

Clement said the Adirondack region is within a days drive for 25% of the North American population and that thoughtful planning can ensure that businesses and towns can maximize this opportunity.

McGowan said this is a great opportunity for Adirondacks. If people see beauty of Adirondacks, they may return during a non-eclipse time.

ROOST also has a survey asking what plans businesses and organizations have for the eclipse, if they want assistance creating plans, if they plan to offer specials or packages related to the eclipse and if they will be open at that time. This survey is also at the ROOST eclipse business webpage.

State tourism officials at I Love New York are also trying to attract tourists for the event, and they have set up a webpage  iloveny.com/eclipse-2024  with resources and a map showing the path of total solar eclipse. Buffalo, Watertown and Plattsurgh are directly in the path, with all of Franklin, Essex, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties between the center line and the edge of totality.

There have been dozens of total eclipses in the U.S. in relatively recent history and Tupper Lake will see another annular eclipse toward the end of the century.

The region will experience a partial annular eclipse on Oct. 14 of this year, McGowan said. It will only bring a 20% coverage of the sun, so he said it is not as big a deal as the eclipse next year, but it does come during the ASCOs astrophotography conference, so area astrophotographers will have the chance to hone their skills as they prepare for April 8, 2024.
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, will run for reelection to a ninth two-year term in Congress next year.

Absolutely, Tonko said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. Were having a good time visiting all of the new areas of our district. Its been a good tour.

Under the redistricting process in 2022, the boundary of the 20th Congressional District, which Tonko represents, was redrawn to include all of Saratoga County.

Previously, Saratoga County was split between the 20th and 21st districts.

A 2024 Republican candidate in the 20th Congressional District has not yet been announced.

In other political news:

Castelli moves to D.C.: Matt Castelli, the Democratic candidate in the 21st Congressional District in 2022, no longer lives in the area.

Warren County Democratic Chairwoman Lynne Boecher said Tuesday that Castelli changed his voter enrollment from Glens Falls to Washington, D.C., shortly after he announced April 4 that he would not run again in 2024.

Stefanik makes endorsement: On the same day that U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, announced her own re-election bid, she began endorsements in other 2024 congressional races.

Stefanik, through her E-PAC political action committee, on Tuesday endorsed Yvette Herrell, the Republican candidate in New Mexicos 2nd District, a consistent toss-up district.

Yvette is a rock-solid conservative who puts America first and prioritizes results for hard-working families, Stefanik said in an endorsement announcement, posted on her campaign Facebook page.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-CA., joined Herrell for her campaign announcement event in New Mexico on Tuesday.

This marks Herrells fourth consecutive congressional run.

She narrowly lost re-election by 1,300 votes in 2022, after winning in 2020, and narrowly losing in 2018, according to the Sun News of Las Cruces, N.M.

West Point bound: State Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, on March 24 congratulated Warrensburg High School Senior Kailey Bacon on her appointment to The United States Military Academy at West Point.

Blood drive: State Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, announced he will host an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. April 21 at Aviation Mall.

Appointments can be made by online at Red CrossBlood.org or by calling 1 (800) RED CROSS.

Music in schools: State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, and Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, announced that the Glens Falls High School Strolling Strings, Granville Central School jazz ensemble, and Queensbury Union Free School Middle School choir and jazz ensemble were among the musical groups that performed at the state Capital for Music in Our Schools Week.

Good eats: State Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, announced on Facebook that he joined in the filming for an episode of the Americas Best Restaurants national digital show filmed Wednesday at Eddie Fs restaurant in Saratoga Springs.

The episode will be shown this summer.
A proposed drag story time event at the Rockwell Falls Public Library brought the hot-button issue of drag culture to the small, unassuming Adirondack Town of Lake Luzerne.

Why are these drag queens being normalized throughout, really the country, and right here in our own town? exclaimed one resident during a public forum held at the library Tuesday. This is deviant behavior, this is not normal behavior.

Many assumptions and dubious statistics were bandied about at the meeting Tuesday, most pulled from the erroneous annals of the internet, but the conundrum that seems to task every drag detractor, is the very thing that drag stands for: proudly not being normalized.

Jake Evans, a.k.a. Scarlet Sagamore, the performer who was scheduled to host the event before the librarys board chose to put it on hold, sat down with The Post-Star last week to give his perspective on the admittedly abstract concept and to discuss why he wants bring awareness to people of all ages.

Drag is really such a complex term, it could really mean a bunch of different things, Evans said. People say it has to do with gender bending, but thats not always the case.

Evans quoted one of the most recognizable drag queens of all time, RuPaul, who said, Were all born naked, the rest is drag.

It really just is like youre playing a part, youre just dressing up, Evans said. If you think about it, everyone is really in drag however you look at it.

Its often pointed out that the concept of drag originated as a common-place fixture in ancient Greek and even up into Shakespearean theater, when men would literally play the womans role in over-the-top hyper-feminine performances and makeup. With roots in the theater, drag has always been linked to aspects of pomp and fanfare, but as it evolved, it became intertwined with and transformed into a cultural movement.

In the 1920s and 1930s drag was around, it was obviously more underground, Evans said. All throughout the world, it was more of a theatrical act that was supposed to be comedy based, mostly making fun of the performer.

As freedom of expression and the exploration of different subcultures became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, ballroom culture, or just ballroom, began to emerge as a way for primarily Black and LatinX people to express themselves utilizing some of the protoform elements of modern drag.

Essentially it was these groups of people that the world saw as outcast and they would be in these underground events called balls, where they would walk these categories, Evans said. Essentially they were trying to emulate what society wouldnt let them get to.

Balls were places where minorities and other groups could poke fun at the juxtaposition of a society demanding they conform, while keeping them marginalized due to the circumstances of their birth. Designed to caricature the societal norms of the time, all the elements of modern drag culture were present, including exaggerated makeup, garish outfits, and over pronounced gestures. Ballroom groups or Houses have become places of acceptance for all groups of people who feel they are placed on the outskirts of society, including the LGBTQ community.

Although the history and culture of drag has become intertwined with the history and culture of the LGBTQ community, the two are not inherently one and the same. Just as not all gay people are drag queens, not all drag queens are gay.

I think people, just because of media, what weve seen especially with, like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and whatnot, that would make (people) think that its inherently sexual, Evans explained.

When most people think of drag, their minds are immediately sent into smoky burlesque halls, filled with oversexualized striptease-like performances. In that scenario, the very idea of introducing drag performers to children as anything other than taboo is absolutely abhorrent. While Evans concedes that there are some bawdy drag performers who exclusively operate at a more adult level, they make up the minority of the community.

Theres such a large range of what drag is and what it means to everyone, he said.

Just like the cultural perception that all motorcycle groups are gangs, or that individuals of a certain political persuasion all adhere to the same doctrine, Evans explained that lumping all drag performers into a single genre has no basis in the reality of the community.

From being in the community and being a drag queen myself, 90% of the time its the total opposite of raunchy performances, he said. I would never, anywhere show up to a club or a show in fishnets, a thong and a corset.

No, Ive never given anyone a lap dance at a performance, I dont really plan on it, he added.

Evans said a typical performance for him consists of comedy routines and lip-syncing to song mixes.

Its just funny. Sometimes Ill just do, like, popular pop songs, Ill do ballads, he said. I like performing Celine Dion.

As more attention is being placed on the drag community thanks to television and social media, drag story hours have become a means for the drag community to soften its image and spread its message of acceptance in a more subdued fashion. However, removing the stigma of the lewd, hyper-sexed drag queen has not been easy, which generates a lot of animosity in some parents who see the story time events as a predatory action.

They think drag is sexualizing, and its just simply not, Evans said. You have sexuality, which is who you are sexually and emotionally attracted to and you have gender, which is totally different. And the two dont dictate each other.

Sexual and gender identities are two separate aspects of an individuals understanding of self. Sexual identity is a more external function, referring to the type of partner we seek. Gender identity is more internal, referring to the way we feel about and present ourselves to the world. And neither is dictated by the physical attributes one in born with.

The term cis-gendered is applied to people whose gender identity is in sync with the physical gender-affirming attributes they are born with. Even a woman, who is born with traditionally feminine features, who identifies as a female, and is sexually attracted to men, can be a drag queen.

Cis-gendered women do drag as well. Theres multiple throughout New York State that I know personally, Evans said. Its just a hyper-visualization or performance of yourself.

There have been many recent studies exploring the genetic composition of gender.

People tend to define sex in a binary way  either wholly male or wholly female  based on physical appearance or by which sex chromosomes an individual carries, explained Dr. Eric Vilain, director of the Center for Gender-Based Biology at UCLA, in a 2015 article put out by the university. But while sex and gender may seem dichotomous, there are in reality many intermediates.

Theres no set number of X chromosomes that make a person female, nor is there a set number of Y chromosomes that make a person male. Each individual has a spectral distribution of those genes, meaning even though a person can be born with definitively male features on the outside, internally, that person could feel more feminine.

As it relates to gender, Evans explained that drag acts as a way for the individual to explore those internal feelings, and even play-up or exaggerate a gender role they feel a connection to. Whether its a man playing as a feminine character, a woman playing as a masculine character, or a man playing masculine, and a woman playing feminine.

Grooming is a term often used by opponents of drag story hours, as a concern that allowing children to interact with a person in drag in a positive way would incline the child to want to participate in drag culture themselves. In some extreme cases, protesters will even believe that it might somehow initiate feelings of homosexuality or at the very least sexual confusion in an otherwise heteronormative child.

Evans categorically disagrees. If anything, he said that drag story times are meant to reinforce how a child is already feeling by showing them that its ok if they feel different from their peers; and uses his own experience as an example.

If what I experienced as a child was grooming me to be a certain way I wouldnt be who I am today, he said. My dad is a veteran, he was a Navy officer and he always talked about it, theres pictures all around our house, he went to an all-male cadet school, and here I am, Im still a drag queen, he said. Im not in the Navy, even though that was something I was exposed to.

Evans, who identifies himself as a cis-gendered gay man, said he grew up in a fairly conservative household. His father was in the Navy, and although he said there was never any overt attempt to shield him from the LGBTQ community, it wasnt something he experienced until later in life.

But from a very young age I knew that I was different. I knew that I liked things that society told me boys shouldnt like, he said. And you know, I felt out of place.

In junior high school, Evans said he started getting involved in theater, which sparked a love of performing and entertaining. He credits the role of Chef Louie in a high school production of The Little Mermaid as a turning point for his creative life.

That really took me out of my comfort zone, because I really had to be so over-the-top and I looked crazy with crazy make up on, he said. But I loved it so much, just seeing how I could make people laugh. I really enjoyed it.

But even as he found safe havens is socially acceptable places he could express himself, such as the theater, Evans said there was always a feeling of uncertainty for his future.

I never had anyone to look up to. When I was figuring out myself and was coming into my identity, I didnt know any successful or happy queer people, he said. That made me scared for my life and I started to hate myself and resent myself. I was like, if I stay like this am I ever going to be happy, am I ever going to be successful, because I had no one I could look up to and relate to.

When he was 18, Evans said he saw his first drag show, and realized those years spent suffering and worrying about his future were unnecessary. Here was a community of happy, successful, queer individuals who not only had each other for support, but were making real change in the world as a whole. It was as though all the wrong elements that he had struggled with enjoying his whole life finally made sense. Something Evans said he really wish hed known about earlier in life.

My makeup artistry and the costuming, and my love for performing, it really kind of just fell into place, he said. I think having someone like a drag queen reading them a story, who is just being themselves, in itself can help inspire so many children to give them hope that theyll be OK.

Evans said that the idea of a drag story hour being dangerous to children comes from a place of fear and ignorance, which in turn, generates the real danger.

Unless parents see their children having an open mind as a danger, then I dont really know how it could be dangerous, he said. Theres protesters screaming at their parents, calling their parents derogatory terms. Thats not a safe environment for kids, and that is dangerous.

The event that spurred the controversy was scheduled to take place Saturday, but was postponed. Despite the oppositions initial success, Evans said hes optimistic that its just a matter of time before the veil of misunderstanding is pulled back, and the yelling can give way to talking and, hopefully, understanding.

We are unapologetically ourselves in the most human way possible, he said. Lead with kindness and dont be afraid to be yourselves even in the face of hate.
Last week the hose was frozen in a lump of snow ice about the size of a pony. I left it out a day too long last year. It got buried in snow and became an ice snake.

I usually guess right and roll it up and stow it before the ice season arrives. Sometimes I guess wrong. I turn the water off in the basement, and wait.

This year I had to wait all season. It was frozen to the ground.

We are like Iceland here in the Adirondacks. There is summer and winter.

Last week it was still sugar season with the sap flowing, kind of like our spring, but really part of late winter. Some people even tap in January these days.

This week, the pin cherry leaves are budding and swelling. Its 85 degrees. Its summer. Maybe early summer, but summer. And the hose is free and water is running through it again.

It was warm enough for me to spend some time just sitting on my lawn chair next to Hazel Goat, who still wants to sleep and hang out near the front door. Shes chewing her cud, eating her hay, accepting plenty of pats, and giving any of the kids who come too close a quick butt with her narrowly spaced horns.

I tell her not to kill the babies. That means, in our talk, not seriously butting them. In the end thats how goats show dominance. Somehow, even vicious looking sparring amongst the nannies doesnt seem to end up in injuries.

Hazel does not want any of the present new crop of kids to get any apostate ideas about who is the boss goat around here, or who is dads No. 1 pet goat. All of the goats who are younger than her allow her a wide berth, unless they are amongst her favorite nieces.

A few choice goats do get to lay down next to her during joint ruminating sessions.

With the hose back in operation my life is much easier  no tank heaters, no hauling around buckets, no sliding and slipping to ensure everyone gets plenty of fresh, clean water.

Having the hose and the heat takes at least an hour off of my chores and allows me to do the things I cant during ice season.

Im starting to mend fences, shovel out frozen bedding and spread finished compost, plant peas, onions and other cool season crops.

The only problem I have is when I walk out the door, there are still mounds and patches of snow here and there, and Im at a loss.

Should I stack wood that I split over the winter and left in a pile? Should I start moving rubble to the planned loading area? Should I go early to visit John Bennett in the hospital? Or should I put out my crawdad traps and go fishing?

John fell down week before last. I found him in the living room, no fire left in the stove.

Long and short of it: He ended up in the hospital, but hes on the mend. Hes with it, and getting whatever care he needs.

By the way, I am not allowed to call him Old John Bennett, or put him in a rocking chair on the transport trailer and tow him along in the Fourth of July parade.

Its a pity; I think everyone would consider that one of the highlights.

I imagine John was just sick of winter, and he just gave in to the strain of it. Just think: one short week and it would be summer.

Now we are all feeling a whole lot better.
There is no hyperbole in stating that the degree to which nearly every detail had been meticulously planned out  even on a property that encompasses such a massive amount of space  is truly awe-inspiring at 4652 Somers Point Road in Mays Landing.

From its landscaping full of naturally occurring greenery, to its 5,102 square feet of luxuriously appointed interior, to a manicured rear deck/patio area funneling into a long pier and large boat dock on the Great Egg Harbor River, the property is nothing shy of magnificent in every way.

An amenity that certainly makes it stand out even more prominently is a 4,000-square foot detached barn, constructed by current ownership at the same time as the main residence in 2016, that could potentially house  again, without overstating the case  a helicopter if one were so inclined. For those with interests closer to the ground, the car collector or equestrian would find ample space for your hobbies and to store your boat(s) in a heated space. The whole compound could call to mind (at least for those who have been around long enough) a scaled-down, modern-day Ponderosa, except that Hoss and Little Joe would surely be asked to remove their boots before entering.

The price tag on this 3-bedroom, 3 -bathroom estate is likely a little higher than the average Joe could afford, but one might wonder what such a magnificent home would cost if uprooted and planted a block in from any beach on the East Coast. It would enter the realm of unattainable to anyone other than the super-rich, yet this property has easily 10 times the ground of the typical beach house, is surrounded by thousands of pristine, undevelopable acres protected by the National Wild and Scenic River System and the Pinelands National Reserve, and can access any of the shore points easily via boat straight down the river.

That was really the main point  to feel like youre at the shore without having all the crowds, says the current owner, who purchased the land with his wife in 2014, and had the home custom built. When we bought the property, I had been transferred to New Jersey from North Carolina, where we were living on 12 acres. We started looking and heard through a friend about a piece of property that had just been subdivided into two lots. We bought both lots, combined them, and then took our time to design the house, to take full advantage of the incredible views.

The million-dollar view is out of the back of the house, which faces directly west and gives you the most spectacular sunsets year-round, he says. The winter sunsets are just as spectacular as summer. And theres nothing on the other side of the river but thousands of acres of federal, county and state land that will never be developed. We see eagles and other birds of prey every day here.

The property is located on a section of river in Mays Landing that is elevated about 15 feet above the mean-high waterline, providing a vista view of the river, dock and boat lifts. And boaters returning from the ocean need not worry about flushing the salt water out of their engines, as the Great Egg Harbor River  whose 129-mile length runs almost entirely through the sparsely populated Pine Barrens  is touted as one of the cleanest rivers on the East Coast and does the flushing itself.

When we moved here, we heard about all the history of this area, he adds. It was a place where the Lenni Lenape Indians used to camp out, and where old factories would use the sumac trees to make dyes. There was major trading going on from Philadelphia due to the easy access to land through the river (the Sugar Hill name adorning Mays Landing businesses was derived from a thriving sugar trade)  the area has a fascinating history.

The property were on is part of an area where cannons, because of the overlook of the river, were set up there during the Revolutionary War, and privateers were hired to make the area safe from British warships, says the owner. One of them lived at the head of the river and wound up as the first Governor of New Jersey (William Livingston).

The owners made a concerted effort to incorporate some local history into the actual construction of the home during its planning stages.

We had an oak tree that sat right about where our foyer is now, and wondered if we could somehow position the house to save that oak tree. We could not. We took it down, but our mantle is the heart of that oak tree, and a lot of that oak wood, as well as wood from a large maple tree that came down, was used in the construction of the home, the owner said.

We have wainscoting in the office area, shiplap on the screen porch, and beams in the kitchen area all made from that wood. We tried to recycle and sort of pay homage to these hundreds-of-years-old trees that have stood here and weathered lots of crazy times in South Jersey.

The couple also used as many naturally occurring trees, bushes and plants around the property as possible.

We wanted to keep the landscaping as natural as possible, and not go with exotic, says the owner, who plans to relocate with his wife to the New England area, where their grown children and grandchildren reside. The house was designed to take advantage of the view and the natural surroundings. Its not one that we planned out of a book.

This is the kind of home that you make memories in. We have had many great times boating, fishing and just enjoying the property being surrounded by nature, but its now time to turn it over to someone to make new memories.

For more information on this exceptional Mays Landing property, qualified buyers can call the direct line of listing agent Paula Hartman at 609-271-7337, or Todd Gordon at 609-553-5098, or the office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach at 609-487-7234. Prospective buyers can also email Paula at redheadedrealtor@aol.com or Todd at todd.acrealtor@gmail.com.

This article was sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach
The arrested accused has been identified as Sridhar Mohan Salunkhe (42) resident of Kasba Peth.

Acting on the tip-off, the Police have arrested the manager of the centre, and rescued five women. The man who ran the place is absconding. A case has been registered at the Wanwadi Police Station. The women are shifted to safer places.

A case has been registered against the accused under Immoral Traffic Act 1956.
More than a dozen people work at Rock Island's port terminal off Illinois Route 92, but many people don't know it's there.

The terminal would be easy to miss if not for a few piles of crude iron peeking over a fence and the large, gray warehouse sitting in the middle of the property.

The entrance has a white sign attached to the fence that reads, "Alter Logistics" in bright, bold yellow lettering. A gravel road leads to the front office.

Owned by the city and leased to Alter Logistics, the Rock Island Intermodal Port Terminal sits along the Mississippi River in the industrial park at 700 Mill St. The terminal helps transport commodities from barge to rail to truck, using inland waterways and other forms of transportation.

The city is seeking a port designation, which would create considerable opportunities for the barge terminal and for other means of transportation in Rock Island, impacting the entire region.

What happens here

Terminal Manager Doug Weber oversees the day-to-day operations and has been with the company for eight years. The terminal frequently is busy, except for a period around the first of each year when the rivers navigation channel closes and barges stop moving on the Upper Mississippi.

"There's a lot of different commodities that are thrown onto barges that you wouldn't think of," Weber said. "But it's the best form of transportation."

Located right off a state highway, Weber said, the terminal is convenient for transporting goods from the barge onto trucks, which deliver throughout the two-state area and beyond.

Products still are shipped over the winter season, using other means of transportation.

Things start to pick up again the first week of March and remain steady throughout the summer until fall when, Weber said, another peak occurs.

"Our spring and fall are usually our busier seasons that our customers like to bring in product," he said.

A dozen commodities are shipped at the terminal, with fertilizer and road salt being the biggest two. About 80,000 to 100,000 tons of road salt was handled this winter.

Salt that was brought into Rock Island's port was used around the Quad-Cities and was transported as far as Bloomington-Normal and Des Moines.

Other commodities include grain, scrap, lumber, steel and aluminum, magnesium alloy, urea and other dry bulk.

The windows on one side of the office face the Mississippi River, providing a view of the transport yard. There, commodities are unloaded into the hopper, or funnel-type equipment, which moves it to the warehouse. The goods then are dropped into bins, or storage-like rooms.

It's a short walk to the dock  across dirt and gravel that often clings to workers steel-toed boots. The closer one gets to the barge, the more the wind picks up, along with the sound of heavy equipment in use.

Typically, two barge containers can be emptied in a day, Weber said.

"It takes about four to six hours to empty a container, but it also depends on the product," he said.

Aluminum takes at least a few days to unload.

Parts of the process

Behind the barge terminal sits the 40,000-ton fertilizer warehouse. Products are weighed and transported onto trucks and rail at the warehouse, along with bins.

Rail cars and trucks can be unloaded on the side of the terminal that is closest to the river. On the other side of the warehouse, closest to the office, trucks also can be loaded and unloaded.

It takes five to seven minutes to fill a truck  40 to 45 minutes to fill a rail car.

But how will they know how much product is being transported?

There are a few different ways, but figuring out how much tonnage to transport begins with a scale.

Written on the side of the rail cars, Weber said, is the number of tons it can hold. Mounted on the wall is a digital scale reader that shows how much product is being weighed and loaded.

Also located in the warehouse are bins, or storage-like rooms, where commodities are stored before they are transported.

The property also has a 3,000-square-foot dome for more product storage that isnt considered dry bulk. Inside the dome, products such as crude iron or magnesium alloy can be found.

The convenience of the state highway that connects to the interstates, along with the railway, Weber said, make it easier for transportation and attracts companies to use Rock Island's terminal.

Since it opened in the 1980s, a number of improvements have been made. Tom Streight, sales and marking vice-president for Alter, has been with the company for 30 years and said updates include a recently renovated $4 million seawall for barge access and the 40,000-ton fertilizer warehouse.

But as more updates are needed, funding for projects can be difficult.

The power of a port

The city is vying for a port district designation through the state that would encompass the entire city. If approved, it would provide Rock Island's port with more funding opportunities for projects.

Illinois State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, filed legislation that would create the Rock Island Regional Port District Act, or Senate Bill 1897. The designation provides another way for the city to receive more infrastructure funding, all while encouraging the use of waterways and other means of transportation to efficiently move goods.

A port district designation for Rock Island, Streight said, would allow for more infrastructure improvements at and around the terminal. On the list are terminal upgrades, expansion of rail transportation and roadway improvements.

"Some of these federal grants are available only to governmental agencies like a port authority," he said.

Streight said that Alter also had a terminal lease in Minnesota and that the port district designation at the St. Paul terminal allowed them to make a number of important improvements.
A Davenport registered sex offender has been arrested by Davenport Police for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in September of 2022.

Ronald Lam Jr., 37, who is on parole in Scott County and on probation in Rock Island County, is charged with one count of third-degree sexual abuse-second or subsequent offense.

The charge is a Class A felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Maureen Hammes, on Sept. 29, 2022, Lam forced a teen to have sex with him.

Lam was taken into custody Friday.

During a first appearance on the charge Saturday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Christine Frederick ordered Lam to be held in the Scott County Jail without bond and scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for April 25.

Lam was arrested Oct. 6, 2022, on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse for allegedly sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in June of that year. A Scott County jury found him not guilty of the charge on Jan. 23 after a five-day trial in District Court.

While that trial was being held, the investigation into the current sex-abuse charge was being conducted.

Lam is on parole until Jan. 5, 2025, in Scott County after pleading guilty to five counts of second-degree burglary. The burglaries were committed in July and August of 2013 with four of them occurring in Bettendorf and one in Davenport, according to District Court electronic records.

For the four in Bettendorf, Lam was sentenced to 10 years on Count 1 of the burglary charges and a consecutive, or back-to-back, term of 10 years on the second count, for a 20-year sentence. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Counts 3 and 4, but those were to run concurrent to the other two sentences, or to be served at the same time.

For the Davenport burglary, Lam was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Lam was released from prison on Dec. 3, 2019, and placed on parole until Jan. 5, 2025, according to Iowa Department of Corrections electronic records,

Lam is required to register as a sex offender after a Scott County jury found him guilty of third-degree sexual abuse in 2004, according to District Court records.

According to Iowa Court of Appeals records, Lam was 18 and living at a residential correctional facility in Davenport. While waiting for a bus he had sex with a 13-year-old girl he met at the bus terminal.

The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed Lams conviction and sentence.

Lam is required to be on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life.

Lam also is awaiting trial on a charge of sex-offender registration violation-second or subsequent offense. The charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. A jury trial in that case is scheduled for May 1 in District Court.

Lam also is serving four years on probation in Rock Island County after he pleaded guilty Feb. 15, 2022, to one count of unlawful possession with the intent to deliver between 1 and 15 grams of a cocaine analog. The charge is a Class 1 felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of four to 15 years.